Slow-Release Fertilizers For Plants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ming, Douglas W.; Golden, D. C.

1995-01-01

Synthetic mineral provides growing plants with nutrients, including micronutrients. Dissolves slowly in moist soil or in hydroponic solution, releasing constituents. Mineral synthetic apatite into which nutrients calcium, phosphorous, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, molybdenum, chlorine, boron, and sulfur incorporated in form of various salts. Each pellet has homogeneous inorganic composition. Composition readily adjusted to meet precise needs of plant.

Slowly rotating supercompact Schwarzschild stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Posada, Camilo

2017-06-01

The Schwarzschild interior solution, or 'Schwarzschild star', which describes a spherically symmetric homogeneous mass with a constant energy density, shows a divergence in pressure when the radius of the star reaches the Schwarzschild-Buchdahl bound. Recently, Mazur and Mottola showed that this divergence is integrable through the Komar formula, inducing non-isotropic transverse stresses on a surface of some radius R0. When this radius approaches the Schwarzschild radius Rs = 2 M, the interior solution becomes one of negative pressure evoking a de Sitter space-time. This gravitational condensate star, or gravastar, is an alternative solution to the idea of a black hole as the ultimate state of gravitational collapse. Using Hartle's model to calculate equilibrium configurations of slowly rotating masses, we report results of surface and integral properties for a Schwarzschild star in the very little studied region Rs < R < (9/8)Rs. We found that in the gravastar limit, the angular velocity of the fluid relative to the local inertial frame tends to zero, indicating rigid rotation. Remarkably, the normalized moment of inertia I/MR2 and the mass quadrupole moment Q approach the corresponding values for the Kerr metric to second order in Ω. These results provide a solution to the problem of the source of a slowly rotating Kerr black hole.

Modelling the human operator of slowly responding systems using linear models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Veldhuyzen, W.

1977-01-01

Control of slowly responding systems, such as, helmsman steering a large ship, is examined. It is shown that the describing function techniques are useful in analyzing the control behavior of the helmsman. Models are developed to describe the helmsman's control behavior. It is shown that the cross over model is applicable to the analysis of control of slowly responding systems.

The slowly reacting mode of combustion of gaseous mixtures in spherical vessels. Part 1: Transient analysis and explosion limits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liñán, Amable; Moreno-Boza, Daniel; Iglesias, Immaculada; Sánchez, Antonio L.; Williams, Forman A.

2016-11-01

Frank-Kamenetskii's analysis of thermal explosions is revisited, using also a single-reaction model with an Arrhenius rate having a large activation energy, to describe the transient combustion of initially cold gaseous mixtures enclosed in a spherical vessel with a constant wall temperature. The analysis shows two modes of combustion. There is a flameless slowly reacting mode for low wall temperatures or small vessel sizes, when the temperature rise resulting from the heat released by the reaction is kept small by the heat-conduction losses to the wall, so as not to change significantly the order of magnitude of the reaction rate. In the other mode, the slow reaction rates occur only in an initial ignition stage, which ends abruptly when very large reaction rates cause a temperature runaway, or thermal explosion, at a well-defined ignition time and location, thereby triggering a flame that propagates across the vessel to consume the reactant rapidly. Explosion limits are defined, in agreement with Frank-Kamenetskii's analysis, by the limiting conditions for existence of the slowly reacting mode of combustion. In this mode, a quasi-steady temperature distribution is established after a transient reaction stage with small reactant consumption. Most of the reactant is burnt, with nearly uniform mass fraction, in a subsequent long stage during which the temperature follows a quasi-steady balance between the rates of heat conduction to the wall and of chemical heat release. The changes in the explosion limits caused by the enhanced heat-transfer rates associated with buoyant motion are described in an accompanying paper.

Selective control of cortical axonal spikes by a slowly inactivating K+ current

PubMed Central

Shu, Yousheng; Yu, Yuguo; Yang, Jing; McCormick, David A.

2007-01-01

Neurons are flexible electrophysiological entities in which the distribution and properties of ionic channels control their behaviors. Through simultaneous somatic and axonal whole-cell recording of layer 5 pyramidal cells, we demonstrate a remarkable differential expression of slowly inactivating K+ currents. Depolarizing the axon, but not the soma, rapidly activated a low-threshold, slowly inactivating, outward current that was potently blocked by low doses of 4-aminopyridine, α-dendrotoxin, and rTityustoxin-Kα. Block of this slowly inactivating current caused a large increase in spike duration in the axon but only a small increase in the soma and could result in distal axons generating repetitive discharge in response to local current injection. Importantly, this current was also responsible for slow changes in the axonal spike duration that are observed after somatic membrane potential change. These data indicate that low-threshold, slowly inactivating K+ currents, containing Kv1.2 α subunits, play a key role in the flexible properties of intracortical axons and may contribute significantly to intracortical processing. PMID:17581873

Development and characterization of colloidal silica-based slow-release permanganate gel (SRP-G): laboratory investigations.

PubMed

Lee, Eung Seok; Gupta, Neha

2014-08-01

Slow-release permanganate (MnO4(-)) gel (SRP-G) is a hyper-saline KMnO4 solution that can be used for treating large, dilute, or deep plumes of chlorinated solvents in groundwater. Ideally, the SRP-G injected into aquifers will slowly gelate to form MnO4(-) gel in situ, and the gel will slowly releases MnO4(-). Objectives of this study were to develop SRP-G using colloidal silica as gelling solution, characterize its gelation and release kinetics, and delineate its dynamics in a saturated sandy media. The SRP-G exhibited a two-phase increase in viscosity: a lag phase characterized by little increase in viscosity followed by a short gelation phase. Gelation lag times of SRP-G solutions increased (from 0.5h to 13d) with decreasing KMnO4 concentrations (from 25 to 8 g L(-1)). Permanganate release from gelated SRP-G increased with increasing KMnO4 concentrations, and was characterized as asymptotic release with initial peak (0.9-2.2 mg min(-1)) followed by more attenuated release. Gelation lag times of SRP-G flowing in sands (linear velocity=2.1md(-1)) increased (1, 3, and 6h) with decreasing KMnO4 concentrations (25.0, 23.0, and 22.9 g L(-1)). Permanganate release from gelated SRP-Gs continued for up to 3d and was characterized as asymptotic release with an initial peak release (∼1.2 g min(-1)) followed by more attenuated release over 70h. Dilution of SRP-G by dispersion in porous media affects gelation and release kinetics. Increasing the silica concentration in the SRP-G may facilitate gelation and extend the duration of MnO4(-) release from emplaced SRP-G in porous media. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Fraction eutectic measurements in slowly cooled Pb - 15 wt percent Sn alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Studer, Anthony C.; Laxmanan, V.

1988-01-01

A space shuttle experiment employing the General Purpose Furnace in its isothermal mode of operation is currently manifested for flight circa 1989. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the role of gravity in a slowly, and isothermally, cooled sample of a binary Pb - 15 wt percent Sn alloy. Ground based work in support of the microgravity experiment is discussed. In particular, it is shown that fraction eutectic measurements using an image analyzer, can be used to satisfactorily describe macrosegregation occurring in these slowly cooled ingots.

Permeability Evolution of Slowly Slipping Faults in Shale Reservoirs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Wei; Reece, Julia S.; Gensterblum, Yves; Zoback, Mark D.

2017-11-01

Slow slip on preexisting faults during hydraulic fracturing is a process that significantly influences shale gas production in extremely low permeability "shale" (unconventional) reservoirs. We experimentally examined the impacts of mineralogy, surface roughness, and effective stress on permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in Eagle Ford shale samples. Our results show that fault permeability decreases with slip at higher effective stress but increases with slip at lower effective stress. The permeabilities of saw cut faults fully recover after cycling effective stress from 2.5 to 17.5 to 2.5 MPa and increase with slip at constant effective stress due to asperity damage and dilation associated with slip. However, the permeabilities of natural faults only partially recover after cycling effective stress returns to 2.5 MPa and decrease with slip due to produced gouge blocking fluid flow pathways. Our results suggest that slowly slipping faults have the potential to enhance reservoir stimulation in extremely low permeability reservoirs.

[Fluoride release and recharge properties of six restorative materials].

PubMed

Gui, Yajie; Zhao, Xinyi; Li, Shibao; Tang, Lihui; Gong, Xu

2015-01-01

To evaluate the F(-) releasing and recharging properties of six dental restorative materials. Disc specimens 10 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness were prepared from 6 different dental restorative materials: Fuji VII [glass ionomer cement (GIC)], Fuji II LC (light-curing, GIC), Beautifil (giomer), Compoglass F (compomer), Charisma (composite) and Experimental I (a fluoride releasing composite), with 10 discs for each material. Specimens were dipped in 5 ml deionized water and F(-) release was detected using a fluoride-specific ion electrode every day from 1-7 days and every three days from 8-28 days. On day 28, specimens were exposed to a fluoride foam for 4 min and then dipped in water, then the F(-) concentration was detected every day for a week. The specimens were exposed to fluoride foam and fluoride release was detected repeatedly for three times. All materials presented the highest F(-) release on the first day after dipping and the F(-) release sharply decreased after 24 h and slowly decreased after 3 days. On the first day, Fuji VII presented the highest F(-) release[(99.68±15.21) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)], followed by Fuji II LC [(37.12±1.67) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)], Experimental I [(22.93±1.53) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)], Compoglass F[(15.28±0.70) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)], Beautifil[(2.40±0.52) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)] and Charisma[(0.11±0.02) µg×cm(-2)×d(-1)]. Within 28 days of dipping, both Fuji VII and Fuji II LC released more F(-) than other materials did(P < 0.05), followed by Compoglass F and Experimental I, and Beautifil and Charisma released the least F(-)(P < 0.01). After F(-) uptake, all materials released the highest F- on the first day and presented sharply decrease after 24 h and slowly decrease after 2 days. On the first day after F(-) uptake, Fuji VII presented the highest F(-) release (>40 µg×cm(-2) ×d(-1)), much more than other materials(P < 0.01), followed by Fuji II LC(>25 µg×cm(-2) ×d(-1)). Beautifil, Compoglass F and Experimental I were close

Injectable Silica–Permanganate Gel as a Slow-Release MnO 4 - Source for Groundwater Remediation. Rheological Properties and Release Dynamics

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

Yang, Shuo; Oostrom, Martinus; Truex, Michael J.

2016-01-12

Injectable slow-release permanganate gel (ISRPG), formed by mixing KMnO 4 solution with fumed silica powder, may have a potential application in remediating chlorinated solvent plumes in groundwater. A series of batch, column, and flow cell experiments has been completed to test the gel behavior under a variety of conditions. The experiments have provided information on ISRPG rheology, permanganate (MnO 4 - ) release dynamics and distribution, and trichloroethene (TCE) degradation by ISRPG-released oxidant. The gel possesses remarkable shear thinning characteristics, resulting in a relative low viscosity during mixing, and facilitating its subsurface injection and distribution. Batch tests revealed that MnOmore » 4 - was diffused out from ISRPG into water while the gel did not dissolve or disperse into water but maintained its initial shape. Column experiments showed that MnO 4 - release from ISRPG lasted considerably longer than the release from aqueous solution. TCE degradation by ISRPG-released MnO 4 - was much more effective than that when MnO 4 - was delivered using aqueous solution injection. In two-dimensional flow cell experiments, it was demonstrated that ISRPG slowly released a long-lasting low concentration MnO 4 - plume sufficient for remediation and sustainable in an aquifer for a long period of time.« less

Cell-free protein synthesis energized by slowly-metabolized maltodextrin

PubMed Central

Wang, Yiran; Zhang, Y-H Percival

2009-01-01

Background Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) is a rapid and high throughput technology for obtaining proteins from their genes. The primary energy source ATP is regenerated from the secondary energy source through substrate phosphorylation in CFPS. Results Distinct from common secondary energy sources (e.g., phosphoenolpyruvate – PEP, glucose-6-phosphate), maltodextrin was used for energizing CFPS through substrate phosphorylation and the glycolytic pathway because (i) maltodextrin can be slowly catabolized by maltodextrin phosphorylase for continuous ATP regeneration, (ii) maltodextrin phosphorylation can recycle one phosphate per reaction for glucose-1-phosphate generation, and (iii) the maltodextrin chain-shortening reaction can produce one ATP per glucose equivalent more than glucose can. Three model proteins, esterase 2 from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius, green fluorescent protein, and xylose reductase from Neurospora crassa were synthesized for demonstration. Conclusion Slowly-metabolized maltodextrin as a low-cost secondary energy compound for CFPS produced higher levels of proteins than PEP, glucose, and glucose-6-phospahte. The enhancement of protein synthesis was largely attributed to better-controlled phosphate levels (recycling of inorganic phosphate) and a more homeostatic reaction environment. PMID:19558718

Slowly changing potential problems in Quantum Mechanics: Adiabatic theorems, ergodic theorems, and scattering

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

Fishman, S., E-mail: fishman@physics.technion.ac.il; Soffer, A., E-mail: soffer@math.rutgers.edu

2016-07-15

We employ the recently developed multi-time scale averaging method to study the large time behavior of slowly changing (in time) Hamiltonians. We treat some known cases in a new way, such as the Zener problem, and we give another proof of the adiabatic theorem in the gapless case. We prove a new uniform ergodic theorem for slowly changing unitary operators. This theorem is then used to derive the adiabatic theorem, do the scattering theory for such Hamiltonians, and prove some classical propagation estimates and asymptotic completeness.

A slowly evolving host moves first in symbiotic interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Damore, James; Gore, Jeff

2011-03-01

Symbiotic relationships, both parasitic and mutualistic, are ubiquitous in nature. Understanding how these symbioses evolve, from bacteria and their phages to humans and our gut microflora, is crucial in understanding how life operates. Often, symbioses consist of a slowly evolving host species with each host only interacting with its own sub-population of symbionts. The Red Queen hypothesis describes coevolutionary relationships as constant arms races with each species rushing to evolve an advantage over the other, suggesting that faster evolution is favored. Here, we use a simple game theoretic model of host- symbiont coevolution that includes population structure to show that if the symbionts evolve much faster than the host, the equilibrium distribution is the same as it would be if it were a sequential game where the host moves first against its symbionts. For the slowly evolving host, this will prove to be advantageous in mutualisms and a handicap in antagonisms. The model allows for symbiont adaptation to its host, a result that is robust to changes in the parameters and generalizes to continuous and multiplayer games. Our findings provide insight into a wide range of symbiotic phenomena and help to unify the field of coevolutionary theory.

Slowly moving disturbances in the X-ray corona

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rust, D. M.; Svestka, Z.

1979-01-01

Sequences of soft X-ray pictures, taken aboard Skylab between May and November, 1973, have made it possible to detect slowly moving disturbances originating in disrupted filaments and causing subsequent brightenings of distant coronal structures. With speeds decreasing from approximately 400 km/sec shortly after the filament disruption to approximately 10 km/sec four or five hours later, these disturbances appear to be identical with slow waves earlier inferred by Bruzel (1952, 1969), Oehman (1953), and Yajima (1971) from chromospheric observations.

In-situ generation of oxygen-releasing metal peroxides

DOEpatents

Looney, Brian B.; Denham, Miles E.

2007-01-09

A method for remediation of contaminants in soil and groundwater is disclosed. The method generates oxygen releasing solids in groundwater or soil by injecting an aqueous energetic oxidant solution containing free radicals, oxidative conditions can be created within or ahead of a contaminant plume. Some contaminants may be remediated directly by reaction with the free radicals. Additionally and more importantly, the free radicals create an oxidative condition whereby native or injected materials, especially metals, are converted to peroxides. These peroxides provide a long-term oxygen reservoir, releasing oxygen relatively slowly over time. The oxygen can enhance microbial metabolism to remediate contaminants, can react with contaminant metals either to form immobile precipitants or to mobilize other metals to permit remediation through leaching techniques. Various injection strategies for injecting the energetic oxidant solution are also disclosed.

Slow glucose release property of enzyme-synthesized highly branched maltodextrins differs among starch sources.

PubMed

Kittisuban, Phatcharee; Lee, Byung-Hoo; Suphantharika, Manop; Hamaker, Bruce R

2014-07-17

Seven types of starch (waxy corn, normal corn, waxy rice, normal rice, waxy potato, normal potato, and tapioca) were selected to produce slowly digestible maltodextrins by enzymatic modification using a previously developed procedure. Branching enzyme (BE) alone and in combination with β-amylase (BA) were used to increase the amount of α-1,6 branching points, which are slowly hydrolyzed by mucosal α-glucosidases in the small intestine. The enzymatic treatments of all starches resulted in a reduction of the debranched linear chain length distribution and weight-average molecular weight. After α-amylolysis of the enzymatically synthesized-maltodextrins, the proportion of branched α-limit dextrins increased, and consequently a reduction in rate of glucose release by rat intestinal α-glucosidases in vitro. Among the samples, enzyme-modified waxy starches had a more pronounced effect on an increase in the slow digestion property than normal starches. These enzyme-modified maltodextrins show potential as novel functional foods by slowing digestion rate to attain extended glucose release. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Slowly progressive aphasia associated with surface dyslexia.

PubMed

Chiacchio, L; Grossi, D; Stanzione, M; Trojano, L

1993-03-01

We report an Italian patient affected by slowly progressive aphasia (SPA) lasting since four years when he first came to our observation. During the successive four years, we documented a progressive language decline resembling transcortical sensory aphasia, associated with a reading disorder corresponding to surface dyslexia, a form extremely rare in patients with native transparent language. His performance at standard intelligence tasks remained in the normal range, without any variation. CT scan showed left temporal atrophy. We emphasize the heterogeneity of the syndrome of SPA and suggest that it can represent one of the pictures of focal cortical degenerative disease, with variable onset, progression, and evolution.

Dietary Slowly Digestible Starch Triggers the Gut-Brain Axis in Obese Rats with Accompanied Reduced Food Intake.

PubMed

Hasek, Like Y; Phillips, Robert J; Zhang, Genyi; Kinzig, Kimberly P; Kim, Choon Young; Powley, Terry L; Hamaker, Bruce R

2018-03-01

Slowly digestible starch (SDS), as a functional carbohydrate providing a slow and sustained glucose release, may be able to modulate food intake through activation of the gut-brain axis. Diet-induced obese rats were used to test the effect on feeding behavior of high-fat (HF) diets containing an SDS, fabricated to digest into the ileum, as compared to rapidly digestible starch (RDS). Ingestion of the HF-SDS diet over an 11-week period reduced daily food intake, through smaller meal size, to the same level as a lean body control group, while the group consuming the HF-RDS diet remained at a high food intake. Expression levels (mRNA) of the hypothalamic orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) were significantly reduced, and the anorexigenic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) was increased, in the HF-SDS fed group compared to the HF-RDS group, and to the level of the lean control group. SDS with digestion into the ileum reduced daily food intake and paralleled suppressed expression of appetite-stimulating neuropeptide genes associated with the gut-brain axis. This novel finding suggests further exploration involving a clinical study and potential development of SDS-based functional foods as an approach to obesity control. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Influence of resistant starch and slowly digestible starch on rice texture.

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Rice, comprised mainly of starch, serves as a significant source of caloric energy world-wide, therefore differences in starch digestibility are important to human health. Rice starch consists of three forms based on digestibility, rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS), and...

Slowly digestible starch diets alter proximal glucosidase activity and glucose absorption

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Sucrase-isomaltase (Si) and maltase-glucoamylase (Mgam) are mucosal glucosidases required for digestion of starch to glucose. Ablation of maltase-Mgam reduces in vivo starch digestion. We tested whether slowly digestible starch diets induce changes in glucosidase activities. Rice starch was encaps...

Slowly resolving global myocardial inflammation/oedema in Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy: evidence from T2-weighted cardiac MRI.

PubMed

Neil, Christopher; Nguyen, Thanh Ha; Kucia, Angela; Crouch, Benjamin; Sverdlov, Aaron; Chirkov, Yuliy; Mahadavan, Gnanadevan; Selvanayagam, Joseph; Dawson, Dana; Beltrame, John; Zeitz, Christopher; Unger, Steven; Redpath, Thomas; Frenneaux, Michael; Horowitz, John

2012-09-01

Tako-Tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) is associated with regional left ventricular dysfunction, independent of the presence of fixed coronary artery disease. Previous studies have used T2-weighted cardiac MRI to demonstrate the presence of periapical oedema. The authors sought to determine the distribution, resolution and correlates of oedema in TTC. 32 patients with TTC were evaluated at a median of 2 days after presentation, along with 10 age-matched female controls. Extent of oedema was quantified both regionally and globally; scanning was repeated in patients with TTC after 3 months. Correlations were sought between oedema and the extent of hypokinesis, catecholamine release, release of N-terminal prohormone of B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and markers of systemic inflammatory activation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and platelet response to nitric oxide). In the acute phase of TTC, T2-weighted signal intensity was greater at the apex than at the base (p<0.0001) but was nevertheless significantly elevated at the base (p<0.0001), relative to control values. Over 3 months, T2-weighted signal decreased substantially, but remained abnormally elevated (p<0.02). The regional extent of oedema correlated inversely with radial myocardial strain (except at the apex). There were also direct correlations between global T2-weighted signal and (1) plasma normetanephrine (r=0.39, p=0.04) and (2) peak NT-proBNP (r=0.39, p=0.03), but not with systemic inflammatory markers. TTC is associated with slowly resolving global myocardial oedema, the acute extent of which correlates with regional contractile disturbance and acute release of both catecholamines and NT-proBNP.

Permanganate gel (PG) for groundwater remediation: compatibility, gelation, and release characteristics.

PubMed

Lee, Eung Seok; Olson, Pamela R; Gupta, Neha; Solpuker, Utku; Schwartz, Franklin W; Kim, Yongje

2014-02-01

Permanganate (MnO4(-)) is a strong oxidant that is widely used for treating chlorinated ethylenes in groundwater. This study aims to develop hyper-saline MnO4(-) solution (MnO4(-) gel; PG) that can be injected into aquifers via wells, slowly gelates over time, and slowly release MnO4(-) to flowing water. In this study, compatibility and miscibility of gels, such as chitosan, aluminosilicate, silicate, and colloidal silica gels, with MnO4(-) were tested. Of these gels, chitosan was reactive with MnO4(-). Aluminosilicates were compatible but not readily miscible with MnO4(-). Silicates and colloidal silica were both compatible and miscible with MnO4(-), and gelated with addition of KMnO4 granules. Colloidal silica has low initial viscosity (<15cP), exhibited delayed gelation characteristics with the lag times ranging from 0 to 200min. Release of MnO4(-) from the colloidal silica-based PG gel occurred in a delayed fashion, with maximum duration of 24h. These results suggested that colloidal silica can be used to create PG or delayed-gelling forms containing other oxidants which can be used for groundwater remediation. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Permafrost slowly exhales methane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herndon, Elizabeth M.

2018-04-01

Permafrost soils store vast quantities of organic matter that are vulnerable to decomposition under a warming climate. Recent research finds that methane release from thawing permafrost may outpace carbon dioxide as a major contributor to global warming over the next century.

Comparison of Sequential Drug Release in Vitro and in Vivo

PubMed Central

Sundararaj, Sharath C.; Al-Sabbagh, Mohanad; Rabek, Cheryl L.; Dziubla, Thomas D.; Thomas, Mark V.; Puleo, David A.

2015-01-01

Development of drug delivery devices typically involves characterizing in vitro release performance with the inherent assumption that this will closely approximate in vivo performance. Yet, as delivery devices become more complex, for instance with a sequential drug release pattern, it is important to confirm that in vivo properties correlate with the expected “programming” achieved in vitro. In this work, a systematic comparison between in vitro and in vivo biomaterial erosion and sequential release was performed for a multilayered association polymer system comprising cellulose acetate phthalate and Pluronic F-127. After assessing the materials during incubation in phosphate-buffered saline, devices were implanted supracalvarially in rats. Devices with two different doses and with different erosion rates were harvested at increasing times post-implantation, and the in vivo thickness loss, mass loss, and the drug release profiles were compared with their in vitro counterparts. The sequential release of four different drugs observed in vitro was successfully translated to in vivo conditions. Results suggest, however, that the total erosion time of the devices was longer and release rates of the four drugs were different, with drugs initially released more quickly and then more slowly in vivo. Whereas many comparative studies of in vitro and in vivo drug release from biodegradable polymers involved a single drug, the present research demonstrated that sequential release of four drugs can be maintained following implantation. PMID:26111338

Lecithin/chitosan controlled release nanopreparations of tamoxifen citrate: loading, enzyme-trigger release and cell uptake.

PubMed

Barbieri, Stefano; Sonvico, Fabio; Como, Caterina; Colombo, Gaia; Zani, Franca; Buttini, Francesca; Bettini, Ruggero; Rossi, Alessandra; Colombo, Paolo

2013-05-10

Tamoxifen citrate (TAM), an anticancer drug with amphiphilic properties, was loaded in lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (LCN) with a view to oral administration. The influence of tamoxifen loading on the physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles was studied. Size, surface charge and morphological properties of tamoxifen-loaded nanoparticles (LCN-TAM) were assessed. The increase in the tamoxifen amount in the LCN-TAM preparation up to 60 mg/100 ml maintained the positive zeta potential value of about +45 mV. A statistically significant decrease in particle size was observed for TAM amounts between 5 and 20mg. A strong influence of loaded tamoxifen on the structure of lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles was observed, supported by the quantification of free chitosan and morphological analysis. A loading of tamoxifen in nanoparticles of around 19% was obtained. The release of the drug from the LCN-TAM colloidal dispersion was measured, showing that tamoxifen citrate was released very slowly in simulated gastro-intestinal fluids without enzymes. When enzymes able to dismantle the nanoparticle structure were added to the dissolution medium, drug release was triggered and continued in a prolonged manner. Tamoxifen-loaded nanoparticles showed cytotoxicity towards MCF-7 cells comparable to that obtained with tamoxifen citrate solution, but the rate of this toxic effect was dependent on drug release. Caco-2 cells, used as a model of the intestinal epithelium, were shown to take up the TAM loaded nanoparticles extensively. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Slowly-growing gap-opening planets trigger weaker vortices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammer, Michael; Kratter, Kaitlin M.; Lin, Min-Kai

2017-04-01

The presence of a giant planet in a low-viscosity disc can create a gap edge in the disc's radial density profile sharp enough to excite the Rossby wave instability. This instability may evolve into dust-trapping vortices that might explain the 'banana-shaped' features in recently observed asymmetric transition discs with inner cavities. Previous hydrodynamical simulations of planet-induced vortices have neglected the time-scale of hundreds to thousands of orbits to grow a massive planet to Jupiter size. In this work, we study the effect of a giant planet's runaway growth time-scale on the lifetime and characteristics of the resulting vortex. For two different planet masses (1 and 5 Jupiter masses) and two different disc viscosities (α = 3 × 10-4 and 3 × 10-5), we compare the vortices induced by planets with several different growth time-scales between 10 and 4000 planet orbits. In general, we find that slowly-growing planets create significantly weaker vortices with lifetimes and surface densities reduced by more than 50 per cent. For the higher disc viscosity, the longest growth time-scales in our study inhibit vortex formation altogether. Additionally, slowly-growing planets produce vortices that are up to twice as elongated, with azimuthal extents well above 180° in some cases. These unique, elongated vortices likely create a distinct signature in the dust observations that differentiates them from the more concentrated vortices that correspond to planets with faster growth time-scales. Lastly, we find that the low viscosities necessary for vortex formation likely prevent planets from growing quickly enough to trigger the instability in self-consistent models.

Slowly but Surely: How Indiana Is Building a Pre-K Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lieberman, Abbie; Loewenberg, Aaron

2016-01-01

Until recently, Indiana was one of only a few states in the nation without a state-funded pre-K program. Recently, however, The Hoosier State has slowly begun to build pre-K offerings by investing in pilot programs in a handful of counties throughout the state. Now, Indiana lawmakers are looking ahead to a 2017 legislative session in which…

Use of fibrin sealants for the localized, controlled release of cefazolin

PubMed Central

Tredwell, Stephen; Jackson, John K.; Hamilton, Donald; Lee, Vivian; Burt, Helen M.

2006-01-01

Background Fibrin sealants are used increasingly in surgery to reduce bleeding and improve wound healing. They have great potential as biocompatible, biodegradable drug delivery systems, because the sealant may adhere to the target tissue and allow controlled release of the drug over an extended period. We investigated the encapsulation, stability and controlled release of erythromycin and cefazolin from Beriplast fibrin sealants (Aventis Behring Canada). Methods Drug-loaded clots were cast in glass vials and allowed to set. We observed the clots for drug precipitation and aggregation, and we assessed the effect of drug encapsulation on clot strength. Drug stability and release from the clots in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) was quantified by ultraviolet and visible violet absorbance spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Erythromycin was found to release slowly from the fibrin clots over the first 2 hours but then degrade rapidly. Cefazolin was found to be very stable in clots in PBS (97% stable at 2 d and 93% stable at 5 d). The drug released in a controlled manner over 2 days, with most being released during the first day. The dose of drug released could be varied by changing the amount placed in the thrombin solution. Clot thickness had no effect on the rate of cefazolin release. Conclusion Overall, the 2-day release profile and the excellent stability of the drug suggest that cefazolin-loaded fibrin sealants may offer an effective route of postoperative antibiotic delivery. PMID:17152573

When a Slowly Rotating Aquaplanet is Coupled to a Dynamical Ocean

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salameh, J.; Marotzke, J.

2017-12-01

Planets orbiting in close distance from their stars have a high probability to be detected, and are expected to be slowly rotating due to strong tidal forces. By increasing the rotation period from 1 Earth-day to 365 Earth-days, we previously found that the global-mean surface temperature of an aquaplanet with a static mixed-layer ocean decreases by up to 27 K. The cooling is attributed to an increase of the planetary albedo with the rotation period, which is associated with the different distributions of the sea ice and the deep convective clouds. However, we had there assumed a fixed mixed-layer depth and a zero oceanic heat transport in the aquaplanet configuration. The limitations of these assumptions in such exotic climates are still unclear. We therefore perform coupled atmosphere-ocean aquaplanet simulations with the general circulation model ICON for various rotation periods ranging from 1 Earth-day to 365 Earth-days. We investigate how the underlying oceanic circulation modifies the mean climate of slowly rotating aquaplanets, and whether the day-to-night oceanic heat transport reduces the surface-temperature gradients and the sea-ice extent.

Controlled release of insect sex pheromones from paraffin wax and emulsions.

PubMed

Atterholt, C A; Delwiche, M J; Rice, R E; Krochta, J M

1999-02-22

Paraffin wax and aqueous paraffin emulsions can be used as controlled release carriers for insect sex pheromones for mating disruption of orchard pests. Paraffin can be applied at ambient temperature as an aqueous emulsion, adheres to tree bark or foliage, releases pheromone for an extended period of time, and will slowly erode from bark and biodegrade in soil. Pheromone emulsions can be applied with simple spray equipment. Pheromone release-rates from paraffin were measured in laboratory flow-cell experiments. Pheromone was trapped from an air stream with an adsorbent, eluted periodically, and quantified by gas chromatography. Pheromone release from paraffin was partition-controlled, providing a constant (zero-order) release rate. A typical paraffin emulsion consisted of 30% paraffin, 4% pheromone, 4% soy oil, 1% vitamin E, 2% emulsifier, and the balance water. Soy oil and vitamin E acted as volatility suppressants. A constant release of oriental fruit moth pheromone from paraffin emulsions was observed in the laboratory for more than 100 days at 27 degreesC, with release-rates ranging from 0.4 to 2 mg/day, depending on the concentration and surface area of the dried emulsion. The use of paraffin emulsions is a viable method for direct application of insect pheromones for mating disruption. Sprayable formulations can be designed to release insect pheromones to the environment at a rate necessary for insect control by mating disruption. At temperatures below 38 degreesC, zero-order release was observed. At 38 degreesC and higher, pheromone oxidation occurred. A partition-controlled release mechanism was supported by a zero-order pheromone release-rate, low air/wax partition coefficients, and pheromone solubility in paraffin.

Amorphous Solid Dispersion of Epigallocatechin Gallate for Enhanced Physical Stability and Controlled Release.

PubMed

Cao, Yizheng; Teng, Jing; Selbo, Jon

2017-11-09

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been recognized as the most prominent green tea extract due to its healthy influences. The high instability and low bioavailability, however, strongly limit its utilization in food and drug industries. This work, for the first time, develops amorphous solid dispersion of EGCG to enhance its bioavailability and physical stability. Four commonly used polymeric excipients are found to be compatible with EGCG in water-dioxane mixtures via a stepwise mixing method aided by vigorous mechanical interference. The dispersions are successfully generated by lyophilization. The physical stability of the dispersions is significantly improved compared to pure amorphous EGCG in stress condition (elevated temperature and relative humidity) and simulated gastrointestinal tract environment. From the drug release tests, one of the dispersions, EGCG-Soluplus ® 50:50 ( w / w ) shows a dissolution profile that only 50% EGCG is released in the first 20 min, and the remains are slowly released in 24 h. This sustained release profile may open up new possibilities to increase EGCG bioavailability via extending its elimination time in plasma.

Mass spectra of neutral particles released during electrical breakdown of thin polymer films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kendall, B. R. F.

1985-01-01

A special type of time-of-flight mass spectrometer triggered from the breakdown event was developed to study the composition of the neutral particle flux released during the electrical breakdown of polymer films problem. Charge is fed onto a metal-backed polymer surface by a movable smooth platinum contact. A slowly increasing potential from a high-impedance source is applied to the contact until breakdown occurs. The breakdown characteristics is made similar to those produced by an electron beam charging system operating at similar potentials. The apparatus showed that intense instantaneous fluxes of neutral particles are released from the sites of breakdown events. For Teflon FEP films of 50 and 75 microns thickness the material released consists almost entirely of fluorocarbon fragments, some of them having masses greater than 350 atomic mass units amu, while the material released from a 50 micron Kapton film consists mainly of light hydrocarbons with masses at or below 44 amu, with additional carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The apparatus is modified to allow electron beam charging of the samples.

Release properties of tannic acid from hydrogen bond driven antioxidative cellulose nanofibrous films.

PubMed

Zhou, Bin; Hu, Xiaoqian; Zhu, Jinjin; Wang, Zhenzhen; Wang, Xichang; Wang, Mingfu

2016-10-01

Layer-by-layer (LBL) assembled films have been exploited for surface-mediated bioactive compound delivery. Here, an antioxidative hydrogen-bonded multilayer electrospun nanofibrous film was fabricated from tannic acid (TA), acting as a polyphenolic antioxidant, and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) via layer-by-layer assembly. It overcame the burst release behavior of nanofibrous carrier, due to the reversible/dynamic nature of hydrogen bond, which was responded to external stimuli. The PEG/TA nanofibrous films disassembled gradually and released TA to the media, when soaked in aqueous solutions. The release rate of TA increased with increasing bilayer number, pH and temperature, but decreased with enhancing ionic strength. The surface morphology of the nanofibrous mats was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The following antioxidant activity assay revealed that it could scavenge DPPH free radicals and ABTS(+) cation radicals, a major biological activity of polyphenols. This technology can be used to fabricate other phenolic-containing slowly releasing antioxidative nanofibrous films. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Amorphous Solid Dispersion of Epigallocatechin Gallate for Enhanced Physical Stability and Controlled Release

PubMed Central

Cao, Yizheng; Teng, Jing; Selbo, Jon

2017-01-01

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has been recognized as the most prominent green tea extract due to its healthy influences. The high instability and low bioavailability, however, strongly limit its utilization in food and drug industries. This work, for the first time, develops amorphous solid dispersion of EGCG to enhance its bioavailability and physical stability. Four commonly used polymeric excipients are found to be compatible with EGCG in water-dioxane mixtures via a stepwise mixing method aided by vigorous mechanical interference. The dispersions are successfully generated by lyophilization. The physical stability of the dispersions is significantly improved compared to pure amorphous EGCG in stress condition (elevated temperature and relative humidity) and simulated gastrointestinal tract environment. From the drug release tests, one of the dispersions, EGCG-Soluplus® 50:50 (w/w) shows a dissolution profile that only 50% EGCG is released in the first 20 min, and the remains are slowly released in 24 h. This sustained release profile may open up new possibilities to increase EGCG bioavailability via extending its elimination time in plasma. PMID:29120370

Blood banking-induced alteration of red blood cell oxygen release ability

PubMed Central

Li, Yaojin; Xiong, Yanlian; Wang, Ruofeng; Tang, Fuzhou; Wang, Xiang

2016-01-01

Background Current blood banking procedures may not fully preserve red blood cell (RBC) function during storage, contributing to the decrease of RBC oxygen release ability. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of routine cold storage on RBC oxygen release ability. Materials and methods RBC units were collected from healthy donors and each unit was split into two parts (whole blood and suspended RBC) to exclude possible donor variability. Oxygen dissociation measurements were performed on blood units stored at 4 °C during a 5-week period. 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels and fluorescent micrographs of erythrocyte band 3 were also analysed. Results P50 and oxygen release capacity decreased rapidly during the first 3 weeks, and then did not change significantly. In contrast, the kinetic properties (PO2-t curve and T*50) of oxygen release changed slowly during the first 3 weeks of storage, but then decreased significantly in the last 2 weeks. 2,3-diphosphoglycerate decreased quickly during the first 3 weeks of storage to almost undetectable levels. Band 3 aggregated significantly during the last 2 weeks of storage. Discussion RBC oxygen release ability appears to be sensitive to routine cold storage. The thermodynamic characteristics of RBC oxygen release ability changed mainly in the first 3 weeks of storage, due to the decrease of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, whereas the kinetic characteristics of RBC oxygen release ability decreased significantly at the end of storage, probably affected by alterations of band 3. PMID:26674824

Blood banking-induced alteration of red blood cell oxygen release ability.

PubMed

Li, Yaojin; Xiong, Yanlian; Wang, Ruofeng; Tang, Fuzhou; Wang, Xiang

2016-05-01

Current blood banking procedures may not fully preserve red blood cell (RBC) function during storage, contributing to the decrease of RBC oxygen release ability. This study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of routine cold storage on RBC oxygen release ability. RBC units were collected from healthy donors and each unit was split into two parts (whole blood and suspended RBC) to exclude possible donor variability. Oxygen dissociation measurements were performed on blood units stored at 4 °C during a 5-week period. 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels and fluorescent micrographs of erythrocyte band 3 were also analysed. P50 and oxygen release capacity decreased rapidly during the first 3 weeks, and then did not change significantly. In contrast, the kinetic properties (PO2-t curve and T*50) of oxygen release changed slowly during the first 3 weeks of storage, but then decreased significantly in the last 2 weeks. 2,3-diphosphoglycerate decreased quickly during the first 3 weeks of storage to almost undetectable levels. Band 3 aggregated significantly during the last 2 weeks of storage. RBC oxygen release ability appears to be sensitive to routine cold storage. The thermodynamic characteristics of RBC oxygen release ability changed mainly in the first 3 weeks of storage, due to the decrease of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate, whereas the kinetic characteristics of RBC oxygen release ability decreased significantly at the end of storage, probably affected by alterations of band 3.

Characterization of slowly inactivating KV{alpha} current in rabbit pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies: effects of hypoxia and nicotine.

PubMed

Fu, Xiao Wen; Nurse, Colin; Cutz, Ernest

2007-10-01

Pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies (NEB) form innervated cell clusters that express voltage-activated currents and function as airway O(2) sensors. We investigated A-type K(+) currents in NEB cells using neonatal rabbit lung slice preparation. The whole cell K(+) current was slowly inactivating with activation threshold of approximately -30 mV. This current was blocked approximately 27% by blood-depressing substance I (BDS-I; 3 microM), a selective blocker of Kv3.4 subunit, and reduced approximately 20% by tetraethylammonium (TEA; 100 microM). The BDS-I-sensitive component had an average peak value of 189 +/- 14 pA and showed fast inactivation kinetics that could be fitted by one-component exponential function with a time constant of (tau1) 77 +/- 10 ms. This Kv slowly inactivating current was also blocked by heteropodatoxin-2 (HpTx-2; 0.2 microM), a blocker of Kv4 subunit. The HpTx-2-sensitive current had an average peak value of 234 +/- 23 pA with a time constant (tau) 82 +/- 11 ms. Hypoxia (Po(2) = 15-20 mmHg) inhibited the slowly inactivating K(+) current by approximately 47%, during voltage steps from -30 to +30 mV, and no further inhibition occurred when TEA was combined with hypoxia. Nicotine at concentrations of 50 and 100 microM suppressed the slowly inactivating K(+) current by approximately 24 and approximately 40%, respectively. This suppression was not reversed by mecamylamine suggesting a direct effect of nicotine on these K(+) channels. In situ hybridization experiments detected expression of mRNAs for Kv3.4 and Kv4.3 subunits, while double-label immunofluorescence confirmed membrane localization of respective channel proteins in NEB cells. These studies suggest that the hypoxia-sensitive current in NEB cells is carried by slowly inactivating A-type K(+) channels, which underlie their oxygen-sensitive potassium currents, and that exposure to nicotine may directly affect their function, contributing to smoking-related lung disease.

Kinetics of Brominated Flame Retardant (BFR) Releases from Granules of Waste Plastics.

PubMed

Sun, Bingbing; Hu, Yuanan; Cheng, Hefa; Tao, Shu

2016-12-20

Plastic components of e-waste contain high levels of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), whose releases cause environmental and human health concerns. This study characterized the release kinetics of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) from millimeter-sized granules processed from the plastic exteriors of two scrap computer displays at environmentally relevant temperatures. The release rate of a substitute of PBDEs, 1,2-bis(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)ethane (BTBPE), from the waste plastics, was reported for the first time. Deca-BDE was the most abundant PBDE congeners in both materials (87-89%), while BTBPE was also present at relatively high contents. The release kinetics of BFRs could be modeled as one-dimensional diffusion, while the temperature dependence of diffusion coefficients was well described by the Arrhenius equation. The diffusion coefficients of BFRs (at 30 °C) in the plastic matrices were estimated to be in the range of 10 -27.16 to 10 -19.96 m 2 ·s -1 , with apparent activation energies between 88.4 and 154.2 kJ·mol -1 . The half-lives of BFR releases (i.e., 50% depletion) from the plastic granules ranged from thousands to tens of billions of years at ambient temperatures. These findings suggest that BFRs are released very slowly from the matrices of waste plastics through molecular diffusion, while their emissions can be significantly enhanced with wear-and-tear and pulverization.

Delineating slowly and rapidly evolving fractions of the Drosophila genome.

PubMed

Keith, Jonathan M; Adams, Peter; Stephen, Stuart; Mattick, John S

2008-05-01

Evolutionary conservation is an important indicator of function and a major component of bioinformatic methods to identify non-protein-coding genes. We present a new Bayesian method for segmenting pairwise alignments of eukaryotic genomes while simultaneously classifying segments into slowly and rapidly evolving fractions. We also describe an information criterion similar to the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) for determining the number of classes. Working with pairwise alignments enables detection of differences in conservation patterns among closely related species. We analyzed three whole-genome and three partial-genome pairwise alignments among eight Drosophila species. Three distinct classes of conservation level were detected. Sequences comprising the most slowly evolving component were consistent across a range of species pairs, and constituted approximately 62-66% of the D. melanogaster genome. Almost all (>90%) of the aligned protein-coding sequence is in this fraction, suggesting much of it (comprising the majority of the Drosophila genome, including approximately 56% of non-protein-coding sequences) is functional. The size and content of the most rapidly evolving component was species dependent, and varied from 1.6% to 4.8%. This fraction is also enriched for protein-coding sequence (while containing significant amounts of non-protein-coding sequence), suggesting it is under positive selection. We also classified segments according to conservation and GC content simultaneously. This analysis identified numerous sub-classes of those identified on the basis of conservation alone, but was nevertheless consistent with that classification. Software, data, and results available at www.maths.qut.edu.au/-keithj/. Genomic segments comprising the conservation classes available in BED format.

Biodegradable Polymer Releasing Antibiotic Developed for Drainage Catheter of Cerebrospinal Fluid: In Vitro Results

PubMed Central

Han, Song Yup; Cho, Ki Hong; Cho, Han Jin; An, Jeong Ho; Ra, Young Sin

2005-01-01

The authors developed a biodegradable polymer that releases an antibiotic (nalidixic acid) slowly and continuously, for prevention of catheter-induced infection during drainage of cerebrospinal fluid. We investigated the in vitro antibiotic releasing characteristics and bacterial killing effects of the new polymer against E. coli. The novel fluoroquinolone polymer was prepared using diisopropylcarbodiimide, poly (e-caprolactone) diol, and nalidixic acid. FT-IR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis proved that the novel antibacterial polymer was prepared successfully without any side products. Negative MS showed that the released drug has a similar molecular weight (M.W.=232, 350) to pure drug (M.W.=232). In high pressure liquid chromatography, the released drug and drug-oligomer showed similar retention times (about 4.5-5 min) in comparison to pure drug (4.5 min). The released nalidixic acid and nalidixic acid derivatives have antibacterial characteristics against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi, of more than 3 months duration. This study suggests the possibility of applying this new polymer to manufacture drainage catheters that resist catheter-induced infection, by delivering antibiotics for a longer period of more than 1 month. PMID:15832004

Photoimages and the release characteristics of lipophilic matrix tablets containing highly water-soluble potassium citrate with high drug loadings.

PubMed

Cao, Qing-Ri; Kim, Tae-Wan; Lee, Beom-Jin

2007-07-18

Two types of the carnauba wax-based lipophilic matrix tablet using spray-dried granules (SDT) or directly compressible powdered mixtures (DCT) were prepared for sustained release. The model drug was a highly water-soluble potassium citrate and loaded about 74% of the total tablet weight. The SDT slowly eroded and disintegrated during the release study without showing sustained release when the hydrophilic excipients were added. In contrast, the DCT was more efficient for sustained release. The release rate decreased with increasing carnauba wax concentration. In particular, the sustained release rate was markedly pronounced when the lipophilic stearyl alcohol and stearic acid were combined with the carnauba wax. The surface of the intact DCT appeared to be smooth and rusty. The DCT rose to the surface from the bottom of the vessel during the release test, and numerous pores and cracks with no signs of disintegration were also observed after the release test. The release profile was dependent on the formulation composition and preparation method of the matrix tablet. Diffusion-controlled leaching through the channels of the pores and cracks of the lipophilic matrix tablet (DCT) is a key to the sustained release.

Slowly biodegradable organic compounds impact the biostability of non-chlorinated drinking water produced from surface water.

PubMed

Hijnen, W A M; Schurer, R; Bahlman, J A; Ketelaars, H A M; Italiaander, R; van der Wal, A; van der Wielen, P W J J

2018-02-01

It is possible to distribute drinking water without a disinfectant residual when the treated water is biologically stable. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of easily and slowly biodegradable compounds on the biostability of the drinking water at three full-scale production plants which use the same surface water, and on the regrowth conditions in the related distribution systems. Easily biodegradable compounds in the drinking water were determined with AOC-P17/Nox during 2012-2015. Slowly biodegradable organic compounds measured as particulate and/or high-molecular organic carbon (PHMOC), were monitored at the inlet and after the different treatment stages of the three treatments during the same period. The results show that PHMOC (300-470 μg C L -1 ) was approximately 10% of the TOC in the surface water and was removed to 50-100 μg C L -1 . The PHMOC in the water consisted of 40-60% of carbohydrates and 10% of proteins. A significant and strong positive correlation was observed for PHMOC concentrations and two recently introduced bioassay methods for slowly biodegradable compounds (AOC-A3 and biomass production potential, BPC 14 ). Moreover, these three parameters in the biological active carbon effluent (BACF) of the three plants showed a positive correlation with regrowth in the drinking water distribution system, which was assessed with Aeromonas, heterotrophic plate counts, coliforms and large invertebrates. In contrast, the AOC-P17/Nox concentrations did not correlate with these regrowth parameters. We therefore conclude that slowly biodegradable compounds in the treated water from these treatment plants seem to have a greater impact on regrowth in the distribution system than easily biodegradable compounds. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical transfers along slowly eroding catenas developed on granitic cratons in southern Africa

USGS Publications Warehouse

Khomo, Lesego; Bern, Carleton R.; Hartshorn, Anthony S.; Rogers, Kevin H.; Chadwick, Oliver A.

2013-01-01

A catena is a series of distinct but co-evolving soils arrayed along a slope. On low-slope, slowly eroding catenas the redistribution of mass occurs predominantly as plasma, the dissolved and suspended constituents in soil water. We applied mass balance methods to track how redistribution via plasma contributed to physical and geochemical differentiation of nine slowly eroding (~ 5 mm ky− 1) granitic catenas. The catenas were arrayed in a 3 × 3 climate by relief matrix and located in Kruger National Park, South Africa. Most of the catenas contained at least one illuviated soil profile that had undergone more volumetric expansion and less mass loss, and these soils were located in the lower halves of the slopes. By comparison, the majority of slope positions were eluviated. Soils from the wetter climates (550 and 730 mm precipitation yr− 1) generally had undergone greater collapse and lost more mass, while soils in the drier climate (470 mm yr− 1) had undergone expansion and lost less mass. Effects of differences in catena relief were less clear. Within each climate zone, soil horizon mass loss and strain were correlated, as were losses of most major elements, illustrating the predominant influence of primary mineral weathering. Nevertheless, mass loss and volumetric collapse did not become extreme because of the skeleton of resistant primary mineral grains inherited from the granite. Colloidal clay redistribution, as traced by the ratio of Ti to Zr in soil, suggested clay losses via suspension from catena eluvial zones. Thus illuviation of colloidal clays into downslope soils may be crucial to catena development by restricting subsurface flow there. Our analysis provides quantitative support for the conceptual understanding of catenas in cratonic landscapes and provides an endmember reference point in understanding the development of slowly eroding soil landscapes.

Bending of solitons in weak and slowly varying inhomogeneous plasma

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mukherjee, Abhik; Janaki, M. S.; Kundu, Anjan

2015-12-01

The bending of solitons in two dimensional plane is presented in the presence of weak and slowly varying inhomogeneous ion density for the propagation of ion acoustic soliton in unmagnetized cold plasma with isothermal electrons. Using reductive perturbation technique, a modified Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation is obtained with a chosen unperturbed ion density profile. The exact solution of the equation shows that the phase of the solitary wave gets modified by a function related to the unperturbed inhomogeneous ion density causing the soliton to bend in the two dimensional plane, while the amplitude of the soliton remains constant.

Bending of solitons in weak and slowly varying inhomogeneous plasma

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

Mukherjee, Abhik, E-mail: abhik.mukherjee@saha.ac.in; Janaki, M. S., E-mail: ms.janaki@saha.ac.in; Kundu, Anjan, E-mail: anjan.kundu@saha.ac.in

2015-12-15

The bending of solitons in two dimensional plane is presented in the presence of weak and slowly varying inhomogeneous ion density for the propagation of ion acoustic soliton in unmagnetized cold plasma with isothermal electrons. Using reductive perturbation technique, a modified Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation is obtained with a chosen unperturbed ion density profile. The exact solution of the equation shows that the phase of the solitary wave gets modified by a function related to the unperturbed inhomogeneous ion density causing the soliton to bend in the two dimensional plane, while the amplitude of the soliton remains constant.

Slowly progressive insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus associated with pernicious anemia.

PubMed

Kinoshita, Jun; Hata, Shoichi; Yamazaki, Hiroyuki; Tajima, Naoko

2010-01-01

A 59-year-old man was found to have diabetes mellitus five months after the diagnosis of pernicious anemia. Although the urinary C-peptide level corresponded to a non-insulin-dependent stage (39.9 microg/day), the markedly extremely elevated titers of GAD antibody suggested that this case very likely represented a non-insulin-dependent stage of slowly progressive insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (SPIDDM). Because thyroid and adrenal functions were normal, this our case was not considered to be polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PGAS). We report this case because patients with pernicious anemia and SPIDDM in the absence of PGAS are rare in Japan.

Enhanced bone formation in the vicinity of porous β-TCP scaffolds exhibiting slow release of collagen-derived tripeptides.

PubMed

Kamikura, Keita; Minatoya, Tsutomu; Terada-Nakaishi, Michiko; Yamamoto, Shoko; Sakai, Yasuo; Furusawa, Toshitake; Matsushima, Yuta; Unuma, Hidero

2017-09-01

It has been experimentally proven that orally ingested collagen-derived tripeptides (Ctp) are quickly absorbed in the body and effectively promote the regeneration of connective tissues including bone and skin. Ctp are capable to activate osteoblasts and fibroblasts, which eventually promotes tissue regeneration. Based on these findings, a hypothesis was formulated in this study that direct delivery of Ctp to bone defect would also facilitate tissue regeneration as well as oral administration. To test the hypothesis, we prepared a bone augmentation material with the ability to slowly release Ctp, and investigated its in vivo bone regeneration efficacy. The implant material was porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) scaffold which was coated with a co-precipitated layer of bone-like hydroxyapatite and Ctp. The β-TCP was impregnated with approximately 0.8%(w/w) Ctp. Then, the Ctp-modified β-TCP was implanted into bone defects of Wistar rats to evaluate in vivo efficacy of Ctp directly delivered from the material to the bone defects. The control was pristine porous β-TCP. In vitro tests showed that Ctp were steadily released from the co-precipitated layer for approximately two weeks. The Ctp-modified scaffolds significantly promoted new bone formation in vivo in their vicinity as compared with pristine β-TCP scaffolds; 6 weeks after the implantation, Ctp-modified scaffolds promoted twice as much bone formation as the control implants. Consequently, we achieved the slow and steady release of Ctp, and found that direct delivery of Ctp from implant materials was effective for bone regeneration as well as oral administration. A β-TCP scaffold capable of slowly releasing bone-enhancing substances significantly promoted bone formation.

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of slowly tumbling vanadyl spin probes in nematic liquid crystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bruno, G. V.; Harrington, J. K.; Eastman, M. P.

1978-01-01

An analysis of EPR line shapes by the method of Polnaszek, Bruno, and Freed is made for slowly tumbling vanadyl spin probes in viscous nematic liquid crystals. The use of typical vanadyl complexes as spin probes for nematic liquid crystals is shown to simplify the theoretical analysis and the subsequent interpretation. Rotational correlation times tau and orientational ordering parameters S sub Z where slow tumbling effects are expected to be observed in vanadyl EPR spectra are indicated in a plot. Analysis of the inertial effects on the probe reorientation, which are induced by slowly fluctuating torque components of the local solvent structure, yield quantitative values for tau and S sub Z. The weakly ordered probe VOAA is in the slow tumbling region and displays these inertial effects throughout the nematic range of BEPC and Phase V. VOAA exhibits different reorientation behavior near the isotropic-nematic transition temperature than that displayed far below this transition temperature.

Fast Solar Wind from Slowly Expanding Magnetic Flux Tubes (P54)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Srivastava, A. K.; Dwivedi, B. N.

2006-11-01

aks.astro.itbhu@gmail.com We present an empirical model of the fast solar wind, emanating from radially oriented slowly expanding magnetic flux tubes. We consider a single-fluid, steady state model in which the flow is driven by thermal and non-thermal pressure gradients. We apply a non-Alfvénic energy correction at the coronal base and find that specific relations correlate solar wind speed and non-thermal energy flux with the aerial expansion factor. The results are compared with the previously reported ones.

The Regularity of Sustained Firing Reveals Two Populations of Slowly Adapting Touch Receptors in Mouse Hairy Skin

PubMed Central

Wellnitz, Scott A.; Lesniak, Daine R.; Gerling, Gregory J.

2010-01-01

Touch is initiated by diverse somatosensory afferents that innervate the skin. The ability to manipulate and classify receptor subtypes is prerequisite for elucidating sensory mechanisms. Merkel cell–neurite complexes, which distinguish shapes and textures, are experimentally tractable mammalian touch receptors that mediate slowly adapting type I (SAI) responses. The assessment of SAI function in mutant mice has been hindered because previous studies did not distinguish SAI responses from slowly adapting type II (SAII) responses, which are thought to arise from different end organs, such as Ruffini endings. Thus we sought methods to discriminate these afferent types. We developed an epidermis-up ex vivo skin–nerve chamber to record action potentials from afferents while imaging Merkel cells in intact receptive fields. Using model-based cluster analysis, we found that two types of slowly adapting receptors were readily distinguished based on the regularity of touch-evoked firing patterns. We identified these clusters as SAI (coefficient of variation = 0.78 ± 0.09) and SAII responses (0.21 ± 0.09). The identity of SAI afferents was confirmed by recording from transgenic mice with green fluorescent protein–expressing Merkel cells. SAI receptive fields always contained fluorescent Merkel cells (n = 10), whereas SAII receptive fields lacked these cells (n = 5). Consistent with reports from other vertebrates, mouse SAI and SAII responses arise from afferents exhibiting similar conduction velocities, receptive field sizes, mechanical thresholds, and firing rates. These results demonstrate that mice, like other vertebrates, have two classes of slowly adapting light-touch receptors, identify a simple method to distinguish these populations, and extend the utility of skin–nerve recordings for genetic dissection of touch receptor mechanisms. PMID:20393068

Asymptotic analysis of the density of states in random matrix models associated with a slowly decaying weight

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuijlaars, A. B. J.

2001-08-01

The asymptotic behavior of polynomials that are orthogonal with respect to a slowly decaying weight is very different from the asymptotic behavior of polynomials that are orthogonal with respect to a Freud-type weight. While the latter has been extensively studied, much less is known about the former. Following an earlier investigation into the zero behavior, we study here the asymptotics of the density of states in a unitary ensemble of random matrices with a slowly decaying weight. This measure is also naturally connected with the orthogonal polynomials. It is shown that, after suitable rescaling, the weak limit is the same as the weak limit of the rescaled zeros.

Analytical treatment of self-phase-modulation beyond the slowly varying envelope approximation

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

Syrchin, M.S.; Zheltikov, A.M.; International Laser Center, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119899 Moscow

Analytical treatment of the self-phase-modulation of an ultrashort light pulse is extended beyond the slowly varying envelope approximation. The resulting wave equation is modified to include corrections to self-phase-modulation due to higher-order spatial and temporal derivatives. Analytical solutions are found in the limiting regimes of high nonlinearities and very short pulses. Our results reveal features that can significantly impact both pulse shape and the evolution of the phase.

Short- and long-term releases of fluorocarbons from disposal of polyurethane foam waste.

PubMed

Kjeldsen, Peter; Scheutz, Charlotte

2003-11-01

Several halocarbons having very high global warming or ozone depletion potentials have been used as a blowing agent (BA) for insulation foam in home appliances, such as refrigerators and freezers. Many appliances are shredded after the end of their useful life. Release experiments carried out in the laboratory on insulation foam blown with the blowing agents CFC-11, HCFC-141b, HCF-134fa, and HFC-245fa revealed that not all blowing agents are released during a 6-week period following the shredding process. The experiments confirmed the hypothesis that the release could be divided into three segments: By shredding foam panels, a proportion of the closed cells is either split or damaged to a degree allowing for a sudden release of the contained atmosphere in the cell (the instantaneous release). Cells adjacent to the cut surface may be only slightly damaged by tiny cracks or holes allowing a relative slow release of the BA to the surroundings (the short-term release). A significant portion of the cells in the foam particle will be unaffected and only allows release governed by slow diffusion through the PUR cell wall (the long-term release). The magnitude of the releases is for all three types highly dependent on how fine the foam is shredded. The residual blowing agent remaining after the 6-week period may be very slowly released if the integrity of the foam particles with respect to diffusion properties is kept after disposal of the foam waste on landfills. It is shown by setting up a national model simulating the BA releases following decommissioning of used domestic refrigerators/freezers in the United States that the release patterns are highly dependent on how the appliances are shredded.

Steepest entropy ascent for two-state systems with slowly varying Hamiltonians

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Militello, Benedetto

2018-05-01

The steepest entropy ascent approach is considered and applied to two-state systems. When the Hamiltonian of the system is time-dependent, the principle of maximum entropy production can still be exploited; arguments to support this fact are given. In the limit of slowly varying Hamiltonians, which allows for the adiabatic approximation for the unitary part of the dynamics, the system exhibits significant robustness to the thermalization process. Specific examples such as a spin in a rotating field and a generic two-state system undergoing an avoided crossing are considered.

Mycobacterium shottsii sp. nov., a slowly growing species isolated from Chesapeake Bay striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rhodes, M.W.; Kator, H.; Kotob, S.; van Berkum, P.; Kaattari, I.; Vogelbein, W.; Quinn, F.; Floyd, M.M.; Butler, W.R.; Ottinger, C.A.

2003-01-01

Slowly growing, non-pigmented mycobacteria were isolated from striped bass (Morone saxatilis) during an epizootic of mycobacteriosis in the Chesapeake Bay. Growth characteristics, acid-fastness and results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing were consistent with those of the genus Mycobacterium. A unique profile of biochemical reactions was observed among the 21 isolates. A single cluster of eight peaks identified by analysis of mycolic acids (HPLC) resembled those of reference patterns but differed in peak elution times from profiles of reference species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. One isolate (M175T) was placed within the slowly growing mycobacteria by analysis of aligned 16S rRNA gene sequences and was proximate in phylogeny to Mycobacterium ulcerans and Mycobacterium marinum. However, distinct nucleotide differences were detected in the 16S rRNA gene sequence among M175T, M. ulcerans and M. marinum (99.2% similarity). Isolate M175T could be differentiated from other slowly growing, non-pigmented mycobacteria by its inability to grow at 37??C, production of niacin and urease, absence of nitrate reductase and resistance to isoniazid (1 ??g ml-1), thiacetazone and thiophene-2-carboxylic hydrazide. Based upon these genetic and phenotypic differences, isolate M175T (= ATCC 700981T = NCTC 13215T) is proposed as the type strain of a novel species, Mycobacterium shottsii sp. nov.

Nitrogen excess in slowly-rotating β Cephei stars: deep mixing or diffusion?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morel, T.; Butler, K.; Aerts, C.; Neiner, C.; Briquet, M.

2007-06-01

We present the results of an NLTE abundance study of a small sample of β Cephei stars, which point to the existence of a population of slowly-rotating B-type pulsators exhibiting a significant amount of nitrogen-enriched material at their surface. Although the origin of this nitrogen excess remains unclear, an overabundance preferentially occurring in stars with a detected magnetic field seems to emerge at this stage. Full details can be found in Morel et al. (2006).

Simulated oil release from oil-contaminated marine sediment in the Bohai Sea, China.

PubMed

Yuan, Lingling; Han, Longxi; Bo, Wenjie; Chen, Hua; Gao, Wenshen; Chen, Bo

2017-05-15

There is a high degree of heavy oil partitioning into marine sediments when an oil spill occurs. Contaminated sediment, as an endogenous pollution source, can re-pollute overlying water slowly. In this study, a static oil release process and its effects in marine sediment was investigated through a series of experiments with reproductive heavy oil-contaminated marine sediment. The oil release process was accurately simulated with a Lagergren first-order equation and reached equilibration after 48h. The fitted curve for equilibrium concentration (C 0 ) and first-order rate constant (k 1 ) for sediment pollution levels exhibited a first-order log relationship. The instantaneous release rate (dC t dt) was also calculated. The C 0 increased with increases in temperature and dissolved organic matter (DOM), and decreasing salinity. The k 1 increased with temperature, but was not affected by DOM and salinity. These results can be used to better understand the fate of heavy oil in contaminated sediments of the Bohai Sea. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The role of social toxicity in responses to a slowly-evolving environmental disaster: the case of amphibole asbestos exposure in Libby, Montana, USA.

PubMed

Cline, Rebecca J W; Orom, Heather; Chung, Jae Eun; Hernandez, Tanis

2014-09-01

Experiencing a disaster has significant negative effects on psychological adjustment. Case study accounts point to two consistent trends in slowly-evolving environmental disasters: (a) patterns of negative social dynamics, and (b) relatively worse psychological outcomes than in natural disasters. Researchers have begun to explicitly postulate that the social consequences of slowly-evolving environmental disasters (e.g., community conflict) have their own effects on victims' psychological outcomes. This study tested a model of the relationship between those social consequences and psychological adjustment of victims of a slowly-evolving environmental disaster, specifically those whose health has been compromised by the amphibole asbestos disaster in Libby, MT. Results indicate that experiencing greater community conflict about the disaster was associated with greater family conflict about the disaster which, in turn, was associated with greater social constraints on talking with others about their disease, both directly and indirectly through experiencing stigmatization. Experiencing greater social constraints was associated with worse psychological adjustment, both directly and indirectly through failed social support. Findings have implications for understanding pathways by which social responses create negative effects on mental health in slowly-evolving environmental disasters. These pathways suggest points for prevention and response (e.g., social support, stigmatization of victims) for communities experiencing slowly-evolving environmental disasters.

Gaia16apd - a link between fast and slowly declining type I superluminous supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kangas, T.; Blagorodnova, N.; Mattila, S.; Lundqvist, P.; Fraser, M.; Burgaz, U.; Cappellaro, E.; Carrasco Martínez, J. M.; Elias-Rosa, N.; Hardy, L. K.; Harmanen, J.; Hsiao, E. Y.; Isern, J.; Kankare, E.; Kołaczkowski, Z.; Nielsen, M. B.; Reynolds, T. M.; Rhodes, L.; Somero, A.; Stritzinger, M. D.; Wyrzykowski, Ł.

2017-07-01

We present ultraviolet (UV), optical and infrared photometry and optical spectroscopy of the type Ic superluminous supernova (SLSN) Gaia16apd (=SN 2016eay), covering its evolution from 26 d before the g-band peak to 234.1 d after the peak. Gaia16apd was followed as a part of the NOT Unbiased Transient Survey (NUTS). It is one of the closest SLSNe known (z = 0.102 ± 0.001), with detailed optical and UV observations covering the peak. Gaia16apd is a spectroscopically typical type Ic SLSN, exhibiting the characteristic blue early spectra with O II absorption, and reaches a peak Mg = -21.8 ± 0.1 mag. However, photometrically it exhibits an evolution intermediate between the fast and slowly declining type Ic SLSNe, with an early evolution closer to the fast-declining events. Together with LSQ12dlf, another SLSN with similar properties, it demonstrates a possible continuum between fast and slowly declining events. It is unusually UV-bright even for an SLSN, reaching a non-K-corrected Muvm2 ≃ -23.3 mag, the only other type Ic SLSN with similar UV brightness being SN 2010gx. Assuming that Gaia16apd was powered by magnetar spin-down, we derive a period of P = 1.9 ± 0.2 ms and a magnetic field of B = 1.9 ± 0.2 × 1014 G for the magnetar. The estimated ejecta mass is between 8 and 16 M⊙, and the kinetic energy between 1.3 and 2.5 × 1052 erg, depending on opacity and assuming that the entire ejecta is swept up into a thin shell. Despite the early photometric differences, the spectra at late times are similar to slowly declining type Ic SLSNe, implying that the two subclasses originate from similar progenitors.

Structural Analysis of Biofilm Formation by Rapidly and Slowly Growing Nontuberculous Mycobacteria▿

PubMed Central

Williams, Margaret M.; Yakrus, Mitchell A.; Arduino, Matthew J.; Cooksey, Robert C.; Crane, Christina B.; Banerjee, Shailen N.; Hilborn, Elizabeth D.; Donlan, Rodney M.

2009-01-01

Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) such as M. abscessus, M. mucogenicum, M. chelonae, and M. fortuitum, implicated in health care-associated infections, are often isolated from potable water supplies as part of the microbial flora. To understand factors that influence growth in their environmental source, clinical RGM and slowly growing MAC isolates were grown as biofilm in a laboratory batch system. High and low nutrient levels were compared, as well as stainless steel and polycarbonate surfaces. Biofilm growth was measured after 72 h of incubation by enumeration of bacteria from disrupted biofilms and by direct quantitative image analysis of biofilm microcolony structure. RGM biofilm development was influenced more by nutrient level than by substrate material, though both affected biofilm growth for most of the isolates tested. Microcolony structure revealed that RGM develop several different biofilm structures under high-nutrient growth conditions, including pillars of various shapes (M. abscessus and M. fortuitum) and extensive cording (M. abscessus and M. chelonae). Although it is a slowly growing species in the laboratory, a clinical isolate of M. avium developed more culturable biofilm in potable water in 72 h than any of the 10 RGM examined. This indicates that M. avium is better adapted for growth in potable water systems than in laboratory incubation conditions and suggests some advantage that MAC has over RGM in low-nutrient environments. PMID:19201956

Extended release of high molecular weight hydroxypropyl methylcellulose from molecularly imprinted, extended wear silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

PubMed

White, Charles J; McBride, Matthew K; Pate, Kayla M; Tieppo, Arianna; Byrne, Mark E

2011-08-01

Symptoms of contact lenses induced dry eye (CLIDE) are typically treated through application of macromolecular re-wetting agents via eye drops. Therapeutic soft contact lenses can be formulated to alleviate CLIDE symptoms by slowly releasing comfort agent from the lens. In this paper, we present an extended wear silicone hydrogel contact lens with extended, controllable release of 120 kDa hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) using a molecular imprinting strategy. A commercial silicone hydrogel lens was tailored to release approximately 1000 μg of HPMC over a period of up to 60 days in a constant manner at a rate of 16 μg/day under physiological flowrates, releasing over the entire range of continuous wear. Release rates could be significantly varied by the imprinting effect and functional monomer to template ratio (M/T) with M/T values 0, 0.2, 2.8, 3.4 corresponding to HPMC release durations of 10, 13, 23, and 53 days, respectively. Lenses had high optical quality and adequate mechanical properties for contact lens use. This work highlights the potential of imprinting in the design and engineering of silicone hydrogel lenses to release macromolecules for the duration of wear, which may lead to decreased CLIDE symptoms and more comfortable contact lenses. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

319 Leona and 341 California - Two Very Slowly Rotating Asteroids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pilcher, Frederick; Franco, Lorenzo; Pravec, Petr

2017-04-01

An observing strategy for asteroids suspected of being very slowly rotating is described and recommended to all observers. For 319 Leona the synodic rotation period is 430 ± 2 hours, amplitude 0.7 magnitudes, a second tumbling period is 1084 ± 10 hours, color index V-R = 0.43, H=10.46 ± 0.08 and G=0.11 ± 0.09 at mean light. For 341 California the synodic rotation period is 318 ± 2 hours, amplitude 0.9 magnitudes, a second tumbling period is 250 ± 2 hours, color index V-R = 0.53, H=11.53 ± 0.06 and G=0.18 ± 0.05 at mean light.

In vitro batch fecal fermentation comparison of gas and short-chain fatty acid production using "slowly fermentable" dietary fibers.

PubMed

Kaur, Amandeep; Rose, Devin J; Rumpagaporn, Pinthip; Patterson, John A; Hamaker, Bruce R

2011-01-01

Sustained colonic fermentation supplies beneficial fermentative by-products to the distal colon, which is particularly prone to intestinal ailments. Blunted/delayed initial fermentation may also lead to less bloating. Previously, we reported that starch-entrapped alginate-based microspheres act as a slowly fermenting dietary fiber. This material was used in the present study to provide a benchmark to compare to other "slowly fermentable" fibers. Dietary fibers with previous reports of slow fermentation, namely, long-chain inulin, psyllium, alkali-soluble corn bran arabinoxylan, and long-chain β-glucan, as well as starch-entrapped microspheres were subjected to in vitro upper gastrointestinal digestion and human fecal fermentation and measured over 48 h for pH, gas, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The resistant fraction of cooked and cooled potato starch was used as another form of fermentable starch and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) served as a fast fermenting control. Corn bran arabinoxylan and long-chain β-glucan initially appeared slower fermenting with comparatively low gas and SCFA production, but later fermented rapidly with little remaining in the final half of the fermentation period. Long-chain inulin and psyllium had slow and moderate, but incomplete, fermentation. The resistant fraction of cooked and cooled potato starch fermented rapidly and appeared similar to FOS. In conclusion, compared to the benchmark slowly fermentable starch-entrapped microspheres, a number of the purported slowly fermentable fibers fermented fairly rapidly overall and, of this group, only the starch-entrapped microspheres appreciably fermented in the second half of the fermentation period. Consumption of dietary fibers, particularly commercial prebiotics, leads to uncomfortable feelings of bloating and flatulence due to their rapid degradation in our large intestine. This article employs claimed potential slowly fermenting fibers and compares their fermentation rates

Propagation of 3D internal gravity wave beams in a slowly varying stratification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Boyu; Akylas, T. R.

2017-11-01

The time-mean flows induced by internal gravity wave beams (IGWB) with 3D variations have been shown to have dramatic implications for long-term IGWB dynamics. While uniform stratifications are convenient both theoretically and in the laboratory, stratifications in the ocean can vary by more than an order of magnitude over the ocean depth. Here, in view of this fact, we study the propagation of a 3D IGWB in a slowly varying stratification. We assume that the stratification varies slowly relative to the local variations in the wave profile. In the 2D case, the IGWB bends in response to the changing stratification, but nonlinear effects are minor even in the finite amplitude regime. For a 3D IGWB, in addition to bending, we find that nonlinearity results in the transfer of energy from waves to a large-scale time-mean flow associated with the mean potential vorticity, similar to IGWB behavior in a uniform stratification. In a weakly nonlinear setting, we derive coupled evolution equations that govern this process. We also use these equations to determine the stability properties of 2D IGWB to 3D perturbations. These findings indicate that 3D effects may be relevant and possibly fundamental to IGWB dynamics in nature. Supported by NSF Grant DMS-1512925.

Design, testing, fabrication and launch support of a liquid chemical barium release payload (utilizing the liquid fluorine-barium salt/hydrazine system)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stokes, C. S.; Smith, E. W.; Murphy, W. J.

1972-01-01

A payload was designed which included a cryogenic oxidizer tank, a fuel tank, and burner section. Release of 30 lb of chemicals was planned to occur in 2 seconds at the optimum oxidizer to fuel ratio. The chemicals consisted of 17 lb of liquid fluorine oxidizer and 13 lb of hydrazine-barium salt fuel mixture. The fuel mixture was 17% barium chloride, 16% barium nitrate, and 67% hydrazine, and contained 2.6 lb of available barium. Two significant problem areas were resolved during the program: explosive valve development and burner operation. The release payload was flight tested, from Wallops Island, Virginia. The release took place at an altitude of approximately 260 km. The release produced a luminous cloud which expanded very rapidly, disappearing to the human eye in about 20 seconds. Barium ion concentration slowly increased over a wide area of sky until measurements were discontinued at sunrise (about 30 minutes).

Development of Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Protective Fabric Using Combined Electrospinning and Electrospraying Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sinha, Mukesh Kumar; Das, B. R.; Kumar, Kamal; Kishore, Brij; Prasad, N. Eswara

2017-06-01

The article reports a novel technique for functionization of nanoweb to develop ultraviolet (UV) radiation protective fabric. UV radiation protection effect is produced by combination of electrospinning and electrospraying technique. A nanofibrous web of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) coated on polypropylene nonwoven fabric is produced by latest nanospider technology. Subsequently, web is functionalized by titanium dioxide (TiO2). The developed web is characterized for evaluation of surface morphology and other functional properties; mechanical, chemical, crystalline and thermal. An optimal (judicious) nanofibre spinning condition is achieved and established. The produced web is uniformly coated by defect free functional nanofibres in a continuous form of useable textile structural membrane for ultraviolet (UV) protective clothing. This research initiative succeeds in preparation and optimization of various nanowebs for UV protection. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) result reveals that PVDF webs photo-degradative behavior is non-accelerated, as compared to normal polymeric grade fibres. Functionalization with TiO2 has enhanced the photo-stability of webs. The ultraviolet protection factor of functionalized and non-functionalized nanowebs empirically evaluated to be 65 and 24 respectively. The developed coated layer could be exploited for developing various defence, para-military and civilian UV protective light weight clothing (tent, covers and shelter segments, combat suit, snow bound camouflaging nets). This research therefore, is conducted in an attempt to develop a scientific understanding of PVDF fibre coated webs for photo-degradation and applications for defence protective textiles. This technological research in laboratory scale could be translated into bulk productionization.

Fluctuations of global energy release and crackling in nominally brittle heterogeneous fracture.

PubMed

Barés, J; Hattali, M L; Dalmas, D; Bonamy, D

2014-12-31

The temporal evolution of mechanical energy and spatially averaged crack speed are both monitored in slowly fracturing artificial rocks. Both signals display an irregular burstlike dynamics, with power-law distributed fluctuations spanning a broad range of scales. Yet, the elastic power released at each time step is proportional to the global velocity all along the process, which enables defining a material-constant fracture energy. We characterize the intermittent dynamics by computing the burst statistics. This latter displays the scale-free features signature of crackling dynamics, in qualitative but not quantitative agreement with the depinning interface models derived for fracture problems. The possible sources of discrepancies are pointed out and discussed.

Diffusion constant of slowly rotating black three-brane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amoozad, Z.; Sadeghi, J.

2018-01-01

In this paper, we take the slowly rotating black three-brane background and perturb it by introducing a vector gauge field. We find the components of the gauge field through Maxwell equations and Bianchi identities. Using currents and some ansatz we find Fick's first law at long wavelength regime. An interesting result for this non-trivial supergravity background is that the diffusion constant on the stretched horizon which emerges from Fick's first law is a complex constant. The pure imaginary part of the diffusion constant appears because the black three-brane has angular momentum. By taking the static limit of the corresponding black brane the well known diffusion constant will be recovered. On the other hand, from the point of view of the Fick's second law, we have the dispersion relation ω = - iDq2 and we found a damping of hydrodynamical flow in the holographically dual theory. Existence of imaginary term in the diffusion constant introduces an oscillating propagation of the gauge field in the dual field theory.

The strange flight behaviour of slowly spinning soccer balls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mizota, Taketo; Kurogi, Kouhei; Ohya, Yuji; Okajima, Atsushi; Naruo, Takeshi; Kawamura, Yoshiyuki

2013-05-01

The strange three-dimensional flight behaviour of slowly spinning soccer balls is one of the most interesting and unknown phenomenon associated with the trajectories of sports balls. Many spectators have experienced numerous exciting and emotional instances while observing the curious flight behaviour of these balls. We examine the aerodynamic mechanisms of erratic ball behaviours through real flight observations, unsteady force measurements and flow pattern visualisations. The strange behaviour is elucidated by the relationship between the unsteady forces on the ball and the wake flow. The irregular changes in position for twin longitudinal vortices have already been discovered in the supercritical Reynolds number region of a sphere with a smooth surface. This finding is applicable to the strange behaviour of the flight of soccer balls with this supercritical flow. The players, spectators, and television viewers will gain greater insight into the effects of soccer ball flights.

Release of DNA from polyelectrolyte multilayers fabricated using 'charge-shifting' cationic polymers: tunable temporal control and sequential, multi-agent release.

PubMed

Sun, Bin; Lynn, David M

2010-11-20

We report an approach to the design of multilayered polyelectrolyte thin films (or 'polyelectrolyte multilayers', PEMs) that can be used to provide tunable control over the release of plasmid DNA (or multiple different DNA constructs) from film-coated surfaces. Our approach is based upon methods for the layer-by-layer assembly of DNA-containing thin films, and exploits the properties of a new class of cationic 'charge-shifting' polymers (amine functionalized polymers that undergo gradual changes in net charge upon side chain ester hydrolysis) to provide control over the rates at which these films erode and release DNA. We synthesized two 'charge-shifting' polymers (polymers 1 and 2) containing different side chain structures by ring-opening reactions of poly(2-alkenyl azlactone)s with two different tertiary amine functionalized alcohols (3-dimethylamino-1-propanol and 2-dimethylaminoethanol, respectively). Subsequent characterization revealed large changes in the rates of side chain ester hydrolysis for these two polymers; whereas the half-life for the hydrolysis of the esters in polymer 1 was ~200 days, the half-life for polymer 2 was ~6 days. We demonstrate that these large differences in side chain hydrolysis make possible the design of PEMs that erode and promote the surface-mediated release of DNA either rapidly (e.g., over ~3 days for films fabricated using polymer 2) or slowly (e.g., over ~1 month for films fabricated using polymer 1). We demonstrate further that it is possible to design films with release profiles that are intermediate to these two extremes by fabricating films using solutions containing different mixtures of these two polymers. This approach can thus expand the usefulness of these two polymers and achieve a broader range of DNA release profiles without the need to synthesize polymers with new structures or properties. Finally, we demonstrate that polymers 1 and 2 can be used to fabricate multilayered films with hierarchical structures that

PELA microspheres with encapsulated arginine-chitosan/pBMP-2 nanoparticles induce pBMP-2 controlled-release, transfected osteoblastic progenitor cells, and promoted osteogenic differentiation.

PubMed

Xu, Xiaolong; Qiu, Sujun; Zhang, Yuxian; Yin, Jie; Min, Shaoxiong

2017-03-01

Repair of the bone injury remains a challenge in clinical practices. Recent progress in tissue engineering and therapeutic gene delivery systems have led to promising new strategies for successful acceleration of bone repair process. The aim of this study was to create a controlled-release system to slowly release the arginine-chitosan/plasmid DNA nanoparticles encoding BMP-2 gene (Arg-CS/pBMP-2 NPs), efficiently transfect osteoblastic progenitor cells, secrete functional BMP-2 protein, and promote osteogenic differentiation. In this study, chitosan was conjugated with arginine to generate arginine-chitosan polymer (Arg-CS) for gene delivery. Mix the Arg-CS with pBMP-2 to condense pBMP-2 into nano-sized particles. In vitro transfection assays demonstrated that the transfection efficiency of Arg-CS/pBMP-2 nanoparticles and the expression level of BMP-2 was obviously exceed control groups. Further, PELA microspheres as the controlled-release carrier for the nanoparticles were used to encapsulate Arg-CS/pBMP-2 NPs. We demonstrated that the Arg-CS/pBMP-2 NPs could slowly release from the PELA microspheres at least for 42 d. During the co-culture with the PELA microspheres, the content of BMP-2 protein secreted by MC3T3-E1 reached the peak at 7 d. After 21d, the secretion of BMP-2 protein still maintain a higher level. The alkaline phosphatase activity, alizarin red staining, and osteogenesis-related gene expression by real-time quantitative PCR analysis all showed the PELA microspheres entrapping with Arg-CS/pBMP-2 NPs can obviously induce the osteogenic differentiation. The results indicated that the Arg-CS is a suitable gene vector which can promote the gene transfection. And the novel PELA microspheres-nanoparticle controlled-release system has potential clinical application in the future after further research.

Thiophenic Sulfur Compounds Released During Coal Pyrolysis

PubMed Central

Xing, Mengwen; Kong, Jiao; Dong, Jie; Jiao, Haili; Li, Fan

2013-01-01

Abstract Thiophenic sulfur compounds are released during coal gasification, carbonization, and combustion. Previous studies indicate that thiophenic sulfur compounds degrade very slowly in the environment, and are more carcinogenic than polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrogenous compounds. Therefore, it is very important to study the principle of thiophenic sulfur compounds during coal conversion, in order to control their emission and promote clean coal utilization. To realize this goal and understand the formation mechanism of thiophenic sulfur compounds, this study focused on the release behavior of thiophenic sulfur compounds during coal pyrolysis, which is an important phase for all coal thermal conversion processes. The pyrolyzer (CDS-5250) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Focus GC-DSQII) were used to analyze thiophenic sulfur compounds in situ. Several coals with different coal ranks and sulfur contents were chosen as experimental samples, and thiophenic sulfur compounds of the gas produced during pyrolysis under different temperatures and heating rates were investigated. Levels of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene were obtained during pyrolysis at temperatures ranging from 200°C to 1300°C, and heating rates ranging from 6°C/ms to 14°C/ms and 6°C/s to 14°C/s. Moreover, the relationship between the total amount of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene released during coal pyrolysis and the organic sulfur content in coal was also discussed. This study is beneficial for understanding the formation and control of thiophenic sulfur compounds, since it provides a series of significant results that show the impact that operation conditions and organic sulfur content in coal have on the amount and species of thiophenic sulfur compounds produced during coal pyrolysis. PMID:23781126

Swelling and gas release in oxide fuels during fast temperature transients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dollins, C. C.; Jursich, M.

1982-05-01

A previously reported intergranular swelling and gas release model for oxide fuels has been modified to predict fission gas behavior during fast temperature transients. Under steady state or slowly varying conditions it has been assumed in the previous model that the pressure caused by the fission gas within the gas bubbles is in equilibrium with the surface tension of the bubbles. During a fast transient, however, net vacancy migration to the bubbles may be insufficient to maintain this equilibrium. In order to ascertain the net vacancy flow, it is necessary to model the point defect behavior in the fuel. Knowing the net flow of vacancies to the bubble and the bubble size, the bubble diffusivity can be determined and the long range migration of the gas out of the fuel can be calculated. The model has also been modified to allow release of all the gas on the grain boundaries during a fast temperature transient. The gas release predicted by the revised model shows good agreement to fast transient gas release data from an EBR-II TREAT H-3 (Transient Reactor Test Facility) test. Agreement has also been obtained between predictions using the model and gas release data obtained by Argonne National Laboratory from out-of-reactor transient heating experiments on irradiated UO 2. It was found necessary to increase the gas bubble diffusivity used in the model by a factor of thirty during the transient to provide agreement between calculations and measurements. Other workers have also found that such an increase is necessary for agreement and attribute the increased diffusivity to yielding at the bubble surface due to the increased pressure.

Bovine serum albumin release from novel chitosan-fluoro-aluminosilicate glass ionomer cement: stability and cytotoxicity studies.

PubMed

Limapornvanich, Araya; Jitpukdeebodintra, Suwanna; Hengtrakool, Chanothai; Kedjarune-Leggat, Ureporn

2009-09-01

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding chitosan (CS) to conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) on protein release and its cytotoxicity. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as the released protein from two glass ionomer formulations. One (GIC+BSA) contained fluoro-aluminosilicate glass mixed with BSA, and another (GIC:CS+BSA) used a similar glass and BSA with 20% chitosan. Six disc specimens per group (10mm in diameter, 2mm in height) were prepared and placed in phosphate buffer saline, which was replaced at various times over 2 weeks. The released protein was determined by a BCA assay. Cytotoxicity of the extracts from these materials for 1, 2 and 7 days to dental pulp cells was evaluated using MTT assay. The GIC:CS+BSA released a burst of BSA in the first 6h, and slowly released at different rates over the 2 weeks. GIC+BSA showed a similar result, but protein could not be detected at the 12h. The protein release rate of GIC:CS+BSA was significantly greater than GIC+BSA (P<0.01); nearly three times higher. The released BSA had the same molecular weight as evaluated by SDS-PAGE. From the MTT assay, the percentages of viable cells were significantly different and can be arranged as: GIC:CS+BSA>GIC:CS>GI+BSA>GI and the cytotoxicity was increased by time of extraction. Chitosan added in glass ionomer cement can prolong release of BSA as well as not increasing the toxicity to pulp cells. This material may be useful for protein delivery.

On-Line Modal State Monitoring of Slowly Time-Varying Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, Erik A.; Bergman, Lawrence A.; Voulgaris, Petros G.

1997-01-01

Monitoring the dynamic response of structures is often performed for a variety of reasons. These reasons include condition-based maintenance, health monitoring, performance improvements, and control. In many cases the data analysis that is performed is part of a repetitive decision-making process, and in these cases the development of effective on-line monitoring schemes help to speed the decision-making process and reduce the risk of erroneous decisions. This report investigates the use of spatial modal filters for tracking the dynamics of slowly time-varying linear structures. The report includes an overview of modal filter theory followed by an overview of several structural system identification methods. Included in this discussion and comparison are H-infinity, eigensystem realization, and several time-domain least squares approaches. Finally, a two-stage adaptive on-line monitoring scheme is developed and evaluated.

Stimulating Innovation and Accelerating the Development of Complex and Slowly Maturing Technologies Through Advanced Technology Prize Competitions

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-06-15

technology prize competitions have been used since the 18th century to spur innovation and advance the development of complex and slowly maturing disruptive ... technologies The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has used advanced technology competitions in 2004 and 2005 to rapidly accelerate the

Effects of sulfate on heavy metal release from iron corrosion scales in drinking water distribution system.

PubMed

Sun, Huifang; Shi, Baoyou; Yang, Fan; Wang, Dongsheng

2017-05-01

Trace heavy metals accumulated in iron corrosion scales within a drinking water distribution system (DWDS) could potentially be released to bulk water and consequently deteriorate the tap water quality. The objective of this study was to identify and evaluate the release of trace heavy metals in DWDS under changing source water conditions. Experimental pipe loops with different iron corrosion scales were set up to simulate the actual DWDS. The effects of sulfate levels on heavy metal release were systemically investigated. Heavy metal releases of Mn, Ni, Cu, Pb, Cr and As could be rapidly triggered by sulfate addition but the releases slowly decreased over time. Heavy metal release was more severe in pipes transporting groundwater (GW) than in pipes transporting surface water (SW). There were strong positive correlations (R 2  > 0.8) between the releases of Fe and Mn, Fe and Ni, Fe and Cu, and Fe and Pb. When switching to higher sulfate water, iron corrosion scales in all pipe loops tended to be more stable (especially in pipes transporting GW), with a larger proportion of stable constituents (mainly Fe 3 O 4 ) and fewer unstable compounds (β-FeOOH, γ-FeOOH, FeCO 3 and amorphous iron oxides). The main functional iron reducing bacteria (IRB) communities were favorable for the formation of Fe 3 O 4 . The transformation of corrosion scales and the growth of sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) accounted for the gradually reduced heavy metal release with time. The higher metal release in pipes transporting GW could be due to increased Fe 6 (OH) 12 CO 3 content under higher sulfate concentrations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Slowly-rotating neutron stars in massive bigravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sullivan, A.; Yunes, N.

2018-02-01

We study slowly-rotating neutron stars in ghost-free massive bigravity. This theory modifies general relativity by introducing a second, auxiliary but dynamical tensor field that couples to matter through the physical metric tensor through non-linear interactions. We expand the field equations to linear order in slow rotation and numerically construct solutions in the interior and exterior of the star with a set of realistic equations of state. We calculate the physical mass function with respect to observer radius and find that, unlike in general relativity, this function does not remain constant outside the star; rather, it asymptotes to a constant a distance away from the surface, whose magnitude is controlled by the ratio of gravitational constants. The Vainshtein-like radius at which the physical and auxiliary mass functions asymptote to a constant is controlled by the graviton mass scaling parameter, and outside this radius, bigravity modifications are suppressed. We also calculate the frame-dragging metric function and find that bigravity modifications are typically small in the entire range of coupling parameters explored. We finally calculate both the mass-radius and the moment of inertia-mass relations for a wide range of coupling parameters and find that both the graviton mass scaling parameter and the ratio of the gravitational constants introduce large modifications to both. These results could be used to place future constraints on bigravity with electromagnetic and gravitational-wave observations of isolated and binary neutron stars.

Road-Aided Ground Slowly Moving Target 2D Motion Estimation for Single-Channel Synthetic Aperture Radar.

PubMed

Wang, Zhirui; Xu, Jia; Huang, Zuzhen; Zhang, Xudong; Xia, Xiang-Gen; Long, Teng; Bao, Qian

2016-03-16

To detect and estimate ground slowly moving targets in airborne single-channel synthetic aperture radar (SAR), a road-aided ground moving target indication (GMTI) algorithm is proposed in this paper. First, the road area is extracted from a focused SAR image based on radar vision. Second, after stationary clutter suppression in the range-Doppler domain, a moving target is detected and located in the image domain via the watershed method. The target's position on the road as well as its radial velocity can be determined according to the target's offset distance and traffic rules. Furthermore, the target's azimuth velocity is estimated based on the road slope obtained via polynomial fitting. Compared with the traditional algorithms, the proposed method can effectively cope with slowly moving targets partly submerged in a stationary clutter spectrum. In addition, the proposed method can be easily extended to a multi-channel system to further improve the performance of clutter suppression and motion estimation. Finally, the results of numerical experiments are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.

Electrode Reactions in Slowly Relaxing Media

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

Matyushov, Dmitry V.; Newton, Marshall D.

Here, standard models of reaction kinetics in condensed materials rely on the Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution for the population of reactants at the top of the free energy barrier separating them from the products. While energy dissipation and quantum effects at the barrier top can potentially affect the transmission coefficient entering the rate preexponential factor, much stronger dynamical effects on the reaction barrier are caused by the breakdown of ergodicity for populating the reaction barrier (violation of the Boltzmann-Gibbs statistics). When the spectrum of medium modes coupled to the reaction coordinate includes fluctuations slower than the reaction rate, such nuclear motions dynamicallymore » freeze on the reaction time-scale and do not contribute to the activation barrier. In this paper, we consider the consequences of this scenario for electrode reactions in slowly relaxing media. Changing electrode overpotential speeds electrode electron transfer up, potentially cutting through the spectrum of nuclear modes coupled to the reaction coordinate. The reorganization energy of electrochemical electron transfer becomes a function of the electrode overpotential, switching between the thermodynamic value at low rates to the nonergodic limit at higher rates. The sharpness of this transition depends of the relaxation spectrum of the medium. The reorganization energy experiences a sudden drop with increasing overpotential for a medium with a Debye relaxation, but becomes a much shallower function of the overpotential for media with stretched exponential dynamics. The latter scenario characterizes electron transfer in ionic liquids. The analysis of electrode reactions in room-temperature ionic liquids shows that the magnitude of the free energy of nuclear solvation is significantly below its thermodynamic limit. Finally, this result applies to reaction times faster than microseconds and is currently limited by the available dielectric relaxation data.« less

Electrode Reactions in Slowly Relaxing Media

DOE PAGES

Matyushov, Dmitry V.; Newton, Marshall D.

2017-11-17

Here, standard models of reaction kinetics in condensed materials rely on the Boltzmann-Gibbs distribution for the population of reactants at the top of the free energy barrier separating them from the products. While energy dissipation and quantum effects at the barrier top can potentially affect the transmission coefficient entering the rate preexponential factor, much stronger dynamical effects on the reaction barrier are caused by the breakdown of ergodicity for populating the reaction barrier (violation of the Boltzmann-Gibbs statistics). When the spectrum of medium modes coupled to the reaction coordinate includes fluctuations slower than the reaction rate, such nuclear motions dynamicallymore » freeze on the reaction time-scale and do not contribute to the activation barrier. In this paper, we consider the consequences of this scenario for electrode reactions in slowly relaxing media. Changing electrode overpotential speeds electrode electron transfer up, potentially cutting through the spectrum of nuclear modes coupled to the reaction coordinate. The reorganization energy of electrochemical electron transfer becomes a function of the electrode overpotential, switching between the thermodynamic value at low rates to the nonergodic limit at higher rates. The sharpness of this transition depends of the relaxation spectrum of the medium. The reorganization energy experiences a sudden drop with increasing overpotential for a medium with a Debye relaxation, but becomes a much shallower function of the overpotential for media with stretched exponential dynamics. The latter scenario characterizes electron transfer in ionic liquids. The analysis of electrode reactions in room-temperature ionic liquids shows that the magnitude of the free energy of nuclear solvation is significantly below its thermodynamic limit. Finally, this result applies to reaction times faster than microseconds and is currently limited by the available dielectric relaxation data.« less

The neuropsychological and neuroradiological correlates of slowly progressive visual agnosia.

PubMed

Giovagnoli, Anna Rita; Aresi, Anna; Reati, Fabiola; Riva, Alice; Gobbo, Clara; Bizzi, Alberto

2009-04-01

The case of a 64-year-old woman affected by slowly progressive visual agnosia is reported aiming to describe specific cognitive-brain relationships. Longitudinal clinical and neuropsychological assessment, combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), spectroscopy, and positron emission tomography (PET) were used. Sequential neuropsychological evaluations performed during a period of 9 years since disease onset showed the appearance of apperceptive and associative visual agnosia, alexia without agraphia, agraphia, finger agnosia, and prosopoagnosia, but excluded dementia. MRI showed moderate diffuse cortical atrophy, with predominant atrophy in the left posterior cortical areas (temporal, parietal, and lateral occipital cortical gyri). 18FDG-PET showed marked bilateral posterior cortical hypometabolism; proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging disclosed severe focal N-acetyl-aspartate depletion in the left temporoparietal and lateral occipital cortical areas. In conclusion, selective metabolic alterations and neuronal loss in the left temporoparietooccipital cortex may determine progressive visual agnosia in the absence of dementia.

Thai Silk Fibroin/Gelatin Sponges for the Dual Controlled Release of Curcumin and Docosahexaenoic Acid for Anticancer Treatment.

PubMed

Lerdchai, Kantarat; Kitsongsermthon, Jutarat; Ratanavaraporn, Juthamas; Kanokpanont, Sorada; Damrongsakkul, Siriporn

2016-01-01

In this study, curcumin and/or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were encapsulated in Thai silk fibroin/gelatin (SF/G) sponges, prepared at different blending ratios, aimed to be applied as a controlled release system for localized cancer therapy. The SF/G sponges were fabricated by freeze-drying and glutaraldehyde cross-linking techniques. Physicochemical properties of the SF/G sponges were characterized. Then, curcumin and/or DHA were loaded in the sponges by physical adsorption. The encapsulation efficiency and the in vitro release of curcumin and/or DHA from the sponges were evaluated. SF/G sponges could encapsulate curcumin and/or DHA at high encapsulation efficiency. The highly cross-linked and slowly degrading SF/G (50/50) sponge released curcumin and/or DHA at the slowest rate. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the sponges against noncancer cells (L929 mouse fibroblast) and anticancer of curcumin and/or DHA released from the sponges against cervical cancer cells (CaSki) were tested. All sponges were not toxic to L929 mouse fibroblast. The mixed curcumin–DHA at the ratio of 1:4 had the highest inhibiting effect on the growth of CaSki, comparing with the release of curcumin or DHA alone. SF/G sponges could be a potential carrier for dual release of curcumin and DHA for anticancer effect.

Drug Release Kinetics and Front Movement in Matrix Tablets Containing Diltiazem or Metoprolol/λ-Carrageenan Complexes

PubMed Central

Bonferoni, Maria Cristina; Colombo, Paolo; Zanelotti, Laura; Caramella, Carla

2014-01-01

In this work we investigated the moving boundaries and the associated drug release kinetics in matrix tablets prepared with two complexes between λ-carrageenan and two soluble model drugs, namely, diltiazem HCl and metoprolol tartrate aiming at clarifying the role played by drug/polymer interaction on the water uptake, swelling, drug dissolution, and drug release performance of the matrix. The two studied complexes released the drug with different mechanism indicating two different drug/polymer interaction strengths. The comparison between the drug release behaviour of the complexes and the relevant physical mixtures indicates that diltiazem gave rise to a less soluble and more stable complex with carrageenan than metoprolol. The less stable metoprolol complex afforded an erodible matrix, whereas the stronger interaction between diltiazem and carrageenan resulted in a poorly soluble, slowly dissolving matrix. It was concluded that the different stability of the studied complexes affords two distinct drug delivery systems: in the case of MTP, the dissociation of the complex, as a consequence of the interaction with water, affords a classical soluble matrix type delivery system; in the case of DTZ, the dissolving/diffusing species is the complex itself because of the very strong interaction between the drug and the polymer. PMID:25045689

Drug release kinetics and front movement in matrix tablets containing diltiazem or metoprolol/λ-carrageenan complexes.

PubMed

Bettini, Ruggero; Bonferoni, Maria Cristina; Colombo, Paolo; Zanelotti, Laura; Caramella, Carla

2014-01-01

In this work we investigated the moving boundaries and the associated drug release kinetics in matrix tablets prepared with two complexes between λ-carrageenan and two soluble model drugs, namely, diltiazem HCl and metoprolol tartrate aiming at clarifying the role played by drug/polymer interaction on the water uptake, swelling, drug dissolution, and drug release performance of the matrix. The two studied complexes released the drug with different mechanism indicating two different drug/polymer interaction strengths. The comparison between the drug release behaviour of the complexes and the relevant physical mixtures indicates that diltiazem gave rise to a less soluble and more stable complex with carrageenan than metoprolol. The less stable metoprolol complex afforded an erodible matrix, whereas the stronger interaction between diltiazem and carrageenan resulted in a poorly soluble, slowly dissolving matrix. It was concluded that the different stability of the studied complexes affords two distinct drug delivery systems: in the case of MTP, the dissociation of the complex, as a consequence of the interaction with water, affords a classical soluble matrix type delivery system; in the case of DTZ, the dissolving/diffusing species is the complex itself because of the very strong interaction between the drug and the polymer.

Controlled release of metronidazole from composite poly-ε-caprolactone/alginate (PCL/alginate) rings for dental implants.

PubMed

Lan, Shih-Feng; Kehinde, Timilehin; Zhang, Xiangming; Khajotia, Sharukh; Schmidtke, David W; Starly, Binil

2013-06-01

Dental implants provide support for dental crowns and bridges by serving as abutments for the replacement of missing teeth. To prevent bacterial accumulation and growth at the site of implantation, solutions such as systemic antibiotics and localized delivery of bactericidal agents are often employed. The objective of this study was to demonstrate a novel method of controlled localized delivery of antibacterial agents to an implant site using a biodegradable custom fabricated ring. The study involved incorporating a model antibacterial agent (metronidazole) into custom designed poly-ε-caprolactone/alginate (PCL/alginate) composite rings to produce the intended controlled release profile. The rings can be designed to fit around the body of any root form dental implants of various diameters, shapes and sizes. In vitro release studies indicate that pure (100%) alginate rings exhibited an expected burst release of metronidazole in the first few hours, whereas Alginate/PCL composite rings produced a medium burst release followed by a sustained release for a period greater than 4 weeks. By varying the PCL/alginate weight ratios, we have shown that we can control the amount of antibacterial agents released to provide the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) needed for adequate protection. The fabricated composite rings have achieved a 50% antibacterial agent release profile over the first 48 h and the remaining amount slowly released over the remainder of the study period. The PCL/alginate agent release characteristic fits the Ritger-Peppas model indicating a diffusion-based mechanism during the 30-day study period. The developed system demonstrates a controllable drug release profile and the potential for the ring to inhibit bacterial biofilm growth for the prevention of diseases such as peri-implantitis resulting from bacterial infection at the implant site. Copyright © 2013 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Release of an endogenous pyrogen in vitro from rabbit mononuclear cells.

PubMed

Atkins, E; Bodel, P; Francis, L

1967-08-01

The capacity of rabbit mononuclear cells to release an endogenous pyrogen (EP) in vitro has been studied. After incubation with tuberculin, preparations of predominantly monocytic cells, derived from the respiratory passages of the lungs of rabbits sensitized with BCG, were activated to release EP. Pyrogen production occurred more slowly with lung monocytes than with blood leukocytes of similarly sensitized rabbits and 9 to 10 hr incubation in a fully supportive medium was required to produce clear-cut results. As previously reported with blood leukocytes, mononuclear cells from the lungs of normal animals were also activated by tuberculin but to a lesser degree than were those from specifically sensitized rabbits. Under a variety of conditions, mononuclear cells from either spleen or lymph nodes of the same sensitized rabbits failed to release detectable amounts of pyrogen when incubated with tuberculin in vitro but were activated in a majority of instances when phagocytosis of heat-killed staphylococci was used as the stimulus. Release of pyrogen from lung monocytes appears to be an active process that is both temperature-dependent and requires protein synthesis. Neither serum antibody nor complement appears to play a role in this process. Evidence is presented that the granulocyte is the main source of pyrogen evolved by blood leukocytes incubated in vitro with OT or heat-killed staphylococci, whereas the lung macrophage and/or monocyte is responsible for most of the pyrogen released from the lung cell preparations. From these studies, it is concluded that mononuclear cells can be activated in vitro by several microbial stimuli and must be considered an additional cellular source of EP. The clinical implications of these findings for the pathogenesis of fever in granulomatous diseases where the monocyte is the predominant cell are discussed.

Electromagnetic fields of slowly rotating magnetized compact stars in conformal gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Turimov, Bobur; Ahmedov, Bobomurat; Abdujabbarov, Ahmadjon; Bambi, Cosimo

2018-06-01

In this paper we investigate the exterior vacuum electromagnetic fields of slow-rotating magnetized compact stars in conformal gravity. Assuming the dipolar magnetic field configuration, we obtain an analytical solution of the Maxwell equations for the magnetic and the electric fields outside a slowly rotating magnetized star in conformal gravity. Furthermore, we study the dipolar electromagnetic radiation and energy losses from a rotating magnetized star in conformal gravity. In order to get constraints on the L parameter of conformal gravity, the theoretical results for the magnetic field of a magnetized star in conformal gravity are combined with the precise observational data of radio pulsar period slowdown, and it is found that the maximum value of the parameter of conformal gravity is less than L ≲9.5 ×105 cm (L /M ≲5 ).

A Developmental Study of Static Postural Control and Superimposed Arm Movements in Normal and Slowly Developing Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, Janet M.

Selected electromyographic parameters underlying static postural control in 4, 6, and 8 year old normally and slowly developing children during performance of selected arm movements were studied. Developmental delays in balance control were assessed by the Cashin Test of Motor Development (1974) and/or the Williams Gross Motor Coordination Test…

Controlled drug release properties of ionically cross-linked chitosan beads: the influence of anion structure.

PubMed

Shu, X Z; Zhu, K J

2002-02-21

By adopting a novel chitosan cross-linked method, i.e. chitosan/gelatin droplet coagulated at low temperature and then cross-linked by anions (sulfate, citrate and tripolyphosphate (TPP)), the chitosan beads were prepared. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation showed that sulfate/chitosan and citrate/chitosan beads usually had a spherical shape, smooth surface morphology and integral inside structure. Cross-sectional analysis indicated that the cross-linking process of sulfate and citrate to chitosan was much faster than that of TPP due to their smaller molecular size. But, once completely cross-linked, TPP/chitosan beads possessed much better mechanical strength and the force to break the beads was approximately ten times higher than that of sulfate/chitosan or citrate/chitosan beads. Release media pH and ionic strength seriously influenced the controlled drug release properties of the beads, which related to the strength of electrostatic interaction between anions and chitosan. Sulfate and citrate cross-linked chitosan beads swelled and even dissociated in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and hence, model drug (riboflavin) released completely in 5 h; while in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), beads remained in a shrinkage state and drug released slowly (release % usually <70% in 24 h). However, swelling and drug release of TPP/chitosan bead was usually insensitive to media pH. Chitosan beads, cross-linked by a combination of TPP and citrate (or sulfate) together, not only had a good shape, but also improved pH-responsive drug release properties. Salt weakened the interaction of citrate, especially sulfate with chitosan and accelerated beads swelling and hence drug release rate, but it was insensitive to that of TPP/chitosan. These results indicate that ionically cross-linked chitosan beads may be useful in stomach specific drug delivery.

In vitro drug release behavior from a novel thermosensitive composite hydrogel based on Pluronic f127 and poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer

PubMed Central

Gong, Chang Yang; Shi, Shuai; Dong, Peng Wei; Zheng, Xiu Ling; Fu, Shao Zhi; Guo, Gang; Yang, Jing Liang; Wei, Yu Quan; Qian, Zhi Yong

2009-01-01

Background Most conventional methods for delivering chemotherapeutic agents fail to achieve therapeutic concentrations of drugs, despite reaching toxic systemic levels. Novel controlled drug delivery systems are designed to deliver drugs at predetermined rates for predefined periods at the target organ and overcome the shortcomings of conventional drug formulations therefore could diminish the side effects and improve the life quality of the patients. Thus, a suitable controlled drug delivery system is extremely important for chemotherapy. Results A novel biodegradable thermosensitive composite hydrogel, based on poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL-PEG, PECE) and Pluronic F127 copolymer, was successfully prepared in this work, which underwent thermosensitive sol-gel-sol transition. And it was flowing sol at ambient temperature but became non-flowing gel at body temperature. By varying the composition, sol-gel-sol transition and in vitro drug release behavior of the composite hydrogel could be adjusted. Cytotoxicity of the composite hydrogel was conducted by cell viability assay using human HEK293 cells. The 293 cell viability of composite hydrogel copolymers were yet higher than 71.4%, even when the input copolymers were 500 μg per well. Vitamin B12 (VB12), honokiol (HK), and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used as model drugs to investigate the in vitro release behavior of hydrophilic small molecular drug, hydrophobic small molecular drug, and protein drug from the composite hydrogel respectively. All the above-mentioned drugs in this work could be released slowly from composite hydrogel in an extended period. Chemical composition of composite hydrogel, initial drug loading, and hydrogel concentration substantially affected the drug release behavior. The higher Pluronic F127 content, lower initial drug loading amount, or lower hydrogel concentration resulted in higher cumulative release rate. Conclusion The results showed

Management of the slowly emerging zoonosis, Hendra virus, by private veterinarians in Queensland, Australia: a qualitative study.

PubMed

Mendez, Diana H; Kelly, Jenny; Buttner, Petra; Nowak, Madeleine; Speare, Rick

2014-09-17

Veterinary infection control for the management of Hendra virus (HeV), an emerging zoonosis in Australia, remained suboptimal until 2010 despite 71.4% (5/7) of humans infected with HeV being veterinary personnel or assisting a veterinarian, three of whom died before 2009. The aim of this study was to identify the perceived barriers to veterinary infection control and HeV management in private veterinary practice in Queensland, where the majority of HeV outbreaks have occurred in Australia. Most participants agreed that a number of key factors had contributed to the slow uptake of adequate infection control measures for the management of HeV amongst private veterinarians: a work culture characterised by suboptimal infection control standards and misconceptions about zoonotic risks; a lack of leadership and support from government authorities; the difficulties of managing biosecurity and public health issues from a private workforce perspective; and the slow pattern of emergence of HeV. By 2010, some infection control and HeV management changes had been implemented. Participants interviewed agreed that further improvements remained necessary; but also cautioned that this was a complex process which would require time. Private veterinarians and government authorities prior to 2009 were unprepared to handle new slowly emerging zoonoses, which may explain their mismanagement of HeV. Slowly emerging zoonoses may be of low public health significance but of high significance for specialised groups such as veterinarians. Private veterinarians, who are expected to fulfil an active biosecurity and public health role in the frontline management of such emerging zoonoses, need government agencies to better recognise their contribution, to consult with the veterinary profession when devising guidelines for the management of zoonoses and to provide them with greater leadership and support. We propose that specific infection control guidelines for the management of slowly emerging

Action potentials and amphetamine release antipsychotic drug from dopamine neuron synaptic VMAT vesicles.

PubMed

Tucker, Kristal R; Block, Ethan R; Levitan, Edwin S

2015-08-11

Based on lysotracker red imaging in cultured hippocampal neurons, antipsychotic drugs (APDs) were proposed to accumulate in synaptic vesicles by acidic trapping and to be released in response to action potentials. Because many APDs are dopamine (DA) D2 receptor (D2R) antagonists, such a mechanism would be particularly interesting if it operated in midbrain DA neurons. Here, the APD cyamemazine (CYAM) is visualized directly by two-photon microscopy in substantia nigra and striatum brain slices. CYAM accumulated slowly into puncta based on vacuolar H(+)-ATPase activity and dispersed rapidly upon dissipating organelle pH gradients. Thus, CYAM is subject to acidic trapping and released upon deprotonation. In the striatum, Ca(2+)-dependent reduction of the CYAM punctate signal was induced by depolarization or action potentials. Striatal CYAM overlapped with the dopamine transporter (DAT). Furthermore, parachloroamphetamine (pCA), acting via vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), and a charged VMAT, substrate 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), reduced striatal CYAM. In vivo CYAM administration and in vitro experiments confirmed that clinically relevant CYAM concentrations result in vesicular accumulation and pCA-dependent release. These results show that some CYAM is in DA neuron VMAT vesicles and suggests a new drug interaction in which amphetamine induces CYAM deprotonation and release as a consequence of the H(+) countertransport by VMAT that accompanies vesicular uptake, but not by inducing exchange or acting as a weak base. Therefore, in the striatum, APDs are released with DA in response to action potentials and an amphetamine. This synaptic corelease is expected to enhance APD antagonism of D2Rs where and when dopaminergic transmission occurs.

Time-controlled release pseudoephedrine tablets: bioavailability and in vitro/in vivo correlations.

PubMed

Halsas, M; Penttinen, T; Veski, P; Jürjenson, H; Marvola, M

2001-09-01

In chronopharmacotherapy, circadian changes in disease symptoms are taken into account. Press-coated, time-controlled release tablets containing pseudoephedrine hydrochloride as a model drug have been formulated and the suitability of this highly soluble drug in relation to the new drug delivery system was evaluated. Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose was used in the coat of the tablet to adjust drug release. If such a formulation was administered in the evening it would have maximal effect in the early morning, and would be useful for the treatment of nocturnal symptoms. Two cross-over, single-dose bioavailability studies were carried out on eight healthy volunteers. A dissolution test method was developed to establish level A and level C in vitro/in vivo correlation for four formulations. With a low viscosity grade of polymer, peak concentrations were achieved after five hours. The drug was absorbed much more slowly from tablets containing a high viscosity grade polymer, with a plasma peak at ten hours. For further development of the drug delivery system described, a dissolution test method at pH 7.2 at a rotation speed of 150 min-1 is recommended on the basis of level A in vitro/in vivo correlation.

Silk fibroin nanoparticles prepared by electrospray as controlled release carriers of cisplatin.

PubMed

Qu, Jing; Liu, Yu; Yu, Yanni; Li, Jing; Luo, Jingwan; Li, Mingzhong

2014-11-01

To maintain the anti-tumor activity of cis-dichlorodiamminoplatinum (CDDP) while avoiding its cytotoxicity and negative influence on normal tissue, CDDP-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles approximately 59 nm in diameter were successfully prepared by electrospray without using organic solvent. CDDP was incorporated into nanoparticles through metal-polymer coordination bond exchange. In vitro release tests showed that the cisplatin in the nanoparticles could be slowly and sustainably released for more than 15 days. In vitro anti-cancer experiments and intracellular Pt content testing indicated that CDDP-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles were easily internalized by A549 lung cancer cells, transferring CDDP into cancer cells and then triggering their apoptosis. In contrast, the particles were not easily internalized by L929 mouse fibroblast cells and hence showed weaker cell growth inhibition. The CDDP-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles showed sustained and efficient killing of tumor cells but weaker inhibition of normal cells. In general, this study provides not only a novel method for preparing CDDP-loaded silk fibroin nanoparticles but also a new carrier system for clinical therapeutic drugs against lung cancers and other tumors. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Narrow-band, slowly varying decimetric radiation from the dwarf M flare star YZ Canis Minoris

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lang, K. R.; Willson, R. F.

1986-01-01

Observations of slowly varying radiation from the dwarf M star YZ Canis Minoris with a maximum flux density of 20 mJy and narrow-band frequency structure at frequencies near 1465 MHz are presented. Possible explanations for this radiation are examined. Thermal gyroresonant radiation would require impossibly large coronal loops and magnetic field strengths. The narrow-band structure cannot be explained by continuum emission processes such as thermal bremsstrahlung, thermal gyroresonant radiation, or nonthermal gyrosynchrotron radiation. Coherent burst mechanisms seem to be required.

Monodisperse, polymeric microspheres produced by irradiation of slowly thawing frozen drops

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rhim, Won-Kyu (Inventor); Hyson, Michael T. (Inventor); Chung, Sang-Kun (Inventor); Colvin, Michael S. (Inventor); Chang, Manchium (Inventor)

1991-01-01

Monodisperse, polymeric microspheres are formed by injecting uniformly shaped droplets of radiation polymerizable monomers, preferably a biocompatible monomer, having covalent binding sites such as hydroxyethylmethacrylate, into a zone, impressing a like charge on the droplet so that they mutually repel each other, spheroidizing the droplets within the zone and collecting the droplets in a pool of cryogenic liquid. As the droplets enter the liquid, they freeze into solid, glassy microspheres, which vaporizes a portion of the cryogenic liquid to form a layer. The like-charged microspheres, suspended within the layer, move to the edge of the vessel holding the pool, are discharged, fall and are collected. The collected microspheres are irradiated while frozen in the cryogenic liquid to form latent free radicals. The frozen microspheres are then slowly thawed to activate the free radicals which polymerize the monomer to form evenly-sized, evenly-shaped, monodisperse polymeric microspheres.

Biophysical characterization and functional consequences of a slowly inactivating potassium current in neostriatal neurons.

PubMed

Gabel, L A; Nisenbaum, E S

1998-04-01

Neostriatal spiny projection neurons can display a pronounced delay in their transition to action potential discharge that is mediated by a slowly developing ramp depolarization. The possible contribution of a slowly inactivating A-type K+ current (IAs) to this delayed excitation was investigated by studying the biophysical and functional properties of IAs using whole cell voltage- and current-clamp recording from acutely isolated neostriatal neurons. Isolation of IAs from other voltage-gated, calcium-independent K+ currents was achieved through selective blockade of IAs with low concentrations (10 microM) of the benzazepine derivative, 6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl- 1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetra-hydro-1H-3-benzazepine (APB; SKF82958) and subsequent current subtraction. Examination of the voltage dependence of activation showed that IAs began to flow at approximately -60 mV in response to depolarization. The voltage dependence of inactivation revealed that approximately 50% of IAs channels were available at the normal resting potential (-80 mV) of these cells, but that only 20% of the channels were available at membrane potentials corresponding to spike threshold (about -40 mV). At these depolarized membrane potentials, the rate of activation was moderately rapid (tau approximately 60 ms), whereas the rate of inactivation was slow (tau approximately 1.5 s). The time course of removal of inactivation of IAs at -80 mV also was relatively slow (tau approximately 1.0 s). The subthreshold availability of IAs combined with its rapid activation and slow inactivation rates suggested that this current should be capable of dampening the onset of prolonged depolarizing responses, but over time its efficacy should diminish, slowly permitting the membrane to depolarize toward spike threshold. Voltage recording experiments confirmed this hypothesis by demonstrating that application of APB at a concentration (10 microM) that selectively blocks IAs substantially decreased the latency to

The cerebellum ages slowly according to the epigenetic clock.

PubMed

Horvath, Steve; Mah, Vei; Lu, Ake T; Woo, Jennifer S; Choi, Oi-Wa; Jasinska, Anna J; Riancho, José A; Tung, Spencer; Coles, Natalie S; Braun, Jonathan; Vinters, Harry V; Coles, L Stephen

2015-05-01

Studies that elucidate why some human tissues age faster than others may shed light on how we age, and ultimately suggest what interventions may be possible. Here we utilize a recent biomarker of aging (referred to as epigenetic clock) to assess the epigenetic ages of up to 30 anatomic sites from supercentenarians (subjects who reached an age of 110 or older) and younger subjects. Using three novel and three published human DNA methylation data sets, we demonstrate that the cerebellum ages more slowly than other parts of the human body. We used both transcriptional data and genetic data to elucidate molecular mechanisms which may explain this finding. The two largest superfamilies of helicases (SF1 and SF2) are significantly over-represented (p=9.2x10-9) among gene transcripts that are over-expressed in the cerebellum compared to other brain regions from the same subject. Furthermore, SNPs that are associated with epigenetic age acceleration in the cerebellum tend to be located near genes from helicase superfamilies SF1 and SF2 (enrichment p=5.8x10-3). Our genetic and transcriptional studies of epigenetic age acceleration support the hypothesis that the slow aging rate of the cerebellum is due to processes that involve RNA helicases.

The cerebellum ages slowly according to the epigenetic clock

PubMed Central

Horvath, Steve; Mah, Vei; Lu, Ake T.; Woo, Jennifer S.; Choi, Oi-Wa; Jasinska, Anna J.; Riancho, José A.; Tung, Spencer; Coles, Natalie S.; Braun, Jonathan; Vinters, Harry V.; Coles, L. Stephen

2015-01-01

Studies that elucidate why some human tissues age faster than others may shed light on how we age, and ultimately suggest what interventions may be possible. Here we utilize a recent biomarker of aging (referred to as epigenetic clock) to assess the epigenetic ages of up to 30 anatomic sites from supercentenarians (subjects who reached an age of 110 or older) and younger subjects. Using three novel and three published human DNA methylation data sets, we demonstrate that the cerebellum ages more slowly than other parts of the human body. We used both transcriptional data and genetic data to elucidate molecular mechanisms which may explain this finding. The two largest superfamilies of helicases (SF1 and SF2) are significantly over-represented (p=9.2×10−9) among gene transcripts that are over-expressed in the cerebellum compared to other brain regions from the same subject. Furthermore, SNPs that are associated with epigenetic age acceleration in the cerebellum tend to be located near genes from helicase superfamilies SF1 and SF2 (enrichment p=5.8×10−3). Our genetic and transcriptional studies of epigenetic age acceleration support the hypothesis that the slow aging rate of the cerebellum is due to processes that involve RNA helicases. PMID:26000617

[Clinico-psychological features of patients with favorable outcomes of slowly-progressive juvenile schizophrenia].

PubMed

Tsutsul'kovskaia, M Ia; Bil'zho, A G; Kritskaia, V P; Meleshko, T K

1986-01-01

A follow-up study of patients with favourable outcomes of juvenile slowly progressing schizophrenia at the level of clinical cure (n = 84) revealed a number of clinical characteristics in the pattern of personality changes which correlated with a high level of the patients' social and occupational adaptation. The authors also determined external factors contributing to the achievement and stabilization of the "clinical cure" status. An experimental and psychological examination of these patients revealed finer mechanisms contributing to their social adaptation. These are high motivation of activities, compliance with social norms, a high level of voluntary regulation of activity and self-regulation, as well as the ability to overcome autistic trends in situations of interpersonal activities and cooperation.

A Nine Month Photometric Study of the Very Slowly Rotating Asteroid 288 Glauke

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pilcher, Frederick; Franco, Lorenzo; Pravec, Petr

2015-01-01

Fifteen images of the extremely slowly rotating 288 Glauke were obtained every clear night except when the target was very close to the Moon in the interval 2013 Nov. 5 - 2014 July 27 during which the object was more than 60 degrees from the Sun, a total of 187 nights. Tumbling behavior was found, with possible periods near 1170 hours and 740 hours, respectively, and uncertainties probably no larger than 2%. The reliability of tumbling behavior was assessed as PAR=-2. The color index was also determined as V-R=0.48. Magnitude parameters in the V photometric system H=9.99 ± 0.04 and G=0.24 ± 0.02 were found.

Preparation of magnetic polylactic acid microspheres and investigation of its releasing property for loading curcumin

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Fengxia; Li, Xiaoli; Li, Bin

2011-11-01

In order to obtain a targeting drug carrier system, magnetic polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres loading curcumin were synthesized by the classical oil-in-water emulsion solvent-evaporation method. In the Fourier transform infrared spectra of microspheres, the present functional groups of PLA were all kept invariably. The morphology and size distribution of magnetic microspheres were observed with scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering, respectively. The results showed that the microspheres were regularly spherical and the surface was smooth with a diameter of 0.55-0.75 μm. Magnetic Fe 3O 4 was loaded in PLA microspheres and the content of magnetic particles was 12 wt% through thermogravimetric analysis. The magnetic property of prepared microspheres was measured by vibrating sample magnetometer. The results showed that the magnetic microspheres exhibited typical superparamagnetic behavior and the saturated magnetization was 14.38 emu/g. Through analysis of differential scanning calorimetry, the curcumin was in an amorphous state in the magnetic microspheres. The drug loading, encapsulation efficiency and releasing properties of curcumin in vitro were also investigated by ultraviolet-visible spectrum analysis. The results showed that the drug loading and encapsulation efficiency were 8.0% and 24.2%, respectively. And curcumin was obviously slowly released because the cumulative release percentage of magnetic microspheres in the phosphate buffer (pH=7.4) solution was only 49.01% in 72 h, and the basic release of curcumin finished in 120 h.

Oligomerization transforms human APOBEC3G from an efficient enzyme to a slowly dissociating nucleic acid-binding protein

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chaurasiya, Kathy R.; McCauley, Micah J.; Wang, Wei; Qualley, Dominic F.; Wu, Tiyun; Kitamura, Shingo; Geertsema, Hylkje; Chan, Denise S. B.; Hertz, Amber; Iwatani, Yasumasa; Levin, Judith G.; Musier-Forsyth, Karin; Rouzina, Ioulia; Williams, Mark C.

2014-01-01

The human APOBEC3 proteins are a family of DNA-editing enzymes that play an important role in the innate immune response against retroviruses and retrotransposons. APOBEC3G is a member of this family that inhibits HIV-1 replication in the absence of the viral infectivity factor Vif. Inhibition of HIV replication occurs by both deamination of viral single-stranded DNA and a deamination-independent mechanism. Efficient deamination requires rapid binding to and dissociation from ssDNA. However, a relatively slow dissociation rate is required for the proposed deaminase-independent roadblock mechanism in which APOBEC3G binds the viral template strand and blocks reverse transcriptase-catalysed DNA elongation. Here, we show that APOBEC3G initially binds ssDNA with rapid on-off rates and subsequently converts to a slowly dissociating mode. In contrast, an oligomerization-deficient APOBEC3G mutant did not exhibit a slow off rate. We propose that catalytically active monomers or dimers slowly oligomerize on the viral genome and inhibit reverse transcription.

Pharmacokinetic modeling of 4,4'-methylenedianiline released from reused polyurethane dialyzer potting materials.

PubMed

Do Luu, H M; Hutter, J C

2000-01-01

4, 4'-Methylenedianiline (MDA) is a hydrolysis degradation product that can be released from polyurethanes commonly used in medical device applications. MDA is mutagenic and carcinogenic in animals. In humans, it is hepatotoxic, a known contact and respiratory allergen, and a suspected carcinogen. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to estimate the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of MDA in patients exposed to MDA leached from the potting materials of hemodialyzers. A worst-case reuse situation and a single use case were investigated. The PBPK model included five tissue compartments: liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, slowly perfused tissues, and richly perfused tissues. Physiological and chemical parameters of a healthy individual used in the model were obtained from the literature. The model was calibrated using previously published kinetic studies of IV administered doses of (14) C-MDA to rats. The model was validated using independent data published for MDA-exposed workers. The PBPK results indicated that dialysis patients who are exposed to MDA released from dialyzers (new or reused) could accumulate low levels of MDA and metabolites (total MDA) over time. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Work statistics of charged noninteracting fermions in slowly changing magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Juyeon; Talkner, Peter

2011-04-01

We consider N fermionic particles in a harmonic trap initially prepared in a thermal equilibrium state at temperature β-1 and examine the probability density function (pdf) of the work done by a magnetic field slowly varying in time. The behavior of the pdf crucially depends on the number of particles N but also on the temperature. At high temperatures (β≪1) the pdf is given by an asymmetric Laplace distribution for a single particle, and for many particles it approaches a Gaussian distribution with variance proportional to N/β2. At low temperatures the pdf becomes strongly peaked at the center with a variance that still linearly increases with N but exponentially decreases with the temperature. We point out the consequences of these findings for the experimental confirmation of the Jarzynski equality such as the low probability issue at high temperatures and its solution at low temperatures, together with a discussion of the crossover behavior between the two temperature regimes.

Preparation and Physicochemical Evaluation of Controlled-release Carbon Source Tablet for Groundwater in situ Denitrification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Y.; Kang, J. H.; Yeum, Y.; Han, K. J.; Kim, D. W.; Park, C. W.

2015-12-01

Nitric nitrogen could be the one of typical pollution source such asNO3-through domestic sewage, livestock and agricultural wastewater. Resident microflorain aquifer has known to remove the nitric nitrogen spontaneously following the denitration process with the carbon source (CS) as reactant. However, it could be reacted very slowly with the rack of CS and there have been some studies for controlled addition of CS (Ref #1-3). The aim of this study was to prepare the controlled-release carbon source (CR-CS) tablet and to evaluate in vitro release profile for groundwater in situ denitrification. CR-CS tablet could be manufactured by direct compression method using hydraulic laboratory press (Caver® 3850) with 8 mm rounded concave punch/ die.Seven kinds of CR-CS tablet were prepared to determine the nature of the additives and their ratio such as sodium silicate, dicalcium phosphate, bentonite and sand#8.For each formulation, the LOD% and flowability of pre-mixed powders and the hardness of compressed tablets were analyzed. In vitro release study was performed to confirm the dissolution profiles following the USP Apparatus 2 method with Distilled water of 900mL, 20 °C. As a result, for each lubricated powders, they were compared in terms of ability to give an acceptable dry pre-mixed powder for tableting process. The hardness of the compressed tablets is acceptable whatever the formulations tested. After in vitro release study, it could confirm that the different formulations of CR-CS tablet have a various release rate patterns, which could release 100% at 3 hrs, 6 hrs and 12 hrs. The in vitro dissolution profiles were in good correlation of Higuchi release kinetic model. In conclusion, this study could be used as a background for development and evaluation of the controlled-release carbon source (CR-CS) tablet for the purification of groundwater following the in situ denitrification.

Evaluating Weathering of Food Packaging Polyethylene-Nano-clay Composites: Release of Nanoparticles and their Impacts.

PubMed

Han, Changseok; Zhao, Amy; Varughese, Eunice; Sahle-Demessie, E

2018-01-01

Nano-fillers are increasingly incorporated into polymeric materials to improve the mechanical, barrier or other matrix properties of nanocomposites used for consumer and industrial applications. However, over the life cycle, these nanocomposites could degrade due to exposure to environmental conditions, resulting in the release of embedded nanomaterials from the polymer matrix into the environment. This paper presents a rigorous study on the degradation and the release of nanomaterials from food packaging composites. Films of nano-clay-loaded low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composite for food packaging applications were prepared with the spherilene technology and exposed to accelerated weathering of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation or low concentration of ozone at 40 °C. The changes in the structural, surface morphology, chemical and physical properties of the films during accelerated weathering were investigated. Qualitative and quantitative changes in properties of pristine and aged materials and the release of nano-clay proceeded slowly until 130 hr irradiation and then accelerated afterward resulting complete degradation. Although nano-clay increased the stability of LDPE and improved thermal and barrier properties, they accelerated the UV oxidation of LDPE. With increasing exposure to UV, the surface roughness, chemiluminescence index, and carbonyl index of the samples increased while decreasing the intensity of the wide-angle X-ray diffraction pattern. Nano-clay particles with sizes ranging from 2-8 nm were released from UV and ozone weathered composite. The concentrations of released nanoparticles increased with an increase in aging time. Various toxicity tests, including reactive oxygen species generation and cell activity/viability were also performed on the released nano-clay and clay polymer. The released nano-clays basically did not show toxicity. Our combined results demonstrated the degradation properties of nano-clay particle-embedded LDPE composites

Dual-Polarization Observations of Slowly Varying Solar Emissions from a Mobile X-Band Radar

PubMed Central

Gabella, Marco; Leuenberger, Andreas

2017-01-01

The radio noise that comes from the Sun has been reported in literature as a reference signal to check the quality of dual-polarization weather radar receivers for the S-band and C-band. In most cases, the focus was on relative calibration: horizontal and vertical polarizations were evaluated versus the reference signal mainly in terms of standard deviation of the difference. This means that the investigated radar receivers were able to reproduce the slowly varying component of the microwave signal emitted by the Sun. A novel method, aimed at the absolute calibration of dual-polarization receivers, has recently been presented and applied for the C-band. This method requires the antenna beam axis to be pointed towards the center of the Sun for less than a minute. Standard deviations of the difference as low as 0.1 dB have been found for the Swiss radars. As far as the absolute calibration is concerned, the average differences were of the order of −0.6 dB (after noise subtraction). The method has been implemented on a mobile, X-band radar, and this paper presents the successful results that were obtained during the 2016 field campaign in Payerne (Switzerland). Despite a relatively poor Sun-to-Noise ratio, the “small” (~0.4 dB) amplitude of the slowly varying emission was captured and reproduced; the standard deviation of the difference between the radar and the reference was ~0.2 dB. The absolute calibration of the vertical and horizontal receivers was satisfactory. After the noise subtraction and atmospheric correction a, the mean difference was close to 0 dB. PMID:28531164

Dual-Polarization Observations of Slowly Varying Solar Emissions from a Mobile X-Band Radar.

PubMed

Gabella, Marco; Leuenberger, Andreas

2017-05-22

The radio noise that comes from the Sun has been reported in literature as a reference signal to check the quality of dual-polarization weather radar receivers for the S-band and C-band. In most cases, the focus was on relative calibration: horizontal and vertical polarizations were evaluated versus the reference signal mainly in terms of standard deviation of the difference. This means that the investigated radar receivers were able to reproduce the slowly varying component of the microwave signal emitted by the Sun. A novel method, aimed at the absolute calibration of dual-polarization receivers, has recently been presented and applied for the C-band. This method requires the antenna beam axis to be pointed towards the center of the Sun for less than a minute. Standard deviations of the difference as low as 0.1 dB have been found for the Swiss radars. As far as the absolute calibration is concerned, the average differences were of the order of -0.6 dB (after noise subtraction). The method has been implemented on a mobile, X-band radar, and this paper presents the successful results that were obtained during the 2016 field campaign in Payerne (Switzerland). Despite a relatively poor Sun-to-Noise ratio, the "small" (~0.4 dB) amplitude of the slowly varying emission was captured and reproduced; the standard deviation of the difference between the radar and the reference was ~0.2 dB. The absolute calibration of the vertical and horizontal receivers was satisfactory. After the noise subtraction and atmospheric correction a, the mean difference was close to 0 dB.

Feedback Control of Resistive Wall Modes in Slowly Rotating DIII-D Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okabayashi, M.; Chance, M. S.; Takahashi, H.; Garofalo, A. M.; Reimerdes, H.; in, Y.; Chu, M. S.; Jackson, G. L.; La Haye, R. J.; Strait, E. J.

2006-10-01

In slowly rotating plasmas on DIII-D, the requirement of RWM control feedback have been identified, using a MHD code along with measured power supply characteristics. It was found that a small time delay is essential for achieving high beta if no rotation stabilization exists. The overall system delay or the band pass time constant should be in the range of 0.4 of the RWM growth time. Recently the control system was upgraded using twelve linear audio amplifiers and a faster digital control system, reducing the time-delay from 600 to 100 μs. The advantage has been clearly observed when the RWMs excited by ELMs were effectively controlled by feedback even if the rotation transiently slowed nearly to zero. This study provides insight on stability in the low- rotation plasmasw with balanced NBI in DIII-D and also in ITER.

Slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia and cervical dystonia: clinical presentation of a new form of spinocerebellar ataxia?

PubMed

Kuoppamäki, Mikko; Giunti, Paula; Quinn, Niall; Wood, Nicholas W; Bhatia, Kailash P

2003-02-01

We describe 5 cases with a rare combination of young-onset, slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia and cervical dystonia. Two were sporadic, whereas the other 3 were familial, including 2 from one family. The age of onset of these cases was between 16 and 37 years. The presenting symptom was cervical dystonia and/or dystonic head tremor in 3 patients and hand or lower limb tremor in 2. In 2 cases, cervical dystonia and/or dystonic head tremor developed approximately 6 to 10 years before cerebellar dysfunction, and in three they developed at the same time. Apart from cervical dystonia, there was mild dystonic limb involvement in 2 cases, but generalized dystonia was not seen. Cerebellar ataxia was slowly progressive. A literature search showed 10 cases of cervical dystonia associated with genetically undetermined (n = 5) or genetically proven (n = 5) spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA). When the genotype was known, these patients had either SCA3, 6, 7, or 12. However, our 5 cases (or their first-degree relatives) tested negative for SCA1, 2, 3, 6, and 7, and in the 4 cases (or their first-degree relatives) tested for SCA12, the result was negative. We propose that this rare phenotype manifesting as a combination of cerebellar ataxia and cervical dystonia may represent one or more new, as yet uncharacterized, genotypes of inherited young-onset spinocerebellar ataxia. Copyright Movement Disorder Society

Walking more slowly than with normal velocity: The influence on trunk and pelvis kinematics in young and older healthy persons.

PubMed

Swinnen, Eva; Baeyens, Jean-Pierre; Pintens, Seppe; Buyl, Ronald; Goossens, Maggie; Meeusen, Romain; Kerckhofs, Eric

2013-08-01

Few studies have addressed trunk and pelvis movements during gait, although they play an important role in gait control. The aim of this study was to compare trunk and pelvis kinematics between slower walking (1, 2, 3, 4kmph) and normal walking (5kmph), and between healthy adults who were young (n=15, 20-30years) and older (n=17, 50-60years). After 4min of treadmill walking, the 3-dimensional trunk and pelvis kinematics was measured (Polhemus Liberty™, 250Hz). A repeated measures ANOVA with simple contrasts was used to look for differences between the velocity conditions of walking and independent t-testing for comparison between the age groups (significance level: 5%, SPSS20). Walking more slowly than with normal velocity induces (1) a decrease in vertical center of mass of the trunk displacement, trunk lateral flexion and axial rotation and pelvis lateral and antero-posterior tilting, and (2) an increase in lateral and antero-posterior center of mass of the trunk displacement. Compared to young persons, older persons show: (1) larger pelvis axial rotations and trunk lateral and antero-posterior movements, and (2) smaller pelvis lateral tilting and trunk vertical movements and rotations. The literature reports that patients often walk slowly and that older persons show different gait patterns compared to young persons. This study shows that there are changes in trunk and pelvis kinematics (1) when walking more slowly than with normal velocity and (2) in older persons compared to young persons. These data could be taken into account in gait rehabilitation. © 2013.

Calculation of stability derivatives for slowly oscillating bodies of revolution at Mach 1.0

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruo, S. Y.; Liu, D. D.

1971-01-01

A parabolic method for steady transonic flow is extended to bodies of revolution oscillating in a sonic flow field. A Laplace transform technique is employed to derive the dipole solution, and the Adams-Sears iterative technique is used in the stability derivative calculation. A computer program is developed to perform the stability derivative calculation for the slowly oscillating cone and parabolic ogive. Inputs for the program are body geometry thickness ratio, acceleration constant, and pitch axis location. Sample calculations were performed for the parabolic ogive and circular cone and results are compared with those obtained by using other techniques and the available experimental data for circular cones.

Nonresolving or slowly resolving pneumonia.

PubMed

Kuru, T; Lynch, J P

1999-09-01

Given the variability in rate of radiographic resolution, it remains controversial to decide when to initiate an invasive diagnostic work-up for nonresolving or slowly resolving pulmonary infiltrates. In immunocompetent patients who present with classical features of CAP (i.e., fever, chills, productive cough, new pulmonary infiltrate), clinical response to therapy is the most important determinant for further diagnostic studies. Within the first few days, persistence or even progression of infiltrates on chest radiographs is not unusual. Defervescence, diminished symptoms, and resolution of leukocytosis strongly support a response to antibiotic therapy, even when chest radiographic abnormalities persist. In this context, observation alone is reasonable, and invasive procedures can be deferred. Serial radiographs and clinical examinations dictate subsequent evaluation. In contrast, when clinical improvement has not occurred and chest radiographs are unchanged or worse, a more aggressive approach is warranted. In this setting, we advise fiberoptic bronchoscopy with BAL and appropriate cultures for bacteria, legionella, fungi, and mycobacteria. When endobronchial anatomy is normal and there is no purulence to suggest infection, TBBs should be done to exclude noninfectious causes (discussed earlier) or infections attributable to mycobacteria or fungi. An aggressive approach is also warranted in patients who are clinically stable or improving when the rate of radiographic resolution is delayed. As discussed earlier, what constitutes excessive delay is controversial, and depends upon the acuity of illness, specific pathogen, extent of involvement (i.e., lobar versus multilobar), comorbidities, and diverse host factors. Stable infiltrates even 2 to 4 weeks after institution of antibiotic therapy does not mandate intervention provided patients are improving clinically. Invasive techniques can also be deferred when unequivocal, albeit incomplete, radiographic resolution

Dual-Responsive pH and Temperature Sensitive Nanoparticles Based on Methacrylic Acid and Di(ethylene glycol) Methyl Ether Methacrylate for the Triggered Release of Drugs.

PubMed

Khine, Yee Yee; Jiang, Yanyan; Dag, Aydan; Lu, Hongxu; Stenzel, Martina H

2015-08-01

A series of thermo-and pH-responsive poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly[methacrylic acid-co-di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate] PMMA-b-P[MAA-co-DEGMA] block copolymers were synthesized by RAFT polymerization and self-assembled into micelles. The molar ratio of MAA was altered from 0-12% in order to modulate the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of PDEGMA. The release of the drug albendazole from the micelle was strongly dependent on the temperature and the LCST value of the polymer. Systems below the LCST released the drug slowly while increasing the temperature above the LCST or decreasing the pH value to 5 resulted in the burst-like release of the drug. ABZ delivered in this pH-responsive drug carrier had a higher toxicity than the free drug or the drug delivered in a non-responsive drug carrier. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Extended I-Love relations for slowly rotating neutron stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gagnon-Bischoff, Jérémie; Green, Stephen R.; Landry, Philippe; Ortiz, Néstor

2018-03-01

Observations of gravitational waves from inspiralling neutron star binaries—such as GW170817—can be used to constrain the nuclear equation of state by placing bounds on stellar tidal deformability. For slowly rotating neutron stars, the response to a weak quadrupolar tidal field is characterized by four internal-structure-dependent constants called "Love numbers." The tidal Love numbers k2el and k2mag measure the tides raised by the gravitoelectric and gravitomagnetic components of the applied field, and the rotational-tidal Love numbers fo and ko measure those raised by couplings between the applied field and the neutron star spin. In this work, we compute these four Love numbers for perfect fluid neutron stars with realistic equations of state. We discover (nearly) equation-of-state independent relations between the rotational-tidal Love numbers and the moment of inertia, thereby extending the scope of I-Love-Q universality. We find that similar relations hold among the tidal and rotational-tidal Love numbers. These relations extend the applications of I-Love universality in gravitational-wave astronomy. As our findings differ from those reported in the literature, we derive general formulas for the rotational-tidal Love numbers in post-Newtonian theory and confirm numerically that they agree with our general-relativistic computations in the weak-field limit.

Kinetic Modeling of Slow Energy Release in Non-Ideal Carbon Rich Explosives

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

Vitello, P; Fried, L; Glaesemann, K

2006-06-20

We present here the first self-consistent kinetic based model for long time-scale energy release in detonation waves in the non-ideal explosive LX-17. Non-ideal, insensitive carbon rich explosives, such as those based on TATB, are believed to have significant late-time slow release in energy. One proposed source of this energy is diffusion-limited growth of carbon clusters. In this paper we consider the late-time energy release problem in detonation waves using the thermochemical code CHEETAH linked to a multidimensional ALE hydrodynamics model. The linked CHEETAH-ALE model dimensional treats slowly reacting chemical species using kinetic rate laws, with chemical equilibrium assumed for speciesmore » coupled via fast time-scale reactions. In the model presented here we include separate rate equations for the transformation of the un-reacted explosive to product gases and for the growth of a small particulate form of condensed graphite to a large particulate form. The small particulate graphite is assumed to be in chemical equilibrium with the gaseous species allowing for coupling between the instantaneous thermodynamic state and the production of graphite clusters. For the explosive burn rate a pressure dependent rate law was used. Low pressure freezing of the gas species mass fractions was also included to account for regions where the kinetic coupling rates become longer than the hydrodynamic time-scales. The model rate parameters were calibrated using cylinder and rate-stick experimental data. Excellent long time agreement and size effect results were achieved.« less

Preparation and characterization of cross-linked excipient of coprocessed xanthan gum-acacia gum as matrix for sustained release tablets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Surini, Silvia; Wati, Dina Risma; Syahdi, Rezi Riadhi

2018-02-01

Sustained release tablet is solid dosage form which is designed to release drugs slowly in the body. This research was intended to prepare and characterize the cross-linked excipients of co-processed xanthan gum-acacia gum (CL-Co-XGGA) as matrices for sustained release tablets with gliclazide as a model drug. CL-Co-XGGA excipients were cross-linked materials of co-processed excipients of xanthan gum-acacia gum (Co-XGGA) using sodium trimetaphosphate. Co-processed excipients of xanthan gum-acacia gum were prepared in the ratio of each excipient 1:2, 1:1 and 2:1. Co-XGGA and CL-Co-XGGA excipients were characterized physically, chemically and functionally. Then, the sustained release (SR) tablets were formulated by wet granulation method using CL-Co-XGGA excipients as matrices. Also, the dissolution study of the gliclazide SR tablets was carried out in phosphate buffer medium pH 7,4 containing sodium lauryl sulphate 0.2% for 12 hours. The results showed that the degree of substitution (DS) of CL-Co-XGGA 1:2, 1:1, 2:1 excipients were respectively 0.067, 0.082 and 0.08. Besides that, the excipients gel strengths were 14.03, 17.27 and 20,70 gF, respectively. The cross-linked excipients had improved flow properties and swelling capability compared to the Co-XGGA excipients. The results of the gliclazide SR tablets evaluations showed that all tablets were passed all tablet requirements. Moreover, the gliclazide release from SR tablets F1 - F6 revealed the sustained release profile, which was following zero order kinetics (F1, F2, F3, F6) and Higuchi kinetics (F4 and F5). It could be concluded that the obtained CL-Co-XGGA excipients might be used as matrices for sustained release tablets and could retard drug release up to 8 until 32 hours.

Fast and slowly evolving vector solitons in mode-locked fibre lasers.

PubMed

Sergeyev, Sergey V

2014-10-28

We report on a new vector model of an erbium-doped fibre laser mode locked with carbon nanotubes. This model goes beyond the limitations of the previously used models based on either coupled nonlinear Schrödinger or Ginzburg-Landau equations. Unlike the previous models, it accounts for the vector nature of the interaction between an optical field and an erbium-doped active medium, slow relaxation dynamics of erbium ions, linear birefringence in a fibre, linear and circular birefringence of a laser cavity caused by in-cavity polarization controller and light-induced anisotropy caused by elliptically polarized pump field. Interplay of aforementioned factors changes coherent coupling of two polarization modes at a long time scale and so results in a new family of vector solitons (VSs) with fast and slowly evolving states of polarization. The observed VSs can be of interest in secure communications, trapping and manipulation of atoms and nanoparticles, control of magnetization in data storage devices and many other areas. © 2014 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Work statistics of charged noninteracting fermions in slowly changing magnetic fields.

PubMed

Yi, Juyeon; Talkner, Peter

2011-04-01

We consider N fermionic particles in a harmonic trap initially prepared in a thermal equilibrium state at temperature β^{-1} and examine the probability density function (pdf) of the work done by a magnetic field slowly varying in time. The behavior of the pdf crucially depends on the number of particles N but also on the temperature. At high temperatures (β≪1) the pdf is given by an asymmetric Laplace distribution for a single particle, and for many particles it approaches a Gaussian distribution with variance proportional to N/β(2). At low temperatures the pdf becomes strongly peaked at the center with a variance that still linearly increases with N but exponentially decreases with the temperature. We point out the consequences of these findings for the experimental confirmation of the Jarzynski equality such as the low probability issue at high temperatures and its solution at low temperatures, together with a discussion of the crossover behavior between the two temperature regimes. ©2011 American Physical Society

Outcomes of percutaneous trigger finger release with concurrent steroid injection.

PubMed

Liu, Wen-Chih; Lu, Chun-Kuan; Lin, Yu-Chuan; Huang, Peng-Ju; Lin, Gau-Tyan; Fu, Yin-Chih

2016-12-01

Percutaneous release (PR) of the A1 pulley is a quick, safe, and minimally invasive procedure for treating trigger fingers. The purpose of this study is to identify if PR with additional steroid injections can shorten the recovery to reach unlimited range of motion. Between January 2013 and December 2013, we included 432 trigger fingers with actively correctable triggering or severer symptoms without previous surgical release or steroid injections from two hand clinic offices (A and B). The same experienced surgeon performed PR at the office. Patients from Clinic A received PR with steroid injections and those from Clinic B received PR without steroid injections. Patients returned for follow-up 1 week, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after the procedure. Between the steroid group and the nonsteroid group, there is no significant difference in the mean time for patients to return to normal work and the rate of residual extensor lag. Middle fingers showed a 5.09-fold chance of having a residual extensor lag over that of the other fingers. High grade trigger fingers recovered more slowly than low grade ones. The success rate of a 12-week follow-up was 98.4%. There was no significant difference between the steroid group (97.5%) and the nonsteroid group (99.1%). PR can treat trigger fingers effectively, but additional steroid injection does not provide more benefit. Some fingers showed temporary extensor lag, especially in middle fingers and high grade trigger fingers, but 85% of those will eventually reach full recovery after self-rehabilitation without another surgical release. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Taiwan.

Reservoir computing with a slowly modulated mask signal for preprocessing using a mutually coupled optoelectronic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tezuka, Miwa; Kanno, Kazutaka; Bunsen, Masatoshi

2016-08-01

Reservoir computing is a machine-learning paradigm based on information processing in the human brain. We numerically demonstrate reservoir computing with a slowly modulated mask signal for preprocessing by using a mutually coupled optoelectronic system. The performance of our system is quantitatively evaluated by a chaotic time series prediction task. Our system can produce comparable performance with reservoir computing with a single feedback system and a fast modulated mask signal. We showed that it is possible to slow down the modulation speed of the mask signal by using the mutually coupled system in reservoir computing.

Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii sp. nov., a slowly growing chromogenic species isolated from Chesapeake Bay striped bass (Morone saxatilis)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Rhodes, M.W.; Kator, H.; McNabb, A.; Deshayes, C.; Reyrat, J.-M.; Brown-Elliott, B. A.; Wallace, R.; Trott, K.A.; Parker, J.M.; Lifland, B.; Osterhout, G.; Kaattari, I.; Reece, K.; Vogelbein, W.; Ottinger, C.A.

2005-01-01

A group of slowly growing photochromogenic mycobacteria was isolated from Chesapeake Bay striped bass (Morone saxatilis) during an epizootic of mycobacteriosis. Growth characteristics, acid-fastness and 16S rRNA gene sequencing results were consistent with those of the genus Mycobacterium. Biochemical reactions, growth characteristics and mycolic acid profiles (HPLC) resembled those of Mycobacterium shottsii, a non-pigmented mycobacterium also isolated during the same epizootic. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes, the gene encoding the exported repeated protein (erp) and the gene encoding the 65 kDa heat-shock protein (hsp65) and restriction enzyme analysis of the hsp65 gene demonstrated that this group of isolates is unique. Insertion sequences associated with Mycobacterium ulcerans, IS2404 and IS2606, were detected by PCR. These isolates could be differentiated from other slowly growing pigmented mycobacteria by their inability to grow at 37 ??C, production of niacin and urease, absence of nitrate reductase, negative Tween 80 hydrolysis and resistance to isoniazid (1 ??g ml-1), p-nitrobenzoic acid, thiacetazone and thiophene-2-carboxylic hydrazide. On the basis of this polyphasic study, it is proposed that these isolates represent a novel species, Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii sp. nov. The type strain, L15T, has been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection as ATCC BAA-883T and the National Collection of Type Cultures (UK) as NCTC 13318T. ?? 2005 IUMS.

Interaction of two diclofenac acid salts with copolymers of ammoniomethacrylate: effect of additives and release profiles.

PubMed

Khalil, E; Sallam, A

1999-04-01

The copolymer of ammoniomethacrylate Eudragit RL (ERL) interacted with diclofenac acid salts (sodium and diethylamine salts) in aqueous solutions, forming a complex. Sorption experiments were done in aqueous solutions of either sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), Tween 20, or Tween 80. The SLS competed strongly with the drug, even at low concentrations, and reduced significantly the amount of drug sorbed by ERL. Tweens at high concentrations exhibited two phase profiles: the sorption phase, which was short and during which drug concentration dropped sharply, and the release phase, during which the drug was released slowly over 24 hr and which was accompanied by dispersion of ERL particles into the colloidal dispersion. The interaction was dependent on temperature, ionic strength, and nature of the additives. The extent of interaction in water and phosphate buffer solutions was in the following order: water > pH 6 > pH 7-8. In-vitro dissolution studies of the dried complex were done over 24 hr. In water, the drug remained bound to the polymer. In aqueous surfactant solutions (SLS, Tween 20, and Tween 80) and phosphate buffer at pH 6.8, a linear relationship between drug concentration and the square root of time was obtained, indicating a matrix diffusion-controlled mechanism. However, 100% release was not reached, and resorption was observed in the phosphate buffer solution.

Characterization of metals released from coal fly ash during dredging at the Kingston ash recovery project.

PubMed

Bednar, A J; Averett, D E; Seiter, J M; Lafferty, B; Jones, W T; Hayes, C A; Chappell, M A; Clarke, J U; Steevens, J A

2013-09-01

A storage-pond dike failure occurred on December 22, 2008 at the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant resulting in the release of over 4million cubic meters (5million cubic yards) of fly ash. Approximately half of the released ash was deposited in the main channel of the Emory River, Tennessee, USA. Remediation efforts of the Emory River focused on hydraulic dredging, as well as mechanical excavation in targeted areas. However, agitation of the submerged fly ash during hydraulic dredging introduces river water into the fly ash material, which could promote dissolution and desorption of metals from the solid fly ash material. Furthermore, aeration of the dredge slurry could alter the redox state of metals in the fly ash material and thereby change their sorption, mobility, and toxicity properties. The research presented here focuses on the concentrations and speciation of metals during the fly ash recovery from the Emory River. Our results indicate that arsenite [As(III)] released from the fly ash material during dredging was slowly oxidized to arsenate [As(V)] in the slurry recovery system with subsequent removal through precipitation or sorption reactions with suspended fly ash material. Concentrations of other dissolved metals, including iron and manganese, also generally decreased in the ash recovery system prior to water discharge back to the river. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Neutrino Astrophysics in Slowly Rotating Spacetimes Permeated by Nonlinear Electrodynamics Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mosquera Cuesta, Herman J.

2017-02-01

Many theoretical and astrophysical arguments involve consideration of the effects of super strong electromagnetic fields and the rotation during the late stages of core-collapse supernovae. In what follows, we solve Einstein field equations that are minimally coupled to an arbitrary (current-free) Born-Infeld nonlinear Lagrangian L(F,G) of electrodynamics (NLED) in the slow rotation regime a ≪ r+ (outer horizon size), up to first order in a/r. We cross-check the physical properties of such NLED spacetime w.r.t. against the Maxwell one. A study case on both neutrino flavor ({ν }e\\to {ν }μ ,{ν }τ ) oscillations and flavor+helicity (spin) flip ({ν }e\\to {\\overline{ν }}μ ,τ ) gyroscopic precession proves that in the spacetime of a slowly rotating nonlinear charged black hole (RNCBH), the neutrino dynamics translates into a positive enhancement of the r-process (reduction of the electron fraction Ye < 0.5). Consequently, it guarantees successful hyperluminous core-collapse supernova explosions due to the enlargement of the number and amount of decaying nuclide species. This posits that, as far as the whole luminosity is concerned, hypernovae will be a proof of the formation of astrophysical RNCBH.

Atypical, slowly progressive behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia associated with C9ORF72 hexanucleotide expansion

PubMed Central

Khan, Baber K.; Yokoyama, Jennifer S.; Takada, Leonel T.; Sha, Sharon J.; Rutherford, Nicola. J.; Fong, Jamie C.; Karydas, Anna; Wu, Teresa; Ketelle, Robin; Baker, Matt C.; Hernandez, Mariely-Dejesus; Coppola, Giovanni; Geschwind, Daniel H.; Rademakers, Rosa; Lee, Suzee E.; Rosen, Howard J.; Rabinovici, Gil D.; Seeley, William; Rankin, Katherine P.; Boxer, Adam L.; Miller, Bruce L.

2012-01-01

Background Some patients meeting behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) diagnostic criteria progress slowly and plateau at mild symptom severity. Such patients have mild neuropsychological and functional impairments, lack characteristic bvFTD brain atrophy, and have thus been referred to as bvFTD “phenocopies” or slowly progressive (bvFTD-SP). The few patients with bvFTD-SP that have been studied at autopsy have found no evidence of FTD pathology, suggesting that bvFTD-SP is neuropathologically distinct from other forms of FTD. Here, we describe two patients with bvFTD-SP with chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72) hexanucleotide expansions. Methods Three hundred and eighty-four patients with FTD clinical spectrum and Alzheimer’s disease diagnoses were screened for C9ORF72 expansion. Two bvFTD-SP mutation carriers were identified. Neuropsychological and functional data, as well as brain atrophy patterns assessed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), were compared with 44 patients with sporadic bvFTD and 85 healthy controls. Results Both patients were age 48 at baseline and met possible bvFTD criteria. In the first patient, VBM revealed thalamic and posterior insula atrophy. Over seven years, his neuropsychological performance and brain atrophy remained stable. In the second patient, VBM revealed cortical atrophy with subtle frontal and insular volume loss. Over two years, her neuropsychological and functional scores as well as brain atrophy remained stable. Conclusions C9ORF72 mutations can present with a bvFTD-SP phenotype. Some bvFTD-SP patients may have neurodegenerative pathology, and C9ORF72 mutations should be considered in patients with bvFTD-SP and a family history of dementia or motor neuron disease. PMID:22399793

Slowly switching between environments facilitates reverse evolution in small populations.

PubMed

Tan, Longzhi; Gore, Jeff

2012-10-01

Natural populations must constantly adapt to ever-changing environmental conditions. A particularly interesting question is whether such adaptations can be reversed by returning the population to an ancestral environment. Such evolutionary reversals have been observed in both natural and laboratory populations. However, the factors that determine the reversibility of evolution are still under debate. The time scales of environmental change vary over a wide range, but little is known about how the rate of environmental change influences the reversibility of evolution. Here, we demonstrate computationally that slowly switching between environments increases the reversibility of evolution for small populations that are subject to only modest clonal interference. For small populations, slow switching reduces the mean number of mutations acquired in a new environment and also increases the probability of reverse evolution at each of these "genetic distances." As the population size increases, slow switching no longer reduces the genetic distance, thus decreasing the evolutionary reversibility. We confirm this effect using both a phenomenological model of clonal interference and also a Wright-Fisher stochastic simulation that incorporates genetic diversity. Our results suggest that the rate of environmental change is a key determinant of the reversibility of evolution, and provides testable hypotheses for experimental evolution. © 2012 The Author(s). Evolution© 2012 The Society for the Study of Evolution.

FIRST MAGNETIC FIELD MODELS FOR RECENTLY DISCOVERED MAGNETIC {beta} CEPHEI AND SLOWLY PULSATING B STARS

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

Hubrig, S.; Ilyin, I.; Schoeller, M.

2011-01-01

In spite of recent detections of magnetic fields in a number of {beta} Cephei and slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars, their impact on stellar rotation, pulsations, and element diffusion has not yet been sufficiently studied. The reason for this is the lack of knowledge of rotation periods, the magnetic field strength distribution and temporal variability, and the field geometry. New longitudinal field measurements of four {beta} Cephei and candidate {beta} Cephei stars, and two SPB stars were acquired with FORS 2 at the Very Large Telescope. These measurements allowed us to carry out a search for rotation periods and tomore » constrain the magnetic field geometry for four stars in our sample.« less

A sequential vesicle pool model with a single release sensor and a Ca(2+)-dependent priming catalyst effectively explains Ca(2+)-dependent properties of neurosecretion.

PubMed

Walter, Alexander M; Pinheiro, Paulo S; Verhage, Matthijs; Sørensen, Jakob B

2013-01-01

Neurotransmitter release depends on the fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane and the release of their contents. The final fusion step displays higher-order Ca(2+) dependence, but also upstream steps depend on Ca(2+). After deletion of the Ca(2+) sensor for fast release - synaptotagmin-1 - slower Ca(2+)-dependent release components persist. These findings have provoked working models involving parallel releasable vesicle pools (Parallel Pool Models, PPM) driven by alternative Ca(2+) sensors for release, but no slow release sensor acting on a parallel vesicle pool has been identified. We here propose a Sequential Pool Model (SPM), assuming a novel Ca(2+)-dependent action: a Ca(2+)-dependent catalyst that accelerates both forward and reverse priming reactions. While both models account for fast fusion from the Readily-Releasable Pool (RRP) under control of synaptotagmin-1, the origins of slow release differ. In the SPM the slow release component is attributed to the Ca(2+)-dependent refilling of the RRP from a Non-Releasable upstream Pool (NRP), whereas the PPM attributes slow release to a separate slowly-releasable vesicle pool. Using numerical integration we compared model predictions to data from mouse chromaffin cells. Like the PPM, the SPM explains biphasic release, Ca(2+)-dependence and pool sizes in mouse chromaffin cells. In addition, the SPM accounts for the rapid recovery of the fast component after strong stimulation, where the PPM fails. The SPM also predicts the simultaneous changes in release rate and amplitude seen when mutating the SNARE-complex. Finally, it can account for the loss of fast- and the persistence of slow release in the synaptotagmin-1 knockout by assuming that the RRP is depleted, leading to slow and Ca(2+)-dependent fusion from the NRP. We conclude that the elusive 'alternative Ca(2+) sensor' for slow release might be the upstream priming catalyst, and that a sequential model effectively explains Ca(2+)-dependent

A Sequential Vesicle Pool Model with a Single Release Sensor and a Ca2+-Dependent Priming Catalyst Effectively Explains Ca2+-Dependent Properties of Neurosecretion

PubMed Central

Walter, Alexander M.; Pinheiro, Paulo S.; Verhage, Matthijs; Sørensen, Jakob B.

2013-01-01

Neurotransmitter release depends on the fusion of secretory vesicles with the plasma membrane and the release of their contents. The final fusion step displays higher-order Ca2+ dependence, but also upstream steps depend on Ca2+. After deletion of the Ca2+ sensor for fast release – synaptotagmin-1 – slower Ca2+-dependent release components persist. These findings have provoked working models involving parallel releasable vesicle pools (Parallel Pool Models, PPM) driven by alternative Ca2+ sensors for release, but no slow release sensor acting on a parallel vesicle pool has been identified. We here propose a Sequential Pool Model (SPM), assuming a novel Ca2+-dependent action: a Ca2+-dependent catalyst that accelerates both forward and reverse priming reactions. While both models account for fast fusion from the Readily-Releasable Pool (RRP) under control of synaptotagmin-1, the origins of slow release differ. In the SPM the slow release component is attributed to the Ca2+-dependent refilling of the RRP from a Non-Releasable upstream Pool (NRP), whereas the PPM attributes slow release to a separate slowly-releasable vesicle pool. Using numerical integration we compared model predictions to data from mouse chromaffin cells. Like the PPM, the SPM explains biphasic release, Ca2+-dependence and pool sizes in mouse chromaffin cells. In addition, the SPM accounts for the rapid recovery of the fast component after strong stimulation, where the PPM fails. The SPM also predicts the simultaneous changes in release rate and amplitude seen when mutating the SNARE-complex. Finally, it can account for the loss of fast- and the persistence of slow release in the synaptotagmin-1 knockout by assuming that the RRP is depleted, leading to slow and Ca2+-dependent fusion from the NRP. We conclude that the elusive ‘alternative Ca2+ sensor’ for slow release might be the upstream priming catalyst, and that a sequential model effectively explains Ca2+-dependent properties of

Sterilization in a liquid of a specific starch makes it slowly digestible in vitro and low glycemic in rats.

PubMed

Severijnen, Chantal; Abrahamse, Evan; van der Beek, Eline M; Buco, Amra; van de Heijning, Bert J M; van Laere, Katrien; Bouritius, Hetty

2007-10-01

Diabetics are recommended to eat a balanced diet containing normal amounts of carbohydrates, preferably those with a low glycemic index. For solid foods, this can be achieved by choosing whole-grain, fiber-rich products. For (sterilized) liquid products, such as meal replacers, the choices for carbohydrate sources are restricted due to technological limitations. Starches usually have a high glycemic index after sterilization in liquids, whereas low glycemic sugars and sugar replacers can only be used in limited amounts. Using an in vitro digestion assay, we identified a resistant starch (RS) source [modified high amylose starch (mHAS)] that might enable the production of a sterilized liquid product with a low glycemic index. Heating mHAS for 4-5 min in liquid increased the slowly digestible starch (SDS) fraction at the expense of the RS portion. The effect was temperature dependent and reached its maximum above 120 degrees C. Heating at 130 degrees C significantly reduced the RS fraction from 49 to 22%. The product remained stable for at least several months when stored at 4 degrees C. To investigate whether a higher SDS fraction would result in a lower postprandial glycemic response, the sterilized mHAS solution was compared with rapidly digestible maltodextrin. Male Wistar rats received an i.g. bolus of 2.0 g available carbohydrate/kg body weight. Ingestion of heat-treated mHAS resulted in a significant attenuation of the postprandial plasma glucose and insulin responses compared with maltodextrin. mHAS appears to be a starch source which, after sterilization in a liquid product, acquires slow-release properties. The long-term stability of mHAS solutions indicates that this may provide a suitable carbohydrate source for low glycemic index liquid products for inclusion in a diabetes-specific diet.

Rheological properties of PLGA film-based implants: correlation with polymer degradation and SPf66 antimalaric synthetic peptide release.

PubMed

Santoveña, A; Alvarez-Lorenzo, C; Concheiro, A; Llabrés, M; Fariña, J B

2004-02-01

This paper reports on the rheological properties of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) polymers (PLGA) dispersions used to form films and of the implants prepared by compression of SPf66 antimalaric peptide between several films, before application and during drug release. 25% PLGA (M(w)=48,000Da) dispersions in dichloromethane showed viscous Newtonian behaviour, being easy flowing and adaptable to the moulds. Evolution of viscoelastic properties, polymer molecular weight, and SPf66 release pattern from the implants immersed in various media was evaluated. Oscillatory shear test showed that freshly prepared implants have an elastic modulus, G', greater than the viscous modulus, G", being both practically independent of angular frequency. After 6 weeks immersion in a pH 7.4 phosphate buffer, G' and G" increased in almost one order of magnitude, despite of a significant polymer degradation. Polymer molecular weight decreased slowly during the first 10 days of immersion (a similar pattern was obtained at pHs 2 and 7.4) and then the degradation process accelerated (degradation index on day 7 equals to 0.89, and on day 14 equals to 16.5). SPf66 release profile followed a pattern similar to that of the polymer degradation index. These observations are explained in terms of changes in polymer structure and conformation that happen in the implant.

Single-dose evaluation of safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of newly formulated hydromorphone immediate-release and hydrophilic matrix extended-release tablets in healthy Japanese subjects without co-administration of an opioid antagonist.

PubMed

Toyama, Kaoru; Uchida, Naoki; Ishizuka, Hitoshi; Sambe, Takehiko; Kobayashi, Shinichi

2015-09-01

This single dose, open-label study investigated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of single oral doses of newly formulated immediate-release (IR) and hydrophilic matrix extended-release (ER) hydromorphone tablets in healthy Japanese subjects without co-administration of an opioid antagonist under fasting and fed conditions. Plasma and urinary concentrations of hydromorphone and metabolites were measured by liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectroscopy. Following administration of the ER tablet, plasma concentrations of hydromorphone slowly increased with a median tmax of 5.0 h and the Cmax decreased to 37% of the IR tablet, while the AUC0-inf was comparable with that of the IR tablet when administered at the same dose. The degree of fluctuation in the plasma concentration for the ER tablet was much lower than that of the IR tablet and certain levels of plasma concentrations were maintained after 24 h of ER dosing. The AUC0-inf and Cmax increased with food for both IR and ER tablets. The AUC0-inf of hydromorphone-3-glucoside was one-tenth of that of hydromorphone-3-glucuronide. A single oral administration of the hydromorphone tablets would be well-tolerated in healthy Japanese subjects despite a lack of co-administration of an opioid antagonist and the newly developed ER hydromorphone tablets may have the appropriate PK characteristics for once-daily dosing. © 2015, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

Augmented brain function by coordinated reset stimulation with slowly varying sequences.

PubMed

Zeitler, Magteld; Tass, Peter A

2015-01-01

Several brain disorders are characterized by abnormally strong neuronal synchrony. Coordinated Reset (CR) stimulation was developed to selectively counteract abnormal neuronal synchrony by desynchronization. For this, phase resetting stimuli are delivered to different subpopulations in a timely coordinated way. In neural networks with spike timing-dependent plasticity CR stimulation may eventually lead to an anti-kindling, i.e., an unlearning of abnormal synaptic connectivity and abnormal synchrony. The spatiotemporal sequence by which all stimulation sites are stimulated exactly once is called the stimulation site sequence, or briefly sequence. So far, in simulations, pre-clinical and clinical applications CR was applied either with fixed sequences or rapidly varying sequences (RVS). In this computational study we show that appropriate repetition of the sequence with occasional random switching to the next sequence may significantly improve the anti-kindling effect of CR. To this end, a sequence is applied many times before randomly switching to the next sequence. This new method is called SVS CR stimulation, i.e., CR with slowly varying sequences. In a neuronal network with strong short-range excitatory and weak long-range inhibitory dynamic couplings SVS CR stimulation turns out to be superior to CR stimulation with fixed sequences or RVS.

Augmented brain function by coordinated reset stimulation with slowly varying sequences

PubMed Central

Zeitler, Magteld; Tass, Peter A.

2015-01-01

Several brain disorders are characterized by abnormally strong neuronal synchrony. Coordinated Reset (CR) stimulation was developed to selectively counteract abnormal neuronal synchrony by desynchronization. For this, phase resetting stimuli are delivered to different subpopulations in a timely coordinated way. In neural networks with spike timing-dependent plasticity CR stimulation may eventually lead to an anti-kindling, i.e., an unlearning of abnormal synaptic connectivity and abnormal synchrony. The spatiotemporal sequence by which all stimulation sites are stimulated exactly once is called the stimulation site sequence, or briefly sequence. So far, in simulations, pre-clinical and clinical applications CR was applied either with fixed sequences or rapidly varying sequences (RVS). In this computational study we show that appropriate repetition of the sequence with occasional random switching to the next sequence may significantly improve the anti-kindling effect of CR. To this end, a sequence is applied many times before randomly switching to the next sequence. This new method is called SVS CR stimulation, i.e., CR with slowly varying sequences. In a neuronal network with strong short-range excitatory and weak long-range inhibitory dynamic couplings SVS CR stimulation turns out to be superior to CR stimulation with fixed sequences or RVS. PMID:25873867

Comparative steady-state pharmacokinetic study of an extended-release formulation of itopride and its immediate-release reference formulation in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Yoon, Seonghae; Lee, Howard; Kim, Tae-Eun; Lee, SeungHwan; Chee, Dong-Hyun; Cho, Joo-Youn; Yu, Kyung-Sang; Jang, In-Jin

2014-01-01

This study was conducted to compare the oral bioavailability of an itopride extended-release (ER) formulation with that of the reference immediate-release (IR) formulation in the fasting state. The effect of food on the bioavailability of itopride ER was also assessed. A single-center, open-label, randomized, multiple-dose, three-treatment, three-sequence, crossover study was performed in 24 healthy male subjects, aged 22-48 years, who randomly received one of the following treatments for 4 days in each period: itopride 150 mg ER once daily under fasting or fed conditions, or itopride 50 mg IR three times daily in the fasting state. Steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of itopride, including peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration versus time curve over 24 hours after dosing (AUC(0-24h)), were determined by noncompartmental analysis. The geometric mean ratio of the pharmacokinetic parameters was derived using an analysis of variance model. A total of 24 healthy Korean subjects participated, 23 of whom completed the study. The geometric mean ratio and its 90% confidence interval of once-daily ER itopride versus IR itopride three times a day for AUC(0-24h) were contained within the conventional bioequivalence range of 0.80-1.25 (0.94 [0.88-1.01]), although Cmax was reached more slowly and was lower for itopride ER than for the IR formulation. Food delayed the time taken to reach Cmax for itopride ER, but AUC(0-24h) was not affected. There were no serious adverse events and both formulations were generally well tolerated. At steady state, once-daily itopride ER at 150 mg has a bioavailability comparable with that of itopride IR at 50 mg given three times a day under fasting conditions. Food delayed the absorption of itopride ER, with no marked change in its oral bioavailability.

Performance of personal inhalable aerosol samplers in very slowly moving air when facing the aerosol source.

PubMed

Witschger, O; Grinshpun, S A; Fauvel, S; Basso, G

2004-06-01

While personal aerosol samplers have been characterized primarily based on wind tunnel tests conducted at relatively high wind speeds, modern indoor occupational environments are usually represented by very slow moving air. Recent surveys suggest that elevated levels of occupational exposure to inhalable airborne particles are typically observed when the worker, operating in the vicinity of the dust source, faces the source. Thus, the first objective of this study was to design and test a new, low cost experimental protocol for measuring the sampling efficiency of personal inhalable aerosol samplers in the vicinity of the aerosol source when the samplers operate in very slowly moving air. In this system, an aerosol generator, which is located in the centre of a room-sized non-ventilated chamber, continuously rotates and omnidirectionally disperses test particles of a specific size. The test and reference samplers are equally distributed around the source at the same distance from the centre and operate in parallel (in most of our experiments, the total number of simultaneously operating samplers was 15). Radial aerosol transport is driven by turbulent diffusion and some natural convection. For each specific particle size and the sampler, the aerosol mass concentration is measured by weighing the collection filter. The second objective was to utilize the new protocol to evaluate three widely used aerosol samplers: the IOM Personal Inhalable Sampler, the Button Personal Inhalable Aerosol Sampler and the 25 mm Millipore filter holder (closed-face C25 cassette). The sampling efficiencies of each instrument were measured with six particle fractions, ranging from 6.9 to 76.9 micro m in their mass median aerodynamic diameter. The Button Sampler efficiency data demonstrated a good agreement with the standard inhalable convention and especially with the low air movement inhalabilty curve. The 25 mm filter holder was found to considerably under-sample the particles larger

Synthesis and characterization of a novel controlled release zinc oxide/gentamicin-chitosan composite with potential applications in wounds care.

PubMed

Vasile, Bogdan Stefan; Oprea, Ovidiu; Voicu, Georgeta; Ficai, Anton; Andronescu, Ecaterina; Teodorescu, Andrei; Holban, Alina

2014-03-25

Freshly prepared ZnO nanoparticles were incorporated into a chitosan solution in weight ratios ranging from 1:1 to 12:1. Starting from the ratio of 3:1 the chitosan solution was transformed into a gel with a high consistency, which incorporates 15mL water for only 0.1g solid substance. The powders obtained after drying the gel were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermal analysis (TG-DSC). The electronic (UV-vis), infrared (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were also recorded. ZnO particles were coated with gentamicin and incorporated into the chitosan matrix, to yield a ZnO/gentamicin-chitosan gel. The release rate of gentamicin was monitored photometrically. This ZnO/gentamicin-chitosan gel proved great antimicrobial properties, inhibiting Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth in both planktonic and surface-attached conditions. The results indicate that the obtained composite can be used in cutaneous healing for developing improved wound dressings, which combine the antibacterial activity of all three components with the controlled release of the antibiotic. This wound dressing maintains a moist environment at the wound interface, providing a cooling sensation and soothing effect, while slowly releasing the antibiotic. The system is fully scalable to any other soluble drug, as the entire solution remains trapped in the ZnO-chitosan gel. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A bFGF-releasing silk/PLGA-based biohybrid scaffold for ligament/tendon tissue engineering using mesenchymal progenitor cells.

PubMed

Sahoo, Sambit; Toh, Siew Lok; Goh, James C H

2010-04-01

An ideal scaffold that provides a combination of suitable mechanical properties along with biological signals is required for successful ligament/tendon regeneration in mesenchymal stem cell-based tissue engineering strategies. Among the various fibre-based scaffolds that have been used, hybrid fibrous scaffolds comprising both microfibres and nanofibres have been recently shown to be particularly promising. This study developed a biohybrid fibrous scaffold system by coating bioactive bFGF-releasing ultrafine PLGA fibres over mechanically robust slowly-degrading degummed knitted microfibrous silk scaffolds. On the ECM-like biomimetic architecture of ultrafine fibres, sustained release of bFGF mimicked the ECM in function, initially stimulating mesenchymal progenitor cell (MPC) proliferation, and subsequently, their tenogeneic differentiation. The biohybrid scaffold system not only facilitated MPC attachment and promoted cell proliferation, with cells growing both on ultrafine PLGA fibres and silk microfibres, but also stimulated tenogeneic differentiation of seeded MPCs. Upregulated gene expression of ligament/tendon-specific ECM proteins and increased collagen production likely contributed to enhancing mechanical properties of the constructs, generating a ligament/tendon analogue that has the potential to be used to repair injured ligaments/tendons. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A MODEL FOR THE SOURCES OF THE SLOWLY VARYING COMPONENT OF MICROWAVE SOLAR RADIATION

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

Swarup, G.; Kakinuma, T.

1962-11-01

A comparison of the observations of the slowly varying component of the solar radio emission made with highresolution interferometers operating at wavelengths of 3.2, strong sources are higher at the longer wavelengths than at 3 cm. The same conclusion is derived from eclipse and statistical investigations, which indicate further that the spectrum of the flux density has a peak around 6 cm. The decrease in flux density with frequency cannot be explained simply by assuming a greater optical thickness for the extraordinary wave near 10 cm in the million-degree corona, as given by the magneto-ionic theory, since the observed degreemore » of polarization at 7.5 or 9.1 cm is much lower than that at 3.2 cm. It is suggested that radiation at the gyrofrequency and its harmonics emitted by the thermal electrons in the dense region over a sunspot group should be raken into account to explain the spectrum of the slowly varying component. This mechanism of resonance absorption requires the average strength of the magnetic field over the sunspot group to be about 800 gauss at a height of 2 x 10/sup 4/ km above the photosphere and 250 gauss at a height of 4 x 10/sup 4/ km. In order to explain the observed values of brightness temperature of 1/-4 x 10/sup 6/ deg K near 10 cm by the magneto-ionic theory, it is necessary to assume values of electron density of up to 20 or 40 times the normal. However, these high values of densities are not required by the gyro-theory, and values of five to ten times the normal are sufficient for explaining simultaneously the observations of brightness temperature, flux density, and polarization. This theory also explains the small size of the source in the range 3-10 cm. The radio emission is considered to originate thermally, which requires that the value of the electron temperature in the region of the inner solar corona above a large sunspot group is about 2-4 x 10 deg K. (auth)« less

The Structure-Dependent Electric Release and Enhanced Oxidation of Drug in Graphene Oxide-Based Nanocarrier Loaded with Anticancer Herbal Drug Berberine.

PubMed

Yu, Danni; Ruan, Pan; Meng, Ziyuan; Zhou, Jianping

2015-08-01

The aim of the current investigation is to explore graphene oxide (GO) special electric and electrochemical properties in modulating and tuning drug delivery in tumor special environment of electrophysiology. The electric-sensitive drug release and redox behavior of GO-bearing berberine (Ber) was studied. Drug release in cell potential was applied in a designed electrode system: tumor environment was simulated at pH 6.2 with 0.1 V pulse voltage, whereas the normal was at pH 7.4 with 0.2 V. Quite different from the pH-depended profile, the electricity-triggered behavior indicated a high correlation with the carriers' structure: GO-based nanocomposite showed a burst release on its special "skin effect," whereas the PEGylated ones released slowly owing to the electroviscous effect of polymer. Cyclic voltammetry was used to investigate the redox behaviors of colloid PEGylated GO toward absorbed Ber in pH 5.8 and 7.2 solutions. After drug loading, the oxidation of Ber was enhanced in a neutral environment, whereas the enhancement of PEG-GO was in an acidic one, which means a possible increased susceptibility of their biotransformation in vivo. The studies designed in this work may help to establish a kind of carrier system for the sensitive delivery and metabolic regulation of drugs according to the different electrophysiological environment in tumor therapy. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association.

A novel gene delivery composite system based on biodegradable folate-poly (ester amine) polymer and thermosensitive hydrogel for sustained gene release

PubMed Central

Yang, Yi; Zhao, Hang; Jia, YanPeng; Guo, QingFa; Qu, Ying; Su, Jing; Lu, XiaoLing; Zhao, YongXiang; Qian, ZhiYong

2016-01-01

Local anti-oncogene delivery providing high local concentration of gene, increasing antitumor effect and decreasing systemic side effects is currently attracting interest in cancer therapy. In this paper, a novel local sustained anti-oncogene delivery system, PECE thermoresponsive hydrogel containing folate-poly (ester amine) (FA-PEA) polymer/DNA (tumor suppressor) complexes, is demonstrated. First, a tumor-targeted biodegradable folate-poly (ester amine) (FA-PEA) polymer based on low-molecular-weight polyethyleneimine (PEI) was synthesized and characterized, and the application for targeted gene delivery was investigated. The polymer had slight cytotoxicity and high transfection efficiency in vitro compared with PEI 25k, which indicated that FA-PEA was a potential vector for targeted gene delivery. Meanwhile, we successfully prepared a thermoresponsive PECE hydrogel composite containing FA-PEA/DNA complexes which could contain the genes and slowly release the genes into cells. We concluded the folate-poly (ester amine) (FA-PEA) polymer would be useful for targeted gene delivery, and the novel gene delivery composite based on biodegradable folate-poly (ester amine) polymer and thermosensitive PECE hydrogel showed potential for sustained gene release. PMID:26883682

Removal of slowly biodegradable COD in combined thermophilic UASB and MBBR systems.

PubMed

Ji, M; Yu, J; Chen, H; Yue, P L

2001-09-01

Starch, cellulose and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are common substrates of the slowly biodegradable COD (SBCOD) in industrial wastewaters. Removal of the individual and mixed SbCOD substrates was investigated in a combined system of thermophilic upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (TUASB) reactor (55 degrees C) and aerobic moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR). The removal mechanisms of the three SBCOD substrates were quite different. Starch-COD was almost equally utilized and removed in the two reactors. Cellulose-COD was completely (97-98%) removed from water in the TUASB reactor by microbial entrapment and sedimentation of the cellulose fibers. PVA alone was hardly biodegraded and removed by the combined reactors. However, PVA-COD could be removed to some extent in a binary solution of starch (77%) plus PVA (23%). The PVA macromolecules in the binary solution actually affected the microbial activity in the TUASB reactor resulting accumulation of volatile fatty acids, which shifted the overall COD removal from the TUASB to the MBBR reactor where SBCOD including PVA-COD was removed. Since the three SBCOD substrates were removed by different mechanisms, the combined reactors showed a better and more stable performance than individual reactors.

Core-shell nanofibers of curcumin/cyclodextrin inclusion complex and polylactic acid: Enhanced water solubility and slow release of curcumin.

PubMed

Aytac, Zeynep; Uyar, Tamer

2017-02-25

Core-shell nanofibers were designed via electrospinning using inclusion complex (IC) of model hydrophobic drug (curcumin, CUR) with cyclodextrin (CD) in the core and polymer (polylactic acid, PLA) in the shell (cCUR/HPβCD-IC-sPLA-NF). CD-IC of CUR and HPβCD was formed at 1:2 molar ratio. The successful formation of core-shell nanofibers was revealed by TEM and CLSM images. cCUR/HPβCD-IC-sPLA-NF released CUR slowly but much more in total than PLA-CUR-NF at pH 1 and pH 7.4 due to the restriction of CUR in the core of nanofibers and solubility improvement shown in phase solubility diagram, respectively. Improved antioxidant activity of cCUR/HPβCD-IC-sPLA-NF in methanol:water (1:1) is related with the solubility enhancement achieved in water based system. The slow reaction of cCUR/HPβCD-IC-sPLA-NF in methanol is associated with the shell inhibiting the quick release of CUR. On the other hand, cCUR/HPβCD-IC-sPLA-NF exhibited slightly higher rate of antioxidant activity than PLA-CUR-NF in methanol:water (1:1) owing to the enhanced solubility. To conclude, slow release of CUR was achieved by core-shell nanofiber structure and inclusion complexation of CUR with HPβCD provides high solubility. Briefly, electrospinning of core-shell nanofibers with CD-IC core could offer slow release of drugs as well as solubility enhancement for hydrophobic drugs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Rapidly Measuring the Speed of Unconscious Learning: Amnesics Learn Quickly and Happy People Slowly

PubMed Central

Dienes, Zoltan; Baddeley, Roland J.; Jansari, Ashok

2012-01-01

Background We introduce a method for quickly determining the rate of implicit learning. Methodology/Principal Findings The task involves making a binary prediction for a probabilistic sequence over 10 minutes; from this it is possible to determine the influence of events of a different number of trials in the past on the current decision. This profile directly reflects the learning rate parameter of a large class of learning algorithms including the delta and Rescorla-Wagner rules. To illustrate the use of the method, we compare a person with amnesia with normal controls and we compare people with induced happy and sad moods. Conclusions/Significance Learning on the task is likely both associative and implicit. We argue theoretically and demonstrate empirically that both amnesia and also transient negative moods can be associated with an especially large learning rate: People with amnesia can learn quickly and happy people slowly. PMID:22457759

Plasma waves associated with the first AMPTE magnetotail barium release

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gurnett, D. A.; Anderson, R. R.; Bernhardt, P. A.; Luehr, H.; Haerendel, G.

1986-01-01

Plasma waves observed during the March 21, 1985, AMPTE magnetotail barium release are described. Electron plasma oscillations provided local measurements of the plasma density during both the expansion and decay phases. Immediately after the explosion, the electron density reached a peak of about 400,000/cu cm, and then started decreasing approximately as t to the -2.4 as the cloud expanded. About 6 minutes after the explosion, the electron density suddenly began to increase, reached a secondary peak of about 240/cu cm, and then slowly decayed down to the preevent level over a period of about 15 minutes. The density increase is believed to be caused by the collapse of the ion cloud into the diamagnetic cavity created by the initial expansion. The plasma wave intensities observed during the entire event were quite low. In the diamagnetic cavity, electrostatic emissions were observed near the barium ion plasma frequency, and in another band at lower frequencies. A broadband burst of electrostatic noise was also observed at the boundary of the diamagnetic cavity. Except for electron plasma oscillations, no significant wave activity was observed outside of the diamagnetic cavity.

In vivo biocompatibility, sustained-release and stability of triptorelin formulations based on a liquid, degradable polymer.

PubMed

Asmus, Lutz R; Tille, Jean-Christophe; Kaufmann, Béatrice; Melander, Louise; Weiss, Torsten; Vessman, Kerstin; Koechling, Wolfgang; Schwach, Grégoire; Gurny, Robert; Möller, Michael

2013-02-10

Hexylsubstituted poly(lactic acid) (hexPLA) is a viscous polymer, which degrades in the presence of water similar to the structure related poly(lactic acid). With hydrophilic active compounds, like Triptorelin acetate, the lipophilic polymer was formulated in form of parenterally injectable suspensions. This first in vivo study toward the biocompatibility of hexPLA implants in rats over 3 months in comparison to in situ forming poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) formulations is presented here. The hexPLA implants showed only a mild acute inflammation at the injection site after application, which continuously regressed. In contrast to the PLGA formulations, hexPLA did not provoke an encapsulation of the implant with extracellular matrix. Prior to the formulation application, the stability of Triptorelin inside the hexPLA matrix was assessed under different storage conditions and in the presence of buffer to simulate a peptide degrading environment. At 5°C Triptorelin showed a stability of 98% inside the polymer for at least 6 months. The stability was still 78% at an elevated temperature of 40°C. HexPLA protected the incorporated peptide from the surrounding aqueous environment, which resulted in 20% less degradation inside the polymer compared to the solution. This protection effect supports the use of Triptorelin-hexPLA formulations for parenteral sustained-release formulations. In a second in vivo evaluation in Wistar Hannover rats, formulations containing 5% and 10% Triptorelin in the polymeric matrix released the active compound continuously for 6 months. The formulations showed a higher release during the initial 7 days, which is necessary for the clinical use to down-regulate all GnRH-receptors. Afterwards, a zero order drug release was observed over the first 3 months. After 3 months, the plasma levels decreased slowly but remained at effective concentrations for the total of 6 months. Furthermore, a qualitative in vitro-in vivo correlation was observed

Interaction between DNA and Drugs Having Protonable Basic Groups: Characterization through Affinity Constants, Drug Release Kinetics, and Conformational Changes

PubMed Central

Alarcón, Liliana P.; Baena, Yolima; Manzo, Rubén H.

2017-01-01

This paper reports the in vitro characterization of the interaction between the phosphate groups of DNA and the protonated species of drugs with basic groups through the determination of the affinity constants, the reversibility of the interaction, and the effect on the secondary structure of the macromolecule. Affinity constants of the counterionic condensation DNA–drug were in the order of 106. The negative electrokinetic potential of DNA decreased with the increase of the proportion of loading drugs. The drugs were slowly released from the DNA–drug complexes and had release kinetics consistent with the high degree of counterionic condensation. The circular dichroism profile of DNA was not modified by complexation with atenolol, lidocaine, or timolol, but was significantly altered by the more lipophilic drugs benzydamine and propranolol, revealing modifications in the secondary structure of the DNA. The in vitro characterization of such interactions provides a physicochemical basis that would contribute to identify the effects of this kind of drugs in cellular cultures, as well as side effects observed under their clinical use. Moreover, this methodology could also be projected to the fields of intracellular DNA transfection and the use of DNA as a carrier of active drugs. PMID:28054999

Prolonged survival of transplanted stem cells after ischaemic injury via the slow release of pro-survival peptides from a collagen matrix

PubMed Central

Lee, Andrew S.; Inayathullah, Mohammed; Lijkwan, Maarten A.; Zhao, Xin; Sun, Wenchao; Park, Sujin; Hong, Wan Xing; Parekh, Mansi B.; Malkovskiy, Andrey V.; Lau, Edward; Qin, Xulei; Pothineni, Venkata Raveendra; Sanchez-Freire, Verónica; Zhang, Wendy Y.; Kooreman, Nigel G.; Ebert, Antje D.; Chan, Charles K. F.; Nguyen, Patricia K.; Rajadas, Jayakumar; Wu, Joseph C.

2018-01-01

Stem-cell-based therapies hold considerable promise for regenerative medicine. However, acute donor-cell death within several weeks after cell delivery remains a critical hurdle for clinical translation. Co-transplantation of stem cells with pro-survival factors can improve cell engraftment, but this strategy has been hampered by the typically short half-lives of the factors and by the use of Matrigel and other scaffolds that are not chemically defined. Here, we report a collagen–dendrimer biomaterial crosslinked with pro-survival peptide analogues that adheres to the extracellular matrix and slowly releases the peptides, significantly prolonging stem cell survival in mouse models of ischaemic injury. The biomaterial can serve as a generic delivery system to improve functional outcomes in cell-replacement therapy. PMID:29721363

Controlled release of metformin from chitosan-based nanocomposite films containing mesoporous MCM-41 nanoparticles as novel drug delivery systems.

PubMed

Shariatinia, Zahra; Zahraee, Zahra

2017-09-01

Biocompatible nanocomposite films based on blended chitosan and poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (BP) polymers containing metformin (MET) drug and MCM-41 or MCM-41-APS (APS=aminopropylsilane) nanoparticles (NPs) were designed and fabricated in order to prepare novel drug delivery systems which are useful for controlled drug release purposes. The total pore volume and mesopore volume of MCM-41 were measured equal to 1.08 and 1.05 cm 3 /g but those of MCM-41-APS were 0.54 and 0.26 cm 3 /g indicating smaller values for the APS functionalized material. The film thickness was the highest for CS-BP-G-10%MET (70μm) but it was the smallest for the CS-BP-G-4%MCM-41 (49μm). For all of the films, the swelling percent was the highest in acidic medium but it was decreased in PBS and the least water uptake occurred in the alkaline environment. The lowest and the highest water uptake was observed for the films incorporated with 4%MCM-41NPs and 4%MCM-41-APS-10%MET, respectively. The SEM micrographs of the films after three days water uptake in pH=4 medium exhibited that all of the films were stable against cracking and/or tearing. It was found that increasing the MCM-41 or MCM-41-APS amount within the films decreased the elongation at break but enhanced the tensile stress. The release of the MET was sharply increased within ∼22-24h (burst release) but after that the drug release was slowly enhanced during 15days (sustained release). Finally, it was concluded that the film 4% MCM-41-APS-10%MET NPs was the most promising drug delivery system because it had improved hydrophilicity, hydrolytic stability, biocompatibility, mechanical and drug release properties. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sustained-release progesterone vaginal suppositories 1--development of sustained-release granule--.

PubMed

Nakayama, Ayako; Sunada, Hisakazu; Okamoto, Hirokazu; Furuhashi, Kaoru; Ohno, Yukiko; Ito, Mikio

2009-02-01

Progesterone (P) is an important hormone for the establishment of pregnancy, and its administration is useful for luteal insufficiency. Considering the problems of commercially available oral and injection drugs, hospital-formulated vaginal suppositories are clinically used. However, since the half-life of P suppositories is short, it is difficult to maintain its constant blood concentration. To sustain drug efficacy and prevent side-effects, we are attempting to develop sustained-release suppositories by examining the degree of sustained-release of active ingredients. In this study, we examined the combinations of granulation methods and release systems for the preparation of sustained-release granules of P, and produced 13 types of sustained-release granules. We also examined the diameter, content, and dissolution of each type of granules, and confirmed that the sustained-release of all types of granules was satisfactory. Among the sustained-release granules, we selected granules with a content and a degree of sustained-release suitable for sustained-release suppositories.

Social regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

PubMed

White, Stephanie A; Nguyen, Tuan; Fernald, Russell D

2002-09-01

Behavioral interactions among social animals can regulate both reproductive behavior and fertility. A prime example of socially regulated reproduction occurs in the cichlid fish Haplochromis burtoni, in which interactions between males dynamically regulate gonadal function throughout life. This plasticity is mediated by the brain, where neurons that contain the key reproductive regulatory peptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) change size reversibly depending on male social status. To understand how behavior controls the brain, we manipulated the social system of these fish, quantified their behavior and then assessed neural and physiological changes in the reproductive and stress axes. GnRH gene expression was assessed using molecular probes specific for the three GnRH forms in the brain of H. burtoni. We found that perception of social opportunity to increase status by a male leads to heightened aggressiveness, to increased expression of only one of the three GnRH forms and to increases in size of GnRH-containing neurons and of the gonads. The biological changes characteristic of social ascent happen faster than changes following social descent. Interestingly, behavioral changes show the reverse pattern: aggressive behaviors emerge more slowly in ascending animals than they disappear in descending animals. Although the gonads and GnRH neurons undergo similar changes in female H. burtoni, regulation occurs via endogenous rather than exogenous social signals. Our data show that recognition of social signals by males alters stress levels, which may contribute to the alteration in GnRH gene expression in particular neurons essential for the animal to perform in its new social status.

The ATP hydrolysis and phosphate release steps control the time course of force development in rabbit skeletal muscle.

PubMed

Sleep, John; Irving, Malcolm; Burton, Kevin

2005-03-15

The time course of isometric force development following photolytic release of ATP in the presence of Ca(2+) was characterized in single skinned fibres from rabbit psoas muscle. Pre-photolysis force was minimized using apyrase to remove contaminating ATP and ADP. After the initial force rise induced by ATP release, a rapid shortening ramp terminated by a step stretch to the original length was imposed, and the time course of the subsequent force redevelopment was again characterized. Force development after ATP release was accurately described by a lag phase followed by one or two exponential components. At 20 degrees C, the lag was 5.6 +/- 0.4 ms (s.e.m., n = 11), and the force rise was well fitted by a single exponential with rate constant 71 +/- 4 s(-1). Force redevelopment after shortening-restretch began from about half the plateau force level, and its single-exponential rate constant was 68 +/- 3 s(-1), very similar to that following ATP release. When fibres were activated by the addition of Ca(2+) in ATP-containing solution, force developed more slowly, and the rate constant for force redevelopment following shortening-restretch reached a maximum value of 38 +/- 4 s(-1) (n = 6) after about 6 s of activation. This lower value may be associated with progressive sarcomere disorder at elevated temperature. Force development following ATP release was much slower at 5 degrees C than at 20 degrees C. The rate constant of a single-exponential fit to the force rise was 4.3 +/- 0.4 s(-1) (n = 22), and this was again similar to that after shortening-restretch in the same activation at this temperature, 3.8 +/- 0.2 s(-1). We conclude that force development after ATP release and shortening-restretch are controlled by the same steps in the actin-myosin ATPase cycle. The present results and much previous work on mechanical-chemical coupling in muscle can be explained by a kinetic scheme in which force is generated by a rapid conformational change bracketed by two

Normal serum protein electrophoresis and mutated IGHV genes detect very slowly evolving chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.

PubMed

Chauzeix, Jasmine; Laforêt, Marie-Pierre; Deveza, Mélanie; Crowther, Liam; Marcellaud, Elodie; Derouault, Paco; Lia, Anne-Sophie; Boyer, François; Bargues, Nicolas; Olombel, Guillaume; Jaccard, Arnaud; Feuillard, Jean; Gachard, Nathalie; Rizzo, David

2018-05-09

More than 35 years after the Binet classification, there is still a need for simple prognostic markers in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Here, we studied the treatment-free survival (TFS) impact of normal serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) at diagnosis. One hundred twelve patients with CLL were analyzed. The main prognostic factors (Binet stage; lymphocytosis; IGHV mutation status; TP53, SF3B1, NOTCH1, and BIRC3 mutations; and cytogenetic abnormalities) were studied. The frequencies of IGHV mutation status, cytogenetic abnormalities, and TP53, SF3B1, NOTCH1, and BIRC3 mutations were not significantly different between normal and abnormal SPE. Normal SPE was associated with Binet stage A, nonprogressive disease for 6 months, lymphocytosis below 30 G/L, and the absence of the IGHV3-21 gene rearrangement which is associated with poor prognosis. The TFS of patients with normal SPE was significantly longer than that of patients with abnormal SPE (log-rank test: P = 0.0015, with 51% untreated patients at 5.6 years and a perfect plateau afterward vs. a median TFS at 2.64 years for abnormal SPE with no plateau). Multivariate analysis using two different Cox models and bootstrapping showed that normal SPE was an independent good prognostic marker for either Binet stage, lymphocytosis, or IGHV mutation status. TFS was further increased when both normal SPE and mutated IGHV were present (log-rank test: P = 0.008, median not reached, plateau at 5.6 years and 66% untreated patients). A comparison with other prognostic markers suggested that normal SPE could reflect slowly advancing CLL disease. Altogether, our results show that a combination of normal SPE and mutated IGHV genes defines a subgroup of patients with CLL who evolve very slowly and who might never need treatment. © 2018 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparative steady-state pharmacokinetic study of an extended-release formulation of itopride and its immediate-release reference formulation in healthy volunteers

PubMed Central

Yoon, Seonghae; Lee, Howard; Kim, Tae-Eun; Lee, SeungHwan; Chee, Dong-Hyun; Cho, Joo-Youn; Yu, Kyung-Sang; Jang, In-Jin

2014-01-01

Background This study was conducted to compare the oral bioavailability of an itopride extended-release (ER) formulation with that of the reference immediate-release (IR) formulation in the fasting state. The effect of food on the bioavailability of itopride ER was also assessed. Methods A single-center, open-label, randomized, multiple-dose, three-treatment, three-sequence, crossover study was performed in 24 healthy male subjects, aged 22–48 years, who randomly received one of the following treatments for 4 days in each period: itopride 150 mg ER once daily under fasting or fed conditions, or itopride 50 mg IR three times daily in the fasting state. Steady-state pharmacokinetic parameters of itopride, including peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration versus time curve over 24 hours after dosing (AUC0–24h), were determined by noncompartmental analysis. The geometric mean ratio of the pharmacokinetic parameters was derived using an analysis of variance model. Results A total of 24 healthy Korean subjects participated, 23 of whom completed the study. The geometric mean ratio and its 90% confidence interval of once-daily ER itopride versus IR itopride three times a day for AUC0–24h were contained within the conventional bioequivalence range of 0.80–1.25 (0.94 [0.88–1.01]), although Cmax was reached more slowly and was lower for itopride ER than for the IR formulation. Food delayed the time taken to reach Cmax for itopride ER, but AUC0–24h was not affected. There were no serious adverse events and both formulations were generally well tolerated. Conclusion At steady state, once-daily itopride ER at 150 mg has a bioavailability comparable with that of itopride IR at 50 mg given three times a day under fasting conditions. Food delayed the absorption of itopride ER, with no marked change in its oral bioavailability. PMID:24470753

Synaptic release and extracellular actions of Zn2+ limit propagation of spreading depression and related events in vitro and in vivo

PubMed Central

Aiba, Isamu; Carlson, Andrew P.; Sheline, Christian T.

2012-01-01

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a consequence of a slowly propagating wave of neuronal and glial depolarization (spreading depolarization; SD). Massive release of glutamate contributes to SD propagation, and it was recently shown that Zn2+ is also released from synaptic vesicles during SD. The present study examined consequences of extracellular Zn2+ accumulation on the propagation of SD. SD mechanisms were studied first in murine brain slices, using focal KCl applications as stimuli and making electrical and optical recordings in hippocampal area CA1. Elevating extracellular Zn2+ concentrations with exogenous ZnCl2 reduced SD propagation rates. Selective chelation of endogenous Zn2+ (using TPEN or CaEDTA) increased SD propagation rates, and these effects appeared due to chelation of Zn2+ derived from synaptic vesicles. Thus, in tissues where synaptic Zn2+ release was absent [knockout (KO) of vesicular Zn2+ transporter ZnT-3], SD propagation rates were increased, and no additional increase was observed following chelation of endogenous Zn2+ in these tissues. The role of synaptic Zn2+ was then examined on CSD in vivo. ZnT-3 KO animals had higher susceptibility to CSD than wild-type controls as evidenced by significantly higher propagation rates and frequencies. Studies of candidate mechanisms excluded changes in neuronal excitability, presynaptic release, and GABA receptors but left open a possible contribution of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibition. These results suggest the extracellular accumulation of synaptically released Zn2+ can serve as an intrinsic inhibitor to limit SD events. The inhibitory action of extracellular Zn2+ on SD may counteract to some extent the neurotoxic effects of intracellular Zn2+ accumulation in acute brain injury models. PMID:22131381

Synaptic release and extracellular actions of Zn2+ limit propagation of spreading depression and related events in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Aiba, Isamu; Carlson, Andrew P; Sheline, Christian T; Shuttleworth, C William

2012-02-01

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is a consequence of a slowly propagating wave of neuronal and glial depolarization (spreading depolarization; SD). Massive release of glutamate contributes to SD propagation, and it was recently shown that Zn(2+) is also released from synaptic vesicles during SD. The present study examined consequences of extracellular Zn(2+) accumulation on the propagation of SD. SD mechanisms were studied first in murine brain slices, using focal KCl applications as stimuli and making electrical and optical recordings in hippocampal area CA1. Elevating extracellular Zn(2+) concentrations with exogenous ZnCl(2) reduced SD propagation rates. Selective chelation of endogenous Zn(2+) (using TPEN or CaEDTA) increased SD propagation rates, and these effects appeared due to chelation of Zn(2+) derived from synaptic vesicles. Thus, in tissues where synaptic Zn(2+) release was absent [knockout (KO) of vesicular Zn(2+) transporter ZnT-3], SD propagation rates were increased, and no additional increase was observed following chelation of endogenous Zn(2+) in these tissues. The role of synaptic Zn(2+) was then examined on CSD in vivo. ZnT-3 KO animals had higher susceptibility to CSD than wild-type controls as evidenced by significantly higher propagation rates and frequencies. Studies of candidate mechanisms excluded changes in neuronal excitability, presynaptic release, and GABA receptors but left open a possible contribution of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibition. These results suggest the extracellular accumulation of synaptically released Zn(2+) can serve as an intrinsic inhibitor to limit SD events. The inhibitory action of extracellular Zn(2+) on SD may counteract to some extent the neurotoxic effects of intracellular Zn(2+) accumulation in acute brain injury models.

Catch and Release of Cytokines Mediated by Tumor Phosphatidylserine Converts Transient Exposure into Long-Lived Inflammation.

PubMed

Oyler-Yaniv, Jennifer; Oyler-Yaniv, Alon; Shakiba, Mojdeh; Min, Nina K; Chen, Ying-Han; Cheng, Sheue-Yann; Krichevsky, Oleg; Altan-Bonnet, Nihal; Altan-Bonnet, Grégoire

2017-06-01

Immune cells constantly survey the host for pathogens or tumors and secrete cytokines to alert surrounding cells of these threats. In vivo, activated immune cells secrete cytokines for several hours, yet an acute immune reaction occurs over days. Given these divergent timescales, we addressed how cytokine-responsive cells translate brief cytokine exposure into phenotypic changes that persist over long timescales. We studied melanoma cell responses to transient exposure to the cytokine interferon γ (IFNγ) by combining a systems-scale analysis of gene expression dynamics with computational modeling and experiments. We discovered that IFNγ is captured by phosphatidylserine (PS) on the surface of viable cells both in vitro and in vivo then slowly released to drive long-term transcription of cytokine-response genes. This mechanism introduces an additional function for PS in dynamically regulating inflammation across diverse cancer and primary cell types and has potential to usher in new immunotherapies targeting PS and inflammatory pathways. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Accelerated in-vitro release testing methods for extended-release parenteral dosage forms.

PubMed

Shen, Jie; Burgess, Diane J

2012-07-01

This review highlights current methods and strategies for accelerated in-vitro drug release testing of extended-release parenteral dosage forms such as polymeric microparticulate systems, lipid microparticulate systems, in-situ depot-forming systems and implants. Extended-release parenteral dosage forms are typically designed to maintain the effective drug concentration over periods of weeks, months or even years. Consequently, 'real-time' in-vitro release tests for these dosage forms are often run over a long time period. Accelerated in-vitro release methods can provide rapid evaluation and therefore are desirable for quality control purposes. To this end, different accelerated in-vitro release methods using United States Pharmacopeia (USP) apparatus have been developed. Different mechanisms of accelerating drug release from extended-release parenteral dosage forms, along with the accelerated in-vitro release testing methods currently employed are discussed. Accelerated in-vitro release testing methods with good discriminatory ability are critical for quality control of extended-release parenteral products. Methods that can be used in the development of in-vitro-in-vivo correlation (IVIVC) are desirable; however, for complex parenteral products this may not always be achievable. © 2012 The Authors. JPP © 2012 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Accelerated in vitro release testing methods for extended release parenteral dosage forms

PubMed Central

Shen, Jie; Burgess, Diane J.

2012-01-01

Objectives This review highlights current methods and strategies for accelerated in vitro drug release testing of extended release parenteral dosage forms such as polymeric microparticulate systems, lipid microparticulate systems, in situ depot-forming systems, and implants. Key findings Extended release parenteral dosage forms are typically designed to maintain the effective drug concentration over periods of weeks, months or even years. Consequently, “real-time” in vitro release tests for these dosage forms are often run over a long time period. Accelerated in vitro release methods can provide rapid evaluation and therefore are desirable for quality control purposes. To this end, different accelerated in vitro release methods using United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) apparatus have been developed. Different mechanisms of accelerating drug release from extended release parenteral dosage forms, along with the accelerated in vitro release testing methods currently employed are discussed. Conclusions Accelerated in vitro release testing methods with good discriminatory ability are critical for quality control of extended release parenteral products. Methods that can be used in the development of in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) are desirable, however for complex parenteral products this may not always be achievable. PMID:22686344

Mex3a Marks a Slowly Dividing Subpopulation of Lgr5+ Intestinal Stem Cells.

PubMed

Barriga, Francisco M; Montagni, Elisa; Mana, Miyeko; Mendez-Lago, Maria; Hernando-Momblona, Xavier; Sevillano, Marta; Guillaumet-Adkins, Amy; Rodriguez-Esteban, Gustavo; Buczacki, Simon J A; Gut, Marta; Heyn, Holger; Winton, Douglas J; Yilmaz, Omer H; Attolini, Camille Stephan-Otto; Gut, Ivo; Batlle, Eduard

2017-06-01

Highly proliferative Lgr5+ stem cells maintain the intestinal epithelium and are thought to be largely homogeneous. Although quiescent intestinal stem cell (ISC) populations have been described, the identity and features of such a population remain controversial. Here we report unanticipated heterogeneity within the Lgr5+ ISC pool. We found that expression of the RNA-binding protein Mex3a labels a slowly cycling subpopulation of Lgr5+ ISCs that contribute to all intestinal lineages with distinct kinetics. Single-cell transcriptome profiling revealed that Lgr5+ cells adopt two discrete states, one of which is defined by a Mex3a expression program and relatively low levels of proliferation genes. During homeostasis, Mex3a+ cells continually shift into the rapidly dividing, self-renewing ISC pool. Chemotherapy and radiation preferentially target rapidly dividing Lgr5+ cells but spare the Mex3a-high/Lgr5+ population, helping to promote regeneration of the intestinal epithelium following toxic insults. Thus, Mex3a defines a reserve-like ISC population within the Lgr5+ compartment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Macro and micro rate zonal analytical centrifugation of polydisperse and slowly diffusing sedimenting systems in isovolumetric density gradients. Application to cartilage proteoglycans.

PubMed

Müller, F J; Pezon, C F; Pita, J C

1989-06-13

A method to study the polydispersity of zonally sedimenting and slowly diffusing macromolecules or particles in isokinetic or isovolumetric density gradients is presented. First, a brief theory is given for predicting the zonal profile after a "triangular" (or "inverse") zone is centrifuged. This type of zone is essential to preserve hydrodynamic stability of the very slowly diffusing polydisperse solutes. It is proven, both by semitheoretical considerations and by computer calculations, that the resulting concentration profile of macrosolute is almost identical with that obtainable with a rectangular zone coextensive with the triangular one and carrying the same total mass. Next, practical procedures are described for the convectionless layering of very small triangular zones (50 microL or less). The linearity and stability of the zones are experimentally tested and verified. Finally, the method is applied to cartilage proteoglycan preparations that included either the monomeric molecules only or both the monomeric and the aggregated ones. The zonal results are compared with those obtained by using conventional boundary sedimentation. The two sets of results are seen to coincide fairly well, thus proving that the present technique can add to preparative zonal centrifugation the analytical precision of boundary sedimentation. A multimodal polydisperse system is suggested to describe the aggregated proteoglycan macromolecules.

ELECTROMAGNETIC RELEASE MECHANISM

DOEpatents

Michelson, C.

1960-09-13

An electromagnetic release mechanism is offered that may be used, for example, for supporting a safety rod for a nuclear reactor. The release mechanism is designed to have a large excess holding force and a rapid, uniform, and dependable release. The fast release is accomplished by providing the electromagnet with slotttd polts separated by an insulating potting resin, and by constructing the poles with a ferro-nickel alloy. The combination of these two features materially reduces the eddy current power density whenever the magnetic field changes during a release operation. In addition to these features, the design of the armature is such as to provide ready entrance of fluid into any void that might tend to form during release of the armature. This also improves the release time for the mechanism. The large holding force for the mechanism is accomplished by providing a small, selected, uniform air gap between the inner pole piece and the armature.

Struck by lightning or slowly suffocating – gendered trajectories into depression

PubMed Central

Danielsson, Ulla; Bengs, Carita; Lehti, Arja; Hammarström, Anne; Johansson, Eva E

2009-01-01

Background In family practice depression is a common mental health problem and one with marked gender differences; women are diagnosed as depressed twice as often as men. A more comprehensive explanatory model of depression that can give an understanding of, and tools for changing, this gender difference is called for. This study explores how primary care patients experience, understand and explain their depression. Methods Twenty men and women of varying ages and socioeconomic backgrounds diagnosed with depression according to ICD-10 were interviewed in-depth. Data were assessed and analyzed using Grounded Theory. Results The core category that emerged from analysis was "Gendered trajectories into depression". Thereto, four categories were identified – "Struck by lightning", "Nagging darkness", "Blackout" and "Slowly suffocating" – and presented as symbolic illness narratives that showed gendered patterns. Most of the men in our study considered that their bodies were suddenly "struck" by external circumstances beyond their control. The stories of study women were more diverse, reflecting all four illness narratives. However, the dominant pattern was that women thought that their depression emanated from internal factors, from their own personality or ways of handling life. The women were more preoccupied with shame and guilt, and conveyed a greater sense of personal responsibility and concern with relationships. Conclusion Recognizing gendered narratives of illness in clinical consultation may have a salutary potential, making more visible depression among men while relieving self-blame among women, and thereby encouraging the development of healthier practices of how to be a man or a woman. PMID:19671133

Magnetic field geometries of two slowly rotating Ap/Bp stars: HD 12288 and HD 14437

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wade, G. A.; Kudryavtsev, D.; Romanyuk, I. I.; Landstreet, J. D.; Mathys, G.

2000-03-01

In this paper we report magnetic field models and basic physical parameters for the slowly rotating Ap/Bp stars HD 12288 and HD 14437. Using new and previously published mean longitudinal magnetic field, mean magnetic field modulus, and hipparcos photometric measurements, we have inferred the rotational periods of both stars (HD 12288: P_rot=34.9d +/- 0.2d HD 14437: P_rot=26.87d +/- 0.02d). From the magnetic measurements we have determined the best-fit decentred magnetic dipole configurations. For HD 12288, we find that the field geometry is consistent with a centred dipole, while for HD 14437 a large decentring parameter (a=0.23 R_*) is inferred. Both stars show one angle in the ambiguous (i,beta ) couplet which is smaller than about 20degr . This is consistent with the observation of Landstreet & Mathys (2000), who point out that almost all magnetic Ap stars with periods longer than about 30 days exhibit magnetic fields aligned with their rotational axis.

Evolution and modulation of intracellular calcium release during long-lasting, depleting depolarization in mouse muscle

PubMed Central

Royer, Leandro; Pouvreau, Sandrine; Ríos, Eduardo

2008-01-01

Intracellular calcium signals regulate multiple cellular functions. They depend on release of Ca2+ from cellular stores into the cytosol, a process that in many types of cells appears to be tightly controlled by changes in [Ca2+] within the store. In contrast with cardiac muscle, where depletion of Ca2+ in the sarcoplasmic reticulum is a crucial determinant of termination of Ca2+ release, in skeletal muscle there is no agreement regarding the sign, or even the existence of an effect of SR Ca2+ level on Ca2+ release. To address this issue we measured Ca2+ transients in mouse flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) skeletal muscle fibres under voltage clamp, using confocal microscopy and the Ca2+ monitor rhod-2. The evolution of Ca2+ release flux was quantified during long-lasting depolarizations that reduced severely the Ca2+ content of the SR. As in all previous determinations in mammals and non-mammals, release flux consisted of an early peak, relaxing to a lower level from which it continued to decay more slowly. Decay of flux in this second stage, which has been attributed largely to depletion of SR Ca2+, was studied in detail. A simple depletion mechanism without change in release permeability predicts an exponential decay with time. In contrast, flux decreased non-exponentially, to a finite, measurable level that could be maintained for the longest pulses applied (1.8 s). An algorithm on the flux record allowed us to define a quantitative index, the normalized flux rate of change (NFRC), which was shown to be proportional to the ratio of release permeability P and inversely proportional to Ca2+ buffering power B of the SR, thus quantifying the ‘evacuability’ or ability of the SR to empty its content. When P and B were constant, flux then decayed exponentially, and NFRC was equal to the exponential rate constant. Instead, in most cases NFRC increased during the pulse, from a minimum reached immediately after the early peak in flux, to a time between 200 and 250 ms

Global Security Rule Sets An Analysis of the Current Global Security Environment and Rule Sets Governing Nuclear Weapons Release

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

Mollahan, K; Nattrass, L

America is in a unique position in its history. In maintaining its position as the world's only superpower, the US consistently finds itself taking on the role of a global cop, chief exporter of hard and soft power, and primary impetus for globalization. A view of the current global situation shows an America that can benefit greatly from the effects of globalization and soft power. Similarly, America's power can be reduced significantly if globalization and its soft power are not handled properly. At the same time, America has slowly come to realize that its next major adversary is not amore » near peer competitor but terrorism and disconnected nations that seek nuclear capabilities. In dealing with this new threat, America needs to come to terms with its own nuclear arsenal and build a security rule set that will establish for the world explicitly what actions will cause the US to consider nuclear weapons release. This rule set; however, needs to be established with sensitivity to the US's international interests in globalization and soft power. The US must find a way to establish its doctrine governing nuclear weapons release without threatening other peaceful nations in the process.« less

Release behavior and toxicity profiles towards A549 cell lines of ciprofloxacin from its layered zinc hydroxide intercalation compound.

PubMed

Abdul Latip, Ahmad Faiz; Hussein, Mohd Zobir; Stanslas, Johnson; Wong, Charng Choon; Adnan, Rohana

2013-01-01

Layered hydroxides salts (LHS), a layered inorganic compound is gaining attention in a wide range of applications, particularly due to its unique anion exchange properties. In this work, layered zinc hydroxide nitrate (LZH), a family member of LHS was intercalated with anionic ciprofloxacin (CFX), a broad spectrum antibiotic via ion exchange in a mixture solution of water:ethanol. Powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the drug anions were successfully intercalated in the interlayer space of LZH. Specific surface area of the obtained compound was increased compared to that of the host due to the different pore textures between the two materials. CFX anions were slowly released over 80 hours in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution due to strong interactions that occurred between the intercalated anions and the host lattices. The intercalation compound demonstrated enhanced antiproliferative effects towards A549 cancer cells compared to the toxicity of CFX alone. Strong host-guest interactions between the LZH lattice and the CFX anion give rise to a new intercalation compound that demonstrates sustained release mode and enhanced toxicity effects towards A549 cell lines. These findings should serve as foundations towards further developments of the brucite-like host material in drug delivery systems.

Release behavior and toxicity profiles towards A549 cell lines of ciprofloxacin from its layered zinc hydroxide intercalation compound

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Layered hydroxides salts (LHS), a layered inorganic compound is gaining attention in a wide range of applications, particularly due to its unique anion exchange properties. In this work, layered zinc hydroxide nitrate (LZH), a family member of LHS was intercalated with anionic ciprofloxacin (CFX), a broad spectrum antibiotic via ion exchange in a mixture solution of water:ethanol. Results Powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the drug anions were successfully intercalated in the interlayer space of LZH. Specific surface area of the obtained compound was increased compared to that of the host due to the different pore textures between the two materials. CFX anions were slowly released over 80 hours in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution due to strong interactions that occurred between the intercalated anions and the host lattices. The intercalation compound demonstrated enhanced antiproliferative effects towards A549 cancer cells compared to the toxicity of CFX alone. Conclusions Strong host-guest interactions between the LZH lattice and the CFX anion give rise to a new intercalation compound that demonstrates sustained release mode and enhanced toxicity effects towards A549 cell lines. These findings should serve as foundations towards further developments of the brucite-like host material in drug delivery systems. PMID:23849189

Controlled long-term release of small peptide hormones using a new microporous polypropylene polymer: its application for vasopressin in the Brattleboro rat and potential perinatal use

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

Kruisbrink, J.; Boer, G.J.

1984-12-01

Based on drug release by microporous hollow fibers and the recent introduction of microporous polymers, a new technique was developed for controlled delivery of peptides. Small-diameter microporous polypropylene tubing, lumen-loaded with microgram quantities of vasopressin, and coated with collodion, releases vasopressin after in vitro immersion slowly (1-100 ng/d) and constantly for months. The mechanism of pseudo-zero-order delivery is based on high adsorption of vasopressin, keeping the void volume concentration of dissolved vasopressin constant, which is consequently a constant driving force of outward diffusion. The collodion coating prevents the entry of proteinaceous compounds which would result in rapid desorption of vasopressin.more » The present delivery module provides a lasting release for other peptides as well (lysine-vasopressin, oxytocin, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and, to a lesser extent, Met-enkephalin). The microporous polymer-collodion device is biocompatible and, loaded with vasopressin, successfully alleviates the diabetes insipidus of Brattleboro rats deficient for vasopressin. Subcutaneous implantation normalized diuresis for a period of 60 d and constant urine vasopressin excretion is observed. When the commercially available osmotic minipump is too large for implantation, the small size of the present controlled-delivery system allows peptide treatment of young and immature laboratory rats, even if located in utero.« less

Rechargeable calcium phosphate orthodontic cement with sustained ion release and re-release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Ling; Weir, Michael D.; Chow, Laurence C.; Reynolds, Mark A.; Xu, Hockin H. K.

2016-11-01

White spot lesions (WSL) due to enamel demineralization are major complications for orthodontic treatments. Calcium phosphate (CaP) dental resins with Ca and P ion releases are promising for remineralization. However, previous Ca and P releases lasted for only weeks. Experimental orthodontic cements were developed using pyromellitic glycerol dimethacrylate (PMGDM) and ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (EBPADMA) at mass ratio of 1:1 (PE); and PE plus 10% of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 5% of bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate (BisGMA) (PEHB). Particles of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) were incorporated into PE and PEHB at 40% filler level. Specimens were tested for bracket-enamel shear bond strength, water sorption, CaP release, and ion recharge and re-release. PEHB+40ACP had higher bracket-enamel bond strength and ion release and rechargeability than PE+40ACP. ACP incorporation into the novel orthodontic cement did not adversely affect the bracket-enamel bond strength. Ion release and re-release from the novel ACP orthodontic cement indicated favorable release and re-release patterns. The recharged orthodontic cement could release CaP ions continuously for four weeks without further recharge. Novel rechargeable orthodontic cement containing ACP was developed with a high bracket-enamel bond strength and the ability to be repeatedly recharged to maintain long-term high levels of CaP ion releases.

Rechargeable calcium phosphate orthodontic cement with sustained ion release and re-release

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ling; Weir, Michael D.; Chow, Laurence C.; Reynolds, Mark A.; Xu, Hockin H. K.

2016-01-01

White spot lesions (WSL) due to enamel demineralization are major complications for orthodontic treatments. Calcium phosphate (CaP) dental resins with Ca and P ion releases are promising for remineralization. However, previous Ca and P releases lasted for only weeks. Experimental orthodontic cements were developed using pyromellitic glycerol dimethacrylate (PMGDM) and ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate (EBPADMA) at mass ratio of 1:1 (PE); and PE plus 10% of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 5% of bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate (BisGMA) (PEHB). Particles of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) were incorporated into PE and PEHB at 40% filler level. Specimens were tested for bracket-enamel shear bond strength, water sorption, CaP release, and ion recharge and re-release. PEHB+40ACP had higher bracket-enamel bond strength and ion release and rechargeability than PE+40ACP. ACP incorporation into the novel orthodontic cement did not adversely affect the bracket-enamel bond strength. Ion release and re-release from the novel ACP orthodontic cement indicated favorable release and re-release patterns. The recharged orthodontic cement could release CaP ions continuously for four weeks without further recharge. Novel rechargeable orthodontic cement containing ACP was developed with a high bracket-enamel bond strength and the ability to be repeatedly recharged to maintain long-term high levels of CaP ion releases. PMID:27808251

Wax-based sustained release matrix pellets prepared by a novel freeze pelletization technique II. In vitro drug release studies and release mechanisms.

PubMed

Cheboyina, Sreekhar; Wyandt, Christy M

2008-07-09

A novel freeze pelletization technique was evaluated for the preparation of wax-based sustained release matrix pellets. Pellets containing water-soluble drugs were successfully prepared using a variety of waxes. The drug release significantly depended on the wax type used and the aqueous drug solubility. The drug release decreased as the hydrophobicity of wax increased and the drug release increased as the aqueous drug solubility increased. In glyceryl monostearate (GMS) pellets, drug release rate decreased as the loading of theophylline increased. On the contrary, the release rate increased as the drug loading of diltiazem HCl increased in Precirol pellets. Theophylline at low drug loads existed in a dissolved state in GMS pellets and the release followed desorption kinetics. At higher loads, theophylline existed in a crystalline state and the release followed dissolution-controlled constant release for all the waxes studied. However, with the addition of increasing amounts of Brij 76, theophylline release rate increased and the release mechanism shifted to diffusion-controlled square root time kinetics. But the release of diltiazem HCl from Precirol pellets at all drug loads, followed diffusion-controlled square root time kinetics. Therefore, pellets capable of providing a variety of release profiles for different drugs can be prepared using this freeze pelletization technique by suitably modifying the pellet forming matrix compositions.

Enhanced thermic effect of food, postprandial NEFA suppression and raised adiponectin in obese women who eat slowly.

PubMed

Reddy, Narendra L; Peng, Chenjing; Carreira, Marcos C; Halder, Louise; Hattersley, John; Piya, Milan K; Tripathi, Gyanendra; Randeva, Harpal S; Casanueva, Felipe F; McTernan, Philip G; Kumar, Sudhesh; Barber, Thomas M

2015-06-01

Meal duration may influence cardiometabolic health. The aim of this study was to explore postprandial effects of meal duration on human metabolism and appetite. Postprandial comparisons following a standard meal eaten slowly over 40 min ('D40') and the same meal eaten quickly over 10 min ('D10') on a different day. Each participant therefore acted as their own control, thereby limiting confounding factors. Obese premenopausal Caucasian women (n = 10) with confirmed normoglycaemia were recruited from an obesity clinic at UHCW, Coventry UK. Subjects underwent whole-body calorimetry (8-h) on two separate days. Following standard lunch (D40 vs D10), 4-h postprandial analysis included thermic effect of food (TEF) and bloods taken at predefined times (including baseline fasting). Analytes included lipid profile, adiponectin, insulin, glucose, ghrelin, leptin, endotoxin, gut and pancreatic hormones. Appetite was measured using visual-analogue scales and ad libitum food intake at subsequent meal. Paired sample t-tests [including area under the curve (AUC)] were used to compare D40 and D10 trials. Postprandial TEF (over 240-min) was significantly greater for D40 than D10 [mean (SEM): 80·9 kcal (3·8) vs 29·9 kcal (3·4); 10·6% vs 3·9%, respectively, P = 0·006; AUC 71·7 kcal.h vs 22·4 kcal.h, respectively, P = 0·02]. Postprandial plasma NEFA was significantly lower, and adiponectin levels were significantly higher for D40 than D10 [AUC (SEM): NEFA 627 μmol.h/l (56) vs 769 μmol.h/l (60), respectively, P = 0·02; adiponectin 33·4 μg.h/ml (3·9) vs 27·3 μg.h/ml (3·8), respectively, P = 0·04]. Other postprandial analytes and appetite measures were equivalent. In obese women, eating slowly associates with enhanced TEF, elevated serum adiponectin and suppressed NEFA. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

On the mechanism of injury to slowly frozen erythrocytes.

PubMed Central

Pegg, D E; Diaper, M P

1988-01-01

When cells are frozen slowly in aqueous suspensions, the solutes in the suspending solution concentrate as the amount of ice increases; the cells undergo osmotic dehydration and are sequestered in ever-narrowing liquid-filled channels. Cryoprotective solutes, such as glycerol, reduce the amount of ice that forms at any specified subzero temperature, thereby controlling the buildup in concentration of those other solutes present, as well as increasing the volume of the channels that remain to accommodate the cells. It has generally been thought that freezing injury is mediated by the increase in electrolyte concentration in the milieu surrounding the cells, rather than reduction of temperature or any direct action of ice. In this study we have frozen human erythrocytes in isotonic solutions of sodium chloride and glycerol and have demonstrated a correlation between the extent of damage at specific subzero temperatures, and that caused by the action at 0 degrees C of solutions having the same composition as those produced by freezing. The cell lysis observed increased directly with glycerol concentration, both in the freezing experiments and when the cells were exposed to corresponding solutions at 0 degrees C, showing that the concentration of sodium chloride alone is not sufficient to account quantitatively for the damage observed. We then studied the effect of freezing in anisotonic solutions to break the fixed relationship between solute concentration and the volume of the unfrozen fraction, as described by Mazur, P., W. F. Rall, and N. Rigopoulos (1981. Biophys. J. 653-675). We confirmed their experimental findings, but we explain them differently. We ascribe the apparently dominant effect of the unfrozen fraction to the fact that the cells were frozen in, and returned to, anisotonic solutions in which their volume was either less than, or greater than, their physiological volume. When similar cell suspensions were subjected to a similar cycle of increase and

Lack of CB1 receptors increases noradrenaline release in vas deferens without affecting atrial noradrenaline release or cortical acetylcholine release

PubMed Central

Schlicker, Eberhard; Redmer, Agnes; Werner, André; Kathmann, Markus

2003-01-01

We studied whether cannabinoid CB1 receptor gene disruption (to yield CB1−/− mice) affects the electrically evoked tritium overflow from vas deferens and atrial pieces preincubated with [3H]-noradrenaline (NA) (‘noradrenaline release') and from cerebral cortex slices preincubated with [3H]-choline (‘acetylcholine release'). NA release was higher by 37% in vas deferens from CB1−/− mice than in vas deferens from CB1+/+ mice. The cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN 55,212-2 inhibited, and the CB1 receptor inverse agonist/antagonist SR 141716, increased NA release in vas deferens from CB1+/+ mice without affecting it in vas deferens from CB1−/− mice. Atrial NA release did not differ between CB1+/+ and CB1−/− mice nor did WIN 55,212-2 affect NA release in either strain. Cortical acetylcholine (Ach) release did not differ between CB1+/+ and CB1−/− mice. WIN 55,212-2 inhibited, but SR 141716 did not affect, Ach release in the cortex from CB1+/+ mice. Both drugs did not alter Ach release in the cortex from CB1−/− mice. Tritium content did not differ between CB1+/+ and CB1−/− mice in any preparation. In conclusion, the increase in NA release associated with CB1 receptor deficiency in the vas deferens, which cannot be ascribed to an alteration of tritium content of the preparations, suggests an endogenous tone at the CB1 receptors of CB1+/+ mice in this tissue. Furthermore, the effect of WIN 55,212-2 on NA release in the vas deferens and on cortical Ach release involves CB1 receptors, whereas the involvement of non-CB1–non-CB2 receptors can be excluded. PMID:12970076

Encapsulation and controlled release of retinol from silicone particles for topical delivery.

PubMed

Shields, C Wyatt; White, John P; Osta, Erica G; Patel, Jerishma; Rajkumar, Shashank; Kirby, Nickolas; Therrien, Jean-Philippe; Zauscher, Stefan

2018-05-28

Retinol, a derivative of vitamin A, is a ubiquitous compound used to treat acne, reduce wrinkles and protect against conditions like psoriasis and ichthyosis. While retinol is used as the primary active ingredient (AI) in many skin care formulations, its efficacy is often limited by an extreme sensitivity to degrade and toxicity at high concentrations. While microencapsulation is an appealing method to help overcome these issues, few microencapsulation strategies have made a major translational impact due to challenges with complexity, cost, limited protection of the AI and poor control of the release of the AI. We have developed a class of silicone particles that addresses these challenges for the encapsulation, protection and controlled release of retinol and other hydrophobic compounds. The particles are prepared by the sol-gel polymerization of silane monomers, which enables their rapid and facile synthesis at scale while maintaining a narrow size distribution (i.e., CV < 20%). We show that our particles can: (i) encapsulate retinol with high efficiency (>85%), (ii) protect retinol from degradation (yielding a half-life 9× greater than unencapsulated retinol) and (iii) slowly release retinol over several hours (at rates from 0.14 to 0.67 μg cm -2  s -1/2 ). To demonstrate that the controlled release of retinol from the particles can reduce irritation, we performed a double blind study on human subjects and found that formulations containing our particles were 12-23% less irritating than identical formulations containing Microsponge® particles (an industry standard by Amcol, Inc.). To show that the silicone particles can elicit a favorable biological response, similar to the Microsponge® particles, we applied both formulations to reconstructed human epidermal tissues and found an upregulation of keratin 19 (K19) and a downregulation of K10, indicating that the reduced irritation observed in the human study was not caused by reduced activity. We

Optimizing Electrospray Interfaces Using Slowly Diverging Conical Duct (ConDuct) Electrodes

PubMed Central

Krutchinsky, Andrew N.; Padovan, Júlio C.; Cohen, Herbert; Chait, Brian T.

2015-01-01

We demonstrate that the efficiency of ion transmission from atmosphere to vacuum through stainless steel electrodes that contain slowly divergent conical duct (ConDuct) channels can be close to 100%. Here, we explore the properties of 2.5 cm long electrodes with angles of divergence of 0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 5°, 8°, 13°, and 21°, respectively. The ion transmission efficiency was observed to jump from 10–20% for the 0° (straight) channels to 90–95% for channels with an angle of divergence as small as 1°. Furthermore, the 2–3° ConDuct electrodes produced extraordinarily low divergence ion beams that propagated in a laser-like fashion over long distances in vacuum. To take advantage of these newly discovered properties, we constructed a novel atmosphere-to-vacuum ion interface utilizing a 2° ConDuct as an inlet electrode and compared its ion transmission efficiency with that of the interface used in the commercial (Thermo) Velos Orbitrap and Q Exactive mass spectrometers. We observed that the ConDuct interface transmitted up to 17 times more ions than the commercial reference interface and also yielded improved signal-to-noise mass spectra of peptides. We infer from these results that the performance of many current atmosphere-tovacuum interfaces utilizing metal capillaries can be substantially improved by replacing them with 1° or 2° metal ConDuct electrodes, which should preserve the convenience of supplying ion desolvation energy by heating the electrode while greatly increasing the efficiency of ion transmission into the mass spectrometer. PMID:25667060

Optimizing Electrospray Interfaces Using Slowly Diverging Conical Duct (ConDuct) Electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krutchinsky, Andrew N.; Padovan, Júlio C.; Cohen, Herbert; Chait, Brian T.

2015-04-01

We demonstrate that the efficiency of ion transmission from atmosphere to vacuum through stainless steel electrodes that contain slowly divergent conical duct (ConDuct) channels can be close to 100%. Here, we explore the properties of 2.5-cm-long electrodes with angles of divergence of 0°, 1°, 2°, 3°, 5°, 8°, 13°, and 21°, respectively. The ion transmission efficiency was observed to jump from 10-20% for the 0° (straight) channels to 90-95% for channels with an angle of divergence as small as 1°. Furthermore, the 2-3° ConDuct electrodes produced extraordinarily low divergence ion beams that propagated in a laser-like fashion over long distances in vacuum. To take advantage of these newly discovered properties, we constructed a novel atmosphere-to-vacuum ion interface utilizing a 2° ConDuct as an inlet electrode and compared its ion transmission efficiency with that of the interface used in the commercial (Thermo Fisher Scientific, San Jose, CA, USA) Velos Orbitrap and Q Exactive mass spectrometers. We observed that the ConDuct interface transmitted up to 17 times more ions than the commercial reference interface and also yielded improved signal-to-noise mass spectra of peptides. We infer from these results that the performance of many current atmosphere-to-vacuum interfaces utilizing metal capillaries can be substantially improved by replacing them with 1° or 2° metal ConDuct electrodes, which should preserve the convenience of supplying ion desolvation energy by heating the electrode while greatly increasing the efficiency of ion transmission into the mass spectrometer.

Evaluation of an injectable polymeric delivery system for controlled and localized release of biological factors to promote therapeutic angiogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rocker, Adam John

Cardiovascular disease remains as the leading cause of death worldwide and is frequently associated with partial or full occlusion of coronary arteries. Currently, angioplasty and bypass surgery are the standard approaches for treating patients with these ischemic heart conditions. However, a large number of patients cannot undergo these procedures. Therapeutic angiogenesis provides a minimally invasive tool for treating cardiovascular diseases by inducing new blood vessel growth from the existing vasculature. Angiogenic growth factors can be delivered locally through gene, cell, and protein therapy. Natural and synthetic polymer growth factor delivery systems are under extensive investigation due their widespread applications and promising therapeutic potential. Although biocompatible, natural polymers often suffer from batch-to-batch variability which can cause unpredictable growth factor release rates. Synthetic polymers offer advantages for growth factor delivery as they can be easily modified to control release kinetics. During the angiogenesis process, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is necessary to initiate neovessel formation while platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is needed later to help stabilize and mature new vessels. In the setting of myocardial infarction, additional anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10 are needed to help optimize cardiac repair and limit the damaging effects of inflammation following infarction. To meet these angiogenic and anti-inflammatory needs, an injectable polymer delivery system created from a sulfonated reverse thermal gel encapsulating micelle nanoparticles was designed and evaluated. The sulfonate groups on the thermal gel electrostatically bind to VEGF which controls its release rate, while the micelles are loaded with PDGF and are slowly released as the gel degrades. IL-10 was loaded into the system as well and diffused from the gel over time. An in vitro release study was performed which demonstrated the

Correlation of ibuprofen bioavailability with gastrointestinal transit by scintigraphic monitoring of /sup 171/Er-labeled sustained-release tablets

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

Parr, A.F.; Beihn, R.M.; Franz, R.M.

1987-12-01

External gamma scintigraphy was used to monitor the gastrointestinal (GI) transit of radiolabeled sustained-release tablets containing 800 mg ibuprofen in eight fasted healthy volunteers. Ibuprofen serum concentrations were determined from blood samples drawn sequentially over a 24-hr period. Serum concentrations and related parameters were correlated to the position of the dosage form in the GI tract from the scintiphotos. The sustained-release tablets were radiolabeled intact utilizing a neutron activation procedure, by incorporating 0.18% of /sup 170/Er2O3 (enriched to greater than 96% /sup 170/Er) into the bulk formulation. After manufacture of the final dosage forms, the tablets were irradiated in amore » neutron flux (4.4 x 10(13) n/cm2.sec) for 2 min, converting the stable /sup 170/Er to radioactive /sup 171/Er (t1/2 = 7.5 hr). Each tablet contained 50 microCi of /sup 171/Er at the time of administration. The scintigraphy studies suggested that the greatest proportion of ibuprofen was absorbed from this dosage form while the tablet was in the large bowel. The dosage forms eroded slowly in the small bowel and appeared to lose their integrity in the large bowel. In vitro studies showed only minimal effects of the neutron irradiation procedure on the dosage form performance.« less

The effect of food on gastrointestinal (GI) transit of sustained-release ibuprofen tablets as evaluated by gamma scintigraphy

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

Borin, M.T.; Khare, S.; Beihn, R.M.

1990-03-01

The GI transit of radiolabeled sustained-release ibuprofen 800-mg tablets in eight healthy, fed volunteers was monitored using external gamma scintigraphy. Ibuprofen serum concentrations were determined from blood samples drawn over 36 hr following dosing. Sustained-release ibuprofen tablets containing 0.18% of 170Er2O3 (greater than 96% 170Er) in the bulk formulation were manufactured under pilot-scale conditions and were radiolabeled utilizing a neutron activation procedure which converted stable 170Er to radioactive 171Er (t1/2 = 7.5 hr). At the time of dosing, each tablet contained 50 mu Ci of 171Er. Dosage form position were reported at various time intervals. In five subjects the sustained-releasemore » tablet remained in the stomach and eroded slowly over 7-12 hr, resulting in gradual increases in small bowel radioactivity. In the remaining three subjects, the intact tablet was ejected from the stomach and a gastric residence time of approximately 4 hr was measured. This is in marked contrast to a previous study conducted in fasted volunteers in which gastric retention time ranged from 10 to 60 min. Differences in GI transit between fed and fasted volunteers had little effect on ibuprofen bioavailability. AUC and Tmax were unaltered and Cmax was increased by 24%, which is in agreement with results from a previous, crossover-design food effect study.« less

Multicomponent Implant Releasing Dexamethasone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikkola, L.; Vapalahti, K.; Ashammakhi, N.

2008-02-01

Several inflammatory conditions are usually treated with corticosteroids. There are various problems like side effects with traditional applications of steroids, e.g. topical, or systemic routes. Local drug delivery systems have been studied and developed to gain more efficient administration with fewer side effects. Earlier, we reported on developing Dexamethasone (DX) releasing biodegradable fibers. However, their drug release properties were not satisfactory in terms of onset of drug release. Thus, we assessed the development of multicomponent (MC) implant to enhance earlier drug release from such biodegradable fibers. Poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) and 2 wt-% and 8 wt-% DX were compounded and extruded with twin-screw extruder to form of fibers. Some of the fibers were sterilized to obtain a change in drug release properties. Four different fiber classes were studied: 2 wt-%, 8 wt-%, sterilized 2 wt-%, and sterilized 8 wt-%. 3×4 different DX-releasing fibers were then heat-pressed to form one multicomponent rod. Half of the rods where sterilized. Drug release was measured from initial fibers and multicomponent rods using a UV/VIS spectrometer. Shear strength and changes in viscosity were also measured. Drug release studies showed that drug release commenced earlier from multicomponent rods than from component fibers. Drug release from multicomponent rods lasted from day 30 to day 70. The release period of sterilized rods extended from day 23 to day 57. When compared to the original component fibers, the drug release from MC rods commenced earlier. The initial shear strength of MC rods was 135 MPa and decreased to 105 MPa during four weeks of immersion in phosphate buffer solution. Accordingly, heat pressing has a positive effect on drug release. After four weeks in hydrolysis, no disintegration was observed.

Chemical release module facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reasoner, D. L.

1980-01-01

The chemical release module provides the capability to conduct: (1) thermite based metal vapor releases; (2) pressurized gas releases; (3) dispersed liquid releases; (4) shaped charge releases from ejected submodules; and (5) diagnostic measurements with pi supplied instruments. It also provides a basic R-F and electrical system for: (1) receiving and executing commands; (2) telemetering housekeeping data; (3) tracking; (4) monitoring housekeeping and control units; and (5) ultrasafe disarming and control monitoring.

Gas hydrate formation in the deep sea: In situ experiments with controlled release of methane, natural gas, and carbon dioxide

USGS Publications Warehouse

Brewer, P.G.; Orr, F.M.; Friederich, G.; Kvenvolden, K.A.; Orange, D.L.

1998-01-01

We have utilized a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to initiate a program of research into gas hydrate formation in the deep sea by controlled release of hydrocarbon gases and liquid CO2 into natural sea water and marine sediments. Our objectives were to investigate the formation rates and growth patterns of gas hydrates in natural systems and to assess the geochemical stability of the reaction products over time. The novel experimental procedures used the carrying capacity, imaging capability, and control mechanisms of the ROV to transport gas cylinders to depth and to open valves selectively under desired P-T conditions to release the gas either into contained natural sea water or into sediments. In experiments in Monterey Bay, California, at 910 m depth and 3.9??C water temperature we find hydrate formation to be nearly instantaneous for a variety of gases. In sediments the pattern of hydrate formation is dependent on the pore size, with flooding of the pore spaces in a coarse sand yielding a hydrate cemented mass, and gas channeling in a fine-grained mud creating a veined hydrate structure. In experiments with liquid CO2 the released globules appeared to form a hydrate skin as they slowly rose in the apparatus. An initial attempt to leave the experimental material on the sea floor for an extended period was partially successful; we observed an apparent complete dissolution of the liquid CO2 mass, and an apparent consolidation of the CH4 hydrate, over a period of about 85 days.

Slowly digestible waxy maize starch prepared by octenyl succinic anhydride esterification and heat-moisture treatment: glycemic response and mechanism.

PubMed

He, Jinhua; Liu, Jie; Zhang, Genyi

2008-01-01

The mechanism and molecular structure of the slowly digestible waxy maize starch prepared by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) esterification and heat-moisture treatment were investigated. The in vitro Englyst test showed a proportion of 28.3% slowly digestible starch (SDS) when waxy maize starch was esterified with 3% OSA (starch weight based, and it is named OSA-starch), and a highest SDS content of 42.8% was obtained after OSA-starch (10% moisture) was further heated at 120 degrees C for 4 h (named HOSA-starch). The in vivo glycemic response of HOSA-starch, which showed a delayed appearance of blood glucose peak and a significant reduction (32.2%) of the peak glucose concentration, further confirmed its slow digestion property. Amylopectin debranching analysis revealed HOSA-starch had the highest resistance to debranching enzymes of isoamylase and pullulanase, and a simultaneous decrease of K m and V m (enzyme kinetics) was also shown when HOSA-starch was digested by either alpha-amylase or amyloglucosidase, indicating that the slow digestion of HOSA-starch resulted from an uncompetitive inhibition of enzyme activity during digestion. Size exclusion chromatography analysis of HOSA-starch showed fragmented amylopectin molecules with more nonreducing ends that are favorable for RS conversion to SDS by the action of amyloglucosidase in the Englyst test. Further solubility analysis indicates that the water-insolubility of HOSA-starch is caused by OSA-mediated cross-linking of amylopectin and the hydrophobic interaction between OSA-modified starch molecules. The water-insolubility of HOSA-starch would decrease its enzyme accessibility, and the digestion products with attached OSA molecules might also directly act as the uncompetitive inhibitor to reduce the enzyme activity leading to a slow digestion of HOSA-starch.

Sustained Release of Green Tea Polyphenols from Liposomal Nanoparticles; Release Kinetics and Mathematical Modelling.

PubMed

Prakash Upputuri, Ravi Theaj; Azad Mandal, Abul Kalam

2017-01-01

Background: Green tea polyphenols (GTP) are known to have several health benefits. In spite of these benefits, its application as a therapeutic agent is limited due to some of its limitations such as stability, bioavailability, and biotransformation. To overcome these limitations, liposomal nanoparticles have been used as a carrier of the GTP. Objective: Encapsulation of GTP to the liposomal nanoparticles in order to achieve a sustained release of the GTP and to determine the drug release kinetics and the mechanism of the release. Materials and Methods: GTP encapsulated liposomal nanoparticles were prepared using phosphatidyl choline and cholesterol. The synthesized particles were characterized for their particle size and morphology. In vitro release studies were carried out, followed by drug release kinetics, and determining the mechanism of release. In vitro , antioxidant assay was determined following 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Results: Atomic force microscope (AFM) and high resolution scanning electron microscope (HR SEM) images showed spherical particles of the size of 64.5 and 252 nm. An encapsulation efficiency as high as 77.7% was observed with GTP concentration of 5 mg.mL -1 . In vitro release studies showed that the loading concentrations of GTP were independent to the cumulative percentage of the drug release. GTP release by varying the pH and temperature showed a direct correlation between the release parameter and the percentage of drug release. The higher the pH and temperature, the higher was the percentage of the drug release. The release data showed a good correlation with Zero order kinetics and the mechanism of the release being anomalous mode. Radical scavenging activity of the released GTP showed a potent scavenging activity. Conclusion: GTP encapsulated liposomal nanoparticles could be used as a delivery vehicle for achieving a sustained release.

Enzyme-Synthesized Highly Branched Maltodextrins Have Slow Glucose Generation at the Mucosal α-Glucosidase Level and Are Slowly Digestible In Vivo

PubMed Central

Lee, Byung-Hoo; Yan, Like; Phillips, Robert J.; Reuhs, Bradley L.; Jones, Kyra; Rose, David R.; Nichols, Buford L.; Quezada-Calvillo, Roberto; Yoo, Sang-Ho; Hamaker, Bruce R.

2013-01-01

For digestion of starch in humans, α-amylase first hydrolyzes starch molecules to produce α-limit dextrins, followed by complete hydrolysis to glucose by the mucosal α-glucosidases in the small intestine. It is known that α-1,6 linkages in starch are hydrolyzed at a lower rate than are α-1,4 linkages. Here, to create designed slowly digestible carbohydrates, the structure of waxy corn starch (WCS) was modified using a known branching enzyme alone (BE) and an in combination with β-amylase (BA) to increase further the α-1,6 branching ratio. The digestibility of the enzymatically synthesized products was investigated using α-amylase and four recombinant mammalian mucosal α-glucosidases. Enzyme-modified products (BE-WCS and BEBA-WCS) had increased percentage of α-1,6 linkages (WCS: 5.3%, BE-WCS: 7.1%, and BEBA-WCS: 12.9%), decreased weight-average molecular weight (WCS: 1.73×108 Da, BE-WCS: 2.76×105 Da, and BEBA-WCS 1.62×105 Da), and changes in linear chain distributions (WCS: 21.6, BE-WCS: 16.9, BEBA-WCS: 12.2 DPw). Hydrolysis by human pancreatic α-amylase resulted in an increase in the amount of branched α-limit dextrin from 26.8% (WCS) to 56.8% (BEBA-WCS). The α-amylolyzed samples were hydrolyzed by the individual α-glucosidases (100 U) and glucogenesis decreased with all as the branching ratio increased. This is the first report showing that hydrolysis rate of the mammalian mucosal α-glucosidases is limited by the amount of branched α-limit dextrin. When enzyme-treated materials were gavaged to rats, the level of postprandial blood glucose at 60 min from BEBA-WCS was significantly higher than for WCS or BE-WCS. Thus, highly branched glucan structures modified by BE and BA had a comparably slow digesting property both in vitro and in vivo. Such highly branched α-glucans show promise as a food ingredient to control postprandial glucose levels and to attain extended glucose release. PMID:23565164

Enzyme-synthesized highly branched maltodextrins have slow glucose generation at the mucosal α-glucosidase level and are slowly digestible in vivo.

PubMed

Lee, Byung-Hoo; Yan, Like; Phillips, Robert J; Reuhs, Bradley L; Jones, Kyra; Rose, David R; Nichols, Buford L; Quezada-Calvillo, Roberto; Yoo, Sang-Ho; Hamaker, Bruce R

2013-01-01

For digestion of starch in humans, α-amylase first hydrolyzes starch molecules to produce α-limit dextrins, followed by complete hydrolysis to glucose by the mucosal α-glucosidases in the small intestine. It is known that α-1,6 linkages in starch are hydrolyzed at a lower rate than are α-1,4 linkages. Here, to create designed slowly digestible carbohydrates, the structure of waxy corn starch (WCS) was modified using a known branching enzyme alone (BE) and an in combination with β-amylase (BA) to increase further the α-1,6 branching ratio. The digestibility of the enzymatically synthesized products was investigated using α-amylase and four recombinant mammalian mucosal α-glucosidases. Enzyme-modified products (BE-WCS and BEBA-WCS) had increased percentage of α-1,6 linkages (WCS: 5.3%, BE-WCS: 7.1%, and BEBA-WCS: 12.9%), decreased weight-average molecular weight (WCS: 1.73×10(8) Da, BE-WCS: 2.76×10(5) Da, and BEBA-WCS 1.62×10(5) Da), and changes in linear chain distributions (WCS: 21.6, BE-WCS: 16.9, BEBA-WCS: 12.2 DPw). Hydrolysis by human pancreatic α-amylase resulted in an increase in the amount of branched α-limit dextrin from 26.8% (WCS) to 56.8% (BEBA-WCS). The α-amylolyzed samples were hydrolyzed by the individual α-glucosidases (100 U) and glucogenesis decreased with all as the branching ratio increased. This is the first report showing that hydrolysis rate of the mammalian mucosal α-glucosidases is limited by the amount of branched α-limit dextrin. When enzyme-treated materials were gavaged to rats, the level of postprandial blood glucose at 60 min from BEBA-WCS was significantly higher than for WCS or BE-WCS. Thus, highly branched glucan structures modified by BE and BA had a comparably slow digesting property both in vitro and in vivo. Such highly branched α-glucans show promise as a food ingredient to control postprandial glucose levels and to attain extended glucose release.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone and dopamine release in healthy individuals.

PubMed

Payer, Doris; Williams, Belinda; Mansouri, Esmaeil; Stevanovski, Suzanna; Nakajima, Shinichiro; Le Foll, Bernard; Kish, Stephen; Houle, Sylvain; Mizrahi, Romina; George, Susan R; George, Tony P; Boileau, Isabelle

2017-02-01

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is a key component of the neuroendocrine response to stress. In animal models, CRH has been shown to modulate dopamine release, and this interaction is believed to contribute to stress-induced relapse in neuropsychiatric disorders. Here we investigated whether CRH administration induces dopamine release in humans, using positron emission tomography (PET). Eight healthy volunteers (5 female, 22-48 years old) completed two PET scans with the dopamine D 2/3 receptor radioligand [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO: once after saline injection, and once after injection of corticorelin (synthetic human CRH). We also assessed subjective reports and measured plasma levels of endocrine hormones (adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol). Relative to saline, corticorelin administration decreased binding of the D 2/3 PET probe [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO, suggesting dopamine release. Endocrine stress markers were also elevated, in line with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, but we detected no changes in subjective ratings. Preliminary results from this proof-of-concept study suggests that CRH challenge in combination with [ 11 C]-(+)-PHNO PET may serve as an assay of dopamine release, presenting a potential platform for evaluating CRH/dopamine interactions in neuropsychiatric disorders and CRH antagonists as potential treatment avenues. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neotectonics and seismicity of a slowly deforming segment of the Adria-Europe convergence zone - the northern Dinarides fold-and-thrust belt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ustaszewski, Kamil; Herak, Marijan; Tomljenović, Bruno; Herak, Davorka; Matej, Srebrenka

2014-05-01

With GPS-derived shortening rates of c. 3-5 mm/a, the Adria-Europe convergence zone across the fold-and-thrust belt of the Dinarides (Balkan Peninsula) is a slowly deforming plate boundary by global standards. We have analysed the active tectonics and instrumental seismicity of the northernmost segment of this fold-and-thrust belt at its border to the Pannonian Basin. This area hosts a Maastrichtian collisional suture formed by closure of Mesozoic fragments of the Neotethys, overprinted by Miocene back-arc extension, which led to the exhumation of greenschist- to amphibolite-grade rocks in several core complexes. Geological, geomorphological and reflection seismic data provide evidence for a compressive or transpressive reactivation of extensional faults after about 5 Ma. The study area represents the seismically most active region of the Dinarides apart from the Adriatic Sea coast and the area around Zagreb. The strongest instrumentally recorded earthquake (27 October 1969) affected the city of Banja Luka (northern Bosnia and Herzegovina). Fault plane solutions for the main shock (ML 6.4) and its largest foreshock (ML 6.0) indicate reverse faulting along ESE-WNW-striking nodal planes and generally N-S trending pressure axes. The spatial distribution of epicentres and focal depths, analyses of the macroseismic field and fault-plane solutions for several smaller events suggest on-going shortening in the internal Dinarides. Our results therefore imply that current Adria-Europe convergence is widely distributed across c. 300 km, rendering the entire Dinarides fold-and-thrust belt a slowly deforming plate boundary.

Ionospheric chemical releases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernhardt, Paul A.; Scales, W. A.

1990-01-01

Ionospheric plasma density irregularities can be produced by chemical releases into the upper atmosphere. F-region plasma modification occurs by: (1) chemically enhancing the electron number density; (2) chemically reducing the electron population; or (3) physically convecting the plasma from one region to another. The three processes (production, loss, and transport) determine the effectiveness of ionospheric chemical releases in subtle and surprising ways. Initially, a chemical release produces a localized change in plasma density. Subsequent processes, however, can lead to enhanced transport in chemically modified regions. Ionospheric modifications by chemical releases excites artificial enhancements in airglow intensities by exothermic chemical reactions between the newly created plasma species. Numerical models were developed to describe the creation and evolution of large scale density irregularities and airglow clouds generated by artificial means. Experimental data compares favorably with theses models. It was found that chemical releases produce transient, large amplitude perturbations in electron density which can evolve into fine scale irregularities via nonlinear transport properties.

Monte carlo simulation of vesicular release, spatiotemporal distribution of glutamate in synaptic cleft and generation of postsynaptic currents.

PubMed

Glavinovíc, M I

1999-02-01

The release of vesicular glutamate, spatiotemporal changes in glutamate concentration in the synaptic cleft and the subsequent generation of fast excitatory postsynaptic currents at a hippocampal synapse were modeled using the Monte Carlo method. It is assumed that glutamate is released from a spherical vesicle through a cylindrical fusion pore into the synaptic cleft and that S-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy -5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors are uniformly distributed postsynaptically. The time course of change in vesicular concentration can be described by a single exponential, but a slow tail is also observed though only following the release of most of the glutamate. The time constant of decay increases with vesicular size and a lower diffusion constant, and is independent of the initial concentration, becoming markedly shorter for wider fusion pores. The cleft concentration at the fusion pore mouth is not negligible compared to vesicular concentration, especially for wider fusion pores. Lateral equilibration of glutamate is rapid, and within approximately 50 micros all AMPA receptors on average see the same concentration of glutamate. Nevertheless the single-channel current and the number of channels estimated from mean-variance plots are unreliable and different when estimated from rise- and decay-current segments. Greater saturation of AMPA receptor channels provides higher but not more accurate estimates. Two factors contribute to the variability of postsynaptic currents and render the mean-variance nonstationary analysis unreliable, even when all receptors see on average the same glutamate concentration. Firstly, the variability of the instantaneous cleft concentration of glutamate, unlike the mean concentration, first rapidly decreases before slowly increasing; the variability is greater for fewer molecules in the cleft and is spatially nonuniform. Secondly, the efficacy with which glutamate produces a response changes with time. Understanding

Aerobic co-treatment of landfill leachate and domestic wastewater - are slowly biodegradable organics removed or simply diluted?

PubMed

Campos, R; Ferraz, F M; Vieira, E M; Povinelli, J

2014-01-01

This study investigated the co-treatment of landfill leachate/domestic wastewater in bench-scale activated sludge (AS) reactors to determine whether the slowly biodegradable organic matter (SBOM) was removed rather than diluted. The AS reactors were loaded with mixtures of raw leachate and leachate that was pretreated by air stripping. The tested volumetric ratios were 0%, 0.2%, 2% and 5%. For all of the tested conditions, the reactors performed better when pretreated leachate was used rather than raw leachate, and the best volumetric ratio was 2%. The following removals were obtained: 97% for the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5,20), 79% for total suspended solids, 77% for dissolved organic carbon and 84% for soluble chemical oxygen demand. Most of the pretreated leachate SBOM (65%) was removed rather than diluted or adsorbed into the sludge, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analyses.

Rad-Release

ScienceCinema

None

2017-12-09

The R&D 100 Award winning Rad-Release Chemical Decontamination Technology is a highly effective (up to 99% removal rate), affordable, patented chemical-foam-clay decontamination process tailored to specific radiological and metal contaminants, which is applicable to a wide variety of substrates. For more information about this project, visit http://www.inl.gov/rd100/2011/rad-release/

Assessment of a subset of Slowly Mutating Y-STRs for forensic and evolutionary studies.

PubMed

Baeta, Miriam; Núñez, Carolina; Villaescusa, Patricia; Ortueta, Urko; Ibarbia, Nerea; Herrera, Rene J; Blazquez-Caeiro, José Luis; Builes, Juan José; Jiménez-Moreno, Susana; Martínez-Jarreta, Begoña; de Pancorbo, Marian M

2018-05-01

Y-specific short tandem repeat (Y-STR) loci display different mutation rates and consequently are suitable for forensic, genealogical, and evolutionary studies that require different levels of timelines and resolution. Recent efforts have focused on implementing Rapidly Mutating (RM) Y-STRs to assess male specific profiles. However, due to their high mutation rate their use in kinship testing or in phylogenetic studies may be less reliable. In the present study, a novel Slowly Mutating Y-STR (SM) panel, including DYS388, DYS426, DYS461 (Y-GATA-A7.2), DYS485, DYS525, and DYS561, has been developed and evaluated in a sample set of 628 unrelated males from different worldwide populations. This panel is reproducible, sensitive, and robust for forensic applications and may be useful in conjunction with the common multiplexes, particularly in exclusion of kinship cases where minimal discrimination is reported employing the rapidly mutating Y-STR systems. Furthermore, SM Y-STR data may be of value in evolutionary studies to optimize the resolution of phylogenetic relationships generated with current Y-STR panel sets. In this study, we provide an extensive Y-STR allele and haplotype reference dataset for future applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Long-Term Nitric Oxide Release and Elevated Temperature Stability with S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP)-Doped Elast-eon E2As Polymer

PubMed Central

Brisbois, Elizabeth J.; Handa, Hitesh; Major, Terry C.; Bartlett, Robert H.; Meyerhoff, Mark E.

2013-01-01

Nitric oxide (NO) is known to be a potent inhibitor of platelet activation and adhesion. Healthy endothelial cells that line the inner walls of all blood vessels exhibit a NO flux of 0.5~4×10−10 mol cm−2 min−1 that helps prevent thrombosis. Materials with a NO flux that is equivalent to this level are expected to exhibit similar anti-thrombotic properties. In this study, five biomedical grade polymers doped with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) were investigated for their potential to control the release of NO from the SNAP within the polymers, and further control the release of SNAP itself. SNAP in the Elast-eon E2As polymer creates an inexpensive, homogeneous coating that can locally deliver NO (via thermal and photochemical reactions) as well slowly release SNAP. Furthermore, SNAP is surprisingly stable in the E2As polymer, retaining 82% of the initial SNAP after 2 months storage at 37°C. The E2As polymer containing SNAP was coated on the walls of extracorporeal circuits (ECC) and exposed to 4 h blood flow in a rabbit model of extracorporeal circulation to examine the effects on platelet count, platelet function, clot area, and fibrinogen adsorption. After 4 h, platelet count was preserved at 100±7% of baseline for the SNAP/E2As coated loops, compared to 60±6% for E2As control circuits (n=4). The SNAP/E2As coating also reduced the thrombus area when compared to the control (2.3±0.6 and 3.4±1.1 pixels/cm2, respectively). The results suggest that the new SNAP/E2As coating has potential to improve the thromboresistance of intravascular catheters, grafts, and other blood contacting medical devices, and exhibits excellent storage stability compared to previously reported NO release polymeric materials. PMID:23777908

Effects of artemisinin sustained-release granules on mixed alga growth and microcystins production and release.

PubMed

Ni, Lixiao; Li, Danye; Hu, Shuzhen; Wang, Peifang; Li, Shiyin; Li, Yiping; Li, Yong; Acharya, Kumud

2015-12-01

To safely and effectively apply artemisinin sustained-release granules to control and prevent algal water-blooms, the effects of artemisinin and its sustained-release granules on freshwater alga (Scenedesmus obliquus (S. obliquus) and Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa)), as well as the production and release of microcystins (MCs) were studied. The results showed that artemisinin sustained-release granules inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa (above 95% IR) and S. obliquus (about 90% IR), with M. aeruginosa more sensitive. The artemisinin sustained-release granules had a longer inhibition effect on growth of pure algae and algal coexistence than direct artemisinin dosing. The artemisinin sustained-release granules could decrease the production and release of algal toxins due to the continued stress of artemisinin released from artemisinin sustained-release granules. There was no increase in the total amount of MC-LR in the algal cell culture medium.

Delivery and Establishing Slow Release Carbon Source to the Hanford Vadose Zone Using Colloidal Silica Suspension Injection and Subsequent Gelation - Laboratory Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhong, L.; Lee, M. H.; Lee, B.; Yang, S.

2016-12-01

Delivery of nutrient to and establish a slow release carbon source in the vadose zone and capillary fringe zone is essential for setting up of a long-lasting bioremediation of contaminations in those zones. Conventional solution-based injection and infiltration approaches are facing challenges to achieve the delivery and remedial goals. Aqueous silica suspensions undergo a delayed gelation process under favorite geochemical conditions. The delay in gelation provides a time window for the injection of the suspension into the subsurface; and the gelation of the amendment-silica suspension enables the amendment-laden gel to stay in the target zone and slowly release the constituents for contaminant remediation. This approach can potentially be applied to deliver bio-nutrients to the vadose zone and capillary fringe zone for enhanced bioremediation and achieve remedial goals. This research was conducted to demonstrate delayed gelation of colloidal silica suspensions when carbon sources were added and to prove the gelation occurs in sediments under vadose conditions. Sodium lactate, vegetable oil, ethanol, and molasses were tested as the examples of carbon source (or nutrient) amendments. The rheological properties of the silica suspensions during the gelation were characterized. The influence of silica, salinity, nutrient concentrations, and the type of nutrients was studied. The kinetics of nutrient release from silica-nutrient gel was quantified using molasses as the example, and the influence of suspension gelation time was evaluated. The injection behavior of the suspensions was investigated by monitoring their viscosity changes and the injection pressures when the suspensions were delivered into sediment columns.

Propagation of solutions to the Fisher-KPP equation with slowly decaying initial data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Henderson, Christopher

2016-10-01

The Fisher-KPP equation is a model for population dynamics that has generated a huge amount of interest since its introduction in 1937. The speed with which a population spreads has been computed quite precisely when the initial data, u 0, decays exponentially. More recently, though, the case when the initial data decays more slowly has been studied. In Hamel F and Roques L (2010 J. Differ. Equ. 249 1726-45), the authors show that the level sets of height of m of u move super-linearly and may be bounded above and below by expressions of the form u0-1≤ft({{c}m}{{\\text{e}}-t}\\right) when u 0 decays algebraically of a small enough order. The constants c m for the upper and lower bounds that they obtain are not explicit and do not match. In this paper, we improve their precision for a broader class of initial data and for a broader class of equations. In particular, our approach yields the explicit highest order term in the location of the level sets, which in the most basic setting is given by u0-1≤ft(m{{\\text{e}}-t}/(1-m)\\right) as long as u 0 decays slower than {{\\text{e}}-\\sqrt{x}} . We generalize this to the previously unstudied setting when the nonlinearity is periodic in space. In addition, for large times, we characterize the profile of the solution in terms of a generalized logistic equation.

High-reliability release mechanism

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paradise, J. J.

1971-01-01

Release mechanism employing simple clevis fitting in combination with two pin-pullers achieves high reliability degree through active mechanical redundancy. Mechanism releases solar arrays. It is simple and inexpensive and performs effectively. It adapts to other release-system applications with variety of pin-puller devices.

Mechanisms of HSP72 release.

PubMed

Asea, Alexzander

2007-04-01

Currently two mechanisms are recognized by which heat shock proteins (HSP) are released from cells; a passive release mechanism, including necrotic cell death, severe blunt trauma, surgery and following infection with lytic viruses, and an active release mechanism which involves the non classical protein release pathway. HSPs are released both as free HSP and within exosomes. This review covers recent findings on the mechanism by which stress induces the release of HSP72 into the circulation and the biological significance of circulating HSP72 to host defense against disease.

Inhibitory input from slowly adapting lung stretch receptors to retrotrapezoid nucleus chemoreceptors

PubMed Central

Moreira, Thiago S; Takakura, Ana C; Colombari, Eduardo; West, Gavin H; Guyenet, Patrice G

2007-01-01

The retrotrapezoid nucleus (RTN) contains CO2-activated interneurons with properties consistent with central respiratory chemoreceptors. These neurons are glutamatergic and express the transcription factor Phox2b. Here we tested whether RTN neurons receive an input from slowly adapting pulmonary stretch receptors (SARs) in halothane-anaesthetized ventilated rats. In vagotomized rats, RTN neurons were inhibited to a variable extent by stimulating myelinated vagal afferents using the lowest intensity needed to inhibit the phrenic nerve discharge (PND). In rats with intact vagus nerves, RTN neurons were inhibited, also to a variable extent, by increasing positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP; 2–6 cmH2O). The cells most sensitive to PEEP were inhibited during each lung inflation at rest and were instantly activated by stopping ventilation. Muscimol (GABA-A agonist) injection in or next to the solitary tract at area postrema level desynchronized PND from ventilation, eliminated the lung inflation-synchronous inhibition of RTN neurons and their steady inhibition by PEEP but did not change their CO2 sensitivity. Muscimol injection into the rostral ventral respiratory group eliminated PND but did not change RTN neuron response to either lung inflation, PEEP increases, vagal stimulation or CO2. Generalized glutamate receptor blockade with intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) kynurenate eliminated PND and the response of RTN neurons to lung inflation but did not change their CO2 sensitivity. PEEP-sensitive RTN neurons expressed Phox2b. In conclusion, RTN chemoreceptors receive an inhibitory input from myelinated lung stretch receptors, presumably SARs. The lung input to RTN may be di-synaptic with inhibitory pump cells as sole interneurons. PMID:17255166

General relativistic electromagnetic fields of a slowly rotating magnetized neutron star - I. Formulation of the equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rezzolla, L.; Ahmedov, B. J.; Miller, J. C.

2001-04-01

We present analytic solutions of Maxwell equations in the internal and external background space-time of a slowly rotating magnetized neutron star. The star is considered isolated and in vacuum, with a dipolar magnetic field not aligned with the axis of rotation. With respect to a flat space-time solution, general relativity introduces corrections related both to the monopolar and the dipolar parts of the gravitational field. In particular, we show that in the case of infinite electrical conductivity general relativistic corrections resulting from the dragging of reference frames are present, but only in the expression for the electric field. In the case of finite electrical conductivity, however, corrections resulting from both the space-time curvature and the dragging of reference frames are shown to be present in the induction equation. These corrections could be relevant for the evolution of the magnetic fields of pulsars and magnetars. The solutions found, while obtained through some simplifying assumption, reflect a rather general physical configuration and could therefore be used in a variety of astrophysical situations.

Transformation and utilization of slowly biodegradable organic matters in biological sewage treatment of anaerobic anoxic oxic systems.

PubMed

Zhang, Q H; Jin, P K; Ngo, H H; Shi, X; Guo, W S; Yang, S J; Wang, X C; Wang, X; Dzakpasu, M; Yang, W N; Yang, L

2016-10-01

This study examined the distribution of carbon sources in two anaerobic anoxic oxic (AAO) sewage treatment plants in Xi'an and investigated the transformation characteristics and utilization potential of slowly biodegradable organic matters (SBOM). Results indicated under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, SBOM could be transformed at a rate of 65% in 8h into more readily biologically utilizable substrates such as volatile fatty acids (VFAs), polysaccharides and proteins. Additionally, non-biodegradable humus-type substances which are difficult to biodegrade and readily accumulate, were also generated. These products could be further hydrolyzed to aldehyde and ketone compounds and then transformed into substances with significant oxygen-containing functional groups and utilized subsequently. The molecular weights of proteinoid substances had a wide distribution and tended to decrease over time. Long hours of microbial reaction increased the proportion of micromolecular substances. This particular increase generated significant bioavailability, which can greatly improve the efficiency of nitrogen removal. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time-dependent slowly-reversible inhibition of monoamine oxidase A by N-substituted 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridines.

PubMed

Wichitnithad, Wisut; O'Callaghan, James P; Miller, Diane B; Train, Brian C; Callery, Patrick S

2011-12-15

A novel class of N-substituted tetrahydropyridine derivatives was found to have multiple kinetic mechanisms of monoamine oxidase A inhibition. Eleven structurally similar tetrahydropyridine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of MAO-A and MAO-B. The most potent MAO-A inhibitor in the series, 2,4-dichlorophenoxypropyl analog 12, displayed time-dependent mixed noncompetitive inhibition. The inhibition was reversed by dialysis, indicating reversible enzyme inhibition. Evidence that the slow-binding inhibition of MAO-A with 12 involves a covalent bond was gained from stabilizing a covalent reversible intermediate product by reduction with sodium borohydride. The reduced enzyme complex was not reversible by dialysis. The results are consistent with slowly reversible, mechanism-based inhibition. Two tetrahydropyridine analogs that selectively inhibited MAO-A were characterized by kinetic mechanisms differing from the kinetic mechanism of 12. As reversible inhibitors of MAO-A, tetrahydropyridine analogs are at low risk of having an adverse effect of tyramine-induced hypertension. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optimization of propranolol HCl release kinetics from press coated sustained release tablets.

PubMed

Ali, Adel Ahmed; Ali, Ahmed Mahmoud

2013-01-01

Press-coated sustained release tablets offer a valuable, cheap and easy manufacture alternative to the highly expensive, multi-step manufacture and filling of coated beads. In this study, propranolol HCl press-coated tablets were prepared using hydroxylpropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) as tablet coating material together with carbopol 971P and compressol as release modifiers. The prepared formulations were optimized for zero-order release using artificial neural network program (INForm, Intelligensys Ltd, North Yorkshire, UK). Typical zero-order release kinetics with extended release profile for more than 12 h was obtained. The most important variables considered by the program in optimizing formulations were type and proportion of polymer mixture in the coat layer and distribution ratio of drug between core and coat. The key elements found were; incorporation of 31-38 % of the drug in the coat, fixing the amount of polymer in coat to be not less than 50 % of coat layer. Optimum zero-order release kinetics (linear regression r2 = 0.997 and Peppas model n value > 0.80) were obtained when 2.5-10 % carbopol and 25-42.5% compressol were incorporated into the 50 % HPMC coat layer.

Guidance for Evaluating the Safety of Experimental Releases of Mosquitoes, Emphasizing Mark-Release-Recapture Techniques.

PubMed

Benedict, Mark Q; Charlwood, J Derek; Harrington, Laura C; Lounibos, L Philip; Reisen, William K; Tabachnick, Walter J

2018-01-01

Experimental releases of mosquitoes are performed to understand characteristics of populations related to the biology, ability to transmit pathogens, and ultimately their control. In this article, we discuss considerations related to the safety of experimental releases of living mosquitoes, applying principles of good practice in vector biology that protect human health and comfort. We describe specific factors of experimental releases of mosquitoes that we believe are critical to inform institutional biosafety committees and similar review boards to which proposals to conduct mosquito release experiments have been submitted. In this study, "experimental releases" means those that do not significantly increase vector capacity or nuisance biting relative to the unperturbed natural baseline. This document specifically does not address releases of mosquitoes for ongoing control programs or trials of new control methods for which broader assessments of risk are required. It also does not address releases of transgenic or exotic (non-native) mosquito species, both of which require particular regulatory approval. Experimental releases may include females and males and evaluation must consider their effects based on the number released, their genotype and phenotype, the environment into which they are released, and postrelease collection activities. We consider whether increases of disease transmission and nuisance biting might result from proposed experimental releases against the backdrop of natural population size variation. We recommend that experimental releases be conducted in a manner that can be reasonably argued to have insignificant negative effects. Reviewers of proposals for experimental releases should expect applicants to provide such an argument based on evidence from similar studies and their planned activities. This document provides guidance for creating and evaluating such proposals.

Canine bombesin-like gastrin releasing peptides stimulate gastrin release and acid secretion in the dog.

PubMed Central

Bunnett, N W; Clark, B; Debas, H T; Del Milton, R C; Kovacs, T O; Orloff, M S; Pappas, T N; Reeve, J R; Rivier, J E; Walsh, J H

1985-01-01

The synthetic mammalian bombesin-like peptides, canine gastrin releasing peptide 27, 23 and 10, and porcine gastrin releasing peptide 27 were compared with amphibian bombesin 14 and 10 during intravenous infusions into six conscious dogs with chronic gastric cannulae. Gastrin and gastrin releasing peptide were measured in peripherally sampled venous blood by radioimmunoassay and gastric acid secretions were collected. All forms of gastrin releasing peptide stimulated gastrin release and gastric acid secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The larger canine and porcine peptides were more potent than the decapeptide. Bombesin 14 was more potent than bombesin 10. A rise in the venous concentration of immunoreactive gastrin releasing peptide of only 20 fmol ml-1 stimulated gastrin release to about 50% of maximal. Gastrin releasing peptide 10 was cleared from the circulation three times faster than the larger forms and this may account for the apparent differences in potency. PMID:3839849

Calcium released by photolysis of DM-nitrophen stimulates transmitter release at squid giant synapse.

PubMed

Delaney, K R; Zucker, R S

1990-07-01

1. Transmitter release at the squid giant synapse was stimulated by photolytic release of Ca2+ from the 'caged' Ca2+ compound DM-nitrophen (Kaplan & Ellis-Davies, 1988) inserted into presynaptic terminals. 2. Competing binding reactions cause the amount of Ca2+ released by DM-nitrophen photolysis to depend on the concentrations of DM-nitrophen, total Ca2+, Mg+, ATP and native cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffer. Measurements of presynaptic [Ca2+] changes by co-injection of the fluorescent indicator dye Fura-2 show that DM-nitrophen photolysis causes a transient rise in Ca2+ followed by decay within about 150 ms to an increased steady-state level. 3. Rapid photolysis of Ca2(+)-loaded nitrophen within the presynaptic terminal was followed in less than a millisecond by depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane. As with action potential-evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), the light-evoked response was partially and reversibly blocked by 1-3 mM-kainic acid which desensitizes postsynaptic glutamate receptors. 4. Release was similar in magnitude and rate to normal action potential-mediated EPSPs. 5. The release of transmitter by photolysis of Ca2(+)-loaded DM-nitrophen was not affected by removal of Ca2+ from the saline or addition of tetrodotoxin. Photolysis of DM-nitrophen injected into presynaptic terminals without added Ca2+ did not stimulate release of transmitter nor did it interfere with normal action potential-mediated release. 6. Stimulation of presynaptic action potentials in Ca2(+)-free saline during the light-evoked response did not elicit increased release of transmitter if the ganglion was bathed in Ca2(+)-free saline, i.e. in the absence of Ca2+ influx. Increasing the intensity of the light or stimulating presynaptic action potentials in Ca2(+)-containing saline increased the release of transmitter. Therefore the failure of presynaptic voltage change to increase transmitter release resulting from release of caged Ca2+ was not due to saturation or

Release behavior of tanshinone IIA sustained-release pellets based on crack formation theory.

PubMed

Liu, Pan; Li, Jin; Liu, Jianping; Yang, Jikun; Fan, Yongqing

2012-08-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the drug release mechanism and in vivo performance of Tanshinone IIA sustained-release pellets, coated with blends of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) and poly(vinyl alcohol)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PVA-PEG) graft copolymer. A formulation screening study showed that pellets coated with PVAc-PVA-PEG at a ratio of 70:30 (w/w) succeeded in achieving a 24 h sustained release, irrespective of the coating weight (from 2% to 10%). Both the microscopic observation and mathematical model gave further insight into the underlying release mechanism, indicating that diffusion through water-filled cracks was dominant for the control of drug release. In vivo test showed that the maximum plasma concentration of sustained-release pellets was decreased from 82.13 ± 17.05 to 40.50 ± 11.72 ng mL as that of quick-release pellets. The time of maximum concentration, half time, and mean residence time were all prolonged from 3.80 ± 0.40 to 8.02 ± 0.81 h, 4.28 ± 1.21 to 8.18 ± 2.06 h, and 8.60 ± 1.59 to 17.50 ± 2.78 h, compared with uncoated preparations. A good in vitro-in vivo correlation was characterized by a high coefficient of determination (r = 0.9772). In conclusion, pellets coated with PVAc-PVA-PEG could achieve a satisfactory sustained-release behavior based on crack formation theory. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DISCOVERY OF 14 NEW SLOWLY PULSATING B STARS IN THE OPEN CLUSTER NGC 7654

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

Luo, Y. P.; Han, Z. W.; Zhang, X. B.

2012-02-10

We carried out time-series BV CCD photometric observations of the open cluster NGC 7654 (Messier 52) to search for variable stars. Eighteen slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars have been detected, among which 14 candidates are newly discovered, three known ones are confirmed, and a previously found {delta} Scuti star is also identified as an SPB candidate. Twelve SPBs are probable cluster members based on membership analysis. This makes NGC 7654 the richest galactic open cluster in terms of SPB star content. It is also a new discovery that NGC 7654 hosts three {gamma} Dor star candidates. We found that allmore » these stars (18 SPB and 3 {gamma} Dor stars) have periods longer than their corresponding fundamental radial mode. With such a big sample of g-mode pulsators in a single cluster, it is clear that multi-mode pulsation is more common in the upper part of the main sequence than in the lower part. All the stars span a narrow strip on the period-luminosity plane, which also includes the {gamma} Dor stars at the low-luminosity extension. This result implies that there may be a single period-luminosity relation applicable to all g-mode main-sequence pulsators. As a by-product, three EA-type eclipsing binaries and an EW-type eclipsing binary are also discovered.« less

The Bayesian Decoding of Force Stimuli from Slowly Adapting Type I Fibers in Humans.

PubMed

Kasi, Patrick; Wright, James; Khamis, Heba; Birznieks, Ingvars; van Schaik, André

2016-01-01

It is well known that signals encoded by mechanoreceptors facilitate precise object manipulation in humans. It is therefore of interest to study signals encoded by the mechanoreceptors because this will contribute further towards the understanding of fundamental sensory mechanisms that are responsible for coordinating force components during object manipulation. From a practical point of view, this may suggest strategies for designing sensory-controlled biomedical devices and robotic manipulators. We use a two-stage nonlinear decoding paradigm to reconstruct the force stimulus given signals from slowly adapting type one (SA-I) tactile afferents. First, we describe a nonhomogeneous Poisson encoding model which is a function of the force stimulus and the force's rate of change. In the decoding phase, we use a recursive nonlinear Bayesian filter to reconstruct the force profile, given the SA-I spike patterns and parameters described by the encoding model. Under the current encoding model, the mode ratio of force to its derivative is: 1.26 to 1.02. This indicates that the force derivative contributes significantly to the rate of change to the SA-I afferent spike modulation. Furthermore, using recursive Bayesian decoding algorithms is advantageous because it can incorporate past and current information in order to make predictions--consistent with neural systems--with little computational resources. This makes it suitable for interfacing with prostheses.

The Bayesian Decoding of Force Stimuli from Slowly Adapting Type I Fibers in Humans

PubMed Central

Wright, James; Khamis, Heba; Birznieks, Ingvars; van Schaik, André

2016-01-01

It is well known that signals encoded by mechanoreceptors facilitate precise object manipulation in humans. It is therefore of interest to study signals encoded by the mechanoreceptors because this will contribute further towards the understanding of fundamental sensory mechanisms that are responsible for coordinating force components during object manipulation. From a practical point of view, this may suggest strategies for designing sensory-controlled biomedical devices and robotic manipulators. We use a two-stage nonlinear decoding paradigm to reconstruct the force stimulus given signals from slowly adapting type one (SA-I) tactile afferents. First, we describe a nonhomogeneous Poisson encoding model which is a function of the force stimulus and the force’s rate of change. In the decoding phase, we use a recursive nonlinear Bayesian filter to reconstruct the force profile, given the SA-I spike patterns and parameters described by the encoding model. Under the current encoding model, the mode ratio of force to its derivative is: 1.26 to 1.02. This indicates that the force derivative contributes significantly to the rate of change to the SA-I afferent spike modulation. Furthermore, using recursive Bayesian decoding algorithms is advantageous because it can incorporate past and current information in order to make predictions—consistent with neural systems—with little computational resources. This makes it suitable for interfacing with prostheses. PMID:27077750

High pressurized CO2 release CFD calculations from onshore pipeline leakages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herzog, Nicoleta; Gorenz, Paul; Egbers, Christoph

2013-04-01

Emissions from high pressurized pipelines can be determined on the basis of hydrodynamical and thermophysical calculations of the escaped fluid. If a rupture occurs when CO2 is onshore transported in liquid form there will be initially a large pressure drop in the pipeline, the pressure will fall until the liquid becomes a mixture of saturated vapor/liquid. In the vicinity of the rupture, liquid CO2 will escape and immediately vaporize and expand, some of the liquid will desublimate into dry ice, which will precipitate onto the ground [1, 2]. The period of time taken for a large amount of carbon dioxide to be discharged would be short. Initially CO2 will escape by pushing the overlying soil upwards at an explosion-like speed. After the pressure in the pipe fell the flow profile of the escaping gas will almost be as described for gaseous material transport. The expansion of carbon dioxide will occur at sonic speed and will continue to do so until the pressure ratio between the CO2 and the ambient air is lower than about 1.9 [3]. As a result of the expansion also the temperature of the escaping gas will fall drastically and a cloud of cold gas will form which is then dispersed and slowly mixed with ambient air. The rate of emptying the pipeline is controlled by the pipe cross-section area and the speed of the escaping gas, or by the pressure difference between the pipeline and the atmosphere. Therefore the mass flow will be largest immediately after the accident with an exponential decay in time. In this study a two-phase model is applied to a high pressurized pipeline through which liquid carbon dioxide flows. A leakage is considered to be at different positions along the pipeline and the release pressure is calculated over several parameter ranges. It is also intended to characterize from hydrodynamical point of view the dispersion of released CO2 in the ambient medium by means of CFD simulations which includes multiphase flow treatment. For that a turbulent two

Fluoride release, recharge, and re-release from four orthodontic bonding systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouvier, Amy Johanna

Objectives: To determine the amount of initial fluoride release from four orthodontic bonding systems over a period of four weeks, and then to subject these materials to an external source of fluoride for recharge in order to measure the amount of fluoride re-release over another four-week interval. Additionally the surface morphology of these materials was analyzed under the scanning electron microscope in order to identify microscopic changes in the materials that may have occurred during the experiment. Methods: Four orthodontic adhesives: Fuji Ortho LC (GC America, Alsip, IL), Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA), Illuminate Light Cure (Ortho Organizers, Carlsbad, CA), and Opal Seal with Opal Bond MV (Ultradent, South Jordan, UT), n=120 (30/material) were tested for fluoride release at 1 hour, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks. Samples (10/subgroup/material) were then recharged with an external source of fluoride (toothpaste, foam, or varnish), and retested for fluoride re-release at 1 hour, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks. The scanning electron microscope was utilized in order to assess each material's surface morphology before testing and after completion of the experiment (n=16). Descriptive statistics, means and standard deviations were calculated for all four materials and their subgroups at each time interval. A mixed model two-way ANOVA was run, using a level of significance of 0.05. Bonferroni multiple comparison tests were conducted using if groups were found to be statistically significantly different. To determine significant differences between fluoride release and re-release for each recharge subgroup within each material group, paired t-tests were performed for the time intervals of 24 hours, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. For the paired t-tests, the level of significance used was 0.02 to allow for Bonferroni correction. Results: During the initial 24 hours the fluoride measurements (in mg/L or ppm) were as

Guidance for Evaluating the Safety of Experimental Releases of Mosquitoes, Emphasizing Mark-Release-Recapture Techniques

PubMed Central

Charlwood, J. Derek; Harrington, Laura C.; Lounibos, L. Philip; Reisen, William K.; Tabachnick, Walter J.

2018-01-01

Abstract Experimental releases of mosquitoes are performed to understand characteristics of populations related to the biology, ability to transmit pathogens, and ultimately their control. In this article, we discuss considerations related to the safety of experimental releases of living mosquitoes, applying principles of good practice in vector biology that protect human health and comfort. We describe specific factors of experimental releases of mosquitoes that we believe are critical to inform institutional biosafety committees and similar review boards to which proposals to conduct mosquito release experiments have been submitted. In this study, “experimental releases” means those that do not significantly increase vector capacity or nuisance biting relative to the unperturbed natural baseline. This document specifically does not address releases of mosquitoes for ongoing control programs or trials of new control methods for which broader assessments of risk are required. It also does not address releases of transgenic or exotic (non-native) mosquito species, both of which require particular regulatory approval. Experimental releases may include females and males and evaluation must consider their effects based on the number released, their genotype and phenotype, the environment into which they are released, and postrelease collection activities. We consider whether increases of disease transmission and nuisance biting might result from proposed experimental releases against the backdrop of natural population size variation. We recommend that experimental releases be conducted in a manner that can be reasonably argued to have insignificant negative effects. Reviewers of proposals for experimental releases should expect applicants to provide such an argument based on evidence from similar studies and their planned activities. This document provides guidance for creating and evaluating such proposals. PMID:29337660

Dendritic release of neurotransmitters

PubMed Central

Ludwig, Mike; Apps, David; Menzies, John; Patel, Jyoti C.; Rice, Margaret E.

2017-01-01

Release of neuroactive substances by exocytosis from dendrites is surprisingly widespread and is not confined to a particular class of transmitters: it occurs in multiple brain regions, and includes a range of neuropeptides, classical neurotransmitters and signaling molecules such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, ATP and arachidonic acid. This review is focused on hypothalamic neuroendocrine cells that release vasopressin and oxytocin and midbrain neurons that release dopamine. For these two model systems, the stimuli, mechanisms and physiological functions of dendritic release have been explored in greater detail than is yet available for other neurons and neuroactive substances. PMID:28135005

Source of released carbon fibers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bell, V. L.

1979-01-01

The potential for the release of carbon fibers from aircraft crashes/fires is addressed. Simulation of the conditions of aircraft crash fires in order to predict the quantities and forms of fibrous materials which might be released from civilian aircraft crashes/fires is considered. Figures are presented which describe some typical fiber release test activities together with some very preliminary results of those activities. The state of the art of carbon fiber release is summarized as well as some of the uncertainties concerning accidental fiber release.

Dual drug release from hydrogels covalently containing polymeric micelles that possess different drug release properties.

PubMed

Murata, Mari; Uchida, Yusuke; Takami, Taku; Ito, Tomoki; Anzai, Ryosuke; Sonotaki, Seiichi; Murakami, Yoshihiko

2017-05-01

In the present study, we designed hydrogels for dual drug release: the hydrogels that covalently contained the polymeric micelles that possess different drug release properties. The hydrogels that were formed from polymeric micelles possessing a tightly packed (i.e., well-entangled) inner core exhibited a higher storage modulus than the hydrogels that were formed from the polymeric micelles possessing a loosely packed structure. Furthermore, we conducted release experiments and fluorescent observations to evaluate the profiles depicting the release of two compounds, rhodamine B and auramine O, from either polymeric micelles or hydrogels. According to our results, (1) hydrogels that covalently contains polymeric micelles that possess different drug release properties successfully exhibit the independent release behaviors of the two compounds and (2) fluorescence microscopy can greatly facilitate efforts to evaluate drug release properties of materials. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Angular momentum transport by heat-driven g-modes in slowly pulsating B stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Townsend, R. H. D.; Goldstein, J.; Zweibel, E. G.

2018-03-01

Motivated by recent interest in the phenomenon of waves transport in massive stars, we examine whether the heat-driven gravity (g) modes excited in slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars can significantly modify the stars' internal rotation. We develop a formalism for the differential torque exerted by g modes, and implement this formalism using the GYRE oscillation code and the MESASTAR stellar evolution code. Focusing first on a 4.21M⊙ model, we simulate 1 000 yr of stellar evolution under the combined effects of the torque due to a single unstable prograde g mode (with an amplitude chosen on the basis of observational constraints), and diffusive angular momentum transport due to convection, overshooting, and rotational instabilities. We find that the g mode rapidly extracts angular momentum from the surface layers, depositing it deeper in the stellar interior. The angular momentum transport is so efficient that by the end of the simulation, the initially non-rotating surface layers are spun in the retrograde direction to ≈ 30 per cent of the critical rate. However, the additional inclusion of magnetic stresses in our simulations almost completely inhibits this spin-up. Expanding our simulations to cover the whole instability strip, we show that the same general behaviour is seen in all SPB stars. After providing some caveats to contextualize our results, we hypothesize that the observed slower surface rotation of SPB stars (as compared to other B-type stars) may be the direct consequence of the angular momentum transport that our simulations demonstrate.

Release from or through a wax matrix system. I. Basic release properties of the wax matrix system.

PubMed

Yonezawa, Y; Ishida, S; Sunada, H

2001-11-01

Release properties from a wax matrix tablet was examined. To obtain basic release properties, the wax matrix tablet was prepared from a physical mixture of drug and wax powder (hydrogenated caster oil) at a fixed mixing ratio. Properties of release from the single flat-faced surface or curved side surface of the wax matrix tablet were examined. The applicability of the square-root time law and of Higuchi equations was confirmed. The release rate constant obtained as g/min(1/2) changed with the release direction. However, the release rate constant obtained as g/cm2 x min(1/2) was almost the same. Hence it was suggested that the release property was almost the same and the wax matrix structure was uniform independent of release surface or direction at a fixed mixing ratio. However, these equations could not explain the entire release process. The applicability of a semilogarithmic equation was not as good compared with the square-root time law or Higuchi equation. However, it was revealed that the semilogarithmic equation was available to simulate the entire release process, even though the fit was somewhat poor. Hence it was suggested that the semilogarithmic equation was sufficient to describe the release process. The release rate constant was varied with release direction. However, these release rate constants were expressed by a function of the effective surface area and initial amount, independent of the release direction.

Controlled-release tablet formulation of isoniazid.

PubMed

Jain, N K; Kulkarni, K; Talwar, N

1992-04-01

Guar (GG) and Karaya gums (KG) alone and in combination with hydroxy-propylmethylcellulose (HPMC) were evaluated as release retarding materials to formulate a controlled-release tablet dosage form of isoniazid (1). In vitro release of 1 from tablets followed non-Fickian release profile with rapid initial release. Urinary excretion studies in normal subjects showed steady-state levels of 1 for 13 h. In vitro and in vivo data correlated (r = 0.9794). The studies suggested the potentiality of GG and KG as release retarding materials in formulating controlled-release tablet dosage forms of 1.

A cyclostrophic transformed Eulerian zonal mean model for the middle atmosphere of slowly rotating planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, K. F.; Yao, K.; Taketa, C.; Zhang, X.; Liang, M. C.; Jiang, X.; Newman, C. E.; Tung, K. K.; Yung, Y. L.

2015-12-01

With the advance of modern computers, studies of planetary atmospheres have heavily relied on general circulation models (GCMs). Because these GCMs are usually very complicated, the simulations are sometimes difficult to understand. Here we develop a semi-analytic zonally averaged, cyclostrophic residual Eulerian model to illustrate how some of the large-scale structures of the middle atmospheric circulation can be explained qualitatively in terms of simple thermal (e.g. solar heating) and mechanical (the Eliassen-Palm flux divergence) forcings. This model is a generalization of that for fast rotating planets such as the Earth, where geostrophy dominates (Andrews and McIntyre 1987). The solution to this semi-analytic model consists of a set of modified Hough functions of the generalized Laplace's tidal equation with the cyclostrohpic terms. As examples, we apply this model to Titan and Venus. We show that the seasonal variations of the temperature and the circulation of these slowly-rotating planets can be well reproduced by adjusting only three parameters in the model: the Brunt-Väisälä bouyancy frequency, the Newtonian radiative cooling rate, and the Rayleigh friction damping rate. We will also discuss the application of this model to study the meridional transport of photochemically produced tracers that can be observed by space instruments.

A cyclostrophic transformed Eulerian zonal mean model for the middle atmosphere of slowly rotating planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, King-Fai; Yao, Kaixuan; Taketa, Cameron; Zhang, Xi; Liang, Mao-Chang; Jiang, Xun; Newman, Claire; Tung, Ka-Kit; Yung, Yuk L.

2016-04-01

With the advance of modern computers, studies of planetary atmospheres have heavily relied on general circulation models (GCMs). Because these GCMs are usually very complicated, the simulations are sometimes difficult to understand. Here we develop a semi-analytic zonally averaged, cyclostrophic residual Eulerian model to illustrate how some of the large-scale structures of the middle atmospheric circulation can be explained qualitatively in terms of simple thermal (e.g. solar heating) and mechanical (the Eliassen-Palm flux divergence) forcings. This model is a generalization of that for fast rotating planets such as the Earth, where geostrophy dominates (Andrews and McIntyre 1987). The solution to this semi-analytic model consists of a set of modified Hough functions of the generalized Laplace's tidal equation with the cyclostrohpic terms. As an example, we apply this model to Titan. We show that the seasonal variations of the temperature and the circulation of these slowly-rotating planets can be well reproduced by adjusting only three parameters in the model: the Brunt-Väisälä bouyancy frequency, the Newtonian radiative cooling rate, and the Rayleigh friction damping rate. We will also discuss an application of this model to study the meridional transport of photochemically produced tracers that can be observed by space instruments.

Shear fluid-induced Ca2+ release and the role of mitochondria in rat cardiac myocytes.

PubMed

Belmonte, Steve; Morad, Martin

2008-03-01

Cardiac myocyte contraction occurs when Ca2+ influx through voltage-gated L-type Ca2+ channels causes Ca2+ release from ryanodine receptors of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Although mitochondria occupy about 35% of the cell volume in rat cardiac myocytes, and are thought to be located <300 nm from the junctional SR, their role in the beat-to-beat regulation of cardiac Ca2+ signaling remains unclear. We have recently shown that rapid ( approximately 20 ms) application of shear fluid forces ( approximately 25 dynes/cm2) to rat cardiac myocytes triggers slowly ( approximately 300 ms) developing Cai transients that were independent of activation of all transmembrane Ca2+ transporting pathways, but were suppressed by FCCP, CCCP, and Ru360, all of which are known to disrupt mitochondrial function. We have here used rapid 2-D confocal microscopy to monitor fluctuations in mitochondrial Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]m) and mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m) in rat cardiac myocytes loaded either with rhod-2 AM or tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM), respectively. Freshly isolated intact rat cardiac myocytes were plated on glass coverslips and incubated in 5 mM Ca2+ containing Tyrode's solution and 40 mM 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) to inhibit cell contraction. Alternatively, myocytes were permeabilized with 10 microM digitonin and perfused with an "intracellular" solution containing 10 microM free [Ca2+], 5 mM EGTA, and 15 mM BDM. Direct [Ca2+]m measurements showed transient mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation after exposure to 10 mM caffeine, as revealed by a 66% increase in the rhod-2 fluorescence intensity. Shear fluid forces, however, produced a 12% decrease in signal, suggesting that application of a mechanical force releases Ca2+ from the mitochondria. In addition, caffeine and CCCP or FCCP strongly reduced Delta Psi m, while application of a pressurized solution produced a transient Delta Psi m hyperpolarization in intact ventricular myocytes loaded with TMRM

Wound Dressing in Maxillofacial Trauma.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-10-31

Three local anesthetics (procaine, benzocaine , and etidocaine), two antiseptics (iodine and cetylpyridinium chloride, CPC), an anti- inflammatory...Fiber mats with procaine delivered 9% in one hour and 41% in one day. Films released similarly, and powders faster. Benzocaine and etidocaine were...released more slowly. Benzocaine powder released 27% in one hour and 77% in one day, and etidocaine powder released 9% in one hour and 59% in one day

Development of extended-release solid dispersion granules of tacrolimus: evaluation of release mechanism and human oral bioavailability.

PubMed

Tsunashima, Daisuke; Yamashita, Kazunari; Ogawara, Ken-Ichi; Sako, Kazuhiro; Hakomori, Tadashi; Higaki, Kazutaka

2017-12-01

We aimed to prepare a once-daily modified-release oral formulation of tacrolimus by utilizing an extended-release granules (ERG). Extended-release granules were prepared using ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and lactose via a solvent evaporation method with ethanol. Physicochemical and biopharmaceutical studies were performed to determine the formulation with optimum release profile of tacrolimus from ERG. Tacrolimus existed in an amorphous state in ERG. Tacrolimus release from ERG was attenuated by EC and facilitated by lactose, suggesting that drug release kinetics could adequately be regulated by these components. Those release profiles were consistent with Higuchi's equation, suggesting a diffusion-type release mechanism. Smooth surface of ERG changed to the structure with pores after the release test, likely derived from the dissolution of HPMC and lactose. But ERG structure formed by EC was still maintained after the release test, leading to the longer maintenance of diffusion-type release. Two ERG formulations selected by blood concentration simulation successfully provided long-term retention of tacrolimus in blood in a human absorption study. We successfully developed the formulation exhibiting a significant reduction in C max , the longer mean residence time and AUC close to that of an immediate-release tacrolimus formulation, being preferred from the viewpoint of safe and effective immunosuppressant pharmacotherapy. © 2017 Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Study on improving anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure and corn straw by fruit and vegetable waste: Methane production and microbial community in CSTR process.

PubMed

Wang, Xuemei; Li, Zifu; Bai, Xue; Zhou, Xiaoqin; Cheng, Sikun; Gao, Ruiling; Sun, Jiachen

2018-02-01

Based on continuous anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure with available carbon slowly released corn straw, the effect of adding available carbon quickly released fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) was explored, meanwhile microbial community variation was studied in this study. When the FVW added was 5% and 1%, the methane production of the cow manure and corn straw was improved, and the start-up process was shortened. With higher proportion of FVW to 5%, the performance was superior with a mean methane yield increase of 22.4%, and a greater variation of bacterial communities was observed. FVW enhanced the variation of the bacterial communities. The microbial community structure changed during fermentation and showed a trend toward a diverse and balance system. Therefore, the available carbon quickly released FVW was helpful to improve the anaerobic co-digestion of the cow manure and available carbon slowly released corn straw. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sustainable in situ remediation of recalcitrant organic pollutants in groundwater with controlled release materials: A review.

PubMed

O'Connor, David; Hou, Deyi; Ok, Yong Sik; Song, Yinan; Sarmah, Ajit K; Li, Xuanru; Tack, Filip M G

2018-06-06

The removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants in groundwater is a challenge being faced around the world. Achieving effective long-term remediation of contaminated aquifers faces a variety of significant issues such as back diffusion, tailing, and rebound. In recent years, some researchers have proposed the use of controlled release materials (CRMs) as a new approach to counteracting such issues. The novelty of CRMs lies in that they release their active products slowly, over prolonged periods of time, in order to sustain in situ treatments and long-term effectiveness. Here we review the main constituents of CRMs, analyze their production, characterization, and applications, with a focus on reaction mechanisms, effectiveness, and secondary effects. This review shows that the reactive components of CRMs most commonly involve either: (i) chemical oxidants to treat contaminants such as TCE, PCE, BTEX, and 1,4-Dioxane; (ii) sources of dissolved oxygen to stimulate aerobic biodegradation of contaminants such as BTEX and 1,4-Dioxane; or, (iii) substrates that stimulate reductive dechlorination of contaminants such as TCE and 1,2-DCA. It was found that in some studies, CRMs provided sustained delivery of CRM treatment reagents over several years, and achieved complete contaminant removal. However, lower removal rates were apparent in other cases, which may be ascribed to insufficient dispersion in the subsurface. There are a relatively limited number of field-scale applications of CRMs in contaminated land remediation. Those conducted to date suggest that CRMs could prove to be an effective future remediation strategy. Lessons learned from field applications, suggestions for future research directions, and conclusions are put forward in this review. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Different spatial distributions of sodium channels in the slowly and rapidly adapting stretch receptor neuron of the crayfish.

PubMed

Lin, J H; Rydqvist, B

1999-06-05

Inward Na+ currents were studied, using a two-microelectrode intracellular voltage-clamp technique, in the slowly adapting (SA) and rapidly adapting (RA) stretch receptor neurons of the crayfish after the axons were cut at different distances from the soma. In the SA neuron, inward Na+ currents were recorded in the soma even when the axon was cut as close as 100 microm from the center of the soma, indicating the presence of Na+ channels in these parts. Also, two populations of Na+ channels seem to exist in the SA neuron. In the RA neuron, only minute Na+ currents were observed if the axon was shorter than 250 microm. The results strongly indicate that the voltage-gated Na+ channels in the SA and RA neurons have different distributions and that the difference in the spatial distribution of Na+ channel types may be important for the difference in firing properties in the two types of neurons. Copyright 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.

Spending on mental and substance use disorders projected to grow more slowly than all health spending through 2020.

PubMed

Mark, Tami L; Levit, Katharine R; Yee, Tracy; Chow, Clifton M

2014-08-01

Spending on mental and substance use disorders will likely grow more slowly than all health spending through 2020. We project that spending on mental and substance use disorders, as a share of all health spending, will fall from 7.4 percent in 2009 ($172 billion out of $2.3 trillion) to 6.5 percent in 2020 ($281 billion out of $4.3 trillion). This trend is the projected result of reduced spending on mental health drugs because of patent expirations, the low likelihood of innovative drugs entering the market, and a slowdown in spending growth for hospital treatment. By 2020 the expansion of coverage to previously uninsured Americans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), combined with the projected slowdown in Medicare provider payment rates under the ACA and the Budget Control Act of 2011, are expected to add 2.7 percent to behavioral health spending, compared to spending without these changes. Project HOPE—The People-to-People Health Foundation, Inc.

Structural characteristics of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch isolated from heat-moisture treated waxy potato starch.

PubMed

Lee, Chang Joo; Moon, Tae Wha

2015-07-10

The objective of this study was to investigate the structural characteristics of slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) fractions isolated from heat-moisture treated waxy potato starch. The waxy potato starch with 25.7% moisture content was heated at 120°C for 5.3h. Scanning electron micrographs of the cross sections of RS and SDS+RS fractions revealed a growth ring structure. The branch chain-length distribution of debranched amylopectin from the RS fraction had a higher proportion of long chains (DP ≥ 37) than the SDS+RS fraction. The X-ray diffraction intensities of RS and SDS+RS fractions were increased compared to the control. The SDS+RS fraction showed a lower gelatinization enthalpy than the control while the RS fraction had a higher value than the SDS+RS fraction. In this study we showed the RS fraction is composed mainly of crystalline structure and the SDS fraction consists of weak crystallites and amorphous regions. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Altitude release mechanism

DOEpatents

Kulhanek, Frank C.

1977-01-01

An altitude release mechanism for releasing a radiosonde or other measuring instrument from a balloon carrying it up into the atmosphere includes a bottle partially filled with water, a tube sealed into the bottle having one end submerged in the water in the bottle and the free end extending above the top of the bottle and a strip of water-disintegrable paper held within the free end of the tube linking the balloon to the remainder of the package. As the balloon ascends, the lowered atmospheric air pressure causes the air in the bottle to expand, forcing the water in the bottle up the tubing to wet and disintegrate the paper, releasing the package from the balloon.

Thimerosal blocks stimulated but not basal release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in dog isolated coronary artery.

PubMed Central

Crack, P.; Cocks, T.

1992-01-01

1. The effect of an acetly-coA lysolecithin acyltransferase inhibitor, thimerosal, on the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) was examined in the greyhound isolated coronary artery. 2. Thimerosal (1-10 microM) relaxed fully, ring segments of coronary artery which were contracted with the thromboxane A2-mimetic, U46619 (30 nM). The response was endothelium-dependent, slow in both onset and time to reach maximum. The maximum relaxation to the highest concentration of thimerosal (10 microM) was maintained for 10-20 min before the tissue slowly regained active force (1-2 h) to the same or higher level as that prior to the addition of thimerosal. At this time the endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine (ACh), substance P (SP), bradykinin (BK) and the calcium ionophores, ionomycin and A23187 were abolished. The endothelium-dependent contractions to the nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA; 10-100 microM) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA: 10-100 microM), however, were unaffected. 3. Thimerosal (10 microM) did not affect the relaxation curve to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) nor the contraction curve to the thromboxane A2-mimetic, U46619. 4. Both the relaxation response to thimerosal and the selective block of the relaxation responses to stimulated EDRF release were unaffected by either indomethacin (10 microM) or superoxide dismutase (150 u ml-1). 5. L-NNA (100 microM) significantly blocked the relaxation curves to thimerosal and A23187 but not that to SNP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS) PMID:1384915

A novel accelerated in vitro release method to evaluate the release of thymopentin from PLGA microspheres.

PubMed

Xie, Xiangyang; Li, Zhiping; Zhang, Ling; Chi, Qiang; Yang, Yanfang; Zhang, Hui; Yang, Yang; Mei, Xingguo

2015-01-01

A novel accelerated method of good correlations with "real-time" release to evaluate in vitro thymopentin release from poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microsphere was developed. Thymopentin-loaded microspheres were made from three types of PLGA, and peptide release was studied in various conditions. Incomplete release of peptide (<60%) from microspheres was found in accelerated testing with two typical release media. This problem was circumvented by adding organic solvents to the release media and varying the temperature in the media heating process. Release media containing three kinds of organic solvents at 50 °C were tested, respectively, and hydro-alcoholic solution was selected for further study. After the surfactant concentration (0.06%, W/V) and ethanol concentration (20%, V/V) were fixed, a gradient heating program, consisting of three stages and each stage with a different temperature, was introduced to enhance the correlations between the short- and long-term release. After adjusting the heating time of each stage, a good correlation (R(2) = 9896, formulation 8 K; R(2) = 0.9898, formulation 13 K; R(2) = 0.9886, formulation 28 K) between accelerated and "real-time" release was obtained. By optimizing the conditions as ethanol concentration and temperature gradients, this accelerated method may be appropriate for similar peptide formulations that not well correlate with "real-time" release.

An Argument for Weakly Magnetized, Slowly Rotating Progenitors of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno Méndez, Enrique

2014-01-01

Using binary evolution with Case-C mass transfer, the spins of several black holes (BHs) in X-ray binaries (XBs) have been predicted and confirmed (three cases) by observations. The rotational energy of these BHs is sufficient to power up long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and hypernovae (HNe) and still leave a Kerr BH behind. However, strong magnetic fields and/or dynamo effects in the interior of such stars deplete their cores from angular momentum preventing the formation of collapsars. Thus, even though binaries can produce Kerr BHs, most of their rotation is acquired from the stellar mantle, with a long delay between BH formation and spin up. Such binaries would not form GRBs. We study whether the conditions required to produce GRBs can be met by the progenitors of such BHs. Tidal-synchronization and Alfvén timescales are compared for magnetic fields of different intensities threading He stars. A search is made for a magnetic field range that allows tidal spin up all the way in to the stellar core but prevents its slow down during differential rotation phases. The energetics for producing a strong magnetic field during core collapse, which may allow for a GRB central engine, are also estimated. An observationally reasonable choice of parameters is found (B <~ 102 G threading a slowly rotating He star) that allows Fe cores to retain substantial angular momentum. Thus, the Case-C mass-transfer binary channel is capable of explaining long GRBs. However, the progenitors must have low initial spin and low internal magnetic field throughout their H-burning and He-burning phases.

An argument for weakly magnetized, slowly rotating progenitors of long gamma-ray bursts

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

Moreno Méndez, Enrique, E-mail: enriquemm@astro.unam.mx

2014-01-20

Using binary evolution with Case-C mass transfer, the spins of several black holes (BHs) in X-ray binaries (XBs) have been predicted and confirmed (three cases) by observations. The rotational energy of these BHs is sufficient to power up long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and hypernovae (HNe) and still leave a Kerr BH behind. However, strong magnetic fields and/or dynamo effects in the interior of such stars deplete their cores from angular momentum preventing the formation of collapsars. Thus, even though binaries can produce Kerr BHs, most of their rotation is acquired from the stellar mantle, with a long delay between BHmore » formation and spin up. Such binaries would not form GRBs. We study whether the conditions required to produce GRBs can be met by the progenitors of such BHs. Tidal-synchronization and Alfvén timescales are compared for magnetic fields of different intensities threading He stars. A search is made for a magnetic field range that allows tidal spin up all the way in to the stellar core but prevents its slow down during differential rotation phases. The energetics for producing a strong magnetic field during core collapse, which may allow for a GRB central engine, are also estimated. An observationally reasonable choice of parameters is found (B ≲ 10{sup 2} G threading a slowly rotating He star) that allows Fe cores to retain substantial angular momentum. Thus, the Case-C mass-transfer binary channel is capable of explaining long GRBs. However, the progenitors must have low initial spin and low internal magnetic field throughout their H-burning and He-burning phases.« less

Drug release through liposome pores.

PubMed

Dan, Nily

2015-02-01

Electrical, ultrasound and other types of external fields are known to induce the formation of pores in cellular and model membranes. This paper examines drug release through field induced liposome pores using Monte Carlo simulations. We find that drug release rates vary as a function of pore size and spacing, as well as the overall fraction of surface area covered by pores: The rate of release from liposomes is found to increase rapidly with pore surface coverage, approaching that of the fully ruptured liposome at fractional pore areas. For a given pore surface coverage, the pore size affects the release rate in the limit of low coverage, but not when the pores cover a relatively high fraction of the liposome surface area. On the other hand, for a given pore size and surface coverage, the distribution of pores significantly affects the release in the limit of high surface coverage: The rate of release from a liposome covered with a regularly spaced array of pores is, in this limit, higher than the release rate from (most) systems where the pores are distributed randomly on the liposome surface. In contrast, there is little effect of the pore distribution on release when the pore surface coverage is low. The simulation results are in good agreement with the predictions of detailed diffusion models. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kinetic Analysis of Drug Release from Compounded Slow-release Capsules of Liothyronine Sodium (T3).

PubMed

Bakhteyar, Hamid; Cassone, Clayton; Kohan, Hamed Gilzad; Sani, Shabnam N

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to formulate extemporaneously compounded Liothyronine Sodium (T3) slow-release capsules and to evaluate their in vitro drug release performance. Twenty-one formulations containing T3 (7.5 µg) with various compositions of two different grades of Methocel E4M and K100M premium (30% to 90%), and/or SimpleCap/Lactose (10% to 70%) were examined. Quality assessment of the capsules was conducted by standard quality control criteria of the United States Pharmacopeia (i.e., weight variation, content uniformity) to ensure their compliance. The dissolution release profile of the formulations was evaluated using United States Pharmacopeia Apparatus type II (paddle method) at a speed of 50 rpm and temperature of 37°C in phosphate buffered saline media ( pH = 7.2 to 7.4). Aliquots from the media were taken periodically up to 24 hours and analyzed using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The cumulative percentage of drug release for each formulation was fitted to eleven major release kinetic equations to determine the best-fit model of drug release, as well as the mechanism of release. Assay sensitivity was as low as 1 ng/mL and the optimal calibration range was found to be between 0 ng/mL and 7.5 ng/mL, which corresponded well with the average physiological plasma concentrations of T3. Liothyronine sodium with either SimpleCap (100%) or Methocel E4M (100%) exhibited slowrelease kinetic patterns of Peppas and Zero Order, respectively. The formulation with SimpleCap (100%) had a higher percentage of drug release (as compared to 100% Methocel E4M) within the first four hours; this formulation released 80% of the drug within 12 hours when the release was plateaued thereafter. The formulation with 30% Methocel E4M and 70% SimpleCap released 100% of the drug within the initial 12 hours and exhibited a Zero Order slow-release kinetic pattern. In general, the release kinetic rate of the formulations containing Methocel K100M appeared to

Optogenetic control of ATP release

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lewis, Matthew A.; Joshi, Bipin; Gu, Ling; Feranchak, Andrew; Mohanty, Samarendra K.

2013-03-01

Controlled release of ATP can be used for understanding extracellular purinergic signaling. While coarse mechanical forces and hypotonic stimulation have been utilized in the past to initiate ATP release from cells, these methods are neither spatially accurate nor temporally precise. Further, these methods cannot be utilized in a highly effective cell-specific manner. To mitigate the uncertainties regarding cellular-specificity and spatio-temporal release of ATP, we herein demonstrate use of optogenetics for ATP release. ATP release in response to optogenetic stimulation was monitored by Luciferin-Luciferase assay (North American firefly, photinus pyralis) using luminometer as well as mesoscopic bioluminescence imaging. Our result demonstrates repetitive release of ATP subsequent to optogenetic stimulation. It is thus feasible that purinergic signaling can be directly detected via imaging if the stimulus can be confined to single cell or in a spatially-defined group of cells. This study opens up new avenue to interrogate the mechanisms of purinergic signaling.

Effect of quantifying peptide release on ruminal protein degradation determined using the inhibitor in vitro system.

PubMed

Colombini, S; Broderick, G A; Clayton, M K

2011-04-01

-undegradable protein (RUP) content; the more slowly degraded SSBM had RUP content (35% by OPA-C) similar to that reported by the NRC. The RUP content of ESBM (42% by OPA-C) was lower than the NRC value. Preliminary studies with 4 additional protein concentrates confirmed that accounting for peptide formation increased degradation rate; however, a trend for an interaction between assay and protein source suggested that peptide release made a smaller contribution to rate for more slowly degraded proteins. The OPA-C assay is a simple and reliable method to quantify formation of small peptides. Copyright © 2011 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Modification of drug release from acetaminophen granules by melt granulation technique - consideration of release kinetics.

PubMed

Uhumwangho, M U; Okor, R S

2006-01-01

Acetaminophen granules have been formed by a melt granulation process with the objective of retarding drug release for prolonged action formulations. The waxes used were goat wax, carnuba wax and glyceryl monostearate. In the melt granulation procedure, acetaminophen powder was triturated with the melted waxes and passed through a sieve of mesh 10 (aperture size 710 microm). The content of wax in resulting granules ranged from 10 to 40%w/w. Acetaminophen granules were also formed by the convectional method of wet granulation with starch mucilage (20%w/w). The granules were subjected to in-vitro drug release tests. The release data were subjected to analysis by three different well-established mathematical models (release kinetics) namely, - zero order flux, first order, and the Higuchi square root of time relationship. The convectional granules exhibited an initial zero order flux (first 55%) followed by a first order release profile (the remaining 45%). The pattern of drug release from the melt granulations was consistent with the first order kinetic and the Higuchi square root of time relationship, indicating a diffusion-controlled release mechanism. The first order release rate constant of the convectional granules was 1.95 +/- 0.02 h(-1). After melt granulation (wax content, 20%w/w) the rate constants dropped drastically to 0.130+/-0.001 h(-1) (goat wax), 0.120+/-0.003 h(-1) (carnuba wax), and 0.130+/-0.002 h(-1) (glyceryl monosterate) indicating that all three waxes were equivalent in retarding drug release from the melt granulations.

Effect of Quaternary Ammonium Carboxymethylchitosan on Release Rate In-vitro of Aspirin Sustained-release Matrix Tablets

PubMed Central

Meng, Lingbin; Teng, Zhongqiu; Zheng, Nannan; Meng, Weiwei; Dai, Rongji; Deng, Yulin

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to develop a derivative of chitosan as pharmaceutical excipient used in sustained-release matrix tablets of poorly soluble drugs. A water-soluble quaternary ammonium carboxymethylchitosan was synthesized by a two-step reaction with carboxymethylchitosan (CMCTS), decylalkyl dimethyl ammonium and epichlorohydrin. The elemental analysis showed that the target product with 10.27% of the maximum grafting degree was obtained. To assess the preliminary safety of this biopolymer, cell toxicity assay was employed. In order to further investigate quaternary ammonium carboxymethylchitosan application as pharmaceutical excipient, aspirin was chosen as model drug. The effect of quaternary ammonium CMCTS on aspirin release rate from sustained-release matrix tablets was examined by in-vitro dissolution experiments. The results showed that this biopolymer had a great potential in increasing the dissolution of poorly soluble drug. With the addition of CMCTS-CEDA, the final cumulative release rate of drug rose up to 90%. After 12 h, at the grade of 10, 20 and 50 cps, the drug release rate increased from 58.1 to 90.7%, from 64.1 to 93.9%, from 69.3 to 96.1%, respectively. At the same time, aspirin release rate from sustainedrelease model was found to be related to the amount of quaternary ammonium CMCTS employed. With the increase of CMCTS-CEDA content, the accumulated release rate increased from 69.1% to 86.7%. The mechanism of aspirin release from sustained-release matrix tablets was also preliminary studied to be Fick diffusion. These data demonstrated that the chitosan derivative has positive effect on drug release from sustained-release matrix tablets. PMID:24250627

Index to NASA News Releases 1995

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1996-01-01

This issue of the index to NASA News Releases contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, during 1995. The index is arranged in six sections: Subject index, Personal name index, News release number index, Accession number index, Speeches, and News releases.

Release-ability of nano fillers from different nanomaterials (toward the acceptability of nanoproduct)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golanski, L.; Guiot, A.; Pras, M.; Malarde, M.; Tardif, F.

2012-07-01

It is of great interest to set up a reproducible and sensitive method able to qualify nanomaterials before their market introduction in terms of their constitutive nanoparticle release-ability in usage. Abrasion was performed on polycarbonate, epoxy, and PA11 polymers containing carbone nanotubes (CNT) up to 4 %wt. Using Taber linear standard tool and standard abrasion conditions no release from polymer coatings containing CNT was measured. In this study, new practical tools inducing non-standardized stresses able to compete with van der Waals forces were developed and tested on model polymers, showing controlled CNT dispersion. These stresses are still realistic, corresponding to scratching, instantaneous mechanical shocks, and abrasion of the surface. They offer an efficient way to quantify if release is possible from nanomaterials under different mechanical stresses and therefore give an idea about the mechanisms that favors it. Release under mechanical shocks and hard abrasion was obtained using these tools but only when nanomaterials present a bad dispersion of CNT within the epoxy matrix. Under the same conditions no release was obtained from the same material presenting a good dispersion. The CNT used in this study showed an external diameter Dext = 12 nm, an internal diameter Din = 5 nm, and a mean length of 1 μm. Release from paints under hard abrasion using a standard rotative Taber tool was obtained from a intentionaly non-optimized paint containing SiO2 nanoparticles up to 35 %wt. The primary diameter of the SiO2 was estimated to be around 12 nm. A metallic rake was efficient to remove nanoparticles from a non-woven fabric nanomaterial.

Hsp72 release: mechanisms and methodologies.

PubMed

Asea, Alexzander

2007-11-01

To date there are two mechanisms that are recognized by which heat shock proteins (HSP) are released from cells; a passive release mechanism, including necrotic cell death, severe blunt trauma, surgery and following infection with lytic viruses, and an active release mechanism which involves the non classical protein release pathway in which HSPs are released within highly immunologically potent exosomes and as free HSP. This chapter describes the experimental procedures that have been developed to study the mechanism by which stress induces the release of HSP72 into the circulation and addresses the biological significance of circulating HSP72 to host defense against disease.

Advanced release technologies program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Purdy, Bill

1994-01-01

The objective of the ARTS program was to develop lighter and less expensive spacecraft ordnance and release systems that answer to the requirements of a wide variety of spacecraft applications. These improvements were to be evaluated at the spacecraft system level, as it was determined that there were substantial system-level costs associated with the present ordnance and release subsystems. New, better devices were to be developed, then flight qualified, then integrated into a flight experiment in order to prove the reliability required for their subsequent use on high-reliability spacecraft. The secondary goal of the program was to quantify the system-level benefits of these new subsystems based upon the development program results. Three non-explosive release mechanisms and one laser-diode-based ordnance system were qualified under the program. The release devices being developed were required to release high preloads because it is easier to scale down a release mechanism than to scale it up. The laser initiator developed was required to be a direct replacement for NASA Standard Initiators, since these are the most common initiator in use presently. The program began in October, 1991, with completion of the flight experiment scheduled for February, 1994. This paper provides an overview of the ARTS program, discusses the benefits of using the ARTS components, introduces the new components, compares them with conventional systems and each other, and provides recommendations on how best to implement them.

28 CFR 2.83 - Release planning.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Release planning. 2.83 Section 2.83... Release planning. (a) All grants of parole shall be conditioned on the development of a suitable release... parole date for purposes of release planning for up to 120 days without a hearing. If efforts to...

SAGEIII-ISS Data Release

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2017-11-15

... data has historically been used by the World Meteorological Organization to inform their periodic assessments of ozone depletion. These new ... follow a monthly release schedule.   SAGE III-ISS information is provided in the V5 Release Notes , Data Products User's ...

Fluoride releasing and enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets by fluoride-releasing composite containing nanoparticles.

PubMed

Melo, Mary A S; Morais, Weslanny A; Passos, Vanara F; Lima, Juliana P M; Rodrigues, Lidiany K A

2014-05-01

Fluoride-containing materials have been suggested to control enamel demineralization around orthodontic brackets during the treatment with fixed appliances. The improvement of their properties has been made through innovations, such as the application of nanotechnology by incorporation of nanofillers. This in vitro study evaluated the capacity of fluoride releasing and enamel demineralization inhibition of fluoride-releasing nanofilled cement around orthodontic brackets using an artificial caries biofilm model. Forty bovine enamel discs were selected by evaluating surface microhardness and randomized into four groups (n = 10): non-fluoride-releasing microfilled composite, fluoride-releasing microfilled composite, resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGI), and fluoride-releasing nanofilled composite (FN). After brackets bonding in each disc, the specimens were subjected to a cariogenic challenge through a Streptococcus mutans biofilm model. After the experimental period, the biofilm formed around the brackets was collected for fluoride analysis and the mineral loss around the brackets was determined by integrated demineralization via cross-sectional microhardness measurement at 20 and 70 μm from the bracket margin. Additionally, samples of each group were subjected to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis examined under a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). ANOVA followed by Tukey test were applied for fluoride concentration and mineral loss data, respectively. At both distances, only RMGI statistically differed from the other groups presenting the lowest demineralization, although there was a trend to a lower demineralization of enamel around brackets in FN group. Similar condition was found to fluoride concentration and EDX/SEM analysis. Under the cariogenic exposure condition of this study, the fluoride-releasing nanofilled material had similar performance to fluoride-releasing microfilled materials. The presence of nanofillers in the fluoride-releasing

Somatodendritic dopamine release: recent mechanistic insights

PubMed Central

Rice, Margaret E.; Patel, Jyoti C.

2015-01-01

Dopamine (DA) is a key transmitter in motor, reward and cogitative pathways, with DA dysfunction implicated in disorders including Parkinson's disease and addiction. Located in midbrain, DA neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta project via the medial forebrain bundle to the dorsal striatum (caudate putamen), and DA neurons in the adjacent ventral tegmental area project to the ventral striatum (nucleus accumbens) and prefrontal cortex. In addition to classical vesicular release from axons, midbrain DA neurons exhibit DA release from their cell bodies and dendrites. Somatodendritic DA release leads to activation of D2 DA autoreceptors on DA neurons that inhibit their firing via G-protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K+ channels. This helps determine patterns of DA signalling at distant axonal release sites. Somatodendritically released DA also acts via volume transmission to extrasynaptic receptors that modulate local transmitter release and neuronal activity in the midbrain. Thus, somatodendritic release is a pivotal intrinsic feature of DA neurons that must be well defined in order to fully understand the physiology and pathophysiology of DA pathways. Here, we review recent mechanistic aspects of somatodendritic DA release, with particular emphasis on the Ca2+ dependence of release and the potential role of exocytotic proteins. PMID:26009764

Growth hormone (GH)-releasing activity of chicken GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) in chickens.

PubMed

Harvey, S; Gineste, C; Gaylinn, B D

2014-08-01

Two peptides with sequence similarities to growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) have been identified by analysis of the chicken genome. One of these peptides, chicken (c) GHRH-LP (like peptide) was previously found to poorly bind to chicken pituitary membranes or to cloned and expressed chicken GHRH receptors and had little, if any, growth hormone (GH)-releasing activity in vivo or in vitro. In contrast, a second more recently discovered peptide, cGHRH, does bind to cloned and expressed cGHRH receptors and increases cAMP activity in transfected cells. The possibility that this peptide may have in vivo GH-releasing activity was therefore assessed. The intravenous (i.v.) administration of cGHRH to immature chickens, at doses of 3-100 μg/kg, significantly increased circulating GH concentrations within 10 min of injection and the plasma GH levels remained elevated for at least 30 min after the injection of maximally effective doses. The plasma GH responses to cGHRH were comparable with those induced by human (h) or porcine (p) GHRH preparations and to that induced by thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). In marked contrast, the i.v. injection of cGHRH-LP had no significant effect on circulating GH concentrations in immature chicks. GH release was also increased from slaughterhouse chicken pituitary glands perifused for 5 min with cGHRH at doses of 0.1 μg/ml or 1.0 μg/ml, comparable with GH responses to hGHRH1-44. In contrast, the perifusion of chicken pituitary glands with cGHRH-LP had no significant effect on GH release. In summary, these results demonstrate that cGHRH has GH-releasing activity in chickens and support the possibility that it is the endogenous ligand of the cGHRH receptor. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Release the Body, Release the Mind.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stoner, Martha Goff

1998-01-01

A college English teacher describes the anxiety and resentment of students during in-class writing assignments and the successful classroom use of meditation and body movement. Movement seemed to relax the students, change their attitudes, and release their creative impulses to write. Implications related to the body-mind connection are pondered.…

ACTH releasing activity of KP-102 (GHRP-2) in rats is mediated mainly by release of CRF.

PubMed

Hirotani, Chiharu; Oki, Yutaka; Ukai, Kiyoharu; Okuno, Tadashi; Kurasaki, Shigeru; Ohyama, Tadashi; Doi, Naomi; Sasaki, Ken; Ase, Katsuhiko

2005-01-01

KP-102 (GHRP-2: pralmorelin) is a synthetic growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP) that powerfully stimulates the release of GH by acting (i.v.) at both hypothalamic and pituitary sites. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of KP-102 also elicits slight but significant release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in both animals and humans, as is seen with other GHRPs. GHRPs are thought to stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis by releasing endogenous ACTH secretagogues such as arginine vasopressin (AVP) and/or corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), though neither AVP nor CRF has been shown clearly to be involved significantly in GHRP-evoked ACTH release. In the present study, we investigated the effects of KP-102 on ACTH release in conscious rats under improved experimental conditions that minimized the influence of stress. Administration of KP-102 i.v. increased plasma ACTH significantly, but did not stimulate ACTH release from rat primary pituitary cells. Administration of KP-102 together with either AVP or CRF elicited significantly greater increases in plasma ACTH levels than any of the agonists alone. Notably, the combination of KP-102 and AVP produced a much greater increase in ACTH than KP-102 plus CRF, indicating that KP-102 augments the effect of exogenous CRF only weakly. Conversely, a CRF antagonist markedly inhibited KP-102-induced ACTH release in conscious rats, whereas an AVP antagonist or anti-AVP antiserum did not. Taken together, these findings suggest that KP-102 acts via the hypothalamus to stimulate ACTH release in rats, and that these effects are mediated mainly by the release of CRF.

Effect of magnetic fields on the r-modes of slowly rotating relativistic neutron stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chirenti, Cecilia; Skákala, Jozef

2013-11-01

We study here the r-modes in the Cowling approximation of a slowly rotating and magnetized neutron star with a poloidal magnetic field, where we neglect any deformations of the spherical symmetry of the star. We were able to quantify the influence of the magnetic field in both the oscillation frequency σr of the r-modes and the growth time tgw of the gravitational radiation emission. We conclude that magnetic fields of the order 1015G at the center of the star are necessary to produce any changes. Our results for σr show a decrease of up to ˜5% in the frequency with increasing magnetic field, with a B2 dependence for rotation rates Ω/ΩK≳0.07 and B4 for Ω/ΩK≲0.07. (These results should be trusted only within the slow rotation approximation, and we kept Ω/ΩK<0.3.) For tgw, we find that it is approximately 30% smaller than previous Newtonian results for nonmagnetized stars, which would mean a faster growth of the emission of gravitational radiation. The effect of the magnetic field in tgw causes a nonmonotonic effect that first slightly increases tgw and then decreases it further by another ˜5%. (The value of the magnetic field for which tgw starts to decrease depends on the rotational frequency, but it is generally around 1015G.) Future work should be dedicated to the study of the effect of viscosity in the presence of magnetic fields, in order to establish the magnetic correction to the instability window.

Ultrasound enhanced release of therapeutics from drug-releasing implants based on titania nanotube arrays.

PubMed

Aw, Moom Sinn; Losic, Dusan

2013-02-25

A non-invasive and external stimulus-driven local drug delivery system (DDS) based on titania nanotube (TNT) arrays loaded with drug encapsulated polymeric micelles as drug carriers and ultrasound generator is described. Ultrasound waves (USW) generated by a pulsating sonication probe (Sonotrode) in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.2 as the medium for transmitting pressure waves, were used to release drug-loaded nano-carriers from the TNT arrays. It was demonstrated that a very rapid release in pulsatile mode can be achieved, controlled by several parameters on the ultrasonic generator. This includes pulse length, time, amplitude and power intensity. By optimization of these parameters, an immediate drug-micelles release of 100% that spans a desirable time of 5-50 min was achieved. It was shown that stimulated release can be generated and reproduced at any time throughout the TNT-Ti implant life, suggesting considerable potential of this approach as a feasible and tunable ultrasound-mediated drug delivery system in situ via drug-releasing implants. It is expected that this concept can be translated from an in vitro to in vivo regime for therapeutic applications using drug-releasing implants in orthopedic and coronary stents. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The 2017 Release Cloudy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferland, G. J.; Chatzikos, M.; Guzmán, F.; Lykins, M. L.; van Hoof, P. A. M.; Williams, R. J. R.; Abel, N. P.; Badnell, N. R.; Keenan, F. P.; Porter, R. L.; Stancil, P. C.

2017-10-01

We describe the 2017 release of the spectral synthesis code Cloudy, summarizing the many improvements to the scope and accuracy of the physics which have been made since the previous release. Exporting the atomic data into external data files has enabled many new large datasets to be incorporated into the code. The use of the complete datasets is not realistic for most calculations, so we describe the limited subset of data used by default, which predicts significantly more lines than the previous release of Cloudy. This version is nevertheless faster than the previous release, as a result of code optimizations. We give examples of the accuracy limits using small models, and the performance requirements of large complete models. We summarize several advances in the H- and He-like iso-electronic sequences and use our complete collisional-radiative models to establish the densities where the coronal and local thermodynamic equilibrium approximations work.

Puberty, statural growth, and growth hormone release in children with cerebral palsy

PubMed Central

Kuperminc, Michelle N.; Gurka, Matthew J.; Houlihan, Christine M.; Henderson, Richard C.; Roemmich, James N.; Rogol, Alan D.

2010-01-01

Objective Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are smaller than normally growing children.. The association between the growth hormone (GH) axis and growth in children with CP during puberty is unknown. We compared growth and markers of the GH axis in pre-pubertal and pubertal children with moderate to severe CP and without CP over a three-year period. Study design Twenty children with CP, ages 6–18, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III–V, were compared to a group of sixty-three normally growing children of similar age. Anthropometry, Tanner stage, bone age, and laboratory analyses were performed every six months for three years. Laboratory values included spontaneous overnight GH release, fasting IGF-1 and IGFBP-3. Repeated measures models were used to evaluate interactions among Tanner stage and group (children with CP vs. reference children), taking into account gender, age, and nutritional status. Results Children with CP grew more slowly than those without CP at all Tanner stages (p<0.01). Patterns of IGF-1 and GH secretion in children with CP were similar to those of the reference group; however, the concentrations of IGF-1 (p<0.01) and GH (p<0.01) were lower in girls with CP, with a similar trend for boys (p=0.10 and 0.14, respectively). Conclusions Diminished circulating IGF-1 and GH concentrations may explain the differences in growth between the two groups. PMID:20216931

Probing the magnetosphere using chemical releases from the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernhardt, P. A.

1992-01-01

An overview is presented of the chemical release experiments from NASA's Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) program. Preliminary results are given for the CRRES investigations of (1) stimulated electron and ion precipitation, (2) ion transport in the magnetotail, (3) critical ionization velocity, (4) field line tracing and parallel acceleration, (5) diamagnetic cavity formation and collapse, and (6) plasma instabilities. The chemical vapor properties from a thermite release mechanism are also briefly described.

Individualized optimal release angles in discus throwing.

PubMed

Leigh, Steve; Liu, Hui; Hubbard, Mont; Yu, Bing

2010-02-10

The purpose of this study was to determine individualized optimal release angles for elite discus throwers. Three-dimensional coordinate data were obtained for at least 10 competitive trials for each subject. Regression relationships between release speed and release angle, and between aerodynamic distance and release angle were determined for each subject. These relationships were linear with subject-specific characteristics. The subject-specific relationships between release speed and release angle may be due to subjects' technical and physical characteristics. The subject-specific relationships between aerodynamic distance and release angle may be due to interactions between the release angle, the angle of attack, and the aerodynamic distance. Optimal release angles were estimated for each subject using the regression relationships and equations of projectile motion. The estimated optimal release angle was different for different subjects, and ranged from 35 degrees to 44 degrees . The results of this study demonstrate that the optimal release angle for discus throwing is thrower-specific. The release angles used by elite discus throwers in competition are not necessarily optimal for all discus throwers, or even themselves. The results of this study provide significant information for understanding the biomechanics of discus throwing techniques. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Drug release and swelling kinetics of directly compressed glipizide sustained-release matrices: establishment of level A IVIVC.

PubMed

Sankalia, Jolly M; Sankalia, Mayur G; Mashru, Rajashree C

2008-07-02

The purpose of this study was to examine a level A in vitro-in vivo correlation (IVIVC) for glipizide hydrophilic sustained-release matrices, with an acceptable internal predictability, in the presence of a range of formulation/manufacturing changes. The effect of polymeric blends of ethylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, xanthan gum, guar gum, Starch 1500, and lactose on in vitro release profiles was studied and fitted to various release kinetics models. Water uptake kinetics with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was carried out to support the drug release mechanism. An IVIVC was established by comparing the pharmacokinetic parameters of optimized (M-24) and marketed (Glytop-2.5 SR) formulations after single oral dose studies on white albino rabbits. The matrix M-19 (xanthan:MCC PH301 at 70:40) and M-24 (xanthan:HPMC K4M:Starch 1500 at 70:25:15) showed the glipizide release within the predetermined constraints at all time points with Korsmeyer-Peppas' and zero-order release mechanism, respectively. Kopcha model revealed that the xanthan gum is the major excipient responsible for the diffusional release profile and was further supported by SEM and swelling studies. A significant level A IVIVC with acceptable limits of prediction errors (below 15%) enables the prediction of in vivo performance from their in vitro release profile. It was concluded that proper selection of rate-controlling polymers with release rate modifier excipients will determine overall release profile, duration and mechanism from directly compressed matrices.

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 2010 Designing Greener Chemicals Award

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge 2010 award winner, Clarke, developed Natular, a plaster matrix that encapsulates the pesticide spinosad, slowly releasing it into water and effectively controlling mosquito larvae.

Hydrodynamic dispersion in a combined magnetohydrodynamic- electroosmotic-driven flow through a microchannel with slowly varying wall zeta potentials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vargas, C.; Arcos, J.; Bautista, O.; Méndez, F.

2017-09-01

The effective dispersion coefficient of a neutral solute in the combined electroosmotic (EO) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)-driven flow of a Newtonian fluid through a parallel flat plate microchannel is studied. The walls of the microchannel are assumed to have modulated and low zeta potentials that vary slowly in the axial direction in a sinusoidal manner. The flow field required to obtain the dispersion coefficient is solved using the lubrication approximation theory. The solution of the electrical potential is based on the Debye-Hückel approximation for a symmetric (Z :Z ) electrolyte solution. The EO and MHD effects, together with the variations in the zeta potentials of the walls, are observed to notably modify the axial distribution of the effective dispersion coefficient. The problem is formulated for two cases of the zeta potential function. Note that the dispersion coefficient primarily depends on the Hartmann number, on the ratio of the half height of the microchannel to the Debye length, and on the assumed variation in the zeta potentials of the walls.

In vitro effect of. Delta. sup 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol to stimulate somatostatin release and block that of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone by suppression of the release of prostaglandin E sub 2

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

Rettori, V.; Aguila, M.C.; McCann, S.M.

Previous in vivo studies have shown that {Delta}{sup 9}-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the principal active ingredient in marijuana, can suppress both luteinizing hormone (LH) and growth hormone (GH) secretion after its injection into the third ventricle of conscious male rats. The present studies were deigned to determine the mechanism of these effects. Various doses of THC were incubated with either stalk median eminence fragments (MEs) or mediobasal hypothalamic (MBH) fragments in vitro. Although THC (10 nM) did not alter basal release of LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) from MEs in vitro, it completely blocked the stimulatory action of dopamine or nonrepinephrine on LHRH release.more » The effective doses to block LHRH release were associated with a blockade of synthesis and release of prostaglandin E{sub 2} (PGE{sub 2}) from MBH in vitro. In contrast to the suppressive effect of THC on LHRH release, somatostatin release from MEs was enhanced in a dose-related manner with a minimal effective dose of 1 nM. Since PGE{sub 2} suppresses somatostatin release, this enhancement may also be related to the suppressive effect of THC on PGE{sub 2} synthesis and release. The authors speculate that these actions are mediated by the recently discovered THC receptors in the tissue. The results indicate that the suppressive effect of THC on LH release is mediated by a blockade of LHRH release, whereas the suppressive effect of the compound on growth hormone release is mediated, at least in part, by a stimulation of somatostatin release.« less

Release of enzymes from lysosomes by irradiation and the relation of lipid peroxide formation to enzyme release

PubMed Central

Wills, E. D.; Wilkinson, A. E.

1966-01-01

1. Acid phosphatase, cathepsin and β-glucuronidase are released from rat-liver lysosomes by irradiation in vitro. Enzyme release is detectable after a dose of 1krad and increases with dose up to 100krads. 2. Maximum radiation effects were observed when the lysosomes were kept for 20hr. at 4° or 20° after irradiation. 3. An atmosphere of nitrogen considerably decreases enzyme release from lysosomes. 4. Enzyme release is enhanced by ascorbic acid and decreased by vitamin E. 5. Irradiation causes formation of lipid peroxides in lysosomes, and enzyme release increases with lipid peroxide formation. 6. It is suggested that lipid peroxide formation leads to rupture of the lysosome membrane and allows release of the contained hydrolytic enzymes. PMID:5964962

Effects of Extended-Release Niacin and Extended-Release Niacin/Laropiprant on the Pharmacokinetics of Simvastatin in Healthy Subjects.

PubMed

Lauring, Brett; Dishy, Victor; De Kam, Pieter-Jan; Crumley, Tami; Wenning, Larissa; Liu, Fang; Sisk, Christine; Wagner, John; Lai, Eseng

2015-01-01

The use of multiple lipid-modifying agents with different mechanisms of action is often required to regulate lipid levels in patients with dyslipidemia. During combination therapy, alterations in the pharmacokinetics of any of the drugs used and their metabolites may occur. Three separate open-label, randomized, crossover studies evaluated the potential for pharmacokinetic interaction between extended-release niacin (with and without concomitant laropiprant) and simvastatin in healthy subjects. Study 1 used single doses of extended-release niacin and simvastatin; study 2 used multiple-dose coadministration of extended-release niacin/laropiprant and simvastatin in healthy subjects; and study 3 used single doses of both extended-release niacin and the coadministration of extended-release niacin/laropiprant and simvastatin in healthy Chinese subjects. During each treatment period, plasma samples were collected predose and at prespecified postdose time points for pharmacokinetic analyses. The safety and tolerability of simvastatin with and without coadministered extended-release niacin (or extended-release niacin/laropiprant) were assessed by clinical evaluation of adverse experiences. In 2 studies in healthy subjects, modest increases in exposure to simvastatin acid (by ∼60%) by extended-release niacin and extended-release niacin/laropiprant were observed. Based on the clinical experience with simvastatin, these effects are not believed to be clinically meaningful. In the third study on healthy Chinese subjects, no statistically meaningful increases in exposure to simvastatin by extended-release niacin and extended-release niacin/laropiprant were observed. In all populations examined in these studies, the coadministration of extended-release niacin and simvastatin was generally well tolerated.

Toxic chemical release weighted ranking

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

Petrocchi, A.J.

1989-07-19

The weighted ranking as used in this report is an attempt to combine total air release with recognized exposure limit for each toxic chemical to arrive at a single ranking factor called Release Exposure Index (REI) which takes both release amount and degree of hazard into consideration. The REIs can then be used in decision making to prioritize how these chemicals are addressed. 2 tabs.

Investigation of the effect of tablet surface area/volume on drug release from hydroxypropylmethylcellulose controlled-release matrix tablets.

PubMed

Reynolds, Thomas D; Mitchell, Shawn A; Balwinski, Karen M

2002-04-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of tablet surface area/volume (SA/Vol) on drug release from controlled-release matrix tablets containing hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Soluble drugs (promethazine HCl, diphenhydramine HCl, and propranolol HCl) were utilized in this study to give predominantly diffusion-controlled release. Drug release from HPMC matrix tablets with similar values of SA/Vol was comparable within the same tablet shape (i.e., flat-faced round tablets) and among different shapes (i.e., oval, round concave, flat-faced beveled-edge, and flat-faced round tablets). Tablets having the same surface area but different SA/Vol values did not result in similar drug release; tablets with larger SA/Vol values hadfaster release profiles. Utility of SA/Vol to affect drug release was demonstrated by changing drug doses, and altering tablet shape to adjust SA/Vol. When SA/Vol was held constant, similar release profiles were obtained with f2 metric values greater than 70. Thus, surface area/volume is one of the key variables in controlling drug release from HPMC matrix tablets. Proper use of this variable has practical application by formulators who may need to duplicate drug release profiles from tablets of different sizes and different shapes.

PVP VA64 as a novel release-modifier for sustained-release mini-matrices prepared via hot melt extrusion.

PubMed

Li, Yongcheng; Lu, Ming; Wu, Chuanbin

2017-11-10

The purpose of this study was to explore poly(vinylpyrrolidone-co-vinyl acetate) (PVP VA64) as a novel release-modifier to tailor the drug release from ethylcellulose (EC)-based mini-matrices prepared via hot melt extrusion (HME). Quetiapine fumarate (QF) was selected as model drug. QF/EC/PVP VA64 mini-matrices were extruded with 30% drug loading. The physical state of QF in extruded mini-matrices was characterized using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffraction, and confocal Raman microscopy. The release-controlled ability of PVP VA64 was investigated and compared with that of xanthan gum, crospovidone, and low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose. The influences of PVP VA64 content and processing temperature on QF release behavior and mechanism were also studied. The results indicated QF dispersed as the crystalline state in all mini-matrices. The release of QF from EC was very slow as only 4% QF was released in 24 h. PVP VA64 exhibited the best ability to enhance the drug release as compared with other three release-modifiers. The drug release increased to 50-100% in 24 h with the addition of 20-40% PVP VA64. Increasing processing temperature slightly slowed down the drug release by decreasing free volume and pore size. The release kinetics showed good fit with the Ritger-Peppas model. The values of release exponent (n) increased as PVP VA64 is added (0.14 for pure EC, 0.41 for 20% PVP VA64, and 0.61 for 40% PVP VA64), revealing that the addition of PVP VA64 enhanced the erosion mechanism. This work presented a new polymer blend system of EC with PVP VA64 for sustained-release prepared via HME.

Kepler Data Release 4 Notes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Van Cleve, Jeffrey (Editor); Jenkins, Jon; Caldwell, Doug; Allen, Christopher L.; Batalha, Natalie; Bryson, Stephen T.; Chandrasekaran, Hema; Clarke, Bruce D.; Cote, Miles T.; Dotson, Jessie L.;

Experimental Study of Homogeneous Isotropic Slowly-Decaying Turbulence in Giant Grid-Wind Tunnel Set Up

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aliseda, Alberto; Bourgoin, Mickael; Eswirp Collaboration

2014-11-01

We present preliminary results from a recent grid turbulence experiment conducted at the ONERA wind tunnel in Modane, France. The ESWIRP Collaboration was conceived to probe the smallest scales of a canonical turbulent flow with very high Reynolds numbers. To achieve this, the largest scales of the turbulence need to be extremely big so that, even with the large separation of scales, the smallest scales would be well above the spatial and temporal resolution of the instruments. The ONERA wind tunnel in Modane (8 m -diameter test section) was chosen as a limit of the biggest large scales achievable in a laboratory setting. A giant inflatable grid (M = 0.8 m) was conceived to induce slowly-decaying homogeneous isotropic turbulence in a large region of the test section, with minimal structural risk. An international team or researchers collected hot wire anemometry, ultrasound anemometry, resonant cantilever anemometry, fast pitot tube anemometry, cold wire thermometry and high-speed particle tracking data of this canonical turbulent flow. While analysis of this large database, which will become publicly available over the next 2 years, has only started, the Taylor-scale Reynolds number is estimated to be between 400 and 800, with Kolmogorov scales as large as a few mm . The ESWIRP Collaboration is formed by an international team of scientists to investigate experimentally the smallest scales of turbulence. It was funded by the European Union to take advantage of the largest wind tunnel in Europe for fundamental research.

Pharmacological modulations of cardiac ultra-rapid and slowly activating delayed rectifier currents: potential antiarrhythmic approaches.

PubMed

Islam, Mohammed A

2010-01-01

Despite the emerging new insights into our understandings of the cellular mechanisms underlying cardiac arrhythmia, medical therapy for this disease remains unsatisfactory. Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most prevalent arrhythmia, is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. On the other hand, ventricular fibrillation results in sudden cardiac deaths in many instances. Prolongation of cardiac action potential (AP) is a proven principle of antiarrhythmic therapy. Class III antiarrhythmic agents prolong AP and QT interval by blocking rapidly activating delayed rectifier current (I(Kr)). However, I(Kr) blocking drugs carry the risk of life-threatening proarrhythmia. Recently, modulation of atrial-selective ultra-rapid delayed rectifier current (I(Kur)), has emerged as a novel therapeutic approach to treat AF. A number of I(Kur) blockers are being evaluated for the treatment of AF. The inhibition of slowly activating delayed rectifier current (I(Ks)) has also been proposed as an effective and safer antiarrhythmic approach because of its distinguishing characteristics that differ in remarkable ways from other selective class III agents. Selective I(Ks) block may prolong AP duration (APD) at rapid rates without leading to proarrhythmia. This article reviews the pathophysiological roles of I(Kur) and I(Ks) in cardiac repolarization and the implications of newly developed I(Kur) and I(Ks) blocking agents as promising antiarrhythmic approaches. Several recent patents pertinent to antiarrhythmic drug development have been discussed. Further research will be required to evaluate the efficacy and safety of these agents in the clinical setting.

Kinetics and mechanism of release from glyceryl monostearate-based implants: evaluation of release in a gel simulating in vivo implantation.

PubMed

Allababidi, S; Shah, J C

1998-06-01

The overall objective of the study was to design an implantable delivery system based on glyceryl monostearate (GMS) for the site-specific delivery of antibiotics for the prevention of surgical wound infection. To design the implant, a release method had to be developed that simulate the in vivo implantation conditions to be able to predict the release characteristics from the implants when they are actually used in vivo. Also, identifying the release kinetics and mechanism and evaluating the factors that influence the release of drugs from the GMS-based matrix were necessary to allow further design of implants that could yield a desired release rate. The release of cefazolin was monitored from GMS matrixes implanted into agar gel, simulating subcutaneous tissues with respect to viscosity and water content. The gel method resulted in observation of spatial and temporal concentration profiles in the immediate vicinity of the implants, indicating the benefits of local drug delivery; however, there was no significant difference between the cumulative release profiles by the gel method or the vial release method. The release of cefazolin from the GMS-based matrix with the vial method followed Higuchi's square root of time kinetics. The release rate was found to be directly proportional to cefazolin load (A) and the surface area (SA) of the matrix as expressed by the following equation: = 0.24ASA. On the basis of this equation, one can design a variety of GMS matrixes that would result in a desired release rate or release duration. This also indicated that cefazolin release followed the release kinetics of a freely soluble drug from an insoluble matrix and hence it is a diffusion-controlled process. The effect of drug solubility on the release kinetics was determined by comparing the release kinetics of the poorly water soluble ciprofloxacin (0.16 mg/mL) to that of the highly water soluble cefazolin (325 mg/mL). The release duration of ciprofloxacin (80 h) was longer

Clinical application of a tissue-cultured skin autograft: an alternative for the treatment of non-healing or slowly healing wounds?

PubMed

Zöller, Nadja; Valesky, Eva; Butting, Manuel; Hofmann, Matthias; Kippenberger, Stefan; Bereiter-Hahn, Jürgen; Bernd, August; Kaufmann, Roland

2014-01-01

The treatment regime of non-healing or slowly healing wounds is constantly improving. One aspect is surgical defect coverage whereby mesh grafts and keratinocyte suspension are applied. Tissue-cultured skin autografts may be an alternative for the treatment of full-thickness wounds and wounds that cover large areas of the body surface. Autologous epidermal and dermal cells were isolated, expanded in vitro and seeded on collagen-elastin scaffolds. The developed autograft was immunohistochemically characterized and subsequently transplanted onto a facial chronic ulceration of a 71-year-old patient with vulnerable atrophic skin. Characterization of the skin equivalent revealed comparability to healthy human skin due to the epidermal strata, differentiation and proliferation markers. Within 138 days, the skin structure at the transplantation site closely correlated with the adjacent undisturbed skin. The present study demonstrates the comparability of the developed organotypic skin equivalent to healthy human skin and the versatility for clinical applications.

Trace-metal sources and their release from mine wastes: examples from humidity cell tests of hardrock mine waste and from Warrior Basin coal

USGS Publications Warehouse

Diehl, S.F.; Smith, Kathleen S.; Desborough, G.A.; White, W.W.; Lapakko, K.A.; Goldhaber, Martin B.; Fey, David L.

2003-01-01

To assess the potential impact of metal and acid contamination from mine-waste piles, it is important to identify the mineralogic source of trace metals and their mode of occurrence. Microscopic analysis of mine-waste samples from both hard-rock and coalmine waste samples demonstrate a microstructural control, as well as mineralogic control, on the source and release of trace metals into local water systems. The samples discussed herein show multiple periods of sulfide mineralization with varying concentrations of trace metals. In the first case study, two proprietary hard-rock mine-waste samples exposed to a series of humidity cell tests (which simulate intense chemical weathering conditions) generated acid and released trace metals. Some trace elements of interest were: arsenic (45-120 ppm), copper (60-320 ppm), and zinc (30-2,500 ppm). Untested and humidity cell-exposed samples were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), and electron microprobe analysis. Studies of one sample set revealed arsenic-bearing pyrite in early iron- and magnesium-rich carbonate-filled microveins, and iron-, copper-, arsenic-, antimony-bearing sulfides in later crosscutting silica-filled microveins. Post humidity cell tests indicated that the carbonate minerals were removed by leaching in the humidity cells, exposing pyrite to oxidative conditions. However, sulfides in the silica-filled veins were more protected. Therefore, the trace metals contained in the sulfides within the silica-filled microveins may be released to the surface and (or) ground water system more slowly over a greater time period. In the second case study, trace metal-rich pyrite-bearing coals from the Warrior Basin, Alabama were analyzed. Arsenic-bearing pyrite was observed in a late-stage pyrite phase in microfaults and microveins that crosscut earlier arsenic.

Interactions of GRF(1-29)NH2 with plasma proteins and their effects on the release of the peptide from a PLAGA matrix.

PubMed

Mariette, B; Coudane, J; Vert, M

2005-09-02

The administration of the GRF(1-29)NH2 Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone analog is known as relevant of the concept of drug delivery system using a bioresorbable matrix. However, the release of this peptide from poly(dl-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) matrices is affected by its insolubility at neutral in salted media and in plasma as well. In order to investigate the origin and the nature of the insolubility in these media in more details, the precipitates collected when the peptide was set in contact with saline, isotonic pH=7.4 phosphate buffer and plasma were analyzed by various techniques, namely weighting, gel chromatography, 1D- and 2D-immunoelectrophoresis, and dialysis to discern the soluble from the insoluble or aggregated fractions. It is shown that precipitation in protein-free salted media is due to a salting out phenomenon complemented by the neutralization of the solubilizing electrostatic charges in the isotonic buffer. In contrast, the precipitation in plasma is due to inter polyelectrolyte-type complexation that involved polyanionic proteins having a rather low isoelectric point like albumin, transferin, haptoglobulin and IgG immunoglobulins. When a rather large quantity of GRF(1-29)NH2 was entrapped in bioresorbable pellets working at a percolating regime after subcutaneous implantation in rats, the peptide was slowly released despite the complexation with plasma proteins. However only a very small part of the peptide was found in blood, this small part being still large enough to cause a detectable increase of the circulating growth hormone concentration. Attempts made to increase the solubility of the peptide in plasma were successful when the peptide was combined with arginine, an amino acid known to promote the poor hormonal activity of injected GRF(1-29)NH2 solutions under clinical conditions.

A New Slow Releasing, H2S Generating Compound, GYY4137 Relaxes Spontaneous and Oxytocin-Stimulated Contractions of Human and Rat Pregnant Myometrium

PubMed Central

Robinson, Hayley; Wray, Susan

2012-01-01

Better tocolytics are required to help prevent preterm labour. The gaseotransmitter Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) has been shown to reduce myometrial contractility and thus is of potential interest. However previous studies used NaHS, which is toxic and releases H2S as a non-physiological bolus and thus alternative H2S donors are sought. GYY4137 has been developed to slowly release H2S and hence better reflect endogenous physiological release. We have examined its effects on spontaneous and oxytocin-stimulated contractility and compared them to NaHS, in human and rat myometrium, throughout gestation. The effects on contractility in response to GYY4137 (1 nM–1 mM) and NaHS (1 mM) were examined on myometrial strips from, biopsies of women undergoing elective caesarean section or hysterectomy, and from non-pregnant, 14, 18, 22 day (term) gestation or labouring rats. In pregnant rat and human myometrium dose-dependent and significant decreases in spontaneous contractions were seen with increasing concentrations of GYY4137, which also reduced underlying Ca transients. GYY4137 and NaHS significantly reduced oxytocin-stimulated and high-K depolarised contractions as well as spontaneous activity. Their inhibitory effects increased as gestation advanced, but were abruptly reversed in labour. Glibenclamide, an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, abolished the inhibitory effect of GYY4137. These data suggest (i) H2S contributes to uterine quiescence from mid-gestation until labor, (ii) that H2S affects L-type calcium channels and KATP channels reducing Ca entry and thereby myometrial contractions, (iii) add to the evidence that H2S plays a physiological role in relaxing myometrium, and thus (iv) H2S is an attractive target for therapeutic manipulation of human myometrial contractility. PMID:23029460

28 CFR 571.22 - Release clothing and transportation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Release clothing and transportation. 571... AND RELEASE RELEASE FROM CUSTODY Release Gratuities, Transportation, and Clothing § 571.22 Release clothing and transportation. (a) Staff shall provide release clothing appropriate for the time of year and...

28 CFR 571.22 - Release clothing and transportation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Release clothing and transportation. 571... AND RELEASE RELEASE FROM CUSTODY Release Gratuities, Transportation, and Clothing § 571.22 Release clothing and transportation. (a) Staff shall provide release clothing appropriate for the time of year and...

28 CFR 571.22 - Release clothing and transportation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Release clothing and transportation. 571... AND RELEASE RELEASE FROM CUSTODY Release Gratuities, Transportation, and Clothing § 571.22 Release clothing and transportation. (a) Staff shall provide release clothing appropriate for the time of year and...

28 CFR 571.22 - Release clothing and transportation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Release clothing and transportation. 571... AND RELEASE RELEASE FROM CUSTODY Release Gratuities, Transportation, and Clothing § 571.22 Release clothing and transportation. (a) Staff shall provide release clothing appropriate for the time of year and...

28 CFR 571.22 - Release clothing and transportation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Release clothing and transportation. 571... AND RELEASE RELEASE FROM CUSTODY Release Gratuities, Transportation, and Clothing § 571.22 Release clothing and transportation. (a) Staff shall provide release clothing appropriate for the time of year and...

NCI-MATCH trial releases new findings

Cancer.gov

The NCI-MATCH precision medicine clinical trial has reached a milestone with the release of results from several study treatment arms. Findings from three arms were released at the 2018 ASCO annual meeting, adding to findings from one arm released in 2017.

Storage-and-release flux rope eruptions in the laboratory: initial results and experimental plans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, C. E.; Yamada, M.; Ji, H.; Yoo, J.; Jara-Almonte, J.; Lawrence, E. E.

2012-12-01

Solar eruptive events such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are thought to be driven by a sudden release of magnetic energy stored in the corona. In many cases, the pre-eruptive configuration is a non-potential magnetic structure that can be modeled as a line-tied magnetic flux rope. In spite of ever-improving observational capabilities, directly studying the evolution of coronal flux ropes remains a significant challenge. Thus, in order to further explore the mechanisms that drive solar eruptions, we must find novel ways to simulate the relevant physical system. To this end, we have constructed a new laboratory experiment to study storage-and-release flux rope eruptions. This experiment contains a carefully designed set of ``sub-photospheric" coils that produces an active-region-like potential field configuration that remains static throughout the discharge. An arched magnetic flux rope plasma is formed within this potential field configuration by driving electric current through two line-tied footpoints (copper electrodes). Over the course of the discharge, the plasma current is quasi-statically increased (to tens of kiloamperes over many Alfvén times) in order to slowly build up magnetic energy in the system. As the flux rope gains energy, it will expand away from the electrodes to a point where it is expected to undergo a dynamic eruption due to the onset of a loss-of-equilibrium [Forbes & Isenberg, Astrophys. J. 373, 294 (1991)] or the torus instability [Kliem & Török, Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 255002 (2006)]. In these experiments, the structure of the background potential field configuration (i.e., the field decay index) can be varied to study its effect on the observed flux rope eruptions. Initial results from these experiment are presented, including images from a fast visible light camera and direct measurements from internal magnetic diagnostics. This research is supported by DoE Contract Number DE-AC02-09CH11466 and by the Center for Magnetic Self

Xyce release and distribution management : version 1.2.

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

Hutchinson, Scott Alan; Williamson, Charles Michael

2003-10-01

This document presents a high-level description of the Xyce {trademark} Parallel Electronic Simulator Release and Distribution Management Process. The purpose of this process is to standardize the manner in which all Xyce software products progress toward release and how releases are made available to customers. Rigorous Release Management will assure that Xyce releases are created in such a way that the elements comprising the release are traceable and the release itself is reproducible. Distribution Management describes what is to be done with a Xyce release that is eligible for distribution.

Quantifying Ca2+ release and inactivation of Ca2+ release in fast- and slow-twitch muscles.

PubMed

Barclay, C J

2012-12-01

The aims of this study were to quantify the Ca(2+) release underlying twitch contractions of mammalian fast- and slow-twitch muscle and to comprehensively describe the transient inactivation of Ca(2+) release following a stimulus. Experiments were performed using bundles of fibres from mouse extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles. Ca(2+) release was quantified from the amount of ATP used to remove Ca(2+) from the myoplasm following stimulation. ATP turnover by crossbridges was blocked pharmacologically (N-benzyl-p-toluenesulphonamide for EDL, blebbistatin for soleus) and muscle heat production was used as an index of Ca(2+) pump ATP turnover. At 20°C, Ca(2+) release in response to a single stimulus was 34 and 84 μmol (kg muscle)(-1) for soleus and EDL, respectively, and increased with temperature (30°C: soleus, 61 μmol kg(-1); EDL, 168 μmol kg(-1)). Delivery of another stimulus within 100 ms of the first produced a smaller Ca(2+) release. The maximum magnitude of the decrease in Ca(2+) release was greater in EDL than soleus. Ca(2+) release recovered with an exponential time course which was faster in EDL (mean time constant at 20°C, 32.1 ms) than soleus (65.6 ms) and faster at 30°C than at 20°C. The amounts of Ca(2+) released and crossbridge cycles performed are consistent with a scheme in which Ca(2+) binding to troponin-C allowed an average of ∼1.7 crossbridge cycles in the two muscles.

Quantifying Ca2+ release and inactivation of Ca2+ release in fast- and slow-twitch muscles

PubMed Central

Barclay, C J

2012-01-01

The aims of this study were to quantify the Ca2+ release underlying twitch contractions of mammalian fast- and slow-twitch muscle and to comprehensively describe the transient inactivation of Ca2+ release following a stimulus. Experiments were performed using bundles of fibres from mouse extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscles. Ca2+ release was quantified from the amount of ATP used to remove Ca2+ from the myoplasm following stimulation. ATP turnover by crossbridges was blocked pharmacologically (N-benzyl-p-toluenesulphonamide for EDL, blebbistatin for soleus) and muscle heat production was used as an index of Ca2+ pump ATP turnover. At 20°C, Ca2+ release in response to a single stimulus was 34 and 84 μmol (kg muscle)−1 for soleus and EDL, respectively, and increased with temperature (30°C: soleus, 61 μmol kg−1; EDL, 168 μmol kg−1). Delivery of another stimulus within 100 ms of the first produced a smaller Ca2+ release. The maximum magnitude of the decrease in Ca2+ release was greater in EDL than soleus. Ca2+ release recovered with an exponential time course which was faster in EDL (mean time constant at 20°C, 32.1 ms) than soleus (65.6 ms) and faster at 30°C than at 20°C. The amounts of Ca2+ released and crossbridge cycles performed are consistent with a scheme in which Ca2+ binding to troponin-C allowed an average of ∼1.7 crossbridge cycles in the two muscles. PMID:23027818

Slow-release fertilizers 101

Treesearch

Robin Rose

2002-01-01

Slow release fertilizers have been in common use within the horticultural industry for decades. Probably the mostly commonly heard of product is Scott's Osmocote which has been around for a quite a long time. However, some time ago slow release fertilizers moved out of the potted greenhouse environment and onto golf courses, suburban lawns and bushes, and orchards...

Gaia Data Release 1. On-orbit performance of the Gaia CCDs at L2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crowley, C.; Kohley, R.; Hambly, N. C.; Davidson, M.; Abreu, A.; van Leeuwen, F.; Fabricius, C.; Seabroke, G.; de Bruijne, J. H. J.; Short, A.; Lindegren, L.; Brown, A. G. A.; Sarri, G.; Gare, P.; Prusti, T.; Prod'homme, T.; Mora, A.; Martín-Fleitas, J.; Raison, F.; Lammers, U.; O'Mullane, W.; Jansen, F.

2016-11-01

The European Space Agency's Gaia satellite was launched into orbit around L2 in December 2013 with a payload containing 106 large-format scientific CCDs. The primary goal of the mission is to repeatedly obtain high-precision astrometric and photometric measurements of one thousand million stars over the course of five years. The scientific value of the down-linked data, and the operation of the onboard autonomous detection chain, relies on the high performance of the detectors. As Gaia slowly rotates and scans the sky, the CCDs are continuously operated in a mode where the line clock rate and the satellite rotation spin-rate are in synchronisation. Nominal mission operations began in July 2014 and the first data release is being prepared for release at the end of Summer 2016. In this paper we present an overview of the focal plane, the detector system, and strategies for on-orbit performance monitoring of the system. This is followed by a presentation of the performance results based on analysis of data acquired during a two-year window beginning at payload switch-on. Results for parameters such as readout noise and electronic offset behaviour are presented and we pay particular attention to the effects of the L2 radiation environment on the devices. The radiation-induced degradation in the charge transfer efficiency (CTE) in the (parallel) scan direction is clearly diagnosed; however, an extrapolation shows that charge transfer inefficiency (CTI) effects at end of mission will be approximately an order of magnitude less than predicted pre-flight. It is shown that the CTI in the serial register (horizontal direction) is still dominated by the traps inherent to the manufacturing process and that the radiation-induced degradation so far is only a few per cent. We also present results on the tracking of ionising radiation damage and hot pixel evolution. Finally, we summarise some of the detector effects discovered on-orbit which are still being investigated.

Observations of chemical releases from high flying aircraft. [investigation of barium and lithium vapor releases in the thermosphere

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bedinger, J. F.; Constantinides, E.

1973-01-01

Barium and lithium vapors were released from sounding rockets in the thermosphere and observed from aboard the NASA Convair 990 at an altitude of 40,000 ft. The purpose of the releases was to (1) check out observational and operational procedures associated with the large high altitude barium release from a Scout rocket (BIC); (2) develop an all-weather technique for observing chemical releases; (3) evaluate methods of observing daytime releases, and (4) investigate the possibilities of observations from a manned satellite. The initial analysis indicates that the previous limitations on the usage of the vapor release method have been removed by the use of the aircraft and innovative photographic techniques. Methods of analysis and applications to the investigation of the thermosphere are discussed.

Barium release system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lewis, B. W.; Stokes, C. S.; Smith, E. W.; Murphy, W. J. (Inventor)

1973-01-01

A chemical system is described for releasing a good yield of free barium neutral atoms and barium ions in the upper atmosphere and interplanetary space for the study of the geophysical properties of the medium. The barium is released in the vapor phase so that it can be ionized by solar radiation and also be excited to emit resonance radiation in the visible range. The ionized luminous cloud of barium becomes a visible indication of magnetic and electrical characteristics in space and allows determination of these properties over relatively large areas at a given time.

40 CFR 355.33 - What release quantities of EHSs and CERCLA hazardous substances trigger the emergency release...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 27 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What release quantities of EHSs and..., EMERGENCY PLANNING, AND COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW PROGRAMS EMERGENCY PLANNING AND NOTIFICATION Emergency Release Notification Who Must Comply § 355.33 What release quantities of EHSs and CERCLA hazardous...

21 CFR 181.28 - Release agents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Release agents. Substances classified as release agents, when migrating from food-packaging material shall... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Release agents. 181.28 Section 181.28 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN...

21 CFR 181.28 - Release agents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Release agents. 181.28 Section 181.28 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN... Release agents. Substances classified as release agents, when migrating from food-packaging material shall...

21 CFR 181.28 - Release agents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Release agents. Substances classified as release agents, when migrating from food-packaging material shall... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Release agents. 181.28 Section 181.28 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN...

21 CFR 181.28 - Release agents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Release agents. Substances classified as release agents, when migrating from food-packaging material shall... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Release agents. 181.28 Section 181.28 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) FOOD FOR HUMAN...

40 CFR 281.33 - Release detection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... equipped with release detection that detects a release within an hour by restricting or shutting off flow... designed to allow the contents of the pipe to drain back into the storage tank if the suction is released... UST systems must use interstitial monitoring within secondary containment of the tanks and the...

40 CFR 281.33 - Release detection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... equipped with release detection that detects a release within an hour by restricting or shutting off flow... designed to allow the contents of the pipe to drain back into the storage tank if the suction is released... UST systems must use interstitial monitoring within secondary containment of the tanks and the...

40 CFR 281.33 - Release detection.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... equipped with release detection that detects a release within an hour by restricting or shutting off flow... designed to allow the contents of the pipe to drain back into the storage tank if the suction is released... UST systems must use interstitial monitoring within secondary containment of the tanks and the...

Antibiotic release from biodegradable PHBV microparticles.

PubMed

Sendil, D; Gürsel, I; Wise, D L; Hasirci, V

1999-05-20

For the treatment of periodontal diseases, design of a controlled release system seemed very appropriate for an effective, long term result. In this study a novel, biodegradable microbial polyester, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), PHBV of various valerate contents containing a well established antibiotic, tetracycline, known to be effective against many of the periodontal disease related microorganisms, was used in the construction of a controlled release system. Tetracycline was loaded in the PHBV microspheres and microcapsules both in its acidic (TC) and in neutral form (TCN). Microcapsules of PHBV were prepared under different conditions using w/o/w double emulsion and their properties such as encapsulation efficiency, loading, release characteristics, and morphological properties were investigated. It was found that concentration of emulsifiers polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin (varied between 0-4%) influenced the encapsulation efficiency appreciably. In order to increase encapsulation efficiency (from the obtained range of 18.1-30.1%) and slow down the release of the highly soluble tetracycline.HCl, it was neutralized with NaOH. Encapsulation efficiency of neutralized tetracycline was much higher (51.9-65.3%) due to the insoluble form of the drug used during encapsulation. The release behaviour of neither of the drugs was found to be of zero order. Rather the trends fitted reasonably well to Higuchi's approach for release from spherical micropheres. Biodegradability was not an appreciable parameter in the release from microcapsules because release was complete before any signs of degradation were observed.

Preparation of delayed release tablet dosage forms by compression coating: effect of coating material on theophylline release.

PubMed

El-Malah, Yasser; Nazzal, Sami

2010-06-01

In this study, compression-coated tablets were prepared and examined by real-time swelling/erosion analysis and dissolution studies. Of the coating materials, PVP showed no swelling behavior and had no impact on theophylline release. Polyox(®) exhibited swelling behavior of an entangled polymer, which was reflected in its > 14-hour delayed-release profile. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), which revealed the characteristics of a disentangled polymer, caused a 2-h delay in theophylline release. Based on preliminary texture analysis data, Polyox(®)/PVP blends were used as coating materials to manipulate the onset of drug release from the compression-coated tablets. Of the blends, at a 1:1 ratio, for example, resulted in a burst release after 10 h, which demonstrated the feasibility of preparing delayed release dosage forms by compression coating. Furthermore, it was feasible to predict the dissolution behavior of polymers from their swelling/erosion data, which were generated from texture analysis.

32 CFR 635.10 - Release of information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 32 National Defense 4 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Release of information. 635.10 Section 635.10 National Defense Department of Defense (Continued) DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (CONTINUED) LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS LAW ENFORCEMENT REPORTING Release of Information § 635.10 Release of information. (a) Release of information from Army...

Electrostatic/magnetic ion acceleration through a slowly diverging magnetic nozzle between a ring anode and an on-axis hollow cathode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasoh, A.; Mizutani, K.; Iwakawa, A.

2017-06-01

Ion acceleration through a slowly diverging magnetic nozzle between a ring anode and a hollow cathode set on the axis of symmetry has been realized. Xenon was supplied as the propellant gas from an annular slit along the inner surface of the ring anode so that it was ionized near the anode, and the applied electric potential was efficiently transformed to an ion kinetic energy. As an electrostatic thruster, within the examined operation conditions, the thrust, F, almost scaled with the propellant mass flow rate; the discharge current, Jd, increased with the discharge voltage, Vd. An important characteristic was that the thrust also exhibited electromagnetic acceleration performance, i.e., the so-called "swirl acceleration," in which F ≅JdB Ra /√{2 }, where B and Ra were a magnetic field and an anode inner radius, respectively. Such a unique thruster performance combining both electrostatic and electromagnetic accelerations is expected to be useful as another option for in-space electric propulsion in its broad functional diversity.

Drug Release Studies from Caesalpinia pulcherrima Seed Polysaccharide.

PubMed

Jeevanandham, Somasundaram; Dhachinamoorthi, Duraiswamy; Bannoth Chandra Sekhar, Kothapalli

2011-01-01

This study examines the controlled release behavior of both water-soluble (acetaminophen, caffeine, theophylline and salicylic acid) and water insoluble (indomethacin) drugs derived from Caesalpinia pulcherrima seed Gum isolated from Caesalpinia pulcherrima kernel powder. It further investigates the effect of incorporating diluents such as microcrystalline cellulose and lactose on caffeine release. In addition the effect the gum's (polysaccharide) partial cross-linking had on release of acetaminophen was examined. Applying the exponential equation, the soluble drugs mechanism of release was found to be anomalous. The insoluble drugs showed a near case II or zero order release mechanism. The rate of release in descending order was caffeine, acetaminophen, theophylline, salicylic acid and indomethacin. An increase in the release kinetics of the drug was observed on blending with diluents. However, the rate of release varied with the type and amount of blend within the matrix. The mechanism of release due to effect of diluents was found to be anomalous. The rate of drug release decreased upon partial cross-linking and the mechanism of release was found to be of super case II.

Serotonin release varies with brain tryptophan levels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schaechter, Judith D.; Wurtman, Richard J.

1990-01-01

This study examines directly the effects on serotonin release of varying brain tryptophan levels within the physiologic range. It also addresses possible interactions between tryptophan availability and the frequency of membrane depolarization in controlling serotonin release. We demonstrate that reducing tryptophan levels in rat hypothalamic slices (by superfusing them with medium supplemented with 100 microM leucine) decreases tissue serotonin levels as well as both the spontaneous and the electrically-evoked serotonin release. Conversely, elevating tissue tryptophan levels (by superfusing slices with medium supplemented with 2 microM tryptophan) increases both the tissue serotonin levels and the serotonin release. Serotonin release was found to be affected independently by the tryptophan availability and the frequency of electrical field-stimulation (1-5 Hz), since increasing both variables produced nearly additive increases in release. These observations demonstrate for the first time that both precursor-dependent elevations and reductions in brain serotonin levels produce proportionate changes in serotonin release, and that the magnitude of the tryptophan effect is unrelated to neuronal firing frequency. The data support the hypothesis that serotonin release is proportionate to intracellular serotonin levels.

A Phenomenological Synapse Model for Asynchronous Neurotransmitter Release

PubMed Central

Wang, Tao; Yin, Luping; Zou, Xiaolong; Shu, Yousheng; Rasch, Malte J.; Wu, Si

2016-01-01

Neurons communicate with each other via synapses. Action potentials cause release of neurotransmitters at the axon terminal. Typically, this neurotransmitter release is tightly time-locked to the arrival of an action potential and is thus called synchronous release. However, neurotransmitter release is stochastic and the rate of release of small quanta of neurotransmitters can be considerably elevated even long after the ceasing of spiking activity, leading to asynchronous release of neurotransmitters. Such asynchronous release varies for tissue and neuron types and has been shown recently to be pronounced in fast-spiking neurons. Notably, it was found that asynchronous release is enhanced in human epileptic tissue implicating a possibly important role in generating abnormal neural activity. Current neural network models for simulating and studying neural activity virtually only consider synchronous release and ignore asynchronous transmitter release. Here, we develop a phenomenological model for asynchronous neurotransmitter release, which, on one hand, captures the fundamental features of the asynchronous release process, and, on the other hand, is simple enough to be incorporated in large-size network simulations. Our proposed model is based on the well-known equations for short-term dynamical synaptic interactions and includes an additional stochastic term for modeling asynchronous release. We use experimental data obtained from inhibitory fast-spiking synapses of human epileptic tissue to fit the model parameters, and demonstrate that our model reproduces the characteristics of realistic asynchronous transmitter release. PMID:26834617

[Studies on preparation of sustained-release Shuxiong formulation, a traditional Chinese medicine compound recipe, using time-controlled release techniques].

PubMed

Song, Hong-Tao; Zhang, Qian; Jiang, Peng; Guo, Tao; Chen, Da-Wei; He, Zhong-Gui

2006-09-01

To prepare a sustained-release formulation of traditional Chinese medicine compound recipe by adopting time-controlled release techniques. Shuxiong tablets were chosen as model drug. The prescription and technique of core tablets were formulated with selecting disintegrating time and swelling volume of core tablets in water as index. The time-controlled release tablets were prepared by adopting press-coated techniques, using PEG6000, HCO and EVA as coating materials. The influences of compositions, preparation process and dissolution conditions in vitro on the lag time (T(lag)) of drug release were investigated. The composition of core tablets was as follow: 30% of drug, 50% MCC and 20% CMS-Na. The T(lag) of time-controlled release tablets was altered remarkably by PEG6000 content of the outer layer, the amount of outer layer and hardness of tablet. The viscosity of dissolution media and basket rotation had less influence on the T(lag) but more on rate of drug release. The core tablets pressed with the optimized composition had preferable swelling and disintegrating properties. The shuxiong sustained-release formulations which contained core tablet and two kinds of time-controlled release tablets with 3 h and 6 h of T(lag) could release drug successively at 0 h, 3 h and 6 h in vitro. The technique made it possible that various components with extremely different physicochemical properties in these preparations could release synchronously.

7 CFR 356.5 - Bonded release.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

..., in place of any property specified in § 356.1 and release the property to the owner or agent of the... 7 Agriculture 5 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Bonded release. 356.5 Section 356.5 Agriculture..., DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FORFEITURE PROCEDURES § 356.5 Bonded release. (a) The Deputy Administrator may...

Neuronal adenosine release, and not astrocytic ATP release, mediates feedback inhibition of excitatory activity

PubMed Central

Lovatt, Ditte; Xu, Qiwu; Liu, Wei; Takano, Takahiro; Smith, Nathan A.; Schnermann, Jurgen; Tieu, Kim; Nedergaard, Maiken

2012-01-01

Adenosine is a potent anticonvulsant acting on excitatory synapses through A1 receptors. Cellular release of ATP, and its subsequent extracellular enzymatic degradation to adenosine, could provide a powerful mechanism for astrocytes to control the activity of neural networks during high-intensity activity. Despite adenosine's importance, the cellular source of adenosine remains unclear. We report here that multiple enzymes degrade extracellular ATP in brain tissue, whereas only Nt5e degrades AMP to adenosine. However, endogenous A1 receptor activation during cortical seizures in vivo or heterosynaptic depression in situ is independent of Nt5e activity, and activation of astrocytic ATP release via Ca2+ photolysis does not trigger synaptic depression. In contrast, selective activation of postsynaptic CA1 neurons leads to release of adenosine and synaptic depression. This study shows that adenosine-mediated synaptic depression is not a consequence of astrocytic ATP release, but is instead an autonomic feedback mechanism that suppresses excitatory transmission during prolonged activity. PMID:22421436

[Preparation of hydrophilic matrix sustained release tablets of total lactones from Andrographis paniculata and study on its in vitro release mechanism].

PubMed

Xu, Fang-Fang; Shi, Wei; Zhang, Hui; Guo, Qing-Ming; Wang Zhen-Zhong; Bi, Yu-An; Wang, Zhi-Min; Xiao, Wei

2015-01-01

In this study, hydrophilic matrix sustained release tablets of total lactones from Andrographis paniculata were prepared and the in vitro release behavior were also evaluated. The optimal prescription was achieved by studying the main factor of the type and amount of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) using single factor test and evaluating through cumulative release of three lactones. No burst drug release from the obtained matrix tablets was observed. Drug release sustained to 14 h. The release mechanism of three lactones from A. paniculata was accessed by zero-order, first-order, Higuchi and Peppas equation. The release behavior of total lactones from A. paniculata was better agreed with Higuchi model and the drug release from the tablets was controlled by degradation of the matrix. The preparation of hydrophilic matrix sustained release tablets of total lactones from A. paniculata with good performance of drug release was simple.

A new metric for detecting change in slowly evolving brain tumors: validation in meningioma patients.

PubMed

Pohl, Kilian M; Konukoglu, Ender; Novellas, Sebastian; Ayache, Nicholas; Fedorov, Andriy; Talos, Ion-Florin; Golby, Alexandra; Wells, William M; Kikinis, Ron; Black, Peter M

2011-03-01

Change detection is a critical component in the diagnosis and monitoring of many slowly evolving pathologies. This article describes a semiautomatic monitoring approach using longitudinal medical images. We test the method on brain scans of patients with meningioma, which experts have found difficult to monitor because the tumor evolution is very slow and may be obscured by artifacts related to image acquisition. We describe a semiautomatic procedure targeted toward identifying difficult-to-detect changes in brain tumor imaging. The tool combines input from a medical expert with state-of-the-art technology. The software is easy to calibrate and, in less than 5 minutes, returns the total volume of tumor change in mm. We test the method on postgadolinium, T1-weighted magnetic resonance images of 10 patients with meningioma and compare our results with experts' findings. We also perform benchmark testing with synthetic data. Our experiments indicated that experts' visual inspections are not sensitive enough to detect subtle growth. Measurements based on experts' manual segmentations were highly accurate but also labor intensive. The accuracy of our approach was comparable to the experts' results. However, our approach required far less user input and generated more consistent measurements. The sensitivity of experts' visual inspection is often too low to detect subtle growth of meningiomas from longitudinal scans. Measurements based on experts' segmentation are highly accurate but generally too labor intensive for standard clinical settings. We described an alternative metric that provides accurate and robust measurements of subtle tumor changes while requiring a minimal amount of user input.

Aldosterone down-regulates the slowly activated delayed rectifier potassium current in adult guinea pig cardiomyocytes.

PubMed

Lv, Yankun; Bai, Song; Zhang, Hua; Zhang, Hongxue; Meng, Jing; Li, Li; Xu, Yanfang

2015-12-01

There is emerging evidence that the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone is associated with arrhythmias in cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of aldosterone on the slowly activated delayed rectifier potassium current (IK s ) remains poorly understood. The present study was designed to investigate the modulation of IK s by aldosterone. Adult guinea pigs were treated with aldosterone for 28 days via osmotic pumps. Standard glass microelectrode recordings and whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were used to record action potentials in papillary muscles and IK s in ventricular cardiomyocytes. The aldosterone-treated animals exhibited a prolongation of the QT interval and action potential duration with a higher incidence of early afterdepolarizations. Patch-clamp recordings showed a significant down-regulation of IK s density in the ventricular myocytes of these treated animals. These aldosterone-induced electrophysiological changes were fully prevented by a combined treatment with spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist. In addition, in in vitro cultured ventricular cardiomyocytes, treatment with aldosterone (sustained exposure for 24 h) decreased the IK s density in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, a significant corresponding reduction in the mRNA/protein expression of IKs channel pore and auxiliary subunits, KCNQ1 and KCNE1 was detected in ventricular tissue from the aldosterone-treated animals. Aldosterone down-regulates IK s by inhibiting the expression of KCNQ1 and KCNE1, thus delaying the ventricular repolarization. These results provide new insights into the mechanism underlying K(+) channel remodelling in heart disease and may explain the highly beneficial effects of MR antagonists in HF. © 2015 The British Pharmacological Society.

GEWEX SRB Shortwave Release 4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cox, S. J.; Stackhouse, P. W., Jr.; Mikovitz, J. C.; Zhang, T.

2017-12-01

The NASA/GEWEX Surface Radiation Budget (SRB) project produces shortwave and longwave surface and top of atmosphere radiative fluxes for the 1983-near present time period. Spatial resolution is 1 degree. The new Release 4 uses the newly processed ISCCP HXS product as its primary input for cloud and radiance data. The ninefold increase in pixel number compared to the previous ISCCP DX allows finer gradations in cloud fraction in each grid box. It will also allow higher spatial resolutions (0.5 degree) in future releases. In addition to the input data improvements, several important algorithm improvements have been made since Release 3. These include recalculated atmospheric transmissivities and reflectivities yielding a less transmissive atmosphere. The calculations also include variable aerosol composition, allowing for the use of a detailed aerosol history from the Max Planck Institut Aerosol Climatology (MAC). Ocean albedo and snow/ice albedo are also improved from Release 3. Total solar irradiance is now variable, averaging 1361 Wm-2. Water vapor is taken from ISCCP's nnHIRS product. Results from GSW Release 4 are presented and analyzed. Early comparison to surface measurements show improved agreement.

Chromium released from leather - I: exposure conditions that govern the release of chromium(III) and chromium(VI).

PubMed

Hedberg, Yolanda S; Lidén, Carola; Odnevall Wallinder, Inger

2015-04-01

Approximately 1-3% of the adult population in Europe is allergic to chromium (Cr). A new restriction in REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) based on the ISO 17075 standard has recently been adopted in the EU to limit Cr(VI) in consumer and occupational leather products. The aim of this study was to critically assess key experimental parameters in this standard on the release of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) and their relevance for skin exposure. Four differently tanned, unfinished, leather samples were systematically investigated for their release of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in relation to surface area, key exposure parameters, temperature, ultraviolet irradiation, and time. Although the total release of Cr was largely unaffected by all investigated parameters, except exposure duration and temperature, the Cr oxidation state was highly dynamic, with reduced amounts of released Cr(VI) with time, owing to the simultaneous release of reducing agents from the leather. Significantly more Cr(III) than Cr(VI) was released from the Cr-tanned leather for all conditions tested, and it continued to be released in artificial sweat up to at least 1 week of exposure. Several parameters were identified that influenced the outcome of the ISO 17075 test. © 2015 The Authors. Contact Dermatitis published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Physical-Chemical Basis of the Protection of Slowly Frozen Human Erythrocytes by Glycerol

PubMed Central

Rall, W. F.; Mazur, Peter; Souzu, Hiroshi

1978-01-01

One theory of freezing damage suggests that slowly cooled cells are killed by being exposed to increasing concentrations of electrolytes as the suspending medium freezes. A corollary to this view is that protective additives such as glycerol protect cells by acting colligatively to reduce the electrolyte concentration at any subzero temperature. Recently published phase-diagram data for the ternary system glycerol-NaCl-water by M. L. Shepard et al. (Cryobiology, 13:9-23, 1976), in combination with the data on human red cell survival vs. subzero temperature presented here and in the companion study of Souzu and Mazur (Biophys. J., 23:89-100), permit a precise test of this theory. Appropriate liquidus phase-diagram information for the solutions used in the red cell freezing experiments was obtained by interpolation of the liquidus data of Shepard and his co-workers. The results of phase-diagram analysis of red cell survival indicate that the correlation between the temperature that yields 50% hemolysis (LT50) and the electrolyte concentration attained at that temperature in various concentrations of glycerol is poor. With increasing concentrations of glycerol, the cells were killed at progressively lower concentrations of NaCl. For example, the LT50 for cells frozen in the absence of glycerol corresponds to a NaCl concentration of 12 weight percent (2.4 molal), while for cells frozen in 1.75 M glycerol in buffered saline the LT50 corresponds to 3.0 weight percent NaCl (1.3 molal). The data, in combination with other findings, lead to two conclusions: (a) The protection from glycerol is due to its colligative ability to reduce the concentration of sodium chloride in the external medium, but (b) the protection is less than that expected from colligative effects; apparently glycerol itself can also be a source of damage, probably because it renders the red cells susceptible to osmotic shock during thawing. PMID:667300

[Study on sustained release preparations of Epimedium component].

PubMed

Yan, Hong-mei; Ding, Dong-mei; Zhang, Zhen-hai; Sun, E; Song, Jie; Jia, Xiao-bin

2015-04-01

The formulation for sustained release tablet of Epinedium component was selected and the evaluation equation of in vitro release was established. The liquidity of component was improved with the help of colloidal silica aided by spray drying, which would be the main drug in the sustained release tablets. Dissolution was selected as an evaluation index to investigate skeletal material type, fillers, impact porogen, lubricants and other materials on the quality of sustained release tablet. The sustained release tablets were prepared by dry compression. Formulation of sustained release preparations was main drug 35%, HPMC K(4M) 20% and HPMC K(15M) 10% as skeleton material, MCC 31% as filler, PEG6000 2% as porogen and magnesium stearate 2% as lubricant. The sustained release tablets released up to 80% in 8 h. The zero order equation, primary equation and Higuchi equation could simulate the release characteristics of sustained release tablets in vitro, the correlation coefficients r were larger than 0.96. The primary equation was most similar in vitro release characteristics and its correlation coefficient r was 0.9950. The preparation method is simple and the results of formulation selection are reliable. It can be used to guide the production of Epimedium component sustained release preparations.

21 CFR 178.3860 - Release agents.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 3 2010-04-01 2009-04-01 true Release agents. 178.3860 Section 178.3860 Food and... and Production Aids § 178.3860 Release agents. Substances listed in paragraph (b) of this section may be safely used as release agents in petroleum wax complying with § 178.3710 and in polymeric resins...

[A case of mixed connective tissue disease positive for proteinase 3 antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody in a patient with slowly progressive type 1 diabetes mellitus and chronic thyroiditis].

PubMed

Michitsuji, Tohru; Horai, Yoshiro; Sako, Ayaka; Asano, Taro; Iwanaga, Nozomi; Izumi, Yasumori; Kawakami, Atsushi

2017-01-01

  A female in her sixties with slowly progressive type 1 diabetes mellitus (SPT1DM) and chronic thyroiditis was referred to our rheumatology department with swelling in her fingers. A prominent atherosclerotic lesion was revealed upon brain magnetic resonance imaging, and she was found to have mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) positive for proteinase 3 (PR3)-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA). This rare case of MCTD accompanying SPT1DM and PR3-ANCA suggested that a synergy between MCTD and PR3-ANCA triggers atherosclerosis.

How neurosecretory vesicles release their cargo.

PubMed

Scalettar, Bethe A

2006-04-01

Neurons and related cell types often contain two major classes of neurosecretory vesicles, synaptic vesicles (SVs) and dense-core granules (DCGs), which store and release distinct cargo. SVs store and release classic neurotransmitters, which facilitate propagation of action potentials across the synaptic cleft, whereas DCGs transport, store, and release hormones, proteins, and neuropeptides, which facilitate neuronal survival, synaptic transmission, and learning. Over the past few years, there has been a major surge in our understanding of many of the key molecular mechanisms underlying cargo release from SVs and DCGs. This surge has been driven largely by the use of fluorescence microscopy (especially total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy) to visualize SVs or DCGs in living cells. This review highlights some of the recent insights into cargo release from neurosecretory vesicles provided by fluorescence microscopy, with emphasis on DCGs.

Analysis of the release process of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride from ethylcellulose matrix granules IV.(1)) Evaluation of the controlled release properties for in vivo and in vitro release systems.

PubMed

Fukui, Atsuko; Fujii, Ryuta; Yonezawa, Yorinobu; Sunada, Hisakazu

2007-11-01

In the pharmaceutical preparation of a controlled release drug, it is very important and necessary to understand the release properties. The dissolution test is a very important and useful method for understanding and predicting drug-release properties. It was readily confirmed in the previous paper that the release process could be assessed quantitatively by a combination of the square-root time law and cube-root law equations for ethylcellulose (EC) matrix granules of phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA). In this paper EC layered granules were used in addition to EC matrix. The relationship between release property and the concentration of PPA in plasma after administration using beagle dogs were examined. Then it was confirmed that the correlativity for EC layered granules and EC matrix were similar each other. Therefore, it was considered that the dissolution test is useful for prediction of changes in concentration of PPA in the blood with time. And it was suggested that EC layered granules were suitable as a controlled release system as well as EC matrix.

Shock loading and release behavior of silicon nitride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawai, Nobuaki; Tsuru, Taiki; Hidaka, Naoto; Liu, Xun; Mashimo, Tsutomu

2015-06-01

Shock-reshock and shock-release experiments were performed on silicon nitride ceramics above and below its phase transition pressure. Experimental results clearly show the occurrence of elastic-plastic transition and phase transition during initial shock loading. The HEL and phase transition stress are determined as 11.6 GPa and 34.5 GPa, respectively. Below the phase transition point, the reshock profile consists of the single shock with short rise time, while the release profile shows the gradual release followed by more rapid one. Above the phase transition point, reshock and release behavior varies with the initial shock stress. In the case of reshock and release from about 40 GPa, the reshock structure is considerably dispersed, while the release structure shows rapid release. In the reshock profile from about 50 GPa, the formation of the shock wave with the small ramped precursor is observed. And, the release response from same condition shows initial gradual release and subsequent quite rapid one. These results would provide the information about how phase transformation kinetics effects on the reshock and release behavior.

Shock loading and release behavior of silicon nitride

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawai, N.; Tsuru, T.; Hidaka, N.; Liu, X.; Mashimo, T.

2017-01-01

Shock-reshock and shock-release experiments were performed on silicon nitride ceramics above and below its phase transition pressure. Experimental results clearly show the occurrence of elastic-plastic transition and phase transition during initial shock loading. The HEL and phase transition stress are determined as 11.6 and 34.5 GPa, respectively. Below the phase transition stress, the reshock profile consists of the single shock with short rise time, while the release profile shows the gradual release followed by rapid one. Above phase transition stress, reshock and release behavior varies with the initial shock stress. In the case of reshock and release from about 40 GPa, the reshock structure is considerably dispersed, while the release structure shows rapid release. In the reshock profile from about 50 GPa, the formation of the shock wave with the small ramped precursor is observed. And, the release response from same shocked condition shows initial gradual release and subsequent quite rapid one. These results would provide the information about how phase transformation kinetics effects on the reshock and release behavior.

Press Oil Final Release Survey

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

Whicker, Jeffrey Jay; Ruedig, Elizabeth

There are forty-eight 55 gallon barrels filled with hydraulic oil that are candidates for release and recycle. This oil needs to be characterized prior to release. Principles of sampling as provided in MARSAME/MARSSIM approaches were used as guidance for sampling.

Biodegradable injectable in situ implants and microparticles for sustained release of montelukast: in vitro release, pharmacokinetics, and stability.

PubMed

Ahmed, Tarek A; Ibrahim, Hany M; Samy, Ahmed M; Kaseem, Alaa; Nutan, Mohammad T H; Hussain, Muhammad Delwar

2014-06-01

The objective of this study was to investigate the sustained release of a hydrophilic drug, montelukast (MK), from two biodegradable polymeric drug delivery systems, in situ implant (ISI) and in situ microparticles (ISM). N-Methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), triacetin, and ethyl acetate were selected as solvents. The release of 10% (w/v) MK from both systems containing poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) as the biodegradable polymer was compared. Upon contact with the aqueous medium, the PLGA in ISI and ISM systems solidified resulting in implants and microparticles, respectively. The in vitro drug release from the ISI system showed marked difference from miscible solvents (NMP and DMSO) than the partially miscible ones (triacetin and ethyl acetate), and the drug release decreased with increased PLGA concentration. In the ISM system, the initial in vitro drug release decreased with decreased ratio of polymer phase to external oil phase. In vivo studies in rats showed that ISM had slower drug release than the drug release from ISI. Also, the ISM system when compared to ISI system had significantly reduced initial burst effect. In vitro as well as the in vivo studies for both ISI and ISM systems showed sustained release of MK. The ISM system is suitable for sustained release of MK over 4-week period with a lower initial burst compared to the ISI system. Stability studies of the ISI and ISM formulations showed that MK is stable in the formulations stored at 4°C for more than 2 years.

Sustained Release Drug Delivery Applications of Polyurethanes.

PubMed

Lowinger, Michael B; Barrett, Stephanie E; Zhang, Feng; Williams, Robert O

2018-05-09

Since their introduction over 50 years ago, polyurethanes have been applied to nearly every industry. This review describes applications of polyurethanes to the development of modified release drug delivery. Although drug delivery research leveraging polyurethanes has been ongoing for decades, there has been renewed and substantial interest in the field in recent years. The chemistry of polyurethanes and the mechanisms of drug release from sustained release dosage forms are briefly reviewed. Studies to assess the impact of intrinsic drug properties on release from polyurethane-based formulations are considered. The impact of hydrophilic water swelling polyurethanes on drug diffusivity and release rate is discussed. The role of pore formers in modulating drug release rate is examined. Finally, the value of assessing mechanical properties of the dosage form and approaches taken in the literature are described.

Press releases: translating research into news.

PubMed

Woloshin, Steven; Schwartz, Lisa M

2002-06-05

While medical journals strive to ensure accuracy and the acknowledgment of limitations in articles, press releases may not reflect these efforts. Telephone interviews conducted in January 2001 with press officers at 9 prominent medical journals and analysis of press releases (n = 127) about research articles for the 6 issues of each journal preceding the interviews. Seven of the 9 journals routinely issue releases; in each case, the editor with the press office selects articles based on perceived newsworthiness and releases are written by press officers trained in communications. Journals have general guidelines (eg, length) but no standards for acknowledging limitations or for data presentation. Editorial input varies from none to intense. Of the 127 releases analyzed, 29 (23%) noted study limitations and 83 (65%) reported main effects using numbers; 58 reported differences between study groups and of these, 26 (55%) provided the corresponding base rate, the format least prone to exaggeration. Industry funding was noted in only 22% of 23 studies receiving such funding. Press releases do not routinely highlight study limitations or the role of industry funding. Data are often presented using formats that may exaggerate the perceived importance of findings.

Gas release and conductivity modification studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Linson, L. M.; Baxter, D. C.

1979-01-01

The behavior of gas clouds produced by releases from orbital velocity in either a point release or venting mode is described by the modification of snowplow equations valid in an intermediate altitude regime. Quantitative estimates are produced for the time dependence of the radius of the cloud, the average internal energy, the translational velocity, and the distance traveled. The dependence of these quantities on the assumed density profile, the internal energy of the gas, and the ratio of specific heats is examined. The new feature is the inclusion of the effect of the large orbital velocity. The resulting gas cloud models are used to calculate the characteristics of the field line integrated Pedersen conductivity enhancements that would be produced by the release of barium thermite at orbital velocity in either the point release or venting modes as a function of release altitude and chemical payload weight.

Investigation on formaldehyde release from preservatives in cosmetics.

PubMed

Lv, C; Hou, J; Xie, W; Cheng, H

2015-10-01

To understand formaldehyde residue in cosmetics, an investigation on formaldehyde release from eight preservatives (methenamine - MA, paraformaldehyde - PF, poly(p-toluenesulfonamide-co-formaldehyde) -PTSAF, quaternium-15 - QU, imidazolidinyl urea - IU, diazolidinyl urea - DU, dimethyloldimethyl hydantoin - DMDM and bronopol - BP) under various conditions was performed. The concentration of released formaldehyde was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection after derivatization with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine. The amounts of formaldehyde release were in the order of PF > DU > DMDM ≈ QU ≈ IU > MA > BP > PTSAF. The releasing amounts of formaldehyde were the highest in the presence of aqueous matrices for the releasers except QU and IU, and the releasing effect was also relative to pH. More formaldehyde was released with longer storage time and higher temperature. Furthermore, all preservatives in cosmetic matrices released fewer amounts of formaldehyde than in pure aqueous or organic matrices, and the formaldehyde-releasing amounts were also cosmetic specific. Formaldehyde release was dependent on the matrix, pH, time and mainly temperature, and the releasing effect was also cosmetic specific. © 2015 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.

Pin-Retraction Mechanism On Quick-Release Cover

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Macmartin, Malcolm

1994-01-01

Quick-release cover includes pin-retraction mechanism releasing cover quickly from lower of two sets of pin connections holding cover. Cover released at top by pulling lever as described in "Lever-Arm Pin Puller" (NPO-18788). Removal of cover begins when technician or robot pulls upper-pin-release lever. Cover swings downward until tabs on lower pins are pulled through slots in their receptacles. Lower pins are then free.

Double swivel toggle release

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

King, Guy L.; Schneider, William C.

1989-01-01

A pyrotechnic actuated structural release device is disclosed which is mechanically two fault tolerant for release. The device comprises a fastener plate and fastener body each attachable to one of a pair of structures to be joined. The fastener plate and the fastener body are fastened by a dual swivel toggle member. The toggle member is supported at one end on the fastener plate and mounted for universal pivotal movement thereon. Its other end is received in a central opening in the fastener body, and has a universally mounted retainer ring member. The toggle member is restrained by three retractable latching pins symmetrically disposed in equiangular spacing about the axis of the toggle member and positionable in latching engagement with the retainer ring member on the toggle member. Each pin is retractable by a pyrotechnic charge, the expanding gases of which are applied to a pressure receiving face on the latch pins to effect retraction from the ring member. While retraction of all three pins releases the ring member, the fastener is mechanically two fault tolerant since the failure of any single one or pair of the latch pins to retract results in an asymmetrical loading on the ring member and its dual pivotal movement ensures a release.

Plasmapheresis affects responses of slowly and rapidly adapting airway receptors to pulmonary venous congestion in dogs.

PubMed Central

Kappagoda, C T; Ravi, K

1989-01-01

1. The effects of plasmapheresis on the responses of rapidly adapting receptors (RARs) and slowly adapting receptors (SARs) of the airways to pulmonary venous congestion were examined in dogs anaesthetized with alpha-chloralose. Pulmonary venous congestion was produced in a graded manner by partial obstruction of the mitral valve sufficient to raise the mean left atrial pressure by 5, 10 and 15 mmHg. Plasmapheresis was performed by withdrawing 10% of blood volume twice. 2. Both RARs (n = 11) and SARs (n = 5) responded to pulmonary venous congestion by increasing their activities. The responses of the former were proportionately greater. 3. After plasmapheresis which reduced the concentration of plasma proteins by 12.3 +/- 1.0%, the responses of the RARs to pulmonary venous congestion were enhanced significantly. There was no significant change in the responses of SARs. 4. In another set of six RARs, the effects of graded pulmonary venous congestion were investigated twice with an interval of 45 min between the two observations. No significant differences were noted between the two responses. 5. Collection of lymph from the tracheobronchial lymph duct (n = 6) showed that after plasmapheresis, there was an increase in the control lymph flow. In addition, the lymph flow was enhanced during pulmonary venous congestion (mean left atrial pressure increased by 10 mmHg). 6. It is suggested that a natural stimulus for the excitation of the RAR is a function of the fluid fluxes in the pulmonary extravascular space. PMID:2607464

Lubiprostone stimulates small intestinal mucin release

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Lubiprostone is a synthetic bicyclic fatty acid derivative of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) used for chronic constipation. The best known action of lubiprostone is simulation of Cl- dependent fluid secretion. In a mouse model of the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, we previously showed that in vivo administration of lubiprostone resulted in greater mucus accumulation in the small intestine. The aim of this study was to directly test whether lubiprostone stimulates intestinal mucin release. Methods Mucin release was measured by mounting segments (4-5 cm) of mouse proximal-mid small intestine in an organ bath, allowing access to the perfusate (luminal) and the bath (serosal) solutions. Nifedipine (10-6 M) and indomethacin (10-5 M) were included in all solutions to inhibit smooth muscle activity and endogenous prostaglandin production, respectively. The tissue was equilibrated under flow for 30 min, using the perfusate collected during the final 10 min of the equilibration period to measure unstimulated release rate. Stimulus was then added to either the perfusate or the bath and the perfusate was collected for another 30 min to measure the stimulated mucin release rate. Mucin in perfusates was quantified by periodic acid-Schiff's base dot-blot assay, using purified pig gastric mucin as a standard. Results When applied luminally at 1 μM lubiprostone was ineffective at stimulating mucin release. When added to the serosal solution, 1 μM lubiprostone stimulated mucin release to ~300% of the unstimulated rate. As a positive control, serosal 1 μM prostaglandin E2 increased mucin release to ~400% of the unstimulated rate. Conclusions These results support the idea that lubiprostone has prostaglandin-like actions on the intestine, which includes stimulation of mucin release. Stimulation of mucin release by lubiprostone may be protective in gastrointestinal conditions where loss of mucus is believed to contribute to pathogenesis. Thus, in addition to chronic

Lubiprostone stimulates small intestinal mucin release.

PubMed

De Lisle, Robert C

2012-11-06

Lubiprostone is a synthetic bicyclic fatty acid derivative of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) used for chronic constipation. The best known action of lubiprostone is simulation of Cl- dependent fluid secretion. In a mouse model of the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, we previously showed that in vivo administration of lubiprostone resulted in greater mucus accumulation in the small intestine. The aim of this study was to directly test whether lubiprostone stimulates intestinal mucin release. Mucin release was measured by mounting segments (4-5 cm) of mouse proximal-mid small intestine in an organ bath, allowing access to the perfusate (luminal) and the bath (serosal) solutions. Nifedipine (10-6 M) and indomethacin (10-5 M) were included in all solutions to inhibit smooth muscle activity and endogenous prostaglandin production, respectively. The tissue was equilibrated under flow for 30 min, using the perfusate collected during the final 10 min of the equilibration period to measure unstimulated release rate. Stimulus was then added to either the perfusate or the bath and the perfusate was collected for another 30 min to measure the stimulated mucin release rate. Mucin in perfusates was quantified by periodic acid-Schiff's base dot-blot assay, using purified pig gastric mucin as a standard. When applied luminally at 1 μM lubiprostone was ineffective at stimulating mucin release. When added to the serosal solution, 1 μM lubiprostone stimulated mucin release to ~300% of the unstimulated rate. As a positive control, serosal 1 μM prostaglandin E2 increased mucin release to ~400% of the unstimulated rate. These results support the idea that lubiprostone has prostaglandin-like actions on the intestine, which includes stimulation of mucin release. Stimulation of mucin release by lubiprostone may be protective in gastrointestinal conditions where loss of mucus is believed to contribute to pathogenesis. Thus, in addition to chronic constipation, there is greater potential for the

A self-referential HOWTO on release engineering

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

Galassi, Mark C.

Release engineering is a fundamental part of the software development cycle: it is the point at which quality control is exercised and bug fixes are integrated. The way in which software is released also gives the end user her first experience of a software package, while in scientific computing release engineering can guarantee reproducibility. For these reasons and others, the release process is a good indicator of the maturity and organization of a development team. Software teams often do not put in place a release process at the beginning. This is unfortunate because the team does not have early andmore » continuous execution of test suites, and it does not exercise the software in the same conditions as the end users. I describe an approach to release engineering based on the software tools developed and used by the GNU project, together with several specific proposals related to packaging and distribution. I do this in a step-by-step manner, demonstrating how this very paper is written and built using proper release engineering methods. Because many aspects of release engineering are not exercised in the building of the paper, the accompanying software repository also contains examples of software libraries.« less

Understanding Drug Release Data through Thermodynamic Analysis.

PubMed

Freire, Marjorie Caroline Liberato Cavalcanti; Alexandrino, Francisco; Marcelino, Henrique Rodrigues; Picciani, Paulo Henrique de Souza; Silva, Kattya Gyselle de Holanda E; Genre, Julieta; Oliveira, Anselmo Gomes de; Egito, Eryvaldo Sócrates Tabosa do

2017-06-13

Understanding the factors that can modify the drug release profile of a drug from a Drug-Delivery-System (DDS) is a mandatory step to determine the effectiveness of new therapies. The aim of this study was to assess the Amphotericin-B (AmB) kinetic release profiles from polymeric systems with different compositions and geometries and to correlate these profiles with the thermodynamic parameters through mathematical modeling. Film casting and electrospinning techniques were used to compare behavior of films and fibers, respectively. Release profiles from the DDSs were performed, and the mathematical modeling of the data was carried out. Activation energy, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy of the drug release process were determined. AmB release profiles showed that the relationship to overcome the enthalpic barrier was PVA-fiber > PVA-film > PLA-fiber > PLA-film. Drug release kinetics from the fibers and the films were better fitted on the Peppas-Sahlin and Higuchi models, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters corroborate these findings, revealing that the AmB release from the evaluated systems was an endothermic and non-spontaneous process. Thermodynamic parameters can be used to explain the drug kinetic release profiles. Such an approach is of utmost importance for DDS containing insoluble compounds, such as AmB, which is associated with an erratic bioavailability.

Understanding Drug Release Data through Thermodynamic Analysis

PubMed Central

Freire, Marjorie Caroline Liberato Cavalcanti; Alexandrino, Francisco; Marcelino, Henrique Rodrigues; Picciani, Paulo Henrique de Souza; Silva, Kattya Gyselle de Holanda e; Genre, Julieta; de Oliveira, Anselmo Gomes; do Egito, Eryvaldo Sócrates Tabosa

2017-01-01

Understanding the factors that can modify the drug release profile of a drug from a Drug-Delivery-System (DDS) is a mandatory step to determine the effectiveness of new therapies. The aim of this study was to assess the Amphotericin-B (AmB) kinetic release profiles from polymeric systems with different compositions and geometries and to correlate these profiles with the thermodynamic parameters through mathematical modeling. Film casting and electrospinning techniques were used to compare behavior of films and fibers, respectively. Release profiles from the DDSs were performed, and the mathematical modeling of the data was carried out. Activation energy, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy of the drug release process were determined. AmB release profiles showed that the relationship to overcome the enthalpic barrier was PVA-fiber > PVA-film > PLA-fiber > PLA-film. Drug release kinetics from the fibers and the films were better fitted on the Peppas–Sahlin and Higuchi models, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters corroborate these findings, revealing that the AmB release from the evaluated systems was an endothermic and non-spontaneous process. Thermodynamic parameters can be used to explain the drug kinetic release profiles. Such an approach is of utmost importance for DDS containing insoluble compounds, such as AmB, which is associated with an erratic bioavailability. PMID:28773009

Dynamic compression and volatile release of carbonates

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tyburczy, J. A.; Ahrens, T. J.

1984-01-01

Particle velocity profiles upon shock compression and isentropic releases were measured for polycrystalline calcite. The Solenhofen limestone release paths lie, close to the Hugoniot. Calcite 3 to 2 transition, upon release, was observed, but rarefaction shocks were not detected. The equation of state is used to predict the fraction of material devolatilized upon isentropic release as a function of shock pressure. The effect of ambient partial pressure of CO2 on the calculations is demonstrated and considered in models of atmospheric evolution by impact induced mineral devolatilization. The radiative characteristics of shocked calcite indicate that localization of thermal energy occurs under shock compression. Shock entropy calculations result in a minimum estimate of 90% devolatilization upon complete release from 10 GPa. Isentropic release paths from calculated continuum Hugoniot temperatures cross into the CaO (solid) + CO2 (vapor) field at improbably low pressures. It is found that release paths from measured shock temperatures cross into the melt plus vapor field at pressures greater than .5 GPa, which suggests that devolatilization is initiated at the shear banding sites.

Controlled Release Applications of Organometals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thayer, John S.

1981-01-01

Reviews two classes of controlled release organometals: (1) distributional, to distribute bioactive materials to control a certain target organism; and (2) protective, to protect surface or interior of some structure from attach by organisms. Specific examples are given including a discussion of controlled release for schistosomiasis. (SK)

In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile

PubMed Central

Stallmann, Hein P; Faber, Chris; Bronckers, Antonius LJJ; Nieuw Amerongen, Arie V; Wuisman, Paul IJM

2006-01-01

Background Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) beads releasing antibiotics are used extensively to treat osteomyelitis, but require surgical removal afterwards because they do not degrade. Methods As an alternative option, this report compares the in vitro gentamicin release profile from clinically used, biodegradable carrier-materials: six injectable cements and six granule-types. Cement cylinders and coated granules containing 3% gentamicin were submerged in dH2O and placed in a 48-sample parallel drug-release system. At regular intervals (30, 90, 180 min. and then every 24 h, for 21 days), the release fluid was exchanged and the gentamicin concentration was measured. The activity of released gentamicin was tested on Staphylococcus aureus. Results All combinations showed initial burst-release of active gentamicin, two cements had continuous-release (17 days). The relative release of all cements (36–85%) and granules (30–62%) was higher than previously reported for injectable PMMA-cements (up to 17%) and comparable to other biodegradable carriers. From the cements residual gentamicin could be extracted, whereas the granules released all gentamicin that had adhered to the surface. Conclusion The high release achieved shows great promise for clinical application of these biodegradable drug-carriers. Using the appropriate combination, the required release profile (burst or sustained) may be achieved. PMID:16504140

Puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase is the major peptidase responsible for digesting polyglutamine sequences released by proteasomes during protein degradation

PubMed Central

Bhutani, N; Venkatraman, P; Goldberg, A L

2007-01-01

Long stretches of glutamine (Q) residues are found in many cellular proteins. Expansion of these polyglutamine (polyQ) sequences is the underlying cause of several neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Huntington's disease). Eukaryotic proteasomes have been found to digest polyQ sequences in proteins very slowly, or not at all, and to release such potentially toxic sequences for degradation by other peptidases. To identify these key peptidases, we investigated the degradation in cell extracts of model Q-rich fluorescent substrates and peptides containing 10–30 Q's. Their degradation at neutral pH was due to a single aminopeptidase, the puromycin-sensitive aminopeptidase (PSA, cytosol alanyl aminopeptidase). No other known cytosolic aminopeptidase or endopeptidase was found to digest these polyQ peptides. Although tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPPII) exhibited limited activity, studies with specific inhibitors, pure enzymes and extracts of cells treated with siRNA for TPPII or PSA showed PSA to be the rate-limiting activity against polyQ peptides up to 30 residues long. (PSA digests such Q sequences, shorter ones and typical (non-repeating) peptides at similar rates.) Thus, PSA, which is induced in neurons expressing mutant huntingtin, appears critical in preventing the accumulation of polyQ peptides in normal cells, and its activity may influence susceptibility to polyQ diseases. PMID:17318184

Tyrosine - Effects on catecholamine release

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Acworth, Ian N.; During, Matthew J.; Wurtman, Richard J.

1988-01-01

Tyrosine administration elevates striatal levels of dopamine metabolites in animals given treatments that accelerate nigrostriatal firing, but not in untreated rats. We examined the possibility that the amino acid might actually enhance dopamine release in untreated animals, but that the technique of measuring striatal dopamine metabolism was too insensitive to demonstrate such an effect. Dopamine release was assessed directly, using brain microdialysis of striatal extracellular fluid. Tyrosine administration (50-200 mg/kg IP) did indeed cause a dose related increase in extracellular fluid dopamine levels with minor elevations in levels of DOPAC and HVA, its major metabolites, which were not dose-related. The rise in dopamine was short-lived, suggesting that receptor-mediated feedback mechanisms responded to the increased dopamine release by diminishing neuronal firing or sensitivity to tyrosine. These observations indicate that measurement of changes in striatal DOPAC and HVA, if negative, need not rule out increases in nigrostriatal dopamine release.

Intracellular sphingosine releases calcium from lysosomes.

PubMed

Höglinger, Doris; Haberkant, Per; Aguilera-Romero, Auxiliadora; Riezman, Howard; Porter, Forbes D; Platt, Frances M; Galione, Antony; Schultz, Carsten

2015-11-27

To elucidate new functions of sphingosine (Sph), we demonstrate that the spontaneous elevation of intracellular Sph levels via caged Sph leads to a significant and transient calcium release from acidic stores that is independent of sphingosine 1-phosphate, extracellular and ER calcium levels. This photo-induced Sph-driven calcium release requires the two-pore channel 1 (TPC1) residing on endosomes and lysosomes. Further, uncaging of Sph leads to the translocation of the autophagy-relevant transcription factor EB (TFEB) to the nucleus specifically after lysosomal calcium release. We confirm that Sph accumulates in late endosomes and lysosomes of cells derived from Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) patients and demonstrate a greatly reduced calcium release upon Sph uncaging. We conclude that sphingosine is a positive regulator of calcium release from acidic stores and that understanding the interplay between Sph homeostasis, calcium signaling and autophagy will be crucial in developing new therapies for lipid storage disorders such as NPC.

Shear stress regulates endothelial microparticle release.

PubMed

Vion, Anne-Clémence; Ramkhelawon, Bhama; Loyer, Xavier; Chironi, Gilles; Devue, Cecile; Loirand, Gervaise; Tedgui, Alain; Lehoux, Stéphanie; Boulanger, Chantal M

2013-05-10

Endothelial activation and apoptosis release membrane-shed microparticles (EMP) that emerge as important biological effectors. Because laminar shear stress (SS) is a major physiological regulator of endothelial survival, we tested the hypothesis that SS regulates EMP release. EMP levels were quantified by flow cytometry in medium of endothelial cells subjected to low or high SS (2 and 20 dyne/cm(2)). EMP levels augmented with time in low SS conditions compared with high SS conditions. This effect was sensitive to extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and Rho kinases inhibitors but unaffected by caspase inhibitors. Low SS-stimulated EMP release was associated with increased endothelial Rho kinases and ERK1/2 activities and cytoskeletal reorganization. Overexpression of constitutively active RhoA stimulated EMP release under high SS. We also examined the effect of nitric oxide (NO) in mediating SS effects. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), but not D-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, increased high SS-induced EMP levels by 3-fold, whereas the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D,L-penicillamine (SNAP) decreased it. L-NAME and SNAP did not affect Rho kinases and ERK1/2 activities. Then, we investigated NO effect on membrane remodeling because microparticle release is abolished in ABCA1-deficient cells. ABCA1 expression, which was greater under low SS than under high SS, was augmented by L-NAME under high SS and decreased by SNAP under low SS conditions. Altogether, these results demonstrate that sustained atheroprone low SS stimulates EMP release through activation of Rho kinases and ERK1/2 pathways, whereas atheroprotective high SS limits EMP release in a NO-dependent regulation of ABCA1 expression and of cytoskeletal reorganization. These findings, therefore, identify endothelial SS as a physiological regulator of microparticle release.

Extended-release naltrexone for pre-release prisoners: A randomized trial of medical mobile treatment

PubMed Central

Gordon, Michael S.; Vocci, Frank J.; Fitzgerald, Terrence T.; O'Grady, Kevin E.; O'Brien, Charles P.

2017-01-01

Background Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX), is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder but is rarely initiated in US prisons or with criminal justice populations. Mobile treatment for chronic diseases have been implemented in a variety of settings. Mobile treatment may provide an opportunity to expand outreach to parolees to surmount barriers to traditional clinic treatment. Methods Male and female prisoners (240) with pre-incarceration histories of opioid use disorder who are within one month of release from prison will be enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. Participants are randomized to one of two study arms: 1) [XR-NTX-OTx] One injection of long-acting naltrexone in prison, followed by 6 monthly injections post-release at a community opioid treatment program; or 2) [XR-NTX+ MMTx] One injection of long-acting naltrexone in prison followed by 6 monthly injections post-release at the patient's place of residence utilizing mobile medical treatment. The primary outcomes are: treatment adherence; opioid use; criminal activity; re-arrest; reincarceration; and HIV risk-behaviors. Results We describe the background and rationale for the study, its aims, hypotheses, and study design. Conclusions The use of long-acting injectable naltrexone may be a promising form of treatment for pre-release prisoners. Finally, as many individuals in the criminal justice system drop out of treatment, this study will assess whether treatment at their place of residence will improve adherence and positively affect treatment outcomes. PMID:28011389

Extended-release naltrexone for pre-release prisoners: A randomized trial of medical mobile treatment.

PubMed

Gordon, Michael S; Vocci, Frank J; Fitzgerald, Terrence T; O'Grady, Kevin E; O'Brien, Charles P

2017-02-01

Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX), is an effective treatment for opioid use disorder but is rarely initiated in US prisons or with criminal justice populations. Mobile treatment for chronic diseases has been implemented in a variety of settings. Mobile treatment may provide an opportunity to expand outreach to parolees to surmount barriers to traditional clinic treatment. Male and female prisoners (240) with pre-incarceration histories of opioid use disorder who are within one month of release from prison will be enrolled in this randomized clinical trial. Participants are randomized to one of two study arms: 1) [XR-NTX-OTx] One injection of long-acting naltrexone in prison, followed by 6 monthly injections post-release at a community opioid treatment program; or 2) [XR-NTX+ MMTx] One injection of long-acting naltrexone in prison followed by 6 monthly injections post-release at the patient's place of residence utilizing mobile medical treatment. The primary outcomes are: treatment adherence; opioid use; criminal activity; re-arrest; reincarceration; and HIV risk-behaviors. We describe the background and rationale for the study, its aims, hypotheses, and study design. The use of long-acting injectable naltrexone may be a promising form of treatment for pre-release prisoners. Finally, as many individuals in the criminal justice system drop out of treatment, this study will assess whether treatment at their place of residence will improve adherence and positively affect treatment outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02867124. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chromium released from leather – I: exposure conditions that govern the release of chromium(III) and chromium(VI)

PubMed Central

Hedberg, Yolanda S; Lidén, Carola; Odnevall Wallinder, Inger

2015-01-01

Background Approximately 1–3% of the adult population in Europe is allergic to chromium (Cr). A new restriction in REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) based on the ISO 17075 standard has recently been adopted in the EU to limit Cr(VI) in consumer and occupational leather products. Objectives The aim of this study was to critically assess key experimental parameters in this standard on the release of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) and their relevance for skin exposure. Material and methods Four differently tanned, unfinished, leather samples were systematically investigated for their release of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in relation to surface area, key exposure parameters, temperature, ultraviolet irradiation, and time. Results Although the total release of Cr was largely unaffected by all investigated parameters, except exposure duration and temperature, the Cr oxidation state was highly dynamic, with reduced amounts of released Cr(VI) with time, owing to the simultaneous release of reducing agents from the leather. Significantly more Cr(III) than Cr(VI) was released from the Cr-tanned leather for all conditions tested, and it continued to be released in artificial sweat up to at least 1 week of exposure. Conclusions Several parameters were identified that influenced the outcome of the ISO 17075 test. PMID:25653094

Controlling protein release using biodegradable microparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kline, Benjamin Patrick

Research in the field of protein therapeutics has exploded over the past decade and continues to grow in both academia and in industry. Protein drugs have advantages of being highly specific and highly active making them coveted targets for high profile disease states like cancer and multiple sclerosis. Unfortunately, their many advantages are complemented by their obstacles. Because proteins are highly active and highly specific, the window between efficacy and toxicity is very narrow and drug development can be long and arduous. In addition, protein activity is dependent on its specific folding conformation that is easily disrupted by a variety of development processes. This research aimed to identify microparticle formulations to control protein release and also to determine which formulation parameters affected burst release, encapsulation, and steady-state release the most. It was found that polymer type and composition were two of the most important factors. Long-term controlled release of bovine serum albumin (BSA) was achieved as well as a wide variety of release profiles. A method was identified for micronizing protein at low cost to retain activity and coacervation was evaluated as a method for preparing protein loaded microspheres. This research provides a basis from which researchers can create better controlled release formulations for future protein therapeutics.

Release mechanism for releasing and reattaching experiments on the Space Shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clark, A. V.

1980-01-01

The release mechanism (REM) unlatches an experiment so that it can be moved about inside and outside the shuttle bay by the remote manipulator system (RMS), and then reattaches it to the REM base. Operated from the crew compartment after the RMS has been attached to the experiment, the REM releases the experiment by an electric motor driving a gear train and linkage which extracts four pins from holes in four plates. Electrical connectors on the REM are disengaged by the mechanical action of the structural pins retracting from the plates. When the REM releases the experiment, an unlatched indicator is actuated in the crew compartment, and then the experiment can be moved by using the RMS. To reattach the experiment to the REM, the RMS places the experiment with REM attachment angles against the flat, smooth surface of the REM; then the RMS moves the experiment into position for latchup. Actuation of an electric motor drives the four pins into the four holes in the plates. When fully latched, a switch actuated by the motion of the linkage, shuts the electric motor off and gives an indication to the crew compartment that the REM is latched.

Design and evaluation of bilayered buccal film preparations for local administration of lidocaine hydrochloride.

PubMed

Preis, Maren; Woertz, Christina; Schneider, Katharina; Kukawka, Jennifer; Broscheit, Jens; Roewer, Norbert; Breitkreutz, Jörg

2014-04-01

Bilayered oromucosal film preparations (buccal films) offer a promising way to enable drug administration via the oral cavity. Adding a non-soluble or slowly eroding/dissolving backing layer to a mucoadhesive drug-loaded layer enables unidirectional drug delivery. The aim of this study was to investigate different approaches to the manufacture of bilayered films and to examine their properties by applying different characterization methods including an optimized experimental setup for the study of drug release from bilayered films. A solvent suitability study was performed screening over 15 polymers with respect to their feasibility for viscous film formation for film preparation by solvent casting method. Two methods (double-casting and pasting) were found as suitable methods for bilayered film manufacturing. Results from drug release experiments indicated that slowly eroding hypromellose backing layer films revealed the best shielding of the drug-loaded layer to enable unidirectional drug release. In summary, manufacturing of bilayered films using the described methods was feasible. Furthermore, the use of an optimized experimental setup for drug dissolution studies enabled monitoring of drug release without delays in sampling. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Controlled release liquid dosage formulation

DOEpatents

Benton, Ben F.; Gardner, David L.

1989-01-01

A liquid dual coated dosage formulation sustained release pharmaceutic having substantial shelf life prior to ingestion is disclosed. A dual coating is applied over controlled release cores to form dosage forms and the coatings comprise fats melting at less than approximately 101.degree. F. overcoated with cellulose acetate phthalate or zein. The dual coated dosage forms are dispersed in a sugar based acidic liquid carrier such as high fructose corn syrup and display a shelf life of up to approximately at least 45 days while still retaining their release profiles following ingestion. Cellulose acetate phthalate coated dosage form cores can in addition be dispersed in aqueous liquids of pH <5.

Effects of formulation variables and post-compression curing on drug release from a new sustained-release matrix material: polyvinylacetate-povidone.

PubMed

Shao, Z J; Farooqi, M I; Diaz, S; Krishna, A K; Muhammad, N A

2001-01-01

A new commercially available sustained-release matrix material, Kollidon SR, composed of polyvinylacetate and povidone, was evaluated with respect to its ability to modulate the in vitro release of a highly water-soluble model compound, diphenhydramine HCl. Kollidon SR was found to provide a sustained-release effect for the model compound, with certain formulation and processing variables playing an important role in controlling its release kinetics. Formulation variables affecting the release include the level of the polymeric material in the matrix, excipient level, as well as the nature of the excipients (water soluble vs. water insoluble). Increasing the ratio of a water-insoluble excipient, Emcompress, to Kollidon SR enhanced drug release. The incorporation of a water-soluble excipient, lactose, accelerated its release rate in a more pronounced manner. Stability studies conducted at 40 degrees C/75% RH revealed a slow-down in dissolution rate for the drug-Kollidon SR formulation, as a result of polyvinylacetate relaxation. Further studies demonstrated that a post-compression curing step effectively stabilized the release pattern of formulations containing > or = 47% Kollidon SR. The release mechanism of Kollidon-drug and drug-Kollidon-Emcompress formulations appears to be diffusion controlled, while that of the drug-Kollidon-lactose formulation appears to be controlled predominantly by diffusion along with erosion.

Preload of slowly digestible carbohydrate microspheres decreases gastric emptying rate of subsequent meal in humans.

PubMed

Cisse, Fatimata; Pletsch, Elizabeth A; Erickson, Daniel P; Chegeni, Mohammad; Hayes, Anna M R; Hamaker, Bruce R

2017-09-01

Gastric emptying rate influences how fast the nutrients of a meal are delivered to the body, and when slow, it moderates glycemic response and may impact satiety. Carbohydrates are one of the macronutrients that trigger the ileal brake, and we hypothesized that slowly digestible carbohydrate (SDC) administered in a premeal load would delay gastric emptying. A crossover design study was conducted with 10 healthy adults using fabricated SDC-microspheres (cooked) that were given 20 minutes before a non-nutritive viscous paste meal. There were 4 treatment arms, each separated by a 1-week washout period, consisting of (1) the paste alone, (2) a rapidly digesting maltodextrin (Polycose) preload followed by the paste 20 minutes later, (3) an SDC-microsphere preload followed by the paste, and (4) a comparably slower SDC-microsphere preload followed by the paste. A 13 C-labeled octanoic acid breath test method was used to measure gastric emptying, with the label incorporated into the non-nutritive paste. The microspheres were less than 1 mm in diameter (a size that does not require breakdown in the stomach before emptying) and, after cooking, were of the same density value. Compared with the paste alone, both of the SDC-microsphere preloads (slow and comparably slower digesting) decreased gastric emptying rate of the paste, with the latter having the most effect (half-emptying times of 1.7, 2.3, and 2.8 hours, respectively [each different at P<.05]). In conclusion, SDCs decreased gastric emptying rate, and this was suggested to be due to a triggering of the ileal brake. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

34 CFR 35.8 - Release.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Release. 35.8 Section 35.8 Education Office of the Secretary, Department of Education TORT CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT Procedures § 35.8 Release. Acceptance by the claimant, his agent or legal representative, of any award, compromise or settlement made...

Controlled release of cyclosporine A self-nanoemulsifying systems from osmotic pump tablets: near zero-order release and pharmacokinetics in dogs.

PubMed

Zhang, Xi; Yi, Yueneng; Qi, Jianping; Lu, Yi; Tian, Zhiqiang; Xie, Yunchang; Yuan, Hailong; Wu, Wei

2013-08-16

It is very important to enhance the absorption simultaneously while designing controlled release delivery systems for poorly water-soluble and poorly permeable drugs (BCS IV). In this study, controlled release of cyclosporine (CyA) was achieved by the osmotic release strategy taking advantage of the absorption-enhancing capacity of self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDSs). The liquid SNEDDS consisting of Labrafil M 1944CS, Transcutol P and Cremophor EL was absorbed by the osmotic tablet core excipients (sucrose, lactose monohydrate, polyethylene oxide, and partly pregelatinized starch) and then transformed into osmotic tablets. Near zero-order release could be achieved for CyA-loaded nanoemulsions reconstituted from the SNEDDS. In general, the influencing factor study indicated that the release rate increased with increase of inner osmotic pressure, ratio of osmotic agent to suspending agent, content of pore-forming agent, and size of release orifice, whereas the thickness of the membrane impeded the release of CyA nanoemulsion. Pharmacokinetic study showed steady blood CyA profiles with prolonged Tmax and MRT, and significantly reduced Cmax for self-nanoemulsifying osmotic pump tablet (SNEOPT) in comparison with highly fluctuating profiles of the core tablet and Sandimmune Neoral(®). However, similar oral bioavailability was observed for either controlled release or non-controlled release formulations. It was concluded that simultaneous controlling on CyA release and absorption-enhancing had been achieved by a combination of osmotic tablet and SNEDDS. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Review on fluoride-releasing restorative materials--fluoride release and uptake characteristics, antibacterial activity and influence on caries formation.

PubMed

Wiegand, Annette; Buchalla, Wolfgang; Attin, Thomas

2007-03-01

The purpose of this article was to review the fluoride release and recharge capabilities, and antibacterial properties, of fluoride-releasing dental restoratives, and discuss the current status concerning the prevention or inhibition of caries development and progression. Information from original scientific full papers or reviews listed in PubMed (search term: fluoride release AND (restorative OR glass-ionomer OR compomer OR polyacid-modified composite resin OR composite OR amalgam)), published from 1980 to 2004, was included in the review. Papers dealing with endodontic or orthodontic topics were not taken into consideration. Clinical studies concerning secondary caries development were only included when performed in split-mouth design with an observation period of at least three years. Fluoride-containing dental materials show clear differences in the fluoride release and uptake characteristics. Short- and long-term fluoride releases from restoratives are related to their matrices, setting mechanisms and fluoride content and depend on several environmental conditions. Fluoride-releasing materials may act as a fluoride reservoir and may increase the fluoride level in saliva, plaque and dental hard tissues. However, clinical studies exhibited conflicting data as to whether or not these materials significantly prevent or inhibit secondary caries and affect the growth of caries-associated bacteria compared to non-fluoridated restoratives. Fluoride release and uptake characteristics depend on the matrices, fillers and fluoride content as well as on the setting mechanisms and environmental conditions of the restoratives. Fluoride-releasing materials, predominantly glass-ionomers and compomers, did show cariostatic properties and may affect bacterial metabolism under simulated cariogenic conditions in vitro. However, it is not proven by prospective clinical studies whether the incidence of secondary caries can be significantly reduced by the fluoride release of

Morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride extended-release capsules: naltrexone release, pharmacodynamics, and tolerability.

PubMed

Johnson, Franklin; Setnik, Beatrice

2011-01-01

Morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride extended-release capsules (EMBEDA, King Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Bristol, TN), indicated for management of chronic, moderate-to-severe pain, contain pellets of extended-release morphine sulfate with a sequestered naltrexone core (MS-sNT). Taken as directed, morphine provides analgesia while naltrexone remains sequestered; if tampered with by crushing, naltrexone is released to mitigate morphine-induced euphoric effects. While it is necessary to establish that formulations intended to reduce attractiveness for abuse are successful in doing so, it is also necessary to demonstrate that product therapeutic integrity is maintained for patients. Data were reviewed from 3 studies to determine: 1) the quantity of naltrexone released when MS-sNT pellets are crushed (MS-sNTC) for at least 2 minutes with mortar and pestle); 2) the extent to which the naltrexone released upon crushing mitigated morphine-induced subjective effects; and 3) whether sequestered naltrexone precipitates opioid withdrawal when MS-sNT is taken as directed. The naltrexone bioavailability study compared naltrexone release from MS-sNTC with that from whole intact MS-sNT capsules (MS-sNTW) and an equal naltrexone solution (NS) dose. Equivalent bioavailability was established if 90% confidence intervals (CIs) for geometric mean ratios (maximum plasma naltrexone concentration [Cmax] and area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity [AUC∞]) fell between 80% and 125%. The oral pharmacodynamic study assessed drug liking and euphoria and pharmacokinetic properties of MS-sNTC and MS-sNTW compared with morphine sulfate solution (MSS) and placebo. The 12-month, open-label (OL) safety study evaluated safety of MS-sNT administered orally as directed in patients with chronic, moderate-to-severe pain. Safety assessments included withdrawal symptoms based on the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS). Naltrexone from MS-sNTC met criteria for equivalent

WATER INGESTION DURING SWIMMING ACTIVITIES IN A POOL: A PILOT STUDY

EPA Science Inventory

Chloroisocyanurates are commonly added to outdoor swimming pools to stabilize chlorine disinfectants. The chloroisocyanurates decompose slowly to release chlorine and cyanuric acid. Studies conducted to determine if the chloroisocyanurates might be toxic to swimmers showed that...

Starch-entrapped biopolymer microspheres as a novel approach to vary blood glucose profiles.

PubMed

Venkatachalam, Mahesh; Kushnick, Michael R; Zhang, Genyi; Hamaker, Bruce R

2009-10-01

With emerging knowledge of the impact of the metabolic quality of glycemic carbohydrates on human health, there is a need for novel carbohydrate ingredients that can be custom-made to deliver controlled amounts of glucose to the body and to test hypotheses on the postprandial metabolic consequences of carbohydrates. The goal of the present study was to demonstrate the applicability and action of starch-entrapped biopolymer microspheres as customized, novel, slowly digestible carbohydrates to obtain desired glycemic responses. Starch-entrapped microspheres were developed; and starch digestion and glucose release, subsequent to their cooking (100 degrees C, 20 min) in water, were initially monitored by measuring the rapidly digestible, slowly digestible, and resistant starch fractions using the in vitro Englyst assay. Glycemic and insulinemic responses after consumption of glucose and two different slowly digestible starch microsphere diets were compared using a crossover study in 10 healthy individuals. The mechanism of starch digestion in the microspheres was elucidated from scanning electron microscopic images of the in vitro digested microspheres. Factors such as biopolymer type and concentration, microsphere size, and starch type were manipulated to obtain starch materials with defined amounts of slowly digestible starch based on in vitro studies. Scanning electron microscopy showed that cooked starch entrapped in the dense biopolymer matrix is digested layer by layer from the outside to the inside of the microsphere. Glycemic and insulinemic responses to microsphere test diets were moderate as compared to a glucose diet, but more important, they showed extended glucose release. Starch-entrapped microspheres provide a useful tool to study the postprandial metabolic consequences of slowly digestible carbohydrates.

45 CFR 35.8 - Release.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... § 35.8 Release. Acceptance by the claimant, his agent or legal representative, of any award, compromise or settlement made hereunder, shall be final and conclusive on the claimant, his agent or legal... 45 Public Welfare 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Release. 35.8 Section 35.8 Public Welfare...

12 CFR 793.8 - Release.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 12 Banks and Banking 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Release. 793.8 Section 793.8 Banks and Banking... ADMINISTRATION TORT CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT Procedures § 793.8 Release. Acceptance by the claimant, his agent or legal representative, of any award, compromise or settlement made hereunder, shall be final and...

50 CFR 600.425 - Release of statistics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 50 Wildlife and Fisheries 10 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Release of statistics. 600.425 Section... ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS Confidentiality of Statistics § 600.425 Release of statistics. (a) The Assistant Administrator will not release to the public any statistics...

Calcium in the control of renin release.

PubMed

Park, C S; Malvin, R L

1978-07-01

The effect of Ca concentrations in the incubation medium and of estimated intracellular Ca concentrations on renin release was examined with use of pig renal cortical slices. In addition, the Ca requirement for the epinephrine stimulatory effect and for the ouabain inhibitory action on renin release was also tested. In mediums containing 5.9 mM K, variations in Ca concentration had no effect on renin release. In contrast, when the K concentration was 59 mM, a significant inhibition of renin release was attained with all concentrations of calcium. The inhibition of renin release in high K mediums by Ca was attributed to an increase in the intracellular Ca concentration. In addition, both the stimulatory effect of epinephrine and the inhibitory effect of ouabain on renin release required Ca in the medium. These results support the hypothesis that the control of renin secretion is mediated, in part, by changes in the intracellular concentration of Ca, most likely in the juxtaglomerular cells.

Helium release during shale deformation: Experimental validation

DOE PAGES

Bauer, Stephen J.; Gardner, W. Payton; Heath, Jason E.

2016-07-01

This paper describes initial experimental results of helium tracer release monitoring during deformation of shale. Naturally occurring radiogenic 4He is present in high concentration in most shales. During rock deformation, accumulated helium could be released as fractures are created and new transport pathways are created. We present the results of an experimental study in which confined reservoir shale samples, cored parallel and perpendicular to bedding, which were initially saturated with helium to simulate reservoir conditions, are subjected to triaxial compressive deformation. During the deformation experiment, differential stress, axial, and radial strains are systematically tracked. Release of helium is dynamically measuredmore » using a helium mass spectrometer leak detector. Helium released during deformation is observable at the laboratory scale and the release is tightly coupled to the shale deformation. These first measurements of dynamic helium release from rocks undergoing deformation show that helium provides information on the evolution of microstructure as a function of changes in stress and strain.« less

The dispersion releaser technology is an effective method for testing drug release from nanosized drug carriers.

PubMed

Janas, Christine; Mast, Marc-Phillip; Kirsamer, Li; Angioni, Carlo; Gao, Fiona; Mäntele, Werner; Dressman, Jennifer; Wacker, Matthias G

2017-06-01

The dispersion releaser (DR) is a dialysis-based setup for the analysis of the drug release from nanosized drug carriers. It is mounted into dissolution apparatus2 of the United States Pharmacopoeia. The present study evaluated the DR technique investigating the drug release of the model compound flurbiprofen from drug solution and from nanoformulations composed of the drug and the polymer materials poly (lactic acid), poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) or Eudragit®RSPO. The drug loaded nanocarriers ranged in size between 185.9 and 273.6nm and were characterized by a monomodal size distribution (PDI<0.1). The membrane permeability constants of flurbiprofen were calculated and mathematical modeling was applied to obtain the normalized drug release profiles. For comparing the sensitivities of the DR and the dialysis bag technique, the differences in the membrane permeation rates were calculated. Finally, different formulation designs of flurbiprofen were sensitively discriminated using the DR technology. The mechanism of drug release from the nanosized carriers was analyzed by applying two mathematical models described previously, the reciprocal powered time model and the three parameter model. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Removal of urothelium affects bladder contractility and release of ATP but not release of NO in rat urinary bladder.

PubMed

Munoz, Alvaro; Gangitano, David A; Smith, Christopher P; Boone, Timothy B; Somogyi, George T

2010-05-24

The objective of our work was to investigate both the contractile function and the release of ATP and NO from strips of bladder tissue after removal of the urothelium. The method of removal was a gentle swabbing motion rather than a sharp surgical cutting to separate the urothelium from the smooth muscle. The contractile response and ATP and NO release were measured in intact as well as on swabbed preparations. The removal of the urothelial layer was affirmed microscopically. After the swabbing, the smaller contractions were evoked by electrical as well as by chemical stimulation (50 microM carbachol or 50 microM alpha, beta meATP). Electrical stimulation, carbachol and substance P (5 microM) evoked lower release of ATP in the swabbed strips than in intact strips. Although release of NO evoked by electrical stimulation or substance P was not changed, release of NO evoked by carbachol was significantly less in the swabbed preparations. Since swabbing removes only the urothelium, the presence of the suburothelial layer may explain the difference between our findings and those of others who found an increase in contractility. Evoked release of ATP is reduced in swabbed strips, indicating that ATP derives solely from the urothelium. On the other hand, electrical stimulation and substance P evoke identical degrees of NO release in both intact and swabbed preparations, suggesting that NO can be released from the suburothelium. Conversely, carbachol-induced release of NO is lower in swabbed strips, implying that the cholinergic receptors (muscarinic or nicotinic) are located in the upper layer of the urothelium.

Light activated nitric oxide releasing materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muizzi Casanas, Dayana Andreina

The ability to control the location and dosage of biologically active molecules inside the human body can be critical to maximizing effective treatment of cardiovascular diseases like angina. The current standard of treatment relies on the metabolism of organonitrate drugs into nitric oxide (NO), which are not specific, and also show problems with densitization with long-term use. There is a need then to create a treatment method that gives targeted release of NO. Metal-nitrosyl (M-NO) complexes can be used for delivery of NO since the release of NO can be controlled with light. However, the NO-releasing drug must be activated with red light to ensure maximum penetration of light through tissue. However, the release of NO from M-NO complexes with red-light activation is a significant challenge since the energy required to break the metal-NO bond is usually larger than the energy provided by red light. The goal of this project was to create red- sensitive, NO-releasing materials based on Ru-salen-nitrosyl compounds. Our approach was to first modify Ru salen complexes to sensitize the photochemistry for release of NO after red light irradiation. Next, we pursued polymerization of the Ru-salen complexes. We report the synthesis and quantitative photochemical characterization of a series of ruthenium salen nitrosyl complexes. These complexes were modified by incorporating electron donating groups in the salen ligand structure at key locations to increase electron density on the Ru. Complexes with either an --OH or --OCH3 substituent showed an improvement in the quantum yield of release of NO upon blue light irradiation compared to the unmodified salen. These --OH and --OCH3 complexes were also sensitized for NO release after red light activation, however the red-sensitive complexes were unstable and showed ligand substitution on the order of minutes. The substituted complexes remained sensitive for NO release, but only after blue light irradiation. The Ru

Analysis of LNG peakshaving-facility release-prevention systems

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

Pelto, P.J.; Baker, E.G.; Powers, T.B.

1982-05-01

The purpose of this study is to provide an analysis of release prevention systems for a reference LNG peakshaving facility. An overview assessment of the reference peakshaving facility, which preceeded this effort, identified 14 release scenarios which are typical of the potential hazards involved in the operation of LNG peakshaving facilities. These scenarios formed the basis for this more detailed study. Failure modes and effects analysis and fault tree analysis were used to estimate the expected frequency of each release scenario for the reference peakshaving facility. In addition, the effectiveness of release prevention, release detection, and release control systems weremore » evaluated.« less

High-amylose sodium carboxymethyl starch matrices for oral, sustained drug-release: formulation aspects and in vitro drug-release evaluation.

PubMed

Brouillet, F; Bataille, B; Cartilier, L

2008-05-22

High-amylose sodium carboxymethyl starch (HASCA), produced by spray-drying (SD), was previously shown to have interesting properties as a promising pharmaceutical sustained drug-release tablet excipient for direct compression, including ease of manufacture and high crushing strength. This study describes the effects of some important formulation parameters, such as compression force (CF), tablet weight (TW), drug-loading and electrolyte particle size, on acetaminophen-release performances from sustained drug-release matrix tablets based on HASCA. An interesting linear relationship between TW and release time was observed for a typical formulation of the system consisting of 40% (w/w) acetaminophen as model drug and 27.5% NaCl as model electrolyte dry-mixed with HASCA. Application of the Peppas and Sahlin model gave a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in drug-release from the HASCA matrix system, which is mainly controlled by surface gel layer formation. Indeed, augmenting TW increased the contribution of the diffusion mechanism. CFs ranging from 1 to 2.5 tonnes/cm(2) had no significant influence on the release properties of tablets weighing 400 or 600 mg. NaCl particle size did not affect the acetaminophen-release profile. Finally, these results prove that the new SD process developed for HASCA manufacture is suitable for obtaining similar-quality HASCA in terms of release and compression performances.

The world's largest parafoil slowly deflates after carrying the X-38, V-131R, to a safe landing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2000-01-01

Looking like a giant air mattress, the world's largest parafoil slowly deflates seconds after it carried the latest version of the X-38, V-131R, to a landing on Rogers Dry Lake adjacent to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California, at the end of its first free flight, November 2, 2000. The X-38 prototypes are intended to perfect technology for a planned Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) 'lifeboat' to carry a crew to safety in the event of an emergency on the International Space Station. Free-flight tests of X-38 V-131R are evaluating upgraded avionics and control systems and the aerodynamics of the modified upper body, which is more representative of the final design of the CRV than the two earlier X-38 test craft, including a simulated hatch atop the body. The huge 7,500 square-foot parafoil will enable the CRV to land in the length of a football field after returning from space. The first three X-38's are air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52B mother ship, while the last version, V-201, will be carried into space by a Space Shuttle and make a fully autonomous re-entry and landing.

The world's largest parafoil slowly deflates after carrying the X-38, V-131R, to a safe landing

NASA Image and Video Library

2000-11-02

Looking like a giant air mattress, the world's largest parafoil slowly deflates seconds after it carried the latest version of the X-38, V-131R, to a landing on Rogers Dry Lake adjacent to NASAÕs Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, California, at the end of its first free flight, November 2, 2000. The X-38 prototypes are intended to perfect technology for a planned Crew Return Vehicle (CRV) "lifeboat" to carry a crew to safety in the event of an emergency on the International Space Station. Free-flight tests of X-38 V-131R are evaluating upgraded avionics and control systems and the aerodynamics of the modified upper body, which is more representative of the final design of the CRV than the two earlier X-38 test craft, including a simulated hatch atop the body. The huge 7,500 square-foot parafoil will enable the CRV to land in the length of a football field after returning from space. The first three X-38's are air-launched from NASA's venerable NB-52B mother ship, while the last version, V-201, will be carried into space by a Space Shuttle and make a fully autonomous re-entry and landing.

Re-recognition of Age-dependent Reference Range for the Serum Creatinine Level in Teenagers - A Case of Slowly Progressive Tubulointerstitial Nephritis which Occurred in an Adolescent.

PubMed

Ono, Hiroyuki; Nagai, Kojiro; Shibata, Eriko; Matsuura, Motokazu; Kishi, Seiji; Inagaki, Taizo; Minato, Masanori; Yoshimoto, Sakiya; Ueda, Sayo; Obata, Fumiaki; Nishimura, Kenji; Tamaki, Masanori; Kishi, Fumi; Murakami, Taichi; Abe, Hideharu; Kinoshita, Yukiko; Urushihara, Maki; Kagami, Shoji; Doi, Toshio

2017-08-15

For the first time, a 15-year-old boy was found to have a slight degree of proteinuria and microscopic hematuria during annual school urinalysis screening. His kidney function had already severely deteriorated. A kidney biopsy revealed tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) with diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration. His medical records showed his serum creatinine level to be 0.98 mg/dL two years ago, which was abnormally high considering his age. Although the etiology of slowly progressive TIN was unclear, glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy improved his kidney function. This case report suggests that all doctors should recognize the reference range for the serum creatinine level in teenagers.

Re-recognition of Age-dependent Reference Range for the Serum Creatinine Level in Teenagers - A Case of Slowly Progressive Tubulointerstitial Nephritis which Occurred in an Adolescent -

PubMed Central

Ono, Hiroyuki; Nagai, Kojiro; Shibata, Eriko; Matsuura, Motokazu; Kishi, Seiji; Inagaki, Taizo; Minato, Masanori; Yoshimoto, Sakiya; Ueda, Sayo; Obata, Fumiaki; Nishimura, Kenji; Tamaki, Masanori; Kishi, Fumi; Murakami, Taichi; Abe, Hideharu; Kinoshita, Yukiko; Urushihara, Maki; Kagami, Shoji; Doi, Toshio

2017-01-01

For the first time, a 15-year-old boy was found to have a slight degree of proteinuria and microscopic hematuria during annual school urinalysis screening. His kidney function had already severely deteriorated. A kidney biopsy revealed tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) with diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration. His medical records showed his serum creatinine level to be 0.98 mg/dL two years ago, which was abnormally high considering his age. Although the etiology of slowly progressive TIN was unclear, glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant therapy improved his kidney function. This case report suggests that all doctors should recognize the reference range for the serum creatinine level in teenagers. PMID:28781321

28 CFR 8.6 - Quick-release authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...-release authority. Where the forfeiture proceedings are administrative, the Special Agent in Charge, prior to forfeiture, is authorized to release property seized for forfeiture. The property can be quick... 28 Judicial Administration 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Quick-release authority. 8.6 Section 8.6...

50 CFR 600.425 - Release of statistics.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 50 Wildlife and Fisheries 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Release of statistics. 600.425 Section 600... ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE MAGNUSON-STEVENS ACT PROVISIONS Confidentiality of Statistics § 600.425 Release of statistics. (a) The Assistant Administrator will not release to the public any statistics...

Nanostructured Diclofenac Sodium Releasing Material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nikkola, L.; Vapalahti, K.; Harlin, A.; Seppälä, J.; Ashammakhi, N.

2008-02-01

Various techniques have been developed to produce second generation biomaterials for tissue repair. These include extrusion, molding, salt leaching, spinning etc, but success in regenerating tissues has been limited. It is important to develop porous material, yet with a fibrous structure for it to be biomimetic. To mimic biological tissues, the extra-cellular matrix usually contains fibers in nano scale. To produce nanostructures, self-assembly or electrospinning can be used. Adding a drug release function to such a material may advance applications further for use in controlled tissue repair. This turns the resulting device into a multifunctional porous, fibrous structure to support cells and drug releasing properties in order to control tissue reactions. A bioabsorbable poly(ɛ-caprolactone-co-D,L lactide) 95/5 (PCL) was made into diluted solution using a solvent, to which was added 2w-% of diclofenac sodium (DS). Nano-fibers were made by electrospinning onto substrate. Microstructure of the resulting nanomat was studied using SEM and drug release profiles with UV/VIS spectroscopy. Thickness of the electrospun nanomat was about 2 mm. SEM analysis showed that polymeric nano-fibers containing drug particles form a highly interconnected porous nano structure. Average diameter of the nano-fibers was 130 nm. There was a high burst peak in drug release, which decreased to low levels after one day. The used polymer has slow a degradation rate and though the nanomat was highly porous with a large surface area, drug release rate is slow. It is feasible to develop a nano-fibrous porous structure of bioabsorbable polymer, which is loaded with test drug. Drug release is targeted at improving the properties of biomaterial for use in controlled tissue repair and regeneration.

Post-release monitoring of Antillean manatees: an assessment of the Brazilian rehabilitation and release programme

USGS Publications Warehouse

Normande, Iran C.; Malhado, Ana C. M.; Reid, James P.; Viana Junior, P.C.; Savaget, P. V. S.; Correia, R. A.; Luna, F. O.; R. J. Ladle,

2016-01-01

Mammalian reintroduction programmes frequently aim to reconnect isolated sub-populations and restore population viability. However, these long-term objectives are rarely evaluated due to the inadequacy of post-release monitoring. Here, we report the results of a unique long term telemetry-based monitoring programme for rehabilitated Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) reintroduced into selected sites in northeast Brazil with the aim of reconnecting isolated relict populations. Twenty-one satellite-tagged rehabilitated manatees, 13 males and 8 females, were released into the wild from two sites between November 2008 and June 2013. Individual accumulation curves were plotted and home ranges were calculated through the fixed kernel method using 95% of the utilization distribution. The number and size of the Centres of Activity (COAs) were calculated using 50% of the utilization distribution. Manatees displayed a dichotomous pattern of movement, with individuals either characterized by sedentary habits or by much more extensive movements. Moreover, home range size was not significantly influenced by gender, age at release or release site. COAs were strongly associated with sheltered conditions within reefs and estuaries, and also by the presence of freshwater and feeding sites. Our data confirm that manatee reintroductions in Brazil have the potential to reconnect distant sub-populations. However, pre-release identification of potential long-distance migrants is currently unfeasible, and further analysis would be required to confirm genetic mixing of distant sub-populations.

Polymeric nanoparticles containing diazepam: preparation, optimization, characterization, in-vitro drug release and release kinetic study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bohrey, Sarvesh; Chourasiya, Vibha; Pandey, Archna

2016-03-01

Nanoparticles formulated from biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) are being extensively investigated as drug delivery systems due to their two important properties such as biocompatibility and controlled drug release characteristics. The aim of this work to formulated diazepam loaded PLGA nanoparticles by using emulsion solvent evaporation technique. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is used as stabilizing agent. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative drug, and widely used as an anticonvulsant in the treatment of various types of epilepsy, insomnia and anxiety. This work investigates the effects of some preparation variables on the size and shape of nanoparticles prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation method. These nanoparticles were characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Zeta potential study was also performed to understand the surface charge of nanoparticles. The drug release from drug loaded nanoparticles was studied by dialysis bag method and the in vitro drug release data was also studied by various kinetic models. The results show that sonication time, polymer content, surfactant concentration, ratio of organic to aqueous phase volume, and the amount of drug have an important effect on the size of nanoparticles. Hopefully we produced spherical shape Diazepam loaded PLGA nanoparticles with a size range under 250 nm with zeta potential -23.3 mV. The in vitro drug release analysis shows sustained release of drug from nanoparticles and follow Korsmeyer-Peppas model.

40 CFR 10.8 - Release.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... CLAIMS ACT Procedures § 10.8 Release. Acceptance by the claimant, his agent or legal representative of... 40 Protection of Environment 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Release. 10.8 Section 10.8 Protection... agent or legal representative and any other person on whose behalf or for whose benefit the claim has...

34 CFR 21.61 - Release.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Release. 21.61 Section 21.61 Education Office of the Secretary, Department of Education EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE How Are Awards Paid? § 21.61 Release. If an applicant, its agent, or its attorney accepts payment of any award or settlement in conjunction with an...

OrganoRelease - A framework for modeling the release of organic chemicals from the use and post-use of consumer products.

PubMed

Tao, Mengya; Li, Dingsheng; Song, Runsheng; Suh, Sangwon; Keller, Arturo A

2018-03-01

Chemicals in consumer products have become the focus of recent regulatory developments including California's Safer Consumer Products Act. However, quantifying the amount of chemicals released during the use and post-use phases of consumer products is challenging, limiting the ability to understand their impacts. Here we present a comprehensive framework, OrganoRelease, for estimating the release of organic chemicals from the use and post-use of consumer products given limited information. First, a novel Chemical Functional Use Classifier estimates functional uses based on chemical structure. Second, the quantity of chemicals entering different product streams is estimated based on market share data of the chemical functional uses. Third, chemical releases are estimated based on either chemical product categories or functional uses by using the Specific Environmental Release Categories and EU Technological Guidance Documents. OrganoRelease connects 19 unique functional uses and 14 product categories across 4 data sources and provides multiple pathways for chemical release estimation. Available user information can be incorporated in the framework at various stages. The Chemical Functional Use Classifier achieved an average accuracy above 84% for nine functional uses, which enables the OrganoRelease to provide release estimates for the chemical, mostly using only the molecular structure. The results can be can be used as input for methods estimating environmental fate and exposure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Intracellular sphingosine releases calcium from lysosomes

PubMed Central

Höglinger, Doris; Haberkant, Per; Aguilera-Romero, Auxiliadora; Riezman, Howard; Porter, Forbes D; Platt, Frances M; Galione, Antony; Schultz, Carsten

2015-01-01

To elucidate new functions of sphingosine (Sph), we demonstrate that the spontaneous elevation of intracellular Sph levels via caged Sph leads to a significant and transient calcium release from acidic stores that is independent of sphingosine 1-phosphate, extracellular and ER calcium levels. This photo-induced Sph-driven calcium release requires the two-pore channel 1 (TPC1) residing on endosomes and lysosomes. Further, uncaging of Sph leads to the translocation of the autophagy-relevant transcription factor EB (TFEB) to the nucleus specifically after lysosomal calcium release. We confirm that Sph accumulates in late endosomes and lysosomes of cells derived from Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) patients and demonstrate a greatly reduced calcium release upon Sph uncaging. We conclude that sphingosine is a positive regulator of calcium release from acidic stores and that understanding the interplay between Sph homeostasis, calcium signaling and autophagy will be crucial in developing new therapies for lipid storage disorders such as NPC. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.10616.001 PMID:26613410

Orientation disruption of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera in maize by a liquid MCA formulation released from paper squares in the Banat region of Serbia and Montenegro.

PubMed

Hummel, H E; Baca, F I; Erski, P

2003-01-01

Serbia-Montenegro, formerly the Republic of Yugoslavia, is the first European Country where Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le Conte (Col.: Chrysomelidae) (D.v.v.) was reported in 1992 as an invasive alien pest species, Baca (1993), Camprag and Baca, (1995): From a focal point near Belgrade airport, the maize pest quickly spread in all directions reaching the economic threshold in a number of surrounding countries around 1995. The field experiments described took place in the Banat region east of Belgrade in July of 2002. The plant kairomone mimic 4-methoxycinnamaldehyde (MCA) dissolved in acetone was slowly volatilized from paper squares. It permeated a maize field of known D.v.v. history of 0.5 ha size 3 km north of the village of Crepaja. With release rates of 266 g/ha, max. orientation disruption levels of 55% were achieved. The total amount of MCA was distributed in two manual applications. Readings of orientation levels were continued for eleven days during the latter part of July and into early August of 2002.

7 CFR 4287.113 - Release of collateral.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Loans § 4287.113 Release of collateral. (a) All releases of collateral with a value exceeding $100,000... loan. The Agency may, at its discretion, require an appraisal of the remaining collateral in cases... (a) of this section, lenders may, over the life of the loan, release collateral (other than personal...

14 CFR 125.359 - Flight release under VFR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Flight release under VFR. 125.359 Section...,000 POUNDS OR MORE; AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT Flight Release Rules § 125.359 Flight release under VFR. No person may release an airplane for VFR operation unless the ceiling and...

14 CFR 125.359 - Flight release under VFR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Flight release under VFR. 125.359 Section...,000 POUNDS OR MORE; AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT Flight Release Rules § 125.359 Flight release under VFR. No person may release an airplane for VFR operation unless the ceiling and...

14 CFR 125.359 - Flight release under VFR.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Flight release under VFR. 125.359 Section...,000 POUNDS OR MORE; AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT Flight Release Rules § 125.359 Flight release under VFR. No person may release an airplane for VFR operation unless the ceiling and...

Investigation of factors affecting in vitro doxorubicin release from PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin for the development of in vitro release testing conditions.

PubMed

Shibata, Hiroko; Izutsu, Ken-Ichi; Yomota, Chikako; Okuda, Haruhiro; Goda, Yukihiro

2015-01-01

Establishing appropriate drug release testing methods of liposomal products for assuring quality and performance requires the determination of factors affecting in vitro drug release. In this study, we investigated the effects of test conditions (human plasma lot, pH/salt concentration in the test media, dilution factor, temperature, ultrasound irradiation, etc.), and liposomal preparation conditions (pH/concentration of ammonium sulfate solution), on doxorubicin (DXR) release from PEGylated liposomal DXR. Higher temperature and lower pH significantly increased DXR release. The evaluation of DXR solubility indicated that the high DXR release induced by low pH may be attributed to the high solubility of DXR at low pH. Ultrasound irradiation induced rapid DXR release in an amplitude-dependent manner. The salt concentration in the test solution, human plasma lot, and dilution factor had a limited impact on DXR-release. Variations in the ammonium sulfate concentration used in solutions for the formation/hydration of liposomes significantly affected DXR release behavior, whereas differences in pH did not. In addition, heating condition in phosphate-buffered saline at lower pH (<6.5) exhibited higher discriminative ability for the release profiles from various liposomes with different concentrations of ammonium sulfate than did ultrasound irradiation. These results are expected to be helpful in the process of establishing appropriate drug release testing methods for PEGylated liposomal DXR.

Tritium release during nuclear power operation in China.

PubMed

Yang, D J; Chen, X Q; Li, B

2012-06-01

Overviews were evaluated of tritium releases and related doses to the public from airborne and liquid effluents from nuclear power plants on the mainland of China before 2009. The differences between tritium releases from various nuclear power plants were also evaluated. The tritium releases are mainly from liquid pathways for pressurised water reactors, but tritium releases between airborne and liquid effluents are comparable for heavy water reactors. The airborne release from a heavy water reactor is obviously higher than that from a pressurised water reactor.

14 CFR 125.403 - Flight release form.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Flight release form. 125.403 Section 125... Flight release form. (a) The flight release may be in any form but must contain at least the following information concerning each flight: (1) Company or organization name. (2) Make, model, and registration number...

14 CFR 125.403 - Flight release form.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Flight release form. 125.403 Section 125... Flight release form. (a) The flight release may be in any form but must contain at least the following information concerning each flight: (1) Company or organization name. (2) Make, model, and registration number...

14 CFR 125.351 - Flight release authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Flight release authority. 125.351 Section...,000 POUNDS OR MORE; AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT Flight Release Rules § 125.351 Flight release authority. (a) No person may start a flight without authority from the person authorized...

14 CFR 125.351 - Flight release authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Flight release authority. 125.351 Section...,000 POUNDS OR MORE; AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT Flight Release Rules § 125.351 Flight release authority. (a) No person may start a flight without authority from the person authorized...

14 CFR 125.403 - Flight release form.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Flight release form. 125.403 Section 125... Flight release form. (a) The flight release may be in any form but must contain at least the following information concerning each flight: (1) Company or organization name. (2) Make, model, and registration number...

14 CFR 125.351 - Flight release authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 3 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Flight release authority. 125.351 Section...,000 POUNDS OR MORE; AND RULES GOVERNING PERSONS ON BOARD SUCH AIRCRAFT Flight Release Rules § 125.351 Flight release authority. (a) No person may start a flight without authority from the person authorized...

40 CFR 721.90 - Release to water.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Release to water. 721.90 Section 721... SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Certain Significant New Uses § 721.90 Release to water. Whenever a... predict the surface water concentration which will result from the intended release of the substance, if...

40 CFR 721.90 - Release to water.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Release to water. 721.90 Section 721... SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Certain Significant New Uses § 721.90 Release to water. Whenever a... predict the surface water concentration which will result from the intended release of the substance, if...

39 CFR 491.7 - Release of information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 39 Postal Service 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Release of information. 491.7 Section 491.7 Postal... AND THE POSTAL RATE COMMISSION § 491.7 Release of information. (a) No employee whose duties include responding to interrogatories to garnishments shall release information in response to a garnishment until it...

40 CFR 721.90 - Release to water.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Release to water. 721.90 Section 721... SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Certain Significant New Uses § 721.90 Release to water. Whenever a... predict the surface water concentration which will result from the intended release of the substance, if...

Microiontophoretic release of drugs from micropipettes

PubMed Central

Clarke, G.; Hill, R. G.; Simmonds, M. A.

1973-01-01

1. The use of 24Na+ of high specific activity allowed its iontophoretic release from multibarrelled glass micropipettes to be followed over short periods with low currents. 2. When a negative retaining current was passed to reduce diffusional efflux between the periods of positive current expulsion of 24Na+, the rate of release of 24Na+ during the expulsion period progressively increased during the first minute before becoming constant. 3. The currents employed were similar to those normally used to regulate the microiontophoretic release of potent drugs such as γ-aminobutyric acid. It is therefore concluded that, during the usual period of response to such drugs, the rate of release of drug is not constant but increasing. 4. The implications of these observations for the construction of microiontophoretic dose-response relationships is discussed. PMID:4724187

The one-by-one method for releasing cranes

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ellis, D.H.; Mummert, D.P.; Urbanek, R.P.; Kinloch, M.; Mellon, C.; Dolbeare, T.; Ossi, D.P.

2001-01-01

Although the trend for the past 2 decades has been toward releasing naive groups of juveniles after a lengthy acclimation period, in 5 separate releases (1996-2000) we tested the idea that naive juvenile greater sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis tabida) would survive better if released singly into a wild flock of predator-wary birds than if left as a group, inexperienced at foraging and ill prepared to avoiding predators. We released 3 groups of hand-reared juveniles (n = 12 [1996]; n = 8 [1998], n = 12 [1999]) into a wild flock of sandhill cranes (ca 300 birds) on wintering grounds near Gila Bend, Arizona. Another 8 parent-reared colts were released into a small group (4) of subadult greater sandhill cranes (survivors of the 1996 trucking experiment [Ellis, et al. 1997; Ellis et al. 2001, Mummert et al. 2001]) in northcentral Arizona. Another 8 juveniles, costume-reared from hatching, were released into wild sandhill crane flocks in central Wisconsin at autumn staging areas. In all of these tests, cranes were released 1 or 2 at a time, either at the periphery of a wild flock or at a known roost site. Most birds were released in daylight at a foraging area, but because this was a pilot project, we tried a variety of methods. We released a few individuals at odd times (e.g., midnight) and in odd ways (e.g., by flushing a release crane as a wild flock passed overhead). A few birds were initially left stranded after we placed them at ephemeral roosts that had been used recently, but not subsequent to our visit. However, once we made the necessary adjustments, and regardless of release time or situation, all of our cranes very quickly joined their adoptive flocks. We experienced excellent survival, including 100% survival for all 8 of our parent-reared fledgling colts released on the summering ground and followed until they disappeared at the time of migration. Further, all (32) hand-reared birds released on the wintering grounds survived the winter. Also all 8 of the

Frequency Determination for the Slowly Pulsating B Star, HD21071, From Combined Geneva and Stromgren Photometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sims, Melissa; Dukes, R. J., Jr.

2006-12-01

This project is comparison of several studies done on the variable star HD21071, which was previously determined to be Slowly Pulsating B star by Waelkens, et. al. (Astron. Astrophys. 330, 215-221, 1998) with a suggested period of .841 day (1.19 c d-1). Several later studies including Mills, L. R., et. al. (BAAS 31, 1482, 1999) and Andrews, J. E, et. al. (AAS Meeting 203, #83.14, 2003) confirmed the .841 period and tentatively suggested other possible periods based on new data, including 0.704 day (1.42 c d-1), 0.775 day (1.29 c d-1), and 1.14 day (0.878 c d-1) periods. This project merges Geneva V data and data from the y filter from the FCAPT data in the Stromgren uvby system by using a bilinear transformation from Harmanec et. al. (Astron. Astrophys. 369, 1140, 2001). Frequencies were determined using the Period04 program, which utilizes a least square fitting technique, to determine frequencies in the two data sets separately. We then analyzed the merged data set resulting in confirmation of the periods found in the individual data sets. The reality of the these frequencies was tested using multiple methods including least squares analysis and a check of the signal to noise ratio. We would like to thank Connie Aerts and Peter De Cat for providing the Geneva data as well as a copy of their preliminary analysis of this data. This work has been supported by NSF Grant AST-0071260 & AST-050755

40 CFR 350.18 - Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. 350.18 Section 350.18... INFORMATION: AND TRADE SECRET DISCLOSURES TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Trade Secrecy Claims § 350.18 Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. (a...

40 CFR 350.18 - Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. 350.18 Section 350.18... INFORMATION: AND TRADE SECRET DISCLOSURES TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Trade Secrecy Claims § 350.18 Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. (a...

40 CFR 350.18 - Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. 350.18 Section 350.18... INFORMATION: AND TRADE SECRET DISCLOSURES TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Trade Secrecy Claims § 350.18 Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. (a...

40 CFR 350.18 - Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. 350.18 Section 350.18... INFORMATION: AND TRADE SECRET DISCLOSURES TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Trade Secrecy Claims § 350.18 Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. (a...

40 CFR 350.18 - Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. 350.18 Section 350.18... INFORMATION: AND TRADE SECRET DISCLOSURES TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Trade Secrecy Claims § 350.18 Release of chemical identity determined to be non-trade secret; notice of intent to release chemical identity. (a...

The growth hormone (GH) response to GH-releasing peptide (His-DTrp-Ala-Trp-DPhe-Lys-NH2), GH-releasing hormone, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone in acromegaly.

PubMed

Alster, D K; Bowers, C Y; Jaffe, C A; Ho, P J; Barkan, A L

1993-09-01

In patients with acromegaly, GH-producing pituitary tumors release GH in response to specific stimuli such as GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) and are also responsive to a variety of nonspecific stimuli, such as TRH or GnRH, and may exhibit paradoxical responses to glucose and dopamine. In healthy humans, the synthetic peptide GH-releasing peptide (GHRP) (His-D-Trp-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2) releases GH by a putative mechanism of action that is independent of GHRH. How these tumors respond to GHRP is not well characterized. We studied the GH responses to GHRH, GHRP, and TRH stimulation in 11 patients with active acromegaly. The peak GH responses to GHRP and GHRH were not correlated (r = 0.57; P = 0.066). In contrast, the peak GH responses to GHRP and TRH were highly correlated (r = 0.95; P < 0.001). In conclusion, in patients with acromegaly, the GH response to GHRP is qualitatively normal and does not appear to depend on GHRH.

38 CFR 36.4277 - Release of security.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... payment of the indebtedness the holder shall not release a lien or other right in or to property held as..., the holder shall not release a lien under paragraph (a) of this section unless the consideration... released it shall be the holder's duty to acquire such lien on property of substantially equal value which...

19 CFR 141.111 - Carrier's release order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... given to release the articles covered by this certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill to: (c) Blanket release order. Merchandise may be released to the person named in the bill of lading or air...)(4); or (4) If a certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill is used for entry purposes in...

19 CFR 141.111 - Carrier's release order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... given to release the articles covered by this certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill to: (c) Blanket release order. Merchandise may be released to the person named in the bill of lading or air...)(4); or (4) If a certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill is used for entry purposes in...

19 CFR 141.111 - Carrier's release order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... given to release the articles covered by this certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill to: (c) Blanket release order. Merchandise may be released to the person named in the bill of lading or air...)(4); or (4) If a certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill is used for entry purposes in...

19 CFR 141.111 - Carrier's release order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... given to release the articles covered by this certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill to: (c) Blanket release order. Merchandise may be released to the person named in the bill of lading or air...)(4); or (4) If a certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill is used for entry purposes in...

19 CFR 141.111 - Carrier's release order.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... given to release the articles covered by this certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill to: (c) Blanket release order. Merchandise may be released to the person named in the bill of lading or air...)(4); or (4) If a certified duplicate bill of lading or air waybill is used for entry purposes in...

Slowly but surely.

PubMed

1997-06-01

Oxfam UK/I in Chad has been building the capacity of women's income-generating activities through a strategy of long-term small-scale support over a period of many years to the Said Al Awine program. In the new Chad strategic four-year plan, gender is central to the development of a new phase of increasing the capacity of such organizations to network, lobby, and conduct policy research. The key to Oxfam's success in Chad has been long-term commitment and close work with poor, illiterate women. Oxfam UK/I began targeting urban women in 1988 in the informal sector of N'djamena to increase food security and improve living standards by encouraging small groups of women traders of basic foodstuffs to establish savings plans. Each group and each member held their own savings with the women investing 33%, Oxfam giving 33% as a subsidy, and Oxfam providing another 33% as a loan to be repaid. Many groups took out and repaid loans. The 16 groups in N'djamena came together in 1995 to form a union, with a representative from each group co-managing the joint fund for the union. More than 100 applications have been received to join the scheme.

Gastrin-releasing peptide in human nasal mucosa.

PubMed

Baraniuk, J N; Lundgren, J D; Goff, J; Peden, D; Merida, M; Shelhamer, J; Kaliner, M

1990-04-01

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), the 27 amino acid mammalian form of bombesin, was studied in human inferior turbinate nasal mucosa. The GRP content of the mucosa measured by radioimmunoassay was 0.60 +/- 0.25 pmol/g tissue (n = 9 patients; mean +/- SEM). GRP-immunoreactive nerves detected by the immunogold method of indirect immunohistochemistry were found predominantly in small muscular arteries, arterioles, venous sinusoids, and between submucosal gland acini. 125I-GRP binding sites determined by autoradiography were exclusively and specifically localized to nasal epithelium and submucosal glands. There was no binding to vessels. The effects of GRP on submucosal gland product release were studied in short-term explant culture. GRP (10 microM) significantly stimulated the release of the serous cell-specific product lactoferrin, and [3H]glucosamine-labeled glycoconjugates which are products of epithelial goblet cells and submucosal gland cells. These observations indicate that GRP released from nerve fibers probably acts on glandular GRP receptors to induce glycoconjugate release from submucosal glands and epithelium and lactoferrin release from serous cells, but that GRP would probably not affect vascular permeability.

Potential release scenarios for carbon nanotubes used in composites.

PubMed

Nowack, Bernd; David, Raymond M; Fissan, Heinz; Morris, Howard; Shatkin, Jo Anne; Stintz, Michael; Zepp, Richard; Brouwer, Derk

2013-09-01

The expected widespread use of carbon nanotube (CNT)-composites in consumer products calls for an assessment of the possible release and exposure to workers, consumers and the environment. Release of CNTs may occur at all steps in the life cycle of products, but to date only limited information is available about release of CNTs from actual products and articles. As a starting point for exposure assessment, exploring sources and pathways of release helps to identify relevant applications and situations where the environment and especially humans may encounter releases of CNTs. It is the aim of this review to identify various potential release scenarios for CNTs used in polymers and identify the greatest likelihood of release at the various stages throughout the life-cycle of the product. The available information on release of CNTs from products and articles is reviewed in a first part. In a second part nine relevant release scenarios are described in detail: injection molding, manufacturing, sports equipment, electronics, windmill blades, fuel system components, tires, textiles, incineration, and landfills. Release from products can potentially occur by two pathways; (a) where free CNTs are released directly, or more frequently (b) where the initial release is a particle with CNTs embedded in the matrix, potentially followed by the subsequent release of CNTs from the matrix. The potential for release during manufacturing exists for all scenarios, however, this is also the situation when exposure can be best controlled. For most of the other life cycle stages and their corresponding release scenarios, potential release of CNTs can be considered to be low, but it cannot be excluded totally. Direct release to the environment is also considered to be very low for most scenarios except for the use of CNTs in tires where significant abrasion during use and release into the environment would occur. Also the possible future use of CNTs in textiles could result in consumer

Formulation and Evaluation of Fixed-Dose Combination of Bilayer Gastroretentive Matrix Tablet Containing Atorvastatin as Fast-Release and Atenolol as Sustained-Release

PubMed Central

Dey, Sanjay; Chattopadhyay, Sankha; Mazumder, Bhaskar

2014-01-01

The objective of the present study was to develop bilayer tablets of atorvastatin and atenolol that are characterized by initial fast-release of atorvastatin in the stomach and comply with the release requirements of sustained-release of atenolol. An amorphous, solvent evaporation inclusion complex of atorvastatin with β-cyclodextrin, present in 1 : 3 (drug/cyclodextrin) molar ratio, was employed in the fast-release layer to enhance the dissolution of atorvastatin. Xanthan gum and guar gum were integrated in the sustained-release layer. Bilayer tablets composed of sustained-release layer (10% w/w of xanthan gum and guar gum) and fast-release layer [1 : 3 (drug/cyclodextrin)] showed the desired release profile. The atorvastatin contained in the fast-release layer showed an initial fast-release of more than 60% of its drug content within 2 h, followed by sustained release of the atenolol for a period of 12 h. The pharmacokinetic study illustrated that the fast absorption and increased oral bioavailability of atorvastatin as well as therapeutic concentration of atenolol in blood were made available through adoption of formulation strategy of bilayer tablets. It can be concluded that the bilayer tablets of atorvastatin and atenolol can be successfully employed for the treatment of hypertension and hypercholesterolemia together through oral administration of single tablet. PMID:24527446

Preparation and Optimization of Immediate Release/Sustained Release Bilayered Tablets of Loxoprofen Using Box-Behnken Design.

PubMed

Tak, Jin Wook; Gupta, Biki; Thapa, Raj Kumar; Woo, Kyu Bong; Kim, Sung Yub; Go, Toe Gyeong; Choi, Yongjoo; Choi, Ju Yeon; Jeong, Jee-Heon; Choi, Han-Gon; Yong, Chul Soon; Kim, Jong Oh

2017-05-01

The aim of our current study was to characterize and optimize loxoprofen immediate release (IR)/sustained release (SR) tablet utilizing a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken design (BBD) combined with a desirability function. The independent factors included ratio of drug in the IR layer to total drug (X 1 ), ratio of HPMC to drug in the SR layer (X 2 ), and ratio of Eudragit RL PO to drug in the SR layer (X 3 ). The dependent variables assessed were % drug released in distilled water at 30 min (Y 1 ), % drug released in pH 1.2 at 2 h (Y 2 ), and % drug released in pH 6.8 at 12 h (Y 3 ). The responses were fitted to suitable models and statistical validation was performed using analysis of variance. In addition, response surface graphs and contour plots were constructed to determine the effects of different factor level combinations on the responses. The optimized loxoprofen IR/SR tablets were successfully prepared with the determined amounts of ingredients that showed close agreement in the predicted and experimental values of tablet characterization and drug dissolution profile. Therefore, BBD can be utilized for successful optimization of loxoprofen IR/SR tablet, which can be regarded as a suitable substitute for the current marketed formulations.

Earthquake-enhanced permeability - evidence from carbon dioxide release following the ML 3.5 earthquake in West Bohemia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fischer, T.; Matyska, C.; Heinicke, J.

2017-02-01

The West Bohemia/Vogtland region is characterized by earthquake swarm activity and degassing of CO2 of mantle origin. A fast increase of CO2 flow rate was observed 4 days after a ML 3.5 earthquake in May 2014 in the Hartoušov mofette, 9 km from the epicentres. During the subsequent 150 days the flow reached sixfold of the original level, and has been slowly decaying until present. Similar behavior was observed during and after the swarm in 2008 pointing to a fault-valve mechanism in long-term. Here, we present the results of simulation of gas flow in a two dimensional model of Earth's crust composed of a sealing layer at the hypocentre depth which is penetrated by the earthquake fault and releases fluid from a relatively low-permeability lower crust. This simple model is capable of explaining the observations, including the short travel time of the flow pulse from 8 km depth to the surface, long-term flow increase and its subsequent slow decay. Our model is consistent with other analyse of the 2014 aftershocks which attributes their anomalous character to exponentially decreasing external fluid force. Our observations and model hence track the fluid pressure pulse from depth where it was responsible for aftershocks triggering to the surface where a significant long-term increase of CO2 flow started 4 days later.

50 CFR 635.26 - Catch and release.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... guidance of § 600.350(c). (c) Sharks. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, a person may fish for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) with rod and reel, provided the person releases such fish to... RFD, may fish with rod and reel or handline gear for BFT under a catch-and-release or tag-and-release...

50 CFR 635.26 - Catch and release.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... guidance of § 600.350(c). (c) Sharks. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this part, a person may fish for white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) with rod and reel, provided the person releases such fish to... RFD, may fish with rod and reel or handline gear for BFT under a catch-and-release or tag-and-release...

Radio controlled release apparatus for animal data acquisition devices

DOEpatents

Stamps, James Frederick

2000-01-01

A novel apparatus for reliably and selectively releasing a data acquisition package from an animal for recovery. The data package comprises two parts: 1) an animal data acquisition device and 2) a co-located release apparatus. One embodiment, which is useful for land animals, the release apparatus includes two major components: 1) an electronics package, comprising a receiver; a decoder comparator, having at plurality of individually selectable codes; and an actuator circuit and 2) a release device, which can be a mechanical device, which acts to release the data package from the animal. To release a data package from a particular animal, a radio transmitter sends a coded signal which is decoded to determine if the code is valid for that animal data package. Having received a valid code, the release device is activated to release the data package from the animal for subsequent recovery. A second embodiment includes floatation means and is useful for releasing animal data acquisition devices attached to sea animals. This embodiment further provides for releasing a data package underwater by employing an acoustic signal.

The slowly pulsating B-star 18 Pegasi: A testbed for upper main sequence stellar evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irrgang, A.; Desphande, A.; Moehler, S.; Mugrauer, M.; Janousch, D.

2016-06-01

The predicted width of the upper main sequence in stellar evolution models depends on the empirical calibration of the convective overshooting parameter. Despite decades of discussions, its precise value is still unknown and further observational constraints are required to gauge it. Based on a photometric and preliminary asteroseismic analysis, we show that the mid B-type giant 18 Peg is one of the most evolved members of the rare class of slowly pulsating B-stars and, thus, bears tremendous potential to derive a tight lower limit for the width of the upper main sequence. In addition, 18 Peg turns out to be part of a single-lined spectroscopic binary system with an eccentric orbit that is greater than 6 years. Further spectroscopic and photometric monitoring and a sophisticated asteroseismic investigation are required to exploit the full potential of this star as a benchmark object for stellar evolution theory. Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere under ESO programmes 265.C-5038(A), 069.C-0263(A), and 073.D-0024(A). Based on observations collected at the Centro Astronómico Hispano Alemán (CAHA) at Calar Alto, operated jointly by the Max-Planck Institut für Astronomie and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC), proposals H2005-2.2-016 and H2015-3.5-008. Based on observations made with the William Herschel Telescope operated on the island of La Palma by the Isaac Newton Group in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias, proposal W15BN015. Based on observations obtained with telescopes of the University Observatory Jena, which is operated by the Astrophysical Institute of the Friedrich-Schiller-University.

Prolonged and localized sweat stimulation by iontophoretic delivery of the slowly-metabolized cholinergic agent carbachol.

PubMed

Simmers, Phillip; Li, S Kevin; Kasting, Gerald; Heikenfeld, Jason

2018-01-01

Continuous non-invasive sampling and sensing of multiple classes of analytes could revolutionize medical diagnostics and wearable technologies, but also remains highly elusive because of the many confounding factors for candidate biofluids such as interstitial fluid, tears, saliva, and sweat. Eccrine sweat biosensing has seen a recent surge in demonstrations of wearable sampling and sensing devices. However, for subjects at rest, access to eccrine sweat is highly limited and unpredictable compared to saliva and tears. Reported here is a prolonged and localized sweat stimulation by iontophoretic delivery of the slowly-metabolized nicotinic cholinergic agonist carbachol. Presented here are detailed measurements of natural baseline sweat rates across multiple days, confirming a clear need for localized sweat stimulation. Iontophoresis was performed with either carbachol or pilocarpine in order to stimulate sweat in subjects at rest. Furthermore, improved methods of quantifying sweat generation rates (nL/min/gland) are demonstrated. In-vivo testing reveals that carbachol stimulation can surpass a major goal of 24-h sweat access, in some cases providing more than an order of magnitude longer duration than stimulation with commonly-used pilocarpine. Also demonstrated is reduction of the traditional iontophoretic dosage for sweat stimulation (<5.25-42mC/cm 2 ). This increases the viability of repeated dosing as demonstrated herein, and for carbachol is as much as 100-1000X less than used for other applications. This work is not only significant for wearable sweat biosensing technology, but could also have broader impact for those studying topical skin products, antiperspirants, textiles and medical adhesives, nerve disorders, the effects of perspiration on skin-health, skin related diseases such as idiopathic pure sudomotor failure and hyperhidrosis, and other skin- and perspiration-related applications. Copyright © 2017 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology

Protein Dynamics from NMR: The Slowly Relaxing Local Structure Analysis Compared with Model-Free Analysis

PubMed Central

Meirovitch, Eva; Shapiro, Yury E.; Polimeno, Antonino; Freed, Jack H.

2009-01-01

15N-1H spin relaxation is a powerful method for deriving information on protein dynamics. The traditional method of data analysis is model-free (MF), where the global and local N-H motions are independent and the local geometry is simplified. The common MF analysis consists of fitting single-field data. The results are typically field-dependent, and multi-field data cannot be fit with standard fitting schemes. Cases where known functional dynamics has not been detected by MF were identified by us and others. Recently we applied to spin relaxation in proteins the Slowly Relaxing Local Structure (SRLS) approach which accounts rigorously for mode-mixing and general features of local geometry. SRLS was shown to yield MF in appropriate asymptotic limits. We found that the experimental spectral density corresponds quite well to the SRLS spectral density. The MF formulae are often used outside of their validity ranges, allowing small data sets to be force-fitted with good statistics but inaccurate best-fit parameters. This paper focuses on the mechanism of force-fitting and its implications. It is shown that MF force-fits the experimental data because mode-mixing, the rhombic symmetry of the local ordering and general features of local geometry are not accounted for. Combined multi-field multi-temperature data analyzed by MF may lead to the detection of incorrect phenomena, while conformational entropy derived from MF order parameters may be highly inaccurate. On the other hand, fitting to more appropriate models can yield consistent physically insightful information. This requires that the complexity of the theoretical spectral densities matches the integrity of the experimental data. As shown herein, the SRLS densities comply with this requirement. PMID:16821820

Metal release from coffee machines and electric kettles.

PubMed

Müller, Frederic D; Hackethal, Christin; Schmidt, Roman; Kappenstein, Oliver; Pfaff, Karla; Luch, Andreas

2015-01-01

The release of elemental ions from 8 coffee machines and 11 electric kettles into food simulants was investigated. Three different types of coffee machines were tested: portafilter espresso machines, pod machines and capsule machines. All machines were tested subsequently on 3 days before and on 3 days after decalcification. Decalcification of the machines was performed with agents according to procedures as specified in the respective manufacturer's manuals. The electric kettles showed only a low release of the elements analysed. For the coffee machines decreasing concentrations of elements were found from the first to the last sample taken in the course of 1 day. Metal release on consecutive days showed a decreasing trend as well. After decalcification a large increase in the amounts of elements released was encountered. In addition, the different machine types investigated clearly differed in their extent of element release. By far the highest leaching, both quantitatively and qualitatively, was found for the portafilter machines. With these products releases of Pb, Ni, Mn, Cr and Zn were in the range and beyond the release limits as proposed by the Council of Europe. Therefore, a careful rinsing routine, especially after decalcification, is recommended for these machines. The comparably lower extent of release of one particular portafilter machine demonstrates that metal release at levels above the threshold that triggers health concerns are technically avoidable.

A bench-scale assessment for phosphorus release control of sediment by an oxygen-releasing compound (ORC).

PubMed

Yang, Jie; Lin, Feng K; Yang, Lei; Hua, Dan Y

2015-01-01

The effects of oxygen-releasing compound (ORC) on the control of phosphorus (P) release as well as the spatial and temporal distribution of P fractions in sediment were studied through a bench-scale test. An ORC with an extended oxygen-releasing capacity was prepared. The results of the oxygen-releasing test showed that the ORC provided a prolonged period of oxygen release with a highly effective oxygen content of 60.6% when compared with powdery CaO2. In the bench-scale test, an ORC dose of 180 g·m(-2) provided a higher inhibition efficiency for P release within 50 days. With the application of the ORC, the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration and redox potential (ORP) of the overlying water were notably improved, and the dissolved total phosphorus (DTP) was maintained below 0.689 mg·L(-1) compared to 2.906 mg·L(-1) without the ORC treatment. According to the P fractions distribution, the summation of all detectable P fractions in each sediment layer exhibited an enhanced accumulation tendency with the application of ORC. Higher phosphorus retention efficiencies were observed in the second and third layers of sediment from days 10 to 20 with the ORC. Phosphorus was trapped mainly in the form of iron bound P (Fe-P) and organically bound P (O-P) in sediment with the ORC, whereas the effects of the ORC on exchangeable P (EX-P), apatite-associated P (A-P) and detrital P (De-P) in the sediment sample were not significant. The microbial activities of the sediment samples demonstrated that both the dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) in the upper sediment layer increased with the ORC treatment, which indicated that the mineralization of P was accelerated and the microbial biomass was increased. As the accumulation of P suppressed the release of P, the sediment exhibited an increased P retention efficiency with the application of the ORC.

Index to NASA news releases and speeches, 1993

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

This issue of the Index to NASA News Releases and Speeches contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, and a selected listing of speeches presented by members of the Headquarters staff during 1993. The index is arranged in six sections: subject index, personal names index, news release number index, accession number index, speeches, and news releases.

Index to NASA news releases and speeches, 1987

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

This issue of the Index to NASA News Releases and Speeches contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, and a selected listing of speeches presented by members of the Headquarters staff during 1987. The index is arranged in six sections: Subject Index, Personal Names Index, News Release Number Index, Accession Number Index, and Speeches and News Releases.

Index to NASA news releases and speeches, 1989

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

This issue of the Index to NASA News Releases and Speeches contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, and a selected listing of speeches presented by members of the Headquarters staff during 1989. The index is arranged in six sections: Subject Index, Personal Names Index, News Release Number Index, Accession Number Index, and Speeches and News Releases.

Index to NASA news releases and speeches, 1988

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

This issue of the Index to NASA News Releases and Speeches contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, and a selected listing of speeches presented by members of the Headquarters staff during 1988. The index is arranged in six sections: Subject Index, Personal Names Index, News Release Number Index, Accession Number Index, and Speeches and News Releases.

Index to NASA news releases and speeches, 1986

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

This issue of the Index to NASA News Releases and Speeches contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, and a selected listing of speeches presented by members of the Headquarters staff during 1986. The index is arranged in six sections: Subject Index, Personal Names Index, News Release Number Index, Accession Number Index, and Speeches and News Releases.

Index to NASA news releases and speeches, 1991

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

This issue of the annual index to NASA Releases and Speeches contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, and a selected listing of speeches presented by members of the Headquarters staff during 1991. The index is arranged in six sections: Subject Index, Personal Name Index, News Release Number Index, Accession Number Index, and Speeches and News Releases Indices.

Index to NASA news releases and speeches, 1990

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

This issue of the annual Index to NASA News Releases and Speeches contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, and a selected listing of speeches presented by members of headquarters staff during 1990. The index is arranged in six sections: Subject Index, Personal Names Index, News Release Number Index, Accession Number, Speeches, and New Releases Indices.

Index to NASA news releases and speeches, 1992

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

This issue of the Index to NASA News Releases and Speeches contains a listing of news releases distributed by the Office of Public Affairs, NASA Headquarters, and a selected listing of speeches presented by members of the Headquarters staff during 1992. The index is arranged in six sections: subject index, personal names index, news release number index, accession number index, speeches, and news releases.

Pan-STARRS Data Release 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flewelling, Heather

2018-01-01

On December 19, 2016, Pan-STARRS released the stacked images, mean attributes catalogs, and static sky catalogs for the 3pi survey, in 5 filters (g,r,i,z,y), covering 3/4 of the sky, everything north of -30 in declination. This set of data is called Data Release 1 (DR1), and it is available to all at http://panstarrs.stsci.edu. It contains more than 10 billion objects, 3 billion of those objects have stack photometry. We give an update on the progress of the forthcoming Data Release (DR2) database, which will provide time domain catalogs and single exposures for the 3pi survey. This includes 3pi data taken between 2010 and 2014, covering approximately 60 epochs per patch of sky, and includes measurements detected in the single exposures as well as forced photometry measurements (photometry measured on single exposures using the positions from sources detected in the stacks). We also provide informations on futures releases (DR3 and beyond), which will contain the rest of the 3pi database (specifically, the data products related to difference imaging), as well as the data products for the Medium Deep (MD) survey.

Controlled release of tocopherols from polymer blend films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Obinata, Noe

Controlled release packaging has great potential to increase storage stability of foods by releasing active compounds into foods continuously over time. However, a major limitation in development of this technology is the inability to control the release and provide rates useful for long term storage of foods. Better understanding of the factors affecting active compound release is needed to overcome this limitation. The objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between polymer composition, polymer processing method, polymer morphology, and release properties of active compounds, and to provide proof of principle that compound release is controlled by film morphology. A natural antioxidant, tocopherol was used as a model active compound because it is natural, effective, heat stable, and soluble in most packaging polymers. Polymer blend films were produced from combination of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene (PS) with 3000 ppm mixed tocopherols using conventional blending method and innovative blending method, smart blending with a novel mixer using chaotic advection. Film morphologies were visualized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Release of tocopherols into 95% ethanol as a food simulant was measured by UV/Visible spectrophotometry or HPLC, and diffusivity of tocopherols in the polymers was estimated from this data. Polymer composition (blend proportions) and processing methods have major effects on film morphology. Four different types of morphologies, dispersed, co-continuous, fiber, and multilayer structures were developed by either conventional extrusion or smart blending. With smart blending of fixed polymer compositions, different morphologies were progressively developed with fixed polymer composition as the number of rod rotations increased, providing a way to separate effects of polymer composition and morphology. The different morphologies

Heat release rate of wood-plastic composites

Treesearch

N. M. Stark; R. H. White; C. M. Clemons

1997-01-01

Wood-plastic composites are becoming more important as a material that fulfills recycling needs. In this study, fire performance tests were conducted on several compositions of wood and plastic materials using the Ohio State University rate of heat release apparatus. Test results included five-minute average heat release rate in kW/m2 (HRR avg) and maximum heat release...

Safety Precautions for Total Release Foggers

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Total release foggers, also known as bug bombs, are pesticide products containing aerosol propellants that release their contents at once to fumigate an area. They can pose a hazard if used incorrectly. Find safety information and videos on this page.

Effects of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism on rat growth hormone release induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone.

PubMed

Chihara, K; Kato, Y; Ohgo, S; Iwasaki, Y; Maeda, K

1976-06-01

The effect of synthetic thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on the release of growth hormone (GH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was investigated in euthyroid, hypothyroid, and hyperthyroid rats under urethane anesthesia. In euthyroid control rats, intravenous injection of TRH (200 ng/100 g BW) resulted in a significant increase in both plasma GH and TSH. In rats made hypothyroid by treatment with propylthiouracil or by thyroidectomy, basal GH and TSH levels were significantly elevated with exaggerated responses to TRH. In contrast, plasma GH and TSH responses to TRH were both significantly inhibited in rats made hyperthyroid by L-thyroxine (T4) treatment. These results suggest that altered thyroid status influences GH release as well as TSH secretion induced by TRH in rats.

Paradoxical effects of gastrin releasing peptide on gastrin release and gastric secretion in the rat.

PubMed

Takagi, A; Moriga, M; Narusawa, H; Uchino, H; Aono, M

1986-12-01

The effects of gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) on gastrin release and gastric secretion were studied in anesthetized rats. Intravenous infusion of GRP (1-16 micrograms/kg/hr) caused a dose-dependent increase in serum gastrin level, however, it had no effect on basal gastric secretion in the lumen-perfused stomach preparation. Furthermore, GRP inhibited gastric secretion stimulated by pentagastrin or histamine dose-dependently, but not by carbachol. Simultaneous infusion of GRP and a beta adrenergic blocking agent, propranolol, an inhibitor of somatostatin release, did not alter the inhibitory effect of GRP on pentagastrin-stimulated gastric secretion. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of GRP on gastric secretion in a stimulated condition is mediated via peptide hormones coreleased by GRP, and not via beta-adrenergic pathways.

p-Coumaric Acid Attenuates UVB-Induced Release of Stratifin from Keratinocytes and Indirectly Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 Release from Fibroblasts

PubMed Central

Seok, Jin Kyung

2015-01-01

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced loss of dermal extracellular matrix is associated with skin photoaging. Recent studies demonstrated that keratinocyte-releasable stratifin (SFN) plays a critical role in skin collagen metabolism by inducing matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) expression in target fibroblasts. In the present study, we examined whether SFN released from UVB-irradiated epidermal keratinocytes increases MMP1 release from dermal fibroblasts, and whether these events are affected by p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural phenolic compound with UVB-shielding and antioxidant properties. HaCaT cells were exposed to UVB in the absence and presence of p-CA, and the conditioned medium was used to stimulate fibroblasts in medium transfer experiments. The cells and media were analyzed to determine the expressions/releases of SFN and MMP1. UVB exposure increased SFN release from keratinocytes into the medium. The conditioned medium of UVB-irradiated keratinocytes increased MMP1 release from fibroblasts. The depletion of SFN using a siRNA rendered the conditioned medium of UVB-irradiated keratinocytes ineffective at stimulating fibroblasts to release MMP1. p-CA mitigated UVB-induced SFN expression in keratinocytes, and attenuated the MMP1 release by fibroblasts in medium transfer experiments. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the use of UV absorbers such as p-CA would reduce UV-induced SFN-centered signaling events involved in skin photoaging. PMID:25954129

p-Coumaric Acid Attenuates UVB-Induced Release of Stratifin from Keratinocytes and Indirectly Regulates Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 Release from Fibroblasts.

PubMed

Seok, Jin Kyung; Boo, Yong Chool

2015-05-01

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced loss of dermal extracellular matrix is associated with skin photoaging. Recent studies demonstrated that keratinocyte-releasable stratifin (SFN) plays a critical role in skin collagen metabolism by inducing matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1) expression in target fibroblasts. In the present study, we examined whether SFN released from UVB-irradiated epidermal keratinocytes increases MMP1 release from dermal fibroblasts, and whether these events are affected by p-coumaric acid (p-CA), a natural phenolic compound with UVB-shielding and antioxidant properties. HaCaT cells were exposed to UVB in the absence and presence of p-CA, and the conditioned medium was used to stimulate fibroblasts in medium transfer experiments. The cells and media were analyzed to determine the expressions/releases of SFN and MMP1. UVB exposure increased SFN release from keratinocytes into the medium. The conditioned medium of UVB-irradiated keratinocytes increased MMP1 release from fibroblasts. The depletion of SFN using a siRNA rendered the conditioned medium of UVB-irradiated keratinocytes ineffective at stimulating fibroblasts to release MMP1. p-CA mitigated UVB-induced SFN expression in keratinocytes, and attenuated the MMP1 release by fibroblasts in medium transfer experiments. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that the use of UV absorbers such as p-CA would reduce UV-induced SFN-centered signaling events involved in skin photoaging.

Prolonged amelioration of experimental postoperative pain by bupivacaine released from microsphere-coated hernia mesh.

PubMed

Ohri, Rachit; Wang, Jeffery Chi-Fei; Pham, Lan; Blaskovich, Phillip D; Costa, Daniel; Nichols, Gary; Hildebrand, William; Scarborough, Nelson; Herman, Clifford; Strichartz, Gary R

2014-01-01

before the incision (group VI) reduced hypersensitivity for only approximately 2 hours, an overall insignificant effect. Bupivacaine slowly released for 72 hours from microspheres adsorbed to the hernia mesh significantly suppresses evoked postoperative hypersensitivity for at least 1 week and is more effective than a suspension of these microspheres or preoperative single-shot infiltration of bupivacaine.

Renal epithelial cells can release ATP by vesicular fusion

PubMed Central

Bjaelde, Randi G.; Arnadottir, Sigrid S.; Overgaard, Morten T.; Leipziger, Jens; Praetorius, Helle A.

2013-01-01

Renal epithelial cells have the ability to release nucleotides as paracrine factors. In the intercalated cells of the collecting duct, ATP is released by connexin30 (cx30), which is selectively expressed in this cell type. However, ATP is released by virtually all renal epithelia and the aim of the present study was to identify possible alternative nucleotide release pathways in a renal epithelial cell model. We used MDCK (type1) cells to screen for various potential ATP release pathways. In these cells, inhibition of the vesicular H+-ATPases (bafilomycin) reduced both the spontaneous and hypotonically (80%)-induced nucleotide release. Interference with vesicular fusion using N-ethylamide markedly reduced the spontaneous nucleotide release, as did interference with trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum to the Golgi apparatus (brefeldin A1) and vesicular transport (nocodazole). These findings were substantiated using a siRNA directed against SNAP-23, which significantly reduced spontaneous ATP release. Inhibition of pannexin and connexins did not affect the spontaneous ATP release in this cell type, which consists of ~90% principal cells. TIRF-microscopy of either fluorescently-labeled ATP (MANT-ATP) or quinacrine-loaded vesicles, revealed that spontaneous release of single vesicles could be promoted by either hypoosmolality (50%) or ionomycin. This vesicular release decreased the overall cellular fluorescence by 5.8 and 7.6% respectively. In summary, this study supports the notion that spontaneous and induced ATP release can occur via exocytosis in renal epithelial cells. PMID:24065923

Dual-controlled release system of drugs for bone regeneration.

PubMed

Kim, Yang-Hee; Tabata, Yasuhiko

2015-11-01

Controlled release systems have been noted to allow drugs to enhance their ability for bone regeneration. To this end, various biomaterials have been used as the release carriers of drugs, such as low-molecular-weight drugs, growth factors, and others. The drugs are released from the release carriers in a controlled fashion to maintain their actions for a long time period. Most research has been focused on the controlled release of single drugs to demonstrate the therapeutic feasibility. Controlled release of two combined drugs, so-called dual release systems, are promising and important for tissue regeneration. This is because the tissue regeneration process of bone formation is generally achieved by multiple bioactive molecules, which are produced from cells by other molecules. If two types of bioactive molecules, (i.e., drugs), are supplied in an appropriate fashion, the regeneration process of living bodies will be efficiently promoted. This review focuses on the bone regeneration induced by dual-controlled release of drugs. In this paper, various dual-controlled release systems of drugs aiming at bone regeneration are overviewed explaining the type of drugs and their release materials. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Non-Toxic, Self Cleaning Silicone Fouling Release Coatings

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-10-07

Attempts to microencapsulate silicone oils for enhanced fouling release coatings with thermoset wall structures were unsuccessful: Microcapsule ...filled coatings failed abrasion resistance tests and had mediocre fouling release properties, despite having controlled release rates. Microcapsules with

The Sequoyah corporation fuels release and the Church Rock spill: unpublicized nuclear releases in American Indian communities.

PubMed

Brugge, Doug; deLemos, Jamie L; Bui, Cat

2007-09-01

The Three Mile Island nuclear release exemplifies why there is public and policy interest in the high-technology, highly visible end of the nuclear cycle. The environmental and health consequences of the early steps in the cycle--mining, milling, and processing of uranium ore--may be less appreciated. We examined 2 large unintended acute releases of uranium--at Kerr McGee's Sequoyah Fuels Corporation in Oklahoma and United Nuclear Corporation's Church Rock uranium mill in New Mexico, which were incidents with comparable magnitude to the Three Mile Island release. We urge exploration of whether there is limited national interest and concern for the primarily rural, low-income, and American Indian communities affected by these releases. More attention should be given to the early stages of the nuclear cycle and their impacts on health and the environment.

The Sequoyah Corporation Fuels Release and the Church Rock Spill: Unpublicized Nuclear Releases in American Indian Communities

PubMed Central

Brugge, Doug; deLemos, Jamie L.; Bui, Cat

2007-01-01

The Three Mile Island nuclear release exemplifies why there is public and policy interest in the high-technology, highly visible end of the nuclear cycle. The environmental and health consequences of the early steps in the cycle—mining, milling, and processing of uranium ore—may be less appreciated. We examined 2 large unintended acute releases of uranium—at Kerr McGee’s Sequoyah Fuels Corporation in Oklahoma and United Nuclear Corporation’s Church Rock uranium mill in New Mexico, which were incidents with comparable magnitude to the Three Mile Island release. We urge exploration of whether there is limited national interest and concern for the primarily rural, low-income, and American Indian communities affected by these releases. More attention should be given to the early stages of the nuclear cycle and their impacts on health and the environment. PMID:17666688

Fluoride-releasing restorative materials and secondary caries.

PubMed

Hicks, John; Garcia-Godoy, Franklin; Donly, Kevin; Flaitz, Catherine

2003-03-01

Secondary caries is responsible for 60 percent of all replacement restorations in the typical dental practice. Risk factors for secondary caries are similar to those for primary caries development. Unfortunately, it is not possible to accurately predict which patients are at risk for restoration failure. During the past several decades, fluoride-releasing dental materials have become a part of the dentist's armamentarium. Considerable fluoride is released during the setting reaction and for periods up to eight years following restoration placement. This released fluoride is readily taken up by the cavosurface tooth structure, as well as the enamel and root surfaces adjacent to the restoration. Resistance against caries along the cavosurface and the adjacent smooth surface has been shown in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Fluoride-releasing dental materials provide for improved resistance against primary and secondary caries in coronal and root surfaces. Plaque and salivary fluoride levels are elevated to a level that facilitates remineralization. In addition, the fluoride released to dental plaque adversely affects the growth of lactobacilli and mutans streptococci by interference with bacterial enzyme systems. Fluoride recharging of these dental materials is readily achieved with fluoridated toothpastes, fluoride mouthrinses, and other sources of topical fluoride. This allows fluoride-releasing dental materials to act as intraoral fluoride reservoirs. The improvement in the properties of dental materials with the ability to release fluoride has improved dramatically in the past decade, and it is anticipated that in the near future the vast majority of restorative procedures will employ fluoride-releasing dental materials as bonding agents, cavity liners, luting agents, adhesives for orthodontic brackets, and definitive restoratives.

The influence of "host release factor" on carbon release by zooxanthellae isolated from fed and starved Aiptasia pallida (Verrill).

PubMed

Davy, S K; Cook, C B

2001-06-01

Symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae) typically respond to extracts of host tissue with enhanced release of short-term photosynthetic products. We examined this "host release factor" (HRF) response using freshly isolated zooxanthellae of differing nutritional status. The nutritional status was manipulated by either feeding or starving the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida (Verrill). The release of fixed carbon from isolated zooxanthellae was measured using 14C in 30 min experiments. Zooxanthellae in filtered seawater alone released approximately 5% of photosynthate irrespective of host feeding history. When we used a 10-kDa ultrafiltrate of A. pallida host tissue as a source of HRF, approximately 14% of photosynthate was released to the medium. This increased to over 25% for zooxanthellae from anemones starved for 29 days or more. The cell-specific photosynthetic rate declined with starvation in these filtrate experiments, but the decline was offset by the increased percentage release. Indeed, the total amount of released photosynthate remained unchanged, or even increased, as zooxanthellae became more nutrient deficient. Similar trends were also observed when zooxanthellae from A. pallida were incubated in a 3-kDa ultrafiltrate of the coral Montastraea annularis, suggesting that HRF in the different filtrates operated in a similar manner. Our results support the suggestion that HRF diverts surplus carbon away from storage compounds to translocated compounds such as glycerol.

Composition and method for storing and releasing hydrogen

DOEpatents

Thorn, David L.; Tumas, William; Ott, Kevin C.; Burrell, Anthony K.

2010-06-15

A chemical system for storing and releasing hydrogen utilizes an endothermic reaction that releases hydrogen coupled to an exothermic reaction to drive the process thermodynamically, or an exothermic reaction that releases hydrogen coupled to an endothermic reaction.

Quantification of Energy Release in Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnetyan, Levon

2003-01-01

Energy release rate is usually suggested as a quantifier for assessing structural damage tolerance. Computational prediction of energy release rate is based on composite mechanics with micro-stress level damage assessment, finite element structural analysis and damage progression tracking modules. This report examines several issues associated with energy release rates in composite structures as follows: Chapter I demonstrates computational simulation of an adhesively bonded composite joint and validates the computed energy release rates by comparison with acoustic emission signals in the overall sense. Chapter II investigates the effect of crack plane orientation with respect to fiber direction on the energy release rates. Chapter III quantifies the effects of contiguous constraint plies on the residual stiffness of a 90 ply subjected to transverse tensile fractures. Chapter IV compares ICAN and ICAN/JAVA solutions of composites. Chapter V examines the effects of composite structural geometry and boundary conditions on damage progression characteristics.

Quantification of Energy Release in Composite Structures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minnetyan, Levon; Chamis, Christos C. (Technical Monitor)

2003-01-01

Energy release rate is usually suggested as a quantifier for assessing structural damage tolerance. Computational prediction of energy release rate is based on composite mechanics with micro-stress level damage assessment, finite element structural analysis and damage progression tracking modules. This report examines several issues associated with energy release rates in composite structures as follows: Chapter I demonstrates computational simulation of an adhesively bonded composite joint and validates the computed energy release rates by comparison with acoustic emission signals in the overall sense. Chapter II investigates the effect of crack plane orientation with respect to fiber direction on the energy release rates. Chapter III quantifies the effects of contiguous constraint plies on the residual stiffness of a 90 deg ply subjected to transverse tensile fractures. Chapter IV compares ICAN and ICAN/JAVA solutions of composites. Chapter V examines the effects of composite structural geometry and boundary conditions on damage progression characteristics.

Building an Efficient Model for Afterburn Energy Release

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

Alves, S; Kuhl, A; Najjar, F

2012-02-03

Many explosives will release additional energy after detonation as the detonation products mix with the ambient environment. This additional energy release, referred to as afterburn, is due to combustion of undetonated fuel with ambient oxygen. While the detonation energy release occurs on a time scale of microseconds, the afterburn energy release occurs on a time scale of milliseconds with a potentially varying energy release rate depending upon the local temperature and pressure. This afterburn energy release is not accounted for in typical equations of state, such as the Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) model, used for modeling the detonation of explosives. Here wemore » construct a straightforward and efficient approach, based on experiments and theory, to account for this additional energy release in a way that is tractable for large finite element fluid-structure problems. Barometric calorimeter experiments have been executed in both nitrogen and air environments to investigate the characteristics of afterburn for C-4 and other materials. These tests, which provide pressure time histories, along with theoretical and analytical solutions provide an engineering basis for modeling afterburn with numerical hydrocodes. It is toward this end that we have constructed a modified JWL equation of state to account for afterburn effects on the response of structures to blast. The modified equation of state includes a two phase afterburn energy release to represent variations in the energy release rate and an afterburn energy cutoff to account for partial reaction of the undetonated fuel.« less

Controlled release chamber for dispensing aromatic substances.

PubMed

Cilek, J E; Hallmon, C F

2008-12-01

A novel device for the containment and precise release of aromatic substances is described. The device consists of a threaded-tubular polyvinyl chloride chamber (and screw-top cap) with ports for introduction and release of gaseous compounds. This chamber is inexpensive, easy to assemble, and useful for evaluating the combined release of carbon dioxide and aromatic hygroscopic substances as mosquito attractants in field studies.

Fiber release from impacted graphite reinforced epoxy composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Babinsky, T. C.

1980-01-01

Carbon fibers released from composites by aircraft fires and crashes can cause electrical shorts and consequent equipment damage. This report investigates less vigorous release mechanisms than that previously simulated by explosive burn/blast tests. When AS/3501-6 composites are impacted by various head and weight configurations of a pendulum impactor, less than 0.2 percent by weight of the original sample is released as single fibers. Other fiber release mechanisms studied were air blasts, constant airflow, torsion, flexural, and vibration of composite samples. The full significance of the low single fiber release rates found here is to be evaluated by NASA in their aircraft vulnerability studies.