CHARACTERIZATION OF PRECURSOR FOR 16S rRNA FOR AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA
Current strategies for monitoring drinking water quality involve culture-based methods to detect the presence of microbial indicators. However, these methods are insensitive when the organisms have undergone physiological changes such as injury and starvation that can occur in h...
Li, Yongjie; Tang, Aiwei; Liu, Zhenyang; Peng, Lan; Yuan, Yi; Shi, Xifeng; Yang, Chunhe; Teng, Feng
2018-01-07
A simple two-phase strategy was developed to prepare Cu 31 S 16 -CuInS 2 heterostructures (HNS) at the oil/aqueous interface, in which the In(OH) 3 phase was often obtained in the products due to the reaction between indium ions and hydroxyl ions in the aqueous phase. To prevent the formation of the In(OH) 3 phase, citric acid was incorporated into the aqueous phase to assist in the synthesis of uniform carrot-like Cu 31 S 16 -CuInS 2 semiconductor HNS at the oil/aqueous interface for the first time. By manipulating the dosage of citric acid and Cu/In precursor ratios, the morphology of the Cu 31 S 16 -CuInS 2 HNS could be tailored from mushroom to carrot-like, and the presence of citric acid played a critical role in the synthesis of high-quality Cu 31 S 16 -CuInS 2 HNS, which inhibited the formation of the In(OH) 3 phase due to the formation of the indium(iii)-citric acid complex. The formation mechanism was studied by monitoring the morphology and phase evolution of the Cu 31 S 16 -CuInS 2 HNS with reaction time, which revealed that the Cu 31 S 16 seeds were first formed and then the cation-exchange reaction directed the subsequent anisotropic growth of the Cu 31 S 16 -CuInS 2 HNS.
Wachi, M; Kaga, N; Umitsuki, G; Clark, D P; Nagai, K
2001-12-21
Escherichia coli RNase G, encoded by the rng gene, is involved in both the processing of 16S rRNA precursor and the degradation of adhE mRNA. Consequently, defects in RNase G result in elevation of AdhE levels. Furthermore, the adhR430 mutant strain, DC430, is reported to overproduce the AdhE protein in a manner dependent on the adhC81 mutation. We found that overproduction of AdhE by DC430 was reversed to wild-type levels by introduction of a plasmid carrying the wild-type allele of rng. Mapping by P1-phage-mediated transduction also indicated that a mutation involved in AdhE overproduction was located around the rng region in DC430. DNA sequencing of the rng region revealed that DC430 indeed had a mutation in the rng gene: a G1022 to A transition that caused substitution of Gly341 with Ser and which was named rng430. This lies in the highly conserved region of the RNase E/RNase G family, called high similarity region 2 (HSR2). However, very interestingly, rng430 mutant strains did not accumulate the 16.3S precursor of 16S rRNA unlike rng::cat mutants. We also found that the Rng1 mutant protein, which is truncated in its C-terminal domain encompassing HSR2, exhibited a residual processing activity against the 16S rRNA precursor, when overproduced. These results indicate that the HSR2 of RNase G plays an important role in substrate recognition and/or ribonucleolytic action.
UHPLC-MS/MS determination of varietal thiol precursors in Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
Vanzo, Andreja; Janeš, Lucija; Požgan, Franc; Velikonja Bolta, Špela; Sivilotti, Paolo; Lisjak, Klemen
2017-10-13
Varietal thiol precursors in grapes are subject to metabolic changes during post-harvest treatments. Metabolic activity should therefore be limited after sampling to understand their biosynthesis in the berry and genetic regulation. In this study, berries were frozen in liquid nitrogen immediately after harvesting, transported in dry ice, stored briefly at -80 °C, cryo-milled and extracted without being thawed in cold methanol in a ratio of 1:4 (w/v). A UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantitative determination of the thiol precursors 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol (G3MH), 3-S-cysteinylhexan-1-ol (Cys3MH), 4-S-glutathionyl-4-methylpentan-2-one (G4MMP) and 4-S-cysteinyl-4-methylpentan-2-one (Cys4MMP), glutathione, oxidized glutathione and L-methionine in grapes was developed. Reference material was provided through synthesis of precursors and their deuterium labelled analogues. The average thiol precursor content in grapes in 2013-15 was in the range 8-16 μg kg -1 for G3MH, 1-6 μg kg -1 for Cys3MH, 1-4 μg kg -1 for Cys4MMP and 0.3 μg kg -1 for G4MMP. In 2013 and 2014, the highest precursor content in mature Sauvignon Blanc grapes from vineyards located in Italy regarded G3MH, followed by Cys3MH, Cys4MMP and G4MMP. In 2015, G3MH was again the most abundant precursor, but followed by Cys4MMP, Cys3MH and G4MMP.
Sather, Mark E; Cavender, Kevin
2016-07-13
In the last 30 years ambient ozone concentrations have notably decreased in the South Central U.S. Yet, current ambient ozone concentrations measured over the past three years 2013-2015 in this area of the U.S. are not meeting the U.S. 2015 8 hour ozone standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb). This paper provides an update on long-term trends analyses of ambient 8 hour ozone and ozone precursor monitoring data collected over the past 30 years (1986-2015) in four South Central U.S. cities, following up on two previously published reviews of 20 and 25 year trends for these cities. All four cities have benefitted from national ozone precursor controls put in place during the 1990s and 2000s involving cleaner vehicles (vehicle fleet turnover/replacement over time), cleaner fuels, cleaner gasoline and diesel engines, and improved inspection/maintenance programs for existing vehicles. Additional ozone precursor emission controls specific to each city are detailed in this paper. The controls have resulted in impressive ambient ozone and ambient ozone precursor concentration reductions in the four South Central U.S. cities over the past 30 years, including 31-70% ambient nitrogen oxides (NOx) concentration declines from historical peaks to the present, 43-72% volatile organic compound (VOC) concentration declines from historical peaks to the present, a related 45-76% VOC reactivity decline for a subset of VOC species from historical peaks to the present, and an 18-38 ppb reduction in city 8 hour ozone design value concentrations. A new challenge for each of the four South Central U.S. cities will be meeting the U.S. 2015 8 hour ozone standard of 70 ppb.
High resolution strain sensor for earthquake precursor observation and earthquake monitoring
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhang, Wentao; Huang, Wenzhu; Li, Li; Liu, Wenyi; Li, Fang
2016-05-01
We propose a high-resolution static-strain sensor based on a FBG Fabry-Perot interferometer (FBG-FP) and a wavelet domain cross-correlation algorithm. This sensor is used for crust deformation measurement, which plays an important role in earthquake precursor observation. The Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) technique based on a narrow-linewidth tunable fiber laser is used to interrogate the FBG-FPs. A demodulation algorithm based on wavelet domain cross-correlation is used to calculate the wavelength difference. The FBG-FP sensor head is fixed on the two steel alloy rods which are installed in the bedrock. The reference FBG-FP is placed in a strain-free state closely to compensate the environment temperature fluctuation. A static-strain resolution of 1.6 n(epsilon) can be achieved. As a result, clear solid tide signals and seismic signals can be recorded, which suggests that the proposed strain sensor can be applied to earthquake precursor observation and earthquake monitoring.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Williams, C. D.; Ushikubo, T.; Bullock, E. S.; Janney, P. E.; Hines, R. R.; Kita, N. T.; Hervig, R. L.; MacPherson, G. J.; Mendybaev, R. A.; Richter, F. M.; Wadhwa, M.
2017-03-01
Detailed petrologic, geochemical and isotopic analyses of a new FUN CAI from the Allende CV3 meteorite (designated CMS-1) indicate that it formed by extensive melting and evaporation of primitive precursor material(s). The precursor material(s) condensed in a 16O-rich region (δ17O and δ18O ∼ -49‰) of the inner solar nebula dominated by gas of solar composition at total pressures of ∼10-3-10-6 bar. Subsequent melting of the precursor material(s) was accompanied by evaporative loss of magnesium, silicon and oxygen resulting in large mass-dependent isotope fractionations in these elements (δ25Mg = 30.71-39.26‰, δ29Si = 14.98-16.65‰, and δ18O = -41.57 to -15.50‰). This evaporative loss resulted in a bulk composition similar to that of compact Type A and Type B CAIs, but very distinct from the composition of the original precursor condensate(s). Kinetic fractionation factors and the measured mass-dependent fractionation of silicon and magnesium in CMS-1 suggest that ∼80% of the silicon and ∼85% of the magnesium were lost from its precursor material(s) through evaporative processes. These results suggest that the precursor material(s) of normal and FUN CAIs condensed in similar environments, but subsequently evolved under vastly different conditions such as total gas pressure. The chemical and isotopic differences between normal and FUN CAIs could be explained by sorting of early solar system materials into distinct physical and chemical regimes, in conjunction with discrete heating events, within the protoplanetary disk.
2014-10-01
studying cyanide poisoning. Mil Med. 2000;165: 967-972. 16. Broderick KE, Potluri P, Zhuang S, et al. Cyanide detoxification by the cobalamin precursor...cobinamide. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2006;231: 641-649. 17. Broderick KE, Balasubramanian M, Chan A, et al. The cobalamin precursor cobinamide detoxifies...Ultrasonics/Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control (TUFFC), vol. 60, pp. 1746-1755, 2013. [7] K. E. Broderick , P. Potluri, S. Zhuang, I. E. Scheffler, V. S
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Castro, Stephanie L.; Bailey, Sheila G.; Raffaelle, Ryne P.; Banger, Kulbinder K.; Hepp, Aloysius F.
2002-01-01
Single-source precursors are molecules which contain all the necessary elements for synthesis of a desired material. Thermal decomposition of the precursor results in the formation of the material with the correct stoichiometry, as a nanocrystalline powder or a thin film. Nanocrystalline materials hold potential as components of next-generation Photovoltaic (PV) devices. Presented here are the syntheses of CuInS2 and CuInSe2 nanocrystals from the precursors (PPh3)2CuIn(SEt)4 and (PPh3)2CuIn(SePh)4, respectively. The size of the nanocrystals varies with the reaction temperature; a minimum of 200 C is required for the formation of the smallest CuInS2 crystals (approximately 1.6 nm diameter); at 300 C, crystals are approximately 7 nm.
Controlled nucleation and growth of CdS nanoparticles in a polymer matrix.
Di Luccio, Tiziana; Laera, Anna Maria; Tapfer, Leander; Kempter, Susanne; Kraus, Robert; Nickel, Bert
2006-06-29
In-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to monitor the thermal decomposition (thermolysis) of Cd thiolates precursors embedded in a polymer matrix and the nucleation of CdS nanoparticles. A thiolate precursor/polymer solid foil was heated to 300 degrees C in the X-ray diffraction setup of beamline W1.1 at Hasylab, and the diffraction curves were each recorded at 10 degrees C. At temperatures above 240 degrees C, the precursor decomposition is complete and CdS nanoparticles grow within the polymer matrix forming a nanocomposite with interesting optical properties. The nanoparticle structural properties (size and crystal structure) depend on the annealing temperature. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses were used to characterize the nanoparticles. A possible mechanism driving the structural transformation of the precursor is inferred from the diffraction features arising at the different temperatures.
Smiljanovic, Biljana; Radzikowska, Anna; Kuca-Warnawin, Ewa; Kurowska, Weronika; Grün, Joachim R; Stuhlmüller, Bruno; Bonin, Marc; Schulte-Wrede, Ursula; Sörensen, Till; Kyogoku, Chieko; Bruns, Anne; Hermann, Sandra; Ohrndorf, Sarah; Aupperle, Karlfried; Backhaus, Marina; Burmester, Gerd R; Radbruch, Andreas; Grützkau, Andreas; Maslinski, Wlodzimierz; Häupl, Thomas
2018-02-01
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) accompanies infiltration and activation of monocytes in inflamed joints. We investigated dominant alterations of RA monocytes in bone marrow (BM), blood and inflamed joints. CD14 + cells from BM and peripheral blood (PB) of patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA) were profiled with GeneChip microarrays. Detailed functional analysis was performed with reference transcriptomes of BM precursors, monocyte blood subsets, monocyte activation and mobilisation. Cytometric profiling determined monocyte subsets of CD14 ++ CD16 - , CD14 ++ CD16 + and CD14 + CD16 + cells in BM, PB and synovial fluid (SF) and ELISAs quantified the release of activation markers into SF and serum. Investigation of genes differentially expressed between RA and OA monocytes with reference transcriptomes revealed gene patterns of early myeloid precursors in RA-BM and late myeloid precursors along with reduced terminal differentiation to CD14 + CD16 + monocytes in RA-PB. Patterns associated with tumor necrosis factor/lipopolysaccharide (TNF/LPS) stimulation were weak and more pronounced in RA-PB than RA-BM. Cytometric phenotyping of cells in BM, blood and SF disclosed differences related to monocyte subsets and confirmed the reduced frequency of terminally differentiated CD14 + CD16 + monocytes in RA-PB. Monocyte activation in SF was characterised by the predominance of CD14 ++ CD16 ++ CD163 + HLA-DR + cells and elevated concentrations of sCD14, sCD163 and S100P. Patterns of less mature and less differentiated RA-BM and RA-PB monocytes suggest increased turnover with accelerated monocytopoiesis, BM egress and migration into inflamed joints. Predominant activation in the joint indicates the action of local and primary stimuli, which may also promote adaptive immune triggering through monocytes, potentially leading to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ingmann, Paul; Fehr, Throsten; Nett, Herbert
2016-08-01
In view of bridging the data gap between OMI on EOS- Aura and S5 on MetOp-SG, S5 will be preceded by a slightly simplified instrument, the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), carried on board a dedicated, sun-synchronous and near-polar orbiting platform. This mission, called 'Sentinel-5 Precursor' (S5P), will be operated in loose formation with NOAA's Suomi-NPP (SNPP) spacecraft. This concept will allow utilization of cloud image data provided by the VIIRS instrument on board SNPP for use in routine processing tasks.On-ground characterisation and verification of flight readiness were finished in spring 2016. An S5P Validation Team has been convened based on proposals received in response to a Calibration & Validation Announcement of Opportunity Call in 2014. A first workshop has taken place at ESTEC in autumn 2015. The S5P mission has entered the launch preparatory period with an estimated launch in the last quarter of 2016.
Schmidt, H; Dahrenmöller, C; Agelepoulos, K; Hungermann, D; Böcker, W
2008-11-01
With the improvement of breast carcinoma screening, pre-malignant cell lesions such as flat epithelial atypia (FEA) are detected more frequently. Several studies have demonstrated that FEA show features of a ductal neoplasia, but is it really a precursor lesion? We have started a comparative genetic analysis of a panel of nine microsatellite markers on six different chromosomal regions to investigate whether FEAs show the same characteristic genetic alterations as ductal carcinomas in situ (DCISs) and invasive carcinoma of the breast. FEAs, DCISs and invasive carcinomas of the same patients were microdissected using PALM micro laser technology. DNA was isolated using the QIAamp DNA Micro Kit (QIAGEN). We have investigated a set of the polymorphic microsatellite markers D7S522, D8S522, NEFL, D10S541 (PTEN), D13S153 (RB1), D16S400, D16S402, D16S422 and D17S855 (BRCA1) using multiplex PCR for the detection of allelic imbalances. Most of the investigated FEAs showed a lower frequency of loss of heterozygosity than associated DCISs or invasive carcinomas. However, we were able to detect the same alterations in FEAs as in DCISs or invasive carcinomas in a number of cases. Notably, the microsatellite marker on 16q showed more prevalent allelic imbalances in FEAs than the other investigated markers. One of the hallmarks in the pathogenesis of a large subgroup of invasive breast carcinomas is the early loss of chromosome arm 16q. In this study, we were able to detect frequent genetic alterations on chromosome 16q in FEAs, associated DCISs and invasive carcinomas. This suggests that FEA is a precursor lesion in the low-grade pathway.
René, Olivier; Alix, Jean-Hervé
2011-01-01
The late stages of 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits biogenesis have been studied in a wild-type (wt) strain of Escherichia coli (MC4100) subjected to a severe heat stress (45–46°C). The 32S and 45S ribosomal particles (precursors to 50S subunits) and 21S ribosomal particles (precursors to 30S subunits) accumulate under these conditions. They are authentic precursors, not degraded or dead-end particles. The 21S particles are shown, by way of a modified 3′5′ RACE procedure, to contain 16S rRNA unprocessed, or processed at its 5′ end, and not at the 3′ end. This implies that maturation of 16S rRNA is ordered and starts at its 5′-terminus, and that the 3′-terminus is trimmed at a later step. This observation is not limited to heat stress conditions, but it also can be verified in bacteria growing at a normal temperature (30°C), supporting the idea that this is the general pathway. Assembly defects at very high temperature are partially compensated by plasmid-driven overexpression of the DnaK/DnaJ chaperones. The ribosome assembly pattern in wt bacteria under a severe heat stress is therefore reminiscent of that observed at lower temperatures in E. coli mutants lacking the chaperones DnaK or DnaJ. PMID:21059683
High crystalline Cu2ZnSnS4 semiconductor prepared from low toxicity ethanol-based precursors
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Munir, Badrul; Prastyo, Bayu Eko; Nurjaya, Dwi Marta; Muslih, Ersan Yudhapratama; Alfauzan, Sahri Karim
2017-01-01
At this moment, we present a new, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly method of preparing a high crystalline Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) absorber layer for thin film solar cells using ethanol-based solutions. Ethanolamine (ETA) and 2-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) were studied as a stabilizer and to improve wetting ability of the precursors during the deposition process. Cu2ZnSnS4 precursors are deposited onto soda lime glass using spin coater in different molar of cations in the precursor. The effects of a precursor system, ethanol-ETA-MPA, and ethanol-MPA, on the structure, morphology, composition and optical properties of CZTS thin films have been investigated in details. X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses confirmed the successful fabrication of high crystalline Cu2ZnSnS4 kesterite phase. The crystallinity of CZTS is continue increasing before reaching 2.2 molar cations of the ethanol-MPA precursors. The crystallinity of ethanol-ETA-MPA precursors remains similar in the experiment using 1.2 molar and 1.6 molars. The highest crystallinity was achieved using 2 molar cations of the ethanol-MPA precursor. Its band gap energy is found to be around 1.4 eV. The SEM micrographs of CZTS film shows the average grain size around 1.5 µm and some porosity which indicated the room of improvement. The high-crystallinity CZTS achieved in the present study brings a low-cost absorber semiconductor one step closer to practical use.
Sb2S3 grown by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis and its application in a hybrid solar cell
Katerski, Atanas; Oja Acik, Ilona; Mere, Arvo; Mikli, Valdek; Krunks, Malle
2016-01-01
Chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) is a fast wet-chemical deposition method in which an aerosol is guided by carrier gas onto a hot substrate where the decomposition of the precursor chemicals occurs. The aerosol is produced using an ultrasonic oscillator in a bath of precursor solution and guided by compressed air. The use of the ultrasonic CSP resulted in the growth of homogeneous and well-adhered layers that consist of submicron crystals of single-phase Sb2S3 with a bandgap of 1.6 eV if an abundance of sulfur source is present in the precursor solution (SbCl3/SC(NH2)2 = 1:6) sprayed onto the substrate at 250 °C in air. Solar cells with glass-ITO-TiO2-Sb2S3-P3HT-Au structure and an active area of 1 cm2 had an open circuit voltage of 630 mV, short circuit current density of 5 mA/cm2, a fill factor of 42% and a conversion efficiency of 1.3%. Conversion efficiencies up to 1.9% were obtained from solar cells with smaller areas. PMID:28144515
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Wei, Kaya; Dong, Yongkwan; Nolas, George S., E-mail: gnolas@usf.edu
A new quaternary clathrate–II composition, Cs{sub 8}Na{sub 16}Al{sub 24}Si{sub 112}, was synthesized by kinetically controlled thermal decomposition (KCTD) employing both NaSi and NaAlSi as the precursors and CsCl as a reactive flux. The crystal structure and composition of Cs{sub 8}Na{sub 16}Al{sub 24}Si{sub 112} were investigated using both Rietveld refinement and elemental analysis, and the temperature dependent transport properties were investigated. Our results indicate that KCTD with multiple precursors is an effective method for the synthesis of multinary inorganic phases that are not easily accessible by traditional solid-state synthesis or crystal growth techniques. - Graphical abstract: Quaternary Cs{sub 8}Na{sub 16}Al{sub 24}S{submore » 112} clathrate–II was synthesized for the first time by kinetically controlled thermal decomposition (KCTD) employing a NaSi+NaAlSi precursor mixture with CsCl as the reactive flux, and the structural and transport properties were investigated. Our approach demonstrates a new synthetic pathway for the synthesis of multinary inorganic compounds. This work reports the exploration of a new clathrate composition as this class of materials continues to be of interest for thermoelectrics and other energy-related applications.« less
Study on Precursor Activity of the X1.6 Flare in the Great AR 12192 with SDO , IRIS , and Hinode
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Bamba, Yumi; Lee, Kyoung-Sun; Imada, Shinsuke
The physical properties and their contribution to the onset of a solar flare are still uncleare even though chromospheric brightening is considered a precursor phenomenon of a flare. Many studies suggested that photospheric magnetic field changes cause destabilization of large-scale coronal structure. We aim to understand how a small photospheric change contributes to a flare and to reveal how the intermediary chromosphere behaves in the precursor phase. We analyzed the precursor brightening of the X1.6 flare on 2014 October 22 in the AR 12192 using the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph ( IRIS ) and Hinode /EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) data.more » We investigated a localized jet with the strong precursor brightening, and compared the intensity, Doppler velocity, and line width in C ii, Mg ii k, and Si iv lines by IRIS and He ii, Fe xii, and Fe xv lines by Hinode /EIS. We also analyzed the photospheric magnetic field and chromospheric/coronal structures using the Solar Dynamics Observatory ( SDO )/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager and Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. We found a significant blueshift (∼100 km s{sup −1}), which is related to the strong precursor brightening over a characteristic magnetic field structure, and the blueshift was observed at all of the temperatures. This might indicate that the flow is accelerated by Lorentz force. Moreover, the large-scale coronal loop that connects the foot points of the flare ribbons was destabilized just after the precursor brightening with the blueshift. It suggests that magnetic reconnection locally occurred in the lower chromosphere and it triggered magnetic reconnection of the X1.6 flare in the corona.« less
Study on Precursor Activity of the X1.6 Flare in the Great AR 12192 with SDO, IRIS, and Hinode
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bamba, Yumi; Lee, Kyoung-Sun; Imada, Shinsuke; Kusano, Kanya
2017-05-01
The physical properties and their contribution to the onset of a solar flare are still uncleare even though chromospheric brightening is considered a precursor phenomenon of a flare. Many studies suggested that photospheric magnetic field changes cause destabilization of large-scale coronal structure. We aim to understand how a small photospheric change contributes to a flare and to reveal how the intermediary chromosphere behaves in the precursor phase. We analyzed the precursor brightening of the X1.6 flare on 2014 October 22 in the AR 12192 using the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) and Hinode/EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) data. We investigated a localized jet with the strong precursor brightening, and compared the intensity, Doppler velocity, and line width in C II, Mg II k, and Si IV lines by IRIS and He II, Fe xii, and Fe xv lines by Hinode/EIS. We also analyzed the photospheric magnetic field and chromospheric/coronal structures using the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager and Atmospheric Imaging Assembly. We found a significant blueshift (˜100 km s-1), which is related to the strong precursor brightening over a characteristic magnetic field structure, and the blueshift was observed at all of the temperatures. This might indicate that the flow is accelerated by Lorentz force. Moreover, the large-scale coronal loop that connects the foot points of the flare ribbons was destabilized just after the precursor brightening with the blueshift. It suggests that magnetic reconnection locally occurred in the lower chromosphere and it triggered magnetic reconnection of the X1.6 flare in the corona.
Sequence of the chloroplast 16S rRNA gene and its surrounding regions of Chlamydomonas reinhardii.
Dron, M; Rahire, M; Rochaix, J D
1982-01-01
The sequence of a 2 kb DNA fragment containing the chloroplast 16S ribosomal RNA gene from Chlamydomonas reinhardii and its flanking regions has been determined. The algal 16S rRNA sequence (1475 nucleotides) and secondary structure are highly related to those found in bacteria and in the chloroplasts of higher plants. In contrast, the flanking regions are very different. In C. reinhardii the 16S rRNA gene is surrounded by AT rich segments of about 180 bases, which are followed by a long stretch of complementary bases separated from each other by 1833 nucleotides. It is likely that these structures play an important role in the folding and processing of the precursor of 16S rRNA. The primary and secondary structures of the binding sites of two ribosomal proteins in the 16SrRNAs of E. coli and C. reinhardii are considerably related. Images PMID:6296784
2012-02-01
risk, bio -terrorism utility, Homeland Security, agricultural monitoring, quality of foodstuffs, environmental monitoring, and biological warfare agents...CAL19717 Putative surface antigen CAL21872 Putative sigma 54 modulation protein NP_395233 Plasminogen activator protease precursor CAL19882 OMP...S. (2005). Chemical and biological weapons : current concepts for future defenses. Johns Hopkins APL Tech. Digest, 26, 321-333. Dworzanski, J.P
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Nakamura, Toshio; Tonozuka, Takashi; Kotani, Mao
2007-12-01
HA3, a 70 kDa haemagglutinating protein, is a precursor form of HA3a and HA3b, the subcomponents of Clostridium botulinum type C 16S progenitor toxin. In this report, recombinant HA3 protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. HA3, a 70 kDa haemagglutinating protein, is a precursor form of HA3a and HA3b, the subcomponents of Clostridium botulinum type C 16S progenitor toxin. In this report, recombinant HA3 protein was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and crystallized. Diffraction data were collected to 2.6 Å resolution and the crystal belonged to the hexagonal space group P6{sub 3}. Matthews coefficient and self-rotation functionmore » calculations indicate that there is probably one molecule of HA3 in the asymmetric unit. A search for heavy-atom derivatives has been undertaken.« less
U. S. drinking-water regulations: Treatment technologies and cost
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Lykins, B.W. Jr.; Clark, R.M.
The Safe Drinking Water Act and its Amendments have imposed a large number of new regulations on the US drinking-water industry. A major set of regulations currently under consideration will control disinfectants and disinfection by-products. Included in the development of these regulations is an Information Collection Rule and an Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule. These rules will require monitoring for microorganisms such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and viruses. Certain surface-water systems may be required to remove microbiological contaminants above levels currently required by the Surface Water Treatment Rule. Also included in these rules will be monitoring requirements for disinfection by-products andmore » evaluation of precursor removal technologies. As various regulations are promulgated, regulators and those associated with the drinking-water industry need to be cognizant of the potential impact of treatment to control one contaminant or group of contaminants on control of other contaminants. Compliance with drinking-water regulations mandated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and its amendments has been estimated to cost about $1.6 billion.« less
The operational cloud retrieval algorithms from TROPOMI on board Sentinel-5 Precursor
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Loyola, Diego G.; Gimeno García, Sebastián; Lutz, Ronny; Argyrouli, Athina; Romahn, Fabian; Spurr, Robert J. D.; Pedergnana, Mattia; Doicu, Adrian; Molina García, Víctor; Schüssler, Olena
2018-01-01
This paper presents the operational cloud retrieval algorithms for the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on board the European Space Agency Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) mission scheduled for launch in 2017. Two algorithms working in tandem are used for retrieving cloud properties: OCRA (Optical Cloud Recognition Algorithm) and ROCINN (Retrieval of Cloud Information using Neural Networks). OCRA retrieves the cloud fraction using TROPOMI measurements in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible (VIS) spectral regions, and ROCINN retrieves the cloud top height (pressure) and optical thickness (albedo) using TROPOMI measurements in and around the oxygen A-band in the near infrared (NIR). Cloud parameters from TROPOMI/S5P will be used not only for enhancing the accuracy of trace gas retrievals but also for extending the satellite data record of cloud information derived from oxygen A-band measurements, a record initiated with the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) on board the second European Remote-Sensing Satellite (ERS-2) over 20 years ago. The OCRA and ROCINN algorithms are integrated in the S5P operational processor UPAS (Universal Processor for UV/VIS/NIR Atmospheric Spectrometers), and we present here UPAS cloud results using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and GOME-2 measurements. In addition, we examine anticipated challenges for the TROPOMI/S5P cloud retrieval algorithms, and we discuss the future validation needs for OCRA and ROCINN.
Structural formation of huntingtin-like aggregates probed by small-angle neutron scattering
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Stanley, Christopher B; Perevozchikova, Tatiana; Berthelier-Jung, Valerie M
2011-01-01
In several neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington s disease (HD), aspects concerning the earliest of protein structures that form along the aggregation pathway have increasingly gained attention since these particular species are likely to be neurotoxic. We used time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) to probe in solution these transient structures formed by peptides having the N-terminal sequence context of mutant huntingtin (Htt) exon 1. We obtained snapshots of the formed aggregates as the kinetic reaction ensued to yield quantitative information on their size and mass. At the early stage, small precursor species with an initial radius of gyration (Rg) of 16.1more » 5.9 and average mass of a dimer to trimer were monitored. Structural growth was treated as two modes with a transition from three-dimensional early aggregate formation to two-dimensional fibril growth and association. Our SANS results on the internal structure of the mature fibrils demonstrate loose packing with about 1 peptide per 4.75 -sheet repeat distance, which is shown to be quantitatively consistent with a -helix model. This research provides new insights into the structures forming along the pathway of Htt exon 1 aggregation and should assist in determining the role that precursors play in neuronal toxicity.« less
Hu, Yimin; Han, Jie; Ge, Lingling; Guo, Rong
2018-01-31
In this paper, viscoelastic wormlike micelles consisting of cationic liquid-type surfactant, 1-hexadecyl-3-octyl imidazolium bromide ([C 16 imC 8 ]Br), water and different additives were utilized for the synthesis of CdS quantum dots. First, the influence of different additives, such as [Cd(NH 3 ) 6 ]Cl 2 and ethanethioamid (precursors for the synthesis of CdS quantum dots), and temperature on the viscoelasticity of the [C 16 imC 8 ]Br aqueous solution was studied by dynamic and steady rheology. Furthermore, the synthesized CdS quantum dots and their photoluminescence properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In the end, the mechanism for the synthesis of CdS quantum dots in [C 16 imC 8 ]Br wormlike micelles is proposed.
Emitted short wavelength infrared radiation for detection and monitoring of volcanic activity
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rothery, D. A.; Francis, P. W.; Wood, C. A.
1988-01-01
Thematic Mapper images from LANDSAT were used to monitor volcanoes. Achievements include: (1) the discovery of a magmatic precursor to the 16 Sept. 1986 eruption of Lascar, northern Chile, on images from Mar. and July 1985 and of continuing fumarolic activity after the eruption; (2) the detection of unreported major changes in the distribution of lava lakes on Erta'Ale, Ethiopia; and (3) the mapping of a halo of still-hot spatter surrounding a vent on Mount Erebus, Antarctica, on an image acquired 5 min after a minor eruption otherwise known only from seismic records. A spaceborne short wavelength infrared sensor for observing hot phenomena of volcanoes is proposed. A polar orbit is suggested.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Amal, Muhamad I.; Kim, Kyoo Ho
2013-12-01
Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) films were prepared by using the sulfurization of sputtered metallic precursors. The compositional ratio of the CZTS films was slightly different compared to their initial metallic precursors due to elemental loss during annealing. The Cu/(Zn+Sn) ratio for the CZTS-1, CZTS-2 and CZTS-3 films were 0.91, 1.06 and 1.21, respectively. In addition, all films had a compositional ratio of Zn/Sn >1. The grain sizes of the CZTS films increased with increasing Cu ratio. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed that the CZTS films with an excess of copper and zinc had secondary phases of Cu2SnS3 and ZnS. The optical band gap and absorption coefficient for all CZTS films in the range of the experimental compositions were calculated to be 1.5 eV and >104 cm-1, respectively. The presence of secondary phases related to compositional ratio in the CZTS films influenced the electrical properties. The CZTS-1 film with a Cu-poor and Zn-rich composition whose a carrier concentration, an electrical mobility, and a resistivity values were 2.29 × 1018 cm-3, 10.29 cm2 V-1 s-1, 3.16 Ω cm, is the most suitable for solar-cell applications.
Woods, Gwen C; Trenholm, Rebecca A; Hale, Bruce; Campbell, Zeke; Dickenson, Eric R V
2015-07-01
Nitrosamines are considered to pose greater health risks than currently regulated DBPs and are subsequently listed as a priority pollutant by the EPA, with potential for future regulation. Denver Water, as part of the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 2 (UCMR2) monitoring campaign, found detectable levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) at all sites of maximum residency within the distribution system. To better understand the occurrence of nitrosamines and nitrosamine precursors, Denver Water undertook a comprehensive year-long monitoring campaign. Samples were taken every two weeks to monitor for NDMA in the distribution system, and quarterly sampling events further examined 9 nitrosamines and nitrosamine precursors throughout the treatment and distribution systems. NDMA levels within the distribution system were typically low (>1.3 to 7.2 ng/L) with a remote distribution site (frequently >200 h of residency) experiencing the highest concentrations found. Eight other nitrosamines (N-nitrosomethylethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine, N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine, N-nitroso-di-n-butylamine, N-nitroso-di-phenylamine, N-nitrosopyrrolidine, N-nitrosopiperidine, N-nitrosomorpholine) were also monitored but none of these 8, or precursors of these 8 [as estimated with formation potential (FP) tests], were detected anywhere in raw, partially-treated or distribution samples. Throughout the year, there was evidence that seasonality may impact NDMA formation, such that lower temperatures (~5-10°C) produced greater NDMA than during warmer months. The year of sampling further provided evidence that water quality and weather events may impact NDMA precursor loads. Precursor loading estimates demonstrated that NDMA precursors increased during treatment (potentially from cationic polymer coagulant aids). The precursor analysis also provided evidence that precursors may have increased further within the distribution system itself. This comprehensive study of a large-scale drinking water system provides insight into the variability of NDMA occurrence in a chloraminated system, which may be impacted by seasonality, water quality changes and/or the varied origins of NDMA precursors within a given system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Impact of US and Canadian precursor regulation on methamphetamine purity in the United States.
Cunningham, James K; Liu, Lon-Mu; Callaghan, Russell
2009-03-01
Reducing drug purity is a major, but largely unstudied, goal of drug suppression. This study examines whether US methamphetamine purity was impacted by the suppression policy of US and Canadian precursor chemical regulation. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA)-intervention time-series analysis. Continental United States and Hawaii (1985-May 2005). Interventions US federal regulations targeting precursors, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, in forms used by large-scale producers were implemented in November 1989, August 1995 and October 1997. US regulations targeting precursors in forms used by small-scale producers (e.g. over-the-counter medications) were implemented in October 1996 and October 2001. Canada implemented federal precursor regulations in January 2003 and July 2003 and an essential chemical (e.g. acetone) regulation in January 2004. Monthly median methamphetamine purity series. US regulations targeting large-scale producers were associated with purity declines of 16-67 points; those targeting small-scale producers had little or no impact. Canada's precursor regulations were associated with purity increases of 13-15 points, while its essential chemical regulation was associated with a 13-point decrease. Hawaii's purity was consistently high, and appeared to vary little with the 1990s/2000s regulations. US precursor regulations targeting large-scale producers were associated with substantial decreases in continental US methamphetamine purity, while regulations targeting over-the-counter medications had little or no impact. Canada's essential chemical regulation was also associated with a decrease in continental US purity. However, Canada's precursor regulations were associated with purity increases: these regulations may have impacted primarily producers of lower-quality methamphetamine, leaving higher-purity methamphetamine on the market by default. Hawaii's well-known preference for 'ice' (high-purity methamphetamine) may have helped to constrain purity there to a high, attenuated range, possibly limiting its sensitivity to precursor regulation.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ninos, K.; Georgiadis, P.; Cavouras, D.; Nomicos, C.
2010-05-01
This study presents the design and development of a mobile wireless platform to be used for monitoring and analysis of seismic events and related electromagnetic (EM) signals, employing Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs). A prototype custom-developed application was deployed on a 3G enabled PDA that could connect to the FTP server of the Institute of Geodynamics of the National Observatory of Athens and receive and display EM signals at 4 receiver frequencies (3 KHz (E-W, N-S), 10 KHz (E-W, N-S), 41 MHz and 46 MHz). Signals may originate from any one of the 16 field-stations located around the Greek territory. Employing continuous recordings of EM signals gathered from January 2003 till December 2007, a Support Vector Machines (SVM)-based classification system was designed to distinguish EM precursor signals within noisy background. EM-signals corresponding to recordings preceding major seismic events (Ms≥5R) were segmented, by an experienced scientist, and five features (mean, variance, skewness, kurtosis, and a wavelet based feature), derived from the EM-signals were calculated. These features were used to train the SVM-based classification scheme. The performance of the system was evaluated by the exhaustive search and leave-one-out methods giving 87.2% overall classification accuracy, in correctly identifying EM precursor signals within noisy background employing all calculated features. Due to the insufficient processing power of the PDAs, this task was performed on a typical desktop computer. This optimal trained context of the SVM classifier was then integrated in the PDA based application rendering the platform capable to discriminate between EM precursor signals and noise. System's efficiency was evaluated by an expert who reviewed 1/ multiple EM-signals, up to 18 days prior to corresponding past seismic events, and 2/ the possible EM-activity of a specific region employing the trained SVM classifier. Additionally, the proposed architecture can form a base platform for a future integrated system that will incorporate services such as notifications for field station power failures, disruption of data flow, occurring SEs, and even other types of measurement and analysis processes such as the integration of a special analysis algorithm based on the ratio of short term to long term signal average.
Early Results from TROPOMI on the Copernicus Sentinel 5 Precursor
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Veefkind, J. P.; Kleipool, Q.; Ludewig, A.; Stein-Zweers, D.; Aben, I.; De Vries, J.; Loyola, D. G.; Nett, H.; Richter, A.; Van Roozendael, M.; Siddans, R.; Wagner, T.; Dehn, A.; Zehner, C.; Levelt, P.
2017-12-01
The Copernicus Sentinel 5 Precursor (S5P) is the first of the European Sentinels satellites dedicated to monitoring of the atmospheric composition. S5P is planned for launch in the 3rd quarter of 2017. The mission objectives of S5P are to monitor air quality, climate and the ozone layer, in the time period between 2017 and 2023. S5P will fly in a Sun-synchronized polar orbit with a 13:30 hr local equator crossing time. The single payload of the S5P mission is TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), which is developed by The Netherlands in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA). TROPOMI is a nadir viewing shortwave spectrometer that measures in the UV-visible wavelength range (267-499 nm), the near infrared (661-775 nm) and the shortwave infrared (2300-2389 nm). With a spatial resolution of better than 7x7 km2 at nadir and almost 20 million measurements per day, TROPOMI will be a major step forward compared to its predecessors OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) and SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography). The spatial resolution is combined with a wide swath to allow for daily global coverage. The TROPOMI/S5P geophysical (Level 2) operational data products include nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone (total column, tropospheric column & profile), methane, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde and aerosol and cloud parameters. The S5P will fly in a so-called loose formation with the U.S. Suomi NPP (National Polar-orbiting Partnership) satellite. The primary objective for this formation flying is to use the cloud clearing capabilities of the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite). The temporal separation between TROPOMI and VIIRS will be less than 5 minutes. Once this formation has been established, it will enable synergistic data products and scientific research potentials.
RIVERBANK FILTRATION: FATE OF DBP PRECURSORS AND SELECTED MICROORGANISMS
The fate of disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors and selected microorganisms during riverbank filtration (RBF) was monitored at three different mid-Western drinking water utilities. At all three sites, filtration (RBF) was monitored at three different mid-Western drinking wa...
The chemokine CXCL16 induces migration and invasion of glial precursor cells via its receptor CXCR6.
Hattermann, Kirsten; Ludwig, Andreas; Gieselmann, Volkmar; Held-Feindt, Janka; Mentlein, Rolf
2008-09-01
Chemokines are implicated in developmental and inflammatory processes in the brain. The transmembrane chemokine CXCL16 is produced in brain endothelial and reactive astroglial cells and released by shedding. Its receptor CXCR6 is detected during brain development highest at postnatal day 6, found in glial precursor cells differentiated from neural stem cells and in an A2B5-positive glial precursor cell line. Their stimulation by soluble CXCL16 induces the PI3-kinase/Akt and Erk pathways resulting in the activation of the transcription factor AP-1. As biological responses, soluble CXCL16 upregulates its own receptor, increases cell proliferation, stimulates cell migration in wound-healing and in spheroid confrontation assays. Invasion of CXCR6-positive glial cells into CXCL16-expressing spheroids can be blocked by sheddase inhibitors and CXCL16-antibody. Since CXCL16 is induced by cytokines at sites of inflammation, neurodegeneration, ischemia and malignant transformation, it should attract CXCR6-positive glial precursor cells, enhance their invasion and proliferation and thus favor astrogliosis.
Amyloid precursor protein modulates Nav1.6 sodium channel currents through a Go-coupled JNK pathway
Li, Shao; Wang, Xi; Ma, Quan-Hong; Yang, Wu-lin; Zhang, Xiao-Gang; Dawe, Gavin S.; Xiao, Zhi-Cheng
2016-01-01
Amyloid precursor protein (APP), commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease, also marks axonal degeneration. In the recent studies, we demonstrated that APP aggregated at nodes of Ranvier (NORs) in myelinated central nervous system (CNS) axons and interacted with Nav1.6. However, the physiological function of APP remains unknown. In this study, we described reduced sodium current densities in APP knockout hippocampal neurons. Coexpression of APP or its intracellular domains containing a VTPEER motif with Nav1.6 sodium channels in Xenopus oocytes resulted in an increase in peak sodium currents, which was enhanced by constitutively active Go mutant and blocked by a dominant negative mutant. JNK and CDK5 inhibitor attenuated increases in Nav1.6 sodium currents induced by overexpression of APP. Nav1.6 sodium currents were increased by APPT668E (mutant Thr to Glu) and decreased by T668A (mutant Thr to ALa) mutant, respectively. The cell surface expression of Nav1.6 sodium channels in the white matter of spinal cord and the spinal conduction velocity is decreased in APP, p35 and JNK3 knockout mice. Therefore, APP modulates Nav1.6 sodium channels through a Go-coupled JNK pathway, which is dependent on phosphorylation of APP at Thr668. PMID:28008944
Issues and progress in determining background ozone and particle concentrations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pinto, J. P.
2011-12-01
Exposure to ambient ozone is associated with a variety of health outcomes ranging from mild breathing discomfort to mortality. For the purpose of health risk and policy assessments EPA evaluates the anthropogenic increase in ozone above background concentrations and has defined the North American (NA) background concentration of O3 as that which would occur in the U.S. in the absence of anthropogenic emissions of precursors in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Monthly average NA background ozone has been used to evaluate health risks, but EPA and state air quality managers must also estimate day specific ozone background levels for high ozone episodes as part of urban scale photochemical modeling efforts to support ozone regulatory programs. The background concentration of O3 is of more concern than other air pollutants because it typically represents a much larger fraction of observed O3 than do the backgrounds of other criteria pollutants (particulate matter (PM), CO, NO2, SO2). NA background cannot be determined directly from ambient monitoring data because of the influence of NA precursor emissions on formation of ozone within NA. Instead, estimates of NA background O3 have been based on GEOS-Chem using simulations in which NA anthropogenic precursor emissions are zeroed out. Thus, modeled NA background O3 includes contributions from natural sources of precursors (including CH4, NMVOCs, NOx, and CO) everywhere in the world, anthropogenic sources of precursors outside of NA, and downward transport of O3 from the stratosphere. Although monitoring data cannot determine NA background directly, measurements by satellites, aircraft, ozonesondes and surface monitors have proved to be highly useful for identifying sources of background O3 and for evaluating the performance of the GEOS-Chem model. Model simulated NA background concentrations are strong functions of location and season with large inter-day variability and with values increasing with elevation and higher in spring than in summer, and tend to be highest in the Intermountain West during spring. Estimates of annual average NA and other background definitions that have been considered will be presented. Issues associated with modeling background concentrations for both health-risk assessments and for episodic regulatory air quality programs will be discussed, and proposals for new atmospheric measurements and model improvements needed to quantify more accurately background contributions to ozone will also be presented. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Quan, Jiannong; Liu, Yangang; Liu, Quan; ...
2015-09-30
In this study, the effect of heterogeneous aqueous reactions on the secondary formation of inorganic aerosols during haze events was investigated by analysis of comprehensive measurements of aerosol composition and concentrations [e.g., particular matters (PM 2.5), nitrate (NO 3), sulfate (SO 4), ammonium (NH 4)], gas-phase precursors [e.g., nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO 2), and ozone (O 3)], and relevant meteorological parameters [e.g., visibility and relative humidity (RH)]. The measurements were conducted in Beijing, China from Sep. 07, 2012 to Jan. 16, 2013. The results show that the conversion ratios of N from NOx to nitrate (N ratio) andmore » S from SO 2 to sulfate (S ratio) both significantly increased in haze events, suggesting enhanced conversions from NOx and SO 2 to their corresponding particle phases in the late haze period. Further analysis shows that N ratio and S ratio increased with increasing RH, with N ratio and S ratio being only 0.04 and 0.03, respectively, when RH < 40%, and increasing up to 0.16 and 0.12 when RH reached 60–80%, respectively. The enhanced conversion ratios of N and S in the late haze period is likely due to heterogeneous aqueous reactions, because solar radiation and thus the photochemical capacity are reduced by the increases in aerosols and RH. This point was further affirmed by the relationships of N ratio and S ratio to O 3: the conversion ratios increase with decreasing O 3 concentration when O 3 concentration is lower than <15 ppb but increased with increasing O 3 when O 3 concentration is higher than 15 ppb. The results suggest that heterogeneous aqueous reactions likely changed aerosols and their precursors during the haze events: in the beginning of haze events, the precursor gases accumulated quickly due to high emission and low reaction rate; the occurrence of heterogeneous aqueous reactions in the late haze period, together with the accumulated high concentrations of precursor gases such as SO 2 and NOx, accelerated the formation of secondary inorganic aerosols, and led to rapid increase of the PM 2.5 concentration.« less
16S rRNA beacons for bacterial monitoring during human space missions.
Larios-Sanz, Maia; Kourentzi, Katerina D; Warmflash, David; Jones, Jeffrey; Pierson, Duane L; Willson, Richard C; Fox, George E
2007-04-01
Microorganisms are unavoidable in space environments and their presence has, at times, been a source of problems. Concerns about disease during human space missions are particularly important considering the significant changes the immune system incurs during spaceflight and the history of microbial contamination aboard the Mir space station. Additionally, these contaminants may have adverse effects on instrumentation and life-support systems. A sensitive, highly specific system to detect, characterize, and monitor these microbial populations is essential. Herein we describe a monitoring approach that uses 16S rRNA targeted molecular beacons to successfully detect several specific bacterial groupings. This methodology will greatly simplify in-flight monitoring by minimizing sample handling and processing. We also address and provide solutions to target accessibility problems encountered in hybridizations that target 16S rRNA.
Renault, Philippe; Coulon, Joana; Moine, Virginie; Thibon, Cécile; Bely, Marina
2016-01-01
The aim of this work was to study the volatile thiol productions of two industrial strains of Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae during alcoholic fermentation (AF) of Sauvignon Blanc must. In order to evaluate the influence of the inoculation procedure, sequential and simultaneous mixed cultures were carried out and compared to pure cultures of T. delbrueckii and S. cerevisiae. The results confirmed the inability of T. delbrueckii to release 4-methyl-4-sulfanylpentan-2-one (4MSP) and its low capacity to produce 3-sulfanylhexyl acetate (3SHA), as already reported in previous studies. A synergistic interaction was observed between the two species, resulting in higher levels of 3SH (3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol) and its acetate when S. cerevisiae was inoculated 24 h after T. delbrueckii, compared to the pure cultures. To elucidate the nature of the interactions between these two species, the yeast population kinetics were examined and monitored, as well as the production of 3SH, its acetate and their related non-odorous precursors: Glut-3SH (glutathionylated conjugate precursor) and Cys-3SH (cysteinylated conjugate precursor). For the first time, it was suggested that, unlike S. cerevisiae, which is able to metabolize the two precursor forms, T. delbrueckii was only able to metabolize the glutathionylated precursor. Consequently, the presence of T. delbrueckii during mixed fermentation led to an increase in Glut-3SH degradation and Cys-3SH production. This overproduction was dependent on the T. delbrueckii biomass. In sequential culture, thus favoring T. delbrueckii development, the higher availability of Cys-3SH throughout AF resulted in more abundant 3SH and 3SHA production by S. cerevisiae. PMID:27014216
Renault, Philippe; Coulon, Joana; Moine, Virginie; Thibon, Cécile; Bely, Marina
2016-01-01
The aim of this work was to study the volatile thiol productions of two industrial strains of Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae during alcoholic fermentation (AF) of Sauvignon Blanc must. In order to evaluate the influence of the inoculation procedure, sequential and simultaneous mixed cultures were carried out and compared to pure cultures of T. delbrueckii and S. cerevisiae. The results confirmed the inability of T. delbrueckii to release 4-methyl-4-sulfanylpentan-2-one (4MSP) and its low capacity to produce 3-sulfanylhexyl acetate (3SHA), as already reported in previous studies. A synergistic interaction was observed between the two species, resulting in higher levels of 3SH (3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol) and its acetate when S. cerevisiae was inoculated 24 h after T. delbrueckii, compared to the pure cultures. To elucidate the nature of the interactions between these two species, the yeast population kinetics were examined and monitored, as well as the production of 3SH, its acetate and their related non-odorous precursors: Glut-3SH (glutathionylated conjugate precursor) and Cys-3SH (cysteinylated conjugate precursor). For the first time, it was suggested that, unlike S. cerevisiae, which is able to metabolize the two precursor forms, T. delbrueckii was only able to metabolize the glutathionylated precursor. Consequently, the presence of T. delbrueckii during mixed fermentation led to an increase in Glut-3SH degradation and Cys-3SH production. This overproduction was dependent on the T. delbrueckii biomass. In sequential culture, thus favoring T. delbrueckii development, the higher availability of Cys-3SH throughout AF resulted in more abundant 3SH and 3SHA production by S. cerevisiae.
Space technologies for short-term earthquake warning
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pulinets, S.
Recent theoretical and experimental studies explicitly demonstrated the ability of space technologies to identify and monitor the specific variations at near-earth space plasma, atmosphere and ground surface associated with approaching severe earthquakes (named as earthquake precursors) appearing several days (from 1 to 5) before the seismic shock over the seismically active areas. Several countries and private companies are in the stage of preparation (or already launched) the dedicated spacecrafts for monitoring of the earthquake precursors from space and for short-term earthquake prediction. The present paper intends to outline the optimal algorithm for creation of the space-borne system for the earthquake precursors monitoring and for short-term earthquake prediction. It takes into account the following considerations: Selection of the precursors in the terms of priority, taking into account their statistical and physical parameters Configuration of the spacecraft payload Configuration of the satellite constellation (orbit selection, satellite distribution, operation schedule) Proposal of different options (cheap microsatellite or comprehensive multisatellite constellation) Taking into account that the most promising are the ionospheric precursors of earthquakes, the special attention will be devoted to the radiophysical techniques of the ionosphere monitoring. The advantages and disadvantages of such technologies as vertical sounding, in-situ probes, ionosphere tomography, GPS TEC and GPS MET technologies will be considered.
Space technologies for short-term earthquake warning
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pulinets, S. A.
Recent theoretical and experimental studies explicitly demonstrated the ability of space technologies to identify and monitor the specific variations at near-earth space plasma, atmosphere and ground surface associated with approaching severe earthquakes (named as earthquake precursors) which appear several days (from 1 to 5) before the seismic shock over the seismically active areas. Several countries and private companies are in the stage of preparation (or already launched) the dedicated spacecrafts for monitoring of the earthquake precursors from space and for short-term earthquake prediction. The present paper intends to outline the optimal algorithm for creation of the space-borne system for the earthquake precursors monitoring and for short-term earthquake prediction. It takes into account the following: Selection of the precursors in the terms of priority, considering their statistical and physical parameters.Configuration of the spacecraft payload.Configuration of the satellite constellation (orbit selection, satellite distribution, operation schedule).Different options of the satellite systems (cheap microsatellite or comprehensive multisatellite constellation). Taking into account that the most promising are the ionospheric precursors of earthquakes, the special attention is devoted to the radiophysical techniques of the ionosphere monitoring. The advantages and disadvantages of such technologies as vertical sounding, in-situ probes, ionosphere tomography, GPS TEC and GPS MET technologies are considered.
ANITA Air Monitoring on the International Space Station: Results Compared to Other Measurements
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Honne, A.; Schumann-Olsen, H.; Kaspersen, K.; Limero, T.; Macatangay, A.; Mosebach, H.; Kampf, D.; Mudgett, P. D.; James, J. T.; Tan, G.;
2009-01-01
ANITA (Analysing Interferometer for Ambient Air) is a flight experiment precursor for a permanent continuous air quality monitoring system on the ISS (International Space Station). For the safety of the crew, ANITA can detect and quantify quasi-online and simultaneously 33 gas compounds in the air with ppm or sub-ppm detection limits. The autonomous measurement system is based on FTIR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy). The system represents a versatile air quality monitor, allowing for the first time the detection and monitoring of trace gas dynamics in a spacecraft atmosphere. ANITA operated on the ISS from September 2007 to August 2008. This paper summarizes the results of ANITA s air analyses with emphasis on comparisons to other measurements. The main basis of comparison is NASA s set of grab samples taken onboard the ISS and analysed on ground applying various GC-based (Gas Chromatography) systems.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Walther, M.; Zahn, D.
2018-01-01
Structural relaxation and stability of a Bi18-cluster as obtained from association of [Bi6O4(OH)4](NO3)6 precursor clusters in DMSO solution is investigated from a combination of quantum chemical calculations and μs-scale molecular dynamics simulations using empirical interaction potentials. The Bi18-cluster undergoes a OH⋯OH proton transfer reaction, followed by considerable structural relaxation. While the aggregation of the Bi18-cluster is induced by the dissociation of a single nitrate ion leading to [Bi6O4(OH)4](NO3)5+ as an activated precursor species that can bind two more Bi6-clusters, we find the [Bi18O13(OH)10](NO3)18-x+x species (explored for x = 1-6) rather inert against either nitrate dissociation, collision with Bi6-precursors or combinations thereof.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chuang, Kui-Hao; Shih, Kaimin; Wey, Ming-Yen
2012-10-01
This study evaluated the effects of microwave irradiation parameters and the pH of the polyol precursor on the morphological features and catalytic performances of Cu/activated carbon (AC) catalysts. Experimental results of carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation indicated that the highest catalytic activity is achieved when the Cu/AC catalyst is prepared with microwave irradiation at 700 W for 60 s. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of beneficial small copper aciculae on the Cu/AC catalyst under such a microwave irradiation scheme. Further investigation of operational parameters found that the performance of Cu/AC catalysts is enhanced by adopting a pH = 12 polyol precursor solution. With the observation that small cube copper ( 16 nm) aggregates form when a pH = 12 polyol precursor solution is used, this study also demonstrated the importance of controlling the morphology of metal nanoparticles on Cu/AC catalysts when using the microwave-assisted polyol method.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Li Zhenghong; Xu Rongkun; Chu Yanyun
Ablation processes of ribbon-array loads, as well as wire-array loads for comparison, were investigated on Qiangguang-1 accelerator. The ultraviolet framing images indicate that the ribbon-array loads have stable passages of currents, which produce axially uniform ablated plasma. The end-on x-ray framing camera observed the azimuthally modulated distribution of the early ablated ribbon-array plasma and the shrink process of the x-ray radiation region. Magnetic probes measured the total and precursor currents of ribbon-array and wire-array loads, and there exists no evident difference between the precursor currents of the two types of loads. The proportion of the precursor current to the totalmore » current is 15% to 20%, and the start time of the precursor current is about 25 ns later than that of the total current. The melting time of the load material is about 16 ns, when the inward drift velocity of the ablated plasma is taken to be 1.5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 7} cm/s.« less
Kraus, Tamara E.C.; Anderson, Chauncey W.; Morgenstern, Karl; Downing, Bryan D.; Pellerin, Brian A.; Bergamaschi, Brian A.
2010-01-01
This study was conducted to determine the main sources of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors to the McKenzie River, Oregon (USA). Water samples collected from the mainstem, tributaries, and reservoir outflows were analyzed for DOC concentration and DBP formation potentials (trihalomethanes [THMFPs] and haloacetic acids [HAAFPs]). In addition, optical properties (absorbance and fluorescence) of dissolved organic matter (DOM) were measured to provide insight into DOM composition and assess whether optical properties are useful proxies for DOC and DBP precursor concentrations. Optical properties indicative of composition suggest that DOM in the McKenzie River mainstem was primarily allochthonous - derived from soils and plant material in the upstream watershed. Downstream tributaries had higher DOC concentrations than mainstem sites (1.6 ?? 0.4 vs. 0.7 ?? 0.3 mg L-1) but comprised <5% of mainstem flows and had minimal effect on overall DBP precursor loads. Water exiting two large upstream reservoirs also had higher DOC concentrations than the mainstem site upstream of the reservoirs, but optical data did not support in situ algal production as a source of the added DOC during the study. Results suggest that the first major rain event in the fall contributes DOM with high DBP precursor content. Although there was interference in the absorbance spectra in downstream tributary samples, fluorescence data were strongly correlated to DOC concentration (R 2 = 0.98), THMFP (R2 = 0.98), and HAAFP (R2 = 0.96). These results highlight the value of using optical measurements for identifying the concentration and sources of DBP precursors in watersheds, which will help drinking water utilities improve source water monitoring and management programs. Copyright ?? 2010 by the American Society of Agronomy.
Alonso, Ana P.; Piasecki, Rebecca J.; Wang, Yan; LaClair, Russell W.; Shachar-Hill, Yair
2010-01-01
The biosynthesis of cell wall polymers involves enormous fluxes through central metabolism that are not fully delineated and whose regulation is poorly understood. We have established and validated a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method using multiple reaction monitoring mode to separate and quantify the levels of plant cell wall precursors. Target analytes were identified by their parent/daughter ions and retention times. The method allows the quantification of precursors at low picomole quantities with linear responses up to the nanomole quantity range. When applying the technique to Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) T87 cell cultures, 16 hexose-phosphates (hexose-Ps) and nucleotide-sugars (NDP-sugars) involved in cell wall biosynthesis were separately quantified. Using hexose-P and NDP-sugar standards, we have shown that hot water extraction allows good recovery of the target metabolites (over 86%). This method is applicable to quantifying the levels of hexose-Ps and NDP-sugars in different plant tissues, such as Arabidopsis T87 cells in culture and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) endosperm tissue, showing higher levels of galacto-mannan precursors in fenugreek endosperm. In Arabidopsis cells incubated with [U-13CFru]sucrose, the method was used to track the labeling pattern in cell wall precursors. As the fragmentation of hexose-Ps and NDP-sugars results in high yields of [PO3]−/or [H2PO4]− ions, mass isotopomers can be quantified directly from the intensity of selected tandem mass spectrometry transitions. The ability to directly measure 13C labeling in cell wall precursors makes possible metabolic flux analysis of cell wall biosynthesis based on dynamic labeling experiments. PMID:20442274
Sharwood, Robert E.; Hotto, Amber M.; Bollenbach, Thomas J.; Stern, David B.
2011-01-01
Post-transcriptional regulation in the chloroplast is exerted by nucleus-encoded ribonucleases and RNA-binding proteins. One of these ribonucleases is RNR1, a 3′-to-5′ exoribonuclease of the RNase II family. We have previously shown that Arabidopsis rnr1-null mutants exhibit specific abnormalities in the expression of the rRNA operon, including the accumulation of precursor 23S, 16S, and 4.5S species and a concomitant decrease in the mature species. 5S rRNA transcripts, however, accumulate to a very low level in both precursor and mature forms, suggesting that they are unstable in the rnr1 background. Here we demonstrate that rnr1 plants overaccumulate an antisense RNA, AS5, that is complementary to the 5S rRNA, its intergenic spacer, and the downstream trnR gene, which encodes tRNAArg, raising the possibility that AS5 destabilizes 5S rRNA or its precursor and/or blocks rRNA maturation. To investigate this, we used an in vitro system that supports 5S rRNA and trnR processing. We show that AS5 inhibits 5S rRNA maturation from a 5S-trnR precursor, and shorter versions of AS5 demonstrate that inhibition requires intergenic sequences. To test whether the sense and antisense RNAs form double-stranded regions in vitro, treatment with the single-strand-specific mung bean nuclease was used. These results suggest that 5S–AS5 duplexes interfere with a sense-strand secondary structure near the endonucleolytic cleavage site downstream from the 5S rRNA coding region. We hypothesize that these duplexes are degraded by a dsRNA-specific ribonuclease in vivo, contributing to the 5S rRNA deficiency observed in rnr1. PMID:21148395
Sentinel-5 Precursor: Preparing the first Copernicus Atmospheric Mission
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nett, Herbert; McMullan, Kevin; Ingmann, Paul; Fehr, Thorsten
2015-11-01
Sentinel-5 Precursor (S-5P) will be the first of a series of atmospheric missions to be launched within the European Commission's Copernicus (former GMES) Programme. With a planned launch in 2016 and a nominal lifetime of 7 years S-5P is expected to provide continuity in the availability of global atmospheric data products between its predecessor missions SCIAMACHY (Envisat) and OMI (AURA) and the future Sentinel-4 and -5 series. The latter will comprise payload instruments on board the operational satellites MTG-S (S-4, geostationary component) and MetOp Second Generation (S-5, polar orbiting component), the first units of which will be launched in the 2020-2021 timeframe.The S-5P satellite will carry a single payload, TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) which is jointly developed by The Netherlands and ESA. Covering spectral channels in the UV, visible, near- and short-wave infrared it will measure various key species including tropospheric/stratospheric ozone, NO2, SO2, CO, CH4, CH2O as well as cloud and aerosol parameters.
Compound ultrarefractory CAI-bearing inclusions from CV3 carbonaceous chondrites
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ivanova, Marina A.; Krot, Alexander N.; Nagashima, Kazuhide; MacPherson, Glenn J.
2012-12-01
... View Online Download PDF Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results Published: December 16, 2015 NIH’s 2015 Monitoring ... the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week logo design are registered marks of the U.S. Department of ...
... View Online Download PDF Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results Published: December 16, 2015 NIH’s 2015 Monitoring ... the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week logo design are registered marks of the U.S. Department of ...
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wei, Kaya; Dong, Yongkwan; Nolas, George S.
2016-05-01
A new quaternary clathrate-II composition, Cs8Na16Al24Si112, was synthesized by kinetically controlled thermal decomposition (KCTD) employing both NaSi and NaAlSi as the precursors and CsCl as a reactive flux. The crystal structure and composition of Cs8Na16Al24Si112 were investigated using both Rietveld refinement and elemental analysis, and the temperature dependent transport properties were investigated. Our results indicate that KCTD with multiple precursors is an effective method for the synthesis of multinary inorganic phases that are not easily accessible by traditional solid-state synthesis or crystal growth techniques.
Rajpoot, Ankita; Kumar, Ved Prakash; Bahuguna, Archana; Kumar, Dhyanendra
2017-11-01
Monitor lizards are Varanus species widely distributed, endangered reptile in the IUCN red data list. In India, based on the morphological and ecological characteristic, it is divided into four species viz. Bengal monitor lizard, Yellow monitor lizard, Desert monitor lizard and Water monitor lizard. These four species listed as Schedule I species in Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. This paper first attempt to present Forensically Informative Nucleotide Sequencing (FINS) for the Indian Varanus based on three mitochondrial genes. The molecular framework will be useful for the identification of Indian Varanus species and trade products derived from monitors and as such, have important applications for wildlife management and conservation. Here, we used known 14 individual skin pieces of four species of monitor lizards; the partial fragment of three mitochondrial genes (Cyt b, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA) were amplified for genetic study. In Cyt b, 12S rRNA and 16s rRNA, we observed, 5, 5 and 4 Haplotypes; 71, 69, and 43 Variables sites; 90, 89, and 50 Parsimony Informative sites within four species of Indian monitor lizards, respectively. Despite it, the nucleotide composition was T 26.4, C 32.8, A 29.2 and G11.6; T 18.8, C 29.7, A 34.0 and G 17.5; T 21.7, C 27.3, A 32.5 and G 18.5 in Cyt b, 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA, respectively. The neighbor joining phylogenetic tree and maximum parsimony tree of three mitochondrial genes, showed similar results and reveal that, there are two major clades are present in Indian monitor lizards.
Short-period volcanic gas precursors to phreatic eruptions: Insights from Poás Volcano, Costa Rica
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
de Moor, J. M.; Aiuppa, A.; Pacheco, J.; Avard, G.; Kern, C.; Liuzzo, M.; Martínez, M.; Giudice, G.; Fischer, T. P.
2016-05-01
Volcanic eruptions involving interaction with water are amongst the most violent and unpredictable geologic phenomena on Earth. Phreatic eruptions are exceptionally difficult to forecast by traditional geophysical techniques. Here we report on short-term precursory variations in gas emissions related to phreatic blasts at Poás volcano, Costa Rica, as measured with an in situ multiple gas analyzer that was deployed at the edge of the erupting lake. Gas emitted from this hyper-acid crater lake approaches magmatic values of SO2/CO2 1-6 days prior to eruption. The SO2 flux derived from magmatic degassing through the lake is measureable by differential optical absorption spectrometry (sporadic campaign measurements), which allows us to constrain lake gas output and input for the major gas species during eruptive and non-eruptive periods. We can further calculate power supply to the hydrothermal system using volatile mass balance and thermodynamics, which indicates that the magmatic heat flux into the shallow hydrothermal system increases from ∼27 MW during quiescence to ∼59 MW during periods of phreatic events. These transient pulses of gas and heat from the deeper magmatic system generate both phreatic eruptions and the observed short-term changes in gas composition, because at high gas flux scrubbing of sulfur by the hydrothermal system is both kinetically and thermodynamically inhibited whereas CO2 gas is always essentially inert in hyperacid conditions. Thus, the SO2/CO2 of lake emissions approaches magmatic values as gas and power supply to the sub-limnic hydrothermal system increase, vaporizing fluids and priming the hydrothermal system for eruption. Our results suggest that high-frequency real-time gas monitoring could provide useful short-term eruptive precursors at volcanoes prone to phreatic explosions.
Possibility to study ionospheric earthquakes precursors using CubeSats
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Korepanov, Valery; Lappas, Vaios
It is generally accepted that the earthquakes (EQ) are the most dangerous natural phenomena leading to the multiple losses in human lives and economics. The space observations must be included into the global chain of the EQ precursors monitoring at least as the initial warning to pay greater attention to the ground segment data. As the common opinion agrees, only in combination of multiple observation sites and set of monitored parameters the further progress at the way to raise EQ precursors detection probability may be obtained. There is necessary to answer two important questions before to plan any experiment to study ionospheric precursors of EQ. First one - whether the variations in the ionosphere definitely connected with the EQ preparation process do exist, and the second one - if they do, whether using these signals the precursors of EQ can be reliably identified and used for, if not prediction, then for the warning that the EQ in the given area approaches. The first successful mission dedicated to this problem solution was DEMETER (in orbit during more than 6 years from June 2004 until December 2010). The statistics of this study is impressive: altogether, about 9000 EQs with magnitude larger than M = 5.0 and depth lower than 40 km occurred all over the world during the analyzed period. In the result, the conclusion made there suggests that, obviously, there are real perturbations in the ionosphere connected with the seismic activity, but they are rather weak and at the present stage of data processing may be revealed only with the help of statistical analysis. To realize the study of ionospheric precursors, first it is imperative to clarify the mechanism of energy transfer along the chain “lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere”. Many hypotheses of such a mechanism exist, from which the mostly supported are fair weather currents (FWC) and atmospheric gravity waves (AGW), both of which have their pros and contras. The following minimal set of physical values may be advisable to measure to study them: if for FWC - electrons density and temperature and electric field variations, if for AGW - neutral particles concentration and magnetic fields variations, and TEC variations and thermal anomalies at the Earth’s surface and in the atmosphere for both. Also it became clear that the monitoring has to be made minimum in two, better in three points, preferably with the possibility to control the distance between them. This will increase the possibility to extract the seismogenic variations, being mostly local, at the background of the variations of other nature, being mostly enough spacious or even global. Taking into account the present and predictable reduction of the expenses for space scientific research, it would be extremely important to realize such a multi-point mission using the cheapest carriers - nanosatellites, especially cubesats. The analysis of both aspects of this problem - FWC and AGW mechanisms validation and the availability of miniaturized but enough sensitive scientific instrumentation, able to operate onboard cubesats, is made in the report. It shows that the scientific payload creation to realize the given task with the cubesats swarm is possible, including mini-thrusters able realizing the cubesats maneuvers on the orbit to control the distance between satellites. This allows us to come to conclusion that the realization of the cubesat project dedicated to the further study of important problem - detection of EQ precursors from space - may be put into practice at the present step of space science and technology development. Both necessary conditions - existence of scientific and experimental substantiation and of corresponding nanosatellite technology - are fulfilled. These works were partially supported by SSAU Contract No 1-16/12 and EC Framework 7 funded project 312993.
... View Online Download PDF Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results Published: December 16, 2015 NIH’s 2015 Monitoring ... the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week logo design are registered marks of the U.S. Department of ...
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cho, Sunny; Vijayaraghavan, Krish; Spink, David; Cosic, Biljana; Davies, Mervyn; Jung, Jaegun
2017-11-01
A study was undertaken to determine whether, and the extent to which, increased ground-level ozone (O3) precursor emissions from oil sands development have impacted ambient air quality in the north-eastern Alberta, Canada, over the period 1998 to 2012. Temporal trends in emissions of O3 precursors (NOx and VOC) and ambient air concentrations of O3 precursors, and O3 were examined using the Theil-Sen statistical analysis method. Statistically significant correlations between NOx emissions and ambient NOx concentrations were found mainly near surface (open-pit) mining areas where mine fleets are a large source of NOx emissions. No statistically significant trends in the 4th highest daily maximum 8-hr average O3 at any of the continuous and passive ambient air monitoring stations were found. A significant long-term decrease in monthly averaged O3 is observed at some ambient monitoring sites in summer. A visual examination of long-term variations in annual NOx and VOC emissions and annual 4th highest daily maximum 8-hr O3 concentrations does not reveal any indication of a correlation between O3 concentrations and O3 precursor emissions or ambient levels in the study area. Despite a significant increase in oil sands NOx emissions (8%/yr), there is no statistically significant increase in long-term O3 concentrations at any of monitoring stations considered. This suggests that there is surplus NOx available in the environment which results in a titration of ambient O3 in the areas that have ambient monitoring. The limited ambient O3 monitoring data distant from NOx emission sources makes it impossible to assess the impact of these increased O3 precursor levels on O3 levels on a regional scale. As a precautionary measure, the increasing oil sands development O3 precursor emissions would require that priority be given to the management of these emissions to prevent possible future O3 ambient air quality issues.
Reactive Collisions and Interactions of Ultracold Dipolar Atoms
2014-10-29
DATE (DD-MM-YYYY) 2. REPORT TYPE 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR( S ) 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES) 9...SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM( S ) 13. SUPPLEMENTARY...NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER( S ) 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 19b. TELEPHONE NUMBER
... View Online Download PDF Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results Published: December 16, 2015 NIH’s 2015 Monitoring ... the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week logo design are registered marks of the U.S. Department of ...
... View Online Download PDF Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results Published: December 16, 2015 NIH’s 2015 Monitoring ... the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week logo design are registered marks of the U.S. Department of ...
Trihalomethanes in marine mammal aquaria: occurrences, sources, and health risks.
Wang, Jun-Jian; Chow, Alex T; Sweeney, Joelle M; Mazet, Jonna A K
2014-08-01
Disinfecting water containing the high levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) commonly generated during pinniped husbandry may cause the formation of carcinogenic disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Little information is available on DBP levels, sources, and health risks in marine mammal aquaria. Using the commonly observed trihalomethanes (THMs) as a DBP indicator, we monitored concentrations for seven months at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California, one of the largest pinniped rehabilitation facilities in the world. Concentrations of THMs ranged 1.1-144.2 μg/L in pool waters and generally increased with number of animals housed (P < 0.05). To identify the sources of THM precursors in marine mammal aquaria, we intensively monitored the mass flows of potential THM precursors (i.e. food and wastes) in an isolated system with nine individual California sea lions to evaluate the sources and reactivity of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for 2-5 weeks. The common frozen foods used in feeding pinnipeds, including herring, sardine, and squid, produced an average of 22-34 mg-DOC/g-food in water and 836-1066 μg-THM/g-food after chlorination, whereas the fecal materials, including fresh scat, decomposed scat, and urine, produced 2-16 mg-DOC/g-waste and 116-768 μg-THM/g-waste. Food not eaten by animals could cause a sharp increase of DOC and DBP production and therefore should be removed rapidly from pools. Marine mammal husbandry staff and trainers are at risk (5.16 × 10(-4) to 1.30 × 10(-3)) through exposure of THMs, exceeding the negligible risk level (10(-6)) defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
... View Online Download PDF Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results Published: December 16, 2015 NIH’s 2015 Monitoring ... the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week logo design are registered marks of the U.S. Department of ...
Prescription Pain Medications (Opioids)
... View Online Download PDF Monitoring the Future 2015 Survey Results Published: December 16, 2015 NIH’s 2015 Monitoring ... the National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week logo design are registered marks of the U.S. Department of ...
Hydroxyester disaccharides from fruits of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana).
Mayorga, Humberto; Duque, Carmenza; Knapp, Holger; Winterhalter, Peter
2002-02-01
The 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside of ethyl 3-hydroxyoctanoate and the diastereomeric 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosides of (3R) and (3S)-butyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, respectively, were isolated by chromatographic methods from fruits of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) harvested in Colombia. Their structures were identified by ESI-MS/MS and NMR spectroscopy. The three glycoconjugates can be considered as immediate precursors of ethyl 3-hydroxyoctanoate and butyl 3-hydroxybutanoate, which are important aroma volatiles found in the fruit.
Baumgardt, Kathrin; Gilet, Laetitia; Figaro, Sabine; Condon, Ciarán
2018-06-05
Ribosomal RNAs are processed from primary transcripts containing 16S, 23S and 5S rRNAs in most bacteria. Maturation generally occurs in a two-step process, consisting of a first crude separation of the major species by RNase III during transcription, followed by precise trimming of 5' and 3' extensions on each species upon accurate completion of subunit assembly. The various endo- and exoribonucleases involved in the final processing reactions are strikingly different in Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, the two best studied representatives of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Here, we show that the one exception to this rule is the protein involved in the maturation of the 3' end of 16S rRNA. Cells depleted for the essential B. subtilis YqfG protein, a homologue of E. coli YbeY, specifically accumulate 16S rRNA precursors bearing 3' extensions. Remarkably, the essential nature of YqfG can be suppressed by deleting the ribosomal RNA degrading enzyme RNase R, i.e. a ΔyqfG Δrnr mutant is viable. Our data suggest that 70S ribosomes containing 30S subunits with 3' extensions of 16S rRNA are functional to a degree, but become substrates for degradation by RNase R and are eliminated.
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2012-06-19
... Addendum for the Thick-billed Parrot under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We have... ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program and the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Recovery... Species Conservation Act (ESCA), the precursor of the Endangered Species Act. Based on the different...
Mannweiler, Sebastian; Sygulla, Stephan; Winter, Elke; Regauer, Sigrid
2013-07-01
Penile squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) arise either through transforming infections with human papillomavirus (HPV) or independent of HPV, often in the background of lichen sclerosus (LS) and lichen planus (LP). Despite impact on therapy and prognosis, etiologic stratifications are missing in most histological diagnoses and publications about penile cancers/precursors. Classification of penile lesions into HPV-induced or HPV-negative via immunohistochemical demonstration of p16(ink4a) overexpression, a surrogate marker for transforming HPV-high-risk infections, and p53 expression in the absence of p16(ink4a) overexpression. Archival formalin-fixed material of 123 invasive penile cancers and 43 pre-invasive lesions was evaluated for the presence of LS, LP, 28 HPV genotypes, and expression of p53 and p16(ink4a). Seventy-two of 123 SCCs and 33 of 43 pre-invasive lesions showed p16(ink4a) overexpression independent of HPV-HR genotypes involved; 66 of 72 SCCs and 29 of 43 precursor lesions revealed a single HPV-high-risk-genotype (HPV-HR16 in 76% followed by HPV33, HPV31, HPV45, HPV18, HPV56); 5 of 72 SCCs and 4 of 43 precursor lesions revealed multiple HPV-HR-genotypes. One SCC revealed HPV-LR and HR-DNA. Fifty-one of 123 SCCs and 10 precursor lesions were p16(ink4a) negative, but showed nuclear p53 expression in tumor cells and basal keratinocytes. Forty-nine of 51 SCCs and 10 of 10 precursor lesions lacked HPV DNA. Two of 51 SCCs contained HPV18 and HPV45 DNA, respectively, but p16(ink4a) negativity classified them as non-HPV-induced. Twenty-seven of 51 SCCs showed peritumoral LS, 13 of 51 SCCs showed peritumoral LP, and 11 SCCs revealed no peritumoral tissue. Histologically, HPV-negative precursors showed hyperkeratotic, verrucous, atrophic, and basaloid differentiation. This was a retrospective study. p16(ink4a) overexpression identifies HPV-HR-induced penile carcinogenesis independent of HPV-HR genotype. p53 expression along with p16(ink4a) negativity identifies HPV-negative cancers. Correct etiologic classification of penile lesions during diagnostic work-up allows optimal therapy decisions. Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer with Gc Protein-Derived Macrophage-Activating Factor, GcMAF1
Yamamoto, Nobuto; Suyama, Hirofumi; Yamamoto, Nobuyuki
2008-01-01
Serum Gc protein (known as vitamin D3-binding protein) is the precursor for the principal macrophage-activating factor (MAF). The MAF precursor activity of serum Gc protein of prostate cancer patients was lost or reduced because Gc protein was deglycosylated by serum α-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) secreted from cancerous cells. Therefore, macrophages of prostate cancer patients having deglycosylated Gc protein cannot be activated, leading to immunosuppression. Stepwise treatment of purified Gc protein with immobilized β-galactosidase and sialidase generated the most potent MAF (termed GcMAF) ever discovered, which produces no adverse effect in humans. Macrophages activated by GcMAF develop a considerable variation of receptors that recognize the abnormality in malignant cell surface and are highly tumoricidal. Sixteen nonanemic prostate cancer patients received weekly administration of 100 ng of GcMAF. As the MAF precursor activity increased, their serum Nagalase activity decreased. Because serum Nagalase activity is proportional to tumor burden, the entire time course analysis for GcMAF therapy was monitored by measuring the serum Nagalase activity. After 14 to 25 weekly administrations of GcMAF (100 ng/week), all 16 patients had very low serum Nagalase levels equivalent to those of healthy control values, indicating that these patients are tumor-free. No recurrence occurred for 7 years. PMID:18633461
Immunotherapy for Prostate Cancer with Gc Protein-Derived Macrophage-Activating Factor, GcMAF.
Yamamoto, Nobuto; Suyama, Hirofumi; Yamamoto, Nobuyuki
2008-07-01
Serum Gc protein (known as vitamin D(3)-binding protein) is the precursor for the principal macrophage-activating factor (MAF). The MAF precursor activity of serum Gc protein of prostate cancer patients was lost or reduced because Gc protein was deglycosylated by serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (Nagalase) secreted from cancerous cells. Therefore, macrophages of prostate cancer patients having deglycosylated Gc protein cannot be activated, leading to immunosuppression. Stepwise treatment of purified Gc protein with immobilized beta-galactosidase and sialidase generated the most potent MAF (termed GcMAF) ever discovered, which produces no adverse effect in humans. Macrophages activated by GcMAF develop a considerable variation of receptors that recognize the abnormality in malignant cell surface and are highly tumoricidal. Sixteen nonanemic prostate cancer patients received weekly administration of 100 ng of GcMAF. As the MAF precursor activity increased, their serum Nagalase activity decreased. Because serum Nagalase activity is proportional to tumor burden, the entire time course analysis for GcMAF therapy was monitored by measuring the serum Nagalase activity. After 14 to 25 weekly administrations of GcMAF (100 ng/week), all 16 patients had very low serum Nagalase levels equivalent to those of healthy control values, indicating that these patients are tumor-free. No recurrence occurred for 7 years.
Øbro, Nina F; Ryder, Lars P; Madsen, Hans O; Andersen, Mette K; Lausen, Birgitte; Hasle, Henrik; Schmiegelow, Kjeld; Marquart, Hanne V
2012-01-01
Reduction in minimal residual disease, measured by real-time quantitative PCR or flow cytometry, predicts prognosis in childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We explored whether cells reported as minimal residual disease by flow cytometry represent the malignant clone harboring clone-specific genomic markers (53 follow-up bone marrow samples from 28 children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia). Cell populations (presumed leukemic and non-leukemic) were flow-sorted during standard flow cytometry-based minimal residual disease monitoring and explored by PCR and/or fluorescence in situ hybridization. We found good concordance between flow cytometry and genomic analyses in the individual flow-sorted leukemic (93% true positive) and normal (93% true negative) cell populations. Four cases with discrepant results had plausible explanations (e.g. partly informative immunophenotype and antigen modulation) that highlight important methodological pitfalls. These findings demonstrate that with sufficient experience, flow cytometry is reliable for minimal residual disease monitoring in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia, although rare cases require supplementary PCR-based monitoring.
Sulfur dioxide retrievals from OMI and GOME-2 in preparation of TROPOMI
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Theys, Nicolas; De Smedt, Isabelle; Danckaert, Thomas; Yu, Huan; van Gent, Jeroen; Van Roozendael, Michel
2016-04-01
The TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) will be launched in 2016 onboard the ESA Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) platform and will provide global observations of atmospheric trace gases, with unprecedented spatial resolution. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) measurements from S5P will significantly improve the current capabilities for anthropogenic and volcanic emissions monitoring, and will extend the long-term datasets from past and existing UV sensors (TOMS, GOME, SCIAMACHY, OMI, GOME-2, OMPS). This work presents the SO2 retrieval schemes performed at BIRA-IASB as part of level-2 algorithm prototyping activities for S5P and tested on OMI and GOME-2. With a focus on anthropogenic sources, we show comparisons between OMI and GOME-2 as well as ground-based measurements, and discuss the possible reasons for the differences.
Guihéneuf, Freddy; Ulmann, Lionel; Mimouni, Virginie; Tremblin, Gérard
2013-06-01
The marine flagellate Pavlova lutheri is a microalga known to be rich in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) and able to produce large amounts of n-3 fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3). As no previous study had attempted to measure the metabolic step of fatty acid synthesis in this alga, we used radiolabeled precursors to explore the various desaturation and elongation steps involved in LC-PUFA biosynthesis pathways. The incorporation of (14)C-labeled palmitic ([1-(14)C] 16:0) and dihomo-γ-linolenic ([1-(14)C] 20:3n-6) acids as ammonium salts within the cells was monitored during incubation periods lasting 3, 10 or 24h. Total lipids and each of the fatty acids were also monitored during these incubation periods. A decrease in the availability and/or accessibility of the radiolabeled substrates was observed over the incubation time. This decrease with incubation time observed using [1-(14)C] 16:0 and [1-(14)C] 20:3n-6 as substrates was used to monitor the conversion of (14)C-labeled arachidonic acid ([1-(14)C] 20:4n-6) into longer and more unsaturated fatty acids, such as 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3, over shorter incubation times (1 and 3h). A metabolic relationship between the n-6 and n-3 fatty acid series was demonstrated in P. lutheri by measuring the Δ17-desaturation activity involved in the conversion of eicosatetraenoic acid to 20:5n-3. Our findings suggest that the biosynthesis pathway leading to n-3 LC-PUFA involves fatty acids of the n-6 family, which act as precursors in the biosynthesis of 20:5n-3 and 22:6n-3. This preliminary work provides a method for studying microalgal LC-PUFA biosynthesis pathways and desaturase and elongase activities in vivo using externally-radiolabeled fatty acid precursors as substrates. The use of the [1-(14)C] 20:4n-6 substrate also highlighted the relationships between the n-6 and the n-3 fatty acid series (e.g. Δ17-desaturation), and the final elongation and desaturation steps required for n-3 LC-PUFA formation in P. lutheri. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
40 CFR 141.132 - Monitoring requirements.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
2013-07-01
... (CONTINUED) NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS Disinfectant Residuals, Disinfection Byproducts, and Disinfection Byproduct Precursors § 141.132 Monitoring requirements. (a) General requirements. (1) Systems must... this subpart to qualify for reduced monitoring. (b) Monitoring requirements for disinfection byproducts...
40 CFR 141.132 - Monitoring requirements.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
2012-07-01
... (CONTINUED) NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS Disinfectant Residuals, Disinfection Byproducts, and Disinfection Byproduct Precursors § 141.132 Monitoring requirements. (a) General requirements. (1) Systems must... this subpart to qualify for reduced monitoring. (b) Monitoring requirements for disinfection byproducts...
40 CFR 141.132 - Monitoring requirements.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
2014-07-01
... (CONTINUED) NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS Disinfectant Residuals, Disinfection Byproducts, and Disinfection Byproduct Precursors § 141.132 Monitoring requirements. (a) General requirements. (1) Systems must... this subpart to qualify for reduced monitoring. (b) Monitoring requirements for disinfection byproducts...
Pan, Yang; Wang, Ying; Li, Aimin; Xu, Bin; Xian, Qiming; Shuang, Chendong; Shi, Peng; Zhou, Qing
2017-04-01
Recently, 13 new polar phenolic chlorinated and brominated disinfection byproducts (Cl- and Br-DBPs) were identified and quantified in simulated chlorinated drinking water by adopting product ion scan, precursor ion scan, and multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analyses using ultra performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC/ESI-tqMS). The 13 new DBPs have been drawing increasing concern not only because they possess significantly higher growth inhibition, developmental toxicity, and chronic cytotoxicity than commonly known aliphatic DBPs, but also because they act as intermediate DBPs that can decompose to form the U.S. EPA regulated DBPs. In this study, through MS parameter optimization of the UPLC/ESI-tqMS MRM analysis, the instrument detection and quantitation limits of the 13 new DBPs were substantially lowered to 0.42-6.44 and 1.35-16.51 μg/L, respectively. The total levels of the 13 new DBPs formed in chlorination were much higher than those formed in chloramination within a contact time of 3 d. In chlorination, the 13 new DBPs formed quickly and decomposed rapidly, and their total concentration kept on decreasing with contact time. In chloramination, the levels of the dominant species (i.e., trihalo-phenols) firstly increased and then decreased with contact time, whereas the levels of the other new DBPs were relatively low and kept on increasing with contact time. An increasing of pH from 6.0 to 9.0 decreased the formation of the 13 new DBPs by 57.8% and 62.3% in chlorination and chloramination, respectively. Gallic acid was found to be present in various simulated and real source water samples and was demonstrated to be a precursor of the 13 new DBPs with elucidated formation pathways. Furthermore, 12 of the 13 new DBPs were detected in 16 tap water samples obtained from major cities in East China, at total levels from 9.5 to 329.8 ng/L. The concentrations of the new DBPs were higher in samples with source waters containing higher bromide levels. Ozone-activated carbon treatment prior to disinfection might reduce the formation of the new DBPs since it was effective in precursor reduction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Hu, Fang; Yuan, Youyong; Wu, Wenbo; Mao, Duo; Liu, Bin
2018-06-05
Metabolic glycoengineering of unnatural glycans with bio-orthogonal chemical groups and a subsequent click reaction with fluorescent probes have been widely used in monitoring various bioprocesses. Herein, we developed a dual-responsive metabolic precursor that could specifically generate unnatural glycans with azide groups on the membrane of targeted cancer cells with high selectivity. Moreover, a water-soluble fluorescent light-up probe with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) was synthesized, which turned its fluorescence on upon a click reaction with azide groups on the cancer cell surface, enabling special cancer cell imaging with low background signal. Furthermore, the probe can generate 1 O 2 upon light irradiation, fulfilling its dual role as an imaging and therapeutic agent for cancer cells. Therefore, the concepts of the cancer-cell-specific metabolic precursor cRGD-S-Ac 3 ManNAz and the AIE light-up probe are promising in bio-orthogonal labeling and cancer-specific imaging and therapy.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Guesmi, Latifa; Menif, Mourad
2015-09-01
Optical performance monitoring (OPM) becomes an inviting topic in high speed optical communication networks. In this paper, a novel technique of OPM based on a new elaborated computation approach of singular spectrum analysis (SSA) for time series prediction is presented. Indeed, various optical impairments among chromatic dispersion (CD), polarization mode dispersion (PMD) and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise are a major factors limiting quality of transmission data in the systems with data rates lager than 40 Gbit/s. This technique proposed an independent and simultaneous multi-impairments monitoring, where we used SSA of time series analysis and forecasting. It has proven their usefulness in the temporal analysis of short and noisy time series in several fields, that it is based on the singular value decomposition (SVD). Also, advanced optical modulation formats (100 Gbit/s non-return-to zero dual-polarization quadrature phase shift keying (NRZ-DP-QPSK) and 160 Gbit/s DP-16 quadrature amplitude modulation (DP-16QAM)) offering high spectral efficiencies have been successfully employed by analyzing their asynchronously sampled amplitude. The simulated results proved that our method is efficient on CD, first-order PMD, Q-factor and OSNR monitoring, which enabled large monitoring ranges, the CD in the range of 170-1700 ps/nm.Km and 170-1110 ps/nm.Km for 100 Gbit/s NRZ-DP-QPSK and 160 Gbit/s DP-16QAM respectively, and also the DGD up to 20 ps is monitored. We could accurately monitor the OSNR in the range of 10-40 dB with monitoring error remains less than 1 dB in the presence of large accumulated CD.
Shallow Water Acoustics Studies
2017-11-19
0040 00014-16-1-236 I entitled · hallow Water Acou ti Tudies" Principal Inv tigator Dr. James F. Lynch inceret . I ...J’ _,....: ..;._ / 0 ’ 1...NUMBER Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 98 Water Street Woods Hole, MA 02543-1053 9. SPONSORING/ MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10...SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) Dr. Robert Headrick ONR Office of Naval Research Code 322 11 . SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT 875 North Randolph Street NUMBER
Selective Disparity of Ordinary Chondritic Precursors in Micrometeorite Flux
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rudraswami, N. G.; Fernandes, D.; Naik, A. K.; Shyam Prasad, M.; Carrillo-Sánchez, J. D.; Plane, J. M. C.; Feng, W.; Taylor, S.
2018-01-01
All known extraterrestrial dust (micrometeoroids) entering the Earth’s atmosphere is anticipated to have a significant contribution from ordinary chondritic precursors, as seen in meteorites, but this is an apparent contradiction that needs to be addressed. Ordinary chondrites represent a minor contribution to the overall meteor influx compared to carbonaceous chondrites, which are largely dominated by CI and/or CM chondrites. However, the near-Earth asteroid population presents a scenario with sufficient scope for generation of dust-sized debris from ordinary chondritic sources. The bulk chemical composition of 3255 micrometeorites (MMs) collected from Antarctica and deep-sea sediments has shown Mg/Si largely dominated by carbonaceous chondrites, and less than 10% having ordinary chondritic precursors. The chemical ablation model is combined with different initial chondritic compositions (CI, CV, L, LL, H), and the results clearly indicate that high-density (≥2.8 g cm‑3) precursors, such as CV and ordinary chondrites in the size range 100–700 μm and zenith angle 0°–70°, ablate at much faster rates and lose their identity even before reaching the Earth’s surface and hence are under-represented in our collections. Moreover, their ability to survive as MMs remains grim for high-velocity micrometeoroids (>16 km s‑1). The elemental ratio for CV and ordinary chondrites are also similar to each other irrespective of the difference in the initial chemical composition. In conclusion, MMs belonging to ordinary chondritic precursors’ concentrations may not be insignificant in thermosphere, as they are found on Earth’s surface.
Characterization of 16S rRNA Processing with Pre-30S Subunit Assembly Intermediates from E. coli.
Smith, Brian A; Gupta, Neha; Denny, Kevin; Culver, Gloria M
2018-06-08
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is a major component of ribosomes and is fundamental to the process of translation. In bacteria, 16S rRNA is a component of the small ribosomal subunit and plays a critical role in mRNA decoding. rRNA maturation entails the removal of intervening spacer sequences contained within the pre-rRNA transcript by nucleolytic enzymes. Enzymatic activities involved in maturation of the 5'-end of 16S rRNA have been identified, but those involved in 3'-end maturation of 16S rRNA are more enigmatic. Here, we investigate molecular details of 16S rRNA maturation using purified in vivo-formed small subunit (SSU) assembly intermediates (pre-SSUs) from wild-type Escherichia coli that contain precursor 16S rRNA (17S rRNA). Upon incubation of pre-SSUs with E. coli S100 cell extracts or purified enzymes implicated in 16S rRNA processing, the 17S rRNA is processed into additional intermediates and mature 16S rRNA. These results illustrate that exonucleases RNase R, RNase II, PNPase, and RNase PH can process the 3'-end of pre-SSUs in vitro. However, the endonuclease YbeY did not exhibit nucleolytic activity with pre-SSUs under these conditions. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that multiple pathways facilitate 16S rRNA maturation with pre-SSUs in vitro, with the dominant pathways entailing complete processing of the 5'-end of 17S rRNA prior to 3'-end maturation or partial processing of the 5'-end with concomitant processing of the 3'-end. These results reveal the multifaceted nature of SSU biogenesis and suggest that E. coli may be able to escape inactivation of any one enzyme by using an existing complementary pathway. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effects of detergents on ribosomal precursor subunits of Bacillus megaterium.
Body, A; Brownstein, B H
1978-01-01
Cell extracts prepared by osmotic lysis of protoplasts were analyzed by sucrose gradient sedimentation. In the absence of detergents, ribosomal precursor particles were found in a gradient fraction which sedimented faster than mature 50S subunits and in two other fractions coincident with mature 50S and 30S ribosomal subunits. Phospholipid, an indicator of membrane, was shown to be associated with only the fastest-sedimenting ribosomal precursor particle fraction. After the extracts were treated with detergents, all phospholipid was found at the top of the gradients. Brij 58, Triton X-100, and Nonidet P-40 did not cause a change in the sedimentation values of precursors; however, the detergents deoxycholate or LOC (Amway Corp.) disrupted the fastest-sedimenting precursor and converted the ribosomal precursor subunits which sedimented at the 50S and 30S positions to five different classes of more slowly sedimenting particles. Earlier reports on the in vivo assembly of ribosomal subunits have shown that several stages of ribosomal precursor subunits exist, and, in the presence of the detergents deoxycholate and LOC, which had been used to prepare cell extracts, the precursors sedimented more slowly. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that those detergents selectively modify the structure of ribosomal precursors and lend further support to the hypothesis that the in vivo ribosomal precursor subunits have 50S and 30S sedimentation values. In addition, these data support the idea that the ribosomal precursor particles found in the fast-sedimenting fraction may constitute a unique precursor fraction.
Effects of Detergents on Ribosomal Precursor Subunits of Bacillus megaterium
Body, Barbara A.; Brownstein, Bernard H.
1978-01-01
Cell extracts prepared by osmotic lysis of protoplasts were analyzed by sucrose gradient sedimentation. In the absence of detergents, ribosomal precursor particles were found in a gradient fraction which sedimented faster than mature 50S subunits and in two other fractions coincident with mature 50S and 30S ribosomal subunits. Phospholipid, an indicator of membrane, was shown to be associated with only the fastest-sedimenting ribosomal precursor particle fraction. After the extracts were treated with detergents, all phospholipid was found at the top of the gradients. Brij 58, Triton X-100, and Nonidet P-40 did not cause a change in the sedimentation values of precursors; however, the detergents deoxycholate or LOC (Amway Corp.) disrupted the fastest-sedimenting precursor and converted the ribosomal precursor subunits which sedimented at the 50S and 30S positions to five different classes of more slowly sedimenting particles. Earlier reports on the in vivo assembly of ribosomal subunits have shown that several stages of ribosomal precursor subunits exist, and, in the presence of the detergents deoxycholate and LOC, which had been used to prepare cell extracts, the precursors sedimented more slowly. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that those detergents selectively modify the structure of ribosomal precursors and lend further support to the hypothesis that the in vivo ribosomal precursor subunits have 50S and 30S sedimentation values. In addition, these data support the idea that the ribosomal precursor particles found in the fast-sedimenting fraction may constitute a unique precursor fraction. PMID:412833
Optical properties of PbS/PVP nanocomposites films
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Patel, Mitesh H., E-mail: miteshpatel7204@gmail.com; Chaudhuri, Tapas K.; Patel, Vaibhav K.
2016-05-06
PbS/Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanocomposites films with different volume fraction of PbS have been deposited from single molecular precursors. X-ray diffraction patterns conforms the formation of PbS nanocrystals in PVP matrix. The transmission spectra of the films in the wavelength range of 300 to 2400 nm show the absorption edges are blue shifted due to formation of PbS Nanoparticles. The band gap determined are 2.4, 1.5 and 1.25 eV for PbS volume fraction of 8.5, 16, 27%, respectively. The corresponding refractive indices, n determined from Fresnel relation are 1.8, 2, and 2.35 which are in between that of PbS (4.2) and PVP (1.48).
MyomiR-133 regulates brown fat differentiation through Prdm16.
Trajkovski, Mirko; Ahmed, Kashan; Esau, Christine C; Stoffel, Markus
2012-12-01
Brown adipose tissue (BAT) uses the chemical energy of lipids and glucose to produce heat, a function that can be induced by cold exposure or diet. A key regulator of BAT is the gene encoding PR domain containing 16 (Prdm16), whose expression can drive differentiation of myogenic and white fat precursors to brown adipocytes. Here we show that after cold exposure, the muscle-enriched miRNA-133 is markedly downregulated in BAT and subcutaneous white adipose tissue (SAT) as a result of decreased expression of its transcriptional regulator Mef2. miR-133 directly targets and negatively regulates PRDM16, and inhibition of miR-133 or Mef2 promotes differentiation of precursors from BAT and SAT to mature brown adipocytes, thereby leading to increased mitochondrial activity. Forced expression of miR-133 in brown adipogenic conditions prevents the differentiation to brown adipocytes in both BAT and SAT precursors. Our results point to Mef2 and miR-133 as central upstream regulators of Prdm16 and hence of brown adipogenesis in response to cold exposure in BAT and SAT.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tenner, T. J.; Kimura, M.; Kita, N. T.
2017-02-01
High-precision secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) was employed to investigate oxygen three isotopes of phenocrysts in 35 chondrules from the Yamato (Y) 82094 ungrouped 3.2 carbonaceous chondrite. Twenty-one of 21 chondrules have multiple homogeneous pyroxene data (∆17O 3SD analytical uncertainty: 0.7‰); 17 of 17 chondrules have multiple homogeneous pyroxene and plagioclase data. Twenty-one of 25 chondrules have one or more olivine data matching coexisting pyroxene data. Such homogeneous phenocrysts (1) are interpreted to have crystallized from the final chondrule melt, defining host O-isotope ratios; and (2) suggest efficient O-isotope exchange between ambient gas and chondrule melt during formation. Host values plot within 0.7‰ of the primitive chondrule mineral (PCM) line. Seventeen chondrules have relict olivine and/or spinel, with some δ17O and δ18O values approaching -40‰, similar to CAI or AOA-like precursors. Regarding host chondrule data, 22 of 34 have Mg#s of 98.8-99.5 and ∆17O of -3.9‰ to -6.1‰, consistent with most Acfer 094, CO, CR, and CV chondrite chondrules, and suggesting a common reduced O-isotope reservoir devoid of 16O-poor H2O. Six Y-82094 chondrules have ∆17O near -2.5‰, with Mg#s of 64-97, consistent with lower Mg# chondrules from Acfer 094, CO, CR, and CV chondrites; their signatures suggest precursors consisting of those forming Mg# 99, ∆17O: -5‰ ± 1‰ chondrules plus 16O-poor H2O, at high dust enrichments. Three type II chondrules plot slightly above the PCM line, near the terrestrial fractionation line (∆17O: +0.1‰). Their O-isotopes and olivine chemistry are like LL3 type II chondrules, suggesting they sampled ordinary chondrite-like chondrule precursors. Finally, three Mg# >99 chondrules have ∆17O of -6.7‰ to -8.1‰, potentially due to 16O-rich refractory precursor components. The predominance of Mg# 99, ∆17O: -5‰ ± 1‰ chondrules and a high chondrule-to-matrix ratio suggests bulk Y-82094 characteristics are closely related to anhydrous dust sampled by most carbonaceous chondrite chondrules.
2005-01-01
high-risk human papillomavirus ( HPV ) types, particularly type 16 and 18, contributes to 90% of cervical cancer cases. HPV infects cutaneous or mucosal...been implicated in cervical/ anogenital cancer and oral squamous cell carcinomas (41). The mucosal lesions caused by HPVs often resolve over time, and a...Decreased Migration of Langerhans Precursor-Like Cells in Response to Human Keratinocytes Expressing HPV -16 E6/E7 is Related to Reduced Macrophage
Laboratory management of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia: proposing a new paradigm.
Herfs, Michael; Crum, Christopher P
2013-03-01
Since the discovery of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 in early 80s, the link between HPV and cervical cancer has been established with certainty, a function of the discovery and cloning of a range of HPV types associated with both cancer precursors (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or CIN) and carcinomas and extensive epidemiologic, clinical, pathologic, and experimental data. These accumulated results have culminated in new paradigms of cancer prevention through screening and triage. Despite this, the management of women with CIN is still suboptimal and the overtreatment of these conditions still occurs, largely due to the lack of clarity regarding which precancerous lesions are most likely to progress in grade. Recently, a discrete population of cuboidal cells was discovered at the cervical squamocolumnar junction, the anatomic site where the large majority of HPV-related (pre)neoplastic lesions develop. These cells seem to be embryonic in nature and participate both in benign metaplasias and the initial phase of precancer development. This review summarizes the historical evolution of precursor management, assesses the potential role of this and other discoveries in segregating lower from higher-risk precursors, and examines their potential impact on the management of women with real or potential cervical cancer precursors.
Fang, Nianbai; Yu, Shanggong; Adams, Sean H.; Ronis, Martin J. J.; Badger, Thomas M.
2016-01-01
We present a method using a combination of enzymatic deconjugation and targeted LC-multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-MS analysis for analyzing all common bile acids (BAs) in piglet urine, and in particular, for detecting conjugated BAs either in the absence of their standards, or when present in low concentrations. Initially, before enzymatic deconjugation, 19 unconjugated BAs (FBAs) were detected where the total concentration of the detected FBAs was 9.90 μmol/l. Sixty-seven conjugated BAs were identified by LC-MRM-MS analysis before and after enzymatic deconjugation. Four enzymatic assays were used to deconjugate the BA conjugates. FBAs in urine after cholylglycine hydrolase/sulfatase treatment were 33.40 μmol/l, indicating the urinary BAs were comprised of 29.75% FBAs and 70.25% conjugated BAs in single and multiple conjugated forms. For the conjugates in single form, released FBAs from cholylglycine hydrolase deconjugation indicated that the conjugates with amino acids were 14.54% of urinary BAs, 16.27% glycosidic conjugates were found by β-glucuronidase treatment, and sulfatase with glucuronidase inhibitor treatment liberated FBAs that constituted 16.67% of urinary BAs. Notably, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) was initially detected only in trace amounts in urine, but was found at significant levels after the enzymatic assays above. These results support that CDCA is a precursor of γ-muricholic acid in BA biosynthesis in piglets. PMID:27538824
MULTIPOLLUTANT METHODS - METHODS FOR OZONE AND OZONE PRECURSORS
This task involves the development and testing of methods for monitoring ozone and compounds associated with the atmospheric chemistry of ozone production both as precursors and reaction products. Although atmospheric gases are the primary interest, separation of gas and particl...
Atomic Layer Deposition for Coating of High Aspect Ratio TiO2 Nanotube Layers
2016-01-01
We present an optimized approach for the deposition of Al2O3 (as a model secondary material) coating into high aspect ratio (≈180) anodic TiO2 nanotube layers using the atomic layer deposition (ALD) process. In order to study the influence of the diffusion of the Al2O3 precursors on the resulting coating thickness, ALD processes with different exposure times (i.e., 0.5, 2, 5, and 10 s) of the trimethylaluminum (TMA) precursor were performed. Uniform coating of the nanotube interiors was achieved with longer exposure times (5 and 10 s), as verified by detailed scanning electron microscopy analysis. Quartz crystal microbalance measurements were used to monitor the deposition process and its particular features due to the tube diameter gradient. Finally, theoretical calculations were performed to calculate the minimum precursor exposure time to attain uniform coating. Theoretical values on the diffusion regime matched with the experimental results and helped to obtain valuable information for further optimization of ALD coating processes. The presented approach provides a straightforward solution toward the development of many novel devices, based on a high surface area interface between TiO2 nanotubes and a secondary material (such as Al2O3). PMID:27643411
Predicting Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Groundwater Boreholes Using Self-Potential Data
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Graham, M.; MacAllister, D. J.; Jackson, M.; Vinogradov, J.; Butler, A. P.
2017-12-01
Many coastal groundwater abstraction wells are under threat from seawater intrusion: this is exacerbated in summer by low water tables and increased abstraction. Existing hydrochemistry or geophysical techniques often fail to predict the timing of intrusion events. We investigate whether the presence and transport of seawater can influence self-potentials (SPs) measured within groundwater boreholes, with the aim of using SP monitoring to provide early warning of saline intrusion. SP data collection: SP data were collected from a coastal groundwater borehole and an inland borehole (> 60 km from the coast) in the Seaford Chalk of southern England. The SP gradient in the inland borehole was approximately 0.05 mV/m, while that in the coastal borehole varied from 0.16-0.26 mV/m throughout the monitoring period. Spectral analysis showed that semi-diurnal fluctuations in the SP gradient were several orders of magnitude higher at the coast than inland, indicating a strong influence from oceanic tides. A characteristic decrease in the gradient, or precursor, was observed in the coastal borehole several days prior to seawater intrusion. Modelling results: Hydrodynamic transport and geoelectric modelling suggest that observed pressure changes (associated with the streaming potential) are insufficient to explain either the magnitude of the coastal SP gradient or the semi-diurnal SP fluctuations. By contrast, a model of the exclusion-diffusion potential closely matches these observations and produces a precursor similar to that observed in the field. Sensitivity analysis suggests that both a sharp saline front and spatial variations in the exclusion efficiency arising from aquifer heterogeneities are necessary to explain the SP gradient observed in the coastal borehole. The presence of the precursor in the model depends also on the presence and depth of fractures near the base of the borehole. Conclusions: Our results indicate that SP monitoring, combined with hydrodynamic transport and geoelectric modelling, holds considerable promise as an early warning device for seawater intrusion. We now aim to refine our understanding of the technique by applying it to a range of aquifer types.
CuS nanoplates from ionic liquid precursors—Application in organic photovoltaic cells
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kim, Yohan; Heyne, Benjamin; Abouserie, Ahed; Pries, Christopher; Ippen, Christian; Günter, Christina; Taubert, Andreas; Wedel, Armin
2018-05-01
Hexagonal p-type semiconductor CuS nanoplates were synthesized via a hot injection method from bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfide and the ionic liquid precursor bis(N-dodecylpyridinium) tetrachloridocuprate(ii). The particles have a broad size distribution with diameters between 30 and 680 nm and well-developed crystal habits. The nanoplates were successfully incorporated into organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells as hole conduction materials. The power conversion efficiency of OPV cells fabricated with the nanoplates is 16% higher than that of a control device fabricated without the nanoplates.
STS-31 MS Sullivan and Pilot Bolden monitor SE 82-16 Ion Arc on OV-103 middeck
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1990-01-01
STS-31 Mission Specialist (MS) Kathryn D. Sullivan monitors and advises ground controllers of the activity inside the Student Experiment (SE) 82-16, Ion arc - studies of the effects of microgravity and a magnetic field on an electric arc, mounted in front of the middeck lockers aboard Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. Pilot Charles F. Bolden uses a video camera and an ARRIFLEX motion picture camera to record the activity inside the special chamber. A sign in front of the experiment reads 'SSIP 82-16 Greg's Experiment Happy Graduation from STS-31.' SSIP stands for Shuttle Student Involvement Program. Gregory S. Peterson who developed the experiment (Greg's Experiment) is a student at Utah State University and monitored the experiment's operation from JSC's Mission Control Center (MCC) during the flight. Decals displayed in the background on the orbiter galley represent the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), the United States (U.S.) Naval Reserve, Navy Oceanographers, U.S. Navy, and Univer
Azo compound degradation kinetics and halonitromethane formation kinetics during chlorination.
Fu, Jing; Wang, Xiaomao; Bai, Weiliang; Yang, Hongwei; Xie, Yuefeng F
2017-05-01
The chlorination of azo compounds can produce halonitromethanes (HNMs), which have attracted increasing concern due to their high genotoxicity. By impacting the speciation of chlorine and azo compounds, pH impacts apparent second-order rate constants of Methyl Orange (MO, 27.5-1.4 × 10 3 M -1 s -1 ), Acid Orange II (AO, 16.7-99.3 M -1 s -1 ), and Acid Red 1 (AR 1, 3.7-72.5 M -1 s -1 ) (pH range 6.3-9.0). The two-compartment first-order model successfully described the chloropicrin (TCNM) formation kinetics, suggesting that both fast- and slow-reacting precursors of TCNM are generated from the chlorination of azo compounds. The ratios between fast and slow formation rate constants for MO and AO were 15.6-5.4 × 10 2 , while that of AR 1 was 9.8-19.4 (pH range 6.5-9.0). The fraction of the fast-reacting TCNM precursors decreased with increasing pH for MO and AO; while that for AR 1 decreased when pH increased from 6.5 to 8.0, and then increased when pH increased from 8.0 to 9.0. The impact of pH on TCNM formation was also precursor-specific. The highest molar yields of TCNM predicted from the model in this study were 2.4%, 2.5%, and 1.5% for MO, AO, and AR 1, respectively. The study demonstrates that azo compounds are important HNM precursors, and pose a potential threat to drinking water safety. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Monitoring of soil radon by SSNTD in Eastern India in search of possible earthquake precursor.
Deb, Argha; Gazi, Mahasin; Ghosh, Jayita; Chowdhury, Saheli; Barman, Chiranjib
2018-04-01
The present paper deals with monitoring soil radon-222 concentration at two different locations, designated Site A and Site B, 200 m apart at Jadavpur University campus, Kolkata, India, with a view to find possible precursors for the earthquakes that occurred within a few hundred kilometers from the monitoring site. The solid state nuclear track detector CR-39 has been used for detection of radon gas coming out from soil. Radon-222 time series at both locations during the period August 2012-December 2013 have been analysed. Distinct anomalies in the soil radon time series have been observed for seven earthquakes of magnitude greater than 4.0 M that occurred during this time. Of these, radon anomalies for two earthquakes have been observed at both locations A and B. Absence of anomalies for some other earthquakes has been discussed, and the observations have been compared with some earthquake precursor models. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Silva, Cynthia C; Viero, Aline F; Dias, Ana Carolina F; Andreote, Fernando D; Jesus, Ederson C; De Paula, Sergio O; Torres, Ana Paula R; Santiago, Vania M J; Oliveira, Valeria M
2010-01-01
The phenolic compounds are a major contaminant class often found in industrial wastewaters and the biological treatment is an alternative tool commonly employed for their removal. In this sense, monitoring microbial community dynamics is crucial for a successful wastewater treatment. This work aimed to monitor the structure and activity of the bacterial community during the operation of a laboratory-scale continuous submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR), using PCR and RT-PCR followed by Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA libraries. Multivariate analyses carried out using DGGE profiles showed significant changes in the total and metabolically active dominant community members during the 4-week treatment period, explained mainly by phenol and ammonium input. Gene libraries were assembled using 16S rDNA and 16S rRNA PCR products from the fourth week of treatment. Sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of clones from 16S rDNA library revealed a high diversity of taxa for the total bacterial community, with predominance of Thauera genus (ca. 50%). On the other hand, a lower diversity was found for metabolically active bacteria, which were mostly represented by members of Betaproteobacteria (Thauera and Comamonas), suggesting that these groups have a relevant role in the phenol degradation during the final phase of the SMBR operation.
Steingass, Christof Björn; Glock, Mona Pia; Lieb, Veronika Maria; Carle, Reinhold
2017-10-01
Alterations of volatiles during accelerated light-induced ageing of pineapple juice were assessed by HS-SPME-GC-MS in a non-targeted profiling analysis over a 16-week period. Multivariate statistics permitted to reveal substantial chemical markers generally describing the effect of light storage. Volatiles generated comprised phenylpropenes, carbonyls, 2-methylthiophene, toluene, and furfural, while concentrations of methyl and ethyl esters, terpenes, and furanones decreased. In addition, the qualitative composition of phenolic compounds and glycoside-bound volatiles in selected samples was characterized by HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS n as well as HR-ESI-MS. The fresh juice contained unique pineapple metabolites such as S-p-coumaryl, S-coniferyl, S-sinapylglutathione, and structurally related derivatives. Among others, the presence of p-coumaroyl, feruloyl, and caffeoylisocitrate as well as three 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone glycosides in pineapples could be substantiated by the HR-ESI-MS experiment. Mass spectrometric assignments of selected metabolites are presented, and putative linkages between volatiles and their precursors are established. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
RNomics in Archaea reveals a further link between splicing of archaeal introns and rRNA processing
Tang, Thean Hock; Rozhdestvensky, Timofey S.; d’Orval, Béatrice Clouet; Bortolin, Marie-Line; Huber, Harald; Charpentier, Bruno; Branlant, Christiane; Bachellerie, Jean-Pierre; Brosius, Jürgen; Hüttenhofer, Alexander
2002-01-01
The bulge–helix–bulge (BHB) motif recognised by the archaeal splicing endonuclease is also found in the long processing stems of archaeal rRNA precursors in which it is cleaved to generate pre-16S and pre-23S rRNAs. We show that in two species, Archaeoglobus fulgidus and Sulfolobus solfataricus, representatives from the two major archaeal kingdoms Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota, respectively, the pre-rRNA spacers cleaved at the BHB motifs surrounding pre-16S and pre-23S rRNAs subsequently become ligated. In addition, we present evidence that this is accompanied by circularisation of ribosomal pre-16S and pre-23S rRNAs in both species. These data reveal a further link between intron splicing and pre-rRNA processing in Archaea, which might reflect a common evolutionary origin of the two processes. One spliced RNA species designated 16S-D RNA, resulting from religation at the BHB motif of 16S pre-rRNA, is a highly abundant and stable RNA which folds into a three-stem structure interrupted by two single-stranded regions as assessed by chemical probing. It spans a region of the pre-rRNA 5′ external transcribed spacer exhibiting a highly conserved folding pattern in Archaea. Surprisingly, 16S-D RNA contains structural motifs found in archaeal C/D box small RNAs and binds to the L7Ae protein, a core component of archaeal C/D box RNPs. This supports the notion that it might have an important but still unknown role in pre-rRNA biogenesis or might even target RNA molecules other than rRNA. PMID:11842103
Glycosidically bound flavor compounds of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.).
Mayorga, H; Knapp, H; Winterhalter, P; Duque, C
2001-04-01
The bound volatile fraction of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruit harvested in Colombia has been examined by HRGC and HRGC-MS after enzymatic hydrolysis using a nonselective pectinase (Rohapect D5L). Forty bound volatiles could be identified, with 21 of them being reported for the first time in cape gooseberry. After preparative isolation of the glycosidic precursors on XAD-2 resin, purification by multilayer coil countercurrent chromatography and HPLC of the peracetylated glycosides were carried out. Structure elucidation by NMR, ESI-MS/MS, and optical rotation enabled the identification of (1S,2S)-1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and p-menth-4(8)-ene-1,2-diol 1-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2). Both glycosides have been identified for the first time in nature. They could be considered as immediate precursors of 1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol and p-menth-4(8)-ene-1,2-diol, typical volatiles found in the fruit of cape gooseberry.
Potential Vorticity Streamers as Precursors to Tropical Cyclone Genesis in the Western Pacific
2012-03-01
study a developing system with an extratropical precursor (TCS-037) developing into Tropical Storm 16W (TS 16W)” (Schönenberger 2010). This subsection...tropopause maps), the TC genesis event is termed a tropical transition (TT) case. If no such extratropical feature 38 is present, the storm in... extratropical origin is deemed to play an important role in the dynamical evolution leading to tropical cyclogenesis. In contrast, non-TT storms
Traditional methods for assessing fecal pollution in environmental systems, such as monitoring for fecal coliforms are not capable of discriminating between different sources fecal pollution. Recently, 16S rDNA Bacteroidetes-targeted PCR assays were developed to discriminate betw...
5α-Androst-16-en-3α-ol β-D-glucuronide, precursor of 5α-androst-16-en-3α-ol in human sweat.
Starkenmann, Christian; Mayenzet, Fabienne; Brauchli, Robert; Troccaz, Myriam
2013-12-01
5α-Androst-16-en-3α-ol (α-androstenol) is an important contributor to human axilla sweat odor. It is assumed that α-andostenol is excreted from the apocrine glands via a H2 O-soluble conjugate, and this precursor was formally characterized in this study for the first time in human sweat. The possible H2 O-soluble precursors, sulfate and glucuronide derivatives, were synthesized as analytical standards, i.e., α-androstenol, β-androstenol sulfates, 5α-androsta-5,16-dien-3β-ol (β-androstadienol) sulfate, α-androstenol β-glucuronide, α-androstenol α-glucuronide, β-androstadienol β-glucuronide, and α-androstenol β-glucuronide furanose. The occurrence of α-androstenol β-glucuronide was established by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)/MS (heated electrospray ionization (HESI)) in negative-ion mode in pooled human sweat, containing eccrine and apocrine secretions and collected from 25 female and 24 male underarms. Its concentration was of 79 ng/ml in female secretions and 241 ng/ml in male secretions. The release of α-androstenol was observed after incubation of the sterile human sweat or α-androstenol β-glucuronide with a commercial glucuronidase enzyme, the urine-isolated bacteria Streptococcus agalactiae, and the skin bacteria Staphylococcus warneri DSM 20316, Staphylococcus haemolyticus DSM 20263, and Propionibacterium acnes ATCC 6919, reported to have β-glucuronidase activities. We demonstrated that if α- and β-androstenols and androstadienol sulfates were present in human sweat, their concentrations would be too low to be considered as potential precursors of malodors; therefore, the H2 O-soluble precursor of α-androstenol in apocrine secretion should be a β-glucuronide. Copyright © 2013 Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta AG, Zürich.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sato, H. P.; Nakajima, H.; Nakano, T.; Daimaru, H.
2014-12-01
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is the technique to obtain ground surface images using microwave that is emitted from and received on the antenna. The Kuchi-Sakamoto area, 2.2 km2 in precipitous mountains, central Japan, has suffered from frequent landslides, and slow landslide surface deformation has been monitored by on-site extensometer; however, such the monitoring method cannot detect the deformation in the whole area. Because satellite InSAR is effective tool to monitor slow landslide suface deformation, it is a promising tool for detecting precursor deformation and preparing effective measures against serious landslide disasters. In this study Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) / Phased Array type L-band SAR (PALSAR) data were used, and InSAR images were produced from the PALSAR data that were observed between 5 Sep 2008 and 21 Oct 2008 (from descending orbit) and between 20 Jul 2008 and 7 Sep 2009 (from ascending orbit). InSAR image from descending orbit was found to detect clear precursor landslide surface deformation on a slope; however, InSAR image on ascending orbit did not always detect clear precursor deformation. It is thought to be related with atmospheric moisture condition, length of observation baseline and so on. Furthermore, after phase unwrapping on InSAR images, 2.5-dimensional deformation was analized. This analysis needed both ascending and descending InSAR images and culculated quasi east-west deformation component (Figs. (a) and (b)) and quasi up-down deformation component (Figs. (c) and (d)). The resulting 2.5D calculation gave westward deformation and mixture of upward and downward deformations on the precursor landslide surface deformation slope (blue circles in Figs. (c) and (d)), where remarkable disrupted deep landslide occurred during Nov 2012 and 25 Jun 2013, judging from result of airborne LiDAR survey and field survey; the occurrence date is not precisely identified. The figure remains the issue that eliminating "real" precursor deformation from other candidate deformations. Preparation of this paper was supported by part of Individual Research Fund in College of Humanities and Sciences, Nihon University and part of Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Challenging Exploratory (#25560185, Principal Investigator: Dr. Hiromu Daimaru).
Blonz, Edward R.
2017-01-01
The decreased availability of metabolizable energy resources in the central nervous system is hypothesized to be a key factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. More specifically, the age-related decline in the ability of glucose to cross the blood-brain barrier creates a metabolic stress that shifts the normal, benign processing of amyloid-β protein precursor toward pathways associated with the production of amyloid-β plaques and tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles that are characteristic of the disease. The neuroenergetic hypothesis provides insight into the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease and illuminates new approaches for diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. PMID:28946565
Saha, Hirak; Mukherjee, Bidisha; Bindhani, Banani; Ray, Manas Ranjan
2016-07-01
The impact of indoor air pollution as a result of cooking with unprocessed biomass on membrane-bound and serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa ligand 1 (RANKL), its soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoclast precursor CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes was investigated. Seventy-four pre-menopausal women from eastern India using biomass and 65 control women who cooked with cleaner liquefied petroleum gas were enrolled. PM10 and PM2.5 levels in their indoor air were measured with real-time aerosol monitors. The levels of membrane-bound RANKL on leukocytes and percentage CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes in the subjects' blood were assayed by flow cytometry. Soluble RANKL and OPG in serum were measured by ELISA. The results showed that PM10 and PM2.5 levels were significantly higher in the indoor air of biomass-using households. Compared with the control women, the levels of CD4(+) and CD19(+) lymphocytes and circulating granulocytes with elevated levels of membrane-bound RANKL were higher in biomass users. The serum levels of RANKL were increased by 41% whereas serum OPG was reduced by 22% among biomass users. The absolute number of CD14(+) CD16(+) monocytes was significantly increased in biomass users than the control women. After controlling for potential confounders, PM10 and PM2.5 levels were found to be positively associated with leukocyte and serum RANKL and CD14(+) CD16(+) monocyte levels, but negatively with serum OPG. From these results, we can conclude that chronic exposure to biomass smoke increased membrane-bound and soluble RANKL and circulating osteoclast precursors but decreased OPG, suggesting an increased risk of bone resorption and consequent osteoporosis in biomass-exposed women of a child-bearing age. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ncube, Efficient N.; Steenkamp, Paul A.; Madala, Ntakadzeni E.; Dubery, Ian A.
2016-01-01
Centella asiatica is a perrenial herb that grows in tropical regions with numerous medicinal properties mostly attributed to the presence of pentacyclic triterpenoids. Interestingly, this plant also possess a significant amount of phenylpropanoid-derived chlorogenic acids (CGAs) that have recently been reported to confer neuroprotective properties. In a biotechnological attempt to increase the biosynthesis of CGA-derivatives in cultured Centella cells, acibenzolar-S-methyl was applied as a xenobiotic inducer in combination with quinic acid and shikimic acid as precursor molecules. Applying a semi-targeted metabolomics-based approach, time and concentration studies were undertaken to evaluate the effect of the manipulation on cellular metabolism leading to CGA production. Phytochemical extracts were prepared using methanol and analyzed using a UHPLC-qTOF-MS platform. Data was processed and analyzed using multivariate data models. A total of four CGA-derivatives, annotated as trans-5-feruloylquinic acid, 3,5 di-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoyl-4-O-malonylquinic acid (irbic acid) and 3-caffeoyl, 5-feruloylquinic acid, were found to be upregulated by the acibenzolar-S-methyl treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the induction of CGA derivatives in this species. Contrary to expectations, the effects of precursor molecules on the levels of the CGAs were insignificant. However, a total of 16 metabolites, including CGA derivatives, were up-regulated by precursor treatment. Therefore, this study shows potential to biotechnologically manipulate C. asiatica cells to increase the production of these health beneficial CGAs. PMID:27733862
The polygon dataset represents areas with acid-sensitive waters in the contiguous United States. Summary data in this indicator were provided by EPA??s Office of Atmospheric Programs and are taken from a publication documenting how surface waters have responded to reduced air emissions of acid rain precursors (U.S. EPA, 2003) and from more recent unpublished results (U.S. EPA, 2014). Trends are based on data collected in two networks: the TIME project and the LTM project. Because both networks are operated by numerous collaborators in state agencies, academic institutions, and other federal agencies, the monitoring data are not available in a single publication or database. The trend data in this indicator are based on observations documented in several publications (see pages 15-17 of U.S. EPA, 2003).
TROPOMI on the Copernicus Sentinel 5 Precursor: Launched?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Levelt, P.; Veefkind, J. P.; Kleipool, Q.; Ludewig, A.; Aben, I.; De Vries, J.; Loyola, D. G.; Richter, A.; Van Roozendael, M.; Siddans, R.; Tamminen, J.; Wagner, T.; Nett, H.
2016-12-01
The Copernicus Sentinel 5 Precursor (S5P) is the first of the European Sentinels satellites dedicated to monitoring of the atmospheric composition. S5P is planned for launch in the 4thquarter of 2016; hopefully in time for the AGU Fall Meeting! The mission objectives of S5P are to monitor air quality, climate and the ozone layer, in the time period between 2017 and 2023. S5P will fly in a Sun-synchronized polar orbit with a 13:30 hr local equator crossing time. The single payload of the S5P mission is TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), which is developed by The Netherlands in cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA). TROPOMI is a nadir viewing shortwave spectrometer that measures in the UV-visible wavelength range (270-500 nm), the near infrared (710-770 nm) and the shortwave infrared (2314-2382 nm). TROPOMI will have an unprecedented spatial resolution of 7x7 km2at nadir. The spatial resolution is combined with a wide swath to allow for daily global coverage. The TROPOMI/S5P geophysical (Level 2) operational data products include nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone (total column, tropospheric column & profile), methane, sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde and aerosol and cloud parameters. The main heritage for TROPOMI comes from OMI on EOS Aura and SCIAMACHY on Envisat. Many of the lessons learned in these missions have resulted in design improvements for TROPOMI. One of the most striking features is the high spatial resolution of 7x7 km2at nadir. The high spatial resolution serves two goals: (1) emissions sources can be detected with a higher accuracy and (2) the number of cloud-free ground pixels will increase substantially. The higher spatial resolution is also combined with a significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio per ground pixel, compared to OMI. This will further enhance the capabilities of TROPOMI to detect small emissions sources. The S5P will fly in a so-called loose formation with the U.S. Suomi NPP (National Polar-orbiting Partnership) satellite. The primary objective for this formation flying is to use the cloud clearing capabilities of the VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite). The temporal separation between TROPOMI and VIIRS will be less than 5 minutes. Once this formation has been established, it will enable synergistic data products and scientific research potentials.
Targeted Proteomics-Driven Computational Modeling of Macrophage S1P Chemosensing*
Manes, Nathan P.; Angermann, Bastian R.; Koppenol-Raab, Marijke; An, Eunkyung; Sjoelund, Virginie H.; Sun, Jing; Ishii, Masaru; Germain, Ronald N.; Meier-Schellersheim, Martin; Nita-Lazar, Aleksandra
2015-01-01
Osteoclasts are monocyte-derived multinuclear cells that directly attach to and resorb bone. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)1 regulates bone resorption by functioning as both a chemoattractant and chemorepellent of osteoclast precursors through two G-protein coupled receptors that antagonize each other in an S1P-concentration-dependent manner. To quantitatively explore the behavior of this chemosensing pathway, we applied targeted proteomics, transcriptomics, and rule-based pathway modeling using the Simmune toolset. RAW264.7 cells (a mouse monocyte/macrophage cell line) were used as model osteoclast precursors, RNA-seq was used to identify expressed target proteins, and selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry using internal peptide standards was used to perform absolute abundance measurements of pathway proteins. The resulting transcript and protein abundance values were strongly correlated. Measured protein abundance values, used as simulation input parameters, led to in silico pathway behavior matching in vitro measurements. Moreover, once model parameters were established, even simulated responses toward stimuli that were not used for parameterization were consistent with experimental findings. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and value of combining targeted mass spectrometry with pathway modeling for advancing biological insight. PMID:26199343
Ribosomal RNA and ribosomal proteins in corynebacteria.
Martín, Juan F; Barreiro, Carlos; González-Lavado, Eva; Barriuso, Mónica
2003-09-04
Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) (16S, 23S, 5S) encoded by the rrn operons and ribosomal proteins play a very important role in the formation of ribosomes and in the control of translation. Five copies of the rrn operon were reported by hybridization studies in Brevibacterium (Corynebacterium) lactofermentum but the genome sequence of Corynebacterium glutamicum provided evidence for six rrn copies. All six copies of the C. glutamicum 16S rRNA have a size of 1523 bp and each of the six copies of the 5S contain 120 bp whereas size differences are found between the six copies of the 23S rRNA. The anti-Shine-Dalgarno sequence at the 3'-end of the 16S rRNA was 5'-CCUCCUUUC-3'. Each rrn operon is transcribed as a large precursor rRNA (pre-rRNA) that is processed by RNaseIII and other RNases at specific cleavage boxes that have been identified in the C. glutamicum pre-rRNA. A secondary structure of the C. glutamicum 16S rRNA is proposed. The 16S rRNA sequence has been used as a molecular evolution clock allowing the deduction of a phylogenetic tree of all Corynebacterium species. In C. glutamicum, there are 11 ribosomal protein gene clusters encoding 42 ribosomal proteins. The organization of some of the ribosomal protein gene cluster is identical to that of Escherichia coli whereas in other clusters the organization of the genes is rather different. Some specific ribosomal protein genes are located in a different cluster in C. glutamicum when compared with E. coli, indicating that the control of expression of these genes is different in E. coli and C. glutamicum.
1989-12-01
Report 2b Declassification Downgrading Schedule Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. 4 Performing Organization Report Number(s) 5...Monitoring Organization Report Number(s) 6a Name of Performing Organization 6b Office Symbol 7a Name of Monitoring Organization Naval Postraduate School (if... Prodcution Ratio. DS vs. MIT........................ 29 Figure 15. Cerenkov Weights at Detector ........... I.................... 30 Figure 16. Ratio at
The Shape of Long Outbursts in U Gem Type Dwarf Novae from AAVSO Data
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cannizzo, John K.
2012-01-01
We search the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) archives of the two best studied dwarf novae in an attempt to find light curves for long out bursts that are extremely well-characterized. The systems are U Gem and S8 Cyg. Our goal is to search for embedded precursors such as those that have been found recently in the high fidelity Kepler data for superoutbursts of some members of the 8U UMa subclass of dwarf novae. For the vast majority of AAV80 data, the combination of low data cadence and large errors associated with individual measurements precludes one from making any strong statement about the shape of the long outbursts. However, for a small number of outbursts, extensive long term monitoring with digital photometry yields high fidelity light curves. We report the finding of embedded precursors in two of three candidate long outbursts. This reinforces van Paradijs' finding that long outbursts in dwarf novae above the period gap and superoutbursts in systems below the period gap constitute a unified class. The thermal-tidal instability to account for superoutbursts in the SU UMa stars predicts embedded precursors only for short orbital period dwarf novae, therefore the presence of embedded precursors in long orbital period systems - U Gem and SS Cyg - argues for a more general mechanism to explain long outbursts.
All-inkjet-printed flexible ZnO micro photodetector for a wearable UV monitoring device
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tran, Van-Thai; Wei, Yuefan; Yang, Hongyi; Zhan, Zhaoyao; Du, Hejun
2017-03-01
Fabrication of small-sized patterns of inorganic semiconductor onto flexible substrates is a major concern when manufacturing wearable devices for measuring either biometric or environmental parameters. In this study, micro-sized flexible ZnO UV photodetectors have been thoroughly prepared by a facile inkjet printing technology and followed with heat treatments. A simple ink recipe of zinc acetate precursor solution was investigated. It is found that the substrate temperature during zinc precursor ink depositing has significant effects on ZnO pattern shape, film morphology, and crystallization. The device fabricated from the additive manufacturing approach has good bendability, Ohmic contact, short response time as low as 0.3 s, and high on/off ratio of 3525. We observed the sensor’s dependence of response/decay time by the illuminating UV light intensity. The whole process is based on additive manufacturing which has many benefits such as rapid prototyping, saving material, being environmentally friendly, and being capable of creating high-resolution patterns. In addition, this method can be applied to flexible substrates, which makes the device more applicable for applications requiring flexibility such as wearable devices. The proposed all-inkjet-printing approach for a micro-sized ZnO UV photodetector would significantly simplify the fabrication process of micro-sized inorganic semiconductor-based devices. A potential application is real-time monitoring of UV light exposure to warn users about unsafe direct sunlight to implement suitable avoidance solutions.
Xue, Yuezhen; Toh, Shen Yon; He, Pingping; Lim, Thimothy; Lim, Diana; Pang, Chai Ling; Abastado, Jean-Pierre; Thierry, Françoise
2015-10-27
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and is the precursor to cervical carcinoma. The completion of the HPV productive life cycle depends on the expression of viral proteins which further determines the severity of the cervical neoplasia. Initiation of the viral productive replication requires expression of the E2 viral protein that cooperates with the E1 viral DNA helicase. A decrease in the viral DNA replication ability and increase in the severity of cervical neoplasia is accompanied by simultaneous elevated expression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins. Here we reveal a novel and important role for the HPV16-E2 protein in controlling host cell cycle during malignant transformation. We showed that cells expressing HPV16-E2 in vitro are arrested in prophase alongside activation of a sustained DDR signal. We uncovered evidence that HPV16-E2 protein is present in vivo in cells that express both mitotic and DDR signals specifically in CIN3 lesions, immediate precursors of cancer, suggesting that E2 may be one of the drivers of genomic instability and carcinogenesis in vivo.
Fujii, R.; Bergamaschi, B.A.; Ganju, N.K.; Fleck, J.A.; Burow-Fogg, K.R.; Schoellhamer, D.; Deverel, S.J.
2003-01-01
Water exported from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta supplies drinking water to more than 22 million people in California. At certain times of the year, Delta waters contain relatively high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and bromide. During these times, chlorination of Delta water for drinking water disinfection will form disinfection byproducts, such as trihalomethanes (THMs), that can exceed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's maximum contaminant level for THMs of 80 mg/L. Important sources of DOC and THM precursors (types of DOC that form THMs when chlorinated) to the Delta include rivers, drainage water from peat islands, water from wetlands and areas with extensive riparian vegetation, and in-channel growth of algae and macrophytes. Due to proposed ecosystem restoration and creation of wetlands in the Delta, there is an urgent need for information on the relative loads of DOC and THM precursors produced from three different land uses: restored wetlands constructed for subsidence mitigation, tidal wetlands, and agricultural operations. We have been conducting research in the Delta to provide this information. A restored wetland and agricultural field located on Twitchell Island, and a tidal wetland on Browns Island have been monitored for flow, DOC, and THM precursors. Initial results indicate that the loads of DOC and THM precursors are similar for the restored wetland (surface water only) and the agricultural field. These land uses produce DOC loads of about 14 and 11 g C/m2/yr, respectively, and THM precursor loads of about 1.7 and 1.0 g THM/m2/yr, respectively. Estimates of DOC and THM precursor loads for the tidal wetland site on Browns Island and seepage associated with the restored wetland are being developed.
1990-12-15
THE SYNTHESIS OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES PE - 61102F FROM PRECERAMIC POLYMERS PR -9999 6. AUTHOR(S) TA - 99 J. R. Strife(l), J. P. Wesson(1 ), and H...stability at temperatures up to 15000 C. 14. SUBJECT TERMS 15. NUMBER OF PAGES 49 C- SiC composites vinylmethylsilane 16. PRICE CODE polymer precursor...vapor infiltration of fibrous preforms. More recently, the conversion of preceramic polymers as a matrix synthesis process is being considered. This
Carrier Collection and Scattering in Quantum Well and Superlattice Devices
1993-12-16
20S03 1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2?. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED 1 12/16/93 IFinal /W !2 ? - S /O t 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE S -UDN...UBR (V) Carrier Collection and Scattering in Quantum Well and 6 uTHOr( S ) ic Devices 9O -o/3 Robert M. Kolbas N7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME( S ) AND...27695-7003 9. SPONSORING/ MONITORING AGENCY NAME( S ) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSORING /MONITORING U.S. Army Research Office AGENCY REPORT NUMBER P. 0
Low temperature photochemical vapor deposition of alloy and mixed metal oxide films
Liu, David K.
1992-01-01
Method and apparatus for formation of an alloy thin film, or a mixed metal oxide thin film, on a substrate at relatively low temperatures. Precursor vapor(s) containing the desired thin film constituents is positioned adjacent to the substrate and irradiated by light having wavelengths in a selected wavelength range, to dissociate the gas(es) and provide atoms or molecules containing only the desired constituents. These gases then deposit at relatively low temperatures as a thin film on the substrate. The precursor vapor(s) is formed by vaporization of one or more precursor materials, where the vaporization temperature(s) is selected to control the ratio of concentration of metals present in the precursor vapor(s) and/or the total precursor vapor pressure.
40 CFR Appendix D to Part 58 - Network Design Criteria for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
2013-07-01
... determine the extent of regional pollutant transport among populated areas; and in support of secondary... sources within the area, transport of O3 and its precursors, and the photochemical processes related to O3... precursor concentrations entering the area and will identify those areas which are subjected to transport...
40 CFR Appendix D to Part 58 - Network Design Criteria for Ambient Air Quality Monitoring
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
2014-07-01
... determine the extent of regional pollutant transport among populated areas; and in support of secondary... sources within the area, transport of O3 and its precursors, and the photochemical processes related to O3... precursor concentrations entering the area and will identify those areas which are subjected to transport...
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sun, W.; Lin, L.; Wang, P.
2012-12-01
Terrestrial mud volcano is thought to be one of the most important natural sources of methane emission. Previous studies have shown that methane cycling in terrestrial mud volcanoes involves a complex reaction network driven by the interactions between subsurface and surface abiotic and microbial processes. In situ methanogenesis appears to produce methane at quantities exceeding those of deeply-sourced thermogenic methane and the capacities of anaerobic methanotrophy at shallow depth levels, thereby contributing significantly to the methane emission. Various degrees of evaporation at surface also lead to the enhancement of chloride concentrations in pore water, favoring the proliferation of halo-tolerant and/or halophilic methanogens. The goal of this study is to investigate the extent of methanogenesis in terrestrial mud volcanoes by incubating mud slurries with various precursors (H2/CO2, acetate, methanol, and methylamine) at different salinities (up to 2000 mM) and temperatures (up to 50 oC). Methane concentrations were monitored through time and molecular analyses were applied to investigate the changes of methanogenic communities. Methanogenesis was stimulated by any investigated precursor at room temperature. However, the methanogenic response to salinity varied. Of the investigated precursors, H2/CO2 and methyl-compounds (methanol and methylamine) stimulated methanogenesis at all investigated salinities. The rates and yields of hydrogen- and methyl-utilizing methanogenesis declined significantly at salinities greater than 1500 mM. Acetate-utilizing methanogenesis proceeded at salinities less than 700 mM. At 40 oC, methanogenesis was stimulated by all investigated precursors at the in situ salinity (~400 mM). At 50 oC, only H2-utilizing methanogenesis was stimulated. Analyses of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) for 16S rRNA genes revealed various patterns upon different precursors and salinities. The TRFLP results combined with clone library analyses indicated that major RFs recovered from incubations with methyl-compounds at room temperature and 40 oC were represented by sequences affiliated with Methanococcoides spp., Methanosarcina spp., and Methanolobus spp. In particular, only Methanosarcina- and Methanococcoides-related members were detected at salinities greater than 1000 mM or at 40 oC. RFs recovered from incubations with H2/CO2 at room temperature and 40 oC were represented by sequences related to different Methanococcus spp. Overall, methanogens utilizing H2/CO2 and methyl-compounds appear to be capable of actively producing methane at salinities greater than acetate-utilizing methanogens could tolerate. These methanogens might adapt better to the fluctuation of salinity or extremely high salinity induced by the surface evaporation in terrestrial mud volcanoes. When considering the overall methane emission from terrestrial mud volcanoes, these halo-tolerant methanogens become a significant factor. Key words: mud volcano, Methane, Methanogenesis, Salinity
Sentinel-5 Precursor: First Copernicus Atmospheric Mission Ready for Launch
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McMullan, Kevin; Nett, Herbert; Fehr, Thorsten; Ingmann, Paul
2016-08-01
Sentinel-5 Precursor (S-5P) will be the first of a series of atmospheric missions to be launched within the European Commission's Copernicus (former GMES) Programme. With the current launch window mid October - mid November 2016 and a nominal lifetime of 7 years S-5P is expected to provide continuity in the availability of global atmospheric data products between its predecessor missions SCIAMACHY (Envisat) and OMI (AURA) and the future Sentinel-4 and -5 series.S-5P will deliver unique data regarding the sources and sinks of trace gases with a focus on the lower Troposphere including the planet boundary layer. Due to its enhanced spatial, temporal and spectral sampling capabilities, as compared to its predecessors.The S-5P satellite will carry a single payload, TROPOMI (TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument) which is jointly developed by The Netherlands and ESA. Covering spectral channels in the UV, visible, near- and short-wave infrared it will measure various key species including tropospheric/stratospheric ozone, NO2, SO2, CO, CH4, CH2O as well as cloud and aerosol parameters.The S-5P Project has successfully passed the Ground Segment Acceptance Review (GS-AR) and the satellite level Qualification Acceptance Review (QAR) in March and April 2016, respectively. Remaining pre-launch tasks focus on the detailed planning of Phase E1 activities and the training of the operations teams.
Ghosal, Anubrata; Babu, Vignesh M P; Walker, Graham C
2018-06-18
YbeY is a highly conserved, multifunctional endoribonuclease that plays a significant role in ribosome biogenesis and has several additional roles. Here, we show in Escherichia coli that overexpressing the conserved GTPase, Era, partially suppresses the growth defect of a ΔybeY strain while improving 16S rRNA processing and 70S ribosome assembly. This suppression requires both Era's ability to hydrolyze GTP and the function of three exoribonucleases, RNase II, RNase R and RNase PH, suggesting a model for Era's action. Overexpressing Vibrio cholerae Era similarly partially suppresses the defects of an E. coli ΔybeY strain indicating this property of Era is conserved in bacteria other than E. coli Importance This work provides additional insights into the critical, but still incompletely understood, mechanism of the processing of the E. coli 16S rRNA 3'-terminus. The highly conserved GTPase, Era, is known to bind to the precursor of the 16S rRNA near its 3-end. Both the endoribonuclease YbeY, which binds to Era, and four exoribonucleases have been implicated in this 3'-end processing. Results reported here offer additional insights into the role of Era in 16S rRNA 3'-maturation and into the relationship between the action of the endoribonuclease YbeY and the four exoribonucleases. This study also hints at why YbeY is only essential in some bacteria and suggests that the YbeY could be a target for a new class of antibiotic in these bacteria. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.
Quantitative Methods for Determining U.S. Air Force Crew Cushion Comfort
2006-09-01
Directorate Biosciences and Protection Division Biomechanics Branch Wright Patterson AFB OH 45433-7947 Form Approved REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE OMB No...Division Biomechanics Branch Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7947 9. SPONSORING I MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S...workstations were constructed utilizing ejection seat long-term flight. mockups and foot pedal assemblies modified to simulate the ACES II seat in the F-16
Bergström, Petra; Agholme, Lotta; Nazir, Faisal Hayat; Satir, Tugce Munise; Toombs, Jamie; Wellington, Henrietta; Strandberg, Joakim; Bontell, Thomas Olsson; Kvartsberg, Hlin; Holmström, Maria; Boreström, Cecilia; Simonsson, Stina; Kunath, Tilo; Lindahl, Anders; Blennow, Kaj; Hanse, Eric; Portelius, Erik; Wray, Selina; Zetterberg, Henrik
2016-07-07
Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its cleavage product amyloid β (Aβ) have been thoroughly studied in Alzheimer's disease. However, APP also appears to be important for neuronal development. Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) towards cortical neurons enables in vitro mechanistic studies on human neuronal development. Here, we investigated expression and proteolytic processing of APP during differentiation of human iPSCs towards cortical neurons over a 100-day period. APP expression remained stable during neuronal differentiation, whereas APP processing changed. α-Cleaved soluble APP (sAPPα) was secreted early during differentiation, from neuronal progenitors, while β-cleaved soluble APP (sAPPβ) was first secreted after deep-layer neurons had formed. Short Aβ peptides, including Aβ1-15/16, peaked during the progenitor stage, while processing shifted towards longer peptides, such as Aβ1-40/42, when post-mitotic neurons appeared. This indicates that APP processing is regulated throughout differentiation of cortical neurons and that amyloidogenic APP processing, as reflected by Aβ1-40/42, is associated with mature neuronal phenotypes.
Electrical and optical evaluation of n-type doping in In x Ga(1-x)P nanowires.
Zeng, Xulu; Mourão, Renato T; Otnes, Gaute; Hultin, Olof; Dagytė, Vilgailė; Heurlin, Magnus; Borgström, Magnus T
2018-06-22
To harvest the benefits of III-V nanowires in optoelectronic devices, the development of ternary materials with controlled doping is needed. In this work, we performed a systematic study of n-type dopant incorporation in dense In x Ga (1-x) P nanowire arrays using tetraethyl tin (TESn) and hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) as dopant precursors. The morphology, crystal structure and material composition of the nanowires were characterized by use of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. To investigate the electrical properties, the nanowires were broken off from the substrate and mechanically transferred to thermally oxidized silicon substrates, after which electron beam lithography and metal evaporation were used to define electrical contacts to selected nanowires. Electrical characterization, including four-probe resistivity and Hall effect, as well as back-gated field effect measurements, is combined with photoluminescence spectroscopy to achieve a comprehensive evaluation of the carrier concentration in the doped nanowires. We measure a carrier concentration of ∼1 × 10 16 cm -3 in nominally intrinsic nanowires, and the maximum doping level achieved by use of TESn and H 2 S as dopant precursors using our parameters is measured to be ∼2 × 10 18 cm -3 , and ∼1 × 10 19 cm -3 , respectively (by Hall effect measurements). Hence, both TESn and H 2 S are suitable precursors for a wide range of n-doping levels in In x Ga (1-x) P nanowires needed for optoelectronic devices, grown via the vapor-liquid-solid mode.
Low temperature photochemical vapor deposition of alloy and mixed metal oxide films
Liu, D.K.
1992-12-15
Method and apparatus are described for formation of an alloy thin film, or a mixed metal oxide thin film, on a substrate at relatively low temperatures. Precursor vapor(s) containing the desired thin film constituents is positioned adjacent to the substrate and irradiated by light having wavelengths in a selected wavelength range, to dissociate the gas(es) and provide atoms or molecules containing only the desired constituents. These gases then deposit at relatively low temperatures as a thin film on the substrate. The precursor vapor(s) is formed by vaporization of one or more precursor materials, where the vaporization temperature(s) is selected to control the ratio of concentration of metals present in the precursor vapor(s) and/or the total precursor vapor pressure. 7 figs.
Monitoring the Formation of Autophagosomal Precursor Structures in Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Gómez-Sánchez, R; Sánchez-Wandelmer, J; Reggiori, F
2017-01-01
The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful and versatile model organism for studying multiple aspects of the biology of eukaryotic cells, including the molecular principles underlying autophagy. One of the unique advantages of this unicellular system is its amenability to genetic and biochemical approaches, which had a pivotal role in the discovery and characterization of most of the autophagy-related (Atg) proteins, the central players of autophagy. The relevance of investigating autophagy in this cell model lies in the high conservation of this pathway among eukaryotes, i.e., most of the yeast Atg proteins possess one or more mammalian orthologs. In addition to the experimental advantages, a very large collection of reagents keeps S. cerevisiae in a leading position for the study of the molecular mechanism and regulation of autophagy. In this chapter, we describe fluorescence microscopy and biochemical methods that allow to monitor in vivo the assembly the of Atg machinery, a key step of autophagy. These approaches can be very useful to those researchers that would like to assess the progression of the autophagosomal precursor structure formation under various conditions, in the presence of specific Atg protein mutants or in the absence of other factors. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Failure Forecasting in Triaxially Stressed Sandstones
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Crippen, A.; Bell, A. F.; Curtis, A.; Main, I. G.
2017-12-01
Precursory signals to fracturing events have been observed to follow power-law accelerations in spatial, temporal, and size distributions leading up to catastrophic failure. In previous studies this behavior was modeled using Voight's relation of a geophysical precursor in order to perform `hindcasts' by solving for failure onset time. However, performing this analysis in retrospect creates a bias, as we know an event happened, when it happened, and we can search data for precursors accordingly. We aim to remove this retrospective bias, thereby allowing us to make failure forecasts in real-time in a rock deformation laboratory. We triaxially compressed water-saturated 100 mm sandstone cores (Pc= 25MPa, Pp = 5MPa, σ = 1.0E-5 s-1) to the point of failure while monitoring strain rate, differential stress, AEs, and continuous waveform data. Here we compare the current `hindcast` methods on synthetic and our real laboratory data. We then apply these techniques to increasing fractions of the data sets to observe the evolution of the failure forecast time with precursory data. We discuss these results as well as our plan to mitigate false positives and minimize errors for real-time application. Real-time failure forecasting could revolutionize the field of hazard mitigation of brittle failure processes by allowing non-invasive monitoring of civil structures, volcanoes, and possibly fault zones.
The Assessment of Selectivity in Different Quadrupole-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry Acquisition Modes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Berendsen, Bjorn J. A.; Wegh, Robin S.; Meijer, Thijs; Nielen, Michel W. F.
2015-02-01
Selectivity of the confirmation of identity in liquid chromatography (tandem) mass spectrometry using Q-Orbitrap instrumentation was assessed using different acquisition modes based on a representative experimental data set constructed from 108 samples, including six different matrix extracts and containing over 100 analytes each. Single stage full scan, all ion fragmentation, and product ion scanning were applied. By generating reconstructed ion chromatograms using unit mass window in targeted MS2, selected reaction monitoring (SRM), regularly applied using triple-quadrupole instruments, was mimicked. This facilitated the comparison of single stage full scan, all ion fragmentation, (mimicked) SRM, and product ion scanning applying a mass window down to 1 ppm. Single factor Analysis of Variance was carried out on the variance (s2) of the mass error to determine which factors and interactions are significant parameters with respect to selectivity. We conclude that selectivity is related to the target compound (mainly the mass defect), the matrix, sample clean-up, concentration, and mass resolution. Selectivity of the different instrumental configurations was quantified by counting the number of interfering peaks observed in the chromatograms. We conclude that precursor ion selection significantly contributes to selectivity: monitoring of a single product ion at high mass accuracy with a 1 Da precursor ion window proved to be equally selective or better to monitoring two transition products in mimicked SRM. In contrast, monitoring a single fragment in all ion fragmentation mode results in significantly lower selectivity versus mimicked SRM. After a thorough inter-laboratory evaluation study, the results of this study can be used for a critical reassessment of the current identification points system and contribute to the next generation of evidence-based and robust performance criteria in residue analysis and sports doping.
Gebbink, Wouter A; Berger, Urs; Cousins, Ian T
2015-01-01
Contributions of direct and indirect (via precursors) pathways of human exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) isomers and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) are estimated using a Scenario-Based Risk Assessment (SceBRA) modelling approach. Monitoring data published since 2008 (including samples from 2007) are used. The estimated daily exposures (resulting from both direct and precursor intake) for the general adult population are highest for PFOS and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), followed by perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), while lower daily exposures are estimated for perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoDA). The precursor contributions to the individual perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) daily exposures are estimated to be 11-33% for PFOS, 0.1-2.5% for PFBA, 3.7-34% for PFHxA, 13-64% for PFOA, 5.2-66% for PFDA, and 0.7-25% for PFDoDA (ranges represent estimated precursor contributions in a low- and high-exposure scenario). For PFOS, direct intake via diet is the major exposure pathway regardless of exposure scenario. For PFCAs, the dominant exposure pathway is dependent on perfluoroalkyl chain length and exposure scenario. Modelled PFOS and PFOA concentrations in human serum using the estimated intakes from an intermediate-exposure scenario are in agreement with measured concentrations in different populations. The isomer pattern of PFOS resulting from total intakes (direct and via precursors) is estimated to be enriched with linear PFOS (84%) relative to technical PFOS (70% linear). This finding appears to be contradictory to the observed enrichment of branched PFOS isomers in recent human serum monitoring studies and suggests that either external exposure is not fully understood (e.g. there are unknown precursors, missing or poorly quantified exposure pathways) and/or that there is an incomplete understanding of the isomer-specific human pharmacokinetic processes of PFOS, its precursors and intermediates. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Stayton, M M; Black, M; Bedbrook, J; Dunsmuir, P
1986-12-22
The 16 petunia Cab genes which have been characterized are all closely related at the nucleotide sequence level and they encode Cab precursor polypeptides which are similar in sequence and length. Here we describe a novel petunia Cab gene which encodes a unique Cab precursor protein. This protein is a member of the smallest class of Cab precursor proteins for which no gene has previously been assigned in petunia or any other species. The features of this Cab precursor protein are that it is shorter by 2-3 amino acids than the formerly characterized Cab precursors, its transit peptide sequence is unrelated, and the mature polypeptide is significantly diverged at the functionally important N terminus from other petunia Cab proteins. Gene structure also discriminates this gene which is the only intron containing Cab gene in petunia genomic DNA.
Lininger, R A; Park, W S; Man, Y G; Pham, T; MacGrogan, G; Zhuang, Z; Tavassoli, F A
1998-10-01
Papillary carcinoma of the breast is a variant of predominantly intraductal carcinoma characterized by a papillary growth pattern with fibrovascular support. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was evaluated at multiple chromosomal loci (including loci reported to show frequent genetic alterations in breast cancer) to determine the frequency of genetic mutations in these tumors and their precursors. Thirty-three papillary lesions of the breast (6 papillary carcinomas, 12 carcinomas arising in a papilloma, and 15 intraductal papillomas with florid epithelial hyperplasia) were retrieved from the files of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). Tumor cells and normal tissue were microdissected in each case and screened for LOH at INT-2 and p53 as well as several loci on chromosome 16p13 in the TSC2/PKD1 gene region (D16S423, D16S663, D16S665). LOH on chromosome 16p13 was present in 10 of 16 (63%) informative cases of either papillary carcinoma or carcinoma arising in a papilloma as well as in 6 of 10 (60%) informative cases of intraductal papilloma with florid epithelial hyperplasia (IDH). One case showed simultaneous LOH in both the florid IDH and carcinoma components of a papilloma. LOH was not observed at either INT-2 or p53 in any of the papillary carcinomas or papillomas with florid IDH. In conclusion, a high frequency of LOH at chromosome 16p13 (the TSC2/PKD1 gene region) is in both papillary carcinomas of the breast as well as in papillomas with florid IDH, including a case with LOH present simultaneously in both components. These findings suggest that chromosome 16p contains a tumor suppressor gene that frequently is mutated early in papillary neoplasia.
Aβ1-15/16 as a marker for γ-secretase inhibition in Alzheimer’s disease
Portelius, Erik; Zetterberg, Henrik; Dean, Robert A.; Marcil, Alexandre; Bourgeois, Philippe; Nutu, Magdalena; Andreasson, Ulf; Siemers, Eric; Mawuenyega, Kwasi G.; Sigurdson, Wendy C.; May, Patrick C.; Paul, Steven M.; Holtzman, David M.; Blennow, Kaj; Bateman, Randall J.
2013-01-01
Amyloid-β (Aβ) producing enzymes are key targets for disease-modifying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapies since Aβ trafficking is at the core of AD pathogenesis. Development of such drugs might benefit from the identification of markers indicating in vivo drug effects in the central nervous system. We have previously shown that Aβ1-15 is produced by concerted β- and α-secretase cleavage of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP). Here, we test the hypothesis that this pathway is more engaged upon γ-secretase inhibition in humans and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Aβ1-15/16 represent a biomarker for this effect. Twenty healthy men were treated with placebo (n=5) or the γ-secretase inhibitor semagacestat (100 mg [n=5], 140 mg [n=5], or 280 mg [n=5]). CSF samples were collected hourly over 36 hours and 10 time points were analyzed by immunoassay for Aβ1-15/16, Aβx-38, Aβx-40, Aβx-42, sAβPPα and sAβPPβ. The CSF concentration of Aβ1-15/16 showed a dose-dependent response over 36 hours. In the 280 mg treatment group, a transient increase was seen with a maximum of 180% relative to baseline at 9 hours post administration of semagacestat. The concentrations of Aβx-38, Aβx-40 and Aβx-42 decreased the first 9 hours followed by increased concentrations after 36 hours relative to baseline. No significant changes were detected for CSF sAβPPα and sAβPPβ.Our data shows that CSF levels of Aβ1-15/16 increase during treatment with semagacestat supporting its feasibility as a pharmacodynamic biomarker for drug candidates aimed at inhibiting γ-secretase-mediated AβPP-processing. PMID:22531418
The wireless networking system of Earthquake precursor mobile field observation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wang, C.; Teng, Y.; Wang, X.; Fan, X.; Wang, X.
2012-12-01
The mobile field observation network could be real-time, reliably record and transmit large amounts of data, strengthen the physical signal observations in specific regions and specific period, it can improve the monitoring capacity and abnormal tracking capability. According to the features of scatter everywhere, a large number of current earthquake precursor observation measuring points, networking technology is based on wireless broadband accessing McWILL system, the communication system of earthquake precursor mobile field observation would real-time, reliably transmit large amounts of data to the monitoring center from measuring points through the connection about equipment and wireless accessing system, broadband wireless access system and precursor mobile observation management center system, thereby implementing remote instrument monitoring and data transmition. At present, the earthquake precursor field mobile observation network technology has been applied to fluxgate magnetometer array geomagnetic observations of Tianzhu, Xichang,and Xinjiang, it can be real-time monitoring the working status of the observational instruments of large area laid after the last two or three years, large scale field operation. Therefore, it can get geomagnetic field data of the local refinement regions and provide high-quality observational data for impending earthquake tracking forecast. Although, wireless networking technology is very suitable for mobile field observation with the features of simple, flexible networking etc, it also has the phenomenon of packet loss etc when transmitting a large number of observational data due to the wireless relatively weak signal and narrow bandwidth. In view of high sampling rate instruments, this project uses data compression and effectively solves the problem of data transmission packet loss; Control commands, status data and observational data transmission use different priorities and means, which control the packet loss rate within an acceptable range and do not affect real-time observation curve. After field running test and earthquake tracking project applications, the field mobile observation wireless networking system is operate normally, various function have good operability and show good performance, the quality of data transmission meet the system design requirements and play a significant role in practical applications.
Larson, Michael J; Clayson, Peter E; Primosch, Mark; Leyton, Marco; Steffensen, Scott C
2015-01-01
Studies using medications and psychiatric populations implicate dopamine in cognitive control and performance monitoring processes. However, side effects associated with medication or studying psychiatric groups may confound the relationship between dopamine and cognitive control. To circumvent such possibilities, we utilized a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design wherein participants were administered a nutritionally-balanced amino acid mixture (BAL) and an amino acid mixture deficient in the dopamine precursors tyrosine (TYR) and phenylalanine (PHE) on two separate occasions. Order of sessions was randomly assigned. Cognitive control and performance monitoring were assessed using response times (RT), error rates, the N450, an event-related potential (ERP) index of conflict monitoring, the conflict slow potential (conflict SP), an ERP index of conflict resolution, and the error-related negativity (ERN) and error positivity (Pe), ERPs associated with performance monitoring. Participants were twelve males who completed a Stroop color-word task while ERPs were collected four hours following acute PHE and TYR depletion (APTD) or balanced (BAL) mixture ingestion in two separate sessions. N450 and conflict SP ERP amplitudes significantly differentiated congruent from incongruent trials, but did not differ as a function of APTD or BAL mixture ingestion. Similarly, ERN and Pe amplitudes showed significant differences between error and correct trials that were not different between APTD and BAL conditions. Findings indicate that acute dopamine precursor depletion does not significantly alter cognitive control and performance monitoring ERPs. Current results do not preclude the role of dopamine in these processes, but suggest that multiple methods for dopamine-related hypothesis testing are needed.
Wu, Xinhua; Zhu, Ruizhi; Ren, Zhuoying; Wang, Kai; Mou, Dingrong; Wei, Wanzhi; Miao, Mingming
2009-11-01
A qualitative method for the identification of 5 main glycosidic flavor precursors in tobacco was developed by using ultra performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI MS/MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The glycosidic flavor precursors in tobacco were extracted with methanol, cleaned up with an XAD-2 column. The aglycones were later released by enzyme-mediated hydrolysis under the condition of pH 5. The 5 volatile aglycone moieties were identified by GC-MS standard spectra library. The precursor ions of glycosides were determined by using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in negative ion mode, then the 5 glycosidic flavor precursors were identified by using product ion scan (MS2) finally, using UPLC-ESI MS/MS, separation and identification of 5 glycosidic flavor precursors were accomplished on an RP-C,8 column in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode by using methanol and acetic acid-ammonium acetate aqueous solution as eluent. This work lays a foundation for the analysis of glycosidic flavor precursors without the standards by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Sixteen years of habitat-based bird monitoring in the Nicolet National Forest
Robert W. Howe; Lance J. Roberts
2005-01-01
The 16-year-old Nicolet National Forest Bird Survey is the longest-running volunteer monitoring program on any U.S. national forest. Every year, teams of volunteer observers led by at least one expert with proven field experience sample more than 250 permanent points during the second weekend in June. Altogether 512 points are monitored, approximately half during a...
Volcanic hazards and their mitigation: progress and problems
Tilling, R.I.
1989-01-01
A review of hazards mitigation approaches and techniques indicates that significant advances have been made in hazards assessment, volcano monioring, and eruption forecasting. For example, the remarkable accuracy of the predictions of dome-building events at Mount St. Helens since June 1980 is unprecedented. Yet a predictive capability for more voluminous and explosive eruptions still has not been achieved. Studies of magma-induced seismicity and ground deformation continue to provide the most systematic and reliable data for early detection of precursors to eruptions and shallow intrusions. In addition, some other geophysical monitoring techniques and geochemical methods have been refined and are being more widely applied and tested. Comparison of the four major volcanic disasters of the 1980s (Mount St. Helens, U.S.A. (1980), El Chichon, Mexico (1982); Galunggung, Indonesia (1982); and Nevado del Ruiz, Colombia (1985)) illustrates the importance of predisaster geoscience studies, volcanic hazards assessments, volcano monitoring, contingency planning, and effective communications between scientists and authorities. -from Author
Shape-programmed nanofabrication: understanding the reactivity of dichalcogenide precursors.
Guo, Yijun; Alvarado, Samuel R; Barclay, Joshua D; Vela, Javier
2013-04-23
Dialkyl and diaryl dichalcogenides are highly versatile and modular precursors for the synthesis of colloidal chalcogenide nanocrystals. We have used a series of commercially available dichalcogenide precursors to unveil the molecular basis for the outcome of nanocrystal preparations, more specifically, how precursor molecular structure and reactivity affect the final shape and size of II-VI semiconductor nanocrystals. Dichalcogenide precursors used were diallyl, dibenzyl, di-tert-butyl, diisopropyl, diethyl, dimethyl, and diphenyl disulfides and diethyl, dimethyl, and diphenyl diselenides. We find that the presence of two distinctively reactive C-E and E-E bonds makes the chemistry of these precursors much richer and interesting than that of other conventional precursors such as the more common phosphine chalcogenides. Computational studies (DFT) reveal that the dissociation energy of carbon-chalcogen (C-E) bonds in dichalcogenide precursors (R-E-E-R, E=S or Se) increases in the order (R): diallyl
In, Jung Bin; Kwon, Hyuk-Jun; Lee, Daeho; Ko, Seung Hwan; Grigoropoulos, Costas P
2014-02-26
The laser-assisted hydrothermal growth kinetics of a cluster of ZnO nanowires are studied based on optical in situ growth monitoring. The growth yields are orders of magnitude higher than those of conventional hydrothermal methods that use bulk heating. This remarkable improvement is attributed to suppression of precursor depletion occurring by homogeneous growth reactions, as well as to enhanced mass transport. The obtained in situ data show gradually decaying growth kinetics even with negligible precursor consumption. It is revealed that the growth deceleration is caused by thermal deactivation resulting from heat dissipation through the growing nanowires. Finally, it is demonstrated that the tailored temporal modulation of the input power enables sustained growth to extended dimensions. These results provide a key to highly efficient use of growth precursors that has been pursued for industrial use of this functional metal oxide semiconductor. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Uhlemann, S.; Chambers, J.; Merritt, A.; Wilkinson, P.; Meldrum, P.; Gunn, D.; Maurer, H.; Dixon, N.
2014-12-01
To develop a better understanding of the failure mechanisms leading to first time failure or reactivation of landslides, the British Geological Survey is operating an observatory on an active, shallow landslide in North Yorkshire, UK, which is a typical example of slope failure in Lias Group mudrocks. This group and the Whitby Mudstone Formation in particular, show one of the highest landslide densities in the UK. The observatory comprises geophysical (i.e., ERT and self-potential monitoring, P- and S-wave tomography), geotechnical (i.e. acoustic emission and inclinometer), and hydrological and environmental monitoring (i.e. weather station, water level, soil moisture, soil temperature), in addition to movement monitoring using real-time kinematic GPS. In this study we focus on the reactivation of the landslide at the end of 2012, after an exceptionally wet summer. We present an integrated interpretation of the different data streams. Results show that the two lobes (east and west), which form the main focus of the observatory, behave differently. While water levels, and hence pore pressures, in the eastern lobe are characterised by a continuous increase towards activation resulting in significant movement (i.e. metres), water levels in the western lobe are showing frequent drainage events and thus lower pore pressures and a lower level of movement (i.e. tens of centimetres). This is in agreement with data from the geoelectrical monitoring array. During the summer season, resistivities generally increase due to decreasing moisture levels. However, during the summer of 2012 this seasonal pattern was interrupted, with the reactivated lobe displaying strongly decreasing resistivities (i.e. increasing moisture levels). The self-potential and soil moisture data show clear indications of moisture accumulation prior to the reactivation, followed by continuous discharge towards the base of the slope. Using the different data streams, we present 3D volumetric images of gravimetric moisture content (derived from the ERT data) that highlight the reasons for the differential behaviour and indicate precursors for landslide reactivation.
Baidoo, I K; Nyarko, B J B; Akaho, E H K; Dampare, S B; Sogbadji, R B M; Poku, L O
2013-09-01
Channel Bsite2 of Ghana research reactor-1 has been characterized for k0-INAA application. Cadmium ratio and bare multi-monitor were used to determine flux parameters using 0.1%Au-Al, Fe, and Zr wire as flux monitors. The parameters determined were 18.36±1.91, 0.0479±0.012, 5.12×10(11)±0.42×10(11) ncm(-2)s(-1), 2.74×10(10)±0.14×10(10) ncm(-2)s(-1), 7.73×10(10)±0.16×10(10) ncm(-2)s(-1) and 16.75±1.58, -0.034±0.0028, 4.28×10(11)±1.71×10(11) ncm(-2)s(-1), 2.55×10(10)±0.15×10(10) ncm(-2)s(-1) respectively for thermal-to-epithermal flux ratio, alpha, thermal neutron, epithermal neutron and fast neutron flux using cadmium ratio and multi-monitor method accordingly. The k0-INAA performance assessment based on z-score distributions showed most results within |z|<2. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Descriptive and Experimental Analyses of Potential Precursors to Problem Behavior
Borrero, Carrie S.W; Borrero, John C
2008-01-01
We conducted descriptive observations of severe problem behavior for 2 individuals with autism to identify precursors to problem behavior. Several comparative probability analyses were conducted in addition to lag-sequential analyses using the descriptive data. Results of the descriptive analyses showed that the probability of the potential precursor was greater given problem behavior compared to the unconditional probability of the potential precursor. Results of the lag-sequential analyses showed a marked increase in the probability of a potential precursor in the 1-s intervals immediately preceding an instance of problem behavior, and that the probability of problem behavior was highest in the 1-s intervals immediately following an instance of the precursor. We then conducted separate functional analyses of problem behavior and the precursor to identify respective operant functions. Results of the functional analyses showed that both problem behavior and the precursor served the same operant functions. These results replicate prior experimental analyses on the relation between problem behavior and precursors and extend prior research by illustrating a quantitative method to identify precursors to more severe problem behavior. PMID:18468281
Cd–cysteine precursor nanowire templated microwave-assisted transformation route to CdS nanotubes
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Liu, Xiao-Lin, E-mail: liu_x_l@sina.cn; Zhu, Ying-Jie; Zhang, Qian
2012-12-15
Graphical abstract: Cadmium sulfide polycrystalline nanotubes have been successfully synthesized by microwave-assisted transformation method using Cd–cysteine precursor nanowires as the source material and template in ethylene glycol at 160 °C or ethanol at 60 °C. Display Omitted Highlights: ► Cd–cysteine precursor nanowires were successfully synthesized in alkaline solution. ► CdS nanotubes were prepared by templated microwave-assisted transformation method. ► CdS nanotubes can well duplicate the size and morphology of precursor nanowires. ► This method has the advantages of the simplicity and low cost. -- Abstract: We report the Cd–cysteine precursor nanowire templated microwave-assisted transformation route to CdS nanotubes. In thismore » method, the Cd–cysteine precursor nanowires are synthesized using CdCl{sub 2}·2.5H{sub 2}O, L-cysteine and ethanolamine in water at room temperature. The Cd–cysteine precursor nanowires are used as the source material and template for the subsequent preparation of CdS nanotubes by a microwave-assisted transformation method using ethylene glycol or ethanol as the solvent. This method has the advantages of the simplicity and low cost, and may be extended to the synthesis of nanotubes of other compounds. The products are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).« less
Lessons Learned from OMI Observations of Point Source SO2 Pollution
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Krotkov, N.; Fioletov, V.; McLinden, Chris
2011-01-01
The Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA Aura satellite makes global daily measurements of the total column of sulfur dioxide (SO2), a short-lived trace gas produced by fossil fuel combustion, smelting, and volcanoes. Although anthropogenic SO2 signals may not be detectable in a single OMI pixel, it is possible to see the source and determine its exact location by averaging a large number of individual measurements. We describe new techniques for spatial and temporal averaging that have been applied to the OMI SO2 data to determine the spatial distributions or "fingerprints" of SO2 burdens from top 100 pollution sources in North America. The technique requires averaging of several years of OMI daily measurements to observe SO2 pollution from typical anthropogenic sources. We found that the largest point sources of SO2 in the U.S. produce elevated SO2 values over a relatively small area - within 20-30 km radius. Therefore, one needs higher than OMI spatial resolution to monitor typical SO2 sources. TROPOMI instrument on the ESA Sentinel 5 precursor mission will have improved ground resolution (approximately 7 km at nadir), but is limited to once a day measurement. A pointable geostationary UVB spectrometer with variable spatial resolution and flexible sampling frequency could potentially achieve the goal of daily monitoring of SO2 point sources and resolve downwind plumes. This concept of taking the measurements at high frequency to enhance weak signals needs to be demonstrated with a GEOCAPE precursor mission before 2020, which will help formulating GEOCAPE measurement requirements.
Enhanced nanoparticle size control by extending LaMer’s mechanism
Vreeland, Erika C.; Watt, John; Schober, Gretchen B.; ...
2015-08-17
The synthesis of well-defined nanoparticle materials has been an area of intense investigation, but size control in nanoparticle syntheses is largely empirical. Here, we introduce a general method for fine size control in the synthesis of nanoparticles by establishing steady state growth conditions through the continuous, controlled addition of precursor, leading to a uniform rate of particle growth. This approach, which we term the “extended LaMer mechanism” allows for reproducibility in particle size from batch to batch as well as the ability to predict nanoparticle size by monitoring the early stages of growth. We have demonstrated this method by applyingmore » it to a challenging synthetic system: magnetite nanoparticles. To facilitate this reaction, we have developed a reproducible method for synthesizing an iron oleate precursor that can be used without purification. As a result, we then show how such fine size control affects the performance of magnetite nanoparticles in magnetic hyperthermia.« less
Cohen, P; Morel, A; Gluschankof, P; Gomez, S; Nicolas, P
1985-01-01
An Arg-Lys esteropeptidase which converts somatostatin-28 (S-28) into somatostatin-14 (S-14) was detected in rat brain cortical extracts using a synthetic undecapeptide substrate mimicking the octacosapeptide sequence at the restriction site. This enzyme system was unable to release either the octacosapeptide or S-14 from the 15,000 mol wt (15K) rat hypothalamic precursor. This argues in favor of sequential degradation of the precursor into S-14 via S-28 as an obligatory intermediate. Another in vivo processing system was analyzed in the anglerfish pancreatic Brockmann organs. Here, cloning of two cDNA corresponding to two mRNA species predicts two distinct somatostatins precursors, called prosomatostatins I and II (Hobart et al., Nature 288:137, 1980). While a single S-14 can be detected in extracts made from this pancreatic tissue, indistinguishable from the mammalian species, two S-28 species could be separated by HPLC. Immunochemical and biochemical evidence indicates that the second species should correspond to anglerfish S-28 (AF S-28), the product of prosomatostatin-II processing in vivo. Amino acid analysis, together with the determined complete amino acid sequence of this peptide, demonstrates that this is indeed the case and that AF S-28 contains in its C-terminal half the [Tyr7, Gly10] derivative of S-14. These observations give an example of a AF S-28 being a terminal active product of prosomatostatin processing. They suggest that this octacosapeptide, which is potent on the inhibition of growth hormone release by anterior pituitary cells, may play such a role in the gastrointestinal tract of the anglerfish. These results, while not excluding alternative routes, give support to a sequential processing of the 15 K precursor----S-28----S-14.
Advanced Precursor Reaction Processing for Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 Solar Cells
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Shafarman, William N.
This project “Advanced Precursor Reaction Processing for Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 Solar Cells”, completed by the Institute of Energy Conversion (IEC) at the University of Delaware in collaboration with the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Florida, developed the fundamental understanding and technology to increase module efficiency and improve the manufacturability of Cu(InGa)(SeS)2 films using the precursor reaction approach currently being developed by a number of companies. Key results included: (1) development of a three-step H2Se/Ar/H2S reaction process to control Ga distribution through the film and minimizes back contact MoSe2 formation; (2) Ag-alloying to improve precursor homogeneity by avoiding In phasemore » agglomeration, faster reaction and improved adhesion to allow wider reaction process window; (3) addition of Sb, Bi, and Te interlayers at the Mo/precursor junction to produce more uniform precursor morphology and improve adhesion with reduced void formation in reacted films; (4) a precursor structure containing Se and a reaction process to reduce processing time to 5 minutes and eliminate H2Se usage, thereby increasing throughput and reducing costs. All these results were supported by detailed characterization of the film growth, reaction pathways, thermodynamic assessment and device behavior.« less
A review on remotely sensed land surface temperature anomaly as an earthquake precursor
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bhardwaj, Anshuman; Singh, Shaktiman; Sam, Lydia; Joshi, P. K.; Bhardwaj, Akanksha; Martín-Torres, F. Javier; Kumar, Rajesh
2017-12-01
The low predictability of earthquakes and the high uncertainty associated with their forecasts make earthquakes one of the worst natural calamities, capable of causing instant loss of life and property. Here, we discuss the studies reporting the observed anomalies in the satellite-derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) before an earthquake. We compile the conclusions of these studies and evaluate the use of remotely sensed LST anomalies as precursors of earthquakes. The arrival times and the amplitudes of the anomalies vary widely, thus making it difficult to consider them as universal markers to issue earthquake warnings. Based on the randomness in the observations of these precursors, we support employing a global-scale monitoring system to detect statistically robust anomalous geophysical signals prior to earthquakes before considering them as definite precursors.
Matito, Almudena; Morgado, José Mario; Álvarez-Twose, Iván; Laura Sánchez-Muñoz; Pedreira, Carlos Eduardo; Jara-Acevedo, María; Teodosio, Cristina; Sánchez-López, Paula; Fernández-Núñez, Elisa; Moreno-Borque, Ricardo; García-Montero, Andrés; Orfao, Alberto; Escribano, Luis
2013-01-01
Background Serum baseline tryptase (sBT) is a minor diagnostic criterion for systemic mastocytosis (SM) of undetermined prognostic impact. We monitored sBT levels in indolent SM (ISM) patients and investigated its utility for predicting disease behaviour and outcome. Methods In total 74 adult ISM patients who were followed for ≥48 months and received no cytoreductive therapy were retrospectively studied. Patients were classified according to the pattern of evolution of sBT observed. Results Overall 16/74 (22%) cases had decreasing sBT levels, 48 (65%) patients showed increasing sBT levels and 10 (13%) patients showed a fluctuating pattern. Patients with significantly increasing sBT (sBT slope ≥0.15) after 48 months of follow-up showed a slightly greater rate of development of diffuse bone sclerosis (13% vs. 2%) and hepatomegaly plus splenomegaly (16% vs. 5%), as well as a significantly greater frequency of multilineage vs. mast cells (MC)-restricted KIT mutation (p = 0.01) together with a greater frequency of cases with progression of ISM to smouldering and aggressive SM (p = 0.03), and a shorter progression-free survival (p = 0.03). Conclusions Monitoring of sBT in ISM patients is closely associated with poor prognosis disease features as well as with disease progression, pointing out the need for a closer follow-up in ISM patients with progressively increasing sBT values. PMID:24155887
Matito, Almudena; Morgado, José Mario; Álvarez-Twose, Iván; Sánchez-Muñoz, Laura; Pedreira, Carlos Eduardo; Jara-Acevedo, María; Teodosio, Cristina; Sánchez-López, Paula; Fernández-Núñez, Elisa; Moreno-Borque, Ricardo; García-Montero, Andrés; Orfao, Alberto; Escribano, Luis
2013-01-01
Serum baseline tryptase (sBT) is a minor diagnostic criterion for systemic mastocytosis (SM) of undetermined prognostic impact. We monitored sBT levels in indolent SM (ISM) patients and investigated its utility for predicting disease behaviour and outcome. In total 74 adult ISM patients who were followed for ≥48 months and received no cytoreductive therapy were retrospectively studied. Patients were classified according to the pattern of evolution of sBT observed. Overall 16/74 (22%) cases had decreasing sBT levels, 48 (65%) patients showed increasing sBT levels and 10 (13%) patients showed a fluctuating pattern. Patients with significantly increasing sBT (sBT slope ≥0.15) after 48 months of follow-up showed a slightly greater rate of development of diffuse bone sclerosis (13% vs. 2%) and hepatomegaly plus splenomegaly (16% vs. 5%), as well as a significantly greater frequency of multilineage vs. mast cells (MC)-restricted KIT mutation (p = 0.01) together with a greater frequency of cases with progression of ISM to smouldering and aggressive SM (p = 0.03), and a shorter progression-free survival (p = 0.03). Monitoring of sBT in ISM patients is closely associated with poor prognosis disease features as well as with disease progression, pointing out the need for a closer follow-up in ISM patients with progressively increasing sBT values.
Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS)
Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS). This file provides information on the numbers and distribution (latitude/longitude) of air monitoring sites which measure ozone precursors (approximately 60 volatile hydrocarbons and carbonyl), as required by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, in areas with persistently high ozone levels (mostly large metropolitan areas). In these areas, the States have established ambient air monitoring sites which collect and report detailed data for volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, ozone and meteorological parameters. This file displays 199 monitoring sites reporting measurements for 2010. A wide range of related monitoring site attributes is also provided.
Experimental analysis of precursors to severe problem behavior.
Fritz, Jennifer N; Iwata, Brian A; Hammond, Jennifer L; Bloom, Sarah E
2013-01-01
Some individuals engage in both mild and severe forms of problem behavior. Research has shown that when mild behaviors precede severe behaviors (i.e., the mild behaviors serve as precursors), they can (a) be maintained by the same source of reinforcement as severe behavior and (b) reduce rates of severe behavior observed during assessment. In Study 1, we developed an objective checklist to identify precursors via videotaped trials for 16 subjects who engaged in problem behavior and identified at least 1 precursor for every subject. In Study 2, we conducted separate functional analyses of precursor and severe problem behaviors for 8 subjects, and obtained correspondence between outcomes in 7 cases. In Study 3, we evaluated noncontingent reinforcement schedule thinning plus differential reinforcement of alternative behavior to reduce precursors, increase appropriate behavior, and maintain low rates of severe behavior during 3 treatment analyses for 2 subjects. Results showed that this treatment strategy was effective for behaviors maintained by positive and negative reinforcement. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.
A Novel and Facile Route to Synthesize Atomic-Layered MoS2 Film for Large-Area Electronics.
Boandoh, Stephen; Choi, Soo Ho; Park, Ji-Hoon; Park, So Young; Bang, Seungho; Jeong, Mun Seok; Lee, Joo Song; Kim, Hyeong Jin; Yang, Woochul; Choi, Jae-Young; Kim, Soo Min; Kim, Ki Kang
2017-10-01
High-quality and large-area molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) thin film is highly desirable for applications in large-area electronics. However, there remains a challenge in attaining MoS 2 film of reasonable crystallinity due to the absence of appropriate choice and control of precursors, as well as choice of suitable growth substrates. Herein, a novel and facile route is reported for synthesizing few-layered MoS 2 film with new precursors via chemical vapor deposition. Prior to growth, an aqueous solution of sodium molybdate as the molybdenum precursor is spun onto the growth substrate and dimethyl disulfide as the liquid sulfur precursor is supplied with a bubbling system during growth. To supplement the limiting effect of Mo (sodium molybdate), a supplementary Mo is supplied by dissolving molybdenum hexacarbonyl (Mo(CO) 6 ) in the liquid sulfur precursor delivered by the bubbler. By precisely controlling the amounts of precursors and hydrogen flow, full coverage of MoS 2 film is readily achievable in 20 min. Large-area MoS 2 field effect transistors (FETs) fabricated with a conventional photolithography have a carrier mobility as high as 18.9 cm 2 V -1 s -1 , which is the highest reported for bottom-gated MoS 2 -FETs fabricated via photolithography with an on/off ratio of ≈10 5 at room temperature. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Johnson, Dick; Tsosie, Bernadette
Groundwater samples were collected from monitoring wells at the Bluewater, New Mexico, Disposal Site to monitor groundwater contaminants as specified in the 1997 Long-Term Surveillance Plan for the DOE Bluewater (UMTRCA Title II) Disposal Site Near Grants, New Mexico (LTSP). Sampling and analyses were conducted as specified in the Sampling and Analysis Plan for U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management Sites (LMS/PRO/S04351, continually updated). A duplicate sample was collected from location 16(SG).
Gabka, Grzegorz; Bujak, Piotr; Kotwica, Kamil; Ostrowski, Andrzej; Lisowski, Wojciech; Sobczak, Janusz W; Pron, Adam
2017-01-04
Ternary Ag-In-S or quaternary Ag-In-Zn-S nanocrystals were prepared from simple precursors (silver nitrate, indium(iii) chloride, zinc stearate in a mixture of DDT and ODE) by injecting a solution of elemental sulfur into OLA. Ternary nanocrystals were modified by depositing either a ZnS or a CdS shell, yielding type I and type II core/shell systems exhibiting photoluminescence QY in the range of 12-16%. Careful optimization of the reaction conditions allowed alloyed quaternary Ag-In-Zn-S nanocrystals exhibiting tunable photoluminescence in the spectral range of 520-720 nm with a QY of 48% and 59% for green and red radiations, respectively, to be obtained. 1 H NMR analysis of the nanocrystal organic shell, after dissolution of its inorganic core, indicated that surfacial sulfur atoms were covalently bonded to aliphatic chains whereas surfacial cations were coordinated by amines and carboxylate anions. No thiol-type ligands were detected. Transfer of the prepared nanocrystals to water could be achieved in one step by exchanging the initial ligands for 11-mercaptoundecanoic ones resulting in a QY value of 31%. A new Ag-In-Zn-S nanocrystal preparation method was elaborated in which indium and zinc salts of fatty acids were used as cation precursors and DDT was replaced by thioacetamide. This original DDT-free method enabled similar tuning of the photoluminescence properties of the nanocrystals as in the previous method; however the measured photoluminescence QYs were three times lower. Hence, further optimization of the new method is required.
Mid-Atomic-Number Cylindrical Wire Array Precursor Plasma Studies on Zebra
Stafford, A; Safronova, A. S.; Kantsyrev, V. L.; ...
2014-12-30
The precursor plasmas from low wire number cylindrical wire arrays (CWAs) were previously shown to radiate at temperatures >300 eV for Ni-60 (94% Cu and 6% Ni) wires in experiments on the 1-MA Zebra generator. Continued research into precursor plasmas has studied additional midatomic-number materials including Cu and Alumel (95% Ni, 2% Al, 2% Mn, and 1% Si) to determine if the >300 eV temperatures are common for midatomic-number materials. Additionally, current scaling effects were observed by performing CWA precursor experiments at an increased current of 1.5 MA using a load current multiplier. Our results show an increase in amore » linear radiation yield of ~50% (16 versus 10 kJ/cm) for the experiments at increased current. However, plasma conditions inferred through the modeling of X-ray time-gated spectra are very similar for the precursor plasma in both current conditions.« less
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rong, Qian; Zhang, Yumin; Lv, Tianping; Shen, Kaiyuan; Zi, Baoye; Zhu, Zhongqi; Zhang, Jin; Liu, Qingju
2018-04-01
Silver-doped LaFeO3 molecularly imprinted polymers (SLMIPs) were synthesized by a sol-gel method combined with molecularly imprinted technology as precursors. The precursors were then used to prepare SLMIPs cage (SLM-cage) and SLMIPs core-shell (SLM-core-shell) structures by using a carbon sphere as the template and hydrothermal synthesis, respectively. The structures, morphologies, and surface areas of these materials were determined, as well as their gas-sensing properties and related mechanisms. The SLM-cage and SLM-core-shell samples exhibited good responses to methanol gas, with excellent selectivity. The response and optimum working temperature were 16.98 °C and 215 °C, 33.7 °C and 195 °C, respectively, with corresponding response and recovery times of 45 and 50 s (SLM-cage) and 42 and 57 s (SLM-core-shell) for 5 ppm methanol gas. Notably, the SLM-cage and SLM-core-shell samples exhibited lower responses (≤5 and ≤7, respectively) to other gases, including ethanol, ammonia, benzene, acetone, and toluene. Thus, these materials show potential as practical methanol detectors.
Rong, Qian; Zhang, Yumin; Lv, Tianping; Shen, Kaiyuan; Zi, Baoye; Zhu, Zhongqi; Zhang, Jin; Liu, Qingju
2018-04-06
Silver-doped LaFeO 3 molecularly imprinted polymers (SLMIPs) were synthesized by a sol-gel method combined with molecularly imprinted technology as precursors. The precursors were then used to prepare SLMIPs cage (SLM-cage) and SLMIPs core-shell (SLM-core-shell) structures by using a carbon sphere as the template and hydrothermal synthesis, respectively. The structures, morphologies, and surface areas of these materials were determined, as well as their gas-sensing properties and related mechanisms. The SLM-cage and SLM-core-shell samples exhibited good responses to methanol gas, with excellent selectivity. The response and optimum working temperature were 16.98 °C and 215 °C, 33.7 °C and 195 °C, respectively, with corresponding response and recovery times of 45 and 50 s (SLM-cage) and 42 and 57 s (SLM-core-shell) for 5 ppm methanol gas. Notably, the SLM-cage and SLM-core-shell samples exhibited lower responses (≤5 and ≤7, respectively) to other gases, including ethanol, ammonia, benzene, acetone, and toluene. Thus, these materials show potential as practical methanol detectors.
Gabka, Grzegorz; Bujak, Piotr; Ostrowski, Andrzej; Tomaszewski, Waldemar; Lisowski, Wojciech; Sobczak, Janusz W; Pron, Adam
2016-07-05
Cu-Fe-S nanocrystals exhibiting a strong localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect were synthesized for the first time. The elaborated reproducible preparation procedure involved copper(II) oleate, iron(III) stearate, and sulfur powder dissolved in oleylamine (OLA) as precursors. The wavelength of the plasmonic resonance maximum could be tuned by changing the Cu/Fe ratio in the resulting nanocrystals, being the most energetic for the 1:1 ratio (486 nm) and undergoing a bathochromic shift to ca. 1200 nm with an increase to 6:1. LSPR could also be observed in nanocrystals prepared from the same metal precursors and sulfur powder dissolved in 1-octadecene (ODE), provided that the sulfur precursor was taken in excess. Detailed analysis of the reaction mixture by chromatographic techniques, supplemented by mass spectrometry and (1)H NMR spectroscopy enabled the identification of the true chemical nature of the sulfur precursor in S/OLA, namely, (C18H35NH3(+))(C18H35NH-S8(-)), a reactive product of the reduction of elemental sulfur by the amine groups of OLA. In the case of the S/ODE precursor, the true precursors are much less reactive primary or secondary thioethers and dialkyl polysulfides.
All-inkjet-printed flexible ZnO micro photodetector for a wearable UV monitoring device.
Tran, Van-Thai; Wei, Yuefan; Yang, Hongyi; Zhan, Zhaoyao; Du, Hejun
2017-03-03
Fabrication of small-sized patterns of inorganic semiconductor onto flexible substrates is a major concern when manufacturing wearable devices for measuring either biometric or environmental parameters. In this study, micro-sized flexible ZnO UV photodetectors have been thoroughly prepared by a facile inkjet printing technology and followed with heat treatments. A simple ink recipe of zinc acetate precursor solution was investigated. It is found that the substrate temperature during zinc precursor ink depositing has significant effects on ZnO pattern shape, film morphology, and crystallization. The device fabricated from the additive manufacturing approach has good bendability, Ohmic contact, short response time as low as 0.3 s, and high on/off ratio of 3525. We observed the sensor's dependence of response/decay time by the illuminating UV light intensity. The whole process is based on additive manufacturing which has many benefits such as rapid prototyping, saving material, being environmentally friendly, and being capable of creating high-resolution patterns. In addition, this method can be applied to flexible substrates, which makes the device more applicable for applications requiring flexibility such as wearable devices. The proposed all-inkjet-printing approach for a micro-sized ZnO UV photodetector would significantly simplify the fabrication process of micro-sized inorganic semiconductor-based devices. A potential application is real-time monitoring of UV light exposure to warn users about unsafe direct sunlight to implement suitable avoidance solutions.
Verbal monitoring in Parkinson’s disease: A comparison between internal and external monitoring
Mertens, Jolien; Mariën, Peter; Santens, Patrick; Pickut, Barbara A.; Hartsuiker, Robert J.
2017-01-01
Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) display a variety of impairments in motor and non-motor language processes; speech is decreased on motor aspects such as amplitude, prosody and speed and on linguistic aspects including grammar and fluency. Here we investigated whether verbal monitoring is impaired and what the relative contributions of the internal and external monitoring route are on verbal monitoring in patients with PD relative to controls. Furthermore, the data were used to investigate whether internal monitoring performance could be predicted by internal speech perception tasks, as perception based monitoring theories assume. Performance of 18 patients with Parkinson’s disease was measured on two cognitive performance tasks and a battery of 11 linguistic tasks, including tasks that measured performance on internal and external monitoring. Results were compared with those of 16 age-matched healthy controls. PD patients and controls generally performed similarly on the linguistic and monitoring measures. However, we observed qualitative differences in the effects of noise masking on monitoring and disfluencies and in the extent to which the linguistic tasks predicted monitoring behavior. We suggest that the patients differ from healthy subjects in their recruitment of monitoring channels. PMID:28832595
36 CFR 65.7 - Monitoring National Historic Landmarks.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
2013-07-01
... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Monitoring National Historic Landmarks. 65.7 Section 65.7 Parks, Forests, and Public Property NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE... section 9, Mining in the National Parks Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 1342, 16 U.S.C. 1980), whenever the...
36 CFR 65.7 - Monitoring National Historic Landmarks.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-07-01
... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Monitoring National Historic Landmarks. 65.7 Section 65.7 Parks, Forests, and Public Property NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE... section 9, Mining in the National Parks Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 1342, 16 U.S.C. 1980), whenever the...
36 CFR 65.7 - Monitoring National Historic Landmarks.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-07-01
... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Monitoring National Historic Landmarks. 65.7 Section 65.7 Parks, Forests, and Public Property NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE... section 9, Mining in the National Parks Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 1342, 16 U.S.C. 1980), whenever the...
36 CFR 65.7 - Monitoring National Historic Landmarks.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
2014-07-01
... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Monitoring National Historic Landmarks. 65.7 Section 65.7 Parks, Forests, and Public Property NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE... section 9, Mining in the National Parks Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 1342, 16 U.S.C. 1980), whenever the...
36 CFR 65.7 - Monitoring National Historic Landmarks.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
2012-07-01
... 36 Parks, Forests, and Public Property 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Monitoring National Historic Landmarks. 65.7 Section 65.7 Parks, Forests, and Public Property NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE... section 9, Mining in the National Parks Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 1342, 16 U.S.C. 1980), whenever the...
Crystal structure of human lysyl oxidase-like 2 (hLOXL2) in a precursor state.
Zhang, Xi; Wang, Qifan; Wu, Jianping; Wang, Jiawei; Shi, Yigong; Liu, Minhao
2018-04-10
Lysyl oxidases (LOXs), a type of copper- and lysyl tyrosylquinone (LTQ) -dependent amine oxidase, catalyze the oxidative deamination of lysine residues of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as elastins and collagens and generate aldehyde groups. The oxidative deamination of lysine represents the foundational step for the cross-linking of elastin and collagen and thus is crucial for ECM modeling. Despite their physiological significance, the structure of this important family of enzymes remains elusive. Here we report the crystal structure of human lysyl oxidase-like 2 (hLOXL2) at 2.4-Å resolution. Unexpectedly, the copper-binding site of hLOXL2 is occupied by zinc, which blocks LTQ generation and the enzymatic activity of hLOXL2 in our in vitro assay. Biochemical analysis confirms that copper loading robustly activates hLOXL2 and supports LTQ formation. Furthermore, the LTQ precursor residues in the structure are distanced by 16.6 Å, corroborating the notion that the present structure may represent a precursor state and that pronounced conformational rearrangements would be required for protein activation. The structure presented here establishes an important foundation for understanding the structure-function relationship of LOX proteins and will facilitate LOX-targeting drug discovery. Copyright © 2018 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jung, Sungmo; Kim, Jong Hyun; Cagalaban, Giovanni; Lim, Ji-Hoon; Kim, Seoksoo
More recently, botnet-based cyber attacks, including a spam mail or a DDos attack, have sharply increased, which poses a fatal threat to Internet services. At present, antivirus businesses make it top priority to detect malicious code in the shortest time possible (Lv.2), based on the graph showing a relation between spread of malicious code and time, which allows them to detect after malicious code occurs. Despite early detection, however, it is not possible to prevent malicious code from occurring. Thus, we have developed an algorithm that can detect precursor symptoms at Lv.1 to prevent a cyber attack using an evasion method of 'an executing environment aware attack' by analyzing system behaviors and monitoring memory.
A Novel Polymeric Organosilazane Precursor to Si3N4/SiC Ceramics.
1985-02-06
prepared by pyrolysis of the appropriately-shaped polymeric precursor. These polysilazanes also may prove to be useful as dispersants for SiC and Si3N4...I[AD-Ri58 748 A NOVEL POLYMERIC ORGANOSILAZANE PRECURSOR TO S13N4/ SIC i/I CERRMICS(U) MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH CAMBRIDGE DEPT OF CHEMISTRY D...Security C ificatlion" 0322 A Novel Polymeric Organosilazane Precursor to Si3N/ SiC C_ramics._I 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) Dietmar Seyferth and Gary H. Wiseman 13
Arabidopsis Chloroplast Mini-Ribonuclease III Participates in rRNA Maturation and Intron Recycling
Hotto, Amber M.; Castandet, Benoît; Gilet, Laetitia; Higdon, Andrea; Condon, Ciarán; Stern, David B.
2015-01-01
RNase III proteins recognize double-stranded RNA structures and catalyze endoribonucleolytic cleavages that often regulate gene expression. Here, we characterize the functions of RNC3 and RNC4, two Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplast Mini-RNase III-like enzymes sharing 75% amino acid sequence identity. Whereas rnc3 and rnc4 null mutants have no visible phenotype, rnc3/rnc4 (rnc3/4) double mutants are slightly smaller and chlorotic compared with the wild type. In Bacillus subtilis, the RNase Mini-III is integral to 23S rRNA maturation. In Arabidopsis, we observed imprecise maturation of 23S rRNA in the rnc3/4 double mutant, suggesting that exoribonucleases generated staggered ends in the absence of specific Mini-III-catalyzed cleavages. A similar phenotype was found at the 3′ end of the 16S rRNA, and the primary 4.5S rRNA transcript contained 3′ extensions, suggesting that Mini-III catalyzes several processing events of the polycistronic rRNA precursor. The rnc3/4 mutant showed overaccumulation of a noncoding RNA complementary to the 4.5S-5S rRNA intergenic region, and its presence correlated with that of the extended 4.5S rRNA precursor. Finally, we found rnc3/4-specific intron degradation intermediates that are probable substrates for Mini-III and show that B. subtilis Mini-III is also involved in intron regulation. Overall, this study extends our knowledge of the key role of Mini-III in intron and noncoding RNA regulation and provides important insight into plastid rRNA maturation. PMID:25724636
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mohan, T. S.; Annamalai, H.; Marx, Larry; Huang, Bohua; Kinter, James
2018-02-01
In the present study, we analyze 30-years output from free run solutions of CFSv2 coupled model to assess the model’s representation of extended (>7 days) active and break monsoon episodes over south Asia. Process based diagnostics is applied to the individual and composite events to identify precursor signals in both ocean and atmospheric variables. Our examination suggests that CFSv2, like most coupled models, depict systematic biases in variables important for ocean-atmosphere interactions. Nevertheless, model solutions capture many aspects of monsoon extended break and active episodes realistically, encouraging us to apply process-based diagnostics. Diagnostics reveal that sea surface temperature (SST) variations over the northern Bay of Bengal where the climatological mixed-layer is thin, lead the in-situ precipitation anomalies by about 8 (10) days during extended active (break) episodes, and the precipitation anomalies over central India by 10-14 days. Mixed-layer heat budget analysis indicates for a close correspondence between SST tendency and net surface heat flux (Q_net). MSE budgets indicate that horizontal moisture advection to be a coherent precursor signal ( 10 days) during both extended break (dry advection) and active (moist advection) events. The lead timings in these precursor signals in CFSv2 solutions will be of potential use to monitor and predict extended monsoon episodes. Diagnostics, however, also indicate that for about 1/3 of the identified extended break and active episodes, inconsistencies in budget terms suggest precursor signals could lead to false alarms. Apart from false alarms, compared to observations, CFSv2 systematically simulates a greater number of extended monsoon active episodes.
On Soot Inception in Nonpremixed Flames and the Effects of Flame Structure
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chao, B. H.; Liu, S.; Axelbaum, R. L.; Gokoglu, Suleyman (Technical Monitor)
1998-01-01
A simplified three-step model of soot inception has been employed with high activation energy asymptotics to study soot inception in nonpremixed counterflow systems with emphasis on understanding the effects of hydrodynamics and transport. The resulting scheme yields three zones: (1) a fuel oxidation zone wherein the fuel and oxidizer react to form product as well as a radical R, (e.g., H), (2) a soot/precursor formation zone where the radical R reacts with fuel to form "soot/precursor" S, and (3) a soot/precursor consumption zone where S reacts with the oxidizer to form product. The kinetic scheme, although greatly simplified, allows the coupling between soot inception and flame structure to be assessed. The results yield flame temperature, flame location, and a soot/precursor index S(sub I) as functions of Damkohler number for S formation. The soot/precursor index indicates the amount of S at the boundary of the formation region. The flame temperature indirectly indicates the total amount of S integrated over the formation region because as S is formed less heat release is available. The results show that unlike oxidation reactions, an extinction turning-point behavior does not exist for soot. Instead, the total amount of S slowly decreases with decreasing Damkohler number (increasing strain rate), which is consistent with counterflow flame experiments. When the Lewis number of the radical is decreased from unity, the total S reduces due to reduced residence time for the radical in the soot formation region. Similarly, when the Lewis number of the soot/precursor is increased from unity the amount of S increases for all Damkohler numbers. In addition to studying fuel-air (low stoichiometric mixture fraction) flames, the air-side nitrogen was substituted into the fuel, yielding diluted fuel-oxygen (high stoichiometric mixture fraction) flames with the same flame temperature as the fuel - air flames. The relative flame locations were different however, and, consistent with counterflow flame experiments, this difference was found to dramatically reduce the total amount of S generated because the change in stoichiometric mixture fraction affects residence times, temperatures and concentrations in the soot/precursor formation and consumption zones. Furthermore, while the soot/precursor consumption reaction had a negligible effect on the soot process for fuel-air flames it was very important to diluted fuel - oxygen flames.
Effective coating of titania nanoparticles with alumina via atomic layer deposition
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Azizpour, H.; Talebi, M.; Tichelaar, F. D.; Sotudeh-Gharebagh, R.; Guo, J.; van Ommen, J. R.; Mostoufi, N.
2017-12-01
Alumina films were deposited on titania nanoparticles via atomic layer deposition (ALD) in a fluidized bed reactor at 180 °C and 1 bar. Online mass spectrometry was used for real time monitoring of effluent gases from the reactor during each reaction cycle in order to determine the optimal dosing time of precursors. Different oxygen sources were used to see which oxygen source, in combination with trimethyl aluminium (TMA), provides the highest alumina growth per cycle (GPC). Experiments were carried out in 4, 7 and 10 cycles using the optimal dosing time of precursors. Several characterization methods, such as high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), were conducted on the products. Formation of the alumina film was confirmed by EDX mapping and EDX line profiling, FTIR and TEM. When using either water or deuterium oxide as the oxygen source, the thickness of the alumina film was greater than that of ozone. The average GPC measured by TEM for the ALD of TMA with water, deuterium oxide and ozone was about 0.16 nm, 0.15 nm and 0.11 nm, respectively. The average GPC calculated using the mass fraction of aluminum from INAA was close to those measured from TEM images. Excess amounts of precursors lead to a higher average growth of alumina film per cycle due to insufficient purging time. XRD analysis demonstrated that amorphous alumina was coated on titania nanoparticles. This amorphous layer was easily distinguished from the crystalline core in the TEM images. Decrease in the photocatalytic activity of titania nanoparticles after alumina coating was confirmed by measuring degradation of Rhodamine B by ultraviolet irradiation.
Amyloid precursor protein modulates macrophage phenotype and diet-dependent weight gain
Puig, Kendra L.; Brose, Stephen A.; Zhou, Xudong; Sens, Mary A.; Combs, Gerald F.; Jensen, Michael D.; Golovko, Mikhail Y.; Combs, Colin K.
2017-01-01
It is well known that mutations in the gene coding for amyloid precursor protein are responsible for autosomal dominant forms of Alzheimer’s disease. Proteolytic processing of the protein leads to a number of metabolites including the amyloid beta peptide. Although brain amyloid precursor protein expression and amyloid beta production are associated with the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease, it is clear that amyloid precursor protein is expressed in numerous cell types and tissues. Here we demonstrate that amyloid precursor protein is involved in regulating the phenotype of both adipocytes and peripheral macrophages and is required for high fat diet-dependent weight gain in mice. These data suggest that functions of this protein include modulation of the peripheral immune system and lipid metabolism. This biology may have relevance not only to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease but also diet-associated obesity. PMID:28262782
Yu, Kui; Liu, Xiangyang; Qi, Ting; Yang, Huaqing; Whitfield, Dennis M.; Y. Chen, Queena; Huisman, Erik J. C.; Hu, Changwei
2016-01-01
Little is known about the molecular pathway to monomers of semiconductor nanocrystals. Here we report a general reaction pathway, which is based on hydrogen-mediated ligand loss for the precursor conversion to ‘monomers' at low temperature before nucleation. We apply 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to monitor the key phosphorous-containing products that evolve from MXn+E=PPh2H+HY mixtures, where MXn, E=PPh2H, and HY are metal precursors, chalcogenide precursors, and additives, respectively. Surprisingly, the phosphorous-containing products detected can be categorized into two groups, Ph2P–Y and Ph2P(E)–Y. On the basis of our experimental and theoretical results, we propose two competing pathways to the formation of M2En monomers, each of which is accompanied by one of the two products. Our study unravels the pathway of precursor evolution into M2En monomers, the stoichiometry of which directly correlates with the atomic composition of the final compound nanocrystals. PMID:27531507
Macías-Hernández, Nuria; Bidegaray-Batista, Leticia; Emerson, Brent C; Oromí, Pedro; Arnedo, Miquel
2013-01-01
Geological processes and ecological adaptation are major drivers of diversification on oceanic islands. Although diversification in these islands is often interpreted as resulting from dispersal or island hopping rather than vicariance, this may not be the case in islands with complex geological histories. The island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, emerged in the late Miocene as 3 precursor islands that were subsequently connected and reisolated by volcanic cycles. The spider Dysdera verneaui is endemic to the island of Tenerife, where it is widely distributed throughout most island habitats, providing an excellent model to investigate the role of physical barriers and ecological adaptation in shaping within-island diversity. Here, we present evidence that the phylogeographic patterns of this species trace back to the independent emergence of the protoislands. Molecular markers (mitochondrial genes cox1, 16S, and nad1 and the nuclear genes ITS-2 and 28S) analyzed from 100 specimens (including a thorough sampling of D. verneaui populations and additional outgroups) identify 2 distinct evolutionary lineages that correspond to 2 precursor islands, each with diagnostic genital characters indicative of separate species status. Episodic introgression events between these 2 main evolutionary lineages explain the observed incongruence between mitochondrial and nuclear markers, probably as a result of the homogenization of their ITS-2 sequence types. The most widespread lineage exhibits a complex population structure, which is compatible with either secondary contact, following connection of deeply divergent lineages, or alternatively, a back colonization from 1 precursor island to another.
Stamper, David M.; Walch, Marianne; Jacobs, Rachel N.
2003-01-01
The bacterial population of a graywater treatment system was monitored over the course of 100 days, along with several wastewater biochemical parameters. The graywater treatment system employed an 1,800-liter membrane bioreactor (MBR) to process the waste, with essentially 100% recycling of the biomass. Graywater feed consisting of 10% galley water and 90% laundry water, selected to approximate the graywater composition on board U.S. Navy ships, was collected offsite. Five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5), oils and greases (O/G), nitrogen, and phosphorus were monitored in the feed and were found to vary greatly day to day. Changes in the bacterial population were monitored by PCR amplification of region 332 to 518 (Escherichia coli numbering) of the 16S rRNA gene and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the resultant PCR products. DGGE analysis indicated a diverse and unstable bacterial population throughout the 100-day period, with spikes in feed strength causing significant changes in community structure. Long-term similarity between the communities was 0 to 25%, depending on the method of analysis. In spite of the unstable bacterial population, the MBR system was able to meet effluent quality parameters approximately 90% of the time. PMID:12571004
Stamper, David M; Walch, Marianne; Jacobs, Rachel N
2003-02-01
The bacterial population of a graywater treatment system was monitored over the course of 100 days, along with several wastewater biochemical parameters. The graywater treatment system employed an 1,800-liter membrane bioreactor (MBR) to process the waste, with essentially 100% recycling of the biomass. Graywater feed consisting of 10% galley water and 90% laundry water, selected to approximate the graywater composition on board U.S. Navy ships, was collected offsite. Five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD(5)), oils and greases (O/G), nitrogen, and phosphorus were monitored in the feed and were found to vary greatly day to day. Changes in the bacterial population were monitored by PCR amplification of region 332 to 518 (Escherichia coli numbering) of the 16S rRNA gene and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of the resultant PCR products. DGGE analysis indicated a diverse and unstable bacterial population throughout the 100-day period, with spikes in feed strength causing significant changes in community structure. Long-term similarity between the communities was 0 to 25%, depending on the method of analysis. In spite of the unstable bacterial population, the MBR system was able to meet effluent quality parameters approximately 90% of the time.
Independent Assessment Plan: LAV-25
1989-06-27
Pages. Enter the total Block 7. Performing Organization Name(s) and number of pages. Address(es. Self -explanatory. Block 16. Price Code, Enter...organization Blocks 17. - 19. Security Classifications. performing the report. Self -explanatory. Enter U.S. Security Classification in accordance with U.S...Security Block 9. S oonsorina/Monitoring Acenc Regulations (i.e., UNCLASSIFIED). If form .Names(s) and Address(es). Self -explanatory. contains classified
Moving the Force: Desert Storm and Beyond
1994-12-01
information, updated through secure satellite links, battlefield distribution can become seamless, not accidental. Without it, we are reduced to aimless...SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION ...AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. ABSTRACT see report 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16
Long-Range Solar Activity Predictions: A Reprieve from Cycle #24's Activity
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Richon, K.; Schatten, K.
2003-01-01
We discuss the field of long-range solar activity predictions and provide an outlook into future solar activity. Orbital predictions for satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) depend strongly on exospheric densities. Solar activity forecasting is important in this regard, as the solar ultra-violet (UV) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiations inflate the upper atmospheric layers of the Earth, forming the exosphere in which satellites orbit. Rather than concentrate on statistical, or numerical methods, we utilize a class of techniques (precursor methods) which is founded in physical theory. The geomagnetic precursor method was originally developed by the Russian geophysicist, Ohl, using geomagnetic observations to predict future solar activity. It was later extended to solar observations, and placed within the context of physical theory, namely the workings of the Sun s Babcock dynamo. We later expanded the prediction methods with a SOlar Dynamo Amplitude (SODA) index. The SODA index is a measure of the buried solar magnetic flux, using toroidal and poloidal field components. It allows one to predict future solar activity during any phase of the solar cycle, whereas previously, one was restricted to making predictions only at solar minimum. We are encouraged that solar cycle #23's behavior fell closely along our predicted curve, peaking near 192, comparable to the Schatten, Myers and Sofia (1996) forecast of 182+/-30. Cycle #23 extends from 1996 through approximately 2006 or 2007, with cycle #24 starting thereafter. We discuss the current forecast of solar cycle #24, (2006-2016), with a predicted smoothed F10.7 radio flux of 142+/-28 (1-sigma errors). This, we believe, represents a reprieve, in terms of reduced fuel costs, etc., for new satellites to be launched or old satellites (requiring reboosting) which have been placed in LEO. By monitoring the Sun s most deeply rooted magnetic fields; long-range solar activity can be predicted. Although a degree of uncertainty in the long-range predictions remains, requiring future monitoring, we do not expect the next cycle's + 2-sigma value will rise significantly above solar cycle #23's activity level.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Ruberu, T. Purnima A.; Albright, Haley R.; Callis, Brandon
We demonstrate molecular control of nanoscale composition, alloying, and morphology (aspect ratio) in CdS–CdSe nanocrystal dots and rods by modulating the chemical reactivity of phosphine–chalcogenide precursors. Specific molecular precursors studied were sulfides and selenides of triphenylphosphite (TPP), diphenylpropylphosphine (DPP), tributylphosphine (TBP), trioctylphosphine (TOP), and hexaethylphosphorustriamide (HPT). Computational (DFT), NMR (31P and 77Se), and high-temperature crossover studies unambiguously confirm a chemical bonding interaction between phosphorus and chalcogen atoms in all precursors. Phosphine–chalcogenide precursor reactivity increases in the order: TPPE < DPPE < TBPE < TOPE < HPTE (E = S, Se). For a given phosphine, the selenide is always more reactivemore » than the sulfide. CdS1–xSex quantum dots were synthesized via single injection of a R3PS–R3PSe mixture to cadmium oleate at 250 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV/Vis and PL optical spectroscopy reveal that relative R3PS and R3PSe reactivity dictates CdS1–xSex dot chalcogen content and the extent of radial alloying (alloys vs core/shells). CdS, CdSe, and CdS1–xSex quantum rods were synthesized by injection of a single R3PE (E = S or Se) precursor or a R3PS–R3PSe mixture to cadmium–phosphonate at 320 or 250 °C. XRD and TEM reveal that the length-to-diameter aspect ratio of CdS and CdSe nanorods is inversely proportional to R3PE precursor reactivity. Purposely matching or mismatching R3PS–R3PSe precursor reactivity leads to CdS1–xSex nanorods without or with axial composition gradients, respectively. We expect these observations will lead to scalable and highly predictable “bottom-up” programmed syntheses of finely heterostructured nanomaterials with well-defined architectures and properties that are tailored for precise applications.« less
Schweigmann, H; Sánchez-Guijo, A; Ugele, B; Hartmann, K; Hartmann, M F; Bergmann, M; Pfarrer, C; Döring, B; Wudy, S A; Petzinger, E; Geyer, J; Grosser, G
2014-09-01
16α-Hydroxy-dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (16α-OH-DHEAS) mainly originates from the fetus and serves as precursor for placental estriol biosynthesis. For conversion of 16α-OH-DHEAS to estriol several intracellular enzymes are required. However, prior to enzymatic conversion, 16α-OH-DHEAS must enter the cells by carrier mediated transport. To identify these carriers, uptake of 16α-OH-DHEAS by the candidate carriers organic anion transporter OAT4, sodium-dependent organic anion transporter SOAT, Na(+)-taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide NTCP, and organic anion transporting polypeptide OATP2B1 was measured in stably transfected HEK293 cells by LC-MS-MS. Furthermore, the study aimed to localize SOAT in the human placenta. Stably transfected OAT4-HEK293 cells revealed a partly sodium-dependent transport for 16α-OH-DHEAS with an apparent Km of 23.1 ± 5.1 μM and Vmax of 485.0 ± 39.1 pmol/mg protein/min, while stably transfected SOAT- and NTCP-HEK293 cells showed uptake only under sodium conditions with Km of 319.0 ± 59.5 μM and Vmax of 1465.8 ± 118.8 pmol/mg protein/min for SOAT and Km of 51.4 ± 9.9 μM and Vmax of 1423.3 ± 109.6 pmol/mg protein/min for NTCP. In contrast, stably transfected OATP2B1-HEK293 cells did not transport 16α-OH-DHEAS at all. Immunohistochemical studies and in situ hybridization of formalin fixed and paraffin embedded sections of human late term placenta showed expression of SOAT in syncytiotrophoblasts, predominantly at the apical membrane as well as in the vessel endothelium. In conclusion, OAT4, SOAT, and NTCP were identified as carriers for the estriol precursor 16α-OH-DHEAS. At least SOAT and OAT4 seem to play a functional role for the placental estriol synthesis as both are expressed in the syncytiotrophoblast of human placenta. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Petrie, Bruce; McAdam, Ewan J; Whelan, Mick J; Lester, John N; Cartmell, Elise
2013-04-01
An ultra performance liquid chromatography method coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was developed to determine nonylphenol and 15 of its possible precursors (nonylphenol ethoxylates and nonylphenol carboxylates) in aqueous and particulate wastewater matrices. Final effluent method detection limits for all compounds ranged from 1.4 to 17.4 ng l(-1) in aqueous phases and from 1.4 to 39.4 ng g(-1) in particulate phases of samples. The method was used to measure the performance of a trickling filter wastewater treatment works, which are not routinely monitored despite their extensive usage. Relatively good removals of nonylphenol were observed over the biological secondary treatment process, accounting for a 53 % reduction. However, only an 8 % reduction in total nonylphenolic compound load was observed. This was explained by a shortening in ethoxylate chain length which initiated production of shorter polyethoxylates ranging from 1 to 4 ethoxylate units in length in final effluents. Modelling the possible impact of trickling filter discharge demonstrated that the nonylphenol environmental quality standard may be exceeded in receiving waters with low dilution ratios. In addition, there is a possibility that the EQS can be exceeded several kilometres downstream of the mixing zone due to the biotransformation of readily degradable short-chained precursors. This accentuates the need to monitor 'non-priority' parent compounds in wastewater treatment works since monitoring nonylphenol alone can give a false indication of process performance. It is thus recommended that future process performance monitoring and optimisation is undertaken using the full suite of nonylphenolic moieties which this method can facilitate.
Advanced Environmental Monitoring Technologies
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Jan, Darrell
2004-01-01
Viewgraphs on Advanced Environmental Monitoring Technologies are presented. The topics include: 1) Monitoring & Controlling the Environment; 2) Illustrative Example: Canary 3) Ground-based Commercial Technology; 4) High Capability & Low Mass/Power + Autonomy = Key to Future SpaceFlight; 5) Current Practice: in Flight; 6) Current Practice: Post Flight; 7) Miniature Mass Spectrometer for Planetary Exploration and Long Duration Human Flight; 8) Hardware and Data Acquisition System; 9) 16S rDNA Phylogenetic Tree; and 10) Preview of Porter.
Army Demonstration of Light Obscuration Particle Counters for Monitoring Aviation Fuel Contamination
2013-05-07
Hydraulic industry has utilized this technology for decades and created a mature process •Hydraulic industry has developed recognized calibration ...Vehicle Fuel Tank Fuel Injector Aviation Fuel DEF (AUST) 5695B 18/16/13 Parker 18/16/13 14/10/7 Pamas/Parker/Particle Solutions 19/17/12 U.S. Army 19...17/14/13* Diesel Fuel World Wide Fuel Charter 4th 18/16/13 DEF (AUST) 5695B 18/16/13 Bosch/Cummins 18/16/13 Donaldson 22/21/18 14/13/11 12/9/6 P ll
Hong, Min; Sun, Hongxiao; Xu, Lidan; Yue, Qiaoli; Shen, Guodong; Li, Meifang; Tang, Bo; Li, Chen-Zhong
2018-08-27
This study strategically fabricates a nucleic acid functionalized gold nanoparticle and graphene oxide composite probe (AuNP/GO probe) to achieve both the recognition and in situ monitoring of cytoplasmic target precursor microRNAs (pre-miRNAs) and mature microRNAs (miRNAs) in living cells. The pre-miRNA-21 detection with AuNP probes has a good linear range of 0-300 nM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.5 nM, whereas the GO probe has a linear relationship with mature miRNA-21 from 0.1 to 10 nM with a LOD of 1.74 nM. This assay was utilized to directly visualize the relative expression levels of pre- and mature forms of miRNA-21 and let-7a. The results suggested that the expression levels of precursor miRNAs remain constant in cancer cells and normal cells. However, the expression levels of mature miRNAs vary widely, demonstrating the "up-regulation" of miRNA-21 and "down-regulation" of let-7a in cancer cells in contrast to that in normal cells. The practicality of this strategy was verified by in situ monitoring changes in cytoplasmic pre-miRNA-21 and mature miRNA-21 in response to small-molecule inhibitors of miRNA-21. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Pron, B; Poyart, C; Abachin, E; Fest, T; Belanger, C; Bonnet, C; Capelle, P; Bretagne, J F; Fabianek, A; Girard, L; Hagège, H; Berche, P
1999-01-01
Amplification of the 16S rRNA gene of Tropheryma whippelii was performed in eight patients with Whipple's disease and 34 control patients to confirm a diagnosis of Whipple's disease and to monitor the course of disease. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were positive before treatment in 13 of 15 tissue samples from Whipple's disease patients (gut 8/8; lymph nodes 2/2; bone marrow 1/2; peripheral blood 2/3), in contrast to none of 54 tissue samples from controls. PCR tests converted to negative within 4-6 months in six of the Whipple's disease patients undergoing therapy. These results show that PCR is a reliable and useful tool for diagnosis of Whipple's disease and for monitoring bacterial elimination during antibiotic therapy.
Political Considerations in Developing Measures of Effectiveness for Strategic Defense.
1986-03-01
MONITORING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER(S) 6a. NAME OF PERFORMING ORGANIZATION 6b. OFFICE SYMBOL 7a. NAME OF MONITORING ORGANIZATION CI aplicable ...Cerwonka, Robert J. 13a. TYPE OF REPORT 13b- TIME COVERED 14. DATE OF REPORT (Year, Month, Day) I15 PAGE COUNT Master’s Thesis FROM TO 1986 MarchI 79 16...This thesis develops a Measure of Effectivess (MOE) for strategic defenses from open source political literature. First, an examination of the doctrines
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ling, Y.; Lin, L.; Wang, P.; Sun, C.
2009-12-01
In subsurface environments, the mineralization of organic carbon involves complex interactions among geological and microbial processes. As the most reduced form and the shortest hydrocarbon chain, methane, is the final product of both microbial degradation and thermal-cracking of organic matter, it serves as the connection of carbon cycles between different reservoirs. Of various mechanisms for methane formation, microbial methane constitutes 85% of the total methane inventory investigated by far. However, the mechanisms and resultant carbon isotope fingerprints of methanogenesis in environments still remained largely unknown. The types of precursors and temperature might be the most critical factors governing methanogenesis. Lots of studies have been investigating the mechanisms responsible for methanogenesis by pure cultures, but it still remains obscure with regard to which precursors are predominantly utilized by methanogens in natural settings. The effect of temperature is especially prominent for anoxic sediments within which the temperature increases with depth in accordance with the local geotherm. Commonly observed temperatures for methanogenesis span from ambient temperature to 90OC, a temperature range for most diagenetic reactions. In order to address how different precursors would be activated for microbially catalytic methane formation upon different temperatures, we incubated the sediments collected from Kuan-Tzu-Ling hot spring at temperatures up to 90OC. Five precursors including acetate, formate, methanol, methylamine, and hydrogen were added with the inocula to stimulate methanogenesis and inhibit fermentation, and were monitored together with methane production through time. Results of this experiments indicated that methanogenesis was positive at temperatures from room temperature to 80OC and precursors investigated despite substantial variations in the maximum rates and yields. In the experiment supplied with hydrogen and formate, methanogenic rates were rapid at all temperatures. Maximum methane production rates occurred at 40~50OC for incubations with methanol, 40~60OC for incubation with acetate, and 50OC for those with methylamine. The patterns of carbon isotopic compositions on methane were either consistent with the prediction of the Rayleigh fractionation in a closed system, trending toward more depleted through time or invariant through time, suggesting variable physiological responses and microbial assemblages to precursor additions. The obtained ɛ values were 0~-12‰ for incubations with acetate, -16~-45‰ for incubations with hydrogen, -50~-80‰ for incubations with methanol, and -87~-115‰ for incubations with methylamine. Acetoclastic methanogenesis appears to fractionate carbon isotopes at the smallest magnitude. This when combined with the results from positive controls and the field observation suggests that acetoclastic methanogenesis produced methane with isotopic signatures comparable with those with thermogenic in origin and contributed significantly to the total methane inventory in the Kuan-Tzu-Ling hotspring area.
18O 16O ratios in cherts associated with the saline lake deposits of East Africa
O'Neil, J.R.; Hay, R.L.
1973-01-01
The cherts formed from sodium silicate precursors in East African saline, alkaline lakes have ??18O values ranging from 31.1 to 44.1. The ??18O values correlate in general with lake salinities as inferred from geologic evidence, indicating that most chert was formed from its precursor in contact with lake water trapped at the time of deposition. A few of the analyzed cherts probably formed in contact with dilute meteoric water. From the widely varying ??18O values we conclude that precursors were transformed to chert in fluids of widely varying salinity and aNa+/aH+ ratio. ?? 1973.
Mid-IR DIAL for high-resolution mapping of explosive precursors
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mitev, V.; Babichenko, S.; Bennes, J.; Borelli, R.; Dolfi-Bouteyre, A.; Fiorani, L.; Hespel, L.; Huet, T.; Palucci, A.; Pistilli, M.; Puiu, A.; Rebane, O.; Sobolev, I.
2013-10-01
A DIAL instrument on a moving platform is seen as a valuable remote sensing component in a sensor network for area monitoring, targeting sites involved in unauthorised explosive manufacturing. Such instrument will perform the area mapping of the vapour concentration of key substances, known to be used as precursors in explosive fabrication, such as acetone and nitromethane. The IR spectra of acetone and nitromethane vapours have been defined from available spectroscopy databases and from laboratory measurements as showing optimal spectral band for the DIAL operation in the spectral range of 3.0 μm - 3.5 μm. The DIAL operation has been numerically simulated, with inputs based on the HITRAN database, the U.S. Standard Atmosphere and aerosol simulation software package OPAC. A combination of OPO and OPA has been chosen as a transmitter, where the idler wavelength is used for probing, with wavelength tuning in sequence. A scanner mounted on top of the coaxially aligned laser and receiver, is capable of covering almost 360 degrees horizontally and +/-30 degrees vertically. The detection is performed by a photovoltaic photodiode with 4-stage cooling, with a signal digitalisation having 14 bit amplitude resolution and 125 Ms/s sampling rate. Here we present the development and the first test of the DIAL instrument.
Cook, Jacquelynn J.; Wildsmith, Kristin R.; Gilberto, David B.; Holahan, Marie A.; Kinney, Gene G.; Mathers, Parker D.; Michener, Maria S.; Price, Eric A.; Shearman, Mark S.; Simon, Adam J.; Wang, Jennifer X.; Wu, Guoxin; Yarasheski, Kevin E.; Bateman, Randall J.
2010-01-01
The accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in Alzheimer’s disease is caused by an imbalance of production and clearance, which leads to increased soluble Aβ species and extracellular plaque formation in the brain. Multiple Aβ-lowering therapies are currently in development: an important goal is to characterize the molecular mechanisms of action and effects on physiological processing of Aβ, as well as other amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolites, in models which approximate human Aβ physiology. To this end, we report the translation of the human in vivo stable-isotope-labeling kinetics (SILK) method to a rhesus monkey cisterna magna ported (CMP) nonhuman primate model, and use the model to test the mechanisms of action of a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI). A major concern of inhibiting the enzymes which produce Aβ (β- and γ-secretase) is that precursors of Aβ may accumulate and cause a rapid increase in Aβ production when enzyme inhibition discontinues. In this study, the GSI MK-0752 was administered to conscious CMP rhesus monkeys in conjunction with in vivo stable isotope labeling, and dose-dependently reduced newly generated CNS Aβ. In contrast to systemic Aβ metabolism, CNS Aβ production was not increased after the GSI was cleared. These results indicate that most of the CNS APP was metabolized to products other than Aβ, including C-terminal truncated forms of Aβ: 1–14, 1–15 and 1–16; this demonstrates an alternative degradation pathway for CNS amyloid precursor protein during γ-secretase inhibition. PMID:20463236
Patra, Subir; Banerjee, Sourav
2017-12-16
Detection of precursor damage followed by the quantification of the degraded material properties could lead to more accurate progressive failure models for composite materials. However, such information is not readily available. In composite materials, the precursor damages-for example matrix cracking, microcracks, voids, interlaminar pre-delamination crack joining matrix cracks, fiber micro-buckling, local fiber breakage, local debonding, etc.-are insensitive to the low-frequency ultrasonic guided-wave-based online nondestructive evaluation (NDE) or Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) (~100-~500 kHz) systems. Overcoming this barrier, in this article, an online ultrasonic technique is proposed using the coda part of the guided wave signal, which is often neglected. Although the first-arrival wave packets that contain the fundamental guided Lamb wave modes are unaltered, the coda wave packets however carry significant information about the precursor events with predictable phase shifts. The Taylor-series-based modified Coda Wave Interferometry (CWI) technique is proposed to quantify the stretch parameter to compensate the phase shifts in the coda wave as a result of precursor damage in composites. The CWI analysis was performed on five woven composite-fiber-reinforced-laminate specimens, and the precursor events were identified. Next, the precursor damage states were verified using high-frequency Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM) and optical microscopy imaging.
Amyloid precursor protein modulates Nav1.6 sodium channel currents through a Go-coupled JNK pathway.
Li, Shao; Wang, Xi; Ma, Quan-Hong; Yang, Wu-Lin; Zhang, Xiao-Gang; Dawe, Gavin S; Xiao, Zhi-Cheng
2016-12-23
Amyloid precursor protein (APP), commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease, also marks axonal degeneration. In the recent studies, we demonstrated that APP aggregated at nodes of Ranvier (NORs) in myelinated central nervous system (CNS) axons and interacted with Nav1.6. However, the physiological function of APP remains unknown. In this study, we described reduced sodium current densities in APP knockout hippocampal neurons. Coexpression of APP or its intracellular domains containing a VTPEER motif with Na v 1.6 sodium channels in Xenopus oocytes resulted in an increase in peak sodium currents, which was enhanced by constitutively active Go mutant and blocked by a dominant negative mutant. JNK and CDK5 inhibitor attenuated increases in Nav1.6 sodium currents induced by overexpression of APP. Nav1.6 sodium currents were increased by APPT668E (mutant Thr to Glu) and decreased by T668A (mutant Thr to ALa) mutant, respectively. The cell surface expression of Nav1.6 sodium channels in the white matter of spinal cord and the spinal conduction velocity is decreased in APP, p35 and JNK3 knockout mice. Therefore, APP modulates Nav1.6 sodium channels through a Go-coupled JNK pathway, which is dependent on phosphorylation of APP at Thr668.
Development of Next Generation Synthetic Biology Tools for Use in Streptomyces venezuelae
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Phelan, Ryan M.; Sachs, Daniel; Petkiewicz, Shayne J.
Streptomyces have a rich history as producers of important natural products and this genus of bacteria has recently garnered attention for its potential applications in the broader context of synthetic biology. However, the dearth of genetic tools available to control and monitor protein production precludes rapid and predictable metabolic engineering that is possible in hosts such as Escherichia coli or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In an effort to improve genetic tools for Streptomyces venezuelae, we developed a suite of standardized, orthogonal integration vectors and an improved method to monitor protein production in this host. These tools were applied to characterize heterologous promotersmore » and various attB chromosomal integration sites. A final study leveraged the characterized toolset to demonstrate its use in producing the biofuel precursor bisabolene using a chromosomally integrated expression system. In conclusion, these tools advance S. venezuelae to be a practical host for future metabolic engineering efforts.« less
EPA requires drinking water utilities to monitor source water to determine the need for treatment to remove the precursors (natural organic matter {NOM}) of disinfection by-products (DBPs). Currently, drinking water utilities use total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic car...
Continuous monitoring of trace gas species in incineration processes can serve two purposes: (i) monitoring precursors of polychlorinated dibenzodioxin and polychlorinated dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) or other indicator species in the raw gas will enable use of their on-line signals for...
Coppola, Julia M.; Hamilton, Christin A.; Bhojani, Mahaveer S.; Larsen, Martha J.; Ross, Brian D.; Rehemtulla, Alnawaz
2007-01-01
Non-invasive real time quantification of cellular protease activity allows monitoring of enzymatic activity and identification of activity modulators within the protease’s natural milieu. We developed a protease-activity assay based on differential localization of a recombinant reporter consisting of a Golgi retention signal and a protease cleavage sequence fused to alkaline phosphatase (AP). When expressed in mammalian cells, this protein localizes to Golgi bodies and, upon protease mediated cleavage, AP translocates to the extracellular medium where its activity is measured. We used this system to monitor the Golgi-associated protease furin, a pluripotent enzyme with a key role in tumorigenesis, viral propagation of avian influenza, ebola, and HIV, and in activation of anthrax, pseudomonas, and diphtheria toxins. This technology was adapted for high throughput screening of 30,000 compound small molecule libraries, leading to identification of furin inhibitors. Further, this strategy was utilized to identify inhibitors of another Golgi protease, the β-site APP-cleaving enzyme (BACE). BACE cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein leads to formation of the Aβ peptide, a key event that leads to Alzheimer’s disease. In conclusion, we describe a customizable, non-invasive technology for real time assessment of Golgi protease activity used to identify inhibitors of furin and BACE. PMID:17316541
Cardiac asystole following cannabis (marijuana) usage--additional mechanism for sudden death?
Menahem, Samuel
2013-12-10
A 21 year old university student previously operated during infancy for an unobstructed total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage with an excellent result, was noted on a routine follow up 24 h Holter monitor to have multiple pauses related to cardiac asystole, the longest lasting 5.8 s and temporally related to marijuana inhalation. A repeat Holter was normal following a two week cessation of marijuana usage and again when carried out 3 months later. The documented periods of asystole may be a precursor of sudden death seen in addicts even without evidence of ischaemic heart disease. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
A simple route to alloyed quaternary nanocrystals Ag-In-Zn-S with shape and size control.
Gabka, Grzegorz; Bujak, Piotr; Giedyk, Kamila; Ostrowski, Andrzej; Malinowska, Karolina; Herbich, Jerzy; Golec, Barbara; Wielgus, Ireneusz; Pron, Adam
2014-05-19
A convenient method of the preparation of alloyed quaternary Ag-In-Zn-S nanocrystals is elaborated, in which a multicomponent mixture of simple and commercially available precursors, namely, silver nitrate, indium(III) chloride, zinc stearate, 1-dodecanethiol, and sulfur, is used with 1-octadecene as a solvent. The formation of quaternary nanocrystals necessitates the use of an auxiliary sulfur precursor, namely, elemental sulfur dissolved in oleylamine, in addition to 1-dodecanethiol. Without this additional precursor binary ZnS nanocrystals are formed. The optimum reaction temperature of 180 °C was also established. In these conditions shape, size, and composition of the resulting nanocrystals can be adjusted in a controlled manner by changing the molar ratio of the precursors in the reaction mixture. For low zinc stearate contents anisotropic rodlike (ca.3 nm x 10 nm) and In-rich nanocrystals are obtained. This is caused by a significantly higher reactivity of the indium precursor as compared to the zinc one. With increasing zinc precursor content the reactivities of both precursors become more balanced, and the resulting nanocrystals are smaller (1.5-4.0 nm) and become Zn-rich as evidenced by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive spectrometry investigations. Simultaneous increases in the zinc and sulfur precursor content result in an enlargement of nanocrystals (2.5 to 5.0 nm) and further increase in the molar ZnS content (up to 0.76). The prepared nanoparticles show stable photoluminescence with the quantum yield up to 37% for In and Zn-rich nanocrystals. Their hydrodynamic diameter in toluene dispersion, determined by dynamic light scattering, is roughly twice larger than the diameter of their inorganic core.
Dalli, Jesmond; Zhu, Min; Vlasenko, Nikita A.; Deng, Bin; Haeggström, Jesper Z.; Petasis, Nicos A.; Serhan, Charles N.
2013-01-01
Maresins are produced by macrophages from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and exert potent proresolving and tissue homeostatic actions. Maresin 1 (MaR1; 7R,14S-dihydroxy-docosa-4Z,8E,10E,12Z,16Z,19Z-hexaenoic acid) is the first identified maresin. Here, we investigate formation, stereochemistry, and precursor role of 13,14-epoxy-docosahexaenoic acid, an intermediate in MaR1 biosynthesis. The 14-lipoxygenation of DHA by human macrophage 12-lipoxygenase (hm12-LOX) gave 14-hydro(peroxy)-docosahexaenoic acid (14-HpDHA), as well as several dihydroxy-docosahexaenoic acids, implicating an epoxide intermediate formation by this enzyme. Using a stereo-controlled synthesis, enantiomerically pure 13S,14S-epoxy-docosa-4Z,7Z,9E,11E,16Z,19Z-hexaenoic acid (13S,14S-epoxy-DHA) was prepared, and its stereochemistry was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. When this 13S,14S-epoxide was incubated with human macrophages, it was converted to MaR1. The synthetic 13S,14S-epoxide inhibited leukotriene B4 (LTB4) formation by human leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) ∼40% (P<0.05) to a similar extent as LTA4 (∼50%, P<0.05) but was not converted to MaR1 by this enzyme. 13S,14S-epoxy-DHA also reduced (∼60%; P<0.05) arachidonic acid conversion by hm12-LOX and promoted conversion of M1 macrophages to M2 phenotype, which produced more MaR1 from the epoxide than M1. Together, these findings establish the biosynthesis of the 13S,14S-epoxide, its absolute stereochemistry, its precursor role in MaR1 biosynthesis, and its own intrinsic bioactivity. Given its actions and role in MaR1 biosynthesis, this epoxide is now termed 13,14-epoxy-maresin (13,14-eMaR) and exhibits new mechanisms in resolution of inflammation in its ability to inhibit proinflammatory mediator production by LTA4 hydrolase and to block arachidonate conversion by human 12-LOX rather than merely terminating phagocyte involvement.—Dalli, J., Zhu, M., Vlasenko, N. A., Deng, B., Haeggström, J. Z., Petasis, N. A., Serhan, C. N. The novel 13S,14S-epoxy-maresin is converted by human macrophages to maresin 1 (MaR1), inhibits leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) and shifts macrophage phenotype. PMID:23504711
A History of the Committee on Science and Technology
2008-08-01
Cyber porn : Protecting Our Children from the Back Alleys of the Internet (No. 16) U.S.-Japanese Cooperation in Human Spaceflight (No. 22...promote bills dealing with monitoring the quality of indoor air, radon gas, and child nutritional studies. With Albert Gore’s departure from the
The impacts of precursor reduction and meteorology on ground-level ozone in the Greater Toronto Area
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pugliese, S. C.; Murphy, J. G.; Geddes, J. A.; Wang, J. M.
2014-08-01
Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a major component of photochemical smog and is a known human health hazard, as well as a damaging factor for vegetation. Its precursor compounds, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), have a variety of anthropogenic and biogenic sources and exhibit non-linear effects on ozone production. As an update to previous studies on ground-level ozone in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), we present an analysis of NO2, VOC and O3 data from federal and provincial governmental monitoring sites in the GTA from 2000 to 2012. We show that, over the study period, summertime 24 h VOC reactivity and NO2 midday (11:00-15:00) concentrations at all sites decreased significantly; since 2000, all sites experienced a decrease in NO2 of 28-62% and in measured VOC reactivity of at least 53-71%. Comparing 2002-2003 to 2011-2012, the summed reactivity of OH towards NO2 and a suite of measured VOCs decreased from 8.6 to 4.6 s-1. Ratios of reactive VOC pairs indicate that the effective OH concentration experienced by primary pollutants in the GTA has increased significantly over the study period. Despite the continuous decrease in precursor levels, ozone concentrations are not following the same pattern at all stations; it was found that the Canada-wide Standard for ozone continues to be exceeded at all monitoring stations. Additionally, while the years 2008-2011 had consistently lower ozone levels than previous years, 2012 experienced one of the highest recorded summertime ozone concentrations and a large number of smog episodes. We demonstrate that these high ozone observations in 2012 may be a result of the number of days with high solar radiation, the number of stagnant periods and the transport of high ozone levels from upwind regions.
The impacts of precursor reduction and meteorology on ground-level ozone in the Greater Toronto Area
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pugliese, S. C.; Murphy, J. G.; Geddes, J. A.; Wang, J. M.
2014-04-01
Tropospheric ozone (O3) is a major component of photochemical smog and is a known human health hazard as well as a damaging factor for vegetation. Its precursor compounds, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), have a variety of anthropogenic and biogenic sources and exhibit non-linear effects on ozone production. As an update to previous studies on ground-level ozone in the GTA, we present an analysis of NO2, VOC and O3 data from federal and provincial governmental monitoring sites in the GTA from 2000-2012. We show that over the study period, summertime 24 h VOC reactivity and NO2 midday (11:00-15:00) concentrations at all sites decreased significantly; since 2000, all sites experienced a decrease in NO2 of 28-62% and in measured VOC reactivity of at least 53-71%. Comparing 2002/2003 to 2011/2012, the summed reactivity of OH towards NO2 and a suite of measured VOCs decreased from 8.6 to 4.6 s-1. Ratios of reactive VOC pairs indicate that the effective OH concentration experienced by primary pollutants in the GTA has increased significantly over the study period. Despite the continuous decrease in precursor levels, ozone concentrations are not following the same pattern at all stations; it was found that the Canada-Wide Standard for ozone continues to be exceeded at all monitoring stations. Additionally, while the years 2008-2011 had consistently lower ozone levels than previous years, 2012 experienced one of the highest recorded summertime ozone concentrations and a large number of smog episodes. We demonstrate that these high ozone observations in 2012 may be a result of the number of days with high solar radiation, the number of stagnant periods and the transport of high ozone levels from upwind regions.
Novel technological strategies to enhance tropical thiol precursors in winemaking by-products.
Román Villegas, Tomás; Tonidandel, Loris; Fedrizzi, Bruno; Larcher, Roberto; Nicolini, Giorgio
2016-09-15
Grape pomace is a winemaking by-product that can be used to extract oenological tannins. Recently, some grape skin tannins were shown to contain very high amounts of two polyfunctional thiol precursors (3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol, 3-S-cysteinylhexan-1-ol) whose free forms are responsible for appreciated tropical-like flavours. This study shows that an oxidative treatment (no SO2) of white grape pomace and the presence of grape leaves and stems can increase the content of the above mentioned precursors. Moreover, it shows significant differences between Sauvignon Blanc, Gewuerztraminer and Mueller-Thurgau grape pomace for the 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol precursors and 4-S-cysteinyl-4-methylpentan-2-one. The grape cultivar is crucial, but the technological ability of enhancing the level of the volatile thiol precursors simply by treating the grape marc in different ways is a promising and powerful tool for the production of potentially flavouring tannins intended for food and beverage industry. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Atomic layer deposition of metal sulfide thin films using non-halogenated precursors
Martinson, Alex B. F.; Elam, Jeffrey W.; Pellin, Michael J.
2015-05-26
A method for preparing a metal sulfide thin film using ALD and structures incorporating the metal sulfide thin film. The method includes providing an ALD reactor, a substrate, a first precursor comprising a metal and a second precursor comprising a sulfur compound. The first and the second precursors are reacted in the ALD precursor to form a metal sulfide thin film on the substrate. In a particular embodiment, the metal compound comprises Bis(N,N'-di-sec-butylacetamidinato)dicopper(I) and the sulfur compound comprises hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S) to prepare a Cu.sub.2S film. The resulting metal sulfide thin film may be used in among other devices, photovoltaic devices, including interdigitated photovoltaic devices that may use relatively abundant materials for electrical energy production.
Identification of early B cell precursors (stage 1 and 2 hematogones) in the peripheral blood.
Kurzer, Jason H; Weinberg, Olga K
2018-05-25
Differentiating malignant B-lymphoblasts from early benign B cell precursors (hematogones) is a vital component of the diagnosis of B-lymphoblastic leukaemia. It has been previously reported that only late-stage B cell precursors circulate in the peripheral blood. Consequently, flow cytometric detection of cells with immunophenotypic findings similar to earlier stage precursors in the peripheral blood justifiably raises concern for involvement by B-lymphoblastic leukaemia. We report here, however, that benign early B cell precursors can indeed be detected in the peripheral blood, thus complicating the interpretation of flow cytometric findings derived from these sample types. A retrospective search of our collective databases identified 13 cases containing circulating early stage B cell precursors. The patients ranged in age from 15 days to 85 years old. All positive cases demonstrated that the earlier B cell precursors were associated with later stage precursors, a finding that could help differentiate these cells from B-lymphoblastic leukaemia. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.
Adaptive Model-Predictive Motion Planning for Navigation in Complex Environments
2009-08-01
AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Carnegie Mellon University,The...Robotics Institute,Pittsburgh,PA,15213 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR...6 1.5 Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1.6 Organization
Role of Elemental Sulfur in Forming Latent Precursors of H2S in Wine.
Jastrzembski, Jillian A; Allison, Rachel B; Friedberg, Elle; Sacks, Gavin L
2017-12-06
The level of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) can increase during abiotic storage of wines, and potential latent sources of H 2 S are still under investigation. We demonstrate that elemental sulfur (S 0 ) residues on grapes not only can produce H 2 S during fermentation but also can form precursors capable of generating additional H 2 S after bottle storage for 3 months. H 2 S could be released from S 0 -derived precursors by addition of a reducing agent (TCEP), but not by addition of strong brine to induce release of H 2 S from metal sulfide complexes. The size of the TCEP-releasable pool varied among yeast strains. Using the TCEP assay, multiple polar S 0 -derived precursors were detected following normal-phase preparative chromatography. Using reversed-phase liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry, we detected an increase in the levels of diglutathione trisulfane (GSSSG) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) in S 0 -fermented red wine and an increase in the levels of glutathione S-sulfonate (GSSO 3 - ) and tetrathionate (S 4 O 6 2- ) in S 0 -fermented white wine as compared to controls. GSSSG, but not S 4 O 6 2- , was shown to evolve H 2 S in the presence of TCEP. Pathways for the formation of GSSSG, GSSG, GSSO 3 - , and S 4 O 6 2- from S 0 are proposed.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) conducted this evaluation of the air monitoring network, known as RAM (Red Automatica de Monitoreo Atmosferico) at the request of the Mexico City Secretariat of the Environment on October 16-27, 2000. This evaluation...
Hanigan, David; Ferrer, Imma; Thurman, E Michael; Herckes, Pierre; Westerhoff, Paul
2017-02-05
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is carcinogenic in rodents and occurs in chloraminated drinking water and wastewater effluents. NDMA forms via reactions between chloramines and mostly unidentified, N-containing organic matter. We developed a mass spectrometry technique to identify NDMA precursors by analyzing 25 model compounds with LC/QTOF-MS. We searched isolates of 11 drinking water sources and 1 wastewater using a custom MATLAB ® program and extracted ion chromatograms for two fragmentation patterns that were specific to the model compounds. Once a diagnostic fragment was discovered, we conducted MS/MS during a subsequent injection to confirm the precursor ion. Using non-target searches and two diagnostic fragmentation patterns, we discovered 158 potential NDMA precursors. Of these, 16 were identified using accurate mass combined with fragment and retention time matches of analytical standards when available. Five of these sixteen NDMA precursors were previously unidentified in the literature, three of which were metabolites of pharmaceuticals. Except methadone, the newly identified precursors all had NDMA molar yields of less than 5%, indicating that NDMA formation could be additive from multiple compounds, each with low yield. We demonstrate that the method is applicable to other disinfection by-product precursors by predicting and verifying the fragmentation patterns for one nitrosodiethylamine precursor. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Doran, Mark; du Plessis, Daniel G; Ghadiali, Eric J; Mann, David M A; Pickering-Brown, Stuart; Larner, Andrew J
2007-10-01
Frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17) owing to the tau intron 10 + 16 mutation usually occurs with a prototypical frontotemporal dementia phenotype with prominent disinhibition and affective disturbances. To report a new FTDP-17 pedigree with the tau intron 10 + 16 mutation demonstrating a clinical phenotype suggestive of Alzheimer disease. Case reports. Regional neuroscience centers in northwest England. Patients We examined 4 members of a kindred in which 8 individuals were affected in 3 generations. All 4 patients reported memory difficulty. Marked anomia was also present, but behavioral disturbances were conspicuously absent in the early stages of disease. All patients had an initial clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease. No mutations were found in the presenilin or amyloid precursor protein genes. Pathologic examination of the proband showed features typical of FTDP-17, and tau gene analysis showed the intron 10 + 16 mutation. This pedigree illustrates the phenotypic variability of tau intron 10 + 16 mutations. In pedigrees with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease but without presenilin or amyloid precursor protein gene mutations, tau gene mutations may be found.
A Plasma Protein Indistinguishable from Ribosomal Protein S19
Semba, Umeko; Chen, Jun; Ota, Yoshihiko; Jia, Nan; Arima, Hidetoshi; Nishiura, Hiroshi; Yamamoto, Tetsuro
2010-01-01
A monocyte-chemoattracting factor is generated during blood coagulation and during clotting of platelet-rich plasma. This chemotactic factor attracts monocytes as a ligand of the C5a receptor; however, it inhibits C5a-induced neutrophil chemotaxis as an apparent receptor antagonist. The curious dual function of the serum monocyte chemotactic factor resembles that of the cross-linked homodimer of ribosomal protein S19 (RP S19). Indeed, the inactive precursor of the monocyte chemotactic factor was present in plasma, and the precursor molecule and RP S19, as well as the active form and the RP S19 dimer, were indistinguishable in terms of immunological reactivity and molecular size. Coagulation factor XIIIa, plasma transglutaminase, and membrane phosphatidylserine on the activated platelets were required for conversion of the precursor to the active form. In addition, the precursor molecule in plasma could be replaced by wild-type recombinant RP S19 but not by mutant forms of it. These results indicate that a molecule indistinguishable from RP S19 was present in plasma, and that the RP S19-like molecule was converted to the active form by a transglutaminase-catalyzed reaction on a scaffold that included the phosphatidylserine-exposed platelet membrane. PMID:20093496
Steen Jensen, Camilla; Portelius, Erik; Siersma, Volkert; Høgh, Peter; Wermuth, Lene; Blennow, Kaj; Zetterberg, Henrik; Waldemar, Gunhild; Gregers Hasselbalch, Steen; Hviid Simonsen, Anja
2016-01-01
Physical exercise may have some effect on cognition in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the underlying biochemical effects are unclear. Animal studies have shown that amyloid beta (Aβ), one of the pathological hallmarks of AD, can be altered with high levels of physical activity. The objective of this study was to elucidate the effect of 16 weeks of moderate- to high-intensity physical exercise on the biomarkers of AD, with special emphasis on the amyloidogenic pathway. From a total of 53 patients with AD participating in the Preserving Cognition, Quality of Life, Physical Health and Functional Ability in Alzheimer's Disease: The Effect of Physical Exercise (ADEX) study we analyzed cerebrospinal fluid samples for Aβ species, total tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) species. We also assessed the patients for apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) genotype. We found no effect of 16 weeks of physical exercise on the selected biomarkers, and no effect of ApoE ε4 genotype. Our findings suggest that the possible effect of physical exercise on cognition in patients with AD is not due to modulation of Aβ, t-tau, p-tau and sAPP species. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Relative Importance of Different Water Categories as Sources of N-Nitrosamine Precursors.
Zeng, Teng; Glover, Caitlin M; Marti, Erica J; Woods-Chabane, Gwen C; Karanfil, Tanju; Mitch, William A; Dickenson, Eric R V
2016-12-20
A comparison of loadings of N-nitrosamines and their precursors from different source water categories is needed to design effective source water blending strategies. Previous research using Formation Potential (FP) chloramination protocols (high dose and prolonged contact times) raised concerns about precursor loadings from various source water categories, but differences in the protocols employed rendered comparisons difficult. In this study, we applied Uniform Formation Condition (UFC) chloramination and ozonation protocols mimicking typical disinfection practice to compare loadings of ambient specific and total N-nitrosamines as well as chloramine-reactive and ozone-reactive precursors in 47 samples, including 6 pristine headwaters, 16 eutrophic waters, 4 agricultural runoff samples, 9 stormwater runoff samples, and 12 municipal wastewater effluents. N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation from UFC and FP chloramination protocols did not correlate, with NDMA FP often being significant in samples where no NDMA formed under UFC conditions. N-Nitrosamines and their precursors were negligible in pristine headwaters. Conventional, and to a lesser degree, nutrient removal wastewater effluents were the dominant source of NDMA and its chloramine- and ozone-reactive precursors. While wastewater effluents were dominant sources of TONO and their precursors, algal blooms, and to a lesser degree agricultural or stormwater runoff, could be important where they affect a major fraction of the water supply.
Gas monitoring onboard ISS using FTIR spectroscopy
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gisi, Michael; Stettner, Armin; Seurig, Roland; Honne, Atle; Witt, Johannes; Rebeyre, Pierre
2017-06-01
In the confined, enclosed environment of a spacecraft, the air quality must be monitored continuously in order to safeguard the crew's health. For this reason, OHB builds the ANITA2 (Analysing Interferometer for Ambient Air) technology demonstrator for trace gas monitoring onboard the International Space Station (ISS). The measurement principle of ANITA2 is based on the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) technology with dedicated gas analysis software from the Norwegian partner SINTEF. This combination proved to provide high sensitivity, accuracy and precision for parallel measurements of 33 trace gases simultaneously onboard ISS by the precursor instrument ANITA1. The paper gives a technical overview about the opto-mechanical components of ANITA2, such as the interferometer, the reference Laser, the infrared source and the gas cell design and a quick overview about the gas analysis. ANITA2 is very well suited for measuring gas concentrations specifically but not limited to usage onboard spacecraft, as no consumables are required and measurements are performed autonomously. ANITA2 is a programme under the contract of the European Space Agency, and the air quality monitoring system is a stepping stone into the future, as a precursor system for manned exploration missions.
Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis / STS-129 Mission
2009-11-16
STS129-S-055 (16 Nov. 2009) --- The space shuttle launch team monitors the progress of Space Shuttle Atlantis' countdown from consoles on the main floor of Firing Room 4 in Kennedy's Launch Control Center. Liftoff of Atlantis from Launch Pad 39A on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station came at 2:28 p.m. (EST) Nov. 16, 2009.
Saneyoshi, Hisao; Deschamps, Jeffrey R; Marquez, Victor E
2010-11-19
Two conformationally locked versions of l-deoxythreosyl phosphonate nucleosides (2 and 3) were synthesized to investigate the preference of HIV reverse transcriptase for a conformation displaying either a fully diaxial or fully diequatorial disposition of substituents. Synthesis of the enantiomeric 4-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-2-ol carbocyclic nucleoside precursors (diaxially disposed) proceeded straightforwardly from commercially available (1R,4S)-4-hydroxy-2-cyclopent-2-enyl-1-yl acetate employing a hydroxyl-directed Simmons-Smith cyclopropanation that culminated with a Mitsunobu coupling of the purine base. For the more complicated 1-(6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)bicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-ol carbocyclic nucleoside precursors (diequatorially disposed), the obligatory linear approach required the syntheses of key 1-aminobicyclo[3.1.0.]hexan-3-yl benzoate precursors that were assembled via the amide variant of the Kulinkovich reaction involving the intramolecular cyclopropanation of a substituted δ-vinylamide. Completion of the purine ring was achieved by conventional approaches but with much improved yields through the use of a microwave reactor. The syntheses of the phosphonates and the corresponding diphosphates were achieved by conventional means. None of the diphosphates, which were supposed to act as nucleoside triphosphate mimics, could compete with dATP even when present in a 10-fold excess.
Can Ni phosphides become viable hydroprocessing catalysts?
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Soled, S.; Miseo, S.; Baumgartner, J.
2015-05-15
We prepared higher surface area nickel phosphides than are normally found by reducing nickel phosphate. To do this, we hydrothermally synthesized Ni hydroxy phosphite precursors with low levels of molybdenum substitution. The molybdenum substitution increases the surface area of these precursors. During pretreatment in a sulfiding atmosphere (such as H2S/H2) dispersed islands of MoS2 segregate from the precursor and provide a pathway for H2 dissociation that allows reduction of the phosphite precursor to nickel phosphide at substantially lower temperatures than in the absence of MoS2. The results reported here show that to create nickel phosphides with comparable activity to conventionalmore » supported sulfide catalysts, one would have to synthesize the phosphide with surface areas exceeding 400 m2/g (i.e. with nanoparticles less than 30 Å in lateral dimension).« less
Farré, Maria José; Insa, Sara; Mamo, Julian; Barceló, Damià
2016-08-05
A new methodology based on on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) ultra-high-performance-liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS-MS) for the determination of 15 individual anthropogenic N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors was developed. On-line SPE was performed by passing 2mL of the water sample through a Hypersil GOLD aQ column and chromatographic separation was done using a Kinetex Biphenyl column using methanol and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution as a mobile phase. For unequivocal identification and confirmation, two selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions were monitored per compound. Quantification was performed by internal standard approach and matrix match calibration. The main advantages of the developed method are high sensitivity (limits of detection in the sub ng/L range), selectivity due to the use of tandem mass spectrometry, precision and minimum sample manipulation as well as fast analytical response. Process efficiency and recovery were also evaluated for all the target compounds. As part of the validation procedure, the method was applied in a sampling campaign for the analysis of influent and secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Girona, Spain. Additionally, the effluent from a nanofiltration (NF) membrane system used for water recycling was monitored. The percentage of NDMA formation explained by the measured precursors was also quantified. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Loss of T cell precursors after spaceflight and exposure to vector-averaged gravity
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Woods, Chris C.; Banks, Krista E.; Gruener, Raphael; DeLuca, Dominick
2003-01-01
Using fetal thymus organ culture (FTOC), we examined the effects of spaceflight and vector-averaged gravity on T cell development. Under both conditions, the development of T cells was significantly attenuated. Exposure to spaceflight for 16 days resulted in a loss of precursors for CD4+, CD8+, and CD4+CD8+ T cells in a rat/mouse xenogeneic co-culture. A significant decrease in the same precursor cells, as well as a decrease in CD4-CD8- T cell precursors, was also observed in a murine C57BL/6 FTOC after rotation in a clinostat to produce a vector-averaged microgravity-like environment. The block in T cell development appeared to occur between the pre-T cell and CD4+CD8+ T cell stage. These data indicate that gravity plays a decisive role in the development of T cells.
Lee, Changha; Schmidt, Carsten; Yoon, Jeyong; von Gunten, Urs
2007-03-15
The oxidation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Second-order rate constants for the reactions of model NDMA precursors (dimethylamine (DMA) and 7 tertiary amines) with ozone (kapp at pH 7 = 2.4 x 10(-1) to 2.3 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1)), ClO2 (kapp at pH 7 = 6.7 x 10(-3) to 3.0 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1)), and hydroxyl radical (*OH) (kapp at pH 7 = 6.2 x 10(7) to 1.4 x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1)) were determined, which showed that the selected NDMA precursors, with the exception of dimethylformamide (DMFA) can be completely transformed via their direct reaction with ozone. During ozonation, DMFA may be partially transformed through oxidation by the secondary oxidant *OH. ClO2 was also shown to effectively transform most of the precursors, with the exceptions of DMA and DMFA. In the second part of the study, the NDMA formation potentials (NDMA-FP) in synthetic and natural waters were measured with and without pre-oxidation with ozone and ClO2. A significant reduction in the NDMA-FPs was observed after complete transformation of the model NDMA precursors. Ozonation generally led to more effective reduction of the NDMA-FP than ClO2. For most of the precursors, the formation of DMA could account for the NDMA-FPs remaining after complete transformation of the model NDMA precursors. In contrast, dimethylethanolamine and dimethyldithiocarbamate yielded other NDMA precursors (not DMA) as their oxidation products. Pre-oxidation by ozone and ClO2 of several natural waters showed behavior similar to that of the oxidation of model NDMA precursors with a reduction of the NDMA-FP by 32-94% for various natural water sources.
A new large area scintillator screen for X-ray imaging
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nagarkar, V. V.; Miller, S. R.; Tipnis, S. V.; Lempicki, A.; Brecher, C.; Lingertat, H.
2004-01-01
We report on the development of a new, large area, powdered scintillator screen based on Lu 2O 3(Eu). As reported earlier, the transparent ceramic form of this material has a very high density of 9.4 g/cm 3, a high light output comparable to that of CsI(Tl), and emits in a narrow spectral band centered at about 610 nm. Research into fabrication of this ceramic scintillator in a large area format is currently underway, however the process is not yet practical for large scale production. Here we have explored fabrication of large area screens using precursor powders from which the ceramics are fabricated. To date we have produced up to 16 × 16 cm 2 area screens with thickness in the range of 18 mg/cm 2. This paper outlines the screen fabrication technique and presents its imaging performance in comparison with a commercial Gd 2O 2S:Tb (GOS) screen.
Ngangbam, Ajit Kumar; Baten, Abdul; Waters, Daniel L. E.; Whalan, Steve; Benkendorff, Kirsten
2015-01-01
Dicathais orbita is a marine mollusc recognised for the production of anticancer compounds that are precursors to Tyrian purple. This study aimed to assess the diversity and identity of bacteria associated with the Tyrian purple producing hypobranchial gland, in comparison with foot tissue, using a high-throughput sequencing approach. Taxonomic and phylogenetic analysis of variable region V1-V3 of 16S rRNA bacterial gene amplicons in QIIME and MEGAN were carried out. This analysis revealed a highly diverse bacterial assemblage associated with the hypobranchial gland and foot tissues of D. orbita. The dominant bacterial phylum in the 16S rRNA bacterial profiling data set was Proteobacteria followed by Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes and Spirochaetes. In comparison to the foot, the hypobranchial gland had significantly lower bacterial diversity and a different community composition, based on taxonomic assignment at the genus level. A higher abundance of indole producing Vibrio spp. and the presence of bacteria with brominating capabilities in the hypobranchial gland suggest bacteria have a potential role in biosynthesis of Tyrian purple in D. orbita. PMID:26488885
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
T Nguyen; S Chang; I Evnouchidou
2011-12-31
ERAP1 trims antigen precursors to fit into MHC class I proteins. To fulfill this function, ERAP1 has unique substrate preferences, trimming long peptides but sparing shorter ones. To identify the structural basis for ERAP1's unusual properties, we determined the X-ray crystal structure of human ERAP1 bound to bestatin. The structure reveals an open conformation with a large interior compartment. An extended groove originating from the enzyme's catalytic center can accommodate long peptides and has features that explain ERAP1's broad specificity for antigenic peptide precursors. Structural and biochemical analyses suggest a mechanism for ERAP1's length-dependent trimming activity, whereby binding of longmore » rather than short substrates induces a conformational change with reorientation of a key catalytic residue toward the active site. ERAP1's unique structural elements suggest how a generic aminopeptidase structure has been adapted for the specialized function of trimming antigenic precursors.« less
1965-12-16
S65-62938 (16 Dec. 1965) --- John D. Hodge (foreground), Christopher C. Kraft Jr. (center) and Eugene F. Kranz discuss recovery operations for the Gemini-6 spacecraft in the Mission Control Center (MCC) at the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in Houston, Texas. The event was monitored via live television in MCC. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Pacley, Shanee, E-mail: shanee.pacley@us.af.mil; Brausch, Jacob; Beck-Millerton, Emory
2016-07-15
Monolayer molybdenum disulfide (MoS{sub 2}), a two dimensional semiconducting dichalcogenide material with a bandgap of 1.8–1.9 eV, has demonstrated promise for future use in field effect transistors and optoelectronics. Various approaches have been used for MoS{sub 2} processing, the most common being chemical vapor deposition. During chemical vapor deposition, precursors such as Mo, MoO{sub 3}, and MoCl{sub 5} have been used to form a vapor reaction with sulfur, resulting in thin films of MoS{sub 2}. Currently, MoO{sub 3} ribbons and powder, and MoCl{sub 5} powder have been used. However, the use of ribbons and powder makes it difficult to growmore » large area-continuous films. Sputtering of Mo is an approach that has demonstrated continuous MoS{sub 2} film growth. In this paper, the authors compare the structural properties of MoS{sub 2} grown by sulfurization of pulse vapor deposited MoO{sub 3} and Mo precursor films. In addition, they have studied the effects that reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has on MoS{sub 2} structure. Reports show that rGO increases MoS{sub 2} grain growth during powder vaporization. Herein, the authors report a grain size increase for MoS{sub 2} when rGO was used during sulfurization of both sputtered Mo and MoO{sub 3} precursors. In addition, our transmission electron microscopy results show a more uniform and continuous film growth for the MoS{sub 2} films produced from Mo when compared to the films produced from MoO{sub 3}. Atomic force microscopy images further confirm this uniform and continuous film growth when Mo precursor was used. Finally, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that the MoS{sub 2} films produced using both precursors were stoichiometric and had about 7–8 layers in thickness, and that there was a slight improvement in stoichiometry when rGO was used.« less
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Macinnes, Andrew N.; Power, Michael B.; Barron, Andrew R.; Jenkins, Phillip P.; Hepp, Aloysius F.
1993-01-01
A two order-of-magnitude enhancement of photoluminescence intensity relative to untreated GaAs has been observed for GaAs surfaces coated with chemical vapor-deposited GaS. The increase in photoluminescence intensity can be viewed as an effective reduction in surface recombination velocity and/or band bending. The gallium cluster /(t-Bu)GaS/4 was used as a single-source precursor for the deposition of GaS thin films. The cubane core of the structurally characterized precursor is retained in the deposited film producing a cubic phase. Furthermore, a near-epitaxial growth is observed for the GaS passivating layer. Films were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopies.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Band, D.; Briggs, M.; Connaughton, V.; Kippen, M.; Preece, R.
2003-01-01
The GLAST Burst Monitor (GBM) will detect and localize bursts for the GLAST mission, and provide the spectral and temporal context in the traditional 10 keV to 25 MeV band for the high energy observations by the Large Area Telescope (LAT). The GBM will use traditional rate triggers in up to three energy bands, and on a variety of timescales between 16 ms and 16 s.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Zimmer-Gembeck, Melanie J.; Helfand, Mark
2008-01-01
We integrated findings from 35 recent, longitudinal studies of the onset of heterosexual intercourse. Correlates of adolescent sexual intercourse onset, whether in early (before age 16) or middle (ages 16-18) adolescence, included living with other than two biological parents, being less monitored by parents, having more advanced physical maturity…
Structural modification of serum vitamin D3-binding protein and immunosuppression in AIDS patients.
Yamamoto, N; Naraparaju, V R; Srinivasula, S M
1995-11-01
A serum glycoprotein, vitamin D3-binding protein (Gc protein), can be converted by beta-galactosidase of stimulated B lymphocytes and sialidase of T lymphocytes to a potent macrophage-activating factor (MAF), a protein with N-acetylgalactosamine as the remaining sugar moiety. Thus, Gc protein is a precursor for MAF. Treatment of purified Gc protein with immobilized beta-galactosidase and sialidase generates an extremely high-titered MAF (GcMAF). When peripheral blood monocytes/macrophages of 46 HIV-infected patients were treated with GcMAF (100 pg/ml), the monocytes/macrophages of all patients were efficiently activated. However, the MAF precursor activity of plasma Gc protein was low in 16 (35%) of of these patients. Loss of the MAF precursor activity appeared to be due to deglycosylation of plasma Gc protein by alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase found in the patient blood stream. Levels of plasma alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity in individual patients had an inverse correlation with the MAF precursor activity of their plasma Gc protein. Thus, precursor activity of Gc protein and alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase activity in patient blood can serve as diagnostic and prognostic indices.
S-Doped Sb2O3 Nanocrystal: an Efficient Visible-Light Catalyst for Organic Degradation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Xue, Hun; Lin, Xinyi; Chen, Qinghua; Qian, Qingrong; Lin, Suying; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Yang, Da-Peng; Xiao, Liren
2018-04-01
The S-doped Sb2O3 nanocrystals were successfully synthesized using SbCl3 and thioacetamide (TAA) as precursors via a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The effects of pH of the precursor reaction solution on the product composition and property were determined. The results indicated that the doping amount of S could be tuned by adjusting the pH of the precursor solution. Furthermore, the S entered into the interstitial site of Sb2O3 crystals as S2-, which broadened the absorption wavelength range of the Sb2O3 nanocrystal. The S-doped Sb2O3 exhibited an excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of methyl orange and 4-phenylazophenol. Last, a possible photocatalytic mechanism of the S-doped Sb2O3 under visible light irradiation was proposed.
Autonomous Buoyed Environmental Measurement System (ABES)
1997-09-30
GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND... ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S...azimuth and dip of the Earth’s magnetic field. It is a 3-V device, available in 16-pin small outline integrated circuit ( SOIC ) form factor. Cost is $4
Dopamine release in rat striatum - Physiological coupling to tyrosine supply
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
During, Matthew J.; Acworth, Ian N.; Wurtman, Richard J.
1989-01-01
Intracerebral microdialysis was used to monitor dopamine release in rat striatal extracellular fluid following the intraperitoneal administration of dopamine's precursor amino acid, L-tyrosine. Dopamine concentrations in dialysates increased transiently after tyrosine (50-100 mg/kg) administration. Pretreatment with haloperidol or the partial lesioning of nigrostriatal neurons enhanced the effect of tyrosine on dopamine release, and haloperidol also prolonged this effect. These data suggest that nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons are responsive to changes in precursor availability under basal conditions, but that receptor-mediated feedback mechanisms limit the magnitude and duration of this effect.
Hull Material Evaluation for Navy 44 Sail Training Vessel
2001-01-01
NAME(S) AND ADDRESS( ES ) United States Naval Academy,Annapolis,MD,21402 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S...AND ADDRESS( ES ) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for...compared in a SATEC UD50. In the flex test, a 1” x16” fiberglass coupon was placed on 1” diameter supports spaced fourteen inches apart with the tensile
Mizumura, Kenji; Justice, Matthew J; Schweitzer, Kelly S; Krishnan, Sheila; Bronova, Irina; Berdyshev, Evgeny V; Hubbard, Walter C; Pewzner-Jung, Yael; Futerman, Anthony H; Choi, Augustine M K; Petrache, Irina
2018-04-01
The mechanisms by which lung structural cells survive toxic exposures to cigarette smoke (CS) are not well defined but may involve proper disposal of damaged mitochondria by macro-autophagy (mitophagy), processes that may be influenced by pro-apoptotic ceramide (Cer) or its precursor dihydroceramide (DHC). Human lung epithelial and endothelial cells exposed to CS exhibited mitochondrial damage, signaled by phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) phosphorylation, autophagy, and necroptosis. Although cells responded to CS by rapid inhibition of DHC desaturase, which elevated DHC levels, palmitoyl (C16)-Cer also increased in CS-exposed cells. Whereas DHC augmentation triggered autophagy without cell death, the exogenous administration of C16-Cer was sufficient to trigger necroptosis. Inhibition of Cer-generating acid sphingomyelinase reduced both CS-induced PINK1 phosphorylation and necroptosis. When exposed to CS, Pink1-deficient ( Pink1 -/- ) mice, which are protected from airspace enlargement compared with wild-type littermates, had blunted C16-Cer elevations and less lung necroptosis. CS-exposed Pink1 -/- mice also exhibited significantly increased levels of lignoceroyl (C24)-DHC, along with increased expression of Cer synthase 2 ( CerS2), the enzyme responsible for its production. This suggested that a combination of high C24-DHC and low C16-Cer levels might protect against CS-induced necroptosis. Indeed, CerS2 -/- mice, which lack C24-DHC at the expense of increased C16-Cer, were more susceptible to CS, developing airspace enlargement following only 1 month of exposure. These results implicate DHCs, in particular, C24-DHC, as protective against CS toxicity by enhancing autophagy, whereas C16-Cer accumulation contributes to mitochondrial damage and PINK1-mediated necroptosis, which may be amplified by the inhibition of C24-DHC-producing CerS2.-Mizumura, K., Justice, M. J., Schweitzer, K. S., Krishnan, S., Bronova, I., Berdyshev, E. V., Hubbard, W. C., Pewzner-Jung, Y., Futerman, A. H., Choi, A. M. K., Petrache, I. Sphingolipid regulation of lung epithelial cell mitophagy and necroptosis during cigarette smoke exposure.
One-pot synthesis of highly luminescent InP/ZnS nanocrystals without precursor injection.
Li, Liang; Reiss, Peter
2008-09-03
InP/ZnS core/shell nanocrystals are prepared using a single-step heating-up method relying on the difference in reactivity of the applied InP and ZnS precursors. The obtained particles exhibit size-dependent emission in the range of 480-590 nm, a fluorescence quantum yield of 50-70%, and high photostability.
Mayrhofer, Severine; Pöggeler, Stefanie
2005-04-01
The homothallic filamentous ascomycete Sordaria macrospora possesses genes which are thought to encode two pheromone precursors and two seven-transmembrane pheromone receptors. The pheromone precursor genes are termed ppg1 and ppg2. The putative products derived from the gene sequence show structural similarity to the alpha-factor precursors and a-factor precursors of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Likewise, sequence similarity has been found between the putative products of the pheromone receptor genes pre2 and pre1 and the S. cerevisiae Ste2p alpha-factor receptor and Ste3p a-factor receptor, respectively. To investigate whether the alpha-factor-like pheromone-receptor pair of S. macrospora is functional, a heterologous yeast assay was used. Our results show that the S. macrospora alpha-factor-like pheromone precursor PPG1 is processed into an active pheromone by yeast MATalpha cells. The S. macrospora PRE2 protein was demonstrated to be a peptide pheromone receptor. In yeast MATa cells lacking the endogenous Ste2p receptor, the S. macrospora PRE2 receptor facilitated all aspects of the pheromone response. Using a synthetic peptide, we can now predict the sequence of one active form of the S. macrospora peptide pheromone. We proved that S. macrospora wild-type strains secrete an active pheromone into the culture medium and that disruption of the ppg1 gene in S. macrospora prevents pheromone production. However, loss of the ppg1 gene does not affect vegetative growth or fertility. Finally, we established the yeast assay as an easy and useful system for analyzing pheromone production in developmental mutants of S. macrospora.
Eruption precursors: Manifestations and strategies for detection
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Poland, Michael; Pritchard, Matthew
2017-04-01
The past several decades have seen a rapid increase in volcano monitoring and modeling capabilities. Diverse arrays of instrument networks can detect a variety of pre-, co-, and post-eruptive phenomena, and remote sensing observations are available across a range of spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions. A growing class of models, based on the physics of magmatic systems, are making use of these expanding datastreams, providing probabilistic assessments of such parameters as magma supply, volatile content, and eruption duration. To what extent, however, do these developments heighten our ability to identify eruption precursors? The advent of better data and new models provides an opportunity to reexamine our understanding of pre-eruption unrest, as well as our ability to detect and recognize it as such. An idealized model of the buildup to a volcanic eruption might include magma ascent from a deep source region and accumulation in the mid- to upper crust in the preceding months to years. The process might be manifested by surface inflation and deep long-period earthquakes, and accompanied by an increase in CO2 emissions. As magma continues to accumulate, distal volcano-tectonic earthquakes may result as stress builds on nearby faults, H2S emissions may increase as sulfur in a shallow reservoir is hydrolyzed by groundwater, and fumarole and spring temperatures may increase and show changes in chemistry. In the days to hours before an eruption, sudden changes in the rate and style of earthquakes (including repeating earthquakes and tremor) and deformation may occur as the magma reservoir ruptures and magma moves laterally or vertically. Phreatic eruptions might result as ascending magma comes into contact with groundwater, and SO2 emissions might increase as the path between the magma and surface dries out. How often does such a sequence actually occur? Relatively few volcanoes are comprehensively monitored prior to obvious expressions of unrest, so this is not an easy question to answer. From the limited record, it appears that at least a few volcanoes follow the model. For example, deep inflation, long-period earthquakes, and CO2 emissions were detected months before the 2009 eruption of Redoubt (Alaska). In the weeks to days before the eruption onset, fumarole temperatures and SO2 emissions increased, tremor was noted, and phreatic explosions presaged the extrusion of magma at the surface. Other volcanoes buck this idealized trend. Calbuco (Chile), for instance, showed no indication of inflation or seismicity in the days to years prior to the sudden onset of a magmatic eruption in 2015, despite InSAR and seismic monitoring that should have detected such unrest. Most volcanoes seem to fall between these two extremes, providing some indication of their eruptive potential via gas, thermal, seismic, or geodetic anomalies over timescales ranging from hours to years. Given limited resources and the challenges in terrestrial monitoring of all potential long- and intermediate-term eruption precursors, strategies for exploiting the wealth of remote sensing data and integrating derived insights into models of volcanic unrest are an important investment. Short-term eruption precursors, however, are best detected by ground-based monitoring—especially seismic and geodetic instruments.
Developmental Precursors of Young School-Age Children's Hostile Attribution Bias
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Choe, Daniel Ewon; Lane, Jonathan D.; Grabell, Adam S.; Olson, Sheryl L.
2013-01-01
This prospective longitudinal study provides evidence of preschool-age precursors of hostile attribution bias in young school-age children, a topic that has received little empirical attention. We examined multiple risk domains, including laboratory and observational assessments of children's social-cognition, general cognitive functioning,…
Katzenbach, Max
1990-01-01
A comparison of data (specific conductance, dissolved-oxygen concentration, temperature, and pH) collected by the U.S. Geological Survey flowthrough monitor, the U.S. Geological Survey minimonitor, and a self-contained commercial 'packaged-sensor' system indicates that the data obtained by means of the most complete of the three systems. The U.S. Geological Survey flowthrough monitor is powered by 120-volt alternating current and in a heated weather-proof shelter. A pumping system brings water from the stream to sensors clustered in a sample clustered in a sample chamber located in the shelter. This instrument measures output from the senors; data are recorded in binary-coded decimal form on a 16-channel punched-paper tape recorder tape recorder housed in the shelter. The U.S. Geological Survey's minimonitor is powered by an external battery and is housed in a weatherproof shelter. This instrument measures output of instream sensors with extension cables having underwater connectors; data are recorded in binary-coded decimal form on a 16-channel punched-paper tape recorder housed in the shelter. The packaged-sensor system also measures output of senors housed in a packages that is submerged in the stream. It has internal power supply, no moving parts, and does not requires a weatherproof shelter; data are stored are stored in solid-state memory. Minimonitors were installed at four sites in Ohio where U.S. Geological survey flowthrough were in operation. Two package-sensor systems also were assigned to each site and were alternated every two weeks. Detailed records were kept of (1) field measurements, for comparison with monitor-system data from each instrument, and (2) equipment problems that resulted in loss of data. Results of the comparisons shows that the flow-through monitor gave the most accurate and the most complete data.
Ehsan, Muhammad Ali; Peiris, T A Nirmal; Wijayantha, K G Upul; Olmstead, Marilyn M; Arifin, Zainudin; Mazhar, Muhammad; Lo, K M; McKee, Vickie
2013-08-14
Symmetrical and unsymmetrical dithiocarbamato pyridine solvated and non-solvated complexes of indium(III) with the general formula [In(S2CNRR')3]·n(py) [where py = pyridine; R,R' = Cy, n = 2 (1); R,R' = (i)Pr, n = 1.5 (2); NRR' = Pip, n = 0.5 (3) and R = Bz, R' = Me, n = 0 (4)] have been synthesized. The compositions, structures and properties of these complexes have been studied by means of microanalysis, IR and (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, X-ray single crystal and thermogravimetric (TG/DTG) analyses. The applicability of these complexes as single source precursors (SSPs) for the deposition of β-In2S3 thin films on fluorine-doped SnO2 (FTO) coated conducting glass substrates by aerosol-assisted chemical vapour deposition (AACVD) at temperatures of 300, 350 and 400 °C is studied. All films have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) for the detection of phase and stoichiometry of the deposit. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies reveal that precursors (1)-(4), irrespective of different metal ligand design, generate comparable morphologies of β-In2S3 thin films at different temperatures. Direct band gap energies of 2.2 eV have been estimated from the UV-vis spectroscopy for the β-In2S3 films fabricated from precursors (1) and (4). The photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of β-In2S3 were confirmed by recording the current-voltage plots under light and dark conditions. The plots showed anodic photocurrent densities of 1.25 and 0.65 mA cm(-2) at 0.23 V vs. Ag/AgCl for the β-In2S3 films made at 400 and 350 °C from the precursors (1) and (4), respectively. The photoelectrochemical performance indicates that the newly synthesised precursors are highly useful in fabricating β-In2S3 electrodes for solar energy harvesting and optoelectronic application.
Mapping axillary microbiota responsible for body odours using a culture-independent approach.
Troccaz, Myriam; Gaïa, Nadia; Beccucci, Sabine; Schrenzel, Jacques; Cayeux, Isabelle; Starkenmann, Christian; Lazarevic, Vladimir
2015-01-01
Human axillary odour is commonly attributed to the bacterial degradation of precursors in sweat secretions. To assess the role of bacterial communities in the formation of body odours, we used a culture-independent approach to study axillary skin microbiota and correlated these data with olfactory analysis. Twenty-four Caucasian male and female volunteers and four assessors showed that the underarms of non-antiperspirant (non-AP) users have significantly higher global sweat odour intensities and harboured on average about 50 times more bacteria than those of AP users. Global sweat odour and odour descriptors sulfury-cat urine and acid-spicy generally increased from the morning to the afternoon sessions. Among non-AP users, male underarm odours were judged higher in intensity with higher fatty and acid-spicy odours and higher bacterial loads. Although the content of odour precursors in underarm secretions varied widely among individuals, males had a higher acid: sulfur precursor ratio than females did. No direct correlations were found between measured precursor concentration and sweat odours. High-throughput sequencing targeting the 16S rRNA genes of underarm bacteria collected from 11 non-AP users (six females and five males) confirmed the strong dominance of the phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, with 96% of sequences assigned to the genera Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium and Propionibacterium. The proportion of several bacterial taxa showed significant variation between males and females. The genera Anaerococcus and Peptoniphilus and the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from Staphylococcus haemolyticus and the genus Corynebacterium were more represented in males than in females. The genera Corynebacterium and Propionibacterium were correlated and anti-correlated, respectively, with body odours. Within the genus Staphylococcus, different OTUs were either positively or negatively correlated with axillary odour. The relative abundance of five OTUs (three assigned to S. hominis and one each to Corynebacterium tuberculostearicum and Anaerococcus) were positively correlated with at least one underarm olfactory descriptor. Positive and negative correlations between bacterial taxa found at the phylum, genus and OTU levels suggest the existence of mutualism and competition among skin bacteria. Such interactions, and the types and quantities of underarm bacteria, affect the formation of body odours. These findings open the possibility of developing new solutions for odour control.
Using Cell-Phone Tower Signals for Detecting the Precursors of Fog
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
David, N.; Gao, H. O.
2018-01-01
In the last decade, published research has indicated the potential of commercial microwave links that comprise the data transmission infrastructure of cellular communication networks as an environmental monitoring technology. Different weather phenomena cause interference in the wireless communication links that can therefore essentially act as a low-cost sensor network, already deployed worldwide, for atmospheric monitoring. In this study we focus on the attenuation effect caused in commercial microwave networks due to gradients in the atmospheric refractive index with altitude as a result of the combination of temperature inversions and falls in the atmospheric humidity trapped beneath them. These conditions, when combined with high relative humidity near ground level, are precursors to the creation of fog. The current work utilizes this novel approach to demonstrate the potential for detecting these preconditions of fog, a phenomenon associated with severe visibility limitations that can lead to dangerous accidents, injuries, and loss of lives.
Martin, Daniel B; Holzman, Ted; May, Damon; Peterson, Amelia; Eastham, Ashley; Eng, Jimmy; McIntosh, Martin
2008-11-01
Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry identifies and quantifies specific peptides in a complex mixture with very high sensitivity and speed and thus has promise for the high throughput screening of clinical samples for candidate biomarkers. We have developed an interactive software platform, called MRMer, for managing highly complex MRM-MS experiments, including quantitative analyses using heavy/light isotopic peptide pairs. MRMer parses and extracts information from MS files encoded in the platform-independent mzXML data format. It extracts and infers precursor-product ion transition pairings, computes integrated ion intensities, and permits rapid visual curation for analyses exceeding 1000 precursor-product pairs. Results can be easily output for quantitative comparison of consecutive runs. Additionally MRMer incorporates features that permit the quantitative analysis experiments including heavy and light isotopic peptide pairs. MRMer is open source and provided under the Apache 2.0 license.
Nonylphenol: Properties, legislation, toxicity and determination.
Araujo, Frederico G DE; Bauerfeldt, Glauco F; Cid, Yara Peluso
2017-08-07
This paper aims to gather and discuss important information about nonylphenol, such as physical chemistry properties, toxicity and analytical methods in various matrices. As a degradation product of ethoxylated alkylphenols, nonylphenol presents a higher degree of reactivity than its precursor. Due to its harmful effects on the environment, use and production of nonylphenol has been banned in European Union countries, alongside their precursors. The guide on quality of drinking water (USEPA) recommends a maximum concentration of 28 µg L-1 for fresh water. In Brazil, there is no clear legislation containing values of maximum concentration of nonylphenol. Due to this lack of regulation, a continuous monitoring is necessary of this pollutant in environmental samples. This paper aims to encourage further studies on nonylphenol, seen as a critical environmental pollutant. For proper monitoring is necessary to have reliable analytical methods and easy to perform in routine analysis.
2016-05-26
AFRL-RX-WP-JA-2017-0137 IMPACT OF REDUCED GRAPHENE OXIDE ON MOS2 GROWN BY SULFURIZATION OF SPUTTERED MOO3 AND MO PRECURSOR FILMS...OXIDE ON MOS2 GROWN BY SULFURIZATION OF SPUTTERED MOO3 AND Mo PRECURSOR FILMS (POSTPRINT) 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER FA8650-11-D-5401-0008 5b. GRANT...2016. © 2016 American Vacuum Society. The U.S. Government is joint author of the work and has the right to use, modify , reproduce, release, perform
Mougel, M; Philippe, C; Ebel, J P; Ehresmann, B; Ehresmann, C
1988-01-01
We have investigated in detail the secondary and tertiary structures of E. coli 16S rRNA binding site of protein S15 using a variety of enzymatic and chemical probes. RNase T1 and nuclease S1 were used to probe unpaired nucleotides and RNase V1 to monitor base-paired or stacked nucleotides. Bases were probed with dimethylsulfate (at A(N-1), C(N-3) and G(N-7)), with 1-cyclohexyl-3 (2-(1-methylmorpholino)-ethyl)-carboiimide-p- toluenesulfonate (at U(N-3) and G(N-1)) and with diethylpyrocarbonate (at A(N-7)). The RNA region corresponding to nucleotides 652 to 753 was tested within: (1) the complete 16S rRNA molecule; (2) a 16S rRNA fragment corresponding to nucleotides 578 to 756 obtained by transcription in vitro; (3) the S15-16S rRNA complex; (4) the S15-fragment complex. Cleavage and modification sites were detected by primer extension with reverse transcriptase. Our results show that: (1) The synthetized fragment folds into the same overall secondary structure as in the complete 16S rRNA, with the exception of the large asymmetrical internal loop (nucleotides 673-676/714-733) which is fully accessible in the fragment while it appears conformationally heterogeneous in the 16S rRNA; (2) the reactivity patterns of the S15-16S rRNA and S15-fragment complexes are identical; (3) the protein protects defined RNA regions, located in the large interior loop and in the 3'-end strand of helix [655-672]-[734-751]; (4) the protein also causes enhanced chemical reactivity and enzyme accessibility interpreted as resulting from a local conformational rearrangement, induced by S15 binding. Images PMID:2453025
Bruns, Emily A.; El Haddad, Imad; Slowik, Jay G.; Kilic, Dogushan; Klein, Felix; Baltensperger, Urs; Prévôt, André S. H.
2016-01-01
Organic gases undergoing conversion to form secondary organic aerosol (SOA) during atmospheric aging are largely unidentified, particularly in regions influenced by anthropogenic emissions. SOA dominates the atmospheric organic aerosol burden and this knowledge gap contributes to uncertainties in aerosol effects on climate and human health. Here we characterize primary and aged emissions from residential wood combustion using high resolution mass spectrometry to identify SOA precursors. We determine that SOA precursors traditionally included in models account for only ~3–27% of the observed SOA, whereas for the first time we explain ~84–116% of the SOA by inclusion of non-traditional precursors. Although hundreds of organic gases are emitted during wood combustion, SOA is dominated by the aging products of only 22 compounds. In some cases, oxidation products of phenol, naphthalene and benzene alone comprise up to ~80% of the observed SOA. Identifying the main precursors responsible for SOA formation enables improved model parameterizations and SOA mitigation strategies in regions impacted by residential wood combustion, more productive targets for ambient monitoring programs and future laboratories studies, and links between direct emissions and SOA impacts on climate and health in these regions. PMID:27312480
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bhattu, D.; Stefenelli, G.; Zotter, P.; Zhou, J.; Nussbaumer, T.; Bertrand, A.; Marchand, N.; Termine-Roussel, B.; Baltensperger, U.; Slowik, J.; Prevot, A. S.; El-Haddad, I.; Dommen, J.
2016-12-01
Current legislation limits the emission of particulate matter, but does not regulate the precursors potentially forming secondary organic aerosol (SOA). Recent literature has shown that only 22 non-traditional SOA precursors from residential wood combustion explains 84-116% of the observed SOA mass whereas traditional precursors in the models account for only 3-27% of the SOA mass (Bruns et al., 2016). Investigation of gas phase emissions from wood combustion and their SOA formation potential have largely focused on single combustion devices with limited operating conditions. As, both primary emissions and SOA formation is a strong function of device type, load, fuel and operating conditions, we have performed a detailed chamber study investigating the gas-phase precursors from beech wood using three combustion devices namely a pellet boiler (combustion conditions: optimum, lack and excess of oxygen), an industrial wood chip grate boiler (30% and 100% power), and a log wood stove (varying fuel load and moisture content) using a potential aerosol mass reactor (PAM) with varying OH exposure. The short residence time in the reactor allowed a time resolved picture of SOA production potential and reduced wall losses. The main aim of this study is to characterize the primary and aged gaseous emissions and investigate their SOA formation potential depending on their mass yield, molecular structures, functional groups and OH reactivity in order to ascertain the contribution of residential wood burning in total carbonaceous OA budget. The physical and chemical effects of different OA aging conditions were monitored using an SMPS, an Aethalometer, an HR-ToF-AMS, as well as a PTR-ToF-MS and other gas monitors. In pellet boiler, significant SOA mass enhancement is observed in excess oxygen conditions compared to optimum and oxygen deprived conditions. Highest gas phase emissions from wood stove are observed at cold start (start of each burn cycle) and lowest in burn out phase (end of each burn cycle). Despite of the comparable total gas phase emissions, the compositional space of wood stove emissions is largely occupied by SOA precursors compared to pellet boiler. Finally we will determine effective SOA mass yield of the speciated and unspeciated precursors and assess the extent to which SOA mass closure can be achieved.
Mayneris-Perxachs, Jordi; Guerendiain, Marcela; Castellote, Ana I; Estruch, Ramón; Covas, María Isabel; Fitó, Montserrat; Salas-Salvadó, Jordi; Martínez-González, Miguel A; Aros, Fernando; Lamuela-Raventós, Rosa M; López-Sabater, M Carmen
2014-02-01
The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of various metabolic abnormalities which is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Due to its increasing prevalence, it has become an important public health concern. Altered fatty acid (FA) composition and desaturase activities have been associated with several metabolic diseases, including MetS. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship of the plasma FA profile and desaturase activities with the MetS in a Mediterranean population at high risk of CVD. Baseline data from 427 participants aged 55-80 years who took part in the interventional PREDIMED study were obtained. Individual FA was determined in plasma and desaturase activities were estimated from product/precursor ratios. Odds ratios (OR) and partial correlation coefficients were used to examine these relations with MetS and its components, respectively. We found higher levels of C14:0, C16:0, C16:1n-7, estimated Δ(9)- or stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), and estimated Δ(6) desaturase (D6D), and lower levels of C18:2n-6 in people with MetS compared to those without it. After adjustment for several confounders, only higher quartiles of C14:0, C16:0, C16:1n-7, and D6D were found to be associated with an increasing prevalence of MetS, while higher quartiles of C18:2n-6 were inversely associated with MetS. High proportions of C14:0, C16:0, C16:1n-7, C20:3n-6, SCD, and D6D, and decreased proportions of C18:2n-6 and estimated Δ(5)-desaturase (D5D) were associated with adverse profiles of several metabolic risk factors. Women showed more unhealthy FA pattern and lipid profiles than men, but only among those with MetS. A FA composition and estimated desaturase activities consisting in high levels of SFA, SCD and D6D, and low levels of PUFA and D5D are associated with increased MetS probability and are characteristic of people presenting MetS, especially women. These findings support those observed in non-Mediterranean populations in which an altered FA profile and estimated desaturase activities are associated with MetS. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.
Nicotinamide Riboside Is a Major NAD+ Precursor Vitamin in Cow Milk.
Trammell, Samuel Aj; Yu, Liping; Redpath, Philip; Migaud, Marie E; Brenner, Charles
2016-05-01
Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a recently discovered NAD(+) precursor vitamin with a unique biosynthetic pathway. Although the presence of NR in cow milk has been known for more than a decade, the concentration of NR with respect to the other NAD(+) precursors was unknown. We aimed to determine NAD(+) precursor vitamin concentration in raw samples of milk from individual cows and from commercially available cow milk. LC tandem mass spectrometry and isotope dilution technologies were used to quantify NAD(+) precursor vitamin concentration and to measure NR stability in raw and commercial milk. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was used to test for NR binding to substances in milk. Cow milk typically contained ∼12 μmol NAD(+) precursor vitamins/L, of which 60% was present as nicotinamide and 40% was present as NR. Nicotinic acid and other NAD(+) metabolites were below the limits of detection. Milk from samples testing positive for Staphylococcus aureus contained lower concentrations of NR (Spearman ρ = -0.58, P = 0.014), and NR was degraded by S. aureus Conventional milk contained more NR than milk sold as organic. Nonetheless, NR was stable in organic milk and exhibited an NMR spectrum consistent with association with a protein fraction in skim milk. NR is a major NAD(+) precursor vitamin in cow milk. Control of S. aureus may be important to preserve the NAD(+) precursor vitamin concentration of milk. © 2016 American Society for Nutrition.
1991-01-01
Many precursors of mitochondrial proteins are processed in two successive steps by independent matrix peptidases (MPP and MIP), whereas others are cleaved in a single step by MPP alone. To explain this dichotomy, we have constructed deletions of all or part of the octapeptide characteristic of a twice cleaved precursor (human ornithine transcarbamylase [pOTC]), have exchanged leader peptide sequences between once-cleaved (human methylmalonyl-CoA mutase [pMUT]; yeast F1ATPase beta-subunit [pF1 beta]) and twice-cleaved (pOTC; rat malate dehydrogenase (pMDH); Neurospora ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase iron-sulfur subunit [pFe/S]) precursors, and have incubated these proteins with purified MPP and MIP. When the octapeptide of pOTC was deleted, or when the entire leader peptide of a once-cleaved precursor (pMUT or pF1 beta) was joined to the mature amino terminus of a twice-cleaved precursor (pOTC or pFe/S), no cleavage was produced by either protease. Cleavage of these constructs by MPP was restored by re- inserting as few as two amino-terminal residues of the octapeptide or of the mature amino terminus of a once-cleaved precursor. We conclude that the mature amino terminus of a twice-cleaved precursor is structurally incompatible with cleavage by MPP; such proteins have evolved octapeptides cleaved by MIP to overcome this incompatibility. PMID:1672532
A radon-thoron isotope pair as a reliable earthquake precursor
Hwa Oh, Yong; Kim, Guebuem
2015-01-01
Abnormal increases in radon (222Rn, half-life = 3.82 days) activity have occasionally been observed in underground environments before major earthquakes. However, 222Rn alone could not be used to forecast earthquakes since it can also be increased due to diffusive inputs over its lifetime. Here, we show that a very short-lived isotope, thoron (220Rn, half-life = 55.6 s; mean life = 80 s), in a cave can record earthquake signals without interference from other environmental effects. We monitored 220Rn together with 222Rn in air of a limestone-cave in Korea for one year. Unusually large 220Rn peaks were observed only in February 2011, preceding the 2011 M9.0 Tohoku-Oki Earthquake, Japan, while large 222Rn peaks were observed in both February 2011 and the summer. Based on our analyses, we suggest that the anomalous peaks of 222Rn and 220Rn activities observed in February were precursory signals related to the Tohoku-Oki Earthquake. Thus, the 220Rn-222Rn combined isotope pair method can present new opportunities for earthquake forecasting if the technique is extensively employed in earthquake monitoring networks around the world. PMID:26269105
Metal stabilization mechanism of incorporating lead-bearing sludge in kaolinite-based ceramics.
Lu, Xingwen; Shih, Kaimin
2012-02-01
The feasibility and mechanism of incorporating simulated lead-laden sludge into low-cost ceramic products was investigated by observing the reaction of lead with two kaolinite-based precursors under sintering conditions. To investigate the phase transformation process of lead, lead oxide (PbO) mixed with a kaolinite or mullite precursor were fired at 500-950°C for 3h. Detailed X-ray diffraction analysis of sintered products revealed that both precursors had crystallochemically incorporated lead into the lead feldspar (PbAl(2)Si(2)O(8)) crystalline structure. By mixing lead oxide with kaolinite, lead feldspar begins to crystallize at 700°C; maximum incorporation of lead into this structure occurred at 950°C. However, two intermediate phases, Pb(4)Al(4)Si(3)O(16) and a polymorph of lead feldspar, were detected at temperatures between 700 and 900°C. By sintering lead oxide with the mullite precursor, lead feldspar was detected at temperatures above 750°C, and an intermediate phase of Pb(4)Al(4)Si(3)O(16) was observed in the temperature range of 750-900°C. This study compared the lead leachabilities of PbO and lead feldspar using a prolonged leaching test (at pH 2.9 for 23d) modified from the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure. The results indicate the superiority of lead feldspar in stabilizing lead and suggest a promising and reliable strategy to stabilize lead in ceramic products. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Three-Dimensional Stability of Slopes and Excavations
2009-12-01
BIH f3 30° 45° 60° 75° 90° 0·5 - 21·741 16-979 12-428 0·6 - 27·618 18·561 14· 048 10·995 0· 8 52·325 22·362 15·236 11·372 9·349 1·0 39·136 19-672...W911NF-08-1-0376 611102 Form Approved OMB NO. 0704-0188 53315-EV.9 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) ARO 8 ...To) Standard Form 298 (Rev 8 /98) Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18 - Three-dimensional stability of slopes and excavations Report Title ABSTRACT
Aroma Precursors in Grapes and Wine: Flavor Release during Wine Production and Consumption.
Parker, Mango; Capone, Dimitra L; Francis, I Leigh; Herderich, Markus J
2018-03-14
Pioneering investigations into precursors of fruity and floral flavors established the importance of terpenoid and C 13 -norisoprenoid glycosides to the flavor of aromatic wines. Nowadays flavor precursors in grapes and wine are known to be structurally diverse, encompassing glycosides, amino acid conjugates, odorless volatiles, hydroxycinnamic acids, and many others. Flavor precursors mainly originate in the grape berry but also from oak or other materials involved in winemaking. Flavors are released from precursors during crushing and subsequent production steps by enzymatic and nonenzymatic transformations, via microbial glycosidases, esterases, C-S lyases, and decarboxylases, and through acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and chemical rearrangements. Flavors can also be liberated from glycosides and amino acid conjugates by oral microbiota. Hence, it is increasingly likely that flavor precursors contribute to retronasal aroma formation through in-mouth release during consumption, prompting a shift in focus from identifying aroma precursors in grapes to understanding aroma precursors present in bottled wine.
Atomic layer deposition of a high-k dielectric on MoS2 using trimethylaluminum and ozone.
Cheng, Lanxia; Qin, Xiaoye; Lucero, Antonio T; Azcatl, Angelica; Huang, Jie; Wallace, Robert M; Cho, Kyeongjae; Kim, Jiyoung
2014-08-13
We present an Al2O3 dielectric layer on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD) with ozone/trimethylaluminum (TMA) and water/TMA as precursors. The results of atomic force microscopy and low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy show that using TMA and ozone as precursors leads to the formation of uniform Al2O3 layers, in contrast to the incomplete coverage we observe when using TMA/H2O as precursors. Our Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicate minimal variations in the MoS2 structure after ozone treatment at 200 °C, suggesting its excellent chemical resistance to ozone.
[Wearable Devices for Movement Monitoring of Patients with Parkinson’s Disease].
Li, Liang; Yu, Qian; Xu, Baoteng; Bai, Qifan; Zhang, Yunpeng; Zhang, Huijun; Mao, Chengjie; Liu, Chunfeng; Wang, Shouyan
2016-12-01
Quantitative assessment of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease is the key for precise diagnosis and treatment and essential for long term management over years.The challenges of quantitative assessment on Parkinson’s disease are rich information,ultra-low load,long term and large range monitoring in free-moving condition.In this paper,we developed wearable devices with multiple sensors to monitor and quantify the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.Five wearable sensors were used to record motion signals from bilateral forearms,legs and waist.A local area network based on low power Wi-Fi technology was built for long distance wireless data transmission.A software was developed for signal recording and analyzing.The size of each sensor was 39mm×33mm×16mm and the weight was 18 g.The sensors were rechargeable and able to run 12 hours.The wireless transmission radius is about 45 m.The wearable devices were tested in patients and normal subjects.The devices were reliable and accurate for movement monitoring in hospital.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Hutton, Rick
2013-10-01
Annual sampling was conducted at the Rio Blanco, Colorado, site for the Long-Term Hydrologic Monitoring Program May 14-16, 2013, to monitor groundwater and surface water for potential radionuclide contamination. Sampling and analyses were conducted as specified in Sampling and Analysis Plan for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management Sites (LMS/PRO/S04351, continually updated). A duplicate sample was collected from location CER #1 Black Sulphur. Samples were analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides by high-resolution gamma spectrometry and for tritium using the conventional and enrichment methods.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Dietz, Nikolaus; Bachmann, Klaus J.
1995-01-01
This paper describes the results of real-time optical monitoring of epitaxial growth processes by p-polarized reflectance spectroscopy (PRS) using a single wavelength application under pulsed chemical beam epitaxy (PCBE) condition. The high surface sensitivity of PRS allows the monitoring of submonolayer precursors coverage on the surface as shown for GaP homoepitaxy and GaP on Si heteroepitaxy as examples. In the case of heteroepitaxy, the growth rate and optical properties are revealed by PRS using interference oscillations as they occur during growth. Super-imposed on these interference oscillations, the PRS signal exhibits a fine structure caused by the periodic alteration of the surface chemistry by the pulsed supply of chemical precursors. This fine structure is modeled under conditions where the surface chemistry cycles between phosphorus supersaturated and phosphorus depleted surfaces. The mathematical model describes the fine structure using a surface layer that increases during the tertiarybutyl phosphine (TBP) supply and decreases during and after the triethylgallium (TEG) pulse, which increases the growing GaP film thickness. The imaginary part of the dielectric function of the surface layer is revealed from the turning points in the fine structure, where the optical response to the first precursor pulse in the cycle sequence changes sign. The amplitude of the fine structure is determined by the surface layer thickness and the complex dielectric functions for the surface layer with the underlying bulk film. Surface kinetic data can be obtained by analyzing the rise and decay transients of the fine structure.
Cheng, S V; Nadeau, J H; Tanzi, R E; Watkins, P C; Jagadesh, J; Taylor, B A; Haines, J L; Sacchi, N; Gusella, J F
1988-08-01
Mouse trisomy 16 has been proposed as an animal model of Down syndrome (DS), since this chromosome contains homologues of several loci from the q22 band of human chromosome 21. The recent mapping of the defect causing familial Alzheimer disease (FAD) and the locus encoding the Alzheimer amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) to human chromosome 21 has prompted a more detailed examination of the extent of conservation of this linkage group between the two species. Using anonymous DNA probes and cloned genes from human chromosome 21 in a combination of recombinant inbred and interspecific mouse backcross analyses, we have established that the linkage group shared by mouse chromosome 16 includes not only the critical DS region of human chromosome 21 but also the APP gene and FAD-linked markers. Extending from the anonymous DNA locus D21S52 to ETS2, the linkage map of six loci spans 39% recombination in man but only 6.4% recombination in the mouse. A break in synteny occurs distal to ETS2, with the homologue of the human marker D21S56 mapping to mouse chromosome 17. Conservation of the linkage relationships of markers in the FAD region suggests that the murine homologue of the FAD locus probably maps to chromosome 16 and that detailed comparison of the corresponding region in both species could facilitate identification of the primary defect in this disorder. The break in synteny between the terminal portion of human chromosome 21 and mouse chromosome 16 indicates, however, that mouse trisomy 16 may not represent a complete model of DS.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Cheng, S.V.; Nadeau, J.H.; Tanzi, R.E.
1988-08-01
Mouse trisomy 16 has been proposed as an animal model of Down syndrome (DS), since this chromosome contains homologues of several loci from the q22 band of human chromosome 21. The recent mapping of the defect causing familial Alzheimer disease (FAD) and the locus encoding the Alzheimer amyloid {beta} precursor protein (APP) to human chromosome 21 has prompted a more detailed examination of the extent of conservation of this linkage group between the two species. Using anonymous DNA probes and cloned genes from human chromosome 21 in a combination of recombinant inbred and interspecific mouse backcross analyses, the authors havemore » established that the linkage group shared by mouse chromosome 16 includes not only the critical DS region of human chromosome 21 but also the APP gene and FAD-linked markers. Extending from the anonymous DNA locus D21S52 to ETS2, the linkage map of six loci spans 39% recombination in man but only 6.4% recombination in the mouse. A break in synteny occurs distal to ETS2, with the homologue of the human marker D21S56 mapping to mouse chromosome 17. Conservation of the linkage relationships of markers in the FAD region suggests that the murine homologue of the FAD locus probably maps to chromosome 16 and that detailed comparison of the corresponding region in both species could facilitate identification of the primary defect in this disorder. The break in synteny between the terminal portion of human chromosome 21 and mouse chromosome 16 indicates, however, that mouse trisomy 16 may not represent a complete model of DS.« less
Li, Junbo; Zhao, Yongbiao; Lu, Jing; Li, Gang; Zhang, Jingping; Zhao, Yang; Sun, Xiaowei; Zhang, Qichun
2015-01-02
It is more challenging to synthesize acenes with even-number fused benzene rings (AWEB) than acenes with odd-number fused benzene rings (AWOB) because AWEB are either synthetically asymmetric or the precursors to prepare AWEB are very difficult to obtain or to prepare from commercially available sources. In this work, we employed 2,6-naphthodiyne precursor (2) as an effective synthon to prepare a large AWEB, 6,9,16,19-tetraphenyl-1.20,4.5,10.11,14.15-tetrabenzooctatwistacene (1), through a simple, one-step, double [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. The physical properties of as-prepared octatwistacene (1) have been carefully studied, and the OLED performance of compound 1 was also investigated.
Metabolic Conversion of Ceramides in HeLa Cells - A Cholesteryl Phosphocholine Delivery Approach
Kjellberg, Matti A.; Lönnfors, Max; Slotte, J. Peter; Mattjus, Peter
2015-01-01
Ceramides can be delivered to cultured cells without solvents in the form of complexes with cholesteryl phosphocholine. We have analysed the delivery of three different radiolabeled D-erythro-ceramides (C6-Cer, C10-Cer and C16-Cer) to HeLa cells, and followed their metabolism as well as the cell viability. We found that all three ceramides were successfully taken up by HeLa cells when complexed to CholPC in an equimolar ratio, and show that the ceramides show different rates of cellular uptake and metabolic fate. The C6-Cer had the highest incorporation rate, followed by C10-Cer and C16-Cer, respectively. The subsequent effect on cell viability strongly correlated with the rate of incorporation, where C6-Cer had the strongest apoptotic effects. Low-dose (1 μM) treatment with C6-Cer favoured conversion of the precursor to sphingomyelin, whereas higher concentrations (25–100 μM) yielded increased conversion to C6-glucosylceramide. Similar results were obtained for C10-Cer. In the lower-dose C16-Cer experiments, most of the precursor was degraded, whereas at high-dose concentrations the precursor remained un-metabolized. Using this method, we demonstrate that ceramides with different chain lengths clearly exhibit varying rates of cellular uptake. The cellular fate of the externally delivered ceramides are clearly connected to their rate of incorporation and their subsequent effects on cell viability may be in part determined by their chain length. PMID:26599810
Lee, Changha; Lee, Yunho; Schmidt, Carsten; Yoon, Jeyong; Von Gunten, Urs
2008-01-01
The potential of ferrate (Fe(VI)) oxidation to remove N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) precursors during water treatment was assessed. Apparent second-order rate constants (k(app)) for the reactions of NDMA and its suspected precursors (dimethylamine (DMA) and 7 tertiary amines with DMA functional group) with Fe(VI) were determined in the range of pH 6-12. Four model NDMA precursors (dimethyldithiocarbamate, dimethylaminobenzene, 3-(dimethylaminomethyl)indole and 4-dimethylaminoantipyrine) showed high reactivity toward Fe(VI) with k(app) values at pH 7 between 2.6 x 10(2) and 3.2 x 10(5)M(-1)s(-1). The other NDMA precursors (DMA, trimethylamine, dimethylethanolamine, dimethylformamide) and NDMA had k(app) values ranging from 0.55 to 9.1M(-1)s(-1) at pH 7. In the second part of the study, the NDMA formation potentials (NDMA-FP) of the model NDMA precursors and natural waters were measured with and without pre-oxidation by Fe(VI). For most of the NDMA precursors with the exception of DMA, a significant reduction of the NDMA-FP (>95%) was observed after complete transformation of the NDMA precursor. This result was supported by low yields of DMA from the Fe(VI) oxidation of tertiary amine NDMA precursors. Pre-oxidation of several natural waters (rivers Rhine, Neckar and Pfinz) with a high dose of Fe(VI) (0.38 mM = 21 mg L(-1) as Fe) led to removals of the NDMA-FP of 46-84%. This indicates that the NDMA precursors in these waters have a low reactivity toward Fe(VI) because it has been shown that for fast-reacting NDMA precursors Fe(VI) doses of 20 microM (1.1 mg L(-1) as Fe) are sufficient to completely oxidize the precursors.
Wieben, E D; Nenninger, J M; Pederson, T
1985-05-05
Biosynthetic precursors of U2 small nuclear RNA have been identified in cultured human cells by hybrid-selection of pulse-labeled RNA with cloned U2 DNA. These precursor molecules are one to approximately 16 nucleotides longer than mature U2 RNA and contain 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine "caps". The U2 RNA precursors are associated with proteins that react with a monoclonal antibody for antigens characteristic of small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particles. Like previously described precursors of U1 and U4 small nuclear RNAs, the pre-U2 RNAs are recovered in cytoplasmic fractions, although it is not known if this is their location in vivo. The precursors are processed to mature-size U2 RNA when cytoplasmic extracts are incubated in vitro at 37 degrees C. Mg2+ is required but ATP is not. The ribonucleoprotein structure of the pre-U2 RNA is maintained during the processing reaction in vitro, as are the 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine caps. The ribonucleoprotein organization is of major importance, as exogenous, protein-free U2 RNA precursors are degraded rapidly in the in vitro system. Two lines of evidence indicate that the conversion of U2 precursors to mature-size U2 RNA involves a 3' processing reaction. First, the reaction is unaffected by a large excess of mature U2 small nuclear RNP, whose 5' trimethylguanosine caps would be expected to compete for a 5' processing activity. Second, when pre-U2 RNA precursors are first stoichiometrically decorated with an antibody specific for 2,2,7-trimethylguanosine, the extent of subsequent processing in vitro is unaffected. These results provide the first demonstration of a eukaryotic RNA processing reaction in vitro occurring within a ribonucleoprotein particle.
Observation of a Hydrodynamically Driven, Radiative Precursor Shock
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Keiter, P. A.; Drake, R. P.; Perry, T. S.; Robey, H.; Remington, B. A.; Iglesias, C. A.; Turner, N.; Stone, J.; Knauer, J.
2001-10-01
Many astrophysical systems, such as supernova remnants and jets, produce radiative-precursor shock waves. In a radiative-precursor shock, radiation from the shock ionizes and heats the medium ahead of it. The simulation of such systems requires that one treat both the emission and the absorption of the radiation. An important goal of this effort is to produce an experiment that can be modeled by astrophysical codes without implementing laser absorption physics into an astrophysical code. We report here the first measurements of a radiative-precursor shock in such an experiment. The experimental design is based on a past experiment[1,2] that used the Nova laser facility to simulate young supernova remnants. The target consists of a 60 νm CH plastic plug followed by a 150 νm vacuum gap and 2 mm of SiO2 aerogel foam. For the experiment, the density of the components and the laser-irradiation conditions are chosen so that the driven shock will produce an observable radiative precursor. We observed the radiative-precursor by using absorption spectroscopy. By backlighting the silicate aerogel foam with a thulium backlighter, we were able to observe both the 1s-2p and 1s-3p lines. These observations will allow us to determine the temperature profile in the precursor. 1. R.P. Drake, et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 2068 (1998). 2. R.P. Drake, et al., Phys. Plasmas, 7, 2142 (2000) Work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy both directly and through the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
VizieR Online Data Catalog: Effects of preionization in radiative shocks (Sutherland+, 2017)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sutherland, R. S.; Dopita, M. A.
2017-06-01
In this paper we treat the preionization problem in shocks over the velocity range 10
Chromium chains as polydentate fluoride ligands for actinides and group IV metals.
Leng, Ji-Dong; Kostopoulos, Andreas K; Isherwood, Liam H; Ariciu, Ana-Maria; Tuna, Floriana; Vitórica-Yrezábal, Iñigo J; Pritchard, Robin G; Whitehead, George F S; Timco, Grigore A; Mills, David P; Winpenny, Richard E P
2018-05-08
The reactions of {Cr6} horseshoe chains {[nPr2NH2]3[Cr6F11(O2CtBu)10]}2, 1 and precursors of actinides and group IV metals led to a series of ring complexes [nPr2NH2][Cr7TiF6O2(O2CtBu)16], 2, [nPr2NH2][Cr6Ti2F5O3(O2CtBu)16], 3, [Cr6ThF7(O2CtBu)15 (Me2SO)], 4, [(nPr2NH2)2(Cr6Th2F12(O2CtBu)16)], 5 and [nPr2NH2][Cr6U2O2F8(O2CtBu)16(Me2SO)], 6. X-ray structure studies indicate that the {Cr6} chains maintain their structures in these complexes, acting as polydentate fluoride ligands. Their static magnetic properties were measured and fitted by isotropic exchange Hamiltonian. In accordance with 1, the magnetic exchanges between CrIII are antiferromagnetic, while the exchange interactions can be modified by the tetravalent metals. For compound 6, ferromagnetic exchanges JCr-U and JU-U are obtained. EPR spectra of compounds 2-5 were measured at Q band and were simulated. The spectrum of 2 has the same profile as {Cr7Cd} and {Cr7Zn} rings with a ground state S = 3/2. 3, 4 and 5 give similar EPR spectra with S = 0 ground states.
Ho, Jenny T. C.; Smit, August B.; Li, Ka Wan
2018-01-01
Abstract Data‐independent acquisition (DIA) is an emerging technology for quantitative proteomics. Current DIA focusses on the identification and quantitation of fragment ions that are generated from multiple peptides contained in the same selection window of several to tens of m/z. An alternative approach is WiSIM‐DIA, which combines conventional DIA with wide‐SIM (wide selected‐ion monitoring) windows to partition the precursor m/z space to produce high‐quality precursor ion chromatograms. However, WiSIM‐DIA has been underexplored; it remains unclear if it is a viable alternative to DIA. We demonstrate that WiSIM‐DIA quantified more than 24 000 unique peptides over five orders of magnitude in a single 2 h analysis of a neuronal synapse‐enriched fraction, compared to 31 000 in DIA. There is a strong correlation between abundance values of peptides quantified in both the DIA and WiSIM‐DIA datasets. Interestingly, the S/N ratio of these peptides is not correlated. We further show that peptide identification directly from DIA spectra identified >2000 proteins, which included unique peptides not found in spectral libraries generated by DDA. PMID:29134766
Groundwater oxygen isotope anomaly before the M6.6 Tottori earthquake in Southwest Japan.
Onda, Satoki; Sano, Yuji; Takahata, Naoto; Kagoshima, Takanori; Miyajima, Toshihiro; Shibata, Tomo; Pinti, Daniele L; Lan, Tefang; Kim, Nak Kyu; Kusakabe, Minoru; Nishio, Yoshiro
2018-03-19
Geochemical monitoring of groundwater in seismically-active regions has been carried out since 1970s. Precursors were well documented, but often criticized for anecdotal or fragmentary signals, and for lacking a clear physico-chemical explanation for these anomalies. Here we report - as potential seismic precursor - oxygen isotopic ratio anomalies of +0.24‰ relative to the local background measured in groundwater, a few months before the Tottori earthquake (M 6.6) in Southwest Japan. Samples were deep groundwater located 5 km west of the epicenter, packed in bottles and distributed as drinking water between September 2015 and July 2017, a time frame which covers the pre- and post-event. Small but substantial increase of 0.07‰ was observed soon after the earthquake. Laboratory crushing experiments of aquifer rock aimed to simulating rock deformation under strain and tensile stresses were carried out. Measured helium degassing from the rock and 18 O-shift suggest that the co-seismic oxygen anomalies are directly related to volumetric strain changes. The findings provide a plausible physico-chemical basis to explain geochemical anomalies in water and may be useful in future earthquake prediction research.
Endomicroscopy and electromyography of neuromuscular junctions in situ
Brown, Rosalind; Dissanayake, Kosala N; Skehel, Paul A; Ribchester, Richard R
2014-01-01
Objective Electromyography (EMG) is used routinely to diagnose neuromuscular dysfunction in a wide range of peripheral neuropathies, myopathies, and neuromuscular degenerative diseases including motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Definitive neurological diagnosis may also be indicated by the analysis of pathological neuromuscular innervation in motor-point biopsies. Our objective in this study was to preempt motor-point biopsy by combining live imaging with electrophysiological analysis of slow degeneration of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in vivo. Methods We combined conventional needle electromyography with fiber-optic confocal endomicroscopy (CEM), using an integrated hand-held, 1.5-mm-diameter probe. We utilized as a test bed, various axotomized muscles in the hind limbs of anaesthetized, double-homozygous thy1.2YFP16: WldS mice, which coexpress the Wallerian-degeneration Slow (WldS) protein and yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) in motor neurons. We also tested exogenous vital stains, including Alexa488-α-bungarotoxin; the styryl pyridinium dye 4-Di-2-Asp; and a GFP conjugate of botulinum toxin Type A heavy chain (GFP-HcBoNT/A). Results We show that an integrated EMG/CEM probe is effective in longitudinal evaluation of functional and morphological changes that take place over a 7-day period during axotomy-induced, slow neuromuscular synaptic degeneration. EMG amplitude declined in parallel with overt degeneration of motor nerve terminals. EMG/CEM was safe and effective when nerve terminals and motor endplates were selectively stained with vital dyes. Interpretation Our findings constitute proof-of-concept, based on live imaging in an animal model, that combining EMG/CEM may be useful as a minimally invasive precursor or alternative to motor-point biopsy in neurological diagnosis and for monitoring local administration of potential therapeutics. PMID:25540801
HAGRID/ VANDLE spectroscopy of Rb decays
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
King, Thomas; Grzywacz, Robert; Taylor, Steven; Paulauskas, Stanley; Smith, Karl; Vandle Collaboration
2017-09-01
Many neutron-rich isotopes that contribute in both decay heat production and r-process nucleosynthesis have substantial beta-delayed neutron branching ratios. Beta-delayed neutron emission is a relatively complicated mechanism which can leave the daughter in an gamma-emitting excited state. A comprehensive understanding of their energy output and decay strength, S_beta, therefore requires the detection of both neutrons and gamma rays in coincidence. A series of measurements of delayed neutron precursors were performed at the On-Line Test Facility (OLTF) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories using chemically selective ion sources and an enhanced VANDLE array. The main goal of this experiment was to revisit the decays of IAEA-marked priority precursors, including bromine, rubidium, cesium, and iodine, that are required to model the global properties in the fission of 238U.The unique data set, with neutron and gamma ray coincidences, benefited from the addition of a high-efficiency gamma-ray array, consisting of 16 LaBr3 crystals (HAGRiD), and a set of large volume NaI detectors to the VANDLE array. Characterization of and preliminary results from the new gamma-ray array for the decays of 94Rb and 97Rb will be presented. National Nuclear Security Administration under the Stewardship Science Academic Alliances program through DOE Award No. DE-NA0002132 and the Office of Nuclear Physics, U.S. Department of Energy under Award No. DE-FG02-96ER40983.
MERCURY-ATLAS (MA)-9 - SHEPARD, ALAN B., JR. ASTRONAUT - MERCURY CONTROL CENTER (MCC) - CAPE
1963-05-16
S63-07857 (15-16 May 1963) --- Astronaut Alan Shepard (left) and Walter C. Williams monitor progress of the Mercury Atlas 9 (MA-9) mission from Mercury Control Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo credit: NASA
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lee, Keun Ho; Han, Sun Woong; Park, Jee Ho; Yoo, Young Bum; Jong Lee, Se; Baik, Hong Koo; Song, Kie Moon
2016-01-01
We introduce an easy process for the fabrication of solution-processed indium oxide (InO) thin film transistors (TFTs) by heating a precursor solution. InO TFTs fabricated from solutions of an InO precursor heated at 90 °C had the highest mobility of 4.61 cm2 V-1 s-1 after being annealed at 200 °C. When the InO precursor solution is heated, HNO3 may be thermally evaporated in the InO precursor solution. Nitrogen atoms can disrupt hydrolysis and condensation reactions. An InO thin film deposited from a solution of the heated InO precursor is advantageous for hydrolysis and condensation reactions due to the absence of nitrogen atoms.
Visible light optical spectroscopy is sensitive to neovascularization in the dysplastic cervix
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chang, Vivide Tuan-Chyan; Bean, Sarah M.; Cartwright, Peter S.; Ramanujam, Nirmala
2010-09-01
Neovascularization in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is studied because it is the precursor to the third most common female cancer worldwide. Diffuse reflectance from 450-600 nm was collected from 46 patients (76 sites) undergoing colposcopy at Duke University Medical Center. Total hemoglobin, derived using an inverse Monte Carlo model, significantly increased in CIN 2+ (N=12) versus CIN 1 (N=16) and normal tissues (N=48) combined with P<0.004. Immunohistochemistry using monoclonal anti-CD34 was used to quantify microvessel density to validate the increased hemoglobin content. Biopsies from 51 sites were stained, and up to three hot spots per slide were selected for microvessel quantification by two observers. Similar to the optical study results, microvessel density was significantly increased in CIN 2+ (N=16) versus CIN 1 (N=21) and normal tissue (N=14) combined with P<0.007. Total vessel density, however, was not significantly associated with dysplastic grade. Hence, our quantitative optical spectroscopy system is primarily sensitive to dysplastic neovascularization immediately beneath the basement membrane, with minimal confounding from vascularity inherent in the normal stromal environment. This tool could have potential for in vivo applications in screening for cervical cancer, prognostics, and monitoring of antiangiogenic effects in chemoprevention therapies.
The Sensitivity of U.S. Surface Ozone Formation to NOx, and VOCs as Viewed from Space
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Duncan, Bryan N.; Yoshida, Yasuko; Sillman, Sanford; Retscher, Christian; Pickering, Kenneth E.; Martin, Randall V.; Celarier, Edward A.
2009-01-01
We investigated variations in the sensitivity of surface ozone formation in summer to precursor species concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) as inferred from the ratio of tropospheric columns of formaldehyde and nitrogen dioxide from the Aura Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). The data indicate that ozone formation became: 1. more sensitive to NO(x) over most of the U.S, from 2005 to 2007 because of substantial decreases in NO(x) emissions primarily from stationary sources, and 2. more sensitive to NO(x) with increasing temperature, in part because emissions of highly reactive, biogenic isoprene increase with temperature, thus increasing the total VOC reactivity. Based on our interpretation of the data, current strategies implemented to reduce unhealthy levels of surface ozone should focus more on reducing NO(x) emissions, except in some downtown areas which have historically benefited from reductions in VOC emissions.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Banger, Kulbinder K.; Cowen, Jonathan; Hepp, Aloysius
2002-01-01
Molecular engineering of ternary single source precursors based on the [{PBu3}2Cu(SR')2In(SR')2] architecture have afforded the first liquid CIS ternary single source precursors (when R = Et, n-Pr), which are suitable for low temperature deposition (< 350 C). Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and modulated-differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirm their liquid phase and reduced stability. X-ray diffraction studies, energy dispersive analyzer (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) support the formation of the single-phase chalcopyrite CuInS2 at low temperatures.
Site-specific bioalkylation of rapamycin by the RapM 16-O-methyltransferase.
Law, Brian J C; Struck, Anna-Winona; Bennett, Matthew R; Wilkinson, Barrie; Micklefield, Jason
2015-05-01
The methylation of natural products by S -adenosyl methionine (AdoMet, also known as SAM)-dependent methyltransferase enzymes is a common tailoring step in many biosynthetic pathways. The introduction of methyl substituents can affect the biological and physicochemical properties of the secondary metabolites produced. Recently it has become apparent that some AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases exhibit promiscuity and will accept AdoMet analogues enabling the transfer of alternative alkyl groups. In this study we have characterised a methyltransferase, RapM, which is involved in the biosynthesis of the potent immunosuppressive agent rapamycin. We have shown that recombinant RapM regioselectively methylates the C16 hydroxyl group of desmethyl rapamycin precursors in vitro and is promiscuous in accepting alternative co-factors in addition to AdoMet. A coupled enzyme system was developed, including a mutant human enzyme methionine adenosyl transferase (MAT), along with RapM, which was used to prepare alkylated rapamycin derivatives (rapalogs) with alternative ethyl and allyl ether groups, derived from simple S -ethyl or S -allyl methionine analogues. There are two other methyltransferases RapI and RapQ which provide methyl substituents of rapamycin. Consequently, using the enzymatic approach described here, it should be possible to generate a diverse array of alkylated rapalogs, with altered properties, that would be difficult to obtain by traditional synthetic approaches.
2013-06-01
5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Air Force Civil Engineer Center (AFCEC),JBSA Lackland,TX,78236 8... PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT...Recreation 142 0.6 Softball fields, tennis courts, football field, parks/picnic areas, FamCamp, pools, golf course Open Space 16,450 75.0 Conservation
Review of Metal Physics at the Universite de Poitiers, France
1987-06-22
release; distribution unlimited U.S. Office of Naval Research, London 8 V - 6 20 213 UNCimSSIFIED SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGE REPORT...4. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER( S ) S . MONITORING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER( S ) 7-014-R 6. NAME OF PERFORMING ORGANIZATION I6b. OFFICE SYMBOL...PERSONAL AUTHOR( S ) TLiiA C~arfr7 13a. TYPE OF REPORT 13b. TIME COVERED 14. DATE OF REPORT (Year,MAoth, Day) 1. PAGE COUINT Tgrnirl IFROM TO - 2ipIA 16
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
De Smedt, Isabelle; Theys, Nicolas; Yu, Huan; Danckaert, Thomas; Lerot, Christophe; Compernolle, Steven; Van Roozendael, Michel; Richter, Andreas; Hilboll, Andreas; Peters, Enno; Pedergnana, Mattia; Loyola, Diego; Beirle, Steffen; Wagner, Thomas; Eskes, Henk; van Geffen, Jos; Folkert Boersma, Klaas; Veefkind, Pepijn
2018-04-01
On board the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor (S5P) platform, the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) is a double-channel, nadir-viewing grating spectrometer measuring solar back-scattered earthshine radiances in the ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared with global daily coverage. In the ultraviolet range, its spectral resolution and radiometric performance are equivalent to those of its predecessor OMI, but its horizontal resolution at true nadir is improved by an order of magnitude. This paper introduces the formaldehyde (HCHO) tropospheric vertical column retrieval algorithm implemented in the S5P operational processor and comprehensively describes its various retrieval steps. Furthermore, algorithmic improvements developed in the framework of the EU FP7-project QA4ECV are described for future updates of the processor. Detailed error estimates are discussed in the light of Copernicus user requirements and needs for validation are highlighted. Finally, verification results based on the application of the algorithm to OMI measurements are presented, demonstrating the performances expected for TROPOMI.
Sheng, J G; Boop, F A; Mrak, R E; Griffin, W S
1994-11-01
Levels of immunoreactive beta-amyloid precursor protein and interleukin-1 alpha were found to be elevated in surgically resected human temporal lobe tissue from patients with intractable epilepsy compared with postmortem tissue from neurologically unaffected patients (controls). In tissue from epileptics, the levels of the 135-kDa beta-amyloid precursor protein isoform were elevated to fourfold (p < 0.05) those of controls and those of the 130-kDa isoform to threefold (p < 0.05), whereas those of the 120-kDa isoform (p > 0.05) were not different from control values. beta-Amyloid precursor protein-immunoreactive neurons were 16 times more numerous, and their cytoplasm and proximal processes were more intensely immunoreactive in tissue sections from epileptics than controls (133 +/- 12 vs. 8 +/- 3/mm2; p < 0.001). However, neither beta-amyloid precursor protein-immunoreactive dystrophic neurites nor beta-amyloid deposits were found in this tissue. Interleukin-1 alpha-immunoreactive cells (microglia) were three times more numerous in epileptics than in controls (80 +/- 8 vs. 25 +/- 5/mm2; p < 0.001), and these cells were often found adjacent to beta-amyloid precursor protein-immunoreactive neuronal cell bodies. Our findings, together with functions established in vitro for interleukin-1, suggest that increased expression of this protein contributes to the increased levels of beta-amyloid precursor protein in epileptics, thus indicating a potential role for both of these proteins in the neuronal dysfunctions, e.g., hyperexcitability, characteristic of epilepsy.
Space Weather Monitoring with GOES-16: Instruments and Data Products
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Loto'aniu, Paul; Rodriguez, Juan; Redmon, Robert; Machol, Janet; Kress, Brian; Seaton, Daniel; Darnel, Jonathan; Rowland, William; Tilton, Margaret; Denig, William; Boudouridis, Athanasios; Codrescu, Stefan; Claycomb, Abram
2017-04-01
Since their inception in the 1970s, the NOAA GOES satellites have monitored the sources of space weather on the sun and the effects of space weather at Earth. The GOES-16 spacecraft, the first of four satellites as part of the GOES-R spacecraft series mission, was launched in November 2016. The space weather instruments on GOES-16 have significantly improved capabilities over older GOES instruments. They will image the sun's atmosphere in extreme-ultraviolet and monitor solar irradiance in X-rays and UV, solar energetic particles, magnetospheric energetic particles, galactic cosmic rays, and the Earth's magnetic field. These measurements are important for providing alerts and warnings to many worldwide customers, including the NOAA National Weather Service, satellite operators, the power utilities, and NASA's human activities in space. This presentation reviews the capabilities of the GOES-16 space weather instruments and presents initial post launch data along with a discussion of calibration activities and the current status of the instruments. We also describe the space weather Level 2+ products that are being developed for the GOES-R series including solar thematic maps, automated magnetopause crossing detection and spacecraft charging estimates. These new and continuing data products will be an integral part of NOAA space weather operations in the GOES-R era.
CHARACTERIZATION OF PRECURSOR 165 RRNA FOR AEROMONAS HYDROPHILA
Current strategies for monitoring drinking water quality involve culture-based methods to detect the presence of microbial indicators. However, these methods are insensitive when the organisms have undergone physiological changes such as injury and starvation that can occur in h...
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Narici, L.; Baiocco, G.; Berrilli, F.; Giraudo, M.; Ottolenghi, A.; Rizzo, A.; Salina, G.
2018-02-01
Understand the relationship between SPE precursors, the related SPE radiation inside the Deep Space Gateway, and the associated risk levels, validating existing models, proposing countermeasures actions via a real time, autonomous intelligent system.
Army Aviation in Operation Just Cause
1992-04-15
DECLASSIFICATION/DOWNGRAD-ING iCHEDULE is unlimited. 4. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER( S ) 5. MONITORING ORGANIZATiON REPORT NUMBER( S ; 6a. VAME OF...AUTHOR( S ) 13a. TYPE OF REPORT 13b. TIME COVERED 14. DATE OF REPORT (Year,"Month, Day) 15. PAGE COUNT Individual Study FROM TO__ 15 April 1992 157 16...were unable to take the children home until 1900 hours." S Again, Army aviation units displayed unusual flexibility and capability to respond on short
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Meyer, F. J.; McAlpin, D. B.; Gong, W.; Ajadi, O.; Arko, S.; Webley, P. W.; Dehn, J.
2015-02-01
Remote sensing plays a critical role in operational volcano monitoring due to the often remote locations of volcanic systems and the large spatial extent of potential eruption pre-cursor signals. Despite the all-weather capabilities of radar remote sensing and its high performance in monitoring of change, the contribution of radar data to operational monitoring activities has been limited in the past. This is largely due to: (1) the high costs associated with radar data; (2) traditionally slow data processing and delivery procedures; and (3) the limited temporal sampling provided by spaceborne radars. With this paper, we present new data processing and data integration techniques that mitigate some of these limitations and allow for a meaningful integration of radar data into operational volcano monitoring decision support systems. Specifically, we present fast data access procedures as well as new approaches to multi-track processing that improve near real-time data access and temporal sampling of volcanic systems with SAR data. We introduce phase-based (coherent) and amplitude-based (incoherent) change detection procedures that are able to extract dense time series of hazard information from these data. For a demonstration, we present an integration of our processing system with an operational volcano monitoring system that was developed for use by the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO). Through an application to a historic eruption, we show that the integration of SAR into systems such as AVO can significantly improve the ability of operational systems to detect eruptive precursors. Therefore, the developed technology is expected to improve operational hazard detection, alerting, and management capabilities.
Abiotic Supramolecular Systems
2011-05-02
REPORT Abiotic Supramolecular Systems 14. ABSTRACT 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: The goal of this research project was to develop new concepts for the...decision, unless so designated by other documentation. 12. DISTRIBUTION AVAILIBILITY STATEMENT Approved for Public Release; Distribution Unlimited UU...9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 6. AUTHORS 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAMES AND ADDRESSES U.S. Army Research Office P.O
2008-12-23
glycoprotein precursor (GPC) signal peptide (SP) or human IgG signal sequences (s.s.). GP2 was secreted from cells only when (1) the transmembrane (TM) domain... peptide (SP) or human IgG signal sequences (s.s.). GP2 was secreted from cells only when (1) the transmembrane (TM) domain was deleted, the...terminal signal peptide (SP), which directs the precursor to the endoplasmic retic- ulum (ER) for further processing [11]. The SP, which has been
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Johnson, Grant E.; Laskin, Julia
Herein, we employ a combination of reduction synthesis in solution, soft landing of mass-selected precursor and product ions, and in situ time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) to examine the influence of ion and the length of diphosphine ligands on the charge retention and reactivity of ligated gold clusters deposited onto self-assembled monolayer surfaces (SAMs). Product ions (Au10L42+, (10,4)2+, L = 1,3-bis(diphenyl-phosphino)propane, DPPP) were prepared through in-source collision induced dissociation (CID) and precursor ions [(8,4)2+, L = 1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane, DPPH] were synthesized in solution for comparison to (11,5)3+ precursor ions ligated with DPPP investigated previously (ACS Nano 2012, 6, 573 andmore » J. Phys. Chem. C. 2012, 116, 24977). Similar to (11,5)3+ precursor ions, the (10,4)2+ product ions are shown to retain charge on 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecanethiol monolayers (FSAMs). Additional abundant peaks at higher m/z indicative of reactivity are observed in the TOF-SIMS spectrum of (10,4)2+ product ions that are not seen for (11,5)3+ precursor ions. The abundance of (10,4)2+ on 16-mercaptohexadecanoic acid (COOH-SAMs) is demonstrated to be lower than on FSAMs, consistent with partial reduction of charge. The (10,4)2+ product ion on 1-dodecanethiol (HSAMs) exhibits peaks similar to those seen on the COOH-SAM. On the HSAM, higher m/z peaks indicative of reactivity are observed similar to those on the FSAM. The (8,4)2+ DPPH precursor ions are shown to retain charge on FSAMs similar to (11,5)3+ precursor ions prepared with DPPP. An additional peak corresponding to attachment of one gold atom to (8,4)2+ is observed at higher m/z for DPPH-ligated clusters. On the COOH-SAM, (8,4)2+ is less abundant than on the FSAM consistent with partial neutralization. The results indicate that although retention of charge by product ions generated by CID is similar to precursor ions their reactivity during analysis with SIMS is different resulting in the formation of peaks corresponding to reaction products. The length of the ligand exerts only a minor influence on the charge retention and reactivity of gold clusters. Based on the observed reactivity of (10,4)2+ it is anticipated that in-source CID will be increasingly applied for the preparation of a distribution of product ions, including undercoordinated and reactive species, for soft landing onto surfaces.« less
Liu, Hongfei; Chi, Dongzhi
2015-01-01
Vapor-phase growth of large-area two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets via reactions of sulfur with MoO3 precursors vaporized and transferred from powder sources onto a target substrate has been rapidly progressing. Recent studies revealed that the growth yield of high quality singlelayer (SL) MoS2 is essentially controlled by quite a few parameters including the temperature, the pressure, the amount/weight of loaded source precursors, and the cleanup of old precursors. Here, we report a dispersive growth method where a shadow mask is encapsulated on the substrate to ‘indirectly’ supply the source precursors onto the laterally advancing growth front at elevated temperatures. With this method, we have grown large-area (up to millimeters) SL-MoS2 nanosheets with a collective in-plane orientation on c-plane sapphire substrates. Regular ripples (~1 nm in height and ~50 nm in period) have been induced by laser scanning into the SL-MoS2 nanosheets. The MoS2 ripples easily initiate at the grain boundaries and extend along the atomic steps of the substrate. Such laser-induced ripple structures can be fundamental materials for studying their effects, which have been predicted to be significant but hitherto not evidenced, on the electronic, mechanical, and transport properties of SL-MoS2. PMID:26119325
Hartman, C. Alex; Ackerman, Joshua T.; Herzog, Mark P.; Wang, Yiwei; Strong, Cheryl
2018-05-31
Forster’s terns (Sterna forsteri), historically one of the most numerous colonial-breeding waterbirds in South San Francisco Bay, California, have had recent decreases in the number of nesting colonies and overall breeding population size. The South Bay Salt Pond (SBSP) Restoration Project aims to restore 50–90 percent of former salt evaporation ponds to tidal marsh habitat in South San Francisco Bay. This restoration will remove much of the historical island nesting habitat used by Forster’s terns, American avocets (Recurvirostra americana), and other waterbirds. To address this issue, the SBSP Restoration Project organized the construction of new nesting islands in managed ponds that will not be restored to tidal marsh, thereby providing enduring island nesting habitat for waterbirds. In 2012, 16 new islands were constructed in Pond A16 in the Alviso complex of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge, increasing the number of islands in this pond from 4 to 20. However, despite a history of nesting on the four historical islands in Pond A16 before 2012, no Forster’s terns have nested in Pond A16 since the new islands were constructed.In 2017, we used social attraction measures (decoys and electronic call systems) to attract Forster’s terns to islands within Pond A16 to re-establish nesting colonies. We maintained these systems from March through August 2017. To evaluate the effect of these social attraction measures, we also completed waterbird surveys between April and August, where we recorded the number and location of all Forster’s terns and other waterbirds using Pond A16, and monitored waterbird nests. We compared bird survey and nest monitoring data collected in 2017 to data collected in 2015 and 2016, prior to the implementation of social attraction measures, allowing for direct evaluation of social attraction efforts on Forster’s terns.To increase the visibility and stakeholder involvement of this project, we engaged in multiple outreach activities, including the development of a project web site (https://apps.usgs.gov/shorebirds/) and educational video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IaZD0YlAvM&feature=youtu.be); publication of a popular article (http://www.sfestuary.org/estuary-news-caspian-push-and-pull/); and public presentations to relay findings to managers, stakeholders, and the general public.The relative number of Forster’s terns using Pond A16, after adjusting for the overall South San Francisco Bay breeding population each year, was higher during the nesting period in 2017 (after social attraction was used) than in 2015 and 2016 (before social attraction was used). Furthermore, in 2017, more Forster’s terns were observed in the areas of Pond A16 where decoys and call systems were deployed during the pre-nesting and nesting periods. Although no Forster’s tern nests were recorded in Pond A16 before (2015, 2016) or after (2017) implementation of social attraction measures, bird survey results indicate that Forster’s terns were attracted to areas within Pond A16 where decoys and call systems were deployed, suggesting that terns may have been prospecting for future breeding sites. As social attraction efforts often benefit from multiple years of decoy and call system deployment, these first-year results suggest that continued implementation of social attraction measures could help to re-establish Forster’s tern breeding colonies in Pond A16 and other areas of South San Francisco Bay.
Comparison of the effects of sugammadex and neostigmine on postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Yağan, Özgür; Taş, Nilay; Mutlu, Tuğçe; Hancı, Volkan
The aim of our study is to compare the effects of sugammadex and neostigmine, used for neuromuscular blockage antagonism, on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Our study was completed with 98 ASA I-II risk patients undergoing endotracheal intubation under general anesthesia. At the end of the surgery patients were randomly divided into two groups given 2mgkg -1 sugammadex (Group S) or 50μgkg -1 neostigmine plus 0.2mgkg -1 atropine (Group N). Monitoring and recording times were set as 1 hour postoperative and from 1-6, 6-12, and 12-24hours. The anti-emetic amounts administered were recorded. In the first hour postoperative 13 patients in Group N (27%) and 4 in Group S (8%) were observed to have nausea and/or vomiting and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.0016). During the 24 hours of monitoring there was no significant difference in the incidence and severity of PONV (p>0.05), however the number of patients given ondansetron for PONV treatment in Group N was statistically significantly higher than the number in Group S (16 in Group N, 6 in Group S, p<0.011). At the end of our study comparing neostigmine with sugammadex for neuromuscular blockage antagonism, we found use of sugammadex had lower incidence of PONV in the postoperative 1st hour and less anti-emetic use in 24 hours of monitoring. Copyright © 2016 Sociedade Brasileira de Anestesiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.
Characterization of the Properties of Photopatterned Hydrogels for Use in Regenerative Medicine
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fiedler, Callie Irene
The goal of this thesis was to locally photopattern cytocompatible hydrogels to exhibit a wide range of mechanical properties and to probe the fundamental parameters governing these materials printed via stereolithography (SLA). Fabricating cell-laden structures with locally defined mechanical properties is non-trivial because the use of multiple precursor materials is wasteful, slow, and can lead to cell-death. To investigate the range of mechanical properties a single precursor solution can produce, I initially formed a single-network hydrogel and cyclically in- swelled fresh precursor solution followed by photo-exposure of the swollen gel ("swelling + exposure" or SE cycle). Because transport (i.e., diffusion and swelling) can occur on the same time scale as photopolymerization reaction kinetics, I first characterized the variable modulus hydrogels in bulk to isolate the reaction kinetics. In these experiments, I demonstrated the ability modify the mechanical and chemical (i.e., compressive modulus, toughness, crosslink density, swelling ratio) properties by up to 10-fold using only 2-4 SE cycles. I then used the understanding gained via these bulk experiments to locally photopattern the elastic modulus of a cytocompatible hydrogel with pixel-limited resolution (˜10s mum) employing a custom SLA system. Here I demonstrated the ability to fabricate hydrogels with a 500% elastic moduli increase with respect to the unpatterned hydrogel using atomic force microscopy. I monitored monomer attachment to the existing matrix as a function of SE cycle using confocal fluorescence microscopy to characterize the shape and size of printed features. I validated that the dependence of these features on material and processing conditions could be explained by a first-order reaction/diffusion model. With this understanding, I fabricated SLA 3D printed, soft, cytocompatible hydrogels (˜10s kPa) with ˜250 mum channels in addition to fabricating 3D printed stiff, cytocompatible hydrogels (39 MPa) both with ˜10 mum resolution.
Aerosol reduction/expansion synthesis (A-RES) for zero valent metal particles
Leseman, Zayd; Luhrs, Claudia; Phillips, Jonathan; Soliman, Haytham
2016-04-12
Various embodiments provide methods of forming zero valent metal particles using an aerosol-reductive/expansion synthesis (A-RES) process. In one embodiment, an aerosol stream including metal precursor compound(s) and chemical agent(s) that produces reducing gases upon thermal decomposition can be introduced into a heated inert atmosphere of a RES reactor to form zero valent metal particles corresponding to metals used for the metal precursor compound(s).
Lionti, Krystelle; Séverin, Isabelle; Dahbi, Laurence; Toury, Bérangère; Chagnon, Marie-Christine
2014-03-01
Organoalkoxysilanes are precursors that are used increasingly in the synthesis of food contact coatings. To comply with the EU regulation, their potential toxicity must be assessed, and very little information is known. The genotoxicity of three common precursors was studied, namely, tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) and 3-glycidyloxypropyltriethoxysilane (GPTES). By the Ames test, MTES and TEOS were not mutagenic for bacteria. A significant positive response was observed with GPTES in the TA100 and TA1535 strains. The mutagenic effect was more pronounced in the presence of the exogenous metabolic activation system with an increase of the induction factor (ten-fold higher for the TA1535 strain). In the micronucleus assay performed with a human hepatoma cell line (HepG2 cells), GPTES gave negative results even in the presence of an exogenous activation system. To ascertain the possibility of using this precursor in food contact material, its migration must be monitored according to the coating formulation because migration might result in hazardous human exposure. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Mechanically activated synthesis of PZT and its electromechanical properties
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Liu, X.; Akdogan, E. K.; Safari, A.; Riman, R. E.
2005-08-01
Mechanical activation was successfully used to synthesize nanostructured phase-pure Pb(Zr0.7Ti0.3)O3 (PZT) powders. Lead zirconium titanium (PbZrTi) hydrous oxide precursor, synthesized from chemical co-precipitation, was mechanically activated in a NaCl matrix. The synthesized PZT particles were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, laser-light diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis were used to monitor dehydration and phase transformation of PbZrTi hydrous oxide precursor during mechanical activation. The best mechanical activation conditions corresponded to mechanically activating PbZrTi hydrous oxide precursor in a NaCl matrix with a NaCl/precursor weight ratio of 4:1 for 8 h. These conditions resulted in a dispersible phase-pure PZT powder with a median secondary-particle size of ˜110 nm. The properties of PZT 70/30 from mechanically activated powder, as measured on discs sintered at 1150 °C for 2 h, were found to be in close conformity to those obtained by a conventional mixed oxide solid state reaction route.
Using Passive Sampling to Asses Ozone Formation in Sparsely Monitored Areas
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Crosby, C. M.; Mainord, J.; George, L. A.
2016-12-01
Tropospheric ozone (O3), a secondary pollutant, is detrimental to both human health and the environment. O3 is formed from nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds, (VOC's) in the presence of sunlight. Hermiston is a low population rural city in Oregon (17,707), where O3 levels are expected to be minimal. However, Hermiston has recently experienced elevated O3 concentrations, approaching EPA levels of non-attainment. These levels were not predicted by airshed modeling of the region, suggesting that precursor emissions are not adequately represented in the model. Due to the limited monitoring in the area, there are no measurements of precursors in the region. In this study, passive Ogawa samplers were used to measure NOx and O3 levels at twenty sites in the area. The concentrations were then mapped in conjunction with wind trajectories derived from HYSPLIT and compared to NOx point sources attained from the National Emissions Inventory (NEI). The measurement campaign revealed areas of elevated NOx concentrations that were not accounted for in the airshed model. Further exploration is needed to identify these sources. This study lays groundwork for the use of passive sampling to ground-truth airshed models in the absence of monitoring networks.
40 CFR 503.16 - Frequency of monitoring.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
2014-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Frequency of monitoring. 503.16... STANDARDS FOR THE USE OR DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE SLUDGE Land Application § 503.16 Frequency of monitoring. (a) Sewage sludge. (1) The frequency of monitoring for the pollutants listed in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and...
40 CFR 503.16 - Frequency of monitoring.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
2012-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Frequency of monitoring. 503.16... STANDARDS FOR THE USE OR DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE SLUDGE Land Application § 503.16 Frequency of monitoring. (a) Sewage sludge. (1) The frequency of monitoring for the pollutants listed in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and...
40 CFR 503.16 - Frequency of monitoring.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 29 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Frequency of monitoring. 503.16... STANDARDS FOR THE USE OR DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE SLUDGE Land Application § 503.16 Frequency of monitoring. (a) Sewage sludge. (1) The frequency of monitoring for the pollutants listed in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and...
40 CFR 503.16 - Frequency of monitoring.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Frequency of monitoring. 503.16... STANDARDS FOR THE USE OR DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE SLUDGE Land Application § 503.16 Frequency of monitoring. (a) Sewage sludge. (1) The frequency of monitoring for the pollutants listed in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and...
40 CFR 503.16 - Frequency of monitoring.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
2013-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Frequency of monitoring. 503.16... STANDARDS FOR THE USE OR DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE SLUDGE Land Application § 503.16 Frequency of monitoring. (a) Sewage sludge. (1) The frequency of monitoring for the pollutants listed in Table 1, Table 2, Table 3 and...
Penlington, M C; Williams, M A; Sumpter, J P; Rand-Weaver, M; Hoole, D; Arme, C
1997-12-01
The complementary DNAs (cDNA) encoding the [Trp7,Leu8]-gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (salmon-type GnRH; sGnRH:GeneBank accession no. u60667) and the [His5,Trp7,Tyr8]-GnRH (chicken-II-type GnRH; cGnRH-II: GeneBank accession no. u60668) precursor in the roach (Rutilus rutilus) were isolated and sequenced following reverse transcription and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The sGnRH and cGnRH-II precursor cDNAs consisted of 439 and 628 bp, and included open reading frames of 282 and 255 bp respectively. The structures of the encoded peptides were the same as GnRHs previously identified in other vertebrates. The sGnRH and cGnRH-II precursor cDNAs, including the non-coding regions, had 88.6 and 79.9% identity respectively, to those identified in goldfish (Carassius auratus). However, significant similarity was not observed between the non-coding regions of the GnRH cDNAs of Cyprinidae and other fish. The presumed third exon, encoding partial sGnRH associated peptide (GAP) of roach, demonstrated significant nucleotide and amino acid similarity with the appropriate regions in the goldfish, but not with other species, and this may indicate functional differences of GAP between different families of fish. cGnRH-II precursor cDNAs from roach had relatively high nucleotide similarity across this GnRH variant. Cladistic analysis classified the sGnRH and cGnRH-II precursor cDNAs into three and two groups respectively. However, the divergence between nucleotide sequences within the sGnRH variant was greater than those encoding the cGnRH-II precursors. Consistent with the consensus developed from previous studies, Northern blot analysis demonstrated that expression of sGnRH and cGnRH-II was restricted to the olfactory bulbs and midbrain of roach respectively. This work forms the basis for further study on the mechanisms by which the tapeworm, Ligula intestinalis, interacts with the pituitary-gonadal axis of its fish host.
Linder, Jennifer Ruh; Collins, W Andrew
2005-06-01
Violence between romantic partners is widespread, but developmental precursors of perpetration and victimization are little understood. Among participants followed from birth to 23 years of age, familial and extrafamilial childhood and adolescent relationships were examined in connection with couple violence in early adulthood. Predictors included early childhood physical abuse and witnessing of parental partner violence, features of parent-child interactions at the age of 13 years, and close friendship quality at the age of 16 years. Controlling for early familial violence, intrusive or overly familiar behavior in videotaped parent-child collaborations at 13 years of age consistently predicted violence perpetration and victimization in early adulthood. Friendship quality at the age of 16 years contributed over and above familial predictors. Understanding the role of both familial and extrafamilial close relationship precursors may lead to effective strategies for ameliorating the problem of romantic partner violence. 2005 APA, all rights reserved
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tsai, H.; Su, Y.; Liu, J. G.; Chen, S.; Chen, M.
2013-12-01
In this paper, temporal and spatial analyses are employed to detect seismo-ionospheric precursors (SIPs) in the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) during 16 October 1999 Mw7.1 Hector Mine earthquake. To discriminate anomalies caused by global effects, such as solar radiations, magnetic storms, etc., and local effects, such as earthquake, we cross-examine the GPS TECs and their gradients in the eastward and northward directions at epicenter/centers of the Hector Mine area and the other two reference areas at similar magnetic latitudes in Europe and Japan. Temporal variations of the northward TEC gradient suggest SIPs most likely appearing day 6-5 before the earthquake. A global search by using the TEC of GIM (global ionosphere map) shows that the TEC increase and decrease anomalies continuously and specifically appear around the epicenter day 5 before the earthquake.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Kumaresavanji, M., E-mail: vanji.hplt@gmail.com; Sousa, C. T.; Pires, A.
2014-08-25
High aspect ratio La{sub 0.7}Sr{sub 0.3}MnO{sub 3} nanotube (NT) arrays have been synthesized using nitrates based sol-gel precursor by nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide template assisted method. Their phase purity and microstructures were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of as prepared NTs was investigated by means of field dependence magnetization measurements. Significant magnetic entropy change, −△S{sub M} = 1.6 J/kg K, and the refrigerant capacitance, RC = 69 J/kg, were achieved near the transition temperature at 315 K for 5 T. For comparison, a bulk sample was also prepared using the same precursor solution which gives a value of −△S{submore » M} = 4.2 J/kg K and a RC = 165 J/kg. Though the bulk sample exhibits higher △S{sub M} value, the NTs present an expanded temperature dependence of −△S{sub M} curves that spread over a broad temperature range and assured to be appropriate for active magnetic refrigeration. The diminutive MCE observed in manganite NTs is explained by the increased influence of surface sites of nanograins which affect the structural phase transition occurred by external magnetic field due to the coupling between magnetism and the lattice in manganese perovskites. Our report paves the way for further investigation in 1D manganite nanostructured materials towards applications in such magnetic refrigeration technology or even on hyperthermia/drug delivery.« less
Detection of Ammonium Nitrate Variants by Canine: A Study of Generalization between Like Substances
2018-04-30
PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR / MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S)9. SPONSORING / MONITORING...16 Figure 9. Alert rates for Group A, trained to prill fertilizer AN, and Group B, trained to ground fertilizer AN for Trial 2...thirds of all American deaths in combat were by IED attacks, according to the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO, now the Joint Improvised- Threat
1986-03-01
CLASSIFICATION OF THIS PAGEZ-~-ft! -q 1 REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE a REPORT SECURITY CLASSIFICATION lb. RESTRICTIVE MARKINGS . UNCLASSIFIED """ a. SECURITY...CLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY 3 DISTRiBUTION(/AVAILABILITY OF REPORT Approved for public release; 2b. DECLASSIFICATION/ DOWNGRADING SCHEDULE distribution...is un 1 im i ted 4 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER(S) S. MONITORING ORGANIZATION REPOR•r NUMBER(S) j a.NAME OF PERFORMING ORGANIZATION 16b
Lignos, Ioannis; Stavrakis, Stavros; Kilaj, Ardita; deMello, Andrew J
2015-08-26
The early-time kinetics (<1 s) of lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dot formation are probed using a novel droplet-based microfluidic platform, which allows for high-throughput and real-time optical analysis of the reactive process with millisecond time resolution. The reaction platform enables the concurrent investigation of the emission characteristics of PbS quantum dots and a real-time estimation of their size and concentration during nucleation and growth. These investigations reveal a two-stage mechanism for PbS nanoparticle formation. The first stage corresponds to the fast conversion of precursor species to PbS crystals, followed by the growth of the formed particles. The growth kinetics of the PbS nanoparticles follow the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner model for Ostwald ripening, allowing direct estimation of the rate constants for the process. In addition, the extraction of absorption spectra of ultrasmall quantum dots is demonstrated for first time in an online manner. The droplet-based microfluidic platform integrated with online spectroscopic analysis provides a new tool for the quantitative extraction of high temperature kinetics for systems with rapid nucleation and growth stages. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
Tools to minimize interlaboratory variability in vitellogenin gene expression monitoring programs
The egg yolk precursor protein vitellogenin is widely used as a biomarker of estrogen exposure in male fish. However, standardized methodology is lacking and little is known regarding the reproducibility of results among laboratories using different equipment, reagents, protocols...
4D monitoring of actively failing rockslopes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rosser, Nick; Williams, Jack; Hardy, Richard; Brain, Matthew
2017-04-01
Assessing the conditions which promote rockfall to collapse relies upon detailed monitoring, ideally before, during and immediately after failure. With standard repeat surveys it is common that surveys do not coincide with or capture precursors, or that surveys are widely spaced relative to the timing and duration of driving forces such as storms. As a result gaining insight into the controls on failure and the timescales over which precursors operate remains difficult to establish with certainty, and establishing direct links between environmental conditions and rock-falls, or sequences of events prior to rockfall, remain difficult to define. To address this, we present analysis of a high-frequency 3D laser scan dataset captured using a new permanently installed system developed to constantly monitor actively failing rock slopes. The system is based around a time of flight laser scanner, integrated with and remotely controlled by dedicated controls and analysis software. The system is configured to capture data at 0.1 m spacing across > 22,000 m3 at up to 30 minute intervals. Here we present results captured with this system over a period of 9 months, spanning spring to winter 2015. Our analysis is focussed upon improving the understanding of the nature of small (< 1m^3) rockfalls falling from near vertical rock cliffs. We focus here on the development of a set of algorithms for differencing that trade-off the temporal resolution of frequent surveys (hourly) against high spatial resolution point clouds (< 0.05 m) to enhance the precision of change detection, allowing both deformation and detachments to be monitored through time. From this dataset we derive rockfall volume frequency distributions based upon short-interval surveys, and identify the presence and/or absence of precursors, in what we believe to be the first constant volumetric measurement of rock face erosion. The results hold implications for understanding of rockfall mechanics, but also for how actively eroding surfaces can be monitored at high temporal frequency. Whilst high frequency data is ideal for describing processes that evolve rapidly through time, the cumulative errors that accumulate when monitored changes are dominated by inverse power-law distributed volumes are significant. To conclude we consider the benefits of defining survey frequency on the basis of the changes being detected relative to the accumulation of errors that inevitably arises when comparing high numbers of sequential surveys.
Sivilotti, Paolo; Falchi, Rachele; Herrera, Jose Carlos; Škvarč, Branka; Butinar, Lorena; Sternad Lemut, Melita; Bubola, Marijan; Sabbatini, Paolo; Lisjak, Klemen; Vanzo, Andreja
2017-09-27
Early leaf removal around the cluster zone is a common technique applied in cool climate viticulture, to regulate yield components and improve fruit quality. Despite the increasing amount of information on early leaf removal and its impact on total soluble solids, anthocyanins, and polyphenols, less is known regarding aroma compounds. In order to verify the hypothesis that defoliation, applied before or after flowering, could impact the biosynthesis of thiol precursors, we performed a two year (2013 and 2014) experiment on Sauvignon blanc. We provided evidence that differential accumulation of thiol precursors in berries is affected by the timing of defoliation, and this impact was related to modifications in the biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, the possible interaction between leaf removal treatment and seasonal weather conditions, and its effect on the biosynthesis of volatile precursors are discussed. Our results suggested that in Sauvignon blanc the relative proportion of 4-S-glutathionyl-4-methylpentan-2-one (G-4MSP) and 3-S-glutathionylhexan-1-ol (G-3SH) precursors can be affected by defoliation, and this could be related to the induction of two specific genes encoding glutathione-S-transferases (VvGST3 and VvGST5), while no significant effects on basic fruit chemical parameters, polyphenols, and methoxypyrazines were ascertained under our experimental conditions.
Longitudinal analyses of the steroid metabolome in obese PCOS girls with weight loss.
Reinehr, Thomas; Kulle, Alexandra; Rothermel, Juliane; Knop-Schmenn, Caroline; Lass, Nina; Bosse, Christina; Holterhus, Paul-Martin
2017-05-01
The underlying mechanisms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are not fully understood yet. The aim of the study was to get functional insights into the regulation of steroid hormones in PCOS by steroid metabolomics. This is a longitudinal study of changes of steroid hormones in 40 obese girls aged 13-16 years (50% with PCOS) participating in a 1-year lifestyle intervention. Girls with and without PCOS were matched to age, BMI and change of weight status. We measured progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 17-hydroxyprogenolon, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 21-deoxycorticosterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, cortisone, androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrostendione-sulfate (DHEA-S), estrone and estradiol by LC-MS/MS steroid profiling at baseline and one year later. At baseline, obese PCOS girls demonstrated significantly higher androstenedione and testosterone concentrations compared to obese girls without PCOS, whereas the other steroid hormones including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens and precursors of androgens did not differ significantly. Weight loss in obese PCOS girls was associated with a significant decrease of testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA-S, cortisol and corticosterone concentrations. Weight loss in obese non-PCOS girls was associated with a significant decrease of DHEA-S, cortisol and corticosterone concentrations, whereas no significant changes of testosterone and androstenedione concentrations could be observed. Without weight loss, no significant changes of steroid hormones were measured except an increase of estradiol in obese PCOS girls without weight loss. The key steroid hormones in obese adolescents with PCOS are androstenedione and testosterone, whereas glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens and precursors of androgens did not differ between obese girls with and without PCOS. © 2017 The authors.
Longitudinal analyses of the steroid metabolome in obese PCOS girls with weight loss
Kulle, Alexandra; Rothermel, Juliane; Knop-Schmenn, Caroline; Lass, Nina; Bosse, Christina; Holterhus, Paul-Martin
2017-01-01
Objective The underlying mechanisms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are not fully understood yet. The aim of the study was to get functional insights into the regulation of steroid hormones in PCOS by steroid metabolomics. Design This is a longitudinal study of changes of steroid hormones in 40 obese girls aged 13–16 years (50% with PCOS) participating in a 1-year lifestyle intervention. Girls with and without PCOS were matched to age, BMI and change of weight status. Methods We measured progesterone, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, 17-hydroxyprogenolon, 11-deoxycorticosterone, 21-deoxycorticosterone, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol, cortisone, androstenedione, testosterone, dehydroepiandrostendione-sulfate (DHEA-S), estrone and estradiol by LC–MS/MS steroid profiling at baseline and one year later. Results At baseline, obese PCOS girls demonstrated significantly higher androstenedione and testosterone concentrations compared to obese girls without PCOS, whereas the other steroid hormones including glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens and precursors of androgens did not differ significantly. Weight loss in obese PCOS girls was associated with a significant decrease of testosterone, androstenedione, DHEA-S, cortisol and corticosterone concentrations. Weight loss in obese non-PCOS girls was associated with a significant decrease of DHEA-S, cortisol and corticosterone concentrations, whereas no significant changes of testosterone and androstenedione concentrations could be observed. Without weight loss, no significant changes of steroid hormones were measured except an increase of estradiol in obese PCOS girls without weight loss. Conclusions The key steroid hormones in obese adolescents with PCOS are androstenedione and testosterone, whereas glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, estrogens and precursors of androgens did not differ between obese girls with and without PCOS. PMID:28373267
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hsu, Chun-Tsung; Hu, Chi-Chang
2013-11-01
A simple and scalable process has been developed for synthesizing spinel NiCo2O4 nanocrystals through a thermal decomposition method. The introduction of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, (C16H33)N(CH3)3Br) into precursor solutions significantly enhances the homogeneity and porosity of spinel NiCo2O4. The porosity and high specific surface area of NiCo2O4 preserves the brilliant pseudo-capacitive performances due to providing smooth paths for electrolyte penetration and ion diffusion into inner active sites. Morphologies and microstructures of the active materials are examined by transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is used to evaluate the thermal properties of precursor solutions. The electrochemical performances of NiCo2O4 are systematically characterized by cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge tests. Asymmetric supercapacitors are assembled with these brilliant binary oxides as the positive electrode and activated carbon as the negative electrode. The highly porous NiCo2O4 exhibits superior capacitive performances, i.e., high specific capacitance (764 F g-1 at 2 mV s-1) and long cycle life.
2005 Annual Health Physics Report for HEU Transparency Program
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Radev, R
2006-04-21
During the 2005 calendar year, LLNL provided health physics support for the Highly Enriched Uranium Transparency Program (HEU-TP) in external and internal radiation protection and technical expertise into matters related to BDMS radioactive sources and Russian radiation safety regulatory compliance. For the calendar year 2005, there were 161 person-trips that required dose monitoring of the U.S. monitors. Of the 161 person-trips, 149 person-trips were SMVs and 12 person-trips were Transparency Monitoring Office (TMO) trips. Additionally, there were 11 monitoring visits by TMO monitors to facilities other than UEIE and 3 to UEIE itself. There were two monitoring visits (source changes)more » that were back to back with 16 monitors. Each of these concurring visits were treated as single person-trips for dosimetry purposes. Counted individually, there were 191 individual person-visits in 2005. The LLNL Safety Laboratories Division provided the dosimetry services for the HEU-TP monitors.« less
Improved Single-Source Precursors for Solar-Cell Absorbers
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Banger, Kulbinder K.; Harris, Jerry; Hepp, Aloysius
2007-01-01
Improved single-source precursor compounds have been invented for use in spray chemical vapor deposition (spray CVD) of chalcopyrite semiconductor absorber layers of thin-film cells. A "single-source precursor compound" is a single molecular compound that contains all the required elements, which when used under the spray CVD conditions, thermally decomposes to form CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S(y)Se(2-y).
Yamasaki, Tomohito; Onishi, Masayuki; Kim, Eun-Jeong; Cerutti, Heriberto; Ohama, Takeshi
2016-09-20
Canonical microRNAs (miRNAs) are embedded in duplexed stem-loops in long precursor transcripts and are excised by sequential cleavage by DICER nuclease(s). In this miRNA biogenesis pathway, dsRNA-binding proteins play important roles in animals and plants by assisting DICER. However, these RNA-binding proteins are poorly characterized in unicellular organisms. Here we report that a unique RNA-binding protein, Dull slicer-16 (DUS16), plays an essential role in processing of primary-miRNA (pri-miRNA) transcripts in the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii In animals and plants, dsRNA-binding proteins involved in miRNA biogenesis harbor two or three dsRNA-binding domains (dsRBDs), whereas DUS16 contains one dsRBD and also an ssRNA-binding domain (RRM). The null mutant of DUS16 showed a drastic reduction in most miRNA species. Production of these miRNAs was complemented by expression of full-length DUS16, but the expression of RRM- or dsRBD-truncated DUS16 did not restore miRNA production. Furthermore, DUS16 is predominantly localized to the nucleus and associated with nascent (unspliced form) pri-miRNAs and the DICER-LIKE 3 protein. These results suggest that DUS16 recognizes pri-miRNA transcripts cotranscriptionally and promotes their processing into mature miRNAs as a component of a microprocessor complex. We propose that DUS16 is an essential factor for miRNA production in Chlamydomonas and, because DUS16 is functionally similar to the dsRNA-binding proteins involved in miRNA biogenesis in animals and land plants, our report provides insight into this mechanism in unicellular eukaryotes.
Site Characterization and Monitoring Technical Support Center FY16 Report
SCMTSC’s primary goal is to provide technical assistance to regional programs on complex hazardous waste site characterization issues. This annual report illustrates the range and extent of projects that SCMTSC supported in FY 2016. Our principal audiences are site project manage...
Report #16-P-0126, March 31, 2016. Management Alert. Environmental and extensive financial risks exist from the EPA's failure to have accurate and complete data to monitor and ensure compliance with RCRA and CERCLA financial assurance requirements.
Neuronal cell fate specification in Drosophila.
Jan, Y N; Jan, L Y
1994-02-01
Recent work indicates that the Drosophila nervous system develops in a progressive process of cell fate specification. Expression of specific proneural genes in clusters of cells (the proneural clusters) in the cellular blastoderm endows these cells with the potential to form certain types of neural precursors. Intercellular interactions that involve both proneural genes and neurogenic genes then allow the neural precursors to be singled out from the proneural clusters. Expression of neural precursor genes in all neural precursors is likely to account for the universal aspects of neuronal differentiation, such as axonal outgrowth. Selective expression of certain neuronal-type selector genes further specifies the type of neuron(s) that a neural precursor will produce.
RNase MRP is required for entry of 35S precursor rRNA into the canonical processing pathway.
Lindahl, Lasse; Bommankanti, Ananth; Li, Xing; Hayden, Lauren; Jones, Adrienne; Khan, Miriam; Oni, Tolulope; Zengel, Janice M
2009-07-01
RNase MRP is a nucleolar RNA-protein enzyme that participates in the processing of rRNA during ribosome biogenesis. Previous experiments suggested that RNase MRP makes a nonessential cleavage in the first internal transcribed spacer. Here we report experiments with new temperature-sensitive RNase MRP mutants in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that show that the abundance of all early intermediates in the processing pathway is severely reduced upon inactivation of RNase MRP. Transcription of rRNA continues unabated as determined by RNA polymerase run-on transcription, but the precursor rRNA transcript does not accumulate, and appears to be unstable. Taken together, these observations suggest that inactivation of RNase MRP blocks cleavage at sites A0, A1, A2, and A3, which in turn, prevents precursor rRNA from entering the canonical processing pathway (35S > 20S + 27S > 18S + 25S + 5.8S rRNA). Nevertheless, at least some cleavage at the processing site in the second internal transcribed spacer takes place to form an unusual 24S intermediate, suggesting that cleavage at C2 is not blocked. Furthermore, the long form of 5.8S rRNA is made in the absence of RNase MRP activity, but only in the presence of Xrn1p (exonuclease 1), an enzyme not required for the canonical pathway. We conclude that RNase MRP is a key enzyme for initiating the canonical processing of precursor rRNA transcripts, but alternative pathway(s) might provide a backup for production of small amounts of rRNA.
Simulation and Real-Time Verification of Video Algorithms on the TI C6400 Using Simulink
2004-08-20
SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12 . DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release...plot estimates over time (scrolling data) Adjust detection threshold (click mouse on graph) Monitor video capture Input video frames Captured frames 12 ...Video App: Surveillance Recording 1 2 7 3 4 9 5 6 11 SL for video Explanation of GUI 12 Target Options8 Build Process 10 13 14 15 16 M-code snippet
The Need for a Global Space-Traffic-Control Service: An Opportunity for US Leadership
2010-02-17
www.marshall.org/pdf/materials/554.pdf, 17. (Accessed 16 September 2009).; T.S. Kelso and S. Alfano , “Satellite Orbital Conjunction Reports Assessing Threatening...control? As more countries race to launch satellites and manned craft, some warn of a space jam,” Christian Science Monitor, 14 March 2008, http...Risks in Space from Orbiting Debris.” Science Magazine: Washington: 20 January 2006. Vol. 311, Iss. 5759. 27 Kelso, T.S. and S. Alfano
Investigations on precursor measures for aeroelastic flutter
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Venkatramani, J.; Sarkar, Sunetra; Gupta, Sayan
2018-04-01
Wind tunnel experiments carried out on a pitch-plunge aeroelastic system in the presence of fluctuating flows reveal that flutter instability is presaged by a regime of intermittency. It is observed that as the flow speed gradually increases towards the flutter speed, there appears intermittent bursts of periodic oscillations which become more frequent as the wind speed increases and eventually the dynamics transition into fully developed limit cycle oscillations, marking the onset of flutter. The signature from these intermittent oscillations are exploited to develop measures that forewarn a transition to flutter and can serve as precursors. This study investigates a suite of measures that are obtained directly from the time history of measurements and are hence model independent. The dependence of these precursors on the size of the measured data set and the time required for their computation is investigated. These measures can be useful in structural health monitoring of aeroelastic structures.
Thin Film CuInS2 Prepared by Spray Pyrolysis with Single-Source Precursors
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Jin, Michael H.; Banger, Kulinder K.; Harris, Jerry D.; Cowen, Jonathan E.; Hepp, Aloysius F.; Lyons, Valerie (Technical Monitor)
2002-01-01
Both horizontal hot-wall and vertical cold-wall atmospheric chemical spray pyrolysis processes deposited near single-phase stoichiometric CuInS2 thin films. Single-source precursors developed for ternary chalcopyrite materials were used for this study, and a new liquid phase single-source precursor was tested with a vertical cold-wall reactor. The depositions were carried out under an argon atmosphere, and the substrate temperature was kept at 400 C. Columnar grain structure was obtained with vapor deposition, and the granular structure was obtained with (liquid) droplet deposition. Conductive films were deposited with planar electrical resistivities ranging from 1 to 30 Omega x cm.
Dendritic cells in chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia.
Vuckovic, S; Fearnley, D B; Gunningham, S; Spearing, R L; Patton, W N; Hart, D N
1999-06-01
Blood dendritic cells (DC) differentiate in vitro via two separate pathways: either directly from blood DC precursors (DCp) or from CD14+ monocytes. In chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML) abnormal bone marrow precursors contribute to blood monocyte development but DC development has not been studied previously. Monocytes comprised 60% of blood MNC in 15 CMML patients studied, compared with 20% in 16 age-matched controls. The increase in blood monocytes was accompanied by a reciprocal decrease in mean blood DC percentage (from 0.42% of MNC in normal individuals to 0.16% of MNC in CMML patients). Absolute blood DC numbers showed a minimal (non-significant) reduction from 9.8 x 10(6)/l in normal individuals to 7.5 x 10(6)/l in CMML patients. The CD14(low) WCD16+ monocyte subpopulation was not found in CMML patients. After culture in GM-CSF/IL-4, CMML CD14+ monocytes acquired the phenotype of immature monocyte derived DC (Mo-DC) with similar yields to normal blood Mo-DC generation. Addition of TNF-alpha or LPS induced both normal and CMML Mo-DC to express prominent dendritic processes, the CMRF44+ and CD83+ antigens and high levels of HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86. Treatment either with TNF-alpha or LPS increased the allostimulatory activity of normal Mo-DC, but had little effect on the allostimulatory activity of CMML Mo-DC, perhaps reflecting the underlying neoplastic changes in monocyte precursors. We conclude that the blood DC numbers are relatively unaffected in CMML, suggesting discrete regulation of monocyte and DC production.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Brodie, Eoin L.; DeSantis, Todd Z.; Joyner, Dominique C.
2006-01-30
Reduction of soluble uranium U(VI) to less-soluble uraniumU(IV) is a promising approach to minimize migration from contaminatedaquifers. It is generally assumed that, under constant reducingconditions, U(IV) is stable and immobile; however, in a previous study,we documented reoxidation of U(IV) under continuous reducing conditions(Wan et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 2005, 39:6162 6169). To determine ifchanges in microbial community composition were a factor in U(IV)reoxidation, we employed a high-density phylogenetic DNA microarray (16Smicroarray) containing 500,000 probes to monitor changes in bacterialpopulations during this remediation process. Comparison of the 16Smicroarray with clone libraries demonstrated successful detection andclassification of most clone groups. Analysis ofmore » the most dynamic groupsof 16S rRNA gene amplicons detected by the 16S microarray identified fiveclusters of bacterial subfamilies responding in a similar manner. Thisapproach demonstrated that amplicons of known metal-reducing bacteriasuch as Geothrix fermentans (confirmed by quantitative PCR) and thosewithin the Geobacteraceae were abundant during U(VI) reduction and didnot decline during the U(IV) reoxidation phase. Significantly, it appearsthat the observed reoxidation of uranium under reducing conditionsoccurred despite elevated microbial activity and the consistent presenceof metal-reducing bacteria. High-density phylogenetic microarraysconstitute a powerful tool, enabling the detection and monitoring of asubstantial portion of the microbial population in a routine, accurate,and reproducible manner.« less
Hou, Jin-Le; Luo, Wen; Wu, Yin-Yin; Su, Hu-Chao; Zhang, Guang-Lin; Zhu, Qin-Yu; Dai, Jie
2015-12-14
Two benzene dicarboxylate (BDC) and salicylate (SAL) substituted titanium-oxo-clusters, Ti13O10(o-BDC)4(SAL)4(O(i)Pr)16 (1) and Ti13O10(o-BDC)4(SAL-Cl)4(O(i)Pr)16 (2), are prepared by one step in situ solvothermal synthesis. Single crystal analysis shows that the two Ti13 clusters take a paddle arrangement with an S4 symmetry. The non-compact (non-sphere) structure is stabilized by the coordination of BDC and SAL. Film photoelectrodes are prepared by the wet coating process using the solution of the clusters and the photocurrent response properties of the electrodes are studied. It is found that the photocurrent density and photoresponsiveness of the electrodes are related to the number of coating layers and the annealing temperature. Using ligand coordinated titanium-oxo-clusters as the molecular precursors of TiO2 anatase films is found to be effective due to their high solubility, appropriate stability in solution and hence the easy controllability.
Twining, Brian V.; Fisher, Jason C.; Bartholomay, Roy C.
2010-01-01
In 2009, the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy's Naval Reactors Laboratory Field Office, Idaho Branch Office cored and completed well NRF-16 for monitoring the eastern Snake River Plain (SRP) aquifer. The borehole was initially cored to a depth of 425 feet below land surface and water samples and geophysical data were collected and analyzed to determine if well NRF-16 would meet criteria requested by Naval Reactors Facility (NRF) for a new upgradient well. Final construction continued after initial water samples and geophysical data indicated that NRF-16 would produce chemical concentrations representative of upgradient aquifer water not influenced by NRF facility disposal, and that the well was capable of producing sustainable discharge for ongoing monitoring. The borehole was reamed and constructed as a Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act monitoring well complete with screen and dedicated pump. Geophysical and borehole video logs were collected after coring and final completion of the monitoring well. Geophysical logs were examined in conjunction with the borehole core to identify primary flow paths for groundwater, which are believed to occur in the intervals of fractured and vesicular basalt and to describe borehole lithology in detail. Geophysical data also were examined to look for evidence of perched water and the extent of the annular seal after cement grouting the casing in place. Borehole videos were collected to confirm that no perched water was present and to examine the borehole before and after setting the screen in well NRF-16. Two consecutive single-well aquifer tests to define hydraulic characteristics for well NRF-16 were conducted in the eastern SRP aquifer. Transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity averaged from the aquifer tests were 4.8 x 103 ft2/d and 9.9 ft/d, respectively. The transmissivity for well NRF-16 was within the range of values determined from past aquifer tests in other wells near NRF of 4.4 x 102 to 5.1 x 105 ft2/d. Water samples were analyzed for metals, nutrients, total organic carbon, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, herbicides, pesticides, polychlorinated biphenols, and radionuclides. All chloride, nitrate, and sulfate concentrations were less than background concentrations for the eastern SRP aquifer north of the NRF. Concentrations in water samples for most of the organic compounds and radionuclides were less than the reporting limits and reporting levels.
Elphick, Maurice R; Rowe, Matthew L
2009-04-01
The myoactive neuropeptide NGIWYamide was originally isolated from the holothurian (sea cucumber) Apostichopus japonicus but there is evidence that NGIWYamide-like peptides also occur in other echinoderms. Here we report the discovery of a gene in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus that encodes two copies of an NGIWYamide-like peptide: Asn-Gly-Phe-Phe-Phe-(NH(2)) or NGFFFamide. Interestingly, the C-terminal region of the NGFFFamide precursor shares sequence similarity with neurophysins, carrier proteins hitherto uniquely associated with precursors of vasopressin/oxytocin-like neuropeptides. Thus, the NGFFFamide precursor is the first neurophysin-containing neuropeptide precursor to be discovered that does not contain a vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptide. However, it remains to be determined whether neurophysin acts as a carrier protein for NGFFFamide. The S. purpuratus genome also contains a gene encoding a precursor comprising a neurophysin polypeptide and 'echinotocin' (CFISNCPKGamide) - the first vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptide to be identified in an echinoderm. Therefore, in S. purpuratus there are two genes encoding precursors that have a neurophysin domain but which encode neuropeptides that are structurally unrelated. Furthermore, both NGFFFamide and echinotocin cause contraction of tube foot and oesophagus preparations from the sea urchin Echinus esculentus, consistent with the myoactivity of NGIWYamide in sea cucumbers and the myoactivity of vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptides in other animal phyla. Presumably the NGFFFamide precursor acquired its neurophysin domain following partial or complete duplication of a gene encoding a vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptide, but it remains to be determined when in evolutionary history this occurred.
The RNA-binding protein Hfq is important for ribosome biogenesis and affects translation fidelity.
Andrade, José M; Dos Santos, Ricardo F; Chelysheva, Irina; Ignatova, Zoya; Arraiano, Cecília M
2018-06-01
Ribosome biogenesis is a complex process involving multiple factors. Here, we show that the widely conserved RNA chaperone Hfq, which can regulate sRNA-mRNA basepairing, plays a critical role in rRNA processing and ribosome assembly in Escherichia coli Hfq binds the 17S rRNA precursor and facilitates its correct processing and folding to mature 16S rRNA Hfq assists ribosome assembly and associates with pre-30S particles but not with mature 30S subunits. Inactivation of Hfq strikingly decreases the pool of mature 70S ribosomes. The reduction in ribosome levels depends on residues located in the distal face of Hfq but not on residues found in the proximal and rim surfaces which govern interactions with the sRNAs. Our results indicate that Hfq-mediated regulation of ribosomes is independent of its function as sRNA-regulator. Furthermore, we observed that inactivation of Hfq compromises translation efficiency and fidelity, both features of aberrantly assembled ribosomes. Our work expands the functions of the Sm-like protein Hfq beyond its function in small RNA-mediated regulation and unveils a novel role of Hfq as crucial in ribosome biogenesis and translation. © 2018 The Authors.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Liu, Jann-Yenq; Chen, Koichi; Tsai, Ho-Fang; Hattori, Katsumi; Le, Huijun
2013-04-01
This paper reports statistical results of seismo-ionospheric precursors (SIPs) of the total electron content (TEC) in the global ionosphere map (GIM) over the epicenter of earthquakes with magnitude 6 and greater in China, Japan, and Taiwan during 1998-2012. To detect SIP, a quartile-based (i.e. median-based) process is performed. The earthquakes are sub-divided into various regions to have a better understanding on SIP characteristics, as well as examined with and without being led by magnetic storms to confirm the SIP existence. Results show that the SIPs mainly are the TEC significant increase in Japan, and decrease in Taiwan and China, respectively, which suggests the latitudinal effect playing an important role. Meanwhile, for a practical application of monitoring SIPs, the GIM TEC at a fixed point is tested. Results show that multi monitoring points and/or a spatial observation are required to enhance the SIP detection.
Observing and Understanding Tropospheric Ozone Changes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Logan, Jennifer; Schultz, Martin; Oltmans, Samuel
2010-03-01
Tropospheric Ozone Changes Workshop; Boulder, Colorado, 14-16 October 2009; Prompted by the lack of consensus on, and the need to assess current understanding of, long-term changes in tropospheric ozone, a workshop was held in Colorado to (1) evaluate the consistency of data records; (2) assess robust long-term changes; (3) determine how to combine observations and model studies; and (4) define research and observation needs for the future. At the workshop, long-term ozone records from regionally representative surface and mountain sites, ozonesondes, and aircraft were reviewed by region. In western Europe there are several time series of ˜15-40 years from all platforms. Overall, they show a rise in ozone into the middle to late 1990s and a leveling off, or in some cases declines, in the 2000s, in general agreement with precursor emission changes. However, significant differences in detail in the time series from nearby locations provide less confidence in changes before the late 1990s.
Peleato, Nicolás M; McKie, Michael; Taylor-Edmonds, Lizbeth; Andrews, Susan A; Legge, Raymond L; Andrews, Robert C
2016-06-01
The application of fluorescence spectroscopy to monitor natural organic matter (NOM) reduction as a function of biofiltration performance was investigated. This study was conducted at pilot-scale where a conventional media filter was compared to six biofilters employing varying enhancement strategies. Overall reductions of NOM were identified by measuring dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and UV absorbance at 254 nm, as well as characterization of organic sub-fractions by liquid chromatography-organic carbon detection (LC-OCD) and parallel factors analysis (PARAFAC) of fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (FEEM). The biofilter using granular activated carbon media, with exhausted absorptive capacity, was found to provide the highest removal of all identified PARAFAC components. A microbial or processed humic-like component was found to be most amenable to biodegradation by biofilters and removal by conventional treatment. One refractory humic-like component, detectable only by FEEM-PARAFAC, was not well removed by biofiltration or conventional treatment. All biofilters removed protein-like material to a high degree relative to conventional treatment. The formation potential of two halogenated furanones, 3-chloro-4(dichloromethyl)-2(5H)-furanone (MX) and mucochloric acid (MCA), as well as overall treated water genotoxicity are also reported. Using the organic characterization results possible halogenated furanone and genotoxicity precursors are identified. Comparison of FEEM-PARAFAC and LC-OCD results revealed polysaccharides as potential MX/MCA precursors. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Discovery of a widely distributed toxin biosynthetic gene cluster
Lee, Shaun W.; Mitchell, Douglas A.; Markley, Andrew L.; Hensler, Mary E.; Gonzalez, David; Wohlrab, Aaron; Dorrestein, Pieter C.; Nizet, Victor; Dixon, Jack E.
2008-01-01
Bacteriocins represent a large family of ribosomally produced peptide antibiotics. Here we describe the discovery of a widely conserved biosynthetic gene cluster for the synthesis of thiazole and oxazole heterocycles on ribosomally produced peptides. These clusters encode a toxin precursor and all necessary proteins for toxin maturation and export. Using the toxin precursor peptide and heterocycle-forming synthetase proteins from the human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes, we demonstrate the in vitro reconstitution of streptolysin S activity. We provide evidence that the synthetase enzymes, as predicted from our bioinformatics analysis, introduce heterocycles onto precursor peptides, thereby providing molecular insight into the chemical structure of streptolysin S. Furthermore, our studies reveal that the synthetase exhibits relaxed substrate specificity and modifies toxin precursors from both related and distant species. Given our findings, it is likely that the discovery of similar peptidic toxins will rapidly expand to existing and emerging genomes. PMID:18375757
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
2014-10-01
... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false How will NIOSH add to monitoring data to remedy limitations of individual monitoring and missed dose? 82.16 Section 82.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-10-01
... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false How will NIOSH add to monitoring data to remedy limitations of individual monitoring and missed dose? 82.16 Section 82.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
2013-10-01
... 42 Public Health 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false How will NIOSH add to monitoring data to remedy limitations of individual monitoring and missed dose? 82.16 Section 82.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
2012-10-01
... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false How will NIOSH add to monitoring data to remedy limitations of individual monitoring and missed dose? 82.16 Section 82.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-10-01
... 42 Public Health 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false How will NIOSH add to monitoring data to remedy limitations of individual monitoring and missed dose? 82.16 Section 82.16 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH RESEARCH AND RELATED ACTIVITIES...
Redoxcitrinin, a biogenetic precursor of citrinin from marine isolate of fungus Penicillium sp.
Zhang, Dahai; Li, Xianguo; Kang, Jung Sook; Choi, Hong Dae; Jung, Jee H; Son, Byeng Wha
2007-05-01
A chemical analysis of the fermentation of the marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. led to the isolation of a biogenetic precursor of citrinin, redoxcitrinin (1), together with polyketide mycotoxins, phenol A (2), citrinin H2 (3), 4-hydroxymellein (4), citrinin (5), and phenol A acid (6). The structures of compounds 1-6 were determined on the basis of physicochemical data analyses. Among them, compounds 1-3 exhibited a potent radical scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) with IC50 values of 27.7, 23.4, and 27.2 microM, respectively.
Photodynamic Therapy Effectively Treats Actinic Keratoses Without Pre-Illumination Incubation Time.
Gandy, Jessica; Labadie, Brian; Bierman, Dina; Zachary, Christopher
2017-03-01
BACKGROUND: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are dysplastic lesions of the epidermis that have the potential to progress to non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Traditional photodynamic therapy (PDT) requires a pre-illumination incubation time, which adds to overall in-office time and has been linked to pain. Our group has found a novel protocol to effectively treat AKs with PDT that eliminates the pre-illumination incubation period and uses 2 back-to-back cycles of 16 minute 40 seconds.
METHODS: The patient was prepped with soapy water and isopropyl alcohol, and thick AKs were descaled with a curette. Next, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) was applied to the treatment areas and the patient was immediately placed under the blue light for 33 minutes and 20 seconds (two cycles of 16m/40s).
RESULTS: During therapy, the patient reported no pain. At one week, treated areas revealed a good reaction. The procedure was repeated at one month to treat residual AKs. At a 4-month follow-up, the patient's face and scalp showed near clearance of any AKs.
CONCLUSION: During PDT, the photosensitizer aminolevulinic acid (ALA), or in Europe methyl aminolevulinate (MAL), is utilized as a synthetic precursor that preferentially accumulates in dysplastic cells. The precursor then converts to PpIX via the heme pathway and causes apoptosis of the cells when excited, most commonly by either blue-violet (400-430 nm) or red (630-635 nm) light. Shorter incubation times are associated with reduced pain because less PpIX will have accumulated in the treated tissue by the start of the exposure to the light. The doubling of the light exposure time allows comparable levels of the photosensitizing molecule to accumulate and be activated so as to produce an equivalent reaction. The associated reduction in pain along with a more convenient treatment schedule makes this PDT protocol more tolerable and convenient to some patients.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(3):275-278.
.NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huang, Q.; Schmerr, N. C.; Waszek, L.; Beghein, C.; Weidner, E. C.
2017-12-01
Mantle transition zone (MTZ) is delineated by the 410 and 660 km discontinuities and plays an important role in mantle convection. Mineral physics experiments predict that wadsleyite and ringwoodite can have 13% and 2% single-crystal anisotropy respectively, indicating that seismic anisotropy is likely to exist in the upper part of the MTZ when MTZ minerals are aligned by mantle flow (e.g. subducting slabs). Here we use the SS precursors to study the topography change and seismic anisotropy in the vicinity of MTZ discontinuities. An up-to-date SS precursor dataset consisting of 45,624 records was collected to investigate MTZ topography and anisotropy. We stacked the whole dataset into 9 geographical caps to obtain the global topography of 410 and 660 km discontinuities. The MTZ is thickened by 15 km beneath subduction zones (e.g. Japan and South America) and also thinned by 15 km beneath mantle plume regions (e.g. Bowie and Iceland hotspots), which is consistent with thermal heterogeneity in the mid-mantle. We identify four locations with sufficient bounce point density and azimuthal coverage of SS precursors to study azimuthal anisotropy in MTZ; the central Pacific, the northwest Pacific, Greenland and the central Atlantic. We stack the data by the azimuth of SS bounce points falling within the range of 2000 km in these four locations. The goal is to detect the azimuthal dependence of travel time and amplitude of SS precursors, thus to constrain azimuthal anisotropy in MTZ. The central Pacific bin has fast direction at 110° for both S410S and S660S azimuthal stacks, which is interpreted as seismic anisotropy in the overlying upper mantle. We also stack data in subduction zones by the relative azimuths of bounce points compared to mantle flow directions to test the hypothesis that subducting slabs can cause azimuthal anisotropy in MTZ. A trench-parallel fast direction is observed for both S410S and S660S travel times and amplitudes, but not for their differential travel times. This indicates that subducting slabs impart azimuthal anisotropy right above 410 discontinuity, but detectable anisotropy does not extend into the MTZ. We will present results from 3D synthetic modeling based on SPECFEM3D software to further interrogate the effects of anisotropic structures on the waveforms of the SS precursors.
SE83-9 "Chix in Space" student experimenter monitors STS-29 onboard activity
1989-03-18
STS029-S-047 (16 Mar 1989) --- Student experimenter John C. Vellinger, right, watches a TV monitor in the customer support room of Johnson Space Center's mission control center during a downlink from the spacecraft of astronaut John E. Blaha conducting the experiment in the incubator used for the test. The experiment is titled "Chicken Embryo Development in Space." Also visible are Neil Criestie and Robert N. Stuckey of JSC. The experiment's sponsor is Kentucky Fried Chicken.
1992-08-17
01731-5000 UP, No. 1106 9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSORING/ MONITORING AGENCY REPORT NUMBER DARPA/NMRO 3701 North...the peaceful uses of nuclear explosives, UCRL -5414, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1973. Nordyke, M.D., A review of Soviet data on the peaceful...Lawrence Livermore national Laboratory, UCRL -JC-107941, preprint. Haskell, N. A. (1964). Radiation pattern of surface waves from point sources in a
Anatomical location of LPA1 activation and LPA phospholipid precursors in rodent and human brain.
González de San Román, Estibaliz; Manuel, Iván; Giralt, María Teresa; Chun, Jerold; Estivill-Torrús, Guillermo; Rodríguez de Fonseca, Fernando; Santín, Luis Javier; Ferrer, Isidro; Rodríguez-Puertas, Rafael
2015-08-01
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a signaling molecule that binds to six known G protein-coupled receptors: LPA1 -LPA6 . LPA evokes several responses in the CNS, including cortical development and folding, growth of the axonal cone and its retraction process. Those cell processes involve survival, migration, adhesion proliferation, differentiation, and myelination. The anatomical localization of LPA1 is incompletely understood, particularly with regard to LPA binding. Therefore, we have used functional [(35) S]GTPγS autoradiography to verify the anatomical distribution of LPA1 binding sites in adult rodent and human brain. The greatest activity was observed in myelinated areas of the white matter such as corpus callosum, internal capsule and cerebellum. MaLPA1 -null mice (a variant of LPA1 -null) lack [(35) S]GTPγS basal binding in white matter areas, where the LPA1 receptor is expressed at high levels, suggesting a relevant role of the activity of this receptor in the most myelinated brain areas. In addition, phospholipid precursors of LPA were localized by MALDI-IMS in both rodent and human brain slices identifying numerous species of phosphatides and phosphatidylcholines. Both phosphatides and phosphatidylcholines species represent potential LPA precursors. The anatomical distribution of these precursors in rodent and human brain may indicate a metabolic relationship between LPA and LPA1 receptors. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a signaling molecule that binds to six known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR), LPA1 to LPA6 . LPA evokes several responses in the central nervous system (CNS), including cortical development and folding, growth of the axonal cone and its retraction process. We used functional [(35) S]GTPγS autoradiography to verify the anatomical distribution of LPA1 -binding sites in adult rodent and human brain. The distribution of LPA1 receptors in rat, mouse and human brains show the highest activity in white matter myelinated areas. The basal and LPA-evoked activities are abolished in MaLPA1 -null mice. The phospholipid precursors of LPA are localized by MALDI-IMS. The anatomical distribution of LPA precursors in rodent and human brain suggests a relationship with functional LPA1 receptors. © 2015 International Society for Neurochemistry.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ghasemifard, M.; Hosseini, S. M.; Bagheri-Mohagheghi, M. M.; Shahtahmasbi, N.
2009-09-01
We have synthesized and were performed a comparison of structures and optical properties between relaxor ferroelectric PMN-PT and PMN-PZT nanopowders. A gel-combustion method has been used to synthesize PMN-PT and PMN-PZT nanocrystalline with the perovskite structure. The precursors employed in the gel-combustion process were lead nitrate, magnesium acetate, niobium ammonium oxalate and zirconium nitrate. The nanopowders were characterized using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to monitor the transformation of precursor solutions during the thermal reactions leading to the formation of perovskite phase.
High-pressure high-temperature stability of hcp-Ir xOs 1-x (x = 0.50 and 0.55) alloys
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Yusenko, Kirill V.; Bykova, Elena; Bykov, Maxim
2016-12-23
Hcp-Ir 0.55Os 0.45 and hcp-Ir 0.50Os 0.50 alloys were synthesised by thermal decomposition of single-source precursors in hydrogen atmosphere. Both alloys correspond to a miscibility gap in the Ir–Os binary phase diagram and therefore are metastable at ambient conditions. An in situ powder X-ray diffraction has been used for a monitoring a formation of hcp-Ir0.55Os0.45 alloy from (NH 4) 2[Ir 0.55Os 0.45Cl 6] precursor. A crystalline intermediate compound and nanodimentional metallic particles with a large concentration of defects has been found as key intermediates in the thermal decomposition process in hydrogen flow. High-temperature stability of titled hcp-structured alloys has beenmore » investigated upon compression up to 11 GPa using a multi-anvil press and up to 80 GPa using laser-heated diamond-anvil cells to obtain a phase separation into fcc + hcp mixture. Compressibility curves at room temperature as well as thermal expansion at ambient pressure and under compression up to 80 GPa were collected to obtain thermal expansion coefficients and bulk moduli. hcp-Ir 0.55Os 0.45 alloy shows bulk moduli B0 = 395 GPa. Thermal expansion coefficients were estimated as α = 1.6·10 -5 K -1 at ambient pressure and α = 0.3·10 -5 K -1 at 80 GPa. Obtained high-pressure high-temperature data allowed us to construct the first model for pressure-dependent Ir–Os phase diagram.« less
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zheng, Yan-Zhen; Lai, Xue-Sen; Luo, Yi; Zhao, Er-Fei; Meng, Fan-Li; Zhang, Xiang-Feng; Tao, Xia
2017-08-01
The ability to prepare homogeneous and highly crystalline planar perovskite films via the precise manipulation of a one-step solution-based crystallization process is still a key issue that hinders improvements to the ultimate photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of devices. In this study, we prepared a series of planar CH3NH3PbI3 films using a chlorobenzene-assisted fast perovskite crystallization process with various precursor concentrations ranging from 30 to 50 wt% and subsequent annealing at 50-90 °C in order to investigate the effects of the precursor concentration and annealing temperature on crystallization and the photovoltaic performance. By precisely controlling the precursor concentration and annealing temperature, we obtained a homogeneous and highly crystalline planar perovskite film with high coverage under the optimized conditions (ca. 40 wt% and 70 °C), which led to sufficient light absorption and inhibited charge recombination, thereby yielding an enhanced PCE of 16.21%. Furthermore, the unsealed cell still retained a PCE of 10.98% after ambient air exposure for a period of 408 h.
[Endometrial carcinomas and precursor lesions--new aspects].
Schmidt, D
2009-07-01
Endometrial carcinomas can be separated into two groups which are designated as type I and type II carcinomas today. Both groups of tumors are clearly different with regard to conventional light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, molecular pathology and clinical features. Only type I carcinomas are associated with hyperestrogenism. The group of type I carcinomas consists of endometrioid carcinoma and its variants, and mucinous carcinoma. The prototypes of type II carcinomas are serous and clear cell carcinoma. Not all carcinomas, however, can be assigned to one of the two groups, because there are hybrid tumors and mixed carcinomas, e.g. endometrioid carcinoma with a serous component. The precursor lesions of the endometrioid carcinoma and the serous carcinoma are well characterized morphologically and by molecular pathology. Atypical hyperplasia is the precursor lesion of endometrioid carcinoma, whereas endometrial intraepithelial carcinoma (EIC) is the precursor lesion of serous carcinoma. No precursor lesion has as yet been identified for clear cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical markers for endometrial carcinoma are CK7 and vimentin, for serous carcinoma markers are p53 and p16. Correct typing is of essential prognostic necessity in endometrial carcinoma. Of utmost importance is the detection of a serous component, because serous carcinoma leads to early tumor spread with the necessity of radical surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Morphology, structure and optical properties of hydrothermally synthesized CeO2/CdS nanocomposites
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mohanty, Biswajyoti; Nayak, J.
2018-04-01
CeO2/CdS nanocomposites were synthesized using a two-step hydrothermal technique. The effects of precursor concentration on the optical and structural properties of the CeO2/CdS nanoparticles were systematically studied. The morphology, composition and the structure of the CeO2/CdS nanocomposite powder were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrum analysis (EDXA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The optical properties of CeO2/CdS nanocomposites were studied by UV-vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The optical band gaps of the CeO2/CdS nanopowders ranged from 2.34 eV to 2.39 eV as estimated from the UV-vis absorption. In the room temperature photoluminescence spectrum of CeO2/CdS nanopowder, a strong blue emission band was observed at 400 nm. Since the powder shows strong visible luminescence, it may be used as a blue phosphor in future. The original article published with this DOI was submitted in error. The correct article was inadvertently left out of the original submission. This has been rectified and the correct article was published online on 16 April 2018.
1 D analysis of Radiative Shock damping by lateral radiative losses
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Busquet, Michel; Audit, Edouard
2008-11-01
We have demonstrated the effect of the lateral radiative losses in radiative shocks propagative in layered quasi-planar atmospheres.[1,2] The damping of the precursor is sensitive to the fraction of self-emitted radiation reflected by the walls (called albedo) We have given recently an experimental determination of the wall albedo.[2] For parametric analysis of this effect, we implement lateral losses in the 1D hydro-rad code MULTI [3] and compared results with 2D simulations. [1] S.Leygnac, et al., Phys. Plasmas 13, 113301 (2006) [2] M.Busquet, et al, High Energy Density Plasmas 3, 8-11 (2007); M.Gonzalez, et al, Laser Part. Beams 24, 1-6 (2006) [3] Ramis et al, Comp. Phys. Comm., 49, 475 (1988)
FATE OF DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCT PRECURSORS DURING RIVERBANK FILTRATION AT THREE MIDWEST UTILITIES
A 3-year project is underway to evaluate riverbank filtration systems along three major US rivers. A principal aspects of the study involved monitoring a suite or organic, inorganic, and microbiological water quality parameters, with emphasis on disinfection byproduct formation p...
Problems in the estimation of human exposure to components of acid precipitation precursors.
Ferris, B G; Spengler, J D
1985-01-01
Problems associated with estimation of human exposure to ambient air pollutants are discussed. Ideally, we would prefer to have some indication of actual dose. For most pollutants this is not presently feasible. Specific problems discussed are adequacy of outdoor monitors; the need to correct for exposures and time spent indoors; the need to have particle size distributions described and the chemistry of the particles presented. These indicate the need to develop lightweight accurate and reliable personal monitors. Images FIGURE 1. PMID:4076094
Mauchline, Tim H.; Knox, Rachel; Mohan, Sharad; Powers, Stephen J.; Kerry, Brian R.; Davies, Keith G.; Hirsch, Penny R.
2011-01-01
Protein-encoding and 16S rRNA genes of Pasteuria penetrans populations from a wide range of geographic locations were examined. Most interpopulation single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the 16S rRNA gene. However, in order to fully resolve all populations, these were supplemented with SNPs from protein-encoding genes in a multilocus SNP typing approach. Examination of individual 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed the occurrence of “cryptic” SNPs which were not present in the consensus sequences of any P. penetrans population. Additionally, hierarchical cluster analysis separated P. penetrans 16S rRNA gene clones into four groups, and one of which contained sequences from the most highly passaged population, demonstrating that it is possible to manipulate the population structure of this fastidious bacterium. The other groups were made from representatives of the other populations in various proportions. Comparison of sequences among three Pasteuria species, namely, P. penetrans, P. hartismeri, and P. ramosa, showed that the protein-encoding genes provided greater discrimination than the 16S rRNA gene. From these findings, we have developed a toolbox for the discrimination of Pasteuria at both the inter- and intraspecies levels. We also provide a model to monitor genetic variation in other obligate hyperparasites and difficult-to-culture microorganisms. PMID:21803895
Mauchline, Tim H; Knox, Rachel; Mohan, Sharad; Powers, Stephen J; Kerry, Brian R; Davies, Keith G; Hirsch, Penny R
2011-09-01
Protein-encoding and 16S rRNA genes of Pasteuria penetrans populations from a wide range of geographic locations were examined. Most interpopulation single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the 16S rRNA gene. However, in order to fully resolve all populations, these were supplemented with SNPs from protein-encoding genes in a multilocus SNP typing approach. Examination of individual 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed the occurrence of "cryptic" SNPs which were not present in the consensus sequences of any P. penetrans population. Additionally, hierarchical cluster analysis separated P. penetrans 16S rRNA gene clones into four groups, and one of which contained sequences from the most highly passaged population, demonstrating that it is possible to manipulate the population structure of this fastidious bacterium. The other groups were made from representatives of the other populations in various proportions. Comparison of sequences among three Pasteuria species, namely, P. penetrans, P. hartismeri, and P. ramosa, showed that the protein-encoding genes provided greater discrimination than the 16S rRNA gene. From these findings, we have developed a toolbox for the discrimination of Pasteuria at both the inter- and intraspecies levels. We also provide a model to monitor genetic variation in other obligate hyperparasites and difficult-to-culture microorganisms.
Computerized Workstation for Tsunami Hazard Monitoring
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lavrentiev-Jr, Mikhail; Marchuk, Andrey; Romanenko, Alexey; Simonov, Konstantin; Titov, Vasiliy
2010-05-01
We present general structure and functionality of the proposed Computerized Workstation for Tsunami Hazard Monitoring (CWTHM). The tool allows interactive monitoring of hazard, tsunami risk assessment, and mitigation - at all stages, from the period of strong tsunamigenic earthquake preparation to inundation of the defended coastal areas. CWTHM is a software-hardware complex with a set of software applications, optimized to achieve best performance on hardware platforms in use. The complex is calibrated for selected tsunami source zone(s) and coastal zone(s) to be defended. The number of zones (both source and coastal) is determined, or restricted, by available hardware resources. The presented complex performs monitoring of selected tsunami source zone via the Internet. The authors developed original algorithms, which enable detection of the preparation zone of the strong underwater earthquake automatically. For the so-determined zone the event time, magnitude and spatial location of tsunami source are evaluated by means of energy of the seismic precursors (foreshocks) analysis. All the above parameters are updated after each foreshock. Once preparing event is detected, several scenarios are forecasted for wave amplitude parameters as well as the inundation zone. Estimations include the lowest and the highest wave amplitudes and the least and the most inundation zone. In addition to that, the most probable case is calculated. In case of multiple defended coastal zones, forecasts and estimates can be done in parallel. Each time the simulated model wave reaches deep ocean buoys or tidal gauge, expected values of wave parameters and inundation zones are updated with historical events information and pre-calculated scenarios. The Method of Splitting Tsunami (MOST) software package is used for mathematical simulation. The authors suggest code acceleration for deep water wave propagation. As a result, performance is 15 times faster compared to MOST, original version. Performance gain is achieved by compiler options, use of optimized libraries, and advantages of OpenMP parallel technology. Moreover, it is possible to achieve 100 times code acceleration by using modern Graphics Processing Units (GPU). Parallel evaluation of inundation zones for multiple coastal zones is also available. All computer codes can be easily assembled under MS Windows and Unix OS family. Although software is virtually platform independent, the most performance gain is achieved while using the recommended hardware components. When the seismic event occurs, all valuable parameters are updated with seismic data and wave propagation monitoring is enabled. As soon as the wave passes each deep ocean tsunameter, parameters of the initial displacement at source are updated from direct calculations based on original algorithms. For better source reconstruction, a combination of two methods is used: optimal unit source linear combination from preliminary calculated database and direct numerical inversion along the wave ray between real source and particular measurement buoys. Specific dissipation parameter along with the wave ray is also taken into account. During the entire wave propagation process the expected wave parameters and inundation zone(s) characteristics are updated with all available information. If recommended hardware components are used, monitoring results are available in real time. The suggested version of CWTHM has been tested by analyzing seismic precursors (foreshocks) and the measured tsunami waves at North Pacific for the Central Kuril's tsunamigenic earthquake of November 15, 2006.
1988-06-03
Wharf Site 16 OR 117 Batture Inspection Trench Refuse Disposal Stave Pile Euterpe Street Mississippi River Riverfront Water Street Floodwall Natural...James Street, and 16 OR 116 was S located at the foot of Robin Street (presently Euterpe Street). These sites consisted of late nineteenth century... Euterpe Street and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The New Orleans District has reviewed and accepts this report. We concur
Pandey, Swechchha; Raj, K Vipin; Shinde, Dinesh R; Vanka, Kumar; Kashyap, Varchaswal; Kurungot, Sreekumar; Vinod, C P; Chikkali, Samir H
2018-03-28
Earth abundant, first row transition metals offer a cheap and sustainable alternative to the rare and precious metals. However, utilization of first row metals in catalysis requires harsh reaction conditions, suffers from limited activity, and fails to tolerate functional groups. Reported here is a highly efficient iron catalyzed hydroformylation of alkenes under mild conditions. This protocol operates at 10-30 bar syngas pressure below 100 °C, utilizes readily available ligands, and applies to an array of olefins. Thus, the iron precursor [HFe(CO) 4 ] - [Ph 3 PNPPh 3 ] + (1) in the presence of triphenyl phosphine catalyzes the hydroformylation of 1-hexene (S2), 1-octene (S1), 1-decene (S3), 1-dodecene (S4), 1-octadecene (S5), trimethoxy(vinyl)silane (S6), trimethyl(vinyl)silane (S7), cardanol (S8), 2,3-dihydrofuran (S9), allyl malonic acid (S10), styrene (S11), 4-methylstyrene (S12), 4- iBu-styrene (S13), 4- tBu-styrene (S14), 4-methoxy styrene (S15), 4-acetoxy styrene (S16), 4-bromo styrene (S17), 4-chloro styrene (S18), 4-vinylbenzonitrile (S19), 4-vinylbenzoic acid (S20), and allyl benzene (S21) to corresponding aldehydes in good to excellent yields. Both electron donating and electron withdrawing substituents could be tolerated and excellent conversions were obtained for S11-S20. Remarkably, the addition of 1 mol % acetic acid promotes the reaction to completion within 16-24 h. Detailed mechanistic investigations revealed in situ formation of an iron-dihydride complex [H 2 Fe(CO) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] (A) as an active catalytic species. This finding was further supported by cyclic voltammetry investigations and intermediacy of an Fe(0)-Fe(II) species was established. Combined experimental and computational investigations support the existence of an iron-dihydride as the catalyst resting state, which then follows a Fe(II) based catalytic cycle to produce aldehyde.
2018-01-01
ZnS shelling of I–III–VI2 nanocrystals (NCs) invariably leads to blue-shifts in both the absorption and photoluminescence spectra. These observations imply that the outcome of ZnS shelling reactions on I–III–VI2 colloidal NCs results from a complex interplay between several processes taking place in solution, at the surface of, and within the seed NC. However, a fundamental understanding of the factors determining the balance between these different processes is still lacking. In this work, we address this need by investigating the impact of precursor reactivity, reaction temperature, and surface chemistry (due to the washing procedure) on the outcome of ZnS shelling reactions on CuInS2 NCs using a seeded growth approach. We demonstrate that low reaction temperatures (150 °C) favor etching, cation exchange, and alloying regardless of the precursors used. Heteroepitaxial shell overgrowth becomes the dominant process only if reactive S- and Zn-precursors (S-ODE/OLAM and ZnI2) and high reaction temperatures (210 °C) are used, although a certain degree of heterointerfacial alloying still occurs. Remarkably, the presence of residual acetate at the surface of CIS seed NCs washed with ethanol is shown to facilitate heteroepitaxial shell overgrowth, yielding for the first time CIS/ZnS core/shell NCs displaying red-shifted absorption spectra, in agreement with the spectral shifts expected for a type-I band alignment. The insights provided by this work pave the way toward the design of improved synthesis strategies to CIS/ZnS core/shell and alloy NCs with tailored elemental distribution profiles, allowing precise tuning of the optoelectronic properties of the resulting materials. PMID:29657360
MacLachlan, Andrew J; Rath, Thomas; Cappel, Ute B; Dowland, Simon A; Amenitsch, Heinz; Knall, Astrid-Caroline; Buchmaier, Christine; Trimmel, Gregor; Nelson, Jenny; Haque, Saif A
2015-01-01
In this work, molecular tuning of metal xanthate precursors is shown to have a marked effect on the heterojunction morphology of hybrid poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT)/CdS blends and, as a result, the photochemical processes and overall performance of in situ fabricated hybrid solar cells. A series of cadmium xanthate complexes is synthesized for use as in situ precursors to cadmium sulfide nanoparticles in hybrid P3HT/CdS solar cells. The formation of CdS domains is studied by simultaneous GIWAXS (grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering) and GISAXS (grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering), revealing knowledge about crystal growth and the formation of different morphologies observed using TEM (transmission electron microscopy). These measurements show that there is a strong relationship between precursor structure and heterojunction nanomorphology. A combination of TAS (transient absorption spectroscopy) and photovoltaic device performance measurements is used to show the intricate balance required between charge photogeneration and percolated domains in order to effectively extract charges to maximize device power conversion efficiencies. This study presents a strong case for xanthate complexes as a useful route to designing optimal heterojunction morphologies for use in the emerging field of hybrid organic/inorganic solar cells, due to the fact that the nanomorphology can be tuned via careful design of these precursor materials. PMID:25866496
Special Advanced Studies for Pollution Prevention Delivery Order 0065: The Monitor - Winter 2001
2001-04-01
were selected based on previous efforts. These alternatives included Alodine 2000, NCS Rainseal, Sanchem Full Process, and trivalent chromium . CTC’s IVD...12 Alternatives for Chromium Electroplating: ElectroSpark Deposition .................. 13...Requirements ............ 15 Aluminum Substitution for Cadmium/ Chromium ............................................... 16 Review of Cadmium Alternatives
Onwudiwe, Damian C; Ajibade, Peter A
2011-01-01
The synthesis of II-VI semiconductor nanoparticles obtained by the thermolysis of certain group 12 metal complexes as precursors is reported. Thermogravimetric analysis of the single source precursors showed sharp decomposition leading to their respective metal sulfides. The structural and optical properties of the prepared nanoparticles were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the prepared ZnS nanoparticles have a cubic sphalerite structure; the CdS indicates a hexagonal phase and the HgS show the presence of metacinnabar phase. The TEM image demonstrates that the ZnS nanoparticles are dot-shaped, the CdS and the HgS clearly showed a rice and spherical morphology respectively. The UV-Vis spectra exhibited a blue-shift with respect to that of the bulk samples which is attributed to the quantum size effect. The band gap of the samples have been calculated from absorption spectra and werefound to be about 4.33 eV (286 nm), 2.91 eV (426 nm) and 4.27 eV (290 nm) for the ZnS, CdS and HgS samples respectively.
Onwudiwe, Damian C.; Ajibade, Peter A.
2011-01-01
The synthesis of II-VI semiconductor nanoparticles obtained by the thermolysis of certain group 12 metal complexes as precursors is reported. Thermogravimetric analysis of the single source precursors showed sharp decomposition leading to their respective metal sulfides. The structural and optical properties of the prepared nanoparticles were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) UV-Vis and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction pattern showed that the prepared ZnS nanoparticles have a cubic sphalerite structure; the CdS indicates a hexagonal phase and the HgS show the presence of metacinnabar phase. The TEM image demonstrates that the ZnS nanoparticles are dot-shaped, the CdS and the HgS clearly showed a rice and spherical morphology respectively. The UV-Vis spectra exhibited a blue-shift with respect to that of the bulk samples which is attributed to the quantum size effect. The band gap of the samples have been calculated from absorption spectra and werefound to be about 4.33 eV (286 nm), 2.91 eV (426 nm) and 4.27 eV (290 nm) for the ZnS, CdS and HgS samples respectively. PMID:22016607
O'Brien, Dominique; Bartkow, Michael; Mueller, Jochen F
2011-05-01
The use of the adsorbent styrenedivinylbenzene-reverse phase sulfonated (SDB-RPD) Empore disk in a chemcatcher type passive sampler is routinely applied in Australia when monitoring herbicides in aquatic environments. One key challenge in the use of passive samplers is mitigating the potentially confounding effects of varying flow conditions on chemical uptake by the passive sampler. Performance reference compounds (PRCs) may be applied to correct sampling rates (R(s)) for site specific changed in flow and temperature however evidence suggests the use of PRCs is unreliable when applied to adsorbent passive samplers. The use of the passive flow monitor (PFM) has been introduced for the assessment of site-specific changes in water flow. In the presented study we have demonstrated that the R(s) at which both atrazine and prometryn are accumulated within the SDB-RPD-Empore disk is dependent on the flow conditions. Further, the calibration of the measured R(s) for chemical uptake by the SDB-RPD-Empore disk to the mass lost from the PFM has shown that the PFM provides an accurate measure of R(s) for flow velocities from 0 to 16cms(-1). Notably, for flow rates >16cms(-1), a non linear increase in the R(s) of both herbicides was observed which indicates that the key resistance to uptake into the SDB-RPD Empore disk is associated with the diffusion through the overlying diffusion limiting membrane. Overall the greatest uncertainty remains at very low flow conditions, which are unlikely to often occur in surface waters. Validation of the PFM use has also been undertaken in a limited field study. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The 16 August 1997 Novaya Zemlya seismic event as viewed from GSN stations KEV and KBS
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Hartse, H.E.
1997-11-01
Using current and historic seismic records from Global Seismic Network stations KEV and KBS, the authors find that S minus P arrival time comparisons between nuclear explosions and the 16 August 1997 seismic event (m{sub b} {approx} 3.6) from near Novaya Zemlya clearly indicate that (relative to KEV) the 16 August event occurred at least 80 km east of the Russian test site. Including S minus P arrival times from KBS constrains the location to beneath the Kara Sea and in good agreement with previously reported locations, over 100 km southeast of the test site. From an analysis of P{submore » n}/S{sub n} waveform ratios at frequencies above 4 Hz, they find that the 16 August event falls within the population of regional earthquakes and is distinctly separated from Novaya Zemlya and other northern Eurasian nuclear explosion populations. Thus, given its location and waveform characteristics, they conclude the 16 August event was an earthquake. The 16 August event was not detected at teleseismic distances, and thus, this event provides a good example of the regional detection, location, and identification efforts that will be required to monitor the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty below m{sub b} {approx} 4.« less
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Hutton, Rick
2011-12-01
Annual sampling was conducted at the Rio Blanco, Colorado, site for the Long-Term Hydrologic Monitoring Program May 16-17, 2011, to monitor groundwater and surface water for potential radionuclide contamination. Sampling and analyses were conducted as specified in Sampling and Analysis Plan for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management Sites (LMS/PRO/S04351, continually updated). A duplicate sample was collected from location Johnson Artesian WL. Samples were analyzed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Radiation&Indoor Environments National Laboratory in Las Vegas, Nevada. Samples were analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides by high-resolution gamma spectrometry, and for tritium using the conventional method.more » Tritium was not measured using the enrichment method because the EPA laboratory no longer offers that service. Results of this monitoring at the Rio Blanco site demonstrate that groundwater and surface water outside the boundaries have not been affected by project-related contaminants.« less
Development of an S-band cavity Beam Position Monitor for ATF2
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Heo, A.; Kim, E.-S.; Kim, H.; Son, D.; Honda, Y.; Tauchi, T.
2013-04-01
We have developed an S-band cavity Beam Position Monitor (BPM) in order to measure the position of an electron beam in the final focus area at ATF2, which is the test facility for the final focus design for the International Linear Collider (ILC). The lattice of the ILC Beam Delivery System (BDS) has been modified, requiring a larger physical aperture of 40 mm in the final focus area. The beam orbit measurement in this area is now covered with high resolution S-Band cavity BPMs. In this paper we summarize the design of the cavity BPM and the first experimental results. The calibration slopes were measured as 0.87 counts/μm in the x-coordinate direction and 1.16 counts/μm in the y-coordinate direction.
1 D analysis of Radiative Shock damping by lateral radiative losses.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Busquet, Michel; Colombier, Jean-Philippe; Stehle, Chantal
2007-11-01
It has been shown theoretically and experimentally [1] that the radiative precursor in front of a strong shock in hi-Z material is slowed down by lateral radiative losses. The 2D simulation showed that the shock front and the precursor front remain planar, with an increase of density and a decrease of temperature close to the walls. The damping of the precursor is obviously sensitive to the fraction of self-emitted radiation reflected by the walls (the albedo). In order to perform parametric studies we include the albedo controlled lateral radiative losses in the 1D hydro-code MULTI (created by Ramis et al [2]) both in terms of energy balance and of spectral diagnostic. [1] Gonzales et al, Laser Part. Beams 24, 1-6 (2006) ; Busquet et al, High Energy Density Physics (2007), doi: 10.1016/j.hedp.2007.01.002 [2] Ramis et al, Comp. Phys. Comm., 49 (1988), 475
Xin, Xukai; Liu, Hsiang-Yu; Ye, Meidan; Lin, Zhiqun
2013-11-21
By combining the ease of producing ZnO nanoflowers with the advantageous chemical stability of TiO2, hierarchically structured hollow TiO2 flower-like clusters were yielded via chemical bath deposition (CBD) of ZnO nanoflowers, followed by their conversion into TiO2 flower-like clusters in the presence of TiO2 precursors. The effects of ZnO precursor concentration, precursor amount, and reaction time on the formation of ZnO nanoflowers were systematically explored. Dye-sensitized solar cells fabricated by utilizing these hierarchically structured ZnO and TiO2 flower clusters exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 1.16% and 2.73%, respectively, under 100 mW cm(-2) illumination. The intensity modulated photocurrent/photovoltage spectroscopy (IMPS/IMVS) studies suggested that flower-like structures had a fast electron transit time and their charge collection efficiency was nearly 100%.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tian, Jianjun; Shen, Ting; Liu, Xiaoguang; Fei, Chengbin; Lv, Lili; Cao, Guozhong
2016-03-01
This work reports a PbS-quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC) with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4%. PbS quantum dots (QDs) were grown on mesoporous TiO2 film using a successive ion layer absorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The growth of QDs was found to be profoundly affected by the concentration of the precursor solution. At low concentrations, the rate-limiting factor of the crystal growth was the adsorption of the precursor ions, and the surface growth of the crystal became the limiting factor in the high concentration solution. The optimal concentration of precursor solution with respect to the quantity and size of synthesized QDs was 0.06 M. To further increase the performance of QDSCs, the 30% deionized water of polysulfide electrolyte was replaced with methanol to improve the wettability and permeability of electrolytes in the TiO2 film, which accelerated the redox couple diffusion in the electrolyte solution and improved charge transfer at the interfaces between photoanodes and electrolytes. The stability of PbS QDs in the electrolyte was also improved by methanol to reduce the charge recombination and prolong the electron lifetime. As a result, the PCE of QDSC was increased to 4.01%.
Thibon, Cécile; Böcker, Caroline; Shinkaruk, Svitlana; Moine, Virginie; Darriet, Philippe; Dubourdieu, Denis
2016-05-15
Two main precursors (S-3-(hexan-1-ol)-l-cysteine and S-3-(hexan-1-ol)-l-glutathione) of 3-sulfanylhexanol (3SH, formerly named 3-mercaptohexanol) have been identified so far in grape juice but a correlation between precursor concentrations in grape juices and 3SH concentrations in wines is not always observed. This suggests that there may be other compounds associated with the aromatic potential. In this work, S-3-(hexanal)-glutathione (Glut-3SH-Al) and its bisulfite (Glut-3SH-SO3) adduct were identified in Sauvignon blanc grape juice by liquid chromatography coupled to Fourier transform mass spectrometry experiments. A partial purification of the compounds was carried out by Medium Pressure Liquid Chromatography (MPLC) on the reverse phase using 5L of grape juice. The addition of synthetized Glut-3SH-Al and Glut-3SH-SO3 in the synthetic medium induced a significant release of 3SH after fermentation. Moreover, we demonstrate that Glut-3SH-Al and its bisulfite adduct are present in grape juice and could be considered as new direct 3SH precursors with molar conversion yields close to 0.4%. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Tian, Jianjun; Shen, Ting; Liu, Xiaoguang; Fei, Chengbin; Lv, Lili; Cao, Guozhong
2016-03-15
This work reports a PbS-quantum-dot-sensitized solar cell (QDSC) with power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4%. PbS quantum dots (QDs) were grown on mesoporous TiO2 film using a successive ion layer absorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The growth of QDs was found to be profoundly affected by the concentration of the precursor solution. At low concentrations, the rate-limiting factor of the crystal growth was the adsorption of the precursor ions, and the surface growth of the crystal became the limiting factor in the high concentration solution. The optimal concentration of precursor solution with respect to the quantity and size of synthesized QDs was 0.06 M. To further increase the performance of QDSCs, the 30% deionized water of polysulfide electrolyte was replaced with methanol to improve the wettability and permeability of electrolytes in the TiO2 film, which accelerated the redox couple diffusion in the electrolyte solution and improved charge transfer at the interfaces between photoanodes and electrolytes. The stability of PbS QDs in the electrolyte was also improved by methanol to reduce the charge recombination and prolong the electron lifetime. As a result, the PCE of QDSC was increased to 4.01%.
Synthesis of novel reactive N-halamine precursors and application in antimicrobial cellulose
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jiang, Zhiming; Ma, Kaikai; Du, Jinmei; Li, Rong; Ren, Xuehong; Huang, T. S.
2014-01-01
2,4,6-Trichloro-s-triazine has been used as one of the important linkers of reactive dyes for textiles such as cellulosic fibers. N-Halamine precursors could be bonded to a triazine-based linker by the chloride displacement reaction, and the synthesized compounds could attach to cotton fabrics by covalent bonds through a reactive dyeing process. In this study, two novel antimicrobial N-halamine precursors, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol-s-trizine (TMPT) and 4-(4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinol)-6-chloro-1,3,5-triazinylamino)-benzenesulfonate (BTMPT), were synthesized and used to coat cotton fabrics. The synthesized s-triazine-based N-halamine precursors react with cellulose to produce biocidal cellulosic fibers upon exposure to diluted household bleach. The coated fabrics were characterized by FT-IR and SEM. The chlorinated treated cotton swatches demonstrated excellent antimicrobial properties against S. aureus (Gram-positive) and E. coli O157:H7 (Gram-negative) with short contact times. Washing test and UVA light test showed that chlorinated BTMPT-coated cotton fabrics were more stable than TMPT-coated cotton fabrics. Compared to the traditional pad-dry-cure technique to produce antimicrobial textiles, the novel process in this study has advantages of saving energy and maintaining tensile strength of fabrics.
Post, Anke; Ackl, Nibal; Rücker, Monika; Schreiber, Yvonne; Binder, Elisabeth B; Ising, Marcus; Sonntag, Annette; Holsboer, Florian; Almeida, Osborne F X
2006-05-01
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP) and its alpha-secreted form (alpha-sAPP) were investigated as a means to distinguish between individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer-type dementia (DAT) and those with major depressive episode (MDE) showing secondary memory deficits. Twenty-seven patients with MCI, 32 with probable DAT, and 24 with MDE attending a memory clinic were studied. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of sAPP/amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) and alpha-sAPP were detected by Western blotting. Patients with MDE had the highest CSF levels of total sAPP/APLP2 as compared with MCI and DAT patients (p < .001); sAPP/APLP2 levels were higher in MCI than in DAT subjects. Whereas alpha-sAPP levels did not differ between the MCI and DAT groups, median levels of this peptide were significantly lower in MCI and DAT versus MDE patients. Soluble amyloid precursor protein/APLP2 and alpha-sAPP concentrations in CSF can differentiate between DAT and MCI versus MDE, facilitating early ameliorative interventions and appropriate treatment regimens.
Berejnov, Viatcheslav; Martin, Zulima; West, Marcia; Kundu, Sumit; Bessarabov, Dmitri; Stumper, Jürgen; Susac, Darija; Hitchcock, Adam P
2012-04-14
Synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray spectromicroscopy (STXM) was used to characterize the local chemical environment at and around the platinum particles in the membrane (PTIM) which form in operationally tested (end-of-life, EOL) catalyst coated membranes (CCMs) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FC). The band of metallic Pt particles in operationally tested CCM membranes was imaged using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The cathode catalyst layer in the beginning-of-life (BOL) CCMs was fabricated using commercially available catalysts created from Pt precursors with and without nitrogen containing ligands. The surface composition of these catalyst powders was measured by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The local chemical environment of the PTIM in EOL CCMs was found to be directly related to the Pt precursor used in CCM fabrication. STXM chemical mapping at the N 1s edge revealed a characteristic spectrum at and around the dendritic Pt particles in CCMs fabricated with nitrogen containing Pt-precursors. This N 1s spectrum was identical to that of the cathode and different from the membrane. For CCM samples fabricated without nitrogen containing Pt-precursors the N 1s spectrum at the Pt particles was indistinguishable from that of the adjacent membrane. We interpret these observations to indicate that nitrogenous ligands in the nitrogen containing precursors, or decomposition product(s) from that source, are transported together with the dissolved Pt from the cathode into the membrane as a result of the catalyst degradation process. This places constraints on possible mechanisms for the PTIM band formation process.
Song, Yajie; Li, Hui; Yang, Lan; Bai, Daxun; Zhang, Fazhi; Xu, Sailong
2017-12-13
Transition-metal sulfides (TMSs) are suggested as promising electrode materials for electrochemical pseudocapacitors and lithium- and sodium-ion batteries; however, they typically involve mixed composites or conventionally stoichiometric TMSs (such as NiCo 2 S 4 and Ni 2 CoS 4 ). Herein we demonstrate a preparation of solid-solution sulfide (Ni 0.7 Co 0.3 )S 2 supported on three-dimensional graphene aerogel (3DGA) via a sulfuration of NiCo-layered double hydroxide (NiCo-LDH) precursor/3DGA. The electrochemical tests show that the (Ni 0.7 Co 0.3 )S 2 /3DGA electrode exhibits a capacitance of 2165 F g -1 at 1 A g -1 , 2055 F g -1 at 2 A g -1 , and 1478 F g -1 at 10 A g -1 ; preserves 78.5% capacitance retention upon 1000 cycles for pseudocapacitors; and in particular, possesses a relatively high charge capacity of 388.7 mA h g -1 after 50 cycles at 100 mA g -1 as anode nanomaterials for sodium-ion batteries. Furthermore, the electrochemical performances are readily tuned by varying the cationic type of the tunable LDH precursors to prepare different solid-solution sulfides, such as (Ni 0.7 Fe 0.3 )S 2 /3DGA and (Co 0.7 Fe 0.3 )S 2 /3DGA. Our results show that engineering LDH precursors can offer an alternative for preparing diverse transition-metal sulfides for energy storage.
2005-10-17
34 Diameter W/O Handle 1s 4 EA 0.03 0 $16.73 0.12 0 $66.92 6515012714894 Sensor Spo2 Monitoring Finger Wrap Propaq 206 26s 1.38 PG 0.94 0.06 $394.18...Polypropylene Cover 1.00 EA 6515015009035 Monitor Patient Vital Signs Model 206 EKG SPO2 NIBP Temp 8x5x4in Batt/Cord 1.00 EA 6530006600034...Patient Vital Signs Model 206 Ekg Spo2 Nibp Temp 8x5x4in Batt/Cord 6.00 EA 12.00 1.12 $8,150.00 54.00 1.80 $48,900.00 6515014586178 Otoscope And
Treatment with Tyrosine, a Neurotransmitter Precursor, Reduces Environmental Stress in Humans,
1988-03-01
knowledge to problems, processing spatial and verbal information, performing mathematical calculations, and making decisions (16). We also measured... decaffeinated coffee were also available. Subjects refrained from alcohol consumption at least twenty four hours before each test day. The evening
Law, Brian J. C.; Struck, Anna-Winona; Bennett, Matthew R.; Wilkinson, Barrie
2015-01-01
The methylation of natural products by S-adenosyl methionine (AdoMet, also known as SAM)-dependent methyltransferase enzymes is a common tailoring step in many biosynthetic pathways. The introduction of methyl substituents can affect the biological and physicochemical properties of the secondary metabolites produced. Recently it has become apparent that some AdoMet-dependent methyltransferases exhibit promiscuity and will accept AdoMet analogues enabling the transfer of alternative alkyl groups. In this study we have characterised a methyltransferase, RapM, which is involved in the biosynthesis of the potent immunosuppressive agent rapamycin. We have shown that recombinant RapM regioselectively methylates the C16 hydroxyl group of desmethyl rapamycin precursors in vitro and is promiscuous in accepting alternative co-factors in addition to AdoMet. A coupled enzyme system was developed, including a mutant human enzyme methionine adenosyl transferase (MAT), along with RapM, which was used to prepare alkylated rapamycin derivatives (rapalogs) with alternative ethyl and allyl ether groups, derived from simple S-ethyl or S-allyl methionine analogues. There are two other methyltransferases RapI and RapQ which provide methyl substituents of rapamycin. Consequently, using the enzymatic approach described here, it should be possible to generate a diverse array of alkylated rapalogs, with altered properties, that would be difficult to obtain by traditional synthetic approaches. PMID:29403635
Gil, Cruz F.; Chouet, B.A.
1997-01-01
Since its reactivation in 1988 the principal eruptions of Galeras Volcano occurred on May 4-9, 1989, July 16, 1992, and January 14, March 23, April 3, April 14 and June 7, 1993. The initial eruption was a phreatic event which clearly marked a new period of activity. A lava dome was extruded within the main crater in October 1991 and subsequently destroyed in an explosive eruption on July 16, 1992. The eruptions that followed were all vulcanian-type explosions. The seismicity accompanying the emplacement, extrusion, and destruction of the lava dome was dominated by a mix of long-period (LP) events and tremor displaying a variety of waveforms. Repetitive LP events with dominant periods in the range 0.2-1 s were observed in October and November 1991 and visually correlated with short energetic pulses of gas venting through a crack bisecting the dome surface. Each LP event was characterized by a weak precursory signal with dominant periods in the range 0.05-0.1 s lasting roughly 7 s. Using the fluid-driven crack model of Chouet (1988, 1992), we infer that two distinct cracks may have acted as sources for the LP and precursor signals. Spectral analyses of the data yield the following parameters for the LP source: crack length, 240-360 m; crack width, 130-150 m; crack aperture, 0.5-3.4 mm; crack stiffness, 100-500; sound speed of fluid, 880 m/s; and excess pressure, 0.01-0.19 MPa. Similar analyses yield the parameters of the precursor source: crack length, 20-30 m; crack width, 15-25 m; crack aperture, 2.3-8.7 mm; crack stiffness, 5-15; sound speed of fluid, 140 m/s; and excess pressure, 0.06-0.15 MPa. Combined with geologic and thermodynamic constraints obtained from field observations, these seismic parameters suggest a gas-release mechanism in which the episodic collapse of a foam layer trapped at the top of the magma column subjacent to the dome releases a slug of pressurized gas which escapes to the surface while dilating a preexisting system of cracks in the dome structure. Accordingly, the fracture observed on the crystallized dome body is the surface extension of the LP-source crack, where LP activity is induced by the rapid emission and expansion of gas flowing through this conduit. The width and aperture of the crack estimated in the model are in good agreement with the length and aperture of the fracture estimated from visual observations. The source parameters of the precursor signal are suggestive of a nozzle-like conduit connecting the LP-source crack to the underlying magma reservoir. Excitation of this conduit segment is attributed to the rapid emission and acceleration of the frothy fluid resulting from the collapse of the foam layer at the top of the reservoir. The calculated periodicity of foam collapse events is in agreement with the observed average rate of thirteen LP events per hour.
Scalar model for frictional precursors dynamics
Taloni, Alessandro; Benassi, Andrea; Sandfeld, Stefan; Zapperi, Stefano
2015-01-01
Recent experiments indicate that frictional sliding occurs by nucleation of detachment fronts at the contact interface that may appear well before the onset of global sliding. This intriguing precursory activity is not accounted for by traditional friction theories but is extremely important for friction dominated geophysical phenomena as earthquakes, landslides or avalanches. Here we simulate the onset of slip of a three dimensional elastic body resting on a surface and show that experimentally observed frictional precursors depend in a complex non-universal way on the sample geometry and loading conditions. Our model satisfies Archard's law and Amontons' first and second laws, reproducing with remarkable precision the real contact area dynamics, the precursors' envelope dynamics prior to sliding, and the normal and shear internal stress distributions close to the interfacial surface. Moreover, it allows to assess which features can be attributed to the elastic equilibrium, and which are attributed to the out-of-equilibrium dynamics, suggesting that precursory activity is an intrinsically quasi-static physical process. A direct calculation of the evolution of the Coulomb stress before and during precursors nucleation shows large variations across the sample, explaining why earthquake forecasting methods based only on accumulated slip and Coulomb stress monitoring are often ineffective. PMID:25640079
Scalar model for frictional precursors dynamics.
Taloni, Alessandro; Benassi, Andrea; Sandfeld, Stefan; Zapperi, Stefano
2015-02-02
Recent experiments indicate that frictional sliding occurs by nucleation of detachment fronts at the contact interface that may appear well before the onset of global sliding. This intriguing precursory activity is not accounted for by traditional friction theories but is extremely important for friction dominated geophysical phenomena as earthquakes, landslides or avalanches. Here we simulate the onset of slip of a three dimensional elastic body resting on a surface and show that experimentally observed frictional precursors depend in a complex non-universal way on the sample geometry and loading conditions. Our model satisfies Archard's law and Amontons' first and second laws, reproducing with remarkable precision the real contact area dynamics, the precursors' envelope dynamics prior to sliding, and the normal and shear internal stress distributions close to the interfacial surface. Moreover, it allows to assess which features can be attributed to the elastic equilibrium, and which are attributed to the out-of-equilibrium dynamics, suggesting that precursory activity is an intrinsically quasi-static physical process. A direct calculation of the evolution of the Coulomb stress before and during precursors nucleation shows large variations across the sample, explaining why earthquake forecasting methods based only on accumulated slip and Coulomb stress monitoring are often ineffective.
Using Advanced Monitoring Tools to Evaluate PM PM2.5 2.5 in San Joaquin Valley
One of the primary data deficiencies that prevent the advance of policy relevant research on particulate matter, ozone, and associated precursors is the lack of measurement data and knowledge on the true vertical profile and synoptic-scale spatial distributions of the pollutants....
Total organic carbon (TOC) in surface waters, markedly of seasonal variations, is a known precursor of disinfection byproducts such as Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) in drinking water treatment. Real-time knowledge of TOC distribution in source water can help treatment operation to...
Franke, Bastian; James, Amy M; Mobli, Mehdi; Colgrave, Michelle L; Mylne, Joshua S; Rosengren, K Johan
2017-07-28
Seed storage proteins are both an important source of nutrition for humans and essential for seedling establishment. Interestingly, unusual napin-type 2S seed storage albumin precursors in sunflowers contain a sequence that is released as a macrocyclic peptide during post-translational processing. The mechanism by which such peptides emerge from linear precursor proteins has received increased attention; however, the structural characterization of intact precursor proteins has been limited. Here, we report the 3D NMR structure of the Helianthus annuus PawS1 ( p repro a lbumin w ith s unflower trypsin inhibitor- 1 ) and provide new insights into the processing of this remarkable dual-destiny protein. In seeds, PawS1 is matured by asparaginyl endopeptidases (AEPs) into the cyclic peptide SFTI-1 ( s un f lower t rypsin i nhibitor- 1 ) and a heterodimeric 2S albumin. The structure of PawS1 revealed that SFTI-1 and the albumin are independently folded into well-defined domains separated by a flexible linker. PawS1 was cleaved in vitro with recombinant sunflower HaAEP1 and in situ using a sunflower seed extract in a way that resembled the expected in vivo cleavages. Recombinant HaAEP1 cleaved PawS1 at multiple positions, and in situ , its flexible linker was removed, yielding fully mature heterodimeric albumin. Liberation and cyclization of SFTI-1, however, was inefficient, suggesting that specific seed conditions or components may be required for in vivo biosynthesis of SFTI-1. In summary, this study has revealed the 3D structure of a macrocyclic precursor protein and provided important mechanistic insights into the maturation of sunflower proalbumins into an albumin and a macrocyclic peptide. © 2017 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Bogialli, Sara; Bortolini, Claudio; Di Gangi, Iole Maria; Di Gregorio, Federica Nigro; Lucentini, Luca; Favaro, Gabriella; Pastore, Paolo
2017-08-01
A comprehensive risk management on human exposure to cyanotoxins, whose production is actually unpredictable, is limited by reliable analytical tools for monitoring as many toxic algal metabolites as possible. Two analytical approaches based on a LC-QTOF system for target analysis and suspect screening of cyanotoxins in freshwater were presented. A database with 369 compounds belonging to cyanobacterial metabolites was developed and used for a retrospective data analysis based on high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). HRMS fragmentation of the suspect cyanotoxin precursor ions was subsequently performed for correctly identifying the specific variants. Alternatively, an automatic tandem HRMS analysis tailored for cyanotoxins was performed in a single chromatographic run, using the developed database as a preferred precursor ions list. Twenty-five extracts of surface and drinking waters contaminated by cyanobacteria were processed. The identification of seven uncommon microcystins (M(O)R, MC-FR, MSer 7 -YR, D-Asp 3 MSer 7 -LR, MSer 7 -LR, dmAdda-LR and dmAdda-YR) and 6 anabaenopeptins (A, B, F, MM850, MM864, oscyllamide Y) was reported. Several isobaric variants, fully separated by chromatography, were pointed out. The developed methods are proposed to be used by environmental and health agencies for strengthening the surveillance monitoring of cyanotoxins in water. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Turnover of Biogenic Amines in the Hypothalamus of Rats during Pyrogen Fever
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Penn, P. E.; Williams, B. A.
1979-01-01
Many pharmacological studies have implicated the biogenic amines in the hypothalamus as playing a role in the production of fever, but few investigations of endogenous neurochemicals have been made during fever. Turnover rates of transmitters utilizing radioactive precursors may be one of the most accurate measurements of activity in brain regions. The present study was designed to measure the turnover of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in the hypothalamus of rats during pyrogen fever. Salmonella typhosa (Wyeth, 8 units) was previously found in our laboratory to produce a significant hyperthermia in most rats by 2.5 hours. This pyrogen (N = l2) or saline control (N = 8) was injected intraperitoneally and the rats killed 2.75 hours later. Rectal temperatures (Tr) were monitored continuously with thermocouples taped to the tail and recorded automatically every 3 minutes. Half of each group received an injection of radioactive precursors, (3)H-tryptophan (0.5 mCi) and (3)H-tryptophan (1.0 mCi), via an indwelling jugular catheter 60 minutes before killing, and the other half at 90 minutes. The rats were killed by near freezing in liquid nitrogen and the brains dissected in the cold. Turnover was measured by the method of Lane (Life Sci 21, 1101, 1977). At the time of killing most of the pyrogen group showed a significant (p < .02) increase (mean +/- s.e.m.) in Tr above pre injection levels (0.75 +/- 0.13 C, N = 10). The saline group showed no change (-0.025 +/- 0.16, N = 8), and the difference between groups was also significant. No significant differences were found in the levels of the amines between the pyrogen and saline groups. A significant difference was found in the specific activity of NE between the 60 minute pyrogen and saline groups (4.41 +/- 0.41 vs 2.6 +/- 0.51 dpm/pmole) but no change in turnover. This suggests an increased accumulation of (3)H-NE in the pyrogen group, but no change in utilization. An increased turnover of DA for the pyrogen group (44.5 vs 19.2 pmole/mg protein/hr) was found. However, DA is mainly a precursor in the hypothalamus and measurement was near the limit of sensitivity for the assay; these limitations Must be considered in interpreting this data. The most significant finding was an increase in the turnover of 5-HT in the pyrogen group (41.3 vs 7.3 pmole/mg protein/hr), indicating a resynthetization rate of 77% of the total pool per hour. These results suggest that at the time point measured, an increase in the utilization of 5-HT in the hypothalamus is-correlated with pyrogen fever.
Soft chemistry routes to GeS2 nanoparticles
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Courthéoux, Laurence; Mathiaud, Romain; Ribes, Michel; Pradel, Annie
2018-04-01
Spherical GeS2 particles are prepared by a low temperature liquid route with TEOG as germanium precursor and either H2S or thioacetamide (TAA) as sulfur precursors. The size and agglomeration of the particles change depending upon the temperature and nature of the solvent. Most synthesis lead to preparing amorphous GeS2. When the reaction kinetic is slowed down by using TAA at 25 °C, the obtained GeS2 product presents a larger order in the range of few Å as proven by Raman spectroscopy, even though it is still an amorphous compound as suggested by X-Ray diffraction and TEM experiments.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mbese, Johannes Z.; Ajibade, Peter A.
2017-09-01
Homonuclear tris-dithiocarbamato ruthenium(III) complexes, [Ru(S2CNR2)3] were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques and thermogravimetric analyses. The thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) of the ruthenium complexes showed that the complexes decompose to ruthenium(III) sulfide nanoparticles. The ruthenium(III) complexes were dispersed in oleic acid and thermolysed in hexadecylamine to prepared oleic acid/hexadecylamine capped Ru2S3 nanoparticles. FTIR revealed that Ru2S3 nanoparticles are capped through the interaction of the -NH2 group of hexadecylamine HDA adsorbed on the surfaces of nanoparticles and it also showed that oleic acid (OA) is acting as both coordinating stabilizing surfactant and capping agent. EDS spectra revealed that the prepared nanoparticles are mainly composed of Ru and S, confirming the formation of Ru2S3 nanoparticles. Powder XRD confirms that the nanoparticles are in cubic phase. The inner morphology of nanoparticles obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed nanoparticles with narrow particle size distributions characterized by an average diameter of 8.45 nm with a standard deviation of 1.6 nm. The optical band gap (Eg) determined from Tauc plot are in the range 3.44-4.18 eV.
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
2016-10-27
Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) have experienced significant growth since its initial inception in the 1990s. Technologies have continued to evolve at a rapid pace, enabling the integration of advanced solutions for traveler information ...
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
2016-12-01
Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) have experienced significant growth since their initial inception in the 1990s. Technologies have continued to evolve at a rapid pace, enabling the integration of advanced solutions for traveler informatio...
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
2017-05-01
Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) have experienced significant growth since their initial inception in the 1990s. Technologies have continued to evolve at a rapid pace, enabling the integration of advanced solutions for traveler informatio...
Porous palladium coated conducting polymer nanoparticles for ultrasensitive hydrogen sensors
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lee, Jun Seop; Kim, Sung Gun; Cho, Sunghun; Jang, Jyongsik
2015-12-01
Hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel, is of key importance to various industrial applications, including fuel cells and in the aerospace and automotive industries. However, hydrogen gas is odorless, colorless, and highly flammable; thus appropriate safety protocol implementation and monitoring are essential. Highly sensitive hydrogen leak detection and surveillance sensor systems are needed; additionally, the ability to maintain uniformity through repetitive hydrogen sensing is becoming increasingly important. In this report, we detail the fabrication of porous palladium coated conducting polymer (3-carboxylate polypyrrole) nanoparticles (Pd@CPPys) to detect hydrogen gas. The Pd@CPPys are produced by means of facile alkyl functionalization and chemical reduction of a pristine 3-carboxylate polypyrrole nanoparticle-contained palladium precursor (PdCl2) solution. The resulting Pd@CPPy-based sensor electrode exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity (0.1 ppm) and stability toward hydrogen gas at room temperature due to the palladium sensing layer.Hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel, is of key importance to various industrial applications, including fuel cells and in the aerospace and automotive industries. However, hydrogen gas is odorless, colorless, and highly flammable; thus appropriate safety protocol implementation and monitoring are essential. Highly sensitive hydrogen leak detection and surveillance sensor systems are needed; additionally, the ability to maintain uniformity through repetitive hydrogen sensing is becoming increasingly important. In this report, we detail the fabrication of porous palladium coated conducting polymer (3-carboxylate polypyrrole) nanoparticles (Pd@CPPys) to detect hydrogen gas. The Pd@CPPys are produced by means of facile alkyl functionalization and chemical reduction of a pristine 3-carboxylate polypyrrole nanoparticle-contained palladium precursor (PdCl2) solution. The resulting Pd@CPPy-based sensor electrode exhibits ultrahigh sensitivity (0.1 ppm) and stability toward hydrogen gas at room temperature due to the palladium sensing layer. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: BET surface area and pore distribution of palladium architectures without CPPyNPs; Hydrogen sensing ability of palladium architectures without CPPyNPs; HR-TEM image of Pd@CPPy_C16 after 100 cycle exposure of H2. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr06193h
Li, Li; Brown, Jaclyn L; Toske, Steven G
2018-04-06
The analysis of organic impurities plays an important role in the impurity profiling of methamphetamine, which in turn provides valuable information about methamphetamine manufacturing, in particular its synthetic route, chemicals, and precursors used. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) is ideally suited for this purpose due to its excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and wide linear range in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. In this study, a dilute-and-shoot UHPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous identification and quantitation of 23 organic manufacturing impurities in illicit methamphetamine. The developed method was validated in terms of stability, limit of detection (LOD), lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), accuracy, and precision. More than 100 illicitly prepared methamphetamine samples were analyzed. Due to its ability to detect ephedrine/pseudoephedrine and its high sensitivity for critical target markers (eg, chloro-pseudoephedrine, N-cyclohexylamphetamine, and compounds B and P), more impurities and precursor/pre-precursors were identified and quantified versus the current procedure by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Consequently, more samples could be classified by their synthetic routes. However, the UHPLC-MS/MS method has difficulty in detecting neutral and untargeted emerging manufacturing impurities and can therefore only serve as a complement to the current method. Despite this deficiency, the quantitative information acquired by the presented UHPLC-MS/MS methodology increased the sample discrimination power, thereby enhancing the capacity of methamphetamine profiling program (MPP) to conduct sample-sample comparisons. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Chemical precursor impact on the properties of Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} absorber layer
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Vashistha, Indu B., E-mail: indu-139@yahoo.com; Sharma, S. K.; Sharma, Mahesh C.
2016-04-13
In present work impact of different chemical precursor on the deposition of solar absorber layer Cu{sub 2}ZnSnS{sub 4} (CZTS) were studied by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) method without using expensive vacuum facilities and followed by annealing. As compared to the other deposition methods, CBD method is interesting one because it is simple, reproducible, non-hazardous, cost effective and well suited for producing large-area thin films at low temperatures, although effect of precursors and concentration plays a vital role in the deposition. So, the central theme of this work is optimizing and controlling of chemical reactions for different chemical precursors. Further Effectmore » of different chemical precursors i.e. sulphate and chloride is analyzed by structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) of annealed CZTS thin film revealed that films were polycrystalline in nature with kestarite tetragonal crystal structure. The Atomic Force micrographs (AFM) images indicated total coverage compact film and as well as growth of crystals. The band gap of annealed CZTS films was found in the range of optimal band gap by absorption spectroscopy.« less
A Review of Single Source Precursors for the Deposition of Ternary Chalcopyrite Materials
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Banger, K. K.; Cowen, J.; Harris, J.; McClarnon, R.; Hehemann, D. G.; Duraj, S. A.; Scheiman, D.; Hepp, A. F.
2002-01-01
The development of thin-film solar cells on flexible, lightweight, space-qualified durable substrates (i.e. Kapton) provides an attractive solution to fabricating solar arrays with high specific power, (W/kg). The syntheses and thermal modulation of ternary single source precursors, based on the [{LR}2Cu(SR')2In(SR')2] architecture in good yields are described. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and Low temperature Differential Scanning Caloriometry, (DSC) demonstrate that controlled manipulation of the steric and electronic properties of either the group five-donor and/or chalcogenide moiety permits directed adjustment of the thermal stability and physical properties of the precursors. TGA-Evolved Gas Analysis, confirms that single precursors decompose by the initial extrusion of the sulphide moiety, followed by the loss of the neutral donor group, (L) to release the ternary chalcopyrite matrix. X-ray diffraction studies, EDS and SEM on the non-volatile pyrolized material demonstrate that these derivatives afford single-phase CuInS2/CuInSe2 materials at low temperature. Thin-film fabrication studies demonstrate that these single source precursors can be used in a spray chemical vapor deposition process, for depositing CuInS2 onto flexible polymer substrates at temperatures less than 400 C.
Nagasawa, Hideko; Sasaki, Hideyuki; Uto, Yoshihiro; Kubo, Shinichi; Hori, Hitoshi
2004-01-01
Serum vitamin D-binding protein (Gc protein or DBP) is a highly expressed polymorphic protein, which is a precursor of the inflammation-primed macrophage activating factor, GcMAF, by a cascade of carbohydrate processing reactions. In order to elucidate the relationship between Gc polymorphism and GcMAF precursor activity, we estimated the phagocytic ability of three homotypes of Gc protein, Gc1F-1F, Gc1S-1S and Gc2-2, through processing of their carbohydrate moiety. We performed Gc typing of human serum samples by isoelectric focusing (IEF). Gc protein from human serum was purified by affinity chromatography with 25-hydroxyvitamin D3-sepharose. A phagocytosis assay of Gc proteins, modified using beta-glycosidase and sialidase, was carried out. The Gc1F-1F phenotype was revealed to possess Galbeta1-4GalNAc linkage by the analysis of GcMAF precursor activity using beta1-4 linkage-specific galactosidase from jack bean. The GcMAF precursor activity of the Gc1F-1F phenotype was highest among three Gc homotypes. The Gc polymorphism and carbohydrate diversity of Gc protein are significant for its pleiotropic effects.
Kledmanee, Kan; Suwanpakdee, Sarin; Krajangwong, Sakranmanee; Chatsiriwech, Jarin; Suksai, Parut; Suwannachat, Pongpun; Sariya, Ladawan; Buddhirongawatr, Ruangrat; Charoonrut, Phingphol; Chaichoun, Kridsada
2009-01-01
A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been developed for simultaneous detection of canine blood parasites, Ehrlichia canis, Babesia spp and Hepatozoon canis, from blood samples in a single reaction. The multiplex PCR primers were specific to E. canis VirB9, Babesia spp 16S rRNA and H. canis 16S rRNA genes. Specificity of the amplicons was confirmed by DNA sequencing. The assay was evaluated using normal canine and infected blood samples, which were detected by microscopic examination. This multiplex PCR offers scope for simultaneous detection of three important canine blood parasites and should be valuable in monitoring parasite infections in dogs and ticks.
Comparative quantification of human intestinal bacteria based on cPCR and LDR/LCR
Tang, Zhou-Rui; Li, Kai; Zhou, Yu-Xun; Xiao, Zhen-Xian; Xiao, Jun-Hua; Huang, Rui; Gu, Guo-Hao
2012-01-01
AIM: To establish a multiple detection method based on comparative polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) and ligase detection reaction (LDR)/ligase chain reaction (LCR) to quantify the intestinal bacterial components. METHODS: Comparative quantification of 16S rDNAs from different intestinal bacterial components was used to quantify multiple intestinal bacteria. The 16S rDNAs of different bacteria were amplified simultaneously by cPCR. The LDR/LCR was examined to actualize the genotyping and quantification. Two beneficial (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus) and three conditionally pathogenic bacteria (Enterococcus, Enterobacterium and Eubacterium) were used in this detection. With cloned standard bacterial 16S rDNAs, standard curves were prepared to validate the quantitative relations between the ratio of original concentrations of two templates and the ratio of the fluorescence signals of their final ligation products. The internal controls were added to monitor the whole detection flow. The quantity ratio between two bacteria was tested. RESULTS: cPCR and LDR revealed obvious linear correlations with standard DNAs, but cPCR and LCR did not. In the sample test, the distributions of the quantity ratio between each two bacterial species were obtained. There were significant differences among these distributions in the total samples. But these distributions of quantity ratio of each two bacteria remained stable among groups divided by age or sex. CONCLUSION: The detection method in this study can be used to conduct multiple intestinal bacteria genotyping and quantification, and to monitor the human intestinal health status as well. PMID:22294830
Comparative quantification of human intestinal bacteria based on cPCR and LDR/LCR.
Tang, Zhou-Rui; Li, Kai; Zhou, Yu-Xun; Xiao, Zhen-Xian; Xiao, Jun-Hua; Huang, Rui; Gu, Guo-Hao
2012-01-21
To establish a multiple detection method based on comparative polymerase chain reaction (cPCR) and ligase detection reaction (LDR)/ligase chain reaction (LCR) to quantify the intestinal bacterial components. Comparative quantification of 16S rDNAs from different intestinal bacterial components was used to quantify multiple intestinal bacteria. The 16S rDNAs of different bacteria were amplified simultaneously by cPCR. The LDR/LCR was examined to actualize the genotyping and quantification. Two beneficial (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus) and three conditionally pathogenic bacteria (Enterococcus, Enterobacterium and Eubacterium) were used in this detection. With cloned standard bacterial 16S rDNAs, standard curves were prepared to validate the quantitative relations between the ratio of original concentrations of two templates and the ratio of the fluorescence signals of their final ligation products. The internal controls were added to monitor the whole detection flow. The quantity ratio between two bacteria was tested. cPCR and LDR revealed obvious linear correlations with standard DNAs, but cPCR and LCR did not. In the sample test, the distributions of the quantity ratio between each two bacterial species were obtained. There were significant differences among these distributions in the total samples. But these distributions of quantity ratio of each two bacteria remained stable among groups divided by age or sex. The detection method in this study can be used to conduct multiple intestinal bacteria genotyping and quantification, and to monitor the human intestinal health status as well.
Fabrication of CdS nanowires with increasing anionic precursor by SILAR method
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dariani, R. S.; Salehi, F.
2016-05-01
CdS nanowires were fabricated on glass substrate at room temperature by SILAR method with cadmium nitrate cationic and sodium sulfide anionic precursors. The deposition were done at different S:Cd concentration ratios of 1:1, 3:1, 5:1, and 7:1. Nanowires growth procedure was studied in the mentioned concentrations. The number of immersion cycles was kept constant at 15 cycles. EDX analysis showed that in all stoichiometric ratios, S/Cd composition ratio remains at about unity. Our results indicated that S:Cd concentration ratio of 7:1 had the longest nanowires with hexagonal structure. The main objective of this paper was to produce CdS nanowires with increasing concentration of sulfur.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lasnik, J.; Stephens, M.; Baker, B.; Randall, C.; Ko, D. H.; Kim, S.; Kim, Y.; Lee, E. S.; Chang, S.; Park, J. M.; SEO, S. B.; Youk, Y.; Kong, J. P.; Lee, D.; Lee, S. H.; Kim, J.
2014-12-01
Introduction: The Geostationary Environment Monitoring Spectrometer (GEMS) is one of two instruments manifested aboard the South Korean Geostationary Earth Orbit KOrea Multi-Purpose SATellite-2B (GEO-KOMPSAT-2B or GK2B), which is scheduled to launch in 2018. Jointly developed/built by KARI and Ball Aerospace, GEMS is a geostationary UV-Vis hyperspectral imager designed to monitor trans-boundary tropospheric pollution events over the Korean peninsula and Asia-Pacific region. The spectrometer provides high temporal and spatial resolution (3.5 km N/S by 7.2 km E/W) measurements of ozone, its precursors, and aerosols. Over the short-term, hourly measurements by GEMS will improve early warnings for potentially dangerous pollution events and monitor population exposure. Over the 10-year mission-life, GEMS will serve to enhance our understanding of long-term climate change and broader air quality issues on both a regional and global scale. The GEMS sensor design and performance are discussed, which includes an overview of measurement capabilities and the on-orbit concept of operations. GEMS Sensor Overview: The GEMS hyperspectral imaging system consists of a telescope and Offner grating spectrometer that feeds a single CCD detector array. A spectral range of 300-500 nm and sampling of 0.2 nm enables NO2, SO2, HCHO, O3, and aerosol retrieval. The GEMS field of regard (FOR), which extends from 5°S to 45°N in latitude and 75°E to 145°E in longitude, is operationally achieved using an onboard two-axis scan mirror. On-orbit, the radiometric calibration is maintained using solar measurements, which are performed using two onboard diffusers: a working diffuser that is deployed routinely for the purpose of solar calibration, and a reference diffuser that is deployed sparingly for the purpose of monitoring working diffuser performance degradation.
Synthesis of Monolayer MoS2 by Chemical Vapor Deposition
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Withanage, Sajeevi; Lopez, Mike; Dumas, Kenneth; Jung, Yeonwoong; Khondaker, Saiful
Finite and layer-tunable band gap of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) including molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are highlighted over the zero band gap graphene in various semiconductor applications. Weak interlayer Van der Waal bonding of bulk MoS2 allows to cleave few to single layer MoS2 using top-down methods such as mechanical and chemical exfoliation, however few micron size of these flakes limit MoS2 applications to fundamental research. Bottom-up approaches including the sulfurization of molybdenum (Mo) thin films and co-evaporation of Mo and sulfur precursors received the attention due to their potential to synthesize large area. We synthesized monolayer MoS2 on Si/SiO2 substrates by atmospheric pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) methods using sulfur and molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) as precursors. Several growth conditions were tested including precursor amounts, growth temperature, growth time and flow rate. Raman, photoluminescence (PL) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed monolayer islands merging to create large area were observed with grain sizes up to 70 μm without using any seeds or seeding promoters. These studies provide in-depth knowledge to synthesize high quality large area MoS2 for prospective electronics applications.
Rational growth of Bi2S3 nanotubes from quasi-two-dimensional precursors.
Ye, Changhui; Meng, Guowen; Jiang, Zhi; Wang, Yinhai; Wang, Guozhong; Zhang, Lide
2002-12-25
Synthesis of Bi2S3 nanotubes from rolling of the quasi-two-dimensional (2-D) layered precursor represents new progress in the synthetic approach and adds new members to the present inorganic fullerene family. These nanotubes display multiwalled structures that resemble that of a multiwalled carbon nanotube. The successful synthesis of Bi2S3 nanotubes highlights the feasibility of inorganic fullerene-like structures from other chemicals that possess layered crystalline structures, not only the well-known 2-D family, but possibly also those quasi-2-D members.
Barik, Suvakanta; SarkarDas, Shabari; Singh, Archita; Gautam, Vibhav; Kumar, Pramod; Majee, Manoj; Sarkar, Ananda K
2014-01-01
Similar to the majority of the microRNAs, mature miR166s are derived from multiple members of MIR166 genes (precursors) and regulate various aspects of plant development by negatively regulating their target genes (Class III HD-ZIP). The evolutionary conservation or functional diversification of miRNA166 family members remains elusive. Here, we show the phylogenetic relationships among MIR166 precursor and mature sequences from three diverse model plant species. Despite strong conservation, some mature miR166 sequences, such as ppt-miR166m, have undergone sequence variation. Critical sequence variation in ppt-miR166m has led to functional diversification, as it targets non-HD-ZIPIII gene transcript (s). MIR166 precursor sequences have diverged in a lineage specific manner, and both precursors and mature osa-miR166i/j are highly conserved. Interestingly, polycistronic MIR166s were present in Physcomitrella and Oryza but not in Arabidopsis. The nature of cis-regulatory motifs on the upstream promoter sequences of MIR166 genes indicates their possible contribution to the functional variation observed among miR166 species. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Do, Quyet H.; Fielitz, Thomas R.; Zeng, Changchun; Arda Vanli, O.; Zhang, Chuck; Zheng, Jim P.
2013-08-01
Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) deposited on porous multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) buckypaper using supercritical fluid CO2(scCO2) deposition shows excellent performance for electrochemical capacitors. However, the low weight loading of V2O5 is one of the main problems. In this paper, design of experiments and response surface methods were employed to explore strategies for improving the active material loading by increasing the organo-vanadium precursor adsorption. A second-order response surface model was fitted to the designed experiments to predict the loading of the vanadium precursors onto carbon nanotube buckypaper as a function of time, temperature and pressure of CO2, buckypaper functionalization, precursor type, initial precursor mass and stir speed. Operation conditions were identified by employing a model that led to a precursor loading of 19.33%, an increase of 72.28% over the initial screening design. CNTs-V2O5 composite electrodes fabricated from deposited samples using the optimized conditions demonstrated outstanding electrochemical performance (947.1 F g-1 of V2O5 at a high scan rate 100 mV s-1). The model also predicted operation conditions under which light precursor aggregation took place. The V2O5 from aggregated precursor still possessed considerable specific capacitance (311 F g-1 of V2O5 at a scan rate 100 mV s-1), and the significantly higher V2O5 loading (˜81%) contributed to an increase in overall electrode capacitance.
Cochrane, David E; Carraway, Robert E; Harrington, Kimberly; Laudano, Melissa; Rawlings, Stephen; Feldberg, Ross S
2011-12-01
To determine if mast cells synthesize the inflammatory peptide, neurotensin (NT), secrete immunoreactive and bioactive NT, and express the NT receptor NTS1. HMC-1 cells, pleural mast cells from Sprague-Dawley rats, LAD2 mast cells, and human cord blood mast cells were used. HMC-1 cells were stimulated with NT, C48/80, mastoparan, or PGE(2). For changes in cutaneous vascular permeability, anesthetized rats were injected intravenously with Evans Blue dye and intradermally with saline, NT, histamine, diphenhydramine, and C48/80. RT-PCR was used to identify RNA transcripts. Histamine was measured by fluorometric assay. In vivo cutaneous vascular permeability assays, radio-immunoassays for NT, Western blotting for the NT precursor protein and NTS1 protein from HMC-1 cells and tissues from rats were used. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify NT precursor-like proteins in HMC-1 mast cells. HMC-1 cells express mRNAs for NT precursor, PC5A processing enzyme and NTS1 receptor. Human cord blood mast cells and LAD2 mast cells express mRNA transcripts for NT precursor and NTS1. Western blotting showed NT precursor and NTS1 receptor in HMC1. Rat tissues with high numbers of mast cells contained NT precursor proteins. NT-like peptides from HMC-1 displayed NT-like bioactivity. HMC-1 mast cells synthesize and secrete immunoreactive and bioactive NT-like peptide(s) and express the NT receptor, suggesting that NT from mast cells might serve autocrine and paracrine roles.
Amplitude of foreshocks as a possible seismic precursor to earthquakes
Lindh, A.G.
1978-01-01
In recent years, we have made significant progress in being able to recognize the long-range pattern of events that precede large earthquakes. For example, in a recent issue of the Earthquake Information Bulletin, we saw how the pioneering work of S.A. Fedotov of the U.S.S.R in the Kamchatka-Kurile Islands region has been applied worldwide to forecast where large, shallow earthquakes might occur in the next decades. Indeed, such a "seismic gap" off the coast of Alaska was filled by the 1972 Sitka earthquake. Promising results are slowly accumulating from other techniques that suggest that intermediate-term precursors might also be seen: among these are tilt and geomagnetic anomalies and anomalous land uplift. But the crucial point remains that short-term precursors (days to hours) will be needed in many cases if there is to be a significant saving of lives.
Noh, O Kyu; Park, Se Jin; Park, Hyeon Jin; Ju, HeeYoung; Han, Seung Hyon; Jung, Hyun Joo; Park, Jun Eun
2017-09-01
We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of DNA index (DI) in children with precursor B cell acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (pre-B ALL). From January 2003 to December 2014, 72 children diagnosed with pre-B ALL were analyzed. We analyzed the prognostic value of DI and its relations with other prognostic factors. The DI cut-point of 1.16 did not discriminate significantly the groups between high and low survivals (DI≥1.16 versus <1.16; 5-year OS, 90.5% vs. 82.8%, p =0.665). We explored the survivals according to the level of DI (<1.00, 1.00, 1.01-1.30, 1.31-1.60, 1.61-1.90, and >1.90), and the survival of children with a DI between 1.00-1.90 were significantly higher than that of children with DI of <1.00 or >1.90 (5-year OS, 90.6% vs. 50.0%, p <0.001). The DI of 1.16 was not a significant cut-point discriminating the risk group in children with pre-B ALL. However, the DI divided by specific ranges of values remained an independent prognostic factor. Further studies are warranted to re-evaluate the prognostic value and cut-point of DI in children treated with recent treatment protocols. © 2017 by the Association of Clinical Scientists, Inc.
First evidence of the presence of S-cysteinylated and S-glutathionylated precursors in tannins.
Larcher, Roberto; Tonidandel, Loris; Nicolini, Giorgio; Fedrizzi, Bruno
2013-11-15
Tannins are widely used in winemaking and food and beverage preparation for the many different contributions they can give to the overall characteristics of the product (e.g., colour stability, mouthfeel and aromatic composition). Varietal thiols and their precursors are one of the most interesting research areas in food science and a lot of effort has been put to further the current understanding on their formation and on the impact of different production strategies on their concentration in the final product. This paper reports the identification of two important thiol precursors (Cys-3MH and GSH-3MH) in commercial grape oenological tannins and, to the best of our knowledge, this information is reported here for the first time. This finding allows potential new perspectives in the winemaking and the food industry, offering the possibility of controlled additions of thiol precursors in pre-fermentative stages in order to tune the aroma profile of fermented products. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Septal secretion of protein A in Staphylococcus aureus requires SecA and lipoteichoic acid synthesis
Yu, Wenqi; Missiakas, Dominique
2018-01-01
Surface proteins of Staphylococcus aureus are secreted across septal membranes for assembly into the bacterial cross-wall. This localized secretion requires the YSIRK/GXXS motif signal peptide, however the mechanisms supporting precursor trafficking are not known. We show here that the signal peptide of staphylococcal protein A (SpA) is cleaved at the YSIRK/GXXS motif. A SpA signal peptide mutant defective for YSIRK/GXXS cleavage is also impaired for septal secretion and co-purifies with SecA, SecDF and LtaS. SecA depletion blocks precursor targeting to septal membranes, whereas deletion of secDF diminishes SpA secretion into the cross-wall. Depletion of LtaS blocks lipoteichoic acid synthesis and abolishes SpA precursor trafficking to septal membranes. We propose a model whereby SecA directs SpA precursors to lipoteichoic acid-rich septal membranes for YSIRK/GXXS motif cleavage and secretion into the cross-wall. PMID:29757141
Zhang, X M; Xu, Q
2001-12-01
Nitric oxide (NO) is known to facilitate tumour metastasis through the promotion of angiogenesis, vascular dilation, platelet aggregation, etc. In the present study we explored its novel role in producing dysfunction of the host immune system in the metastasis of murine metastatic melanoma B16-BL6 cells. A significant reduction in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) was observed in the spleen cells from B16-BL6-bearing mice, but not in those from mice bearing the parent cell B16. When B16-BL6 cells were added in vitro to the MLR, a significant decrease was also found, even when they were co-cultured with the lymphocytes in two compartments of a Transwell chamber separated by an 8.0 microm filter. The supernatant from cultured B16-BL6 but not B16 cells, which had a greatly increased NO activity, significantly inhibited concanavalin A- and lipopolysaccharide-induced lymphocyte proliferation. A remarkably higher expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) was detected in B16-BL6 cells than in B16 cells. Nomega-Nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA), a NO synthase inhibitor and superoxide dismutase, significantly antagonized the above inhibition by B16-BL6 cells, while l-arginine, a NO precursor, and S-nitroso-N-acetyl-d,l-penicillamine, a NO donor, strengthened the inhibition. Furthermore, l-NNA significantly inhibited lung metastasis of B16-BL6 cells, while l-arginine tended to enhance the metastasis. The cytotoxicity of B16-BL6-specific T-cells was significantly decreased by pre-culture with B16-BL6 cells in a Transwell chamber or the culture supernatants of B16-BL6 cells, whereas l-iminoethyl-lysine, a selective inhibitor of iNOS, showed a significant recovery from the disease. These results suggest that NO released by metastatic tumour cells may impair the immune system, which facilitates the escape from immunosurveillance and metastasis of tumour cells.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wentworth, Gregory R.; Aklilu, Yayne-abeba; Landis, Matthew S.; Hsu, Yu-Mei
2018-04-01
During May 2016 a very large boreal wildfire burned throughout the Athabasca Oil Sands Region (AOSR) in central Canada, and in close proximity to an extensive air quality monitoring network. This study examines speciated 24-h integrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements collected every sixth day at four and seven sites, respectively, from May to August 2016. The sum of PAHs (ΣPAH) was on average 17 times higher in fire-influenced samples (852 ng m-3, n = 8), relative to non-fire influenced samples (50 ng m-3, n = 64). Diagnostic PAH ratios in fire-influenced samples were indicative of a biomass burning source, whereas ratios in June to August samples showed additional influence from petrogenic and fossil fuel combustion. The average increase in the sum of VOCs (ΣVOC) was minor by comparison: 63 ppbv for fire-influenced samples (n = 16) versus 46 ppbv for non-fire samples (n = 90). The samples collected on August 16th and 22nd had large ΣVOC concentrations at all sites (average of 123 ppbv) that were unrelated to wildfire emissions, and composed primarily of acetaldehyde and methanol suggesting a photochemically aged air mass. Normalized excess enhancement ratios (ERs) were calculated for 20 VOCs and 23 PAHs for three fire influenced samples, and the former were generally consistent with previous observations. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report ER measurements for a number of VOCs and PAHs in fresh North American boreal wildfire plumes. During May the aged wildfire plume intercepted the cities of Edmonton (∼380 km south) or Lethbridge (∼790 km south) on four separate occasions. No enhancement in ground-level ozone (O3) was observed in these aged plumes despite an assumed increase in O3 precursors. In the AOSR, the only daily-averaged VOCs which approached or exceeded the hourly Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQOs) were benzene (during the fire) and acetaldehyde (on August 16th and 22nd). Implications for local and regional air quality as well as suggestions for supplemental air monitoring during future boreal fires, are also discussed.
Gunnigle, Eoin; Nielsen, Jeppe L; Fuszard, Matthew; Botting, Catherine H; Sheahan, Jerome; O'Flaherty, Vincent; Abram, Florence
2015-12-01
Psychrophilic (<20°C) anaerobic digestion (AD) represents an attractive alternative to mesophilic wastewater treatment. In order to investigate the AD microbiome response to temperature change, with particular emphasis on methanogenic archaea, duplicate laboratory-scale AD bioreactors were operated at 37°C followed by a temperature drop to 15°C. A volatile fatty acid-based wastewater (composed of propionic acid, butyric acid, acetic acid and ethanol) was used to provide substrates representing the later stages of AD. Community structure was monitored using 16S rRNA gene clone libraries, as well as DNA and cDNA-based DGGE analysis, while the abundance of relevant methanogens was followed using qPCR. In addition, metaproteomics, microautoradiography-fluorescence in situ hybridization, and methanogenic activity measurements were employed to investigate microbial activities and functions. Methanomicrobiales abundance increased at low temperature, which correlated with an increased contribution of CH4 production from hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis at 15°C. Methanosarcinales utilized acetate and H2/CO2 as CH4 precursors at both temperatures and a partial shift from acetoclastic to hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis was observed for this archaeal population at 15°C. An upregulation of protein expression was reported at low temperature as well as the detection of chaperones indicating that mesophilic communities experienced stress during long-term exposure to 15°C. Overall, changes in microbial community structure and function were found to underpin the adaptation of mesophilic sludge to psychrophilic AD. © FEMS 2015. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Contadakis, Michael E.; Arabelos, Demetrios N.; Vergos, George; Spatala, Spyrous; Skeberis, Christos; Xenos, Tomas D.; Biagi, Pierfrancesco; Scordilis, Emmanuel M.
2017-04-01
In this paper we investigate the ionospheric turbulence from TEC variations and VLF/LF transmitter signal observations before and during the disastrous seismic activity of August and October 2016 in Central Italy . The Total Electron Content (TEC) data of 8 Global Positioning System (GPS) stations of the EUREF network, which are being provided by IONOLAB (Turkey), were analysed using Discrete Fourier Analysis in order to investigate the TEC variations (Contadakis et al. 2009, Contadakis et al. 2012, Contadakis et al. 2015). The data acquired for VLF/LF signal observations are from the receiver of Thessaloniki(40.59N, 22,78E), Greece (Skeberis et al. 2015) which monitor the VLF/LF transmitters of the International Network for Frontier Research on Earthquake Precursors (INFREP). A method of normalization according to the distance between the receiver and the transmitter is applied on the above data and then they are processed by the Hilbert Huang Transform (HHT) to produce the corresponding spectra for visual analysis. The results of this investigation indicate that the High- Frequency limit fo, of the ionospheric turbulence content, increases as the site and the moment of the earthquake occurrence is approaching, pointing to the earthquake locus. In accordence ,the analyzed data from the receiver of INFREP network in Thessaloniki, Greece show that the signals from the two VLF European transmitters, Tavolara ( Italy) and Le Blanc (France), for wich the transmission path crosses the epicentral zones, indicate enhanced high frequency variations, the last ten days before the moment of the earthquake occurrence. We conclude that the LAIC mechanism through acoustic or gravity wave could explain this phenomenology. Reference Contadakis, M.E., Arabelos, D.N., Asteriadis, G., Spatalas, S.D., Pikridas, C. TEC variations over the Mediterranean during the seismic activity period of the last quarter of 2005 in the area of Greece, Nat. Hazards and Earth Syst. Sci., 8, 1267-1276, 2008. Contadakis, M.E., Arabelos, D.N., Asteriadis, G., Spatalas, S.D., Pikridas, C. TEC variations over Southern Europe before and during the M6.3 Abruzzo earthquake of 6th April 2009, Annals of Geophysics, vol. 55, iss. 1, p. 83-93, 2012a. Contadakis, M. E., Arabelos, D.N., Vergos, G., Spatalas, S. D., Skordilis, M., 2015,TEC variations over the Mediterranean before and during the strong earthquake (M = 6.5) of 12th October 2013 in Crete, Greece, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Volume 85, p. 9-16. Skeberis, C., Zaharis, Z. D., Xenos, T. D., Spatalas, S., Arabelos, D. N., & Contadakis, M. E. (2015). Time-frequency analysis of VLF for seismic-ionospheric precursor detection: Evaluation of Zhao-Atlas-Marks and Hilbert-Huang Transforms. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 85, 174-184
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Timm, Thomas; Lenz, Christof; Merkel, Dietrich; Sadiffo, Christian; Grabitzki, Julia; Klein, Jochen; Lochnit, Guenter
2015-03-01
Phosphorylcholine (PC)-modified biomolecules like lipopolysaccharides, glycosphingolipids, and (glyco)proteins are widespread, highly relevant antigens of parasites, since this small hapten shows potent immunomodulatory capacity, which allows the establishment of long-lasting infections of the host. Especially for PC-modified proteins, structural data is rare because of the zwitterionic nature of the PC substituent, resulting in low sensitivities and unusual but characteristic fragmentation patterns. We have developed a targeted mass spectrometric approach using hybrid triple quadrupole/linear ion trap (QTRAP) mass spectrometry coupled to nanoflow chromatography for the sensitive detection of PC-modified peptides from complex proteolytic digests, and the localization of the PC-modification within the peptide backbone. In a first step, proteolytic digests are screened using precursor ion scanning for the marker ions of choline ( m/z 104.1) and phosphorylcholine ( m/z 184.1) to establish the presence of PC-modified peptides. Potential PC-modified precursors are then subjected to a second analysis using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-triggered product ion spectra for the identification and site localization of the modified peptides. The approach was first established using synthetic PC-modified synthetic peptides and PC-modified model digests. Following the optimization of key parameters, we then successfully applied the method to the detection of PC-peptides in the background of a proteolytic digest of a whole proteome. This methodological invention will greatly facilitate the detection of PC-substituted biomolecules and their structural analysis.
Allison, J; Hall, L; MacIntyre, I; Craig, R K
1981-01-01
(1) Total poly(A)-containing RNA isolated from human thyroid medullary carcinoma tissue was shown to direct the synthesis in the wheat germ cell-free system of a major (Mr 21000) and several minor forms of human calcitonin precursor polyproteins. Evidence for processing of these precursor(s) by the wheat germ cell-free system is also presented. (2) A small complementary DNA (cDNA) plasmid library has been constructed in the PstI site of the plasmid pAT153, using total human thyroid medullary carcinoma poly(A)-containing RNA as the starting material. (3) Plasmids containing abundant cDNA sequences were selected by hybridization in situ, and two of these (ph T-B3 and phT-B6) were characterized by hybridization--translation and restriction analysis. Each was shown to contain human calcitonin precursor polyprotein cDNA sequences. (4) RNA blotting techniques demonstrate that the human calcitonin precursor polyprotein is encoded within a mRNA containing 1000 bases. (5) The results demonstrate that human calcitonin is synthesized as a precursor polyprotein. Images Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3. PMID:6896146
Nielsen, O F; Carin, M; Westergaard, O
1984-01-01
In isolated nucleoli from Tetrahymena thermophila, low concentrations of the intercalating agent proflavine inhibit both transcription termination and splicing of the rRNA precursor. Proflavine also exerts an in vivo effect on the process of transcription termination under conditions, where the growth rate is only slightly reduced. Thus, approximately 40% of the rRNA precursor molecules, accumulated in nucleoli during 60 min of treatment with the drug, are longer than the normal 35S rRNA precursor. R-Loop mapping of these longer precursor molecules isolated after 30 and 60 min of incubation demonstrates that the RNA polymerases have a 50 fold lower elongation rate in the spacer region than in the coding region. Proflavine in the given concentration is found to have no significant effect on the splicing of properly terminated precursor molecules. In contrast, none of the longer non-terminated molecules are found to be spliced. These results indicate that proflavine primarily affects the process of transcription termination and that the splicing event is inhibited due to the improper termination of the precursor molecule. Images PMID:6694912
Poland and the United States: Achieving American National Interests in Eastern Europe in the 1990s
1990-09-01
RESTRIC-IVE VIARK %NGS UNCLASSIFIED ___________________ 2a SECURITY CLASSIFICATION AUTHORITY 3 DiS7RI8UT1ON, AVALAB; L ,7Y OF RE.POR’ 2b...DECLASSIFCA71ONiDOWNGRADtNG SCHEDULE Approved for public release; dis - tribution is unlimited 4 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER(S) S MONITORING ORGAN:ZATIO0...3b TIME COVERED ~ DA’E OF REPORT (Year, Montt., D3a ) 5PC C JIidster’s Thesis FROM --- __ - 0__T 199, ’ - L =’I’ 12 3 16 SUPPLEMENT7ARY NOTATION The
Romek, Katarzyna M; Remaud, Gérald S; Silvestre, Virginie; Paneth, Piotr; Robins, Richard J
2016-08-05
During the biosynthesis of natural products, isotopic fractionation occurs due to the selectivity of enzymes for the heavier or lighter isotopomers. As only some of the positions in the molecule are implicated in a given reaction mechanism, position-specific fractionation occurs, leading to a non-statistical distribution of isotopes. This can be accessed by isotope ratio monitoring (13)C NMR spectrometry. The solanaceous alkaloids S-(-)-nicotine and hyoscyamine (atropine) are related in having a common intermediate, but downstream enzymatic steps diverge, providing a relevant test case to: (a) elucidate the isotopic affiliation between carbon atoms in the alkaloids and those in the precursors; (b) obtain information about the kinetic isotope effects of as yet undescribed enzymes, thus to make predictions as to their possible mechanism(s). We show that the position-specific (13)C/(12)C ratios in the different moieties of these compounds can satisfactorily be related to their known precursors and to the known kinetic isotope effects of enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, or to similar reaction mechanisms. Thus, the pathway to the common intermediate, N-methyl-Δ(1)-pyrrolinium, is seen to introduce similar isotope distribution patterns in the two alkaloids independent of plant species, whereas the remaining atoms of each target compound, which are of different origins, reflect their specific metabolic ancestry. We further demonstrate that the measured (13)C distribution pattern can be used to deduce aspects of the reaction mechanism of enzymes still to be identified. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Romek, Katarzyna M.; Remaud, Gérald S.; Silvestre, Virginie; Paneth, Piotr; Robins, Richard J.
2016-01-01
During the biosynthesis of natural products, isotopic fractionation occurs due to the selectivity of enzymes for the heavier or lighter isotopomers. As only some of the positions in the molecule are implicated in a given reaction mechanism, position-specific fractionation occurs, leading to a non-statistical distribution of isotopes. This can be accessed by isotope ratio monitoring 13C NMR spectrometry. The solanaceous alkaloids S-(−)-nicotine and hyoscyamine (atropine) are related in having a common intermediate, but downstream enzymatic steps diverge, providing a relevant test case to: (a) elucidate the isotopic affiliation between carbon atoms in the alkaloids and those in the precursors; (b) obtain information about the kinetic isotope effects of as yet undescribed enzymes, thus to make predictions as to their possible mechanism(s). We show that the position-specific 13C/12C ratios in the different moieties of these compounds can satisfactorily be related to their known precursors and to the known kinetic isotope effects of enzymes involved in their biosynthesis, or to similar reaction mechanisms. Thus, the pathway to the common intermediate, N-methyl-Δ1-pyrrolinium, is seen to introduce similar isotope distribution patterns in the two alkaloids independent of plant species, whereas the remaining atoms of each target compound, which are of different origins, reflect their specific metabolic ancestry. We further demonstrate that the measured 13C distribution pattern can be used to deduce aspects of the reaction mechanism of enzymes still to be identified. PMID:27288405
Zheng, Longfang; Zhao, Xian-En; Zhu, Shuyun; Tao, Yanduo; Ji, Wenhua; Geng, Yanling; Wang, Xiao; Chen, Guang; You, Jinmao
2017-06-01
In this work, for the first time, a new hyphenated technique of stable isotope-labeling derivatization-ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction has been developed for the simultaneous determination of monoamine neurotransmitters (MANTs) and their biosynthesis precursors and metabolites. The developed method was based on ultra high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection using multiple-reaction monitoring mode. A pair of mass spectrometry sensitizing reagents, d 0 -10-methyl-acridone-2-sulfonyl chloride and d 3 -10-methyl-acridone-2-sulfonyl chloride, as stable isotope probes was utilized to facilely label neurotransmitters, respectively. The heavy labeled MANTs standards were prepared and used as internal standards for quantification to minimize the matrix effects in mass spectrometry analysis. Low toxic bromobenzene (extractant) and acetonitrile (dispersant) were utilized in microextraction procedure. Under the optimized conditions, good linearity was observed with the limits of detection (S/N>3) and limits of quantification (S/N>10) in the range of 0.002-0.010 and 0.015-0.040nmol/L, respectively. Meanwhile, it also brought acceptable precision (4.2-8.8%, peak area RSDs %) and accuracy (recovery, 96.9-104.1%) results. This method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of monoamine neurotransmitters and their biosynthesis precursors and metabolites in rat brain microdialysates of Parkinson's disease and normal rats. This provided a new method for the neurotransmitters related studies in the future. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
75 FR 78227 - Endangered Species; File No. 14400
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2010-12-15
... permit has been issued under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S... black abalone, a species listed as endangered on February 13, 2009. The objective of this monitoring is...) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered or threatened species, and (3) is consistent...
POST-LAUNCH - APOLLO XVI - MSC
1972-04-19
S72-35460 (18 April 1972) --- Dr. J.F. Zieglschmid, M.D., Missions Operations Control Room (MOCR) White Team Surgeon, is seated in the Medical Support Room (MSR) in the Mission Control Center (MCC). He monitors crew biomedical data being received from the Apollo 16 spacecraft on the third day of the lunar landing mission.
Human Factors Evaluation of the Hidalgo Equivital EQ-02 Physiological Status Monitoring System
2013-10-11
Destruction – Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) responding (11), and ricin letters that were intercepted en route to a member of Congress and the President...positive for ricin at Washington mail facility. CNN U.S., April 17, 2013. (http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/16/us/tainted-letter- intercepted accessed
Nova Lup 2016 during the X-ray decay phase
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Orio, Marina; Beardmore, Andrew; Page, Kim; Osborne, Julian
2017-09-01
Nova Lup 2016 (ASASSN-16kt; see ATel #9538, #9539, #8550, #9554, #9587, #9594 and #9644) has been regularly monitored with Swift since the observations published in ATel #10632 that revealed a luminous supersoft X-ray source with a peak XRT count rate of 61.1(+-)0.1 cts/s on 2017/2/22.
Comparison of two poultry litter qPCR assays targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Brevibacterium sp
Chicken feces are vectors of human pathogens and are also important sources of fecal pollution in environmental waters. Consequently, methods that can detect chicken fecal pollution are needed in public health and environmental monitoring studies. In this study, we compared a pre...
Selective ultrafast probing of transient hot chemisorbed and precursor states of CO on Ru(0001).
Beye, M; Anniyev, T; Coffee, R; Dell'Angela, M; Föhlisch, A; Gladh, J; Katayama, T; Kaya, S; Krupin, O; Møgelhøj, A; Nilsson, A; Nordlund, D; Nørskov, J K; Öberg, H; Ogasawara, H; Pettersson, L G M; Schlotter, W F; Sellberg, J A; Sorgenfrei, F; Turner, J J; Wolf, M; Wurth, W; Oström, H
2013-05-03
We have studied the femtosecond dynamics following optical laser excitation of CO adsorbed on a Ru surface by monitoring changes in the occupied and unoccupied electronic structure using ultrafast soft x-ray absorption and emission. We recently reported [M. Dell'Angela et al. Science 339, 1302 (2013)] a phonon-mediated transition into a weakly adsorbed precursor state occurring on a time scale of >2 ps prior to desorption. Here we focus on processes within the first picosecond after laser excitation and show that the metal-adsorbate coordination is initially increased due to hot-electron-driven vibrational excitations. This process is faster than, but occurs in parallel with, the transition into the precursor state. With resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy, we probe each of these states selectively and determine the respective transient populations depending on optical laser fluence. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of CO adsorbed on Ru(0001) were performed at 1500 and 3000 K providing insight into the desorption process.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Linard, Joshua; Hall, Steve
9.1 Compliance Summary The Lakeview, Oregon, Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA) Title I Disposal Site was inspected September 16 and 17, 2015. Other than some ongoing concern with erosion-control rock riprap degradation, the disposal cell was in good condition. Some minor fence repairs and vegetation removal, and minor erosion repair work along the west site fence is planned. Inspectors identified no other maintenance needs or cause for a follow-up or contingency inspection. Disposal cell riprap is evaluated annually to ensure continued long-term protection of the cell from erosion during a severe precipitation event. Degradation of the rock riprapmore » was first observed at the site in the mid-1990s. Rock gradation monitoring of the riprap on the west side slope has been performed as part of the annual inspection since 1997 to determine the mean diameter (D 50) value. As prescribed by the monitoring procedure, the rock monitoring is routinely conducted at random locations. However, at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) request, the 2015 rock monitoring approach deviated from the normal procedure by using a pre-established monitoring grid in a subset area of the west side slope. This changed the monitoring approach from random sampling to biased sampling. The D 50 value measured during the 2015 gradation monitoring is 2.39 inches, which falls below the original D 50 design size range of 2.7–3.9 inches for the Type B size side slope riprap. At NRC’s request, rock durability monitoring was added to the gradation monitoring in 2009 to monitor durability by rock type. Results of the 2015 durability monitoring showed that74 percent of the total rock sampled is durability class code A rock with an assigned durability class of “highly durable” or durability class code B “durable” rock, and that over 90 percent of the 3-inch or larger rock is durability class code A or B. The rock durability classifications are further explained in Section 9.4.2.2.« less
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Camaiti, Mara; Benvenuti, Marco; Costagliola, Pilar; Di Benedetto, Francesco; Del Ventisette, Chiara; Garfagnoli, Francesca; Lombardi, Luca; Moretti, Sandro; Pecchioni, Elena; Vettori, Silvia
2013-04-01
A portable radiometer (ASD-FieldSpec FP Pro spectroradiometer), which continuously and rapidly acquires punctual reflectance spectra in the 350-2500 nm spectral range, has been recently proposed as non-destructive and non-invasive technology for detecting gypsum and other materials (inorganic as well as organic) on surfaces of historical buildings [1,2,3]. The instrument, which is also capable to quantitatively assess physical changes of the surfaces (i. e. color changes), has the potentialities to be used for monitoring the state of conservation of stone surfaces through the monitoring of the relative abundance of some components considered precursor symptoms of decay. The increase of gypsum or the decrease of the relative abundance of organic materials used as protective materials allows, in fact, to control and detect the chemical attack of carbonate surfaces, as well as the efficacy and durability of protective treatments. Although the relative abundance of any compound is theoretically related to the signal intensities of its spectral signature, a quantitative analysis is often compromised by some factors such as the grain dimension of crystals [2 4]. However the monitoring of critical areas may give useful information on the progression of decay provided that the same areas are investigated. The spectroradiometer can operate both in natural light conditions and by a contact probe with fixed illumination and geometry of shot; in this study the second condition was preferred since the same operative conditions can be maintained for all the measurements during the monitoring. Aim of this work was to find an easy to use and accurate system for repositioning the spectroradiometer probe in the same small areas of interest during the long-term monitoring. Two systems (theodolite and distance measuring laser) have been tested and their accuracy has been evaluated on some Florentine historical buildings (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and Basilica of San Miniato al Monte), selected as case study. Both systems showed good accuracy, within the experimental errors of the spectroradiometer, but the possibility of geo-referencing any small area of the building surface makes the theodolite the better system for monitoring different critical areas of historical stone surfaces. [1] S. Vettori, M. Benvenuti, M. Camaiti, L. Chiarantini, P. Costagliola, S. Moretti, E. Pecchioni, 2008, "Assessment of the deterioration status of historical buildings by Hyperspectral Imaging techniques", in Proceedings of the "In situ monitoring of monumental surfaces - SMS/08" Congress, Edifir-Edizioni Firenze, 2008, 55-64. [2] M. Camaiti, S. Vettori, M. Benvenuti, L. Chiarantini, P. Costagliola, F. Di Benedetto, S. Moretti, F. Paba, E. Pecchioni, 2011, "Hyperspectral sensor for gypsum detection on monumental buildings", Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, 8, 126-131. [3] L. Alparone, M. Benvenuti, M. Camaiti, L. Chiarantini, P. Costagliola, F. Garfagnoli, S. Moretti, E. Pecchioni, S. Vettori, 2011, "Hyperspectral Instruments as Potential Tools for Monitoring Decay Processes of Historical Building Surfaces", in Proceedings COST 2011, Florence 2011, 192-194. [4] R.N. Clark , 1995, " ", Rock Physics and Phase Relations - Handbook of Physical Constants, (Washington, DC: American Geophysical Union), 178-88.
Saraiya, Mona; Goodman, Marc T.; Datta, S. Deblina; Chen, Vivien W.; Wingo, Phyllis A.
2009-01-01
The recent US Food and Drug Administration licensure of a prophylactic vaccine against oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, the first of its kind, poses unique challenges in postmarketing vaccine surveillance, especially in measuring vaccine effectiveness against biologic endpoints of HPV infection. Historically, the national system of population-based cancer registries in the US has provided high-quality data on cancer incidence and mortality for the most important biologic endpoints, namely, anogenital cancers and some oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancers. There also has been some data collection on cancer precursors; however, this activity has been inconsistent and of lower priority. Because effectiveness against HPV-associated cancers will not be measurable for several decades, strengthening and possibly expanding the capacity of registries to collect precancer data, which are earlier manifestations of infection, must be considered. Collecting type-specific data on HPV-associated precancers and cancers. While keeping in mind the current limitations of registry operations, they discuss resources that may be needed to implement and sustain these types of activities. PMID:18980287
SU-D-BRA-01: Feasibility Study for Swallowing Prediction Using Pressure Sensors
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Cho, M; Kim, T; Kim, D
2016-06-15
Purpose: To develop a swallowing prediction system (SPS) using force sensing sensors and evaluate its feasibility. Methods: The SPS developed consists of force sensing sensor units, a thermoplastic mask, a signal transport device and a control PC installed with an in-house software. The SPS is designed to predict the pharyngeal stage of swallowing because it is known that internal organ movement occurs in pharyngeal stage. To detect prediction signal in the SPS, the force sensing sensor units were attached on both the submental muscle region and thyroid cartilage region of the thermoplastic mask. While the signal from the thyroid cartilagemore » region informs the action of swallowing, the signal from the submental muscle region is utilized as a precursor for swallowing. Since the duration of swallowing is relatively short, using such precursor (or warning) signals for machine control is considered more beneficial. A volunteer study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the system. In this volunteer study, we intended to verify that the system could predict the pharyngeal stage of the swallowing. We measured time gaps between obtaining the warning signals in the SPS and starting points of the pharyngeal stage of swallowing. Results: The measured data was examined whether the time gaps were in reasonable order to be easily utilized. The mean and standard deviation values of these time gaps were 0.550 s ± 0.183 s. in 8 volunteers. Conclusion: The proposed method was able to predict the on-set of swallowing of human subjects inside the thermoplastic mask, which has never been possible with other monitoring systems such as camera-based monitoring system. With the prediction ability of swallowing incorporated into the machine control mechanism (in the future), beam delivery can be controlled to skip swallowing periods and significant dosimetric gain is expected in head & neck cancer treatments. This work was supported by the Radiation Technology R&D program (No. 2015M2A2A7038291) and by the Mid-career Researcher Program (2014R1A2A1A10050270) through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT&Future Planning.« less
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1990-01-01
In his July 1989 space policy speech, President Bush proposed a long range continuing commitment to space exploration and development. Included in his goals were the establishment of permanent lunar and Mars habitats and the development of extended duration space transportation. In both cases, a major issue is the availability of qualified sensor technologies for use in real-time monitoring and control of integrated physical/chemical/biological (p/c/b) Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS). The purpose of this study is to determine the most promising instrumentation technologies for future ECLSS applications. The study approach is as follows: 1. Precursor ECLSS Subsystem Technology Trade Study - A database of existing and advanced Atmosphere Revitalization (AR) and Water Recovery and Management (WRM) ECLSS subsystem technologies was created. A trade study was performed to recommend AR and WRM subsystem technologies for future lunar and Mars mission scenarios. The purpose of this trade study was to begin defining future ECLSS instrumentation requirements as a precursor to determining the instrumentation technologies that will be applicable to future ECLS systems. 2. Instrumentation Survey - An instrumentation database of Chemical, Microbial, Conductivity, Humidity, Flowrate, Pressure, and Temperature sensors was created. Each page of the sensor database report contains information for one type of sensor, including a description of the operating principles, specifications, and the reference(s) from which the information was obtained. This section includes a cursory look at the history of instrumentation on U.S. spacecraft. 3. Results and Recommendations - Instrumentation technologies were recommended for further research and optimization based on a consideration of both of the above sections. A sensor or monitor technology was recommended based on its applicability to future ECLS systems, as defined by the ECLSS Trade Study (1), and on whether its characteristics were considered favorable relative to similar instrumentation technologies (competitors), as determined from the Instrumentation Survey (2). The instrumentation technologies recommended by this study show considerable potential for development and promise significant returns if research efforts are invested.
Hidaka, Yoshie; Suzuki, Masakazu
2004-06-01
Four types of calcitonin are produced in salmonid fish, although their functional diversity is almost unknown. To explore the significance of these isoforms, we have characterized salmon-type calcitonin (sCT) mRNAs in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and examined their tissue distribution. In addition to the previously isolated sCT-I cDNAs, two new forms of sCT cDNA were cloned from the ultimobranchial gland, and one of them (sCT-IV cDNA) was predicted to encode an N-terminal peptide of 80 amino acid residues, a putative cleavage site Lys-Arg, sCT-IV, a cleavage and amidation sequence Gly-Lys-Lys-Arg, and a C-terminal peptide of 18 amino acids. The sCT-IV precursor was 78% identical with the rainbow trout sCT-I precursors. The other cloned cDNA encoded a precursor for a novel CT, sCT-V. The sCT-V peptide was different from sCT-IV by only one amino acid residue: Val at position 8 in the latter was replaced by Met. The sCT-V precursor had 80 and 90% identity with the sCT-I and -IV precursors respectively. No cDNA clones were obtained for sCTs-II or -III.Tissue distribution of sCT-I, -IV and -V mRNAs was examined by RT-PCR and specific cleavage with restriction enzymes. An amplified fragment from sCT-I mRNA was detected not only in the ultimobranchial gland, but also in the gills, testis and ovary. RT-PCR analysis coupled to restriction digestion further revealed that sCT-IV mRNA was expressed in both the testis and the ultimobranchial gland. The expression sites of sCT-IV mRNA were localized to the Leydig cells of the testis and to the parenchymal cells of the ultimobranchial gland, by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Although the amino acid sequence of sCT-V peptide was nearly the same as that of sCT-IV, the sCT-V gene showed a much wider pattern of expression: the band amplified by RT-PCR was detected in all the tissues examined except the kidney, gills and blood cells. The sCT-V mRNA was shown to be localized in the parenchymal cells of the ultimobranchial gland, but not in other tissues at the cellular level, suggesting very low expression of sCT-V mRNA in those tissues. Our results show different patterns of tissue expression of three types of sCT genes in the rainbow trout, suggesting that sCTs-I, -IV and -V might differ in their local actions.
de Moor, J Maarten; Aiuppa, A; Avard, G; Wehrmann, H; Dunbar, N; Muller, C; Tamburello, G; Giudice, G; Liuzzo, M; Moretti, R; Conde, V; Galle, B
2016-08-01
Eruptive activity at Turrialba Volcano (Costa Rica) has escalated significantly since 2014, causing airport and school closures in the capital city of San José. Whether or not new magma is involved in the current unrest seems probable but remains a matter of debate as ash deposits are dominated by hydrothermal material. Here we use high-frequency gas monitoring to track the behavior of the volcano between 2014 and 2015 and to decipher magmatic versus hydrothermal contributions to the eruptions. Pulses of deeply derived CO 2 -rich gas (CO 2 /S total > 4.5) precede explosive activity, providing a clear precursor to eruptive periods that occurs up to 2 weeks before eruptions, which are accompanied by shallowly derived sulfur-rich magmatic gas emissions. Degassing modeling suggests that the deep magmatic reservoir is ~8-10 km deep, whereas the shallow magmatic gas source is at ~3-5 km. Two cycles of degassing and eruption are observed, each attributed to pulses of magma ascending through the deep reservoir to shallow crustal levels. The magmatic degassing signals were overprinted by a fluid contribution from the shallow hydrothermal system, modifying the gas compositions, contributing volatiles to the emissions, and reflecting complex processes of scrubbing, displacement, and volatilization. H 2 S/SO 2 varies over 2 orders of magnitude through the monitoring period and demonstrates that the first eruptive episode involved hydrothermal gases, whereas the second did not. Massive degassing (>3000 T/d SO 2 and H 2 S/SO 2 > 1) followed, suggesting boiling off of the hydrothermal system. The gas emissions show a remarkable shift to purely magmatic composition (H 2 S/SO 2 < 0.05) during the second eruptive period, reflecting the depletion of the hydrothermal system or the establishment of high-temperature conduits bypassing remnant hydrothermal reservoirs, and the transition from phreatic to phreatomagmatic eruptive activity.
Basuli, Falguni; Zhang, Xiang; Jagoda, Elaine M; Choyke, Peter L; Swenson, Rolf E
2018-06-30
Following our recently published fluorine-18 labeling method, "Radio-fluorination on the Sep-Pak", we have successfully synthesized 6-[ 18 F]fluoronicotinaldehyde by passing a solution (1:4 acetonitrile: t-butanol) of its quaternary ammonium salt precursor, 6-(N,N,N-trimethylamino)nicotinaldehyde trifluoromethanesulfonate (2), through a fluorine-18 containing anion exchange cartridge (PS-HCO 3 ). Over 80% radiochemical conversion was observed using 10 mg of precursor within 1 minute. The [ 18 F]fluoronicotinaldehyde ([ 18 F]5) was then conjugated with 1-(6-(aminooxy)hexyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione to prepare the fluorine-18 labeled maleimide functionalized prosthetic group, 6-[ 18 F]fluoronicotinaldehyde O-(6-(2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)hexyl) oxime, 6-[ 18 F]FPyMHO ([ 18 F]6). The current Sep-Pak method not only improves the overall radiochemical yield (50 ± 9%, decay-corrected, n = 9) but also significantly reduces the synthesis time (from 60-90 minutes to 30 minutes) when compared with literature methods for the synthesis of similar prosthetic groups. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Possible mechanisms for four regimes associated with cold events over East Asia
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yang, Zifan; Huang, Wenyu; Wang, Bin; Chen, Ruyan; Wright, Jonathon S.; Ma, Wenqian
2017-09-01
Circulation patterns associated with cold events over East Asia during the winter months of 1948-2014 are classified into four regimes by applying a k-means clustering method based on the area-weighted pattern correlation. The earliest precursor signals for two regimes are anticyclonic anomalies, which evolve into Ural and central Siberian blocking-like circulation patterns. The earliest precursor signals for the other two regimes are cyclonic anomalies, both of which evolve to amplify the East Asian trough (EAT). Both the blocking-like circulation patterns and amplified EAT favor the initialization of cold events. On average, the blocking-related regimes tend to last longer. The lead time of the earliest precursor signal for the central Siberian blocking-related regime is only 4 days, while those for the other regimes range from 16 to 18 days. The North Atlantic Oscillation plays essential roles both in triggering the precursor for the Ural blocking-related regime and in amplifying the precursors for all regimes. All regimes preferentially occur during the positive phase of the Eurasian teleconnection pattern and the negative phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. For three regimes, surface cooling is primarily due to reduced downward infrared radiation and enhanced cold advection. For the remaining regime, which is associated with the southernmost cooling center, sensible and latent heat release and horizontal cold advection dominate the East Asian cooling.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kumar, Varun; Sharma, Neha; Sood, Hemant; Chauhan, Rajinder Singh
2016-07-01
In the current study, we asked how the supply of immediate biosynthetic precursors i.e. cinnamic acid (CA) and catalpol (CAT) influences the synthesis of picroside-I (P-I) in shoot cultures of P. kurroa. Our results revealed that only CA and CA+CAT stimulated P-I production with 1.6-fold and 4.2-fold, respectively at 2.5 mg/100 mL concentration treatment. Interestingly, feeding CA+CAT not only directed flux towards p-Coumaric acid (p-CA) production but also appeared to trigger the metabolic flux through both shikimate/phenylpropanoid and iridoid pathways by utilizing more of CA and CAT for P-I biosynthesis. However, a deficiency in the supply of either the iridoid or the phenylpropanoid precursor limits flux through the respective pathways as reflected by feedback inhibition effect on PAL and decreased transcripts expressions of rate limiting enzymes (DAHPS, CM, PAL, GS and G10H). It also appears that addition of CA alone directed flux towards both p-CA and P-I production. Based on precursor feeding and metabolic fluxes, a current hypothesis is that precursors from both the iridoid and shikimate/phenylpropanoid pathways are a flux limitation for P-I production in shoot cultures of P. kurroa plants. This work thus sets a stage for future endeavour to elevate production of P-I in cultured plant cells.
Sipos, G; Puoti, A; Conzelmann, A
1994-01-01
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring of membrane proteins occurs through two distinct steps, namely the assembly of a precursor glycolipid and its subsequent transfer onto newly synthesized proteins. To analyze the structure of the yeast precursor glycolipid we made use of the pmi40 mutant that incorporates very high amounts of [3H]mannose. Two very polar [3H]mannose-labeled glycolipids named CP1 and CP2 qualified as GPI precursor lipids since their carbohydrate head group, Man alpha 1,2(X-->PO4-->6)Man alpha 1,2Man alpha 1,6Man alpha-GlcN-inositol (with X most likely being ethanolamine) comprises the core structure which is common to all GPI anchors described so far. CP1 predominates in cells grown at 24 degrees C whereas CP2 is induced by stress conditions. The apparent structural identity of the head groups suggests that CP1 and CP2 contain different lipid moieties. The lipid moieties of both CP1 and CP2 can be removed by mild alkaline hydrolysis although the protein-bound GPI anchors made by the pmi40 cells under identical labeling conditions contain mild base resistant ceramides. These findings imply that the ceramide moiety found on the majority of yeast GPI anchored proteins is added through a lipid remodeling step that occurs after the addition of the GPI precursor glycolipids to proteins. Images PMID:8026463
Affordable Precursor Missions to Search for Life and Pave the Way for Human Exploration of Mars
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stoker, C. R.
2017-02-01
The goal of landing humans on Mars in the 2030s requires a precursor program to assess modern life on Mars and assess the water resource of near surface ground ice. Missions that address these issues are presented.
Atomic layer deposition of quaternary chalcogenides
Thimsen, Elijah J; Riha, Shannon C; Martinson, Alex B.F.; Elam, Jeffrey W; Pellin, Michael J
2014-06-03
Methods and systems are provided for synthesis and deposition of chalcogenides (including Cu.sub.2ZnSnS.sub.4). Binary compounds, such as metal sulfides, can be deposited by alternating exposures of the substrate to a metal cation precursor and a chalcogen anion precursor with purge steps between.
Persistence of perfluoroalkyl acid precursors in AFFF-impacted groundwater and soil.
Houtz, Erika F; Higgins, Christopher P; Field, Jennifer A; Sedlak, David L
2013-08-06
Several classes of polyfluorinated chemicals that are potential precursors to the perfluorinated carboxylates and sulfonates are present in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF). To assess the persistence of these AFFF-derived precursors, groundwater, soil, and aquifer solids were obtained in 2011 from an unlined firefighter training area at a U.S. Air Force Base where AFFF was regularly used between 1970 and 1990. To measure the total concentration of perfluorinated carboxylate and sulfonate precursors in archived AFFF formulations and AFFF-impacted environmental samples, a previously developed assay that uses hydroxyl radical to oxidize precursors to perfluorinated carboxylates was adapted for these media. This assay was employed along with direct measurement of 22 precursors found in AFFF and a suite of other poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). On a molar basis, precursors accounted for 41-100% of the total concentration of PFASs in archived AFFF formulations. In the training area, precursors measured by the oxidation assay accounted for an average of 23% and 28% of total PFASs (i.e., precursors and perfluorinated carboxylates and sulfonates) in groundwater and solids samples, respectively. One precursor in AFFF, perfluorohexane sulfonamide amine, was observed on several highly contaminated soil and aquifer solids samples, but no other precursors present in AFFF formulations were detected in any samples at this field site. Suspected intermediate transformation products of precursors in AFFF that were directly measured accounted for approximately half of the total precursor concentration in samples from the training site. The fraction of PFASs consisting of perfluorinated carboxylates and sulfonates was greater in groundwater and solid samples than in any archived AFFF formulations, suggesting that much of the mass of precursors released at the site was converted to perfluorinated carboxylates and sulfonates. The precursors that have persisted at this site may generate significant amounts of additional perfluorinated carboxylates and sulfonates upon remediation of contaminated groundwater or aquifer solids.
Search for solar neutrons using NM-64 equipment
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Martinic, N. J.; Reguerin, A.; Palenque, E.; Taquichiri, M. A.; Wada, M.; Inoue, A.; Takahashi, K.
1985-01-01
Two years (1980 to 1982) neutron monitor data from the Chacaltaya (geographic coordinates: N16.32 deg W68. 15 deg; cutoff rigidity: 13.1 GV; altitude: 5,300 m a.s.l.) station has been scanned; the sampling time of the 12NM-64 neutron monitor is 5 min. The nucleonic component increases have been correlated with 66 hard X-, gamma rays satellite data from solar origin, as reported by several groups. Typical neutron monitor time profiles of the events are presented. Chree-analysis was performed discriminating the events according to its solar coordinates. Ground data from solar limb locii are more enhanced at the time of the onset than other geometrically visible flares. Chree histograms of neutron monitor output profiles are also presented from geometrically invisible events from the Chacaltaya station.
Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2010-07-23
... ozone precursor gases during the winter and summer months, respectively. The revisions also allow for... dioxide, ozone, lead (Pb), particulate matter (PM), and sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ). A SIP is a set of air... supporting information such as emissions inventories, monitoring networks, and modeling demonstrations. Each...
Coordinated Regulation of Niche and Stem Cell Precursors by Hormonal Signaling
Gancz, Dana; Lengil, Tamar; Gilboa, Lilach
2011-01-01
Stem cells and their niches constitute units that act cooperatively to achieve adult body homeostasis. How such units form and whether stem cell and niche precursors might be coordinated already during organogenesis are unknown. In fruit flies, primordial germ cells (PGCs), the precursors of germ line stem cells (GSCs), and somatic niche precursors develop within the larval ovary. Together they form the 16–20 GSC units of the adult ovary. We show that ecdysone receptors are required to coordinate the development of niche and GSC precursors. At early third instar, ecdysone receptors repress precocious differentiation of both niches and PGCs. Early repression is required for correct morphogenesis of the ovary and for protecting future GSCs from differentiation. At mid-third instar, ecdysone signaling is required for niche formation. Finally, and concurrent with the initiation of wandering behavior, ecdysone signaling initiates PGC differentiation by allowing the expression of the differentiation gene bag of marbles in PGCs that are not protected by the newly formed niches. All the ovarian functions of ecdysone receptors are mediated through early repression, and late activation, of the ecdysone target gene broad. These results show that, similar to mammals, a brain-gland-gonad axis controls the initiation of oogenesis in insects. They further exemplify how a physiological cue coordinates the formation of a stem cell unit within an organ: it is required for niche establishment and to ensure that precursor cells to adult stem cells remain undifferentiated until the niches can accommodate them. Similar principles might govern the formation of additional stem cell units during organogenesis. PMID:22131903
Precursory changes in seismic velocity for the spectrum of earthquake failure modes
Scuderi, M.M.; Marone, C.; Tinti, E.; Di Stefano, G.; Collettini, C.
2016-01-01
Temporal changes in seismic velocity during the earthquake cycle have the potential to illuminate physical processes associated with fault weakening and connections between the range of fault slip behaviors including slow earthquakes, tremor and low frequency earthquakes1. Laboratory and theoretical studies predict changes in seismic velocity prior to earthquake failure2, however tectonic faults fail in a spectrum of modes and little is known about precursors for those modes3. Here we show that precursory changes of wave speed occur in laboratory faults for the complete spectrum of failure modes observed for tectonic faults. We systematically altered the stiffness of the loading system to reproduce the transition from slow to fast stick-slip and monitored ultrasonic wave speed during frictional sliding. We find systematic variations of elastic properties during the seismic cycle for both slow and fast earthquakes indicating similar physical mechanisms during rupture nucleation. Our data show that accelerated fault creep causes reduction of seismic velocity and elastic moduli during the preparatory phase preceding failure, which suggests that real time monitoring of active faults may be a means to detect earthquake precursors. PMID:27597879
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ravanis, Konstantinos; Papandreou, Maria; Kampeza, Maria; Vellopoulou, Angeliki
2013-01-01
This article presents the results of empirical research on the construction of a precursor model of the phenomenon of thermal expansion and contraction of metals in preschool children's thinking, which is compatible with the model used in science education. The research included 87 children aged 5-6. It was conducted at four stages, during…
Anatomical Location of LPA1 Activation and LPA Phospholipid Precursors in Rodent and Human Brain
González de San Román, E; Manuel, I; Giralt, MT; Chun, J; Estivill-Torrús, G; Rodriguez de Fonseca, F; Santín, LJ; Ferrer, I; Rodriguez-Puertas, R
2016-01-01
Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a signaling molecule that binds to six known G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): LPA1–LPA6. LPA evokes several responses in the CNS including cortical development and folding, growth of the axonal cone and its retraction process. Those cell processes involve survival, migration, adhesion proliferation, differentiation and myelination. The anatomical localization of LPA1 is incompletely understood, particularly with regard to LPA binding. Therefore, we have used functional [35S]GTPγS autoradiography to verify the anatomical distribution of LPA1 binding sites in adult rodent and human brain. The greatest activity was observed in myelinated areas of the white matter such as corpus callosum, internal capsule and cerebellum. MaLPA1-null mice (a variant of LPA1-null) lack [35S]GTPγS basal binding in white matter areas, where the LPA1 receptor is expressed at high levels, suggesting a relevant role of the activity of this receptor in the most myelinated brain areas. In addition, phospholipid precursors of LPA were localized by MALDI-IMS in both rodent and human brain slices identifying numerous species of phosphatides (PA) and phosphatidylcholines (PC). Both PA and PC species represent potential LPA precursors. The anatomical distribution of these precursors in rodent and human brain may indicate a metabolic relationship between LPA and LPA1 receptors. PMID:25857358
Single-Source Molecular Precursor for Synthesis of CdS Nanoparticles and Nanoflowers
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Salavati-Niasari, Masoud; Sobhani, Azam
2012-04-01
CdS Semiconductor nanostructures were synthesized by using two different methods. Using triphenylphosphine (C18H15P) and oleylamine (C18H37N) as surfactant, CdS semiconductor nanocrystals with a size ranging from 30 to 90 nm can be synthesized by thermal decomposition of precursor [bis(thiosemicarbazide)cadmium(II)]. CdS nanoflowers were synthesized via hydrothermal decomposition of [bis(thiosemicarbazide) cadmium(II)] without any surfactant. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirm that the resulting samples were a pure hexagonal phase of CdS. The optical property test indicates that the absorption peak of the samples shifts towards short wavelength, and the blue shift phenomenon might be ascribed to the quantum effect.
Hector, R F; Braun, P C; Hart, J T; Kamarck, M E
1990-01-01
Flow cytometry was used to monitor chitin synthesis in regenerating protoplasts of the yeast Candida albicans. Comparisons of cells stained with Calcofluor White, a fluorochrome with known affinity for chitin, and cells incubated in the presence of N-[3H]-acetylglucosamine, the precursor substrate for chitin, showed a linear relationship between fluorescence and incorporation of label over time. Changes in both the fluorescence and light scatter of regenerating protoplasts treated with inhibitors of fungal chitin synthase were also quantitated by flow cytometry.
Chemical bath deposited ZnS buffer layer for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin film solar cell
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hong, Jiyeon; Lim, Donghwan; Eo, Young-Joo; Choi, Changhwan
2018-02-01
The dependence of Zn precursors using zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), zinc acetate (Zn(CH3COO)2), and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) on the characteristics of the chemical bath deposited ZnS thin film used as a buffer layer of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin film solar cell was studied. It is found that the ZnS film deposition rate increases with higher stability constant during decomplexation reaction of zinc ligands, which affects the crack formation and the amount of sulfur and oxygen contents within the film. The band gap energies of all deposited films are in the range of 3.40-3.49 eV, which is lower than that of the bulk ZnS film due to oxygen contents within the films. Among the CIGS solar cells having ZnS buffer layers prepared by different Zn precursors, the best cell efficiency with 9.4% was attained using Zn(CH3COO)2 precursor due to increased Voc mainly. This result suggests that [Zn(NH3)4]2+ complex formation should be well controlled to attain the high quality ZnS thin films.
Meyer, Michael T.; Lee, Edward A.; Scribner, Elisabeth A.
2007-01-01
An analytical method for the determination of isoxaflutole and its sequential degradation products, diketonitrile and a benzoic acid analogue, in filtered water with varying matrices was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey Organic Geochemistry Research Group in Lawrence, Kansas. Four different water-sample matrices fortified at 0.02 and 0.10 ug/L (micrograms per liter) are extracted by vacuum manifold solid-phase extraction and analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization in negative-ion mode with multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM). Analytical conditions for mass spectrometry detection are optimized, and quantitation is carried out using the following MRM molecular-hydrogen (precursor) ion and product (p) ion transition pairs: 357.9 (precursor), 78.9 (p), and 277.6 (p) for isoxaflutole and diketonitrile, and 267.0 (precursor), 159.0 (p), and 223.1 (p) for benzoic acid. 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid-d3 is used as the internal standard, and alachlor ethanesulfonic acid-d5 is used as the surrogate standard. Compound detection limits and reporting levels are calculated using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency procedures. The mean solid-phase extraction recovery values ranged from 104 to 108 percent with relative standard deviation percentages ranging from 4.0 to 10.6 percent. The combined mean percentage concentration normalized to the theoretical spiked concentration of four water matrices analyzed eight times at 0.02 and 0.10 ug/L (seven times for the reagent-water matrix at 0.02 ug/L) ranged from approximately 75 to 101 percent with relative standard deviation percentages ranging from approximately 3 to 26 percent for isoxaflutole, diketonitrile, and benzoic acid. The method detection limit (MDL) for isoxaflutole and diketonitrile is 0.003 ug/L and 0.004 ug/L for benzoic acid. Method reporting levels (MRLs) are 0.011, 0.010, and 0.012 ug/L for isoxaflutole, diketonitrile, and benzoic acid, respectively. On the basis of the calculated MRLs and MDLs and evaluation of the signal-to-noise ratios for each compound, the MRLs and MDLs are set at 0.010 and 0.003 ug/L, respectively, for all three compounds.
Effect of temperature on the reaction pathway of calcium carbonate formation via precursor phases
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Purgstaller, Bettina; Mavromatis, Vasileios; Konrad, Florian; Dietzel, Martin
2016-04-01
It has been earlier postulated that some biogenic and sedimentary calcium carbonate (CaCO3) minerals (e.g. calcite and aragonite) are secondary in origin and have originally formed via a metastable calcium carbonate precursor phase (e.g. amorphous CaCO3, [1-2]). Such formation pathways are likely affected by various physicochemical parameters including aqueous Mg and temperature. In an effort to improve our understanding on the formation mechanism of CaCO3 minerals, precipitation experiments were carried out by the addition of a 0.6 M (Ca,Mg)Cl2 solution at distinct Mg/Ca ratios (1/4 and 1/8) into a 1 M NaHCO3 solution under constant pH conditions(8.3 ±0.1). The formation of CaCO3 was systematically examined as a function of temperature (6, 12, 18 and 25 ±0.3° C). During the experimental runs mineral precipitation was monitored by in situ Raman spectroscopy as well as by continuous sampling and analyzing of precipitates and reactive solutions. The results revealed two pathways of CaCO3 formation depending on the initial Mg/Ca ratio and temperature: (i) In experiments with a Mg/Ca ratio of 1/4 at ≤ 12° C as well as in experiments with a Mg/Ca ratio of 1/8 at ≤ 18° C, ikaite (CaCO3 6H2O) acts as a precursor phase for aragonite formation. (ii) In contrast higher temperatures induced the formation of Mg-rich amorphous CaCO3 (Mg-ACC) which was subsequently transformed to Mg-rich calcite. In situ Raman spectra showed that the transformation of Mg-ACC to Mg-calcite occurs at a higher rate (˜ 8 min) compared to that of ikaite to aragonite (> 2 h). Thus, the formation of aragonite rather than of Mg-calcite occurs due to the slower release of Ca2+and CO32- ions into the Mg-rich reactive solution during retarded ikaite dissolution. This behavior is generally consistent with the observation that calcite precipitation is inhibited at elevated aqueous Mg/Ca ratios. [1] Addadi L., Raz S. and Weiner S. (2003) Advanced Materials 15, 959-970. [2] Rodriguez-Blanco J. D., Shaw S., Bots P., Roncal-Herrero T. and Benning L. G (2014) Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 127, 204-220
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Trédez, Fabien; Rabet, Nicolas; Bellec, Laure; Audebert, Fabienne
2017-01-01
Sacculina carcini is member of a highly-specialized group of parasitic cirripeds (Rhizocephala) that use crabs ( Carcinus maenas) as hosts to carry out the reproductive phase of their life cycle. We describe the naupliar development of S. carcini Thompson, 1836 from a very precise monitoring of three different broods from three specimens. Nauplii were sampled every 4 h, from the release of the larvae until the cypris stage. Larval development, from naupliar instar 1 to the cypris stage, lasts 108 h at 18 °C. A rigorous sampling allowed us to describe an additional intermediate naupliar instar, not described previously. Naupliar instars are renumbered from 1 to 5. Nauplius 1 (N1) larvae hatch in the interna; N2 are released from the interna and last between 12 and 16 h; N3 appear between 12 and 16 h after release; N4 appear between 28 and 32 h; and N5 appear between 44 and 48 h. The cypris stage appears between 108 and 112 h. The redescribed morphologies allowed us to identify new characters. Antennular setation discriminates naupliar instars 3, 4 and 5. Telson and furca morphologies discriminate all naupliar instars. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the speed of larval development is similar within a single brood and between broods from different specimens, suggesting synchronization of larval development. From precise monitoring of broods every 4 h, we demonstrate that the life cycle of S. carcini includes five instars of naupliar larvae instead of four. The morphological characters of the larvae discriminate these naupliar instars and allow the identification of S. carcini from other Rhizocephala species. S. carcini larvae develop synchronously. Consequently, they might be an informative model to study larval development in crustaceans.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Jones, Robert C.; Drollinger, Harold; Bullard, Thomas F.
2013-01-01
This report presents a historical evaluation of the U16a Tunnel on the Nevada National Security Site in southern Nevada. The work was conducted by the Desert Research Institute at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office and the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The U16a Tunnel was used for underground nuclear weapons effects tests in Shoshone Mountain in Area 16 of the Nevada National Security Site. Six nuclear tests were conducted in the U16a Tunnel from 1962 to 1971. These tests are Marshmallow, Gum Drop, Double Play, Ming Vase,more » Diamond Dust, and Diamond Mine. The U.S. Department of Defense Threat Reduction Agency, with participation from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Las Alamos National Laboratory, sponsored the tests. Fifteen high explosives tests were also conducted at the tunnel. Two were calibration tests during nuclear testing and the remaining were U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency tunnel defeat tests. The U16a Tunnel complex is on the top and slopes of Shoshone Mountain, encompassing an area of approximately 16.7 hectares (41.1 acres). Major modifications to the landscape are a result of three principal activities, road construction and maintenance, mining activities related to development of the tunnel complex, and site preparation for activities related to testing. Forty-seven cultural features were recorded at the portal and on the slopes of Shoshone Mountain. At the portal area, features relate to the mining, construction, testing, and general every day operational support activities within the tunnel. These include concrete foundations for buildings, equipment pads, and rail lines. Features on the slopes above the tunnel relate to tunnel ventilation, borehole drilling, and data recording. Feature types include soil-covered bunkers, concrete foundations, instrument cable holes, drill holes, and ventilation shafts. The U16a Tunnel complex is eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under criteria a and c, consideration g of 36 CFR Part 60.4 as a historic landscape. Scientific research conducted at the tunnel has made significant contributions to the broad patterns of our history, particularly in regard to the Cold War era that was characterized by competing social, economic, and political ideologies between the former Soviet Union and the United States. The tunnel also possesses distinctive construction and engineering methods for conducting underground nuclear tests. The Desert Research Institute recommends that the U16a Tunnel area be left in place in its current condition and that the U16a Tunnel historic landscape be included in the Nevada National Security Site monitoring program and monitored on a regular basis.« less
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Jones, Roberrt C.; Drollinger, Harold
2013-06-01
This report presents a historical evaluation of the U16a Tunnel on the Nevada National Security Site in southern Nevada. The work was conducted by the Desert Research Institute at the request of the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration Nevada Site Office and the U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency. The U16a Tunnel was used for underground nuclear weapons effects tests in Shoshone Mountain in Area 16 of the Nevada National Security Site. Six nuclear tests were conducted in the U16a Tunnel from 1962 to 1971. These tests are Marshmallow, Gum Drop, Double Play, Ming Vase,more » Diamond Dust, and Diamond Mine. The U.S. Department of Defense Threat Reduction Agency, with participation from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Las Alamos National Laboratory, sponsored the tests. Fifteen high explosives tests were also conducted at the tunnel. Two were calibration tests during nuclear testing and the remaining were U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency tunnel defeat tests. The U16a Tunnel complex is on the top and slopes of Shoshone Mountain, encompassing an area of approximately 16.7 hectares (41.1 acres). Major modifications to the landscape are a result of three principal activities, road construction and maintenance, mining activities related to development of the tunnel complex, and site preparation for activities related to testing. Forty-seven cultural features were recorded at the portal and on the slopes of Shoshone Mountain. At the portal area, features relate to the mining, construction, testing, and general every day operational support activities within the tunnel. These include concrete foundations for buildings, equipment pads, and rail lines. Features on the slopes above the tunnel relate to tunnel ventilation, borehole drilling, and data recording. Feature types include soil-covered bunkers, concrete foundations, instrument cable holes, drill holes, and ventilation shafts. The U16a Tunnel complex is eligible to the National Register of Historic Places under criteria a and c, consideration g of 36 CFR Part 60.4 as a historic landscape. Scientific research conducted at the tunnel has made significant contributions to the broad patterns of our history, particularly in regard to the Cold War era that was characterized by competing social, economic, and political ideologies between the former Soviet Union and the United States. The tunnel also possesses distinctive construction and engineering methods for conducting underground nuclear tests. The Desert Research Institute recommends that the U16a Tunnel area be left in place in its current condition and that the U16a Tunnel historic landscape be included in the Nevada National Security Site monitoring program and monitored on a regular basis.« less
Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis / STS-129 Mission
2009-11-16
STS129-S-054 (16 Nov. 2009) --- Michael Coats (left), director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston; and Bob Cabana, director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, monitor the progress of Space Shuttle Atlantis' countdown from consoles in the Operations Management Room, a glass partitioned area overlooking the main floor of Firing Room 4, in Kennedy's Launch Control Center. Liftoff of Atlantis from Launch Pad 39A on its STS-129 mission to the International Space Station came at 2:28 p.m. (EST) on Nov. 16, 2009.
Moran, Seth C.; Freymueller, Jeff T.; LaHusen, Richard G.; McGee, Kenneth A.; Poland, Michael P.; Power, John A.; Schmidt, David A.; Schneider, David J.; Stephens, George; Werner, Cynthia A.; White, Randall A.
2008-01-01
As magma moves toward the surface, it interacts with anything in its path: hydrothermal systems, cooling magma bodies from previous eruptions, and (or) the surrounding 'country rock'. Magma also undergoes significant changes in its physical properties as pressure and temperature conditions change along its path. These interactions and changes lead to a range of geophysical and geochemical phenomena. The goal of volcano monitoring is to detect and correctly interpret such phenomena in order to provide early and accurate warnings of impending eruptions. Given the well-documented hazards posed by volcanoes to both ground-based populations (for example, Blong, 1984; Scott, 1989) and aviation (for example, Neal and others, 1997; Miller and Casadevall, 2000), volcano monitoring is critical for public safety and hazard mitigation. Only with adequate monitoring systems in place can volcano observatories provide accurate and timely forecasts and alerts of possible eruptive activity. At most U.S. volcanoes, observatories traditionally have employed a two-component approach to volcano monitoring: (1) install instrumentation sufficient to detect unrest at volcanic systems likely to erupt in the not-too-distant future; and (2) once unrest is detected, install any instrumentation needed for eruption prediction and monitoring. This reactive approach is problematic, however, for two reasons. 1. At many volcanoes, rapid installation of new ground-1. based instruments is difficult or impossible. Factors that complicate rapid response include (a) eruptions that are preceded by short (hours to days) precursory sequences of geophysical and (or) geochemical activity, as occurred at Mount Redoubt (Alaska) in 1989 (24 hours), Anatahan (Mariana Islands) in 2003 (6 hours), and Mount St. Helens (Washington) in 1980 and 2004 (7 and 8 days, respectively); (b) inclement weather conditions, which may prohibit installation of new equipment for days, weeks, or even months, particularly at midlatitude or high-latitude volcanoes; (c) safety factors during unrest, which can limit where new instrumentation can safely be installed (particularly at near-vent sites that can be critical for precursor detection and eruption forecasting); and (d) the remoteness of many U.S. volcanoes (particularly those in the Aleutians and the Marianas Islands), where access is difficult or impossible most of the year. Given these difficulties, it is reasonable to anticipate that ground-based monitoring of eruptions at U.S. volcanoes will likely be performed primarily with instruments installed before unrest begins. 2. Given a growing awareness of previously undetected 2. phenomena that may occur before an eruption begins, at present the types and (or) density of instruments in use at most U.S. volcanoes is insufficient to provide reliable early warning of volcanic eruptions. As shown by the gap analysis of Ewert and others (2005), a number of U.S. volcanoes lack even rudimentary monitoring. At those volcanic systems with monitoring instrumentation in place, only a few types of phenomena can be tracked in near-real time, principally changes in seismicity, deformation, and large-scale changes in thermal flux (through satellite-based remote sensing). Furthermore, researchers employing technologically advanced instrumentation at volcanoes around the world starting in the 1990s have shown that subtle and previously undetectable phenomena can precede or accompany eruptions. Detection of such phenomena would greatly improve the ability of U.S. volcano observatories to provide accurate early warnings of impending eruptions, and is a critical capability particularly at the very high-threat volcanoes identified by Ewert and others (2005). For these two reasons, change from a reactive to a proactive volcano-monitoring strategy is clearly needed at U.S. volcanoes. Monitoring capabilities need to be expanded at virtually every volcanic center, regardless of its current state of
Cordeiro, Fernanda B; Ferreira, Christina R; Sobreira, Tiago Jose P; Yannell, Karen E; Jarmusch, Alan K; Cedenho, Agnaldo P; Lo Turco, Edson G; Cooks, R Graham
2017-09-15
We describe multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-profiling, which provides accelerated discovery of discriminating molecular features, and its application to human polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis. The discovery phase of the MRM-profiling seeks molecular features based on some prior knowledge of the chemical functional groups likely to be present in the sample. It does this through use of a limited number of pre-chosen and chemically specific neutral loss and/or precursor ion MS/MS scans. The output of the discovery phase is a set of precursor/product transitions. In the screening phase these MRM transitions are used to interrogate multiple samples (hence the name MRM-profiling). MRM-profiling was applied to follicular fluid samples of 22 controls and 29 clinically diagnosed PCOS patients. Representative samples were delivered by flow injection to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer set to perform a number of pre-chosen and chemically specific neutral loss and/or precursor ion MS/MS scans. The output of this discovery phase was a set of 1012 precursor/product transitions. In the screening phase each individual sample was interrogated for these MRM transitions. Principal component analysis (PCA) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used for statistical analysis. To evaluate the method's performance, half the samples were used to build a classification model (testing set) and half were blinded (validation set). Twenty transitions were used for the classification of the blind samples, most of them (N = 19) showed lower abundances in the PCOS group and corresponded to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) lipids. Agreement of 73% with clinical diagnosis was found when classifying the 26 blind samples. MRM-profiling is a supervised method characterized by its simplicity, speed and the absence of chromatographic separation. It can be used to rapidly isolate discriminating molecules in healthy/disease conditions by tailored screening of signals associated with hundreds of molecules in complex samples. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zhao, He; Hu, Chengzhi; Zhang, Di; Liu, Huijuan; Qu, Jiuhui
2016-01-01
Coagulation behavior of aluminum chloride and polyaluminum chloride (PACl) for removing corresponding disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursors was discussed in this paper. CHCl3, bromine trihalomethanes (THM-Br), dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) formation potential yields were correlated with specific ultraviolet absorbance (SUVA) values in different molecular weight (MW) fractions of humic substances (HS), respectively. Correlation analyses and principal component analysis were performed to examine the relationships between SUVA and different DBP precursors. To acquire more structural characters of DBP precursors and aluminum speciation, freeze-dried precipitates were analyzed by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and C 1s, Al 2p X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that TCAA precursors (no MW limits), DCAA and CHCl3 precursors in low MW fractions (MW<30 kDa) had a relatively good relations with SUVA values. These DBP precursors were coagulated more easily by in situ Al13 of AlCl3 at pH 5.0. Due to relatively low aromatic content and more aliphatic structures, THM-Br precursors (no MW limits) and CHCl3 precursors in high MW fractions (MW>30 kDa) were preferentially removed by PACl coagulation with preformed Al13 species at pH 5.0. Additionally, for DCAA precursors in high MW fractions (MW>30 kDa) with relatively low aromatic content and more carboxylic structures, the greatest removal occurred at pH 6.0 through PACl coagulation with aggregated Al13 species. PMID:26824243
N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formation from the ozonation of model compounds.
Marti, Erica J; Pisarenko, Aleksey N; Peller, Julie R; Dickenson, Eric R V
2015-04-01
Nitrosamines are a class of toxic disinfection byproducts commonly associated with chloramination, of which several were included on the most recent U.S. EPA Contaminant Candidate List. Nitrosamine formation may be a significant barrier to ozonation in water reuse applications, particularly for direct or indirect potable reuse, since recent studies show direct formation during ozonation of natural water and treated wastewaters. Only a few studies have identified precursors which react with ozone to form N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). In this study, several precursor compound solutions, prepared in ultrapure water and treated wastewater, were subjected to a 10 M excess of ozone. In parallel experiments, the precursor solutions in ultrapure water were exposed to gamma radiation to determine NDMA formation as a byproduct of reactions of precursor compounds with hydroxyl radicals. The results show six new NDMA precursor compounds that have not been previously reported in the literature, including compounds with hydrazone and carbamate moieties. Molar yields in deionized water were 61-78% for 3 precursors, 12-23% for 5 precursors and <4% for 2 precursors. Bromide concentration was important for three compounds (1,1-dimethylhydrazine, acetone dimethylhydrazone and dimethylsulfamide), but did not enhance NDMA formation for the other precursors. NDMA formation due to chloramination was minimal compared to formation due to ozonation, suggesting distinct groups of precursor compounds for these two oxidants. Hydroxyl radical reactions with the precursors will produce NDMA, but formation is much greater in the presence of molecular ozone. Also, hydroxyl radical scavenging during ozonation leads to increased NDMA formation. Molar conversion yields were higher for several precursors in wastewater as compared to deionized water, which could be due to catalyzed reactions with constituents found in wastewater or hydroxyl radical scavenging. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Eftaxias, K.; Potirakis, S. M.
2013-10-01
Are there credible electromagnetic (EM) potential earthquake (EQ) precursors? This a question debated in the scientific community and there may be legitimate reasons for the critical views. The negative view concerning the existence of EM potential precursors is enhanced by features that accompany their observation which are considered as paradox ones, namely, these signals: (i) are not observed at the time of EQs occurrence and during the aftershock period, (ii) are not accompanied by large precursory strain changes, (iii) are not accompanied by simultaneous geodetic or seismological precursors and (iv) their traceability is considered problematic. In this work, the detected candidate EM potential precursors are studied through a shift in thinking towards the basic science findings relative to granular packings, micron-scale plastic flow, interface depinning, fracture size effects, concepts drawn from phase transitions, self-affine notion of fracture and faulting process, universal features of fracture surfaces, recent high quality laboratory studies, theoretical models and numerical simulations. We try to contribute to the establishment of strict criteria for the definition of an emerged EM anomaly as a possibly EQ-related one, and to the explanation of potential precursory EM features which have been considered as paradoxes. A three-stage model for EQ generation by means of pre-EQ fracture-induced EM emissions is proposed. The claim that the observed EM potential precursors may permit a real-time and step-by-step monitoring of the EQ generation is tested.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Liu, Ningwei; Ren, Wanhui; Li, Xiaolan; Ma, Xiaogang; Zhang, Yunhai; Li, Bingkun
2018-03-01
Hourly mixing ratio data of ground-level ozone and its main precursors at ambient air quality monitoring sites in Shenyang during 2013-2015 were used to survey spatiotemporal variations in ozone. Then, the transport of ozone and its precursors among urban, suburban, and rural sites was examined. The correlations between ozone and some key meteorological factors were also investigated. Ozone and O x mixing ratios in Shenyang were higher during warm seasons and lower during cold ones, while ozone precursors followed the opposite cycle. Ozone mixing ratios reached maximum and minimum values in the afternoon and morning, respectively, reflecting the significant influence of photochemical production during daytime and depletion via titration during nighttime. Compared to those in downtown Shenyang, ozone mixing ratios were higher and the occurrence of peak values were later in suburban and rural areas downwind of the prevailing wind. The differences were most significant in summer, when the ozone mixing ratios at one suburban downwind site reached a maximum value of 35.6 ppb higher than those at the downtown site. This suggests that photochemical production processes were significant during the transport of ozone precursors, particularly in warm seasons with sufficient sunlight. Temperature, total radiation, and wind speed all displayed positive correlations with ozone concentration, reflecting their important role in accelerating ozone formation. Generally, the correlations between ozone and meteorological factors were slightly stronger at suburban sites than in urban areas, indicating that ozone levels in suburban areas were more sensitive to these meteorological factors.
Using Groundwater physiochemical properties for assessing potential earthquake precursor
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Inbar, Nimrod; Reuveni, Yuval; Anker, Yaakov; Guttman, Joseph
2017-04-01
Worldwide studies reports pre-seismic, co-seismic and post-seismic reaction of groundwater to earthquakes. The unique hydrological and geological situation in Israel resulted in relatively deep water wells which are located close to seismically active tectonic plate boundary. Moreover, the Israeli experience show that anomalies may occurs 60-90 minutes prior to the seismic event (Guttman et al., 2005; Anker et al., 2016). Here, we try to assess the possible connection between changes in physiochemical parameters of groundwater and earthquakes along the Dead Sea Transform (DST) region. A designated network of monitoring stations was installed in MEKOROT abandoned deep water wells, continuously measuring water table, conductivity and temperature at a sampling rate of 1 minute. Preliminary analysis compares changes in the measured parameters with rain events, tidal effects and earthquake occurrences of all measured magnitudes (>2.5Md) at monitoring area surroundings. The acquired data set over one year recorded simultaneous abrupt changes in several wells which seems disconnected from standard hydrological occurrences such as precipitation, abstraction or tidal effects. At this stage, our research aims to determine and rationalize a baseline for "normal response" of the measured parameters to external occurrences while isolating those cases in which "deviations" from that base line is recorded. We apply several analysis techniques both in time and frequency domain with the measured signal as well as statistical analysis of several measured earthquake parameters, which indicate potential correlations between earthquakes occurrences and the measured signal. We show that at least in one seismic event (5.1 Md) a potential precursor may have been recorded. Reference: Anker, Y., N. Inbar, A. Y. Dror, Y. Reuveni, J. Guttman, A. Flexer, (2016). Groundwater response to ground movements, as a tool for earthquakes monitoring and a possible precursor. 8th International Conference on Urban Planning and Transportation. Guttman, J., Flexer, A. & Yellin-Dror, A. (2005). Water level changes in wells - a predictor for earthquakes? IAHS Publ. Vol. 303, pp. 1-5.
Ultrasound monitoring of the treatment of clinically significant knee osteoarthritis.
Vojtassak, J; Vojtassak, J
2014-01-01
The study presented an ultrasound (US) monitoring of treatment as a new imaging US method with the results of therapy of clinically significant knee osteoarthritis. X-ray is widely used for knee osteoarthritis classification, which does not involve the evaluation of the soft tissue. High frequency and high resolution US of joints (arthrosonography, echoarthrography) assess not only morphologic but also functional changes in the knee joint. In the prospective study, 110 patients with clinically significant knee osteoarthritis were treated non-operative. US examination and US monitoring of therapy was performed during 24 weeks therapy period. A remission of pathomorphologic (marginal osteofytes) and pathophysiologic (effusion in anterior knee and Baker´s cyst) attributes were evaluated according the US classification. Pathomorphologic attributes changes showed a static state, without remission or progression. Pathophysiologic attributes changes showed a remission during the study period. The highest remission was in the first three weeks, 60 % anterior knee effusion and 62 % Baker´s cyst. At the end of study, no changes from the initial US grade was observed in 16 % of effusion in anterior knee and 22 % of Baker´s cyst. Therapeutic resistant Baker´s cyst was present at the end of study in 36 %. We demonstrated a new method - US monitoring of therapy, which can objectivize the efficiency of treatment of clinically significant knee osteoarthritis. We would recommend US monitoring of therapy for the routine use in orthopedic clinical praxis (Tab. 6, Graph 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 15).
N-16 monitors: Almaraz NPP experience
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Adrada, J.
1997-02-01
Almaraz Nuclear Power Plant has installed N-16 monitors - one per steam generator - to control the leakage rate through the steam generator tubes after the application of leak before break (LBB) criteria for the top tube sheet (TTS). After several years of operation with the N-16 monitors, Almaraz NPP experience may be summarized as follows: N-16 monitors are very useful to follow the steam generator leak rate trend and to detect an incipient tube rupture; but they do not provide an exact absolute leak rate value, mainly when there are small leaks. The evolution of the measured N-16 leakmore » rates varies along the fuel cycle, with the same trend for the 3 steam generators. This behaviour is associated with the primary water chemistry evolution along the cycle.« less
Apparently spontaneous fracture of a granitic exfoliation dome: observations and monitoring
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Collins, B. D.; Stock, G. M.; Eppes, M. C.; Lewis, S. W.; Corbett, S.; Smith, J. B.
2016-12-01
Exfoliation sheet formation has attracted scientific attention for more than two centuries. Although a number of theories have been proposed, firm understanding of the cause of exfoliation has proved elusive, partly because observations of their formation are scarce. The 2014-2016 spontaneous exfoliation of Twain Harte Dome, located in the western foothills of California's Sierra Nevada Mesozoic granitic batholith, provides an unprecedented opportunity to study this phenomenon. Understanding such events can offer direct insight into similar exfoliating environments where spontaneous rock fracturing generates related geohazards such as rock falls. Twain Harte Dome fractured energetically on at least 5 occasions in August and September 2014, with slabs of rock thrust into the air 40 cm in a few seconds time and surficial fracture of rock occurring over a total area of 2,800 m2. Several of these events were witnessed first-hand and recorded by video. Additional (but non-energetic) cracking occurred during August 2015, followed by another energetic fracturing event in June 2016 over a much smaller (16 m2) area that again sent granite slabs airborne. No previous spontaneous exfoliation had been recorded here over the past 90 years and no obvious trigger (e.g., earthquake) occurred prior to the recent events. Using high-resolution topographic and fracture mapping, acoustic emission monitoring, and environmental monitoring, we show that these fracture events are correlated with hot summer periods - an indication that thermal stresses likely have an important role in causing exfoliation. Surface crackmeter, and subsurface borehole extensometer and rock bolt force measurements strengthen this relationship, with stresses and deformations spiking during hot summer afternoons. Our instrumentation data captured one of the exfoliation events and show that cumulative stress and deformation increases may have acted as precursor signals to the apparently spontaneous rock exfoliation.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pollack, I. B.; Ryerson, T. B.; Baumann, K.; Edgerton, E. S.; De Gouw, J. A.; Gilman, J.; Graus, M.; Holloway, J.; Lerner, B. M.; Neuman, J. A.; Roberts, J. M.; Veres, P. R.; Warneke, C.; Trainer, M.; Parrish, D. D.
2013-12-01
In an environment rich in biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), decreasing concentrations of ozone (-1.3 % yr-1) and other secondary pollutants (-8.2 % yr-1 for nitric acid, HNO3; and -7.9 % yr-1 for peroxyacetyl nitrate, PAN) in Atlanta, Georgia over the past fifteen years are primarily attributed to decreases in local emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx=NO+NO2). Large reductions in abundances of NOx in the Southeast U.S. over the years (-8.0 % yr-1 for total reactive nitrogen, NOy) are the direct result of control strategies implemented to reduced emissions from electric-power generation plants and on-road motor vehicles. Here, we compile an extensive historical data set of trace gas measurements spanning fifteen years between 1998 and 2013 from a surface monitoring network site in downtown Atlanta (i.e. the SEARCH network Jefferson Street site) and research aircraft (e.g. the 2013 Southeast Atmosphere Study and 1999 Southern Oxidants Study aboard the NOAA P-3 aircraft). With this data set we confirm and extend long-term trends and weekday-to-weekend differences in ozone, its precursors, and other secondary pollutants during summertime in Atlanta. Long-term changes in abundances and enhancement ratios of secondary oxidation products indicate changes in pollutant formation chemistry in Atlanta resulting from the significant decrease in NOx precursor emissions over the past fifteen years. The most noteworthy changes include: 1) an increase in enhancement ratios of odd oxygen (Ox=O3+NO2) to (PAN+HNO3) of +5.5 % yr-1 indicating an increase in ozone production efficiency by a factor of 2 over the fifteen year period, 2) no significant change in the fraction of oxidized NOx out of NOy over time indicating little change in the extent of photochemical processing of the NOx emissions, and 3) a flip in observed ozone concentrations from higher average ozone on weekends to higher average ozone on weekdays after 2004. The observations for Atlanta will also be contrasted with results from a similar analysis of California's Los Angeles air basin, a region with considerably different precursor abundances and emissions, control strategies, transport, and meteorology.
Synthesis of liquid crystalline epoxy monomers
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fabia, J.; Galina, H.; Mossety-Leszczak, B.; Ulanski, J.; Wojciechowski, Piotr; Wlochowicz, Andrzej
2002-06-01
A two-stage method of synthesis of liquid-crystalline diepoxy monomers has been developed. In the first stage, esterification of 4-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate or 4,4'- biphenol or 4,4'-dihydroxyazobenzene was carried out using 4-penetenoic acid. The resulting olefinic precursors were oxidized with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid to introduce the epoxy groups. The structure of products was confirmed by FT- IR and 1H NMR. Examinations on a polarization microscope with a hot plate confirmed the presence of mesomorphic phases in both the precursors and monomers. The phase transition temperatures were in the range of 73.5 (at cooling) to 128.0 degree(s)C for olefinic precursors and in the range 57.1 (at cooling) to 143 degree(s)C for epoxy compounds, as determined by DSC and thermo-optical analysis (TOA).
Acquisition of Cleanroom Research Equipment to Support Ongoing DoD Programs at ASU
2017-12-12
Report: Acquisition of cleanroom research equipment to support ongoing DoD programs at ASU The views, opinions and/or findings contained in this report...documentation. 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES) U.S. Army Research Office P.O. Box 12211 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709...Agreement Number: W911NF-16-1-0354 Organization: Arizona State University Title: Acquisition of cleanroom research equipment to support ongoing DoD
2017-09-30
Report: Young Investigator Proposal, Research Area 7.4 Reactive Chemical Systems: Multifunctional, Bimetallic Nanomaterials Prepared by Atomic Layer...ES) U.S. Army Research Office P.O. Box 12211 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211 REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER...Number: W911NF-16-1-0438 Organization: University of Massachusetts - North Dartmouth Title: Young Investigator Proposal, Research Area 7.4 Reactive
Intra-Abdominal and Intra-Thoracic Pressures during Lifting and Jumping,
1987-03-01
12,15,16,20). The oblique and transverse abdominal muscles, but not the rectus abdominus, have been shown via electromyography (EM0) to be primary...RECIPIENT’S CATALOG NUMBER 4. TITLE (and Subtitle) S. TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVERED Intra- abdominal and intra-thoracic pressures during lifting and...pressure (ITP) and intra- abdominal pressure (lAP) during lifting and jumping, 11 males were monitored as they performed the dead lift (DL), slide row
Tailoring the antibody response to aggregated Aß using novel Alzheimer-vaccines.
Mandler, Markus; Santic, Radmila; Gruber, Petra; Cinar, Yeliz; Pichler, Dagmar; Funke, Susanne Aileen; Willbold, Dieter; Schneeberger, Achim; Schmidt, Walter; Mattner, Frank
2015-01-01
Recent evidence suggests Alzheimer-Disease (AD) to be driven by aggregated Aß. Capitalizing on the mechanism of molecular mimicry and applying several selection layers, we screened peptide libraries for moieties inducing antibodies selectively reacting with Aß-aggregates. The technology identified a pool of peptide candidates; two, AFFITOPES AD01 and AD02, were assessed as vaccination antigens and compared to Aβ1-6, the targeted epitope. When conjugated to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) and adjuvanted with aluminum, all three peptides induced Aß-targeting antibodies (Abs). In contrast to Aß1-6, AD01- or AD02-induced Abs were characterized by selectivity for aggregated forms of Aß and absence of reactivity with related molecules such as Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)/ secreted APP-alpha (sAPPa). Administration of AFFITOPE-vaccines to APP-transgenic mice was found to reduce their cerebral amyloid burden, the associated neuropathological alterations and to improve their cognitive functions. Thus, the AFFITOME-technology delivers vaccines capable of inducing a distinct Ab response. Their features may be beneficial to AD-patients, a hypothesis currently tested within a phase-II-study.
Tailoring the Antibody Response to Aggregated Aß Using Novel Alzheimer-Vaccines
Gruber, Petra; Cinar, Yeliz; Pichler, Dagmar; Funke, Susanne Aileen; Willbold, Dieter; Schneeberger, Achim; Schmidt, Walter; Mattner, Frank
2015-01-01
Recent evidence suggests Alzheimer-Disease (AD) to be driven by aggregated Aß. Capitalizing on the mechanism of molecular mimicry and applying several selection layers, we screened peptide libraries for moieties inducing antibodies selectively reacting with Aß-aggregates. The technology identified a pool of peptide candidates; two, AFFITOPES AD01 and AD02, were assessed as vaccination antigens and compared to Aβ1-6, the targeted epitope. When conjugated to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) and adjuvanted with aluminum, all three peptides induced Aß-targeting antibodies (Abs). In contrast to Aß1-6, AD01- or AD02-induced Abs were characterized by selectivity for aggregated forms of Aß and absence of reactivity with related molecules such as Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)/ secreted APP-alpha (sAPPa). Administration of AFFITOPE-vaccines to APP-transgenic mice was found to reduce their cerebral amyloid burden, the associated neuropathological alterations and to improve their cognitive functions. Thus, the AFFITOME-technology delivers vaccines capable of inducing a distinct Ab response. Their features may be beneficial to AD-patients, a hypothesis currently tested within a phase-II-study. PMID:25611858
Zhang, Ruihong; Cho, Seonghyuk; Lim, Daw Gen; ...
2016-03-15
We found that bulk metals and metal chalcogenides dissolve in primary amine–dithiol solvent mixtures at ambient conditions. Thin-films of CuS, SnS, ZnS, Cu 2Sn(Sx,Se 1-x) 3, and Cu 2ZnSn(SxSe 1-x) 4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) were deposited using the as-dissolved solutions. Furthermore, Cu 2ZnSn(SxSe 1-x) 4 solar cells with efficiencies of 6.84% and 7.02% under AM1.5 illumination were fabricated from two example solution precursors, respectively.
The Prevalence and Management of Systemic Amyloidosis in Western Countries.
Nienhuis, Hans L A; Bijzet, Johan; Hazenberg, Bouke P C
2016-04-01
Amyloidosis has been a mystery for centuries, but research of the last decennia has clarified many of the secrets of this group of diseases. A protein-based classification of amyloidosis helps to understand problems that were part of the obsolete clinical classification in primary, secondary, and familial amyloidosis. All types of amyloid are secondary to some underlying precursor-producing process: each type is caused by a misfolded soluble precursor protein that becomes deposited as insoluble amyloid fibrils. The incidence of amyloidosis is not well documented, but probably falls between 5 and 13 per million per year. Prevalence data are scarce, but one UK study indicates about 20 per million inhabitants. Amyloidosis can be localized (amyloid deposited in the organ or tissue of precursor production) or systemic (amyloid at one or more sites distant from the site of precursor production). The major systemic types of amyloidosis are AL (associated with a light chain-producing plasma cell dyscrasia), AA (associated with longstanding inflammation), wild-type ATTR (associated with normal transthyretin and old age), and hereditary ATTR (associated with a transthyretin mutation) amyloidosis. Imaging techniques, such as cardiac ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, bone scintigraphy, and serum amyloid P component scintigraphy, are useful both for diagnosing amyloidosis and for assessing disease severity. Serologic markers are useful for detecting organ disease and disease monitoring during follow-up. Current treatment modalities are directed against the ongoing supply of precursor proteins and thereby aim to stop further accumulation of amyloid. Novel treatment modalities, such as interference with amyloid formation and even removal of amyloid, are being studied. A well-thought and planned monitoring during follow-up helps to assess the effect of treatment and to early detect possible progression of amyloidosis. Clinical management comprises histologic proof of amyloid, evidence of systemic deposition, reliable typing, precursor assessment, severity of organ disease, risk assessment and prognosis, choice of treatment, and planned monitoring during follow-up. (1) AL amyloidosis is the most prevalent type of amyloidosis accounting for 65% of the amyloidosis-diagnosed patients in the UK and for 93% of the amyloidosis-diagnosed patients in China. The predisposition of men over women to develop AL amyloidosis might be higher in China than in Western countries (2:1 vs. 1.3:1). Both in the East and West, incidence increases with age. At the time of diagnosis, edema is twice as frequent and the proportion of renal involvement is higher in Chinese compared to Western patients. (2) Melphalan followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the current standard therapy but is restricted to eligible patients. The efficacy and safety of bortezomib combined with dexamethasone were proven in Western patients and recently confirmed in a Chinese cohort. Recent studies in China and the US indicate that bortezomib induction prior to ASCT increases the response rate. Thalidomide and lenalidomide have shown benefit, but toxicity and lack of clinical evidence exclude these agents from first-line therapy. The green tea extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate is under investigation as an inhibitor of AL amyloid formation and a compound that might dissolve amyloid.
40 CFR 52.1582 - Control strategy and regulations: Ozone.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR
2014-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 4 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Control strategy and regulations: Ozone... Control strategy and regulations: Ozone. (a) Subchapter 16 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, entitled... of the 1990 Clean Air Act. (d)(1) The base year ozone precursor emission inventory requirement of...
40 CFR 52.1582 - Control strategy and regulations: Ozone.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR
2012-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 4 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Control strategy and regulations: Ozone... Control strategy and regulations: Ozone. (a) Subchapter 16 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, entitled... of the 1990 Clean Air Act. (d)(1) The base year ozone precursor emission inventory requirement of...
40 CFR 52.1582 - Control strategy and regulations: Ozone.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 4 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Control strategy and regulations: Ozone... Control strategy and regulations: Ozone. (a) Subchapter 16 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, entitled... of the 1990 Clean Air Act. (d)(1) The base year ozone precursor emission inventory requirement of...
40 CFR 52.1582 - Control strategy and regulations: Ozone.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR
2010-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 4 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Control strategy and regulations: Ozone... Control strategy and regulations: Ozone. (a) Subchapter 16 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, entitled... of the 1990 Clean Air Act. (d)(1) The base year ozone precursor emission inventory requirement of...
40 CFR 52.1582 - Control strategy and regulations: Ozone.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR
2013-07-01
... 40 Protection of Environment 4 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Control strategy and regulations: Ozone... Control strategy and regulations: Ozone. (a) Subchapter 16 of the New Jersey Administrative Code, entitled... of the 1990 Clean Air Act. (d)(1) The base year ozone precursor emission inventory requirement of...
Developmental Precursors of Number of Sexual Partners from Ages 16 to 22
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lansford, Jennifer E.; Yu, Tianyi; Erath, Stephen A.; Pettit, Gregory S.; Bates, John E.; Dodge, Kenneth A.
2010-01-01
This study examines family and child characteristics, parent and peer relationships, and early adolescent behavior as statistical predictors of trajectories of number of sexual partners from midadolescence through early adulthood using data from 527 participants in the Child Development Project. Early adolescent developmental antecedents accounted…
Piterina, Anna V.; Pembroke, J. Tony
2013-01-01
PCR and PCR-DGGE techniques have been evaluated to monitor biodiversity indexes within an ATAD (autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion) system treating domestic sludge for land spread, by examining microbial dynamics in response to elevated temperatures during treatment. The ATAD process utilises a thermophilic population to generate heat and operates at elevated pH due to degradation of sludge solids, thus allowing pasteurisation and stabilisation of the sludge. Genera-specific PCR revealed that Archaea, Eukarya and Fungi decline when the temperature reaches 59°C, while the bacterial lineage constitutes the dominant group at this stage. The bacterial community at the thermophilic stage, its similarity index to the feed material, and the species richness present were evaluated by PCR-DGGE. Parameters such as choice of molecular target (16S rDNA or rpoB genes), and electrophoresis condition, were optimised to maximise the resolution of the method for ATAD. Dynamic analysis of microbial communities was best observed utilising PCR-DGGE analysis of the V6-V8 region of 16S rDNA, while rpoB gene profiles were less informative. Unique thermophilic communities were shown to quickly adapt to process changes, and shown to be quite stable during the process. Such techniques may be used as a monitoring technique for process health and efficiency. PMID:25937969
2012-10-17
7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Army Institute of Public Health U.S. Army Public Health Command Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland...21010-5403 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER 12-HF-0F7E-09 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) None 10. SPONSOR...Hospitalized Air Evacuated n % n % American football 17 28.8 9 25.7 Combatives/boxing/wrestling 10 16.9 8 22.9 Basketball 13 22.0 5 14.3 Baseball/ softball 8
Preparation of titanium dioxide films by sol-gel route for gas sensors
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Schiopu, Vasilica; Matei, Alina; Cernica, Ileana; Podaru, Cecilia
2009-01-01
Semiconductor oxides such as SnO2, TiO2, WO3, ZnO2 etc. have been shown to be useful as gas sensor materials for monitoring various pollutant gases like H2S, NOx, NH3 etc. In this work, we would like to present the preparation of titanium dioxide films for gas sensor application, via the sol-gel technique. The coating solution was prepared by using titanium isopropoxide precursor, which was hydrolyzed with distilled water under the catalytic effect of different acids (HNO3, HCl or CH3COOH). Titanium dioxide films have been deposited using spin coating method and then synthesized at different temperatures. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy observation has been used to analyze the sol-gel process. The morphology and the structure of the thin films were analyzed.
Somogyi, Arpád
2008-12-01
The usefulness of gas-phase H/D exchange is demonstrated to probe heterogeneous fragment and parent ion populations. Singly and multiply protonated peptides/proteins were fragmented by using sustained off-resonance irradiation collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID). The fragments and the surviving precursor ions then all undergo H/D exchange in the gas-phase with either D(2)O or CD(3)OD under the same experimental conditions. Usually, 10 to 60 s of reaction time is adequate to monitor characteristic differences in the H/D exchange kinetic rates. These differences are then correlated to isomeric ion structures. The SORI-HDX method can be used to rapidly test fragment ion structures and provides useful insights into peptide fragmentation mechanisms.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hong, J.; Hong, Y.; Song, C. K.; Kim, S. K.; Chang, L. S.; Lim, J.; Ahn, J.; Park, J. H.; Kim, J. Y.; Han, Y. J.; Kim, J.; Park, R.; Lee, G.; Lefer, B. L.; Al-Saadi, J. A.; Crawford, J. H.
2015-12-01
Due to remarkable economic growth over the last two decades, East Asia has become a region experiencing some of the poorest air quality in the world. In addition to local sources of pollution, the Korea peninsula is downwind of the largest emission sources in East Asia, complicating the understanding of air quality over Korea. Thus, knowing the factors controlling changes in air pollution across urban-rural and marine-continental interfaces, in addition to the contributions from local emissions and transboundary transport, is important for building effective management strategies and improving air quality in East Asia. GEMS (Geostationary Environmental Monitoring Spectrometer) is a satellite instrument planned for launch in 2019 by the Republic of Korea. The instrument will observe East Asia and the western Pacific region, providing real-time monitoring of air quality (e.g. O3, NO2, SO2, HCHO, AOD, etc.) and enabling better scientific understanding of the transboundary transport of air pollutants. The KORUS-AQ (the Korea and U.S. Air Quality) field campaign will take place in May - June 2016 and will employ an integrated observing strategy including multiplatform observations (i.e. ground stations, aircraft, ships, and satellites) and chemical transport models. This mission aims to not only strengthen our knowledge of atmospheric chemistry but also provide important data sets for validating GEMS retrieval algorithms. In preparation for KORUS-AQ, a pre-campaign has been successfully conducted in Korea during early summer 2015 with observations from multiple ground sites and a small aircraft. A brief summary of pre-field campaign results will be presented. Moving forward, the GEMS mission and KORUS-AQ study will lead to a new era of air quality monitoring in East Asia. GEMS will also make critical contributions to the global air quality perspective working in concert with geostationary missions launched by the U.S. (TEMPO: Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution) and Europe (Sentinel-4) and low-Earth orbit missions including the European Sentinel-5 Precursor.
Anomalies of Siberian High Intensity and Their Precursors in Climatic Models Output
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Martynova, Yuliya; Krupchatnikov, Vladimir
2016-04-01
The Siberian High (SH) is a powerful pressure system that determines the weather regime during the wintertime for the huge part of Asia [Sazonov B.I., 1991]. Particularly, SH regulates an intensity and duration of frosts in Siberia. Moreover, this pressure system has a strong connection with another atmospheric centers of action of the Northern Hemisphere such as Arctic High, Icelandic Low, the Azores High [Morozova S.V., 2013]. SH variation is closely related to atmospheric dynamics processes and air temperature variations between surface and middle troposphere. The maintaining of SH mainly depends on downward through the troposphere airflow which variation is strongly affected by the Arctic oscillation (AO). Positive (negative) AO phase causes the remarkably weakening (strengthening) of the downward airflow that has strong effect on the SH behavior [Gong G. et al., 2002; Krupchatnikov V. N. et al., 2009; Martynova Yu.V. and V.N. Krupchatnikov, 2010]. SH is highly exposed to global climate change that increases standard deviation of SH intensity [Fei L.I. and G. A. O. Yong-Qi, 2015]. The changes of SH characteristics result from not only direct climate change effect (such as global temperature rise) but also feedback effect of another climate system parameters variation. Thus, these parameters can serve as precursors of the extremely SH intensity. It's important to remember that the changes of the just one component of this High-Low interaction system could affect whole system. This study is devoted to determination of the precursors of the anomaly SH behavior and estimation of changes of the determined connection in the climate change conditions. The research was provided on a base of climate system models and reanalysis data. Acknowledgements This work is partially supported by SB RAS project VIII.80.2.1, RFBR grants 14-05-00502, 16-35-00301, 16-05-00558. References Fei L.I. and G. A. O. Yong-Qi The Project Siberian High in CMIP5 Models // Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters. 2015. V. 8, No. 4, pp. 179-184. Gong, G., D. Entekhabi, and J. Cohen A large-ensemble model study of the wintertime AO-NAO and the role of interannual snow perturbations // J. Climate. 2002. V. 15, pp. 3488-3499. Krupchatnikov V. N. et al. Hydrology and Vegetation Dynamics of the Climate System of Northern Eurasia and the Arctic Basin // Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics, 2009, Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 116-136. Martynova Yu.V. and V.N. Krupchatnikov A Study of the Sensitivity of the Surface Temperature in Eurasia in Winter to Snow Cover Anomalies: The Role of the Stratosphere // Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics, 2010, Vol. 46, No. 6, pp. 757-769. Morozova S.V. Comprehensive Analysis of the Centres of the Atmosphere Action of the Nortern Hemishere // Izv. Saratov Univ. (N.S.), Ser. Earth Sciences, 2013, vol. 13, iss. 1, P. 38-44 (in Russian). Sazonov B.I. Harsh winters and drought / B.I. Sazonov. - L.: Hydrometeoizdat, 1991. - 240 p. (in Russian).
Zhou, Fangzhou; Zeng, Fangqin; Liu, Xu; Liu, Fangyang; Song, Ning; Yan, Chang; Pu, Aobo; Park, Jongsung; Sun, Kaiwen; Hao, Xiaojing
2015-10-21
Back contact modification plays an important role in improving energy conversion efficiency of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film solar cells. In this paper, an ultrathin carbon layer is introduced on molybdenum (Mo)-coated soda lime glass (SLG) prior to the deposition of CZTS precursor to improve the back contact and therefore enhance CZTS solar cell efficiency. By introducing this layer, the short circuit current (Jsc) and device conversion efficiency increase for both nonvacuum (sol-gel) and vacuum (sputtering) methods. Specifically, for the sol-gel based process, Jsc increases from 13.60 to 16.96 mA/cm(2) and efficiency from 4.47% to 5.52%, while for the sputtering based process, Jsc increases from 17.50 to 20.50 mA/cm(2) and efficiency from 4.10% to 5.20%. Furthermore, introduction of this layer does not lead to any deterioration of either open circuit voltage (Voc) or fill factor (FF).