Comparison of Online Costs Using 1200-BPS and 2400-BPS Modems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacMillan, Donald

1992-01-01

Compares search time and costs of four online searches, identically replicated except for the speed of the modem used to retrieve and download data. Results are presented for 1200-BPS (bits per second) and 2400-BPS modems which demonstrate that searching at 2400-BPS is more efficient and economical. Issues to be resolved before 9600-BPS modems…

Development of an on-line solid phase extraction ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography technique coupled to tandem mass spectrometry for quantification of bisphenol S and bisphenol S glucuronide: Applicability to toxicokinetic investigations.

PubMed

Grandin, Flore; Picard-Hagen, Nicole; Gayrard, Véronique; Puel, Sylvie; Viguié, Catherine; Toutain, Pierre-Louis; Debrauwer, Laurent; Lacroix, Marlène Z

2017-12-01

Regulatory measures and public concerns regarding bisphenol A (BPA) have led to its replacement by structural analogues, such as Bisphenol S (BPS), in consumer products. At present, no toxicokinetic investigations have been conducted to assess the factors determining human internal exposure to BPS for subsequent risk assessment. Toxicokinetic studies require reliable analytical methods to measure the plasma concentrations of BPS and its main conjugated metabolite, BPS-glucuronide (BPS-G). An efficient on-line SPE-UPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of BPS and BPS-G in ovine plasma was therefore developed and validated in accordance with the European Medicines Agency guidelines for bioanalytical method validation. This method has a limit of quantification of 3ngmL -1 for BPS and 10ngmL -1 for BPS-G, an analytical capacity of 200 samples per day, and is particularly well suited to toxicokinetic studies. Use of this method in toxicokinetic studies in sheep showed that BPS, like BPA, is efficiently metabolized into its glucuronide form. However, the clearances and distributions of BPS and BPS-G were lower than those of the corresponding unconjugated and glucuroconjugated forms of BPA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Experimental Analysis of Hydraulic Fracture Growth and Acoustic Emission Response in a Layered Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ning, Li; Shicheng, Zhang; Yushi, Zou; Xinfang, Ma; Shan, Wu; Yinuo, Zhang

2018-04-01

Microseismic/acoustic emission (AE) monitoring is an essential technology for understanding hydraulic fracture (HF) geometry and stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) during hydraulic fracturing in unconventional reservoirs. To investigate HF growth mechanisms and features of induced microseismic/AE events in a layered formation, laboratory fracturing experiments were performed on shale specimens (30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm) with multiple bedding planes (BPs) under triaxial stresses. AE monitoring was used to reveal the spatial distribution and hypocenter mechanisms of AE events induced by rock failure. Computerized tomography scanning was used to observe the internal fracture geometry. Experimental results showed that the various HF geometries could be obviously distinguished based on injection pressure curves and AE responses. Fracture complexity was notably increased when vertically growing HFs connected with and opened more BPs. The formation of a complex fracture network was generally indicated by frequent fluctuations in injection pressure curves, intense AE activity, and three-dimensionally distributed AE events. Investigations of the hypocenter mechanisms revealed that shear failure/event dominated in shale specimens. Shear and tensile events were induced in hydraulically connected regions, and shear events also occurred around BPs that were not hydraulically connected. This led to an overestimation of HF height and SRV in layered formations based on the AE location results. The results also showed that variable injection rate and using plugging agent were conducive in promoting HF to penetrate through the weak and high-permeability BPs, thereby increasing the fracture height.

Bremsstrahlung function, leading Lüscher correction at weak coupling and localization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonini, Marisa; Griguolo, Luca; Preti, Michelangelo; Seminara, Domenico

2016-02-01

We discuss the near BPS expansion of the generalized cusp anomalous dimension with L units of R-charge. Integrability provides an exact solution, obtained by solving a general TBA equation in the appropriate limit: we propose here an alternative method based on supersymmetric localization. The basic idea is to relate the computation to the vacuum expectation value of certain 1/8 BPS Wilson loops with local operator insertions along the contour. These observables localize on a two-dimensional gauge theory on S 2, opening the possibility of exact calculations. As a test of our proposal, we reproduce the leading Lüscher correction at weak coupling to the generalized cusp anomalous dimension. This result is also checked against a genuine Feynman diagram approach in {N}=4 Super Yang-Mills theory.

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis as a functional somatic syndrome.

PubMed

Warren, John W

2014-12-01

To determine whether bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) has the characteristics of a functional somatic syndrome (FSS). There is no accepted definition of an FSS. Consequently, this paper reviewed the literature for common FSS characteristics and for reports that BPS/IC has these characteristics. Eleven articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria and yielded 18 FSS characteristics. BPS/IC patients manifest all but two: the exceptions were normal light microscopic anatomy (after hydrodistention under anesthesia, some BPS/IC bladders have Hunner's lesions and most have petechial hemorrhages) and normal laboratory tests (many BPS/IC patients have hematuria). Petechial hemorrhages and hematuria are probably related and may appear during naturally-occurring bladder distention. Without such distention, then, the 90% of BPS/IC patients without a Hunner's lesion have all the characteristics of an FSS. Comparisons in the opposite direction were consistent: several additional features of BPS/IC were found in FSSs. This systematic but untested method is consistent with but does not test the hypothesis that BPS/IC in some patients might best be understood as an FSS. Like most conditions, BPS/IC is probably heterogeneous; hence only a proportion of BPS/IC cases are likely to be manifestations of an FSS. This hypothesis has several implications. Explorations of processes that connect the FSSs might contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of BPS/IC. Patients with FSSs are at risk for BPS/IC and may benefit from future preventive strategies. Therapies that are useful in FSSs also may be useful in some cases of BPS/IC. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Exact BPS domain walls at finite gauge coupling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blaschke, Filip

2017-01-01

Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield solitons in models with spontaneously broken gauge symmetry have been intensively studied at the infinite gauge coupling limit, where the governing equation-the so-called master equation-is exactly solvable. Except for a handful of special solutions, the standing impression is that analytic results at finite coupling are generally unavailable. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate, using domain walls in Abelian-Higgs models as the simplest example, that exact solitons at finite gauge coupling can be readily obtained if the number of Higgs fields (NF ) is large enough. In particular, we present a family of exact solutions, describing N domain walls at arbitrary positions in models with at least NF≥2 N +1 . We have also found that adding together any pair of solutions can produce a new exact solution if the combined tension is below a certain limit.

Waterborne exposure to BPS causes thyroid endocrine disruption in zebrafish larvae

PubMed Central

Zhang, Dan-hua; Zhou, En-xiang; Yang, Zhu-lin

2017-01-01

Bisphenol S (BPS) is widely used as a raw material in industry, resulting in its ubiquitous distribution in natural environment, including the aqueous environment. However, the effect of BPS on the thyroid endocrine system is largely unknown. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to BPS at 1, 3, 10, and 30 μg/L, from 2 h post-fertilization (hpf) to 168hpf. Bioconcentration of BPS and whole-body thyroid hormones (THs), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations as well as transcriptional profiling of key genes related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis were examined. Chemical analysis indicated that BPS was accumulated in zebrafish larvae. Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels were significantly decreased at ≥ 10 and 30 μg/L of BPS, respectively. However, TSH concentration was significantly induced in the 10 and 30 μg/L BPS-treated groups. After exposure to BPS, the mRNA expression of corticotrophin releasing hormone (crh) and thyroglobulin (tg) genes were up-regulated at ≥10 μg/L of BPS, in a dose-response manner. The transcription of genes involved in thyroid development (pax8) and synthesis (sodium/iodide symporter, slc5a5) were also significantly increased in the 30 μg/L of BPS treatment group. Moreover, exposure to 10 μg/L or higher concentration of BPS significantly up-regulated genes related to thyroid hormone metabolism (deiodinases, dio1, dio2 and uridinediphosphate glucoronosyltransferases, ugt1ab), which might be responsible for the altered THs levels. However, the transcript of transthyretin (ttr) was significantly down-regulated at ≥ 3 μg/L of BPS, while the mRNA levels of thyroid hormone receptors (trα and trβ) and dio3 remained unchanged. All the results indicated that exposure to BPS altered the whole-body THs and TSH concentrations and changed the expression profiling of key genes related to HPT axis, thus triggering thyroid endocrine disruption. PMID:28467477

Differential in Vitro Biological Action, Coregulator Interactions, and Molecular Dynamic Analysis of Bisphenol A (BPA), BPAF, and BPS Ligand-ERα Complexes.

PubMed

Li, Yin; Perera, Lalith; Coons, Laurel A; Burns, Katherine A; Tyler Ramsey, J; Pelch, Katherine E; Houtman, René; van Beuningen, Rinie; Teng, Christina T; Korach, Kenneth S

2018-01-31

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that might be harmful to human health. Recently, there has been widespread usage of bisphenol chemicals (BPs), such as bisphenol AF (BPAF) and bisphenol S (BPS), as replacements for BPA. However, the potential biological actions, toxicity, and the molecular mechanism of these compounds are still poorly understood. Our objective was to examine the estrogenic effects of BPA, BPAF, and BPS and the molecular mechanisms of action in the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) complex. In vitro cell models were used to compare the estrogenic effects of BPA, BPAF, and BPS to estrogen. Microarray Assay for Real-Time Coregulator-Nuclear receptor Interaction (MARCoNI) analysis was used to identify coregulators of BPA, BPAF, and BPS, and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were used to determine the compounds binding in the ERα complex. We demonstrated that BPA and BPAF have agonistic activity for both ERα and ERβ, but BPS has ERα-selective specificity. We concluded that coregulators were differentially recruited in the presence of BPA, BPAF, or BPS. Interestingly, BPS recruited more corepressors when compared to BPA and BPAF. From a series of MD analysis, we concluded that BPA, BPAF, and BPS can bind to the ER-ligand-binding domain with differing energetics and conformations. In addition, the binding surface of coregulator interactions on ERα was characterized for the BPA, BPAF, and BPS complexes. These findings further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of EDCs, such as BPs, in ER-mediated transcriptional activation, biological activity, and their effects on physiological functions in human health. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2505.

Effect of bioactive peptides (BPs) on the development of Pacific white shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei Boone, 1931)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Guangjun; Yu, Ermeng; Li, Zhifei; Yu, Deguang; Wang, Haiying; Gong, Wangbao

2016-06-01

The present study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of replacing fish meal (FM) with bioactive peptides (BPs) in diet of white shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei). The changes in growth performance, body composition, non-specific immunity, and water quality were examined after the shrimp were fed four diets, in which 0% (control), 33.3%, 66.7% and 100% of FM was replaced by BPs, respectively. The groups were designated as Con, 1/3BPs, 2/3BPs, and 3/3BPs. A total of 720 shrimp with an initial body weight of 1.46 ± 0.78 g were fed the experimental diets for 56 days. The results revealed that: 1) the weight gain rate (WGR) in 1/3BPs, 2/3BPs, and 3/3BPs was significantly higher than that in Con ( P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found on survival rate and feed conversion ratio (FCR); 2) the whole-body crude protein (CP) and crude lipids (CL) were significantly different among groups, while there was no significant difference between crude ash and phosphorus contents; 3) the levels of acid phosphatase (ACP), lysozyme (LZM), superoxide dismutase (SOD), phenol oxidase (PO) and bactericidal activity increased significantly with the inclusion of BPs; 4) in terms of water quality, no significant difference was found in pH and dissolved oxygen among diets during the whole experimental period. Moreover, even though nitrite and ammonium levels tended to increase with time, there was no significant difference among groups. The results indicated that BPs is an applicable alternative of protein source, which can substitute FM in the diets of L. vannamei; it is able to effectively promote growth performance and improve immunity. Moreover, BPs in the diets had no negative impact on water quality.

Rapid Responses and Mechanism of Action for Low-Dose Bisphenol S on ex Vivo Rat Hearts and Isolated Myocytes: Evidence of Female-Specific Proarrhythmic Effects

PubMed Central

Gao, Xiaoqian; Ma, Jianyong; Chen, Yamei

2015-01-01

Background Bisphenol S (BPS) has increasingly been used as a substitute for bisphenol A (BPA) in some “BPA-free” consumer goods and in thermal papers. Wide human exposure to BPS has been reported; however, the biological and potential toxic effects of BPS are poorly understood. Objective In this study, we sought to elucidate the sex-specific rapid effect of BPS in rat hearts and its underlying mechanism. Methods We examined the rapid effects of BPS in rat hearts using electrophysiology, confocal and conventional fluorescence imaging, and immunoblotting. Treatment was administered via acute perfusion of excised hearts or isolated cardiac myocytes. Results In female rat hearts acutely exposed to 10–9 M BPS, the heart rate was increased; in the presence of catecholamine-induced stress, the frequency of ventricular arrhythmia events was markedly increased. BPS-exposed hearts showed increased incidence of arrhythmogenic-triggered activities in female ventricular myocytes and altered myocyte Ca2+ handling, particularly spontaneous Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The dose responses of BPS actions were inverted U-shaped. The impact of BPS on myocyte Ca2+ handling was mediated by estrogen receptor β signaling and by rapid increases in the phosphorylation of key Ca2+ handling proteins, including ryanodine receptor and phospholamban. The proarrhythmic effects of BPS were female specific; male rat hearts were not affected by BPS at the organ, myocyte, or protein levels. Conclusion Rapid exposure to low-dose BPS showed proarrhythmic impact on female rat hearts; these effects at the organ, cellular, and molecular levels are remarkably similar to those reported for BPA. Evaluation of the bioactivity and safety of BPS and other BPA analogs is necessary before they are used as BPA alternatives in consumer products. Citation Gao X, Ma J, Chen Y, Wang HS. 2015. Rapid responses and mechanism of action for low-dose bisphenol S on ex vivo rat hearts and isolated myocytes: evidence of female-specific proarrhythmic effects. Environ Health Perspect 123:571–578; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408679 PMID:25723814

Combined Quarterly Technical Report Number 31. Pluribus Satellite IMP (Interface Message Provision) Development Mobile Access Terminal Network

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-01

Bzo I-BIO-INODE I<---->INODE 1-SIO-I BIO I 2 Hbps <-I I LINKI #1 1 B’?LY 1 #2 I LINKI 1-> 2 bps - ----- SWITCH .---- • OR N,2 11bps ->IIJPLIN I...IPROC’Rh IPROC’RI IDOWNLINKI-> 2 14bps I BIO I-BIO-INODE I<---->INODE I-BIO-I BIO I S2 bps ->I I LINKI #1 I B’FLY 1 #2 I LINKI 1-> 2 1bps " ----- + SWITCH

High resolution telescope and spectrograph observations of solar fine structure in the 1600 A region

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cook, J. W.; Brueckner, G. E.; Bartoe, J.-D. F.

1983-01-01

High spatial resolution spectroheliograms of the 1600 A region obtained during the HRTS rocket flight of 1978 February 13 are presented. The morphology, fine structure, and temporal behavior of emission bright points (BPs) in active and quiet regions are illustrated. In quiet regions, network elements persist as morphological units, although individual BPs may vary in intensity while usually lasting the flight duration. In cell centers, the BPs are highly variable on a 1 minute time scale. BPs in plages remain more constant in brightness over the observing sequence. BPs cover less than 4 percent of the quiet surface. The lifetime and degree of packing of BPs vary with the local strength of the magnetic field.

In vitro profiling of toxicity and endocrine disrupting effects of bisphenol analogues by employing MCF-7 cells and two-hybrid yeast bioassay.

PubMed

Lei, Bingli; Xu, Jie; Peng, Wei; Wen, Yu; Zeng, Xiangying; Yu, Zhiqiang; Wang, Yipei; Chen, Tian

2017-01-01

The potentially adverse health implications of bisphenol A (BPA) have led to increasing use of alternative bisphenols (BPs). However, little is known about the toxicity of alternative BPs. In this study, the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, intracellular ROS formation, and Ca 2+ fluctuation effects of BPs on MCF-7 cells were evaluated. At the same time, the estrogenic and thyroidal hormone effect potentials of six BPs were also evaluated using two-hybrid yeast bioassay. The results showed that most BPs at 0.01-1 μM significantly increased cell viability in MCF-7 cells and at higher exposure concentrations of 25-100 μM, they caused a significant decrease of cell viability. At the same time, these BPs also at 25-100 μM significantly increased LDH release of MCF-7 cells. In addition, several BPs at 10-50 μM resulted in a significantly concentration-depended increase in DNA-damaging effect on MCF-7 cells and elevated ROS production. Most BPs at 0.0001-10 μM significantly increased intracellular Ca 2+ level. These results showed that bisphenol AF (BPAF) and thiodiphenol (TDP) exerted cell biological effect, estrogenic, and thyroidal effect potentials greater than those of BPA. The cytotoxicity and endocrine disrupting effects of other BPs are similar to or slightly lower than those of BPA. Therefore, as potential alternatives to BPA, endocrine disrupting effects and potential health harm of alternative BPs to human can also not be ignored. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 278-289, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemiluminescence reactions with cationic, neutral, and anionic ruthenium(II) complexes containing 2,2'-bipyridine and bathophenanthroline disulfonate ligands.

PubMed

Francis, Paul S; Papettas, Dimitra; Zammit, Elizabeth M; Barnett, Neil W

2010-07-15

Ruthenium complexes containing 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline disulfonate (bathophenanthroline disulfonate; BPS) ligands, Ru(BPS)(3)(4-), Ru(BPS)(2)(bipy)(2-) and Ru(BPS)(bipy)(2), were compared to tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(bipy)(3)(2+)), including examination of the wavelengths of maximum absorption and corrected emission intensity, photoluminescence quantum yield, stability of their oxidised ruthenium(III) form, and relative chemiluminescence intensities and signal-to-blank ratios with cerium(IV) sulfate and six analytes (codeine, morphine cocaine, potassium oxalate, furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide) in acidic aqueous solution. The presence of BPS ligands in the complex increased the photoluminescence quantum yield, but decreased the stability of the oxidised form of the reagent. In contrast to previous evidence showing much greater electrochemiluminescence intensities using Ru(BPS)(2)(bipy)(2-) and Ru(BPS)(bipy)(2), these complexes did not provide superior chemiluminescence signals than their homoleptic analogues. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bisphenol A alternatives in thermal paper from the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway. Screening and potential toxicity.

PubMed

Björnsdotter, Maria K; Jonker, Willem; Legradi, Jessica; Kool, Jeroen; Ballesteros-Gómez, Ana

2017-12-01

Thermal paper contains potentially toxic additives, such as bisphenol A (BPA), as a common color developer. Because of its known endocrine disrupting effects, structural analogues to BPA, such as bisphenol S (BPS), D-8 and Pergafast 201, have been used as alternatives, but little is known about the presence and toxicological effects of alternatives other than BPS. In this study, thermal paper is screened by direct probe ambient mass spectrometry (rapid pre-screening method not requiring sample preparation) and by liquid chromatography (LC) with high resolution time-of flight (TOF-MS) mass spectrometry. Cash receipts and other thermal paper products (cinema tickets, boarding passes and luggage tags) were analyzed. Besides BPA and BPS, other developers only recently reported (Pergafast 201, D-8) or to the best of our knowledge not reported before (D-90, TGSA, BPS-MAE) were frequently found as well as some related unreported impurities (2,4-BPS that is a BPS related impurity and a TGSA related impurity). To gain some insight into the potential estrogenicity of the detected developers, a selection of extracts was further analyzed using a LC-nanofractionation platform in combination with cell-based bioassay testing. These preliminary results seems to indicate very low or absence of estrogenic activity for Pergafast 201, D-8, D-90, TGSA and BPS-MAE in comparison to BPA and BPS, although further dose-response tests with authentic standards are required to confirm these results. Compounds for which standards were available were also tested for developmental toxicity and neurotoxicity using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos. TGSA and D-8 induced similar teratogenic effects as BPA in zebrafish embryos. BPS and 2,4-BPS did not induce any developmental effects but 2,4-BPS did alter the locomotor activity at the tested concentration. Our findings suggest that the alternatives used as alternatives to BPA (except BPS) might not be estrogenic. However, TGSA and D-8 showed abnormal developmental effects similar to BPA. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Is bisphenol S a safe substitute for bisphenol A in terms of metabolic function? An in vitro study

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

Héliès-Toussaint, Cécile, E-mail: cecile.helies@toulouse.inra.fr; Université de Toulouse III, INP, ENVT, UPS, 31027 Toulouse; Peyre, Ludovic

As bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to induce adverse effects on human health, especially through the activation of endocrine pathways, it is about to be withdrawn from the European market and replaced by analogues such as bisphenol S (BPS). However, toxicological data on BPS is scarce, and so it is necessary to evaluate the possible effects of this compound on human health. We compared the effect of BPA and BPS on obesity and hepatic steatosis processes using low doses in the same range as those found in the environment. Two in vitro models were used, the adipose cell linemore » 3T3-L1 and HepG2 cells, representative of hepatic functions. We analyzed different parameters such as lipid and glucose uptakes, lipolysis, leptin production and the modulation of genes involved in lipid metabolism and energy balance. BPA and BPS induced an increase in the lipid content in the 3T3-L1 cell line and more moderately in the hepatic cells. We also observed a decrease in lipolysis after bisphenol treatment of adipocytes, but only BPS was involved in the increase in glucose uptake and leptin production. These latter effects could be linked to the modulation of SREBP-1c, PPARγ, aP2 and ERRα and γ genes after exposure to BPA, whereas BPS seems to target the PGC1α and the ERRγ genes. The findings suggest that both BPA and BPS could be involved in obesity and steatosis processes, but through two different metabolic pathways. - Highlights: • The non-monotonic effects of BPA and BPS act through 2 different metabolic pathways. • BPA and BPS induce an increase in the lipid content in adipocytes and hepatic cells. • BPS increased leptin production and glucose uptake in adipocyte and hepatocyte. • BPA and BPS could participate in metabolic deregulations leading to obesity or NAFLD.« less

Sleep disturbances and nocturnal symptoms: relationships with quality of life in a population-based sample of women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

PubMed

Troxel, Wendy M; Booth, Marika; Buysse, Daniel J; Elliott, Marc N; Suskind, Anne M; Clemens, J Quentin; Berry, Sandra H

2014-12-15

To characterize the nature and impact of sleep disturbances on quality of life (QOL) in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Participants were 3,397 women from a telephone probability survey who met IC/BPS symptom criteria. Sleep quality, duration, and IC/BPS nocturnal symptoms (i.e., trouble sleeping due to bladder pain, urgency, or needing to use the bathroom), general QOL (mental and physical health and sexual functioning), and IC/BPS QOL impairment were assessed via self-report during telephone interview. Over half of the sample reported poor sleep quality, sleep duration ≤ 6 hours, or trouble sleeping due to IC/BPS symptoms. After covariate adjustment, short sleep duration was significantly associated with greater IC/BPS QOL impairment (β = -0.04; p < 0.001) and poorer self-reported physical health (β = 1.86; p < 0.001). Poor sleep quality was significantly associated with greater IC/BPS QOL impairment (β = 0.06; p < 0.001), poorer self-reported physical health (β = -2.86; p < 0.001), and greater sexual dysfunction (β = -0.04; p < 0.05). IC/BPS nocturnal symptoms were significantly associated with greater IC/BPS impairment (β = 0.14; p < 0.001), poorer physical health (β = -2.76; p < 0.001) and mental health (β = 0.52; p < 0.01), and greater sexual dysfunction (β = -0.10; p < 0.001), after covariate adjustment. After further adjustment for IC/BPS nocturnal symptoms, we found that poor sleep quality and short sleep duration were independent correlates of poor self-reported physical health. Poor sleep quality and short sleep duration, as well as disorder-specific sleep disturbances, are highly prevalent in women with IC/BPS and are associated with poorer disease-specific and general QOL. © 2014 American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

Health care service utilization among patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis in a single payer healthcare system.

PubMed

Chung, Shiu-Dong; Liu, Shih-Ping; Li, Hsien-Chang; Lin, Herng-Ching

2014-01-01

This study aims to investigate the differences in the utilization of healthcare services between patients with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and patients without using a population-based database in Taiwan. This study comprised of 350 patients with BPS/IC and 1,750 age-matched controls. Healthcare resource utilization was evaluated in the one-year follow-up period as follows: number of outpatient visits and inpatient days, and the mean costs of outpatient and inpatient treatment. A multivariate regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between BPS/IC and total costs of health care services. For urological services, patients with BPS/IC had a significantly higher number of outpatient visits (2.5 vs. 0.2, p<0.001) as well as significantly higher outpatient costs ($US166 vs. $US6.8, p<0.001) than the controls. For non-urologic services, patients with BPS/IC had a significantly high number of outpatient visits (35.0 vs. 21.3, p<0.001) as well as significantly higher outpatient cots ($US912 vs. $US675, p<0.001) as compared to the controls. Overall, patients with BPS/IC had 174% more outpatient visits and 150% higher total costs than the controls. Multiple-regression-analyses also showed that the patients with BPS/IC had significantly higher total costs for all healthcare services than the controls. This study found that patients with BPS/IC have a significantly higher number of healthcare related visits, and have significantly higher healthcare related costs than age-matched controls. The high level of healthcare services utilization accrued with BPS/IC was not necessarily exclusive for BPS/IC, but may have also been associated with medical co-morbidities.

BPS counting for knots and combinatorics on words

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kucharski, Piotr; Sułkowski, Piotr

2016-11-01

We discuss relations between quantum BPS invariants defined in terms of a product decomposition of certain series, and difference equations (quantum A-polynomials) that annihilate such series. We construct combinatorial models whose structure is encoded in the form of such difference equations, and whose generating functions (Hilbert-Poincaré series) are solutions to those equations and reproduce generating series that encode BPS invariants. Furthermore, BPS invariants in question are expressed in terms of Lyndon words in an appropriate language, thereby relating counting of BPS states to the branch of mathematics referred to as combinatorics on words. We illustrate these results in the framework of colored extremal knot polynomials: among others we determine dual quantum extremal A-polynomials for various knots, present associated combinatorial models, find corresponding BPS invariants (extremal Labastida-Mariño-Ooguri-Vafa invariants) and discuss their integrality.

Exploring the effect of bisphenol S on sludge hydrolysis and mechanism of the interaction between bisphenol S and α-Amylase through spectrophotometric methods.

PubMed

Yang, Hang; Hou, Guangying; Zhang, Li; Ju, Lei; Liu, Chunguang

2017-02-01

Sewage sludge, as a very significant sources of BPS (up to 523mg/kg dw) introduction into the environment, must be handled properly. Therefore, it is important to access BPS removal and its effect on sludge treatment with the biological treatment. However, it is unclear for its effect on the hydrolysis of sludge. In this research, impact of BPS on sludge hydrolysis by α-Amylase is studied from the respect of component of soluble organic matter in sludge using three-dimensional fluorescence spectra. Enzyme activity assay suggests that sludge hydrolysis is inhibited due to the denaturation of α-Amylase with BPS exposure. In order to illuminate the interaction mechanism between BPS and α-Amylase, UV-vis, steady-state fluorescence, circular dichroism, synchronous fluorescence, light scattering spectra, enzyme activity assay and molecule docking techniques are applied. Results show that BPS interacts with α-Amylase by hydrophobic bond in the activity region of α-Amylase. This interaction not only causes an unfolding skeleton structure of α-Amylase and a less hydrophobic microenvironment of tyrosine and tryptophan residues, but also leads to a specific fluorophore quenching involving static and dynamic type. This work provides direct evidence about enzyme toxicity of BPS and establishes a new strategy to investigate the interaction between protein and BPS at a molecular level, which is helpful for clarifying the bioactivities of BPS. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Major benzophenone concentrations and influence of food consumption among the general population in Korea, and the association with oxidative stress biomarker.

PubMed

Kim, Bokyung; Kwon, Bareum; Jang, Sol; Kim, Pan-Gyi; Ji, Kyunghee

2016-09-15

Benzophenones (BPs) have been used as sunscreen agents and as ultraviolet stabilizers in plastic surface coatings for food packaging. However, few studies have been performed to examine the level of human exposure to BPs and the potential sources of such exposure. We evaluated the exposure levels to six major BPs (BP-1, BP-2, BP-3, BP-4, BP-8, and 4-hydroxybenzophenone (4-OH-BP)) among the adult population in two cities in Korea, and investigated the potential dietary sources of the BPs. Urinary levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) as an oxidative stress biomarker as well as their association with the levels of BPs were also analyzed. Among the six BPs analyzed, 4-OH-BP, BP-1, BP-3, and BP-4 were detected in 77%, 49%, 27%, and 21% of the population, respectively. BP concentrations were relatively higher in younger (people in their 20s and 30s) cosmetic users and leaner women. Even after the adjustment of age, body mass index, and cosmetic use, the consumption of frozen storage food, instant noodles, and instant coffee was significantly correlated with urinary BPs, and these associations were sex-dependent. No significant correlation was observed between the levels of BPs and levels of MDA. The results of the present study will be useful for developing plans of public health management of BPs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aspect ratio dependence of the enhancement of fluorescence intensity by gold nanobipyramids for cancer cell imaging and photodynamic therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jing; Wang, Shimiao; Mi, Lan; Liu, Jun

2018-07-01

Enhancement of dye fluorescence intensity was studied by modifying the aspect ratio of gold nanobipyramids (AuBPs) from 3.2 to 6.6. The emission fluorescence intensity of sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine (AlPcS) was strongly dependent on the aspect ratio of AuBPs. Furthermore, we found that the energy transfer from excited AlPcS to AuBPs was a key determinant of the efficacy of metal-enhanced fluorescence. By means of AuBPs with a higher aspect ratio, such that the surface plasmon resonance band does not overlap with the energy level of excited AlPcS, metal-enhanced fluorescence of various AlPcS–AuBP conjugates was determined, and the maximal enhancement factor was found to be 14. The enhanced fluorescence intensity of AlPcS conjugated with AuBPs indicates promising plasmonic properties. An apoptosis assay of HeLa cells revealed that AlPcS–AuBPs, when used as a drug, can enhance the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Furthermore, AuBPs with the longitudinal absorption peak wavelength of 1050 nm had optimal proapoptotic effects. HeLa cells treated with AlPcS–AuBPs (ratio 0.42 µM to 0.01 nM) had viability as low as 29.31% after 32 J cm‑2 ultraviolet light exposure, indicating the strong potential of AlPcS–AuBPs to improve the efficacy of PDT.

Bisphenol analogues in surface water and sediment from the shallow Chinese freshwater lakes: Occurrence, distribution, source apportionment, and ecological and human health risk.

PubMed

Yan, Zhengyu; Liu, Yanhua; Yan, Kun; Wu, Shengmin; Han, Zhihua; Guo, Ruixin; Chen, Meihong; Yang, Qiulian; Zhang, Shenghu; Chen, Jianqiu

2017-10-01

Compared to Bisphenol A (BPA), current knowledge on the spatial distribution, potential sources and environmental risk assessment of other bisphenol analogues (BPs) remains limited. The occurrence, distribution and sources of seven BPs were investigated in the surface water and sediment from Taihu Lake and Luoma Lake, which are the Chinese shallow freshwater lakes. Because there are many industries and living areas around Taihu Lake, the total concentrations of ∑BPs were much higher than that in Luoma Lake, which is away from the industry-intensive areas. For the two lakes, BPA was still the dominant BPs in both surface water and sediment, followed by BPF and BPS. The spatial distribution and principal component analysis showed that BPs in Luoma Lake was relatively homogeneous and the potential sources were relatively simple than that in Taihu Lake. The spatial distribution of BPs in sediment of Taihu Lake indicated that ∑BPs positively correlated with the TOC content. For both Taihu Lake and Luoma Lake, the risk assessment at the sampling sites showed that no high risk in surface water and sediment (RQ t  < 1.0, and EEQ t  < 1.0 ng E 2 /L). Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimental and numerical study of hydraulic fracture geometry in shale formations with complex geologic conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Xinfang; Zhou, Tong; Zou, Yushi

2017-05-01

Strike-slip fault geostress and dipping laminated structures in Lujiaping shale formation typically result in difficultly predicting hydraulic fracture (HF) geometries. In this study, a novel 3D fracture propagation model based on discrete element method (DEM) is established. A series of simulations is performed to illustrate the influence of vertical stress difference (△σv = σv-σh), fluid viscosity, and injection rate, on HF growth geometry in the dipping layered formation. Results reveal that the fracturing fluid can easily infiltrate the dipping bedding plane (BP) interfaces with low net pressure for △σv = 1 MPa. HF height growth is also restricted. With increased △σv, fracture propagation in the vertical direction is enhanced, and a fracture network is formed by VF and partially opened dipping BPs. However, it is likely to create simple VF for △σv = 20 MPa. Appropriately increasing fracturing fluid viscosity and injection rate is conductive to weakening the containment effect of BPs on HF growth by increasing the fluid net pressure. However, no indication is found on whether a higher fracturing fluid viscosity is better. Higher viscosity can reduce the activation of BPs, so a stimulated reservoir volume is not necessarily increased. All these results can serve as theoretical guidance for the optimization of fracturing treatments in Lujiaping shale formation.

Integrated AUTODIN System Architecture Report. Part 2.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-03-01

Link Modes Protocols and end-to- end host protocols Codes ASCII, ITA#2 ASCII, Others (Trans- parent to network) Speeds 45 thru 4800 bps 110 bps thru 56K ...service facilities such as AMPEs, subscriber access lines, modems , multiplexers, concentrators, interface development to include software design and...Protocol) CODES - ASCII and ITA#2 (others transparent) SPEEDS - 45.5bps - 56K bps FORMATS - AUTODIN II Segment Formats, JANAP 128, ACP 126/127, DOI 103

Passively Q-switched Tm-doped fiber laser based on concave gold bipyramids assembled quasi-2D saturable absorber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, Jiaxin; Wu, Hanshuo; Wu, Jian; Xu, Jiangming; Xiao, Hu; Leng, Jinyong; Zhou, Pu; Liu, Zejin

2018-07-01

We demonstrated a concave gold bipyramids (CAuBPs) quasi-2D saturable absorbers (SAs) based ~2 μm band fiber laser for the first time. CAuBPs were synthesized by using modified aqueous wet-chemical synthesis method. Through controlling the size and morphology of CAuBPs, the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance peak of CAuBPs based quasi-2D SA is tuned to be ~2 μm. Passively Q-switched lasing of thulium-doped fiber laser is achieved successfully with a maximum average output power of 9.72 mW and ~9% slope efficiency. The minimum pulse width is 4.56 µs at the repetition rate of 20 kHz. Experimental results reveals that CAuBPs could be used as SAs in the 2 µm region, which verifies the saturable absorption properties of CAuBPs.

BPS states in N = 2 supersymmetric G2 and F4 models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahl Laamara, R.; Mellal, O.; Saidi, E. H.

2017-07-01

In BPS quiver theory of N = 2 supersymmetric pure gauge models with gauge invariance G, primitive BPS quivers Q0G are of two types: Q0ADE and Q0BCFG. In this study, we first show that Q0ADE have outer-automorphism symmetries inherited from the outer-automorphisms of the Dynkin diagrams of ADE Lie algebras. Then, we extend the usual folding operation of Dynkin diagrams ADE → BCFG to obtain the two following things: (i) relate Q0BCFG quivers and their mutations to the Q0ADE ones and their mutations; and (ii) link the BPS chambers of the N = 2ADE theories with the corresponding BCFG ones. As an illustration of this construction, we derive the BPS and anti-BPS states of the strong chambers QstgG2 and QstgF4 of the 4d N = 2 pure G2 and F4 gauge models.

Computational Insights into Binding of Bisphosphates to Farnesyl Pyrophosphate Synthase

PubMed Central

Ohno, K; Mori, K; Orita, M; Takeuchi, M

2011-01-01

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are the most widely used and effective treatment for osteoporosis and Paget's disease. Non-nitrogen containing BPs (non-N-BPs), namely etidronate, clodronate, tiludronate, as well as nitrogen-containing BPs (N-BPs), namely pamidronate, alendronate, ibandronate, risedronate, zoledronate and minodronate have been launched on the market to date. N-BPs act by inhibiting the enzyme farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPPS), and several crystal structures of complexes between FPPS and N-BPs have been revealed. Understanding the physical basis of the binding between protein and small molecules is an important goal in both medicinal chemistry and structural biology. In this review, we analyze in detail the energetic basis of molecular recognition between FPPS and N-BPs. First, we summarize the interactions between ligands and proteins observed in N-BPs-FPPS complexes in the Protein Data Bank (PDB). Second, we present an interaction energy analysis on the basis of full quantum mechanical calculation of FPPS and N-BP complexes using the fragment molecular orbital (FMO) method. The FMO result revealed that not only hydrogen bond and electrostatic interaction but also CH-O and π-π interaction with FPPS are important for N-BP’s potency. Third, we describe a binding site analysis of FPPS on the basis of the inhomogeneous solvation theory which, by clustering the results from an explicit solvent molecular dynamics simulation (MD), is capable of describing the entropic and enthalpic contributions to the free energies of individual hydration sites. Finally, we also discuss the structure-activity relationship (SAR) of the series of minodronate derivatives. PMID:21110804

Throttling Tor Bandwidth Parasites

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-09-23

this section, “ vanilla ” rep- resents unmodified Tor using a round-robin circuit scheduler and no throttling and can be used to compare results...and valid between 03:00:00 and 06:00:00. 7 0 5 10 15 20 Web Time to First Byte (s) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Cu m ul at iv e Fr ac tio n vanilla 5...KiBps 50 KiBps 300 KiBps (a) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Web Download Time (s) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 Cu m ul at iv e Fr ac tio n vanilla 5 KiBps 50 KiBps 300

The BPS spectrum of the 4d {N}=2 SCFT's H 1, H 2, D 4, E 6, E 7, E 8

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cecotti, Sergio; Del Zotto, Michele

2013-06-01

Extending results of 1112.3984, we show that all rank 1 {N}=2 SCFT's in the sequence H 1, H 2, D 4 E 6, E 7, E 8 have canonical finite BPS chambers containing precisely 2 h(F) = 12(∆ - 1) hypermultiplets. The BPS spectrum of the canonical BPS chambers saturates the conformal central charge c, and satisfies some intriguing numerology.

Gestational bisphenol S impairs placental endocrine function and the fusogenic trophoblast signaling pathway.

PubMed

Gingrich, Jeremy; Pu, Yong; Roberts, Jennifer; Karthikraj, Rajendiran; Kannan, Kurunthachalam; Ehrhardt, Richard; Veiga-Lopez, Almudena

2018-05-01

Exposure to bisphenolic chemicals during pregnancy occurs in > 90% of pregnancies. Bisphenolic compounds can cross the placental barrier reaching fetal circulation. However, the effects of emerging bisphenolic compounds, such as bisphenol S (BPS), on placental function remain untested. The aim was to determine if bisphenol A (BPA) or BPS, at an environmentally relevant dose, impairs placental function. Pregnant sheep were randomly distributed into three treatment groups (n = 7-8/group): control, BPA, and BPS. All animals received daily injections of corn oil (control), BPA, or BPS (0.5 mg/kg; s.c.; internal fetal doses were ~ 2.6 ng/mL unconjugated BPA and ~ 7.7 ng/mL of BPS) from gestational day 30-100. After a 20-day washout period, placentas were weighed and placentomes collected. Placental endocrine function was assessed on biweekly maternal blood samples. Gestational exposure to BPS, but not BPA, reduced maternal circulating pregnancy-associated glycoproteins without change in placental weight or placental stereology. BPS-exposed placentas had 50% lower e-cadherin protein expression, ~ 20% fewer binucleate cells, and ~ threefold higher glial cell missing-1 protein expression. BPA placentas were not affected highlighting the intrinsic differences among bisphenolic chemicals. This is the first study to demonstrate that gestational BPS can result in placental endocrine dysfunction and points to a dysregulation in the fusogenic trophoblast signaling pathway.

Role of home blood pressure monitoring in hemodialysis patients.

PubMed

Agarwal, R

1999-04-01

To investigate the use of manual home blood pressure (BP) monitoring in chronic hemodialysis patients, daily home BPs in 20 patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis were compared with the 44-hour interdialytic ambulatory BPs (ABPs). Each patient recorded home BPs for 2 consecutive weeks with a digital BP monitor three times daily. Prehemodialysis and posthemodialysis BPs were recorded by an oscillometric device in the hemodialysis unit during the same 2 weeks. ABPs were recorded either after the first or second hemodialysis session of the second week during a 44-hour interdialytic period using a Spacelab 90207 ABP monitor. ABP monitoring showed that BP decreased progressively after dialysis, decreased during the first night, and rapidly reached predialysis levels by the next morning. There was no decrease in BP during the second night. There was an excellent correlation between average systolic and diastolic ABP and respective home BPs. Prehemodialysis diastolic BPs were a good reflection of diastolic ABP, but there was more variability in predialysis systolic BP. Posthemodialysis BPs did not correlate with ABP. In patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis, home BPs more reliably reflected the overall BP than incenter BP readings. Predialysis, but not postdialysis, BP should be used as a screening tool to detect hypertension in the hemodialysis unit. Home BP monitoring should be used as a cost-effective means to diagnose occult hypertension in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Emission of bisphenol analogues including bisphenol A and bisphenol F from wastewater treatment plants in Korea.

PubMed

Lee, Sunggyu; Liao, Chunyang; Song, Geum-Ju; Ra, Kongtae; Kannan, Kurunthachalam; Moon, Hyo-Bang

2015-01-01

Due to the regulation on bisphenol A (BPA) in several industrialized countries, the demand for other bisphenol analogues (BPs) as substitutes for BPA is growing. Eight BPs were determined in sludge from 40 representative wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Korea. Total concentrations of BPs (ΣBP) in sludge ranged from

Bisphenol s, a new bisphenol analogue, in paper products and currency bills and its association with bisphenol a residues.

PubMed

Liao, Chunyang; Liu, Fang; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2012-06-19

As the evidence of the toxic effects of bisphenol A (BPA) grows, its application in commercial products is gradually being replaced with other related compounds, such as bisphenol S (BPS). Nevertheless, very little is known about the occurrence of BPS in the environment. In this study, BPS was analyzed in 16 types of paper and paper products (n = 268), including thermal receipts, paper currencies, flyers, magazines, newspapers, food contact papers, airplane luggage tags, printing paper, kitchen rolls (i.e., paper towels), and toilet paper. All thermal receipt paper samples (n = 111) contained BPS at concentrations ranging from 0.0000138 to 22.0 mg/g (geometric mean: 0.181 mg/g). The overall mean concentrations of BPS in thermal receipt papers were similar to the concentrations reported earlier for BPA in the same set of samples. A significant negative correlation existed between BPS and BPA concentrations in thermal receipt paper samples (r = -0.55, p < 0.0001). BPS was detected in 87% of currency bill samples (n = 52) from 21 countries, at concentrations ranging from below the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 6.26 μg/g (geometric mean: 0.029 μg/g). BPS also was found in 14 other paper product types (n = 105), at concentrations ranging from 88%). To our knowledge, this is the first report on the occurrence of BPS in paper products and currency bills.

Somatoform disorder as a predictor of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: Evidence from a nested case-control study and a retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Chen, I-Chun; Lee, Ming-Huei; Lin, Hsuan-Hung; Wu, Shang-Liang; Chang, Kun-Min; Lin, Hsiu-Ying

2017-05-01

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) has several well-known comorbid psychiatric manifestations, including insomnia, anxiety, and depression. We hypothesized that somatoform disorder, which is a psychosomatic disease, can be used as a sensitive psychiatric phenotype of IC/BPS. We investigated whether somatoform disorder increases the risk of IC/BPS.A nested case-control study and a retrospective cohort study were followed up over a 12-year period (2002-2013) in the Taiwan Health Insurance Reimbursement Database. In the nested case-control study, 1612 patients with IC/BPS were matched in a 1:2 ratio to 3224 controls based on propensity scores. The odds ratio for somatoform disorder was calculated using conditional logistic regression analysis. In the retrospective cohort study, 1436 patients with somatoform disorder were matched in a 1:2 ratio to 2872 patients with nonsomatoform disorder based on propensity scores. Cox regression analysis was used to estimate the hazard ratio associated with the development of IC/BPS in patients with somatoform disorder, and the cumulative survival probability was tested using the Kaplan-Meier analysis.We found that the odds ratio for somatoform disorder was 2.46 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-5.76). Although the average time until IC/BPS development in the control subjects was 11.5 ± 1.3 years, this interval was shorter in patients with somatoform disorder (6.3 ± 3.6 years). The hazard ratio for developing IC/BPS was 2.50 (95% CI 1.23-5.58); the adjusted hazard ratio was 2.26 (95% CI 1.002-5.007). The patients and controls also differed significantly in their cumulative survival probability for IC/BPS (log rank P < .05).Evidence from the nested case-control study and retrospective cohort study consistently indicated that somatoform disorder increases the risk for IC/BPS. Our study suggests that somatoform disorder can be used as a sensitive psychiatric phenotype to predict IC/BPS. Any past history of somatoform disorder should be documented while examining patients with IC/BPS.

Correlation Between Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

PubMed Central

Chung, Shiu-Dong; Chang, Chao-Hsiang; Hung, Peir-Haur; Chung, Chi-Jung; Muo, Chih-Hsin; Huang, Chao-Yuan

2015-01-01

Abstract Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) has been investigated in Western countries and identified to be associated with chronic pelvic pain and inflammation. Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is a complex syndrome that is significantly more prevalent in women than in men. Chronic pelvic pain is a main symptom of BPS/IC, and chronic inflammation is a major etiology of BPS/IC. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between BPS/IC and PID using a population-based dataset. We constructed a case–control study from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program. The case cohort comprised 449 patients with BPS/IC, and 1796 randomly selected subjects (about 1:4 matching) were used as controls. A Multivariate logistic regression model was constructed to estimate the association between BPS/IC and PID. Of the 2245 sampled subjects, a significant difference was observed in the prevalence of PID between BPS/IC cases and controls (41.7% vs 15.4%, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio (OR) for PID among cases was 3.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.89–4.71). Furthermore, the ORs for PID among BPS/IC cases were 4.52 (95% CI: 2.55–8.01), 4.31 (95% CI: 2.91–6.38), 3.00 (95% CI: 1.82–4.94), and 5.35 (95% CI: 1.88–15.20) in the <35, 35–49, 50–64, and >65 years age groups, respectively, after adjusting for geographic region, irritable bowel syndrome, and hypertension. Joint effect was also noted, specifically when patients had both PID and irritable bowel disease with OR of 10.5 (95% CI: 4.88–22.50). This study demonstrated a correlation between PID and BPS/IC. Clinicians treating women with PID should be alert to BPS/IC-related symptoms in the population. PMID:26579800

Combining fragment homology modeling with molecular dynamics aims at prediction of Ca2+ binding sites in CaBPs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pang, ChunLi; Cao, TianGuang; Li, JunWei; Jia, MengWen; Zhang, SuHua; Ren, ShuXi; An, HaiLong; Zhan, Yong

2013-08-01

The family of calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs) consists of dozens of members and contributes to all aspects of the cell's function, from homeostasis to learning and memory. However, the Ca2+-binding mechanism is still unclear for most of CaBPs. To identify the Ca2+-binding sites of CaBPs, this study presented a computational approach which combined the fragment homology modeling with molecular dynamics simulation. For validation, we performed a two-step strategy as follows: first, the approach is used to identify the Ca2+-binding sites of CaBPs, which have the EF-hand Ca2+-binding site and the detailed binding mechanism. To accomplish this, eighteen crystal structures of CaBPs with 49 Ca2+-binding sites are selected to be analyzed including calmodulin. The computational method identified 43 from 49 Ca2+-binding sites. Second, we performed the approach to large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels which don't have clear Ca2+-binding mechanism. The simulated results are consistent with the experimental data. The computational approach may shed some light on the identification of Ca2+-binding sites in CaBPs.

Carroll limit of non-BPS Dp-brane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klusoň, J.

2017-05-01

We find Carroll non-BPS Dp-brane action by performing Carroll limit of a canonical form of unstable Dp-brane action. We analyze different Carroll limits and discuss solutions of the equations of motion of Carroll non-BPS Dp-brane at the tachyon vacuum.

Spatial distribution of bisphenol S in surface water and human serum from Yangtze River watershed, China: Implications for exposure through drinking water.

PubMed

Wan, Yanjian; Xia, Wei; Yang, Shunyi; Pan, Xinyun; He, Zhenyu; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2018-05-01

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an emerging environmental contaminant. The occurrence of this compound in humans and the environment is not well described. In this study, 120 surface water samples and 240 human serum samples were collected along the Yangtze River in 2015 for the determination of the occurrence of BPS. Surface water and human serum samples were extracted by solid phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction, respectively, and analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). BPS was detected in all river water samples at concentrations that ranged from 0.18 to 14.9 ng/L (median: 0.98 ng/L), with higher concentrations in spring than summer. The median estimated daily intake (EDI) of BPS through water ingestion by infants in spring and summer was 0.12 and 0.06 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day, respectively. BPS was detected in human serum with the highest concentrations in samples from Nanjing (median: 0.65 ng/mL, maximum: 169 ng/mL) among the four cities studied. No significant gender related difference in BPS concentrations was observed in human sera, while higher concentrations were found in younger individuals than elderly. The EDI of BPS calculated based on serum concentrations of adults in Nanjing was 22.8 ng/kg bw/day. Ingestion of water accounted for <1% of the total BPS intake by the Chinese population. This is the first report of the occurrence of BPS in water from the Yangtze River and human serum from several cities located along this river in China. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhanced urothelial expression of human chorionic gonadotropin beta (hCGβ) in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).

PubMed

Schwalenberg, Thilo; Stolzenburg, Jens-Uwe; Ho, Thi Phuc; Mallock, Tobias; Hartenstein, Siegurd; Alexander, Henry; Zimmermann, Gerolf; Hohenfellner, Rudolf; Denzinger, Stefan; Burger, Maximilian; Horn, Lars-Christian; Neuhaus, Jochen

2012-06-01

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is associated with urothelial lesions. Pathomechanisms of urothelial damage and factors for urothelial restoration are unknown. hCG is a factor for cellular differentiation, angiogenesis and immune competence of the endometrium during pregnancy. Clinical observations demonstrate improvement of BPS/IC symptoms during pregnancy or during infertility treatment with hCG. Our research aims were to examine the expression of hCG and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in the urothelium of BPS/IC patients and compare the levels of hCGβ with healthy controls. Bladder biopsies of BPS/IC (CLSM: n = 10; qPCR: n = 15); Tumour-free control tissue from cystectomies (n = 12). hCGα, hCGβ and LHR expression were examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and hCGβ expression was quantified. hCGβ5 and hCGβ7 mRNA splice variants were quantified in real-time polymerase chain reaction. We found constitutive expression of hCGα, hCGβ and LHR in healthy controls. HCGβ was significantly upregulated in BPS/IC patients in CLSM. PCR analysis revealed higher levels of hCGβ7 than hCGβ5 in controls and BPS/IC patients. The constitutive expression of hCG and LHR speaks in favour for a functional signalling in urothelial cells without any association with either pregnancy or tumour. We show for the first time that hCGβ is upregulated in BPS/IC urothelium and that hCGβ7 is the dominant splice variant in those cells. Our findings imply a major role of hCG for urothelial integrity and a disturbance of hCG signalling in case of BPS/IC. We conclude that hCG could gain therapeutical relevance in the future.

Bisphenol S exposure impairs glucose homeostasis in male zebrafish (Danio rerio).

PubMed

Zhao, Fei; Jiang, Guobin; Wei, Penghao; Wang, Hongfang; Ru, Shaoguo

2018-01-01

Bisphenol S (BPS) is a substitute of the plastic additive bisphenol A (BPA). Its concentrations detected in surface waters and urine samples are on the same order of magnitude as BPA. Human exposure to BPA has been implicated in the development of diabetes mellitus; however, whether BPS can disrupt glucose homeostasis and increase blood glucose concentration remains unclear. We extensively investigated the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of BPS on glucose metabolism in male zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the underlying mechanisms of these effects. Male zebrafish were exposed to 1, 10, or 100μg/L of BPS for 28 d. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glycogen levels in the liver and muscle, and mRNA levels of key glucose metabolic enzymes and the activities of the encoded proteins in tissues were evaluated to assess the effect of BPS on glucose metabolism. Plasma insulin levels and expression of preproinsulin and glucagon genes in the visceral tissue were also evaluated. Compared with the control group, exposure to 1 and 10μg/L of BPS significantly increased FBG levels but decreased insulin levels. Gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis in the liver were promoted, and glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscle and glycolysis in the muscle were inhibited. Exposure to 100μg/L of BPS did not significantly alter plasma insulin and blood glucose levels, but nonetheless pronouncedly interfered with gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, glycolysis, and glycogen synthesis. Our data indicates that BPS at environmentally relevant concentrations impairs glucose homeostasis of male zebrafish possibly by hampering the physiological effect of insulin; higher BPS doses also pronouncedly interfered with glucose metabolism. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

BPS sectors of the Skyrme model and their non-BPS extensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, C.; Foster, D.; Krusch, S.; Wereszczynski, A.

2018-02-01

Two recently found coupled Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) submodels of the Skyrme model are further analyzed. First, we provide a geometrical formulation of the submodels in terms of the eigenvalues of the strain tensor. Second, we study their thermodynamical properties and show that the mean-field equations of state coincide at high pressure and read p =ρ ¯/3 . We also provide evidence that matter described by the first BPS submodel has some similarity with a Bose-Einstein condensate. Moreover, we show that extending the second submodel to a non-BPS model by including certain additional terms of the full Skyrme model does not spoil the respective ansatz, leading to an ordinary differential equation for the profile of the Skymion, for any value of the topological charge. This allows for an almost analytical description of the properties of Skyrmions in this model. In particular, we analytically study the breaking and restoration of the BPS property. Finally, we provide an explanation of the success of the rational map ansatz.

New Aspects in the Differential Diagnosis and Therapy of Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis

PubMed Central

Neuhaus, Jochen; Schwalenberg, Thilo; Horn, Lars-Christian; Alexander, Henry; Stolzenburg, Jens-Uwe

2011-01-01

Diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is presently based on mainly clinical symptoms. BPS/IC can be considered as a worst-case scenario of bladder overactivity of unknown origin, including bladder pain. Usually, patients are partially or completely resistant to anticholinergic therapy, and therapeutical options are especially restricted in case of BPS/IC. Therefore, early detection of patients prone to develop BPS/IC symptoms is essential for successful therapy. We propose extended diagnostics including molecular markers. Differential diagnosis should be based on three diagnostical “columns”: (i) clinical diagnostics, (ii) histopathology, and (iii) molecular diagnostics. Analysis of molecular alterations of receptor expression in detrusor smooth muscle cells and urothelial integrity is necessary to develop patient-tailored therapeutical concepts. Although more research is needed to elucidate the pathomechanisms involved, extended BPS/IC diagnostics could already be integrated into routine patient care, allowing evidence-based pharmacotherapy of patients with idiopathic bladder overactivity and BPS/IC. PMID:22028706

New aspects in the differential diagnosis and therapy of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

PubMed

Neuhaus, Jochen; Schwalenberg, Thilo; Horn, Lars-Christian; Alexander, Henry; Stolzenburg, Jens-Uwe

2011-01-01

Diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is presently based on mainly clinical symptoms. BPS/IC can be considered as a worst-case scenario of bladder overactivity of unknown origin, including bladder pain. Usually, patients are partially or completely resistant to anticholinergic therapy, and therapeutical options are especially restricted in case of BPS/IC. Therefore, early detection of patients prone to develop BPS/IC symptoms is essential for successful therapy. We propose extended diagnostics including molecular markers. Differential diagnosis should be based on three diagnostical "columns": (i) clinical diagnostics, (ii) histopathology, and (iii) molecular diagnostics. Analysis of molecular alterations of receptor expression in detrusor smooth muscle cells and urothelial integrity is necessary to develop patient-tailored therapeutical concepts. Although more research is needed to elucidate the pathomechanisms involved, extended BPS/IC diagnostics could already be integrated into routine patient care, allowing evidence-based pharmacotherapy of patients with idiopathic bladder overactivity and BPS/IC.

Studies of Isolated and Non-isolated Photospheric Bright Points in an Active Region Observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Yanxiao; Xiang, Yongyuan; Erdélyi, Robertus; Liu, Zhong; Li, Dong; Ning, Zongjun; Bi, Yi; Wu, Ning; Lin, Jun

2018-03-01

Properties of photospheric bright points (BPs) near an active region have been studied in TiO λ 7058 Å images observed by the New Vacuum Solar Telescope of the Yunnan Observatories. We developed a novel recognition method that was used to identify and track 2010 BPs. The observed evolving BPs are classified into isolated (individual) and non-isolated (where multiple BPs are observed to display splitting and merging behaviors) sets. About 35.1% of BPs are non-isolated. For both isolated and non-isolated BPs, the brightness varies from 0.8 to 1.3 times the average background intensity and follows a Gaussian distribution. The lifetimes of BPs follow a log-normal distribution, with characteristic lifetimes of (267 ± 140) s and (421 ± 255) s, respectively. Their size also follows log-normal distribution, with an average size of about (2.15 ± 0.74) × 104 km2 and (3.00 ± 1.31) × 104 km2 for area, and (163 ± 27) km and (191 ± 40) km for diameter, respectively. Our results indicate that regions with strong background magnetic field have higher BP number density and higher BP area coverage than regions with weak background field. Apparently, the brightness/size of BPs does not depend on the background field. Lifetimes in regions with strong background magnetic field are shorter than those in regions with weak background field, on average.

Bisphenol S impairs blood functions and induces cardiovascular risks in rats.

PubMed

Pal, Sanghamitra; Sarkar, Kaushik; Nath, Partha Pratim; Mondal, Mukti; Khatun, Ashma; Paul, Goutam

2017-01-01

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an industrial chemical which is recently used to replace the potentially toxic Bisphenol A (BPA) in making polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins and thermal receipt papers. The probable toxic effects of BPS on the functions of haemopoietic and cardiovascular systems have not been reported till to date. We report here that BPS depresses haematological functions and induces cardiovascular risks in rat. Adult male albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were given BPS at a dose level of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg BW/day respectively for 30 days. Red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, Hb concentration, and clotting time have been shown to be significantly (*P < 0.05) reduced in a dose dependent manner in all exposed groups of rats comparing to the control. It has also been shown that BPS increases total serum glucose and protein concentration in the exposed groups of rats. We have observed that BPS increases serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, glycerol free triglyceride, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentration, whereas high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration has been found to be reduced in the exposed groups. BPS significantly increases serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities dose dependently. Moreover, serum calcium, bilirubin and urea concentration have been observed to be increased in all exposed groups. In conclusion, BPS probably impairs the functions of blood and promotes cardiovascular risks in rats.

Forearm and upper-arm oscillometric blood pressure comparison in acutely ill adults.

PubMed

Schell, Kathleen; Morse, Kate; Waterhouse, Julie K

2010-04-01

When patients' upper arms are not accessible and/or when cuffs do not fit large upper arms, the forearm site is often used for blood pressure (BP) measurement. The purpose of this study is to compare forearm and upper-arm BPs in 70 acutely ill adults, admitted to a community hospital's 14-bed ICU. Using Philips oscillometric monitors, three repeated measures of forearm and upper-arm BPs are obtained with head of bed flat and with head of bed elevated at 30 degrees. Arms are resting on the bed. Paired t tests show statistically significant differences in systolic BPs, diastolic BPs, and mean arterial pressures in the supine and head-elevated positions. Bland-Altman analyses indicate that forearm and upper-arm oscillometric BPs are not interchangeable in acutely ill adults.

An evidence-based patient-centered method makes the biopsychosocial model scientific.

PubMed

Smith, Robert C; Fortin, Auguste H; Dwamena, Francesca; Frankel, Richard M

2013-06-01

To review the scientific status of the biopsychosocial (BPS) model and to propose a way to improve it. Engel's BPS model added patients' psychological and social health concerns to the highly successful biomedical model. He proposed that the BPS model could make medicine more scientific, but its use in education, clinical care, and, especially, research remains minimal. Many aver correctly that the present model cannot be defined in a consistent way for the individual patient, making it untestable and non-scientific. This stems from not obtaining relevant BPS data systematically, where one interviewer obtains the same information another would. Recent research by two of the authors has produced similar patient-centered interviewing methods that are repeatable and elicit just the relevant patient information needed to define the model at each visit. We propose that the field adopt these evidence-based methods as the standard for identifying the BPS model. Identifying a scientific BPS model in each patient with an agreed-upon, evidence-based patient-centered interviewing method can produce a quantum leap ahead in both research and teaching. A scientific BPS model can give us more confidence in being humanistic. In research, we can conduct more rigorous studies to inform better practices. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phenothiazinium based photosensitisers--photodynamic agents with a multiplicity of cellular targets and clinical applications.

PubMed

Harris, F; Chatfield, L K; Phoenix, D A

2005-08-01

PhBPs show selectivity for tumour and microbial cells, which appears to be based on electrostatic interactions between the positive charge generally carried by these molecules and the negative charge found on the outer surface of these target cells. In some cases, a site of action for photoactivated PhBPs is the outer membrane/envelope of the target cell. Such action can involve the modification of membrane lipid and/or lipopolysaccharide, and the inactivation of essential proteins and enzymes, with these effects usually leading to cell lysis and death. However, more often, PhBPs are internalised by target cells, promoted by a variety of factors, including low pH and enzymatic reduction, and upon photoactivation, internalised, PhBPs are able to inflict damage on a number of intracellular targets. In tumour cells, PhBPs can photodamage DNA and the membranes of organelles, thereby inducing necrosis and/or apoptosis. In bacterial cells, whilst DNA is generally a primary target of PhBPs, these compounds can exhibit multiple sites of action within a given cell and show different sites of action between different bacterial species. This variable targeting makes PhBPs attractive propositions as alternatives to conventional antibiotics in that the emergence of bacterial strains with acquired resistance to these compounds appears to be highly unlikely.

Estimates of chemical compaction and maximum burial depth from bedding parallel stylolites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasparrini, Marta; Beaudoin, Nicolas; Lacombe, Olivier; David, Marie-Eleonore; Youssef, Souhail; Koehn, Daniel

2017-04-01

Chemical compaction is a diagenetic process affecting sedimentary series during burial that develops rough dissolution surfaces named Bedding Parallel Stylolites (BPS). BPS are related to the dissolution of important rock volumes and can lead to porosity reduction around them due to post-dissolution cementation. Our understanding of the effect of chemical compaction on rock volume and porosity evolution during basin burial is however too tight yet to be fully taken into account in basin models and thermal or fluid-flow simulations. This contribution presents a novel and multidisciplinary approach to quantify chemical compaction and to estimate maximum paleodepth of burial, applied to the Dogger carbonate reservoirs from the Paris Basin sub-surface. This succession experienced a relatively simple burial history (nearly continuous burial from Upper Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous, followed by a main uplift phase), and mainly underwent normal overburden (inducing development of BPS), escaping major tectonic stress episodes. We considered one core from the depocentre and one from the eastern margin of the basin in the same stratigraphic interval (Bathonian Sup. - Callovian Inf.; restricted lagoonal setting), and analysed the macro- and micro-facies to distinguish five main depositional environments. Type and abundance of BPS were continuously recorded along the logs and treated statistically to obtain preliminary rules relying the occurrence of the BPS as a function of the contrasting facies and burial histories. The treatment of high resolution 2D images allowed the identification and separation of the BPS to evaluate total stylolitization density and insoluble thickness as an indirect measure of the dissolved volume, with respect to the morphology of the BPS considered. Based on the morphology of the BPS roughness, we used roughness signal analysis method to reconstruct the vertical paleo-stress (paleo-depth) recorded by the BPS during chemical compaction. The comparison between amount of compaction and dissolved volume as a function of the macro- and micro-facies, as well as estimates of maximum paleodepth of burial, deepen our knowledge of the factors controlling BPS development, the total thickness of carbonate dissolved and the occurrence of induced cementation in sedimentary basins.

A mechanistic study of the interaction of water-soluble borate glass with apatite-bound heterocyclic nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates.

PubMed

Pramanik, Chandrani; Sood, Parveen; Niu, Li-Na; Yuan, He; Ghoshal, Sushanta; Henderson, Walter; Liu, Yaodong; Jang, Seung Soon; Kumar, Satish; Pashley, David H; Tay, Franklin R

2016-02-01

Long-term oral and intravenous use of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) is associated with osteonecrosis of the jaw. Although N-BPs bind strongly to bone surfaces via non-covalent bonds, it is possible for extrinsic ions to dissociate bound N-BPs from mineralized bone by competitive desorption. Here, we investigate the effects and mechanism of using an ionic cocktail derived from borate bioactive glass for sequestration of heterocyclic N-BPs bound to apatite. By employing solid-state and solution-state analytical techniques, we confirmed that sequestration of N-BPs from bisphosphonate-bound apatite occurs in the presence of the borate-containing ionic cocktail. Simulations by density functional theory computations indicate that magnesium cation and borate anion are well within the extent of the risedronate or zoledronate anion to form precipitate complexes. The sequestration mechanism is due to the borate anion competing with bisphosphonates for similar electron-deficient sites on the apatite surface for binding. Thus, application of the borate-containing ionic cocktail represents a new topical lavage approach for removing apatite-bound heterocyclic N-BPs from exposed necrotic bone in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. Long-term oral consumption and injections of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) may result in death of the jaw bone when there is traumatic injury to the bone tissues. To date, there is no effective treatment for such a condition. This work reported the use of an ionic cocktail derived from water-soluble borate glass microfibers to displace the most potent type of N-BPs that are bound strongly to the mineral component on bone surfaces. The mechanism responsible for such an effect has been identified to be cation-mediated complexation of borate anions with negatively-charged N-BPs, allowing them to be released from the mineral surface. This borate-containing cocktail may be developed into a novel topical rinse for removing mineral-bound N-BPs from exposed dead bone. Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mesoscale martensitic transformation in single crystals of topological defects

PubMed Central

Martínez-González, José A.; Ramírez-Hernández, Abelardo; Zhou, Ye; Sadati, Monirosadat; Zhang, Rui; Nealey, Paul F.; de Pablo, Juan J.

2017-01-01

Liquid-crystal blue phases (BPs) are highly ordered at two levels. Molecules exhibit orientational order at nanometer length scales, while chirality leads to ordered arrays of double-twisted cylinders over micrometer scales. Past studies of polycrystalline BPs were challenged by the existence of grain boundaries between randomly oriented crystalline nanodomains. Here, the nucleation of BPs is controlled with precision by relying on chemically nanopatterned surfaces, leading to macroscopic single-crystal BP specimens where the dynamics of mesocrystal formation can be directly observed. Theory and experiments show that transitions between two BPs having a different network structure proceed through local reorganization of the crystalline array, without diffusion of the double-twisted cylinders. In solid crystals, martensitic transformations between crystal structures involve the concerted motion of a few atoms, without diffusion. The transformation between BPs, where crystal features arise in the submicron regime, is found to be martensitic in nature when one considers the collective behavior of the double-twist cylinders. Single-crystal BPs are shown to offer fertile grounds for the study of directed crystal nucleation and the controlled growth of soft matter. PMID:28874557

RIM-BPs Mediate Tight Coupling of Action Potentials to Ca(2+)-Triggered Neurotransmitter Release.

PubMed

Acuna, Claudio; Liu, Xinran; Gonzalez, Aneysis; Südhof, Thomas C

2015-09-23

Ultrafast neurotransmitter release requires tight colocalization of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels with primed, release-ready synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic active zone. RIM-binding proteins (RIM-BPs) are multidomain active zone proteins that bind to RIMs and to Ca(2+) channels. In Drosophila, deletion of RIM-BPs dramatically reduces neurotransmitter release, but little is known about RIM-BP function in mammalian synapses. Here, we generated double conditional knockout mice for RIM-BP1 and RIM-BP2, and analyzed RIM-BP-deficient synapses in cultured hippocampal neurons and the calyx of Held. Surprisingly, we find that in murine synapses, RIM-BPs are not essential for neurotransmitter release as such, but are selectively required for high-fidelity coupling of action potential-induced Ca(2+) influx to Ca(2+)-stimulated synaptic vesicle exocytosis. Deletion of RIM-BPs decelerated action-potential-triggered neurotransmitter release and rendered it unreliable, thereby impairing the fidelity of synaptic transmission. Thus, RIM-BPs ensure optimal organization of the machinery for fast release in mammalian synapses without being a central component of the machinery itself. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Solid cation exchange phase to remove interfering anthocyanins in the analysis of other bioactive phenols in red wine.

PubMed

da Silva, Letícia Flores; Guerra, Celito Crivellaro; Klein, Diandra; Bergold, Ana Maria

2017-07-15

Bioactive phenols (BPs) are often targets in red wine analysis. However, other compounds interfere in the liquid chromatography methods used for this analysis. Here, purification procedures were tested to eliminate anthocyanin interference during the determination of 19 red-wine BPs. Liquid chromatography, coupled to a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and a mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS), was used to compare the direct injection of the samples with solid-phase extractions: reversed-phase (C18) and strong cation-exchange (SCX). The HPLC-DAD method revealed that, out of 13BPs, only six are selectively analyzed with or without C18 treatment, whereas SCX enabled the detection of all BPs. The recovery with SCX was above 86.6% for eight BPs. Moreover, UPLC-MS demonstrated the potential of SCX sample preparation for the determination of 19BPs. The developed procedure may be extended to the analysis of other red wine molecules or to other analytical methods where anthocyanins may interfere. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On-farm biopurification systems: role of white rot fungi in depuration of pesticide-containing wastewaters.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Carlos E; Castro-Gutiérrez, Víctor; Chin-Pampillo, Juan Salvador; Ruiz-Hidalgo, Karla

2013-08-01

Environmental contamination with pesticides is an undesired consequence of agricultural activities. Biopurification systems (BPS) comprise a novel strategy to degrade pesticides from contaminated wastewaters, consisting of a highly active biological mixture confined in a container or excavation. The design of BPS promotes microbial activity, in particular by white rot fungi (WRF). Due to their physiological features, specifically the production of highly unspecific ligninolytic enzymes and some intracellular enzymatic complexes, WRF show the ability to transform a wide range of organic pollutants. This minireview summarizes the potential participation of WRF in BPS. The first part presents the potential use of WRF in biodegradation of pollutants, particularly pesticides, and includes a brief description of the enzymatic systems involved in their oxidation. The second part presents an outline of BPS, focusing on the elements that influence the participation of WRF in their operation, and includes a summary of the studies regarding the fungal-mediated degradation of pesticides in BPS biomixtures and other solid-phase systems that mimic BPS. © 2013 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.

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

Li, Xiao; Martínez-González, José A.; Hernández-Ortiz, Juan P.

Liquid crystal blue phases (BPs) are highly ordered at two levels. Molecules exhibit orientational order at nanometer length scales, while chirality leads to ordered arrays of doubletwisted cylinders over micrometer scales. Past studies of polycrystalline BPs were challenged by grain boundaries between randomly oriented crystalline nanodomains. Here, the nucleation of BPs is controlled with considerable precision by relying on chemically nano-patterned surfaces, leading to macroscopic single-crystal BP specimens where the dynamics of meso-crystal formation can be directly observed. Theory and experiments show that transitions between two BPs having a different network structure proceed through local re-organization of the crystalline array,more » without diffusion of the double twisted cylinders. In solid crystals, martensitic transformations between crystal structures involve the concerted motion of a few atoms, without diffusion. The transformation between BPs, where crystal features arise in the sub-micron regime, is found to be martensitic in nature, with the diffusion-less feature associated to the collective behavior of the double twist cylinders. Single-crystal BPs are shown to offer fertile grounds for the study of directed crystal-nucleation and the controlled growth of soft matter.« less

Bisphosphonates as potential adjuvants for patients with cancers of the digestive system.

PubMed

Ang, Celina; Doyle, Erin; Branch, Andrea

2016-01-21

Best known for their anti-resorptive activity in bone, bisphosphonates (BPs) have generated interest as potential antineoplastic agents given their pleiotropic biological effects which include antiproliferative, antiangiogenic and immune-modulating properties. Clinical studies in multiple malignancies suggest that BPs may be active in the prevention or treatment of cancer. Digestive tract malignancies represent a large and heterogeneous disease group, and the activity of BPs in these cancers has not been extensively studied. Recent data showing that some BPs inhibit human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) signaling highlight a potential therapeutic opportunity in digestive cancers, many of which have alterations in the HER axis. Herein, we review the available evidence providing a rationale for the repurposing of BPs as a therapeutic adjunct in the treatment of digestive malignancies, especially in HER-driven subgroups.

Characterization of backyard poultry production systems and disease risk in the central zone of Chile.

PubMed

Hamilton-West, C; Rojas, H; Pinto, J; Orozco, J; Hervé-Claude, L P; Urcelay, S

2012-08-01

Backyard poultry production systems (BPS) are an important and widespread form of poultry production. There is a common perception that biosecurity standards in BPS are generally poor and BPS are usually associated with animal diseases and zoonoses. In this study BPS were identified in the vicinity of six wetlands, having these a higher risk of presenting and introducing avian diseases such as HPAI and Newcastle disease, as defined by the national veterinary services, in to Chile's main poultry production area. BPS were characterized through a field questionnaire and the main areas covered by the survey were BPS structure, biosecurity and value chain. The BPS identified in this study share most characteristics on biosecurity, poultry management and product commercialization, but it was possible to identify a certain degree of variation within and among the study sites. BPS in Chile are similar to those in other regions, with a relatively small flock size (average 37 birds), a low level of biosecurity measures and lack of poultry disease management. Management findings include that most farmers used mixed/partial confinement, with low or no biosecurity and disease control measures in place. Eggs were the main output and were used mainly for home consumption or sale at local markets. Sick birds' treatment with drugs approved for other species or for human use could represent a risk to human health, owing to the possible presence of drug residues in poultry products. Despite the different structures of the poultry sector worldwide, BPS can play a major role in disease maintenance and spread because its management conditions characteristics and the lack of animal health services adapted to these production systems. This should be an alert message to the veterinary authorities to improve coverage of veterinary assistance and surveillance activities in backyard poultry production. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Elevated Urine Levels of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Inflammatory Bladder Conditions: A Potential Biomarker for a Subgroup of Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome Patients.

PubMed

Vera, Pedro L; Preston, David M; Moldwin, Robert M; Erickson, Deborah R; Mowlazadeh, Behzad; Ma, Fei; Kouzoukas, Dimitrios E; Meyer-Siegler, Katherine L; Fall, Magnus

2018-06-01

To investigate whether urinary levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) are elevated in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) patients with Hunner lesions and also whether urine MIF is elevated in other forms of inflammatory cystitis. Urine samples were assayed for MIF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Urine samples from 3 female groups were examined: IC/BPS patients without (N = 55) and with Hunner lesions (N = 43), and non-IC/BPS patients (N = 100; control group; no history of IC/BPS; cancer or recent bacterial cystitis). Urine samples from 3 male groups were examined: patients with bacterial cystitis (N = 50), radiation cystitis (N = 18) and noncystitis patients (N = 119; control group; negative for bacterial cystitis). Urine MIF (mean MIF pg/mL ±  standard error of the mean) was increased in female IC/BPS patients with Hunner lesions (2159 ± 435.3) compared with IC/BPS patients without Hunner lesions (460 ± 114.5) or non-IC/BPS patients (414 ± 47.6). Receiver operating curve analyses showed that urine MIF levels discriminated between the 2 IC groups (area under the curve = 72%; confidence interval 61%-82%). Male patients with bacterial and radiation cystitis had elevated urine MIF levels (2839 ± 757.1 and 4404 ± 1548.1, respectively) compared with noncystitis patients (681 ± 75.2). Urine MIF is elevated in IC/BPS patients with Hunner lesions and also in patients with other bladder inflammatory and painful conditions. MIF may also serve as a noninvasive biomarker to select IC/BPS patients more accurately for endoscopic evaluation and possible anti-inflammatory treatment. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

(2,2) and (0,4) supersymmetric boundary conditions in 3d N =4 theories and type IIB branes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chung, Hee-Joong; Okazaki, Tadashi

2017-10-01

The half-BPS boundary conditions preserving N =(2 ,2 ) and N =(0 ,4 ) supersymmetry in 3d N =4 supersymmetric gauge theories are examined. The BPS equations admit decomposition of the bulk supermultiplets into specific boundary supermultiplets of preserved supersymmetry. Nahm-like equations arise in the vector multiplet BPS boundary condition preserving N =(0 ,4 ) supersymmetry, and Robin-type boundary conditions appear for the hypermultiplet coupled to the vector multiplet when N =(2 ,2 ) supersymmetry is preserved. The half-BPS boundary conditions are realized in the brane configurations of type IIB string theory.

[Prognosis of the reproducibility of increased systolic arterial blood pressure in adolescents (an international cooperative study of juvenile arterial hypertension)].

PubMed

1986-10-01

Three-year reproducibility of elevated (above 120 mmHg) systolic BP (BPs) in twelve- and thirteen-year-olds was studied on the basis of the data of an international collaborative study in juvenile arterial hypertension. Rules for the classification and regulation of the adolescents of both sexes by their tendency to reproduce elevated BPs were derived, using logical functions. The rules are presented as logical solution trees that make it possible to assess the probability of elevated BPs being maintained and identify the adolescents prone to persistent BPs rise.

(2, 2) superconformal bootstrap in two dimensions

DOE PAGES

Lin, Ying -Hsuan; Shao, Shu -Heng; Wang, Yifan; ...

2017-05-19

We find a simple relation between two-dimensional BPS N = 2 superconformal blocks and bosonic Virasoro conformal blocks, which allows us to analyze the crossing equations for BPS 4-point functions in unitary (2, 2) superconformal theories numerically with semidefinite programming. Here, we constrain gaps in the non-BPS spectrum through the operator product expansion of BPS operators, in ways that depend on the moduli of exactly marginal deformations through chiral ring coefficients. In some cases, our bounds on the spectral gaps are observed to be saturated by free theories, by N = 2 Liouville theory, and by certain Landau-Ginzburg models.

PopCORN: Hunting down the differences between binary population synthesis codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toonen, S.; Claeys, J. S. W.; Mennekens, N.; Ruiter, A. J.

2014-02-01

Context. Binary population synthesis (BPS) modelling is a very effective tool to study the evolution and properties of various types of close binary systems. The uncertainty in the parameters of the model and their effect on a population can be tested in a statistical way, which then leads to a deeper understanding of the underlying (sometimes poorly understood) physical processes involved. Several BPS codes exist that have been developed with different philosophies and aims. Although BPS has been very successful for studies of many populations of binary stars, in the particular case of the study of the progenitors of supernovae Type Ia, the predicted rates and ZAMS progenitors vary substantially between different BPS codes. Aims: To understand the predictive power of BPS codes, we study the similarities and differences in the predictions of four different BPS codes for low- and intermediate-mass binaries. We investigate the differences in the characteristics of the predicted populations, and whether they are caused by different assumptions made in the BPS codes or by numerical effects, e.g. a lack of accuracy in BPS codes. Methods: We compare a large number of evolutionary sequences for binary stars, starting with the same initial conditions following the evolution until the first (and when applicable, the second) white dwarf (WD) is formed. To simplify the complex problem of comparing BPS codes that are based on many (often different) assumptions, we equalise the assumptions as much as possible to examine the inherent differences of the four BPS codes. Results: We find that the simulated populations are similar between the codes. Regarding the population of binaries with one WD, there is very good agreement between the physical characteristics, the evolutionary channels that lead to the birth of these systems, and their birthrates. Regarding the double WD population, there is a good agreement on which evolutionary channels exist to create double WDs and a rough agreement on the characteristics of the double WD population. Regarding which progenitor systems lead to a single and double WD system and which systems do not, the four codes agree well. Most importantly, we find that for these two populations, the differences in the predictions from the four codes are not due to numerical differences, but because of different inherent assumptions. We identify critical assumptions for BPS studies that need to be studied in more detail. Appendices are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

First detection and characterization of Salmonella spp. in poultry and swine raised in backyard production systems in central Chile.

PubMed

Alegria-Moran, R; Rivera, D; Toledo, V; Moreno-Switt, A I; Hamilton-West, C

2017-11-01

Little is known about Salmonella serovars circulating in backyard poultry and swine populations worldwide. Backyard production systems (BPS) that raise swine and/or poultry are distributed across Chile, but are more heavily concentrated in central Chile, where industrialized systems are in close contact with BPS. This study aims to detect and identify circulating Salmonella serovars in poultry and swine raised in BPS. Bacteriological Salmonella isolation was carried out for 1744 samples collected from 329 BPS in central Chile. Faecal samples were taken from swine, poultry, geese, ducks, turkeys and peacocks, as well as environmental faecal samples. Confirmation of Salmonella spp. was performed using invA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Identification of serovars was carried out using a molecular serotyping approach, where serogroups were confirmed by a multiplex PCR of Salmonella serogroup genes for five Salmonella O antigens (i.e., D, B, C1, C2-C3, and E1), along with two PCR amplifications, followed by sequencing of fliC and fljB genes. A total of 25 samples (1·4% of total samples) from 15 BPS (4·6 % of total sampled BPS) were found positive for Salmonella. Positive samples were found in poultry (chickens and ducks), swine and environmental sources. Molecular prediction of serovars on Salmonella isolated showed 52·0% of S. Typhimurium, 16·0% of S. Infantis, 16·0% S. Enteritidis, 8·0% S. Hadar, 4·0% S. Tennessee and 4·0% S. Kentucky. Poor biosecurity measures were found on sampled BPS, where a high percentage of mixed confinement systems (72·8%); and almost half of the sampled BPS with improper management of infected mortalities (e.g. selling the carcasses of infected animals for consumption). Number of birds other than chickens (P = 0·014; OR = 1·04; IC (95%) = 1·01-1·07), mixed productive objective (P = 0·030; OR = 5·35; IC (95%) = 1·24-27·59) and mixed animal replacement origin (P = 0017; OR = 5·19; IC (95%) = 1·35-20·47) were detected as risk factors for BPS positivity to Salmonella spp. This is the first evidence of serovars of Salmonella spp. circulating in BPS from central Chile. Detected serovars have been linked to human and animal clinical outbreaks worldwide and in Chile, highlighting the importance of BPS on the control and dissemination of Salmonella serovars potentially hazardous to public health.

The efficacy of botulinum toxin A and sacral neuromodulation in the management of interstitial cystitis (IC)/bladder pain syndrome (BPS), what do we know? ICI-RS 2017 think thank, Bristol.

PubMed

Rahnama'i, Mohammad S; Marcelissen, Tom; Apostolidis, Apostolos; Veit-Rubin, Nikolaus; Schurch, Brigitte; Cardozo, Linda; Dmochowski, Roger

2018-01-24

This manuscript aims to address the evidence availale in the literature on the efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A (BoNT-A) and sacral neuromodulation (SNM) in patients suffering from Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/BPS and propose further research to identify mechanisms of action and establish the clinical efficacy of either therapy. At the International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS) in 2017, a panel of Functional Urologists and Urogynaecologists participated in a Think Tank (TT) discussing the management of IC/BPS by BoNT-A and SNM, using available data from both PubMed and Medicine literature searches. The role of BoNT-A and SNM in the treatment of IC/BPS are discussed and mechanisms of actions are proposed. Despite the available randomized trial data on the effect of intravesical BoNT-A treatment on symptoms of IC/BPS, a consistent conclusion of a positive effect cannot be drawn at the moment, as the published studies are small and heterogeneous in design. There is substantive evidence for the positive effects of SNM on symptoms of IC/BPS patients however, during patient selection, it is important to distinguish the degree and the location of pain in order to tailor the best therapy to the right patients. Both intravesical BoNT-A treatment and SNM have been shown to have positive effects in patients with IC/BPS. However, firm conclusions cannot yet be drawn. Patient-reported outcomes and quality of life should be assessed in addition to urinary and pain symptoms. Since current treatments mainly focus on symptomatic relief, future research should also focus on clarifying the pathogenic mechanisms involved in IC/BPS. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bisphenol S Alters the Lactating Mammary Gland and Nursing Behaviors in Mice Exposed During Pregnancy and Lactation.

PubMed

LaPlante, Charlotte D; Catanese, Mary C; Bansal, Ruby; Vandenberg, Laura N

2017-10-01

High doses of estrogenic pharmaceuticals were once prescribed to women to halt lactation. Yet, the effects of low-level xenoestrogens on lactation remain poorly studied. We investigated the effects of bisphenol S (BPS), an estrogen receptor (ER) agonist, on the lactating mammary gland; the arcuate nucleus, a region of the hypothalamus important for neuroendocrine control of lactational behaviors; and nursing behavior in CD-1 mice. Female mice were exposed to vehicle, 2 or 200 µg BPS/kg/d from pregnancy day 9 until lactational day (LD) 20, and tissues were collected on LD21. Tissues were also collected from a second group at LD2. BPS exposure significantly reduced the fraction of the mammary gland comprised of lobules, the milk-producing units, on LD21, but not LD2. BPS also altered expression of Esr1 and ERα in the mammary gland at LD21, consistent with early involution. In the arcuate nucleus, no changes were observed in expression of signal transducer and activator of transcription 5, a marker of prolactin signaling, or ERα, suggesting that BPS may act directly on the mammary gland. However, observations of nursing behavior collected during the lactational period revealed stage-specific effects on both pup and maternal nursing behaviors; BPS-treated dams spent significantly more time nursing later in the lactational period, and BPS-treated pups were less likely to initiate nursing. Pup growth and development were also stunted. These data indicate that low doses of BPS can alter lactational behaviors and the maternal mammary gland. Together, they support the hypothesis that pregnancy and lactation are sensitive to low-dose xenoestrogen exposures. Copyright © 2017 Endocrine Society.

Psychosocial co-morbidities in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain syndrome (IC/BPS): A systematic review.

PubMed

McKernan, Lindsey C; Walsh, Colin G; Reynolds, William S; Crofford, Leslie J; Dmochowski, Roger R; Williams, David A

2018-03-01

Psychosocial factors amplify symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis (IC/BPS). While psychosocial self-management is efficacious in other pain conditions, its impact on an IC/BPS population has rarely been studied. The objective of this review is to learn the prevalence and impact of psychosocial factors on IC/BPS, assess baseline psychosocial characteristics, and offer recommendations for assessment and treatment. Following PRISMA guidelines, primary information sources were PubMed including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and GoogleScholar. Inclusion criteria included: (i) a clearly defined cohort with IC/BPS or with Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome provided the IC/BPS cohort was delineated with quantitative results from the main cohort; (ii) all genders and regions; (iii) studies written in English from 1995 to April 14, 2017; (iv) quantitative report of psychosocial factors as outcome measures or at minimum as baseline characteristics. Thirty-four of an initial 642 articles were reviewed. Quantitative analyses demonstrate the magnitude of psychosocial difficulties in IC/BPS, which are worse than average on all measures, and fall into areas of clinical concern for 7 out of 10 measures. Meta-analyses shows mean Mental Component Score of the Short-Form 12 Health Survey (MCS) of 40.80 (SD 6.25, N = 2912), where <36 is consistent with severe psychological impairment. Averaged across studies, the population scored in the range seen in clinical depression (CES-D 19.89, SD 13.12, N = 564) and generalized anxiety disorder (HADS-A 8.15, SD 4.85, N = 465). The psychological impact of IC/BPS is pervasive and severe. Existing evidence of treatment is lacking and suggests self-management intervention may be helpful. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An investigation into the potential of phenothiazinium-based photo-sensitisers to act as PDT agents.

PubMed

Harris, F; Sayed, Z; Hussain, S; Phoenix, D A

2004-11-01

There is an urgent need for effective cancer treatments and increasingly, photo-dynamic therapy (PDT) is being used to fulfil this need as it offers a number of advantages over traditional cancer treatments. Here, the potential of a series of phenothiazinium-based photo-sensitisers (PhBPs) as PDT agents is tested. PhBPs were incubated with EMT-6 tumour cells and erythrocytes respectively under dark and light conditions (3.15Jcm(-2) over 30min). "Comet assay" and haemolytic assay were then used to assess cellular photo-damage induced by these PhBPs. Additionally, in vitro assays were used to determine light adsorption characteristics, singlet oxygen yields (ΦΔPhBP) and lipophilicity (logP) of these PhBPs. "Comet assay" showed EMT-6 incubation with PhBPs under light conditions to produce DNA "tails", which were circa 35μm long, indicating the presence of DNA photo-damage. Corresponding incubations under dark conditions led to no such damage. The majority of the PhBPs tested possessed significant singlet oxygen yields (ΦΔPhBP>0.7), suggesting the general use of type II mechanisms for photo-sensitization, and were generally lipophilic (logP>0). Incubation of erythrocytes with these PhBPs in the dark produced between 6% and 19% haemolysis. These levels were generally unaffected by illumination except in the case of DMMB, which showed haemolytic levels increasing from 11% to 61%. It is suggested that DNA may be the primary target for the photo-dynamic anti-tumour activity of the PhBPs tested with the exception of DMMB, which may potentially also target tumour cell membranes.

Bisphenols: Application, occurrence, safety, and biodegradation mediated by bacterial communities in wastewater treatment plants and rivers.

PubMed

Noszczyńska, Magdalena; Piotrowska-Seget, Zofia

2018-06-01

Numerous data indicate that most of bisphenols (BPs) are endocrine disrupters and exhibit cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, genotoxicity and reproductive toxicity against vertebrates. Nevertheless, they are widely applied in material production what result in their ubiquitous occurrence in ecosystems. While BPA is the most frequently detected in environment, BPAF, BPF and BPS are also often found. Ecosystem particularly exposed to BPs pollution is industrial and municipal wastewater being a common source of BPA in river waters. Different techniques to remove BPs from these ecosystems have been applied, among which biodegradation seems to be the most effective. In this review the current state of knowledge in the field of BPs application, distribution in the environment, effects on animal and human health, and biodegradation mediated by bacterial populations in wastewater treatment plants and rivers is presented. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Removal of 10-nm contaminant particles from Si wafers using CO2 bullet particles.

PubMed

Kim, Inho; Hwang, Kwangseok; Lee, Jinwon

2012-04-11

Removal of nanometer-sized contaminant particles (CPs) from substrates is essential in successful fabrication of nanoscale devices. The particle beam technique that uses nanometer-sized bullet particles (BPs) moving at supersonic velocity was improved by operating it at room temperature to achieve higher velocity and size uniformity of BPs and was successfully used to remove CPs as small as 10 nm. CO2 BPs were generated by gas-phase nucleation and growth in a supersonic nozzle; appropriate size and velocity of the BPs were obtained by optimizing the nozzle contours and CO2/He mixture fraction. Cleaning efficiency greater than 95% was attained. BP velocity was the most important parameter affecting removal of CPs in the 10-nm size range. Compared to cryogenic Ar or N2 particles, CO2 BPs were more uniform in size and had higher velocity and, therefore, cleaned CPs more effectively.

The Chinese approach to complementary and alternative medicine treatment for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

PubMed

Pang, Ran; Ali, Abdullah

2015-12-01

Management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) remains a challenge due to poor understanding on its etiology. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as an optional treatment, has been widely used, because no definitive conventional therapy is available. The different domain of CAM provides miscellaneous treatments for IC/BPS, which mainly include dietary modification, nutraceuticals, bladder training, biofeedback, yoga, massage, physical therapy, Qigong, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Clinical evidence has shown that each therapy can certainly benefit a portion of IC/BPS patients. However, the target patient group of each therapy has not been well studied and randomized, controlled trials are needed to further confirm the efficacy and reliability of CAM on managing IC/BPS. Despite these limitations, CAM therapeutic characteristics including non-invasive and effectiveness for specific patients allow clinicians and patients to realize multimodal and individualized therapy for IC/BPS.

The Chinese approach to complementary and alternative medicine treatment for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

PubMed Central

Ali, Abdullah

2015-01-01

Management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) remains a challenge due to poor understanding on its etiology. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), as an optional treatment, has been widely used, because no definitive conventional therapy is available. The different domain of CAM provides miscellaneous treatments for IC/BPS, which mainly include dietary modification, nutraceuticals, bladder training, biofeedback, yoga, massage, physical therapy, Qigong, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. Clinical evidence has shown that each therapy can certainly benefit a portion of IC/BPS patients. However, the target patient group of each therapy has not been well studied and randomized, controlled trials are needed to further confirm the efficacy and reliability of CAM on managing IC/BPS. Despite these limitations, CAM therapeutic characteristics including non-invasive and effectiveness for specific patients allow clinicians and patients to realize multimodal and individualized therapy for IC/BPS. PMID:26816867

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis: a sense of urgency.

PubMed

Hanno, Philip M; Chapple, Chris R; Cardozo, Linda D

2009-12-01

A classic triad of symptoms (bladder pain, urinary frequency, and urgency) has served to define bladder pain syndrome/painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/PBS/IC) syndrome. BPS/PBS/IC is a distinct condition and it is likely that the urgency experienced by these patients differs from that experienced by those with overactive bladder syndrome. It is unclear how best to define urgency in the BPS/PBS/IC setting. Differences in the other primary symptoms associated with these conditions probably influence how urgency is perceived. Advances in research into the pathophysiology of urgency and underlying disease processes will help to optimize both the diagnosis and treatment of BPS/PBS/IC.

Supersymmetrizing the Gorsky-Shifman-Yung soliton

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ireson, E.; Shifman, M.; Yung, A.

2018-05-01

We supersymmetrize the Hopfion studied by Gorsky et al. [Phys. Rev. D 88, 045026 (2013)., 10.1103/PhysRevD.88.045026]. This soliton represents a closed semilocal vortex string in U(1) gauge theory. It carries nonzero Hopf number due to the additional winding of a phase modulus as one moves along the closed string. We study this solution in N =2 supersymmetric QED with two flavors. As a preliminary exercise, we compactify one space dimension and consider a straight vortex with periodic boundary conditions. It turns out to be 1 /2 -BPS saturated. An additional winding along the string can be introduced and it does not spoil the BPS nature of the object. Next, we consider a ringlike vortex in a non-compact space and show that the circumference of the ring L can be stabilized once the previously mentioned winding along the string is introduced. Of course, the ringlike vortex is not BPS but its energy becomes close to the BPS bound if L is large, which can be guaranteed in the case that we have a large value of the angular momentum J . Thus we arrive at the concept of asymptotically BPS-saturated solitons. BPS saturation is achieved in the limit J →∞ .

Vermiconversion of wastewater sludge from textile mill mixed with anaerobically digested biogas plant slurry employing Eisenia foetida.

PubMed

Garg, V K; Kaushik, Priya; Dilbaghi, Neeraj

2006-11-01

Vermicomposting is commonly used for the management of organic wastes. We have investigated the potential of an epigeic earthworm, Eisenia foetida, to transform solid textile mill sludge (STMS) spiked with anaerobically digested biogas plant slurry (BPS) into vermicompost to evaluate the feasibility of vermicomposting in industries for waste management. The growth and reproduction of E. foetida was monitored in a range of different feed mixtures for 15 weeks in laboratory under controlled experimental conditions. E. foetida did not survive in fresh STMS. But worms grew and reproduced in STMS spiked with BPS feed mixtures. A greater percentage of STMS in feed mixture affected biomass gain and cocoon production by earthworms. The maximum growth was recorded in 100% BPS. The net weight gain by E. foetida in 100% BPS was two-four-fold higher than STMS-containing feed mixtures. After 15 weeks, maximum cocoons (78) were counted in 100% BPS and minimum (26) in 60% BPS+40% STMS feed. Vermicomposting resulted in pH shift toward acidic, significant reduction in C:N ratio, and increase in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium contents. Microbial activity measured as dehydrogenase activity increased with time up to day 75 but decreased on day 90, indicating the exhaustion of feed and decrease in microbial activity. These experiments demonstrate that vermicomposting can be an alternate technology for the recycling and environmentally safe disposal/management of textile mill sludge using an epigeic earthworm, E. foetida, if mixed with anaerobically digested BPS in appropriate ratios.

Psychosocial Information Requirements for Multimorbid Breast Cancer Patients in Breast Centres in North Rhine Westphalia.

PubMed

Schmitz, C; Ansmann, L; Ernstmann, N

2015-07-01

Introduction: The importance of breast cancer patients (BPs) being supplied with sufficient information is well known. This study investigated the unfulfilled psychosocial information requirements of multimorbid BPs. Methods: This study records the unfulfilled psychosocial information requirements of 4166 patients, who were treated at one of the fifty breast centres in North Rhine Westphalia. The Cologne patient questionnaire for breast cancer 2.0 included in the postal survey following hospital stays records the information requirements using an adapted version of the "Cancer patient information needs" scale. Through a univariate analysis using the χ 2 test, it was investigated whether multimorbid BPs had significantly different psychosocial information requirements than BPs without further concomitant illnesses. Results: In general, it transpired that BPs had relatively low unfulfilled information requirements regarding work (20.7 %), everyday life (26.8 %), illness (27.4 %) and treatment (35.7 %), though such requirements were higher when it came to health-related behaviour (54.2 %). Multimorbid BPs had significantly lower unfulfilled information requirements regarding work and significantly larger ones regarding treatment in comparison to BPs without concomitant illnesses. Renal diseases and concomitant mental illnesses were associated with particularly high information requirements (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of our study should clarify the complexity and heterogeneity of information requirements of breast cancer patients in oncological care and should help to design the supply of information to be more patient-oriented.

Psychosocial Information Requirements for Multimorbid Breast Cancer Patients in Breast Centres in North Rhine Westphalia

PubMed Central

Schmitz, C.; Ansmann, L.; Ernstmann, N.

2015-01-01

Introduction: The importance of breast cancer patients (BPs) being supplied with sufficient information is well known. This study investigated the unfulfilled psychosocial information requirements of multimorbid BPs. Methods: This study records the unfulfilled psychosocial information requirements of 4166 patients, who were treated at one of the fifty breast centres in North Rhine Westphalia. The Cologne patient questionnaire for breast cancer 2.0 included in the postal survey following hospital stays records the information requirements using an adapted version of the “Cancer patient information needs” scale. Through a univariate analysis using the χ2 test, it was investigated whether multimorbid BPs had significantly different psychosocial information requirements than BPs without further concomitant illnesses. Results: In general, it transpired that BPs had relatively low unfulfilled information requirements regarding work (20.7 %), everyday life (26.8 %), illness (27.4 %) and treatment (35.7 %), though such requirements were higher when it came to health-related behaviour (54.2 %). Multimorbid BPs had significantly lower unfulfilled information requirements regarding work and significantly larger ones regarding treatment in comparison to BPs without concomitant illnesses. Renal diseases and concomitant mental illnesses were associated with particularly high information requirements (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of our study should clarify the complexity and heterogeneity of information requirements of breast cancer patients in oncological care and should help to design the supply of information to be more patient-oriented. PMID:26257407

[Characterisation and prevalence of the psychological and behavioural symptoms in patients with dementia].

PubMed

López-Pousa, S; Vilalta-Franch, J; Garre-Olmo, J; Pons, S; Cucurella, M G

To assess the prevalence of behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPS's) in patients with dementia in Spain and their dementia-specific characteristics. A cross-sectional and retrospective study of 1025 patients from 52 specialized dementia care units using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Patients with a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease and dementia (PDD) were selected for BPS's characterisation. The global prevalence of BPS's was 66.7% (684 patients; 95% CI = 63.8-69.6%). BPS's were under-diagnosed in one third of cases. A total of 668 patients with NPI of 4 or superior and a diagnosis of AD (n = 380; 56.8%), DLB (n = 156; 23.3%) and PDD (n = 132; 19.7%) had a NPI mean of 21.1 (SD = 14.7), 25.6 (SD = 13.9) and 21.8 (SD = 14.2), respectively. Apathy, depression and anxiety were the most common BPS's. Delusions and hallucinations were significantly more prevalent in DLB. Dementia severity was correlated with the global NPI value and with all the sub-items, but anxiety and euphoria. The presence of agitation, euphoria or lability was associated with a deficient therapeutic fulfillment. A high prevalence of non-diagnosed BPS's was observed in the studied population. This has serious negative consequences for the quality of life of patients and their social environment. Therefore we propose an active search and subsequent correct treatment of BPS's in all patients with dementia.

Hydraulic Fracture Growth in a Layered Formation based on Fracturing Experiments and Discrete Element Modeling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yushi, Zou; Xinfang, Ma; Tong, Zhou; Ning, Li; Ming, Chen; Sihai, Li; Yinuo, Zhang; Han, Li

2017-09-01

Hydraulic fracture (HF) height containment tends to occur in layered formations, and it significantly influences the entire HF geometry or the stimulated reservoir volume. This study aims to explore the influence of preexisting bedding planes (BPs) on the HF height growth in layered formations. Laboratory fracturing experiments were performed to confirm the occurrence of HF height containment in natural shale that contains multiple weak and high-permeability BPs under triaxial stresses. Numerical simulations were then conducted to further illustrate the manner in which vertical stress, BP permeability, BP density(or spacing), pump rate, and fluid viscosity control HF height growth using a 3D discrete element method-based fracturing model. In this model, the rock matrix was considered transversely isotropic and multiple BPs can be explicitly represented. Experimental and numerical results show that the vertically growing HF tends to be limited by multi-high-permeability BPs, even under higher vertical stress. When the vertically growing HF intersects with the multi-high-permeability BPs, the injection pressure will be sharply reduced. If a low pumping rate or a low-viscosity fluid is used, the excess fracturing fluid leak-off into the BPs obviously decreases the rate of pressure build up, which will then limit the growth of HF. Otherwise, a higher pumping rate and/or a higher viscosity will reduce the leak-off time and fluid volume, but increase the injection pressure to drive the HF to grow and to penetrate through the BPs.

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: diagnosis and management.

PubMed

Offiah, I; McMahon, S B; O'Reilly, B A

2013-08-01

The bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a spectrum of urological symptoms characterised by bladder pain with typical cystoscopic features. Diagnosis and management of this syndrome may be difficult. There is no evidence-based management approach for the diagnosis or treatment of BPS. The objective of this study was to critically review and summarise the evidence relating to the diagnosis and treatment of the bladder pain syndrome. A review of published data on the diagnosis and treatment of the BPS was performed. Our search was limited to English-language articles, on the "diagnosis", and "management" or "treatment" of "interstitial cystitis" and the "bladder pain syndrome" in "humans." Frequency, urgency and pain on bladder filling are the most common symptoms of BPS. All urodynamic volumes are reduced in patients with BPS. Associated conditions include psychological distress, depression, history of sexual assault, irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. Cystoscopy remains the test for definitive diagnosis, with visualisation of haemorrhage on cystoreduction. A multidisciplinary treatment approach is essential in the management of this condition. Orally administered amitriptyline is an efficacious medical treatment for BPS. Intravesical hyaluronic acid and local anaesthetic, with/without hydrodistension are among new treatment strategies. Sacral or pudendal neuromodulation is effective, minimally invasive and safe. Surgery is reserved for refractory cases. There remains a paucity of evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of BPS. We encountered significant heterogeneity in the assessment of symptoms, duration of treatment and follow up of patients in our literature review.

Airfoil for a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

Liang, George [Palm City, FL

2011-05-24

An airfoil is provided for a turbine of a gas turbine engine. The airfoil comprises: an outer structure comprising a first wall including a leading edge, a trailing edge, a pressure side, and a suction side; an inner structure comprising a second wall spaced from the first wall and at least one intermediate wall; and structure extending between the first and second walls so as to define first and second gaps between the first and second walls. The second wall and the at least one intermediate wall define at least one pressure side supply cavity and at least one suction side supply cavity. The second wall may include at least one first opening near the leading edge of the first wall. The first opening may extend from the at least one pressure side supply cavity to the first gap. The second wall may further comprise at least one second opening near the trailing edge of the outer structure. The second opening may extend from the at least one suction side supply cavity to the second gap. The first wall may comprise at least one first exit opening extending from the first gap through the pressure side of the first wall and at least one second exit opening extending from the second gap through the suction side of the second wall.

2004/09 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:04/09). Full-Scale Methodology Report. NCES 2012-246

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wine, Jennifer; Janson, Natasha; Wheeless, Sara

2011-01-01

This report describes and evaluates the methods and procedures used in the 2004/09 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:04/09). BPS:04/09 is the second and final follow-up interview for the cohort of first-time beginning postsecondary students identified in the 2004 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. For the first time…

Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study First Follow-up (BPS:96/98) Field Test Report. Working Paper Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pratt, Daniel J.; Wine, Jennifer S.; Heuer, Ruth E.; Whitmore, Roy W.; Kelly, Janice E.; Doherty, John M.; Simpson, Joe B.; Marti, Norma

This report describes the methods and procedures used for the field test of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study First Followup 1996-98 (BPS:96/98). Students in this survey were first interviewed during 1995 as part of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study 1996 field test. The BPS:96/98 full-scale student sample includes…

The occurrence and source identification of bisphenol compounds in wastewaters.

PubMed

Česen, Marjeta; Lenarčič, Kaja; Mislej, Vesna; Levstek, Meta; Kovačič, Ana; Cimrmančič, Bernardka; Uranjek, Nataša; Kosjek, Tina; Heath, David; Dolenc, Marija Sollner; Heath, Ester

2018-03-01

This study reports the occurrence of eight bisphenols (BPs): bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol AP (BPAP), bisphenol B (BPB), bisphenol C (BPC), bisphenol E (BPE), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol Z (BPZ) in wastewaters (WWs). Sample preparation involved pre-concentration with SPE cartridges (Oasis HLB), followed by derivatization using N-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide with 1% tert-butyldimethylchlorosilane. Chemical analysis was based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A validated method with limits of detection (LODs) at ngL -1 range was applied to WWs collected at five Slovene wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and WW inflows from industrial, commercial and residential sources entering the sewerage systems of two catchments (Domžale-Kamnik (DK) and Ljubljana (LJ)). The presence of all BPs was confirmed in three inflows in DK and two inflows in the LJ catchments. High cumulative concentrations of all BPs were determined in WW from food processing facilities (LJ: 3030ngL -1 and DK: 599ngL -1 ). A high detection frequency was observed in the WW from two textile cleaning companies (6 BPs for LJ and 8 BPs for DK). The analysis of WW from WWTPs revealed that only BPF (36.7ngL -1 ) and BPS (40.6ngL -1 ) were >LODs in the influents, whereas other BPs were detected also in the effluents. BPZ was found in the highest concentration (403ngL -1 at WWTP-DK). WW collected at this WWTP also contained the highest amount of BPE (238ngL -1 ). Although BPs removal could not be directly compared between the WWTPs, with the exception of BPAP and BPB in the case of two smaller WWTPs (6.39%-43.2%) bisphenols were in general highly removed (≥96.2%). Finally, levels of BPC>LOD are reported for first time (WWTP in the DK catchment: 1.01ngL -1 -11.8ngL -1 ; LJ inflow from food processing plant up to 2560ngL -1 ). Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis of a Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase Gene from Dendrobium

PubMed Central

Cai, Yongping; Lin, Yi

2013-01-01

In this study, a phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) gene was cloned from Dendrobium candidum using homology cloning and RACE. The full-length sequence and catalytic active sites that appear in PAL proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum are also found: PAL cDNA of D. candidum (designated Dc-PAL1, GenBank No. JQ765748) has 2,458 bps and contains a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 2,142 bps, which encodes 713 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequence of DcPAL1 has more than 80% sequence identity with the PAL genes of other plants, as indicated by multiple alignments. The dominant sites and catalytic active sites, which are similar to that showing in PAL proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum, are also found in DcPAL1. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that DcPAL is more closely related to PALs from orchidaceae plants than to those of other plants. The differential expression patterns of PAL in protocorm-like body, leaf, stem, and root, suggest that the PAL gene performs multiple physiological functions in Dendrobium candidum. PMID:23638048

Comparison of solar photospheric bright points between Sunrise observations and MHD simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Riethmüller, T. L.; Solanki, S. K.; Berdyugina, S. V.; Schüssler, M.; Martínez Pillet, V.; Feller, A.; Gandorfer, A.; Hirzberger, J.

2014-08-01

Bright points (BPs) in the solar photosphere are thought to be the radiative signatures (small-scale brightness enhancements) of magnetic elements described by slender flux tubes or sheets located in the darker intergranular lanes in the solar photosphere. They contribute to the ultraviolet (UV) flux variations over the solar cycle and hence may play a role in influencing the Earth's climate. Here we aim to obtain a better insight into their properties by combining high-resolution UV and spectro-polarimetric observations of BPs by the Sunrise Observatory with 3D compressible radiation magnetohydrodynamical (MHD) simulations. To this end, full spectral line syntheses are performed with the MHD data and a careful degradation is applied to take into account all relevant instrumental effects of the observations. In a first step it is demonstrated that the selected MHD simulations reproduce the measured distributions of intensity at multiple wavelengths, line-of-sight velocity, spectral line width, and polarization degree rather well. The simulated line width also displays the correct mean, but a scatter that is too small. In the second step, the properties of observed BPs are compared with synthetic ones. Again, these are found to match relatively well, except that the observations display a tail of large BPs with strong polarization signals (most likely network elements) not found in the simulations, possibly due to the small size of the simulation box. The higher spatial resolution of the simulations has a significant effect, leading to smaller and more numerous BPs. The observation that most BPs are weakly polarized is explained mainly by the spatial degradation, the stray light contamination, and the temperature sensitivity of the Fe i line at 5250.2 Å. Finally, given that the MHD simulations are highly consistent with the observations, we used the simulations to explore the properties of BPs further. The Stokes V asymmetries increase with the distance to the center of the mean BP in both observations and simulations, consistent with the classical picture of a production of the asymmetry in the canopy. This is the first time that this has been found also in the internetwork. More or less vertical kilogauss magnetic fields are found for 98% of the synthetic BPs underlining that basically every BP is associated with kilogauss fields. At the continuum formation height, the simulated BPs are on average 190 K hotter than the mean quiet Sun, the mean BP field strength is found to be 1750 G, and the mean inclination is 17°, supporting the physical flux-tube paradigm to describe BPs. On average, the synthetic BPs harbor downflows increasing with depth. The origin of these downflows is not yet understood very well and needs further investigation.

Bisphosphonate-Based Strategies for Bone Tissue Engineering and Orthopedic Implants

PubMed Central

Cattalini, Juan Pablo; Boccaccini, Aldo R.; Lucangioli, Silvia

2012-01-01

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a group of well-established drugs that are applied in the development of metabolic bone disorder-related therapies. There is increasing interest also in the application of BPs in the context of bone tissue engineering, which is the topic of this review, in which an extensive overview of published studies on the development and applications of BPs-based strategies for bone regeneration is provided with special focus on the rationale for the use of different BPs in three-dimensional (3D) bone tissue scaffolds. The different alternatives that are investigated to address the delivery and sustained release of these therapeutic drugs in the nearby tissues are comprehensively discussed, and the most significant published approaches on bisphosphonate-conjugated drugs in multifunctional 3D scaffolds as well as the role of BPs within coatings for the improved fixation of orthopedic implants are presented and critically evaluated. Finally, the authors' views regarding the remaining challenges in the fields and directions for future research efforts are highlighted. PMID:22440082

Divers models of divalent cation interaction to calcium-binding proteins: techniques and anthology.

PubMed

Cox, Jos A

2013-01-01

Intracellular Ca(2+)-binding proteins (CaBPs) are sensors of the calcium signal and several of them even shape the signal. Most of them are equipped with at least two EF-hand motifs designed to bind Ca(2+). Their affinities are very variable, can display cooperative effects, and can be modulated by physiological Mg(2+) concentrations. These binding phenomena are monitored by four major techniques: equilibrium dialysis, fluorimetry with fluorescent Ca(2+) indicators, flow dialysis, and isothermal titration calorimetry. In the last quarter of the twentieth century reports on the ion-binding characteristics of several abundant wild-type CaBPs were published. With the advent of recombinant CaBPs it became possible to determine these properties on previously inaccessible proteins. Here I report on studies by our group carried out in the last decade on eight families of recombinant CaBPs, their mutants, or truncated domains. Moreover this chapter deals with the currently used methods for quantifying the binding of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) to CaBPs.

Iron Reverses Impermeable Chelator Inhibition of DNA Synthesis in CCl39 Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alcain, Francisco J.; Low, Hans; Crane, Frederick L.

1994-08-01

Treatment of Chinese hamster lung fibro-blasts (CCl 39 cells) with the impermeable iron(II) chelator bathophenanthroline disulfonate (BPS) inhibits DNA synthesis when cell growth is initiated with growth factors including epidermal growth factor plus insulin, thrombin, or ceruloplasmin, but not with 10% fetal calf serum. The BPS treatment inhibits transplasma membrane electron transport. The treatment leads to release of iron from the cells as determined by BPS iron(II) complex formation over 90 min. Growth factor stimulation of DNA synthesis and electron transport are restored by addition of di- or trivalent iron to the cells in the form of ferric ammonium citrate, ferrous ammonium sulfate, or diferric transferrin. The effect with BPS differs from the inhibition of growth by hydroxyurea, which acts on the ribonucleotide reductase, or diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, which is another impermeable chelating agent, in that these agents inhibit growth in 10% fetal calf serum. The BPS effect is consistent with removal of iron from a site on the cell surface that controls DNA synthesis.

Kinetics of browning and correlations between browning degree and pyrazine compounds in l-ascorbic acid/acidic amino acid model systems.

PubMed

Yu, Ai-Nong; Zhou, Yong-Yan; Yang, Yi-Ni

2017-04-15

The kinetics of browning and the correlation between browning products (BPs) and pyrazine compounds were investigated by heating equimolar l-ascorbic acid (ASA)/acidic amino acids under weak alkaline conditions at 120-150°C for 10-120min. The formations of BPs and pyrazine compounds from the reaction were monitored by UV-vis and SPME-GC-FID, respectively. The formation of BPs in both ASA/l-glutamic acid and ASA/l-aspartic acid model reaction systems followed zero order reaction kinetics with activation energies (E a ) of 90.13 and 93.38kJ/mol, respectively. ASA/l-aspartic acid browned at a slightly higher rate than ASA/l-glutamic acid. The total concentration of pyrazine compounds was highly and positively correlated with that of BPs. Based on the observed kinetic data, the formation mechanisms of BPs and pyrazine compounds were proposed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A note on the entropy of rotating BPS AdS7 × S4 black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hosseini, Seyed Morteza; Hristov, Kiril; Zaffaroni, Alberto

2018-05-01

In this note we show that the entropy of BPS, rotating, electrically charged AdS7 × S 4 black holes can be obtained by an extremization principle involving a particular combination of anomaly coefficients of the six-dimensional N=(2,0) theory. This result extends our previous finding for BPS, rotating AdS5 × S 5 black holes.

Testing the new BPS method in some models of nonabelian magnetic monopole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prasetyo, I.; Atmaja, A. N.; Ramadhan, H. S.

2018-03-01

The proposed method in [Phys. Lett. B768 351-358 (2017)], which can obtain BPS equations of some models of vortices, is used here to see whether it is still usable for some models of magnetic monopole. Other than the standard Yang-Mills-Higgs, here we report that the method is able to give us the BPS equations from two different magnetic monopole models.

Occupant behavior models: A critical review of implementation and representation approaches in building performance simulation programs

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

Hong, Tianzhen; Chen, Yixing; Belafi, Zsofia

Occupant behavior (OB) in buildings is a leading factor influencing energy use in buildings. Quantifying this influence requires the integration of OB models with building performance simulation (BPS). This study reviews approaches to representing and implementing OB models in today’s popular BPS programs, and discusses weaknesses and strengths of these approaches and key issues in integrating of OB models with BPS programs. Two of the key findings are: (1) a common data model is needed to standardize the representation of OB models, enabling their flexibility and exchange among BPS programs and user applications; the data model can be implemented usingmore » a standard syntax (e.g., in the form of XML schema), and (2) a modular software implementation of OB models, such as functional mock-up units for co-simulation, adopting the common data model, has advantages in providing a robust and interoperable integration with multiple BPS programs. Such common OB model representation and implementation approaches help standardize the input structures of OB models, enable collaborative development of a shared library of OB models, and allow for rapid and widespread integration of OB models with BPS programs to improve the simulation of occupant behavior and quantification of their impact on building performance.« less

Occupant behavior models: A critical review of implementation and representation approaches in building performance simulation programs

DOE PAGES

Hong, Tianzhen; Chen, Yixing; Belafi, Zsofia; ...

2017-07-27

Occupant behavior (OB) in buildings is a leading factor influencing energy use in buildings. Quantifying this influence requires the integration of OB models with building performance simulation (BPS). This study reviews approaches to representing and implementing OB models in today’s popular BPS programs, and discusses weaknesses and strengths of these approaches and key issues in integrating of OB models with BPS programs. Two of the key findings are: (1) a common data model is needed to standardize the representation of OB models, enabling their flexibility and exchange among BPS programs and user applications; the data model can be implemented usingmore » a standard syntax (e.g., in the form of XML schema), and (2) a modular software implementation of OB models, such as functional mock-up units for co-simulation, adopting the common data model, has advantages in providing a robust and interoperable integration with multiple BPS programs. Such common OB model representation and implementation approaches help standardize the input structures of OB models, enable collaborative development of a shared library of OB models, and allow for rapid and widespread integration of OB models with BPS programs to improve the simulation of occupant behavior and quantification of their impact on building performance.« less

Immunotoxicity of bisphenol S and F are similar to that of bisphenol A during zebrafish early development.

PubMed

Qiu, Wenhui; Shao, Haiyang; Lei, Penghui; Zheng, Chunmiao; Qiu, Cunxin; Yang, Ming; Zheng, Yi

2018-03-01

Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) have been increasingly used as alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA) owing to health concerns. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of these two BPA analogs on oxidative stress and the immune system during zebrafish embryonic and larval development. Environmentally relevant levels of BPS and BPF exposure could increase reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, nitric oxide (NO) content, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, and the expression of immunity-related genes in concentration dependent manners during the early developmental stages in zebrafish. At a concentration of 100 μg/L, BPS and BPF showed similar effects on the immune toxicity of zebrafish as that of BPA. Moreover, BPS and BPF induced both erα and nf-κb expression, and antagonists of estrogen receptor and NF-κB blocked the effects on immunity-related gene expression, providing evidence that the two pathways mediate the actions of BPS and BPF on fish immune response and functions. Thus we conclude that the presence of BPS and BPF in the environment, similar to BPA, may also pose risks to ecosystem and human health and cannot be widely used without limitations and precautions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of bisphenol-S low concentrations on oxidative stress status and in vitro fertilization potential in mature female mice

PubMed Central

Nourian, Alireza; Soleimanzadeh, Ali; Shalizar Jalali, Ali; Najafi, Gholamreza

2017-01-01

Bisphenol-S (BPS) is a new bisphenol-A substitute widely used in many plastic products. Bisphenol-A as a main member of bisphenol family has been known as an endocrine system disrupter chemical compound. Like other members of bisphenol family, there is public health concern about the toxic effects of BPS on reproductive system, thus, we examined BPS effects on in vitro fertilization (IVF) potential and oxidative stress status in a murine model. Adult female mice (n = 70) were randomly divided into control and BPS-treated groups. Bisphenol-S was administered at doses of 0, 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 µg kg-1 body weight per day intraperitoneally for 21 consecutive days. Twenty-Four hr after the last treatment, five mice in each group were super-ovulated and the oocytes were harvested for IVF. All ovaries were collected and used for biochemical factors analyses. Bisphenol-S exposure at doses more than 10 µg kg-1 induced developmental arrest of pre-implantation embryos. Further, lipid peroxidation measurement in ovaries indicated that all doses of BPS cause oxidative stress in female mice. In conclusion, BPS administration even in low doses can result in female reproductive toxicities and oxidative stress in mice. PMID:29326794

Effects of bisphenol-S low concentrations on oxidative stress status and in vitro fertilization potential in mature female mice.

PubMed

Nourian, Alireza; Soleimanzadeh, Ali; Shalizar Jalali, Ali; Najafi, Gholamreza

2017-01-01

Bisphenol-S (BPS) is a new bisphenol-A substitute widely used in many plastic products. Bisphenol-A as a main member of bisphenol family has been known as an endocrine system disrupter chemical compound. Like other members of bisphenol family, there is public health concern about the toxic effects of BPS on reproductive system, thus, we examined BPS effects on in vitro fertilization (IVF) potential and oxidative stress status in a murine model. Adult female mice (n = 70) were randomly divided into control and BPS-treated groups. Bisphenol-S was administered at doses of 0, 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 µg kg -1 body weight per day intraperitoneally for 21 consecutive days. Twenty-Four hr after the last treatment, five mice in each group were super-ovulated and the oocytes were harvested for IVF. All ovaries were collected and used for biochemical factors analyses. Bisphenol-S exposure at doses more than 10 µg kg -1 induced developmental arrest of pre-implantation embryos. Further, lipid peroxidation measurement in ovaries indicated that all doses of BPS cause oxidative stress in female mice. In conclusion, BPS administration even in low doses can result in female reproductive toxicities and oxidative stress in mice.

Occurrence and partitioning of bisphenol analogues in water and sediment from Liaohe River Basin and Taihu Lake, China.

PubMed

Jin, Hangbiao; Zhu, Lingyan

2016-10-15

Bisphenol analogues are widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, and the demand and production capacity of these compounds are growing rapidly in China. The occurrence and distribution of bisphenol analogues other than bisphenol A (BPA) in the aquatic environment is still poorly understood. In this study, nine bisphenol analogues were measured in water and sediment samples from Taihu Lake (TL), Liaohe River basin, including Liaohe River (LR) and Hunhe River (HR), China. Water samples from LR and HR contained much higher total bisphenols (∑BPs) concentrations. BPA and bisphenol S (BPS) were predominant with a summed contribution of 55, 75, and 75% to the ∑BPs in TL, LR, and HR waters, respectively. This suggests that BPA and BPS were the most widely used and manufactured bisphenols in these regions. In sediment, BPA was always predominant, with the next abundant compound bisphenol F (BPF) in TL and HR sediment, but BPS in LR sediment. The average field sediment-water partitioning coefficients (log Koc) were calculated for the first time for certain bisphenols and were determined to be 4.7, 4.6, 3.8, 3.7, and 3.5 mL/g for BPF, BPAP, BPA, BPAF, and BPS, respectively. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oral bisphosphonates do not increase the risk of severe upper gastrointestinal complications: a nested case–control study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Data on the effect of oral bisphosphonates (BPs) on risk of upper gastrointestinal complications (UGIC) are conflicting. We conducted a large population-based study from a network of Italian healthcare utilization databases aimed to assess the UGIC risk associated with use of BPs in the setting of secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures. Methods A nested case–control study was carried out within a cohort of 68,970 patients aged 45 years or older, who have been hospitalized for osteoporotic fracture from 2003 until 2005. Cases were the 804 patients who experienced hospitalization for UGIC until 2007. Up to 20 controls were randomly selected for each case. Conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) associated with current and past use of BPs (i.e. for drug dispensation within 30 days and over 31 days prior the outcome onset, respectively) after adjusting for several covariates. Results Compared with patients who did not use BPs, current and past users had OR (and 95% confidence interval) of 0.86 (0.60 to 1.22) and 1.07 (0.80 to 1.44) respectively. There was no difference in the ORs estimated according with BPs type (alendronate or risedronate) and regimen (daily or weekly), nor with co-therapies and comorbidities. Conclusions Further evidence that BPs dispensed for secondary prevention of osteoporotic fractures are not associated with increased risk of severe gastrointestinal complications is supplied from this study. Further research is required to clarify the role BPs and other drugs of co-medication in inducing UGIC. PMID:24397769

Perceptions of "urgency" in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome or overactive bladder.

PubMed

Clemens, J Quentin; Bogart, Laura M; Liu, Karin; Pham, Chau; Suttorp, Marika; Berry, Sandra H

2011-03-01

To compare urgency symptoms in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and overactive bladder (OAB). Women with diagnoses of IC/BPS (n=194) and OAB (n=85) were recruited from the clinical practices of Urologists (n=8) and Gynecologists (n=16) with recognized expertise in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Subjects completed a comprehensive telephone survey about their current symptoms. The questionnaire included 11 questions about urinary urgency. Responses were compared between the two groups. Urgency was commonly reported as a symptom by women with both conditions (81% IC/BPS and 91% OAB). Compared with IC/BPS, urgency in OAB more often resulted in leakage, and was perceived to be more of a problem. In IC/BPS, the urgency was primarily reported as due to pain, pressure, or discomfort, while in OAB the urgency was more commonly due to fear of leakage. However, approximately 40% of women with OAB also report urgency due to pain, pressure, or discomfort. Similar proportions of both groups (∼ 60%) indicated that the urgency occurred "suddenly" instead of more gradually over a period of minutes or hours. Urgency symptoms differed in women diagnosed with IC/BPS versus those diagnosed with OAB, but there was significant overlap. This suggests that "urgency" is not a well-defined and commonly understood symptom that can be utilized to clearly discriminate between IC/BPS and OAB. These findings reinforce the clinical observation that it is often challenging to differentiate between these two conditions. Copyright © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Genome-wide gene expression profiling of low-dose, long-term exposure of human osteosarcoma cells to bisphenol A and its analogs bisphenols AF and S.

PubMed

Fic, A; Mlakar, S Jurković; Juvan, P; Mlakar, V; Marc, J; Dolenc, M Sollner; Broberg, K; Mašič, L Peterlin

2015-08-01

The bisphenols AF (BPAF) and S (BPS) are structural analogs of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA), and are used in common products as a replacement for BPA. To elucidate genome-wide gene expression responses, estrogen-dependent osteosarcoma cells were cultured with 10 nM BPA, BPAF, or BPS, for 8 h and 3 months. Genome-wide gene expression was analyzed using the Illumina Expression BeadChip. Three months exposure had significant effects on gene expression, particularly for BPS, followed by BPAF and BPA, according to the number of differentially expressed genes (1980, 778, 60, respectively), the magnitude of changes in gene expression, and the number of enriched biological processes (800, 415, 33, respectively) and pathways (77, 52, 6, respectively). 'Embryonic skeletal system development' was the most enriched bone-related process, which was affected only by BPAF and BPS. Interestingly, all three bisphenols showed highest down-regulation of genes related to the cardiovascular system (e.g., NPPB, NPR3, TXNIP). BPA only and BPA/BPAF/BPS also affected genes related to the immune system and fetal development, respectively. For BPAF and BPS, the 'isoprenoid biosynthetic process' was enriched (up-regulated genes: HMGCS1, PDSS1, ACAT2, RCE1, DHDDS). Compared to BPA, BPAF and BPS had more effects on gene expression after long-term exposure. These findings stress the need for careful toxicological characterization of BPA analogs in the future. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of bisphosphonates on periprosthetic bone loss after total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PubMed

Shi, Mingmin; Chen, Lei; Wu, Haobo; Wang, Yangxin; Wang, Wei; Zhang, Yujie; Yan, Shigui

2018-05-30

Aseptic loosening and osteolysis are the most common indications after TKA for revision surgery. This meta-analysis which included high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to analyze the effect of bisphosphonates (BPs) on maintaining periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) after total knee arthroplasty. PubMed, AMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, ISI Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were systematically searched, five RCTs were included and the total number of participants was 188. The weighted mean differences with 95% confidence interval were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of BPs on total BMD of knee and the BMD of different periprosthetic regions. A descriptive review was performed for BP-related adverse effects. The BPs group presented significantly higher total BMD in proximal part of the tibia than the control group at 3 and 6 months (P < 0.05), but no significant difference at 12 months (P = 0.09). The BPs group presented significantly higher BMD in the distal aspect of the femur than that in the control group at 3, 6, 12 months. The BPs group presented significantly higher periprosthetic BMD than that in the control group at 3, 6 and 12 months in tibial medial and lateral metaphyseal region, and femoral anterior, central and posterior metaphyseal region (p < 0.05), but no significant difference for tibial diaphyseal region at 3, 6, and 12 months. None of the included studies described severe or fatal adverse effects related to BPs. BPs have a short-term effect on reducing periprosthetic bone loss after total knee arthroplasty. Compared with diaphyseal region, BPs are more effective on the preservation of BMD in medial lateral metaphyseal regions of proximal tibia and in anterior, central, and posterior metaphyseal region of distal femur.

Individual receptor profiling as a novel tool to support diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC).

PubMed

Neuhaus, Jochen; Schulte-Baukloh, Heinrich; Stolzenburg, Jens-Uwe; Speroni di Fenizio, Pietro; Horn, Lars-Christian; Rüffert, Henrik; Hartenstein, Siegurd; Burger, Maximilian; Schulze, Matthias; Schwalenberg, Thilo

2012-10-01

Dysregulation of neurotransmitter receptors may contribute to bladder overactivity (OAB) symptoms. To address the question whether specific receptor expression patterns are associated with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC), we examined the expression of muscarinic, purinergic and histamine receptors in the detrusor. Detrusor receptor expression was investigated in bladder biopsies of female BPS/IC patients (n = 44; age 60.64 ± 13.78, mean ± SD) and carcinoma patients (n = 11; age 58.91 ± 12.72) undergoing cystectomy. Protein expression of muscarinic (M2, M3), purinergic (P2X1-3) and histamine receptors (H1, H2) was analysed by confocal immunofluorescence, and gene expression was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). M2, P2X1, P2X2 and H1 receptor immunoreactivity (-IR) was significantly enhanced in BPS/IC compared to the control group, while there was no difference for M3-, P2X3- and H2-IR. We calculated a score, which separated BPS/IC from control patients with an AUC of 89.46%, showing 84.09% sensitivity and 90.91% specificity. Patients had a 9.25 times enhanced calculated risk for BPS/IC. In addition, two patient subgroups (M2 > M3 and M3 > M2) were observed, which differed in associated purinergic and histamine receptor expression. M2, P2X1, P2X2 and H1 were significantly upregulated in BPS/IC patients, and H2 was occasionally highly overexpressed. There was no significant correlation between receptor protein and gene expression, implying posttranslational mechanisms being responsible for the altered receptor expressions. On the basis of individual receptor profiles, upregulated receptors could be targeted by monotherapy or combination therapy with already approved receptor inhibitors, thereby promoting tailored therapy for patients suffering from BPS/IC-like symptoms.

The Expression of Inflammatory Mediators in Bladder Pain Syndrome.

PubMed

Offiah, Ifeoma; Didangelos, Athanasios; Dawes, John; Cartwright, Rufus; Khullar, Vik; Bradbury, Elizabeth J; O'Sullivan, Suzanne; Williams, Dic; Chessell, Iain P; Pallas, Kenny; Graham, Gerry; O'Reilly, Barry A; McMahon, Stephen B

2016-08-01

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) pathology is poorly understood. Treatment strategies are empirical, with limited efficacy, and affected patients have diminished quality of life. We examined the hypothesis that inflammatory mediators within the bladder contribute to BPS pathology. Fifteen women with BPS and 15 women with stress urinary incontinence without bladder pain were recruited from Cork University Maternity Hospital from October 2011 to October 2012. During cystoscopy, 5-mm bladder biopsies were taken and processed for gene expression analysis. The effect of the identified genes was tested in laboratory animals. We studied the expression of 96 inflammation-related genes in diseased and healthy bladders. We measured the correlation between genes and patient clinical profiles using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Analysis revealed 15 differentially expressed genes, confirmed in a replication study. FGF7 and CCL21 correlated significantly with clinical outcomes. Intravesical CCL21 instillation in rats caused increased bladder excitability and increased c-fos activity in spinal cord neurons. CCL21 atypical receptor knockout mice showed significantly more c-fos upon bladder stimulation with CCL21 than wild-type littermates. There was no change in FGF7-treated animals. The variability in patient samples presented as the main limitation. We used principal component analysis to identify similarities within the patient group. Our study identified two biologically relevant inflammatory mediators in BPS and demonstrated an increase in nociceptive signalling with CCL21. Manipulation of this ligand is a potential new therapeutic strategy for BPS. We compared gene expression in bladder biopsies of patients with bladder pain syndrome (BPS) and controls without pain and identified two genes that were increased in BPS patients and correlated with clinical profiles. We tested the effect of these genes in laboratory animals, confirming their role in bladder pain. Manipulating these genes in BPS is a potential treatment strategy. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A study on the bacterial photo-toxicity of phenothiazinium based photosensitisers.

PubMed

Sayed, Zia; Harris, Frederick; Phoenix, David A

2005-03-01

"Comet assay" showed light activated (3.15 Jcm-2 over 30 min) phenothiazinium based photosensitisers (PhBPs) to induce photo-damage of Staphylococcus aureus DNA, as indicated by DNA "tails" between 80 and 120 microm. In general, PhBPs exhibited significant singlet oxygen yields (Phi(DeltaPhBP)>0.7), suggesting the use of type II mechanisms of photo-oxidation. However, the photodynamic action of PhBPs on DNA showed generally insignificant production of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine, normally a major product of type II DNA photo-oxidation. These combined results show DNA to be a major site of action of PhBPs and suggest that this action may involve type II attack on a nucleoside(s) other than guanosine.

Few-Layered Black Phosphorus: From Fabrication and Customization to Biomedical Applications.

PubMed

Wang, Huaiyu; Yu, Xue-Feng

2018-02-01

As a new kind of 2D material, black phosphorus has gained increased attention in the past three years. Although few-layered black phosphorus nanosheets (BPs) degrade quickly under ambient conditions to phosphate anions, which greatly hampers their optical and electronic applications, this property also makes BPs highly biocompatible and biodegradable, and is regarded as an advantage for various biomedical applications. This Concept summarizes the state-of-art progresses of BPs, from fabrication and surface modification to biomedical applications. It is expected that BPs with such fascinating properties will encourage more scientists to engage in expanding its biomedical applications by tackling the scientific challenges involved in their development. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Bisphenol A, bisphenol F and bisphenol S affect differently 5α-reductase expression and dopamine–serotonin systems in the prefrontal cortex of juvenile female rats

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

Castro, Beatriz; Sánchez, Pilar; Torres, Jesús M., E-mail: torrespi@ugr.es

Background: Early-life exposure to the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) affects brain function and behavior, which might be attributed to its interference with hormonal steroid signaling and/or neurotransmitter systems. Alternatively, the use of structural analogs of BPA, mainly bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS), has increased recently. However, limited in vivo toxicity data exist. Objectives: We investigated the effects of BPA, BPF and BPS on 5α-reductase (5α-R), a key enzyme involved in neurosteroidogenesis, as well as on dopamine (DA)- and serotonin (5-HT)-related genes, in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of juvenile female rats. Methods: Gestating Wistar rats were treated withmore » either vehicle or 10 μg/kg/day of BPA, BPF or BPS from gestational day 12 to parturition. Then, female pups were exposed from postnatal day 1 through day 21 (PND21), when they were euthanized and RT-PCR, western blot and quantitative PCR-array experiments were performed. Results: BPA decreased 5α-R2 and 5α-R3 mRNA and protein levels, while both BPF and BPS decreased 5α-R3 mRNA levels in PFC at PND21. Further, BPA, BPF and BPS significantly altered, respectively, the transcription of 25, 56 and 24 genes out of the 84 DA and 5-HT-related genes assayed. Of particular interest was the strong induction by all these bisphenols of Cyp2d4, implicated in corticosteroids synthesis. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate for the first time that BPA, BPF and BPS differentially affect 5α-R and genes related to DA/5-HT systems in the female PFC. In vivo evidence of the potential adverse effects of BPF and BPS in the brain of mammals is provided in this work, raising questions about the safety of these chemicals as substitutes for BPA. - Highlights: • Juvenile prefrontal cortex of female rats exposed to bisphenol A, F or S was analyzed. • We provide the first in vivo data of BPF and BPS effects in mammal brain. • BPA, BPF and BPS differently affected dopamine and serotonin-related genes. • 5α-reductase was found as a potential target for BPA action in juvenile female brain.« less

Notes on S-folds and {N} = 3 theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agarwal, Prarit; Amariti, Antonio

2016-09-01

We consider D3 branes in presence of an S-fold plane. The latter is a non-perturbative object, arising from the combined projection of an S-duality twist and a discrete orbifold of the R-symmetry group. This construction naively gives rise to 4d {N} = 3 SCFTs. Nevertheless it has been observed that in some cases supersymmetry is enhanced to {N} = 4. In this paper we study the explicit counting of degrees of freedom arising from vector multiplets associated to strings suspended between the D3 branes probing the S-fold. We propose that, for trivial discrete torsion, there is no vector multiplet associated to (1, 0) strings stretched between a brane and its image. We then focus on the case of rank 2 {N} = 3 theory that enhances to SU(3) {N} = 4 SYM, explicitly spelling out the isomorphism between the BPS-spectrum of the manifestly {N} = 3 theory and that of three D3 branes in flat spacetime. Subsequently, we consider 3-pronged strings in these setups and show how wall-crossing in the S-fold background implies wall crossing in the flat geometry. This can be considered a consistency check of the conjectured SUSY enhancement. We also find that the above isomorphism implies that a (1, 0) string, suspended between a brane and its image in the S-fold, corresponds to a 3-string junction in the flat geometry. This is in agreement with our claim on the absence of a vector multiplet associated to such (1, 0) strings. This is because the 3-string junction in flat geometry gives rise to a 1/4-th BPS multiplet of the {N} = 4 algebra. Such multiplets always include particles with spin > 1 as opposed to a vector multiplet which is restricted by the requirement that the spins must be ≤ 1.

MAGNETIC FLUX SUPPLEMENT TO CORONAL BRIGHT POINTS

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

Mou, Chaozhou; Huang, Zhenghua; Xia, Lidong

Coronal bright points (BPs) are associated with magnetic bipolar features (MBFs) and magnetic cancellation. Here we investigate how BP-associated MBFs form and how the consequent magnetic cancellation occurs. We analyze longitudinal magnetograms from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager to investigate the photospheric magnetic flux evolution of 70 BPs. From images taken in the 193 Å passband of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) we dermine that the BPs’ lifetimes vary from 2.7 to 58.8 hr. The formation of the BP MBFs is found to involve three processes, namely, emergence, convergence, and local coalescence of the magnetic fluxes. The formation of anmore » MBF can involve more than one of these processes. Out of the 70 cases, flux emergence is the main process of an MBF buildup of 52 BPs, mainly convergence is seen in 28, and 14 cases are associated with local coalescence. For MBFs formed by bipolar emergence, the time difference between the flux emergence and the BP appearance in the AIA 193 Å passband varies from 0.1 to 3.2 hr with an average of 1.3 hr. While magnetic cancellation is found in all 70 BPs, it can occur in three different ways: (I) between an MBF and small weak magnetic features (in 33 BPs); (II) within an MBF with the two polarities moving toward each other from a large distance (34 BPs); (III) within an MBF whose two main polarities emerge in the same place simultaneously (3 BPs). While an MBF builds up the skeleton of a BP, we find that the magnetic activities responsible for the BP heating may involve small weak fields.« less

Disposition and metabolism of the bisphenol analogue, bisphenol S, in Harlan Sprague Dawley rats and B6C3F1/N mice and in vitro in hepatocytes from rats, mice, and humans.

PubMed

Waidyanatha, Suramya; Black, Sherry R; Snyder, Rodney W; Yueh, Yun Lan; Sutherland, Vicki; Patel, Purvi R; Watson, Scott L; Fennell, Timothy R

2018-07-15

With the removal of bisphenol A (BPA) from many consumer products, the potential use of alternatives such as bisphenol S (BPS) and its derivatives is causing some concerns. These studies investigated the comparative in vitro hepatic clearance and metabolism of BPS and derivatives and the disposition and metabolism of BPS in rats and mice following gavage and intravenous administration. The clearance of BPS and its derivatives was slower in human hepatocytes than in rodents. In male rats following gavage administration of 50, 150, and 500 mg/kg [ 14 C]BPS the main route of excretion was via urine; the urinary excretion decreased (72 to 48%) and the fecal excretion increased (16 to 30%) with increasing dose. The disposition was similar in female rats and male and female mice following gavage administration. Radioactivity remaining in tissues at 72 h in both species and sexes was ≤2.4%. In bile duct cannulated rats 53% of a gavage dose was secreted in bile suggesting extensive enterohepatic recirculation of [ 14 C]BPS. Following an intravenous dose in rats and mice, the pattern of excretion was similar to gavage. These data suggest that the dose excreted in feces folowing gavage administration is likely the absorbed dose. Urinary metabolites included the glucuronide and sulfate conjugates with a moderate amount of parent. The pattern of in vitro hepatic metabolsim was similar to in vivo with some difference among derivatives. These data suggest that similar to other bisphenol analogues, BPS was well absorbed following oral expsosure and extensively excreted with minimal tissue retention. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of forearm and upper arm blood pressures.

PubMed

Singer, A J; Kahn, S R; Thode, H C; Hollander, J E

1999-01-01

In the prehospital setting it is not always feasible to obtain blood pressure (BP) readings from the upper arm. This study was performed to compare BPs obtained from subjects' forearms and upper arms in order to assess the utility of forearm BP as a surrogate for standard BP. The authors performed a prospective, cross-sectional, convenience study in a sample of ambulatory university ED patients, where each subject had sequential determinations of left upper arm and forearm BPs with an automated monitor at ED triage. The order of measurement was determined by the day of the week. Demographic and clinical data were also recorded. The main outcome measure was the correlation between upper arm and forearm systolic and diastolic BPs. Pearson's correlation coefficient and Student's t-test were used to analyze the data. 151 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 35.3+/-15.7 years; 40% were female and 78% were white. The mean forearm and upper arm systolic BPs were 129.8+/-20.7 mm Hg and 126.2+/-17.6 mm Hg (p = 0.002). The mean forearm and upper arm diastolic BPs were 80.7+/-14.5 mm Hg and 76.8+/-13.4 mm Hg (p<0.001). The correlations between forearm and upper arm systolic and diastolic BPs were 0.75 (p<0.001) and 0.72 (p<0.001). The differences between forearm and upper arm systolic and diastolic BPs were within 20 mm Hg in 86% and 94% of patients, respectively. Forearm BP is a fairly good predictor of standard upper arm BP in most patients. Forearm BP may be used when measurement of upper arm BP is not feasible.

Bisphenol S and F: A Systematic Review and Comparison of the Hormonal Activity of Bisphenol A Substitutes

PubMed Central

Bolden, Ashley L.

2015-01-01

Background Increasing concern over bisphenol A (BPA) as an endocrine-disrupting chemical and its possible effects on human health have prompted the removal of BPA from consumer products, often labeled “BPA-free.” Some of the chemical replacements, however, are also bisphenols and may have similar physiological effects in organisms. Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are two such BPA substitutes. Objectives This review was carried out to evaluate the physiological effects and endocrine activities of the BPA substitutes BPS and BPF. Further, we compared the hormonal potency of BPS and BPF to that of BPA. Methods We conducted a systematic review based on the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) protocol. Results We identified the body of literature to date, consisting of 32 studies (25 in vitro only, and 7 in vivo). The majority of these studies examined the hormonal activities of BPS and BPF and found their potency to be in the same order of magnitude and of similar action as BPA (estrogenic, antiestrogenic, androgenic, and antiandrogenic) in vitro and in vivo. BPS also has potencies similar to that of estradiol in membrane-mediated pathways, which are important for cellular actions such as proliferation, differentiation, and death. BPS and BPF also showed other effects in vitro and in vivo, such as altered organ weights, reproductive end points, and enzyme expression. Conclusions Based on the current literature, BPS and BPF are as hormonally active as BPA, and they have endocrine-disrupting effects. Citation Rochester JR, Bolden AL. 2015. Bisphenol S and F: a systematic review and comparison of the hormonal activity of bisphenol A substitutes. Environ Health Perspect 123:643–650; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408989 PMID:25775505

Multiple D3-Instantons and Mock Modular Forms I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexandrov, Sergei; Banerjee, Sibasish; Manschot, Jan; Pioline, Boris

2017-07-01

We study D3-instanton corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space in type IIB string theory compactified on a Calabi-Yau threefold. In a previous work, consistency of D3-instantons with S-duality was established at first order in the instanton expansion, using the modular properties of the M5-brane elliptic genus. We extend this analysis to the two-instanton level, where wall-crossing phenomena start playing a role. We focus on the contact potential, an analogue of the Kähler potential which must transform as a modular form under S-duality. We show that it can be expressed in terms of a suitable modification of the partition function of D4-D2-D0 BPS black holes, constructed out of the generating function of MSW invariants (the latter coincide with Donaldson-Thomas invariants in a particular chamber). Modular invariance of the contact potential then requires that, in the case where the D3-brane wraps a reducible divisor, the generating function of MSW invariants must transform as a vector-valued mock modular form, with a specific modular completion built from the MSW invariants of the constituents. Physically, this gives a powerful constraint on the degeneracies of BPS black holes. Mathematically, our result gives a universal prediction for the modular properties of Donaldson-Thomas invariants of pure two-dimensional sheaves.

Urinary Concentrations of Bisphenols and Their Association with Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in People Living Near E-Waste Recycling Facilities in China.

PubMed

Zhang, Tao; Xue, Jingchuan; Gao, Chuan-zi; Qiu, Rong-liang; Li, Yan-xi; Li, Xiao; Huang, Ming-zhi; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2016-04-05

In this study, concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) and seven other bisphenols (BPs) were measured in urine samples collected from people living in and around e-waste dismantling facilities, and in matched reference population from rural and urban areas in China. BPA, bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol F (BPF) were frequently detected (detection frequencies: > 90%) in urine samples collected from individuals who live near e-waste facilities, with geometric mean (GM) concentrations of 2.99 (or 3.75), 0.361 (or 0.469), and 0.349 (or 0.435) ng/mL (or μg/g Cre), respectively; the other five BPs were rarely found in urine samples, regardless of the sampling location. The urinary concentrations of BPA and BPF, but not BPS, were significantly higher in individuals from e-waste recycling locations than did individuals from a rural reference location. Our findings indicated that e-waste dismantling activities contribute to human exposure to BPA and BPF. 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was measured in urine as a marker of oxidative stress. In the e-waste dismantling location, urinary 8-OHdG was significantly and positively correlated (p < 0.001) with urinary BPA and BPS, but not BPF; a similar correlation was also observed in reference sites. These findings suggest that BPA and BPS exposures are associated with elevated oxidative stress.

Management of congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation and bronchopulmonary sequestration in newborns.

PubMed

Chen, Hung-Wen; Hsu, Wen-Ming; Lu, Frank Leigh; Chen, Pau-Chung; Jeng, Suh-Fang; Peng, Steven Shinn-Forng; Chen, Chien-Yi; Chou, Hung-Chieh; Tsao, Po-Nien; Hsieh, Wu-Shiun

2010-06-01

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) and bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) are major embryonic pulmonary developmental anomalies. Early surgical excision is becoming an increasingly common option. We investigated the clinical features and management of patients with CCAM and BPS at the National Taiwan University Hospital. We conducted a retrospective review of neonates diagnosed with CCAM and/or BPS at the Hospital from July 1995 to January 2008. Prenatal examination, postnatal presentation, management and patient outcome were analyzed. We also propose a concise algorithm for the practical management of these conditions. Sixteen patients were recruited including eight (50%) with CCAM, five (31%) with BPS and three (19%) with mixed-type lesions (CCAM with BPS). Thirteen (81%) patients were diagnosed antenatally at a median gestational age of 20 weeks. Eleven (69%) patients underwent surgical resection before 6 months of age because of respiratory distress or repeated pulmonary infection. There were no surgery-related complications among the seven patients who underwent early surgery within 1 month of age. Five (31%) patients remained asymptomatic and did not undergo surgery. All patients survived with no limitations to daily activity during follow-up periods of 1-8 years. The high proportion of mixed-type lesions suggests that CCAM and BPS may share the same developmental ancestry. Early surgical resection within 1 month of age is safe in symptomatic patients. 2010 Taiwan Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cognitive intervention therapy as treatment for behaviour disorders in Alzheimer disease: evidence on efficacy and neurobiological correlations.

PubMed

García-Alberca, J M

2015-01-01

The prevalence of behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPS) is very high among patients with Alzheimer disease (AD); more than 90% of AD patients will present such symptoms during the course of the disease. These symptoms result in poorer quality of life for both patients and caregivers and increased healthcare costs. BPS are the main factors involved in increases to the caregiver burden, and they often precipitate the admission of patients to residential care centres. Current consensus holds that intervention models combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are the most effective for AD patients. Several studies have shown cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine combined with cognitive intervention therapy (CIT) to be effective for improving patients' cognitive function and functional capacity for undertaking daily life activities. However, the efficacy of CIT as a treatment for BPS has not yet been clearly established, which limits its use for this purpose in clinical practice. The objective of this review is to gather available evidence on the efficacy of cognitive intervention therapy (CIT) on BPS in patients with AD. The results of this review suggest that CIT may have a beneficial effect on BPS in patients with AD and should therefore be considered a treatment option for patients with AD and BPS. Copyright © 2012 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Understanding pain and coping in women with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

PubMed

Katz, Laura; Tripp, Dean A; Carr, Lesley K; Mayer, Robert; Moldwin, Robert M; Nickel, J Curtis

2017-08-01

To examine a self-regulation and coping model for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) that may help us understand the pain experience of patients with chronic IC/BPS. The model tested illness perceptions, illness-focused coping, emotional regulation, mental health and disability in a stepwise method using factor analysis and structural equation modelling. Step 1, explored the underlying constructs. Step 2, confirmed the measurement models to determine the structure/composition of the main constructs. Step 3, evaluated the model fit and specified pathways in the proposed IC/BPS self-regulation model. In all, 217 female patients with urologist diagnosed IC/BPS were recruited and diagnosed across tertiary care centres in North America. The data were collected through self-report questionnaires. An IC/BPS self-regulation model was supported. Physical disability was worsened by patient's negative perception of their illness, attempts to cope using illness-focused coping and poorer emotional regulation. Mental health was supported by perceptions that individuals could do something about their illness, using wellness-focused behavioural strategies and adaptive emotion regulation. The results clarify the complex and unique process of self-regulation in women with IC/BPS, implicating cognitive and coping targets, and highlighting emotional regulation. This knowledge should help clinicians understand and manage these patients' distress and disability. © 2017 The Authors BJU International © 2017 BJU International Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Bridging a clinical gap in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: Mental health provider preferences of biopsychosocial assessment approaches.

PubMed

Jimenez, Xavier F; Bautista, Jocelyn F; Tilahun, Bikat S; Fan, Youran; Ford, Paul J; Tesar, George E

2016-03-01

Management of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) is complex, requiring multidisciplinary care. A standardized assessment and formulation approach to PNES is lacking, yet use of a comprehensive model may alleviate problems such as mental health aftercare noncompliance. Although a biopsychosocial (BPS) approach to PNES balancing predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating (PPP) variables has been described and has been recently tested in pilot form, it is unclear how this assessment style is perceived among community mental health practitioners such as psychotherapists (including psychologists, counselors, and social workers). We predicted preference of a comprehensive "BPS/PPP" assessment style by those most involved in PNES care (i.e., community psychotherapists). One hundred and forty-three community-based social workers and counselors completed a survey featuring a fictional PNES case followed by assessment style options ("Multiaxial," "Narrative," and "BPS/PPP"). Respondents clearly preferred the robust BPS/PPP approach over less-comprehensive multiaxial and narrative assessments (p<0.0001). Reasons for choosing the BPS/PPP by respondents include ease of organization, clear therapeutic goals, and comprehensive nature. This assessment of acceptability of a BPS/PPP approach to PNES assessment among community mental health practitioners may provide a patient-centered mechanism to enhance referrals from the neurological to mental health setting. Implications and future directions are explored. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Physician Assimilation in Medical Schools: Dualisms of Biomedical and Biopsychosocial Ideologies in the Discourse of Physician Educators.

PubMed

Olufowote, James O; Wang, Guoyu E

2017-06-01

Although health communication research and popular literature on physicians have heightened awareness of the dualisms physicians face, research is yet to focus on the discourse of physician educators who assimilate students into medicine for dualisms of the biomedical (BMD) and biopsychosocial (BPS) ideologies. The study drew on a dualism-centered model to analyze the discourse of 19 behavioral science course directors at 10 medical schools for the emergence of dualisms in instantiations of BPS ideologies and for the management of dualism in discourse that instantiated both BMD and BPS ideologies as part of the curriculum. Dualism emerged in the BPS ideologies of "patient-centeredness" and "cultural competence." While a dualism between "patients' data" and "patients' stories" emerged in the patient-centeredness ideology, a dualism between enhancing "interaction skill" and "understanding" emerged in the cultural competence ideology. Moreover, the study found educator discourse managing dualism between BMD and BPS ideologies through the strategies of "connection" and "separation." The study concludes with a discussion and the implications for theory and research.

Binding of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) to the Trypanosoma cruzi farnesyl diphosphate synthase homodimer

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

Huang, Chuan-Hsiang; Gabelli, Sandra B.; Oldfield, Eric

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are a class of compounds that have been used extensively in the treatment of osteoporosis and malignancy-related hypercalcemia. Some of these compounds act through inhibition of farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS), a key enzyme in the synthesis of isoprenoids. Recently, nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) used in bone resorption therapy have been shown to be active against Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), suggesting that they may be used as anti-trypanosomal agents. The crystal structures of TcFPPS in complex with substrate (isopentenyl diphosphate, IPP) and five N-BP inhibitors show that the C-1 hydroxyl and the nitrogen-containing groupsmore » of the inhibitors alter the binding of IPP and the conformation of two TcFPPS residues, Tyr94 and Gln167. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments suggest that binding of the first N-BPs to the homodimeric TcFPPS changes the binding properties of the second site. This mechanism of binding of N-BPs to TcFPPS is different to that reported for the binding of the same compounds to human FPPS.« less

Bogomolny equations in certain generalized baby BPS Skyrme models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stępień, Ł. T.

2018-01-01

By using the concept of strong necessary conditions (CSNCs), we derive Bogomolny equations and Bogomol’nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) bounds for two certain modifications of the baby BPS Skyrme model: the nonminimal coupling to the gauge field and the k-deformed ungauged model. In particular, we study how the Bogomolny equations and the equation for the potential reflect these two modifications. In both examples, the CSNC method appears to be a very useful tool. We also find certain localized solutions of these Bogomolny equations.

Instantons in Lifshitz field theories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujimori, Toshiaki; Nitta, Muneto

2015-10-01

BPS instantons are discussed in Lifshitz-type anisotropic field theories. We consider generalizations of the sigma model/Yang-Mills instantons in renormalizable higher dimensional models with the classical Lifshitz scaling invariance. In each model, BPS instanton equation takes the form of the gradient flow equations for "the superpotential" defining "the detailed balance condition". The anisotropic Weyl rescaling and the coset space dimensional reduction are used to map rotationally symmetric instantons to vortices in two-dimensional anisotropic systems on the hyperbolic plane. As examples, we study anisotropic BPS baby Skyrmion 1+1 dimensions and BPS Skyrmion in 2+1 dimensions, for which we take Kähler 1-form and the Wess-Zumiono-Witten term as the superpotentials, respectively, and an anisotropic generalized Yang-Mills instanton in 4 + 1 dimensions, for which we take the Chern-Simons term as the superpotential.

Intravesical treatments of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

PubMed

Neuhaus, Jochen; Schwalenberg, Thilo

2012-12-01

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is a disabling chronic condition that affects up to 7% of women in the USA. In men, BPS/IC seems to be less common, but might be underestimated because it can be confused with chronic prostatitis. The aetiology and pathophysiology of BPS/IC are not well understood. Consequently, diagnosis and treatment is challenging and most therapies used to date are off-label. These therapies include bladder instillation with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and BCG, as well as hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Overall, botulinum neurotoxin A injection, intravesical sodium hyaluronate instillation and DMSO instillation seem to be the best-performing treatments, with response rates of 79%, 76% and 75%, respectively, and can be used effectively as second-line or third-line therapies for BPS/IC. However, additional high-quality randomized controlled trials are necessary to improve the available data.

A study of 225 patients on bisphosphonates presenting to the bisphosphonate clinic at King's College Hospital.

PubMed

Taylor, T; Bryant, C; Popat, S

2013-04-01

The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the outcome of patients referred to a dedicated clinic for dental extractions while they were prescribed either oral or intra-venous (IV) bisphosphonates (BPs). The following parameters were assessed: mode of BP administration, indication for BP prescription, incidence of BRONJ, concomitant risk factors for development of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ) and demographic details. The clinical records of 225 patients who underwent dental extraction while receiving oral or intravenous bisphosphonates were reviewed. Their clinical outcome, specifically the development of BRONJ was determined. Of the 225 patients, 202 were prescribed oral and 23 IV BPs. 34.8% (8/23) of patients prescribed IV BPs developed BRONJ following dental extraction, which was a significantly (p <0.001) higher proportion than that of the oral BP group, which was 2.5% (5/202 patients). 12.3% (8/65) patients taking BPs with steroids were at a significantly increased risk of a BRONJ (p <0.003). 12.3% (7/57) males developed a BRONJ compared with 3.6% (6/168) females where p = 0.015. All of the patients who developed a BRONJ as a result of oral BP prescription had been taking this medication for three years or more. In our patient cohort the risk of developing a BRONJ following dental extractions was greatest in those patients receiving IV BPs and those on oral BPs with concomitant steroid medication.

Intravesical treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis: from the conventional regimens to the novel botulinum toxin injections.

PubMed

Dellis, Athanasios; Papatsoris, Athanasios G

2014-06-01

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) includes interstitial cystitis (IC) and is often used as a synonym of it (i.e., BPS/IC). It is associated with lower urinary tract symptoms as well as with negative cognitive, behavioral, sexual and/or emotional consequences. Unfortunately, none of the numerous existing oral and intravesical treatments have been effective for all of the BPS subtypes and therefore relevant research is ongoing. In this review, the authors analyze the existing literature for the intravesical treatment of BPS/IC with focus on the novel administration of botulinum toxin (BTX). Several intravesical drugs have been studied in the past, including lidocaine, heparin, pentosan polysulfate sodium, dimethyl sulfoxide, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid as well as investigational drugs such as GM-0111. Recently, intravesical submucosal injections of BTX have been studied in patients with BPS/IC. Most of the recent studies use BTX-A with no serious adverse effects and with satisfactory results in patients who do not respond to oral or standard intravesical therapy. Nevertheless, there is no consensus regarding the best dosage scheme of BTX, the injection sites and the treatment intervals. BTX intravesical administration in patients with BPS/IC is a safe and efficient treatment option; yet the level of evidence of the initial studies is not high. There is still the need for large randomized controlled studies so that a consensus can be reached for the ideal BTX dosage, injection sites and intervals between treatments.

Contamination risk of reusing daily disposable contact lenses.

PubMed

Boost, Maureen; Poon, Kin-Chiu; Cho, Pauline

2011-12-01

This study investigated contamination of saline and daily disposable contact lens (DDCL) stored overnight after use in the original blister pack and the practices of a group of DDCL users. Twenty DDCL wearers placed their lenses after 1 day's use back into the blister pack saline (BPS) and left them overnight before transferring both lens and BPS to a new CL case. The lens and BPS were cultured the following day, and total number of organisms, Staphylococci, and gram negative organisms enumerated. Each subject submitted five pairs of lenses over a 1 month period. Ninety-five percent of subjects had at least one pair of contaminated lenses, and the BPS yielded similar results to the contaminated lenses, with staphylococcal contamination being predominant. Three subjects admitted to not washing their hands before handling their lenses and six to habitual reuse of their lenses with storage in the BPS. There was a higher risk of contamination in male subjects. Reuse of lenses poses an important risk for DDCL users because they are unlikely to have received proper training in cleaning and disinfection of lenses and do not use a lens case or disinfecting solutions. Overnight storage in BPS results in contaminated lenses which if reused increases the infection risk especially with Staphylococci. It is important that practitioners carefully educate their patients in correct use of DDCL and, as cost of lenses is a major factor in willingness to reuse, ensure that DDCL is the most suitable choice when prescribing.

MicroRNAs May Mediate the Down-Regulation of Neurokinin-1 Receptor in Chronic Bladder Pain Syndrome

PubMed Central

Sanchez Freire, Veronica; Burkhard, Fiona C.; Kessler, Thomas M.; Kuhn, Annette; Draeger, Annette; Monastyrskaya, Katia

2010-01-01

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a clinical syndrome of pelvic pain and urinary urgency-frequency in the absence of a specific cause. Investigating the expression levels of genes involved in the regulation of epithelial permeability, bladder contractility, and inflammation, we show that neurokinin (NK)1 and NK2 tachykinin receptors were significantly down-regulated in BPS patients. Tight junction proteins zona occludens-1, junctional adherins molecule -1, and occludin were similarly down-regulated, implicating increased urothelial permeability, whereas bradykinin B1 receptor, cannabinoid receptor CB1 and muscarinic receptors M3-M5 were up-regulated. Using cell-based models, we show that prolonged exposure of NK1R to substance P caused a decrease of NK1R mRNA levels and a concomitant increase of regulatory micro(mi)RNAs miR-449b and miR-500. In the biopsies of BPS patients, the same miRNAs were significantly increased, suggesting that BPS promotes an attenuation of NK1R synthesis via activation of specific miRNAs. We confirm this hypothesis by identifying 31 differentially expressed miRNAs in BPS patients and demonstrate a direct correlation between miR-449b, miR-500, miR-328, and miR-320 and a down-regulation of NK1R mRNA and/or protein levels. Our findings further the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of BPS, and have relevance for other clinical conditions involving the NK1 receptor. PMID:20008142

Beneficial Effect of Beraprost Sodium Plus Aspirin in the Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

PubMed

Chen, Siqia; Xie, Sisi; He, Wenzhen; Wei, Duncan; Li, Shunxian; Chen, Wenjie

2017-09-12

BACKGROUND To investigate the combination of beraprost sodium (BPS) and aspirin in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). MATERIAL AND METHODS 308 patients with acute cerebral infarction were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group (n=154), treated with BPS (40 μg, tid) and aspirin (100 mg, qd); control group (n=154), treated with 100 mg of aspirin, qd). The antiplatelet therapy remained unchangeable until six months after hospital discharge. RESULTS Initially, no significant differences were found between the two groups. After six months, the relapse-free survival rate was similar between the treatment group (98.1%) and the control group (97.4%). One patient died from AIS in the control group. However, glomerular filtration rate was significantly higher; neurological function and functional ability of patients were better in patients treated with BPS plus aspirin (experimental group) than that in aspirin alone group. No significant difference was found in the function of the coagulation system, suggesting that BPS plus aspirin treatment did not increase the risk of bleeding. Serious adverse events did not occur in both groups. Facial flushing (one case) and mild gastrointestinal reaction (one case) were found in the treatment group without influencing treatment. CONCLUSIONS In our trial involving patients with acute cerebral infarction, BPS plus aspirin was not found to be superior to aspirin in reducing the recurrence of cerebral infarction or death. However, BPS plus aspirin treatment could improve renal function and neurological function without increasing the risk of bleeding.

Method of making a modular off-axis solar concentrator

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

Plesniak, Adam P.; Hall, John C.

A method of making a solar concentrator may include forming a receiving wall having an elongated wall, a first side wall and a second side wall; attaching the first side wall and the second side wall to a reflecting wall to form a housing having an internal volume with an opening; forming a lip on the receiving wall and the reflecting wall; attaching a cover to the receiving wall and the reflecting wall at the lip to seal the opening into the internal volume, thereby creating a rigid structure; and mounting at least one receiver having at least one photovoltaicmore » cell on the elongated wall to receive solar radiation entering the housing and reflected by the receiving wall, the receiver having an axis parallel with a surface normal of the photovoltaic cell, such that the axis is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the vertical axis of the opening.« less

Structural requirements for inhibitory effects of bisphenols on the activity of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase

PubMed Central

Woeste, Matthew; Steller, Jeffrey; Hofmann, Emily; Kidd, Taylor; Patel, Rahul; Connolly, Kevin; Jayasinghe, Manori; Paula, Stefan

2013-01-01

Bisphenols (BPs) are a class of small organic compounds with widespread industrial applications. Previous studies have identified several BPs that interfere with the activity of the ion-translocating enzyme sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA). In order to define the molecular determinants of BP-mediated SERCA inhibition, we conducted enzyme activity assays with rabbit SERCA to determine the inhibitory potencies of 27 commercially available BPs, which were the basis for structure-activity relationships. The most potent BPs inhibited SERCA at low micromolar concentrations and carried at their two phenyl rings multiple non-polar substituents, such as small alkyl groups or halides. Furthermore, the presence of methyl groups or a cyclohexyl group at the central carbon atom connecting the two phenyl moieties correlated with good potencies. For a characterization and visualization of inhibitor/enzyme interactions, molecular docking was performed, which suggested that hydrogen bonding with Asp254 and hydrophobic interactions were the major driving forces for BP binding to SERCA. Calcium imaging studies with a selection of BPs showed that these inhibitors were able to increase intracellular calcium levels in living human cells, a behavior consistent with that of a SERCA inhibitor. PMID:23643898

The intron 1 of HPV 16 has a suboptimal branch point at a guanosine.

PubMed

De la Rosa-Rios, Marco Antonio; Martínez-Salazar, Martha; Martínez-Garcia, Martha; González-Bonilla, César; Villegas-Sepúlveda, Nicolás

2006-06-01

The branch point sequence (BPS) of intron 1 of the HPV-16 was determined via RT-PCR in a cell free system, using lariat intermediates obtained by in vitro splicing reactions. We used synthetic E6/E7 transcripts and HeLa nuclear protein extracts to obtain the splicing intermediates. Then, a divergent oligonucleotide primer set, pairing on the lariat RNA that encompassed the 2'-5' phosphodiester bond formed between the 5' end of the intron and the BPS, was used for cDNA synthesis and PCR amplification. Subsequent RT-PCR assays revealed four splicing intermediates, made up of a major intermediary corresponding to the BPS and four cryptic branched sequences. Only intermediates bound at the 5' end of the intron are probably the authentic branch point sequence, and all of them branch at guanosine 328 instead of the typical adenosine. Unusually, the BPS of intron 1 of HPV-16 is a suboptimal sequence (AGUGAGU) that differs from the eukaryotic consensus BPS, which correlates with the splicing profile observed for early transcripts of HPV-16 in tumors and tumor derived cell lines. The implications of this unusual branch point sequence for splicing of the HPV-16 pre-mRNA are discussed.

Long-term exposure of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) to ZnO nanoparticles: anatomical and ultrastructural responses.

PubMed

Mousavi Kouhi, Seyed Mousa; Lahouti, Mehrdad; Ganjeali, Ali; Entezari, Mohammad H

2015-07-01

Rapid development of nanotechnology in recent years has raised concerns about nanoparticle (NPs) release into the environment and its adverse effects on living organisms. The present study is the first comprehensive report on the anatomical and ultrastructural changes of a variety of cells after long-term exposure of plant to NPs or bulk material particles (BPs). Light and electron microscopy revealed some anatomical and ultrastructural modifications of the different types of cell in the root and leaf, induced by both types of treatment. Zinc oxide (ZnO) BPs-induced modifications were surprisingly more than those induced by ZnO NPs. The modifications induced by ZnO BPs or ZnO NPs were almost similar to those induced by excess Zn. Zn content of the root and leaf of both ZnO NPs- and ZnO BPs-treated plants was severely increased, where the increase was greater in the plants treated with ZnO BPs. Overall, these results indicate that the modifications induced by ZnO particles can be attributed, at least partly, to the Zn(2+) dissolution by ZnO particles rather than their absorption by root and their subsequent effects.

BPS Jumping Loci are Automorphic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kachru, Shamit; Tripathy, Arnav

2018-06-01

We show that BPS jumping loci-loci in the moduli space of string compactifications where the number of BPS states jumps in an upper semi-continuous manner—naturally appear as Fourier coefficients of (vector space-valued) automorphic forms. For the case of T 2 compactification, the jumping loci are governed by a modular form studied by Hirzebruch and Zagier, while the jumping loci in K3 compactification appear in a story developed by Oda and Kudla-Millson in arithmetic geometry. We also comment on some curious related automorphy in the physics of black hole attractors and flux vacua.

Internal controls over computer-processed financial data at Boeing Petroleum Services

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

Not Available

1992-02-14

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is responsible for purchasing and storing crude oil to mitigate the potential adverse impact of any future disruptions in crude oil imports. Boeing Petroleum Services, Inc. (BPS) operates the SPR under a US Department of Energy (DOE) management and operating contract. BPS receives support for various information systems and other information processing needs from a mainframe computer center. The objective of the audit was to determine if the internal controls implemented by BPS for computer systems were adequate to assure processing reliability.

In vitro study on the agonistic and antagonistic activities of bisphenol-S and other bisphenol-A congeners and derivatives via nuclear receptors

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

Molina-Molina, José-Manuel, E-mail: molinajm@ugr.es; Amaya, Esperanza; Grimaldi, Marina

Bisphenols are a group of chemicals structurally similar to bisphenol-A (BPA) in current use as the primary raw material in the production of polycarbonate and epoxy resins. Some bisphenols are intended to replace BPA in several industrial applications. This is the case of bisphenol-S (BPS), which has an excellent stability at high temperature and resistance to sunlight. Studies on the endocrine properties of BPS have focused on its interaction with human estrogen receptor alpha (hERα), but information on its interaction with other nuclear receptors is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate interactions of BPS, BPF, BPA andmore » its halogenated derivatives, tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), with human estrogen receptors (hERα and hERβ), androgen receptor (hAR), and pregnane X receptor (hPXR), using a panel of in vitro bioassays based on competitive binding to nuclear receptors (NRs), reporter gene expression, and cell proliferation assessment. BPS, BPF, and BPA efficiently activated both ERs, while TCBPA behaved as weak hERα agonist. Unlike BPF and BPA, BPS was more active in the hERβ versus hERα assay. BPF and BPA were full hAR antagonists (BPA > BPF), whereas BPA and BPS were weak hAR agonists. Only BPA, TCBPA, and TBBPA, were hPXR agonists (TCBPA > TBBPA > BPA). These findings provide evidence that BPA congeners and derivatives disrupt multiple NRs and may therefore interfere with the endocrine system. Hence, further research is needed to evaluate the potential endocrine-disrupting activity of putative BPA substitutes. - Highlights: • We investigated the agonist/antagonist activities of BPS, BPF, BPA, TCBPA and TBBPA. • The direct interaction of these compounds with hERα, hERβ, hAR and hPXR was studied. • BPA congeners and derivatives were found to disrupt multiple NRs. • Further evaluation of their role as endocrine-disrupting chemicals is needed.« less

Evaluation of oxidative stress status and antioxidant capacity in patients with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis: preliminary results of a randomised study.

PubMed

Ener, Kemal; Keske, Murat; Aldemir, Mustafa; Özcan, Muhammet Fuat; Okulu, Emrah; Özayar, Asım; Ergin, Merve; Doluoğlu, Ömer Gökhan; Çakmak, Serdar; Erel, Özcan

2015-08-01

This study aimed to investigate oxidative stress in etiopathogenesis by analyzing serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), binding capacity of exogenous cobalt to human albumin (IMA), serum advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase, IgE, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). The study included 16 female patients diagnosed with BPS/IC and 25 healthy female subjects forming the control group. A bladder biopsy was performed on all patients in the BPS/IC group by carrying out cystoscopy with hydrodistention under general anesthesia. The results of serum TAC, TOS, IMA, AOPP, PON, arylesterase, IgE, and CRP of the subjects in both groups were compared. The mean age of the 16 female patients in the BPS/IC group was 43.6 ± 14.5 years, and the mean age of the 25 healthy subjects in the control group was 42.0 ± 10.3 years. According to the criteria of International Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC), eight patients were classified as Type 2A, three patients as Type 2B, four patients as Type 2C, and one patient as Type 3C. In the BPS/IC group, while TAC was found significantly lower than in the control group, IMA, IgE, and CRP were found significantly higher (P < 0.05). When binary logistic regression analysis was performed, the created model was determined to have 81.3 % sensitivity and 80 % specifity. In the etiology of BPS/IC, mechanism of oxidative damage comes into prominence. In the diagnosis of BPS/IC, IgE, CRP, and TAC are not specific markers when used separately; however, a higher specifity and sensitivity could be reached when used jointly in the suspected patients.

Bisphenol A, bisphenol F and bisphenol S affect differently 5α-reductase expression and dopamine-serotonin systems in the prefrontal cortex of juvenile female rats.

PubMed

Castro, Beatriz; Sánchez, Pilar; Torres, Jesús M; Ortega, Esperanza

2015-10-01

Early-life exposure to the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) affects brain function and behavior, which might be attributed to its interference with hormonal steroid signaling and/or neurotransmitter systems. Alternatively, the use of structural analogs of BPA, mainly bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS), has increased recently. However, limited in vivo toxicity data exist. We investigated the effects of BPA, BPF and BPS on 5α-reductase (5α-R), a key enzyme involved in neurosteroidogenesis, as well as on dopamine (DA)- and serotonin (5-HT)-related genes, in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of juvenile female rats. Gestating Wistar rats were treated with either vehicle or 10 μg/kg/day of BPA, BPF or BPS from gestational day 12 to parturition. Then, female pups were exposed from postnatal day 1 through day 21 (PND21), when they were euthanized and RT-PCR, western blot and quantitative PCR-array experiments were performed. BPA decreased 5α-R2 and 5α-R3 mRNA and protein levels, while both BPF and BPS decreased 5α-R3 mRNA levels in PFC at PND21. Further, BPA, BPF and BPS significantly altered, respectively, the transcription of 25, 56 and 24 genes out of the 84 DA and 5-HT-related genes assayed. Of particular interest was the strong induction by all these bisphenols of Cyp2d4, implicated in corticosteroids synthesis. Our results demonstrate for the first time that BPA, BPF and BPS differentially affect 5α-R and genes related to DA/5-HT systems in the female PFC. In vivo evidence of the potential adverse effects of BPF and BPS in the brain of mammals is provided in this work, raising questions about the safety of these chemicals as substitutes for BPA. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Cover: Lifelong Exposure of C57bl/6n Male Mice to Bisphenol A or Bisphenol S Reduces Recovery From a Myocardial Infarction.

PubMed

Kasneci, Amanda; Lee, Jun Seong; Yun, Tae Jin; Shang, Jijun; Lampen, Shaun; Gomolin, Tamar; Cheong, Cheolho C; Chalifour, Lorraine E

2017-09-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) leaches from plastics to contaminate foodstuffs. Analogs, such as bisphenol S (BPS), are now used increasingly in manufacturing. Greater BPA exposure has been correlated with exacerbation of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction (MI). To test the hypothesis that bisphenol exposure impairs cardiac healing, we exposed C57bl/6n mice to water containing 25ng/ml BPA or BPS from conception and surgically induced an MI in adult male progeny. Increased early death and cardiac dilation, and reduced cardiac function were found post-MI in BPA- and BPS-exposed mice. Flow cytometry revealed increased monocyte and macrophage infiltration that correlated with increased chemokine C-C motif ligand-2 expression in the infarct. In vitro BPA and BPS addition increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP) protein and secreted activity in RAW264.7 macrophage cells suggesting that invivo increases in MMP2 and MMP9 in exposed infarcts were myeloid-derived. Bone marrow-derived monocytes isolated from exposed mice had greater expression of pro-inflammatory polarization markers when chemokine stimulated indicating an enhanced susceptibility to develop a pro-inflammatory monocyte population. Chronic BPA exposure of estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) deficient mice did not worsen early death, cardiac structure/function, or expression of myeloid markers after an MI. In contrast, BPS exposure of ERβ-deficient mice resulted in greater death and expression of myeloid markers. We conclude that lifelong exposure to BPA or BPS augmented the monocyte/macrophage inflammatory response and adverse remodeling from an MI thereby reducing the ability to survive and successfully recover, and that the adverse effect of BPA, but not BPS, is downstream of ERβ signaling. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Toxicology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Towards a Brokering Framework for Business Process Execution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoro, Mattia; Bigagli, Lorenzo; Roncella, Roberto; Mazzetti, Paolo; Nativi, Stefano

2013-04-01

Advancing our knowledge of environmental phenomena and their interconnections requires an intensive use of environmental models. Due to the complexity of Earth system, the representation of complex environmental processes often requires the use of more than one model (often from different disciplines). The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) launched the Model Web initiative to increase present accessibility and interoperability of environmental models, allowing their flexible composition into complex Business Processes (BPs). A few, basic principles are at the base of the Model Web concept (Nativi, et al.): (i) Open access, (ii) Minimal entry-barriers, (iii) Service-driven approach, and (iv) Scalability. This work proposes an architectural solution, based on the Brokering approach for multidisciplinary interoperability, aiming to contribute to the Model Web vision. The Brokering approach is currently adopted in the new GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) as was presented at the last GEO Plenary meeting in Istanbul, November 2011. We designed and prototyped a component called BP Broker. The high-level functionalities provided by the BP Broker are: • Discover the needed model implementations in an open, distributed and heterogeneous environment; • Check I/O consistency of BPs and provide suggestions for mismatches resolving: • Publish the EBP as a standard model resource for re-use. • Submit the compiled BP (EBP) to a WF-engine for execution. A BP Broker has the following features: • Support multiple abstract BP specifications; • Support encoding in multiple WF-engine languages. According to the Brokering principles, the designed system is flexible enough to support the use of multiple BP design (visual) tools, heterogeneous Web interfaces for model execution (e.g. OGC WPS, WSDL, etc.), and different Workflow engines. The present implementation makes use of BPMN 2.0 notation for BP design and jBPM workflow engine for eBP execution; however, the strong decoupling which characterizes the design of the BP Broker easily allows supporting other technologies. The main benefits of the proposed approach are: (i) no need for a composition infrastructure, (ii) alleviation from technicalities of workflow definitions, (iii) support of incomplete BPs, and (iv) the reuse of existing BPs as atomic processes. The BP Broker was designed and prototyped in the EC funded projects EuroGEOSS (http://www.eurogeoss.eu) and UncertWeb (http://www.uncertweb.org); the latter project provided also the use scenarios that were used to test the framework: the eHabitat scenario (calculation habitat similarity likelihood) and the FERA scenario (impact of climate change on land-use and crop yield). Three more scenarios are presently under development. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreements n. 248488 and n. 226487. References Nativi, S., Mazzetti, P., & Geller, G. (2012), "Environmental model access and interoperability: The GEO Model Web initiative". Environmental Modelling & Software , 1-15

Hamiltonian analysis of non-relativistic non-BPS Dp-brane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klusoň, J.

2017-07-01

We perform Hamiltonian analysis of non-relativistic non-BPS Dp-brane. We find the constraint structure of this theory and determine corresponding equations of motion. We further discuss property of this theory at the tachyon vacuum.

The measurement of boredom: differences between existing self-report scales.

PubMed

Mercer-Lynn, Kimberley B; Flora, David B; Fahlman, Shelley A; Eastwood, John D

2013-10-01

There are two commonly used measures of boredom: the Boredom Proneness Scale (BPS) and the Boredom Susceptibility Scale (ZBS). Although both were designed to measure the propensity to experience boredom (i.e., trait boredom), there are reasons to think they may not measure the same construct. The present research sought to evaluate this proposition in several stages. Specifically, relationships between the BPS, ZBS, and important causal (Study 1, N = 837), correlational (Study 2, N = 233), and outcome variables (Study 3, N = 137) were examined in university students. Taken together, results support the notion that the BPS and ZBS do not measure the same construct. Specifically, higher BPS scores were associated with higher levels of neuroticism, experiential avoidance, attentional and nonplanning impulsivity, anxiety, depression, dysphoria, and emotional eating. Conversely, higher ZBS scores were associated with higher levels of motor impulsivity, sensitivity to reward, gambling, and alcohol use and lower levels of neuroticism, experiential avoidance, and sensitivity to punishment.

On non-BPS effective actions of string theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hatefi, Ehsan

2018-05-01

We discuss some physical prospective of the non-BPS effective actions of type IIA and IIB superstring theories. By dealing with all complete three and four point functions, including a closed Ramond-Ramond string (in terms of both its field strength and its potential), gauge (scalar) fields as well as a real tachyon and under symmetry structures, we find various restricted world volume and bulk Bianchi identities. The complete forms of the non-BPS scattering amplitudes including their Chan-Paton factors are elaborated. All the singularity structures of the non-BPS amplitudes, their all order α ' higher-derivative corrections, their contact terms and various modified Bianchi identities are derived. Finally, we show that scattering amplitudes computed in different super-ghost pictures are compatible when suitable Bianchi identities are imposed on the Ramond-Ramond fields. Moreover, we argue that the higher-derivative expansion in powers of the momenta of the tachyon is universal.

Assessment of the banana pseudostem as a low-cost biosorbent for the removal of reactive blue 5G dye.

PubMed

Módenes, Aparecido N; Espinoza-Quiñones, Fernando R; Geraldi, Claudinéia A Q; Manenti, Diego R; Trigueros, Daniela E G; Oliveira, Ana Paula de; Borba, Carlos E; Kroumov, Alexander D

2015-01-01

In this work, the removal of reactive blue 5G (RB5G) dye using the drying biomass of banana pseudostem (BPS) was investigated. The characterization of BPS particles was performed. Improvement in the RB5G dye removal performance at the following sorption conditions was evidenced: pH 1, 30°C sorption temperature and 40 rpm shaking, regardless of the particle size range. Kinetic RB5G dye sorption data obtained at better conditions fit well in an Elovich model. A combined Langmuir-BET isotherm model provides a good representation of the RB5G dye equilibrium sorption data, which shows the evidence of a physical sorption process on the BPS surface. Based on the results, the removal of RB5G dye molecules by BPS is based on a physical sorption process.

Fabrication of demultiplexer for T bps optical signals by using spincoated squarylium dye J-aggregates exhibiting femtosecond optical response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Iwasa, Izumi; Furuki, Makoto; Tian, Minquan; Sato, Yasuhiro; Pu, Lyong S.; Tatsuura, Setoshi; Wada, Osamu

2001-06-01

We fabricated spincoated films of squarylium dye (SQ) J- aggregates exhibiting femtosecond optical response at room temperature. Optical dynamics measurements revealed that the saturable absorption of the SQ J-aggregates film exhibited a decay time of less than 100 fs at a pump energy of 80 fJ/micrometer2. With this ultrafast SQ optical film, four- output demultiplex operation for T bps pulses was demonstrated. A series of 4 optical pulses with 100 fs duration and 1 ps interval (corresponding to 1 T bps signals) were irradiated onto the SQ film synchronized with a 100 fs gate pulse at a finite angle. Four demultiplexed signals were clearly observed at different areas on the CCD camera. Multi- output serial-to-parallel demultiplexer for T bps optical signals can be formed using the SQ J-aggregates film.

RESPONSE OF GRANULATION TO SMALL-SCALE BRIGHT FEATURES IN THE QUIET SUN

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

Andic, A.; Chae, J.; Goode, P. R.

2011-04-10

We detected 2.8 bright points (BPs) per Mm{sup 2} in the quiet Sun with the New Solar Telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory, using the TiO 705.68 nm spectral line at an angular resolution {approx}0.''1 to obtain a 30 minute data sequence. Some BPs formed knots that were stable in time and influenced the properties of the granulation pattern around them. The observed granulation pattern within {approx}3'' of knots presents smaller granules than those observed in a normal granulation pattern, i.e., around the knots a suppressed convection is detected. Observed BPs covered {approx}5% of the solar surface and were notmore » homogeneously distributed. BPs had an average size of 0.''22, they were detectable for 4.28 minutes on average, and had an averaged contrast of 0.1% in the deep red TiO spectral line.« less

Angiopellosis as an Alternative Mechanism of Cell Extravasation.

PubMed

Allen, Tyler A; Gracieux, David; Talib, Maliha; Tokarz, Debra A; Hensley, M Taylor; Cores, Jhon; Vandergriff, Adam; Tang, Junnan; de Andrade, James B M; Dinh, Phuong-Uyen; Yoder, Jeffrey A; Cheng, Ke

2017-01-01

Stem cells possess the ability to home in and travel to damaged tissue when injected intravenously. For the cells to exert their therapeutic effect, they must cross the blood vessel wall and enter the surrounding tissues. The mechanism of extravasation injected stem cells employ for exit has yet to be characterized. Using intravital microscopy and a transgenic zebrafish line Tg(fli1a:egpf) with GFP-expressing vasculature, we documented the detailed extravasation processes in vivo for injected stem cells in comparison to white blood cells (WBCs). While WBCs left the blood vessels by the standard diapedesis process, injected cardiac and mesenchymal stem cells underwent a distinct method of extravasation that was markedly different from diapedesis. Here, the vascular wall undergoes an extensive remodeling to allow the cell to exit the lumen, while the injected cell remains distinctively passive in activity. We termed this process Angio-pello-sis, which represents an alternative mechanism of cell extravasation to the prevailing theory of diapedesis. Stem Cells 2017;35:170-180 Video Highlight: https://youtu.be/i5EI-ZvhBps. © 2016 AlphaMed Press.

Non-perturbative effects and wall-crossing from topological strings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Collinucci, Andrés; Soler, Pablo; Uranga, Angel M.

2009-11-01

We argue that the Gopakumar-Vafa interpretation of the topological string partition function can be used to compute and resum certain non-perturbative brane instanton effects of type II CY compactifications. In particular the topological string A-model encodes the non-perturbative corrections to the hypermultiplet moduli space metric from general D1/D(-1)-brane instantons in 4d Script N = 2 IIB models. We also discuss the reduction to 4d Script N = 1 by fluxes and/or orientifolds and/or D-branes, and the prospects to resum brane instanton contributions to non-perturbative superpotentials. We argue that the connection between non-perturbative effects and the topological string underlies the continuity of non-perturbative effects across lines of BPS stability. We also confirm this statement in mirror B-model matrix model examples, relating matrix model instantons to non-perturbative D-brane instantons. The computation of non-perturbative effects from the topological string requires a 3d circle compactification and T-duality, relating effects from particles and instantons, reminiscent of that involved in the physical derivation of the Kontsevich-Soibelmann wall-crossing formula.

STEREOSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF HEIGHTS OF EXTREME ULTRAVIOLET BRIGHT POINTS USING DATA TAKEN BY SECCHI/EUVI ABOARD STEREO

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

Kwon, Ryun-Young; Chae, Jongchul; Zhang Jie

2010-05-01

We measure the heights of EUV bright points (BPs) above the solar surface by applying a stereoscopic method to the data taken by the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory/SECCHI/Extreme UltraViolet Imager (EUVI). We have developed a three-dimensional reconstruction method for point-like features such as BPs using the simple principle that the position of a point in the three-dimensional space is specified as the intersection of two lines of sight. From a set of data consisting of EUVI 171 A, 195 A, 284 A, and 304 A images taken on 11 days arbitrarily selected during a period of 14 months, we havemore » identified and analyzed 210 individual BPs that were visible on all four passband images and smaller than 30 Mm. The BPs seen in the 304 A images have an average height of 4.4 Mm, and are often associated with the legs of coronal loops. In the 171 A, 195 A, and 284 A images the BPs appear loop-shaped, and have average heights of 5.1, 6.7, and 6.1 Mm, respectively. Moreover, there is a tendency that overlying loops are filled with hotter plasmas. The average heights of BPs in 171 A, 195 A, and 284 A passbands are roughly twice the corresponding average lengths. Our results support the notion that an EUV BP represents a system of small loops with temperature stratification like flaring loops, being consistent with the magnetic reconnection origin.« less

Bisphenol S (BPS) Alters Maternal Behavior and Brain in Mice Exposed During Pregnancy/Lactation and Their Daughters

PubMed Central

Catanese, Mary C.

2017-01-01

Estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals have been shown to disrupt maternal behavior in rodents. We investigated the effects of an emerging xenoestrogen, bisphenol S (BPS), on maternal behavior and brain in CD-1 mice exposed during pregnancy and lactation (F0 generation) and in female offspring exposed during gestation and perinatal development (F1 generation). We observed different effects in F0 and F1 dams for a number of components of maternal behavior, including time on the nest, time spent on nest building, latency to retrieve pups, and latency to retrieve the entire litter. We also characterized expression of estrogen receptor α in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and quantified tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive cells in the ventral tegmental area, 2 brain regions critical for maternal care. BPS-treated females in the F0 generation had a statistically significant increase in estrogen receptor α expression in the caudal subregion of the central MPOA in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, there were no statistically significant effects of BPS on the MPOA in F1 dams or the ventral tegmental area in either generation. This work demonstrates that BPS affects maternal behavior and brain with outcomes depending on generation, dose, and postpartum period. Many studies examining effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals view the mother as a means by which offspring can be exposed during critical periods of development. Here, we demonstrate that pregnancy and lactation are vulnerable periods for the mother. We also show that developmental BPS exposure alters maternal behavior later in adulthood. Both findings have potential public health implications. PMID:28005399

Bisphenol S induces obesogenic effects through deregulating lipid metabolism in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae.

PubMed

Wang, Weiwei; Zhang, Xiaona; Wang, Zihao; Qin, Jingyu; Wang, Wei; Tian, Hua; Ru, Shaoguo

2018-05-01

It has been suggested that dramatic increase in obesity may be caused by growing exposure to environmental chemicals. In vitro data has suggested bisphenol S (BPS), a compound widely used in polycarbonate plastic production, can induce lipid accumulation in preadipocytes. However, the mechanisms responsible for BPS-induced obesity in vivo remain unclear. In this study, we used translucent zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae as a model to investigate the effect of environmentally relevant BPS exposure (1, 10, and 100 μg/L from 2 h to 15 d post fertilization) on lipid accumulation, triacylglycerol (TAG) and lipoproteins content, and mRNA expression of genes involved in the regulation of lipid synthesis, transport, degradation, and storage. We also analyzed activities of two enzymes critical to TAG metabolism: lipoprotein lipase and diglyceride acyltransferase. Overfed, obese larvae were used as positive control. The results indicated that BPS-treated and overfed larvae had much higher TAG levels and visceral fat accumulation compared with control. BPS exhibited obesogenic effects by interfering with lipid metabolism as evidenced by (a) upregulation of the mRNA expression of fasn, acc1, and agpat4 genes encoding enzymes involved in the de novo synthesis of TAG in the liver, (b) downregulation of apolipoprotein expression, which should reduce TAG transport from the liver, and (c) increase in rxrα expression, which should promote visceral fat accumulation. Our study is the first to demonstrate that the obesogenic effects of BPS in zebrafish are related to the disruption of TAG metabolism. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Intraobserver reliability and internal consistency of the Behavioral Pain Scale in mechanically-ventilated patients].

PubMed

Navarro-Colom, M; Sendra-Lluis, M A; Castillo-Masa, A M; Robleda, G

2015-01-01

The Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) is a tool of pain assessment that often gives contradictory results when used by different raters. To assess internal consistency and interrater reliability of BPS scale in the pain assessment performed by intensives care nurses. A prospective observational study in 34 mechanically-ventilated patients, carried out in an Intensive Care Unit from April to June 2012. Variables analyzed included demographic characteristics, diagnosis of referral, clinical status, pain and sedation level. Pain was assessed by two nurses independently at rest (T1) and during a mobilization procedure (T2) using the BPS scale. Internal consistency was calculated by Cronbach's alpha, and intraobserver reliability was determined with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. This study was approved by the Ethical Committee for Clinical Research. One-hundred and twenty-eight pain assessments were performed. The Cronbach's alpha of total BPS score at rest was 0.66 (95%CI: 0.33 to 0.83) and during mobilization of 0.73 (95%CI: 0.47 to 0.87). The CCI of total BPS score was 0.50 (95%CI: 0.19 to 0.71) at rest and 0.58 (95%CI: 0.31 to 0.77) during mobilization. The level of internal consistency of the scale is appropriate and moderate interrater agreement. For the BPS useful in clinical practice, it is imperative that nurses have prior experience with a regulated use of this tool. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEEIUC. All rights reserved.

Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis Is Associated with Hyperthyroidism

PubMed Central

Liu, Shih-Ping; Lin, Ching-Chun; Lin, Herng-Ching

2013-01-01

Background Although the etiology of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is still unclear, a common theme with BPS/IC patients is comorbid disorders which are related to the autonomic nervous system that connects the nervous system to end-organs. Nevertheless, no study to date has reported the association between hyperthyroidism and BPS/IC. In this study, we examined the association of IC/BPS with having previously been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in Taiwan. Design Data in this study were retrieved from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. Our study consisted of 736 female cases with BPS/IC and 2208 randomly selected female controls. We performed a conditional logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for having previously been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism between cases and controls. Results Of the 2944 sampled subjects, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of prior hyperthyroidism between cases and controls (3.3% vs. 1.5%, p<0.001). The conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to controls, the OR for prior hyperthyroidism among cases was 2.16 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27∼3.66). Furthermore, the OR for prior hyperthyroidism among cases was 2.01 (95% CI: 1.15∼3.53) compared to controls after adjusting for diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity, hyperlipidemia, chronic pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, panic disorder, migraines, sicca syndrome, allergies, endometriosis, and asthma. Conclusions Our study results indicated an association between hyperthyroidism and BPS/IC. We suggest that clinicians treating female subjects with hyperthyroidism be alert to urinary complaints in this population. PMID:23991081

Bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis is associated with hyperthyroidism.

PubMed

Chung, Shiu-Dong; Liu, Shih-Ping; Lin, Ching-Chun; Li, Hsien-Chang; Lin, Herng-Ching

2013-01-01

Although the etiology of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is still unclear, a common theme with BPS/IC patients is comorbid disorders which are related to the autonomic nervous system that connects the nervous system to end-organs. Nevertheless, no study to date has reported the association between hyperthyroidism and BPS/IC. In this study, we examined the association of IC/BPS with having previously been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in Taiwan. Data in this study were retrieved from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database. Our study consisted of 736 female cases with BPS/IC and 2208 randomly selected female controls. We performed a conditional logistic regression to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for having previously been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism between cases and controls. Of the 2944 sampled subjects, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of prior hyperthyroidism between cases and controls (3.3% vs. 1.5%, p<0.001). The conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to controls, the OR for prior hyperthyroidism among cases was 2.16 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27∼3.66). Furthermore, the OR for prior hyperthyroidism among cases was 2.01 (95% CI: 1.15∼3.53) compared to controls after adjusting for diabetes, coronary heart disease, obesity, hyperlipidemia, chronic pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, panic disorder, migraines, sicca syndrome, allergies, endometriosis, and asthma. Our study results indicated an association between hyperthyroidism and BPS/IC. We suggest that clinicians treating female subjects with hyperthyroidism be alert to urinary complaints in this population.

Effect of aperture geometry on heat transfer in tilted partially open cavities

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

Elsayed, M.M.; Chakroun, W.

1999-11-01

Heat transfer in cavities is receiving increasing attention because of the various applications in engineering; e.g., passive solar heating, energy conservation in buildings, solar concentrating receivers, and electronic equipment. Here, convection from a square, tilted partially open cavity was investigated experimentally. The experiment was carried out to study the effect of the aperture geometry on the heat transfer between the cavity and the surrounding air. Four different geometrical arrangements for the opening were investigated: (1) high wall slit, (2) low wall slit, (3) centered wall slit, and (4) uniform wall slots. Each opening arrangement was studied at opening ratios (i.e.,more » ratio of opening height to cavity height) of 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75. The average heat transfer coefficient between the cavity and the surrounding air was estimated for each geometrical arrangement for tilt angles ranging from {minus}90 deg to +90 deg with increments of 15 deg and at a constant heat flux Grashof number of 5.5 x 10{sup 8}. The results showed that for tilt angles between 90 and 75 deg, the heat transfer coefficient has a small value that is independent of the geometrical arrangement of the opening. The value of the heat transfer coefficient increases sharply with decreasing tilt angle until an angle value of zero degrees is reached. The increase in the heat transfer coefficient continues in the negative range of tilt angle but not in the same rate as in the positive range of the tilt angle. The uniform slot arrangement gave in general higher heat transfer coefficient than the other three arrangements of the opening. Large differences in the heat transfer coefficient were observed between the high and the low wall slits where the high wall slit is found to transfer more heat to the surroundings than the low wall slit. Correlations were developed to predict the average Nusselt number of the cavity in terms of the opening ratio and the cavity tilt angle for cavities with high wall slit, low wall slit, centered wall slit, and the uniform wall slots.« less

4. BASEMENT WALL BENEATH SOUTH PASSAGE SHOWING STEAM TUNNEL OPENING ...

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

4. BASEMENT WALL BENEATH SOUTH PASSAGE SHOWING STEAM TUNNEL OPENING IN SOUTH WALL. - Pennsylvania Railroad Station, South Baggage Passage & Canopy, 1101 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA

Osteonecrosis of the jaw: effect of bisphosphonate type, local concentration, and acidic milieu on the pathomechanism.

PubMed

Otto, Sven; Pautke, Christoph; Opelz, Christine; Westphal, Ines; Drosse, Inga; Schwager, Joanna; Bauss, Frieder; Ehrenfeld, Michael; Schieker, Matthias

2010-11-01

Osteonecrosis of the jaw has been reported in patients receiving high doses of intravenous nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) because of malignant disease. The exact pathomechanisms have been elusive and questions of paramount importance remain unanswered. Recent studies have indicated toxic effects of bisphosphonates on different cell types, apart from osteoclast inhibition. Multipotent stem cells play an important role in the processes of wound healing and bone regeneration, which seem to be especially impaired in the jaws of patients receiving high doses of N-BPs. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different bisphosphonate derivatives and dose levels combined with varying pH levels on the mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. The effect of 2 N-BPs (zoledronate and ibandronate) and 1 non-N-BP (clodronate) on immortalized mesenchymal stem cells was tested at different concentrations, reflecting 1, 3, and 6 months and 1, 3, 5, and 10 years of exposure to standard oncology doses of the 2 N-BPs and equimolar concentrations of clodronate at different pH values (7.4, 7.0, 6.7, and 6.3). Cell viability and activity were analyzed using a WST assay. Cell motility was investigated using scratch wound assays and visualized using time-lapse microscopy. Both types of bisphosphonates revealed remarkable differences. Zoledronate and ibandronate showed a dose- and pH-dependent cellular toxicity. Increasing concentrations of both N-BPs and an acidic milieu led to a significant decrease in cell viability and activity (P < .01), with more pronounced effects for zoledronate. Equimolar concentrations of clodronate did not affect the cell survival or activity significantly, apart from the effect of pH reduction itself, which was also detectable in the patients in the control group who did not receive bisphosphonates. Our results have shown that high concentrations of N-BPs and a local acidic milieu, which is commonly present in infections of the jaw, might play a key role in the pathogenesis of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients receiving high doses of N-BPs for malignant diseases. Also the potency of N-BPs might be different, suggesting a greater risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw with zoledronate. Copyright © 2010 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Intracellular localization and interaction of mRNA binding proteins as detected by FRET

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background A number of RNA binding proteins (BPs) bind to A+U rich elements (AREs), commonly present within 3'UTRs of highly regulated RNAs. Individual RNA-BPs proteins can modulate RNA stability, RNA localization, and/or translational efficiency. Although biochemical studies have demonstrated selectivity of ARE-BPs for individual RNAs, less certain is the in vivo composition of RNA-BP multiprotein complexes and how their composition is affected by signaling events and intracellular localization. Using FRET, we previously demonstrated that two ARE-BPs, HuR and AUF1, form stable homomeric and heteromeric associations in the nucleus and cytoplasm. In the current study, we use immuno-FRET of endogenous proteins to examine the intracellular localization and interactions of HuR and AUF1 as well as KSRP, TIA-1, and Hedls. These results were compared to those obtained with their exogenously expressed, fluorescently labeled counterparts. Results All ARE-BPs examined were found to colocalize and to form stable associations with selected other RNA-BPs in one or more cellular locations variably including the nucleus, cytoplasm (in general), or in stress granules or P bodies. Interestingly, FRET based interaction of the translational suppressor, TIA-1, and the decapping protein, Hedls, was found to occur at the interface of stress granules and P bodies, dynamic sites of intracellular RNA storage and/or turnover. To explore the physical interactions of RNA-BPs with ARE containing RNAs, in vitro transcribed Cy3-labeled RNA was transfected into cells. Interestingly, Cy3-RNA was found to coalesce in P body like punctate structures and, by FRET, was found to interact with the RNA decapping proteins, Hedls and Dcp1. Conclusions Biochemical methodologies, such as co-immunoprecipitation, and cell biological approaches such as standard confocal microscopy are useful in demonstrating the possibility of proteins and/or proteins and RNAs interacting. However, as demonstrated herein, colocalization of proteins and proteins and RNA is not always indicative of interaction. To this point, using FRET and immuno-FRET, we have demonstrated that RNA-BPs can visually colocalize without producing a FRET signal. In contrast, proteins that appear to be delimited to one or another intracellular compartment can be shown to interact when those compartments are juxtaposed. PMID:20843363

Modeling Force Transfer around Openings in Wood-Frame Shear Walls

Treesearch

Minghao Li; Frank Lam; Borjen Yeh; Tom Skaggs; Doug Rammer; James Wacker

2012-01-01

This paper presented a modeling study on force transfer around openings (FTAO) in wood-frame shear walls detailed for FTAO. To understand the load transfer in the walls, this study used a finite-element model WALL2D, which is able to model individual wall components, including framing members, sheathing panels, oriented panel-frame nailed connections, framing...

Emerging geometry from maximally super-symmetric Yang-Mills theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vazquez, Samuel Enrique

In this thesis, we explore the emergence of space-time geometry, and string theory physics from N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) theory with gauge group U(N). This is done in the context of the anti-de-Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence (AdS/CFT). The main results of this thesis are the following. First, we study single trace perturbations around generic 1/2 BPS states of the theory. We do this in the large N limit, and at one-loop in the 't-Hooft coupling. We show how these states can be mapped to dynamical lattices with boson statistics and periodic boundary conditions. By dynamical, we mean that the total boson occupation number is not conserved in general. Then, we show how to derive an effective sigma model for these systems which coincides with the Polyakov action of a probe string on a 1/2 BPS geometry (in the fast string limit). Secondly, we study non-supersymmetric perturbations of the vacuum which give rise to bosonic lattices with open boundary conditions. We also do this in the large N limit, and at one-loop in the 't-Hooft coupling. We show that these states are dual to open strings on D3-branes known as "Giant Gravitons". These lattice systems are also dynamical, but in some special cases, we show that we get an integrable spin chain with open boundary conditions. Next, we study single trace perturbations at strong coupling. We do this by taking a "dilute gas" approximation. We derive an all-loop result for the dispersion relation of the "magnons" which coincides with previous conjectures in the literature. What is more, we derive the geometrical picture of the so-called "giant magnon" string solution of Hofman and Maldacena, directly from the field theory. Finally, we explore the question of classical integrability of open strings on D-branes. In particular, we study the case of the giant gravitons, and compare the integrable structures on both sides of the AdS/CFT correspondence.

Advances in sensing and biosensing of bisphenols: A review.

PubMed

Dhanjai; Sinha, Ankita; Wu, Lingxia; Lu, Xianbo; Chen, Jiping; Jain, Rajeev

2018-01-15

Bisphenols (BPs) are well known endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that cause adverse effects on the environment, biotic life and human health. BPs have been studied extensively because of an increasing concern for the safety of the environment and for human health. They are major raw materials for manufacturing polycarbonates, thermal papers and epoxy resins and are considered hazardous environmental contaminants. A vast array of sensors and biosensors have been developed for the sensitive screening of BPs based on carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, graphene and graphene oxide), quantum dots, metal and metal oxide nanocomposites, polymer nanocomposites, metal organic frameworks, ionic liquids and molecularly imprinted polymers. This review is devoted mainly to a variety of sensitive, selective and reliable sensing and biosensing methods for the detection of BPs using electrochemistry, fluorescence, colorimetry, surface plasmon resonance, luminescence, ELISAs, circular dichroism, resonance Rayleigh scattering and adsorption techniques in plastic products, food samples, food packaging, industrial wastes, pharmaceutical products, human body fluids and many other matrices. It summarizes the advances in sensing and biosensing methods for the detection of BPs since 2010. Furthermore, the article discusses challenges and future perspectives in the development of novel sensing methods for the detection of BP analogs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sequencing BPS spectra

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

Gukov, Sergei; Nawata, Satoshi; Saberi, Ingmar

In this article, we provide both a detailed study of color-dependence of link homologies, as realized in physics as certain spaces of BPS states, and a broad study of the behavior of BPS states in general. We consider how the spectrum of BPS states varies as continuous parameters of a theory are perturbed. This question can be posed in a wide variety of physical contexts, and we answer it by proposing that the relationship between unperturbed and perturbed BPS spectra is described by a spectral sequence. These general considerations unify previous applications of spectral sequence techniques to physics, and explainmore » from a physical standpoint the appearance of many spectral sequences relating various link homology theories to one another. We also study structural properties of colored HOMFLY homology for links and evaluate Poincar e polynomials in numerous examples. Among these structural properties is a novel "sliding" property, which can be explained by using (re fined) modular S-matrix. This leads to the identi fication of modular transformations in Chern-Simons theory and 3d N = 2 theory via the 3d/3d correspondence. In conclusion, we introduce the notion of associated varieties as classical limits of recursion relations of colored superpolynomials of links, and study their properties.« less

Bartsocas-Papas syndrome with variable expressivity in an Egyptian family.

PubMed

Zaki, M S; Kamel, A K; Effat, L K; El-Ruby, M O

2012-01-01

Bartsocas-Papas syndrome (BPS) is an autosomal recessively inherited sublethal popliteal pterygium condition characterized by intrauterine or neonatal death, severe popliteal webbing, oligosyndactyly, ankyloblepharon, orofacial clefts, intraoral filiform bands and genital anomalies. Internal organ involvement has seldom been identified. We report on a 3 years old female patient of healthy first cousin parents with BPS. She presented with orofacial clefting, severe popliteal webs, club feet, oligosyndactyly of the toes, hypogenitalism and normal hands and internal organs. Ankyloblepharon and filiform bands between the alveolar ridges were evident at birth. Pedigree analysis revealed a more severely affected female sib, who died a few minutes after birth with additional manifestations including near complete lip fusion without oral cleft, complete syndactyly in both hands and an omphalocele. Linkage was excluded to the IRF6 gene; a candidate gene implicated in the Van der Woude and popliteal pterygium syndromes, with overlapping features with BPS. To our knowledge, this is the 5th surviving patient with this syndrome in the literature. In this report, we also discuss the proposed pathogenetic mechanisms for BPS and compare our patients with similarly described cases as well as overlapping spectrum of other popliteal pterygium syndromes. Our findings provide further evidence of intrafamilial clinical heterogeneity in families with BPS.

[New insights in the differential diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome].

PubMed

Schwalenberg, T; Neuhaus, J; Horn, L-C; Alexander, H; Zimmermann, G; Ho Thi, P; Mallock, T; Stolzenburg, J-U

2010-03-01

The diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) is challenging, since pathogenetic mechanisms and the definition of clinical relevant parameters are still under lively discussion. The criteria recently proposed by the European Society for the Study of Interstitial Cystitis (ESSIC) define a collective of patients based on the cardinal symptom of bladder pain which is heterogeneous, and therefore cannot receive standardised consistent therapy. Thus an extended diagnosis based on molecular markers seems to be indicated to render individual pharmacotherapy possible, and to contribute to elucidation of BPS/IC pathogenesis. For this purpose we feel the vital need for taking a bladder biopsy. The diagnosis of BPS/IC should rely on 3 "columns": (1) clinical diagnostics; (2) histopathology; (3) molecular diagnostics/protein expression. Since a significant contribution of the 3 functional units of the bladder to the pathophysiology is most evident, the examinations should ideally include urothelium, lamina propria, and detrusor musculature. Generation of receptor profiles of the detrusor muscle represents a first attempt to define a diagnostic tool for the individualisation of BPS/IC pharmacotherapy. Other factors, e.g., beta-hCG expression in the urothelium, need further evaluation. Extended BPS/IC diagnostics could be realistically integrated into routine patient care within a clinic/laboratory network. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart New York.

The Role(s) of Cytokines/Chemokines in Urinary Bladder Inflammation and Dysfunction

PubMed Central

Gonzalez, Eric J.; Arms, Lauren; Vizzard, Margaret A.

2014-01-01

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS)/interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by pain, pressure, or discomfort perceived to be bladder related and with at least one urinary symptom. It was recently concluded that 3.3–7.9 million women (>18 years old) in the United States exhibit BPS/IC symptoms. The impact of BPS/IC on quality of life is enormous and the economic burden is significant. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of BPS/IC are unknown, numerous theories including infection, inflammation, autoimmune disorder, toxic urinary agents, urothelial dysfunction, and neurogenic causes have been proposed. Altered visceral sensations from the urinary bladder (i.e., pain at low or moderate bladder filling) that accompany BPS/IC may be mediated by many factors including changes in the properties of peripheral bladder afferent pathways such that bladder afferent neurons respond in an exaggerated manner to normally innocuous stimuli (allodynia). The goals for this review are to describe chemokine/receptor (CXCL12/CXCR4; CCL2/CCR2) signaling and cytokine/receptor (transforming growth factor (TGF-β)/TGF-β type 1 receptor) signaling that may be valuable LUT targets for pharmacologic therapy to improve urinary bladder function and reduce somatic sensitivity associated with urinary bladder inflammation. PMID:24738044

Sequencing BPS spectra

DOE PAGES

Gukov, Sergei; Nawata, Satoshi; Saberi, Ingmar; ...

2016-03-02

In this article, we provide both a detailed study of color-dependence of link homologies, as realized in physics as certain spaces of BPS states, and a broad study of the behavior of BPS states in general. We consider how the spectrum of BPS states varies as continuous parameters of a theory are perturbed. This question can be posed in a wide variety of physical contexts, and we answer it by proposing that the relationship between unperturbed and perturbed BPS spectra is described by a spectral sequence. These general considerations unify previous applications of spectral sequence techniques to physics, and explainmore » from a physical standpoint the appearance of many spectral sequences relating various link homology theories to one another. We also study structural properties of colored HOMFLY homology for links and evaluate Poincar e polynomials in numerous examples. Among these structural properties is a novel "sliding" property, which can be explained by using (re fined) modular S-matrix. This leads to the identi fication of modular transformations in Chern-Simons theory and 3d N = 2 theory via the 3d/3d correspondence. In conclusion, we introduce the notion of associated varieties as classical limits of recursion relations of colored superpolynomials of links, and study their properties.« less

The effect of bisphosphonates on the endothelial differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

PubMed Central

Sharma, Dileep; Hamlet, Stephen Mark; Petcu, Eugen Bogdan; Ivanovski, Saso

2016-01-01

The contribution of the local stem cell niche to providing an adequate vascular framework during healing cannot be overemphasized. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are known to have a direct effect on the local vasculature, but their effect on progenitor cell differentiation is unknown. This in vitro study evaluated the effect(s) of various BPs on the differentiation of human placental mesenchymal stem cells (pMSCs) along the endothelial lineage and their subsequent functional and morphogenic capabilities. pMSC multipotency was confirmed by successful differentiation into cells of both the osteogenic and endothelial lineages, as demonstrated by positive Alizarin Red S staining and Ac-LDL uptake. pMSC differentiation in the presence of non-cytotoxic BP concentrations showed that nitrogen containing BPs had a significant inhibitory effect on cell migration and endothelial marker gene expression, as well as compromised endothelial differentiation as demonstrated using von Willebrand factor immunofluorescence staining and tube formation assay. This in vitro study demonstrated that at non-cytotoxic levels, nitrogen-containing BPs inhibit differentiation of pMSCs into cells of an endothelial lineage and affect the downstream functional capability of these cells supporting a multi-modal effect of BPs on angiogenesis as pathogenic mechanism contributing to bone healing disorders such as bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). PMID:26857282

Use of a Behavioural Pain Scale to assess pain in ventilated, unconscious and/or sedated patients.

PubMed

Young, Jeanne; Siffleet, Jo; Nikoletti, Sue; Shaw, Thérèse

2006-02-01

Current empirical evidence supports claims that pain in sedated, unconscious Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients is underrated and under-treated. Given the severity of ICU patients' illness pain management, whilst important, may not be considered a priority and therefore can be easily overlooked. The aim of this study was to validate the Behavioural Pain Scale (BPS) for the assessment of pain in critically ill patients by evaluating facial expressions, upper limb movements and compliance with mechanical ventilation. A prospective, descriptive repeated measures study design was used to assess the validity and reliability of the BPS for assessing pain in critically ill patients undergoing routine painful (repositioning) and non-painful (eye care) procedures. An average of 73% of BPS scores increased (indicating pain) after patients were repositioned, as opposed to 14% after eye care. This increase was statistically significant for repositioning (p < 0.003) but not for eye care (p > 0.3). The odds of an increase in BPS between pre- and post-procedure assessments was more than 25 times higher for repositioning compared with eye care (p < 0.0001), after controlling for analgesics and sedatives. The BPS was found to be a valid and reliable tool in the assessment of pain in the unconscious sedated patient. Results also highlighted that traditional pain indicators, such as fluctuations in haemodynamic parameters, are not always an accurate measure for the assessment of pain in unconscious patients and as such more objective pain assessment measures are essential. Finally, further validation of the BPS and identification of other painful routine procedures is needed to enhance pain management delivery for unconscious patients.

Comparison of the In Vivo Biotransformation of Two Emerging Estrogenic Contaminants, BP2 and BPS, in Zebrafish Embryos and Adults

PubMed Central

Le Fol, Vincent; Brion, François; Hillenweck, Anne; Perdu, Elisabeth; Bruel, Sandrine; Aït-Aïssa, Selim; Cravedi, Jean-Pierre; Zalko, Daniel

2017-01-01

Zebrafish embryo assays are increasingly used in the toxicological assessment of endocrine disruptors. Among other advantages, these models are 3R-compliant and are fit for screening purposes. Biotransformation processes are well-recognized as a critical factor influencing toxic response, but major gaps of knowledge exist regarding the characterization of functional metabolic capacities expressed in zebrafish. Comparative metabolic studies between embryos and adults are even scarcer. Using 3H-labeled chemicals, we examined the fate of two estrogenic emerging contaminants, benzophenone-2 (BP2) and bisphenol S (BPS), in 4-day embryos and adult zebrafish. BPS and BP2 were exclusively metabolized through phase II pathways, with no major qualitative difference between larvae and adults except the occurrence of a BP2-di-glucuronide in adults. Quantitatively, the biotransformation of both molecules was more extensive in adults. For BPS, glucuronidation was the predominant pathway in adults and larvae. For BP2, glucuronidation was the major pathway in larvae, but sulfation predominated in adults, with ca. 40% conversion of parent BP2 and an extensive release of several conjugates into water. Further larvae/adults quantitative differences were demonstrated for both molecules, with higher residue concentrations measured in larvae. The study contributes novel data regarding the metabolism of BPS and BP2 in a fish model and shows that phase II conjugation pathways are already functional in 4-dpf-old zebrafish. Comparative analysis of BP2 and BPS metabolic profiles in zebrafish larvae and adults further supports the use of zebrafish embryo as a relevant model in which toxicity and estrogenic activity can be assessed, while taking into account the absorption and fate of tested substances. PMID:28346357

Comparison of the In Vivo Biotransformation of Two Emerging Estrogenic Contaminants, BP2 and BPS, in Zebrafish Embryos and Adults.

PubMed

Le Fol, Vincent; Brion, François; Hillenweck, Anne; Perdu, Elisabeth; Bruel, Sandrine; Aït-Aïssa, Selim; Cravedi, Jean-Pierre; Zalko, Daniel

2017-03-25

Zebrafish embryo assays are increasingly used in the toxicological assessment of endocrine disruptors. Among other advantages, these models are 3R-compliant and are fit for screening purposes. Biotransformation processes are well-recognized as a critical factor influencing toxic response, but major gaps of knowledge exist regarding the characterization of functional metabolic capacities expressed in zebrafish. Comparative metabolic studies between embryos and adults are even scarcer. Using ³H-labeled chemicals, we examined the fate of two estrogenic emerging contaminants, benzophenone-2 (BP2) and bisphenol S (BPS), in 4-day embryos and adult zebrafish. BPS and BP2 were exclusively metabolized through phase II pathways, with no major qualitative difference between larvae and adults except the occurrence of a BP2-di-glucuronide in adults. Quantitatively, the biotransformation of both molecules was more extensive in adults. For BPS, glucuronidation was the predominant pathway in adults and larvae. For BP2, glucuronidation was the major pathway in larvae, but sulfation predominated in adults, with ca. 40% conversion of parent BP2 and an extensive release of several conjugates into water. Further larvae/adults quantitative differences were demonstrated for both molecules, with higher residue concentrations measured in larvae. The study contributes novel data regarding the metabolism of BPS and BP2 in a fish model and shows that phase II conjugation pathways are already functional in 4-dpf-old zebrafish. Comparative analysis of BP2 and BPS metabolic profiles in zebrafish larvae and adults further supports the use of zebrafish embryo as a relevant model in which toxicity and estrogenic activity can be assessed, while taking into account the absorption and fate of tested substances.

THE EFFECT OF AGE, OBESITY AND PARITY ON BLOOD PRESSURE AND HYPERTENSION IN NON-PREGNANT MARRIED WOMEN

PubMed Central

Khalid, Mohammed E.M.

2006-01-01

Objective: To assess the effect of age, body mass index (BMI) and parity on systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BPs) and hypertension. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study of 441 non-pregnant married women ranging in age from 15-60 years. For each woman selected, a detailed questionnaire dealing with sociodemographic profile including reproductive data was completed. Systolic and 5th phase diastolic BPs were measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. Body weight and height were measured using an Avery Beam weighing scale and a stadiometer respectively. Results: In this study sample, the overall prevalence of hypertension was 4.3%. Statistical analysis showed that age and BMI were positively and significantly associated with BPs (p<0.0001 for systolic BP & <0.002 for diastolic BP and p<0.0001 for systolic BP & <0.005 for diastolic BP respectively) and positively and significantly (p<0.0001 & <0.003 respectively) associated with an increase in the risk of hypertension (Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.53 (1.1-1.2) and 1.11 (1.04-1.19) respectively) while parity was negatively and insignificantly associated with BPs (p<0.4 and <0.1 for systolic and diastolic BPs respectively) and negatively and insignificantly (P<0.1) associated with an increase in the risk of hypertension (Odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 0.87 (0.74-1.03). Conclusion: Age and BMI were significant contributors to BPs and hypertension rather than parity. The negative association between parity and hypertension, although insignificant, implies that nulliparity rather than multiparity imposed an important effect on hypertension. PMID:23012128

Geometric structure and information change in phase transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Eun-jin; Hollerbach, Rainer

2017-06-01

We propose a toy model for a cyclic order-disorder transition and introduce a geometric methodology to understand stochastic processes involved in transitions. Specifically, our model consists of a pair of forward and backward processes (FPs and BPs) for the emergence and disappearance of a structure in a stochastic environment. We calculate time-dependent probability density functions (PDFs) and the information length L , which is the total number of different states that a system undergoes during the transition. Time-dependent PDFs during transient relaxation exhibit strikingly different behavior in FPs and BPs. In particular, FPs driven by instability undergo the broadening of the PDF with a large increase in fluctuations before the transition to the ordered state accompanied by narrowing the PDF width. During this stage, we identify an interesting geodesic solution accompanied by the self-regulation between the growth and nonlinear damping where the time scale τ of information change is constant in time, independent of the strength of the stochastic noise. In comparison, BPs are mainly driven by the macroscopic motion due to the movement of the PDF peak. The total information length L between initial and final states is much larger in BPs than in FPs, increasing linearly with the deviation γ of a control parameter from the critical state in BPs while increasing logarithmically with γ in FPs. L scales as |lnD | and D-1 /2 in FPs and BPs, respectively, where D measures the strength of the stochastic forcing. These differing scalings with γ and D suggest a great utility of L in capturing different underlying processes, specifically, diffusion vs advection in phase transition by geometry. We discuss physical origins of these scalings and comment on implications of our results for bistable systems undergoing repeated order-disorder transitions (e.g., fitness).

Bisphenol S (BPS) Alters Maternal Behavior and Brain in Mice Exposed During Pregnancy/Lactation and Their Daughters.

PubMed

Catanese, Mary C; Vandenberg, Laura N

2017-03-01

Estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals have been shown to disrupt maternal behavior in rodents. We investigated the effects of an emerging xenoestrogen, bisphenol S (BPS), on maternal behavior and brain in CD-1 mice exposed during pregnancy and lactation (F0 generation) and in female offspring exposed during gestation and perinatal development (F1 generation). We observed different effects in F0 and F1 dams for a number of components of maternal behavior, including time on the nest, time spent on nest building, latency to retrieve pups, and latency to retrieve the entire litter. We also characterized expression of estrogen receptor α in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) and quantified tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive cells in the ventral tegmental area, 2 brain regions critical for maternal care. BPS-treated females in the F0 generation had a statistically significant increase in estrogen receptor α expression in the caudal subregion of the central MPOA in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, there were no statistically significant effects of BPS on the MPOA in F1 dams or the ventral tegmental area in either generation. This work demonstrates that BPS affects maternal behavior and brain with outcomes depending on generation, dose, and postpartum period. Many studies examining effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals view the mother as a means by which offspring can be exposed during critical periods of development. Here, we demonstrate that pregnancy and lactation are vulnerable periods for the mother. We also show that developmental BPS exposure alters maternal behavior later in adulthood. Both findings have potential public health implications. Copyright © 2017 by the Endocrine Society.

Behavioural and psychiatric symptoms in cognitive neurology.

PubMed

Robles Bayón, A; Gude Sampedro, F

2017-03-01

Behavioural and psychiatric symptoms (BPS) are frequent in neurological patients, contribute to disability, and decrease quality of life. We recorded BPS prevalence and type, as well as any associations with specific diagnoses, brain regions, and treatments, in consecutive outpatients examined in a cognitive neurology clinic. A retrospective analysis of 843 consecutive patients was performed, including a review of BPS, diagnosis, sensory impairment, lesion topography (neuroimaging), and treatment. The total sample was considered, and the cognitive impairment (CI) group (n=607) was compared to the non-CI group. BPS was present in 59.9% of the patients (61.3% in the CI group, 56.4% in the non-CI group). One BPS was present in 31.1%, two in 17.4%, and three or more in 11.4%. BPS, especially depression and anxiety, are more frequent in women than in men. Psychotic and behavioural symptoms predominate in subjects aged 65 and older, and anxiety in those younger than 65. Psychotic symptoms appear more often in patients with sensory impairment. Psychotic and behavioural symptoms are more prevalent in patients with degenerative dementia; depression and anxiety in those who suffer a psychiatric disease or adverse effects of substances; emotional lability in individuals with a metabolic or hormonal disorder; hypochondria in those with a pain syndrome; and irritability in subjects with chronic hypoxia. Behavioural symptoms are more frequent in patients with anomalies in the frontal or right temporal or parietal lobes, and antipsychotics constitute the first line of treatment. Leaving standard treatments aside, associations were observed between dysthymia and opioid analgesics, betahistine and statins, and between psychotic symptoms and levodopa, piracetam, and vasodilators. Copyright © 2014 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Comparative effects of Bisphenol S and Bisphenol A on the development of female reproductive system in rats; a neonatal exposure study.

PubMed

Ahsan, Nida; Ullah, Hizb; Ullah, Waheed; Jahan, Sarwat

2018-04-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been well documented for its endocrine disrupting potential however, very little is known about endocrine disrupting abilities of bisphenol S (BPS). The present study aimed to compare the endocrine disrupting potentials of BPS with BPA, using female rats as an experimental animal model. On postnatal day 1 (PND 1) female pups born were randomly assigned to seven different treatments. Control group received subcutaneous injection of castor oil (50 μL) from PND 1 to PND 10. Three groups of female pups were injected subcutaneously with different concentrations (0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg in 50 μL castor oil) of BPS, while remaining three groups were treated with 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg BPA. Highest doses treatments of both compounds resulted in delayed puberty onset and altered estrous cyclicity. Final body weight was significantly high in the highest dose treated groups of both BPS and BPA. Gonadosomatic index, absolute and relative weight of uteri was significantly reduced in BPS (5 and 50 mg/kg) and BPA (5 and 50 mg/kg) treated groups than control. Plasma concentrations of testosterone and estradiol were significantly increased, while plasma progesterone, Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations were significantly reduced in highest doses treated groups. Dose dependent increase in the number of cystic follicles in the ovaries was evident along with an increase in the number of atratic follicles. The results suggest that neonatal exposure to higher concentrations of BPS can lead to BPA like structural and endocrine alterations in female rats. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bisphenol A alternatives bisphenol S and bisphenol F interfere with thyroid hormone signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo.

PubMed

Zhang, Yin-Feng; Ren, Xiao-Min; Li, Yuan-Yuan; Yao, Xiao-Fang; Li, Chuan-Hai; Qin, Zhan-Fen; Guo, Liang-Hong

2018-06-01

The wide use of the alternatives to bisphenol A (BPA) has raised concerns about their potential toxicities. Considering the disrupting activity of BPA on thyroid hormone (TH) signaling, we investigated whether bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF), two leading alternatives, could interfere with TH signaling pathway using a series of assays in vitro and in vivo. In the fluorescence competitive binding assay, we found BPS and BPF, like BPA, bound to TH receptors (TRα and TRβ), with the binding potencies an order of magnitude lower than BPA (BPA > BPF > BPS). Molecular docking data also show their binding potencies to TRs. In the coactivator recruitment assay, BPS and BPF recruited coactivator to TRβ but not TRα, with weaker potencies than BPA. Correspondingly, agonistic actions of the three bisphenols in the absence or presence of T3 were observed in the TR-mediated reporter gene transcription assay. Also, all the three bisphenols induced TH-dependent GH3 cell proliferation, whereas BPA and BPF inhibited T3 induction in the presence of T3. As for in vivo assay, the three bisphenols like T3 induced TH-response gene transcription in Pelophylax nigromaculatus tadpoles, but in the presence of T3 altered T3-induced gene transcription in a biphasic concentration-response manner. These results for the first time demonstrate that BPS and BPF, like BPA, have potential to interfere with TH signaling pathway, i.e., they generally activate TH signaling in the absence of T3, but in the presence of TH, display agonistic or/and antagonistic actions under certain condition. Our study highlights the potential risks of BPS and BPF as BPA alternatives. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Geometric structure and information change in phase transitions.

PubMed

Kim, Eun-Jin; Hollerbach, Rainer

2017-06-01

We propose a toy model for a cyclic order-disorder transition and introduce a geometric methodology to understand stochastic processes involved in transitions. Specifically, our model consists of a pair of forward and backward processes (FPs and BPs) for the emergence and disappearance of a structure in a stochastic environment. We calculate time-dependent probability density functions (PDFs) and the information length L, which is the total number of different states that a system undergoes during the transition. Time-dependent PDFs during transient relaxation exhibit strikingly different behavior in FPs and BPs. In particular, FPs driven by instability undergo the broadening of the PDF with a large increase in fluctuations before the transition to the ordered state accompanied by narrowing the PDF width. During this stage, we identify an interesting geodesic solution accompanied by the self-regulation between the growth and nonlinear damping where the time scale τ of information change is constant in time, independent of the strength of the stochastic noise. In comparison, BPs are mainly driven by the macroscopic motion due to the movement of the PDF peak. The total information length L between initial and final states is much larger in BPs than in FPs, increasing linearly with the deviation γ of a control parameter from the critical state in BPs while increasing logarithmically with γ in FPs. L scales as |lnD| and D^{-1/2} in FPs and BPs, respectively, where D measures the strength of the stochastic forcing. These differing scalings with γ and D suggest a great utility of L in capturing different underlying processes, specifically, diffusion vs advection in phase transition by geometry. We discuss physical origins of these scalings and comment on implications of our results for bistable systems undergoing repeated order-disorder transitions (e.g., fitness).

Toll-like Receptor 4 and Comorbid Pain in Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain Research Network Study

PubMed Central

Schrepf, Andrew; Bradley, Catherine S.; O'Donnell, Michael; Luo, Yi; Harte, Steven E.; Kreder, Karl; Lutgendorf, Susan

2015-01-01

Background Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) is a condition characterized by pelvic pain and urinary symptoms. Some IC/BPS patients have pain confined to the pelvic region, while others suffer widespread pain. Inflammatory processes have previously been linked to pelvic pain in IC/BPS, but their association with widespread pain in IC/BPS has not been characterized. Methods Sixty-six women meeting criteria for IC/BPS completed self-report measures of pain as part of the Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP), collected 3 days of saliva for cortisol assays, and provided blood samples. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) 2 and 4 agonists and cytokines were measured in supernatant; IL-6 was also measured in plasma. Associations between inflammatory variables and the likelihood of endorsing extra-pelvic pain, or the presence of a comorbid syndrome, were tested by logistic regression and General Linear Models, respectively. A subset of patients (n=32) completed Quantitative Sensory Testing. Results A one standard deviation increase in TLR-4 inflammatory response was associated with a 1.59 greater likelihood of endorsing extra-pelvic pain (p = .019). Participants with comorbid syndromes also had higher inflammatory responses to TLR-4 stimulation in PBMCs (p = .016). Lower pressure pain thresholds were marginally associated with higher TLR-4 inflammatory responses (p = .062), and significantly associated with higher IL-6 in plasma (p = .031). Conclusions TLR-4 inflammatory responses in PBMCs are a marker of widespread pain in IC/BPS, and should be explored in other conditions characterized by medically unexplained pain. PMID:25771510

Side wall cooling for nozzle segments for a gas turbine

DOEpatents

Burdgick, Steven Sebastian

2002-01-01

A nozzle vane segment includes outer and inner band portions with a vane extending therebetween and defining first and second cavities separated by an impingement plate for flowing cooling medium for impingement cooling of nozzle side walls. The side wall of each nozzle segment has an undercut region. The impingement plate has an inturned flange with a plurality of openings. Cooling inserts or receptacles having an open end are received in the openings and the base and side walls of the receptacles have apertures for receiving cooling medium from the first cavity and directing the cooling medium for impingement cooling of the side wall of the nozzle segment and a portion of the nozzle wall.

Construct validity of an instrument to measure neuropathic pain in women with bladder pain syndrome.

PubMed

Arya, Lily A; Harvie, Heidi S; Andy, Uduak U; Cory, Lori; Propert, Kathleen J; Whitmore, Kristene

2013-06-01

To determine the construct validity of an instrument to measure neuropathic pain in women with bladder pain syndrome (BPS). Our hypothesis is that neuropathic, bladder, and bowel pain represent different constructs in women with BPS. Secondary planned analysis of a prospective cross-sectional study of 150 women with BPS. The relationship between neuropathic pain, urinary, and bowel symptoms was assessed. The correlation of the total neuropathic pain score with total urinary and bowel symptom scores was low to moderate (r = 0.28-0.49). The correlation of specific neuropathic pain items with bladder and bowel pain was also low to moderate (r = 0.12-0.36). Women with neuropathic pain had significantly higher scores for urinary urgency, bladder pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation than women with non-neuropathic pain (all P < 0.0001). Somatosensory neuropathic pain and "visceral" bladder and bowel pain represent separate but related constructs in women with BPS. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Transporter taxonomy - a comparison of different transport protein classification schemes.

PubMed

Viereck, Michael; Gaulton, Anna; Digles, Daniela; Ecker, Gerhard F

2014-06-01

Currently, there are more than 800 well characterized human membrane transport proteins (including channels and transporters) and there are estimates that about 10% (approx. 2000) of all human genes are related to transport. Membrane transport proteins are of interest as potential drug targets, for drug delivery, and as a cause of side effects and drug–drug interactions. In light of the development of Open PHACTS, which provides an open pharmacological space, we analyzed selected membrane transport protein classification schemes (Transporter Classification Database, ChEMBL, IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology, and Gene Ontology) for their ability to serve as a basis for pharmacology driven protein classification. A comparison of these membrane transport protein classification schemes by using a set of clinically relevant transporters as use-case reveals the strengths and weaknesses of the different taxonomy approaches.

Monitoring of bisphenol A and bisphenol S in thermal paper receipts from the Italian market and estimated transdermal human intake: A pilot study.

PubMed

Russo, Giacomo; Barbato, Francesco; Grumetto, Lucia

2017-12-01

Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic xenoestrogen widely used in various industrial fields, can be present, in its un-reacted form, as an additive in thermal paper. BPA is virtually ubiquitous in industrialized societies and humans are exposed to this chemical via dietary and non-dietary sources. Since in 2015 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicated that thermal paper is the second source of BPA exposure after the food chain, some suppliers replaced BPA with its analogue Bisphenol S (BPS), speculatively supposed to be safer. In this work BPA and BPS concentration levels were determined in thermal paper receipts collected in Italy from 50 different sources by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem fluorescence and ultraviolet detection. BPA was found in 44 samples at mean concentration of 107.47μg/100mg of paper (from below Limits of Quantification (LOQ) to 1533.733μg/100mg of paper). BPS was found in 31 samples at mean concentration of 41.97μg/100mg of paper (from below the LOQ to 357.989μg/100mg of paper). 26 samples were positive to both BPA and BPS. The estimate daily intake (EDI) values of BPA and BPS occurring through dermal absorption were calculated for 70kg body weight individuals. For general population, they were 0.0625μg/day for BPA and 0.0244μg/day for BPS, based on the mean content of bisphenols found. For occupationally exposed individuals, they were 66.8μg/day for BPA and 15.6μg/day for BPS, based on the worst scenario. Such levels would produce a dermal intake below the Tolerable Day Intake established by EFSA (4μg/kg·bw/day); nevertheless, the occurrence of co-exposure to dietary and non-dietary sources should be considered in the health risk assessment, mainly for people frequently exposed to thermal paper contact for occupational reason. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gauged BPS baby Skyrmions with quantized magnetic flux

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adam, C.; Wereszczynski, A.

2017-06-01

A new type of gauged BPS baby Skyrme model is presented, where the derivative term is just the Schroers current (i.e., gauge invariant and conserved version of the topological current) squared. This class of models has a topological bound saturated for solutions of the pertinent Bogomolnyi equations supplemented by a so-called superpotential equation. In contrast to the gauged BPS baby Skyrme models considered previously, the superpotential equation is linear and, hence, completely solvable. Furthermore, the magnetic flux is quantized in units of 2 π , which allows, in principle, to define this theory on a compact manifold without boundary, unlike all gauged baby Skyrme models considered so far.

The progenitors of supernovae Type Ia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toonen, Silvia

2014-09-01

Despite the significance of Type Ia supernovae (SNeIa) in many fields in astrophysics, SNeIa lack a theoretical explanation. SNeIa are generally thought to be thermonuclear explosions of carbon/oxygen (CO) white dwarfs (WDs). The canonical scenarios involve white dwarfs reaching the Chandrasekhar mass, either by accretion from a non-degenerate companion (single-degenerate channel, SD) or by a merger of two CO WDs (double-degenerate channel, DD). The study of SNeIa progenitors is a very active field of research for binary population synthesis (BPS) studies. The strength of the BPS approach is to study the effect of uncertainties in binary evolution on the macroscopic properties of a binary population, in order to constrain binary evolutionary processes. I will discuss the expected SNeIa rate from the BPS approach and the uncertainties in their progenitor evolution, and compare with current observations. I will also discuss the results of the POPCORN project in which four BPS codes were compared to better understand the differences in the predicted SNeIa rate of the SD channel. The goal of this project is to investigate whether differences in the simulated populations are due to numerical effects or whether they can be explained by differences in the input physics. I will show which assumptions in BPS codes affect the results most and hence should be studied in more detail.

Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Bladder Pain Syndrome. Spanish Urological Association Consensus Document.

PubMed

Esteban, M; Adot, J M; Arlandis, S; Peri, L; Prieto, L; Salinas, J; Cozar, J M

2015-10-01

Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis (BPS/IC) and other bladder pathologies share common manifestations, such as the presence of mictional symptoms and a negative impact on the patient's quality of life. To be properly diagnosed and clinically managed, it is important to distinguish between its clinical modalities and diagnostic criteria for adequate exclusion. The purpose of this study was to standardize criteria for making decisions in BPS management, for its diagnosis, initial treatment and follow-up. A nominal group methodology was employed, using scientific evidence on BPS taken from a systematic (non-exhaustive) literature review for developing recommendations along with specialist expert opinions. The diagnosis of BPS should be made based on the patient's clinical history, with emphasis on pain and mictional symptoms as well as excluding other pathologies with similar symptomatology. BPS treatment should be directed towards restoring normal bladder function, preventing symptom relapse and improving patients' quality of life. It is therefore advisable to start with conservative treatment and to adopt less conservative treatments as the level of clinical severity increases. It is also recommended to abandon ineffective treatments and reconsider other therapeutic options. Quickly identifying the pathology is important when trying to positively influence morbidity and care quality for these patients. Copyright © 2014 AEU. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Effects of bisphenol A and its analogs bisphenol F and S on life parameters, antioxidant system, and response of defensome in the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus.

PubMed

Park, Jun Chul; Lee, Min-Chul; Yoon, Deok-Seo; Han, Jeonghoon; Kim, Moonkoo; Hwang, Un-Ki; Jung, Jee-Hyun; Lee, Jae-Seong

2018-06-01

To understand the adverse outcome in response to bisphenol A and its analogs bisphenol F and S (BPA, BPF, and BPS), we examined acute toxicity, life parameter, and defensome in the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus. Among the bisphenol analogs, BPA showed the highest acute toxicity and then BPF and BPS, accordingly in the view of descending magnitude of toxicity. In life parameters including life span and reproduction, BPA, BPF, and BPS were found to cause adverse effect. Both intracellular ROS level and GST activity were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in response to each dosage of bisphenol analogs exposures. In response to bisphenol analogs, defensomes of phase I, II, and III detoxification mechanism demonstrated inverse relationship between the lipophilicity of bisphenol analogs and the expression patterns of defensomes. BPA and BPF were found to have significant modulation (P < 0.05) in the expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP) and GST genes. In phase III, BPS with comparatively lower lipophilicity demonstrated highly diversified expressional pattern, suggesting that BPS is likely caused less toxicity compared to BPA and BPF. In this study, via phase I, II, and III detoxification mechanism, bisphenol A and its analogs F and S demonstrated specific detoxification mechanism in rotifer. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vitro and in silico assessment of the structure-dependent binding of bisphenol analogues to glucocorticoid receptor.

PubMed

Zhang, Jie; Zhang, Tiehua; Guan, Tianzhu; Yu, Hansong; Li, Tiezhu

2017-03-01

Widespread use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenol analogues has attracted increasing attention for their potential adverse effects. As environmental endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs), bisphenols (BPs) may activate a variety of nuclear receptors, including glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In this work, the binding of 11 BPs to GR was investigated by fluorescence polarization (FP) assay in combination with molecular dynamics simulations. The human glucocorticoid receptor was prepared as a soluble recombinant protein. A fluorescein-labeled dexamethasone derivative (Dex-fl) was employed as tracer. Competitive displacement of Dex-fl from GR by BPs showed that the binding affinities of bisphenol analogues were largely dependent on their characteristic functional groups. In order to further understand the relationship between BPs structures and their GR-mediated activities, molecular docking was utilized to explore the binding modes at the atomic level. The results confirmed that structural variations of bisphenol analogues contributed to different interactions of BPs with GR, potentially causing distinct toxic effects. Comparison of the calculated binding energies vs. experimental binding affinities yielded a good correlation (R 2  = 0.8266), which might be helpful for the design of environmentally benign materials with reduced toxicities. In addition, the established FP assay based on GR exhibited the potential to offer an alternative to traditional methods for the detection of bisphenols.

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

Bena, Iosif; Kraus, Per; Warner, Nicholas P.

We construct the most generic three-charge, three-dipole-charge, BPS black-ring solutions in a Taub-NUT background. These solutions depend on seven charges and six moduli, and interpolate between a four-dimensional black hole and a five-dimensional black ring. They are also instrumental in determining the correct microscopic description of the five-dimensional BPS black rings.

A prospective clinical study evaluating the development of bowel wall edema during laparoscopic and open visceral surgery.

PubMed

Marjanovic, Goran; Kuvendziska, Jasmina; Holzner, Philipp Anton; Glatz, Torben; Sick, Olivia; Seifert, Gabriel; Kulemann, Birte; Küsters, Simon; Fink, Jodok; Timme, Sylvia; Hopt, Ulrich Theodor; Wellner, Ulrich; Keck, Tobias; Karcz, Wojciech Konrad

2014-12-01

To examine bowel wall edema development in laparoscopic and open major visceral surgery. In a prospective study, 47 consecutively operated patients with gastric and pancreatic resections were included. Twenty-seven patients were operated in a conventional open procedure (open group) and 20 in a laparoscopic fashion (lap group). In all procedures, a small jejunal segment was resected during standard preparation, of which we measured the dry-wet ratio. Furthermore, HE staining was performed for measuring of bowel wall thickness and edema assessment. Mean value (±std) of dry-wet ratio was significantly lower in the open than in the lap group (0.169 ± 0.017 versus 0.179 ± 0.015; p = 0.03) with the same amount of fluid administration in both groups and a longer infusion interval during laparoscopic surgery. Subgroup analyses (only pancreatic resections) still showed similar results. Histologic examination depicted a significantly larger bowel wall thickness in the open group. Laparoscopic surgery does not seem to lead to the bowel wall edema observed to occur in open surgery regardless of the degree of intravenous fluid administration, thus supporting its use even in major visceral surgery.

Dirac-Born-Infeld actions and tachyon monopoles

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

Calo, Vincenzo; Tallarita, Gianni; Thomas, Steven

2010-04-15

We investigate magnetic monopole solutions of the non-Abelian Dirac-Born-Infeld (DBI) action describing two coincident non-BPS D9-branes in flat space. Just as in the case of kink and vortex solitonic tachyon solutions of the full DBI non-BPS actions, as previously analyzed by Sen, these monopole configurations are singular in the first instance and require regularization. We discuss a suitable non-Abelian ansatz that describes a pointlike magnetic monopole and show it solves the equations of motion to leading order in the regularization parameter. Fluctuations are studied and shown to describe a codimension three BPS D6-brane, and a formula is derived for itsmore » tension.« less

Bartsocas-Papas Syndrome: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Erturan, Gurhan; Holton, James; Wall, Steven; Giele, Henk

2016-04-01

Bartsocas-Papas syndrome (BPS) is an autosomal recessively inherited form of the popliteal pterygium syndrome characterized by severe growth retardation, midface hypoplasia, popliteal pterygia, and syndactyly. Almost all affected babies die in utero or infancy. We report the difficulties of reconstruction and ongoing plastic surgical management in an 8-year-old child with BPS. With increasingly sophisticated resuscitation and supportive techniques, it is possible that more patients with BPS will survive beyond the neonatal period. This raises new challenges with reconstruction highlighted by this case with a difficult balance between trying to overcome some of the profound effects of the syndrome versus diminishing quality of life for the child by repeated and often unsuccessful surgical procedures.

Joint compensation scheme of polarization crosstalk, intersymbol interference, frequency offset, and phase noise based on cascaded Kalman filter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Qun; Yang, Yanfu; Xiang, Qian; Zhou, Zhongqing; Yao, Yong

2018-02-01

A joint compensation scheme based on cascaded Kalman filter is proposed, which can implement polarization tracking, channel equalization, frequency offset, and phase noise compensation simultaneously. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can not only compensate multiple channel impairments simultaneously but also improve the polarization tracking capacity and accelerate the convergence speed. The scheme has up to eight times faster convergence speed compared with radius-directed equalizer (RDE) + Max-FFT (maximum fast Fourier transform) + BPS (blind phase search) and can track up polarization rotation 60 times and 15 times faster than that of RDE + Max-FFT + BPS and CMMA (cascaded multimodulus algorithm) + Max-FFT + BPS, respectively.

Hot gas filter and system assembly

DOEpatents

Lippert, Thomas Edwin; Palmer, Kathryn Miles; Bruck, Gerald Joseph; Alvin, Mary Anne; Smeltzer, Eugene E.; Bachovchin, Dennis Michael

1999-01-01

A filter element for separating fine dirty particles from a hot gas. The filter element comprises a first porous wall and a second porous wall. Each porous wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. The first and second porous walls being coupled together thereby forming a substantially closed figure and open at one end. The open end is formed to be coupled to a hot gas clean up system support structure. The first and second porous walls define a channel beginning at the open end and terminate at the closed end through which a filtered clean gas can flow through and out into the clean gas side of a hot gas clean up system.

Reclamation of potable water from mixed gas streams

DOEpatents

Judkins, Roddie R.; Bischoff, Brian L.; Debusk, Melanie Moses; Narula, Chaitanya

2016-07-19

An apparatus for separating a liquid from a mixed gas stream can include a wall, a mixed gas stream passageway, and a liquid collection assembly. The wall can include a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of capillary condensation pores. The capillary condensation pores extend through the wall, and have a first opening on the first surface of the wall, and a second opening on the second surface of the wall. The pore size of the pores can be between about 2 nm to about 100 nm. The mixed gas stream passageway can be in fluid communication with the first opening. The liquid collection assembly can collect liquid from the plurality of pores.

Reclamation of potable water from mixed gas streams

DOEpatents

Judkins, Roddie R; Bischoff, Brian L; Debusk, Melanie Moses; Narula, Chaitanya

2013-08-20

An apparatus for separating a liquid from a mixed gas stream can include a wall, a mixed gas stream passageway, and a liquid collection assembly. The wall can include a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of capillary condensation pores. The capillary condensation pores extend through the wall, and have a first opening on the first surface of the wall, and a second opening on the second surface of the wall. The pore size of the pores can be between about 2 nm to about 100 nm. The mixed gas stream passageway can be in fluid communication with the first opening. The liquid collection assembly can collect liquid from the plurality of pores.

Hot gas filter and system assembly

DOEpatents

Lippert, T.E.; Palmer, K.M.; Bruck, G.J.; Alvin, M.A.; Smeltzer, E.E.; Bachovchin, D.M.

1999-08-31

A filter element is described for separating fine dirty particles from a hot gas. The filter element comprises a first porous wall and a second porous wall. Each porous wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. The first and second porous walls being coupled together thereby forming a substantially closed figure and open at one end. The open end is formed to be coupled to a hot gas clean up system support structure. The first and second porous walls define a channel beginning at the open end and terminate at the closed end through which a filtered clean gas can flow through and out into the clean gas side of a hot gas clean up system. 8 figs.

Endocrine Activity of Bisphenol S (BPS) Using In Vitro Estrogenic/Anti-Androgenic Transcriptional Activation Assays and the In Vivo Uterotrophic Assay

EPA Science Inventory

Bisphenol A (BPA) is gradually being phased out of many consumer products and processes leading to potential increases in human and environmental exposures to relatively understudied replacement compounds, including Bisphenol S (BPS). Research from our lab has shown that BPA and...

Factors Influencing the First-Year Persistence of First Generation College Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Duggan, Michael

The factors that influence the first-year persistence of first generation college students at four-year institutions were studied using data from the Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) database. The BPS is a longitudinal study of first-time students in the 1995 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. First generation students are those whose…

Bilingual Pupil Services (B.P.S.) 1988-89. OREA Evaluation Section Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berney, Tomi D.; Barrera, Marbella

The Bilingual Pupil Services (BPS) had two complementary objectives: (1) to provide supplementary services to students of limited English proficiency (LEP) by giving them instruction in English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual reading and mathematics; and (2) to provide in-service training to paraprofessionals who were enrolled in programs…

Coulomb branch operators and mirror symmetry in three dimensions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dedushenko, Mykola; Fan, Yale; Pufu, Silviu S.; Yacoby, Ran

2018-04-01

We develop new techniques for computing exact correlation functions of a class of local operators, including certain monopole operators, in three-dimensional N=4 abelian gauge theories that have superconformal infrared limits. These operators are position-dependent linear combinations of Coulomb branch operators. They form a one-dimensional topological sector that encodes a deformation quantization of the Coulomb branch chiral ring, and their correlation functions completely fix the ( n ≤ 3)-point functions of all half-BPS Coulomb branch operators. Using these results, we provide new derivations of the conformal dimension of half-BPS monopole operators as well as new and detailed tests of mirror symmetry. Our main approach involves supersymmetric localization on a hemisphere HS 3 with half-BPS boundary conditions, where operator insertions within the hemisphere are represented by certain shift operators acting on the HS 3 wavefunction. By gluing a pair of such wavefunctions, we obtain correlators on S 3 with an arbitrary number of operator insertions. Finally, we show that our results can be recovered by dimensionally reducing the Schur index of 4D N=2 theories decorated by BPS 't Hooft-Wilson loops.

Topological sources of soliton mass and supersymmetry breaking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haas, Patrick A.

2018-06-01

We derive the Smarr formulae for two five-dimensional solutions of supergravity, which are asymptotically ; in particular, one has a magnetic ‘bolt’ in its center, and one is a two-center solution. We show for both spacetimes that supersymmetry—and so the BPS-bound—is broken by the holonomy and how each topological feature of a space-like hypersurface enters Smarr’s mass formula, with emphasis on the ones that give rise to the stated violation of the BPS-bound. In this light, we question if any violating extra-mass term in a spacetime with such asymptotics is only evident in the ADM mass while the Komar mass per se ‘tries’ to preserve BPS. Finally, we derive the cohomological fluxes for each situation and examine in a more general fashion how the breaking of supersymmetry—and so the BPS-bound violation—is associated with their topologies. In the second (and more complicated) scenario, we especially focus on the compact cycle linking the centers, and the contribution of non-vanishing bulk terms in the mass formula to the breaking of supersymmetry.

Assessing the extent of utilization of biopsychosocial model in doctor-patient interaction in public sector hospitals of a developing country.

PubMed

Nadir, Maha; Hamza, Muhammad; Mehmood, Nadir

2018-01-01

Biopsychosocial (BPS) model has been a mainstay in the ideal practice of modern medicine. It is attributed to improve patient care, compliance, and satisfaction and to reduce doctor-patient conflict. The study aimed to understand the importance given to BPS model while conducting routine doctor-patient interactions in public sector hospitals of a developing country where health resources are limited. The study was conducted in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The study design is qualitative. Structured interviews were conducted from 44 patients from surgical and medical units of Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Holy Family Hospital. The questions were formulated based on patient-centered interviewing methods by reviewing the literature on BPS model. The analysis was done thematically using the software NVivo 11 for qualitative data. The study revealed four emerging themes: (1) Lack of doctor-patient rapport. (2) Utilization of a paternalistic approach during treatment. (3) Utilization of a reductionist biomedical approach during treatment. (4) Patients' concern with their improvement in health and doctor's demeanor. The study highlights the fact that BPS is not given considerable importance while taking routine medical history. This process remains doctor centered and paternalistic. However, patients are more concerned with their improvement in health rather than whether or not they are being provided informational care. Sequential studies will have to be conducted to determine whether this significantly affects patient care and compliance and whether BPS is a workable model in the healthcare system in the third world.

Quantum entanglement in de Sitter space with a wall and the decoherence of bubble universes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Albrecht, Andreas; Kanno, Sugumi; Sasaki, Misao

2018-04-01

We study the effect of a bubble wall on the entanglement entropy of a free massive scalar field between two causally disconnected open charts in de Sitter space. We assume there is a delta-functional wall between the open charts. This can be thought of as a model of pair creation of bubble universes in de Sitter space. We first derive the Euclidean vacuum mode functions of the scalar field in the presence of the wall in the coordinates that respect the open charts. We then derive the Bogoliubov transformation between the Euclidean vacuum and the open chart vacua that makes the reduced density matrix diagonal. We find that larger walls lead to less entanglement. Our result may be regarded as evidence of decoherence of bubble universes from each other. We also note an interesting relationship between our results and discussions of the black hole firewall problem.

Identification of a Novel Aminopropyltransferase Involved in the Synthesis of Branched-Chain Polyamines in Hyperthermophiles

PubMed Central

Okada, Kazuma; Hidese, Ryota; Fukuda, Wakao; Niitsu, Masaru; Takao, Koichi; Horai, Yuhei; Umezawa, Naoki; Higuchi, Tsunehiko; Oshima, Tairo; Yoshikawa, Yuko; Imanaka, Tadayuki

2014-01-01

Longer- and/or branched-chain polyamines are unique polycations found in thermophiles. N4-aminopropylspermine is considered a major polyamine in Thermococcus kodakarensis. To determine whether a quaternary branched penta-amine, N4-bis(aminopropyl)spermidine, an isomer of N4-aminopropylspermine, was also present, acid-extracted cytoplasmic polyamines were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography, gas chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. N4-bis(aminopropyl)spermidine was an abundant cytoplasmic polyamine in this species. To identify the enzyme that catalyzes N4-bis(aminopropyl)spermidine synthesis, the active fraction was concentrated from the cytoplasm and analyzed by linear ion trap–time of flight mass spectrometry with an electrospray ionization instrument after analysis by the MASCOT database. TK0545, TK0548, TK0967, and TK1691 were identified as candidate enzymes, and the corresponding genes were individually cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant forms were purified, and their N4-bis(aminopropyl)spermidine synthesis activity was measured. Of the four candidates, TK1691 (BpsA) was found to synthesize N4-bis(aminopropyl)spermidine from spermidine via N4-aminopropylspermidine. Compared to the wild type, the bpsA-disrupted strain DBP1 grew at 85°C with a slightly longer lag phase but was unable to grow at 93°C. HPLC analysis showed that both N4-aminopropylspermidine and N4-bis(aminopropyl)spermidine were absent from the DBP1 strain grown at 85°C, demonstrating that the branched-chain polyamine synthesized by BpsA is important for cell growth at 93°C. Sequence comparison to orthologs from various microorganisms indicated that BpsA differed from other known aminopropyltransferases that produce spermidine and spermine. BpsA orthologs were found only in thermophiles, both in archaea and bacteria, but were absent from mesophiles. These findings indicate that BpsA is a novel aminopropyltransferase essential for the synthesis of branched-chain polyamines, enabling thermophiles to grow in high-temperature environments. PMID:24610711

Avoiding re-inventing the wheel in a people-centered approach to REDD+.

PubMed

Holmes, Ignacia; Potvin, Catherine

2014-10-01

One important debate regarding Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) in developing countries concerns the manner in which its implementation might affect local and indigenous communities. New ways to implement this mechanism without harming the interests of local communities are emerging. To inform this debate, we conducted a qualitative research synthesis to identify best practices (BPs) from people-centered approaches to conservation and rural development, developed indicators of BPs, and invited development practitioners and researchers in the field to assess how the identified BPs are being adopted by community-level REDD+ projects in Latin America. BPs included: local participation in all phases of the project; project supported by a decentralized forest governance framework; project objectives matching community livelihood priorities; project addressing community development needs and expectations; project enhancing stakeholder collaboration and consensus building; project applying an adaptive management approach; and project developing national and local capacities. Most of the BPs were part of the evaluated projects. However, limitations of some of the projects related to decentralized forest governance, matching project objectives with community livelihood priorities, and addressing community development needs. Adaptive management and free and prior informed consent have been largely overlooked. These limitations could be addressed by integrating conservation outcomes and alternative livelihoods into longer-term community development goals, testing nested forest governance approaches in which national policies support local institutions for forest management, gaining a better understanding of the factors that will make REDD+ more acceptable to local communities, and applying an adaptive management approach that allows for social learning and capacity building of relevant stakeholders. Our study provides a framework of BPs and indicators that could be used by stakeholders to improve REDD+ project design, monitoring, and evaluation, which may help reconcile national initiatives and local interests without reinventing the wheel. © 2014 Society for Conservation Biology.

Highly Sensitive and High-Throughput Method for the Analysis of Bisphenol Analogues and Their Halogenated Derivatives in Breast Milk.

PubMed

Niu, Yumin; Wang, Bin; Zhao, Yunfeng; Zhang, Jing; Shao, Bing

2017-12-06

The structural analogs of bisphenol A (BPA) and their halogenated derivatives (together termed BPs) have been found in the environment, food, and even the human body. Limited research showed that some of them exhibited toxicities that were similar to or even greater than that of BPA. Therefore, adverse health effects for BPs were expected for humans with low-dose exposure in early life. Breast milk is an excellent matrix and could reflect fetuses' and babies' exposure to contaminants. Some of the emerging BPs may present with trace or ultratrace levels in humans. However, existing analytical methods for breast milk cannot quantify these BPs simultaneously with high sensitivity using a small sampling weight, which is important for human biomonitoring studies. In this paper, a method based on Bond Elut Enhanced Matrix Removal-Lipid purification, pyridine-3-sulfonyl chloride derivatization, and liquid chromatography electrospray tandem mass spectrometry was developed. The method requires only a small quantity of sample (200 μL) and allowed for the simultaneous determination of 24 BPs in breast milk with ultrahigh sensitivity. The limits of quantitation of the proposed method were 0.001-0.200 μg L -1 , which were 1-6.7 times lower than the only study for the simultaneous analysis of bisphenol analogs in breast milk based on a 3 g sample weight. The mean recoveries ranged from 86.11% to 119.05% with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 19.5% (n = 6). Matrix effects were within 20% with RSD < 10% for six different lots of samples. The proposed method was successfully applied to 20 breast milk samples. BPA, bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS), and bisphenol AF (BPAF) were detected. BPA was still the dominant BP, followed by BPF. This is the first report describing the occurrence of BPF and BPAF in breast milk.

Changes in sexual function of women with refractory interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome after intravesical therapy with a hyaluronic acid solution.

PubMed

Hung, Man-Jung; Su, Tsung-Hsien; Lin, Yi-Hao; Huang, Wen-Chu; Lin, Tzu-Yin; Hsu, Chun-Shuo; Chuang, Fei-Chi; Tsai, Ching-Pei; Shen, Pao-Sheng; Chen, Gin-Den

2014-09-01

Intravesical instillation with a hyaluronic acid (HA) solution is an effective treatment for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), but its impact on sexual functioning of patients is not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in sexual function of women with refractory IC/BPS who underwent a second-line intravesical HA therapy. A total of 103 women diagnosed with refractory IC/BPS were enrolled in this prospective, multicenter study. Sexual function was evaluated using the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Function Questionnaire (PISQ-9). Bladder-related symptoms and bother were assessed by the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index (ICSI) and Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), and a pain visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. Data were analyzed with univariate methods or multivariate logistic regression analysis accordingly. Changes in PISQ-9, ICSI, ICPI, and pain VAS scores after treatment were assessed. Mean age and duration of symptoms was 43.6 ± 11.8 and 5.1 ± 5.0 years, respectively. ICSI, ICPI, and pain VAS scores were significantly (P < 0.001) improved after 1 month and 6 months of treatment. Of the 87 (84.5%) sexually active women evaluated, PISQ-9 total scores improved significantly (P < 0.001) from the baseline (mean 18.9 ± 6.4), after 1 month (20.4 ± 5.8), and 6-months (21.5 ± 5.6) of treatment. Significantly improved PISQ-9 items included "dyspareunia" (P < 0.001) and "negative reactions" (P = 0.015) during sexual intercourse, and "intensity" (P < 0.001) of sexual orgasms. After a logistic regression analysis, we found that a baseline PISQ-9 score was negatively correlated with the duration of IC/BPS symptoms (P = 0.022). Meanwhile, the changes in PISQ-9 scores were positively correlated with the reduction in ICSI scores after treatment (P = 0.045). Intravesical HA is an effective treatment for refractory IC/BPS. A longer duration of IC/BPS symptoms may be a predictor of poor sexual function. However, intravesical HA may improve sexual function along with the reduction of IC/BPS symptoms. © 2014 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

Revival of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate-induced inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast function by water-soluble microfibrous borate glass.

PubMed

Yuan, He; Niu, Li-Na; Jiao, Kai; Pei, Dan-Dan; Pramanik, Chandrani; Li, Ji-Yao; Messer, Regina; Kumar, Satish; Pashley, David H; Tay, Franklin R

2016-02-01

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a serious skeletal complication associated with the long-term oral or intravenous use of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs). Here, we investigated the effects of an ionic cocktail prepared from water-soluble microfibrous borate glass on neutralizing the inhibitory effects of two heterocyclic N-BPs, risedronate or zoledronic acid, on osteoclastogenesis, apoptosis of differentiated osteoclasts and osteoclast function. Cell growth and proliferation assays were first performed on RAW 264.7 cells to optimize the concentrations of the ionic cocktail and N-BPs to be used for static cell culture. The pre-osteoclasts were then stimulated with RANKL to differentiate into osteoclasts. The effects of the ionic cocktail and N-BPs on osteoclast differentiation, apoptosis and function were subsequently examined using 3 series of experiments conducted at the gene, protein, morphological and functional levels. After concentration optimization, the ionic cocktail was found to partially reverse N-BP-induced inhibition of osteoclastogenesis, stimulation of osteoclasts apoptosis and reduction of osteoclast resorptive activity. Ultrastructural examination of osteoclasts that had been exposed to either N-BP identified classical features of late apoptosis and secondary necrosis, while osteoclasts exposed simultaneously to the concentration-optimized ionic cocktail and N-BPs exhibited only signs of early apoptosis that were possibly reversible. Taken together, the results of the 4 series of experiments indicate that the ionic cocktail produced from dissolution of borate glass dressings has the potential to rescue the adverse effects of heterocyclic N-BPs on osteoclast differentiation and function. These results warrant further confirmation using dynamic cell culture and small animal BRONJ models. Long-term oral and intravenous use of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) may result in bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) due to the suppression of normal bone turnover. There is no effective treatment for such a complication to date. This work reported the use of an ionic cocktail derived from water-soluble microfibrous borate glass to revert heterocyclic N-BP-induced inhibition of osteoclastogenesis, stimulation of osteoclasts apoptosis and reduction of osteoclasts resorption in static cell culture condition. This ionic cocktail may have the potential to be further developed into a new adjunctive treatment for BRONJ. Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

12. INTERIOR OF FRONT BEDROOM SHOWING ELECTRICAL WALL HEATER ON ...

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

12. INTERIOR OF FRONT BEDROOM SHOWING ELECTRICAL WALL HEATER ON BACK WALL, OPEN FIVE-PANELED DOOR TO LIVING ROOM AT PHOTO LEFT, AND OPEN SOLID DOOR TO BATHROOM AT PHOTO CENTER. VIEW TO WEST. - Bishop Creek Hydroelectric System, Plant 4, Worker Cottage, Bishop Creek, Bishop, Inyo County, CA

50 CFR 14.161 - Primary enclosures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... the total surface area of each ventilated wall. When openings are located on all four walls of the enclosure, the openings shall comprise at least 8 percent of the total surface area of each wall. At least... specifies maximum densities minimum space for transporting rodents that fall within the specified weight...

50 CFR 14.161 - Primary enclosures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... the total surface area of each ventilated wall. When openings are located on all four walls of the enclosure, the openings shall comprise at least 8 percent of the total surface area of each wall. At least... specifies maximum densities minimum space for transporting rodents that fall within the specified weight...

50 CFR 14.161 - Primary enclosures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... the total surface area of each ventilated wall. When openings are located on all four walls of the enclosure, the openings shall comprise at least 8 percent of the total surface area of each wall. At least... specifies maximum densities minimum space for transporting rodents that fall within the specified weight...

Tornado type wind turbines

DOEpatents

Hsu, Cheng-Ting

1984-01-01

A tornado type wind turbine has a vertically disposed wind collecting tower with spaced apart inner and outer walls and a central bore. The upper end of the tower is open while the lower end of the structure is in communication with a wind intake chamber. An opening in the wind chamber is positioned over a turbine which is in driving communication with an electrical generator. An opening between the inner and outer walls at the lower end of the tower permits radially flowing air to enter the space between the inner and outer walls while a vertically disposed opening in the wind collecting tower permits tangentially flowing air to enter the central bore. A porous portion of the inner wall permits the radially flowing air to interact with the tangentially flowing air so as to create an intensified vortex flow which exits out of the top opening of the tower so as to create a low pressure core and thus draw air through the opening of the wind intake chamber so as to drive the turbine.

2004/06 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:04/06). Methodology Report. NCES 2008-184

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cominole, Melissa; Wheeless, Sara; Dudley, Kristin; Franklin, Jeff; Wine, Jennifer

2007-01-01

The "2004/06 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:04/06)" is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education to respond to the need for a national, comprehensive database concerning issues students may face in enrollment, persistence, progress, and attainment in postsecondary education and in consequent early rates of…

10. Detail view, greenhouse, south wall. These groundlevel openings were ...

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

10. Detail view, greenhouse, south wall. These ground-level openings were part of the original heating system used to warm the greenhouse. The openings were likely related to the flues, while a larger opening to the west (not in photograph) contained an exterior-fed iron stove. - John Bartram House & Garden, Greenhouse, 54th Street & LIndbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Effects of BPA and BPS exposure limited to early embryogenesis persist to impair non-associative learning in adults.

PubMed

Mersha, Mahlet D; Patel, Bansri M; Patel, Dipen; Richardson, Brittany N; Dhillon, Harbinder S

2015-09-17

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a polymerizing agent used in plastic bottles and several routinely used consumer items. It is classified among endocrine disrupting chemicals suspected to cause adverse health effects in mammals ranging from infertility and cancer to behavioral disorders. Work with the invertebrate lab model Caenorhabditis elegans has shown that BPA affects germ cells by disrupting double-stranded DNA break repair mechanisms. The current study utilizes this model organism to provide insight into low-dose and long-term behavioral effects of BPA and bisphenol-S (BPS), a supposed safer replacement for BPA. Experiments presented in our report demonstrate that the effects of embryonic exposure to considerably low levels of BPA persist into adulthood, affecting neural functionality as assayed by measuring habituation to mechano-sensory stimuli in C. elegans. These results are noteworthy in that they are based on low-dose exposures, following the rationale that subtler effects that may not be morphologically apparent are likely to be discernible through behavioral changes. In addition, we report that embryonic exposure to BPS follows a pattern similar to BPA. Building upon previous observations using the C. elegans model, we have shown that exposure of embryos to BPA and BPS affects their behavior as adults. These long-term effects are in line with recommended alternate low-dose chemical safety testing approaches. Our observation that the effects of BPS are similar to BPA is not unexpected, considering their structural similarity. This, to our knowledge, is the first reported behavioral study on low-dose toxicity of any endocrine disrupting chemical in C. elegans.

Racial-ethnic disparities in acute blood pressure after intracerebral hemorrhage.

PubMed

Koch, Sebastian; Elkind, Mitchell S V; Testai, Fernando D; Brown, W Mark; Martini, Sharyl; Sheth, Kevin N; Chong, Ji Y; Osborne, Jennifer; Moomaw, Charles J; Langefeld, Carl D; Sacco, Ralph L; Woo, Daniel

2016-08-23

To assess race-ethnic differences in acute blood pressure (BP) following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the contribution to disparities in ICH outcome. BPs in the field (emergency medical services [EMS]), emergency department (ED), and at 24 hours were compared and adjusted for group differences between non-Hispanic black (black), non-Hispanic white (white), and Hispanic participants in the Ethnic Racial Variations of Intracerebral Hemorrhage case-control study. Outcome was obtained by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 3 months. We analyzed race-ethnic differences in good outcome (mRS ≤ 2) and mortality after adjusting for baseline differences and included BP recordings in this model. Of 2,069 ICH cases enrolled, 30% were white, 37% black, and 33% Hispanic. Black and Hispanic patients had higher EMS and ED systolic and diastolic BPs compared with white patients (p = 0.0001). Although attenuated, at 24 hours after admission, black patients had higher systolic and diastolic BPs. After adjusting for baseline differences, significant race/ethnic differences persisted for EMS systolic, ED systolic and diastolic, and 24-hours diastolic BP. Only ED systolic and diastolic BP was associated with poor functional outcome, and no BP predicted mortality. We found no race-ethnic differences in 3-month functional outcome or mortality after adjusting for group differences, including acute BPs. Although black and Hispanic patients had higher BPs than white patients at presentation, we did not find race-ethnic disparities in 3-month functional outcome or mortality. ED systolic and diastolic BP was associated with poor functional outcome, but not mortality, in this race-ethnically diverse population. © 2016 American Academy of Neurology.

Response of the bacterial community in an on-farm biopurification system, to which diverse pesticides are introduced over an agricultural season.

PubMed

Holmsgaard, Peter N; Dealtry, Simone; Dunon, Vincent; Heuer, Holger; Hansen, Lars H; Springael, Dirk; Smalla, Kornelia; Riber, Leise; Sørensen, Søren J

2017-10-01

A biopurification system (BPS) is used on-farm to clean pesticide-contaminated wastewater. Due to high pesticide loads, a BPS represents a hot spot for the proliferation and selection as well as the genetic adaptation of discrete pesticide degrading microorganisms. However, while considerable knowledge exists on the biodegradation of specific pesticides in BPSs, the bacterial community composition of these systems has hardly been explored. In this work, the Shannon diversity, the richness and the composition of the bacterial community within an operational BPS receiving wastewater contaminated with various pesticides was, for the first time, elucidated over the course of an agricultural season, using DGGE profiling and pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified from total community DNA. During the agricultural season, an increase in the concentration of pesticides in the BPS was observed along with the detection of significant community changes including a decrease in microbial diversity. Additionally, a significant increase in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, mainly the Gammaproteobacteria, was found, and OTUs (operational taxonomic units) affiliated to Pseudomonas responded positively during the course of the season. Furthermore, a banding-pattern analysis of 16S rRNA gene-based DGGE fingerprinting, targeting the Alpha- and Betaproteobacteria as well as the Actinobacteria, indicated that the Betaproteobacteria might play an important role. Interestingly, a decrease of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes was observed, indicating their selective disadvantage in a BPS, to which pesticides have been introduced. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Antispasmodic, bronchodilator, vasorelaxant and cardiosuppressant effects of Buxus papillosa.

PubMed

Khan, Arif-Ullah; Ali, Shamsher; Gilani, Anwarul-Hassan; Ahmed, Manzoor; Choudhary, Muhammad Iqbal

2017-01-18

The present research was carried out to investigate pharmacological properties of Buxus papillosa C.K. Schneid. (Buxaceae). Buxus papillosa extracts of leaves (BpL), stem (BpS), roots (BpR) and BpL fractions: hexane (BpL-H), aqueous (BpL-A) also plant constituent, cyclomicrobuxine effect were studied in jejunum, atria, aorta and tracheal preparations from rabbit and guine-peg. Ca ++ antagonistic effect of BpS, BpR, BpL-H, BpL-A and cyclomicrobuxine were conclusively suggested, when spontaneous contractions of rabbit jejunal preparation was relaxed along with subsequent relaxation of potassium chloride (80 mM) induced contractions. Ca ++ antagonistic effect was further confirmed, when a prominent right shift like that of verapamil was observed in Ca ++ concentration-response curves, drawn in a tissue pretreated with BpL (0.3-1.0 mg/mL). In rabbit tracheal tissues BpL, BpS, BpR, BpL-H and BpL-A produced a prominent relaxation in contractions induced by potassium chloride (80 mM) and carbachol (1 μm). When tested in rabbit aortic rings, BpL, BpS, BpR, BpL-H and BpL-A showed concentration-dependent (0.1-3.0 mg/mL) vasorelaxant effect against phenylephrine (1 μM) and high K + -induced contractions. In isolated guinea-pig right atria, BpL, BpS, BpR, BpL-H and BpL-A suppressed atrial force of spontaneous contractions, with BpL-A being most potent. Our results reveal that Buxus papillosa possesses gut, airways and cardiovascular inhibitory actions.

Evaluation of ecotoxicological effects of benzophenone UV filters: Luminescent bacteria toxicity, genotoxicity and hormonal activity.

PubMed

Zhang, Qiuya; Ma, Xiaoyan; Dzakpasu, Mawuli; Wang, Xiaochang C

2017-08-01

The widespread use of organic ultraviolet (UV) filters in personal care products raises concerns about their potentially hazardous effects on human and ecosystem health. In this study, the toxicities of four commonly used benzophenones (BPs) UV filters including benzophenone (BP), 2-Hydroxybenzophenone (2HB), 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (BP3), and 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonicacid (BP4) in water were assayed in vitro using Vibrio fischeri, SOS/umu assay, and yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay, as well as in vivo using zebrafish larvae. The results showed that the luminescent bacteria toxicity, expressed as logEC 50 , increased with the lipophilicity (logKow) of BPs UV filters. Especially, since 2HB, BP3 and BP4 had different substituent groups, namely -OH, -OCH 3 and -SO 3 H, respectively, these substituent functional groups had a major contribution to the lipophilicity and acute toxicity of these BPs. Similar tendency was observed for the genotoxicity, expressed as the value of induction ratio=1.5. Moreover, all the target BPs UV filters showed estrogenic activity, but no significant influences of lipophilicity on the estrogenicity were observed, with BP3 having the weakest estrogenic efficiency in vitro. Although BP3 displayed no noticeable adverse effects in any in vitro assays, multiple hormonal activities were observed in zebrafish larvae including estrogenicity, anti-estrogenicity and anti-androgenicity by regulating the expression of target genes. The results indicated potential hazardous effects of BPs UV filters and the importance of the combination of toxicological evaluation methods including in vitro and in vivo assays. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Observational Evidence of Magnetic Reconnection for Brightenings and Transition Region Arcades in IRIS Observations

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

Zhao, Jie; Li, Hui; Feng, Li

By using a new method of forced-field extrapolation, we study the emerging flux region AR11850 observed by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph and Solar Dynamical Observatory . Our results suggest that the bright points (BPs) in this emerging region exhibit responses in lines formed from the upper photosphere to the transition region, which have relatively similar morphologies. They have an oscillation of several minutes according to the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly data at 1600 and 1700 Å. The ratio between the BP intensities measured in 1600 and 1700 Å filtergrams reveals that these BPs are heated differently. Our analysis of themore » Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager vector magnetic field and the corresponding topology in AR11850 indicates that the BPs are located at the polarity inversion line and most of them are related to magnetic reconnection or cancelation. The heating of the BPs might be different due to different magnetic topology. We find that the heating due to the magnetic cancelation would be stronger than the case of bald patch reconnection. The plasma density rather than the magnetic field strength could play a dominant role in this process. Based on physical conditions in the lower atmosphere, our forced-field extrapolation shows consistent results between the bright arcades visible in slit-jaw image 1400 Å and the extrapolated field lines that pass through the bald patches. It provides reliable observational evidence for testing the mechanism of magnetic reconnection for the BPs and arcades in the emerging flux region, as proposed in simulation studies.« less

Food as Pharma? The Case of Glucosinolates.

PubMed

Capuano, Edoardo; Dekker, Matthijs; Verkerk, Ruud; Oliviero, Teresa

2017-01-01

Glucosinolates (GLSs) are dietary plant secondary metabolites occurring in the order Brassicales with potential health effects, in particular as anti-carcinogenic compounds. GLSs are converted into a variety of breakdown products (BPs) upon plant tissue damage and by the gut microbiota. GLS biological activity is related to BPs rather than to GLSs themselves. we have reviewed the most recent scientific literature on the metabolic fate and the biological effect of GLSs with particular emphasis on the epidemiological evidence for health effect and evidence from clinical trials. An overview of potential molecular mechanisms underlying GLS biological effect is provided. The potential toxic or anti-nutritional effect has also been discussed. Epidemiological and human in vivo evidence point towards a potential anti-cancer effect for sulforaphane, indole-3-carbinol and 3,3-diindolylmethane. A number of new human clinical trials are on-going and will likely shed further light on GLS protective effect towards cancer as well as other diseases. BPs biological effect is the results of a plurality of molecular mechanisms acting simultaneously which include modulation of xenobiotic metabolism, modulation of inflammation, regulation of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, angiogenesis and metastasis and regulation of epigenetic events. BPs have been extensively investigated for their protective effect towards cancer but in recent years the interest also includes other diseases. It appears that certain BPs may protect against and may even represent a therapeutic strategy against several forms of cancer. Whether this latter effect can be achieved through diet or supplements should be investigated more thoroughly. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Robust Linuron Degradation in On-Farm Biopurification Systems Exposed to Sequential Environmental Changes▿

PubMed Central

Sniegowski, Kristel; Bers, Karolien; Ryckeboer, Jaak; Jaeken, Peter; Spanoghe, Pieter; Springael, Dirk

2011-01-01

On-farm biopurification systems (BPS) treat pesticide-contaminated wastewater of farms through biodegradation. Adding pesticide-primed soil has been shown to be beneficial for the establishment of pesticide-degrading populations in BPS. However, no data exist on the response of pesticide-degrading microbiota, either endogenous or introduced with pesticide-primed soil, when BPS are exposed to expected less favorable environmental conditions like cold periods, drought periods, and periods without a pesticide supply. Therefore, the response of microbiota mineralizing the herbicide linuron in BPS microcosm setups inoculated either with a linuron-primed soil or a nonprimed soil to a sequence of such less favorable conditions was examined. A period without linuron supply or a drought period reduced the size of the linuron-mineralizing community in both setups. The most severe effect was recorded for the setup containing nonprimed soil, in which stopping the linuron supply decreased the linuron degradation capacity to nondetectable levels. In both systems, linuron mineralization rapidly reestablished after conventional operation conditions were restored. A cold period and feeding with a pesticide mixture did not affect linuron mineralization. The changes in the linuron-mineralizing capacity in microcosms containing primed soil were associated with the dynamics of a particular Variovorax phylotype that previously had been associated with linuron mineralization. This study suggests that the pesticide-mineralizing community in BPS is robust in stress situations imposed by changes in environmental conditions expected to occur on farms. Moreover, it suggests that, in cases where effects do occur, recovery is rapid after restoring conventional operation conditions. PMID:21803897

A new chapter in the bisphenol A story: bisphenol S and bisphenol F are not safe alternatives to this compound.

PubMed

Eladak, Soria; Grisin, Tiphany; Moison, Delphine; Guerquin, Marie-Justine; N'Tumba-Byn, Thierry; Pozzi-Gaudin, Stéphanie; Benachi, Alexandra; Livera, Gabriel; Rouiller-Fabre, Virginie; Habert, René

2015-01-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely studied typical endocrine-disrupting chemical, and one of the major new issues is the safe replacement of this commonly used compound. Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are already or are planned to be used as BPA alternatives. With the use of a culture system that we developed (fetal testis assay [FeTA]), we previously showed that 10 nmol/L BPA reduces basal testosterone secretion of human fetal testis explants and that the susceptibility to BPA is at least 100-fold lower in rat and mouse fetal testes. Here, we show that addition of LH in the FeTA system considerably enhances BPA minimum effective concentration in mouse and human but not in rat fetal testes. Then, using the FeTA system without LH (the experimental conditions in which mouse and human fetal testes are most sensitive to BPA), we found that, as for BPA, 10 nmol/L BPS or BPF is sufficient to decrease basal testosterone secretion by human fetal testes with often nonmonotonic dose-response curves. In fetal mouse testes, the dose-response curves were mostly monotonic and the minimum effective concentrations were 1,000 nmol/L for BPA and BPF and 100 nmol/L for BPS. Finally, 10,000 nmol/L BPA, BPS, or BPF reduced Insl3 expression in cultured mouse fetal testes. This is the first report describing BPS and BPF adverse effects on a physiologic function in humans and rodents. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Alexithymia and anesthetic bladder capacity in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

PubMed

Chiu, Chui-De; Lee, Ming-Huei; Chen, Wei-Chih; Ho, Hoi Lam; Wu, Huei-Ching

2017-09-01

In contrast to the inconsistent results of organic causes, it has been found that psychological risk factors are reliably related to functional somatic syndromes (FSSs), including interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). Compared to patients with acute cystitis, a subgroup of IC/BPS patients with a history of childhood relational trauma reported intensified unregulated affective states (i.e., anxiety and depression) and trauma-related psychopathology (i.e., dissociation). Nevertheless, it remains unknown whether psychosocial risk factors can be separated from bladder-centric factors. This study aimed to verify whether psychosocial factors such as alexithymia, which is a key psychological factor of FSSs, are less likely to be linked to a low bladder capacity in patients with IC/BPS. Ninety-four female IC/BPS patients were recruited from the outpatient departments of urology, obstetrics, and gynecology. Anxiety, depression, dissociation, childhood relational trauma, and alexithymia were assessed using standardized scales, and anesthetic bladder capacity was examined by cystoscopic hydrodistention. Positive correlations were found between anesthetic bladder capacity and the psychosocial variables, including alexithymia. An increased bladder capacity was associated with anxiety, dissociation, and childhood relational trauma, and a combination of high cognitive and low affective alexithymia mediated the correlations between bladder capacity and the psychosocial variables. Psychosocial variables that are associated with an aversive childhood relational environment and affect dysregulation may constitute a pathogenic trajectory that differs from bladder-centric defects such as a lower bladder capacity. The findings of this study support the notion that IC/BPS in some patients may be due to an FSS. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessing the extent of utilization of biopsychosocial model in doctor–patient interaction in public sector hospitals of a developing country

PubMed Central

Nadir, Maha; Hamza, Muhammad; Mehmood, Nadir

2018-01-01

Background: Biopsychosocial (BPS) model has been a mainstay in the ideal practice of modern medicine. It is attributed to improve patient care, compliance, and satisfaction and to reduce doctor–patient conflict. The study aimed to understand the importance given to BPS model while conducting routine doctor–patient interactions in public sector hospitals of a developing country where health resources are limited. The study was conducted in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: The study design is qualitative. Structured interviews were conducted from 44 patients from surgical and medical units of Benazir Bhutto Hospital and Holy Family Hospital. The questions were formulated based on patient-centered interviewing methods by reviewing the literature on BPS model. The analysis was done thematically using the software NVivo 11 for qualitative data. Results: The study revealed four emerging themes: (1) Lack of doctor–patient rapport. (2) Utilization of a paternalistic approach during treatment. (3) Utilization of a reductionist biomedical approach during treatment. (4) Patients’ concern with their improvement in health and doctor's demeanor. Conclusion: The study highlights the fact that BPS is not given considerable importance while taking routine medical history. This process remains doctor centered and paternalistic. However, patients are more concerned with their improvement in health rather than whether or not they are being provided informational care. Sequential studies will have to be conducted to determine whether this significantly affects patient care and compliance and whether BPS is a workable model in the healthcare system in the third world. PMID:29736071

Deficiency in mTORC1-controlled C/EBPβ-mRNA translation improves metabolic health in mice

PubMed Central

Zidek, Laura M; Ackermann, Tobias; Hartleben, Götz; Eichwald, Sabrina; Kortman, Gertrud; Kiehntopf, Michael; Leutz, Achim; Sonenberg, Nahum; Wang, Zhao-Qi; von Maltzahn, Julia; Müller, Christine; Calkhoven, Cornelis F

2015-01-01

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is a central regulator of physiological adaptations in response to changes in nutrient supply. Major downstream targets of mTORC1 signalling are the mRNA translation regulators p70 ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1p70) and the 4E-binding proteins (4E-BPs). However, little is known about vertebrate mRNAs that are specifically controlled by mTORC1 signalling and are engaged in regulating mTORC1-associated physiology. Here, we show that translation of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ) mRNA into the C/EBPβ-LIP isoform is suppressed in response to mTORC1 inhibition either through pharmacological treatment or through calorie restriction. Our data indicate that the function of 4E-BPs is required for suppression of LIP. Intriguingly, mice lacking the cis-regulatory upstream open reading frame (uORF) in the C/EBPβ-mRNA, which is required for mTORC1-stimulated translation into C/EBPβ-LIP, display an improved metabolic phenotype with features also found under calorie restriction. Thus, our data suggest that translational adjustment of C/EBPβ-isoform expression is one of the key processes that direct metabolic adaptation in response to changes in mTORC1 activity. PMID:26113365

The Path Forward: School Autonomy and Its Implications for the Future of Boston's Public Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

French, Dan; Miles, Karen Hawley; Nathan, Linda

2014-01-01

This study explores the question of how Boston Public Schools (BPS) can strengthen and support autonomy and accountability across its portfolio to promote innovation and expand access to equity and high performance. Some of the specific questions guiding this work are: (1) Should all schools within BPS operate within autonomous structures? (2) Is…

Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study: 1996-2001 (BPS:1996/2001) Methodology Report. Technical Report. NCES 2002-171

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wine, Jennifer S.; Heuer, Ruth E.; Wheeless, Sara C.; Francis, Talbric L.; Franklin, Jeff W.; Dudley, Kristin M.

2002-01-01

This report describes the methods and procedures used for the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study: 1996-2001 (BPS:1996/2001). These students, who started their postsecondary education during the 1995-96 academic year, were first interviewed in 1996 as part of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:96). A follow-up…

Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study: First Follow-Up 1996-98 (BPS:96/98) Methodology Report. Technical Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wine, Jennifer S.; Whitmore, Roy W.; Heuer, Ruth E.; Biber, Melissa; Pratt, Daniel J.

This report describes the methods and procedures used for the full-scale data collection effort of the Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study First Follow-Up 1996-98 (BPS:96/98). These students, who started their postsecondary education during the 1995-96 academic year, were first interviewed during 1996 as part of the National…

Individual and mixture endocrine activity of BPS and BPC using in vitro estrogenic/anti-androgenic transcriptional activation assays and the in vivo uterotrophic assay- RAP 2.2-SSWR

EPA Science Inventory

Bisphenol A (BPA) is gradually being phased out of many consumer products and processes leading to potential increases in human and environmental exposures to relatively understudied replacement compounds, including Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol C (BPC).Research from our lab ha...

Persistence and Attainment of 2011-12 First-Time Postsecondary Students after 3 Years. First Look. NCES 2016-401

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ifill, Nicole; Radford, Alexandria Walton; Wu, Joanna; Cataldi, Emily Forrest; Wilson, David; Hill, Jason

2016-01-01

This report provides a "first look" at selected findings from the 2012/14 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/14). It is based on final data describing a nationally representative sample of undergraduates who entered postsecondary education for the first time during the 2011-12 academic year. BPS:12/14 covers the…

Does an Urban Teacher Residency Increase Student Achievement? Early Evidence from Boston

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Papay, John P.; West, Martin R.; Fullerton, Jon B.; Kane, Thomas J.

2012-01-01

Boston Teacher Residency (BTR) is an innovative practice-based preparation program in which candidates work alongside a mentor teacher for a year before becoming a teacher of record in the Boston Public Schools (BPS). The authors found that BTR graduates are more racially diverse than other BPS novices, more likely to teach math and science, and…

Biotechnology

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-02-09

Dwarf wheat were photographed aboard the International Space Station in April 2002. Lessons from on-orbit research on plants will have applications to terrestrial agriculture as well as for long-term space missions. Alternative agricultural systems that can efficiently produce greater quantities of high-quality crops in a small area are important for future space expeditions. Also regenerative life-support systems that include plants will be an important component of long-term space missions. Data from the Biomass Production System (BPS) and the Photosynthesis Experiment and System Testing and Operations (PESTO) will advance controlled-environment agricultural systems and will help farmers produce better, healthier crops in a small area. This same knowledge is critical to closed-loop life support systems for spacecraft. The BPS comprises a miniature environmental control system for four plant growth chambers, all in the volume of two space shuttle lockers. The experience with the BPS on orbit is providing valuable design and operational lessons that will be incorporated into the Plant Growth Units. The objective of PESTO was to flight verify the BPS hardware and to determine how the microgravity environment affects the photosynthesis and metabolic function of Super Dwarf wheat and Brassica rapa (a member of the mustard family).

Breathing Pattern Interpretation as an Alternative and Effective Voice Communication Solution.

PubMed

Elsahar, Yasmin; Bouazza-Marouf, Kaddour; Kerr, David; Gaur, Atul; Kaushik, Vipul; Hu, Sijung

2018-05-15

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems tend to rely on the interpretation of purposeful gestures for interaction. Existing AAC methods could be cumbersome and limit the solutions in terms of versatility. The study aims to interpret breathing patterns (BPs) to converse with the outside world by means of a unidirectional microphone and researches breathing-pattern interpretation (BPI) to encode messages in an interactive manner with minimal training. We present BP processing work with (1) output synthesized machine-spoken words (SMSW) along with single-channel Weiner filtering (WF) for signal de-noising, and (2) k -nearest neighbor ( k-NN ) classification of BPs associated with embedded dynamic time warping (DTW). An approved protocol to collect analogue modulated BP sets belonging to 4 distinct classes with 10 training BPs per class and 5 live BPs per class was implemented with 23 healthy subjects. An 86% accuracy of k-NN classification was obtained with decreasing error rates of 17%, 14%, and 11% for the live classifications of classes 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The results express a systematic reliability of 89% with increased familiarity. The outcomes from the current AAC setup recommend a durable engineering solution directly beneficial to the sufferers.

Dwarf Wheat grown aboard the International Space Station

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

Dwarf wheat were photographed aboard the International Space Station in April 2002. Lessons from on-orbit research on plants will have applications to terrestrial agriculture as well as for long-term space missions. Alternative agricultural systems that can efficiently produce greater quantities of high-quality crops in a small area are important for future space expeditions. Also regenerative life-support systems that include plants will be an important component of long-term space missions. Data from the Biomass Production System (BPS) and the Photosynthesis Experiment and System Testing and Operations (PESTO) will advance controlled-environment agricultural systems and will help farmers produce better, healthier crops in a small area. This same knowledge is critical to closed-loop life support systems for spacecraft. The BPS comprises a miniature environmental control system for four plant growth chambers, all in the volume of two space shuttle lockers. The experience with the BPS on orbit is providing valuable design and operational lessons that will be incorporated into the Plant Growth Units. The objective of PESTO was to flight verify the BPS hardware and to determine how the microgravity environment affects the photosynthesis and metabolic function of Super Dwarf wheat and Brassica rapa (a member of the mustard family).

BPS equations and non-trivial compactifications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tyukov, Alexander; Warner, Nicholas P.

2018-05-01

We consider the problem of finding exact, eleven-dimensional, BPS supergravity solutions in which the compactification involves a non-trivial Calabi-Yau manifold, Y , as opposed to simply a T 6. Since there are no explicitly-known metrics on non-trivial, compact Calabi-Yau manifolds, we use a non-compact "local model" and take the compactification manifold to be Y={M}_{GH}× {T}^2 , where ℳGH is a hyper-Kähler, Gibbons-Hawking ALE space. We focus on backgrounds with three electric charges in five dimensions and find exact families of solutions to the BPS equations that have the same four supersymmetries as the three-charge black hole. Our exact solution to the BPS system requires that the Calabi-Yau manifold be fibered over the space-time using compensators on Y . The role of the compensators is to ensure smoothness of the eleven-dimensional metric when the moduli of Y depend on the space-time. The Maxwell field Ansatz also implicitly involves the compensators through the frames of the fibration. We examine the equations of motion and discuss the brane distributions on generic internal manifolds that do not have enough symmetry to allow smearing.

Spectroscopic and molecular modeling approaches to investigate the interaction of bisphenol A, bisphenol F and their diglycidyl ethers with PPARα.

PubMed

Zhang, Jie; Zhang, Tiehua; Guan, Tianzhu; Ruan, Ping; Ren, Dayong; Dai, Weichang; Yu, Hansong; Li, Tiezhu

2017-08-01

A fluorescence polarization (FP) assay for the simultaneous determination of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) and bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) was developed. The method was based on the competition between bisphenols (BPs) and fluorescein-labeled dexamethasone derivative (Dex-fl) for mouse peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α ligand binding domain (mPPARα-LBD). A recombinant soluble protein derivative mPPARα-LBD* was prepared, then in vitro binding of 4 BPs to mPPARα-LBD* was investigated. Fluorescence polarization assay showed that these compounds exhibited different binding potencies with mPPARα-LBD*. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations were performed to further understand the mechanism of BPs binding affinity for mPPARα-LBD*. Docking results elucidated that the driving forces for the binding of BPs to mPPARα-LBD* were predominantly dependent on hydrophobic and hydrogen-bonding interactions. Comparison of the calculated binding energies vs. experimental binding affinities yielded a good correlation (R 2  = 0.7258). The proposed method has potential for multi-residue detection of BPA, BPF, BADGE, and BFDGE. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genomics of high molecular weight plasmids isolated from an on-farm biopurification system.

PubMed

Martini, María C; Wibberg, Daniel; Lozano, Mauricio; Torres Tejerizo, Gonzalo; Albicoro, Francisco J; Jaenicke, Sebastian; van Elsas, Jan Dirk; Petroni, Alejandro; Garcillán-Barcia, M Pilar; de la Cruz, Fernando; Schlüter, Andreas; Pühler, Alfred; Pistorio, Mariano; Lagares, Antonio; Del Papa, María F

2016-06-20

The use of biopurification systems (BPS) constitutes an efficient strategy to eliminate pesticides from polluted wastewaters from farm activities. BPS environments contain a high microbial density and diversity facilitating the exchange of information among bacteria, mediated by mobile genetic elements (MGEs), which play a key role in bacterial adaptation and evolution in such environments. Here we sequenced and characterized high-molecular-weight plasmids from a bacterial collection of an on-farm BPS. The high-throughput-sequencing of the plasmid pool yielded a total of several Mb sequence information. Assembly of the sequence data resulted in six complete replicons. Using in silico analyses we identified plasmid replication genes whose encoding proteins represent 13 different Pfam families, as well as proteins involved in plasmid conjugation, indicating a large diversity of plasmid replicons and suggesting the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events within the habitat analyzed. In addition, genes conferring resistance to 10 classes of antimicrobial compounds and those encoding enzymes potentially involved in pesticide and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation were found. Global analysis of the plasmid pool suggest that the analyzed BPS represents a key environment for further studies addressing the dissemination of MGEs carrying catabolic genes and pathway assembly regarding degradation capabilities.

Modular off-axis solar concentrator

DOEpatents

Plesniak, Adam P; Hall, John C

2015-01-27

A solar concentrator including a housing defining a vertical axis and including a receiving wall connected to a reflecting wall to define an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, wherein the reflecting wall defines at least one primary optical element, and wherein at least a portion of the reflecting wall includes a layer of reflective material, the housing further including a cover connected to the receiving wall and the reflecting wall to seal the opening, and at least one receiver mounted on the receiving wall such that a vertical axis of the receiver is disposed at a non-zero angle relative to the vertical axis of the housing, the receiver including at least one photovoltaic cell.

Numerical study of the effects of lamp configuration and reactor wall roughness in an open channel water disinfection UV reactor.

PubMed

Sultan, Tipu

2016-07-01

This article describes the assessment of a numerical procedure used to determine the UV lamp configuration and surface roughness effects on an open channel water disinfection UV reactor. The performance of the open channel water disinfection UV reactor was numerically analyzed on the basis of the performance indictor reduction equivalent dose (RED). The RED values were calculated as a function of the Reynolds number to monitor the performance. The flow through the open channel UV reactor was modelled using a k-ε model with scalable wall function, a discrete ordinate (DO) model for fluence rate calculation, a volume of fluid (VOF) model to locate the unknown free surface, a discrete phase model (DPM) to track the pathogen transport, and a modified law of the wall to incorporate the reactor wall roughness effects. The performance analysis was carried out using commercial CFD software (ANSYS Fluent 15.0). Four case studies were analyzed based on open channel UV reactor type (horizontal and vertical) and lamp configuration (parallel and staggered). The results show that lamp configuration can play an important role in the performance of an open channel water disinfection UV reactor. The effects of the reactor wall roughness were Reynolds number dependent. The proposed methodology is useful for performance optimization of an open channel water disinfection UV reactor. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

d=4 attractors, effective horizon radius, and fake supergravity

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

Ferrara, Sergio; INFN-Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, Via Enrico Fermi 40, I-00044 Frascati; Gnecchi, Alessandra

2008-09-15

We consider extremal black hole attractors [both Bogomol'nyi-Prasad-Sommerfield (BPS) and non-BPS] for N=3 and N=5 supergravity in d=4 space-time dimensions. Attractors for matter-coupled N=3 theory are similar to attractors in N=2 supergravity minimally coupled to Abelian vector multiplets. On the other hand, N=5 attractors are similar to attractors in N=4 pure supergravity, and in such theories only (1/N)-BPS nondegenerate solutions exist. All the above-mentioned theories have a simple interpretation in the first order (fake supergravity) formalism. Furthermore, such theories do not have a d=5 uplift. Finally we comment on the duality relations among the attractor solutions of N{>=}2 supergravities sharingmore » the same full bosonic sector.« less

Non-BPS attractors in 5 d and 6 d extended supergravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Andrianopoli, L.; Ferrara, S.; Marrani, A.; Trigiante, M.

2008-05-01

We connect the attractor equations of a certain class of N=2, d=5 supergravities with their (1,0), d=6 counterparts, by relating the moduli space of non-BPS d=5 black hole/black string attractors to the moduli space of extremal dyonic black string d=6 non-BPS attractors. For d=5 real special symmetric spaces and for N=4,6,8 theories, we explicitly compute the flat directions of the black object potential corresponding to vanishing eigenvalues of its Hessian matrix. In the case N=4, we study the relation to the (2,0), d=6 theory. We finally describe the embedding of the N=2, d=5 magic models in N=8, d=5 supergravity as well as the interconnection among the corresponding charge orbits.

Microfluidic Synthesis of Hybrid Nanoparticles with Controlled Lipid Layers: Understanding Flexibility-Regulated Cell-Nanoparticle Interaction.

PubMed

Zhang, Lu; Feng, Qiang; Wang, Jiuling; Zhang, Shuai; Ding, Baoquan; Wei, Yujie; Dong, Mingdong; Ryu, Ji-Young; Yoon, Tae-Young; Shi, Xinghua; Sun, Jiashu; Jiang, Xingyu

2015-10-27

The functionalized lipid shell of hybrid nanoparticles plays an important role for improving their biocompatibility and in vivo stability. Yet few efforts have been made to critically examine the shell structure of nanoparticles and its effect on cell-particle interaction. Here we develop a microfluidic chip allowing for the synthesis of structurally well-defined lipid-polymer nanoparticles of the same sizes, but covered with either lipid-monolayer-shell (MPs, monolayer nanoparticles) or lipid-bilayer-shell (BPs, bilayer nanoparticles). Atomic force microscope and atomistic simulations reveal that MPs have a lower flexibility than BPs, resulting in a more efficient cellular uptake and thus anticancer effect than BPs do. This flexibility-regulated cell-particle interaction may have important implications for designing drug nanocarriers.

Logarithmic corrections to black hole entropy: the non-BPS branch

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castro, Alejandra; Godet, Victor; Larsen, Finn; Zeng, Yangwenxiao

2018-05-01

We compute the leading logarithmic correction to black hole entropy on the non-BPS branch of 4D N≥2 supergravity theories. This branch corresponds to finite temperature black holes whose extremal limit does not preserve supersymmetry, such as the D0 - D6 system in string theory. Starting from a black hole in minimal Kaluza-Klein theory, we discuss in detail its embedding into N=8 , 6, 4, 2 supergravity, its spectrum of quadratic fluctuations in all these environments, and the resulting quantum corrections. We find that the c-anomaly vanishes only when N≥6 , in contrast to the BPS branch where c vanishes for all N≥2 . We briefly discuss potential repercussions this feature could have in a microscopic description of these black holes.

Nuclear reactor having a polyhedral primary shield and removable vessel insulation

DOEpatents

Ekeroth, Douglas E.; Orr, Richard

1993-01-01

A nuclear reactor is provided having a generally cylindrical reactor vessel disposed within an opening in a primary shield. The opening in the primary shield is defined by a plurality of generally planar side walls forming a generally polyhedral-shaped opening. The reactor vessel is supported within the opening in the primary shield by reactor vessel supports which are in communication and aligned with central portions of some of the side walls. The reactor vessel is connected to the central portions of the reactor vessel supports. A thermal insulation polyhedron formed from a plurality of slidably insertable and removable generally planar insulation panels substantially surrounds at least a portion of the reactor vessel and is disposed between the reactor vessel and the side walls of the primary shield. The shape of the insulation polyhedron generally corresponds to the shape of the opening in the primary shield. Reactor monitoring instrumentation may be mounted in the corners of the opening in the primary shield between the side walls and the reactor vessel such that insulation is not disposed between the instrumentation and the reactor vessel.

Nuclear reactor having a polyhedral primary shield and removable vessel insulation

DOEpatents

Ekeroth, D.E.; Orr, R.

1993-12-07

A nuclear reactor is provided having a generally cylindrical reactor vessel disposed within an opening in a primary shield. The opening in the primary shield is defined by a plurality of generally planar side walls forming a generally polyhedral-shaped opening. The reactor vessel is supported within the opening in the primary shield by reactor vessel supports which are in communication and aligned with central portions of some of the side walls. The reactor vessel is connected to the central portions of the reactor vessel supports. A thermal insulation polyhedron formed from a plurality of slidably insertable and removable generally planar insulation panels substantially surrounds at least a portion of the reactor vessel and is disposed between the reactor vessel and the side walls of the primary shield. The shape of the insulation polyhedron generally corresponds to the shape of the opening in the primary shield. Reactor monitoring instrumentation may be mounted in the corners of the opening in the primary shield between the side walls and the reactor vessel such that insulation is not disposed between the instrumentation and the reactor vessel. 5 figures.

Modeling Drosophila Positional Preferences in Open Field Arenas with Directional Persistence and Wall Attraction

PubMed Central

Soibam, Benjamin; Goldfeder, Rachel L.; Manson-Bishop, Claire; Gamblin, Rachel; Pletcher, Scott D.; Shah, Shishir; Gunaratne, Gemunu H.; Roman, Gregg W.

2012-01-01

In open field arenas, Drosophila adults exhibit a preference for arena boundaries over internal walls and open regions. Herein, we investigate the nature of this preference using phenomenological modeling of locomotion to determine whether local arena features and constraints on movement alone are sufficient to drive positional preferences within open field arenas of different shapes and with different internal features. Our model has two components: directional persistence and local wall force. In regions far away from walls, the trajectory is entirely characterized by a directional persistence probability, , for each movement defined by the step size, , and the turn angle, . In close proximity to walls, motion is computed from and a local attractive force which depends on the distance between the fly and points on the walls. The directional persistence probability was obtained experimentally from trajectories of wild type Drosophila in a circular open field arena and the wall force was computed to minimize the difference between the radial distributions from the model and Drosophila in the same circular arena. The two-component model for fly movement was challenged by comparing the positional preferences from the two-component model to wild type Drosophila in a variety of open field arenas. In most arenas there was a strong concordance between the two-component model and Drosophila. In more complex arenas, the model exhibits similar trends, but some significant differences were found. These differences suggest that there are emergent features within these complex arenas that have significance for the fly, such as potential shelter. Hence, the two-component model is an important step in defining how Drosophila interact with their environment. PMID:23071591

Means for supporting fuel elements in a nuclear reactor

DOEpatents

Andrews, Harry N.; Keller, Herbert W.

1980-01-01

A grid structure for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly comprising a plurality of connecting members forming at least one longitudinally extending opening peripheral and inner fuel element openings through each of which openings at least one nuclear fuel element extends, said connecting members forming wall means surrounding said each peripheral and inner fuel element opening, a pair of rigid projections longitudinally spaced from one another extending from a portion of said wall means into said each peripheral and inner opening for rigidly engaging said each fuel element, respectively, yet permit individual longitudinal slippage thereof, and resilient means formed integrally on and from said wall means and positioned in said each peripheral and inner opening in opposed relationship with said projections and located to engage said fuel element to bias the latter into engagement with said rigid projections, respectively

Cooled airfoil in a turbine engine

DOEpatents

Vitt, Paul H; Kemp, David A; Lee, Ching-Pang; Marra, John J

2015-04-21

An airfoil in a gas turbine engine includes an outer wall and an inner wall. The outer wall includes a leading edge, a trailing edge opposed from the leading edge in a chordal direction, a pressure side, and a suction side. The inner wall is coupled to the outer wall at a single chordal location and includes portions spaced from the pressure and suction sides of the outer wall so as to form first and second gaps between the inner wall and the respective pressure and suction sides. The inner wall defines a chamber therein and includes openings that provide fluid communication between the respective gaps and the chamber. The gaps receive cooling fluid that provides cooling to the outer wall as it flows through the gaps. The cooling fluid, after traversing at least substantial portions of the gaps, passes into the chamber through the openings in the inner wall.

Word Generation in Boston Public Schools: Natural History of a Literacy Intervention. The Senior Urban Education Research Fellowship Series. Volume III

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Snow, Catherine E.; Lawrence, Joshua F.

2011-01-01

When the Strategic Education Research Partnership (SERP) began working with Boston Public Schools (BPS) in 2005, the most pressing need articulated by the district was research and development in the area of middle school literacy. Thus SERP researchers undertook to specify more precisely what the middle school literacy problem in BPS was by…

Integrated Nuclear Considerations: C&GSC Pre-Command Course Instructional Material.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-11-21

support of TFI-12’s withdrawal to PL BOB, then to countermobiltiy and survival operations in support of BPs on PL BOB with priority to sector of TF1 -12 and...BPs 11 and 12, in order. b. Be prepared to support CATK of TF1 -12 vicinity BREITENBACH. 13. S4: a. Supervise accomplishment of task in 2, above. b

Strain-induced alignment and phase behavior of blue phase liquid crystals confined to thin films.

PubMed

Bukusoglu, Emre; Martinez-Gonzalez, Jose A; Wang, Xiaoguang; Zhou, Ye; de Pablo, Juan J; Abbott, Nicholas L

2017-12-06

We report on the influence of surface confinement on the phase behavior and strain-induced alignment of thin films of blue phase liquid crystals (BPs). Confining surfaces comprised of bare glass, dimethyloctadecyl [3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl] ammonium chloride (DMOAP)-functionalized glass, or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-coated glass were used with or without mechanically rubbing to influence the azimuthal anchoring of the BPs. These experiments reveal that confinement can change the phase behavior of the BP films. For example, in experiments performed with rubbed-PVA surfaces, we measured the elastic strain of the BPs to change the isotropic-BPII phase boundary, suppressing formation of BPII for film thicknesses incommensurate with the BPII lattice. In addition, we observed strain-induced alignment of the BPs to exhibit a complex dependence on both the surface chemistry and azimuthal alignment of the BPs. For example, when using bare glass surfaces causing azimuthally degenerate and planar anchoring, BPI oriented with (110) planes of the unit cell parallel to the contacting surfaces for thicknesses below 3 μm but transitioned to an orientation with (200) planes aligned parallel to the contacting surfaces for thicknesses above 4 μm. In contrast, BPI aligned with (110) planes parallel to confining surfaces for all other thicknesses and surface treatments, including bare glass with uniform azimuthal alignment. Complementary simulations based on minimization of the total free energy (Landau-de Gennes formalism) confirmed a thickness-dependent reorientation due to strain of BPI unit cells within a window of surface anchoring energies and in the absence of uniform azimuthal alignment. In contrast to BPI, BPII did not exhibit thickness-dependent orientations but did exhibit orientations that were dependent on the surface chemistry, a result that was also captured in simulations by varying the anchoring energies. Overall, the results in this paper reveal that the orientations assumed by BPs in thin films reflect a complex interplay of surface interactions and elastic energies associated with strain of the BP lattice. The results also provide new principles and methods to control the structure and properties of BP thin films, which may find use in BP-templated material synthesis, and BP-based optical and electronic devices.

A Pilot Study: Comparison of Arm Versus Ankle Noninvasive Blood Pressure Measurement at 2 Different Levels of Backrest Elevation.

PubMed

Henley, Nicole; Quatrara, Beth D; Conaway, Mark

2015-01-01

Standard practice for obtaining noninvasive blood pressure includes arm blood pressure (BP) cuff placement at the level of the heart; however, some critical care patients cannot have BPs taken in their arm because of various conditions, and ankle BPs are frequently used as substitutes. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a significant variation between upper arm and ankle BP measurements at different backrest elevations with consideration of peripheral edema factors. After institutional review board approval was obtained, a pilot study was implemented to evaluate noninvasive BP measurements of the arm and ankle with backrest elevation at 0° and 30° in a population of medical intensive care unit patients. Participants served as their own controls and were randomly assigned to left- versus right-side BP readings. Data were also collected on presence of arm versus ankle edema. A total of 30 participants enrolled in the study and provided 120 BP measurements. Blood pressure readings were analyzed in terms of diastolic and systolic findings as well as backrest elevations and edema presence. Thirteen participants presented with either arm or ankle edema. There was a statistical difference between the systolic arm and ankle BP measurements in the 0° (P = .008) and 30° (P < .001) backrest elevation positions. The correlation between arm and ankle diastolic BP is greater for participants without ankle edema (P = .038, r = 0.54) than for participants with ankle edema (P = .650, r = 0.14), but it is not statistically significant (P = .47). Even though ankle BPs are often substituted for arm BPs when the arm is unable to be used, ankle BPs and arm BPs are not interchangeable. Adjustments in backrest elevation and considerations of edema do not normalize the differences. Blood pressures obtained from the ankle are significantly greater than those obtained from the arm. This information needs to be considered when arms are not available and legs are used as surrogates for the upper arm.

Nano-technology based carriers for nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates delivery as sensitisers of γδ T cells for anticancer immunotherapy.

PubMed

Hodgins, Naomi O; Wang, Julie Tzu-Wen; Al-Jamal, Khuloud T

2017-05-15

Nitrogen containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) including zoledronate (ZOL) and alendronate (ALD) inhibit farnesyl diphosphate synthase, and have been shown to have a cytotoxic affect against cancer cells as a monotherapy and to also sensitise tumour cells to destruction by γδ T cells. γδ T cells are a subset of human T lymphocytes and have a diverse range of roles in the immune system including the recognition and destruction of cancer cells. This property of γδ T cells can be harnessed for use in cancer immunotherapy through in vivo expansion or the adoptive transfer of ex vivo activated γδ T cells. The use of N-BPs with γδ T cells has been shown to have a synergistic effect in in vitro, animal and clinical studies. N-BPs have limited in vivo activity due to rapid clearance from the circulation. By encapsulating N-BPs in liposomes (L) it is possible to increase the levels of N-BPs at non-osseous tumour sites. L-ZOL and L-ALD have been shown to have different toxicological profiles than free ZOL or ALD. Both L-ALD and L-ZOL led to increased spleen weight, leucocytosis, neutrophilia and lymphocytopenia in mice after intravenous injection. L-ALD was shown to be better tolerated than L-ZOL in murine studies. Biodistribution studies have been performed in order to better understand the interaction of N-BPs and γδ T cells in vivo. Additionally, in vivo therapy studies have shown that mice treated with both L-ALD and γδ T cells had a significant reduction in tumour growth compared to mice treated with L-ALD or γδ T cells alone. The use of ligand-targeted liposomes may further increase the efficacy of this combinatory immunotherapy. Liposomes targeting the αvβ6 integrin receptor using the peptide A20FMDV2 had a greater ability than untargeted liposomes in sensitising cancer cells to destruction by γδ T cells in αvβ6 positive cancer cell lines. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The BPA-substitute bisphenol S alters the transcription of genes related to endocrine, stress response and biotransformation pathways in the aquatic midge Chironomus riparius (Diptera, Chironomidae).

PubMed

Herrero, Óscar; Aquilino, Mónica; Sánchez-Argüello, Paloma; Planelló, Rosario

2018-01-01

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an industrial alternative to the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA), and can be found in many products labeled "BPA-free". Its use has grown in recent years, and presently it is considered a ubiquitous emerging pollutant. To date there is a lack of information on the effects of BPS on invertebrates, although they represent more than 95% of known species in the animal kingdom and are crucial for the structure and proper function of ecosystems. In this study, real-time RT-PCR was used to determine the early detrimental effects of BPS on the transcriptional rate of genes in the model species Chironomus riparius, specifically those related to the ecdysone pathway (EcR, ERR, E74, Vtg, cyp18a1) crucial for insect development and metamorphosis, stress and biotransformation mechanisms (hsp70, hsp40, cyp4g, GPx, GSTd3) that regulate adaptive responses and determine survival, and ribosome biogenesis (its2, rpL4, rpL13) which is essential for protein synthesis and homeostasis. While 24-hour exposure to 0.5, 5, 50, and 500 μg/L BPS had no effect on larval survival, almost all the studied genes were upregulated following a non-monotonic dose-response curve. Genes with the greatest increases in transcriptional activity (fold change relative to control) were EcR (3.8), ERR (2), E74 (2.4), cyp18a1 (2.5), hsp70 (1.7), hsp40 (2.5), cyp4g (6.4), GPx (1.8), and GST (2.1), while others including Vtg, GAPDH, and selected ribosomal genes remained stable. We also measured the transcriptional activity of these genes 24 hours after BPS withdrawal and a general downregulation compared to controls was observed, though not significant in most cases. Our findings showed that BPS exposure altered the transcriptional profile of these genes, which may have consequences for the hormone system and several metabolic pathways. Although further research is needed to elucidate its mode of action, these results raise new concerns about the safety of BPA alternatives.

Concentrations and profiles of bisphenol A and other bisphenol analogues in foodstuffs from the United States and their implications for human exposure.

PubMed

Liao, Chunyang; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2013-05-15

As the concern over the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) continues to grow, this compound is gradually being replaced, in industrial applications, with compounds such as bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS). Occurrence of bisphenols, including BPA and BPS, has been reported in paper products and in environmental matrices. Information on the occurrence of bisphenols, other than BPA, in foodstuffs, however, is scarce. In this study, several bisphenol analogues, including BPA, BPF, and BPS, were analyzed in foodstuffs (N = 267) collected from Albany, NY, USA, using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Foodstuffs were divided into nine categories of beverages, dairy products, fats and oils, fish and seafood, cereals, meat and meat products, fruits, vegetables, and "others". Bisphenols were found in the majority (75%) of the food samples, and the total concentrations of bisphenols (ΣBPs: sum of eight bisphenols) were in the range of below the limit of quantification (LOQ) to 1130 ng/g fresh weight, with an overall mean value of 4.38 ng/g. The highest overall mean concentration of ΣBPs was found in the "others" category, which included condiments (preserved, ready-to-serve foods). A sample of mustard (dressing) and ginger, placed in the category of vegetables, contained the highest concentrations of 1130 ng/g for bisphenol F (BPF) and 237 ng/g for bisphenol P (BPP). Concentrations of BPs in beverages (mean = 0.341 ng/g) and fruits (0.698 ng/g) were low. The predominant bisphenol analogues found in foodstuffs were BPA and BPF, which accounted for 42 and 17% of the total BP concentrations, respectively. Canned foods contained higher concentrations of individual and total bisphenols in comparison to foods sold in glass, paper, or plastic containers. On the basis of measured concentrations and daily ingestion rates of foods, the daily dietary intakes of bisphenols (calculated from the mean concentration) were estimated to be 243, 142, 117, 63.6, and 58.6 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day for toddlers, infants, children, teenagers, and adults, respectively.

Cross Cell Sandwich Core

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ford, Donald B. (Inventor)

2004-01-01

A sandwich core comprises two faceplates separated by a plurality of cells. The cells are comprised of walls positioned at oblique angles relative to a perpendicular axis extending through the faceplates. The walls preferably form open cells and are constructed from open cells and are constructed from rows of ribbons. The walls may be obliquely angled relative to more than one plane extending through the perpendicular axis.

Provide Fresh Air | Efficient Windows Collaborative

Science.gov Websites

wall - 22% 23% two openings in adjacent walls 37-45% 37-45% 40-51% two openings in opposite walls 35-42 taller the windows and the higher the ceiling, the more pronounced is this effect. Operable skylights or effect, letting hot air escape from the ceiling level where it accumulates and causing cooler air to be

Impact of air velocity, temperature, humidity, and air on long-term voc emissions from building products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wolkoff, Peder

The emissions of two volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of concern from five building products (BPs) were measured in the field and laboratory emission cell (FLEC) up to 250 d. The BPs (VOCs selected on the basis of abundance and low human odor thresholds) were: nylon carpet with latex backing (2-ethylhexanol, 4-phenylcyclohexene), PVC flooring (2-ethylhexanol, phenol), floor varnish on pretreated beechwood parquet (butyl acetate, N-methylpyrrolidone), sealant (hexane, dimethyloctanols), and waterborne wall paint on gypsum board (1,2-propandiol, Texanol). Ten different climate conditions were tested: four different air velocities from ca. 1 cm s -1 to ca. 9 cm s -1, three different temperatures (23, 35, and 60°C), two different relative humidities (0% and 50% RH), and pure nitrogen instead of clean air supply. Additionally, two sample specimen and two different batches were compared for repeatability and homogeneity. The VOCs were sampled on Tenax TA and determined by thermal desorption and gas chromatography (FID). Quantification was carried out by individual calibration of each VOC of concern. Concentration/time profiles of the selected VOCs (i.e. their concentration decay curves over time) in a standard room were used for comparison. Primary source emissions were not affected by the air velocity after a few days to any great extent. Both the temperature and relative humidity affected the emission rates, but depended strongly on the type of BP and type of VOC. Secondary (oxidative) source emissions were only observed for the PVC and for dimethyloctanols from the sealant. The time to reach a given concentration (emission rate) appears to be a good approach for future interlaboratory comparisons of BP's VOC emissions.

Detection of nucleic acid-protein interactions in plant leaves using fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

PubMed

Camborde, Laurent; Jauneau, Alain; Brière, Christian; Deslandes, Laurent; Dumas, Bernard; Gaulin, Elodie

2017-09-01

DNA-binding proteins (DNA-BPs) and RNA-binding proteins (RNA-BPs) have critical roles in living cells in all kingdoms of life. Various experimental approaches exist for the study of nucleic acid-protein interactions in vitro and in vivo, but the detection of such interactions at the subcellular level remains challenging. Here we describe how to detect nucleic acid-protein interactions in plant leaves by using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) approach coupled to fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM). Proteins of interest (POI) are tagged with a GFP and transiently expressed in plant cells to serve as donor fluorophore. After sample fixation and cell wall permeabilization, leaves are treated with Sytox Orange, a nucleic acid dye that can function as a FRET acceptor. Upon close association of the GFP-tagged POI with Sytox-Orange-stained nucleic acids, a substantial decrease of the GFP lifetime due to FRET between the donor and the acceptor can be monitored. Treatment with RNase before FRET-FLIM measurements allows determination of whether the POI associates with DNA and/or RNA. A step-by-step protocol is provided for sample preparation, data acquisition and analysis. We describe how to calibrate the equipment and include a tutorial explaining the use of the FLIM software. To illustrate our approach, we provide experimental procedures to detect the interaction between plant DNA and two proteins (the AeCRN13 effector from the oomycete Aphanomyces euteiches and the AtWRKY22 defensive transcription factor from Arabidopsis). This protocol allows the detection of protein-nucleic acid interactions in plant cells and can be completed in <2 d.

Association of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis with urinary calculus: a nationwide population-based study.

PubMed

Keller, Joseph; Chen, Yi-Kuang; Lin, Herng-Ching

2013-04-01

Although one prior study reported an association between bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) and urinary calculi (UC), no population-based study to date has been conducted to explore this relationship. Therefore, using a population-based data set in Taiwan, this study set out to investigate the association between BPS/IC and a prior diagnosis of UC. This study included 9,269 cases who had received their first-time diagnosis of BPS/IC between 2006 and 2007 and 46,345 randomly selected controls. We used conditional logistic regression analysis to compute the odds ratio (OR) and its corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI) for having been previously diagnosed with UC between cases and controls. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of prior UC between cases and controls (8.1 vs 4.3 %, p < 0.001). Conditional logistic regression analysis revealed that cases were more likely to have been previously diagnosed with UC than controls (OR = 1.70; 95 % CI = 1.56-1.84) after adjusting for chronic pelvic pain, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, panic disorder, migraine, sicca syndrome, allergy, endometriosis, and asthma. BPS/IC was found to be significantly associated with prior UC regardless of stone location; the adjusted ORs of kidney calculus, ureter calculus, bladder calculus, and unspecified calculus when compared to controls were 1.58 (95 % CI = 1.38-1.81), 1.73 (95 % CI = 1.45-2.05), 3.80 (95 % CI = 2.18-6.62), and 1.83 (95 % CI = 1.59-2.11), respectively. This work generates the hypothesis that UC may be associated with BPS/IC.

The water avoidance stress induces bladder pain due to a prolonged alpha1A adrenoceptor stimulation.

PubMed

Matos, Rita; Serrão, Paula; Rodriguez, Larissa; Birder, Lori Ann; Cruz, Francisco; Charrua, Ana

2017-08-01

Bladder Pain Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis (BPS/IC) remains an elusive disease with the cause for the pain unclear. BPS/IC patients present increased sympathetic activity and high levels of urinary noradrenaline. At the experimental level, it has been shown that chronic adrenergic stimulation produces pain and bladder changes through an alpha 1A adrenoceptor mediated mechanism. Water avoidance stress (WAS) in rodents reproduces signs of nociception and bladder changes seen in BPS/IC patients. In this study, we explore the possible role of alpha 1A adrenoceptor in bladder pain and morphological changes. WAS was induced in a group of female Wistar rats. A separate WAS group received 0.2 mg/kg day silodosin (WAS + S). Lower abdominal pain was determined by performing sensitivity to Von Frey filaments. Bladder reflex activity was determined by cystometry in anaesthetised animals. Urine was collected for noradrenaline quantification by HPLC. Bladders were harvested and stained with Haematoxylin-eosin (to analyse urothelial morphology and to determine the disruption of surface umbrella cells) or with Toluidine Blue 0.1% to analyse mast cell infiltration. WAS increased urinary noradrenaline level and bladder frequency and decreased mechanical pain threshold, which was reversed by silodosin. WAS induced lymphocytic and mast cells infiltration in the mucosa and mild urothelial disruption, which was absent in WAS + S group. Alpha 1A adrenoceptor stimulation has an important role in the appearance of bladder pain in rats. Since BPS/IC patients present high levels of noradrenaline, alpha 1A stimulation may be an additional trigger for bladder dysfunction presented by these patients. Further studies will determine the clinical relevance of this finding in the treatment of BPS/IC patients.

A novel two-dimensional liquid-chromatography method for online prediction of the toxicity of transformation products of benzophenones after water chlorination.

PubMed

Li, Jian; Ma, Li-Yun; Xu, Li; Shi, Zhi-Guo

2015-08-01

Benzophenone-type UV filters (BPs) are ubiquitous in the environment. Transformation products (TPs) of BPs with suspected toxicity are likely to be produced during disinfection of water by chlorination. To quickly predict the toxicity of TPs, in this study, a novel two-dimensional liquid-chromatography (2D-LC) method was established in which the objective of the first dimension was to separate the multiple components of the BPs sample after chlorination, using a reversed-phase liquid-chromatography mode. A biochromatographic system, i.e. bio-partitioning micellar chromatography with the polyoxyethylene (23) lauryl ether aqueous solution as the mobile phase, served as the second dimension to predict the toxicity of the fraction from the first dimension on the basis of the quantitative retention-activity relationships (QRARs) model. Six BPs, namely 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, oxybenzone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxybenzophenone and 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, were the target analytes subjected to chlorination. The products of these BPs after chlorination were directly injected to the 2D-LC system for analysis. The results indicated that most TPs may be less toxic than their parent chemicals, but some may be more toxic, and that intestinal toxicity of TPs may be more obvious than blood toxicity. The proposed method is time-saving, high-throughput, and reliable, and has great potential for predicting toxicity or bioactivity of unknown and/or known components in a complex sample. Graphical Abstract The scheme for the 2D-LC online prediction of toxicity of the transformation products of benzophenone-type UV filters after chlorination.

Biomass Production System (BPS) plant growth unit.

PubMed

Morrow, R C; Crabb, T M

2000-01-01

The Biomass Production System (BPS) was developed under the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program to meet science, biotechnology and commercial plant growth needs in the Space Station era. The BPS is equivalent in size to a double middeck locker, but uses its own custom enclosure with a slide out structure to which internal components mount. The BPS contains four internal growth chambers, each with a growing volume of more than 4 liters. Each of the growth chambers has active nutrient delivery, and independent control of temperature, humidity, lighting, and CO2 set-points. Temperature control is achieved using a thermoelectric heat exchanger system. Humidity control is achieved using a heat exchanger with a porous interface which can both humidify and dehumidify. The control software utilizes fuzzy logic for nonlinear, coupled temperature and humidity control. The fluorescent lighting system can be dimmed to provide a range of light levels. CO2 levels are controlled by injecting pure CO2 to the system based on input from an infrared gas analyzer. The unit currently does not scrub CO2, but has been designed to accept scrubber cartridges. In addition to providing environmental control, a number of features are included to facilitate science. The BPS chambers are sealed to allow CO2 and water vapor exchange measurements. The plant chambers can be removed to allow manipulation or sampling of specimens, and each chamber has gas/fluid sample ports. A video camera is provided for each chamber, and frame-grabs and complete environmental data for all science and hardware system sensors are stored on an internal hard drive. Data files can also be transferred to 3.5-inch disks using the front panel disk drive.

Viewpoints of dentists on the use of bisphosphonates in rheumatology patients.

PubMed

Daron, Coline; Deschaumes, Christophe; Soubrier, Martin; Mathieu, Sylvain

2018-02-15

Alhough typically prescribed in oncology, bisphosphonates (BPs) are also employed in rheumatology, particularly for the treatment of osteoporosis, sometimes resulting in complications, such as osteonecrosis of the jaw. Because of different opinions between rheumatologists and dentists on BP use, this study aimed to assess the views of dentists regarding administration of BPs in rheumatology. A questionnaire was sent to 880 dentists from the Auvergne region of France to determine their views on BP treatment. We obtained 382 (43.4%) responses and analysed 376 (58.7% men). In total, 156 (41.5%) of the responders analysed had attended an in-service training course (ISTC) on the topic. A total of 237 (63.0%) systematically inquired as to whether their patients were undergoing BP treatment; this proportion was higher among those who had been practicing for fewer than 10 years (P < 0.004). For patients receiving BPs, 84.5% of practitioners felt ill at ease about performing dental surgery (n = 318) and 11% felt ill at ease about performing nonsurgical dental care (n = 41); 67% stated that their practice differed depending on the method of BP administration (per os or intravenously). Overall, 53.7% of practitioners felt uncomfortable when asked by a rheumatologist whether a given patient's dental status permitted prescription of BP (n = 202). This proportion was higher among those who had never attended an ISTC (62.6% vs. 50.7%; P < 0.03). Dentists feel ill at ease providing dental surgery to patients receiving BPs. Closer collaboration and better information-sharing between rheumatologists and dentists is necessary to facilitate the administration of BPs in rheumatology. © 2018 FDI World Dental Federation.

In vitro and in vivo estrogenic activity of BPA, BPF and BPS in zebrafish-specific assays.

PubMed

Le Fol, Vincent; Aït-Aïssa, Selim; Sonavane, Manoj; Porcher, Jean-Marc; Balaguer, Patrick; Cravedi, Jean-Pierre; Zalko, Daniel; Brion, François

2017-08-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical that has been extensively studied as an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC). Other bisphenols sharing close structural features with BPA, are increasingly being used as alternatives, increasing the need to assess associated hazards to the endocrine system. In the present study, the estrogenic activity of BPA, bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) was assessed by using a combination of zebrafish-specific mechanism-based in vitro and in vivo assays. The three bisphenols were found to efficiently transactivate all zebrafish estrogen receptor (zfER) subtypes in zebrafish hepatic reporter cell lines (ZELH-zfERs). BPA was selective for zfERα while BPS and BPF were slightly more potent on zfERβ subtypes. We further documented the estrogenic effect in vivo by quantifying the expression of brain aromatase using a transgenic cyp19a1b-GFP zebrafish embryo assay. All three bisphenols induced GFP in a concentration-dependent manner. BPS only partially induced brain aromatase at the highest tested concentrations (>30µM) while BPA and BPF strongly induced GFP, in an ER-dependent manner, at 1-10µM. Furthermore, we show that BPF strongly induced vitellogenin synthesis in adult male zebrafish. Overall, this study demonstrates the estrogenic activity of BPA, BPF and BPS in different cell- and tissue-contexts and at different stages of development. Differences between in vitro and in vivo responses are discussed in light of selective ER activation and the fate of the compounds in the models. This study confirms the relevance of combining cellular and whole-organism bioassays in a unique model species for the hazard assessment of candidate EDCs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trait-related decision-making impairment in the three phases of bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Adida, Marc; Jollant, Fabrice; Clark, Luke; Besnier, Nathalie; Guillaume, Sébastien; Kaladjian, Arthur; Mazzola-Pomietto, Pascale; Jeanningros, Régine; Goodwin, Guy M; Azorin, Jean-Michel; Courtet, Philippe

2011-08-15

In bipolar disorder (BD), little is known about how deficits in neurocognitive functions such as decision-making are related to phase of illness. We predicted that manic, depressed, and euthymic bipolar patients (BPs) would display impaired decision-making, and we tested whether clinical characteristics could predict patients' decision-making performance. Subjects (N = 317; age range: 18-65 years) including 167 BPs (45 manic and 32 depressed inpatients, and 90 euthymic outpatients) and 150 age-, IQ-, and gender-matched healthy control (HC) participants, were included within three university psychiatric hospitals using a cross-sectional design. The relationship between predictor variables and decision-making was assessed by one-step multivariate analysis. The main outcome measures were overall decision-making ability on the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and an index of sensitivity to punishment frequency. Manic, depressed, and euthymic BPs selected significantly more cards from the risky decks than HCs (p < .001, p < .01, and p < .05, respectively), with no significant differences between the three BD groups. However, like HCs, BPs preferred decks that yielded infrequent penalties over those yielding frequent penalties. In multivariate analysis, decision-making impairment was significantly (p < .001) predicted by low level of education, high depressive scores, family history of BD, use of benzodiazepines, and nonuse of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressants. BPs have a trait-related impairment in decision-making that does not vary across illness phase. However, some subtle differences between the BD groups in the individual deck analyses may point to subtle state influences on reinforcement mechanisms, in addition to a more fundamental trait impairment in risk-sensitive decision making. Copyright © 2011 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biomass Production System (BPS) Plant Growth Unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morrow, R. C.; Crabb, T. M.

The Biomass Production System (BPS) was developed under the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program to meet science, biotechnology and commercial plant growth needs in the Space Station era. The BPS is equivalent in size to a double middeck locker, but uses it's own custom enclosure with a slide out structure to which internal components mount. The BPS contains four internal growth chambers, each with a growing volume of more than 4 liters. Each of the growth chambers has active nutrient delivery, and independent control of temperature, humidity, lighting, and CO2 set-points. Temperature control is achieved using a thermoelectric heat exchanger system. Humidity control is achieved using a heat exchanger with a porous interface which can both humidify and dehumidify. The control software utilizes fuzzy logic for nonlinear, coupled temperature and humidity control. The fluorescent lighting system can be dimmed to provide a range of light levels. CO2 levels are controlled by injecting pure CO2 to the system based on input from an infrared gas analyzer. The unit currently does not scrub CO2, but has been designed to accept scrubber cartridges. In addition to providing environmental control, a number of features are included to facilitate science. The BPS chambers are sealed to allow CO2 and water vapor exchange measurements. The plant chambers can be removed to allow manipulation or sampling of specimens, and each chamber has gas/fluid sample ports. A video camera is provided for each chamber, and frame-grabs and complete environmental data for all science and hardware system sensors are stored on an internal hard drive. Data files can also be transferred to 3.5-inch disks using the front panel disk drive

User-only design to assess drug effectiveness in clinical practice: application to bisphosphonates and secondary prevention of fractures.

PubMed

Corrao, Giovanni; Ghirardi, Arianna; Segafredo, Giulia; Zambon, Antonella; Della Vedova, Gianluca; Lapi, Francesco; Cipriani, Francesco; Caputi, Achille; Vaccheri, Alberto; Gregori, Dario; Gesuita, Rosaria; Vestri, Annarita; Staniscia, Tommaso; Mazzaglia, Giampiero; Di Bari, Mauro

2014-08-01

Different strategies applicable to control for confounding by indication in observational studies were compared in a large population-based study regarding the effect of bisphosphonates (BPs) for secondary prevention of fractures. The cohort was drawn from healthcare utilization databases of 13 Italian territorial units. Patients aged 55 years or more who were hospitalized for fracture during 2003-2005 entered into the cohort. A nested case-control design was used to compare BPs use in cohort members who did (cases) and who did not experience (controls) a new fracture until 2007 (outcome). Three designs were employed: conventional-matching (D1 ), propensity score-matching (D2 ), and user-only (D3 ) designs. They differed for (i) cohort composition, restricted to patients who received BPs straight after cohort entry (D3 ); (ii) using propensity score for case-control matching (D2 ); and (iii) compared groups of BPs users versus no users (D1 and D2 ) and long-term versus short-term users (D3 ). Bisphosphonate users had odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of 1.20 (1.01 to 1.44) and 0.95 (0.74 to 1.24) by applying D1 and D2 designs, respectively. Statistical evidence that long-term BPs use protects the outcome onset with respect to short-term use was observed for user-only design (D3 ) being the corresponding odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 0.64 (0.44 to 0.93). User-only design yielded closer results to those seen in RCTs. This approach is one possible strategy to account for confounding by indication. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comparison of ferromagnetic induction and bipolar electrosurgery and suction in corticotomies in pig cerebrum.

PubMed

Bowers, Christian A; Burns, Greg; Salzman, Karen; McGill, Lawrence; MacDonald, Joel D

2015-04-01

The effects of newer energy-based surgical dissection and coagulation modalities on cerebral tissue have not been investigated. Several instruments have been developed to address the limitations of traditional electrosurgical instruments in the nervous system. We compared the effects of standard bipolar electrocautery and suction (BPS) with those of a new ferromagnetic induction (FMI) device in corticotomies of pig cerebral tissue as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological analysis. Three adult pigs underwent bilateral corticotomies (3 cm long×1 cm deep) using both FMI and BPS. The acute cerebral tissue edema created by each method was measured on coronal volumetric T2-weighted MRI sequences immediately after surgery. A lateral thermal "damage index" was calculated by dividing the width of the visible T2 tissue edema by the measured depth. The radiographic damage indices with each method were compared statistically. Histological analysis of each incision was conducted to compare the extent of tissue damage. MRI showed that the mean radiographic damage index of each corticotomy was significantly lower with the FMI (0.30 ± 0.02 (0.28-0.32)) than with the BPS method (0.54 ± 0.11 (0.42-0.64)) (p = 0.02). Histological analysis suggested a correlation with the radiographic findings as the FMI tissue samples demonstrated less adjacent tissue damage than BPS. FMI appeared to cause less adjacent tissue damage than the BPS method in pig cerebral tissue based on quantitative radiographic and qualitative histological analysis. Future studies are needed to investigate the clinical implications of energy-based surgical dissection on cerebral tissue. Copyright © 2015 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DETAIL VIEW, WINDOW BOW IN EAST WALL. (NOTE THE OPENING ...

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

DETAIL VIEW, WINDOW BOW IN EAST WALL. (NOTE THE OPENING FOR THE CRYPTOPORTICUS TO THE BOW’S RIGHT. THIS EXTERIOR FEATURE EXTENDS BENEATH THE NORTH TERRACE - The Woodlands, 4000 Woodlands Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Anterior vaginal wall repair (surgical treatment of urinary incontinence) - slideshow

MedlinePlus

... page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/presentations/100110.htm Anterior vaginal wall repair (surgical treatment of urinary incontinence) - series— ... to slide 4 out of 4 Overview The vaginal opening lies just below the urethral opening, and ...

Debonding Stress Concentrations in a Pressurized Lobed Sandwich-Walled Generic Cryogenic Tank

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ko, William L.

2004-01-01

A finite-element stress analysis has been conducted on a lobed composite sandwich tank subjected to internal pressure and cryogenic cooling. The lobed geometry consists of two obtuse circular walls joined together with a common flat wall. Under internal pressure and cryogenic cooling, this type of lobed tank wall will experience open-mode (a process in which the honeycomb is stretched in the depth direction) and shear stress concentrations at the junctures where curved wall changes into flat wall (known as a curve-flat juncture). Open-mode and shear stress concentrations occur in the honeycomb core at the curve-flat junctures and could cause debonding failure. The levels of contributions from internal pressure and temperature loading to the open-mode and shear debonding failure are compared. The lobed fuel tank with honeycomb sandwich walls has been found to be a structurally unsound geometry because of very low debonding failure strengths. The debonding failure problem could be eliminated if the honeycomb core at the curve-flat juncture is replaced with a solid core.

11. LIVING ROOM INTERIOR SHOWING BUILTIN CUPBOARD AND OPEN DOOR ...

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

11. LIVING ROOM INTERIOR SHOWING BUILT-IN CUPBOARD AND OPEN DOOR TO KITCHEN ON THE NORTH WALL AT PHOTO CENTER. OPEN DOOR ON WEST WALL AT PHOTO LEFT ENTERS NORTH BEDROOM. VIEW TO NORTH. - Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Big Creek Town, Operator House, Orchard Avenue south of Huntington Lake Road, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA

The safety of isometric exercise: Rethinking the exercise prescription paradigm for those with stage 1 hypertension.

PubMed

Wiles, Jonathan D; Taylor, Katrina; Coleman, Damian; Sharma, Rajan; O'Driscoll, Jamie M

2018-03-01

Few studies have investigated the relative safety of prescribing isometric exercise (IE) to reduce resting blood pressure (BP). This study aimed to ascertain the safety of the hemodynamic response during an IE wall squat protocol.Twenty-six hypertensive (BP of 120-139 mm Hg systolic and/or 80-90 mm Hg diastolic) males (45 ± 8 years; 1.78 ± 0.07 m; 89.7 ± 12.3 kg; mean ± SD), visited the laboratory on 2 separate occasions. Heart rate (HR) and BP were measured at rest and continuously throughout exercise. In visit 1, participants completed a continuous incremental isometric wall squat exercise test, starting at 135° of knee flexion, decreasing by 10° every 2 minutes until 95° (final stage). Exercise was terminated upon completion of the test or volitional fatigue. The relationship between knee joint angle and mean HR was used to calculate the participant-specific knee joint angle required to elicit a target HR of 95% HRpeak. This angle was used to determine exercise intensity for a wall squat training session consisting of 4 × 2 minute bouts (visit 2).Systolic BPs during the exercise test and training were 173 ± 21 mm Hg and 171 ± 19 mm Hg, respectively, (P > .05) and were positively related (r = 0.73, P < .05) with ratio limits of agreement (LoA) of 0.995 ×/÷ 1.077. Diastolic BPs were 116 ± 14 mm Hg and 113 ± 11 mm Hg, respectively, (P > .05) and were positively related (r = 0.42, P < .05) with ratio LoA of 0.99 ×/÷ 1.107. No participant recorded a systolic BP > 250 mm Hg. Diastolic BP values > 115 mm Hg were recorded in 12 participants during the incremental test and 6 participants during the training session. Peak rate pressure product was 20681 ± 3911 mm Hg bpm during the IE test and was lower (18074 ± 3209 mm Hg bpm) during the IE session (P = .002). No adverse effects were reported.Based on the current ACSM guidelines for aerobic exercise termination, systolic BP does not reach the upper limit during IE in this population. Diastolic BP exceeds 115 mm Hg in some during the IE protocol, which may suggest the need to individualise IE training prescription in some with suboptimal BP control. Future research is required to ascertain if IE requires modified BP termination guidelines.

The safety of isometric exercise

PubMed Central

Wiles, Jonathan D.; Taylor, Katrina; Coleman, Damian; Sharma, Rajan; O’Driscoll, Jamie M.

2018-01-01

Abstract Few studies have investigated the relative safety of prescribing isometric exercise (IE) to reduce resting blood pressure (BP). This study aimed to ascertain the safety of the hemodynamic response during an IE wall squat protocol. Twenty-six hypertensive (BP of 120–139 mm Hg systolic and/or 80–90 mm Hg diastolic) males (45 ± 8 years; 1.78 ± 0.07 m; 89.7 ± 12.3 kg; mean ± SD), visited the laboratory on 2 separate occasions. Heart rate (HR) and BP were measured at rest and continuously throughout exercise. In visit 1, participants completed a continuous incremental isometric wall squat exercise test, starting at 135° of knee flexion, decreasing by 10° every 2 minutes until 95° (final stage). Exercise was terminated upon completion of the test or volitional fatigue. The relationship between knee joint angle and mean HR was used to calculate the participant-specific knee joint angle required to elicit a target HR of 95% HRpeak. This angle was used to determine exercise intensity for a wall squat training session consisting of 4 × 2 minute bouts (visit 2). Systolic BPs during the exercise test and training were 173 ± 21 mm Hg and 171 ± 19 mm Hg, respectively, (P > .05) and were positively related (r = 0.73, P < .05) with ratio limits of agreement (LoA) of 0.995 ×/÷ 1.077. Diastolic BPs were 116 ± 14 mm Hg and 113 ± 11 mm Hg, respectively, (P > .05) and were positively related (r = 0.42, P < .05) with ratio LoA of 0.99 ×/÷ 1.107. No participant recorded a systolic BP > 250 mm Hg. Diastolic BP values > 115 mm Hg were recorded in 12 participants during the incremental test and 6 participants during the training session. Peak rate pressure product was 20681 ± 3911 mm Hg bpm during the IE test and was lower (18074 ± 3209 mm Hg bpm) during the IE session (P = .002). No adverse effects were reported. Based on the current ACSM guidelines for aerobic exercise termination, systolic BP does not reach the upper limit during IE in this population. Diastolic BP exceeds 115 mm Hg in some during the IE protocol, which may suggest the need to individualise IE training prescription in some with suboptimal BP control. Future research is required to ascertain if IE requires modified BP termination guidelines. PMID:29517686

The Hodge-Elliptic Genus, Spinning BPS States, and Black Holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kachru, Shamit; Tripathy, Arnav

2017-10-01

We perform a refined count of BPS states in the compactification of M-theory on {K3 × T^2}, keeping track of the information provided by both the {SU(2)_L} and {SU(2)_R} angular momenta in the SO(4) little group. Mathematically, this four variable counting function may be expressed via the motivic Donaldson-Thomas counts of {K3 × T^2}, simultaneously refining Katz, Klemm, and Pandharipande's motivic stable pairs counts on K3 and Oberdieck-Pandharipande's Gromov-Witten counts on {K3 × T^2}. This provides the first full answer for motivic curve counts of a compact Calabi-Yau threefold. Along the way, we develop a Hodge-elliptic genus for Calabi-Yau manifolds—a new counting function for BPS states that interpolates between the Hodge polynomial and the elliptic genus of a Calabi-Yau.

Stability of the lepton bag model based on the Kerr–Newman solution

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

Burinskii, A., E-mail: bur@ibrae.ac.ru

2015-11-15

We show that the lepton bag model considered in our previous paper [10], generating the external gravitational and electromagnetic fields of the Kerr–Newman (KN) solution, is supersymmetric and represents a BPS-saturated soliton interpolating between the internal vacuum state and the external KN solution. We obtain Bogomolnyi equations for this phase transition and show that the Bogomolnyi bound determines all important features of this bag model, including its stable shape. In particular, for the stationary KN solution, the BPS bound provides stability of the ellipsoidal form of the bag and the formation of the ring–string structure at its border, while formore » the periodic electromagnetic excitations of the KN solution, the BPS bound controls the deformation of the surface of the bag, reproducing the known flexibility of bag models.« less

Device and method for treatment of openings in vascular and septal walls

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

Singhal, Pooja; Wilson, Thomas S.; Cosgriff-Hernandez, Elizabeth

A device, system and method for treatment of an opening in vascular and/or septal walls including patent foramen ovale. The device has wings/stops on either end, an axis core covered in a shape memory foam and is deliverable via a catheter to the affected opening, finally expanding into a vascular or septal opening where it is held in place by the expandable shape memory stops or wings.

Boston Public Schools K1 and K2 Programs Needs Assessment. Internal Report to the Department of Early Childhood, Boston Public Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marshall, Nancy L.; Roberts, Joanne; Mills, Linda

2006-01-01

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) Department of Early Childhood commissioned a needs assessment of current kindergarten (K2) and preschool (K1) programs (1) to inform the BPS Department of Early Childhood about professional development needs to improve the quality of existing K1 and K2 programs; and (2) to inform the Department of additional…

Use of the EFPA Test Review Model by the UK and Issues Relating to the Internationalization of Test Standards

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindley, Patricia A.; Bartram, Dave

2012-01-01

In this article, we present the background to the development of test reviewing by the British Psychological Society (BPS) in the United Kingdom. We also describe the role played by the BPS in the development of the EFPA test review model and its adaptation for use in test reviewing in the United Kingdom. We conclude with a discussion of lessons…

2012/14 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study: (BPS:12/14). Supporting Statement Part A. Request for OMB Review. OMB #1850-0631 v.8. Revised May 28, 2014

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Center for Education Statistics, 2014

2014-01-01

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education (ED), Institute of Education Sciences, is requesting clearance for data collection materials and procedures for the full-scale collection of the 2012/14 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:12/14) first follow-up, including the student…

Modem design for a MOBILESAT terminal

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rice, M.; Miller, M. J.; Cowley, W. G.; Rowe, D.

1990-01-01

The implementation is described of a programmable digital signal processor based system, designed for use as a test bed in the development of a digital modem, codec, and channel simulator. Code was written to configure the system as a 5600 bps or 6600 bps QPSK modem. The test bed is currently being used in an experiment to evaluate the performance of digital speech over shadowed channels in the Australian mobile satellite (MOBILESAT) project.

Low concentrations of alendronate increase the local invasive potential of osteoblastic sarcoma cell lines via connexin 43 activation.

PubMed

Yoshitani, Kazuhiro; Kido, Akira; Honoki, Kanya; Akahane, Manabu; Fujii, Hiromasa; Tanaka, Yasuhito

2011-07-15

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are agents used for treating disorders of excessive bone resorption. In addition, due to their cell-killing activity, BPs were potent candidates for adjuvant cancer therapy. On the other hand, low-concentrations of BPs have been reported to increase cellular viability in several types of tumor cells. Therefore, we focused on the effect of BPs on cellular aggressiveness of malignant bone tumors at low concentrations. MTS assay was performed using osteosarcoma cell lines MG63 and HOS, fibrosarcoma cell line HT1080, and prostate cancer cell line PC3. All the cell lines showed toxicity at high concentrations. On the other hand, at lower concentrations, the cellular viabilities of HOS and MG63 were rather higher than those of untreated controls. Since this tendency was most evident, HOS was used for further assays, including cellular motility, bone resorption activity, and cathepsin K activity. The low-concentration of alendronate enhanced cellular viability and motility, which correlated with the expression of connexin 43 at the mRNA and protein levels. Interestingly, oleamide, a potent connexin 43 inhibitor, had an inhibitory effect on the enhanced proliferation. Our data suggest that alendronate may enhance the proliferation of osteoblastic cell line through connexin 43 activation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Insights into Watson-Crick/Hoogsteen breathing dynamics and damage repair from the solution structure and dynamic ensemble of DNA duplexes containing m1A.

PubMed

Sathyamoorthy, Bharathwaj; Shi, Honglue; Zhou, Huiqing; Xue, Yi; Rangadurai, Atul; Merriman, Dawn K; Al-Hashimi, Hashim M

2017-05-19

In the canonical DNA double helix, Watson-Crick (WC) base pairs (bps) exist in dynamic equilibrium with sparsely populated (∼0.02-0.4%) and short-lived (lifetimes ∼0.2-2.5 ms) Hoogsteen (HG) bps. To gain insights into transient HG bps, we used solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, including measurements of residual dipolar couplings and molecular dynamics simulations, to examine how a single HG bp trapped using the N1-methylated adenine (m1A) lesion affects the structural and dynamic properties of two duplexes. The solution structure and dynamic ensembles of the duplexes reveals that in both cases, m1A forms a m1A•T HG bp, which is accompanied by local and global structural and dynamic perturbations in the double helix. These include a bias toward the BI backbone conformation; sugar repuckering, major-groove directed kinking (∼9°); and local melting of neighboring WC bps. These results provide atomic insights into WC/HG breathing dynamics in unmodified DNA duplexes as well as identify structural and dynamic signatures that could play roles in m1A recognition and repair. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Nucleic Acids Research.

Peanut-shaped metallicity distributions in bulges of edge-on galaxies: the case of NGC 4710

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez, Oscar A.; Debattista, Victor P.; Ness, Melissa; Erwin, Peter; Gadotti, Dimitri A.

2017-03-01

Bulges of edge-on galaxies are often boxy/peanut-shaped (B/PS), and unsharp masks reveal the presence of an X shape. Simulations show that these shapes can be produced by dynamical processes driven by a bar which vertically thickens the centre. In the Milky Way, which contains such a B/PS bulge, the X-shaped structure is traced by the metal-rich stars but not by the metal-poor ones. Recently, Debattista et al. interpreted this property as a result of the varying effect of the bar on stellar populations with different starting kinematics. This kinematic fractionation model predicts that cooler populations at the time of bar formation go on to trace the X shape, whereas hotter populations are more uniformly distributed. As this prediction is not specific to the Milky Way, we test it with Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) observations of the B/PS bulge in the nearby galaxy NGC 4710. We show that the metallicity map is more peanut-shaped than the density distribution itself, in good agreement with the prediction. This result indicates that the X-shaped structure in B/PS bulges is formed of relatively metal-rich stars that have been vertically redistributed by the bar, whereas the metal-poor stars have a more uniform, box-shaped distribution.

Bisphenol A and other bisphenol analogues including BPS and BPF in surface water samples from Japan, China, Korea and India.

PubMed

Yamazaki, Eriko; Yamashita, Nobuyoshi; Taniyasu, Sachi; Lam, James; Lam, Paul K S; Moon, Hyo-Bang; Jeong, Yunsun; Kannan, Pranav; Achyuthan, Hema; Munuswamy, Natesan; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2015-12-01

Concentrations of eight bisphenol analogues (BPs) including BPA, BPS, and BPF were determined in surface waters collected from select rivers in Japan, Korea, China, and India. BPA was found at a concentration in the range of several tens to several hundreds of nanograms per liter in most of the rivers surveyed and some of the highest concentrations (54-1950 ng/L) were found in rivers in Chennai, India. Concentrations of BPF were one to two orders of magnitude higher than those of BPA in river and sea waters collected from Japan, Korea and China, which suggested that BPF is a major contaminant in surface waters in several Southeast Asian countries. BPF concentrations as high as 2850 ng/L were found in the Tamagawa River in Japan. The flux of BPs through riverine discharges into Tokyo Bay was calculated to be approximately 5.5 t per year. Based on the flux estimates and the mass of BPF found in water column and sediment in Tokyo Bay, it was found that BPF degrades faster than BPA in the environment. Elevated concentrations of BPF found in surface waters suggest the need for further studies to determine the fate and toxicity of this compound. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Orientation of liquid crystalline blue phases on unidirectionally orienting surfaces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Misaki; Ohkawa, Takuma; Yoshida, Hiroyuki; Fukuda, Jun-ichi; Kikuchi, Hirostugu; Ozaki, Masanori

2018-03-01

Liquid crystalline cholesteric blue phases (BPs) continue to attract interest due to their fast response times and quasi-polarization-independent phase modulation capabilities. Various approaches have recently been proposed to control the crystal orientation of BPs on substrates; however, their basic orientation properties on standard, unidirectionally orienting alignment layers have not been investigated in detail. Through analysis of the azimuthal orientation of Kossel diagrams, we study the 3D crystal orientation of a BP material—with a phase sequence of cholesteric, BP I, and BP II—on unidirectionally orienting surfaces prepared using two methods: rubbing and photoalignment. BP II grown from the isotropic phase is sensitive to surface conditions, with different crystal planes orienting on the two substrates. On the other hand, strong thermal hysteresis is observed in BPs grown through a different liquid crystal phase, implying that the preceding structure determines the orientation. More specifically, the BP II-I transition is accompanied by a rotation of the crystal such that the crystal direction defined by certain low-value Miller indices transform into different directions, and within the allowed rotations, different azimuthal configurations are obtained in the same cell depending on the thermal process. Our findings demonstrate that, for the alignment control of BPs, the thermal process is as important as the properties of the alignment layer.

Insights into Watson–Crick/Hoogsteen breathing dynamics and damage repair from the solution structure and dynamic ensemble of DNA duplexes containing m1A

PubMed Central

Sathyamoorthy, Bharathwaj; Shi, Honglue; Zhou, Huiqing; Xue, Yi; Rangadurai, Atul; Merriman, Dawn K.

2017-01-01

Abstract In the canonical DNA double helix, Watson–Crick (WC) base pairs (bps) exist in dynamic equilibrium with sparsely populated (∼0.02–0.4%) and short-lived (lifetimes ∼0.2–2.5 ms) Hoogsteen (HG) bps. To gain insights into transient HG bps, we used solution-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, including measurements of residual dipolar couplings and molecular dynamics simulations, to examine how a single HG bp trapped using the N1-methylated adenine (m1A) lesion affects the structural and dynamic properties of two duplexes. The solution structure and dynamic ensembles of the duplexes reveals that in both cases, m1A forms a m1A•T HG bp, which is accompanied by local and global structural and dynamic perturbations in the double helix. These include a bias toward the BI backbone conformation; sugar repuckering, major-groove directed kinking (∼9°); and local melting of neighboring WC bps. These results provide atomic insights into WC/HG breathing dynamics in unmodified DNA duplexes as well as identify structural and dynamic signatures that could play roles in m1A recognition and repair. PMID:28369571

Effect of bisphosphonates on root resorption after tooth replantation - a systematic review.

PubMed

Najeeb, Shariq; Siddiqui, Fahad; Khurshid, Zohaib; Zohaib, Sana; Zafar, Muhammad Sohail; Ansari, Shazia Akbar

2017-04-01

Replantation of avulsed teeth may lead to root resorption. Bisphosphonates (BPs), a class of drugs of used to treat resorptive diseases of the bone such as osteoporosis and Paget's disease, have been observed to exert an antiresorptive effect on periodontal bone as well. The antiresorptive properties of BPs could prove them useful in preventing root resorption of replanted avulsed teeth. The aim of this systematic review was to analyze and summarize the currently available literature concerning the use of BPs in preventing root resorption of avulsed teeth. PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Embase databases were searched using keywords 'bisphosphonate', 'replantation', and 'tooth'. Quality assessment of each study was carried out. In addition, general characteristics and outcomes of each study were summarized. After exclusion of 116 irrelevant articles, 10 animal studies were included in this review. The majority of the studies suggest that surface application of zoledronate or alendronate reduces root resorption of replanted teeth in animal models. Surface treatment with etidronate had no significant effect on root resorption, and intracanal etidronate accelerated resorption. Surface application of zoledronate and alendronate reduces root resorption of replanted teeth in animal models. However, the efficacy of intracanal usage of BPs is still debatable. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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

Sandahl, I.; Eliasson, L.; Pellinen-Wannberg, A.

On the night of November 4, 1986, a very complex precipitation pattern was observed by Viking in the magnetic midnight sector over Scandinavia and Svalbard. The pass took place during a magnetic storm, and during substorm recovery phase. Going from north to south, the satellite first encountered a plasma region of BPS-type (name derived from boundary plasma sheet) and then a region of CPS type (derived from central plasma sheet). Then, however, a new region of BPS-type was traversed. The quite intense, most equatorward aurora corresponded to a plasma region which was not of ordinary CPS type but contained sharpmore » quasi-monoenergetic peaks. The high-latitude midnight sector was totally dominated by eastward convection. The Harang discontinuity had passed northern Scandinavia the first time as early as 17 to 20 MLT, more than three house before the Viking pass. It is suggested that the particle precipitation pattern and the general shape of the aurora as observed by the Viking imager can be explained in a natural way by the convection pattern. The northernmost BPS- and CPS-type regions originated in the morningside convection cell, while the more equatorward population of BPS type had drifted in from the eveningside. The interpretation is supported by ground-based measurements by EISCAT and magnetometers.« less

A computational approach for inferring the cell wall properties that govern guard cell dynamics.

PubMed

Woolfenden, Hugh C; Bourdais, Gildas; Kopischke, Michaela; Miedes, Eva; Molina, Antonio; Robatzek, Silke; Morris, Richard J

2017-10-01

Guard cells dynamically adjust their shape in order to regulate photosynthetic gas exchange, respiration rates and defend against pathogen entry. Cell shape changes are determined by the interplay of cell wall material properties and turgor pressure. To investigate this relationship between turgor pressure, cell wall properties and cell shape, we focused on kidney-shaped stomata and developed a biomechanical model of a guard cell pair. Treating the cell wall as a composite of the pectin-rich cell wall matrix embedded with cellulose microfibrils, we show that strong, circumferentially oriented fibres are critical for opening. We find that the opening dynamics are dictated by the mechanical stress response of the cell wall matrix, and as the turgor rises, the pectinaceous matrix stiffens. We validate these predictions with stomatal opening experiments in selected Arabidopsis cell wall mutants. Thus, using a computational framework that combines a 3D biomechanical model with parameter optimization, we demonstrate how to exploit subtle shape changes to infer cell wall material properties. Our findings reveal that proper stomatal dynamics are built on two key properties of the cell wall, namely anisotropy in the form of hoop reinforcement and strain stiffening. © 2017 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Experimental Biology.

Vesicles between plasma membrane and cell wall prior to visible senescence of Iris and Dendrobium flowers.

PubMed

Kamdee, Channatika; Kirasak, Kanjana; Ketsa, Saichol; van Doorn, Wouter G

2015-09-01

Cut Iris flowers (Iris x hollandica, cv. Blue Magic) show visible senescence about two days after full opening. Epidermal cells of the outer tepals collapse due to programmed cell death (PCD). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed irregular swelling of the cell walls, starting prior to cell collapse. Compared to cells in flowers that had just opened, wall thickness increased up to tenfold prior to cell death. Fibrils were visible in the swollen walls. After cell death very little of the cell wall remained. Prior to and during visible wall swelling, vesicles (paramural bodies) were observed between the plasma membrane and the cell walls. The vesicles were also found in groups and were accompanied by amorphous substance. They usually showed a single membrane, and had a variety of diameters and electron densities. Cut Dendrobium hybrid cv. Lucky Duan flowers exhibited visible senescence about 14 days after full flower opening. Paramural bodies were also found in Dendrobium tepal epidermis and mesophyll cells, related to wall swelling and degradation. Although alternative explanations are well possible, it is hypothesized that paramural bodies carry enzymes involved in cell wall breakdown. The literature has not yet reported such bodies in association with senescence/PCD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

A randomized, open-label, multicenter study of the efficacy and safety of intravesical hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate versus dimethyl sulfoxide in women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

PubMed

Cervigni, Mauro; Sommariva, Monica; Tenaglia, Raffaele; Porru, Daniele; Ostardo, Edoardo; Giammò, Alessandro; Trevisan, Silvia; Frangione, Valeria; Ciani, Oriana; Tarricone, Rosanna; Pappagallo, Giovanni L

2017-04-01

Intravesical instillation of hyaluronic acid (HA) plus chondroitin sulfate (CS) in women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) has shown promising results. This study compared the efficacy, safety, and costs of intravesical HA/CS (Ialuril ® , IBSA) to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Randomized, open-label, multicenter study involving 110 women with BPS/IC. The allocation ratio (HA/CS:DMSO) was 2:1. Thirteen weekly instillations of HA (1.6%)/CS (2.0%) or 50% DMSO were given. Patients were evaluated at 3 (end-of-treatment) and 6 months. Primary endpoint was reduction in pain intensity at 6 months by visual analogue scale (VAS) versus baseline. Secondary efficacy measurements were quality of life and economic analyses. A significant reduction in pain intensity was observed at 6 months in both treatment groups versus baseline (P < 0.0001) in the intention-to-treat population. Treatment with HA/CS resulted in a greater reduction in pain intensity at 6 months compared with DMSO for the per-protocol population (mean VAS reduction 44.77 ± 25.07 vs. 28.89 ± 31.14, respectively; P = 0.0186). There were no significant differences between treatment groups in secondary outcomes. At least one adverse event was reported in 14.86% and 30.56% of patients in the HA/CS and DMSO groups, respectively. There were significantly fewer treatment-related adverse events for HA/CS versus DMSO (1.35% vs. 22.22%; P = 0.001). Considering direct healthcare costs, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of HA/CS versus DMSO fell between 3735€/quality-adjusted life years (QALY) and 8003€/QALY. Treatment with HA/CS appears to be as effective as DMSO with a potentially more favorable safety profile. Both treatments increased health-related quality of life, while HA/CS showed a more acceptable cost-effectiveness profile. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of wall friction on flow in a quasi-2D hopper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shah, Neil; Birwa, Sumit; Carballo-Ramirez, Brenda; Pleau, Mollie; Easwar, Nalini; Tewari, Shubha

Our experiments on the gravity-driven flow of spherical particles in a vertical hopper examine how the flow rate varies with opening size and wall friction. We report here on a model simulation using LAMMPS of the experimental geometry, a quasi-2D hopper. Keeping inter-particle friction fixed, the coefficient of friction at the walls is varied from 0.0 to 0.9 for a range of opening sizes. Our simulations find a steady rate of flow at each wall friction and outlet size. The Janssen effect attributes the constant rate of flow of a granular column to the column height independence of the pressure at the base, since the weight of the grains is borne in part by friction at the walls. However, we observe a constant flow regime even in the absence of wall friction, suggesting that wall friction may not be a necessary condition for pressure saturation. The observed velocities of particles near the opening are used to extrapolate their starting positions had they been in free fall. In contrast to scaling predictions, our data suggest that the height of this free-fall arch does not vary with opening size for higher frictional coefficients. We analyze the velocity traces of particles to see the range over which contact interactions remain collisional as they approach the hopper outlet.

6. OPEN HEARTH NO. 4 TRESTLE. THE ARCH WITH THE ...

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

6. OPEN HEARTH NO. 4 TRESTLE. THE ARCH WITH THE GATE IS KNOWN AS THE HOLE IN THE WALL BY FORMER STEELWORKERS. FOR YEARS THE HOLE IN THE WALL PROVIDED ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE MILL AND TO THE PAYMASTER'S OFFICE. (Martin Stupich) - U.S. Steel Homestead Works, Open Hearth Steelmaking Plant, Along Monongahela River, Homestead, Allegheny County, PA

19. View looking N at mill wall ruins with open ...

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

19. View looking N at mill wall ruins with open end of purging house in background. - Hacienda Azucarera La Esperanza, Mill (Ruins), 2.65 miles North of PR Route 2 Bridge Over Manati River, Manati, Manati Municipio, PR

13. Greenhouse, east elevation. The boardandbatten wall covers an opening ...

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

13. Greenhouse, east elevation. The board-and-batten wall covers an opening that was originally fitted with windows which allowed sunlight into the greenhouse. - John Bartram House & Garden, Greenhouse, 54th Street & LIndbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

CALUTRON

DOEpatents

Lofgren, E.J.

1960-01-19

An ion source suitable for use with isotope separators of the calutron class is described in which ion bombardment of source structural members is minimized to lessen deterioration. A hollow conducting block defines an arc chamber which has an ion exit opening in the form of a slot in one wall of the block. A charged electrode spaced from the opening applies an electrical field for withdrawing ions from within the block. To establish a field configuration whereby the impingement of ions on the walls of the block is reduced, the wall edges which define the slot opening are bevelled to converge in the direction of efflux of the ions.

[Methods of traditional chinese medicine in the treatment of patients with interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome].

PubMed

Ignashov, A Yu; Deng, B; Kuzmin, I V; Slesarevskaya, M N

2018-03-01

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in alternative (complementary) treatments of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). This is due both to the high incidence of IC/BPS and to a lack of effectiveness of conventional treatments. One of the directions of alternative therapies is a traditional Chinese medicine using a special diet, various animal and plant-derived medicines, breathing exercises and acupuncture. This review analyzes the accumulated experience in using traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of patients with IC/BPS. The presented data indicate that these methods appear to be promising, since they are effective in a significant number of patients, lead to an improvement in their quality of life, are non-invasive and well tolerated. However, due to the lack of clinical studies, the efficacy of this treatment modalities needs to be confirmed.

“It’s Killing Us!” Narratives of Black Adults About Microaggression Experiences and Related Health Stress

PubMed Central

Hall, Joanne M.; Fields, Becky

2015-01-01

Perceived racism contributes to persistent health stress leading to health disparities. African American/Black persons (BPs) believe subtle, rather than overt, interpersonal racism is increasing. Sue and colleagues describe interpersonal racism as racial microaggressions: “routine” marginalizing indignities by White persons (WPs) toward BPs that contribute to health stress. In this narrative, exploratory study, Black adults (n = 10) were asked about specific racial microaggressions; they all experienced multiple types. Categorical and narrative analysis captured interpretations, strategies, and health stress attributions. Six iconic narratives contextualized health stress responses. Diverse mental and physical symptoms were attributed to racial microaggressions. Few strategies in response had positive outcomes. Future research includes development of coping strategies for BPs in these interactions, exploration of WPs awareness of their behaviors, and preventing racial microaggressions in health encounters that exacerbate health disparities. PMID:28462310

Effect of anxiety on behavioural pattern separation in humans

PubMed Central

Mathur, Ambika; Adu-Brimpong, Joel; Hale, Elizabeth A.; Ernst, Monique; Grillon, Christian

2016-01-01

Behavioural pattern separation (BPS), the ability to distinguish among similar stimuli based on subtle physical differences, has been used to study the mechanism underlying stimulus generalisation. Fear overgeneralisation is often observed in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders. However, the relationship between anxiety and BPS remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of anxiety (threat of shock) on BPS, which was assessed across separate encoding and retrieval sessions. Images were encoded/retrieved during blocks of threat or safety in a 2 × 2 factorial design. During retrieval, participants indicated whether images were new, old, or altered. Better accuracy was observed for altered images encoded during periods of threat compared to safety, but only if those images were also retrieved during periods of safety. These results suggest that overgeneralisation in anxiety may be due to altered pattern separation. PMID:26480349

4. Detail view north of stone wall opening between Five ...

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

4. Detail view north of stone wall opening between Five Acre Lot (foreground) and Ten Acre Lot (background) with Joseph Fry Farm complex beyond - Joseph Fry Farm Landscape, 2153 South County Trail Road (U.S. Route 2), East Greenwich, Kent County, RI

Stiffness Matrix of Thin-Walled Open Bar Subject to Bending, Bending Torsion and Shift of Cross Section Middle Surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panasenko, N. N.; Sinelschikov, A. V.

2017-11-01

One of the main stages in the analysis of complex 3D structures and engineering constructions made of thin-walled open bars using FEM is a stiffness matrix developing. Taking into account middle surface shear deformation caused by the work of tangential stresses in the formula to calculate a potential energy of thin-walled open bars, the authors obtain an important correction at calculation of the bar deformation and fundamental frequencies. The results of the analysis of the free end buckling of a cantilever H-bar under plane bending differ from exact solution by 0.53%. In the course of comparison of the obtained results with the cantilever bar buckling regardless the middle surface shear deformation, an increase made 16.6%. The stiffness matrix of a thin-walled open bar developed in the present work can be integrated into any software suite using FEM for the analysis of complex 3-D structures and engineering constructions with n-freedoms.

Barrier breaching device

DOEpatents

Honodel, Charles A.

1985-01-01

A barrier breaching device that is designed primarily for opening holes in interior walls of buildings uses detonating fuse for explosive force. The fuse acts as the ribs or spokes of an umbrella-like device that may be opened up to form a cone. The cone is placed against the wall so that detonating fuse that rings the base of the device and which is ignited by the spoke-like fuses serves to cut a circular hole in the wall.

Barrier breaching device

DOEpatents

Honodel, C.A.

1983-06-01

A barrier breaching device that is designed primarily for opening holes in interior walls of buildings uses detonating fuse for explosive force. The fuse acts as the ribs or spokes of an umbrella-like device that may be opened up to form a cone. The cone is placed against the wall so that detonating fuse that rings the base of the device and which is ignited by the spoke-like fuses serves to cut a circular hole in the wall.

Bronchopulmonary sequestration with massive pleural effusion: pleuroamniotic shunting vs intrafetal vascular laser ablation.

PubMed

Mallmann, M R; Geipel, A; Bludau, M; Matil, K; Gottschalk, I; Hoopmann, M; Müller, A; Bachour, H; Heydweiller, A; Gembruch, U; Berg, C

2014-10-01

To assess the incidence of complications among a relatively large cohort of fetuses with bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) and the success of two different intrauterine treatment modalities. All cases with a prenatal diagnosis of BPS detected in a 10-year period (2002-2011) in two tertiary referral centers were reviewed retrospectively for intrauterine course and outcome. Up to May 2010 severe pleural effusions were treated with pleuroamniotic shunting. Thereafter, they were treated with ultrasound-guided laser coagulation of the feeding artery. A total of 41 fetuses with BPS were included in the study. In 29 (70.7%) there was no pleural effusion or hydrops and they were treated conservatively. In 19/29 (65.5%) there was partial or complete regression of the lesion during the course of pregnancy. All were born alive (median age at delivery, 38.3 (interquartile range (IQR), 34.0-39.6) weeks) and 16 (55.2%) required sequestrectomy. Intrauterine intervention was performed in all 12 (29.3%) fetuses with pleural effusion. Seven fetuses were treated with pleuroamniotic shunting. One fetus with severe hydrops died in utero. There was no complete regression in any case of BPS in this group. Six infants were born alive (median age, 37.2 (IQR, 30.3-37.4) weeks), of which five (83.3%) required sequestrectomy. Five fetuses were treated with laser ablation of the feeding vessel. In all cases of BPS there was regression after laser ablation. All infants were delivered at term (median age, 39.1 (IQR, 38.0-40.0) weeks). One (20.0%) neonate required sequestrectomy after birth. Following intrauterine shunt placement complete regression of the lesion was significantly less frequent (0/7 (0%) with shunt placement vs 4/5 (80%) with intrafetal laser treatment) and gestational age at birth was significantly lower, compared to treatment with intrafetal laser. Complete regression of the lesion was also significantly more frequent in the laser group compared to cases without intervention. In the absence of pleural effusion, the likelihood of spontaneous regression of BPS is high and the prognosis is therefore favorable. In cases with massive pleural effusion, treatment by laser ablation of the feeding vessel seems to be more effective than is pleuroamniotic shunting, with fewer complications. It might also reduce the need for postnatal surgery. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Brightness and magnetic evolution of solar coronal bright points

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ugarte-Urra, I.

2004-12-01

This thesis presents a study of the brightness and magnetic evolution of several Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) coronal bright points (hereafter BPs). BPs are loop-like features of enhanced emission in the coronal EUV and X-ray images of the Sun, that are associated to the interaction of opposite photospheric magnetic polarities with magnetic fluxes of ≈1018 - 1019 Mx. The study was carried out using several instruments on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO): the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EIT), the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) and the Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI), supported by the high resolution imaging from the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer (TRACE). The results confirm that, down to 1'' (i.e. ~715 km) resolution, BPs are made of small loops with lengths of ~6 Mm and cross-sections of ~2 Mm. The loops are very dynamic, evolving in time scales as short as 1 - 2 minutes. This is reflected in a highly variable EUV response with fluctuations highly correlated in spectral lines at transition region temperatures (in the range 3.2x10^4 - 3.5x10^5 K), but not always at coronal temperatures. A wavelet analysis of the intensity variations reveals, for the first time, the existence of quasi-periodic oscillations with periods ranging 400 -- 1000 s, in the range of periods characteristic of the chromospheric network. The link between BPs and network bright points is discussed, as well as the interpretation of the oscillations in terms of global acoustic modes of closed magnetic structures. A comparison of the magnetic flux evolution of the magnetic polarities to the EUV flux changes is also presented. Throughout their lifetime, the intrinsic EUV emission of BPs is found to be dependent on the total magnetic flux of the polarities. In short time scales, co-spatial and co-temporal TRACE and MDI images, reveal the signature of heating events that produce sudden EUV brightenings simultaneous to magnetic flux cancellations. This is interpreted in terms of magnetic reconnection events. Finally, a electron density study of six coronal bright points produces values of ~1.6x109 cm-3, closer to active region plasma than to quiet Sun. The analysis of a large coronal loop (half length of 72 Mm) introduces the discussion on the prospects of future plasma diagnostics of BPs with forthcoming solar missions like Solar-B.

Subarcsecond bright points and quasi-periodic upflows below a quiescent filament observed by IRIS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, T.; Zhang, J.

2016-05-01

Context. The new Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) mission provides high-resolution observations of UV spectra and slit-jaw images (SJIs). These data have become available for investigating the dynamic features in the transition region (TR) below the on-disk filaments. Aims: The driver of "counter-streaming" flows along the filament spine is still unknown yet. The magnetic structures and the upflows at the footpoints of the filaments and their relations with the filament mainbody have not been well understood. We study the dynamic evolution at the footpoints of filaments in order to find some clues for solving these questions. Methods: Using UV spectra and SJIs from the IRIS, along with coronal images and magnetograms from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), we present the new features in a quiescent filament channel: subarcsecond bright points (BPs) and quasi-periodic upflows. Results: The BPs in the TR have a spatial scale of about 350-580 km and lifetimes of more than several tens of minutes. They are located at stronger magnetic structures in the filament channel with a magnetic flux of about 1017-1018 Mx. Quasi-periodic brightenings and upflows are observed in the BPs, and the period is about 4-5 min. The BP and the associated jet-like upflow comprise a "tadpole-shaped" structure. The upflows move along bright filament threads, and their directions are almost parallel to the spine of the filament. The upflows initiated from the BPs with opposite polarity magnetic fields have opposite directions. The velocity of the upflows in the plane of sky is about 5-50 km s-1. The emission line of Si IV 1402.77 Å at the locations of upflows exhibits obvious blueshifts of about 5-30 km s-1, and the line profile is broadened with the width of more than 20 km s-1. Conclusions: The BPs seem to be the bases of filament threads, and the upflows are able to convey mass for the dynamic balance of the filament. The "counter-streaming" flows in previous observations may be caused by the propagation of bi-directional upflows initiated from opposite polarity magnetic fields. We suggest that quasi-periodic brightenings of BPs and quasi-periodic upflows result from small-scale oscillatory magnetic reconnections, which are modulated by solar p-mode waves.

Apparatus for observing a hostile environment

DOEpatents

Nance, Thomas A.; Boylston, Micah L.; Robinson, Casandra W.; Sexton, William C.; Heckendorn, Frank M.

2000-01-01

An apparatus is provided for observing a hostile environment, comprising a housing and a camera capable of insertion within the housing. The housing is a double wall assembly with an inner and outer wall with an hermetically sealed chamber therebetween. A housing for an optical system used to observe a hostile environment is provided, comprising a transparent, double wall assembly. The double wall assembly has an inner wall and an outer wall with an hermetically sealed chamber therebetween. The double wall assembly has an opening and a void area in communication with the opening. The void area of the housing is adapted to accommodate the optical system within said void area. An apparatus for protecting an optical system used to observe a hostile environment is provided comprising a housing; a tube positioned within the housing; and a base for supporting the housing and the tube. The housing comprises a double wall assembly having an inner wall and an outerwall with an hermetically sealed chamber therebetween. The tube is adapted to house the optical system therein.

One-dimensional analysis of filamentary composite beam columns with thin-walled open sections

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lo, Patrick K.-L.; Johnson, Eric R.

1986-01-01

Vlasov's one-dimensional structural theory for thin-walled open section bars was originally developed and used for metallic elements. The theory was recently extended to laminated bars fabricated from advanced composite materials. The purpose of this research is to provide a study and assessment of the extended theory. The focus is on flexural and torsional-flexural buckling of thin-walled, open section, laminated composite columns. Buckling loads are computed from the theory using a linear bifurcation analysis and a geometrically nonlinear beam column analysis by the finite element method. Results from the analyses are compared to available test data.

The degradability of biodegradable plastics in aerobic and anaerobic waste landfill model reactors.

PubMed

Ishigaki, Tomonori; Sugano, Wataru; Nakanishi, Akane; Tateda, Masafumi; Ike, Michihiko; Fujita, Masanori

2004-01-01

Degradabilities of four kinds of commercial biodegradable plastics (BPs), polyhydroxybutyrate and hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) plastic, polycaprolactone plastic (PCL), blend of starch and polyvinyl alcohol (SPVA) plastic and cellulose acetate (CA) plastic were investigated in waste landfill model reactors that were operated as anaerobically and aerobically. The application of forced aeration to the landfill reactor for supplying aerobic condition could potentially stimulate polymer-degrading microorganisms. However, the individual degradation behavior of BPs under the aerobic condition was completely different. PCL, a chemically synthesized BP, showed film breakage under the both conditions, which may have contributed to a reduction in the waste volume regardless of aerobic or anaerobic conditions. Effective degradation of PHBV plastic was observed in the aerobic condition, though insufficient degradation was observed in the anaerobic condition. But the aeration did not contribute much to accelerate the volume reduction of SPVA plastic and CA plastic. It could be said that the recalcitrant portions of the plastics such as polyvinyl alcohol in SPVA plastic and the highly substituted CA in CA plastic prevented the BP from degradation. These results indicated existence of the great variations in the degradability of BPs in aerobic and anaerobic waste landfills, and suggest that suitable technologies for managing the waste landfill must be combined with utilization of BPs in order to enhance the reduction of waste volume in landfill sites.

$$ \\mathcal{N} $$ = 4 superconformal bootstrap of the K 3 CFT

DOE PAGES

Lin, Ying-Hsuan; Shao, Shu-Heng; Simmons-Duffin, David; ...

2017-05-23

We study two-dimensional (4; 4) superconformal eld theories of central charge c = 6, corresponding to nonlinear sigma models on K3 surfaces, using the superconformal bootstrap. This is made possible through a surprising relation between the BPS N = 4 superconformal blocks with c = 6 and bosonic Virasoro conformal blocks with c = 28, and an exact result on the moduli dependence of a certain integrated BPS 4-point function. Nontrivial bounds on the non-BPS spectrum in the K3 CFT are obtained as functions of the CFT moduli, that interpolate between the free orbifold points and singular CFT points. Wemore » observe directly from the CFT perspective the signature of a continuous spectrum above a gap at the singular moduli, and fi nd numerically an upper bound on this gap that is saturated by the A1 N = 4 cigar CFT. We also derive an analytic upper bound on the fi rst nonzero eigenvalue of the scalar Laplacian on K3 in the large volume regime, that depends on the K3 moduli data. As two byproducts, we find an exact equivalence between a class of BPS N = 2 superconformal blocks and Virasoro conformal blocks in two dimensions, and an upper bound on the four-point functions of operators of sufficiently low scaling dimension in three and four dimensional CFTs.« less

Production of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins by small-cell lung cancer cell lines

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

Jaques, G.; Kiefer, P.; Rotsch, M.

1989-10-01

Conditioned serum-free media (CM) from small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines were examined for the presence of insulin-like growth-factor-binding proteins (IGF-BP). 6/9 SCLC cell lines secreted binding proteins with high affinity for IGFs. When ({sup 125}I)IGF-1 or ({sup 125}I)IGF-II was incubated with the CMs, complexes of tracer with proteins could be demonstrated by gel filtration, by precipitation with polyethylenglycol, and after adsorption of unbound tracer with activated charcoal. Analysis of binding data according to the method of Scatchard resulted in linear plots for IGF-I and IGF-II. Cross-linking of ({sup 125}I)IGF-I or ({sup 125}I)IGF-II to the CMs followed by sodium dodecylmore » sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) under nonreducing conditions revealed the presence of IGF-BPs with molecular masses in the range of 24-32 kDa. Northern blot hybridization with an IGF-BP cDNA probe encoding a low-molecular-weight IGF-BP from a human placenta cDNA library and Western blot analysis with a corresponding polyclonal antibody showed no expression of this gene. These data demonstrate that SCLC cell lines release IGF-BPs in culture supernatants, which differ from IGF-BPs detected in liver and placenta. These IGF-BPs might be important mediators in the autocrine/paracrine growth regulation of IGFs in SCLC.« less

Urinary Bladder Distention Evoked Visceromotor Responses as a Model for Bladder Pain in Mice

PubMed Central

Sadler, Katelyn E.; Stratton, Jarred M.; Kolber, Benedict J.

2014-01-01

Approximately 3-8 million people in the United States suffer from interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a debilitating condition characterized by increased urgency and frequency of urination, as well as nocturia and general pelvic pain, especially upon bladder filling or voiding. Despite years of research, the cause of IC/BPS remains elusive and treatment strategies are unable to provide complete relief to patients. In order to study nervous system contributions to the condition, many animal models have been developed to mimic the pain and symptoms associated with IC/BPS. One such murine model is urinary bladder distension (UBD). In this model, compressed air of a specific pressure is delivered to the bladder of a lightly anesthetized animal over a set period of time. Throughout the procedure, wires in the superior oblique abdominal muscles record electrical activity from the muscle. This activity is known as the visceromotor response (VMR) and is a reliable and reproducible measure of nociception. Here, we describe the steps necessary to perform this technique in mice including surgical manipulations, physiological recording, and data analysis. With the use of this model, the coordination between primary sensory neurons, spinal cord secondary afferents, and higher central nervous system areas involved in bladder pain can be unraveled. This basic science knowledge can then be clinically translated to treat patients suffering from IC/BPS. PMID:24798516

Link Power Budget and Traffict QoS Performance Analysis of Gygabit Passive Optical Network

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ubaidillah, A.; Alfita, R.; Toyyibah

2018-01-01

Data service of telecommunication network is needed widely in the world; therefore extra wide bandwidth must be provided. For this case, PT. Telekomunikasi Tbk. applies GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) as optical fibre based on telecommunication network system. GPON is a point to a multipoint technology of FTTx (Fiber to The x) that transmits information signals to the subscriber over optical fibre. In GPON trunking system, from OLT (Optical Line Terminal), the network is split to many ONT (Optical Network Terminal) of the subscribers, so it causes path loss and attenuation. In this research, the GPON performance is measured from the link power budget system and the Quality of Service (QoS) of the traffic. And the observation result shows that the link power budget system of this GPON is in good condition. The link power budget values from the mathematical calculation and direct measurement are satisfy the ITU-T G984 Class B standard, that the power level must be between -8 dBm to -27 dBm. While from the traffic performance, the observation result shows that the network resource utility of the subscribers of the observed area is not optimum. The mean of subscriber utility rate is 27.985 bps for upstream and 79.687 bps for downstream. While maximally, It should be 60.800 bps for upstream and 486.400 bps for downstream.

Circulation of influenza in backyard productive systems in central Chile and evidence of spillover from wild birds.

PubMed

Jimenez-Bluhm, Pedro; Di Pillo, Francisca; Bahl, Justin; Osorio, Jorge; Schultz-Cherry, Stacey; Hamilton-West, Christopher

2018-05-01

Backyard productive systems (BPS) are recognized as the most common form of animal production in the world. However, BPS frequently exhibit inherent biosecurity deficiencies, and could play a major role in the epidemiology of animal diseases and zoonoses. The aim of this study was to determine if influenza A viruses (IAV) were prevalent in backyard poultry and swine BPS in central Chile. Through active surveillance in Valparaiso and Metropolitan regions from 2012 - 2014, we found that influenza virus positivity by real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) ranged from 0% during winter 2012-45.8% during fall 2014 at the farm level. We also obtained an H12 hemagglutinin (HA) sequence of wild bird origin from a domestic Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata), indicating spillover from wild birds into backyard poultry populations. Furthermore, a one-year sampling effort in 113 BPS in the Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins (LGB ÓHiggins) region showed that 12.6% of poultry and 2.4% of swine were positive for IAV by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indicative of previous exposure of farm animals to IAV. This study highlights the need for improved IAV surveillance in backyard populations given the close interaction between domestic animals, wild birds and people in these farms, particularly in an understudied region, like South America. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The effect of heat shrink treatment and storage temperature on the time of onset of "blown pack" spoilage.

PubMed

Moschonas, Galatios; Bolton, Declan J; Sheridan, James J; McDowell, David A

2011-02-01

This study determined the effects of (a) the short "heat shrink" treatment frequently applied to vacuum packed meats within normal commercial production, and (b) chill holding storage temperature, on the subsequent time to onset (TTO) of "blown pack" spoilage (BPS). Beef or lamb steaks were inoculated with 10³ CFU/cm² of spore suspensions of five gas producing clostridia, vacuum packed (VP) and treated as follows: no heat, 50°C/15 s, 70°C/10 s or 90°C/3 s. Samples were stored at -1.5, 1 or 4°C and examined daily to determine TTO of BPS. For each strain, pack treatment and storage temperature had significant (P<0.05 and P<0.001 respectively) effects on TTO of BPS, i.e. 90°C/3 s<70°C/10 s<50°C/15 s≤"no heat", and 4°C<1°C<-1.5°C. The study suggested that the meat industry could reduce the risks of BPS by avoiding higher temperature (90°C/3 s or 70°C/10 s) heat shrinking, and by storing VP meats at lower temperatures (e.g. -1.5°C). Copyright © 2010 The American Meat Science Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Zoledronate promotes bone formation by blocking osteocyte-osteoblast communication during bone defect healing.

PubMed

Cui, Pingping; Liu, Hongrui; Sun, Jing; Amizuka, Norio; Sun, Qinfeng; Li, Minqi

2018-01-01

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) are potent antiresorptive drugs and their actions on osteoclasts have been studied extensively. Recent studies have suggested that N-BPs also target bone-forming cells. However, the precise mechanism of N-BPs in osteoblasts is paradoxical, and the specific role of osteocytes is worthy of in-depth study. Here, we investigated the cellular mechanisms of N-BPs regulating bone defect healing by zoledronate (ZA). Bone histomorphometry confirmed an increase in new bone formation by systemic ZA administration. ZA induced more alkaline phosphatase-positive osteoblasts and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive osteoclasts residing on the bone surface. Inexplicably, ZA increased SOST expression in osteocytes embedded in the bone matrix, which was not compatible with the intense osteoblast activity on the bone surface. ZA induced heterogeneous osteocytes and disturbed the distribution of the osteocytic-canalicular system (OLCS). Furthermore, according to the degree of OLCS regularity, dentin matrix protein 1 reactivity had accumulated around osteocytes in the ZA group, but it was distributed evenly in the OLCS of the control group. The control group showed a dense array of the gap junction protein connexin 43. However, connexin 43 was extremely sparse after ZA administration. In summary, ZA treatment reduces gap junction connections and blocks cellular communication between osteocytes and osteoblasts. Retaining SOST expression in osteocytes leads to activation of the Wnt signaling pathway and subsequent bone formation.

Isolation, Characterization, and Bioinformatic Analyses of Lytic Salmonella Enteritidis Phages and Tests of Their Antibacterial Activity in Food.

PubMed

Han, Han; Wei, Xiaoting; Wei, Yi; Zhang, Xiufeng; Li, Xuemin; Jiang, Jinzhong; Wang, Ran

2017-02-01

Salmonella Enteritidis remains a major threat for food safety. To take efforts to develop phage-based biocontrol for S. Enteritidis contamination in food, in this study, the phages against S. Enteritidis were isolated from sewage samples, characterized by host range assays, DNA restriction enzyme pattern analyses, and transmission electron microscope observations, and tested for antibacterial activity in food; some potent phages were further characterized by bioinformatic analyses. Results showed that based on the plaque quality and host range, seven lytic phages targeting S. Enteritidis were selected, considered as seven distinct phages through DNA physical maps, and classified as Myoviridae or Siphoviridae family by morphologic observations; the combined use of such seven strain phages as a "food additive" could succeed in controlling the artificial S. Enteritidis contamination in the different physical forms of food at a range of temperatures; by bioinformatic analyses, both selected phage BPS 11 Q 3 and BPS 15 Q 2 seemed to be newfound obligate lytic phage strains with no indications for any potentially harmful genes in their genomes. In conclusion, our results showed a potential of isolated phages as food additives for controlling S. Enteritidis contamination in some salmonellosis outbreak-associated food vehicles, and there could be minimized potential risk associated with using BPS 11 Q 3 and BPS 15 Q 2 in food.

Bisphenol A and its structural analogues in household waste paper.

PubMed

Pivnenko, K; Pedersen, G A; Eriksson, E; Astrup, T F

2015-10-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical produced in large volumes. Its main use is associated with polycarbonate plastic, epoxy resins and thermal paper. In contrast to other applications, thermal paper contains BPA in its un-reacted form as an additive, which is subjected to migration. Receiving a significant amount of attention from the scientific community and beyond, due to its controversial endocrine-disrupting effects, the industry is attempting to substitute BPA in variety of applications. Alternative phenolic compounds have been proposed for use in thermal paper; however, information to what extent BPA alternatives have been used in paper is sparse. The aim of the present work was to quantify BPA and its alternatives (bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol E (BPE), bisphenol B (BPB), 4-cumylphenol (HPP) and bisphenol F (BPF)) in waste paper and board from Danish households, thermal paper receipts, non-carbon copy paper and conventional printer paper. BPA was found in all waste paper samples analysed, while BPS was identified in 73% of them. Only BPB was not identified in any of the samples. BPA and BPS were found in the majority of the receipts, which contained no measurable concentrations of the remaining alternatives. Although receipts showed the highest concentrations of BPA and BPS, office paper, flyers and corrugated boxes, together with receipts, represented the major flux of the two compounds in waste paper streams. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

$$ \\mathcal{N} $$ = 4 superconformal bootstrap of the K 3 CFT

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

Lin, Ying-Hsuan; Shao, Shu-Heng; Simmons-Duffin, David

We study two-dimensional (4; 4) superconformal eld theories of central charge c = 6, corresponding to nonlinear sigma models on K3 surfaces, using the superconformal bootstrap. This is made possible through a surprising relation between the BPS N = 4 superconformal blocks with c = 6 and bosonic Virasoro conformal blocks with c = 28, and an exact result on the moduli dependence of a certain integrated BPS 4-point function. Nontrivial bounds on the non-BPS spectrum in the K3 CFT are obtained as functions of the CFT moduli, that interpolate between the free orbifold points and singular CFT points. Wemore » observe directly from the CFT perspective the signature of a continuous spectrum above a gap at the singular moduli, and fi nd numerically an upper bound on this gap that is saturated by the A1 N = 4 cigar CFT. We also derive an analytic upper bound on the fi rst nonzero eigenvalue of the scalar Laplacian on K3 in the large volume regime, that depends on the K3 moduli data. As two byproducts, we find an exact equivalence between a class of BPS N = 2 superconformal blocks and Virasoro conformal blocks in two dimensions, and an upper bound on the four-point functions of operators of sufficiently low scaling dimension in three and four dimensional CFTs.« less

Multiple Method Analysis of TiO2 Nanoparticle Uptake in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Plants.

PubMed

Deng, Yingqing; Petersen, Elijah J; Challis, Katie E; Rabb, Savelas A; Holbrook, R David; Ranville, James F; Nelson, Bryant C; Xing, Baoshan

2017-09-19

Understanding the translocation of nanoparticles (NPs) into plants is challenging because qualitative and quantitative methods are still being developed and the comparability of results among different methods is unclear. In this study, uptake of titanium dioxide NPs and larger bulk particles (BPs) in rice plant (Oryza sativa L.) tissues was evaluated using three orthogonal techniques: electron microscopy, single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (spICP-MS) with two different plant digestion approaches, and total elemental analysis using ICP optical emission spectroscopy. In agreement with electron microscopy results, total elemental analysis of plants exposed to TiO 2 NPs and BPs at 5 and 50 mg/L concentrations revealed that TiO 2 NPs penetrated into the plant root and resulted in Ti accumulation in above ground tissues at a higher level compared to BPs. spICP-MS analyses revealed that the size distributions of internalized particles differed between the NPs and BPs with the NPs showing a distribution with smaller particles. Acid digestion resulted in higher particle numbers and the detection of a broader range of particle sizes than the enzymatic digestion approach, highlighting the need for development of robust plant digestion procedures for NP analysis. Overall, there was agreement among the three techniques regarding NP and BP penetration into rice plant roots and spICP-MS showed its unique contribution to provide size distribution information.

Turbine component having surface cooling channels and method of forming same

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

Miranda, Carlos Miguel; Trimmer, Andrew Lee; Kottilingam, Srikanth Chandrudu

2017-09-05

A component for a turbine engine includes a substrate that includes a first surface, and an insert coupled to the substrate proximate the substrate first surface. The component also includes a channel. The channel is defined by a first channel wall formed in the substrate and a second channel wall formed by at least one coating disposed on the substrate first surface. The component further includes an inlet opening defined in flow communication with the channel. The inlet opening is defined by a first inlet wall formed in the substrate and a second inlet wall defined by the insert.

11. INTERIOR OF LIVING ROOM SHOWING BACK WALL ELECTRICAL HEATER, ...

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

11. INTERIOR OF LIVING ROOM SHOWING BACK WALL ELECTRICAL HEATER, OPEN FIVE-PANELED DOOR TO BACK BEDROOM AT PHOTO RIGHT, AND OPEN DOOR TO KITCHEN AT PHOTO CENTER. VIEW TO NORTHWEST. - Bishop Creek Hydroelectric System, Plant 4, Worker Cottage, Bishop Creek, Bishop, Inyo County, CA

Intron Definition and a Branch Site Adenosine at nt 385 Control RNA Splicing of HPV16 E6*I and E7 Expression

PubMed Central

Ajiro, Masahiko; Jia, Rong; Zhang, Lifang; Liu, Xuefeng; Zheng, Zhi-Ming

2012-01-01

HPV16 E6 and E7, two viral oncogenes, are expressed from a single bicistronic pre-mRNA. In this report, we provide the evidence that the bicistronic pre-mRNA intron 1 contains three 5′ splice sites (5′ ss) and three 3′ splice sites (3′ ss) normally used in HPV16+ cervical cancer and its derived cell lines. The choice of two novel alternative 5′ ss (nt 221 5′ ss and nt 191 5′ ss) produces two novel isoforms of E6E7 mRNAs (E6*V and E6*VI). The nt 226 5′ ss and nt 409 3′ ss is preferentially selected over the other splice sites crossing over the intron to excise a minimal length of the intron in RNA splicing. We identified AACAAAC as the preferred branch point sequence (BPS) and an adenosine at nt 385 (underlined) in the BPS as a branch site to dictate the selection of the nt 409 3′ ss for E6*I splicing and E7 expression. Introduction of point mutations into the mapped BPS led to reduced U2 binding to the BPS and thereby inhibition of the second step of E6E7 splicing at the nt 409 3′ ss. Importantly, the E6E7 bicistronic RNA with a mutant BPS and inefficient splicing makes little or no E7 and the resulted E6 with mutations of 91QYNK94 to 91PSFW94 displays attenuate activity on p53 degradation. Together, our data provide structural basis of the E6E7 intron 1 for better understanding of how viral E6 and E7 expression is regulated by alternative RNA splicing. This study elucidates for the first time a mapped branch point in HPV16 genome involved in viral oncogene expression. PMID:23056301

A systematic review of recent clinical practice guidelines and best practice statements for the evaluation of the infertile male.

PubMed

Esteves, Sandro C; Chan, Peter

2015-09-01

We systematically identified and reviewed the methods and consistency of recommendations of recently developed clinical practice guidelines (CPG) and best practice statements (BPS) on the evaluation of the infertile male. MEDLINE and related engines as well as guidelines' Web sites were searched for CPG and BPS written in English on the general evaluation of male infertility published between January 2008 and April 2015. Four guidelines were identified, all of which reported to have been recently updated. Systematic review was not consistently used in the BPS despite being reported in the CPG. Only one of them reported having a patient representative in its development team. The CPG issued by the European Association of Urology (EAU) graded some recommendations and related that to levels (but not quality) of evidence. Overall, the BPS issued respectively by the American Urological Association and American Society for Reproductive Medicine concurred with each other, but both differed from the EAU guidelines with regard to methods of collection, extraction and interpretation of data. None of the guidelines incorporated health economics. Important specific limitations of conventional semen analysis results were ignored by all guidelines. Besides variation in the methodological quality, implementation strategies were not reported in two out of four guidelines. While the various panels of experts who contributed to the development of the CPG and BPS reviewed should be commended on their tremendous efforts aiming to establish a clinical standard in both the evaluation and management of male infertility, we recognized inconsistencies in the methodology of their synthesis and in the contents of their final recommendations. These discrepancies pose a barrier in the general implementation of these guidelines and may limit their utility in standardizing clinical practice or improving health-related outcomes. Continuous efforts are needed to generate high-quality evidence to allow further development of these important guidelines for the evaluation and management of males suffering from infertility.

Brightness and magnetic evolution of solar coronal bright points

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ugarte Urra, Ignacio

This thesis presents a study of the brightness and magnetic evolution of several Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) coronal bright points (hereafter BPs). The study was carried out using several instruments on board the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, supported by the high resolution imaging from the Transition Region And Coronal Explorer. The results confirm that, down to 1" resolution, BPs are made of small loops with lengths of [approximate]6 Mm and cross-sections of ≈2 Mm. The loops are very dynamic, evolving in time scales as short as 1 - 2 minutes. This is reflected in a highly variable EUV response with fluctuations highly correlated in spectral lines at transition region temperatures, but not always at coronal temperatures. A wavelet analysis of the intensity variations reveals the existence of quasi-periodic oscillations with periods ranging 400--1000s, in the range of periods characteristic of the chromospheric network. The link between BPs and network bright points is discussed, as well as the interpretation of the oscillations in terms of global acoustic modes of closed magnetic structures. A comparison of the magnetic flux evolution of the magnetic polarities to the EUV flux changes is also presented. Throughout their lifetime, the intrinsic EUV emission of BPs is found to be dependent on the total magnetic flux of the polarities. In short time scales, co-spatial and co-temporal coronal images and magnetograms, reveal the signature of heating events that produce sudden EUV brightenings simultaneous to magnetic flux cancellations. This is interpreted in terms of magnetic reconnection events. Finally, a electron density study of six coronal bright points produces values of ≈1.6×10 9 cm -3 , closer to active region plasma than to quiet Sun. The analysis of a large coronal loop (half length of 72 Mm) introduces the discussion on the prospects of future plasma diagnostics of BPs with forthcoming solar missions.

BEDROOM 1 SHOWING THE OPENING IN THE EXTERIOR WALL FOR ...

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

BEDROOM 1 SHOWING THE OPENING IN THE EXTERIOR WALL FOR AN AIR CONDITIONER. VIEW FACING NORTHEAST - Camp H.M. Smith and Navy Public Works Center Manana Title VII (Capehart) Housing, U-Shaped Three-Bedroom Duplex Type 3, Acacia Road, Birch Circle, and Cedar Drive, Pearl City, Honolulu County, HI

INTERIOR DETAIL, SOUTHEAST CABINET NORTH WALL. THE DOORS TO THE ...

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

INTERIOR DETAIL, SOUTHEAST CABINET NORTH WALL. THE DOORS TO THE LEFT OF THE CHIMNEY MASS OPEN ONTO CLOSETS. ON THE RIGHT, THERE ARE TWO CLOSETS WITH JIB DOORS WITHIN THE CHIMNEY MASS. THE OPEN DOOR CONNECTS WITH THE DRAWING ROOM - The Woodlands, 4000 Woodlands Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Dynamically Movable Exhausting Emc Sealing System

DOEpatents

Barringer, Dennis R.; Seminaro, Edward J.; Toffler, Harold M.

2003-12-09

A docking apparatus for printed circuit boards including a cassette housing, having a housing base, a housing cover and a housing wall, wherein the housing base and the housing wall are disposed relative to each other so as to define a housing cavity for containing a printed circuit card and wherein the housing wall includes a cable opening disposed so as to be communicated with the housing cavity, a housing bezel, disposed relative to the cassette housing so as to be associated with the cable opening, the housing bezel includes an outer bezel having a first plurality of openings and an inner bezel having a second plurality of apertures, the inner bezel in electrical communication with the printed circuit card, wherein said housing bezel is removable, and an EMC gasket disposed between the outer and inner bezels of said housing bezel, the EMC gasket configured to provide a removable EMC seal proximate the cable opening while still allowing airflow through the first and second plurality of apertures having the EMC gasket therebetween. A docking apparatus for printed circuit boards including a cassette housing, having a housing base, a housing cover and a housing wall, wherein the housing base and the housing wall are disposed relative to each other so as to define a housing cavity for containing a printed circuit card and wherein the housing wall includes a cable opening disposed so as to be communicated with the housing cavity, a housing bezel, disposed relative to the cassette housing so as to be associated with the cable opening, the housing bezel includes an outer bezel having a first plurality of openings and an inner bezel having a second plurality of apertures, the inner bezel in electrical communication with the printed circuit card, wherein said housing bezel is removable, and an EMC gasket disposed between the outer and inner bezels of said housing bezel, the EMC gasket configured to provide a removable EMC seal proximate the cable opening while still allowing airflow through the first and second plurality of apertures having the EMC gasket therebetween.

Oscillons in a perturbed signum-Gordon model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klimas, P.; Streibel, J. S.; Wereszczynski, A.; Zakrzewski, W. J.

2018-04-01

We study various properties of a perturbed signum-Gordon model, which has been obtained through the dimensional reduction of the called `first BPS submodel of the Skyrme model'. This study is motivated by the observation that the first BPS submodel of the Skyrme model may be partially responsible for the good qualities of the rational map ansatz approximation to the solutions of the Skyrme model. We investigate the existence, stability and various properties of oscillons and other time-dependent states in this perturbed signum-Gordon model.

Bursch poses next to BPS installed in a slot on Endeavour's middeck for return on STS-111 UF-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-06-07

STS111-E-5026 (7 June 2002) --- Astronaut Daniel W. Bursch, who has been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for the past six months, wastes little time in going to work on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour following linkup of the shuttle and station on June 7, 2002. Bursch, who will return home aboard Endeavour in a few days, is pictured at the Biomass Production System (BPS) on Endeavour's mid deck.

Description of Panel Method Code ANTARES

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ulbrich, Norbert; George, Mike (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Panel method code ANTARES was developed to compute wall interference corrections in a rectangular wind tunnel. The code uses point doublets to represent blockage effects and line doublets to represent lifting effects of a wind tunnel model. Subsonic compressibility effects are modeled by applying the Prandtl-Glauert transformation. The closed wall, open jet, or perforated wall boundary condition may be assigned to a wall panel centroid. The tunnel walls can be represented by using up to 8000 panels. The accuracy of panel method code ANTARES was successfully investigated by comparing solutions for the closed wall and open jet boundary condition with corresponding Method of Images solutions. Fourier transform solutions of a two-dimensional wind tunnel flow field were used to check the application of the perforated wall boundary condition. Studies showed that the accuracy of panel method code ANTARES can be improved by increasing the total number of wall panels in the circumferential direction. It was also shown that the accuracy decreases with increasing free-stream Mach number of the wind tunnel flow field.

Turbine stator vane segment having internal cooling circuits

DOEpatents

Jones, Raymond Joseph; Burns, James Lee; Bojappa, Parvangada Ganapathy; Jones, Schotsch Margaret

2003-01-01

A turbine stator vane includes outer and inner walls each having outer and inner chambers and a vane extending between the outer and inner walls. The vane includes first, second, third, fourth and fifth cavities for flowing a cooling medium. The cooling medium enters the outer chamber of the outer wall, flows through an impingement plate for impingement cooling of the outer band wall defining in part the hot gas path and through openings in the first, second and fourth cavities for flow radially inwardly, cooling the vane. The spent cooling medium flows into the inner wall and inner chamber for flow through an impingement plate radially outwardly to cool the inner wall. The spent cooling medium flows through the third cavity for egress from the turbine vane segment from the outer wall. The first, second or third cavities contain inserts having impingement openings for impingement cooling of the vane walls. The fifth cavity provides air cooling for the trailing edge.

Airfoil for a turbine of a gas turbine engine

DOEpatents

Liang, George

2010-12-21

An airfoil for a turbine of a gas turbine engine is provided. The airfoil comprises a main body comprising a wall structure defining an inner cavity adapted to receive a cooling air. The wall structure includes a first diffusion region and at least one first metering opening extending from the inner cavity to the first diffusion region. The wall structure further comprises at least one cooling circuit comprising a second diffusion region and at least one second metering opening extending from the first diffusion region to the second diffusion region. The at least one cooling circuit may further comprise at least one third metering opening, at least one third diffusion region and a fourth diffusion region.

Eddy Current Minimizing Flow Plug for Use in Flow Conditioning and Flow Metering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

England, John Dwight (Inventor); Kelley, Anthony R. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

An eddy-current-minimizing flow plug has an outer radial wall with open flow channels formed between the plug's inlet and outlet. The plug has a central region coupled to the inner surface of the outer radial wall. Each open flow channel includes (i) a first portion originating at the inlet and converging to a location in the plug where convergence is contributed to by changes in thickness of the outer radial wall and divergence of the central region, and (ii) a second portion originating in the plug and diverging to the outlet where divergence is contributed to by changes in thickness of the outer radial wall and convergence of the central region. For at least a portion of the open flow channels, a central axis passing through the first and second portions is non-parallel with respect to the given direction of the flow.

Everyday attention lapses and memory failures: the affective consequences of mindlessness.

PubMed

Carriere, Jonathan S A; Cheyne, J Allan; Smilek, Daniel

2008-09-01

We examined the affective consequences of everyday attention lapses and memory failures. Significant associations were found between self-report measures of attention lapses (MAAS-LO), attention-related cognitive errors (ARCES), and memory failures (MFS), on the one hand, and boredom (BPS) and depression (BDI-II), on the other. Regression analyses confirmed previous findings that the ARCES partially mediates the relation between the MAAS-LO and MFS. Further regression analyses also indicated that the association between the ARCES and BPS was entirely accounted for by the MAAS-LO and MFS, as was that between the ARCES and BDI-II. Structural modeling revealed the associations to be optimally explained by the MAAS-LO and MFS influencing the BPS and BDI-II, contrary to current conceptions of attention and memory problems as consequences of affective dysfunction. A lack of conscious awareness of one's actions, signaled by the propensity to experience brief lapses of attention and related memory failures, is thus seen as having significant consequences in terms of long-term affective well-being.

Bragg reflection band width and optical rotatory dispersion of cubic blue-phase liquid crystals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Hiroyuki; Anucha, Konkanok; Ogawa, Yasuhiro; Kawata, Yuto; Ozaki, Masanori; Fukuda, Jun-ichi; Kikuchi, Hirotsugu

2016-10-01

The Bragg reflection band width and optical rotatory dispersion of liquid crystalline cholesteric blue phases (BPs) I and II are compared by numerical simulations. Attention is paid to the wavelength regions for which the reflection bands with lowest photon energies appear, i.e., the [110 ] direction for BP I and the [100 ] direction for BP II. Finite difference time domain and 4 ×4 matrix calculations performed on the theoretical director tensor distribution of BPs with the same material parameters show that BP II, which has simple cubic symmetry, has a wider photonic band gap than BP I, which has body centered cubic symmetry, possibly due to the fact that the density of the double-twist cylinders in BP II are twice that in BP I. The theoretical results on the Bragg reflection band width are supported by reflectance measurements performed on BPs I and II for light incident along the [110 ] and [100 ] directions, respectively.

Survey of business process management: challenges and solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alotaibi, Youseef; Liu, Fei

2017-09-01

The current literature shows that creating a good framework on business process model (PM) is not an easy task. A successful business PM should have the ability to ensure accurate alignment between business processes (BPs) and information technology (IT) designs, provide security protection, manage the rapidly changing business environment and BPs, manage customer power, be flexible for reengineering and ensure that IT goals can be easily derived from business goals and hence an information system (IS) can be easily implemented. This article presents an overview of research in the business PM domain. We have presented a review of the challenges facing business PMs, such as misalignment between business and IT, difficulty of deriving IT goals from business goals, creating secured business PM, reengineering BPs, managing the rapidly changing BP and business environment and managing customer power. Also, it presents the limitations of existing business PM frameworks. Finally, we outline several guidelines to create good business PM and the possible further research directions in the business PM domain.

Implications of bisphosphonate calcium ion depletion interfering with desmosome epithelial seal in osseointegrated implants and pressure ulcers.

PubMed

Touyz, Louis Z G; Afrashtehfar, Kelvin I

2017-09-01

Osteoporosis (OP) is a global bone disease prevalent in aging in humans, especially in older women. Bisphosphonates (BPs) are commonly used as therapy for OP as it influences hard and soft tissues calcium metabolism. Mucosal and dermal ulceration with exposure of underlying bone arises from incomplete epithelial recovery due to reduced desmosome formation deriving from lack of available calcium. Pathological situations such as bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw have been described. This hypothesis states other situations which demand intact functional desmosomes such as healing skin over chronic pressure points leading to pressure ulcers (as well-known as bedsores, pressure sores, pressure injuries, decubitus ulcers), and hemidesmosomes such as epithelial seals in contact with titanium surfaces will have a higher prevalence of breakdown among patients being treated with BPs. This may be proven through the diminished modulation of calcium ions due to BPs, and its effect on the formation of intercellular gap junctions. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Minimally Invasive Unilateral vs. Bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation and Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Treatment of Multi-Segment Lumbar Degenerative Disorders.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaoyang; Li, Guangrun; Wang, Jiefeng; Zhang, Heqing

2015-11-25

BACKGROUND The choice for instrumentation with minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in treatment of degenerative lumbar disorders (DLD) remains controversial. The goal of this study was to investigate clinical outcomes in consecutive patients with multi-segment DLD treated with unilateral pedicle screw (UPS) vs. bilateral pedicle screw (BPS) instrumented TLIF. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty-four consecutive patients who had multi-level MIS-TLIF were retrospectively reviewed. All data were collected to compare the clinical outcomes between the 2 groups. RESULTS Both groups showed similar clinical function scores in VAS and ODI. The two groups differed significantly in operative time (P<0.001), blood loss (P<0.001), and fusion rate (P=0.043), respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated similar clinical outcomes between UPS fixation and BPS procedure after MIS-TLIF for multi-level DLD. Moreover, UPS technique was superior in operative time and blood loss, but represented lower fusion rate than the BPS construct did.

Tiny graviton matrix theory/SYM correspondence: Analysis of BPS states

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

Ali-Akbari, M.; Torabian, M.; Department of Physics, Sharif University of Technology, P.O. Box 11365-9161, Tehran

2006-09-15

In this paper we continue analysis of the Matrix theory describing the DLCQ of type IIB string theory on AdS{sub 5}xS{sup 5} (and/or the plane-wave) background, i.e. the tiny graviton matrix theory (TGMT) [M. M. Sheikh-Jabbari, J. High Energy Phys. 09 (2004) 017.]. We study and classify 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 BPS solutions of the TGMT which are generically of the form of rotating three-brane giants. These are branes whose shape are deformed three-spheres and hyperboloids. In lack of a classification of such ten-dimensional type IIb supergravity configurations, we focus on the dual N=4 four-dimensional 1/2, 1/4, and one 1/8more » BPS operators and show that they are in one-to-one correspondence with the states of the same set of quantum numbers in TGMT. This provides further evidence in support of the matrix theory.« less

On the Opening of Thick Walled Elastic Tubes: A Fluid-Structure Model for Acid Reflux

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Sudip; Kahrilas, Peter

2005-11-01

A coupled fluid-structure mathematical model was developed to quantify rapid opening of thick-walled elastic tubes, a phenomenon underlying biological flows such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The wall was modeled using non-linear finite deformation theory to predict space-time radial distention of an axisymmetric tube with luminal fluid flow. Anisotropic azimuthal and longitudinal muscle-induced stresses were incorporated, and interstitial material properties were assumed isotropic and linearly elastic. Fluid flow was modeled using lubrication theory with inertial correction. Opening and flow were driven by a specified inflow pressure and zero pressure gradient was specified at outflow. No-slip and surface force balance were applied at the fluid-wall interface. Viscoelasticity was modeled with ad hoc damping and the evolution of the tube geometry was predicted at mid-layer. A potentially important discovery was made when applied to studies of initiation of opening with GERD: while material stiffness is of minor consequence, small changes in resting lumen distension (˜2 mm diameter) may be a sensitive distinguishing feature of the disease.

POROSITY OF ISOLATED CELL WALLS OF SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE AND BACILLUS MEGATERIUM.

PubMed

GERHARDT, P; JUDGE, J A

1964-04-01

Gerhardt, Philipp (The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), and Jean A. Judge. Porosity of isolated cell walls of a yeast and a bacillus. J. Bacteriol. 87:945-951. 1964.-Decagram masses of cell walls were isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus megaterium; their porosity was examined by measuring the extent of uptake with polyethylene glycols and dextrans varying in molecular weight from 62 to 2,000,000. The results indicated that both walls are heteroporous. The near equality of extrapolated water-uptake values and determined moisture contents suggested that water in the cell walls is mainly free for distribution of solutes. Polymers with molecular weights of 4,500 and above were excluded by the yeast walls, and those with molecular weights of 57,000 were excluded by the bacillus walls; from these results, maximal openings of 36 and 107 A, respectively, were calculated. Electron micrographs of shadowed, stained, and sectioned walls revealed fine structure not inconsistent with heteroporosity, but the predicted openings were not seen. Altogether, in structure and permeability behavior, the cell walls were like a random meshwork of cross-linked macromolecular strands.

Application of simplified bioclean apparatuses for treatment of acute leukemia.

PubMed

Hasegawa, H; Horiuchi, A

1983-01-01

We used a portable horizontal laminar-air-flow clean bed and an open horizontal laminar-air-flow fan (clean wall unit) for treating patients with acute leukemia. The level of cleanliness as shown in the nonviable and viable particle counts was class 100 and class 1,000 at the head and foot, respectively, of the bed in the clean-bed rooms, while it was class 100 and class 10,000 respectively, in the clean-wall-unit rooms. The level of cleanliness in the open wards, on the other hand, was class 1,000,000. The incidence of infectious complications in the clean-bed rooms was 3.1/100 days when the granulocyte count was 1,000/mm3 or less, 3.9/100 days when the count was 500/mm3 or less and 6.1/100 days when it was 100/mm3 or less. In the clean-wall-unit rooms, these values were 3.1, 3.7 and 7.1, respectively, while in the open wards they were 4.6, 6.1 and 15.0. Thus, it was ascertained that, as the granulocyte count decreased, the incidence of infectious complications became significantly higher in the open wards than in the clean-bed rooms or the clean-wall-unit rooms. No complication of pneumonia was found in 37 patients with acute leukemia in the clean-bed rooms or in 40 in the clean-wall-unit rooms. Among 36 patients treated in the open wards, on the other hand, the complication of pneumonia was found in four. From the above results, it is believed that the use of clean-bed rooms or clean-wall-unit rooms is an extremely effective supplementary treatment method for preventing respiratory tract infection complications in patients with acute leukemia.

A Brokering Solution for Business Process Execution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoro, M.; Bigagli, L.; Roncella, R.; Mazzetti, P.; Nativi, S.

2012-12-01

Predicting the climate change impact on biodiversity and ecosystems, advancing our knowledge of environmental phenomena interconnection, assessing the validity of simulations and other key challenges of Earth Sciences require intensive use of environmental modeling. The complexity of Earth system requires the use of more than one model (often from different disciplines) to represent complex processes. The identification of appropriate mechanisms for reuse, chaining and composition of environmental models is considered a key enabler for an effective uptake of a global Earth Observation infrastructure, currently pursued by the international geospatial research community. The Group on Earth Observation (GEO) Model Web initiative aims to increase present accessibility and interoperability of environmental models, allowing their flexible composition into complex Business Processes (BPs). A few, basic principles are at the base of the Model Web concept (Nativi, et al.): 1. Open access 2. Minimal entry-barriers 3. Service-driven approach 4. Scalability In this work we propose an architectural solution aiming to contribute to the Model Web vision. This solution applies the Brokering approach for facilitiating complex multidisciplinary interoperability. The Brokering approach is currently adopted in the new GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) as was presented at the last GEO Plenary meeting in Istanbul, November 2011. According to the Brokering principles, the designed system is flexible enough to support the use of multiple BP design (visual) tools, heterogeneous Web interfaces for model execution (e.g. OGC WPS, WSDL, etc.), and different Workflow engines. We designed and prototyped a component called BP Broker that is able to: (i) read an abstract BP, (ii) "compile" the abstract BP into an executable one (eBP) - in this phase the BP Broker might also provide recommendations for incomplete BPs and parameter mismatch resolution - and (iii) finally execute the eBP using a Workflow engine. The present implementation makes use of BPMN 2.0 notation for BP design and jBPM workflow engine for eBP execution; however, the strong decoupling which characterizes the design of the BP Broker easily allows supporting other technologies. The main benefits of the proposed approach are: (i) no need for a composition infrastructure, (ii) alleviation from technicalities of workflow definitions, (iii) support of incomplete BPs, and (iv) the reuse of existing BPs as atomic processes. The BP Broker was designed and prototyped in the EC funded projects EuroGEOSS (http://www.eurogeoss.eu) and UncertWeb (http://www.uncertweb.org); the latter project provided also the use scenarios that were used to test the framework: the eHabitat scenario (calculation habitat similarity likelihood) and the FERA scenario (impact of climate change on land-use and crop yield). Three more scenarios are presently under development. The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under Grant Agreements n. 248488 and n. 226487. References Nativi, S., Mazzetti, P., & Geller, G. (2012), "Environmental model access and interoperability: The GEO Model Web initiative". Environmental Modelling & Software , 1-15

Neuroprotective Effect of Ginseng against Alteration of Calcium Binding Proteins Immunoreactivity in the Mice Hippocampus after Radiofrequency Exposure

PubMed Central

Maskey, Dhiraj

2013-01-01

Calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) such as calbindin D28-k, parvalbumin, and calretinin are able to bind Ca2+ with high affinity. Changes in Ca2+ concentrations via CaBPs can disturb Ca2+ homeostasis. Brain damage can be induced by the prolonged electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure with loss of interacellular Ca2+ balance. The present study investigated the radioprotective effect of ginseng in regard to CaBPs immunoreactivity (IR) in the hippocampus through immunohistochemistry after one-month exposure at 1.6 SAR value by comparing sham control with exposed and ginseng-treated exposed groups separately. Loss of dendritic arborization was noted with the CaBPs in the Cornu Ammonis areas as well as a decrease of staining intensity of the granule cells in the dentate gyrus after exposure while no loss was observed in the ginseng-treated group. A significant difference in the relative mean density was noted between control and exposed groups but was nonsignificant in the ginseng-treated group. Decrease in CaBP IR with changes in the neuronal staining as observed in the exposed group would affect the hippocampal trisynaptic circuit by alteration of the Ca2+ concentration which could be prevented by ginseng. Hence, ginseng could contribute as a radioprotective agent against EMF exposure, contributing to the maintenance of Ca2+ homeostasis by preventing impairment of intracellular Ca2+ levels in the hippocampus. PMID:24069603

A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines and best practice statements for the diagnosis and management of varicocele in children and adolescents.

PubMed

Roque, Matheus; Esteves, Sandro C

2016-01-01

A systematic review was conducted to identify and qualitatively analyze the methods as well as recommendations of Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) and Best Practice Statements (BPS) concerning varicocele in the pediatric and adolescent population. An electronic search was performed with the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Science Direct, and Scielo databases, as well as guidelines' Web sites until September 2015. Four guidelines were included in the qualitative synthesis. In general, the recommendations provided by the CPG/BPS were consistent despite the existence of some gaps across the studies. The guidelines issued by the American Urological Association (AUA) and American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) did not provide evidence-based levels for the recommendations given. Most of the recommendations given by the European Association of Urology (EAU) and European Society of Pediatric Urology (ESPU) were derived from nonrandomized clinical trials, retrospective studies, and expert opinion. Among all CPG/BPS, only one was specifically designed for the pediatric population. The studied guidelines did not undertake independent cost-effectiveness and risk-benefit analysis. The main objectives of these guidelines were to translate the best evidence into practice and provide a framework of standardized care while maintaining clinical autonomy and physician judgment. However, the limitations identified in the CPG/BPS for the diagnosis and management of varicocele in children and adolescents indicate ample opportunities for research and future incorporation of higher quality standards in patient care.

Free energy profiles for unwrapping the outer superhelical turn of nucleosomal DNA

PubMed Central

Sakuraba, Shun; Ishida, Hisashi

2018-01-01

The eukaryotic genome is packaged into a nucleus in the form of chromatin. The fundamental structural unit of chromatin is a protein-DNA complex, the nucleosome, where 146 or 147 base pairs of DNA wrap 1.75 times around a histone core. To function in cellular processes, however, nucleosomal DNA must be unwrapped. Although this unwrapping has been experimentally investigated, details of the process at an atomic level are not yet well understood. Here, we used molecular dynamics simulation with an enhanced sampling method to calculate the free energy profiles for unwrapping the outer superhelical turn of nucleosomal DNA. A free energy change of about 11.5 kcal/mol for the unwrapping agrees well with values obtained in single molecule experiments. This simulation revealed a variety of conformational states, indicating there are many potential paths to outer superhelicdal turn unwrapping, but the dominant path is likely asymmetric. At one end of the DNA, the first five bps unwrap, after which a second five bps unwrap at the same end with no increase in free energy. The unwrapping then starts at the other end of the DNA, where 10 bps are unwrapped. During further unwrapping of 15 bps, the unwrapping advances at one of the ends, after which the other end of the DNA unwraps to complete the unwrapping of the outer superhelical turn. These results provide insight into the construction, disruption, and repositioning of nucleosomes, which are continuously ongoing during cellular processes. PMID:29505570

Different exercise modalities have distinct effects on the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and Ca2+ signaling pathways in the male rat bone

PubMed Central

Sontam, Dharani M; Firth, Elwyn C; Tsai, Peter; Vickers, Mark H; O’Sullivan, Justin M

2015-01-01

Mechanical loading is essential to maintain optimal skeletal health. Despite the fact that early-life exercise has positive, long-lasting effects on the musculo-skeletal system, the response of the musculo-skeletal system to spontaneous low-impact exercise has been poorly studied. Previously, we identified subtle morphological changes in the femoral diaphysis of exercised animals compared to nonexercised controls. We hypothesized that significant changes in gene expression of cells should precede significant measurable phenotypic changes in the tissues of which they are part. Here, we employed RNA-Seq to analyse the transcriptome of the cortical bone from the femoral mid-diaphysis of prepubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats that were assigned to control (CON); bipedal stance (BPS); or wheel exercise (WEX) groups for 15 days. We identified 808 and 324 differentially expressed transcripts in the BPS and WEX animals respectively. While a number of transcripts change their levels in an exercise-specific manner, we identified 191 transcripts that were differentially expressed in both BPS and WEX. Importantly, we observed that the exercise mode had diametrically opposite effects on transcripts for multiple genes within the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and Ca2+ signaling pathways such that they were up-regulated in BPS and down-regulated in WEX. The findings are important for our understanding of possible ways in which different exercise regimens might affect bone when normal activities apply mechanical stimuli during postnatal growth and development. PMID:26471755

In vitro comparison of new bisphosphonic acids and zoledronate effects on human gingival fibroblasts viability, inflammation and matrix turnover.

PubMed

De Colli, Marianna; Tortorella, Paolo; Marconi, Guya Diletta; Agamennone, Mariangela; Campestre, Cristina; Tauro, Marilena; Cataldi, Amelia; Zara, Susi

2016-11-01

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are drugs clinically used in resorptive diseases. It was already proved that some clinically relevant BPs can inhibit a class of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), required during tissue remodelling. Combining the arylsulfonamide function with the bisphosphonic group, several compounds were synthesized to obtain selective inhibitors of MMPs. The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of zoledronic acid (ZA), the most potent bisphosphonate available as therapy, with new sulfonamide containing BPs in an in vitro model of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Western blot was used to measure procollagen I, β1 integrin MMP-8 and MMP-9, phase contrast and MTT for cell viability; L-lactate-dehydrogenase (LDH) measurement was performed for toxicity evaluation and ELISA for prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) secretion assessment. When compared with ZA, the treatment with the newly synthesized compounds shows increasing viability, procollagen I expression and decreased expression of β1 integrin in HGFs. Higher levels of released LDH, PGE 2 and MMP-9 expression are recorded in ZA-treated HGFs. Increased levels of MMP-8 are recorded in newly synthesized compounds-treated samples. These findings allowed to conclude that new tested BPs did not affect HGFs viability and adhesion, did not induce cellular toxicity, were not responsible for inflammatory event induction and could preserve the physiological matrix turnover. It could be hypothesized that the new molecules were better tolerated by soft tissues, resulting in lesser side effects.

A demonstration of the uncertainty in predicting the estrogenic ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

In vitro estrogen receptor assays are valuable screening tools for identifying environmental samples and chemicals that display estrogenic activity. However, in vitro potency cannot necessarily be extrapolated to estimates of in vivo potency because in vitro assays are currently unable to fully account for adsorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. To explore this issue, we calculated relative potency factors (RPF) for several chemicals and mixtures in the T47D-KBluc estrogen receptor transactivation assay. The in vitro RPF values were then used to predict rat uterotrophic assay responses following oral administration of individual chemicals and mixtures. 17β-estradiol (E2), 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2), benzyl-butyl phthalate (BBP), bisphenol-A (BPA), bisphenol-AF (BPAF), bisphenol-C (BPC), bisphenol-S (BPS), and methoxychlor (MET) were tested individually, while BPS+MET, BPAF+MET, and BPAF+BPC+BPS+EE2+MET were tested as equipotent mixtures. In vivo ED50 values for BPA, BPAF, and BPC were accurately predicted using in vitro data; however, E2 was less potent than predicted, BBP was a false positive, and BPS and MET were 76.6 and 368.3-fold more active in vivo than predicted from the in vitro potency assessment, respectively. Further, mixture ED50 values were more accurately predicted by the dose addition model using individual chemical in vivo uterotrophic data (0.7-1.5-fold difference from observed) than in vitro data (1.4-86.8-fold). Overall,

[Stinging nettle root extract (Bazoton-uno) in long term treatment of benign prostatic syndrome (BPS). Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled multicenter study after 12 months].

PubMed

Schneider, T; Rübben, H

2004-03-01

Phytotherapy of BPS has a long tradition in Germany; nevertheless, data referring to single phytotherapeutic agents are rare. We therefore performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter study for 1 year with Bazoton uno (459 mg dry extract of stinging nettle roots) with 246 patients. The IPSS decreased on average from 18.7+/-0.3 to 13.0+/-0.5 with a statistically significant difference compared to placebo (18.5+/-0.3 to 13.8+/-0.5; p=0.0233). The median Q(max) increased by 3.0+/-0.4 ml/s in comparison to 2.9+/-0.4 ml/s (placebo), thus not statistically significantly different, as well as the median volume of residual urine, which changed from 35.5+/-3.4 ml before therapy to 20.0+/-2.8 ml and from 40.0+/-4.0 ml to 21.0+/-2.9 ml under placebo application. The number of adverse events (29/38) as well as urinary infections etc. (3/10 events) was smaller under Bazoton uno therapy compared to placebo. Treatment with Bazoton uno can therefore be considered a safe therapeutic option for BPS, especially for reducing irritative symptoms and BPS-associated complications due to the postulated antiphlogistic and antiproliferative effects of the stinging nettle extract. A strong increase of Q(max) or reduction of residual urine are not to be expected.

Binding of bisphenol A, bisphenol AF, and bisphenol S on the androgen receptor: Coregulator recruitment and stimulation of potential interaction sites.

PubMed

Perera, Lalith; Li, Yin; Coons, Laurel A; Houtman, Rene; van Beuningen, Rinie; Goodwin, Bonnie; Auerbach, Scott S; Teng, Christina T

2017-10-01

Bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol AF (BPAF), and bisphenol S (BPS) are well known endocrine disruptors. Previous in vitro studies showed that these compounds antagonize androgen receptor (AR) transcriptional activity; however, the mechanisms of action are unclear. In the present study, we investigated interactions of coregulator peptides with BPA, BPAF, or BPS at the AR complexes using Micro Array for Real-time Coregulator Nuclear Receptor Interaction (MARCoNI) assays and assessed the binding of these compounds on AR by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The set of coregulator peptides that are recruited by BPA-bound AR, either positively/or negatively, are different from those recruited by the agonist R1881-bound AR. Therefore, the data indicates that BPA shows no similarities to R1881 and suggests that it may recruit other coregulators to the AR complex. BPAF-bound AR recruits about 70-80% of the same coregulator peptides as BPA-bound AR. Meanwhile, BPS-bound AR interacts with only few peptides compared to BPA or BPAF-bound AR. MD results show that multiple binding sites with varying binding affinities are available on AR for BPA, BPAF, and BPS, indicating the availability of modified binding surfaces on AR for coregulator interactions. These findings help explain some of the distinct AR-related toxicities observed with bisphenol chemicals and raise concern for the use of substitutes for BPA in commercial products. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Developmental Effects and Estrogenicity of Bisphenol A Alternatives in a Zebrafish Embryo Model.

PubMed

Mu, Xiyan; Huang, Ying; Li, Xuxing; Lei, Yunlei; Teng, Miaomiao; Li, Xuefeng; Wang, Chengju; Li, Yingren

2018-03-06

In order to understand the negative effects of bisphenol A (BPA) alternatives comprehensively, zebrafish embryos were used to assess the lethality, developmental effects, and estrogenic activity of bisphenol analogues. The in silico estrogenic activities of bisphenol analogues were assayed by binding simulation. According to our results, the lethality of bisphenol analogues decreased in order of bisphenol AF (BPAF) > BPA > bisphenol F (BPF) > bisphenol S (BPS). BPAF and BPF induced significant effects on zebrafish embryos, including decreased heart rate, hatching inhibition, and teratogenic effects. The binding potentials of bisphenol analogues toward zebrafish ERs (zfERS) decreased in the following order: BPAF > BPA > BPF > BPS. Among the three subtypes of zfERs, zfERβ2 showed the highest binding activity toward the bisphenols, followed by zfERα and zfERβ1. In vivo estrogenic activity tests showed that BPAF, BPA, and BPF significantly enhanced the protein levels of ERα along with the mRNA levels of esr1, esr2a, esr2b, and vtg1 in zebrafish embryos. Esr2b showed the strongest response to BPAF and BPA exposure among the three esrs. In contrast, BPS did not significantly regulate ER protein level or ER transcription. In conclusion, BPAF showed the highest lethality, developmental effects, and estrogenic activity (both in silico and in vivo) followed by BPA and BPF. BPS showed the weakest toxicity and estrogenic activity. zfERβ2 might act as the main target among the three ER subtypes of zebrafish after exposure to BPAF and BPA.

Manipulating the extracellular matrix: an animal model of the bladder pain syndrome.

PubMed

Offiah, Ifeoma; Didangelos, Athanasios; OʼReilly, Barry A; McMahon, Stephen B

2017-01-01

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is associated with breakdown of the protective uroepithelial barrier of the urinary bladder allowing urinary constituents access to bladder sensory neurons. Although there are several animal models of cystitis, none specifically relates to BPS. Here, we aimed to create such a model using enzymatic digestion of the barrier proteoglycans (PGs) in the rat. Twenty female Wistar rats were anaesthetized and transurethrally catheterized. Ten animals were treated with 0.25IU of intravesical chondroitinase ABC and heparanase III to digest chondroitin sulphate and heparin sulphate PGs, respectively. Ten animals received saline. Following PG deglycosylation, bladders showed irregular loss of the apical uroplakin and a significant increase in neutrophils, not evident in the control group. Spinal cord sections were also collected for c-fos analysis. A large and significant increase in fos immunoreactivity in the L6/S1 segments in the treatment vs control bladders was observed. Cystometry was performed on 5 treatment and 5 control animals. Analysis revealed a significant increase in micturition reflex excitability postdeglycosylation. On a further group of 10 animals, von Frey mechanical withdrawal thresholds were tested on abdominal skin before and after PG digestions. There was a significant decrease in abdominal mechanical withdrawal threshold postdeglycosylation compared with controls. The results of this animal study suggest that many of the clinical features of BPS are seen after PG digestion from the bladder lumen. This model can be used to further understand mechanisms of pain in patients with BPS and to test new therapeutic strategies.

Nuclear reactor construction with bottom supported reactor vessel

DOEpatents

Sharbaugh, John E.

1987-01-01

An improved liquid metal nuclear reactor construction has a reactor core and a generally cylindrical reactor vessel for holding a large pool of low pressure liquid metal coolant and housing the core within the pool. The reactor vessel has an open top end, a closed flat bottom end wall and a continuous cylindrical closed side wall interconnecting the top end and bottom end wall. The reactor also has a generally cylindrical concrete containment structure surrounding the reactor vessel and being formed by a cylindrical side wall spaced outwardly from the reactor vessel side wall and a flat base mat spaced below the reactor vessel bottom end wall. A central support pedestal is anchored to the containment structure base mat and extends upwardly therefrom to the reactor vessel and upwardly therefrom to the reactor core so as to support the bottom end wall of the reactor vessel and the lower end of the reactor core in spaced apart relationship above the containment structure base mat. Also, an annular reinforced support structure is disposed in the reactor vessel on the bottom end wall thereof and extends about the lower end of the core so as to support the periphery thereof. In addition, an annular support ring having a plurality of inward radially extending linear members is disposed between the containment structure base mat and the bottom end of the reactor vessel wall and is connected to and supports the reactor vessel at its bottom end on the containment structure base mat so as to allow the reactor vessel to expand radially but substantially prevent any lateral motions that might be imposed by the occurrence of a seismic event. The reactor construction also includes a bed of insulating material in sand-like granular form, preferably being high density magnesium oxide particles, disposed between the containment structure base mat and the bottom end wall of the reactor vessel and uniformly supporting the reactor vessel at its bottom end wall on the containment structure base mat so as to insulate the reactor vessel bottom end wall from the containment structure base mat and allow the reactor vessel bottom end wall to freely expand as it heats up while providing continuous support thereof. Further, a deck is supported upon the side wall of the containment structure above the top open end of the reactor vessel, and a plurality of serially connected extendible and retractable annular bellows extend between the deck and the top open end of the reactor vessel and flexibly and sealably interconnect the reactor vessel at its top end to the deck. An annular guide ring is disposed on the containment structure and extends between its side wall and the top open end of the reactor vessel for providing lateral support of the reactor vessel top open end by limiting imposition of lateral loads on the annular bellows by the occurrence of a lateral seismic event.

48. GENERAL VIEW OF SOUTHWEST, FIRST FLOOR ROOM, EAST WALL, ...

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

48. GENERAL VIEW OF SOUTHWEST, FIRST FLOOR ROOM, EAST WALL, WITH SECRET DOOR TO BOXED STAIRWAY TO ROOM ABOVE OPEN IN PANELLED WALL - Montpelier, Montpelier Drive & State Route 197, Laurel, Prince George's County, MD

Apparatus and Methods for Fluid Storage and Delivery

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parazynski, Scott E. (Inventor); Bue, Grant C. (Inventor); Urban, Kase C. (Inventor); Schaefbauer, Mark E. (Inventor)

2014-01-01

An apparatus and method for storing and delivering fluid to a person comprises, in at least one specific embodiment, a fluid reservoir having an internal volume therein with an opening disposed through a first wall or a second wall of the fluid reservoir and located toward a first end of the fluid reservoir. A first portion of a tube can be exterior to the fluid reservoir and a second portion of the tube can be disposed through the opening and within the internal volume. At least one insulation layer can be disposed about the exterior of the first wall of the fluid reservoir. The second wall of the fluid reservoir can be configured for transferring heat from or to the internal volume or from the person. At least one baffle is disposed within the internal volume and connected to the first wall and the second wall of the fluid reservoir.

Double wall vacuum tubing and method of manufacture

DOEpatents

Stahl, Charles R.; Gibson, Michael A.; Knudsen, Christian W.

1989-01-01

An evacuated double wall tubing is shown together with a method for the manufacture of such tubing which includes providing a first pipe of predetermined larger diameter and a second pipe having an O.D. substantially smaller than the I.D. of the first pipe. An evacuation opening is then in the first pipe. The second pipe is inserted inside the first pipe with an annular space therebetween. The pipes are welded together at one end. A stretching tool is secured to the other end of the second pipe after welding. The second pipe is then prestressed mechanically with the stretching tool an amount sufficient to prevent substantial buckling of the second pipe under normal operating conditions of the double wall pipe. The other ends of the first pipe and the prestressed second pipe are welded together, preferably by explosion welding, without the introduction of mechanical spacers between the pipes. The annulus between the pipes is evacuated through the evacuation opening, and the evacuation opening is finally sealed. The first pipe is preferably of steel and the second pipe is preferably of titanium. The pipes may be of a size and wall thickness sufficient for the double wall pipe to be structurally load bearing or may be of a size and wall thickness insufficient for the double wall pipe to be structurally load bearing, and the double wall pipe positioned with a sliding fit inside a third pipe of a load-bearing size.

Place Atrium to Water Seal (PAWS): Assessing Wall Suction Versus No Suction for Chest Tubes After Open Heart Surgery.

PubMed

Kruse, Tamara; Wahl, Sharon; Guthrie, Patricia Finch; Sendelbach, Sue

2017-08-01

Traditionally chest tubes are set to -20 cm H 2 O wall suctioning until removal to facilitate drainage of blood, fluid, and air from the pleural or mediastinal space in patients after open heart surgery. However, no clear evidence supports using wall suction in these patients. Some studies in patients after pulmonary surgery indicate that using chest tubes with a water seal is safer, because this practice decreases duration of chest tube placement and eliminates air leaks. To show that changing chest tubes to a water seal after 12 hours of wall suction (intervention) is a safe alternative to using chest tubes with wall suction until removal of the tubes (usual care) in patients after open heart surgery. A before-and-after quality improvement design was used to evaluate the differences between the 2 chest tube management approaches in chest tube complications, output, and duration of placement. A total of 48 patients received the intervention; 52 received usual care. The 2 groups (intervention vs usual care) did not differ significantly in complications (0 vs 2 events; P = .23), chest tube output (H 1 = 0.001, P = .97), or duration of placement (median, 47 hours for both groups). Changing chest tubes from wall suction to water seal after 12 hours of wall suction is a safe alternative to using wall suctioning until removal of the tubes. ©2017 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

Double Mine Building (N) wall showing clerestory slot windows opening ...

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

Double Mine Building (N) wall showing clerestory slot windows opening above level of main roof. Note structure is built on poured concrete foundation partly buried in hillside; view in southeast - Fort McKinley, Double Mine Building, East side of East Side Drive, approximately 125 feet south of Weymouth Way, Great Diamond Island, Portland, Cumberland County, ME

8. INTERIOR OF LIVING ROOM SHOWING OPEN DOORWAY TO KITCHEN, ...

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

8. INTERIOR OF LIVING ROOM SHOWING OPEN DOORWAY TO KITCHEN, 6-LIGHT OVER 1-LIGHT SASH WINDOWS ON FRONT WALL AT PHOTO LEFT, AND 6-LIGHT OVER 1-LIGHT SASH WINDOW ON BACK WALL AT EXTREME PHOTO RIGHT. VIEW TO EAST. - Rush Creek Hydroelectric System, Worker Cottage, Rush Creek, June Lake, Mono County, CA

[Hybrid repair of postoperative ventral hernia].

PubMed

Gogiya, B Sh; Alyautdinov, R R; Karmazanovsky, G G; Chekmareva, I A; Kopyltsov, A A

2018-01-01

To develop new technique of abdominal wall repair for postoperative ventral hernia without disadvantages which are intrinsic for open and laparoscopic surgery. Combined open and laparoscopic hernia repair was used in 18 patients with postoperative ventral hernia. Open stage provided safe dissection of abdominal adhesions and defect closure by autoplasty, laparoscopic procedure consisted of prosthesis deployment without separation of abdominal wall layers. Two types of composite endoprostheses with anti-adhesive coating were used for abdominal wall repair. There were no cases of recurrence or infectious complications in long-term period (from 3 to 106 months). Hybrid repair of postoperative ventral hernia is safe and effective procedure. Further studies are necessary to assess cost-effectiveness ratio of this method in view of expensive composite endoprostheses and laparoscopic supplies.

National Program for Inspection of Non-Federal Dams. Prym Manufacturing Co. Dam (CT 00169), Thames River Basin, Killingly, Connecticut. Phase I Inspection Report.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-06-01

Service (DDS), which offers speeds of 19.2K bps and 56K bps. Instead of modems , DDS service requires a Channel Service Unit (CSU), to terminate each...Bell 103 modem that automatically calls for help if the DDS link goes down. DDS users can also use their own schemes to protect their transmissions...Switched 56 service provides 700 numbers for 56K transmission in some 60 odd cities, including areas such as Orlando, San Diego, and the Washington

Bursch and Chang-Diaz install the BPS in a slot on Endeavour's middeck for return on STS-111 UF-2

NASA Image and Video Library

2002-06-07

STS111-E-5023 (7 June 2002) --- Astronaut Daniel W. Bursch (left), who has been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for the past six months, wastes little time in going to work on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour following linkup of the shuttle and station on June 7, 2002. Bursch, who will return home aboard Endeavour in a few days, shares a task with astronaut Franklin R. Chang-Diaz at the Biomass Production System (BPS) on Endeavour's mid deck.

Unloading Characteristics of Sand-drift in Wind-shallow Areas along Railway and the Effect of Sand Removal by Force of Wind

PubMed Central

Cheng, Jian-jun; Xin, Guo-Wei; Zhi, Ling-yan; Jiang, Fu-qiang

2017-01-01

Wind-shield walls decrease the velocity of wind-drift sand flow in transit. This results in sand accumulating in the wind-shadow zone of both windshield wall and track line, causing severe sand sediment hazard. This study reveals the characteristics of sand accumulation and the laws of wind-blown sand removal in the wind-shadow areas of three different types of windshield walls, utilizing three-dimensional numerical simulations and wind tunnel experiments and on-site sand sediment tests. The results revealed the formation of apparent vortex and acceleration zones on the leeward side of solid windshield walls. For uniform openings, the vortex area moved back and narrowed. When bottom-opening windshield walls were adopted, the track-supporting layer at the step became a conflux acceleration zone, forming a low velocity vortex zone near the track line. At high wind speeds, windshield walls with bottom-openings achieved improved sand dredging. Considering hydrodynamic mechanisms, the flow field structure on the leeward side of different types of windshield structures is a result of convergence and diffusion of fluids caused by an obstacle. This convergence and diffusion effect of air fluid is more apparent at high wind velocities, but not obvious at low wind velocities. PMID:28120915

Microbubbles and Blood Brain Barrier Opening: A Numerical Study on Acoustic Emissions and Wall Stress Predictions

PubMed Central

Goertz, David E.; Hynynen, Kullervo

2015-01-01

Focused ultrasound with microbubbles is an emerging technique for blood brain barrier (BBB) opening. Here, a comprehensive theoretical model of a bubble-fluid-vessel system has been developed which accounts for the bubble’s non-spherical oscillations inside a microvessel, and its resulting acoustic emissions. Numerical simulations of unbound and confined encapsulated bubbles were performed to evaluate the effect of the vessel wall on acoustic emissions and vessel wall stresses. Using a Marmottant shell model, the normalized second harmonic to fundamental emissions first decreased as a function of pressure (>50 kPa) until reaching a minima ("transition point") at which point they increased. The transition point of unbound compared to confined bubble populations occurred at different pressures and was associated with an accompanying increase in shear and circumferential wall stresses. As the wall stresses depend on the bubble to vessel wall distance, the stresses were evaluated for bubbles with their wall at a constant distance to a flat wall. As a result, the wall stresses were bubble size and frequency dependent and the peak stress values induced by bubbles larger than resonance remained constant versus frequency at a constant mechanical index. PMID:25546853

Blowout jets and impulsive eruptive flares in a bald-patch topology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandra, R.; Mandrini, C. H.; Schmieder, B.; Joshi, B.; Cristiani, G. D.; Cremades, H.; Pariat, E.; Nuevo, F. A.; Srivastava, A. K.; Uddin, W.

2017-02-01

Context. A subclass of broad extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray jets, called blowout jets, have become a topic of research since they could be the link between standard collimated jets and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Aims: Our aim is to understand the origin of a series of broad jets, some of which are accompanied by flares and associated with narrow and jet-like CMEs. Methods: We analyze observations of a series of recurrent broad jets observed in AR 10484 on 21-24 October 2003. In particular, one of them occurred simultaneously with an M2.4 flare on 23 October at 02:41 UT (SOLA2003-10-23). Both events were observed by the ARIES Hα Solar Tower-Telescope, TRACE, SOHO, and RHESSI instruments. The flare was very impulsive and followed by a narrow CME. A local force-free model of AR 10484 is the basis to compute its topology. We find bald patches (BPs) at the flare site. This BP topology is present for at least two days before to events. Large-scale field lines, associated with the BPs, represent open loops. This is confirmed by a global potential free source surface (PFSS) model. Following the brightest leading edge of the Hα and EUV jet emission, we can temporarily associate these emissions with a narrow CME. Results: Considering their characteristics, the observed broad jets appear to be of the blowout class. As the most plausible scenario, we propose that magnetic reconnection could occur at the BP separatrices forced by the destabilization of a continuously reformed flux rope underlying them. The reconnection process could bring the cool flux-rope material into the reconnected open field lines driving the series of recurrent blowout jets and accompanying CMEs. Conclusions: Based on a model of the coronal field, we compute the AR 10484 topology at the location where flaring and blowout jets occurred from 21 to 24 October 2003. This topology can consistently explain the origin of these events. The movie associated to Fig. 1 is available at http://www.aanda.org

9. INTERIOR OF LIVING ROOM SHOWING OPEN DOORWAY TO KITCHEN ...

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

9. INTERIOR OF LIVING ROOM SHOWING OPEN DOORWAY TO KITCHEN AT PHOTO LEFT CENTER, AND 6-LIGHT OVER 1-LIGHT SASH WINDOW ON REAR WALL AT PHOTO RIGHT. FIREPLACE ORIGINALLY OCCUPIED SPACE TO THE EXTREME PHOTO RIGHT OF SASH WINDOW ON THE REAR WALL. VIEW TO SOUTH. - Rush Creek Hydroelectric System, Worker Cottage, Rush Creek, June Lake, Mono County, CA

Broadcasting GPS integrity information using Loran-C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lo, Sherman Chih

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will adopt the Global Positioning System (GPS) as its primary navigation systems for aviation as stated by the Federal Radionavigation Plans (FRP) of 1996 and 1999. The FRP also proposes the reduction or termination of some existing radionavigation system in favor of GPS and satellite navigation. It may be beneficial to retain some of these existing terrestrial navigation systems if they can provide increased safety and redundancy to the GPS based architecture. One manner in which this can be done is by using or creating a data link on these existing radionavigation systems. These systems thus can provide both navigation and an additional broadcast of GPS integrity information. This thesis examines the use of terrestrial data links to provide Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) based GPS integrity information for aviation. The thesis focuses on using Loran-C to broadcast WAAS data. Analysis and experimental results demonstrating the capabilities of these designs are also discussed. Using Loran for this purpose requires increasing its data capacity. Many Loran modulation schemes are developed and analyzed. The data rates developed significantly increased the Loran data capacity. However, retaining compatibility with Loran legacy users resulted in data rates below the WARS data rate of 250 bps. As a result, this thesis also examines means of reducing the data requirements for WAAS information. While higher data rates offer improved performance and compatibility with WAAS, this thesis demonstrates that higher rates incur greater interference. Therefore, this work develops and considers a 108 bps and 167 bps Loran GPS integrity channel (LOGIC) design. The performance of the two designs illustrates some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a higher data rate. Analysis demonstrated means of maintaining integrity with these low data rate systems and determined the theoretical capabilities of the systems. The system was tested empirically by developing software that generated the LOGIC message and applied these messages to a GPS user. The resulting 108 bps and 167 bps systems demonstrated capability to provide lateral navigation/vertical navigation (LNAV/VNAV) and approach with vertical guidance (APV) respectively.

Exp(1076) Shades of Black: Aspects of Black Hole Microstates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vasilakis, Orestis

In this thesis we examine smooth supergravity solutions known as "microstate geometries". These solutions have neither a horizon, nor a singularity, yet they have the same asymptotic structure and conserved charges as black holes. Specifically we study supersymmetric and extremal non-supersymmetric solutions. The goal of this program is to construct enough microstates to account for the correct scaling behavior of the black hole entropy with respect to the charges within the supergravity approximation. For supersymmetric systems that are ⅛-BPS, microstate geometries account so far only for Q5/4 of the total entropy S ˜ Q3/2, while for non-supersymmetric systems the known microstate geometries are sporadic. For the supersymmetric case we construct solutions with three and four charges. Five-dimensional systems with three and four charges are ⅛-BPS. Thus they admit macroscopic horizons making the supergravity approximation valid. For the three-charge case we present some steps towards the construction of the superstratum, a microstate geometry depending on arbitrary functions of two variables, which is expected to provide the necessary entropy for this class of solutions. Specifically we construct multiple concentric solutions with three electric and two dipole magnetic charges which depend on arbitrary functions of two variables and examine their properties. These solutions have no KKM charge and thus are singular. For the four-charge case we construct microstate geometries by extending results available in the literature for three charges. We find smooth solutions in terms of bubbled geometries with ambipolar Gibbons-Hawking base space and by constructing the relevant supertubes. In the non-supersymmetric case we work with a three-charge system of extremal black holes known as almost-BPS, which provides a controlled way of breaking sypersymmetry. By using supertubes we construct the first systematic example of a family of almost-BPS microstate geometries and examine the moduli space of solutions. Furthermore by using brane probe analysis we show that, despite the breaking of supersymmetry, almost-BPS solutions receive no quantum corrections and thus must be subject to some kind of non-renormalization theorem.

Comparative study of the effect of BPA and its selected analogues on hemoglobin oxidation, morphological alterations and hemolytic changes in human erythrocytes.

PubMed

Maćczak, Aneta; Bukowska, Bożena; Michałowicz, Jaromir

2015-01-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been shown to provoke many deleterious impacts on human health, and thus it is now successively substituted by BPA analogues, whose effects have been poorly investigated. Up to now, only one study has been realized to assess the effect of BPA on human erythrocytes, which showed its significant hemolytic and oxidative potential. Moreover, no study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of BPA analogues on red blood cells. The purpose of the present study was to compare the impact of BPA and its selected analogues such as bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol AF (BPAF) on hemolytic and morphological changes and hemoglobin oxidation (methemoglobin formation) of human erythrocytes. The erythrocytes were incubated with different bisphenols concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 500μg/ml for 1, 4 and 24h. The compounds examined caused hemolysis in human erythrocytes with BPAF exhibiting the strongest effect. All bisphenols examined caused methemoglobin formation with BPA inducing the strongest oxidative potential. Flow cytometry analysis showed that all bisphenols (excluding BPS) induced significant changes in erythrocytes size. Changes in red blood cells shape were conducted using phase contrast microscopy. It was noticed that BPA and BPAF induced echinocytosis, BPF caused stomatocytosis, while BPS did not provoke significant changes in shape of red blood cells. Generally, the results showed that BPS, which is the main substituent of bisphenol A in polymers and thermal paper production, exhibited significantly lower disturbance of erythrocyte functions than BPA. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Apgar scores in breech presentations between vaginal and cesarean delivery

PubMed Central

Fajar, Jonny Karunia; Andalas, Mohd; Harapan, Harapan

2017-01-01

Objective: The mode of delivery in breech presentation (BP) is controversial. Several studies have reported the advantages and disadvantages of delivery mode in BP. The aim of this study was to compare the Apgar scores in BPs between vaginal and cesarean delivery. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Dr. Zainoel Abidin General Hospital from January 2010 to December 2012. Data on the mode of delivery and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min for infants with a BP were extracted from the medical records. Logistic regression was employed to assess the correlation between mode of delivery and Apgar scores. In addition, a meta-analysis was conducted to summarize findings from other regions. Results: A total of 205 (3.9%) BPs among 5252 deliveries between January 2010 and December 2012 were analyzed for this study. There were 26% (52 cases) vaginal and 74% (153 cases) cesarean deliveries. The mode of delivery for BP had a significant association with Apgar score at 1 min (odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.462 [2.476–16.870], P = 0.0001) and 5 min (OR 95% CI = 7.727 [1.416–42.175], P = 0.018). Our meta-analysis showed that the delivery mode had a significant association with Apgar score in BP (OR: 3.69; 95% CI: 2.18–6.26, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: There was a significant association between Apgar scores in BPs and mode of delivery. Our results suggest better outcomes for cesarean than vaginal delivery in BPs. PMID:28757760

High prevalence of IncP-1 plasmids and IS1071 insertion sequences in on-farm biopurification systems and other pesticide-polluted environments.

PubMed

Dunon, Vincent; Sniegowski, Kristel; Bers, Karolien; Lavigne, Rob; Smalla, Kornelia; Springael, Dirk

2013-12-01

Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) are considered as key players in the adaptation of bacteria to degrade organic xenobiotic recalcitrant compounds such as pesticides. We examined the prevalence and abundance of IncP-1 plasmids and IS1071, two MGEs that are frequently linked with organic xenobiotic degradation, in laboratory and field ecosystems with and without pesticide pollution history. The ecosystems included on-farm biopurification systems (BPS) processing pesticide-contaminated wastewater and soil. Comparison of IncP-1/IS1071 prevalence between pesticide-treated and nontreated soil and BPS microcosms suggested that both IncP-1 and IS1071 proliferated as a response to pesticide treatment. The increased prevalence of IncP-1 plasmids and IS1071-specific sequences in treated systems was accompanied by an increase in the capacity to mineralize the applied pesticides. Both elements were also encountered in high abundance in field BPS ecosystems that were in operation at farmyards and that showed the capacity to degrade/mineralize a wide range of chlorinated aromatics and pesticides. In contrast, IS1071 and especially IncP-1, MGE were less abundant in field ecosystems without pesticide history although some of them still showed a high IS1071 abundance. Our data suggest that MGE-containing organisms were enriched in pesticide-contaminated environments like BPS where they might contribute to spreading of catabolic genes and to pathway assembly. © 2013 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated on-line column-switching high performance liquid chromatography isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry method for the quantification of bisphenol A, bisphenol F, bisphenol S, and 11 other phenols in urine.

PubMed

Zhou, Xiaoliu; Kramer, Joshua P; Calafat, Antonia M; Ye, Xiaoyun

2014-01-01

Human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is widespread. However, in recent years, bisphenol analogs such as bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are replacing BPA in the production of some consumer products. Because human exposure to these alternative bisphenols may occur, biomonitoring of these bisphenol analogs is warranted. In the present study, we developed and validated a sensitive and selective method that uses on-line solid phase extraction coupled to high performance liquid chromatography-isotope dilution tandem mass spectrometry with peak focusing to measure BPA, BPF, BPS, and 11 other environmental phenols in urine. The method required a small amount of sample (100μL) and minimal sample pretreatment. The limits of detection were 0.03ng/mL (BPS), 0.06ng/mL (BPF), 0.10ng/mL (BPA), and ranged from 0.1ng/mL to 1.0ng/mL for the other 11 phenols. In 100 urine samples collected in 2009-2012 from a convenience group of anonymous adults in the United States, of the three bisphenols, we detected BPA at the highest frequency and median concentrations (95%, 0.72ng/mL), followed by BPS (78%, 0.13ng/mL) and BPF (55%, 0.08ng/mL). This sensitive, rugged, and labor and cost-effective method could be used for the analysis of large number of samples for epidemiologic studies. Published by Elsevier B.V.

The anatomical relationships between the serotonergic afferents and the neurons containing calcium-binding proteins in the rat claustrum.

PubMed

Wójcik, Slawomir; Dziewiatkowski, Jerzy; Klejbor, Ilona; Spodnik, Jan Henryk; Kowiański, Przemysław; Moryś, Janusz

2006-01-01

Claustrum is a telencephalic structure integrating information of various modalities. Proper functioning of this structure depends on the presence of a network of intrinsic connections. This includes GABA-ergic neuronal populations that also contain calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs). The goal of this study was to analyze qualitative and quantitative the 5-HT-containing fibers in the rat claustrum and to assess the relationships between these fibers and the populations of claustral neurons expressing CaBPs. We used the methods of immunocytochemistry and morphometry. The serotonergic fibers in the claustrum are heterogeneous, both with respect to their morphology and spatial distribution. Thin varicose fibers are more numerous and are homogeneously distributed within the claustrum. Remaining fibers were thicker and possessed larger varicosities. They were present mainly in the ventral part of the claustrum. Although the serotonergic fibers are found in the vicinity of claustral cells containing CaBPs, direct contacts between these fibers and cells are rare. Other mechanisms, including volume transmission, may possibly mediate serotonergic influences.

Low dose bisphenol S or ethinyl estradiol exposures during the perinatal period alter female mouse mammary gland development.

PubMed

Kolla, SriDurgaDevi; Morcos, Mary; Martin, Brian; Vandenberg, Laura N

2018-03-08

Throughout life, mammary tissue is strongly influenced by hormones. Scientists have hypothesized that synthetic chemicals with hormonal activities could disrupt mammary gland development and contribute to breast diseases and dysfunction. Bisphenol S (BPS) is an estrogenic compound used in many consumer products. In this study, CD-1 mice were exposed to BPS (2 or 200 μg/kg/day) during pregnancy and lactation. Mice exposed to 0.01 or 1 μg/kg/day ethinyl estradiol (EE2), a pharmaceutical estrogen, were also evaluated. Mammary glands from female offspring were collected prior to the onset of puberty, during puberty, and in early adulthood. Growth parameters, histopathology, cell proliferation and expression of hormone receptors were quantified. Our evaluations revealed age- and dose-specific effects of BPS that were different from the effects of EE2, and distinct from the effects of BPA that have been reported previously. These assessments suggest that individual xenoestrogens may have unique effects on this sensitive tissue. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Functional determinants, index theorems, and exact quantum black hole entropy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murthy, Sameer; Reys, Valentin

2015-12-01

The exact quantum entropy of BPS black holes can be evaluated using localization in supergravity. An important ingredient in this program, that has been lacking so far, is the one-loop effect arising from the quadratic fluctuations of the exact deformation (the QV operator). We compute the fluctuation determinant for vector multiplets and hyper multiplets around Q-invariant off-shell configurations in four-dimensional N=2 supergravity with AdS 2 × S 2 boundary conditions, using the Atiyah-Bott fixed-point index theorem and a subsequent zeta function regularization. Our results extend the large-charge on-shell entropy computations in the literature to a regime of finite charges. Based on our results, we present an exact formula for the quantum entropy of BPS black holes in N=2 supergravity. We explain cancellations concerning 1/8 -BPS black holes in N=8 supergravity that were observed in arXiv:1111.1161. We also make comments about the interpretation of a logarithmic term in the topological string partition function in the low energy supergravity theory.

RIM-binding protein 2 regulates release probability by fine-tuning calcium channel localization at murine hippocampal synapses

PubMed Central

Grauel, M. Katharina; Reddy-Alla, Suneel; Willmes, Claudia G.; Brockmann, Marisa M.; Trimbuch, Thorsten; Rosenmund, Tanja; Pangalos, Maria; Vardar, Gülçin; Stumpf, Alexander; Walter, Alexander M.; Rost, Benjamin R.; Eickholt, Britta J.; Haucke, Volker; Schmitz, Dietmar; Sigrist, Stephan J.; Rosenmund, Christian

2016-01-01

The tight spatial coupling of synaptic vesicles and voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (CaVs) ensures efficient action potential-triggered neurotransmitter release from presynaptic active zones (AZs). Rab-interacting molecule-binding proteins (RIM-BPs) interact with Ca2+ channels and via RIM with other components of the release machinery. Although human RIM-BPs have been implicated in autism spectrum disorders, little is known about the role of mammalian RIM-BPs in synaptic transmission. We investigated RIM-BP2–deficient murine hippocampal neurons in cultures and slices. Short-term facilitation is significantly enhanced in both model systems. Detailed analysis in culture revealed a reduction in initial release probability, which presumably underlies the increased short-term facilitation. Superresolution microscopy revealed an impairment in CaV2.1 clustering at AZs, which likely alters Ca2+ nanodomains at release sites and thereby affects release probability. Additional deletion of RIM-BP1 does not exacerbate the phenotype, indicating that RIM-BP2 is the dominating RIM-BP isoform at these synapses. PMID:27671655

Global structure of five-dimensional fuzzballs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibbons, G. W.; Warner, N. P.

2014-01-01

We describe and study families of BPS microstate geometries, namely, smooth, horizonless asymptotically flat solutions to supergravity. We examine these solutions from the perspective of earlier attempts to find solitonic solutions in gravity and show how the microstate geometries circumvent the earlier ‘no-go’ theorems. In particular, we re-analyze the Smarr formula and show how it must be modified in the presence of non-trivial second homology. This, combined with the supergravity Chern-Simons terms, allows the existence of rich classes of BPS, globally hyperbolic, asymptotically flat, microstate geometries whose spatial topology is the connected sum of N copies of S2 × S2 with a ‘point at infinity’ removed. These solutions also exhibit ‘evanescent ergo-regions,’ that is, the non-space-like Killing vector guaranteed by supersymmetry is time-like everywhere except on time-like hypersurfaces (ergo-surfaces) where the Killing vector becomes null. As a by-product of our work, we are able to resolve the puzzle of why some regular soliton solutions violate the BPS bound: their spacetimes do not admit a spin structure.

Morphological changes of bladder mucosa in patients who underwent instillation with combined sodium hyaluronic acid-chondroitin sulphate (Ialuril®).

PubMed

Costantini, E; Lazzeri, M; Pistolesi, D; Del Zingaro, M; Frumenzio, E; Boni, A; Pietropaolo, A; Fragalà, E; Porena, M

2013-01-01

To investigate what changes are endoscopically evident after glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) therapy by hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulphate (CS) (Ialuril®) in female patients affected by bladder pain syndrome(BPS)/ interstitial cystitis (IC) or recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs). 21 female patients over 18 years affected by rUTIs or BPS/IC received intravesical instillation of HA and CS (4 weekly instillations followed by 2 instillations every 2 weeks and 2 instillation monthly). Post-treatment evaluation included cystoscopy and patient assessment of improvement in symptoms and satisfaction on a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 to 10. The post-treatment endoscopy showed a positive effect on bladder mucosa morphology. In 2 cases, treatment did not change endoscopic findings and clinical symptoms. In the other patients, when macroscopic features of the bladder mucosa normalized, the clinical picture improved. GAGs therapy by HA and CS (Ialuril) improves the morphology of bladder mucosa in patients with rUTI or BPS/IC. Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Wide sternal retraction may impede internal mammary artery graft flow and reduce myocardial function during off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: presentation of two cases

PubMed Central

Espinoza, Andreas; Bergsland, Jacob; Lundblad, Runar; Fosse, Erik

2012-01-01

The internal mammary artery (IMA) is routinely used for grafting of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), providing good flow to the anterior left ventricle (LV) wall. Impeded IMA-to-LAD flow may result in myocardial ischaemia and haemodynamic deterioration. From a study population, we describe two incidents where myocardial ischaemia was observed during off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), with a confirmed reduction in the IMA-to-LAD flow in one patient. In patient no. 1, normal IMA flow was assessed by transit-time flow measurement after a complete IMA-to-LAD anastomosis. The anterior LV wall thickening was monitored continuously by epicardial ultrasonic transducers. Normal wall thickening was confirmed after IMA grafting. During a wide sternal opening for circumflex grafting the anterior wall motion displayed an ischaemic pattern, with reduced systolic and increased post-systolic wall thickening. IMA flow was reduced simultaneously. When easing the sternal opening, IMA flow normalized, as did the motion pattern in the anterior LV wall. In patient no. 2, similar changes in wall thickening occurred during a wide sternal opening after IMA-to-LAD grafting. When easing the retractor, the wall thickening normalized. It is important for the surgeon to be aware of this possible cause of myocardial ischaemia, with a risk of subsequent haemodynamic deterioration. This may not only be of great importance during off-pump CABG, but can also be significant for successful weaning from the cardiopulmonary bypass machine. PMID:22499803

Influence of staged-air on airflow, combustion characteristics and NO(x) emissions of a down-fired pulverized-coal 300 MW(e) utility boiler with direct flow split burners.

PubMed

Li, Zhengqi; Kuang, Min; Zhang, Jia; Han, Yunfeng; Zhu, Qunyi; Yang, Lianjie; Kong, Weiguang

2010-02-01

Cold airflow experiments were conducted to investigate the aerodynamic field in a small-scale furnace of a down-fired pulverized-coal 300 MW(e) utility boiler arranged with direct flow split burners enriched by cyclones. By increasing the staged-air ratio, a deflected flow field appeared in the lower furnace; larger staged-air ratios produced larger deflections. Industrial-sized experiments on a full-scale boiler were also performed at different staged-air damper openings with measurements taken of gas temperatures in the burner region and near the right-side wall, wall heat fluxes, and gas components (O(2), CO, and NO(x)) in the near-wall region. Combustion was unstable at staged-air damper openings below 30%. For openings of 30% and 40%, late ignition of the pulverized coal developed and large differences arose in gas temperatures and heat fluxes between the regions near the front and rear walls. In conjunction, carbon content in the fly ash was high and boiler efficiency was low with high NO(x) emission above 1200 mg/m(3) (at 6% O(2) dry). For fully open dampers, differences in gas temperatures and heat fluxes, carbon in fly ash and NO(x) emission decreased yielding an increase in boiler efficiency. The optimal setting is fully open staged-air dampers.

Duct attachment and extension for an air conditioning unit

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

Lang, R.D.; Frenia, F.J.

1986-12-16

An apparatus is described for attaching a fixed duct extension to the discharge opening of an air conditioning unit, the unit slidably inserted in and removed from a fixed through-the-wall sleeve, for supplying conditioned air to the space containing the unit and an adjacent space comprising: a discharge plenum assembly adapted to be connected to the unit encase the discharge opening. The discharge plenum assembly defines an air flow path for the conditioned air discharged from the unit and includes a first housing member having a forward wall, a rear wall, and a pair of opposed side walls joining themore » front wall to the rear wall, and a second housing member having a top wall connected to a front wall. The top wall and the front wall are fixedly attached to the rear wall and the forward wall respectively of the first housing member and forming a duct outlet in one of the side walls. The top wall and the front wall of the second housing member and one of the pair of opposed side walls of the lower housing member having longitudinal flanges extending therefrom forming a C-like flange; a bracket removably secured to the through the wall sleeve having an outwardly extending flange member at the top of the bracket; and a duct extension means secured to the outwardly extending flange of the bracket near one end and to the wall of the adjacent space at the opposite end. The duct extension means has a collar at one end configured to engage with the C-like flange whereby the unit with the discharge plenum assembly attached thereto slidably engages with and disengages from the through-the-wall sleeve while the duct extension is secured to the bracket.« less

Experimental study on the influence of the opening in brick-masonry wall to seismic performance of reinforced concrete frame structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maidiawati, Tanjung, Jafril; Medriosa, Hamdeni

2017-10-01

Reinforced concrete (RC) frame structures with brick-masonry infills are commonly used in developing countries and high-risk seismic area, such as Indonesia. Significant researches have been carried out for studying the seismic performance of RC frame structures with brick-masonry infills. Only few of them focused on effects of the opening in the brick-masonry infill to the seismic performance of the RC frame structures. The presence of opening in brick-masonry infill is often used for placing doors and windows as well, however, it may reduce the seismic performance of the RC frame structure. In the current study, they influence of the opening in brick-masonry infills to the seismic performance RC frame structure will experimentally evaluated. Five of 1/4-scaled single story and single bay RC frame specimens were prepared, i.e. an RC bare frame, a clay brick-masonry infilled RC frame and three of clay brick-masonry infilled RC frame with openings in the brick-masonry infills. The last three specimens were clay brick infilled RC frame with a center opening, clay brick infilled RC frame with two openings used for placing the windows and clay brick infilled RC frame with opening for placing the door. The specimens pushed over by applying the static monotonic lateral load to the upper beam of the RC frame structures. The incremental of the lateral load and the lateral displacement of RC frame's column was recorded during test. The crack propagation and the major cracks were also observed to identify the mechanism failure of specimens. As the results, the opening in the brick-masonry wall controls the failure mechanism, the lateral strength and the stiffness of the overall of infilled RC frame structure. The diagonal shear crack pattern was found on brick-masonry wall without opening, on other hand the different crack patterns were observed on brick-masonry wall with openings. Although the opening in the brick masonry infill reduced the lateral strength and stiffness of the infilled RC frame, it was still stronger and stiffer than the bare frame.

Performance Analysis of a JTIDS/Link-16-type Waveform Transmitted over Slow, Flat Nakagami Fading Channels in the Presence of Narrowband Interference

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-12-01

The effective two-way tactical data rate is 3,060 bits per second. Note that there is no parity check or forward error correction (FEC) coding used in...of 1800 bits per second. With the use of FEC coding , the channel data rate is 2250 bits per second; however, the information data rate is still the...Link-11. If the parity bits are included, the channel data rate is 28,800 bps. If FEC coding is considered, the channel data rate is 59,520 bps

Kepler unbound: Some elegant curiosities of classical mechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacKay, Niall J.; Salour, Sam

2015-01-01

We explain two exotic systems of classical mechanics: the McIntosh-Cisneros-Zwanziger ("MICZ") Kepler system, of motion of a charged particle in the presence of a modified dyon; and Gibbons and Manton's description of the slow motion of well-separated solitonic ("BPS") monopoles using Taub-NUT space. Each system is characterized by the conservation of a Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector, and we use elementary vector techniques to show that each obeys a subtly different variation on Kepler's three laws for the Newton-Coulomb two-body problem, including a new modified Kepler third law for BPS monopoles.

K-band observations of boxy bulges - I. Morphology and surface brightness profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bureau, M.; Aronica, G.; Athanassoula, E.; Dettmar, R.-J.; Bosma, A.; Freeman, K. C.

2006-08-01

In this first paper of a series on the structure of boxy and peanut-shaped (B/PS) bulges, Kn-band observations of a sample of 30 edge-on spiral galaxies are described and discussed. Kn-band observations best trace the dominant luminous galactic mass and are minimally affected by dust. Images, unsharp-masked images, as well as major-axis and vertically summed surface brightness profiles are presented and discussed. Galaxies with a B/PS bulge tend to have a more complex morphology than galaxies with other bulge types, more often showing centred or off-centred X structures, secondary maxima along the major-axis and spiral-like structures. While probably not uniquely related to bars, those features are observed in three-dimensional N-body simulations of barred discs and may trace the main bar orbit families. The surface brightness profiles of galaxies with a B/PS bulge are also more complex, typically containing three or more clearly separated regions, including a shallow or flat intermediate region (Freeman Type II profiles). The breaks in the profiles offer evidence for bar-driven transfer of angular momentum and radial redistribution of material. The profiles further suggest a rapid variation of the scaleheight of the disc material, contrary to conventional wisdom but again as expected from the vertical resonances and instabilities present in barred discs. Interestingly, the steep inner region of the surface brightness profiles is often shorter than the isophotally thick part of the galaxies, itself always shorter than the flat intermediate region of the profiles. The steep inner region is also much more prominent along the major-axis than in the vertically summed profiles. Similarly to other recent work but contrary to the standard `bulge + disc' model (where the bulge is both thick and steep), we thus propose that galaxies with a B/PS bulge are composed of a thin concentrated disc (a disc-like bulge) contained within a partially thick bar (the B/PS bulge), itself contained within a thin outer disc. The inner disc likely formed secularly through bar-driven processes and is responsible for the steep inner region of the surface brightness profiles, traditionally associated with a classic bulge, while the bar is responsible for the flat intermediate region of the surface brightness profiles and the thick complex morphological structures observed. Those components are strongly coupled dynamically and are formed mostly of the same (disc) material, shaped by the weak but relentless action of the bar resonances. Any competing formation scenario for galaxies with a B/PS bulge, which represent at least 45 per cent of the local disc galaxy population, must explain equally well and self-consistently the above morphological and photometric properties, the complex gas and stellar kinematics observed, and the correlations between them.

The Berlin Wall: A Simulation for the Social Studies Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russell, William B., III

2010-01-01

November 9, 2009, marked the twentieth anniversary of the opening of the Berlin Wall. The Wall, a symbol of the Cold War, separated the German people for 28 years (1961-1989), keeping those on the East side isolated. Although the construction and dismantling of the Berlin Wall is a significant part of history, the topic is little covered in the…

Minimally Invasive Component Separation Results in Fewer Wound-Healing Complications than Open Component Separation for Large Ventral Hernia Repairs

PubMed Central

Ghali, Shadi; Turza, Kristin C; Baumann, Donald P; Butler, Charles E

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive component separation (CS) with inlay bioprosthetic mesh (MICSIB) is a recently developed technique for abdominal wall reconstruction that preserves the rectus abdominis perforators and minimizes subcutaneous dead space using limited-access tunneled incisions. We hypothesized that MICSIB would result in better surgical outcomes than would conventional open CS. STUDY DESIGN All consecutive patients who underwent CS (open or minimally invasive) with inlay bioprosthetic mesh for ventral hernia repair from 2005 to 2010 were included in a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Surgical outcomes including wound-healing complications, hernia recurrences, and abdominal bulge/laxity rates were compared between patient groups based on the type of CS repair: MICSIB or open. RESULTS Fifty-seven patients who underwent MICSIB and 50 who underwent open CS were included. The mean follow-ups were 15.2±7.7 months and 20.7±14.3 months, respectively. The mean fascial defect size was significantly larger in the MICSIB group (405.4±193.6 cm2 vs. 273.8±186.8 cm2; p =0.002). The incidences of skin dehiscence (11% vs. 28%; p=0.011), all wound-healing complications (14% vs. 32%; p=0.026), abdominal wall laxity/bulge (4% vs. 14%; p=0.056), and hernia recurrence (4% vs. 8%; p=0.3) were lower in the MICSIB group than in the open CS group. CONCLUSIONS MICSIB resulted in fewer wound-healing complications than did open CS used for complex abdominal wall reconstructions. These findings are likely attributable to the preservation of paramedian skin vascularity and reduction in subcutaneous dead space with MICSIB. MICSIB should be considered for complex abdominal wall reconstructions, particularly in patients at increased risk of wound-healing complications. PMID:22521439

7. Detail view of mill wall ruins looking E showing ...

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

7. Detail view of mill wall ruins looking E showing arched openings for Jamaican Train and archeological excavations at base of wall. - Hacienda Azucarera La Esperanza, Mill (Ruins), 2.65 miles North of PR Route 2 Bridge Over Manati River, Manati, Manati Municipio, PR

Simultaneous knock-down of six β-galactosidase genes in petunia petals prevents loss of pectic galactan but decreases petal strength.

PubMed

O'Donoghue, Erin M; Somerfield, Sheryl D; Deroles, Simon C; Sutherland, Paul W; Hallett, Ian C; Erridge, Zoë A; Brummell, David A; Hunter, Donald A

2017-04-01

Galactose (Gal) is incorporated into cell wall polysaccharides as flowers open, but then is lost because of β-galactosidase activity as flowers mature and wilt. The significance of this for flower physiology resides in the role of galactan-containing polysaccharides in the cell wall, which is still largely unresolved. To investigate this, transcript accumulation of six cell wall-associated β-galactosidases was simultaneously knocked down in 'Mitchell' petunia (Petunia axillaris x (P. axillaris x P. hybrida)) flower petals. The multi-PhBGAL RNAi construct targeted three bud- and three senescence-associated β-galactosidase genes. The petals of the most down-regulated line (GA19) were significantly disrupted in galactose turnover during flower opening, and at the onset of senescence had retained 86% of their galactose compared with 20% in the controls. The Gal content of Na 2 CO 3 -soluble cell wall extracts and the highly insoluble polysaccharides associated with cellulose were particularly affected. Immunodetection with the antibody LM5 showed that much of the cell wall Gal in GA19 was retained as galactan, presumably the side-chains of rhamnogalacturonan-I. The flowers of GA19, despite having retained substantially more galactan, were no different from controls in their internal cell arrangement, dimensions, weight or timing of opening and senescence. However, the GA19 petals had less petal integrity (as judged by force required to cause petal fracture) after opening and showed a greater decline in this integrity with time than controls, raising the possibility that galactan loss is a mechanism for helping to maintain petal tissue cohesion after flower opening. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Gas adsorption capacity in an all carbon nanomaterial composed of carbon nanohorns and vertically aligned carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Puthusseri, Divya; Babu, Deepu J; Okeil, Sherif; Schneider, Jörg J

2017-10-04

Whereas vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) typically show a promising adsorption behavior at high pressures, carbon nanohorns (CNHs) exhibit superior gas adsorption properties in the low pressure regime due to their inherent microporosity. These adsorption characteristics are further enhanced when both materials are opened at their tips. The so prepared composite material allows one to investigate the effect of physical entrapment of CO 2 molecules within the specific adsorption sites of VACNTs composed of opened double walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and in specific adsorption sites created by spherically aggregated opened single walled carbon nanohorns. Combining 50 wt% of tip opened CNTs with tip opened CNHs increases the CO 2 adsorption capacity of this material by ∼24% at 30 bar and 298 K compared to opened CNHs alone.

Apparatus for insulating windows and the like

DOEpatents

Mitchell, R.A.

1984-06-19

Apparatus for insulating window openings through walls and the like includes a thermal shutter, a rail for mounting the shutter adjacent to the window opening and a coupling for connecting the shutter to the rail. The thermal shutter includes an insulated panel adhered to frame members which surround the periphery of the panel. The frame members include a hard portion for providing the frame and a soft portion for providing a seal with that portion of the wall adjacent to the periphery of the opening. The coupling means is preferably integral with the attachment rail. According to a preferred embodiment, the coupling means includes a continuous hinge of reduced thickness. The thermal shutter can be permanently attached, hinged, bi-folded, or sliding with respect to the window and wall. A distribution method is to market the apparatus in kit'' form. 11 figs.

Apparatus for insulating windows and the like

DOEpatents

Mitchell, Robert A.

1984-01-01

Apparatus for insulating window openings through walls and the like includes a thermal shutter, a rail for mounting the shutter adjacent to the window opening and a coupling for connecting the shutter to the rail. The thermal shutter includes an insulated panel adhered to frame members which surround the periphery of the panel. The frame members include a hard portion for providing the frame and a soft portion for providing a seal with that portion of the wall adjacent to the periphery of the opening. The coupling means is preferably integral with the attachment rail. According to a preferred embodiment, the coupling means includes a continuous hinge of reduced thickness. The thermal shutter can be permanently attached, hinged, bi-folded, or sliding with respect to the window and wall. A distribution method is to market the apparatus in "kit" form.

Intraoperative CT in the assessment of posterior wall acetabular fracture stability.

PubMed

Cunningham, Brian; Jackson, Kelly; Ortega, Gil

2014-04-01

Posterior wall acetabular fractures that involve 10% to 40% of the posterior wall may or may not require an open reduction and internal fixation. Dynamic stress examination of the acetabular fracture under fluoroscopy has been used as an intraoperative method to assess joint stability. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the value of intraoperative ISO computed tomography (CT) examination using the Siemens ISO-C imaging system (Siemens Corp, Malvern, Pennsylvania) in the assessment of posterior wall acetabular fracture stability during stress examination under anesthesia. In 5 posterior wall acetabular fractures, standard fluoroscopic images (including anteroposterior pelvis and Judet radiographs) with dynamic stress examinations were compared with the ISO-C CT imaging system to assess posterior wall fracture stability during stress examination. After review of standard intraoperative fluoroscopic images under dynamic stress examination, all 5 cases appeared to demonstrate posterior wall stability; however, when the intraoperative images from the ISO-C CT imaging system demonstrated that 1 case showed fracture instability of the posterior wall segment during stress examination, open reduction and internal fixation was performed. The use of intraoperative ISO CT imaging has shown an initial improvement in the surgeon's ability to assess the intraoperative stability of posterior wall acetabular fractures during stress examination when compared with standard fluoroscopic images. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

Interior view, firstfloor room extending between the north wall of ...

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

Interior view, first-floor room extending between the north wall of the rotunda and the rotunda extensions north exterior wall, looking southwest. The small doorway at center opens onto the vestibule letting onto the rotunda. - U. S. Naval Asylum, Biddle Hall, Gray's Ferry Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Quantum chemistry study on the open end of single-walled carbon nanotubes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Shimin; Shen, Ziyong; Zhao, Xingyu; Xue, Zengquan

2003-05-01

Geometrical and electronic structures of open-ended single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are calculated using density functional theory (DFT) with hybrid functional (B3LYP) approximation. Due to different distances between carbon atoms along the edge, reconstruction occurs at the open end of the (4,4) armchair SWCNT, i.e., triple bonds are formed in the carbon atom pairs at the mouth; however, for the (6,0) zigzag SWCNT, electrons in dangling bonds still remain at 'no-bonding' states. The ionization potential (IP) of both (4,4) and (6,0) SWCNTs is increased by their negative intrinsic dipole moments, and localized electronic states existed at both of their open ends.

Identification and Functional Characterization of a Novel Acetylcholine-binding Protein from the Marine Annelid Capitella teleta

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

McCormack, T.; Petrovich,; Mercier, K

2010-01-01

We identified a homologue of the molluscan acetylcholine-binding protein (AChBP) in the marine polychaete Capitella teleta, from the annelid phylum. The amino acid sequence of C. teleta AChBP (ct-AChBP) is 21-30% identical with those of known molluscan AChBPs. Sequence alignments indicate that ct-AChBP has a shortened Cys loop compared to other Cys loop receptors, and a variation on a conserved Cys loop triad, which is associated with ligand binding in other AChBPs and nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) {alpha} subunits. Within the D loop of ct-AChBP, a conserved aromatic residue (Tyr or Trp) in nAChRs and molluscan AChBPs, which has beenmore » implicated directly in ligand binding, is substituted with an isoleucine. Mass spectrometry results indicate that Asn122 and Asn216 of ct-AChBP are glycosylated when expressed using HEK293 cells. Small-angle X-ray scattering data suggest that the overall shape of ct-AChBP in the apo or unliganded state is similar to that of homologues with known pentameric crystal structures. NMR experiments show that acetylcholine, nicotine, and {alpha}-bungarotoxin bind to ct-AChBP with high affinity, with KD values of 28.7 {micro}M, 209 nM, and 110 nM, respectively. Choline bound with a lower affinity (K{sub D} = 163 {micro}M). Our finding of a functional AChBP in a marine annelid demonstrates that AChBPs may exhibit variations in hallmark motifs such as ligand-binding residues and Cys loop length and shows conclusively that this neurotransmitter binding protein is not limited to the phylum Mollusca.« less

The AdS/CFT Correspondence: Classical, Quantum, and Thermodynamical Aspects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Donovan

2007-06-01

Certain aspects of the AdS/CFT correspondence are studied in detail. We investigate the one-loop mass shift to certain two-impurity string states in light-cone string field theory on a plane wave background. We find that there exist logarithmic divergences in the sums over intermediate mode numbers which cancel between the cubic Hamiltonian and quartic "contact term". We argue that generically, every order in intermediate state impurities contributes to the mass shift at leading perturbative order. The same mass shift is also computed using an improved 3-string vertex proposed by Dobashi and Yoneya. The result is found to agree with gauge theory at leading order and is close but not quite in agreement at subleading order. We extend the analysis to include discrete light-cone quantization, considering states with up to three units of p+. We study the (apparently) first-order phase transition in the weakly coupled plane-wave matrix model at finite temperature. We analyze the effect of interactions by computing the relevant parts of the effective potential for the Polyakov loop operator to three loop order. We show that the phase transition is indeed of first order. We also compute the 2-loop correction to the Hagedorn temperature. Finally, correlation functions of 1/4 BPS Wilson loops with the infinite family of 1/2 BPS chiral primary operators are computed in N=4 super Yang-Mills theory by summing planar ladder diagrams. The correlation functions are also computed in the strong-coupling limit using string theory; the result is found to agree with the extrapolation of the planar ladders. The result is related to similar correlators of 1/2 BPS loops by a simple re-scaling of the coupling constant, discovered by Drukker for the case of the 1/4 BPS loop VEV.

Effects of intravenous glucose on dopaminergic function in the human brain in vivo.

PubMed

Haltia, Lauri T; Rinne, Juha O; Merisaari, Harri; Maguire, Ralph P; Savontaus, Eriika; Helin, Semi; Någren, Kjell; Kaasinen, Valtteri

2007-09-01

Dopamine is known to regulate food intake by modulating food reward via the mesolimbic circuitry of the brain. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of high energy input (i.v. glucose) on striatal and thalamic dopamine release in overweight and lean individuals. We hypothesized that glucose would induce dopamine release and positive ratings (e.g., satiety) in Behavioral Analog Scales, particularly in food-deprived lean subjects. [(11)C]raclopride PET was performed for 12 lean (mean BMI = 22 kg/m(2)) and 12 overweight (mean BMI = 33 kg/m(2)) healthy subjects. Each subject was imaged twice in a blinded counter-balanced setting, after 300 mg/kg i.v. glucose and after i.v. placebo. Dopamine D2 receptor binding potentials (BPs) were estimated. The voxel-based analysis of the baseline scans indicated lower striatal BPs in the overweight group and a negative correlation between BMIs and BPs. Intravenous glucose did not have a significant effect on BPs in overweight or lean subjects (male and female groups combined). However, BP changes were opposite in the two gender groups. In male subjects, significant BP reductions after glucose were seen in the right and left caudate nucleus, left putamen, and right thalamus. In female subjects, increases in BP secondary to glucose were seen in the right caudate nucleus and right and left putamen. The sexually dimorphic effect of glucose was seen in both overweight and lean subjects. Although gender differences were not among the a priori hypotheses of the present study and, therefore, they must be considered to be preliminary findings, we postulate that this observation is a reflection of an interaction between glucose, sex steroids (estrogen), leptin, and dopamine.

Low-dose exposure to bisphenols A, F and S of human primary adipocyte impacts coding and non-coding RNA profiles

PubMed Central

Leloire, Audrey; Dhennin, Véronique; Coumoul, Xavier; Yengo, Loïc; Froguel, Philippe

2017-01-01

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure has been suspected to be associated with deleterious effects on health including obesity and metabolically-linked diseases. Although bisphenols F (BPF) and S (BPS) are BPA structural analogs commonly used in many marketed products as a replacement for BPA, only sparse toxicological data are available yet. Our objective was to comprehensively characterize bisphenols gene targets in a human primary adipocyte model, in order to determine whether they may induce cellular dysfunction, using chronic exposure at two concentrations: a “low-dose” similar to the dose usually encountered in human biological fluids and a higher dose. Therefore, BPA, BPF and BPS have been added at 10 nM or 10 μM during the differentiation of human primary adipocytes from subcutaneous fat of three non-diabetic Caucasian female patients. Gene expression (mRNA/lncRNA) arrays and microRNA arrays, have been used to assess coding and non-coding RNA changes. We detected significantly deregulated mRNA/lncRNA and miRNA at low and high doses. Enrichment in “cancer” and “organismal injury and abnormalities” related pathways was found in response to the three products. Some long intergenic non-coding RNAs and small nucleolar RNAs were differentially expressed suggesting that bisphenols may also activate multiple cellular processes and epigenetic modifications. The analysis of upstream regulators of deregulated genes highlighted hormones or hormone-like chemicals suggesting that BPS and BPF can be suspected to interfere, just like BPA, with hormonal regulation and have to be considered as endocrine disruptors. All these results suggest that as BPA, its substitutes BPS and BPF should be used with the same restrictions. PMID:28628672

Comparison of Modules of Wild Type and Mutant Huntingtin and TP53 Protein Interaction Networks: Implications in Biological Processes and Functions

PubMed Central

Basu, Mahashweta; Bhattacharyya, Nitai P.; Mohanty, Pradeep K.

2013-01-01

Disease-causing mutations usually change the interacting partners of mutant proteins. In this article, we propose that the biological consequences of mutation are directly related to the alteration of corresponding protein protein interaction networks (PPIN). Mutation of Huntingtin (HTT) which causes Huntington's disease (HD) and mutations to TP53 which is associated with different cancers are studied as two example cases. We construct the PPIN of wild type and mutant proteins separately and identify the structural modules of each of the networks. The functional role of these modules are then assessed by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis for biological processes (BPs). We find that a large number of significantly enriched () GO terms in mutant PPIN were absent in the wild type PPIN indicating the gain of BPs due to mutation. Similarly some of the GO terms enriched in wild type PPIN cease to exist in the modules of mutant PPIN, representing the loss. GO terms common in modules of mutant and wild type networks indicate both loss and gain of BPs. We further assign relevant biological function(s) to each module by classifying the enriched GO terms associated with it. It turns out that most of these biological functions in HTT networks are already known to be altered in HD and those of TP53 networks are altered in cancers. We argue that gain of BPs, and the corresponding biological functions, are due to new interacting partners acquired by mutant proteins. The methodology we adopt here could be applied to genetic diseases where mutations alter the ability of the protein to interact with other proteins. PMID:23741403

Differential effects of biologic versus bisphosphonate inhibition of wear debris-induced osteolysis assessed by longitudinal micro-CT.

PubMed

Tsutsumi, Ryosuke; Hock, Colleen; Bechtold, C Dustin; Proulx, Steven T; Bukata, Susan V; Ito, Hiromu; Awad, Hani A; Nakamura, Takashi; O'Keefe, Regis J; Schwarz, Edward M

2008-10-01

Aseptic loosening of total joint replacements is caused by wear debris-induced osteoclastic bone resorption, for which bisphosphonates (BPs) and RANK antagonists have been developed. Although BPs are effective in preventing metabolic bone loss, they are less effective for inflammatory bone loss. Because this difference has been attributed to the antiapoptotic inflammatory signals that protect osteoclasts from BP-induced apoptosis, but not RANK antagonists, we tested the hypothesis that osteoprotegerin (OPG) is more effective in preventing wear debris-induced osteolysis than zoledronic acid (ZA) or alendronate (Aln) in the murine calvaria model using in vivo micro-CT and traditional histology. Although micro-CT proved to be incompatible with titanium (Ti) particles, we were able to demonstrate a 3.2-fold increase in osteolytic volume over 10 days induced by polyethylene (PE) particles versus sham controls (0.49 +/- 0.23 mm(3) versus 0.15 +/- 0.067 mm(3); p < 0.01). Although OPG and high-dose ZA completely inhibited this PE-induced osteolysis (p < 0.001), pharmacological doses of ZA and Aln were less effective but still reached statistical significance (p < 0.05). Traditional histomorphometry of the sagital suture area of calvaria from both Ti and PE-treated mice confirmed the remarkable suppression of resorption by OPG (p < 0.001) versus the lack of effect by physiological BPs. The differences in drug effects on osteolysis were largely explained by the significant difference in osteoclast numbers observed between OPG versus BPs in both Ti- and PE-treated calvaria; and linear regression analyses that demonstrated a highly significant correlation between osteolysis volume and sagittal suture area versus osteoclast numbers (p < 0.001). (c) 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society.

Acute Toxicity, Teratogenic, and Estrogenic Effects of Bisphenol A and Its Alternative Replacements Bisphenol S, Bisphenol F, and Bisphenol AF in Zebrafish Embryo-Larvae.

PubMed

Moreman, John; Lee, Okhyun; Trznadel, Maciej; David, Arthur; Kudoh, Tetsuhiro; Tyler, Charles R

2017-11-07

Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical incorporated into plastics and resins, has estrogenic activity and is associated with adverse health effects in humans and wildlife. Similarly structured BPA analogues are widely used but far less is known about their potential toxicity or estrogenic activity in vivo. We undertook the first comprehensive analysis on the toxicity and teratogenic effects of the bisphenols BPA, BPS, BPF, and BPAF in zebrafish embryo-larvae and an assessment on their estrogenic mechanisms in an estrogen-responsive transgenic fish Tg(ERE:Gal4ff)(UAS:GFP). The rank order for toxicity was BPAF > BPA > BPF > BPS. Developmental deformities for larval exposures included cardiac edema, spinal malformation, and craniofacial deformities and there were distinct differences in the effects and potencies between the different bisphenol chemicals. These effects, however, occurred only at concentrations between 1.0 and 200 mg/L which exceed those in most environments. All bisphenol compounds induced estrogenic responses in Tg(ERE:Gal4ff)(UAS:GFP) zebrafish that were inhibited by coexposure with ICI 182 780, demonstrating an estrogen receptor dependent mechanism. Target tissues included the heart, liver, somite muscle, fins, and corpuscles of Stannius. The rank order for estrogenicity was BPAF > BPA = BPF > BPS. Bioconcentration factors were 4.5, 17.8, 5.3, and 0.067 for exposure concentrations of 1.0, 1.0, 0.10, and 50 mg/L for BPA, BPF, BPAF, and BPS, respectively. We thus show that these BPA alternatives induce similar toxic and estrogenic effects to BPA and that BPAF is more potent than BPA, further highlighting health concerns regarding the use of BPA alternatives.

Health Education and Symptom Flare Management Using a Video-Based m-Health System for Caring Women with IC/BPS.

PubMed

Lee, Ming-Huei; Wu, Huei-Ching; Tseng, Chien-Ming; Ko, Tsung-Liang; Weng, Tang-Jun; Chen, Yung-Fu

2018-06-10

To assess effectiveness of the video-based m-health system providing videos dictated by physicians for health education and symptom self-management for patients with IC/BPS. An m-health system was designed to provide videos for weekly health education and symptom flare self-management. O'Leary-Sant index and VAS scale as well as SF-36 health survey were administrated to evaluate the disease severity and quality of life (QoL), respectively. A total of 60 IC/BPS patients were recruited and randomly assigned to either control group (30 patients) or study group (30 patients) in sequence depending on their orders to visit our urological clinic. Patients in both control and study groups received regular treatments, while those in the study group received additional video-based intervention. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the outcomes between baseline and post-intervention for both groups. The outcomes of video-based intervention were also compared with the text-based intervention conducted in our previous study. After video-based intervention, patients in the study group exhibited significant effect manifested in all disease severity and QoL assessments except the VAS pain scale, while no significance was found in the control group. Moreover, the study group exhibited more significant net improvements than the control group in 7 SF-36 constructs, except the mental health. The limitations include short intervention duration (8 weeks) and different study periods between text-based and video-based interventions. Video-based intervention is effective in improving the QoL of IC/BPS patients and outperforms the text-based intervention even in a short period of intervention. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

International Myeloma Working Group Recommendations for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma–Related Bone Disease

PubMed Central

Terpos, Evangelos; Morgan, Gareth; Dimopoulos, Meletios A.; Drake, Matthew T.; Lentzsch, Suzanne; Raje, Noopur; Sezer, Orhan; García-Sanz, Ramón; Shimizu, Kazuyuki; Turesson, Ingemar; Reiman, Tony; Jurczyszyn, Artur; Merlini, Giampaolo; Spencer, Andrew; Leleu, Xavier; Cavo, Michele; Munshi, Nikhil; Rajkumar, S. Vincent; Durie, Brian G.M.; Roodman, G. David

2013-01-01

Purpose The aim of the International Myeloma Working Group was to develop practice recommendations for the management of multiple myeloma (MM) –related bone disease. Methodology An interdisciplinary panel of clinical experts on MM and myeloma bone disease developed recommendations based on published data through August 2012. Expert consensus was used to propose additional recommendations in situations where there were insufficient published data. Levels of evidence and grades of recommendations were assigned and approved by panel members. Recommendations Bisphosphonates (BPs) should be considered in all patients with MM receiving first-line antimyeloma therapy, regardless of presence of osteolytic bone lesions on conventional radiography. However, it is unknown if BPs offer any advantage in patients with no bone disease assessed by magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Intravenous (IV) zoledronic acid (ZOL) or pamidronate (PAM) is recommended for preventing skeletal-related events in patients with MM. ZOL is preferred over oral clodronate in newly diagnosed patients with MM because of its potential antimyeloma effects and survival benefits. BPs should be administered every 3 to 4 weeks IV during initial therapy. ZOL or PAM should be continued in patients with active disease and should be resumed after disease relapse, if discontinued in patients achieving complete or very good partial response. BPs are well tolerated, but preventive strategies must be instituted to avoid renal toxicity or osteonecrosis of the jaw. Kyphoplasty should be considered for symptomatic vertebral compression fractures. Low-dose radiation therapy can be used for palliation of uncontrolled pain, impending pathologic fracture, or spinal cord compression. Orthopedic consultation should be sought for long-bone fractures, spinal cord compression, and vertebral column instability. PMID:23690408

Pain in interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome: do characteristics differ in ulcerative and non-ulcerative subtypes?

PubMed

Killinger, Kim A; Boura, Judith A; Peters, Kenneth M

2013-08-01

Key differences between interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) subtypes (with and without Hunner's ulcer) have been noted. We hypothesized that pain characteristics in women grouped by IC/BPS subtype would differ. A survey was mailed to 749 women to assess IC/BPS pain and other characteristics. Cystoscopy/hydrodistention reports were reviewed for presence/absence of Hunner's ulcer. The McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form© (MPQ-SF), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and Interstitial Cystitis Symptom and Problem Indices (ICSI-PI) assessed symptoms. Data were analyzed with Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's exact, t tests, and Wilcoxon rank tests. Of the 214 women that returned a survey (36 ulcerative and 178 non-ulcerative IC/BPS), similar proportions in each group reported that certain foods, exercise, and/or stress triggered symptoms. Fewer ulcerative patients reported pain with vaginal penetration than non-ulcerative (5/33, 15.2 % vs 76/160, 47.5 %; p = 0.0006). On the BPI, the ulcerative and non-ulcerative groups reported similar numbers of painful areas (mean 4.1 ± 6.1 and 4.1 ± 3.8; p = 0.33), and lower abdominal/pelvic pain was reported most (13/35, 37 % vs 79/172, 46 %; p = 0.34) followed by lower back pain (12/35, 34 % vs 69/172, 40 %; p = 0.52). Even though ICSI-PI, MPQ-SF, and BPI scores/responses did not differ, on the MPQ-SF the three words most frequently used by ulcerative patients to describe their pain were sharp, stabbing, and hot burning, and in non-ulcerative were aching, cramping, and tender. These measures did not reveal any significant differences in pain between subtypes. More research is needed in larger samples to determine whether differences exist.

Characterization of a collection of plasmid-containing bacteria isolated from an on-farm biopurification system used for pesticide removal.

PubMed

Martini, María Carla; Albicoro, Francisco Javier; Nour, Eman; Schlüter, Andreas; van Elsas, Jan Dirk; Springael, Dirk; Smalla, Kornelia; Pistorio, Mariano; Lagares, Antonio; Del Papa, María Florencia

2015-07-01

Biopurification systems (BPS) are complex soil-related and artificially-generated environments usually designed for the removal of toxic compounds from contaminated wastewaters. The present study has been conducted to isolate and characterize a collection of cultivable plasmid-carrying bacterial isolates recovered from a BPS established for the decontamination of wastewater generated in a farmyard. Out of 1400 isolates, a collection of 75 plasmid-containing bacteria was obtained, of which 35 representative isolates comprising in total at least 50 plasmids were chosen for further characterization. Bacterial hosts were taxonomically assigned by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and phenotypically characterized according to their ability to grow in presence of different antibiotics and heavy metals. The study demonstrated that a high proportion of the isolates was tolerant to antibiotics and/or heavy metals, highlighting the on-farm BPS enrichment in such genetic traits. Several plasmids conferring such resistances in the bacterial collection were detected to be either mobilizable or selftransmissible. Occurrence of broad host range plasmids of the incompatibility groups IncP, IncQ, IncN and IncW was examined with positive results only for the first group. Presence of the IS1071 insertion sequence, frequently associated with xenobiotics degradation genes, was detected in DNA obtained from 24 of these isolates, strongly suggesting the presence of yet-hidden catabolic activities in the collection of isolates. The results showed a remarkable diversity in the plasmid mobilome of cultivable bacteria in the BPS with the presence of abundant resistance markers of different types, thus providing a suitable environment to investigate the genetic structure of the mobile genetic pool in a model on-farm biofilter for wastewater decontamination in intensive agricultural production. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Differential splicing of human androgen receptor pre-mRNA in X-linked reifenstein syndrome, because of a deletion involving a putative branch site

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

Ris-Stalpers, C.; Verleun-Mooijman, M.C.T.; Blaeij, T.J.P. de

1994-04-01

The analysis of the androgen receptor (AR) gene, mRNA, and protein in a subject with X-linked Reifenstein syndrome (partial androgen insensitivity) is reported. The presence of two mature AR transcripts in genital skin fibroblasts of the patient is established, and, by reverse transcriptase-PCR and RNase transcription analysis, the wild-type transcript and a transcript in which exon 3 sequences are absent without disruption of the translational reading frame are identified. Sequencing and hybridization analysis show a deletion of >6 kb in intron 2 of the human AR gene, starting 18 bp upstream of exon 3. The deletion includes the putative branch-pointmore » sequence (BPS) but not the acceptor splice site on the intron 2/exon 3 boundary. The deletion of the putative intron 2 BPS results in 90% inhibition of wild-type splicing. The mutant transcript encodes an AR protein lacking the second zinc finger of the DNA-binding domain. Western/immunoblotting analysis is used to show that the mutant AR protein is expressed in genital skin fibroblasts of the patient. The residual 10% wild-type transcript can be the result of the use of a cryptic BPS located 63 bp upstream of the intron 2/exon 3 boundary of the mutant AR gene. The mutated AR protein has no transcription-activating potential and does not influence the transactivating properties of the wild-type AR, as tested in cotransfection studies. It is concluded that the partial androgen-insensitivity syndrome of this patient is the consequence of the limited amount of wild-type AR protein expressed in androgen target cells, resulting from the deletion of the intron 2 putative BPS. 42 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.« less

ThedaCare's business performance system: sustaining continuous daily improvement through hospital management in a lean environment.

PubMed

Barnas, Kim

2011-09-01

For 2003-2008, ThedaCare, a community health system in Wisconsin, achieved significant improvements in quality and the elimination of waste through the development of an improvement system, which included Value Stream analysis, rapid improvement events, and projects applied to specific processes. However, to meet its continuous daily improvement goals, particularly the goal of increasing productivity by 10% annually, ThedaCare needed to change the way its managers and leaders (in its hospital division) conduct and manage their daily work. Accordingly, it developed its Business Performance System (BPS) to achieve and sustain continuous daily improvement. BUILDING THE BPS: ThedaCare devised a multipart pilot project, consisting of "learning to see" and then, "problem solving." On completion of the 15-week alpha phase (6 units) in July 2009, the BPS was spread to the beta pilot (12 units; September 2009-January 2010) and then to cohort 3 (10 units; September 2010-January 2011). Each alpha unit improved performance on (1) the key driver metric of increasing productivity from 2008 to year-end 2009 (by 1%-11%) and (2) its respective safety/ quality drivers over the respective 2008 baselines. For 2010, improvements across the alpha, beta, and cohort 3 units were found for 11 of the 14 safety/quality drivers-85% of the 11 customer satisfaction drivers, 83% of 6 people engagement drivers; and 48% of 23 financial stewardship drivers. The tools developed for the BPS have enabled teams to see, prioritize, and pursue continuous daily improvement opportunities. Unit leaders now have a structured management reporting system to reduce variation in their management styles. Leaders all now follow leadership standard work, and their daily work is now consistently aligned with the hospital and system strategy.

Quality of information on the internet related to bladder pain syndrome: a systematic review of the evidence.

PubMed

Tirlapur, S A; Leiu, C; Khan, K S

2013-08-01

Bladder pain syndrome (BPS) has an impact on quality of life and available treatments often only provide temporary symptomatic relief. The information provided by websites can be valuable for patient education and management. The hypothesis was to assess medical information available on the internet related to bladder pain syndrome in terms of accuracy, credibility, readability and quality. A search was performed in the meta-search engine Copernic Agent, using the search terms "bladder pain syndrome, interstitial cystitis, painful bladder syndrome and pelvic pain", which simultaneously captured websites from a range of engines. Websites in the English language that were open-access were included. The four quality assessments used were: credibility using a ten-point scale, accuracy based on the American Urological Association guidelines, quality using the DISCERN questionnaire and readability using the Flesch Reading Ease Score. Inter-rater agreement was tested by intra-class coefficient (ICC). Eighteen suitable websites were identified; 7 (39%) were specialist or specific to BPS. The combined mean scores for accuracy, quality, credibility and readability ranged from 83 to 144 for specialist websites and 76 to 137 for non-specialist ones, with a maximum possible score of 208. There was good inter-observer agreement for the assessments performed with an ICC ranging from 0.80 for DISCERN to 0.53 for readability. Specialist websites had higher quality scores (median difference 10, p = 0.07) and readability scores (median difference 5.4, p = 0.05) compared with non-specialist websites whereas credibility and accuracy scores were no different. We found four websites that fulfilled our criteria for good quality information.

Solar heating and cooling diode module

DOEpatents

Maloney, Timothy J.

1986-01-01

A high efficiency solar heating system comprising a plurality of hollow modular units each for receiving a thermal storage mass, the units being arranged in stacked relation in the exterior frame of a building, each of the units including a port for filling the unit with the mass, a collector region and a storage region, each region having inner and outer walls, the outer wall of the collector region being oriented for exposure to sunlight for heating the thermal storage mass; the storage region having an opening therein and the collector region having a corresponding opening, the openings being joined for communicating the thermal storage mass between the storage and collector regions by thermosiphoning; the collector region being disposed substantially below and in parallel relation to the storage region in the modular unit; and the inner wall of the collector region of each successive modular unit in the stacked relation extending over the outer wall of the storage region of the next lower modular unit in the stacked relation for reducing heat loss from the system. Various modifications and alternatives are disclosed for both heating and cooling applications.

Basic Principles of Thin-Walled Open Bars Taking into Account Where Influence Shifts of Cross Sections are Concerned

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panasenko, N. N.; Sinelschikov, A. V.

2017-11-01

The finite element method is considered to be the most effective in relation to the calculation of strength and stability of buildings and engineering constructions. As a rule, for the modelling of supporting 3-D frameworks, finite elements with six degrees of freedom are used in each of the nodes. In practice, such supporting frameworks represent the thin-walled welded bars and hot-rolled bars of open and closed profiles in which cross-sectional deplanation must be taken into account. This idea was first introduced by L N Vorobjev and brought to one of the easiest variants of the thin-walled bar theory. The development of this approach is based on taking into account the middle surface shear deformation and adding the deformations of a thin-walled open bar to the formulas for potential and kinetic energy; these deformations depend on shearing stress and result in decreasing the frequency of the first tone of fluctuations to 13%. The authors of the article recommend taking into account this fact when calculating fail-proof dynamic systems.

Strength and stiffness reduction factors for infilled frames with openings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Decanini, Luis D.; Liberatore, Laura; Mollaioli, Fabrizio

2014-09-01

Framed structures are usually infilled with masonry walls. They may cause a significant increase in both stiffness and strength, reducing the deformation demand and increasing the energy dissipation capacity of the system. On the other hand, irregular arrangements of the masonry panels may lead to the concentration of damage in some regions, with negative effects; for example soft story mechanisms and shear failures in short columns. Therefore, the presence of infill walls should not be neglected, especially in regions of moderate and high seismicity. To this aim, simple models are available for solid infills walls, such as the diagonal no-tension strut model, while infilled frames with openings have not been adequately investigated. In this study, the effect of openings on the strength and stiffness of infilled frames is investigated by means of about 150 experimental and numerical tests. The main parameters involved are identified and a simple model to take into account the openings in the infills is developed and compared with other models proposed by different researchers. The model, which is based on the use of strength and stiffness reduction factors, takes into account the opening dimensions and presence of reinforcing elements around the opening. An example of an application of the proposed reduction factors is also presented.

Passive Capture Joint with Three Degrees of Freedom

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cloyd, Richard A. (Inventor); Weddendorf, Bruce (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A passive capture joint with three degrees of freedom is presented wherein two structural elements are joined together solely by moving the two elements into position, and which when joined together have rotation in all three axes. The inventive apparatus is comprised of two halves: (1) a joint ball mounted on a stem as in a common trailer hitch, and; (2) a socket. The socket consists of a base having an exterior wall and forming an interior chamber, the chamber having a top end and a bottom end, and an interior wall. The chamber is open at the top end, and forms a spherical cup at the bottom end. The socket base's interior chamber is sized to accept the joint ball. The base also forms at least one bore at an acute angle away from the interior chamber's open end. The bores have a first opening in the interior wall of the chamber, and a second opening in the exterior wall of the base. Retaining balls sized to fit within the bores, but to only partially pass through the first opening, are moveably housed within the bores. The retaining balls are moveably held in the first opening by a compression spring housed in the bore. As the joint ball is inserted in the chamber it forces the retaining balls back into the bore until the equator of the joint ball passes. Because the bore is at an acute angle to the chamber the joint ball cannot exit the chamber without the joint being unlocked. The joint is unlocked by rotating a locking ring which encircles the base and covers the second opening. The locking ring has a radial slot for each retaining ball, disposed angularly from the base, and sized to allow passage of the retaining ball in the radial direction when the locking ring is rotated to align the radial slot with the second opening.

Beyond Walls: A Strategic Plan for James White Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andrews Univ., Berrien Springs, MI. James White Library.

The strategic plan for the James White Library of Andrews University uses the phrase "beyond walls," rather than the catchphrase "library without walls," to acknowledge that printed matter is here to stay but that the paradigm in which it operates is open to innovation and exploration. The fundamental changes taking place in…

Cleopatra's Bedroom oblique with picture tube wall along walkway. Structure ...

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

Cleopatra's Bedroom oblique with picture tube wall along walkway. Structure is made solely of amber colored bottles. Roof supported by telephone poles. Areas of bottle wall above window opening collapsed in the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Camera facing northeast. - Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village, 4595 Cochran Street, Simi Valley, Ventura County, CA

Black hole entropy in massive Type IIA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benini, Francesco; Khachatryan, Hrachya; Milan, Paolo

2018-02-01

We study the entropy of static dyonic BPS black holes in AdS4 in 4d N=2 gauged supergravities with vector and hyper multiplets, and how the entropy can be reproduced with a microscopic counting of states in the AdS/CFT dual field theory. We focus on the particular example of BPS black holes in AdS{\\hspace{0pt}}4 × S6 in massive Type IIA, whose dual three-dimensional boundary description is known and simple. To count the states in field theory we employ a supersymmetric topologically twisted index, which can be computed exactly with localization techniques. We find a perfect match at leading order.

The measurement of insulin-like growth factor 1 in sheep plasma.

PubMed

Bruce, L A; Atkinson, T; Hutchinson, J S; Shakespear, R A; MacRae, J C

1991-02-01

A method is described for the radioimmunoassay (RIA) of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in neutralised formic acid-ethanol extracts of sheep plasma. The ability of the acid-ethanol pretreatment to remove the IGF-1 binding proteins (BPs), which interfere in the assay has been examined. Comparative plasma IGF-1 concentrations determined by the method correlated closely (P less than 0.001) with corresponding values where BPs were removed by acid gel filtration. The method has been applied to studies in which sheep were given exogenous growth hormone and indicated that plasma IGF-1 levels respond rapidly to the onset and termination of treatment.

Design of heart rate monitor based on piezoelectric sensor using an Arduino

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Setyowati, Veni; Muninggar, Jodelin; Shanti. N. A, Made R. S.

2017-01-01

Reading of result heart rate using an acoustic stethoscope needs a particular skill, quiet environment, and hearing sensitivity. This project had the purpose design of a user-friendly automatic heart rate monitor and especially in a noisy area which to eliminate problems and incorrect reading of result. The liquid crystal display shows a heart rate as a result of measurements. The design of the heart rate monitor has two main parts; the signal recorder that a piezoelectric sensor, a filter, and an amplifier as recorder. The second parts was Arduino microcontroller with reinforced. Besides, three supporting buttons provided as the manual switches, the ‘on’, the ‘start’, and ‘reset’ buttons. The values acquired from the heart rate monitor indicate that those were on the Vernier BPS-BTA value range. The measurement error factor of the heart rate monitor then compared to the Vernier BPS-BTA test device was 3.15%. Besides, the value of statistical independent-test indicates that there is no significant difference (P = 0.971) between the heart rate monitor device and the Vernier BPS-BTA. In conclusion, this device was ready to be used because it has almost the same accuracy with the standart device.

Half-BPS Wilson loop and AdS 2/CFT 1

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

Giombi, Simone; Roiban, Radu; Tseytlin, Arkady A.

Here, we study correlation functions of local operator insertions on the 1/2-BPS Wilson line in N=4 super Yang–Mills theory. These correlation functions are constrained by the 1d superconformal symmetry pre-served by the 1/2-BPS Wilson line and define a defect CFT 1 living on the line. At strong coupling, a set of elementary operator insertions with protected scaling dimensions correspond to fluctuations of the dual fundamental string in AdS 5×S 5 ending on the line at the boundary and can be thought of as light fields propagating on the AdS 2 worldsheet. We use AdS/CFT techniques to compute the tree-level AdSmore » 2 Witten diagrams describing the strong coupling limit of the four-point functions of the dual operator insertions. Using the OPE, we also extract the leading strong coupling corrections to the anomalous dimensions of the “two-particle” operators built out of elementary excitations. In the case of the circular Wilson loop, we match our results for the 4-point functions of a special type of scalar insertions to the prediction of localization to 2d Yang–Mills theory.« less

Giant surfactants of poly(ethylene oxide)- b-polystyrene-(molecular nanoparticle): nanoparticle-driven self-assembly with sub-10-nm nanostructures in thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, Chih-Hao; Lin, Zhiwei; Dong, Xue-Hui; Hsieh, I.-Fan; Cheng, Stephen Z. D.

2014-03-01

Giant surfactants are built upon precisely attaching shape- and volume-persistent molecular nanoparticles (MNP) to polymeric flexible tails. The unique class of self-assembling materials, giant surfactants, has been demonstrated to form self-assembled ordered nanostructures, and their self-assembly behaviors are remarkably sensitive to primary chemical structures. In this work, two sets of giant surfactants with functionalized MNP attached to diblock copolymer tails were studied in thin films. Carboxylic acid-functionalized [60]fullerene (AC60) tethered with PEO- b-PS (PEO-PS-AC60) represents an ABA' (hydrophilic-hydrophobic-hydrophilic) giant surfactant, and fluoro-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (FPOSS) tethered with PEO- b-PS (PEO-PS-FPOSS) represents an ABC (hydrophilic-hydrophobic-omniphobic) one. The dissimilar chemical natures of the MNPs result in different arrangement of MNPs in self-assembled structures, the dispersion of AC60 in PEO domain and the single domain of FPOSS. Moreover, the chemically bonded MNPs could induce the originally disordered small molecular PEO- b-PS to form ordered cylindrical and lamellar structure, as evidenced by TEM and GISAXS, leading to sub-10-nm nanostructures of copolymer in the thin film state.

Half-BPS Wilson loop and AdS 2/CFT 1

DOE PAGES

Giombi, Simone; Roiban, Radu; Tseytlin, Arkady A.

2017-09-01

Here, we study correlation functions of local operator insertions on the 1/2-BPS Wilson line in N=4 super Yang–Mills theory. These correlation functions are constrained by the 1d superconformal symmetry pre-served by the 1/2-BPS Wilson line and define a defect CFT 1 living on the line. At strong coupling, a set of elementary operator insertions with protected scaling dimensions correspond to fluctuations of the dual fundamental string in AdS 5×S 5 ending on the line at the boundary and can be thought of as light fields propagating on the AdS 2 worldsheet. We use AdS/CFT techniques to compute the tree-level AdSmore » 2 Witten diagrams describing the strong coupling limit of the four-point functions of the dual operator insertions. Using the OPE, we also extract the leading strong coupling corrections to the anomalous dimensions of the “two-particle” operators built out of elementary excitations. In the case of the circular Wilson loop, we match our results for the 4-point functions of a special type of scalar insertions to the prediction of localization to 2d Yang–Mills theory.« less

Bisphenols, Benzophenones, and Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ethers in Textiles and Infant Clothing.

PubMed

Xue, Jingchuan; Liu, Wenbin; Kannan, Kurunthachalam

2017-05-02

Little is known with regard to the occurrence of potentially toxic chemicals in textiles and clothes. In this study, 77 textiles and infant clothing pieces were analyzed for the determination of bisphenols including bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS), benzophenones, bisphenol A diglycidyl ethers (BADGEs), and novolac glycidyl ethers (NOGEs). BPA and BPS occurred in 82% and 53% of the textile samples, respectively, and at mean concentrations of 366 and 15 ng/g, respectively. Benzophenone-3 (BP3) occurred in 70% of the samples at a mean concentration of 11.3 ng/g. Among 11 BADGEs and NOGEs analyzed, BFDGE was the predominant compound, with a mean concentration of 13.6 ng/g. Concentrations of target chemicals were assessed by fabric type, color, and uses. Socks contained the highest concentrations of BPA (mean: 1810 ng/g) with concentrations as high as 13 300 ng/g in a 97% polyester fabric marketed for infants. Calculated dermal exposure dose to BPA by infants via textiles was as high as 7280 pg/kg BW/d. This is the first study to report the occurrence of, and exposure to, BPA, BPS, BADGEs, and NOGEs in textiles and clothing.

Isotropic Elastic Stress Induced Large Temperature Range Liquid Crystal Blue Phase at Room Temperature.

PubMed

Manna, Suman K; Dupont, Laurent; Li, Guoqiang

2016-08-11

A thermodynamically stable blue phase (BP) based on the conventional rod like nematogen is demonstrated for the first time at room temperature by only diluting a chiral-nematic mixture with the help of some nonmesogenic isotropic liquid. It is observed that addition of this isotropic liquid does not only stabilize the BPs at room temperature, but also significantly improves the temperature range (reversible during heating and cooling) of the BPs to the level of more than 28 °C. Apart from that, we have observed its microsecond electro-optic response time and, external electric field induced wavelength tuning, which are the two indispensable requirements for next generation optical devices, photonic displays, lasers, and many more. Here we propose that the isotropic liquid plays two crucial roles simultaneously. On one hand, it reduces the effective elastic moduli (EEM) of the BP mixtures and stabilizes the BPs at room temperature, and on the other hand, it increases the symmetry of the mutual orientation ordering among the neighboring unit cells of the BP. Hence, the resultant mixture becomes better resistive to some microscopic change due to the change in temperature, even over a large range.

Analysis of problem solving on project based learning with resource based learning approach computer-aided program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuncoro, K. S.; Junaedi, I.; Dwijanto

2018-03-01

This study aimed to reveal the effectiveness of Project Based Learning with Resource Based Learning approach computer-aided program and analyzed problem-solving abilities in terms of problem-solving steps based on Polya stages. The research method used was mixed method with sequential explanatory design. The subject of this research was the students of math semester 4. The results showed that the S-TPS (Strong Top Problem Solving) and W-TPS (Weak Top Problem Solving) had good problem-solving abilities in each problem-solving indicator. The problem-solving ability of S-MPS (Strong Middle Problem Solving) and (Weak Middle Problem Solving) in each indicator was good. The subject of S-BPS (Strong Bottom Problem Solving) had a difficulty in solving the problem with computer program, less precise in writing the final conclusion and could not reflect the problem-solving process using Polya’s step. While the Subject of W-BPS (Weak Bottom Problem Solving) had not been able to meet almost all the indicators of problem-solving. The subject of W-BPS could not precisely made the initial table of completion so that the completion phase with Polya’s step was constrained.

Effects of 4-Hydroxyphenyl 4-Isoprooxyphenylsulfone (BPSIP) Exposure on Reproduction and Endocrine System of Zebrafish.

PubMed

Lee, Jiyun; Park, Na-Youn; Kho, Younglim; Ji, Kyunghee

2018-02-06

The compound 4-hydroxyphenyl 4-isoprooxyphenylsulfone (BPSIP), a derivative of bisphenol S (BPS), has been detected in thermal paper and human urine samples; however, its potential effects on the endocrine system are largely unknown. The present study was conducted to determine the adverse effects of BPSIP on egg production, relative organ weights, plasma levels of sex hormones, and transcription of genes related to the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis in zebrafish (Danio rerio). In male fish, the gonadosomatic index was significantly decreased at concentrations of 5 and 50 μg/L BPSIP. The estrogenic (increase in the 17β-estradiol/testosterone [E2/T] ratio) and antiandrogenic (decrease in T) effects were observed in fish exposed to BPSIP and males were more sensitive to the adverse effects than females. The changes in sex hormones were supported by the regulation of genes along the HPG axis, such as cyp19, 17βhsd, and cyp17 transcripts. Although the effective concentration for endocrine disruption was greater than that of BPS, the actions of BPSIP on the steroidogenic pathway were similar to the effects of BPS exposure.

Oscillatory behavior of the domain wall dynamics in a curved cylindrical magnetic nanowire

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moreno, R.; Carvalho-Santos, V. L.; Espejo, A. P.; Laroze, D.; Chubykalo-Fesenko, O.; Altbir, D.

2017-11-01

Understanding the domain wall dynamics is an important issue in modern magnetism. Here we present results of domain wall displacement in curved cylindrical nanowires at a constant magnetic field. We show that the average velocity of a transverse domain wall increases with curvature. Contrary to what is observed in stripes, in a curved wire the transverse domain wall oscillates along and rotates around the nanowire with the same frequency. These results open the possibility of new oscillation-based applications.

Boundaries, mirror symmetry, and symplectic duality in 3d N = 4 gauge theory

DOE PAGES

Bullimore, Mathew; Dimofte, Tudor; Gaiotto, Davide; ...

2016-10-20

We introduce several families of N = (2, 2) UV boundary conditions in 3d N=4 gauge theories and study their IR images in sigma-models to the Higgs and Coulomb branches. In the presence of Omega deformations, a UV boundary condition defines a pair of modules for quantized algebras of chiral Higgs- and Coulomb-branch operators, respectively, whose structure we derive. In the case of abelian theories, we use the formalism of hyperplane arrangements to make our constructions very explicit, and construct a half-BPS interface that implements the action of 3d mirror symmetry on gauge theories and boundary conditions. Finally, by studyingmore » two-dimensional compactifications of 3d N = 4 gauge theories and their boundary conditions, we propose a physical origin for symplectic duality $-$ an equivalence of categories of modules associated to families of Higgs and Coulomb branches that has recently appeared in the mathematics literature, and generalizes classic results on Koszul duality in geometric representation theory. We make several predictions about the structure of symplectic duality, and identify Koszul duality as a special case of wall crossing.« less

Projectile-generating explosive access tool

DOEpatents

Jakaboski, Juan-Carlos [Albuquerque, NM; Hughs, Chance G [Tijeras, NM; Todd, Steven N [Rio Rancho, NM

2011-10-18

An explosive device that can generate a projectile from the opposite side of a wall from the side where the explosive device is detonated. The projectile can be generated without breaching the wall of the structure or container. The device can optionally open an aperture in a solid wall of a structure or a container and form a high-kinetic-energy projectile from the portion of the wall removed to create the aperture.

Mechanically driven centrifugal pyrolyzer

DOEpatents

Linck, Martin Brendan [Mount Prospect, IL; Bush, Phillip Vann [Bartlett, IL

2012-03-06

An apparatus for fast pyrolysis of biomass and other solid organic materials including a vertically oriented cylindrical vessel having a solids outlet proximate the bottom thereof, a vapor outlet, a top wall forming at least one opening, and an adjacent heated side wall. Disposed within the cylindrical vessel and extending through the at least one opening in the top wall is a rotor having a rotatable shaft coincident with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical vessel to which is attached at least one substantially vertically oriented blade having one edge connected directly or indirectly with the rotatable shaft and having an opposite edge spaced apart from the heated side wall, whereby a non-radial, preferably tangential, force is imparted on the feedstock in the cylindrical vessel. Also disclosed is a method for fast pyrolysis of biomass and other solid organic materials.

Functional Analysis of Cellulose and Xyloglucan in the Walls of Stomatal Guard Cells of Arabidopsis1[OPEN

PubMed Central

Rui, Yue; Anderson, Charles T.

2016-01-01

Stomatal guard cells are pairs of specialized epidermal cells that control water and CO2 exchange between the plant and the environment. To fulfill the functions of stomatal opening and closure that are driven by changes in turgor pressure, guard cell walls must be both strong and flexible, but how the structure and dynamics of guard cell walls enable stomatal function remains poorly understood. To address this question, we applied cell biological and genetic analyses to investigate guard cell walls and their relationship to stomatal function in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Using live-cell spinning disk confocal microscopy, we measured the motility of cellulose synthase (CESA)-containing complexes labeled by green fluorescent protein (GFP)-CESA3 and observed a reduced proportion of GFP-CESA3 particles colocalizing with microtubules upon stomatal closure. Imaging cellulose organization in guard cells revealed a relatively uniform distribution of cellulose in the open state and a more fibrillar pattern in the closed state, indicating that cellulose microfibrils undergo dynamic reorganization during stomatal movements. In cesa3je5 mutants defective in cellulose synthesis and xxt1 xxt2 mutants lacking the hemicellulose xyloglucan, stomatal apertures, changes in guard cell length, and cellulose reorganization were aberrant during fusicoccin-induced stomatal opening or abscisic acid-induced stomatal closure, indicating that sufficient cellulose and xyloglucan are required for normal guard cell dynamics. Together, these results provide new insights into how guard cell walls allow stomata to function as responsive mediators of gas exchange at the plant surface. PMID:26729799

Irrigation dynamics associated with positive pressure, apical negative pressure and passive ultrasonic irrigations: a computational fluid dynamics analysis.

PubMed

Chen, José Enrique; Nurbakhsh, Babak; Layton, Gillian; Bussmann, Markus; Kishen, Anil

2014-08-01

Complexities in root canal anatomy and surface adherent biofilm structures remain as challenges in endodontic disinfection. The ability of an irrigant to penetrate into the apical region of a canal, along with its interaction with the root canal walls, will aid in endodontic disinfection. The aim of this study was to qualitatively examine the irrigation dynamics of syringe irrigation with different needle tip designs (open-ended and closed-ended), apical negative pressure irrigation with the EndoVac® system, and passive ultrasonic-assisted irrigation, using a computational fluid dynamics model. Syringe-based irrigation with a side-vented needle showed a higher wall shear stress than the open-ended but was localised to a small region of the canal wall. The apical negative pressure mode of irrigation generated the lowest wall shear stress, while the passive-ultrasonic irrigation group showed the highest wall shear stress along with the greatest magnitude of velocity. © 2013 The Authors. Australian Endodontic Journal © 2013 Australian Society of Endodontology.

Open Loop Heat Pipe Radiator Having a Free-Piston for Wiping Condensed Working Fluid

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weinstein, Leonard M. (Inventor)

2015-01-01

An open loop heat pipe radiator comprises a radiator tube and a free-piston. The radiator tube has a first end, a second end, and a tube wall, and the tube wall has an inner surface and an outer surface. The free-piston is enclosed within the radiator tube and is capable of movement within the radiator tube between the first and second ends. The free-piston defines a first space between the free-piston, the first end, and the tube wall, and further defines a second space between the free-piston, the second end, and the tube wall. A gaseous-state working fluid, which was evaporated to remove waste heat, alternately enters the first and second spaces, and the free-piston wipes condensed working fluid from the inner surface of the tube wall as the free-piston alternately moves between the first and second ends. The condensed working fluid is then pumped back to the heat source.

Sodium Restriction in Patients With CKD: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-management Support.

PubMed

Meuleman, Yvette; Hoekstra, Tiny; Dekker, Friedo W; Navis, Gerjan; Vogt, Liffert; van der Boog, Paul J M; Bos, Willem Jan W; van Montfrans, Gert A; van Dijk, Sandra

2017-05-01

To evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of self-managed sodium restriction in patients with chronic kidney disease. Open randomized controlled trial. Patients with moderately decreased kidney function from 4 hospitals in the Netherlands. Regular care was compared with regular care plus an intervention comprising education, motivational interviewing, coaching, and self-monitoring of blood pressure (BP) and sodium. Primary outcomes were sodium excretion and BP after the 3-month intervention and at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were protein excretion, kidney function, antihypertensive medication, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). At baseline, mean sodium excretion rate was 163.6±64.9 (SD) mmol/24 h; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate was 49.7±25.6mL/min/1.73m 2 ; median protein excretion rate was 0.8 (IQR, 0.4-1.7) g/24 h; and mean 24-hour ambulatory systolic and diastolic BPs were 129±15 and 76±9mmHg, respectively. Compared to regular care only (n=71), at 3 months, the intervention group (n=67) showed reduced sodium excretion rate (mean change, -30.3 [95% CI, -54.7 to -5.9] mmol/24 h), daytime ambulatory diastolic BP (mean change, -3.4 [95% CI, -6.3 to -0.6] mmHg), diastolic office BP (mean change, -5.2 [95% CI, -8.4 to -2.1] mmHg), protein excretion (mean change, -0.4 [95% CI, -0.7 to -0.1] g/24h), and improved self-efficacy (mean change, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.1 to 0.9]). At 6 months, differences in sodium excretion rates and ambulatory BPs between the groups were not significant, but differences were detected in systolic and diastolic office BPs (mean changes of -7.3 [95% CI, -12.7 to -1.9] and -3.8 [95% CI, -6.9 to -0.6] mmHg, respectively), protein excretion (mean changes, -0.3 [95% CI, -0.6 to -0.1] g/24h), and self-efficacy (mean change, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.0 to 0.9]). No differences in kidney function, medication, and HRQoL were observed. Nonblinding, relatively low response rate, and missing data. Compared to regular care only, this self-management intervention modestly improved outcomes, although effects on sodium excretion and ambulatory BP diminish over time. Copyright © 2016 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Genetics Home Reference: abdominal wall defect

MedlinePlus

... are two main types of abdominal wall defects: omphalocele and gastroschisis . Omphalocele is an opening in the center of the ... covering the exposed organs in gastroschisis. Fetuses with omphalocele may grow slowly before birth (intrauterine growth retardation) ...

Ported jacket for use in deformation measurement apparatus

DOEpatents

Wagner, L.A.; Senseny, P.E.; Mellegard, K.D.; Olsberg, S.B.

1990-03-06

A device for allowing deformation measurement of a jacketed specimen when the specimen is loaded includes an elastomeric specimen container or jacket surrounding a specimen while the specimen is being loaded by a test apparatus. The specimen jacket wall is compressible, and the wall follows and allows deformation of the specimen. The jacket wall of compressible material is provided with at least one opening and a thin layer or shim of substantially non-compressible (metal) material which covers and seals this opening. An extensometer is then positioned with its specimen engaging contact members engaging the substantially non-compressible material to measure the deformation of the specimen when the specimen is loaded, without compressibility effects of the jacket. 9 figs.

INTERIOR VIEW, WEST WALL OF NORTHWEST ATTIC CHAMBER. THIS SPACIOUS ...

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

INTERIOR VIEW, WEST WALL OF NORTHWEST ATTIC CHAMBER. THIS SPACIOUS ROOM INCLUDED A ROOF MONITOR FOR LIGHT AND VENTILATION AND A FIREPLACE FOR HEAT. THE WALL OPENING AND DOOR ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FIREPLACE GIVE ONTO A LARGE UNFINISHED SPACE LOCATED OVER THE HOUSE’S WEST WING - The Woodlands, 4000 Woodlands Avenue, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

Systems to facilitate reducing flashback/flame holding in combustion systems

DOEpatents

Lacy, Benjamin Paul [Greer, SC; Kraemer, Gilbert Otto [Greer, SC; Varatharajan, Balachandar [Clifton Park, NY; Yilmaz, Ertan [Albany, NY; Zuo, Baifang [Simpsonville, SC

2012-02-21

A method for assembling a premixing injector is provided. The method includes providing a centerbody including a center axis and a radially outer surface, and providing an inlet flow conditioner. The inlet flow conditioner includes a radially outer wall, a radially inner wall, and an end wall coupled substantially perpendicularly between the outer wall and the inner wall. Each of the outer wall and the end wall include a plurality of openings defined therein. The outer wall, the inner wall, and the end wall define a first passage therebetween. The method also includes coupling the inlet flow conditioner to the centerbody such that the inlet flow conditioner substantially circumscribes the centerbody, such that the inner wall is substantially parallel to the centerbody outer surface, and such that a second passage is defined between the centerbody outer surface and the inner wall.

Analysis of the EM scattering from arbitrary open-ended waveguide cavities using axial Gaussian Beam tracking

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burkholder, R. J.; Pathak, P. H.

1988-01-01

The electromagnetic (EM) scattering from a planar termination located inside relatively arbitrarily shaped open-ended waveguide cavities with smoothly curved interior walls is analyzed using a Gaussian Beam (GB) expansion of the incident plane wave fields in the open end. The cavities under consideration may contain perfectly-conducting interior walls with or without a thin layer of material coating, or the walls may be characterized by an impedance boundary condition. In the present approach, the GB's are tracked only to the termination of the waveguide cavity via beam reflections from interior waveguide cavity walls. The Gaussian beams are tracked approximately only along their beam axes; this approximation which remains valid for relatively well focussed beams assumes that an incident GB gives rise to a reflected GB with parameters related to the incident beam and the radius of curvature of the wall. It is found that this approximation breaks down for GB's which come close to grazing a convex surface and when the width of the incident beam is comparable to the radius of curvature of the surface. The expansion of the fields at the open end depend on the incidence angle only through the expansion coefficients, so the GB's need to be tracked through the waveguide cavity only once for a wide range of incidence angles. At the termination, the sum of all the GB's are integrated using a result developed from a generalized reciprocity principle, to give the fields scattered from the interior of the cavity. The rim edge at the open end of the cavity is assumed to be sharp and the external scattering from the rim is added separately using Geometrical Theory of Diffraction. The results based on the present approach are compared with solutions based on the hybrid asymptotic modal method. The agreement is found to be very good for cavities made up of planar surfaces, and also for cavities with curved surfaces which are not too long with respect to their width.

Technology Solutions Case Study: Innovative Retrofit Foundation Insulation Strategies, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

None

Basements in climates 6 & 7 can account for a fraction of a home's total heat loss when fully conditioned. These foundations are a source of moisture, with convection in open block cavities redistributing water from the wall base, usually when heating. Even when block cavities are capped, the cold foundation concrete can act as a moisture source for wood rim joist components that are in contact with the wall. As below-grade basements are increasingly retrofitted for habitable space, cold foundation walls pose increased challenges for moisture durability, energy use, and occupant comfort. To address this challenge, the NorthernSTAR Buildingmore » America Partnership evaluated a retrofit insulation strategy for foundations that is designed for use with open-core concrete block foundation walls. The three main goals were to improve moisture control, improve occupant comfort, and reduce heat loss.« less

Method for detecting organic contaminants in water supplies

DOEpatents

Dooley, K.J.; Barrie, S.L.; Buttner, W.J.

1999-08-24

A system is described for detecting organic contaminants in water supplies. A sampling unit is employed which includes a housing having at least one opening therein and a tubular member positioned within the housing having a central passageway surrounded by a side wall. The side wall is made of a composition designed to absorb the contaminants. In use, the sampling unit is immersed in a water supply. The water supply contacts the tubular member through the opening in the housing, with any contaminants being absorbed into the side wall of the tubular member. A carrier gas is then passed through the central passageway of the tubular member. The contaminants will diffuse out of the side wall and into the central passageway where they will subsequently combine with the carrier gas, thereby yielding a gaseous product. The gaseous product is then analyzed to determine the amount and type of contaminants therein. 5 figs.

Method for detecting organic contaminants in water supplies

DOEpatents

Dooley, Kirk J.; Barrie, Scott L.; Buttner, William J.

1999-01-01

A system for detecting organic contaminants in water supplies. A sampling unit is employed which includes a housing having at least one opening therein and a tubular member positioned within the housing having a central passageway surrounded by a side wall. The side wall is made of a composition designed to absorb the contaminants. In use, the sampling unit is immersed in a water supply. The water supply contacts the tubular member through the opening in the housing, with any contaminants being absorbed into the side wall of the tubular member. A carrier gas is then passed through the central passageway of the tubular member. The contaminants will diffuse out of the side wall and into the central passageway where they will subsequently combine with the carrier gas, thereby yielding a gaseous product. The gaseous product is then analyzed to determine the amount and type of contaminants therein.

INTERIOR, LARGE OPEN AREA AT THE NORTHERN END OF THE ...

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

INTERIOR, LARGE OPEN AREA AT THE NORTHERN END OF THE BUILDING, SHOWING CIRCULAR OPENINGS IN DIVIDING WALL, LOOKING NORTH - Eglin Air Force Base, Storehouse & Company Administration, Southeast of Flager Road, Nassau Lane, & southern edge of Weekly Bayou, Valparaiso, Okaloosa County, FL

Periodicals Price Survey 2008: Embracing Openness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Orsdel, Lee C.; Born, Kathleen

2008-01-01

Evidence for open access as an emergent, global state of mind is everywhere. The "New York Times" went "open" last September, and the "Wall Street Journal" is slated to follow. Increasingly, scholarly communities are breaking with tradition and calling for the open sharing of research, software, and data. Amongst these global initiatives is the…

Design Memorandum with Environmental Assessment for Raccoon River and Walnut Creek, West Des Moines and Des Moines, Iowa Local Flood Protection Project. Revision

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-01

pervious 15’ Levee - Walnut Creek (f) substratum (sand) 4A 197 thru fill, 5’ into 15’ Levee - Walnut Creek ( 56k ) sand 4B 195 thru fill, 5’ into 15...expand ram memory to 2 megabyte plus nemory chips. 4.5.2.4 Two (2) external 2400 bps phone modems (Hayes). 4.5.2.5 Four port serial multiplexer. 4.5.2.6...Two (2) external 2400 bps phone modems (Hayes). 5.1.1.2.5 Four port serial multiplexer. 5.1.1.2.6 One (1) Okidata 393C 120/450 printer and 2 color

Four-center bubbled BPS solutions with a Gibbons-Hawking base

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heidmann, Pierre

2017-10-01

We construct four-center bubbled BPS solutions with a Gibbons-Hawking base space. We give a systematic procedure to build scaling solutions: starting from three-supertube configurations and using generalized spectral flows and gauge transformations to extend to solutions with four Gibbons-Hawking centers. This allows us to construct very large families of smooth horizonless solutions that have the same charges and angular momentum as supersymmetric black holes with a macroscopically large horizon area. Our construction reveals that all scaling solutions with four Gibbons Hawking centers have an angular momentum at around 99% of the cosmic censorship bound. We give both an analytical and a numerical explanation for this unexpected feature.

Closure device for lead-acid batteries

DOEpatents

Ledjeff, Konstantin

1983-01-01

A closure device for lead-acid batteries includes a filter of granulated activated carbon treated to be hydrophobic combined with means for preventing explosion of emitted hydrogen and oxygen gas. The explosion prevention means includes a vertical open-end tube within the closure housing for maintaining a liquid level above side wall openings in an adjacent closed end tube. Gases vent from the battery through a nozzle directed inside the closed end tube against an impingement surface to remove acid droplets. The gases then flow through the side wall openings and the liquid level to quench any possible ignition prior to entering the activated carbon filter. A wick in the activated carbon filter conducts condensed liquid back to the closure housing to replenish the liquid level limited by the open-end tube.

Tuned intake air system for a rotary engine

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

Corbett, W.D.

This patent describes a rotary internal combustion engine for an outboard board motor. It comprises a plenum chamber attached to the rear of the engine; and the plenum chamber including an inner wall attached to the exhaust manifold; an inlet conduit connecting the cooling air exit passage and the inlet air opening; an outlet conduit connecting the outlet air opening and the combustion air inlet; and the outlet conduit terminating in a combustion air outlet in the inner wall of the plenum chamber.

Projectile-generating explosive access tool

DOEpatents

Jakaboski, Juan-Carlos; Hughs, Chance G; Todd, Steven N

2013-06-11

A method for generating a projectile using an explosive device that can generate a projectile from the opposite side of a wall from the side where the explosive device is detonated. The projectile can be generated without breaching the wall of the structure or container. The device can optionally open an aperture in a solid wall of a structure or a container and form a high-kinetic-energy projectile from the portion of the wall removed to create the aperture.

Collagen content in the bladder of men with LUTS undergoing open prostatectomy: A pilot study.

PubMed

Averbeck, Marcio A; De Lima, Nelson G; Motta, Gabriela A; Beltrao, Lauro F; Abboud Filho, Nury J; Rigotti, Clarice P; Dos Santos, William N; Dos Santos, Steven K J; Da Silva, Luis F B; Rhoden, Ernani L

2018-03-01

To evaluate the collagen content in the bladder wall of men undergoing open prostate surgery. From July 2014 to August 2016, men aged ≥ 50 years, presenting LUTS and undergoing open prostate surgery due to benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) or prostate cancer were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative assessment included validated questionnaires (IPSS and OAB-V8), lower urinary tract ultrasound, and urodynamics. Bladder biopsies were obtained during open prostatectomy for determination of collagen content (sirius red-picric acid stain; polarized light analysis). Collagen to smooth muscle ratio (C/M) in the detrusor was measured and its relationship with preoperative parameters was investigated. The level of significance was P < 0.05. Thirty-eight consecutive patients were included in this pilot study. Mean age was 66.36 ± 6.44 years and mean IPSS was 11.05 ± 8.72 points. Men diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM2) were found to have higher collagen content in the bladder wall when compared to non-diabetic patients (17.71 ± 6.82% vs 12.46 ± 5.2%, respectively; P = 0.024). Reduced bladder compliance was also marker for higher collagen content (P = 0.042). Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) was not a predictor of increased collagen deposition in the bladder wall (P = 0.75). Patients with PVR ≥ 200 mL showed a higher collagen to smooth muscle ratio in the bladder wall (P = 0.036). DM2 and urodynamic parameters, such as increased PVR and reduced bladder compliance, were associated with higher collagen content in the bladder wall of men with LUTS. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Diverter/bop system and method for a bottom supported offshore drilling rig

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

Roche, J.R.; Alexander, G.G.; Carbaugh, W.L.

1986-07-01

A system is described adapted for alternative use as a diverter or a blowout preventer for a bottom supported drilling rig and adapted for connection to a permanent housing attached to rig structural members beneath a drilling rig rotary table, the permanent housing having an outlet connectable to a rig fluid system flow line. The system consists of: a fluid flow controller having a controller housing with a lower cylindrical opening and an upper cylindrical opening and a vertical path therebetween and a first outlet passage and a second outlet passage provided in its wall, a packing element disposed withinmore » the controller housing, and annular piston means adapted for moving from a first position to a second position, whereby in the first position the piston means wall prevents interior fluid from communicating with the outlet passages in the controller housing wall and in the second position the piston means wall allows fluid communication of interior fluid with the outlet passages and urges the annular packing element to close about an object extending through the bore of the controller housing or to close the vertical flow path through through the controller housing in the absence of any object in the vertical flow path, means for connecting a vent line to the outlet passage provided in the controller housing wall, a lower telescoping spool having a lower joining means at its lower end for joining alternatively to structural casing or to a mandrel connected to a conductor string cemented within the structural casing and an upper connection means at its upper end for connection to the lower cylindrical opening of the fluid flow controller, and an upper telescoping spool having a lower connection means for connection to the upper cylindrical opening of the fluid flow controller.« less

SIP Shear Walls: Cyclic Performance of High-Aspect-Ratio Segments and Perforated Walls

Treesearch

Vladimir Kochkin; Douglas R. Rammer; Kevin Kauffman; Thomas Wiliamson; Robert J. Ross

2015-01-01

Increasing stringency of energy codes and the growing market demand for more energy efficient buildings gives structural insulated panel (SIP) construction an opportunity to increase its use in commercial and residential buildings. However, shear wall aspect ratio limitations and lack of knowledge on how to design SIPs with window and door openings are barriers to the...

Large-scale aeroacoustic research feasibility and conceptual design of test-section inserts for the Ames 80- by 120-foot wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soderman, Paul T.; Olsen, Larry E.

1990-01-01

An engineering feasibility study was made of aeroacoustic inserts designed for large-scale acoustic research on aircraft models in the 80 by 120 foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. The advantages and disadvantages of likely designs were analyzed. Results indicate that the required maximum airspeed leads to the design of a particular insert. Using goals of 200, 150, and 100 knots airspeed, the analysis indicated a 30 x 60 ft open-jet test section, a 40 x 80 ft open jet test section, and a 70 x 100 ft closed test section with enhanced wall lining, respectively. The open-jet inserts would be composed of a nozzle, collector, diffuser, and acoutic wedges incorporated in the existing 80 x 120 test section. The closed test section would be composed of approximately 5 ft acoustic wedges covered by a porous plate attached to the test section walls of the existing 80 x 120. All designs would require a double row of acoustic vanes between the test section and fan drive to attenuate fan noise and, in the case of the open-jet designs, to control flow separation at the diffuser downstream end. The inserts would allow virtually anechoic acoustic studies of large helicopter models, jets, and V/STOL aircraft models in simulated flight. Model scale studies would be necessary to optimize the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of any of the designs. In all designs studied, the existing structure would have to be reinforced. Successful development of acoustically transparent walls, though not strictly necessary to the project, would lead to a porous-wall test section that could be substituted for any of the open-jet designs, and thereby eliminate many aerodynamic and acoustic problems characteristic of open-jet shear layers. The larger size of the facility would make installation and removal of the insert components difficult. Consequently, scheduling of the existing 80 x 120 aerodynamic test section and scheduling of the open-jet test section would likely be made on an annual or longer basis. The enhanced wall-lining insert would likely be permanent. Although the modifications are technically feasible, the economic practicality of the project was not evaluated.

12. FRIST FLOOR, SOUTHEAST ROOM, SOUTHWEST WALL, HEARTH WITH KETTLES ...

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

12. FRIST FLOOR, SOUTHEAST ROOM, SOUTHWEST WALL, HEARTH WITH KETTLES USED FOR RENDERING LARD (LEFT) AND MAKING APPLE BUTTER (RIGHT) - Open Gate Farm, House, Ridge Road, 1 mile East of Elephant Road, Perkasie, Bucks County, PA

15. BUILDING 1: FOURTH FLOOR (West Section), TOP LEVEL OF ...

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

15. BUILDING 1: FOURTH FLOOR (West Section), TOP LEVEL OF TUBS, SOUTH AND WEST WALLS. OPEN METAL BREWER'S STAIR VISIBLE ALONG WEST WALL - Boston Beer Company, 225-249 West Second Street, South Boston, Suffolk County, MA

Investigating the Effect of Carbon Nanotube Diameter and Wall Number in Carbon Nanotube/Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells

PubMed Central

Grace, Tom; Yu, LePing; Gibson, Christopher; Tune, Daniel; Alturaif, Huda; Al Othman, Zeid; Shapter, Joseph

2016-01-01

Suspensions of single-walled, double-walled and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were generated in the same solvent at similar concentrations. Films were fabricated from these suspensions and used in carbon nanotube/silicon heterojunction solar cells and their properties were compared with reference to the number of walls in the nanotube samples. It was found that single-walled nanotubes generally produced more favorable results; however, the double and multi-walled nanotube films used in this study yielded cells with higher open circuit voltages. It was also determined that post fabrication treatments applied to the nanotube films have a lesser effect on multi-walled nanotubes than on the other two types. PMID:28344309

Effects of rat sex differences and lighting on locomotor exploration of a circular open field with free-standing central corners and without peripheral walls.

PubMed

Alstott, Jeff; Timberlake, William

2009-01-23

A typical open field consists of a square enclosure, bounded by four straight walls joined by identical corners. For decades behavioral researchers have used the open center and more sheltered perimeter of such fields to examine the effects of drugs, sex differences, and illumination on the behavioral expression of fear and anxiety. The present study "reversed" the relative security of the center and periphery of a circular field to re-examine the functional relation of open field behavior to experience, sex differences and lighting. Across six daily exposures, males in both the light and dark rapidly increased their preference for the center. Females in the light developed a similar pattern, though more slowly; females in the dark continued to spend the great majority of their time in the open periphery, including the edge of the field. The behavior of all groups, but especially the dark females, strongly supports the continued importance of environmental assessment in open field behavior.

Using Business Process Specification and Agent to Integrate a Scenario Driven Supply Chain

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

Cho, Hyunbo; Kulvatunyou, Boonserm; Jeong, Hanil

2004-07-01

In today's increasingly competitive global market, most enterprises place high priority on reducing order-fulfillment costs, minimizing time-to-market, and maximizing product quality. The desire of businesses to achieve these goals has seen a shift from a make-to-stock paradigm to a make-to-order paradigm. The success of this new paradigm requires robust and efficient supply chain integration and the ability to operate in the business-to-business (B2B) environment. Recent internet-based approaches have enabled instantaneous and secure information sharing among trading partners (i.e., customers, manufacturers, and suppliers). In this paper, we present a framework that enables both integration and B2B operations. This framework uses pre-definedmore » business process specifications (BPS) and agent technologies. The BPS, which specifies a message choreography among the trading partners, is modeled using a modified Unified Modeling Language (UML). The behavior of the enterprise applications within each trading partner -- how they respond to external events specified in the BPS -- is modeled using Petri-nets and implemented as a collection of agents. The concepts and models proposed in this paper should provide the starting point for the formulation of a structured approach to B2B supply chain integration and implementation.« less

Novel characteristics of sophorolipids, yeast glycolipid biosurfactants, as biodegradable low-foaming surfactants.

PubMed

Hirata, Yoshihiko; Ryu, Mizuyuki; Oda, Yuka; Igarashi, Keisuke; Nagatsuka, Asami; Furuta, Taro; Sugiura, Masaki

2009-08-01

Sophorolipids (SLs) are a family of glycolipid type biosurfactants, which are largely produced by the non-pathogenic yeast, Candida bombicola. In order to investigate the possibility of SLs for industrial use, here we examined the interfacial activities, cytotoxicity and biodegradability of SLs, and compared these properties with those of two lipopeptide type biosurfactants (surfactin and arthrofactin), sodium laurate (soap, SP) and four kinds of chemically synthesized surfactants including two block-copolymer nonionic surfactants (BPs), polyoxyethylene lauryl ether (AE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). It was indicated that SLs had extremely low-foaming properties and high detergency comparable with commercially available low-foaming BPs. These interfacial activities of SLs were maintained under 100 ppm water hardness. Cytotoxicity of SLs on human keratinocytes was the same as surfactin, which has already been commercialized as cosmetic material, but higher than BPs. Moreover, biodegradability of SLs using the OECD Guidelines for Testing of Chemicals (301C, Modified MITI Test) displayed that SLs can be classified as "readily" biodegradable chemicals, which are defined as chemicals that are degraded 60% within 28 days under specified test methods. We observed 61% degradation of SLs on the eighth day of cultivation. Our results indicate that SLs are low-foaming surfactants with high detergency, which also exhibit both low cytotoxicity and readily biodegradable properties.

Characterization of a potentially novel 'blown pack' spoilage bacterium isolated from bovine hide.

PubMed

Moschonas, G; Bolton, D J

2013-03-01

To characterize a psychrotrophic bacterium, designated TC1, previously isolated from a cattle hide in Ireland, and to investigate the ability of this strain to cause 'blown pack' spoilage (BPS) of vacuum-packaged beef primals. TC1 was characterized using a combination of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic analyses and was assessed for its ability to spoil vacuum-packaged beef at refrigerated temperatures. TC1 was Gram-positive and formed elliptical subterminal endospores. The strain was able to grow between 0 and 33 °C, with optimal growth between 23 and 24 °C. TC1 could be differentiated from its phylogenetically closest neighbour (Clostridium lituseburense DSM 797(T)) by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and cellular fatty acid composition. TC1 spoiled (BPS) beef within 42 days when inoculated in cold-stored (1 °C) vacuum-packed beef. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic characterization indicated that TC1 may represent a potentially novel, cold-tolerant, gas-producing bacterium of considerable economic significance to the beef industry. This study reports and characterizes an emerging BPS bacterium, which should be considered in future activities designed to minimize the psychrophilic and psychrotrophic spoilage of vacuum-packaged beef. © 2012 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Adsorption of bovine serum albumin on nano and bulk oxide particles in deionized water.

PubMed

Song, Lei; Yang, Kun; Jiang, Wei; Du, Peng; Xing, Baoshan

2012-06-01

In this work, the influence of particle size and surface functional groups on the adsorption behavior of bovine serum albumin (BSA) by three types of oxide nanoparticles (NPs), TiO(2) (50±5 nm), SiO(2) (30±5 nm), and Al(2)O(3) (150±5 nm for α type and 60±5 nm for γ type) was investigated in deionized water, in order to explore their interaction mechanisms without competitive influence of other ions. Bulkparticles (BPs) were also used for comparison with NPs. BSA adsorption maxima on oxide particles were controlled by the surface area and hydrogen content, while adsorption process was primarily induced by electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction and ligand exchange between BSA and oxide surfaces. With the increase of hydrogen content, the BSA adsorption mechanism switched from mainly hydrophobic interaction to hydrogen bonding and ligand exchange. Calculations, based on surface area and BSA size, suggested that a multilayer of BSA covered on α-Al(2)O(3), and single layer on the other oxide particle surfaces. BPs led to greater conformational change of BSA molecules after the adsorption on the surfaces of oxide particles though NPs adsorbed more BSA than BPs. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Black hole meiosis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Herck, Walter; Wyder, Thomas

2010-04-01

The enumeration of BPS bound states in string theory needs refinement. Studying partition functions of particles made from D-branes wrapped on algebraic Calabi-Yau 3-folds, and classifying states using split attractor flow trees, we extend the method for computing a refined BPS index, [1]. For certain D-particles, a finite number of microstates, namely polar states, exclusively realized as bound states, determine an entire partition function (elliptic genus). This underlines their crucial importance: one might call them the ‘chromosomes’ of a D-particle or a black hole. As polar states also can be affected by our refinement, previous predictions on elliptic genera are modified. This can be metaphorically interpreted as ‘crossing-over in the meiosis of a D-particle’. Our results improve on [2], provide non-trivial evidence for a strong split attractor flow tree conjecture, and thus suggest that we indeed exhaust the BPS spectrum. In the D-brane description of a bound state, the necessity for refinement results from the fact that tachyonic strings split up constituent states into ‘generic’ and ‘special’ states. These are enumerated separately by topological invariants, which turn out to be partitions of Donaldson-Thomas invariants. As modular predictions provide a check on many of our results, we have compelling evidence that our computations are correct.

Ionic liquid based vortex assisted liquid-liquid microextraction combined with liquid chromatography mass spectrometry for the determination of bisphenols in thermal papers with the aid of response surface methodology.

PubMed

Asati, Ankita; Satyanarayana, G N V; Panchal, Smita; Thakur, Ravindra Singh; Ansari, Nasreen G; Patel, Devendra K

2017-08-04

A sensitive, rapid and efficient ionic liquid-based vortex assisted liquid-liquid microextraction (IL-VALLME) with Liquid Chromatography Mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method is proposed for the determination of bisphenols in thermal paper. Extraction factors were systematically optimized by response surface methodology. Experimental factors showing significant effects on the analytical responses were evaluated using design of experiment. The limit of detection for Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Bisphenol-S (BPS) in thermal paper were 1.25 and 0.93μgkg -1 respectively. The dynamic linearity range for BPA was between 4 and 100μgkg -1 and the determination of coefficient (R 2 ) was 0.996. The values of the same parameters were 3-100μgkg -1 and 0.998 for BPS. The extraction recoveries of BPA and BPS in thermal paper were 101% and 99%. Percent relative standard deviation (% RSD) for matrix effect and matrix match effects were not more than 10%, for both bisphenols. The proposed method uses a statistical approach for the analysis of bisphenols in environmental samples, and is easy, rapid, requires minimum organic solvents and efficient. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Efficacy and Safety of Bisphosphonate Therapy in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Rijks, Ester B G; Bongers, Bart C; Vlemmix, Marloes J G; Boot, Annemieke M; van Dijk, Atty T H; Sakkers, Ralph J B; van Brussel, Marco

2015-01-01

To systematically assess contemporary knowledge regarding the effectiveness and safety of bisphosphonates (BPs) in children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane were searched for eligible articles up to June 2014. Studies eligible for inclusion were (randomized) controlled trials assessing the effects of BPs in children with OI. Methodological quality was assessed independently by 4 reviewers using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for risk of bias. Ten studies (519 children) were included. Four studies (40%) showed a low risk of bias. All studies investigating lumbar spine areal bone mineral density indicated a significant increase as a result of BP treatment. Most studies observed a significant decrease in fracture incidence. The most frequently reported adverse events were gastrointestinal complaints, fever, and muscle soreness. A significant decrease in (bone) pain due to BP treatment was observed in more than half of the studies. Most studies measuring urinary markers of bone resorption reported a significant decrease. The majority of studies with intravenous treatment showed a significant increase in lumbar projection area, whereas studies with oral treatment did not. Treatment with oral or intravenous BPs in children with OI results in an increase in bone mineral density and seems to be safe and well tolerated. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

In Situ Disinfection through Photoinspired Radical Oxygen Species Storage and Thermal-Triggered Release from Black Phosphorous with Strengthened Chemical Stability.

PubMed

Tan, Lei; Li, Jun; Liu, Xiangmei; Cui, Zhenduo; Yang, Xianjin; Yeung, Kelvin Wai Kwok; Pan, Haobo; Zheng, Yufeng; Wang, Xianbao; Wu, Shuilin

2018-03-01

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizing light-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a promising alternative to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and biofilm. However, the photosensitizer (PS)-modified surface only exhibits antibacterial properties in the presence of light. It is known that extended photoirradiation may lead to phototoxicity and tissue hypoxia, which greatly limits PDT efficiency, while ambient pathogens also have the opportunity to attach to biorelevant surfaces in medical facilities without light. Here, an antimicrobial film composed of black phosphorus nanosheets (BPSs) and poly (4-pyridonemethylstyrene) endoperoxide (PPMS-EPO) to control the storage and release of ROS reversibly is introduced. BPS, as a biocompatible PS, can produce high singlet oxygen under the irradiation of visible light of 660 nm, which can be stably stored in PPMS-EPO. The ROS can be gradually thermally released in the dark. In vitro antibacterial studies demonstrate that the PPMS-EPO/BPS film exhibits a rapid disinfection ability with antibacterial rate of 99.3% against Escherichia coli and 99.2% against Staphylococcus aureus after 10 min of irradiation. Even without light, the corresponding antibacterial rate reaches 76.5% and 69.7%, respectively. In addition, incorporating PPMS significantly improves the chemical stability of the BPS. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Optimizing the Placement of Burnable Poisons in PWRs

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

Yilmaz, Serkan; Ivanov, Kostadin; Levine, Samuel

2005-07-15

The principal focus of this work is on developing a practical tool for designing the minimum amount of burnable poisons (BPs) for a pressurized water reactor using a typical Three Mile Island Unit 1 2-yr cycle as the reference design. The results of this study are to be applied to future reload designs. A new method, the Modified Power Shape Forced Diffusion (MPSFD) method, is presented that initially computes the BP cross section to force the power distribution into a desired shape. The method employs a simple formula that expresses the BP cross section as a function of the differencemore » between the calculated radial power distributions (RPDs) and the limit set for the maximum RPD. This method places BPs into all fresh fuel assemblies (FAs) having an RPD greater than the limit. The MPSFD method then reduces the BP content by reducing the BPs in fresh FAs with the lowest RPDs. Finally, the minimum BP content is attained via a heuristic fine-tuning procedure.This new BP design program has been automated by incorporating the new MPSFD method in conjunction with the heuristic fine-tuning program. The program has automatically produced excellent results for the reference core, and has the potential to reduce fuel costs and save manpower.« less

MHD natural convection and entropy generation in an open cavity having different horizontal porous blocks saturated with a ferrofluid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gibanov, Nikita S.; Sheremet, Mikhail A.; Oztop, Hakan F.; Al-Salem, Khaled

2018-04-01

In this study, natural convection combined with entropy generation of Fe3O4-water nanofluid within a square open cavity filled with two different porous blocks under the influence of uniform horizontal magnetic field is numerically studied. Porous blocks of different thermal properties, permeability and porosity are located on the bottom wall. The bottom wall of the cavity is kept at hot temperature Th, while upper open boundary is at constant cold temperature Tc and other walls of the cavity are supposed to be adiabatic. Governing equations with corresponding boundary conditions formulated in dimensionless stream function and vorticity using Brinkman-extended Darcy model for porous blocks have been solved numerically using finite difference method. Numerical analysis has been carried out for wide ranges of Hartmann number, nanoparticles volume fraction and length of the porous blocks. It has been found that an addition of spherical ferric oxide nanoparticles can order the flow structures inside the cavity.

Localization of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor and the 2-AG synthesizing (DAGLα) and degrading (MAGL, FAAH) enzymes in cells expressing the Ca2+-binding proteins calbindin, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the adult rat hippocampus

PubMed Central

Rivera, Patricia; Arrabal, Sergio; Cifuentes, Manuel; Grondona, Jesús M.; Pérez-Martín, Margarita; Rubio, Leticia; Vargas, Antonio; Serrano, Antonia; Pavón, Francisco J.; Suárez, Juan; Rodríguez de Fonseca, Fernando

2014-01-01

The retrograde suppression of the synaptic transmission by the endocannabinoid sn-2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is mediated by the cannabinoid CB1 receptors and requires the elevation of intracellular Ca2+ and the activation of specific 2-AG synthesizing (i.e., DAGLα) enzymes. However, the anatomical organization of the neuronal substrates that express 2-AG/CB1 signaling system-related molecules associated with selective Ca2+-binding proteins (CaBPs) is still unknown. For this purpose, we used double-label immunofluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy for the characterization of the expression of the 2-AG/CB1 signaling system (CB1 receptor, DAGLα, MAGL, and FAAH) and the CaBPs calbindin D28k, calretinin, and parvalbumin in the rat hippocampus. CB1, DAGLα, and MAGL labeling was mainly localized in fibers and neuropil, which were differentially organized depending on the hippocampal CaBPs-expressing cells. CB+1 fiber terminals localized in all hippocampal principal cell layers were tightly attached to calbindin+ cells (granular and pyramidal neurons), and calretinin+ and parvalbumin+ interneurons. DAGLα neuropil labeling was selectively found surrounding calbindin+ principal cells in the dentate gyrus and CA1, and in the calretinin+ and parvalbumin+ interneurons in the pyramidal cell layers of the CA1/3 fields. MAGL+ terminals were only observed around CA1 calbindin+ pyramidal cells, CA1/3 calretinin+ interneurons and CA3 parvalbumin+ interneurons localized in the pyramidal cell layers. Interestingly, calbindin+ pyramidal cells expressed FAAH specifically in the CA1 field. The identification of anatomically related-neuronal substrates that expressed 2-AG/CB1 signaling system and selective CaBPs should be considered when analyzing the cannabinoid signaling associated with hippocampal functions. PMID:25018703

Long-term outcomes of intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide/heparin/hydrocortisone therapy for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome.

PubMed

Lim, Yik N; Dwyer, Peter; Murray, Christine; Karmakar, Debjyoti; Rosamilia, Anna; Thomas, Elizabeth

2017-07-01

For decades, intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) cocktail therapy has been used for the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), but little is known about its long-term efficacy. We aimed to assess the long-term efficacy of intravesical DMSO/heparin/hydrocortisone/bupivacaine therapy in patients with IC/BPS. Patients with IC/BPS from our institutions who underwent this therapy with >2 years follow-up were surveyed with O'Leary-Sant interstitial cystitis symptom and problem index questionnaires before and after therapy. Chart reviews and telephone surveys were then conducted to determine their posttherapy course. Of 68 eligible women, 55 (80.0%) with a median follow-up of 60 months (range 24-142) were surveyed. Their mean age at therapy onset was 44.8 years and their mean body mass index was 26.2 kg/m 2 . There were statistically significant improvements in O'Leary-Sant and pain scores of 23-47% at both 6 weeks and the end of the follow-up period. At the end of the follow-up period, 19 of the 55 women (34.5%) were cured (requiring no further treatment) and 12 (21.8%) were significantly improved (requiring only ongoing oral medication). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that DMSO treatment failure was more likely in patients with pretreatment day-time urinary frequency more than 15 episodes per day (OR 1.41), nocturia more than two episodes per night (OR 2.47), maximum bladder diary voided volume <200 ml (OR 1.39) and bladder capacity under anaesthesia <500 ml (OR 1.6). At a median follow-up of 60 months, intravesical DMSO cocktail therapy appeared moderately effective for the treatment of IC/BPS. Treatment failure was more frequent in patients with pretreatment symptoms of reduced bladder capacity.

Persistence of undergraduate women in STEM fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pedone, Maggie Helene

The underrepresentation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a complex problem that continues to persist at the postsecondary level, particularly in computer science and engineering fields. This dissertation explored the pre-college and college level factors that influenced undergraduate women's persistence in STEM. This study also examined and compared the characteristics of undergraduate women who entered STEM fields and non-STEM fields in 2003-2004. The nationally representative Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study (BPS:04/09) data set was used for analysis. BPS:04/09 study respondents were surveyed three times (NPSAS:04, BPS:04/06, BPS:04/09) over a six-year period, which enabled me to explore factors related to long-term persistence. Astin's Input-Environment-Output (I-E-O) model was used as the framework to examine student inputs and college environmental factors that predict female student persistence (output) in STEM. Chi-square tests revealed significant differences between undergraduate women who entered STEM and non-STEM fields in 2003-2004. Differences in student demographics, prior academic achievement, high school course-taking patterns, and student involvement in college such as participation in study groups and school clubs were found. Notably, inferential statistics showed that a significantly higher proportion of female minority students entered STEM fields than non-STEM fields. These findings challenge the myth that underrepresented female minorities are less inclined to enter STEM fields. Logistic regression analyses revealed thirteen significant predictors of persistence for undergraduate women in STEM. Findings showed that undergraduate women who were younger, more academically prepared, and academically and socially involved in college (e.g., lived on campus, interacted with faculty, participated in study groups, fine arts activities, and school sports) were more likely to persist in STEM fields. This longitudinal study showed that both pre-college and college level factors influenced undergraduate women's persistence in STEM. The research findings offer important implications for policy and practice initiatives in higher education that focus on the recruitment and retention of women in postsecondary STEM fields.

Local vs. systemic administration of bisphosphonates in rat cleft bone graft: A comparative study

PubMed Central

Lin, Lawrence; Olson, Jeffrey; Kwon, Taewoo; Bezouglaia, Olga; Tran, Jaime; Hoang, Michael; Bui, Kimberly; Kim, Reuben H.; Tetradis, Sotirios

2018-01-01

A majority of patients with orofacial cleft deformity requires cleft repair through a bone graft. However, elevated amount of bone resorption and subsequent bone graft failure remains a significant clinical challenge. Bisphosphonates (BPs), a class of anti-resorptive drugs, may offer great promise in enhancing the clinical success of bone grafting. In this study, we compared the effects of systemic and local delivery of BPs in an intraoral bone graft model in rats. We randomly divided 34 female 20-week-old Fischer F344 Inbred rats into four groups to repair an intraoral critical-sized defect (CSD): (1) Control: CSD without graft (n = 4); (2) Graft/Saline: bone graft with systemic administration of saline 1 week post-operatively (n = 10); (3) Graft/Systemic: bone graft with systemic administration of zoledronic acid 1 week post-operatively (n = 10); and (4) Graft/Local: bone graft pre-treated with zoledronic acid (n = 10). At 6-weeks post-operatively, microCT volumetric analysis showed a significant increase in bone fraction volume (BV/TV) in the Graft/Systemic (62.99 ±14.31%) and Graft/Local (69.35 ±13.18%) groups compared to the Graft/Saline (39.18±10.18%). Similarly, histological analysis demonstrated a significant increase in bone volume in the Graft/Systemic (78.76 ±18.00%) and Graft/Local (89.95 ±4.93%) groups compared to the Graft/Saline (19.74±18.89%). The local delivery approach resulted in the clinical success of bone grafts, with reduced graft resorption and enhanced osteogenesis and bony integration with defect margins while avoiding the effects of BPs on peripheral osteoclastic function. In addition, local delivery of BPs may be superior to systemic delivery with its ease of procedure as it involves simple soaking of bone graft materials in BP solution prior to graft placement into the defect. This new approach may provide convenient and promising clinical applications towards effectively managing cleft patients. PMID:29304080

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide and calcium binding proteins immunoreactivity in the deep layers of the superior colliculus of the guinea pig: Implications for multisensory and visuomotor processing.

PubMed

Najdzion, Janusz

2018-03-01

The superior colliculus (SC) of mammals is a midbrain center, that can be subdivided into the superficial (SCs) and deep layers (SCd). In contrast to the visual SCs, the SCd are involved in multisensory and motor processing. This study investigated the pattern of distribution and colocalization of cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide (CART) and three calcium-binding proteins (CaBPs) i.e. calbindin (CB), calretinin (CR) and parvalbumin (PV) in the SCd of the guinea pig. CART labeling was seen almost exclusively in the neuropil and fibers, which differed in regard to morphology and location. CART-positive neurons were very rare and restricted to a narrow area of the SCd. The most intense CART immunoreactivity was observed in the most dorsally located sublayer of the SCd, which is anatomically and functionally connected with the SCs. CART immunoreactivity in the remaining SCd was less intensive, but still relatively high. This characteristic pattern of immunoreactivity indicates that CART as a putative neurotransmitter or neuromodulator may play an important role in processing of visual information, while its involvement in the auditory and visuomotor processing is less significant, but still possible. CaBPs-positive neurons were morphologically diverse and widely distributed throughout all SCd. From studied CaBPs, CR showed a markedly different distribution compared to CB and PV. Overall, the patterns of distribution of CB and PV were similar in the entire SCd. Consequently, the complementarity of these patterns in the guinea pig was very weak. Double immunostaining revealed that CART did not colocalize with either CaBPs, which suggested that these neurochemical substances might not coexist in the multisensory and visuomotor parts of the SC. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In vitro analysis of the physical properties of contact lens blister pack solutions.

PubMed

Menzies, Kara L; Jones, Lyndon

2011-04-01

Since the initial development of silicone hydrogels, many modifications to the bulk and surface properties of the lenses have been undertaken to improve the wettability and comfort of the lenses. Recently, manufacturers have incorporated various "wetting agents" or surface-active agents into the blister packaging solutions (BPSs) of the lenses to improve initial comfort of the lens on eye. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare the pH, surface tension (ST), viscosity, and osmolality of BPSs for a variety of silicone hydrogel and polyHEMA-based hydrogel lenses. In addition, two saline solutions were tested for comparison purposes. The pH, osmolality, ST, and viscosity were measured for the BPSs for lotrafilcon B and lotrafilcon A and lotrafilcon B with a "modified BPS" (m-lotrafilcon A, m-lotrafilcon B) (CIBA Vision, Duluth, GA); balafilcon A (Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY); galyfilcon A, senofilcon A, and narafilcon A (Johnson & Johnson, Jacksonville, FL); and comfilcon A and enfilcon A (CooperVision, Pleasanton, CA) and BPSs from two conventional polyHEMA-based materials-etafilcon A (Johnson & Johnson) and omafilcon A (CooperVision). The two saline solutions tested were Unisol (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) and Softwear Saline (CIBA Vision). The pH results for the two saline solutions and all BPSs remained in the pH range of tears (6.6-7.8). The ST of the modified BPS was significantly lower (p < 0.01) than the original non-modified BPS. Viscosity measurements ranged between 0.90 and 1.00 cP for all BPSs and saline solutions, except for the modified BPS, which had significantly higher viscosities (p < 0.001). Osmolality measurements were not significantly different (p > 0.05) between BPSs made by the same manufacturer but were significantly different compared with BPSs made by different manufacturers (p < 0.05). The incorporation of wetting agents and surfactants into BPSs does alter the physical properties of the BPSs, which may have clinical implications regarding initial in-eye comfort.

Childhood bladder and bowel dysfunction predicts irritable bowel syndrome phenotype in adult interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome patients.

PubMed

Doiron, R Christopher; Kogan, Barry A; Tolls, Victoria; Irvine-Bird, Karen; Nickel, J Curtis

2017-08-01

Many clinicians have suggested that a history of bladder and bowel dysfunction (BBD) in childhood predisposes to the development of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adulthood. We hypothesized that BBD symptoms in childhood would predict the IBS-associated phenotype in adult IC/BPS patients. Consecutive female patients (n=190) with a diagnosis of IC/BPS were administered a modified form of a clinical BBD questionnaire (BBDQ) to capture childhood BBD-like symptoms, as well as Interstitial Cystitis Symptoms Index (ICSI), Interstitial Cystitis Problem Index (ICPI), Pelvic Pain and Urgency/Frequency (PUF) questionnaires and UPOINT categorization. Patients were stratified to IBS-positive or IBS-negative according to clinical assessment of IBS-like symptoms. The 127 patients (67%) identified with IBS-like symptoms recalled significantly higher BBDQ scores than the 63 patients (33%) who were IBS-negative (2.8 vs. 2.3; p=0.05). The IBS-positive patients also reported a higher number of UPOINT domains than their non-IBS counterparts (3.8 vs. 2.9; p=0.0001), while their PUF total scores were significantly higher (13.6 vs. 12.3; p=0.04). IBS-positive patients more often recalled that in childhood they did not have a daily bowel movement (BM) (p=0.04) and had "to push for a BM" (p=0.009). In childhood, they "urinated only once or twice per day" (p=0.03) and recalled "painful urination" more than those without IBS (p=0.03). There were no significant differences between the groups in answers to the other five questions of the BBDQ. Our symptom recollection survey was able to predict the IBS phenotype of IC/BPS based on a childhood BBDQ. Further prospective studies are needed to further evaluate these novel findings.

Levels, variability and determinants of environmental phenols in pairs of Norwegian mothers and children.

PubMed

Sakhi, Amrit Kaur; Sabaredzovic, Azemira; Papadopoulou, Eleni; Cequier, Enrique; Thomsen, Cathrine

2018-05-01

Exposure to environmental phenols including parabens, bisphenols (BPs), oxybenzone/benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and triclosan (TCS) is ubiquitous. Due to evidence of their estrogenic activity, they have been considered as chemicals of concern. The exposure of the Norwegian population to these compounds is presently unknown. To measure urinary levels of twelve different environmental phenols including four emerging bisphenols: S, F, B and AF (abbreviated as BPS, BPF, BPB and BPAF, respectively) in a healthy Norwegian population. We have calculated short-term variability, estimated daily intakes and investigated important determinants of exposure. Urine samples were collected from mothers (n = 48) and their children (n = 56) during spring/summer 2012 in two counties in Norway. Six environmental phenols namely methyl, ethyl and propyl paraben, BPA, BP-3 and TCS were detected in almost 100% of the urine samples. Among the emerging bisphenols, BPS was detected most frequently in the urine samples (42-48%) followed by BPF (4-15%). Parabens were positively and significantly correlated to each other in both mothers and children. Levels of parabens and BP-3 were higher in mothers compared to children. All mothers and children had lower estimated daily intakes (back calculated from the urinary concentrations) of parabens and BPA than the respective acceptable and tolerable daily intakes (ADIs and TDIs) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Observed intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) indicated moderate to high reliability of spot urine measurements for all the environmental phenols (ICCs: 0.70-0.97). Use of hair products, deodorants, face and hand creams were significantly associated with higher urinary levels of parabens. Occurrence of environmental phenols in healthy Norwegian women and children is abundant. Among emerging bisphenols, there is widespread exposure to BPS. A single spot urine sample can be used for estimating short-term exposures of environmental phenols. Urinary levels of parabens were associated with use of PCPs. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ensuring the Environmental and Industrial Safety in Solid Mineral Deposit Surface Mining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trubetskoy, Kliment; Rylnikova, Marina; Esina, Ekaterina

2017-11-01

The growing environmental pressure of mineral deposit surface mining and severization of industrial safety requirements dictate the necessity of refining the regulatory framework governing safe and efficient development of underground resources. The applicable regulatory documentation governing the procedure of ore open-pit wall and bench stability design for the stage of pit reaching its final boundary was issued several decades ago. Over recent decades, mining and geomechanical conditions have changed significantly in surface mining operations, numerous new software packages and computer developments have appeared, opportunities of experimental methods of source data collection and processing, grounding of the permissible parameters of open pit walls have changed dramatically, and, thus, methods of risk assessment have been perfected [10-13]. IPKON RAS, with the support of the Federal Service for Environmental Supervision, assumed the role of the initiator of the project for the development of Federal norms and regulations of industrial safety "Rules for ensuring the stability of walls and benches of open pits, open-cast mines and spoil banks", which contribute to the improvement of economic efficiency and safety of mineral deposit surface mining and enhancement of the competitiveness of Russian mines at the international level that is very important in the current situation.