Sustained Attention in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease

PubMed Central

Berardi, Anna Maria; Parasuraman, Raja; Haxby, James V.

2008-01-01

The vigilance decrement in perceptual sensitivity was examined in 10 patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and 20 age-matched controls. A visual high-event rate digit-discrimination task lasting 7.2 min. (six 1.2 min blocks) was presented at different levels of stimulus degradation. Previous studies have shown that sensitivity decrements (d′) over time at high-stimulus degradation result from demands on effortful processing. For all degradation levels, the overall level of vigilance (d′) was lower in AD patients than in controls. All participants showed sensitivity decrement over blocks, with greater decrement at higher degradation levels. AD patients exhibited greater sensitivity decrement over time at the highest degradation level they all could perform relative to control participants. There were no concomitant changes in either response bias (C) or response times. The results indicate that mild AD patients have overall lower levels of vigilance under conditions that require both automatic and effortful processing. Mild AD patients also exhibit a deficit in the maintenance of vigilance over time under effortful processing conditions. Although the sample of AD patients was small, results further suggest that both possible and probable AD patients had greater sensitivity decrement over time at the highest degradation level than did control participants, but only probable AD patients had lower overall levels of vigilance. In the possible AD patients as a group, the decrement in vigilance occurred in the absence of concurrent deficits on standard attentional tasks, such as the Stroop and Trail Making tests, suggesting that deficits in vigilance over time may appear earlier than deficits in selective attention. PMID:15992254

Electrocatalytic hydrogenation and hydrodeoxygenation of oxygenated and unsaturated organic compounds

DOEpatents

Jackson, James E.; Lam, Chun Ho; Saffron, Christopher M.; Miller, Dennis J.

2018-04-24

A process and related electrode composition are disclosed for the electrocatalytic hydrogenation and/or hydrodeoxygenation of organic substrates such as biomass-derived bio-oil components by the production of hydrogen atoms on a catalyst surface followed by the reaction of the hydrogen atoms with the organic reactants. Biomass fast pyrolysis-derived bio-oil is a liquid mixture containing hundreds of organic compounds with chemical functionalities that are corrosive to container materials and are prone to polymerization. A high surface area skeletal metal catalyst material such as Raney Nickel can be used as the cathode. Electrocatalytic hydrogenation and/or hydrodeoxygenation convert the organic substrates under mild conditions to reduce coke formation and catalyst deactivation. The process converts oxygen-containing functionalities and unsaturated bonds into chemically reduced forms with an increased hydrogen content. The process is operated at mild conditions, which enables it to be a good means for stabilizing bio-oil to a form that can be stored and transported using metal containers and pipes.

Effect of coating mild steel with CNTs on its mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour in acidic medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdulmalik Abdulrahaman, Mahmud; Kamaldeeen Abubakre, Oladiran; Ambali Abdulkareem, Saka; Oladejo Tijani, Jimoh; Aliyu, Ahmed; Afolabi, Ayo Samuel

2017-03-01

The study investigated the mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of mild steel coated with carbon nanotubes at different coating conditions. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized via the conventional chemical vapour deposition reaction using bimetallic Fe-Ni catalyst supported on kaolin, with acetylene gas as a carbon source. The HRSEM/HRTEM analysis of the purified carbon materials revealed significant reduction in the diameters of the purified MWCNT bundles from 50 nm to 2 nm and was attributed to the ultrasonication assisted dispersion with surfactant (gum arabic) employed in purification process. The network of the dispersed MWCNTs was coated onto the surfaces of mild steel samples, and as the coating temperature and holding time increased, the coating thickness reduced. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, yield strength, hardness value) of the coated steel samples increased with increase in coating temperature and holding time. Comparing the different coating conditions, coated mild steels at the temperature of 950 °C for 90 min holding time exhibited high hardness, yield strength and tensile strength values compared to others. The corrosion current and corrosion rate of the coated mild steel samples decreased with increase in holding time and coating temperature. The lowest corrosion rate was observed on sample coated at 950 °C for 90 min.

Studies on the pathogenesis and survival of different culture forms of Listeria monocytogenes to pulsed UV-light irradiation after exposure to mild-food processing stresses.

PubMed

Bradley, Derek; McNeil, Brian; Laffey, John G; Rowan, Neil J

2012-06-01

The effects of mild conventional food-processing conditions on Listeria monocytogenes survival to pulsed UV (PUV) irradiation and virulence-associated characteristics were investigated. Specifically, this study describes the inability of 10 strains representative of 3 different culture forms or morphotypes of L. monocytogenes to adapt to normally lethal levels of PUV-irradiation after exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of salt (7.5% (w/v) NaCl for 1 h), acid (pH 5.5 for 1 h), heating (48 °C for 1 h) or PUV (UV dose 0.08 μJ/cm(2)). Findings showed that the order of increasing sensitivity of L. monocytogenes of non-adapted and stressed morphotypes to low pH (pH 3.5 for 5 h, adjusted with lactic), high salt (17.5% w/v NaCl for 5 h), heating (60 °C for 1 h) and PUV-irradiation (100 pulses at 7.2 J and 12.8 J, equivalent to UV doses of 2.7 and 8.4 μJ/cm(2) respectively) was typical wild-type smooth (S/WT), atypical filamentous rough (FR) and atypical multiple-cell-chain (MCR) variants. Exposure of L. monocytogenes cells to sub-lethal acid, salt or heating conditions resulted in similar or increased susceptibility to PUV treatments. Only prior exposure to mild heat stressing significantly enhanced invasion of Caco-2 cells, whereas subjection of L. monocytogenes cells to combined sub-lethal salt, acid and heating conditions produced the greatest reduction in invasiveness. Implications of these findings are discussed. This constitutes the first study to show that pre-exposure to mild conventional food-processing stresses enhances sensitivity of different culture morphotypes of L. monocytogenes to PUV, which is growing in popularity as an alternative or complementary approach for decontamination in the food environment. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Decisional balance and processes of change in community-recruited with moderate-high versus mild severity of cannabis dependence

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Decisional Balance and Processes of Change are generally addressed in motivational interventions for the treatment of cannabis use disorders. However, specific aspects of these multifaceted constructs, with greater relevance for severe cannabis users, need to be ascertained to enable better interventions. This study aimed to compare the different facets of decisional balance and processes of change between mild and severe cannabis users in a community-based sample of young undergraduates. Thirty-one severe cannabis users and 31 mild cannabis users, indicated with the Severity of Dependence Scale, were assessed using the Decisional Balance Questionnaire (DBQ) and the Processes of Change Questionnaire (PCQ). We found that severe cannabis users had higher scores in the DBQ dimensions of Utilitarian Gains for the Self, Utilitarian Gains for Significant Others, and Self-approval, as well as in the total subscale of Gains but not Losses. The group of severe cannabis users also had higher scores in the PCQ dimensions of Self-revaluations and Counter-conditioning. Our results pinpoint specific dimensions of Decisional Balance and Processes of Change that are endorsed by severe cannabis users. This knowledge could be applied to inform motivational interventions targeting severe cannabis users. PMID:29206230

Nonlinear system theory: Another look at dependence

PubMed Central

Wu, Wei Biao

2005-01-01

Based on the nonlinear system theory, we introduce previously undescribed dependence measures for stationary causal processes. Our physical and predictive dependence measures quantify the degree of dependence of outputs on inputs in physical systems. The proposed dependence measures provide a natural framework for a limit theory for stationary processes. In particular, under conditions with quite simple forms, we present limit theorems for partial sums, empirical processes, and kernel density estimates. The conditions are mild and easily verifiable because they are directly related to the data-generating mechanisms. PMID:16179388

Nitrogen oxides emissions from the MILD combustion with the conditions of recirculation gas.

PubMed

Park, Min; Shim, Sung Hoon; Jeong, Sang Hyun; Oh, Kwang-Joong; Lee, Sang-Sup

2017-04-01

The nitrogen oxides (NO x ) reduction technology by combustion modification which has economic benefits as a method of controlling NO x emitted in the combustion process, has recently been receiving a lot of attention. Especially, the moderate or intense low oxygen dilution (MILD) combustion which applied high temperature flue gas recirculation has been confirmed for its effectiveness with regard to solid fuel as well. MILD combustion is affected by the flue gas recirculation ratio and the composition of recirculation gas, so its NO x reduction efficiency is determined by them. In order to investigate the influence of factors which determine the reduction efficiency of NO x in MILD coal combustion, this study changed the flow rate and concentration of nitrogen (N 2 ), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and steam (H 2 O) which simulate the recirculation gas during the MILD coal combustion using our lab-scale drop tube furnace and performed the combustion experiment. As a result, its influence by the composition of recirculation gas was insignificant and it was shown that flue gas recirculation ratio influences the change of NO x concentration greatly. We investigated the influence of factors determining the nitrogen oxides (NO x ) reduction efficiency in MILD coal combustion, which applied high-temperature flue gas recirculation. Using a lab-scale drop tube furnace and simulated recirculation gas, we conducted combustion testing changing the recirculation gas conditions. We found that the flue gas recirculation ratio influences the reduction of NO x emissions the most.

Reduced sensitivity to neutral feedback versus negative feedback in subjects with mild depression: Evidence from event-related potentials study.

PubMed

Li, Peng; Song, Xinxin; Wang, Jing; Zhou, Xiaoran; Li, Jiayi; Lin, Fengtong; Hu, Zhonghua; Zhang, Xinxin; Cui, Hewei; Wang, Wenmiao; Li, Hong; Cong, Fengyu; Roberson, Debi

2015-11-01

Many previous event-related potential (ERP) studies have linked the feedback related negativity (FRN) component with medial frontal cortex processing and associated this component with depression. Few if any studies have investigated the processing of neutral feedback in mildly depressive subjects in the normal population. Two experiments compared brain responses to neutral feedback with behavioral performance in mildly depressed subjects who scored highly on the Beck Depression Inventory (high BDI) and a control group with lower BDI scores (low BDI). In the first study, the FRN component was recorded when neutral, negative or positive feedback was pseudo-randomly delivered to the two groups in a time estimation task. In the second study, real feedback was provided to the two groups in the same task in order to measure their actual accuracy of performance. The results of experiment one (Exp. 1) revealed that a larger FRN effect was elicited by neutral feedback than by negative feedback in the low BDI group, but no significant difference was found between neutral condition and negative condition in the High BDI group. The present findings demonstrated that depressive tendencies influence the processing of neutral feedback in medial frontal cortex. The FRN effect may work as a helpful index for investigating cognitive bias in depression in future studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Leaf Responses to Mild Drought Stress in Natural Variants of Arabidopsis1[OPEN

PubMed Central

Clauw, Pieter; Coppens, Frederik; De Beuf, Kristof; Dhondt, Stijn; Van Daele, Twiggy; Maleux, Katrien; Storme, Veronique; Clement, Lieven; Gonzalez, Nathalie; Inzé, Dirk

2015-01-01

Although the response of plants exposed to severe drought stress has been studied extensively, little is known about how plants adapt their growth under mild drought stress conditions. Here, we analyzed the leaf and rosette growth response of six Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions originating from different geographic regions when exposed to mild drought stress. The automated phenotyping platform WIWAM was used to impose stress early during leaf development, when the third leaf emerges from the shoot apical meristem. Analysis of growth-related phenotypes showed differences in leaf development between the accessions. In all six accessions, mild drought stress reduced both leaf pavement cell area and number without affecting the stomatal index. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis (using RNA sequencing) of early developing leaf tissue identified 354 genes differentially expressed under mild drought stress in the six accessions. Our results indicate the existence of a robust response over different genetic backgrounds to mild drought stress in developing leaves. The processes involved in the overall mild drought stress response comprised abscisic acid signaling, proline metabolism, and cell wall adjustments. In addition to these known severe drought-related responses, 87 genes were found to be specific for the response of young developing leaves to mild drought stress. PMID:25604532

Nitrogen reduction and functionalization by a multimetallic uranium nitride complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Falcone, Marta; Chatelain, Lucile; Scopelliti, Rosario; Živković, Ivica; Mazzanti, Marinella

2017-07-01

Molecular nitrogen (N2) is cheap and widely available, but its unreactive nature is a challenge when attempting to functionalize it under mild conditions with other widely available substrates (such as carbon monoxide, CO) to produce value-added compounds. Biological N2 fixation can do this, but the industrial Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production operates under harsh conditions (450 degrees Celsius and 300 bar), even though both processes are thought to involve multimetallic catalytic sites. And although molecular complexes capable of binding and even reducing N2 under mild conditions are known, with co-operativity between metal centres considered crucial for the N2 reduction step, the multimetallic species involved are usually not well defined, and further transformation of N2-binding complexes to achieve N-H or N-C bond formation is rare. Haber noted, before an iron-based catalyst was adopted for the industrial Haber-Bosch process, that uranium and uranium nitride materials are very effective heterogeneous catalysts for ammonia production from N2. However, few examples of uranium complexes binding N2 are known, and soluble uranium complexes capable of transforming N2 into ammonia or organonitrogen compounds have not yet been identified. Here we report the four-electron reduction of N2 under ambient conditions by a fully characterized complex with two UIII ions and three K+ centres held together by a nitride group and a flexible metalloligand framework. The addition of H2 and/or protons, or CO to the resulting complex results in the complete cleavage of N2 with concomitant N2 functionalization through N-H or N-C bond-forming reactions. These observations establish that a molecular uranium complex can promote the stoichiometric transformation of N2 into NH3 or cyanate, and that a flexible, electron-rich, multimetallic, nitride-bridged core unit is a promising starting point for the design of molecular complexes capable of cleaving and functionalizing N2 under mild conditions.

Gold-catalyzed synthesis of benzil derivatives and α-keto imides via oxidation of alkynes.

PubMed

Xu, Cheng-Fu; Xu, Mei; Jia, Yi-Xia; Li, Chuan-Ying

2011-03-18

An efficient process based on the gold-catalyzed redox reaction has been developed to oxidize 1,2-diarylacetylene or ynamide to 1,2-diaryldiketone or α-keto imide respectively. This process can tolerate a variety of functional groups and affords 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds in excellent yields under mild reaction conditions.

Physical Exercise And Cognitive Engagement Outcomes for Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-03-21

Mild Cognitive Impairment; Memory Disorders; Mild Dementia; Impaired Cognition; Mild Cognitive Disorder; Amnestic Disorder; Dementia and Amnestic Conditions; Poor Short-term Memory; Memory Impairment; Mild Neurocognitive Disorder

The Formation of Fe/Mg Smectite Under Mildly Acidic Conditions on Early Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutter, B.; Golden, D. C.; Ming, Douglas W.; Niles, P. B.

2011-01-01

The detection of Fe/Mg smectites and carbonate in Noachian and early Hesperian terrain of Mars suggests that neutral to mildly alkaline conditions prevailed during the early history of Mars. If early Mars surface geochemical conditions were neutral to moderately alkaline with a denser CO2 atmosphere than today, then large carbonates deposits should be more widely detected in Noachian terrain. Why have so few carbonate deposits been detected compared to Fe/Mg smectites? Fe/Mg smectites on early Mars formed under mildly acidic conditions, which would preclude the extensive formation of carbonate deposits. The goal of the proposed work is to evaluate the formation of Fe/Mg smectites under mildly acidic conditions.

Computer-aided analysis and design of the shape rolling process for producing turbine engine airfoils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lahoti, G. D.; Akgerman, N.; Altan, T.

1978-01-01

Mild steel (AISI 1018) was selected as model cold-rolling material and Ti-6Al-4V and INCONEL 718 were selected as typical hot-rolling and cold-rolling alloys, respectively. The flow stress and workability of these alloys were characterized and friction factor at the roll/workpiece interface was determined at their respective working conditions by conducting ring tests. Computer-aided mathematical models for predicting metal flow and stresses, and for simulating the shape-rolling process were developed. These models utilize the upper-bound and the slab methods of analysis, and are capable of predicting the lateral spread, roll-separating force, roll torque and local stresses, strains and strain rates. This computer-aided design (CAD) system is also capable of simulating the actual rolling process and thereby designing roll-pass schedule in rolling of an airfoil or similar shape. The predictions from the CAD system were verified with respect to cold rolling of mild steel plates. The system is being applied to cold and hot isothermal rolling of an airfoil shape, and will be verified with respect to laboratory experiments under controlled conditions.

Highly efficient SO₂ absorption and its subsequent utilization by weak base/polyethylene glycol binary system.

PubMed

Yang, Zhen-Zhen; He, Liang-Nian; Zhao, Ya-Nan; Yu, Bing

2013-02-05

A binary system consisting of polyethylene glycol (PEG, proton donor)/PEG-functionalized base with suitable basicity was developed for efficient gas desulfurization (GDS) and can be regarded as an alternative approach to circumvent the energy penalty problem in the GDS process. High capacity for SO(2) capture up to 4.88 mol of SO(2)/mol of base was achieved even under low partial pressure of SO(2). Furthermore, SO(2) desorption runs smoothly under mild conditions (N(2), 25 °C) and no significant drop in SO(2) absorption was observed after five-successive absorption-desorption cycles. On the other hand, the absorbed SO(2) by PEG(150)MeIm/PEG(150), being considered as the activated form of SO(2), can be directly transformed into value-added chemicals under mild conditions, thus eliminating the energy penalty for SO(2) desorption and simultaneously realizing recycle of the absorbents. Thus, this SO(2) capture and utilization (SCU) process offers an alternative way for GDS and potentially enables the SO(2) conversion from flue gas to useful chemicals as a value-added process.

Suppression of cognitive function in hyperthermia; From the viewpoint of executive and inhibitive cognitive processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shibasaki, Manabu; Namba, Mari; Oshiro, Misaki; Kakigi, Ryusuke; Nakata, Hiroki

2017-03-01

Climate change has had a widespread impact on humans and natural systems. Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition in severe environments. The execution or inhibition of decision making is critical for survival in a hot environment. We hypothesized that, even with mild heat stress, not only executive processing, but also inhibitory processing may be impaired, and investigated the effectiveness of body cooling approaches on these processes using the Go/No-go task with electroencephalographic event-related potentials. Passive heat stress increased esophageal temperature (Tes) by 1.30 ± 0.24 °C and decreased cerebral perfusion and thermal comfort. Mild heat stress reduced the amplitudes of the Go-P300 component (i.e. execution) and No-go-P300 component (i.e. inhibition). Cerebral perfusion and thermal comfort recovered following face/head cooling, however, the amplitudes of the Go-P300 and No-go-P300 components remained reduced. During whole-body cooling, the amplitude of the Go-P300 component returned to the pre-heat baseline, whereas that of the No-go-P300 component remained reduced. These results suggest that local cooling of the face and head does not restore impaired cognitive processing during mild heat stress, and response inhibition remains impaired despite the return to normothermia.

Selective synthesis of secondary amines by Pt nanowire catalyzed reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with ammonia.

PubMed

Qi, Fenqiang; Hu, Lei; Lu, Shuanglong; Cao, Xueqin; Gu, Hongwei

2012-10-07

The process of the reductive amination of aldehydes or ketones in the presence of ammonia using unsupported ultra-thin Pt nanowires has been developed. This catalytic system shows high activity and selectivity under mild reaction conditions.

Complete Defluorination of Perfluorinated Compounds by Hydrated Electrons Generated from 3-Indole-acetic-acid in Organomodified Montmorillonite

PubMed Central

Tian, Haoting; Gao, Juan; Li, Hui; Boyd, Stephen A.; Gu, Cheng

2016-01-01

Here we describe a unique process that achieves complete defluorination and decomposition of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) which comprise one of the most recalcitrant and widely distributed classes of toxic pollutant chemicals found in natural environments. Photogenerated hydrated electrons derived from 3-indole-acetic-acid within an organomodified clay induce the reductive defluorination of co-sorbed PFCs. The process proceeds to completion within a few hours under mild reaction conditions. The organomontmorillonite clay promotes the formation of highly reactive hydrated electrons by stabilizing indole radical cations formed upon photolysis, and prevents their deactivation by reaction with protons or oxygen. In the constrained interlayer regions of the clay, hydrated electrons and co-sorbed PFCs are brought in close proximity thereby increasing the probability of reaction. This novel green chemistry provides the basis for in situ and ex situ technologies to treat one of the most troublesome, recalcitrant and ubiquitous classes of environmental contaminants, i.e., PFCs, utilizing innocuous reagents, naturally occurring materials and mild reaction conditions. PMID:27608658

Terror management and attributions of blame to innocent victims: reconciling compassionate and defensive responses.

PubMed

Hirschberger, Gilad

2006-11-01

In this article, 4 studies test the hypothesis that reminders of personal death bias the normative attribution process and increase the motivation to blame severely injured, innocent victims. In Studies 1 and 2, primes of death led to greater attributions of blame to severely injured victims but did not significantly influence attributions of blame to either mildly injured victims or negatively portrayed others. In Study 3, primes of death led to greater attributions of blame to victims of circumstance but did not influence attributions of blame to victims who were explicitly responsible for their condition. In Study 4, innocent victims who were severely injured elicited more death-related cognitions than did victims who were responsible for their condition or who were only mildly injured. These findings indicate that the predictions of normative models of attribution may be moderated, and even overturned, when observers are reminded of their personal death such that defensive needs override rational inferential processes.

Functional correlates of preserved naming performance in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment.

PubMed

Catricalà, Eleonora; Della Rosa, Pasquale A; Parisi, Laura; Zippo, Antonio G; Borsa, Virginia M; Iadanza, Antonella; Castiglioni, Isabella; Falini, Andrea; Cappa, Stefano F

2015-09-01

Naming abilities are typically preserved in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI), a condition associated with increased risk of progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD). We compared the functional correlates of covert picture naming and word reading between a group of aMCI subjects and matched controls. Unimpaired picture naming performance was associated with more extensive activations, in particular involving the parietal lobes, in the aMCI group. In addition, in the condition associated with higher processing demands (blocks of categorically homogeneous items, living items), increased activity was observed in the aMCI group, in particular in the left fusiform gyrus. Graph analysis provided further evidence of increased modularity and reduced integration for the homogenous sets in the aMCI group. The functional modifications associated with preserved performance may reflect, in the case of more demanding tasks, compensatory mechanisms for the subclinical involvement of semantic processing areas by AD pathology. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Treatment of raw and ozonated oil sands process-affected water under decoupled denitrifying anoxic and nitrifying aerobic conditions: a comparative study.

PubMed

Xue, Jinkai; Zhang, Yanyan; Liu, Yang; Gamal El-Din, Mohamed

2016-11-01

Batch experiments were performed to evaluate biodegradation of raw and ozonated oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) under denitrifying anoxic and nitrifying aerobic conditions for 33 days. The results showed both the anoxic and aerobic conditions are effective in degrading OSPW classical and oxidized naphthenic acids (NAs) with the aerobic conditions demonstrating higher removal efficiency. The reactors under nitrifying aerobic condition reduced the total classical NAs of raw OSPW by 69.1 %, with better efficiency for species of higher hydrophobicity. Compared with conventional aerobic reactor, nitrifying aerobic condition substantially shortened the NA degradation half-life to 16 days. The mild-dose ozonation remarkably accelerated the subsequent aerobic biodegradation of classical NAs within the first 14 days, especially for those with long carbon chains. Moreover, the ozone pretreatment enhanced the biological removal of OSPW classical NAs by leaving a considerably lower final residual concentration of 10.4 mg/L under anoxic conditions, and 5.7 mg/L under aerobic conditions. The combination of ozonation and nitrifying aerobic biodegradation removed total classical NAs by 76.5 % and total oxy-NAs (O3-O6) by 23.6 %. 454 Pyrosequencing revealed that microbial species capable of degrading recalcitrant hydrocarbons were dominant in all reactors. The most abundant genus in the raw and ozonated anoxic reactors was Thauera (~56 % in the raw OSPW anoxic reactor, and ~65 % in the ozonated OSPW anoxic reactor); whereas Rhodanobacter (~40 %) and Pseudomonas (~40 %) dominated the raw and ozonated aerobic reactors, respectively. Therefore, the combination of mild-dose ozone pretreatment and subsequent biological process could be a competent choice for OSPW treatment.

Investigation of pajama properties on skin under mild cold conditions: the interaction between skin and clothing.

PubMed

Yao, Lei; Gohel, Mayur D I; Li, Yi; Chung, Waiyee J

2011-07-01

Clothing is considered the second skin of the human body. The aim of this study was to determine clothing-wearer interaction on skin physiology under mild cold conditions. Skin physiological parameters, subjective sensory response, stress level, and physical properties of clothing fabric from two longitude parallel-designed wear trials were studied. The wear trials involved four kinds of pajamas made from cotton or polyester material that had hydrophilic or hydrophobic treatment, conducted for three weeks under mild cold conditions. Statistical tools, factor analysis, hierarchical linear regression, and logistic regression were applied to analyze the strong predictors of skin physiological parameters, stress level, and sensory response. A framework was established to illustrate clothing-wearer interactions with clothing fabric properties, skin physiology, stress level, and sensory response under mild cold conditions. Fabric has various effects on the human body under mild cold conditions. A fabric's properties influence skin physiology, sensation, and psychological response. © 2011 The International Society of Dermatology.

An approximate inverse scattering technique for reconstructing blockage profiles in water pipelines using acoustic transients.

PubMed

Jing, Liwen; Li, Zhao; Wang, Wenjie; Dubey, Amartansh; Lee, Pedro; Meniconi, Silvia; Brunone, Bruno; Murch, Ross D

2018-05-01

An approximate inverse scattering technique is proposed for reconstructing cross-sectional area variation along water pipelines to deduce the size and position of blockages. The technique allows the reconstructed blockage profile to be written explicitly in terms of the measured acoustic reflectivity. It is based upon the Born approximation and provides good accuracy, low computational complexity, and insight into the reconstruction process. Numerical simulations and experimental results are provided for long pipelines with mild and severe blockages of different lengths. Good agreement is found between the inverse result and the actual pipe condition for mild blockages.

Studies towards asymmetric synthesis of 4(S)-11-dihydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (diHDHA) featuring cross-coupling of chiral stannane under mild conditions.

PubMed

Wang, Rui; He, Anyu; Ramu, Errabelli; Falck, John R

2015-02-14

An efficient and asymmetric synthetic approach towards one of the biologically interesting 4(S)-11-diHDHA derivatives was developed. This process mainly relied on two reactions, one is the copper-catalyzed mild cross-coupling that allows for the efficient construction of a chiral α-alkynyl α-hydroxy motif and another is the synthesis of chiral α-hydroxy α-stannanes that has previously been developed by our group featuring the asymmetric stannylation using the well-established tributyltin hydride/diethyl zinc system from an aldehyde.

Photogeneration of active formate decomposition catalysts to produce hydrogen from formate and water

DOEpatents

King, Jr., Allen D.; King, Robert B.; Sailers, III, Earl L.

1983-02-08

A process for producing hydrogen from formate and water by photogenerating an active formate decomposition catalyst from transition metal carbonyl precursor catalysts at relatively low temperatures and otherwise mild conditions is disclosed. Additionally, this process may be expanded to include the generation of formate from carbon monoxide and hydroxide such that the result is the water gas shift reaction.

Microstructure and Corrosive Behavior of Enamel Coating Modified on Mild Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Y. L.; Huang, Z. R.; Zhong, Q. D.

Due to the study of marine corrosion of mild steel, in order to simulate the corrosion conditions of enamel coatings in seawater, enamel coatings applied on mild steel were immersed in 3.5wt.% NaCl liquor and the related corrosion features and behavior of enamel were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and evaluated by electro-chemical method such as potentiodynamic polarization testing. Under the appropriate heat treatment system, the enamel coatings sintered on the same kind of mild steel at different temperatures were studied: all enamel samples were within the temperature range from 710∘C to 830∘C, the heat treating process at the microstructural level was evaluated and correlated with corrosion resistance properties. All the enamel coatings were characterized and it was observed that the enamel coatings that showed excellent corrosion resistance when sintered at a temperature of 810∘C can offer a better physical barrier than other temperatures because of their better bonding force and dense microstructure with less pores.

Production of corn fiber gum under conditions that retain its functional components

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Corn fiber gum (CFG) is a hemicellulose (arabinoxylan)-enriched fraction obtained by the extraction of corn bran/fiber using a mild alkaline hydrogen peroxide process. The unique polysaccharide, CFG, with its low solution viscosity has been proposed as a stabilizer for oil-in-water emulsions. We ha...

Synthesis of functionalized indolizidines through Pauson-Khand cycloaddition of 2-allylpyrrolidines.

PubMed

McCormack, Michael P; Waters, Stephen P

2013-02-01

A concise entry to functionalized indolizidine scaffolds through a domino 2-aza-Cope-[3 + 2] dipolar cycloaddition and Pauson-Khand [2 + 2 + 1] cyclization has been accomplished. The process was conducted under mild conditions to afford diverse indolizidine systems as single diastereomers in good overall yields.

Synthesis of Functionalized Indolizidines through Pauson–Khand Cycloaddition of 2-Allylpyrrolidines

PubMed Central

McCormack, Michael P.

2013-01-01

A concise entry to functionalized indolizidine scaffolds through a domino 2-aza-Cope-[3+2] dipolar cycloaddition and Pauson–Khand [2+2+1] cyclization has been accomplished. The process was conducted under mild conditions to afford diverse indolizidine systems as single diastereomers in good overall yields. PMID:23311620

Both brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle thermogenesis processes are activated during mild to severe cold adaptation in mice.

PubMed

Bal, Naresh C; Singh, Sushant; Reis, Felipe C G; Maurya, Santosh K; Pani, Sunil; Rowland, Leslie A; Periasamy, Muthu

2017-10-06

Thermogenesis is an important homeostatic mechanism essential for survival and normal physiological functions in mammals. Both brown adipose tissue (BAT) ( i.e. uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1)-based) and skeletal muscle ( i.e. sarcolipin (SLN)-based) thermogenesis processes play important roles in temperature homeostasis, but their relative contributions differ from small to large mammals. In this study, we investigated the functional interplay between skeletal muscle- and BAT-based thermogenesis under mild versus severe cold adaptation by employing UCP1 -/- and SLN -/- mice. Interestingly, adaptation of SLN -/- mice to mild cold conditions (16 °C) significantly increased UCP1 expression, suggesting increased reliance on BAT-based thermogenesis. This was also evident from structural alterations in BAT morphology, including mitochondrial architecture, increased expression of electron transport chain proteins, and depletion of fat droplets. Similarly, UCP1 -/- mice adapted to mild cold up-regulated muscle-based thermogenesis, indicated by increases in muscle succinate dehydrogenase activity, SLN expression, mitochondrial content, and neovascularization, compared with WT mice. These results further confirm that SLN-based thermogenesis is a key player in muscle non-shivering thermogenesis (NST) and can compensate for loss of BAT activity. We also present evidence that the increased reliance on BAT-based NST depends on increased autonomic input, as indicated by abundant levels of tyrosine hydroxylase and neuropeptide Y. Our findings demonstrate that both BAT and muscle-based NST are equally recruited during mild and severe cold adaptation and that loss of heat production from one thermogenic pathway leads to increased recruitment of the other, indicating a functional interplay between these two thermogenic processes. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Neural Control of Posture in Individuals with Persisting Postconcussion Symptoms.

PubMed

Helmich, Ingo; Berger, Alisa; Lausberg, Hedda

2016-12-01

Postural instability has been shown to characterize individuals who suffered from long-term symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury. However, recordings of neural processes during postural control are difficult to realize with standard neuroimaging techniques. Thus, we used functional nearinfrared spectroscopy to investigate brain oxygenation of individuals with persistent postconcussion symptoms (pPCS) during postural control in altered environments. We compared brain oxygenation and postural sway during balance control in three groups: individuals suffering from pPCS, individuals with a history of mild traumatic brain injury but without pPCS, and healthy controls. Individuals were investigated during postural control tasks with six different conditions: i) eyes opened, ii) eyes closed, and iii) blurred visual input, each while standing a) on a stable and b) an unstable surface. In all groups, during the eyes closed/unstable surface condition as compared with the other conditions, the postural sway increased as well as the brain oxygenation in frontal brain cortices. In the most difficult balance condition, as compared with the other two groups, subjects with pPCS applied more force over time to keep balance as measured by the force plate system with a significantly greater activation in frontopolar/orbitofrontal areas of the right hemisphere. As subjects with pPCS applied more force over time to control balance, we propose that with regard to cognitive processes, the increase of cerebral activation in these individuals indicates an increase of attention-demanding processes during postural control in altered environments.

Efficient and selective degradation of polyethylenes into liquid fuels and waxes under mild conditions.

PubMed

Jia, Xiangqing; Qin, Chuan; Friedberger, Tobias; Guan, Zhibin; Huang, Zheng

2016-06-01

Polyethylene (PE) is the largest-volume synthetic polymer, and its chemical inertness makes its degradation by low-energy processes a challenging problem. We report a tandem catalytic cross alkane metathesis method for highly efficient degradation of polyethylenes under mild conditions. With the use of widely available, low-value, short alkanes (for example, petroleum ethers) as cross metathesis partners, different types of polyethylenes with various molecular weights undergo complete conversion into useful liquid fuels and waxes. This method shows excellent selectivity for linear alkane formation, and the degradation product distribution (liquid fuels versus waxes) can be controlled by the catalyst structure and reaction time. In addition, the catalysts are compatible with various polyolefin additives; therefore, common plastic wastes, such as postconsumer polyethylene bottles, bags, and films could be converted into valuable chemical feedstocks without any pretreatment.

Efficient and selective degradation of polyethylenes into liquid fuels and waxes under mild conditions

PubMed Central

Jia, Xiangqing; Qin, Chuan; Friedberger, Tobias; Guan, Zhibin; Huang, Zheng

2016-01-01

Polyethylene (PE) is the largest-volume synthetic polymer, and its chemical inertness makes its degradation by low-energy processes a challenging problem. We report a tandem catalytic cross alkane metathesis method for highly efficient degradation of polyethylenes under mild conditions. With the use of widely available, low-value, short alkanes (for example, petroleum ethers) as cross metathesis partners, different types of polyethylenes with various molecular weights undergo complete conversion into useful liquid fuels and waxes. This method shows excellent selectivity for linear alkane formation, and the degradation product distribution (liquid fuels versus waxes) can be controlled by the catalyst structure and reaction time. In addition, the catalysts are compatible with various polyolefin additives; therefore, common plastic wastes, such as postconsumer polyethylene bottles, bags, and films could be converted into valuable chemical feedstocks without any pretreatment. PMID:27386559

Rule induction performance in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's dementia: examining the role of simple and biconditional rule learning processes.

PubMed

Oosterman, Joukje M; Heringa, Sophie M; Kessels, Roy P C; Biessels, Geert Jan; Koek, Huiberdina L; Maes, Joseph H R; van den Berg, Esther

2017-04-01

Rule induction tests such as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test require executive control processes, but also the learning and memorization of simple stimulus-response rules. In this study, we examined the contribution of diminished learning and memorization of simple rules to complex rule induction test performance in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or Alzheimer's dementia (AD). Twenty-six aMCI patients, 39 AD patients, and 32 control participants were included. A task was used in which the memory load and the complexity of the rules were independently manipulated. This task consisted of three conditions: a simple two-rule learning condition (Condition 1), a simple four-rule learning condition (inducing an increase in memory load, Condition 2), and a complex biconditional four-rule learning condition-inducing an increase in complexity and, hence, executive control load (Condition 3). Performance of AD patients declined disproportionately when the number of simple rules that had to be memorized increased (from Condition 1 to 2). An additional increment in complexity (from Condition 2 to 3) did not, however, disproportionately affect performance of the patients. Performance of the aMCI patients did not differ from that of the control participants. In the patient group, correlation analysis showed that memory performance correlated with Condition 1 performance, whereas executive task performance correlated with Condition 2 performance. These results indicate that the reduced learning and memorization of underlying task rules explains a significant part of the diminished complex rule induction performance commonly reported in AD, although results from the correlation analysis suggest involvement of executive control functions as well. Taken together, these findings suggest that care is needed when interpreting rule induction task performance in terms of executive function deficits in these patients.

Weld pool oscillation during GTA welding of mild steel

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

Xiao, Y.H.; Ouden, G. den

1993-08-01

In this paper the results are reported of a study dealing with the oscillation behavior of weld pools in the case of GTA bead-on-plate welding of mild steel, Fe 360. During welding, the weld pool was brought into oscillation by applying short current pulses, and the oscillation frequency and amplitude were measured by monitoring the arc voltage. It was found that the oscillation of the partially penetrated weld pool is dominated by one of two different oscillation modes (Mode 1 and Mode 2) depending on the welding conditions, whereas the oscillation of the fully penetrated weld pool is characterized bymore » a third oscillation mode (Mode 3). It is possible to maintain partially penetrated weld pool oscillation in Mode 1 by choosing appropriate welding conditions. Under these conditions, an abrupt decrease in oscillation frequency occurs when the weld pool transfers from partial penetration to full penetration. Thus, weld penetration can be in-process controlled by monitoring the oscillation frequency during welding.« less

A Cu(I)-Catalyzed C-H α-Amination of Aryl Ketones. Direct Synthesis of Imidazolinones

PubMed Central

Zhao, Baoguo; Du, Haifeng; Shi, Yian

2009-01-01

This paper describes an α-amination process of aryl ketones using CuCl as catalyst and di-tert-butyldiaziridinone as the nitrogen source. A variety of imidazolinone derivatives are prepared in moderate yields under mild conditions. A possible catalytic cycle is proposed for this reaction. PMID:19402696

Teaching Awareness of Strategic Behavior in Combination with Strategy Training: Effects on Children's Memory Performance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kramer, Jack J.; Engle, Randall W.

1981-01-01

Examined the effectiveness of rehearsal training and strategy awareness to train groups of mildly retarded and normal children in using mature information processing techniques. Recall scores on a training task were influenced by rehearsal training, but neither the rehearsal and strategy conditions nor their combination influenced recognition of…

Green materials prepared by using a green processing method: Plant oil-based polymers prepared in CO2 medium with mild conditions

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Recent efforts have been focused on the development of environmentally friendly replacements for volatile organic solvents. One promising candidate is supercritical carbon dioxide because of its low toxicity and no solvent residues in the final products. Renewed interest in biodegradable polymeric m...

Base free aryl coupling of diazonium compounds and boronic esters: self-activation allowing an overall highly practical process.

PubMed

Bonin, Hélène; Delbrayelle, Dominique; Demonchaux, Patrice; Gras, Emmanuel

2010-04-21

Boronic esters have long been considered as poor partners in cross-coupling reactions with arene diazoniums. Here is reported an unprecedented application of self-activated boronic esters in a base-free cross-coupling reaction with diazonium salts under mild and user friendly conditions.

Effect of Temperature and Dynamic Loading on the Mechanical Properties of Copper-Alloyed High-Strength Interstitial-Free Steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rana, R.; Singh, S. B.; Bleck, W.; Mohanty, O. N.

2009-04-01

Crash resistance and formability relevant mechanical properties of a copper-alloyed interstitial-free (IF) steel processed under various conditions of batch annealing (BA), continuous annealing (CA), and postcontinuous annealing aging have been studied in a wide range of strain rate (3.33 × 10-4 to 200 s-1) and temperature (-100 °C to +20 °C). These properties have been compared with similarly processed traditional mild and high-strength IF steels. Assessment of various parameters such as strength, elongation, strain rate sensitivity of stress, strain-hardening capacity, temperature sensitivity of stress, activation volume, and specific energy absorption of all these steels implies that copper-alloyed IF steel is soft and formable in CA condition. It can be made stronger and more crash resistant than the conventional mild- or high-strength IF steels when aged to peak strength after CA. Room-temperature strain rate sensitivity of stress of the investigated steels exhibits a two-stage behavior. Copper in solution in ferrite causes solid solution softening at low temperatures (≤20 °C) and at high strain rates (200 s-1).

Event-related potentials elicited during working memory are altered in mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

López Zunini, Rocío A; Knoefel, Frank; Lord, Courtney; Dzuali, Fiatsogbe; Breau, Michael; Sweet, Lisa; Goubran, Rafik; Taler, Vanessa

2016-11-01

Persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) can experience deficits in working memory. In the present study, we investigated working memory in persons with MCI and cognitively healthy older adults using event-related potentials (ERPs). Participants performed an n-back working memory task with baseline (0-back), low load (1-back), and high load (2-back) working memory conditions. MCI participants' performance was less accurate than that of healthy older adults in both the 1-back and 2-back conditions, and reaction times were longer in MCI than control participants in the 0-back, 1-back and 2-back conditions. ERP analyses revealed delayed P200 and N200 latencies and smaller P300 amplitudes in MCI relative to control participants in the 0-back, 1-back and 2-back conditions. Deterioration in working memory performance concomitant with marked electrophysiological alterations suggests that persons with MCI exhibit deficits in several cognitive processes that include early attention, stimulus discrimination and classification, and updating and manipulation of information held in working memory. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Theoretical results on fractionally integrated exponential generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopes, Sílvia R. C.; Prass, Taiane S.

2014-05-01

Here we present a theoretical study on the main properties of Fractionally Integrated Exponential Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic (FIEGARCH) processes. We analyze the conditions for the existence, the invertibility, the stationarity and the ergodicity of these processes. We prove that, if { is a FIEGARCH(p,d,q) process then, under mild conditions, { is an ARFIMA(q,d,0) with correlated innovations, that is, an autoregressive fractionally integrated moving average process. The convergence order for the polynomial coefficients that describes the volatility is presented and results related to the spectral representation and to the covariance structure of both processes { and { are discussed. Expressions for the kurtosis and the asymmetry measures for any stationary FIEGARCH(p,d,q) process are also derived. The h-step ahead forecast for the processes {, { and { are given with their respective mean square error of forecast. The work also presents a Monte Carlo simulation study showing how to generate, estimate and forecast based on six different FIEGARCH models. The forecasting performance of six models belonging to the class of autoregressive conditional heteroskedastic models (namely, ARCH-type models) and radial basis models is compared through an empirical application to Brazilian stock market exchange index.

Synthesis of ammonia directly from air and water at ambient temperature and pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Rong; Irvine, John T. S.; Tao, Shanwen

2013-01-01

The N≡N bond (225 kcal mol-1) in dinitrogen is one of the strongest bonds in chemistry therefore artificial synthesis of ammonia under mild conditions is a significant challenge. Based on current knowledge, only bacteria and some plants can synthesise ammonia from air and water at ambient temperature and pressure. Here, for the first time, we report artificial ammonia synthesis bypassing N2 separation and H2 production stages. A maximum ammonia production rate of 1.14 × 10-5 mol m-2 s-1 has been achieved when a voltage of 1.6 V was applied. Potentially this can provide an alternative route for the mass production of the basic chemical ammonia under mild conditions. Considering climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels used for synthesis of ammonia by conventional methods, this is a renewable and sustainable chemical synthesis process for future.

Synthesis of ammonia directly from air and water at ambient temperature and pressure

PubMed Central

Lan, Rong; Irvine, John T. S.; Tao, Shanwen

2013-01-01

The N≡N bond (225 kcal mol−1) in dinitrogen is one of the strongest bonds in chemistry therefore artificial synthesis of ammonia under mild conditions is a significant challenge. Based on current knowledge, only bacteria and some plants can synthesise ammonia from air and water at ambient temperature and pressure. Here, for the first time, we report artificial ammonia synthesis bypassing N2 separation and H2 production stages. A maximum ammonia production rate of 1.14 × 10−5 mol m−2 s−1 has been achieved when a voltage of 1.6 V was applied. Potentially this can provide an alternative route for the mass production of the basic chemical ammonia under mild conditions. Considering climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels used for synthesis of ammonia by conventional methods, this is a renewable and sustainable chemical synthesis process for future. PMID:23362454

Printable enzyme-embedded materials for methane to methanol conversion

DOE PAGES

Blanchette, Craig D.; Knipe, Jennifer M.; Stolaroff, Joshuah K.; ...

2016-06-15

An industrial process for the selective activation of methane under mild conditions would be highly valuable for controlling emissions to the environment and for utilizing vast new sources of natural gas. The only selective catalysts for methane activation and conversion to methanol under mild conditions are methane monooxygenases (MMOs) found in methanotrophic bacteria; however, these enzymes are not amenable to standard enzyme immobilization approaches. Using particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), we create a biocatalytic polymer material that converts methane to methanol. We demonstrate embedding the material within a silicone lattice to create mechanically robust, gas-permeable membranes, and direct printing of micron-scalemore » structures with controlled geometry. Remarkably, the enzymes retain up to 100% activity in the polymer construct. The printed enzyme-embedded polymer motif is highly flexible for future development and should be useful in a wide range of applications, especially those involving gas–liquid reactions.« less

Selective Cleavage of the Aryl Ether Bonds in Lignin for Depolymerization by Acidic Lithium Bromide Molten Salt Hydrate under Mild Conditions.

PubMed

Yang, Xiaohui; Li, Ning; Lin, Xuliang; Pan, Xuejun; Zhou, Yonghong

2016-11-09

The present study demonstrates that the concentrated lithium bromide (LiBr) solution with acid as catalyst was able to selectively cleave the β-O-4 aryl ether bond and lead to lignin depolymerization under mild conditions (e.g., in 60% LiBr with 0.3 M HCl at 110 °C for 2 h). Four industrial lignins from different pulping and biorefining processes, including softwood kraft lignin (SKL), hardwood kraft lignin (HKL), softwood ethanol organosolv lignin (EOL), and acid corncob lignin (ACL), were treated in the LiBr solution. The molecular weight, functional group, and interunit linkages of the lignins were characterized using GPC, FTIR, and NMR. The results indicated that the β-O-4 aryl ether bonds of the lignins were selectively cleaved, and both LiBr and HCl played crucial roles in catalyzing the cleavage of the ether bonds.

Printable enzyme-embedded materials for methane to methanol conversion

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

Blanchette, Craig D.; Knipe, Jennifer M.; Stolaroff, Joshuah K.

An industrial process for the selective activation of methane under mild conditions would be highly valuable for controlling emissions to the environment and for utilizing vast new sources of natural gas. The only selective catalysts for methane activation and conversion to methanol under mild conditions are methane monooxygenases (MMOs) found in methanotrophic bacteria; however, these enzymes are not amenable to standard enzyme immobilization approaches. Using particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), we create a biocatalytic polymer material that converts methane to methanol. We demonstrate embedding the material within a silicone lattice to create mechanically robust, gas-permeable membranes, and direct printing of micron-scalemore » structures with controlled geometry. Remarkably, the enzymes retain up to 100% activity in the polymer construct. The printed enzyme-embedded polymer motif is highly flexible for future development and should be useful in a wide range of applications, especially those involving gas–liquid reactions.« less

Printable enzyme-embedded materials for methane to methanol conversion

PubMed Central

Blanchette, Craig D.; Knipe, Jennifer M.; Stolaroff, Joshuah K.; DeOtte, Joshua R.; Oakdale, James S.; Maiti, Amitesh; Lenhardt, Jeremy M.; Sirajuddin, Sarah; Rosenzweig, Amy C.; Baker, Sarah E.

2016-01-01

An industrial process for the selective activation of methane under mild conditions would be highly valuable for controlling emissions to the environment and for utilizing vast new sources of natural gas. The only selective catalysts for methane activation and conversion to methanol under mild conditions are methane monooxygenases (MMOs) found in methanotrophic bacteria; however, these enzymes are not amenable to standard enzyme immobilization approaches. Using particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO), we create a biocatalytic polymer material that converts methane to methanol. We demonstrate embedding the material within a silicone lattice to create mechanically robust, gas-permeable membranes, and direct printing of micron-scale structures with controlled geometry. Remarkably, the enzymes retain up to 100% activity in the polymer construct. The printed enzyme-embedded polymer motif is highly flexible for future development and should be useful in a wide range of applications, especially those involving gas–liquid reactions. PMID:27301270

Synthesis of ammonia directly from air and water at ambient temperature and pressure.

PubMed

Lan, Rong; Irvine, John T S; Tao, Shanwen

2013-01-01

The N≡N bond (225 kcal mol⁻¹) in dinitrogen is one of the strongest bonds in chemistry therefore artificial synthesis of ammonia under mild conditions is a significant challenge. Based on current knowledge, only bacteria and some plants can synthesise ammonia from air and water at ambient temperature and pressure. Here, for the first time, we report artificial ammonia synthesis bypassing N₂ separation and H₂ production stages. A maximum ammonia production rate of 1.14 × 10⁻⁵ mol m⁻² s⁻¹ has been achieved when a voltage of 1.6 V was applied. Potentially this can provide an alternative route for the mass production of the basic chemical ammonia under mild conditions. Considering climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels used for synthesis of ammonia by conventional methods, this is a renewable and sustainable chemical synthesis process for future.

Wetting-mediated collective tubulation and pearling in confined vesicular drops of DDAB solutions.

PubMed

Haidara, Hamidou

2014-12-21

Whether driven by external mechanical stresses (shear flow) or induced by membrane-active peptides and/or proteins, the collective growth of tubules in membranous fluids has seldom been reported. The pearling destabilization of these membranous tubules which requires an activation of the shape distortion, often induced by optical tweezers, membrane-active biomolecules or an electrical field, has also rarely been observed under mild experimental conditions. Here we report such events of collective tubulation and pearling destabilization in sessile drops of a didodecyl-dimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) vesicular solution that are confined by a surrounding oil medium. Based on the wetting dynamics and the features of the tubulation process, we show that the growth of the tubules here relies on a mechanism of "pinning-induced pulling" from the retracting drop, rather than the classical hydrodynamic fingering instability. We show that the whole tubulation process is driven by a strong coupling between the bulk properties of the ternary (DAAB/water/oil) system and the dynamics of wetting. Finally, we discuss the pearling destabilization of these tubules under vanishing static interface tension and quite mild tensile force arising from their pulling. We show that under those mild conditions, shape disturbances readily grow, either as pearling waves moving toward the drop-reservoir or as Rayleigh-type peristaltic modulations. Besides revealing singular non-Rayleigh pearling modes, this work also brings new insights into the flow dynamics in membranous tubules anchored to an infinite reservoir.

Very Hard Corrosion-Resistant Roll-Bonded Cr Coating on Mild Steel in Presence of Graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Pankaj; Khara, S.; Shekhar, S.; Mondal, K.

2017-12-01

The present work discusses the development of very hard Cr and Cr-carbide coating by roll bonding of Cr powder on a mild steel followed by annealing at 800, 1000, 1100 and 1200 °C with and without the presence of graphite powder packing in argon environment. In addition, the effect of a roll skin pass of 5% prior to the application of coating was studied. The presence of graphite allows diffusion of both carbon and Cr in the mild steel substrate, leading to the formation of Cr-carbide on the outer surface, making the surface very hard (VHN 1800). Depending on the annealing temperature and processing condition, diffusion layer thickness of Cr is found to be in the range of 10-250 μm with Cr content of 12.5-15 wt.% across the diffusion layer. Excellent stable passivity of the coated surface is observed in 0.2 N H2SO4, which is comparable to a highly passivating 304 stainless steel, and very low corrosion rate of the coating is observed as compared to the substrate mild steel.

A transition-metal-free synthesis of arylcarboxyamides from aryl diazonium salts and isocyanides.

PubMed

Xia, Zhonghua; Zhu, Qiang

2013-08-16

A transition-metal-free carboxyamidation process, using aryl diazonium tetrafluoroborates and isocyanides under mild conditions, has been developed. This novel conversion was initiated by a base and solvent induced aryl radical, followed by radical addition to isocyanide and single electron transfer (SET) oxidation, affording the corresponding arylcarboxyamide upon hydration of the nitrilium intermediate.

Novel Aryne Chemistry in Organic Synthesis

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

Liu, Zhijian

2006-12-12

Arynes are among the most intensively studied systems in chemistry. However, many aspects of the chemistry of these reactive intermediates are not well understood yet and their use as reagents in synthetic organic chemistry has been somewhat limited, due to the harsh conditions needed to generate arynes and the often uncontrolled reactivity exhibited by these species. Recently, o-silylaryl triflates, which can generate the corresponding arynes under very mild reaction conditions, have been found very useful in organic synthesis. This thesis describes several novel and useful methodologies by employing arynes, which generate from o-silylaryl triflates, in organic synthesis. An efficient, reliablemore » method for the N-arylation of amines, sulfonamides and carbamates, and the O-arylation of phenols and carboxylic acids is described in Chapter 1. Amines, sulfonamides, phenols, and carboxylic acids are good nucleophiles, which can react with arynes generated from a-silylaryl triflates to afford the corresponding N- and O-arylated products in very high yields. The regioselectivity of unsymmetrical arynes has also been studied. A lot of useful, functional groups can tolerate our reaction conditions. Carbazoles and dibenzofurans are important heteroaromatic compounds, which have a variety of biological activities. A variety of substituted carbazoles and dibenzofwans are readily prepared in good to excellent yields starting with the corresponding o-iodoanilines or o-iodophenols and o-silylaryl triflates by a treatment with CsF, followed by a Pd-catalyzed cyclization, which overall provides a one-pot, two-step process. By using this methodology, the carbazole alkaloid mukonine has been concisely synthesized in a very good yield. Insertion of an aryne into a σ-bond between a nucleophile and an electrophile (Nu-E) should potentially be a very beneficial process from the standpoint of organic synthesis. A variety of substituted ketones and sulfoxides have been synthesized in good yields via the intermolecular C-N σ-bond addition of amides and S-N σ-bond addition of sulfinamides to arynes under mild reaction conditions. The indazole moiety is a frequently found subunit in drug substances with important biological activities. Indazole analogues have been readily synthesized under mild reaction conditions by the [3+2] cycloaddition of a variety of diazo compounds with o-silylaryl triflates in the presence of CsF or TBAF. Polycyclic aromatic and heteroaromatic hydrocarbons have been synthesized in high yields by two different processes involving the Pd-catalyzed annulation of arynes. Both processes appear to involve the catalytic, stepwise coupling of two very reactive substrates, an aryne and an organopalladium species, to generate excellent yields of cross-coupled products.« less

Neural mechanisms associated with treatment decision making: An fMRI study.

PubMed

Abidi, Malek; Bruce, Jared; Le Blanche, Alain; Bruce, Amanda; Jarmolowicz, David P; Csillik, Antonia; Thai, N Jade; Lim, Seung-Lark; Heinzlef, Olivier; de Marco, Giovanni

2018-04-23

Great progress has been made in understanding how people make financial decisions. However, there is little research on how people make health and treatment choices. Our study aimed to examine how participants weigh benefits (reduction in disease progression) and probability of risk (medications' side effects) when making hypothetical treatment decisions, and to identify the neural networks implicated in this process. Fourteen healthy participants were recruited to perform a treatment decision probability discounting task using MRI. Behavioral responses and skin conductance responses (SCRs) were measured. A whole brain analysis were performed to compare activity changes between "mild" and "severe" medications' side effects conditions. Then, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), ventral striatum (VS), amygdala and insula were chosen for effective connectivity analysis. Behavioral data showed that participants are more likely to refuse medication when side effects are high and efficacy is low. SCRs values were significantly higher when people made medication decisions in the severe compared to mild condition. Functionally, OFC and VS were activated in the mild condition and were associated with increased likehood of choosing to take medication (higher area under the curve "AUC" side effects/efficacy). These regions also demonstrated an increased effective connectivity when participants valued treatment benefits. By contrast, the OFC, insula and amygdala were activated in the severe condition and were associated with and increased likelihood to refuse treatment. These regions showed enhanced effective connectivity when participants were confronted with increased side effects severity. This is the first study to examine the behavioral and neural bases of medical decision making. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sentence Context and Word-Picture Cued-Recall Paired-Associate Learning Procedure Boosts Recall in Normal and Mild Alzheimer's Disease Patients.

PubMed

Iodice, Rosario; Meilán, Juan José García; Ramos, Juan Carro; Small, Jeff A

2018-01-01

The aim of this study was to employ the word-picture paradigm to examine the effectiveness of combined pictorial illustrations and sentences as strong contextual cues. The experiment details the performance of word recall in healthy older adults (HOA) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The researchers enhanced the words' recall with word-picture condition and when the pair was associated with a sentence contextualizing the two items. The sample was composed of 18 HOA and 18 people with mild AD. Participants memorized 15 pairs of words under word-word and word-picture conditions, with and without a sentence context. In the paired-associate test, the first item of the pair was read aloud by participants and used to elicit retrieval of the associated item. The findings suggest that both HOA and mild-AD pictures improved item recall compared to word condition such as sentences which further enabled item recall. Additionally, the HOA group performs better than the mild-AD group in all conditions. Word-picture and sentence context strengthen the encoding in the explicit memory task, both in HOA and mild AD. These results open a potential window to improve the memory for verbalized instructions and restore sequential abilities in everyday life, such as brushing one's teeth, fastening one's pants, or drying one's hands.

Sentence Context and Word-Picture Cued-Recall Paired-Associate Learning Procedure Boosts Recall in Normal and Mild Alzheimer's Disease Patients

PubMed Central

Meilán, Juan José García; Ramos, Juan Carro; Small, Jeff A.

2018-01-01

Introduction The aim of this study was to employ the word-picture paradigm to examine the effectiveness of combined pictorial illustrations and sentences as strong contextual cues. The experiment details the performance of word recall in healthy older adults (HOA) and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The researchers enhanced the words' recall with word-picture condition and when the pair was associated with a sentence contextualizing the two items. Method The sample was composed of 18 HOA and 18 people with mild AD. Participants memorized 15 pairs of words under word-word and word-picture conditions, with and without a sentence context. In the paired-associate test, the first item of the pair was read aloud by participants and used to elicit retrieval of the associated item. Results The findings suggest that both HOA and mild-AD pictures improved item recall compared to word condition such as sentences which further enabled item recall. Additionally, the HOA group performs better than the mild-AD group in all conditions. Conclusions Word-picture and sentence context strengthen the encoding in the explicit memory task, both in HOA and mild AD. These results open a potential window to improve the memory for verbalized instructions and restore sequential abilities in everyday life, such as brushing one's teeth, fastening one's pants, or drying one's hands. PMID:29849813

MICROWAVE-ASSISTED PREPARATION OF 1-BUTYL-3-METHYLIMIDAZOLIUM TETRACHLOROGALLATE AND ITS CATALYTIC USE IN ACETAL FORMATION UNDER MILD CONDITIONS

EPA Science Inventory

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachlorogallate, [bmim][GaCl₄], prepared via microwave-assisted protocol, is found to be an active catalyst for the efficient acetalization of aldehydes under mild conditions.

Audio-visual speech processing in age-related hearing loss: Stronger integration and increased frontal lobe recruitment.

PubMed

Rosemann, Stephanie; Thiel, Christiane M

2018-07-15

Hearing loss is associated with difficulties in understanding speech, especially under adverse listening conditions. In these situations, seeing the speaker improves speech intelligibility in hearing-impaired participants. On the neuronal level, previous research has shown cross-modal plastic reorganization in the auditory cortex following hearing loss leading to altered processing of auditory, visual and audio-visual information. However, how reduced auditory input effects audio-visual speech perception in hearing-impaired subjects is largely unknown. We here investigated the impact of mild to moderate age-related hearing loss on processing audio-visual speech using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Normal-hearing and hearing-impaired participants performed two audio-visual speech integration tasks: a sentence detection task inside the scanner and the McGurk illusion outside the scanner. Both tasks consisted of congruent and incongruent audio-visual conditions, as well as auditory-only and visual-only conditions. We found a significantly stronger McGurk illusion in the hearing-impaired participants, which indicates stronger audio-visual integration. Neurally, hearing loss was associated with an increased recruitment of frontal brain areas when processing incongruent audio-visual, auditory and also visual speech stimuli, which may reflect the increased effort to perform the task. Hearing loss modulated both the audio-visual integration strength measured with the McGurk illusion and brain activation in frontal areas in the sentence task, showing stronger integration and higher brain activation with increasing hearing loss. Incongruent compared to congruent audio-visual speech revealed an opposite brain activation pattern in left ventral postcentral gyrus in both groups, with higher activation in hearing-impaired participants in the incongruent condition. Our results indicate that already mild to moderate hearing loss impacts audio-visual speech processing accompanied by changes in brain activation particularly involving frontal areas. These changes are modulated by the extent of hearing loss. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sustainable Synthesis of Oxalic and Succinic Acid through Aerobic Oxidation of C6 Polyols Under Mild Conditions.

PubMed

Ventura, Maria; Williamson, David; Lobefaro, Francesco; Jones, Matthew D; Mattia, Davide; Nocito, Francesco; Aresta, Michele; Dibenedetto, Angela

2018-03-22

The sustainable chemical industry encompasses a shift from the use of fossil carbon to renewable carbon. The synthesis of chemicals from nonedible biomass (cellulosic or oil) represents one of the key steps for "greening" the chemical industry. In this paper, we report the aerobic oxidative cleavage of C6 polyols (5-HMF, glucose, fructose and sucrose) to oxalic acid (OA) and succinic acid (SA) in water under mild conditions using M@CNT and M@NCNT (M=Fe, V; CNT=carbon nanotubes; NCNT=N-doped CNT), which, under suitable conditions, were recoverable and reusable without any loss of efficiency. The influence of the temperature, O 2 pressure (PO2 ), reaction time and stirring rate are discussed and the best reaction conditions are determined for an almost complete conversion of the starting material and a good OA yield of 48 %. SA and formic acid were the only co-products. The former could be further converted into OA by oxidation in the presence of formic acid, resulting in an overall OA yield of >62 %. This process was clean and did not produce organic waste nor gas emissions. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Copper-catalyzed aerobic C(sp2)-H functionalization for C-N bond formation: synthesis of pyrazoles and indazoles.

PubMed

Li, Xianwei; He, Li; Chen, Huoji; Wu, Wanqing; Jiang, Huanfeng

2013-04-19

A simple, practical, and highly efficient synthesis of pyrazoles and indazoles via copper-catalyzed direct aerobic oxidative C(sp(2))-H amination has been reported herein. This process tolerated a variety of functional groups under mild conditions. Further diversification of pyrazoles was also investigated, which provided its potential for drug discovery.

Characterization of Perovskite Films Grown by a Novel Low-Temperature Process for Uncooled IR Detector Applications

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

hydrolysis and polycondensation of molecular precursors in vitro to form SiO2, anatase-TiO2, and - Ga2O3 under very mild conditions, whereas...forming high temperature crystalline polymorphs of TiO2 and Ga2O3 lies in kinetically controlled, slow catalytic hydrolysis and growth. In an

Base-catalyzed bicyclization of dialkyl glutaconates with cinnamoylacetamides: a synthetic strategy for isoquinolinedione derivatives.

PubMed

Li, Lei; Zhao, Yu-Long; Wang, He; Li, Yi-Jin; Xu, Xianxiu; Liu, Qun

2014-06-21

We report here that polysubstituted dihydroisoquinolones and isoquinolones can be constructed by the one-pot reaction of the readily available acyclic α,β-unsaturated carbonyl precursors and dialkyl glutaconates under mild basic conditions (1-45 min for the former vs. 1-6 h for the latter) via the domino process involving [3+3] annulation/intramolecular aza-cyclization.

Prediction of stress corrosion of carbon steel by nuclear process liquid wastes

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

Ondrejcin, R.S.

1978-08-01

Radioactive liquid wastes are produced as a consequence of processing fuel from Savannah River Plant (SRP) production reactors. These wastes are stored in mild steel waste tanks, some of which have developed cracks from stress corrosion. A laboratory test was developed to determine the relative agressiveness of the wastes for stress corrosion cracking of mild steel. Tensile samples were strained to fracture in synthetic waste solutions in an electrochemical cell with the sample as the anode. Crack initiation is expected if total elongation of the steel in the test is less than its uniform elongation in air. Cracking would bemore » anticipated in a plant waste tank if solution conditions were equivalent to test conditions that cause a total elongation that is less than uniform elongation. The electrochemical tensile tests showed that the supernates in salt receiver tanks at SRP have the least aggressive compositions, and wastes newly generated during fuel repocessing have the most aggressive ones. Test data also verified that ASTM A 516-70 steel used in the fabrication of the later design waste tanks is less susceptible to cracking than the ASTM A 285-B steel used in earlier designs.« less

Functional disorganization of small-world brain networks in mild Alzheimer's Disease and amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: an EEG study using Relative Wavelet Entropy (RWE).

PubMed

Frantzidis, Christos A; Vivas, Ana B; Tsolaki, Anthoula; Klados, Manousos A; Tsolaki, Magda; Bamidis, Panagiotis D

2014-01-01

Previous neuroscientific findings have linked Alzheimer's Disease (AD) with less efficient information processing and brain network disorganization. However, pathological alterations of the brain networks during the preclinical phase of amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) remain largely unknown. The present study aimed at comparing patterns of the detection of functional disorganization in MCI relative to Mild Dementia (MD). Participants consisted of 23 cognitively healthy adults, 17 aMCI and 24 mild AD patients who underwent electroencephalographic (EEG) data acquisition during a resting-state condition. Synchronization analysis through the Orthogonal Discrete Wavelet Transform (ODWT), and directional brain network analysis were applied on the EEG data. This computational model was performed for networks that have the same number of edges (N = 500, 600, 700, 800 edges) across all participants and groups (fixed density values). All groups exhibited a small-world (SW) brain architecture. However, we found a significant reduction in the SW brain architecture in both aMCI and MD patients relative to the group of Healthy controls. This functional disorganization was also correlated with the participant's generic cognitive status. The deterioration of the network's organization was caused mainly by deficient local information processing as quantified by the mean cluster coefficient value. Functional hubs were identified through the normalized betweenness centrality metric. Analysis of the local characteristics showed relative hub preservation even with statistically significant reduced strength. Compensatory phenomena were also evident through the formation of additional hubs on left frontal and parietal regions. Our results indicate a declined functional network organization even during the prodromal phase. Degeneration is evident even in the preclinical phase and coexists with transient network reorganization due to compensation.

Effects of mild wintering conditions on body mass and corticosterone levels in a temperate reptile, the aspic viper (Vipera aspis).

PubMed

Brischoux, François; Dupoué, Andréaz; Lourdais, Olivier; Angelier, Frédéric

2016-02-01

Temperate ectotherms are expected to benefit from climate change (e.g., increased activity time), but the impacts of climate warming during the winter have mostly been overlooked. Milder winters are expected to decrease body condition upon emergence, and thus to affect crucial life-history traits, such as survival and reproduction. Mild winter temperature could also trigger a state of chronic physiological stress due to inadequate thermal conditions that preclude both dormancy and activity. We tested these hypotheses on a typical temperate ectothermic vertebrate, the aspic viper (Vipera aspis). We simulated different wintering conditions for three groups of aspic vipers (cold: ~6 °C, mild: ~14 °C and no wintering: ~24 °C) during a one month long period. We found that mild wintering conditions induced a marked decrease in body condition, and provoked an alteration of some hormonal mechanisms involved in emergence. Such effects are likely to bear ultimate consequences on reproduction, and thus population persistence. We emphasize that future studies should incorporate the critical, albeit neglected, winter season when assessing the potential impacts of global changes on ectotherms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Layer-by-Layer Templated Assembly of Silica at the Nanoscale

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

Hinestrosa, Juan Pablo; Sutton, Jonathan E.; Allison, David P.

2013-01-29

Bioinspired bottom-up assembly and layer-by-layer (LbL) construction of inorganic materials from lithographically defined organic templates enables the fabrication of nanostructured systems under mild temperature and pH conditions. Such processes open the door to low-impact manufacturing and facile recycling of hybrid materials for energy, biology, and information technologies. Here, templated LbL assembly of silica was achieved using a combination of electron beam lithography, chemical lift-off, and aqueous solution chemistry. Nanopatterns of lines, honeycomb-lattices, and dot arrays were defined in polymer resist using electron beam lithography. Following development, exposed areas of silicon were functionalized with a vapor deposited amine-silane monolayer. Silicic acidmore » solutions of varying pH and salt content were reacted with the patterned organic amine-functional templates. Vapor treatment and solution reaction could be repeated, allowing LbL deposition. Conditions for the silicic acid deposition had a strong effect on thickness of each layer, and the morphology of the amorphous silica formed. Defects in the arrays of silica nanostructures were minor and do not affect the overall organization of the layers. In conclusion, the bioinspired method described here facilitates the bottom-up assembly of inorganic nanostructures defined in three dimensions and provides a path, via LbL processing, for the construction of layered hybrid materials under mild conditions.« less

Surface rearrangement of water-immersed hydrophobic solids by gaseous nanobubbles.

PubMed

Tarábková, Hana; Bastl, Zdeněk; Janda, Pavel

2014-12-09

Interactions of gaseous (ambient) nanobubbles (10-100 nm diameter) with different hydrophobic materials-Teflon, polystyrene, paraffin, and basal plane highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG)-are studied by AFM in situ and ex situ. Exactly identical surface locations are examined before and after exposure to ambient gas nanobubbles in deionized water and compared for nanomorphological changes. While freely flooded/immersed surfaces, regularly occupied by nanobubbles, do not exhibit resolvable alterations, significant surface rearrangement is found on whole flooded area after mild pressure drop (10 kPa) applied on the solid-liquid interface. Nanopattern and its characteristic dimension appear to be material specific and solely reflect surface-nanobubble interaction. Mild, nonswelling, noncorrosive conditions (20 °C, deionized water) prevent intervention of chemical reaction and high-energy-demanding processes. Experimental results, in accordance with the presented model, indicate that the mild pressure drop triggers expansion of pinned nanobubbles, imposing local tensile stress on the solid surface. Consequently, nanobubbles should be considered as large-area nanoscale patterning elements.

Sulfur compounds in coal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Attar, A.; Corcoran, W. H.

1977-01-01

The literature on the chemical structure of the organic sulfur compounds (or functional groups) in coal is reviewed. Four methods were applied in the literature to study the sulfur compounds in coal: direct spectrometric and chemical analysis, depolymerization in drastic conditions, depolymerization in mild conditions, and studies on simulated coal. The data suggest that most of the organic sulfur in coal is in the form of thiophenic structures and aromatic and aliphatic sulfides. The relative abundance of the sulfur groups in bituminous coal is estimated as 50:30:20%, respectively. The ratio changes during processing and during the chemical analysis. The main effects are the transformation during processing of sulfides to the more stable thiophenic compounds and the elimination of hydrogen sulfide.

Effects of sour crude oil on fatigue properties of steel plates for shipbuilding

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

Ouchi, H.; Kobayashi, J.; Ishikawa, T.

1994-12-31

The concentration of diffusible hydrogen introduced into steel was measured, and fatigue crack growth tests and fatigue life tests were carried out in sour crude oil containing a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide and under electrolytic hydrogen-charging conditions in neutral solution, using a high strength steel produced by the thermo-mechanical control process (TMCP) and a mild steel which are steels for hull plates. Comparison of the results demonstrated that a very small amount of hydrogen such as that introduced into steel from sour crude oil under atmospheric pressure accelerated the fatigue crack growth in the high {Delta}K regime and shortenedmore » the fatigue life in the high stress range region, but did not shorten the fatigue life in the low stress region. The electrolytic hydrogen-charging condition appeared to be appropriate as a fatigue-crack-growth test environment to simulate sour crude oil. The deterioration of fatigue characteristics of the TMCP high strength steel was similar with that of the mild steel.« less

Coal liquefaction by base-catalyzed hydrolysis with CO.sub.2 capture

DOEpatents

Xiao, Xin

2014-03-18

The one-step hydrolysis of diverse biomaterials including coal, cellulose materials such as lumber and forestry waste, non-food crop waste, lignin, vegetable oils, animal fats and other source materials used for biofuels under mild processing conditions which results in the formation of a liquid fuel product along with the recovery of a high purity CO.sub.2 product is provided.

Processes for liquefying carbonaceous feedstocks and related compositions

DOEpatents

MacDonnell, Frederick M.; Dennis, Brian H.; Billo, Richard E.; Priest, John W.

2017-02-28

Methods for the conversion of lignites, subbituminous coals and other carbonaceous feedstocks into synthetic oils, including oils with properties similar to light weight sweet crude oil using a solvent derived from hydrogenating oil produced by pyrolyzing lignite are set forth herein. Such methods may be conducted, for example, under mild operating conditions with a low cost stoichiometric co-reagent and/or a disposable conversion agent.

Production of Chitin from Penaeus vannamei By-Products to Pilot Plant Scale Using a Combination of Enzymatic and Chemical Processes and Subsequent Optimization of the Chemical Production of Chitosan by Response Surface Methodology.

PubMed

Vázquez, José A; Ramos, Patrícia; Mirón, Jesús; Valcarcel, Jesus; Sotelo, Carmen G; Pérez-Martín, Ricardo I

2017-06-16

The waste generated from shrimp processing contains valuable materials such as protein, carotenoids, and chitin. The present study describes a process at pilot plant scale to recover chitin from the cephalothorax of Penaeus vannamei using mild conditions. The application of a sequential enzymatic-acid-alkaline treatment yields 30% chitin of comparable purity to commercial sources. Effluents from the process are rich in protein and astaxanthin, and represent inputs for further by-product recovery. As a last step, chitin is deacetylated to produce chitosan; the optimal conditions are established by applying a response surface methodology (RSM). Under these conditions, deacetylation reaches 92% as determined by Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR), and the molecular weight (Mw) of chitosan is estimated at 82 KDa by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Chitin and chitosan microstructures are characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Social Information Processing in Boys with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Embregts, P.; van Nieuwenhuijzen, M.

2009-01-01

Background: Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and mild to borderline intellectual disability (ID) have less adaptive behaviour and more behaviour problems than children with mild to borderline ID. Social information processing appears to be an important mechanism in the explanation of the socially inadequate behaviour of children…

Combined Effect of Ultrasound and Mild Temperatures on the Inactivation of E. coli in Fresh Carrot Juice and Changes on its Physicochemical Characteristics.

PubMed

Pokhrel, Prashant Raj; Bermúdez-Aguirre, Daniela; Martínez-Flores, Héctor E; Garnica-Romo, M Guadalupe; Sablani, Shyam; Tang, Juming; Barbosa-Cánovas, Gustavo V

2017-10-01

The combination of ultrasound and mild temperatures to process fruits and vegetables juices is a novel approach that is showing promising results for microbial inactivation and preservation of bioactive compounds and sensory attributes. This study centers on investigating the inactivation of Escherichia coli (ATCC 11755) in carrot juice as a result of the combined effect of ultrasound (24 kHz frequency, 120 μm, and 400 W) with temperature (50, 54, and 58 °C) and processing time (0 to 10 min). In addition, the possible changes in physicochemical properties and the retention of bioactive compounds after processing were analyzed. Microbial inactivation with ultrasound treatment at 50 °C resulted in 3.5 log reduction after 10 min, whereas at 54 °C almost 5 log reduction was attained in the same period of time; meanwhile, for treatment at 58 °C, no viable cells were detected (>5 log reduction) after 2 min. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) on pH (6.80 to 6.82), °Brix (8.0 to 8.5), titratable acidity (0.29% to 0.30%), total carotenoid (1774 to 1835 μg/100 mL), phenolic compounds (20.19 to 20.63 μg/mL), ascorbic acid (4.8 mg/100 mL), and color parameters between fresh and ultrasound treated samples at the studied temperatures. To predict the inactivation patterns, observed values were tested using 3 different general models: first-order, Weibull distribution, and biphasic. The Weibull and biphasic models show good correlation for inactivation under all processing conditions. Results show ultrasound in combination with mild temperature could be effectively used to process fresh carrot juice providing a safe product without affecting physicochemical characteristics. The combination of ultrasound and mild temperatures is effective in reducing microbial load in carrot juice to safe levels. This combination would be beneficial in the industrial processing of carrot juice without altering the quality attributes or bioactive compounds. © 2017 Institute of Food Technologists®.

Attention Process Training-3 to improve reading comprehension in mild aphasia: A single-case experimental design study.

PubMed

Lee, Jaime B; Sohlberg, McKay Moore; Harn, Beth; Horner, Robert; Cherney, Leora R

2018-06-04

People with aphasia frequently present with nonlinguistic deficits, in addition to their compromised language abilities, which may contribute to their problems with reading comprehension. Treatment of attention, working memory and executive control may improve reading comprehension in individuals with aphasia, particularly those with mild reading problems. This single-case experimental design study evaluated the efficacy of Attention Process Training-3, an intervention combining direct attention training and metacognitive facilitation, for improving reading comprehension in individuals with mild aphasia. A multiple baseline design across six participants was used to evaluate treatment effects. The primary outcome measure was a maze reading task. Cognitive measures were administered pre- and post-treatment. Visual inspection of graphed maze reading performance data indicated a basic effect between APT-3 and improved maze reading for three of the six participants. Quantitative analyses, using Tau-U, corroborated findings identified through visual analysis. The overall effect size was significant (Tau = .48, p = .01). Results suggest that APT-3 has the potential to improve reading in individuals with aphasia, but that it may be more efficacious under certain conditions. Treatment and participant variables, including intensity of treatment and metacognitive strategy usage, are discussed as potential influences on participants' responsiveness to APT-3.

Techno-economical evaluation of protein extraction for microalgae biorefinery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sari, Y. W.; Sanders, J. P. M.; Bruins, M. E.

2016-01-01

Due to scarcity of fossil feedstocks, there is an increasing demand for biobased fuels. Microalgae are considered as promising biobased feedstocks. However, microalgae based fuels are not yet produced at large scale at present. Applying biorefinery, not only for oil, but also for other components, such as carbohydrates and protein, may lead to the sustainable and economical microalgae-based fuels. This paper discusses two relatively mild conditions for microalgal protein extraction, based on alkali and enzymes. Green microalgae (Chlorella fusca) with and without prior lipid removal were used as feedstocks. Under mild conditions, more protein could be extracted using proteases, with the highest yields for microalgae meal (without lipids). The data on protein extraction yields were used to calculate the costs for producing 1 ton of microalgal protein. The processing cost for the alkaline method was € 2448 /ton protein. Enzymatic method performed better from an economic point of view with € 1367 /ton protein on processing costs. However, this is still far from industrially feasible. For both extraction methods, biomass cost per ton of produced product were high. A higher protein extraction yield can partially solve this problem, lowering processing cost to €620 and 1180 /ton protein product, using alkali and enzyme, respectively. Although alkaline method has lower processing cost, optimization appears to be better achievable using enzymes. If the enzymatic method can be optimized by lowering the amount of alkali added, leading to processing cost of € 633/ton protein product. Higher revenue can be generated when the residue after protein extraction can be sold as fuel, or better as a highly digestible feed for cattle.

Effect of iron salt counter ion in dose-response curves for inactivation of Fusarium solani in water through solar driven Fenton-like processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aurioles-López, Verónica; Polo-López, M. Inmaculada; Fernández-Ibáñez, Pilar; López-Malo, Aurelio; Bandala, Erick R.

2016-02-01

The inactivation of Fusarium solani in water was assessed by solar driven Fenton-like processes using three different iron salts: ferric acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)3), ferric chloride (FeCl3) and ferrous sulfate (FeSO4). The experimental conditions tested were [Fe] ≈ 5 mg L-1, [H2O2] ≈ 10 mg L-1 and [Fe] ≈ 10 mg L-1; [H2O2] ≈ 20 mg L-1 mild and high, respectively, and pH 3.0 and 5.0, under solar radiation. The highest inactivation rates were observed at high reaction conditions for the three iron salts tested at pH 5.0 with less than 3.0 kJ L-1 of accumulate energy (QUV) to achieve over 99.9% of F. solani inactivation. Fe(acac)3 was the best iron salt to accomplishing F. solani inactivation. The modified Fermi equation was used to fix the experimental inactivation, data showed it was helpful for modeling the process, adequately describing dose-response curves. Inactivation process using FeSO4 at pH 3.0 was modeled fairly with r2 = 0.98 and 0.99 (mild and high concentration, respectively). Fe(acac)3, FeCl3 and FeSO4 at high concentration (i.e. [Fe] ≈ 10 mg L-1; [H2O2] ≈ 20 mg L-1) and pH 5.0 showed the highest fitting values (r2 = 0.99). Iron salt type showed a remarkable influence on the Fenton-like inactivation process.

Procedures for Increasing Sustained Attention in Adults with Mild Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doughty, Adam H.; Williams, Dean C.

2013-01-01

This research compared the effects of several factors on sustained attention in four participants with mild or mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities. In each session, each participant received an extended number of conditional discriminations that required a differential response to infrequently occurring target stimuli. We assessed sustained…

Effects of drought stress on growth, solute accumulation and membrane stability of leafy vegetable, huckleberry (Solanum scabrum Mill.).

PubMed

Assaha, Dekoum Vincent Marius; Liu, Liyun; Ueda, Akihiro; Nagaoka, Toshinori; Saneoka, Hirofumi

2016-01-01

The present study sought to investigate the factors implicated in growth impairment of huckleberry (a leafy vegetable) under water stress conditions. To achieve this, seedlings of plant were subjected to control, mild stress and severe stress conditions for 30 days. Plant growth, plant water relation, gas exchange, oxidative stress damage, electrolyte leakage rate, mineral content and osmolyte accumulation were measured. Water deficit markedly decreased leaf, stem and root growth. Leaf photosynthetic rate was tremendously reduced by decrease in stomatal conductance under stress conditions. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content markedly increased under mild (82%) and severe (131%) stress conditions, while electrolyte leakage rate (ELR) increased by 59% under mild stress and 3-fold under severe stress. Mineral content in leafwas high in stressed plants, while proline content markedly increased under mild stress (12-fold) and severe stress (15-fold), with corresponding decrease in osmotic potential at full turgor and an increase in osmotic adjustment. These results suggest that maintenance of high mineral content and osmotic adjustment constitute important adaptations in huckleberry under water deficit conditions and that growth depression under drought stress would be mainly caused by increased electrolyte leakage resulting from membrane damage induced by oxidative stress.

[Pharmacist perception of the use of analgesics and their practice on mild-moderate pain. DOLOR-OFF survey].

PubMed

Arrebola, Cristobal; García-Delgado, Pilar; Labrador Barba, Elena; Orera Peña, Maria Luisa; Martínez-Martínez, Fernando

2016-01-01

To examine the use of analgesics, from the perspective of the pharmacist community, and pharmaceutical practice in mild-moderate pain. A cross-sectional, observational study was performed between April and September 2013. 696 community pharmacies in 20 Spanish provinces. Community pharmacists with a minimum professional experience of one year. Characterisation of the demand for analgesics, analgesic users, and pharmaceutical intervention for mild-moderate pain from the perspective of the pharmaceutical community. The main reason why a patient with mild-moderate pain visits a pharmacy is to receive a drug with prescription (45.5%), and the most common condition is headache (35.2%). Ibuprofen and paracetamol are the most commonly used drugs for mild-moderate pain. More than one-third (38.9%) of pharmacists follow a protocol for counselling. A correlation was found between the pharmacist's professional experience and the application of counselling process (Fisher P<.05). Some 87.8% of pharmacists checked two indicators from the dispensing service, and only 1.3% did not check any. Referral to a physician was made by 14.8% of pharmacists, with the main reason being the detection of alarm indicators. Protocols need to be designed and adapted to the characteristics of the 3 profiles identified, in order to increase the efficiency of pharmaceutical services in mild-moderate pain relief. Practical and specific training in pain are required to implement services to ensure the correct and systemic use of analgesics and positive clinical outcomes. Copyright © 2016. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U.

Mesoporous silicon synthesis and applications in Li-ion batteries and solar hydrogen fuel cells

DOEpatents

Wang, Donghai; Dai, Fang; Yi, Ran; Zai, Jianto

2017-05-23

We provide a mesoporous silicon material (PSi) prepared via a template-free and HF-free process. The production process is facile and scalable, and it may be conducted under mild reaction conditions. The silicon may be produced directly by the reduction of a silicon-halogenide precursor (for example, SiCl.sub.4) with an alkaline alloy (for example, NaK alloy). The resulting Si-salt matrix is then annealed for the pore formation and crystallite growth. Final product is obtained by removal of the salt by-products with water.

Driving Competence in Mild Dementia with Lewy Bodies: In Search of Cognitive Predictors Using Driving Simulation

PubMed Central

Yamin, Stephanie; Stinchcombe, Arne; Gagnon, Sylvain

2015-01-01

Driving is a multifactorial behaviour drawing on multiple cognitive, sensory, and physical systems. Dementia is a progressive and degenerative neurological condition that impacts the cognitive processes necessary for safe driving. While a number of studies have examined driving among individuals with Alzheimer's disease, less is known about the impact of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) on driving safety. The present study compared simulated driving performance of 15 older drivers with mild DLB with that of 21 neurologically healthy control drivers. DLB drivers showed poorer performance on all indicators of simulated driving including an increased number of collisions in the simulator and poorer composite indicators of overall driving performance. A measure of global cognitive function (i.e., the Mini Mental State Exam) was found to be related to the overall driving performance. In addition, measures of attention (i.e., Useful Field of View, UFOV) and space processing (Visual Object and Space Perception, VOSP, Test) correlated significantly with a rater's assessment of driving performance. PMID:26713169

Characterization of citrus pectin samples extracted under different conditions: influence of acid type and pH of extraction

PubMed Central

Kaya, Merve; Sousa, António G.; Crépeau, Marie-Jeanne; Sørensen, Susanne O.; Ralet, Marie-Christine

2014-01-01

Background and Aims Pectin is a complex macromolecule, the fine structure of which is influenced by many factors. It is used as a gelling, thickening and emulsifying agent in a wide range of applications, from food to pharmaceutical products. Current industrial pectin extraction processes are based on fruit peel, a waste product from the juicing industry, in which thousands of tons of citrus are processed worldwide every year. This study examines how pectin components vary in relation to the plant source (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit) and considers the influence of extraction conditions on the chemical and macromolecular characteristics of pectin samples. Methods Citrus peel (orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit) from a commercial supplier was used as raw material. Pectin samples were obtained on a bulk plant scale (kilograms; harsh nitric acid, mild nitric acid and harsh oxalic acid extraction) and on a laboratory scale (grams; mild oxalic acid extraction). Pectin composition (acidic and neutral sugars) and physicochemical properties (molar mass and intrinsic viscosity) were determined. Key Results Oxalic acid extraction allowed the recovery of pectin samples of high molecular weight. Mild oxalic acid-extracted pectins were rich in long homogalacturonan stretches and contained rhamnogalacturonan I stretches with conserved side chains. Nitric acid-extracted pectins exhibited lower molecular weights and contained rhamnogalacturonan I stretches encompassing few and/or short side chains. Grapefruit pectin was found to have short side chains compared with orange, lime and lemon. Orange and grapefruit pectin samples were both particularly rich in rhamnogalacturonan I backbones. Conclusions Structural, and hence macromolecular, variations within the different citrus pectin samples were mainly related to their rhamnogalacturonan I contents and integrity, and, to a lesser extent, to the length of their homogalacturonan domains. PMID:25081519

Selective Attention of Mildly Mentally Retarded and Nonretarded Individuals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mosley, James L.

1980-01-01

Mildly retarded, equal MA, and equal CA individuals (total N=30) viewed tachistoscopic presentations of single element displays under a backward visual masking paradigm. The data revealed that, under minimal load conditions, the internal cue-selection component of selective attention for mildly retarded Ss is comparable to that of the nonretarded…

Copper-catalyzed oxidative homo- and cross-coupling of Grignard reagents using diaziridinone.

PubMed

Zhu, Yingguang; Xiong, Tao; Han, Wenyong; Shi, Yian

2014-12-05

Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are among the most powerful synthetic transformations. This paper describes an efficient copper-catalyzed homo- and cross-coupling of Grignard reagents with di-tert-butyldiaziridinone as oxidant under mild conditions, giving the coupling products in good to excellent yields. The reaction process has a broad substrate scope and is also effective for the C(sp)-C(sp(3)) coupling.

Zeolites Remove Sulfur From Fuels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Voecks, Gerald E.; Sharma, Pramod K.

1991-01-01

Zeolites remove substantial amounts of sulfur compounds from diesel fuel under relatively mild conditions - atmospheric pressure below 300 degrees C. Extracts up to 60 percent of sulfur content of high-sulfur fuel. Applicable to petroleum refineries, natural-gas processors, electric powerplants, and chemical-processing plants. Method simpler and uses considerably lower pressure than current industrial method, hydro-desulfurization. Yields cleaner emissions from combustion of petroleum fuels, and protects catalysts from poisoning by sulfur.

Mild Hydroprocessing with Dispersed Catalyst of Highly Asphaltenic Pitch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isquierdo, Fernanda

Asphaltene are known to have diverse negative impacts on heavy oil extraction and hydroprocessing. This research then, explores the optimal conditions to convert asphaltenes into lighter material using mild conditions of pressure and temperature, and investigates changes in asphaltene structure during hydroprocessing. Feedstock and products were characterized by Simulated Distillation, Microdeasphalting, Sulfur content, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Solid catalysts were analyzed by Themogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and Dynamic light scattering. Based on the results obtained from X-ray diffraction and Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis a mechanism for the asphaltene hydroprocessing at mild conditions is proposed in which the alky peripheric portion from the original asphaltenes is partially removed during the reaction. The consequence of that process being an increase in the stacking of the aromatics sheets in the remaining asphaltenes. Also, this study investigates different for ultradispersed catalyst compositions, where CoWS, CoMoS, NiWS, FeWS, NiMo/NaHFeSi 2O6 and NaHFeSi2O6 showed a high asphaltene conversion as determined by asphaltene microdeasphalting, FeMoS and NaHFeSi 2O6 presented a high Vacuum Residue as determined by distillation (SIMDIST) analysis conversion, and in terms of sulfur removal CoMoS gave the higher conversion. In addition, all the catalyst tested showed a coke production lower than 1%. Finally, a kinetic study for the pitch hydroprocessing using CoMoS as catalysts gave a global activation energy of 97.3 kJ/mol.

Application of the ultrasound in the mild synthesis of substituted 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones catalyzed by heterogeneous metal-MWCNTs nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safari, Javad; Gandomi-Ravandi, Soheila

2014-08-01

A practical method were applied successfully to synthesize mono- and disubstituted dihydroquinazolinones through three-component condensation of isatoic anhydride, primary amines or ammonium acetate with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of some transition metals-multi-walled carbon nanotubes under sonication. Also, metals supported on MWCNTs showed excellent catalytic performance for above-mentioned condensation. This methodology provides general, easy and efficient approach to afford the corresponding aryl substituted quinazolinone derivatives using mentioned nanocomposites as catalyst under sonication in excellent yields. The advantages of present protocol are convenient reaction, simple work-up, greenness, energy efficiency and reusable catalyst as well as mild reaction conditions. The employed metal-MWCNTs catalysts are heterogeneous and recyclable, that make the process more environmentally friendly.

Biocatalysis for Biobased Chemicals

PubMed Central

de Regil, Rubén; Sandoval, Georgina

2013-01-01

The design and development of greener processes that are safe and friendly is an irreversible trend that is driven by sustainable and economic issues. The use of Biocatalysis as part of a manufacturing process fits well in this trend as enzymes are themselves biodegradable, require mild conditions to work and are highly specific and well suited to carry out complex reactions in a simple way. The growth of computational capabilities in the last decades has allowed Biocatalysis to develop sophisticated tools to understand better enzymatic phenomena and to have the power to control not only process conditions but also the enzyme’s own nature. Nowadays, Biocatalysis is behind some important products in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and bulk chemicals industry. In this review we want to present some of the most representative examples of industrial chemicals produced in vitro through enzymatic catalysis. PMID:24970192

Carbene-catalysed reductive coupling of nitrobenzyl bromides and activated ketones or imines via single-electron-transfer process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Bao-Sheng; Wang, Yuhuang; Proctor, Rupert S. J.; Zhang, Yuexia; Webster, Richard D.; Yang, Song; Song, Baoan; Chi, Yonggui Robin

2016-09-01

Benzyl bromides and related molecules are among the most common substrates in organic synthesis. They are typically used as electrophiles in nucleophilic substitution reactions. These molecules can also be activated via single-electron-transfer (SET) process for radical reactions. Representative recent progress includes α-carbon benzylation of ketones and aldehydes via photoredox catalysis. Here we disclose the generation of (nitro)benzyl radicals via N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis under reductive conditions. The radical intermediates generated via NHC catalysis undergo formal 1,2-addition with ketones to eventually afford tertiary alcohol products. The overall process constitutes a formal polarity-inversion of benzyl bromide, allowing a direct coupling of two initially electrophilic carbons. Our study provides a new carbene-catalysed reaction mode that should enable unconventional transformation of (nitro)benzyl bromides under mild organocatalytic conditions.

Auditory Processing of Older Adults with Probable Mild Cognitive Impairment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Jerri D.; Lister, Jennifer J.; Elias, Maya N.; Tetlow, Amber M.; Sardina, Angela L.; Sadeq, Nasreen A.; Brandino, Amanda D.; Bush, Aryn L. Harrison

2017-01-01

Purpose: Studies suggest that deficits in auditory processing predict cognitive decline and dementia, but those studies included limited measures of auditory processing. The purpose of this study was to compare older adults with and without probable mild cognitive impairment (MCI) across two domains of auditory processing (auditory performance in…

Changes in right ventricular function assessed by echocardiography in dog models of mild RV pressure overload.

PubMed

Morita, Tomoya; Nakamura, Kensuke; Osuga, Tatsuyuki; Yokoyama, Nozomu; Morishita, Keitaro; Sasaki, Noboru; Ohta, Hiroshi; Takiguchi, Mitsuyoshi

2017-07-01

The assessment of hemodynamic change by echocardiography is clinically useful in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Recently, mild elevation of the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) has been shown to be associated with increased mortality. However, changes in the echocardiographic indices of right ventricular (RV) function are still unknown. The objective of this study was to validate the relationship between echocardiographic indices of RV function and right heart catheterization variables under a mild RV pressure overload condition. Echocardiography and right heart catheterization were performed in dog models of mild RV pressure overload induced by thromboxane A 2 analog (U46619) (n=7). The mean PAP was mildly increased (19.3±1.1 mm Hg), and the cardiac index was decreased. Most echocardiographic indices of RV function were significantly impaired even under a mild RV pressure overload condition. Multivariate analysis revealed that the RV free wall longitudinal strain (RVLS), standard deviation of the time-to-peak longitudinal strain of RV six segments (RV-SD) by speckle-tracking echocardiography, and Tei index were independent echocardiographic predictors of the mean PAP (free wall RVLS, β=-0.60, P<.001; RV-SD, β=0.40, P=.011), pulmonary vascular resistance (free wall RVLS, β=-0.39, P=.020; RV-SD, β=0.47, P=.0086; Tei index, β=0.34, P=.047), and cardiac index (Tei index, β=-0.65, P<.001). Free wall RVLS, RV-SD, and Tei index are useful for assessing the hemodynamic change under a mild RV pressure overload condition. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mild MPP+ exposure impairs autophagic degradation through a novel lysosomal acidity-independent mechanism.

PubMed

Miyara, Masatsugu; Kotake, Yaichiro; Tokunaga, Wataru; Sanoh, Seigo; Ohta, Shigeru

2016-10-01

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, but its underlying cause remains unknown. Although recent studies using PD-related neurotoxin MPP + suggest autophagy involvement in the pathogenesis of PD, the effect of MPP + on autophagic processes under mild exposure, which mimics the slow progressive nature of PD, remains largely unclear. We examined the effect of mild MPP + exposure (10 and 200 μM for 48 h), which induces a more slowly developing cell death, on autophagic processes and the mechanistic differences with acute MPP + toxicity (2.5 and 5 mM for 24 h). In SH-SY5Y cells, mild MPP + exposure predominantly inhibited autophagosome degradation, whereas acute MPP + exposure inhibited both autophagosome degradation and basal autophagy. Mild MPP + exposure reduced lysosomal hydrolase cathepsin D activity without changing lysosomal acidity, whereas acute exposure decreased lysosomal density. Lysosome biogenesis enhancers trehalose and rapamycin partially alleviated mild MPP + exposure induced impaired autophagosome degradation and cell death, but did not prevent the pathogenic response to acute MPP + exposure, suggesting irreversible lysosomal damage. We demonstrated impaired autophagic degradation by MPP + exposure and mechanistic differences between mild and acute MPP + toxicities. Mild MPP + toxicity impaired autophagosome degradation through novel lysosomal acidity-independent mechanisms. Sustained mild lysosomal damage may contribute to PD. We examined the effects of MPP + on autophagic processes under mild exposure, which mimics the slow progressive nature of Parkinson's disease, in SH-SY5Y cells. This study demonstrated impaired autophagic degradation through a reduction in lysosomal cathepsin D activity without altering lysosomal acidity by mild MPP + exposure. Mechanistic differences between acute and mild MPP + toxicity were also observed. Sustained mild damage of lysosome may be an underlying cause of Parkinson's disease. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.13338. © 2016 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Differential root transcriptomics in a polyploid non-model crop: the importance of respiration during osmotic stress

PubMed Central

Zorrilla-Fontanesi, Yasmín; Rouard, Mathieu; Cenci, Alberto; Kissel, Ewaut; Do, Hien; Dubois, Emeric; Nidelet, Sabine; Roux, Nicolas; Swennen, Rony; Carpentier, Sebastien Christian

2016-01-01

To explore the transcriptomic global response to osmotic stress in roots, 18 mRNA-seq libraries were generated from three triploid banana genotypes grown under mild osmotic stress (5% PEG) and control conditions. Illumina sequencing produced 568 million high quality reads, of which 70–84% were mapped to the banana diploid reference genome. Using different uni- and multivariate statistics, 92 genes were commonly identified as differentially expressed in the three genotypes. Using our in house workflow to analyze GO enriched and underlying biochemical pathways, we present the general processes affected by mild osmotic stress in the root and focus subsequently on the most significantly overrepresented classes associated with: respiration, glycolysis and fermentation. We hypothesize that in fast growing and oxygen demanding tissues, mild osmotic stress leads to a lower energy level, which induces a metabolic shift towards (i) a higher oxidative respiration, (ii) alternative respiration and (iii) fermentation. To confirm the mRNA-seq results, a subset of twenty up-regulated transcripts were further analysed by RT-qPCR in an independent experiment at three different time points. The identification and annotation of this set of genes provides a valuable resource to understand the importance of energy sensing during mild osmotic stress. PMID:26935041

Gray matter correlates of set-shifting among neurodegenerative disease, mild cognitive impairment, and healthy older adults

PubMed Central

PA, JUDY; POSSIN, KATHERINE L.; WILSON, STEPHEN M.; QUITANIA, LOVINGLY C.; KRAMER, JOEL H.; BOXER, ADAM L.; WEINER, MICHAEL W.; JOHNSON, JULENE K.

2010-01-01

There is increasing recognition that set-shifting, a form of cognitive control, is mediated by different neural structures. However, these regions have not yet been carefully identified as many studies do not account for the influence of component processes (e.g., motor speed). We investigated gray matter correlates of set-shifting while controlling for component processes. Using the Design Fluency (DF), Trail Making Test (TMT), and Color Word Interference (CWI) subtests from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS), we investigated the correlation between set-shifting performance and gray matter volume in 160 subjects with neurodegenerative disease, mild cognitive impairment, and healthy older adults using voxel-based morphometry. All three set-shifting tasks correlated with multiple, widespread gray matter regions. After controlling for the component processes, set-shifting performance correlated with focal regions in prefrontal and posterior parietal cortices. We also identified bilateral prefrontal cortex and the right posterior parietal lobe as common sites for set-shifting across the three tasks. There was a high degree of multicollinearity between the set-shifting conditions and the component processes of TMT and CWI, suggesting DF may better isolate set-shifting regions. Overall, these findings highlight the neuroanatomical correlates of set-shifting and the importance of controlling for component processes when investigating complex cognitive tasks. PMID:20374676

Fatty acid sulphoalkyl amides and esters as cosmetic surfactants.

PubMed

Petter, P J

1984-10-01

Synopsis A review is given of the manufacture, properties and applications of the anionic surfactants commonly known as taurates and isethionates (fatty acid sulphoalkyl amides and esters, respectively). Originally developed in the 1930s for textile processing, these surfactants are used increasingly in the cosmetic field, particularly those derived from coconut fatty acid. Both types are produced from sodium isethionate, HO degrees C(2)H(4)SO(3)Na. The acyl isethionate, R degrees COO degrees C(2)H(4)SO(3)Na, is obtained by reaction with a fatty acid ('direct process'). or fatty acid chloride ('indirect process'). The direct process is cheaper but requires extreme conditions which can lead to discoloration of the product and a loss of shorter chain fatty acid components. The N-methyl-N-acyltaurate, R degrees CON(R(1))C(2)H(4)SO(3)Na, is obtained by Schotten-Baumann reaction of a fatty acid chloride with N-methyltaurine, which is derived from sodium isethionate via methylamine. Taurates and isethionates retain the benefits of the soaps to which they are structurally similar, but chemical modifications have eliminated many undesirable features. Thus they combine good detergency and wetting with high foaming, and maintain their performance in hard or salt water. Taurates are stable to hydrolysis over the whole pH range. Isethionates are prone to hydrolysis at high (>8) or low (<5) pH, but this does not normally present a problem in cosmetic formulations. Above all, these surfactants are characterized by their extreme mildness to skin. Syndet and syndet/soap bars based on isethionate can be formulated at neutral pH ('Dove type'bars) instead of the alkaline pH of soap, and have been shown in various studies to be milder than soap and better tolerated by the young, the old and those with sensitive skins. Similarly, isethionates have been shown to be less irritating than other anionic or amphoteric surfactants used in cosmetics. The difference has been related to the negligible effect of isethionate on the water-binding capacity of stratum corneum. Other cosmetic applications besides toilet bars include shampoos (excellent cleaning, mild to scalp, some hair conditioning effects), liquid soaps (mild for all-over body use), bubble baths (copious stable foam, efficient lime soap dispersal, low irritancy), skin creams and lotions (emulsification, alleviation of 'dry skin'), baby care products (ultra-mild cleansing bars and milks, impregnated baby wipes) and oral products (foaming agents with low toxicity for toothpastes and mouthwashes).

MRI-based comparative study of different mild cognitive impairment subtypes: protocol for an observational case-control study.

PubMed

Yu, Yang; Zhao, Weina; Li, Siou; Yin, Changhao

2017-03-08

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI) comprise the 2 main types of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The first condition generally progresses to Alzheimer's disease, whereas the second is likely to develop into vascular dementia (VD). The brain structure and function of patients with MCI differ from those of normal elderly individuals. However, whether brain structures or functions differ between these 2 MCI subtypes has not been studied. This study is designed to analyse neuroimages of brain in patients with VaMCI and aMCI using multimodality MRI (structural MRI (sMRI), functional MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)). In this study, 80 participants diagnosed with aMCI, 80 participants diagnosed with VaMCI, and 80 age-matched, gender-matched and education-matched normal controls (NCs) will be recruited to the Hongqi Hospital of Mudanjiang Medical University, Heilongjiang, China. All participants will undergo neuroimaging and neuropsychological evaluations. The primary outcome measures will be (1) microstructural alterations revealed by multimodal MRIs, including sMRI, resting-state functional MRI and DTI; and (2) a neuropsychological evaluation, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), Memory and Executive Screening (MES), trail making test, Stroop colour naming condition and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, to evaluate global cognition, memory function, attention, visuospatial skills, processing speed, executive function and emotion, respectively. NCT02706210; Pre-results. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Ultrasonic activated efficient synthesis of chromenes using amino-silane modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles: A versatile integration of high catalytic activity and facile recovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safari, Javad; Zarnegar, Zohre

2014-08-01

An efficient synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromenes is achieved by one pot three component coupling reaction of aldehyde, malononitrile, and resorcinol using amino-silane modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles (MNPs-NH2) heterogeneous nanocatalyst under sonic condition. The attractive advantages of the present process are mild reaction conditions, short reaction times, easy isolation of products, good yields and simple operational procedures. Combination of the advantages of ultrasonic irradiation and magnetic nanoparticles provides important methodology to carry out catalytic transformations.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

MedlinePlus

... people their age. This condition is called mild cognitive impairment, or MCI. People with MCI can take care of themselves and do their normal activities. MCI memory problems may include Losing things often Forgetting to ...

Copper-Catalyzed Oxidative Homo- and Cross-Coupling of Grignard Reagents Using Diaziridinone

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Transition-metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions are among the most powerful synthetic transformations. This paper describes an efficient copper-catalyzed homo- and cross-coupling of Grignard reagents with di-tert-butyldiaziridinone as oxidant under mild conditions, giving the coupling products in good to excellent yields. The reaction process has a broad substrate scope and is also effective for the C(sp)–C(sp3) coupling. PMID:25420218

Oculomotor Reflexes as a Test of Visual Dysfunctions in Cognitively Impaired Observers

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-09-01

right. Gaze horizontal position is plotted along the y-axis. The red bar indicates a visual nystagmus event detected by the filter. (d) A mild curse word...experimental conditions were chosen to simulate testing cognitively impaired observers. Reflex Stimulus Functions Visual Nystagmus luminance grating low-level...developed a new stimulus for visual nystagmus to 8 test visual motion processing in the presence of incoherent motion noise. The drifting equiluminant

Bromine catalyzed conversion of S-tert-butyl groups into versatile and, for self-assembly processes accessible, acetyl-protected thiols.

PubMed

Blaszczyk, Alfred; Elbing, Mark; Mayor, Marcel

2004-10-07

The facile and efficient conversion of a tert-butyl protecting group to an acetyl protecting group for thiols by catalytic amounts of bromine in acetyl chloride and the presence of acetic acid has been developed. The fairly mild reaction conditions are of particular interest for new protecting group strategies for sulfur functionalised target structures. Copyright 2004 The Royal Society of Chemistry

Eosin Y-catalyzed visible-light-mediated aerobic oxidative cyclization of N,N-dimethylanilines with maleimides.

PubMed

Liang, Zhongwei; Xu, Song; Tian, Wenyan; Zhang, Ronghua

2015-01-01

A novel and simple strategy for the efficient synthesis of the corresponding tetrahydroquinolines from N,N-dimethylanilines and maleimides using visible light in an air atmosphere in the presence of Eosin Y as a photocatalyst has been developed. The metal-free protocol involves aerobic oxidative cyclization via sp(3) C-H bond functionalization process to afford good yields in a one-pot procedure under mild conditions.

From a remarkable manifestation of polar effects in a radical fragmentation to the convergent synthesis of highly functionalized ketones.

PubMed

Debien, Laurent; Zard, Samir Z

2013-03-13

A new radical addition/C-C bond fragmentation process is reported. Vinyl carbinols derived from 2-methyl-2-phenylpropanal react with radicals generated from xanthates to give the corresponding ketones. The radical cleavage reaction proceeds under mild conditions, in good to high yield, and in the presence of the unprotected carbinol. Highly functionalized 1,5-diketones and pyridines are readily available using this approach.

No Evidence for Emotional Empathy in Chickens Observing Familiar Adult Conspecifics

PubMed Central

Edgar, Joanne L.; Paul, Elizabeth S.; Harris, Lauren; Penturn, Sarah; Nicol, Christine J.

2012-01-01

The capacity of animals to empathise is of high potential relevance to the welfare of group-housed domestic animals. Emotional empathy is a multifaceted and multilayered phenomenon which ranges from relatively simple processes such as emotional matching behaviour to more complex processes involving interaction between emotional and cognitive perspective taking systems. Our previous research has demonstrated that hens show clear behavioural and physiological responses to the mild distress of their chicks. To investigate whether this capacity exists outside the mother/offspring bond, we conducted a similar experiment in which domestic hens were exposed to the mild distress of unrelated, but familiar adult conspecifics. Each observer hen was exposed to two replicates of four conditions, in counterbalanced order; control (C); control with noise of air puff (CN); air puff to conspecific hen (APC); air puff to observer hen (APH). During each test, the observer hens' behaviour and physiology were measured throughout a 10 min pre-treatment and a 10 min treatment period. Despite showing signs of distress in response to an aversive stimulus directed at themselves (APH), and using methodology sufficiently sensitive to detect empathy-like responses previously, observer hens showed no behavioural or physiological responses to the mild distress of a familiar adult conspecific. The lack of behavioural and physiological response indicates that hens show no basis for emotional empathy in this context. PMID:22348100

Older adults get episodic memory boosting from noninvasive stimulation of prefrontal cortex during learning

PubMed Central

Brambilla, Michela; Cobelli, Chiara; Cohen, Leonardo G.; Cotelli, Maria

2016-01-01

Episodic memory displays the largest degree of age-related decline, a process that is accelerated in pathological conditions such as amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have shown that the left lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) contributes to the encoding of episodic memories along the life span. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to test the hypothesis that anodal trascranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left lateral PFC during the learning phase would enhance delayed recall of verbal episodic memories in elderly individuals. Older adults learned a list of words while receiving anodal or placebo (sham) tDCS. Memory recall was tested 48 hours and 1 month later. The results showed that anodal tDCS strengthened episodic memories, an effect indicated by enhanced delayed recall (48 hours) compared to placebo stimulation (Cohen's d effect size = 1.01). The observation that PFC-tDCS during learning can boost verbal episodic memory in the elderly opens up the possibility to design-specific neurorehabilitation protocols targeted to conditions that affect episodic memory such as mild cognitive impairment. PMID:26923418

Kinetics of organic transformations under mild aqueous conditions: implications for the origin of life and its metabolism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weber, Arthur L.

2004-01-01

The rates of thermal transformation of organic molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen were systematically examined in order to identify the kinetic constraints that governed origin-of-life organic chemistry under mild aqueous conditions. Arrhenius plots of the kinetic data were used to estimate the reaction of half-lifes at 50 degrees C. This survey showed that hydrocarbons and organic substances containing a single oxygenated group were kinetically the most stable; whereas organic substances containing two oxygenated groups in which one group was an alpha- or beta-positioned carbonyl group were the most reactive. Compounds with an alpha- or beta-positioned carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone) had rates of reaction that were up to 10(24)-times faster than rates of similar molecules lacking the carbonyl group. This survey of organic reactivity, together with estimates of the molecular containment properties of lipid vesicles and liquid spherules, indicates that an origins process in a small domain that used C,H,O-intermediates had to be catalytic and use the most reactive organic molecules to prevent escape of its reaction intermediates.

Two-step catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of fast pyrolysis oil to hydrocarbon liquid fuels.

PubMed

Xu, Xingmin; Zhang, Changsen; Liu, Yonggang; Zhai, Yunpu; Zhang, Ruiqin

2013-10-01

Two-step catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of fast pyrolysis oil was investigated for translating pyrolysis oil to transportation grade hydrocarbon liquid fuels. At the first mild HDO step, various organic solvents were employed to promote HDO of bio-oil to overcome coke formation using noble catalyst (Ru/C) under mild conditions (300 °C, 10 MPa). At the second deep HDO step, conventional hydrogenation setup and catalyst (NiMo/Al2O3) were used under severe conditions (400 °C, 13 MPa) for obtaining hydrocarbon fuel. Results show that the phenomenon of coke formation is effectively eliminated, and the properties of products have been significantly improved, such as oxygen content decreases from 48 to 0.5 wt% and high heating value increases from 17 to 46 MJ kg(-1). GC-MS analysis indicates that the final products include C11-C27 aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons. In short, the fast pyrolysis oils were successfully translated to hydrocarbon liquid fuels using a two-step catalytic HDO process. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficient conversion of brown grease produced by municipal wastewater treatment plant into biofuel using aluminium chloride hexahydrate under very mild conditions.

PubMed

Pastore, Carlo; Lopez, Antonio; Mascolo, Giuseppe

2014-03-01

Wastes produced by oil/water separation at the wastewater treatment plant of Bari West (Southern Italy) were taken, characterized and converted. About 12% of this material was composed of greases, mainly made of free fatty acids (50%) and soaps (34%), and was easily separable by the aqueous phase through a hot centrifugation. After chemical activation of this fatty fraction, a direct esterification was carried out under very mild conditions (320K and atmospheric pressure), converting more than 90% of the original free fatty acids into the respective methyl esters in less than 4h, by using AlCl3·6H2O. The activation energy correlated to the use of this catalyst was also calculated (Eaest=43.9kJmol(-1)). The very low cost of the biodiesel produced (0.45€L(-1)) and the associated relevant specific energy (5.02MJ kgFAMEs(-1)) make such a process a really sustainable and effective example of valorization of a waste. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficient photocatalytic degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid by a wide band gap p-block metal oxyhydroxide InOOH

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jingjing; Wu, Miaomiao; Yang, Jingwen; Wang, Zhengmei; Chen, Mindong; Teng, Fei

2017-09-01

In this work, we prepared a new wide band gap semiconductor, p-block metal oxyhydroxide InOOH, which exhibits efficient activity for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) degradation under mild conditions and UV light irradiation. The apparent rate constant for PFOA degradation by InOOH is 27.6 times higher than that for P25 titania. Results show that ionized PFOA (C7F15COO-) can be adsorbed much more efficiently on the surface of InOOH than P25. Then, the adsorbed C7F15COO- can be decomposed directly by photo-generated holes to form C7F15COOrad radicals. This process is the key step for the photocalytic degradation of PFOA. Major degradation intermediates, fluoride ions and perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with shorter chain lengths were detected during PFOA degradation. A possible pathway for photocatalytic degradation of PFOA is proposed based on the experimental results. Therefore, this studies indicates a potential new material and method for the efficient treatment of PFCA pollutants under mild conditions.

Low-nitrogen oxides combustion of dried sludge using a pilot-scale cyclone combustor with recirculation.

PubMed

Shim, Sung Hoon; Jeong, Sang Hyun; Lee, Sang-Sup

2015-04-01

Recently, numerical and experimental studies have been conducted to develop a moderate or intense low-oxygen dilution (MILD) combustion technology for solid fuels. The study results demonstrated that intense recirculation inside the furnace by high-momentum air is a key parameter to achieve the MILD combustion of solid fuels. However, the high-velocity air requires a significant amount of electricity consumption. A cyclone-type MILD combustor was therefore designed and constructed in the authors' laboratory to improve the recirculation inside the combustor. The laboratory-scale tests yielded promising results for the MILD combustion of dried sewage sludge. To achieve pilot-scale MILD combustion of dried sludge in this study, the effects of geometric parameters such as the venturi tube configuration, the air injection location, and the air nozzle diameter were investigated. With the optimized geometric and operational conditions, the pilot-scale cyclone combustor demonstrated successful MILD combustion of dried sludge at a rate of 75 kg/hr with an excess air ratio of 1.05. A horizontal cyclone combustor with recirculation demonstrated moderate or intense low-oxygen dilution (MILD) combustion of dried sewage sludge at a rate of 75 kg/hr. Optimizing only geometric and operational conditions of the combustor reduced nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions to less than 75 ppm. Because the operating cost of the MILD combustor is much lower than that of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) applied to the conventional combustor, MILD combustion technology with the cyclone type furnace is an eligible option for reducing NOx emissions from the combustion of dried sewage sludge.

Toward a better understanding of the lignin isolation process from wood.

PubMed

Guerra, Anderson; Filpponen, Ilari; Lucia, Lucian A; Saquing, Carl; Baumberger, Stephanie; Argyropoulos, Dimitris S

2006-08-09

The recently developed protocol for isolating enzymatic mild acidolysis lignins (EMAL) coupled with the novel combination of derivatization followed by reductive cleavage (DFRC) and quantitative (31)P NMR spectroscopy were used to better understand the lignin isolation process from wood. The EMAL protocol is shown to offer access at lignin samples that are more representative of the overall lignin present in milled wood. The combination of DFRC/(31)P NMR provided a detailed picture on the effects of the isolation conditions on the lignin structure. More specifically, we have used vibratory and ball milling as the two methods of wood pulverization and have compared their effects on the lignin structures and molecular weights. Vibratory-milling conditions cause substantial lignin depolymerization. Lignin depolymerization occurs via the cleavage of uncondensed beta-aryl ether linkages, while condensed beta-aryl ethers and dibenzodioxocins were found to be resistant to such mechanical action. Condensation and side chain oxidations were induced mechanochemically under vibratory-milling conditions as evidenced by the increased amounts of condensed phenolic hydroxyl and carboxylic acid groups. Alternatively, the mild mechanical treatment offered by ball milling was found not to affect the isolated lignin macromolecular structure. However, the overall lignin yields were found to be compromised when the mechanical action was less intense, necessitating longer milling times under ball-milling conditions. As compared to other lignin preparations isolated from the same batch of milled wood, the yield of EMAL was about four times greater than the corresponding milled wood lignin (MWL) and about two times greater as compared to cellulolytic enzyme lignin (CEL). Molecular weight distribution analyses also pointed out that the EMAL protocol allows the isolation of lignin fractions that are not accessed by any other lignin isolation procedures.

Genotype-environment interaction in passive avoidance learning of the paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis).

PubMed

Csányi, V; Gervai, J

1985-01-01

Passive dark avoidance conditioning and effects of the presence and absence of a fish-like dummy on the training process were studied in four inbred strains of paradise fish. Strain differences were found in the shuttle activity during habituation trials, and in the sensitivity to the mild electric shock punishment. The presence or absence of the dummy in the punished dark side of the shuttle box had a genotype-dependent effect on the measures taken during the conditioning process. The statistical analysis of the learning curves revealed differences in the way the strains varied in the different environments, i.e. genotype--environment interaction components of variances were identified. The results are discussed in the light of previous investigations and their implication in further genetic analysis.

Carbene-catalysed reductive coupling of nitrobenzyl bromides and activated ketones or imines via single-electron-transfer process

PubMed Central

Li, Bao-Sheng; Wang, Yuhuang; Proctor, Rupert S. J.; Zhang, Yuexia; Webster, Richard D.; Yang, Song; Song, Baoan; Chi, Yonggui Robin

2016-01-01

Benzyl bromides and related molecules are among the most common substrates in organic synthesis. They are typically used as electrophiles in nucleophilic substitution reactions. These molecules can also be activated via single-electron-transfer (SET) process for radical reactions. Representative recent progress includes α-carbon benzylation of ketones and aldehydes via photoredox catalysis. Here we disclose the generation of (nitro)benzyl radicals via N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) catalysis under reductive conditions. The radical intermediates generated via NHC catalysis undergo formal 1,2-addition with ketones to eventually afford tertiary alcohol products. The overall process constitutes a formal polarity-inversion of benzyl bromide, allowing a direct coupling of two initially electrophilic carbons. Our study provides a new carbene-catalysed reaction mode that should enable unconventional transformation of (nitro)benzyl bromides under mild organocatalytic conditions. PMID:27671606

Filtering with Marked Point Process Observations via Poisson Chaos Expansion

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

Sun Wei, E-mail: wsun@mathstat.concordia.ca; Zeng Yong, E-mail: zengy@umkc.edu; Zhang Shu, E-mail: zhangshuisme@hotmail.com

2013-06-15

We study a general filtering problem with marked point process observations. The motivation comes from modeling financial ultra-high frequency data. First, we rigorously derive the unnormalized filtering equation with marked point process observations under mild assumptions, especially relaxing the bounded condition of stochastic intensity. Then, we derive the Poisson chaos expansion for the unnormalized filter. Based on the chaos expansion, we establish the uniqueness of solutions of the unnormalized filtering equation. Moreover, we derive the Poisson chaos expansion for the unnormalized filter density under additional conditions. To explore the computational advantage, we further construct a new consistent recursive numerical schememore » based on the truncation of the chaos density expansion for a simple case. The new algorithm divides the computations into those containing solely system coefficients and those including the observations, and assign the former off-line.« less

PULSE COMBUSTOR DESIGN QUALIFICATION TEST AND CLEAN COAL FEEDSTOCK TEST - VOLUME I AND VOLUME II

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

Unknown

For this Cooperative Agreement, the pulse heater module is the technology envelope for an indirectly heated steam reformer. The field of use of the steam reformer pursuant to this Cooperative Agreement with DOE is for the processing of sub-bituminous coals and lignite. The main focus is the mild gasification of such coals for the generation of both fuel gas and char--for the steel industry is the main focus. An alternate market application for the substitution of metallurgical coke is also presented. This project was devoted to qualification of a 253-tube pulse heater module. This module was designed, fabricated, installed, instrumentedmore » and tested in a fluidized bed test facility. Several test campaigns were conducted. This larger heater is a 3.5 times scale-up of the previous pulse heaters that had 72 tubes each. The smaller heater has been part of previous pilot field testing of the steam reformer at New Bern, North Carolina. The project also included collection and reduction of mild gasification process data from operation of the process development unit (PDU). The operation of the PDU was aimed at conditions required to produce char (and gas) for the Northshore Steel Operations. Northshore Steel supplied the coal for the process unit tests.« less

Evaluation of floor cooling on lactating sows under mild and moderate heat stress

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The effectiveness of sow cooling pads during lactation was evaluated under mild and moderate heat stress conditions. The moderate heat stress room was targeted to achieve 32°C from 0800 to 1600 h and 27°C for the rest of the day. The mild heat stress room was targeted to achieve 27°C and 22°C for th...

A Model of Phonological Processing, Language, and Reading for Students with Mild Intellectual Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Barker, R. Michael; Sevcik, Rose A.; Morris, Robin D.; Romski, MaryAnn

2013-01-01

Little is known about the relationships between phonological processing, language, and reading in children with intellectual disability (ID). We examined the structure of phonological processing in 294 school-age children with mild ID and the relationships between its components and expressive and receptive language and reading skills using…

Synthesis of oxazolidine-2,4-diones by a tandem phosphorus-mediated carboxylative condensation-cyclization reaction using atmospheric carbon dioxide.

PubMed

Zhang, Wen-Zhen; Xia, Tian; Yang, Xu-Tong; Lu, Xiao-Bing

2015-04-11

The oxazolidine-2,4-dione motif is found frequently in biologically important compounds. A tandem phosphorus-mediated carboxylative condensation of primary amines and α-ketoesters/base-catalyzed cyclization reaction have been developed. These processes provide a novel and convenient access to various oxazolidine-2,4-diones in a one-pot fashion using atmospheric carbon dioxide and readily available substrates under very mild and transition-metal-free conditions.

A General Asymmetric Formal Synthesis of Aza-Baylis-Hillman Type Products under Bifunctional Catalysis.

PubMed

Frías, María; Carrasco, Ana Cristina; Fraile, Alberto; Alemán, José

2018-03-02

A new organocatalytic strategy for the synthesis of enantioenriched aza-Baylis-Hillman type products via a frustrated vinylogous reaction is presented. This process proceeds under mild conditions with good yields, completed Z/E selectivity and excellent enantioselectivities. Moreover, easy derivatizations of the final products led to important building blocks of organic synthesis such as 1,3-aminoalcohols and Lewis base catalysts. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Reminiscence and adaptation to critical life events in older adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms.

PubMed

Korte, Jojanneke; Bohlmeijer, Ernst T; Westerhof, Gerben J; Pot, Anne Margriet; Pot, Anne M

2011-07-01

The role of reminiscence as a way of adapting to critical life events and chronic medical conditions was investigated in older adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Reminiscence is the (non)volitional act or process of recollecting memories of one's self in the past. 171 Dutch older adults with a mean age of 64 years (SD = 7.4) participated in this study. All of them had mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Participants completed measures on critical life events, chronic medical conditions, depressive symptoms, symptoms of anxiety and satisfaction with life. The reminiscence functions included were: identity, problem solving, bitterness revival and boredom reduction. Critical life events were positively correlated with identity and problem solving. Bitterness revival and boredom reduction were both positively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms, and negatively to satisfaction with life. Problem solving had a negative relation with anxiety symptoms. When all the reminiscence functions were included, problem solving was uniquely associated with symptoms of anxiety, and bitterness revival was uniquely associated with depressive symptoms and satisfaction with life. Interestingly, problem solving mediated the relation of critical life events with anxiety. This study corroborates the theory that reminiscence plays a role in coping with critical life events, and thereby maintaining mental health. Furthermore, it is recommended that therapists focus on techniques which reduce bitterness revival in people with depressive symptoms, and focus on problem-solving reminiscences among people with anxiety symptoms.

Integration of advanced oxidation processes at mild conditions in wet scrubbers for odourous sulphur compounds treatment.

PubMed

Vega, Esther; Martin, Maria J; Gonzalez-Olmos, Rafael

2014-08-01

The effectiveness of different advanced oxidation processes on the treatment of a multicomponent aqueous solution containing ethyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulphide and dimethyl disulphide (0.5 mg L(-1) of each sulphur compound) was investigated with the objective to assess which one is the most suitable treatment to be coupled in wet scrubbers used in odour treatment facilities. UV/H2O2, Fenton, photo-Fenton and ozone treatments were tested at mild conditions and the oxidation efficiency obtained was compared. The oxidation tests were carried out in magnetically stirred cylindrical quartz reactors using the same molar concentration of oxidants (hydrogen peroxide or ozone). The results show that ozone and photo-Fenton are the most efficient treatments, achieving up to 95% of sulphur compounds oxidation and a mineralisation degree around 70% in 10 min. Furthermore, the total costs of the treatments taking into account the capital and operational costs were also estimated for a comparative purpose. The economic analysis revealed that the Fenton treatment is the most economical option to be integrated in a wet scrubber to remove volatile organic sulphur compounds, as long as there are no space constraints to install the required reactor volume. In the case of reactor volume limitation or retrofitting complexities, the ozone and photo-Fenton treatments should be considered as viable alternatives. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

From Nose to Memory: The Involuntary Nature of Odor-evoked Autobiographical Memories in Alzheimer's Disease.

PubMed

El Haj, Mohamad; Gandolphe, Marie Charlotte; Gallouj, Karim; Kapogiannis, Dimitrios; Antoine, Pascal

2017-12-25

Research suggests that odors may serve as a potent cue for autobiographical retrieval. We tested this hypothesis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and investigated whether odor-evoked autobiographical memory is an involuntary process that shares similarities with music-evoked autobiographical memory. Participants with mild AD and controls were asked to retrieve 2 personal memories after odor exposure, after music exposure, and in an odor-and music-free condition. AD participants showed better specificity, emotional experience, mental time travel, and retrieval time after odor and music exposure than in the control condition. Similar beneficial effects of odor and music exposure were observed for autobiographical characteristics (i.e., specificity, emotional experience, and mental time travel), except for retrieval time which was more improved after odor than after music exposure. Interestingly, regression analyses suggested executive involvement in memories evoked in the control condition but not in those evoked after music or odor exposure. These findings suggest the involuntary nature of odor-evoked autobiographical memory in AD. They also suggest that olfactory cuing could serve as a useful and ecologically valid tool to stimulate autobiographical memory, at least in the mild stage of the disease. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Convenient and General Zinc‐Catalyzed Borylation of Aryl Diazonium Salts and Aryltriazenes under Mild Conditions

PubMed Central

Qi, Xinxin; Jiang, Li‐Bing; Zhou, Chao; Peng, Jin‐Bao

2017-01-01

Abstract A convenient and general zinc‐catalyzed borylation of aryl diazonium salts and aryltriazenes has been developed. With bis‐ (pinacolato)diboron as the borylation reagent, aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborate salts and aryltriazenes were transformed into the corresponding arylboronates in moderate to excellent yields under mild conditions. As a convenient and practical methodology, no additional ligands, base, or any other additives are required here. PMID:28638765

Neural correlates of true and false memory in mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Sweeney-Reed, Catherine M; Riddell, Patricia M; Ellis, Judi A; Freeman, Jayne E; Nasuto, Slawomir J

2012-01-01

The goal of this research was to investigate the changes in neural processing in mild cognitive impairment. We measured phase synchrony, amplitudes, and event-related potentials in veridical and false memory to determine whether these differed in participants with mild cognitive impairment compared with typical, age-matched controls. Empirical mode decomposition phase locking analysis was used to assess synchrony, which is the first time this analysis technique has been applied in a complex cognitive task such as memory processing. The technique allowed assessment of changes in frontal and parietal cortex connectivity over time during a memory task, without a priori selection of frequency ranges, which has been shown previously to influence synchrony detection. Phase synchrony differed significantly in its timing and degree between participant groups in the theta and alpha frequency ranges. Timing differences suggested greater dependence on gist memory in the presence of mild cognitive impairment. The group with mild cognitive impairment had significantly more frontal theta phase locking than the controls in the absence of a significant behavioural difference in the task, providing new evidence for compensatory processing in the former group. Both groups showed greater frontal phase locking during false than true memory, suggesting increased searching when no actual memory trace was found. Significant inter-group differences in frontal alpha phase locking provided support for a role for lower and upper alpha oscillations in memory processing. Finally, fronto-parietal interaction was significantly reduced in the group with mild cognitive impairment, supporting the notion that mild cognitive impairment could represent an early stage in Alzheimer's disease, which has been described as a 'disconnection syndrome'.

The process of disclosing a diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment: A national survey of specialist physicians in Denmark.

PubMed

Nielsen, T Rune; Svensson, Birthe Hjorth; Rohr, Gitte; Gottrup, Hanne; Vestergaard, Karsten; Høgh, Peter; Waldemar, Gunhild

2018-01-01

Background Although general recommendations for diagnostic disclosure of dementia are available, little is known about how these recommendations are implemented. The aim of the current study was to investigate the process and content of dementia diagnostic disclosure meetings, and to compare key aspects of disclosing a diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Method A total of 54 specialist physicians in Danish dementia diagnostic departments completed an online survey on their practices regarding diagnostic disclosure of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The influence of respondent characteristics was assessed, and differences on key aspects of disclosing a diagnosis of dementia and mild cognitive impairment were analyzed. Results The results suggest that among Danish specialist physicians, there is a general consensus regarding the organization of diagnostic disclosure meetings. However, differences in employed terminology and information provided when disclosing a dementia diagnosis were evident. Significant differences were present on key aspects of the diagnostic disclosure of dementia and mild cognitive impairment. For instance, 91% would use the term dementia during diagnostic disclosures compared to just 72% for mild cognitive impairment. Conclusion The range of practices reflected in the present study confirms the complexity of diagnostic disclosure and highlights the importance of preparation and follow-up strategies to tailor the disclosure process to the needs of individual patients with dementia and their caregivers. Due to earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, more research is urgently needed on this aspect of the diagnostic process, especially to develop evidence-based models for the disclosure of mild cognitive impairment.

Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of sepiolite supportednano-TiO2 composites prepared by a mild solid-state sintering process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, L. M.; Wang, Z. Q.; Liang, H.; Feng, J.; Zhang, D.

2016-08-01

Supported nano-TiO2photocatalysts play an important role in water environment restoration because of their potential application to photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants in waste water. With sepiolite as the support, the nano-TiO2/sepiolite composite photocatalysts were synthesized by an easily operated and mild solid-state sintering process.The microstructureand photocatalytic property of the sepiolite supportednano-TiO2 composites were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, UV-Visible spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. In addition, the influences of calcination temperature and load ratios on the photocatalytic activity of sepiolite supported nano-TiO2 composites were studied.The results indicated that appropriate ratios of sepiolite supports to nano-TiO2contributed to uniform dispersion of nanoparticles, and enhanced the absorption ability within the UV-Vis range, and consequently increased the photocatalytic activity of the composites.Under the preparation conditions of 90 wt. % TiO2 loading and calcinated at 400 °C, a maximum in photocatalytic activity ofnano-TiO2 sepiolite composite was obtained.

Active and Recyclable Catalytic Synthesis of Indoles by Reductive Cyclization of 2-(2-Nitroaryl)acetonitriles in the Presence of Co-Rh Heterobimetallic Nanoparticles with Atmospheric Hydrogen under Mild Conditions.

PubMed

Choi, Isaac; Chung, Hyunho; Park, Jang Won; Chung, Young Keun

2016-11-04

A cobalt-rhodium heterobimetallic nanoparticle-catalyzed reductive cyclization of 2-(2-nitroaryl)acetonitriles to indoles has been achieved. The tandem reaction proceeds without any additives under the mild conditions (1 atm H 2 and 25 °C). This procedure could be scaled up to the gram scale. The catalytic system is significantly stable under these reaction conditions and could be reused more than ten times without loss of catalytic activity.

Effect of μM Fe addition, mild heat and solar UV on sulfate radical-mediated inactivation of bacteria, viruses, and micropollutant degradation in water.

PubMed

Marjanovic, Miloch; Giannakis, Stefanos; Grandjean, Dominique; de Alencastro, Luiz Felippe; Pulgarin, Cesar

2018-09-01

In this work, solar disinfection (SODIS) was enhanced by moderate addition of Fe and sodium peroxydisulfate (PDS), under solar light. A systematic assessment of the activating factors was performed, firstly isolated, then in pairs and concluded in the combined Fe/heat/solar UV-PDS activation process. Solar light was the most effective (single) activator, and its combination with Fe and heat (double activation) yielded high level of synergies (up to S = 2.13). The triple activation was able to reduce the bacterial load up to 6-log in less than 1 h, similarly to the photo-Fenton process done in comparison (SODIS alone: >5 h). Fe-oxides were suitable activators of PDS under the same conditions while the presence of organic matter enhanced bacterial inactivation by the triple activated PDS process. The degradation of a (selected) mixture of micropollutants (i.e. drugs, pesticides) was also achieved in similar order of magnitude, and faster than the photo-Fenton process. Finally, the removal of a viral pathogen indicator (MS2 bacteriophage) was attained at minute-range residence times. The aforementioned facts indicate the suitability of the mild, combined process, as a potential SODIS enhancement, producing safe drinking water for sunny and especially for developing countries. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dermal Sensitization Potential of Triethyleneglycol Dinitrate (TEGDN) in Guinea Pigs

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-01-01

mutagenicity assay, acute oral toxicity tests in rats and mice, acute dermal toxicity in rabbits, dermal and ocular irritation studies in rabbits, and...conditions: 85E0102 had diffuse tracheitis, mild endocarditis , mild hepatitis, and diffuse pigment granules in the small intestine; 85E0103 had mild...severe ulceration progressing to necrosis. Sensitization is manifested as indirect inflammation mediated by components of the immune system in

Treating Attention in Mild Aphasia: Evaluation of Attention Process Training-II

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Murray, Laura L.; Keeton, R. Jessica; Karcher, Laura

2006-01-01

This study examined whether attention processing training-II [Sohlberg, M. M., Johnson, L., Paule, L., Raskin, S. A., & Mateer, C. A. (2001). "Attention Process Training-II: A program to address attentional deficits for persons with mild cognitive dysfunction" (2nd ed.). Wake Forest, NC: Lash & Associates.; APT-II], when applied in the context of…

Preparation, characterization and environmental/electrochemical energy storage testing of low-cost biochar from natural chitin obtained via pyrolysis at mild conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Magnacca, Giuliana; Guerretta, Federico; Vizintin, Alen; Benzi, Paola; Valsania, Maria C.; Nisticò, Roberto

2018-01-01

Chitin (a biopolymer obtained from shellfish industry) was used as precursor for the production of biochars obtained via pyrolysis treatments performed at mild conditions (in the 290-540 °C range). Biochars were physicochemical characterized in order to evaluate the pyrolysis-induced effects in terms of both functional groups and material structure. Moreover, such carbonaceous materials were tested as adsorbent substrates for the removal of target molecules from aqueous environment as well as in solid-gas experiments, to measure the adsorption capacities and selectivity toward CO2. Lastly, biochars were also investigated as possible cathode materials in sustainable and low-cost electrochemical energy storage devices, such as lithium-sulphur (Li-S) batteries. Interestingly, experimental results evidenced that such chitin-derived biochars obtained via pyrolysis at mild conditions are sustainable, low-cost and easy scalable alternative materials suitable for both environmental and energetic applications.

Time-course of attention for threatening pictures in high and low trait anxiety.

PubMed

Koster, Ernst H W; Verschuere, Bruno; Crombez, Geert; Van Damme, Stefaan

2005-08-01

Cognitive studies about anxiety suggest that the interplay between automatic and strategic biases in attention to threat is related to the persistence of fear. In the present study, the time-course of attention to pictures with varying threat levels was investigated in high trait anxious (HTA, n=21) and low trait anxious (LTA, n=22) students. In a visual probe detection task, high and mild threat pictures were presented at three durations: 100, 500, and 1250 ms. Results indicated that all individuals attended to the high threat pictures for the 100 ms condition. Differential responding between HTA and LTA individuals was found for the 500 ms condition: only HTA individuals showed an attentional bias for mild threatening stimuli. For the 1250 ms condition, the HTA individuals attended away from high and mild threat pictures. The observed pattern of differential attention to threatening pictures may explain the persistence of fear in HTA individuals.

A twin study of the genetics of fear conditioning.

PubMed

Hettema, John M; Annas, Peter; Neale, Michael C; Kendler, Kenneth S; Fredrikson, Mats

2003-07-01

Fear conditioning is a traditional model for the acquisition of fears and phobias. Studies of the genetic architecture of fear conditioning may inform gene-finding strategies for anxiety disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the genetic and environmental sources of individual differences in fear conditioning by means of a twin sample. Classic fear conditioning data were experimentally obtained from 173 same-sex twin pairs (90 monozygotic and 83 dizygotic). Sequences of evolutionary fear-relevant (snakes and spiders) and fear-irrelevant (circles and triangles) pictorial stimuli served as conditioned stimuli paired with a mild electric shock serving as the unconditioned stimulus. The outcome measure was the electrodermal skin conductance response. We applied structural equation modeling methods to the 3 conditioning phases of habituation, acquisition, and extinction to determine the extent to which genetic and environmental factors underlie individual variation in associative and nonassociative learning. All components of the fear conditioning process in humans demonstrated moderate heritability, in the range of 35% to 45%. Best-fitting multivariate models suggest that 2 sets of genes may underlie the trait of fear conditioning: one that most strongly affects nonassociative processes of habituation that also is shared with acquisition and extinction, and a second that appears related to associative fear conditioning processes. In addition, these data provide tentative evidence of differences in heritability based on the fear relevance of the stimuli. Genes represent a significant source of individual variation in the habituation, acquisition, and extinction of fears, and genetic effects specific to fear conditioning are involved.

Hydrothermal pretreatment of wood by mild steam explosion and hot water extraction.

PubMed

Wojtasz-Mucha, Joanna; Hasani, Merima; Theliander, Hans

2017-10-01

The aim of this work was to compare the two most common hydrothermal pre-treatments for wood - mild steam explosion and hot water extraction - both with the prospect of enabling extraction of hemicelluloses and facilitating further processing. Although both involve autohydrolysis of the lignocellulosic tissue, they are performed under different conditions: the most prominent difference is the rapid, disintegrating, discharge employed in the steam explosion opening up the structure. In this comparative study, the emphasis was placed on local composition of the pre-treated wood chips (of industrially relevant size). The results show that short hot water extraction treatments lead to significant variations in the local composition within the wood chips, while steam explosion accomplishes a comparably more even removal of hemicelluloses due to the advective mass transport during the explosion step. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Parameters of hormetic stress and resilience to trauma in rats.

PubMed

Plumb, Traci N; Cullen, Patrick K; Minor, Thomas R

2015-01-01

Hormesis is the process by which small stresses build resilience to large stresses. We pre-exposed rats to various parameters of mild-to-moderate stress prior to traumatic stress in the present experiments to assess the potential benefits of hormetic training on resilience to traumatic, uncontrollable stress. Rats underwent varying stress pre-training parameters prior to exposure to uncontrollable traumatic stress in the learned helplessness procedure. The ability to prevent the exaggerated fear responding and escape deficits that normally follow experience with traumatic stress were used as a measure of the benefits of hormetic training. Four experiments examined the effects of number of training sessions, stressor severity and pattern of rest between pre-training stress sessions. Repeated exposure to mild restraint stress or moderate shock stress eliminated both the enhanced fear conditioning and shuttle-escape deficits that result from exposure to traumatic, inescapable shock. The pattern of rest did not contribute to resilience when the pre-exposure stressor was mild, but was vital when the pre-exposure stressor was moderate, with an alternation of stress and rest being the most effective procedure. The data also suggest that the level of resilience may increase with the number of pre-exposure sessions.

Neural responses to facial expressions support the role of the amygdala in processing threat

PubMed Central

Sormaz, Mladen; Flack, Tessa; Asghar, Aziz U. R.; Fan, Siyan; Frey, Julia; Manssuer, Luis; Usten, Deniz; Young, Andrew W.; Andrews, Timothy J.

2014-01-01

The amygdala is known to play an important role in the response to facial expressions that convey fear. However, it remains unclear whether the amygdala’s response to fear reflects its role in the interpretation of danger and threat, or whether it is to some extent activated by all facial expressions of emotion. Previous attempts to address this issue using neuroimaging have been confounded by differences in the use of control stimuli across studies. Here, we address this issue using a block design functional magnetic resonance imaging paradigm, in which we compared the response to face images posing expressions of fear, anger, happiness, disgust and sadness with a range of control conditions. The responses in the amygdala to different facial expressions were compared with the responses to a non-face condition (buildings), to mildly happy faces and to neutral faces. Results showed that only fear and anger elicited significantly greater responses compared with the control conditions involving faces. Overall, these findings are consistent with the role of the amygdala in processing threat, rather than in the processing of all facial expressions of emotion, and demonstrate the critical importance of the choice of comparison condition to the pattern of results. PMID:24097376

Catalytic Organometallic Reactions of Ammonia

PubMed Central

Klinkenberg, Jessica L.

2012-01-01

Until recently, ammonia had rarely succumbed to catalytic transformations with homogeneous catalysts, and the development of such reactions that are selective for the formation of single products under mild conditions has encountered numerous challenges. However, recently developed catalysts have allowed several classes of reactions to create products with nitrogen-containing functional groups from ammonia. These reactions include hydroaminomethylation, reductive amination, alkylation, allylic substitution, hydroamination, and cross-coupling. This Minireview describes examples of these processes and the factors that control catalyst activity and selectivity. PMID:20857466

Novel Co(II) phthalocyanines of extended periphery and their water-soluble derivatives. Synthesis, spectral properties and catalytic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Filippova, Anna; Vashurin, Artur; Znoyko, Serafima; Kuzmin, Ilya; Razumov, Mikhail; Chernova, Alena; Shaposhnikov, Gennady; Koifman, Oscar

2017-12-01

Novel complexes of cobalt and copper with substituted phthalocyanines were synthesized and characterized. Their water-soluble derivatives were obtained by sulfonation under mild conditions and structurally proved. Aggregation equilibrium in water mediums was shown and influence of geometrical and electron parameters of macroheterocycle peripheral substituents on these processes was established. Catalytic activity upon liquid-phase oxidation of N,N-diethylcarbamodithiolate to thiuram E was studied. Kinetic parameters of substrate oxidation in presence of cobalt phthalocyanines were considered.

Copper(II)-catalyzed oxidative [3+2] cycloaddition reactions of secondary amines with α-diazo compounds: a facile and efficient synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles.

PubMed

Li, Yi-Jin; Li, Xue; Zhang, Shao-Xiao; Zhao, Yu-Long; Liu, Qun

2015-07-25

A novel copper-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of secondary amines with α-diazo compounds has been developed via a cross-dehydrogenative coupling process. The reaction involves a sequential aerobic oxidation/[3+2] cycloaddition/oxidative aromatization procedure and provides an efficient method for the construction of 1,2,3-triazoles in a single step in an atom-economic manner from readily available starting materials under very mild conditions.

Certain questions of the acclimatization of construction workers to the conditions of a subtropical climate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Babayev, A.

1979-01-01

The period of active acclimatization was determined for construction workers coming into a subtropical climate. Changes were observed in metabolic processes, oxygen needs, pulse rate, arterial pressure, body and skin temperature, body weight, water consumption and loss, and the comfort zone of heat sensitivity. It was concluded that acclimatization is facilitated if introduction to the hot climate occurs in the mild cool season, rather than the summer. This also prevents heat prostration and improves the development of adaptive mechanisms.

Anilinomethylrhodamines: pH sensitive probes with tunable photophysical properties by substituent effect.

PubMed

Best, Quinn A; Liu, Chuangjun; van Hoveln, Paul D; McCarroll, Matthew E; Scott, Colleen N

2013-10-18

A series of pH dependent rhodamine analogues possessing an anilino-methyl moiety was developed and shown to exhibit a unique photophysical response to pH. These anilinomethylrhodamines (AnMR) maintain a colorless, nonfluorescent spirocyclic structure at high pH. The spirocyclic structures open in mildly acidic conditions and are weakly fluorescent; however, at very low pH, the fluorescence is greatly enhanced. The equilibrium constants of these processes show a linear response to substituent effects, which was demonstrated by the Hammett equation.

Selective Conversion of Biorefinery Lignin into Dicarboxylic Acids

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

Ma, Ruoshui; Guo, Mond; Zhang, Xiao

The emerging biomass-to-biofuel conversion industry has created an urgent need for identifying new applications for biorefinery lignin. This paper demonstrates a new route to producing dicarboxylic acids from biorefinery lignin through chalcopyrite-catalyzed oxidation in a highly selective process. Up to 95 % selectivity towards stable dicarboxylic acids was obtained for several types of biorefinery lignin and model compounds under mild, environmentally friendly reaction conditions. The findings from this study paved a new avenue to biorefinery lignin conversions and applications.

Process for recycling components of a PEM fuel cell membrane electrode assembly

DOEpatents

Shore, Lawrence [Edison, NJ

2012-02-28

The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a PEM fuel cell can be recycled by contacting the MEA with a lower alkyl alcohol solvent which separates the membrane from the anode and cathode layers of the assembly. The resulting solution containing both the polymer membrane and supported noble metal catalysts can be heated under mild conditions to disperse the polymer membrane as particles and the supported noble metal catalysts and polymer membrane particles separated by known filtration means.

Palladium-catalyzed Heck-type cross-couplings of unactivated alkyl iodides.

PubMed

McMahon, Caitlin M; Alexanian, Erik J

2014-06-02

A palladium-catalyzed, intermolecular Heck-type coupling of alkyl iodides and alkenes is described. This process is successful with a variety of primary and secondary unactivated alkyl iodides as reaction partners, including those with hydrogen atoms in the β position. The mild catalytic conditions enable intermolecular C-C bond formations with a diverse set of alkyl iodides and alkenes, including substrates containing base- or nucleophile-sensitive functionality. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Increased Neuronal DNA/RNA Oxidation in the Frontal Cortex of Mice Subjected to Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress.

PubMed

Maluach, Alfred M; Misquitta, Keith A; Prevot, Thomas D; Fee, Corey; Sibille, Etienne; Banasr, Mounira; Andreazza, Ana C

2017-01-01

Chronic stress is implicated in the development of various psychiatric illnesses including major depressive disorder. Previous reports suggest that patients with major depressive disorder have increased levels of oxidative stress, including higher levels of DNA/RNA oxidation found in postmortem studies, especially within brain regions responsible for the cognitive and emotional processes disrupted in the disorder. Here, we aimed to investigate whether unpredictable chronic mild stress in mice induces neuronal DNA/RNA oxidation in the prelimbic, infralimbic, and cingulate cortices of the frontal cortex and the basolateral amygdala and to explore potential associations with depressive-like behaviors. We expected that animals subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress will present higher levels of DNA/RNA oxidation, which will be associated with anxiety-/depressive-like behaviors. C57BL/6J mice were assigned to unpredictable chronic mild stress or nonstress conditions (n = 10/group, 50% females). Following five weeks of unpredictable chronic mild stress exposure, mice were tested in a series of behavioral tests measuring anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. Frontal cortex and amygdala sections were then immunolabeled for neuronal nuclei, a marker of post-mitotic neurons and anti-8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine/8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanosine, which reflects both DNA and RNA oxidation. Levels of neuronal DNA/RNA oxidation were increased in the frontal cortex of mice subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress ( p = 0.0207). Levels of neuronal DNA/RNA oxidation in the frontal cortex were positively correlated with z-emotionality scores for latency to feed in the novelty-suppressed feeding test ( p = 0.0031). Statistically significant differences were not detected in basolateral amygdala levels of neuronal DNA/RNA oxidation between nonstress- and unpredictable chronic mild stress-exposed mice, nor were correlations found with behavioral performances for this region. Our results demonstrate that unpredictable chronic mild stress induces a significant increase in neuronal DNA/RNA oxidation in the frontal cortex that correlate with behavioral readouts of the stress response. A lack of DNA/RNA oxidation alterations in the basolateral amygdala suggests greater vulnerability of frontal cortex neurons to DNA/RNA oxidation in response to unpredictable chronic mild stress. These findings add support to the hypothesis that chronic stress-induced damage to DNA/RNA may be an additional molecular mechanism underlying cellular dysfunctions associated with chronic stress and present in stress-related disorders.

Neural Correlates of True and False Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment

PubMed Central

Sweeney-Reed, Catherine M.; Riddell, Patricia M.; Ellis, Judi A.; Freeman, Jayne E.; Nasuto, Slawomir J.

2012-01-01

The goal of this research was to investigate the changes in neural processing in mild cognitive impairment. We measured phase synchrony, amplitudes, and event-related potentials in veridical and false memory to determine whether these differed in participants with mild cognitive impairment compared with typical, age-matched controls. Empirical mode decomposition phase locking analysis was used to assess synchrony, which is the first time this analysis technique has been applied in a complex cognitive task such as memory processing. The technique allowed assessment of changes in frontal and parietal cortex connectivity over time during a memory task, without a priori selection of frequency ranges, which has been shown previously to influence synchrony detection. Phase synchrony differed significantly in its timing and degree between participant groups in the theta and alpha frequency ranges. Timing differences suggested greater dependence on gist memory in the presence of mild cognitive impairment. The group with mild cognitive impairment had significantly more frontal theta phase locking than the controls in the absence of a significant behavioural difference in the task, providing new evidence for compensatory processing in the former group. Both groups showed greater frontal phase locking during false than true memory, suggesting increased searching when no actual memory trace was found. Significant inter-group differences in frontal alpha phase locking provided support for a role for lower and upper alpha oscillations in memory processing. Finally, fronto-parietal interaction was significantly reduced in the group with mild cognitive impairment, supporting the notion that mild cognitive impairment could represent an early stage in Alzheimer’s disease, which has been described as a ‘disconnection syndrome’. PMID:23118992

Explaining semantic short-term memory deficits: Evidence for the critical role of semantic control

PubMed Central

Hoffman, Paul; Jefferies, Elizabeth; Lambon Ralph, Matthew A.

2011-01-01

Patients with apparently selective short-term memory (STM) deficits for semantic information have played an important role in developing multi-store theories of STM and challenge the idea that verbal STM is supported by maintaining activation in the language system. We propose that semantic STM deficits are not as selective as previously thought and can occur as a result of mild disruption to semantic control processes, i.e., mechanisms that bias semantic processing towards task-relevant aspects of knowledge and away from irrelevant information. We tested three semantic STM patients with tasks that tapped four aspects of semantic control: (i) resolving ambiguity between word meanings, (ii) sensitivity to cues, (iii) ignoring irrelevant information and (iv) detecting weak semantic associations. All were impaired in conditions requiring more semantic control, irrespective of the STM demands of the task, suggesting a mild, but task-general, deficit in regulating semantic knowledge. This mild deficit has a disproportionate effect on STM tasks because they have high intrinsic control demands: in STM tasks, control is required to keep information active when it is no longer available in the environment and to manage competition between items held in memory simultaneously. By re-interpreting the core deficit in semantic STM patients in this way, we are able to explain their apparently selective impairment without the need for a specialised STM store. Instead, we argue that semantic STM patients occupy the mildest end of spectrum of semantic control disorders. PMID:21195105

Mild oxidation of methane to methanol or acetic acid on supported isolated rhodium catalysts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shan, Junjun; Li, Mengwei; Allard, Lawrence F.; Lee, Sungsik; Flytzani-Stephanopoulos, Maria

2017-11-01

An efficient and direct method of catalytic conversion of methane to liquid methanol and other oxygenates would be of considerable practical value. However, it remains an unsolved problem in catalysis, as typically it involves expensive or corrosive oxidants or reaction media that are not amenable to commercialization. Although methane can be directly converted to methanol using molecular oxygen under mild conditions in the gas phase, the process is either stoichiometric (and therefore requires a water extraction step) or is too slow and low-yielding to be practical. Methane could, in principle, also be transformed through direct oxidative carbonylation to acetic acid, which is commercially obtained through methane steam reforming, methanol synthesis, and subsequent methanol carbonylation on homogeneous catalysts. However, an effective catalyst for the direct carbonylation of methane to acetic acid, which might enable the economical small-scale utilization of natural gas that is currently flared or stranded, has not yet been reported. Here we show that mononuclear rhodium species, anchored on a zeolite or titanium dioxide support suspended in aqueous solution, catalyse the direct conversion of methane to methanol and acetic acid, using oxygen and carbon monoxide under mild conditions. We find that the two products form through independent pathways, which allows us to tune the conversion: three-hour-long batch-reactor tests conducted at 150 degrees Celsius, using either the zeolite-supported or the titanium-dioxide-supported catalyst, yield around 22,000 micromoles of acetic acid per gram of catalyst, or around 230 micromoles of methanol per gram of catalyst, respectively, with selectivities of 60-100 per cent. We anticipate that these unusually high activities, despite still being too low for commercial application, may guide the development of optimized catalysts and practical processes for the direct conversion of methane to methanol, acetic acid and other useful chemicals.

Mild oxidation of methane to methanol or acetic acid on supported isolated rhodium catalysts

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

Shan, Junjun; Li, Mengwei; Allard, Lawrence F.

An efficient and direct method of catalytic conversion of methane to liquid methanol and other oxygenates would be of considerable practical value. However, it remains an unsolved problem in catalysis, as typically it involves expensive or corrosive oxidants or reaction media(5-8) that are not amenable to commercialization. Although methane can be directly converted to methanol using molecular oxygen under mild conditions in the gas phase, the process is either stoichiometric (and therefore requires a water extraction step) or is too slow and low-yielding to be practical. Methane could, in principle, also be transformed through direct oxidative carbonylation to acetic acid,more » which is commercially obtained through methane steam reforming, methanol synthesis, and subsequent methanol carbonylation on homogeneous catalysts. However, an effective catalyst for the direct carbonylation of methane to acetic acid, which might enable the economical small-scale utilization of natural gas that is currently flared or stranded, has not yet been reported. Here we show that mononuclear rhodium species, anchored on a zeolite or titanium dioxide support suspended in aqueous solution, catalyse the direct conversion of methane to methanol and acetic acid, using oxygen and carbon monoxide under mild conditions. Here, we find that the two products form through independent pathways, which allows us to tune the conversion: three-hour-long batch-reactor tests conducted at 150 degrees Celsius, using either the zeolitesupported or the titanium-dioxide-supported catalyst, yield around 22,000 micromoles of acetic acid per gram of catalyst, or around 230 micromoles of methanol per gram of catalyst, respectively, with selectivities of 60-100 per cent. Finally, we anticipate that these unusually high activities, despite still being too low for commercial application, may guide the development of optimized catalysts and practical processes for the direct conversion of methane to methanol, acetic acid and other useful chemicals.« less

Mild oxidation of methane to methanol or acetic acid on supported isolated rhodium catalysts

DOE PAGES

Shan, Junjun; Li, Mengwei; Allard, Lawrence F.; ...

2017-11-30

An efficient and direct method of catalytic conversion of methane to liquid methanol and other oxygenates would be of considerable practical value. However, it remains an unsolved problem in catalysis, as typically it involves expensive or corrosive oxidants or reaction media(5-8) that are not amenable to commercialization. Although methane can be directly converted to methanol using molecular oxygen under mild conditions in the gas phase, the process is either stoichiometric (and therefore requires a water extraction step) or is too slow and low-yielding to be practical. Methane could, in principle, also be transformed through direct oxidative carbonylation to acetic acid,more » which is commercially obtained through methane steam reforming, methanol synthesis, and subsequent methanol carbonylation on homogeneous catalysts. However, an effective catalyst for the direct carbonylation of methane to acetic acid, which might enable the economical small-scale utilization of natural gas that is currently flared or stranded, has not yet been reported. Here we show that mononuclear rhodium species, anchored on a zeolite or titanium dioxide support suspended in aqueous solution, catalyse the direct conversion of methane to methanol and acetic acid, using oxygen and carbon monoxide under mild conditions. Here, we find that the two products form through independent pathways, which allows us to tune the conversion: three-hour-long batch-reactor tests conducted at 150 degrees Celsius, using either the zeolitesupported or the titanium-dioxide-supported catalyst, yield around 22,000 micromoles of acetic acid per gram of catalyst, or around 230 micromoles of methanol per gram of catalyst, respectively, with selectivities of 60-100 per cent. Finally, we anticipate that these unusually high activities, despite still being too low for commercial application, may guide the development of optimized catalysts and practical processes for the direct conversion of methane to methanol, acetic acid and other useful chemicals.« less

An examination of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) in individuals with complicated mild, moderate and Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).

PubMed

Carlozzi, Noelle E; Kirsch, Ned L; Kisala, Pamela A; Tulsky, David S

2015-01-01

This study examined the clinical utility of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) in individuals with complicated mild, moderate or severe TBI. One hundred individuals with TBI (n = 35 complicated mild or moderate TBI; n = 65 severe TBI) and 100 control participants matched on key demographic variables from the WAIS-IV normative dataset completed the WAIS-IV. Univariate analyses indicated that participants with severe TBI had poorer performance than matched controls on all index scores and subtests (except Matrix Reasoning). Individuals with complicated mild/moderate TBI performed more poorly than controls on the Working Memory Index (WMI), Processing Speed Index (PSI), and Full Scale IQ (FSIQ), and on four subtests: the two processing speed subtests (SS, CD), two working memory subtests (AR, LN), and a perceptual reasoning subtest (BD). Participants with severe TBI had significantly lower scores than the complicated mild/moderate TBI on PSI, and on three subtests: the two processing speed subtests (SS and CD), and the new visual puzzles test. Effect sizes for index and subtest scores were generally small-to-moderate for the group with complicated mild/moderate and moderate-to-large for the group with severe TBI. PSI also showed good sensitivity and specificity for classifying individuals with severe TBI versus controls. Findings provide support for the clinical utility of the WAIS-IV in individuals with complicated mild, moderate, and severe TBI.

Reversible Silylene Insertion Reactions into Si-H and P-H σ-Bonds at Room Temperature.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Ricardo; Contie, Yohan; Nougué, Raphael; Baceiredo, Antoine; Saffon-Merceron, Nathalie; Sotiropoulos, Jean-Marc; Kato, Tsuyoshi

2016-11-07

Phosphine-stabilized silylenes react with silanes and a phosphine by silylene insertion into E-H σ-bonds (E=Si,P) at room temperature to give the corresponding silanes. Of special interest, the process occurs reversibly at room temperature. These results demonstrate that both the oxidative addition (typical reaction for transient silylenes) and the reductive elimination processes can proceed at the silicon center under mild reaction conditions. DFT calculations provide insight into the importance of the coordination of the silicon center to achieve the reductive elimination step. © 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Towards mild metal-catalyzed C-H bond activation.

PubMed

Wencel-Delord, Joanna; Dröge, Thomas; Liu, Fan; Glorius, Frank

2011-09-01

Functionalizing traditionally inert carbon-hydrogen bonds represents a powerful transformation in organic synthesis, providing new entries to valuable structural motifs and improving the overall synthetic efficiency. C-H bond activation, however, often necessitates harsh reaction conditions that result in functional group incompatibilities and limited substrate scope. An understanding of the reaction mechanism and rational design of experimental conditions have led to significant improvement in both selectivity and applicability. This critical review summarizes and discusses endeavours towards the development of mild C-H activation methods and wishes to trigger more research towards this goal. In addition, we examine select examples in complex natural product synthesis to demonstrate the synthetic utility of mild C-H functionalization (84 references). This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Exercise-induced dehydration alters pulmonary function but does not modify airway responsiveness to dry air in athletes with mild asthma

PubMed Central

Romer, L. M.

2017-01-01

Local airway water loss is the main physiological trigger for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Our aim was to investigate the effects of whole body water loss on airway responsiveness and pulmonary function in athletes with mild asthma and/or EIB. Ten recreational athletes with a medical diagnosis of mild asthma and/or EIB completed a randomized, crossover study. Pulmonary function tests, including spirometry, whole body plethysmography, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DlCO), were conducted before and after three conditions: 1) 2 h of exercise in the heat with no fluid intake (dehydration), 2) 2 h of exercise with ad libitum fluid intake (control), and 3) a time-matched rest period (rest). Airway responsiveness was assessed 2 h postexercise/rest via eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) to dry air. Exercise in the heat with no fluid intake induced a state of mild dehydration, with a body mass loss of 2.3 ± 0.8% (SD). After EVH, airway narrowing was not different between conditions: median (interquartile range) maximum fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 13 (7–15)%, 11 (9–24)%, and 12 (7–20)% in dehydration, control, and rest conditions, respectively. Dehydration caused a significant reduction in forced vital capacity (300 ± 190 ml, P = 0.001) and concomitant increases in residual volume (260 ± 180 ml, P = 0.001) and functional residual capacity (260 ± 250 ml, P = 0.011), with no change in DlCO. Mild exercise-induced dehydration does not exaggerate airway responsiveness to dry air in athletes with mild asthma/EIB but may affect small airway function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to investigate the effect of whole body dehydration on airway responsiveness. Our data suggest that the airway response to dry air hyperpnea in athletes with mild asthma and/or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction is not exacerbated in a state of mild dehydration. On the basis of alterations in lung volumes, however, exercise-induced dehydration appears to compromise small airway function. PMID:28280109

Exercise-induced dehydration alters pulmonary function but does not modify airway responsiveness to dry air in athletes with mild asthma.

PubMed

Simpson, A J; Romer, L M; Kippelen, P

2017-05-01

Local airway water loss is the main physiological trigger for exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB). Our aim was to investigate the effects of whole body water loss on airway responsiveness and pulmonary function in athletes with mild asthma and/or EIB. Ten recreational athletes with a medical diagnosis of mild asthma and/or EIB completed a randomized, crossover study. Pulmonary function tests, including spirometry, whole body plethysmography, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dl CO ), were conducted before and after three conditions: 1 ) 2 h of exercise in the heat with no fluid intake (dehydration), 2 ) 2 h of exercise with ad libitum fluid intake (control), and 3 ) a time-matched rest period (rest). Airway responsiveness was assessed 2 h postexercise/rest via eucapnic voluntary hyperpnea (EVH) to dry air. Exercise in the heat with no fluid intake induced a state of mild dehydration, with a body mass loss of 2.3 ± 0.8% (SD). After EVH, airway narrowing was not different between conditions: median (interquartile range) maximum fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s was 13 (7-15)%, 11 (9-24)%, and 12 (7-20)% in dehydration, control, and rest conditions, respectively. Dehydration caused a significant reduction in forced vital capacity (300 ± 190 ml, P = 0.001) and concomitant increases in residual volume (260 ± 180 ml, P = 0.001) and functional residual capacity (260 ± 250 ml, P = 0.011), with no change in Dl CO Mild exercise-induced dehydration does not exaggerate airway responsiveness to dry air in athletes with mild asthma/EIB but may affect small airway function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to investigate the effect of whole body dehydration on airway responsiveness. Our data suggest that the airway response to dry air hyperpnea in athletes with mild asthma and/or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction is not exacerbated in a state of mild dehydration. On the basis of alterations in lung volumes, however, exercise-induced dehydration appears to compromise small airway function. Copyright © 2017 the American Physiological Society.

Effect of whole-body mild-cold exposure on arterial stiffness and central haemodynamics: a randomised, cross-over trial in healthy men and women.

PubMed

King, Sibella G; Ahuja, Kiran D K; Wass, Jezreel; Shing, Cecilia M; Adams, Murray J; Davies, Justin E; Sharman, James E; Williams, Andrew D

2013-05-01

Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk and mortality, but little is known about the effect of air temperature changes on these variables. Our study investigated the effect of exposure to whole-body mild-cold on measures of arterial stiffness (aortic and brachial PWV), and on central haemodynamics [including augmented pressure (AP), AIx], and aortic reservoir components [including reservoir and excess pressures (P ex)]. Sixteen healthy volunteers (10 men, age 43 ± 19 years; mean ± SD) were randomised to be studied under conditions of 12 °C (mild-cold) and 21 °C (control) on separate days. Supine resting measures were taken at baseline (ambient temperature) and after 10, 30, and 60 min exposure to each experimental condition in a climate chamber. There was no significant change in brachial blood pressure between mild-cold and control conditions. However, compared to control, AP [+2 mmHg, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.36-4.36; p = 0.01] and AIx (+6 %, 95 % CI 1.24-10.1; p = 0.02) increased, and time to maximum P ex (a component of reservoir function related to timing of peak aortic in-flow) decreased (-7 ms, 95 % CI -15.4 to 2.03; p = 0.01) compared to control. Yet there was no significant change in aortic PWV (+0.04 m/s, 95 % CI -0.47 to 0.55; p = 0.87) or brachial PWV (+0.36 m/s; -0.41 to 1.12; p = 0.35) between conditions. We conclude that mild-cold exposure increases central haemodynamic stress and alters timing of peak aortic in-flow without differentially affecting arterial stiffness.

Country-level assessment of future risk of water scarcity in Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garrote, Luis; Iglesias, Ana; Granados, Alfredo

2018-06-01

A methodology for regional assessment of current and future water availability in Europe is presented in this study. The methodology is based on a proposed indicator of risk of water scarcity based on the projections of runoff and water availability for European countries. The risk of water scarcity is the combined result of hydrological processes, which determine streamflow in natural conditions, and human intervention, which determines water management using the available hydraulic infrastructure and establishes water supply conditions through operating rules. Model results show that changes in runoff and availability obtained for individual GCM projections can be large and even contradictory. These heterogeneous results are summarized in the water scarcity risk index, a global value that accounts for the results obtained with the ensemble of model results and emission scenarios. The countries at larger risk are (in this order) Spain, Portugal, Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, France and Italy. They are mostly Mediterranean countries already exposed to significant water scarcity problems. There are countries, like Slovakia, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Croatia and Romania, with mild risk. Northern Arctic countries, like Sweden, Finland, Norway and Russia, show a robust however mild increase in water availability.

Older adults get episodic memory boosting from noninvasive stimulation of prefrontal cortex during learning.

PubMed

Sandrini, Marco; Manenti, Rosa; Brambilla, Michela; Cobelli, Chiara; Cohen, Leonardo G; Cotelli, Maria

2016-03-01

Episodic memory displays the largest degree of age-related decline, a process that is accelerated in pathological conditions such as amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have shown that the left lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) contributes to the encoding of episodic memories along the life span. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to test the hypothesis that anodal trascranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the left lateral PFC during the learning phase would enhance delayed recall of verbal episodic memories in elderly individuals. Older adults learned a list of words while receiving anodal or placebo (sham) tDCS. Memory recall was tested 48 hours and 1 month later. The results showed that anodal tDCS strengthened episodic memories, an effect indicated by enhanced delayed recall (48 hours) compared to placebo stimulation (Cohen's d effect size = 1.01). The observation that PFC-tDCS during learning can boost verbal episodic memory in the elderly opens up the possibility to design-specific neurorehabilitation protocols targeted to conditions that affect episodic memory such as mild cognitive impairment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modulation of the tissue reninangiotensin-aldosterone system in dogs with chronic mild regurgitation through the mitral valve.

PubMed

Fujii, Yoko; Orito, Kensuke; Muto, Makoto; Wakao, Yoshito

2007-10-01

To investigate whether the tissue and plasma renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is activated in dogs with mild regurgitation through the mitral valve and determine the contribution of chymase and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to the activation of the RAAS and potential production of angiotensin II during the chronic stage of mild mitral valve regurgitation. 5 Beagles with experimentally induced mild mitral valve regurgitation and 6 clinically normal (control) Beagles. Tissue ACE and chymase-like activities and plasma RAAS were measured and the RAAS evaluated approximately 1,000 days after experimental induction of mitral valve regurgitation in the 5 dogs. Dogs with experimentally induced mitral valve regurgitation did not have clinical signs of the condition, although echocardiography revealed substantial eccentric hyper- trophy. On the basis of these findings, dogs with mitral valve regurgitation were classified as International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council class Ib. Plasma activity of renin and plasma concentrations of angiotensin I, angiotensin II, and aldosterone were not significantly different between dogs with mitral valve regurgitation and clinically normal dogs. Tissue ACE activity was significantly increased and chymase-like activity significantly decreased in dogs with mitral valve regurgitation, compared with values in clinically normal dogs. The tissue RAAS was modulated without changes in the plasma RAAS in dogs with mild mitral valve regurgitation during the chronic stage of the condition. An ACE-dependent pathway may be a major route for production of angiotensin II during this stage of the condition.

Intramolecular Aza-Diels-Alder Reactions of ortho-Quinone Methide Imines: Rapid, Catalytic, and Enantioselective Assembly of Benzannulated Quinolizidines.

PubMed

Kretzschmar, Martin; Hofmann, Fabian; Moock, Daniel; Schneider, Christoph

2018-04-16

Aza-Diels-Alder reactions (ADARs) are powerful processes that furnish N-heterocycles in a straightforward fashion. Intramolecular variants offer the additional possibility of generating bi- and polycyclic systems with high stereoselectivity. We report herein a novel Brønsted acid catalyzed process in which ortho-quinone methide imines tethered to the dienophile via the N substituent react in an intramolecular ADAR to form complex quinolizidines and oxazinoquinolines in a one-step process. The reactions proceed under very mild conditions, with very good yields and good to very good diastereo- and enantioselectivities. Furthermore, the process was extended to a domino reaction that efficiently combines substrate synthesis, ortho-quinone methide imine formation, and ADAR. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A low-crystalline ruthenium nano-layer supported on praseodymium oxide as an active catalyst for ammonia synthesis† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed procedures for each method, catalytic performance, STEM-EDX images, detailed characterization. See DOI: 10.1039/c6sc02382g Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Imamura, Kazuya; Kawano, Yukiko; Miyahara, Shin-ichiro; Yamamoto, Tomokazu; Matsumura, Syo

2017-01-01

Ammonia is a crucial chemical feedstock for fertilizer production and is a potential energy carrier. However, the current method of synthesizing ammonia, the Haber–Bosch process, consumes a great deal of energy. To reduce energy consumption, a process and a substance that can catalyze ammonia synthesis under mild conditions (low temperature and low pressure) are strongly needed. Here we show that Ru/Pr2O3 without any dopant catalyzes ammonia synthesis under mild conditions at 1.8 times the rates reported with other highly active catalysts. Scanning transmission electron micrograph observations and energy dispersive X-ray analyses revealed the formation of low-crystalline nano-layers of ruthenium on the surface of Pr2O3. Furthermore, CO2 temperature-programmed desorption revealed that the catalyst was strongly basic. These unique structural and electronic characteristics are considered to synergistically accelerate the rate-determining step of NH3 synthesis, cleavage of the N 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 1111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 1111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 1111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 N bond. We expect that the use of this catalyst will be a starting point for achieving efficient ammonia synthesis. PMID:28451216

Mild Deoxygenation of Sulfoxides over Plasmonic Molybdenum Oxide Hybrid with Dramatic Activity Enhancement under Visible Light.

PubMed

Kuwahara, Yasutaka; Yoshimura, Yukihiro; Haematsu, Kohei; Yamashita, Hiromi

2018-06-17

Harvesting solar light to boost commercially important organic synthesis still remains a challenge. Coupling of conventional noble metal catalysts with plasmonic oxide materials which exhibit intense plasmon absorption in the visible light region is a promising option for efficient solar energy utilization in catalysis. Herein we for the first time demonstrate that plasmonic hydrogen molybdenum bronze coupled with Pt nanoparticles (Pt/H x MoO 3-y ) shows a high catalytic performance in the deoxygenation of sulfoxides with 1 atm H 2 at room temperature, with dramatic activity enhancement under visible light irradiation relative to dark condition. The plasmonic molybdenum oxide hybrids with strong plasmon resonance peaks pinning at around 556 nm are obtained via a facile H-spillover process. Pt/H x MoO 3-y hybrid provides excellent selectivity for the deoxygenation of various sulfoxides as well as pyridine N-oxides, in which drastically improved catalytic efficiencies are obtained under the irradiation of visible light. Comprehensive analyses reveal that oxygen vacancies massively introduced via a H-spillover process are the main active sites, and reversible redox property of Mo atoms and strong plasmonic absorption play key roles in this reaction. The catalytic system works under extremely mild conditions and can boost the reaction by the assist of visible light, offering an ultimately greener protocol to produce sulfides from sulfoxides. Our findings may open up a new strategy for designing plasmon-based catalytic systems that can harness visible light efficiently.

Dysfunctional Incidental Olfaction in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI): An Electroencephalography (EEG) Study

PubMed Central

Walla, Peter; Duregger, Cornelia; Deecke, Lüder; Dal-Bianco, Peter

2011-01-01

Our study provides evidence that Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is associated with olfactory dysfunction on both conscious and non-conscious levels. MCI patients and age-matched controls underwent a face processing task during which sympathy decisions had to be made via button presses. Incidentally, some of the faces were associated with a simultaneously presented odour. Although attention was paid to faces, brain activities were analysed with respect to odour versus no-odour conditions. Behavioural differences were found related to overall face recognition performance, but these were not statistically significant. However, odour-related neurophysiology differed between both groups. Normal controls demonstrated brain activity differences between odour and no-odour conditions that resemble difference activity patterns in healthy young participants as described in a previous magnetoencephalography (MEG) study [1]. They showed odour-related activity patterns between about 160 ms and 320 ms after stimulus onset and between about 640 ms and 720 ms. On the other hand, the patient group did not show any such difference activities. Based on previous research we interpret the early odour-related brain activity pattern in controls as being associated with subliminal olfaction and the later activity pattern with conscious olfaction. None of these were found in MCI patients, although it has to be emphasised that our sample size was rather small. We confirm previous findings about olfactory related dysfunction in patients with MCI and conclude from our findings that even subliminal odour-related information processing is impaired. PMID:24962612

Subcritical Water Technology for Enhanced Extraction of Biochemical Compounds from Chlorella vulgaris

PubMed Central

Awaluddin, S. A.; Thiruvenkadam, Selvakumar; Izhar, Shamsul; Hiroyuki, Yoshida; Danquah, Michael K.; Harun, Razif

2016-01-01

Subcritical water extraction (SWE) technology has been used for the extraction of active compounds from different biomass materials with low process cost, mild operating conditions, short process times, and environmental sustainability. With the limited application of the technology to microalgal biomass, this work investigates parametrically the potential of subcritical water for high-yield extraction of biochemicals such as carbohydrates and proteins from microalgal biomass. The SWE process was optimized using central composite design (CCD) under varying process conditions of temperature (180–374°C), extraction time (1–20 min), biomass particulate size (38–250 μm), and microalgal biomass loading (5–40 wt.%). Chlorella vulgaris used in this study shows high volatile matter (83.5 wt.%) and carbon content (47.11 wt.%), giving advantage as a feedstock for biofuel production. The results showed maximum total carbohydrate content and protein yields of 14.2 g/100 g and 31.2 g/100 g, respectively, achieved under the process conditions of 277°C, 5% of microalgal biomass loading, and 5 min extraction time. Statistical analysis revealed that, of all the parameters investigated, temperature is the most critical during SWE of microalgal biomass for protein and carbohydrate production. PMID:27366748

New Control Over Silicone Synthesis using SiH Chemistry: The Piers-Rubinsztajn Reaction.

PubMed

Brook, Michael A

2018-06-18

There is a strong imperative to synthesize polymers with highly controlled structures and narrow property ranges. Silicone polymers do not lend themselves to this paradigm because acids or bases lead to siloxane equilibration and loss of structure. By contrast, elegant levels of control are possible when using the Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction and analogues, in which the hydrophobic, strong Lewis acid B(C 6 F 5 ) 3 activates SiH groups, permitting the synthesis of precise siloxanes under mild conditions in high yield; siloxane decomposition processes are slow under these conditions. A broad range of oxygen nucleophiles including alkoxysilanes, silanols, phenols, and aryl alkyl ethers participate in the reaction to create elastomers, foams and green composites, for example, derived from lignin. In addition, the process permits the synthesis of monofunctional dendrons that can be assembled into larger entities including highly branched silicones and dendrimers either using the Piers-Rubinsztajn process alone, or in combination with hydrosilylation or other orthogonal reactions. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

(Social) Cognitive Skills and Social Information Processing in Children with Mild to Borderline Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Nieuwenhuijzen, M.; Vriens, A.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the unique contributions of (social) cognitive skills such as inhibition, working memory, perspective taking, facial emotion recognition, and interpretation of situations to the variance in social information processing in children with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities. Respondents were 79…

Processing of Mass/Count Information in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taler, Vanessa; Jarema, Gonia

2004-01-01

This study examines the processing of a specific linguistic distinction, the mass/count distinction, in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Fourteen AD and 10 MCI subjects were tested using a sentence grammaticality judgement task where grammaticality violations were caused by determiner--noun…

Single-Crystalline Ultrathin Co 3O 4 Nanosheets with Massive Vacancy Defects for Enhanced Electrocatalysis

DOE PAGES

Cai, Zhao; Bi, Yongmin; Hu, Enyuan; ...

2017-09-18

The role of vacancy defects is demonstrated to be positive in various energy-related processes. However, introducing vacancy defects into single-crystalline nanostructures with given facets and studying their defect effect on electrocatalytic properties remains a great challenge. Here this paper deliberately introduces oxygen defects into single-crystalline ultrathin Co 3O 4 nanosheets with O-terminated {111} facets by mild solvothermal reduction using ethylene glycol under alkaline condition. As-prepared defect-rich Co 3O 4 nanosheets show a low overpotential of 220 mV with a small Tafel slope of 49.1 mV dec -1 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which is among the best Co-based OERmore » catalysts to date and even more active than the state-of-the-art IrO 2 catalyst. Such vacancy defects are formed by balancing with reducing environments under solvothermal conditions, but are surprisingly stable even after 1000 cycles of scanning under OER working conditions. Density functional theory plus U calculation attributes the enhanced performance to the oxygen vacancies and consequently exposed second-layered Co metal sites, which leads to the lowered OER activation energy of 2.26 eV and improved electrical conductivity. Finally, this mild solvothermal reduction concept opens a new door for the understanding and future designing of advanced defect-based electrocatalysts.« less

Single-Crystalline Ultrathin Co 3O 4 Nanosheets with Massive Vacancy Defects for Enhanced Electrocatalysis

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

Cai, Zhao; Bi, Yongmin; Hu, Enyuan

The role of vacancy defects is demonstrated to be positive in various energy-related processes. However, introducing vacancy defects into single-crystalline nanostructures with given facets and studying their defect effect on electrocatalytic properties remains a great challenge. Here this paper deliberately introduces oxygen defects into single-crystalline ultrathin Co 3O 4 nanosheets with O-terminated {111} facets by mild solvothermal reduction using ethylene glycol under alkaline condition. As-prepared defect-rich Co 3O 4 nanosheets show a low overpotential of 220 mV with a small Tafel slope of 49.1 mV dec -1 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which is among the best Co-based OERmore » catalysts to date and even more active than the state-of-the-art IrO 2 catalyst. Such vacancy defects are formed by balancing with reducing environments under solvothermal conditions, but are surprisingly stable even after 1000 cycles of scanning under OER working conditions. Density functional theory plus U calculation attributes the enhanced performance to the oxygen vacancies and consequently exposed second-layered Co metal sites, which leads to the lowered OER activation energy of 2.26 eV and improved electrical conductivity. Finally, this mild solvothermal reduction concept opens a new door for the understanding and future designing of advanced defect-based electrocatalysts.« less

Cortical Correlates of Binaural Temporal Processing Deficits in Older Adults.

PubMed

Eddins, Ann Clock; Eddins, David A

This study was designed to evaluate binaural temporal processing in young and older adults using a binaural masking level difference (BMLD) paradigm. Using behavioral and electrophysiological measures within the same listeners, a series of stimulus manipulations was used to evaluate the relative contribution of binaural temporal fine-structure and temporal envelope cues. We evaluated the hypotheses that age-related declines in the BMLD task would be more strongly associated with temporal fine-structure than envelope cues and that age-related declines in behavioral measures would be correlated with cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) measures. Thirty adults participated in the study, including 10 young normal-hearing, 10 older normal-hearing, and 10 older hearing-impaired adults with bilaterally symmetric, mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. Behavioral and CAEP thresholds were measured for diotic (So) and dichotic (Sπ) tonal signals presented in continuous diotic (No) narrowband noise (50-Hz wide) maskers. Temporal envelope cues were manipulated by using two different narrowband maskers; Gaussian noise (GN) with robust envelope fluctuations and low-noise noise (LNN) with minimal envelope fluctuations. The potential to use temporal fine-structure cues was controlled by varying the signal frequency (500 or 4000 Hz), thereby relying on the natural decline in phase-locking with increasing frequency. Behavioral and CAEP thresholds were similar across groups for diotic conditions, while the masking release in dichotic conditions was larger for younger than for older participants. Across all participants, BMLDs were larger for GN than LNN and for 500-Hz than for 4000-Hz conditions, where envelope and fine-structure cues were most salient, respectively. Specific age-related differences were demonstrated for 500-Hz dichotic conditions in GN and LNN, reflecting reduced binaural temporal fine-structure coding. No significant age effects were observed for 4000-Hz dichotic conditions, consistent with similar use of binaural temporal envelope cues across age in these conditions. For all groups, thresholds and derived BMLD values obtained using the behavioral and CAEP methods were strongly correlated, supporting the notion that CAEP measures may be useful as an objective index of age-related changes in binaural temporal processing. These results demonstrate an age-related decline in the processing of binaural temporal fine-structure cues with preserved temporal envelope coding that was similar with and without mild-to-moderate peripheral hearing loss. Such age-related changes can be reliably indexed by both behavioral and CAEP measures in young and older adults.

Mild rhodium(iii)-catalyzed intramolecular annulation of benzamides with allylic alcohols to access azepinone derivatives.

PubMed

Peneau, Augustin; Tricart, Quentin; Guillou, Catherine; Chabaud, Laurent

2018-05-23

Azepinone derivatives are important frameworks of several natural products and bioactive compounds. They are synthetized using a Rh(iii)-catalyzed intramolecular annulation of benzamide-tethered allylic alcohols. The reaction requires mild conditions at room temperature and affords diversely substituted azepinones bearing a quaternary carbon.

Cholinergic Enhancement of Frontal Lobe Activity in Mild Cognitive Impairment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saykin, Andrew J.; Wishart, Heather A.; Rabin, Laura A.; Flashman, Laura A.; McHugh, Tara L.; Mamourian, Alexander C.; Santulli, Robert B.

2004-01-01

Cholinesterase inhibitors positively affect cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other conditions, but no controlled functional MRI studies have examined where their effects occur in the brain. We examined the effects of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept[Registered sign]) on cognition and brain activity in patients with amnestic mild cognitive…

Developmental Exposure to Mild Variable Stress: Adult Offspring Performance in Trace Fear Conditioning after Prenatal and Postnatal Stress

EPA Science Inventory

In utero exposure to mild variable stress has been reported to influence learning and memory formation in offspring. Our research aims to examine whether nonchemical environmental stressors will exacerbate effects to chemical exposure. This study utilized a varying stress parad...

Developing Reading Comprehension among Students with Mild Intellectual Disabilities: An Intervention Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundberg, Ingvar; Reichenberg, Monica

2013-01-01

The present study demonstrated that students with mild intellectual disabilities are capable of constructing meaning from written text by guided social interaction. Participants were 40 adolescents in special schools divided into two intervention conditions: reciprocal teaching (RT) and inference teaching (IT). In RT the students practiced four…

TOPEX/El Niño Watch - Mild La Niña Conditions Developing, November 12, 1999

NASA Image and Video Library

1999-12-01

Unusually warm ocean temperatures off Asia and cool waters in the eastern and equatorial Pacific are signaling La Niña mild return, according to the latest sea-surface heights observed by the joint NASA-French space agency TOPEX/Poseidon satellite.

Hydrothermal liquefaction of Undaria pinnatifida residues to organic acids with recyclable trimethylamine.

PubMed

Chen, Yongxing; Ren, Xiulian; Wei, Qifeng; Guo, Jingjing

2016-12-01

This study investigated the effect of trimethylamine (TMA) on the hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) process and the recycle of TMA. The results suggest that the peeling reaction occurred on the surface and the cleavage of cellulose leading to water-soluble substances and bio-oil. The highest content of organic acids was found in the water-soluble phase. Model compounds, different glucides with TMA were used to investigate the mechanism of the HTL. Results suggest that the OH - appeared to selectively interact with C-O-C bonds, and thus causing the key linkages of cellulose to become much easier to be cleaved under mild conditions. In addition, the conditions for TMA recovery were optimized and the highest TMA recovery rate reached 98.89%. The recovered TMA had the same properties as the original compound, and it was perfectly re-usable in the conversion process of HTL. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anisotropic growth of NiO nanorods from Ni nanoparticles by rapid thermal oxidation.

PubMed

Koga, Kenji; Hirasawa, Makoto

2013-09-20

NiO nanorods with extremely high crystallinity were grown by rapid thermal oxidation through exposure of Ni nanoparticles (NPs) heated above 400° C to oxygen. Oxidation proceeds by nucleation of a NiO island on a Ni NP that grows anisotropically to produce a NiO nanorod. This process differs completely from that under mild oxidation conditions, where the surface of the NPs is completely covered with an oxide film during the early stage of oxidation. The observed novel behaviour strongly suggests an interfacial oxidation mechanism driven by the dissolution of adsorbed oxygen into the Ni NP sub-surface region, subsequent diffusion and reaction at the NiO/Ni interface. The early oxidation conditions of metal NPs impose a significant influence on the entire oxidation process at the nanoscale and are therefore inherently important for the precise morphological control of oxidized NPs to design functional nanomaterials.

[Study on preparation of sagittatoside B with epimedin B converted from cellulase].

PubMed

Xu, Feng-Juan; Sun, E; Zhang, Zhen-Hai; Cui, Li; Jia, Xiao-Bin

2014-01-01

To prepare sagittatoside B with epimedin B Hydrolyzed from cellulase. With the conversion ratio as the index, the effects of pH value, temperature, reaction time, dosage of enzyme and concentration of substrates on the conversion ratio were detected. L9 (3(4)) orthogonal design was adopted to optimize the preparation process. Hydrolyzed products were identified by MS, 1H-NMR, and 13C-NMR. The results showed that the optimum reaction conditions for the enzymatic hydrolysis were that the temperature was 50 degrees C, the reaction medium was pH 5.6 acetic acid-sodium acetate buffer solution, the concentration of substrates was 20 g x L(-1), the mass ratio between enzyme and substrate was 3: 5, and the relative molecular mass of the reaction product was 646.23. NMR data proved that the product was sagittatoside B. The process is simple and reliable under mild reaction conditions, thus suitable for industrial production.

Shifts in stream hydrochemistry in responses to typhoon and non-typhoon precipitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Chung-Te; Huang, -Chuan, Jr.; Wang, Lixin; Shih, Yu-Ting; Lin, Teng-Chiu

2018-04-01

Climate change is projected to increase the intensity and frequency of extreme climatic events such as tropical cyclones. However, few studies have examined the responses of hydrochemical processes to climate extremes. To fill this knowledge gap, we compared the relationship between stream discharge and ion input-output budget during typhoon and non-typhoon periods in four subtropical mountain watersheds with different levels of agricultural land cover in northern Taiwan. The results indicated that the high predictability of ion input-output budgets using stream discharge during the non-typhoon period largely disappeared during the typhoon periods. For ions such as Na+, NH4+, and PO43-, the typhoon period and non-typhoon period exhibited opposite discharge-budget relationships. In other cases, the discharge-budget relationship was driven by the typhoon period, which consisted of only 7 % of the total time period. The striking differences in the discharge-ion budget relationship between the two periods likely resulted from differences in the relative contributions of surface runoff, subsurface runoff and groundwater, which had different chemical compositions, to stream discharge between the two periods. Watersheds with a 17-22 % tea plantation cover showed large increases in NO3- export with increases in stream discharge. In contrast, watersheds with 93-99 % forest cover showed very mild or no increases in NO3- export with increases in discharge and very low levels of NO3- export even during typhoon storms. The results suggest that even mild disruption of the natural vegetation could largely alter hydrochemical processes. Our study clearly illustrates significant shifts in hydrochemical responses between regular and typhoon precipitation. We propose that hydrological models should separate hydrochemical processes into regular and extreme conditions to better capture the whole spectrum of hydrochemical responses to a variety of climate conditions.

Discourse changes in early Alzheimer disease, mild cognitive impairment, and normal aging.

PubMed

Chapman, Sandra Bond; Zientz, Jennifer; Weiner, Myron; Rosenberg, Roger; Frawley, William; Burns, Mary Hope

2002-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity of discourse gist measures to the early cognitive-linguistic changes in Alzheimer disease (AD) and in the preclinical stages. Differences in discourse abilities were examined in 25 cognitively normal adults, 24 adults with mild probable AD, and 20 adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at gist and detail levels of discourse processing. The authors found that gist and detail levels of discourse processing were significantly impaired in persons with AD and MCI as compared with normal control subjects. Gist-level discourse processing abilities showed minimal overlap between cognitively normal control subjects and those with mild AD. Moreover, the majority of the persons with MCI performed in the range of AD on gist measures. These findings indicate that discourse gist measures hold promise as a diagnostic complement to enhance early detection of AD. Further studies are needed to determine how early the discourse gist deficits arise in AD.

Development of advanced, continuous mild gasification process for the production of co-products

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

Ness, R.O. Jr.; Aulich, T.R.

1991-05-01

The current objective of the University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) mild gasification project is to optimize reaction char and marketable liquids production on a 100-lb/hr scale using Wyodak subbituminous and Indiana No. 3 bituminous coals. Tests performed using the EERC 100-lb/hr process development unit (PDU) include a refractory-cure (Test P001), a test using petroleum coke (Test P002), and tests using Wyodak and Indiana coals. The reactor system used for the 11 PDU tests conducted to date consists of a spouted, fluid-bed carbonizer equipped with an on-line condensation train that yields three boiling point fractions ofmore » coal liquids ranging in volatility from about (77{degrees}--750{degrees}F) (25{degrees}--400{degrees}C). The September--December 1990 quarterly report described reaction conditions and the bulk of the analytical results for Tests P010 and P011. This report describes further P010 and P011 analytical work, including the generation of simulated distillation curves for liquid samples on the basis of sulfur content, using gas chromatography coupled with atomic emission detection (GC/AED) analysis. 13 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Using a Process Social Skills Training Approach with Adolescents with Mild Intellectual Disabilities in a High School Setting.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Reilly, Mark F.; Glynn, Dawn

1995-01-01

A process social skills training approach was implemented and evaluated with two high school students having mild intellectual disabilities and social skills deficits. The intervention package was successful in promoting generalization of targeted social skills from the training setting to the classroom for both students. Participants had…

Do Social Information-Processing Models Explain Aggressive Behaviour by Children with Mild Intellectual Disabilities in Residential Care?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Nieuwenhuijzen, M.; de Castro, B. O.; van der Valk, I.; Wijnroks, L.; Vermeer, A.; Matthys, W.

2006-01-01

Background: This study aimed to examine whether the social information-processing model (SIP model) applies to aggressive behaviour by children with mild intellectual disabilities (MID). The response-decision element of SIP was expected to be unnecessary to explain aggressive behaviour in these children, and SIP was expected to mediate the…

Effect of acute mild dehydration on cognitive-motor performance in golf.

PubMed

Smith, Mark F; Newell, Alex J; Baker, Mistrelle R

2012-11-01

Whether mild dehydration (-1 to 3% body mass change [ΔBM]) impairs neurophysiological function during sport-specific cognitive-motor performance has yet to be fully elucidated. To investigate this within a golfing context, 7 low-handicap players (age: 21 ± 1.1 years; mass: 76.1 ± 11.8 kg; stature: 1.77 ± 0.07 m; handicap: 3.0 ± 1.2) completed a golf-specific motor and cognitive performance task in a euhydrated condition (EC) and dehydrated condition (DC) (randomized counterbalanced design; 7-day interval). Dehydration was controlled using a previously effective 12-hour fluid restriction, monitored through ΔBM and urine color assessment (UCOL). Mild dehydration reduced the mean BM by 1.5 ± 0.5% (p = 0.01), with UCOL increasing from 2 (EC) to 4 (DC) (p = 0.02). Mild dehydration significantly impaired motor performance, expressed as shot distance (114.6 vs. 128.6 m; p < 0.001) and off-target accuracy (7.9 vs. 4.1 m; p = 0.001). Cognitive performance, expressed as the mean error in distance judgment to target increased from 4.1 ± 3.0 m (EC) to 8.8 ± 4.7 m (DC) (p < 0.001). The findings support those of previous research that indicates mild dehydration (-1 to 2% ΔBM) significantly impairs cognitive-motor task performance. This study is the first to show that mild dehydration can impair distance, accuracy, and distance judgment during golf performance.

Pupillary Responses as a Biomarker of Diminished Effort Associated With Defeatist Attitudes and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia.

PubMed

Granholm, Eric; Ruiz, Ivan; Gallegos-Rodriguez, Yuliana; Holden, Jason; Link, Peter C

2016-10-15

The hypothesis that defeatist performance attitudes are associated with decreased goal-directed task effort and negative symptoms in consumers with schizophrenia was investigated by using pupillary responses as a biomarker of task effort. Pupillary dilation during cognitive tasks provides a biomarker of effort devoted to the task, with greater dilation indicating greater effort. Defeatist attitudes were assessed in 149 consumers with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and 50 healthy control subjects, and consumers were divided into three groups (tertile split) with respect to severity of defeatist attitudes. Pupillary dilation responses were recorded during a digit-span task with three-, six-, and nine-digit spans. Effort allocation (pupillary responses) to the task increased as the processing load increased from low (three-digit) to moderate (six-digit) demands in healthy control subjects and consumers with schizophrenia with mild and moderate severity of defeatist attitudes. In contrast, consumers with severe defeatist attitudes did not increase their effort when processing demands increased from low to moderate loads. These consumers showed significantly less effort in the six-digit condition relative to consumers with mild defeatist attitudes. Moreover, consumers with severe defeatist attitudes showed significantly greater severity of negative symptoms relative to consumers with mild defeatist attitudes and negative symptoms were significantly correlated with defeatist attitudes. These results suggest a relationship between defeatist performance attitudes, goal-directed task effort indexed by pupillary responses, and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. The findings have implications for using cognitive therapy to reduce defeatist attitudes that may contribute to diminished effort and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. Published by Elsevier Inc.

3-(2-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-2(3H)-thione as an ecofriendly sulphur transfer agent to prepare alkanethiols in high yield and high purity.

PubMed

Mehdid, Mohammed Amine; Djafri, Ayada; Roussel, Christian; Andreoli, Federico

2009-11-12

A new process is described for preparing very pure linear alkanethiols and linear alpha,omega-alkanedithiols using a sequential alkylation of the title compound, followed by a ring closure to quantitatively give the corresponding 3-methyl[1,3]thiazolo[3,2-a]-[3,1]benzimidazol-9-ium salt and the alkanethiol derivative under mild conditions. The alkanethiol and the heteroaromatic salt are easily separated by a simple extraction process. The intermediate thiazolium quaternary salts resulting from the first reaction step can be isolated in quantitative yields, affording an odourless protected form of the thiols.

Neural Network Based Modeling and Analysis of LP Control Surface Allocation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Langari, Reza; Krishnakumar, Kalmanje; Gundy-Burlet, Karen

2003-01-01

This paper presents an approach to interpretive modeling of LP based control allocation in intelligent flight control. The emphasis is placed on a nonlinear interpretation of the LP allocation process as a static map to support analytical study of the resulting closed loop system, albeit in approximate form. The approach makes use of a bi-layer neural network to capture the essential functioning of the LP allocation process. It is further shown via Lyapunov based analysis that under certain relatively mild conditions the resulting closed loop system is stable. Some preliminary conclusions from a study at Ames are stated and directions for further research are given at the conclusion of the paper.

The effect of sensory uncertainty due to amblyopia (lazy eye) on the planning and execution of visually-guided 3D reaching movements.

PubMed

Niechwiej-Szwedo, Ewa; Goltz, Herbert C; Chandrakumar, Manokaraananthan; Wong, Agnes M F

2012-01-01

Impairment of spatiotemporal visual processing in amblyopia has been studied extensively, but its effects on visuomotor tasks have rarely been examined. Here, we investigate how visual deficits in amblyopia affect motor planning and online control of visually-guided, unconstrained reaching movements. Thirteen patients with mild amblyopia, 13 with severe amblyopia and 13 visually-normal participants were recruited. Participants reached and touched a visual target during binocular and monocular viewing. Motor planning was assessed by examining spatial variability of the trajectory at 50-100 ms after movement onset. Online control was assessed by examining the endpoint variability and by calculating the coefficient of determination (R(2)) which correlates the spatial position of the limb during the movement to endpoint position. Patients with amblyopia had reduced precision of the motor plan in all viewing conditions as evidenced by increased variability of the reach early in the trajectory. Endpoint precision was comparable between patients with mild amblyopia and control participants. Patients with severe amblyopia had reduced endpoint precision along azimuth and elevation during amblyopic eye viewing only, and along the depth axis in all viewing conditions. In addition, they had significantly higher R(2) values at 70% of movement time along the elevation and depth axes during amblyopic eye viewing. Sensory uncertainty due to amblyopia leads to reduced precision of the motor plan. The ability to implement online corrections depends on the severity of the visual deficit, viewing condition, and the axis of the reaching movement. Patients with mild amblyopia used online control effectively to compensate for the reduced precision of the motor plan. In contrast, patients with severe amblyopia were not able to use online control as effectively to amend the limb trajectory especially along the depth axis, which could be due to their abnormal stereopsis.

The Effect of Sensory Uncertainty Due to Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) on the Planning and Execution of Visually-Guided 3D Reaching Movements

PubMed Central

Niechwiej-Szwedo, Ewa; Goltz, Herbert C.; Chandrakumar, Manokaraananthan; Wong, Agnes M. F.

2012-01-01

Background Impairment of spatiotemporal visual processing in amblyopia has been studied extensively, but its effects on visuomotor tasks have rarely been examined. Here, we investigate how visual deficits in amblyopia affect motor planning and online control of visually-guided, unconstrained reaching movements. Methods Thirteen patients with mild amblyopia, 13 with severe amblyopia and 13 visually-normal participants were recruited. Participants reached and touched a visual target during binocular and monocular viewing. Motor planning was assessed by examining spatial variability of the trajectory at 50–100 ms after movement onset. Online control was assessed by examining the endpoint variability and by calculating the coefficient of determination (R2) which correlates the spatial position of the limb during the movement to endpoint position. Results Patients with amblyopia had reduced precision of the motor plan in all viewing conditions as evidenced by increased variability of the reach early in the trajectory. Endpoint precision was comparable between patients with mild amblyopia and control participants. Patients with severe amblyopia had reduced endpoint precision along azimuth and elevation during amblyopic eye viewing only, and along the depth axis in all viewing conditions. In addition, they had significantly higher R2 values at 70% of movement time along the elevation and depth axes during amblyopic eye viewing. Conclusion Sensory uncertainty due to amblyopia leads to reduced precision of the motor plan. The ability to implement online corrections depends on the severity of the visual deficit, viewing condition, and the axis of the reaching movement. Patients with mild amblyopia used online control effectively to compensate for the reduced precision of the motor plan. In contrast, patients with severe amblyopia were not able to use online control as effectively to amend the limb trajectory especially along the depth axis, which could be due to their abnormal stereopsis. PMID:22363549

A four-component coupling reaction of carbon dioxide, amines, cyclic ethers and 3-triflyloxybenzynes for the synthesis of functionalized carbamates.

PubMed

Xiong, Wenfang; Qi, Chaorong; Cheng, Ruixiang; Zhang, Hao; Wang, Lu; Yan, Donghao; Jiang, Huanfeng

2018-04-27

A novel four-component coupling reaction of carbon dioxide, amines, cyclic ethers and 3-triflyloxybenzynes has been developed for the first time, providing an efficient method for the synthesis of a series of functionalized carbamate derivatives in moderate to high yields. The process proceeds under mild, transition metal-free and fluoride-free conditions, leading to the formation of two new C-O bonds, one new C-N bond and one C-H bond in a single step.

A Bioinspired Catalytic Aerobic Oxidative C–H Functionalization of Primary Aliphatic Amines: Synthesis of 1,2-Disubstituted Benzimidazoles

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Khac Minh Huy; Largeron, Martine

2015-01-01

Aerobic oxidative C–H functionalization of primary aliphatic amines has been accomplished with a biomimetic cooperative catalytic system to furnish 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles that play an important role as drug discovery targets. This one-pot atom-economical multistep process, which proceeds under mild conditions, with ambient air and equimolar amounts of each coupling partner, constitutes a convenient environmentally friendly strategy to functionalize non-activated aliphatic amines that remain challenging substrates for non-enzymatic catalytic aerobic systems. PMID:26206475

From ketenimines to ketenes to quinolones: two consecutive pseudopericyclic events.

PubMed

Alajarín, Mateo; Ortín, María-Mar; Sánchez-Andrada, Pilar; Vidal, Angel; Bautista, Delia

2005-11-10

[reaction: see text] N-[2-(Alkyl- or arylthio)carbonyl]phenyl ketenimines undergo cyclization under mild thermal conditions to afford 2-alkyl(aryl)thio-3H-quinolin-4-ones by means of the 1,5-migration of the alkyl(aryl)thio group from the carbonyl carbon to the central carbon atom of the ketenimine fragment followed by the 6pi-electrocyclization of the resulting vinyliminoketene. These 1,5-migration and electrocyclization processes occur via transition states whose pseudopericyclic characteristics have been established on the basis of their magnetic properties, geometries, and NBO analyses.

Alaskan Permafrost Analogs of Martian Small Valley Networks, Thermokarst, Terrain Softening, Terraces, and Volcanic Craters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kargel, Jeffrey S.; Wessels, Rick; Beget, James E.; Eddy, Thomas; Lloyd, Sandra; Macaulay, Don; Proch, Mark; Skinner, Jim; Tanaka, Kenneth L.

2004-01-01

A geomorphic landscape analog in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (Alaska) offers a model for Mars where (1) fluvial and alluvial deposition, volcanism, and other processes first produced a layered ice-rich upper crust, and then (2) severe permafrost conditions (mild by today's Martian standards) and heterogeneous heat flow and volcanism have modified this terrain to produce a geomorphic areal mosaic that is alternately dominated by (a) geothermal meltwater and sublimation (bottom-up heat flow) and (b) surface-driven meltwater and sublimation (top-down heat flow).

AnilinoMethylRhodamines: pH Sensitive Probes with Tunable Photophysical Properties by Substituent Effect

PubMed Central

Best, Quinn A.; Liu, Chuangjun; van Hoveln, Paul D.; McCarroll, Matthew E.

2013-01-01

A series of pH dependent rhodamine analogs possessing an anilino-methyl moiety was developed and shown to exhibit a unique photophysical response to pH. These Anilinomethylrhodamines (AnMR) maintain a colorless, non-fluorescent spiro-cyclic structure at high pH. The spiro-cyclic structures open in mildly acidic conditions and are weakly fluorescent; however at very low pH, the fluorescence is greatly enhanced. The equilibrium constants of these processes show a linear response to substituent effects, which was demonstrated by the Hammett equation. PMID:24050117

Forging Fluorine‐Containing Quaternary Stereocenters by a Light‐Driven Organocatalytic Aldol Desymmetrization Process

PubMed Central

Cuadros, Sara; Dell'Amico, Luca

2017-01-01

Abstract Reported herein is a light‐triggered organocatalytic strategy for the desymmetrization of achiral 2‐fluoro‐substituted cyclopentane‐1,3‐diketones. The chemistry is based on an intermolecular aldol reaction of photochemically generated hydroxy‐o‐quinodimethanes and simultaneously forges two adjacent fully substituted carbon stereocenters, with one bearing a stereogenic carbon–fluorine unit. The method uses readily available substrates, a simple chiral organocatalyst, and mild reaction conditions to afford an array of highly functionalized chiral 2‐fluoro‐3‐hydroxycyclopentanones. PMID:28746742

Alkylsilyl Peroxides as Alkylating Agents in the Copper-Catalyzed Selective Mono-N-Alkylation of Primary Amides and Arylamines.

PubMed

Sakamoto, Ryu; Sakurai, Shunya; Maruoka, Keiji

2017-07-06

The copper-catalyzed selective mono-N-alkylation of primary amides or arylamines using alkylsilyl peroxides as alkylating agents is reported. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions and exhibits a broad substrate scope with respect to the alkylsilyl peroxides, as well as to the primary amides and arylamines. Mechanistic studies suggest that the present reaction should proceed through a free-radical process that includes alkyl radicals generated from the alkylsilyl peroxides. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Adaptive response to chronic mild ethanol stress involves ROS, sirtuins and changes in chromosome dosage in wine yeasts.

PubMed

Adamczyk, Jagoda; Deregowska, Anna; Skoneczny, Marek; Skoneczna, Adrianna; Kwiatkowska, Aleksandra; Potocki, Leszek; Rawska, Ewa; Pabian, Sylwia; Kaplan, Jakub; Lewinska, Anna; Wnuk, Maciej

2016-05-24

Industrial yeast strains of economic importance used in winemaking and beer production are genomically diverse and subjected to harsh environmental conditions during fermentation. In the present study, we investigated wine yeast adaptation to chronic mild alcohol stress when cells were cultured for 100 generations in the presence of non-cytotoxic ethanol concentration. Ethanol-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and superoxide signals promoted growth rate during passages that was accompanied by increased expression of sirtuin proteins, Sir1, Sir2 and Sir3, and DNA-binding transcription regulator Rap1. Genome-wide array-CGH analysis revealed that yeast genome was shaped during passages. The gains of chromosomes I, III and VI and significant changes in the gene copy number in nine functional gene categories involved in metabolic processes and stress responses were observed. Ethanol-mediated gains of YRF1 and CUP1 genes were the most accented. Ethanol also induced nucleolus fragmentation that confirms that nucleolus is a stress sensor in yeasts. Taken together, we postulate that wine yeasts of different origin may adapt to mild alcohol stress by shifts in intracellular redox state promoting growth capacity, upregulation of key regulators of longevity, namely sirtuins and changes in the dosage of genes involved in the telomere maintenance and ion detoxification.

Frequency of Depressive Syndromes in Elderly Individuals with No Cognitive Impairment, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and Alzheimer's Disease Dementia in a Memory Clinic Setting.

PubMed

Lee, Jun Ho; Byun, Min Soo; Yi, Dahyun; Choe, Young Min; Choi, Hyo Jung; Baek, Hyewon; Sohn, Bo Kyung; Kim, Hyun Jung; Lee, Younghwa; Woo, Jong Inn; Lee, Dong Young

2016-01-01

The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency of various depressive syndromes in elderly individuals with no cognitive impairment (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease dementia (AD) in a memory clinic setting, and then to test whether severe and milder forms of depressive syndromes are differentially associated with the cognitive groups. For 216 NC, 478 MCI, and 316 AD subjects, we investigated the frequency of depressive syndromes, defined by three different categories: major and minor depressive disorder (MaDD and MiDD) according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, as well as depression according to the National Institute of Mental Health provisional diagnostic criteria for depression in Alzheimer's disease (NIMH-dAD). The frequency of MaDD did not show any significant difference among NC, MCI, and AD. In contrast, the frequencies of MiDD and NIMH-dAD were higher than those of MaDD and showed significant group differences with a gradual increase from NC to AD. The findings suggest that the degenerative process of Alzheimer's disease contributes to the occurrence of mild depressive conditions, but not to severe depression. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Comparison of Leaf Sheath Transcriptome Profiles with Physiological Traits of Bread Wheat Cultivars under Salinity Stress

PubMed Central

Trittermann, Christine; Berger, Bettina; Roy, Stuart J.; Seki, Motoaki; Shinozaki, Kazuo; Tester, Mark

2015-01-01

Salinity stress has significant negative effects on plant biomass production and crop yield. Salinity tolerance is controlled by complex systems of gene expression and ion transport. The relationship between specific features of mild salinity stress adaptation and gene expression was analyzed using four commercial varieties of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) that have different levels of salinity tolerance. The high-throughput phenotyping system in The Plant Accelerator at the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility revealed variation in shoot relative growth rate and salinity tolerance among the four cultivars. Comparative analysis of gene expression in the leaf sheaths identified genes whose functions are potentially linked to shoot biomass development and salinity tolerance. Early responses to mild salinity stress through changes in gene expression have an influence on the acquisition of stress tolerance and improvement in biomass accumulation during the early “osmotic” phase of salinity stress. In addition, results revealed transcript profiles for the wheat cultivars that were different from those of usual stress-inducible genes, but were related to those of plant growth. These findings suggest that, in the process of breeding, selection of specific traits with various salinity stress-inducible genes in commercial bread wheat has led to adaptation to mild salinity conditions. PMID:26244554

Reduced global brain metabolism but maintained vascular function in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Thomas, Binu P; Sheng, Min; Tseng, Benjamin Y; Tarumi, Takashi; Martin-Cook, Kristen; Womack, Kyle B; Cullum, Munro C; Levine, Benjamin D; Zhang, Rong; Lu, Hanzhang

2017-04-01

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment represents an early stage of Alzheimer's disease, and characterization of physiological alterations in mild cognitive impairment is an important step toward accurate diagnosis and intervention of this condition. To investigate the extent of neurodegeneration in patients with mild cognitive impairment, whole-brain cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in absolute units of µmol O 2 /min/100 g was quantified in 44 amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 28 elderly controls using a novel, non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging method. We found a 12.9% reduction ( p = 0.004) in cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in mild cognitive impairment, which was primarily attributed to a reduction in the oxygen extraction fraction, by 10% ( p = 0.016). Global cerebral blood flow was not found to be different between groups. Another aspect of vascular function, cerebrovascular reactivity, was measured by CO 2 -inhalation magnetic resonance imaging and was found to be equivalent between groups. Therefore, there seems to be a global, diffuse diminishment in neural function in mild cognitive impairment, while their vascular function did not show a significant reduction.

Music Enhances Autobiographical Memory in Mild Alzheimer's Disease

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

El Haj, Mohamad; Postal, Virginie; Allain, Philippe

2012-01-01

Studies have shown that the "Four Seasons" music may enhance the autobiographical performance of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We used a repeated measures design in which autobiographical recall of 12 mild AD patients was assessed using a free narrative method under three conditions: (a) in "Silence," (b) after being exposed to the opus "Four…

Synthesis of 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles by visible-light-mediated radical reactions of aryl diazonium salts with N-arylacrylamides.

PubMed

Fu, Weijun; Xu, Fengjuan; Fu, Yuqin; Zhu, Mei; Yu, Jiaqi; Xu, Chen; Zou, Dapeng

2013-12-06

A mild and efficient visible-light-mediated diarylation of N-arylacrylamides with aryl diazonium salts under mild conditions has been developed. This method provides convenient access to a variety of useful 3,3-disubstituted oxindoles by constructing two C-C bonds in one step.

A Novel Glycinate-based Body Wash: Clinical Investigation Into Ultra-mildness, Effective Conditioning, and Improved Consumer Benefits.

PubMed

Regan, Jamie; Mollica, Leonel-Maximo; Ananthapadmanabhan, K P

2013-06-01

To assess the properties of a novel body wash containing the mild surfactant glycinate. Biochemical and clinical assays. Research laboratories and clinical sites in the United States and Canada. Women 18 to 65 years of age (cleansing efficacy); male and female subjects 26 to 63 years of age with mild or moderate dryness and erythema (leg-controlled application test); subjects 5 to 65 years of age with mild-to-moderate eczema (eczema compatibility); and women 18 to 64 years of age (home use). Assessments across studies included colorimetric dye exclusion to assess skin damage potential (corneosurfametry), efficacy of cosmetic product removal from skin, change from baseline in visual dryness, change from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index, and self-perceived eczema attributes and self-reported product preference. The glycinate-based cleanser demonstrated mildness to skin components when evaluated in a corneosurfametry assay. Short-term use under exaggerated wash conditions in subjects with dryness scores <3 and erythema scores <2 (both on a 0-6 scale) indicated an initial reduction in visual dryness. In subjects with eczema, normal use resulted in significant improvements (p<0.05) at Week 4 compared with baseline in skin dryness (change from baseline = -0.73), rash (-0.56), itch (-0.927), tightness (-0.585), and all eczema (-0.756). The glycinate-based body wash removed 56 percent of a long-lasting cosmetic foundation from skin compared with less than 30 percent removed by two competitive products tested. The glycinate-based body wash was preferred over a competitive mild cleansing product overall. The patented glycinate-containing body wash demonstrated better product mildness and patient-preferred attributes and clinical benefits.

Pattern of airway inflammation and remodelling in mild persistent atopic asthma and in mild persistent asthma related to gastroesophageal reflux.

PubMed

Dal Negro, R W; Guerriero, M; Micheletto, C

2012-12-01

The increase of basement membrane thickness (BMAT) represents a structural feature described as commonly characterizing airway remodelling in asthma, even if the non-atopic condition had been investigated only episodically from this point of view. Gastrooesophageal-reflux is a pathological condition which can frequently cause and/or sustain asthma in non-atopic individuals. The aim of the study was to measure BMT; some inflammatory mediators in BAL; cys-leucotrienes (LTE4) in urine; e-NO, and BHR to Methacholine (MCh) in mild atopic and in mild non-atopic, GER-related asthma. After their informed consent, 25 mild atopic (40.9 years +/- 13.1 sd, FEV1 = 95.9% pred. +/- 12.9 sd) and 39 non-atopic, GER-related asthmatics (57.3 years +/- 14.2 ds, FEVY1 = 101.3% pred. +/- 12.2 sd), nonsmoker and of a comparable asthma duration, underwent measurements of basal lung function and bronchial response to MCh (PD20 FEV1); endobronchial biopsies and BAL (in the right middle lobe), and a 24-h gastroesophageal pHmetry. Atopic GER-related asthma showed two distinct patterns of airway inflammation. The eosinophilic contribution to airway inflammation was systematically prevailing in the former group, such as: EOS = 10.7% +/- 13.4 sd vs 2.0% +/- 2.8 sd, p = 0.001; ECP = 344.9 mcg/l +/- 635.9 sd vs 59.2 mcg/l +/- 75.1 sd, p = 0.001. Data from the present study are suggesting that persistent mild atopic and mild GER-related asthma seem to represent two distinct phenotypes of asthma in terms of airway remodelling, and in particular of BMT involvement.

The rapid formation of functional monolayers on silicon under mild conditions.

PubMed

Ciampi, Simone; Luais, Erwann; James, Michael; Choudhury, Moinul H; Darwish, Nadim A; Gooding, J Justin

2014-05-07

We report on an exceedingly mild chemical functionalization of hydrogen-terminated Si(100) with unactivated and unprotected bifunctional α,ω-dialkynes. Monolayer formation occurs rapidly in the dark, and at room temperature, from dilute solutions of an aromatic-conjugated acetylene. The method addresses the poor reactivity of p-type substrates under mild conditions. We suggest the importance of several factors, including an optimal orientation for electron transfer between the adsorbate and the Si surface, conjugation of the acetylenic function with a π-system, as well as the choice of a solvent system that favors electron transfer and screens Coulombic interactions between surface holes and electrons. The passivated Si(100) electrode is amenable to further functionalization and shown to be a viable model system for redox studies at non-oxide semiconductor electrodes in aqueous solutions.

Mild Palladium Catalyzed ortho C-H Bond Functionalizations of Aniline Derivatives.

PubMed

Tischler, Ms Orsolya; Tóth, Mr Balázs; Novák, Zoltán

2017-02-01

This account collects the developments and transformations which avoid the utilization of harsh reaction conditions in the field of palladium catalyzed, ortho-directed C-H activation of aniline derivatives from the first attempts to up-to-date results, including the results of our research laboratory. The discussed functionalizations performed under mild conditions include acylation, olefination, arylation, alkylation, alkoxylation reactions. Beside the optimization studies and the synthetic applications mechanistic investigations are also presented. © 2017 The Chemical Society of Japan & Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Corrosion Protection Of Mild Steel In Sea Water Using Chemical Inhibitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araoyinbo, Alaba O.; Salleh, Mohd Arif Anuar Mohd; Zulerwan Jusof, Muhammad

2018-03-01

The effect of sodium nitrite as a corrosion inhibitor of mild steel in sea water (i.e ASTM standard prepared sea water and sea water obtained from a local river) was investigated, using the weight loss technique. Different amount of sodium nitrite were prepared (i.e 2 % to 10 %) in the inhibition of the mild steel corrosion in sea water exposed to irradiation condition from sunlight exposure. The cut samples of mild steel were exposed to these corrosive media and the corresponding weight loss subsequently obtained was recorded at intervals of 1 to 4 weeks. It was observed that corrosion rate increases with the time of exposure to the corrosive medium exposed to sunlight and that sodium nitrite that was used at the chemical inhibitor was able to retard the corrosion rate of mild steel if the appropriate concentration is applied. The results obtained from the weight loss analysis shows that the optimum percentage of sodium nitrate in sea water that gives the optimum corrosion inhibition of mild steel is 4 %.

Operando X-ray absorption and EPR evidence for a single electron redox process in copper catalysis

DOE PAGES

Lu, Qingquan; Zhang, Jian; Peng, Pan; ...

2015-05-26

An unprecedented single electron redox process in copper catalysis is confirmed using operando X-ray absorption and EPR spectroscopies. The oxidation state of the copper species in the interaction between Cu(II) and a sulfinic acid at room temperature, and the accurate characterization of the formed Cu(I) are clearly shown using operando X-ray absorption and EPR evidence. Further investigation of anion effects on Cu(II) discloses that bromine ions can dramatically increase the rate of the redox process. Moreover, it is proven that the sulfinic acids are converted into sulfonyl radicals, which can be trapped by 2-arylacrylic acids and various valuable β-keto sulfonesmore » are synthesized with good to excellent yields under mild conditions.« less

Structural Model of the Relationships among Cognitive Processes, Visual Motor Integration, and Academic Achievement in Students with Mild Intellectual Disability (MID)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taha, Mohamed Mostafa

2016-01-01

This study aimed to test a proposed structural model of the relationships and existing paths among cognitive processes (attention and planning), visual motor integration, and academic achievement in reading, writing, and mathematics. The study sample consisted of 50 students with mild intellectual disability or MID. The average age of these…

A Grounded Theory Study of the Process of Accessing Information on the World Wide Web by People with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blodgett, Cynthia S.

2008-01-01

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to examine the process by which people with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) access information on the web. Recent estimates include amateur sports and recreation injuries, non-hospital clinics and treatment facilities, private and public emergency department visits and admissions, providing…

Effects of wind and rain on thermal responses of humans in a mildly cold environment.

PubMed

Yamane, Motoi; Oida, Yukio; Ohnishi, Norikazu; Matsumoto, Takaaki; Kitagawa, Kaoru

2010-05-01

The purpose of the present study was to clarify the effects of wind and rain on peripheral heat loss by non-exercising minimally clothed humans in a mildly cold environment. Seven healthy young male subjects wearing only shorts rested in a standing position for 20 min at an ambient temperature of 15 degrees C under three conditions: without exposure to wind or rain (CON), with exposure to wind (3 m/s) (WIND) and with exposure to wind (3 m/s) and rain (40 mm/h) (WIND + RAIN). Mean heat loss measured using a heat flux transducer was significantly greater in the subjects exposed to WIND + RAIN compared to those exposed to CON and WIND conditions (p < 0.01). Metabolic heat production was significantly greater under WIND + RAIN than under CON and WIND (p < 0.01). Decrease in heat storage was significantly larger at WIND + RAIN compared with CON and WIND (p < 0.01). Mean skin temperature was significantly lower under WIND + RAIN than under CON and WIND conditions (p < 0.01). These results indicate that peripheral heat loss significantly increases when humans are exposed to wind and rain for a short period (20 min) under a mildly cold condition.

Motivational processes in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: results from the Motivational Reserve in Alzheimer's (MoReA) study.

PubMed

Forstmeier, Simon; Maercker, Andreas

2015-11-17

Brain reserve, i.e., the ability of the brain to tolerate age- and disease-related changes in a way that cognitive function is still maintained, is assumed to be based on the lifelong training of various abilities. The Motivational Reserve in Alzheimer's (MoReA) is a longitudinal study that aims to examine motivational processes as a protective factor in mild Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This paper presents the results of motivational variables, frequency of diagnoses, and prediction of global cognition as well as depression in a one-year longitudinal study. The sample consists of 64 subjects with MCI and 47 subjects with mild AD at baseline. At baseline, the physical/neurological examinations, standard clinical assessment, neuropsychological testing, and assessment of motivational variables were performed. At follow-up (FU) one year later, neuropsychological testing including cognition, functional abilities, behavioral and affective symptoms, and global clinical assessments of severity have been repeated. AD cases have lower motivational capacities as measured with a midlife motivation-related occupational score and informant-reported present motivational processes, but do not differ with regard to delay of gratification (DoG) and self-reported motivational processes. DoG and delay discounting (DD) were relatively stable during the measurement interval. However, 20 % of the MCI cases converted to mild AD at FU, and 17 % of the mild AD cases converted to moderate AD. The rate of depression of Alzheimer's disease was 9 at baseline and 21 % at FU, and the rate of apathy was 7 and 14 %, respectively. Global cognition at FU was mainly predicted by baseline global cognition but also by one of the motivational variables (scenario test). Depression at FU was predicted mainly by two motivational variables (self-reported and informant-reported motivational processes). This research might inform motivation-related strategies for prevention and early intervention with older people or people at risk for AD.

A case of misdiagnosis of mild cognitive impairment: The utility of symptom validity testing in an outpatient memory clinic.

PubMed

Roor, Jeroen J; Dandachi-FitzGerald, Brechje; Ponds, Rudolf W H M

2016-01-01

Noncredible symptom reports hinder the diagnostic process. This fact is especially the case for medical conditions that rely on subjective report of symptoms instead of objective measures. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) primarily relies on subjective report, which makes it potentially susceptible to erroneous diagnosis. In this case report, we describe a 59-year-old female patient diagnosed with MCI 10 years previously. The patient was referred to the neurology department for reexamination by her general practitioner because of cognitive complaints and persistent fatigue. This case study used information from the medical file, a new magnetic resonance imaging brain scan, and neuropsychological assessment. Current neuropsychological assessment, including symptom validity tests, clearly indicated noncredible test performance, thereby invalidating the obtained neuropsychological test data. We conclude that a blind spot for noncredible symptom reports existed in the previous diagnostic assessments. This case highlights the usefulness of formal symptom validity testing in the diagnostic assessment of MCI.

Release kinetics of esterified p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid from rice straw in mild alkaline solution.

PubMed

Linh, Tran Ngoc; Fujita, Hirokata; Sakoda, Akiyoshi

2017-05-01

The release kinetics of esterified p-coumaric acid (PCA) and ferulic acid (FA) from rice straw under a mild alkaline condition were investigated to collect fundamental data for the design of a recovery process. The results showed that the straw size, NaOH concentration, and temperature were the key parameters governing release kinetics. The analysis demonstrated that FA is released considerably faster than PCA. The close relationship between lignin and the PCA dissolution indicates a reciprocal and/or simultaneous release. Moreover, PCA is broadly distributed in the lignin network but tends to be located more densely in the lignin fraction which is not easily solubilized by alkaline treatment. In contrast, the release of FA is strongly affected by removal of lignin fraction which is easily solubilized. These results suggest that the release kinetics are controlled by the accessibility of NaOH to their ester sites in the lignin/hemicellulose network, and by their localization. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Catalyst-free activation of methylene chloride and alkynes by amines in a three-component coupling reaction to synthesize propargylamines.

PubMed

Rawat, Vikas S; Bathini, Thulasiram; Govardan, S; Sreedhar, Bojja

2014-09-14

Propargylamines are synthesized via metal-free activation of the C-halogen bond of dihalomethanes and the C-H bond of terminal alkynes in a three-component coupling without catalyst or additional base and under mild reaction conditions. The dihalomethanes are used both as solvents as well as precursors for the methylene fragment (C1) in the final product. The scope of the reaction and the influence of various reaction variables has been investigated. A plausible reaction mechanism is proposed and the involvement of various intermediates that can be generated in situ in the process is discussed. The metal-free conditions also make this protocol environmentally benign and atom economical.

An examination of an enhancing effect of music on attentional abilities in older persons with mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Lake, Jessica I; Goldstein, Felicia C

2011-02-01

While the effect of listening to music on cognitive abilities is highly debated, studies reporting an enhancing effect of music in elderly populations appear to be more consistent. In this study, the effects of listening to music on attention in groups of cognitively normal older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment were considered. Participants were exposed to both a music and silence condition, and after each condition performed Digit Span and Coding tasks which require attention for maximal performance. The hypothesis that listening to music, compared to a silence condition, enhances performance was not supported for either group. Various explanations for these findings are considered.

Packing properties of starch-based powders under mild mechanical stress.

PubMed

Zanardi, I; Gabbrielli, A; Travagli, V

2009-07-01

This study reports the ability to settle of commercial pharmaceutical grade starch samples, both native and pregelatinized. The experiments were carried out under different relative humidity (RH%) conditions and the packing properties were evaluated using both official pharmacopoeial monograph conditions and also modified conditions in order to give a deeper knowledge of tapping under mild mechanical stress. The technique adopted, simulating common pharmaceutical operating practices, appears to be useful to estimate some technologically relevant features of diluent powder materials. Moreover, a general mathematical function has been applied to the experimental data; this could be appropriate for adequately describing material settling patterns and offers practical parameters for characterizing starch powders within the context of a pharmaceutical quality system.

Structure and optical properties of silica-supported Ag-Au nanoparticles.

PubMed

Barreca, Davide; Gasparotto, Alberto; Maragno, Cinzia; Tondello, Eugenio; Gialanella, Stefano

2007-07-01

Bimetallic Ag-Au nanoparticles are synthesized by sequential deposition of Au and Ag on amorphous silica by Radio Frequency (RF)-sputtering under mild conditions. Specimens are thoroughly characterized by a multi-technique approach, aimed at investigating the system properties as a function of the Ag/Au content, as well as the evolution induced by ex-situ annealing under inert (N2) or reducing (4% H2/N2) atmospheres. The obtained results demonstrate the possibility to obtain Ag-Au alloyed nanoparticles with controllable size, shape, structure, and dispersion under mild conditions, so that the optical properties can be finely tuned as a function of the synthesis and thermal treatment conditions.

Pervasive competition between threat and reward in the brain

PubMed Central

Choi, Jong Moon; Padmala, Srikanth; Spechler, Philip

2014-01-01

In the current functional MRI study, we investigated interactions between reward and threat processing. Visual cues at the start of each trial informed participants about the chance of winning monetary reward and/or receiving a mild aversive shock. We tested two competing hypothesis: according to the ‘salience hypothesis’, in the condition involving both reward and threat, enhanced activation would be observed because of increased salience; according to the ‘competition hypothesis’, the processing of reward and threat would trade-off against each other, leading to reduced activation. Analysis of skin conductance data during a delay phase revealed an interaction between reward and threat processing, such that the effect of reward was reduced during threat and the effect of threat was reduced during reward. Analysis of imaging data during the same task phase revealed interactions between reward and threat processing in several regions, including the midbrain/ventral tegmental area, caudate, putamen, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, anterior insula, middle frontal gyrus and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Taken together, our findings reveal conditions during which reward and threat trade-off against each other across multiple sites. Such interactions are suggestive of competitive processes and may reflect the organization of opponent systems in the brain. PMID:23547242

Mild acetosolv process to fractionate bamboo for the biorefinery: structural and antioxidant properties of the dissolved lignin.

PubMed

Li, Ming-Fei; Sun, Shao-Ni; Xu, Feng; Sun, Run-Cang

2012-02-22

Fractionation of lignocellulosic material into its constitutive components is of vital importance for the production of biofuels as well as other value-added chemicals. The conventional acetosolv processes are mainly focused on the production of pulp from woody lignocelluloses. In this study, a mild acetosolv process was developed to fractionate bamboo under atmospheric pressure to obtain cellulosic pulp, water-soluble fraction, and acetic acid lignin. The structural features of the lignins obtained under various conditions were characterized with elemental analysis, sugar analysis, alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR), and heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (HSQC) spectroscopy. As compared to milled wood lignin (MWL) of bamboo, acetic acid lignins had low impurities (carbohydrates 2.48-4.56%) mainly due to the cleavage of linkages between lignin and carbohydrates. In addition, acetic acid lignins showed a low proportion of syringyl (S) units. Due to the cleavage of linkages between lignin units, acetic acid lignins had weight-average molecular weights ranging from 4870 to 5210 g/mol, less than half that of MWL (13000 g/mol). In addition, acetic acid lignins showed stronger antioxidant activity mainly due to the significant increase of free phenolic hydroxyls. The lignins obtained with such low impurities, high free phenolic hydroxyls, and medium molecular weights are promising feedstocks to replace petroleum chemicals.

Efficient Vocational Skills Training for People with Cognitive Disabilities: An Exploratory Study Comparing Computer-Assisted Instruction to One-on-One Tutoring.

PubMed

Larson, James R; Juszczak, Andrew; Engel, Kathryn

2016-03-01

This study compared the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction to that of one-on-one tutoring for teaching people with mild and moderate cognitive disabilities when both training methods are designed to take account of the specific mental deficits most commonly found in cognitive disability populations. Fifteen participants (age 22-71) received either computer-assisted instruction or one-on-one tutoring in three content domains that were of functional and daily relevance to them: behavioural limits, rights and responsibilities (two modules) and alphabetical sorting. Learning was assessed by means of a series of pretests and four learning cycle post-tests. Both instructional conditions maintained time-on-task and teaching material equivalence, and both incorporated a set of best-practices and empirically supported teaching techniques designed to address attentional deficits, stimulus processing inefficiencies and cognitive load limitations. Strong evidence of learning was found in both instructional method conditions. Moreover, in all content domains the two methods yielded approximately equivalent rates of learning and learning attainment. These findings offer tentative evidence that a repetitive, computer-assisted training program can produce learning outcomes in people with mild and moderate cognitive disabilities that are comparable to those achieved by high-quality one-on-one tutoring. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Palladium-pyridyl catalytic films: a highly active and recyclable catalyst for hydrogenation of styrene under mild conditions.

PubMed

Gao, Shuiying; Li, Weijin; Cao, Rong

2015-03-01

Palladium-pyridyl catalytic films, (PdCl2/bpy)n, were created by alternating immersions of a substrate in PdCl2 and bpy (bpy=4, 4'-bipyridyl) solutions. The as-prepared (PdCl2/bpy)10 catalyst demonstrated a remarkable catalytic activity toward hydrogenation of styrene under mild conditions and the turnover frequency (TOF) is as high as 6944h(-1). Pd(II) ions of (PdCl2/bpy)n films are in situ reduced to Pd nanoparticles (NPs) during the hydrogenation of styrene process, which results in the catalytic activity of the films. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further demonstrate that Pd(II) ions of (PdCl2/bpy)n films were gradually converted to Pd(0) states. The catalytic activity is related to bilayer numbers and the activity increases with the number of bilayers below 10 bilayers. The solid substrates coated with (PdCl2/bpy)n multilayer catalysts were easily removed from the reaction mixture without separation filtration. Moreover, (PdCl2/bpy)n catalysts were reused for 10 consecutive reactions without loss of activity. The present (PdCl2/bpy)n heterogeneous catalysts have the advantages of easy separation and good recyclability. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Altered Topology in Information Processing of a Narrated Story in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

PubMed

Yogev-Seligmann, Galit; Oren, Noga; Ash, Elissa L; Hendler, Talma; Giladi, Nir; Lerner, Yulia

2016-05-03

The ability to store, integrate, and manipulate information declines with aging. These changes occur earlier, faster, and to a greater degree as a result of neurodegeneration. One of the most common and early characteristics of cognitive decline is difficulty with comprehension of information. The neural mechanisms underlying this breakdown of information processing are poorly understood. Using functional MRI and natural stimuli (e.g., stories), we mapped the neural mechanisms by which the human brain accumulates and processes information with increasing duration and complexity in participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and healthy older adults. To explore the mechanisms of information processing, we measured the reliability of brain responses elicited by listening to different versions of a narrated story created by segmenting the story into words, sentences, and paragraphs and then scrambling the segments. Comparing healthy older adults and participants with aMCI revealed that in both groups, all types of stimuli similarly recruited primary auditory areas. However, prominent differences between groups were found at the level of processing long and complex stimuli. In healthy older adults, parietal and frontal regions demonstrated highly synchronized responses in both the paragraph and full story conditions, as has been previously reported in young adults. Participants with aMCI, however, exhibited a robust functional shift of long time scale processing to the pre- and post-central sulci. Our results suggest that participants with aMCI experienced a functional shift of higher order auditory information processing, possibly reflecting a functional response to concurrent or impending neuronal or synaptic loss. This observation might assist in understanding mechanisms of cognitive decline in aMCI.

The Croydon Assessment of Learning Study: Prevalence and Educational Identification of Mild Mental Retardation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simonoff, Emily; Pickles, Andrew; Chadwick, Oliver; Gringras, Paul; Wood, Nicky; Higgins, Siobhan; Maney, Julie-Ann; Karia, Nisha; Iqbal, Huma; Moore, Anne

2006-01-01

Background: Mild mental retardation is an enduring and impairing condition. Its prevalence has varied widely across different studies from 0.5 to over 8%, with higher rates in completely ascertained samples. The current study estimates the prevalence of low IQ in the mental retardation range (intellectual disability) in a population sample and…

The Effect of Asymmetrical Signal Degradation on Binaural Speech Recognition in Children and Adults.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rothpletz, Ann M.; Tharpe, Anne Marie; Grantham, D. Wesley

2004-01-01

To determine the effect of asymmetrical signal degradation on binaural speech recognition, 28 children and 14 adults were administered a sentence recognition task amidst multitalker babble. There were 3 listening conditions: (a) monaural, with mild degradation in 1 ear; (b) binaural, with mild degradation in both ears (symmetric degradation); and…

People with Mild to Moderate Intellectual Disability Talking about Their Diabetes and How They Manage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cardol, M.; Rijken, M.; van Schrojenstein Lantman-de Valk, H.

2012-01-01

Background: The prevalence of diabetes is relatively high in people with intellectual disability (ID). However, little is known about how people with ID experience having diabetes and how they manage the condition. Method: Seventeen people with mild to moderate ID who have diabetes were interviewed. A framework on illness perceptions having an…

Green and Mild Oxidation: An Efficient Strategy toward Water-Dispersible Graphene.

PubMed

You, Xiaofei; Yang, Siwei; Li, Jipeng; Deng, Yuan; Dai, Lianqi; Peng, Xiong; Huang, Haoguang; Sun, Jing; Wang, Gang; He, Peng; Ding, Guqiao; Xie, Xiaoming

2017-01-25

Scalable fabrication of water-dispersible graphene (W-Gr) is highly desirable yet technically challenging for most practical applications of graphene. Herein, a green and mild oxidation strategy to prepare bulk W-Gr (dispersion, slurry, and powder) with high yield was proposed by fully exploiting structure defects of thermally reduced graphene oxide (TRGO) and oxidizing radicals generated from hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Owing to the increased carboxyl group from the mild oxidation process, the obtained W-Gr can be redispersed in low-boiling solvents with a reasonable concentration. Benefiting from the modified surface chemistry, macroscopic samples processed from the W-Gr show good hydrophilicity (water contact angle of 55.7°) and excellent biocompatibility, which is expected to be an alternative biomaterial for bone, vessel, and skin regeneration. In addition, the green and mild oxidation strategy is also proven to be effective for dispersing other carbon nanomaterials in a water system.

The Effects and Meanings of Receiving a Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer’s Disease When One Lives Alone

PubMed Central

Portacolone, Elena; Johnson, Julene K.; Covinsky, Kenneth E.; Halpern, Jodi; Rubinstein, Robert L.

2018-01-01

Background One third of older adults with cognitive impairment live alone and are at high risk for poor health outcomes. Little is known about how older adults who live alone experience the process of receiving a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective The aim of this study was to understand the effects and meanings of receiving a diagnosis of MCI or AD on the lived experience of older adults living alone. Methods This is a qualitative study of adults age 65 and over living alone with cognitive impairment. Participants’ lived experiences were elicited through ethnographic interviews and participant observation in their homes. Using a qualitative content analysis approach, interview transcripts and fieldnotes were analyzed to identify codes and themes. Results Twenty-nine older adults and 6 members of their social circles completed 114 ethnographic interviews. Core themes included: relief, distress, ambiguous recollections, and not knowing what to do. Participants sometimes felt uplifted and relieved by the diagnostic process. Some participants did not mention having received a diagnosis or had only partial recollections about it. Participants reported that, as time passed, they did not know what to do with regard to the treatment of their condition. Sometimes they also did not know how to prepare for a likely worsening of their condition, which they would experience while living alone. Conclusion Findings suggest the need for more tailored care and follow-up as soon as MCI or AD is diagnosed in persons living alone. PMID:29376864

Prospective memory performance in individuals with Parkinson's disease who have mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Costa, Alberto; Peppe, Antonella; Zabberoni, Silvia; Serafini, Francesca; Barban, Francesco; Scalici, Francesco; Caltagirone, Carlo; Carlesimo, Giovanni Augusto

2015-09-01

Prospective memory (PM) is the ability to keep in memory and realize future intentions. We aimed at investigating whether in Parkinson's disease (PD) PM deficits are related to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Other aims were to investigate the cognitive abilities underlying PM performance, and the association between PM performance and measures of daily living functioning. The study included 15 PD patients with single domain MCI, 15 with multiple domain MCI, 17 PD patients without cognitive disorders (PDNC) and 25 healthy controls (HCs). All subjects were administered a PM procedure that included focal (PM cue is processed in the ongoing task) and nonfocal (PM cue is not processed in the ongoing task) conditions. PD patients were administered an extensive neuropsychological battery and scales to assess daily living abilities. PD patients with MCI (both single and multiple domains) showed lower accuracy on all PM conditions than both HC and PDNC patients. This was predicted by their scores on shifting indices. Conversely, PM accuracy of PDNC patients was comparable to HCs. Regression analyses revealed that PD patients' PM performance significantly predicted scores on daily living scales Conclusions: Results suggest that PM efficiency is not tout-court reduced in PD patients, but it specifically depends on the presence of MCI. Moreover, decreased executive functioning, but not episodic memory failure, accounts for a significant proportion of variance in PM performance. Finally, PM accuracy indices were found to be associated with measures of global daily living functioning and management of medication. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

A mild thermomechanical process for the enzymatic conversion of radiata pine into fermentable sugars and lignin.

PubMed

Suckling, Ian D; Jack, Michael W; Lloyd, John A; Murton, Karl D; Newman, Roger H; Stuthridge, Trevor R; Torr, Kirk M; Vaidya, Alankar A

2017-01-01

Conversion of softwoods into sustainable fuels and chemicals is important for parts of the world where softwoods are the dominant forest species. While they have high theoretical sugar yields, softwoods are amongst the most recalcitrant feedstocks for enzymatic processes, typically requiring both more severe pretreatment conditions and higher enzyme doses than needed for other lignocellulosic feedstocks. Although a number of processes have been proposed for converting softwoods into sugars suitable for fuel and chemical production, there is still a need for a high-yielding, industrially scalable and cost-effective conversion route. We summarise work leading to the development of an efficient process for the enzymatic conversion of radiata pine ( Pinus radiata ) into wood sugars. The process involves initial pressurised steaming of wood chips under relatively mild conditions (173 °C for 3-72 min) without added acid catalyst. The steamed chips then pass through a compression screw to squeeze out a pressate rich in solubilised hemicelluloses. The pressed chips are disc-refined and wet ball-milled to produce a substrate which is rapidly saccharified using commercially available enzyme cocktails. Adding 0.1% polyethylene glycol during saccharification was found to be particularly effective with these substrates, reducing enzyme usage to acceptable levels, e.g. 5 FPU/g OD substrate. The pressate is separately hydrolysed using acid, providing additional hemicellulose-derived sugars, for an overall sugar yield of 535 kg/ODT chips (76% of theoretical). The total pretreatment energy input is comparable to other processes, with the additional energy for attrition being balanced by a lower thermal energy requirement. This pretreatment strategy produces substrates with low levels of fermentation inhibitors, so the glucose-rich mainline and pressate syrups can be fermented to ethanol without detoxification. The lignin from the process remains comparatively unmodified, as evident from the level of retained β-ether interunit linkages, providing an opportunity for conversion into saleable co-products. This process is an efficient route for the enzymatic conversion of radiata pine, and potentially other softwoods, into a sugar syrup suitable for conversion into fuels and chemicals. Furthermore, the process uses standard equipment that is largely proven at commercial scale, de-risking process scale-up.

Cognition in older patients with multiple sclerosis compared to patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and healthy older adults.

PubMed

Roth, Alexandra K; Denney, Douglas R; Burns, Jeffrey M; Lynch, Sharon G

2018-06-25

Progress in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has resulted in larger numbers of patients living to an advanced age, but little is known about the cognitive status of these individuals. The primary purpose of this study was to identify differences in the cognitive performance between elderly individuals with MS and those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Three groups ranging in age from 60 to 80 were compared: patients with MS (n = 64), patients with aMCI (n = 58), and healthy adults (n = 70). All participants completed a standard neuropsychological test battery that evaluated domains of attention, processing speed, executive function, memory, language, and visual spatial function. Compared to age- and gender-matched healthy controls, elderly MS patients exhibited a pattern of cognitive impairment centering on information processing speed and memory that was consistent with the deficits observed in other studies of MS patients regardless of age. Compared to aMCI patients, the MS patients exhibited worse performance on measures of processing speed, but better performance on a measure of memory under cued conditions (Selective Reminding Test), a nonspeeded measure of language (Boston Naming Test), and measures of executive function with processing speed statistically controlled (Trail Making Test, Stroop Test). Differences on neuropsychological measures can serve to distinguish aMCI from MS-related cognitive impairment in older patients, but it is essential that these measures control for the deficit in processing speed that is such a primary feature of MS. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Production of starch nanoparticles using normal maize starch via heat-moisture treatment under mildly acidic conditions and homogenization.

PubMed

Park, Eun Young; Kim, Min-Jung; Cho, MyoungLae; Lee, Ju Hun; Kim, Jong-Yea

2016-10-20

Normal maize starch was subjected to heat-moisture treatment (HMT) under mildly acidic conditions (0.000, 0.050, or 0.075M H2SO4) for various treatment times (3, 5, or 8h) followed by homogenization up to 60min to prepare nanoparticles. The combination of HMT (0.075M, for 8h) and homogenization (60min) produced nanoparticles with diameters of less than 50nm at a yield higher than 80%. X-ray diffractometry and size-exclusion chromatography revealed that HMT under mildly acidic conditions selectively hydrolyzed the starch chains (especially amylose and/or long chains of amylopectin) in the amorphous region of the granules without significant damage to the crystalline structure, however, modification of the molecular structure in the amorphous region increased fragility of the granules during homogenization. Homogenization for 60min caused obvious damage in the long-range crystalline structure of the HMT starch (0.15N, for 8h), while the short-range chain associations (FT-IR) remained intact. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A new and selective cycle for dehydrogenation of linear and cyclic alkanes under mild conditions using a base metal.

PubMed

Solowey, Douglas P; Mane, Manoj V; Kurogi, Takashi; Carroll, Patrick J; Manor, Brian C; Baik, Mu-Hyun; Mindiola, Daniel J

2017-11-01

Selectively converting linear alkanes to α-olefins under mild conditions is a highly desirable transformation given the abundance of alkanes as well as the use of olefins as building blocks in the chemical community. Until now, this reaction has been primarily the remit of noble-metal catalysts, despite extensive work showing that base-metal alkylidenes can mediate the reaction in a stoichiometric fashion. Here, we show how the presence of a hydrogen acceptor, such as the phosphorus ylide, when combined with the alkylidene complex (PNP)Ti=CH t Bu(CH 3 ) (PNP=N[2-P(CHMe 2 ) 2 -4-methylphenyl] 2 - ), catalyses the dehydrogenation of cycloalkanes to cyclic alkenes, and linear alkanes with chain lengths of C 4 to C 8 to terminal olefins under mild conditions. This Article represents the first example of a homogeneous and selective alkane dehydrogenation reaction using a base-metal titanium catalyst. We also propose a unique mechanism for the transfer dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons to olefins and discuss a complete cycle based on a combined experimental and computational study.

A new and selective cycle for dehydrogenation of linear and cyclic alkanes under mild conditions using a base metal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solowey, Douglas P.; Mane, Manoj V.; Kurogi, Takashi; Carroll, Patrick J.; Manor, Brian C.; Baik, Mu-Hyun; Mindiola, Daniel J.

2017-11-01

Selectively converting linear alkanes to α-olefins under mild conditions is a highly desirable transformation given the abundance of alkanes as well as the use of olefins as building blocks in the chemical community. Until now, this reaction has been primarily the remit of noble-metal catalysts, despite extensive work showing that base-metal alkylidenes can mediate the reaction in a stoichiometric fashion. Here, we show how the presence of a hydrogen acceptor, such as the phosphorus ylide, when combined with the alkylidene complex (PNP)Ti=CHtBu(CH3) (PNP=N[2-P(CHMe2)2-4-methylphenyl]2-), catalyses the dehydrogenation of cycloalkanes to cyclic alkenes, and linear alkanes with chain lengths of C4 to C8 to terminal olefins under mild conditions. This Article represents the first example of a homogeneous and selective alkane dehydrogenation reaction using a base-metal titanium catalyst. We also propose a unique mechanism for the transfer dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons to olefins and discuss a complete cycle based on a combined experimental and computational study.

Is nucleophilic cleavage chemistry practical for 4-membered heterocycles?

PubMed

Banks, Harold D

2009-11-07

A computational study at the MP2(Full)/6-311++G(d,p)//MP2(Full)/6-31+G(d) level of the ammonolysis of halogen substituted azetidines, oxetanes and thietanes was performed in the gas phase and in the commonly used solvent, acetonitrile. Using the free energy of activation of a benchmark reaction for evaluation of synthetic viability, several haloazetidines and oxetanes that possessed the required reactivity were identified; however, no substituted thietane investigated herein was determined to be synthetically useful under the mild conditions selected for this study. In the case of the azetidines, the side reaction of displacement of halide ion was determined to be the preferred reaction course in acetonitrile; however, the amino product of the reactions of the 2-haloazetidines cleaved at an acceptable rate under mild conditions. For the oxetane derivatives investigated, 2-fluorooxetane proved to be a direct source of ring cleavage product. Nucleophilic cleavage of halogen-substituted azetidines and oxetanes is predicted to be a viable source of functionalized three-carbon moieties under mild conditions in organic synthesis.

Lipid peroxidation in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes: effect on functional and biophysical properties.

PubMed

Dinis, T C; Almeida, L M; Madeira, V M

1993-03-01

The fluorescent polyunsaturated parinaric acid (PnA) incorporated in sarcoplasmic reticulum membranes (SR) was used to probe the initial stages of membrane lipid peroxidation. The experimental set up of the PnA assay was investigated by means of several peroxidation initiators to ascertain peroxidation conditions. This assay in SR is particularly useful to evaluate the membrane susceptibility to peroxidation and to ascertain suitable conditions (concentration of initiators and cofactors) to challenge peroxidation in each preparation under study. On the basis of the PnA assay, Fe2+/ascorbate was selected among the different initiator systems to assess the effect of lipid peroxidation upon biochemical and biophysical parameters of SR membranes. Under mildly controlled conditions at 25 degrees C, the lipid degradative process, as detected by fatty acid analysis, decreases the Ca2+ uptake (up to about 50% of control) and reduces the Ca2+ pump efficiency (Ca2+/ATP ratio) up to about 58% of control, without inactivation the ATPase enzyme turnover. The effect of lipid peroxidation on the SR bilayer organization is dependent either on the extent of lipid peroxidation or on the depth of the bilayer as probed by fluorescence polarization of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and by intramolecular excimerization of 1,3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane. It is concluded that the effect of mild lipid peroxidation on Ca2+ pump activity is partially exerted through the alteration of physical properties in the lipid phase or lipid-protein interfaces.

Impaired information sampling in mild dementia of Alzheimer's type but not in healthy aging.

PubMed

Zamarian, Laura; Benke, Thomas; Brand, Matthias; Djamshidian, Atbin; Delazer, Margarete

2015-05-01

It is unknown whether aging affects predecisional processing, that is, gathering information and evaluating options before making a decision. Here, we investigated information sampling in mild Dementia of Alzheimer's type (DAT) and healthy aging by using the Information Sampling Task (IST). In a first investigation, we compared patients with mild DAT (n = 20) with healthy controls (n = 20) on the IST and several neuropsychological background tests. In a second investigation, healthy older adults (n = 30) were compared with younger adults (n = 30) on the IST and executive-function tasks. Results of the first investigation demonstrated that, in the IST, patients gathered significantly less information, made riskier and less accurate decisions, and showed less reward sensitivity relative to controls. We found a significant correlation between performance on the IST and performance on tests of verbal fluency, working memory, and recognition in patients but not in controls. Results of the second investigation indicated a largely similar performance pattern between healthy older adults and younger adults. There were no significant correlations for both groups between the IST and executive-function tasks. There are no relevant changes with healthy aging in predecisional processing. In contrast, mild DAT significantly affects predecisional information sampling. Thus, the problems shown in patients with mild DAT in decision making might be related to the patients' difficulties in predecisional processing. Decision-making performance in mild DAT might be improved by helping the patients at a predecisional stage to gather sufficient information and evaluate options more accurately. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Non-enzymatic cyclization of creatine ethyl ester to creatinine.

PubMed

Giese, Matthew W; Lecher, Carl S

2009-10-16

Creatine ethyl ester was incubated at 37 degrees C in both water and phosphate-buffered saline and the diagnostic methylene resonances in the (1)H NMR spectrum were used to identify the resultant products. It was found that mild aqueous conditions result in the cyclization of creatine ethyl ester to provide inactive creatinine as the exclusive product, and this transformation becomes nearly instantaneous as the pH approaches 7.4. This study demonstrates that mild non-enzymatic conditions are sufficient for the cyclization of creatine ethyl ester into creatinine, and together with previous results obtained under enzymatic conditions suggests that there are no physiological conditions that would result in the production of creatine. It is concluded that creatine ethyl ester is a pronutrient for creatinine rather than creatine under all physiological conditions encountered during transit through the various tissues, thus no ergogenic effect is to be expected from supplementation.

Synthesis and luminescent properties of uniform monodisperse LuPO4:Eu3+/Tb3+ hollow microspheres

PubMed Central

Gao, Yu; Yu, He; Shi, Cheng; Zhao, Guiyan; Bi, Yanfeng; Ding, Fu; Sun, Yaguang; Xu, Zhenhe

2017-01-01

Uniform monodisperse LuPO4:Eu3+/Tb3+ hollow microspheres with diameters of about 2.4 µm have been successfully synthesized by the combination of a facile homogeneous precipitation approach, an ion-exchange process and a calcination process. The possible formation mechanism for the hollow microspheres was presented. Furthermore, the luminescence properties revealed that the LuPO4:Eu3+ and LuPO4:Tb3+ phosphors show strong orange-red and green emissions under ultraviolet excitation, respectively, which endows this material with potential application in many fields, such as light display systems and optoelectronic devices. Since the synthetic process can be carried out at mild conditions, it should be straightforward to scale up the entire process for large-scale production of the LuPO4 hollow microspheres. Furthermore, this general and simple method may be of much significance in the synthesis of many other inorganic materials. PMID:29308268

Synthesis and luminescent properties of uniform monodisperse LuPO4:Eu3+/Tb3+ hollow microspheres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yu; Yu, He; Shi, Cheng; Zhao, Guiyan; Bi, Yanfeng; Xu, Baotong; Ding, Fu; Sun, Yaguang; Xu, Zhenhe

2017-12-01

Uniform monodisperse LuPO4:Eu3+/Tb3+ hollow microspheres with diameters of about 2.4 µm have been successfully synthesized by the combination of a facile homogeneous precipitation approach, an ion-exchange process and a calcination process. The possible formation mechanism for the hollow microspheres was presented. Furthermore, the luminescence properties revealed that the LuPO4:Eu3+ and LuPO4:Tb3+ phosphors show strong orange-red and green emissions under ultraviolet excitation, respectively, which endows this material with potential application in many fields, such as light display systems and optoelectronic devices. Since the synthetic process can be carried out at mild conditions, it should be straightforward to scale up the entire process for large-scale production of the LuPO4 hollow microspheres. Furthermore, this general and simple method may be of much significance in the synthesis of many other inorganic materials.

On convergence of the unscented Kalman-Bucy filter using contraction theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maree, J. P.; Imsland, L.; Jouffroy, J.

2016-06-01

Contraction theory entails a theoretical framework in which convergence of a nonlinear system can be analysed differentially in an appropriate contraction metric. This paper is concerned with utilising stochastic contraction theory to conclude on exponential convergence of the unscented Kalman-Bucy filter. The underlying process and measurement models of interest are Itô-type stochastic differential equations. In particular, statistical linearisation techniques are employed in a virtual-actual systems framework to establish deterministic contraction of the estimated expected mean of process values. Under mild conditions of bounded process noise, we extend the results on deterministic contraction to stochastic contraction of the estimated expected mean of the process state. It follows that for the regions of contraction, a result on convergence, and thereby incremental stability, is concluded for the unscented Kalman-Bucy filter. The theoretical concepts are illustrated in two case studies.

Nutritional condition of Northern Yellowstone Elk

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cook, R.C.; Cook, J.G.; Mech, L.D.

2004-01-01

Ultrasonography and body condition scoring was used to estimate nutritional condition of northern Yellowstone elk in late winter. Probability of pregnancy was related to body fat, and lactating cows had 50% less fat than non-lactating cows. For mild to normal winters, most of the elk were in good condition.

Bioinspired Synthesis of Well-Ordered Layered Organic-Inorganic Nanohybrids: Mimicking the Natural Processing of Nacre by Mineralization of Block Copolymer Templates.

PubMed

Voet, Vincent S D; Kumar, Kamlesh; ten Brinke, Gerrit; Loos, Katja

2015-10-01

The unique mechanical performance of nacre, the pearly internal layer of shells, is highly dependent on its complex morphology. Inspired by the structure of nacre, the fabrication of well-ordered layered inorganic-organic nanohybrids is presented herein. This biomimetic approach includes the use of a block copolymer template, consisting of hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) lamellae covered with hydrophilic poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), to direct silica (SiO2 ) mineralization. The resulting PVDF/PMAA/SiO2 nanohybrid material resembles biogenic nacre with respect to its well-ordered and layered nanostructure, alternating organic-inorganic phases, macromolecular template, and mild processing conditions. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Impact of Moderate Heat, Carvacrol, and Thymol Treatments on the Viability, Injury, and Stress Response of Listeria monocytogenes

PubMed Central

Guevara, L.; Antolinos, V.; Palop, A.; Periago, P. M.

2015-01-01

The microbial safety and stability of minimally processed foods are based on the application of combined preservative factors. Since microorganisms are able to develop adaptive networks to survive under conditions of stress, food safety may be affected, and therefore understanding of stress adaptive mechanisms plays a key role in designing safe food processing conditions. In the present study, the viability and the sublethal injury of Listeria monocytogenes exposed to moderate heat (55°C) and/or essential oil compounds (carvacrol and thymol, 0.3 mM) treatments were studied. Synergistic effects were obtained when combining mild heat (55°C) with one or both essential oil compounds, leading to inactivation kinetics values three to four times lower than when using heat alone. All the treatments applied caused some injury in the population. The injury levels ranged from around 20% of the surviving population under the mildest conditions to more than 99.99% under the most stringent conditions. Protein extracts of cells exposed to these treatments were analysed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The results obtained revealed that stressed cells exhibited differential protein expression to control cells. The proteins upregulated under these stressing conditions were implicated, among other functions, in stress response, metabolism, and protein refolding. PMID:26539510

Effects of a Mindfulness-Based Smoking Cessation Program for an Adult with Mild Intellectual Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Singh, Nirbhay N.; Lancioni, Giulio E.; Winton, Alan S. W.; Singh, Ashvind N. A.; Singh, Judy; Singh, Angela D. A.

2011-01-01

Smoking is a major risk factor for a number of health conditions and many smokers find it difficult to quit smoking without specific interventions. We developed and used a mindfulness-based smoking cessation program with a 31-year-old man with mild intellectual disabilities who had been a smoker for 17 years. The mindfulness-based smoking…

Learning and using technology in intertwined processes: a study of people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Rosenberg, Lena; Nygård, Louise

2014-09-01

People with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease are likely to be challenged by the multitude of everyday technology in today's society. The aim of this study was to explore how they try to prohibit, avoid or solve problems in everyday technology use, maintain skills, and learn to use new technology. To explore how the participants applied and reasoned about using everyday technology in real-life situations interviews were conducted while the participants used their own technology in their homes. Interviews were conducted with 20 participants with mild cognitive impairment (n = 10) or Alzheimer's disease (n = 10). The analyses were inspired from grounded theory and resulted in one core category and three sub-categories that represent sub-processes in the core. The core finding presents a continuous, intertwined process of learning and using everyday technology, highlighting how the context was interwoven in the processes. The participants used a rich variety of management strategies when approaching technology, including communication with the everyday technologies on different levels. The findings underscore that it is important to support continued use of everyday technology as long as it is valued and relevant to the person with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. The intertwined process of learning and using everyday technology suggests how support could target different sub-processes. © The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

Serious games for screening pre-dementia conditions: from virtuality to reality? A pilot project.

PubMed

Zucchella, Chiara; Sinforiani, Elena; Tassorelli, Cristina; Cavallini, Elena; Tost-Pardell, Daniela; Grau, Sergi; Pazzi, Stefania; Puricelli, Stefano; Bernini, Sara; Bottiroli, Sara; Vecchi, Tomaso; Sandrini, Giorgio; Nappi, Giuseppe

2014-01-01

Conventional cognitive assessment is based on a pencil-and-paper neuropsychological evaluation, which is time consuming, expensive and requires the involvement of several professionals. Information and communication technology could be exploited to allow the development of tools that are easy to use, reduce the amount of data processing, and provide controllable test conditions. Serious games (SGs) have the potential to be new and effective tools in the management and treatment of cognitive impairments Serious games for screening pre-dementia conditions: from virtuality to reality? A pilot project in the elderly. Moreover, by adopting SGs in 3D virtual reality settings, cognitive functions might be evaluated using tasks that simulate daily activities, increasing the "ecological validity" of the assessment. In this commentary we report our experience in the creation of the Smart Aging platform, a 3D SGand virtual environment-based platform for the early identification and characterization of mild cognitive impairment.

Adaptive and maladaptive responses in skin: mild heat exposure protects against UVB-induced photoaging in mice.

PubMed

Haarmann-Stemmann, Thomas; Boege, Fritz; Krutmann, Jean

2013-04-01

In this issue, Matsuda et al. demonstrate the protective effect of mild heat preconditioning on UVB-induced photoaging in SKH-1 hairless mice. Mild heat exposure stimulates the upregulation of HSP70 chaperones, which inhibit the activities of matrix-degenerating enzymes, thereby avoiding wrinkle formation. This newly identified heat-mediated process of adaptation to UVB radiation exposure opens new opportunities to slow extrinsic skin aging.

Seasonal cycling of sulfur and iron in porewaters of a Delaware salt marsh

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Luther, George W., III; Church, Thomas M.

1987-01-01

An extensive pore water data set has been gathered in the Great Marsh, Delaware over various seasons, salinities, and tides. The data all point to a complimentary redox cycle for sulfur and iron which operates seasonally and tidally. Surface oxidizing conditions prevail in summer, with more reducing conditions at depth during the winter. During the spring tides which flood the marsh, pyrite oxidation occurs releasing excess dissolved iron (II) and sulfate to the porewaters, and precipitating authigenic solid iron phases. The redox conditions in the porewaters of the upper zone during the summer is poised between mildly oxidizing and mildly reducing conditions as shown by pE calculations. This redox environment and intermediate iron-sulfur redox species may be important for the stimulation of plant growth (photosynthesis) and sustenance of a viable microbial community (heterotrophy and chemoautropy).

Synthesis and Late-Stage Functionalization of Complex Molecules through C–H Fluorination and Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

We report the late-stage functionalization of multisubstituted pyridines and diazines at the position α to nitrogen. By this process, a series of functional groups and substituents bound to the ring through nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, or carbon are installed. This functionalization is accomplished by a combination of fluorination and nucleophilic aromatic substitution of the installed fluoride. A diverse array of functionalities can be installed because of the mild reaction conditions revealed for nucleophilic aromatic substitutions (SNAr) of the 2-fluoroheteroarenes. An evaluation of the rates for substitution versus the rates for competitive processes provides a framework for planning this functionalization sequence. This process is illustrated by the modification of a series of medicinally important compounds, as well as the increase in efficiency of synthesis of several existing pharmaceuticals. PMID:24918484

Microwave assisted synthesis and characterisation of a zinc oxide/tobacco mosaic virus hybrid material. An active hybrid semiconductor in a field-effect transistor device.

PubMed

Sanctis, Shawn; Hoffmann, Rudolf C; Eiben, Sabine; Schneider, Jörg J

2015-01-01

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) has been employed as a robust functional template for the fabrication of a TMV/zinc oxide field effect transistor (FET). A microwave based approach, under mild conditions was employed to synthesize stable zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles, employing a molecular precursor. Insightful studies of the decomposition of the precursor were done using NMR spectroscopy and material characterization of the hybrid material derived from the decomposition was achieved using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), grazing incidence X-ray diffractometry (GI-XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). TEM and DLS data confirm the formation of crystalline ZnO nanoparticles tethered on top of the virus template. GI-XRD investigations exhibit an orientated nature of the deposited ZnO film along the c-axis. FET devices fabricated using the zinc oxide mineralized virus template material demonstrates an operational transistor performance which was achieved without any high-temperature post-processing steps. Moreover, a further improvement in FET performance was observed by adjusting an optimal layer thickness of the deposited ZnO on top of the TMV. Such a bio-inorganic nanocomposite semiconductor material accessible using a mild and straightforward microwave processing technique could open up new future avenues within the field of bio-electronics.

Phosphate Activation via Reduced Oxidation State Phosphorus (P). Mild Routes to Condensed-P Energy Currency Molecules

PubMed Central

Kee, Terence P.; Bryant, David E.; Herschy, Barry; Marriott, Katie E. R.; Cosgrove, Nichola E.; Pasek, Matthew A.; Atlas, Zachary D.; Cousins, Claire R.

2013-01-01

The emergence of mechanisms for phosphorylating organic and inorganic molecules is a key step en route to the earliest living systems. At the heart of all contemporary biochemical systems reside reactive phosphorus (P) molecules (such as adenosine triphosphate, ATP) as energy currency molecules to drive endergonic metabolic processes and it has been proposed that a predecessor of such molecules could have been pyrophosphate [P2O74−; PPi(V)]. Arguably the most geologically plausible route to PPi(V) is dehydration of orthophosphate, Pi(V), normally a highly endergonic process in the absence of mechanisms for activating Pi(V). One possible solution to this problem recognizes the presence of reactive-P containing mineral phases, such as schreibersite [(Fe,Ni)3P] within meteorites whose abundance on the early Earth would likely have been significant during a putative Hadean-Archean heavy bombardment. Here, we propose that the reduced oxidation state P-oxyacid, H-phosphite [HPO32−; Pi(III)] could have activated Pi(V) towards condensation via the intermediacy of the condensed oxyacid pyrophosphite [H2P2O52−; PPi(III)]. We provide geologically plausible provenance for PPi(III) along with evidence of its ability to activate Pi(V) towards PPi(V) formation under mild conditions (80 °C) in water. PMID:25369812

Direct high-pressure NMR observation of dipicolinic acid leaking from bacterial spore: A crucial step for thermal inactivation.

PubMed

Akasaka, Kazuyuki; Maeno, Akihiro; Yamazaki, Akira

2017-12-01

A bacterial spore protects itself with an unusually high concentration (~10% in dry weight of spore) of dipicolinic acid (DPA), the release of which is considered the crucial step for inactivating it under mild pressure and temperature conditions. However, the process of how the spore releases DPA in response to pressure remains obscure. Here we apply 1 H high-resolution high-pressure NMR spectroscopy, for the first time, to the spore suspension of Bacillus subtilis natto and monitor directly and in real-time the leaking process of DPA in response to pressure of 200MPa at 20°C. We find that about one third of the total DPA leaks immediately upon applying pressure, but that the rest leaks slowly in hrs upon decreasing the pressure. Once DPA is fully released from the spore, the proteins of the spore become easily denatured at a mild temperature, e.g., 80°C, much below the temperature commonly used to inactivate spores (121°C). The success of the present experiment opens a new avenue for studying bacterial spores and cells at the molecular level in response to pressure, temperature and other perturbations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Destination memory in Alzheimer's Disease: when I imagine telling Ronald Reagan about Paris.

PubMed

El Haj, Mohamad; Postal, Virginie; Allain, Philippe

2013-01-01

Destination memory refers to remembering the destination of information that people output. This present paper establishes a new distinction between external and internal processes within this memory system for both normal aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Young adults, older adults, and mild AD patients were asked either to tell facts (i.e., external destination memory condition) or to imagine telling facts (i.e., internal destination memory condition) to pictures of famous people. The experiment established three major findings. First, the destination memory performance of the AD patients was significantly poorer than that of older adults, which in turn was poorer than that of the young adults. Furthermore, internal destination processes were more prone to being forgotten than external destination memory processes. In other words, participants had more difficulty in remembering whether they had previously imagined telling the facts to the pictures or not (i.e., imagined condition) than in remembering whether they had previously told the facts to the pictures or not (i.e., enacted condition). Second, significant correlations were detected between performances on destination memory and several executive measures such as the Stroop, the Plus-Minus and the Binding tasks. Third, among the executive measures, regression analyses showed that performance on the Stroop task was a main factor in explaining variance in destination memory performance. Our findings reflect the difficulty in remembering the destination of internally generated information. They also demonstrate the involvement of inhibitory processes in destination memory. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Treat-early and treat-mild: role of fast vs. slow escalation of headaches.

PubMed

Ng-Mak, D S; Ma, L; Hu, X H; Chen, Y-T

2009-04-01

This prospective, multi-center, observational study aimed to examine patients' early treatment decision process. Specifically, we assessed if the association between mild headache pain at treatment initiation and early treatment differed by the speed of headache escalation. Patients (n = 168) were instructed to collect information on their headache experience during the study period via an electronic diary over 30 consecutive days after enrollment. At the time of treatment, patients who treated early were 2.3 times as likely to experience mild headache pain as those who treated late. Controlling for the effect of escalation of headache, patients who treated early were three times as likely to report mild headache pain at dosing as those who treated late. The interaction between fast escalation of headache and mild pain was not statistically significant. Early treatment is associated with mild pain, regardless of the speed of headache escalation.

BF3·Et2O-promoted cleavage of the Csp-Csp2 bond of 2-propynolphenols/anilines: route to C2-alkenylated benzoxazoles and benzimidazoles.

PubMed

Song, Xian-Rong; Qiu, Yi-Feng; Song, Bo; Hao, Xin-Hua; Han, Ya-Ping; Gao, Pin; Liu, Xue-Yuan; Liang, Yong-Min

2015-02-20

A novel BF3·Et2O-promoted tandem reaction of easily prepared 2-propynolphenols/anilines and trimethylsilyl azide is developed to give C2-alkenylated benzoxazoles and benzimidazoles in moderate to good yields. Most reactions could be accomplished in 30 min at room temperature. This tandem process involves a Csp-Csp2 bond cleavage and a C-N bond formation. Moreover, both tertiary and secondary propargylic alcohols with diverse functional groups were tolerated under the mild conditions.

Tandem catalytic allylic amination and [2,3]-Stevens rearrangement of tertiary amines.

PubMed

Soheili, Arash; Tambar, Uttam K

2011-08-24

We have developed a catalytic allylic amination involving tertiary aminoesters and allylcarbonates, which is the first example of the use of tertiary amines as intermolecular nucleophiles in metal-catalyzed allylic substitution chemistry. This process is employed in a tandem ammonium ylide generation/[2,3]-rearrangement reaction, which formally represents a palladium-catalyzed Stevens rearrangement. Low catalyst loadings and mild reaction conditions are compatible with an unprecedented substrate scope for the ammonium ylide functionality, and products are generated in high yields and diastereoselectivities. Mechanistic studies suggested the reversible formation of an ammonium intermediate.

Immobilized lipid-bilayer materials

DOEpatents

Sasaki, Darryl Y.; Loy, Douglas A.; Yamanaka, Stacey A.

2000-01-01

A method for preparing encapsulated lipid-bilayer materials in a silica matrix comprising preparing a silica sol, mixing a lipid-bilayer material in the silica sol and allowing the mixture to gel to form the encapsulated lipid-bilayer material. The mild processing conditions allow quantitative entrapment of pre-formed lipid-bilayer materials without modification to the material's spectral characteristics. The method allows for the immobilization of lipid membranes to surfaces. The encapsulated lipid-bilayer materials perform as sensitive optical sensors for the detection of analytes such as heavy metal ions and can be used as drug delivery systems and as separation devices.

Domino-Fluorination-Protodefluorination Enables Decarboxylative Cross-Coupling of α-Oxocarboxylic Acids with Styrene via Photoredox Catalysis.

PubMed

Zhang, Muliang; Xi, Junwei; Ruzi, Rehanguli; Li, Nan; Wu, Zhongkai; Li, Weipeng; Zhu, Chengjian

2017-09-15

Domino-fluorination-protodefluorination decarboxylative cross-coupling of α-keto acids with styrene has been developed via photoredox catalysis. The critical part of this strategy is the formation of the carbon-fluorine (C-F) bond by the capture of a carbon-centered radical intermediate, which will overcome side reactions during the styrene radical functionalization process. Experimental studies have provided evidence indicating a domino-fluorination-protodefluorination pathway with α-keto acid initiating the photoredox cycle. The present catalytic protocol also affords a novel approach for the construction of α,β-unsaturated ketones under mild conditions.

[Self-treatment with baking soda can lead to severe metabolic alkalosis].

PubMed

Jensen, Sara; Skriver, Signe

2014-12-15

This case report describes a 66-year-old man, previously healthy besides mild hypertension. He ingested a self-made folk remedy consisting of baking soda and water against acid reflux in dosages that resulted in severe metabolic alkalosis (pH 7.8). Diagnosing and treating MA is easy and cheap, but if the condition is not treated, consequences can be severe. The challenge is to uncover patients' use of non prescription medications and folk remedies in the diagnostic process. Having this information it is possible to prevent MA in both high- and low-risk patients.

Forging Fluorine-Containing Quaternary Stereocenters by a Light-Driven Organocatalytic Aldol Desymmetrization Process.

PubMed

Cuadros, Sara; Dell'Amico, Luca; Melchiorre, Paolo

2017-09-18

Reported herein is a light-triggered organocatalytic strategy for the desymmetrization of achiral 2-fluoro-substituted cyclopentane-1,3-diketones. The chemistry is based on an intermolecular aldol reaction of photochemically generated hydroxy-o-quinodimethanes and simultaneously forges two adjacent fully substituted carbon stereocenters, with one bearing a stereogenic carbon-fluorine unit. The method uses readily available substrates, a simple chiral organocatalyst, and mild reaction conditions to afford an array of highly functionalized chiral 2-fluoro-3-hydroxycyclopentanones. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.

Influence of Impact Conditions on Feedstock Deposition Behavior of Cold-Sprayed Fe-Based Metallic Glass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziemian, Constance W.; Wright, Wendelin J.; Cipoletti, David E.

2018-05-01

Cold spray is a promising method by which to deposit dense Fe-based metallic glass coatings on conventional metal substrates. Relatively low process temperatures offer the potential to prevent the crystallization of amorphous feedstock powders while still providing adequate particle softening for bonding and coating formation. In this study, Fe48Mo14Cr15Y2C15B6 powder was sprayed onto a mild steel substrate, using a variety of process conditions, to investigate the feasibility of forming well-bonded amorphous Fe-based coatings. Particle splat adhesion was examined relative to impact conditions, and the limiting values of temperature and velocity associated with successful softening and adhesion were empirically established. Variability of particle sizes, impact temperatures, and impact velocities resulted in splat morphologies ranging from well-adhered deformed particles to substrate craters formed by rebounded particles and a variety of particle/substrate interface conditions. Transmission electron microscopy studies revealed the presence of a thin oxide layer between well-adhered particles and the substrate, suggesting that bonding is feasible even with an increased oxygen content at the interface. Results indicate that the proper optimization of cold spray process parameters supports the formation of Fe-based metallic glass coatings that successfully retain their amorphous structure, as well as the superior corrosion and wear-resistant properties of the feedstock powder.

CFD Modeling of a Laser-Induced Ethane Pyrolysis in a Wall-less Reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stadnichenko, Olga; Snytnikov, Valeriy; Yang, Junfeng; Matar, Omar

2014-11-01

Ethylene, as the most important feedstock, is widely used in chemical industry to produce various rubbers, plastics and synthetics. A recent study found the IR-laser irradiation induced ethane pyrolysis yields 25% higher ethylene production rates compared to the conventional steam cracking method. Laser induced pyrolysis is initiated by the generation of radicals upon heating of the ethane, then, followed by ethane/ethylene autocatalytic reaction in which ethane is converted into ethylene and other light hydrocarbons. This procedure is governed by micro-mixing of reactants and the feedstock residence time in reactor. Under mild turbulent conditions, the turbulence enhances the micro-mixing process and allows a high yield of ethylene. On the other hand, the high flow rate only allows a short residence time in the reactor which causes incomplete pyrolysis. This work attempts to investigate the interaction between turbulence and ethane pyrolysis process using large eddy simulation method. The modelling results could be applied to optimize the reactor design and operating conditions. Skolkovo Foundation through the UNIHEAT Project.

Pd/Nb2O5/SiO2 catalyst for the direct hydrodeoxygenation of biomass-related compounds to liquid alkanes under mild conditions.

PubMed

Shao, Yi; Xia, Qineng; Liu, Xiaohui; Lu, Guanzhong; Wang, Yanqin

2015-05-22

A simple Pd-loaded Nb2 O5 /SiO2 catalyst was prepared for the hydrodeoxygenation of biomass-related compounds to alkanes under mild conditions. Niobium oxide dispersed in silica (Nb2 O5 /SiO2 ) as the support was prepared by the sol-gel method and characterized by various techniques, including N2 adsorption, XRD, NH3 temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), TEM, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) atomic mapping. The characterization results showed that the niobium oxide species were amorphous and well dispersed in silica. Compared to commercial Nb2 O5 , Nb2 O5 /SiO2 has significantly more active niobium oxide species exposed on the surface. Under mild conditions (170 °C, 2.5 MPa), Pd/10 %Nb2 O5 /SiO2 was effective for the hydrodeoxygenation reactions of 4-(2-furyl)-3-buten-2-one (aldol adduct of furfural with acetone), palmitic acid, tristearin, and diphenyl ether (model compounds of microalgae oils, vegetable oils, and lignin), which gave high yields (>94 %) of alkanes with little CC bond cleavage. More importantly, owing to the significant promotion effect of NbOx species on CO bond cleavage and the mild reaction conditions, the CC cleavage was considerably restrained, and the catalyst showed an excellent activity and stability for the hydrodeoxygenation of palmitic acid with almost no decrease in hexadecane yield (94-95 %) in a 150 h time-on-stream test. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Chemical Compositions of RV Tauri Stars and Related Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rao, S. S.; Giridhar, S.

2014-04-01

We have undertaken a comprehensive abundance analysis for a sample of relatively unexplored RV Tauri and RV Tauri like stars to further our understanding of post-Asymptotic Giant Branch (post-AGB) evolution. From our study based on high resolution spectra and a grid of model atmospheres, we find indications of mild s-processing for V820 Cen and IRAS 06165+3158. On the other hand, SU Gem and BT Lac exhibit the effects of mild dust-gas winnowing. We have also compiled the existing abundance data on RV Tauri objects and find that a large fraction of them are afflicted by dust-gas winnowing and aided by the present work, we find a small group of two RV Tauris showing mild s-process enhancement in our Galaxy. With two out of three reported s-process enhanced objects belonging to RV Tauri spectroscopic class C, these intrinsically metal-poor objects appear to be promising candidates to analyse the possible s-processing in RV Tauri stars.

Prediction of Bacillus weihenstephanensis acid resistance: the use of gene expression patterns to select potential biomarkers.

PubMed

Desriac, N; Postollec, F; Coroller, L; Sohier, D; Abee, T; den Besten, H M W

2013-10-01

Exposure to mild stress conditions can activate stress adaptation mechanisms and provide cross-resistance towards otherwise lethal stresses. In this study, an approach was followed to select molecular biomarkers (quantitative gene expressions) to predict induced acid resistance after exposure to various mild stresses, i.e. exposure to sublethal concentrations of salt, acid and hydrogen peroxide during 5 min to 60 min. Gene expression patterns of unstressed and mildly stressed cells of Bacillus weihenstephanensis were correlated to their acid resistance (3D value) which was estimated after exposure to lethal acid conditions. Among the twenty-nine candidate biomarkers, 12 genes showed expression patterns that were correlated either linearly or non-linearly to acid resistance, while for the 17 other genes the correlation remains to be determined. The selected genes represented two types of biomarkers, (i) four direct biomarker genes (lexA, spxA, narL, bkdR) for which expression patterns upon mild stress treatment were linearly correlated to induced acid resistance; and (ii) nine long-acting biomarker genes (spxA, BcerKBAB4_0325, katA, trxB, codY, lacI, BcerKBAB4_1716, BcerKBAB4_2108, relA) which were transiently up-regulated during mild stress exposure and correlated to increased acid resistance over time. Our results highlight that mild stress induced transcripts can be linearly or non-linearly correlated to induced acid resistance and both approaches can be used to find relevant biomarkers. This quantitative and systematic approach opens avenues to select cellular biomarkers that could be incremented in mathematical models to predict microbial behaviour. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Conditional Covariance Theory and Detect for Polytomous Items

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Jinming

2007-01-01

This paper extends the theory of conditional covariances to polytomous items. It has been proven that under some mild conditions, commonly assumed in the analysis of response data, the conditional covariance of two items, dichotomously or polytomously scored, given an appropriately chosen composite is positive if, and only if, the two items…

Periapical inflammation subsequent to coronal inoculation of dog teeth root filled with resilon/epiphany in 1 or 2 treatment sessions with chlorhexidine medication.

PubMed

Santos, João M; Palma, Paulo J; Ramos, João C; Cabrita, António S; Friedman, Shimon

2014-06-01

Therapeutic methods that inhibit microbial ingress into filled root canals are desirable. This in vivo study assessed the inhibition of periapical inflammation subsequent to coronal inoculation in canals medicated with 2% chlorhexidine gel and filled with Resilon/Epiphany (Pentron Clinical Technologies, Wallingford, CT). Six Beagle dogs each had 10 two-rooted premolars treated. In group 1 (n = 36 roots), 1 root/tooth had the canal conditioned with Primer Epiphany, filled with Epiphany sealer and Resilon core in 1 session, and coronally sealed with PhotacFil. In group 2 (n = 36 roots), the second root/tooth had the canal medicated with 2% chlorhexidine gel for 1 week and then filled and coronally sealed as in group 1. After 3 weeks, canals were exposed to the oral environment for 7 days, inoculated with isologous plaque, and coronally sealed. Negative controls treated as groups 1 and 2 remained sealed. Positive controls had canals unfilled and exposed. Seven months after inoculation, dogs were euthanized; jaw blocks processed for histologic examination; and periapical inflammation (PI) recorded as none, mild, or severe. In groups 1 and 2, severe PI occurred in 5 of 65 roots (8%) and mild PI in 18 of 65 roots (28%) with a significantly higher (P = .031) PI incidence in group 2 than in group 1. Negative controls had only mild PI in 9 of 29 roots (31%). Roots medicated with 2% chlorhexidine gel had mild PI significantly more (P = .009) than roots filled in 1 session (more than 2-fold). Intracanal medication with 2% chlorhexidine gel and root filling with Resilon/Epiphany did not effectively inhibit apical periodontitis subsequent to coronal inoculation. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Endodontists. All rights reserved.

[Treatment of patients with different degree of acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by inhalation of white smoke].

PubMed

Yang, F W; Xin, H M; Zhu, J H; Feng, X Y; Jiang, X C; Gong, Z Y; Tong, Y L

2017-12-20

Objective: To summarize the treatment experience of patients with different degree of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by inhalation of white smoke from burning smoke bomb. Methods: A batch of 13 patients with different degree of ARDS caused by inhalation of white smoke from burning smoke bomb, including 2 patients complicated by pulmonary fibrosis at the late stage, were admitted to our unit in February 2016. Patients were divided into mild (9 cases), moderate (2 cases), and serious (2 cases) degree according to the ARDS Berlin diagnostic criteria. Patients with mild and moderate ARDS were conventionally treated with glucocorticoid. Patients with severe ARDS were sequentially treated with glucocorticoid and pirfenidone, and ventilator-assisted breathing, etc. were applied. The vital signs, arterial oxygenation index, changes of lung imaging, pulmonary ventilation function, general condition, and the other important organs/systems function were timely monitored according to the condition of patients. The above indexes were also monitored during the follow-up time of 10-15 months post injury. Data were processed with SPSS 18.0 statistical software. Results: (1) The symptoms of respiratory system of patients with mild and moderate ARDS almost disappeared after 3 days' treatment. Their arterial oxygenation index was decreased from post injury day 1 to 4, which almost recovered on post injury day 7 and completely recovered one month post injury. The symptoms of respiratory system of patients with severe ARDS almost disappeared at tranquillization condition 1-3 month (s) post injury. Their arterial oxygenation index was decreased from post injury day 3 to 21, which gradually recovered 1-3 month (s) post injury and was normal 15 months post injury. (2) Within 24 hours post injury, there was no obvious abnormality or only a little texture enlargement of lung in image of chest CT or X-rays of patients with mild and moderate ARDS. One patient with moderate ARDS had diffuse patchy and ground-glass like increased density shadow (pulmonary exudation for short) at post injury hour 96. Chest iconography of all patients with mild and moderate ARDS showed no abnormalities 10 months post injury. Both lungs of each of the two patients with severe ARDS showed obvious pulmonary exudation at post injury hours 45 and 75, respectively. One patient with severe ARDS showed no abnormality in chest image 10 months post injury, but there was still a small mesh-like increased density shadow in double lobes with slight adhesion of pleura in the other patient with severe ARDS 15 months post injury. (3) All patients showed severe restrictive hypoventilation when admitted to hospital. Pulmonary ventilation function of patients with mild and moderate ARDS recovered to normal one month post injury, and they could do exercises like running, etc. Pulmonary ventilation function of one patient with severe ARDS recovered to normal 6 months post injury, and the patient could do exercises like running, etc. The other patient with severe ARDS showed mild restrictive hypoventilation 15 months post injury and could do exercises like rapid walking, etc. (4) The condition of all mild and one moderate ARDS patients was better on post injury day 3, and they were transferred to the local hospital for subsequent treatment and left hospital on post injury day 21. One patient with moderate ARDS healed and left hospital on post injury day 29. Patients with severe ARDS healed and left hospital on post injury day 81. During the follow-up time of 10-15 months post injury, the other important organs/systems of all patients showed no abnormality, and there was no adverse reaction of glucocorticoid like osteoporosis, femoral head necrosis, or metabolic disorder. Two patients with severe ARDS did not have any adverse reaction of pirfenidone like liver function damage, photosensitivity, anorexia, or lethargy. Conclusions: Early enough and uninterrupted application of glucocorticoid can significantly reduce the ARDS of patients caused by inhalation of white smoke from burning smoke bomb. Sequential application of glucocorticoid and pirfenidone can effectively treat pulmonary fibrosis at the late stage.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel organic corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmed, Mohammed H. Othman; Al-Amiery, Ahmed A.; Al-Majedy, Yasmin K.; Kadhum, Abdul Amir H.; Mohamad, Abu Bakar; Gaaz, Tayser Sumer

2018-03-01

The synthesis and characterization of a novel organic corrosion inhibitor (4-(3-mercapto-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4,5]tetrazin-6-yl)phenol), for mild steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) has been successfully reported for the first time. The inhibitor evaluated as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M of Hydrochloric acid solution using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM) measurement techniques. Changes in the impedance parameters suggested an adsorption of the inhibitor onto the mild steel surface, leading to the formation of protective films. The results show that the inhibition efficiencies increased with increasing the concentrations of the inhibitors and decreased with increasing temperature. The maximum inhibition efficiency up to 67% at the maximum concentration 0.5 mM. This shows that those inhibitors are effective in helping to reduce and slowing down the corrosion process that occurs to mild steel with a hydrochloric acid solution by providing an organic inhibitor for the mild steel that can be weakened by increasing the temperature. The adsorption process of the synthesized organic inhibitor depends on its electronic characteristics in addition to steric effects and the nature of metal surface, temperature degree and the varying degrees of surface-site activity. The synthesized inhibitor molecules were absorbed by metal surface and follow Langmuir isotherms.

Foundations of reading comprehension in children with intellectual disabilities.

PubMed

van Wingerden, Evelien; Segers, Eliane; van Balkom, Hans; Verhoeven, Ludo

2017-01-01

Knowledge about predictors for reading comprehension in children with intellectual disabilities (ID) is still fragmented. This study compared reading comprehension, word decoding, listening comprehension, and reading related linguistic and cognitive precursor measures in children with mild ID and typically developing controls. Moreover, it was explored how the precursors related to reading achievement. Children with mild ID and typical controls were assessed on reading comprehension, decoding, language comprehension, and linguistic (early literacy skills, vocabulary, grammar) and cognitive (rapid naming, phonological short-term memory, working memory, temporal processing, nonverbal reasoning) precursor measures. It was tested to what extent variations in reading comprehension could be explained from word decoding, listening comprehension and precursor measures. The ID group scored significantly below typical controls on all measures. Word decoding was at or above first grade level in half the ID group. Reading comprehension in the ID group was related to word decoding, listening comprehension, early literacy skills, and temporal processing. The reading comprehension profile of children with mild ID strongly resembles typical early readers. The simple view of reading pertains to children with mild ID, with additional influence of early literacy skills and temporal processing. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

UV/TiO₂ photocatalytic oxidation of recalcitrant organic matter: effect of salinity and pH.

PubMed

Muthukumaran, Shobha; Song, Lili; Zhu, Bo; Myat, Darli; Chen, Jin-Yuan; Gray, Stephen; Duke, Mikel

2014-01-01

Photocatalytic oxidation processes have interest for water treatment since these processes can remove recalcitrant organic compounds and operate at mild conditions of temperature and pressure. However, performance under saline conditions present in many water resources is not well known. This study aims to explore the basic effects of photocatalysis on the removal of organic matter in the presence of salt. A laboratory-scale photocatalytic reactor system, employing ultraviolet (UV)/titanium dioxide (TiO₂) photocatalysis was evaluated for its ability to remove the humic acid (HA) from saline water. The particle size and zeta potential of TiO₂ under different conditions including solution pH and sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations were characterized. The overall degradation of organics over the NaCl concentration range of 500-2,000 mg/L was found to be 80% of the non-saline equivalent after 180 min of the treatment. The results demonstrated that the adsorption of HA onto the TiO₂ particles was dependent on both the pH and salinity due to electrostatic interaction and highly unstable agglomerated dispersion. This result supports UV/TiO₂ as a viable means to remove organic compounds, but the presence of salt in waters to be treated will influence the performance of the photocatalytic oxidation process.

Dynamic learning from adaptive neural network control of a class of nonaffine nonlinear systems.

PubMed

Dai, Shi-Lu; Wang, Cong; Wang, Min

2014-01-01

This paper studies the problem of learning from adaptive neural network (NN) control of a class of nonaffine nonlinear systems in uncertain dynamic environments. In the control design process, a stable adaptive NN tracking control design technique is proposed for the nonaffine nonlinear systems with a mild assumption by combining a filtered tracking error with the implicit function theorem, input-to-state stability, and the small-gain theorem. The proposed stable control design technique not only overcomes the difficulty in controlling nonaffine nonlinear systems but also relaxes constraint conditions of the considered systems. In the learning process, the partial persistent excitation (PE) condition of radial basis function NNs is satisfied during tracking control to a recurrent reference trajectory. Under the PE condition and an appropriate state transformation, the proposed adaptive NN control is shown to be capable of acquiring knowledge on the implicit desired control input dynamics in the stable control process and of storing the learned knowledge in memory. Subsequently, an NN learning control design technique that effectively exploits the learned knowledge without re-adapting to the controller parameters is proposed to achieve closed-loop stability and improved control performance. Simulation studies are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed design techniques.

Mild and efficient molybdenum-mediated Pauson-Khand-type reaction.

PubMed

Adrio, Javier; Rivero, Marta Rodríguez; Carretero, Juan Carlos

2005-02-03

[reaction: see text] The molybdenum-mediated Pauson-Khand reaction promoted by Mo(CO)3(DMF)3 takes place under very mild conditions in the absence of any promoter. High yields in Pauson-Khand adducts are obtained in the cyclization of a wide variety of functionalized 1,6- and 1,7-enynes. Enynes bearing electron withdrawing groups at the alkene terminus are particularly good substrates.

Effects of Concept Mapping Instruction on the Vocabulary Acquisition Skills of Seventh-Graders with Mild Disabilities: A Replication Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palmer, Jessica; Boon, Richard T.; Spencer, Vicky G.

2014-01-01

The present investigation replicates and extends an earlier study comparing 2 conditions, a dictionary approach versus a concept mapping model, on the learning of vocabulary words among 4 students with mild disabilities (i.e., emotional and/or behavioral disorders and other health impairments) attending a middle school. An A-B-A-B design was used…

Efficient generation of perfluoroalkyl radicals from sodium perfluoroalkanesulfinates and a hypervalent iodine(iii) reagent: mild, metal-free synthesis of perfluoroalkylated organic molecules.

PubMed

Sakamoto, Ryu; Kashiwagi, Hirotaka; Selvakumar, Sermadurai; Moteki, Shin A; Maruoka, Keiji

2016-07-06

This article describes an efficient method for the introduction of perfluoroalkyl groups into N-acrylamides, 2-isocyanides, olefins, and other heterocycles using perfluoroalkyl radicals that were generated from the reaction between sodium perfluoroalkanesulfinates and a hypervalent iodine(iii) reagent. This approach represents a simple, scalable perfluoroalkylation method under mild and metal-free conditions.

Low-Dose and Standard Overnight and Low Dose-Two Day Dexamethasone Suppression Tests in Patients with Mild and/or Episodic Hypercortisolism.

PubMed

Mojtahedzadeh, Mona; Shaesteh, Nesyah; Haykani, Mastaneh; Tran, Jennifer L A; Mangubat, Michael; Shahinian, Hraya K; Nachnani, Rahul; Zopey, Mohan; Saidian, Jason; Thomas, Antolice; Lee, Martin L; McCutcheon, Ian E; Friedman, Theodore C

2018-06-01

We previously reported on the lack of utility of the 1 mg overnight dexamethasone (DEX) test in mild and/or periodic Cushing's syndrome, as most patients with the condition suppressed to 1 mg DEX. It is possible that a lower dose of DEX as part of an overnight DEX test might be able to distinguish between mild and/or periodic Cushing's syndrome and those without the condition. The objective of the current study is to determine the sensitivity and specificity of a 0.25 mg overnight DEX suppression test, the standard 1 mg overnight DEX suppression test, and the two-day low-dose (Liddle test) DEX suppression test with and without correction for DEX levels in patients evaluated for mild and/or periodic Cushing's syndrome. Thirty patients determined to have Cushing's syndrome by biochemical testing and 14 patients determined not to have the condition had the 0.25 mg and standard 1 mg overnight DEX suppression test and the two-day low-dose DEX suppression tests. Our results show that morning serum cortisol and cortisol/DEX ratios following an overnight dexamethasone suppression test were similar in patients with Cushing's syndrome and those not having Cushing's syndrome. However, a morning cortisol value above 7.6 μg/dl following a dose of DEX of 0.25 mg was found in 12 patients with Cushing's syndrome and none in those not having Cushing's syndrome, suggesting that a high cortisol value after this low dose of dexamethasone can indicate that further testing for Cushing's syndrome is warranted. Our data suggest that the traditional 1 mg overnight or the 2 mg/2 day DEX suppression testing should no longer be used as a screening test in patients who could have mild and/or periodic Cushing's syndrome, while the 0.25 mg dose of DEX may pick up some patients with mild Cushing's syndrome. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Long-term effectiveness of rivastigmine patch or capsule for mild-to-severe Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Su, Jiangli; Liu, Yang; Liu, Yu; Ren, Liqun

2015-01-01

To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of rivastigmine patch or capsule on mild to severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). We performed a meta-analysis of 17 studies regarding the treatment effectiveness of rivastigmine patch or capsule on mild-to-severe AD. Significant difference exists between treatment with rivastigmine patch or capsule and placebo groups (p-value < 0.001). In the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) score evaluation, a negative weighted mean difference (WMD) was observed in overall and mild-moderate groups after rivastigmine treatment. And in ADAS-ADL score evaluation, a positive WMD was observed in overall groups after rivastigmine treatment. Moreover, WMD value is lower in patch administration subgroup compared to that of capsule administration subgroup. Rivastigmine treatment shows a positive result of improving the condition of patients with mild-to-severe AD. Patch administration shows a stronger effect on decreasing ADAS-Cog score compared to capsule administration.

Review on intrauterine programming: Consequences in rodent models of mild diabetes and mild fat overfeeding are not mild.

PubMed

Jawerbaum, A; White, V

2017-04-01

An adverse intrauterine programming occurs in diabetes and obesity as the consequence of an adverse maternal environment that affects the appropriate fetoplacental development and growth. Experimental models of diabetes and fat overfeeding have provided relevant tools to address putative mechanisms of the adverse intrauterine programming. The current knowledge far extends from the original thoughts of the resulting intrauterine programming of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases to a full range of alterations that affect multiple tissues, organs, and systems that will compromise the long-life health of the offspring. This review examines the postnatal effects of rodent models of mild diabetes and fat overfeeding, identifying the multiple organ derangements in the offspring resulting from mild maternal adverse conditions. In addition, the comparison of experimental models of severe diabetes and fat overfeeding and the crucial role of the placenta are discussed, providing an update of the actual scenario of the putative mechanisms and adverse consequences of maternal metabolic derangements. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Medical condition and care of undocumented migrants in ambulatory clinics in Tel Aviv, Israel: assessing unmet needs.

PubMed

Mor, Zohar; Raveh, Yuval; Lurie, Ido; Leventhal, Alex; Gamzu, Roni; Davidovitch, Nadav; Benari, Orel; Grotto, Itamar

2017-07-14

Approximately 150,000 undocumented migrants (UM) who are medically uninsured reside in Israel, including ~50,000 originating from the horn of Africa (MHA). Free medical-care is provided by two walk-in clinics in Tel-Aviv. This study aims to compare the medical complaints of UM from different origins, define their community health needs and assess gaps between medical needs and available services. This cross-sectional study included a random sample of 610 UM aged 18-64 years, who were treated in these community clinics between 2008 and 2011. The study compared UM who had complex medical conditions which necessitated referral to more equipped medical settings with UM having mild/simple medical conditions, who were treated at the clinics. MHA were younger, unemployed and more commonly males compared with UM originating from other countries. MHA also had longer referral-delays and visited the clinics less frequently. UM with complex medical conditions were more commonly females, had chronic diseases and demonstrated longer referral-delays than those who had mild/simple medical conditions. The latter more commonly presented with complained of respiratory, muscular and skeletal discomfort. In multivariate analysis, the variables which predicted complex medical conditions included female gender, chronic illnes and self-referral to the clinics. The ambulatory clinics were capable of responding to mild/simple medical conditions. Yet, the health needs of women and migrants suffering from complex medical conditions and chronic diseases necessitated referrals to secondary/tertiary medical settings, while jeopardizing the continuity of care. The health gaps can be addressed by a more holistic social approach, which includes integration of UM in universal health insurance.

Executive function is independently associated with performances of balance and mobility in community-dwelling older adults after mild stroke: implications for falls prevention

PubMed Central

Liu-Ambrose, Teresa; Pang, Marco; Eng, Janice J

2015-01-01

Background Stroke survivors have a high incidence of falls. Impaired executive-controlled processes are frequent in stroke survivors and are associated with falls in this population. Better understanding of the independent association between executive-controlled processes and physiological fall risk (i.e. performances of balance and mobility) could enhance future interventions that aim to prevent falls and to promote an independent lifestyle among stroke survivors. Methods Cross-sectional analysis of 63 adults who suffered a mild stroke >1 year prior to the study, aged > or =50 years. Results Cognitive flexibility was independently associated with performances of balance and mobility in community-dwelling older adults after mild stroke, after accounting for age, quadriceps strength of the paretic side and current physical activity level. Conclusions Clinicians may need to consider cognitive function when assessing and treating impaired balance and mobility in community-dwelling older adults after mild stroke. PMID:17143004

Habit and recollection in healthy aging, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Guerdoux, Estelle; Dressaire, Déborah; Martin, Sophie; Adam, Stéphane; Brouillet, Denis

2012-07-01

This study aimed to create a new French version of the Hay and Jacoby habit-training procedure (1996; 1999) and apply it to novel populations to determine the degree to which habit and recollection were affected. 36 young, 32 middle-aged, and 37 older adults participated in Experiment 1. 17 controls, 17 patients with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (a-MCI), and 17 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) were involved in Experiment 2. Participants were assessed across a variety of demographic, neuropsychological and psychopathological variables (e.g., depressive affects, subjective experience of cognitive failures, interference sensitivity). The habit-training process-dissociation was used to explore the cognitive mechanisms underlying memory slips to separate the contribution of habit and recollection to memory performance. The data show a very clear pattern of decreased recollection with age, F(2, 102) = 25.12, p < .001, η²(p) = .197, and age-related neurological impairment, F(2, 48) = 39.22, p < .001, η²(p) = .62, with intact use of habit-based memory. Additional evidence for the validity of the process estimates is provided by theoretically meaningful correlations between the process estimates and measures of attentional control (Stroop test: r = -0.40) and subjective memory complaint (r = -0.45). Although likely not the same as familiarity, the data add to a growing literature suggesting that controlled forms of memory decline with age and in age-related neurological conditions (MCI and AD) whereas more automatic forms of memory (habit) remain intact. This research should improve understanding of memory complaints, preclinical and clinical dementia, and help target processes for rehabilitation.

Using Unplanned Fires to Help Suppressing Future Large Fires in Mediterranean Forests

PubMed Central

Regos, Adrián; Aquilué, Núria; Retana, Javier; De Cáceres, Miquel; Brotons, Lluís

2014-01-01

Despite the huge resources invested in fire suppression, the impact of wildfires has considerably increased across the Mediterranean region since the second half of the 20th century. Modulating fire suppression efforts in mild weather conditions is an appealing but hotly-debated strategy to use unplanned fires and associated fuel reduction to create opportunities for suppression of large fires in future adverse weather conditions. Using a spatially-explicit fire–succession model developed for Catalonia (Spain), we assessed this opportunistic policy by using two fire suppression strategies that reproduce how firefighters in extreme weather conditions exploit previous fire scars as firefighting opportunities. We designed scenarios by combining different levels of fire suppression efficiency and climatic severity for a 50-year period (2000–2050). An opportunistic fire suppression policy induced large-scale changes in fire regimes and decreased the area burnt under extreme climate conditions, but only accounted for up to 18–22% of the area to be burnt in reference scenarios. The area suppressed in adverse years tended to increase in scenarios with increasing amounts of area burnt during years dominated by mild weather. Climate change had counterintuitive effects on opportunistic fire suppression strategies. Climate warming increased the incidence of large fires under uncontrolled conditions but also indirectly increased opportunities for enhanced fire suppression. Therefore, to shift fire suppression opportunities from adverse to mild years, we would require a disproportionately large amount of area burnt in mild years. We conclude that the strategic planning of fire suppression resources has the potential to become an important cost-effective fuel-reduction strategy at large spatial scale. We do however suggest that this strategy should probably be accompanied by other fuel-reduction treatments applied at broad scales if large-scale changes in fire regimes are to be achieved, especially in the wider context of climate change. PMID:24727853

Using unplanned fires to help suppressing future large fires in Mediterranean forests.

PubMed

Regos, Adrián; Aquilué, Núria; Retana, Javier; De Cáceres, Miquel; Brotons, Lluís

2014-01-01

Despite the huge resources invested in fire suppression, the impact of wildfires has considerably increased across the Mediterranean region since the second half of the 20th century. Modulating fire suppression efforts in mild weather conditions is an appealing but hotly-debated strategy to use unplanned fires and associated fuel reduction to create opportunities for suppression of large fires in future adverse weather conditions. Using a spatially-explicit fire-succession model developed for Catalonia (Spain), we assessed this opportunistic policy by using two fire suppression strategies that reproduce how firefighters in extreme weather conditions exploit previous fire scars as firefighting opportunities. We designed scenarios by combining different levels of fire suppression efficiency and climatic severity for a 50-year period (2000-2050). An opportunistic fire suppression policy induced large-scale changes in fire regimes and decreased the area burnt under extreme climate conditions, but only accounted for up to 18-22% of the area to be burnt in reference scenarios. The area suppressed in adverse years tended to increase in scenarios with increasing amounts of area burnt during years dominated by mild weather. Climate change had counterintuitive effects on opportunistic fire suppression strategies. Climate warming increased the incidence of large fires under uncontrolled conditions but also indirectly increased opportunities for enhanced fire suppression. Therefore, to shift fire suppression opportunities from adverse to mild years, we would require a disproportionately large amount of area burnt in mild years. We conclude that the strategic planning of fire suppression resources has the potential to become an important cost-effective fuel-reduction strategy at large spatial scale. We do however suggest that this strategy should probably be accompanied by other fuel-reduction treatments applied at broad scales if large-scale changes in fire regimes are to be achieved, especially in the wider context of climate change.

Worrying affects associative fear learning: a startle fear conditioning study.

PubMed

Gazendam, Femke J; Kindt, Merel

2012-01-01

A valuable experimental model for the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders is that they originate from a learned association between an intrinsically non-aversive event (Conditioned Stimulus, CS) and an anticipated disaster (Unconditioned Stimulus, UCS). Most anxiety disorders, however, do not evolve from a traumatic experience. Insights from neuroscience show that memory can be modified post-learning, which may elucidate how pathological fear can develop after relatively mild aversive events. Worrying--a process frequently observed in anxiety disorders--is a potential candidate to strengthen the formation of fear memory after learning. Here we tested in a discriminative fear conditioning procedure whether worry strengthens associative fear memory. Participants were randomly assigned to either a Worry (n = 23) or Control condition (n = 25). After fear acquisition, the participants in the Worry condition processed six worrisome questions regarding the personal aversive consequences of an electric stimulus (UCS), whereas the Control condition received difficult but neutral questions. Subsequently, extinction, reinstatement and re-extinction of fear were tested. Conditioned responding was measured by fear-potentiated startle (FPS), skin conductance (SCR) and UCS expectancy ratings. Our main results demonstrate that worrying resulted in increased fear responses (FPS) to both the feared stimulus (CS(+)) and the originally safe stimulus (CS(-)), whereas FPS remained unchanged in the Control condition. In addition, worrying impaired both extinction and re-extinction learning of UCS expectancy. The implication of our findings is that they show how worry may contribute to the development of anxiety disorders by affecting associative fear learning.

One pot synthesis of new heterocyclic systems: Polysubstituted pyrano[3,2-c]chromene and benzo[g]chromene derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nasri, Shima; Bayat, Mohammad

2018-07-01

A novel library of pyrano[3,2-c]chromene-3-carbonitrile and benzo[g]chromene-3-carbonitrile containing an aroyl or acetyl group moiety at 4-position has been extended by successive three-component reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin or 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone with phenylglyoxal monohydrate and a CH-acid like malononitrile/ethyl cyanoacetate/methyl cyanoacetate/cyanoacetamide under mild condition in ethanol. This approach for the preparation of novel polysubstituted pyrano[3,2-c]chromene and benzo[g]chromene is distinguished with high atom-economy, good to high efficiencies, mild and metal-free conditions, simple workup and easy purification.

NNP-Type Pincer Imidazolylphosphine Ruthenium Complexes: Efficient Base-Free Hydrogenation of Aromatic and Aliphatic Nitriles under Mild Conditions.

PubMed

Adam, Rosa; Alberico, Elisabetta; Baumann, Wolfgang; Drexler, Hans-Joachim; Jackstell, Ralf; Junge, Henrik; Beller, Matthias

2016-03-24

A series of seven novel N(Im)N(H)P-type pincer imidazolylphosphine ruthenium complexes has been synthesized and fully characterized. The use of hydrogenation of benzonitrile as a benchmark test identified [RuHCl(CO)(N(Im)N(H) P(tBu))] as the most active catalyst. With its stable Ru-BH4 analogue, in which chloride is replaced by BH4, a broad range of (hetero)aromatic and aliphatic nitriles, including industrially interesting adiponitrile, has been hydrogenated under mild and base-free conditions. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Neural Correlates of Self-Reference Effect in Early Alzheimer's Disease.

PubMed

Gaubert, Malo; Villain, Nicolas; Landeau, Brigitte; Mézenge, Florence; Egret, Stéphanie; Perrotin, Audrey; Belliard, Serge; de La Sayette, Vincent; Eustache, Francis; Desgranges, Béatrice; Chételat, Gaël; Rauchs, Géraldine

2017-01-01

Information that is processed with reference to the self (i.e., self-referential processing, SRP) is generally associated with better remembering than information processed in a semantic condition. This benefit of self on memory performance is called self-reference effect (SRE). In the present study, we assessed changes in the SRE and SRP-related brain activity in patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease (MCI/AD). Fifteen patients with confirmed amyloid-β deposits (positive florbetapir-PET scan) and 28 healthy controls (negative florbetapir-PET scan) were included. Participants either had to judge personality trait adjectives with reference to themselves (self condition) or to a celebrity (other condition), or determine whether these adjectives were positive or not (semantic condition). These adjectives were then presented with distractors in a surprise recognition task. Functional MRI data were acquired during both the judgment and recognition tasks. The SRE was observed in controls, but reduced in patients. Both controls and patients activated cortical midline structures when judging items with reference to themselves, but patients exhibited reduced activity in the angular gyrus. In patients, activity at encoding in the angular gyrus positively correlated with subsequent recognition accuracy in the self condition (self accuracy). This region also exhibited significant hypometabolism and Aβ burden, both related to self accuracy. By contrast, there were no differences in brain activity during recognition, either between the self and semantic conditions, or between groups. These results highlight SRE impairment in patients with MCI/AD, despite intact activity in cortical midline structures, and suggest that dysfunction of the angular gyrus is related to this impairment.

Investigation of UFO defect on DUV CAR and BARC process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yet, Siew Ing; Ko, Bong Sang; Lee, Soo Man; May, Mike

2004-05-01

Photo process defect reduction is one of the most important factors to improve the process stability and yield in sub-0.18um DUV process. In this paper, a new approach to minimize the Deep-UV (DUV) Chemically Amplified Resist (CAR) and Bottom Anti-Reflective Coating (BARC) induced defect known as UFO (UnidentiFied Object) defect will be introduced. These defects have mild surface topography difference on BARC; it only exists on the wide exposed area where there is no photoresist pattern. In this test, Nikon KrF Stepper & Scanner and TEL Clean track were used. Investigation was carried out on the defect formulation on both Acetal and ESCAP type of photoresist while elemental analysis was done by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) & Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). Result indicated that both BARC and photoresist induce this UFO defect; total defect quantity is related with Post Exposure Bake (PEB) condition. Based on the elemental analysis and process-split test, we can conclude that this defect is caused by lack of acid amount and low diffusivity which is related to PAG (Photo Acid Generator) and TAG (Thermal Acid Generator) in KrF photoresist and BARC material. By optimizing photoresist bake condition, this UFO defect as well as other related defect such as Satellite defect could be eliminated.

Pervasive competition between threat and reward in the brain.

PubMed

Choi, Jong Moon; Padmala, Srikanth; Spechler, Philip; Pessoa, Luiz

2014-06-01

In the current functional MRI study, we investigated interactions between reward and threat processing. Visual cues at the start of each trial informed participants about the chance of winning monetary reward and/or receiving a mild aversive shock. We tested two competing hypothesis: according to the 'salience hypothesis', in the condition involving both reward and threat, enhanced activation would be observed because of increased salience; according to the 'competition hypothesis', the processing of reward and threat would trade-off against each other, leading to reduced activation. Analysis of skin conductance data during a delay phase revealed an interaction between reward and threat processing, such that the effect of reward was reduced during threat and the effect of threat was reduced during reward. Analysis of imaging data during the same task phase revealed interactions between reward and threat processing in several regions, including the midbrain/ventral tegmental area, caudate, putamen, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, anterior insula, middle frontal gyrus and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. Taken together, our findings reveal conditions during which reward and threat trade-off against each other across multiple sites. Such interactions are suggestive of competitive processes and may reflect the organization of opponent systems in the brain. © The Author (2013). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Cognitive and Neural Effects of Vision-Based Speed-of-Processing Training in Older Adults with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Lin, Feng; Heffner, Kathi L; Ren, Ping; Tivarus, Madalina E; Brasch, Judith; Chen, Ding-Geng; Mapstone, Mark; Porsteinsson, Anton P; Tadin, Duje

2016-06-01

To examine the cognitive and neural effects of vision-based speed-of-processing (VSOP) training in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and contrast those effects with an active control (mental leisure activities (MLA)). Randomized single-blind controlled pilot trial. Academic medical center. Individuals with aMCI (N = 21). Six-week computerized VSOP training. Multiple cognitive processing measures, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), and two resting state neural networks regulating cognitive processing: central executive network (CEN) and default mode network (DMN). VSOP training led to significantly greater improvements in trained (processing speed and attention: F1,19  = 6.61, partial η(2)  = 0.26, P = .02) and untrained (working memory: F1,19  = 7.33, partial η(2)  = 0.28, P = .01; IADLs: F1,19  = 5.16, partial η(2)  = 0.21, P = .03) cognitive domains than MLA and protective maintenance in DMN (F1, 9  = 14.63, partial η(2)  = 0.62, P = .004). VSOP training, but not MLA, resulted in a significant improvement in CEN connectivity (Z = -2.37, P = .02). Target and transfer effects of VSOP training were identified, and links between VSOP training and two neural networks associated with aMCI were found. These findings highlight the potential of VSOP training to slow cognitive decline in individuals with aMCI. Further delineation of mechanisms underlying VSOP-induced plasticity is necessary to understand in which populations and under what conditions such training may be most effective. © 2016, Copyright the Authors Journal compilation © 2016, The American Geriatrics Society.

Conversion of mill-scale waste to nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) for 'green' hydrogen generation via metal-steam reforming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kesavan, Sathees Kumar

The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are the most preferred and efficient energy conversion devices for automotive applications but demand high purity hydrogen which comes at a premium price. The currently pursued hydrogen generation methods suffer from issues such as, low efficiency, high cost, environmental non-benignity, and, in some cases, commercial non-viability. Many of these drawbacks including the CO contamination and, storage and delivery can be overcome by resorting to metal-steam reforming (MSR) using iron from steel industry's mill-scale waste. A novel solution-based room temperature technique using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the reducing agent has been developed that produces highly active nanoscale (30-40 nm) iron particles. A slightly modified version of this technique using a surfactant and water oil microemulsion resulted in the formation of 5 nm Fe particles. By using hydrazine (N2H4) as an inexpensive and more stable (compared to NaBH4) reductant, body centered cubic iron particles with edge dimensions ˜5 nm were obtained under mild solvothermal conditions in ethanol. The nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI) powder showed improved kinetics and greater propensity for hydrogen generation than the coarser microscale iron obtained through traditional reduction techniques. To initiate and sustain the somewhat endothermic MSR process, a solar concentrator consisting of a convex polyacrylic sheet with aluminum reflective coating was fabricated. This unique combination of mill-scale waste as iron source, hydrazine as the reductant, mild process conditions for nZVI generation and solar energy as the impetus for actuating MSR, obviates several drawbacks plaguing the grand scheme of producing, storing and delivering pure and humidified H2 to a PEMFC stack.

Dual effects of water vapor on ceria-supported gold clusters.

PubMed

Li, Zhimin; Li, Weili; Abroshan, Hadi; Ge, Qingjie; Li, Gao; Jin, Rongchao

2018-04-05

Atomically precise nanocatalysts are currently being intensely pursued in catalysis research. Such nanocatalysts can serve as model catalysts for gaining fundamental insights into catalytic processes. In this work we report a discovery that water vapor provokes the mild removal of surface long-chain ligands on 25-atom Au25(SC12H25)18 nanoclusters in a controlled manner. Using the resultant Au25(SC12H25)18-x/CeO2 catalyst and CO oxidation as a probe reaction, we found that the catalytic activity of cluster/CeO2 is enhanced from nearly zero conversion of CO (in the absence of water) to 96.2% (in the presence of 2.3 vol% H2O) at the same temperature (100 °C). The cluster catalysts exhibit high stability during the CO oxidation process under moisture conditions (up to 20 vol% water vapor). Water vapor plays a dual role in gold cluster-catalyzed CO oxidation. FT-IR and XPS analyses in combination with density functional theory (DFT) simulations suggest that the "-SC12H25" ligands are easier to be removed under a water vapor atmosphere, thus generating highly active sites. Moreover, the O22- peroxide species constitutes the active oxygen species in CO oxidation, evidenced by Raman spectroscopy analysis and isotope experiments on the CeO2 and cluster/CeO2. The results also indicate the perimeter sites of the interface of Au25(SC12H25)18-x/CeO2 to be active sites for catalytic CO oxidation. The controlled exposure of active sites under mild conditions is of critical importance for the utilization of clusters in catalysis.

Diagnostic terminology, athlete status, and history of concussion affect return to play expectations and anticipated symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Kelly, Kiersten; Erdal, Kristi

2017-08-01

"Mild traumatic brain injury" (mTBI) and "concussion" are terms often used interchangeably. However, "mTBI" is frequently seen as representing a broader injury that encompasses the construct of "concussion," which often conveys transience or decreased severity. The present study examined the influence of varying diagnostic terminology on acute injury expectations in an undergraduate population (N = 105). Participants were presented with an mTBI vignette and were randomly assigned to one of two conditions in which the term "mTBI" or "concussion" was used to describe the injury. There were no significant differences between the two conditions on anxiety, symptomatology, timeline, or consequence scales. However, participants in the "mTBI" group allocated more days to return to play than participants in the "concussion" group, suggesting that terminology has an effect on perceptions of the severity of the injury. Varsity athletes allocated fewer days to return to play than nonathletes. Individuals with a history of concussion, both athletes and nonathletes, indicated fewer days to return to play, but greater symptomatology than individuals with no history of concussion. Clinicians should consider the influence of diagnostic terminology, athletic background, and history of concussion on perceptions of the severity of an injury because expectations can influence injury outcomes and compliance in a recovery process.

Analysis of Choice Stepping with Visual Interference Can Detect Prolonged Postural Preparation in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment at High Risk of Falling.

PubMed

Uemura, Kazuki; Hasegawa, Takashi; Tougou, Hiroki; Shuhei, Takahashi; Uchiyama, Yasushi

2015-01-01

We aimed to clarify postural control deficits in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at high risk of falling by addressing the inhibitory process. This study involved 376 community-dwelling older adults with MCI. Participants were instructed to execute forward stepping on the side indicated by the central arrow while ignoring the 2 flanking arrows on each side (→→→→→, congruent, or →→←→→, incongruent). Initial weight transfer direction errors [anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) errors], step execution times, and divided phases (reaction, APA, and swing phases) were measured from vertical force data. Participants were categorized as fallers (n = 37) and non-fallers (n = 339) based on fall experiences in the last 12 months. There were no differences in the step execution times, swing phases, step error rates, and APA error rates between groups, but fallers had a significantly longer APA phase relative to non-fallers in trials of the incongruent condition with APA errors (p = 0.005). Fallers also had a longer reaction phase in trials with the correct APA, regardless of the condition (p = 0.01). Analyses of choice stepping with visual interference can detect prolonged postural preparation as a specific falling-associated deficit in older adults with MCI. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Enzymatic Formulation Capable of Degrading Scrapie Prion under Mild Digestion Conditions

PubMed Central

Okoroma, Emeka A.; Purchase, Diane; Garelick, Hemda; Morris, Roger; Neale, Michael H.; Windl, Otto; Abiola, Oduola O.

2013-01-01

The prion agent is notoriously resistant to common proteases and conventional sterilisation procedures. The current methods known to destroy prion infectivity such as incineration, alkaline and thermal hydrolysis are harsh, destructive, environmentally polluting and potentially hazardous, thus limit their applications for decontamination of delicate medical and laboratory devices, remediation of prion contaminated environment and for processing animal by-products including specified risk materials and carcases. Therefore, an environmentally friendly, non-destructive enzymatic degradation approach is highly desirable. A feather-degrading Bacillus licheniformis N22 keratinase has been isolated which degraded scrapie prion to undetectable level of PrPSc signals as determined by Western Blot analysis. Prion infectivity was verified by ex vivo cell-based assay. An enzymatic formulation combining N22 keratinase and biosurfactant derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa degraded PrPSc at 65°C in 10 min to undetectable level -. A time-course degradation analysis carried out at 50°C over 2 h revealed the progressive attenuation of PrPSc intensity. Test of residual infectivity by standard cell culture assay confirmed that the enzymatic formulation reduced PrPSc infectivity to undetectable levels as compared to cells challenged with untreated standard scrapie sheep prion (SSBP/1) (p-value = 0.008 at 95% confidence interval). This novel enzymatic formulation has significant potential application for prion decontamination in various environmentally friendly systems under mild treatment conditions. PMID:23874511

Principles and application of high pressure-based technologies in the food industry.

PubMed

Balasubramaniam, V M Bala; Martínez-Monteagudo, Sergio I; Gupta, Rockendra

2015-01-01

High pressure processing (HPP) has emerged as a commercially viable food manufacturing tool that satisfies consumers' demand for mildly processed, convenient, fresh-tasting foods with minimal to no preservatives. Pressure treatment, with or without heat, inactivates pathogenic and spoilage bacteria, yeast, mold, viruses, and also spores and extends shelf life. Pressure treatment at ambient or chilled temperatures has minimal impact on product chemistry. The product quality and shelf life are often influenced more by storage conditions and packaging material barrier properties than the treatment itself. Application of pressure reduces the thermal exposure of the food during processing, thereby protecting a variety of bioactive compounds. This review discusses recent scientific advances of high pressure technology for food processing and preservation applications such as pasteurization, sterilization, blanching, freezing, and thawing. We highlight the importance of in situ engineering and thermodynamic properties of food and packaging materials in process design. Current and potential future promising applications of pressure technology are summarized.

Shifting patterns of mild weather in response to projected radiative forcing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van der Wiel, Karin; Kapnick, Sarah; Vecchi, Gabriel

2017-04-01

Traditionally, climate change research has focused on changes in mean climate (e.g. global mean temperature, sea level rise, glacier melt) or change in extreme events (e.g. hurricanes, extreme precipitation, droughts, heat waves, wild fires). Though extreme events have the potential to disrupt society, extreme conditions are rare by definition. In contrast, mild weather occurs frequently and many human activities are built around it. Examples of such activities include football games, dog walks, bike rides, and outdoor weddings, but also activities of direct economic impact, e.g. construction work, infrastructure projects, road or rail transportation, air travel, and landscaping projects. Absence of mild weather impacts society in various way, understanding current and future mild weather is therefore of high scientific interest. We present a global analysis of mild weather based on simple and relatable criteria and we explore changes in mild weather occurrence in response to radiative forcing. A high-resolution global climate model, GFDL HiFLOR, is used to allow for investigation of local features and changes. In response to RCP4.5, we find a slight global mean decrease in the annual number of mild days projected both in the near future (-4 d/yr, 2016-2035) and at the end of this century (-10 d/yr, 2081-2100). Projected regional and seasonal redistributions of mild days are substantially greater. Tropical regions are projected to see large decreases, in the mid-latitudes small increases in the number of mild days are projected. Mediterranean climates are projected to see a shift of mild weather away from the local summer to the shoulder seasons. These changes are larger than the interannual variability of mild weather caused by El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Finally, we use reanalysis data to show an observed global decrease in the recent past, and we verify that these observed regional changes in mild weather resemble the projections.

A model of peripheral microvascular injury: irreversible caudal necrosis induced in carrageenan-inflamed rats treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and mild chilling: a pluricausal thrombo-haemorrhagic phenomenon.

PubMed

Whitehouse, M W; Rainsford, K D

1985-01-01

A florid tail injury was observed in carrageenan-inflamed rats previously treated with acidic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs to suppress paw inflammation and then exposed to mild chilling (7-10 degrees C for 10-16 h). All three treatments, i.e. NSAI drug + carrageenan paw oedema + mild chilling treatment, were required for the development of this condition. Histological observations suggest that the tissue necrosis was initiated by a primary disturbance of the peripheral vasculature. The possible involvement of suppressed prostaglandin (PG) production in the aetiology of this condition is indicated by the fact that it was totally reversed by prior treatment with PGE2. This appears to be a classical pluricausal thrombohaemorrhagic phenomenon (of Selye), with cold-stress being the sensitizer and carrageenan and NSAI drugs being the challenger. The possibilities are considered of employing this tail injury model as a convenient method of developing drugs to control microvascular disturbances in man.

Kinetics of Organic Transformations Under Mild Aqueous Conditions: Implications for the Origin of Life and Its Metabolism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weber, Arthur L.

2003-01-01

The rates of thermal transformation of organic molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen were systematically examined in order to identify the kinetic constraints that governed origin-of-life organic chemistry under mild aqueous conditions. Arrhenius plots of the kinetic data were used to estimate the reaction half-life at 50 C, and to reveal the effect of functional groups on reactivity. This survey showed that hydrocarbons and organic substances containing a single oxygenated group were kinetically the most stable (i. e. acetate decarboxylation half-life was l0(exp 18) years at 50 C); whereas, organic substances containing two oxygenated groups in which one group was a beta-positioned carbonyl group were the most reactive (i. e. acetoacetate decarboxylation half-life was l0(exp-2) years at 50 C). Of all functional groups the beta-positioned carbonyl group (aldehyde or ketone) was the strongest activating group, giving rates of reaction that were up to 10(exp 24)-times faster than rates of similar molecules lacking the beta-carbonyl group. From this knowledge of organic reactivity and the inherent constraints of autocatalytic processes, we concluded that an origins-of-life process based on autocatalytic transformation of C,H,O-substrates was constrained to using the most reactive organic molecules that contain alpha- or beta-carbonyl groups, since small autocatalytic domains of plausible catalytic power that used less reactive substrates could not carry out chemical transformations fast enough to prevent catastrophic efflux (escape) of reaction intermediates. Knowledge of the kinetics of organic transformations is useful, not only in constraining the chemistry of the earliest autocatalytic process related to the origin of life, but also in establishing the relative reactivity of organic molecules on the early Earth and other planets that may or may not be related to the origin of life.

Retrieval under stress decreases the long-term expression of a human declarative memory via reconsolidation.

PubMed

Larrosa, Pablo Nicolás Fernández; Ojea, Alejandro; Ojea, Ignacio; Molina, Victor Alejandro; Zorrilla-Zubilete, María Aurelia; Delorenzi, Alejandro

2017-07-01

Acute stress impairs memory retrieval of several types of memories. An increase in glucocorticoids, several minutes after stressful events, is described as essential to the impairing retrieval-effects of stressors. Moreover, memory retrieval under stress can have long-term consequences. Through what process does the reactivated memory under stress, despite the disrupting retrieval effects, modify long-term memories? The reconsolidation hypothesis proposes that a previously consolidated memory reactivated by a reminder enters a vulnerability phase (labilization) during which it is transiently sensitive to modulation, followed by a re-stabilization phase. However, previous studies show that the expression of memories during reminder sessions is not a condition to trigger the reconsolidation process since unexpressed memories can be reactivated and labilized. Here we evaluate whether it is possible to reactivate-labilize a memory under the impairing-effects of a mild stressor. We used a paradigm of human declarative memory whose reminder structure allows us to differentiate between a reactivated-labile memory state and a reactivated but non-labile state. Subjects memorized a list of five cue-syllables associated with their respective response-syllables. Seventy-two hours later, results showed that the retrieval of the paired-associate memory was impaired when tested 20min after a mild stressor (cold pressor stress (CPS)) administration, coincident with cortisol levels increase. Then, we investigated the long-term effects of CPS administration prior to the reminder session. Under conditions where the reminder initiates the reconsolidation process, CPS impaired the long-term memory expression tested 24h later. In contrast, CPS did not show effects when administered before a reminder session that does not trigger reconsolidation. Results showed that memory reactivation-labilization occurs even when retrieval was impaired. Memory reactivation under stress could hinder -via reconsolidation- the probability of the traces to be expressed in the long term. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hydroxyl radical and ferryl-generating systems promote gel network formation of myofibrillar protein.

PubMed

Xiong, Youling L; Blanchard, Suzanne P; Ooizumi, Tooru; Ma, Yuanyuan

2010-03-01

The objective of the study was to examine how oxidatively induced protein cross-linking would influence the gelation properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) under meat processing conditions. MP suspensions in 0.6 M NaCl at pH 6 were treated with an iron-catalyzed oxidizing system (IOS: 10 microM FeCl(3), 0.1 mM ascorbic acid, 0.05 to 5 mM H(2)O(2)) or a H(2)O(2)-activated metmyoglobin oxidizing system (MOS: 0.01 to 0.1 mM metmyoglobin/H(2)O(2)) that produced hydroxyl radical and ferryl species, respectively. Both oxidizing systems promoted MP thermal gelation, which was evidenced by rapid protein-protein interaction and the enhancement in storage modulus (elasticity) of the gel network as revealed by dynamic rheological testing in the 20 to 74 degrees C temperature range. This gelation-enhancing effect was attributed to the shift of myosin aggregation in the early stage of heating from predominantly head-head association (nonoxidized control samples) to prevalently tail-tail cross-linking through disulfide bonds. However, both hardness and water-holding capacity of chilled gels tended to decline when MP was exposed to >or=1 mM H(2)O(2) in IOS and to all concentrations of metmyoglobin in MOS. Microscopic examination confirmed a more porous structure in oxidized gels when compared with nonoxidized protein gels. The results demonstrated that mild oxidation altered the mode of myosin aggregation in favor of an elastic gel network formation, but it did not improve or had a negative effect on water-binding properties of MP gels. Mild oxidation promotes protein network formation and enhances gelation of myofibrillar protein under normal salt and pH conditions used in meat processing. This oxidative effect, which involves disulfide linkages, is somewhat similar to that in bakery product processing where oxidants are used to improve dough performance through gluten protein interaction.

Gray matter volume and dual-task gait performance in mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Doi, Takehiko; Blumen, Helena M; Verghese, Joe; Shimada, Hiroyuki; Makizako, Hyuma; Tsutsumimoto, Kota; Hotta, Ryo; Nakakubo, Sho; Suzuki, Takao

2017-06-01

Dual-task gait performance is impaired in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, but the brain substrates associated with dual-task gait performance are not well-established. The relationship between gray matter and gait speed under single-task and dual-task conditions (walking while counting backward) was examined in 560 seniors with mild cognitive impairment (non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment: n = 270; mean age = 72.4 yrs., 63.6 % women; amnestic mild cognitive impairment: n = 290; mean age = 73.4 yrs., 45.4 % women). Multivariate covariance-based analyses of magnetic resonance imaging data, adjusted for potential confounders including single-task gait speed, were performed to identify gray matter patterns associated with dual-task gait speed. There were no differences in gait speed or cognitive performance during dual-task gait between individuals with non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment and amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Overall, increased dual-task gait speed was associated with a gray matter pattern of increased volume in medial frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate, cingulate, precuneus, fusiform gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus. The relationship between dual-task gait speed and brain substrates also differed by mild cognitive impairment subtype. Our study revealed a pattern of gray matter regions associated with dual-task performance. Although dual-task gait performance was similar in amnestic and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment, the gray matter patterns associated with dual-task gait performance differed by mild cognitive impairment subtype. These findings suggest that the brain substrates supporting dual-task gait performance in amnestic and non-amnestic subtypes are different, and consequently may respond differently to interventions, or require different interventions.

Gray matter volume and dual-task gait performance in mild cognitive impairment

PubMed Central

Blumen, Helena M.; Verghese, Joe; Shimada, Hiroyuki; Makizako, Hyuma; Tsutsumimoto, Kota; Hotta, Ryo; Nakakubo, Sho; Suzuki, Takao

2017-01-01

Dual-task gait performance is impaired in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, but the brain substrates associated with dual-task gait performance are not well-established. The relationship between gray matter and gait speed under single-task and dual-task conditions (walking while counting backward) was examined in 560 seniors with mild cognitive impairment (non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment: n = 270; mean age = 72.4 yrs., 63.6 % women; amnestic mild cognitive impairment: n = 290; mean age = 73.4 yrs., 45.4 % women). Multivariate covariance-based analyses of magnetic resonance imaging data, adjusted for potential confounders including single-task gait speed, were performed to identify gray matter patterns associated with dual-task gait speed. There were no differences in gait speed or cognitive performance during dual-task gait between individuals with non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment and amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Overall, increased dual-task gait speed was associated with a gray matter pattern of increased volume in medial frontal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate, cingulate, precuneus, fusiform gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, inferior temporal gyrus and middle temporal gyrus. The relationship between dual-task gait speed and brain substrates also differed by mild cognitive impairment subtype. Our study revealed a pattern of gray matter regions associated with dual-task performance. Although dual-task gait performance was similar in amnestic and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment, the gray matter patterns associated with dual-task gait performance differed by mild cognitive impairment subtype. These findings suggest that the brain substrates supporting dual-task gait performance in amnestic and non-amnestic subtypes are different, and consequently may respond differently to interventions, or require different interventions. PMID:27392792

An exploratory study of the association of acute posttraumatic stress, depression, and pain to cognitive functioning in mild traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Massey, Jessica S; Meares, Susanne; Batchelor, Jennifer; Bryant, Richard A

2015-07-01

Few studies have examined whether psychological distress and pain affect cognitive functioning in the acute to subacute phase (up to 30 days postinjury) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). The current study explored whether acute posttraumatic stress, depression, and pain were associated with performance on a task of selective and sustained attention completed under conditions of increasing cognitive demands (standard, auditory distraction, and dual-task), and on tests of working memory, memory, processing speed, reaction time (RT), and verbal fluency. At a mean of 2.87 days (SD = 2.32) postinjury, 50 adult mTBI participants, consecutive admissions to a Level 1 trauma hospital, completed neuropsychological tests and self-report measures of acute posttraumatic stress, depression, and pain. A series of canonical correlation analyses was used to explore the relationships of a common set of psychological variables to various sets of neuropsychological variables. Significant results were found on the task of selective and sustained attention. Strong relationships were found between psychological variables and speed (r(c) = .56, p = .02) and psychological variables and accuracy (r(c) = .68, p = .002). Pain and acute posttraumatic stress were associated with higher speed scores (reflecting more correctly marked targets) under standard conditions. Acute posttraumatic stress was associated with lower accuracy scores across all task conditions. Moderate but nonsignificant associations were found between psychological variables and most cognitive tasks. Acute posttraumatic stress and pain show strong associations with selective and sustained attention following mTBI. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Conditional Covariance Theory and DETECT for Polytomous Items. Research Report. ETS RR-04-50

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Jinming

2004-01-01

This paper extends the theory of conditional covariances to polytomous items. It has been mathematically proven that under some mild conditions, commonly assumed in the analysis of response data, the conditional covariance of two items, dichotomously or polytomously scored, is positive if the two items are dimensionally homogeneous and negative…

1H NMR-based metabolomic profiling for identification of metabolites in Capsicum annuum cv. mirasol infected by beet mild curly top virus (BMCTV).

PubMed

Villa-Ruano, Nemesio; Velásquez-Valle, Rodolfo; Zepeda-Vallejo, L Gerardo; Pérez-Hernández, Nury; Velázquez-Ponce, Manuel; Arcos-Adame, Victor M; Becerra-Martínez, Elvia

2018-04-01

Beet mild curly top virus (BMCTV) is associated with an outbreak of curly top in chili pepper, tomato and other Solanaceae species, which can cause severe crop losses. The aim of this work was to obtain the 1 H NMR metabolomic profiling of both healthy chili peppers (cv. mirasol) and infected chili peppers with BMCTV in order to find chemical markers associated to the infection process. Significant differences were found between the two groups, according to principal component analysis and orthogonal projections to latent structure discriminant analysis. Compared to the asymptomatic peppers, the symptomatic fruits had higher relative abundance of fructose, isoleucine, histidine, phenylalanine and tryptophan. Contrarily, the asymptomatic samples showed greater amounts of malonate and isobutyrate. These results suggest that in diseased chili peppers there are metabolic changes related to the viral acquisition of energy for replication and capsid assembly. This is the first study describing the chemical profiling of a polar extract obtained from Capsicum annuum infected by BMCTV under open field conditions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Forensic applications of cerebral single photon emission computed tomography in mild traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Wortzel, Hal S; Filley, Christopher M; Anderson, C Alan; Oster, Timothy; Arciniegas, David B

2008-01-01

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a substantial source of mortality and morbidity world wide. Although most such injuries are relatively mild, accurate diagnosis and prognostication after mild TBI are challenging. These problems are complicated further when considered in medicolegal contexts, particularly civil litigation. Cerebral single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) may contribute to the evaluation and treatment of persons with mild TBI. Cerebral SPECT is relatively sensitive to the metabolic changes produced by TBI. However, such changes are not specific to this condition, and their presence on cerebral SPECT imaging does not confirm a diagnosis of mild TBI. Conversely, the absence of abnormalities on cerebral SPECT imaging does not exclude a diagnosis of mild TBI, although such findings may be of prognostic value. The literature does not demonstrate consistent relationships between SPECT images and neuropsychological testing or neuropsychiatric symptoms. Using the rules of evidence shaped by Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its progeny to analyze the suitability of SPECT for forensic purposes, we suggest that expert testimony regarding SPECT findings should be admissible only as evidence to support clinical history, neuropsychological test results, and structural brain imaging findings and not as stand-alone diagnostic data.

Mild, Pd-catalyzed stannylation of radioiodination targets

PubMed Central

Pickett, Julie E.; Váradi, András; Palmer, Travis C.; Grinnell, Steven G.; Schrock, Joel M.; Pasternak, Gavril W.; Karimov, Rashad R.; Majumdar, Susruta

2015-01-01

Trialkylstannanes are versatile precursors for chemical transformations, including radiolabeling with a variety of halogens, particularly iodine. In the present work a convenient, Pd-mediated stannylation method is presented that can be performed in an open flask. The method is selective for aryl iodides allowing selective stannylations in the presence of other halogen atoms. The reaction conditions are mild, making the method compatible with chemically sensitive bioactive compounds. PMID:25777268

Impact of a cognitive rehabilitation intervention on neuropsychiatric symptoms in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Brunelle-Hamann, Laurence; Thivierge, Stéphanie; Simard, Martine

2015-01-01

The main goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of a cognitive rehabilitation programme on 12 behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). This six-month single-blind block-randomised cross-over controlled study was conducted with 15 mild to moderate AD participants and their caregivers. All participants received a four-week home-based cognitive rehabilitation programme to learn/re-learn an instrumental activity of daily living. They were assessed up until three months following the end of the intervention. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-12) was employed to evaluate patients' BPSD at seven assessment points during the course of the study. A general linear mixed model analysis performed on the NPI data revealed that aberrant motor behaviours (AMB) increased significantly more in the treatment condition than in the control condition. In addition, both groups registered a significant reduction of delusional symptoms during the second half of the study. Employing a multi-symptom approach to assess participants' BPSD, this cross-over randomised controlled study showed that an individualised cognitive rehabilitation intervention was generally well-tolerated by mild to moderate AD patients. Future cognitive rehabilitation studies conducted with this population should pay attention to AMB symptom changes.

Highly efficient conversion of terpenoid biomass to jet-fuel range cycloalkanes in a biphasic tandem catalytic process

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

Yang, Xiaokun; Li, Teng; Tang, Kan

2017-06-12

The demand for bio-jet fuels to reduce carbon emissions is increasing substantially in the aviation sector, while the scarcity of high-density jet fuel components limits the use of bio-jet fuels in high-performance aircrafts compared with conventional jet fuels. In this paper, we report a novel biphasic tandem catalytic process (biTCP) for synthesizing cycloalkanes from renewable terpenoid biomass, such as 1,8-cineole. Multistep tandem reactions, including C–O ring opening by hydrolysis, dehydration, and hydrogenation, were carried out in the “one-pot” biTCP. 1,8-Cineole was efficiently converted to p-menthane at high yields (>99%) in the biTCP under mild reaction conditions. Finally, the catalytic reactionmore » mechanism is discussed.« less

SnAP reagents for the one-step synthesis of medium-ring saturated N-heterocycles from aldehydes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vo, Cam-Van T.; Luescher, Michael U.; Bode, Jeffrey W.

2014-04-01

Interest in saturated N-heterocycles as scaffolds for the synthesis of bioactive molecules is increasing. Reliable and predictable synthetic methods for the preparation of these compounds, especially medium-sized rings, are limited. We describe the development of SnAP (Sn amino protocol) reagents for the transformation of aldehydes into seven-, eight- and nine-membered saturated N-heterocycles. This process occurs under mild, room-temperature conditions and offers exceptional substrate scope and functional-group tolerance. Air- and moisture-stable SnAP reagents are prepared on a multigram scale from inexpensive starting materials by simple reaction sequences. These new reagents and processes allow widely available aryl, heteroaryl and aliphatic aldehydes to be converted into diverse N-heterocycles, including diazepanes, oxazepanes, diazocanes, oxazocanes and hexahydrobenzoxazonines, by a single synthetic operation.

Computer-aided analysis and design of the shape rolling process for producing turbine engine airfoils

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lahoti, G. D.; Akgerman, N.; Altan, T.

1978-01-01

Mild steel (AISI 1018) was selected as model cold rolling material and Ti-6A1-4V and Inconel 718 were selected as typical hot rolling and cold rolling alloys, respectively. The flow stress and workability of these alloys were characterized and friction factor at the roll/workpiece interface was determined at their respective working conditions by conducting ring tests. Computer-aided mathematical models for predicting metal flow and stresses, and for simulating the shape rolling process were developed. These models utilized the upper bound and the slab methods of analysis, and were capable of predicting the lateral spread, roll separating force, roll torque, and local stresses, strains and strain rates. This computer-aided design system was also capable of simulating the actual rolling process, and thereby designing the roll pass schedule in rolling of an airfoil or a similar shape.

Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Organic Synthesis: Fundamentals, Applications, and Opportunities

PubMed Central

Miller, David C.; Tarantino, Kyle T.; Knowles, Robert R.

2016-01-01

Proton-coupled electron transfers (PCETs) are unconventional redox processes in which both protons and electrons are exchanged, often in a concerted elementary step. While PCET is now recognized to play a central a role in biological redox catalysis and inorganic energy conversion technologies, its applications in organic synthesis are only beginning to be explored. In this chapter we aim to highlight the origins, development and evolution of PCET processes most relevant to applications in organic synthesis. Particular emphasis is given to the ability of PCET to serve as a non-classical mechanism for homolytic bond activation that is complimentary to more traditional hydrogen atom transfer processes, enabling the direct generation of valuable organic radical intermediates directly from their native functional group precursors under comparatively mild catalytic conditions. The synthetically advantageous features of PCET reactivity are described in detail, along with examples from the literature describing the PCET activation of common organic functional groups. PMID:27573270

Effective Release of Lignin Fragments from Lignocellulose by Lewis Acid Metal Triflates in the Lignin-First Approach.

PubMed

Huang, Xiaoming; Zhu, Jiadong; Korányi, Tamás I; Boot, Michael D; Hensen, Emiel J M

2016-12-08

Adding value to lignin, the most complex and recalcitrant fraction in lignocellulosic biomass, is highly relevant to costefficient operation of biorefineries. We report the use of homogeneous metal triflates to rapidly release lignin from biomass. Combined with metal-catalyzed hydrogenolysis, the process separates woody biomass into few lignin-derived alkylmethoxyphenols and cellulose under mild conditions. Model compound studies show the unique catalytic properties of metal triflates in cleaving lignin-carbohydrate interlinkages. The lignin fragments can then be disassembled by hydrogenolysis. The tandem process is flexible and allows obtaining good aromatic monomer yields from different woods (36-48 wt %, lignin base). The cellulose-rich residue is an ideal feedstock for established biorefining processes. The highly productive strategy is characterized by short reaction times, low metal triflate catalyst requirement, and leaving cellulose largely untouched. © 2016 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Learning Strategies for Adolescents with Mild Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Conderman, Greg; Koman, Kara; Schibelka, Mary; Higgin, Karen; Cooper, Cody; Butler, Jordyn

2013-01-01

Learning strategy instruction is an evidence-based practice for teaching adolescents with mild disabilities. However, researchers have not developed strategies for every content area or skill. Therefore, teachers need to be able develop strategies based on the needs of their students. This article reviews the process for developing and teaching…

Electrochemical studies of novel corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Amiery, Ahmed A.; Ahmed, Mohammed H. Othman; Abdullah, Thamer Adnan; Gaaz, Tayser Sumer; Kadhum, Abdul Amir H.

2018-06-01

The electrochemical performance of a novel organic corrosion inhibitor 6-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-mercapto-7,8-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b][1,2,4,5]tetrazine [HT3], for mild steel in 1 M hydrochloric acid is evaluated by potentiodynamic curves. The experimental results show that the investigated inhibitor [HT3], which can effectively retard the corrosion process that occurs to mild steel with a hydrochloric acid solution by providing a protective coating for the mild steel that, can be weakened by increasing the temperature. Furthermore, the inhibition efficiency of [HT3] increased with increasing the concentrations of the inhibitors and decreased with increasing temperature.

[Investigation of the effect of vinpocetine on cerebral blood flow and cognitive functions].

PubMed

Valikovics, Attila

2007-07-30

Vinpocetine has been widely used in the treatment of ischaemic cerebrovascular diseases and dementias of vascular type. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion plays an important role in the development of certain types of dementia. In consequence of complex mode of action vinpocetine plays a significant role in the improvement of cerebral hypoperfusion. The symptoms of mild cognitive impairment considered as "predementia" are similar to those of dementia, although milder. The authors investigated the characteristics of the blood flow parameters of patients with ischemic stroke and mild cognitive impairment both in resting conditions or following chemical stimulus as well as they investigated the severity of mental deterioration in the two patient groups. In a pilot study the authors examined the influence of 12-week long oral vinpocetine therapy on the blood flow parameters and cognitive functions in the two patient groups. The authors studied the blood flow velocity of a. cerebri media in resting conditions and after 30 sec of breath holding with transcranial Doppler before treatment and after a 12-week long oral vinpocetine treatment. At the same time psychometric tests (MMSE, ADAS-Cog) were used in order to examine cognitive functions, while the general condition of the patients were scored by Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale. After a 12-week long oral vinpocetine treatment the increase of blood flow velocity in resting conditions compared to the baseline values was significant in the vascular group. The percent increase of mean velocity after the breath holding TCD test showed a significant increase compared to the baseline in both patient groups. The authors found a significant improvement of cognitive functions after a 12-week long oral vinpocetine therapy using psychometric tests. The improvement was identical in both groups. The general condition of patients improved significantly according to both the investigator's and the patients' opinion; patients with mild cognitive impairment judged the improvement higher. Vinpocetine improved the cerebrovascular reserve capacity in both patient groups and favourably influenced the cognitive status and general condition of patients with chronic hypoperfusion. The authors recommend the use of vinpocetine for the treatment of patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Mild degradation processes in ZnO-based varistors: the role of Zn vacancies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponce, M. A.; Macchi, C.; Schipani, F.; Aldao, C. M.; Somoza, A.

2015-03-01

The effects of a degradation process on the structural and electrical properties of ZnO-based varistors induced by the application of dc bias voltage were analysed. Capacitance and resistance measurements were carried out to electrically characterize the polycrystalline semiconductor before and after different degrees of mild degradation. Vacancies' changes in the varistors were studied with positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy. Variations on the potential barrier height and effective doping concentration were determined by fitting the experimental data from impedance spectroscopy measurements. These results indicate two different stages in the degradation process consistent with vacancy-like concentration changes.

High pressure chemistry of red phosphorus by photoactivated simple molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ceppatelli, Matteo; Bini, Roberto; Fanetti, Samuele; Caporali, Maria; Peruzzini, Maurizio

2013-06-01

High pressure (HP) is very effective in reducing intermolecular distances and inducing unexpected chemical reactions. In particular the photoactivation of the reactants in HP conditions can lead to very efficient and selective processes. The chemistry of phosphorus is currently based on the white molecular form. The red polymeric allotrope, despite more stable and much less toxic, has not attracted much attention so far. However, switching from the white to the red form would benefit any industrial procedure, especially from an environmental point of view. On the other side, water and ethanol are renewable, environmental friendly and largely available molecules, usable as reactants and photoactivators in HP conditions. Here we report a study on the HP photoinduced reactivity of red phosphorus with water and ethanol, showing the possibility of very efficient and selective processes, leading to molecular hydrogen and valuable phosphorus compounds. The reactions have been studied by means of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and pressure has been generated using DAC and SAC. HP reactivity has been activated by the two-photon absorption of near-UV wavelengths and occured in total absence of solvents, catalysts and radical initiators, at room T and mild pressure conditions (0.2-1.5 GPa).

Fear recognition impairment in early-stage Alzheimer's disease: when focusing on the eyes region improves performance.

PubMed

Hot, Pascal; Klein-Koerkamp, Yanica; Borg, Céline; Richard-Mornas, Aurélie; Zsoldos, Isabella; Paignon Adeline, Adeline; Thomas Antérion, Catherine; Baciu, Monica

2013-06-01

A decline in the ability to identify fearful expression has been frequently reported in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In patients with severe destruction of the bilateral amygdala, similar difficulties have been reduced by using an explicit visual exploration strategy focusing on gaze. The current study assessed the possibility of applying a similar strategy in AD patients to improve fear recognition. It also assessed the possibility of improving fear recognition when a visual exploration strategy induced AD patients to process the eyes region. Seventeen patients with mild AD and 34 healthy subjects (17 young adults and 17 older adults) performed a classical task of emotional identification of faces expressing happiness, anger, and fear in two conditions: The face appeared progressively from the eyes region to the periphery (eyes region condition) or it appeared as a whole (global condition). Specific impairment in identifying a fearful expression was shown in AD patients compared with older adult controls during the global condition. Fear expression recognition was significantly improved in AD patients during the eyes region condition, in which they performed similarly to older adult controls. Our results suggest that using a different strategy of face exploration, starting first with processing of the eyes region, may compensate for a fear recognition deficit in AD patients. Findings suggest that a part of this deficit could be related to visuo-perceptual impairments. Additionally, these findings suggest that the decline of fearful face recognition reported in both normal aging and in AD may result from impairment of non-amygdalar processing in both groups and impairment of amygdalar-dependent processing in AD. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

'GREENER' CHEMICAL SYNTHESES USING ALTERNATE REACTION CONDITIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Microwave (MW) irradiation in conjunction with water as reaction media has proven to be a greener chemical approach for expeditious N-alkylation reactions of amines and hydrazines wherein the reactions under mildly basic conditions afford tertiary amines and double N-alkylation t...

Chemoselective Hydrogenation of Aldehydes under Mild, Base-Free Conditions: Manganese Outperforms Rhenium

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

Several hydride Mn(I) and Re(I) PNP pincer complexes were applied as catalysts for the homogeneous chemoselective hydrogenation of aldehydes. Among these, [Mn(PNP-iPr)(CO)2(H)] was found to be one of the most efficient base metal catalysts for this process and represents a rare example which permits the selective hydrogenation of aldehydes in the presence of ketones and other reducible functionalities, such as C=C double bonds, esters, or nitriles. The reaction proceeds at room temperature under base-free conditions with catalyst loadings between 0.1 and 0.05 mol% and a hydrogen pressure of 50 bar (reaching TONs of up to 2000). A mechanism which involves an outer-sphere hydride transfer and reversible PNP ligand deprotonation/protonation is proposed. Analogous isoelectronic and isostructural Re(I) complexes were only poorly active. PMID:29755828

C–C Bond formation catalyzed by natural gelatin and collagen proteins

PubMed Central

Kühbeck, Dennis; Bijayi Dhar, Basab; Schön, Eva-Maria; Cativiela, Carlos; Gotor-Fernández, Vicente

2013-01-01

Summary The activity of gelatin and collagen proteins towards C–C bond formation via Henry (nitroaldol) reaction between aldehydes and nitroalkanes is demonstrated for the first time. Among other variables, protein source, physical state and chemical modification influence product yield and kinetics, affording the nitroaldol products in both aqueous and organic media under mild conditions. Significantly, the scale-up of the process between 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and nitromethane is successfully achieved at 1 g scale and in good yield. A comparative kinetic study with other biocatalysts shows an increase of the first-order rate constant in the order chitosan < gelatin < bovine serum albumin (BSA) < collagen. The results of this study indicate that simple edible gelatin can promote C–C bond forming reactions under physiological conditions, which may have important implications from a metabolic perspective. PMID:23843902

Corrosion Behavior of Nuclear Waste Storage Canister Materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grant, John

The nature of interaction of mild steel nuclear waste storage containers with technetium ions is not fully known. Technetium is formed during nuclear processing and some of this technetium has leaked at the Hanford nuclear waste storage site in Washington State. It is often found as highly oxidized pertechnetate (TeO4-) anions at these storage sites which also happen to be highly alkaline and contain a significant amount of nitrate. Theoretically, pertechnetate anions can act as electron acceptors and interact with the mild steel containers and accelerate the oxidation (corrosion) of steel. It is of interest to identify if pertechnetate anions pose a corrosion hazard to the mild steel nuclear waste storage tanks, under the conditions of the storage sites, as that can accelerate the degradation of the tanks and lead to further contamination. In this thesis, the interaction of two relevant container materials, namely, steel alloys A285 and A537 with a technetium surrogate, rhenium was studied. Perrhenate was used as an analog for pertechnetate. As all isotopes of technetium are radioactive, rhenium was chosen as the experimental surrogate due to its chemical similarity to technetium. Electrochemical behavior was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization tests, and the surface morphology was studied using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Potentiodynamic polarization tests were conducted in 1.0M NaNO3 + 0.1M NaOH and 1.0M NaNO3 + 0.1M NaOH + 0.02M NaReO4. Tests were performed at three different temperatures, namely, (i) room temperature, (ii) 50°C and (iii) 80°C to study the effect of higher temperatures found in the storage sites. Corrosion current, corrosion potential, anodic and cathodic Tafel slopes, polarization resistance and corrosion rates were obtained from electrochemical testing and evaluated. Increasing temperatures was found to lead to increasing corrosion rates for all samples. The data also revealed increased corrosion from sodium perrhenate on the mild steel A285 samples. The perrhenate anion (ReO4-) formed a redox couple with iron in the mild steel and accelerated metal dissolution that increased with temperature. Pitting and uniform corrosion was observed in the A285 and A537 mild steel samples. The A537 mild steel, however, displayed lower corrosion rates in the presence of perrhenate compared in the absence of perrhenate. A hypothesis has been proposed to explain the differences between the two alloys.

Pyrolysis of coal

DOEpatents

Babu, Suresh P.; Bair, Wilford G.

1992-01-01

A method for mild gasification of crushed coal in a single vertical elongated reaction vessel providing a fluidized bed reaction zone, a freeboard reaction zone, and an entrained reaction zone within the single vessel. Feed coal and gas may be fed separately to each of these reaction zones to provide different reaction temperatures and conditions in each reaction zone. The reactor and process of this invention provides for the complete utilization of a coal supply for gasification including utilization of caking and non-caking or agglomerating feeds in the same reactor. The products may be adjusted to provide significantly greater product economic value, especially with respect to desired production of char having high surface area.

Semi-catalytic reduction of secondary amides to imines and aldehydes.

PubMed

Lee, Sun-Hwa; Nikonov, Georgii I

2014-06-21

Secondary amides can be reduced by silane HSiMe2Ph into imines and aldehydes by a two-stage process involving prior conversion of amides into iminoyl chlorides followed by catalytic reduction mediated by the ruthenium complex [Cp(i-Pr3P)Ru(NCCH3)2]PF6 (1). Alkyl and aryl amides bearing halogen, ketone, and ester groups were converted with moderate to good yields under mild reaction conditions to the corresponding imines and aldehydes. This procedure does not work for substrates bearing the nitro-group and fails for heteroaromatic amides. In the case of cyano substituted amides, the cyano group is reduced to imine.

Biomimetic catalytic system driven by electron transfer for selective oxygenation of hydrocarbon.

PubMed

Yang, Guanyu; Ma, Yinfa; Xu, Jie

2004-09-01

Hydrocarbon oxyfunctionalization is a crucial industrial process. Most metallic catalysts require higher temperatures and often show lower selectivities. One of the intellectual approaches is the mimicry for bio-oxidation. We have established a biomimetic system with a nonmetallic redox center, composed of anthraquinones, N-hydroxyphthalimide, and zeolite HY, for selective hydrocarbon oxygenation by molecular oxygen. Selectivity of 95.8% for acetophenone and 66.2% conversion were accomplished for oxygenation of ethylbenzene at temperatures as low as 80 degrees C. The redox cycle, driven by one-electron transfer and product orientation by Zeolite HY, opens up the possibility of mimicking bio-oxidation under mild conditions.

Facile one-step synthesis of magnesium-doped ZnO nanoparticles: optical properties and their device applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oh, Ji-Young; Lim, Sang-Chul; Ahn, Seong Deok; Lee, Sang Seok; Cho, Kyoung-Ik; Bon Koo, Jae; Choi, Rino; Hasan, Musarrat

2013-07-01

In this study, magnesium-doped (Mg-doped) zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a sonochemical process under mild conditions. The x-ray diffraction pattern indicated that the Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles maintain a wurtzite structure without impurities. We observed a blue-shift of the bandgap of the Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles as the Mg-doping ratio increased. We also fabricated thin-film transistor (TFT) devices with the doped-ZnO nanoparticles. Devices using Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles as a channel layer showed insensibility to white-light irradiation compared with undoped ZnO TFTs.

Rapid Covalent Immobilization of Proteins by Phenol-Based Photochemical Cross-Linking.

PubMed

Ren, Jun; Tian, Kaikai; Jia, Lingyun; Han, Xiuyou; Zhao, Mingshan

2016-10-19

A strategy for photoinduced covalent immobilization of proteins on phenol-functionalized surfaces is described. Under visible light irradiation, the reaction can be completed within seconds at ambient temperature, with high yields in aqueous solution of physiological conditions. Protein immobilization is based on a ruthenium-catalyzed radical cross-linking reaction between proteins and phenol-modified surfaces, and the process has proven mild enough for lipase, Staphylococcus aureus protein A, and streptavidin to preserve their bioactivity. This strategy was successfully applied to antibody immobilization on different material platforms, including agarose beads, cellulose membranes, and glass wafers, thus providing a generic procedure for rapid biomodification of surfaces.

Visible-Light-Promoted Trifluoromethylthiolation of Styrenes by Dual Photoredox/Halide Catalysis.

PubMed

Honeker, Roman; Garza-Sanchez, R Aleyda; Hopkinson, Matthew N; Glorius, Frank

2016-03-18

Herein, we report a new visible-light-promoted strategy to access radical trifluoromethylthiolation reactions by combining halide and photoredox catalysis. This approach allows for the synthesis of vinyl-SCF3 compounds of relevance in pharmaceutical chemistry directly from alkenes under mild conditions with irradiation from household light sources. Furthermore, alkyl-SCF3-containing cyclic ketone and oxindole derivatives can be accessed by radical-polar crossover semi-pinacol and cyclization processes. Inexpensive halide salts play a crucial role in activating the trifluoromethylthiolating reagent towards photoredox catalysis and aid the formation of the SCF3 radical. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

A Thermally Re-mendable Cross-Linked Polymeric Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Xiangxu; Dam, Matheus A.; Ono, Kanji; Mal, Ajit; Shen, Hongbin; Nutt, Steven R.; Sheran, Kevin; Wudl, Fred

2002-03-01

We have developed a transparent organic polymeric material that can repeatedly mend or ``re-mend'' itself under mild conditions. The material is a tough solid at room temperature and below with mechanical properties equaling those of commercial epoxy resins. At temperatures above 120°C, approximately 30% (as determined by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) of ``intermonomer'' linkages disconnect but then reconnect upon cooling, This process is fully reversible and can be used to restore a fractured part of the polymer multiple times, and it does not require additional ingredients such as a catalyst, additional monomer, or special surface treatment of the fractured interface.

Heterobimetallic lanthanide/sodium phenoxides: efficient catalysts for amidation of aldehydes with amines.

PubMed

Li, Junmei; Xu, Fan; Zhang, Yong; Shen, Qi

2009-03-20

Heterobimetallic lanthanide/sodium phenoxides were found to be efficient catalysts for amidation of aldehydes with amines under mild conditions. The reactivity follows the order Nd < Y < Sm for metals and 2,6-(Me)2C6H3O < 2,6-(iPr)2C6H3O < 2,6-(tBu)2C6H3O for phenoxide groups. In comparison with the corresponding monometallic complexes, heterobimetallic complexes show higher activity and a wider range of scope of amines. A cooperation of lanthanide and sodium in this process is proposed to contribute to the high activity of the present catalyst.

Acrolein Microspheres Are Bonded To Large-Area Substrates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rembaum, Alan; Yen, Richard C. K.

1988-01-01

Reactive cross-linked microspheres produced under influence of ionizing radiation in aqueous solutions of unsaturated aldehydes, such as acrolein, with sodium dodecyl sulfate. Diameters of spheres depend on concentrations of ingredients. If polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, or polypropylene object immersed in solution during irradiation, microspheres become attached to surface. Resulting modified surface has grainy coating with reactivity similar to free microspheres. Aldehyde-substituted-functional microspheres react under mild conditions with number of organic reagents and with most proteins. Microsphere-coated macrospheres or films used to immobilize high concentrations of proteins, enzymes, hormones, viruses, cells, and large number of organic compounds. Applications include separation techniques, clinical diagnostic tests, catalytic processes, and battery separators.

Do the diagnostic criteria for subclinical hypercortisolism exist?

PubMed

Tabarin, Antoine

2018-06-01

"Subclinical hypercortisolism" (SH) refers to a condition associated with a mild chronic increase in cortisol secretion. By definition, patients with SH do not exhibit specific symptoms of overt Cushing's syndrome (such as purple striae, easy bruising, proximal muscle weakness), SH has been preferred to "subclinical Cushing's syndrome", a semantic ambiguity since Cushing's syndrome is, by definition, a set of symptoms; and to the term "preclinical Cushing syndrome" because the progression toward overt clinical hypercortisolism is very rare. However, SH still is misnomer as a number of studies suggest that this condition may induce long-term non-specific adverse conditions related to the mild cortisol excess (i.e. diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and osteoporosis). Various attempts have been made to define SH that remains a matter of controversies and uncertainties. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Assessment of processing speed in children with mild TBI: a "first look" at the validity of pediatric ImPACT.

PubMed

Newman, Julie B; Reesman, Jennifer H; Vaughan, Christopher G; Gioia, Gerard A

2013-01-01

Deficit in the speed of cognitive processing is a commonly identified neuropsychological change in children recovering from a mild TBI. However, there are few validated child assessment instruments that allow for serial assessment over the course of recovery in this population. Pediatric ImPACT is a novel measure that purports to assess cognitive speed, learning, and efficiency in this population. The current study sought to validate the use of this new measure by comparing it to traditional paper and pencil measures of processing speed. One hundred and sixty-four children (71% male) age 5-12 with mild TBI evaluated in an outpatient concussion clinic were administered Pediatric ImPACT and other neuropsychological test measures as part of a flexible test battery. Performance on the Response Speed Composite of Pediatric ImPACT was more strongly associated with other measures of cognitive processing speed, than with measures of immediate/working memory and learning/memory in this sample of injured children. There is preliminary support for convergent and discriminant validity of Pediatric ImPACT as a measure for use in post-concussion evaluations of processing speed in children.

Benzoyl radicals from (hetero)aromatic aldehydes. Decatungstate photocatalyzed synthesis of substituted aromatic ketones.

PubMed

Ravelli, Davide; Zema, Michele; Mella, Mariella; Fagnoni, Maurizio; Albini, Angelo

2010-09-21

Benzoyl radicals are generated directly from (hetero)aromatic aldehydes upon tetrabutylammonium decatungstate ((n-Bu(4)N)(4)W(10)O(32)), TBADT) photocatalysis under mild conditions. In the presence of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters, ketones and nitriles radical conjugate addition ensues and gives the corresponding beta-functionalized aryl alkyl ketones in moderate to good yields (stereoselectively in the case of 3-methylene-2-norbornanone). Due to the mild reaction conditions the presence of various functional groups on the aromatic ring is tolerated (e.g. methyl, methoxy, chloro). The method can be applied to hetero-aromatic aldehydes whether electron-rich (e.g. thiophene-2-carbaldehyde) or electron-poor (e.g. pyridine-3-carbaldehyde).

Mild and efficient strontium chloride hexahydrate-catalyzed conversion of ketones and aldehydes into corresponding gem-dihydroperoxides by aqueous H2O2.

PubMed

Azarifar, Davood; Khosravi, Kaveh; Soleimanei, Fatemeh

2010-03-08

SrCl2 x 6 H2O has been shown to act as an efficient catalyst for the conversion of aldehydes or ketones into the corresponding gem-dihydroperoxides (DHPs) by treatment with aqueous H2O2 (30%) in acetonitrile. The reactions proceed under mild and neutral conditions at room temperature to afford good to excellent yields of product.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic study of surface chemistry of dibenzyl-disulfide on steel under mild and severe wear conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wheeler, D. R.

1977-01-01

Wear tests were performed on 304 stainless steel lubricated with pure mineral oil with and without dibenzyl-disulfide. Both mild and severe wear were observed. The type of wear was distinguished by a marked change in wear rate, friction coefficient, and wear scar appearance. The chemical composition of the wear scar surface was examined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in conjunction with argon ion sputter etching. In severe wear scars, a sulfide was formed at the expense of the normal oxide layer. In mild wear scars, there were only superficial sulfur compounds, but there was a substantial increase in the oxide thickness.

Measurement of Functional Cognition and Complex Everyday Activities in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia: Validity of the Large Allen's Cognitive Level Screen.

PubMed

Wesson, Jacqueline; Clemson, Lindy; Crawford, John D; Kochan, Nicole A; Brodaty, Henry; Reppermund, Simone

2017-05-01

To explore the validity of the Large Allen's Cognitive Level Screen-5 (LACLS-5) as a performance-based measure of functional cognition, representing an ability to perform complex everyday activities in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia living in the community. Using cross-sectional data from the Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, 160 community-dwelling older adults with normal cognition (CN; N = 87), MCI (N = 43), or dementia (N = 30) were studied. Functional cognition (LACLS-5), complex everyday activities (Disability Assessment for Dementia [DAD]), Assessment of Motor and Process Skills [AMPS]), and neuropsychological measures were used. Participants with dementia performed worse than CN on all clinical measures, and MCI participants were intermediate. Correlational analyses showed that LACLS-5 was most strongly related to AMPS Process scores, DAD instrumental activities of daily living subscale, Mini-Mental State Exam, Block Design, Logical Memory, and Trail Making Test B. Multiple regression analysis indicated that both cognitive (Block Design) and functional measures (AMPS Process score) and sex predicted LACLS-5 performance. Finally, LACLS-5 was able to adequately discriminate between CN and dementia and between MCI and dementia but was unable to reliably distinguish between CN and MCI. Construct validity, including convergent and discriminative validity, was supported. LACLS-5 is a valid performance-based measure for evaluating functional cognition. Discriminativevalidity is acceptable for identifying mild dementia but requires further refinement for detecting MCI. Copyright © 2017 American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dyes removal from textile wastewater using graphene based nanofiltration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makertihartha, I. G. B. N.; Rizki, Z.; Zunita, M.; Dharmawijaya, P. T.

2017-05-01

Wastewater produced from textile industry is having more strict regulation. The major pollutant of wastewater from textile industry is Dyes. Dyes have several harsh properties i.e toxic, volatile, complexing easily with mineral ions that are dissolved in water (decreasing the amount of important mineral ions in water), and hard to disintegrate, therefore it must be removed from the waste stream. There are several methods and mechanisms to remove dyes such as chemical and physical sorption, evaporation, biological degradation, and photocatalytic system that can be applied to the waste stream. Membrane-based separation technology has been introduced in dyes removal treatment and is well known for its advantages (flexibility, mild operating condition, insensitive to toxic pollutant). Graphene and its derivatives are novel materials which have special properties due to its ultrathin layer and nanometer-size pores. Thus, the materials are very light yet strong. Moreover, it has low cost and easy to fabricate. Recently, the application of graphene and its derivatives in nanofiltration membrane processes is being widely explored. This review investigates the potentials of graphene based membrane in dyes removal processes. The operating conditions, dyes removal effectiveness, and the drawbacks of the process are the main focus in this paper.

Organics removal in oily bilgewater by electrocoagulation process.

PubMed

Asselin, Mélanie; Drogui, Patrick; Brar, Satinder Kaur; Benmoussa, Hamel; Blais, Jean-François

2008-03-01

This study investigated the treatment of oily bilgewater using an electrocoagulation technique. Electrocoagulation process was evaluated at laboratory scale (1.7 l electrolytic cell) and involved utilization of two kinds of electrodes (iron and aluminium) arranged either in bipolar (BP) or monopolar (MP) configuration. Results showed that the best performance was obtained using mild steel MP electrode system operated at a current intensity of 1.5A, through 60 or 90 min of treatment. Under these conditions, removal yields of 93.0+/-3.3% and 95.6+/-0.2% were measured for BOD and O&G, respectively, whereas CODs and CODt were removed by 61.3+/-3.6% and 78.1+/-0.1%, respectively. Likewise, 99.4+/-0.1% of n-C10 to n-C50 hydrocarbons was removed from oily bilgewater. Electrocoagulation was also efficient for clarification of OBW. Removal yields of 99.8+/-0.4% and 98.4+/-0.5% have been measured for TSS and turbidity, respectively. Electrocoagulation process operated under the optimal conditions involves a total cost of 0.46 US$ per cubic meter of treated OBW. This cost only includes energy and electrode consumptions, chemicals, and sludge disposal.

Enzymatic induction of supramolecular order and bioactivity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Chengbiao; Ren, Xinrui; Ding, Dan; Wang, Ling; Yang, Zhimou

2016-05-01

We showed in this study that enzymatic triggering is a totally different pathway for the preparation of self-assembling nanomaterials to the heating-cooling process. Because the molecules were under lower energy levels and the molecular conformation was more ordered during the enzymatic triggeration under mild conditions, nanomaterials with higher supramolecular order could be obtained through biocatalytic control. In this study, nanoparticles were obtained by an enzymatic reaction and nanofibers were observed through the heating-cooling process. We observed a distinct trough at 318 nm from the CD spectrum of a particle sample but not a fiber sample, suggesting the long range arrangement of molecules and helicity in the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles with higher supramolecular order possessed much better potency as a protein vaccine adjuvant because it accelerated the DC maturation and elicited stronger T-cells cytokine production than the nanofibers. Our study demonstrated that biocatalytic triggering is a useful method for preparing supramolecular nanomaterials with higher supramolecular order and probably better bioactivity.We showed in this study that enzymatic triggering is a totally different pathway for the preparation of self-assembling nanomaterials to the heating-cooling process. Because the molecules were under lower energy levels and the molecular conformation was more ordered during the enzymatic triggeration under mild conditions, nanomaterials with higher supramolecular order could be obtained through biocatalytic control. In this study, nanoparticles were obtained by an enzymatic reaction and nanofibers were observed through the heating-cooling process. We observed a distinct trough at 318 nm from the CD spectrum of a particle sample but not a fiber sample, suggesting the long range arrangement of molecules and helicity in the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles with higher supramolecular order possessed much better potency as a protein vaccine adjuvant because it accelerated the DC maturation and elicited stronger T-cells cytokine production than the nanofibers. Our study demonstrated that biocatalytic triggering is a useful method for preparing supramolecular nanomaterials with higher supramolecular order and probably better bioactivity. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c6nr02330d

Deficits in Attention and Visual Processing but not Global Cognition Predict Simulated Driving Errors in Drivers Diagnosed With Mild Alzheimer's Disease.

PubMed

Yamin, Stephanie; Stinchcombe, Arne; Gagnon, Sylvain

2016-06-01

This study sought to predict driving performance of drivers with Alzheimer's disease (AD) using measures of attention, visual processing, and global cognition. Simulated driving performance of individuals with mild AD (n = 20) was contrasted with performance of a group of healthy controls (n = 21). Performance on measures of global cognitive function and specific tests of attention and visual processing were examined in relation to simulated driving performance. Strong associations were observed between measures of attention, notably the Test of Everyday Attention (sustained attention; r = -.651, P = .002) and the Useful Field of View (r = .563, P = .010), and driving performance among drivers with mild AD. The Visual Object and Space Perception Test-object was significantly correlated with the occurrence of crashes (r = .652, P = .002). Tests of global cognition did not correlate with simulated driving outcomes. The results suggest that professionals exercise caution when extrapolating driving performance based on global cognitive indicators. © The Author(s) 2015.

Propofol and memory: a study using a process dissociation procedure and functional magnetic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Quan, X; Yi, J; Ye, T H; Tian, S Y; Zou, L; Yu, X R; Huang, Y G

2013-04-01

Thirty volunteers randomly received either mild or deep propofol sedation, to assess its effect on explicit and implicit memory. Blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance during sedation examined brain activation by auditory word stimulus and a process dissociation procedure was performed 4 h after scanning. Explicit memory formation did not occur in either group. Implicit memories were formed during mild but not deep sedation (p = 0.04). Mild propofol sedation inhibited superior temporal gyrus activation (Z value 4.37, voxel 167). Deep propofol sedation inhibited superior temporal gyrus (Z value 4.25, voxel 351), middle temporal gyrus (Z value 4.39, voxel 351) and inferior parietal lobule (Z value 5.06, voxel 239) activation. Propofol only abolishes implicit memory during deep sedation. The superior temporal gyrus is associated with explicit memory processing, while the formation of both implicit and explicit memories is associated with superior and middle temporal gyri and inferior parietal lobule activation. Anaesthesia © 2013 The Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland.

Does the cause of the mild traumatic brain injury affect the expectation of persistent postconcussion symptoms and psychological trauma?

PubMed

Sullivan, Karen A; Wade, Christina

2017-05-01

A controlled experiment of the effect of injury cause on expectations of outcome from mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) was conducted. Ninety-three participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. The participants read a vignette that described a mild TBI (with fixed injury parameters) from a different cause (sport, domestic assault, fall, or motor vehicle accident). The effect of the manipulation on expectations of persistent postconcussion symptoms and psychological trauma was assessed with standard measures and a novel "threat-to-life" measure. The Kruskal-Wallis H test for group differences revealed a significant but selective effect of group on symptom and trauma outcomes (ŋ 2 s ≥ .10; large effects). Post hoc pairwise tests showed that, in most cases, there was an expectation of a worse outcome following mild TBI from a domestic assault than from the other causes (small-to-medium effects). Expectations were selectively altered by an experimental manipulation of injury cause. Given that expectations of outcome are known to affect mild TBI prognosis, the findings suggest the need for greater attention to injury cause.

Numerical study of influence of molecular diffusion in the Mild combustion regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mardani, Amir; Tabejamaat, Sadegh; Ghamari, Mohsen

2010-09-01

In this paper, the importance of molecular diffusion versus turbulent transport in the moderate or intense low-oxygen dilution (Mild) combustion mode has been numerically studied. The experimental conditions of Dally et al. [Proc. Combust. Inst. 29 (2002) 1147-1154] were used for modelling. The EDC model was used to describe the turbulence-chemistry interaction. The DRM-22 reduced mechanism and the GRI 2.11 full mechanism were used to represent the chemical reactions of an H2/methane jet flame. The importance of molecular diffusion for various O2 levels, jet Reynolds numbers and H2 fuel contents was investigated. Results show that the molecular diffusion in Mild combustion cannot be ignored in comparison with the turbulent transport. Also, the method of inclusion of molecular diffusion in combustion modelling has a considerable effect on the accuracy of numerical modelling of Mild combustion. By decreasing the jet Reynolds number, decreasing the oxygen concentration in the airflow or increasing H2 in the fuel mixture, the influence of molecular diffusion on Mild combustion increases.

Effect of Mild Acid on Gene Expression in Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

Weinrick, Brian; Dunman, Paul M.; McAleese, Fionnuala; Murphy, Ellen; Projan, Steven J.; Fang, Yuan; Novick, Richard P.

2004-01-01

During staphylococcal growth in glucose-supplemented medium, the pH of a culture starting near neutrality typically decreases by about 2 units due to the fermentation of glucose. Many species can comfortably tolerate the resulting mildly acidic conditions (pH, ∼5.5) by mounting a cellular response, which serves to defend the intracellular pH and, in principle, to modify gene expression for optimal performance in a mildly acidic infection site. In this report, we show that changes in staphylococcal gene expression formerly thought to represent a glucose effect are largely the result of declining pH. We examine the cellular response to mild acid by microarray analysis and define the affected gene set as the mild acid stimulon. Many of the genes encoding extracellular virulence factors are affected, as are genes involved in regulation of virulence factor gene expression, transport of sugars and peptides, intermediary metabolism, and pH homeostasis. Key results are verified by gene fusion and Northern blot hybridization analyses. The results point to, but do not define, possible regulatory pathways by which the organism senses and responds to a pH stimulus. PMID:15576791

The perceptual consequences of interocular suppression in amblyopia.

PubMed

Maehara, Goro; Thompson, Benjamin; Mansouri, Behzad; Farivar, Reza; Hess, Robert F

2011-11-21

It is known that information from an amblyopic eye can be strongly suppressed when both eyes are open. The authors investigated the way in which suppression influences the relative perception of suprathreshold contrast and luminance between a person's eyes under dichoptic viewing conditions. Stimuli consisted of four patches of luminance or four patches containing gratings. Two patches were presented to each eye. Ten amblyopes with mild suppression (six strabismic, three anisometropic and strabismic, and one deprivation; mean age, 34.5 years) and three control observers with normal vision (mean age, 33.0 years) matched the appearance of the stimuli presented to each eye. The match involved manipulation of either luminance or contrast. Amblyopes with mild suppression decreased stimulus luminance in the fellow fixing eye or increased luminance in the amblyopic eye to achieve a match (mean matching luminance, 21.1 and 39.6 cd/m(2) for the fellow fixing eye and the amblyopic eye, respectively; standard luminance, 30 cd/m(2)). This interocular mismatch was also observed when luminance was variable and contrast was kept constant (mean matching luminance, 22.8 cd/m(2) for the fellow fixing eye). On the other hand, the amblyopic eye showed no loss of perceived contrast. There was little or no mismatch between the two eyes of control participants with normal binocular vision. Amblyopes have monocular deficits in contrast perception but dichoptic deficits in luminance perception, suggesting that suppression in its mild form involves luminance processing.

Visual-vestibular processing deficits in mild traumatic brain injury.

PubMed

Wright, W G; Tierney, R T; McDevitt, J

2017-01-01

The search for reliable and valid signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly synonymous with concussion, has lead to a growing body of evidence that individuals with long-lasting, unremitting impairments often experience visual and vestibular symptoms, such as dizziness, postural and gait disturbances. Investigate the role of visual-vestibular processing deficits following concussion. A number of clinically accepted vestibular, oculomotor, and balance assessments as well as a novel virtual reality (VR)-based balance assessment device were used to assess adults with post-acute concussion (n = 14) in comparison to a healthy age-matched cohort (n = 58). Significant between-group differences were found with the VR-based balance device (p = 0.001), with dynamic visual motion emerging as the most discriminating balance condition. The symptom reports collected after performing the oculomotor and vestibular tests: rapid alternating horizontal eye saccades, optokinetic stimulation, and gaze stabilization, were all sensitive to health status (p < 0.05), despite the absence of oculomotor abnormalities being observed, except for near-point convergence. The BESS, King-Devick, and Dynamic Visual Acuity tests did not detect between-group differences. Postural and visual-vestibular tasks most closely linked to spatial and self-motion perception had the greatest discriminatory outcomes. The current findings suggest that mesencephalic and parieto-occipital centers and pathways may be involved in concussion.

Stress and reward processing in bipolar disorder: an fMRI study

PubMed Central

Berghorst, Lisa H; Kumar, Poornima; Greve, Doug N; Deckersbach, Thilo; Ongur, Dost; Dutra, Sunny; Pizzagalli, Diego A

2016-01-01

Objectives A link between negative life stress and the onset of mood episodes in bipolar disorder (BD) has been established, but processes underlying such a link remain unclear. Growing evidence suggests that stress can negatively affect reward processing and related neurobiological substrates, indicating that a dysregulated reward system may provide a partial explanation. The aim of this study was to test the impact of stress on reward-related neural functioning in BD. Methods Thirteen euthymic or mildly depressed individuals with BD and 15 controls performed a Monetary Incentive Delay task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging during no-stress and stress (negative psychosocial stressor involving poor performance feedback and threat of monetary deductions) conditions. Results In hypothesis-driven region-of- interest-based analyses, a significant group by condition interaction emerged in the amygdala during reward anticipation. Relative to controls, while anticipating a potential reward, subjects with BD were characterized by amygdalar hyperactivation in the no-stress condition but hypoactivation during stress. Moreover, relative to controls, subjects with BD had significantly larger amygdala volumes. After controlling for structural differences, the effects of stress on amygdalar function remained, whereas groups no longer differed during the no-stress condition. During reward consumption, a group by condition interaction emerged in the putamen due to increased putamen activation to rewards in participants with BD during stress, but an opposite pattern in controls. Conclusions Overall, findings highlight possible impairments in using reward-predicting cues to adaptively engage in goal-directed actions in BD, combined with stress-induced hypersensitivity to reward consumption. Potential clinical implications are discussed. PMID:27870507

Identity Constructions and Transition to Adulthood for Young People with Mild Intellectual Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Midjo, Turid; Aune, Karin Ellingsen

2018-01-01

This article explores the self-constructions of young adults with mild intellectual disabilities in talk about their everyday living and how parents and professionals construct young adults with disabilities in talk about their involvement in transition processes. The analysis is related to an interpretive tradition and conducted based on…

Human Capability, Mild Perfectionism and Thickened Educational Praxis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Melanie

2008-01-01

This paper argues for a mild perfectionism in applying Amartya Sen's capability approach for an education transformative of student agency and well-being. Key to the paper is the significance of education as a process of being and becoming in the future, and education's fundamental objective of a positively changed human being. The capability…

Polymerization of perfluorobutadiene at near-ambient conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toy, M. S.

1971-01-01

Peroxide catalyst under mild conditions initiates homopolymerization of perfluoro butadiene to new linear perfluoro polyenes and vulcanizable fluoro elastomers. Resulting polyperfluoro butadiene serves as hard elastomer for good chemical resistance, as intermediate in graft polymerizations, and as crosslink for high molecular weight materials.

Postconditioning with repeated mild hypoxia protects neonatal hypoxia-ischemic rats against brain damage and promotes rehabilitation of brain function.

PubMed

Deng, Qingqing; Chang, Yanqun; Cheng, Xiaomao; Luo, Xingang; Zhang, Jing; Tang, Xiaoyuan

2018-05-01

Mild hypoxia conditioning induced by repeated episodes of transient ischemia is a clinically applicable method for protecting the brain against injury after hypoxia-ischemic brain damage. To assess the effect of repeated mild hypoxia postconditioning on brain damage and long-term neural functional recovery after hypoxia-ischemic brain damage. Rats received different protocols of repeated mild hypoxia postconditioning. Seven-day-old rats with hypoxia ischemic brain damage (HIBD) from the left carotid ligation procedure plus 2 h hypoxic stress (8% O 2 at 37 °C) were further receiving repeated mild hypoxia intermittently. The gross anatomy, functional analyses, hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1a) expression, and neuronal apoptosis of the rat brains were subsequently examined. Compared to the HIBD group, rats postconditioned with mild hypoxia had elevated HIF-1a expression, more Nissl-stain positive cells in their brain tissue and their brains functioned better in behavioral analyses. The recovery of the brain function may be directly linked to the inhibitory effect of HIF-1α on neuronal apoptosis. Furthermore, there were significantly less neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampal CA1 region of the rats postconditioned with mild hypoxia, which might also be related to the higher HIF-1a expression and better brain performance. Overall, these results suggested that postconditioning of neonatal rats after HIBD with mild hypoxia increased HIF-1a expression, exerted a neuroprotective effect and promoted neural functional recovery. Repeated mild hypoxia postconditioning protects neonatal rats with HIBD against brain damage and improves neural functional recovery. Our results may have clinical implications for treating infants with HIBD. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Processing of Materials for Regenerative Medicine Using Supercritical Fluid Technology.

PubMed

García-González, Carlos A; Concheiro, Angel; Alvarez-Lorenzo, Carmen

2015-07-15

The increase in the world demand of bone and cartilage replacement therapies urges the development of advanced synthetic scaffolds for regenerative purposes, not only providing mechanical support for tissue formation, but also promoting and guiding the tissue growth. Conventional manufacturing techniques have severe restrictions for designing these upgraded scaffolds, namely, regarding the use of organic solvents, shearing forces, and high operating temperatures. In this context, the use of supercritical fluid technology has emerged as an attractive solution to design solvent-free scaffolds and ingredients for scaffolds under mild processing conditions. The state-of-the-art on the technological endeavors for scaffold production using supercritical fluids is presented in this work with a critical review on the key processing parameters as well as the main advantages and limitations of each technique. A special stress is focused on the strategies suitable for the incorporation of bioactive agents (drugs, bioactive glasses, and growth factors) and the in vitro and in vivo performance of supercritical CO2-processed scaffolds.

A Soluble Dynamic Complex Strategy for the Solution-Processed Fabrication of Organic Thin-Film Transistors of a Boron-Containing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon.

PubMed

Matsuo, Kyohei; Saito, Shohei; Yamaguchi, Shigehiro

2016-09-19

The solution-processed fabrication of thin films of organic semiconductors enables the production of cost-effective, large-area organic electronic devices under mild conditions. The formation/dissociation of a dynamic B-N coordination bond can be used for the solution-processed fabrication of semiconducting films of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) materials. The poor solubility of a boron-containing PAH in chloroform, toluene, and chlorobenzene was significantly improved by addition of minor amounts (1 wt % of solvent) of pyridine derivatives, as their coordination to the boron atom suppresses the inherent propensity of the PAHs to form π-stacks. Spin-coating solutions of the thus formed Lewis acid-base complexes resulted in the formation of amorphous thin films, which could be converted into polycrystalline films of the boron-containing PAH upon thermal annealing. Organic thin-film transistors prepared by this solution process displayed typical p-type characteristics. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Technological and economic aspects of coal biodesulfurisation.

PubMed

Klein, J

1998-01-01

The sulfur found in coal is either part of the molecular coal structure (organically bound sulfur), is contained in minerals such as pyrite (FeS2), or occurs in minor quantities in the form of sulfate and elemental sulfur. When pyrite crystals are finely distributed within the coal matrix, mechanical cleaning can only remove part of the pyrite. It can, however, be removed by microbial action requiring only mild conditions. The process involves simple equipment, almost no chemicals, but relatively long reaction times, and treatment of iron sulfate containing process water. Different process configurations are possible, depending on the coal particle size. Coal with particle sizes of less than 0.5 mm is preferably desulfurised in slurry reactors, while lump coal (> 0.5 mm) should be treated in heaps. Investment and operating costs are estimated for different process configurations on an industrial scale. Concerning the organically bound sulfur in coal there is up to now no promising biochemical pathway for the degradation and/or desulfurisation of such compounds.

Natural Origin Lycopene and Its "Green" Downstream Processing.

PubMed

Papaioannou, Emmanouil H; Liakopoulou-Kyriakides, Maria; Karabelas, Anastasios J

2016-01-01

Lycopene is an abundant natural carotenoid pigment with several biological functions (well-known for its antioxidant properties) which is under intensive investigation in recent years. Lycopene chemistry, its natural distribution, bioavailability, biological significance, and toxicological effects are briefly outlined in the first part of this review. The second, major part, deals with various modern downstream processing techniques, which are assessed in order to identify promising approaches for the recovery of lycopene and of similar lipophilic compounds. Natural lycopene is synthesized in plants and by microorganisms, with main representatives of these two categories (for industrial production) tomato and its by-products and the fungus Blakeslea trispora, respectively. Currently, there is a great deal of effort to develop efficient downstream processing for large scale production of natural-origin lycopene, with trends strongly indicating the necessity for "green" and mild extraction conditions. In this review, emphasis is placed on final product safety and ecofriendly processing, which are expected to totally dominate in the field of natural-origin lycopene extraction and purification.

Mild Airflow Limitation during N2 Sleep Increases K-complex Frequency and Slows Electroencephalographic Activity

PubMed Central

Nguyen, Chinh D.; Wellman, Andrew; Jordan, Amy S.; Eckert, Danny J.

2016-01-01

Study Objectives: To determine the effects of mild airflow limitation on K-complex frequency and morphology and electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power. Methods: Transient reductions in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during stable N2 sleep were performed to induce mild airflow limitation in 20 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and 10 healthy controls aged 44 ± 13 y. EEG at C3 and airflow were measured in 1-min windows to quantify K-complex properties and EEG spectral power immediately before and during transient reductions in CPAP. The frequency and morphology (amplitude and latency of P200, N550 and N900 components) of K-complexes and EEG spectral power were compared between conditions. Results: During mild airflow limitation (18% reduction in peak inspiratory airflow from baseline, 0.38 ± 0.11 versus 0.31 ± 0.1 L/sec) insufficient to cause American Academy of Sleep Medicine-defined cortical arousal, K-complex frequency (9.5 ± 4.5 versus 13.7 ± 6.4 per min, P < 0.01), N550 amplitude (25 ± 3 versus 27 ± 3 μV, P < 0.01) and EEG spectral power (delta: 147 ± 48 versus 230 ± 99 μV2, P < 0.01 and theta bands: 31 ± 14 versus 34 ± 13 μV2, P < 0.01) significantly increased whereas beta band power decreased (14 ± 5 versus 11 ± 4 μV2, P < 0.01) compared to the preceding non flow-limited period on CPAP. K-complex frequency, morphology, and timing did not differ between patients and controls. Conclusion: Mild airflow limitation increases K-complex frequency, N550 amplitude, and spectral power of delta and theta bands. In addition to providing mechanistic insight into the role of mild airflow limitation on K-complex characteristics and EEG activity, these findings may have important implications for respiratory conditions in which airflow limitation during sleep is common (e.g., snoring and OSA). Citation: Nguyen CD, Wellman A, Jordan AS, Eckert DJ. Mild airflow limitation during N2 sleep increases k-complex frequency and slows electroencephalographic activity. SLEEP 2016;39(3):541–550. PMID:26612389

A recurrent mutation causing Melnick-Needles syndrome in females confers a severe, lethal phenotype in males.

PubMed

Spencer, Careni; Lombaard, Hendrik; Wise, Amy; Krause, Amanda; Robertson, Stephen P

2018-04-01

Melnick-Needles syndrome (MNS; MIM 309350) is an X-linked skeletal dysplasia caused by mutations in FLNA. Females with the condition present with characteristic facial features, short stature, skeletal anomalies, including poorly modeled and sclerotic bones, and structural abnormalities such as cardiac and urological defects. Previously males were thought to present with either a mild phenotype compatible with life or a severe lethal presentation depending on the maternal phenotype. The discovery of a limited number of mutations in FLNA as the cause of the condition has clarified the molecular basis of the disorder, but only a very small number of severely affected males have been reported with MNS. Furthermore, no mildly affected males have been described with a molecular confirmation of the condition. In this report, we describe the clinical and molecular findings of a mildly affected mother with MNS and her severely affected son. They shared a well-documented disease-causing variant in FLNA, p.(Ala1188Thr), one of two highly recurrent mutations leading to the disorder. This is only the fourth report of a male with perinatal lethal MNS and a molecular confirmation; it is the first description of this specific mutation in a male. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mild and modular surface modification of cellulose via hetero Diels-Alder (HDA) cycloaddition.

PubMed

Goldmann, Anja S; Tischer, Thomas; Barner, Leonie; Bruns, Michael; Barner-Kowollik, Christopher

2011-04-11

A combination of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and hetero Diels-Alder (HDA) cycloaddition was used to effect, under mild (T ≈ 20 °C), fast, and modular conditions, the grafting of poly(isobornyl acrylate) (M(n) = 9800 g mol(-1), PDI = 1.19) onto a solid cellulose substrate. The active hydroxyl groups expressed on the cellulose fibers were converted to tosylate leaving groups, which were subsequently substituted by a highly reactive cyclopentadienyl functionality (Cp). By employing the reactive Cp-functionality as a diene, thiocarbonyl thio-capped poly(isobornyl acrylate) synthesized via RAFT polymerization (mediated by benzyl pyridine-2-yldithioformiate (BPDF)) was attached to the surface under ambient conditions by an HDA cycloaddition (reaction time: 15 h). The surface-modified cellulose samples were analyzed in-depth by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy as well as Fourier transform infrared microscopy employing a focal plane array detector for imaging purposes. The analytical results provide strong evidence that the reaction of suitable dienophiles with Cp-functional cellulose proceeds under mild reaction conditions (T ≈ 20 °C) in an efficient fashion. In particular, the visualization of individual modified cellulose fibers via high-resolution FT-IR microscopy corroborates the homogeneous distribution of the polymer film on the cellulose fibers.

Methyl CpG level at distal part of heat-shock protein promoter HSP70 exhibits epigenetic memory for heat stress by modulating recruitment of POU2F1-associated nucleosome-remodeling deacetylase (NuRD) complex.

PubMed

Kisliouk, Tatiana; Cramer, Tomer; Meiri, Noam

2017-05-01

Depending on its stringency, exposure to heat in early life leads to either resilience or vulnerability to heat stress later in life. We hypothesized that epigenetic alterations in genes belonging to the cell proteostasis pathways are attributed to long-term responses to heat stress. Epigenetic regulation of the mRNA expression of the molecular chaperone heat-shock protein (HSP) 70 (HSPA2) was evaluated in the chick hypothalamus during the critical period of thermal-control establishment on day 3 post-hatch and during heat challenge on day 10. Both the level and duration of HSP70 expression during heat challenge a week after heat conditioning were more pronounced in chicks conditioned under harsh versus mild temperature. Analyzing different segments of the promoter in vitro indicated that methylation of a distal part altered its transcriptional activity. In parallel, DNA-methylation level of this segment in vivo was higher in harsh- compared to mild-heat-conditioned chicks. Hypermethylation of the HSP70 promoter in high-temperature-conditioned chicks was accompanied by a reduction in both POU Class 2 Homeobox 1 (POU2F1) binding and recruitment of the nucleosome remodeling deacetylase (NuRD) chromatin-remodeling complex. As a result, histone H3 acetylation levels at the HSP70 promoter were higher in harsh-temperature-conditioned chicks than in their mild-heat-conditioned counterparts. These results suggest that methylation level of a distal part of the HSP70 promoter and POU2F1 recruitment may reflect heat-stress-related epigenetic memory and may be useful in differentiating between individuals that are resilient or vulnerable to stress. © 2017 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Comparison of Hemostatic Durability between N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Gelatin Sponge Particles in Transcatheter Arterial Embolization for Acute Arterial Hemorrhage in a Coagulopathic Condition in a Swine Model

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

Yonemitsu, Takafumi; Kawai, Nobuyuki; Sato, Morio, E-mail: morisato@mail.wakayama-med.ac.jp

2010-12-15

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) or gelatin sponge particles (GSP) for acute arterial bleeding in a coagulopathic condition using a swine model. Four healthy swine were divided into two coagulopathic conditions: mild and severe. Five hemorrhages were created in each swine (10 hemorrhages per coagulopathy). Mild coagulopathy was achieved by bloodletting 10% of the total circulatory whole blood and preserving activated clotting time (ACT) less than 200 s (ACT < 200 s state); severe coagulopathy was achieved by bloodletting 30% and preserving ACT > 400 s (ACT >more » 400-second state). For each state, of ACT < 200 s or ACT > 400 s, TAE was conducted with GSP or NBCA to control five hemorrhages arising from artificially created renal and splenic injuries. Angiography immediately after TAE with GSP or NBCA showed complete occlusion in both coagulopathic conditions. In the ACT < 200-second state, follow-up angiography at 5-30 min after TAE with GSP or NBCA showed no evidence of recurrent hemorrhage. In the ACT > 400-second state, follow-up angiography showed recurrent hemorrhage in four (80%) of the five hemorrhages embolized with GSP and in one (20%) of the five hemorrhages embolized with NBCA. Microscopically, red thrombi were observed densely surrounding GSP in mild coagulopathy but were scarce in severe coagulopathy. In a condition with severe coagulopathy, TAE with NBCA was more effective in durability to cease active arterial bleeding than with GSP.« less

Comparison of hemostatic durability between N-butyl cyanoacrylate and gelatin sponge particles in transcatheter arterial embolization for acute arterial hemorrhage in a coagulopathic condition in a swine model.

PubMed

Yonemitsu, Takafumi; Kawai, Nobuyuki; Sato, Morio; Sonomura, Tetsuo; Takasaka, Isao; Nakai, Motoki; Minamiguchi, Hiroki; Sahara, Shinya; Iwasaki, Yasuhiro; Naka, Toshio; Shinozaki, Masahiro

2010-12-01

This study was designed to compare the efficacy of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) or gelatin sponge particles (GSP) for acute arterial bleeding in a coagulopathic condition using a swine model. Four healthy swine were divided into two coagulopathic conditions: mild and severe. Five hemorrhages were created in each swine (10 hemorrhages per coagulopathy). Mild coagulopathy was achieved by bloodletting 10% of the total circulatory whole blood and preserving activated clotting time (ACT) less than 200 s (ACT < 200 s state); severe coagulopathy was achieved by bloodletting 30% and preserving ACT > 400 s (ACT > 400-second state). For each state, of ACT < 200 s or ACT > 400 s, TAE was conducted with GSP or NBCA to control five hemorrhages arising from artificially created renal and splenic injuries. Angiography immediately after TAE with GSP or NBCA showed complete occlusion in both coagulopathic conditions. In the ACT < 200-second state, follow-up angiography at 5-30 min after TAE with GSP or NBCA showed no evidence of recurrent hemorrhage. In the ACT > 400-second state, follow-up angiography showed recurrent hemorrhage in four (80%) of the five hemorrhages embolized with GSP and in one (20%) of the five hemorrhages embolized with NBCA. Microscopically, red thrombi were observed densely surrounding GSP in mild coagulopathy but were scarce in severe coagulopathy. In a condition with severe coagulopathy, TAE with NBCA was more effective in durability to cease active arterial bleeding than with GSP.

Joint attention responses of children with autism spectrum disorder to simple versus complex music.

PubMed

Kalas, Amy

2012-01-01

Joint attention deficits are viewed as one of the earliest manifestations and most characteristic features of the social deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of simple versus complex music on joint attention of children with ASD. Thirty children with a diagnosis of ASD participated in this study. Fifteen of the participants were diagnosed with severe ASD and 15 were diagnosed with mild/moderate ASD. Each participant took part in six, 10-minute individual music conditions (3 simple & 3 complex) over a 3-week period. Each condition was designed to elicit responses to joint attention. RESULTS indicated a statistically significant interaction between music modality and functioning level. Therefore, the effect of simple versus complex music was dependent on functioning level. Specifically, the Simple Music Condition was more effective in eliciting Responses to Joint Attention (RJA) for children diagnosed with severe ASD, whereas the Complex Music Condition was more effective in eliciting RJA for children diagnosed with mild/moderate ASD. The results of the present study indicate that for children in the severe range of functioning, music that is simple, with clear and predictable pattems, may be most effective in eliciting responses to bids for joint attention. On the contrary, for children in the mild/moderate range of functioning, music that is more complex and variable may be most effective in eliciting responses to bids for joint attention. These results demonstrate that careful manipulation of specific musical elements can help provide the optimal conditions for facilitating joint attention with children with ASD.

Enhanced Somatosensory Feedback Reduces Prefrontal Cortical Activity During Walking in Older Adults

PubMed Central

Christou, Evangelos A.; Ring, Sarah A.; Williamson, John B.; Doty, Leilani

2014-01-01

Background. The coordination of steady state walking is relatively automatic in healthy humans, such that active attention to the details of task execution and performance (controlled processing) is low. Somatosensation is a crucial input to the spinal and brainstem circuits that facilitate this automaticity. Impaired somatosensation in older adults may reduce automaticity and increase controlled processing, thereby contributing to deficits in walking function. The primary objective of this study was to determine if enhancing somatosensory feedback can reduce controlled processing during walking, as assessed by prefrontal cortical activation. Methods. Fourteen older adults (age 77.1±5.56 years) with mild mobility deficits and mild somatosensory deficits participated in this study. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to quantify metabolic activity (tissue oxygenation index, TOI) in the prefrontal cortex. Prefrontal activity and gait spatiotemporal data were measured during treadmill walking and overground walking while participants wore normal shoes and under two conditions of enhanced somatosensation: wearing textured insoles and no shoes. Results. Relative to walking with normal shoes, textured insoles yielded a bilateral reduction of prefrontal cortical activity for treadmill walking (ΔTOI = −0.85 and −1.19 for left and right hemispheres, respectively) and for overground walking (ΔTOI = −0.51 and −0.66 for left and right hemispheres, respectively). Relative to walking with normal shoes, no shoes yielded lower prefrontal cortical activity for treadmill walking (ΔTOI = −0.69 and −1.13 for left and right hemispheres, respectively), but not overground walking. Conclusions. Enhanced somatosensation reduces prefrontal activity during walking in older adults. This suggests a less intensive utilization of controlled processing during walking. PMID:25112494

Effects of frequency compression and frequency transposition on fricative and affricate perception in listeners with normal hearing and mild to moderate hearing loss

PubMed Central

Alexander, Joshua M.; Kopun, Judy G.; Stelmachowicz, Patricia G.

2014-01-01

Summary: Listeners with normal hearing and mild to moderate loss identified fricatives and affricates that were recorded through hearing aids with frequency transposition (FT) or nonlinear frequency compression (NFC). FT significantly degraded performance for both groups. When frequencies up to ~9 kHz were lowered with NFC and with a novel frequency compression algorithm, spectral envelope decimation, performance significantly improved relative to conventional amplification (NFC-off) and was equivalent to wideband speech. Significant differences between most conditions could be largely attributed to an increase or decrease in confusions for /s/ and /z/. Objectives: Stelmachowicz and colleagues have demonstrated that the limited bandwidth associated with conventional hearing aid amplification prevents useful high-frequency speech information from being transmitted. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of two popular frequency-lowering algorithms and one novel algorithm (spectral envelope decimation) in adults with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss and in normal-hearing controls. Design: Participants listened monaurally through headphones to recordings of nine fricatives and affricates spoken by three women in a vowel-consonant (VC) context. Stimuli were mixed with speech-shaped noise at 10 dB SNR and recorded through a Widex Inteo IN-9 and a Phonak Naída UP V behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid. Frequency transposition (FT) is used in the Inteo and nonlinear frequency compression (NFC) used in the Naída. Both devices were programmed to lower frequencies above 4 kHz, but neither device could lower frequencies above 6-7 kHz. Each device was tested under four conditions: frequency lowering deactivated (FT-off and NFC-off), frequency lowering activated (FT and NFC), wideband (WB), and a fourth condition unique to each hearing aid. The WB condition was constructed by mixing recordings from the first condition with high-pass filtered versions of the source stimuli. For the Inteo, the fourth condition consisted of recordings made with the same settings as the first, but with the noise reduction feature activated (FT-off). For the Naída, the fourth condition was the same as the first condition except that source stimuli were pre-processed by a novel frequency compression algorithm, spectral envelope decimation (SED), designed in MATLAB that allowed for a more complete lowering of the 4-10 kHz input band. A follow up experiment with NFC used Phonak’s Naída SP V BTE, which could also lower a greater range of input frequencies. Results: For normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) listeners, performance with FT was significantly worse compared to the other conditions. Consistent with previous findings, performance for the HI listeners in the WB condition was significantly better than in the FT-off condition. In addition, performance in the SED and WB conditions were both significantly better than the NFC-off condition and the NFC condition with 6 kHz input bandwidth. There were no significant differences between SED and WB, indicating that improvements in fricative identification obtained by increasing bandwidth can also be obtained using this form of frequency compression. Significant differences between most conditions could be largely attributed to an increase or decrease in confusions for the phonemes /s/ and /z/. In the follow up experiment, performance in the NFC condition with 10 kHz input bandwidth was significantly better than NFC-off, replicating the results obtained with SED. Furthermore, listeners who performed poorly with NFC-off tended to show the most improvement with NFC. Conclusions: Improvements in the identification of stimuli chosen to be sensitive to the effects of frequency lowering have been demonstrated using two forms of frequency compression (NFC and SED) in individuals with mild to moderate high-frequency SNHL. However, negative results caution against using FT for this population. Results also indicate that the advantage of an extended bandwidth as reported here and elsewhere applies to the input bandwidth for frequency compression (NFC/SED) when the start frequency is ≥ 4 kHz. PMID:24699702

Direct Transformation of Amorphous Silicon Carbide into Graphene under Low Temperature and Ambient Pressure

PubMed Central

Peng, Tao; Lv, Haifeng; He, Daping; Pan, Mu; Mu, Shichun

2013-01-01

A large-scale availability of the graphene is critical to the successful application of graphene-based electronic devices. The growth of epitaxial graphene (EG) on insulating silicon carbide (SiC) surfaces has opened a new promising route for large-scale high-quality graphene production. However, two key obstacles to epitaxial growth are extremely high requirements for almost perfectly ordered crystal SiC and harsh process conditions. Here, we report that the amorphous SiC (a-Si1−xCx) nano-shell (nano-film) can be directly transformed into graphene by using chlorination method under very mild reaction conditions of relative low temperature (800°C) and the ambient pressure in chlorine (Cl2) atmosphere. Therefore, our finding, the direct transformation of a-Si1−xCx into graphene under much milder condition, will open a door to apply this new method to the large-scale production of graphene at low costs. PMID:23359349

Understanding the theoretical underpinning of the exercise component in a fall prevention programme for older adults with mild dementia: a realist review protocol.

PubMed

Booth, Vicky; Harwood, Rowan; Hood, Victoria; Masud, Tahir; Logan, Philippa

2016-07-19

Older adults with mild dementia are at an increased risk of falls. Preventing those at risk from falling requires complex interventions involving patient-tailored strength- and balance-challenging exercises, home hazard assessment, visual impairment correction, medical assessment and multifactorial combinations. Evidence for these interventions in older adults with mild cognitive problems is sparse and not as conclusive as the evidence for the general community-dwelling older population. The objectives of this realist review are (i) to identify the underlying programme theory of strength and balance exercise interventions targeted at those individuals that have been identified as falling and who have a mild dementia and (ii) to explore how and why that intervention reduces falls in that population, particularly in the context of a community setting. This protocol will explain the rationale for using a realist review approach and outline the method. A realist review is a methodology that extends the scope of a traditional narrative or systematic evidence review. Increasingly used in the evaluation of complex interventions, a realist enquiry can look at the wider context of the intervention, seeking more to explain than judge if the intervention is effective by investigating why, what the underlying mechanism is and the necessary conditions for success. In this review, key rough programme theories were articulated and defined through discussion with a stakeholder group. The six rough programme theories outlined within this protocol will be tested against the literature found using the described comprehensive search strategy. The process of data extraction, appraisal and synthesis is outlined and will lead to the production of an explanatory programme theory. As far as the authors are aware, this is the first realist literature review within fall prevention research and adds to the growing use of this methodology within healthcare. This synthesis of evidence will provide a valuable addition to the evidence base surrounding the exercise component of a fall intervention programme for older adults with mild dementia and will ultimately provide clinically relevant recommendations for improving the care of people with dementia. PROSPERO CRD42015030169.

Mild Airflow Limitation during N2 Sleep Increases K-complex Frequency and Slows Electroencephalographic Activity.

PubMed

Nguyen, Chinh D; Wellman, Andrew; Jordan, Amy S; Eckert, Danny J

2016-03-01

To determine the effects of mild airflow limitation on K-complex frequency and morphology and electroencephalogram (EEG) spectral power. Transient reductions in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) during stable N2 sleep were performed to induce mild airflow limitation in 20 patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and 10 healthy controls aged 44 ± 13 y. EEG at C3 and airflow were measured in 1-min windows to quantify K-complex properties and EEG spectral power immediately before and during transient reductions in CPAP. The frequency and morphology (amplitude and latency of P200, N550 and N900 components) of K-complexes and EEG spectral power were compared between conditions. During mild airflow limitation (18% reduction in peak inspiratory airflow from baseline, 0.38 ± 0.11 versus 0.31 ± 0.1 L/sec) insufficient to cause American Academy of Sleep Medicine-defined cortical arousal, K-complex frequency (9.5 ± 4.5 versus 13.7 ± 6.4 per min, P < 0.01), N550 amplitude (25 ± 3 versus 27 ± 3 μV, P < 0.01) and EEG spectral power (delta: 147 ± 48 versus 230 ± 99 μV(2), P < 0.01 and theta bands: 31 ± 14 versus 34 ± 13 μV(2), P < 0.01) significantly increased whereas beta band power decreased (14 ± 5 versus 11 ± 4 μV(2), P < 0.01) compared to the preceding non flow-limited period on CPAP. K-complex frequency, morphology, and timing did not differ between patients and controls. Mild airflow limitation increases K-complex frequency, N550 amplitude, and spectral power of delta and theta bands. In addition to providing mechanistic insight into the role of mild airflow limitation on K-complex characteristics and EEG activity, these findings may have important implications for respiratory conditions in which airflow limitation during sleep is common (e.g., snoring and OSA). © 2016 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

Study on the syhthesis process of tetracaine hydrochloride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenli; Zhao, Jie; Cui, Yujie

2017-05-01

Tetrachloride hydrochloride is a local anesthetic with long-acting ester, and it is usually present in the form of a hydrochloride salt. Firsleb first synthesized the tetracaine by experiment in 1928, which is one of the recognized clinical potent anesthetics. This medicine has the advantages of stable physical and chemical properties, the rapid role and long maintenance. Tetracaine is also used for ophthalmic surface anesthesia as one of the main local anesthetic just like conduction block anesthesia, mucosal surface anesthesia and epidural anesthesia. So far, the research mainly engaged in its clinical application research, and the research strength is relatively small in the field of synthetic technology. The general cost of the existing production process is high, and the yield is low. In addition, the reaction time is long and the reaction conditions are harsh. In this paper, a new synthetic method was proposed for the synthesis of tetracaine hydrochloride. The reaction route has the advantages of few steps, high yield, short reaction time and mild reaction conditions. The cheap p-nitrobenzoic acid was selected as raw material. By esterification with ethanol and reaction with n-butyraldehyde (the reaction process includes nitro reduction, aldol condensation and hydrogenation reduction), the intermediate was transesterified with dimethylaminoethanol under basic conditions. Finally, the PH value was adjusted in the ethanol solvent. After experiencing 4 steps reaction, the crude tetracaine hydrochloride was obtained.

Comparison of SNOMED CT versus Medcin Terminology Concept Coverage for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

PubMed Central

Montella, Diane; Brown, Steven H.; Elkin, Peter L.; Jackson, James C.; Rosenbloom, S. Trent; Wahner-Roedler, Dietlind; Welsh, Gail; Cotton, Bryan; Guillamondegui, Oscar D.; Lew, Henry; Taber, Katherine H.; Tupler, Larry A.; Vanderploeg, Rodney; Speroff, Theodore

2011-01-01

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a “signature” injury of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Structured electronic data regarding TBI findings is important for research, population health and other secondary uses but requires appropriate underlying standard terminologies to ensure interoperability and reuse. Currently the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) uses the terminology SNOMED CT and the Department of Defense (DOD) uses Medcin. Methods: We developed a comprehensive case definition of mild TBI composed of 68 clinical terms. Using automated and manual techniques, we evaluated how well the mild TBI case definition terms could be represented by SNOMED CT and Medcin, and compared the results. We performed additional analysis stratified by whether the concepts were rated by a TBI expert panel as having High, Medium, or Low importance to the definition of mild TBI. Results: SNOMED CT sensitivity (recall) was 90% overall for coverage of mild TBI concepts, and Medcin sensitivity was 49%, p < 0.001 (using McNemar’s chi square). Positive predictive value (precision) for each was 100%. SNOMED CT outperformed Medcin for concept coverage independent of import rating by our TBI experts. Discussion: SNOMED CT was significantly better able to represent mild TBI concepts than Medcin. This finding may inform data gathering, management and sharing, and data exchange strategies between the VA and DOD for active duty soldiers and veterans with mild TBI. Since mild TBI is an important condition in the civilian population as well, the current study results may be useful also for the general medical setting. PMID:22195156

Making sense of mild cognitive impairment: a qualitative exploration of the patient's experience.

PubMed

Lingler, Jennifer Hagerty; Nightingale, Marcie C; Erlen, Judith A; Kane, April L; Reynolds, Charles F; Schulz, Richard; DeKosky, Steven T

2006-12-01

The proposed dementia precursor state of mild cognitive impairment is emerging as a primary target of aging research. Yet, little is known about the subjective experience of living with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. This study examines, from the patient's perspective, the experience of living with and making sense of the diagnosis. We recruited 12 older adults with amnestic or nonamnestic mild cognitive impairment from a university-based memory disorders clinic. We conducted in-home, semistructured interviews in order to elicit rich descriptions of the personal experience of having mild cognitive impairment. We used the qualitative method of grounded theory to analyze narrative data. Understanding and coming to terms with the syndrome, or assigning meaning, constituted a fundamental aspect of living with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. This process comprised interrelated emotional and cognitive dimensions. Participants employed a range of positive, neutral, and negative phrasing in order to depict their emotional reactions to receiving a diagnosis. Cognitive representations of mild cognitive impairment included both prognosis-focused and face-value appraisals. Expectations of normal aging, personal experience with dementia, and concurrent health problems were key contextual factors that provided the backdrop against which participants assigned meaning to a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. Clinicians who disclose diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment need to be mindful of the potential for varying interpretations of the information that is conveyed. Future research needs to include systematic, longitudinal investigations of illness representation and its impact on health behaviors among individuals with mild cognitive impairment.

Interleukin-2 concentration in hypothalamic structures of rats receiving peptides during mild stress.

PubMed

Barabanova, S V; Artyukhina, Z E; Kazakova, T B; Khavinson, V Kh; Malinin, V V; Korneva, E A

2006-04-01

The number of hypothalamic IL-2-containing cells changed in rats receiving Vilon and Epithalon during mild stress (handling). The number of IL-2-positive cells in hypothalamic structures decreased 24 h after intramuscular injection of Epithalon and 2 h after intranasal administration of the test peptides. Adaptation of animals to experimental conditions prevented the decrease in the number of IL-2-positive cells in the supraoptic nucleus after intranasal administration of Epithalon.

Functional mobility in a divided attention task in older adults with cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Borges, Sheila de Melo; Radanovic, Márcia; Forlenza, Orestes Vicente

2015-01-01

Motor disorders may occur in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and at early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly under divided attention conditions. We examined functional mobility in 104 older adults (42 with MCI, 26 with mild AD, and 36 cognitively healthy) using the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) under 4 experimental conditions: TUG single task, TUG plus a cognitive task, TUG plus a manual task, and TUG plus a cognitive and a manual task. Statistically significant differences in mean time of execution were found in all four experimental conditions when comparing MCI and controls (p < .001), and when comparing MCI and AD patients (p < .05). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses showed that all four testing conditions could differentiate the three groups (area under the curve > .8, p < .001 for MCI vs. controls; area under the curve > .7, p < .001 for MCI vs. AD). The authors conclude that functional motor deficits occurring in MCI can be assessed by the TUG test, in single or dual task modality.

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

PubMed

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

2018-04-01

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

Special Medical Conditions Associated with Catatonia in the Internal Medicine Setting: Hyponatremia-Inducing Psychosis and Subsequent Catatonia

PubMed Central

Novac, Andrei A; Bota, Daniela; Witkowski, Joanne; Lipiz, Jorge; Bota, Robert G

2014-01-01

Diagnosis and treatment of catatonia in the psychiatry consultation service is not infrequent. Usually, the patient either presents to the Emergency Department or develops catatonia on the medical floor. This condition manifests with significant behavioral changes (from mildly decreased speech output to complete mutism) that interfere with the ability to communicate. After structural brain disorders are excluded, one of the diagnoses that always should be considered is catatonia. However, the causes of catatonia are numerous, ranging from psychiatric causes to a plethora of medical illnesses. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are many proposed underlying mechanisms of catatonia and that controversy persists about the etiology of specific cases. There are only 6 reports of hyponatremia-induced catatonia and psychosis in the literature. Here, we present the case of a 30-year-old woman with catatonia and psychosis induced by hyponatremia, and we use this report to exemplify the multitude of biologic causes of catatonia and to propose a new way to look at the neuroanatomical basis of processing, particularly the vertical processing systems we believe are involved in catatonia. PMID:25102520

A new generation of zirconia supported metal oxide catalysts for converting low grade renewable feedstocks to biodiesel.

PubMed

Kim, Manhoe; DiMaggio, Craig; Salley, Steven O; Simon Ng, K Y

2012-08-01

A new class of zirconia supported mixed metal oxides (ZnO-TiO(2)-Nd(2)O(3)/ZrO(2) and ZnO-SiO(2)-Yb(2)O(3)/ZrO(2)) has demonstrated the ability to convert low quality, high free fatty acid (FFA) bio-oils into biodiesel. Pelletized catalysts of ZrO(2) supported metal oxides were prepared via a sol-gel process and tested in continuous flow packed bed reactors for up to 6 months. In a single pass, while operating at mild to moderate reaction conditions, 195 °C and 300 psi, these catalysts can perform simultaneous esterification and transesterification reactions on feedstock of 33% FFA and 67% soybean oil to achieve FAME yields higher than 90%. Catalytic activity of the ZrO(2) supported metal oxide catalysts was highly dependent on the metal oxide composition. These heterogeneous catalysts will enable biodiesel manufacturers to avoid problems inherent in homogeneous processes, such as separation and washing, corrosive conditions, and excessive methanol usage. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thermal stability and kinetics of degradation of deoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol conjugates and ochratoxin A during baking of wheat bakery products.

PubMed

Vidal, Arnau; Sanchis, Vicente; Ramos, Antonio J; Marín, Sonia

2015-07-01

The stability of deoxynivalenol (DON), deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (DON-3-glucoside), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-ADON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-ADON), de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol (DOM-1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) during thermal processing has been studied. Baking temperature, time and initial mycotoxin concentration in the raw materials were assayed as factors. An improved UPLC-MS/MS method to detect DON, DON-3-glucoside, 3-ADON, 15-ADON and DOM-1 in wheat baked products was developed in the present assay. The results highlighted the importance of temperature and time in mycotoxin stability in heat treatments. OTA is more stable than DON in a baking treatment. Interestingly, the DON-3-glucoside concentrations increased (>300%) under mild baking conditions. On the other hand, it was rapidly reduced under harsh conditions. The 3-ADON decreased during the heat treatment; while DOM-1 increased after the heating process. Finally, the data followed first order kinetics for analysed mycotoxins and thermal constant rates (k) were calculated. This parameter can be a useful tool for prediction of mycotoxin levels. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Detecting early signs of heat and drought stress in Phoenix dactylifera (date palm)

PubMed Central

Safronov, Omid; Kreuzwieser, Jürgen; Haberer, Georg; Alyousif, Mohamed S.; Schulze, Waltraud; Al-Harbi, Naif; Arab, Leila; Ache, Peter; Stempfl, Thomas; Kruse, Joerg; Mayer, Klaus X.; Hedrich, Rainer; Rennenberg, Heinz

2017-01-01

Plants adapt to the environment by either long-term genome evolution or by acclimatization processes where the cellular processes and metabolism of the plant are adjusted within the existing potential in the genome. Here we studied the adaptation strategies in date palm, Phoenix dactylifera, under mild heat, drought and combined heat and drought by transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling. In transcriptomics data, combined heat and drought resembled heat response, whereas in metabolomics data it was more similar to drought. In both conditions, soluble carbohydrates, such as fucose, and glucose derivatives, were increased, suggesting a switch to carbohydrate metabolism and cell wall biogenesis. This result is consistent with the evidence from transcriptomics and cis-motif analysis. In addition, transcriptomics data showed transcriptional activation of genes related to reactive oxygen species in all three conditions (drought, heat, and combined heat and drought), suggesting increased activity of enzymatic antioxidant systems in cytosol, chloroplast and peroxisome. Finally, the genes that were differentially expressed in heat and combined heat and drought stresses were significantly enriched for circadian and diurnal rhythm motifs, suggesting new stress avoidance strategies. PMID:28570677

A new family of nucleophiles for photoinduced, copper-catalyzed cross-couplings via single-electron transfer: reactions of thiols with aryl halides under mild conditions (O °C).

PubMed

Uyeda, Christopher; Tan, Yichen; Fu, Gregory C; Peters, Jonas C

2013-06-26

Building on the known photophysical properties of well-defined copper-carbazolide complexes, we have recently described photoinduced, copper-catalyzed N-arylations and N-alkylations of carbazoles. Until now, there have been no examples of the use of other families of heteroatom nucleophiles in such photoinduced processes. Herein, we report a versatile photoinduced, copper-catalyzed method for coupling aryl thiols with aryl halides, wherein a single set of reaction conditions, using inexpensive CuI as a precatalyst without the need for an added ligand, is effective for a wide range of coupling partners. As far as we are aware, copper-catalyzed C-S cross-couplings at 0 °C have not previously been achieved, which renders our observation of efficient reaction of an unactivated aryl iodide at -40 °C especially striking. Mechanistic investigations are consistent with these photoinduced C-S cross-couplings following a SET/radical pathway for C-X bond cleavage (via a Cu(I)-thiolate), which contrasts with nonphotoinduced, copper-catalyzed processes wherein a concerted mechanism is believed to occur.

Chemo-selective high yield microwave assisted reaction turns cellulose to green chemicals.

PubMed

Hassanzadeh, Salman; Aminlashgari, Nina; Hakkarainen, Minna

2014-11-04

Exceptionally high cellulose liquefaction yields, up to 87% as calculated from the amount of solid residue, were obtained under mild conditions by utilizing the synergistic effect of microwave radiation and acid catalysis. The effect of processing conditions on degradation products was fingerprinted by rapid laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (LDI-MS) method. The reaction was chemo-tunable, enabling production of glucose (Glc) or levulinic acid (LeA) at significantly high selectivity and yields, the relative molar yields being up to 50 and 69%, respectively. A turning point from pure depolymerization to glucose to further degradation to levulinic acid and formic acid was observed at approximately 50% liquefaction or above 140 °C. This was accompanied by the formation of small amounts of solid spherical carbonized residues. The reaction was monitored by multiple analytical techniques. The high yields were connected to the ability of the process to break the strong secondary interactions in cellulose. The developed method has great potential for future production of green platform chemicals. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Achondroplasia: a pilot study on the psychosocial and medical features of a sample in Puerto Rico].

PubMed

Rodriguez-Gomez, José; Aldarondo, Ariadna; Vidot, Frances; Quiñones, Ana; Rivera, Maily; Cintrón, Eledy; Gonzilez, Natalie; Trujillo, Rodolfo F; Lopez-Cordova, Nanet M; Colón, Natalia

2015-01-01

This study explores the psychological wellbeing of twenty-two (n = 22) adults with achondroplasia. The sample was composed of seven (n = 7) males and fifteen (n = 15) females between the ages of 21 and 75 (mean age = 39.6). Each individual completed four self-administered questionnaires: the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-l), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and Derogatis Symptom Check-list-90-Revisited (SCL-90-R). They also filled out a socio-demographic questionnaire. We found that 31.8% of the sample reported at least one comorbid condition such as, hypertension, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, scoliosis, thyroid problems, neuropathy, psoriasis, gastritis and/or sleep apnea; 32% reported mild to severe depressive symp- toms; 55% reported mild to severe symptoms associated to anxiety and 18% reported mild to severe symptoms associated with hopelessness; 22.7% reported mild to severe symptoms in at least one of the sub-scales in Derogatis Symptom Checklist-90-Revisited (SCL-90-R) particularly the obsessive-compulsive, paranoid and depressive subscales. Chi Square correlations (X2) were made to observe if there was interdependence between the socio-demographic variables and the administered tests. In general, no significant correlations were found between BDI-Il, BAI, BHS, SCL-90-R and civil status, gender, income and age. However, a significant correlation was found between age and the somatization sub-scale of the SCL-90-R (rs = 0.510, p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that this particular sample is at risk for developing psycho-medical conditions. There is a marked lack of research in Puerto Rico associated to achondroplasia. The development of preventive and cultural sensitive interventions is suggested in order to protect and treat individuals with the condition.

Entorhinal Cortex Volume Is Associated With Dual-Task Gait Cost Among Older Adults With MCI: Results From the Gait and Brain Study.

PubMed

Sakurai, Ryota; Bartha, Robert; Montero-Odasso, Manuel

2018-05-15

Low dual-task gait performance (the slowing of gait speed while performing a demanding cognitive task) is associated with low cognitive performance and an increased risk of progression to dementia in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. However, the reason for this remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between dual-task cost and regional brain volume, focusing on the hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, entorhinal cortex, and motor and lateral frontal cortices in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Forty older adults with mild cognitive impairment from the "Gait and Brain Study" were included in this study. Gait velocity was measured during single-task (ie, walking alone) and dual-task (ie, counting backwards, subtracting serial sevens, and naming animals, in addition to walking) conditions, using an electronic walkway. Regional brain volumes were derived by automated segmentation, using 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Partial rank correlation analyses demonstrated that a smaller volume of the left entorhinal cortex was associated with higher dual-task costs in counting backwards and subtracting serial sevens conditions. Subsequent logistic regression analyses demonstrated that a smaller volume of the left entorhinal cortex was independently associated with higher dual-task cost (slowing down >20% when performing cognitive task) in these two conditions. There were no other significant associations. Our results show that lower dual-task gait performance is associated with volume reduction in the entorhinal cortex. Cognitive and motor dysfunction in older adults with mild cognitive impairment may reflect a shared pathogenic mechanism, and dual-task-related gait changes might be a surrogate motor marker for Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Effect of post-annealing on sputtered MoS2 films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, W. C.; Ng, S. M.; Wong, H. F.; Cheng, W. F.; Mak, C. L.; Leung, C. W.

2017-12-01

Typical routes for fabricating MoS2-based electronic devices rely on the transfer of as-prepared flakes to target substrates, which is incompatible with conventional device fabrication methods. In this work we investigated the preparation of MoS2 films by magnetron sputtering. By subjecting room-temperature sputtered MoS2 films to post-annealing at mild conditions (450 °C in a nitrogen flow), crystalline MoS2 films were formed. To demonstrate the compatibility of the technique with typical device fabrication processes, MoS2 was prepared on epitaxial magnetic oxide films of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3, and the magnetic behavior of the films were unaffected by the post-annealing process. This work demonstrates the possibility of fabricating electronic and spintronic devices based on continuous MoS2 films prepared by sputtering deposition.

Industrial biomanufacturing: The future of chemical production.

PubMed

Clomburg, James M; Crumbley, Anna M; Gonzalez, Ramon

2017-01-06

The current model for industrial chemical manufacturing employs large-scale megafacilities that benefit from economies of unit scale. However, this strategy faces environmental, geographical, political, and economic challenges associated with energy and manufacturing demands. We review how exploiting biological processes for manufacturing (i.e., industrial biomanufacturing) addresses these concerns while also supporting and benefiting from economies of unit number. Key to this approach is the inherent small scale and capital efficiency of bioprocesses and the ability of engineered biocatalysts to produce designer products at high carbon and energy efficiency with adjustable output, at high selectivity, and under mild process conditions. The biological conversion of single-carbon compounds represents a test bed to establish this paradigm, enabling rapid, mobile, and widespread deployment, access to remote and distributed resources, and adaptation to new and changing markets. Copyright © 2017, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Human immune circadian system in prolonged mild hypoxia during simulated flights.

PubMed

Coste, Olivier; Van Beers, Pascal; Bogdan, André; Touitou, Yvan

2007-01-01

An impairment of immunity is reported after long-haul flights, and the mild hypobaric hypoxia caused by pressurization in the passenger airline cabin may contribute to it. In this controlled crossover study, the effects of two levels of hypoxia, equivalent to 8000 and 12,000 feet above sea level, on the rhythm of CD3, CD4, and CD8 lymphocytes and plasma concentrations of the immunoglobulins A, G, and M were assessed. Fourteen healthy male volunteers, aged 23 to 39 years, spent 8.5 h in a hypobaric chamber (08:00 to 16:30 h), simulating an altitude condition at 8,000 feet. This was followed by an additional 8.5 h study four weeks later simulating altitude conditions at 12,000 feet. The variables were assayed every 2 h over two 24 h cycles (control and hypoxic-exposure cycles). No significant effect of hypoxia on the studied circadian immune profiles were found. Therefore, the authors conclude that mild hypobaric hypoxia does not seem to be responsible for any quantitative changes during long-haul flights in the immune assays commonly used in routine clinical medicine practice.

Subclinical hypothyroidism in childhood - current knowledge and open issues.

PubMed

Salerno, Mariacarolina; Capalbo, Donatella; Cerbone, Manuela; De Luca, Filippo

2016-12-01

Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as serum levels of TSH above the upper limit of the reference range, in the presence of normal concentrations of total T 4 or free T 4 . This biochemical profile might be an indication of mild hypothyroidism, with a potential increased risk of metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease recorded among adults. Whether subclinical hypothyroidism results in adverse health outcomes among children is a matter of debate and so management of this condition remains challenging. Mild forms of untreated subclinical hypothyroidism do not seem to be associated with impairments in growth, bone health or neurocognitive outcome. However, ongoing scientific investigations have highlighted the presence of subtle proatherogenic abnormalities among children with modest elevations in their TSH levels. Although current findings are insufficient to recommend levothyroxine treatment for all children with mild asymptomatic forms of subclinical hypothyroidism, they highlight the potential need for assessment of cardiovascular risk among children with this condition. Increased understanding of the early metabolic risk factors associated with subclinical hypothyroidism in childhood will help to improve the management of affected individuals.

Surface sulfonamide modification of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based block copolymer micelles to alter pH and temperature responsive properties for controlled intracellular uptake.

PubMed

Cyphert, Erika L; von Recum, Horst A; Yamato, Masayuki; Nakayama, Masamichi

2018-06-01

Two different surface sulfonamide-functionalized poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-based polymeric micelles were designed as pH-/temperature-responsive vehicles. Both sulfadimethoxine- and sulfamethazine-surface functionalized micelles were characterized to determine physicochemical properties, hydrodynamic diameters, zeta potentials, temperature-dependent size changes, and lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) in both pH 7.4 and 6.8 solutions (simulating both physiological and mild low pH conditions), and tested in the incorporation of a proof-of-concept hydrophobic antiproliferative drug, paclitaxel. Cellular uptake studies were conducted using bovine carotid endothelial cells and fluorescently labeled micelles to evaluate if there was enhanced cellular uptake of the micelles in a low pH environment. Both variations of micelles showed enhanced intracellular uptake under mildly acidic (pH 6.8) conditions at temperatures slightly above their LCST and minimal uptake at physiological (pH 7.4) conditions. Due to the less negative zeta potential of the sulfamethazine-surface micelles compared to sulfadimethoxine-surface micelles, and the proximity of their LCST to physiological temperature (37°C), the sulfamethazine variation was deemed more amenable for clinically relevant temperature and pH-stimulated applications. Nevertheless, we believe both polymeric micelle variations have the capacity to be implemented as an intracellular drug or gene delivery system in response to mildly acidic conditions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1552-1560, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mild Memory Impairment in Healthy Older Adults Is Distinct from Normal Aging

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cargin, J. Weaver; Maruff, P.; Collie, A.; Masters, C.

2006-01-01

Mild memory impairment was detected in 28% of a sample of healthy community-dwelling older adults using the delayed recall trial of a word list learning task. Statistical analysis revealed that individuals with memory impairment also demonstrated relative deficits on other measures of memory, and tests of executive function, processing speed and…

The Process of Note Taking: Implications for Students with Mild Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boyle, Joseph R.

2007-01-01

Students with mild disabilities have a difficult time recording notes from lectures. Accurate note taking is important because it helps students understand the content from lectures and notes serve as a document for later review. In this article, the author describes what teachers can do before, during, and after the lecture to help students…

Highly Chemoselective Reduction of Amides (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary) to Alcohols using SmI2/Amine/H2O under Mild Conditions

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Highly chemoselective direct reduction of primary, secondary, and tertiary amides to alcohols using SmI2/amine/H2O is reported. The reaction proceeds with C–N bond cleavage in the carbinolamine intermediate, shows excellent functional group tolerance, and delivers the alcohol products in very high yields. The expected C–O cleavage products are not formed under the reaction conditions. The observed reactivity is opposite to the electrophilicity of polar carbonyl groups resulting from the nX → π*C=O (X = O, N) conjugation. Mechanistic studies suggest that coordination of Sm to the carbonyl and then to Lewis basic nitrogen in the tetrahedral intermediate facilitate electron transfer and control the selectivity of the C–N/C–O cleavage. Notably, the method provides direct access to acyl-type radicals from unactivated amides under mild electron transfer conditions. PMID:24460078

Pretreatment combining ultrasound and sodium percarbonate under mild conditions for efficient degradation of corn stover.

PubMed

Nakashima, Kazunori; Ebi, Yuuki; Kubo, Masaki; Shibasaki-Kitakawa, Naomi; Yonemoto, Toshikuni

2016-03-01

Ultrasound (US) can be used to disrupt microcrystalline cellulose to give nanofibers via ultrasonic cavitation. Sodium percarbonate (SP), consisting of sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide, generates highly reactive radicals, which cause oxidative delignification. Here, we describe a novel pretreatment technique using a combination of US and SP (US-SP) for the efficient saccharification of cellulose and hemicellulose in lignocellulosic corn stover. Although US-SP pretreatment was conducted under mild condition (i.e., at room temperature and atmospheric pressure), the pretreatment greatly increased lignin removal and cellulose digestibility. We also determined the optimum US-SP treatment conditions, such as ultrasonic power output, pretreatment time, pretreatment temperature, and SP concentration for an efficient cellulose saccharification. Moreover, xylose could be effectively recovered from US-SP pretreated biomass without the formation of microbial inhibitor furfural. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Perfluorocarbon-Loaded Lipid Nanocapsules to Assess the Dependence of U87-Human Glioblastoma Tumor pO2 on In Vitro Expansion Conditions

PubMed Central

Lemaire, Laurent; Nel, Janske; Franconi, Florence; Bastiat, Guillaume; Saulnier, Patrick

2016-01-01

Growing tumor cell lines, such as U87-MG glioma cells, under mild hypoxia (3% O2) leads to a ca. 40% reduction in growth rate once implanted in the brain of nude mice, as compared to normoxia (21% O2) grown cells, wherein the former over-express HIF-1 and VEGF-A. Despite developing differently, the tumors have similar: blood perfusion, oxygen consumption, and vascular surface area parameters, whereas the number of blood vessels is nearly doubled in the tumor arising from normoxia cultured cells. Interestingly, tumor oxygen tension, measured using 19F-oximetry, showed that the normoxia grown cells led to tumors characterized by mild hypoxic environment (approximately 4%) conditions, whilst the hypoxia grown cells led to tumors characterized by physioxic environment (approximately 6%) conditions. This reversal in oxygen concentration may be responsible for the apparent paradoxical growth profiles. PMID:27788227

Low-temperature direct bonding of glass nanofluidic chips using a two-step plasma surface activation process.

PubMed

Xu, Yan; Wang, Chenxi; Dong, Yiyang; Li, Lixiao; Jang, Kihoon; Mawatari, Kazuma; Suga, Tadatomo; Kitamori, Takehiko

2012-01-01

Owing to the well-established nanochannel fabrication technology in 2D nanoscales with high resolution, reproducibility, and flexibility, glass is the leading, ideal, and unsubstitutable material for the fabrication of nanofluidic chips. However, high temperature (~1,000 °C) and a vacuum condition are usually required in the conventional fusion bonding process, unfortunately impeding the nanofluidic applications and even the development of the whole field of nanofluidics. We present a direct bonding of fused silica glass nanofluidic chips at low temperature, around 200 °C in ambient air, through a two-step plasma surface activation process which consists of an O(2) reactive ion etching plasma treatment followed by a nitrogen microwave radical activation. The low-temperature bonded glass nanofluidic chips not only had high bonding strength but also could work continuously without leakage during liquid introduction driven by air pressure even at 450 kPa, a very high pressure which can meet the requirements of most nanofluidic operations. Owing to the mild conditions required in the bonding process, the method has the potential to allow the integration of a range of functional elements into nanofluidic chips during manufacture, which is nearly impossible in the conventional high-temperature fusion bonding process. Therefore, we believe that the developed low-temperature bonding would be very useful and contribute to the field of nanofluidics.

The interaction of affective with psychotic processes: A test of the effects of worrying on working memory, jumping to conclusions, and anomalies of experience in patients with persecutory delusions

PubMed Central

Freeman, Daniel; Startup, Helen; Dunn, Graham; Černis, Emma; Wingham, Gail; Pugh, Katherine; Cordwell, Jacinta; Kingdon, David

2013-01-01

Worry has traditionally been considered in the study of common emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression, but recent studies indicate that worry may be a causal factor in the occurrence and persistence of persecutory delusions. The effect of worry on processes traditionally associated with psychosis has not been tested. The aim of the study was to examine the short-term effects of a bout of worry on three cognitive processes typically considered markers of psychosis: working memory, jumping to conclusions, and anomalous internal experience. Sixty-seven patients with persecutory delusions in the context of a non-affective psychotic disorder were randomised to a worry induction, a worry reduction, or a neutral control condition. They completed tests of the cognitive processes before and after the randomisation condition. The worry induction procedure led to a significant increase in worry. The induction of worry did not affect working memory or jumping to conclusions, but it did increase a range of mild anomalous experiences including feelings of unreality, perceptual alterations, and temporal disintegration. Worry did not affect the occurrence of hallucinations. The study shows that a period of worry causes a range of subtle odd perceptual disturbances that are known to increase the likelihood of delusions. It demonstrates an interaction between affective and psychotic processes in patients with delusions. PMID:23871449

Update on pathogenesis and clinical management of acute pancreatitis

PubMed Central

Cruz-Santamaría, Dulce M; Taxonera, Carlos; Giner, Manuel

2012-01-01

Acute pancreatitis (AP), defined as the acute nonbacterial inflammatory condition of the pancreas, is derived from the early activation of digestive enzymes found inside the acinar cells, with variable compromise of the gland itself, nearby tissues and other organs. So, it is an event that begins with pancreatic injury, elicits an acute inflammatory response, encompasses a variety of complications and generally resolves over time. Different conditions are known to induce this disorder, although the innermost mechanisms and how they act to develop the disease are still unknown. We summarize some well established aspects. A phase sequence has been proposed: etiology factors generate other conditions inside acinar cells that favor the AP development with some systemic events; genetic factors could be involved as susceptibility and modifying elements. AP is a disease with extremely different clinical expressions. Most patients suffer a mild and limited disease, but about one fifth of cases develop multi organ failure, accompanied by high mortality. This great variability in presentation, clinical course and complications has given rise to the confusion related to AP related terminology. However, consensus meetings have provided uniform definitions, including the severity of the illness. The clinical management is mainly based on the disease´s severity and must be directed to correct the underlying predisposing factors and control the inflammatory process itself. The first step is to determine if it is mild or severe. We review the principal aspects to be considered in this treatment, as reflected in several clinical practice guidelines. For the last 25 years, there has been a global increase in incidence of AP, along with many advances in diagnosis and treatment. However, progress in knowledge of its pathogenesis is scarce. PMID:22737590

Possible reason for the unusual regioselectivity in nucleophilic ring opening of trisubstituted aziridines under mildly basic conditions.

PubMed

Kelley, Brandon T; Carroll, Patrick; Joullié, Madeleine M

2014-06-06

2,2,3-Trisubstituted aziridines are known to undergo ring opening at the more substituted carbon under mildly basic conditions. However, the reason for the formation of the more sterically encumbered product has never been examined. Several trisubstituted aziridines, with different substitution patterns at the C-2 and C-3 carbons, were synthesized to change the electronics of the aziridine ring system. These changes had no effect on the regioselectivity of the ring-opening reaction. Using the B3LYP/6-31G* DFT basis set it was determined that the transition state for opening at the more substituted carbon proceeds at a lower energy than the transition state at the less substituted carbon.

Metal-free, mild, nonepimerizing, chemo- and enantio- or diastereoselective N-alkylation of amines by alcohols via oxidation/imine-iminium formation/reductive amination: a pragmatic synthesis of octahydropyrazinopyridoindoles and higher ring analogues.

PubMed

Khan, Imran A; Saxena, Anil K

2013-12-06

A mild step and atom-economical nonepimerizing chemo- and enantioselective N-alkylating procedure has been developed via oxidation/imine-iminium formation/reduction cascade using TEMPO-BAIB-HEH-Brønsted acid catalysis in DMPU as solvent and a stoichiometric amount of amine. The optimized conditions were further extended for the nonenzymatic kinetic resolution of the chiral amine thus formed under nonenzymatic in situ hydrogen-transfer conditions using VAPOL-derived phosphoric acid (VAPOL-PA) as the Brønsted acid catalyst. The enantioselective cascade of the presented reaction was successfully utilized in the synthesis of octahydropyrazinopyridoindole and its higher ring analogues.

Catalytic hydrogenation using complexes of base metals with tridentate ligands

DOEpatents

Hanson, Susan K.; Zhang, Guoqi; Vasudevan, Kalyan V.

2017-02-14

Complexes of cobalt and nickel with tridentate ligand PNHP.sup.R are effective for hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds. Cobalt complex [(PNHP.sup.Cy)Co(CH.sub.2SiMe.sub.3)]BAr.sup.F.sub.4 (PNHP.sup.Cy=bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethyl]amine, BAr.sup.F.sub.4=B(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.4)) was prepared and used with hydrogen for hydrogenation of alkenes, aldehydes, ketones, and imines under mild conditions (25-60.degree. C., 1-4 atm H.sub.2). Nickel complex [(PNHP.sup.Cy)Ni(H)]BPh.sub.4 was used for hydrogenation of styrene and 1-octene under mild conditions. (PNP.sup.Cy)Ni(H) was used for hydrogenating alkenes.

Catalytic hydrogenation using complexes of base metals with tridentate ligands

DOEpatents

Vasudevan, Kalyan V.; Zhang, Guoqi; Hanson, Susan K.

2016-09-06

Complexes of cobalt and nickel with tridentate ligand PNHP.sup.R are effective for hydrogenation of unsaturated compounds. Cobalt complex [(PNHP.sup.Cy)Co(CH.sub.2SiMe.sub.3)]BAr.sup.F.sub.4 (PNHP.sup.Cy=bis[2-(dicyclohexylphosphino)ethyl]amine, BAr.sup.F.sub.4=B(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.4)) was prepared and used with hydrogen for hydrogenation of alkenes, aldehydes, ketones, and imines under mild conditions (25-60.degree. C., 1-4 atm H.sub.2). Nickel complex [(PNHP.sup.Cy)Ni(H)]BPh.sub.4 was used for hydrogenation of styrene and 1-octene under mild conditions. (PNP.sup.Cy)Ni(H) was used for hydrogenating alkenes.

Tumor morphology and phenotypic evolution driven by selective pressure from the microenvironment.

PubMed

Anderson, Alexander R A; Weaver, Alissa M; Cummings, Peter T; Quaranta, Vito

2006-12-01

Emergence of invasive behavior in cancer is life-threatening, yet ill-defined due to its multifactorial nature. We present a multiscale mathematical model of cancer invasion, which considers cellular and microenvironmental factors simultaneously and interactively. Unexpectedly, the model simulations predict that harsh tumor microenvironment conditions (e.g., hypoxia, heterogenous extracellular matrix) exert a dramatic selective force on the tumor, which grows as an invasive mass with fingering margins, dominated by a few clones with aggressive traits. In contrast, mild microenvironment conditions (e.g., normoxia, homogeneous matrix) allow clones with similar aggressive traits to coexist with less aggressive phenotypes in a heterogeneous tumor mass with smooth, noninvasive margins. Thus, the genetic make-up of a cancer cell may realize its invasive potential through a clonal evolution process driven by definable microenvironmental selective forces. Our mathematical model provides a theoretical/experimental framework to quantitatively characterize this selective pressure for invasion and test ways to eliminate it.

Synthesis of furan-3-carboxylic and 4-methylene-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylic esters by direct palladium iodide catalyzed oxidative carbonylation of 3-yne-1,2-diol derivatives.

PubMed

Gabriele, Bartolo; Mancuso, Raffaella; Maltese, Vito; Veltri, Lucia; Salerno, Giuseppe

2012-10-05

A variety of 3-yne-1,2-diol derivatives 1, bearing a primary or secondary alcoholic group at C-1, have been efficiently converted into high value added furan-3-carboxylic esters 2 in one step by PdI(2)/KI-catalyzed direct oxidative carbonylation, carried out in alcoholic media under relatively mild conditions (100 °C under 40 atm of a 4/1 mixture of CO and air). Carbonylated furans 2 were obtained in fair to excellent isolated yields (56-93%) through a sequential 5-endo-dig heterocyclization-alkoxycarbonylation-dehydration process, using only oxygen as the external oxidant. Under similar conditions, 2-methyl-3-yne-1,2-diols 3, bearing a tertiary alcoholic group, afforded 4-methylene-4,5-dihydrofuran-3-carboxylates 4 in satisfactory yields (58-70%).

The Role of Intrinsic Motivation and the Satisfaction of Basic Psychological Needs Under Conditions of Severe Resource Scarcity.

PubMed

van Egmond, Marieke Christina; Navarrete Berges, Andrés; Omarshah, Tariq; Benton, Jennifer

2017-06-01

An emerging field of research is beginning to examine the ways in which socioeconomic disparities affect emotional, cognitive, and social processes. In this study, we took a two-step approach to examining the role that resource scarcity plays in the predictive power of intrinsic motivation on school attendance, as well as its influence on the precursors of intrinsic motivation: the psychological needs of relatedness, autonomy, and competence. Results revealed that intrinsic motivation predicts school attendance even under conditions of extreme adversity. The satisfaction of the basic needs is more important for participants who are exposed to severe rather than mild levels of deprivation. Our findings illustrate ecological effects on the mechanism underlying goal-directed behavior. They provide evidence in favor of self-determination theory's depiction of humans as active, growth-oriented organisms and for the potential of psychological interventions to reduce poverty.

Eco-friendly surface modification on polyester fabrics by esterase treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jindan; Cai, Guoqiang; Liu, Jinqiang; Ge, Huayun; Wang, Jiping

2014-03-01

Currently, traditional alkali deweighting technology is widely used to improve the hydrophilicity of polyester fabrics. However, the wastewater and heavy chemicals in the effluent cause enormous damage to the environment. Esterase treatment, which is feasible in mild conditions with high selectivity, can provide a clean and efficient way for polyester modification. Under the optimum conditions, the polyester fabric hydrolysis process of esterase had a linear kinetics. X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS) results showed that hydroxyl and carboxyl groups were produced only on the surface of modified fiber without changing the chemical composition of the bulk. These fibers exhibited much improved fabric wicking, as well as greatly improved oily stain removal performance. Compared to the harsh alkali hydrolysis, the enzyme treatment led to smaller weight loss and better fiber integrity. The esterase treatment technology is promising to produce higher-quality polyester textiles with an environmental friendly approach.

Bacterial Stressors in Minimally Processed Food

PubMed Central

Capozzi, Vittorio; Fiocco, Daniela; Amodio, Maria Luisa; Gallone, Anna; Spano, Giuseppe

2009-01-01

Stress responses are of particular importance to microorganisms, because their habitats are subjected to continual changes in temperature, osmotic pressure, and nutrients availability. Stressors (and stress factors), may be of chemical, physical, or biological nature. While stress to microorganisms is frequently caused by the surrounding environment, the growth of microbial cells on its own may also result in induction of some kinds of stress such as starvation and acidity. During production of fresh-cut produce, cumulative mild processing steps are employed, to control the growth of microorganisms. Pathogens on plant surfaces are already stressed and stress may be increased during the multiple mild processing steps, potentially leading to very hardy bacteria geared towards enhanced survival. Cross-protection can occur because the overlapping stress responses enable bacteria exposed to one stress to become resistant to another stress. A number of stresses have been shown to induce cross protection, including heat, cold, acid and osmotic stress. Among other factors, adaptation to heat stress appears to provide bacterial cells with more pronounced cross protection against several other stresses. Understanding how pathogens sense and respond to mild stresses is essential in order to design safe and effective minimal processing regimes. PMID:19742126

Is cerebral microbleed prevalence relevant as a biomarker in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease?

PubMed

Rabelo, Ana Gb; Teixeira, Camila Vl; Magalhães, Thamires Nc; Carletti-Cassani, Ana Flávia Mk; Amato Filho, Augusto Cs; Joaquim, Helena Pg; Talib, Leda L; Forlenza, Orestes; Ribeiro, Patrícia Ao; Secolin, Rodrigo; Lopes-Cendes, Iscia; Cendes, Fernando; Balthazar, Marcio Lf

2017-10-01

Introduction The search for a reliable neuroimaging biomarker in Alzheimer's disease is a matter of intense research. The presence of cerebral microbleeds seems to be a potential biomarker. However, it is not clear if the presence of microbleeds has clinical usefulness to differentiate mild Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment from normal aging. We aimed to verify if microbleed prevalence differs among three groups: mild Alzheimer's disease, amnestic mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, and normal controls. Moreover, we studied whether microbleeds were associated with apolipoprotein E allele ɛ4 status, cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-beta, total and phosphorylated tau protein levels, vascular factors, and cognition. Methods Twenty-eight mild Alzheimer's disease patients, 34 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 36 cognitively normal elderly subjects underwent: magnetic resonance imaging with a susceptibility-weighted imaging sequence on a 3T scanner, apolipoprotein E genotyping and a full neuropsychological evaluation. Only amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer's disease underwent cerebrospinal fluid analysis. We compared the groups and verified if microbleeds were predicted by all other variables. Results Mild Alzheimer's disease presented a higher prevalence of apolipoprotein E allele ɛ4 in relation to amnestic mild cognitive impairment and control group. No significant differences were found between groups when considering microbleed presence. Logistic regression tests failed to find any relationship between microbleeds and the variables. We performed three different regression models using different independent variables: Model 1 - amyloid-beta, phosphorylated tau protein, total tau, apolipoprotein E allele ɛ4 status, age, and sex; Model 2 - vascular risk factors, age, and sex; Model 3 - cognitive scores sex, age, and education. Conclusion Although microbleeds might be related to the Alzheimer's disease process, their presence is not a good candidate for a neuroimaging biomarker of the disease, especially in its early phases.

An evaluation of recollection and familiarity in Alzheimer’s disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment using receiver operating characteristics

PubMed Central

Ally, Brandon A.; Gold, Carl A.; Budson, Andrew E.

2009-01-01

There is a need to investigate exactly how memory breaks down in the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Examining what aspects of memorial processing remain relatively intact early in the disease process will allow us to develop behavioral interventions and possible drug therapies focused on these intact processes. Several recent studies have worked to understand the processes of recollection and familiarity in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and very mild AD. Although there is general agreement that these patient groups are relatively unable to use recollection to support veridical recognition decisions, there has been some question as to how well these patients can use familiarity. The current study used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and a levels of processing manipulation to understand the effect of MCI and AD on the estimates of recollection and familiarity. Results showed that patients with MCI and AD were impaired in both recollection and familiarity, regardless of the depth of encoding. These results are discussed in relation to disease pathology and in the context of recent conflicting evidence as to whether familiarity remains intact in patients with MCI. The authors highlight differences in stimuli type and task difficulty as possibly modulating the ability of these patients to successfully use familiarity in support of memorial decisions. PMID:19101064

Parallel synthesis of ureas and carbamates from amines and CO2 under mild conditions.

PubMed

Peterson, Scott L; Stucka, Sabrina M; Dinsmore, Christopher J

2010-03-19

A mild and efficient library synthesis technique has been developed for the synthesis of ureas and carbamates from carbamic acids derived from the DBU-catalyzed reaction of amines and gaseous carbon dioxide. Carbamic acids derived from primary amines reacted with Mitsunobu reagents to generate isocyanates in situ which were condensed with primary and secondary amines to afford the desired ureas. Similarly, carbamic acids from secondary amines reacted with alcohols activated with Mitsunobu reagents to form carbamates.

Summary of Laboratory and Field Comfort Studies on Candidate Fabrics for a Year-Round Uniform

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-06-01

differences were particularly sharp under wearing conditions involving mild to heavy sweating at the skin- garment interface. 5 The evaluation of comfort using...34 would be inter- preted as meaning that the garment was "mildly scratchy". If no comment was made by the wearer, a rating of 5, "totally comfortable...25 women used in this study had no difficulty in detecting these differences even though the garments were presented randomly without identifying

Normobaric Hypoxia as a Cognitive Stress Test for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Oculometrics, Pulse Oximetry, and the Self Report of Symptom Severity

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-20

USAMRMC Reg 70-25 on Use of Volunteers in Research. Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8 /98) REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18 Form...ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8 . PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR...group of control subjects ......................................28  8 . Saccadic velocity as a function of hypoxic condition averaged for the group of mild

Nearshore sandbar rotation at single-barred embayed beaches

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blossier, B.; Bryan, K. R.; Daly, C. J.; Winter, C.

2016-04-01

The location of a shore-parallel nearshore sandbar derived from 7 years of video imagery data at the single-barred embayed Tairua Beach (NZ) is investigated to assess the contribution of barline rotation to the overall morphodynamics of sandbars in embayed environments and to characterize the process of rotation in relation to external conditions. Rotation induces cross-shore barline variations at the embayment extremities on the order of magnitude of those induced by alongshore uniform cross-shore migration of the bar. Two semiempirical models have been developed to relate the barline cross-shore migration and rotation to external wave forcing conditions. The rotation model is directly derived from the cross-shore migration model. Therefore, its formulation advocates for a primary role of cross-shore processes in the rotation of sandbars at embayed beaches. The orientation evolves toward an equilibrium angle directly related to the alongshore wave energy gradient due to two different mechanisms. Either the bar extremities migrate in opposite directions with no overall cross-shore bar migration (pivotal rotation) or the rotation relates to an overall migration of the barline which is not uniform along the beach (migration-driven rotation). Migration and rotation characteristic response times are similar, ranging from 10 to 30 days for mild and energetic wave conditions and above 200 days during very calm conditions or when the bar is located far offshore.

The role of ozone pretreatment on optimization of membrane bioreactor for treatment of oil sands process-affected water.

PubMed

Zhang, Yanyan; Xue, Jinkai; Liu, Yang; Gamal El-Din, Mohamed

2018-04-05

Previously, anoxic-aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) coupled with mild ozonation pretreatment has been applied to remove toxic naphthenic acids (NAs) in oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). To further improve MBR performance, the optimal operation conditions including hydraulic retention time (HRT) and initial ammonia nitrogen (NH 4 + -N) need to be explored. In this study, the role of ozone pretreatment on MBR optimization was investigated. Compared with MBR treating raw OSPW, MBR treating ozonated OSPW had the same optimal operation conditions (HRT of 12 h and NH 4 + -N concentration of 25 mg/L). Nevertheless, MBR performance benefited from HRT adjustment more after ozone pretreatment. HRT adjustment resulted in NA removal in the range of 33-50% for the treatment of ozonated OSPW whereas NA removal for raw OSPW only fluctuated between 27% and 38%. Compared with the removal of classical NAs, the degradation of oxidized NAs was more sensitive to the adjustment of operation conditions. Adjusting HRT increased the removal of oxidized NAs in ozonated OSPW substantially (from 6% to 35%). It was also noticed that microbial communities in MBR treating ozonated OSPW were more responsive to the adjustment of operation conditions as indicated by the noticeable increase of Shannon index and extended genetic distances. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Mild-to-Moderate Ambient Cold and Chemical Protective Clothing (MOPP-IV) on Cognitive Performance of Male and Female Soldiers

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-07-01

heat stress. The ambient temperature for this condition (12.8 C) was determined by calculating its thermal comfort equivalence with another control...condition in which only the Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) was worn (21.1 C). The matching of the two conditions for thermal comfort enables differences

Impact of a mobile phone and web program on symptom and functional outcomes for people with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety and stress: a randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Proudfoot, Judith; Clarke, Janine; Birch, Mary-Rose; Whitton, Alexis E; Parker, Gordon; Manicavasagar, Vijaya; Harrison, Virginia; Christensen, Helen; Hadzi-Pavlovic, Dusan

2013-11-18

Mobile phone-based psychological interventions enable real time self-monitoring and self-management, and large-scale dissemination. However, few studies have focussed on mild-to-moderate symptoms where public health need is greatest, and none have targeted work and social functioning. This study reports outcomes of a CONSORT-compliant randomised controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy of myCompass, a self-guided psychological treatment delivered via mobile phone and computer, designed to reduce mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety and stress, and improve work and social functioning. Community-based volunteers with mild-to-moderate depression, anxiety and/or stress (N = 720) were randomly assigned to the myCompass program, an attention control intervention, or to a waitlist condition for seven weeks. The interventions were fully automated, without any human input or guidance. Participants' symptoms and functioning were assessed at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up, using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale and the Work and Social Adjustment Scale. Retention rates at post-intervention and follow-up for the study sample were 72.1% (n = 449) and 48.6% (n = 350) respectively. The myCompass group showed significantly greater improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress and in work and social functioning relative to both control conditions at the end of the 7-week intervention phase (between-group effect sizes ranged from d = .22 to d = .55 based on the observed means). Symptom scores remained at near normal levels at 3-month follow-up. Participants in the attention control condition showed gradual symptom improvement during the post-intervention phase and their scores did not differ from the myCompass group at 3-month follow-up. The myCompass program is an effective public health program, facilitating rapid improvements in symptoms and in work and social functioning for individuals with mild-to-moderate mental health problems. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN 12610000625077.

Muscle contraction duration and fibre recruitment influence blood flow and oxygen consumption independent of contractile work during steady-state exercise in humans.

PubMed

Richards, Jennifer C; Crecelius, Anne R; Kirby, Brett S; Larson, Dennis G; Dinenno, Frank A

2012-06-01

We tested the hypothesis that, among conditions of matched contractile work, shorter contraction durations and greater muscle fibre recruitment result in augmented skeletal muscle blood flow and oxygen consumption ( ) during steady-state exercise in humans. To do so, we measured forearm blood flow (FBF; Doppler ultrasound) during 4 min of rhythmic hand-grip exercise in 24 healthy young adults and calculated forearm oxygen consumption ( ) via blood samples obtained from a catheter placed in retrograde fashion into a deep vein draining the forearm muscle. In protocol 1 (n = 11), subjects performed rhythmic isometric hand-grip exercise at mild and moderate intensities during conditions in which time-tension index (isometric analogue of work) was held constant but contraction duration was manipulated. In this protocol, shorter contraction durations led to greater FBF (184 ± 25 versus 164 ± 25 ml min(-1)) and (23 ± 3 versus 17 ± 2 ml min(-1); both P < 0.05) among mild workloads, whereas this was not the case for moderate-intensity exercise. In protocol 2 (n = 13), subjects performed rhythmic dynamic hand-grip exercise at mild and moderate intensities in conditions of matched total work, but muscle fibre recruitment was manipulated. In this protocol, greater muscle fibre recruitment led to significantly greater FBF (152 ± 15 versus 127 ± 13 ml min(-1)) and (20 ± 2 versus 17 ± 2 ml min(-1); both P < 0.05) at mild workloads, and there was a trend for similar responses at the moderate intensity but this was not statistically significant. In both protocols, the ratio of the change in FBF to change in was similar across all exercise intensities and manipulations, and the strongest correlation among all variables was between and blood flow. Our collective data indicate that, among matched workloads, shorter contraction duration and greater muscle fibre recruitment augment FBF and during mild-intensity forearm exercise, and that muscle blood flow is more closely related to metabolic cost ( ) rather than contractile work per se during steady-state exercise in humans.

Efficient removal of lignin with the maintenance of hemicellulose from kenaf by two-stage pretreatment process.

PubMed

Wan Azelee, Nur Izyan; Md Jahim, Jamaliah; Rabu, Amir; Abdul Murad, Abdul Munir; Abu Bakar, Farah Diba; Md Illias, Rosli

2014-01-01

The enhancement of lignocellulose hydrolysis using enzyme complexes requires an efficient pretreatment process to obtain susceptible conditions for the enzyme attack. This study focuses on removing a major part of the lignin layer from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) while simultaneously maintaining most of the hemicellulose. A two-stage pretreatment process is adopted using calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂, and peracetic acid, PPA, to break the recalcitrant lignin layer from other structural polysaccharides. An experimental screening of several pretreatment chemicals, concentrations, temperatures and solid-liquid ratios enabled the production of an optimally designed pretreatment process for kenaf. Our results showed that the pretreatment process has provide 59.25% lignin removal while maintaining 87.72% and 96.17% hemicellulose and cellulose, respectively, using 1g of Ca(OH)₂/L and a 8:1 (mL:g) ratio of liquid-Ca(OH)₂ at 50 °C for 1.5 h followed by 20% peracetic acid pretreatment at 75 °C for 2 h. These results validate this mild approach for aiding future enzymatic hydrolysis. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enzymes from Extreme Environments and Their Industrial Applications

PubMed Central

Littlechild, Jennifer A.

2015-01-01

This article will discuss the importance of specific extremophilic enzymes for applications in industrial biotechnology. It will specifically address those enzymes that have applications in the area of biocatalysis. Such enzymes now play an important role in catalyzing a variety of chemical conversions that were previously carried out by traditional chemistry. The biocatalytic process is carried out under mild conditions and with greater specificity. The enzyme process does not result in the toxic waste that is usually produced in a chemical process that would require careful disposal. In this sense, the biocatalytic process is referred to as carrying out “green chemistry” which is considered to be environmentally friendly. Some of the extremophilic enzymes to be discussed have already been developed for industrial processes such as an l-aminoacylase and a γ-lactamase. The industrial applications of other extremophilic enzymes, including transaminases, carbonic anhydrases, dehalogenases, specific esterases, and epoxide hydrolases, are currently being assessed. Specific examples of these industrially important enzymes that have been studied in the authors group will be presented in this review. PMID:26528475

Refrigerated fruit juices: quality and safety issues.

PubMed

Esteve, Maria Jose; Frígola, Ana

2007-01-01

Fruit juices are an important source of bioactive compounds, but techniques used for their processing and subsequent storage may cause alterations in their contents so they do not provide the benefits expected by the consumer. In recent years consumers have increasingly sought so-called "fresh" products (like fresh products), stored in refrigeration. This has led the food industry to develop alternative processing technologies to produce foods with a minimum of nutritional, physicochemical, or organoleptic changes induced by the technologies themselves. Attention has also focused on evaluating the microbiological or toxicological risks that may be involved in applying these processes, and their effect on food safety, in order to obtain safe products that do not present health risks. This concept of minimal processing is currently becoming a reality with conventional technologies (mild pasteurization) and nonthermal technologies, some recently introduced (pasteurization by high hydrostatic pressure) and some perhaps with a more important role in the future (pulsed electric fields). Nevertheless, processing is not the only factor that affects the quality of these products. It is also necessary to consider the conditions for refrigerated storage and to control time and temperature.

Inhibition of Mild Steel Corrosion in Hydrochloric Acid Solution by New Coumarin

PubMed Central

Kadhum, Abdul Amir H.; Mohamad, Abu Bakar; Hammed, Leiqaa A.; Al-Amiery, Ahmed A.; San, Ng Hooi; Musa, Ahmed Y.

2014-01-01

A new coumarin derivative, N,N′-((2E,2′E)-2,2′-(1,4-phenylenebis(methanylylidene))bis(hydrazinecarbonothioyl))bis(2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide) PMBH, was synthesized and its chemical structure was elucidated and confirmed using spectroscopic techniques (Infrared spectroscopy IR, Proton nuclear magnetic resonance, 1H-NMR and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance 13C-NMR). The corrosion inhibition effect of PMBH on mild steel in 1.0 M HCl was investigated using corrosion potential (ECORR), potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM) measurements. The obtained results indicated that PMBH has promising inhibitive effects on the corrosion of mild steel in 1.0 M HCl across all of the conditions examined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the morphology of the mild steel before and after immersion in 1.0 M HCl solution containing 0.5 mM of PMBH. Surface analysis revealed improvement of corrosion resistance in presence of PMBH. PMID:28788680

Inhibition of Mild Steel Corrosion in Hydrochloric Acid Solution by New Coumarin.

PubMed

Kadhum, Abdul Amir H; Mohamad, Abu Bakar; Hammed, Leiqaa A; Al-Amiery, Ahmed A; San, Ng Hooi; Musa, Ahmed Y

2014-06-05

A new coumarin derivative, N , N '-((2E,2'E)-2,2'-(1,4-phenylenebis (methanylylidene))bis(hydrazinecarbonothioyl))bis(2-oxo-2H-chromene-3-carboxamide) PMBH, was synthesized and its chemical structure was elucidated and confirmed using spectroscopic techniques (Infrared spectroscopy IR, Proton nuclear magnetic resonance, 1 H-NMR and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance 13 C-NMR). The corrosion inhibition effect of PMBH on mild steel in 1.0 M HCl was investigated using corrosion potential ( E CORR ), potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM) measurements. The obtained results indicated that PMBH has promising inhibitive effects on the corrosion of mild steel in 1.0 M HCl across all of the conditions examined. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the morphology of the mild steel before and after immersion in 1.0 M HCl solution containing 0.5 mM of PMBH. Surface analysis revealed improvement of corrosion resistance in presence of PMBH.

Efficient hydrogenation of organic carbonates, carbamates and formates indicates alternative routes to methanol based on CO2 and CO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balaraman, Ekambaram; Gunanathan, Chidambaram; Zhang, Jing; Shimon, Linda J. W.; Milstein, David

2011-08-01

Catalytic hydrogenation of organic carbonates, carbamates and formates is of significant interest both conceptually and practically, because these compounds can be produced from CO2 and CO, and their mild hydrogenation can provide alternative, mild approaches to the indirect hydrogenation of CO2 and CO to methanol, an important fuel and synthetic building block. Here, we report for the first time catalytic hydrogenation of organic carbonates to alcohols, and carbamates to alcohols and amines. Unprecedented homogeneously catalysed hydrogenation of organic formates to methanol has also been accomplished. The reactions are efficiently catalysed by dearomatized PNN Ru(II) pincer complexes derived from pyridine- and bipyridine-based tridentate ligands. These atom-economical reactions proceed under neutral, homogeneous conditions, at mild temperatures and under mild hydrogen pressures, and can operate in the absence of solvent with no generation of waste, representing the ultimate ‘green’ reactions. A possible mechanism involves metal-ligand cooperation by aromatization-dearomatization of the heteroaromatic pincer core.

Efficient hydrogenation of organic carbonates, carbamates and formates indicates alternative routes to methanol based on CO2 and CO.

PubMed

Balaraman, Ekambaram; Gunanathan, Chidambaram; Zhang, Jing; Shimon, Linda J W; Milstein, David

2011-07-22

Catalytic hydrogenation of organic carbonates, carbamates and formates is of significant interest both conceptually and practically, because these compounds can be produced from CO2 and CO, and their mild hydrogenation can provide alternative, mild approaches to the indirect hydrogenation of CO2 and CO to methanol, an important fuel and synthetic building block. Here, we report for the first time catalytic hydrogenation of organic carbonates to alcohols, and carbamates to alcohols and amines. Unprecedented homogeneously catalysed hydrogenation of organic formates to methanol has also been accomplished. The reactions are efficiently catalysed by dearomatized PNN Ru(II) pincer complexes derived from pyridine- and bipyridine-based tridentate ligands. These atom-economical reactions proceed under neutral, homogeneous conditions, at mild temperatures and under mild hydrogen pressures, and can operate in the absence of solvent with no generation of waste, representing the ultimate 'green' reactions. A possible mechanism involves metal-ligand cooperation by aromatization-dearomatization of the heteroaromatic pincer core.

Bomb blast, mild traumatic brain injury and psychiatric morbidity: a review.

PubMed

Rosenfeld, Jeffrey V; Ford, Nick L

2010-05-01

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) arising from blast exposure during war is common, and frequently complicated by psychiatric morbidity. There is controversy as to whether mild TBI from blast is different from other causes of mild TBI. Anxiety and affective disorders such as Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression are common accompaniments of blast injury with a significant overlap in the diagnostic features of PTSD with post-concussive syndrome (PCS). This review focuses on this overlap and the effects of mild TBI due to bomb blast. Mild TBI may have been over diagnosed by late retrospective review of returned servicemen and women using imprecise criteria. There is therefore a requirement for clear and careful documentation by health professionals of a TBI due to bomb blast shortly after the event so that the diagnosis of TBI can be made with confidence. There is a need for the early recognition of symptoms of PCS, PTSD and depression and early multi-disciplinary interventions focussed on expected return to duties. There also needs to be a continued emphasis on the de-stigmatization of psychological conditions in military personnel returning from deployment. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamic changes in neural circuit topology following mild mechanical injury in vitro.

PubMed

Patel, Tapan P; Ventre, Scott C; Meaney, David F

2012-01-01

Despite its enormous incidence, mild traumatic brain injury is not well understood. One aspect that needs more definition is how the mechanical energy during injury affects neural circuit function. Recent developments in cellular imaging probes provide an opportunity to assess the dynamic state of neural networks with single-cell resolution. In this article, we developed imaging methods to assess the state of dissociated cortical networks exposed to mild injury. We estimated the imaging conditions needed to achieve accurate measures of network properties, and applied these methodologies to evaluate if mild mechanical injury to cortical neurons produces graded changes to either spontaneous network activity or altered network topology. We found that modest injury produced a transient increase in calcium activity that dissipated within 1 h after injury. Alternatively, moderate mechanical injury produced immediate disruption in network synchrony, loss in excitatory tone, and increased modular topology. A calcium-activated neutral protease (calpain) was a key intermediary in these changes; blocking calpain activation restored the network nearly completely to its pre-injury state. Together, these findings show a more complex change in neural circuit behavior than previously reported for mild mechanical injury, and highlight at least one important early mechanism responsible for these changes.

[Effects of soil water status on gas exchange of peanut and early rice leaves].

PubMed

Chen, Jiazhou; Lü, Guoan; He, Yuanqiu

2005-01-01

The gas exchange characteristics of peanut and early rice leaves were investigated in experimental plots under different soil water conditions over a long growth period. The results showed that at the branching stage of peanut, the stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) decreased slightly under mild and moderate soil water stress, while the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and leaf water use efficiency (WUE) increased. The Gs/Tr ratio also increased under mild water stress, but decreased under moderate water stress. At podding stage, the Gs, Tr, Gs/Tr ratio and Pn decreased, while WUE increased significantly under mild and moderate water stress. The peanut was suffered from water stress at its pod setting stage. At the grain filling stage of early rice, the Gs, Tr and Gs/Tr ratio fluctuated insignificantly under mild and moderate water stress, while Pn and WUE increased significantly, with an increase in grain yield under mild water stress. It's suggested that the combination of Gs and Gs/Tr ratio could be a reference index for crop water stress, namely, crops could be hazarded by water stress when Gs and Gs/Tr decreased synchronously.

The Frequency and Severity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities in Infants with Mild Neonatal Encephalopathy.

PubMed

Walsh, Brian H; Neil, Jeffrey; Morey, JoAnn; Yang, Edward; Silvera, Michelle V; Inder, Terrie E; Ortinau, Cynthia

2017-08-01

To assess and contrast the incidence and severity of abnormalities on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between infants with mild, moderate, and severe neonatal encephalopathy who received therapeutic hypothermia. This retrospective cohort studied infants with mild, moderate, and severe neonatal encephalopathy who received therapeutic hypothermia at a single tertiary neonatal intensive care unit between 2013 and 2015. Two neuroradiologists masked to the clinical condition evaluated brain MRIs for cerebral injury after therapeutic hypothermia using the Barkovich classification system. Additional abnormalities not included in this classification system were also noted. The rate, pattern, and severity of abnormalities/injury were compared across the grades of neonatal encephalopathy. Eighty-nine infants received therapeutic hypothermia and met study criteria, 48 with mild neonatal encephalopathy, 35 with moderate neonatal encephalopathy, and 6 with severe neonatal encephalopathy. Forty-eight infants (54%) had an abnormality on MRI. There was no difference in the rate of overall MRI abnormalities by grade of neonatal encephalopathy (mild neonatal encephalopathy 54%, moderate neonatal encephalopathy 54%, and severe neonatal encephalopathy 50%; P= .89). Basal ganglia/thalamic injury was more common in those with severe neonatal encephalopathy (mild neonatal encephalopathy 4%, moderate neonatal encephalopathy 9%, severe neonatal encephalopathy 34%; P = .03). In contrast, watershed injury did not differ between neonatal encephalopathy grades (mild neonatal encephalopathy 36%, moderate neonatal encephalopathy 32%, severe neonatal encephalopathy 50%; P = .3). Mild neonatal encephalopathy is commonly associated with MRI abnormalities after therapeutic hypothermia. The grade of neonatal encephalopathy during the first hours of life may not discriminate adequately between infants with and without cerebral injury noted on MRI after therapeutic hypothermia. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Preparation and Characterization of Colloidal Silica Particles under Mild Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neville, Frances; Zin, Azrinawati Mohd.; Jameson, Graeme J.; Wanless, Erica J.

2012-01-01

A microscale laboratory experiment for the preparation and characterization of silica particles at neutral pH and ambient temperature conditions is described. Students first employ experimental fabrication methods to make spherical submicrometer silica particles via the condensation of an alkoxysilane and polyethyleneimine, which act to catalyze…

Preoperative assessment of pleural adhesion by Four-Dimensional Ultra-Low-Dose Computed Tomography (4D-ULDCT) with Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction using Three-Dimensional processing (AIDR-3D).

PubMed

Hashimoto, Masayuki; Nagatani, Yukihiro; Oshio, Yasuhiko; Nitta, Norihisa; Yamashiro, Tsuneo; Tsukagoshi, Shinsuke; Ushio, Noritoshi; Mayumi, Masayuki; Kimoto, Tatsuya; Igarashi, Tomoyuki; Yoshigoe, Makoto; Iwai, Kyohei; Tanaka, Koki; Sato, Shigetaka; Sonoda, Akinaga; Otani, Hideji; Murata, Kiyoshi; Hanaoka, Jun

2018-01-01

To assess the feasibility of Four-Dimensional Ultra-Low-Dose Computed Tomography (4D-ULDCT) for distinguishing pleural aspects with localized pleural adhesion (LPA) from those without. Twenty-seven patients underwent 4D-ULDCT during a single respiration with a 16cm-coverage of the body axis. The presence and severity of LPA was confirmed by their intraoperative thoracoscopic findings. A point on the pleura and a corresponding point on the outer edge of the costal bone were placed in identical axial planes at end-inspiration. The distance of the two points (PCD), traced by automatic tracking functions respectively, was calculated at each respiratory phase. The maximal and average change amounts in PCD (PCD MCA and PCD ACA ) were compared among 110 measurement points (MPs) without LPA, 16MPs with mild LPA and 10MPs with severe LPA in upper lung field cranial to the bronchial bifurcation (ULF), and 150MPs without LPA, 17MPs with mild LPA and 9MPs with severe LPA in lower lung field caudal to the bronchial bifurcation (LLF) using the Mann-Whitney U test. In the LLF, PCD ACA as well as PCD MCA demonstrated a significant difference among non-LPA, mild LPA and severe LPA (18.1±9.2, 12.3±6.2 and 5.0±3.3mm) (p<0.05). Also in the ULF, PCD ACA showed a significant difference among three conditions (9.2±5.5, 5.7±2.8 and 2.2±0.4mm, respectively) (p<0.05), whereas PCD MCA for mild LPA was similar to that for non-LPA (12.3±5.9 and 17.5±11.0mm). Four D-ULDCT could be a useful non-invasive preoperative assessment modality for the detection of the presence or severity of LPA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Contribution of Temporal Preparation and Processing Speed to Simple Reaction Time in Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sylvain-Roy, Stephanie; Bherer, Louis; Belleville, Sylvie

2010-01-01

Temporal preparation was assessed in 15 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, 20 persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 28 healthy older adults. Participants completed a simple reaction time task in which the preparatory interval duration varied randomly within two blocks (short versus long temporal window). Results indicated that AD and…

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy from the Perspective of Clients with Mild Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Investigation of Process Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pert, C.; Jahoda, A.; Stenfert Kroese, B.; Trower, P.; Dagnan, D.; Selkirk, M.

2013-01-01

Background: Clinicians working with clients who have mild intellectual disabilities (IDs) have shown growing enthusiasm for using a cognitive behavioural approach, amid increasing evidence of good treatment outcomes for this client group. However, very little is known about the views and experiences of clients with IDs who have undergone cognitive…

Research Strategies To Improve the Outcome of Secondary Special Education Programs for Mildly Handicapped Students: System Support Strategies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edgar, Eugene; Vadasy, Patricia F.

This paper proposes system supports to improve the post-school status of mildly disabled special education students and recommends that such supports be a focus of research supported by the federal Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. Each service is discussed in terms of its rationale, possible content, process measures,…

Inhibiting mild steel corrosion from sulfate-reducing bacteria using antimicrobial-producing biofilms in Three-Mile-Island process water.

PubMed

Zuo, R; Ornek, D; Syrett, B C; Green, R M; Hsu, C-H; Mansfeld, F B; Wood, T K

2004-04-01

Biofilms were used to produce gramicidin S (a cyclic decapeptide) to inhibit corrosion-causing, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). In laboratory studies these biofilms protected mild steel 1010 continuously from corrosion in the aggressive, cooling service water of the AmerGen Three-Mile-Island (TMI) nuclear plant, which was augmented with reference SRB. The growth of both reference SRB (Gram-positive Desulfosporosinus orientis and Gram-negative Desulfovibrio vulgaris) was shown to be inhibited by supernatants of the gramicidin-S-producing bacteria as well as by purified gramicidin S. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and mass loss measurements showed that the protective biofilms decreased the corrosion rate of mild steel by 2- to 10-fold when challenged with the natural SRB of the TMI process water supplemented with D. orientis or D. vulgaris. The relative corrosion inhibition efficiency was 50-90% in continuous reactors, compared to a biofilm control which did not produce the antimicrobial gramicidin S. Scanning electron microscope and reactor images also revealed that SRB attack was thwarted by protective biofilms that secrete gramicidin S. A consortium of beneficial bacteria (GGPST consortium, producing gramicidin S and other antimicrobials) also protected the mild steel.

Emotional processing in patients with mild cognitive impairment: the influence of the valence and intensity of emotional stimuli: the valence and intensity of emotional stimuli influence emotional processing in patients with mild cognitive impairment.

PubMed

Sarabia-Cobo, Carmen M; García-Rodríguez, Beatriz; Navas, M José; Ellgring, Heiner

2015-10-15

We studied the ability of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to process emotional facial expressions (EFEs). To date, no systematic study has addressed how variation in intensity affects recognition of the different type of EFEs in such subjects. Two groups of 50 elderly subjects, 50 healthy individuals and 50 with MCI, completed a task that involved identifying 180 EFEs prepared using virtual models. Two features of the EFEs were contemplated, their valence (operationalized in six basic emotions) and five levels of intensity. At all levels of intensity, elderly individuals with MCI were significantly worse at identifying each EFE than healthy subjects. Some emotions were easier to identify than others, with happiness proving to be the easiest to identify and disgust the hardest, and intensity influenced the identification of the EFEs (the stronger the intensity, the greater the number of correct identifications). Overall, elderly individuals with MCI had a poorer capacity to process EFEs, suggesting that cognitive ability modulates the processing of emotions, where features of such stimuli also seem to play a prominent role (e.g., valence and intensity). Thus, the neurological substrates involved in emotional processing appear to be affected by MCI. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of Near-Surface Severe Plastic Deformation of Mild Steel on the Inhibition Performance of Sodium Molybdate and 1H-Benzotriazole in Artificial Sea Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sabet Bokati, Kazem; Dehghanian, Changiz; Babaei, Mahdi

2018-02-01

The effects of near-surface severe plastic deformation (NS-SPD) on the inhibition performance of sodium molybdate (SM) and 1H-benzotriazole (BTA) for mild steel were investigated using weight loss, polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The crystal grain size of NS-SPD-processed surface was analyzed by x-ray diffractometry and field emission scanning electron microscopy. A deformed layer with thickness of 20 ± 5 µm was produced on mild steel surface after NS-SPD process due to accumulated strains. The NS-SPD process caused more effective adsorption of corrosion inhibitors due to the fabrication of a surface with a high density of preferential adsorption sites. However, the stability of protective layer was predominantly influenced by the effect of NS-SPD process on inhibition efficiency. The fairly good persistence of protective layer formed on the surface by SM-containing solution and also positive effect of NS-SPD process on adsorption of molybdate ions caused higher inhibition performance for sodium molybdate. However, NS-SPD process encouraged deterioration of protective layer formed on steel surface in the presence of BTA inhibitor. It was ascribed to partial coverage of surface, low stability of adsorbed layer and thus more adsorption of aggressive ions on unprotected area which was uncovered during immersion time.

A General and Mild Approach to Controllable Preparation of Manganese-Based Micro- and Nanostructured Bars for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

PubMed

Ma, Guo; Li, Sheng; Zhang, Weixin; Yang, Zeheng; Liu, Shulin; Fan, Xiaoming; Chen, Fei; Tian, Yuan; Zhang, Weibo; Yang, Shihe; Li, Mei

2016-03-07

One-dimensional (1D) micro- and nanostructured electrode materials with controllable phase and composition are appealing materials for use in lithium-ion batteries with high energy and power densities, but they are challenging to prepare. Herein, a novel ethanol-water mediated co-precipitation method by a chimie douce route (synthesis conducted under mild conditions) has been exploited to selectively prepare an extensive series of manganese-based electrode materials, manifesting the considerable generalizability and efficacy of the method. Moreover, by simply tuning the mixed solvent and reagents, transition metal oxide bars with differing aspect ratios and compositions were prepared with an unprecedented uniformity. Application prospects are demonstrated by Li-rich 0.5 Li2 MnO3 ⋅0.5 LiNi1/3 Co1/3 Mn1/3 O2 bars, which demonstrate excellent reversible capacity and rate capability thanks to the steerable nature of the synthesis and material quality. This work opens a new route to 1D micro- and nanostructured materials by customizing the precipitating solvent to orchestrate the crystallization process. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in subclinical hypothyroidism.

PubMed

Decandia, F

2018-02-01

Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH), defined as an increased serum thyrotropin (TSH) level and normal plasma-free thyroid hormones' concentrations, is common in the general population, in particular, among elderly women. Its prevalence ranges from 4 to 15% and up to 20% among females aged > 60 year. Although SH has been associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), it is acknowledged that the high prevalence of dyslipidemia in elderly people is considered a common biochemical condition. Therefore, whether SH is associated with a higher risk for CVD is still controversial. At the moment, no consensus exists on the clinical significance and treatment of the mild form of thyroid failure, although available data suggest that only patients with plasma TSH levels above 10 mU/L may have an increased risk of CVD. However, treatment of SH in older individual requires special consideration with regard to thyroid hormone replacement therapy and expected clinical outcomes, since the increase of TSH observed in this population may represent a physiological process. It is likely that age affects TSH levels, and some studies suggest that modified reference limits for elderly populations should be considered in the diagnosis of mild thyroid failure.

Substrate-Controlled Product Divergence: Conversion of CO2 into Heterocyclic Products.

PubMed

Rintjema, Jeroen; Epping, Roel; Fiorani, Giulia; Martín, Eddy; Escudero-Adán, Eduardo C; Kleij, Arjan W

2016-03-14

Substituted epoxy alcohols and amines allow substrate-controlled conversion of CO2 into a wide range of heterocyclic structures through different mechanistic manifolds. This new approach results in an unusual scope of CO2-derived products by initial activation of CO2 through either the amine or alcohol unit, thus providing nucleophiles for intramolecular epoxy ring opening under mild reaction conditions. Control experiments support the crucial role of the amine/alcohol fragment in this process with the nucleophile-assisted ring-opening step following an SN i pathway, and a 5-exo-tet cyclization, thus leading to heterocyclic scaffolds. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Chemical biology based on target-selective degradation of proteins and carbohydrates using light-activatable organic molecules.

PubMed

Toshima, Kazunobu

2013-05-01

Proteins and carbohydrates play crucial roles in a wide range of biological processes, including serious diseases. The development of novel and innovative methods for selective control of specific proteins and carbohydrates functions has attracted much attention in the field of chemical biology. In this account article, the development of novel chemical tools, which can degrade target proteins and carbohydrates by irradiation with a specific wavelength of light under mild conditions without any additives, is introduced. This novel class of photochemical agents promise bright prospects for finding not only molecular-targeted bioprobes for understanding of the structure-activity relationships of proteins and carbohydrates but also novel therapeutic drugs targeting proteins and carbohydrates.

Mechanistic insights into the one-pot synthesis of propargylamines from terminal alkynes and amines in chlorinated solvents catalyzed by gold compounds and nanoparticles.

PubMed

Aguilar, David; Contel, Maria; Urriolabeitia, Esteban P

2010-08-09

Propargylamines can be obtained from secondary amines and terminal alkynes in chlorinated solvents by a three- and two-component synthesis catalyzed by gold compounds and nanoparticles (Au-NP) under mild conditions. The use of dichloromethane allows for the activation of two C-Cl bonds and a clean transfer of the methylene fragment to the final product. The scope of the reaction as well as the influence of different gold(III) cycloaurated complexes and salts has been investigated. The involvement of gold nanoparticles generated in situ in the process is discussed and a plausible reaction mechanism is proposed on the basis of the data obtained.

Acid-promoted Bicyclization of Diaryl Alkynes: Synthesis of 2H-Indazoles with in situ Generated Diazonium Salt as Nitrogen Source.

PubMed

Zhang, Cheng; Chang, Sailan; Dong, Shanliang; Qiu, Lihua; Xu, Xinfang

2018-06-08

An unprecedented transition-metal-free tandem bicyclization of diaryl alkynes has been disclosed, which provides a streamlined access to a range of polycyclic 2H-indazoles in high to excellent yields. The salient features of this reaction include readily available starting materials, good functional group compatibility, mild reaction conditions, no column chromatography, high bond-formation efficiency, and ease in further transformations. Notably, this is the first example for the synthesis of 2H-indazoles with in situ generated diazonium salt as the nitrogen source, and a mechanistic rationale involving an acid-promoted tandem diazonium salt formation/bicyclization process is discussed.

A practical approach to the degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls in transformer oil.

PubMed

Wu, Wenhai; Xu, Jie; Zhao, Hongmei; Zhang, Qing; Liao, Shijian

2005-08-01

A practical and efficient disposal method for hydrodechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in transformer oil is reported. Transformer oil containing PCBs was treated by nanometric sodium hydride (nano-NaH) and transition metal catalysts. High destruction and removal efficiency (89.8%) can be attained by nano-NaH alone under mild conditions. The process exhibits apparent characteristics of a first order reaction. The reductive ability of nano-NaH was enhanced by the addition of transition metal catalysts. In the presence of TiCl4, 99.9% PCBs was hydrodechlorinated. The complex reducing reagents, Ni(OAc)2+i-PrONa, show extra hydrodechlorinating activity for di-chlorinated biphenyls.

Gold-Catalyzed Formal [4+1]/[4+3] Cycloadditions of Diazo Esters with Triazines.

PubMed

Zhu, Chenghao; Xu, Guangyang; Sun, Jiangtao

2016-09-19

Reported herein is the unprecedented gold-catalyzed formal [4+1]/[4+3] cycloadditions of diazo esters with hexahydro-1,3,4-triazines, thus providing five- and seven-membered heterocycles in moderate to high yields under mild reaction conditions. These reactions feature the use of a gold complex to accomplish the diverse annulations and the first example of the involvement of a gold metallo-enolcarbene in a cycloaddition. It is also the first utilization of stable triazines as formal dipolar adducts in the carbene-involved cycloadditions. Mechanistic investigations reveal that the triazines reacted directly, rather than as formaldimine precursors, in the reaction process. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Protein recovery from inclusion bodies of Escherichia coli using mild solubilization process.

PubMed

Singh, Anupam; Upadhyay, Vaibhav; Upadhyay, Arun Kumar; Singh, Surinder Mohan; Panda, Amulya Kumar

2015-03-25

Formation of inclusion bodies in bacterial hosts poses a major challenge for large scale recovery of bioactive proteins. The process of obtaining bioactive protein from inclusion bodies is labor intensive and the yields of recombinant protein are often low. Here we review the developments in the field that are targeted at improving the yield, as well as quality of the recombinant protein by optimizing the individual steps of the process, especially solubilization of the inclusion bodies and refolding of the solubilized protein. Mild solubilization methods have been discussed which are based on the understanding of the fact that protein molecules in inclusion body aggregates have native-like structure. These methods solubilize the inclusion body aggregates while preserving the native-like protein structure. Subsequent protein refolding and purification results in high recovery of bioactive protein. Other parameters which influence the overall recovery of bioactive protein from inclusion bodies have also been discussed. A schematic model describing the utility of mild solubilization methods for high throughput recovery of bioactive protein has also been presented.

Mild-temperature dilute acid pretreatment for integration of first and second generation ethanol processes.

PubMed

Nair, Ramkumar B; Kalif, Mahdi; Ferreira, Jorge A; Taherzadeh, Mohammad J; Lennartsson, Patrik R

2017-12-01

The use of hot-water (100°C) from the 1st generation ethanol plants for mild-temperature lignocellulose pretreatment can possibly cut down the operational (energy) cost of 2nd generation ethanol process, in an integrated model. Dilute-sulfuric and -phosphoric acid pretreatment at 100°C was carried out for wheat bran and whole-stillage fibers. Pretreatment time and acid type influenced the release of sugars from wheat bran, while acid-concentration was found significant for whole-stillage fibers. Pretreatment led up-to 300% improvement in the glucose yield compared to only-enzymatically treated substrates. The pretreated substrates were 191-344% and 115-300% richer in lignin and glucan, respectively. Fermentation using Neurospora intermedia, showed 81% and 91% ethanol yields from wheat bran and stillage-fibers, respectively. Sawdust proved to be a highly recalcitrant substrate for mild-temperature pretreatment with only 22% glucose yield. Both wheat bran and whole-stillage are potential substrates for pretreatment using waste heat from the 1st generation process for 2nd generation ethanol. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Silicanizing Process On Mild Steel Substrate by Using Tronoh Silica Sand: Microstructure, composition and coating growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Y, Yusnenti F. M.; M, Othman; Mustapha, Mazli; I, MohdYusri

2016-02-01

A new Silicanizing process on formation of coating on mild steel using Tronoh Silica Sand (TSS) is presented. The process was performed in the temperature range 1000- 1100°C and with varying deposition time of 1-4 hours. Influence of the layer and the substrate constituents on the coating compatibility of the whole silicanized layer is described in detail. Morphology and structure of the silicanized layer were investigated by XRF, XRD and SEM. It is observed that diffusion coatings containing high concentrations of silica which profile distribution of SiO2 in the silicanized layer was encountered and the depth from the surface to the substrate was taken as the layer thickness. The results also depicted that a longer deposition time have tendency to produce a looser and larger grain a hence rougher layer. The silicanized layer composed of FeSi and Fe2SiO4 phases with preferred orientation within the experimental range. It is also found that longer deposition time and higher temperature resulted in an increase in SiO2 concentration on the substrate (mild steel).

High pressure chemistry of red phosphorus by photo-activated simple molecules

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ceppatelli, M.; Fanetti, S.; Bini, R.; Caporali, M.; Peruzzini, M.

2014-05-01

High pressure (HP) is very effective in reducing intermolecular distances and inducing unexpected chemical reactions. In addition the photo-activation of the reactants in HP conditions can lead to very efficient and selective processes. The chemistry of phosphorus is currently based on the white molecular form. The red polymeric allotrope, despite more stable and much less toxic, has not attracted much attention so far. However, switching from the white to the red form would benefit any industrial procedure, especially from an environmental point of view. On the other side, water and ethanol are renewable, environmental friendly and largely available molecules, usable as reactants and photo-activators in HP conditions. Here we report a study on the HP photo-induced reactivity of red phosphorus with water and ethanol, showing the possibility of very efficient and selective processes, leading to molecular hydrogen and valuable phosphorus compounds. The reactions have been studied by means of FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and pressure has been generated using membrane Diamond (DAC) and Sapphire (SAC) anvil cells. HP reactivity has been activated by the two-photon absorption of near-UV wavelengths and occurred in total absence of solvents, catalysts and radical initiators, at room T and mild pressure conditions (0.2-1.5 GPa).

Influence of osmotic stress on thermal perception and thermoregulation in heat is different between sedentary and trained men.

PubMed

Tokizawa, Ken; Matsuda-Nakamura, Mayumi; Tanaka, Yuki; Uchida, Yuki; Lin, Cheng-Hsien; Nagashima, Kei

2016-07-01

Hyperosmolality in extracellular fluid in humans attenuates autonomic thermoregulation in heat, such as sweating and blood flow in the skin. However, exercise training minimizes the attenuation. The aim of the present study was to clarify the influence of hyperosmolality on thermal perception and to assess the training effect of exercise. Ten sedentary (SED) and 10 endurance-trained (TR) healthy young men were infused with 0.9% (normal saline [NS]) or 3% NaCl (hypertonic saline [HS]) for 120min on two separate days. After infusion for 20min, heat stimulus to the skin of the whole body was produced by a gradual increase in hot water-perfused suit temperature (33°C, 36°C, and 39°C), which was first used in the normothermic condition and then in the mild hyperthermic condition (0.5-0.6°C increase in esophageal temperature) and controlled by immersion of the lower legs in a water bath at 34.5°C and 42°C, respectively. Thermal sensation and comfort were rated at the time of each thermal condition. Plasma osmolality increased by ~10mosmL/kg·H2O in the HS trial. In the mild hyperthermic condition, increases in sweat rate and cutaneous vascular conductance were lower in the HS than in the NS trial in both the SED and TR groups (p<0.05). In the SED group, thermal sensation in the mild hyperthermic condition was lower in the HS than in the NS trial (p<0.05); there was no significant difference between the trials in the TR group. These results might indicate that hyperosmolality attenuates thermal sensation with heat and that exercise training eliminates the attenuation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficient ammonia synthesis over a Ru/La0.5Ce0.5O1.75 catalyst pre-reduced at high temperature† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed procedures for each method, catalytic performance, STEM-EDX images, and detailed characterizations. See DOI: 10.1039/c7sc05343f

PubMed Central

Ogura, Yuta; Sato, Katsutoshi; Miyahara, Shin-ichiro; Kawano, Yukiko; Toriyama, Takaaki; Yamamoto, Tomokazu; Matsumura, Syo; Hosokawa, Saburo

2018-01-01

Ammonia is an important feedstock for producing fertiliser and is also a potential energy carrier. However, the process currently used for ammonia synthesis, the Haber–Bosch process, consumes a huge amount of energy; therefore the development of new catalysts for synthesising ammonia at a high rate under mild conditions (low temperature and low pressure) is necessary. Here, we show that Ru/La0.5Ce0.5O1.75 pre-reduced at an unusually high temperature (650 °C) catalysed ammonia synthesis at extremely high rates under mild conditions; specifically, at a reaction temperature of 350 °C, the rates were 13.4, 31.3, and 44.4 mmol g–1 h–1 at 0.1, 1.0, and 3.0 MPa, respectively. Kinetic analysis revealed that this catalyst is free of hydrogen poisoning under the conditions tested. Electron energy loss spectroscopy combined with O2 absorption capacity measurements revealed that the reduced catalyst consisted of fine Ru particles (mean diameter < 2.0 nm) that were partially covered with partially reduced La0.5Ce0.5O1.75 and were dispersed on a thermostable support. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared spectra measured after N2 addition to the catalyst revealed that N2 adsorption on Ru atoms that interacted directly with the reduced La0.5Ce0.5O1.75 weakened the N 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 1111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 1111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 1111111111111111111111111111111111 1111111111111111111111111111111111 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 0000000000000000000000000000000000 N bond and thus promoted its cleavage, which is the rate-determining step for ammonia synthesis. Our results indicate that high-temperature pre-reduction of this catalyst, which consists of Ru supported on a thermostable composite oxide with a cubic fluorite structure and containing reducible cerium, resulted in the formation of many sites that were highly active for N2 reduction by hydrogen. PMID:29719696

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Chronically Impairs Sleep- and Wake-Dependent Emotional Processing.

PubMed

Mantua, Janna; Henry, Owen S; Garskovas, Nolan F; Spencer, Rebecca M C

2017-06-01

A single traumatic brain injury (TBI), even when mild (ie, concussion), can cause lasting consequences. Individuals with a history of chronic (>1-year prior) mild TBI have an increased risk of mood disturbances (eg, depression, suicide). This population also has lingering sleep alterations, including poor sleep quality and changes in sleep stage proportions. Given these sleep deficits, we aimed to test whether sleep-dependent emotional memory consolidation is reduced in this population. We utilized a mild TBI group (3.7 ± 2.9 years post injury) and an uninjured (non-TBI) population. Participants viewed negative and neutral images both before and after a 12-hour period containing sleep ("Sleep" group) or an equivalent period of time spent awake ("Wake" group). Participants rated images for valence/arousal at both sessions, and memory recognition was tested at session two. The TBI group had less rapid eye movement (REM), longer REM latency, and more sleep complaints. Sleep-dependent memory consolidation of nonemotional images was present in all participants. However, consolidation of negative images was only present in the non-TBI group. A lack of differentiation between the TBI Sleep and Wake groups was due to poor performance in the sleep group and, unexpectedly, enhanced performance in the wake group. Additionally, although the non-TBI participants habituated to negative images over a waking period, the TBI participants did not. We propose disrupted sleep- and wake-dependent emotional processing contributes to poor emotional outcomes following chronic, mild TBI. This work has broad implications, as roughly one-third of the US population will sustain a mild TBI during their lifetime. © 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.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Chronically Impairs Sleep- and Wake-Dependent Emotional Processing

PubMed Central

Mantua, Janna; Henry, Owen S.; Garskovas, Nolan F.

2017-01-01

Abstract Study Objectives: A single traumatic brain injury (TBI), even when mild (ie, concussion), can cause lasting consequences. Individuals with a history of chronic (>1-year prior) mild TBI have an increased risk of mood disturbances (eg, depression, suicide). This population also has lingering sleep alterations, including poor sleep quality and changes in sleep stage proportions. Given these sleep deficits, we aimed to test whether sleep-dependent emotional memory consolidation is reduced in this population. We utilized a mild TBI group (3.7 ± 2.9 years post injury) and an uninjured (non-TBI) population. Methods: Participants viewed negative and neutral images both before and after a 12-hour period containing sleep (“Sleep” group) or an equivalent period of time spent awake (“Wake” group). Participants rated images for valence/arousal at both sessions, and memory recognition was tested at session two. Results: The TBI group had less rapid eye movement (REM), longer REM latency, and more sleep complaints. Sleep-dependent memory consolidation of nonemotional images was present in all participants. However, consolidation of negative images was only present in the non-TBI group. A lack of differentiation between the TBI Sleep and Wake groups was due to poor performance in the sleep group and, unexpectedly, enhanced performance in the wake group. Additionally, although the non-TBI participants habituated to negative images over a waking period, the TBI participants did not. Conclusions: We propose disrupted sleep- and wake-dependent emotional processing contributes to poor emotional outcomes following chronic, mild TBI. This work has broad implications, as roughly one-third of the US population will sustain a mild TBI during their lifetime. PMID:28460124

[Subsidized project of hearing aid purchase for mild-moderate hearing impaired children in Akita prefecture].

PubMed

Sato, Teruyuki; Nakazawa, Misao; Takahashi, Shin; Ishikawa, Kazuo

2013-06-01

The dissemination of newborn hearing screening has detected children with mild-moderate hearing impairment at an early age. However, there is no nation-wide welfare system for children with mild-moderate hearing impairment in Japan. Under these kinds of social conditions, a subsidized project of hearing aid purchase for mild-moderate hearing impaired children has come into force from April 2010 in Akita prefecture. All 18 candidates who applied for this project were subsidized in Akita prefecture. Eighteen children purchased their hearing aids using this subsidy. The feature of this project was that every child could have access to subsidies as long as their doctor recognized the effectiveness of hearing aids because children with hearing impairment need to learn language. They contacted the hospital, prefectural government and institutes related to hearing loss before this project come into force. We recognized parents who are raising a child with mild-moderate hearing impairment have high interest in this project. Hearing aids can represent a considerable expense for young parents who are raising a child. We encountered some children who had to give up the idea of hearing aids due to their parents' economic circumstances before this project become effective. These situations were completely avoided after this project came into being. This administrative purpose was of demonstrated value in children with mild-moderate hearing impairment.

Hypothesizing the body's genius to trigger and self-organize its healing: 25 years using a standardized neurophysics therapy

PubMed Central

Ross, Sara N.; Ware, Ken

2013-01-01

We aim for this contribution to operate bi-directionally, both as a “bedside to bench” reverse-translational fractal physiological hypothesis and as a methodological innovation to inform clinical practice. In 25 years using gym equipment therapeutically in non-research settings, the standardized therapy is consistently observed to trigger universal responses of micro to macro waves of system transition dynamics in the human nervous system. These are associated with observably desirable impacts on disorders, injuries, diseases, and athletic performance. Requisite conditions are therapeutic coaching, erect posture, extremely slow movements in mild resistance exercises, and executive control over arousal and attention. To motivate research into the physiological improvements and in validation studies, we integrate from across disciplines to hypothesize explanations for the relationships among the methods, the system dynamics, and evident results. Key hypotheses include: (1) Correctly-directed system efforts may reverse a system's heretofore misdirected efforts, restoring healthier neurophysiology. (2) The enhanced information processing accompanying good posture is an essential initial condition. (3) Behaviors accompanying exercises performed with few degrees of freedom amplify information processing, triggering destabilization and transition dynamics. (4) Executive control over arousal and attention is essential to release system constraints, amplifying and complexifying information. (5) The dynamics create necessary and in many cases evidently sufficient conditions for the body to resolve or improve its own conditions within often short time periods. Literature indicates how the human system possesses material self-awareness. A broad explanation for the nature and effects of the therapy appears rooted in the cascading recursions of the systems' dynamics, which appear to trigger health-fostering self-reorganizing processes when this therapy provides catalytic initial conditions. PMID:24312056

Stress and reward processing in bipolar disorder: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

PubMed

Berghorst, Lisa H; Kumar, Poornima; Greve, Doug N; Deckersbach, Thilo; Ongur, Dost; Dutra, Sunny J; Pizzagalli, Diego A

2016-11-01

A link between negative life stress and the onset of mood episodes in bipolar disorder (BD) has been established, but processes underlying such a link remain unclear. Growing evidence suggests that stress can negatively affect reward processing and related neurobiological substrates, indicating that a dysregulated reward system may provide a partial explanation. The aim of this study was to test the impact of stress on reward-related neural functioning in BD. Thirteen euthymic or mildly depressed individuals with BD and 15 controls performed a Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging during no-stress and stress (negative psychosocial stressor involving poor performance feedback and threat of monetary deductions) conditions. In hypothesis-driven region-of-interest analyses, a significant group-by-condition interaction emerged in the amygdala during reward anticipation. Relative to controls, while anticipating a potential reward, subjects with BD were characterized by amygdalar hyperactivation in the no-stress condition but hypoactivation during stress. Moreover, relative to controls, subjects with BD had significantly larger amygdala volumes. After controlling for structural differences, the effects of stress on amygdalar function remained, whereas groups no longer differed during the no-stress condition. During reward consumption, a group-by-condition interaction emerged in the putamen due to increased putamen activation in response to rewards in participants with BD during stress, but an opposite pattern in controls. Overall, findings highlight possible impairments in using reward-predicting cues to adaptively engage in goal-directed actions in BD, combined with stress-induced hypersensitivity to reward consumption. Potential clinical implications are discussed. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Cognitive overload? An exploration of the potential impact of cognitive functioning in discrete choice experiments with older people in health care.

PubMed

Milte, Rachel; Ratcliffe, Julie; Chen, Gang; Lancsar, Emily; Miller, Michelle; Crotty, Maria

2014-07-01

This exploratory study sought to investigate the effect of cognitive functioning on the consistency of individual responses to a discrete choice experiment (DCE) study conducted exclusively with older people. A DCE to investigate preferences for multidisciplinary rehabilitation was administered to a consenting sample of older patients (aged 65 years and older) after surgery to repair a fractured hip (N = 84). Conditional logit, mixed logit, heteroscedastic conditional logit, and generalized multinomial logit regression models were used to analyze the DCE data and to explore the relationship between the level of cognitive functioning (specifically the absence or presence of mild cognitive impairment as assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination) and preference and scale heterogeneity. Both the heteroscedastic conditional logit and generalized multinomial logit models indicated that the presence of mild cognitive impairment did not have a significant effect on the consistency of responses to the DCE. This study provides important preliminary evidence relating to the effect of mild cognitive impairment on DCE responses for older people. It is important that further research be conducted in larger samples and more diverse populations to further substantiate the findings from this exploratory study and to assess the practicality and validity of the DCE approach with populations of older people. Copyright © 2014 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A pH-responsive carboxymethyl dextran-based conjugate as a carrier of docetaxel for cancer therapy.

PubMed

Han, Hwa Seung; Lee, Minchang; An, Jae Yoon; Son, Soyoung; Ko, Hyewon; Lee, Hansang; Chae, Yee Soo; Kang, Young Mo; Park, Jae Hyung

2016-05-01

Although docetaxel is available for the treatment of various cancers, its clinical applications are limited by its poor water solubility and toxicity to normal cells, resulting in severe adverse effects. In this study, we synthesized a polymeric conjugate with an acid-labile ester linkage, consisting of carboxymethyl dextran (CMD) and docetaxel (DTX), as a potential anticancer drug delivery system. The conjugate exhibited sustained release of DTX in physiological buffer (pH 7.4), whereas its release rate increased remarkably under mildly acidic conditions (pH < 6.5), mimicking the intracellular environment. Cytotoxicity tests conducted in vitro demonstrated that the conjugate exhibited much higher toxicity to cancer cells under mildly acidic conditions than at physiological buffer (pH 7.4). These results implied that the ester linkage in the conjugate allowed for selective release of biologically active DTX under mildly acidic conditions. The in vivo biodistribution of a Cy5.5-labeled conjugate was observed using the noninvasive optical imaging technique after its systemic administration into tumor-bearing mice. The conjugate was effectively accumulated into the tumor site, which may have been because of an enhanced permeability and retention effect. In addition, in vivo antitumor efficacy of the conjugate was significantly higher than that of free DTX. Overall, the CMD-based conjugate might have promising potential as a carrier of DTX for cancer therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Mild hypothermic culture conditions affect residual host cell protein composition post-Protein A chromatography

PubMed Central

Goey, Cher Hui; Bell, David; Kontoravdi, Cleo

2018-01-01

ABSTRACT Host cell proteins (HCPs) are endogenous impurities, and their proteolytic and binding properties can compromise the integrity, and, hence, the stability and efficacy of recombinant therapeutic proteins such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Nonetheless, purification of mAbs currently presents a challenge because they often co-elute with certain HCP species during the capture step of protein A affinity chromatography. A Quality-by-Design (QbD) strategy to overcome this challenge involves identifying residual HCPs and tracing their source to the harvested cell culture fluid (HCCF) and the corresponding cell culture operating parameters. Then, problematic HCPs in HCCF may be reduced by cell engineering or culture process optimization. Here, we present experimental results linking cell culture temperature and post-protein A residual HCP profile. We had previously reported that Chinese hamster ovary cell cultures conducted at standard physiological temperature and with a shift to mild hypothermia on day 5 produced HCCF of comparable product titer and HCP concentration, but with considerably different HCP composition. In this study, we show that differences in HCP variety at harvest cascaded to downstream purification where different residual HCPs were present in the two sets of samples post-protein A purification. To detect low-abundant residual HCPs, we designed a looping liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method with continuous expansion of a preferred, exclude, and targeted peptide list. Mild hypothermic cultures produced 20% more residual HCP species, especially cell membrane proteins, distinct from the control. Critically, we identified that half of the potentially immunogenic residual HCP species were different between the two sets of samples. PMID:29381421

Vocal fold self-disruption after phonotrauma on a lead actor: a case presentation.

PubMed

Behlau, Mara; Oliveira, Gisele; Pontes, Paulo

2009-11-01

It is well known that phonotraumatic events may produce laryngeal inflammation, vocal fold hemorrhage and different types of mass lesions. This study describes a vocal fold self-disruption that occurred on stage to a lead actor in the role of Richard III. The study design is as case presentation. A 43-year-old actor presented with a sudden voice loss that first occurred on stage after a series of presentations. He also had a cold-like condition that had not been treated. His past medical history included an average of ten cigarettes per day for ten years and a 10-year history of gastritis and stomach ulcer. Perceptual, acoustic, and laryngeal analyses were performed following pharmacological and voice therapy. Perceptual and acoustic analyses showed mild deviations whereas laryngeal visual examination revealed a complete right vocal fold detachment from the anterior commissure to the vocal process, with generalized hyperemia. A mild diffuse Reinke's edema was observed on the left vocal fold. Mild discomfort was present only during the first day of the acute period. Modified vocal rest was recommended and a series of vocal exercises were administered. The patient performed again 4 days later, after following a series of behavioral modification techniques that included casting guidelines during the subsequent 15 days. Healing was exceptional and his voice returned to normal. This unique case with an exceptional recovery emphasizes the etiological aspects of scar formation after phonotrauma. Positive contributing factors may include a good vocal technique and adequate training as well as the protective upregulated genes present in Reinke's edema.

Mild hypothermic culture conditions affect residual host cell protein composition post-Protein A chromatography.

PubMed

Goey, Cher Hui; Bell, David; Kontoravdi, Cleo

2018-04-01

Host cell proteins (HCPs) are endogenous impurities, and their proteolytic and binding properties can compromise the integrity, and, hence, the stability and efficacy of recombinant therapeutic proteins such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Nonetheless, purification of mAbs currently presents a challenge because they often co-elute with certain HCP species during the capture step of protein A affinity chromatography. A Quality-by-Design (QbD) strategy to overcome this challenge involves identifying residual HCPs and tracing their source to the harvested cell culture fluid (HCCF) and the corresponding cell culture operating parameters. Then, problematic HCPs in HCCF may be reduced by cell engineering or culture process optimization. Here, we present experimental results linking cell culture temperature and post-protein A residual HCP profile. We had previously reported that Chinese hamster ovary cell cultures conducted at standard physiological temperature and with a shift to mild hypothermia on day 5 produced HCCF of comparable product titer and HCP concentration, but with considerably different HCP composition. In this study, we show that differences in HCP variety at harvest cascaded to downstream purification where different residual HCPs were present in the two sets of samples post-protein A purification. To detect low-abundant residual HCPs, we designed a looping liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method with continuous expansion of a preferred, exclude, and targeted peptide list. Mild hypothermic cultures produced 20% more residual HCP species, especially cell membrane proteins, distinct from the control. Critically, we identified that half of the potentially immunogenic residual HCP species were different between the two sets of samples.

Investigation of Extended Bandwidth Hearing Aid Amplification on Speech Intelligibility and Sound Quality in Adults with Mild-to-Moderate Hearing Loss.

PubMed

Seeto, Angeline; Searchfield, Grant D

2018-03-01

Advances in digital signal processing have made it possible to provide a wide-band frequency response with smooth, precise spectral shaping. Several manufacturers have introduced hearing aids that are claimed to provide gain for frequencies up to 10-12 kHz. However, there is currently limited evidence and very few independent studies evaluating the performance of the extended bandwidth hearing aids that have recently become available. This study investigated an extended bandwidth hearing aid using measures of speech intelligibility and sound quality to find out whether there was a significant benefit of extended bandwidth amplification over standard amplification. Repeated measures study designed to examine the efficacy of extended bandwidth amplification compared to standard bandwidth amplification. Sixteen adult participants with mild-to-moderate sensorineural hearing loss. Participants were bilaterally fit with a pair of Widex Mind 440 behind-the-ear hearing aids programmed with a standard bandwidth fitting and an extended bandwidth fitting; the latter provided gain up to 10 kHz. For each fitting, and an unaided condition, participants completed two speech measures of aided benefit, the Quick Speech-in-Noise test (QuickSIN™) and the Phonak Phoneme Perception Test (PPT; high-frequency perception in quiet), and a measure of sound quality rating. There were no significant differences found between unaided and aided conditions for QuickSIN™ scores. For the PPT, there were statistically significantly lower (improved) detection thresholds at high frequencies (6 and 9 kHz) with the extended bandwidth fitting. Although not statistically significant, participants were able to distinguish between 6 and 9 kHz 50% better with extended bandwidth. No significant difference was found in ability to recognize phonemes in quiet between the unaided and aided conditions when phonemes only contained frequency content <6 kHz. However significant benefit was found with the extended bandwidth fitting for recognition of 9-kHz phonemes. No significant difference in sound quality preference was found between the standard bandwidth and extended bandwidth fittings. This study demonstrated that a pair of currently available extended bandwidth hearing aids was technically capable of delivering high-frequency amplification that was both audible and useable to listeners with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. This amplification was of acceptable sound quality. Further research, particularly field trials, is required to ascertain the real-world benefit of high-frequency amplification. American Academy of Audiology

[Psychotherapy with mild cognitive impairment and dementia].

PubMed

Linnemann, A; Fellgiebel, A

2017-11-01

Despite evidence for psychotherapy (PT) in elderly patients, it is not standard care in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Although neuropsychiatric symptoms are frequent in these patients, there is a lack of studies investigating the importance and efficiency of PT. Can patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia benefit from PT? If so, which modifications of therapeutic strategies are necessary for treating elderly patients with mild cognitive impairments? Evaluation of empirical evidence on the efficiency of PT for patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Presentation of interventions and modifications of therapeutic strategies. Empirical evidence points towards beneficial effects of PT on depressive symptoms and quality of life. The treatment of anxiety disorders has so far been broadly neglected. Modifications of therapeutic strategies include simplification of content, repetitions, implementation of external memory aids and inclusion of caregivers into therapeutic process. Psychotherapy can be effective in patients with mild cognitive impairment and early stages of dementia. When practicing PT, an adaptation of therapeutic strategies is necessary. Nevertheless, there is a need for further studies investigating the benefits and implementation of PT into standard care, especially as pharmacological interventions are very limited in their efficiency and tolerability in this patient population.

Mild intellectual disability associated with a progeny of father-daughter incest: genetic and environmental considerations.

PubMed

Ansermet, Francois; Lespinasse, James; Gimelli, Stefania; Béna, Frédérique; Paoloni-Giacobino, Ariane

2010-05-01

We report the case of a 34-year-old female resulting from a father-daughter sexual abuse and presenting a phenotype of mild intellectual disability with minor dysmorphic features. Karyotyping showed a normal 46, XX constitution. Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) revealed a heterozygote 320kb 6p22.3 microdeletion in the proband, encompassing only one known gene, and therefore unlikely to be the cause of the phenotype. However, the role of other genetic factors, such as a recessive condition, could not be ruled out as a putative cause for the phenotype. On the other hand, the role played by a heavily detrimental familial situation on the development and outcome, and possibly leading or contributing to a mild intellectual disability, should be taken into account.

Stochastic functional evolution equations with monotone nonlinearity: Existence and stability of the mild solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jahanipur, Ruhollah

In this paper, we study a class of semilinear functional evolution equations in which the nonlinearity is demicontinuous and satisfies a semimonotone condition. We prove the existence, uniqueness and exponentially asymptotic stability of the mild solutions. Our approach is to apply a convenient version of Burkholder inequality for convolution integrals and an iteration method based on the existence and measurability results for the functional integral equations in Hilbert spaces. An Itô-type inequality is the main tool to study the uniqueness, p-th moment and almost sure sample path asymptotic stability of the mild solutions. We also give some examples to illustrate the applications of the theorems and meanwhile we compare the results obtained in this paper with some others appeared in the literature.

Characteristics of, prevalence of, and risk factors for corneal pigmentation (pigmentary keratopathy) in Pugs.

PubMed

Labelle, Amber L; Dresser, Christine B; Hamor, Ralph E; Allender, Matthew C; Disney, Julia L

2013-09-01

To determine the characteristics of, prevalence of, and risk factors for corneal pigmentation (CP) in Pugs. Prospective cross-sectional study. 295 Pugs > 16 weeks old. Ophthalmic examination of the anterior segment of each eye was performed, including determination of tear film characteristics (Schirmer tear test and tear film breakup time) and corneal sensitivity. Digital photographs of the head and each eye were obtained. Corneal pigmentation of eyes was graded as absent, very mild, mild, moderate, or severe. Signalment and medical history information and American Kennel Club registration status were recorded. Results-CP was detected in at least 1 eye of 243 of the 295 (82.4%) Pugs; CP was typically very mild or mild. Detection of CP was not significantly associated with coat color, age, eyelid conformation, or tear film characteristics but was significantly associated with sex of dogs. The severity of CP was not significantly associated with American Kennel Club registration status or age, but was significantly associated with sex, tear film characteristics, and coat color. Iris hypoplasia was detected in 72.1% of the Pugs. Iris-to-iris persistent pupillary membranes were detected in 85.3% of the Pugs. Prevalence of CP in Pugs in this study was high. Unexpectedly high prevalences of iris hypoplasia and persistent pupillary membranes were also identified. The condition identified in these Pugs was a pigmentary keratopathy, rather than pigmentary keratitis or corneal melanosis. This condition may have a genetic basis, and further studies are warranted to determine etiology.

The heterodimeric association between the membrane proteins of Semliki Forest virus changes its sensitivity to low pH during virus maturation.

PubMed Central

Wahlberg, J M; Boere, W A; Garoff, H

1989-01-01

The budding and the fusion processes of the enveloped animal virus Semliki Forest virus serve the purpose of transporting its nucleocapsid, containing its genome, from the cytoplasm of an infected cell into that of an uninfected one. We show here that, in the infected cell, the viral membrane (spike) proteins p62 and E1 are organized as heterodimers which are very resistant to dissociation in acidic conditions. In contrast, the mature form of the heterodimer, E2E1, which is found in the virus particle and which is generated by proteolytic processing of p62, is very prone to dissociate upon treatment with mildly acidic buffers. We discuss the possibility that this difference in behavior of the intracellular precursor form and the mature form of the spike protein complex represents an important regulatory mechanism for the processes involving membrane binding around the nucleocapsid during budding and membrane release from the nucleocapsid at the stage of virus fusion. Images PMID:2479769

Assessment on the pedestrian risk during floods based on numerical simulation - A case study in Jinan City

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, T.; Xu, Z.; Hong, S.

2017-12-01

Flood disasters frequently attack the urban area in Jinan City during past years, and the city is faced with severe road flooding which greatly threaten pedestrians' safety. Therefore, it is of great significance to investigate the pedestrian risk during floods under specific topographic condition. In this study, a model coupled hydrological and hydrodynamic processes is developed in the study area to simulate the flood routing process on the road for the "7.18" rainstorm and validated with post-disaster damage survey information. The risk of pedestrian is estimated with a flood risk assessment model. The result shows that the coupled model performs well in the rainstorm flood process. On the basis of the simulation result, the areas with extreme risk, medium risk, and mild risk are identified, respectively. Regions with high risk are generally located near the mountain front area with steep slopes. This study will provide scientific support for the flood control and disaster reduction in Jinan City.

Reduced Educational Outcomes Persist into Adolescence Following Mild Iodine Deficiency in Utero, Despite Adequacy in Childhood: 15-Year Follow-Up of the Gestational Iodine Cohort Investigating Auditory Processing Speed and Working Memory.

PubMed

Hynes, Kristen L; Otahal, Petr; Burgess, John R; Oddy, Wendy H; Hay, Ian

2017-12-13

There is increasing evidence that even mild gestational iodine deficiency (GID) results in adverse neurocognitive impacts on offspring. It's unclear, however, if these persist long-term and whether they can be ameliorated by iodine sufficiency in childhood. We followed a unique cohort (Gestational Iodine Cohort, n = 266) where gestation occurred during a period of mild population iodine deficiency, with children subsequently growing-up in an iodine replete environment. We investigated whether associations between mild GID and reductions in literacy outcomes, observed at age 9-years, persisted into adolescence. Comparisons were made between offspring of mothers with gestational urinary iodine concentrations (UICs) ≥ 150 μg/L and < 150 μg/L. Educational outcomes were measured using Australian National Assessment Program-Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests. Children whose mothers had UICs < 150 μg/L exhibited persistent reductions in spelling from Year 3 (10%, -41.4 points (95% Confidence Interval -65.1 to -17.6, p = 0.001)) to Year 9 (5.6%, -31.6 (-57.0 to -6.2, p = 0.015)) compared to children whose mothers had UICs ≥ 150 μg/L. Associations remained after adjustment for biological factors, socioeconomic status and adolescent UIC. Results support the hypothesis that mild GID may impact working memory and auditory processing speed. The findings have important public health implications for management of iodine nutrition in pregnancy.

Blast Exposure Causes Early and Persistent Aberrant Phospho- and Cleaved-Tau Expression in a Murine Model of Mild Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury

PubMed Central

Huber, Bertrand R.; Meabon, James S.; Martin, Tobin J.; Mourad, Pierre D.; Bennett, Raymond; Kraemer, Brian C.; Cernak, Ibolja; Petrie, Eric C.; Emery, Michael J.; Swenson, Erik R.; Mayer, Cynthia; Mehic, Edin; Peskind, Elaine R.; Cook, David G.

2014-01-01

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is considered the ‘signature injury’ of combat veterans that have served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. This prevalence of mTBI is due in part to the common exposure to high explosive blasts in combat zones. In addition to the threats of blunt impact trauma caused by flying objects and the head itself being propelled against objects, the primary blast overpressure (BOP) generated by high explosives is capable of injuring the brain. Compared to other means of causing TBI, the pathophysiology of mild-to-moderate BOP is less well understood. To study the consequences of BOP exposure in mice, we employed a well-established approach using a compressed gas-driven shock tube that recapitulates battlefield-relevant open-field BOP. We found that 24 hours post-blast a single mild BOP provoked elevation of multiple phosphor- and cleaved-tau species in neurons, as well as elevating manganese superoxide-dismutase (MnSOD or SOD2) levels, a cellular response to oxidative stress. In hippocampus, aberrant tau species persisted for at least 30 days post-exposure, while SOD2 levels returned to sham control levels. These findings suggest that elevated phospho- and cleaved-tau species may be among the initiating pathologic processes induced by mild blast exposure. These findings may have important implications for efforts to prevent blast-induced insults to the brain from progressing into long-term neurodegenerative disease processes. PMID:23948882

The influence of strategic encoding on false memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease dementia.

PubMed

Tat, Michelle J; Soonsawat, Anothai; Nagle, Corinne B; Deason, Rebecca G; O'Connor, Maureen K; Budson, Andrew E

2016-11-01

Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia exhibit high rates of memory distortions in addition to their impairments in episodic memory. Several investigations have demonstrated that when healthy individuals (young and old) engaged in an encoding strategy that emphasized the uniqueness of study items (an item-specific encoding strategy), they were able to improve their discrimination between old items and unstudied critical lure items in a false memory task. In the present study we examined if patients with AD could also improve their memory discrimination when engaging in an item-specific encoding strategy. Healthy older adult controls, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD, and patients with mild AD dementia were asked to study lists of categorized words. In the Item-Specific condition, participants were asked to provide a unique detail or personal experience with each study item. In the Relational condition, they were asked to determine how each item in the list was related to the others. To assess the influence of both strategies, recall and recognition memory tests were administered. Overall, both patient groups exhibited poorer memory in both recall and recognition tests compared to controls. In terms of recognition, healthy older controls and patients with MCI due to AD exhibited improved memory discrimination in the Item-Specific condition compared to the Relational condition, whereas patients with AD dementia did not. We speculate that patients with MCI due to AD use intact frontal networks to effectively engage in this strategy. Published by Elsevier Inc.

The influence of strategic encoding on false memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease dementia

PubMed Central

Tat, Michelle J.; Soonsawat, Anothai; Nagle, Corinne B.; Deason, Rebecca G.; O’Connor, Maureen K.; Budson, Andrew E.

2018-01-01

Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia exhibit high rates of memory distortions in addition to their impairments in episodic memory. Several investigations have demonstrated that when healthy individuals (young and old) engaged in an encoding strategy that emphasized the uniqueness of study items (an item-specific encoding strategy), they were able to improve their discrimination between old items and unstudied critical lure items in a false memory task. In the present study we examined if patients with AD could also improve their memory discrimination when engaging in an item-specific encoding strategy. Healthy older adult controls, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD, and patients with mild AD dementia were asked to study lists of categorized words. In the Item-Specific condition, participants were asked to provide a unique detail or personal experience with each study item. In the Relational condition, they were asked to determine how each item in the list was related to the others. To assess the influence of both strategies, recall and recognition memory tests were administered. Overall, both patient groups exhibited poorer memory in both recall and recognition tests compared to controls. In terms of recognition, healthy older controls and patients with MCI due to AD exhibited improved memory discrimination in the Item-Specific condition compared to the Relational condition, whereas patients with AD dementia did not. We speculate that patients with MCI due to AD use intact frontal networks to effectively engage in this strategy. PMID:27643951

A stochastic SIS epidemic model with vaccination

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Boqiang; Shan, Meijing; Zhang, Qimin; Wang, Weiming

2017-11-01

In this paper, we investigate the basic features of an SIS type infectious disease model with varying population size and vaccinations in presence of environment noise. By applying the Markov semigroup theory, we propose a stochastic reproduction number R0s which can be seen as a threshold parameter to utilize in identifying the stochastic extinction and persistence: If R0s < 1, under some mild extra conditions, there exists a disease-free absorbing set for the stochastic epidemic model, which implies that disease dies out with probability one; while if R0s > 1, under some mild extra conditions, the SDE model has an endemic stationary distribution which results in the stochastic persistence of the infectious disease. The most interesting finding is that large environmental noise can suppress the outbreak of the disease.

Metal-free trifluoromethylation of aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes and ketones.

PubMed

Qiao, Yupu; Si, Tuda; Yang, Ming-Hsiu; Altman, Ryan A

2014-08-01

The ability to convert simple and common substrates into fluoroalkyl derivatives under mild conditions remains an important goal for medicinal and agricultural chemists. One representative example of a desirable transformation involves the conversion of aromatic and heteroaromatic ketones and aldehydes into aryl and heteroaryl β,β,β-trifluoroethylarenes and -heteroarenes. The traditional approach for this net transformation involves stoichiometric metals and/or multistep reaction sequences that consume excessive time, material, and labor resources while providing low yields of products. To complement these traditional strategies, we report a one-pot metal-free decarboxylative procedure for accessing β,β,β-trifluoroethylarenes and -heteroarenes from readily available ketones and aldehydes. This method features several benefits, including ease of operation, readily available reagents, mild reaction conditions, high functional-group compatibility, and scalability.

Metal-Free Trifluoromethylation of Aromatic and Heteroaromatic Aldehydes and Ketones

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

The ability to convert simple and common substrates into fluoroalkyl derivatives under mild conditions remains an important goal for medicinal and agricultural chemists. One representative example of a desirable transformation involves the conversion of aromatic and heteroaromatic ketones and aldehydes into aryl and heteroaryl β,β,β-trifluoroethylarenes and -heteroarenes. The traditional approach for this net transformation involves stoichiometric metals and/or multistep reaction sequences that consume excessive time, material, and labor resources while providing low yields of products. To complement these traditional strategies, we report a one-pot metal-free decarboxylative procedure for accessing β,β,β-trifluoroethylarenes and -heteroarenes from readily available ketones and aldehydes. This method features several benefits, including ease of operation, readily available reagents, mild reaction conditions, high functional-group compatibility, and scalability. PMID:25001876

Homogenous UV/periodate process in treatment of p-nitrophenol aqueous solutions under mild operating conditions.

PubMed

Saien, Javad; Fallah Vahed Bazkiaei, Marzieh

2018-07-01

Aqueous solutions of p-nitrophenol (PNP) were treated with UV-activated potassium periodate (UV/KPI) in an efficient photo-reactor. Either periodate or UV alone had little effect; however, their combination led to a significant degradation and mineralization. The response surface methodology was employed for design of experiments and optimization. The optimum conditions for treatment of 30 mg/L of the substrate were determined as [KPI] = 386.3 mg/L, pH = 6.2 and T = 34.6°C, under which 79.5% degradation was achieved after 60 min. Use of 25 and 40 kHz ultrasound waves caused the degradation to enhance to 88.3% and 92.3%, respectively. The intermediates were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis, leading to propose the reaction pathway. The presence of water conventional bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate and nitrate anions caused unfavorable effects in efficiency. Meanwhile, the kinetic study showed that PNP degradation follows a pseudo-first-order reaction and the activation energy was determined. The irradiation energy consumption required for one order of magnitude degradation was estimated as 11.18 kWh/m 3 . Accordingly, comparison with the previously reported processes showed the superiority of PNP treatment with the employed process.

An overview of technologies for immobilization of enzymes and surface analysis techniques for immobilized enzymes

PubMed Central

Mohamad, Nur Royhaila; Marzuki, Nur Haziqah Che; Buang, Nor Aziah; Huyop, Fahrul; Wahab, Roswanira Abdul

2015-01-01

The current demands of sustainable green methodologies have increased the use of enzymatic technology in industrial processes. Employment of enzyme as biocatalysts offers the benefits of mild reaction conditions, biodegradability and catalytic efficiency. The harsh conditions of industrial processes, however, increase propensity of enzyme destabilization, shortening their industrial lifespan. Consequently, the technology of enzyme immobilization provides an effective means to circumvent these concerns by enhancing enzyme catalytic properties and also simplify downstream processing and improve operational stability. There are several techniques used to immobilize the enzymes onto supports which range from reversible physical adsorption and ionic linkages, to the irreversible stable covalent bonds. Such techniques produce immobilized enzymes of varying stability due to changes in the surface microenvironment and degree of multipoint attachment. Hence, it is mandatory to obtain information about the structure of the enzyme protein following interaction with the support surface as well as interactions of the enzymes with other proteins. Characterization technologies at the nanoscale level to study enzymes immobilized on surfaces are crucial to obtain valuable qualitative and quantitative information, including morphological visualization of the immobilized enzymes. These technologies are pertinent to assess efficacy of an immobilization technique and development of future enzyme immobilization strategies. PMID:26019635

Emergent Properties of Giant Vesicles Formed by a Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) Reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albertsen, Anders N.; Szymański, Jan K.; Pérez-Mercader, Juan

2017-01-01

Giant micrometer sized vesicles are of obvious interest to the natural sciences as well as engineering, having potential application in fields ranging from drug delivery to synthetic biology. Their formation often requires elaborate experimental techniques and attempts to obtain giant vesicles from chemical media in a one-pot fashion have so far led to much smaller nanoscale structures. Here we show that a tailored medium undergoing controlled radical polymerization is capable of forming giant polymer vesicles. Using a protocol which allows for an aqueous reaction under mild conditions, we observe the macroscale consequences of amphiphilic polymer synthesis and the resulting molecular self-assembly using fluorescence microscopy. The polymerization process is photoinitiated by blue light granting complete control of the reaction, including on the microscope stage. The self-assembly process leads to giant vesicles with radii larger than 10 microns, exhibiting several emergent properties, including periodic growth and collapse as well as phototaxis.

Better than Nature: Nicotinamide Biomimetics That Outperform Natural Coenzymes.

PubMed

Knaus, Tanja; Paul, Caroline E; Levy, Colin W; de Vries, Simon; Mutti, Francesco G; Hollmann, Frank; Scrutton, Nigel S

2016-01-27

The search for affordable, green biocatalytic processes is a challenge for chemicals manufacture. Redox biotransformations are potentially attractive, but they rely on unstable and expensive nicotinamide coenzymes that have prevented their widespread exploitation. Stoichiometric use of natural coenzymes is not viable economically, and the instability of these molecules hinders catalytic processes that employ coenzyme recycling. Here, we investigate the efficiency of man-made synthetic biomimetics of the natural coenzymes NAD(P)H in redox biocatalysis. Extensive studies with a range of oxidoreductases belonging to the "ene" reductase family show that these biomimetics are excellent analogues of the natural coenzymes, revealed also in crystal structures of the ene reductase XenA with selected biomimetics. In selected cases, these biomimetics outperform the natural coenzymes. "Better-than-Nature" biomimetics should find widespread application in fine and specialty chemicals production by harnessing the power of high stereo-, regio-, and chemoselective redox biocatalysts and enabling reactions under mild conditions at low cost.

Tacky COC: a solvent bonding technique for fabrication of microfluidic systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keller, Nico; Nargang, Tobias M.; Helmer, Dorothea; Rapp, Bastian E.

2016-03-01

The academic community knows cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) as a well suited material for microfluidic applications because COC has numerous interesting properties such as high transmittance, good chemical resistance and good biocompatibility. Here we present a fast and cost-effective method for bonding of two COC substrates: exposure to appropriate solvents gives a tacky COC surface which when brought in contact with untreated COC forms a strong and optical clear bond. The bonding process is carried out at room temperature and takes less than three minutes which makes it significantly faster than currently described methods: This method does not require special lab equipment such as hot plates or hydraulic presses. The mild conditions of the bond process also allow for such "tacky COC" lids to be used for sealing of microfluidic chips containing immobilized protein patterns which is of high interest for immunodiagnostic testing inside microfluidic chips.