Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Decreases Levels of Routinely Used Cardiac and Inflammatory Biomarkers

PubMed Central

Beutel, Gernot; Bauersachs, Johann; David, Sascha; Schmidt, Bernhard M. W.; Lichtinghagen, Ralf; Kielstein, Jan T.

2012-01-01

Background Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) plays a key role in the management of various diseases, from thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and Goodpasture's syndrome to cardiac allograft rejection. In many of these disease states cardiac and inflammatory involvement is common and biomarkers are routinely used for diagnosis or assessment of therapeutic success. The effect of TPE on biomarkers used in the clinical routine has not been investigated. Methods TPE was initiated for established clinical conditions in 21 patients. Troponin T, NT-proBNP, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin and routine chemistry were drawn before and after TPE, as well as before and after the 2nd TPE. The total amount of these markers in the waste bag was also analyzed. Results In 21 patients 42 TPEs were performed. The procedure reduced plasma levels of the examined biomarkers: 23% for NT-proBNP (pre vs. post: 4637±10234 ng/l to 3565±8295 ng/l, p<0.001), 64% for CRP (21.9±47.0 mg/l vs. 7.8±15.8 mg/l, p<0.001) and 31% for procalcitonin (0.39±1.1 µg/l vs. 0.27±0.72 µg/l, p=0.004). TPE also tended to reduce plasma levels of troponin T by about 14% (60.7±175.5 ng/l vs. 52.2±141.3 ng/l), however this difference was not statistical significant (p=0.95). There was a significant correlation between the difference of pre TPE levels to post TPE levels of all examined biomarkers and the total amount of the removed biomarker in the collected removed plasma. Conclusions TPE significantly reduces plasma levels of inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers. Therefore, post TPE levels of cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers should be viewed with caution. PMID:22685586

Effects of total dietary polyphenols on plasma nitric oxide and blood pressure in a high cardiovascular risk cohort. The PREDIMED randomized trial.

PubMed

Medina-Remón, A; Tresserra-Rimbau, A; Pons, A; Tur, J A; Martorell, M; Ros, E; Buil-Cosiales, P; Sacanella, E; Covas, M I; Corella, D; Salas-Salvadó, J; Gómez-Gracia, E; Ruiz-Gutiérrez, V; Ortega-Calvo, M; García-Valdueza, M; Arós, F; Saez, G T; Serra-Majem, L; Pinto, X; Vinyoles, E; Estruch, R; Lamuela-Raventos, R M

2015-01-01

Hypertension is one of the main cardiovascular risk factors in the elderly. The aims of this work were to evaluate if a one-year intervention with two Mediterranean diets (Med-diet) could decrease blood pressure (BP) due to a high polyphenol consumption, and if the decrease in BP was mediated by plasma nitric oxide (NO) production. An intervention substudy of 200 participants at high cardiovascular risk was carried out within the PREDIMED trial. They were randomly assigned to a low-fat control diet or to two Med-diets, one supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (Med-EVOO) and the other with nuts (Med-nuts). Anthropometrics and clinical parameters were measured at baseline and after one year of intervention, as well as BP, plasma NO and total polyphenol excretion (TPE) in urine samples. Systolic and diastolic BP decreased significantly after a one-year dietary intervention with Med-EVOO and Med-nuts. These changes were associated with a significant increase in TPE and plasma NO. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between changes in urinary TPE, a biomarker of TP intake, and in plasma NO (Beta = 4.84; 95% CI: 0.57-9.10). TPE in spot urine sample was positively correlated with plasma NO in Med-diets supplemented with either EVOO or nuts. The statistically significant increases in plasma NO were associated with a reduction in systolic and diastolic BP levels, adding to the growing evidence that polyphenols might protect the cardiovascular system by improving the endothelial function and enhancing endothelial synthesis of NO. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tuberculous Pleural Effusion: Clinical Characteristics of 320 Patients.

PubMed

Bielsa, Silvia; Acosta, Cristina; Pardina, Marina; Civit, Carmen; Porcel, José M

2018-05-22

To analyze the clinical and radiological characteristics and features of pleural fluid (PF) in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). Retrospective analysis of TPEs treated in our clinic over the last 23years. We included 320 patients with TPE (70% men; median age 33years). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was identified in the sputum or PF of 36% of the patients by microscopic examination, solid and liquid media cultures, or nucleic acid amplification tests. The greatest percentage of positive microbiological findings were associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection (OR: 3.27), and with the presence in PF of proteins <4g/dL (OR: 3.53), neutrophils >60% (OR: 3.23), and glucose <40mg/dL (OR: 3.17). Pleural adenosine deaminase <35U/L was associated with TPEs that occupied less than half of the hemithorax (OR: 6.36) and with PF lactate dehydrogenase levels <500U/L (OR: 8.09). Radiological pulmonary opacities (30%) were more common in TPE occupying less than half of the hemithorax (OR: 2.73), in bilateral TPE (OR: 4.48), and in older patients (OR: 1.02). Factors predicting mortality were: HIV co-infection (OR: 24), proteins in PF <5g/dL (OR: 10), and greater age (OR: 1.05). Patients with TPE and HIV co-infection and those with lower concentrations of proteins in PF had higher rates of positive microbiological results and death. Moreover, older patients had more pulmonary opacities and a higher incidence of death. Copyright © 2018 SEPAR. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of Tp-E Interval and Tp-E/QT Ratio in Patients with Aortic Stenosis.

PubMed

Yayla, Çağrı; Bilgin, Murat; Akboğa, Mehmet Kadri; Gayretli Yayla, Kadriye; Canpolat, Uğur; Dinç Asarcikli, Lale; Doğan, Mehmet; Turak, Osman; Çay, Serkan; Özeke, Özcan; Akyel, Ahmet; Yeter, Ekrem; Aydoğdu, Sinan

2016-05-01

The risk of syncope and sudden cardiac death due to ventricular arrhythmias increased in patients with aortic stenosis (AS). Recently, it was shown that Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratio can be novel indicators for prediction of ventricular arrhythmias and mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between AS and ventricular repolarization using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio. Totally, 105 patients with AS and 60 control subjects were enrolled to this study. The severity of AS was defined by transthoracic echocardiographic examination. Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly increased in parallel to the severity of AS (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). Also, it was shown that Tp-e/QTc ratio had significant positive correlation with mean aortic gradient (r = 0.192, P = 0.049). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Tp-e/QTc ratio and left ventricular mass were found to be independent predictors of severe AS (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04, respectively). Our study showed that Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT, and Tp-e/QTc ratios were increased in patients with severe AS. Tp-e/QTc ratio and left ventricular mass were found as independent predictors of severe AS. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Measurement of two-photon exchange effect by comparing elastic e ± p cross sections

DOE PAGES

Rimal, D.; Adikaram, D.; Raue, B. A.; ...

2017-06-01

Background: The electromagnetic form factors of the proton measured by unpolarized and polarized electron scattering experiments showa significant disagreement that grows with the squared four-momentum transfer (Q(2)). Calculations have shown that the two measurements can be largely reconciled by accounting for the contributions of two-photon exchange (TPE). TPE effects are not typically included in the standard set of radiative corrections since theoretical calculations of the TPE effects are highly model dependent, and, until recently, no direct evidence of significant TPE effects has been observed. Purpose: We measured the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic-scattering cross sections in order to determinemore » the TPE contribution to elastic electron-proton scattering and thereby resolve the proton electric form factor discrepancy. Methods: We produced a mixed simultaneous electron-positron beam in Jefferson Lab's Hall B by passing the 5.6-GeV primary electron beam through a radiator to produce a bremsstrahlung photon beam and then passing the photon beam through a convertor to produce electron-positron pairs. The mixed electron-positron (lepton) beam with useful energies from approximately 0.85 to 3.5 GeV then struck a 30-cm-long liquid hydrogen (LH2) target located within the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). By detecting both the scattered leptons and the recoiling protons, we identified and reconstructed elastic scattering events and determined the incident lepton energy. A detailed description of the experiment is presented. Results: We present previously unpublished results for the quantity R-2 gamma, the TPE correction to the elastic-scattering cross section, at Q(2) approximate to 0.85 and 1.45 GeV2 over a large range of virtual photon polarization epsilon. Conclusions: Our results, along with recently published results from VEPP-3, demonstrate a nonzero contribution from TPE effects and are in excellent agreement with the calculations that include TPE effects and largely reconcile the form-factor discrepancy up to Q(2) approximate to 2 GeV2. These data are consistent with an increase in R-2 gamma. with decreasing e at Q(2) approximate to 0.85 and 1.45 GeV2. There are indications of a slight increase in R-2 gamma with Q(2).« less

Measurement of two-photon exchange effect by comparing elastic e±p cross sections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rimal, D.; Adikaram, D.; Raue, B. A.; Weinstein, L. B.; Arrington, J.; Brooks, W. K.; Ungaro, M.; Adhikari, K. P.; Afanasev, A. V.; Akbar, Z.; Pereira, S. Anefalos; Badui, R. A.; Ball, J.; Baltzell, N. A.; Battaglieri, M.; Batourine, V.; Bedlinskiy, I.; Biselli, A. S.; Boiarinov, S.; Briscoe, W. J.; Bültmann, S.; Burkert, V. D.; Carman, D. S.; Celentano, A.; Chetry, T.; Ciullo, G.; Clark, L.; Colaneri, L.; Cole, P. L.; Compton, N.; Contalbrigo, M.; Cortes, O.; Crede, V.; D'Angelo, A.; Dashyan, N.; De Vita, R.; Deur, A.; Djalali, C.; Dupre, R.; Egiyan, H.; Alaoui, A. El; Fassi, L. El; Eugenio, P.; Fanchini, E.; Fedotov, G.; Fersch, R.; Filippi, A.; Fleming, J. A.; Forest, T. A.; Fradi, A.; Gevorgyan, N.; Ghandilyan, Y.; Gilfoyle, G. P.; Giovanetti, K. L.; Girod, F. X.; Gleason, C.; Gohn, W.; Golovatch, E.; Gothe, R. W.; Griffioen, K. A.; Guo, L.; Hafidi, K.; Hanretty, C.; Harrison, N.; Hattawy, M.; Heddle, D.; Hicks, K.; Holtrop, M.; Hughes, S. M.; Ilieva, Y.; Ireland, D. G.; Ishkhanov, B. S.; Isupov, E. L.; Jenkins, D.; Jiang, H.; Joosten, S.; Keller, D.; Khachatryan, G.; Khandaker, M.; Kim, W.; Klein, A.; Klein, F. J.; Kubarovsky, V.; Kuhn, S. E.; Kuleshov, S. V.; Lanza, L.; Lenisa, P.; Livingston, K.; Lu, H. Y.; MacGregor, I. J. D.; Markov, N.; McKinnon, B.; Mestayer, M. D.; Mirazita, M.; Mokeev, V.; Movsisyan, A.; Munevar, E.; Camacho, C. Munoz; Nadel-Turonski, P.; Ni, A.; Niccolai, S.; Niculescu, G.; Niculescu, I.; Osipenko, M.; Ostrovidov, A. I.; Paolone, M.; Paremuzyan, R.; Park, K.; Pasyuk, E.; Phelps, W.; Pisano, S.; Pogorelko, O.; Price, J. W.; Prok, Y.; Protopopescu, D.; Puckett, A. J. R.; Rizzo, A.; Rosner, G.; Rossi, P.; Roy, P.; Sabatié, F.; Salgado, C.; Schumacher, R. A.; Seder, E.; Sharabian, Y. G.; Skorodumina, Iu.; Smith, G. D.; Sokhan, D.; Sparveris, N.; Stankovic, Ivana; Stepanyan, S.; Strauch, S.; Sytnik, V.; Taiuti, M.; Torayev, B.; Voskanyan, H.; Voutier, E.; Walford, N. K.; Watts, D. P.; Wei, X.; Wood, M. H.; Zachariou, N.; Zana, L.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, Z. W.; Zonta, I.; CLAS Collaboration

2017-06-01

Background: The electromagnetic form factors of the proton measured by unpolarized and polarized electron scattering experiments show a significant disagreement that grows with the squared four-momentum transfer (Q2). Calculations have shown that the two measurements can be largely reconciled by accounting for the contributions of two-photon exchange (TPE). TPE effects are not typically included in the standard set of radiative corrections since theoretical calculations of the TPE effects are highly model dependent, and, until recently, no direct evidence of significant TPE effects has been observed. Purpose: We measured the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic-scattering cross sections in order to determine the TPE contribution to elastic electron-proton scattering and thereby resolve the proton electric form factor discrepancy. Methods: We produced a mixed simultaneous electron-positron beam in Jefferson Lab's Hall B by passing the 5.6-GeV primary electron beam through a radiator to produce a bremsstrahlung photon beam and then passing the photon beam through a convertor to produce electron-positron pairs. The mixed electron-positron (lepton) beam with useful energies from approximately 0.85 to 3.5 GeV then struck a 30-cm-long liquid hydrogen (LH2) target located within the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). By detecting both the scattered leptons and the recoiling protons, we identified and reconstructed elastic scattering events and determined the incident lepton energy. A detailed description of the experiment is presented. Results: We present previously unpublished results for the quantity R2 γ, the TPE correction to the elastic-scattering cross section, at Q2≈0.85 and 1.45 GeV2 over a large range of virtual photon polarization ɛ . Conclusions: Our results, along with recently published results from VEPP-3, demonstrate a nonzero contribution from TPE effects and are in excellent agreement with the calculations that include TPE effects and largely reconcile the form-factor discrepancy up to Q2≈2 GeV2 . These data are consistent with an increase in R2 γ with decreasing ɛ at Q2≈0.85 and 1.45 GeV2. There are indications of a slight increase in R2 γ with Q2.

Adhesion and invasion of Clostridium perfringens type A into epithelial cells.

PubMed

Llanco, Luis A; Nakano, Viviane; Moraes, Claudia T P de; Piazza, Roxane M F; Avila-Campos, Mario J

Clostridium perfringens is the causative agent for necrotic enteritis. It secretes the major virulence factors, and α- and NetB-toxins that are responsible for intestinal lesions. The TpeL toxin affects cell morphology by producing myonecrosis, but its role in the pathogenesis of necrotic enteritis is unclear. In this study, the presence of netB and tpeL genes in C. perfringens type A strains isolated from chickens with necrotic enteritis, their cytotoxic effects and role in adhesion and invasion of epithelial cells were evaluated. Six (27.3%) of the 22 C. perfringens type A strains were harboring the tpeL gene and produced morphological alterations in Vero cells after 6h of incubation. Strains tpeL (-) induced strong cell rounding after 6h of incubation and produced cell enlargement. None of the 22 strains harbored netB gene. All the six tpeL (+) gene strains were able to adhere to HEp-2 cells; however, only four of them (66.6%) were invasive. Thus, these results suggest that the presence of tpeL gene or TpeL toxin might be required for the adherence of bacteria to HEp-2 cells; however, it could not have any role in the invasion process. Copyright © 2017 Sociedade Brasileira de Microbiologia. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.

75 FR 35354 - Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 Series Turboprop...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-22

... International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 Series Turboprop Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA... airworthiness directive (AD) for Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 series turboprop engines... likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design. For that reason, we are proposing...

Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with celiac disease.

PubMed

Demirtaş, K; Yayla, Ç; Yüksel, M; Açar, B; Ünal, S; Ertem, A G; Kaplan, M; Akpinar, M Y; Kiliç, Z M Y; Kayaçetin, E

2017-11-01

Celiac disease is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the small intestine. It has been known that dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic coronary artery disease have become more frequent in patients with celiac disease. The aim of the study was to assess Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with celiac disease. This study was conducted at a single center in collaboration with gastroenterology and cardiology clinics. Between January 2014 and June 2015, a total of 76 consecutive patients were enrolled (38 patients with celiac disease and 38 control subjects). Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. Tp-e interval (64.2±11.0 vs. 44.5±6.0; p<0.001), Tp-e/QT ratio (0.18±0.02 vs. 0.13±0.02; p<0.001) and Tp-e/QTc ratio (0.16±0.02 vs. 0.11±0.01; p<0.001) were significantly higher in patients with celiac disease than control subjects. There was a significant positive correlation between Tp-e/QTc ratio and disease duration in patients with celiac disease (r=0.480, p=0.003) and also there was a significant positive correlation between Tp-e/QTc ratio and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.434, p<0.001). Our study showed that Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were increased in patients with celiac disease. Whether these changes increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmia deserve further studies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and Sociedad Española de Medicina Interna (SEMI). All rights reserved.

Adaptive Changes in the Perception of Fast and Slow Movement at Different Head Positions.

PubMed

Panichi, Roberto; Occhigrossi, Chiara; Ferraresi, Aldo; Faralli, Mario; Lucertini, Marco; Pettorossi, Vito E

2017-05-01

This paper examines the subjective sense of orientation during asymmetric body rotations in normal subjects. Self-motion perception was investigated in 10 healthy individuals during asymmetric whole-body rotation with different head orientations. Both on-vertical axis and off-vertical axis rotations were employed. Subjects tracked a remembered earth-fixed visual target while rotating in the dark for four cycles of asymmetric rotation (two half-sinusoidal cycles of the same amplitude, but of different duration). The rotations induced a bias in the perception of velocity (more pronounced with fast than with slow motion). At the end of rotation, a marked target position error (TPE) was present. For the on-vertical axis rotations, the TPE was no different if the rotations were performed with a 30° nose-down, a 60° nose-up, or a 90° side-down head tilt. With off-vertical axis rotations, the simultaneous activation of the semicircular canals and otolithic receptors produced a significant increase of TPE for all head positions. This difference between on-vertical and off-vertical axis rotation was probably partly due to the vestibular transfer function and partly due to different adaptation to the speed of rotation. Such a phenomenon might be generated in different components of the vestibular system. The adaptive process enhancing the perception of dynamic movement around the vertical axis is not related to the specific semicircular canals that are activated; the addition of an otolithic component results in a significant increase of the TPE.Panichi R, Occhigrossi C, Ferraresi A, Faralli M, Lucertini M, Pettorossi VE. Adaptive changes in the perception of fast and slow movement at different head positions. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2017; 88(5):463-468.

Probing cellular uptake and tracking of differently shaped gelatin-coated gold nanoparticles inside of ovarian cancer cells by two-photon excited photoluminescence analyzed by fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM).

PubMed

Suarasan, Sorina; Licarete, Emilia; Astilean, Simion; Craciun, Ana-Maria

2018-06-01

Nowadays, the non-linear optical effect of two-photon excited (TPE) fluorescence has recently grown in interest in recent years over other optical imaging method, due to improved 3D spatial resolution, deep penetrability and less photodamage of living organism owing to the excitation in near-infrared region (NIR). In parallel, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have gain considerable attention for NIR TPE bio-imaging applications due to their appealing ability to generate strong intrinsic photoluminescence (PL). Here, we demonstrate the capability of differently shaped gelatin-coated AuNPs to perform as reliable label-free contrast agents for the non-invasive NIR imaging of NIH:OVCAR-3 ovary cancer cells via TPE Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM). Examination of the spectroscopic profile of the intrinsic signals exhibited by AuNPs inside cells confirm the plasmonic nature of the emitted PL, while the evaluation of time-dependent profile of the TPE PL signal under continuous irradiation indicates the photo-stability of the signal revealing simultaneously a photo-blinking behavior. Finally, we assess the dependence of the TPE PL signal on laser excitation power and wavelength in view of contributing to a better understanding of plasmonic TPE PL in biological media towards the improvement of TPE FLIM imaging applications based on AuNPs. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Proton Magnetic Form Factor from Existing Elastic e-p Cross Section Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ou, Longwu; Christy, Eric; Gilad, Shalev; Keppel, Cynthia; Schmookler, Barak; Wojtsekhowski, Bogdan

2015-04-01

The proton magnetic form factor GMp, in addition to being an important benchmark for all cross section measurements in hadron physics, provides critical information on proton structure. Extraction of GMp from e-p cross section data is complicated by two-photon exchange (TPE) effects, where available calculations still have large theoretical uncertainties. Studies of TPE contributions to e-p scattering have observed no nonlinear effects in Rosenbluth separations. Recent theoretical investigations show that the TPE correction goes to 0 when ɛ approaches 1, where ɛ is the virtual photon polarization parameter. In this talk, existing e-p elastic cross section data are reanalyzed by extrapolating the reduced cross section for ɛ approaching 1. Existing polarization transfer data, which is supposed to be relatively immune to TPE effects, are used to produce a ratio of electric and magnetic form factors. The extrapolated reduced cross section and polarization transfer ratio are then used to calculate GEp and GMp at different Q2 values.

76 FR 45211 - Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 Series Turboprop...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-28

.... TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 Series Turboprop Engines AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION... and TPE331-11 series turboprop engines. That action would have required adding 360 first stage turbine... series turboprop engines, was published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2010 (75 FR 35354). The...

Acute effects of Red Bull energy drink on ventricular repolarization in healthy young volunteers: a prospective study

PubMed Central

Elitok, Ali; Öz, Fahrettin; Panc, Cafer; Sarıkaya, Remzi; Sezikli, Selim; Pala, Yasin; Bugan, Övgü Sinem; Ateş, Müge; Parıldar, Hilal; Ayaz, Mustafa Buğra; Atıcı, Adem; Oflaz, Hüseyin

2016-01-01

Objective: Energy drinks (EDs) are widely consumed products of the beverage industry and are often chosen by teenagers and young adults. Several adverse cardiovascular events and malignant cardiac arrhythmias following consumption of EDs have been reported in the literature. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the dispersion of repolarization and that an increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. This study investigated the acute effects of Red Bull ED on ventricular repolarization as assessed by the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio. Methods: A prospective, open-label study design was used. After an 8-h fast, 50 young, healthy subjects consumed 355 mL of Red Bull ED. The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QTc ratio, and several other electrocardiographic parameters were measured at baseline and 2 h after ingestion of Red Bull ED. Results: No significant changes in the Tp-e interval or Tp-e/QTc ratio were observed with Red Bull ED consumption. Red Bull ED consumption led to increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, which were associated with an increased heart rate. Conclusion: Although ingestion of Red Bull ED increases the heart rate and diastolic and systolic blood pressures, it does not cause alterations in ventricular repolarization as assessed by the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio. PMID:25868042

Effects of therapeutic plasma exchange on serum immunoglobulin concentrations in a dog with refractory immune-mediated hemolytic anemia.

PubMed

Scagnelli, Alyssa M; Walton, Stuart A; Liu, Chin-Chi; Acierno, Mark J

2018-05-01

CASE DESCRIPTION A 9-year-old 8.3-kg (18.3-lb) neutered male Miniature Schnauzer was referred for diagnosis and treatment of a sudden onset of lethargy, anorexia, vomiting, and pallor. CLINICAL FINDINGS On physical examination, the dog was lethargic with pale mucous membranes and a capillary refill time ≥ 2 seconds. Skin and sclera were mildly icteric. Signs of pain were elicited during abdominal palpation, and an enlarged spleen was noted. Results of agglutination testing and cytologic findings were consistent with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). No contributing factors for development of IMHA were identified. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Initial treatment included management with immunosuppressant medications. Three packed RBC transfusions were administered, but clinical signs continued to progress. Therefore, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was performed 5 and 9 days after admission. Following each TPE procedure, the dog had an appreciable clinical improvement and decrease in RBC autoagglutination, and the Hct stabilized. Serum IgG and IgM concentrations were measured during and after both TPE procedures. Despite anticoagulative treatment, the dog developed a thrombus in the splenic vein, necessitating a splenectomy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The decrease and rebound in serum IgG and IgM concentrations following TPE provided evidence that TPE may have the same immunomodulatory effects in dogs as have been proposed to occur in people. Further, findings suggested that TPE may be a useful alternative in dogs with refractory IMHA when traditional treatments fail.

Effects of Polyphenol, Measured by a Biomarker of Total Polyphenols in Urine, on Cardiovascular Risk Factors After a Long-Term Follow-Up in the PREDIMED Study

PubMed Central

Guo, Xiaohui; Tresserra-Rimbau, Anna; Estruch, Ramón; Martínez-González, Miguel A.; Medina-Remón, Alexander; Castañer, Olga; Corella, Dolores; Lamuela-Raventós, Rosa M.

2016-01-01

Several epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods and risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, accuracy and reliability of these studies may be increased using urinary total polyphenol excretion (TPE) as a biomarker for total polyphenol intake. Our aim was to assess if antioxidant activity, measured by a Folin-Ciocalteu assay in urine, is correlated with an improvement in cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure and serum glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations) in an elderly population at high risk. A longitudinal study was performed with 573 participants (aged 67.3 ± 5.9) from the PREDIMED study (ISRCTN35739639). We used Folin-Ciocalteu method to determine TPE in urine samples, assisting with solid phase extraction. Participants were categorized into three groups according to changes in TPE. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess relationships between TPE and clinical cardiovascular risk factors, adjusting for potential confounders. After a 5-year follow-up, significant inverse correlations were observed between changes in TPE and plasma triglyceride concentration (β = −8.563; P = 0.007), glucose concentration (β = −4.164; P = 0.036), and diastolic blood pressure (β = −1.316; P = 0.013). Our results suggest that the consumption of more polyphenols, measured as TPE in urine, could exert a protective effect against some cardiovascular risk factors. PMID:26881019

Acute effects of Red Bull energy drink on ventricular repolarization in healthy young volunteers: a prospective study.

PubMed

Elitok, Ali; Öz, Fahrettin; Panc, Cafer; Sarıkaya, Remzi; Sezikli, Selim; Pala, Yasin; Bugan, Övgü Sinem; Ateş, Müge; Parıldar, Hilal; Ayaz, Mustafa Buğra; Atıcı, Adem; Oflaz, Hüseyin

2015-11-01

Energy drinks (EDs) are widely consumed products of the beverage industry and are often chosen by teenagers and young adults. Several adverse cardiovascular events and malignant cardiac arrhythmias following consumption of EDs have been reported in the literature. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the dispersion of repolarization and that an increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. This study investigated the acute effects of Red Bull ED on ventricular repolarization as assessed by the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio. A prospective, open-label study design was used. After an 8-h fast, 50 young, healthy subjects consumed 355 mL of Red Bull ED. The Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QTc ratio, and several other electrocardiographic parameters were measured at baseline and 2 h after ingestion of Red Bull ED. No significant changes in the Tp-e interval or Tp-e/QTc ratio were observed with Red Bull ED consumption. Red Bull ED consumption led to increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, which were associated with an increased heart rate. Although ingestion of Red Bull ED increases the heart rate and diastolic and systolic blood pressures, it does not cause alterations in ventricular repolarization as assessed by the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio.

Ionic blockade of the rat connexin40 gap junction channel by large tetraalkylammonium ions.

PubMed

Musa, H; Gough, J D; Lees, W J; Veenstra, R D

2001-12-01

The rat connexin40 gap junction channel is permeable to monovalent cations including tetramethylammonium and tetraethylammonium ions. Larger tetraalkyammonium (TAA(+)) ions beginning with tetrabutylammonium (TBA(+)) reduced KCl junctional currents disproportionately. Ionic blockade by tetrapentylammonium (TPeA(+)) and tetrahexylammonium (THxA(+)) ions were concentration- and voltage-dependent and occurred only when TAA(+) ions were on the same side as net K(+) efflux across the junction, indicative of block of the ionic permeation pathway. The voltage-dependent dissociation constants (K(m)(V(j))) were lower for THxA(+) than TPeA(+), consistent with steric effects within the pore. The K(m)-V(j) relationships for TPeA(+) and THxA(+) were fit with different reaction rate models for a symmetrical (homotypic) connexin gap junction channel and were described by either a one- or two-site model that assumed each ion traversed the entire V(j) field. Bilateral addition of TPeA(+) ions confirmed a common site of interaction within the pore that possessed identical K(m)(V(j)) values for cis-trans concentrations of TPeA(+) ions as indicated by the modeled I-V relations and rapid channel block that precluded unitary current measurements. The TAA(+) block of K(+) currents and bilateral TPeA(+) interactions did not alter V(j)-gating of Cx40 gap junctions. N-octyl-tributylammonium and -triethylammonium also blocked rCx40 channels with higher affinity and faster kinetics than TBA(+) or TPeA(+), indicative of a hydrophobic site within the pore near the site of block.

Electrocardiographic measures of repolarization dispersion and their relationships with echocardiographic indices of ventricular remodeling and premature ventricular beats in hypertension

PubMed Central

Ciobanu, Ana; Tse, Gary; Liu, Tong; Deaconu, Maria V; Gheorghe, Gabriela S; Ilieşiu, Adriana M; Nanea, Ioan T

2017-01-01

Objective To examine the relationship between Tpeak- Tend interval (Tpe) and Tpe/QT ratio with occurrence of ventricular premature beats (VPBs) and left ventricular remodeling in hypertension. Methods A total of 52 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension were included, undergoing echocardiography and 24-hours Holter monitoring. Ventricular remodeling was assessed by left ventricular mass index (LVMI) using the Devereux formula and diastolic function by transmitral E and A wave velocities and E/A ratio. Tpe was measured in the precordial leads. The end of the T wave was set by the method of the tangent to the steepest descending slope of the T wave. Results Tpe and Tpe/QT in leads V2 (r = 0.33, P = 0.01; r = 0.27, P = 0.04 respectively) and V3 (r = 0.40, P = 0.002; r = 0.40, P = 0.003, respectively) correlated significantly with LVMI. A significant inverse relationship was observed between E/A ratio and QT (r = −0.33, P = 0.01), Tpe in V3 (r = −0.39, P = 0.003) and Tpe/QT in V3 (r = −0.31, P = 0.02). Tpe in V3, V5, mean Tpe and maximum Tpe with cut-off values of 60 ms, 59 ms, 62 ms and 71 ms, respectively, associated with the occurrence of ventricular premature beats. Conclusions The repolarization parameters Tpe interval and Tpe/QT ratio correlate with LVMI and indices of left ventricular diastolic function and show better predictive values than traditional parameters such as QT interval and QT dispersion. Lead V3 is the best lead for measuring Tpe and Tpe/QT. These ECG indices can therefore be used in clinical practice to monitor LV remodeling and predict occurrence of VPBs. PMID:29581710

Measurement of two-photon exchange effect by comparing elastic e ± p cross sections

DOE PAGES

Rimal, D.; Adikaram, D.; Raue, B. A.; ...

2017-06-01

Here, the electromagnetic form factors of the proton measured by unpolarized and polarized electron scattering experiments show a significant disagreement that grows with the squared four momentum transfer (more » $$Q^{2}$$). Calculations have shown that the two measurements can be largely reconciled by accounting for the contributions of two-photon exchange (TPE). TPE effects are not typically included in the standard set of radiative corrections since theoretical calculations of the TPE effects are highly model dependent, and, until recently, no direct evidence of significant TPE effects has been observed. We measured the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic-scattering cross sections in order to determine the TPE contribution to elastic electron-proton scattering and thereby resolve the proton electric form factor discrepancy. We produced a mixed simultaneous electron-positron beam in Jefferson Lab's Hall B by passing the 5.6 GeV primary electron beam through a radiator to produce a bremsstrahlung photon beam and then passing the photon beam through a convertor to produce electron/positron pairs. The mixed electron-positron (lepton) beam with useful energies from approximately 0.85 to 3.5 GeV then struck a 30-cm long liquid hydrogen (LH$$_2$$) target located within the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). By detecting both the scattered leptons and the recoiling protons we identified and reconstructed elastic scattering events and determined the incident lepton energy. A detailed description of the experiment is presented.« less

A 43-year-old woman with unexplained elevation of hCG.

PubMed

Johnson, Lisa M; Gniadek, Thomas J; Cohn, Claudia S; Bachowski, Gary; Karger, Amy B

2018-05-01

This case report investigates an unusual hCG result in a woman who is not pregnant. A 43-year-old woman was admitted for recurrence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was initiated. Prior to transitioning the patient from TPE to immunosuppressive therapy, a serum qualitative hCG test was performed and was positive. Several etiologies for elevated hCG were considered and investigated, including heterophile antibody interference, endogenous hCG from pituitary or malignancy, and exogenous hCG. Retrospective measurement of hCG levels in remnant samples, including a sample obtained prior to TPE initiation, demonstrated that the hCG elevation occurred with plasma administration for TPE. Further investigation with the American Red Cross confirmed that a plasma donor was unknowingly pregnant and in the latter half of the first trimester at the time of donation, when hCG levels peak. In plasma recipients with unexplained hCG elevation, passive transfer of hCG from plasma should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Retrospective measurement of hCG in remnant samples obtained prior to plasma exchange can assist in confirming the source. Copyright © 2018 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Predictive Factors and Treatment Outcomes of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion in Patients With Cancer and Pleural Effusion.

PubMed

Lee, Jaehee; Lee, Yong Dae; Lim, Jae Kwang; Lee, Deok Heon; Yoo, Seung Soo; Lee, Shin Yup; Cha, Seung Ick; Park, Jae Yong; Kim, Chang Ho

2017-08-01

Patients with cancer are at an increased risk of tuberculosis. As pleural effusion has great clinical significance in patients with cancer, the differential diagnosis between tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is important. However, the predictive factors and treatment outcomes of TPE in patients with cancer have rarely been studied. Confirmed TPE cases identified at cancer diagnosis and during anticancer management from 2008-2015 were retrospectively investigated. Patients in the study included coexisting TPE and cancer (n = 20), MPE (n = 40) and TPE without cancer (n = 40). Control groups were patients with MPE, and patients with TPE without cancer. Clinical, laboratory and pleural fluid characteristics were compared among groups. Treatment outcomes were compared between patients with TPE with and without cancer. In the final analysis, serum C-reactive protein (S-CRP) ≥3.0mg/dL and pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (ADA) ≥40U/L were independent predictors for identifying TPE in patients with cancer having pleural effusion. The combination of S-CRP with pleural fluid ADA using an "or" rule achieved a sensitivity of 100%, whereas both parameters combined in an "and" rule had a specificity of 98%. Treatment outcomes were not different between the TPE groups with and without cancer. S-CRP and pleural fluid ADA levels may be helpful for predicting TPE in patients with cancer with pleural effusion. The combination of these biomarkers provides better information for distinguishing between TPE and MPE in these patients. Treatment outcomes of TPE in patients with cancer are comparable to those in patients without cancer. Copyright © 2017 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The cis/trans isomerization of the double bond of a fatty acid as a strategy for adaptation to changes in ambient temperature in the psychrophilic bacterium, Vibrio sp. strain ABE-1.

PubMed

Okuyama, H; Okajima, N; Sasaki, S; Higashi, S; Murata, N

1991-06-19

The major phospholipid, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), of Vibrio sp. strain ABE-1 contains a unique trans-unsaturated fatty acid, 9-trans-hexadecenoic acid (16:1(9t], at the sn-2 position of the glycerol moiety. The major molecular species of PE that contain 16:1(9t) at the sn-2 position have either 9-cis-hexadecenoic acid (16:1(9c] or hexadecanoic acid (16:0) at the sn-1 position. The transition temperatures of the liquid-crystal to the gel phase of 16:1(9c)/16:1(9t)-PE and 16:0/16:1(9t)-PE were -3 degrees C and 38 degrees C, respectively, temperatures that were 31 degrees C and 18 degrees C higher than the corresponding temperatures for 16:1(9c)/16:1(9c)-PE and 16:0/16:1(9c)-PE. The proportion of 16:1(9c)/16:1(9t)-PE and 16:0/16:1(9t)-PE increased significantly in cells grown at 20 degrees C over that in cells grown at 5 degrees C. When cells grown at 5 degrees C were incubated at 20 degrees C in the presence of cerulenin, an inhibitor of the synthesis de novo of fatty acids, the level of 16:1(9t) increased almost in parallel with a concomitant decrease in the level of 16:1(9c) at the sn-2 position. These results suggest that 16:1(9c) is converted to 16:1(9t) by the cis/trans isomerization of the double bond in the fatty acid. This conversion is discussed as a possible strategy for adaptation by bacteria to changes in temperature.

76 FR 61255 - Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TPE331 Model Turboprop Engines With...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-04

... Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TPE331 Model Turboprop Engines With Certain Dixie... Honeywell International Inc. TPE331 model turboprop engines with a part manufacturer approval (PMA... all Honeywell International Inc. TPE331 model turboprop engines with a PMA replacement Dixie Aerospace...

Effect of natural ageing on surface of silver loaded TPE and its influence in antimicrobial efficacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomacheski, Daiane; Pittol, Michele; Simões, Douglas Naue; Ribeiro, Vanda Ferreira; Santana, Ruth Marlene Campomanes

2017-05-01

The aim of this study is to characterize the modifications in silver loaded TPE surfaces exposed to weathering and their relation to susceptibility to microbial attack. Silver loaded TPE materials were exposed to natural ageing for nine months and modifications in antimicrobial properties and surface characteristics were evaluated. Chemical changes were investigated by using the infrared spectra. The average surface roughness and topography were determined by atomic force microscopy. Contact angle was measured to verify wettability conditions and surface free energy (SFE). After nine months of exposure, a decrease in the antimicrobial properties of loaded TPE compounds was observed. A reduction in surface roughness and improvement in wettability and high values of polar component of SFE were verified. The best antibacterial action was noticed in the sample with high Lewis acid force, lower roughness and lower carbonyl index.

Use of the APACHE II score to assess impact of therapeutic plasma exchange for critically ill patients with hypertriglyceride-induced pancreatitis.

PubMed

Nakhoda, Shazia; Zimrin, Ann B; Baer, Maria R; Law, Jennie Y

2017-04-01

Hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) pancreatitis carries significant morbidity and mortality and often requires intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) rapidly lowers serum triglyceride (TG) levels. However, evidence supporting TPE for HTG pancreatitis is lacking. Ten patients admitted to the ICU for HTG pancreatitis underwent TPE at our institution from 2005-2015. We retrospectively calculated the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Examination II (APACHE II) score at the time of initial TPE and again after the final TPE session to assess the impact of triglyceride apheresis on morbidity and mortality associated with HTG pancreatitis. All 10 patients had rapid reduction in TG level after TPE, but only 5 had improvement in their APACHE II score. The median APACHE II score decreased from 19% to 17% after TPE, correlating with an 8% and 9% decrease in median predicted non-operative and post-operative mortality, respectively. The APACHE II score did not differ statistically before and after TPE implementation in our patient group (p=0.39). TPE is a clinically useful tool to rapidly lower TG levels, but its impact on mortality of HTG pancreatitis as assessed by the APACHE II score remains uncertain. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Twice-daily therapeutical plasma exchange-based salvage therapy in severe autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: the French TMA Reference Center experience.

PubMed

Soucemarianadin, Myriam; Benhamou, Ygal; Delmas, Yahsou; Pichereau, Claire; Maury, Eric; Pène, Frédéric; Halimi, Jean-Michel; Presne, Claire; Thouret, Jean-Marc; Veyradier, Agnès; Coppo, Paul

2016-08-01

Daily therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and rituximab improved thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) prognosis. In the more severe cases, salvage therapies including twice-daily TPE and/or cyclophosphamide may be proposed and require evaluation. TTP was defined as a thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) with severe (<10%) acquired ADAMTS13 deficiency. Among patients included in the French Reference Center for TMA registry, we considered those with a severe disease (i.e., unresponsive to daily TPE and rituximab) who received twice-daily TPE. Nineteen of 289 (6.6%) patients with TTP were treated by twice-daily TPE between 2008 and 2014. Twice-daily TPE was associated with rituximab in 16 cases. The median duration of twice-daily TPE treatment was 3 d (2-22 d). In 6 patients (31.6%), additional treatments (mainly pulses of cyclophosphamide) were performed because of a persistently refractory disease (4 cases) or an exacerbation (2 cases), despite twice-daily TPE. Only one patient (5.3%) died. The other 18 achieved a durable complete remission 25.5 d (13-68 d) after the first TPE. The median follow-up was 14.4 months (7 d-45 months). Twice-daily TPE may be an efficient strategy in the more severe TTP patients with a short-term life-threatening disease that could overcome their poor prognosis. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Complete genome sequences of two strains of Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue from Ghana, Africa: Identical genome sequences in samples isolated more than 7 years apart.

PubMed

Strouhal, Michal; Mikalová, Lenka; Havlíčková, Pavla; Tenti, Paolo; Čejková, Darina; Rychlík, Ivan; Bruisten, Sylvia; Šmajs, David

2017-09-01

Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue (TPE) is the causative agent of yaws, a multi-stage disease, endemic in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. To date, four TPE strains have been completely sequenced including three TPE strains of human origin (Samoa D, CDC-2, and Gauthier) and one TPE strain (Fribourg-Blanc) isolated from a baboon. All TPE strains are highly similar to T. pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA) strains. The mutation rate in syphilis and related treponemes has not been experimentally determined yet. Complete genomes of two TPE strains, CDC 2575 and Ghana-051, that infected patients in Ghana and were isolated in 1980 and 1988, respectively, were sequenced and analyzed. Both strains had identical consensus genome nucleotide sequences raising the question whether TPE CDC 2575 and Ghana-051 represent two different strains. Several lines of evidence support the fact that both strains represent independent samples including regions showing intrastrain heterogeneity (13 and 5 intrastrain heterogeneous sites in TPE Ghana-051 and TPE CDC 2575, respectively). Four of these heterogeneous sites were found in both genomes but the frequency of alternative alleles differed. The identical consensus genome sequences were used to estimate the upper limit of the yaws treponeme evolution rate, which was 4.1 x 10-10 nucleotide changes per site per generation. The estimated upper limit for the mutation rate of TPE was slightly lower than the mutation rate of E. coli, which was determined during a long-term experiment. Given the known diversity between TPA and TPE genomes and the assumption that both TPA and TPE have a similar mutation rate, the most recent common ancestor of syphilis and yaws treponemes appears to be more than ten thousand years old and likely even older.

Time trends and determinants of pharmaceutical expenditure in China (1990-2009).

PubMed

Shi, Lizheng; Yang, Heidi Y; Cheng, Gang; Meng, Qingyue

2014-03-01

Pharmaceutical policy reform is currently one of the primary areas of health reform in China. The national pharmaceutical policy of China has multiple objectives: to develop the domestic pharmaceutical industry and encourage innovation, to control escalation of total pharmaceutical expenditures (TPE) which constitute a substantial component of total health expenditures (THE), and to ensure access to essential medicines for poor and uninsured patients. The current pharmaceutical system has been criticized for its high costs, questionable prescribing practices, and poor regulation of drug quality. This study aims to examine the time trends and influential factors of TPE in China. Data from the 2010 China National Health Accounts Report and the 2010 China Health Statistics Year Book were used in the analysis. Time trends of TPE as a share of THE (TPE/THE), of gross domestic product [GDP] (TPE/GDP), and the relationship between TPE/THE and GDP were examined. The growth of TPE was examined after adjusting for health care utilization and GDP. The determinants of the TPE/THE and the TPE/GDP between 1990 and 2009 were investigated by two time-series regression models including the amount of prescriptions dispensed (using proxy variables of health utilization), the price indices of medical services, and the price indices of pharmaceuticals during that time period. Descriptive analyses showed that TPE and THE grew consistently during the years 1990-2009. The ratio of the THE/GDP increased more rapidly in recent years than the TPE/GDP. Furthermore, outpatient pharmaceutical expenditures (PEs) per visit and hospital PEs per admission grew throughout the study period. The amount of outpatient visits did not show a significant growth pattern during the 1990s, despite rapid GDP growth during that period. The time-series models showed that the TPE/THE was negatively associated with GDP during the same year (p = 0.039), as well as the medical consumer price index [CPI] (p = 0.021). The TPE/GDP was influenced by the price index of prescriptions (p < 0.001) and the amount of health services utilization, including inpatient admissions (p = 0.012) and outpatient visits (p = 0.003). The cost escalations in PEs and health expenditures were concurrent with GDP growth. TPE has been the major source of financial burden for patients. Even though the rapid growth in China's economy may ameliorate the overall TPE burden, control of PEs is still a key for successful health system reform.

The effect of alpha-tocopherol on the oxidation and free radical decay in irradiated UHMWPE.

PubMed

Oral, Ebru; Rowell, Shannon L; Muratoglu, Orhun K

2006-11-01

We developed a radiation cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) stabilized with alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) as a bearing material in total joint replacements. The stabilizing effect of alpha-tocopherol on free radical reactions in UHMWPE is not well understood. We investigated the effect of alpha-tocopherol on the oxidation and transformation of residual free radicals during real-time aging of alpha-tocopherol-doped, irradiated UHMWPE (alphaTPE) and irradiated UHMWPE (control). Samples were aged at 22 degrees C (room temperature) in air, at 40 degrees C in air and at 40 degrees C in water for 7 months. During the first month, alphaTPE showed some oxidation at the surface, which stayed constant thereafter. Control exhibited substantial oxidation in the subsurface region, which increased with time. The alkyl/allyl free radicals transformed to oxygen centered ones in both materials; this transformation occurred faster in alpha-TPE. In summary, the real-time oxidation behavior of alpha-TPE was consistent with that observed using accelerated aging methods. This new UHMWPE is oxidation resistant and is expected to maintain its properties in the long term.

Long-lasting effects of neck muscle vibration and contraction on self-motion perception of vestibular origin.

PubMed

Pettorossi, Vito Enrico; Panichi, Roberto; Botti, Fabio Massimo; Biscarini, Andrea; Filippi, Guido Maria; Schieppati, Marco

2015-10-01

To show that neck proprioceptive input can induce long-term effects on vestibular-dependent self-motion perception. Motion perception was assessed by measuring the subject's error in tracking in the dark the remembered position of a fixed target during whole-body yaw asymmetric rotation of a supporting platform, consisting in a fast rightward half-cycle and a slow leftward half-cycle returning the subject to the initial position. Neck muscles were relaxed or voluntarily contracted, and/or vibrated. Whole-body rotation was administered during or at various intervals after the vibration train. The tracking position error (TPE) at the end of the platform rotation was measured during and after the muscle conditioning maneuvers. Neck input produced immediate and sustained changes in the vestibular perceptual response to whole-body rotation. Vibration of the left sterno-cleido-mastoideus (SCM) or right splenius capitis (SC) or isometric neck muscle effort to rotate the head to the right enhanced the TPE by decreasing the perception of the slow rotation. The reverse effect was observed by activating the contralateral muscle. The effects persisted after the end of SCM conditioning, and slowly vanished within several hours, as tested by late asymmetric rotations. The aftereffect increased in amplitude and persistence by extending the duration of the vibration train (from 1 to 10min), augmenting the vibration frequency (from 5 to 100Hz) or contracting the vibrated muscle. Symmetric yaw rotation elicited a negligible TPE, upon which neck muscle vibrations were ineffective. Neck proprioceptive input induces enduring changes in vestibular-dependent self-motion perception, conditional on the vestibular stimulus feature, and on the side and the characteristics of vibration and status of vibrated muscles. This shows that our perception of whole-body yaw-rotation is not only dependent on accurate vestibular information, but is modulated by proprioceptive information related to previously experienced position of head with respect to trunk. Tonic proprioceptive inflow, as might occur as a consequence of enduring or permanent head postures, can induce adaptive plastic changes in vestibular-dependent motion sensitiveness. These changes might be counteracted by vibration of selected neck muscles. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A thiol probe for measuring unfolded protein load and proteostasis in cells.

PubMed

Chen, Moore Z; Moily, Nagaraj S; Bridgford, Jessica L; Wood, Rebecca J; Radwan, Mona; Smith, Trevor A; Song, Zhegang; Tang, Ben Zhong; Tilley, Leann; Xu, Xiaohong; Reid, Gavin E; Pouladi, Mahmoud A; Hong, Yuning; Hatters, Danny M

2017-09-07

When proteostasis becomes unbalanced, unfolded proteins can accumulate and aggregate. Here we report that the dye, tetraphenylethene maleimide (TPE-MI) can be used to measure cellular unfolded protein load. TPE-MI fluorescence is activated upon labelling free cysteine thiols, normally buried in the core of globular proteins that are exposed upon unfolding. Crucially TPE-MI does not become fluorescent when conjugated to soluble glutathione. We find that TPE-MI fluorescence is enhanced upon reaction with cellular proteomes under conditions promoting accumulation of unfolded proteins. TPE-MI reactivity can be used to track which proteins expose more cysteine residues under stress through proteomic analysis. We show that TPE-MI can report imbalances in proteostasis in induced pluripotent stem cell models of Huntington disease, as well as cells transfected with mutant Huntington exon 1 before the formation of visible aggregates. TPE-MI also detects protein damage following dihydroartemisinin treatment of the malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum. TPE-MI therefore holds promise as a tool to probe proteostasis mechanisms in disease.Proteostasis is maintained through a number of molecular mechanisms, some of which function to protect the folded state of proteins. Here the authors demonstrate the use of TPE-MI in a fluorigenic dye assay for the quantitation of unfolded proteins that can be used to assess proteostasis on a cellular or proteome scale.

Cost-minimization analysis of the direct costs of TPE and IVIg in the treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Controlled trials have found therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) infusion therapy to be equally efficacious in treating Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Due to increases in the price of IVIg compared to human serum albumin (HSA), used as a replacement fluid in TPE, we examined direct hospital-level expenditures for TPE and IVIg for meaningful cost-differences between these treatments. Methods Using financial data from our two institutions, hospital cost profiles for IVIg and 5% albumin were established. Reimbursement amounts were obtained from publicly available Medicare data resources to determine payment rates for TPE, non-tunneled central catheter line placement, and drug infusion therapy. A model was developed which allows hospitals to input cost and reimbursement amounts for both IVIg and TPE with HSA that results in real-time valuations of these interventions. Results The direct cost of five IVIg infusion sessions totaling 2.0 grams per kilogram (g/kg) body weight was $10,329.85 compared to a series of five TPE procedures, which had direct costs of $4,638.16. Conclusions In GBS patients, direct costs of IVIg therapy are more than twice that of TPE. Given equivalent efficacy and similar severity and frequencies of adverse events, TPE appears to be a less expensive first-line therapy option for treatment of patients with GBS. PMID:21575219

A Kinect™ camera based navigation system for percutaneous abdominal puncture

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiao, Deqiang; Luo, Huoling; Jia, Fucang; Zhang, Yanfang; Li, Yong; Guo, Xuejun; Cai, Wei; Fang, Chihua; Fan, Yingfang; Zheng, Huimin; Hu, Qingmao

2016-08-01

Percutaneous abdominal puncture is a popular interventional method for the management of abdominal tumors. Image-guided puncture can help interventional radiologists improve targeting accuracy. The second generation of Kinect™ was released recently, we developed an optical navigation system to investigate its feasibility for guiding percutaneous abdominal puncture, and compare its performance on needle insertion guidance with that of the first-generation Kinect™. For physical-to-image registration in this system, two surfaces extracted from preoperative CT and intraoperative Kinect™ depth images were matched using an iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. A 2D shape image-based correspondence searching algorithm was proposed for generating a close initial position before ICP matching. Evaluation experiments were conducted on an abdominal phantom and six beagles in vivo. For phantom study, a two-factor experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the operator’s skill and trajectory on target positioning error (TPE). A total of 36 needle punctures were tested on a Kinect™ for Windows version 2 (Kinect™ V2). The target registration error (TRE), user error, and TPE are 4.26  ±  1.94 mm, 2.92  ±  1.67 mm, and 5.23  ±  2.29 mm, respectively. No statistically significant differences in TPE regarding operator’s skill and trajectory are observed. Additionally, a Kinect™ for Windows version 1 (Kinect™ V1) was tested with 12 insertions, and the TRE evaluated with the Kinect™ V1 is statistically significantly larger than that with the Kinect™ V2. For the animal experiment, fifteen artificial liver tumors were inserted guided by the navigation system. The TPE was evaluated as 6.40  ±  2.72 mm, and its lateral and longitudinal component were 4.30  ±  2.51 mm and 3.80  ±  3.11 mm, respectively. This study demonstrates that the navigation accuracy of the proposed system is acceptable, and that the second generation Kinect™-based navigation is superior to the first-generation Kinect™, and has potential of clinical application in percutaneous abdominal puncture.

Layer-oriented total pelvic exenteration for locally advanced primary colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Koda, Keiji; Shuto, Kiyohiko; Matsuo, Kenichi; Kosugi, Chihiro; Mori, Mikito; Hirano, Atsushi; Hiroshima, Yukihiko; Tanaka, Kuniya

2016-01-01

The clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for locally advanced primary colorectal cancer have not been satisfactory. For the last 13 years, we have performed layer-oriented, en bloc resection of tumor for which TPE is indicated, in the hope of improving postoperative outcomes. The clinical outcomes of these cases were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 54 patients who underwent TPE from 1986 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Since 2002, a layer-oriented removal for clinical T4 colorectal cancer, as in T3 or less invasive tumors removed by total mesorectal excision, was applied to 23 cases for which TPE was indicated. Postoperative mortality, morbidity, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated. On univariate analysis, good postoperative OS and DFS were associated with the layer-oriented operative maneuver, blood loss less than 2000 mL, negative nodal metastasis, and no preoperative radiation therapy. Male sex was the marginal determinant correlated with good OS and DFS. Depth of invasion to T3 was the marginal determinant correlated with good DFS. On multivariate analysis using the 4 factors identified on univariate analyses, the layer-oriented operative procedure was a significant determinant for both good OS and DFS, together with negative nodal metastases. Postoperative mortality and morbidity in the layer-oriented excision were acceptable. For primary colorectal cancers for which TPE is indicated, layer-oriented excision was a safe and effective procedure, and it may be recommended as one of the standard surgical approaches in TPE.

A 14-Year Experience in the Management of Patients with Acquired Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in Northern Israel.

PubMed

Rinott, Nadav; Mashiach, Tatiana; Horowitz, Netanel A; Schliamser, Liliana; Sarig, Galit; Keren-Politansky, Anat; Dann, Eldad J

2015-01-01

Acquired idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (I-TTP) is a life-threatening microangiopathic disorder usually treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). The current study assessed the role of rituximab in the treatment of complicated I-TTP. The sequence of TTP events was compared in a group of I-TTP patients treated with TPE and a cohort of refractory or relapsed patients who also received rituximab. This retrospective evaluation included 45 I-TTP patients, treated between January 2000 and October 2013, who underwent at least 3 TPE procedures and were followed up until December 2013 or death. Thirty-one patients with an uncomplicated course received TPE only. Fourteen patients had a complicated course due to either a primary refractory/exacerbated disease (n = 5) or relapse (n = 9) and received rituximab together with TPE. The median number of TPE procedures performed in the first TTP episode in the uncomplicated cohort and groups with primary refractory or relapsed TTP was 11, 27 and 45, respectively. The relapse rates per follow-up year in the uncomplicated I-TTP, primary refractory and relapsed I-TTP groups were 0.18, 0.2 and 0.6 episodes, respectively. After rituximab therapy this rate dropped to 0.2 per year in the relapsed subgroup. In conclusion, about a quarter of patients with I-TTP had a complicated course and experienced a major benefit from rituximab in terms of effectiveness and safety. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Therapeutic plasma exchange for refractory SLE: A comparison of outcomes between different sub-phenotypes.

PubMed

Soyuöz, Aynur; Karadağ, Ömer; Karaağaç, Tülay; Kılıç, Levent; Bilgen, Şule Apraş; Özcebe, Osman İlhami

2018-03-01

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) offers an alternative therapeutic modality for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, there is conflicting evidence regarding its efficacy in different sub-phenotypes. This study aimed to investigate the main clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with different phenotypes of SLE and APS treated with TPE at a tertiary care center. The database of the Blood and Apheresis Unit between 2001 and 2013 was screened for patients with SLE and primary APS. SLE disease activity index (SELENA-SLEDAI), the indications for treatment, complications, and outcomes were obtained from a review of medical records and phone calls. A total of 24 patients (SLE: 20, APS: 4) were recruited for the study. Mean ages of SLE (M/F: 1/19) and primary APS (PAPS) patients (M/F: 2/2) were 32.4±12.89 and 52.0±10.7 years, respectively. The main indications for TPE were hematologic, neurologic, and pulmonary involvement and APS-related symptoms. TPE was preferred in eight patients because of leucopenia and co-infection. SLEDAI was significantly decreased after TPE (16.7±8.3 before vs. 8.8±3.1 after, p=0.001). Both primary APS and SLE-related catastrophic APS (CAPS) patients had completely responded to TPE. The success rate of TPE in patients with thrombocytopenia was lower than patients with hemolytic anemia. The median (IQR 25%-75%) number of TPE sessions was 6.5 (5-10.5). In total, five patients experienced TPE-related major adverse events (catheter infections in three patients, bleeding in one patient, and hypotension in one patient). The median (IQR 25%-75%) follow-up time was 33.5 (6.75-81.25) months. In total, four patients died during follow up, of which three died during the period of TPE administration. Our data suggest that CAPS and other APS-related problems respond well to the TPE treatment. TPE should be kept in mind for the treatment of patients with other features of SLE, especially those resistant to other agents and in the presence of leucopenia.

Therapeutic plasma exchange for refractory SLE: A comparison of outcomes between different sub-phenotypes

PubMed Central

Soyuöz, Aynur; Karadağ, Ömer; Karaağaç, Tülay; Bilgen, Şule Apraş; Özcebe, Osman İlhami

2018-01-01

Objective Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) offers an alternative therapeutic modality for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and primary antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). However, there is conflicting evidence regarding its efficacy in different sub-phenotypes. This study aimed to investigate the main clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with different phenotypes of SLE and APS treated with TPE at a tertiary care center. Methods The database of the Blood and Apheresis Unit between 2001 and 2013 was screened for patients with SLE and primary APS. SLE disease activity index (SELENA-SLEDAI), the indications for treatment, complications, and outcomes were obtained from a review of medical records and phone calls. A total of 24 patients (SLE: 20, APS: 4) were recruited for the study. Results Mean ages of SLE (M/F: 1/19) and primary APS (PAPS) patients (M/F: 2/2) were 32.4±12.89 and 52.0±10.7 years, respectively. The main indications for TPE were hematologic, neurologic, and pulmonary involvement and APS-related symptoms. TPE was preferred in eight patients because of leucopenia and co-infection. SLEDAI was significantly decreased after TPE (16.7±8.3 before vs. 8.8±3.1 after, p=0.001). Both primary APS and SLE-related catastrophic APS (CAPS) patients had completely responded to TPE. The success rate of TPE in patients with thrombocytopenia was lower than patients with hemolytic anemia. The median (IQR 25%–75%) number of TPE sessions was 6.5 (5–10.5). In total, five patients experienced TPE-related major adverse events (catheter infections in three patients, bleeding in one patient, and hypotension in one patient). The median (IQR 25%–75%) follow-up time was 33.5 (6.75–81.25) months. In total, four patients died during follow up, of which three died during the period of TPE administration. Conclusion Our data suggest that CAPS and other APS-related problems respond well to the TPE treatment. TPE should be kept in mind for the treatment of patients with other features of SLE, especially those resistant to other agents and in the presence of leucopenia. PMID:29657872

Thermoplastic Elastomer Part Color as Function of Temperature Histories and Oxygen Atmosphere During Selective Laser Sintering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kummert, C.; Josupeit, S.; Schmid, H.-J.

2018-03-01

The influence of selective laser sintering (SLS) parameters on PA12 part properties is well known, but research on other materials is rare. One alternative material is a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) called PrimePart ST that is more elastic and shows a distinct SLS processing behavior. It undergoes a three-dimensional temperature distribution during the SLS process within the TPE part cake. To examine this further, a temperature measurement system that allows temperature measurements inside the part cake is applied to TPE in the present work. Position-dependent temperature histories are directly correlated with the color and mechanical properties of built parts and are in very good agreement with artificial heat treatment in a furnace. Furthermore, it is clearly shown that the yellowish discoloration of parts in different intensities is not only temperature dependent but also influenced by the residual oxygen content in the process atmosphere. Nevertheless, the discoloration has no influence on the mechanical part properties.

Reduction of Noise from Disc Brake Systems Using Composite Friction Materials Containing Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masoomi, Mohsen; Katbab, Ali Asghar; Nazockdast, Hossein

2006-09-01

Attempts have been made for the first time to prepare a friction material with the characteristic of thermal sensitive modulus, by the inclusion of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) as viscoelastic polymeric materials into the formulation in order to the increase the damping behavior of the cured friction material. Styrene butadiene styrene (SBS), styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) and nitrile rubber/polyvinyl chloride (NBR/PVC) blend system were used as TPE materials. In order to evaluate the viscoelastic parameters such as loss factor (tan δ) and storage modulus (E‧) for the friction material, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) were used. Natural frequencies and mode shapes of friction material and brake disc were determined by modal analysis. However, NBR/PVC and SEBS were found to be much more effective in damping behavior. The results from this comparative study suggest that the damping characteristics of commercial friction materials can be strongly affected by the TPE ingredients. This investigation also confirmed that the specimens with high TPE content had low noise propensity.

A new aggregation-induced emission fluorescent probe for rapid detection of nitroreductase and its application in living cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Gaoping; Tang, Yonghe; Ma, Yanyan; Xu, An; Lin, Weiying

2018-01-01

The biological activity of nitroreductase (NTR) is closely related to biological hypoxia status in organisms. The development of effective methods for monitoring the activity of NTR is of great significance for medical diagnosis and tumor research. Toward this goal, we have developed a new aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorescence NTR probe TPE-HY used the tetraphenylethene as the fluorophore, and used the nitro group as the NTR recognition site. The probe TPE-HY has many excellent properties, including rapid response, AIE characteristics, high sensitivity and selectivity, and low cytotoxicity. Importantly, the probe TPE-HY is successfully applied to monitor endogenous NTR in living HeLa cells.

Treatment of carprofen overdose with therapeutic plasma exchange in a dog.

PubMed

Kjaergaard, Astrid B; Davis, Jennifer L; Acierno, Mark J

2018-06-13

To report the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in a dog with carprofen toxicosis. A 6-year-old female neutered Bichon Frise weighing 6.9 kg was examined after it had ingested 72 mg/kg carprofen. Mild dehydration without azotemia and with a urine specific gravity of 1.050 was noted at presentation. Treatment consisted of induction of emesis, symptomatic medical therapy, and TPE. The TPE achieved 1.5 plasma volume exchanges over 3 hours. Blood samples and effluent samples were collected every 30 minutes during TPE and additional blood samples were collected 11 and 35 hours after treatment. Carprofen concentrations in these samples were determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. A 51% reduction in serum carprofen concentration was achieved following TPE. This report describes the successful reduction of plasma carprofen concentration in a dog using TPE. Although recent studies suggest that this particular dog may not have received a toxic dose, a 51% reduction of plasma carprofen concentration was achieved over 180 minutes, and TPE may be beneficial for treatment of dogs that have ingested higher doses. © Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2018.

Prolonged Tp-e Interval in Down Syndrome Patients with Congenitally Normal Hearts.

PubMed

Kucuk, Mehmet; Karadeniz, Cem; Ozdemir, Rahmi; Meşe, Timur

2018-03-25

Heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization has been assessed by using the QT dispersion in Down syndrome (DS) patients with congenitally normal hearts. However, novel repolarization indexes, the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio, have not previously been evaluated in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in DS patients without congenital heart defects. Twelve-lead surface electrocardiograms of 160 DS patients and 110 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were used to evaluate and compare the Tp-e interval, Tp-e dispersion, and Tp-e/QT ratio. Heart rate, Tp-e interval, Tp-e dispersion, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly higher in DS group than in the controls. Myocardial repolarization indexes in DS patients with congenitally normal hearts were found to be prolonged compared to those in normal controls. Further evaluation is warranted to reveal a relationship between prolonged repolarization indexes and arrhythmic events in these patients. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

[Therapeutic education for recurrent depressive disorder].

PubMed

Carde, Soufiane; Hatif, Séverine; Samama, Diane; Charbonnel, Patricia; Jouvent, Roland

2016-01-01

Depression is a serious and recurrent condition which can become chronic. As a complement to other therapeutic approaches, therapeutic patient education (TPE) or psychoeducation is effective. TPE groups led by a multidisciplinary hospitalisation team in a psychiatric department are thereby integrated into the global care in order to reduce relapses and improve patients' quality of life. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Phenomenological extraction of two-photon exchange amplitudes from elastic electron-proton scattering cross section data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qattan, I. A.

2017-05-01

Background: The inconsistency in the results obtained from the Rosenbluth separation method and the high-Q2 recoil polarization results on the ratio μpGEp/GMp implies a systematic difference between the two techniques. Several studies suggest that missing higher-order radiative corrections to elastic electron-proton scattering cross section σR(ɛ ,Q2) and in particular hard two-photon-exchange (TPE) contributions could account for the discrepancy. Purpose: In this work, I improve on and extend to low and high Q2 values the extractions of the ɛ dependence of the real parts of the TPE amplitudes relative to the magnetic form factor, as well as the ratio Pl/PlBorn(ɛ ,Q2) by using world data on σR(ɛ ,Q2) with an emphasis on precise new data covering the low-momentum region which is sensitive to the large-scale structure of the nucleon. Method: I combine cross section and polarization measurements of elastic electron-proton scattering to extract the TPE amplitudes. Because the recoil polarization data were confirmed "experimentally" to be essentially independent of ɛ , I constrain the ratio Pt/Pl(ɛ ,Q2) to its ɛ -independent term (Born value) by setting the TPE contributions to zero. This allows for the amplitude YM(ɛ ,Q2) and σR(ɛ ,Q2) to be expressed in terms of the remaining two amplitudes YE(ɛ ,Q2) and Y3(ɛ ,Q2) which in turn are parametrized as second-order polynomials in ɛ and Q2 to reserve as possible the linearity of σR(ɛ ,Q2) as well as to account for possible nonlinearities in the TPE amplitudes. Furthermore, I impose the Regge limit which ensures the vanishing of the TPE contributions to σR(ɛ ,Q2) and the TPE amplitudes in the limit ɛ →1 . Results: I provide simple parametrizations of the TPE amplitudes, along with an estimate of the fit uncertainties. The extracted TPE amplitudes are compared with previous phenomenological extractions and TPE calculations. The Pl/PlBorn ratio is extracted by using the new parametrizations of the TPE amplitudes and compared to previous extractions, TPE calculations, and direct measurements at Q2=2.50(GeV /c ) 2 . Conclusions: The extracted TPE amplitudes are on the few-percentage-points level and behave roughly linearly with increasing Q2 where they become nonlinear at high Q2. Contrary to YM, which is influenced mainly by elastic contributions, I find YE to be influenced by inelastic contributions at large Q2 values. While YE and Y3 differ in magnitude, they have opposite sign and tend to partially cancel each other. This suggests that the TPE correction to σR(ɛ ,Q2) is driven mainly by YM and to a lesser extent by Y3 in agreement with previous phenomenological extractions and hadronic TPE calculations.

Proton Form Factor Puzzle and the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) two-photon exchange experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rimal, Dipak

The electromagnetic form factors are the most fundamental observables that encode information about the internal structure of the nucleon. The electric (GE) and the magnetic ( GM) form factors contain information about the spatial distribution of the charge and magnetization inside the nucleon. A significant discrepancy exists between the Rosenbluth and the polarization transfer measurements of the electromagnetic form factors of the proton. One possible explanation for the discrepancy is the contributions of two-photon exchange (TPE) effects. Theoretical calculations estimating the magnitude of the TPE effect are highly model dependent, and limited experimental evidence for such effects exists. Experimentally, the TPE effect can be measured by comparing the ratio of positron-proton elastic scattering cross section to that of the electron-proton [R = sigma(e +p)/sigma(e+p)]. The ratio R was measured over a wide range of kinematics, utilizing a 5.6 GeV primary electron beam produced by the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab. This dissertation explored dependence of R on kinematic variables such as squared four-momentum transfer (Q2) and the virtual photon polarization parameter (epsilon). A mixed electron-positron beam was produced from the primary electron beam in experimental Hall B. The mixed beam was scattered from a liquid hydrogen (LH2) target. Both the scattered lepton and the recoil proton were detected by the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS). The elastic events were then identified by using elastic scattering kinematics. This work extracted the Q2 dependence of R at high epsilon(epsilon > 0.8) and the $epsilon dependence of R at approx 0.85 GeV2. In these kinematics, our data confirm the validity of the hadronic calculations of the TPE effect by Blunden, Melnitchouk, and Tjon. This hadronic TPE effect, with additional corrections contributed by higher excitations of the intermediate state nucleon, largely reconciles the Rosenbluth and the polarization transfer measurements of the electromagnetic form factors.

The results of therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with severe hyperthyroidism: a retrospective multicenter study.

PubMed

Keklik, Muzaffer; Kaynar, Leylagul; Yilmaz, Mehmet; Sivgin, Serdar; Solmaz, Musa; Pala, Cigdem; Aribas, Sulbiye; Akyol, Gulsah; Unluhizarci, Kursat; Cetin, Mustafa; Eser, Bulent; Unal, Ali

2013-06-01

Hyperthyroidism characterized by elevated serum levels of circulating thyroid hormones. The aim of hyperthyroidism treatment is to achieve a euthyroid state as soon as possible and to maintain euthyroid status. However, drug withdrawal and utilization of alternative therapies are needed in cases in which leucopenia or impairment in liver functions is observed during medical therapy. In the present study, we aimed to present our cases which underwent therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) due to severe hyperthyroidism. The results of 22 patients who underwent therapeutic plasma exchange due to hyperthyroidism in Apheresis Units of Erciyes University and Gaziantep University, between 2006 and 2012, were retrospectively reviewed. These cases had severe thyrotoxic values despite anti-thyroid drug use. After TPE, we observed a significant decrease in free thyroxin (FT4) (p<0.001) and free triiodotyhronin (FT3) (p<0.004) levels. There was statistically significant increase in the mean values of TSH levels after TPE (p<0.001). Clinical improvement was achieved in hyperthyroidism by TPE in 20 cases (91%). Both FT3 and FT4 levels remained above the normal limits in two of 22 patients. TPE should be considered as an effective and safe therapeutic option to achieve euthyroid state before surgery or radioactive iodine treatment. TPE is a useful option in cases with severe hyperthyroidism unresponsive to anti-thyroid agents and in those with clinical manifestations of cardiac failure and in patients with severe adverse events during anti-thyroid therapy. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Therapeutic education in pediatric dentistry: analysis of obstacles and levers to the development of programmes in France in 2016].

PubMed

Marquillier, Thomas; Trentesaux, Thomas; Gagnayre, Rémi

2017-01-01

Over recent years, therapeutic patient education has become part of dental medicine. Management of early childhood caries, known to be a very common chronic disease, has evolved to include an educational dimension. The objective of this study was to identify the levers and barriers to the development of formalized therapeutic education programmes and alternatives. A comprehensive exploratory qualitative study was conducted between November 2015 and June 2016 on a targeted sample of 15 people aware of the problem of TPE in dentistry. The study showed that TPE training in dentistry is underdeveloped, despite its numerous benefits: change of the healthcare professional's approach, implementation of structured educational programmes, development of research, etc. There are many obstacles to the development of TPE programmes: insufficient resources, rigid legislation or lack of knowledge of TPE practices. The dental profession is an obstacle itself because of its lack of understanding and variable degrees of integration the medical community. There are multiple levers, but the main ones are changing attitudes of the profession and the provision of resources to develop TPE. Although alternatives to TPE programmes exist (accompanying measures, short educational strategies, connected health), they cannot replace TPE. More educational strategies must be developed in the field of dentistry. However, the framework of TPE must be adapted to the profession to ensure good uptake.

Cloning and characterization of TPE4A, a thiol-protease gene induced during ovary senescence and seed germination in pea.

PubMed

Cercós, M; Santamaría, S; Carbonell, J

1999-04-01

A cDNA clone encoding a thiol-protease (TPE4A) was isolated from senescent ovaries of pea (Pisum sativum) by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The deduced amino acid sequence of TPE4A has the conserved catalytic amino acids of papain. It is very similar to VSCYSPROA, a thiol-protease induced during seed germination in common vetch. TPE4A mRNA levels increase during the senescence of unpollinated pea ovaries and are totally suppressed by treatment with gibberellic acid. In situ hybridization indicated that TPE4A mRNA distribution in senescent pea ovaries is different from that of previously reported thiol-proteases induced during senescence, suggesting the involvement of different proteases in the mobilization of proteins from senescent pea ovaries. TPE4A is also induced during the germination of pea seeds, indicating that a single protease gene can be induced during two different physiological processes, senescence and germination, both of which require protein mobilization.

Therapeutic patient education in atopic dermatitis: worldwide experiences.

PubMed

Stalder, Jean-Francois; Bernier, Claire; Ball, Alan; De Raeve, Linda; Gieler, Uwe; Deleuran, Mette; Marcoux, Danielle; Eichenfield, Lawrence F; Lio, Peter; Lewis-Jones, Sue; Gelmetti, Carlo; Takaoka, Roberto; Chiaverini, Christine; Misery, Laurent; Barbarot, Sébastien

2013-01-01

Therapeutic patient education (TPE) has proven effective in increasing treatment adherence and improving quality of life (QoL) for patients with numerous chronic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis (AD). This study was undertaken to identify worldwide TPE experiences in AD treatment. Experts from 23 hospitals, located in 11 countries, responded to a questionnaire on 10 major items. Patients in TPE programs were mainly children and adolescents with moderate to severe AD or markedly affected QoL. Individual and collective approaches were used. Depending on the center, the number of sessions varied from one to six (corresponding to 2 to 12 hours of education), and 20 to 200 patients were followed each year. Each center's education team comprised multidisciplinary professionals (e.g., doctors, nurses, psychologists). Evaluations were based on clinical assessment, QoL, a satisfaction index, or some combination of the three. When funding was obtained, it came from regional health authorities (France), insurance companies (Germany), donations (United States), or pharmaceutical firms (Japan, Italy). The role of patient associations was always highlighted, but their involvement in the TPE process varied from one country to another. Despite the nonexhaustive approach, our findings demonstrate the increasing interest in TPE for managing individuals with AD. In spite of the cultural and financial differences between countries, there is a consensus among experts to integrate education into the treatment of eczema. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Two-Photon-Excited Silica and Organosilica Nanoparticles for Spatiotemporal Cancer Treatment.

PubMed

Croissant, Jonas G; Zink, Jeffrey I; Raehm, Laurence; Durand, Jean-Olivier

2018-04-01

Coherent two-photon-excited (TPE) therapy in the near-infrared (NIR) provides safer cancer treatments than current therapies lacking spatial and temporal selectivities because it is characterized by a 3D spatial resolution of 1 µm 3 and very low scattering. In this review, the principle of TPE and its significance in combination with organosilica nanoparticles (NPs) are introduced and then studies involving the design of pioneering TPE-NIR organosilica nanomaterials are discussed for bioimaging, drug delivery, and photodynamic therapy. Organosilica nanoparticles and their rich and well-established chemistry, tunable composition, porosity, size, and morphology provide ideal platforms for minimal side-effect therapies via TPE-NIR. Mesoporous silica and organosilica nanoparticles endowed with high surface areas can be functionalized to carry hydrophobic and biologically unstable two-photon absorbers for drug delivery and diagnosis. Currently, most light-actuated clinical therapeutic applications with NPs involve photodynamic therapy by singlet oxygen generation, but low photosensitizing efficiencies, tumor resistance, and lack of spatial resolution limit their applicability. On the contrary, higher photosensitizing yields, versatile therapies, and a unique spatial resolution are available with engineered two-photon-sensitive organosilica particles that selectively impact tumors while healthy tissues remain untouched. Patients suffering pathologies such as retinoblastoma, breast, and skin cancers will greatly benefit from TPE-NIR ultrasensitive diagnosis and therapy. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Synthesis, optical properties, and helical self-assembly of a bivaline-containing tetraphenylethene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Hongkun; Zheng, Xiaoyan; Su, Huimin; Lam, Jacky W. Y.; Sing Wong, Kam; Xue, Shan; Huang, Xuejiao; Huang, Xuhui; Li, Bing Shi; Tang, Ben Zhong

2016-01-01

A chiral tetraphenylethene derivative with two valine-containing attachments (TPE-DVAL), was synthesized by Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne “click” reaction. The optical properties and self-assembling behaviours of TPE-DVAL were investigated. The molecule is non-emissive and circular dichroism (CD)-silent in solution, but shows strong fluorescence and Cotton effects in the aggregation state, demonstrating aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and CD (AICD) characteristics. TPE-DVAL exhibits good circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) when depositing on the surface of quartz to allow the evaporation of its 1,2-dichloroethane solution. SEM and TEM images of the molecule show that the molecule readily self-assembles into right-handed helical nanofibers upon the evaporation of its solvent of DCE. The molecular alignments and interactions in assembling process are further explored through XRD analysis and computational simulation. The driving forces for the formation of the helical fibers were from the cooperative effects of intermolecular hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions and steric effect.

Tetrapentylammonium block of chloramine-T and veratridine modified rat brain type IIA sodium channels

PubMed Central

Ghatpande, A S; Rao, S; Sikdar, S K

2001-01-01

Tetrapentylammonium (TPeA) block of rat brain type IIA sodium channel α subunit was studied using whole cell patch clamp. Results indicate that TPeA blocks the inactivating brain sodium channel in a potential and use-dependent manner similar to that of the cardiac sodium channel. Removal of inactivation using chloramine-T (CT) unmasks a time-dependent block by TPeA consistent with slow blocking kinetics. On the other hand, no time dependence is observed when inactivation is abolished by modification with veratridine. TPeA does not bind in a potential-dependent fashion to veratridine-modified channels and does not significantly affect gating of veratridine-modified channels suggesting that high affinity binding of TPeA to the brain sodium channel is lost after veratridine modification. PMID:11309247

Acute tropical pulmonary eosinophilia. Characterization of the lower respiratory tract inflammation and its response to therapy.

PubMed Central

Pinkston, P; Vijayan, V K; Nutman, T B; Rom, W N; O'Donnell, K M; Cornelius, M J; Kumaraswami, V; Ferrans, V J; Takemura, T; Yenokida, G

1987-01-01

Although acute tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) is well recognized as a manifestation of filarial infection, the processes that mediate the abnormalities of the lung in TPE are unknown. To evaluate the hypothesis that the derangements of the lower respiratory tract in this disorder are mediated by inflammatory cells in the local milieu, we utilized bronchoalveolar lavage to evaluate affected individuals before and after therapy. Inflammatory cells recovered from the lower respiratory tract of individuals with acute, untreated TPE (n = 8) revealed a striking eosinophilic alveolitis, with marked elevations in both the proportion of eosinophils (TPE 54 +/- 5%; normal 2 +/- 5%; P less than 0.001) and the concentration of eosinophils in the recovered epithelial lining fluid (ELF) (TPE 63 +/- 20 X 10(3)/microliter; normal 0.3 +/- 0.1 X 10(3)/microliter; P less than 0.01). Importantly, when individuals (n = 5) with acute TPE were treated with diethylcarbamazine (DEC), there was a marked decrease of the lung eosinophils and concomitant increase in lung function. These observations are consistent with the concept that at least some of the abnormalities found in the lung in acute TPE are mediated by an eosinophil-dominated inflammatory process in the lower respiratory tract. Images PMID:3298321

A Kinect(™) camera based navigation system for percutaneous abdominal puncture.

PubMed

Xiao, Deqiang; Luo, Huoling; Jia, Fucang; Zhang, Yanfang; Li, Yong; Guo, Xuejun; Cai, Wei; Fang, Chihua; Fan, Yingfang; Zheng, Huimin; Hu, Qingmao

2016-08-07

Percutaneous abdominal puncture is a popular interventional method for the management of abdominal tumors. Image-guided puncture can help interventional radiologists improve targeting accuracy. The second generation of Kinect(™) was released recently, we developed an optical navigation system to investigate its feasibility for guiding percutaneous abdominal puncture, and compare its performance on needle insertion guidance with that of the first-generation Kinect(™). For physical-to-image registration in this system, two surfaces extracted from preoperative CT and intraoperative Kinect(™) depth images were matched using an iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm. A 2D shape image-based correspondence searching algorithm was proposed for generating a close initial position before ICP matching. Evaluation experiments were conducted on an abdominal phantom and six beagles in vivo. For phantom study, a two-factor experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the operator's skill and trajectory on target positioning error (TPE). A total of 36 needle punctures were tested on a Kinect(™) for Windows version 2 (Kinect(™) V2). The target registration error (TRE), user error, and TPE are 4.26  ±  1.94 mm, 2.92  ±  1.67 mm, and 5.23  ±  2.29 mm, respectively. No statistically significant differences in TPE regarding operator's skill and trajectory are observed. Additionally, a Kinect(™) for Windows version 1 (Kinect(™) V1) was tested with 12 insertions, and the TRE evaluated with the Kinect(™) V1 is statistically significantly larger than that with the Kinect(™) V2. For the animal experiment, fifteen artificial liver tumors were inserted guided by the navigation system. The TPE was evaluated as 6.40  ±  2.72 mm, and its lateral and longitudinal component were 4.30  ±  2.51 mm and 3.80  ±  3.11 mm, respectively. This study demonstrates that the navigation accuracy of the proposed system is acceptable, and that the second generation Kinect(™)-based navigation is superior to the first-generation Kinect(™), and has potential of clinical application in percutaneous abdominal puncture.

Perfect storm: Therapeutic plasma exchange for a patient with thyroid storm.

PubMed

McGonigle, Andrea M; Tobian, Aaron A R; Zink, Jennifer L; King, Karen E

2018-02-01

Thyroid storm is a potentially lethal complication of hyperthyroidism with increased thyroid hormones and exaggerated symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. First-line therapy includes methimazole (MMI) or propylthiouracil (PTU) to block production of thyroid hormones as a bridge toward definitive surgical treatment. Untreated thyroid storm has a mortality rate of up to 30%; this is particularly alarming when patients cannot tolerate or fail pharmacotherapy, especially if they cannot undergo thyroidectomy. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an ASFA category III indication for thyroid storm, meaning the optimum role of this therapy is not established, and there are a limited number of cases in the literature. Yet TPE can remove T3 and T4 bound to albumin, autoantibodies, catecholamines and cytokines and is likely beneficial for these patients. We report a patient with thyroid storm who could not tolerate PTU, subsequently failed therapy with MMI, and was not appropriate for thyroidectomy. TPE was therefore performed daily for 4 days (1.0 plasma volume with 5% albumin replacement and 2 U of plasma). Over the treatment course, the patient's thyroid hormones normalized and symptoms of thyroid storm largely resolved; his T3 decreased from 2.27 to 0.81 ng/mL (normal 0.8-2.0), T4 decreased from 4.8 to 1.7 ng/mL (0.8-1.8), heart rate normalized, altered mental status improved, and he converted to normal sinus rhythm. He was ultimately discharged in euthyroid state. He experienced no side effects from his TPE procedures. TPE is a safe and effective treatment for thyroid storm when conventional treatments are not successful or appropriate. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evaluation of Electrocardiographic T-peak to T-end Interval in Subjects with Increased Epicardial Fat Tissue Thickness.

PubMed

Kaplan, Ozgur; Kurtoglu, Ertugrul; Nar, Gokay; Yasar, Erdogan; Gozubuyuk, Gokhan; Dogan, Cem; Boz, Ahmet Ugur; Hidayet, Sıho; Pekdemir, Hasan

2015-12-01

The association between periatrial adiposity and atrial arrhythmias has been shown in previous studies. However, there are not enough available data on the association between epicardial fat tissue (EFT) thickness and parameters of ventricular repolarization. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the association of EFT thickness with indices of ventricular repolarization by using T-peak to T-end (Tp-e) interval and Tp-e/QT ratio. The present study included 50 patients whose EFT thickness ≥ 9 mm (group 1) and 40 control subjects with EFT thickness < 9 mm (group 2). Transthoracic echocardiographic examination was performed in all participants. QT parameters, Tp-e intervals and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. QTd (41.1 ± 2.5 vs 38.6 ± 3.2, p < 0.001) and corrected QTd (46.7 ± 4.7 vs 43.7 ± 4, p = 0.002) were significantly higher in group 1 when compared to group 2. The Tp-e interval (76.5 ± 6.3, 70.3 ± 6.8, p < 0.001), cTp-e interval (83.1 ± 4.3 vs. 76±4.9, p < 0.001), Tp-e/QT (0.20 ± 0.02 vs. 0.2 ± 0.02, p < 0.001) and Tp-e/QTc ratios (0.2 ± 0.01 vs. 0.18 ± 0.01, p < 0.001) were increased in group 1 in comparison to group 2. Significant positive correlations were found between EFT thickness and Tp-e interval (r = 0.548, p < 0.001), cTp-e interval (r = 0.259, p = 0.01), and Tp-e/QT (r = 0.662, p < 0.001) and Tp-e/QTc ratios (r = 0.560, p < 0.001). The present study shows that Tp-e and cTp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratios were increased in subjects with increased EFT, which may suggest an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmia.

Automated (Centrifugal) therapeutic plasma exchange option for guillain-barre syndrome: A report from Calabar, Nigeria.

PubMed

Iheanacho, O E; Chimeziem, C; Sachais, B S; Shi, P A

2017-10-01

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is performed frequently and effectively in developed countries, whereas the reverse is the case in developing countries. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), synonymous with acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, is an important indication for TPE, but this is rarely administered in the treatment of such patients in Nigeria due to lack of such automated facility, limited expertise, and high cost. This report therefore presents an uncommon case of GBS in which automated TPE was utilized in the management, with the aims of highlighting the current status and challenges of therapeutic apheresis services in Nigeria. A 42-year-old male presented with rapidly progressive (in an ascending fashion) paralysis of all four limbs within 24 h without any preceding history of fever or other symptoms. Clinical examination revealed a young man, afebrile, not pale, and also not dehydrated. Central nervous system examination showed a conscious man, alert, and oriented in time, person, and place. There were no signs of meningeal irritation and the cranial nerves were grossly intact. There was no power in the limbs: global hypotonia and areflexia were noted on examination. However, he had intact sensory perceptions to touch and pain. Following a diagnosis of GBS, he was treated with four sessions of plasmapheresis and TPE. The TPE session was done using a discontinuous flow apheresis machine which exchanged one plasma volume (3 L of plasma) and 5% albumin used for replacement. The patient made gradual but steady recovery as return of power to the upper limbs and trunk started by the 2nd week of treatment. TPE is an important treatment modality in the management of GBS as well as several other conditions, and it is becoming increasingly available in Nigeria. However, it is still grossly underutilized, thus the need for more therapeutic apheresis facilities and trained personnel, in addition to concerted efforts to subsidize the cost of accessing the treatment.

Polyphenol intake from a Mediterranean diet decreases inflammatory biomarkers related to atherosclerosis: a substudy of the PREDIMED trial

PubMed Central

Medina‐Remón, Alexander; Casas, Rosa; Tressserra‐Rimbau, Anna; Ros, Emilio; Martínez‐González, Miguel A.; Fitó, Montserrat; Corella, Dolores; Salas‐Salvadó, Jordi; Lamuela‐Raventos, Rosa M.

2016-01-01

High dietary polyphenol intake is associated with reduced all‐cause mortality and a lower incidence of cardiovascular events. However, the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The aim of the present substudy of the PREvención con DIetaMEDiterránea (Prevention with Mediterranean diet; PREDIMED) trial was to analyse the relationship between polyphenol intake measured by total urinary polyphenol excretion (TPE), and circulating inflammatory biomarkers and cardiovascular risk factors in elderly individuals. A substudy of 1139 high‐risk participants was carried out within the PREDIMED trial. The subjects were randomly assigned to a low‐fat control diet or to two Mediterranean diets, supplemented with either extra‐virgin olive oil or nuts. Dietary intake, anthropometric data, clinical and laboratory assessments, including inflammatory biomarkers, and urinary TPE were measured at baseline and after the one‐year intervention. Participants in the highest tertile of changes in urinary TPE (T3) showed significantly lower plasma levels of inflammatory biomarkers [vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM‐1) (–9.47 ng ml–1), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (–14.71 ng ml–1), interleukin 6 (–1.21 pg ml–1), tumour necrosis factor alpha (–7.05 pg ml–1) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (–3.36 pg ml–1)] than those inthe lowest tertile (T1, P < 0.02; all). A significant inverse correlation existed between urinary TPE and the plasma concentration of\\VCAM‐1 (r = –0.301; P < 0.001). In addition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased and plasma high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in parallel with increasing urinary TPE (T3 vs. T1) (P < 0.005 and P = 0.004, respectively). Increases in polyphenol intake measured as urinary TPE are associated with decreased inflammatory biomarkers, suggesting a dose‐dependent anti‐inflammatory effect of polyphenols. In addition, high polyphenol intake improves cardiovascular risk factors– mainly BP and the lipid profile. PMID:27100393

Determination of effects of ambient conditions on aircraft engine emissions engine testing - GTCP 85 APU, TPE 331 turboprop. Volume 1. Final report 20 Dec 1974--20 Dec 1975

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

Slogar, G.A.

1976-03-01

Full scale engine tests were conducted on a GTCP85-98CK Auxiliary Power Unit and a TPE331-5-251M Turboprop engine. The purpose of this program was to measure exhaust emission of HC, CO, CO/sub 2/, NO/sub x/, and smoke at controlled (temperature, humidity, and pressure) engine inlet conditions. This data along with other available data will provide the data base for the determination of the effects of ambient conditions on gas turbine engines. (GRA)

2.75-Inch Motor Manufacturing Waste Minimization Project

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-06-19

Certification Program FEM Finite element model HFMI Highly Filled Materials Institute HOE Heat of explosion ICT Institute of Chemical Technology IHDIV...Trinitrotoluene TOW Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile TPE Thermoplastic elastomers TSE Twin screw mixer/extruder VPDES Virginia Pollution...extruded and test fired. 1996–1997 Inert TPE Processing: Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are ideal binders for “green energetics” because they do

XNBR-grafted halloysite nanotube core-shell as a potential compatibilizer for immiscible polymer systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paran, S. M. R.; Naderi, G.; Ghoreishy, M. H. R.

2016-09-01

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) grafted with carboxylated nitrile byutadiene rubber (XNBR) were synthesized via a sol-gel method. The HNTs as an inorganic cores were pre-treated with 3-Glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane, then successfully coated with the XNBR as an organic shell. The properties of XNBR-grafted HNTs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results suggested that the XNBR grafted to the surfaces of HNTs successfully. Then the TPE nanocomposites based on polyamide-6 (PA6) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) containing various XNBR-grafted and pristine HNTs were prepared via a direct melt mixing method. The morphology, mechanical, dynamic mechanical and rheological properties of the prepared TPE nanocomposites were investigated. The results show that the XNBR-grafted HNTs can effectively improve the morphology and mechanical properties of the PA6/NBR TPEs. The morphology study of the prepared nanocomposites show that the effect of XNBR-grafted HNTs on the size reduction of NBR phase is markedly more effective than the pristine HNTs and rose by 50% in the same concentrations. Mechanical measurements show that the Young's modulus of the TPE nanocomposites rose by 60% in just 7 wt% of XNBR-grafted HNT loading. The results indicate that the introduction of HNT/XNBR core-shells into the PA6/NBR TPEs can enhances the interfacial interactions and provides a more fine rubber phase morphology and controlled mechanical properties in comparison with the accordingly TPE nanocomposites containing pristine HNTs.

TPE/REE separation with the use of zirconium salt of HDBP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glekov, R. G.; Shmidt, O. V.; Palenik, Yu. V.; Goletsky, N. D.; Sukhareva, S. Yu.; Fedorov, Yu. S.; Zilberman, B. Ya.

2003-01-01

Partitioning of long-lived radionuclides (minor actinides, fission products) is considered as TBP-compatible ZEALEX-process for extraction separation of transplutonium elements (TPE) and rare-earth elements (REE), as well as Y, Mo, Fe and residual amounts of Np, Pu, U. Zirconium salt of dibutyl phosphoric acid (ZS-HDBP) dissolved in 30 % TBP is used as a solvent. The process was tested in multistage centrifugal contactors. Lanthanides, Y and TPE, as well as Mo, Fe were extracted from high-level Purex raffinate, Am and ceric subgroup of REE being separated from the polyvalent elements by stripping with HNO3. TPE/REE partitioning was achieved in the second cycle of the ZEALEX-process using DTPA in formic acid media. The integral decontamination factor of Am from La and Ce after both cycles is >200, from Pr and Nd 20-30 and from Sm and Eu 3.6; REE strips in both cycles contained <0,1% of the initial amount of TPE.

Improved extraction of two-photon exchange amplitudes from elastic electron-proton scattering cross section data up to Q2=5.20 (GeV/c ) 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qattan, I. A.; Homouz, D.; Riahi, M. K.

2018-04-01

In this work, we improve on and extend to low- and high-Q2 values the extractions of the two-photon-exchange (TPE) amplitudes and the ratio Pl/PlBorn(ɛ ,Q2) using world data on electron-proton elastic scattering cross section σR(ɛ ,Q2) with an emphasis on data covering the high-momentum region, up to Q2=5.20 (GeV/c ) 2 , to better constrain the TPE amplitudes in this region. We provide a new parametrization of the TPE amplitudes, along with an estimate of the fit uncertainties. We compare the results to several previous phenomenological extractions and hadronic TPE predictions. We use the new parametrization of the TPE amplitudes to extract the ratio Pl/PlBorn(ɛ ,Q2) , and then compare the results to previous extractions, several theoretical calculations, and direct measurements at Q2=2.50 (GeV/c ) 2 .

Flower-like superstructures of AIE-active tetraphenylethylene through solvophobic controlled self-assembly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salimimarand, Mina; La, Duong Duc; Kobaisi, Mohammad Al; Bhosale, Sheshanath V.

2017-02-01

The development of well-organized structures with high luminescent properties in the solid and aggregated states is of both scientific and technological interest due to their applications in nanotechnology. In this paper we described the synthesis of amphiphilic and dumbbell shaped AIE-active tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivatives and studied their self-assembly with solvophobic control. Interestingly, both TPE derivatives form a 3D flower-shape supramolecular structure from THF/water solutions at varying water fractions. SEM microscopy was used to visualise step-wise growth of flower-shape assembly. TPE derivatives also show good mechanochromic properties which can be observed in the process of grinding, fuming and heating. These TPE derivative self-assemblies are formed due to two main important properties: (i) the TPE-core along with alkyl chains, optimizing the dispersive interactions within a construct, and (ii) amide-linkage through molecular recognition. We believe such arrangements prevent crystallization and favour the directional growth of flower-shape nanostructures in a 3D fashion.

Perceptual learning of basic visual features remains task specific with Training-Plus-Exposure (TPE) training.

PubMed

Cong, Lin-Juan; Wang, Ru-Jie; Yu, Cong; Zhang, Jun-Yun

2016-01-01

Visual perceptual learning is known to be specific to the trained retinal location, feature, and task. However, location and feature specificity can be eliminated by double-training or TPE training protocols, in which observers receive additional exposure to the transfer location or feature dimension via an irrelevant task besides the primary learning task Here we tested whether these new training protocols could even make learning transfer across different tasks involving discrimination of basic visual features (e.g., orientation and contrast). Observers practiced a near-threshold orientation (or contrast) discrimination task. Following a TPE training protocol, they also received exposure to the transfer task via performing suprathreshold contrast (or orientation) discrimination in alternating blocks of trials in the same sessions. The results showed no evidence for significant learning transfer to the untrained near-threshold contrast (or orientation) discrimination task after discounting the pretest effects and the suprathreshold practice effects. These results thus do not support a hypothetical task-independent component in perceptual learning of basic visual features. They also set the boundary of the new training protocols in their capability to enable learning transfer.

Determination of effects of ambient conditions on aircraft engine emissions engine testing - GTCP 85 APU, TPE 331 turboprop. Volume 2. Final report, 20 Dec 1974--20 Dec 1975

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

Slogar, G.A.; Holder, R.C.

1976-03-01

Full scale engine testswere conducted on a GTCP85-98CK Auxiliary Power Unit and a TPE331-5-251M Turboprop engine. The purpose of this program was to measure exhaust emission of HC, CO, CO/sub 2/, NO/sub x/, and smoke at controlled (temperature, humidity, and pressure) engine inlet conditions. This data along with other available data will provide the data base for the determination of the effects of ambient conditions on gas turbine engines. This volume contains the computer programs for volume 2 data. (GRA)

In vitro evaluation of antioxidants of fruit extract of Momordica charantia L. on fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

PubMed

Kumar, Ramadhar; Balaji, S; Sripriya, R; Nithya, N; Uma, T S; Sehgal, P K

2010-02-10

The antioxidant activity of the total aqueous extract (TAE) and total phenolic extract (TPE) of Momordica charantia fruits was assayed by radical-scavenging methods and cytoprotective effects on hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))- and hypoxanthin-xanthin oxidase (HX-XO)-induced damage to rat cardiac fibroblasts (RCFs), NIH 3T3, and keratinocyte (A431). Cell viability was monitored by a 3-[4,5-dimethyltriazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltretrazolium (MTT) assay. For fibroblasts, TPE at 200 and 300 microg/mL showed maximum and consistent cytoprotection against oxidants. The extract at 50 microg/mL also had significant and slightly protective effects on fibroblasts against H(2)O(2)- and HX-XO-induced damage, respectively. RCF was more tolerant toward the damage. For keratinocytes, a dose-dependent relationship of oxidant toxicity was only seen with H(2)O(2) but the protective action of the extract correlated with oxidant dosage. At 200 and 300 microg/mL TPE, cytoprotection was dose-dependent against oxidants. Extracts had no effect on HX-XO toxicity at 50 microg/mL. Pretreatment with both the extracts did not show any cytoprotection.

Pleural mesothelial cells promote expansion of IL-17-producing CD8+ T cells in tuberculous pleural effusion.

PubMed

Li, X; Zhou, Q; Yang, W B; Xiong, X Z; Du, R H; Zhang, J C

2013-05-01

IL-17-producing CD8(+) T lymphocytes (Tc17 cells) have recently been detected in many cancers and autoimmune diseases. However, the possible implication of Tc17 cells in tuberculous pleural effusion remains unclarified. In this study, distribution and phenotypic features of Tc17 cells in both tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and peripheral blood from patients with tuberculosis were determined. The effects of proinflammatory cytokines and local accessory cells (pleural mesothelial cells) on Tc17 cell expansion were also explored. We found that TPE contained more Tc17 cells than the blood. Compared with IFN-γ-producing CD8(+) T cells, Tc17 cells displayed higher expression of chemokine receptors (CCRs) and lower expression of cytotoxic molecules. In particularly, Tc17 cells in TPE exhibited high expression levels of CCR6, which could migrate in response to CCL20. Furthermore, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-23, or their various combinations could promote Tc17 cell expansion from CD8(+) T cells, whereas the proliferative response of Tc17 cells to above cytokines was lower than that of Th17 cells. Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) were able to stimulate Tc17 cell expansion via cell contact in an IL-1β/IL-6/IL-23 independent fashion. Thus this study demonstrates that Tc17 cells marks a subset of non-cytotoxic, CCR6(+) CD8(+) T lymphocytes with low proliferative capacity. The overrepresentation of Tc17 cells in TPE may be due to Tc17 cell expansion stimulated by pleural proinflammatory cytokines and to recruitment of Tc17 cells from peripheral blood. Additionally, PMCs may promote the production of IL-17 by CD8(+) T cells at sites of TPE via cell-cell interactions.

The effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on the homeostasis of yolk lipoprotein in C. elegans examined by CARS and two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPE-F) microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Wei-Wen; Yi, Yung-Hsiang; Chien, Cheng-Hao; Hsiung, Kuei-Ching; Lin, Yi-Chun; Ma, Tian-Hsiang; Lo, Szecheng J.; Chang, Ta-Chau

2016-03-01

Yolk lipoprotein constitutes the major source of energy and the materials for synthesizing signaling factors for the development of oocytes and embryos in C. elegans. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) packed in yolk lipoprotein have been recently recognized as critical molecules for fertilization and reproduction.1 However, the relation between PUFAs and the homeostasis of yolk lipoprotein is not clear. Here we use coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy and two-photon excitation fluorescence (TPE-F) microscopy to examine the transportation of yolk lipoprotein. We demonstrate that CARS microscopy is a more sensitive method than the traditional Nile Red staining method in probing the abnormal accumulation of yolk lipoprotein in the body cavity of C. elegans. It is found that the accumulation of yolk lipoprotein is a time-dependent process. In addition, a negative correlation (r = -0.955) between reproductive aging and abnormal accumulation of yolk lipoprotein is established. We further examine wild-type, fat-1, and fat-2 worms with or without the expression of GFP-tagged yolk lipoprotein (VIT-2-GFP). Our data reveal that PUFAs have a positive effect on the synthesis and endocytosis of yolk lipoprotein, confirming the model proposed by Edmonds et al.2

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in a rare case myasthenic crisis after Botox injection.

PubMed

Chegini, Azita

2017-11-01

Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections are used as a cosmetic treatment to decrease wrinkles in face and chin. Being a neurotoxic agent it minimizes muscle activity, while side effects are usually rare. This article subsequently presents one case of these rare effects. A 30-year-old woman presenting with ptosis, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia and muscle weakness was admitted to our hospital. She had no history of disease. For cosmetic reasons, she had three Botox injections during the preceding months. On physical examination, muscle weakness 4/5 (cervical extensor, ocular and pharynx) was detected and a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis was made. Protective artificial ventilation was necessary. As a consequence, eight sessions of 2.5 L volume Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) were applied using normal saline/albumin as substitute. Due to TPE, her muscle force and clinical condition improved. Artificial ventilation could be stopped. Clinical symptoms of myasthenia gravis and systemic Botox effects are very similar. This should be taken into consideration during medical history taking. The injection of high doses of Botox (more than 200 units in every injection) or boostering within less than one month is dangerous. (Botox BCC2024). Systemic side effects can be treated using TPE to lower the circulating dose of Botox. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of Piezoresistive Monofilament Polymer Sensors

PubMed Central

Melnykowycz, Mark; Koll, Birgit; Scharf, Dagobert; Clemens, Frank

2014-01-01

The development of flexible polymer monofilament fiber strain sensors have many applications in both wearable computing (clothing, gloves, etc.) and robotics design (large deformation control). For example, a high-stretch monofilament sensor could be integrated into robotic arm design, easily stretching over joints or along curved surfaces. As a monofilament, the sensor can be woven into or integrated with textiles for position or physiological monitoring, computer interface control, etc. Commercially available conductive polymer monofilament sensors were tested alongside monofilaments produced from carbon black (CB) mixed with a thermo-plastic elastomer (TPE) and extruded in different diameters. It was found that signal strength, drift, and precision characteristics were better with a 0.3 mm diameter CB/TPE monofilament than thick (∼2 mm diameter) based on the same material or commercial monofilaments based on natural rubber or silicone elastomer (SE) matrices. PMID:24419161

Multimodal Physiotherapy Based on a Biobehavioral Approach as a Treatment for Chronic Tension-Type Headache: A Case Report.

PubMed

Beltran-Alacreu, Hector; Lopez-de-Uralde-Villanueva, Ibai; La Touche, Roy

2015-12-01

Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common primary headache affecting the general population, which is characterized by bilateral headache and mild to moderate pain. This disorder causes high levels of disability and recent scientific evidence suggests that manual therapy (MT) and therapeutic exercise are effective in reducing medication intake and decreasing the frequency and intensity of headaches in patients with TTH. A 34-year-old woman was known to have chronic TTH. Initially, the patient presented moderate headaches 5 days per week, mechanical neck pain and no positive response to analgesics. A battery of self-reports was given to the patient to assess disability (using the Spanish versions of the Headache Impact Test-6 and the neck disability index), pain (visual analogue scale) and psychosocial issues (Spanish version of the pain catastrophizing scale) involved in the headaches. All measurements were taken four times during 161 days. Eleven sessions of treatment including MT, motor control therapeutic exercise (MCTE) and therapeutic patient education (TPE) were applied. This biobehavioral-based multimodal physical rehabilitation treatment combining MT, TPE and MCTE produced a substantial reduction in pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, disability and the impact of headaches on patient's life.

The Exploration of Peptide Biomarkers in Malignant Pleural Effusion of Lung Cancer Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry

PubMed Central

Xu, Jing; Xu, Bin; Tang, Chuanhao; Li, Xiaoyan; Qin, Haifeng; Wang, Weixia; Wang, Hong; Wang, Zhongyuan; Li, Liangliang; Li, Zhihua; Gao, Hongjun

2017-01-01

Background. Diagnoses of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) are a crucial problem in clinics. In our study, we compared the peptide profiles of MPE and tuberculosis pleural effusion (TPE) to investigate the value of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in diagnosis of MPE. Material and Methods. The 46 MPE and 32 TPE were randomly assigned to training set and validation set. Peptides were isolated by weak cation exchange magnetic beads and peaks in the m/z range of 800–10000 Da were analyzed. Comparing the peptide profile between 30 MPE and 22 TPE samples in training set by ClinProTools software, we screened the specific biomarkers and established a MALDI-TOF-MS classification of MPE. Finally, the other 16 MPE and 10 TPE were included to verify the model. We additionally determined carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in MPE and TPE samples using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay method. Results. Five peptide peaks (917.37 Da, 4469.39 Da, 1466.5 Da, 4585.21 Da, and 3216.87 Da) were selected to separate MPE and TPE by MALDI-TOF-MS. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the classification were 93.75%, 100%, and 96.15%, respectively, after blinded test. The sensitivity of CEA was significantly lower than MALDI-TOF-MS classification (P = 0.035). Conclusions. The results indicate MALDI-TOF-MS is a potential method for diagnosing MPE. PMID:28386154

The Exploration of Peptide Biomarkers in Malignant Pleural Effusion of Lung Cancer Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Xu, Jing; Xu, Bin; Tang, Chuanhao; Li, Xiaoyan; Qin, Haifeng; Wang, Weixia; Wang, Hong; Wang, Zhongyuan; Li, Liangliang; Li, Zhihua; Gao, Hongjun; He, Kun; Liu, Xiaoqing

2017-01-01

Background . Diagnoses of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) are a crucial problem in clinics. In our study, we compared the peptide profiles of MPE and tuberculosis pleural effusion (TPE) to investigate the value of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) in diagnosis of MPE. Material and Methods . The 46 MPE and 32 TPE were randomly assigned to training set and validation set. Peptides were isolated by weak cation exchange magnetic beads and peaks in the m / z range of 800-10000 Da were analyzed. Comparing the peptide profile between 30 MPE and 22 TPE samples in training set by ClinProTools software, we screened the specific biomarkers and established a MALDI-TOF-MS classification of MPE. Finally, the other 16 MPE and 10 TPE were included to verify the model. We additionally determined carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in MPE and TPE samples using electrochemiluminescent immunoassay method. Results . Five peptide peaks (917.37 Da, 4469.39 Da, 1466.5 Da, 4585.21 Da, and 3216.87 Da) were selected to separate MPE and TPE by MALDI-TOF-MS. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the classification were 93.75%, 100%, and 96.15%, respectively, after blinded test. The sensitivity of CEA was significantly lower than MALDI-TOF-MS classification ( P = 0.035). Conclusions . The results indicate MALDI-TOF-MS is a potential method for diagnosing MPE.

Facile Method and Novel Dielectric Material Using a Nanoparticle-Doped Thermoplastic Elastomer Composite Fabric for Triboelectric Nanogenerator Applications.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhi; Chen, Ying; Debeli, Dereje Kebebew; Guo, Jian Sheng

2018-04-18

The trends toward flexible and wearable electronic devices give rise to the attention of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) which can gather tiny energy from human body motions. However, to accommodate the needs, wearable electronics are still facing challenges for choosing a better dielectric material to improve their performance and practicability. As a kind of synthetic rubber, the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) contains many advantages such as lightweight, good flexibility, high tear strength, and friction resistance, accompanied by good adhesion with fabrics, which is an optimal candidate of dielectric materials. Herein, a novel nanoparticle (NP)-doped TPE composite fabric-based TENG (TF-TENG) has been developed, which operates based on the NP-doped TPE composite fabric using a facile coating method. The performances of the TENG device are systematically investigated under various thicknesses of TPE films, NP kinds, and doping mass. After being composited with a Cu NP-doped TPE film, the TPE composite fabric exhibited superior elastic behavior and good bending property, along with excellent flexibility. Moreover, a maximum output voltage of 470 V, a current of 24 μA, and a power of 12 mW under 3 MΩ can be achieved by applying a force of 60 N on the TF-TENG. More importantly, the TF-TENG can be successfully used to harvest biomechanical energy from human body and provides much more comfort. In general, the TF-TENG has great application prospects in sustainable wearable devices owing to its lightweight, flexibility, and high mechanical properties.

Use of embedded strain gages for the in-vitro study of proximal tibial cancellous bone deformation during knee flexion-extension movement: development, reproducibility and preliminary results of feasibility after frontal low femoral osteotomy.

PubMed

Sobczak, Stéphane; Salvia, Patrick; Dugailly, Pierre-Michel; Lefèvre, Philippe; Feipel, Véronique; Van Sint Jan, Serge; Rooze, Marcel

2011-03-03

This paper reports the development of an in-vitro technique allowing quantification of relative (not absolute) deformations measured at the level of the cancellous bone of the tibial proximal epiphysis (CB(TPE)) during knee flexion-extension. This method has been developed to allow a future study of the effects of low femoral osteotomies consequence on the CB(TPE). Six strain gages were encapsulated in an epoxy resin solution to form, after resin polymerisation, six measurement elements (ME). The latter were inserted into the CB(TPE) of six unembalmed specimens, just below the tibial plateau. Knee motion data were collected by three-dimensional (3D) electrogoniometry during several cycles of knee flexion-extension. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was estimated on one specimen for all MEs. Intra-specimen repeatability was calculated to determine specimen's variability and the error of measurement. A varum and valgum chirurgical procedure was realised on another specimen to observed CB(TPE) deformation after these kind of procedure. Average intra-observer variation of the deformation ranged from 8% to 9% (mean coefficient of variation, MCV) respectively for extension and flexion movement. The coefficient of multiple correlations (CMC) ranged from 0.93 to 0.96 for flexion and extension. No phase shift of maximum strain peaks was observed. Inter-observer MCV averaged 23% and 28% for flexion and extension. The CMC were 0.82 and 0.87 respectively for extension and flexion. For the intra-specimen repeatability, the average of mean RMS difference and the mean ICC were calculated only for flexion movement. The mean RMS variability ranged from 7 to 10% and the mean ICC was 0.98 (0.95-0.99). A Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated showing that RMS was independent of signal intensity. For the chirurgical procedure, valgum and varum deviation seems be in agree with the frontal misalignment theory. Results show that the methodology is reproducible within a range of 10%. This method has been developed to allow analysis the indirect reflect of deformation variations in CB(TPE) before and after distal femoral osteotomies. The first results of the valgum and varum deformation show that our methodology allows this kind of measurement and are encourageant for latter studies. It will therefore allow quantification and enhance the understanding of the effects of this kind of surgery on the CB(TPE) loading.

Transparent perovskite light-emitting diodes by employing organic-inorganic multilayer transparent top electrodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Junqing; Guo, Xiaoyang; Song, Li; Lin, Jie; Hu, Yongsheng; Zhang, Nan; Liu, Xingyuan

2017-11-01

Perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have attracted much attention in the past two years due to their high photoluminescence quantum efficiencies and wavelength tuneable characteristics. In this work, transparent PeLEDs (TPeLEDs) have been reported with organic-inorganic multilayer transparent top electrodes that have more convenient control of the organic/electrode interface. By optimizing the thickness of the MoO3 layer in the top electrode, the best average transmittance of 47.21% has been obtained in the TPeLED in the wavelength range of 380-780 nm. In addition, the TPeLED exhibits a maximum luminance of 6380 cd/m2, a maximum current efficiency (CE) of 3.50 cd/A, and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 0.85% from the bottom side together with a maximum luminance of 3380 cd/m2, a maximum CE of 1.47 cd/A, and a maximum EQE of 0.36% from the top side. The total EQE of the TPeLED is about 86% of that of the reference device, indicating efficient TPeLED achieved in this work, which could have significant contribution to PeLEDs for see-through displays.

Factors influencing residual pleural opacity in tuberculous pleural effusion.

PubMed

Kwon, Jee Sook; Cha, Seung-Ick; Jeon, Kyung-Nyeo; Kim, Young-Joo; Kim, Eun-Jin; Kim, Chang-Ho; Park, Jae-Yong; Jung, Tae-Hoon

2008-08-01

Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) leads to residual pleural opacity (RPO) in a significant proportion of cases. The aim of this study was to investigate which TPE patients would have RPO following the treatment. This study was performed prospectively for a total of 60 TPE patients, who underwent pleural fluid analysis on the initial visit and chest radiographs and computed tomography (CT) scans before and after the administration of antituberculous medication. At the end of antituberculous medication, the incidence of RPO was 68.3% (41/60) on CT with a range of 2-50 mm. Compared with the non-RPO group, the RPO group had a longer symptom duration and lower pleural fluid glucose level. On initial CT, loculation, extrapleural fat proliferation, increased attenuation of extrapleural fat, and pleura-adjacent atelectasis were more frequent, and parietal pleura was thicker in the RPO group compared with the non-RPO group. By multivariate analysis, extrapleural fat proliferation, loculated effusion, and symptom duration were found to be predictors of RPO in TPE. In conclusion, RPO in TPE may be predicted by the clinico-radiologic parameters related to the chronicity of the effusion, such as symptom duration and extrapleural fat proliferation and loculated effusion on CT.

Perceptual learning of basic visual features remains task specific with Training-Plus-Exposure (TPE) training

PubMed Central

Cong, Lin-Juan; Wang, Ru-Jie; Yu, Cong; Zhang, Jun-Yun

2016-01-01

Visual perceptual learning is known to be specific to the trained retinal location, feature, and task. However, location and feature specificity can be eliminated by double-training or TPE training protocols, in which observers receive additional exposure to the transfer location or feature dimension via an irrelevant task besides the primary learning task Here we tested whether these new training protocols could even make learning transfer across different tasks involving discrimination of basic visual features (e.g., orientation and contrast). Observers practiced a near-threshold orientation (or contrast) discrimination task. Following a TPE training protocol, they also received exposure to the transfer task via performing suprathreshold contrast (or orientation) discrimination in alternating blocks of trials in the same sessions. The results showed no evidence for significant learning transfer to the untrained near-threshold contrast (or orientation) discrimination task after discounting the pretest effects and the suprathreshold practice effects. These results thus do not support a hypothetical task-independent component in perceptual learning of basic visual features. They also set the boundary of the new training protocols in their capability to enable learning transfer. PMID:26873777

Left ventricular epicardial activation increases transmural dispersion of repolarization in healthy, long QT, and dilated cardiomyopathy dogs.

PubMed

Bai, Rong; Lü, Jiagao; Pu, Jun; Liu, Nian; Zhou, Qiang; Ruan, Yanfei; Niu, Huiyan; Zhang, Cuntai; Wang, Lin; Kam, Ruth

2005-10-01

Benefits of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are well established. However, less is understood concerning its effects on myocardial repolarization and the potential proarrhythmic risk. Healthy dogs (n = 8) were compared to a long QT interval (LQT) model (n = 8, induced by cesium chloride, CsCl) and a dilated cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure (DCM-CHF, induced by rapid ventricular pacing, n = 5). Monophasic action potential (MAP) recordings were obtained from the subendocardium, midmyocardium, subepicardium, and the transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) was calculated. The QT interval and the interval from the peak to the end of the T wave (T(p-e)) were measured. All these characteristics were compared during left ventricular epicardial (LV-Epi), right ventricular endocardial (RV-Endo), and biventricular (Bi-V) pacing. In healthy dogs, TDR prolonged to 37.54 ms for Bi-V pacing and to 47.16 ms for LV-Epi pacing as compared to 26.75 ms for RV-Endo pacing (P < 0.001), which was parallel to an augmentation in T(p-e) interval (Bi-V pacing, 64.29 ms; LV-Epi pacing, 57.89 ms; RV-Endo pacing, 50.29 ms; P < 0.01). During CsCl exposure, Bi-V and LV-Epi pacing prolonged MAPD, TDR, and T(p-e) interval as compared to RV-Endo pacing. The midmyocardial MAPD (276.30 ms vs 257.35 ms, P < 0.0001) and TDR (33.80 ms vs 27.58 ms, P=0.002) were significantly longer in DCM-CHF dogs than those in healthy dogs. LV-Epi and Bi-V pacing further prolonged the MAPD and TDR in this model. LV-Epi and Bi-V pacing result in prolongation of ventricular repolarization time, and increase of TDR accounted for a parallel augmentation of the T(p-e) interval, which provides evidence that T(p-e) interval accurately represents TDR. These effects are magnified in the LQT and DCM-CHF canine models in addition to their intrinsic transmural heterogeneity in the intact heart. This mechanism may contribute to the development of malignant ventricular arrhythmias, such as torsades de pointes (TdP) in congestive heart failure (CHF) patients treated with CRT.

Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

PubMed

Acar, Gurkan; Yorgun, Hikmet; Inci, Mehmet Fatih; Akkoyun, Murat; Bakan, Betul; Nacar, Alper Bugra; Dirnak, Imran; Cetin, Gozde Yildirim; Bozoglan, Orhan

2014-03-01

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic multi-systemic inflammatory rheumatic disorder. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of repolarization and that increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with AS, and to assess the relation with inflammation. Sixty-two patients with AS and 50 controls were included. Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from a 12-lead electrocardiogram, and the Tp-e interval corrected for heart rate. The plasma level of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured. These parameters were compared between groups. In electrocardiographic parameters analysis, QT dispersion (QTd) and corrected QTd were significantly increased in AS patients compared to the controls (31.7 ± 9.6 vs 28.2 ± 7.4 and 35.8 ± 11.5 vs 30.6 ± 7.9 ms, P = 0.03 and P = 0.007, respectively). cTp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were also significantly higher in AS patients (92.1 ± 10.2 vs 75.8 ± 8.4 and 0.22 ± 0.02 vs 0.19 ± 0.02 ms, all P values <0.001). cTp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were significantly correlated with hsCRP (r = 0.63, P < 0.001 and r = 0.49, P < 0.001, respectively). Our study revealed that Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were increased in AS patients. These electrocardiographic ventricular repolarization indexes were significantly correlated with the plasma level of hsCRP.

Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

PubMed

Demir, Mehmet; Uyan, Umut

2014-01-01

Non-dipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of repolarization and that increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with non-dipper hypertension. This study included 80 hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups: 50 dipper patients (29 male, mean age 51.5 ± 8 years) and 30 non-dipper patients (17 male, mean age 50.6 ± 5.4 years). Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from the 12-lead electrocardiogram. These parameters were compared between groups. No statistically significant difference was found between two groups in terms of basic characteristics. In electrocardiographic parameters analysis, QT dispersion (QTd) and corrected QTd were significantly increased in non-dipper patients compared to the dippers (39.4 ± 11.5 versus 27.3 ± 7.5 ms and 37.5 ± 9.5 versus 29.2 ± 6.5 ms, p = 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were also significantly higher in non-dipper patients (97.5 ± 11.2 versus 84.2 ± 8.3 ms and 0.23 ± 0.02 versus 0.17 ± 0.02, all p value <0.001). Our study revealed that QTd, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are prolonged in patients with non-dipper hypertension.

Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

PubMed

Acar, Gurkan; Yorgun, Hikmet; Inci, Mehmet Fatih; Akkoyun, Murat; Bakan, Betul; Nacar, Alper Bugra; Dirnak, Imran; Cetin, Gozde Yildirim; Bozoglan, Orhan

2013-04-12

OBJECTIVES: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic multi-systemic inflammatory rheumatic disorder. Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of repolarization and that increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with AS, and to assess the relation with inflammation. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with AS and 50 controls were included. Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from a 12-lead electrocardiogram, and the Tp-e interval corrected for heart rate. The plasma level of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured. These parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS: In electrocardiographic parameters analysis, QT dispersion (QTd) and corrected QTd were significantly increased in AS patients compared to the controls (31.7 ± 9.6 vs 28.2 ± 7.4 and 35.8 ± 11.5 vs 30.6 ± 7.9 ms, P = 0.03 and P = 0.007, respectively). cTp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were also significantly higher in AS patients (92.1 ± 10.2 vs 75.8 ± 8.4 and 0.22 ± 0.02 vs 0.19 ± 0.02 ms, all P values <0.001). cTp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were significantly correlated with hsCRP (r = 0.63, P < 0.001 and r = 0.49, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed that Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were increased in AS patients. These electrocardiographic ventricular repolarization indexes were significantly correlated with the plasma level of hsCRP.

Evaluation of Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Acar, Gu Rkan; Akkoyun, Murat; Nacar, Alper Bugra; Dirnak, Imran; Yıldırım Çetin, Gözde; Nur Yıldırım, Makbule; Zencir, Cemil; Karaman, Kayıhan; Cetin, Mustafa; Sayarlıoğlu, Mehmet

2014-01-01

Several studies have suggested that the interval from the peak to the end of the electrocardiographic T wave (Tp-e) may correspond to the transmural dispersion of repolarization and that increased Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio are associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using the Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to assess the relation with inflammation. Ninety-six patients (72 females, 24 males; mean age 43.8±11.8 years) with RA and 50 controls (35 females, 15 males; mean age 44.2±11.1 years) were included. From the 12-lead electrocardiogram, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured. Blood samples were taken for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP). These parameters were compared between groups. The relationship between ventricular repolarization and inflammation was assessed by Pearson correlation coefficients. Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were increased in RA patients compared to the controls (72.6±8.2 vs 66.4±8.5 ms, 0.20±0.02 vs 0.18±0.02; p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). The Tp-e interval was significantly correlated with CRP, ESR, and disease activity score (DAS-28) (r=0.56, p<0.001, r=0.57, p<0.001, and r=0.29, p=0.02, respectively). The Tp-e/QT ratio was also correlated with CRP, ESR, and DAS-28 score (r=0.43, p<0.001, r=0.53, p<0.001, and r=0.25, p=0.03, respectively). In RA patients, the increased frequency of ventricular arrhythmias may be explained by increased indexes of ventricular repolarization and their relationship with inflammation.

Evaluation of inhomogeneities of repolarization in patients with psoriasis vulgaris

PubMed Central

İnci, Sinan; Aksan, Gökhan; Nar, Gökay; Yüksel, Esra Pancar; Ocal, Hande Serra; Çapraz, Mustafa; Yüksel, Serkan; Şahin, Mahmut

2016-01-01

Introduction The arrhythmia potential has not been investigated adequately in psoriatic patients. In this study, we assessed the ventricular repolarization dispersion, using the Tp-e interval and the Tp-e/QT ratio, and investigated the association with inflammation. Material and methods Seventy-one psoriasis vulgaris patients and 70 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. The severity of the disease was calculated using Psoriasis Area and Severity Index scoring. The QTd was defined as the difference between the maximum and minimum QT intervals. The Tp-e interval was defined as the interval from the peak of the T wave to the end of the T wave. The Tp-e interval was corrected for heart rate. The Tp-e/QT ratio was calculated using these measurements. Results There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to basal clinical and laboratory characteristics (p > 0.05). The Tp-e interval, the corrected Tp-e interval (cTp-e) and the Tp-e/QT ratio were also significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared to the control group (78.5 ±8.0 ms vs. 71.4 ±7.6 ms, p < 0.001, 86.3 ±13.2 ms vs. 77.6 ±9.0 ms, p < 0.001 and 0.21 ±0.02 vs. 0.19 ±0.02, p < 0.001 respectively). A significant correlation was detected between the cTp-e time and the Tp-e/QT ratio and the PASI score in the group of psoriatic patients (r = 0.51, p < 0.001; r = 0.59, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions In our study, we detected a significant increase in the Tp-e interval and the Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. The Tp-e interval and the Tp-e/QT ratio may be predictors for ventricular arrhythmias in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. PMID:27904512

Prediction of e± elastic scattering cross-section ratio based on phenomenological two-photon exchange corrections

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qattan, I. A.

2017-06-01

I present a prediction of the e± elastic scattering cross-section ratio, Re+e-, as determined using a new parametrization of the two-photon exchange (TPE) corrections to electron-proton elastic scattering cross section σR. The extracted ratio is compared to several previous phenomenological extractions, TPE hadronic calculations, and direct measurements from the comparison of electron and positron scattering. The TPE corrections and the ratio Re+e- show a clear change of sign at low Q2, which is necessary to explain the high-Q2 form factors discrepancy while being consistent with the known Q2→0 limit. While my predictions are in generally good agreement with previous extractions, TPE hadronic calculations, and existing world data including the recent two measurements from the CLAS and VEPP-3 Novosibirsk experiments, they are larger than the new OLYMPUS measurements at larger Q2 values.

From therapeutic patient education principles to educative attitude: the perceptions of health care professionals – a pragmatic approach for defining competencies and resources

PubMed Central

Pétré, Benoit; Gagnayre, Remi; De Andrade, Vincent; Ziegler, Olivier; Guillaume, Michèle

2017-01-01

Educative attitude is an essential, if implicit, aspect of training to acquire competency in therapeutic patient education (TPE). With multiple (or nonexistent) definitions in the literature, however, the concept needs clarification. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the representations and transformations experienced by health care professionals in the course of TPE training in order to characterize educative attitude. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using several narrative research-based tools with participants of two TPE continuing education courses. We then performed an inductive thematic analysis. Thirty-three people participated in the study; the majority were women (n=29), nurses (n=17) working in a hospital setting (n=28). Seven categories of statements were identified: time-related (“the right moment, how much time it takes”), the benefits of TPE (to health care professionals’ personal well-being), emotions and feelings (quality of exchanges, sharing), the professional nature of TPE (educational competencies required), the holistic, interdisciplinary approach (complexity of the person and value of teamwork), the educational nature of the care relationship (education an integral part of care) and the ethical dimension (introspection essential). The first three components appear fairly innovative, at least in formulation. The study’s originality rests primarily in its choice of participants – highly motivated novices who expressed themselves in a completely nontheoretical way. Health models see attitude as critical for adopting a behavior. Best TPE practices should encourage personal work on this, opening professionals to the social, experiential and emotional aspects of managing chronic illness. PMID:28356722

A Suite of Tetraphenylethylene-Based Discrete Organoplatinum(II) Metallacycles: Controllable Structure and Stoichiometry, Aggregation-Induced Emission, and Nitroaromatics Sensing.

PubMed

Yan, Xuzhou; Wang, Haoze; Hauke, Cory E; Cook, Timothy R; Wang, Ming; Saha, Manik Lal; Zhou, Zhixuan; Zhang, Mingming; Li, Xiaopeng; Huang, Feihe; Stang, Peter J

2015-12-09

Materials that organize multiple functionally active sites, especially those with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties, are of growing interest due to their widespread applications. Despite promising early architectures, the fabrication and preparation of multiple AIEgens, such as multiple tetraphenylethylene (multi-TPE) units, in a single entity remain a big challenge due to the tedious covalent synthetic procedures often accompanying such preparations. Coordination-driven self-assembly is an alternative synthetic methodology with the potential to deliver multi-TPE architectures with light-emitting characteristics. Herein, we report the preparation of a new family of discrete multi-TPE metallacycles in which two pendant phenyl rings of the TPE units remain unused as a structural element, representing novel AIE-active metal-organic materials based on supramolecular coordination complex platforms. These metallacycles possess relatively high molar absorption coefficients but weak fluorescent emission under dilute conditions because of the ability of the untethered phenyl rings to undergo torsional motion as a non-radiative decay pathway. Upon molecular aggregation, the multi-TPE metallacycles show AIE-activity with markedly enhanced quantum yields. Moreover, on account of their AIE characteristics in the condensed state and ability to interact with electron-deficient substrates, the photophysics of these metallacycles is sensitive to the presence of nitroaromatics, motivating their use as sensors. This work represents a unification of themes including molecular self-assembly, AIE, and fluorescence sensing and establishes structure-property-application relationships of multi-TPE scaffolds. The fundamental knowledge obtained from the current research facilitates progress in the field of metal-organic materials, metal-coordination-induced emission, and fluorescent sensing.

From therapeutic patient education principles to educative attitude: the perceptions of health care professionals - a pragmatic approach for defining competencies and resources.

PubMed

Pétré, Benoit; Gagnayre, Remi; De Andrade, Vincent; Ziegler, Olivier; Guillaume, Michèle

2017-01-01

Educative attitude is an essential, if implicit, aspect of training to acquire competency in therapeutic patient education (TPE). With multiple (or nonexistent) definitions in the literature, however, the concept needs clarification. The primary aim of this study was to analyze the representations and transformations experienced by health care professionals in the course of TPE training in order to characterize educative attitude. We conducted an exploratory qualitative study using several narrative research-based tools with participants of two TPE continuing education courses. We then performed an inductive thematic analysis. Thirty-three people participated in the study; the majority were women (n=29), nurses (n=17) working in a hospital setting (n=28). Seven categories of statements were identified: time-related ("the right moment, how much time it takes"), the benefits of TPE (to health care professionals' personal well-being), emotions and feelings (quality of exchanges, sharing), the professional nature of TPE (educational competencies required), the holistic, interdisciplinary approach (complexity of the person and value of teamwork), the educational nature of the care relationship (education an integral part of care) and the ethical dimension (introspection essential). The first three components appear fairly innovative, at least in formulation. The study's originality rests primarily in its choice of participants - highly motivated novices who expressed themselves in a completely nontheoretical way. Health models see attitude as critical for adopting a behavior. Best TPE practices should encourage personal work on this, opening professionals to the social, experiential and emotional aspects of managing chronic illness.

Why turbulence sustains in supercritically stratified free atmosphere?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zilitinkevich, Sergej

2016-04-01

It is widely believed that in very stable stratifications, at Richardson numbers (Ri) exceeding critical value Ric ˜ 0.25 turbulence decays and flow becomes laminar. This is so at low Reynolds numbers (Re), e.g., in lab experiments; but this is not true in very-high-Re geophysical flows. Free atmosphere and deep ocean are turbulent in spite of strongly supercritical stratifications: 1 << Ri < 103. Until recently, this paradox remained unexplained. The Energy- and Flux-Budget (EFB) turbulence-closure (Zilitinkevich et al., 2013) has disclosed the following turbulence self-control mechanisms. Until recently, the role of negative buoyancy flux, Fb > 0, in turbulence energetics was treated in terms of the turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget equation and understood as just consumption of TKE by the buoyancy forces. This has led to the conclusion that sufficiently strong static stability causes the negative buoyancy flux sufficiently strong to exceed the TKE generation rate and thus to kill turbulence. However, considering TKE equation together with budget equation for turbulent potential energy (TPE proportional to the squared buoyancy fluctuations) shows that the role of Fb in turbulence energetics is nothing but conversion of TKE into TPE (Fb just quantifies the rate of this conversion); so that Fb does not affect total turbulent energy (TTE = TKE + TPE). Moreover, as follows from the buoyancy-flux budget equation, TPE generates positive (directed upward) buoyancy flux irrespective of the sign of the buoyancy gradient. Indeed, the warmer fluid particles (with positive buoyancy fluctuation) rise up, whereas the cooler particles sink down, so that both contribute to the positive buoyancy flux opposing to the usual, negative flux generated by mean buoyancy gradient. In this context, strengthening the negative buoyancy flux leads to decreasing TKE and increasing TPE. The latter enhances the counter-gradient share of the total flux, thus reduces |Fb| and, eventually, increases TKE. The above negative feedback was disregarded in the conventional concept of down-gradient turbulent transport. This mechanism imposes a limit on the maximal (independent of the buoyancy gradient) value of |Fb| and thus prevents degeneration of turbulence. The EFB theory has predicted that the critical Richardson number, Ric ˜ 0.25, characterising the hydrodynamic instability limit and the turbulent-laminar flow threshold at low Reynolds numbers, remains a principal threshold also in the very-high-Re turbulence; but here it separates the two turbulent regimes of dramatically different nature: Ri < Ric: the familiar "strong-mixing turbulence" typical of boundary-layer flows, wherein turbulent Prandtl number remaines practically constant: PrT ˜ 1 (the so-called "Reynolds analogy"); Ri > Ric: the newly revealed "wave-like turbulence" typical of the free atmosphere and deep ocean, wherein sharply increases with increasing Ri (asymptotically as PrT ≈ 5 Ri). This theoretical finding fits well with experimental evidence. Modellers long ago knew that turbulent heat transfer in the free atmosphere should be taken much weaker than the momentum transfer. The EFB theory gives authentic formulation for this rule and provides physically grounded method for modelling turbulence up to very stable startifications.

Synthesis and biological imaging of cross-linked fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission characteristics based on the combination of RAFT polymerization and the Biginelli reaction.

PubMed

Dong, Jiande; Liu, Meiying; Jiang, Ruming; Huang, Hongye; Wan, Qing; Wen, Yuanqing; Tian, Jianwen; Dai, Yanfeng; Zhang, Xiaoyong; Wei, Yen

2018-05-17

Fluorescent probes have long been regarded as tools for imaging living organisms with advantages such as high sensitivity, good designability and multifunctional potential. Many fluorescent probes, especially the probes based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dyes, have received increasing attention since the AIE phenomenon was discovered. These AIE dye-based fluorescent probes could elegantly overcome the notorious quenching effect caused by aggregation of conventional organic dyes. However, it is still difficult to directly apply these AIE-active dyes for biomedical applications owing to their hydrophobic nature. Therefore, the development of novel and facile strategies to endow them with water dispersibility is of critical importance. In this work, we exploit an efficient and simple strategy to fabricate an AIE dye-based fluorescent copolymer through the combination of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer and the Biginelli reaction. Moreover, the copolymer can self-assemble to fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles (FPNs) in water solution. Hydrophilic poly(PEGMA-co-AEMA) was reacted with the AIE-active dye 4',4‴-(1,2-diphenylethene-1,2-diyl)bis([1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carbaldehyde (CHO-TPE-CHO) to form amphiphilic luminescent polymers using urea as the connection bridge. The successful synthesis of the final products (poly(PEGMA-co-AEMA-TPE) FPNs) was confirmed by various instruments. Furthermore, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images manifest that poly(PEGMA-co-AEMA-TPE) copolymers will self-assemble into spherical nanoparticles in aqueous environments with sizes between 100 nm and 200 nm. The cell uptake and bioimaging experiment confirm that poly(PEGMA-co-AEMA-TPE) FPNs have excellent biocompatibility and emit strong green fluorescence in a cellular environment. Thus, poly(PEGMA-co-AEMA-TPE) FPNs are excellent candidates for biomedical applications. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Developing a new intelligent system for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion.

PubMed

Li, Chengye; Hou, Lingxian; Sharma, Bishundat Yanesh; Li, Huaizhong; Chen, ChengShui; Li, Yuping; Zhao, Xuehua; Huang, Hui; Cai, Zhennao; Chen, Huiling

2018-01-01

In countries with high prevalence of tuberculosis (TB), clinicians often diagnose tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) by using diagnostic tests, which have not only poor sensitivity, but poor availability as well. The aim of our study is to develop a new artificial intelligence based diagnostic model that is accurate, fast, non-invasive and cost effective to diagnose TPE. It is expected that a tool derived based on the model be installed on simple computer devices (such as smart phones and tablets) and be used by clinicians widely. For this study, data of 140 patients whose clinical signs, routine blood test results, blood biochemistry markers, pleural fluid cell type and count, and pleural fluid biochemical tests' results were prospectively collected into a database. An Artificial intelligence based diagnostic model, which employs moth flame optimization based support vector machine with feature selection (FS-MFO-SVM), is constructed to predict the diagnosis of TPE. The optimal model results in an average of 95% accuracy (ACC), 0.9564 the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), 93.35% sensitivity, and 97.57% specificity for FS-MFO-SVM. The proposed artificial intelligence based diagnostic model is found to be highly reliable for diagnosing TPE based on simple clinical signs, blood samples and pleural effusion samples. Therefore, the proposed model can be widely used in clinical practice and further evaluated for use as a substitute of invasive pleural biopsies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ratiometric Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes Based On Through-Bond Energy Transfer and π-Conjugation Modulation between Tetraphenylethene and Hemicyanine Moieties for Sensitive Detection of pH Changes in Live Cells.

PubMed

Wang, Jianbo; Xia, Shuai; Bi, Jianheng; Fang, Mingxi; Mazi, Wafa; Zhang, Yibin; Conner, Nathan; Luo, Fen-Tair; Lu, H Peter; Liu, Haiying

2018-04-18

In this paper, we present three ratiometric near-infrared fluorescent probes (A-C) for accurate, ratiometric detection of intracellular pH changes in live cells. Probe A consists of a tetraphenylethene (TPE) donor and near-infrared hemicyanine acceptor in a through-bond energy transfer (TBET) strategy, while probes B and C are composed of TPE and hemicyanine moieties through single and double sp 2 carbon-carbon bond connections in a π-conjugation modulation strategy. The specific targeting of the probes to lysosomes in live cells was achieved by introducing morpholine residues to the hemicyanine moieties to form closed spirolactam ring structures. Probe A shows aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property at neutral or basic pH, while probes B and C lack AIE properties. At basic or neutral pH, the probes only show fluorescence of TPE moieties with closed spirolactam forms of hemicyanine moieties, and effectively avoid blind fluorescence imaging spots, an issue which typical intensity-based pH fluorescent probes encounter. Three probes show ratiometric fluorescence responses to pH changes from 7.0 to 3.0 with TPE fluorescence decreases and hemicyanine fluorescence increases, because acidic pH makes the spirolactam rings open to enhance π-conjugation of hemicyanine moieties. However, probe A shows much more sensitive ratiometric fluorescence responses to pH changes from 7.0 to 3.0 with remarkable ratio increase of TPE fluorescence to hemicyanine fluorescence up to 238-fold than probes B and C because of its high efficiency of energy transfer from TPE donor to the hemicyanine acceptor in the TBET strategy. The probe offers dual Stokes shifts with a large pseudo-Stokes shift of 361 nm and well-defined dual emissions, and allows for colocalization of the imaging readouts of visible and near-infrared fluorescence channels to achieve more precisely double-checked ratiometric fluorescence imaging. These platforms could be employed to develop a variety of novel ratiometric fluorescent probes for accurate detection of different analytes in applications of chemical and biological sensing, imaging, and diagnostics by introducing appropriate sensing ligands to hemicyanine moieties to form on-off spirolactam switches.

Outcomes of standard and tailored anti-tuberculosis regimens in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion.

PubMed

Kim, C H; Lim, J K; Lee, D H; Yoo, S S; Lee, S Y; Cha, S I; Park, J Y; Lee, J

2016-11-01

In an era of increasing concerns about drug resistance, there are limited data on treatment outcomes and recurrence rates after standard short-course anti-tuberculosis treatment in patients with culture-negative tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). To compare treatment outcomes and recurrence rates between a standard anti-tuberculosis regimen with negative culture and unavailable drug susceptibility testing (DST) data, and a tailored anti-tuberculosis regimen based on individual DST data. We analysed the data of all patients with TPE from the TB registry database at Kyungpook National University Hospital, South Korea, during 2008-2012. The study population was divided into two groups according to regimen. Standard and tailored anti-tuberculosis regimens were administered to respectively 124 and 146 patients with TPE. Drug resistance was detected in 10% of patients with TPE, about a quarter of whom were multidrug-resistant. The treatment completion rate was not significantly different between the two groups (91% vs. 93%). During a median 20-month follow-up, the recurrence rate was also similar in both groups (1% vs.1%). Despite limited statistical power, these preliminary results support the hypothesis that immunocompetent patients with culture-negative TPE can be appropriately managed with a standard short-course anti-tuberculosis regimen, even in this era of increasing concerns about drug resistance.

Intravital Confocal and Two-photon Imaging of Dual-color Cells and Extracellular Matrix Mimics

PubMed Central

Bal, Ufuk; Andresen, Volker; Baggett, Brenda; Utzinger, Urs

2013-01-01

To optimize imaging of cells in three dimensional culture we studied confocal backscattering, Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) and autofluorescence as source of contrast in extracellular matrix (ECM) mimics and evaluated the attenuation as well as bleaching of endogenous cellular fluorescence signals. All common ECM mimics exhibit contrast observable with confocal reflectance microscopy. SHG imaging on collagen I based hydrogels provides high contrast and good optical penetration depth. Agarose is a useful embedding medium because it allows for large optical penetration and exhibits minimal autofluorescence while still providing good reflectance to detect voids in the embedding medium. We labeled breast cancer cells’ outline with DsRed2 and nucleus with eGFP. DsRed2 can be excited with confocal imaging at 568nm, and with two photon excitation (TPE) in the red and longer NIR. eGFP was excited at 488nm for confocal and in the NIR for TPE. While there is small difference in the bleaching rate for eGFP between confocal and TPE we observed significant difference for DsRed2 where bleaching is strongest during TPE in the red wavelengths and smallest during confocal imaging. After a few hundred microns depth in a collagen I hydrogel, TPE fluorescence becomes twice as strong compared to confocal imaging. PMID:23380006

Therapeutic plasma exchange in poisoning: 8 years' experience of a university hospital.

PubMed

Dişel, Nezihat Rana; Akpınar, Ayça Açıkalın; Sebe, Ahmet; Karakoç, Emre; Sürer, Selen; Turhan, Ferda Tekin; Matyar, Selçuk

2015-10-01

This study examined the extracorporeal methods for the elimination of toxic substances in poisoned patients that are used by clinicians taking care of such patients. Here we present our experience in the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest number of poisoning cases ever reported in a study. This is a retrospective study conducted at the Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, with the permission of the ethical committee of the medical faculty. The study includes patients who had undergone TPE because of poisoning between January 2007 and May 2015. We summarize the clinical data and outcomes of the patients with available files. A total of 36 cases among the 42 patients who underwent TPE in this 8-year period were included in the study. More than 20 identified toxic substances, most of which were pesticides, were found to be the causes of poisoning. Twenty-three healthy discharges and 12 deaths are discussed in the study. We believe that our study reports the largest ever number of poisoning cases treated with TPE in the literature. When applicable, TPE may be a promising extracorporeal elimination and treatment technique in poisoned patients when performed in selected cases. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Polarization observables using positron beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Axel

2018-05-01

The discrepancy between polarized and unpolarized measurements of the proton's electromagnetic form factors is striking, and suggests that two-photon exchange (TPE) may be playing a larger role in elastic electron-proton scattering than is estimated in standard radiative corrections formulae. While TPE is difficult to calculate in a model-independent way, it can be determined experimentally from asymmetries between electron-proton and positron-proton scattering. The possibility of a polarized positron beam at Jefferson Lab would open the door to measurements of TPE using polarization observables. In these proceedings, I examine the feasibility of measuring three such observables with positron scattering. Polarization-transfer, specifically the ɛ-dependence for fixed Q2, is an excellent test of TPE, and the ability to compare electrons and positrons would lead to a drastic reduction of systematics. However, such a measurement would be severely statistically limited. Normal single-spin asymmetries (SSAs) probe the imaginary part of the TPE amplitude and can be improved by simultaneous measurements with electron and positron beams. Beam-normal SSAs are too small to be measured with the proposed polarized positron beam, but target-normal SSAs could be feasibly measured with unpolarized positrons in the spectrometer halls. This technique should be included in the physics case for developing a positron source for Jefferson Lab.

A rare case of thrombotic microangiopathy triggered by acute pancreatitis.

PubMed

Singh, Kevin; Nadeem, Ahmed Jamal; Doratotaj, Behzad

2017-05-15

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) occurring after acute pancreatitis is rarely described. Without prompt intervention, TMA can be, and often is, lethal, so prompt recognition is important. Here, we present a case of a 61-year-old woman with a history of alcohol misuse who presented with epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting after binge drinking. Elevated serum lipase and imaging were suggestive of acute-on-chronic pancreatitis. Although the patient's symptoms of acute pancreatitis subsided, her anaemia, thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury worsened. A peripheral blood smear revealed schistocytes, prompting suspicion for TMA. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was promptly initiated and she completed 10 TPE sessions that improved her anaemia and serum creatinine and resolved the thrombocytopenia. Since TPE was effective and the ADAMTS13 assay revealed 55% activity in the absence of anti-ADAMTS13 IgG prior to initiation of therapy, a confident diagnosis of TMA caused by acute pancreatitis was made. There was no evidence of relapse 2 years later. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Reconstruction of the pelvic floor and the vagina after total pelvic exenteration using the transverse musculocutaneous gracilis flap.

PubMed

Kaartinen, Ilkka S; Vuento, Maarit H; Hyöty, Marja K; Kallio, Jukka; Kuokkanen, Hannu O

2015-01-01

Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is a rare operation in which the pelvic contents are removed entirely. Several options for pelvic floor and vaginal reconstruction have been described including transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) or deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps. The transverse musculocutaneous gracilis (TMG) flap has been introduced for breast reconstruction as a free flap. We adopted the pedicled TMG flap for reconstructions after TPE. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this method in the literature. Between November 2011 and February 2014, 12 patients underwent TPE and reconstruction with unilateral (six patients) or bilateral (six patients) pedicled TMG flaps. Five patients underwent vaginal reconstruction with bilateral TMG flaps. We describe the operative procedure and the outcome of the operation in these patients. The total mean operative times for TPE with or without vaginal reconstruction were 467 ± 12 and 386 ± 59 min, respectively. The TMG flaps had enough vascular tissue and mobility for reconstructing the TPE defects. There was distal edge necrosis in one out of 18 flaps, while the rest survived completely. During the follow-up, complete wound healing with no signs of weakening of the pelvic floor was observed in all cases. Soft-tissue reconstructions are needed to reduce complications associated with TPE, to secure the pelvic floor and to reconstruct the vagina in select patients. The TMG flap is a logical flap choice that does not lead to functional deficits, complicate the abdominal ostomies or weaken the abdominal wall. It reduces the length of operation compared to that of abdominal flaps. IV, therapeutic. Copyright © 2014 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Therapeutic plasma exchange performed in tandem with hemodialysis without supplemental calcium in the apheresis circuit.

PubMed

Zhao, Yong; Ibrahim, Hiba; Bailey, Jeffrey A; Linden, Jeanne; Hickson, Elda; Haynes, Stefanie; Greene, Mindy; Vauthrin, Michelle; Weinstein, Robert

2017-06-01

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and hemopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) collection are apheresis procedures that can safely be performed in tandem with hemodialysis. Despite the return of citrate-anticoagulated blood to the patient during HPC collection, it is not necessary to administer supplemental calcium during these procedures because the ionized calcium concentration is restored as the returning blood passes through the dialyzer. It is not known whether this applies to TPE, in which a mixture of blood and pharmaceutical albumin, an avid binder of plasma ionized calcium, is returned to the patient through the dialyzer. We report on three dialysis-dependent patients who required TPE and underwent tandem treatments without supplemental calcium in the apheresis circuit. Overall, ionized calcium fell 4-12% (P = 0.0.024) and patients reported no symptoms of hypocalcemic toxicity. Tandem hemodialysis/TPE can be performed without supplemental calcium in the apheresis circuit. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:154-157, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Experimental reproduction of necrotic enteritis in chickens: a review.

PubMed

Prescott, John F; Smyth, Joan A; Shojadoost, Bahram; Vince, Andrew

2016-06-01

This review discusses key factors important in successful experimental reproduction of necrotic enteritis (NE) in chickens, and how these factors can be adjusted to affect the severity of the lesions induced. The critical bacterial factor is the need to use virulent, netB-positive, strains of Clostridium perfringens; disease severity can be enhanced by using netB-positive C. perfringens strains that are also tpeL-positive, by the use of young rather than old broth cultures, and by the number of days of inoculation and the number of bacteria used. Use of cereals rich in non-starch polysaccharides can enhance disease, as does use of animal proteins. Administration of coccidia, including coccidial vaccines, combined with netB-positive C. perfringens, increases the severity of experimentally-induced NE. Dietary manipulation may be less important in coccidia-based models since the latter are so effective. Disease scoring systems and welfare considerations are discussed.

Pressure-induced emission band separation of the hybridized local and charge transfer excited state in a TPE-based crystal.

PubMed

Liu, Xuedan; Li, Aisen; Xu, Weiqing; Ma, Zhiyong; Jia, Xinru

2018-05-08

We herein report a newly synthesized simple molecule, named TPE[double bond, length as m-dash]C4, with twisted D-A structure. TPE[double bond, length as m-dash]C4 showed two intrinsic emission bands ascribed to the locally excited (LE) state and the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state, respectively. In the crystal state, the LE emission band is usually observed. However, by applying hydrostatic pressure to the powder sample and the single crystal sample of TPE[double bond, length as m-dash]C4, dual-fluorescence (445 nm and 532 nm) was emerged under high pressure, owing to the pressure-induced emission band separation of the hybridized local and charge transfer excited state (HLCT). It is found that the emission of TPE[double bond, length as m-dash]C4 is generally determined by the ratio of the LE state to the ICT state. The ICT emission band is much more sensitive to the external pressure than the LE emission band. The HLCT state leads to a sample with different responsiveness to grinding and hydrostatic pressure. This study is of significance in the molecular design of such D-A type molecules and in the control of photoluminescence features by molecular structure. Such results are expected to pave a new way to further understand the relationship between the D-A molecular structure and stimuli-responsive properties.

Application of Terrestrial Environments in Orion Assessments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barbre, Robert E.

2016-01-01

This presentation summarizes the Marshall Space Flight Center Natural Environments Terrestrial and Planetary Environments (TPE) Team support to the NASA Orion space vehicle. The TPE utilizes meteorological data to assess the sensitivities of the vehicle due to the terrestrial environment. The Orion vehicle, part of the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Program, is designed to carry astronauts beyond low-earth orbit and is currently undergoing a series of tests including Exploration Test Flight (EFT) - 1. The presentation describes examples of TPE support for vehicle design and several tests, as well as support for EFT-1 and planning for upcoming Exploration Missions while emphasizing the importance of accounting for the natural environment's impact to the vehicle early in the vehicle's program.

Second regional plasmapheresis conference and workshop for Southeast Asia (SEA) on the immunomodulatory role of plasma exchange in central and peripheral nervous system disorders, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9th December 2017.

PubMed

Viswanathan, Shanthi; Hung, Stefanie Kar Yan; Goyal, Vinay; Apiwattanakul, Metha; Thirugnanam, Umapathi N; Abdullah, Suhailah; Aye, Seinn Mya Mya; Ohnmar, Ohnmar; Si, Le Tri; Keosodsay, Saysavath; Estiasari, Riwanti; Khalife, Najib; Hiew, Fu Liong

2018-04-06

In December 2017, 79 delegates attended the 2nd regional plasmapheresis conference and workshop for Southeast Asia (SEA) on the immunomodulatory role of plasma exchange in central and peripheral nervous system disorders in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This meeting featured 6 plenary lectures, interactive sessions dedicated for experience sharing, case presentations, and a practical session for paramedics. Clinical experts and researchers from 7 SEA countries and India shared experience and challenges in treating autoimmune neurological disorders. While the spectrum of diseases and neurology practice remained largely similar, there was great disparities in accessibility of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) within SEA countries and between urban or rural settings. Costs, human resources, and healthcare policies are common challenges in providing sustainable TPE services. Novel techniques and innovative ideas in performing TPE were explored. A working consortium comprising of key opinion leaders was proposed to improve standards of TPE and enhance future research. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Therapeutic plasma exchange in a single center: Ibni Sina experience.

PubMed

Arslan, Onder; Arat, Mutlu; Tek, Ibrahim; Ayyildiz, Erol; Ilhan, Osman

2004-06-01

The number of therapeutic procedures is increasing steadily year by year with growing collaboration of departments other than Hematology. In the aim to demonstrate our single center activity we analyzed our data since four years. Between years 1998 and 2001, 658 therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) procedures were performed on 158 patients. Median age and male/female ratio were 37 (range, 15-87) and 80/78, respectively. Main indications were myastenia gravis (n=55, 34%), TTP (n=13, 8.5%), post ABO mismatched allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation aregeneratoric anemia (n=6, 7.5%), progressive systemic sclerosis (n=10, 6.5%), multiple myeloma (n=10, 6.5%), Gullian Barre Syndrome (n=9, 5.9%), multiple sclerosis (n=7, 4.6%), Waldenström Macroglobulinemia (n=5, 3.4%), polymyositis (n=4, 2.7%), sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (n=4, 2.7%). Departments who referred the majority of the patients for TPE were neurology (n=199), hematology (n=153), immunology (n=78), intensive care unit (n=78) and thorax surgery (n=51). The median TPE procedure per patient was 4 (range, 1-50). All the procedures were performed on continuous flow cell separators and median plasma volume processed per cycle was 2471 ml (range 436-5000). The replacement fluids used were 3% hydroxyethylstarch (HES) (24%), 5% albumin (35%), fresh frozen plasma (25%), and HES and albumin (16%). HES was tolerated well even as a sole replacement fluid with acceptable minor side effects. In three patients with progressing hypoalbuminemia HES was replaced or combined with 5% albumin. Close monitoring of serum albumin and fibrinogen levels after repeated procedures is mandatory. In our four years of TPE experience we have increased our collaboration with other departments. 3% HES+/-5% Albumin is a feasible, well tolerated and cost effective replacement fluid combination especially for short-term plasma exchange therapy.

Activation of calpain by renin-angiotensin system in pleural mesothelial cells mediates tuberculous pleural fibrosis

PubMed Central

Yang, Jie; Xiang, Fei; Cai, Peng-Cheng; Lu, Yu-Zhi; Xu, Xiao-Xiao; Yu, Fan; Li, Feng-Zhi; Greer, Peter A.; Shi, Huan-Zhong; Zhou, Qiong; Xin, Jian-Bao; Ye, Hong; Su, Yunchao

2016-01-01

Pleural fibrosis is defined as an excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components that results in destruction of the normal pleural tissue architecture. It can result from diverse inflammatory conditions, especially tuberculous pleurisy. Pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) play a pivotal role in pleural fibrosis. Calpain is a family of calcium-dependent endopeptidases, which plays an important role in ECM remodeling. However, the role of calpain in pleural fibrosis remains unknown. In the present study, we found that tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) induced calpain activation in PMCs and that inhibition of calpain prevented TPE-induced collagen-I synthesis and cell proliferation of PMCs. Moreover, our data revealed that the levels of angiotensin (ANG)-converting enzyme (ACE) were significantly higher in pleural fluid of patients with TPE than those with malignant pleural effusion, and ACE-ANG II in TPE resulted in activation of calpain and subsequent triggering of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway in PMCs. Finally, calpain activation in PMCs and collagen depositions were confirmed in pleural biopsy specimens from patients with tuberculous pleurisy. Together, these studies demonstrated that calpain is activated by renin-angiotensin system in pleural fibrosis and mediates TPE-induced collagen-I synthesis and proliferation of PMCs via the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. Calpain in PMCs might be a novel target for intervention in tuberculous pleural fibrosis. PMID:27261452

Effect of intravenous amiodarone on QT and T peak-T end dispersions in patients with nonischemic heart failure treated with cardiac resynchronization-defibrillator therapy and electrical storm.

PubMed

Ogiso, Masataka; Suzuki, Atsushi; Shiga, Tsuyoshi; Nakai, Kenji; Shoda, Morio; Hagiwara, Nobuhisa

2015-02-01

The effect of intravenous amiodarone on spatial and transmural dispersion of ventricular repolarization in patients receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) remains unclear. We studied 14 patients with nonischemic heart failure who received CRT with a defibrillator, experienced electrical storm and were treated with intravenous amiodarone. Each patient underwent 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and 187-channel repolarization interval-difference mapping electrocardiography (187-ch RIDM-ECG) before and during the intravenous administration of amiodarone infusion. A recurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia was observed in 2 patients during the early period of intravenous amiodarone therapy. Intravenous amiodarone increased the corrected QT interval (from 470±52 ms to 508±55 ms, P=0.003), but it significantly decreased the QT dispersion (from 107±35 ms to 49±27 ms, P=0.001), T peak-T end (Tp-e) dispersion (from 86±17 ms to 28±28 ms, P=0.001), and maximum inter-lead difference between corrected Tp-e intervals as measured by using the 187-ch RIDM-ECG (from 83±13 ms to 50±19 ms, P=0.001). Intravenous amiodarone suppressed the electrical storm and decreased the QT and Tp-e dispersions in patients treated by using CRT with a defibrillator.

The assessment of P-wave dispersion and myocardial repolarization parameters in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Kollu, Korhan; Altintepe, Lutfullah; Duran, Cevdet; Topal, Mustafa; Ecirli, Samil

2018-11-01

The risks of sudden death and cardiac arrhythmia are increased in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we aimed to evaluate the indicators of arrhythmias, such as p-wave dispersion (P-WD), QTc dispersion, Tp-e and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with CKD stages 3-5 on no renal replacement therapy (RRT). One-hundred and thirty three patients with CKD stages 3-5 and 32 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. No patients received RRT. QTc dispersion, P-WD and Tp-e interval were measured using electrocardiogram and Tp-e/QT ratio was also calculated. Mean age rates were found similar in patients and controls (60.8 ± 14.2 and 61 ± 12.9 y, p = .937, respectively). Compared patients with controls, P-WD (45.85 ± 12.42 vs. 21.17 ± 6.6 msec, p < .001), QTc-min (366.99 ± 42.31 vs. 387.15 ± 20.5 msec, p < .001), QTc dispersion (71.13 ± 27.95 vs. 41.25 ± 14.55 msec, p < .001), Tp-e maximum (81.04 ± 10.34 vs. 75.49 ± 10.9 msec, p < .001), Tp-e minimum (62.25 ± 7.58 vs. 54.8 ± 6.72 msec, p < .001) and Tp-e/QTc ratio (0.19 ± 0.02 vs. 0.18 ± 0.01, p = .001) were found to be different. QTc-max and Tp-e interval were found to be similar in both groups. P-WD and QTc dispersion, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QTc ratio were found to be increased in with CKD stages 3-5 on no RRT.

Computer-aided diagnosis of lung nodule using gradient tree boosting and Bayesian optimization.

PubMed

Nishio, Mizuho; Nishizawa, Mitsuo; Sugiyama, Osamu; Kojima, Ryosuke; Yakami, Masahiro; Kuroda, Tomohiro; Togashi, Kaori

2018-01-01

We aimed to evaluate a computer-aided diagnosis (CADx) system for lung nodule classification focussing on (i) usefulness of the conventional CADx system (hand-crafted imaging feature + machine learning algorithm), (ii) comparison between support vector machine (SVM) and gradient tree boosting (XGBoost) as machine learning algorithms, and (iii) effectiveness of parameter optimization using Bayesian optimization and random search. Data on 99 lung nodules (62 lung cancers and 37 benign lung nodules) were included from public databases of CT images. A variant of the local binary pattern was used for calculating a feature vector. SVM or XGBoost was trained using the feature vector and its corresponding label. Tree Parzen Estimator (TPE) was used as Bayesian optimization for parameters of SVM and XGBoost. Random search was done for comparison with TPE. Leave-one-out cross-validation was used for optimizing and evaluating the performance of our CADx system. Performance was evaluated using area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic analysis. AUC was calculated 10 times, and its average was obtained. The best averaged AUC of SVM and XGBoost was 0.850 and 0.896, respectively; both were obtained using TPE. XGBoost was generally superior to SVM. Optimal parameters for achieving high AUC were obtained with fewer numbers of trials when using TPE, compared with random search. Bayesian optimization of SVM and XGBoost parameters was more efficient than random search. Based on observer study, AUC values of two board-certified radiologists were 0.898 and 0.822. The results show that diagnostic accuracy of our CADx system was comparable to that of radiologists with respect to classifying lung nodules.

Femtosecond coherent nuclear dynamics of excited tetraphenylethylene: Ultrafast transient absorption and ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kayal, Surajit; Roy, Khokan; Umapathy, Siva

2018-01-01

Ultrafast torsional dynamics plays an important role in the photoinduced excited state dynamics. Tetraphenylethylene (TPE), a model system for the molecular motor, executes interesting torsional dynamics upon photoexcitation. The photoreaction of TPE involves ultrafast internal conversion via a nearly planar intermediate state (relaxed state) that further leads to a twisted zwitterionic state. Here, we report the photoinduced structural dynamics of excited TPE during the course of photoisomerization in the condensed phase by ultrafast Raman loss (URLS) and femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. TA measurements on the S1 state reveal step-wise population relaxation from the Franck-Condon (FC) state → relaxed state → twisted state, while the URLS study provides insights on the vibrational dynamics during the course of the reaction. The TA spectral dynamics and vibrational Raman amplitudes within 1 ps reveal vibrational wave packet propagating from the FC state to the relaxed state. Fourier transformation of this oscillation leads to a ˜130 cm-1 low-frequency phenyl torsional mode. Two vibrational marker bands, Cet=Cet stretching (˜1512 cm-1) and Cph=Cph stretching (˜1584 cm-1) modes, appear immediately after photoexcitation in the URLS spectra. The initial red-shift of the Cph=Cph stretching mode with a time constant of ˜400 fs (in butyronitrile) is assigned to the rate of planarization of excited TPE. In addition, the Cet=Cet stretching mode shows initial blue-shift within 1 ps followed by frequency red-shift, suggesting that on the sub-picosecond time scale, structural relaxation is dominated by phenyl torsion rather than the central Cet=Cet twist. Furthermore, the effect of the solvent on the structural dynamics is discussed in the context of ultrafast nuclear dynamics and solute-solvent coupling.

Femtosecond coherent nuclear dynamics of excited tetraphenylethylene: Ultrafast transient absorption and ultrafast Raman loss spectroscopic studies.

PubMed

Kayal, Surajit; Roy, Khokan; Umapathy, Siva

2018-01-14

Ultrafast torsional dynamics plays an important role in the photoinduced excited state dynamics. Tetraphenylethylene (TPE), a model system for the molecular motor, executes interesting torsional dynamics upon photoexcitation. The photoreaction of TPE involves ultrafast internal conversion via a nearly planar intermediate state (relaxed state) that further leads to a twisted zwitterionic state. Here, we report the photoinduced structural dynamics of excited TPE during the course of photoisomerization in the condensed phase by ultrafast Raman loss (URLS) and femtosecond transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. TA measurements on the S 1 state reveal step-wise population relaxation from the Franck-Condon (FC) state → relaxed state → twisted state, while the URLS study provides insights on the vibrational dynamics during the course of the reaction. The TA spectral dynamics and vibrational Raman amplitudes within 1 ps reveal vibrational wave packet propagating from the FC state to the relaxed state. Fourier transformation of this oscillation leads to a ∼130 cm -1 low-frequency phenyl torsional mode. Two vibrational marker bands, C et =C et stretching (∼1512 cm -1 ) and C ph =C ph stretching (∼1584 cm -1 ) modes, appear immediately after photoexcitation in the URLS spectra. The initial red-shift of the C ph =C ph stretching mode with a time constant of ∼400 fs (in butyronitrile) is assigned to the rate of planarization of excited TPE. In addition, the C et =C et stretching mode shows initial blue-shift within 1 ps followed by frequency red-shift, suggesting that on the sub-picosecond time scale, structural relaxation is dominated by phenyl torsion rather than the central C et =C et twist. Furthermore, the effect of the solvent on the structural dynamics is discussed in the context of ultrafast nuclear dynamics and solute-solvent coupling.

A Retrospective Study on Genetic Heterogeneity within Treponema Strains: Subpopulations Are Genetically Distinct in a Limited Number of Positions.

PubMed

Čejková, Darina; Strouhal, Michal; Norris, Steven J; Weinstock, George M; Šmajs, David

2015-01-01

Pathogenic uncultivable treponemes comprise human and animal pathogens including agents of syphilis, yaws, bejel, pinta, and venereal spirochetosis in rabbits and hares. A set of 10 treponemal genome sequences including those of 4 Treponema pallidum ssp. pallidum (TPA) strains (Nichols, DAL-1, Mexico A, SS14), 4 T. p. ssp. pertenue (TPE) strains (CDC-2, Gauthier, Samoa D, Fribourg-Blanc), 1 T. p. ssp. endemicum (TEN) strain (Bosnia A) and one strain (Cuniculi A) of Treponema paraluisleporidarum ecovar Cuniculus (TPLC) were examined with respect to the presence of nucleotide intrastrain heterogeneous sites. The number of identified intrastrain heterogeneous sites in individual genomes ranged between 0 and 7. Altogether, 23 intrastrain heterogeneous sites (in 17 genes) were found in 5 out of 10 investigated treponemal genomes including TPA strains Nichols (n = 5), DAL-1 (n = 4), and SS14 (n = 7), TPE strain Samoa D (n = 1), and TEN strain Bosnia A (n = 5). Although only one heterogeneous site was identified among 4 tested TPE strains, 16 such sites were identified among 4 TPA strains. Heterogeneous sites were mostly strain-specific and were identified in four tpr genes (tprC, GI, I, K), in genes involved in bacterial motility and chemotaxis (fliI, cheC-fliY), in genes involved in cell structure (murC), translation (prfA), general and DNA metabolism (putative SAM dependent methyltransferase, topA), and in seven hypothetical genes. Heterogeneous sites likely represent both the selection of adaptive changes during infection of the host as well as an ongoing diversifying evolutionary process.

An acidic pH independent piperazine–TPE AIEgen as a unique bioprobe for lysosome tracing† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: NMR, single crystal X-ray crystallography of PIP–TPE, live cell and fixed cell fluorescence imaging, MTT, photostability, and theoretical calculations. CCDC 1555412. For ESI and crystallographic data in CIF or other electronic format see DOI: 10.1039/c7sc03515b

PubMed Central

Cai, Yuanjing; Gui, Chen; Samedov, Kerim; Su, Huifang; Gu, Xinggui; Li, Shiwu; Luo, Wenwen; Sung, Herman H. Y.; Lam, Jacky W. Y.; Kwok, Ryan T. K.; Williams, Ian D.

2017-01-01

Lysosomes are involved in a multitude of cellular processes and their dysfunction is associated with various diseases. They are the most acidic organelles (pH 3.8–6.6, size 0.1–1.2 μm) with the highest viscosity (47–190 cP at 25 °C) in the cell. Because of their acidity, pH dependent non-AIE active fluorescent lysosomal probes have been developed that rely on protonation inhibited photoinduced electron transfer (PET). In this work, an acidic pH independent lysosome targetable piperazine–TPE (PIP–TPE) AIEgen has been designed with unique photophysical properties making it a suitable probe for quantifying viscosity. In a non-aggregated state PIP–TPE shows deep-blue emission as opposed to its yellowish-green emission in the bulk. It possesses high specificity for lysosomes with negligible cytotoxicity and good tracing ability due to its better photostability compared to LysoTracker Red. In contrast to most known lysosome probes that rely solely on PET, restriction of intramolecular motion (RIM) due to the larger viscosity inside the lysosomes is the mechanism responsible for PIP–TPE’s fluorescence. PIP–TPE’s high selectivity is attributed to its unique molecular design that features piperazine fragments providing a perfect balance between lipophilicity and polarity. PMID:29568423

76 FR 48749 - Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 Series Turboprop...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-09

... was prompted by a report of an uncontained failure of a first stage turbine disk that had a metallurgical defect. We are proposing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the first stage turbine disk... corrected, could result in uncontained failure of the first stage turbine disks made from these billets and...

77 FR 6669 - Airworthiness Directives; Honeywell International Inc. TPE331-10 and TPE331-11 Series Turboprop...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-02-09

... failure of a first stage turbine disk that had a metallurgical defect. This AD requires inspecting certain...-1. We are issuing this AD to prevent uncontained failure of the first stage turbine disk and damage... failure of a first stage turbine disk that had a metallurgical defect. We are issuing this AD to prevent...

Development of a plasma driven permeation experiment for TPE

DOE PAGES

Buchenauer, Dean; Kolasinski, Robert; Shimada, Masa; ...

2014-04-18

Experiments on retention of hydrogen isotopes (including tritium) at temperatures less than 800 ?C have been carried out in the Tritium Plasma Experiment (TPE) at Idaho National Laboratory [1,2]. To provide a direct measurement of plasma driven permeation in plasma facing materials at temperatures reaching 1000 ?C, a new TPE membrane holder has been built to hold test specimens (=1 mm in thickness) at high temperature while measuring tritium permeating through the membrane from the plasma facing side. This measurement is accomplished by employing a carrier gas that transports the permeating tritium from the backside of the membrane to ionmore » chambers giving a direct measurement of the plasma driven tritium permeation rate. Isolation of the membrane cooling and sweep gases from TPE’s vacuum chamber has been demonstrated by sealing tests performed up to 1000 ?C of a membrane holder design that provides easy change out of membrane specimens between tests. Simulations of the helium carrier gas which transports tritium to the ion chamber indicate a very small pressure drop (~700 Pa) with good flow uniformity (at 1000 sccm). Thermal transport simulations indicate that temperatures up to 1000 ?C are expected at the highest TPE fluxes.« less

A highly sensitive and selective fluorescent probe for hypochlorite in pure water with aggregation induced emission characteristics.

PubMed

Wang, Can; Ji, Hongyu; Li, Mengshu; Cai, Likun; Wang, Zhipeng; Li, Qianqian; Li, Zhen

2017-02-22

As a reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypochlorite (OCl - ) plays a crucial role in oxidative stress and signal transduction, controlling a wide range of physiological functions. In addition, the wide use of OCl - in the treatment of food and water might possibly threaten human health if the residual quantity was out of limits. Currently, sensitive methods employed to selectively monitor OCl - in aqueous samples in situ are still scarce and badly needed. Boron esters or acids are considered to be suitable functional groups for the detection of hydrogen peroxide due to their reliable reactivity. In this work, we try to develop a highly sensitive and selective OCl - probe (TPE2B) based on the mechanism of aggregation induced emission (AIE). Due to the distinct increase in water solubility of TPE2OH, which is generated from the reaction between TPE2B and OCl - , the strong emission of TPE2B is quenched dramatically. The response speed was as fast as 30 seconds with a detection limit as low as 28 nM. Additionally, test papers were also fabricated and exhibited a highly sensitive response to 0.1 mM OCl - .

Nanoparticle exposures from nano-enabled toner-based printing equipment and human health: state of science and future research needs.

PubMed

Pirela, Sandra Vanessa; Martin, John; Bello, Dhimiter; Demokritou, Philip

2017-09-01

Toner formulations used by laser printers (LP) and photocopiers (PC), collectively called "toner-based printing equipment" (TPE), are nano-enabled products (NEP) because they contain several engineered nanomaterials (ENM) that improve toner performance. It has been shown that during consumer use (printing), these ENM are released in the air, together with other semi-volatile organic nanoparticles, and newly formed gaseous co-pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOC). The aim of this review is to detail and analyze physico-chemical and morphological (PCM), as well as the toxicological properties of particulate matter (PM) emissions from TPE. The review covers evolution of science since the early 2000, when this printing technology first became a subject of public interest, as well as the lagging regulatory framework around it. Important studies that have significantly changed our understanding of these exposures are also highlighted. The review continues with a critical appraisal of the most up-to-date cellular, animal and human toxicological evidence on the potential adverse human health effects of PM emitted from TPE. We highlight several limitations of existing studies, including (i) use of high and often unrealistic doses in vitro or in vivo; (ii) unrealistically high-dose rates in intratracheal instillation studies; (iii) improper use of toners as surrogate for emitted nanoparticles; (iv) lack of or inadequate PCM characterization of exposures; and (v) lack of dosimetry considerations in in vitro studies. Presently, there is compelling evidence that the PM 0.1 from TPE are biologically active and capable of inducing oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo, respiratory tract inflammation in vivo (in rats) and in humans, several endpoints of cellular injury in monocultures and co-cultures, including moderate epigenetic modifications in vitro. In humans, limited epidemiological studies report typically 2-3 times higher prevalence of chronic cough, wheezing, nasal blockage, excessive sputum production, breathing difficulties, and shortness of breath, in copier operators relative to controls. Such symptoms can be exacerbated during chronic exposures, and in individuals susceptible to inhaled pollutants. Thus respiratory, immunological, cardiovascular, and other disorders may be developed following such exposures; however, further toxicological and larger scale molecular epidemiological studies must be done to fully understand the mechanism of action of these TPE emitted nanoparticles. Major research gaps have also been identified. Among them, a methodical risk assessment based on "real world" exposures rather than on the toner particles alone needs to be performed to provide the much-needed data to establish regulatory guidelines protective of individuals exposed to TPE emissions at both the occupational and consumer level. Industry-wide molecular epidemiology as well as mechanistic animal and human studies are also urgently needed.

Dirofilaria, visceral larva migrans, and tropical pulmonary eosinophilia.

PubMed

Chitkara, R K; Sarinas, P S

1997-06-01

Helminthic infections are prevalent worldwide. The intestinal ascarid, Toxocara, the animal filarial parasite, Dirofilaria, and the human filarial parasite, Wuchereria or Brugia, produce an array of pulmonary disease in humans. Infections are common in temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions of the world. Pulmonary dirofilariasis is essentially an asymptomatic disease. Most cases are diagnosed accidentally after thoracotomy for a solitary pulmonary nodule presumed to be lung cancer. Clinical manifestations of toxocariasis or visceral larva migrans (VLM) are the result of allergic and inflammatory responses of the host, and manifest with airway reactivity, acute pneumonia, and persistent eosinophilia. VLM is a self-limited disease and specific treatment is rarely necessary. In acute cases, a short course of steroids reduces morbidity and mortality but preventive measures are more important in curbing toxocara infection. Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) is the result of immunologic hyperresponsiveness to the human filarial antigen and eosinophils play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Airway hyperreactivity, extreme eosinophilia, and pulmonary physiologic impairment are the characteristic features. Treatment of TPE with diethylcarbamazine results in dramatic amelioration of symptoms. However, low grade inflammation persists in a significant number of patients and can lead to chronic interstitial lung disease. Mass treatment of patients in certain endemic areas has been effective in eliminating TPE.

Endoxifen, 4-Hydroxytamoxifen and an Estrogenic Derivative Modulate Estrogen Receptor Complex Mediated Apoptosis in Breast Cancer.

PubMed

Maximov, Philipp Y; Abderrahman, Balkees; Fanning, Sean W; Sengupta, Surojeet; Fan, Ping; Curpan, Ramona F; Quintana Rincon, Daniela Maria; Greenland, Jeffery A; Rajan, Shyamala S; Greene, Geoffrey L; Jordan, V Craig

2018-05-08

Estrogen therapy was used to treat advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women for decades until the introduction of tamoxifen. Resistance to long-term estrogen deprivation (LTED) with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors used as a treatment for breast cancer inevitably occurs, but unexpectedly low dose estrogen can cause regression of breast cancer and increase disease free survival in some patients. This therapeutic effect is attributed to estrogen-induced apoptosis in LTED breast cancer. Here we describe modulation of the estrogen receptor liganded with antiestrogens (endoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen) and an estrogenic triphenylethylene (TPE) EthoxyTPE (EtOXTPE) on estrogen-induced apoptosis in LTED breast cancer cells. Our results show that the angular TPE estrogen (EtOXTPE) is able to induce the ER-mediated apoptosis only at a later time compared to planar estradiol in these cells. Using RT-PCR, ChIP, Western blotting, molecular modelling and X-ray crystallography techniques we report novel conformations of the ER complex with an angular estrogen EtOXTPE and endoxifen. We propose that alteration of the conformation of the ER complexes, with changes in coactivator binding, governs estrogen-induced apoptosis through the PERK sensor system to trigger an Unfolded Protein Response (UPR). The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

In Situ Probing Intracellular Drug Release from Redox-Responsive Micelles by United FRET and AIE.

PubMed

Wang, Xuelin; Li, Juanjuan; Yan, Qi; Chen, Yanrui; Fan, Aiping; Wang, Zheng; Zhao, Yanjun

2018-03-01

Redox-responsive micelles are versatile nanoplatforms for on-demand drug delivery, but the in situ evaluation of drug release is challenging. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique shows potential for addressing this, while the aggregation-caused quenching effect limits the assay sensitivity. The aim of the current work is to combine aggregation-induced emission (AIE) probe with FRET to realize drug release assessment from micelles. Tetraphenylethene (TPE) is selected as AIE dye and curcumin (Cur) is chosen as the model drug as well as FRET receptor. The drug is covalently linked to a block copolymer via the disulfide bond linker and TPE is also chemically linked to the polymer via an amide bond; the obtained amphiphilic polymer conjugate self-assembles into micelles with a hydrodynamic size of ≈125 nm. Upon the supplement of glutathione or tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine) trigger (10 × 10 -3 m), the drug release induces the fluorescence increase of both TPE and Cur. Accompanied with the FRET decay, absorption enhancement and particle size increase are observed. The same phenomenon is observed in MCF-7 cells. The FRET-AIE approach can be a useful addition to the spectrum of available methods for monitoring drug release from stimuli-responsive nanomedicine. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Novel Organic Phototransistor-Based Nonvolatile Memory Integrated with UV-Sensing/Green-Emissive Aggregation Enhanced Emission (AEE)-Active Aromatic Polyamide Electret Layer.

PubMed

Cheng, Shun-Wen; Han, Ting; Huang, Teng-Yung; Chang Chien, Yu-Hsin; Liu, Cheng-Liang; Tang, Ben Zhong; Liou, Guey-Sheng

2018-05-30

A novel aggregation enhanced emission (AEE)-active polyamide TPA-CN-TPE with a high photoluminesence characteristic was successfully synthesized by the direct polymerization of 4-cyanotriphenyl diamine (TPA-CN) and tetraphenylethene (TPE)-containing dicarboxylic acid. The obtained luminescent polyamide plays a significant role as the polymer electret layer in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs)-type memory. The strong green emission of TPA-CN-TPE under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation can be directly absorbed by the pentacene channel, displaying a light-induced programming and voltage-driven erasing organic phototransistor-based nonvolatile memory. Memory window can be effectively manipulated between the programming and erasing states by applying UV light illumination and electrical field, respectively. The photoinduced memory behavior can be maintained for over 10 4 s between these two states with an on/off ratio of 10 4 , and the memory switching can be steadily operated for many cycles. With high photoresponsivity ( R) and photosensitivity ( S), this organic phototransistor integrated with AEE-active polyamide electret layer could serve as an excellent candidate for UV photodetectors in optical applications. For comparison, an AEE-inactive aromatic polyimide TPA-PIS electret with much weaker solid-state emission was also applied in the same OFETs device architecture, but this device did not show any UV-sensitive and UV-induced memory characteristics, which further confirmed the significance of the light-emitting capability of the electret layer.

Magnetomechanical properties of composites and fibers made from thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and carbonyl iron powder (CIP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schrödner, Mario; Pflug, Günther

2018-05-01

Magnetoactive elastomers (MAE) made from composites of five thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) of different stiffness with carbonyl iron powder (CIP) as magnetic component were investigated. The composites were produced by melt blending of the magnetic particles with the TPEs in a twin-screw extruder. The resulting materials were characterized by ac permeability testing, stress-strain measurements with and without external magnetic field and magnetically controlled bending of long cylindrical rods in a homogenous magnetic field. The magnetic field necessary for deflection of the rods decreases with decreasing modulus and increasing iron particle content. This effect can be used e.g. for magnetically controlled actuation. Some highly filled MAE show a magnetic field induced increase of Young's modulus. Filaments could be spun from some of the composites.

Total pelvic exenteration: the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center Experience (1987 to 2003).

PubMed

Goldberg, Gary L; Sukumvanich, Paniti; Einstein, Mark H; Smith, Harriet O; Anderson, Patrick S; Fields, Abbie L

2006-05-01

To review the trends, modifications and results of 103 consecutive total pelvic exenterations (TPE) performed at the Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine from 1987 to 2003. All patients who underwent TPE from January 1987 to December 2003 were included. The medical record, complications, follow-up, clinical status and demographic information were entered in a database. The procedure performed, the method of urinary diversion, colonic diversion, pelvic floor support and vaginal reconstruction were documented. Surviving patients were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with the urinary diversion, the vaginal reconstruction and their sexual function since the surgery. 103 pts were identified. Indications for TPE were recurrent cancers of the cervix (95), endometrium (2), colon and rectum (5), vulva (1). Overall 5-year survival was 47%. 5-year survival for pts with recurrent cervix cancer was 48%. Six pts (6%) recurred >5 years after the TPE. 14 pts (14%) had ureteral anastomotic leaks (no difference between ileal conduit 9/65 (14%) versus 5/38 (13%) continent conduit (P = 0.92). 34 pts (89%) with continent conduits were "continent." 14 pts (17%) had wound complications. 4 pts (4%) had parastomal hernias. 5/11 (46%) pts who had a low rectal reanastomosis developed recurrence in the pelvis. 21/39 (54%) of pts with continent conduits would choose an ileal conduit if they had the option again. Long-term renal function was similar in pts with ileal and continent conduits. Mesh of any type for pelvic floor reconstruction is associated with infection and bowel/urinary fistulas. VRAM flaps for neovagina fill the pelvic dead space, reduce the risk of fistulas and 20/36 pts (55%) are sexually active. Our overall 5-year survival is encouraging, and modifications in surgical technique have improved the reconstructive phase. Low rectal anastomoses at TPE adversely affects survival. Many of our pts with continent urinary diversions would not choose this method again. Mesh of any type is associated with sepsis and bowel/urinary fistulas. VRAM for neovagina reduces fistula rate and are functional in >55% of pts. TPE remains a potentially curative option for these pts.

Amotosalen-inactivated plasma is as equally well tolerated as quarantine plasma in patients undergoing large volume therapeutic plasma exchange.

PubMed

Guignier, C; Benamara, A; Oriol, P; Coppo, P; Mariat, C; Garraud, O

2018-02-01

A retrospective - single center - survey compared tolerance of individual donor therapeutic plasma in a series of 88 patients principally presenting with thrombotic microangiopathy; all patients underwent therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) performed with more than 90% of either of two types of plasma preparations. One plasma type used in TPE was prepared with pathogen reduction by amotosalen addition and UVA illumination, and the other one was non-manipulated (quarantine plasma). Both types of plasma were single donor. Occurrences of adverse reactions were equally low in either arm (amotosalen: 9 in 4689 bags of ∼200mL [0.019] versus quarantine: 2 in 828 bags [0.024]), confirming the safe use of amotosalen inactivated therapeutic plasma for TPE. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear Optical Characterization of Membrane Protein Microcrystals and Nanocrystals.

PubMed

Newman, Justin A; Simpson, Garth J

2016-01-01

Nonlinear optical methods such as second harmonic generation (SHG) and two-photon excited UV fluorescence (TPE-UVF) imaging are promising approaches to address bottlenecks in the membrane protein structure determination pipeline. The general principles of SHG and TPE-UVF are discussed here along with instrument design considerations. Comparisons to conventional methods in high throughput crystallization condition screening and crystal quality assessment prior to X-ray diffraction are also discussed.

Evaluation of PM emissions from two in-service gas turbine general aviation aircraft engines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Zhenhong; Liscinsky, David S.; Fortner, Edward C.; Yacovitch, Tara I.; Croteau, Philip; Herndon, Scott C.; Miake-Lye, Richard C.

2017-07-01

We determined particulate matter (PM) emissions in the exhaust plumes from two gas turbine aircraft engines: a CF34-3A1 turbofan engine and a TPE331-6-252B turboprop engine in a dedicated study on in-service general aviation aircraft. The engine power states were from 16% to 100% engine thrust. Both nucleation and soot mode particles were observed from the emission exhausts of the CF34-3A1 engine but only soot particle mode was detected from the TPE331-6-252B engine. For the CF34-3A1 engine, the contribution of soot mode to total PM emissions was dominant at high power, while at decreased engine power states nucleation mode organic PM became important. PM emissions indices of the TPE331-6-252B engine were found to be generally larger than those of the CF34-3A1 engine. For both engines, medium power conditions (40-60% of thrust) yielded the lowest PM emissions. For the TPE331-6-252B engine, volatile PM components including organic and sulfate were more than 50% in mass at low power, while non-volatile black carbon became dominant at high power conditions such as takeoff.

Locked modes in two reversed-field pinch devices of different size and shell system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malmberg, J.-A.; Brunsell, P. R.; Yagi, Y.; Koguchi, H.

2000-10-01

The behavior of locked modes in two reversed-field pinch devices, the Toroidal Pinch Experiment (TPE-RX) [Y. Yagi et al., Plasma Phys. Control. Fusion 41, 2552 (1999)] and Extrap T2 [J. R. Drake et al., in Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research 1996, Montreal (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1996), Vol. 2, p. 193] is analyzed and compared. The main characteristics of the locked mode are qualitatively similar. The toroidal distribution of the mode locking shows that field errors play a role in both devices. The probability of phase locking is found to increase with increasing magnetic fluctuation levels in both machines. Furthermore, the probability of phase locking increases with plasma current in TPE-RX despite the fact that the magnetic fluctuation levels decrease. A comparison with computations using a theoretical model estimating the critical mode amplitude for locking [R. Fitzpatrick et al., Phys. Plasmas 6, 3878 (1999)] shows a good correlation with experimental results in TPE-RX. In Extrap T2, the magnetic fluctuations scale weakly with both plasma current and electron densities. This is also reflected in the weak scaling of the magnetic fluctuation levels with the Lundquist number (˜S-0.06). In TPE-RX, the corresponding scaling is ˜S-0.18.

Clostridium perfringens in retail chicken.

PubMed

Nowell, Victoria J; Poppe, Cornelis; Parreira, Valeria R; Jiang, Yan-Fen; Reid-Smith, Richard; Prescott, John F

2010-06-01

Clostridium perfringens isolates were recovered by enrichment from retail grocery chicken samples (n = 88) in Ontario, Canada, with one sample per site. The gene associated with necrotic enteritis in chickens, netB, was found in 21% of the isolates. The tpeL gene was found in 2% and the cpb2 gene in 68% (95% "atypical" genes) of isolates. This study suggests that netB-positive C. perfringens can reach people through retail chicken. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Engineering and organizational solutions for improvement of engineering and economic characteristics of the TPE-216 boilers equipped with MV-3300/800/490 pulverizing fans

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirillov, M. V.; Safronov, P. G.

2014-07-01

Efficiency of coal-fired boilers is determined in many respects by optimal operation of the coal-pulverizing plants that are increasingly frequently equipped with pulverizing fans. By an example of retrofitted MV-3300/800/490 pulverizing fans, the effects of different factors on the performance and economic efficiency of the coal-pulverizing plants are analyzed. The experience gained in retrofitting MV-3300/800/490 pulverizing fans by introducing the three-crusher operation mode of a TPE-216 boiler employing the internal recirculation and a blading device in the classifier was also studied. Optimization of the boiler's operation mode was made when switching over from the four-crusher to the three-crusher mode, which considerably improved the engineering and economic characteristics.

Nanocomposites based on thermoplastic elastomers with functional basis of nano titanium dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yulovskaya, V. D.; Kuz'micheva, G. M.; Klechkovskaya, V. V.; Orekhov, A. S.; Zubavichus, Ya. V.; Domoroshchina, E. N.; Shegay, A. V.

2016-03-01

Nanocomposites based on a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) (low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and 1,2-polybutadiene in a ratio of 60/40) with functional titanium dioxide nanoparticles of different nature, TiO2/TPE, have been prepared and investigated by a complex of methods (X-ray diffraction analysis using X-ray and synchrotron radiation beams, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy). The morphology of the composites is found to be somewhat different, depending on the TiO2 characteristics. It is revealed that nanocomposites with cellular or porous structures containing nano-TiO2 aggregates with a large specific surface and large sizes of crystallites and nanoparticles exhibit the best deformation‒strength and fatigue properties and stability to the effect of active media under conditions of ozone and vapor‒air aging.

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

Weber, Thomas J.; Markillie, Lye MENG.

The thromboxane A{sub 2} (TXA{sub 2}) receptor (TP) is represented by two alternatively spliced forms, termed the platelet/placental (TP-P) and endothelial (TP-E) type receptors. Experimental evidence suggests that TP isoforms may be regulated by novel ligands termed the isoprostanes, which paradoxically act as TP agonists in smooth muscle and TP antagonists in platelet preparations. Here we have investigated whether prototypical isoprostanes (8-iso-PG{sub 2{sub {alpha}}} and 8-iso-PGE{sub 2}) regulate the activity of TP isoforms expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells using activator protein-1 (AP-1)-luciferase activity as a reporter. AP-1-luciferase activity was increased by a TP agonist (U46619) in CHO cellsmore » transfected with the human TP-P and TP-E receptors and this response was fully inhibited by TP antagonists (ISAP, SQ29,548). AP-1-luciferase activity was potently (nM) increased by 8-iso-PGE2 in CHO TP-P and TP-E cells, and this response was partially inhibited by cotreatment of cells with TP antagonists, while 8-iso-PGF{sub 2{sub {alpha}}} was without effect. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors did not abolish 8-iso-PGE{sub 2} mediated AP-1-luciferase activity, indicating that this response is not dependent on de novo TXA2 biosynthesis. Interestingly, 8-iso-PGE{sub 2}-mediated AP-1-luciferase activity was near maximal in naive cells between 1-10 nM concentrations, and this response was not inhibited by TP antagonist or reproduced by agonists for TP or EP1/EP3 receptors. These observations (1) support a role for novel ligands in the regulation of TP-dependent signaling, (2) indicate that TP-P and TP-E couple to AP-1, (3) provide further evidence that isoprostanes function as TP agonists in a cell-type specific fashion, and (4) indicate that additional targets regulated by 8-iso-PGE{sub 2} couple to AP-1.« less

Segregating YKU80 and TLC1 alleles underlying natural variation in telomere properties in wild yeast.

PubMed

Liti, Gianni; Haricharan, Svasti; Cubillos, Francisco A; Tierney, Anna L; Sharp, Sarah; Bertuch, Alison A; Parts, Leopold; Bailes, Elizabeth; Louis, Edward J

2009-09-01

In yeast, as in humans, telomere length varies among individuals and is controlled by multiple loci. In a quest to define the extent of variation in telomere length, we screened 112 wild-type Saccharomyces sensu stricto isolates. We found extensive telomere length variation in S. paradoxus isolates. This phenotype correlated with their geographic origin: European strains were observed to have extremely short telomeres (<150 bp), whereas American isolates had telomeres approximately three times as long (>400 bp). Insertions of a URA3 gene near telomeres allowed accurate analysis of individual telomere lengths and telomere position effect (TPE). Crossing the American and European strains resulted in F1 spores with a continuum of telomere lengths consistent with what would be predicted if many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were involved in length maintenance. Variation in TPE is similarly quantitative but only weakly correlated with telomere length. Genotyping F1 segregants indicated several QTLs associated with telomere length and silencing variation. These QTLs include likely candidate genes but also map to regions where there are no known genes involved in telomeric properties. We detected transgressive segregation for both phenotypes. We validated by reciprocal hemizygosity that YKU80 and TLC1 are telomere-length QTLs in the two S. paradoxus subpopulations. Furthermore, we propose that sequence divergence within the Ku heterodimer generates negative epistasis within one of the allelic combinations (American-YKU70 and European-YKU80) resulting in very short telomeres.

Segregating YKU80 and TLC1 Alleles Underlying Natural Variation in Telomere Properties in Wild Yeast

PubMed Central

Liti, Gianni; Haricharan, Svasti; Cubillos, Francisco A.; Tierney, Anna L.; Sharp, Sarah; Bertuch, Alison A.; Parts, Leopold; Bailes, Elizabeth; Louis, Edward J.

2009-01-01

In yeast, as in humans, telomere length varies among individuals and is controlled by multiple loci. In a quest to define the extent of variation in telomere length, we screened 112 wild-type Saccharomyces sensu stricto isolates. We found extensive telomere length variation in S. paradoxus isolates. This phenotype correlated with their geographic origin: European strains were observed to have extremely short telomeres (<150 bp), whereas American isolates had telomeres approximately three times as long (>400 bp). Insertions of a URA3 gene near telomeres allowed accurate analysis of individual telomere lengths and telomere position effect (TPE). Crossing the American and European strains resulted in F1 spores with a continuum of telomere lengths consistent with what would be predicted if many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were involved in length maintenance. Variation in TPE is similarly quantitative but only weakly correlated with telomere length. Genotyping F1 segregants indicated several QTLs associated with telomere length and silencing variation. These QTLs include likely candidate genes but also map to regions where there are no known genes involved in telomeric properties. We detected transgressive segregation for both phenotypes. We validated by reciprocal hemizygosity that YKU80 and TLC1 are telomere-length QTLs in the two S. paradoxus subpopulations. Furthermore, we propose that sequence divergence within the Ku heterodimer generates negative epistasis within one of the allelic combinations (American-YKU70 and European-YKU80) resulting in very short telomeres. PMID:19763176

Study of Bird Ingestions into Small Inlet Area, Aircraft Turbine Engines

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

TFE731 3 -0- -0- NONE NONE NONE12/16/1987 -0- -0- -0- RICHMOND, VA-BYRD FIELD YES TFE731 3R A,O 2 NONE NONE NONE12/17/1987 8. -0- FOH FRIEDRICHSHAFEN ...GERMANY NO TPE331 5 A,X 1 -0- NONE RETARE12/17/1987 8. -0- FDH FRIEDRICHSHAFEN , GERMANY NO TPE331 5 A,K I 0 NONE RETARD12/30/1987 -0- -0- -0- CRICIUNA

Characterization of Clostridium perfringens in the feces of adult horses and foals with acute enterocolitis

PubMed Central

Gohari, Iman Mehdizadeh; Arroyo, Luis; MacInnes, Janet I.; Timoney, John F.; Parreira, Valeria R.; Prescott, John F.

2014-01-01

Up to 60% of cases of equine colitis have no known cause. To improve understanding of the causes of acute colitis in horses, we hypothesized that Clostridium perfringens producing enterotoxin (CPE) and/or beta2 toxin (CPB2) are common and important causes of severe colitis in horses and/or that C. perfringens producing an as-yet-undescribed cytotoxin may also cause colitis in horses. Fecal samples from 55 horses (43 adults, 12 foals) with clinical evidence of colitis were evaluated by culture for the presence of Clostridium difficile, C. perfringens, and Salmonella. Feces were also examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for C. difficile A/B toxins and C. perfringens alpha toxin (CPA), beta2 toxin (CPB2), and enterotoxin (CPE). Five C. perfringens isolates per sample were genotyped for the following genes: cpa, cpb, cpb2 consensus, cpb2 atypical, cpe (enterotoxin), etx (epsilon toxin), itx (iota toxin), netB (necrotic enteritis toxin B), and tpeL (large C. perfringens cytotoxin). The supernatants of these isolates were also evaluated for toxicity for an equine cell line. All fecal samples were negative for Salmonella. Clostridium perfringens and C. difficile were isolated from 40% and 5.4% of samples, respectively. All fecal samples were negative for CPE. Clostridium perfringens CPA and CPB2 toxins were detected in 14.5% and 7.2% of fecal samples, respectively, all of which were culture-positive for C. perfringens. No isolates were cpe, etx, netB, or tpeL gene-positive. Atypical cpb2 and consensus cpb2 genes were identified in 15 (13.6%) and 4 (3.6%) of 110 isolates, respectively. All equine C. perfringens isolates showed far milder cytotoxicity effects than a CPB-producing positive control, although cpb2-positive isolates were slightly but significantly more cytotoxic than negative isolates. Based on this studied population, we were unable to confirm our hypothesis that CPE and CPB2-producing C. perfringens are common in horses with colitis in Ontario and we failed to identify cytotoxic activity in vitro in the type A isolates recovered. PMID:24396174

Characterization of Clostridium perfringens in the feces of adult horses and foals with acute enterocolitis.

PubMed

Gohari, Iman Mehdizadeh; Arroyo, Luis; Macinnes, Janet I; Timoney, John F; Parreira, Valeria R; Prescott, John F

2014-01-01

Up to 60% of cases of equine colitis have no known cause. To improve understanding of the causes of acute colitis in horses, we hypothesized that Clostridium perfringens producing enterotoxin (CPE) and/or beta2 toxin (CPB2) are common and important causes of severe colitis in horses and/or that C. perfringens producing an as-yet-undescribed cytotoxin may also cause colitis in horses. Fecal samples from 55 horses (43 adults, 12 foals) with clinical evidence of colitis were evaluated by culture for the presence of Clostridium difficile, C. perfringens, and Salmonella. Feces were also examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for C. difficile A/B toxins and C. perfringens alpha toxin (CPA), beta2 toxin (CPB2), and enterotoxin (CPE). Five C. perfringens isolates per sample were genotyped for the following genes: cpa, cpb, cpb2 consensus, cpb2 atypical, cpe (enterotoxin), etx (epsilon toxin), itx (iota toxin), netB (necrotic enteritis toxin B), and tpeL (large C. perfringens cytotoxin). The supernatants of these isolates were also evaluated for toxicity for an equine cell line. All fecal samples were negative for Salmonella. Clostridium perfringens and C. difficile were isolated from 40% and 5.4% of samples, respectively. All fecal samples were negative for CPE. Clostridium perfringens CPA and CPB2 toxins were detected in 14.5% and 7.2% of fecal samples, respectively, all of which were culture-positive for C. perfringens. No isolates were cpe, etx, netB, or tpeL gene-positive. Atypical cpb2 and consensus cpb2 genes were identified in 15 (13.6%) and 4 (3.6%) of 110 isolates, respectively. All equine C. perfringens isolates showed far milder cytotoxicity effects than a CPB-producing positive control, although cpb2-positive isolates were slightly but significantly more cytotoxic than negative isolates. Based on this studied population, we were unable to confirm our hypothesis that CPE and CPB2-producing C. perfringens are common in horses with colitis in Ontario and we failed to identify cytotoxic activity in vitro in the type A isolates recovered.

Increased expression of aquaporin-1 on the pleura of rats with a tuberculous pleural effusion.

PubMed

Du, Hongchun; Xie, Canmao; He, Qiao; Deng, Xiaohua

2007-12-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the expression of AQP-1 on the pleura is altered in a rat model with a tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and to study its function. A TPE model was established by intrapleural inoculation with 0.03 mg (2 ml) standard tuberculosis bacillus (H(37)Rv). The rats with TPE were sacrificed at different time points (day 1, 3, or 5) after inoculation. The control group received a 2-ml intrapleural injection of saline. The visceral and parietal pleural tissues were harvested and processed for real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and determination of tissue AQP-1 levels. Recombinant adenovirus Ad-rAQP-1 containing full-length cDNA of AQP-1 was constructed. Six groups of seven Wistar rats were assigned to receive the following treatments: group 1: intrapleural administration of normal saline; group 2: intrapleural administration of tuberculosis bacilli (TB); group 3: intrapleural inoculation with TB at day 7 following intrapleural administration of Ad-rAQP-1 vector; group 4: intrapleural inoculation with 0.03 mg TB at day 7 following intrapleural administration of control Ad-GFP vector; group 5: intrapleural administration of Ad-rAQP-1; group 6: intrapleural administration of control Ad-GFP vector. The expression of AQP-l on the pleural tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Histopathologic changes of the pleura and the volume of pleural fluid were examined on day 7 following gene intervention or on day 3 following TB inoculation. Bilateral pleural effusions appeared within 5 days in all rats who received an intrapleural inoculation with TB. The peak amount of pleural fluid occurred on day 3. The AQP-1 expression at protein and mRNA was increased in the early phase of TPE. The expression of AQP-1 was increased in the Ad-rAQP-1 gene transfer group, indicating successful adenovirus gene transfer. The volume of pleural fluid in group 3 (6.1 +/- 0.7 ml) was significantly increased compared with that in group 2 (3.8 +/- 1.0 ml) and group 4 (4.0 +/- 1.1 ml). These findings suggested that AQP-1 was increased in TPE and it may be involved in the formation of TPE.

Massively Parallel Rogue Cell Detection Using Serial Time-Encoded Amplified Microscopy of Inertially Ordered Cells in High-Throughput Flow

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-08-01

techniques and STEAM imager. It couples the high-speed capability of the STEAM imager and differential phase contrast imaging of DIC / Nomarski microscopy...On 10 TPE chips, we obtained 9 homogenous and strong bonds, the failed bond being due to operator error and presence of air bubbles in the TPE...instruments, structural dynamics, and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) via laser-scanning surface vibrometry , and observation of biomechanical motility

Two-photon exchange correction to the hyperfine splitting in muonic hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tomalak, Oleksandr

2017-12-01

We reevaluate the Zemach, recoil and polarizability corrections to the hyperfine splitting in muonic hydrogen expressing them through the low-energy proton structure constants and obtain the precise values of the Zemach radius and two-photon exchange (TPE) contribution. The uncertainty of TPE correction to S energy levels in muonic hydrogen of 105 ppm exceeds the ppm accuracy level of the forthcoming 1S hyperfine splitting measurements at PSI, J-PARC and RIKEN-RAL.

The C-allele of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 is associated with increased magnitude of QT dispersion prolongation in elderly Chinese - 4-year follow-up study.

PubMed

Lin, Tsung-Hsien; Chiu, Herng-Chia; Lee, Ya-Ting; Su, Ho-Ming; Juo, Suh-Hang Hank; Voon, Wen-Chol; Lai, Wen-Ter; Sheu, Sheng-Hsiung

2007-01-01

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) trigger the signal cascade instigating cardiac remodeling and fibrosis, which lead to changes of repolarization variables. We investigate the influence of MMP9-1562 C/T and TIMP2-418 G/C gene polymorphisms on repolarization parameters including QT dispersion (QTd) and the peak and the end of the T wave interval (Tpe) in a prospective cohort. Of 1500 people screened, 106 elderly Chinese without organic heart disease were recruited and received electrocardiography at the baseline, second and 4th year follow-ups. The QTc (corrected QT), QTd, QTc dispersion (QTcd) and Tpe were manually calculated. Age was 72.7+/-4.1 y (range 62-81 y). QTd, QTcd and Tpe were significantly prolonged (all p <0.001 at the 2nd and 4th year). At the 4th year the magnitude of QTd prolongation but not Tpe was significantly higher in subjects carrying the TIMP2 C-allele than non C-allele carriers (p=0.033) as well as QTcd (p=0.010). This association was still significant in multivariate analyses (p=0.012 and p=0.003 for QTd and QTcd, respectively) but not in MMP9 genotype. The elderly Chinese with TIMP2 C-allele have higher magnitude of QTd and QTcd prolongation.

Reflective-emissive liquid-crystal displays constructed from AIE luminogens (Presentation Recording)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tang, Ben Zhong; Zhao, Dongyu; Qin, Anjun

2015-10-01

The chiral nematic liquid crystal (N*-LC) has plenty of prospective applications in LC display (LCD) owing to the selective reflection and circular dichroism. The molecules in the N*-LC are aligned forming a helically twisted structure and the specific wavelength of incident light is reflected by the periodically varying refractive index in the N*-LC plane without the aid of a polarizer or color filter. However, N*-LC do not emit light which restricts its application in the dark environment. Moreover, the view angle of N*-LC display device was severe limited due to the strong viewing angle dependence of the structure color of the one dimensional photonic crystal of a N*-LC. In order to overcome these weaknesses, we have synthesized a luminescent liquid crystalline compound consisting of a tetraphenylethene (TPE) core, TPE-PPE, as a luminogen with mesogenic moieties. TPE-PPE exhibits both the aggregate-induced emission (AIE) and thermotropic liquid crystalline characteristics. By dissolving a little amount of TPE-PPE into N*-LC host, a circular polarized emission was obtained on the unidirectional orientated LC cell. Utilizing the circular polarized luminescence property of the LC mixture, we fabricated a photoluminescent liquid crystal display (PL-LCD) device which can work under both dark and sunlit conditions. This approach has simplified the device design, lowered the energy consumption and increased brightness and application of the LCD.

Greenhouse gas and criteria emission benefits through reduction of vessel speed at sea.

PubMed

Khan, M Yusuf; Agrawal, Harshit; Ranganathan, Sindhuja; Welch, William A; Miller, J Wayne; Cocker, David R

2012-11-20

Reducing emissions from ocean-going vessels (OGVs) as they sail near populated areas is a widely recognized goal, and Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) is one of several strategies that is being adopted by regulators and port authorities. The goal of this research was to measure the emission benefits associated with greenhouse gas and criteria pollutants by operating OGVs at reduced speed. Emissions were measured from one Panamax and one post-Panamax class container vessels as their vessel speed was reduced from cruise to 15 knots or below. VSR to 12 knots yielded carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) emissions reductions (in kg/nautical mile (kg/nmi)) of approximately 61% and 56%, respectively, as compared to vessel cruise speed. The mass emission rate (kg/nmi) of PM(2.5) was reduced by 69% with VSR to 12 knots alone and by ~97% when coupled with the use of the marine gas oil (MGO) with 0.00065% sulfur content. Emissions data from vessels while operating at sea are scarce and measurements from this research demonstrated that tidal current is a significant parameter affecting emission factors (EFs) at lower engine loads. Emissions factors at ≤20% loads calculated by methodology adopted by regulatory agencies were found to underestimate PM(2.5) and NO(x) by 72% and 51%, respectively, when compared to EFs measured in this study. Total pollutant emitted (TPE) in the emission control area (ECA) was calculated, and emission benefits were estimated as the VSR zone increased from 24 to 200 nmi. TPE(CO2) and TPE(PM2.5) estimated for large container vessels showed benefits for CO(2) (2-26%) and PM(2.5) (4-57%) on reducing speeds from 15 to 12 knots, whereas TPE(CO2) and TPE(PM2.5) for small and medium container vessels were similar at 15 and 12 knots.

Nanocomposites based on thermoplastic elastomers with functional basis of nano titanium dioxide

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

Yulovskaya, V. D.; Kuz’micheva, G. M., E-mail: galina-kuzmicheva@list.ru; Klechkovskaya, V. V.

2016-03-15

Nanocomposites based on a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) (low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and 1,2-polybutadiene in a ratio of 60/40) with functional titanium dioxide nanoparticles of different nature, TiO{sub 2}/TPE, have been prepared and investigated by a complex of methods (X-ray diffraction analysis using X-ray and synchrotron radiation beams, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy). The morphology of the composites is found to be somewhat different, depending on the TiO{sub 2} characteristics. It is revealed that nanocomposites with cellular or porous structures containing nano-TiO{sub 2} aggregates with a large specific surface and large sizes of crystallites and nanoparticles exhibitmore » the best deformation‒strength and fatigue properties and stability to the effect of active media under conditions of ozone and vapor‒air aging.« less

Study of Bird Ingestions into Small Inlet Area Aircraft Turbine Engines

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

engines (ALF502, TFE731 , TPE331, and JTI5D) included in the study. This includes 24 months of operations for the first three engines and 12 months of...through the National Teclical Bird Ingestion- TFE731 Information Service, Springfield, 4 Tuibine Engine,’ TPt331 Virginia 22161 Turbofan Engine...ALF502 Engine 7 2.2 Operations, TFE731 Engine 8 2.3 Operations, TPE331 Engine 9 3.1 Distribution of Bird Weights 13 3.2 Aircraft Ingestions by Month

Orion Versus Poseidon: Understanding How Nasa's Crewed Capsule Survives Nature's Fury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barbre, Robert E., Jr.

2016-01-01

This presentation summarizes the Marshall Space Flight Center Natural Environments Terrestrial and Planetary Environments (TPE) Team support to the NASA Orion space vehicle. The Orion vehicle, part of the Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle Program, is designed to carry astronauts beyond low-Earth orbit and is currently undergoing a series of tests including Exploration Flight Test (EFT)-1. This design must address the natural environment to which the capsule and launch vehicle are exposed during all mission phases. In addition, the design must, to the best extent possible, implement the same process and data to be utilized on launch day. The TPE utilizes meteorological data to assess the sensitivities of the vehicle due to the terrestrial environment. The presentation describes examples of TPE support for vehicle design and several tests, as well as support for EFT-1 and planning for upcoming Exploration Missions while emphasizing the importance of accounting for the natural environment's impact to the vehicle early in the vehicle's program.

Tetraphenylethylene-Interweaving Conjugated Macrocycle Polymer Materials as Two-Photon Fluorescence Sensors for Metal Ions and Organic Molecules.

PubMed

Li, Xi; Li, Zheng; Yang, Ying-Wei

2018-05-01

A luminescent conjugated macrocycle polymer (CMP) with strong two-photon fluorescence property, namely, P[5]-TPE-CMP, is constructed from ditriflate-functionalized pillar[5]arene and a 1,1,2,2-tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)ethylene (TPE) linker through a Sonogashira-Hagihara cross-coupling reaction. Significantly, in sharp contrast with the corresponding conjugated microporous polymer without synthetic macrocycles, P[5]-TPE-CMP shows an outstanding stability against photobleaching and exhibits highly selective cation sensing capability toward Fe 3+ at different excitation wavelengths (both UV and red-near-infrared regions). Meanwhile, its fluorescence could also be sufficiently quenched by 4-amino azobenzene, a frequently used organic dye that is certified to be carcinogenic, as compared with a group of common organic compounds. This work paves a new way for enhancing the properties of porous organic polymers through the introduction of supramolecular macrocycles like macrocyclic arenes. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Dopant-Free Tetrakis-Triphenylamine Hole Transporting Material for Efficient Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells.

PubMed

Ke, Weijun; Priyanka, Pragya; Vegiraju, Sureshraju; Stoumpos, Constantinos C; Spanopoulos, Ioannis; Soe, Chan Myae Myae; Marks, Tobin J; Chen, Ming-Chou; Kanatzidis, Mercouri G

2018-01-10

Developing dopant-free hole transporting layers (HTLs) is critical in achieving high-performance and robust state-of-the-art perovskite photovoltaics, especially for the air-sensitive tin-based perovskite systems. The commonly used HTLs require hygroscopic dopants and additives for optimal performance, which adds extra cost to manufacturing and limits long-term device stability. Here we demonstrate the use of a novel tetrakis-triphenylamine (TPE) small molecule prepared by a facile synthetic route as a superior dopant-free HTL for lead-free tin-based perovskite solar cells. The best-performing tin iodide perovskite cells employing the novel mixed-cation ethylenediammonium/formamidinium with the dopant-free TPE HTL achieve a power conversion efficiency as high as 7.23%, ascribed to the HTL's suitable band alignment and excellent hole extraction/collection properties. This efficiency is one of the highest reported so far for tin halide perovskite systems, highlighting potential application of TPE HTL material in low-cost high-performance tin-based perovskite solar cells.

Impact of severe ADAMTS13 deficiency on clinical presentation and outcomes in patients with thrombotic microangiopathies: the experience of the Harvard TMA Research Collaborative.

PubMed

Bendapudi, Pavan K; Li, Ang; Hamdan, Ayad; Uhl, Lynne; Kaufman, Richard; Stowell, Christopher; Dzik, Walter; Makar, Robert S

2015-12-01

The Harvard TMA Research Collaborative is a multi-institutional registry-based effort to study thrombotic microangiopathies (TMA). Laboratory and clinical parameters were recorded for 254 cases of suspected autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency (activity ≤10%, N = 68) were more likely to be young, female and without a history of cancer treatment or transplantation. While all patients with severe deficiency were diagnosed with autoimmune TTP, those without severe deficiency frequently had disseminated intravascular coagulation, drug-associated TMA and transplant-related TMA. Patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency had superior overall survival at 360 d compared to those without severe deficiency (93·0% vs. 47·5%, P < 0·0001). Almost all patients with severe deficiency received therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), but the use of TPE in patients with ADAMTS13 activity >10% varied significantly across the institutions in our consortium (13·2-63·8%, P < 0·0001). Nevertheless, 90-d mortality was not different in patients with ADAMTS13 activity >10% between the three hospitals (P = 0·98). Our data show that patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency represent a clinically distinct cohort that responds well to TPE. In contrast, TMA without severe ADAMTS13 deficiency is associated with increased mortality that may not be influenced by TPE. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Massively Parallel Rogue Cell Detection using Serial Time-Encoded Amplified Microscopy of Inertially Ordered Cells in High Throughput Flow

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

couples  the  high-­‐speed  capability  of  the   STEAM  imager  and  differential  phase... air  bubbles  in  the  TPE  mix.  Moreover,  TPE  chips  were  also  successfully  sealed  to  other  substrates...dynamics,  and  microelectromechanical  systems  (MEMS)  via  laser-­‐scanning  surface   vibrometry ,  and   observation

Demonstration of a novel technique to measure two-photon exchange effects in elastic e±p scattering

DOE PAGES

Moteabbed, Maryam; Niroula, Megh; Raue, Brian A.; ...

2013-08-30

The discrepancy between proton electromagnetic form factors extracted using unpolarized and polarized scattering data is believed to be a consequence of two-photon exchange (TPE) effects. However, the calculations of TPE corrections have significant model dependence, and there is limited direct experimental evidence for such corrections. The TPE contributions depend on the sign of the lepton charge in e±p scattering, but the luminosities of secondary positron beams limited past measurement at large scattering angles, where the TPE effects are believe to be most significant. We present the results of a new experimental technique for making direct e±p comparisons, which has themore » potential to make precise measurements over a broad range in Q 2 and scattering angles. We use the Jefferson Laboratory electron beam and the Hall B photon tagger to generate a clean but untagged photon beam. The photon beam impinges on a converter foil to generate a mixed beam of electrons, positrons, and photons. A chicane is used to separate and recombine the electron and positron beams while the photon beam is stopped by a photon blocker. This provides a combined electron and positron beam, with energies from 0.5 to 3.2 GeV, which impinges on a liquid hydrogen target. The large acceptance CLAS detector is used to identify and reconstruct elastic scattering events, determining both the initial lepton energy and the sign of the scattered lepton. The data were collected in two days with a primary electron beam energy of only 3.3 GeV, limiting the data from this run to smaller values of Q 2 and scattering angle. Nonetheless, this measurement yields a data sample for e±p with statistics comparable to those of the best previous measurements. We have shown that we can cleanly identify elastic scattering events and correct for the difference in acceptance for electron and positron scattering. Because we ran with only one polarity for the chicane, we are unable to study the difference between the incoming electron and positron beams. This systematic effect leads to the largest uncertainty in the final ratio of positron to electron scattering: R=1.027±0.005±0.05 for < Q 2 >=0.206 GeV 2 and 0.830 ≤ ε ≤ 0.943. We have demonstrated that the tertiary e ± beam generated using this technique provides the opportunity for dramatically improved comparisons of e±p scattering, covering a significant range in both Q 2 and scattering angle. Combining data with different chicane polarities will allow for detailed studies of the difference between the incoming e + and e - beams.« less

Demonstration of a novel technique to measure two-photon exchange effects in elastic e±p scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moteabbed, M.; Niroula, M.; Raue, B. A.; Weinstein, L. B.; Adikaram, D.; Arrington, J.; Brooks, W. K.; Lachniet, J.; Rimal, Dipak; Ungaro, M.; Afanasev, A.; Adhikari, K. P.; Aghasyan, M.; Amaryan, M. J.; Anefalos Pereira, S.; Avakian, H.; Ball, J.; Baltzell, N. A.; Battaglieri, M.; Batourine, V.; Bedlinskiy, I.; Bennett, R. P.; Biselli, A. S.; Bono, J.; Boiarinov, S.; Briscoe, W. J.; Burkert, V. D.; Carman, D. S.; Celentano, A.; Chandavar, S.; Cole, P. L.; Collins, P.; Contalbrigo, M.; Cortes, O.; Crede, V.; D'Angelo, A.; Dashyan, N.; De Vita, R.; De Sanctis, E.; Deur, A.; Djalali, C.; Doughty, D.; Dupre, R.; Egiyan, H.; Fassi, L. El; Eugenio, P.; Fedotov, G.; Fegan, S.; Fersch, R.; Fleming, J. A.; Gevorgyan, N.; Gilfoyle, G. P.; Giovanetti, K. L.; Girod, F. X.; Goetz, J. T.; Gohn, W.; Golovatch, E.; Gothe, R. W.; Griffioen, K. A.; Guidal, M.; Guler, N.; Guo, L.; Hafidi, K.; Hakobyan, H.; Hanretty, C.; Harrison, N.; Heddle, D.; Hicks, K.; Ho, D.; Holtrop, M.; Hyde, C. E.; Ilieva, Y.; Ireland, D. G.; Ishkhanov, B. S.; Isupov, E. L.; Jo, H. S.; Joo, K.; Keller, D.; Khandaker, M.; Kim, A.; Klein, F. J.; Koirala, S.; Kubarovsky, A.; Kubarovsky, V.; Kuhn, S. E.; Kuleshov, S. V.; Lewis, S.; Lu, H. Y.; MacCormick, M.; MacGregor, I. J. D.; Martinez, D.; Mayer, M.; McKinnon, B.; Mineeva, T.; Mirazita, M.; Mokeev, V.; Montgomery, R. A.; Moriya, K.; Moutarde, H.; Munevar, E.; Munoz Camacho, C.; Nadel-Turonski, P.; Nasseripour, R.; Niccolai, S.; Niculescu, G.; Niculescu, I.; Osipenko, M.; Ostrovidov, A. I.; Pappalardo, L. L.; Paremuzyan, R.; Park, K.; Park, S.; Phelps, E.; Phillips, J. J.; Pisano, S.; Pogorelko, O.; Pozdniakov, S.; Price, J. W.; Procureur, S.; Protopopescu, D.; Puckett, A. J. R.; Ripani, M.; Rosner, G.; Rossi, P.; Sabatié, F.; Saini, M. S.; Salgado, C.; Schott, D.; Schumacher, R. A.; Seder, E.; Seraydaryan, H.; Sharabian, Y. G.; Smith, E. S.; Smith, G. D.; Sober, D. I.; Sokhan, D.; Stepanyan, S.; Strauch, S.; Tang, W.; Taylor, C. E.; Tian, Ye; Tkachenko, S.; Voskanyan, H.; Voutier, E.; Walford, N. K.; Wood, M. H.; Zachariou, N.; Zana, L.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, Z. W.; Zonta, I.

2013-08-01

Background: The discrepancy between proton electromagnetic form factors extracted using unpolarized and polarized scattering data is believed to be a consequence of two-photon exchange (TPE) effects. However, the calculations of TPE corrections have significant model dependence, and there is limited direct experimental evidence for such corrections.Purpose: The TPE contributions depend on the sign of the lepton charge in e±p scattering, but the luminosities of secondary positron beams limited past measurement at large scattering angles, where the TPE effects are believe to be most significant. We present the results of a new experimental technique for making direct e±p comparisons, which has the potential to make precise measurements over a broad range in Q2 and scattering angles.Methods: We use the Jefferson Laboratory electron beam and the Hall B photon tagger to generate a clean but untagged photon beam. The photon beam impinges on a converter foil to generate a mixed beam of electrons, positrons, and photons. A chicane is used to separate and recombine the electron and positron beams while the photon beam is stopped by a photon blocker. This provides a combined electron and positron beam, with energies from 0.5 to 3.2 GeV, which impinges on a liquid hydrogen target. The large acceptance CLAS detector is used to identify and reconstruct elastic scattering events, determining both the initial lepton energy and the sign of the scattered lepton.Results: The data were collected in two days with a primary electron beam energy of only 3.3 GeV, limiting the data from this run to smaller values of Q2 and scattering angle. Nonetheless, this measurement yields a data sample for e±p with statistics comparable to those of the best previous measurements. We have shown that we can cleanly identify elastic scattering events and correct for the difference in acceptance for electron and positron scattering. Because we ran with only one polarity for the chicane, we are unable to study the difference between the incoming electron and positron beams. This systematic effect leads to the largest uncertainty in the final ratio of positron to electron scattering: R=1.027±0.005±0.05 for =0.206 GeV2 and 0.830⩽ɛ⩽0.943.Conclusions: We have demonstrated that the tertiary e± beam generated using this technique provides the opportunity for dramatically improved comparisons of e±p scattering, covering a significant range in both Q2 and scattering angle. Combining data with different chicane polarities will allow for detailed studies of the difference between the incoming e+ and e- beams.

Polyphenol Levels Are Inversely Correlated with Body Weight and Obesity in an Elderly Population after 5 Years of Follow Up (The Randomised PREDIMED Study)

PubMed Central

Guo, Xiaohui; Tresserra-Rimbau, Anna; Estruch, Ramón; Martínez-González, Miguel A.; Medina-Remón, Alexander; Fitó, Montserrat; Corella, Dolores; Salas-Salvadó, Jordi; Portillo, Maria Puy; Moreno, Juan J.; Pi-Sunyer, Xavier; Lamuela-Raventós, Rosa M.

2017-01-01

Overweight and obesity have been steadily increasing in recent years and currently represent a serious threat to public health. Few human studies have investigated the relationship between polyphenol intake and body weight. Our aim was to assess the relationship between urinary polyphenol levels and body weight. A cross-sectional study was performed with 573 participants from the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) trial (ISRCTN35739639). Total polyphenol levels were measured by a reliable biomarker, total urinary polyphenol excretion (TPE), determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method in urine samples. Participants were categorized into five groups according to their TPE at the fifth year. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the relationships between TPE and obesity parameters; body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). After a five years follow up, significant inverse correlations were observed between TPE at the 5th year and BW (β = −1.004; 95% CI: −1.634 to −0.375, p = 0.002), BMI (β = −0.320; 95% CI: −0.541 to −0.098, p = 0.005), WC (β = −0.742; 95% CI: −1.326 to −0.158, p = 0.013), and WHtR (β = −0.408; 95% CI: −0.788 to −0.028, p = 0.036) after adjustments for potential confounders. To conclude, a greater polyphenol intake may thus contribute to reducing body weight in elderly people at high cardiovascular risk. PMID:28467383

Polyphenol Levels Are Inversely Correlated with Body Weight and Obesity in an Elderly Population after 5 Years of Follow Up (The Randomised PREDIMED Study).

PubMed

Guo, Xiaohui; Tresserra-Rimbau, Anna; Estruch, Ramón; Martínez-González, Miguel A; Medina-Remón, Alexander; Fitó, Montserrat; Corella, Dolores; Salas-Salvadó, Jordi; Portillo, Maria Puy; Moreno, Juan J; Pi-Sunyer, Xavier; Lamuela-Raventós, Rosa M

2017-05-03

Overweight and obesity have been steadily increasing in recent years and currently represent a serious threat to public health. Few human studies have investigated the relationship between polyphenol intake and body weight. Our aim was to assess the relationship between urinary polyphenol levels and body weight. A cross-sectional study was performed with 573 participants from the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) trial (ISRCTN35739639). Total polyphenol levels were measured by a reliable biomarker, total urinary polyphenol excretion (TPE), determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method in urine samples. Participants were categorized into five groups according to their TPE at the fifth year. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the relationships between TPE and obesity parameters; body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). After a five years follow up, significant inverse correlations were observed between TPE at the 5th year and BW (β = -1.004; 95% CI: -1.634 to -0.375, p = 0.002), BMI (β = -0.320; 95% CI: -0.541 to -0.098, p = 0.005), WC (β = -0.742; 95% CI: -1.326 to -0.158, p = 0.013), and WHtR (β = -0.408; 95% CI: -0.788 to -0.028, p = 0.036) after adjustments for potential confounders. To conclude, a greater polyphenol intake may thus contribute to reducing body weight in elderly people at high cardiovascular risk.

From Dark to Light to Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET): Polarity-Sensitive Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE)-Active Tetraphenylethene-Fused BODIPY Dyes with a Very Large Pseudo-Stokes Shift.

PubMed

Şen, Esra; Meral, Kadem; Atılgan, Serdar

2016-01-11

The work presented herein is devoted to the fabrication of large Stokes shift dyes in both organic and aqueous media by combining dark resonance energy transfer (DRET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in one donor-acceptor system. In this respect, a series of donor-acceptor architectures of 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes substituted by one, two, or three tetraphenylethene (TPE) luminogens were designed and synthesised. The photophysical properties of these three chromophore systems were studied to provide insight into the nature of donor-acceptor interactions in both THF and aqueous media. Because the generation of emissive TPE donor(s) is strongly polarity dependent, due to its aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature, one might expect the formation of appreciable fluorescence emission intensity with a very large pseudo-Stokes shift in aqueous media when considering FRET process. Interestingly, similar results were also recorded in THF for the chromophore systems, although the TPE fragment(s) of the dyes are non-emissive. The explanation for this photophysical behaviour lies in the DRET. This is the first report on combining two energy-transfer processes, namely, FRET and DRET, in one polarity-sensitive donor-acceptor pair system. The accuracy of the dark-emissive donor property of the TPE luminogen is also presented for the first time as a new feature for AIE phenomena. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Promotion of tribological and hydrophobic properties of a coating on TPE substrates by atmospheric plasma-polymerization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sainz-García, Elisa; Alba-Elías, Fernando; Múgica-Vidal, Rodolfo; Pantoja-Ruiz, Mariola

2016-05-01

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are used in the automotive sealing industry with the objective of producing anti-friction and hydrophobic components. At present, the anti-friction property is achieved by the electrostatic flocking, which sometimes produces an irregular coating. Therefore, this paper's objective is the promotion of adhesion of an anti-friction (based on the silane aminopropyltriethoxysilane-APTES-) and hydrophobic (based on the fluorinated precursor 1-perfluorohexene-PFH-) coating by the adhesion promoter, APTES. Different mixtures of APTES and PFH have been applied to a TPE substrate by an Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet (APPJ) system with Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) in order to determine the optimal mixture of precursors. The main difficulty in this work lies in the hydrophilic character of APTES and the low adhesion of the fluorinated coatings. The sample coated with a mixture of 50% APTES and 50% PFH (A50P50) was found to be the best one to satisfy both properties at the same time, despite not having the highest dynamic water contact angle (WCA) or the lowest friction coefficient.

Synthesis of tripeptide derivatized cyclopentadienyl complexes of technetium and rhenium as radiopharmaceutical probes.

PubMed

Nadeem, Qaisar; Can, Daniel; Shen, Yunjun; Felber, Michael; Mahmood, Zaid; Alberto, Roger

2014-03-28

We describe the syntheses of half-sandwich complexes of the type [(η(5)-Cp(CONH-R))M(CO)3] with M = Re or (99m)Tc. The R group represents different tri-peptides (tpe) which display high binding affinities for oligopeptide transporters PEPT2. The (99m)Tc complexes were prepared directly from [(99m)Tc(OH2)3(CO)3](+) and Diels-Alder dimerized, cyclopentadienyl derivatized peptides in water. This approach corroborates the feasibility of metal-mediated retro Diels-Alder reactions for the preparation of not only small molecules but also peptides carrying a [(η(5)-Cp)(99m)Tc(CO)3] tag. We synthesized the Diels-Alder product [(HCpCONH-tpe)2] from Thiele's acid [(η(5)-HCpCOOH)2] via double peptide coupling. The Re-complexes [(η(5)-CpCONH-tpe)Re(CO)3] were obtained by attaching [(Cp-COOH)Re(CO)3] directly to the N-terminus of peptides as received from SPPS. The authenticity of the (99m)Tc-complexes is confirmed by chromatographic comparison with the corresponding rhenium complexes, fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques.

Reconstruction of total pelvic exenteration defects with rectus abdominus myocutaneous flaps versus primary closure.

PubMed

Chokshi, Ravi J; Kuhrt, Maureen P; Arrese, David; Martin, Edward W

2013-01-01

Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is reserved for patients with locally invasive and recurrent pelvic malignancies. Complications such as wound infections, dehiscence, hernias, abscesses, and fistulas are common after this procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tissue transfer to the pelvis after TPE decreases wound complications. Fifty-three patients who underwent TPE between 2004 and 2010 were reviewed. Two groups were identified, those who underwent pelvic reconstruction with a vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap (n = 17) and those who underwent primary closure (n = 36). Demographics, clinicopathologic characteristics, and outcomes were compared. The 2 groups were similar in demographics and histopathologic characteristics. Preoperative and surgical factors including comorbidities, nutrition, radiation, surgical times, blood loss, length of stay, and complications were similar between the groups. Of the 17 patients undergoing vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap placement, complications were seen in 11 patients (65%), with most of them stemming from flap dehiscence (n = 7). In our study, the transfer of tissue into the pelvis did not increase surgical times, blood loss, length of stay, or wound complications. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Trans-pulmonary echocardiography as a guide for device closure of patent ductus arteriosus.

PubMed

Kudo, Yoshiyuki; Suda, Kenji; Yoshimoto, Hironaga; Teramachi, Yozo; Kishimoto, Shintaro; Iemura, Motofumi; Matsuishi, Toyojiro

2015-08-01

The aim of this study was to develop trans-pulmonary echocardiography (TPE) to guide device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (DC-PDA). Aortography requires a large amount of contrast yet may give us an inadequate image to evaluate anatomy or residual shunt in patients with large PDA or dilated vessels and is precluded in patients with renal dysfunction. Practically, there is no imaging modality to monitor the entire procedure except for trans-esophageal echocardiography that requires general anesthesia. Subjects were seven patients with ages ranged from 6- to 77-years old and body weight > 15 kg. The size of the PDA ranged from 1.8 to 6.3 mm with pulmonary to systemic flow ratios from 1.2 to 2.2. During DC-PDA using Ampaltzer Duct Occluder or coil, an intra-cardiac echocardiographic (ICE) catheter was advanced into pulmonary arteries and standard views were developed to guide DC-PDA. We have developed two standard views; the main pulmonary artery view (MPA view) and the left pulmonary artery view (LPA view). The MPA view provided aortic short axis view equivalent to that seen by trans-thoracic echocardiography in children. The LPA view, obtained by the echo probe in the LPA and turned it up upside down, provided long axis view of the PDA allowing more precise anatomical evaluation. TPE allowed us to monitor the entire procedure and determine residual shunts. TPE in the MPA and LPA view can be an effective guide for DC-PDA. This report leads to new application of this imaging device. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bottom-Up Construction of Porous Organic Frameworks with Built-In TEMPO as a Cathode for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

PubMed

Zhou, Baolong; Hu, Xiang; Zeng, Guang; Li, Shiwu; Wen, Zhenhai; Chen, Long

2017-07-21

Two redox-active porous organic frameworks (POFs) with a built-in radical moiety (TEMPO) and hierarchical porous structures were synthesized through a facile bottom-up strategy and studied as cathode materials for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. The sulfur loading in these two POFs reached 61 %, benefitting from their large pore volumes. Owing to the highly dense docking sites of TEMPO, sulfur could be covalently immobilized within the porous networks and efficiently inhibit the shuttle effect, thereby significantly improving the cycling performance. The composites TPE-TEMPO-POF-S (TPE=tetraphenylethene) deliver a capacity in excess of 470 mAh g -1 after 200 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of around 100 % at a current rate of 0.1 C. Furthermore, TEMPO-POFs with sulfur embedded showed excellent rate capability with limited capacity loss at rates of 0.1-1 C. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Therapeutic plasma exchange: a technical and operational review.

PubMed

Kaplan, Andre A

2013-02-01

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an extracorporeal blood purification technique designed for the removal of large molecular weight substances. Examples of these substances include pathogenic autoantibodies, immune complexes, cryoglobulins, myeloma light chains, endotoxin and cholesterol containing lipoproteins. The basic premise of the treatment is that removal of these substances will allow for the reversal of the pathologic processes related to their presence. This review will cover the techniques for performing TPE, the kinetics of the removal of large molecules from the plasma and the benefits and risks of the different types of replacement fluids. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

From cellular lysis to microarray detection, an integrated thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) point of care Lab on a Disc.

PubMed

Roy, Emmanuel; Stewart, Gale; Mounier, Maxence; Malic, Lidija; Peytavi, Régis; Clime, Liviu; Madou, Marc; Bossinot, Maurice; Bergeron, Michel G; Veres, Teodor

2015-01-21

We present an all-thermoplastic integrated sample-to-answer centrifugal microfluidic Lab-on-Disc system (LoD) for nucleic acid analysis. The proposed CD system and engineered platform were employed for analysis of Bacillus atrophaeus subsp. globigii spores. The complete assay comprised cellular lysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, amplicon digestion, and microarray hybridization on a plastic support. The fluidic robustness and operating efficiency of the assay were ensured through analytical optimization of microfluidic tools enabling beneficial implementation of capillary valves and accurate control of all flow timing procedures. The assay reliability was further improved through the development of two novel microfluidic strategies for reagents mixing and flow delay on the CD platform. In order to bridge the gap between the proof-of-concept LoD and production prototype demonstration, low-cost thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) was selected as the material for CD fabrication and assembly, allowing the use of both, high quality hot-embossing and injection molding processes. Additionally, the low-temperature and pressure-free assembly and bonding properties of TPE material offer a pertinent solution for simple and efficient loading and storage of reagents and other on-board components. This feature was demonstrated through integration and conditioning of microbeads, magnetic discs, dried DNA buffer reagents and spotted DNA array inserts. Furthermore, all microfluidic functions and plastic parts were designed according to the current injection mold-making knowledge for industrialization purposes. Therefore, the current work highlights a seamless strategy that promotes a feasible path for the transfer from prototype toward realistic industrialization. This work aims to establish the full potential for TPE-based centrifugal system as a mainstream microfluidic diagnostic platform for clinical diagnosis, water and food safety, and other molecular diagnostic applications.

Third Pole Environment (TPE) -Latest Progress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Z.; Yao, T.; Zhang, F.; Yang, X.; Wang, W.; Ping, F.

2014-12-01

Centered on the Tibetan Plateau, the Third Pole region is a unique geographical unit, which represents one of the largest ice masses on the Earth. The region has great impacts on environmental changes in China, the Northern Hemisphere and the globe.It also demonstrates sensitive feedbacks to global changes and the impacts of anthropogenic activities in surrounding regions. Like the Arctic and Antarctica, the Third Pole region is an especially sensitive area that draws great attention from the scientific community. In 2009, with support from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and international organizations, the Third Pole Environment (TPE) program, led by Chinese scientists, was officially launched. The program focuses on the theme of "water-ice-air-ecosystem-human" interactions, with the aim to address the following scientific questions, such as the spatial and temporal characteristics of past environmental changes in the Third pole, the interactions between hydrosphere and cryosphere and hazard processes, the ecological systems' impacts on and response to environmental changes, and the impacts of anthropogenic activities on environmental changes in the region and adaptation strategies. The goal of the program is to reveal environmental change processes and mechanisms on the Third Pole and their influences on and responses to global changes, and thus to serve for enhancement of human adaptation to the changing environment and realization of human-nature harmony. Under the leadership of the co-chairs, and relying on Scientific Committee and the TPE office, the program has accomplished a number of scientific tasks since its inauguration. TPE has made tremendous progress in the research of glacier changes, interactions between the westerlies and monsoon, establishment of field stations, data sharing and education.

Therapeutic plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin as primary therapy for D alloimmunization in pregnancy precludes the need for intrauterine transfusion.

PubMed

Bellone, Michael; Boctor, Fouad N

2014-08-01

Maternal D alloimmunization detected in early gestation requires aggressive intervention to prevent severe fetal anemia. An intrauterine transfusion (IUT) is indicated to prevent fetal death once severe fetal anemia has been detected, but is not without risk. Protocols combining therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) have been described, but they usually bridge to IUT. We describe a 27-year-old G4, P0-1-2-0 Caucasian female with a history of ruptured ectopic pregnancy presented at 12 weeks' gestation with a very high anti-D titer (2048). TPE was performed on that week and twice more in the following week, with a fourth final exchange during Week 14. A loading dose of IVIG (2 g/kg) was administered over 2 days after the third TPE and then 1 g/kg per week until Week 28 (total, 14 doses). The antibody titer decreased to 256 by the beginning of 15 weeks' gestation and remained stable at that level for the remainder of the pregnancy. Doppler ultrasonographic measurements of the fetal middle cerebral artery peak flow velocity performed throughout gestation showed no evidence of fetal anemia. A healthy male infant was delivered at 37 weeks' gestation with mild immune-mediated hemolysis. The infant underwent successful treatment with an IVIG dose of 750 mg/kg and a red blood cell exchange. Our unique TPE-IVIG protocol was successful at preventing the onset of severe fetal anemia in a patient with high titer anti-D. Since IUT may be fatal, our approach offers a safer and less-invasive treatment regime that can adequately sustain a fetus until term. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Dynamic compression of human and ovine meniscal tissue compared with a potential thermoplastic elastomer hydrogel replacement.

PubMed

Fischenich, Kristine M; Boncella, Katie; Lewis, Jackson T; Bailey, Travis S; Haut Donahue, Tammy L

2017-10-01

Understanding how human meniscal tissue responds to loading regimes mimetic of daily life as well as how it compares to larger animal models is critical in the development of a functionally accurate synthetic surrogate. Seven human and eight ovine cadaveric meniscal specimens were regionally sectioned into cylinders 5 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick along with 10 polystyrene-b-polyethylene oxide block copolymer-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) hydrogels. Samples were compressed to 12% strain at 1 Hz for 5000 cycles, unloaded for 24 h, and then retested. No differences were found within each group between test one and test two. Human and ovine tissue exhibited no regional dependency (p < 0.05). Human samples relaxed quicker than ovine tissue or the TPE hydrogel with modulus values at cycle 50 not significantly different from cycle 5000. Ovine menisci were found to be similar to human menisci in relaxation profile but had significantly higher modulus values (3.44 MPa instantaneous and 0.61 MPa after 5000 cycles compared with 1.97 and 0.11 MPa found for human tissue) and significantly different power law fit coefficients. The TPE hydrogel had an initial modulus of 0.58 MPa and experienced less than a 20% total relaxation over the 5000. Significant differences in the magnitude of compressive modulus between human and ovine menisci were observed, however the relaxation profiles were similar. Although statistically different than the native tissues, modulus values of the TPE hydrogel material were similar to those of the human and ovine menisci, making it a material worth further investigation for use as a synthetic replacement. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2722-2728, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Confinement of Aggregation-Induced Emission Molecular Rotors in Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Porous Organic Nanosheets for Enhanced Molecular Recognition.

PubMed

Dong, Jinqiao; Li, Xu; Zhang, Kang; Di Yuan, Yi; Wang, Yuxiang; Zhai, Linzhi; Liu, Guoliang; Yuan, Daqiang; Jiang, Jianwen; Zhao, Dan

2018-03-21

Despite the rapid development of molecular rotors over the past decade, it still remains a huge challenge to understand their confined behavior in ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials for molecular recognition. Here, we report an all-carbon, 2D π-conjugated aromatic polymer, named NUS-25, containing flexible tetraphenylethylene (TPE) units as aggregation-induced emission (AIE) molecular rotors. NUS-25 bulk powder can be easily exfoliated into micrometer-sized lamellar freestanding nanosheets with a thickness of 2-5 nm. The dynamic behavior of the TPE rotors is partially restricted through noncovalent interactions in the ultrathin 2D nanosheets, which is proved by comparative experimental studies including AIE characteristics, size-selective molecular recognition, and theoretical calculations of rotary energy barrier. Because of the partially restricted TPE rotors, NUS-25 nanosheets are highly fluorescent. This property allows NUS-25 nanosheets to be used as a chemical sensor for the specific detection of acenaphthylene among a series of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) via fluorescent quenching mechanism. Further investigations show that NUS-25 nanosheets have much higher sensitivity and selectivity than their stacked bulk powder and other similar polymers containing dynamic TPE rotors. The highly efficient molecular recognition can be attributed to the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from NUS-25 nanosheets to acenaphthylene, which is investigated by time-resolved photoluminescence measurements (TRPL), excitation and emission spectra, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our findings demonstrate that confinement of AIE molecular rotors in 2D nanomaterials can enhance the molecular recognition. We anticipate that the material design strategy demonstrated in this study will inspire the development of other ultrathin 2D nanomaterials equipped with smart molecular machines for various applications.

Inhibition properties of propolis extracts to some clinically important enzymes.

PubMed

Baltas, Nimet; Yildiz, Oktay; Kolayli, Sevgi

2016-01-01

The present study was conducted to envisage inhibition effects of propolis on the crucial enzymes, urease, xanthine oxidase (XO) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Some of the antioxidant properties of the propolis samples were determined using the total phenolic content (TPE) and total flavonoids in the eight different ethanolic propolis extracts (EPE) samples. Inhibition values of the enzymes were expressed as inhibition concentration (IC 50 ; mg/mL or μg/mL) causing 50% inhibition of the enzymes with donepezil, acetohydroxamic acid and allopurinol as reference inhibitors. All the propolis extracts exhibited variable inhibition effects on these enzymes, but the higher the phenolic contents the lower the inhibitions values (IC 50 = 0.074 to 1.560 mg/mL). IC 50 values of the P5 propolis sample having the highest TPE, obtained from Zonguldak, for AChE, urease and XO were 0.081 ± 0.009, 0.080 ± 0.006 and 0.074 ± 0.011 μg/mL, respectively. The EPE proved to be a good source of inhibitor agents that can be used as natural inhibitors to serve human health.

Two-photon microscopy and spectroscopy based on a compact confocal scanning head

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diaspro, Alberto; Chirico, Giberto; Federici, Federico; Cannone, Fabio; Beretta, Sabrina; Robello, Mauro; Olivini, Francesca; Ramoino, Paola

2001-07-01

We have combined a confocal laser scanning head modified for TPE (two-photon excitation) microscopy with some spectroscopic modules to study single molecules and molecular aggregates. The behavior of the TPE microscope unit has been characterized by means of point spread function measurements and of the demonstration of its micropatterning abilities. One-photon and two-photon mode can be simply accomplished by switching from a mono-mode optical fiber (one-photon) coupled to conventional laser sources to an optical module that allows IR laser beam (two- photon/TPE) delivery to the confocal laser scanning head. We have then described the characterization of the two-photon microscope for spectroscopic applications: fluorescence correlation, lifetime and fluorescence polarization anisotropy measurements. We describe the measurement of the response of the two-photon microscope to the light polarization and discuss fluorescence polarization anisotropy measurements on Rhodamine 6G as a function of the viscosity and on a globular protein, the Beta-lactoglobulin B labeled with Alexa 532 at very high dilutions. The average rotational and translational diffusion coefficients measured with fluorescence polarization anisotropy and fluorescence correlation methods are in good agreement with the protein size, therefore validating the use of the microscope for two-photon spectroscopy on biomolecules.

Severe Hyperthyroidism Complicated by Agranulocytosis Treated with Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Garla, Vishnu; Kovvuru, Karthik; Ahuja, Shradha; Palabindala, Venkatataman; Malhotra, Bharat; Abdul Salim, Sohail

2018-01-01

To present a case of Graves' disease complicated by methimazole induced agranulocytosis treated with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and review of the literature. A 21-year-old patient with a history of Graves' disease presented to the endocrine clinic. His history was significant for heat intolerance, weight loss, and tremors. Upon examination he had tachycardia, smooth goiter, thyroid bruit, and hyperactive reflexes. He was started on methimazole and metoprolol and thyroidectomy was to be done once his thyroid function tests normalized. On follow-up, the patient symptoms persisted. Complete blood count done showed a white blood cell count of 2100 (4000-11,000 cells/cu mm) with a neutrophil count of 400 cells/cu mm, consistent with neutropenia. He was admitted to the hospital and underwent 3 cycles of TPE and was also given filgrastim. He improved clinically and his thyroxine (T4) levels also came down. Thyroidectomy was done. He was discharged on levothyroxine for postsurgical hypothyroidism. Plasmapheresis may be useful in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. It works by removing protein bound hormones and also possibly inflammatory cytokines. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of various modalities of TPE in the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

Modeling and quantification of repolarization feature dependency on heart rate.

PubMed

Minchole, A; Zacur, E; Pueyo, E; Laguna, P

2014-01-01

This article is part of the Focus Theme of Methods of Information in Medicine on "Biosignal Interpretation: Advanced Methods for Studying Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems". This work aims at providing an efficient method to estimate the parameters of a non linear model including memory, previously proposed to characterize rate adaptation of repolarization indices. The physiological restrictions on the model parameters have been included in the cost function in such a way that unconstrained optimization techniques such as descent optimization methods can be used for parameter estimation. The proposed method has been evaluated on electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings of healthy subjects performing a tilt test, where rate adaptation of QT and Tpeak-to-Tend (Tpe) intervals has been characterized. The proposed strategy results in an efficient methodology to characterize rate adaptation of repolarization features, improving the convergence time with respect to previous strategies. Moreover, Tpe interval adapts faster to changes in heart rate than the QT interval. In this work an efficient estimation of the parameters of a model aimed at characterizing rate adaptation of repolarization features has been proposed. The Tpe interval has been shown to be rate related and with a shorter memory lag than the QT interval.

A Valuable Tool in Predicting Poor Outcome due to Sepsis in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: Tp-e/QT Ratio.

PubMed

Ozdemir, Rahmi; Isguder, Rana; Kucuk, Mehmet; Karadeniz, Cem; Ceylan, Gokhan; Katipoglu, Nagehan; Yilmazer, Murat Muhtar; Yozgat, Yilmaz; Mese, Timur; Agin, Hasan

2016-10-01

To assess the feasibility of 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) measures such as P wave dispersion (PWd), QT interval, QT dispersion (QTd), Tp-e interval, Tp-e/QT and Tp-e/QTc ratio in predicting poor outcome in patients diagnosed with sepsis in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Ninety-three patients diagnosed with sepsis, severe sepsis or septic shock and 103 age- and sex-matched healthy children were enrolled into the study. PWd, QT interval, QTd, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios were obtained from a 12-lead electrocardiogram. PWd, QTd, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT, Tp-e/QTc ratios were significantly higher in septic patients compared with the controls. During the study period, 41 patients had died. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, only Tp-e/QT ratio was found to be an independent predictor of mortality. The ECG measurements can predict the poor outcome in patients with sepsis. The Tp-e/QT ratio may be a valuable tool in predicting mortality for patients with sepsis in the PICU. © The Author [2016]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Pnc1p-Mediated Nicotinamide Clearance Modifies the Epigenetic Properties of rDNA Silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PubMed Central

McClure, Julie M.; Gallo, Christopher M.; Smith, Daniel L.; Matecic, Mirela; Hontz, Robert D.; Buck, Stephen W.; Racette, Frances G.; Smith, Jeffrey S.

2008-01-01

The histone deacetylase activity of Sir2p is dependent on NAD+ and inhibited by nicotinamide (NAM). As a result, Sir2p-regulated processes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae such as silencing and replicative aging are susceptible to alterations in cellular NAD+ and NAM levels. We have determined that high concentrations of NAM in the growth medium elevate the intracellular NAD+ concentration through a mechanism that is partially dependent on NPT1, an important gene in the Preiss–Handler NAD+ salvage pathway. Overexpression of the nicotinamidase, Pnc1p, prevents inhibition of Sir2p by the excess NAM while maintaining the elevated NAD+ concentration. This growth condition alters the epigenetics of rDNA silencing, such that repression of a URA3 reporter gene located at the rDNA induces growth on media that either lacks uracil or contains 5-fluoroorotic acid (5-FOA), an unusual dual phenotype that is reminiscent of telomeric silencing (TPE) of URA3. Despite the similarities to TPE, the modified rDNA silencing phenotype does not require the SIR complex. Instead, it retains key characteristics of typical rDNA silencing, including RENT and Pol I dependence, as well as a requirement for the Preiss–Handler NAD+ salvage pathway. Exogenous nicotinamide can therefore have negative or positive impacts on rDNA silencing, depending on the PNC1 expression level. PMID:18780747

Concerted Earth Observation and Prediction of Water and Energy Cycles in the Third Pole Environment (CEOP-TPE)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Bob; Ma, Yaoming; Menenti, Massimo; Wen, Jun; Sobrino, Jose; He, Yanbo; Li, Zhao-Liang; Tang, Bohui; Sneeuw, Nico; Zhong, Lei; Zeng, Yijian; van der Veld, Rogier; Chen, Xuelong; Zheng, Donghai; Huang, Ying; Lv, Shaoning; Wang, Lichun

2016-08-01

The achievements made in Dragon III in 2014-2016 are listed below:1. Maintaining the Tibetan Plateau Soil Moisture and Soil Temperature Observatory (Tibet-Obs) [1-3] and developing a method and data product by blending SM product over Tibetan Plateau and evaluating other available SM products [4].2. Developing a new algorithm for representing the effective soil temperature in microwave radiometry [5-7].3. Developing data sets to study the regional and plateau scale land-atmosphere interactions in TPE [8-11].4. Identifying and developing improved land surface processes [12-15].5. Developing a method for the quantification of water cycle components based on earth observation data and a comparison to reanalysis data [16-17].6. Investigating and revealing the mechanism of surface and tropospheric heatings on the Tibetan plateau [18].7. Proposing a validation framework for the generationof climate data records [19].8. Graduating seven young scientists with their doctorates during the last two years of Dragon III programme.9. Making the datasets and algorithms accessible to the scientific community.

Singlet oxygen-induced photodegradation of the polymers and dyes in optical sensing materials and the effect of stabilizers on these processes.

PubMed

Enko, Barbara; Borisov, Sergey M; Regensburger, Johannes; Bäumler, Wolfgang; Gescheidt, Georg; Klimant, Ingo

2013-09-12

A comprehensive study of photodegradation processes in optical sensing materials caused by photosensitized singlet oxygen in different polymers is presented. The stabilities of the polymers are accessed in the oxygen consumption measurements performed with help of optical oxygen sensors. Polystyrene and poly(phenylsilesquioxane) are found to be the most stable among the polymers investigated, whereas poly(2,6-dimethyl-p-phenylene oxide) and particularly poly(methyl methacrylate) and their derivatives show the fastest oxygen consumption. The effect of the stabilizers (singlet oxygen quenchers) on the oxygen consumption rates, the photostability of the sensitizer, and the total photon emission (TPE) by singlet oxygen is studied. 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) was found to significantly reduce both the TPE and the oxygen consumption rates, indicating its role as a physical quencher of singlet oxygen. The addition of DABCO also significantly improved the photostability of the sensitizer. The N-alkylated derivative of DABCO and DABCO covalently grafted to the polystyrene backbone are prepared in an attempt to overcome the volatility and water solubility of the quencher. These derivatives as well as other tertiary amines investigated were found to be inefficient as stabilizing agents, and some of them even negatively affected the oxygen consumption rates.

Redox and pH Dual-Responsive Polymeric Micelles with Aggregation-Induced Emission Feature for Cellular Imaging and Chemotherapy.

PubMed

Zhuang, Weihua; Xu, Yangyang; Li, Gaocan; Hu, Jun; Ma, Boxuan; Yu, Tao; Su, Xin; Wang, Yunbing

2018-05-21

Intelligent polymeric micelles for antitumor drug delivery and tumor bioimaging have drawn a broad attention because of their reduced systemic toxicity, enhanced efficacy of drugs, and potential application of tumor diagnosis. Herein, we developed a multifunctional polymeric micelle system based on a pH and redox dual-responsive mPEG-P(TPE- co-AEMA) copolymer for stimuli-triggered drug release and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active imaging. These mPEG-P(TPE- co-AEMA)-based micelles showed excellent biocompatibility and emission property, exhibiting great potential application for cellular imaging. Furthermore, the antitumor drug doxorubicin (DOX) could be encapsulated during self-assembly process with high loading efficiency, and a DOX-loaded micelle system with a size of 68.2 nm and narrow size distribution could be obtained. DOX-loaded micelles demonstrated great tumor suppression ability in vitro, and the dual-responsive triggered intracellular drug release could be further traced. Moreover, DOX-loaded micelles could efficiently accumulate at the tumor site because of enhanced permeability and retention effect and long circulation of micelles. Compared with free DOX, DOX-loaded micelles exhibited better antitumor effect and significantly reduced adverse effects. Given the efficient accumulation targeting to tumor tissue, dual-responsive drug release, and excellent AIE property, this polymeric micelle would be a potential candidate for cancer therapy and diagnosis.

Changes in hemostasis caused by different replacement fluids and outcome in therapeutic plasma exchange in pediatric patients in a retrospective single center study.

PubMed

Witt, Volker; Pichler, Herbert; Beiglboeck, Elisabeth; Kursten, Friedrich; Weidner, Lisa

2017-02-01

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a generally accepted and frequently performed procedure for numerous therapeutic indications in adults. Slowly, TPE is also becoming more and more popular in the treatment of pediatric patients. Although, we know that TPE is safe in pediatric patients, the outcome of children treated with TPE is rarely reported. Furthermore, there are only general recommendations regarding the plasma replacement fluid for children and these are adopted from adults. Data concerning outcome and the influence of different types of replacement fluids on hemostasis in children are scarce. We retrospectively evaluated 324 TPE treatments performed in 35 patients between 2008 and 2013 in our level 4 institution for pediatric hematology and oncology. The plasmapheresis procedures were categorized into three groups based on the replacement fluid used. The first group received solvent/detergent-treated (S/D) plasma (70.0% of patients), the second group was administered 5% human albumin (7.7% of patients) and the third group was treated with a combination of human albumin 5% and S/D plasma (22.3% of patients). To assess hemostasis, data on INR, aPTT, fibrinogen and ATIII were collected before and after plasmapheresis from the patients' charts. A modified Multi Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS) Index was used to classify organ failure. Patient outcome, survival rate and adverse events were evaluated. We found a significant increase in the INR by 35.83% and of the aPTT by 18.53% within the human albumin group. The INR and aPTT of patients allocated to the S/D plasma group decreased by 1.58% and 15.77% on average, respectively. The combination group revealed a mild increase of the INR (9.47%), accompanied by a reduction of aPTT (5.97%). Furthermore we found that the survival rate was significantly associated with a MODS Index of <2 (p<0.001). Overall, the number of adverse events was low (1.2%) and none of these were considered life-threatening. Hemostasis could be preserved in a clinically acceptable range for a variety of underlying diseases with SD plasma alone or in combination with human albumin. Based on our results we would recommend practitioners to closely pre-estimate the hemostatic situation before using human albumin alone in critically ill pediatric patients with a limited ability to produce coagulation factors. The outcome of the patients in our collective exprience is correlated to the extent of organ dysfunction. Therefore further controlled studies are highly recommended. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhanced surface friction coefficient and hydrophobicity of TPE substrates using an APPJ system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sainz-García, Elisa; Alba-Elías, Fernando; Múgica-Vidal, Rodolfo; González-Marcos, Ana

2015-02-01

An APPJ system was used to deposit a coating that combines a low friction coefficient with a high water contact angle (WCA) on a thermoplastic elastomer substrate (TPE) that is used in automotive profiling. The main drawback of this research is that groups that improve the hydrophobicity of the surface worsen its tribological properties. To overcome this, this study explored the use of various mixtures of differing proportions of two precursors. They were a siloxane, aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) that was used to reduce the friction coefficient by its content of SiOx and a fluorinated compound, (heptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)trimethoxysilane (FLUSI) that was used to improve the water-repellency characteristics, due to the presence of CF2 long chains. The coatings were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic Water Contact Angle (WCA), stability tests and tribological tests. It was found that an increase of the absorbance area under the SiOSi peak and inorganic groups is related to lower friction coefficients. On the other hand, the higher the CF2 percentage is, the higher the WCA is. The sample that was coated with 25% of FLUSI and 75% of APTES combined the improvements of both functional properties, the friction coefficient and the WCA. It has an average friction coefficient that is (0.530 ± 0.050) 51.5% lower and a WCA that is (θadv = 119.8° ± 4.75) 4.4% higher than the uncoated TPE sample. A satisfactory stability in humid ambient for twelve months showed a slight decrease of WCA (4.4%) for this sample. The results of this study permit one to realize the effectiveness of using fluorinated precursors to avoid a significant decrease in the WCA when applying a precursor to anti-friction improvement.

Multilocus sequence typing analyses of Clostridium perfringens type A strains harboring tpeL and netB genes.

PubMed

Nakano, V; Ignacio, A; Llanco, L; Bueris, V; Sircili, M P; Avila-Campos, M J

2017-04-01

Clostridium perfringens is an anaerobic bacterium ubiquitous in various environments, especially in soil and the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans and animals. In this study, multilocus sequence typing protocol was used to investigate genotypic relationships among 40 C. perfringens strains isolated from humans and broiler chicken with necrotic enteritis [NE]. The results indicated a few clonal populations, mainly observed in human strains, with 32.5% of all strains associated with one of three clonal complexes and 30 sequences types. The CC-1 cluster showed an interesting and unexpected result because it contained seven strains [six from animals and one of human origin]. Detection assays for toxin genes tpeL and netB were also performed. The netB gene was only observed in 7.5% of the strains from healthy human. The toxin gene tpeL was detected in 22.5% of the C. perfringens strains isolated from three individuals and in six broilers with NE. Our study describes the role of some C. perfringens strains of human origin acting as reservoirs of virulence genes and sources of infection. In addition, the strains of human and animal origin were found to be genetically distinct but phylogenetically close, and the human strains showed more diversity than the animal strains. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ultrafast axial scanning for two-photon microscopy via a digital micromirror device and binary holography.

PubMed

Cheng, Jiyi; Gu, Chenglin; Zhang, Dapeng; Wang, Dien; Chen, Shih-Chi

2016-04-01

In this Letter, we present an ultrafast nonmechanical axial scanning method for two-photon excitation (TPE) microscopy based on binary holography using a digital micromirror device (DMD), achieving a scanning rate of 4.2 kHz, scanning range of ∼180  μm, and scanning resolution (minimum step size) of ∼270  nm. Axial scanning is achieved by projecting the femtosecond laser to a DMD programmed with binary holograms of spherical wavefronts of increasing/decreasing radii. To guide the scanner design, we have derived the parametric relationships between the DMD parameters (i.e., aperture and pixel size), and the axial scanning characteristics, including (1) maximum optical power, (2) minimum step size, and (3) scan range. To verify the results, the DMD scanner is integrated with a custom-built TPE microscope that operates at 60 frames per second. In the experiment, we scanned a pollen sample via both the DMD scanner and a precision z-stage. The results show the DMD scanner generates images of equal quality throughout the scanning range. The overall efficiency of the TPE system was measured to be ∼3%. With the high scanning rate, the DMD scanner may find important applications in random-access imaging or high-speed volumetric imaging that enables visualization of highly dynamic biological processes in 3D with submillisecond temporal resolution.

The effect of collisionality and diamagnetism on the plasma dynamo

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

Ji, H.; Yagi, Y.; Hattori, K.

1995-04-28

Fluctuation-induced dynamo forces are measured over a wide range of electron collisionality in the edge of TPE-1RM20 Reversed-Field Pinch (RFP). In the collisionless region the Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) dynamo alone can sustain the parallel current, while in the collisional region a new dynamo mechanism resulting from the fluctuations in the electron diamagnetic drift becomes dominant. A comprehensive picture of the RFP dynamo emerges by combining with earlier results from MST and REPUTE RFPs.

Improvement of Accuracy for Background Noise Estimation Method Based on TPE-AE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itai, Akitoshi; Yasukawa, Hiroshi

This paper proposes a method of a background noise estimation based on the tensor product expansion with a median and a Monte carlo simulation. We have shown that a tensor product expansion with absolute error method is effective to estimate a background noise, however, a background noise might not be estimated by using conventional method properly. In this paper, it is shown that the estimate accuracy can be improved by using proposed methods.

Outsmarted by nootropics? An investigation into the thermal degradation of modafinil, modafinic acid, adrafinil, CRL-40,940 and CRL-40,941 in the GC injector: formation of 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane and its tetra fluoro analog.

PubMed

Dowling, Geraldine; Kavanagh, Pierce V; Talbot, Brian; O'Brien, John; Hessman, Gary; McLaughlin, Gavin; Twamley, Brendan; Brandt, Simon D

2017-03-01

2-[(Diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide (modafinil) is commonly prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy. Increasing popularity and off-label use as a cognitive enhancer has resulted in a reputation as an intelligence boosting 'wonder drug'. Common alternatives available from online shops and other retail outlets include 2-[(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]-N-hydroxyacetamide (adrafinil), 2-{[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]sulfinyl}acetamide (CRL-40,940), 2-{[bis(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]sulfinyl}-N-hydroxyacetamide (CRL-40,941), and N-methyl-4,4-difluoro-modafinil (modafiendz), respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a common tool used in forensic and clinical analysis but there is a potential for inducing analysis-related ambiguities. This study reports on the thermal degradation of modafinil, modafinic acid, adrafinil, CRL-40,940, and CRL-40,941 due to exposure to the heated GC injection port dissolved in a variety of solvents. Key degradation products common to modafinil, modafinic acid, and adrafinil analysis included diphenylmethanol and 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane (TPE), the latter of which was verified by its synthesis and characterization by x-ray crystallography. The investigated compounds were also characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR. Diphenylmethane and thiobenzophenone were also identified in some instances. TPE formation was suggested to involve the generation of a benzhydrylium ion and its reaction with the sulfoxide oxygen of the parent compound to give an oxysulfonium intermediate. Correspondingly, the fluorinated TPE analogue was formed during heat-induced degradation of modafiendz, CRL-40,940 and CRL-40,941, respectively. When a mixture of modafinil (non-fluorinated) and modafiendz (fluorinated) were subjected to GC analysis, 4,4'-(2,2-diphenylethane-1,1-diyl)bis(fluorobenzene) was detected as a third cross reaction product in addition to the two expected TPE analogues. These observations served as a reminder that the seemingly straightforward implementation of GC-MS analysis can lead to challenges during routine analysis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Fluorescence Turn-on Enantioselective Recognition of both Chiral Acidic Compounds and α-Amino Acids by a Chiral Tetraphenylethylene Macrocycle Amine.

PubMed

Feng, Hai-Tao; Zhang, Xing; Zheng, Yan-Song

2015-08-21

New chiral tetraphenylethylene (TPE) macrocycles bearing optically pure amine groups were synthesized and found to have a discriminating ability between the two enantiomers of not only chiral acidic compounds but also α-amino acids by enantioselective aggregation and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effects. NMR spectra, including 2D-NOESY, disclosed that the host-guest interaction of the macrocycle receptor played a key role in addition to the acid-base interactions.

In Situ Monitoring of RAFT Polymerization by Tetraphenylethylene-Containing Agents with Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics.

PubMed

Liu, Shunjie; Cheng, Yanhua; Zhang, Haoke; Qiu, Zijie; Kwok, Ryan T K; Lam, Jacky W Y; Tang, Ben Zhong

2018-05-22

A facile and efficient approach is demonstrated to visualize the polymerization in situ. A group of tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-containing dithiocarbamates were synthesized and screened as agents for reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerizations. The spatial-temporal control characteristics of photochemistry enabled the RAFT polymerizations to be ON and OFF on demand under alternating visible light irradiation. The emission of TPE is sensitive to the local viscosity change owing to its aggregation-induced emission characteristic. Quantitative information could be easily acquired by the naked eye without destroying the reaction system. Furthermore, the versatility of such a technique was well demonstrated by 12 different polymerization systems. The present approach thus demonstrated a powerful platform for understanding the controlled living radical polymerization process. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Therapeutic apheresis in Asia: An Indonesia single center experience.

PubMed

Triyono, Teguh; Vrielink, Hans

2015-06-01

In developing countries, like Indonesia, apheresis is still a relative new procedure. Nowadays, therapeutic apheresis procedures are performed in the field of hematology and neurology, especially in the teaching hospitals in Indonesia. Therapeutic apheresis procedure, that is, leukocytapheresis, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), and thrombocytapheresis are already performed. In the period 2009-2013, 204 apheresis procedures in 137 patients to reduce the leukocytes, 72 TPE procedures in 17 patients, and 14 thrombocyte reductions were performed in the Sardjito hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In the future, to improve the therapeutic apheresis implementation, it is important to increase the insurance coverage and also should be considered to introduce the apheresis medicine into the curriculum of appropriate physician programs in Indonesia. Especially in Indonesia, a lot of efforts are still being needed to improve implementation of therapeutic apheresis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Benefits of Past and Current Regional Hydroclimate Projects to the Third Pole Environment (TPE) Water and Energy Exchanges Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benedict, Sam; van Oevelen, Peter

2014-05-01

To improve understanding of the various processes at work on spatial and temporal scales from regional to global the Regional Hydroclimate Projects (RHP's) are established as part of the Global Energy and Water Exchanges (GEWEX)Project to link the regional observations and process understanding to the global scale. This is done through exchange of observations, data, modeling, transferability studies etc. In this presentation the series of RHP's that were underway over North and South America, Europe and Asia continuously from the early 1990's up to the present will be examined, the reasons they were established, how they evolved and how they are evolving or are likely to evolve in the future, with an emphasis on where they can and should benefit similar work proposed for the TPE. The results will be presented in the context of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Grand Challenge related to the development of a water strategy that addresses the issue of past and future changes in Water, in general, and the GEWEX science question on global water resource systems, in particular. This material will address issues associated with how changes in land surface and hydrology influence past and future changes in water availability and security, how new observations lead to improvements in water management and how models become better in global and regional climate predictions and projections of precipitation and how these outcomes relate to the TPE Water and Energy Exchanges Studies.

Determination of adhesion between thermoplastic and liquid silicone rubbers in hard-soft-combinations via mechanical peeling test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kühr, C.; Spörrer, A.; Altstädt, V.

2014-05-01

The production of hard-soft-combinations via multi injection molding gained more and more importance in the last years. This is attributed to different factors. One principle reason is that the use of two-component injection molding technique has many advantages such as cancelling subsequent and complex steps and shortening the process chain. Furthermore this technique allows the combination of the properties of the single components like the high stiffness of the hard component and the elastic properties of the soft component. Because of the incompatibility of some polymers the adhesion on the interface has to be determined. Thereby adhesion is not only influenced by the applied polymers, but also by the injection molding parameters and the characteristics of the mold. Besides already known combinations of thermoplastics with thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), there consists the possibility to apply liquid silicone rubber (LSR) as soft component. A thermoplastic/LSR combination gains in importance due to the specific advantages of LSR to TPE. The faintly adhesion between LSR and thermoplastics is currently one of the key challenges when dealing with those combinations. So it is coercively necessary to improve adhesion between the two components by adding an adhesion promoter. To determine the promoters influence, it is necessary to develop a suitable testing method to investigate e.g. the peel resistance. The current German standard "VDI Richtlinie 2019', which is actually only employed for thermoplastic/TPE combinations, can serve as a model to determine the adhesion of thermoplastic/LSR combinations.

Foam injection molding of thermoplastic elastomers: Blowing agents, foaming process and characterization of structural foams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ries, S.; Spoerrer, A.; Altstaedt, V.

2014-05-01

Polymer foams play an important role caused by the steadily increasing demand to light weight design. In case of soft polymers, like thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), the haptic feeling of the surface is affected by the inner foam structure. Foam injection molding of TPEs leads to so called structural foam, consisting of two compact skin layers and a cellular core. The properties of soft structural foams like soft-touch, elastic and plastic behavior are affected by the resulting foam structure, e.g. thickness of the compact skins and the foam core or density. This inner structure can considerably be influenced by different processing parameters and the chosen blowing agent. This paper is focused on the selection and characterization of suitable blowing agents for foam injection molding of a TPE-blend. The aim was a high density reduction and a decent inner structure. Therefore DSC and TGA measurements were performed on different blowing agents to find out which one is appropriate for the used TPE. Moreover a new analyzing method for the description of processing characteristics by temperature dependent expansion measurements was developed. After choosing suitable blowing agents structural foams were molded with different types of blowing agents and combinations and with the breathing mold technology in order to get lower densities. The foam structure was analyzed to show the influence of the different blowing agents and combinations. Finally compression tests were performed to estimate the influence of the used blowing agent and the density reduction on the compression modulus.

Two approaches to the clinical dilemma of treating TTP with therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with a history of anaphylactic reactions to plasma.

PubMed

Sidhu, Davinder; Snyder, Edward L; Tormey, Christopher A

2017-06-01

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare but serious disease caused by autoantibody-mediated deficiency in von Willebrand factor (VWF) cleaving protease, ADAMTS-13. The primary acute treatment is therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). However, some patients can develop allergic/anaphylactic reactions to the replacement (i.e., donor) plasma over time. Two potential treatment strategies for patients with TTP who demonstrate severe allergic reactions to plasma used for exchange were examined. Two patients with TTP exacerbations who developed severe allergic reactions to donor plasma were identified. One patient's TPE was re-initiated with Octaplas, a lot-batched solvent and detergent treated, type-specific, pooled donor plasma product. The other patient was exchanged with primarily albumin, followed by slow incremental exposures to donor plasma to mitigate exposures and allergic risks. Both patients were assessed for anaphylaxis. Both treatment strategies were successful in preventing any further clinically significant allergic/anaphylactic reactions and facilitated both patients' TTP remissions. Based on our experience with two similar patients with TTP exacerbations and history of anaphylactic reactions to plasma during TPE, we have identified two possible treatment protocols to achieve remission in this clinical dilemma. Substituting Octaplas for standard plasma or, alternatively, using albumin with slowly increasing amounts of standard plasma may help to mitigate the risk of further anaphylactic adverse events. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:158-162, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effects of varying material properties on the load deformation characteristics of heel cushions.

PubMed

Sun, Pi-Chang; Wei, Hung-Wen; Chen, Chien-Hua; Wu, Chun-Hao; Kao, Hung-Chan; Cheng, Cheng-Kung

2008-07-01

Various insole materials were used in attenuation of heel-strike impact. This study presented a compression test to investigate the deformation characteristics of common heel cushions. There were two materials (thermoplastic elastomer "TPE" and silicone) with three hardness and six thickness being analyzed. They underwent consecutive loading-unloading cycles with a load control mode. The displacement of material thickness was recorded during cyclic compression being applied and released from 0 to 1050 N. The energy input, return and dissipation were evaluated based on the load deformation curves when new and after repeated compression. The TPE recovered more deformed energy and thickness than the silicone after the first loading cycle. The silicone would preserve more strain energy with increasing its hardness for the elastic recovery in the unloading process. The deformed energy was decreased as the original thickness did not completely recover under cyclic tests. The reduction in hysteresis area was gradually converged within 20 cycles. The silicone attenuated more impact energy in the initial cycles, but its energy dissipation was reduced after repeated loading. To increase hardness or thickness should be considered to improve resilience or accommodate persistent compression without flattening. The careful selection of cushion materials is imperative to meet individual functional demands.

Sensory dissociation in chronic low back pain: Two case reports.

PubMed

Adamczyk, Wacław M; Luedtke, Kerstin; Saulicz, Oskar; Saulicz, Edward

2018-08-01

Patients with chronic low back pain often report that they do not perceive their painful back accurately. Previous studies confirmed that sensory dissociation and/or discrepancy between perceived body image and actual size is one of the specific traits of patients with chronic pain. Current approaches for measuring sensory dissociation are limited to two-point-discrimination or rely on pain drawings not allowing for quantitative analysis. This case study reports the sensory dissociation of two cases with chronic low back pain using a recently published test (point-to-point-test (PTP)) and a newly developed test (two-point-estimation (TPE)). Both patients mislocalized tactile stimuli delivered to the painful location compared to non-painful locations (PTP test). In addition, both patients perceived their painful lumbar region differently from non-painful sites above and below and contralateral to the painful site. TPE data showed two distinct clinical patterns of sensory dissociation: one patient perceived the two-point distance in the painful area as expanded, while the other patient perceived it as shrunk. The latter pattern of sensory dissociation (i.e., pattern shrunk) is likely to respond to sensory training. Whether enlarged patterns of sensory dissociation are more resistant to treatment remains unknown but would explain the low effectiveness of previous studies using sensory training in chronic low back pain populations. Subgrouping patients according to their sensory discrimination pattern could contribute to the choice and effectiveness of the treatment approach.

Case study: Lockheed-Georgia Company integrated design process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waldrop, C. T.

1980-01-01

A case study of the development of an Integrated Design Process is presented. The approach taken in preparing for the development of an integrated design process includes some of the IPAD approaches such as developing a Design Process Model, cataloging Technical Program Elements (TPE's), and examining data characteristics and interfaces between contiguous TPE's. The implementation plan is based on an incremental development of capabilities over a period of time with each step directed toward, and consistent with, the final architecture of a total integrated system. Because of time schedules and different computer hardware, this system will not be the same as the final IPAD release; however, many IPAD concepts will no doubt prove applicable as the best approach. Full advantage will be taken of the IPAD development experience. A scenario that could be typical for many companies, even outside the aerospace industry, in developing an integrated design process for an IPAD-type environment is represented.

Cost/benefit analysis of advanced materials technology candidates for the 1980's, part 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dennis, R. E.; Maertins, H. F.

1980-01-01

Cost/benefit analyses to evaluate advanced material technologies projects considered for general aviation and turboprop commuter aircraft through estimated life-cycle costs, direct operating costs, and development costs are discussed. Specifically addressed is the selection of technologies to be evaluated; development of property goals; assessment of candidate technologies on typical engines and aircraft; sensitivity analysis of the changes in property goals on performance and economics, cost, and risk analysis for each technology; and ranking of each technology by relative value. The cost/benefit analysis was applied to a domestic, nonrevenue producing, business-type jet aircraft configured with two TFE731-3 turbofan engines, and to a domestic, nonrevenue producing, business type turboprop aircraft configured with two TPE331-10 turboprop engines. In addition, a cost/benefit analysis was applied to a commercial turboprop aircraft configured with a growth version of the TPE331-10.

First result of deuterium retention in neutron-irradiated tungsten exposed to high flux plasma in TPE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, Masashi; Hatano, Y.; Calderoni, P.; Oda, T.; Oya, Y.; Sokolov, M.; Zhang, K.; Cao, G.; Kolasinski, R.; Sharpe, J. P.

2011-08-01

With the Japan-US joint research project Tritium, Irradiations, and Thermofluids for America and Nippon (TITAN), an initial set of tungsten samples (99.99% purity, A.L.M.T. Co.) were irradiated by high flux neutrons at 323 K to 0.025 dpa in High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Subsequently, one of the neutron-irradiated tungsten samples was exposed to a high-flux deuterium plasma (ion flux: 5 × 1021 m-2 s-1, ion fluence: 4 × 1025 m-2) in the Tritium Plasma Experiment (TPE) at Idaho National Laboratory (INL). The deuterium retention in the neutron-irradiated tungsten was 40% higher in comparison to the unirradiated tungsten. The observed broad desorption spectrum from neutron-irradiated tungsten and associated TMAP modeling of the deuterium release suggest that trapping occurs in the bulk material at more than three different energy sites.

AIEgens for dark through-bond energy transfer: design, synthesis, theoretical study and application in ratiometric Hg2+ sensing.

PubMed

Chen, Yuncong; Zhang, Weijie; Cai, Yuanjing; Kwok, Ryan T K; Hu, Yubing; Lam, Jacky W Y; Gu, Xinggui; He, Zikai; Zhao, Zheng; Zheng, Xiaoyan; Chen, Bin; Gui, Chen; Tang, Ben Zhong

2017-03-01

A novel dark through-bond energy transfer (DTBET) strategy is proposed and applied as the design strategy to develop ratiometric Hg 2+ sensors with high performance. Tetraphenylethene ( TPE ) derivatives with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics are selected as dark donors to eliminate emission leakage from the donors. The TBET mechanism has been adopted since it experiences less influence from spectral overlapping than Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), making it more flexible for developing cassettes with large pseudo-Stokes shifts. In this work, energy transfer from the TPE derivatives (dark donor) to a rhodamine moiety (acceptor) was illustrated through photophysical spectroscopic studies and the energy transfer efficiency (ETE) was found to be up to 99%. In the solution state, no emission from the donors was observed and large pseudo-Stokes shifts were achieved (>280 nm), which are beneficial for biological imaging. Theoretical calculations were performed to gain a deeper mechanistic insight into the DTBET process and the structure-property relationship of the DTBET cassettes. Ratiometric Hg 2+ sensors were rationally constructed based on the DTBET mechanism by taking advantage of the intense emission of TPE aggregates. The Hg 2+ sensors exhibited well resolved emission peaks. >6000-fold ratiometric fluorescent enhancement is also achieved and the detection limit was found to be as low as 0.3 ppb. This newly proposed DTBET mechanism could be used to develop novel ratiometric sensors for various analytes and AIEgens with DTBET characteristics will have great potential in various areas including light harvesting materials, environmental science, chemical sensing, biological imaging and diagnostics.

Linear precoding based on polynomial expansion: reducing complexity in massive MIMO.

PubMed

Mueller, Axel; Kammoun, Abla; Björnson, Emil; Debbah, Mérouane

Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) techniques have the potential to bring tremendous improvements in spectral efficiency to future communication systems. Counterintuitively, the practical issues of having uncertain channel knowledge, high propagation losses, and implementing optimal non-linear precoding are solved more or less automatically by enlarging system dimensions. However, the computational precoding complexity grows with the system dimensions. For example, the close-to-optimal and relatively "antenna-efficient" regularized zero-forcing (RZF) precoding is very complicated to implement in practice, since it requires fast inversions of large matrices in every coherence period. Motivated by the high performance of RZF, we propose to replace the matrix inversion and multiplication by a truncated polynomial expansion (TPE), thereby obtaining the new TPE precoding scheme which is more suitable for real-time hardware implementation and significantly reduces the delay to the first transmitted symbol. The degree of the matrix polynomial can be adapted to the available hardware resources and enables smooth transition between simple maximum ratio transmission and more advanced RZF. By deriving new random matrix results, we obtain a deterministic expression for the asymptotic signal-to-interference-and-noise ratio (SINR) achieved by TPE precoding in massive MIMO systems. Furthermore, we provide a closed-form expression for the polynomial coefficients that maximizes this SINR. To maintain a fixed per-user rate loss as compared to RZF, the polynomial degree does not need to scale with the system, but it should be increased with the quality of the channel knowledge and the signal-to-noise ratio.

Rapid prototyping polymers for microfluidic devices and high pressure injections.

PubMed

Sollier, Elodie; Murray, Coleman; Maoddi, Pietro; Di Carlo, Dino

2011-11-21

Multiple methods of fabrication exist for microfluidic devices, with different advantages depending on the end goal of industrial mass production or rapid prototyping for the research laboratory. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has been the mainstay for rapid prototyping in the academic microfluidics community, because of its low cost, robustness and straightforward fabrication, which are particularly advantageous in the exploratory stages of research. However, despite its many advantages and its broad use in academic laboratories, its low elastic modulus becomes a significant issue for high pressure operation as it leads to a large alteration of channel geometry. Among other consequences, such deformation makes it difficult to accurately predict the flow rates in complex microfluidic networks, change flow speed quickly for applications in stop-flow lithography, or to have predictable inertial focusing positions for cytometry applications where an accurate alignment of the optical system is critical. Recently, other polymers have been identified as complementary to PDMS, with similar fabrication procedures being characteristic of rapid prototyping but with higher rigidity and better resistance to solvents; Thermoset Polyester (TPE), Polyurethane Methacrylate (PUMA) and Norland Adhesive 81 (NOA81). In this review, we assess these different polymer alternatives to PDMS for rapid prototyping, especially in view of high pressure injections with the specific example of inertial flow conditions. These materials are compared to PDMS, for which magnitudes of deformation and dynamic characteristics are also characterized. We provide a complete and systematic analysis of these materials with side-by-side experiments conducted in our lab that also evaluate other properties, such as biocompatibility, solvent compatibility, and ease of fabrication. We emphasize that these polymer alternatives, TPE, PUMA and NOA, have some considerable strengths for rapid prototyping when bond strength, predictable operation at high pressure, or transitioning to commercialization are considered important for the application.

ABA and ABC type thermoplastic elastomer toughening of epoxy matrices and its effect on carbon fiber reinforced composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pitchiaya, Gomatheeshwar

Epoxy-matrices have high modulus, strength, excellent creep resistance, but lacks ductility. One approach to improve the mechanical toughness is the addition of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs). The TPEs investigated here are triblock copolymers of styrene-butadiene-methyl methacrylate (SBM) and methylmethacrylate-butylacrylate-methylmethacrylate (MAM) of the ABC and ABA type, respectively. The effect of concentration (1-12.5 wt %) of these TPEs on a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) epoxy cured with metaphenylenediamine (mPDA), has been investigated. The TPE-DGEBA epoxies were characterized by TGA, DMA, SEM and impact. The flexural modulus, flexural strength and thermal resistance remained unaffected up to 5 wt% loading of TPEs, and exhibited less than 10% decrease at higher weight percent. T g was unaffected for all concentrations. Fracture toughness was improved 250% and up to 375% (when non- stoichiometric amount of curing agent was used) with TPE addition to epoxy/mPDA matrix. A SBM(1phr)EPON system was chosen to be the matrix of choice for a fiber reinforced composite system with a 4wt% aromatic epoxy sizing on a AS4 (UV-treated) carbon fiber. The 0° and 90° flexural modulus and strength of a SBM modified system was compared with the neat and their fracture surfaces were analyzed. A 89% increase in flexural strength was observed in a 90° flexural test for the modified system when compared with the neat. Novel sizing agents were also developed to enhance interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and the fiber-matrix adhesion and their birefringence pattern were analyzed.

Differences in the rate of oestrogen-induced apoptosis in breast cancer by oestradiol and the triphenylethylene bisphenol

PubMed Central

Obiorah, I E; Jordan, V C

2014-01-01

Background and Purpose Triphenylethylene (TPE)-like compounds were the first agents to be used in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Although structurally related to the anti-oestrogen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, TPEs possess oestrogenic properties in fully oestrogenized breast cancer cells but do not induce apoptosis with short-term treatment in long-term oestrogen-deprived breast cancer cells. This study determined the differential effects of bisphenol, a TPE, on growth and apoptosis based on the modulation of the shape of the ligand–oestrogen receptor complex. Experimental Approach Apoptotic flow cytometric studies were used to evaluate apoptosis over time. Proliferation of the breast cancer cells was assessed using DNA quantification and cell cycle analysis. Real-time PCR was performed to quantify mRNA levels of apoptotic genes. Regulation of cell cycle and apoptotic genes was determined using PCR-based arrays. Key Results Bisphenol induced an up-regulation of cell cycle genes similar to those induced by 17β oestradiol (E2). Unlike the changes induced by E2 that occur after 24 h, the apoptosis evoked by bisphenol occurred after 4 days, with quantifiable apoptotic changes noted at 6 days. A prolonged up-regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammatory stress response genes was observed with subsequent activation of apoptosis-related genes in the second week of treatment with bisphenol. Conclusions and Implications The bisphenol: ERα complex induces delayed biological effects on the growth and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. Both the shape of the complex and the duration of treatment control the initiation of apoptosis. PMID:24819221

Assessment for learning with Objectively Structured Practical Examination in Biochemistry

PubMed Central

Jaswal, Shivani; Chattwal, Jugesh; Kaur, Jasbinder; Gupta, Seema; Singh, Tejinder

2015-01-01

Context: Despite a radical shift in assessment methodologies over the last decade, the majority of medical colleges still follow the Traditional Practical Examination (TPE). TPE raises concerns about examiner variability, standardization, and uniformity of assessment. To address these issues and in line with the notion of assessments as motivating what and how students learn, Objectively Structured Practical Examination (OSPE) was introduced, as an assessment modality. Despite its usefulness, awareness and motivation to use the same, still needs to be probed. Aims: To implement OSPE in the assessment of practical skills in biochemistry, and to know student and faculty perspectives regarding OSPE. Settings and Design: OSPE was introduced at the stage of formative assessment of practical skills, for 94 year one MBBS students. Subjects and Methods: Students were divided into two groups; the first group was evaluated by the traditional method and the second by OSPE. Students were crossed over on a second examination. The mean score obtained by both the methods was compared statistically. Students and faculty perspectives regarding OSPE were obtained by a questionnaire. Student performance was compared using “Bland–Altman technique,” and Student's t-test. Results: The mean scores of students was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.0001) when assessed with OSPE as compared to TPE. Number of students achieving >70% marks was also significantly higher with OSPE. Validity was supported by a significant correlation coefficient of comparison of marks by the two methods. Feedback from students and faculty indicated that they endorsed OSPE. Conclusions: This evaluation demonstrated the need for a structured approach to assessment. Going in line with the notion that assessment drives learning, introducing OSPE would help tailoring teaching-learning to optimize student satisfaction and learning. PMID:26380217

Sudden cardiac death and pump failure death prediction in chronic heart failure by combining ECG and clinical markers in an integrated risk model

PubMed Central

Orini, Michele; Mincholé, Ana; Monasterio, Violeta; Cygankiewicz, Iwona; Bayés de Luna, Antonio; Martínez, Juan Pablo

2017-01-01

Background Sudden cardiac death (SCD) and pump failure death (PFD) are common endpoints in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, but prevention strategies are different. Currently used tools to specifically predict these endpoints are limited. We developed risk models to specifically assess SCD and PFD risk in CHF by combining ECG markers and clinical variables. Methods The relation of clinical and ECG markers with SCD and PFD risk was assessed in 597 patients enrolled in the MUSIC (MUerte Súbita en Insuficiencia Cardiaca) study. ECG indices included: turbulence slope (TS), reflecting autonomic dysfunction; T-wave alternans (TWA), reflecting ventricular repolarization instability; and T-peak-to-end restitution (ΔαTpe) and T-wave morphology restitution (TMR), both reflecting changes in dispersion of repolarization due to heart rate changes. Standard clinical indices were also included. Results The indices with the greatest SCD prognostic impact were gender, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, left ventricular ejection fraction, TWA, ΔαTpe and TMR. For PFD, the indices were diabetes, NYHA class, ΔαTpe and TS. Using a model with only clinical variables, the hazard ratios (HRs) for SCD and PFD for patients in the high-risk group (fifth quintile of risk score) with respect to patients in the low-risk group (first and second quintiles of risk score) were both greater than 4. HRs for SCD and PFD increased to 9 and 11 when using a model including only ECG markers, and to 14 and 13, when combining clinical and ECG markers. Conclusion The inclusion of ECG markers capturing complementary pro-arrhythmic and pump failure mechanisms into risk models based only on standard clinical variables substantially improves prediction of SCD and PFD in CHF patients. PMID:29020031

Therapeutic plasma exchange: a paired comparison of Fresenius AS104 vs. COBE Spectra.

PubMed

Burgstaler, E A; Pineda, A A

2001-01-01

For therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), continuous flow separators are known to be efficient as exemplified by Fresenius AS104 and COBE Spectra. The AS104 uses an interface monitoring system in the centrifuge during TPE, whereas Spectra uses computer algorithms to establish the plasma-cell interface. To determine the plasma collection efficiency (PLCE), anticoagulant (AC) volumes used, and platelets (PLT) lost of the AS104 and the Spectra, we performed a prospective paired comparison of 20 TPE (each machine). The study included 17 patients, 1.3 plasma volume exchanges (without AC), equal inlet rates, and AC ratio of 13:1. Processing times did not include reinfuse mode. Platelet loss was determined by sampling the collection bags. Inlet rates were between 60-110 ml/min. Diagnosis included peripheral neuropathies, TTP and cryoglobulinemia. The AS104 had significantly (P<0.0001) lower average whole blood processed (F:6,601 vs. S:8,584 ml), AC volume (F:532 vs. S:719 ml), and processing time (F:80 vs. S:102 minutes) than Spectra. The AS104 had significantly (P<0.0001) higher average plasma flow rates (F:53 vs. S:44 ml/minute), plasma collection efficiency (F:90 vs. S:69%), and platelet loss (F:2.0 vs. S:0.14 x 10(11) plt) than Spectra. Platelet loss correlated with inlet flow rate with the AS104 but not with the Spectra. The AS104 has a significantly higher collection efficiency than Spectra allowing it to remove the same amount of plasma in significantly less time, by processing significantly less blood, using significantly less AC, but removing significantly more platelets than Spectra. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Sudden cardiac death and pump failure death prediction in chronic heart failure by combining ECG and clinical markers in an integrated risk model.

PubMed

Ramírez, Julia; Orini, Michele; Mincholé, Ana; Monasterio, Violeta; Cygankiewicz, Iwona; Bayés de Luna, Antonio; Martínez, Juan Pablo; Laguna, Pablo; Pueyo, Esther

2017-01-01

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) and pump failure death (PFD) are common endpoints in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients, but prevention strategies are different. Currently used tools to specifically predict these endpoints are limited. We developed risk models to specifically assess SCD and PFD risk in CHF by combining ECG markers and clinical variables. The relation of clinical and ECG markers with SCD and PFD risk was assessed in 597 patients enrolled in the MUSIC (MUerte Súbita en Insuficiencia Cardiaca) study. ECG indices included: turbulence slope (TS), reflecting autonomic dysfunction; T-wave alternans (TWA), reflecting ventricular repolarization instability; and T-peak-to-end restitution (ΔαTpe) and T-wave morphology restitution (TMR), both reflecting changes in dispersion of repolarization due to heart rate changes. Standard clinical indices were also included. The indices with the greatest SCD prognostic impact were gender, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, left ventricular ejection fraction, TWA, ΔαTpe and TMR. For PFD, the indices were diabetes, NYHA class, ΔαTpe and TS. Using a model with only clinical variables, the hazard ratios (HRs) for SCD and PFD for patients in the high-risk group (fifth quintile of risk score) with respect to patients in the low-risk group (first and second quintiles of risk score) were both greater than 4. HRs for SCD and PFD increased to 9 and 11 when using a model including only ECG markers, and to 14 and 13, when combining clinical and ECG markers. The inclusion of ECG markers capturing complementary pro-arrhythmic and pump failure mechanisms into risk models based only on standard clinical variables substantially improves prediction of SCD and PFD in CHF patients.

Potassium channels and prostacyclin contribute to vasorelaxant activities of Tridax procumbens crude aqueous leaf extract in rat superior mesenteric arteries.

PubMed

Salahdeen, H M; Adebari, A O; Murtala, B A; Alada, A R A

2015-03-01

Previous studies have shown that aqueous extract of the leaf of Tridax procuinbens is capable of lowering blood pressure through its vasodilatory effects. In the present study attempt was made to examine the biological active components of T procuinbens leaf using GC-MS methods. We further investigated the role of K+ channels in the vasorelaxation effects of Tridax procumbens using rat isolated mesenteric artery. The superior mesenteric artery isolated from healthy, young adult Wistar rats (250-300 g) were precontracted with phenylephrine (PE) (10(-7) M) and potassium chloride (KCl) (60 mM) and were treated with Various concentrations of aqueous extract ofT procumbens (0.9.0 mg/ml). The changes in arterial tension were recorded using a force-displacement transducer (Model 7004; Ugo Basil Varese, Italy) coupled to data capsule acquisition system. The results of GG-MS revealed the presence of linoleic acid. The T. procumbens extract (TPE) ranging from 0.5-9.0 mg/mI significantly (p<0.05) reduced the, contraction induced by (PE) and (KCl) in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract also antagonised the calcium-induced vasoconstriction (1(-9) - 10(-5)) in calcium-free with high concentration of potassium as well as. in calcium- and potassium free physiological solutions. The vasorelaxing effect caused by TPE was significantly (p<0.05) attenuated with preincubation of potassium channels blockers (Barium chloride and apamin), NO synthaseinhibitor (L-NAME), prostacyclin inhibitor (indomethacin), atropine; propranolol, and methylene blue while it was not affected by preincubation with glibenclamide and tetra ethyl ammonium, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and oxadiazolo quinoxalin (ODQ). The results of this study demonstrate that T procumbens extract causes vasodilatory effects by blocking calcium channels and the vasodilatory effect of the extract may also be due to stimulation of prostacyclin production and opening of small-conductance Ga2+ activated potassium channels. The observed effect of this extract may be probably due to the presence of linoleic acid in this extract.

Hydrophobic Characteristics of Composite Insulators in Simulated Inland Arid Desert Environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khan, Yasin; Al-Arainy, Abdulrehman Ali; Malik, Nazar Hussain; Qureshi, Muhammad Iqbal

2010-06-01

Presently along with traditional insulators i.e. glass and porcelain, etc., the polymeric insulators are also used world widely. These polymeric insulators are very sensitive to various environmental parameters e.g. UV radiations, heat, etc. The UV radiation level in the central region of Saudi Arabia is high as compared to the recommended IEC-61109 standard for the accelerated aging of the composite insulators. In this study, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) insulators were subjected to accelerated aging stress as per IEC standard as well as modified IEC standard simulating the inland arid desert's atmospheric conditions. The hydrophobic characteristics were studied by measuring the contact angle along the insulator surface before and after the accelerated aging of the samples. It was found that TPE loses its hydrophobic properties more as compared to EPDM insulator. This loss was proportional to the intensity of UV irradiation. The rate of recovery is also low for both the tested materials as compared to Silicone Rubber insulators.

Postpartum plasma exchange in a woman with suspected thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) vs. hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet syndrome (HELLP): a case study.

PubMed

Myers, Linda

2010-01-01

The occurrence of a hypercoagulable state and decreasing concentration of ADAMTS 13 in late pregnancy and during the postpartum period increases the risk for a woman to develop life-threatening thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). This is also the time of great risk for the more common obstetric complications of preeclampsia; eclampsia; and hemolysis, elevated liver functions tests, low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. These conditions are associated with high maternal and perinatal mortality. Differential diagnosis may be difficult due to the overlapping of clinical and laboratory findings, including thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neurologic symptoms, and renal insufficiency, making it difficult or impossible to distinguish them from TTP. Management of microangiopathic disorders encountered during pregnancy differ; therefore, an accurate diagnosis is required. Outcomes of TTP without plasma exchange therapy (TPE) are almost uniformly fatal. Early recognition and management of symptoms with prompt and aggressive TPE is essential when TTP is suspected.

Fluorogens with Aggregation Induced Emission: Ideal Photoacoustic Contrast Reagents Due to Intramolecular Rotation.

PubMed

Geng, Junlong; Liao, Lun-De; Qin, Wei; Tang, Ben Zhong; Thakor, Nitish; Liu, Bin

2015-02-01

Exogenous contrast agents with high sensitivity are highly desirable for photoacoustic (PA) imaging. In this work, we show that fluorogens with aggregation induced emission (AIE) characteristics are born with strong PA signals. In addition, we find that the PA signal of conventional fluorophores could be significantly enhanced through conjugation with tetraphenylethene (TPE), an iconic AIE fluorogen. Taking 2,3-bis[4-(diphenylamino)phenyl]fumaronitrile (TPAFN) as an example, conjugation between TPAFN and TPE affords 2,3-bis(4-(phenyl(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)amino)phenyl) fumaroni-trile (TPETPAFN), a molecule with significant AIE characteristics, which shows 170% higher PA signals as compared to that of TPAFN. The higher PA signal of TPETPAFN is mainly ascribed to the enhanced molecular rotation, which is beneficial to its thermal expansion upon light absorption. Moreover, the significantly reduced PA signals for TPETPAFN in solvents with high viscosity or as nanoparticles further highlight the contribution of molecular rotation on PA signals.

HYDROPHOBIC CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPOSITE INSULATORS IN SIMULATED INLAND ARID DESERT ENVIRONMENT

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

Khan, Yasin; Al-Arainy, Abdulrehman Ali; Malik, Nazar Hussain

2010-06-15

Presently along with traditional insulators i.e. glass and porcelain, etc., the polymeric insulators are also used world widely. These polymeric insulators are very sensitive to various environmental parameters e.g. UV radiations, heat, etc. The UV radiation level in the central region of Saudi Arabia is high as compared to the recommended IEC-61109 standard for the accelerated aging of the composite insulators. In this study, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) insulators were subjected to accelerated aging stress as per IEC standard as well as modified IEC standard simulating the inland arid desert's atmospheric conditions. The hydrophobic characteristicsmore » were studied by measuring the contact angle along the insulator surface before and after the accelerated aging of the samples. It was found that TPE loses its hydrophobic properties more as compared to EPDM insulator. This loss was proportional to the intensity of UV irradiation. The rate of recovery is also low for both the tested materials as compared to Silicone Rubber insulators.« less

Development of Co-Extrusion Technologies for Green Manufacture of Energetics

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-04-01

extrusion, Cc-extruded, ETPE, TPE, Energetic thermoplastic elastomer , PDMS, Polydimethyl siloxane, Fast core propellant, Co-layered, Wall slip, Shear...first opportunity possible, the steady FEM models of SIT will need to be converted into time dependent models to allow time dependent calculations to be

Effect of intravenous zoledronic acid infusion on electrocardiographic parameters in patients with osteoporosis.

PubMed

Aktas, I; Nazikoglu, C; Kepez, A; Ozkan, F U; Kaysin, M Y; Akpinar, P; Dogan, Z; Ileri, C; Saymaz, S; Erdogan, O

2016-12-01

We evaluated the effects of zoledronic acid (ZA) therapy on electrocardiographic (ECG) parameters for the first time in the literature. Measurements were performed on ECGs obtained before and after ZA infusion on the same day as well as 1 month after the infusion. ZA infusion did not have any short- or long-term effect on any parameter that might be associated with the tendency for atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the early and late effects of ZA therapy on ECG parameters which might be associated with the tendency for atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Consecutive patients with osteoporosis who were admitted to our clinic between December 2013 and December 2014 and who were scheduled to receive ZA infusion constituted our study population. Twelve-lead surface ECGs were obtained from all patients before and after ZA infusion on the same day as well as 1 month after the infusion. All ECG parameters were measured and compared with each other for each patient. Data of 100 patients were used in the analysis (9 male; 70.5 ± 11.6 years of age). There were no significant differences between repeated measurements regarding pmax, pmin, and p dispersion values. QT max and QT min values were significantly increased after infusion; however, there were no significant changes in QT dispersion, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e dispersion values. ZA infusion did not affect P wave dispersion both at the immediate post-infusion period and 1 month after infusion. QT values were significantly increased early after ZA infusion; however, there were no significant differences in parameters reflecting disparity of ventricular recovery times and transmural dispersion of ventricular repolarization. Based on these observations, it may be suggested that ZA infusion did not have any short- or long-term effect on any parameter that might be associated with the tendency for atrial fibrillation or ventricular arrhythmias.

Guidance on the prevention and mitigation of environmental, health and safety impacts of electromagnetic fields and radiation for electric transit systems

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-01-02

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Planning and Environment (TPE) tasked the Volpe Center to develop guidance for transit planners, in order to address persisting public health and safety concerns with prolonged EMF environmental expo...

[The TPE nurse improving the patient's quality of life].

PubMed

Mira, Thierry

The impact of interventions by therapeutic education nurses on compliance and the quality of life of patients with chronic diseases has been proven. These different perspectives of caregivers and patients highlight the specific case of the treatment of HIV. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Non-Leaching, Benign, Fouling Control, Multilayer Polymer Coatings for Marine Applications: PP-1274 Findings

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-09-01

transition temperature TBT tributyltin THF tetrahydrofuran TPE thermoplastic elastomer 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The goal of this research is to...compounds that are environmentally persistant cause damage to the ecosystem, and enter the food chain. The ban on tributyltin ( TBT ) antifoulants by the

Prices, Costs, and Affordability of New Medicines for Hepatitis C in 30 Countries: An Economic Analysis.

PubMed

Iyengar, Swathi; Tay-Teo, Kiu; Vogler, Sabine; Beyer, Peter; Wiktor, Stefan; de Joncheere, Kees; Hill, Suzanne

2016-05-01

New hepatitis C virus (HCV) medicines have markedly improved treatment efficacy and regimen tolerability. However, their high prices have limited access, prompting wide debate about fair and affordable prices. This study systematically compared the price and affordability of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir across 30 countries to assess affordability to health systems and patients. Published 2015 ex-factory prices for a 12-wk course of treatment were provided by the Pharma Price Information (PPI) service of the Austrian public health institute Gesundheit Österreich GmbH or were obtained from national government or drug reimbursement authorities and recent press releases, where necessary. Prices in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries and select low- and middle-income countries were converted to US dollars using period average exchange rates and were adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). We analysed prices compared to national economic performance and estimated market size and the cost of these drugs in terms of countries' annual total pharmaceutical expenditure (TPE) and in terms of the duration of time an individual would need to work to pay for treatment out of pocket. Patient affordability was calculated using 2014 OECD average annual wages, supplemented with International Labour Organization median wage data where necessary. All data were compiled between 17 July 2015 and 25 January 2016. For the base case analysis, we assumed a 23% rebate/discount on the published price in all countries, except for countries with special pricing arrangements or generic licensing agreements. The median nominal ex-factory price of a 12-wk course of sofosbuvir across 26 OECD countries was US$42,017, ranging from US$37,729 in Japan to US$64,680 in the US. Central and Eastern European countries had higher PPP-adjusted prices than other countries: prices of sofosbuvir in Poland and Turkey (PPP$101,063 and PPP$70,331) and of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in Poland (PPP$118,754) were at least 1.09 and 1.63 times higher, respectively than in the US (PPP$64,680 and PPP$72,765). Based on PPP-adjusted TPE and without the cost of ribavirin and other treatment costs, treating the entire HCV viraemic population with these regimens at the PPP-adjusted prices with a 23% price reduction would amount to at least one-tenth of current TPE across the countries included in this study, ranging from 10.5% of TPE in the Netherlands to 190.5% of TPE in Poland. In 12 countries, the price of a course of sofosbuvir without other costs was equivalent to 1 y or more of the average annual wage of individuals, ranging from 0.21 y in Egypt to 5.28 y in Turkey. This analysis relies on the accuracy of price information and infection prevalence estimates. It does not include the costs of diagnostic testing, supplementary treatments, treatment for patients with reinfection or cirrhosis, or associated health service costs. Current prices of these medicines are variable and unaffordable globally. These prices threaten the sustainability of health systems in many countries and prevent large-scale provision of treatment. Stakeholders should implement a fairer pricing framework to deliver lower prices that take account of affordability. Without lower prices, countries are unlikely to be able to increase investment to minimise the burden of hepatitis C.

Prices, Costs, and Affordability of New Medicines for Hepatitis C in 30 Countries: An Economic Analysis

PubMed Central

Tay-Teo, Kiu; Vogler, Sabine; Beyer, Peter; Wiktor, Stefan; de Joncheere, Kees; Hill, Suzanne

2016-01-01

Introduction New hepatitis C virus (HCV) medicines have markedly improved treatment efficacy and regimen tolerability. However, their high prices have limited access, prompting wide debate about fair and affordable prices. This study systematically compared the price and affordability of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir across 30 countries to assess affordability to health systems and patients. Methods and Findings Published 2015 ex-factory prices for a 12-wk course of treatment were provided by the Pharma Price Information (PPI) service of the Austrian public health institute Gesundheit Österreich GmbH or were obtained from national government or drug reimbursement authorities and recent press releases, where necessary. Prices in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries and select low- and middle-income countries were converted to US dollars using period average exchange rates and were adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP). We analysed prices compared to national economic performance and estimated market size and the cost of these drugs in terms of countries’ annual total pharmaceutical expenditure (TPE) and in terms of the duration of time an individual would need to work to pay for treatment out of pocket. Patient affordability was calculated using 2014 OECD average annual wages, supplemented with International Labour Organization median wage data where necessary. All data were compiled between 17 July 2015 and 25 January 2016. For the base case analysis, we assumed a 23% rebate/discount on the published price in all countries, except for countries with special pricing arrangements or generic licensing agreements. The median nominal ex-factory price of a 12-wk course of sofosbuvir across 26 OECD countries was US$42,017, ranging from US$37,729 in Japan to US$64,680 in the US. Central and Eastern European countries had higher PPP-adjusted prices than other countries: prices of sofosbuvir in Poland and Turkey (PPP$101,063 and PPP$70,331) and of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in Poland (PPP$118,754) were at least 1.09 and 1.63 times higher, respectively than in the US (PPP$64,680 and PPP$72,765). Based on PPP-adjusted TPE and without the cost of ribavirin and other treatment costs, treating the entire HCV viraemic population with these regimens at the PPP-adjusted prices with a 23% price reduction would amount to at least one-tenth of current TPE across the countries included in this study, ranging from 10.5% of TPE in the Netherlands to 190.5% of TPE in Poland. In 12 countries, the price of a course of sofosbuvir without other costs was equivalent to 1 y or more of the average annual wage of individuals, ranging from 0.21 y in Egypt to 5.28 y in Turkey. This analysis relies on the accuracy of price information and infection prevalence estimates. It does not include the costs of diagnostic testing, supplementary treatments, treatment for patients with reinfection or cirrhosis, or associated health service costs. Conclusions Current prices of these medicines are variable and unaffordable globally. These prices threaten the sustainability of health systems in many countries and prevent large-scale provision of treatment. Stakeholders should implement a fairer pricing framework to deliver lower prices that take account of affordability. Without lower prices, countries are unlikely to be able to increase investment to minimise the burden of hepatitis C. PMID:27243629

Experimental and Computational Investigations of the Threshold Photoelectron Spectrum of the HCCN Radical

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gans, B.; Falvo, Cyril; Coudert, L. H.; Garcia, Gustavo A.; Küger, J.; Loison, J.-C.

2017-06-01

The HCCN radical, already detected in the interstellar medium, is also important for nitrile chemistry in Titan's atmosphere. Quite recently the photoionization spectrum of the radical has been recorded using mass selected threshold photoelectron (TPE) spectroscopy and this provided us with the first spectroscopic information about the HCCN} cation. Modeling such a spectrum requires accounting for the non-rigidity of HCCN and for the Renner-Teller effect in HCCN+. In its ^3A'' electronic ground state, HCCN is a non-rigid molecule as the potential for the \\angle{HCC} bending angle is very shallow. Vibronic couplings with the same bending angle leads, in the ^2Π electronic ground state of HCCN+, to a strong Renner-Teller effect giving rise to a bent ^2A' and a quasi-linear ^2A'' state. In this paper the photoionization spectrum of the HCCN radical is simulated. The model developped treats the \\angle{HCC} bending angle as a large amplitude coordinate in both the radical and the cation and accounts for the overall rotation and the Renner-Teller couplings. Gaussian quadrature are used to calculate matrix elements of the three potential energy functions retrieved through ab initio calculations and rovibrational operators going to infinity for the linear configuration are treated rigorously. The HCCN TPE spectrum is computed with the above model calculating all rotational components and choosing the appropriate lineshape. This synthetic spectrum will be shown in the paper and compared with the experimental one.^b Guélin and Cernicharo, A&A 244 (1991) L21 Loison et al., Icarus 247 (2015) 218 Garcia, Krüger, Gans, Falvo, Coudert, and Loison, J. Chem. Phys. (2017) submitted Koput, J. Phys. Chem. A 106 (2002) 6183 Zhao, Zhang, and Sun, J. Phys. Chem. A 112 (2008) 12125

Thermoplastic vulcanizate nanocomposites based on polypropylene/ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (PP/EPDM) prepared by reactive extrusion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirzadeh, Amin

For this work, different grades of polypropylene-g-maleic anhydride polymers were chosen to elucidate the effect of compatibilizer on the nanoclay dispersion level in thermoplastic phase. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns along with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs confirmed that prepared PP nanocomposites ranged from intercalated structure to a coexistence of intercalated tactoids and exfoliated layers namely “partially exfoliated” nanocomposite. Among various factors affecting the compatibilizer performance, it is shown that only the relaxation behaviour of compatibilizer correlates directly with the nanocomposites characterization results; higher relaxation times of the compatibilizer are associated with better dispersion of nanoclay. To study the co-continuity development of the nonreactive blends, EPDM and the mentioned PP nanocomposites at various compositions were melt blended using an internal mixer. Based on continuity measurements of TPEs and TPE nanocomposites for both thermoplastic and rubber phase, it is shown that the presence of nanoclay decreases the co-continuity composition range and alters its symmetrical feature. However, this effect is more pronounced in the intercalated nanocomposites than in partially exfoliated nanocomposites. It seems that better nanoclay dispersion limits the reduction of the thermoplastic phase continuity in a manner that the continuity index of the thermoplastic phase for partially exfoliated TPE nanocomposite prepared at high EPDM content (i.e. at 70 wt%) is greater than that of corresponding TPE without nanoclay. According to these results, it is possible to shift to higher EPDM content using partially exfoliated system before formation of matrix-dispersed particle structure which limits thermoplastic vulcanizate production. This should be mentioned that gamma irradiation was carried out in order to fix the EPDM morphology to estimate the continuity of PP using the solvent extraction and gravimetry technique. Additionally, the effect of continuity on rheological behaviour of TPE nanocomposites was investigated. The ultimate goal in this field is to maximize the rubber like behaviour by controlling the blend morphology and the level of crosslinking. Therefore, this study also covers the effects of nanoclay presence and its dispersion level on the crosslinking reaction of thermoplastic vulcanizate nanocomposites prepared by reactive extrusion. Here, the rubber phase was dynamically vulcanized using dimethylol phenolic resin or octylphenol-formaldehyde resin along with stannous chloride dihydrate as the catalyst. In the present study, the dynamic vulcanization of the prepared TPVs and corresponding nanocomposites are characterized using different criteria, such as gel content, viscosity and normalized storage modulus in the time sweep tests, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signal line width, bound curative content and residual diene concentration. The combination of the above parameters appears to be sufficient to provide a clear description of the systems. The last part of the present study is devoted to find how the dispersion level of nanoclay and consequently the extent of crosslinking change the rubber like behaviour and the morphology of the prepared TPVs. Therefore, recently developed method named temperature scanning stress relaxation (TSSR) was used to estimate the rubber indices of TPVs and TPV nanocomposites. The mentioned method also successfully provided information about the extent of crosslinking reaction. It is shown that the rubber like behaviour of the blends containing 50wt% and 60wt% of EPDM in which morphological studies suggest the presence of the rubber droplets in vicinity of irregular shape rubber particles with a low level of interconnectivity, correlates with the rubber droplet size. Therefore, the nanoclay presence affects the rubber index values mainly through its effect on the size of the rubber droplets that controls the number of retraction points in the proposed buckling mechanism during the TSSR test. It should be mentioned that by increasing the EPDM content, the number of the droplet like domains decreases and more irregular shape rubber particles is formed. On the other hand, the direct relation between rubber index values and the crosslink density is observed only for those series of TPVs showing the fully developed extensive network between irregular shape rubber domains (blends containing 70wt% of EPDM). Hence, the nanoclay dispersion level influences the rubber like behaviour through its effect on the crosslink density. (Abstract shortened by UMI.).

Real Progress in Maryland: Student Learning Objectives and Teacher and Principal Evaluation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Slotnik, William J.; Bugler, Daniel; Liang, Guodong

2014-01-01

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is making significant strides in guiding and supporting the implementation of Student Learning Objectives (SLOs) as well as a teacher and principal evaluation (TPE) system statewide. MSDE support focuses on helping districts prepare for full SLO implementation by providing technical assistance with…

Adapting a compact confocal microscope system to a two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging architecture.

PubMed

Diaspro, A; Corosu, M; Ramoino, P; Robello, M

1999-11-01

Within the framework of a national National Institute of Physics of Matter (INFM) project, we have realised a two-photon excitation (TPE) fluorescence microscope based on a new generation commercial confocal scanning head. The core of the architecture is a mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser (Tsunami 3960, Spectra Physics Inc., Mountain View, CA) pumped by a high-power (5 W, 532 nm) laser (Millennia V, Spectra Physics Inc.) and an ultracompact confocal scanning head, Nikon PCM2000 (Nikon Instruments, Florence, Italy) using a single-pinhole design. Three-dimensional point-spread function has been measured to define spatial resolution performances. The TPE microscope has been used with a wide range of excitable fluorescent molecules (DAPI, Fura-2, Indo-1, DiOC(6)(3), fluoresceine, Texas red) covering a single photon spectral range from UV to green. An example is reported on 3D imaging of the helical structure of the sperm head of the Octopus Eledone cirrhosa labelled with an UV excitable dye, i.e., DAPI. The system can be easily switched for operating both in conventional and two-photon mode. Copyright 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Fabrication of Propeller-Shaped Supra-amphiphile for Construction of Enzyme-Responsive Fluorescent Vesicles.

PubMed

Li, Jie; Liu, Kaerdun; Han, Yuchun; Tang, Ben Zhong; Huang, Jianbin; Yan, Yun

2016-10-04

Propeller-shaped molecules have been recognized to display fantastic AIE (aggregation induced emission), but they can hardly self-assemble into nanostructures. Herein, we for the first time report that ionic complexation between a water-soluble tetrapheneyl derivative and an enzyme substrate in aqueous media produces a propeller-shaped supra-amphiphile that self-assembles into enzyme responsive fluorescent vesicles. The supra-amphiphile was fabricated upon complexation between a water-soluble propeller-shaped AIE luminogen TPE-BPA and myristoylcholine chloride (MChCl) in aqueous media. MChCl filled in the intramolecular voids of propeller-shaped TPE-BPA upon supra-amphiphile formation, which endows the supra-amphiphile superior self-assembling ability to the component molecules thus leading to the formation of fluorescent vesicles. Because MChCl is the substrate of cholinesterases, the vesicles dissemble in the presence of cholinesterases, and the fluorescent intensity can be correlated to the level of enzymes. The resulting fluorescent vesicles may be used to recognize the site of Alzheimer's disease, to encapsulate the enzyme inhibitor, and to release the inhibitor at the disease site.

Redox-responsive nanoparticles with Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) characteristic for fluorescence imaging.

PubMed

Cheng, Weiren; Wang, Guan; Pan, Xiaoyong; Zhang, Yong; Tang, Ben Zhong; Liu, Ye

2014-08-01

The redox environment between intracellular compartments and extracellular matrix is significantly different, and the cellular redox homeostasis determines many physiological functions. Here, redox-responsive nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristic for fluorescence imaging are developed by encapsulation of fluorophore with redox "turn-on" AIE characteristic, TPE-MI, into the micelles of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)- and cholesterol (CE)-conjugated disulfide containing poly(amido amine)s. The redox-responsive fluorescence profiles of the nanoparticles are investigated after reaction with glutathione (GSH). The encapsulation of TPE-MI in micelles leads to a higher efficiency and red shift in emission, and the fluorescence intensity of the nanoparticles increases with the concentration of GSH. Confocal microscopy imaging shows that the nanoparticles can provide obvious contrast between the intracellular compartments and the extracellular matrix in MCF-7 and HepG2 cells. So the nanoparticles with PEG shells and low cytotoxicity are promising to provide fluorescence bioimaging with a high contrast and for differentiation of cellular redox environment. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Towards a Resolution of the Proton Form Factor Problem: New Electron and Positron Scattering Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adikaram, D.; Rimal, D.; Weinstein, L. B.; Raue, B.; Khetarpal, P.; Bennett, R. P.; Arrington, J.; Brooks, W. K.; Adhikari, K. P.; Afanasev, A. V.; Amaryan, M. J.; Anderson, M. D.; Anefalos Pereira, S.; Avakian, H.; Ball, J.; Battaglieri, M.; Bedlinskiy, I.; Biselli, A. S.; Bono, J.; Boiarinov, S.; Briscoe, W. J.; Burkert, V. D.; Carman, D. S.; Careccia, S.; Celentano, A.; Chandavar, S.; Charles, G.; Colaneri, L.; Cole, P. L.; Contalbrigo, M.; Crede, V.; D'Angelo, A.; Dashyan, N.; De Vita, R.; De Sanctis, E.; Deur, A.; Djalali, C.; Dodge, G. E.; Dupre, R.; Egiyan, H.; El Alaoui, A.; El Fassi, L.; Elouadrhiri, L.; Eugenio, P.; Fedotov, G.; Fegan, S.; Filippi, A.; Fleming, J. A.; Fradi, A.; Garillon, B.; Gilfoyle, G. P.; Giovanetti, K. L.; Girod, F. X.; Goetz, J. T.; Gohn, W.; Golovatch, E.; Gothe, R. W.; Griffioen, K. A.; Guegan, B.; Guidal, M.; Guo, L.; Hafidi, K.; Hakobyan, H.; Hanretty, C.; Harrison, N.; Hattawy, M.; Hicks, K.; Holtrop, M.; Hughes, S. M.; Hyde, C. E.; Ilieva, Y.; Ireland, D. G.; Ishkhanov, B. S.; Jenkins, D.; Jiang, H.; Jo, H. S.; Joo, K.; Joosten, S.; Kalantarians, N.; Keller, D.; Khandaker, M.; Kim, A.; Kim, W.; Klein, A.; Klein, F. J.; Koirala, S.; Kubarovsky, V.; Kuhn, S. E.; Livingston, K.; Lu, H. Y.; MacGregor, I. J. D.; Markov, N.; Mattione, P.; Mayer, M.; McKinnon, B.; Mestayer, M. D.; Meyer, C. A.; Mirazita, M.; Mokeev, V.; Montgomery, R. A.; Moody, C. I.; Moutarde, H.; Movsisyan, A.; Camacho, C. Munoz; Nadel-Turonski, P.; Niccolai, S.; Niculescu, G.; Osipenko, M.; Ostrovidov, A. I.; Park, K.; Pasyuk, E.; Peña, C.; Pisano, S.; Pogorelko, O.; Price, J. W.; Procureur, S.; Prok, Y.; Protopopescu, D.; Puckett, A. J. R.; Ripani, M.; Rizzo, A.; Rosner, G.; Rossi, P.; Roy, P.; Sabatié, F.; Salgado, C.; Schott, D.; Schumacher, R. A.; Seder, E.; Sharabian, Y. G.; Simonyan, A.; Skorodumina, I.; Smith, E. S.; Smith, G. D.; Sober, D. I.; Sokhan, D.; Sparveris, N.; Stepanyan, S.; Stoler, P.; Strauch, S.; Sytnik, V.; Taiuti, M.; Tian, Ye; Trivedi, A.; Ungaro, M.; Voskanyan, H.; Voutier, E.; Walford, N. K.; Watts, D. P.; Wei, X.; Wood, M. H.; Zachariou, N.; Zana, L.; Zhang, J.; Zhao, Z. W.; Zonta, I.; CLAS Collaboration

2015-02-01

There is a significant discrepancy between the values of the proton electric form factor, GEp, extracted using unpolarized and polarized electron scattering. Calculations predict that small two-photon exchange (TPE) contributions can significantly affect the extraction of GEp from the unpolarized electron-proton cross sections. We determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections using a simultaneous, tertiary electron-positron beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target and detecting the scattered particles in the Jefferson Lab CLAS detector. This novel technique allowed us to cover a wide range in virtual photon polarization (ɛ ) and momentum transfer (Q2) simultaneously, as well as to cancel luminosity-related systematic errors. The cross section ratio increases with decreasing ɛ at Q2=1.45 GeV2 . This measurement is consistent with the size of the form factor discrepancy at Q2≈1.75 GeV2 and with hadronic calculations including nucleon and Δ intermediate states, which have been shown to resolve the discrepancy up to 2 - 3 GeV2 .

Plasma Surface Modification of Polymer Backsheets: Origins of Future Interfacial Barrier/Backsheet Failure (Poster)

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

Pankow, J. W.; Glick, S. H.

2006-05-01

Flexible polymer substrates coated with inorganic oxide moisture barriers are a potential replacement for glass backsheets in thin-film PV (photovoltaic) modules. Silicon oxynitride (SiO{sub x}N{sub y}) deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) represents one potential new backsheet candidate. Barrier deposition runs at NREL have included a nitrogen-rich plasma pretreatment prior to barrier deposition with the intention of cleaning the PET surface and enhancing adhesion of the SiO{sub x}N{sub y} barrier film to PET; however, test coupons of PET/barrier/EVA/TPE failed after damp-heat exposure. (EVA is ethylene vinyl acetate and TPE is Tedlar{reg_sign}-PET-EVA). PET substrates exposedmore » to plasma conditions similar to those used in pretreatment were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to reveal that new low molecular weight PET fragments were created at the PET surface. These fragments are responsible for barrier/PET interfacial failure and barrier transfer to the EVA encapsulant side following damp heat exposure.« less

[Cross-border evaluation of needs for training in therapeutic education of the patient for the management in type 2 diabetes and obesity: Survey by method of nominal group with healthcare professionals].

PubMed

Pétré, Benoît; Ketterer, Frédéric; Vanmeerbeek, Marc; Scheen, André; Lair, Marie-Lise; Ziegler, Olivier; Böhme, Philip; Guillaume, Michèle

2016-10-01

The design of continuous training programs in therapeutic patient education (ETP) should be inspired by needs shown by the professionals concerned in terms of mobilization or acquisition of skills in this domain. The objective of this study is to analyze needs expressed by healthcare professionals (HP) involved in patients' management presenting a type 2 diabetes (T2D) and/or obesity and to compare them with the existing recommendations. One hundred and five PS (general practitioners, dietitians and nurses) of 3 frontier regions of French-speaking European countries (France, Belgium and Grand duchy of Luxembourg) were questioned in 12 monodisciplinary groups according to the technique of the nominal group. Needs expressed by the participants were classified in the categories of the reference table of skills to dispense TPE (National Institute for Health Prevention and Education [INPES], 2013). Among needs expressed by HP, 52 % of the votes targeted relational skills, 10 % of the skills relative to the biomedical techniques, 20 % of the skills relative to the educational techniques and 11 %, those of organization and the coordination. Seven percent of the proposals were out of the categories of the INPES. Results do not allow to establish profiles of skills according to the studied region or profession. The recognition of the TPE by the French legislation does not seem to influence in a major way the data. The needs expressed by PS in the context of this study are focused on the relation HP/patient that is the heart of the TPE. It would however be necessary to raise awareness among HP in the acquisition of the other skills which concern in particular the animation of group, the interprofessional coordination, the consideration of the environment or more generally the procedures. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Utility of T-wave amplitude as a non-invasive risk marker of sudden cardiac death in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Sugrue, Alan; Killu, Ammar M; DeSimone, Christopher V; Chahal, Anwar A; Vogt, Josh C; Kremen, Vaclav; Hai, JoJo; Hodge, David O; Acker, Nancy G; Geske, Jeffrey B; Ackerman, Michael J; Ommen, Steve R; Lin, Grace; Noseworthy, Peter A; Brady, Peter A

2017-01-01

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the most devastating outcome in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We evaluated repolarisation features on the surface electrocardiogram (ECG) to identify the potential risk factors for SCA. Data was collected from 52 patients with HCM who underwent implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation. Leads V2 and V5 from the ECG closest to the time of ICD implant were utilised for measuring the Tpeak-Tend interval (Tpe), QTc, Tpe/QTc, T-wave duration and T-wave amplitude. The presence of the five traditional SCA-associated risk factors was assessed, as well as the HCM risk-SCD score. 16 (30%) patients experienced aborted cardiac arrest over 8.5±4.1 years, with 9 receiving an ICD shock and 7 receiving ATP. On univariate analysis, T-wave amplitude was associated with appropriate ICD therapy (HR per 0.1 mV 0.79, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.96, p=0.02). Aborted SCA was not associated with a greater mean QTc duration, Tpeak-Tend interval, T-wave duration, or Tpe/QT ratio. Multivariate analysis (adjusting for cardinal HCM SCA-risk factors) showed T-wave amplitude in Lead V2 was an independent predictor of risk (adjusted HR per 0.1 mV 0.74, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.97, p=0.03). Addition of T-wave amplitude in Lead V2 to the traditional risk factors resulted in significant improvement in risk stratification (C-statistic from 0.65 to 0.75) but did not improve the performance of the HCM SCD-risk score. T-wave amplitude is a novel marker of SCA in this high risk HCM population and may provide incremental predictive value to established risk factors. Further work is needed to define the role of repolarisation abnormalities in predicting SCA in HCM.

A Comparison of Multiscale Permutation Entropy Measures in On-Line Depth of Anesthesia Monitoring

PubMed Central

Li, Xiaoli; Li, Duan; Li, Yongwang; Ursino, Mauro

2016-01-01

Objective Multiscale permutation entropy (MSPE) is becoming an interesting tool to explore neurophysiological mechanisms in recent years. In this study, six MSPE measures were proposed for on-line depth of anesthesia (DoA) monitoring to quantify the anesthetic effect on the real-time EEG recordings. The performance of these measures in describing the transient characters of simulated neural populations and clinical anesthesia EEG were evaluated and compared. Methods Six MSPE algorithms—derived from Shannon permutation entropy (SPE), Renyi permutation entropy (RPE) and Tsallis permutation entropy (TPE) combined with the decomposition procedures of coarse-graining (CG) method and moving average (MA) analysis—were studied. A thalamo-cortical neural mass model (TCNMM) was used to generate noise-free EEG under anesthesia to quantitatively assess the robustness of each MSPE measure against noise. Then, the clinical anesthesia EEG recordings from 20 patients were analyzed with these measures. To validate their effectiveness, the ability of six measures were compared in terms of tracking the dynamical changes in EEG data and the performance in state discrimination. The Pearson correlation coefficient (R) was used to assess the relationship among MSPE measures. Results CG-based MSPEs failed in on-line DoA monitoring at multiscale analysis. In on-line EEG analysis, the MA-based MSPE measures at 5 decomposed scales could track the transient changes of EEG recordings and statistically distinguish the awake state, unconsciousness and recovery of consciousness (RoC) state significantly. Compared to single-scale SPE and RPE, MSPEs had better anti-noise ability and MA-RPE at scale 5 performed best in this aspect. MA-TPE outperformed other measures with faster tracking speed of the loss of unconsciousness. Conclusions MA-based multiscale permutation entropies have the potential for on-line anesthesia EEG analysis with its simple computation and sensitivity to drug effect changes. CG-based multiscale permutation entropies may fail to describe the characteristics of EEG at high decomposition scales. PMID:27723803

A Comparison of Multiscale Permutation Entropy Measures in On-Line Depth of Anesthesia Monitoring.

PubMed

Su, Cui; Liang, Zhenhu; Li, Xiaoli; Li, Duan; Li, Yongwang; Ursino, Mauro

2016-01-01

Multiscale permutation entropy (MSPE) is becoming an interesting tool to explore neurophysiological mechanisms in recent years. In this study, six MSPE measures were proposed for on-line depth of anesthesia (DoA) monitoring to quantify the anesthetic effect on the real-time EEG recordings. The performance of these measures in describing the transient characters of simulated neural populations and clinical anesthesia EEG were evaluated and compared. Six MSPE algorithms-derived from Shannon permutation entropy (SPE), Renyi permutation entropy (RPE) and Tsallis permutation entropy (TPE) combined with the decomposition procedures of coarse-graining (CG) method and moving average (MA) analysis-were studied. A thalamo-cortical neural mass model (TCNMM) was used to generate noise-free EEG under anesthesia to quantitatively assess the robustness of each MSPE measure against noise. Then, the clinical anesthesia EEG recordings from 20 patients were analyzed with these measures. To validate their effectiveness, the ability of six measures were compared in terms of tracking the dynamical changes in EEG data and the performance in state discrimination. The Pearson correlation coefficient (R) was used to assess the relationship among MSPE measures. CG-based MSPEs failed in on-line DoA monitoring at multiscale analysis. In on-line EEG analysis, the MA-based MSPE measures at 5 decomposed scales could track the transient changes of EEG recordings and statistically distinguish the awake state, unconsciousness and recovery of consciousness (RoC) state significantly. Compared to single-scale SPE and RPE, MSPEs had better anti-noise ability and MA-RPE at scale 5 performed best in this aspect. MA-TPE outperformed other measures with faster tracking speed of the loss of unconsciousness. MA-based multiscale permutation entropies have the potential for on-line anesthesia EEG analysis with its simple computation and sensitivity to drug effect changes. CG-based multiscale permutation entropies may fail to describe the characteristics of EEG at high decomposition scales.

Detailed technical plan for Test Program Element-III (TPE-III) of the first wall/blanket shield engineering test program

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

Turner, L.R.; Praeg, W.F.

1982-03-01

The experimental requirements, test-bed design, and computational requirements are reviewed and updated. Next, in Sections 3, 4 and 5, the experimental plan, instrumentation, and computer plan, respectively, are described. Finally, Section 6 treats other considerations, such as personnel, outside participation, and distribution of results.

76 FR 62605 - Airworthiness Directives; Viking Air Limited Model DHC-3 (Otter) Airplanes With Supplemental Type...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-11

...- 10 or -12JR turboprop engine installed per STC SA09866SC (Texas Turbines Conversions, Inc.). The...) airplanes equipped with a Honeywell TPE331-10 or -12JR turboprop engine installed per STC SA09866SC (Texas... the installation of a turboprop engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss of airplane...

Impact of structure and functionality of core polyol in highly functional biobased epoxy resins.

PubMed

Pan, Xiao; Webster, Dean C

2011-09-01

Highly functional biobased epoxy resins were prepared using dipentaerythritol (DPE), tripentaerythritol (TPE), and sucrose as core polyols that were substituted with epoxidized soybean oil fatty acids, and the impact of structure and functionality of the core polyol on the properties of the macromolecular resins and their epoxy-anhydride thermosets was explored. The chemical structures, functional groups, molecular weights, and compositions of epoxies were characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). The epoxies were also studied for their bulk viscosity, intrinsic viscosity, and density. Crosslinked with dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA), epoxy-anhydride thermosets were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), tensile tests, and tests of coating properties. Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was used as a control. Overall, the sucrose-based thermosets exhibited the highest moduli, having the most rigid and ductile performance while maintaining the highest biobased content. DPE/TPE-based thermosets showed modestly better thermosetting performance than the control ESO thermoset. Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Improved confinement region without large magnetohydrodynamic activity in TPE-RX reversed-field pinch plasma

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

Yambe, Kiyoyuki; Hirano, Yoichi; Sakakita, Hajime

2014-11-15

We found that spontaneous improved confinement was brought about depending on the operating region in the Toroidal Pinch Experiment-Reversed eXperiment (TPE-RX) reversed-field pinch plasma [Y. Yagi et al., Fusion Eng. Des. 45, 421 (1999)]. Gradual decay of the toroidal magnetic field at plasma surface B{sub tw} reversal makes it possible to realize a prolonged discharge, and the poloidal beta value and energy confinement time increase in the latter half of the discharge, where reversal and pinch parameters become shallow and low, respectively. In the latter half of the discharge, the plasma current and volume-averaged toroidal magnetic field 〈B{sub t}〉 increasemore » again, the electron density slowly decays, the electron temperature and soft X-ray radiation intensity increase, and the magnetic fluctuations are markedly reduced. In this period of improved confinement, the value of (〈B{sub t}〉-B{sub tw})/B{sub pw}, where B{sub pw} is the poloidal magnetic field at the plasma surface, stays almost constant, which indicates that the dynamo action occurs without large magnetohydrodynamic activities.« less

Versatile Polymer Nanoparticles as Two-Photon-Triggered Photosensitizers for Simultaneous Cellular, Deep-Tissue Imaging, and Photodynamic Therapy.

PubMed

Guo, Liang; Ge, Jiechao; Liu, Qian; Jia, Qingyan; Zhang, Hongyan; Liu, Weimin; Niu, Guangle; Liu, Sha; Gong, Jianru; Hackbarth, Steffen; Wang, Pengfei

2017-06-01

Clinical applications of current photodynamic therapy (PDT) photosensitizers (PSs) are often limited by their absorption in the UV-vis range that possesses limited tissue penetration ability, leading to ineffective therapeutic response for deep-seated tumors. Alternatively, two-photon excited PS (TPE-PS) using NIR light triggered is one the most promising candidates for PDT improvement. Herein, multimodal polymer nanoparticles (PNPs) from polythiophene derivative as two-photon fluorescence imaging as well as two-photon-excited PDT agent are developed. The prepared PNPs exhibit excellent water dispersibility, high photostability and pH stability, strong fluorescence brightness, and low dark toxicity. More importantly, the PNPs also possess other outstanding features including: (1) the high 1 O 2 quantum yield; (2) the strong two-photon-induced fluorescence and efficient 1 O 2 generation; (3) the specific accumulation in lysosomes of HeLa cells; and (4) the imaging detection depth up to 2100 µm in the mock tissue under two-photon. The multifunctional PNPs are promising candidates as TPE-PDT agent for simultaneous cellular, deep-tissue imaging, and highly efficient in vivo PDT of cancer. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Towards a Resolution of the Proton Form Factor Problem: New Electron and Positron Scattering Data

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

Adikaram, D.; Rimal, D.; Weinstein, L. B.

There is a significant discrepancy between the values of the proton electric form factor, GpE, extracted using unpolarized and polarized electron scattering. Calculations predict that small two-photon exchange (TPE) contributions can significantly affect the extraction of GpE from the unpolarized electron-proton cross sections. We determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections using a simultaneous, tertiary electron-positron beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target and detecting the scattered particles in the Jefferson Lab CLAS detector. This novel technique allowed us to cover a wide range in virtual photon polarization (epsilon) and momentummore » transfer (Q2) simultaneously, as well as to cancel luminosity-related systematic errors. The cross section ratio increases with decreasing ε at Q2=1.45 GeV2. This measurement is consistent with the size of the form factor discrepancy at Q2≈1.75 GeV2 and with hadronic calculations including nucleon and Delta intermediate states, which have been shown to resolve the discrepancy up to 2-3 GeV2.« less

Towards a Resolution of the Proton Form Factor Problem: New Electron and Positron Scattering Data

DOE PAGES

Adikaram, D.; Rimal, D.; Weinstein, L. B.; ...

2015-02-10

There is a significant discrepancy between the values of the proton electric form factor, GpE, extracted using unpolarized and polarized electron scattering. Calculations predict that small two-photon exchange (TPE) contributions can significantly affect the extraction of GpE from the unpolarized electron-proton cross sections. We determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections using a simultaneous, tertiary electron-positron beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target and detecting the scattered particles in the Jefferson Lab CLAS detector. This novel technique allowed us to cover a wide range in virtual photon polarization (epsilon) and momentummore » transfer (Q2) simultaneously, as well as to cancel luminosity-related systematic errors. The cross section ratio increases with decreasing ε at Q2=1.45 GeV2. This measurement is consistent with the size of the form factor discrepancy at Q2≈1.75 GeV2 and with hadronic calculations including nucleon and Delta intermediate states, which have been shown to resolve the discrepancy up to 2-3 GeV2.« less

Towards a resolution of the proton form factor problem: new electron and positron scattering data.

PubMed

Adikaram, D; Rimal, D; Weinstein, L B; Raue, B; Khetarpal, P; Bennett, R P; Arrington, J; Brooks, W K; Adhikari, K P; Afanasev, A V; Amaryan, M J; Anderson, M D; Anefalos Pereira, S; Avakian, H; Ball, J; Battaglieri, M; Bedlinskiy, I; Biselli, A S; Bono, J; Boiarinov, S; Briscoe, W J; Burkert, V D; Carman, D S; Careccia, S; Celentano, A; Chandavar, S; Charles, G; Colaneri, L; Cole, P L; Contalbrigo, M; Crede, V; D'Angelo, A; Dashyan, N; De Vita, R; De Sanctis, E; Deur, A; Djalali, C; Dodge, G E; Dupre, R; Egiyan, H; El Alaoui, A; El Fassi, L; Elouadrhiri, L; Eugenio, P; Fedotov, G; Fegan, S; Filippi, A; Fleming, J A; Fradi, A; Garillon, B; Gilfoyle, G P; Giovanetti, K L; Girod, F X; Goetz, J T; Gohn, W; Golovatch, E; Gothe, R W; Griffioen, K A; Guegan, B; Guidal, M; Guo, L; Hafidi, K; Hakobyan, H; Hanretty, C; Harrison, N; Hattawy, M; Hicks, K; Holtrop, M; Hughes, S M; Hyde, C E; Ilieva, Y; Ireland, D G; Ishkhanov, B S; Jenkins, D; Jiang, H; Jo, H S; Joo, K; Joosten, S; Kalantarians, N; Keller, D; Khandaker, M; Kim, A; Kim, W; Klein, A; Klein, F J; Koirala, S; Kubarovsky, V; Kuhn, S E; Livingston, K; Lu, H Y; MacGregor, I J D; Markov, N; Mattione, P; Mayer, M; McKinnon, B; Mestayer, M D; Meyer, C A; Mirazita, M; Mokeev, V; Montgomery, R A; Moody, C I; Moutarde, H; Movsisyan, A; Camacho, C Munoz; Nadel-Turonski, P; Niccolai, S; Niculescu, G; Osipenko, M; Ostrovidov, A I; Park, K; Pasyuk, E; Peña, C; Pisano, S; Pogorelko, O; Price, J W; Procureur, S; Prok, Y; Protopopescu, D; Puckett, A J R; Ripani, M; Rizzo, A; Rosner, G; Rossi, P; Roy, P; Sabatié, F; Salgado, C; Schott, D; Schumacher, R A; Seder, E; Sharabian, Y G; Simonyan, A; Skorodumina, I; Smith, E S; Smith, G D; Sober, D I; Sokhan, D; Sparveris, N; Stepanyan, S; Stoler, P; Strauch, S; Sytnik, V; Taiuti, M; Tian, Ye; Trivedi, A; Ungaro, M; Voskanyan, H; Voutier, E; Walford, N K; Watts, D P; Wei, X; Wood, M H; Zachariou, N; Zana, L; Zhang, J; Zhao, Z W; Zonta, I

2015-02-13

There is a significant discrepancy between the values of the proton electric form factor, G(E)(p), extracted using unpolarized and polarized electron scattering. Calculations predict that small two-photon exchange (TPE) contributions can significantly affect the extraction of G(E)(p) from the unpolarized electron-proton cross sections. We determined the TPE contribution by measuring the ratio of positron-proton to electron-proton elastic scattering cross sections using a simultaneous, tertiary electron-positron beam incident on a liquid hydrogen target and detecting the scattered particles in the Jefferson Lab CLAS detector. This novel technique allowed us to cover a wide range in virtual photon polarization (ϵ) and momentum transfer (Q(2)) simultaneously, as well as to cancel luminosity-related systematic errors. The cross section ratio increases with decreasing ϵ at Q(2)=1.45  GeV(2). This measurement is consistent with the size of the form factor discrepancy at Q(2)≈1.75  GeV(2) and with hadronic calculations including nucleon and Δ intermediate states, which have been shown to resolve the discrepancy up to 2-3  GeV(2).

Effect of ADAMTS13 activity turnaround time on plasma utilization for suspected thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

PubMed

Connell, Nathan T; Cheves, Tracey; Sweeney, Joseph D

2016-02-01

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) due to deficiency of the von Willebrand-cleaving protease ADAMTS13 is a hematologic emergency that requires prompt initiation of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Long turnaround times (TATs) have precluded the use of pre-TPE measurement of ADAMTS13 activity for the initial diagnosis in most institutions. An in-house rapid TAT (r-TAT) assay for ADAMTS13 activity was implemented after 18 months of validation. In a quasi-experimental design using interrupted time series analysis, patterns of plasma utilization in patients with suspected TTP were assessed after implementation of this assay for ADAMTS13 activity and compared to utilization patterns for patients who received plasma exchange before r-TAT assay implementation designated the standard TAT period. In the 18 months after implementation of the r-TAT ADAMTS13 assay, there was a significant reduction in plasma utilization per patient suspected of having TTP (mean, 144.5 units vs. 63.3 units of plasma per patients suspected of having TTP; p = 0.002). The mean number of exchanges per patient and mean number of exchanges after achieving a platelet count of at least 150 × 10(9) /L were lower in the r-TAT cohort (p < 0.001 for both). There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality. Implementation of a rapid turnaround assay for ADAMTS13 resulted in a significant reduction in plasma utilization for patients with suspected TTP, without an increase in mortality. This study demonstrates that these data, provided in a timely fashion, can avoid unnecessary plasma exchange in patients who do not have TTP. © 2015 AABB.

Landfill Liners and Covers: Properties and Application to Army Landfills.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-06-01

polymers, TPE can be seamed by heat techniques. Materials such as thermoplastic EPDM and nitrile rubber /PVC blends are still being tested to determine their...such as polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), butyl rubber , ethylene propylene diene monomer ( EPDM ), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), and others...chlorosulfonated polyethy- lene (CSPE), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), butyl rubber , ethylene propylene S rubber ( EPDM ), neoprene, high-density polyethylene

Quadrature-Quadrature Phase Shift Keying.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-09-01

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF -IS PAfr All other editions are obsolete ’r- Ac P..N -N- %.. .. V . .. b . h S Debabrata Saha 1986 All Rights Reserved...1.2/T T~,pe of AISA Q -PSK AMSK 0 Y(IitIo ?6 orthogonal Four -level F, J." 𔃻 1i 1/ 2 H13.4 a H P6 E 44 3.5 Modulator Demodulator and Synchronization

Label-free imaging of Drosophila in vivo by coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering and two-photon excitation autofluorescence microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chien, Cheng-Hao; Chen, Wei-Wen; Wu, June-Tai; Chang, Ta-Chau

2011-01-01

Drosophila is one of the most valuable model organisms for studying genetics and developmental biology. The fat body in Drosophila, which is analogous to the liver and adipose tissue in human, stores lipids that act as an energy source during its development. At the early stages of metamorphosis, the fat body remodeling occurs involving the dissociation of the fat body into individual fat cells. Here we introduce a combination of coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) and two-photon excitation autofluorescence (TPE-F) microscopy to achieve label-free imaging of Drosophila in vivo at larval and pupal stages. The strong CARS signal from lipids allows direct imaging of the larval fat body and pupal fat cells. In addition, the use of TPE-F microscopy allows the observation of other internal organs in the larva and autofluorescent globules in fat cells. During the dissociation of the fat body, the findings of the degradation of lipid droplets and an increase in autofluorescent globules indicate the consumption of lipids and the recruitment of proteins in fat cells. Through in vivo imaging and direct monitoring, CARS microscopy may help elucidate how metamorphosis is regulated and study the lipid metabolism in Drosophila.

Antimicrobial Amino-Functionalized Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Eliminating Multidrug-Resistant Species in Dual-Modality Photodynamic Therapy and Bioimaging under Two-Photon Excitation.

PubMed

Kuo, Wen-Shuo; Shao, Yu-Ting; Huang, Keng-Shiang; Chou, Ting-Mao; Yang, Chih-Hui

2018-05-02

Developing a nanomaterial, for use in highly efficient dual-modality two-photon photodynamic therapy (PDT) involving reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and for use as a two-photon imaging contrast probe, is currently desirable. Here, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) doped with nitrogen and functionalized with an amino group (amino-N-GQDs) serving as a photosensitizer in PDT had the superior ability to generate ROS as compared to unmodified GQDs. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) species were completely eliminated at an ultralow energy (239.36 nJ pixel -1 ) through only 12 s two-photon excitation (TPE) in the near-infrared region (800 nm). Furthermore, the amino-N-GQDs had an absorption wavelength of approximately 800 nm, quantum yield of 0.33, strong luminescence, an absolute cross section of approximately 54 356 Göeppert-Mayer units, a lifetime of 1.09 ns, a ratio of the radiative to nonradiative decay rates of approximately 0.49, and high two-photon stability under TPE. These favorable properties enabled the amino-N-GQDs to act as a two-photon contrast probe for tracking and localizing analytes through in-depth two-photon imaging in a three-dimensional biological environment and concurrently easily eliminating MDR species through PDT.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after prophylactic cefuroxime axetil administered in relation to a liposuction procedure.

PubMed

Eskazan, Ahmet Emre; Salihoglu, Ayse; Gulturk, Emine; Ongoren, Seniz; Soysal, Teoman

2012-04-01

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or Moschcowitz's syndrome is characterized by platelet and von Willebrand factor (vWF) deposition in arterioles and capillaries throughout the body, which results in organ ischemia. The diagnostic pentad characterizing TTP consists of thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), fever, neurologic manifestations, and renal insufficiency. In terms of type, TTP can be either idiopathic or secondary. The causes of secondary TTP include pregnancy, infections, pancreatitis, collagen vascular disease, cancer, bone marrow transplantation, and drugs (including cephalosporins). Postoperative TTP has been reported after vascular surgery, renal and liver transplantations, and orthopedic, urologic, and abdominal surgical procedures. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) therapy has reduced the mortality rates, but sometimes patients may have to receive immunosuppressive drugs including vincristine (VCR). This report describes a 42-year-old woman with TTP after prophylactic usage of cefuroxime axetil in relation to a liposuction procedure who was treated successfully with plasma exchange and VCR. The patient fully recovered after 17 TPEs and three doses of VCR. At this writing, her TTP still is in remission after 6 months of follow-up evaluation. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report in the literature describing a patient with TTP after cefuroxime axetil administered in relation to a surgical procedure who was treated successfully with TPE and VCR.

Clean, agile alternative binders, additives and plasticizers for propellant and explosive formulations

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

Hoffman, D.M.; Hawkins, T.W.; Lindsay, G.A.

1994-12-01

As part of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) a clean, agile manufacturing of explosives, propellants and pyrotechniques (CANPEP) effort set about to identify new approaches to materials and processes for producing propellants, explosives and pyrotechniques (PEP). The RDX based explosive PBXN-109 and gun propellant M-43 were identified as candidates for which waste minimization and recycling modifications might be implemented in a short time frame. The binders, additives and plasticizers subgroup identified cast non-curable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) formulations as possible replacement candidates for these formulations. Paste extrudable explosives were also suggested as viable alternatives to PBXN-109. Commercial inertmore » and energetic TPEs are reviewed. Biodegradable and hydrolyzable binders are discussed. The applicability of various types of explosive formulations are reviewed and some issues associated with implementation of recyclable formulations are identified. It is clear that some processing and weaponization modifications will need to be made if any of these approaches are to be implemented. The major advantages of formulations suggested here over PBXN-109 and M-43 is their reuse/recyclability. Formulations using TPE or Paste could by recovered from a generic bomb or propellant and reused if they met specification or easily reprocessed and sold to the mining industry.« less

Hermes Transposon Distribution and Structure in Musca domestica

PubMed Central

Subramanian, Ramanand A.; Cathcart, Laura A.; Krafsur, Elliot S.; Atkinson, Peter W.

2009-01-01

Hermes are hAT transposons from Musca domestica that are very closely related to the hobo transposons from Drosophila melanogaster and are useful as gene vectors in a wide variety of organisms including insects, planaria, and yeast. hobo elements show distinct length variations in a rapidly evolving region of the transposase-coding region as a result of expansions and contractions of a simple repeat sequence encoding 3 amino acids threonine, proline, and glutamic acid (TPE). These variations in length may influence the function of the protein and the movement of hobo transposons in natural populations. Here, we determine the distribution of Hermes in populations of M. domestica as well as whether Hermes transposase has undergone similar sequence expansions and contractions during its evolution in this species. Hermes transposons were found in all M. domestica individuals sampled from 14 populations collected from 4 continents. All individuals with Hermes transposons had evidence for the presence of intact transposase open reading frames, and little sequence variation was observed among Hermes elements. A systematic analysis of the TPE-homologous region of the Hermes transposase-coding region revealed no evidence for length variation. The simple sequence repeat found in hobo elements is a feature of this transposon that evolved since the divergence of hobo and Hermes. PMID:19366812

Two-color temporal focusing multiphoton excitation imaging with tunable-wavelength excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lien, Chi-Hsiang; Abrigo, Gerald; Chen, Pei-Hsuan; Chien, Fan-Ching

2017-02-01

Wavelength tunable temporal focusing multiphoton excitation microscopy (TFMPEM) is conducted to visualize optical sectioning images of multiple fluorophore-labeled specimens through the optimal two-photon excitation (TPE) of each type of fluorophore. The tunable range of excitation wavelength was determined by the groove density of the grating, the diffraction angle, the focal length of lenses, and the shifting distance of the first lens in the beam expander. Based on a consideration of the trade-off between the tunable-wavelength range and axial resolution of temporal focusing multiphoton excitation imaging, the presented system demonstrated a tunable-wavelength range from 770 to 920 nm using a diffraction grating with groove density of 830 lines/mm. TPE fluorescence imaging examination of a fluorescent thin film indicated that the width of the axial confined excitation was 3.0±0.7 μm and the shifting distance of the temporal focal plane was less than 0.95 μm within the presented wavelength tunable range. Fast different wavelength excitation and three-dimensionally rendered imaging of Hela cell mitochondria and cytoskeletons and mouse muscle fibers were demonstrated. Significantly, the proposed system can improve the quality of two-color TFMPEM images through different excitation wavelengths to obtain higher-quality fluorescent signals in multiple-fluorophore measurements.

The effects of citalopram and fluoxetine on sexual behavior in healthy men: evidence of delayed ejaculation and unaffected sexual desire. A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel group study.

PubMed

Madeo, Bruno; Bettica, Paolo; Milleri, Stefano; Balestrieri, Antonio; Granata, Antonio R M; Carani, Cesare; Rochira, Vincenzo

2008-10-01

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to induce delayed orgasm and delayed ejaculation, while their effect on other aspects of sexual function, such as sexual motivation, arousal, and erectile function are unclear. In order to evaluate the effect of chronic administration of two SSRIs, citalopram and fluoxetine, on normal sexual function, we studied the parameters of male sexual behavior, erectile function, and ejaculation on 48 healthy male volunteers, aged 29.5 +/- 4.9, in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, double-dummy study. Methods. The subjects were randomized to receive placebo (16 subjects), or fluoxetine (20 mg/day) (16 subjects) or citalopram (20 mg/day) for the first week, and 40 mg/day in the following 3 weeks (16 subjects). Sexual function was investigated at the screening and at the end of the study by means of test of penile erection (TPE) and masturbation ejaculation latency time (MELT) performed during visual erotic stimulation, and at each visit by self-filled questionnaires (International Index Erectile Function [IIEF-15] and Golombock Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction [GRISS]). All the erectile parameters, evaluated by means of RigiScan Plus during TPE, were not significantly different when both fluoxetine and citalopram were compared with placebo. A delay in the ejaculation time was observed both during citalopram and during fluoxetine treatment when compared with placebo, reaching a statistical significance only with citalopram. During the treatment with citalopram and fluoxetine, the IIEF-15 score of all items decreased except for those items related to sexual desire; however, the scores were significantly lower only for the citalopram treatment. The treatment with citalopram or with fluoxetine was confirmed to delay ejaculation, but was significant only for citalopram. Citalopram and fluoxetine did not affect sexual desire. Citalopram and fluoxetine did not directly affect penile erection as objectively assessed by RigiScan, although an impairment in the subjective assessment of erectile function was observed, but was significant only for citalopram, and it was thought to be a possible consequence of the delayed ejaculation perceived as a trouble.

Thermal performance evaluation of the infrared telescope dewar subsystem

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Urban, E. W.

1986-01-01

Thermal performance evaluations (TPE) were conducted with the superfluid helium dewar of the Infrared Telescope (IRT) experiment from November 1981 to August 1982. Test included measuring key operating parameters, simulating operations with an attached instrument cryostat and validating servicing, operating and safety procedures. Test activities and results are summarized. All objectives are satisfied except for those involving transfer of low pressure liquid helium (LHe) from a supply dewar into the dewar subsystem.

Two-photon exchange in elastic electron–proton scattering

DOE PAGES

Afanasev, A.; Blunden, P. G.; Hasell, D.; ...

2017-04-17

Here, we review recent theoretical and experimental progress on the role of two-photon exchange (TPE) in electron-proton scattering at low to moderate momentum transfers. We make a detailed comparison and analysis of the results of competing experiments on the ratio of e +p to e -p elastic scattering cross sections, and of the theoretical calculations describing them. A summary of the current experimental situation is provided, along with an outlook for future experiments.

Contamination Assessment Report Sanitary Sewer - Railyard and Administration Areas Version 3.2

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-08-01

DOCUMENTATION PAGE Form . ,ovod I 0MB No ):04 -0188 1 . AGENCY JSE ONLY ýLedve aianx) 2. REPORT .3. REPORT TPE AND DATES COVERED 4.C&’t.AWfIbWkfIl’SMENT REPORT...DETERMINES THAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED, THE ADDITIONAL WORK WILL CONSIST OF 1 ) EXCAVATION STUDY BETWEEN MANHOLES 60 AND 61, 2) BORINGS IN...1.1 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION ........... ................... ... 1 1.2 GEOLOGY

The reclaiming of butyl rubber and in-situ compatibilization of thermoplastic elastomer by power ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Wenlai

This is a study of the continuous ultrasound aided extrusion process for the in-situ compatibilization of isotactic polypropylene (iPP)/ethylene-propylene diene rubber (EPDM) thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) using a newly developed ultrasonic treatment reactor. The rheological, mechanical properties and morphology of the TPE with and without ultrasonic treatment were studied. In-situ compatibilization in the ultrasonically treated blends was observed as evident by their more stable morphology after annealing, improved mechanical properties and IR spectra. The obtained results indicated that ultrasonic treatment induced the thermo-mechanical degradations and led to the possibility of enhanced molecular transport and chemical reactions at the interfaces. Processing conditions were established for enhanced in situ compatibilization of the PP/EPDM TPE. The ultrasonic treatments of butyl rubber gum and ultrasonic devulcanization of butyl rubber, tire-curing bladder during extrusion using a grooved barrel ultrasonic reactor were carried out. The ultrasonic treatment of gum caused degradation of the polymer main chain leading to lower molecular weight, broader molecular weight distribution, less unsaturation and changes in physical properties. The devulcanization of butyl rubber was successfully accomplished only at severe conditions of ultrasonic treatment. The mechanical properties of vulcanizates prepared from devulcanized butyl rubber are comparable to that of the virgin vulcanizate. The molecular characterization of sol fraction of devulcanized butyl rubber showed the devulcanization and degradation of butyl rubber occurred simultaneously. 1H NMR transverse relaxation was also used to study butyl rubber gum before and after ultrasonic treatment, and ultrasonically devulcanized unfilled butyl rubber. The T2 relaxation decays were successfully described using a two-component model. The recyclability of tire-curing bladder was also investigated. Gel fraction, crosslink density, cure behavior, dynamic properties and mechanical properties were measured. Good mechanical properties of revulcanized rubber were achieved by blending devulcanized rubber with the carbon black filled virgin butyl rubber. The structural characteristics of devulcanized butyl rubber were simulated using the Dobson-Gordon theory of rubber network statistics. A fairly good agreement between experimental data and theoretical prediction on normalized gel fraction vs. normalized crosslink density was achieved. The simulation of devulcanized butyl rubber indicated that the rate of crosslink rupture is much higher than that of the main chain.

From Cradle to Brave New World: The First 20 Years of Developing a Research Field in New Technologies and Teacher Education, as Reflected in the Pages of JITTE/TPE

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Denning, Tim; Fisher, Tony; Higgins, Chris

2011-01-01

This article explores the development of the Journal over the first 20 years of its existence, reflecting a period of ongoing change in educational technologies and their role in teacher education and development. This exploration is undertaken through an analysis of the abstracts of articles published in the first 19 volumes of the Journal. Word…

2008 Tactical Wheeled Vehicles Conference (TWV) Volume 3

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-02-05

Armor/ GPK OTHER SIGNIFICANT PROCUREMENT EFFORTS Project Manager COL Scott R. Kidd Deputy PM Acquisition: Tony Shaw Deputy PM Logistics: Cesare Gaglio r...Support Modularity/ Grow the Army Full spectrum support to the War Fight & Modularity LSACM1117 ASV Production Frag Kit 5/ GPK TPE Refurb Gunner Restraint...Harness HEMTT AoA LSAC Production Objective – Gunner Protection Kit (O- GPK ) HMMWV HTV FMTV M1151/52 20 3 CSL PMs ~ Approximately 220K Systems Fielded

Wide Body Aircraft Demand Potential at Washington National Airport,

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-09-01

the city-pair markets. Probably the most important feature of FA-7 is the fact that it allows for investigation of the behavior of airlines to changes...FINANCIAL INFORMfATION YLIGHTS BY AIRCRAFT TPE ~.4/J \\ FUEL COSUMED PASSENGERS UARRIED BY TOA IR F FLIGHITS TOTAL AIRCRAFT USAGE coded data. Sample...the various levels of operations. Similar behavior can be identified in the simultaneous increase of both types of aircraft at Dulles. Tables lAthrough

Antibody Conjugated, Raman Tagged Hollow Gold-Silver Nanospheres for Specific Targeting and Multimodal Dark-Field/SERS/Two Photon-FLIM Imaging of CD19(+) B Lymphoblasts.

PubMed

Nagy-Simon, Timea; Tatar, Andra-Sorina; Craciun, Ana-Maria; Vulpoi, Adriana; Jurj, Maria-Ancuta; Florea, Adrian; Tomuleasa, Ciprian; Berindan-Neagoe, Ioana; Astilean, Simion; Boca, Sanda

2017-06-28

In this Research Article, we propose a new class of contrast agents for the detection and multimodal imaging of CD19(+) cancer lymphoblasts. The agents are based on NIR responsive hollow gold-silver nanospheres conjugated with antiCD19 monoclonal antibodies and marked with Nile Blue (NB) SERS active molecules (HNS-NB-PEG-antiCD19). Proof of concept experiments on specificity of the complex for the investigated cells was achieved by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The microspectroscopic investigations via dark field (DF), surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and two-photon excited fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (TPE-FLIM) corroborate with TEM and demonstrate successful and preferential internalization of the antibody-nanocomplex. The combination of the microspectroscopic techniques enables contrast and sensitivity that competes with more invasive and time demanding cell imaging modalities, while depth sectioning images provide real time localization of the nanoparticles in the whole cytoplasm at the entire depth of the cells. Our findings prove that HNS-NB-PEG-antiCD19 represent a promising type of new contrast agents with great possibility of being detected by multiple, non invasive, rapid and accessible microspectroscopic techniques and real applicability for specific targeting of CD19(+) cancer cells. Such versatile nanocomplexes combine in one single platform the detection and imaging of cancer lymphoblasts by DF, SERS, and TPE-FLIM microspectroscopy.

Fabrication, Light Emission, and Magnetism of Silica Nanoparticles Hybridized with AIE Luminogens and Inorganic Nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faisal, Mahtab

Much research efforts have been devoted in developing new synthetic approaches for fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) due to their potential high-technological applications. However, light emissions from most of the FSNPs prepared so far have been rather weak. This is due to the emission quenching caused by the aggregation of fluorophores in the solid state. We have observed a novel phenomenon of aggregation-induced emission (AIE): a series of propeller-shaped molecules such as tetraphenylethene (TPE) and silole are induced to emit efficiently by aggregate formation. Thus, they are ideal fluorophors for the construction of FSNPs and my thesis work focuses on the synthesis of silica nanoparticles containing these luminogens and magnetic nanostructures. Highly emissive FSNPs with core-shell structures are fabricated by surfactant-free sol-gel reactions of tetraphenylethene- (TPE) and silole-functionalized siloxanes followed by the reactions with tetraethoxysilane. The FSNPs are uniformly sized, surface-charged and colloidally stable. The diameters of the FSNPs are tunable in the range of 45--295 nm by changing the reaction conditions. Whereas their TPE and silole precursors are non-emissive, the FSNPs emit strong visible lights, thanks to the novel aggregation-induced emission characteristics of the TPE and silole aggregates in the hybrid nanoparticles. The FSNPs pose no toxicity to living cells and can be utilized to selectively image cytoplasm of HeLa cells. Applying the same tool in the presence of citrate-coated magnetite nanoparticles, uniform magnetic fluorescent silica nanoparticles (MFSNPs) with smooth surfaces are fabricated. These particles exhibit appreciable surface charges and hence good colloidal stability. They are superparamagnetic, exhibiting no hysteresis at room temperature. UV irradiation of a suspension of MFSNPs in ethanol gives strong blue and green emissions. The MFSNPs can selectively stain the cytoplasmic regions of the living cells. Sol-gel reaction in the presence of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane has generated MFSNP-NH2 with numerous amino functionalities decorated on the surfaces, enabling them to immobilize bovine serum albumin efficiently. FSNPs with strong light emissions are facilely fabricated by thio-click chemistry, Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, and sol-gel reaction. The FSNPs are characterized by SEM, TEM, IR, PL, and zeta potential analyses. They are uniformly sized with smooth surfaces. Upon photoexcitation, the FSNPs emit strong visible lights with fluorescence quantum yields up to 25.5%. Sugar-functionalized fluorescent silica nanoparticles are facilely fabricated by click reaction of azide-modified FSNPs with sugar- containing phenylacetylene catalyzed by Cu(PPh3)3Br in THF. The nanoparticles are uniformly sized and emit efficient light upon photoexcitation. They can function as fluorescent visualizers for intracellular imaging and can target specific cancer cells. Folic acid-functionalized fluorescent silica nanoparticles are facilely fabricated by surface functionalization of FSNPs with folic acid. The nanoparticles are spherical in shape. They possess high zeta potentials and hence exhibit excellent colloidal stability. UV irradiation of suspensions of the nanoparticles in ethanol gives strong blue and green emissions at 465 and 490 nm with absolute fluorescence quantum yields up to 47%. Carboxylic acid and thiol-functionalized fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNP-COOH and FSNP-SH) with uniform particle sizes, narrow size distributions, and smooth surface morphologies are fabricated. The nanoparticles possess high surface charges and exhibit strong light emissions upon photoexcitation. They can adsorb lysozyme strongly on their surfaces and for 5 mg of FSNP-COOH and FSNP-SH, they can take 209 and 86 mug of lysozyme. Thus, they are potential carriers for protein and fluorescent probes or biosensors for an array of biological applications.

Using Near Space Vehicles in the Pursuit of Persistent C3ISR

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-06-01

point are unmanned. Even so, this paper defines UAVs as aircraft. This section summarizes the Global Hawk, Theseus , Proteus, and Helios, which...reduced altitude and endurance.85 Theseus , built by Aurora Flight Sciences, is a moderately capable HALE. A traditional Honeywell TPE331-14F turboprop...propels the 7,900 lb aircraft up to 60,000 ft (just below near space). Theseus generates 6 kVa to power up to 1,800 lbs of sensors. Two

Effects of ion irradiation on the mechanical properties of several polymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasuga, Tsuneo; Kawanishi, Shunichi; Nishii, Masanobu; Seguchi, Tadao; Kohno, Isao

The effects of high-energy ion irradiation (8 MeV protons, 30 MeV He 2+, 80 MeV C 4+, and N 4+) on the tensile properties of polymers were studied under conditions in which ions should pass completely through the specimen and the results were compared with 2 MeV electron irradiation effects. Experiments were carried out on polymers having various constituents and molecular structures, i.e. eight aliphatic polymers and four aromatic polymers. In the aliphatic polymers studied (PE, PP, PVdF, ETFE, EVA, nylon-6, EPDM, and PE-TPE), there was scarcely any difference in the dose dependence of the tensile strength and ultimate elongation between proton and electron irradiation. In aromatic polymers (PET, PES, U-PS, and U-polymer), however, the decrements in the tensile strength and ultimate elongation vs proton dose were less than those for electron irradiation. In heavy-ion irradiation, the radiation damage of PE (an aliphatic polymer) decreased with increase of LET, but no obvious LET effects were observed in PES (an aromatic polymer).

Tritium Plasma Experiment Upgrade and Improvement of Surface Diagnostic Capabilities at STAR Facility for Enhancing Tritium and Nuclear PMI Sciences

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

Shimada, M.; Taylor, C. N.; Pawelko, R. J.

2016-04-01

The Tritium Plasma Experiment (TPE) is a unique high-flux linear plasma device that can handle beryllium, tritium, and neutron-irradiated plasma facing materials, and is the only existing device dedicated to directly study tritium retention and permeation in neutron-irradiated materials with tritium [M. Shimada et.al., Rev. Sci. Instru. 82 (2011) 083503 and and M. Shimada, et.al., Nucl. Fusion 55 (2015) 013008]. The plasma-material-interaction (PMI) determines a boundary condition for diffusing tritium into bulk PFCs, and the tritium PMI is crucial for enhancing fundamental sciences that dictate tritium fuel cycles and safety and are high importance to an FNSF and DEMO. Recentlymore » the TPE has undergone major upgrades in its electrical and control systems. New DC power supplies and a new control center enable remote plasma operations from outside of the contamination area for tritium, minimizing the possible exposure risk with tritium and beryllium. We discuss the electrical upgrade, enhanced operational safety, improved plasma performance, and development of optical spectrometer system. This upgrade not only improves operational safety of the worker, but also enhances plasma performance to better simulate extreme plasma-material conditions expected in ITER, Fusion Nuclear Science Facility (FNSF), and Demonstration reactor (DEMO). This work was prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, under the DOE Idaho Field Office contract number DE-AC07-05ID14517.« less

Surface immobilization of heparin on functional polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic elastomer as a potential artificial vascular graft

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Yi-Bo; Li, Kang; Xiang, Dong; Zhang, Min; Yang, Dan; Zhang, Jin-Han; Mao, Jing; Wang, Hao; Guo, Wen-Li

2018-07-01

Polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) is a new soft biomaterial. Hydroxyl functional dendritic polyisobutylene-based TPEs (arb-SIBS-OH), which satisfy the design requirements for small-diameter vascular substitutes, were synthesized by controlled carbocationic polymerization. Creep property, which is the destructive weakness of polyisobutylene-based TPEs, was significantly improved with the formation of a "double network" promoted by branched structure and microphase separation. Compatibility of arb-SIBS-OH with rabbit blood was markedly enhanced by modifying heparin grafted from these hydroxyl functional groups. Application of "click chemistry" to immobilize heparin on arb-SIBS-OH surface was apparently effective in enhancing the bioactivity of heparin. Immobilized heparin, which directly bonded by ester bonds, was more likely to form multi-point binding on arb-SIBS-OH surface. This process hindered the accessibility of the heparin active sequence to antithrombin.

Enhanced Adhesion of EVA Laminates to Primed Glass Substrates Subjected to Damp-Heat Exposure

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

Pern, F. J.; Jorgensen, G. J.

2005-02-01

We investigated the effectiveness of glass-surface priming to promote enhanced adhesion of EVA laminates during damp-heat exposure at 85 C and 85% relative humidity. The primary objective was to develop advanced encapsulant formulations by incorporation of various primer formulations that exhibit improved adhesion during damp-heat exposure. Several primer formulations were identified that greatly enhanced the EVA adhesion strength, including to the extent that peeling could not be initiated, even for the laminates of the glass substrate/fast-cure EVA15295P/TPE backsheet (a Tedlar/polyester/EVA tri-laminate) that were exposed in a damp-heat test chamber for more than 750 h. The results show that a synergisticmore » increase in the interfacial hydrophobicity, siloxane density, and cross-linking density are the key attributes to the improvement in the EVA adhesion strength.« less

Limited Surface Observations Climatic Summary (LISOCS), Bo Baker AAF, Germany.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-11-01

MSC 0109711 N 47 46 1011 36 ELEV 2350 FT EDOT PARTS 1 - 5 HOURS SUMMARIZED: 0600 - 2100 LST PERIOD 01 RECORD : HOURLY OBSERVATIONS; NOv 76 - OCT 86...LIMITED SURFACE OS.RATIONS CLINAIIC SUNMAIES--LISOCS ASkVILLL NC 20501 HOURLY gSCKVauIOMSs ALL RECORD O4 RECORD SPECIaL OBSERVaTIONS RECORDED ON TPE...MEIWA STATIONS i|SININS IN JAN 19081 AND SYNOPTIC WEPORTING STATIONS RECORDED ON TH4E AN$ F0DAS 10110A AND TRARSMI 1ED LONGLINE ONLY TE HIGHEST ORDEP OF

A review of promoting access to medicines in China - problems and recommendations.

PubMed

Sun, Jing; Hu, Cecile Jia; Stuntz, Mark; Hogerzeil, Hans; Liu, Yuanli

2018-02-20

Despite recent reforms, distorting funding mechanisms and over-prescribing still maintain severe financial barriers to medicines access in China. Complicated and interrelated problems in the pharmaceutical sector require a common framework to be resolved as fragmented solutions do not work. We present a preliminary assessment of the impact of the national healthcare reforms on access to medicines, and propose policy recommendations for promoting universal access to medicines in China. Drawing on multiple sources of information, including a review of published literatures and official national data, field investigations in six provinces and interviews with key opinion leaders, this paper presents a preliminary assessment of the impact of the national healthcare reforms on access to medicines, and proposes policy recommendations for promoting universal access to medicines in China. Public expenditure on medicines has been strictly controlled since the national healthcare reforms of 2009. Yet total pharmaceutical expenditure (TPE) and total health expenditure growth rates continuously outpaced the growth of gross domestic product (GDP). With 2.4% of GDP, TPE now exceeds that of most high income countries. The distorted provider and consumer incentives in the Chinese health system have not fundamentally changed. Price-setting and reimbursement mechanisms do not promote cost-effective use of medicines. Inappropriate price controls and perverse financial incentives are the un-resolved root causes of preference of originator brands for some major diseases and shortages of low-cost and low-consumption medicines. In addition, access to expensive life-saving medicines is yet systematically addressed. The complicated and interdependent problems interact in a way that leads to significant system problems in China, which create dual challenges that both the developing country and the developed countries are facing. To further promote access to medicines, China should speed up the re-assessment of the quality and efficacy of domestically produced generic medicines; coordinate various reforms of price determination, insurance payments, and procurement policies; address medicine shortages through comprehensive policies and legislation; establish specific mechanisms to achieve sustainable equitable access to expensive essential medicines with health technology assessment as a tool to ensure that policy and priority setting are created in a coherent and evidence-based way.

Genome Evolution and Phylogenomic Analysis of Candidatus Kinetoplastibacterium, the Betaproteobacterial Endosymbionts of Strigomonas and Angomonas

PubMed Central

Alves, João M.P.; Serrano, Myrna G.; Maia da Silva, Flávia; Voegtly, Logan J.; Matveyev, Andrey V.; Teixeira, Marta M.G.; Camargo, Erney P.; Buck, Gregory A.

2013-01-01

It has been long known that insect-infecting trypanosomatid flagellates from the genera Angomonas and Strigomonas harbor bacterial endosymbionts (Candidatus Kinetoplastibacterium or TPE [trypanosomatid proteobacterial endosymbiont]) that supplement the host metabolism. Based on previous analyses of other bacterial endosymbiont genomes from other lineages, a stereotypical path of genome evolution in such bacteria over the duration of their association with the eukaryotic host has been characterized. In this work, we sequence and analyze the genomes of five TPEs, perform their metabolic reconstruction, do an extensive phylogenomic analyses with all available Betaproteobacteria, and compare the TPEs with their nearest betaproteobacterial relatives. We also identify a number of housekeeping and central metabolism genes that seem to have undergone positive selection. Our genome structure analyses show total synteny among the five TPEs despite millions of years of divergence, and that this lineage follows the common path of genome evolution observed in other endosymbionts of diverse ancestries. As previously suggested by cell biology and biochemistry experiments, Ca. Kinetoplastibacterium spp. preferentially maintain those genes necessary for the biosynthesis of compounds needed by their hosts. We have also shown that metabolic and informational genes related to the cooperation with the host are overrepresented amongst genes shown to be under positive selection. Finally, our phylogenomic analysis shows that, while being in the Alcaligenaceae family of Betaproteobacteria, the closest relatives of these endosymbionts are not in the genus Bordetella as previously reported, but more likely in the Taylorella genus. PMID:23345457

Ultrastructure Processing of Macromolecular Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-06-25

j - o’w.Awft~’dREPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE OM No. 0704-018 Pij~ j rwonngb~sd~ fr twioneeded Ofd ~or"Watlo .iameo ga.qaw ti of 011oueu r rp a. iort in C...Paperworall ht ’o AZaed 014a*)WsIg o’ C 2003. I.AGNC UEONLY (Laelnk) J . REPORT DATE jI~RT 7 TPE AND DATES COVERED 1 25 June 19! XLFeb. 0-11Fb 3 4...C-0019 February 10, 1990 - February 11, 1993 IV. FACULTY ASSOCIATES: Professor W. J . MacKnight (PSE) Professor Paul Lahti (Chemistry) Professor K. H

Toxin-associated and other genes in Clostridium perfringens type A isolates from bovine clostridial abomasitis (BCA) and jejunal hemorrhage syndrome (JHS).

PubMed

Schlegel, Benjamin J; Nowell, Victoria J; Parreira, Valeria R; Soltes, Glenn; Prescott, John F

2012-10-01

This study examined known or possible virulence-associated genes in type A Clostridium perfringens from cases of both bovine clostridial abomasitis (BCA) and jejunal hemorrhage syndrome (JHS) and compared these to isolates from calves that were healthy or had undifferentiated diarrheal illness. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to genotype the 218 C. perfringens isolates. Isolates were sourced from healthy and diarrheic young and mature cattle (n = 191), from calves with confirmed or suspected BCA (n = 22), and from mature cattle with JHS (n = 5). Of 216 isolates (96%), 208 were positive for the cpa gene and 13% (29/218) were positive for atypical cpb2. Three of 8 (37.5%) confirmed BCA isolates, 2 of 13 (15.4%) suspected BCA isolates, and no JHS isolates tested positive for atypical cpb2. As all isolates were negative for cpb, cpb2, cpe, etx, netB, and tpeL, the results of the present study do not support a role for these genes in BCA or JHS. A subset of unique genes identified in 1 bovine clostridial abomasitis isolate (F262), for which a genome sequence is available, was searched for in 8 BCA isolates by PCR. None of the 10 genes was consistently present in all or even in a majority of BCA isolates. Many of these genes were also variably and inconsistently present in type A isolates from calves that did not have BCA. Although a virulence signature to aid in the diagnosis of BCA caused by C. perfringens type A was not identified, further work may discover a gene or group of genes that would constitute such a signature.

Toxin-associated and other genes in Clostridium perfringens type A isolates from bovine clostridial abomasitis (BCA) and jejunal hemorrhage syndrome (JHS)

PubMed Central

Schlegel, Benjamin J.; Nowell, Victoria J.; Parreira, Valeria R.; Soltes, Glenn; Prescott, John F.

2012-01-01

This study examined known or possible virulence-associated genes in type A Clostridium perfringens from cases of both bovine clostridial abomasitis (BCA) and jejunal hemorrhage syndrome (JHS) and compared these to isolates from calves that were healthy or had undifferentiated diarrheal illness. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was used to genotype the 218 C. perfringens isolates. Isolates were sourced from healthy and diarrheic young and mature cattle (n = 191), from calves with confirmed or suspected BCA (n = 22), and from mature cattle with JHS (n = 5). Of 216 isolates (96%), 208 were positive for the cpa gene and 13% (29/218) were positive for atypical cpb2. Three of 8 (37.5%) confirmed BCA isolates, 2 of 13 (15.4%) suspected BCA isolates, and no JHS isolates tested positive for atypical cpb2. As all isolates were negative for cpb, cpb2, cpe, etx, netB, and tpeL, the results of the present study do not support a role for these genes in BCA or JHS. A subset of unique genes identified in 1 bovine clostridial abomasitis isolate (F262), for which a genome sequence is available, was searched for in 8 BCA isolates by PCR. None of the 10 genes was consistently present in all or even in a majority of BCA isolates. Many of these genes were also variably and inconsistently present in type A isolates from calves that did not have BCA. Although a virulence signature to aid in the diagnosis of BCA caused by C. perfringens type A was not identified, further work may discover a gene or group of genes that would constitute such a signature. PMID:23543949

Two-photon excitation spectrum of light-harvesting complex II and fluorescence upconversion after one- and two-photon excitation of the carotenoids

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

Walla, P.J.; Yom, J.; Krueger, B.P.

2000-05-18

The two-photon excitation (TPE) spectrum of light-harvesting complex II (LHC II) has been measured in the spectral region of 1,000--1,600 nm, corresponding to one-photon wavelengths of 500--800 nm. The authors observed a band with an origin at {approximately}2 x 660 nm (ca. 15,100 {+-} 300 cm{sup {minus}1}) and a maximum at {approximately}2 x 600 nm. The line shape and origin of this band strongly suggest that the observed signal is due to the two-photon-allowed S{sub 1} state of the energy-transferring carotenoids (Car ) in LHC II. The authors also report the time dependence of the upconverted chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence aftermore » TPE at the maximum of the observed band. Surprisingly, a fast rise of 250 {+-} 50 fs followed by a multiexponential decay on the picosecond time scale was observed. This result provides strong indication that there is a fast energy transfer even from the dipole-forbidden Car S{sub 1} state to the Chl's. The sub picosecond energy transfer from the Car S{sub 1} state is likely a consequence of the large number of energy-accepting Chls in van der Waals contact with the central Car's in LHC II. They also present upconversion data of the Car S{sub 2}, Chl a, and Chl b fluorescence observed after one-photon excitation into the dipole-allowed Car S{sub 2} state. The lifetime of the Car S{sub 2} state is {approximately}120 {+-} 30 fs. With the observed time constants they are able to calculate quantum yields for the different possible pathways contributing to the overall Car to Chl energy transfer in LHC II.« less

CE chips fabricated by injection molding and polyethylene/thermoplastic elastomer film packaging methods.

PubMed

Huang, Fu-Chun; Chen, Yih-Far; Lee, Gwo-Bin

2007-04-01

This study presents a new packaging method using a polyethylene/thermoplastic elastomer (PE/TPE) film to seal an injection-molded CE chip made of either poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC) materials. The packaging is performed at atmospheric pressure and at room temperature, which is a fast, easy, and reliable bonding method to form a sealed CE chip for chemical analysis and biomedical applications. The fabrication of PMMA and PC microfluidic channels is accomplished by using an injection-molding process, which could be mass-produced for commercial applications. In addition to microfluidic CE channels, 3-D reservoirs for storing biosamples, and CE buffers are also formed during this injection-molding process. With this approach, a commercial CE chip can be of low cost and disposable. Finally, the functionality of the mass-produced CE chip is demonstrated through its successful separation of phiX174 DNA/HaeIII markers. Experimental data show that the S/N for the CE chips using the PE/TPE film has a value of 5.34, when utilizing DNA markers with a concentration of 2 ng/microL and a CE buffer of 2% hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose (HPMC) in Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE) with 1% YO-PRO-1 fluorescent dye. Thus, the detection limit of the developed chips is improved. Lastly, the developed CE chips are used for the separation and detection of PCR products. A mixture of an amplified antibiotic gene for Streptococcus pneumoniae and phiX174 DNA/HaeIII markers was successfully separated and detected by using the proposed CE chips. Experimental data show that these DNA samples were separated within 2 min. The study proposed a promising method for the development of mass-produced CE chips.

Continuous infusion of calcium gluconate in 5% albumin is safe and prevents most hypocalcemic reactions during therapeutic plasma exchange.

PubMed

Kankirawatana, Suthida; Huang, Shu T; Marques, Marisa B

2007-01-01

While therapeutic plasma exchanges (TPEs) performed with 5% albumin are considered safe, concerns regarding venous access and hypocalcemic toxicity remain. We reviewed the frequency of complications during TPEs performed with 5% albumin supplemented with calcium gluconate and potassium chloride for a 5 year period in our institution. Eighty-four adult patients (46 males and 38 females) underwent 581 plasma exchanges during the study period. The most common indications were myasthenia gravis (37%), acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (31%), and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (13%). All procedures used 2.2% ACD-A delivered at a calculated average rate of 0.26 mg/kg/min, which led to a mean dose of citrate per TPE of 2.18 +/- 0.48 g or 27.8 +/- 5.24 mg/kg of body weight. Venous access difficulties occurred in 85 procedures (14.6%), but most TPEs were completed successfully. Hypotension and citrate toxicity were seen in <5% of the TPEs and were mostly reversible. Only 17 exchanges (3%) had to be aborted because of the loss of venous access (n = 9), hypocalcemic toxicity (n = 3), hypotension (n = 2), panic attacks (n = 2), and one atypical reaction due to the interaction with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Comparison between pre- and post-TPE potassium levels showed a statistically significant mean decrease of 7%, from 4.1 mequiv/l to 3.8 mequiv/l (P < 0.0001). We attribute the low rate of hypocalcemia to our practice of adding calcium and potassium to the replacement fluid and suggest that this method could become standard of care. Copyright 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Development of positron annihilation spectroscopy for investigating deuterium decorated voids in neutron-irradiated tungsten

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taylor, C. N.; Shimada, M.; Merrill, B. J.; Akers, D. W.; Hatano, Y.

2015-08-01

The present work is a continuation of a recent research to develop and optimize positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) for characterizing neutron-irradiated tungsten. Tungsten samples were exposed to neutrons in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and damaged to 0.025 and 0.3 dpa. Subsequently, they were exposed to deuterium plasmas in the Tritium Plasma Experiment (TPE) at Idaho National Laboratory. The implanted deuterium was desorbed through sample heating to 900 °C, and Doppler broadening (DB)-PAS was performed both before and after heating. Results show that deuterium impregnated tungsten is identified as having a smaller S-parameter. The S-parameter increases after deuterium desorption. Microstructural changes also occur during sample heating. These effects can be isolated from deuterium desorption by comparing the S-parameters from the deuterium-free back face with the deuterium-implanted front face. The application of using DB-PAS to examine deuterium retention in tungsten is examined.

Experience of Soviet Medicine in a Great Patriotic War 1941-1945. Part 3 (Opyt Sovetskoy Meditsimy v Velikoy Otechestvennoy Voyne 1941-1945),

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-15

development of suppurative flcws was always the indicator of the march/passage of process into the teavier form. Based on materials of the onion ...on the average the oparability of those wounded the shin composed 84.lc/o. on all DMP of cDe of the armies in ccbat fcr the great onions (November...Bits Depewoua (13) t𔃺(51 ( Uepos *TOpOI tpeTHA UTsepTuan OCKUAbqaTb . . 48,7 45,5 40.7 i 39. I (tPaapo6nenH.fi 19,9 22,7 2". Kay: (1). Porn /species of

Tritium Decay Helium-3 Effects in Tungsten

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

Shimada, M.; Merrill, B. J.

2016-06-01

A critical challenge for long-term operation of ITER and beyond to a Demonstration reactor (DEMO) and future fusion reactor will be the development of plasma-facing components (PFCs) that demonstrate erosion resistance to steady-state/transient heat fluxes and intense neutral/ion particle fluxes under the extreme fusion nuclear environment, while at the same time minimizing in-vessel tritium inventories and permeation fluxes into the PFC’s coolant. Tritium will diffuse in bulk tungsten at elevated temperatures, and can be trapped in radiation-induced trap site (up to 1 at. % T/W) in tungsten [1,2]. Tritium decay into helium-3 may also play a major role in microstructuralmore » evolution (e.g. helium embrittlement) in tungsten due to relatively low helium-4 production (e.g. He/dpa ratio of 0.4-0.7 appm [3]) in tungsten. Tritium-decay helium-3 effect on tungsten is hardly understood, and its database is very limited. Two tungsten samples (99.99 at. % purity from A.L.M.T. Co., Japan) were exposed to high flux (ion flux of 1.0x1022 m-2s-1 and ion fluence of 1.0x1026 m-2) 0.5%T2/D2 plasma at two different temperatures (200, and 500°C) in Tritium Plasma Experiment (TPE) at Idaho National Laboratory. Tritium implanted samples were stored at ambient temperature in air for more than 3 years to investigate tritium decay helium-3 effect in tungsten. The tritium distributions on plasma-exposed was monitored by a tritium imaging plate technique during storage period [4]. Thermal desorption spectroscopy was performed with a ramp rate of 10°C/min up to 900°C to outgas residual deuterium and tritium but keep helium-3 in tungsten. These helium-3 implanted samples were exposed to deuterium plasma in TPE to investigate helium-3 effect on deuterium behavior in tungsten. The results show that tritium surface concentration in 200°C sample decreased to 30 %, but tritium surface concentration in 500°C sample did not alter over the 3 years storage period, indicating possible tritium retention in helium-3 bubble. This paper reports the initial experimental observation of tritium-decay helium-3 in tungsten exposed to deuterium/tritium plasma along with electron microscope analysis and also discusses a Tritium Migration Analysis Program (TMAP) analysis of tritium-decay helium-3 effects on tritium retention in tungsten for DEMO and future fusion reactor. [1] Y. Hatano, et.al., Nucl. Fusion 53 (2013) 073006 [2] M. Shimada, et.al., Nucl. Fusion 55 (2015) 013008 [3] M. Sawan, Fus. Sci. Technol. 66 (2014) 272 [4] T. Otsuka, Fus. Sci. Technol. 60 (2011) 1539 This work was prepared for the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, under the DOE Idaho Field Office contract number DE-AC07-05ID14517.« less

[Detection and the production mechanism of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-liver/kidney microsomal tpe 1 antibodies (anti-LKM1) in patients with chronic hepatitis C].

PubMed

Bai, Li; Lu, Hai-Ying; Feng, Zhen-Ru; Yu, Min; Li, Wen-Gang; Gong, Wei-Bo; Zhao, Nu-en-ji-ya; Xu, Xiao-Yuan

2009-08-01

To investigate the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-liver/ kidney microsomal type 1 antibodies (anti-LKM1) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC)and to explore the mechanism of production of these autoantibodies. Serum samples were collected from 360 patients with CHC (case group), 69 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and 69 patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (control group). Serum ANA and anti-LKM1 were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (HF) technique and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Multi-factor analysis was performed to explore the correlations of the production of autoantibodies with some factors such as age, sex, viral loads, HCV genotype, biochemical parameters and clinical characteristics. Fifty-four (15%) of 360 patients infected with HCV were positive in autoantibodies. The prevalence of ANA and anti-LKM1 were 12.5% (45/360) and 2.5% (9/ 360), respectively. The positive rate of autoantibodies in patients with CHC was significantly higher than that in patients with CHB (15% vs 2.9%, P = 0.006), but significantly lower than that in patients with AIH (15% vs 47.9%, P < 0.001). Twenty-one (11.35%) of 185 male patients and 33 (18.86%) of 175 female patients were positive in autoantibodies, the difference in positive rate was significant (P < 0.05). HCV virus loads in the autoantibodies negative group were higher than that in the autoantibodies positive group (7.2 x 10(7) copies/L vs 1.23 x 10(7) copies/L, P < 0.05). There were not significant differences in age and genotype between the autoantibody positive group and the autoantibody negative group. The serum biochemical parameters of the autoantibody positive group were similar to those of the autoantibody negative group. The differences were not significant for the course of disease, clinical symptom, the incidence of cirrhosis between the autoantibody positive group and the autoantibody negative group. The prevalence of autoantibodies was not different for patients with or without interferon treatment (P > 0.05). Autoantibodies related to AIH can be detected in CHC patients; interferon may not induce the production of autoantibodies; it is very likely that HCV infection induces the autoimmune reaction and the production of autoantibodies.

Tridax procumbens flavonoids: a prospective bioactive compound increased osteoblast differentiation and trabecular bone formation.

PubMed

Al Mamun, Md Abdullah; Hosen, Mohammad Jakir; Khatun, Amina; Alam, M Masihul; Al-Bari, Md Abdul Alim

2017-09-08

The Tridax procumbens extracts (TPE) are known for their ethno-medicinal properties to increase osteogenic functioning in mesenchymal stem cells. Recently, we found that the T. procumbens flavonoids (TPF) significantly suppressed the RANKL-induced osteoclasts differentiation and bone resorption. The TPF also promoted osteoblasts differentiation and bone formation demonstrated by increasing bone formation markers in cultured mouse primary osteoblasts. However, the effects of the TPF on in vivo bone formation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of the TPF on in vivo bone formation, injected the TPF (20 mg/kg) twice a day in the low calcium diet mice and killed them after 21 day. Radiographic and histomorphometric analyses were performed on the dissected bones to determine the anabolic effects of the TPF. Bone mineral density and bone mineral content of the TPF-treated mice were significantly increased compared to the control mice. Bone formation-related indices like osteoblast number, osteoblast surface, bone volume, mineralizing surface, mineral apposition rate and bone formation rate were significantly increased in the TPF-treated mice compared to the control mice. Our findings point towards the stimulation of bone formation by TPF, suggested that the TPF could be a potential natural anabolic agent to treat patients with bone loss-associated diseases such as osteoporosis.

An Application of Quality Control Theory to Vendor-Supplied Parts at an Aerospace Manufacturing Company.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-08-01

presently used on the ATF3-6, TFE731 -2, -3, TPE331, GTCP660 and TSCP700 engines. Substantiation Metallurgical V Testing Tnstructions Control Part Name Part... TFE731 -2, -3 Fan 3072162 Ti-6-4 5001 C1.-2 L’$S52458 1st Stg.Comp. 3072193 Ti-6-4 5001 C1.-l AF5395 2nd Stg.Comp. 3072191 Ti-6-4 5001 CI.-I AF5395 W...Control Part Nam~e Part No. material (STIT~eouirernents Specification TFE731 -2, -3 4th Stg.Conp. 3072.93 Ti-6-4 5001 C1.-1 AF5395 HP Comp. 3072639 Ti-6-2

Redox-Responsive Biomimetic Polymeric Micelle for Simultaneous Anticancer Drug Delivery and Aggregation-Induced Emission Active Imaging.

PubMed

Hu, Jun; Zhuang, Weihua; Ma, Boxuan; Su, Xin; Yu, Tao; Li, Gaocan; Hu, Yanfei; Wang, Yunbing

2018-05-10

Intelligent polymeric micelles have been developed as potential nanoplatforms for efficient drug delivery and diagnosis. Herein, we successfully prepared redox-sensitive polymeric micelles combined aggregation-induced emission (AIE) imaging as an outstanding anticancer drug carrier system for simultaneous chemotherapy and bioimaging. The amphiphilic copolymer TPE-SS-PLAsp- b-PMPC could self-assemble into spherical micelles, and these biomimetic micelles exhibited great biocompatibility and remarkable ability in antiprotein adsorption, showing great potential for biomedical application. Anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) could be encapsulated during the self-assembly process, and these drug-loaded micelles showed intelligent drug release and improved antitumor efficacy due to the quick disassembly in response to high levels of glutathione (GSH) in the environment. Moreover, the intracellular DOX release could be traced through the fluorescent imaging of these AIE micelles. As expected, the in vivo antitumor study exhibited that these DOX-carried micelles showed better antitumor efficacy and less adverse effects than that of free DOX. These results strongly indicated that this smart biomimetic micelle system would be a prominent candidate for chemotherapy and bioimaging.

Self-catalyzed photo-initiated RAFT polymerization for fabrication of fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles with aggregation-induced emission feature.

PubMed

Zeng, Guangjian; Liu, Meiying; Jiang, Ruming; Huang, Qiang; Huang, Long; Wan, Qing; Dai, Yanfeng; Wen, Yuanqing; Zhang, Xiaoyong; Wei, Yen

2018-02-01

In recent years, the fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles (FPNs) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature have been extensively exploited in various biomedical fields owing to their advantages, such as low toxicity, biodegradation, excellent biocompatibility, good designability and optical properties. Therefore, development of a facile, efficient and well designable strategy should be of great importance for the biomedical applications of these AIE-active FPNs. In this work, a novel method for the fabrication of AIE-active FPNs has been developed through the self-catalyzed photo-initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization using an AIE dye containing chain transfer agent (CTA), which could initiate the RAFT polymerization under light irradiation. The results suggested that the final AIE-active FPNs (named as TPE-poly(St-PEGMA)) showed great potential for biomedical applications owing to their optical and biological properties. More importantly, the method described in the work is rather simple and effective and can be further extended to prepare many other different AIE-active FPNs owing to the good monomer adoptability of RAFT polymerization. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

H2CN+ and H2CNH+: New insight into the structure and dynamics from mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holzmeier, Fabian; Lang, Melanie; Hader, Kilian; Hemberger, Patrick; Fischer, Ingo

2013-06-01

In this paper, we reinvestigate the photoionization of nitrogen containing reactive intermediates of the composition H2CN and H2CNH, molecules of importance in astrochemistry and biofuel combustion. In particular, H2CN is also of considerable interest to theory, because of its complicated potential energy surface. The species were generated by flash pyrolysis, ionized with vacuum ultraviolet synchrotron radiation, and studied by mass-selected threshold photoelectron (TPE) spectroscopy. In the mass-selected TPE-spectrum of m/z = 28, contributions of all four isomers of H2CN were identified. The excitation energy to the triplet cation of the methylene amidogen radical H2CN was determined to be 12.32 eV. Considerable activity in the C-N mode of the cation is visible. Furthermore, we derived values for excitation into the triplet cations of 11.72 eV for cis-HCNH, 12.65 eV for trans-HCNH, and 11.21 eV for H2NC. The latter values are probably accurate to within one vibrational quantum. The spectrum features an additional peak at 10.43 eV that corresponds to excitation into the C2v-symmetric H2CN+. As this structure constitutes a saddle point, the peak is assigned to an activated complex on the singlet potential energy surface of the cation, corresponding to a hydrogen atom migration. For methanimine, H2CNH, the adiabatic ionization energy IEad was determined to be 9.99 eV and the vibrational structure of the spectrum was analyzed in detail. The uncertainty of earlier values that simply assigned the signal onset to the IEad is thus considerably reduced. The spectrum is dominated by the H-N-C bending mode ν1+ and the rocking mode ν3+. All experimental data were supported by calculations and Franck-Condon simulations.

Poly β-cyclodextrin/TPdye nanomicelle-based two-photon nanoprobe for caspase-3 activation imaging in live cells and tissues.

PubMed

Yan, Huijuan; He, Leiliang; Zhao, Wenjie; Li, Jishan; Xiao, Yue; Yang, Ronghua; Tan, Weihong

2014-11-18

Two-photon excitation (TPE) with near-infrared (NIR) photons as the excitation source has important advantages over conventional one-photon excitation (OPE) in the field of biomedical imaging. β-cyclodextrin polymer (βCDP)-based two-photon absorption (TPA) fluorescent nanomicelle exhibits desirable two-photon-sensitized fluorescence properties, high photostability, high cell-permeability and excellent biocompatibility. By combination of the nanostructured two-photon dye (TPdye)/βCDP nanomicelle with the TPE technique, herein we have designed a TPdye/βCDP nanomicelle-based TPA fluorescent nanoconjugate for enzymatic activity assay in biological fluids, live cells and tissues. This sensing system is composed of a trans-4-[p-(N,N-diethylamino)styryl]-N-methylpyridinium iodide (DEASPI)/βCDP nanomicelle as TPA fluorophore and carrier vehicle for delivery of a specific peptide sequence to live cell through fast endocytosis, and an adamantine (Ad)-GRRRDEVDK-BHQ2 (black hole quencher 2) peptide (denoted as Ad-DEVD-BHQ2) anchored on the DEASPI/βCDP nanomicelle's surface to form TPA DEASPI/βCDP@Ad-DEVD-BHQ2 nanoconjugate by the βCD/Ad host-guest inclusion strategy. Successful in vitro and in vivo enzymatic activities assay of caspase-3 was demonstrated with this sensing strategy. Our results reveal that this DEASPI/βCDP@Ad-DEVD-BHQ2 nanoconjugate not only is a robust, sensitive and selective sensor for quantitative assay of caspase-3 in the complex biological environment but also can be efficiently delivered into live cells as well as tissues and act as a "signal-on" fluorescent biosensor for specific, high-contrast imaging of enzymatic activities. This DEASPI/βCDP@Ad-DEVD-BHQ2 nanoconjugate provides a new opportunity to screen enzyme inhibitors and evaluate the apoptosis-associated disease progression. Moreover, our design also provides a methodology model scheme for development of future TPdye/βCDP nanomicelle-based two-photon fluorescent probes for in vitro or in vivo determination of biological or biologically relevant species.

Third Pole Environment (TPE): a new frontier for interdisciplinary research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Z.; Yao, T.; Thompson, L. G.; Mosbrugger, V.; Zhang, F.; Ma, Y.; Yang, X.; Wang, W.; Joswiak, D.; Liu, X.; Devkota, L. P.; Tayal, S.; Luo, T.

2013-12-01

The Tibetan Plateau and surrounding mountain ranges, referred to by scientists as the Third Pole (TP), represent one of the largest ice masses of the Earth. The region is one of the most sensitive areas responding to global climate change due to its high altitude and the presence of permafrost and glaciers. The near 100,000 km2 of glaciers ensure the permanent flow of major rivers in this region and provide water to 1.4 billion people in Asia. Thus, environmental changes taking place on the TP significantly influences social and economic development of countries in this region such as China, India, Nepal, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bhutan. With an average elevation higher than 4,000 metres above sea level, the Third Pole is characterized by complex interactions of atmospheric, cryospheric, hydrological, geological and environmental processes that bear special significance for the Earth's biodiversity, climate and water cycles. For a comprehensive understanding of the environment of the TP and its implications on the development of the region, we need to integrate different disciplines under a them of 'water-ice-air-ecosystem -human' interactions and reveal environmental change processes and mechanisms on the TP and their influences on and regional responses to global changes, and thus to serve for enhancement of human adaptation to the changing environment. Like Antarctica and the Arctic, the Third Pole region is drawing increased attention of the international academic community. A series of observations and monitoring programs in the Third Pole region has been widely implemented. However, data necessary to precisely assess the environmental, societal and economic changes caused by alterations in the Third Pole dynamics are either lacking or insufficient. The Third Pole Environment (TPE) program is thus established as a comprehensive and coordinated international research, monitoring and capacity building initiative, with goals to address the influence of environmental changes on humanity and to provide mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Pernicious Anemia Associated Cobalamin Deficiency and Thrombotic Microangiopathy: Case Report and Review of the Literature

PubMed Central

Spinowitz, Bruce; Charytan, Chaim; Galler, Marilyn

2017-01-01

A 43-year-old Hispanic male without significant previous medical history was brought to emergency department for syncope following a blood draw to investigate a 40 lbs weight loss during the past 6 months associated with decreased appetite and progressive fatigue. The patient also reported a 1-month history of jaundice. On examination, he was hemodynamically stable and afebrile with pallor and diffuse jaundice but without skin rash or palpable purpura. Normal sensations and power in all extremities were evident on neurological exam. Presence of hemolytic anemia, schistocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was suggestive of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). However, presence of leukopenia, macrocytes, and an inadequate reticulocyte response to the degree of anemia served as initial clues to an alternative diagnosis. Two and one units of packed red blood cells were transfused on day 1 and day 3, respectively. In addition, one unit of platelets was transfused on day 2. Daily therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was initiated and continued until ADAMTS-13 result ruled out TTP. A low cobalamin (vitamin B12) level was evident at initial laboratory work-up and subsequent testing revealed positive intrinsic factor-blocking antibodies supporting a diagnosis of pernicious anemia with severe cobalamin deficiency. Hematological improvement was observed following vitamin B12 supplementation. The patient was discharged and markedly improved on day 9 with outpatient follow-up for cobalamin supplementation. PMID:28265287

Pernicious Anemia Associated Cobalamin Deficiency and Thrombotic Microangiopathy: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Yousaf, Farhanah; Spinowitz, Bruce; Charytan, Chaim; Galler, Marilyn

2017-01-01

A 43-year-old Hispanic male without significant previous medical history was brought to emergency department for syncope following a blood draw to investigate a 40 lbs weight loss during the past 6 months associated with decreased appetite and progressive fatigue. The patient also reported a 1-month history of jaundice. On examination, he was hemodynamically stable and afebrile with pallor and diffuse jaundice but without skin rash or palpable purpura. Normal sensations and power in all extremities were evident on neurological exam. Presence of hemolytic anemia, schistocytosis, thrombocytopenia, and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was suggestive of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). However, presence of leukopenia, macrocytes, and an inadequate reticulocyte response to the degree of anemia served as initial clues to an alternative diagnosis. Two and one units of packed red blood cells were transfused on day 1 and day 3, respectively. In addition, one unit of platelets was transfused on day 2. Daily therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) was initiated and continued until ADAMTS-13 result ruled out TTP. A low cobalamin (vitamin B12) level was evident at initial laboratory work-up and subsequent testing revealed positive intrinsic factor-blocking antibodies supporting a diagnosis of pernicious anemia with severe cobalamin deficiency. Hematological improvement was observed following vitamin B12 supplementation. The patient was discharged and markedly improved on day 9 with outpatient follow-up for cobalamin supplementation.

The successful experimental induction of necrotic enteritis in chickens by Clostridium perfringens: a critical review.

PubMed

Shojadoost, Bahram; Vince, Andrew R; Prescott, John F

2012-10-26

Necrotic enteritis (NE) is one of the most important enteric diseases in poultry and is a high cost to the industry worldwide. It is caused by avian-specific, Necrotic Enteritis Beta toxin (NetB)-producing, strains of Clostridium perfringens that also possess in common other virulence-associated genes. In Europe the disease incidence has increased since the ban on in-feed "growth promoting" antibiotics. Because of this, many recent studies of NE have focused on finding different ways to control the disease, and on understanding its pathogenesis. Frustratingly, reproduction of the disease has proven impossible for some researchers. This review describes and discusses factors known to be important in reproducing the disease experimentally, as well as other considerations in reproducing the disease. The critical bacterial factor is the use of virulent, netB-positive, strains; virulence can be enhanced by using tpeL- positive strains and by the use of young rather than old broth cultures to increase toxin expression. Intestinal damaging factors, notably the use of concurrent or preceding coccidial infection, or administration of coccidial vaccines, combined with netB-positive C. perfringens administration, can also be used to induce NE. Nutritional factors, particularly feeding high percentage of cereals containing non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) (wheat, rye, and barley) enhance disease by increasing digesta viscosity, mucus production and bacterial growth. Animal proteins, especially fish meal, enhance C. perfringens proliferation and toxin production. Other factors are discussed that may affect outcome but for which evidence of their importance is lacking. The review compares the different challenge approaches; depending on the aim of particular studies, the different critical factors can be adjusted to affect the severity of the lesions induced. A standardized scoring system is proposed for international adoption based on gross rather than histopathological lesions; if universally adopted this will allow better comparison between studies done by different researchers. Also a scoring system is provided to assist decisions on humane euthanasia of sick birds.

Stable and Size-Tunable Aggregation-Induced Emission Nanoparticles Encapsulated with Nanographene Oxide and Applications in Three-Photon Fluorescence Bioimaging.

PubMed

Zhu, Zhenfeng; Qian, Jun; Zhao, Xinyuan; Qin, Wei; Hu, Rongrong; Zhang, Hequn; Li, Dongyu; Xu, Zhengping; Tang, Ben Zhong; He, Sailing

2016-01-26

Organic fluorescent dyes with high quantum yield are widely applied in bioimaging and biosensing. However, most of them suffer from a severe effect called aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ), which means that their fluorescence is quenched at high molecular concentrations or in the aggregation state. Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is a diametrically opposite phenomenon to ACQ, and luminogens with this feature can effectively solve this problem. Graphene oxide has been utilized as a quencher for many fluorescent dyes, based on which biosensing can be achieved. However, using graphene oxide as a surface modification agent of fluorescent nanoparticles is seldom reported. In this article, we used nanographene oxide (NGO) to encapsulate fluorescent nanoparticles, which consisted of a type of AIE dye named TPE-TPA-FN (TTF). NGO significantly improved the stability of nanoparticles in aqueous dispersion. In addition, this method could control the size of nanoparticles' flexibly as well as increase their emission efficiency. We then used the NGO-modified TTF nanoparticles to achieve three-photon fluorescence bioimaging. The architecture of ear blood vessels in mice and the distribution of nanoparticles in zebrafish could be observed clearly. Furthermore, we extended this method to other AIE luminogens and showed it was widely feasible.

Utilization of Network-Forming Block Copolymers and Ionomers in the Development of Novel Nanostructures and Responsive Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mineart, Kenneth

Network forming block copolymers, i.e. thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), are one of the highest commodity forms of block copolymers due to their competitive elasticity and extendability as well as their ability to be melt and solution processed. TPEs owe many of their advantages to a combination of hard and soft blocks. The soft blocks, which must be covalently bound at both ends to hard blocks, connect adjacent hard domains resulting in physically cross-linked systems. Herein, simulations and theory are used to provide a molecular-level depiction of the evolution from diblock copolymers, which do not contain the ability to form physical cross-links, to network forming triblock copolymers. In addition, systems with high interblock incompatibility that are within the diblock-to-triblock transition (i.e. having high molecular asymmetry) are identified to form three component (ABC triblock copolymer) phases from copolymer containing only two chemically distinct blocks. Following this work, which emphasizes the fundamental principle of TPEs, the dissertation shifts focus to physically- and chemically-modified triblock and pentablock copolymer TPEs. Recent progress has sought to broaden TPEs to include properties that are above and beyond their inherent mechanical benefits, including responsiveness to external stimuli. The first examples presented here consist of TPEs prepared in combination with amorphous hydrocarbon additives to yield TPE gels (TPEGs). The resulting TPEGs, which maintain the beneficial processing properties of TPEs, are subsequently molded into 1- and 2-D arrays of microchannels that are filled with liquid metal. The final devices exhibit strain-sensitive electrical conductivity to at least 600% strain, have tunable compliance (ease of stretching), and are fully recyclable. The substitution of the amorphous hydrocarbon component for crystalline analogues with melting points <100 °C yield TPE composites (TPECs). The TPECs gain the added capability of thermally-triggered shape-memory actuation, which results in a number of design possibilities including: (i) multiple-transition shape-memory in single a composite, (ii) complex actuation in laminates and, (iii) thermally-responsive electrical conductivity in microchannel-molded composites filled with liquid metal. These shape-memory TPECs can also be tuned to have different shape-memory response rates through the addition of an amorphous hydrocarbon tackifier, which serves to dilute the crystalline content without altering TPE concentration. The second set of functionalized TPEs examined are midblock-sulfonated block copolymers, which have substantial ion and water transport abilities, but are often restricted in thermal processability. The casting solvent-dependent morphology of a midblock sulfonated pentablock copolymer highlights the impact of solvent templating on resulting film domain structures. It is shown that film deposition from a miscible mixture of toluene and isopropanol (TIPA) leads to spherical sulfonated domains within a nonpolar matrix whereas deposition from neat tetrahydrofuran (THF) produces a combination of lamellar and hexagonally-pack cylinder nanostructures. These morphologies can both be converted to the anticipated equilibrium morphology, alternating lamellae, using THF vapor-annealing. Further, the morphology resulting from each solvent-casting approach impacts the rate and overall capacity at which films absorb water. Specifically, THF-cast copolymers swell faster and to a greater extent. However, some intrigue lies in the transformation of the TIPA-cast copolymer upon swelling, which yields disordered, but continuous, hydrophilic domains. The disordered morphology outperforms ordered analogues in solar simulation experiments indicating higher ion conductivity.

DNA stretching on the wall surfaces in curved microchannels with different radii

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsieh, Shou-Shing; Wu, Fong-He; Tsai, Ming-Ju

2014-08-01

DNA molecule conformation dynamics and stretching were made on semi-circular surfaces with different radii (500 to 5,000 μm) in microchannels measuring 200 μm × 200 μm in cross section. Five different buffer solutions - 1× Tris-acetate-EDTA (TAE), 1× Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE), 1× Tris-EDTA (TE), 1× Tris-phosphate-EDTA (TPE), and 1× Tris-buffered saline (TBS) solutions - were used with a variety of viscosity such as 40, 60, and 80 cP, with resultant 10-4 ≤ Re ≤ 10-3 and the corresponding 5 ≤ Wi ≤ 12. The test fluids were seeded with JOJO-1 tracer particles for flow visualization and driven through the test channels via a piezoelectric (PZT) micropump. Micro particle image velocimetry (μPIV) measuring technique was applied for the centered-plane velocity distribution measurements. It is found that the radius effect on the stretch ratio of DNA dependence is significant. The stretch ratio becomes larger as the radius becomes small due to the larger centrifugal force. Consequently, the maximum stretch was found at the center of the channel with a radius of 500 μm.

TH-A-19A-04: Latent Uncertainties and Performance of a GPU-Implemented Pre-Calculated Track Monte Carlo Method

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

Renaud, M; Seuntjens, J; Roberge, D

Purpose: Assessing the performance and uncertainty of a pre-calculated Monte Carlo (PMC) algorithm for proton and electron transport running on graphics processing units (GPU). While PMC methods have been described in the past, an explicit quantification of the latent uncertainty arising from recycling a limited number of tracks in the pre-generated track bank is missing from the literature. With a proper uncertainty analysis, an optimal pre-generated track bank size can be selected for a desired dose calculation uncertainty. Methods: Particle tracks were pre-generated for electrons and protons using EGSnrc and GEANT4, respectively. The PMC algorithm for track transport was implementedmore » on the CUDA programming framework. GPU-PMC dose distributions were compared to benchmark dose distributions simulated using general-purpose MC codes in the same conditions. A latent uncertainty analysis was performed by comparing GPUPMC dose values to a “ground truth” benchmark while varying the track bank size and primary particle histories. Results: GPU-PMC dose distributions and benchmark doses were within 1% of each other in voxels with dose greater than 50% of Dmax. In proton calculations, a submillimeter distance-to-agreement error was observed at the Bragg Peak. Latent uncertainty followed a Poisson distribution with the number of tracks per energy (TPE) and a track bank of 20,000 TPE produced a latent uncertainty of approximately 1%. Efficiency analysis showed a 937× and 508× gain over a single processor core running DOSXYZnrc for 16 MeV electrons in water and bone, respectively. Conclusion: The GPU-PMC method can calculate dose distributions for electrons and protons to a statistical uncertainty below 1%. The track bank size necessary to achieve an optimal efficiency can be tuned based on the desired uncertainty. Coupled with a model to calculate dose contributions from uncharged particles, GPU-PMC is a candidate for inverse planning of modulated electron radiotherapy and scanned proton beams. This work was supported in part by FRSQ-MSSS (Grant No. 22090), NSERC RG (Grant No. 432290) and CIHR MOP (Grant No. MOP-211360)« less

Dual stimuli responsive self-reporting material for chemical reservoir coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Tae Hee; Song, Young Kyu; Park, Sun Hee; Park, Young Il; Noh, Seung Man; Kim, Jin Chul

2018-03-01

In this study, we introduce a novel dual stimuli responsive self-reporting thiol-epoxy thermoset (DSRTET) coatings which can detect both crack occurrence and pH variation. For crack detection, microcapsule containing tetraphenylethylene (TPE) which exhibits aggregation induced emission (AIE) effect was prepared via multi-step emulsion polymerization and dispersed in DSRTET coatings. For pH variation detection, commercial thymol blue as a pH indicator was added into the polymer matrix. The effect of microcapsule contents in DSRTET on their curing behavior, material properties, and crack sensitivity was characterized using an oscillatory rheology, rigid body pendulum test (RPT), nano-indentation test (NST), universal test machine (UTM) and scratch tester. It was revealed that crack sensitivity of DSRTET coatings was greatly influenced by material properties as well as microcapsule content. The color transition of DSRTET coatings in response to acid or base solution were quantitatively investigated using a multi-angle spectrophotometer after simple acid and base solution drop tests. The color of DSRTET coatings changed from a pale green to red for acidic solution and to blue for basic solution. Finally, The DSRTET used in this study was applied to laboratory scale chemical reservoirs in order to verify the potential as a dual stimuli response self-reporting coating which can detect both crack in coating material and chemical spill caused by the leakage or breakage of the reservoir part.

[Pathogenicity factors of bacteria with glycosylating activity].

PubMed

Tartakovskaia, D I; Araslanova, V A; Belyĭ, Iu F

2011-01-01

A and B toxins of Clostridium difficile, a-toxin of C. novyi, lehal toxin of C. sordellii, and TpeL toxin of C. perfringens belong to the group of the so-called large Clostridium toxins. These toxins modify low-molecular weight guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins of the Rho/Ras family by their glycosylation that results in inactivation of major signal pathways in eukaryotic cells. Lgt glycosyltransferases, a new group of pathogenicity factors also capable of inactivating eukaryotic substrates via glycosylation, have recently been identified in Legionella. They are transported into cytoplasm of eukaryotic target cells by type 4 secretory system of Legionella. After translocation, the enzyme inhibits protein synthesis by attaching glucose residue to Ser53 of 1A elongation factor. The available data suggest an important role of bacterial glycosylating factors in the action of pathogens causing infectious diseases.

Photophysical Properties of Organoplatinum(II) Compounds and Derived Self-Assembled Metallacycles and Metallacages: Fluorescence and its Applications.

PubMed

Saha, Manik Lal; Yan, Xuzhou; Stang, Peter J

2016-11-15

Over the past couple of decades, coordination-driven self-assembly has evolved as a broad multidisciplinary domain that not only covers the syntheses of aesthetically pleasing supramolecular architectures but also emerges as a method to form new optical materials, chemical sensors, theranostic agents, and compounds with light-harvesting and emissive properties. The majority of these applications depend upon investigations that reveal the photophysical nature and electronic structure of supramolecular coordination complexes (SCCs), including two-dimensional (2D) metallacycles and three-dimensional (3D) metallacages. As such, well-defined absorption and emission spectra are important for a given SCC to be used for sensing, bioimaging, and other applications with molecular fluorescence being an important component. In this Account, we summarize the photophysical properties of some bis(phosphine)organoplatinum(II) compounds and their discrete SCCs. The platinum(II) based organometallic precursors typically display spectral red-shifts and have low fluorescence quantum yields and short fluorescence lifetimes compared to their organic counterparts because the introduction of metal centers enhances both intersystem crossing (ISC) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) processes, which can compete with the fluorescence emissions. Likewise ligands with conjugation can also increase the ICT process; hence the corresponding organoplatinum(II) compounds undergo a further decrease in fluorescence lifetimes. The use of endohedral amine functionalized 120°-bispyridyl ligands can dramatically enhance the emission properties of the resultant organoplatinum(II) based SCCs. As such these SCCs display emissions in the visible region (ca. 400-500 nm) and are significantly red-shifted (ca. 80-100 nm) compared to the ligands. This key feature makes them suitable as supramolecular theranostic agents wherein these unique emission properties provide diagnostic spectroscopic handles and the organoplatinum(II) centers act as potential anticancer agents. Using steady state and time-resolved-spectroscopic techniques and quantum computations in concert, we have determined that the emissive properties stem from the ligand-centered transitions involving π-type molecular orbitals with modest contributions from the metal-based orbitals. The self-assembly and the photophysics of organoplatinum(II) ← 3-substituted pyridyl based SCCs are highly diverse. Subtle changes in the ligands' structures can form molecular congener systems with distinct conformational and photophysical properties. Furthermore, the heterometallic SCCs described herein possess rich photophysical properties and can be used for sensing based applications. Tetraphenylethylene (TPE) based SCCs display emissions in the aggregated state as well as in dilute solutions. This is a unique phenomenon that bridges the aggregation caused quenching (ACQ) and aggregation induced emission (AIE) effects. Moreover, a TPE based metallacage exhibits solvatoluminescence, including white light emission in THF solvent, and can act as a fluorescence-sensor for structurally similar ester compounds.

A Comparison of ACQ, AIE and AEE-Based Polymers Loaded on Polyurethane Foams as Sensors for Explosives Detection.

PubMed

Chu, Zhiwei; Fan, Zhuxin; Zhang, Xiang; Tan, Xiaofeng; Li, Dongxu; Chen, Guohua; Zhao, Qinghua

2018-05-15

An aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ)-active polymer (PF), an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active polymer (PFTPE) and an aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE)-active polymer (PTTPE) were synthesized by tetraphenylethane (TPE), fluorene and thiophene moieties. Polyurethane (PU) foams modified by PF, PFTPE and PTTPE, namely PU-PF, PU-PFTPE and PU-PTTPE, using ultrasonication-assisted method have been prepared. A comparative study of PU-PF, PU-PFTPE and PU-PTTPE for detection explosives had been performed, and significant fluorescence quenching was observed with the introduction of PA solutions. The as-prepared PU-PF, PU-PFTPE and PU-PTTPE sensors exhibited a superior sensitivity for PA solutions with different concentrations. Remarkably, PU-PF gave a quenching efficiency of 96.2%, higher than 93.5% for PU-PFTPE and 86.7% for PU-PTTPE at a PA concentration of 180 µg·mL -1 in methanol, which was attributed to the effective energy transfer from the fluorophore (PF) to the nitro explosive (PA). This suggested that some ACQ polymers, applied to detect explosives, could afford better performances than AIE or AEE polymers through modification of structures and selection of adequate carriers. At the same time, these chemical sensors can be recycled many times.

Trial-Run of a Junction-Box Attachment Test for Use in Photovoltaic Module Qualification: Preprint

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

Miller, D. C.; Deibert, S. L.; Wohlgemuth, J. H.

Engineering robust adhesion of the junction box (j-box) is a hurdle typically encountered by photovoltaic module manufacturers during product development and manufacturing process control. There are historical incidences of adverse effects (e.g., fires) caused when the j-box/adhesive/module system has failed in the field. The addition of a weight to the j-box during the 'damp-heat,' 'thermal-cycle,' or 'creep' tests within the IEC qualification protocol is proposed to verify the basic robustness of the adhesion system. The details of the proposed test are described, in addition to a trial-run of the test procedure. The described experiments examine four moisture-cured silicones, four foammore » tapes, and a hot-melt adhesive used in conjunction with glass, KPE, THV, and TPE substrates. For the purpose of validating the experiment, j-boxes were adhered to a substrate, loaded with a prescribed weight, and then subjected to aging. The replicate mock-modules were aged in an environmental chamber (at 85 degrees C/85% relative humidity for 1000 hours; then 100 degrees C/<10% relative humidity for 200 hours) or fielded in Golden (CO), Miami (FL), and Phoenix (AZ) for one year. Attachment strength tests, including pluck and shear test geometries, were also performed on smaller component specimens.« less

Trial Run of a Junction-Box Attachment Test for Use in Photovoltaic Module Qualification (Presentation)

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

Miller, D.; Deibert, S.; Wohlgemuth, J.

Engineering robust adhesion of the junction-box (j-box) is a hurdle typically encountered by photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers during product development and manufacturing process control. There are historical incidences of adverse effects (e.g., fires), caused when the j-box/adhesive/module system has failed in the field. The addition of a weight to the j-box during the 'damp-heat', 'thermal-cycle', or 'creep' tests within the IEC qualification protocol is proposed to verify the basic robustness of the adhesion system. The details of the proposed test are described, in addition to a trial run of the test procedure. The described experiments examine 4 moisture-cured silicones, 4more » foam tapes, and a hot-melt adhesive used in conjunction with glass, KPE, THV, and TPE substrates. For the purpose of validating the experiment, j-boxes were adhered to a substrate, loaded with a prescribed weight, and then subjected to aging. The replicate mock-modules were aged in an environmental chamber (at 85 deg C/85% relative humidity for 1000 hours; then 100 degrees C/<10% relative humidity for 200 hours) or fielded in Golden, Miami, and Phoenix for 1 year. Attachment strength tests, including pluck and shear test geometries, were also performed on smaller component specimens.« less

A Comparison of ACQ, AIE and AEE-Based Polymers Loaded on Polyurethane Foams as Sensors for Explosives Detection

PubMed Central

Chu, Zhiwei; Fan, Zhuxin; Zhang, Xiang; Tan, Xiaofeng; Chen, Guohua; Zhao, Qinghua

2018-01-01

An aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ)-active polymer (PF), an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active polymer (PFTPE) and an aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE)-active polymer (PTTPE) were synthesized by tetraphenylethane (TPE), fluorene and thiophene moieties. Polyurethane (PU) foams modified by PF, PFTPE and PTTPE, namely PU-PF, PU-PFTPE and PU-PTTPE, using ultrasonication-assisted method have been prepared. A comparative study of PU-PF, PU-PFTPE and PU-PTTPE for detection explosives had been performed, and significant fluorescence quenching was observed with the introduction of PA solutions. The as-prepared PU-PF, PU-PFTPE and PU-PTTPE sensors exhibited a superior sensitivity for PA solutions with different concentrations. Remarkably, PU-PF gave a quenching efficiency of 96.2%, higher than 93.5% for PU-PFTPE and 86.7% for PU-PTTPE at a PA concentration of 180 µg·mL−1 in methanol, which was attributed to the effective energy transfer from the fluorophore (PF) to the nitro explosive (PA). This suggested that some ACQ polymers, applied to detect explosives, could afford better performances than AIE or AEE polymers through modification of structures and selection of adequate carriers. At the same time, these chemical sensors can be recycled many times. PMID:29762497

DNA stretching on the wall surfaces in curved microchannels with different radii.

PubMed

Hsieh, Shou-Shing; Wu, Fong-He; Tsai, Ming-Ju

2014-01-01

DNA molecule conformation dynamics and stretching were made on semi-circular surfaces with different radii (500 to 5,000 μm) in microchannels measuring 200 μm × 200 μm in cross section. Five different buffer solutions - 1× Tris-acetate-EDTA (TAE), 1× Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE), 1× Tris-EDTA (TE), 1× Tris-phosphate-EDTA (TPE), and 1× Tris-buffered saline (TBS) solutions - were used with a variety of viscosity such as 40, 60, and 80 cP, with resultant 10(-4) ≤ Re ≤ 10(-3) and the corresponding 5 ≤ Wi ≤ 12. The test fluids were seeded with JOJO-1 tracer particles for flow visualization and driven through the test channels via a piezoelectric (PZT) micropump. Micro particle image velocimetry (μPIV) measuring technique was applied for the centered-plane velocity distribution measurements. It is found that the radius effect on the stretch ratio of DNA dependence is significant. The stretch ratio becomes larger as the radius becomes small due to the larger centrifugal force. Consequently, the maximum stretch was found at the center of the channel with a radius of 500 μm.

DNA stretching on the wall surfaces in curved microchannels with different radii

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

DNA molecule conformation dynamics and stretching were made on semi-circular surfaces with different radii (500 to 5,000 μm) in microchannels measuring 200 μm × 200 μm in cross section. Five different buffer solutions - 1× Tris-acetate-EDTA (TAE), 1× Tris-borate-EDTA (TBE), 1× Tris-EDTA (TE), 1× Tris-phosphate-EDTA (TPE), and 1× Tris-buffered saline (TBS) solutions - were used with a variety of viscosity such as 40, 60, and 80 cP, with resultant 10−4 ≤ Re ≤ 10−3 and the corresponding 5 ≤ Wi ≤ 12. The test fluids were seeded with JOJO-1 tracer particles for flow visualization and driven through the test channels via a piezoelectric (PZT) micropump. Micro particle image velocimetry (μPIV) measuring technique was applied for the centered-plane velocity distribution measurements. It is found that the radius effect on the stretch ratio of DNA dependence is significant. The stretch ratio becomes larger as the radius becomes small due to the larger centrifugal force. Consequently, the maximum stretch was found at the center of the channel with a radius of 500 μm. PMID:25147488

A passive sampling method for assessing the occurrence and risk of organophosphate flame retardants in aquatic environments.

PubMed

Yang, Cunman; Li, Ying; Zha, Daoping; Lu, Guanghua; Sun, Qin; Wu, Donghai

2017-01-01

A modified polar organic chemical integrative sampler (m-POCIS) was used to determine the occurrence of and risk posed by organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) in the Yangtze River in Nanjing. Laboratory calibrations were performed to determine sampling rates (R s ) in different situations. R s values increased with the flow rate, but the effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) on R s was relatively small. The validation of R s in the m-POCIS for 15 days at the Yangtze River in 2015 showed that the R s values for most of the test compounds are considerably larger than those obtained in the laboratory. The aqueous concentrations of OPFRs were estimated by using R s values obtained in the field. OPFRs were widely distributed in the Yangtze River, with total concentrations as determined by the m-POCIS ranging from 44.95 ng/L to 118.38 ng/L. These suggest their widespread use and persistence in the river. This study also provided a protocol for the assessment of risk posed by OPFRs. It showed that tripentyl phosphate (TPeP) could pose medium risk to daphnia in the Yangtze River. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Theoretical study of the crystal-field energy levels and two-photon absorption intensities of Tb3+ in cubic host lattices.

PubMed

Duan, Chang-Kui; Tanner, Peter A

2011-03-17

Published two photon excitation (TPE) intensities for the cubic elpasolite systems Cs(2)NaTbX(6) (X = Cl, F) have been simulated by a calculation of two photon absorption (TPA) intensities which takes into account electric dipole transitions involving the detailed crystal-field structure of 4f(7)5d intermediate states, as well as the interactions of the 4f(7) core with the d-electron. The intensity calculation employed parameters from an energy level calculation which not only presented an accurate fit, but also yielded parameters consistent with those from other lanthanide ions. The calculated intensities were used to confirm or adjust the previous assignments of energy levels, resulting in some minor revisions. Generally, the TPA intensity simulations were in better agreement with experimental data for the fluoride, rather than the chloride, system and possible reasons for this are given.

Piezoresistive Soft Condensed Matter Sensor for Body-Mounted Vital Function Applications

PubMed Central

Melnykowycz, Mark; Tschudin, Michael; Clemens, Frank

2016-01-01

A soft condensed matter sensor (SCMS) designed to measure strains on the human body is presented. The hybrid material based on carbon black (CB) and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) was bonded to a textile elastic band and used as a sensor on the human wrist to measure hand motion by detecting the movement of tendons in the wrist. Additionally it was able to track the blood pulse wave of a person, allowing for the determination of pulse wave peaks corresponding to the systole and diastole blood pressures in order to calculate the heart rate. Sensor characterization was done using mechanical cycle testing, and the band sensor achieved a gauge factor of 4–6.3 while displaying low signal relaxation when held at a strain levels. Near-linear signal performance was displayed when loading to successively higher strain levels up to 50% strain. PMID:26959025

Piezoresistive Soft Condensed Matter Sensor for Body-Mounted Vital Function Applications.

PubMed

Melnykowycz, Mark; Tschudin, Michael; Clemens, Frank

2016-03-04

A soft condensed matter sensor (SCMS) designed to measure strains on the human body is presented. The hybrid material based on carbon black (CB) and a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) was bonded to a textile elastic band and used as a sensor on the human wrist to measure hand motion by detecting the movement of tendons in the wrist. Additionally it was able to track the blood pulse wave of a person, allowing for the determination of pulse wave peaks corresponding to the systole and diastole blood pressures in order to calculate the heart rate. Sensor characterization was done using mechanical cycle testing, and the band sensor achieved a gauge factor of 4-6.3 while displaying low signal relaxation when held at a strain levels. Near-linear signal performance was displayed when loading to successively higher strain levels up to 50% strain.

Anisamide-Anchored Lyotropic Nano-Liquid Crystalline Particles with AIE Effect: A Smart Optical Beacon for Tumor Imaging and Therapy.

PubMed

Urandur, Sandeep; Banala, Venkatesh Teja; Shukla, Ravi Prakash; Mittapelly, Naresh; Pandey, Gitu; Kalleti, Navodayam; Mitra, Kalyan; Rath, Srikanta Kumar; Trivedi, Ritu; Ramarao, Pratibha; Mishra, Prabhat Ranjan

2018-04-18

The prospective design of nanocarriers for personalized oncotherapy should be an ensemble of targeting, imaging, and noninvasive therapeutic capabilities. Herein, we report the development of the inverse hexagonal nano-liquid crystalline (NLC) particles that are able to host formononetin (FMN), a phytoestrogen with known anticancer activity, and tetraphenylethene (TPE), an iconic optical beacon with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) signature, simultaneously. Ordered three-dimensional mesoporous internal structure and high-lipid-volume fraction of NLC nanoparticles (NLC NPs) frame the outer compartment for the better settlement of payloads. Embellishment of these nanoparticles by anisamide (AA), a novel sigma receptor targeting ligand using carbodiimide coupling chemistry ensured NLC's as an outstanding vehicle for possible utility in surveillance of tumor location as well as the FMN delivery through active AIE imaging. The size and structural integrity of nanoparticles were evaluated by quasi-elastic light scattering, cryo field emission scanning electron microscopy small-angle X-ray scattering. The existence of AIE effect in the nanoparticles was evidenced through the photophysical studies that advocate the application of NLC NPs in fluorescence-based bioimaging. Moreover, confocal microscopy illustrated the single living cell imaging ability endowed by the NLC NPs. In vitro and in vivo studies supported the enhanced efficacy of targeted nanoparticles (AA-NLC-TF) in comparison to nontargeted nanoparticles (NLC-TF) and free drug. Apparently, this critically designed multimodal NLC NPs may establish a promising platform for targeted and image-guided chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Relationship between Recent Flight Experience and Pilot Error General Aviation Accidents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nilsson, Sarah J.

Aviation insurance agents and fixed-base operation (FBO) owners use recent flight experience, as implied by the 90-day rule, to measure pilot proficiency in physical airplane skills, and to assess the likelihood of a pilot error accident. The generally accepted premise is that more experience in a recent timeframe predicts less of a propensity for an accident, all other factors excluded. Some of these aviation industry stakeholders measure pilot proficiency solely by using time flown within the past 90, 60, or even 30 days, not accounting for extensive research showing aeronautical decision-making and situational awareness training decrease the likelihood of a pilot error accident. In an effort to reduce the pilot error accident rate, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has seen the need to shift pilot training emphasis from proficiency in physical airplane skills to aeronautical decision-making and situational awareness skills. However, current pilot training standards still focus more on the former than on the latter. The relationship between pilot error accidents and recent flight experience implied by the FAA's 90-day rule has not been rigorously assessed using empirical data. The intent of this research was to relate recent flight experience, in terms of time flown in the past 90 days, to pilot error accidents. A quantitative ex post facto approach, focusing on private pilots of single-engine general aviation (GA) fixed-wing aircraft, was used to analyze National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accident investigation archival data. The data were analyzed using t-tests and binary logistic regression. T-tests between the mean number of hours of recent flight experience of tricycle gear pilots involved in pilot error accidents (TPE) and non-pilot error accidents (TNPE), t(202) = -.200, p = .842, and conventional gear pilots involved in pilot error accidents (CPE) and non-pilot error accidents (CNPE), t(111) = -.271, p = .787, indicate there is no statistically significant relationship between groups. Binary logistic regression indicate that recent flight experience does not reliably distinguish between pilot error and non-pilot error accidents for TPE/TNPE, chi2 = 0.040 (df=1, p = .841) and CPE/CNPE, chi2= 0.074 (df =1, p = .786). Future research could focus on different pilot populations, and to broaden the scope, analyze several years of data.

Competitive Adsorption between Nanoparticles and Surface Active Ions for the Oil-Water Interface.

PubMed

Hua, Xiaoqing; Bevan, Michael A; Frechette, Joelle

2018-04-24

Nanoparticles (NPs) can add functionality (e.g., catalytic, optical, rheological) to an oil-water interface. Adsorption of ∼10 nm NPs can be reversible; however, the mechanisms for adsorption and its effects on surface pressure remain poorly understood. Here we demonstrate how the competitive reversible adsorption of NPs and surfactants at fluid interfaces can lead to independent control of both the adsorbed amount and surface pressure. In contrast to prior work, both species investigated (NPs and surfactants) interact reversibly with the interface and without the surface active species binding to NPs. Independent measurements of the adsorption and surface pressure isotherms allow determination of the equation of state (EOS) of the interface under conditions where the NPs and surfactants are both in dynamic equilibrium with the bulk phase. The adsorption and surface pressure measurements are performed with gold NPs of two different sizes (5 and 10 nm), at two pH values, and across a wide concentration range of surfactant (tetrapentylammonium, TPeA + ) and NPs. We show that free surface active ions compete with NPs for the interface and give rise to larger surface pressures upon the adsorption of NPs. Through a competitive adsorption model, we decouple the contributions of NPs wetting at the interface and their surface activity on the measured surface pressure. We also demonstrate reversible control of adsorbed amount via changes in the surfactant concentration or the aqueous phase pH.

The Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin Prevents Renal and Liver Disease in Western Diet Induced Obesity Mice

PubMed Central

Wang, Dong; Luo, Yuhuan; Wang, Xiaoxin; Orlicky, David J.; Myakala, Komuraiah; Yang, Pengyuan; Levi, Moshe

2018-01-01

Obesity and obesity related kidney and liver disease have become more prevalent over the past few decades, especially in the western world. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic agents with promising effects on cardiovascular and renal function. Given SGLT2 inhibitors exert both anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects by promoting urinary excretion of glucose and subsequent caloric loss, we investigated the effect of the highly selective renal SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in mice with Western diet (WD) induced obesity. Low fat (LF) diet or WD-fed male C57BL/6J mice were treated with dapagliflozin for 26 weeks. Dapagliflozin attenuated the WD-mediated increases in body weight, plasma glucose and plasma triglycerides. Treatment with dapagliflozin prevented podocyte injury, glomerular pathology and renal fibrosis determined by second harmonic generation (SHG), nephrin, synaptopodin, collagen IV, and fibronectin immunofluorescence microscopy. Oil Red O staining showed dapagliflozin also decreased renal lipid accumulation associated with decreased SREBP-1c mRNA abundance. Moreover, renal inflammation and oxidative stress were lower in the dapagliflozin-treated WD-fed mice than in the untreated WD-fed mice. In addition, dapagliflozin decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic lipid accumulation as determined by H&E and Oil Red O staining, and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy, and hepatic fibrosis as determined by picrosirius red (PSR) staining and TPE-SHG microscopy in WD-fed mice. Thus, our study demonstrated that the co-administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin attenuates renal and liver disease during WD feeding of mice. PMID:29301371

The Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Dapagliflozin Prevents Renal and Liver Disease in Western Diet Induced Obesity Mice.

PubMed

Wang, Dong; Luo, Yuhuan; Wang, Xiaoxin; Orlicky, David J; Myakala, Komuraiah; Yang, Pengyuan; Levi, Moshe

2018-01-03

Obesity and obesity related kidney and liver disease have become more prevalent over the past few decades, especially in the western world. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of antidiabetic agents with promising effects on cardiovascular and renal function. Given SGLT2 inhibitors exert both anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects by promoting urinary excretion of glucose and subsequent caloric loss, we investigated the effect of the highly selective renal SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in mice with Western diet (WD) induced obesity. Low fat (LF) diet or WD-fed male C57BL/6J mice were treated with dapagliflozin for 26 weeks. Dapagliflozin attenuated the WD-mediated increases in body weight, plasma glucose and plasma triglycerides. Treatment with dapagliflozin prevented podocyte injury, glomerular pathology and renal fibrosis determined by second harmonic generation (SHG), nephrin, synaptopodin, collagen IV, and fibronectin immunofluorescence microscopy. Oil Red O staining showed dapagliflozin also decreased renal lipid accumulation associated with decreased SREBP-1c mRNA abundance. Moreover, renal inflammation and oxidative stress were lower in the dapagliflozin-treated WD-fed mice than in the untreated WD-fed mice. In addition, dapagliflozin decreased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), hepatic lipid accumulation as determined by H&E and Oil Red O staining, and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) microscopy, and hepatic fibrosis as determined by picrosirius red (PSR) staining and TPE-SHG microscopy in WD-fed mice. Thus, our study demonstrated that the co-administration of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin attenuates renal and liver disease during WD feeding of mice.

Modulation of GCR in Various Types of Helispheric Magnetic Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobylinski, Z.; Bochorishvili, T.

We make an attempt to compare the modulation of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) as the result of various assumptions referred to heliospheric magnetic field (HMF). The steady state version of 3D Parker cosmic ray transport equation (TPE), with drift included, is solved num erically in the spherically symmetric heliosphere. We take into account four cases of the possible magnetic field configuration: standard Parker HMF, Parker field with modifications in polar direction done by Jokippi and K ta (2) and Smith ando Bieber (3) , Fisk type of field (4). In the last one we assume the existence north and south polar coronal holes in the inner corona with central point inclined from the rotation of the Sun. At the polar regions of the heliosphere the isotropic diffusion of GCR is assumed. The results of calculation s will be discussed in detail. The (4) model more reduces an acces s of galactic particles from polar direction into solar system than others.

Simultaneous acquisition of trajectory and fluorescence lifetime of moving single particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Qianqian; Qi, Jing; Lin, Danying; Yan, Wei; Hu, Rui; Peng, Xiao; Qu, Junle

2017-02-01

Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) has been a powerful tool in life science because it can reveal the interactions of an excited fluorescent molecule and its environment. The combination with two-photon excitation (TPE) and timecorrelated single photon counting (TCSPC) provides it the ability of optical sectioning, high time resolution and detection efficiency. In previous work, we have introduced a two-dimensional acousto-optic deflector (AOD) into TCSPC-based FLIM to achieve fast and flexible FLIM. In this work, we combined the AOD-FLIM system with a single particle tracking (SPT) setup and algorithm and developed an SPT-FLIM system. Using the system, we acquired the trajectory and fluorescence lifetime of a moving particle simultaneously and reconstructed a life-time-marked pseudocolored trajectory, which might reflect dynamic interaction between the moving particle and its local environment along its motion trail. The results indicated the potential of the technique for studying the interaction between specific moving biological macromolecules and the ambient micro-environment in live cells.

TPE331/T76 Turboprop Propulsion Engine Durability.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-08-01

61018 01 0a I as1 1 1 se I al I 0S I 0 1*71 178 426* CUTS 41013 1Ii) 1 7*3 4173 1177* 11141 17 0 a * so *9 70 0 0 0 0 0 10 30 10 0 .1 A 45 90) 10 I 0...a 0 19 s0 *0 * 41013 (117) 41143 1 33 6 as I II I 0* 4*793 6 7O1 1 4 Go I it I a3 I 03 0 3 1 61 1 0* I ofI 9)1 1 si 1 761 1 303 5 40 40 19 0 0 1 0 0...flail 3* 9 19 5 0 0 1 45 1*9 0 a 0 64 45 0 49 0 0 A 1o 40 i0 I Li1 303 6 111 1 0* 1 30 1 41145 13171 41013 I 03 I 0* 61013 41148 4 0* I114 1 of I * co

Cell Fragmentation and Permeabilization by a 1 ns Pulse Driven Triple-Point Electrode

PubMed Central

Li, Joy; Cho, Michael

2018-01-01

Ultrashort electric pulses (ns-ps) are useful in gaining understanding as to how pulsed electric fields act upon biological cells, but the electric field intensity to induce biological responses is typically higher than longer pulses and therefore a high voltage ultrashort pulse generator is required. To deliver 1 ns pulses with sufficient electric field but at a relatively low voltage, we used a glass-encapsulated tungsten wire triple-point electrode (TPE) at the interface among glass, tungsten wire, and water when it is immersed in water. A high electric field (2 MV/cm) can be created when pulses are applied. However, such a high electric field was found to cause bubble emission and temperature rise in the water near the electrode. They can be attributed to Joule heating near the electrode. Adherent cells on a cover slip treated by the combination of these stimuli showed two major effects: (1) cells in a crater (<100 μm from electrode) were fragmented and the debris was blown away. The principal mechanism for the damage is presumed to be shear forces due to bubble collapse; and (2) cells in the periphery of the crater were permeabilized, which was due to the combination of bubble movement and microstreaming as well as pulsed electric fields. These results show that ultrashort electric fields assisted by microbubbles can cause significant cell response and therefore a triple-point electrode is a useful ablation tool for applications that require submillimeter precision. PMID:29744357

Structure development in melt processing isotactic polypropylene, polypropylene blends/compounds and dynamically vulcanized polyolefin TPEs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Yishan

The influence of various fillers, nucleating agents and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) additive on crystalline modification (alpha-, beta- and smectic forms) and crystalline orientation of polypropylene in die extrudates, melt spun filaments, thick rods, blow molded bottles and injection molded parts of isotactic polypropylene (PP), its blends/compounds and dynamically vulcanized polypropylene thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) were experimentally studied under a range of cooling and processing conditions. The phenomena of crystallization, polymorphism and orientation in processing of both thin and thick samples (filaments, rods, bottles and injection molded parts) were simulated through transport laws incorporating polymer crystallization kinetics. Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) curves for the various material systems investigated were developed under quiescent and uniaxial stress conditions. We applied experimental data on polymorphism of thin sections to predict crystalline structure variation in thick parts. The predictions were consistent with experiments. For filaments, the polypropylene crystalline orientation-spinline stress relationship is generally similar for the neat PP, blends/compounds and TPEs. However, the blends and TPEs have much lower birefringence apparently due to a lack of orientation in the rubber phase. It was shown that the polypropylene contribution to the birefringence for the neat PP and its blends is the same at the same spinline stress. For bottles, the inflation pressures used have little effect on orientation of either polypropylene crystals or disc-shaped talc filler. The talc discs are highly oriented parallel to the bottle surface. For the bottles without talc, the orientation of polypropylene crystallographic axes are low. The polypropylene crystallographic b-axes in the talc filled bottles are more highly oriented. For injection molded parts, it was found that a low orientation layer exists between the part surface and an intermediate highly oriented layer in the parts of neat PP and its blends/compounds. The thickness of this layer increases as the injection pressure decreases. This layer was not formed in the TPE parts. This would seem to be associated with the TPEs exhibiting a yield stress in shear flow and not exhibiting fountain flow in mold filling. For all parts studied, the orientation characteristics of polypropylene crystallographic axes in the highly oriented layer are similar from sample to sample. The strong orientation of the c-axis parallel to the machine direction and the b-axis perpendicular to the machine direction are observed in the highly oriented layer. The talc discs in both the highly oriented layer and the intermediate position are highly oriented parallel to the part face due to melt flow. At intermediate position in the talc-filled parts, the polypropylene crystallographic (040) planes prefer to align themselves parallel to the part surface but are not so well oriented when the talc is absent.

Production and study of radionuclides at the research institute of atomic reactors (NIIAR)

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

Karelin, E.A.; Gordeev, Y.N.; Filimonov, V.T.

1995-01-01

The main works of the Radionuclide Sources and Preparations Department (ORIP) of the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (NIIAR) are summarized. The major activity of the Radionuclide Sources and Preparations Department (ORIP) is aimed at production of radioactive preparations of trans-plutonium elements (TPE) and also of lighter elements (from P to Ir), manufacture of ionizing radiation sources thereof, and scientific research to develop new technologies. One of the radionuclides that recently has received major attention is gadolinium-153. Photon sources based on it are used in densimeters for diagnostics of bone deseases. The procedure for separating gadolinium and europium, which ismore » currently used at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (NILAR), is based on europium cementation with the use of sodium amalgam. The method, though efficient, did not until recently permit an exhaustive removal of radioactive europium from {sup 153}Gd. The authors have thoroughly studied the separation process in semi-countercurrent mode, using citrate solutions. A special attention was given to the composition of europium complex species.« less

Triphenylethanamine Derivatives as Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Inhibitors: Discovery of N-[(1R)-1-(3-Cyclopropoxy-4-fluorophenyl)-1-[3-fluoro-5-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)phenyl]-2-phenylethyl]-4-fluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (BMS-795311).

PubMed

Qiao, Jennifer X; Wang, Tammy C; Adam, Leonard P; Chen, Alice Ye A; Taylor, David S; Yang, Richard Z; Zhuang, Shaobin; Sleph, Paul G; Li, Julia P; Li, Danshi; Yin, Xiaohong; Chang, Ming; Chen, Xue-Qing; Shen, Hong; Li, Jianqing; Smith, Daniel; Wu, Dauh-Rurng; Leith, Leslie; Harikrishnan, Lalgudi S; Kamau, Muthoni G; Miller, Michael M; Bilder, Donna; Rampulla, Richard; Li, Yi-Xin; Xu, Carrie; Lawrence, R Michael; Poss, Michael A; Levesque, Paul; Gordon, David A; Huang, Christine S; Finlay, Heather J; Wexler, Ruth R; Salvati, Mark E

2015-11-25

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors raise HDL-C in animals and humans and may be antiatherosclerotic by enhancing reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). In this article, we describe the lead optimization efforts resulting in the discovery of a series of triphenylethanamine (TPE) ureas and amides as potent and orally available CETP inhibitors. Compound 10g is a potent CETP inhibitor that maximally inhibited cholesteryl ester (CE) transfer activity at an oral dose of 1 mg/kg in human CETP/apoB-100 dual transgenic mice and increased HDL cholesterol content and size comparable to torcetrapib (1) in moderately-fat fed hamsters. In contrast to the off-target liabilities with 1, no blood pressure increase was observed with 10g in rat telemetry studies and no increase of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) was detected in H295R cells. On the basis of its preclinical profile, compound 10g was advanced into preclinical safety studies.

The optical biomedical sensors for DNA detection and imaging based on two-photon excited luminescent styryl dyes: phototoxic influence on the DNA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yashchuk, Valeriy M.; Kudrya, Vladislav Yu.; Losytskyy, Mykhaylo Yu.; Tokar, Valentyna P.; Yarmoluk, Sergiy M.; Dmytruk, Igor M.; Prokopets, Vadym M.; Kovalska, Vladyslava B.; Balanda, Anatoliy O.; Kryvorotenko, Dmytro V.; Ogul'chansky, Tymish Yu.

2007-06-01

The optical absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence of the novel styryl dyes developed for the fluorescent detection of DNA were investigated. The energy structures of dye molecules as well as spectral manifestations of the dyes aggregate formation and interaction with DNA were studied. The dramatic increase (up to 1000 times) of the fluorescence intensity of dyes in the presence of DNA was observed. The photostability and phototoxic influence on the DNA of several styryl dyes were studied by analyzing absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra of these dyes and dye-DNA systems. Changes of the optical density value of dye-DNA solutions caused by the visible light irradiation were fixed in the wavelength regions of the DNA absorption and of the dye absorption. Fluorescence emission of dye-DNA complexes upon two-photon excitation (TPE) at wavelength 1064 nm with the 20 ns pulsed YAG: Nd3+ laser and at 840 nm with the 90 fs pulsed Ti:sapphire laser was registered. The values of two-photon absorption cross-sections of dye-DNA complexes were evaluated.

Minimal T-wave representation and its use in the assessment of drug arrhythmogenicity.

PubMed

Shakibfar, Saeed; Graff, Claus; Kanters, Jørgen K; Nielsen, Jimmi; Schmidt, Samuel; Struijk, Johannes J

2017-05-01

Recently, numerous models and techniques have been developed for analyzing and extracting features from the T wave which could be used as biomarkers for drug-induced abnormalities. The majority of these techniques and algorithms use features that determine readily apparent characteristics of the T wave, such as duration, area, amplitude, and slopes. In the present work the T wave was down-sampled to a minimal rate, such that a good reconstruction was still possible. The entire T wave was then used as a feature vector to assess drug-induced repolarization effects. The ability of the samples or combinations of samples obtained from the minimal T-wave representation to correctly classify a group of subjects before and after receiving d,l-sotalol 160 mg and 320 mg was evaluated using a linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The results showed that a combination of eight samples from the minimal T-wave representation can be used to identify normal from abnormal repolarization significantly better compared to the heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc). It was further indicated that the interval from the peak of the T wave to the end of the T wave (Tpe) becomes relatively shorter after I K r inhibition by d,l-sotalol and that the most pronounced repolarization changes were present in the ascending segment of the minimal T-wave representation. The minimal T-wave representation can potentially be used as a new tool to identify normal from abnormal repolarization in drug safety studies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

pH- and Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogel Nanoparticles with Dual Photoluminescence for Bioprobes.

PubMed

Zhao, Yue; Shi, Ce; Yang, Xudong; Shen, Bowen; Sun, Yuanqing; Chen, Yang; Xu, Xiaowei; Sun, Hongchen; Yu, Kui; Yang, Bai; Lin, Quan

2016-06-28

This study demonstrates high contrast and sensitivity by designing a dual-emissive hydrogel particle system, whose two emissions respond to pH and temperature strongly and independently. It describes the photoluminescence (PL) response of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based core/shell hydrogel nanoparticles with dual emission, which is obtained by emulsion polymerization with potassium persulfate, consisting of the thermo- and pH-responsive copolymers of PNIPAM and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). A red-emission rare-earth complex and a blue-emission quaternary ammonium tetraphenylethylene derivative (d-TPE) with similar excitation wavelengths are inserted into the core and shell of the hydrogel nanoparticles, respectively. The PL intensities of the nanoparticles exhibit a linear temperature response in the range from 10 to 80 °C with a change as large as a factor of 5. In addition, the blue emission from the shell exhibits a linear pH response between pH 6.5 and 7.6 with a resolution of 0.1 unit, while the red emission from the core is pH-independent. These stimuli-responsive PL nanoparticles have potential applications in biology and chemistry, including bio- and chemosensors, biological imaging, cancer diagnosis, and externally activated release of anticancer drugs.

Thermodynamics of coil-hyperbranched poly(styrene-b-acrylated epoxidized soybean oil) block copolymers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Fang-Yi; Hohmann, Austin; Hernández, Nacú; Cochran, Eric

Here we present the phase behavior of a new type of coil-hyperbranched diblock copolymer: poly(styrene- b-acrylated epoxidized soybean oil), or PS-PAESO. PS-PAESO is an example of a biorenewable thermoplastic elastomer (bio-TPE). To date, we have shown that bio-TPEs can be economical commercial substitutes for their petrochemically derived analogues--such as poly(styrene- b-butadiene- b-styrene) (SBS)--in a range of applications including pressure sensitive adhesives and bitumen modification. From a polymer physics perspective, PS-PAESO is an interesting material in that it couples a linear coil-like block with a highly branched block. Thus in contrast to the past five decades of studies on linear AB diblock copolymers, coil-hyperbranched block copolymers are relatively unknown to the community and can be expected to deviate substantially from the standard ``universal'' phase behavior in the AB systems. To explore these new materials, we have constructed a library of PS-PAESO materials spanning a range of molecular weight and composition values. The phase transition behavior and the morphology information will be interpreted by isochronal temperature scanning in dynamic shear rheology, small angle X-ray scattering and the corresponding transmission electron microscopy.

Non-Linear Optical Microscopy Sheds Light on Cardiovascular Disease

PubMed Central

Caorsi, Valentina; Toepfer, Christopher; Sikkel, Markus B.; Lyon, Alexander R.; MacLeod, Ken; Ferenczi, Mike A.

2013-01-01

Many cardiac diseases have been associated with increased fibrosis and changes in the organization of fibrillar collagen. The degree of fibrosis is routinely analyzed with invasive histological and immunohistochemical methods, giving a limited and qualitative understanding of the tissue's morphological adaptation to disease. Our aim is to quantitatively evaluate the increase in fibrosis by three-dimensional imaging of the collagen network in the myocardium using the non-linear optical microscopy techniques Two-Photon Excitation microscopy (TPE) and Second Harmonic signal Generation (SHG). No sample staining is needed because numerous endogenous fluorophores are excited by a two-photon mechanism and highly non-centrosymmetric structures such as collagen generate strong second harmonic signals. We propose for the first time a 3D quantitative analysis to carefully evaluate the increased fibrosis in tissue from a rat model of heart failure post myocardial infarction. We show how to measure changes in fibrosis from the backward SHG (BSHG) alone, as only backward-propagating SHG is accessible for true in vivo applications. A 5-fold increase in collagen I fibrosis is detected in the remote surviving myocardium measured 20 weeks after infarction. The spatial distribution is also shown to change markedly, providing insight into the morphology of disease progression. PMID:23409139

Possible Applications of 3D Printing Technology on Textile Substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korger, M.; Bergschneider, J.; Lutz, M.; Mahltig, B.; Finsterbusch, K.; Rabe, M.

2016-07-01

3D printing is a rapidly emerging additive manufacturing technology which can offer cost efficiency and flexibility in product development and production. In textile production 3D printing can also serve as an add-on process to apply 3D structures on textiles. In this study the low-cost fused deposition modeling (FDM) technique was applied using different thermoplastic printing materials available on the market with focus on flexible filaments such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or Soft PLA. Since a good adhesion and stability of the 3D printed structures on textiles are essential, separation force and abrasion resistance tests were conducted with different kinds of printed woven fabrics demonstrating that a sufficient adhesion can be achieved. The main influencing factor can be attributed to the topography of the textile surface affected by the weave, roughness and hairiness offering formlocking connections followed by the wettability of the textile surface by the molten polymer, which depends on the textile surface energy and can be specifically controlled by washing (desizing), finishing or plasma treatment of the textile before the print. These basic adhesion mechanisms can also be considered crucial for 3D printing on knitwear.

EEG entropy measures in anesthesia

PubMed Central

Liang, Zhenhu; Wang, Yinghua; Sun, Xue; Li, Duan; Voss, Logan J.; Sleigh, Jamie W.; Hagihira, Satoshi; Li, Xiaoli

2015-01-01

Highlights: ► Twelve entropy indices were systematically compared in monitoring depth of anesthesia and detecting burst suppression.► Renyi permutation entropy performed best in tracking EEG changes associated with different anesthesia states.► Approximate Entropy and Sample Entropy performed best in detecting burst suppression. Objective: Entropy algorithms have been widely used in analyzing EEG signals during anesthesia. However, a systematic comparison of these entropy algorithms in assessing anesthesia drugs' effect is lacking. In this study, we compare the capability of 12 entropy indices for monitoring depth of anesthesia (DoA) and detecting the burst suppression pattern (BSP), in anesthesia induced by GABAergic agents. Methods: Twelve indices were investigated, namely Response Entropy (RE) and State entropy (SE), three wavelet entropy (WE) measures [Shannon WE (SWE), Tsallis WE (TWE), and Renyi WE (RWE)], Hilbert-Huang spectral entropy (HHSE), approximate entropy (ApEn), sample entropy (SampEn), Fuzzy entropy, and three permutation entropy (PE) measures [Shannon PE (SPE), Tsallis PE (TPE) and Renyi PE (RPE)]. Two EEG data sets from sevoflurane-induced and isoflurane-induced anesthesia respectively were selected to assess the capability of each entropy index in DoA monitoring and BSP detection. To validate the effectiveness of these entropy algorithms, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling and prediction probability (Pk) analysis were applied. The multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MDFA) as a non-entropy measure was compared. Results: All the entropy and MDFA indices could track the changes in EEG pattern during different anesthesia states. Three PE measures outperformed the other entropy indices, with less baseline variability, higher coefficient of determination (R2) and prediction probability, and RPE performed best; ApEn and SampEn discriminated BSP best. Additionally, these entropy measures showed an advantage in computation efficiency compared with MDFA. Conclusion: Each entropy index has its advantages and disadvantages in estimating DoA. Overall, it is suggested that the RPE index was a superior measure. Investigating the advantages and disadvantages of these entropy indices could help improve current clinical indices for monitoring DoA. PMID:25741277

Piezoresistive Carbon-based Hybrid Sensor for Body-Mounted Biomedical Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnykowycz, M.; Tschudin, M.; Clemens, F.

2017-02-01

For body-mounted sensor applications, the evolution of soft condensed matter sensor (SCMS) materials offer conformability andit enables mechanical compliance between the body surface and the sensing mechanism. A piezoresistive hybrid sensor and compliant meta-material sub-structure provided a way to engineer sensor physical designs through modification of the mechanical properties of the compliant design. A piezoresistive fiber sensor was produced by combining a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) matrix with Carbon Black (CB) particles in 1:1 mass ratio. Feedstock was extruded in monofilament fiber form (diameter of 300 microns), resulting in a highly stretchable sensor (strain sensor range up to 100%) with linear resistance signal response. The soft condensed matter sensor was integrated into a hybrid design including a 3D printed metamaterial structure combined with a soft silicone. An auxetic unit cell was chosen (with negative Poisson’s Ratio) in the design in order to combine with the soft silicon, which exhibits a high Poisson’s Ratio. The hybrid sensor design was subjected to mechanical tensile testing up to 50% strain (with gauge factor calculation for sensor performance), and then utilized for strain-based sensing applications on the body including gesture recognition and vital function monitoring including blood pulse-wave and breath monitoring. A 10 gesture Natural User Interface (NUI) test protocol was utilized to show the effectiveness of a single wrist-mounted sensor to identify discrete gestures including finger and hand motions. These hand motions were chosen specifically for Human Computer Interaction (HCI) applications. The blood pulse-wave signal was monitored with the hand at rest, in a wrist-mounted. In addition different breathing patterns were investigated, including normal breathing and coughing, using a belt and chest-mounted configuration.

Comparison of batch and column tests for the elution of artificial turf system components.

PubMed

Krüger, O; Kalbe, U; Berger, W; Nordhauβ, K; Christoph, G; Walzel, H-P

2012-12-18

Synthetic athletic tracks and turf areas for outdoor sporting grounds may release contaminants due to the chemical composition of some components. A primary example is that of zinc from reused scrap tires (main constituent, styrene butadiene rubber, SBR), which might be harmful to the environment. Thus, methods for the risk assessment of those materials are required. Laboratory leaching methods like batch and column tests are widely used to examine the soil-groundwater pathway. We tested several components for artificial sporting grounds with batch tests at a liquid to solid (LS) ratio of 2 L/kg and column tests with an LS up to 26.5 L/kg. We found a higher zinc release in the batch test eluates for all granules, ranging from 15% higher to 687% higher versus data from column tests for SBR granules. Accompanying parameters, especially the very high turbidity of one ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (EPDM) or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) eluates, reflect the stronger mechanical stress of batch testing. This indicates that batch test procedures might not be suitable for the risk assessment of synthetic sporting ground components. Column tests, on the other hand, represent field conditions more closely and allow for determination of time-dependent contaminants release.

Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, Predator B in flight.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2001-01-01

Predator B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, shown here, under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. ALTAIR/PREDATOR B -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is developing the Altair version of its Predator B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft, shown here, under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. NASA plans to use the Altair as a technology demonstrator testbed aircraft to validate a variety of command and control technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), as well as demonstrate the capability to perform a variety of Earth science missions. The Altair is designed to carry an 700-lb. payload of scientific instruments and imaging equipment for as long as 32 hours at up to 52,000 feet altitude. Ten-foot extensions have been added to each wing, giving the Altair an overall wingspan of 84 feet with an aspect ratio of 23. It is powered by a 700-hp. rear-mounted TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, driving a three-blade propeller. Altair is scheduled to begin flight tests in the fourth quarter of 2002, and be acquired by NASA following successful completion of those basic airworthiness tests in early 2003 for evaluation of over-the-horizon control, detect, see and avoid and other technologies required to allow UAVs to operate safely with other aircraft in the national airspace.

Technicians at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif., ca

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Technicians at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif., carefully thread control lines through a bulkhead during engine installation on NASA's Altair aircraft. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is developing the Altair version of its Predator B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. NASA plans to use the Altair as a technology demonstrator to validate a variety of command and control technologies for UAVs, as well as demonstrate the capability to perform a variety of Earth science missions. The Altair is designed to carry an 700-lb. payload of scientific instruments and imaging equipment for as long as 32 hours at up to 52,000 feet altitude. Eleven-foot extensions have been added to each wing, giving the Altair an overall wingspan of 86 feet with an aspect ratio of 23. It is powered by a 700-hp. rear-mounted TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, driving a three-blade propeller. Altair is scheduled to begin flight tests in the fourth quarter of 2002, and be acquired by NASA following successful completion of basic airworthiness tests in early 2003 for evaluation of over-the-horizon control, detect, see and avoid and other technologies required to allow UAVs to operate safely with other aircraft in the national airspace.

Technician Dave Brown installs a drilling template during construction of the all-composite left win

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Technician Dave Brown installs a drilling template during construction of the all-composite left wing of NASA's Altair aircraft at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is developing the Altair version of its Predator B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. NASA plans to use the Altair as a technology demonstrator to validate a variety of command and control technologies for UAVs, as well as demonstrate the capability to perform a variety of Earth science missions. The Altair is designed to carry an 700-lb. payload of scientific instruments and imaging equipment for as long as 32 hours at up to 52,000 feet altitude. Eleven-foot extensions have been added to each wing, giving the Altair an overall wingspan of 86 feet with an aspect ratio of 23. It is powered by a 700-hp. rear-mounted TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, driving a three-blade propeller. Altair is scheduled to begin flight tests in the fourth quarter of 2002, and be acquired by NASA following successful completion of basic airworthiness tests in early 2003 for evaluation of over-the-horizon control, detect, see and avoid and other technologies required to allow UAVs to operate safely with other aircraft in the national airspace.

The left wing of NASA's Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) rests in a jig during construction at G

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

The left wing of NASA's Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) rests in a jig during construction at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is developing the Altair version of its Predator B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. NASA plans to use the Altair as a technology demonstrator to validate a variety of command and control technologies for UAVs, as well as demonstrate the capability to perform a variety of Earth science missions. The Altair is designed to carry an 700-lb. payload of scientific instruments and imaging equipment for as long as 32 hours at up to 52,000 feet altitude. Eleven-foot extensions have been added to each wing, giving the Altair an overall wingspan of 86 feet with an aspect ratio of 23. It is powered by a 700-hp. rear-mounted TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, driving a three-blade propeller. Altair is scheduled to begin flight tests in the fourth quarter of 2002, and be acquired by NASA following successful completion of basic airworthiness tests in early 2003 for evaluation of over-the-horizon control, detect, see and avoid and other technologies required to allow UAVs to operate safely with other aircraft in the national airspace.

Immunization of broiler chickens against Clostridium perfringens-induced necrotic enteritis using purified recombinant immunogenic proteins.

PubMed

Jiang, Yanfen; Kulkarni, Raveendra R; Parreira, Valeria R; Prescott, John F

2009-09-01

This study identified and assessed secreted proteins of Clostridium perfringens additional to those previously described for their ability to protect broiler chickens against necrotic enteritis (NE). Secreted proteins of virulent and avirulent C. perfringens were electrophoretically separated and reacted with serum of chickens immune to NE. Three immunoreactive protein bands unique to the virulent C. perfringens were identified by mass spectrometry as the toxin C. perfringens large cytotoxin (TpeL), endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (Naglu), and phosphoglyceromutase (Pgm). The genes encoding Naglu and Pgm proteins were cloned, and their gene products were purified as histidine-tagged recombinant proteins from Escherichia coli and used in immunizing chickens. Immunized and nonimmunized control broiler chickens were then challenged with two different strains (CP1, CP4) of C. perfringens and assessed for the development of NE. Of the two immunogens, Pgm immunization showed significant protection of broiler chickens against experimental NE, although protection reduced as challenge severity increased. However, birds immunized with Naglu were protected from challenge only with strain CP4. Birds immunized with these proteins had antigen-specific antibodies when tested in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the partial efficacy of additional secreted proteins in immunity of broiler chickens to NE. The study also showed that there may be differences in the protective ability of immunogens depending on the infecting C. perfringens strain.

Technician Shawn Warren carefully smoothes out the composite skin of an instrument fairing atop the

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Technician Shawn Warren carefully smoothes out the composite skin of an instrument fairing atop the upper fuselage of the Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., facility at Adelanto, Calif. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is developing the Altair version of its Predator B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. NASA plans to use the Altair as a technology demonstrator to validate a variety of command and control technologies for UAVs, as well as demonstrate the capability to perform a variety of Earth science missions. The Altair is designed to carry an 700-lb. payload of scientific instruments and imaging equipment for as long as 32 hours at up to 52,000 feet altitude. Eleven-foot extensions have been added to each wing, giving the Altair an overall wingspan of 86 feet with an aspect ratio of 23. It is powered by a 700-hp. rear-mounted TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, driving a three-blade propeller. Altair is scheduled to begin flight tests in the fourth quarter of 2002, and be acquired by NASA following successful completion of basic airworthiness tests in early 2003 for evaluation of over-the-horizon control, detect, see and avoid and other technologies required to allow UAVs to operate safely with other aircraft in the national airspace.

Technicians at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif., ca

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

Technicians at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif., carefully install a turboprop engine to the rear fuselage of NASA's Altair aircraft during final assembly operations. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is developing the Altair version of its Predator B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. NASA plans to use the Altair as a technology demonstrator to validate a variety of command and control technologies for UAVs, as well as demonstrate the capability to perform a variety of Earth science missions. The Altair is designed to carry an 700-lb. payload of scientific instruments and imaging equipment for as long as 32 hours at up to 52,000 feet altitude. Eleven-foot extensions have been added to each wing, giving the Altair an overall wingspan of 86 feet with an aspect ratio of 23. It is powered by a 700-hp. rear-mounted TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, driving a three-blade propeller. Altair is scheduled to begin flight tests in the fourth quarter of 2002, and be acquired by NASA following successful completion of basic airworthiness tests in early 2003 for evaluation of over-the-horizon control, detect, see and avoid and other technologies required to allow UAVs to operate safely with other aircraft in the national airspace.

COMSATCOM service technical baseline strategy development approach using PPBW concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nguyen, Tien M.; Guillen, Andy T.

2016-05-01

This paper presents an innovative approach to develop a Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) service Technical Baseline (TB) and associated Program Baseline (PB) strategy using Portable Pool Bandwidth (PPBW) concept. The concept involves trading of the purchased commercial transponders' Bandwidths (BWs) with existing commercial satellites' bandwidths participated in a "designated pool bandwidth"3 according to agreed terms and conditions. Space Missile Systems Center (SMC) has been implementing the Better Buying Power (BBP 3.0) directive4 and recommending the System Program Offices (SPO) to own the Program and Technical Baseline (PTB) [1, 2] for the development of flexible acquisition strategy and achieving affordability and increased in competition. This paper defines and describes the critical PTB parameters and associated requirements that are important to the government SPO for "owning" an affordable COMSATCOM services contract using PPBW trading concept. The paper describes a step-by-step approach to optimally perform the PPBW trading to meet DoD and its stakeholders (i) affordability requirement, and (ii) fixed and variable bandwidth requirements by optimizing communications performance, cost and PPBW accessibility in terms of Quality of Services (QoS), Bandwidth Sharing Ratio (BSR), Committed Information Rate (CIR), Burstable Information Rate (BIR), Transponder equivalent bandwidth (TPE) and transponder Net Presence Value (NPV). The affordable optimal solution that meets variable bandwidth requirements will consider the operating and trading terms and conditions described in the Fair Access Policy (FAP).

The payload bay in the nose of NASA's Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will be able to carry up

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

The payload bay in the nose of NASA's Altair unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), shown here during final construction at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., (GA-ASI) facility at Adelanto, Calif., will be able to carry up to 700 lbs. of sensors, imaging equipment and other instruments for Earth science missions. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is developing the Altair version of its Predator B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft under NASA's Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) project. NASA plans to use the Altair as a technology demonstrator to validate a variety of command and control technologies for UAVs, as well as demonstrate the capability to perform a variety of Earth science missions. The Altair is designed to carry an 700-lb. payload of scientific instruments and imaging equipment for as long as 32 hours at up to 52,000 feet altitude. Eleven-foot extensions have been added to each wing, giving the Altair an overall wingspan of 86 feet with an aspect ratio of 23. It is powered by a 700-hp. rear-mounted TPE-331-10 turboprop engine, driving a three-blade propeller. Altair is scheduled to begin flight tests in the fourth quarter of 2002, and be acquired by NASA following successful completion of basic airworthiness tests in early 2003 for evaluation of over-the-horizon control, detect, see and avoid and other technologies required to allow UAVs to operate safely with other aircraft in the national airspace.

Self-Consistent Field Theory for the Design of Thermoplastic Elastomers from Miktoarm Block Copolymer - Homopolymer Blends

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamilton, Andrew Lawrence

We have used self-consistent field theory to study the morphological characteristics of blends of miktoarm block copolymers and homopolymers. More specifically, we have studied the effects of segregation strength, miktoarm block copolymer composition, and homopolymer size and volume fraction on the phase diagrams of these systems. A15 domains with discrete A-monomer spherical domains were found to be stable with A-monomer loading fractions of at least as high as 52%. Hexagonally-packed cylindrical domains were found to be stable at A-monomer loadings of at least as high as 72%. These findings represent a significant improvement from the loading fractions of 43% and 60% reported by Lynd et al. for spherical and cylindrical domains in neat miktoarm block copolymers, respectively. It is also quite possible that even greater loading fractions are achievable in systems too large for our simulations. These results predict exciting new materials for next-generation thermoplastic elastomers, since the ideal TPE has a large loading of A monomers in discrete, crystalline or glassy domains, surrounded by a continuous matrix of elastomeric B domains. Additionally, we have performed SCFT simulations modelled after experimental blends of polystyrene and polyisoprene-based miktoarm block copolymers and homopolymers. Certain experimental samples showed fascinating new "bricks and mortar" phases and swollen asymmetric lamellar phases. In both cases, the A domains are highly swollen with homopolymer, forcing the miktoarm block copolymer to segregate near the interface and adopt the role of a surfactant. The resulting structures maintain separate A and B domains, but lack long-range order. While it is not possible to study these mesophases using SCFT, since they lack long-range order and therefore well-defined symmetry, our SCFT results show the onset of macrophase separation at similar homopolymer loadings, for both the bricks and mortar phases and the highly swollen lamellae. This supports the theory that both phases are fluctuation-induced mesophases, similar to microemulsions in character, that lie in between the typical ordered structures and full macrophase separation.

Perceptual Learning Improves Adult Amblyopic Vision Through Rule-Based Cognitive Compensation

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jun-Yun; Cong, Lin-Juan; Klein, Stanley A.; Levi, Dennis M.; Yu, Cong

2014-01-01

Purpose. We investigated whether perceptual learning in adults with amblyopia could be enabled to transfer completely to an orthogonal orientation, which would suggest that amblyopic perceptual learning results mainly from high-level cognitive compensation, rather than plasticity in the amblyopic early visual brain. Methods. Nineteen adults (mean age = 22.5 years) with anisometropic and/or strabismic amblyopia were trained following a training-plus-exposure (TPE) protocol. The amblyopic eyes practiced contrast, orientation, or Vernier discrimination at one orientation for six to eight sessions. Then the amblyopic or nonamblyopic eyes were exposed to an orthogonal orientation via practicing an irrelevant task. Training was first performed at a lower spatial frequency (SF), then at a higher SF near the cutoff frequency of the amblyopic eye. Results. Perceptual learning was initially orientation specific. However, after exposure to the orthogonal orientation, learning transferred to an orthogonal orientation completely. Reversing the exposure and training order failed to produce transfer. Initial lower SF training led to broad improvement of contrast sensitivity, and later higher SF training led to more specific improvement at high SFs. Training improved visual acuity by 1.5 to 1.6 lines (P < 0.001) in the amblyopic eyes with computerized tests and a clinical E acuity chart. It also improved stereoacuity by 53% (P < 0.001). Conclusions. The complete transfer of learning suggests that perceptual learning in amblyopia may reflect high-level learning of rules for performing a visual discrimination task. These rules are applicable to new orientations to enable learning transfer. Therefore, perceptual learning may improve amblyopic vision mainly through rule-based cognitive compensation. PMID:24550359

Visually estimated ejection fraction by two dimensional and triplane echocardiography is closely correlated with quantitative ejection fraction by real-time three dimensional echocardiography.

PubMed

Shahgaldi, Kambiz; Gudmundsson, Petri; Manouras, Aristomenis; Brodin, Lars-Ake; Winter, Reidar

2009-08-25

Visual assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is often used in clinical routine despite general recommendations to use quantitative biplane Simpsons (BPS) measurements. Even thou quantitative methods are well validated and from many reasons preferable, the feasibility of visual assessment (eyeballing) is superior. There is to date only sparse data comparing visual EF assessment in comparison to quantitative methods available. The aim of this study was to compare visual EF assessment by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and triplane echocardiography (TPE) using quantitative real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) as the reference method. Thirty patients were enrolled in the study. Eyeballing EF was assessed using apical 4-and 2 chamber views and TP mode by two experienced readers blinded to all clinical data. The measurements were compared to quantitative RT3DE. There were an excellent correlation between eyeballing EF by 2D and TP vs 3DE (r = 0.91 and 0.95 respectively) without any significant bias (-0.5 +/- 3.7% and -0.2 +/- 2.9% respectively). Intraobserver variability was 3.8% for eyeballing 2DE, 3.2% for eyeballing TP and 2.3% for quantitative 3D-EF. Interobserver variability was 7.5% for eyeballing 2D and 8.4% for eyeballing TP. Visual estimation of LVEF both using 2D and TP by an experienced reader correlates well with quantitative EF determined by RT3DE. There is an apparent trend towards a smaller variability using TP in comparison to 2D, this was however not statistically significant.

Three-dimensional cell organization leads to almost immediate HRE activity as demonstrated by molecular imaging of MG-63 spheroids using two-photon excitation microscopy.

PubMed

Indovina, Paola; Collini, Maddalena; Chirico, Giuseppe; Santini, Maria Teresa

2007-02-20

Hypoxia through HRE (hypoxia-responsive element) activity in MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells grown in monolayer and as very small, three-dimensional tumor spheroids was investigated using molecular imaging techniques. MG-63 cells were stably transfected with a vector constructed with multiple copies of the HRE sequence of the human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene and with the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) coding sequence. During hypoxia when HIF-1alpha (hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha) is stabilized, the binding of HIF-1 to the HRE sequences of the vector allows the transcription of EGFP and the appearance of fluorescence. Transfected monolayer cells were characterized by flow cytometric analysis in response to various hypoxic conditions and HIF-1alpha expression in these cells was assessed by Western blotting. Two-photon excitation (TPE) microscopy was then used to examine both MG-63-transfected monolayer cells and spheroids at 2 and 5 days of growth in normoxic conditions. Monolayer cells reveal almost no fluorescence, whereas even very small spheroids (<100 microm) after 2 days of growth contain regions of high fluorescence. For the first time in the literature, at least to our knowledge, it is demonstrated, using highly sensitive and non-perturbing molecular imaging techniques, that three-dimensional cell organization leads to almost immediate HRE activation. This activation of the HRE sequences, which control a wide variety of genes, suggests that monolayer cells and spheroids of the MG-63 cell line have different genes activated and thus diverse functional activities.

Separation of rare oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from brain using a high-throughput multilayer thermoplastic-based microfluidic device.

PubMed

Didar, Tohid Fatanat; Li, Kebin; Veres, Teodor; Tabrizian, Maryam

2013-07-01

Despite the advances made in the field of regenerative medicine, the progress in cutting-edge technologies for separating target therapeutic cells are still at early stage of development. These cells are often rare, such as stem cells or progenitor cells that their overall properties should be maintained during the separation process for their subsequent application in regenerative medicine. This work, presents separation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) from rat brain primary cultures using an integrated thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE)- based multilayer microfluidic device fabricated using hot-embossing technology. OPCs are frequently used in recovery, repair and regeneration of central nervous system after injuries. Indeed, their ability to differentiate in vitro into myelinating oligodendrocytes, are extremely important for myelin repair. OPCs form 5-10% of the glial cells population. The traditional macroscale techniques for OPCs separation require pre-processing of cells and/or multiple time consuming steps with low efficiency leading very often to alteration of their properties. The proposed methodology implies to separate OPCs based on their smaller size compared to other cells from the brain tissue mixture. Using aforementioned microfluidic chip embedded with a 5 μm membrane pore size and micropumping system, a separation efficiency more than 99% was achieved. This microchip was able to operate at flow rates up to 100 μl/min, capable of separating OPCs from a confluent 75 cm(2) cell culture flask in less than 10 min, which provides us with a high-throughput and highly efficient separation expected from any cell sorting techniques. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Report on the deuterium retention in CVD coated W on SiC in support of the Ultramet Company’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project: SOW DE-FG02-07ER84941

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

Masashi Shimada

2012-06-01

A tungsten (W) coated (0.0005-inch thickness) silicon carbide (SiC) (1.0-inch diameter and 0.19-inch thickness) sample was exposed to a divertor relevant high-flux (~1022 m-2s-1) deuterium plasma at 200 and 400°C in the Idaho National Laboratory’s (INL’s) Tritium Plasma Experiment (TPE), and the total deuterium retention was subsequently measured via the thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) method. The deuterium retentions were 6.4x1019 m-2 and 1.7x1020 m-2, for 200 and 400°C exposure, respectively. The Tritium Migration Analysis Program (TMAP) was used to analyze the measured TDS spectrum to investigate the deuterium behavior in the W coated SiC, and the results indicated that mostmore » of the deuterium was trapped in the W coated layer even at 400°C. This thin W layer (0.0005-inch ~ 13µm thickness) prevented deuterium ions from bombarding directly into the SiC substrate, minimizing erosion of SiC and damage creation via ion bombardment. The shift in the D desorption peak in the TDS spectra from 200 C to 400°C can be attributed to D migration to the bulk material. This unexpectedly low deuterium retention and short migration might be due to the porous nature of the tungsten coating, which can decrease the solution concentration of deuterium atoms.« less

Perceptual learning improves adult amblyopic vision through rule-based cognitive compensation.

PubMed

Zhang, Jun-Yun; Cong, Lin-Juan; Klein, Stanley A; Levi, Dennis M; Yu, Cong

2014-04-01

We investigated whether perceptual learning in adults with amblyopia could be enabled to transfer completely to an orthogonal orientation, which would suggest that amblyopic perceptual learning results mainly from high-level cognitive compensation, rather than plasticity in the amblyopic early visual brain. Nineteen adults (mean age = 22.5 years) with anisometropic and/or strabismic amblyopia were trained following a training-plus-exposure (TPE) protocol. The amblyopic eyes practiced contrast, orientation, or Vernier discrimination at one orientation for six to eight sessions. Then the amblyopic or nonamblyopic eyes were exposed to an orthogonal orientation via practicing an irrelevant task. Training was first performed at a lower spatial frequency (SF), then at a higher SF near the cutoff frequency of the amblyopic eye. Perceptual learning was initially orientation specific. However, after exposure to the orthogonal orientation, learning transferred to an orthogonal orientation completely. Reversing the exposure and training order failed to produce transfer. Initial lower SF training led to broad improvement of contrast sensitivity, and later higher SF training led to more specific improvement at high SFs. Training improved visual acuity by 1.5 to 1.6 lines (P < 0.001) in the amblyopic eyes with computerized tests and a clinical E acuity chart. It also improved stereoacuity by 53% (P < 0.001). The complete transfer of learning suggests that perceptual learning in amblyopia may reflect high-level learning of rules for performing a visual discrimination task. These rules are applicable to new orientations to enable learning transfer. Therefore, perceptual learning may improve amblyopic vision mainly through rule-based cognitive compensation.

Surgical outcomes of post chemoradiotherapy unresectable locally advanced rectal cancers improve with interim chemotherapy, is FOLFIRINOX better than CAPOX?

PubMed Central

Engineer, Reena; Ramaswamy, Anant; Sahu, Arvind; Zanwar, Saurabh; Arya, Suprita; Chopra, Supriya; Bal, Munita; Patil, Prachi; Desouza, Ashwin; Saklani, Avanish

2016-01-01

Background Role of chemotherapy in patients who continue to have unresectable disease after pre-operative chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) remains largely unaddressed. Methods Patients with LA rectal cancer from January 2013 to June 2015 were evaluated. Post-CRT, patients, who were deemed unresectable, were considered for further interim chemotherapy (i-CT). Results Seventy six patients (15%) with median age of 38.5 years received i-CT after CRT. About 61.8% patients receiving i-CT managed to undergo a definitive surgery and the extent of surgery was reduced in 48.7% patients. With the median follow up of 19 months, the estimated 2-year event free survival (EFS) of 48% and OS was 56%. The estimated 2-year OS was 81% in mucinous tumors whereas it was 44.4% in signet ring pathology (P=0.045). The 2-year OS of 86% for whom surgery was done vs. 38% (2-year OS) in whom surgery was not done (P=0.011). Survival was better in conservative surgery group vs. total pelvic exenteration (TPE) vs. no surgery (2-year OS: 84% vs. 59.1% vs. 38%; P=0.033). In the CAPE-OX group, 71.4% (14/23) underwent surgery whereas 75.9% (29/47) in the 5-FU plus irinotecan plus oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) group with EFS (P=0.570) and OS (P=0.120). In conservative surgery group, OS was better in FOLFIRINOX (2-year OS: 95.7%) vs. capecitabine plus oxaliplatin (CAPOX) (2-year OS: 70%) (P=0.012). Conclusions i-CT can lead to improved resection rates, improved survivals and downstaging with acceptable toxicity. FOLFIRINOX appears to better over CAPOX, specifically in whom conservative surgery is feasible. PMID:28078119

Antioxidant properties and hyphenated HPLC-PDA-MS profiling of Chilean Pica mango fruits (Mangifera indica L. Cv. piqueño).

PubMed

Ramirez, Javier E; Zambrano, Ricardo; Sepúlveda, Beatriz; Simirgiotis, Mario J

2013-12-31

Antioxidant capacities and polyphenolic contents of two mango cultivars from northern Chile, one of them endemic of an oasis in the Atacama Desert, were compared for the first time. Twenty one phenolic compounds were detected in peel and pulp of mango fruits varieties Pica and Tommy Atkins by HPLC-PDA-MS and tentatively characterized. Eighteen compounds were present in Pica pulp (ppu), 13 in Pica peel (ppe) 11 in Tommy Atkins pulp (tpu) and 12 in Tommy Atkins peel (tpe). Three procyanidin dimers (peaks 6, 9 and 10), seven acid derivatives (peaks 1-4, 11, 20 and 21) and four xanthones were identified, mainly mangiferin (peak 12) and mangiferin gallate, (peak 7), which were present in both peel and pulp of the two studied species from northern Chile. Homomangiferin (peak 13) was also present in both fruit pulps and dimethylmangiferin (peak 14) was present only in Tommy pulp. Pica fruits showed better antioxidant capacities and higher polyphenolic content (73.76/32.23 µg/mL in the DPPH assay and 32.49/72.01 mg GAE/100 g fresh material in the TPC assay, for edible pulp and peel, respectively) than Tommy Atkins fruits (127.22/46.39 µg/mL in the DPPH assay and 25.03/72.01 mg GAE/100 g fresh material in the TPC assay for pulp and peel, respectively). The peel of Pica mangoes showed also the highest content of phenolics (66.02 mg/100 g FW) measured by HPLC-PDA. The HPLC generated fingerprint can be used to authenticate Pica mango fruits and Pica mango food products.

Visually estimated ejection fraction by two dimensional and triplane echocardiography is closely correlated with quantitative ejection fraction by real-time three dimensional echocardiography

PubMed Central

Shahgaldi, Kambiz; Gudmundsson, Petri; Manouras, Aristomenis; Brodin, Lars-Åke; Winter, Reidar

2009-01-01

Background Visual assessment of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is often used in clinical routine despite general recommendations to use quantitative biplane Simpsons (BPS) measurements. Even thou quantitative methods are well validated and from many reasons preferable, the feasibility of visual assessment (eyeballing) is superior. There is to date only sparse data comparing visual EF assessment in comparison to quantitative methods available. The aim of this study was to compare visual EF assessment by two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) and triplane echocardiography (TPE) using quantitative real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) as the reference method. Methods Thirty patients were enrolled in the study. Eyeballing EF was assessed using apical 4-and 2 chamber views and TP mode by two experienced readers blinded to all clinical data. The measurements were compared to quantitative RT3DE. Results There were an excellent correlation between eyeballing EF by 2D and TP vs 3DE (r = 0.91 and 0.95 respectively) without any significant bias (-0.5 ± 3.7% and -0.2 ± 2.9% respectively). Intraobserver variability was 3.8% for eyeballing 2DE, 3.2% for eyeballing TP and 2.3% for quantitative 3D-EF. Interobserver variability was 7.5% for eyeballing 2D and 8.4% for eyeballing TP. Conclusion Visual estimation of LVEF both using 2D and TP by an experienced reader correlates well with quantitative EF determined by RT3DE. There is an apparent trend towards a smaller variability using TP in comparison to 2D, this was however not statistically significant. PMID:19706183

Non-Doped Sky-Blue OLEDs Based on Simple Structured AIE Emitters with High Efficiencies at Low Driven Voltages.

PubMed

Islam, Amjad; Zhang, Dongdong; Peng, Ruixiang; Yang, Rongjuan; Hong, Ling; Song, Wei; Wei, Qiang; Duan, Lian; Ge, Ziyi

2017-09-05

Blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are necessary for flat-panel display technologies and lighting applications. To make more energy-saving, low-cost and long-lasting OLEDs, efficient materials as well as simple structured devices are in high demand. However, a very limited number of blue OLEDs achieving high stability and color purity have been reported. Herein, three new sky-blue emitters, 1,4,5-triphenyl-2-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazole (TPEI), 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-2-(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazole (TPEMeOPhI) and 1-phenyl-2,4,5-tris(4-(1,2,2-triphenylvinyl)phenyl)-1H-imidazole (3TPEI), with a combination of imidazole and tetraphenylethene groups, have been developed. High photoluminescence quantum yields are obtained for these materials. All derivatives have demonstrated aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior, excellent thermal stability with high decomposition and glass transition temperatures. Non-doped sky-blue OLEDs with simple structure have been fabricated employing these materials as emitters and realized high efficiencies of 2.41 % (4.92 cd A -1 , 2.70 lm W -1 ), 2.16 (4.33 cd A -1 , 2.59 lm W -1 ) and 3.13 % (6.97 cd A -1 , 4.74 lm W -1 ) for TPEI, TPEMeOPhI and 3TPEI, with small efficiency roll-off. These are among excellent results for molecules constructed from the combination of imidazole and TPE reported so far. The high performance of a 3TPEI-based device shows the promising potential of the combination of imidazole and AIEgen for synthesizing efficient electroluminescent materials for OLED devices. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

[Quality of life after extensive pelvic surgery].

PubMed

Levý, M; Lipská, L; Visokai, V; Šimša, J

Multiorgan resections in the small pelvis are standard procedures in oncosurgery and some indications have no alternative. In advanced pelvic cancer, pelvic exenteration with en bloc resection of the involved organs and structures, including portions of the bony pelvis, is indicated. The 5-year survival rate is fairly good, around 50%, but little is known about the long-term quality of life. The aim was to describe the quality of life of long-term total pelvic exenteration survivors. In total, 63 pelvic exenterations were performed between 2000 to 2015 at the Department of Surgery, Thomayer Hospital, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, mostly for primary or relapsed rectal cancer. In this retrospective cohort study, the quality of life was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3.0) and the EORTC QLQ-CR29 questionnaires. The completed questionnaires were scored according to EORTC instructions. At the time of this survey, 24 patients after TPE were surviving longer than one year after the surgery. The five-year survival of all patients was 49%, median survival 4.6 years, and median follow-up 15 months. Most of our patients reported a good level of their physical, emotional, cognitive and social functions. Some patients reported a worse body image, and of course a worsening in their sexual life. Regarding symptom-oriented questions, some patients evaluated the necessity of more frequent care of the stomia as slightly problematic; most patients reported impotence (men) or painful sexual intercourse (women). Long-term quality of life in survivors of pelvic exenteration for rectal cancer is comparable with reported results following primary rectal cancer resection with the exception of the sexual function. The quality of life gradually improves in the course of weeks to months from the surgery. pelvic exenteration quality of life.

Medical follow up after bariatric surgery: nutritional and drug issues. General recommendations for the prevention and treatment of nutritional deficiencies.

PubMed

Ziegler, O; Sirveaux, M A; Brunaud, L; Reibel, N; Quilliot, D

2009-12-01

This review is an update of the long-term follow-up of nutritional and metabolic issues following bariatric surgery, and also discusses the most recent guidelines for the three most common procedures: adjustable gastric bands (AGB); sleeve gastrectomy (SG); and roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP). The risk of nutritional deficiencies depends on the percentage of weight loss and the type of surgical procedure performed. Purely restrictive procedures (AGB, SG), for example, can induce digestive symptoms, food intolerance or maladaptative eating behaviours due to pre- or postsurgical eating disorders. GBP also has a minor malabsorptive component. Iron deficiency is common with the three types of bariatric surgery, especially in menstruating women, and GBP is also associated with an increased risk of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Rare deficiencies can lead to serious complications such as encephalopathy or protein-energy malnutrition. Long-term problems such as changes in bone metabolism or neurological complications need to be carefully monitored. In addition, routine nutritional screening, recommendations for appropriate supplements and monitoring compliance are imperative, whatever the bariatric procedure. Key points are: (1) virtually routine mineral and multivitamin supplementation; (2) prevention of gallstone formation with the use of ursodeoxycholic acid during the first 6 months; and (3) regular, life-long, follow-up of all patients. Pre- and postoperative therapeutic patient education (TPE) programmes, involving a new multidisciplinary approach based on patient-centred education, may be useful for increasing patients'long-term compliance, which is often poor. The role of the general practitioner has also to be emphasized: clinical visits and follow-ups should be monitored and coordinated with the bariatric team, including the surgeon, the obesity specialist, the dietitian and mental health professionals. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Tritium retention in S-65 beryllium after 100 eV plasma exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Causey, Rion A.; Longhurst, Glen R.; Harbin, Wally

1997-02-01

The tritium plasma experiment (TPE) has been used to measure the retention of tritium in S-65 beryllium under conditions similar to that expected for the international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER). Beryllium samples 2 mm thick and 50 mm in diameter were exposed to a plasma of tritium and deuterium. The particle flux striking the samples was varied from approximately 1 × 10 17 ( D + T)/ cm2s up to about 3 × 10 18 ( D + T)/ cm2s. The beryllium samples were negatively biased to elevate the energy of the impinging ions to 100 eV. The temperature of the samples was varied from 373 K to 973 K. Exposure times of 1 h were used. Subsequent to the plasma exposure, the samples were outgassed in a separate system where 99% He and 1% H 2 gas was swept over the samples during heating. The sweep gas along with the released tritium was sent through an ionization chamber, through a copper oxide catalyst bed, and into a series of glycol bubblers. The amount of released tritium was determined both by the ionization chamber and by liquid scintillation counting of the glycol. Tritium retention in the beryllium disks varied from a high of 2.4 × 10 17 ( D + T)/ cm2 at 373 K to a low of 1 × 10 16 ( D + T)/ cm2 at 573 K. For almost every case, the tritium retention in the beryllium was less than that calculated using the C = 0 boundary condition at the plasma facing surface. It is believed that this lower than expected retention is due to rapid release of tritium from the large specific surface area created in the implant zone due to the production of voids, bubbles, and blisters.

[Current status regarding surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer in the Czech Republic].

PubMed

Loveček, M; Skalický, P; Ryska, M; Gürlich, R; Hlavsa, J; Čečka, F; Krška, Z; Strnad, R; Peteja, M; Klein, J; Šiller, J; Zajak, J; Krejčí, T; Rupert, K; Kočík, M; Šefr, R; Straka, M; Dušek, L; Jarkovský, J; Havlík, R; Neoral, Č

The aim is to map the current situation in the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer in the Czech Republic. This information has been obtained from surgical treatment providers using a simple questionnaire and by identifying the so called high volume centres. The information has been collected in the interest of organizing and planning research projects in the field of pancreatic cancer treatment. We addressed centres known to provide surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer. A simple questionnaire formulated one question about the total number of pancreatic resections, also separately for the diagnoses PDAC - C25, in the last two years (2014 and 2015). Other questions focused on the use of diagnostic methods, neoadjuvant therapy, preoperative assessment of risks, the possibility of rapid intraoperative histopathology examination, Leeds protocol, monitoring of morbidity and mortality including long-term results, and the method of postoperative follow-up and treatment. ÚZIS (Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic) was addressed with a request to analyze the frequency of reported total numbers for DPE, LPE, TPE and to do the same with respect to diagnosis C 25 for the last two years, available for the entire Czech Republic (2013, 2014). Altogether 19 institutions were identified by the preceding audit, which reported more than 10 pancreatic resections annually; these institutions were addressed with the questionnaire. Sixteen institutions responded to the questions, 13 of them completely. The majority of potentially radical surgeries for PDAC in the Czech Republic are carried out at 6 institutions. All of the institutions that participated in the survey collect data about morbidity and mortality and monitor their results. pancreas cancer outcomes surgery.

Demonstration Project for a Multi-Material Lightweight Prototype Vehicle as Part of the Clean Energy Dialogue with Canada

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

Skszek, Tim

2015-12-29

The intent of the Multi-Material Lightweight Vehicle (“MMLV”) was to assess the feasibility of achieving a significant level of vehicle mass reduction, enabling engine downsizing resulting in a tangible fuel reduction and environmental benefit. The MMLV project included the development of two (2) lightweight vehicle designs, referred to as Mach-I and Mach-II MMLV variants, based on a 2013 Ford production C/D segment production vehicle (Fusion). Weight comparison, life cycle assessment and limited full vehicle testing are included in the project scope. The Mach-I vehicle variant was comprised of materials and processes that are commercially available or previously demonstrated. The 363more » kg mass reduction associated with the Mach-I design enabled use of a one-liter, three-cylinder, gasoline turbocharged direct injection engine, maintaining the performance and utility of the baseline vehicle. The full MMLV project produced seven (7) MMLV Mach-I “concept vehicles” which were used for testing and evaluation. The full vehicle tests confirmed that MMLV Mach-I concept vehicle performed approximately equivalent to the baseline 2013 Ford Fusion vehicle thereby validating the design of the multi material lightweight vehicle design. The results of the Life Cycle Assessment, conducted by third party consultant, indicated that if the MMLV Mach-I design was built and operated in North America for 250,000 km (155,343 miles) it would produce significant environmental and fuel economy benefits including a 16% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP) and 16% reduction in Total Primary Energy (TPE). The LCA calculations estimated the combined fuel economy of 34 mpg (6.9 l/100 km) associated with the MMLV Mach-I Design compared to 28 mpg (8.4 l/100 km) for the 2013 Ford Fusion.« less

[Removal of low density lipoproteins on dextrans sulfate in 2 patients with familial monogenic hypercholesterolemia].

PubMed

Aubert, I; Bombail, D; Erlich, D; Goy-Loeper, J; Chanu, B; Bussel, A; Rouffy, J

1988-01-01

Two patients-a 32 year old man with severe heterozygote familial hyperlipoproteinemia (FH) and a 9 years old girl with homozygote FH-were treated over eight months by LDL apheresis using dextran sulfate cellulose column (Liposorber, Kaneka, Japon). Plasma was separated from blood cells by filtration (TPE Cobe) or centrifugation (2,997 Cobe) through peripheral veins. An IV bolus of 10 IU/kg heparin was given together with local anti-coagulation with 55 g/l sodium citrate, 20 g/l citric acid at a ratio 1:25. Albumin supply was unnecessary. Plasma was removed every 2 weeks through liposorber LA 40 in the adult, and every week through liposorber LA 40 then 2 LA 15 in the child, mean plasma volume exchanged being 1.2 litres in the adult and 1.5 litres par session in the child. the DSC column removed on the average 60 p. 100 of total cholesterol (TC) and 65 p. 100 of LDL.C. Apoproteins B levels were reduced by 58 p. 100. After each procedure there was a rapid increase in lipid levels to about the 80 to 90 p. 100 of pretreatment value. In the adult, we obtained levels of TC of less than 300 mg/dl with exchanges every 2 weeks combined with an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (40 mg/day); in the child, with exchanges every week the same inhibitor did not permit a prolongation of the interval between 2 aphereses. this was confirmed by elution of DSC column bound lipoproteins by 0.1 mol/l NaCl solution. However, the average removal of HDL.C and apoprotein A1 was respectively 31 p. 100 and 32 p. 100. Triglycerides levels were also reduced (48 p. 100). this was good in both cases. Using the filtration technic, hypotension was reported; this side effect did not appear with centrifugation. In the child, we observed immediate type reactions: nasal obstruction, headache and abdominal pain. The change in plasma protein concentration was caused by dilution and/or non specific absorption. LDL apheresis alone or combined with an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor is a safe technic, simple to manage without special equipment and producing marked LDL.C level reduction. However, there is also a reduction of HDL-C levels. Despite its high cost, it is a promising new approach to the treatment of FH.

Defect annealing and thermal desorption of deuterium in low dose HFIR neutron-irradiated tungsten

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

Masashi Shimada; M. Hara; T. Otsuka

2014-05-01

Accurately estimating tritium retention in plasma facing components (PFCs) and minimizing its uncertainty are key safety issues for licensing future fusion power reactors. D-T fusion reactions produce 14.1 MeV neutrons that activate PFCs and create radiation defects throughout the bulk of the material of these components. Recent studies show that tritium migrates and is trapped in bulk (>> 10 µm) tungsten beyond the detection range of nuclear reaction analysis technique [1-2], and thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) technique becomes the only established diagnostic that can reveal hydrogen isotope behavior in in bulk (>> 10 µm) tungsten. Radiation damage and its recoverymore » mechanisms in neutron-irradiated tungsten are still poorly understood, and neutron-irradiation data of tungsten is very limited. In this paper, systematic investigations with repeated plasma exposures and thermal desorption are performed to study defect annealing and thermal desorption of deuterium in low dose neutron-irradiated tungsten. Three tungsten samples (99.99 at. % purity from A.L.M.T. Co., Japan) irradiated at High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory were exposed to high flux (ion flux of (0.5-1.0)x1022 m-2s-1 and ion fluence of 1x1026 m-2) deuterium plasma at three different temperatures (100, 200, and 500 °C) in Tritium Plasma Experiment at Idaho National Laboratory. Subsequently, thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) was performed with a ramp rate of 10 °C/min up to 900 °C, and the samples were annealed at 900 °C for 0.5 hour. These procedures were repeated three (for 100 and 200 °C samples) and four (for 500 °C sample) times to uncover damage recovery mechanisms and its effects on deuterium behavior. The results show that deuterium retention decreases approximately 90, 75, and 66 % for 100, 200, and 500 °C, respectively after each annealing. When subjected to the same TDS recipe, the desorption temperature shifts from 800 °C to 600 °C after 1st annealing for the sample exposed to TPE at 500 °C. Tritium Migration Analysis Program (TMAP) analysis reveals that the detrapping energy decreases from 1.8 eV to 1.4 eV, indicating the changes in trapping mechanisms. This paper also summarizes deuterium behavior studies in HFIR neutron-irradiated tungsten under US-Japan TITAN program.« less

An effect of context on whether memory for initial position exhibits a Fröhlich effect or an onset repulsion effect.

PubMed

Hubbard, Timothy L; Motes, Michael A

2005-08-01

Memory for the initial and final positions of moving targets was examined. When targets appeared adjacent to the boundary of a larger enclosing window, memory for initial position exhibited a Fröhlich effect (i.e., a displacement forward), and when distance of initial position from the boundary increased, memory for initial position exhibited a smaller Fröhlich effect or an onset repulsion effect (i.e., a displacement backward). When targets vanished adjacent to the boundary of a larger enclosing window, memory for final position was displaced backward, and when distance of final position from the boundary increased, memory for final position did not exhibit significant displacement. These patterns differed from previously reported displacements of initial and final positions of targets presented on a blank background. Possible influences of attention and extrapolation of trajectory on whether memory for initial position exhibits a Fröhlich effect or an onset repulsion effect and on backward displacement in memory for final position are discussed.

Age-related differences in recall for words using semantics and prosody.

PubMed

Sober, Jonathan D; VanWormer, Lisa A; Arruda, James E

2016-01-01

The positivity effect is a developmental shift seen in older adults to be increasingly influenced by positive information in areas such as memory, attention, and decision-making. This study is the first to examine the age-related differences of the positivity effect for emotional prosody. Participants heard a factorial combination of words that were semantically positive or negative said with either positive or negative intonation. Results showed a semantic positivity effect for older adults, and a prosody positivity effect for younger adults. Additionally, older adults showed a significant decrease in recall for semantically negative words said in an incongruent prosodically positive tone.

Aging and the genetic road towards the positivity effect in memory.

PubMed

Mammarella, Nicola; Di Domenico, Alberto; Fairfield, Beth

2016-09-01

Better memory for positive information compared to negative and neutral information has been repeatedly associated with successful aging. The main psychological explanations for this so-called "positivity effect" in memory principally rely on emotional, motivational, and cognitive mechanisms that make older adults' cognition highly sensitive to positive information according to ultimate goals of well-being. However, emerging evidence also delineates a genetic profile for positivity effects in memory, which may render some older adults more prone than others to encoding and remembering positive memories. First, we present a brief overview of behavioral and neuroimaging studies about the positivity effect in aging. Subsequently, we report studies on candidate genes associated with positive memories. In particular, we review work to date on several candidate genes that are sensitive to stimulus valence such as ADRA2B, COMT, and 5HTTLPR. Finally, we propose that the future approach to the study of genetic correlates of positivity effects in memory should also include mitochondrial functioning (TOMM40). Altogether, the study of genetics and cell biology of positivity effects in memory can help us to reveal the underlying bottom-up pathways to positive affect in healthy aging. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Save the last dance for me: unwanted serial position effects in jury evaluations.

PubMed

Bruine de Bruin, Wändi

2005-03-01

Whenever competing options are considered in sequence, their evaluations may be affected by order of appearance. Such serial position effects would threaten the fairness of competitions using jury evaluations. Randomization cannot reduce potential order effects, but it does give candidates an equal chance of being assigned to preferred serial positions. Whether, or what, serial position effects emerge may depend on the cognitive demands of the judgment task. In end-of-sequence procedures, final scores are not given until all candidates have performed, possibly burdening judges' memory. If judges' evaluations are based on how well they remember performances, serial position effects may resemble those found with free recall. Candidates may also be evaluated step-by-step, immediately after each performance. This procedure should not burden memory, though it may produce different serial position effects. Yet, this paper reports similar serial position effects with end-of-sequence and step-by-step procedures used for the Eurovision Song Contest: Ratings increased with serial position. The linear order effect was replicated in the step-by-step judgments of World and European Figure Skating Contests. It is proposed that, independent of the evaluation procedure, judges' initial impressions of sequentially appearing candidates may be formed step-by-step, yielding serial position effects.

Serial-position effects for items and relations in short-term memory.

PubMed

Jones, Tim; Oberauer, Klaus

2013-04-01

Two experiments used immediate probed recall of words to investigate serial-position effects. Item memory was tested through probing with a semantic category. Relation memory was tested through probing with the word's spatial location of presentation. Input order and output order were deconfounded by presenting and probing items in different orders. Primacy and recency effects over input position were found for both item memory and relation memory. Both item and relation memory declined over output position. The finding of a U-shaped input position function for item memory rules out an explanation purely in terms of positional confusions (e.g., edge effects). Either these serial-position effects arise from variations in the intrinsic memory strength of the items, or they arise from variations in the strength of item-position bindings, together with retrieval by scanning.

Is There a Paradox of Aging: When the Negative Aging Stereotype Meets the Positivity Effect in Older Adults.

PubMed

Zhou, Liqing; Lu, Jia; Chen, Guopeng; Dong, Li; Yao, Yujia

2017-01-01

Background/Study Context: Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) states that the positivity effect is a result of older adults' emotion regulation and that older adults derive more emotional satisfaction from prioritizing positive information processing. The authors explored whether the positivity effect appeared when the negative aging stereotype was activated in older adults and also whether the effect differed between mixed and unmixed valence conditions. Sixty younger (18-23 years of age) and 60 older (60-87 years of age) adults were randomly assigned to a control group and a priming group, in which the negative aging stereotype was activated. All the participants were asked to select 15 words that best described the elderly from a mixed-word list (positive and negative words were mixed together) and from an unmixed-word list (positive and negative words were separated). Older adults in the control group selected more positive words, whereas among younger adults, selection did not differ by valence in either the mixed- or unmixed-word list conditions. There were no differences between the positive and negative word choices of the younger and older adults in the priming group. We calculated the differences between the numbers of positive and negative words, and the differences in the older adults' word choices were larger than those among the younger adults; the differences were also larger in the control group than in the priming group. The positivity effect worked by choosing positive stimuli rather than avoiding negative stimuli. The role of emotion regulation in older adults was limited, and when the positivity effect faced the effect of the negative aging stereotype, the negative stereotype effect was dominant. Future research should explore the changes in the positivity effect in the face of a positive aging stereotype and what roles other factors (e.g., activation level of the stereotype, arousal level of affective words) might play.

The longitudinal effects of work-family conflict and positive spillover on depressive symptoms among dual-earner couples.

PubMed

Hammer, Leslie B; Cullen, Jennifer C; Neal, Margaret B; Sinclair, Robert R; Shafiro, Margarita V

2005-04-01

This study assessed longitudinal and cross-sectional relationships between work-family conflict, positive spillover, and depression in a national sample of 234 dual-earner couples. The authors also assessed crossover effects (i.e., the transmission of emotions, affect, or stress from 1 member of a dyad to another) of work-family conflict and positive spillover on spouses' depression. Two general findings of the study were that (a) positive spillover has a stronger impact on depression than does work-family conflict, and (b) the effects of spouses' positive spillover were more strongly related to decreased depression than were the effects of one's own positive spillover. Significant longitudinal effects were related to the crossover of positive spillover on decreased spouse depression. Copyright 2005 APA, all rights reserved.

Impact of External Price Referencing on Medicine Prices – A Price Comparison Among 14 European Countries

PubMed Central

Leopold, Christine; Mantel-Teeuwisse, Aukje Katja; Seyfang, Leonhard; Vogler, Sabine; de Joncheere, Kees; Laing, Richard Ogilvie; Leufkens, Hubert

2012-01-01

Objectives: This study aims to examine the impact of external price referencing (EPR) on on-patent medicine prices, adjusting for other factors that may affect price levels such as sales volume, exchange rates, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, total pharmaceutical expenditure (TPE), and size of the pharmaceutical industry. Methods: Price data of 14 on-patent products, in 14 European countries in 2007 and 2008 were obtained from the Pharmaceutical Price Information Service of the Austrian Health Institute. Based on the unit ex-factory prices in EURO, scaled ranks per country and per product were calculated. For the regression analysis the scaled ranks per country and product were weighted; each country had the same sum of weights but within a country the weights were proportional to its sales volume in the year (data obtained from IMS Health). Taking the scaled ranks, several statistical analyses were performed by using the program “R”, including a multiple regression analysis (including variables such as GDP per capita and national industry size). Results: This study showed that on average EPR as a pricing policy leads to lower prices. However, the large variation in price levels among countries using EPR confirmed that the price level is not only driven by EPR. The unadjusted linear regression model confirms that applying EPR in a country is associated with a lower scaled weighted rank (p=0.002). This interaction persisted after inclusion of total pharmaceutical expenditure per capita and GDP per capita in the final model. Conclusions: The study showed that for patented products, prices are in general lower in case the country applied EPR. Nevertheless substantial price differences among countries that apply EPR could be identified. Possible explanations could be found through a correlation between pharmaceutical industry and the scaled price ranks. In conclusion, we found that implementing external reference pricing could lead to lower prices. PMID:23532710

Human Treponema pallidum 11q/j isolate belongs to subsp. endemicum but contains two loci with a sequence in TP0548 and TP0488 similar to subsp. pertenue and subsp. pallidum, respectively

PubMed Central

Mikalová, Lenka; Strouhal, Michal; Oppelt, Jan; Grange, Philippe Alain; Janier, Michel; Benhaddou, Nadjet; Dupin, Nicolas; Šmajs, David

2017-01-01

Background Treponema pallidum subsp. endemicum (TEN) is the causative agent of endemic syphilis (bejel). An unusual human TEN 11q/j isolate was obtained from a syphilis-like primary genital lesion from a patient that returned to France from Pakistan. Methodology/Principal findings The TEN 11q/j isolate was characterized using nested PCR followed by Sanger sequencing and/or direct Illumina sequencing. Altogether, 44 chromosomal regions were analyzed. Overall, the 11q/j isolate clustered with TEN strains Bosnia A and Iraq B as expected from previous TEN classification of the 11q/j isolate. However, the 11q/j sequence in a 505 bp-long region at the TP0488 locus was similar to Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (TPA) strains, but not to TEN Bosnia A and Iraq B sequences, suggesting a recombination event at this locus. Similarly, the 11q/j sequence in a 613 bp-long region at the TP0548 locus was similar to Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue (TPE) strains, but not to TEN sequences. Conclusions/Significance A detailed analysis of two recombinant loci found in the 11q/j clinical isolate revealed that the recombination event occurred just once, in the TP0488, with the donor sequence originating from a TPA strain. Since TEN Bosnia A and Iraq B were found to contain TPA-like sequences at the TP0548 locus, the recombination at TP0548 took place in a treponeme that was an ancestor to both TEN Bosnia A and Iraq B. The sequence of 11q/j isolate in TP0548 represents an ancestral TEN sequence that is similar to yaws-causing treponemes. In addition to the importance of the 11q/j isolate for reconstruction of the TEN phylogeny, this case emphasizes the possible role of TEN strains in development of syphilis-like lesions. PMID:28263990

The effect of loving-kindness meditation on positive emotions: a meta-analytic review.

PubMed

Zeng, Xianglong; Chiu, Cleo P K; Wang, Rong; Oei, Tian P S; Leung, Freedom Y K

2015-01-01

While it has been suggested that loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is an effective practice for promoting positive emotions, the empirical evidence in the literature remains unclear. Here, we provide a systematic review of 24 empirical studies (N = 1759) on LKM with self-reported positive emotions. The effect of LKM on positive emotions was estimated with meta-analysis, and the influence of variations across LKM interventions was further explored with subgroup analysis and meta-regression. The meta-analysis showed that (1) medium effect sizes for LKM interventions on daily positive emotions in both wait-list controlled RCTs and non-RCT studies; and (2) small to large effect sizes for the on-going practice of LKM on immediate positive emotions across different comparisons. Further analysis showed that (1) interventions focused on loving-kindness had medium effect size, but interventions focused on compassion showed small effect sizes; (2) the length of interventions and the time spent on meditation did not influence the effect sizes, but the studies without didactic components in interventions had small effect sizes. A few individual studies reported that the nature of positive emotions and individual differences also influenced the results. In sum, LKM practice and interventions are effective in enhancing positive emotions, but more studies are needed to identify the active components of the interventions, to compare different psychological operations, and to explore the applicability in clinical populations.

The effect of loving-kindness meditation on positive emotions: a meta-analytic review

PubMed Central

Zeng, Xianglong; Chiu, Cleo P. K.; Wang, Rong; Oei, Tian P. S.; Leung, Freedom Y. K.

2015-01-01

While it has been suggested that loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is an effective practice for promoting positive emotions, the empirical evidence in the literature remains unclear. Here, we provide a systematic review of 24 empirical studies (N = 1759) on LKM with self-reported positive emotions. The effect of LKM on positive emotions was estimated with meta-analysis, and the influence of variations across LKM interventions was further explored with subgroup analysis and meta-regression. The meta-analysis showed that (1) medium effect sizes for LKM interventions on daily positive emotions in both wait-list controlled RCTs and non-RCT studies; and (2) small to large effect sizes for the on-going practice of LKM on immediate positive emotions across different comparisons. Further analysis showed that (1) interventions focused on loving-kindness had medium effect size, but interventions focused on compassion showed small effect sizes; (2) the length of interventions and the time spent on meditation did not influence the effect sizes, but the studies without didactic components in interventions had small effect sizes. A few individual studies reported that the nature of positive emotions and individual differences also influenced the results. In sum, LKM practice and interventions are effective in enhancing positive emotions, but more studies are needed to identify the active components of the interventions, to compare different psychological operations, and to explore the applicability in clinical populations. PMID:26579061

Drosophila mini-white model system: new insights into positive position effects and the role of transcriptional terminators and gypsy insulator in transgene shielding

PubMed Central

Silicheva, Margarita; Golovnin, Anton; Pomerantseva, Ekaterina; Parshikov, Aleksander; Georgiev, Pavel; Maksimenko, Oksana

2010-01-01

The white gene, which is responsible for eye pigmentation, is widely used to study position effects in Drosophila. As a result of insertion of P-element vectors containing mini-white without enhancers into random chromosomal sites, flies with different eye color phenotypes appear, which is usually explained by the influence of positive/negative regulatory elements located around the insertion site. We found that, in more than 70% of cases when mini-white expression was subject to positive position effects, deletion of the white promoter had no effect on eye pigmentation; in these cases, the transposon was inserted into the transcribed regions of genes. Therefore, transcription through the mini-white gene could be responsible for high levels of its expression in most of chromosomal sites. Consistently with this conclusion, transcriptional terminators proved to be efficient in protecting mini-white expression from positive position effects. On the other hand, the best characterized Drosophila gypsy insulator was poorly effective in terminating transcription and, as a consequence, only partially protected mini-white expression from these effects. Thus, to ensure maximum protection of a transgene from position effects, a perfect boundary/insulator element should combine three activities: to block enhancers, to provide a barrier between active and repressed chromatin, and to terminate transcription. PMID:19854952

Aging and emotional memory: the co-occurrence of neurophysiological and behavioral positivity effects.

PubMed

Langeslag, Sandra J E; van Strien, Jan W

2009-06-01

The positivity effect is a trend for adults to increasingly process positive and/or decreasingly process negative information compared with other information with advancing age. The positivity effect has been observed with behavioral measures, such as in attention and memory tests, and with measures of neurophysiological activity, such as in amygdala activation and the late positive potential (LPP). In this study, it was investigated whether these behavioral and neurophysiological positivity effects co-occur. The electroencephalogram of younger (19-26 years) and older (65-82 years) adults was recorded while they encoded unpleasant, neutral, and pleasant pictures for retrieval in free and cued recall tests. Positivity effects occurred in the late LPP amplitude (700-1,000 ms) and in the free recall test, with negativity biases in younger adults and no biases in older adults. The occurrence of a valence bias in the LPP was substantially but nonsignificantly correlated with the occurrence of a similar valence bias in memory in the older adults. In conclusion, neurophysiological and behavioral positivity effects appear to co-occur, a finding that awaits expansion using different neurophysiological and behavioral measures.

Eyewitness identification in simultaneous and sequential lineups: an investigation of position effects using receiver operating characteristics.

PubMed

Meisters, Julia; Diedenhofen, Birk; Musch, Jochen

2018-04-20

For decades, sequential lineups have been considered superior to simultaneous lineups in the context of eyewitness identification. However, most of the research leading to this conclusion was based on the analysis of diagnosticity ratios that do not control for the respondent's response criterion. Recent research based on the analysis of ROC curves has found either equal discriminability for sequential and simultaneous lineups, or higher discriminability for simultaneous lineups. Some evidence for potential position effects and for criterion shifts in sequential lineups has also been reported. Using ROC curve analysis, we investigated the effects of the suspect's position on discriminability and response criteria in both simultaneous and sequential lineups. We found that sequential lineups suffered from an unwanted position effect. Respondents employed a strict criterion for the earliest lineup positions, and shifted to a more liberal criterion for later positions. No position effects and no criterion shifts were observed in simultaneous lineups. This result suggests that sequential lineups are not superior to simultaneous lineups, and may give rise to unwanted position effects that have to be considered when conducting police lineups.

Serial position effects in free memory recall--An ERP-study.

PubMed

Wiswede, Daniel; Rüsseler, Jascha; Münte, Thomas F

2007-05-01

Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) elicited by recalled and non-recalled words were recorded from 18 female subjects to investigate primacy and recency effects in free memory recall. The typical pattern of a serial position curve (SPC) was obtained with words presented at first and final positions in a list recalled better than words presented in the middle of a list. A marked positivity is seen in the ERPs for words on Primacy, but not on Recency positions at frontocentral electrodes. In contrast, ERP amplitudes on parietal electrodes resemble the SPC seen in behavioral data: P300 amplitude is largest for words on Primacy and Recency positions and attenuated on Plateau positions. Furthermore, subjects with a clear Primacy effect in behavioral data show a distinct frontal positive slow wave for Primacy words only, whereas subjects without a clear primacy effect show a frontal "difference due to subsequent memory" (DM) effect for Primacy and Plateau words. These results are discussed in the framework of working memory and distinctiveness.

Effect of Zinc Oxide Film Deposition Position on the Characteristics of Zinc Oxide Thin Film Transistors Fabricated by Low-Temperature Magnetron Sputtering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takechi, Kazushige; Nakata, Mitsuru; Eguchi, Toshimasa; Otsuki, Shigeyoshi; Yamaguchi, Hirotaka; Kaneko, Setsuo

2008-09-01

We report on the effect of zinc oxide (ZnO) film deposition position on the characteristics of ZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated by magnetron sputtering with no intentional heating of the substrate. We evaluate the properties of ZnO (channel semiconductor) films deposited at various positions with respect to the target position. We show that the film deposition at a position off-centered from the target results in good TFT characteristics. This might be due to the fact that the off-centered deposition position is effective for suppressing the effect of energetic negative ions in the plasma.

Views of the self and others at different ages: utility of repertory grid technique in detecting the positivity effect in aging.

PubMed

Williams, Ben D; Harter, Stephanie Lewis

2010-01-01

Socioemotional selectivity theory (Carstensen, 1995) posits a "positivity effect" in older adults, describing an increasing tendency to attend to, process, interpret, and remember events and others in life in a positive fashion as one ages. Drawing on personal construct theory, Viney (1993) observes increasing integration of constructions of self with others across the lifespan. The current study extends assessment of the positivity effect, integrating it with personal construct theory, by use of Repertory Grid (RepGrid) analysis. Consistent with the positivity effect, older adults (ages 54-86) described others more positively on RepGrid measures in comparison to younger adults (ages 18-25). Older adults also described the self as more similar to others and tended to describe the self more positively. The age groups did not differ in measures of psychological distress or well being with the exception of older adults describing more autonomy.

The Mediating Effects of Positive Cognitions on Autism Caregivers' Depression and Their Children's Challenging Behaviors.

PubMed

Bekhet, Abir K

2016-02-01

Caregivers of persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are prone to depression and psychological problems, which have an impact on their children's challenging behaviors. Positive cognitions include specific positive thinking patterns that enhance one's ability to effectively manage daily activities and promote mental health. The purpose of this research is to test the mediating effects of positive cognitions on the relationship between caregivers' depression and their children's challenging behaviors among 117 caregivers of persons with ASD. Positive cognitions were found to have mediating effects on the relationship between caregiver's depression and their children's challenging behaviors in this sample of caregivers of persons with ASD. Nurses are in a strategic position to include in their interventions those strategies that strengthen positive cognitions in order to improve the caregivers' positive cognitions and well-being, which, in turn will have an impact on their children's challenging behaviors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cognitive reserve and emotional stimuli in older individuals: level of education moderates the age-related positivity effect.

PubMed

Bruno, Davide; Brown, Adam D; Kapucu, Aycan; Marmar, Charles R; Pomara, Nunzio

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND/STUDY CONTEXT: A frequently observed age-related effect is a preference in older individuals for positive stimuli. The cognitive control model proposes that this positivity effect may be mediated by executive functions. We propose that cognitive reserve, operationally defined as years of education, which tempers cognitive decline and has been linked to executive functions, should also influence the age-related positivity effect, especially as age advances. An emotional free recall test was administered to a group of 84 cognitively intact individuals aged 60 to 88, who varied in years of education. As part of a larger test battery, data were obtained on measures of executive functioning and depression. Multiple regression and moderation analyses were performed, controlling for general cognitive function, severity of depressive symptoms, and executive function. In our data, years of education appeared to moderate the effect of age on the positivity effect; age was negatively associated with recall of positive words in participants with fewer years of education, whereas a nonsignificant positive correlation was observed between age and positivity in participants with more education. Cognitive reserve appears to play a role in explaining individual differences in the positivity effect in healthy older individuals. Future studies should investigate whether cognitive reserve is also implicated in the ability to process a wide range of emotional stimuli and whether greater reserve is reflected in improved emotional regulation.

Interactions between sleeping position and feeding on cardiorespiratory activity in preterm infants.

PubMed

Fifer, William P; Myers, Michael M; Sahni, Rakesh; Ohira-Kist, Kiyoko; Kashyap, Sudha; Stark, Raymond I; Schulze, Karl F

2005-11-01

Infants sleeping in the prone position are at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Sleep position-dependent changes in cardiorespiratory activity may contribute to this increased risk. Cardiorespiratory activity is also affected by feeding. Twenty prematurely-born infants were studied at 31-36 weeks postconceptional age while sleeping in the prone and supine positions. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and patterns of variability were recorded during interfeed intervals, and effects of position and time after feeding were analyzed by repeated measures analyses of variance. There were significant effects of both sleeping position and time after feeding. Heart rate is higher and heart period variability is lower in the prone position, and the effects of sleeping position on cardiac functioning are more pronounced during the middle of the intrafeed interval. In preterm infants, autonomic responses to nutrient processing modulate the cardiorespiratory effects of sleeping position. Prone sleeping risk may vary with time after feeding. Copyright 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Information Content Moderates Positivity and Negativity Biases in Memory

PubMed Central

Hess, Thomas M.; Popham, Lauren E.; Dennis, Paul A.; Emery, Lisa

2014-01-01

Two experiments examined the impact of encoding conditions and information content in memory for positive, neutral, and negative pictures. We examined the hypotheses that the positivity effect in memory (i.e., a bias in favor of positive or against negative information in later life) would be reduced when (a) pictures were viewed under structured as opposed to unstructured conditions, and (b) contained social as opposed to nonsocial content. Both experiments found that the positivity effect observed with nonsocial stimuli was absent with social stimuli. In addition, little evidence was obtained that encoding conditions affected the strength of the positivity effect. We argue that some types of social stimuli may engage different types of processing than nonsocial stimuli, perhaps encouraging self-referential processing that engages attention and supports memory. This processing may then conflict with the goal-driven, top-down processing that is hypothesized to drive the positivity effect. Thus, our results identify further boundary conditions associated with the positivity effect in memory, arguing that stimulus factors as well as situational goals may affect its occurrence. Further research awaits to determine if this effect is specific to all social stimuli or specific subsets. PMID:23421322

Information content moderates positivity and negativity biases in memory.

PubMed

Hess, Thomas M; Popham, Lauren E; Dennis, Paul A; Emery, Lisa

2013-09-01

Two experiments examined the impact of encoding conditions and information content in memory for positive, neutral, and negative pictures. We examined the hypotheses that the positivity effect in memory (i.e., a bias in favor of positive or against negative information in later life) would be reduced when (a) pictures were viewed under structured as opposed to unstructured conditions, and (b) contained social as opposed to nonsocial content. Both experiments found that the positivity effect observed with nonsocial stimuli was absent with social stimuli. In addition, little evidence was obtained that encoding conditions affected the strength of the positivity effect. We argue that some types of social stimuli may engage different types of processing than nonsocial stimuli, perhaps encouraging self-referential processing that engages attention and supports memory. This processing may then conflict with the goal-driven, top-down processing that is hypothesized to drive the positivity effect. Thus, our results identify further boundary conditions associated with the positivity effect in memory, arguing that stimulus factors as well as situational goals may affect its occurrence. Further research awaits to determine if this effect is specific to all social stimuli or specific subsets.

Couple adjustment to a stressful life event: a dyadic investigation of the roles of positive reframing and perceived benefits.

PubMed

Samios, Christina; Baran, Shayne

2018-03-01

This study examines positive reframing (a form of meaning making), perceived benefits (a form of meanings made) and adjustment in couples who experienced a stressful life event in the past year. This study tested whether couple members' scores were nonindependent and whether one's own perceived benefits was predicted by their own positive reframing (actor effect) as well as their partner's positive reframing (partner effect). Further, this study tested actor and partner effects for the link between perceived benefits and adjustment and whether positive reframing (the initial variable) works through perceived benefits (the mediator) to affect adjustment (the outcome) at the dyadic level. A standard dyadic design was used. Eighty couples completed measures of positive reframing, perceived benefits, and adjustment (depression, anxiety, positive affect, life satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction). Partners' scores on study variables were related, and although only actor effects were found for the path between positive reframing and perceived benefits, both actor and partner effects were found for the path between perceived benefits and adjustment. Mediation was found for actor-actor and actor-partner indirect effects. Results indicate that a greater focus on interpersonal factors is needed to further meaning-making theory and inform practice.

Videofluoroscopic Investigation of Body Position on Articulatory Positioning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bae, Youkyung; Perry, Jamie L.; Kuehn, David P.

2014-01-01

Purpose: To quantitatively examine the effects of body position on the positioning of the epiglottis, tongue, and velum at rest and during speech. Method: Videofluoroscopic data were obtained from 12 healthy adults in the supine and upright positions at rest and during speech while the participants produced 12 VCV sequences. The effects of body…

Taking a Radical Position: Evidence for Position-Specific Radical Representations in Chinese Character Recognition Using Masked Priming ERP

PubMed Central

Su, I.-Fan; Mak, Sin-Ching Cassie; Cheung, Lai-Ying Milly; Law, Sam-Po

2012-01-01

In the investigation of orthographic representation of Chinese characters, one question that has stimulated much research is whether radicals (character components) are specified for spatial position in a character (e.g., Ding et al., 2004; Tsang and Chen, 2009). Differing from previous work, component or radical position information in this study is conceived in terms of relative frequency across different positions of characters containing it. A lexical decision task in a masked priming paradigm focusing on radicals with preferred position of occurrence was conducted. A radical position that encompasses more characters than other positions was identified to be the preferred position of a particular radical. The prime that was exposed for 96 ms might share a radical with the target in the same or different positions. Moreover, the shared radical appeared either in its preferred or non-preferred position in the target. While response latencies only revealed the effect of graphical similarity, both effects of graphical similarity and radical position preference were found in the event-related potential (ERP) results. The former effect was reflected in greater positivity in occipital P1 and greater negativity in N400 for radicals in different positions in prime and target characters. The latter effect manifested as greater negativity in occipital N170 and greater positivity in frontal P200 in the same time window elicited by radicals in their non-preferred position. Equally interesting was the reversal of the effect of radical position preference in N400 with greater negativity associated with radicals in preferred position. These findings identify the early ERP components associated with activation of position-specific radical representations in the orthographic lexicon, and reveal the change in the nature of competition from processing at the radical level to the lexical level. PMID:23024634

Positive affect and psychobiological processes

PubMed Central

Dockray, Samantha; Steptoe, Andrew

2010-01-01

Positive affect has been associated with favourable health outcomes, and it is likely that several biological processes mediate the effects of positive mood on physical health. There is converging evidence that positive affect activates the neuroendocrine, autonomic and immune systems in distinct and functionally meaningful ways. Cortisol, both total output and the awakening response, has consistently been shown to be lower among individuals with higher levels of positive affect. The beneficial effects of positive mood on cardiovascular function, including heart rate and blood pressure, and the immune system have also been described. The influence of positive affect on these psychobiological processes are independent of negative affect, suggesting that positive affect may have characteristic biological correlates. The duration and conceptualisation of positive affect may be important considerations in understanding how different biological systems are activated in association with positive affect. The association of positive affect and psychobiological processes has been established, and these biological correlates may be partly responsible for the protective effects of positive affect on health outcomes. PMID:20097225

Evaluating the Separate and Combined Effects of Positive and Negative Reinforcement on Task Compliance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bouxsein, Kelly J.; Roane, Henry S.; Harper, Tara

2011-01-01

Positive and negative reinforcement are effective for treating escape-maintained destructive behavior. The current study evaluated the separate and combined effects of these contingencies to increase task compliance. Results showed that a combination of positive and negative reinforcement was most effective for increasing compliance. (Contains 1…

Spatial coding of ordinal information in short- and long-term memory.

PubMed

Ginsburg, Véronique; Gevers, Wim

2015-01-01

The processing of numerical information induces a spatial response bias: Faster responses to small numbers with the left hand and faster responses to large numbers with the right hand. Most theories agree that long-term representations underlie this so called SNARC effect (Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes; Dehaene et al., 1993). However, a spatial response bias was also observed with the activation of temporary position-space associations in working memory (ordinal position effect; van Dijck and Fias, 2011). Items belonging to the beginning of a memorized sequence are responded to faster with the left hand side while items at the end of the sequence are responded to faster with the right hand side. The theoretical possibility was put forward that the SNARC effect is an instance of the ordinal position effect, with the empirical consequence that the SNARC effect and the ordinal position effect cannot be observed simultaneously. In two experiments we falsify this claim by demonstrating that the SNARC effect and the ordinal position effect are not mutually exclusive. Consequently, this suggests that the SNARC effect and the ordinal position effect result from the activation of different representations. We conclude that spatial response biases can result from the activation of both pre-existing positions in long-term memory and from temporary space associations in working memory at the same time.

Memory for faces with emotional expressions in Alzheimer's disease and healthy older participants: positivity effect is not only due to familiarity.

PubMed

Sava, Alina-Alexandra; Krolak-Salmon, Pierre; Delphin-Combe, Floriane; Cloarec, Morgane; Chainay, Hanna

2017-01-01

Young individuals better memorize initially seen faces with emotional rather than neutral expressions. Healthy older participants and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients show better memory for faces with positive expressions. The socioemotional selectivity theory postulates that this positivity effect in memory reflects a general age-related preference for positive stimuli, subserving emotion regulation. Another explanation might be that older participants use compensatory strategies, often considering happy faces as previously seen. The question about the existence of this effect in tasks not permitting such compensatory strategies is still open. Thus, we compared the performance of healthy participants and AD patients for positive, neutral, and negative faces in such tasks. Healthy older participants and AD patients showed a positivity effect in memory, but there was no difference between emotional and neutral faces in young participants. Our results suggest that the positivity effect in memory is not entirely due to the sense of familiarity for smiling faces.

Molecular Mechanism of BCAR3-p130Cas in Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-05-01

positive tumors. Although effective in many cases, significant proportions of estrogen-receptor positive tumors are intrinsically unresponsive to anti...receptor positive tumors. Although effective in many cases, significant proportions of estrogen- receptor positive tumors are intrinsically unresponsive to...entire period of the fellowship, which will be terminated effective May 10, 2013. I have been awarded a prestigious Rutherford Discovery Fellowship by

Effect of welding position on porosity formation in aluminum alloy welds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haryung, J.; Wroth, R. S.

1967-01-01

Program investigates the effects of varied welding positions on weld qualities. Progressive changes in bead geometry occur as the weld plane angle is varied from upslope to downslope. The gravitational effect on the weld puddle varies greatly with welding position.

Enhancing Placebo Effects in Somatic Symptoms Through Oxytocin.

PubMed

Skvortsova, Aleksandrina; Veldhuijzen, Dieuwke S; Van Middendorp, Henriët; Van den Bergh, Omer; Evers, Andrea W M

2018-05-01

Placebo effects relieve various somatic symptoms, but it is unclear how they can be enhanced to maximize positive treatment outcomes. Oxytocin administration may potentially enhance placebo effects, but few studies have been performed, and they have had conflicting findings. The study aim was to investigate the influence of positive verbal suggestions and oxytocin on treatment expectations and placebo effects for pain and itch. One hundred eight female participants were allocated to one of the following four groups: (1) oxytocin with positive verbal suggestions, (2) placebo with positive verbal suggestions, (3) oxytocin without suggestions, and (4) placebo without suggestions. The administration of 24 IU oxytocin or a placebo spray was preceded by positive verbal suggestions regarding the pain- and itch-relieving properties of the spray or no suggestions, depending on group allocation. Pain was assessed with a cold pressor test, and itch was assessed with histamine iontophoresis. Positive verbal suggestions induced expectations of lower pain (F = 4.77, p = .031) and itch (F = 5.38, p = .022). Moreover, positive verbal suggestions elicited placebo analgesia (F = 5.48, p = .021) but did not decrease itch. No effect of oxytocin on the placebo effect or on expectations was found. Positive suggestions induced placebo analgesia but oxytocin did not enhance the placebo effect. Study limitations are that we only included a female sample and a failure to induce placebo effect for itch. Future studies should focus on how oxytocin might influence placebo effects, taken into account the role of sex, dose-dependent effects, and various expectation manipulations. The study was registered as a clinical trial on www.trialregister.nl (number 6376).

The facilitating effect of positive emotions during an emotional Stroop task.

PubMed

Liu, Xingyu; Yang, Yisheng; Jiang, Songxiu; Li, Jie

2018-05-08

Prior research has shown that negative emotions, even though task irrelevant, are capable of delaying a participant's response to the color in which a negative emotional word is presented, a phenomenon known as the 'emotional Stroop effect'. However, relatively little is known about whether positive emotions have a similar or an opposite effect. The current study sets out to confirm the facilitating effect of positive emotions on color naming, which is predicted by Barbara Fredrickson's 'broaden and build' theory. Our results indicate that positive emotions did facilitate such processing in both of the study's experiments. We also found a significant difference in early posterior negativity amplitudes between positive and neutral stimuli, which was related to the 'fast effect'. Overall, the study's findings suggest that positive emotions can be detected quickly and automatically, and that this kind of prioritizing facilitates the ongoing cognitive processing.

The effects of body position on distortion-product otoacoustic emission testing.

PubMed

Driscoll, Carlie; Kei, Joseph; Shyu, Jenny; Fukai, Natasha

2004-09-01

Otoacoustic emissions are frequently acquired from patients in a variety of body positions aside from the standard, seated orientation. Yet little knowledge is available regarding whether these deviations will produce nonpathological changes to the clinical results obtained. The present study aimed to describe the effects of body position on the distortion-product otoacoustic emissions of 60 normal-hearing adults. With particular attention given to common clinical practice, the Otodynamics ILO292, and the measurement parameters of amplitude, signal-to-noise ratio, and noise were utilized. Significant position-related effects and interactions were revealed for all parameters. Specifically, stronger emissions in the mid frequencies and higher noise levels at the extreme low and high frequencies were produced by testing subjects while lying on their side compared with the seated position. Further analysis of body position effects on emissions is warranted, in order to determine the need for clinical application of position-dependent normative data.

Influence of nicotine on positive affect in anhedonic smokers.

PubMed

Cook, Jessica Werth; Spring, Bonnie; McChargue, Dennis

2007-05-01

The possibility that individuals administer nicotine to self-regulate persistent negative affect has received interest as a possible explanation for the high prevalence of affectively vulnerable smokers. Relatively overlooked, however, is the possibility that smokers might also self-administer nicotine to elevate low positive affect. This study examined whether nicotine administration augmented anhedonic smokers' positive affective response to a positive mood induction. Fifty regular smokers (50% female) underwent two positive mood inductions during which they smoked either a nicotinized or denicotinized cigarette in counterbalanced order. Positive affect was assessed before and at two time points after smoking. Random effects regression showed a significant anhedonia by condition-by-time interaction [t(181)=-2.01, p = 0.04], supporting the hypothesis that anhedonia moderated nicotine's effect on changes in positive affect. Simple effect analyses showed a significant condition-by-time interaction among high anhedonic smokers [t(91)= 2.47, p = 0.01] but not among less anhedonic smokers [t(91)= 0.34, p = 0.73]. Smoking nicotine vs placebo heightened anhedonic smokers' ability to be induced into a positive mood, whereas nicotine had no effect on more hedonic smokers' positive mood.

The other side of the coin: perceived positive effects of illness in women following acute myocardial infarction.

PubMed

Norekvål, Tone M; Moons, Philip; Hanestad, Berit R; Nordrehaug, Jan E; Wentzel-Larsen, Tore; Fridlund, Bengt

2008-03-01

Although myocardial infarction (MI) is linked with both physical and psychological impairments, the possibility of patients also experiencing positive outcomes of MI has received far less attention in research and in clinical practice. In particular, this aspect has been under-investigated in older persons and in women. The purpose of this study was to investigate possible positive effects of illness, describe the patient characteristics and explore the nature and frequency of these effects in older women after MI. A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted in 145 women aged 62-80 years, three months to five years after MI. Self-reported socio-demographic and clinical data, in addition to data from medical records, were collected. A single-item question--"All in all, was there anything positive about experiencing an MI?"--was used to assess positive effects of illness, in addition to an open-ended question on the nature of possible positive effects. A majority of the women (65%) reported positive effects from their MI experience. The women perceiving positive effects did not differ from those who did not on socio-demographic and clinical variables, except for being older (p=0.007) and less often readmitted (p=0.029). The groups did not differ significantly as to disease severity and time since MI. Four themes emerged from the open-ended questioning on the nature of perceived positive effects of the illness: Appreciating Life (55%), Getting Health Care (42%), Making Lifestyle Changes (36%), and Taking More Care of Self and Others (29%). The findings contribute to a more complete picture of psychosocial issues in women after MI by providing evidence that positive effects are often experienced despite physical limitations. Nurses may use this knowledge as a tool in patient education and communication, although further research is needed to determine the most optimal interventions for MI patients.

Parental Positive Reinforcement with Deviant Children: Does It Make a Difference?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Forehand, Rex

1986-01-01

Considers effectiveness of parental positive reinforcement with deviant children by reviewing the following: (1) non-intervention studies, (2) intervention studies, and (3) consumer (parental) satisfaction studies. Results indicate that parents view positive reinforcement as effective and useful although positive reinforcement is not sufficient to…

Effects of the Maytiv positive psychology school program on early adolescents' well-being, engagement, and achievement.

PubMed

Shoshani, Anat; Steinmetz, Sarit; Kanat-Maymon, Yaniv

2016-08-01

As positive psychology is a nascent area of research, there are very few empirical studies assessing the impact and sustained effects of positive psychology school interventions. The current study presents a 2-year longitudinal evaluation of the effects of a school-based positive psychology program on students' subjective well-being, school engagement, and academic achievements. The study investigated the effectiveness of the Maytiv school program using a positive psychology-based classroom-level intervention with 2517 seventh- to ninth-grade students in 70 classrooms, from six schools in the center of Israel. The classes were randomly assigned to intervention and control conditions, which were comparable in terms of students' age, gender, and socio-economic status. Hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed positive intervention effects on positive emotions, peer relations, emotional engagement in school, cognitive engagement, and grade point average scores (Cohen's ds 0.16-0.71). In the control group, there were significant decreases in positive emotions and cognitive engagement, and no significant changes in peer relations, emotional engagement or school achievements. These findings demonstrate the significant socio-emotional and academic benefits of incorporating components of positive psychology into school curricula. Copyright © 2016 Society for the Study of School Psychology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Effect of Laser Trabeculoplasty on Posture-Induced Intraocular Pressure Changes in Patients with Open Angle Glaucoma

PubMed Central

Yang, Jee Myung; Sung, Mi Sun; Heo, Hwan; Park, Sang Woo

2016-01-01

Purpose To investigate the effect of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) on posture-induced intraocular pressure (IOP) changes in patients with open angle glaucoma (OAG). Methods Thirty eyes of 30 consecutive patients with OAG who underwent ALT were prospectively analyzed. The IOP was measured using Icare PRO in the sitting position, supine position, and dependent lateral decubitus position (DLDP) before ALT and at 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after ALT. Results Compared to the baseline values, the IOP in each position was significantly decreased after ALT (all P < 0.001). During follow-up, the mean percentage of IOP reduction was similar in the sitting and supine positions, but was significantly lower in DLDP than in the sitting or supine positions (all P < 0.05). In terms of postural IOP changes, the IOP in the supine position and DLDP was significantly higher than that in the sitting position at the same time points during the follow-up period (all P < 0.001). The difference between the IOP in the supine position and DLDP during follow-up was significant (all P < 0.001). The extent of IOP differences between any positions did not show significant changes during the follow-up period (all P > 0.05). Conclusions ALT appears to be effective in lowering the IOP in various body positions, but the degree of this effect was significantly lower in DLDP. In addition, ALT seemed to have limited effects on posture-induced IOP changes. PMID:26807852

Effects of side lying on lung function in older individuals.

PubMed

Manning, F; Dean, E; Ross, J; Abboud, R T

1999-05-01

Body positioning exerts a strong effect on pulmonary function, but its effect on other components of the oxygen transport pathway are less well understood, especially the effects of side-lying positions. This study investigated the interrelationships between side-lying positions and indexes of lung function such as spirometry, alveolar diffusing capacity, and inhomogeneity of ventilation in older individuals. Nineteen nonsmoking subjects (mean age=62.8 years, SD=6.8, range=50-74) with no history of cardiac or pulmonary disease were tested over 2 sessions. The test positions were sitting and left side lying in one session and sitting and right side lying in the other session. In each of the positions, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), single-breath pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO/VA), and the slope of phase III (DN2%/L) of the single-breath nitrogen washout test to determine inhomogeneity of ventilation were measured. Compared with measurements obtained in the sitting position, FVC and FEV1 were decreased equally in the side-lying positions, but no change was observed in DLCO/VA or DN2%/L. Side-lying positions resulted in decreases in FVC and FEV1, which is consistent with the well-documented effects of the supine position. These findings further support the need for prescriptive rather than routine body positioning of patients with risks of cardiopulmonary compromise and the need to use upright positions in which lung volumes and capacities are maximized.

The Effect of Positive Mood on Flexible Processing of Affective Information.

PubMed

Grol, Maud; De Raedt, Rudi

2017-07-17

Recent efforts have been made to understand the cognitive mechanisms underlying psychological resilience. Cognitive flexibility in the context of affective information has been related to individual differences in resilience. However, it is unclear whether flexible affective processing is sensitive to mood fluctuations. Furthermore, it remains to be investigated how effects on flexible affective processing interact with the affective valence of information that is presented. To fill this gap, we tested the effects of positive mood and individual differences in self-reported resilience on affective flexibility, using a task switching paradigm (N = 80). The main findings showed that positive mood was related to lower task switching costs, reflecting increased flexibility, in line with previous findings. In line with this effect of positive mood, we showed that greater resilience levels, specifically levels of acceptance of self and life, also facilitated task set switching in the context of affective information. However, the effects of resilience on affective flexibility seem more complex. Resilience tended to relate to more efficient task switching when negative information was preceded by positive information, possibly because the presentation of positive information, as well as positive mood, can facilitate task set switching. Positive mood also influenced costs associated with switching affective valence of the presented information. This latter effect was indicative of a reduced impact of no longer relevant negative information and more impact of no longer relevant positive information. Future research should confirm these effects of individual differences in resilience on affective flexibility, considering the affective valence of the presented information. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Viewing-position effects in the Stroop task: Initial fixation position modulates Stroop effects in fully colored words.

PubMed

Perret, Patrick; Ducrot, Stéphanie

2010-08-01

In two experiments that we conducted with adult (Experiment 1) and child (Experiment 2) participants, we experimentally controlled the eyes' first fixation in the word using a variable viewing-position technique in a classical all-letter-coloring Stroop procedure. We explored the impact of initial-fixation position (optimal viewing position [OVP] vs. end of the word) on the magnitude of Stroop effects (both interference and facilitation). The results showed that both interference and facilitation effects were reduced when the first fixation was located at the end of the word rather than at the OVP. These data make a new contribution to the study of the role of low-level processes in Stroop effects and add support to the growing body of research indicating that oculomotor processes can act as moderators of cognitive processes in the determination of Stroop effects.

Comparison of the effects of continuous positive airway pressure and mandibular advancement devices on sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a network meta-analysis.

PubMed

Bratton, Daniel J; Gaisl, Thomas; Schlatzer, Christian; Kohler, Malcolm

2015-11-01

Excessive daytime sleepiness is the most important symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea and can affect work productivity, quality of life, and the risk of road traffic accidents. We aimed to quantify the effects of the two main treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea (continuous positive airway pressure and mandibular advancement devices) on daytime sleepiness and to establish predictors of response to continuous positive airway pressure. We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library from inception to May 31, 2015, to identify randomised controlled trials comparing the effects of continuous positive airway pressure, mandibular advancement devices or an inactive control (eg, placebo or no treatment) on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS, range 0-24 points) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. We did a network meta-analysis using multivariate random-effects meta-regression to assess the effect of each treatment on ESS. We used meta-regression to assess the association of the reported effects of continuous positive airway pressure versus inactive controls with the characteristics of trials and their risk of bias. We included 67 studies comprising 6873 patients in the meta-analysis. Compared with an inactive control, continuous positive airway pressure was associated with a reduction in ESS score of 2·5 points (95% CI 2·0-2·9) and mandibular advancement devices of 1·7 points (1·1-2·3). We estimated that, on average, continuous positive airway pressure reduced the ESS score by a further 0·8 points compared with mandibular advancement devices (95% CI 0·1-1·4; p=0·015). However, there was a possibility of publication bias in favour of continuous positive airway pressure that might have resulted in this difference. We noted no evidence that studies reporting higher continuous positive airway pressure adherence also reported larger treatment effects (p=0·70). Continuous positive airway pressure and mandibular advancement devices are effective treatments for reducing daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea. Continuous positive airway pressure seemed to be a more effective treatment than mandibular advancement devices, and had an increasingly larger effect in more severe or sleepier obstructive sleep apnoea patients when compared with inactive controls. However, mandibular advancement devices are an effective alternative treatment should continuous positive airway pressure not be tolerated. Swiss National Science Foundation and the University of Zurich Clinical Research Priority Program Sleep and Health. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of positive mood on attention broadening for self-related information.

PubMed

Grol, Maud; Koster, Ernst H W; Bruyneel, Lynn; De Raedt, Rudi

2014-07-01

Studies on cognitive effects of positive emotions have associated positive emotions to broadened attention. Given the widely investigated relationship between self-focused attention and mood, it is important to investigate the effect of positive mood on visuospatial attention for self-related information. We used a performance-based measure to assess fluctuations in attentional broadening from self-related contrasted to not-self-related information. In Experiment 1, we checked that the self-related versus not-self-related stimuli did not evoke differential attention effects in general. In Experiment 2, we manipulated mood and found that an increase in positive mood was associated with a relative broadening of attention for self-related information. These results suggest that the meaning of the target of attention provides an interesting dimension for further investigation into the relation between positive emotions and attentional broadening.

Wheel running decreases the positive reinforcing effects of heroin.

PubMed

Smith, Mark A; Pitts, Elizabeth G

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of voluntary wheel running on the positive reinforcing effects of heroin in rats with an established history of drug self-administration. Rats were assigned to sedentary (no wheel) and exercise (wheel) conditions and trained to self-administer cocaine under positive reinforcement contingencies. Rats acquiring cocaine self-administration were then tested with various doses of heroin during daily test sessions. Sedentary rats self-administered more heroin than exercising rats, and this effect was greatest at low and moderate doses of heroin. These data suggest that voluntary wheel running decreases the positive reinforcing effects of heroin.

Alternative stable states and alternative endstates of community assembly through intra- and interspecific positive and negative interactions.

PubMed

Gerla, Daan J; Mooij, Wolf M

2014-09-01

Positive and negative interactions within and between species may occur simultaneously, with the net effect depending on population densities. For instance, at low densities plants may ameliorate stress, while competition for resources dominates at higher densities. Here, we propose a simple two-species model in which con- and heterospecifics have a positive effect on per capita growth rate at low densities, while negative interactions dominate at high densities. The model thus includes both Allee effects (intraspecific positive effects) and mutualism (interspecific positive effects), as well as intra- and interspecific competition. Using graphical methods we derive conditions for alternative stable states and species coexistence. We show that mutual non-invasibility (i.e. the inability of each species to invade a population of the other) is more likely when species have a strong positive effect on the own species or a strong negative effect on the other species. Mutual non-invasibility implies alternative stable states, however, there may also be alternative stable states at which species coexist. In the case of species symmetry (i.e. when species are indistinguishable), such alternative coexistence states require that if the positive effect exerted at low densities at the own species is stronger than on the other species, the negative effect at higher densities is also stronger on the own species than on the other species, or, vice versa, if the interspecific positive effects at low densities are stronger than the intraspecific effects, the negative effects at higher densities are also stronger between species than within species. However, the reachability of alternative stable states is restricted by the frequency and density at which species are introduced during community assembly, so that alternative stable states do not always represent alternative endstates of community assembly. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effects of positive versus negative impact reflection on change in job performance and work-life conflict.

PubMed

Cardador, M Teresa

2014-01-01

Research on task significance and relational job design suggests that information from beneficiaries of one's work fosters perceptions of impact, and thus improved work outcomes. This paper presents results from a longitudinal field experiment examining the effect of another strategy for fostering perceptions of impact - engaging employees in regular reflection about how their work benefits others. With a sample of professionals from multiple organizations, this longitudinal study examined the effect on job performance and work-life conflict of both positive and negative impact reflection. Results show that negative impact reflection had a pronounced negative effect on job performance, but no effect on work-life conflict. Positive impact reflection had a weak positive effect on work-life conflict, but no significant effect on job performance. The direction of effects seen in the no intervention condition mirrored that of the negative impact reflection condition, suggesting a possible buffering effect for positive impact reflection. This research provides empirical and theoretical contributions to the literatures on relational job design and task significance.

The effects of positive versus negative impact reflection on change in job performance and work-life conflict

PubMed Central

Cardador, M. Teresa

2014-01-01

Research on task significance and relational job design suggests that information from beneficiaries of one’s work fosters perceptions of impact, and thus improved work outcomes. This paper presents results from a longitudinal field experiment examining the effect of another strategy for fostering perceptions of impact – engaging employees in regular reflection about how their work benefits others. With a sample of professionals from multiple organizations, this longitudinal study examined the effect on job performance and work-life conflict of both positive and negative impact reflection. Results show that negative impact reflection had a pronounced negative effect on job performance, but no effect on work-life conflict. Positive impact reflection had a weak positive effect on work-life conflict, but no significant effect on job performance. The direction of effects seen in the no intervention condition mirrored that of the negative impact reflection condition, suggesting a possible buffering effect for positive impact reflection. This research provides empirical and theoretical contributions to the literatures on relational job design and task significance. PMID:25505890

Finding benefits from acculturative stress among Asian Americans: Self-reflection moderating the mediating effects of ethnocultural empathy on positive outcomes.

PubMed

Wei, Meifen; Li, Chun-I; Wang, Cixin; Ko, Stacy Y

2016-11-01

This study examined a moderated mediation model to see whether self-reflection moderated (a) the association between acculturative stress and ethnocultural empathy and (b) the indirect effects of acculturative stress on 2 positive outcomes (i.e., bicultural competence and making positive sense of adversity) through ethnocultural empathy. A total of 330 Asian American college students from a West coast university participated in an online survey. Results from PROCESS supported hypotheses. First, self-reflection significantly moderated the effects of acculturative stress on ethnocultural empathy. Specifically, the effect of acculturative stress on ethnocultural empathy was significantly positive for those with lower self-reflection. Conversely, this effect was not significant for those with higher self-reflection, but ethnocultural empathy was consistently high across all levels of acculturative stress for those with higher self-reflection. Post hoc exploratory analyses examined the moderated mediation model using each of the 5 domains of acculturative stress as predictors; results supported the moderated mediation hypotheses for 2 domains, discrimination and cultural isolation. Second, self-reflection significantly moderated the indirect effects of acculturative stress on 2 positive outcomes through ethnocultural empathy. Results from conditional indirect effects suggested that the indirect effects of acculturative stress on 2 positive outcomes through ethnocultural empathy were significantly positive for those with lower self-reflection. Conversely, the indirect effects were not significant for those with higher self-reflection, but the 2 positive outcomes stayed high at all levels of acculturative stress. Post hoc analyses found that 5 of 6 components of bicultural competence used as outcome variables supported the moderation mediation hypotheses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Item and Testlet Position Effects in Computer-Based Alternate Assessments for Students with Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bulut, Okan; Lei, Ming; Guo, Qi

2018-01-01

Item positions in educational assessments are often randomized across students to prevent cheating. However, if altering item positions results in any significant impact on students' performance, it may threaten the validity of test scores. Two widely used approaches for detecting position effects -- logistic regression and hierarchical…

The Upward Spiral of Adolescents' Positive School Experiences and Happiness: Investigating Reciprocal Effects over Time

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stiglbauer, Barbara; Gnambs, Timo; Gamsjager, Manuela; Batinic, Bernad

2013-01-01

In line with self-determination theory and Fredrickson's (2001) broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions, this study adopts a positive perspective on students' school experiences and their general psychological functioning. The reciprocal effects of positive school experiences and happiness, a dimension of affective well-being, are examined…

Stressful Life Event Influences on Positive and Negative Psychological Functioning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McGowan, John R.; Cohen, Lawrence H.

Some research has suggested that positive life events may interact with negative life events during periods of high stress to buffer the effects of negative events. The relationships among positive and negative life events and positive and negative psychological status were examined in an investigation of the direct and mediating effects of…

Early Effects of Radical Position Legality in Chinese: An ERP Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yum, Yen Na; Su, I-Fan; Law, Sam-Po

2015-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the timecourse and neural underpinnings of the coding of radical positions in Chinese character reading. To isolate effects of radical positions, four types of pseudocharacters were created in which the constituent radicals appeared in positions varying in probability of occurrence, that is, Unique, Dominant,…

Are the memories of older adults positively biased?

PubMed

Fernandes, Myra; Ross, Michael; Wiegand, Melanie; Schryer, Emily

2008-06-01

There is disagreement in the literature about whether a "positivity effect" in memory performance exists in older adults. To assess the generalizability of the effect, the authors examined memory for autobiographical, picture, and word information in a group of younger (17-29 years old) and older (60-84 years old) adults. For the autobiographical memory task, the authors asked participants to produce 4 positive, 4 negative, and 4 neutral recent autobiographical memories and to recall these a week later. For the picture and word tasks, participants studied photos or words of different valences (positive, negative, neutral) and later remembered them on a free-recall test. The authors found significant correlations in memory performance, across task material, for recall of both positive and neutral valence autobiographical events, pictures, and words. When the authors examined accurate memories, they failed to find consistent evidence, across the different types of material, of a positivity effect in either age group. However, the false memory findings offer more consistent support for a positivity effect in older adults. During recall of all 3 types of material, older participants recalled more false positive than false negative memories.

Analysis of knitted fabric reinforced flexible composites and applications in thermoforming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bekisli, Burak

In this study, large deformation behavior of knitted fabric reinforced composites is investigated. In order to fully utilize the unique stretchability of knitted fabric reinforcements, elastomeric materials are used as the matrix material, resulting in "flexible composites" capable of reaching several hundred percent stretch before failing. These non-traditional composites are ideal candidates for many engineering applications where large deformation is desired, including energy/impact absorption and novel forming processes. A multi-level nonlinear finite element (FE) procedure is developed to analyze the deformation behavior of plain weft-knitted fabrics and the composites derived from these materials. The hierarchy of the model is composed of a 3D unit cell analysis (micro/meso-scale) and a 2D global analysis (macro scale). Using results from different numerical experiments performed in the micro/meso scale, a mechanical behavior database of knit fabric geometries is constructed, both for the uniaxial and biaxial stretch cases. Through an optimization procedure, these results are used to determine the mechanical properties of nonlinear truss elements needed for modeling in the macro scale. A hexagonal honeycomb structure, which closely resembles the knit fabric architecture, is formed using these nonlinear trusses. This truss structure is then used to efficiently model a large number of loops generally found in a fabric. Results from uniaxial experimental measurements are presented for knitted fabrics to validate the FE model. Appropriate hyperelastic material models are determined for the elastomeric matrix, using a curve fit to experimental data. Examples of raw fabric and composite deformation simulations in the global scale are presented in this study. Two types of composites are studied experimentally and numerically: (1) knitted fabric embedded in an elastomeric medium, and (2) the sandwich type composites with elastomeric skins and fabric core. The strain energy dissipation is found to be superior in the latter case, since yarns are not restricted by the elastomer. In addition, yarns used in this type of composite move to effectively align along the load direction, yielding a better utilization of the fibers' high axial stiffness. Fabrication methods, including novel techniques involving twin-sheet thermoforming, for both types of composites are discussed. Tensile test results for glassfiber reinforced, TPE/polyurea based specimens are also presented. Innovative concepts related to the thermoforming process are also investigated using the developed numerical model. It is shown that some of the most critical problems in this forming process, such as non-uniform thickness distribution in the final part and the sensitivity of part quality to minor thermal variations, can be beneficially addressed using carefully "tailored" knit fabrics. Common thermoformed part geometries, such as a 3D box corner and a long U-shaped channel, are studied in numerical simulations to illustrate the effects of knitted fabric reinforcements on the stabilization of the forming process.

The roles of chronological age and time perspective in memory positivity.

PubMed

Kan, Irene P; Garrison, Shaina L; Drummey, Anna B; Emmert, Brian E; Rogers, Leeland L

2018-07-01

The observation that older adults show enhanced cognition for emotionally positive information has been labeled the positivity effect (Reed, Chan, & Mikels, 2014). According to the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST, Carstensen, 1991), a prominent lifespan development theory, cognition is strongly influenced by motivational goals, and these goals are impacted by subjective time perspective. Although the positivity effect is most commonly observed in older adults, as age usually co-varies with time perspective, the SST posits that time perspective, not age, is the key explanatory factor of positivity. We examined the effects of these predictors on positivity in an episodic memory task in younger and older adults and found that age, not time perspective, was a key predictor of memory positivity. Our results add to the growing literature that challenge the notion that time perspective is the driving force behind age-related differences in emotional processing and functioning.

Nurse and patient interaction behaviors' effects on nursing care quality for mechanically ventilated older adults in the ICU.

PubMed

Nilsen, Marci L; Sereika, Susan M; Hoffman, Leslie A; Barnato, Amber; Donovan, Heidi; Happ, Mary Beth

2014-01-01

The study purposes were to (a) describe interaction behaviors and factors that may effect communication and (b) explore associations between interaction behaviors and nursing care quality indicators among 38 mechanically ventilated patients (age ≥60 years) and their intensive care unit nurses (n = 24). Behaviors were measured by rating videorecorded observations from the Study of Patient-Nurse Effectiveness with Communication Strategies (SPEACS). Characteristics and quality indicators were obtained from the SPEACS dataset and medical chart abstraction. All positive behaviors occurred at least once. Significant (p < 0.05) associations were observed between (a) positive nurse and positive patient behaviors, (b) patient unaided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) strategies and positive nurse behaviors, (c) individual patient unaided AAC strategies and individual nurse positive behaviors, (d) positive nurse behaviors and pain management, and (e) positive patient behaviors and sedation level. Findings provide evidence that nurse and patient behaviors effect communication and may be associated with nursing care quality. Copyright 2014, SLACK Incorporated.

The Rematee Bumper Belt® positional therapy device for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea: Positional effectiveness in healthy subjects

PubMed Central

Matthews, Les; Fortier, Normand

2013-01-01

The present study was designed to investigate body position changes resulting from wearing a Rematee Bumper Belt (Rematee, Canada) during sleep. The majority of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients will experience up to two times as many apneas and hypopneas while supine relative to lateral or prone body positions during sleep. It has been suggested that a positional therapy device could reduce the number of apneas and hypopneas in such patients. The present study was conducted to determine whether the Rematee Bumper Belt positional therapy device could prevent healthy subjects from sleeping in the supine position. Test subjects wore the belt for one to two nights. Each belt was equipped with an accelerometer that was used to measure the orientation of the belt relative to the horizontal plane. The results suggest that the belt creates an exclusion zone approximately 80° wide centred near the supine orientation, where subjects are effectively prevented to enter. Results of the present preliminary study suggests that the Rematee Bumper Belt positional therapy device is effective at limiting healthy subjects from sleeping in a supine position. The device appears to be most effective between 150° and 230°. A device with this capability may provide an inexpensive and potentially effective alternative treatment option for patients with OSA. This device has the capacity for reducing snoring and the apnea-hypopnea index in individuals with positional OSA. PMID:26078596

Perceived shifts of flashed stimuli by visible and invisible object motion.

PubMed

Watanabe, Katsumi; Sato, Takashi R; Shimojo, Shinsuke

2003-01-01

Perceived positions of flashed stimuli can be altered by motion signals in the visual field-position capture (Whitney and Cavanagh, 2000 Nature Neuroscience 3 954-959). We examined whether position capture of flashed stimuli depends on the spatial relationship between moving and flashed stimuli, and whether the phenomenal permanence of a moving object behind an occluding surface (tunnel effect; Michotte 1950 Acta Psychologica 7 293-322) can produce position capture. Observers saw two objects (circles) moving vertically in opposite directions, one in each visual hemifield. Two horizontal bars were simultaneously flashed at horizontally collinear positions with the fixation point at various timings. When the movement of the object was fully visible, the flashed bar appeared shifted in the motion direction of the circle. But this position-capture effect occurred only when the bar was presented ahead of or on the moving circle. Even when the motion trajectory was covered by an opaque surface and the bar was flashed after complete occlusion of the circle, the position-capture effect was still observed, though the positional asymmetry was less clear. These results show that movements of both visible and 'hidden' objects can modulate the perception of positions of flashed stimuli and suggest that a high-level representation of 'objects in motion' plays an important role in the position-capture effect.

'Ecstasy' as a social drug: MDMA preferentially affects responses to emotional stimuli with social content.

PubMed

Wardle, Margaret C; Kirkpatrick, Matthew G; de Wit, Harriet

2014-08-01

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'ecstasy') is used recreationally to improve mood and sociability, and has generated clinical interest as a possible adjunct to psychotherapy. One way that MDMA may produce positive 'prosocial' effects is by changing responses to emotional stimuli, especially stimuli with social content. Here, we examined for the first time how MDMA affects subjective responses to positive, negative and neutral emotional pictures with and without social content. We hypothesized that MDMA would dose-dependently increase reactivity to positive emotional stimuli and dampen reactivity to negative stimuli, and that these effects would be most pronounced for pictures with people in them. The data were obtained from two studies using similar designs with healthy occasional MDMA users (total N = 101). During each session, participants received MDMA (0, 0.75 and 1.5 mg/kg oral), and then rated their positive and negative responses to standardized positive, negative and neutral pictures with and without social content. MDMA increased positive ratings of positive social pictures, but reduced positive ratings of non-social positive pictures. We speculate this 'socially selective' effect contributes to the prosocial effects of MDMA by increasing the comparative value of social contact and closeness with others. This effect may also contribute to its attractiveness to recreational users. © The Author (2014). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

ERPs reveal sub-lexical processing in Chinese character recognition.

PubMed

Wu, Yan; Mo, Deyuan; Tsang, Yiu-Kei; Chen, Hsuan-Chih

2012-04-18

The present study used ERPs and a lexical decision task to explore the roles of position-general and position-specific radicals and their relative time courses in processing Chinese characters. Two types of radical frequency were manipulated: the number of characters containing a specific radical irrespective of position (i.e., radical frequency or RF) and the number of characters containing a specific radical at a particular position (i.e., position-specific radical frequency or PRF). The PRF effect was found to be associated with P150, P200, and N400, whereas the RF effect was associated with P200. These results suggest that both position-general and position-specific radicals could influence character processing, but the effect of position-specific radicals appeared earlier and lasted longer than that of position-general radicals. These findings are interpreted in terms of the specific orthographic properties of the sub-lexical components of Chinese characters. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Positive messaging promotes walking in older adults

PubMed Central

Notthoff, Nanna; Carstensen, Laura L.

2014-01-01

Walking is among the most cost-effective and accessible means of exercise. Mounting evidence suggests that walking may help to maintain physical and cognitive independence in old age by preventing a variety of health problems. However, older Americans fall far short of meeting the daily recommendations for walking. In two studies, we examined whether considering older adults’ preferential attention to positive information may effectively enhance interventions aimed at promoting walking. In Study 1, we compared the effectiveness of positive, negative, and neutral messages to encourage walking (as measured with pedometers). Older adults who were informed about the benefits of walking walked more than those who were informed about the negative consequences of failing to walk, whereas younger adults were unaffected by framing valence. In Study 2, we examined within-person change in walking in older adults in response to positively- or negatively-framed messages over a 28-day period. Once again, positively-framed messages more effectively promoted walking than negatively-framed messages, and the effect was sustained across the intervention period. Together, these studies suggest that consideration of age-related changes in preferences for positive and negative information may inform the design of effective interventions to promote healthy lifestyles. Future research is needed to examine the mechanisms underlying the greater effectiveness of positively as opposed to negatively framed messages and the generalizability of findings to other intervention targets and other subpopulations of older adults. PMID:24956001

Effects of the GABAB Receptor-Positive Modulators CGP7930 and rac-BHFF in Baclofen- and γ-Hydroxybutyrate-Discriminating Pigeons

PubMed Central

France, Charles P.; Cheng, Kejun; Rice, Kenner C.

2012-01-01

In vivo effects of GABAB receptor-positive modulators suggest them to have therapeutic potential to treat central nervous system disorders such as anxiety and drug abuse. Although these effects are thought to be mediated by positive modulation of GABAB receptors, such modulation has been examined primarily in vitro. This study further examined the in vivo properties of the GABAB receptor-positive modulators 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-(3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropyl) phenol (CGP7930) and (R,S)-5,7-di-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-3-trifluoromethyl-3H-benzofuran-2-one (rac-BHFF). In pigeons discriminating baclofen from saline, γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) produced 100% baclofen-appropriate responding, and the GABAB antagonist 3-aminopropyl(dimethoxymethyl) phosphinic acid (CGP35348) blocked the effects of both drugs. CGP7930 and rac-BHFF produced at most 41 and 74% baclofen-appropriate responding, respectively, and enhanced the discriminative stimulus effects of baclofen, but not of GHB. In pigeons discriminating GHB from saline, CGP7930 and rac-BHFF produced at most 1 and 49% GHB-appropriate responding, respectively, and enhanced the effects of baclofen, but not of GHB. Enhancement of the discriminative stimulus effects of baclofen by rac-BHFF and CGP7930 is further evidence of their effectiveness as GABAB receptor-positive modulators in vivo. Furthermore, lack of complete substitution of the positive modulators rac-BHFF and CGP7930 for baclofen and GHB suggests that their discriminative stimulus effects differ from those of GABAB receptor agonists. Finally, together with converging evidence that the GABAB receptor populations mediating the effects of baclofen and GHB are not identical, the present findings suggest that these populations differ in their susceptibility to positive modulatory effects. Such differences could allow for more selective therapeutic targeting of the GABAB system. PMID:22319197

Positive smoking outcome expectancies mediate the association between negative affect and smoking urge among women during a quit attempt.

PubMed

Cano, Miguel Ángel; Lam, Cho Y; Chen, Minxing; Adams, Claire E; Correa-Fernández, Virmarie; Stewart, Diana W; McClure, Jennifer B; Cinciripini, Paul M; Wetter, David W

2014-08-01

Ecological momentary assessment was used to examine associations between negative affect, positive smoking outcome expectancies, and smoking urge during the first 7 days of a smoking quit attempt. Participants were 302 female smokers who enrolled in an individually tailored smoking cessation treatment study. Multilevel mediation analysis was used to examine the temporal relationship among the following: (a) the effects of negative affect and positive smoking outcome expectancies at 1 assessment point (e.g., time j) on smoking urge at the subsequent time point (e.g., time j + 1) in Model 1; and, (b) the effects of negative affect and smoking urge at time j on positive smoking outcome expectancies at time j + 1 in Model 2. The results from Model 1 showed a statistically significant effect of negative affect at time j on smoking urge at time j + 1, and this effect was mediated by positive smoking outcome expectancies at time j, both within- and between-participants. In Model 2, the within-participant indirect effect of negative affect at time j on positive smoking outcome expectancies at time j + 1 through smoking urge at time j was nonsignificant. However, a statistically significant indirect between-participants effect was found in Model 2. The findings support the hypothesis that urge and positive smoking outcome expectancies increase as a function of negative affect, and suggest a stronger effect of expectancies on urge as opposed to the effect of urge on expectancies.

Positive Smoking Outcome Expectancies Mediate the Association between Negative Affect and Smoking Urge among Women During a Quit Attempt

PubMed Central

Cano, Miguel Ángel; Lam, Cho Y.; Chen, Minxing; Adams, Claire E.; Correa-Fernández, Virmarie; Stewart, Diana W.; McClure, Jennifer B.; Cinciripini, Paul M.; Wetter, David W.

2014-01-01

Ecological momentary assessment was used to examine associations between negative affect, positive smoking outcome expectancies, and smoking urge during the first 7 days of a smoking quit attempt. Participants were 302 female smokers who enrolled in an individually tailored smoking cessation treatment study. Multilevel mediation analysis was used to examine the temporal relationship among: 1) the effects of negative affect and positive smoking outcome expectancies at one assessment point (e.g., time j) on smoking urge at the subsequent time point (e.g., time j + 1) in Model 1; and, 2) the effects of negative affect and smoking urge at time j on positive smoking outcome expectancies at time j + 1 in Model 2. The results from Model 1 showed a statistically significant effect of negative affect at time j on smoking urge at time j + 1, and this effect was mediated by positive smoking outcome expectancies at time j, both within- and between-participant. In Model 2, the within-participant indirect effect of negative affect at time j on positive smoking outcome expectancies at time j + 1 through smoking urge at time j was nonsignificant. However, a statistically significant indirect between-participant effect was found in Model 2. The findings support the hypothesis that urge and positive smoking outcome expectancies increase as a function of negative affect, and suggest a stronger effect of expectancies on urge as opposed to the effect of urge on expectancies. PMID:24796849

Serial-position effects on a free-recall task in bilinguals.

PubMed

Yoo, Jeewon; Kaushanskaya, Margarita

2016-01-01

In this study, we examined mechanisms that underlie free-recall performance in bilinguals' first language (L1) and second language (L2) through the prism of serial-position effects. On free-recall tasks, a typical pattern of performance follows a U-shaped serial-position curve, where items from the beginning of the list (the primacy effect) and items from the end of the list (the recency effect) are recalled with higher accuracy than items from the middle of the list. The present study contrasted serial-position effects on the free-recall task in Korean-English bilinguals' L1 vs. L2 and examined the relationship between an independent working memory (WM) measure and serial-position effects in bilinguals' two languages. Results revealed stronger pre-recency (primacy and middle) effects in L1 than in L2, but similar recency effects in the two languages. A close association was observed between WM and recall performance in the pre-recency region in the L1 but not in the L2. Together, these findings suggest that linguistic knowledge constrains free-recall performance in bilinguals, but only in the pre-recency region.

Effects of the "Positive Action" Program on Indicators of Positive Youth Development among Urban Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lewis, Kendra M.; Vuchinich, Samuel; Ji, Peter; DuBois, David L.; Acock, Alan; Bavarian, Niloofar; Day, Joseph; Silverthorn, Naida; Flay, Brian R.

2016-01-01

This study evaluated effects of "Positive Action," a school-based social-emotional and character development intervention, on indicators of positive youth development (PYD) among a sample of low-income, ethnic minority youth attending 14 urban schools. The study used a matched-pair, cluster-randomized controlled design at the school…

Examination of the Locus of Positional Effects on Children's Production of Plural -"s": Considerations from Local and Global Speech Planning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Theodore, Rachel M.; Demuth, Katherine; Shattuck-Hufnagel, Stefanie

2015-01-01

Purpose: Prosodic and articulatory factors influence children's production of inflectional morphemes. For example, plural -"s" is produced more reliably in utterance-final compared to utterance-medial position (i.e., the positional effect), which has been attributed to the increased planning time in utterance-final position. In previous…

The effect of positive air ions on reproduction and growth in laboratory rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hinsull, S. M.; Head, E. L.

1986-03-01

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the growth rates, reproductive success and early mortality of laboratory rats maintained at 10,000 positive ions/ml over two generations. These findings were compared with those from animals maintained at ambient ion levels. The present work indicates that positive ions do not have any adverse effects on the reproductive capabilities or the growth of laboratory rats. In contrast it is shown that exposure to elevated levels of positive ions promotes overall growth, particularly in male rats. This action of positive ions increases with each successive generation exposed to the ions. It is suggested that the growth promoting effect of positive ions may be mediated via some modulation of the endocrine system.

Does the Effect of Enjoyment Outweigh That of Anxiety in Foreign Language Performance?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dewaele, Jean-Marc; Alfawzan, Mateb

2018-01-01

Interest in the effect of positive and negative emotions in foreign language acquisition has soared recently because of the positive psychology movement (Dewaele & MacIntyre, 2014, 2016; MacIntyre, Gregersen & Mercer, 2016). No work so far has been carried out on the differential effect of positive and negative emotions on foreign language…

Employment effects of active labor market programs for sick-listed workers.

PubMed

Holm, Anders; Høgelund, Jan; Gørtz, Mette; Rasmussen, Kristin Storck; Houlberg, Helle Sofie Bøje

2017-03-01

We use register data of 88,948 sick-listed workers in Denmark over the period 2008-2011 to investigate the effect of active labor market programs on the duration until returning to non-subsidized employment and the duration of this employment. To identify causal treatment effects, we exploit over-time variation in the use of active labor market programs in 98 job centers and time-to- event. We find that ordinary education and subsidized job training have significant positive employment effects. Subsidized job training has a large, positive effect on the transition into employment but no effect on the subsequent employment duration. In contrast, ordinary education has a positive effect on employment duration but no effect on the transition into employment. The latter effect is the result of two opposing effects, a large positive effect of having completed education and a large negative lock-in effect, with low re-employment chances during program participation. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automatic and controlled attentional orienting in the elderly: A dual-process view of the positivity effect.

PubMed

Gronchi, G; Righi, S; Pierguidi, L; Giovannelli, F; Murasecco, I; Viggiano, M P

2018-04-01

The positivity effect in the elderly consists of an attentional preference for positive information as well as avoidance of negative information. Extant theories predict either that the positivity effect depends on controlled attentional processes (socio-emotional selectivity theory), or on an automatic gating selection mechanism (dynamic integration theory). This study examined the role of automatic and controlled attention in the positivity effect. Two dot-probe tasks (with the duration of the stimuli lasting 100 ms and 500 ms, respectively) were employed to compare the attentional bias of 35 elderly people to that of 35 young adults. The stimuli used were expressive faces displaying neutral, disgusted, fearful, and happy expressions. In comparison to young people, the elderly allocated more attention to happy faces at 100 ms and they tended to avoid fearful faces at 500 ms. The findings are not predicted by either theory taken alone, but support the hypothesis that the positivity effect in the elderly is driven by two different processes: an automatic attention bias toward positive stimuli, and a controlled mechanism that diverts attention away from negative stimuli. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Position-dependent effective masses in semiconductor theory. II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Von Roos, O.; Mavromatis, H.

1985-01-01

A compound semiconductor possessing a slowly varying position-dependent chemical composition is considered. An effective-mass equation governing the dynamics of electron (or hole) motion using the Kohn-Luttinger representation and canonical transformations is derived. It is shown that, as long as the variation in chemical composition may be treated as a perturbation, the effective masses become constant, position-independent quantities. The effective-mass equation derived here is identical to the effective-mass equation derived previously by von Roos (1983), using a Wannier representation.

The Effect of Head Positioning and Head Tilting on the Incidence of Intraventricular Hemorrhage in Very Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

de Bijl-Marcus, Karen A; Brouwer, Annemieke J; de Vries, Linda S; van Wezel-Meijler, Gerda

2017-01-01

Despite advances in neonatal intensive care, germinal matrix-intraventricular hemorrhage (GMH-IVH) remains a frequent, serious complication of premature birth. Neutral head position and head tilting have been suggested to reduce the risk of GMH-IVH in preterm infants during the first 72 h of life. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review of the effect of neutral head positioning and head tilting on the incidence of GMH-IVH in very preterm infants (gestational age ≤30 weeks). In addition, we reviewed their effect on cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation. Literature was searched (June 2016) in the following electronic databases: CINAHL, Embase, Medline, SCOPUS, and several trial registers. One underpowered trial studied the effect of head positioning on the incidence of GMH-IVH. This randomized controlled trial enrolled 48 preterm infants and found no effect on the occurrence of GMH-IVH. Three observational studies investigated the effect of head rotation and/or tilting on cerebral oxygenation in 68 preterm infants in total. Their results suggest that cerebral oxygenation is not significantly affected by changes in head positioning. The effect of head positioning and/or tilting on cerebral hemodynamics was described in 2 observational studies of 28 preterm infants and found no significant effect. There is insufficient evidence regarding the effect of head positioning and tilting on the incidence of GMH-IVH and cerebral hemodynamics and oxygenation in preterm infants. We recommend further research in this field, especially in extremely preterm and clinically unstable infants during the first postnatal days. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Longitudinal investigation on learned helplessness tested under negative and positive reinforcement involving stimulus control.

PubMed

Oliveira, Emileane C; Hunziker, Maria Helena

2014-07-01

In this study, we investigated whether (a) animals demonstrating the learned helplessness effect during an escape contingency also show learning deficits under positive reinforcement contingencies involving stimulus control and (b) the exposure to positive reinforcement contingencies eliminates the learned helplessness effect under an escape contingency. Rats were initially exposed to controllable (C), uncontrollable (U) or no (N) shocks. After 24h, they were exposed to 60 escapable shocks delivered in a shuttlebox. In the following phase, we selected from each group the four subjects that presented the most typical group pattern: no escape learning (learned helplessness effect) in Group U and escape learning in Groups C and N. All subjects were then exposed to two phases, the (1) positive reinforcement for lever pressing under a multiple FR/Extinction schedule and (2) a re-test under negative reinforcement (escape). A fourth group (n=4) was exposed only to the positive reinforcement sessions. All subjects showed discrimination learning under multiple schedule. In the escape re-test, the learned helplessness effect was maintained for three of the animals in Group U. These results suggest that the learned helplessness effect did not extend to discriminative behavior that is positively reinforced and that the learned helplessness effect did not revert for most subjects after exposure to positive reinforcement. We discuss some theoretical implications as related to learned helplessness as an effect restricted to aversive contingencies and to the absence of reversion after positive reinforcement. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: insert SI title. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of valence and arousal on written word recognition: time course and ERP correlates.

PubMed

Citron, Francesca M M; Weekes, Brendan S; Ferstl, Evelyn C

2013-01-15

Models of affect assume a two-dimensional framework, composed of emotional valence and arousal. Although neuroimaging evidence supports a neuro-functional distinction of their effects during single word processing, electrophysiological studies have not yet compared the effects of arousal within the same category of valence (positive and negative). Here we investigate effects of arousal and valence on written lexical decision. Amplitude differences between emotion and neutral words were seen in the early posterior negativity (EPN), the late positive complex and in a sustained slow positivity. In addition, trends towards interactive effects of valence and arousal were observed in the EPN, showing larger amplitude for positive, high-arousal and negative, low-arousal words. The results provide initial evidence for interactions between arousal and valence during processing of positive words and highlight the importance of both variables in studies of emotional stimulus processing. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sleep positioning systems for children with cerebral palsy.

PubMed

Blake, Sharon F; Logan, Stuart; Humphreys, Ginny; Matthews, Justin; Rogers, Morwenna; Thompson-Coon, Joanna; Wyatt, Katrina; Morris, Christopher

2015-01-01

Sleep positioning systems can be prescribed for children with cerebral palsy to help reduce or prevent hip migration, provide comfort to ease pain and/or improve sleep. As sleep disturbance is common in children with developmental disabilities, with impact on their carers' sleep, and as sleep positioning systems can be expensive, guidance is needed to support decisions as to their use. To determine whether commercially-available sleep positioning systems, compared with usual care, reduce or prevent hip migration in children with cerebral palsy. Any negative effect of sleep positioning systems on hip migration will be considered within this objective.Secondary objectives were to determine the effect of sleep positioning systems on: (1) number or frequency of hip problems; (2) sleep patterns and quality; (3) quality of life of the child and family; (4) pain; and (5) physical functioning. We also sought to identify any adverse effects from using sleep positioning systems. In December 2014, we searched CENTRAL, Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and 13 other databases. We also searched two trials registers. We applied no restrictions on date of publication, language, publication status or study design. We checked references and contacted manufacturers and authors for potentially relevant literature, and searched the internet using Google. We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating whole body sleep positioning systems for children and adolescents (up to 18 years of age) with cerebral palsy. Two review authors independently screened reports retrieved from the search against pre-determined inclusion criteria and assessed the quality of eligible studies.Members of the public (parent carers of children with neurodisability) contributed to this review by suggesting the topic, refining the research objectives, interpreting the findings, and reviewing the plain language summary. We did not identify any randomised controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of sleep positioning systems on hip migration.We did find two randomised cross-over trials that met the inclusion criteria in respect of secondary objectives relating to sleep quality and pain. Neither study reported any important difference between sleeping in sleep positioning systems and not for sleep patterns or sleep quality (two studies, 21 children, very low quality evidence) and pain (one study, 11 children, very low quality evidence). These were small studies with established users of sleep positioning systems and were judged to have high risk of bias.We found no eligible trials that explored the other secondary objectives (number or frequency of hip problems, quality of life of the child and family, physical functioning, and adverse effects). We found no randomised trials that evaluated the effectiveness of sleep positioning systems to reduce or prevent hip migration in children with cerebral palsy. Nor did we find any randomised trials that evaluated the effect of sleep positioning systems on the number or frequency of hip problems, quality of life of the child and family or on physical functioning.Limited data from two randomised trials, which evaluated the effectiveness of sleep positioning systems on sleep quality and pain for children with cerebral palsy, showed no significant differences in these aspects of health when children were using and not using a sleep positioning system.In order to inform clinical decision-making and the prescription of sleep positioning systems, more rigorous research is needed to determine effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and the likelihood of adverse effects.

Indirect effect of financial strain on daily cortisol output through daily negative to positive affect index in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study.

PubMed

Puterman, Eli; Haritatos, Jana; Adler, Nancy E; Sidney, Steve; Schwartz, Joseph E; Epel, Elissa S

2013-12-01

Daily affect is important to health and has been linked to cortisol. The combination of high negative affect and low positive affect may have a bigger impact on increasing HPA axis activity than either positive or negative affect alone. Financial strain may both dampen positive affect as well as increase negative affect, and thus provides an excellent context for understanding the associations between daily affect and cortisol. Using random effects mixed modeling with maximum likelihood estimation, we examined the relationship between self-reported financial strain and estimated mean daily cortisol level (latent cortisol variable), based on six salivary cortisol assessments throughout the day, and whether this relationship was mediated by greater daily negative to positive affect index measured concurrently in a sample of 776 Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study participants. The analysis revealed that while no total direct effect existed for financial strain on cortisol, there was a significant indirect effect of high negative affect to low positive affect, linking financial strain to elevated cortisol. In this sample, the effects of financial strain on cortisol through either positive affect or negative affect alone were not significant. A combined affect index may be a more sensitive and powerful measure than either negative or positive affect alone, tapping the burden of chronic financial strain, and its effects on biology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Older Adult Positivity Effect in Evaluations of Trustworthiness: Emotion Regulation or Cognitive Capacity?

PubMed

Zebrowitz, Leslie A; Boshyan, Jasmine; Ward, Noreen; Gutchess, Angela; Hadjikhani, Nouchine

2017-01-01

An older adult positivity effect, i.e., the tendency for older adults to favor positive over negative stimulus information more than do younger adults, has been previously shown in attention, memory, and evaluations. This effect has been attributed to greater emotion regulation in older adults. In the case of attention and memory, this explanation has been supported by some evidence that the older adult positivity effect is most pronounced for negative stimuli, which would motivate emotion regulation, and that it is reduced by cognitive load, which would impede emotion regulation. We investigated whether greater older adult positivity in the case of evaluative responses to faces is also enhanced for negative stimuli and attenuated by cognitive load, as an emotion regulation explanation would predict. In two studies, younger and older adults rated trustworthiness of faces that varied in valence both under low and high cognitive load, with the latter manipulated by a distracting backwards counting task. In Study 1, face valence was manipulated by attractiveness (low /disfigured faces, medium, high/fashion models' faces). In Study 2, face valence was manipulated by trustworthiness (low, medium, high). Both studies revealed a significant older adult positivity effect. However, contrary to an emotion regulation account, this effect was not stronger for more negative faces, and cognitive load increased rather than decreased the rated trustworthiness of negatively valenced faces. Although inconsistent with emotion regulation, the latter effect is consistent with theory and research arguing that more cognitive resources are required to process negative stimuli, because they are more cognitively elaborated than positive ones. The finding that increased age and increased cognitive load both enhanced the positivity of trustworthy ratings suggests that the older adult positivity effect in evaluative ratings of faces may reflect age-related declines in cognitive capacity rather than increases in the regulation of negative emotions.

Effect of a web-based positive psychology intervention on prenatal well-being: A case series study.

PubMed

Corno, Giulia; Etchemendy, Ernestina; Espinoza, Macarena; Herrero, Rocío; Molinari, Guadalupe; Carrillo, Alba; Drossaert, Constance; Baños, Rosa Maria

2018-02-01

Detrimental effects of women's negative feelings during pregnancy have been extensively examined and documented, but research on the influence of positive feelings and protective factors on their prenatal mental health is scarce. Evidence from the positive psychology field has shown that practicing some brief positive exercises, called positive psychology interventions, can maximize well-being by increasing positive emotions, engagement, and meaning. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of a positive psychology web-based intervention on indices of women's prenatal well-being. Specifically, a case series design was adopted, and data from six women are presented. Participants were involved in a 5-week online positive psychology intervention that includes a set of positive psychology interventions specifically adapted for pregnant women. Measures of women's mental well-being, depression, pregnancy-related anxiety, life satisfaction, and social support were measured at pre- and post-intervention. Compliance with the intervention and exercise preferences were assessed at post-test. Single-item related well-being measures were assessed weekly. The findings of this case series study indicate potential effects of the intervention on supporting mental well-being and decreasing depressive symptomatology in these pregnant women. Furthermore, this study provides some suggestions for developing future online-based positive interventions addressed to pregnant women. However, these findings are preliminary, and future studies are needed in order to assess the effects of the intervention in a wider population of pregnant women. Copyright © 2017 Australian College of Midwives. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Developmental trends in alcohol use initiation and escalation from early- to middle-adolescence: Prediction by urgency and trait affect

PubMed Central

Spillane, Nichea S.; Merrill, Jennifer E.; Jackson, Kristina M.

2016-01-01

Studies on adolescent drinking have not always been able to distinguish between initiation and escalation of drinking, because many studies include samples in which initiation has already occurred; hence initiation and escalation are often confounded. The present study draws from a dual-process theoretical framework to investigate: if changes in the likelihood of drinking initiation and escalation are predicted by a tendency towards rash action when experiencing positive and negative emotions (positive and negative urgency); and whether trait positive and negative affect moderate such effects. Alcohol naïve adolescents (n=944; age: M=12.16, SD=.96; 52% female) completed 6 semi-annual assessments of trait urgency and affect (wave-1) and alcohol use (waves 2–6). A two-part random-effects model was used to estimate changes in the likelihood of any alcohol use vs. escalation in the volume of use amongst initiators. Main effects suggest a significant association between positive affect and change in level of alcohol use amongst initiators, such that lower positive affect predicted increased alcohol involvement. This main effect was qualified by a significant interaction between positive urgency and positive affect predicting changes in the escalation of drinking, such that the effect of positive urgency was augmented for those high on trait positive affect, though only at extremely high levels of positive affect. Results suggest risk factors in the development of drinking depend on whether initiation or escalation is investigated. A more nuanced understanding of the early developmental phases of alcohol involvement can inform prevention and intervention efforts. PMID:27031086

Puzzles and further explorations in the interrelationships of successive births with husband's income, spouses' education and race.

PubMed

Simon, J L

1975-05-01

When fertility is examined in the detail of individual parity progressions and birth-order transitions, important interactions between the effects of income and education are seen. Among the findings are: the negative effect of education on fertility is stronger at all parities for less educated compared to more highly educated women. Additional income has a more positive effect for more highly educated than for less educated women. For women with 0-8 years of education the effect of more income is positive when the family has no children but negative thereafter, but for college-educated women the effect of more income is positive. And additional income has a less positive (more negative) effect on fertility among nonwhites than among whites.

Positive emotion in distress as a potentially effective emotion regulation strategy for depression: A preliminary investigation.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Keiko; Ito, Masaya; Takebayashi, Yoshitake

2018-03-12

Emotion regulation utilizing positive emotion during negative emotional states might be one of the effective ways to alleviate depression and anxiety problems among people with emotional disorders. This study examined the psychometric properties and incremental validity of the Positive Emotion In Distress Scale (PEIDS), a newly developed self-report scale, in a sample of university students in Japan. To examine the psychometric properties of the PEIDS, the scale was completed by Japanese university students (396 men and 363 women; mean age of 19.92). Participants additionally answered the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, Rumination and Reflection Questionnaire - Shorter Version, Affective Style Questionnaire, Positive and Negative Affective Schedule, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. The survey was conducted at two time points separated by 1 month to assess test-retest reliability and validity of the PEIDS. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed a one-factor structure. Reliability was confirmed by high internal consistency and test-retest stability; the convergent and discriminant validity was confirmed by correlations with related and unrelated variables. The results of hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that positive emotion in distress might predict depression above and beyond the effect of baseline depression and other common emotion regulation strategies. The PEIDS showed acceptable reliability and validity within young adults and a non-clinical population in Japan. Further research will be needed to examine the effect of positive emotion among clinical populations. Previous research suggests that positive emotions play a key role in recovery from depression and anxiety problems through some forms of psychotherapy. The Positive Emotion In Distress Scale (PEIDS) measures individual differences regarding the extent to which people can experience positive emotions in negative emotional states. Results suggested that the subjective rating of the ability to experience positive emotions in distress might alleviate depression prospectively but not anxiety problems. The effect of positive emotion in distress demonstrated to have beyond the effects of other emotion regulation strategies. © 2018 The British Psychological Society.

The effect of the position of atypical character-to-sound correspondences on reading kanji words aloud: Evidence for a sublexical serially operating kanji reading process.

PubMed

Sambai, Ami; Coltheart, Max; Uno, Akira

2018-04-01

In English, the size of the regularity effect on word reading-aloud latency decreases across position of irregularity. This has been explained by a sublexical serially operating reading mechanism. It is unclear whether sublexical serial processing occurs in reading two-character kanji words aloud. To investigate this issue, we studied how the position of atypical character-to-sound correspondences influenced reading performance. When participants read inconsistent-atypical words aloud mixed randomly with nonwords, reading latencies of words with an inconsistent-atypical correspondence in the initial position were significantly longer than words with an inconsistent-atypical correspondence in the second position. The significant difference of reading latencies for inconsistent-atypical words disappeared when inconsistent-atypical words were presented without nonwords. Moreover, reading latencies for words with an inconsistent-atypical correspondence in the first position were shorter than for words with a typical correspondence in the first position. This typicality effect was absent when the atypicality was in the second position. These position-of-atypicality effects suggest that sublexical processing of kanji occurs serially and that the phonology of two-character kanji words is generated from both a lexical parallel process and a sublexical serial process.

Views of the Self and Others at Different Ages: Utility of Repertory Grid Technique in Detecting the Positivity Effect in Aging

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Williams, Ben D.; Harter, Stephanie Lewis

2010-01-01

Socioemotional selectivity theory (Carstensen, 1995) posits a "positivity effect" in older adults, describing an increasing tendency to attend to, process, interpret, and remember events and others in life in a positive fashion as one ages. Drawing on personal construct theory, Viney (1993) observes increasing integration of constructions of self…

Sentence-Position Effects on Children's Perception and Production of English Third Person Singular "-s"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sundara, Megha; Demuth, Katherine; Kuhl, Patricia K.

2011-01-01

Purpose: Two-year-olds produce third person singular "-s" more accurately on verbs in sentence-final position as compared with verbs in sentence-medial position. This study was designed to determine whether these sentence-position effects can be explained by perceptual factors. Method: For this purpose, the authors compared 22- and 27-month-olds'…

Do Adaptive Representations of the Item-Position Effect in APM Improve Model Fit? A Simulation Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeller, Florian; Krampen, Dorothea; Reiß, Siegbert; Schweizer, Karl

2017-01-01

The item-position effect describes how an item's position within a test, that is, the number of previous completed items, affects the response to this item. Previously, this effect was represented by constraints reflecting simple courses, for example, a linear increase. Due to the inflexibility of these representations our aim was to examine…

Responding to Illegal Inquiries on Job Application Blanks: The Effects of Information Management Strategy, Gender, and Position Type on Applicant Ratings.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bredeson, P. V.

1992-01-01

Effects of an applicant's information management strategy while responding to a job application item requesting illegal candidate information and moderating effects of applicant sex and position were studied for 12 hypothetical school job applicants with 108 graduate student raters. The interactions of strategy, sex, and position have important…

Is the Factor Observed in Investigations on the Item-Position Effect Actually the Difficulty Factor?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schweizer, Karl; Troche, Stefan

2018-01-01

In confirmatory factor analysis quite similar models of measurement serve the detection of the difficulty factor and the factor due to the item-position effect. The item-position effect refers to the increasing dependency among the responses to successively presented items of a test whereas the difficulty factor is ascribed to the wide range of…

Selective Control of Attention Supports the Positivity Effect in Aging

PubMed Central

Sasse, Laura K.; Gamer, Matthias; Büchel, Christian; Brassen, Stefanie

2014-01-01

There is emerging evidence for a positivity effect in healthy aging, which describes an age-specific increased focus on positive compared to negative information. Life-span researchers have attributed this effect to the selective allocation of cognitive resources in the service of prioritized emotional goals. We explored the basic principles of this assumption by assessing selective attention and memory for visual stimuli, differing in emotional content and self-relevance, in young and old participants. To specifically address the impact of cognitive control, voluntary attentional selection during the presentation of multiple-item displays was analyzed and linked to participants' general ability of cognitive control. Results revealed a positivity effect in older adults' selective attention and memory, which was particularly pronounced for self-relevant stimuli. Focusing on positive and ignoring negative information was most evident in older participants with a generally higher ability to exert top-down control during visual search. Our findings highlight the role of controlled selectivity in the occurrence of a positivity effect in aging. Since the effect has been related to well-being in later life, we suggest that the ability to selectively allocate top-down control might represent a resilience factor for emotional health in aging. PMID:25093459

Selective control of attention supports the positivity effect in aging.

PubMed

Sasse, Laura K; Gamer, Matthias; Büchel, Christian; Brassen, Stefanie

2014-01-01

There is emerging evidence for a positivity effect in healthy aging, which describes an age-specific increased focus on positive compared to negative information. Life-span researchers have attributed this effect to the selective allocation of cognitive resources in the service of prioritized emotional goals. We explored the basic principles of this assumption by assessing selective attention and memory for visual stimuli, differing in emotional content and self-relevance, in young and old participants. To specifically address the impact of cognitive control, voluntary attentional selection during the presentation of multiple-item displays was analyzed and linked to participants' general ability of cognitive control. Results revealed a positivity effect in older adults' selective attention and memory, which was particularly pronounced for self-relevant stimuli. Focusing on positive and ignoring negative information was most evident in older participants with a generally higher ability to exert top-down control during visual search. Our findings highlight the role of controlled selectivity in the occurrence of a positivity effect in aging. Since the effect has been related to well-being in later life, we suggest that the ability to selectively allocate top-down control might represent a resilience factor for emotional health in aging.

Effects on resilience of caregivers of persons with autism spectrum disorder: the role of positive cognitions.

PubMed

Bekhet, Abir K; Johnson, Norah L; Zauszniewski, Jaclene A

2012-01-01

Approximately 2.8 million people in the United States are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Family caregivers manage many aspects of their care, which is demanding, overwhelming, and can affect their mental health. This study examined the effects of caregiver burden (risk factor) and positive cognitions (protective factors) on resourcefulness (resilience indicator) in 95 caregivers of persons with ASD. Descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional. Positive cognitions explained 32% of the variance in resourcefulness, F(1, 93) = 44.49, p < .001, and as positive cognitions increased, caregivers' resourcefulness increased. A substantial drop in the beta weight of caregiver burden from B = -.36 to -.04 when positive cognitions was entered the equation suggested that positive cognitions mediated the effect of caregiver burden on resourcefulness. The results support resilience theory and suggest a need for developing interventions to strengthen positive thinking among caregivers of persons with ASD.

Power Corrupts, but Control Does Not: What Stands Behind the Effects of Holding High Positions.

PubMed

Cislak, Aleksandra; Cichocka, Aleksandra; Wojcik, Adrian Dominik; Frankowska, Natalia

2018-06-01

People seek high positions not to gain influence over others but to satisfy their need for personal control. Personal control tends to have positive interpersonal consequences. If this is the case, does power indeed corrupt? We argue that holding a high position is associated both with perceptions of power (influence over others) and personal control (influence over one's life). Three studies showed that these two aspects might have opposite consequences: Power over others positively predicted aggressiveness (Study 1, N = 793) and exploitativeness (Study 2, N = 445), whereas personal control predicted these outcomes negatively. In Study 3 ( N = 557), conducted among employees at various organizational positions, the effects of holding a high position on exploitativeness and aggressiveness were differentially mediated by power over others and personal control. We discuss these findings in light of contradicting evidence on the corruptive effects of power.

Power Corrupts, but Control Does Not: What Stands Behind the Effects of Holding High Positions

PubMed Central

Cichocka, Aleksandra; Wojcik, Adrian Dominik; Frankowska, Natalia

2018-01-01

People seek high positions not to gain influence over others but to satisfy their need for personal control. Personal control tends to have positive interpersonal consequences. If this is the case, does power indeed corrupt? We argue that holding a high position is associated both with perceptions of power (influence over others) and personal control (influence over one’s life). Three studies showed that these two aspects might have opposite consequences: Power over others positively predicted aggressiveness (Study 1, N = 793) and exploitativeness (Study 2, N = 445), whereas personal control predicted these outcomes negatively. In Study 3 (N = 557), conducted among employees at various organizational positions, the effects of holding a high position on exploitativeness and aggressiveness were differentially mediated by power over others and personal control. We discuss these findings in light of contradicting evidence on the corruptive effects of power. PMID:29484921

The Influence of Positive Mood on Different Aspects of Cognitive Control

PubMed Central

Martin, Elizabeth A.; Kerns, John G.

2010-01-01

Some evidence suggests that positive mood influences cognitive control. The current research investigated whether positive mood has differential effects on two aspects of cognitive control, working memory and prepotent response inhibition. In Study 1, following either a positive or neutral mood induction, participants completed the Running Memory Span (RMS), a measure primarily of working memory storage capacity, and the Stroop task, a measure of prepotent response inhibition. Results were that the positive mood group performed worse on the RMS task but not on the Stroop task. In Study 2, participants completed the RMS and another measure of prepotent response inhibition, the Flanker task. Results were that when in a positive mood state participants performed worse on the RMS but not on the Flanker task. Overall, this research suggests that positive mood has differential effects on cognitive control, impairing working memory but having no effect on prepotent response inhibition. PMID:21399720

Similarity to the Self Affects Memory for Impressions of Others in Younger and Older Adults

PubMed Central

Park, Jung M.; Gutchess, Angela H.

2015-01-01

Objectives. Similarity to the self has been shown to affect memory for impressions in younger adults, suggesting a self-reference effect in person memory. Because older adults show comparable self-reference effects, but prioritize memory for positive over negative information relative to young adults, we examined age differences in self-similarity effects on memory for positive and negative impressions. Method. Younger and older adults formed positive and negative impressions of others differing in the degree of similarity to the self (high, medium, low). Results. For positive impressions, both groups showed enhanced memory for self-similar others relative to dissimilar others, whereas for negative impressions, memory was poorer for those similar to the self. When collapsed across similarity to the self, younger adults remembered negative impressions better than older adults, but interestingly, older adults exhibited a trend for better memory for the positive impressions. Discussion. Results suggest that self-reference effects in impression memory are preserved with age and that older adults exhibit positivity effects in person memory consistent with previous findings. PMID:24389124

Control system to reduce the effects of friction in drive trains of continuous-path-positioning systems. [Patent application

DOEpatents

Green, W.L.

1980-12-01

An improved continuous-path-positioning servo-control system is provided for reducing the effects of friction arising at very low cutting speeds in the drive trains of numerically controlled cutting machines, and the like. The improvement comprises a feed forward network for altering the gain of the servo-control loop at low positioning velocities to prevent stick-slip movement of the cutting tool holder being positioned by the control system. The feed forward network shunts conventional lag-compensators in the control loop, or loops, so that the error signal used for positioning varies linearly when the value is small, but being limited for larger values. Thus, at higher positioning speeds there is little effect of the added component upon the control being achieved.

Suppressor Effects of Positive and Negative Religious Coping on Academic Burnout Among Korean Middle School Students.

PubMed

Noh, Hyunkyung; Chang, Eunbi; Jang, Yoojin; Lee, Ji Hae; Lee, Sang Min

2016-02-01

Statistical suppressor effects in prediction models can provide evidence of the interdependent relationship of independent variables. In this study, the suppressor effects of positive and negative religious coping on academic burnout were examined using longitudinal data. First, 388 middle school students reported their type of religion and use of positive and negative religious coping strategies. Four months later, they also reported their level of academic burnout. From structural equation modeling, significant suppressor effects were found among religious students. That is, the coefficients became larger when both positive and negative religious coping predicted academic burnout simultaneously, compared to when each religious coping predicted academic burnout alone. However, suppressor effects were not found among non-religious students.

The influence of presentation format on the "bigger is better" (BIB) effect.

PubMed

Bromgard, Gregg D; Trafimow, David; Silvera, David H

2013-04-01

Two experiments tested the "bigger is better" (BIB) effect, whereby bigger objects are perceived more favorably than smaller ones. In Experiment 1, participants directly compared pairs of objects and a strong BIB effect was obtained for both positively and negatively valenced stimuli. In Experiment 2, comparative and absolute evaluations were combined in a single experiment and the BIB effect was mediated for positively and negatively valenced stimuli. Taken in combination, the data support a complex hypothesis that pair-wise presentations induce a comparative process that causes a BIB effect. But when objects are evaluated separately, size and valence interact such that increased size evokes more positive ratings of positive objects and more negative ratings for negative objects.

Effective Classroom-Management & Positive Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sieberer-Nagler, Katharina

2016-01-01

This article offers practical information for primary teachers to become more knowledgable, skilled and effective in their work. Aspects of positive teaching and learning are explored. Innovative methods for transforming common classroom management struggles into opportunities for positive change and for changing negative behaviors into positive…

Identifying the educative and suppressive effects of positive practice and restitutional overcorrection.

PubMed Central

Carey, R G; Bucher, B

1981-01-01

Two major features of the overcorrection procedure, restitution and positive practice, were analyzed for their educative and suppressive properties in the treatment of profoundly retarded adults. Positive practice techniques that were topographically similar and dissimilar to the target behavior were studied. Eating behavior and puzzle performance were observed. Restitutional overcorrection and both forms of positive practice were effective for suppressing inappropriate behaviors. Even when appropriate behaviors had been acquired by positive practice, restitution and dissimilar positive practice were generally ineffective for increasing their rate of occurrence. However, topographically similar positive practice was successful as a means of teaching new appropriate behaviors. PMID:7216933

Identifying the educative and suppressive effects of positive practice and restitutional overcorrection.

PubMed

Carey, R G; Bucher, B

1981-01-01

Two major features of the overcorrection procedure, restitution and positive practice, were analyzed for their educative and suppressive properties in the treatment of profoundly retarded adults. Positive practice techniques that were topographically similar and dissimilar to the target behavior were studied. Eating behavior and puzzle performance were observed. Restitutional overcorrection and both forms of positive practice were effective for suppressing inappropriate behaviors. Even when appropriate behaviors had been acquired by positive practice, restitution and dissimilar positive practice were generally ineffective for increasing their rate of occurrence. However, topographically similar positive practice was successful as a means of teaching new appropriate behaviors.

Positive messaging promotes walking in older adults.

PubMed

Notthoff, Nanna; Carstensen, Laura L

2014-06-01

Walking is among the most cost-effective and accessible means of exercise. Mounting evidence suggests that walking may help to maintain physical and cognitive independence in old age by preventing a variety of health problems. However, older Americans fall far short of meeting the daily recommendations for walking. In 2 studies, we examined whether considering older adults' preferential attention to positive information may effectively enhance interventions aimed at promoting walking. In Study 1, we compared the effectiveness of positive, negative, and neutral messages to encourage walking (as measured with pedometers). Older adults who were informed about the benefits of walking walked more than those who were informed about the negative consequences of failing to walk, whereas younger adults were unaffected by framing valence. In Study 2, we examined within-person change in walking in older adults in response to positively- or negatively-framed messages over a 28-day period. Once again, positively-framed messages more effectively promoted walking than negatively-framed messages, and the effect was sustained across the intervention period. Together, these studies suggest that consideration of age-related changes in preferences for positive and negative information may inform the design of effective interventions to promote healthy lifestyles. Future research is needed to examine the mechanisms underlying the greater effectiveness of positively- as opposed to negatively-framed messages and the generalizability of findings to other intervention targets and other subpopulations of older adults. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

Lack of body positional effects on paresthesias when stimulating the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in the treatment of chronic pain.

PubMed

Kramer, Jeffery; Liem, Liong; Russo, Marc; Smet, Iris; Van Buyten, Jean-Pierre; Huygen, Frank

2015-01-01

One prominent side effect from neurostimulation techniques, and in particular spinal cord stimulation (SCS), is the change in intensity of stimulation when moving from an upright (vertical) to a recumbent or supine (horizontal) position and vice versa. It is well understood that the effects of gravity combined with highly conductive cerebrospinal fluid provide the mechanism by which changes in body position can alter the intensity of stimulation-induced paresthesias. While these effects are well established for leads that are placed within the more medial aspects of the spinal canal, little is known about these potential effects in leads placed in the lateral epidural space and in particular within the neural foramina near the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). We prospectively validated a newly developed paresthesia intensity rating scale and compared perceived paresthesia intensities when subjects assumed upright vs. supine bodily positions during neuromodulation of the DRG. On average, the correlation coefficient between stimulation intensity (pulse amplitude) and perceived paresthesia intensity was 0.83, demonstrating a strong linear relationship. No significant differences in paresthesia intensities were reported within subjects when moving from an upright (4.5 ± 0.14) to supine position 4.5 (± 0.12) (p > 0.05). This effect persisted through 12 months following implant. Neuromodulation of the DRG produces paresthesias that remain consistent across body positions, suggesting that this paradigm may be less susceptible to positional effects than dorsal column stimulation. © 2014 International Neuromodulation Society.

Position-dependent effects of polylysine on Sec protein transport.

PubMed

Liang, Fu-Cheng; Bageshwar, Umesh K; Musser, Siegfried M

2012-04-13

The bacterial Sec protein translocation system catalyzes the transport of unfolded precursor proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. Using a recently developed real time fluorescence-based transport assay, the effects of the number and distribution of positive charges on the transport time and transport efficiency of proOmpA were examined. As expected, an increase in the number of lysine residues generally increased transport time and decreased transport efficiency. However, the observed effects were highly dependent on the polylysine position in the mature domain. In addition, a string of consecutive positive charges generally had a more significant effect on transport time and efficiency than separating the charges into two or more charged segments. Thirty positive charges distributed throughout the mature domain resulted in effects similar to 10 consecutive charges near the N terminus of the mature domain. These data support a model in which the local effects of positive charge on the translocation kinetics dominate over total thermodynamic constraints. The rapid translocation kinetics of some highly charged proOmpA mutants suggest that the charge is partially shielded from the electric field gradient during transport, possibly by the co-migration of counter ions. The transport times of precursors with multiple positively charged sequences, or "pause sites," were fairly well predicted by a local effect model. However, the kinetic profile predicted by this local effect model was not observed. Instead, the transport kinetics observed for precursors with multiple polylysine segments support a model in which translocation through the SecYEG pore is not the rate-limiting step of transport.

Position-dependent Effects of Polylysine on Sec Protein Transport*

PubMed Central

Liang, Fu-Cheng; Bageshwar, Umesh K.; Musser, Siegfried M.

2012-01-01

The bacterial Sec protein translocation system catalyzes the transport of unfolded precursor proteins across the cytoplasmic membrane. Using a recently developed real time fluorescence-based transport assay, the effects of the number and distribution of positive charges on the transport time and transport efficiency of proOmpA were examined. As expected, an increase in the number of lysine residues generally increased transport time and decreased transport efficiency. However, the observed effects were highly dependent on the polylysine position in the mature domain. In addition, a string of consecutive positive charges generally had a more significant effect on transport time and efficiency than separating the charges into two or more charged segments. Thirty positive charges distributed throughout the mature domain resulted in effects similar to 10 consecutive charges near the N terminus of the mature domain. These data support a model in which the local effects of positive charge on the translocation kinetics dominate over total thermodynamic constraints. The rapid translocation kinetics of some highly charged proOmpA mutants suggest that the charge is partially shielded from the electric field gradient during transport, possibly by the co-migration of counter ions. The transport times of precursors with multiple positively charged sequences, or “pause sites,” were fairly well predicted by a local effect model. However, the kinetic profile predicted by this local effect model was not observed. Instead, the transport kinetics observed for precursors with multiple polylysine segments support a model in which translocation through the SecYEG pore is not the rate-limiting step of transport. PMID:22367204

Effect of Phytoplankton Richness on Phytoplankton Biomass Is Weak Where the Distribution of Herbivores is Patchy.

PubMed

Weis, Jerome J

2016-01-01

Positive effects of competitor species richness on competitor productivity can be more pronounced at a scale that includes heterogeneity in 'bottom-up' environmental factors, such as the supply of limiting nutrients. The effect of species richness is not well understood in landscapes where variation in 'top-down' factors, such as the abundance of predators or herbivores, has a strong influence competitor communities. I asked how phytoplankton species richness directly influenced standing phytoplankton biomass in replicate microcosm regions where one patch had a population of herbivores (Daphnia pulicaria) and one patch did not have herbivores. The effect of phytoplankton richness on standing phytoplankton biomass was positive but weak and not statistically significant at this regional scale. Among no-Daphnia patches, there was a significant positive effect of phytoplankton richness that resulted from positive selection effects for two dominant and productive species in polycultures. Among with-Daphnia patches there was not a significant effect of phytoplankton richness. The same two species dominated species-rich polycultures in no- and with-Daphnia patches but both species were relatively vulnerable to consumption by Daphnia. Consistent with previous studies, this experiment shows a measurable positive influence of primary producer richness on biomass when herbivores were absent. It also shows that given the patchy distribution of herbivores at a regional scale, a regional positive effect was not detected.

Effect of Phytoplankton Richness on Phytoplankton Biomass Is Weak Where the Distribution of Herbivores is Patchy

PubMed Central

Weis, Jerome J.

2016-01-01

Positive effects of competitor species richness on competitor productivity can be more pronounced at a scale that includes heterogeneity in ‘bottom-up’ environmental factors, such as the supply of limiting nutrients. The effect of species richness is not well understood in landscapes where variation in ‘top-down’ factors, such as the abundance of predators or herbivores, has a strong influence competitor communities. I asked how phytoplankton species richness directly influenced standing phytoplankton biomass in replicate microcosm regions where one patch had a population of herbivores (Daphnia pulicaria) and one patch did not have herbivores. The effect of phytoplankton richness on standing phytoplankton biomass was positive but weak and not statistically significant at this regional scale. Among no-Daphnia patches, there was a significant positive effect of phytoplankton richness that resulted from positive selection effects for two dominant and productive species in polycultures. Among with-Daphnia patches there was not a significant effect of phytoplankton richness. The same two species dominated species-rich polycultures in no- and with-Daphnia patches but both species were relatively vulnerable to consumption by Daphnia. Consistent with previous studies, this experiment shows a measurable positive influence of primary producer richness on biomass when herbivores were absent. It also shows that given the patchy distribution of herbivores at a regional scale, a regional positive effect was not detected. PMID:27196376

Personal and Environmental Resources Mediate the Positivity-Emotional Dysfunction Relationship.

PubMed

Lehrer, H Matthew; Janus, Katherine C; Gloria, Christian T; Steinhardt, Mary A

2017-03-01

We investigated the relationships among positivity, perceived personal and environmental resources, and emotional dysfunction in adolescent girls. We hypothesized that perceived resources would mediate the relationship between positivity and emotional dysfunction. Participants (N = 510) attending an all-girls public school completed a survey assessing emotional dysfunction (depressive symptoms and perceived stress), positivity (positive/negative emotions), and personal/ environmental resources (resilience, hope, percent adaptive coping, community connectedness, social support, and school connectedness). Perceived resources were combined into one latent variable, and structural equation modeling tested the mediating effect of perceived resources on the relationship between positivity and emotional dysfunction. The model accounted for 63% of the variance in emotional dysfunction. Positivity exerted a significant direct effect on emotional dysfunction (β = -.14, p < .01), but its influence was primarily mediated through perceived resources (indirect effect: β = -.43, p < .001). The impact of positivity on emotional dysfunction is primarily but not entirely mediated by perceived personal and environmental resources. Schools should consider strategies to enhance experiences of positive emotions and/or decrease experiences of negative emotions, in conjunction with encouraging student awareness and development of personal and environmental resources.

Catheter placement for lysis of spontaneous intracerebral hematomas: does a catheter position in the core of the hematoma allow more effective and faster hematoma lysis?

PubMed

Malinova, Vesna; Schlegel, Anna; Rohde, Veit; Mielke, Dorothee

2017-07-01

For the fibrinolytic therapy of intracerebral hematomas (ICH) using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA), a catheter position in the core of the hematoma along the largest clot diameter was assumed to be optimal for an effective clot lysis. However, it never had been proven that core position indeed enhances clot lysis if compared with less optimal catheter positions. In this study, the impact of the catheter position on the effectiveness and on the time course of clot lysis was evaluated. We analyzed the catheter position using a relative error calculating the distance perpendicular to the catheter's center in relation to hematoma's diameter and evaluated the relative hematoma volume reduction (RVR). The correlation of the RVR with the catheter position was evaluated. Additionally, we tried to identify patterns of clot lysis with different catheter positions. The patient's outcome at discharge was evaluated using the Glasgow outcome score. A total of 105 patients were included in the study. The mean hematoma volume was 56 ml. The overall RVR was 62.7 %. In 69 patients, a catheter position in the core of the clot was achieved. We found no significant correlation between catheter position and hematoma RVR (linear regression, p = 0.14). Core catheter position leads to more symmetrical hematoma RVR. Faster clot lysis happens in the vicinity of the catheter openings. We found no significant difference in the patient's outcome dependent on the catheter position (linear regression, p = 0.90). The catheter position in the core of the hematoma along its largest diameter does not significantly influence the effectiveness of clot lysis after rtPA application.

Differential Effects of Positive versus Negative Self-Involving Counselor Responses.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Remer, Pam; And Others

1983-01-01

Investigated the effects of positive and negative counselor disclosure using typescripts of hypothetical counseling interviews. Results indicated impact of condition was mixed, with each having some desirable effects. (PAS)

Rhesus factor modulation of effects of smoking and age on psychomotor performance, intelligence, personality profile, and health in Czech soldiers.

PubMed

Flegr, Jaroslav; Geryk, Jan; Volný, Jindra; Klose, Jiří; Cernochová, Dana

2012-01-01

Rhesus-positive and rhesus-negative persons differ in the presence-absence of highly immunogenic RhD protein on the erythrocyte membrane. This protein is a component of NH(3) or CO(2) pump whose physiological role is unknown. Several recent studies have shown that RhD positivity protects against effects of latent toxoplasmosis on motor performance and personality. It is not known, however, whether the RhD phenotype modifies exclusively the response of the body to toxoplasmosis or whether it also influences effects of other factors. In the present cohort study, we searched for the effects of age and smoking on performance, intelligence, personality and self-estimated health and wellness in about 3800 draftees. We found that the positive effect of age on performance and intelligence was stronger in RhD-positive soldiers, while the negative effect of smoking on performance and intelligence was of similar size regardless of the RhD phenotype. The effect of age on four Cattell's personality factors, i.e., dominance (E), radicalism (Q(1)), self-sentiment integration (Q(3)), and ergic tension (Q(4)), and on Cloninger's factor reward dependency (RD) was stronger for RhD-negative than RhD-positive subjects, while the effect of smoking on the number of viral and bacterial diseases was about three times stronger for RhD-negative than RhD-positive subjects. RhD phenotype modulates the influence not only of latent toxoplasmosis, but also of at least two other potentially detrimental factors, age and smoking, on human behavior and physiology. The negative effect of smoking on health (estimated on the basis of the self-rated number of common viral and bacterial diseases in the past year) was much stronger in RhD-negative than RhD-positive subjects. It is critically needed to confirm the differences in health response to smoking between RhD-positive and RhD-negative subjects by objective medical examination in future studies.

Negative expectations interfere with the analgesic effect of safety cues on pain perception by priming the cortical representation of pain in the midcingulate cortex

PubMed Central

Almarzouki, Abeer F.; Brown, Christopher A.; Brown, Richard J.; Leung, Matthew H. K.; Jones, Anthony K. P.

2017-01-01

It is well known that the efficacy of treatment effects, including those of placebos, is heavily dependent on positive expectations regarding treatment outcomes. For example, positive expectations about pain treatments are essential for pain reduction. Such positive expectations not only depend on the properties of the treatment itself, but also on the context in which the treatment is presented. However, it is not clear how the preceding threat of pain will bias positive expectancy effects. One hypothesis is that threatening contexts trigger fearful and catastrophic thinking, reducing the pain-relieving effects of positive expectancy. In this study, we investigated the disruptive influence of threatening contexts on positive expectancy effects while 41 healthy volunteers experienced laser-induced heat pain. A threatening context was induced using pain-threatening cues that preceded the induction of positive expectancies via subsequent pain-safety cues. We also utilised electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate potential neural mechanisms underlying these effects. Lastly, we used the Fear of Pain Questionnaire to address whether the disruptive effect of negative contexts on cued pain relief was related to the degree of fear of pain. As predicted, participants responded less to pain-safety cues (i.e., experienced more pain) when these were preceded by pain-threatening cues. In this threatening context, an enhancement of the N2 component of the laser-evoked potential was detected, which was more pronounced in fearful individuals. This effect was localised to the midcingulate cortex, an area thought to integrate negative affect with pain experience to enable adaptive behaviour in aversive situations. These results suggest that threatening contexts disrupt the effect of pain relief cues via an aversive priming mechanism that enhances neural responses in the early stages of sensory processing. PMID:28665973

Participation in HIV Behavioral Research: Unanticipated Benefits and Burdens.

PubMed

Tross, Susan; Pinho, Veronica; Lima, Jennifer E; Ghiroli, Megan; Elkington, Katherine S; Strauss, David H; Wainberg, Milton L

2018-04-30

HIV behavioral research has provided an invaluable knowledge base for effective approaches to behavioral challenges along the HIV care cascade. Little attention has been paid to tracking unanticipated effects of research participation, whether negative or positive. We used qualitative methods to elicit impressions of unanticipated effects of participation in behavioral research. An instrument was developed and piloted to assess positive (emotional gains, practical gains, HIV prevention knowledge and skills gains) and negative (emotional stress, discomfort with research) unanticipated effects. Participants (N = 25) from five projects, including men who have sex with men, adults who use substances, and youth, reported multiple positive unanticipated effects (sexual and drug risk reduction, goal setting, improvements in self-esteem and mood, relationship gains, health care behavior gains, knowledge and introspection gains) and rare unanticipated negative effects. Developing a systematic tool of unanticipated positive and negative effects of participation in behavioral research is a crucial next step.

Physiological Effects of Positive Pressure Ventilation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-05-01

function in the patient with respiratory failure . In R. R. Kirby, M. J. Banner, & J. B. Downs (Eds.), Clinical Applications of Ventilatory Su2Rort (pp. 301...G., Blehschmidt, N. G., & Linder, W. J. (1990). Positive-pressure ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure and atrial natriuretic peptide ...Acute Resniratorv Failure . New York: Churchill Livingstone. Ventilation 1 Physiological Effects of Positive Pressure Ventilation Dennis L. Oakes, RN, BSN

Serial-Position Effects on a Free-Recall Task in Bilinguals

PubMed Central

Yoo, Jeewon; Kaushanskaya, Margarita

2015-01-01

In this study, we examined mechanisms that underlie free-recall performance in bilinguals’ first language (L1) and second language (L2) through the prism of serial-position effects. On free-recall tasks, a typical pattern of performance follows a U-shaped serial-position curve, where items from the beginning of the list (the primacy effect) and items from the end of the list (the recency effect) are recalled with higher accuracy than items from the middle of the list. The present study contrasted serial-position effects on the free-recall task in Korean-English bilinguals’ L1 vs. L2 and examined the relationship between an independent working memory (WM) measure and serial-position effects in bilinguals’ two languages. Results revealed stronger pre-recency (primacy and middle) effects in L1 than in L2, but similar recency effects in the two languages. A close association was observed between WM and recall performance in the pre-recency region in the L1 but not in the L2. Together, these findings suggest that linguistic knowledge constrains free-recall performance in bilinguals, but only in the pre-recency region. PMID:25730660

Positivity effect in source attributions of arousal-matched emotional and non-emotional words during item-based directed forgetting.

PubMed

Gallant, Sara N; Yang, Lixia

2014-01-01

Consistent with their emphasis on emotional goals, older adults often exhibit a positivity bias in attention and memory relative to their young counterparts (i.e., a positivity effect). The current study sought to determine how this age-related positivity effect would impact intentional forgetting of emotional words, a process critical to efficient operation of memory. Using an item-based directed forgetting task, 36 young and 36 older adults studied a series of arousal-equivalent words that varied in valence (i.e., positive, negative, and neutral). Each word was followed by a cue to either remember or forget the word. A subsequent "tagging" recognition task required classification of items as to-be-remembered (TBR), to-be-forgotten (TBF), or new as a measure of directed forgetting and source attribution in participants' memory. Neither young nor older adults' intentional forgetting was affected by the valence of words. A goal-consistent valence effect did, however, emerge in older adults' source attribution performance. Specifically, older adults assigned more TBR-cues to positive words and more TBF-cues to negative words. Results are discussed in light of existing literature on emotion and directed forgetting as well as the socioemotional selectivity theory underlying the age-related positivity effect.

Positivity effect in source attributions of arousal-matched emotional and non-emotional words during item-based directed forgetting

PubMed Central

Gallant, Sara N.; Yang, Lixia

2014-01-01

Consistent with their emphasis on emotional goals, older adults often exhibit a positivity bias in attention and memory relative to their young counterparts (i.e., a positivity effect). The current study sought to determine how this age-related positivity effect would impact intentional forgetting of emotional words, a process critical to efficient operation of memory. Using an item-based directed forgetting task, 36 young and 36 older adults studied a series of arousal-equivalent words that varied in valence (i.e., positive, negative, and neutral). Each word was followed by a cue to either remember or forget the word. A subsequent “tagging” recognition task required classification of items as to-be-remembered (TBR), to-be-forgotten (TBF), or new as a measure of directed forgetting and source attribution in participants' memory. Neither young nor older adults' intentional forgetting was affected by the valence of words. A goal-consistent valence effect did, however, emerge in older adults' source attribution performance. Specifically, older adults assigned more TBR-cues to positive words and more TBF-cues to negative words. Results are discussed in light of existing literature on emotion and directed forgetting as well as the socioemotional selectivity theory underlying the age-related positivity effect. PMID:25477850

Emotional and uncontrolled eating styles and chocolate chip cookie consumption. A controlled trial of the effects of positive mood enhancement.

PubMed

Turner, Sally Ann; Luszczynska, Aleksandra; Warner, Lisa; Schwarzer, Ralf

2010-02-01

The study tested the effects of positive mood enhancement on chocolate chip cookie consumption in the context of emotional and uncontrolled eating styles. The relationship between emotional eating style and chocolate chip cookie intake was assumed to be mediated by uncontrolled eating style. Further, it was hypothesized that the effectiveness of the positive mood enhancement may be more salient among those who have effective control of their eating. In this experimental study, respondents (N=106, 70% women, aged 16-45 years old) were assigned by means of cluster randomization to the control or positive mood enhancement condition (a comedy movie clip). Compared to the control condition, positive mood enhancement resulted in consuming on average 53.86 kcal less. Relationships between emotional eating style and cookie intake were mediated by uncontrolled eating. Moderated mediation analysis indicated that the effect of a mediator (uncontrolled eating) on cookie intake was moderated by the group assignment. Positive mood enhancement resulted in eating on average 3.3 cookies less among individuals with a more controlled eating style. By contrast, among those who presented uncontrolled eating, positive mood enhancement led to consuming an average of 1.7 cookies more. 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Human Subject Evaluation of Airport Surface Situational Awareness Using Prototypical Flight Deck Electronic Taxi Chart Displays

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-11-01

A study was conducted to test the effect on airport surface situational awareness of GPS derived position information : depicted on a prototypical electronic taxi chart display. The effect of position error and position uncertainty : symbology were a...

Positivity Effect Specific to Older Adults with Subclinical Memory Impairment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leal, Stephanie L.; Noche, Jessica A.; Murray, Elizabeth A.; Yassa, Michael A.

2016-01-01

Numerous studies have suggested that older adults preferentially remember positive information ("positivity effect"), however others have reported mixed results. One potential source of conflict is that aging is not a unitary phenomenon and individual differences exist. We modified a standard neuropsychological test to vary emotional…

Stretching position can affect levator scapular muscle activity, length, and cervical range of motion in people with a shortened levator scapulae.

PubMed

Jeong, Hyo-Jung; Cynn, Heon-Seock; Yi, Chung-Hwi; Yoon, Jang-Whon; Lee, Ji-Hyun; Yoon, Tae-Lim; Kim, Bo-Been

2017-07-01

Levator scapulae (LS) muscle stretching exercises are a common method of lengthening a shortened muscle; however, the appropriate stretching position for lengthening the LS in people with a shortened LS remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different stretching exercise positions on the LS and introduce effective stretching exercise methods to clinicians. Twenty-four university students (12 men, 12 women) with a shortened LS were recruited. LS muscle activity, LS index (LSI), and cervical range of motion (ROM) were measured pre (baseline) and post three different stretching exercise positions (sitting, quadruped, and prone). The LSI and cervical ROM exceeded the minimal detectable change and had significant changes. The LSI was greater in the sitting position than at the baseline (p = 0.01), quadruped position (p < 0.01); the LSI in the prone position presented a higher increase than the quadruped position (p = 0.01). The cervical ROM increased in the sitting position when compared to the baseline (p < 0.01) and quadruped position (p < 0.01). Stretching the LS in the sitting position was the most effective exercise for improving LS muscle length and cervical ROM. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Valence asymmetries in attitude ambivalence.

PubMed

Snyder, Aaron I; Tormala, Zakary L

2017-04-01

Existing models of ambivalence suggest that as the number of conflicting reactions (e.g., attitude components) increases, so too does the experience of ambivalence. Interestingly, though, these models overwhelmingly assume that this relationship is independent of valence. Across 3 studies we observe that this effect is in fact heavily influenced by 2 established valence asymmetries: positivity offset (baseline positive reactions even in the absence of positive information) and negativity bias (greater impact of negative reactions than positive reactions). Consistent with positivity offset, we observe that subjective ambivalence is greater when people have univalent negative rather than univalent positive attitudes. However, as conflicting information is acquired, subjective ambivalence rises more quickly when that information is negative rather than positive. The latter effect is consistent with negativity bias and suggests that although people feel more conflicted when they have only negative (vs. only positive) reactions, they also feel more conflicted when they have mostly positive (vs. mostly negative) reactions. Our investigation also uncovers an interesting consequence of these asymmetries: When people have mixed reactions, they do not experience maximum ambivalence at equal levels of positivity and negativity, as suggested by canonical ambivalence theory. Rather, subjective ambivalence peaks when positive reactions outnumber negative reactions. These effects are found to have downstream consequences for other dimensions of attitude strength. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

The effect of alpha blockers on uroflowmetric parameters in different voiding positions

PubMed Central

Koc, Gokhan; Yilmaz, Yuksel; Un, Sitki; Akbay, Kaan; Akdeniz, Firat

2013-01-01

Introduction: We assessed the effect of different voiding positions on uroflowmetric parameters and post-void residual (PVR) urine volume in symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. We also evaluated the effect of alpha blockers on PVR in different voiding positions. Methods: The study was performed with 110 BPH patients over 50 years old. In total, 4 uroflowmetries were performed in all patients: 2 patients in the sitting position and 2 in the standing position. PVR was measured with transabdominal ultrasonography. Also, patients were divided into two groups according to the alpha adrenergic blocker treatment; the effect of this treatment on their uroflowmetric parameters in different positions was evaluated. Results: Maximum flow rate (Qmax) and average flow rate (Qave) were significantly higher in patients in the sitting position, but there were no differences in other uroflowmetric parameters and PVR volume (Qmax: 15.5±5.9 mL/s vs. 13.7±5.2 mL/s, Qave: 11.4±4.6 mL/s vs. 10.7± 3.9 mL/s, respectively; p < 0.05). The Qmax and Qave were significantly higher in sitting position, compared to the standing position, in both alpha adrenergic treatment and non-treated groups; again, there were no differences in other uroflowmetric parameters and PVR volume. Conclusion: Qmax and Qave values were significantly higher in the sitting position. Alpha blockers did not affect any change. PMID:23766834

Effects of Prone Position and Positive End-Expiratory Pressure on Noninvasive Estimators of ICP: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Robba, Chiara; Bragazzi, Nicola Luigi; Bertuccio, Alessandro; Cardim, Danilo; Donnelly, Joseph; Sekhon, Mypinder; Lavinio, Andrea; Duane, Derek; Burnstein, Rowan; Matta, Basil; Bacigaluppi, Susanna; Lattuada, Marco; Czosnyka, Marek

2017-07-01

Prone positioning and positive end-expiratory pressure can improve pulmonary gas exchange and respiratory mechanics. However, they may be associated with the development of intracranial hypertension. Intracranial pressure (ICP) can be noninvasively estimated from the sonographic measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and from the transcranial Doppler analysis of the pulsatility (ICPPI) and the diastolic component (ICPFVd) of the velocity waveform. The effect of the prone positioning and positive end-expiratory pressure on ONSD, ICPFVd, and ICPPI was assessed in a prospective study of 30 patients undergoing spine surgery. One-way repeated measures analysis of variance, fixed-effect multivariate regression models, and receiver operating characteristic analyses were used to analyze numerical data. The mean values of ONSD, ICPFVd, and ICPPI significantly increased after change from supine to prone position. Receiver operating characteristic analyses demonstrated that, among the noninvasive methods, the mean ONSD measure had the greatest area under the curve signifying it is the most effective in distinguishing a hypothetical change in ICP between supine and prone positioning (0.86±0.034 [0.79 to 0.92]). A cutoff of 0.43 cm was found to be a best separator of ONSD value between supine and prone with a specificity of 75.0 and a sensitivity of 86.7. Noninvasive ICP estimation may be useful in patients at risk of developing intracranial hypertension who require prone positioning.

Back to sleep or not: the effect of the supine position on pediatric OSA: Sleeping position in children with OSA.

PubMed

Walter, Lisa M; Dassanayake, Daranagama U N; Weichard, Aidan J; Davey, Margot J; Nixon, Gillian M; Horne, Rosemary S C

2017-09-01

In both adults and children, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has significant adverse cardiovascular consequences. In adults, sleeping position has a marked effect on the severity of OSA; however, the limited number of studies conducted in children have reported conflicting findings. We aimed to evaluate the effect of sleeping position on OSA severity and the cardiovascular consequences in preschool-aged children. This was a retrospective analysis of children (3-5 years of age) diagnosed with OSA (n = 75) and nonsnoring controls (n = 25). Sleeping position was classified as supine, semi-supine, left lateral, right lateral, prone, and semi-prone by using video recordings during one night of attended polysomnography. OSA severity and cardiovascular parameters were compared between the positions. All children spent significantly more sleep time in the supine position than in any other position. The obstructive apnea-hypopnea index was higher in the supine position than in the other sleeping positions during NREM (p < 0.05), higher in the moderate/severe OSA group when sleeping in the supine position than when sleeping in the left and right lateral positions (p < 0.05 for both) and prone position (p = 0.007) during REM. Sympathovagal balance was decreased in children with OSA in the supine and lateral positions (p < 0.05). This study identified that preschool-aged children, whether nonsnoring controls or children with OSA, predominately sleep in the supine position, and OSA was more severe in the supine position. We suggest that to avoid the supine sleep position, positional therapy has the potential to ameliorate OSA severity, and the known cardiovascular consequences. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chromosome position effects on gene expression in Escherichia coli K-12

PubMed Central

Bryant, Jack A.; Sellars, Laura E.; Busby, Stephen J. W.; Lee, David J.

2014-01-01

In eukaryotes, the location of a gene on the chromosome is known to affect its expression, but such position effects are poorly understood in bacteria. Here, using Escherichia coli K-12, we demonstrate that expression of a reporter gene cassette, comprised of the model E. coli lac promoter driving expression of gfp, varies by ∼300-fold depending on its precise position on the chromosome. At some positions, expression was more than 3-fold higher than at the natural lac promoter locus, whereas at several other locations, the reporter cassette was completely silenced: effectively overriding local lac promoter control. These effects were not due to differences in gene copy number, caused by partially replicated genomes. Rather, the differences in gene expression occur predominantly at the level of transcription and are mediated by several different features that are involved in chromosome organization. Taken together, our findings identify a tier of gene regulation above local promoter control and highlight the importance of chromosome position effects on gene expression profiles in bacteria. PMID:25209233

Correction to: Durability of treatment effects of the sleep position trainer versus oral appliance therapy in positional OSA: 12-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

de Ruiter, Maurits H T; Benoist, Linda B L; de Vries, Nico; de Lange, Jan

2018-05-01

The article "Durability of treatment effects of the Sleep Position Trainer versus oral appliance therapy in positional OSA: 12-month follow-up of a randomized controlled trial", by M. H. T. de Ruiter et al., was originally published online in SpringerLink on 15 September 2017 without open access.

Electronic Cigarette Expectancies in Smokers with Psychological Distress.

PubMed

Miller, Mollie E; Tidey, Jennifer W; Rohsenow, Damaris J; Higgins, Stephen T

2017-01-01

Very few studies have evaluated perceptions of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among smokers with mental illness. This study assessed expectancies about the effects of smoking combustible cigarettes or using ENDS among current smokers with and without severe psychological distress (SPD). We used a crowdsourcing system to survey 268 smokers on their expectancies for the effects of combustible cigarettes and ENDS. Positive expectancies assessed included negative affect reduction, stimulation, positive social effects and weight control, and negative expectancies included negative physical effects, negative psychosocial effects and future health concerns. Smokers with SPD had higher positive expectancies for weight control and social effects of both products compared to those without such distress, and higher expectancies for stimulation from combustible cigarettes compared to ENDS. All participants had significantly lower negative expectancies for ENDS compared to combustible cigarettes, with no significant differences between the groups. Smokers with SPD may be more vulnerable toward ENDS use, as they are for combustible cigarette use, due to greater positive expectancies of the products. Challenging positive expectancies may increase the efficacy of tobacco control efforts in this vulnerable population.

Electronic Cigarette Expectancies in Smokers with Psychological Distress

PubMed Central

Miller, Mollie E.; Tidey, Jennifer W.; Rohsenow, Damaris J.; Higgins, Stephen T.

2017-01-01

Objectives Very few studies have evaluated perceptions of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) among smokers with mental illness. This study assessed expectancies about the effects of smoking combustible cigarettes or using ENDS among current smokers with and without severe psychological distress (SPD). Methods We used a crowdsourcing system to survey 268 smokers on their expectancies for the effects of combustible cigarettes and ENDS. Positive expectancies assessed included negative affect reduction, stimulation, positive social effects and weight control, and negative expectancies included negative physical effects, negative psychosocial effects and future health concerns. Results Smokers with SPD had higher positive expectancies for weight control and social effects of both products compared to those without such distress, and higher expectancies for stimulation from combustible cigarettes compared to ENDS. All participants had significantly lower negative expectancies for ENDS compared to combustible cigarettes, with no significant differences between the groups. Conclusions Smokers with SPD may be more vulnerable toward ENDS use, as they are for combustible cigarette use, due to greater positive expectancies of the products. Challenging positive expectancies may increase the efficacy of tobacco control efforts in this vulnerable population. PMID:28653023

Needle Tip Position and Bevel Direction Have No Effect in the Fluoroscopic Epidural Spreading Pattern in Caudal Epidural Injections: A Randomized Trial

PubMed Central

Kwon, Won Kyoung; Kim, Ah Na; Lee, Pil Moo; Park, Cheol Hwan; Kim, Jae Hun

2016-01-01

Background. Caudal epidural steroid injections (CESIs) are an effective treatment for pain. If the injection spreads in a specific pattern depending on the needle position or bevel direction, it would be possible to inject the agent into a specific and desired area. Objectives. We conducted a prospective randomized trial to determine if the needle position and bevel direction have any effect on the epidural spreading pattern in CESI. Methods. Demographic data of the patient were collected. During CESI, the needle position (middle or lateral) and direction (ventral or dorsal) were randomly allocated. Following fluoroscope-guided injection of 4 mL contrast media and 10 mL of injectates, the epidural spreading patterns (ventral or dorsal, bilateral or lateral) were imaged. Results. In the 210 CESIs performed, the needle tip position and bevel direction did not influence the epidural spreading patterns at L4-5 and L5-S1 disc levels. A history of Lumbar spine surgery was associated with a significantly limited spread to each disc level. A midline needle tip position was more effective than the lateral position in spreading to the distant disc levels. Conclusions. Neither the needle tip position nor the bevel direction affected the epidural drug spreading pattern during CESI. PMID:27445609

Impact of Surface Type, Wheelchair Weight, and Axle Position on Wheelchair Propulsion by Novice Older Adults

PubMed Central

Cowan, Rachel E.; Nash, Mark S.; Collinger, Jennifer L.; Koontz, Alicia M.; Boninger, Michael L.

2009-01-01

Objective To examine the impact of surface type, wheelchair weight, and rear axle position on older adult propulsion biomechanics. Design Crossover trial. Setting Biomechanics laboratory. Participants Convenience sample of 53 ambulatory older adults with minimal wheelchair experience (65−87y); men = 20, women = 33. Intervention Participants propelled 4 different wheelchair configurations over 4 surfaces; tile, low carpet, high carpet, and an 8% grade ramp (surface, chair order randomized). Chair configurations included: (1) unweighted chair with an anterior axle position, (2) 9.05kg weighted chair with an anterior axle position, (3) unweighted chair with a posterior axle position (Δ0.08m), and (4) 9.05kg weighted chair with a posterior axle position (Δ0.08m). Weight was added to a titanium folding chair, simulating the weight difference between very light and depot wheelchairs. Instrumented wheels measured propulsion kinetics. Main Outcome Measures Average self-selected velocity, push-frequency, stroke length, peak resultant and tangential force. Results Velocity decreased as surface rolling resistance or chair weight increased. Peak resultant and tangential forces increased as chair weight increased, surface resistance increased, and with a posterior axle position. The effect of a posterior axle position was greater on high carpet and the ramp. The effect of weight was constant, but more easily observed on high carpet and ramp. The effects of axle position and weight were independent of one another. Conclusion Increased surface resistance decreases self-selected velocity and increases peak forces. Increased weight decreases self-selected velocity and increases forces. Anterior axle positions decrease forces, more so on high carpet. Effects of weight and axle position are independent. Greatest reductions in peak forces occur in lighter chairs with anterior axle positions. PMID:19577019