Flower morphology and floral sequence in Artemisia annua (Asteraceae)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Premise of the study: Artemisia annua produces phytochemicals possessing antimalarial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and anthelmintic activities. The main active ingredient, artemisinin, is extremely effective against malaria. Breeding to develop cultivars producing high levels of artemisinin can he...

Knowledge and Health Practices of High School Students with Respect to Heart Disease Risk Factors--A Pilot Study.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oswald, Marianne T.; And Others

1980-01-01

Examines questionnaire responses of ninth- and twelfth-grade students to investigate the level of knowledge possessed by high school students concerning cardiovascular disease. Results are summarized of student knowledge pertaining to personal life-style associated with smoking, obesity, exercise, and dietary habits. (CS)

High-Definition Self-Assemblies driven by the Hydrophobic Effect: Synthesis and Properties of a Supramolecular Nano-Capsule

PubMed Central

Liu, Simin

2008-01-01

High definition self-assemblies, those that possess order at the molecular level, are most commonly made from subunits possessing metals and metal coordination sites, or groups capable of partaking in hydrogen bonding. In other words, enthalpy is the driving force behind the free energy of assembly. The hydrophobic effect engenders the possibility of (nominally) relying not on enthalpy but entropy to drive assembly. Towards this idea, we describe how template molecules can trigger the dimerization of a cavitand in aqueous solution, and in doing so are encapsulated within the resulting capsule. Although not held together by (enthalpically) strong and directional non-covalent forces, these capsules possess considerable thermodynamic and kinetic stability. As a result, they display unusual and even unique properties. We discuss some of these, including the use of the capsule as a nano-scale reaction chamber and how they can bring about the separation of hydrocarbon gases. PMID:18685753

Properties of Streptococcus mutans Grown in a Synthetic Medium: Binding of Glucosyltransferase and In Vitro Adherence, and Binding of Dextran/Glucan and Glycoprotein and Agglutination

PubMed Central

Wu-Yuan, Christine D.; Tai, Stella; Slade, Hutton D.

1979-01-01

The influence of culture media on various properties of Streptococcus mutans was investigated. Strains of S. mutans (serotypes c, d, f, and g) were grown in a complex medium (Todd-Hewitt broth [THB]) or a synthetic medium (SYN). The SYN cells, in contrast to THB cells, did not bind extracellular glucosyltransferase and did not produce in vitro adherence. Both types of cells possessed constitutive levels of glucosyltransferase. B13 cells grown in SYN plus invertase-treated glucose possessed the same level of constitutive enzyme as THB cells. In contrast to THB cells, the SYN cells of seven serotype strains did not agglutinate upon the addition of high-molecular-weight dextran/glucan. Significant quantities of lower-molecular-weight (2 × 104 or 7 × 104) dextran and B13 glucan were bound by SYN cells. SYN cells agglutinated weakly in anti-glucan serum (titers, 0 to 16), whereas THB cells possessed titers of 32 to 256. Evidence for the existence of a second binding site in agglutination which does not possess a glucan-like polymer has been obtained. B13 cells grown in invertase-treated THB agglutinated to the same degree as normal THB cells. The nature of this site is unknown. SYN cells possess the type-specific polysaccharide antigen. B13 cells did not bind from THB a glycoprotein which reacts with antisera to the A, B, or T blood group antigens or which allows agglutination upon the addition of dextran. The results demonstrate that S. mutans grown in a chemically defined medium possesse markedly different biochemical and biological activities than cells grown in a complex organic medium. PMID:457252

Bay-annulated indigo (BAI) as an excellent electron accepting building block for high performance organic semiconductors

DOEpatents

Liu, Yi; He, Bo; Pun, Andrew

2015-11-24

A novel electron acceptor based on bay-annulated indigo (BAI) was synthesized and used for the preparation of a series of high performance donor-acceptor small molecules and polymers. The resulting materials possess low-lying LUMO energy level and small HOMO-LUMO gaps, while their films exhibited high crystallinity upon thermal treatment, commensurate with high field effect mobilities and ambipolar transfer characteristics.

Bay-annulated indigo (BAI) as an excellent electron accepting building block for high performance organic semiconductors

DOEpatents

Liu, Yi; He, Bo; Pun, Andrew

2016-04-19

A novel electron acceptor based on bay-annulated indigo (BAI) was synthesized and used for the preparation of a series of high performance donor-acceptor small molecules and polymers. The resulting materials possess low-lying LUMO energy level and small HOMO-LUMO gaps, while their films exhibited high crystallinity upon thermal treatment, commensurate with high field effect mobilities and ambipolar transfer characteristics.

An Exploration of the Relationship between Teachers' Psychological Capital and Their Collective Self-Esteem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bissessar, Charmaine S.

2014-01-01

Teachers who possess high levels of psychological capital and collective self-esteem are better able to cope with the spate of school violence, student/student bullying, and other current issues confronting the education system globally, regionally, and nationally. A teacher psychological capital high in hope, optimism, self-efficacy, resilience,…

Measurement of Responsibility: A Critical Evaluation of Level of Work Measurement by Time-Span of Discretion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laner, S.; And Others

This report is a critical evaluation based on extended field trials and theoretical analysis of the time-span technique of measuring level of work in organizational hierarchies. It is broadly concluded that the technique does possess many of the desirable features claimed by its originator, but that earlier, less highly structured versions based…

The Competitive Level of Education as a Condition Necessary for the Development of a Competitive Economy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zernov, V. A.

2009-01-01

At the present time, the production of science-intensive goods in the world accounts for over 50 strategic technologies (macrotechnologies). The top seven most highly developed economic countries that, according to estimates, possess 50 to 60 macrotechnologies, control four-fifths of that market. It used to be that in terms of the level of…

10 CFR 72.1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE General Provisions § 72.1 Purpose. The... receive, transfer, and possess power reactor spent fuel, power reactor-related Greater than Class C (GTCC... reactor spent fuel, high-level radioactive waste, power reactor-related GTCC waste, and other radioactive...

10 CFR 72.1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE General Provisions § 72.1 Purpose. The... receive, transfer, and possess power reactor spent fuel, power reactor-related Greater than Class C (GTCC... reactor spent fuel, high-level radioactive waste, power reactor-related GTCC waste, and other radioactive...

High level of resistance to aztreonam and ticarcillin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from soil of different crops in Brazil.

PubMed

Pitondo-Silva, André; Martins, Vinicius Vicente; Fernandes, Ana Flavia Tonelli; Stehling, Eliana Guedes

2014-03-01

Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be found in water, soil, plants and, human and animal fecal samples. It is an important nosocomial pathogenic agent characterized by an intrinsic resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents and the ability to develop high-level (acquired) multidrug resistance through some mechanisms, among them, by the acquisition of plasmids and integrons, which are mobile genetic elements. In this study, 40 isolates from Brazilian soil were analyzed for antibiotic resistance, presence of integrons and plasmidial profile. The results demonstrated that the vast majority of the isolates have shown resistance for aztreonam (92.5%, n=37) and ticarcillin (85%, n=34), four isolates presented plasmids and eight isolates possess the class 1 integron. These results demonstrated that environmental isolates of P. aeruginosa possess surprising antibiotic resistance profile to aztreonam and ticarcillin, two antimicrobial agents for clinical treatment of cystic fibrosis patients and other infections occurred by P. aeruginosa. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An Analysis of the Appropriateness and Utilization of TOUS with Special Reference to High-Ability Students Studying Physics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Durkee, Phillip

1974-01-01

Reported is a study having several major purposes. Among these were (1) to investigate the change in "understanding the nature of science" as shown by high school students studying physics-astronomy at a summer science institute and (2) to compare the level of understanding possessed by the summer science group with normative secondary…

Perceptions of School Superintendents and Board Presidents on Improved Pupil Performance and Superintendent Evaluation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moffett, Josephine

2011-01-01

It is well documented that the demands on school superintendents have not only become more taxing but have also changed in recent years. The superintendent needs to possess a high degree of knowledge and skills in a diverse number of areas, including psychology, finances, personnel, and general education while functioning at a very high level in…

Building Quality Early Childhood Assessment: What Really Matters?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bailey, Ann Elise

2017-01-01

This research explored the knowledge, skills, and strategies early childhood teachers possess related to implementing curriculum and authentic assessment. Research suggests that early educators rate their knowledge of curriculum and authentic assessment and their implementation of both as excellent. Despite these self-reported, high levels of…

10 CFR 60.3 - License required.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false License required. 60.3 Section 60.3 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) DISPOSAL OF HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES IN GEOLOGIC REPOSITORIES General Provisions § 60.3 License required. (a) DOE shall not receive or possess source, special nuclear, or...

10 CFR 60.3 - License required.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false License required. 60.3 Section 60.3 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) DISPOSAL OF HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES IN GEOLOGIC REPOSITORIES General Provisions § 60.3 License required. (a) DOE shall not receive or possess source, special nuclear, or...

10 CFR 60.3 - License required.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 10 Energy 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false License required. 60.3 Section 60.3 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED) DISPOSAL OF HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES IN GEOLOGIC REPOSITORIES General Provisions § 60.3 License required. (a) DOE shall not receive or possess source, special nuclear, or...

10 CFR 60.22 - Filing and distribution of application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... GEOLOGIC REPOSITORIES Licenses License Applications § 60.22 Filing and distribution of application. (a) An application for a construction authorization for a high-level radioactive waste repository at a geologic repository operations area, and an application for a license to receive and possess source, special nuclear...

The History of Predicative Possession in Slavic: Internal Development vs. Language Contact

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McAnallen, Julia

2011-01-01

The languages of the world encode possession in a variety of ways. In Slavic languages, possession on the level of the clause, or predicative possession, is represented by two main encoding strategies. Most Slavic languages, including those in the West and South Slavic sub-groupings, use a "have" verb comparable to English have and German "haben."…

Are Agricultural Graduates Meeting Employers' Expectations? A Perspective from Iran

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alibeigi, Amir Hossein; Zarafshani, Kiumars

2006-01-01

A high level of personal capacity, the relevant professional competence and technical skills are essential for a graduate's successful transition to the workplace. The purpose of this survey was to identify the main competencies that higher agricultural education graduates should possess, based on the perceptions of potential agricultural…

Livestock Skills Performance Levels Reported by Agricultural Production Teachers in Ohio.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osborne, Edward W.; Miller, Larry E.

1985-01-01

A study was conducted to determine the livestock skills possessed by agricultural production teachers in Ohio and to examine the extent to which livestock skills were taught in high school vocational agriculture classes. Questions concerned teacher knowledge of livestock skills, teacher confidence, teaching methods, and relationship between…

10 CFR 2.1000 - Scope of subpart J.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

....309; 2.312; 2.313; 2.314; 2.315; 2.316; 2.317(a); 2.318; 2.319; 2.320; 2.321; 2.322; 2.323; 2.324; 2...(f)(8) or 2.105(a)(5), and for an application for a license to receive and possess high level...

10 CFR 2.1000 - Scope of subpart J.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

....309; 2.312; 2.313; 2.314; 2.315; 2.316; 2.317(a); 2.318; 2.319; 2.320; 2.321; 2.322; 2.323; 2.324; 2...(f)(8) or 2.105(a)(5), and for an application for a license to receive and possess high level...

10 CFR 2.1000 - Scope of subpart J.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

....309; 2.312; 2.313; 2.314; 2.315; 2.316; 2.317(a); 2.318; 2.319; 2.320; 2.321; 2.322; 2.323; 2.324; 2...(f)(8) or 2.105(a)(5), and for an application for a license to receive and possess high level...

Simvastatin Potently Induces Calcium-dependent Apoptosis of Human Leiomyoma Cells*

PubMed Central

Borahay, Mostafa A.; Kilic, Gokhan S.; Yallampalli, Chandrasekha; Snyder, Russell R.; Hankins, Gary D. V.; Al-Hendy, Ayman; Boehning, Darren

2014-01-01

Statins are drugs commonly used for the treatment of high plasma cholesterol levels. Beyond these well known lipid-lowering properties, they possess broad-reaching effects in vivo, including antitumor effects. Statins inhibit the growth of multiple tumors. However, the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here we show that simvastatin inhibits the proliferation of human leiomyoma cells. This was associated with decreased mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling and multiple changes in cell cycle progression. Simvastatin potently stimulated leiomyoma cell apoptosis in a manner mechanistically dependent upon apoptotic calcium release from voltage-gated calcium channels. Therefore, simvastatin possesses antitumor effects that are dependent upon the apoptotic calcium release machinery. PMID:25359773

Influence of drying restraint on physical and mechanical properties of nanofibrillated cellulose films

Treesearch

Carlos Baez; John Considine; Robert Rowlands

2014-01-01

Nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) is a renewable and biodegradable fibril that possesses high strength and stiffness resulting from high level hydrogen bonding. Films made from NFC shrink and distort as they transition from a wet state (20 wt% solids) to a state of moisture equilibrium (90 wt% solids at 50 % RH, 23 °C). Material distortions are driven by development of...

Alteration of plasma prednisolone levels by indomethacin and naproxen.

PubMed Central

Rae, S A; Williams, I A; English, J; Baylis, E M

1982-01-01

Eleven patients with stable rheumatoid disease (RD) who were receiving regular corticosteroid therapy (CS) were investigated to discover the effect on plasma prednisolone levels of additional therapy with the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs, indomethacin and naproxen. There was a highly significant (P less than 0.001) increase in free prednisolone levels after concurrent therapy with either indomethacin or naproxen for 2 weeks. Total prednisolone levels were unchanged. These results could provide an explanation for clinical reports that these two NSAI drugs possess a steroid-sparing effect. PMID:7126420

A Global Covariance Descriptor for Nuclear Atypia Scoring in Breast Histopathology Images.

PubMed

Khan, Adnan Mujahid; Sirinukunwattana, Korsuk; Rajpoot, Nasir

2015-09-01

Nuclear atypia scoring is a diagnostic measure commonly used to assess tumor grade of various cancers, including breast cancer. It provides a quantitative measure of deviation in visual appearance of cell nuclei from those in normal epithelial cells. In this paper, we present a novel image-level descriptor for nuclear atypia scoring in breast cancer histopathology images. The method is based on the region covariance descriptor that has recently become a popular method in various computer vision applications. The descriptor in its original form is not suitable for classification of histopathology images as cancerous histopathology images tend to possess diversely heterogeneous regions in a single field of view. Our proposed image-level descriptor, which we term as the geodesic mean of region covariance descriptors, possesses all the attractive properties of covariance descriptors lending itself to tractable geodesic-distance-based k-nearest neighbor classification using efficient kernels. The experimental results suggest that the proposed image descriptor yields high classification accuracy compared to a variety of widely used image-level descriptors.

Investigating the Influence Relationship Models for Stocks in Indian Equity Market: A Weighted Network Modelling Study

PubMed Central

Acharjee, Animesh

2016-01-01

The socio-economic systems today possess high levels of both interconnectedness and interdependencies, and such system-level relationships behave very dynamically. In such situations, it is all around perceived that influence is a perplexing power that has an overseeing part in affecting the dynamics and behaviours of involved ones. As a result of the force & direction of influence, the transformative change of one entity has a cogent aftereffect on the other entities in the system. The current study employs directed weighted networks for investigating the influential relationship patterns existent in a typical equity market as an outcome of inter-stock interactions happening at the market level, the sectorial level and the industrial level. The study dataset is derived from 335 constituent stocks of ‘Standard & Poor Bombay Stock Exchange 500 index’ and study period is 1st June 2005 to 30th June 2015. The study identifies the set of most dynamically influential stocks & their respective temporal pattern at three hierarchical levels: the complete equity market, different sectors, and constituting industry segments of those sectors. A detailed influence relationship analysis is performed for the sectorial level network of the construction sector, and it was found that stocks belonging to the cement industry possessed high influence within this sector. Also, the detailed network analysis of construction sector revealed that it follows scale-free characteristics and power law distribution. In the industry specific influence relationship analysis for cement industry, methods based on threshold filtering and minimum spanning tree were employed to derive a set of sub-graphs having temporally stable high-correlation structure over this ten years period. PMID:27846251

Investigating the Influence Relationship Models for Stocks in Indian Equity Market: A Weighted Network Modelling Study.

PubMed

Bhattacharjee, Biplab; Shafi, Muhammad; Acharjee, Animesh

2016-01-01

The socio-economic systems today possess high levels of both interconnectedness and interdependencies, and such system-level relationships behave very dynamically. In such situations, it is all around perceived that influence is a perplexing power that has an overseeing part in affecting the dynamics and behaviours of involved ones. As a result of the force & direction of influence, the transformative change of one entity has a cogent aftereffect on the other entities in the system. The current study employs directed weighted networks for investigating the influential relationship patterns existent in a typical equity market as an outcome of inter-stock interactions happening at the market level, the sectorial level and the industrial level. The study dataset is derived from 335 constituent stocks of 'Standard & Poor Bombay Stock Exchange 500 index' and study period is 1st June 2005 to 30th June 2015. The study identifies the set of most dynamically influential stocks & their respective temporal pattern at three hierarchical levels: the complete equity market, different sectors, and constituting industry segments of those sectors. A detailed influence relationship analysis is performed for the sectorial level network of the construction sector, and it was found that stocks belonging to the cement industry possessed high influence within this sector. Also, the detailed network analysis of construction sector revealed that it follows scale-free characteristics and power law distribution. In the industry specific influence relationship analysis for cement industry, methods based on threshold filtering and minimum spanning tree were employed to derive a set of sub-graphs having temporally stable high-correlation structure over this ten years period.

Expert systems for MSFC power systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weeks, David J.

1988-01-01

Future space vehicles and platforms including Space Station will possess complex power systems. These systems will require a high level of autonomous operation to allow the crew to concentrate on mission activities and to limit the number of ground support personnel to a reasonable number. The Electrical Power Branch at NASA-Marshall is developing advanced automation approaches which will enable the necessary levels of autonomy. These approaches include the utilization of knowledge based or expert systems.

Identification of a new soybean Kunitz trypsin inhibitor mutation and its effect on Bowman-Birk protease inhibitor content in soybean seed

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Soybean seeds possess anti-nutritional compounds which inactivate digestive proteases, principally corresponding to two families: Kunitz Trypsin Inhibitors (KTi) and Bowman-Birk Inhibitors (BBI). High levels of raw soybeans/soybean meal in feed mixtures can cause poor weight gain and pancreatic abno...

10 CFR 72.210 - General license issued.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... NUCLEAR FUEL, HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE General License for Storage of Spent Fuel at Power Reactor Sites § 72.210 General license issued. A general license is... reactor sites to persons authorized to possess or operate nuclear power reactors under 10 CFR part 50 or...

10 CFR 72.210 - General license issued.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... NUCLEAR FUEL, HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE, AND REACTOR-RELATED GREATER THAN CLASS C WASTE General License for Storage of Spent Fuel at Power Reactor Sites § 72.210 General license issued. A general license is... reactor sites to persons authorized to possess or operate nuclear power reactors under 10 CFR part 50 or...

Content of Future Economists' Professional Mobility in Researches of Foreign Scientists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chorna, Iryna

2017-01-01

The content of professional mobility of future economists in the writings of foreign scientists have been presented. The components of future economists' professional mobility formation have been considered. It has been established that the possession of a combination of these components enables future specialists to achieve a high level of…

Identifying Skill Requirements for GIS Positions: A Content Analysis of Job Advertisements

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hong, Jung Eun

2016-01-01

This study identifies the skill requirements for geographic information system (GIS) positions, including GIS analysts, programmers/developers/engineers, specialists, and technicians, through a content analysis of 946 GIS job advertisements from 2007-2014. The results indicated that GIS job applicants need to possess high levels of GIS analysis…

Graduates and Employers: Expectations and Reality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iashkov, A. B.

2012-01-01

As Russia has moved closer to a market economy, radical transformations of the system of higher education have become necessary; and it needs to be oriented to the training of specialists who possess a high level of professionalism and competence. Research shows that what employers in Russia see as most valuable in young specialists are behavioral…

Fostering Higher Order Critical Thinking in 21st Century Teachers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taft, Mary Miller

2012-01-01

Teachers working with increasingly diverse student populations are expected, for the first time in American history, to bring all students to high levels of proficiency. American graduates must compete with graduates from other nations, given the realities of the 21st century global economy. American teachers must possess 21st century skills in…

Self-Regulated Learning as a Critical Attribute for Successful Teaching and Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Iwamoto, Darren H.; Hargis, Jace; Bordner, Richard; Chandler, Pomaika'inani

2017-01-01

The purpose of this scholarship of teaching and learning was to define and assess the level of self-regulation skills undergraduate students possess. Participants completed the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Through the analysis of the MSLQ, students reported having high expectations for themselves. Yet, students were…

The Art of Thinking: Using Collage to Stimulate Scholarly Work

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Simmons, Nicola; Daley, Shauna

2013-01-01

Integrating the arts into higher education pedagogy provides an opportunity for cultivating rich ideas and high-level thinking, capitalizing on the creativity that every person already possesses and uses (Livingston, 2010). As Newton and Plummer (2009) note "the use of the creative arts as pedagogical strategy enables individuals to better…

Comparing photosynthetic characteristics of Isoetes sinensis Palmer under submerged and terrestrial conditions.

PubMed

Yang, Tao; Liu, Xing

2015-12-04

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is widespread in terrestrial and aquatic species, plastic in response to environmental changes. Isoetes L. is one of the earliest basal vascular plants and CAM is popular in this genus. Isoetes sinensis Palmer is an amphibious species, alternating frequently between terrestrial and aquatic environments. Given this, we investigated and compared photosynthetic characteristics over a diurnal cycle under submerged condition (SC) and terrestrial condition (TC). The results suggest that I. sinensis possesses a stronger CAM capacity under SC. Compared with under TC, titratable acidity levels and organic acid concentrations were more enriched under SC, whereas soluble sugar or starch and protein levels were lower under SC. Transcript analyses for nine photosynthetic genes revealed that CAM-associated genes possessed high transcripts under SC, but C3-related transcripts were highly expressed under TC. In addition, the enzyme activity measurements demonstrated that PEPC activity over a diurnal cycle was slightly higher under SC, whereas Rubisco activity during the daytime was greater under TC. This comprehensive study probably facilitates general understandings about the CAM photosynthetic characteristics of Isoetes in response to the environmental changes.

Numerical Schemes for the Hamilton-Jacobi and Level Set Equations on Triangulated Domains

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barth, Timothy J.; Sethian, James A.

1997-01-01

Borrowing from techniques developed for conservation law equations, numerical schemes which discretize the Hamilton-Jacobi (H-J), level set, and Eikonal equations on triangulated domains are presented. The first scheme is a provably monotone discretization for certain forms of the H-J equations. Unfortunately, the basic scheme lacks proper Lipschitz continuity of the numerical Hamiltonian. By employing a virtual edge flipping technique, Lipschitz continuity of the numerical flux is restored on acute triangulations. Next, schemes are introduced and developed based on the weaker concept of positive coefficient approximations for homogeneous Hamiltonians. These schemes possess a discrete maximum principle on arbitrary triangulations and naturally exhibit proper Lipschitz continuity of the numerical Hamiltonian. Finally, a class of Petrov-Galerkin approximations are considered. These schemes are stabilized via a least-squares bilinear form. The Petrov-Galerkin schemes do not possess a discrete maximum principle but generalize to high order accuracy.

Evaluating the suitability of highly cross-linked and remelted materials for use in posterior stabilized knees.

PubMed

Huot, J Caitlin; Van Citters, Douglas W; Currier, John H; Currier, Barbara H; Mayor, Michael B; Collier, John P

2010-11-01

Posterior stabilized (PS) knee designs are a popular choice for cruciate sacrificing knee arthroplasty procedures. The introduction of PS inserts fabricated from highly cross-linked and remelted Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) has recently generated concern as these materials have been shown to possess reduced mechanical properties. This study investigated whether highly cross-linked and remelted UHMWPE material (referred to as XRP) can be expected to perform similarly to historical gamma-air polyethylene, which has suffered few reported incidences of tibial post failure. Never-implanted gamma-air PS tibial inserts shelf-aged 14 years were examined and compared to XRP materials. Evaluation of oxidation levels, impact toughness, and fatigue strength demonstrated never-implanted gamma-air PS tibial inserts to possess nonuniform mechanical properties. Despite severe oxidation along the exterior of gamma-air tibial posts, comparatively low oxidation levels at the center of the tibial posts corresponded to sufficiently high mechanical properties. XRP material (75 kGy) showed superior impact toughness over shelf aged gamma-air material; however, tibial post fatigue testing demonstrated XRP material (100 kGy) to be less resistant to fatigue failure than historical gamma-air material. Results from this study indicate that XRP materials (100 kGy) may demonstrate an inferior resistance to tibial post failure than historical polyethylene. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Collected Engineering Data Sheets (Air Force Data Sheet Program)

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-12-01

alloy is a martensitic precipitation hardenable stainless steel developed by the Armco Steel Corporation. It can be heat treated to high strength levels...I12 HP 9-4-25 The HP 9-4-25 alloy is a nickel-cobalt quenched and tempered martensitic steel possessing excellent toughness at yield strength levels up...H900) Bar (ESR) Material Description This alloy is one of the family of precipitation hardening stainless steels which have found wide usage in

The deterrent effects of Australian street-level drug law enforcement on illicit drug offending at outdoor music festivals.

PubMed

Hughes, Caitlin Elizabeth; Moxham-Hall, Vivienne; Ritter, Alison; Weatherburn, Don; MacCoun, Robert

2017-03-01

Australian and international street-level drug law enforcement deploy many strategies in efforts to prevent or deter illicit drug offending. Limited evidence of deterrence exists. This study assessed the likely impacts of four Australian policing strategies on the incidence and nature of drug use and supply at a common policing target: outdoor music festivals. A purpose-built national online survey (the Drug Policing Survey) was constructed using five hypothetical experimental vignettes that took into account four policing strategies (High Visibility Policing, Riot Policing, Collaborative Policing, and policing with Drug Detection Dogs) and a counter-factual (no police presence). The survey was administered in late 2015 to 2115 people who regularly attend festivals. Participants were block-randomised to receive two vignettes and asked under each whether they would use, possess, purchase, give or sell illicit drugs. Compared to 'no police presence', any police presence led to a 4.6% point reduction in engagement in overall illicit drug offending: reducing in particular willingness to possess or carry drugs into a festival. However, it had minimal or counterproductive impacts on purchasing and supply. For example, given police presence, purchasing of drugs increased significantly within festival grounds. Offending impacts varied between the four policing strategies: Drug Detection Dogs most reduced drug possession but High Visibility Policing most reduced overall drug offending including supply. Multivariate logistic regression showed police presence was not the most significant predictor of offending decisions at festivals. The findings suggest that street-level policing may deter some forms of drug offending at music festivals, but that most impacts will be small. Moreover, it may encourage some perverse impacts such as drug consumers opting to buy drugs within festival grounds rather than carry in their own. We use our findings to highlight trade-offs between the goals of public health promotion and crime control in street-level enforcement. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tyrosine metabolic enzymes from insects and mammals: a comparative perspective.

PubMed

Vavricka, Christopher John; Han, Qian; Mehere, Prajwalini; Ding, Haizhen; Christensen, Bruce M; Li, Jianyong

2014-02-01

Differences in the metabolism of tyrosine between insects and mammals present an interesting example of molecular evolution. Both insects and mammals possess fine-tuned systems of enzymes to meet their specific demands for tyrosine metabolites; however, more homologous enzymes involved in tyrosine metabolism have emerged in many insect species. Without knowledge of modern genomics, one might suppose that mammals, which are generally more complex than insects and require tyrosine as a precursor for important catecholamine neurotransmitters and for melanin, should possess more enzymes to control tyrosine metabolism. Therefore, the question of why insects actually possess more tyrosine metabolic enzymes is quite interesting. It has long been known that insects rely heavily on tyrosine metabolism for cuticle hardening and for innate immune responses, and these evolutionary constraints are likely the key answers to this question. In terms of melanogenesis, mammals also possess a high level of regulation; yet mammalian systems possess more mechanisms for detoxification whereas insects accelerate pathways like melanogenesis and therefore must bear increased oxidative pressure. Our research group has had the opportunity to characterize the structure and function of many key proteins involved in tyrosine metabolism from both insects and mammals. In this mini review we will give a brief overview of our research on tyrosine metabolic enzymes in the scope of an evolutionary perspective of mammals in comparison to insects. © 2013 Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Indiana: The State and Its Educational System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hodgkinson, Harold L.

Much of Indiana is sparsely populated and is concerned with agricultural activity; 70 percent of the state's population lives in its 13 metro areas. Partly because residents have done well without high levels of education, a small proportion of adults possess college degrees. Currently, many new jobs in Indiana are at the low end of services that…

Code Switching among Bilingual and Limited English Proficient Students: Possible Indicators of Giftedness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hughes, Claire E.; Shaunessy, Elizabeth S.; Brice, Alejandro R.; Ratliff, Mary Anne; McHatton, Patricia Alvarez

2006-01-01

Code switching includes the use of complete sentences, phrases, and borrowed words from another language (Brice & Brice, 2000). It is a common linguistic phenomenon noted among bilingual populations. In order to code switch effectively, students must possess a high level of understanding of the 2 cultures, as well as a deep understanding of the…

Toward achieving flexible and high sensitivity hexagonal boron nitride neutron detectors

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

Maity, A.; Grenadier, S. J.; Li, J.

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) detectors have demonstrated the highest thermal neutron detection efficiency to date among solid-state neutron detectors at about 51%. We report here the realization of h-BN neutron detectors possessing one order of magnitude enhancement in the detection area but maintaining an equal level of detection efficiency of previous achievement.

Toward achieving flexible and high sensitivity hexagonal boron nitride neutron detectors

DOE PAGES

Maity, A.; Grenadier, S. J.; Li, J.; ...

2017-07-17

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) detectors have demonstrated the highest thermal neutron detection efficiency to date among solid-state neutron detectors at about 51%. We report here the realization of h-BN neutron detectors possessing one order of magnitude enhancement in the detection area but maintaining an equal level of detection efficiency of previous achievement.

Determining the satisfaction levels of the family members of patients with advanced-stage cancer.

PubMed

Ozcelik, Hanife; Cakmak, Deniz Ezgi; Fadiloglu, Cicek; Yildirim, Yasemin; Uslu, Ruchan

2015-06-01

The objective of our study was to determine the satisfaction levels of family members of patients with advanced-stage cancer. This descriptive study was conducted in the palliative care and medical oncology clinics of a university hospital in the province of Izmir between April of 2011 and January of 2012. The study sample consisted of a total of 145 family members, who were selected from among the family members of patients with advanced-stage cancer receiving palliative treatment. The study data were obtained using the Patient Description Form and Family Satisfaction Scale during face-to-face interviews with patients. Some 67% of patients were female and 33% male, 70% were married, 35% were high school graduates, and 34.5% were housewives. The average total family satisfaction score was 76.87 ± 1.14, and the average scores for the component variables were as follows: information giving 74.37 ± 1.28, availability of care 78.40 ± 1.17, physical care 78.99 ± 1.09, and psychosocial care 74.52 ± 1.30. We found a relationship between the level of satisfaction of family members and (1) gender, (2) occupation, (3) presence of someone supporting the care, and (4) possession of sufficient information about the patient (p < 0.05). Satisfaction levels of participants were determined to be high. We found that family member satisfaction levels were affected by gender and occupation, the existence of someone supporting the care, and possession of sufficient information about the patient.

Pollution, ecological-health risks, and sources of heavy metals in soil of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

PubMed

Wu, Jun; Lu, Jian; Li, Leiming; Min, Xiuyun; Luo, Yongming

2018-06-01

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, especially the northeastern region, is not a pure land any more due to recently increasing anthropogenic activities. This study collected soil samples from 70 sites of the northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to evaluate pollution, ecological-health risks, and possible pollution sources of heavy metals. The concentrations of heavy metals in soil were relatively high. Values of geo-accumulation index exhibited that Hg pollution was the most serious meanwhile Hg possessed the strongest enrichment feature based on enrichment factor values. The modified degrees of contamination showed that about 54.3% and 17.1% of sampling sites were at moderate and high contamination degree while pollution load indexes illustrated that 72.9% and 27.1% of sampling sites possessed moderate and high contamination level, respectively. Ecological risk indexes of heavy metals in soil ranged from 234.6 to 3759.0, suggesting that most of sites were under considerable/very high risks. Cancer risks for adults and children were determined as high and high-very high levels while non-cancer risks for children were high although those for adults were low. Industrial source contributed to the main fraction of ecological and health risks. Summarily speaking, heavy metals in soil of the study area has caused significantly serious pollution and exerted high potential ecological and health risks, especially for children who are more susceptible to hurt from pollutants. Therefore, more efficient and strict pollution control and management in study area should be put out as soon as possible. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Can the DSM-5 differentiate between nonpathological possession and dissociative identity disorder? A case study from an Afro-Brazilian religion.

PubMed

Delmonte, Romara; Lucchetti, Giancarlo; Moreira-Almeida, Alexander; Farias, Miguel

2016-01-01

The aim of this article is to examine whether the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), are able to differentiate between nonpathological religious possession and dissociative identity disorder (DID). We use the case study of an individual who leads an Afro-Brazilian religious group (Umbanda), focusing on her personal development and possession experiences from early childhood to the present, spanning a period of more than 40 years, and examine these data following DSM-5 criteria for DID (300.14). Her experiences of possession can be broken into 2 distinct stages. In the 1st stage (childhood and early adulthood), she displayed intrusive thoughts and a lack of control over possession states, which were associated with a heightened state of anxiety, loneliness, amnesia, and family conflict (meeting all 5 criteria for DID). In the 2nd stage (late 20s up to the present), she regularly experienced possession states but felt in control of their onset and found them religiously meaningful. In this 2nd stage, she only fulfilled 3 criteria for DID. We question the accuracy of diagnosing this individual with DID in her earlier life and suggest that the DSM-5 criteria fail to address the ambiguity of affect surrounding possession experiences (positive at the individual level, negative at the interpersonal level) and lack a clearer acknowledgment of the prevalence of possession and other unusual experiences in general populations.

10 CFR 2.103 - Action on applications for byproduct, source, special nuclear material, facility and operator...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... State Materials and Environmental Management Programs, or Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety... Reorganization Act, and this chapter, he will issue a license. If the license is for a facility, or for receipt... operations area under parts 60 or 63 of this chapter, or if it is to receive and possess high-level...

Personality Predispositions to Depression in Children of Affectively-Ill Parents: The Buffering Role of Self-Esteem

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abela, John R. Z.; Fishman, Michael B.; Cohen, Joseph R.; Young, Jami F.

2012-01-01

A major theory of personality predispositions to depression posits that individuals who possess high levels of self-criticism and/or dependency are vulnerable to developing depression following negative life events. The goal of the current study was to test this theory of personality predispositions and the self-esteem buffering hypothesis in a…

The New Pupil Proficiency Law as Viewed by Its Author. ACSA Special Report Vol. 6, No. 7.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hart, Gary K.

The purpose of AB 3408 is 1) to create public dialogue and systematic accountability at the local level regarding the skills high school graduates should possess, and 2) to encourage schools to focus attention on students who have difficulty mastering reading, writing, or mathematics skills. The legislation requires all school districts…

Sustained Satellite Missions for Climate Data Records

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halpern, David

2012-01-01

Satellite CDRs possess the accuracy, longevity, and stability for sustained moni toring of critical variables to enhance understanding of the global integrated Earth system and predict future conditions. center dot Satellite CDRs are a critical element of a global climate observing system. center dot Satellite CDRs are a difficult challenge and require high - level managerial commitment, extensive intellectual capital, and adequate funding.

Communication Behaviors of Principals at High Performing Title I Elementary Schools in Virginia: School Leaders, Communication, and Transformative Efforts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tyler, Dawn E.

2016-01-01

Principals of modern Title I elementary schools, where at least half of the student population lives in poverty, must possess a broader set of leadership skills than has been historically necessary. The ability to motivate teachers utilizing effective communication is one such skill set. This qualitative research proposes a division-level training…

Enzyme immunoassays for IgG and IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii based on enhanced chemiluminescence.

PubMed Central

Crouch, C F

1995-01-01

AIMS--To evaluate the clinical performance of enzyme immunoassays for IgG and IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii based on enhanced chemiluminescence. METHODS--Classification of routine clinical samples from the originating laboratories was compared with that obtained using the chemiluminescence based assays. Resolution of discordant results was achieved by testing in alternative enzyme immunoassays (IgM) or by an independent laboratory using the dye test (IgG). RESULTS--Compared with resolved data, the IgM assay was found to be highly specific (100%) with a cut off selected to give optimal performance with respect to both the early detection of specific IgM and the detection of persistent levels of specific IgM (sensitivity 98%). Compared with resolved data, the IgG assay was shown to have a sensitivity and a specificity of 99.4%. CONCLUSIONS--The Amerlite Toxo IgM assay possesses high levels of sensitivity and specificity. Assay interference due to rheumatoid factor like substances is not a problem. The Amerlite Toxo IgG assay possesses good sensitivity and specificity, but is less sensitive for the detection of seroconversion than methods detecting both IgG and IgM. PMID:7560174

Levels of Possession of Science Process Skills by Final Year Students of Colleges of Education in South-Eastern States of Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Akani, Omiko

2015-01-01

This study investigated the levels of possession of science process skills by final year Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) Students in colleges of Education in South-Eastern States of Nigeria. The skills that were assessed were observation, experimentation, measurement, communication, and inference. The research was guided by five research…

Do drug seizures predict drug-related emergency department presentations or arrests for drug use and possession?

PubMed

Wan, Wai-Yin; Weatherburn, Don; Wardlaw, Grant; Sarafidis, Vasilis; Sara, Grant

2016-01-01

Direct evidence of the effect of drug seizures on drug use and drug-related harm is fairly sparse. The aim of this study was to see whether seizures of heroin, cocaine and ATS predict the number of people arrested for use and possession of these drugs and the number overdosing on them. We examined the effect of seizure frequency and seizure weight on arrests for drug use and possession and on the frequency of drug overdose with autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models. Granger causality tests were used to test for simultaneity. Over the short term (i.e. up to 4 months), increases in the intensity of high-level drug law enforcement (as measured by seizure weight and frequency) directed at ATS, cocaine and heroin did not appear to have any suppression effect on emergency department (ED) presentations relating to ATS, cocaine and heroin, or on arrests for use and/or possession of these drugs. A significant negative contemporaneous relationship was found between the heroin seizure weight and arrests for use and/or possession of heroin. However no evidence emerged of a contemporaneous or lagged relationship between heroin seizures and heroin ED presentations. The balance of evidence suggests that, in the Australian context, increases in the monthly seizure frequency and quantity of ATS, cocaine and heroin are signals of increased rather than reduced supply. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices in tamarind (Tamarindus indica L) use and conservation in Eastern Uganda.

PubMed

Ebifa-Othieno, Esther; Mugisha, Antony; Nyeko, Philip; Kabasa, John David

2017-01-21

Tamarindus indica L is one of the indigenous fruit tree species that traditionally contributes to food security and ecosystem stability in sub-Saharan Africa. We hypothesized that the indigenous people of Eastern Uganda have used T. indica for generations and developed practices that promote its conservation and therefore we expected that they possess an elaborate indigenous knowledge (IK) system and that most of them have planted the species. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of IK, attitudes and practices on the use and conservation of T. indica. A cross sectional survey was conducted in two districts purposively selected from the T. indica natural range. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews and observation were used to collect data. Data was processed using qualitative analytical methods. Tamarindus indica was highly valued by the majority of the population. Tamarindus indica was used for food, medicinal, cultural, social, environmental amelioration and income generation purposes. The population possessed a high level of IK about T. indica evidenced by 18 categories of uses and multiple modes of use. Fruit pulp was the most commonly used tamarind product. Relative frequency of citation of the different uses provides insight into usage levels and IK possessed. The communities' food and medicinal uses concurred with scientific reports of health benefits of consuming T. indica. Approximately half of respondents had T. indica on their compounds or homegardens (53%). Fifty two percent of the tamarind population was self-propagated, 45% were planted while the propagation history for the remaining 3% was not known. Constraints towards planting T. indica included limited land, long maturation period and low monetary value. Fifty three percent of those who were growing T. indica did not carry out any silvicultural practices. The majority of T. indica encountered (87%) was intercropped with other crops or trees. Several beliefs and taboos regarding T. indica persist. Tamarindus indica has a high use value in the study area evidenced by multiple uses. Indigenous knowledge and uses concurred with scientifically proven nutritional and medicinal attributes of T. indica in literature which is significant given current trends towards affordable functional foods. The high level of IK has not translated into high rates of planting T. indica. There is need to encourage value-addition so as to maximize T. indica benefits and enhance conservation.

Readiness for practice: a survey of neurosurgery graduates and program directors.

PubMed

Haji, Faizal A; Steven, David A

2014-11-01

Postgraduate neurosurgical education is undergoing significant reform, including transition to a competency-based training model. To support these efforts, the purpose of this study was to determine neurosurgical graduates' and program directors' (PDs) opinions about graduates' level of competence in reference to the 2010 Royal College Objectives of Training in Neurosurgery. An electronic survey was distributed to Canadian neurosurgery PDs and graduates from 2011. The questionnaire addressed graduates' abilities in nonprocedural knowledge and skills, CanMEDS roles, proficiency with core neurosurgical procedures and knowledge of complex neurosurgical techniques. Thirteen of 22 (59%) graduate and 17/25 (65%) PD surveys were completed. There were no significant differences between PD and graduate responses. Most respondents agreed that these graduates possess the knowledge and skills expected of an independently practicing neurosurgeon across current objectives of training. A small proportion felt some graduates did not achieve this level of proficiency on specific vascular, functional, peripheral nerve and endoscopic procedures. This was partially attributed to limited exposure to these procedures during training and perceptions that some techniques required fellowship-level training. Graduating neurosurgical residents are perceived to possess a high level of proficiency in the majority of neurosurgical practice domains. Inadequate exposure during training or a perception that subspecialists should perform some procedures may contribute to cases where proficiency is not as high. The trends identified in this study could be monitored on an ongoing basis to provide supplemental data to guide curricular decisions in Canadian neurosurgical training.

Relationships between body composition and fundamental movement skills among children and adolescents.

PubMed

Okely, Anthony D; Booth, Michael L; Chey, Tien

2004-09-01

The purpose of this study was to examine associations of fundamental movement skills (FMS) with measures of body composition among children and adolescents. Secondary analyses of cross-sectional data collected from 4,363 children and adolescents in Grades 4, 6, 8, and 10 as part of the 1997 New South Wales Schools Fitness and Physical Activity Survey were conducted. Six FMS (run, vertical jump, throw, catch, kick, and strike) were assessed by observation. Height and weight (used to calculate body mass index; BMI) and waist circumference were directly measured. Results indicated that the children's and adolescents' ability to perform FMS was significantly related to BMI and waist circumference. Specifically, BMI and waist circumference were significant predictors for FMS in six of the eight demographic groups. Adjusted odds ratios revealed that overweight boys and girls in all grades were less likely to possess high levels of FMS and more likely to possess low levels of FMS than those who weren't overweight. When FMS were partitioned into locomotor and object-control skills, nonoverweight boys and girls in each grade were two to three times more likely to possess more advanced locomotor skills than overweight boys and girls. However, for object-control skills, the only demographic groups in which nonoverweight students possessed a greater number of advanced skills than overweight students were boys in Grades 6 and 10. There appear to be significant and important associations between performance of locomotor skills and weight status among children and adolescents. This would suggest that intervention strategies to prevent unhealthy weight gain among children and youth might usefully include increasing proficiency of locomotor skills as a key component.

Deposition and characterization of aluminum magnesium boride thin film coatings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian, Yun

Boron-rich borides are a special group of materials possessing complex structures typically comprised of B12 icosahedra. All of the boron-rich borides sharing this common structural unit exhibit a variety of exceptional physical and electrical properties. In this work, a new ternary boride compound AlMgB14, which has been extensively studied in bulk form due to its novel mechanical properties, was fabricated into thin film coatings by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technology. The effect of processing conditions (laser operating modes, vacuum level, substrate temperature, and postannealing, etc.) on the composition, microstructure evolution, chemical bonding, and surface morphology of AlMgB14 thin film coatings has been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry; the mechanical, electrical, and optical properties of AlMgB14 thin films have been characterized by nanoindentation, four-point probe, van der Pauw Hall measurement, activation energy measurement, and UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer. Experimental results show that AlMgB14 films deposited in the temperature range of 300 K - 873 K are amorphous. Depositions under a low vacuum level (5 x 10-5 Torr) can introduce a significant amount of C and O impurities into AlMgB14 films and lead to a complex oxide glass structure. Orthorhombic AlMgB14 phase cannot be obtained by subsequent high temperature annealing. By contrast, the orthorhombic AlMgB 14 crystal structure can be attained via high temperature-annealing of AlMgB14 films deposited under a high vacuum level (< 3 x 10-6 Torr), accompanied by strong texture formation. Low vacuum level-as deposited AlMgB14 films have low hardness (10 GPa), but high vacuum level-as deposited AlMgB14 films exhibit an extremely high hardness (45 GPa - 51 GPa), and the higher deposition temperature results in still higher hardness. Furthermore, a very low friction coefficient (0.04 - 0.05) has been observed for high vacuum level-as deposited AlMgB14 films, which could be ascribed to the in situ formation of a surface self-lubricating layer. Unlike most boron-rich boride films, high vacuum level-as deposited AlMgB14 films also possess a low n-type electrical resistivity, which is a consequence of high carrier concentration and moderate carrier mobility. The operative electrical transport mechanism and doping behavior for high vacuum level-as deposited AlMgB14 films are discussed in detail in this thesis.

Syringe possession arrests are associated with receptive syringe sharing in two Mexico-US border cities

PubMed Central

Pollini, Robin A.; Brouwer, Kimberly C.; Lozada, Remedios M.; Ramos, Rebeca; Cruz, Michelle F.; Magis-Rodriguez, Carlos; Case, Patricia; Burris, Scott; Pu, Minya; Frost, Simon D. W.; Palinkas, Lawrence A.; Miller, Cari; Strathdee, Steffanie A.

2008-01-01

Aims To identify factors associated with receptive syringe sharing among injection drug users (IDUs) and elucidate the association between syringe possession arrests and syringe sharing. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Mexican border cities of Tijuana, Baja California and Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. Participants IDUs in Tijuana (n = 222) and Ciudad Juarez (n = 206) were recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). IDUs were ≥18 years and had injected illicit drugs in the past month. Measurements An interviewer-administered survey was used to collect quantitative data on socio-demographic, behavioral and contextual characteristics, including self-reported syringe sharing and arrests for syringe possession. Associations with receptive syringe sharing were investigated using logistic regression with RDS adjustment. Findings Overall, 48% of participants reported ever being arrested for carrying an unused/sterile syringe, even though syringe purchase and possession is legal in Mexico. Arrest for possessing unused/sterile syringes was associated independently with receptive syringe sharing [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.26, 3.35], as was injecting in a shooting gallery (AOR = 3.60; 95% CI: 2.21, 5.87), injecting in the street (AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.54) and injecting methamphetamine (AOR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.41, 5.47) or cocaine (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.15, 3.36). More than half of participants (57%) had been arrested for possessing a used syringe; in a second model, arrest for used syringe possession was also associated independently with receptive sharing (AOR = 2.87; 95% CI: 1.76, 4.69). Conclusions We documented high levels of syringe-related arrests in two Mexican–US border cities and an independent association between these arrests and risky injection practices. Public health collaborations with law enforcement to modify the risk environment in which drug use occurs are essential to facilitate safer injection practices. PMID:18028520

The Effect of Level of Information as Presented by Different Technologies on Students' Understanding of Acid, Base, and pH Concepts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nakhleh, Mary B.; Krajcik, Joseph S.

Within high school chemistry the topic of acids, bases, and pH is particularly challenging because robust understanding of the topic depends heavily on the student possessing deep concepts of atoms, molecules, ions, and chemical reactions. Since knowledge is acquired and stored in a dynamic structure, it was investigated in this study how…

An assessment of Lot Quality Assurance Sampling to evaluate malaria outcome indicators: extending malaria indicator surveys.

PubMed

Biedron, Caitlin; Pagano, Marcello; Hedt, Bethany L; Kilian, Albert; Ratcliffe, Amy; Mabunda, Samuel; Valadez, Joseph J

2010-02-01

Large investments and increased global prioritization of malaria prevention and treatment have resulted in greater emphasis on programme monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in many countries. Many countries currently use large multistage cluster sample surveys to monitor malaria outcome indicators on a regional and national level. However, these surveys often mask local-level variability important to programme management. Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) has played a valuable role for local-level programme M&E. If incorporated into these larger surveys, it would provide a comprehensive M&E plan at little, if any, extra cost. The Mozambique Ministry of Health conducted a Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) in June and July 2007. We applied LQAS classification rules to the 345 sampled enumeration areas to demonstrate identifying high- and low-performing areas with respect to two malaria program indicators-'household possession of any bednet' and 'household possession of any insecticide-treated bednet (ITN)'. As shown by the MIS, no province in Mozambique achieved the 70% coverage target for household possession of bednets or ITNs. By applying LQAS classification rules to the data, we identify 266 of the 345 enumeration areas as having bednet coverage severely below the 70% target. An additional 73 were identified with low ITN coverage. This article demonstrates the feasibility of integrating LQAS into multistage cluster sampling surveys and using these results to support a comprehensive national, regional and local programme M&E system. Furthermore, in the recommendations we outlined how to integrate the Large Country-LQAS design into macro-surveys while still obtaining results available through current sampling practices.

Separation of Ellagitannin-Rich Phenolics from U.S. Pecans and Chinese Hickory Nuts Using Fused-Core HPLC Columns and Their Characterization.

PubMed

Gong, Yi; Pegg, Ronald B

2017-07-19

U.S. pecans and Chinese hickory nuts possess a wide array of phenolic constituents with potential health benefits including phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins. Only limited information is available, however, on their compositions. The present study optimized the separation performance and characterized the low-molecular-weight phenolic fractions of these nuts with C18 and pentafluorophenyl (PFP) fused-core LC columns by employing a kinetic approach. Although both types of reversed-phase columns demonstrated similar performance in general, the PFP column furnished greater plate numbers and superior peak shapes for the low-molecular-weight fractions as well as overall separations of ellagic acid derivatives. The high-molecular-weight fraction of pecans, analyzed by a 3-μm HILIC column, possessed more proanthocyanidins than the Chinese hickory nuts with dimers and trimers (31.4 and 18.34 mg/g crude extract, respectively) being present at the greatest levels. Chinese hickory nuts had lower proanthocyanidin content but possessed tetramers and pentamers at 4.46 and 4.01 mg/g crude extract, respectively.

Direct Growth of Graphene Films on 3D Grating Structural Quartz Substrates for High-Performance Pressure-Sensitive Sensors.

PubMed

Song, Xuefen; Sun, Tai; Yang, Jun; Yu, Leyong; Wei, Dacheng; Fang, Liang; Lu, Bin; Du, Chunlei; Wei, Dapeng

2016-07-06

Conformal graphene films have directly been synthesized on the surface of grating microstructured quartz substrates by a simple chemical vapor deposition process. The wonderful conformality and relatively high quality of the as-prepared graphene on the three-dimensional substrate have been verified by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectra. This conformal graphene film possesses excellent electrical and optical properties with a sheet resistance of <2000 Ω·sq(-1) and a transmittance of >80% (at 550 nm), which can be attached with a flat graphene film on a poly(dimethylsiloxane) substrate, and then could work as a pressure-sensitive sensor. This device possesses a high-pressure sensitivity of -6.524 kPa(-1) in a low-pressure range of 0-200 Pa. Meanwhile, this pressure-sensitive sensor exhibits super-reliability (≥5000 cycles) and an ultrafast response time (≤4 ms). Owing to these features, this pressure-sensitive sensor based on 3D conformal graphene is adequately introduced to test wind pressure, expressing higher accuracy and a lower background noise level than a market anemometer.

The PSA−/lo prostate cancer cell population harbors self-renewing long-term tumor-propagating cells that resist castration

PubMed Central

Qin, Jichao; Liu, Xin; Laffin, Brian; Chen, Xin; Choy, Grace; Jeter, Collene; Calhoun-Davis, Tammy; Li, Hangwen; Palapattu, Ganesh S.; Pang, Shen; Lin, Kevin; Huang, Jiaoti; Ivanov, Ivan; Li, Wei; Suraneni, Mahipal V.; Tang, Dean G.

2012-01-01

SUMMARY Prostate cancer (PCa) is heterogeneous and contains both differentiated and undifferentiated tumor cells, but the relative functional contribution of these two cell populations remains unclear. Here we report distinct molecular, cellular, and tumor-propagating properties of PCa cells that express high (PSA+) and low (PSA−/lo) levels of the differentiation marker PSA. PSA−/lo PCa cells are quiescent and refractory to stresses including androgen deprivation, exhibit high clonogenic potential, and possess long-term tumor-propagating capacity. They preferentially express stem cell genes and can undergo asymmetric cell division generating PSA+ cells. Importantly, PSA−/lo PCa cells can initiate robust tumor development and resist androgen ablation in castrated hosts, and harbor highly tumorigenic castration-resistant PCa cells that can be prospectively enriched using ALDH+CD44+α2β1+ phenotype. In contrast, PSA+ PCa cells possess more limited tumor-propagating capacity, undergo symmetric division and are sensitive to castration. Together, our study suggests PSA−/lo cells may represent a critical source of castration-resistant PCa cells. PMID:22560078

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

Kersten, Roland D.; Diedrich, Jolene K.; Yates, III, John R.

Terpenes are ubiquitous natural chemicals with diverse biological functions spanning all three domains of life. In specialized metabolism, the active sites of terpene synthases (TPSs) evolve in shape and reactivity to direct the biosynthesis of a myriad of chemotypes for organismal fitness. As most terpene biosynthesis mechanistically involves highly reactive carbocationic intermediates, the protein surfaces catalyzing these cascade reactions possess reactive regions possibly prone to premature carbocation capture and potentially enzyme inactivation. Here, we show using proteomic and X-ray crystallographic analyses that cationic intermediates undergo capture by conserved active site residues leading to inhibitory self-alkylation. Furthermore, the level of cation-mediatedmore » inactivation increases with mutation of the active site, upon changes in the size and structure of isoprenoid diphosphate substrates, and alongside increases in reaction temperatures. TPSs that individually synthesize multiple products are less prone to self-alkylation then TPSs possessing relatively high product specificity. In total, the results presented suggest that mechanism-based alkylation represents an overlooked mechanistic pressure during the evolution of cation-derived terpene biosynthesis.« less

Long-term acclimatory response to excess excitation energy: evidence for a role of hydrogen peroxide in the regulation of photosystem II antenna size.

PubMed

Borisova-Mubarakshina, Maria M; Ivanov, Boris N; Vetoshkina, Daria V; Lubimov, Valeriy Y; Fedorchuk, Tatyana P; Naydov, Ilya A; Kozuleva, Marina A; Rudenko, Natalia N; Dall'Osto, Luca; Cazzaniga, Stefano; Bassi, Roberto

2015-12-01

Higher plants possess the ability to trigger a long-term acclimatory response to different environmental light conditions through the regulation of the light-harvesting antenna size of photosystem II. The present study provides an insight into the molecular nature of the signal which initiates the high light-mediated response of a reduction in antenna size. Using barley (Hordeum vulgare) plants, it is shown (i) that the light-harvesting antenna size is not reduced in high light with a low hydrogen peroxide content in the leaves; and (ii) that a decrease in the antenna size is observed in low light in the presence of an elevated concentration of hydrogen peroxide in the leaves. In particular, it has been demonstrated that the ability to reduce the antenna size of photosystem II in high light is restricted to photosynthetic apparatus with a reduced level of the plastoquinone pool and with a low hydrogen peroxide content. Conversely, the reduction of antenna size in low light is induced in photosynthetic apparatus possessing elevated hydrogen peroxide even when the reduction level of the plastoquinone pool is low. Hydrogen peroxide affects the relative abundance of the antenna proteins that modulate the antenna size of photosystem II through a down-regulation of the corresponding lhcb mRNA levels. This work shows that hydrogen peroxide contributes to triggering the photosynthetic apparatus response for the reduction of the antenna size of photosystem II by being the molecular signal for the long-term acclimation of plants to high light. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Constrained hierarchical least square nonlinear equation solvers. [for indefinite stiffness and large structural deformations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Padovan, J.; Lackney, J.

1986-01-01

The current paper develops a constrained hierarchical least square nonlinear equation solver. The procedure can handle the response behavior of systems which possess indefinite tangent stiffness characteristics. Due to the generality of the scheme, this can be achieved at various hierarchical application levels. For instance, in the case of finite element simulations, various combinations of either degree of freedom, nodal, elemental, substructural, and global level iterations are possible. Overall, this enables a solution methodology which is highly stable and storage efficient. To demonstrate the capability of the constrained hierarchical least square methodology, benchmarking examples are presented which treat structure exhibiting highly nonlinear pre- and postbuckling behavior wherein several indefinite stiffness transitions occur.

A village possessed by "witches": a mixed-methods case-control study of possession and common mental disorders in rural Nepal.

PubMed

Sapkota, Ram P; Gurung, Dristy; Neupane, Deepa; Shah, Santosh K; Kienzler, Hanna; Kirmayer, Laurence J

2014-12-01

In Nepal, spirit possession is a common phenomenon occurring both in individuals and in groups. To identify the cultural contexts and psychosocial correlates of spirit possession, we conducted a mixed-method study in a village in central Nepal experiencing a cluster of spirit possession events. The study was carried out in three stages: (1) a pilot study consisting of informal interviews with possessed individuals, observations of the possession spells, and video recording of possession events; (2) a case-control study comparing the prevalence of symptoms of common mental disorders in women who had and had not experienced possession; and (3) a follow-up study with focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with possessed and non-possessed men and women, and key informants. Quantitative results indicated that possessed women reported higher rates of traumatic events and higher levels of symptoms of mental disorder compared to non-possessed women (Anxiety 68 vs. 18 %, Depression 41 vs. 19 %, and PTSD 27 vs. 0 %). However, qualitative interviews with possessed individuals, family members, and traditional healers indicated that they did not associate possession states with mental illness. Spirit possession was viewed as an affliction that provided a unique mode of communication between humans and spirits. As such, it functioned as an idiom of distress that allowed individuals to express suffering related to mental illness, socio-political violence, traumatic events, and the oppression of women. The study results clearly indicate that spirit possession is a multi-dimensional phenomenon that cannot be mapped onto any single psychiatric or psychological diagnostic category or construct. Clinical and public health efforts to address spirit possession must take the socio-cultural context and systemic dynamics into account to avoid creating iatrogenic illness, undermining coping strategies, and exacerbating underlying social problems.

Parental Divorce and Midshipmen Performance at the United States Naval Academy

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-06-01

1992). Additionally, low self - esteem , feelings of insecurity and perceived abandonment are common in the aftermath of parental divorce (Glenn and...distanced themselves from parental pressures for allegiance, a more realistic view of the world and increased self - esteem (Wallerstein & Kelly, 1976...At the five-year post-divorce time frame, 34% of children possessed high levels of self - esteem and were coping competently at home and school. A

Development and Assessment of a Dual-Mode, Noise-Immune Stethoscope for Combat Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-04-01

unusable. A need exists for a stethoscope that can detect heart and lung auscultation in the presence of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, as well as...in ambulances and other operational environments where the ambient noise level precludes auscultation with a standard stethoscope. Possessing this...allows auscultation in high-noise environments. Because even modern military vehicles do not produce acoustic energy at the ultrasound carrier

55. Photograph of Original Plan (original plans in the possession ...

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

55. Photograph of Original Plan (original plans in the possession of the Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal Corporation) BAGGAGE AND EXPRESS UNITY, STREET LEVEL FLOOR PLAN, SECTION III - Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal, Tracks & Shed, 800 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA

An assessment of Lot Quality Assurance Sampling to evaluate malaria outcome indicators: extending malaria indicator surveys

PubMed Central

Biedron, Caitlin; Pagano, Marcello; Hedt, Bethany L; Kilian, Albert; Ratcliffe, Amy; Mabunda, Samuel; Valadez, Joseph J

2010-01-01

Background Large investments and increased global prioritization of malaria prevention and treatment have resulted in greater emphasis on programme monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in many countries. Many countries currently use large multistage cluster sample surveys to monitor malaria outcome indicators on a regional and national level. However, these surveys often mask local-level variability important to programme management. Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) has played a valuable role for local-level programme M&E. If incorporated into these larger surveys, it would provide a comprehensive M&E plan at little, if any, extra cost. Methods The Mozambique Ministry of Health conducted a Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) in June and July 2007. We applied LQAS classification rules to the 345 sampled enumeration areas to demonstrate identifying high- and low-performing areas with respect to two malaria program indicators—‘household possession of any bednet’ and ‘household possession of any insecticide-treated bednet (ITN)’. Results As shown by the MIS, no province in Mozambique achieved the 70% coverage target for household possession of bednets or ITNs. By applying LQAS classification rules to the data, we identify 266 of the 345 enumeration areas as having bednet coverage severely below the 70% target. An additional 73 were identified with low ITN coverage. Conclusions This article demonstrates the feasibility of integrating LQAS into multistage cluster sampling surveys and using these results to support a comprehensive national, regional and local programme M&E system. Furthermore, in the recommendations we outlined how to integrate the Large Country-LQAS design into macro-surveys while still obtaining results available through current sampling practices. PMID:20139435

Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on endothelial cell-derived microparticles, angiopoietins and adiponectin in patients with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Nomura, Shosaku; Shouzu, Akira; Omoto, Seitarou; Inami, Norihito; Ueba, Tetsuya; Urase, Fumiaki; Maeda, Yasuhiro

2009-04-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EDMP), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and adiponectin in hyperlipidemic patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus, and to compare the two for the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on these markers. One hundred and twenty-six hyperlipidemic patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus received EPA 1,800 mg daily, and 50 of the patients were non-diabetic. EDMP and Ang-2 levels prior to treatment were higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients, whereas adiponectin levels were lower in diabetics. When diabetic patients were classified into two groups on the basis of Ang-2 levels, the levels of all markers remained unchanged in those without a high Ang-2 level after EPA treatment. In contrast, all markers except for adiponectin were decreased significantly in diabetic patients with high Ang-2 levels after 6 months of EPA treatment. These diabetic patients with high Ang-2 levels displayed a more significant increase in adiponectin levels after EPA treatment than those who did not. These results suggest that EPA possesses an adiponectin-dependent anti-atherosclerotic effect and may be beneficial for the prevention of vascular complications in diabetic patients with high Ang-2 levels.

Key Elements for Judging the Quality of a Risk Assessment

PubMed Central

Fenner-Crisp, Penelope A.; Dellarco, Vicki L.

2016-01-01

Background: Many reports have been published that contain recommendations for improving the quality, transparency, and usefulness of decision making for risk assessments prepared by agencies of the U.S. federal government. A substantial measure of consensus has emerged regarding the characteristics that high-quality assessments should possess. Objective: The goal was to summarize the key characteristics of a high-quality assessment as identified in the consensus-building process and to integrate them into a guide for use by decision makers, risk assessors, peer reviewers and other interested stakeholders to determine if an assessment meets the criteria for high quality. Discussion: Most of the features cited in the guide are applicable to any type of assessment, whether it encompasses one, two, or all four phases of the risk-assessment paradigm; whether it is qualitative or quantitative; and whether it is screening level or highly sophisticated and complex. Other features are tailored to specific elements of an assessment. Just as agencies at all levels of government are responsible for determining the effectiveness of their programs, so too should they determine the effectiveness of their assessments used in support of their regulatory decisions. Furthermore, if a nongovernmental entity wishes to have its assessments considered in the governmental regulatory decision-making process, then these assessments should be judged in the same rigorous manner and be held to similar standards. Conclusions: The key characteristics of a high-quality assessment can be summarized and integrated into a guide for judging whether an assessment possesses the desired features of high quality, transparency, and usefulness. Citation: Fenner-Crisp PA, Dellarco VL. 2016. Key elements for judging the quality of a risk assessment. Environ Health Perspect 124:1127–1135; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1510483 PMID:26862984

CD94 surface density identifies a functional intermediary between the CD56bright and CD56dim human NK-cell subsets

PubMed Central

Mao, Hsiaoyin C.; Wei, Min; Hughes, Tiffany; Zhang, Jianying; Park, Il-kyoo; Liu, Shujun; McClory, Susan; Marcucci, Guido; Trotta, Rossana

2010-01-01

Human CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells possess little or no killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), high interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production, but little cytotoxicity. CD56dim NK cells have high KIR expression, produce little IFN-γ, yet display high cytotoxicity. We hypothesized that, if human NK maturation progresses from a CD56bright to a CD56dim phenotype, an intermediary NK cell must exist, which demonstrates more functional overlap than these 2 subsets, and we used CD94 expression to test our hypothesis. CD94highCD56dim NK cells express CD62L, CD2, and KIR at levels between CD56bright and CD94lowCD56dim NK cells. CD94highCD56dim NK cells produce less monokine-induced IFN-γ than CD56bright NK cells but much more than CD94lowCD56dim NK cells because of differential interleukin-12–mediated STAT4 phosphorylation. CD94highCD56dim NK cells possess a higher level of granzyme B and perforin expression and CD94-mediated redirected killing than CD56bright NK cells but lower than CD94lowCD56dim NK cells. Collectively, our data suggest that the density of CD94 surface expression on CD56dim NK cells identifies a functional and likely developmental intermediary between CD56bright and CD94lowCD56dim NK cells. This supports the notion that, in vivo, human CD56bright NK cells progress through a continuum of differentiation that ends with a CD94lowCD56dim phenotype. PMID:19897577

CD94 surface density identifies a functional intermediary between the CD56bright and CD56dim human NK-cell subsets.

PubMed

Yu, Jianhua; Mao, Hsiaoyin C; Wei, Min; Hughes, Tiffany; Zhang, Jianying; Park, Il-kyoo; Liu, Shujun; McClory, Susan; Marcucci, Guido; Trotta, Rossana; Caligiuri, Michael A

2010-01-14

Human CD56(bright) natural killer (NK) cells possess little or no killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs), high interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production, but little cytotoxicity. CD56(dim) NK cells have high KIR expression, produce little IFN-gamma, yet display high cytotoxicity. We hypothesized that, if human NK maturation progresses from a CD56(bright) to a CD56(dim) phenotype, an intermediary NK cell must exist, which demonstrates more functional overlap than these 2 subsets, and we used CD94 expression to test our hypothesis. CD94(high)CD56(dim) NK cells express CD62L, CD2, and KIR at levels between CD56(bright) and CD94(low)CD56(dim) NK cells. CD94(high)CD56(dim) NK cells produce less monokine-induced IFN-gamma than CD56(bright) NK cells but much more than CD94(low)CD56(dim) NK cells because of differential interleukin-12-mediated STAT4 phosphorylation. CD94(high)CD56(dim) NK cells possess a higher level of granzyme B and perforin expression and CD94-mediated redirected killing than CD56(bright) NK cells but lower than CD94(low)CD56(dim) NK cells. Collectively, our data suggest that the density of CD94 surface expression on CD56(dim) NK cells identifies a functional and likely developmental intermediary between CD56(bright) and CD94(low)CD56(dim) NK cells. This supports the notion that, in vivo, human CD56(bright) NK cells progress through a continuum of differentiation that ends with a CD94(low)CD56(dim) phenotype.

Crosstalk between mTORC1 and cAMP Signaling

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-01

2010). It has been suggested that the low mTOR activity retained under moderate hyper - tonic conditions facilitates the expression of some osmo...member of the MAP kinase (MAPK) subfamily. It is notable that the activation loop ofNLK protein possesses the sequence Thr–Gln–Glu (TQE) motif...Ishitani et al. 2011). Thus, NLK can be activated without being phosphorylated in the activation loop by upstream kinases. Moreover, high levels of

Heterocyclic Compounds: Effective α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

PubMed

Saeedi, Mina; Hadjiakhondi, Abbas; Nabavi, Seyed Mohammad; Manayi, Azadeh

2017-01-01

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels. Recently, it has emerged as an important and global health problem with long-term complications and high economic burden. α-Amylase (α-Amy) and α-glucosidase (α-Gls) are two enzymes which are involved in the hydrolysis of starch into sugars and disaccharides leading to the increase of blood glucose level. Hence, inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase plays key role in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Heterocyclic compounds -both synthetic and naturally occurring derivatives- possess efficient biological properties. At this juncture, they have demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against α-Amy and α-Gls and were found to be versatile tools for the development of novel anti-diabetic agents.

Effects of Different Growing Regions on Quality Characteristics, Bioactive Compound Contents, and Antioxidant Activity of Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) in Korea.

PubMed

Hwang, Eun-Sun; Thi, Nhuan Do

2016-09-01

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different growing regions on quality characteristics, total bioactive compound contents, and in vitro antioxidant activity in aronia. Aronia grown in 3 different regions (Sangjoo, Ulju, and Youngcheon) in Korea was obtained and used fresh or as a freeze-dried powder. No statistically significant differences were observed for moisture, ash, crude lipid, and crude protein contents in aronia sampled from the 3 different regions. Aronia grown in Sangjoo had the highest total acid content and the lowest sugar content and pH value. Conversely, aronia grown in Youngcheon possessed the lowest total acid content and the highest sugar content and pH value. Aronia grown in Sangjoo possessed relatively high levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, as well as high antioxidant activity in comparison with aronia produced in other regions. Aronia grown in Youngcheon scored the highest for taste and overall acceptability in sensory evaluations, which may be related to the high sugar content and pH, and the low total acidity of the fruits. It is possible that higher sugar contents and pH, and lower total acidity in the aronia grown in Youngcheon result in more preferable sensory characteristics. However, they also contain relatively low levels of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, and have low antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging assays.

Effects of Different Growing Regions on Quality Characteristics, Bioactive Compound Contents, and Antioxidant Activity of Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) in Korea

PubMed Central

Hwang, Eun-Sun; Thi, Nhuan Do

2016-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of different growing regions on quality characteristics, total bioactive compound contents, and in vitro antioxidant activity in aronia. Aronia grown in 3 different regions (Sangjoo, Ulju, and Youngcheon) in Korea was obtained and used fresh or as a freeze-dried powder. No statistically significant differences were observed for moisture, ash, crude lipid, and crude protein contents in aronia sampled from the 3 different regions. Aronia grown in Sangjoo had the highest total acid content and the lowest sugar content and pH value. Conversely, aronia grown in Youngcheon possessed the lowest total acid content and the highest sugar content and pH value. Aronia grown in Sangjoo possessed relatively high levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, as well as high antioxidant activity in comparison with aronia produced in other regions. Aronia grown in Youngcheon scored the highest for taste and overall acceptability in sensory evaluations, which may be related to the high sugar content and pH, and the low total acidity of the fruits. It is possible that higher sugar contents and pH, and lower total acidity in the aronia grown in Youngcheon result in more preferable sensory characteristics. However, they also contain relatively low levels of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, and have low antioxidant activity as measured by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging assays. PMID:27752502

The geography of violence, alcohol outlets, and drug arrests in Boston.

PubMed

Lipton, Robert; Yang, Xiaowen; Braga, Anthony A; Goldstick, Jason; Newton, Manya; Rura, Melissa

2013-04-01

We examined the relationship between alcohol outlets, drug markets (approximated by arrests for possession and trafficking), and violence in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2006. We analyzed geographic and environmental versus individual factors related to violence and identified areas high in violent crime. We used data from the Boston Police Department, US Census, and Massachusetts State Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. Spatial modeling was employed at the block group level, and violent crime, alcohol outlets, and drug markets were mapped. Relative to other block groups, block groups in the highest decile of violent crime (n = 55) were found to be poorer (e.g., lower incomes, higher percentages of vacant homes), and they had greater numbers of alcohol outlets and higher drug arrest rates. Alcohol outlets and drug possession and trafficking arrests were predictive of violent crime. Also, spatial effects resulting from neighboring block groups were related to violent crime. Both alcohol outlet density and type were associated with violent crime in a differentiated and complex way. With drug possession and trafficking arrests as a proxy for drug markets, spatial relationships between alcohol outlets and violence were found in addition to typical sociodemographic predictors.

To what extent does sexual dimorphism exist in competitive powerlifters?

PubMed

Keogh, Justin W L; Hume, Patria A; Pearson, Simon N; Mellow, Peter

2008-03-01

We examined sexual dimorphism in the anthropometry of 68 Australasian and Pacific powerlifters (14 females, 54 males) who were competing in one of two national or international powerlifting competitions held in New Zealand. All powerlifters were assessed for 37 anthropometric dimensions by ISAK (International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry) Level II and III accredited anthropometrists. While the powerlifters were highly mesomorphic and possessed large girths and bone breadths, both in absolute terms and when expressed as Z(p)-scores compared through the Phantom (Ross & Wilson, 1974), these characteristics were often more pronounced in male than female lifters. No significant inter-gender differences in any of the measures of adiposity were observed. When normalized through the Phantom, the female and male powerlifters had relatively similar segment lengths and bone breadths, indicating that regardless of gender, competitive powerlifters possess comparable skeletal proportions. These results indicate that although competitive powerlifters exhibit sexual dimorphism for many absolute anthropometric measures, little dimorphism is found for measures of adiposity and for proportional segment lengths and bone breadths. These results further support the importance of anthropometric profiling for powerlifting, and suggest that successful male and female powerlifters will possess similar proportional characteristics.

The Geography of Violence, Alcohol Outlets, and Drug Arrests in Boston

PubMed Central

Yang, Xiaowen; A. Braga, Anthony; Goldstick, Jason; Newton, Manya; Rura, Melissa

2013-01-01

Objectives. We examined the relationship between alcohol outlets, drug markets (approximated by arrests for possession and trafficking), and violence in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2006. We analyzed geographic and environmental versus individual factors related to violence and identified areas high in violent crime. Methods. We used data from the Boston Police Department, US Census, and Massachusetts State Alcohol Beverage Control Commission. Spatial modeling was employed at the block group level, and violent crime, alcohol outlets, and drug markets were mapped. Results. Relative to other block groups, block groups in the highest decile of violent crime (n = 55) were found to be poorer (e.g., lower incomes, higher percentages of vacant homes), and they had greater numbers of alcohol outlets and higher drug arrest rates. Alcohol outlets and drug possession and trafficking arrests were predictive of violent crime. Also, spatial effects resulting from neighboring block groups were related to violent crime. Both alcohol outlet density and type were associated with violent crime in a differentiated and complex way. Conclusions. With drug possession and trafficking arrests as a proxy for drug markets, spatial relationships between alcohol outlets and violence were found in addition to typical sociodemographic predictors. PMID:23409885

An analysis of the accessibility of video lottery terminals: the case of Montréal.

PubMed

Robitaille, Eric; Herjean, Patrick

2008-01-18

Researchers and public health officials in Canada, the United States and Australia have for some time noted broader geographic accessibility to gambling establishments, above all in socioeconomically underprivileged communities. This increase in availability could lead to more and more gambling problems. This article focuses, in an ecological perspective, in particular on a spatial analysis of the geographic accessibility of sites possessing a VLT permit in the Montréal area, i.e. Montréal Island, the South Shore and Laval, from the standpoint of the development of an indicator of the vulnerability (socioeconomic components and demographic components) to gambling of populations at the level of certain neighbourhood units (dissemination areas). With the recent development of geographic information systems (GIS), it is now possible to ascertain accessibility to services much more accurately, for example by taking into account the configuration of the road network. The findings of our analysis reveal widespread geographic accessibility to sites possessing a VLT permit in the downtown area and in pericentral districts. In some neighbourhood units, a site possessing a VLT permit may be within a three-minute walk. In the region studied overall, average walking time to a VLT site is nine minutes. Access to this type of service on foot is usually limited in the outskirts. However, a number of groups of sites possessing VLT permits are found along certain axial highways. According to local spatial self-correlation analyses, the findings suggest a significant link between walking accessibility to sites possessing VLT permits and the vulnerability of the communities. In a number of neighbourhood units with ready access to VLT's the populations display high vulnerability. These findings reveal that accessibility to sites possessing a VLT permit is often linked to the vulnerability (socioeconomic and demographic components) of communities. Reliance in our analyses on neighbourhood units with fairly small areas enabled us to emphasize the rectilinear dimension of the spatial distribution of sites possessing VLT permits. This is a significant link that public health officials must consider when elaborating programs to combat pathological gambling.

Phonon-mediated high-T c superconductivity in hole-doped diamond-like crystalline hydrocarbon

DOE PAGES

Lian, Chao-Sheng; Wang, Jian-Tao; Duan, Wenhui; ...

2017-05-03

We here predict by ab initio calculations phonon-mediated high-T c superconductivity in hole-doped diamond-like cubic crystalline hydrocarbon K 4-CH (space group I2 1/3). This material possesses three key properties: (i) an all-sp 3 covalent carbon framework that produces high-frequency phonon modes, (ii) a steep-rising electronic density of states near the top of the valence band, and (iii) a Fermi level that lies in the σ-band, allowing for a strong coupling with the C-C bond-stretching modes. The simultaneous presence of these properties generates remarkably high superconducting transition temperatures above 80 K at an experimentally accessible hole doping level of only amore » few percent. These results identify a new extraordinary electron-phonon superconductor and pave the way for further exploration of this novel superconducting covalent metal.« less

Quantification of active pharmaceutical ingredient and impurities in sildenafil citrate obtained from the Internet.

PubMed

Veronin, Michael A; Nutan, Mohammad T; Dodla, Uday Krishna Reddy

2014-10-01

The accessibility of prescription drugs produced outside of the United States, most notably sildenafil citrate (innovator product, Viagra®), has been made much easier by the Internet. Of greatest concern to clinicians and policymakers is product quality and patient safety. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings to potential buyers that the safety of drugs purchased from the Internet cannot be guaranteed, and may present a health risk to consumers from substandard products. The objective of this study was to determine whether generic sildenafil citrate tablets from international markets obtained via the Internet are equivalent to the US innovator product regarding major aspects of pharmaceutical quality: potency, accuracy of labeling, and presence and level of impurities. This will help identify aspects of drug quality that may impact public health risks. A total of 15 sildenafil citrate tablets were obtained for pharmaceutical analysis: 14 generic samples from international Internet pharmacy websites and the US innovator product. According to US Pharmacopeial guidelines, tablet samples were tested using high-performance liquid chromatography for potency of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and levels of impurities (impurities A, B, C, and D). Impurity levels were compared with International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) limits. Among the 15 samples, 4 samples possessed higher impurity B levels than the ICH qualification threshold, 8 samples possessed higher impurity C levels than the ICH qualification threshold, and 4 samples possessed more than 1% impurity quantity of maximum daily dose (MDD). For API, 6 of the samples failed to fall within the 5% assay limit. Quality assurance tests are often used to detect formulation defects of drug products during the manufacturing and/or storage process. Results suggest that manufacturing standards for sildenafil citrate generic drug products compared with the US innovator product are not equivalent with regards to potency and levels of impurities. These findings have implications for safety and effectiveness that should be addressed by clinicians to safeguard consumers who choose to purchase sildenafil citrate and foreign-manufactured drugs, in general, via the Internet.

Quantification of active pharmaceutical ingredient and impurities in sildenafil citrate obtained from the Internet

PubMed Central

Nutan, Mohammad T.; Dodla, Uday Krishna Reddy

2014-01-01

Background: The accessibility of prescription drugs produced outside of the United States, most notably sildenafil citrate (innovator product, Viagra®), has been made much easier by the Internet. Of greatest concern to clinicians and policymakers is product quality and patient safety. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings to potential buyers that the safety of drugs purchased from the Internet cannot be guaranteed, and may present a health risk to consumers from substandard products. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether generic sildenafil citrate tablets from international markets obtained via the Internet are equivalent to the US innovator product regarding major aspects of pharmaceutical quality: potency, accuracy of labeling, and presence and level of impurities. This will help identify aspects of drug quality that may impact public health risks. Methods: A total of 15 sildenafil citrate tablets were obtained for pharmaceutical analysis: 14 generic samples from international Internet pharmacy websites and the US innovator product. According to US Pharmacopeial guidelines, tablet samples were tested using high-performance liquid chromatography for potency of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and levels of impurities (impurities A, B, C, and D). Impurity levels were compared with International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) limits. Results: Among the 15 samples, 4 samples possessed higher impurity B levels than the ICH qualification threshold, 8 samples possessed higher impurity C levels than the ICH qualification threshold, and 4 samples possessed more than 1% impurity quantity of maximum daily dose (MDD). For API, 6 of the samples failed to fall within the 5% assay limit. Conclusions: Quality assurance tests are often used to detect formulation defects of drug products during the manufacturing and/or storage process. Results suggest that manufacturing standards for sildenafil citrate generic drug products compared with the US innovator product are not equivalent with regards to potency and levels of impurities. These findings have implications for safety and effectiveness that should be addressed by clinicians to safeguard consumers who choose to purchase sildenafil citrate and foreign-manufactured drugs, in general, via the Internet. PMID:25360239

Spore prevalence and toxigenicity of Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from U.S. retail spices.

PubMed

Hariram, Upasana; Labbé, Ronald

2015-03-01

Recent incidents of foodborne illness associated with spices as the vehicle of transmission prompted this examination of U.S. retail spices with regard to Bacillus cereus. This study focused on the levels of aerobic-mesophilic spore-forming bacteria and B cereus spores associated with 247 retail spices purchased from five states in the United States. Samples contained a wide range of aerobic-mesophilic bacterial spore counts (< 200 to 8.3 × 10(7) CFU/g), with 19.1% of samples at levels above 10(5) CFU/g. For examples, paprika, allspice, peppercorns, and mixed spices had high levels of aerobic spores (> 10(7) CFU/g). Using a novel chromogenic agar, B. cereus and B. thuringiensis spores were isolated from 77 (31%) and 11 (4%) samples, respectively. Levels of B. cereus were <3 to 1,600 MPN/g. Eighty-eight percent of B. cereus isolates and 91% of B. thuringiensis isolates possessed at least one type of enterotoxin gene: HBL (hemolysin BL) or nonhemolytic enterotoxin (NHE). None of the 88 isolates obtained in this study possessed the emetic toxin gene (ces). Using commercially available immunological toxin detection kits, the toxigenicity of the isolates was confirmed. The NHE enterotoxin was expressed in 98% of B. cereus and 91% of B. thuringiensis isolates that possessed the responsible gene. HBL enterotoxin was detected in 87% of B. cereus and 100% of B. thuringiensis PCR-positive isolates. Fifty-two percent of B. cereus and 54% of B. thuringiensis isolates produced both enterotoxins. Ninety-seven percent of B. cereus isolates grew at 12°C, although only two isolates grew well at 9°C. The ability of these spice isolates to form spores, produce diarrheal toxins, and grow at moderately abusive temperatures makes retail spices an important potential vehicle for foodborne illness caused by B. cereus strains, in particular those that produce diarrheal toxins.

Exposure to the World Trade Center Disaster and 9/11-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Household Disaster Preparedness.

PubMed

Gargano, Lisa M; Caramanica, Kimberly; Sisco, Sarah; Brackbill, Robert M; Stellman, Steven D

2015-12-01

In a population with prior exposure to the World Trade Center disaster, this study sought to determine the subsequent level of preparedness for a new disaster and how preparedness varied with population characteristics that are both disaster-related and non-disaster-related. The sample included 4496 World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees who completed the Wave 3 (2011-2012) and Hurricane Sandy (2013) surveys. Participants were considered prepared if they reported possessing at least 7 of 8 standard preparedness items. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between preparedness and demographic and medical factors, 9/11-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessed at Wave 3, 9/11 exposure, and social support. Over one-third (37.5%) of participants were prepared with 18.8% possessing all 8 items. The item most often missing was an evacuation plan (69.8%). Higher levels of social support were associated with being prepared. High levels of 9/11 exposure were associated with being prepared in both the PTSD and non-PTSD subgroups. Our findings indicate that prior 9/11 exposure favorably impacted Hurricane Sandy preparedness. Future preparedness messaging should target people with low social support networks. Communications should include information on evacuation zones and where to find information about how to evacuate.

Potential Functional Byproducts from Guava Purée Processing.

PubMed

Lim, Si Yi; Tham, Paik Yean; Lim, Hilary Yi Ler; Heng, Wooi Shin; Chang, Ying Ping

2018-05-10

The valorization of guava waste requires compositional and functional studies. We tested three byproducts of guava purée processing, namely refiner, siever, and decanter. We analyzed the chemical composition and quantified the prebiotic activity score and selected carbohydrates; we also determined the water holding (WHC), oil holding (OHC), cation exchange capacities, bile acid binding, and glucose dialysis retardation (GDR) of the solid fraction and the antioxidative and α-amylase inhibitory capacities (AIC) of the ethanolic extract. Refiner contained 7.7% lipid, 7.08% protein and a relatively high phytate content; it had a high prebiotic activity score and possessed the highest binding capacity with deoxycholic acid. Siever contained high levels of low molecular weight carbohydrates and total tannin but relatively low crude fiber and cellulose contents. It had the highest binding with chenodeoxycholic acid (74.8%), and exhibited the highest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity. Decanter was rich in cellulose and had a high prebiotic activity score. The WHC and OHC values of decanter were within a narrow range and also exhibited the highest binding with cholic acid (86.6%), and the highest values of GDR and AIC. The refiner waste could be included in animal feed but requires further processing to reduce the high phytate levels. All three guava byproducts had the potential to be a source of antioxidant dietary fiber (DF), a finding that warrants further in vivo study. To differing extents, the guava byproducts exhibited useful physicochemical binding properties and so possessed the potential for health-promoting activity. These byproducts could also be upgraded to other marketable products so the manufacturers of processed guava might be able to develop their businesses sustainably by making better use of them. © 2018 Institute of Food Technologists®.

Fabrication and electrochemistry characteristics of nickel-doped diamond-like carbon film toward applications in non-enzymatic glucose detection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chi-Wen; Chen, Wei-En; Sun, Yin Tung Albert; Lin, Chii-Ruey

2018-04-01

This research work focused on the fabrication of nickel-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) films and their characteristics including of surface morphology, microstructure, and electrochemical aiming at applications in non-enzymatic glucose detection. Novel nanodiamond target was employed in unbalanced magnetron radio-frequency co-sputtering process to prepared high quality Ni-doped DLC thin film at room temperature. TEM analysis reveals a highly uniform distribution of Ni crystallites in amorphous carbon matrix with fraction ranged from 3 to 11.5 at.% which is considered as active sites for the glucose detection. Our cyclic voltammetry measurements using 0.1 M H2SO4 solution demonstrated that the as-prepared Ni-doped DLC films possess large electrochemical potential window of 2.12 V, and this was also observed to be significantly reduced at high Ni doping level owing to lower sp3 fraction. The non-enzymatic glucose detection investigation indicates that the Ni-doped DLC thin film electrode prepared under 7 W of DC sputtering power on Ni target possesses good detecting performance, high stability, and high sensitivity to glucose concentration up to 10 mM, even with the existence of uric acid and ascorbic acid. The peak current was observed to be proportional to glucose concentration and scanning rate, demonstrating highly reversibility redox process of the film electrode and glucose.

Required and Possessed University Graduate Employability Skills: Perceptions of the Nigerian Employers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adebakin, Azeez B.; Ajadi, O. Timothy; Subair, S. Tayo

2015-01-01

University is a place where skilled labour is produced for societal and global consumption. This is premised on the fact that education provided at this level enhances human capital development which widens employment opportunities. However, there seems to be disparity over the skills required and those possessed by graduates from Nigerian…

Acetate Utilization and Butyryl Coenzyme A (CoA):Acetate-CoA Transferase in Butyrate-Producing Bacteria from the Human Large Intestine

PubMed Central

Duncan, Sylvia H.; Barcenilla, Adela; Stewart, Colin S.; Pryde, Susan E.; Flint, Harry J.

2002-01-01

Seven strains of Roseburia sp., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Coprococcus sp. from the human gut that produce high levels of butyric acid in vitro were studied with respect to key butyrate pathway enzymes and fermentation patterns. Strains of Roseburia sp. and F. prausnitzii possessed butyryl coenzyme A (CoA):acetate-CoA transferase and acetate kinase activities, but butyrate kinase activity was not detectable either in growing or in stationary-phase cultures. Although unable to use acetate as a sole source of energy, these strains showed net utilization of acetate during growth on glucose. In contrast, Coprococcus sp. strain L2-50 is a net producer of acetate and possessed detectable butyrate kinase, acetate kinase, and butyryl-CoA:acetate-CoA transferase activities. These results demonstrate that different functionally distinct groups of butyrate-producing bacteria are present in the human large intestine. PMID:12324374

Pathogen- and host-directed anti-inflammatory activities of macrolide antibiotics.

PubMed

Steel, Helen C; Theron, Annette J; Cockeran, Riana; Anderson, Ronald; Feldman, Charles

2012-01-01

Macrolide antibiotics possess several, beneficial, secondary properties which complement their primary antimicrobial activity. In addition to high levels of tissue penetration, which may counteract seemingly macrolide-resistant bacterial pathogens, these agents also possess anti-inflammatory properties, unrelated to their primary antimicrobial activity. Macrolides target cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, as well as structural cells, and are beneficial in controlling harmful inflammatory responses during acute and chronic bacterial infection. These secondary anti-inflammatory activities of macrolides appear to be particularly effective in attenuating neutrophil-mediated inflammation. This, in turn, may contribute to the usefulness of these agents in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory disorders of both microbial and nonmicrobial origin, predominantly of the airways. This paper is focused on the various mechanisms of macrolide-mediated anti-inflammatory activity which target both microbial pathogens and the cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems, with emphasis on their clinical relevance.

Pathogen- and Host-Directed Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Macrolide Antibiotics

PubMed Central

Steel, Helen C.; Theron, Annette J.; Cockeran, Riana; Anderson, Ronald; Feldman, Charles

2012-01-01

Macrolide antibiotics possess several, beneficial, secondary properties which complement their primary antimicrobial activity. In addition to high levels of tissue penetration, which may counteract seemingly macrolide-resistant bacterial pathogens, these agents also possess anti-inflammatory properties, unrelated to their primary antimicrobial activity. Macrolides target cells of both the innate and adaptive immune systems, as well as structural cells, and are beneficial in controlling harmful inflammatory responses during acute and chronic bacterial infection. These secondary anti-inflammatory activities of macrolides appear to be particularly effective in attenuating neutrophil-mediated inflammation. This, in turn, may contribute to the usefulness of these agents in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory disorders of both microbial and nonmicrobial origin, predominantly of the airways. This paper is focused on the various mechanisms of macrolide-mediated anti-inflammatory activity which target both microbial pathogens and the cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems, with emphasis on their clinical relevance. PMID:22778497

Mechanism-based post-translational modification and inactivation in terpene synthases

DOE PAGES

Kersten, Roland D.; Diedrich, Jolene K.; Yates, III, John R.; ...

2015-09-17

Terpenes are ubiquitous natural chemicals with diverse biological functions spanning all three domains of life. In specialized metabolism, the active sites of terpene synthases (TPSs) evolve in shape and reactivity to direct the biosynthesis of a myriad of chemotypes for organismal fitness. As most terpene biosynthesis mechanistically involves highly reactive carbocationic intermediates, the protein surfaces catalyzing these cascade reactions possess reactive regions possibly prone to premature carbocation capture and potentially enzyme inactivation. Here, we show using proteomic and X-ray crystallographic analyses that cationic intermediates undergo capture by conserved active site residues leading to inhibitory self-alkylation. Furthermore, the level of cation-mediatedmore » inactivation increases with mutation of the active site, upon changes in the size and structure of isoprenoid diphosphate substrates, and alongside increases in reaction temperatures. TPSs that individually synthesize multiple products are less prone to self-alkylation then TPSs possessing relatively high product specificity. In total, the results presented suggest that mechanism-based alkylation represents an overlooked mechanistic pressure during the evolution of cation-derived terpene biosynthesis.« less

High-Fat Diet Changes Hippocampal Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in a Genotype- and Carbohydrate-Dependent Manner in Mice.

PubMed

Lane-Donovan, Courtney; Herz, Joachim

2016-01-01

Alzheimer's disease is a currently incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease include genetic risk factors, such as possession of ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E (ApoE4) over the risk-neutral ApoE3 allele, and lifestyle risk factors, such as diet and exercise. The intersection of these two sources of disease risk is not well understood. We investigated the impact of diet on ApoE levels by feeding wildtype, ApoE3, and ApoE4 targeted replacement (TR) mice with chow, high-fat, or ketogenic (high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate) diets. We found that high-fat diet affected both plasma and hippocampal levels of ApoE in an isoform-dependent manner, with high-fat diet causing a surprising reduction of hippocampal ApoE levels in ApoE3 TR mice. Conversely, the ketogenic diet had no effect on hippocampal ApoE. Our findings suggest that the use of dietary interventions to slow the progression AD should take ApoE genotype into consideration.

High-Fat Diet Changes Hippocampal Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) in a Genotype- and Carbohydrate-Dependent Manner in Mice

PubMed Central

Lane-Donovan, Courtney; Herz, Joachim

2016-01-01

Alzheimer’s disease is a currently incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include genetic risk factors, such as possession of ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E (ApoE4) over the risk-neutral ApoE3 allele, and lifestyle risk factors, such as diet and exercise. The intersection of these two sources of disease risk is not well understood. We investigated the impact of diet on ApoE levels by feeding wildtype, ApoE3, and ApoE4 targeted replacement (TR) mice with chow, high-fat, or ketogenic (high-fat, very-low-carbohydrate) diets. We found that high-fat diet affected both plasma and hippocampal levels of ApoE in an isoform-dependent manner, with high-fat diet causing a surprising reduction of hippocampal ApoE levels in ApoE3 TR mice. Conversely, the ketogenic diet had no effect on hippocampal ApoE. Our findings suggest that the use of dietary interventions to slow the progression AD should take ApoE genotype into consideration. PMID:26828652

Accumulation of multiple mutations in linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis causing bloodstream infections; in silico analysis of L3 amino acid substitutions that might confer high-level linezolid resistance.

PubMed

Ikonomidis, Alexandros; Grapsa, Anastasia; Pavlioglou, Charikleia; Demiri, Antonia; Batarli, Alexandra; Panopoulou, Maria

2016-12-01

Fifty-six Staphylococcus epidermidis clinical isolates, showing high-level linezolid resistance and causing bacteremia in critically ill patients, were studied. All isolates belonged to ST22 clone and carried the T2504A and C2534T mutations in gene coding for 23SrRNA as well as the C189A, G208A, C209T and G384C missense mutations in L3 protein which resulted in Asp159Tyr, Gly152Asp and Leu94Val substitutions. Other silent mutations were also detected in genes coding for ribosomal proteins L3 and L22. In silico analysis of missense mutations showed that although L3 protein retained the sequence of secondary motifs, the tertiary structure was influenced. The observed alteration in L3 protein folding provides an indication on the putative role of L3-coding gene mutations in high-level linezolid resistance. Furthermore, linezolid pressure in health care settings where linezolid consumption is of high rates might lead to the selection of resistant mutants possessing L3 mutations that might confer high-level linezolid resistance.

A Study of the Microstructural Basis for the Strength and Toughness Properties of Overaged HSLA-100 Steel

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-06-01

series, though, HSLA steels possess excellent weld characteristics. These low carbon martensite /bainite alloys have lower carbon levels resulting in...Ref l:p. 31 [Ref 3:p. 64]. HSLA-100 is a solution treated, quenched and aged, low carbon, copper precipitation strengthened steel designed to meet the...and aged, highly weldable, low carbon, copper precipitation strengthened steel designed to achieve a yield strength of 690 MPa. The chemical composition

Fisetin-Rich Extracts of Rhus verniciflua Stokes Improve Blood Flow Rates in Mice Fed Both Normal and High-Fat Diets.

PubMed

Im, Won Kyun; Park, Hyun Jung; Lee, Kwang Soo; Lee, Jung Hoon; Kim, Young Dong; Kim, Kyeong-Hee; Park, Sang-Jae; Hong, Seokmann; Jeon, Sung Ho

2016-02-01

Although it has been previously reported that Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) possesses in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the precise in vivo mechanisms of RVS extracts and a main active component called fisetin have not been well elucidated. In this study, using newly developed protocols, we prepared urushiol-free but fisetin-enriched RVS extracts and investigated their effects on the vascular immune system. We found that the water-soluble fractions of detoxified RVS with the flavonoid fisetin can inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Furthermore, RVS can reduce inducible nitric oxide synthase and COX2 gene expression levels, which are responsible for NO and PGE2 production, respectively, in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Because inflammation is linked to the activation of the coagulation system, we hypothesized that RVS and its active component fisetin possess anticoagulatory activities. As expected, we found that both RVS and fisetin could inhibit the coagulation of human peripheral blood cells. Moreover, in vivo RVS treatment could return the retarded blood flow elicited by a high-fat diet (HFD) back to the normal level in mice. In addition, RVS treatment has significantly reduced body weight gained by HFD in mice. Taken together, the fisetin-rich RVS extracts have potential antiplatelet and antiobesity activities and could be used as a functional food ingredient to improve blood circulation.

Perspective: Oxide molecular-beam epitaxy rocks!

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

Schlom, Darrell G., E-mail: schlom@cornell.edu

2015-06-01

Molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) is the “gold standard” synthesis technique for preparing semiconductor heterostructures with high purity, high mobility, and exquisite control of layer thickness at the atomic-layer level. Its use for the growth of multicomponent oxides got off to a rocky start 30 yr ago, but in the ensuing decades, it has become the definitive method for the preparation of oxide heterostructures too, particularly when it is desired to explore their intrinsic properties. Examples illustrating the unparalleled achievements of oxide MBE are given; these motivate its expanding use for exploring the potentially revolutionary states of matter possessed by oxide systems.

High-Level Heteroatom Doped Two-Dimensional Carbon Architectures for Highly Efficient Lithium-Ion Storage.

PubMed

Wang, Zhijie; Wang, Yanyan; Wang, Wenhui; Yu, Xiaoliang; Lv, Wei; Xiang, Bin; He, Yan-Bing

2018-01-01

In this work, high-level heteroatom doped two-dimensional hierarchical carbon architectures (H-2D-HCA) are developed for highly efficient Li-ion storage applications. The achieved H-2D-HCA possesses a hierarchical 2D morphology consisting of tiny carbon nanosheets vertically grown on carbon nanoplates and containing a hierarchical porosity with multiscale pore size. More importantly, the H-2D-HCA shows abundant heteroatom functionality, with sulfur (S) doping of 0.9% and nitrogen (N) doping of as high as 15.5%, in which the electrochemically active N accounts for 84% of total N heteroatoms. In addition, the H-2D-HCA also has an expanded interlayer distance of 0.368 nm. When used as lithium-ion battery anodes, it shows excellent Li-ion storage performance. Even at a high current density of 5 A g -1 , it still delivers a high discharge capacity of 329 mA h g -1 after 1,000 cycles. First principle calculations verifies that such unique microstructure characteristics and high-level heteroatom doping nature can enhance Li adsorption stability, electronic conductivity and Li diffusion mobility of carbon nanomaterials. Therefore, the H-2D-HCA could be promising candidates for next-generation LIB anodes.

High-Level Heteroatom Doped Two-Dimensional Carbon Architectures for Highly Efficient Lithium-Ion Storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhijie; Wang, Yanyan; Wang, Wenhui; Yu, Xiaoliang; Lv, Wei; Xiang, Bin; He, Yan-Bing

2018-04-01

In this work, high-level heteroatom doped two-dimensional hierarchical carbon architectures (H-2D-HCA) are developed for highly efficient Li-ion storage applications. The achieved H-2D-HCA possesses a hierarchical 2D morphology consisting of tiny carbon nanosheets vertically grown on carbon nanoplates and containing a hierarchical porosity with multiscale pore size. More importantly, the H-2D-HCA shows abundant heteroatom functionality, with sulfur (S) doping of 0.9 % and nitrogen (N) doping of as high as 15.5 %, in which the electrochemically active N accounts for 84 % of total N heteroatoms. In addition, the H-2D-HCA also has an expanded interlayer distance of 0.368 nm. When used as lithium-ion battery anodes, it shows excellent Li-ion storage performance. Even at a high current density of 5 A g-1, it still delivered a high discharge capacity of 329 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles. First principle calculations verified that such unique microstructure characteristics and high-level heteroatom doping nature can enhance Li adsorption stability, electronic conductivity and Li diffusion mobility of carbon nanomaterials. Therefore, the H-2D-HCA could be promising candidates for next-generation LIB anodes.

Tomatidine Is a Lead Antibiotic Molecule That Targets Staphylococcus aureus ATP Synthase Subunit C.

PubMed

Lamontagne Boulet, Maxime; Isabelle, Charles; Guay, Isabelle; Brouillette, Eric; Langlois, Jean-Philippe; Jacques, Pierre-Étienne; Rodrigue, Sébastien; Brzezinski, Ryszard; Beauregard, Pascale B; Bouarab, Kamal; Boyapelly, Kumaraswamy; Boudreault, Pierre-Luc; Marsault, Éric; Malouin, François

2018-06-01

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of deadly hospital-acquired infections. The discovery of anti- Staphylococcus antibiotics and new classes of drugs not susceptible to the mechanisms of resistance shared among bacteria is imperative. We recently showed that tomatidine (TO), a steroidal alkaloid from solanaceous plants, possesses potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus small-colony variants (SCVs), the notoriously persistent form of this bacterium that has been associated with recurrence of infections. Here, using genomic analysis of in vitro -generated TO-resistant S. aureus strains to identify mutations in genes involved in resistance, we identified the bacterial ATP synthase as the cellular target. Sequence alignments were performed to highlight the modified sequences, and the structural consequences of the mutations were evaluated in structural models. Overexpression of the atpE gene in S. aureus SCVs or introducing the mutation found in the atpE gene of one of the high-level TO-resistant S. aureus mutants into the Bacillus subtilis atpE gene provided resistance to TO and further validated the identity of the cellular target. FC04-100, a TO derivative which also possesses activity against non-SCV strains, prevents high-level resistance development in prototypic strains and limits the level of resistance observed in SCVs. An ATP synthesis assay allowed the observation of a correlation between antibiotic potency and ATP synthase inhibition. The selectivity index (inhibition of ATP production by mitochondria versus that of bacterial ATP synthase) is estimated to be >10 5 -fold for FC04-100. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

All-fiber pyroelectric nanogenerator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghosh, Sujoy Kumar; Xie, Mengying; Bowen, Christopher Rhys; Mandal, Dipankar

2018-04-01

An all-fiber pyroelectric nanogenerator (PyNG) is fabricated where both the active pyroelectric component and the electrodes were composed of fiber. The pyroelectric component was made with randomly organized electrospun PVDF nano-fibers possessing ferroelectric β- and γ-phases. The PyNG possess higher level of sensitivity which can detect very low level of temperature fluctuation, as, low as, 2 K. In addition, the thermal energy harvesting ability of the PyNG under several temperature variations and cycling frequencies paves the way for next generation thermal sensor and self-powered flexible micro-electronics.

Medical visits, antihypertensive prescriptions and medication adherence among newly diagnosed hypertensive patients in Korea.

PubMed

Jeong, Hyoseon; Kim, Hyeongsu; Lee, Kunsei; Lee, Jung Hyun; Ahn, Hye Mi; Shin, Soon Ae; Kim, Vitna

2017-03-17

The objective of this study was to assess the antihypertensive medication adherence in patients who were newly diagnosed with hypertension in Korea. Study subjects were diagnosed with hypertension for the first time by the General Health Screening in 2012 and were 65,919. As indices, visiting rate to medical institution, the antihypertensive prescription rate, medication possession ratio and the rate of appropriate medication adherence were used. The qualification data, the General Health Screening data and the health insurance claims data were used. Visiting rate to medical institution within one-year was 42.3%. Gender, age, family history of hypertension, smoking status, drinking frequency, insurance type, BMI, hypertension status, blood glucose level and LDL-cholesterol level were significant variables for visiting a medical institution. Of the study subjects who visited a medical institution, the antihypertensive prescription rate was 89.1%. Medication possession ratio was 70.9% and the rate of appropriate medication adherence was 60.6%. Age, family history of hypertension, smoking status, BMI level, hypertension level, blood glucose level, status, and LDL-cholesterol level were significant variables for the antihypertensive prescription and gender, age, family history of hypertension, smoking status, BMI, hypertension status, and the time of the first visit to a medical institution were significant variables for appropriate medication adherence. This study showed that the antihypertensive medication adherence in patients who were newly diagnosed with hypertension was not relatively high in Korea. National Health Insurance Service should support an environment in which medical institutions and those diagnosed with hypertension can fulfill their roles.

Required and Possessed University Graduates Employability Skills: Perceptions of the Nigerian Employers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adebakin, Azeez B.; Ajadi, O. Timothy; Subair, S. 'Tayo

2015-01-01

University is a place where skilled labour is produced for societal and global consumption. This is premised on the fact that education provided at this level enhances human capital development, which widens employment opportunities. However, there seems to be a disparity between the skills required and those possessed by graduates from Nigerian…

Context Dependency of a Marine Defensive Symbiosis over a Wide Geographic Distribution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lopanik, N.; Linneman, J.; Mathew, M.

2016-02-01

The invasive, temperate marine bryozoan Bugula neritina possesses an uncultured, vertically-transmitted bacterial symbiont that produces natural products known as bryostatins. These unpalatable polyketides protect the host larvae from predation. In the western Atlantic, two host genotypes were thought to be restricted to differing latitudes based on the presence of the defensive symbiont: undefended aposymbiotic Type N animals were found at high latitudes, while defended symbiotic Type S colonies were found at low latitudes, where predation pressure is higher. We found that the host genotypes are more widespread than previously thought, but that the symbiont appeared to be restricted to hosts at lower latitudes, regardless of host phylotype, leading to the question of what factors are involved in restricting the symbiont's range. We performed reciprocal transplant experiments of symbiotic and antibiotic-cured hosts, and measured host growth, a proxy for fitness. Our data indicate that possession of the symbiont appears to present a physiological cost to the host. This cost may be more pronounced at higher latitudes where the benefit of symbiosis is less apparent. In addition, preliminary evidence suggests that symbiont titer in a Type S colony from North Carolina transplanted to Virginia is reduced over a period of nearly 4 months. Taken together, these results suggest that a combination of factors may play a role in the distribution of the defensive symbiont: (i) hosts that possess the symbiont are outcompeted by aposymbiotic conspecifics at high latitude and reduced levels of predation pressure; and (ii) symbiont growth may be inhibited or sanctioned by the host at high latitudes. As defensive symbiosis is an important trait in marine habitats, understanding factors that affect the distribution of both the host and symbiont are necessary to fully appreciate the ecological impact of symbiosis.

Alcohol use, risky sexual behavior, and condom possession among bar patrons.

PubMed

Chaney, Beth H; Vail-Smith, Karen; Martin, Ryan J; Cremeens-Matthews, Jennifer

2016-09-01

The current study seeks to: 1) assess the relationship between alcohol consumption and intentions to engage in unprotected sex in an uncontrolled environment, and 2) to identify if covariates (race, age, sex, breath alcohol content (BrAC), intentions to engage in sex, hazardous drinking rates) are significant predictors of condom possession during time of uncontrolled alcohol consumption. Data were collected from 917 bar patrons to assess alcohol use using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT-C), BrAC levels, intentions to engage in risky sex, and condom possession. Correlational analysis and hierarchical binary logistic regression was conducted using SPSS. Correlational analyses indicated a negative relationship between AUDIT-C scores (r=-0.115, p=0.001), BrAC (r=-0.08, p=0.015), and intentions to use a condom. Over 70% of participants intended to use a condom if they engaged in sex; however, only 28.4% had a condom to use. The regression analysis indicated the predictive model (χ(2)=114.5, df=8, p<0.001) was statistically significant, and correctly classified 72.9% of those in possession of a condom. Alcohol consumption was associated with intentions to have unprotected sex; however, intentions to engage in protected sex and condom possession were higher for males and those with higher BrAC levels. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tetrodotoxin levels of the rough-skin newt, Taricha granulosa, increase in long-term captivity.

PubMed

Hanifin, Charles T; Brodie, Edmund D; Brodie, Edmund D

2002-08-01

We investigated the persistence of the neurotoxin tetrodotoxin (TTX) in individual captive newts (Taricha granulosa) from the Willamette Valley of Oregon using a non-lethal sampling technique. We found that the TTX levels of newts held in the laboratory for 1 yr increased. TTX stereoisomer-analog profiles were not affected by captive husbandry. Levels of TTX were high in newts from our study population and we observed substantial within population variation in quantitative levels of TTX. Females possessed more TTX than males, but the response of TTX levels to captivity did not differ between females and males. The stability of TTX toxicity in newts is consistent with other amphibian species where TTX is present and may indicate that exogenous factors play a less important role in TTX toxicity of newts than previously thought.

Thermal load leveling during silicon crystal growth from a melt using anisotropic materials

DOEpatents

Carlson, Frederick M.; Helenbrook, Brian T.

2016-10-11

An apparatus for growing a silicon crystal substrate comprising a heat source, an anisotropic thermal load leveling component, a crucible, and a cold plate component is disclosed. The anisotropic thermal load leveling component possesses a high thermal conductivity and may be positioned atop the heat source to be operative to even-out temperature and heat flux variations emanating from the heat source. The crucible may be operative to contain molten silicon in which the top surface of the molten silicon may be defined as a growth interface. The crucible may be substantially surrounded by the anisotropic thermal load leveling component. The cold plate component may be positioned above the crucible to be operative with the anisotropic thermal load leveling component and heat source to maintain a uniform heat flux at the growth surface of the molten silicon.

Psychological and System Variables in Team Problem Solving: Experimental Studies of Computer-Mediated Participation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-12-01

Farenheit , although it will occasionally go as high as 50 and as low as zero . Heavy clouds cover the sky three quarters of the time, with only one...1962) distinguished between " absolute " information, which at least one person possesses, and "distributed" information which is more generally available...shy individuals in our experimental context. In retrospect, this seems quite reasonable. Since the absolute level of requests to speak was so low among

Miniaturized mitogenome of the parasitic plant Viscum scurruloideum is extremely divergent and dynamic and has lost all nad genes

PubMed Central

Skippington, Elizabeth; Barkman, Todd J.; Rice, Danny W.; Palmer, Jeffrey D.

2015-01-01

Despite the enormous diversity among parasitic angiosperms in form and structure, life-history strategies, and plastid genomes, little is known about the diversity of their mitogenomes. We report the sequence of the wonderfully bizarre mitogenome of the hemiparasitic aerial mistletoe Viscum scurruloideum. This genome is only 66 kb in size, making it the smallest known angiosperm mitogenome by a factor of more than three and the smallest land plant mitogenome. Accompanying this size reduction is exceptional reduction of gene content. Much of this reduction arises from the unexpected loss of respiratory complex I (NADH dehydrogenase), universally present in all 300+ other angiosperms examined, where it is encoded by nine mitochondrial and many nuclear nad genes. Loss of complex I in a multicellular organism is unprecedented. We explore the potential relationship between this loss in Viscum and its parasitic lifestyle. Despite its small size, the Viscum mitogenome is unusually rich in recombinationally active repeats, possessing unparalleled levels of predicted sublimons resulting from recombination across short repeats. Many mitochondrial gene products exhibit extraordinary levels of divergence in Viscum, indicative of highly relaxed if not positive selection. In addition, all Viscum mitochondrial protein genes have experienced a dramatic acceleration in synonymous substitution rates, consistent with the hypothesis of genomic streamlining in response to a high mutation rate but completely opposite to the pattern seen for the high-rate but enormous mitogenomes of Silene. In sum, the Viscum mitogenome possesses a unique constellation of extremely unusual features, a subset of which may be related to its parasitic lifestyle. PMID:26100885

Model of resonant high harmonic generation in multi-electron systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Redkin, P. V.; Ganeev, R. A.

2017-09-01

We extend the 4-step analytical model of resonant enhancement of high harmonic generation to the systems possessing resonant transitions of inner-shell electrons. Resonant enhancement is explained by lasing without inversion in a three-level system of ground, excited and shifted resonant states, which are coupled to the fundamental field and its high harmonics. The role of inelastic scattering is studied by simulation of an excited state’s population dynamics. It is shown that maximal gain is achieved when the energy shift between the excited state and resonant state is close to the energy of the fundamental photon. To prove the concept we demonstrate the enhancement of harmonics in the In plasma using different pumps.

Measurement and evaluation of the environmental noise levels in the urban areas of the city of Nis (Serbia).

PubMed

Prascevic, Momir R; Mihajlov, Darko I; Cvetkovic, Dragan S

2014-02-01

The environmental noise level represents one of the key factors of life quality in urban areas of modern cities. A continuous monitoring of the noise levels and the analysis of results have become a necessity when we discuss a possible recovery of those areas with high levels of noise pollution, and particularly, those zones which were designed for specific activities, e.g., areas around hospitals and schools. The city of Nis, Serbia, owing to the permanent long-term noise monitoring, possesses a database containing figures related to the noise levels at relevant locations in the city, which can serve as a basis for an analysis of the change of conditions, their tendencies in the future, and recognizing factors which influence the danger of noise pollution. The paper involves an analysis of the environmental noise level collected during the previous years.

Factors influencing eating a varied diet in old age.

PubMed

Dean, Moira; Raats, Monique M; Grunert, Klaus G; Lumbers, Margaret

2009-12-01

To investigate the influences of resources and food-related goals on the variety of food choice among older people. A questionnaire-based survey in eight European countries: Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Spain. Participants (n 3200) were above 65 years of age and living in their own homes. The samples were quota samples, eight groups of fifty in each country, based on gender, age and living circumstances, reflecting the diversity of each of the national populations based on education, income and urbanization of living environment. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that income, health status, access to a car and living arrangement affected the level of dietary variety. The perceived level of different food-related resources impacted the consumption of a varied diet over and above actual resource levels. Food-related goals contributed to variety of food intake that was not accounted for by the amount of material resources possessed or the social and other resources perceived to be possessed. Older people's variety of food intake depended on material resources (e.g. monthly income, access to a car, living arrangement, physical and mental health). However, in addition to these variables, the way older people perceived other resources, such as their level of appetite, their food knowledge, their perception of the distance to the shops, access to high-quality products, having better kitchen facilities, access to good service providers and support from friends and neighbours, all contributed to how varied a diet they ate.

When Power Shapes Interpersonal Behavior: Low Relationship Power Predicts Men’s Aggressive Responses to Low Situational Power

PubMed Central

Overall, Nickola C.; Hammond, Matthew D.; McNulty, James K.; Finkel, Eli J.

2016-01-01

When does power in intimate relationships shape important interpersonal behaviors, such as psychological aggression? Five studies tested whether possessing low relationship power was associated with aggressive responses, but (1) only within power-relevant relationship interactions when situational power was low, and (2) only by men because masculinity (but not femininity) involves the possession and demonstration of power. In Studies 1 and 2, men lower in relationship power exhibited greater aggressive communication during couples’ observed conflict discussions, but only when they experienced low situational power because they were unable to influence their partner. In Study 3, men lower in relationship power reported greater daily aggressive responses toward their partner, but only on days when they experienced low situational power because they were either (a) unable to influence their partner or (b) dependent on their partner for support. In Study 4, men who possessed lower relationship power exhibited greater aggressive responses during couples’ support-relevant discussions, but only when they had low situational power because they needed high levels of support. Study 5 provided evidence for the theoretical mechanism underlying men’s aggressive responses to low relationship power. Men who possessed lower relationship power felt less manly on days they faced low situational power because their partner was unwilling to change to resolve relationship problems, which in turn predicted greater aggressive responses to their partner. These results demonstrate that fully understanding when and why power is associated with interpersonal behavior requires differentiating between relationship and situational power. PMID:27442766

When power shapes interpersonal behavior: Low relationship power predicts men's aggressive responses to low situational power.

PubMed

Overall, Nickola C; Hammond, Matthew D; McNulty, James K; Finkel, Eli J

2016-08-01

When does power in intimate relationships shape important interpersonal behaviors, such as psychological aggression? Five studies tested whether possessing low relationship power was associated with aggressive responses, but (a) only within power-relevant relationship interactions when situational power was low, and (b) only by men because masculinity (but not femininity) involves the possession and demonstration of power. In Studies 1 and 2, men lower in relationship power exhibited greater aggressive communication during couples' observed conflict discussions, but only when they experienced low situational power because they were unable to influence their partner. In Study 3, men lower in relationship power reported greater daily aggressive responses toward their partner, but only on days when they experienced low situational power because they were either (a) unable to influence their partner or (b) dependent on their partner for support. In Study 4, men who possessed lower relationship power exhibited greater aggressive responses during couples' support-relevant discussions, but only when they had low situational power because they needed high levels of support. Study 5 provided evidence for the theoretical mechanism underlying men's aggressive responses to low relationship power. Men who possessed lower relationship power felt less manly on days they faced low situational power because their partner was unwilling to change to resolve relationship problems, which in turn predicted greater aggressive behavior toward their partner. These results demonstrate that fully understanding when and why power is associated with interpersonal behavior requires differentiating between relationship and situational power. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Gas-Phase Dimerization of Ethylene under Mild Conditions Catalyzed by MOF Materials Containing (bpy)Ni II Complexes

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

Madrahimov, Sherzod T.; Gallagher, James R.; Zhang, Guanghui

2015-10-09

NU-1000-(bpy)Ni-II, a highly porous MOF material possessing well-defined (bpy)Ni-II moieties, was prepared through solvent-assisted ligand incorporation (SALI). Treatment with Et2AlCl affords a single-site catalyst with excellent catalytic activity for ethylene dimerization (intrinsic activity for butenes that is up to an order of magnitude higher than the corresponding (bpy)NiCl2 homogeneous analogue) and stability (can be reused at least three times). The high porosity of this catalyst results in outstanding levels of activity at ambient temperature in gas-phase ethylene dimerization reactions, both under batch and continuous flow conditions.

Examination of reptilian erythrocytes as models of the progenitor of mammalian red blood cells.

PubMed

Mauro, N A; Isaacks, R E

1997-04-01

Among the reptile species examined, only loggerhead turtle RBC with their high capacity of anaerobic metabolism and low oxygen uptake possess all the suitable metabolic characteristics as a model for transition from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism of mammalian erythrocytes (RBC). Neither the alligator RBC, which lack a significant level of anaerobic metabolism, nor the savannah monitor lizard RBC with their higher level of temperature-dependent aerobic metabolism, possess all the characteristics suitable as a model for the metabolic evolution of mammalian RBC. In the formation of this metabolic model, no phylogenetic relationships are implied or inferred. The metabolic similarity of loggerhead turtle RBC to mammalian RBC is further indicated by the high activity of the pentose phosphate (PPO4) pathway, as evidenced by the low thermal sensitivity of their oxygen uptake and by their low 14C6O2/14C1O2 ratios. By comparison, although the 14C6O2/14C1O2 ratios of both alligator and monitor lizard RBC are low as compared to loggerhead turtle RBC, only alligator RBC share with loggerhead turtle RBC a low thermal sensitivity of their oxygen uptake. A comparison of hemoglobin concentrations relative to hematocrit for loggerhead turtle, alligator and monitor lizard RBC indicates that RBC hemoglobin concentrations are approximately the same for each of these species. Apart from this similarity, RBC from these three species of reptiles were differentiated in this study with respect to their density and osmotic fragility.

The updated concept of genome and its implications in biotechnological research and molecular diagnostics.

PubMed

Xiao, Li; Saldivar, Juan-Sebastian; Zhou, Cuilan; Chen, Chengli; Zhang, Jia; Sirois, Pierre; Li, Kai

2009-02-01

We propose a short definition of The full complement of genetic materials possessed by an intracellular parasite, a cell, or an organism. Accordingly, the human genome is the entire complement of inherited genetic materials possessed by an individual person, or possessed by a cell in an individual person. For higher species, the genomic makeup includes DNA in the nucleus and in the organelles regardless of the number of chromosomes and the homoplasmic or heteroplasmic status of the mitochondrial or chloroplastic DNA. Practically, GENOME can be referred to at the molecular, cellular, individual, and species levels, which has various implications in biotechnological research and molecular diagnostics.

Tuning of CO2 Reduction Selectivity on Metal Electrocatalysts.

PubMed

Wang, Yuhang; Liu, Junlang; Wang, Yifei; Al-Enizi, Abdullah M; Zheng, Gengfeng

2017-11-01

Climate change, caused by heavy CO 2 emissions, is driving new demands to alleviate the rising concentration of atmospheric CO 2 levels. Enlightened by the photosynthesis of green plants, photo(electro)chemical catalysis of CO 2 reduction, also known as artificial photosynthesis, is emerged as a promising candidate to address these demands and is widely investigated during the past decade. Among various artificial photosynthetic systems, solar-driven electrochemical CO 2 reduction is widely recognized to possess high efficiencies and potentials for practical application. The efficient and selective electroreduction of CO 2 is the key to the overall solar-to-chemical efficiency of artificial photosynthesis. Recent studies show that various metallic materials possess the capability to play as electrocatalysts for CO 2 reduction. In order to achieve high selectivity for CO 2 reduction products, various efforts are made including studies on electrolytes, crystal facets, oxide-derived catalysts, electronic and geometric structures, nanostructures, and mesoscale phenomena. In this Review, these methods for tuning the selectivity of CO 2 electrochemical reduction of metallic catalysts are summarized. The challenges and perspectives in this field are also discussed. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Antigenic characterization of intermediate adenovirus 14-11 strains associated with upper respiratory illness in a military camp.

PubMed Central

Hierholzer, J C; Pumarola, A

1976-01-01

An unusual variant of adenovirus (AV) 11 was isolated from throat and rectal swabs from six persons with upper respiratory illness in a Spanish military camp in March 1969. The same strain was serologically related to the upper respiratory illness of seven other men among 25 sample cases studied in detail. After strain purification, the virus was grouped as an AV by standard biological tests; it possessed the usual titers of group-specific hexon antigen but only low hemagglutinin titers (1:4 to 1:8) with erythrocytes from selected rhesus monkeys. The virus gave little reaction in hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests with antisera to AV 1 through 35, but was neutralized to homologous titers by AV 11 antiserum. Reciprocally, rabbit and guinea pig antisera to the isolates possessed high HI antibody titers to prototype AV 14 and high serum neutralization (SN) antibody titers to prototype AV 11. On this basis, the variants were classified as AV 14-11 intermediates. Sequential serum specimens from the patients with and without positive cultures showed diagnostic rises in HI and SN antibody levels to the AV 14-11 intermediate and to prototype AV 11, but little response to AV 14. PMID:177365

High-Level Heteroatom Doped Two-Dimensional Carbon Architectures for Highly Efficient Lithium-Ion Storage

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhijie; Wang, Yanyan; Wang, Wenhui; Yu, Xiaoliang; Lv, Wei; Xiang, Bin; He, Yan-Bing

2018-01-01

In this work, high-level heteroatom doped two-dimensional hierarchical carbon architectures (H-2D-HCA) are developed for highly efficient Li-ion storage applications. The achieved H-2D-HCA possesses a hierarchical 2D morphology consisting of tiny carbon nanosheets vertically grown on carbon nanoplates and containing a hierarchical porosity with multiscale pore size. More importantly, the H-2D-HCA shows abundant heteroatom functionality, with sulfur (S) doping of 0.9% and nitrogen (N) doping of as high as 15.5%, in which the electrochemically active N accounts for 84% of total N heteroatoms. In addition, the H-2D-HCA also has an expanded interlayer distance of 0.368 nm. When used as lithium-ion battery anodes, it shows excellent Li-ion storage performance. Even at a high current density of 5 A g−1, it still delivers a high discharge capacity of 329 mA h g−1 after 1,000 cycles. First principle calculations verifies that such unique microstructure characteristics and high-level heteroatom doping nature can enhance Li adsorption stability, electronic conductivity and Li diffusion mobility of carbon nanomaterials. Therefore, the H-2D-HCA could be promising candidates for next-generation LIB anodes. PMID:29686985

Techniques to derive geometries for image-based Eulerian computations

PubMed Central

Dillard, Seth; Buchholz, James; Vigmostad, Sarah; Kim, Hyunggun; Udaykumar, H.S.

2014-01-01

Purpose The performance of three frequently used level set-based segmentation methods is examined for the purpose of defining features and boundary conditions for image-based Eulerian fluid and solid mechanics models. The focus of the evaluation is to identify an approach that produces the best geometric representation from a computational fluid/solid modeling point of view. In particular, extraction of geometries from a wide variety of imaging modalities and noise intensities, to supply to an immersed boundary approach, is targeted. Design/methodology/approach Two- and three-dimensional images, acquired from optical, X-ray CT, and ultrasound imaging modalities, are segmented with active contours, k-means, and adaptive clustering methods. Segmentation contours are converted to level sets and smoothed as necessary for use in fluid/solid simulations. Results produced by the three approaches are compared visually and with contrast ratio, signal-to-noise ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratio measures. Findings While the active contours method possesses built-in smoothing and regularization and produces continuous contours, the clustering methods (k-means and adaptive clustering) produce discrete (pixelated) contours that require smoothing using speckle-reducing anisotropic diffusion (SRAD). Thus, for images with high contrast and low to moderate noise, active contours are generally preferable. However, adaptive clustering is found to be far superior to the other two methods for images possessing high levels of noise and global intensity variations, due to its more sophisticated use of local pixel/voxel intensity statistics. Originality/value It is often difficult to know a priori which segmentation will perform best for a given image type, particularly when geometric modeling is the ultimate goal. This work offers insight to the algorithm selection process, as well as outlining a practical framework for generating useful geometric surfaces in an Eulerian setting. PMID:25750470

A new flight control and management system architecture and configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kong, Fan-e.; Chen, Zongji

2006-11-01

The advanced fighter should possess the performance such as super-sound cruising, stealth, agility, STOVL(Short Take-Off Vertical Landing),powerful communication and information processing. For this purpose, it is not enough only to improve the aerodynamic and propulsion system. More importantly, it is necessary to enhance the control system. A complete flight control system provides not only autopilot, auto-throttle and control augmentation, but also the given mission management. F-22 and JSF possess considerably outstanding flight control system on the basis of pave pillar and pave pace avionics architecture. But their control architecture is not enough integrated. The main purpose of this paper is to build a novel fighter control system architecture. The control system constructed on this architecture should be enough integrated, inexpensive, fault-tolerant, high safe, reliable and effective. And it will take charge of both the flight control and mission management. Starting from this purpose, this paper finishes the work as follows: First, based on the human nervous control, a three-leveled hierarchical control architecture is proposed. At the top of the architecture, decision level is in charge of decision-making works. In the middle, organization & coordination level will schedule resources, monitor the states of the fighter and switch the control modes etc. And the bottom is execution level which holds the concrete drive and measurement; then, according to their function and resources all the tasks involving flight control and mission management are sorted to individual level; at last, in order to validate the three-leveled architecture, a physical configuration is also showed. The configuration is distributed and applies some new advancement in information technology industry such line replaced module and cluster technology.

The Application of a Homologous Recombination Assay Revealed Amino Acid Residues in an LTR-Retrotransposon That Were Critical for Integration

PubMed Central

Atwood, Angela; Choi, Jeannie; Levin, Henry L.

1998-01-01

Retroviruses and their relatives, the LTR-retrotransposons, possess an integrase protein (IN) that is required for the insertion of reverse transcripts into the genome of host cells. Schizosaccharomyces pombe is the host of Tf1, an LTR-retrotransposon with integration activity that can be studied by using techniques of yeast genetics. In this study, we sought to identify amino acid substitutions in Tf1 that specifically affected the integration step of transposition. In addition to seeking amino acid substitutions in IN, we also explored the possibility that other Tf1 proteins contributed to integration. By comparing the results of genetic assays that monitored both transposition and reverse transcription, we were able to seek point mutations throughout Tf1 that blocked transposition but not the synthesis of reverse transcripts. These mutant versions of Tf1 were candidates of elements that possessed defects in the integration step of transposition. Five mutations in Tf1 that resulted in low levels of integration were found to be located in the IN protein: two substitutions in the N-terminal Zn domain, two in the catalytic core, and one in the C-terminal domain. These results suggested that each of the three IN domains was required for Tf1 transposition. The potential role of these five amino acid residues in the function of IN is discussed. Two of the mutations that reduced integration mapped to the RNase H (RH) domain of Tf1 reverse transcriptase. The Tf1 elements with the RH mutations produced high levels of reverse transcripts, as determined by recombination and DNA blot analysis. These results indicated that the RH of Tf1 possesses a function critical for transposition that is independent of the accumulation of reverse transcripts. PMID:9445033

Earth Observations taken by Expedition 38 crewmember

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-01-28

ISS038-E-036501 (28 Jan. 2014) --- This wide field-of-view image photographed by an Expedition 38 crew member on the International Space Station shows an east-west swath of the southwestern Indian Ocean. Two remote islands, part of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands, appear in the center of the image. Possession Island (right center) and East Island (center) are both only 18 kilometers long. A smaller island, Ile aux Cochons (Pigs Island), lies 100 kilometers to the west. Each island has set up V-shaped trains of waves, like bow waves, as the air flows over the islands from the west (right to left). The bow-wave patterns are overlaid on the low regional stratus (blanket) cloud that is so common in the southern Indian Ocean at 50 degrees south latitude. This view was taken from more than 400 kilometers above the sea surface and reveals relationships that could not be readily understood by someone standing on one of the islands. For example, larger and higher islands produce larger waves. So the largest are being generated by Possession Island (934 meters above sea level at the highest point), and East Island, versus much smaller waves developed downwind of the tiny Ile de Pingouins (340 meters above sea level high, invisible below the cloud deck). Other patterns also can be detected. Waves in an upper layer can be seen casting shadows onto a lower layer (lower left). In the top half of the image the waves are making thicker and thinner zones in the clouds of the lower layer. Wave trains from Possession Island and Ile aux Cochons are interacting in a cross-hatch pattern (center).

[Age peculiarities in prostate cancer detection based on the prostate-specific antigen and its alterations control].

PubMed

Ponkratov, S V; Kheyfets, V Kh; Kagan, O F

2017-01-01

Data on epidemiology of a prostate cancer are presented in article, high prevalence and body height of a case rate cause relevance of researches on this oncopathology. It is shown that the number augmentation for the first time of the taped cases is bound including to the program of a screening of inspection of men by determination of level of prostates-specific antigen (PSA). Modern diagnostic methods of identification of modifications of PSA, possessing larger sensitivity and specificity concerning a prostate cancer are lit. The attention to change of level of PSA depending on age is focused that needs to be considered at diagnostics of malignant neoplasms of a prostate.

A bizarre theropod from the Early Cretaceous of Japan highlighting mosaic evolution among coelurosaurians

PubMed Central

Azuma, Yoichi; Xu, Xing; Shibata, Masateru; Kawabe, Soichiro; Miyata, Kazunori; Imai, Takuya

2016-01-01

Our understanding of coelurosaurian evolution, particularly of bird origins, has been greatly improved, mainly due to numerous recently discovered fossils worldwide. Nearly all these discoveries are referable to the previously known coelurosaurian subgroups. Here, we report a new theropod, Fukuivenator paradoxus, gen. et sp. nov., based on a nearly complete specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Kitadani Formation of the Tetori Group, Fukui, Japan. While Fukuivenator possesses a large number of morphological features unknown in any other theropod, it has a combination of primitive and derived features seen in different theropod subgroups, notably dromaeosaurid dinosaurs. Computed-tomography data indicate that Fukuivenator possesses inner ears whose morphology is intermediate between those of birds and non-avian dinosaurs. Our phylogenetic analysis recovers Fukuivenator as a basally branching maniraptoran theropod, yet is unable to refer it to any known coelurosaurian subgroups. The discovery of Fukuivenator considerably increases the morphological disparity of coelurosaurian dinosaurs and highlights the high levels of homoplasy in coelurosaurian evolution. PMID:26908367

Adaptation to copper stress influences biofilm formation in Alteromonas macleodii.

PubMed

Cusick, Kathleen D; Dale, Jason R; Fitzgerald, Lisa A; Little, Brenda J; Biffinger, Justin C

2017-07-01

An Alteromonas macleodii strain was isolated from copper-containing coupons incubated in surface seawater (Key West, FL, USA). In addition to the original isolate, a copper-adapted mutant was created and maintained with 0.78 mM Cu 2+ . Biofilm formation was compared between the two strains under copper-amended and low-nutrient conditions. Biofilm formation was significantly increased in the original isolate under copper amendment, while biofilm formation was significantly higher in the mutant under low-nutrient conditions. Biofilm expression profiles of diguanylate cyclase (DGC) genes, as well as genes involved in secretion, differed between the strains. Comparative genomic analysis demonstrated that both strains possessed a large number of gene attachment harboring cyclic di-GMP synthesis and/or degradation domains. One of the DGC genes, induced at very high levels in the mutant, possessed a degradation domain in the original isolate that was lacking in the mutant. The genetic and transcriptional mechanisms contributing to biofilm formation are discussed.

Evaluation of anti-fatigue and immunomodulating effects of quercetin in strenuous exercise mice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Wei-qiang

2017-04-01

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the anti-fatigue and immunomodulating effects of quercetin in strenuous exercise mice. Mice were given orally either corn oil or quercetin (20, 40 and 60 mg/kg body weight suspended in corn oil) by gavage once a day for 28 day. All mice were sacrificed after rotarod test and the major biochemical parameters were analyzed in serum and liver. The results indicated that quercetin possessed anti-fatigue effects by prolonging retention times, decreasing levels of blood lactate and serum urea nitrogen, and increasing levels of blood glucose, tissue glycogen and serum glucagon. Furthermore, quercetin could improve the immune function of fatigue mice by decreasing tumor necrosis factor-α levels, and elevated interleukin-10 levels. Quercetin possessed anti-fatigue effects may be related to its immunomodulating effects.

Partial characterization, antioxidative properties and hypolipidemic effects of oilseed cake of Allanblackia floribunda and Jatropha curcas.

PubMed

Boudjeko, Thaddée; Ngomoyogoli, Judith Emery Kanemoto; Woguia, Alice Louise; Yanou, Nicolas Njintang

2013-12-11

High fat diet is known to induce oxidative stress and abnormal changes in lipid metabolism. Many traditional plants have been shown to possess antioxidant and lipid-lowering activities, improving on oxidative status and lipid profile. In this paper, we characterized and examined the antioxidative properties of the oilseed cake of A. floribunda and J. curcas. We also evaluated their effect on lipid profile in the plasma and liver of experimental rats placed on a high fat diet. For a partial characterization, the qualitative and quantitative analyses of storage proteins, dietary fibre and polyphenol content were evaluated. Four extracts (aqueous, ethanolic, methanolic and 0.1 N HCl) were evaluated for their antioxidant properties and scavenging activities. The effect on lipid profile was evaluated after the administration of the crude extracts to albino rats placed on a high fat diet. Our results showed that J. curcas contains 10 times more storage proteins than A. floribunda while A. floribunda contains twice as much total dietary fibre than J. curcas. An evaluation of the different families of storage proteins showed that J. curcas has glutelins as the major storage proteins in its seeds (61.65 mg/g d.m), followed by globulins (25.30 mg/g d.m) and albumins (18.30 mg/g d.m). The electrophoretic analyses revealed a diversity of bands at the level of the different families and for both species. The evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activities showed that A. floribunda extracts had higher antioxidant properties. Although the composition of A. floribunda and J. curcas oilseed cake are different, they lowered serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and blood glucose level. These results show that the oilseed cake of A. floribunda and J. curcas possess antioxidant properties with an effect on blood glucose level and lipid profile.

Partial characterization, antioxidative properties and hypolipidemic effects of oilseed cake of Allanblackia floribunda and Jatropha curcas

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background High fat diet is known to induce oxidative stress and abnormal changes in lipid metabolism. Many traditional plants have been shown to possess antioxidant and lipid-lowering activities, improving on oxidative status and lipid profile. In this paper, we characterized and examined the antioxidative properties of the oilseed cake of A. floribunda and J. curcas. We also evaluated their effect on lipid profile in the plasma and liver of experimental rats placed on a high fat diet. Methods For a partial characterization, the qualitative and quantitative analyses of storage proteins, dietary fibre and polyphenol content were evaluated. Four extracts (aqueous, ethanolic, methanolic and 0.1 N HCl) were evaluated for their antioxidant properties and scavenging activities. The effect on lipid profile was evaluated after the administration of the crude extracts to albino rats placed on a high fat diet. Results Our results showed that J. curcas contains 10 times more storage proteins than A. floribunda while A. floribunda contains twice as much total dietary fibre than J. curcas. An evaluation of the different families of storage proteins showed that J. curcas has glutelins as the major storage proteins in its seeds (61.65 mg/g d.m), followed by globulins (25.30 mg/g d.m) and albumins (18.30 mg/g d.m). The electrophoretic analyses revealed a diversity of bands at the level of the different families and for both species. The evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant activities showed that A. floribunda extracts had higher antioxidant properties. Although the composition of A. floribunda and J. curcas oilseed cake are different, they lowered serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and blood glucose level. Conclusion These results show that the oilseed cake of A. floribunda and J. curcas possess antioxidant properties with an effect on blood glucose level and lipid profile. PMID:24330337

An assessment of generalization of imitation in two enculturated orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus).

PubMed

Yunger, Jennifer L; Bjorklund, David F

2004-06-01

Deferred imitation of object-related actions and generalization of imitation to similar but not identical tasks were assessed in two human-reared (enculturated) orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus). Each ape displayed low levels of deferred imitation but did not provide evidence of generalization of imitation. Results suggest that enculturated orangutans may not possess social-cognitive abilities similar to that which enculturated chimpanzees are assumed to possess.

Beyond the Quantum Hall Effect: New Phases of 2D Electrons at High Magnetic Field

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eisenstein, James

2007-03-01

In this talk I will discuss recent experiments on high mobility single and double layer 2D electron systems in which collective phases lying outside the usual quantum Hall effect paradigm have been detected and studied. For example, in single layer 2D systems near half-filling of highly excited Landau levels new states characterized by a massive anisotropy in the electrical resistivity of the sample are observed at very low temperature. The anisotropy has been widely interpreted as the signature of a new class of correlated electron phases which incorporate a stripe-like charge density modulation. Orientational ordering of small striped domains at low temperatures accounts for the resistive anisotropy and is reminiscent of the isotropic-to-nematic phase transition in classical liquid crystals. Double layer 2D electron systems possess collective phases not present in single layer systems. In particular, when the total number of electrons in the bilayer equals the degeneracy of a single Landau level, an unusual phase appears at small layer separation. This phase possesses a novel broken symmetry, spontaneous interlayer phase coherence, which has a number of dramatic experimental signatures. The interlayer tunneling conductance develops a strong and very sharp resonance around zero bias resembling the dc Josephson effect. At the same time, both the longitudinal and Hall resistances of the sample vanish at low temperatures when currents are driven in opposite directions through the two layers. These, and other observations are broadly consistent with theories in which the broken symmetry phase can equivalently be described as a pseudospin ferromagnet or an (imperfect) excitonic superfluid. This work reflects a collaboration with M.P. Lilly, K.B. Cooper, I.B. Spielman, M. Kellogg, L.A. Tracy, L.N. Pfeiffer, and K.W. West.

Cyanidin 3-glucoside attenuates obesity-associated insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet-fed and db/db mice via the transcription factor FoxO1.

PubMed

Guo, Honghui; Xia, Min; Zou, Tangbin; Ling, Wenhua; Zhong, Ruimin; Zhang, Weiguo

2012-04-01

Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes, and both conditions are now recognized to possess significant inflammatory components underlying their pathophysiologies. Here, we hypothesized that cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G), a typical anthocyanin reported to possess potent anti-inflammatory properties, would ameliorate obesity-associated inflammation and metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in mouse models of diabesity. Male C57BL/6J obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks and genetically diabetic db/db mice at an age of 6 weeks received dietary C3G supplementation (0.2%) for 5 weeks. We found that dietary C3G lowered fasting glucose levels and markedly improved the insulin sensitivity in both high-fat diet fed and db/db mice as compared with unsupplemented controls. White adipose tissue messenger RNA levels and serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1) were reduced by C3G, as did macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue. Concomitantly, hepatic triglyceride content and steatosis were alleviated by C3G. Moreover, C3G treatment decreased c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation and promoted phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion of forkhead box O1 after refeeding. These findings clearly indicate that C3G has significant potency in antidiabetic effects by modulating the c-Jun N-terminal kinase/forkhead box O1 signaling pathway and the related inflammatory adipocytokines. Crown Copyright © 2012. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of fourteen wild edible fruits from Burkina Faso.

PubMed

Lamien-Meda, Aline; Lamien, Charles Euloge; Compaoré, Moussa M Y; Meda, Roland N T; Kiendrebeogo, Martin; Zeba, Boukare; Millogo, Jeanne F; Nacoulma, Odile G

2008-03-06

A total of fourteen (14) species of wild edible fruits from Burkina Faso were analyzed for their phenolic and flavonoid contents, and their antioxidant activities using the DPPH, FRAP and ABTS methods. The data obtained show that the total phenolic and total flavonoid levels were significantly higher in the acetone than in the methanol extracts.Detarium microcarpum fruit had the highest phenolic and the highest flavonoid content,followed by that of Adansonia digitata, Ziziphus mauritiana, Ximenia americana and Lannea microcarpa. Significant amounts of total phenolics were also detected in the other fruit species in the following order of decreasing levels: Tamarindus indica > Sclerocaryabirrea > Dialium guineense > Gardenia erubescens > Diospyros mespiliformis > Parkiabiglobosa > Ficus sycomorus > Vitellaria paradoxa. Detarium microcarpum fruit also showed the highest antioxidant activity using the three antioxidant assays. Fruits with high antioxidant activities were also found to possess high phenolic and flavonoid contents. There was a strong correlation between total phenolic and flavonoid levels and antioxidant activities.

Landau level splitting in Cd3As2 under high magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Cheng; Cao, Junzhi; Liang, Sihang; Xia, Zhengcai; Li, Liang; Xiu, Faxian

2015-03-01

Three-dimensional (3D) topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) are a new kind of Dirac materials that adopt nontrivial topology in band structure and possess degenerated massless Dirac fermions in the bulk. It has been proposed that TDSs can be driven to other exotic phases like Weyl semimetals, topological insulators and topological superconductors by breaking certain symmetries. Here we report the first transport evidence of Landau level splitting in TDS Cd3As2 single crystals under high magnetic fields, suggesting the removal of spin degeneracy by breaking time reversal symmetry (TRS). The observed Landau level splitting is originated from the joint contributions of orbit and Zeeman splitting in Cd3As2. In addition, the detected Berry phase is found to vary from nontrivial to trivial at different field directions, revealing a fierce competition between the orbit-coupled field strength and the field-generated mass term. Our results demonstrate a feasible path to generate a Weyl semimetal phase based on the TDSs by breaking TRS.

The three keys to quality customer service: opening the doors to exceptional performance.

PubMed

Myers, Pennie; Nance, Don W

2002-01-01

Excellence in customer service requires three things. The first is a commitment to a set of principles. These principles reflect beliefs and assumptions that people are valuable and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. This commitment is expressed to customers by an adherence to six customer-friendly processes and by personnel who possess a high level of skill in the behaviors that make up customer service. When these three requirements are met, laboratorians not only maintain a competitive edge but also fulfill their mission as health-care professionals.

New method of acne disease fluorescent diagnostics in natural and fluorescent light and treatment control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karimova, L. N.; Berezin, A. N.; Shevchik, S. A.; Kharnas, S. S.; Kusmin, S. G.; Loschenov, V. B.

2005-08-01

In the given research the new method of fluorescent diagnostics (FD) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) control of acne disease is submitted. Method is based on simultaneous diagnostics in natural and fluorescent light. PDT was based on using 5-ALA (5- aminolevulinic acid) preparation and 600-730 nanometers radiation. If the examined site of a skin possessed a high endogenous porphyrin fluorescence level, PDT was carried out without 5-ALA. For FD and treatment control a dot spectroscopy and the fluorescent imaging of the affected skin were used.

High-mobility group B1 proteins in canine lymphoma: prognostic value of initial and sequential serum levels in treatment outcome following combination chemotherapy.

PubMed

Meyer, A; Eberle, N; Bullerdiek, J; Nolte, I; Simon, D

2010-06-01

Elevated high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) levels have been demonstrated in different human neoplasias. Information on serum HMGB1 before and during chemotherapy is lacking, as is data pertaining to its prognostic significance. The aim of this study was to characterize serum HMGB1 level in dogs with lymphoma and to assess its influence on the outcome following chemotherapy. Serum HMGB1 concentrations were measured in 16 dogs with lymphoma before treatment (W1) and on weeks 2 (W2), 6 (W6) and 12 (W12) of treatment with chemotherapy. Initial serum HMGB1 levels were significantly higher than HMGB1concentrations in control dogs and the levels in W2, W6 and W12. HMGB1-W1 concentrations were lower in dogs achieving complete remission than that in the single dog with partial remission. The ratio W12/W6 exhibited significant influence on remission duration. In these dogs with lymphoma, serum HMGB1 was elevated in comparison with that in controls. Initial serum HMGB1 level and its modulation during treatment may possess prognostic value.

Characterization of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Biotype Variant Clinical Isolates from Bangladesh and Haiti, Including a Molecular Genetic Analysis of Virulence Genes ▿

PubMed Central

Son, Mike S.; Megli, Christina J.; Kovacikova, Gabriela; Qadri, Firdausi; Taylor, Ronald K.

2011-01-01

Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1, the causative agent of the diarrheal disease cholera, is divided into two biotypes: classical and El Tor. Both biotypes produce the major virulence factors toxin-coregulated pilus (TCP) and cholera toxin (CT). Although possessing genotypic and phenotypic differences, El Tor biotype strains displaying classical biotype traits have been reported and subsequently were dubbed El Tor variants. Of particular interest are reports of El Tor variants that produce various levels of CT, including levels typical of classical biotype strains. Here, we report the characterization of 10 clinical isolates from the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, and a representative strain from the 2010 Haiti cholera outbreak. We observed that all 11 strains produced increased CT (2- to 10-fold) compared to that of wild-type El Tor strains under in vitro inducing conditions, but they possessed various TcpA and ToxT expression profiles. Particularly, El Tor variant MQ1795, which produced the highest level of CT and very high levels of TcpA and ToxT, demonstrated hypervirulence compared to the virulence of El Tor wild-type strains in the infant mouse cholera model. Additional genotypic and phenotypic tests were conducted to characterize the variants, including an assessment of biotype-distinguishing characteristics. Notably, the sequencing of ctxB in some El Tor variants revealed two copies of classical ctxB, one per chromosome, contrary to previous reports that located ctxAB only on the large chromosome of El Tor biotype strains. PMID:21880975

Spatial Skill Profile of Mathematics Pre-Service Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Putri, R. O. E.

2018-01-01

This study is aimed to investigate the spatial intelligence of mathematics pre-service teachers and find the best instructional strategy that facilitates this aspect. Data were collected from 35 mathematics pre-service teachers. The Purdue Spatial Visualization Test (PSVT) was used to identify the spatial skill of mathematics pre-service teachers. Statistical analysis indicate that more than 50% of the participants possessed spatial skill in intermediate level, whereas the other were in high and low level of spatial skill. The result also shows that there is a positive correlation between spatial skill and mathematics ability, especially in geometrical problem solving. High spatial skill students tend to have better mathematical performance compare to those in two other levels. Furthermore, qualitative analysis reveals that most students have difficulty in manipulating geometrical objects mentally. This problem mostly appears in intermediate and low-level spatial skill students. The observation revealed that 3-D geometrical figures is the best method that can overcome the mentally manipulation problem and develop the spatial visualization. Computer application can also be used to improve students’ spatial skill.

Changes in insecticide resistance of the rice striped stem borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).

PubMed

Su, Jianya; Zhang, Zhenzhen; Wu, Min; Gao, Congfen

2014-02-01

Application of insecticides is the most important method to control Chilo suppressalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and continuous use of individual insecticides has driven the rapid development of insecticide resistance in C. suppressalis during the past 30 yr. Monitoring insecticide resistance provides information essential for integrated pest management. Insecticide resistance of field populations to monosultap, triazophos, chlorpyrifos, and abamectin in China was examined in 2010 and 2011. The results indicated that the resistance levels of 14 field populations to four insecticides were significantly different. Four populations showed moderate resistance, and other populations possessed low-level resistance or were susceptible to monosultap. Nine populations displayed an extremely high or a high level of resistance to triazophos, whereas four populations were sensitive to this agent. Five populations exhibited a low level of resistance to abamectin, while the others remained sensitive. When compared with historical data, resistance to monosultap and triazophos decreased significantly, and the percentage of populations with high-level or extremely high-level resistance was obviously reduced. By contrast, the resistance to abamectin increased slightly. The increasing and decreasing resistance levels reported in this study highlight the different evolutionary patterns of insecticide resistance in C. suppressalis. An overreliance on one or two insecticides may promote rapid development of resistance. Slow development of resistance to abamectin, which was used mainly in mixtures with other insecticides, implies that the use of insecticide mixtures may be an effective method to delay the evolution of resistance to insecticides.

Corrosion behavior of Alloy 690 and Alloy 693 in simulated nuclear high level waste medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samantaroy, Pradeep Kumar; Suresh, Girija; Paul, Ranita; Kamachi Mudali, U.; Raj, Baldev

2011-11-01

Nickel based alloys are candidate materials for the storage of high level waste (HLW) generated from reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel. In the present investigation Alloy 690 and Alloy 693 are assessed by potentiodynamic anodic polarization technique for their corrosion behavior in 3 M HNO 3, 3 M HNO 3 containing simulated HLW and in chloride medium. Both the alloys were found to possess good corrosion resistance in both the media at ambient condition. Microstructural examination was carried out by SEM for both the alloys after electrolytic etching. Compositional analysis of the passive film formed on the alloys in 3 M HNO 3 and 3 M HNO 3 with HLW was carried out by XPS. The surface of Alloy 690 and Alloy 693, both consists of a thin layer of oxide of Ni, Cr, and Fe under passivation in both the media. The results of investigation are presented in the paper.

Correspondence of High Levels of Beta-Exotoxin I and the Presence of cry1B in Bacillus thuringiensis

PubMed Central

Espinasse, Sylvain; Gohar, Michel; Chaufaux, Josette; Buisson, Christophe; Perchat, Stéphane; Sanchis, Vincent

2002-01-01

Examination of 640 natural isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis showed that the 58 strains (9%) whose supernatants were toxic to Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) produced between 10 and 175 μg of β-exotoxin I per ml. We also found that 55 (46%) of a sample of 118 strains whose culture supernatants were not toxic to A. grandis nevertheless produced between 2 and 5 μg/ml. However, these amounts of β-exotoxin I were below the threshold for detectable toxicity against this insect species. Secretion of large amounts of β-exotoxin I was strongly associated with the presence of cry1B and vip2 genes in the 640 natural B. thuringiensis isolates studied. We concluded that strains carrying cry1B and vip2 genes also possess, on the same plasmid, genetic determinants necessary to promote high levels of production of β-exotoxin I. PMID:12200263

Health Care Finance Executive Personalities Revisited: A 10-Year Follow-up Study.

PubMed

Lieneck, Cristian; Nowicki, Michael

2015-01-01

A dynamic health care industry continues to call upon health care leaders to possess not one but multiple competencies. Inherent personality characteristics of leaders often play a major role in personal as well as organizational success to include those in health care finance positions of responsibility. A replication study was conducted to determine the Myers-Briggs personality-type differences between practicing health care finance professionals in 2014, as compared with a previous 2003 study. Results indicate a significant shift between both independent samples of health care finance professionals over the 10-year period from original high levels of introversion to that of extraversion, as well as higher sensing personality preferences, as compared with the original sample's high level of intuition preferences. Further investigation into the evolving role of the health care finance manager is suggested, while continued alignment of inherent, personal characteristics is suggested to meet ongoing changes in the industry.

A Memory Efficient Network Encryption Scheme

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Fotouh, Mohamed Abo; Diepold, Klaus

In this paper, we studied the two widely used encryption schemes in network applications. Shortcomings have been found in both schemes, as these schemes consume either more memory to gain high throughput or low memory with low throughput. The need has aroused for a scheme that has low memory requirements and in the same time possesses high speed, as the number of the internet users increases each day. We used the SSM model [1], to construct an encryption scheme based on the AES. The proposed scheme possesses high throughput together with low memory requirements.

Landau level splitting in Cd3As2 under high magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Junzhi; Liang, Sihang; Zhang, Cheng; Liu, Yanwen; Huang, Junwei; Jin, Zhao; Chen, Zhi-Gang; Wang, Zhijun; Wang, Qisi; Zhao, Jun; Li, Shiyan; Dai, Xi; Zou, Jin; Xia, Zhengcai; Li, Liang; Xiu, Faxian

2015-07-01

Three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) are a new kind of Dirac materials that exhibit linear energy dispersion in the bulk and can be viewed as three-dimensional graphene. It has been proposed that TDSs can be driven to other exotic phases like Weyl semimetals, topological insulators and topological superconductors by breaking certain symmetries. Here we report the first transport experiment on Landau level splitting in TDS Cd3As2 single crystals under high magnetic fields, suggesting the removal of spin degeneracy by breaking time reversal symmetry. The detected Berry phase develops an evident angular dependence and possesses a crossover from non-trivial to trivial state under high magnetic fields, a strong hint for a fierce competition between the orbit-coupled field strength and the field-generated mass term. Our results unveil the important role of symmetry breaking in TDSs and further demonstrate a feasible path to generate a Weyl semimetal phase by breaking time reversal symmetry.

Landau level splitting in Cd3As2 under high magnetic fields.

PubMed

Cao, Junzhi; Liang, Sihang; Zhang, Cheng; Liu, Yanwen; Huang, Junwei; Jin, Zhao; Chen, Zhi-Gang; Wang, Zhijun; Wang, Qisi; Zhao, Jun; Li, Shiyan; Dai, Xi; Zou, Jin; Xia, Zhengcai; Li, Liang; Xiu, Faxian

2015-07-13

Three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) are a new kind of Dirac materials that exhibit linear energy dispersion in the bulk and can be viewed as three-dimensional graphene. It has been proposed that TDSs can be driven to other exotic phases like Weyl semimetals, topological insulators and topological superconductors by breaking certain symmetries. Here we report the first transport experiment on Landau level splitting in TDS Cd3As2 single crystals under high magnetic fields, suggesting the removal of spin degeneracy by breaking time reversal symmetry. The detected Berry phase develops an evident angular dependence and possesses a crossover from non-trivial to trivial state under high magnetic fields, a strong hint for a fierce competition between the orbit-coupled field strength and the field-generated mass term. Our results unveil the important role of symmetry breaking in TDSs and further demonstrate a feasible path to generate a Weyl semimetal phase by breaking time reversal symmetry.

Landau level splitting in Cd3As2 under high magnetic fields

PubMed Central

Cao, Junzhi; Liang, Sihang; Zhang, Cheng; Liu, Yanwen; Huang, Junwei; Jin, Zhao; Chen, Zhi-Gang; Wang, Zhijun; Wang, Qisi; Zhao, Jun; Li, Shiyan; Dai, Xi; Zou, Jin; Xia, Zhengcai; Li, Liang; Xiu, Faxian

2015-01-01

Three-dimensional topological Dirac semimetals (TDSs) are a new kind of Dirac materials that exhibit linear energy dispersion in the bulk and can be viewed as three-dimensional graphene. It has been proposed that TDSs can be driven to other exotic phases like Weyl semimetals, topological insulators and topological superconductors by breaking certain symmetries. Here we report the first transport experiment on Landau level splitting in TDS Cd3As2 single crystals under high magnetic fields, suggesting the removal of spin degeneracy by breaking time reversal symmetry. The detected Berry phase develops an evident angular dependence and possesses a crossover from non-trivial to trivial state under high magnetic fields, a strong hint for a fierce competition between the orbit-coupled field strength and the field-generated mass term. Our results unveil the important role of symmetry breaking in TDSs and further demonstrate a feasible path to generate a Weyl semimetal phase by breaking time reversal symmetry. PMID:26165390

The possession game? A comparative analysis of ball retention and team success in European and international football, 2007-2010.

PubMed

Collet, Christian

2013-01-01

Possession is thought of as central to success in modern football, but questions remain about its impact on positive team outcomes (Bate, 1988; Hughes & Franks, 2005; Pollard & Reep, 1997; Stanhope, 2001). Recent studies (e.g. Bloomfield, Polman, & O'Donoghue, 2005; Carling, Williams, & Reilly, 2005; James, Mellallieu, & Holley, 2002; Jones, James, & Mellalieu, 2004; Lago, 2009; Lago & Martin, 2007; Lago-Peñas & Dellal, 2010; Lago-Peñas, Lago-Ballesteros, Dellal, & Gómez, 2010; Taylor, Mellalieu, & James, 2005; Tucker, Mellalieu, James, & Taylor, 2005) that have examined these questions have often been constrained by an exclusive focus on English or Spanish domestic play. Using data from five European leagues, UEFA and FIFA tournaments, the study found that while possession time and passing predicted aggregated team success in domestic league play, both variables were poor predictors at the individual match level once team quality and home advantage were accounted for. In league play, the effect of greater possession was consistently negative; in the Champions League, it had virtually no impact. In national team tournaments, possession failed to reach significance when offensive factors were accounted for. Much of the success behind the 'possession game' was thus a function of elite teams confined in geographic and competitive space. That ball hegemony was not consistently tied to success suggests that a nuanced approach to possession is needed to account for variant strategic environments (e.g. James et al., 2002) and compels match analysts to re-examine the metric's overall value.

Socio-economic status and cardiovascular risk factors in rural and urban areas of Vellore, Tamilnadu, South India.

PubMed

Samuel, Prasanna; Antonisamy, Belavendra; Raghupathy, Palani; Richard, Joseph; Fall, Caroline H D

2012-10-01

We examined associations between socio-economic status (SES) indicators and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among urban and rural South Indians. Data from a population-based birth cohort of 2218 men and women aged 26-32 years from Vellore, Tamilnadu were used. SES indicators included a household possessions score, attained education and paternal education. CVD risk factors included obesity, hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, plasma total cholesterol to high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and triglyceride levels and consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations between SES indicators and risk factors. Most risk factors were positively associated with possessions score in urban and rural men and women, except for tobacco use, which was negatively associated. Trends were similar with the participants' own education and paternal education, though weaker and less consistent. In a concurrent analysis of all the three SES indicators, adjusted for gender and urban/rural residence, independent associations were observed only for the possessions score. Compared with those in the lowest fifth of the score, participants in the highest fifth had a higher risk of abdominal obesity [odds ratio (OR) =6.4, 95% CI 3.4-11.6], high total cholesterol to HDL ratio (OR=2.4, 95% CI 1.6-3.5) and glucose intolerance (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.9-4.1). Their tobacco use (OR=0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.6) was lower. Except for hypertension and glucose intolerance, risk factors were higher in urban than rural participants independently of SES. In this young cohort of rural and urban south Indians, higher SES was associated with a more adverse CVD risk factor profile but lower tobacco use.

Propulsive-lift concepts for improved low-speed performance of supersonic cruise arrow-wing configurations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coe, P. L., Jr.

1976-01-01

Low-aspect-ratio highly swept arrow-wing supersonic aircraft possess high levels of aerodynamic efficiency at supersonic cruising speeds, however, their inherently poor low-speed lift characteristics require design constraints that compromise supersonic performance. The data discussed in this paper were obtained in wind tunnel tests with supersonic crusing configurations, in which propulsive-lift concepts were used to improve low-speed performance. The data show that the increased low-speed lift provided by propulsive-lift permits reduction of both wing size and installed thrust. This yields a batter engine/airframe match for improved supersonic cruise efficiency and range, while still providing acceptable take-off field lengths.

Determinants of attending antenatal care at least four times in rural Ghana: analysis of a cross-sectional survey

PubMed Central

Sakeah, Evelyn; Okawa, Sumiyo; Rexford Oduro, Abraham; Shibanuma, Akira; Ansah, Evelyn; Kikuchi, Kimiyo; Gyapong, Margaret; Owusu-Agyei, Seth; Williams, John; Debpuur, Cornelius; Yeji, Francis; Kukula, Vida Ami; Enuameh, Yeetey; Asare, Gloria Quansah; Agyekum, Enoch Oti; Addai, Sheila; Sarpong, Doris; Adjei, Kwame; Tawiah, Charlotte; Yasuoka, Junko; Nanishi, Keiko; Jimba, Masamine; Hodgson, Abraham; the Ghana EMBRACE Team

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Background: Improving maternal health is a global challenge. In Ghana, maternal morbidity and mortality rates remain high, particularly in rural areas. Antenatal care (ANC) attendance is known to improve maternal health. However, few studies have updated current knowledge regarding determinants of ANC attendance. Objective: This study examined factors associated with ANC attendance in predominantly rural Ghana. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study at three sites (i.e. Navrongo, Kintampo, and Dodowa) in Ghana between August and September 2013. We selected 1500 women who had delivered within the two years preceding the survey (500 from each site) using two-stage random sampling. Data concerning 1497 women’s sociodemographic characteristics and antenatal care attendance were collected and analyzed, and factors associated with attending ANC at least four times were identified using logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 1497 participants, 86% reported attending ANC at least four times, which was positively associated with possession of national health insurance (AOR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.14–2.38) and having a partner with a high educational level (AOR 1.64, 95% CI: 1.02–2.64) and negatively associated with being single (AOR 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22–0.69) and cohabiting (AOR 0.57, 95% CI: 0.34–0.97). In site-specific analyses, factors associated with ANC attendance included marital status in Navrongo; marital status, possession of national health insurance, partners’ educational level, and wealth in Kintampo; and preferred pregnancy timing in Dodowa. In the youngest, least educated, and poorest women and women whose partners were uneducated, those with health insurance were more likely to report at least four ANC attendances relative to those who did not have insurance. Conclusions: Ghanaian women with low socioeconomic status were less likely to report at least four ANC attendances during pregnancy if they did not possess health insurance. The national health insurance scheme should include a higher number of deprived women in predominantly rural communities. PMID:28578634

Transparent Nanofibrous Mesh Self-Assembled from Molecular LEGOs for High Efficiency Air Filtration with New Functionalities.

PubMed

Singh, Varun Kumar; Ravi, Sai Kishore; Sun, Wanxin; Tan, Swee Ching

2017-02-01

Alarming levels of particulate matter pollution in air pose a serious health threat in several countries, therefore intriguing a strong need for an economic and a viable technology of air filtration. Current air purification technology is rather expensive with certain types even having the risk of emitting hazardous by-products. The authors have developed a multifunctional air filter inspired from the nasal hairs possessing an ability to specifically trap/exhale the foreign particles and allergens while still letting the air flow. This design is achieved by introducing different functionalities at different dimensional scale employing a bottom-up approach starting with an organic molecule which is further self-organized to form nanoparticles and ultimately to a nanofibrous mesh. While the molecular building block inherently possesses the property of shielding Ultraviolet (UV) rays, the nanofibrous mesh built up from it aids in trapping the particulate matter while maintaining good air flow. By controlling the concentration of the organic molecule, the formation of fibers has been enabled in the nanoscale regime to obtain high particle-capture possibilities. The self-assembled nanofibrous filter thus designed has achieved a high filtration efficiency of ≈90% for the PM 2.5 particle in congruence with the ability to block the harmful UV radiations. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Influence of electronic type purity on the lithiation of single-walled carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Jaber-Ansari, Laila; Iddir, Hakim; Curtiss, Larry A; Hersam, Mark C

2014-03-25

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) have emerged as one of the leading additives for high-capacity nanocomposite lithium ion battery electrodes due to their ability to improve electrode conductivity, current collection efficiency, and charge/discharge rate for high power applications. However, since as-grown SWCNTs possess a distribution of physical and electronic structures, it is of high interest to determine which subpopulations of SWCNTs possess the highest lithiation capacity and to develop processing methods that can enhance the lithiation capacity of underperforming SWCNT species. Toward this end, SWCNT electronic type purity is controlled via density gradient ultracentrifugation, enabling a systematic study of the lithiation of SWCNTs as a function of metal versus semiconducting content. Experimentally, vacuum-filtered freestanding films of metallic SWCNTs are found to accommodate lithium with an order of magnitude higher capacity than their semiconducting counterparts, which is consistent with ab initio molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculations in the limit of isolated SWCNTs. In contrast, SWCNT film densification leads to the enhancement of the lithiation capacity of semiconducting SWCNTs to levels comparable to metallic SWCNTs, which is corroborated by theoretical calculations that show increased lithiation of semiconducting SWCNTs in the limit of small SWCNT-SWCNT spacing. Overall, these results will inform ongoing efforts to utilize SWCNTs as conductive additives in nanocomposite lithium ion battery electrodes.

Robust Glyoxalase activity of Hsp31, a ThiJ/DJ-1/PfpI Family Member Protein, Is Critical for Oxidative Stress Resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae*

PubMed Central

Bankapalli, Kondalarao; Saladi, SreeDivya; Awadia, Sahezeel S.; Goswami, Arvind Vittal; Samaddar, Madhuja; D'Silva, Patrick

2015-01-01

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a reactive metabolic intermediate generated during various cellular biochemical reactions, including glycolysis. The accumulation of MG indiscriminately modifies proteins, including important cellular antioxidant machinery, leading to severe oxidative stress, which is implicated in multiple neurodegenerative disorders, aging, and cardiac disorders. Although cells possess efficient glyoxalase systems for detoxification, their functions are largely dependent on the glutathione cofactor, the availability of which is self-limiting under oxidative stress. Thus, higher organisms require alternate modes of reducing the MG-mediated toxicity and maintaining redox balance. In this report, we demonstrate that Hsp31 protein, a member of the ThiJ/DJ-1/PfpI family in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, plays an indispensable role in regulating redox homeostasis. Our results show that Hsp31 possesses robust glutathione-independent methylglyoxalase activity and suppresses MG-mediated toxicity and ROS levels as compared with another paralog, Hsp34. On the other hand, glyoxalase-defective mutants of Hsp31 were found highly compromised in regulating the ROS levels. Additionally, Hsp31 maintains cellular glutathione and NADPH levels, thus conferring protection against oxidative stress, and Hsp31 relocalizes to mitochondria to provide cytoprotection to the organelle under oxidative stress conditions. Importantly, human DJ-1, which is implicated in the familial form of Parkinson disease, complements the function of Hsp31 by suppressing methylglyoxal and oxidative stress, thus signifying the importance of these proteins in the maintenance of ROS homeostasis across phylogeny. PMID:26370081

Evaluating arguments during instigations of defence motivation and accuracy motivation.

PubMed

Liu, Cheng-Hong

2017-05-01

When people evaluate the strength of an argument, their motivations are likely to influence the evaluation. However, few studies have specifically investigated the influences of motivational factors on argument evaluation. This study examined the effects of defence and accuracy motivations on argument evaluation. According to the compatibility between the advocated positions of arguments and participants' prior beliefs and the objective strength of arguments, participants evaluated four types of arguments: compatible-strong, compatible-weak, incompatible-strong, and incompatible-weak arguments. Experiment 1 revealed that participants possessing a high defence motivation rated compatible-weak arguments as stronger and incompatible-strong ones as weaker than participants possessing a low defence motivation. However, the strength ratings between the high and low defence groups regarding both compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments were similar. Experiment 2 revealed that when participants possessed a high accuracy motivation, they rated compatible-weak arguments as weaker and incompatible-strong ones as stronger than when they possessed a low accuracy motivation. However, participants' ratings on both compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments were similar when comparing high and low accuracy conditions. The results suggest that defence and accuracy motivations are two major motives influencing argument evaluation. However, they primarily influence the evaluation results for compatible-weak and incompatible-strong arguments, but not for compatible-strong and incompatible-weak arguments. © 2016 The British Psychological Society.

Microbial production of isoquinoline alkaloids as plant secondary metabolites based on metabolic engineering research.

PubMed

Sato, Fumihiko; Kumagai, Hidehiko

2013-01-01

Plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites that possess strong physiological activities. Unfortunately, however, their production can suffer from a variety of serious problems, including low levels of productivity and heterogeneous quality, as well as difficulty in raw material supply. In contrast, microorganisms can be used to produce their primary and some of their secondary metabolites in a controlled environment, thus assuring high levels of efficiency and uniform quality. In an attempt to overcome the problems associated with secondary metabolite production in plants, we developed a microbial platform for the production of plant isoquinoline alkaloids involving the unification of the microbial and plant metabolic pathways into a single system. The potential applications of this system have also been discussed.

Microbial production of isoquinoline alkaloids as plant secondary metabolites based on metabolic engineering research

PubMed Central

SATO, Fumihiko; KUMAGAI, Hidehiko

2013-01-01

Plants produce a variety of secondary metabolites that possess strong physiological activities. Unfortunately, however, their production can suffer from a variety of serious problems, including low levels of productivity and heterogeneous quality, as well as difficulty in raw material supply. In contrast, microorganisms can be used to produce their primary and some of their secondary metabolites in a controlled environment, thus assuring high levels of efficiency and uniform quality. In an attempt to overcome the problems associated with secondary metabolite production in plants, we developed a microbial platform for the production of plant isoquinoline alkaloids involving the unification of the microbial and plant metabolic pathways into a single system. The potential applications of this system have also been discussed. PMID:23666088

Synthesis and Photovoltaic Properties of a Copolymer based on thieno [2, 3-f] benzofuran and thienopyrroledione

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Yueyue; Yang, Yulin; Zhang, Yong

2017-12-01

A novel donor-acceptor type conjugated polymer PTBFTPD based on two-dimensional (2D) conjugated alkylthienyl substituted thieno[2,3-f]benzofuran (TBF) and thienopyrroledione (TPD) unit, was synthesized and applied as donor material for bulk heterojunction solar cells. The novol polymer possesses a narrow bandgap of 1.83 eV, a deep HOMO energy level (-5.64 eV) and a closer π-π stacking. After conventional devices were fabricated using PTBFTPD as donor blending with PC70BM as acceptor, a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 4.33% with a high open circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.09 V was obtained. The result indicates the promising potential of thieno [2, 3-f] benzofuran unit for high efficient polymer solar cells with a high voltage.

Reaching Into the Unknown: Actions, Goal Hierarchies, and Explorative Agency

PubMed Central

Gozli, Davood G.; Dolcini, Nevia

2018-01-01

Action is widely characterized as possessing a teleological dimension. The dominant way of describing goal-directed action and agency is in terms of exploitation, i.e., pursuing pre-specified goals using existing strategies. Recent theoretical developments emphasize the place of exploration, i.e., discovering new goals or acquiring new strategies. The exploitation-exploration distinction poses questions with regard to goals and agency: Should exploration, as some authors have suggested, be regarded as acting without a goal? We argue that recognizing the hierarchical nature of goals is crucial in distinguishing the two kinds of activity, because this recognition prevents the claim that exploration is goal-free, while allowing for a homogeneous account of both exploitative and explorative actions. An action typically causes relatively low-level/proximal (i.e., sensorimotor, immediate) and relatively high-level/distal (i.e., in the environment, at a wider timescale) outcomes. In exploitation, one relies on existing associations between low- and high-level states, whereas in exploration one does not have the ability or intention to control high-level/distal states. We argue that explorative action entails the capacity to exercise control within the low-level/proximal states, which enables the pursuit of indeterminate goals at the higher levels of a goal hierarchy, and the possibility of acquiring new goals and reorganization of goal hierarchies. We consider how the dominant models of agency might accommodate this capacity for explorative action. PMID:29563888

Role Models and Informal STEM-Related Activities Positively Impact Female Interest in STEM

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weber, Katherine

2011-01-01

The United States' economy depends greatly on a citizenry that possesses scientific and technical skills within the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) for economic growth. In the past few decades, technological advancement has created a demand for a highly skilled workforce possessing scientific and mathematical…

50 CFR 20.100 - General provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... General provisions. (a) The taking, possession, transportation, and other uses of migratory game birds by.... Migratory game bird population levels, including production and habitat conditions, vary annually. These... migratory game birds to permissible levels. (b) The development of these schedules involves annual data...

50 CFR 20.100 - General provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... General provisions. (a) The taking, possession, transportation, and other uses of migratory game birds by.... Migratory game bird population levels, including production and habitat conditions, vary annually. These... migratory game birds to permissible levels. (b) The development of these schedules involves annual data...

50 CFR 20.100 - General provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... General provisions. (a) The taking, possession, transportation, and other uses of migratory game birds by.... Migratory game bird population levels, including production and habitat conditions, vary annually. These... migratory game birds to permissible levels. (b) The development of these schedules involves annual data...

50 CFR 20.100 - General provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... General provisions. (a) The taking, possession, transportation, and other uses of migratory game birds by.... Migratory game bird population levels, including production and habitat conditions, vary annually. These... migratory game birds to permissible levels. (b) The development of these schedules involves annual data...

50 CFR 20.100 - General provisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... General provisions. (a) The taking, possession, transportation, and other uses of migratory game birds by.... Migratory game bird population levels, including production and habitat conditions, vary annually. These... migratory game birds to permissible levels. (b) The development of these schedules involves annual data...

Vexillata liomyos n. sp. (Nemata: Ornithostrongylidae) from Liomys pictus (Rodentia: Heteromyidae) from Mexico, with comments on the synlophe of Vexillata armandae.

PubMed

Falcón-Ordaz, J; Gardner, S L; Pérez-Ponce de León, G

2001-06-01

Individuals of a new species of Vexillata were collected from the small intestines of Liomys pictus from the Estaci6n de Biología Chamela, in Jalisco State, Mexico. The new species shows an array of characters that allow us to recognize it as a member of Vexillata; however, it can be distinguished from other species of the genus in that males possess an asymmetrical caudal bursa, females possess a characteristic cuticular inflation at the level of the ovijector, and both sexes possess a synlophe with 9 ridges at the midbody. Additional detail of the synlophe of Vexillata armandae Gardner et al., 1994 from Chaetodipus hispidus in New Mexico shows that both sexes have 12 cuticular ridges just posterior to the cephalic inflation, and in the posterior region of the body, females have 9 ridges of equal size while males possess 11 equal-sized ridges. In both sexes, the carene disappears at the posterior end of the body.

Fucosterol, a sterol extracted from Sargassum fusiforme, shows antidepressant and anticonvulsant effects.

PubMed

Zhen, Xing-Hua; Quan, Ying-Chun; Jiang, Hai-Ying; Wen, Zheng-Shun; Qu, You-Le; Guan, Li-Ping

2015-12-05

We previously showed that extracts of Sargassum fusiforme significantly reduce immobility time in the forced swim test and tail suspension test, suggesting that these extracts possess antidepressant-like effects. Here, fucosterol extracted from S. fusiforme was evaluated for antidepressant and anticonvulsant activities in mice. Fucosterol (10, 20, 30 and 40mg/kg) significantly shortened immobility time in the forced swim test and tail suspension test for30min after treatment but had no effect on locomotor activity in the open field test. Fucosterol significantly increased serotonin, norepinephrine and the metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in mouse brain, suggesting that the effects of fucosterol may be mediated through these neurotransmitters. As assessed using maximal electroshock, fucosterol (20, 40, 100mg/kg) possessed anticonvulsant activity, whereas rotarod toxicity test results indicated that fucosterol did not induce neurotoxicity at the same dose levels in mice. Thus, fucosterol may be a useful antidepressant adjunct candidate for treating depression in patients with epilepsy. A significant increase in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels was found in the fucosterol 20mg/kg group (P<0.05). Our findings suggested that fucosterol may possess an antidepressant-like effect, which may be mediated by increasing central BDNF levels. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Aharonov–Anandan quantum phases and Landau quantization associated with a magnetic quadrupole moment

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

Fonseca, I.C.; Bakke, K., E-mail: kbakke@fisica.ufpb.br

The arising of geometric quantum phases in the wave function of a moving particle possessing a magnetic quadrupole moment is investigated. It is shown that an Aharonov–Anandan quantum phase (Aharonov and Anandan, 1987) can be obtained in the quantum dynamics of a moving particle with a magnetic quadrupole moment. In particular, it is obtained as an analogue of the scalar Aharonov–Bohm effect for a neutral particle (Anandan, 1989). Besides, by confining the quantum particle to a hard-wall confining potential, the dependence of the energy levels on the geometric quantum phase is discussed and, as a consequence, persistent currents can arisemore » from this dependence. Finally, an analogue of the Landau quantization is discussed. -- Highlights: •Scalar Aharonov–Bohm effect for a particle possessing a magnetic quadrupole moment. •Aharonov–Anandan quantum phase for a particle with a magnetic quadrupole moment. •Dependence of the energy levels on the Aharonov–Anandan quantum phase. •Landau quantization associated with a particle possessing a magnetic quadrupole moment.« less

An implicit theory of self-esteem: the consequences of perceived self-esteem for romantic desirability.

PubMed

Zeigler-Hill, Virgil; Myers, Erin M

2011-04-07

The provision of information appears to be an important property of self-esteem as evidenced by previous research concerning the status-tracking and status-signaling models of self-esteem. The present studies examine whether there is an implicit theory of self-esteem that leads individuals to assume targets with higher levels of self-esteem possess more desirable characteristics than those with lower levels of self-esteem. Across 6 studies, targets with ostensibly higher levels of self-esteem were generally rated as more attractive and as more desirable relationship partners than those with lower levels of self- esteem. It is important to note, however, that this general trend did not consistently emerge for female targets. Rather, female targets with high self-esteem were often evaluated less positively than those with more moderate levels of self-esteem. The present findings are discussed in the context of an extended informational model of self-esteem consisting of both the status-tracking and status-signaling properties of self-esteem.

License restrictions at Barnwell

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

Autry, V.R.

1991-12-31

The State of South Carolina was delegated the authority by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to regulate the receipt, possession, use and disposal of radioactive material as an Agreement State. Since 1970, the state has been the principal regulatory authority for the Barnwell Low-Level Waste Disposal Facility operated by Chem-Nuclear Systems, Inc. The radioactive material license issued authorizing the receipt and disposal of low-level waste contains numerous restrictions to ensure environmental protection and compliance with shallow land disposal performance criteria. Low-level waste has evolved from minimally contaminated items to complex waste streams containing high concentrations of radionuclides and processing chemicalsmore » which necessitated these restrictions. Additionally, some waste with their specific radionuclides and concentration levels, many classified as low-level radioactive waste, are not appropriate for shallow land disposal unless additional precautions are taken. This paper will represent a number of these restrictions, the rationale for them, and how they are being dealt with at the Barnwell disposal facility.« less

Stakeholders' perceptions on competency and assessment program of entry-level pharmacists in developing countries.

PubMed

Asante, Isaac; Andoh, Irene; Muijtjens, Arno M M; Donkers, Jeroen

2017-05-01

To assess the stakeholders' perceptions on the competency of entry-level pharmacists and the use of written licensure examination as the primary assessment for licensure decisions on entry-level pharmacists who have completed the Pharmacy Internship Program 1 (PIP) in developing countries. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among stakeholders in which they completed a web-based 21-item pre-tested questionnaire to determine their views regarding the competency outcomes and assessment program for entry-level pharmacist. The stakeholders rated the entry-level pharmacists to possess all competencies except research skills. Stakeholders suggested improvement of the program by defining the competency framework and training preceptors. However, stakeholders disagree on using written examination as the primary assessment for licensure decision and suggested the incorporation of other performance-based assessments like preceptor's assessment reports. Stakeholders are uncertain on entry-level pharmacists in developing countries possessing adequate research competencies and think their assessment program for licensure need more than written examination to assess all required competencies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pushing the limits of CMOS optical parametric amplifiers with USRN:Si7N3 above the two-photon absorption edge

PubMed Central

Ooi, K. J. A.; Ng, D. K. T.; Wang, T.; Chee, A. K. L.; Ng, S. K.; Wang, Q.; Ang, L. K.; Agarwal, A. M.; Kimerling, L. C.; Tan, D. T. H.

2017-01-01

CMOS platforms operating at the telecommunications wavelength either reside within the highly dissipative two-photon regime in silicon-based optical devices, or possess small nonlinearities. Bandgap engineering of non-stoichiometric silicon nitride using state-of-the-art fabrication techniques has led to our development of USRN (ultra-silicon-rich nitride) in the form of Si7N3, that possesses a high Kerr nonlinearity (2.8 × 10−13 cm2 W−1), an order of magnitude larger than that in stoichiometric silicon nitride. Here we experimentally demonstrate high-gain optical parametric amplification using USRN, which is compositionally tailored such that the 1,550 nm wavelength resides above the two-photon absorption edge, while still possessing large nonlinearities. Optical parametric gain of 42.5 dB, as well as cascaded four-wave mixing with gain down to the third idler is observed and attributed to the high photon efficiency achieved through operating above the two-photon absorption edge, representing one of the largest optical parametric gains to date on a CMOS platform. PMID:28051064

Multi-representation ability of students on the problem solving physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theasy, Y.; Wiyanto; Sujarwata

2018-03-01

Accuracy in representing knowledge possessed by students will show how the level of student understanding. The multi-representation ability of students on the problem solving of physics has been done through qualitative method of grounded theory model and implemented on physics education student of Unnes academic year 2016/2017. Multiforms of representation used are verbal (V), images/diagrams (D), graph (G), and mathematically (M). High and low category students have an accurate use of graphical representation (G) of 83% and 77.78%, and medium category has accurate use of image representation (D) equal to 66%.

The Role of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Pediatric Trauma.

PubMed

Pearson, Erik G; Clifton, Matthew S

2017-02-01

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in the management of blunt and penetrating pediatric trauma has evolved in the past 30 years. Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy possess high levels of diagnostic accuracy with low associated missed injury rates. Currently available data advocate limiting the use of MIS to blunt or penetrating injuries in the hemodynamically stable child. In the pediatric trauma population, MIS offers both diagnostic and therapeutic potential, as well as reduced postoperative pain, a decreased rate of postoperative complications, shortened hospital stay, and potentially reduced cost. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A novel thiourea type organocatalyst possessing a single NH functionality.

PubMed

Jovanovic, Predrag; Petkovic, Milos; Simic, Milena; Ivkovic, Branka; Savic, Vladimir

2016-07-12

A novel thiourea organocatalyst was rationally designed by altering a typical H-bonding pattern of thiourea derivatives and utilising the potential of the 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl motif to participate in the H-bond formation. This unique catalyst afforded the products of the α-amination and Michael reaction in excellent yields and with a high level of stereoselectivity. Although additional studies are necessary to establish the full potential of the catalyst and to broaden its application further, the presented results may indicate alternative routes for further exploration of the thiourea class of organocatalysts.

Delegate, Collaborate, or Consult? A Capstone Simulation for Senior Nursing Students.

PubMed

Nowell, Lorelli S

2016-01-01

Clinical experiences are educational and fulfilling for both students and faculty; however, challenges arise in providing students with a variety of experiences where the leadership skills of prioritizing, collaborating, consulting, and delegating care can be developed. This article reports on a capstone simulation created to develop and sustain the prioritization, organization, and delegation skills of fourth year nursing students. Through the introduction of a multipatient simulation prior to graduation, nursing students will have a better understanding of the high-level leadership skills practicing registered nurses must possess in today's demanding health care environment.

Redox cycling of Cu(II) by 6-mercaptopurine leads to ROS generation and DNA breakage: possible mechanism of anticancer activity.

PubMed

Rehman, Sayeed Ur; Zubair, Haseeb; Sarwar, Tarique; Husain, Mohammed Amir; Ishqi, Hassan Mubarak; Nehar, Shamshun; Tabish, Mohammad

2015-02-01

6-Mercaptopurine (6MP) is a well-known purine antimetabolite used to treat childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and other diseases. Cancer cells as compared to normal cells are under increased oxidative stress and show high copper level. These differences between cancer cells and normal cells can be targeted to develop effective cancer therapy. Pro-oxidant property of 6MP in the presence of metal ions is not well documented. Redox cycling of Cu(II) to Cu(I) was found to be efficiently mediated by 6MP. We have performed a series of in vitro experiments to demonstrate the pro-oxidant property of 6MP in the presence of Cu(II). Studies on human lymphocytes confirmed the DNA damaging ability of 6MP in the presence of Cu(II). Since 6MP possesses DNA damaging ability by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of Cu(II), it may also possess apoptosis-inducing activity by involving endogenous copper ions. Essentially, this would be an alternative and copper-dependent pathway for anticancer activity of 6MP.

Archaeal RNA polymerase and transcription regulation

PubMed Central

Jun, Sung-Hoon; Reichlen, Matthew J.; Tajiri, Momoko; Murakami, Katsuhiko S.

2010-01-01

To elucidate the mechanism of transcription by cellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs), high resolution X-ray crystal structures together with structure-guided biochemical, biophysical and genetics studies are essential. The recently-solved X-ray crystal structures of archaeal RNA polymerase (RNAP) allow a structural comparison of the transcription machinery among all three domains of life. The archaea were once thought of closely related to bacteria, but they are now considered to be more closely related to the eukaryote at the molecular level than bacteria. According to these structures, the archaeal transcription apparatus, which includes RNAP and general transcription factors, is similar to the eukaryotic transcription machinery. Yet, the transcription regulators, activators and repressors, encoded by archaeal genomes are closely related to bacterial factors. Therefore, archaeal transcription appears to possess an intriguing hybrid of eukaryotic-type transcription apparatus and bacterial-like regulatory mechanisms. Elucidating the transcription mechanism in archaea, which possesses a combination of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription mechanisms that are commonly regarded as separate and mutually exclusive, can provide data that will bring basic transcription mechanisms across all three domains of life. PMID:21250781

Laccase produced by a thermotolerant strain of Trametes trogii LK13

PubMed Central

Yan, Jinping; Chen, Yuhui; Niu, Jiezhen; Chen, Daidi; Chagan, Irbis

2015-01-01

Thermophilic and thermotolerant micro-organisms strains have served as the natural source of industrially relevant and thermostable enzymes. Although some strains of the Trametes genus are thermotolerant, few Trametes strains were studied at the temperature above 30 °C until now. In this paper, the laccase activity and the mycelial growth rate for Trametes trogii LK13 are superior at 37 °C. Thermostability and organic cosolvent tolerance assays of the laccase produced at 37 °C indicated that the enzyme possessed fair thermostability with 50% of its initial activity at 80 °C for 5 min, and could remain 50% enzyme activity treated with organic cosolvent at the concentration range of 25%–50% (v/v). Furthermore, the test on production of laccase and lignocellulolytic enzymes showed the crude enzymes possessed high laccase level (1000 U g −1 ) along with low cellulose (2 U g −1 ) and xylanase (140 U g −1 ) activity. Thus, T. trogii LK13 is a potential strain to be applied in many biotechnological processes. PMID:26221089

Extracts, Anthocyanins and Procyanidins from Aronia melanocarpa as Radical Scavengers and Enzyme Inhibitors

PubMed Central

Bräunlich, Marie; Slimestad, Rune; Wangensteen, Helle; Brede, Cato; Malterud, Karl E.; Barsett, Hilde

2013-01-01

Extracts, subfractions, isolated anthocyanins and isolated procyanidins B2, B5 and C1 from the berries and bark of Aronia melanocarpa were investigated for their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. Four different bioassays were used, namely scavenging of the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, inhibition of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO), inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) and inhibition of α-glucosidase. Among the anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-arabinoside possessed the strongest and cyanidin 3-xyloside the weakest radical scavenging and enzyme inhibitory activity. These effects seem to be influenced by the sugar units linked to the anthocyanidin. Subfractions enriched in procyanidins were found to be potent α-glucosidase inhibitors; they possessed high radical scavenging properties, strong inhibitory activity towards 15-LO and moderate inhibitory activity towards XO. Trimeric procyanidin C1 showed higher activity in the biological assays compared to the dimeric procyanidins B2 and B5. This study suggests that different polyphenolic compounds of A. melanocarpa can have beneficial effects in reducing blood glucose levels due to inhibition of α-glucosidase and may have a potential to alleviate oxidative stress. PMID:23459328

Extracts, anthocyanins and procyanidins from Aronia melanocarpa as radical scavengers and enzyme inhibitors.

PubMed

Bräunlich, Marie; Slimestad, Rune; Wangensteen, Helle; Brede, Cato; Malterud, Karl E; Barsett, Hilde

2013-03-04

Extracts, subfractions, isolated anthocyanins and isolated procyanidins B2, B5 and C1 from the berries and bark of Aronia melanocarpa were investigated for their antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities. Four different bioassays were used, namely scavenging of the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, inhibition of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO), inhibition of xanthine oxidase (XO) and inhibition of α-glucosidase. Among the anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-arabinoside possessed the strongest and cyanidin 3-xyloside the weakest radical scavenging and enzyme inhibitory activity. These effects seem to be influenced by the sugar units linked to the anthocyanidin. Subfractions enriched in procyanidins were found to be potent α-glucosidase inhibitors; they possessed high radical scavenging properties, strong inhibitory activity towards 15-LO and moderate inhibitory activity towards XO. Trimeric procyanidin C1 showed higher activity in the biological assays compared to the dimeric procyanidins B2 and B5. This study suggests that different polyphenolic compounds of A. melanocarpa can have beneficial effects in reducing blood glucose levels due to inhibition of α-glucosidase and may have a potential to alleviate oxidative stress.

Independence screening for high dimensional nonlinear additive ODE models with applications to dynamic gene regulatory networks.

PubMed

Xue, Hongqi; Wu, Shuang; Wu, Yichao; Ramirez Idarraga, Juan C; Wu, Hulin

2018-05-02

Mechanism-driven low-dimensional ordinary differential equation (ODE) models are often used to model viral dynamics at cellular levels and epidemics of infectious diseases. However, low-dimensional mechanism-based ODE models are limited for modeling infectious diseases at molecular levels such as transcriptomic or proteomic levels, which is critical to understand pathogenesis of diseases. Although linear ODE models have been proposed for gene regulatory networks (GRNs), nonlinear regulations are common in GRNs. The reconstruction of large-scale nonlinear networks from time-course gene expression data remains an unresolved issue. Here, we use high-dimensional nonlinear additive ODEs to model GRNs and propose a 4-step procedure to efficiently perform variable selection for nonlinear ODEs. To tackle the challenge of high dimensionality, we couple the 2-stage smoothing-based estimation method for ODEs and a nonlinear independence screening method to perform variable selection for the nonlinear ODE models. We have shown that our method possesses the sure screening property and it can handle problems with non-polynomial dimensionality. Numerical performance of the proposed method is illustrated with simulated data and a real data example for identifying the dynamic GRN of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Elevated levels of maternal anti-tetanus toxin antibodies do not suppress the immune response to a Haemophilus influenzae type b polyribosylphosphate-tetanus toxoid conjugate vaccine.

PubMed Central

Panpitpat, C.; Thisyakorn, U.; Chotpitayasunondh, T.; Fürer, E.; Que, J. U.; Hasler, T.; Cryz, S. J.

2000-01-01

Reported are the effects of elevated levels of anti-tetanus antibodies on the safety and immune response to a Haemophilus influenzae type b polyribosylphosphate (PRP)-tetanus toxoid conjugate (PRP-T) vaccine. A group of Thai infants (n = 177) born to women immunized against tetanus during pregnancy were vaccinated with either a combined diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) PRP-T vaccine or DTP and a PRP-conjugate vaccine using Neisseria meningitidis group B outer-membrane proteins as a carrier (PedVax HIB). Although most infants possessed high titres (> 1 IU/ml) of anti-tetanus antibodies, the DTP-PRP-T combined vaccine engendered an excellent antibody response to all vaccine components. In both vaccine groups > 98% of infants attained anti-PRP antibody titres > or = 0.15 microgram/ml. The geometric mean anti-PRP antibody titres were 5.41 micrograms/ml and 2.1 micrograms/ml for infants immunized with three doses of PRP-T versus two doses of PedVax HIB vaccines, respectively (P < 0.005). Similarly, the proportion of infants who achieved titres > or = 1 microgram/ml was higher in the PRP-T group (87.8%) than in the group immunized with PedVax HIB (74.2%) (P = 0.036). A subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the anti-PRP antibody response for infants exhibiting either < 1 IU of anti-tetanus antibody per millilitre or > or = 1 IU/ml at baseline. These finding indicate that pre-existing anti-carrier antibody does not diminish the immune response to the PRP moiety. All infants possessed protective levels of anti-D and anti-T antibody levels after immunization. PMID:10812736

Açai Palm Fruit (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) Pulp Improves Survival of Flies on a High Fat Diet

PubMed Central

Sun, Xiaoping; Seeberger, Jeanne; Alberico, Thomas; Wang, Chunxu; Wheeler, Charles T.; Schauss, Alexander G.; Zou, Sige

2010-01-01

Reducing oxidative damage is thought to be an effective aging intervention. Açai, a fruit indigenous to the Amazon, is rich in phytochemicals that possesses high anti-oxidant activities, and has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-cardiovascular disease properties. However, little is known about its potential anti-aging properties especially at the organismal level. Here we evaluated the effect of açai pulp on modulating lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster. We found that açai supplementation at 2% in the food increased the lifespan of female flies fed a high fat diet compared to the non-supplemented control. We measured transcript changes induced by açai for age-related genes. Although transcript levels of most genes tested were not altered, açai increased the transcript level of l(2)efl, a small heat-shock-related protein, and two detoxification genes, gstD1 and mtnA, while decreasing the transcript level of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (Pepck), a key gene involved in gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, açai increased the lifespan of oxidative stressed females caused by sod1 RNAi. This suggests that açai improves survival of flies fed a high fat diet through activation of stress response pathways and suppression of Pepck expression. Açai has the potential to antagonize the detrimental effect of fat in the diet and alleviate oxidative stress in aging. PMID:20080168

Dual origin of gut proteases in Formosan subterranean termites (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

PubMed

Sethi, Amit; Xue, Qing-Gang; La Peyre, Jerome F; Delatte, Jennifer; Husseneder, Claudia

2011-07-01

Cellulose digestion in lower termites, mediated by carbohydrases originating from both termite and endosymbionts, is well characterized. In contrast, limited information exists on gut proteases of lower termites, their origins and roles in termite nutrition. The objective of this study was to characterize gut proteases of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). The protease activity of extracts from gut tissues (fore-, mid- and hindgut) and protozoa isolated from hindguts of termite workers was quantified using hide powder azure as a substrate and further characterized by zymography with gelatin SDS-PAGE. Midgut extracts showed the highest protease activity followed by the protozoa extracts. High level of protease activity was also detected in protozoa culture supernatants after 24 h incubation. Incubation of gut and protozoa extracts with class-specific protease inhibitors revealed that most of the proteases were serine proteases. All proteolytic bands identified after gelatin SDS-PAGE were also inhibited by serine protease inhibitors. Finally, incubation with chromogenic substrates indicated that extracts from fore- and hindgut tissues possessed proteases with almost exclusively trypsin-like activity while both midgut and protozoa extracts possessed proteases with trypsin-like and subtilisin/chymotrypsin-like activities. However, protozoa proteases were distinct from midgut proteases (with different molecular mass). Our results suggest that the Formosan subterranean termite not only produces endogenous proteases in its gut tissues, but also possesses proteases originating from its protozoan symbionts. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Graphitic and oxidised high pressure high temperature (HPHT) nanodiamonds induce differential biological responses in breast cancer cell lines.

PubMed

Woodhams, Benjamin; Ansel-Bollepalli, Laura; Surmacki, Jakub; Knowles, Helena; Maggini, Laura; de Volder, Michael; Atatüre, Mete; Bohndiek, Sarah

2018-06-19

Nanodiamonds have demonstrated potential as powerful sensors in biomedicine, however, their translation into routine use requires a comprehensive understanding of their effect on the biological system being interrogated. Under normal fabrication processes, nanodiamonds are produced with a graphitic carbon shell, but are often oxidized in order to modify their surface chemistry for targeting to specific cellular compartments. Here, we assessed the biological impact of this purification process, considering cellular proliferation, uptake, and oxidative stress for graphitic and oxidized nanodiamond surfaces. We show for the first time that oxidized nanodiamonds possess improved biocompatibility compared to graphitic nanodiamonds in breast cancer cell lines, with graphitic nanodiamonds inducing higher levels of oxidative stress despite lower uptake.

Emerging Avenues for Utilization of Exotic Germplasm.

PubMed

Wang, Cuiling; Hu, Songlin; Gardner, Candice; Lübberstedt, Thomas

2017-07-01

Breeders have been successful in increasing crop performance by exploiting genetic diversity over time. However, the reported annual yield increases are not sufficient in view of rapid human population growth and global environmental changes. Exotic germplasm possesses high levels of genetic diversity for valuable traits. However, only a small fraction of naturally occurring genetic diversity is utilized. Moreover, the yield gap between elite and exotic germplasm widens, which increases the effort needed to use exotic germplasm and to identify beneficial alleles and for their introgression. The advent of high-throughput genotyping and phenotyping technologies together with emerging biotechnologies provide new opportunities to explore exotic genetic variation. This review will summarize potential challenges for utilization of exotic germplasm and provide solutions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanisms for Cellular NO Oxidation and Nitrite Formation in Lung Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Zhao, Xue-Jun; Wang, Ling; Shiva, Sruti; Tejero, Jesus; Wang, Jun; Frizzell, Sam; Gladwin, Mark T.

2013-01-01

Airway lining fluid contains relatively high concentrations of nitrite and arterial blood levels of nitrite are higher than venous levels, suggesting the lung epithelium may represent an important source of nitrite in vivo. To investigate whether lung epithelial cells possess the ability to convert NO to nitrite by oxidation, and the effect of oxygen reactions on nitrite formation, the NO donor DETA NONOate was incubated with or without A549 cells or primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells for 24 hrs under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (1% O2) conditions. Nitrite production was significantly increased under all conditions in the presence of A549 or HBE cells, suggesting that both A549 and HBE cells have the capacity to oxidize NO to nitrite even under low oxygen conditions. The addition of oxy-hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) to the A549 cell media decreased the production of nitrite, consistent with NO scavenging limiting nitrite formation. Heat-denatured A549 cells produced much lower nitrite and bitrate, suggesting an enzymatic activity is required. This NO oxidation activity was found to be highest in membrane bound proteins with molecular sizes < 100 kDa. In addition, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one] (ODQ) and cyanide inhibited formation of nitrite in A549 cells. It has been shown that ceruloplasmin (Cp) possesses an NO oxidase and nitrite synthase activity in plasma based on NO oxidation to nitrosonium cation (NO+). We observed that Cp is expressed intracellularly in lung epithelial A549 cells and secreted into medium under basal conditions and during cytokine stimulation. However, an analysis of Cp expression level and activity measured via ρ-phenylenediamine oxidase activity assay revealed very low activity compared with plasma, suggesting that there is insufficient Cp to contribute to detectable NO oxidation to nitrite in A549 cells. Additionally, Cp levels were knocked down using siRNA by more than 75% in A549 cells, with no significant change in either nitrite or cellular S-nitrosothiol (SNO) formation compared to scrambled siRNA control under basal conditions or cytokine stimulation. These data suggest that lung epithelial cells possess NO oxidase activity, which is enhanced in cell membrane associated proteins and not regulated by intracellular or secreted Cp, indicating that alternative NO oxidases determine hypoxic and normoxic nitrite formation from NO in human lung epithelial cells. PMID:23639566

Community- and landscape-level responses of reptiles and small mammals to feral-horse grazing in the Great Basin

USGS Publications Warehouse

Beever, Erik A.; Brussard, P.F.

2004-01-01

We investigated species- and community-level responses of squamate reptiles and granivorous small mammals to feral-horse grazing in two elevational strata across nine mountain ranges of the western Great Basin, USA. Although mammal species richness did not differ between horse-occupied and horse-removed sites, occupied sites possessed less community completeness (biotic integrity) and 1.1–7.4 times greater deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) than removed sites. In opposite fashion, horse-removed sites possessed greater reptile species richness and tended towards greater abundance for seven of nine species, yet unequal species pools across sites dictated that community completeness did not differ statistically between horse-removed and -occupied sites.

Global mental health and trauma exposure: the current evidence for the relationship between traumatic experiences and spirit possession.

PubMed

Hecker, Tobias; Braitmayer, Lars; van Duijl, Marjolein

2015-01-01

We present a literature review on trauma exposure and spirit possession in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the World Health Organization's objective of culturally appropriate mental health care in the Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2020, and the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee to consider local idioms of distress and to collaborate with local resources, this topic still receives very little attention. Pathological spirit possession is commonly defined as involuntary, uncontrollable, and occurring outside of ritual settings. It is often associated with stigmatization, suffering, and dysfunctional behavior. While spirit possession has been discussed as an idiom of distress in anthropological literature, recent quantitative studies have presented support for a strong relationship between traumatic experiences and pathological possession states. The aim of this review was to investigate this relationship systematically in LMICs, in view of the debate on how to address the mental health gap in LMICs. Twenty-one articles, published in peer-reviewed English-language journals between 1994 and 2013, were identified and analyzed with regard to prevalence of possessive trance disorders, patients' sociodemographic characteristics, and its relation to traumatic experiences. The review and analysis of 917 patients with symptoms of possessive trance disorders from 14 LMICs indicated that it is a phenomenon occurring worldwide and with global relevance. This literature review suggests a strong relationship between trauma exposure and spirit possession with high prevalence rates found especially in postwar areas in African countries. More attention for possessive trance disorders in mental health and psychosocial intervention programs in humanitarian emergency settings as well as in societies in transition in LMICs is needed and justified by the results of this systematic literature review.

Global mental health and trauma exposure: the current evidence for the relationship between traumatic experiences and spirit possession

PubMed Central

Hecker, Tobias; Braitmayer, Lars; van Duijl, Marjolein

2015-01-01

Background We present a literature review on trauma exposure and spirit possession in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite the World Health Organization's objective of culturally appropriate mental health care in the Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020, and the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee to consider local idioms of distress and to collaborate with local resources, this topic still receives very little attention. Pathological spirit possession is commonly defined as involuntary, uncontrollable, and occurring outside of ritual settings. It is often associated with stigmatization, suffering, and dysfunctional behavior. While spirit possession has been discussed as an idiom of distress in anthropological literature, recent quantitative studies have presented support for a strong relationship between traumatic experiences and pathological possession states. Objective The aim of this review was to investigate this relationship systematically in LMICs, in view of the debate on how to address the mental health gap in LMICs. Methods Twenty-one articles, published in peer-reviewed English-language journals between 1994 and 2013, were identified and analyzed with regard to prevalence of possessive trance disorders, patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, and its relation to traumatic experiences. Results The review and analysis of 917 patients with symptoms of possessive trance disorders from 14 LMICs indicated that it is a phenomenon occurring worldwide and with global relevance. This literature review suggests a strong relationship between trauma exposure and spirit possession with high prevalence rates found especially in postwar areas in African countries. Conclusions More attention for possessive trance disorders in mental health and psychosocial intervention programs in humanitarian emergency settings as well as in societies in transition in LMICs is needed and justified by the results of this systematic literature review. PMID:26589259

Highly Efficient Visible Colloidal Lead-Halide Perovskite Nanocrystal Light-Emitting Diodes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Fei; Xing, Jun; Xing, Guichuan; Quan, Lina; Tan, Swee Tiam; Zhao, Jiaxin; Su, Rui; Zhang, Lulu; Chen, Shi; Zhao, Yawen; Huan, Alfred; Sargent, Edward H.; Xiong, Qihua; Demir, Hilmi Volkan

2018-05-01

Lead-halide perovskites have been attracting attention for potential use in solid-state lighting. Following the footsteps of solar cells, the field of perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) has been growing rapidly. Their application prospects in lighting, however, remain still uncertain due to a variety of shortcomings in device performance including their limited levels of luminous efficiency achievable thus far. Here we show high-efficiency PeLEDs based on colloidal perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) synthesized at room temperature possessing dominant first-order excitonic radiation (enabling a photoluminescence quantum yield of 71% in solid film), unlike in the case of bulk perovskites with slow electron-hole bimolecular radiative recombination (a second-order process). In these PeLEDs, by reaching charge balance in the recombination zone, we find that the Auger nonradiative recombination, with its significant role in emission quenching, is effectively suppressed in low driving current density range. In consequence, these devices reach a record high maximum external quantum efficiency of 12.9% reported to date and an unprecedentedly high power efficiency of 30.3 lm W-1 at luminance levels above 1000 cd m-2 as required for various applications. These findings suggest that, with feasible levels of device performance, the PeNCs hold great promise for their use in LED lighting and displays.

Exploring Learners’ Mental Health Profile: A study in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, M. F.; Lai, C. S.

2017-08-01

Mental health issue was a serious matter that was often neglected by people. This article will describe a study of the mental health profile among the learners of Malaysia Technical University (MTU) that focus on Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). A survey using DASS-21 inventory and self-developed questionnaire was used for this study to investigate learners’ mental health level in three elements and factors contribute towards mental health. A total number of 450 students from seven faculties in UTHM was strata randomly selected as sampel for this study. The relationships between factors of mental health and the elements of mental health was identified. Collected data was analysed using percentage, mean score, standard deviation and multiple linear regression. Findings showed that majority of students possess normal level but the percentage of severe and extremely severe level was increasing. The main factor highly significantly correlate to all the mental health elements was self-evaluation. Hence, it is highly recommended that mental health issue needs great attention and remedial action from higher learning institution, non-governmental organizations, parents, students themselves and other concerned bodies.

Anti-diabetic activity of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. leaves' polysaccharide in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

PubMed

Wang, Li; Zhang, Ying; Xu, Maochao; Wang, Yingyao; Cheng, Sujiao; Liebrecht, Alex; Qian, Haifeng; Zhang, Hui; Qi, Xiguang

2013-10-01

Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. (VBT) is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The anti-diabetic activity of VBT leaves' polysaccharide (VBTLP) is studied in this paper. The results indicated VBTLP had a dose-dependent decrease on the blood glucose (BG) level, and the time effect of VBTLP on BG level was also significant. The insulin level of high dose group (HDG) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of model control (MC) group. Compared to MC, HDG and lose dose group (LDG) had significantly lower (p<0.05) TC and LDL-C levels, however, TG and HDL-C levels are similar. Compared to non-diabetic control (NC), HDG and LDG had similar plasma lipid levels except for higher LDL-C level. Although body weights of LDG and HDG were significant lower (p<0.05) than that of NC from week 2 to week 6, they were similar to that of PC. The results indicate VBTLP possesses a potential hypoglycemic effect in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The assessment of sIgA, histatin-5, and lactoperoxidase levels in saliva of adolescents with dental caries

PubMed Central

Gornowicz, Agnieszka; Tokajuk, Grażyna; Bielawska, Anna; Maciorkowska, Elżbieta; Jabłoński, Robert; Wójcicka, Anna; Bielawski, Krzysztof

2014-01-01

Background Saliva contains a number of protective factors such as mucins, immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA, IgG, and IgM), and enzymes (e.g., lysozyme and lactoperoxidases) that play an important role in the maintenance of oral health. The aim of this study was to compare levels of sIgA, histatin-5, and lactoperoxidase in saliva of adolescents with dental caries. Material/Methods Thirty-five adolescents (age 18 years) from high school were examined. Eight subjects with DMF=3 (Group I) and 27 adolescents with DMF>11 (Group II) were enrolled for this study. Clinical evaluation procedures comprised oral examination (including tooth, periodontal, and oral mucosal status) and collection of saliva samples. Saliva was collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and was used for determination of sIgA, histatin-5, and lactoperoxidase levels. Results Our results showed that adolescents with very high intensity of dental caries (DMF>11) had increased levels of sIgA, histatin-5, and lactoperoxidase compared to adolescents with lower intensity of caries. The increase was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions We suggest that high intensity of caries is associated with increased levels of some salivary components – sIgA, histatin-5 and lactoperoxidase – that possess strong bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects, resulting in aggregation of oral bacteria and their clearance from the oral cavity. PMID:24974109

Intrinsic and extrinsic goals as moderators of stress and depressive symptoms in Chinese undergraduate students: A multi-wave longitudinal study.

PubMed

Ling, Yu; He, Yushu; Wei, Yong; Cen, Weihong; Zhou, Qi; Zhong, Mingtian

2016-05-11

Studies in western countries have examined the specific vulnerability hypothesis of Dykman's theory of goal-orientation predispositions to depression through two-time point designs. The purpose of this prospective longitudinal study was to investigate the moderating effects of intrinsic and extrinsic goals on stress and depressive symptoms in Chinese undergraduate students. A total of 462 undergraduate students [46% female; mean age, 19.06 (range, 17-22) years] completed self-reported measures assessing intrinsic and extrinsic goals, depressive symptoms, and the occurrence of social and academic hassles. Every 3 months over the subsequent 12 months, the undergraduate students completed measures assessing depressive symptoms and the occurrence of daily hassles. Results of hierarchical linear modeling analyses indicated that undergraduate students with low levels of intrinsic goals reported greater depressive symptoms following the occurrence of social and academic hassles than did those with high levels of such goals. However, undergraduate students with high levels of extrinsic goals did not report greater depressive symptoms following the occurrence of social and academic hassles than did those possessing low levels. These findings suggest that intrinsic goals can protect undergraduate students experiencing high levels of social and academic hassles from depressive symptoms. The study findings provide new insight into the course of depressive symptoms among undergraduate students, and offer psychologist and psychiatrists ways to protect individuals from depressive symptoms by building up intrinsic goals.

Assessing the level of elder abuse knowledge preprofessionals possess: implications for the further development of university curriculum.

PubMed

Policastro, Christina; Payne, Brian K

2014-01-01

Elder abuse is a multifaceted problemthat requires interdisciplinary prevention and intervention strategies. An important question that arises is whether professionals are adequately prepared to address elder abuse in this collaborative network. Unfortunately, no studies have been conducted to assess the varying levels of knowledge that preprofessionals enrolled in university courses possess with regard to elder abuse. To fill this void, this study assesses the levels of elder abuse awareness among social work, nursing, health professions, and criminal justice students. Specific attention is given to determining whether there are differences in the amount of exposure to elder abuse literature across the disciplines. The study involves the analysis of survey data collected from 202 students enrolled in health and human sciences classes at a large university. Results show that none of the preprofessional groups, on average, reported knowing enough about elder abuse. Implications for future practice and research are provided.

Generation of an immortalized mesenchymal stem cell line producing a secreted biosensor protein for glucose monitoring

PubMed Central

Weisman, Itamar; Romano, Jacob; Ivics, Zoltán; Izsvák, Zsuzsanna; Barkai, Uriel

2017-01-01

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose. Diabetic patients should normalize these levels in order to avoid short and long term clinical complications. Presently, blood glucose monitoring is dependent on frequent finger pricking and enzyme based systems that analyze the drawn blood. Continuous blood glucose monitors are already on market but suffer from technical problems, inaccuracy and short operation time. A novel approach for continuous glucose monitoring is the development of implantable cell-based biosensors that emit light signals corresponding to glucose concentrations. Such devices use genetically modified cells expressing chimeric genes with glucose binding properties. MSCs are good candidates as carrier cells, as they can be genetically engineered and expanded into large numbers. They also possess immunomodulatory properties that, by reducing local inflammation, may assist long operation time. Here, we generated a novel immortalized human MSC line co-expressing hTERT and a secreted glucose biosensor transgene using the Sleeping Beauty transposon technology. Genetically modified hMSCs retained their mesenchymal characteristics. Stable transgene expression was validated biochemically. Increased activity of hTERT was accompanied by elevated and constant level of stem cell pluripotency markers and subsequently, by MSC immortalization. Furthermore, these cells efficiently suppressed PBMC proliferation in MLR transwell assays, indicating that they possess immunomodulatory properties. Finally, biosensor protein produced by MSCs was used to quantify glucose in cell-free assays. Our results indicate that our immortalized MSCs are suitable for measuring glucose concentrations in a physiological range. Thus, they are appropriate for incorporation into a cell-based, immune-privileged, glucose-monitoring medical device. PMID:28949988

Motivation and Prior Animal Experience of Newly Enrolled Veterinary Nursing Students at two Irish Third-Level Institutions.

PubMed

Dunne, Karen; Brereton, Bernadette; Duggan, Vivienne; Campion, Deirdre

2017-11-03

Veterinary nurses report an intrinsic desire to work with animals. However, this motivation may be eroded by poor working conditions and low pay, resulting in the exit of experienced veterinary nurses from clinical practice. This study sought to quantify the level of animal-handling experience students possessed at the start of their training and to explore the factors motivating them to enter veterinary nurse training in two Irish third-level institutions. The authors had noted a tendency for veterinary nursing students to possess limited animal-handling skills, despite their obvious motivation to work with animals. The study explores possible reasons for this, as it mirrors previous reports in relation to students of veterinary medicine. First-year veterinary nursing students at Dundalk Institute of Technology and University College Dublin were surveyed and a focus group was held in each institution to explore student motivations for choosing this career and their prior animal-handling experience and workplace exposure. The results show that veterinary nursing students are highly intrinsically motivated to work with and care for animals. The majority had spent time in the veterinary workplace before starting their studies but they had limited animal-handling experience beyond that of family pets, primarily dogs. The study also revealed potential tensions between the veterinary nursing and veterinary medical students at University College Dublin: a hitherto unexposed aspect of the hidden curriculum in this institution. The results of this study highlight the need for ongoing investment in practical animal-handling training for veterinary nursing students.

Is the regulation of the electronic properties of organic molecules by polynuclear superhalogens more effective than that by mononuclear superhalogens? A high-level ab initio case study.

PubMed

Li, Miao-Miao; Li, Jin-Feng; Bai, Hongcun; Sun, Yin-Yin; Li, Jian-Li; Yin, Bing

2015-08-21

The regulation of the electronic properties of organic molecules induced by polynuclear superhalogens is theoretically explored here for sixteen composite structures. It is clearly indicated by the higher vertical electron detachment energy (VDE) that polynuclear superhalogens are more effective in regulating the electronic properties than mononuclear structures. However, this enhanced regulation is not only determined by superhalogens themselves but also related to the distribution of the extra electron of the final composites. The composites, in which the extra electron is mainly aggregated into the superhalogen moiety, will possess higher VDE values, as reported in the case of C1', 7.12 eV at the CCSD(T) level. This is probably due to the fact that, compared with organic molecules, superhalogens possess stronger attraction towards the extra electron and thus should lead to lower energies of the extra electrons and to higher VDE values eventually. Compared with CCSD(T), the Outer Valence Green's Function (OVGF) method fails completely for composite structures containing Cl atoms, while MP2 results are generally consistent in terms of the relative order of VDEs. Actually if the extra electron distribution of the systems could be approximated by the HOMO, the results at the OVGF level will be consistent with the CCSD(T) results. Conversely, the difference in VDEs between OVGF and CCSD(T) is significantly large. Besides superhalogen properties, the structures, relative stabilities and thermodynamic stabilities with respect to various fragmentation channels were also investigated for all the composite structures.

Generation of an immortalized mesenchymal stem cell line producing a secreted biosensor protein for glucose monitoring.

PubMed

Siska, Evangelia K; Weisman, Itamar; Romano, Jacob; Ivics, Zoltán; Izsvák, Zsuzsanna; Barkai, Uriel; Petrakis, Spyros; Koliakos, George

2017-01-01

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose. Diabetic patients should normalize these levels in order to avoid short and long term clinical complications. Presently, blood glucose monitoring is dependent on frequent finger pricking and enzyme based systems that analyze the drawn blood. Continuous blood glucose monitors are already on market but suffer from technical problems, inaccuracy and short operation time. A novel approach for continuous glucose monitoring is the development of implantable cell-based biosensors that emit light signals corresponding to glucose concentrations. Such devices use genetically modified cells expressing chimeric genes with glucose binding properties. MSCs are good candidates as carrier cells, as they can be genetically engineered and expanded into large numbers. They also possess immunomodulatory properties that, by reducing local inflammation, may assist long operation time. Here, we generated a novel immortalized human MSC line co-expressing hTERT and a secreted glucose biosensor transgene using the Sleeping Beauty transposon technology. Genetically modified hMSCs retained their mesenchymal characteristics. Stable transgene expression was validated biochemically. Increased activity of hTERT was accompanied by elevated and constant level of stem cell pluripotency markers and subsequently, by MSC immortalization. Furthermore, these cells efficiently suppressed PBMC proliferation in MLR transwell assays, indicating that they possess immunomodulatory properties. Finally, biosensor protein produced by MSCs was used to quantify glucose in cell-free assays. Our results indicate that our immortalized MSCs are suitable for measuring glucose concentrations in a physiological range. Thus, they are appropriate for incorporation into a cell-based, immune-privileged, glucose-monitoring medical device.

Use of boron cluster-containing redox nanoparticles with ROS scavenging ability in boron neutron capture therapy to achieve high therapeutic efficiency and low adverse effects.

PubMed

Gao, Zhenyu; Horiguchi, Yukichi; Nakai, Kei; Matsumura, Akira; Suzuki, Minoru; Ono, Koji; Nagasaki, Yukio

2016-10-01

A boron delivery system with high therapeutic efficiency and low adverse effects is crucial for a successful boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). In this study, we developed boron cluster-containing redox nanoparticles (BNPs) via polyion complex (PIC) formation, using a newly synthesized poly(ethylene glycol)-polyanion (PEG-polyanion, possessing a (10)B-enriched boron cluster as a side chain of one of its segments) and PEG-polycation (possessing a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger as a side chain of one of its segments). The BNPs exhibited high colloidal stability, selective uptake in tumor cells, specific accumulation, and long retention in tumor tissue and ROS scavenging ability. After thermal neutron irradiation, significant suppression of tumor growth was observed in the BNP-treated group, with only 5-ppm (10)B in tumor tissues, whereas at least 20-ppm (10)B is generally required for low molecular weight (LMW) (10)B agents. In addition, increased leukocyte levels were observed in the LMW (10)B agent-treated group after thermal neutron irradiation, and not in BNP-treated group, which might be attributed to its ROS scavenging ability. No visual metastasis of tumor cells to other organs was observed 1 month after irradiation in the BNP-treated group. These results suggest that BNPs are promising for enhancing the BNCT performance. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of on-site Coulomb interaction on electronic and transport properties of 100% spin polarized CoMnVAs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhat, Tahir Mohiuddin; Gupta, Dinesh C.

2017-08-01

The structural, electronic, magnetic and transport properties of a new quaternary Heusler alloy CoMnVAs have been investigated by employing generalized gradient approximation (GGA), modified Becke-Johnson (mBJ) and GGA with Hubbard U correction (GGA + U). The alloy is energetically more stable in ferromagnetic Y1 type structure. Elastic parameters reveal high anisotropy and ductile nature of the material. CoMnVAs shows half-metallic ferromagnet character with 100% spin polarization at Fermi level with band gap of 0.55 eV in the minority spin state. The alloy also possesses high electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficients with 15 μVK-1 at room temperature, achieving a figure of merit of 0.65 at high temperatures. The high degree of ductility, 100% spin polarization and large Seebeck coefficient, makes it an attractive candidate to be used in spin voltage generators and thermoelectric materials.

The law on the streets: Evaluating the impact of Mexico's drug decriminalization reform on drug possession arrests in Tijuana, Mexico.

PubMed

Arredondo, J; Gaines, T; Manian, S; Vilalta, C; Bañuelos, A; Strathdee, S A; Beletsky, L

2018-04-01

In 2009, Mexican Federal Government enacted "narcomenudeo" reforms decriminalizing possession of small amounts of drugs, delegating prosecution of retail drug sales to the state courts, and mandating treatment diversion for habitual drug users. There has been insufficient effort to formally assess the decriminalization policy's population-level impact, despite mounting interest in analagous reforms across the globe. Using a dataset of municipal police incident reports, we examined patterns of drug possession, and violent and non-violent crime arrests between January 2009 and December 2014. A hierarchical panel data analysis with random effects was conducted to assess the impact of narcomenudeo's drug decriminalization provision. The reforms had no significant impact on the number of drug possession or violent crime arrests, after controlling for other variables (e.g. time trends, electoral cycles, and precinct-level socioeconomic factors). Time periods directly preceding local elections were observed to be statistically associated with elevated arrest volume. Analysis of police statistics parallel prior findings that Mexico's reform decriminalizing small amounts of drugs does not appear to have significantly shifted drug law enforcement in Tijuana. More research is required to fully understand the policy transformation process for drug decriminalization and other structural interventions in Mexico and similar regional and international efforts. Observed relationship between policing and political cycles echo associations in other settings whereby law-and-order activities increase during mayoral electoral campaigns. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

50 CFR 660.705 - Prohibitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...) Possess a light stick on board a longline vessel when fishing west of 150° W. long. and north of the.... in violation of § 660.712 (c)(1)(iii). (z) Fail to maintain and use blue dye to prepare thawed bait... permit issued under § 660.21, possess a light stick on board a longline vessel on the high seas of the...

50 CFR 660.705 - Prohibitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...) Possess a light stick on board a longline vessel when fishing west of 150° W. long. and north of the.... in violation of § 660.712 (c)(1)(iii). (z) Fail to maintain and use blue dye to prepare thawed bait... permit issued under § 660.21, possess a light stick on board a longline vessel on the high seas of the...

50 CFR 660.705 - Prohibitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...) Possess a light stick on board a longline vessel when fishing west of 150° W. long. and north of the.... in violation of § 660.712 (c)(1)(iii). (z) Fail to maintain and use blue dye to prepare thawed bait... permit issued under § 660.21, possess a light stick on board a longline vessel on the high seas of the...

Mechanical Characterization of Partially Crystallized Sphere Packings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hanifpour, M.; Francois, N.; Vaez Allaei, S. M.; Senden, T.; Saadatfar, M.

2014-10-01

We study grain-scale mechanical and geometrical features of partially crystallized packings of frictional spheres, produced experimentally by a vibrational protocol. By combining x-ray computed tomography, 3D image analysis, and discrete element method simulations, we have access to the 3D structure of internal forces. We investigate how the network of mechanical contacts and intergranular forces change when the packing structure evolves from amorphous to near perfect crystalline arrangements. We compare the behavior of the geometrical neighbors (quasicontracts) of a grain to the evolution of the mechanical contacts. The mechanical coordination number Zm is a key parameter characterizing the crystallization onset. The high fluctuation level of Zm and of the force distribution in highly crystallized packings reveals that a geometrically ordered structure still possesses a highly random mechanical backbone similar to that of amorphous packings.

Highly compressible 3D periodic graphene aerogel microlattices

PubMed Central

Zhu, Cheng; Han, T. Yong-Jin; Duoss, Eric B.; Golobic, Alexandra M.; Kuntz, Joshua D.; Spadaccini, Christopher M.; Worsley, Marcus A.

2015-01-01

Graphene is a two-dimensional material that offers a unique combination of low density, exceptional mechanical properties, large surface area and excellent electrical conductivity. Recent progress has produced bulk 3D assemblies of graphene, such as graphene aerogels, but they possess purely stochastic porous networks, which limit their performance compared with the potential of an engineered architecture. Here we report the fabrication of periodic graphene aerogel microlattices, possessing an engineered architecture via a 3D printing technique known as direct ink writing. The 3D printed graphene aerogels are lightweight, highly conductive and exhibit supercompressibility (up to 90% compressive strain). Moreover, the Young's moduli of the 3D printed graphene aerogels show an order of magnitude improvement over bulk graphene materials with comparable geometric density and possess large surface areas. Adapting the 3D printing technique to graphene aerogels realizes the possibility of fabricating a myriad of complex aerogel architectures for a broad range of applications. PMID:25902277

Identification of a Novel Gene, CIA6, Required for Normal Pyrenoid Formation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii1[C][W][OA

PubMed Central

Ma, Yunbing; Pollock, Steve V.; Xiao, Ying; Cunnusamy, Khrishen; Moroney, James V.

2011-01-01

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii possesses a CO2-concentrating mechanism (CCM) that allows the alga to grow at low CO2 concentrations. One common feature seen in photosynthetic organisms possessing a CCM is the tight packaging of Rubisco within the cell. In many eukaryotic algae, Rubisco is localized to the pyrenoid, an electron-dense structure within the chloroplast. In order to identify genes required for a functional CCM, insertional Bleomycin resistance (BleR) mutants were generated and screened for growth on minimal medium under high CO2 conditions (5% CO2 in air) but only slow or no growth under very low CO2 conditions (0.01% CO2 in air). One mutant identified from this screen was named cia6. Physiological studies established that cia6 grows poorly on low levels of CO2 and has an impaired ability to accumulate inorganic carbon. The inserted BleR disrupted a gene encoding a protein with sequence similarity to proteins containing SET domain methyltransferase, although experiments using overexpressed CIA6 failed to demonstrate the methyltransferase activity. Electron microscopy revealed that the pyrenoid of cia6 mutant cells is highly disorganized. Complementation of the mutant restored the pyrenoid, the ability to grow under low-CO2 conditions, and the ability to concentrate inorganic carbon. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction data from a low-CO2 induction time-course experiment demonstrated that the up-regulation of several CCM components is slower in cia6 compared with the wild type. This slow induction was further confirmed at the protein level using western blots. These results indicated that CIA6 is required for the formation of the pyrenoid and further supported the notion that the pyrenoid is required for a functional CCM in C. reinhardtii. PMID:21527423

The BAX/BAK-like protein BOK is a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer.

PubMed

Carberry, Steven; D'Orsi, Beatrice; Monsefi, Naser; Salvucci, Manuela; Bacon, Orna; Fay, Joanna; Rehm, Markus; McNamara, Deborah; Kay, Elaine W; Prehn, Jochen H M

2018-01-26

The intrinsic or mitochondrial apoptosis pathway is controlled by the interaction of antiapoptotic and pro-apoptotic members of the BCL-2 protein family. Activation of this death pathway plays a crucial role in cancer progression and chemotherapy responses. The BCL-2-related ovarian killer (BOK) possesses three BCL-2 homology domains and has been proposed to act in a similar pro-apoptotic pathway as the pro-apoptotic proteins BAX and BAK. In this study, we showed that stage II and III colorectal cancer patients possessed decreased levels of BOK protein in their tumours compared to matched normal tissue. BOK protein levels in tumours were also prognostic of clinical outcome but increased BOK protein levels surprisingly associated with earlier disease recurrence and reduced overall survival. We found no significant association of BOK protein tumour levels with ER stress markers GRP78 or GRP94 or with cleaved caspase-3. In contrast, BOK protein levels correlated with Calreticulin. These data indicate BOK as a prognostic marker in colorectal cancer and suggest that different activities of BOK may contribute to cancer progression and prognosis.

Relationship between equol producer status and metabolic parameters in 743 Japanese women: equol producer status is associated with antiatherosclerotic conditions in women around menopause and early postmenopause.

PubMed

Yoshikata, Remi; Myint, Khin Z; Ohta, Hiroaki

2017-02-01

Equol, an active metabolite possessing estrogen-like activity, is produced by the action of intestinal flora on soy isoflavones. There is an increasing evidence regarding its efficacy in the relief of menopausal symptoms, suppression of decreased bone mineral density, and lipid profile improvement. Only those with equol-producing capacity, however, seem to benefit. Thus, we examined the relationship between equol producer status and parameters associated with lifestyle-related diseases in women from their 20s to 80s. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 743 women (21-89 y; average age: 52.5 ± 11.8 y) who have undergone health screening at Tokyo Midtown Medical Center and given consent to participate in the study. The relationship between equol producer status and metabolic parameters was assessed. In our study, 236 women (32%) were equol producers. Equol producers had significantly lower triglycerides and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with nonproducers. Equol-producing women in their 50s showed significantly lower body fat level, visceral fat area, triglyceride levels, pulse wave velocity, uric acid levels, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels. In addition, women in their 60s showed significantly higher levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In multivariate logistic regression, for women in their 50s, equol production was significantly associated with lower arterial stiffness and uric acid levels, and a high ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid, whereas it was significantly associated with lower urinary N-telopeptides in their 60s. Equol producer status was associated with favorable metabolic parameters, in women in the early phase postmenopause, with the transitional periods noted with declining intrinsic estrogen levels.

Virgin coconut oil maintains redox status and improves glycemic conditions in high fructose fed rats.

PubMed

Narayanankutty, Arunaksharan; Mukesh, Reshma K; Ayoob, Shabna K; Ramavarma, Smitha K; Suseela, Indu M; Manalil, Jeksy J; Kuzhivelil, Balu T; Raghavamenon, Achuthan C

2016-01-01

Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), extracted from fresh coconut kernel possess similar fatty acid composition to that of Copra Oil (CO), a product of dried kernel. Although CO forms the predominant dietary constituent in south India, VCO is being promoted for healthy life due to its constituent antioxidant molecules. High fructose containing CO is an established model for insulin resistance and steatohepatitis in rodents. In this study, replacement of CO with VCO in high fructose diet markedly improved the glucose metabolism and dyslipidemia. The animals fed VCO diet had only 17 % increase in blood glucose level compared to CO fed animals (46 %). Increased level of GSH and antioxidant enzyme activities in VCO fed rats indicate improved hepatic redox status. Reduced lipid peroxidation and carbonyl adducts in VCO fed rats well corroborate with the histopathological findings that hepatic damage and steatosis were comparatively reduced than the CO fed animals. These results suggest that VCO could be an efficient nutraceutical in preventing the development of diet induced insulin resistance and associated complications possibly through its antioxidant efficacy.

High levels of diversity characterize mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) Mhc-DRB sequences.

PubMed

Abbott, Kristin M; Wickings, E Jean; Knapp, Leslie A

2006-08-01

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is highly polymorphic in most primate species studied thus far. The rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) has been studied extensively and the Mhc-DRB region demonstrates variability similar to humans. The extent of MHC diversity is relatively unknown for other Old World monkeys (OWM), especially among genera other than Macaca. A molecular survey of the Mhc-DRB region in mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx) revealed extensive variability, suggesting that other OWMs may also possess high levels of Mhc-DRB polymorphism. In the present study, 33 Mhc-DRB loci were identified from only 13 animals. Eleven were wild-born and presumed to be unrelated and two were captive-born twins. Two to seven different sequences were identified for each individual, suggesting that some mandrills may have as many as four Mhc-DRB loci on a single haplotype. From these sequences, representatives of at least six Mhc-DRB loci or lineages were identified. As observed in other primates, some new lineages may have arisen through the process of gene conversion. These findings indicate that mandrills have Mhc-DRB diversity not unlike rhesus macaques and humans.

Interfacial engineering of pyridinium gemini surfactants for the generation of synthetic transfection systems.

PubMed

Sharma, Vishnu D; Aifuwa, Eronmwon O; Heiney, Paul A; Ilies, Marc A

2013-09-01

Pyridinium gemini surfactants possess a soft charge, a high charge/mass ratio and a high molecular flexibility - all key parameters that recommend their use in synthetic gene delivery systems with in vitro and in vivo efficiency. In present study we generated a DNA delivery system through interfacial engineering of pyridinium gemini surfactants at the level of linker, hydrophobic chains and counterions. The self-assembling of the pyridinium amphiphiles and the physicochemical properties of the resultant supra-molecular assemblies were studied in bulk and in solution through a combination of techniques that included DSC, X-ray diffraction, polarized microscopy, CMC, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements. We assessed the impact of different structural elements and formulation parameters of these pyridinium amphiphiles on their DNA compaction properties, transfection efficiency, cytotoxicity, in a complete structure-activity relationship study. This interfacial engineering process generated transfection systems with reduced cytotoxicity and high transfection efficiency in media containing elevated levels of serum that mimic the in vivo conditions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enhanced anti-oxidative activity and lignocellulosic ethanol production by biotin addition to medium in Pichia guilliermondii fermentation.

PubMed

Qi, Kai; Xia, Xiao-Xia; Zhong, Jian-Jiang

2015-01-01

Commercialization of lignocellulosic ethanol fermentation requires its high titer, but the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation during the bioprocess damaged the cells and compromised this goal. To improve the cellular anti-oxidative activity during non-detoxified corncob residue hydrolysate fermentation, seed cells were prepared to possess a higher level of intracellular biotin pool (IBP), which facilitated the biosyntheses of catalase and porphyrin. As a result, the catalase activity increased by 1.3-folds compared to control while the ROS level reduced by 50%. Cell viability in high-IBP cells was 1.7-folds of control and the final ethanol titer increased from 31.2 to 41.8 g L(-1) in batch fermentation. The high-IBP cells were further used for repeated-batch fermentation in the non-detoxified lignocellulosic hydrolysate, and the highest titer and average productivity of ethanol reached 63.7 g L(-1) and 1.2 g L(-1)h(-1). The results were favorable to future industrial application of this lignocellulosic bioethanol process. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Is there a better source of huperzine A than Huperzia serrata? Huperzine A content of Huperziaceae species in China.

PubMed

Ma, Xiaoqiang; Tan, Changheng; Zhu, Dayuan; Gang, David R

2005-03-09

A precise and selective reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for quantifying huperzine A (HupA) in samples of the Huperziaceae in China. This method was used to quantify the levels of HupA in samples of Huperzia serrata collected from a single population at different times of the year, in different organs of the same H. serrata plant, and from different geographical locations of H. serrata plants in China. For different species of Huperziaceae, the highest content of HupA was found in Phlegmariurus carinatus. Members of the genus Phlegmariurus possessed higher levels of HupA than Huperzia species. H. serrata plants growing in humid forests contained significantly more HupA than plants growing in less humid environments. Finally, HupA content varied significantly by season, with the highest levels being found in mid fall and the lowest levels in early spring, suggesting that HupA is turned over in the plant.

Exploring single-layered SnSe honeycomb polymorphs for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ul Haq, Bakhtiar; AlFaify, S.; Ahmed, R.; Butt, Faheem K.; Laref, A.; Shkir, Mohd.

2018-02-01

Single-layered tin selenide that shares the same structure with phosphorene and possesses intriguing optoelectronic properties has received great interest as a two-dimensional material beyond graphene and phosphorene. Herein, we explore the optoelectronic response of the newly discovered stable honeycomb derivatives (such as α , β , γ , δ , and ɛ ) of single-layered SnSe in the framework of density functional theory. The α , β , γ , and δ derivatives of a SnSe monolayer have been found to exhibit an indirect band gap, however, the dispersion of their band-gap edges demonstrates multiple direct band gaps at a relatively high energy. The ɛ -SnSe, however, features an intrinsic direct band gap at the high-symmetry Γ point. Their energy band gaps (0.53, 2.32, 1.52, 1.56, and 1.76 eV for α -, β -, γ -, δ -, and ɛ -SnSe, respectively), calculated at the level of the Tran-Blaha modified Becke-Johnson approach, mostly fall right in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum and are in good agreement with the available literature. The optical spectra of these two-dimensional (2D) SnSe polymorphs (besides β -SnSe) are highly anisotropic and possess strictly different optical band gaps along independent diagonal components. They show high absorption in the visible and UV ranges. Similarly, the reflectivity, refraction, and optical conductivities inherit strong anisotropy from the dielectric functions as well and are highly visible-UV polarized along the cartesian coordinates, showing them to be suitable for optical filters, polarizers, and shields against UV radiation. Our investigations suggest these single-layered SnSe allotropes as a promising 2D material for next-generation nanoscale optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications beyond graphene and phosphorene.

Implementation of graduate employability skills SJT instrument in Universiti Utara Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zakaria, Mohd Hafiz; Yatim, Bidin; Ismail, Suzilah

2014-12-01

Assessing graduate employability skills before they enter the job market is very important because if they are lacking certain skills, improvement can be made through the process of training. In this study, a valid and reliable new instrument for measuring graduate employability skills using Situational Judgement Test (SJT) approach was implemented. The instrument consisted of 12 items representing five employability skills namely communication skill, professional ethics & morality, entrepreneurial skill, critical thinking in problem solving and personal quality. The purpose was to obtain a norm score for each of these skills. A survey was conducted using the SJT instrument on 1012 Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) local undergraduate final year students. The norm score was generated by employing BCA bootstrap technique. Scores guideline was created based on three levels (low, moderate and high). The outcomes indicated that the students possessed moderate level of communicationskill, entrepreneurial skill, critical thinking in problem solving and personal quality but has high professional ethics & morality.

High levels of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma genitalium in Queensland, Australia.

PubMed

Trembizki, Ella; Buckley, Cameron; Bletchly, Cheryl; Nimmo, Graeme R; Whiley, David M

2017-10-01

The macrolide azithromycin is recommended for treatment of Mycoplasma genitalium infection; however, M. genitalium strains possessing macrolide resistance-mediating mutations (MRMMs) are increasingly being reported. Here, we used the SpeeDx ResistancePlus MG kit, which provides simultaneous detection of M. genitalium and MRMMs, to assess MRMM carriage among M. genitalium infections in Queensland, Australia. Performance characteristics of the ResistancePlus MG kit for M. genitalium detection were compared to in-house PCR. Available M. genitalium PCR-positive (n=67) and negative (n=281) samples from the years 2011 to 2017 were tested using the SpeeDx ResistancePlus MG kit. In total, 63.6 % M. genitalium-positive samples were indicated to harbour MRMMs. The ResistancePlus MG method provided sensitivity and specificity of 97 and 99.6 % respectively compared to in-house PCR for M. genitalium detection. Such high levels of macrolide-resistant M. genitalium raise further concerns over future use of azithromycin for treatment of M. genitalium infection.

In vitro hypoglycemic effects of hot water extract from Auricularia polytricha (wood ear mushroom).

PubMed

Wu, Ni-Jung; Chiou, Fu-Jing; Weng, Yih-Ming; Yu, Zer-Ran; Wang, Be-Jen

2014-06-01

Viscous dietary fibers were shown to alleviate postprandial blood glucose. Auricularia polytricha (wood ear mushroom, WEM) contains rich amount fibers and water extract WEM was highly viscous. This study aimed to investigate whether WEM extract exhibited hypoglycemic effect in vitro. The effects of WEM extract on glucose adsorption, glucose diffusion, starch digestion and α-amylase activity were examined and compared to those of two high soluble fibers, psyllium and oat fiber and one insoluble fiber, cellulose. Our results showed that WEM extract and psyllium possessed similar ability to adsorb glucose which may thus decrease the level of dialysis glucose. The decrease of dialysis rate is dose-dependent. WEM extract can also suppress the activity of α-amylase which may thus inhibit the digestion of polysaccharides. Since WEM extract exhibited the ability to adsorb glucose and to suppress the activity of α-amylase; it might contribute a beneficial effect on postprandial levels of blood sugar.

Match-to-match variability in high-speed running activity in a professional soccer team.

PubMed

Carling, Christopher; Bradley, Paul; McCall, Alan; Dupont, Gregory

2016-12-01

This study investigated variability in competitive high-speed running performance in an elite soccer team. A semi-automated tracking system quantified running performance in 12 players over a season (median 17 matches per player, 207 observations). Variability [coefficient of variation (CV)] was compared for total sprint distance (TSD, >25.2 km/h), high-speed running (HSR, 19.8-25.2 km/h), total high-speed running (THSR, ≥19.8 km/h); THSR when the team was in and out of ball possession, in individual ball possession, in the peak 5 min activity period; and distance run according to individual maximal aerobic speed (MAS). Variability for % declines in THSR and distance covered at ≥80% MAS across halves, at the end of play (final 15 min vs. mean for all 15 min periods) and transiently (5 min period following peak 5 min activity period), was analysed. Collectively, variability was higher for TSD versus HSR and THSR and lowest for distance run at ≥80% MAS (CVs: 37.1%, 18.1%, 19.8% and 11.8%). THSR CVs when the team was in/out of ball possession, in individual ball possession and during the peak 5 min period were 31.5%, 26.1%, 60.1% and 23.9%. Variability in THSR declines across halves, at the end of play and transiently, ranged from 37.1% to 142.6%, while lower CVs were observed in these metrics for running at ≥80% MAS (20.9-53.3%).These results cast doubt on the appropriateness of general measures of high-speed activity for determining variability in an elite soccer team, although individualisation of HSR thresholds according to fitness characteristics might provide more stable indicators of running performance and fatigue occurrence.

Planar CoB18- Cluster: a New Motif for - and Metallo-Borophenes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Teng-Teng; Jian, Tian; Lopez, Gary; Li, Wan-Lu; Chen, Xin; Li, Jun; Wang, Lai-Sheng

2016-06-01

Combined Photoelectron Spectroscopy (PES) and theoretical calculations have found that anion boron clusters (Bn-) are planar and quasi-planar up to B25-. Recent works show that anion pure boron clusters continued to be planar at B27-,B30-,B35- and B36-. B35- and B36- provide the first experimental evidence for the viability of the two-dimensional (2D) boron sheets (Borophene). The 2D to three-dimensional (3D) transitions are shown to happen at B40-,B39- and B28-, which possess cage-like structures. These fullerene-like boron cage clusters are named as Borospherene. Recently, borophenes or similar structures are claimed to be synthesized by several groups. Following an electronic design principle, a series of transition-metal-doped boron clusters (M©Bn-, n=8-10) are found to possess the monocyclic wheel structures. Meanwhile, CoB12- and RhB12- are revealed to adopt half-sandwich-type structures with the quasi-planar B12 moiety similar to the B12- cluster. Very lately, we show that the CoB16- cluster possesses a highly symmetric Cobalt-centered drum-like structure, with a new record of coordination number at 16. Here we report the CoB18- cluster to possess a unique planar structure, in which the Co atom is doped into the network of a planar boron cluster. PES reveals that the CoB18- cluster is a highly stable electronic system with the first adiabatic detachment energy (ADE) at 4.0 eV. Global minimum searches along with high-level quantum calculations show the global minimum for CoB18- is perfectly planar and closed shell (1A1) with C2v symmetry. The Co atom is bonded with 7 boron atoms in the closest coordination shell and the other 11 boron atoms in the outer coordination shell. The calculated vertical detachment energy (VDE) values match quite well with our experimental results. Chemical bonding analysis by the Adaptive Natural Density Partitioning (AdNDP) method shows the CoB18- cluster is π-aromatic with four 4-centered-2-electron (4c-2e) π bonds and one 19-centered-2-electron (19c-2e) π bond, 10 π electrons in total. This perfectly planar structure reveals the viability of creating a new class of hetero-borophenes and metallo-borophenes by doping metal atoms into the plane of monolayer boron atoms. This gives a new approach to design perspective hetero-borophenes and metallo-borophenes materials with tunable chemical, magnetic and optical properties.

Cholesterol metabolism and transport in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Martins, Ian J; Berger, Tamar; Sharman, Matthew J; Verdile, Giuseppe; Fuller, Stephanie J; Martins, Ralph N

2009-12-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting millions of people worldwide. Apart from age, the major risk factor identified so far for the sporadic form of AD is possession of the epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE), which is also a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Other apolipoproteins known to play an important role in CAD such as apolipoprotein B are now gaining attention for their role in AD as well. AD and CAD share other risk factors, such as altered cholesterol levels, particularly high levels of low density lipoproteins together with low levels of high density lipoproteins. Statins--drugs that have been used to lower cholesterol levels in CAD, have been shown to protect against AD, although the protective mechanism(s) involved are still under debate. Enzymatic production of the beta amyloid peptide, the peptide thought to play a major role in AD pathogenesis, is affected by membrane cholesterol levels. In addition, polymorphisms in several proteins and enzymes involved in cholesterol and lipoprotein transport and metabolism have been linked to risk of AD. Taken together, these findings provide strong evidence that changes in cholesterol metabolism are intimately involved in AD pathogenic processes. This paper reviews cholesterol metabolism and transport, as well as those aspects of cholesterol metabolism that have been linked with AD.

Molecular epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility, and characterization of macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes in Japan.

PubMed

Tanaka, Yuhei; Gotoh, Kenji; Teramachi, Mariko; Ishimoto, Kazuhisa; Tsumura, Naoki; Shindou, Shizuo; Yamashita, Yushiro

2016-11-01

Here we report the molecular epidemiology of macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococci, GAS) isolated from children with pharyngotonsillitis between 2011 and 2013 in Japan. In 299 isolates, 124 (41.5%) isolates were macrolide-resistant. We characterized the isolates by emm typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Of 299 isolates, 124 (41.5%) were macrolide-resistant isolates, 76 (61.3%) possessed mefA and 46 (37.1%) possessed ermB. All 76 isolates with mefA possessed msrD. There were no isolates possessed ermTR in this study. Eight emm/MLST types were observed. The predominant type was emm1/ST28 (57 isolates, 46.0%), which possessed the mefA/msrD complex, presenting as the M phenotype. The second most predominant type was emm12/ST467, which possessed ermB, presenting as the cMLS B phenotype. Of the cMLS B phenotype isolates, types emm28/ST52 and emm12/ST36 had multiple genetic backgrounds. We found high proportions of macrolide-resistant GAS in the southwestern areas of Japan. Copyright © 2016 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

41 CFR 101-27.102-3 - Limitations on use.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... possible replenishments for a given level of inventory investment; or (2) The lowest possible level of... possession, the economic purchase quantity (EPQ) principle shall be used as described in the GSA Handbook. The Economic Order Quantity Principle and Applications. [29 FR 15997, Dec. 1, 1964, as amended at 31...

Platinum nanozymes recover cellular ROS homeostasis in an oxidative stress-mediated disease model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moglianetti, Mauro; de Luca, Elisa; Pedone, Deborah; Marotta, Roberto; Catelani, Tiziano; Sartori, Barbara; Amenitsch, Heinz; Retta, Saverio Francesco; Pompa, Pier Paolo

2016-02-01

In recent years, the use of nanomaterials as biomimetic enzymes has attracted great interest. In this work, we show the potential of biocompatible platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) as antioxidant nanozymes, which combine abundant cellular internalization and efficient scavenging activity of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus simultaneously integrating the functions of nanocarriers and antioxidant drugs. Careful toxicity assessment and intracellular tracking of Pt NPs proved their cytocompatibility and high cellular uptake, with compartmentalization within the endo/lysosomal vesicles. We have demonstrated that Pt NPs possess strong and broad antioxidant properties, acting as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes, with similar or even superior performance than natural enzymes, along with higher adaptability to the changes in environmental conditions. We then exploited their potent activity as radical scavenging materials in a cellular model of an oxidative stress-related disorder, namely human Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) disease, which is associated with a significant increase in intracellular ROS levels. Noteworthily, we found that Pt nanozymes can efficiently reduce ROS levels, completely restoring the cellular physiological homeostasis.In recent years, the use of nanomaterials as biomimetic enzymes has attracted great interest. In this work, we show the potential of biocompatible platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) as antioxidant nanozymes, which combine abundant cellular internalization and efficient scavenging activity of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus simultaneously integrating the functions of nanocarriers and antioxidant drugs. Careful toxicity assessment and intracellular tracking of Pt NPs proved their cytocompatibility and high cellular uptake, with compartmentalization within the endo/lysosomal vesicles. We have demonstrated that Pt NPs possess strong and broad antioxidant properties, acting as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase enzymes, with similar or even superior performance than natural enzymes, along with higher adaptability to the changes in environmental conditions. We then exploited their potent activity as radical scavenging materials in a cellular model of an oxidative stress-related disorder, namely human Cerebral Cavernous Malformation (CCM) disease, which is associated with a significant increase in intracellular ROS levels. Noteworthily, we found that Pt nanozymes can efficiently reduce ROS levels, completely restoring the cellular physiological homeostasis. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08358c

Precipitation strengthened high strength, high conductivity Cu-Cr-Nb alloys produced by chill block melt spinning. Final Report Ph.D. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ellis, David L.; Michal, Gary M.

1989-01-01

A series of Cu-based alloys containing 2 to 10 a/o Cr and 1 to 5 a/o Nb were produced by chill block melt spinning (CBMS). The melt spun ribbons were consolidated and hot rolled to sheet to produce a supersaturated Cu-Cr-Nb solid solution from which the high melting point intermetallic compound Cr2Nb could be precipitated to strengthen the Cu matrix. The results show that the materials possess electrical conductivities in excess of 90 percent that of pure Cu at 200 C and above. The strengths of the Cu-Cr-Nb alloys were much greater than Cu, Cu-0.6 Cr, NARloy-A, and NARloy-Z in the as-melt spun condition. The strengths of the consolidated materials were less than Cu-Cr and Cu-Cr-Zr below 500 C and 600 C respectively, but were significantly better above these temperatures. The strengths of the consolidated materials were greater than NARloy-Z, at all temperatures. The GLIDCOP possessed similar strength levels up to 750 C when the strength of the Cu-Cr-Nb alloys begins to degrade. The long term stability of the Cu-Cr-Nb alloys was measured by the microhardness of aged samples and the growth of precipitates. The microhardness measurements indicate that the alloys overage rapidly, but do not suffer much loss in strength between 10 and 100 hours which confirms the results of the electrical resistivity measurements taken during the aging of the alloys at 500 C. The loss in strength from peak strength levels is significant, but the strength remains exceptionally good. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the as-melt spun samples revealed that Cr2Nb precipitates formed in the liquid Cu during the chill block melt spinning, indicating a very strong driving force for the formation of the precipitates. The TEM of the aged and consolidated materials indicates that the precipitates coarsen considerably, but remain in the submicron range.

Highly nitrogen-doped carbon capsules: scalable preparation and high-performance applications in fuel cells and lithium ion batteries.

PubMed

Hu, Chuangang; Xiao, Ying; Zhao, Yang; Chen, Nan; Zhang, Zhipan; Cao, Minhua; Qu, Liangti

2013-04-07

Highly nitrogen-doped carbon capsules (hN-CCs) have been successfully prepared by using inexpensive melamine and glyoxal as precursors via solvothermal reaction and carbonization. With a great promise for large scale production, the hN-CCs, having large surface area and high-level nitrogen content (N/C atomic ration of ca. 13%), possess superior crossover resistance, selective activity and catalytic stability towards oxygen reduction reaction for fuel cells in alkaline medium. As a new anode material in lithium-ion battery, hN-CCs also exhibit excellent cycle performance and high rate capacity with a reversible capacity of as high as 1046 mA h g(-1) at a current density of 50 mA g(-1) after 50 cycles. These features make the hN-CCs developed in this study promising as suitable substitutes for the expensive noble metal catalysts in the next generation alkaline fuel cells, and as advanced electrode materials in lithium-ion batteries.

Structural evolution of nanoscale metallic glasses during high-pressure torsion: A molecular dynamics analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, S. D.; Jiao, W.; Jing, Q.; Qi, L.; Pan, S. P.; Li, G.; Ma, M. Z.; Wang, W. H.; Liu, R. P.

2016-11-01

Structural evolution in nanoscale Cu50Zr50 metallic glasses during high-pressure torsion is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. Results show that the strong cooperation of shear transformations can be realized by high-pressure torsion in nanoscale Cu50Zr50 metallic glasses at room temperature. It is further shown that high-pressure torsion could prompt atoms to possess lower five-fold symmetries and higher potential energies, making them more likely to participate in shear transformations. Meanwhile, a higher torsion period leads to a greater degree of forced cooperative flow. And the pronounced forced cooperative flow at room temperature under high-pressure torsion permits the study of the shear transformation, its activation and characteristics, and its relationship to the deformations behaviors. This research not only provides an important platform for probing the atomic-level understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of high-pressure torsion in metallic glasses, but also leads to higher stresses and homogeneous flow near lower temperatures which is impossible previously.

Blast Performance of Four Armour Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-08-01

provided in the Q&T condition, possessing tempered martensitic microstructures. Steels H, A and M possessed very similar microstructures at the...weld metal solidification cracking in steels and stainless steels . He has also undertaken extensive work on improving the weld zone toughness of high...3.1 Microstructures of steels It is generally accepted that a tempered martensitic microstructure is the most desirable condition for armour steel

Compositional investigation of ∼2 μm luminescence of Ho{sup 3+}-doped lead silicate glass

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

Liu, Xueqiang; Huang, Feifei; Gao, Song

2015-11-15

Graphical abstract: Ho{sup 3+}-doped lead silicate glass with lowest maximum phonon energy possesses highest ∼2 μm luminescence intensity. - Highlights: • With increment of lead oxide, maximum phonon energy in lead silicate glass decreased. • ∼2 μm luminescent intensity of Ho{sup 3+} increased with increment of lead oxide. • Lowest lead oxide content glass possesses highest quantum efficiency due to low maximum phonon energy. - Abstract: Lead silicate glass samples with varying lead oxide content were prepared in this study, and their luminescent properties were examined and analyzed. It was found that with increasing lead oxide content, the maximum phononmore » energies of the glass samples decreased, while their spontaneous transition probabilities first increased and then decreased. The influence of the spontaneous transition rate, A{sub 10}, and the multi-phonon relaxation rate, W{sub 10}, on the sample luminescent properties was analyzed using rate equations. As a result, it was found that with increasing lead oxide content, W{sub 10}/A{sub 10} decreased, while the quantum efficiency increased. Thus, the luminescent intensity at ∼2 μm increased in the glass samples with increased lead oxide content. The high luminescent intensity and long lifetime indicate that silicate glasses containing high levels of lead oxide could potentially be used in ∼2 μm lasers.« less

High levels of telomere dysfunction bestow a selective disadvantage during the progression of human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Gordon, Katrina E; Ireland, Hazel; Roberts, Meryl; Steeghs, Karen; McCaul, James A; MacDonald, D Gordon; Parkinson, E Kenneth

2003-01-15

Human epithelial cells experience multiple barriers to cellular immortality in culture (mortality mechanisms 0, 1, and 2). Mortality mechanism 2 (M2) is termed crisis and involves telomere dysfunction due to lack of telomerase. However, proliferating normal keratinocytes in vivo can express telomerase, so it is unclear whether human squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), which usually have high telomerase levels, develop from preexisting telomerase-positive precursors or by the activation of telomerase in telomerase-deficient somatic cells. We show that 6 of 29 oral SCCs show characteristics of M2 crisis in vivo, as indicated by a high anaphase bridge index (ABI), which is a good correlate of telomere dysfunction, and that 25 of 29 tumors possess some anaphase bridges. ABIs in excess of 0.2 in the primary tumor showed a decrease in the corresponding lymph node metastases. This suggests that high levels of telomere dysfunction (>0.2) and, by inference, M2 crisis bestow a selective disadvantage on SCCs during progression stages of the disease. Supporting this, SCCs with high levels of telomere dysfunction grow poorly in culture, and the ectopic expression of telomerase corrects this, together with other features of M2 crisis. Our data suggest that a substantial proportion of oral SCCs in vivo ultimately arise from telomerase-deficient keratinocytes rather than putative telomerase-proficient cells in the undifferentiated parts of the epithelium. Furthermore, the presence of significant levels of telomere dysfunction in a high proportion of SCCs at diagnosis but not in the normal epithelium implies that the therapeutic inhibition of telomerase should selectively compromise the growth of such tumors.

EMMPRIN expression positively correlates with WHO grades of astrocytomas and meningiomas.

PubMed

Tsai, Wen-Chiuan; Chen, Ying; Huang, Li-Chun; Lee, Herng-Sheng; Ma, Hsin-I; Huang, Shih-Ming; Sytwu, Huey-Kang; Hueng, Dueng-Yuan

2013-09-01

High-grade primary brain tumors possessed poor outcome due to invasiveness. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) stimulates peri-tumoral fibroblasts to secrete matrix metalloproteinase and promote invasiveness. This study hypothesized that high-grade brain tumors overexpress EMMPRIN. Analyzing the public delinked database from the Gene Expression Omnibus profile, the results showed that the EMMPRIN mRNA level was higher in WHO grade IV (n = 81) than in grade III (n = 19, p < 0.0005) astrocytomas and non-tumor brain tissue controls (n = 23, p < 0.00001). The results of tissue microarray-based immunohistochemical (IHC) staining revealed that EMMPRIN levels positively correlated with WHO grades for astrocytomas (p = 0.008) and meningiomas (p = 0.048). EMMPRIN mRNA levels in conventional glioma cell lines (n = 36) was not less than those in glioma primary culture cells (n = 27) and glioblastoma stem-like cells (n = 12). The GBM8401, U87MG, and LN229 human glioma cell lines also overexpressed EMMPRIN. Hematoxylin and eosin, IHC, and immunofluorescence staining of xenografts confirmed that high-grade brain tumors overexpressed EMMPRIN. Lastly, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed poorer survival in WHO grade IV (n = 56) than in grade III astrocytomas (n = 21, by log-rank test; p = 0.0001, 95 % CI: 1.842-3.053). However, in high-grade astrocytomas, there was no difference in survival between high and low EMMPRIN mRNA levels. Thus, this study identified that high-grade brain tumors overexpress EMMPRIN, which positively correlates with WHO grades in human astrocytomas and meningiomas, and suggests that EMMPRIN may be a therapeutic target of brain tumor.

Structural, electrical and optical properties of indium tin oxide thin film grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition with tetramethyltin-precursor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhuo, Yi; Chen, Zimin; Tu, Wenbin; Ma, Xuejin; Wang, Gang

2018-01-01

Tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) is grown by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using tetramethyltin (TDMASn) as tin precursor. The as-grown ITO films are polycrystalline with (111) and (100) textures. A gradual transition of crystallographic orientation from (111) preferred to (100) preferred is observed as the composition of tin changes. By precisely controlling the Sn doping, the ITO thin films present promising optical and electrical performances at either near-infrared-visible or visible-near-ultraviolet ranges. At low Sn doping level, the as-grown ITO possesses high electron mobility of 48.8 cm2 V-1 s-1, which results in high near-infrared transmittance and low resistivity. At higher Sn doping level, high carrier concentration (8.9 × 1020 cm-3) and low resistivity (3 × 10-4 Ω cm) are achieved. The transmittance is 97.8, 99.1, and 82.3% at the wavelength of 550, 365, and 320 nm, respectively. The results strongly suggest that MOCVD with TDMASn as tin precursor is an effective method to fabricate high quality ITO thin film for near-infrared, visible light, and near-ultraviolet application.

Cells with impaired mitochondrial H2O2 sensing generate less •OH radicals and live longer.

PubMed

Martins, Dorival; Titorenko, Vladimir I; English, Ann M

2014-10-01

Mitochondria are major sites of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and adaptive mitochondrial ROS signaling extends longevity. We aim at linking the genetic manipulation of mitochondrial H2O2 sensing in live cells to mechanisms driving aging in the model organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To this end, we compare in vivo ROS (O2(•-), H2O2 and (•)OH) accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activities, labile iron levels, GSH depletion, and protein oxidative damage during the chronological aging of three yeast strains: ccp1Δ that does not produce the mitochondrial H2O2 sensor protein, cytochrome c peroxidase (Ccp1); ccp1(W191F) that produces a hyperactive variant of this sensor protein (Ccp1(W191F)); and the isogenic wild-type strain. Since they possess elevated manganese superoxide dismutase (Sod2) activity, young ccp1Δ cells accumulate low mitochondrial superoxide (O2(•-)) levels but high H2O2 levels. These cells exhibit stable aconitase activity and contain low amounts of labile iron and hydroxyl radicals ((•)OH). Furthermore, they undergo late glutathione (GSH) depletion, less mitochondrial protein oxidative damage and live longer than wild-type cells. In contrast, young ccp1(W191F) cells accumulate little H2O2, possess depressed Sod2 activity, enabling their O2(•-) level to spike and deactivate aconitase, which, ultimately, leads to greater mitochondrial oxidative damage, early GSH depletion, and a shorter lifespan than wild-type cells. Modulation of mitochondrial H2O2 sensing offers a novel interventional approach to alter mitochondrial H2O2 levels in live cells and probe the pro- versus anti-aging effects of ROS. The strength of mitochondrial H2O2 sensing modulates adaptive mitochondrial ROS signaling and, hence, lifespan.

Absence of Cyclotron Resonance in the Anomalous Metallic Phase in InOx

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Youcheng; Tamir, I.; Shahar, D.; Armitage, N. P.

2018-04-01

It is observed that many thin superconducting films with not too high disorder level (generally RN/□<2000 Ω ) placed in magnetic field show an anomalous metallic phase where the resistance is low but still finite as temperature goes to zero. Here we report in weakly disordered amorphous InOx thin films that this anomalous metal phase possesses no cyclotron resonance and hence non-Drude electrodynamics. The absence of a finite frequency resonant mode can be associated with a vanishing downstream component of the vortex current parallel to the supercurrent and an emergent particle-hole symmetry of this metal, which establishes its non-Fermi-liquid character.

The pursuit of optimal distinctiveness and consumer preferences.

PubMed

He, Lingnan; Cong, Feng; Liu, Yanping; Zhou, Xinyue

2010-10-01

This article investigates the effect of optimal distinctiveness on consumer product consumption. The authors argue that consumers acquire and display material possessions to restore their optimal levels of distinctiveness. Results showed that placing consumers in a state of low distinctiveness increased desire to acquire distinctive products, whereas perceptions of high distinctiveness reduced desire to acquire such products. Consumers' desire for distinctiveness-related products held true for various consumer choices, including willingness to pay more for limited-edition products and preference for unpopular gifts. This finding has implications for understanding consumer choice in expressing identity. © 2010 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology © 2010 The Scandinavian Psychological Associations.

Measurement of tritium in natural water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Meifen

1985-06-01

A detergent-scintillation liquid mixture applied to measure low specific activity of tritium in natural water was studied. The DYS-1 low level liquid scintillation counter designed and manufactured by our institute was employed. In comparing the Triton X-100 scintillation liquid mixture with the dioxane-based-scintillation liquid, a better formula for Triton X-100 scintillation liquid mixture was determined, the mixture possesses the quality of high water content; high efficiency and low back-ground in measuring tritium in water. Chemiluminescence of the Triton X-100 scintillation liquid mixture can be totally de-excited in short time. It can be employed at ambient temperature 11 28°C. For 20ml sample in quartz vials, counting efficiency is 15% with a background 2.17 cpm, Y=31 TU (t=30 min).

Characterization of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli strains involved in maternal-fetal colonization: prevalence of E. coli ST131.

PubMed

Birgy, André; Mariani-Kurkdjian, Patricia; Bidet, Philippe; Doit, Catherine; Genel, Nathalie; Courroux, Céline; Arlet, Guillaume; Bingen, Edouard

2013-06-01

Maternal-fetal Escherichia coli infections, such as neonatal bacteremia and meningitis, are important causes of morbidity and mortality. From 2006 to 2010, we studied newborns and their mothers who were colonized with E. coli in a French hospital in order to document (i) the epidemiology and genetic characteristics of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli strains, (ii) the prevalence of associated virulence genes, (iii) the prevalence of clone sequence type 131 (ST131), and (iv) the genetic relationship among ESBL-producing strains. Among the 2,755 E. coli cultures recovered from vaginal or neonatal samples, 68 were ESBL producers (2.46%). We found a wide diversity of ESBL genes, with the majority being bla(CTX-M-14), bla(CTX-M-1), and bla(CTX-M-15), distributed among the 4 main phylogenetic groups. Genes encoding virulence factors were found in 90.7% of the isolates, with ≥ 2 virulence genes present in 76% of cases. The prevalence of ST131 among ESBL-producing E. coli isolates was 9.4% (6/64). Five of these 6 ST131 isolates possessed bla(CTX-M-15) enzymes (and also were resistant to quinolones), and one possessed bla(CTX-M-2) enzymes. Two possessed virulence genes, suggesting the presence of pathogenicity island IIJ96 (PAI IIJ96)-like domains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) revealed a high level of genomic diversity overall, except for 3 closely related isolates belonging to clonal group ST131. Repetitive PCR showed that the six ST131 isolates were closely related to ST131 control strains (>95% similarity). This study shows a high prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli strains and clonal group ST131 in the French maternal-fetal population. These results suggest a widespread distribution of ESBL enzymes in the community and highlight the early transmission between mothers and neonates. These findings are worrisome, especially for this particularly vulnerable population.

Regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase expression by Zingiber officinale in the liver of high-fat diet-fed rats.

PubMed

Nammi, Srinivas; Kim, Moon S; Gavande, Navnath S; Li, George Q; Roufogalis, Basil D

2010-05-01

Zingiber officinale has been used to control lipid disorders and reported to possess remarkable cholesterol-lowering activity in experimental hyperlipidaemia. In the present study, the effect of a characterized and standardized extract of Zingiber officinale on the hepatic lipid levels as well as on the hepatic mRNA and protein expression of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase was investigated in a high-fat diet-fed rat model. Rats were treated with an ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale (400 mg/kg) extract along with a high-fat diet for 6 weeks. The extract of Zingiber officinale significantly decreased hepatic triglyceride and tended to decrease hepatic cholesterol levels when administered over 6 weeks to the rats fed a high-fat diet. We found that in parallel, the extract up-regulated both LDL receptor mRNA and protein level and down-regulated HMG-CoA reductase protein expression in the liver of these rats. The metabolic control of body lipid homeostasis is in part due to enhanced cholesterol biosynthesis and reduced expression of LDL receptor sites following long-term consumption of high-fat diets. The present results show restoration of transcriptional and post-transcriptional changes in low-density lipoprotein and HMG CoA reductase by Zingiber officinale administration with a high-fat diet and provide a rational explanation for the effect of ginger in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia.

Effect of reabsorbed recombination radiation on the saturation current of direct gap p-n junctions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Von Roos, O.; Mavromatis, H.

1984-01-01

The application of the radiative transfer theory for semiconductors to p-n homojunctions subject to low level injection conditions is discussed. By virtue of the interaction of the radiation field with free carriers across the depletion layer, the saturation current density in Shockley's expression for the diode current is reduced at high doping levels. The reduction, due to self-induced photon generation, is noticeable for n-type material owing to the small electron effective mass in direct band-gap III-V compounds. The effect is insignificant in p-type material. At an equilibrium electron concentration of 2 x 10 to the 18th/cu cm in GaAs, a reduction of the saturation current density by 15 percent is predicted. It is concluded that realistic GaAs p-n junctions possess a finite thickness.

New approach to increasing rice lodging resistance and biomass yield through the use of high gibberellin producing varieties.

PubMed

Okuno, Ayako; Hirano, Ko; Asano, Kenji; Takase, Wakana; Masuda, Reiko; Morinaka, Yoichi; Ueguchi-Tanaka, Miyako; Kitano, Hidemi; Matsuoka, Makoto

2014-01-01

Traditional breeding for high-yielding rice has been dependent on the widespread use of fertilizers and the cultivation of gibberellin (GA)-deficient semi-dwarf varieties. The use of semi-dwarf plants facilitates high grain yield since these varieties possess high levels of lodging resistance, and thus could support the high grain weight. Although this approach has been successful in increasing grain yield, it is desirable to further improve grain production and also to breed for high biomass. In this study, we re-examined the effect of GA on rice lodging resistance and biomass yield using several GA-deficient mutants (e.g. having defects in the biosynthesis or perception of GA), and high-GA producing line or mutant. GA-deficient mutants displayed improved bending-type lodging resistance due to their short stature; however they showed reduced breaking-type lodging resistance and reduced total biomass. In plants producing high amounts of GA, the bending-type lodging resistance was inferior to the original cultivars. The breaking-type lodging resistance was improved due to increased lignin accumulation and/or larger culm diameters. Further, these lines had an increase in total biomass weight. These results show that the use of rice cultivars producing high levels of GA would be a novel approach to create higher lodging resistance and biomass.

Understanding the psychological precursors of young drivers' willingness to speed and text while driving.

PubMed

Preece, Carissa; Watson, Angela; Kaye, Sherrie-Anne; Fleiter, Judy

2018-08-01

This study applied the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM) to investigate the factors that may predict young drivers' (non-intentional) willingness to text while driving, text while stopped, and engage in high and low levels of speeding. In addition, the study sought to assess whether general optimism bias would predict young drivers' willingness to text and speed over and above the PWM. Licenced drivers (N = 183) aged 17-25 years (M = 19.84, SD = 2.30) in Queensland, Australia completed an online survey. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that the PWM was effective in explaining the variance in willingness to perform all four illegal driving behaviours. Particularly, young drivers who possessed favourable attitudes and a positive prototype perception towards these behaviours were more willing to engage in texting and speeding. In contrast to the study's predictions, optimistically biased beliefs decreased young drivers' willingness to text while stopped and engage in high and low levels of speeding. The findings of the study may help inform policy and educational campaigns to better target risky driving behaviours by considering the influence of attitudes, prototypes and the non-intentional pathway that may lead to engagement in texting while driving and stopped and engagement in high and low levels of speeding. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Energetics of high-intensity exercise (soccer) with particular reference to fatigue.

PubMed

Reilly, T

1997-06-01

Soccer entails intermittent exercise with bouts of short, intense activity punctuating longer periods of low-level, moderate-intensity exercise. High levels of blood lactate may sometimes be observed during a match but the active recovery periods at submaximal exercise levels allow for its removal on a continual basis. While anaerobic efforts are evident in activity with the ball and shadowing fast-moving opponents, the largest strain is placed on aerobic metabolism. On average, competitive soccer corresponds to an energy expenditure of about 75% maximal aerobic power. The energy expenditure varies with playing position, being highest among midfield players. Muscle glycogen levels can be reduced towards the end of a game, the level of reduction being reflected in a decrease in work rate. Blood glucose levels are generally well-maintained, although body temperature may rise by 2 degrees C even in temperate conditions. The distance covered by players tends to under-reflect the energy expended. Unorthodox modes of motion-running backwards and sideways, accelerating, decelerating and changing direction-accentuate the metabolic loading. These are compounded by the extra requirements for energy associated with dribbling the ball and contesting possession. The overall energy expended is extreme when players are required to play extra-time in tournaments. Training, nutritional and tactical strategies may be used to reduce the effects of fatigue that may occur late in the game.

The evolution of human and ape hand proportions.

PubMed

Almécija, Sergio; Smaers, Jeroen B; Jungers, William L

2015-07-14

Human hands are distinguished from apes by possessing longer thumbs relative to fingers. However, this simple ape-human dichotomy fails to provide an adequate framework for testing competing hypotheses of human evolution and for reconstructing the morphology of the last common ancestor (LCA) of humans and chimpanzees. We inspect human and ape hand-length proportions using phylogenetically informed morphometric analyses and test alternative models of evolution along the anthropoid tree of life, including fossils like the plesiomorphic ape Proconsul heseloni and the hominins Ardipithecus ramidus and Australopithecus sediba. Our results reveal high levels of hand disparity among modern hominoids, which are explained by different evolutionary processes: autapomorphic evolution in hylobatids (extreme digital and thumb elongation), convergent adaptation between chimpanzees and orangutans (digital elongation) and comparatively little change in gorillas and hominins. The human (and australopith) high thumb-to-digits ratio required little change since the LCA, and was acquired convergently with other highly dexterous anthropoids.

The evolution of human and ape hand proportions

PubMed Central

Almécija, Sergio; Smaers, Jeroen B.; Jungers, William L.

2015-01-01

Human hands are distinguished from apes by possessing longer thumbs relative to fingers. However, this simple ape-human dichotomy fails to provide an adequate framework for testing competing hypotheses of human evolution and for reconstructing the morphology of the last common ancestor (LCA) of humans and chimpanzees. We inspect human and ape hand-length proportions using phylogenetically informed morphometric analyses and test alternative models of evolution along the anthropoid tree of life, including fossils like the plesiomorphic ape Proconsul heseloni and the hominins Ardipithecus ramidus and Australopithecus sediba. Our results reveal high levels of hand disparity among modern hominoids, which are explained by different evolutionary processes: autapomorphic evolution in hylobatids (extreme digital and thumb elongation), convergent adaptation between chimpanzees and orangutans (digital elongation) and comparatively little change in gorillas and hominins. The human (and australopith) high thumb-to-digits ratio required little change since the LCA, and was acquired convergently with other highly dexterous anthropoids. PMID:26171589

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

Tyson, T. A.; Gao, W.; Chen, Y. -S.

Solar cells based on hybrid perovskites have shown high efficiency while possessing simple processing methods. To gain a fundamental understanding of their properties on an atomic level, we investigate single crystals of CH 3NH 3PbI 3 with a narrow transition (~5 K) near 327 K. Temperature dependent structural measurements reveal a persistent tetragonal structure with smooth changes in the atomic displacement parameters (ADPs) on crossing T*. We show that the ADPs for I ions yield extended flat regions in the potential wells consistent with the measured large thermal expansion parameter. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that this material exhibits significant asymmetriesmore » in the Pb-I pair distribution functions. We also show that the intrinsically enhanced freedom of motion of the iodine atoms enables large deformations. This flexibility (softness) of the atomic structure results in highly localized atomic relaxation about defects and hence accounts for both the high carrier mobility as well as the structural instability.« less

A Study of the Competencies Needed of Entry-Level Academic Health Sciences Librarians

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Philbrick, Jodi Lynn

2012-01-01

The purpose of this study was to identify the professional and personal competencies that entry-level academic health sciences librarians should possess from the perspectives of academic health sciences library directors, library and information sciences (LIS) educators who specialize in educating health sciences librarians, and individuals who…

Cardiovascular protection of magnolol: cell-type specificity and dose-related effects

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Magnolia officinalis has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Magnolol, an active component isolated from Magnolia officinalis, is known to be a cardiovascular protector since 1994. The multiplex mechanisms of magnolol on cardiovascular protection depends on cell types and dosages, and will be reviewed and discussed in this article. Magnolol under low and moderate dosage possesses the ability to protect heart from ischemic/reperfusion injury, reduces atherosclerotic change, protects endothelial cell against apoptosis and inhibits neutrophil-endothelial adhesion. The moderate to high concentration of magnolol mainly acts on smooth muscle cells and platelets. Magnolol induces apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells at moderate concentration and inhibits proliferation at moderate and high concentration. High concentration of magnolol also abrogates platelet activation, aggregation and thrombus formation. Magnolol also serves as an smooth muscle relaxant only upon the high concentration. Oral intake of magnolol to reach the therapeutic level for cardiovascular protection is applicable, thus makes magnolol an agent of great potential for preventing cardiovascular diseases in high-risk patients. PMID:22849814

Cardiovascular protection of magnolol: cell-type specificity and dose-related effects.

PubMed

Ho, Jennifer Hui-Chun; Hong, Chuang-Ye

2012-07-31

Magnolia officinalis has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Magnolol, an active component isolated from Magnolia officinalis, is known to be a cardiovascular protector since 1994. The multiplex mechanisms of magnolol on cardiovascular protection depends on cell types and dosages, and will be reviewed and discussed in this article. Magnolol under low and moderate dosage possesses the ability to protect heart from ischemic/reperfusion injury, reduces atherosclerotic change, protects endothelial cell against apoptosis and inhibits neutrophil-endothelial adhesion. The moderate to high concentration of magnolol mainly acts on smooth muscle cells and platelets. Magnolol induces apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells at moderate concentration and inhibits proliferation at moderate and high concentration. High concentration of magnolol also abrogates platelet activation, aggregation and thrombus formation. Magnolol also serves as an smooth muscle relaxant only upon the high concentration. Oral intake of magnolol to reach the therapeutic level for cardiovascular protection is applicable, thus makes magnolol an agent of great potential for preventing cardiovascular diseases in high-risk patients.

Effect of certain natural products and organic solvents on quorum sensing in Chromobacterium violaceum.

PubMed

Chaudhari, Vimla; Gosai, Haren; Raval, Shreya; Kothari, Vijay

2014-09-01

To investigate the effect of seed extracts of Pongamia pinnata, Pyrus pyrifolia, and Manilkara hexandra, bacterial pigment prodigiosin, and three organic solvents (ethanol, methanol, and dimethylsulfoxide), on quorum sensing (QS) in Chromobacterium violaceum (C. violaceum). C. violaceum was challenged with plant extracts prepared by microwave assisted extraction method, prodigiosin, and organic solvents. Effect of these test substances on C. violaceum growth, and quorum sensing regulated pigment (violacein) production was studied by broth dilution assay. High performance liquid chromatography was also applied to generate chromatographic fingerprint of the active extracts. Effect of sub-minimum inhibitory concentration level of the antibiotic streptomycin on quorum sensing regulated pigment production was also studied. Pongamia pinnata seed extracts and prodigiosin were found to possess anti-QS, and Manilkara hexandra and Pyrus pyrifolia seed extracts to possess QS-enhancing effect in C. violaceum. Dimethylsulfoxide was found to enhance violacein production, whereas ethanol and methanol reduced violacein production in C. violaceum. Streptomycin at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration level was able to significantly arrest QS-regulated pigment production in C. violaceum and Serratia marcescens. Prodigiosin and the seed extracts used in this study could affect quorum sensing in C. violaceum to a notable extent. Results of this study also emphasize the importance of inclusion of appropriate solvent controls (negative controls) in bioassays designed for screening of antimicrobial and/or anti-QS compounds. Antipathogenic potential of low concentrations of streptomycin was also demonstrated. Copyright © 2014 Hainan Medical College. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Improved hydroxyurea effect with the use of text messaging in children with sickle cell anemia.

PubMed

Estepp, Jeremie H; Winter, Bryan; Johnson, Margery; Smeltzer, Matthew P; Howard, Scott C; Hankins, Jane S

2014-11-01

In children with sickle cell anemia (SCA), hydroxyurea reduces morbidity, but adherence is frequently suboptimal. Because most families of children with SCA have access to cellular telephone services, we assessed the impact of text messaged reminders as a tool to improve adherence to hydroxyurea. All patients <19 years of age with HbSS or HbSβ(0) thalassemia who were treated with hydroxyurea at a maximal tolerated dosage (MTD) at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Comprehensive Pediatric Sickle Cell Program and who received automated text message reminders (SIMON®) were retrospectively identified. Laboratory parameters, hospitalizations, and medication possession ratios (MPR) prior to and after initiation of SIMON® were compared to assess the impact of SIMON®. Of the 97.3% of families with access to a cell phone, 91% elected to receive text message reminders. Among 55 children receiving hydroxyurea at MTD, laboratory parameters reflected waning medication compliance during the 12 months prior to SIMON®. Following initiation of SIMON®, children had higher mean corpuscular volumes, hemoglobin levels and fetal hemoglobin percentages and lower absolute reticulocyte counts and bilirubin levels, suggesting improved medication adherence. Hospitalizations were uncommon before and after SIMON®, and medication possession ratios (MPRs) were high before and after SIMON®, neither was significantly changed. SIMON® was feasible and improved hematologic parameters in children with SCA receiving hydroxyurea at a MTD. Future work will include extension of this technology to children with other chronic medical conditions who require daily use of medication. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A novel microRNA assay with optical detection and enzyme-free DNA circuits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Yuhui; Zhou, Xiaoming

2014-09-01

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the significant processes of life course, can be used as quantificational biomarkers for cellular level researches and related diseases. Conventional methods of miRNAs' quantitative detection are obsessed with low sensitivity, time and labour consuming. Otherwise, the emerging miRNAs detection approaches are mostly exposed to the expensive equipment demands and the professional operation, remains at the stage of laboratory and concept demonstration phase. Herein, we designed a novel miRNAs detection platform that based on enzyme-free DNA circuits and electrochemical luminescence (ECL). MicroRNA21 was chosen as the ideal analyte of this platform. The whole process consists of enzyme-free DNA circuits and ECL signal giving-out steps, achieves advantages of operating in constant temperature condition, without the participation of the enzyme, preferable sensitivity and specificity. Through this approach, the sensitivity achieved at 10pM. It is indicated that this miRNAs detection platform possesses potentials to be an innovation of miRNA detection technologies in routine tests. Benefits of the high penetration of ECL in well-equipped medical establishment, this approach could greatly lessen the obstacles in process of popularization and possess excellent prospects of practical application.

Ameliorating effects of goby fish protein hydrolysates on high-fat-high-fructose diet-induced hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and deterioration of kidney function in rats.

PubMed

Nasri, Rim; Abdelhedi, Ola; Jemil, Ines; Daoued, Ines; Hamden, Khaled; Kallel, Choumous; Elfeki, Abdelfattah; Lamri-Senhadji, Myriem; Boualga, Ahmed; Nasri, Moncef; Karra-Châabouni, Maha

2015-12-05

This study investigated the therapeutic potential of undigested goby fish (Zosterisessor ophiocephalus) muscle proteins (UGP) and their hydrolysates on high-fat-high-fructose diet (HFFD)-fed rats. HFFD induced hyperglycemia, manifested by a significant increase in the levels of glucose and glycogen as well as α-amylase activity when compared to normal rats. The administration of GPHs to HFFD-fed rats significantly decreased α-amylase activity and the contents of blood glucose and hepatic glycogen. By contrast, the UGP increased the glucose metabolic disorders in HFFD-fed rats. Furthermore, HFFD-fed rats showed oxidative stress, as evidenced by decreased antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione (GSH) levels and increased concentration of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde in liver and kidney. Interestingly, the daily gavage of UGP and GPHs improved the redox status in liver and kidney of HFFD-rats by ameliorating or reversing the above-mentioned changes. Moreover, GPHs exhibited a renal protective role by reversing the HFFD-induced decease of uric acid and increase of creatinine levels in serum and preventing some HFFD-induced changes in kidney architecture. The results demonstrate that GPHs contain bioactive peptides that possess significant hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties, and ameliorate renal damage in rats fed hypercaloric diet. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stiff, Thermally Stable and Highly Anisotropic Wood-Derived Carbon Composite Monoliths for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding.

PubMed

Yuan, Ye; Sun, Xianxian; Yang, Minglong; Xu, Fan; Lin, Zaishan; Zhao, Xu; Ding, Yujie; Li, Jianjun; Yin, Weilong; Peng, Qingyu; He, Xiaodong; Li, Yibin

2017-06-28

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials for electronic devices in aviation and aerospace not only need lightweight and high shielding effectiveness, but also should withstand harsh environments. Traditional EMI shielding materials often show heavy weight, poor thermal stability, short lifetime, poor tolerance to chemicals, and are hard-to-manufacture. Searching for high-efficiency EMI shielding materials overcoming the above weaknesses is still a great challenge. Herein, inspired by the unique structure of natural wood, lightweight and highly anisotropic wood-derived carbon composite EMI shielding materials have been prepared which possess not only high EMI shielding performance and mechanical stable characteristics, but also possess thermally stable properties, outperforming those metals, conductive polymers, and their composites. The newly developed low-cost materials are promising for specific applications in aerospace electronic devices, especially regarding extreme temperatures.

Capsule Influences the Deposition of Critical Complement C3 Levels Required for the Killing of Burkholderia pseudomallei via NADPH-Oxidase Induction by Human Neutrophils

PubMed Central

Woodman, Michael E.; Worth, Randall G.; Wooten, R. Mark

2012-01-01

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis and is a major mediator of sepsis in its endemic areas. Because of the low LD50 via aerosols and resistance to multiple antibiotics, it is considered a Tier 1 select agent by the CDC and APHIS. B. pseudomallei is an encapsulated bacterium that can infect, multiply, and persist within a variety of host cell types. In vivo studies suggest that macrophages and neutrophils are important for controlling B. pseudomallei infections, however few details are known regarding how neutrophils respond to these bacteria. Our goal is to describe the capacity of human neutrophils to control highly virulent B. pseudomallei compared to the relatively avirulent, acapsular B. thailandensis using in vitro analyses. B. thailandensis was more readily phagocytosed than B. pseudomallei, but both displayed similar rates of persistence within neutrophils, indicating they possess similar inherent abilities to escape neutrophil clearance. Serum opsonization studies showed that both were resistant to direct killing by complement, although B. thailandensis acquired significantly more C3 on its surface than B. pseudomallei, whose polysaccharide capsule significantly decreased the levels of complement deposition on the bacterial surface. Both Burkholderia species showed significantly enhanced uptake and killing by neutrophils after critical levels of C3 were deposited. Serum-opsonized Burkholderia induced a significant respiratory burst by neutrophils compared to unopsonized bacteria, and neutrophil killing was prevented by inhibiting NADPH-oxidase. In summary, neutrophils can efficiently kill B. pseudomallei and B. thailandensis that possess a critical threshold of complement deposition, and the relative differences in their ability to resist surface opsonization may contribute to the distinct virulence phenotypes observed in vivo. PMID:23251706

Education and risk for acute myocardial infarction in 52 high, middle and low-income countries: INTERHEART case-control study.

PubMed

Rosengren, A; Subramanian, S V; Islam, S; Chow, C K; Avezum, A; Kazmi, K; Sliwa, K; Zubaid, M; Rangarajan, S; Yusuf, S

2009-12-01

To determine the effect of education and other measures of socioeconomic status (SES) on risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients and controls from countries with diverse economic circumstances (high, middle, and low income countries). Case-control study. 52 countries from all inhabited regions of the world. 12242 cases and 14622 controls. First non-fatal AMI. SES was measured using education, family income, possessions in the household and occupation. Low levels of education (< or =8 years) were more common in cases compared to controls (45.0% and 38.1%; p<0.0001). The odds ratio (OR) for low education adjusted for age, sex and region was 1.56 (95% confidence interval 1.47 to 1.66). After further adjustment for psychosocial, lifestyle, other factors and mutually for other socioeconomic factors, the OR associated with education < or =8 years was 1.31 (1.20 to 1.44) (p<0.0001). Modifiable lifestyle factors (smoking, exercise, consumption of vegetables and fruits, alcohol and abdominal obesity) explained about half of the socioeconomic gradient. Family income, numbers of possessions and non-professional occupation were only weakly or not at all independently related to AMI. In high-income countries (World Bank Classification), the risk factor adjusted OR associated with low education was 1.61 (1.33 to 1.94), whereas it was substantially lower in low-income and middle-income countries: 1.25 (1.14 to 1.37) (p for interaction 0.045). Of the SES measures we studied, low education was the marker most consistently associated with increased risk for AMI globally, most markedly in high-income countries.

Well-Balanced Ambipolar Conjugated Polymers Featuring Mild Glass Transition Temperatures Toward High-Performance Flexible Field-Effect Transistors.

PubMed

Shi, Keli; Zhang, Weifeng; Gao, Dong; Zhang, Shiying; Lin, Zuzhang; Zou, Ye; Wang, Liping; Yu, Gui

2018-03-01

Conjugated polymers, which can be fabricated by simple processing techniques and possess excellent electrical performance, are key to the fabrication of flexible polymer field-effect transistors (PFETs) and integrated circuits. Herein, two ambipolar conjugated polymers based on (3E,7E)-3,7-bis(2-oxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridin-3(2H)-ylidene)benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b']difuran-2,6(3H,7H)-dione and dithienylbenzothiadiazole units, namely PNBDOPV-DTBT and PNBDOPV-DTF2BT, are developed. Both copolymers possess almost planar conjugated backbone conformations and suitable highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels (-5.64/-4.38 eV for PNBDOPV-DTBT and -5.79/-4.48 eV for PNBDOPV-DTF2BT). Note that PNBDOPV-DTBT has a glass transition temperature (140 °C) lower than the deformation temperature of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), meaning well-ordered molecular packing can be obtained on PET substrate before its deformation in mild thermal annealing process. Flexible PFETs based on PNBDOPV-DTBT fabricated on PET substrates exhibit high and well-balanced hole/electron mobilities of 4.68/4.72 cm 2 V -1 s -1 under ambient conditions. After the further modification of Au source/drain electrodes with 1-octanethiol self-assembled monolayers, impressively high and well-balanced hole/electron mobilities up to 5.97/7.07 cm 2 V -1 s -1 are achieved in the flexible PFETs. Meanwhile, flexible complementary-like inverters based on PNBDOPV-DTBT on PET substrate also afford a much high gain of 148. The device performances of both the PFETs and inverters are among the highest values for ambipolar conjugated polymers reported to date. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The Guinea Pig as a Model for Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): The Impact of Cholesterol Intake on Expression of AD-Related Genes

PubMed Central

Ong, Daniel; Wijaya, Linda; Laws, Simon M.; Taddei, Kevin; Newman, Morgan; Lardelli, Michael; Martins, Ralph N.; Verdile, Giuseppe

2013-01-01

We investigated the guinea pig, Cavia porcellus, as a model for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), both in terms of the conservation of genes involved in AD and the regulatory responses of these to a known AD risk factor - high cholesterol intake. Unlike rats and mice, guinea pigs possess an Aβ peptide sequence identical to human Aβ. Consistent with the commonality between cardiovascular and AD risk factors in humans, we saw that a high cholesterol diet leads to up-regulation of BACE1 (β-secretase) transcription and down-regulation of ADAM10 (α-secretase) transcription which should increase release of Aβ from APP. Significantly, guinea pigs possess isoforms of AD-related genes found in humans but not present in mice or rats. For example, we discovered that the truncated PS2V isoform of human PSEN2, that is found at raised levels in AD brains and that increases γ-secretase activity and Aβ synthesis, is not uniquely human or aberrant as previously believed. We show that PS2V formation is up-regulated by hypoxia and a high-cholesterol diet while, consistent with observations in humans, Aβ concentrations are raised in some brain regions but not others. Also like humans, but unlike mice, the guinea pig gene encoding tau, MAPT, encodes isoforms with both three and four microtubule binding domains, and cholesterol alters the ratio of these isoforms. We conclude that AD-related genes are highly conserved and more similar to human than the rat or mouse. Guinea pigs represent a superior rodent model for analysis of the impact of dietary factors such as cholesterol on the regulation of AD-related genes. PMID:23805206

The influence of prior knowledge on the retrieval-directed function of note taking in prior knowledge activation.

PubMed

Wetzels, Sandra A J; Kester, Liesbeth; van Merriënboer, Jeroen J G; Broers, Nick J

2011-06-01

Prior knowledge activation facilitates learning. Note taking during prior knowledge activation (i.e., note taking directed at retrieving information from memory) might facilitate the activation process by enabling learners to build an external representation of their prior knowledge. However, taking notes might be less effective in supporting prior knowledge activation if available prior knowledge is limited. This study investigates the effects of the retrieval-directed function of note taking depending on learners' level of prior knowledge. It is hypothesized that the effectiveness of note taking is influenced by the amount of prior knowledge learners already possess. Sixty-one high school students participated in this study. A prior knowledge test was used to ascertain differences in level of prior knowledge and assign participants to a low or a high prior knowledge group. A 2×2 factorial design was used to investigate the effects of note taking during prior knowledge activation (yes, no) depending on learners' level of prior knowledge (low, high) on mental effort, performance, and mental efficiency. Note taking during prior knowledge activation lowered mental effort and increased mental efficiency for high prior knowledge learners. For low prior knowledge learners, note taking had the opposite effect on mental effort and mental efficiency. The effects of the retrieval-directed function of note taking are influenced by learners' level of prior knowledge. Learners with high prior knowledge benefit from taking notes while activating prior knowledge, whereas note taking has no beneficial effects for learners with limited prior knowledge. ©2010 The British Psychological Society.

Modeling for (physical) biologists: an introduction to the rule-based approach

PubMed Central

Chylek, Lily A; Harris, Leonard A; Faeder, James R; Hlavacek, William S

2015-01-01

Models that capture the chemical kinetics of cellular regulatory networks can be specified in terms of rules for biomolecular interactions. A rule defines a generalized reaction, meaning a reaction that permits multiple reactants, each capable of participating in a characteristic transformation and each possessing certain, specified properties, which may be local, such as the state of a particular site or domain of a protein. In other words, a rule defines a transformation and the properties that reactants must possess to participate in the transformation. A rule also provides a rate law. A rule-based approach to modeling enables consideration of mechanistic details at the level of functional sites of biomolecules and provides a facile and visual means for constructing computational models, which can be analyzed to study how system-level behaviors emerge from component interactions. PMID:26178138

Reduced mitochondrial DNA content associates with poor prognosis of prostate cancer in African American men.

PubMed

Koochekpour, Shahriar; Marlowe, Timothy; Singh, Keshav K; Attwood, Kristopher; Chandra, Dhyan

2013-01-01

Reduction or depletion of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been associated with cancer progression. Although imbalanced mtDNA content is known to occur in prostate cancer, differences in mtDNA content between African American (AA) and Caucasian American (CA) men are not defined. We provide the first evidence that tumors in AA men possess reduced level of mtDNA compared to CA men. The median tumor mtDNA content was reduced in AA men. mtDNA content was also reduced in normal prostate tissues of AA men compared to CA men, suggesting a possible predisposition to cancer in AA men. mtDNA content was also reduced in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue from AA men. Tumor and BPH tissues from patients ≥ 60 years of age possess reduced mtDNA content compared to patients <60 years of age. In addition, mtDNA content was higher in normal tissues from patients with malignant T3 stage disease compared to patients with T2 stage disease. mtDNA levels in matched normal prostate tissues were nearly doubled in Gleason grade of >7 compared to ≤ 7, whereas reduced mtDNA content was observed in tumors of Gleason grade >7 compared to ≤ 7. Together, our data suggest that AA men possess lower mtDNA levels in normal and tumor tissues compared to CA men, which could contribute to higher risk and more aggressive prostate cancer in AA men.

Environmental adaptability and stress tolerance of Laribacter hongkongensis: a genome-wide analysis

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Laribacter hongkongensis is associated with community-acquired gastroenteritis and traveler's diarrhea and it can reside in human, fish, frogs and water. In this study, we performed an in-depth annotation of the genes in its genome related to adaptation to the various environmental niches. Results L. hongkongensis possessed genes for DNA repair and recombination, basal transcription, alternative σ-factors and 109 putative transcription factors, allowing DNA repair and global changes in gene expression in response to different environmental stresses. For acid stress, it possessed a urease gene cassette and two arc gene clusters. For alkaline stress, it possessed six CDSs for transporters of the monovalent cation/proton antiporter-2 and NhaC Na+:H+ antiporter families. For heavy metals acquisition and tolerance, it possessed CDSs for iron and nickel transport and efflux pumps for other metals. For temperature stress, it possessed genes related to chaperones and chaperonins, heat shock proteins and cold shock proteins. For osmotic stress, 25 CDSs were observed, mostly related to regulators for potassium ion, proline and glutamate transport. For oxidative and UV light stress, genes for oxidant-resistant dehydratase, superoxide scavenging, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, exclusion and export of redox-cycling antibiotics, redox balancing, DNA repair, reduction of disulfide bonds, limitation of iron availability and reduction of iron-sulfur clusters are present. For starvation, it possessed phosphorus and, despite being asaccharolytic, carbon starvation-related CDSs. Conclusions The L. hongkongensis genome possessed a high variety of genes for adaptation to acid, alkaline, temperature, osmotic, oxidative, UV light and starvation stresses and acquisition of and tolerance to heavy metals. PMID:21711489

Legal status and source of offenders' firearms in states with the least stringent criteria for gun ownership.

PubMed

Vittes, Katherine A; Vernick, Jon S; Webster, Daniel W

2013-02-01

Gun possession by high-risk individuals presents a serious threat to public safety. U.S. federal law establishes minimum criteria for legal purchase and possession of firearms; many states have laws disqualifying additional categories for illegal possession. We used data from a national survey of state prison inmates to calculate: 1) the proportion of offenders, incarcerated for crimes committed with firearms in 13 states with the least restrictive firearm purchase and possession laws, who would have been prohibited if their states had stricter gun laws; and 2) the source of gun acquisition for offenders who were and were not legally permitted to purchase and possess firearms. Nearly three of ten gun offenders (73 of 253 or 28.9%) were legal gun possessors but would have been prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms when committing their most recent offense if their states had stricter prohibitions. Offenders who were already prohibited under current law acquired their gun from a licensed dealer, where a background check is required, five times less often than offenders who were not prohibited (3.9% vs. 19.9%; χ(2)=13.31; p≤0.001). Nearly all (96.1%) offenders who were legally prohibited, acquired their gun from a supplier not required to conduct a background check. Stricter gun ownership laws would have made firearm possession illegal for many state prison inmates who used a gun to commit a crime. Requiring all gun sales to be subject to a background check would make it more difficult for these offenders to obtain guns.

Firearm Violence Among High-Risk Emergency Department Youth After an Assault Injury

PubMed Central

Walton, Maureen A.; Roehler, Douglas R.; Goldstick, Jason; Zimmerman, Marc A.; Blow, Frederic C.; Cunningham, Rebecca M.

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: The risk for firearm violence among high-risk youth after treatment for an assault is unknown. METHODS: In this 2-year prospective cohort study, data were analyzed from a consecutive sample of 14- to 24-year-olds with drug use in the past 6 months seeking assault-injury care (AIG) at an urban level 1 emergency department (ED) compared with a proportionally sampled comparison group (CG) of drug-using nonassaulted youth. Validated measures were administered at baseline and follow-up (6, 12, 18, 24 months). RESULTS: A total of 349 AIG and 250 CG youth were followed for 24 months. During the follow-up period, 59% of the AIG reported firearm violence, a 40% higher risk than was observed among the CG (59.0% vs. 42.5%; relative risk [RR] = 1.39). Among those reporting firearm violence, 31.7% reported aggression, and 96.4% reported victimization, including 19 firearm injuries requiring medical care and 2 homicides. The majority with firearm violence (63.5%) reported at least 1 event within the first 6 months. Poisson regression identified baseline predictors of firearm violence, including male gender (RR = 1.51), African American race (RR = 1.26), assault-injury (RR = 1.35), firearm possession (RR = 1.23), attitudes favoring retaliation (RR = 1.03), posttraumatic stress disorder (RR = 1.39), and a drug use disorder (RR = 1.22). CONCLUSIONS: High-risk youth presenting to urban EDs for assault have elevated rates of subsequent firearm violence. Interventions at an index visit addressing substance use, mental health needs, retaliatory attitudes, and firearm possession may help decrease firearm violence among urban youth. PMID:25847808

Luminescence and luminescence quenching of highly efficient Y2Mo4O15:Eu3+ phosphors and ceramics

PubMed Central

Janulevicius, Matas; Marmokas, Paulius; Misevicius, Martynas; Grigorjevaite, Julija; Mikoliunaite, Lina; Sakirzanovas, Simas; Katelnikovas, Arturas

2016-01-01

A good LED phosphor must possess strong enough absorption, high quantum yields, colour purity, and quenching temperatures. Our synthesized Y2Mo4O15:Eu3+ phosphors possess all of these properties. Excitation of these materials with near-UV or blue radiation yields bright red emission and the colour coordinates are relatively stable upon temperature increase. Furthermore, samples doped with 50% Eu3+ showed quantum yields up to 85%, what is suitable for commercial application. Temperature dependent emission spectra revealed that heavily Eu3+ doped phosphors possess stable emission up to 400 K and lose half of the efficiency only at 515 K. In addition, ceramic disks of Y2Mo4O15:75%Eu3+ phosphor with thickness of 0.71 and 0.98 mm were prepared and it turned out that they efficiently convert radiation of 375 and 400 nm LEDs to the red light, whereas combination with 455 nm LED yields purple colour. PMID:27180941

Luminescence and luminescence quenching of highly efficient Y2Mo4O15:Eu(3+) phosphors and ceramics.

PubMed

Janulevicius, Matas; Marmokas, Paulius; Misevicius, Martynas; Grigorjevaite, Julija; Mikoliunaite, Lina; Sakirzanovas, Simas; Katelnikovas, Arturas

2016-05-16

A good LED phosphor must possess strong enough absorption, high quantum yields, colour purity, and quenching temperatures. Our synthesized Y2Mo4O15:Eu(3+) phosphors possess all of these properties. Excitation of these materials with near-UV or blue radiation yields bright red emission and the colour coordinates are relatively stable upon temperature increase. Furthermore, samples doped with 50% Eu(3+) showed quantum yields up to 85%, what is suitable for commercial application. Temperature dependent emission spectra revealed that heavily Eu(3+) doped phosphors possess stable emission up to 400 K and lose half of the efficiency only at 515 K. In addition, ceramic disks of Y2Mo4O15:75%Eu(3+) phosphor with thickness of 0.71 and 0.98 mm were prepared and it turned out that they efficiently convert radiation of 375 and 400 nm LEDs to the red light, whereas combination with 455 nm LED yields purple colour.

The effect of internal possession laws on underage drinking among high school students: a 12-state analysis.

PubMed

Disney, Lynn D; LaVallee, Robin A; Yi, Hsiao-Ye

2013-06-01

We assessed the effect of internal possession (IP) laws, which allow law enforcement to charge underage drinkers with alcohol possession if they have ingested alcohol, on underage drinking behaviors. We examined Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data from 12 states with IP laws and with YRBS data before and after each law's implementation. We used logistic regression models with fixed effects for state to assess the effects of IP laws on drinking and binge drinking among high school students. Implementation of IP laws is associated with reductions in the odds of past-month drinking. This reduction was bigger among male than among female adolescents (27% vs 15%) and only significant among younger students aged 14 and 15 years (15% and 11%, respectively). Male adolescents also reported a significant reduction (24%) in the odds of past-month binge drinking under IP laws. These findings suggest that IP laws are effective in reducing underage drinking, particularly among younger adolescents.

The Effect of Internal Possession Laws on Underage Drinking Among High School Students: A 12-State Analysis

PubMed Central

Disney, Lynn D.; Yi, Hsiao-ye

2013-01-01

Objectives. We assessed the effect of internal possession (IP) laws, which allow law enforcement to charge underage drinkers with alcohol possession if they have ingested alcohol, on underage drinking behaviors. Methods. We examined Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data from 12 states with IP laws and with YRBS data before and after each law’s implementation. We used logistic regression models with fixed effects for state to assess the effects of IP laws on drinking and binge drinking among high school students. Results. Implementation of IP laws is associated with reductions in the odds of past-month drinking. This reduction was bigger among male than among female adolescents (27% vs 15%) and only significant among younger students aged 14 and 15 years (15% and 11%, respectively). Male adolescents also reported a significant reduction (24%) in the odds of past-month binge drinking under IP laws. Conclusions. These findings suggest that IP laws are effective in reducing underage drinking, particularly among younger adolescents. PMID:23597385

Highly compressible 3D periodic graphene aerogel microlattices

DOE PAGES

Zhu, Cheng; Han, T. Yong-Jin; Duoss, Eric B.; ...

2015-04-22

Graphene is a two-dimensional material that offers a unique combination of low density, exceptional mechanical properties, large surface area and excellent electrical conductivity. Recent progress has produced bulk 3D assemblies of graphene, such as graphene aerogels, but they possess purely stochastic porous networks, which limit their performance compared with the potential of an engineered architecture. Here we report the fabrication of periodic graphene aerogel microlattices, possessing an engineered architecture via a 3D printing technique known as direct ink writing. The 3D printed graphene aerogels are lightweight, highly conductive and exhibit supercompressibility (up to 90% compressive strain). Moreover, the Young’s modulimore » of the 3D printed graphene aerogels show an order of magnitude improvement over bulk graphene materials with comparable geometric density and possess large surface areas. Ultimately, adapting the 3D printing technique to graphene aerogels realizes the possibility of fabricating a myriad of complex aerogel architectures for a broad range of applications.« less

Preparation and characteristics of biosilica derived from marine diatom biomass of Nitzschia closterium and Thalassiosira

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Yarong; Wang, Xin; Cheng, Jay Jiayang

2017-05-01

In this study, biosilica of high purity was successfully prepared from marine diatom ( Nitzschia closterium and Thalassiosira) biomass using an optimized novel method with acid washing treatment followed by thermal treatment of the biomass. The optimal condition of the method was 2% diluted HCl washing and baking at 600°C. The SiO2 contents of N. closterium biosilica and Thalassiosira biosilica were 92.23% and 91.52%, respectively, which were both higher than that of diatomite biosilica. The SiO2 morphologies of both biosilica are typical amorphous silica. Besides, N. closterium biosilica possessed micropores and fibers with a surface area of 59.81m2/g. And Thalassiosira biosilica possessed a mesoporous hierarchical skeleton with a surface area of 9.91m2/g. The results suggest that the biosilica samples obtained in this study present highly porous structures. The prepared porous biosilica material possesses great potential to be used as drug delivery carrier, biosensor, biocatalyst as well as adsorbent in the future.

Weavable, Conductive Yarn-Based NiCo//Zn Textile Battery with High Energy Density and Rate Capability.

PubMed

Huang, Yan; Ip, Wing Shan; Lau, Yuen Ying; Sun, Jinfeng; Zeng, Jie; Yeung, Nga Sze Sea; Ng, Wing Sum; Li, Hongfei; Pei, Zengxia; Xue, Qi; Wang, Yukun; Yu, Jie; Hu, Hong; Zhi, Chunyi

2017-09-26

With intrinsic safety and much higher energy densities than supercapacitors, rechargeable nickel/cobalt-zinc-based textile batteries are promising power sources for next generation personalized wearable electronics. However, high-performance wearable nickel/cobalt-zinc-based batteries are rarely reported because there is a lack of industrially weavable and knittable highly conductive yarns. Here, we use scalably produced highly conductive yarns uniformly covered with zinc (as anode) and nickel cobalt hydroxide nanosheets (as cathode) to fabricate rechargeable yarn batteries. They possess a battery level capacity and energy density, as well as a supercapacitor level power density. They deliver high specific capacity of 5 mAh cm -3 and energy densities of 0.12 mWh cm -2 and 8 mWh cm -3 (based on the whole solid battery). They exhibit ultrahigh rate capabilities of 232 C (liquid electrolyte) and 116 C (solid electrolyte), which endows the batteries excellent power densities of 32.8 mW cm -2 and 2.2 W cm -3 (based on the whole solid battery). These are among the highest values reported so far. A wrist band battery is further constructed by using a large conductive cloth woven from the conductive yarns by a commercial weaving machine. It powers various electronic devices successfully, enabling dual functions of wearability and energy storage.

Design considerations for multi component molecular-polymeric nonlinear optical materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singer, K. D.; Kuzyk, M. G.; Fang, T.; Holland, W. R.; Cahill, P. A.

1990-08-01

We review our work on multi component polymeric nonlinear optical materials. These materials consist of nonlinear optical molecules incorporated in a polymeric host. A cross-linked triazine polymer incorporating a dicyanovinyl terminated azo dye was found to be relatively stable at 85 deg and possess an electro-optic coefficient of 11pm/V. We have also observed the zero dispersion condition in a new anomalous dispersion dye for phase matched second harmonic generation, and expect efficient conversion to the blue. A squarylium dye, ISQ, has been found to possess a large third order nonlinearity, and may display two-level behavior.

Chronic treatment of (R)-α-lipoic acid reduces blood glucose and lipid levels in high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes in Sprague-Dawley rats.

PubMed

Ghelani, Hardik; Razmovski-Naumovski, Valentina; Nammi, Srinivas

2017-06-01

(R)- α -lipoic acid ( ALA ), an essential cofactor in mitochondrial respiration and a potential antioxidant, possesses a wide array of metabolic benefits including anti-obesity, glucose lowering, insulin-sensitizing, and lipid-lowering effects. In this study, the curative effects of ALA (100 mg/kg) on a spectrum of conditions related to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes ( T2D ) were investigated in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ)-induced rat model of metabolic syndrome and T2D . The marked rise in the levels of glucose, triglycerides, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and VLDL-cholesterol in the blood of HFD-fed and low-dose STZ-injected rats were significantly reduced by ALA treatment. Furthermore, ALA treatment significantly increased the serum HDL-cholesterol levels and tended to inhibit diabetes-induced weight reduction. Mathematical computational analysis revealed that ALA also significantly improved insulin sensitivity and reduced the risk of atherosclerotic lesions and coronary atherogenesis. This study provides scientific evidence to substantiate the use of ALA to mitigate the glucose and lipid abnormality in metabolic syndrome and T2D .

Interactions between senescence and leaf orientation determine in situ patterns of photosynthesis and photoinhibition in field-grown rice

PubMed

Murchie; Chen; Hubbart; Peng; Horton

1999-02-01

Photosynthesis and photoinhibition in field-grown rice (Oryza sativa L.) were examined in relation to leaf age and orientation. Two varieties (IR72 and IR65598-112-2 [BSI206]) were grown in the field in the Philippines during the dry season under highly irrigated, well-fertilized conditions. Flag leaves were examined 60 and 100 d after transplanting. Because of the upright nature of 60-d-old rice leaves, patterns of photosynthesis were determined by solar movements: light falling on the exposed surface in the morning, a low incident angle of irradiance at midday, and light striking the opposite side of the leaf blade in the afternoon. There was an early morning burst of CO2 assimilation and high levels of saturation of photosystem II electron transfer as incident irradiance reached a maximum level. However, by midday the photochemical efficiency increased again almost to maximum. Leaves that were 100 d old possessed a more horizontal orientation and were found to suffer greater levels of photoinhibition than younger leaves, and this was accompanied by increases in the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle. Older leaves had significantly lower chlorophyll content but only slightly diminished photosynthesis capacity.

Chlamydomonas Flavodiiron Proteins Facilitate Acclimation to Anoxia During Sulfur Deprivation

PubMed Central

Jokel, Martina; Kosourov, Sergey; Battchikova, Natalia; Tsygankov, Anatoly A.; Aro, Eva Mari; Allahverdiyeva, Yagut

2015-01-01

The flavodiiron proteins (FDPs) are involved in the detoxification of oxidative compounds, such as nitric oxide (NO) or O2 in Archaea and Bacteria. In cyanobacteria, the FDPs Flv1 and Flv3 are essential in the light-dependent reduction of O2 downstream of PSI. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that two genes (flvA and flvB) in the genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii show high homology to flv1 and flv3 genes of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The physiological role of these FDPs in eukaryotic green algae is not known, but it is of a special interest since these phototrophic organisms perform oxygenic photosynthesis similar to higher plants, which do not possess FDP homologs. We have analyzed the levels of flvA and flvB transcripts in C. reinhardtii cells under various environmental conditions and showed that these genes are highly expressed under ambient CO2 levels and during the early phase of acclimation to sulfur deprivation, just before the onset of anaerobiosis and the induction of efficient H2 photoproduction. Importantly, the increase in transcript levels of the flvA and flvB genes was also corroborated by protein levels. These results strongly suggest the involvement of FLVA and FLVB proteins in alternative electron transport. PMID:26063391

Individual ball possession in soccer

PubMed Central

Hoernig, Martin

2017-01-01

This paper describes models for detecting individual and team ball possession in soccer based on position data. The types of ball possession are classified as Individual Ball Possession (IBC), Individual Ball Action (IBA), Individual Ball Control (IBC), Team Ball Possession (TBP), Team Ball Control (TBC) und Team Playmaking (TPM) according to different starting points and endpoints and the type of ball control involved. The machine learning approach used is able to determine how long the ball spends in the sphere of influence of a player based on the distance between the players and the ball together with their direction of motion, speed and the acceleration of the ball. The degree of ball control exhibited during this phase is classified based on the spatio-temporal configuration of the player controlling the ball, the ball itself and opposing players using a Bayesian network. The evaluation and application of this approach uses data from 60 matches in the German Bundesliga season of 2013/14, including 69,667 IBA intervals. The identification rate was F = .88 for IBA and F = .83 for IBP, and the classification rate for IBC was κ = .67. Match analysis showed the following mean values per match: TBP 56:04 ± 5:12 min, TPM 50:01 ± 7:05 min and TBC 17:49 ± 8:13 min. There were 836 ± 424 IBC intervals per match and their number was significantly reduced by -5.1% from the 1st to 2nd half. The analysis of ball possession at the player level indicates shortest accumulated IBC times for the central forwards (0:49 ± 0:43 min) and the longest for goalkeepers (1:38 ± 0:58 min), central defenders (1:38 ± 1:09 min) and central midfielders (1:27 ± 1:08 min). The results could improve performance analysis in soccer, help to detect match events automatically, and allow discernment of higher value tactical structures, which is based on individual ball possession. PMID:28692649

High cyclophilin D content of synaptic mitochondria results in increased vulnerability to permeability transition.

PubMed

Naga, Kranthi Kumari; Sullivan, Patrick G; Geddes, James W

2007-07-11

Mitochondria isolated from synaptosomes are more sensitive to Ca2+ overload and the resultant opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) than nonsynaptic mitochondria. To identify the mechanisms underlying these differences in Ca2+ dynamics, we examined relative levels of mPTP components in synaptic versus nonsynaptic mitochondria. Synaptic mitochondria had higher levels of cyclophilin D when compared with nonsynaptic mitochondria, whereas levels of the voltage-dependent anion channel and the adenine nucleotide translocase were similar in the two mitochondrial fractions. These differences in Ca2+ handling between synaptic and nonsynaptic mitochondria were greatly reduced in cyclophilin D null [Ppif-/- (peptidylprolyl isomerase F)] mice. Higher concentrations of cyclosporine A, which interacts with cyclophilin D to delay mPTP opening, were necessary to increase the Ca2+ uptake capacity of synaptic versus nonsynaptic mitochondria. To determine whether the differences in Ca2+ handling might reflect the relative abundance of neuronal and glial mitochondria in the two mitochondrial fractions, we compared cyclophilin D levels in primary cortical neurons and astrocytes. Primary rat cortical neurons possess higher cyclophilin D levels than do primary astrocytes. In the adult rat brain, cyclophilin D immunoreactivity was abundant in neurons but sparse in astrocytes. Together, these results demonstrate that the Ca2+ handling differences observed in synaptic versus nonsynaptic mitochondria are primarily the result of the high levels of cyclophilin D in synaptic mitochondria, reflecting the greater proportion of neuronal mitochondria in this fraction. The high levels of cyclophilin D in neuronal mitochondria result in their greater vulnerability to mPT and in higher levels of cyclosporine A being required to inhibit mPTP opening.

Mechanisms for cellular NO oxidation and nitrite formation in lung epithelial cells.

PubMed

Zhao, Xue-Jun; Wang, Ling; Shiva, Sruti; Tejero, Jesus; Myerburg, Mike M; Wang, Jun; Frizzell, Sam; Gladwin, Mark T

2013-08-01

Airway lining fluid contains relatively high concentrations of nitrite, and arterial blood levels of nitrite are higher than venous levels, suggesting the lung epithelium may represent an important source of nitrite in vivo. To investigate whether lung epithelial cells possess the ability to convert NO to nitrite by oxidation, and the effect of oxygen reactions on nitrite formation, the NO donor DETA NONOate was incubated with or without A549 cells or primary human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells for 24 h under normoxic (21% O2) and hypoxic (1% O2) conditions. Nitrite production was significantly increased under all conditions in the presence of A549 or HBE cells, suggesting that both A549 and HBE cells have the capacity to oxidize NO to nitrite even under low-oxygen conditions. The addition of oxyhemoglobin to the A549 cell medium decreased the production of nitrite, consistent with NO scavenging limiting nitrite formation. Heat-denatured A549 cells produced much lower nitrite and nitrate, suggesting an enzymatic activity is required. This NO oxidation activity was highest in membrane-bound proteins with molecular size <100kDa. In addition, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one and cyanide inhibited formation of nitrite in A549 cells. It has been shown that ceruloplasmin (Cp) possesses an NO oxidase and nitrite synthase activity in plasma based on NO oxidation to nitrosonium cation. We observed that Cp is expressed intracellularly in lung epithelial A549 cells and secreted into the medium under basal conditions and during cytokine stimulation. However, an analysis of Cp expression level and activity measured via p-phenylenediamine oxidase activity assay revealed very low activity compared with plasma, suggesting that there is insufficient Cp to contribute to detectable NO oxidation to nitrite in A549 cells. Additionally, Cp levels were knocked down using siRNA by more than 75% in A549 cells, with no significant change in either nitrite or cellular S-nitrosothiol formation compared to scrambled siRNA control under basal conditions or cytokine stimulation. These data suggest that lung epithelial cells possess NO oxidase activity, which is enhanced in cell-membrane-associated proteins and not regulated by intracellular or secreted Cp, indicating that alternative NO oxidases determine hypoxic and normoxic nitrite formation from NO in human lung epithelial cells. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Glutaminase free l-asparaginase from Vibrio cholerae: Heterologous expression, purification and biochemical characterization.

PubMed

Radha, Remya; Arumugam, Nagarajan; Gummadi, Sathyanarayana N

2018-05-01

l-asparaginase is used as a pivotal agent in treatment of lympho proliferative disorders and holds an excessive demand for food processing aids. Most of the l-asparaginases possess glutaminase activity which might lead to side effects during the treatment. The search for new therapeutic enzymes is of great interest in both medical and food applications. In this study, Vibrio cholerael-asparaginase was recombinantly overexpressed in E. coli, purified to homogeneity and molecular size was estimated to be 36.6kDa. Recombinant enzyme showed an optimum pH and temperature of 7.0 and 37°C respectively. The K m and V max of the enzyme for l-asparagine was 1.1mM and 1006μM/min respectively. The enzyme is highly specific for l-asparagine and did not show glutaminase activity. The enzyme possessed high half life time and good stability over a wide range of physiological conditions. T m of the enzyme was found to be 81°C by circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetric techniques. This enzyme possesses novel properties such as (i) glutaminase free l-asparaginase activity, (ii) very high V max value with high affinity and (iii) high stability at 30°C (half-life time of 2.9days). Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Surface transportation vulnerability assessment : general distribution version

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-10-25

The United States possesses an effective and efficient surface transportation infrastructure that : promotes both the well-being of its citizens as well as important economic and national security : goals. The level of security afforded this infrastr...

Aqueous seed extract of Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum.) Hallier f. (Apocynaceae) palliates hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in high-fructose diet-induced metabolic syndrome in rats.

PubMed

Ajiboye, T O; Hussaini, A A; Nafiu, B Y; Ibitoye, O B

2017-02-23

Hunteria umbellata is used in the management and treatment of diabetes and obesity in Nigeria. This study evaluates the effect of aqueous seed extract of Hunteria umbellata on insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in high-fructose diet-induced metabolic syndrome MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were randomized into seven groups (A-G). Control (group A) and group C rats received control diet for nine weeks while rats in groups B, D - G were placed on high-fructose diet for 9 weeks. In addition to the diets, groups C - F rats orally received 400, 100, 200 and 400mg/kg body weight aqueous seed extract of Hunteria umbellata for 3 weeks starting from 6th - 9th week. High-fructose diet (when compared to control rats) mediated a significant (p<0.05) increase in body weight, body mass index and abdominal circumference. Similarly, levels of blood glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin and insulin resistance were increased. It also caused a significant increase in the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, atherogenic index, cardiac index and coronary artery index while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was decreased significantly. Levels of proinflammatory factor, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and 8 were also increased by the high fructose diet. Moreover, it mediated decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and level of glutathione reduced. Conversely, levels of malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, lipid hydroperoxides, protein carbonyl and fragmented DNA were elevated. Aqueous seed extract of Hunteria umbellata significantly ameliorated the high fructose diet-mediated alterations. From this study, it is concluded that aqueous seed extract of Hunteria umbellata possesses hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidants abilities as evident from its capability to extenuate insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, inflammation and oxidative stress in high-fructose diet-induced metabolic syndrome rats. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hepatotoxicity and endothelial dysfunction induced by high choline diet and the protective effects of phloretin in mice.

PubMed

Ren, Daoyuan; Liu, Yafei; Zhao, Yan; Yang, Xingbin

2016-08-01

The involvement of choline and its metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis has been repeatedly confirmed. Phloretin, a dihydrochalcone flavonoid usually present in apples, possesses a variety of biological activities including vascular nutrition. This study was designed to investigate whether phloretin could alleviate or prevent high choline-induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and liver injury in mice. Mice were provided with 3% high choline water and given phloretin orally daily for 10 weeks. The high choline-treated mice showed the significant dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia with the impaired liver and vascular endothelium (p < 0.01). Administration of phloretin at 200 and 400 mg/kg bw significantly reduced the choline-induced elevation of serum TC, TG, LDL-C, AST, ALT, ET-1 and TXA2 (p < 0.01), and markedly antagonized the choline-induced decrease of serum PGI2, HDL-C and NO levels. Furthermore, phloretin elevated hepatic SOD and GSH-Px activities and decreased hepatic MDA levels of the mice exposed to high choline water. Moreover, histopathological test with the H&E and Oil Red O staining of liver sections confirmed the high choline diet-caused liver steatosis and the hepatoprotective effect of phloretin. These findings suggest that high choline causes oxidative damage, and phloretin alleviate vascular endothelial dysfunction and liver injury. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental tolerances of rare and common mangroves along light and salinity gradients.

PubMed

Dangremond, Emily M; Feller, Ilka C; Sousa, Wayne P

2015-12-01

Although mangroves possess a variety of morphological and physiological adaptations for life in a stressful habitat, interspecific differences in survival and growth under different environmental conditions can shape their local and geographic distributions. Soil salinity and light are known to affect mangrove performance, often in an interactive fashion. It has also been hypothesized that mangroves are intrinsically shade intolerant due to the high physiological cost of coping with saline flooded soils. To evaluate the relationship between stress tolerance and species distributions, we compared responses of seedlings of three widespread mangrove species and one narrow endemic mangrove species in a factorial array of light levels and soil salinities in an outdoor laboratory experiment. The more narrowly distributed species was expected to exhibit a lower tolerance of potentially stressful conditions. Two of the widespread species, Avicennia germinans and Lumnitzera racemosa, survived and grew well at low-medium salinity, regardless of light level, but performed poorly at high salinity, particularly under high light. The third widespread species, Rhizophora mangle, responded less to variation in light and salinity. However, at high salinity, its relative growth rate was low at every light level and none of these plants flushed leaves. As predicted, the rare species, Pelliciera rhizophorae, was the most sensitive to environmental stressors, suffering especially high mortality and reduced growth and quantum yield under the combined conditions of high light and medium-high salinity. That it only thrives under shaded conditions represents an important exception to the prevailing belief that halophytes are intrinsically constrained to be shade intolerant.

Connecting Education with Careers. Business Education Association for Career and Technical Education Annual Convention Proceedings (Orlando, Florida, December 11-15, 1999).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wilkinson, Kelly S., Ed.

This document contains five refereed research papers on connecting education with careers through business education. "The Different Skill Levels Students Possess When Entering Computer Software Applications College Courses" (Michael McDonald) reports on a 1998 survey examining the perceived skill level differences of college students…

Primary School Teachers' Levels of Self-Efficacy According to Various Settlement Areas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erdemir, Naki

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine how elementary teachers use computers, the Internet, and educational technology in the educational process. The purpose was also to gain information regarding the teachers' possession of technological devices and their levels of self-efficacy in using them among the different types of settlement areas.…

Hypolipidaemic Effect of Hericium erinaceum Grown in Artemisia capillaris on Obese Rats

PubMed Central

Choi, Won-Sik; Kim, Young-Sun; Park, Byeoung-Soo; Kim, Jang-Eok

2013-01-01

In this study, ethanolic extracts from Hericium erinaceum cultivated with Artemisia capillaris (HEAC) were assessed for their ability to lower the cholesterol levels of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet. Rats were randomly subdivided into seven test groups. Each group contained eight rats fed a high-fat diet during a growth period lasting 4 wk. Supplementation with the extracts was performed once a day for 2 wk after the high-fat diet. The control group (rats fed a high-fat diet) showed a high efficiency ratio (feed efficiency ratio) value compared to the normal group. Biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglyceride (TG) levels dramatically increased in the control group compared to the normal group. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) content in the control group was also significantly lower relative to the normal group. Two positive control groups, treated with simvastatin and atorvastatin, had lowered TC, LDL-c, and TG levels, and increased HDL-c content compared to the control group. Treatment with the tested extracts, including HEAC, ethanolic extracts from Hericium erinaceum, and ethanolic extracts from Artemisia capillaris reduced TC, LDL-c, and TG levels and elevated HDL-c content in the hyperlipidemia rats. The atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor values for the HEAC-treated group were 0.95 and 1.95, respectively. Simvastatin- and atorvastatin-treated groups showed atherogenic index values of 1.56 and 1.69, respectively, and cardiac risk factor values of 2.56 and 2.69, respectively. These results show HEAC possesses an ability to cure hyperlipidemia in rats and may serve as an effective natural medicine for treating hyperlipidemia in humans. PMID:23874132

Hypolipidaemic Effect of Hericium erinaceum Grown in Artemisia capillaris on Obese Rats.

PubMed

Choi, Won-Sik; Kim, Young-Sun; Park, Byeoung-Soo; Kim, Jang-Eok; Lee, Sung-Eun

2013-06-01

In this study, ethanolic extracts from Hericium erinaceum cultivated with Artemisia capillaris (HEAC) were assessed for their ability to lower the cholesterol levels of male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet. Rats were randomly subdivided into seven test groups. Each group contained eight rats fed a high-fat diet during a growth period lasting 4 wk. Supplementation with the extracts was performed once a day for 2 wk after the high-fat diet. The control group (rats fed a high-fat diet) showed a high efficiency ratio (feed efficiency ratio) value compared to the normal group. Biochemical parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglyceride (TG) levels dramatically increased in the control group compared to the normal group. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) content in the control group was also significantly lower relative to the normal group. Two positive control groups, treated with simvastatin and atorvastatin, had lowered TC, LDL-c, and TG levels, and increased HDL-c content compared to the control group. Treatment with the tested extracts, including HEAC, ethanolic extracts from Hericium erinaceum, and ethanolic extracts from Artemisia capillaris reduced TC, LDL-c, and TG levels and elevated HDL-c content in the hyperlipidemia rats. The atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor values for the HEAC-treated group were 0.95 and 1.95, respectively. Simvastatin- and atorvastatin-treated groups showed atherogenic index values of 1.56 and 1.69, respectively, and cardiac risk factor values of 2.56 and 2.69, respectively. These results show HEAC possesses an ability to cure hyperlipidemia in rats and may serve as an effective natural medicine for treating hyperlipidemia in humans.

A fluorescent turn-on H2S-responsive probe: design, synthesis and application.

PubMed

Zhang, Yufeng; Chen, Haiyan; Chen, Dan; Wu, Di; Chen, Xiaoqiang; Liu, Sheng Hua; Yin, Jun

2015-10-14

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is considered as the third signaling molecule in vivo and it plays an important role in various physiological processes and pathological processes in vivo, such as vasodilation, apoptosis, neurotransmission, ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury, insulin secretion and inflammation. Developing a highly selective and sensitive method that can detect H2S in the biological system is very important. In this work, a colorimetric and "turn-on" fluorescent probe is developed. Furthermore, this probe displays a highly selective response to H2S in aqueous solution and possesses good capability for bioimaging H2S without interference in living cells. The results suggest that a H2S-selective probe has good water-solubility, biocompatibility and cell-penetrability and can serve as an efficient tool for probing H2S in the cell level.

Design and use of nanostructured single-site heterogeneous catalysts for the selective transformation of fine chemicals.

PubMed

Dal Santo, Vladimiro; Liguori, Francesca; Pirovano, Claudio; Guidotti, Matteo

2010-05-26

Nanostructured single-site heterogeneous catalysts possess the advantages of classical solid catalysts, in terms of easy recovery and recycling, together with a defined tailored chemical and steric environment around the catalytically active metal site. The use of inorganic oxide supports with selected shape and porosity at a nanometric level may have a relevant impact on the regio- and stereochemistry of the catalytic reaction. Analogously, by choosing the optimal preparation techniques to obtain spatially isolated and well-characterised active sites, it is possible to achieve performances that are comparable to (or, in the most favourable cases, better than) those obtained with homogeneous systems. Such catalysts are therefore particularly suitable for the transformation of highly-functionalised fine chemicals and some relevant examples where high chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity are crucial will be described.

Ultra-stretchable and skin-mountable strain sensors using carbon nanotubes-Ecoflex nanocomposites.

PubMed

Amjadi, Morteza; Yoon, Yong Jin; Park, Inkyu

2015-09-18

Super-stretchable, skin-mountable, and ultra-soft strain sensors are presented by using carbon nanotube percolation network-silicone rubber nanocomposite thin films. The applicability of the strain sensors as epidermal electronic systems, in which mechanical compliance like human skin and high stretchability (ϵ > 100%) are required, has been explored. The sensitivity of the strain sensors can be tuned by the number density of the carbon nanotube percolation network. The strain sensors show excellent hysteresis performance at different strain levels and rates with high linearity and small drift. We found that the carbon nanotube-silicone rubber based strain sensors possess super-stretchability and high reliability for strains as large as 500%. The nanocomposite thin films exhibit high robustness and excellent resistance-strain dependency for over ~1380% mechanical strain. Finally, we performed skin motion detection by mounting the strain sensors on different parts of the body. The maximum induced strain by the bending of the finger, wrist, and elbow was measured to be ~ 42%, 45% and 63%, respectively.

Developing radiopure copper alloys for high strength low background applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suriano, A. M.; Howard, S. M.; Christofferson, C. D.; Arnquist, I. J.; Hoppe, E. W.

2018-01-01

High purity copper continues to play an important role for ultra-low-background detectors. Measurements of rare nuclear decays, e.g. neutrinoless double-beta decay, and searches for dark matter can require construction materials that have high thermal and electrical conductivity with bulk radiopurity less than one micro-Becquerel per kilogram. However, experiments currently using components constructed of radiopure electroformed copper struggle with design of structural and mechanical parts due to the physical properties of pure copper. A higher strength material which possesses many of the favorable attributes of copper yet remains radiopure is desired. A number of copper alloying candidates which may provide improved mechanical performance and adequate radiopurity were considered. Development of an electrodeposited copper-chrome alloy from additive-free electrolyte systems is discussed. The resulting material is shown to possess high strength and meets the aforementioned radiopurity goals.

Anomalously high variation in postnatal development is ancestral for dinosaurs but lost in birds

PubMed Central

Nesbitt, Sterling J.

2016-01-01

Compared with all other living reptiles, birds grow extremely fast and possess unusually low levels of intraspecific variation during postnatal development. It is now clear that birds inherited their high rates of growth from their dinosaurian ancestors, but the origin of the avian condition of low variation during development is poorly constrained. The most well-understood growth trajectories of later Mesozoic theropods (e.g., Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus) show similarly low variation to birds, contrasting with higher variation in extant crocodylians. Here, we show that deep within Dinosauria, among the earliest-diverging dinosaurs, anomalously high intraspecific variation is widespread but then is lost in more derived theropods. This style of development is ancestral for dinosaurs and their closest relatives, and, surprisingly, this level of variation is far higher than in living crocodylians. Among early dinosaurs, this variation is widespread across Pangaea in the Triassic and Early Jurassic, and among early-diverging theropods (ceratosaurs), this variation is maintained for 165 million years to the end of the Cretaceous. Because the Late Triassic environment across Pangaea was volatile and heterogeneous, this variation may have contributed to the rise of dinosaurian dominance through the end of the Triassic Period. PMID:27930315

Anomalously high variation in postnatal development is ancestral for dinosaurs but lost in birds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Griffin, Christopher T.; Nesbitt, Sterling J.

2016-12-01

Compared with all other living reptiles, birds grow extremely fast and possess unusually low levels of intraspecific variation during postnatal development. It is now clear that birds inherited their high rates of growth from their dinosaurian ancestors, but the origin of the avian condition of low variation during development is poorly constrained. The most well-understood growth trajectories of later Mesozoic theropods (e.g., Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus) show similarly low variation to birds, contrasting with higher variation in extant crocodylians. Here, we show that deep within Dinosauria, among the earliest-diverging dinosaurs, anomalously high intraspecific variation is widespread but then is lost in more derived theropods. This style of development is ancestral for dinosaurs and their closest relatives, and, surprisingly, this level of variation is far higher than in living crocodylians. Among early dinosaurs, this variation is widespread across Pangaea in the Triassic and Early Jurassic, and among early-diverging theropods (ceratosaurs), this variation is maintained for 165 million years to the end of the Cretaceous. Because the Late Triassic environment across Pangaea was volatile and heterogeneous, this variation may have contributed to the rise of dinosaurian dominance through the end of the Triassic Period.

Anomalously high variation in postnatal development is ancestral for dinosaurs but lost in birds.

PubMed

Griffin, Christopher T; Nesbitt, Sterling J

2016-12-20

Compared with all other living reptiles, birds grow extremely fast and possess unusually low levels of intraspecific variation during postnatal development. It is now clear that birds inherited their high rates of growth from their dinosaurian ancestors, but the origin of the avian condition of low variation during development is poorly constrained. The most well-understood growth trajectories of later Mesozoic theropods (e.g., Tyrannosaurus, Allosaurus) show similarly low variation to birds, contrasting with higher variation in extant crocodylians. Here, we show that deep within Dinosauria, among the earliest-diverging dinosaurs, anomalously high intraspecific variation is widespread but then is lost in more derived theropods. This style of development is ancestral for dinosaurs and their closest relatives, and, surprisingly, this level of variation is far higher than in living crocodylians. Among early dinosaurs, this variation is widespread across Pangaea in the Triassic and Early Jurassic, and among early-diverging theropods (ceratosaurs), this variation is maintained for 165 million years to the end of the Cretaceous. Because the Late Triassic environment across Pangaea was volatile and heterogeneous, this variation may have contributed to the rise of dinosaurian dominance through the end of the Triassic Period.

Cytoplasmic CopZ-Like Protein and Periplasmic Rusticyanin and AcoP Proteins as Possible Copper Resistance Determinants in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270

PubMed Central

Navarro, Claudio A.; von Bernath, Diego; Martínez-Bussenius, Cristóbal; Castillo, Rodrigo A.

2015-01-01

Acidophilic organisms, such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, possess high-level resistance to copper and other metals. A. ferrooxidans contains canonical copper resistance determinants present in other bacteria, such as CopA ATPases and RND efflux pumps, but these components do not entirely explain its high metal tolerance. The aim of this study was to find other possible copper resistance determinants in this bacterium. Transcriptional expression of A. ferrooxidans genes coding for a cytoplasmic CopZ-like copper-binding chaperone and the periplasmic copper-binding proteins rusticyanin and AcoP, which form part of an iron-oxidizing supercomplex, was found to increase when the microorganism was grown in the presence of copper. All of these proteins conferred more resistance to copper when expressed heterologously in a copper-sensitive Escherichia coli strain. This effect was absent when site-directed-mutation mutants of these proteins with altered copper-binding sites were used in this metal sensitivity assay. These results strongly suggest that the three copper-binding proteins analyzed here are copper resistance determinants in this extremophile and contribute to the high-level metal resistance of this industrially important biomining bacterium. PMID:26637599

GPM Precipitation Estimates over the Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed/LTAR site in Southeastern Arizona

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goodrich, D. C.; Tan, J.; Petersen, W. A.; Unkrich, C. C.; Demaria, E. M.; Hazenberg, P.; Lakshmi, V.

2017-12-01

Precipitation profiles from the GPM Core Observatory Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) form part of the a priori database used in GPM Goddard Profiling (GPROF) algorithm passive microwave radiometer retrievals of rainfall. The GPROF retrievals are in turn used as high quality precipitation estimates in gridded products such as IMERG. Due to the variability in and high surface emissivity of land surfaces, GPROF performs precipitation retrievals as a function of surface classes. As such, different surface types may possess different error characteristics, especially over arid regions where high quality ground measurements are often lacking. Importantly, the emissive properties of land also result in GPROF rainfall estimates being driven primarily by the higher frequency radiometer channels (e.g., > 89 GHz) where precipitation signals are most sensitive to coupling between the ice-phase and rainfall production. In this study, we evaluate the rainfall estimates from the Ku channel of the DPR as well as GPROF estimates from various passive microwave sensors. Our evaluation is conducted at the level of individual satellite pixels (5 to 15 km in diameter), against a dense network of weighing rain gauges (90 in 150 km2) in the USDA-ARS Walnut Gulch Experimental Watershed and Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) site in southeastern Arizona. The multiple gauges in each satellite pixel and precise accumulation about the overpass time allow a spatially and temporally representative comparison between the satellite estimates and ground reference. Over Walnut Gulch, both the Ku and GPROF estimates are challenged to delineate between rain and no-rain. Probabilities of detection are relatively high, but false alarm ratios are also high. The rain intensities possess a negative bias across nearly all sensors. It is likely that storm types, arid conditions and the highly variable precipitation regime present a challenge to both rainfall retrieval algorithms. An array of ground-based sensors is being deployed during the 2017 monsoon season to better understand possible reasons for this discrepancy.

Nurturing Sport Expertise: Factors Influencing the Development of Elite Athlete

PubMed Central

Baker, Joseph; Horton, Sean; Robertson-Wilson, Jennifer; Wall, Michael

2003-01-01

The development of expertise in sport is the result of successful interaction of biological, psychological, and sociological constraints. This review examines the training and environmental factors that influence the acquisition of sport expertise. Research examining the quality and quantity of training indicate that these two elements are crucial predictors of attainment. In addition, the possession of resources such as parental support and adequate coaching are essential. Social factors such as cultural influences and the relative age effect are also considered as determinants of sport expertise. Although it is evident that environmental factors are essential to the acquisition of high levels of sport development, further research is clearly required. PMID:24616603

Development of a Thermal Rectifier Usable at High Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeuchi, Tsunehiro; Goto, Hiroki; Toyama, Yasuhiro; Itoh, Takashi; Mikami, Masashi

2011-05-01

By using Al-based metallic alloys characterized by a disordered structure and a narrow pseudogap of a few hundred meV in energy width persisting at the Fermi level, we succeeded in preparing materials possessing a large increase of thermal conductivity with increasing temperature. This unusual increase of thermal conductivity is caused by the electronic structure effect known as the bipolar diffusion effect (BDE) in the context of the two-band model. A thermal rectifier was constructed using materials exhibiting the BDE. By showing the thermal rectification of the bulk sample prepared in this study, we demonstrate that our newly proposed idea of a thermal rectifier using the BDE is applicable for practical use.

EFFECT OF-GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE, CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS AND ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND LIPID PROFILE IN DIABETIC HUMAN.

PubMed

Li, Youshan; Zheng, Min; Zhai, Xing; Huang, Youliang; Khalid, Anwar; Malik, Aneela; Shah, Pervaiz; Karim, Sabiha; Azhar, Saira; Hou, Xiaobing

2015-01-01

The aim of this study was to manage diabetes with medicinal plants (Gymnema sylvestre, Artemisia absinthium and Citillus colocynthis) in human patients with type II diabetes. Thirty two patients of type II diabetes from both sexes of 30-60 years age were registered for this study and distributed them into four groups, each having 8 patients. Capsules of each, Gymnema sylvestre, Artemisia absinthium and Citrullus colocynthis were given to patients twice a day for 30 days in 1 g per day dosage and investigated for glucose, triglyceride (TGL) and cholesterol level. Gymnema sylvestre reduced 37% glucose, 5% TGL, 13% cholesterol and 19% low desity lipoproteins (LDL) level in diabetic individuals. Citrullus colocynth reduced glucose, cholesterol and TGL and HDL-cholesterol level by 35, 6, 6, and 5%, respectively. Artemisia absinthium reduced 3% high desity lipoproteins (HDL) and 6% LDL level. From results, it can be concluded that the powdered Gymnema sylvestre, Citrulus colocynthis, and Artemisia absinthium possess good anti-diabetic features, however these herbal products had no significant effect on lipid profiles of the diabetic human.

The level of heat shock protein 90 in pig Longissimus dorsi muscle and its relationship with meat pH and quality.

PubMed

Zhang, Muhan; Wang, Daoying; Geng, Zhiming; Bian, Huan; Liu, Fang; Zhu, Yongzhi; Xu, Weimin

2014-12-15

The 90 kDa heat shock protein (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone that participates in various cellular processes, the role and significance of HSP90 in postmortem muscle though remains unclear. In the present study, pig Longissimus dorsi muscles, categorized into three pH groups, were tested for HSP90 levels and meat quality parameters (i.e. water holding capacity, colour, tenderness and lipid oxidation). The muscles with a high initial pH (pHi) group (pH>6.4) possessing the greatest water holding capacity and lightness, contained the highest HSP90 level, followed by intermediate (6.0-6.4) and low pHi groups (pH<6.0). Statistical analysis indicated HSP90 level was significantly and negatively correlated with cooking loss, drip loss, and lightness (r=-0.797, -0.785, -0.604, respectively, P<0.01). The results suggest that HSP90 may play a crucial role in water retention of meat and may be involved in postmortem meat quality development. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Multibasic Cleavage Site of the Hemagglutinin of Highly Pathogenic A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5N1) Avian Influenza Virus Acts as a Virulence Factor in a Host-Specific Manner in Mammals

PubMed Central

Suguitan, Amorsolo L.; Matsuoka, Yumiko; Lau, Yuk-Fai; Santos, Celia P.; Vogel, Leatrice; Cheng, Lily I.; Orandle, Marlene

2012-01-01

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the H5 and H7 subtypes typically possess multiple basic amino acids around the cleavage site (MBS) of their hemagglutinin (HA) protein, a recognized virulence motif in poultry. To determine the importance of the H5 HA MBS as a virulence factor in mammals, recombinant wild-type HPAI A/Vietnam/1203/2004 (H5N1) viruses that possessed (H5N1) or lacked (ΔH5N1) the H5 HA MBS were generated and evaluated for their virulence in BALB/c mice, ferrets, and African green monkeys (AGMs) (Chlorocebus aethiops). The presence of the H5 HA MBS was associated with lethality, significantly higher virus titers in the respiratory tract, virus dissemination to extrapulmonary organs, lymphopenia, significantly elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and inflammation in the lungs of mice and ferrets. In AGMs, neither H5N1 nor ΔH5N1 virus was lethal and neither caused clinical symptoms. The H5 HA MBS was associated with mild enhancement of replication and delayed virus clearance. Thus, the contribution of H5 HA MBS to the virulence of the HPAI H5N1 virus varies among mammalian hosts and is most significant in mice and ferrets and less remarkable in nonhuman primates. PMID:22205751

The value of adaptive regret management in retirement.

PubMed

Farquhar, Jamie C; Wrosch, Carsten; Pushkar, Dolores; Li, Karen Z H

2013-01-01

This 3-year longitudinal study examined the associations between regret management, everyday activities, and retirement satisfaction among recent retirees. We hypothesized that the regulation of a severe life regret can facilitate activity engagement and retirement satisfaction, but only if retirees manage their regrets adaptively by either increasing effort and commitment when possessing favorable opportunities or disengaging when opportunity is unfavorable. Cross-sectional analyses demonstrated that the highest baseline levels of activity (e.g., volunteering, traveling) and retirement satisfaction were observed among participants who perceived favorable opportunities for addressing their life regrets and had high levels of engagement. Longitudinal analyses showed that this pattern was also associated with increases in activity engagement. In contrast, disengagement protected individuals with unfavorable opportunity from 3-year declines in retirement satisfaction. These findings indicate that adaptive regulation of regrets can both contribute to gains and prevent losses in the early stages of retirement, which may have lasting consequences on retirees' quality of life.

Distribution of Tocopherols and Tocotrienols in Guinea Pig Tissues Following Parenteral Lipid Emulsion Infusion.

PubMed

Xu, Zhidong; Harvey, Kevin A; Pavlina, Thomas M; Zaloga, Gary P; Siddiqui, Rafat A

2016-07-01

Tocopherols and tocotrienols possess vitamin E activity and function as the major lipid-soluble antioxidants in the human body. Commercial lipid emulsions are composed of different oils and supply different amounts of vitamin E. The objective of this study was to measure all 8 vitamin E homologs within 4 different commercial lipid emulsions and evaluate their distribution in guinea pig tissues. The distribution of vitamin E homologs within plasma and guinea pig tissues was determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. Lipid hydroperoxides in lipid emulsions were determined using a commercial kit (Cayman Chemical Company, Ann Arbor, MI), and malondialdehyde tissue levels were determined using an HPLC system. The lipid emulsions contained variable amounts of tocopherols, which were significantly different between emulsions. Tocotrienols were present at very low concentrations (≤0.3%). We found no correlation between the amount of vitamin E present in the lipid emulsions and lipid peroxidation. Hydroperoxides were the lowest with an olive oil-based emulsion and highest with a fish oil emulsion. The predominant vitamin E homolog in guinea pig tissues was α-tocopherol. No tissues had detectable levels of tocotrienols. Vitamin E levels (primarily α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol) were highly variable among organ tissues. Plasma levels were a poor reflection of most tissue levels. Vitamin E levels within different lipid emulsions and plasma/tissues are highly variable, and no one tissue or plasma sample serves as a good proxy for levels in other tissues. All study emulsions were well tolerated and did not significantly increase systemic lipid peroxidation. © 2014 American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition.

[Selenium status of the inhabitants in the Kaluga region].

PubMed

Golubkina, N A; Mal'tsev, G Iu; Bogdanov, N G; Vlaskina, S G; Alekseeva, I A; Khotimchenko, S A

1995-01-01

The human Se status of 8 areas of Kaluga region was studied. The mean serum Se levels 94 mg/l was significantly lower in the south compared to the northern area 126 mg/l. Areas with radioactive pollution possessed higher percentage of persons with low serum Se concentration than in regions without the pollution. Negative influence of radiation on serum Se level was confirmed also by epidemiological data for workers of Chernobil NNP (65 mg/l-workers attending to the reactor and 69 mg/l-for other employees). The same phenomenon was observed for males of Tula region who had taken part in the liquidation of an accident on the Chernobil NNP compared to other inhabitants of Tula region (78 mg/l and 89 mg/l correspondingly). The lowest antioxidant status (serum vitamin E, C and Se concentrations) in towns of Kaluga region with radioactive pollution possessed males of less than 60 years old.

[Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Hepatitis-Associated Aplastic Anemia].

PubMed

You, Ya-Hong; Meng, Xian-Bin; Li, Xing-Xin; Ge, Mei-Li; Nie, Neng; Huang, Jin-Bo; Zhang, Jing; Huang, Zhen-Dong; Shao, Ying-Qi; Shi, Jun; Zheng, Yi-Zhou

2017-08-01

To explore the clinical characteristic, therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of patients with hepatitis-associated aplasitc anemia (HAAA). the clinical data and labrotatory examination results of 30 cases of HAAA were analyzed retrospectively, the 6-month response ratio and overall survival (OS) were assessed. HAAA most commonly occured in males, with the occurence rate of males and females was 4:1, the median onset age was 16 (4-43) years old, HAAA oriented focus on sever aplastic anemia (SAA)(4 cases,13%) and very sever aplastic anemia (VSAA)(22 cases,73%). Aplastic anemia (AA) could be seen on occurence of hepatitis (accompanied aplastic anemia) (7 cases,23%), or after the onset of hepatits (delayed aplastic anemia) (23 cases,77%), but more often occured in the latter. Statistical analysis showed that when compared with the patients of delayed aplastic anemia, patients accompanied aplastic anemia possesses lower levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(ALT), aspertate aminotransferase (AST) and total bilirubin (TBIL)(P=0.042,0.012,0.001), and possessed a more obvious lymphoid cell disorder when AA occured, with more lower peripheral blood CD19 + B cells proportion (P=0.046) and more obvious imbalance of CD4 + /CD8 + ratio, but the difference was no statistical significant (P=0538). Factors affecting the 6-month respose were the severity of AA (P=0.044), the peak level of bilirubin of hepatitis (P=0.006) and the propotion of mature monocyte in bone marrow (P=0.034). The long-term follow-up showed that the 2-year OS of HAAA was 64.3±9.2%, the 6-month curative efficacy significantly affect the prognosis (P<0.001). HAAA more often occur in young male, HAAA is mainly SAA and VSAA and mostly non-A-C hepatitis associated aplastic anemia, patients usually have a high incidence of early infection. Patients acompanied with aplastic anemia possess more obvious immunological derangement; the treatment efficacy for HAAA is poor, patients who haven't obtained 6-month response indicate a sinister prognosis, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantion is a better choice for these patients.

Nutritional and antinutritional composition of the five species of aquatic edible insects consumed in Manipur, India

PubMed Central

Shantibala, T.; Lokeshwari, R. K.; Debaraj, H.

2014-01-01

Abstract The people living in Manipur have a distinct identity, culture, and food habits. They have a prototype culture of eating insects. In our study, the nutritive contents of five potentially-edible aquatic insects, Lethocerus indicus (Lepeletier and Serville) (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae), Laccotrephes maculatus (F.) (Nepidae), Hydrophilus olivaceous (F.) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae), Cybister tripunctatus (Olivier), and Crocothemis servilia (Drury) (Odonata: Libellulidae), were analyzed to inform consumers about the nutritional quality of the insects and the suggested quantity of their intake. A good amount of protein content and high gross energy was recorded among the insects. The results showed high levels of sodium, calcium, and magnesium present in the insects, indicating that they are a good source of minerals. Antinutritional properties of these insects were below 0.52%, which is a non-toxic level. Aquatic insects, such as C. tripunctatus , also possesses strong antioxidant activity (110 µg/mL). Therefore, these insects can play a major role in food security, health, and environment management. It is essential to cultivate edible insects to maintain their population sustainability. PMID:25373161

Self-criticism, dependency, and stress reactivity: an experience sampling approach to testing Blatt and Zuroff's (1992) theory of personality predispositions to depression in high-risk youth.

PubMed

Adams, Philippe; Abela, John R Z; Auerbach, Randy; Skitch, Steven

2009-11-01

S. J. Blatt and D. C. Zuroff's 1992 theory of personality predispositions to depression posits that individuals who possess high levels of self-criticism and/or dependency are vulnerable to developing depression following negative events. The current study used experience sampling methodology to test this theory in a sample of 49 children ages 7 to 14. Children completed measures of dependency, self-criticism, and depressive symptoms. Subsequently, children were given a handheld computer that signaled them to complete measures of depressive symptoms and negative events at randomly selected times over 2 months. Results of hierarchical linear modeling analyses indicated that higher levels of both self-criticism and dependency were associated with greater elevations in depressive symptoms following negative events. Furthermore, each personality predisposition remained a significant predictor of such elevations after controlling for the interaction between the other personality predisposition and negative events. The results suggest that dependency and self-criticism represent distinct vulnerability factors to depression in youth.

Preventive effect of Zea mays L. (purple waxy corn) on experimental diabetic cataract.

PubMed

Thiraphatthanavong, Paphaphat; Wattanathorn, Jintanaporn; Muchimapura, Supaporn; Wipawee, Thukham-mee; Wannanon, Panakaporn; Terdthai, Tong-un; Suriharn, Bhalang; Lertrat, Kamol

2014-01-01

Recently, substances possessing antioxidant can prevent cataractogenesis of diabetic cataract. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the anticataract effect of Zea mays L. (purple waxy corn), a flavonoids rich plant, in experimental diabetic cataract. Enucleated rat lenses were incubated in artificial aqueous humor containing 55 mM glucose with various concentrations of Zea mays L. (purple waxy corn) ranging between 2, 10, and 50 mg/mL at room temperature for 72 h. At the end of the incubation period, the evaluation of lens opacification, MDA level, and the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, and AR in lens were performed. The results showed that both medium and high doses of extract decreased lens opacity together with the decreased MDA level. In addition, medium dose of extract increased GPx activity while the high dose decreased AR activity. No other significant changes were observed. The purple waxy corn seeds extract is the potential candidate to protect against diabetic cataract. The mechanism of action may occur via the decreased oxidative stress and the suppression of AR. However, further research in vivo is still essential.

"Lucy" (A.L. 288-1) had five sacral vertebrae.

PubMed

Russo, Gabrielle A; Williams, Scott A

2015-02-01

A "long-backed" scenario of hominin vertebral evolution posits that early hominins possessed six lumbar vertebrae coupled with a high frequency of four sacral vertebrae (7:12-13:6:4), a configuration acquired from a hominin-panin last common ancestor (PLCA) having a vertebral formula of 7:13:6-7:4. One founding line of evidence for this hypothesis is the recent assertion that the "Lucy" sacrum (A.L. 288-1an, Australopithecus afarensis) consists of four sacral vertebrae and a partially-fused first coccygeal vertebra (Co1), rather than five sacral vertebrae as in modern humans. This study reassesses the number of sacral vertebrae in Lucy by reexamining the distal end of A.L.288-1an in the context of a comparative sample of modern human sacra and Co1 vertebrae, and the sacrum of A. sediba (MH2). Results demonstrate that, similar to S5 in modern humans and A. sediba, the last vertebra in A.L. 288-1an exhibits inferiorly-projecting (right side) cornua and a kidney-shaped inferior body articular surface. This morphology is inconsistent with that of fused or isolated Co1 vertebrae in humans, which either lack cornua or possess only superiorly-projecting cornua, and have more circularly-shaped inferior body articular surfaces. The level at which the hiatus' apex is located is also more compatible with typical five-element modern human sacra and A. sediba than if only four sacral vertebrae are present. Our observations suggest that A.L. 288-1 possessed five sacral vertebrae as in modern humans; thus, sacral number in "Lucy" does not indicate a directional change in vertebral count that can provide information on the PLCA ancestral condition. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Preparation and characterisation of poly p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole fibre-reinforced resin matrix composite for endodontic post material: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Hu, Chen; Wang, Feng; Yang, Huiyong; Ai, Jun; Wang, Linlin; Jing, Dongdong; Shao, Longquan; Zhou, Xingui

2014-12-01

Currently used fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) intracanal posts possess low flexural strength which usually causes post fracture when restoring teeth with extensive loss. To improve the flexural strength of FRC, we aimed to apply a high-performance fibre, poly p-phenylene-2, 6-benzobisoxazole (PBO), to FRCs to develop a new intracanal post material. To improve the interfacial adhesion strength, the PBO fibre was treated with coupling agent (Z-6040), argon plasma, or a combination of above two methods. The effects of the surface modifications on PBO fibre were characterised by determining the single fibre tensile strength and interfacial shear strength (IFSS). The mechanical properties of PBO FRCs were characterised by flexural strength and flexural modulus. The cytotoxicity of PBO FRC was evaluated by the MTT assay. Fibres treated with a combination of Z-6040 and argon plasma possessed a significantly higher IFSS than untreated fibres. Fibre treated with the combination of Z-6040-argon-plasma FRC had the best flexural strength (531.51 ± 26.43MPa) among all treated fibre FRCs and had sufficient flexural strength and appropriate flexural moduli to be used as intracanal post material. Furthermore, an in vitro cytotoxicity assay confirmed that PBO FRCs possessed an acceptable level of cytotoxicity. In summary, our study verified the feasibility of using PBO FRC composites as new intracanal post material. Although the mechanical property of PBO FRC still has room for improvement, our study provides a new avenue for intracanal post material development in the future. To our knowledge, this is the first study to verify the feasibility of using PBO FRC composites as new intracanal post material. Our study provided a new option for intracanal post material development. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Progesterone inhibits proliferation and modulates expression of proliferation-Related genes in classical progesterone receptor-negative human BxPC3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells.

PubMed

Goncharov, Alexey I; Maslakova, Aitsana A; Polikarpova, Anna V; Bulanova, Elena A; Guseva, Alexandra A; Morozov, Ivan A; Rubtsov, Petr M; Smirnova, Olga V; Shchelkunova, Tatiana A

2017-01-01

Recent studies suggest that progesterone may possess anti-tumorigenic properties. However, a growth-modulatory role of progestins in human cancer cells remains obscure. With the discovery of a new class of membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) belonging to the progestin and adipoQ receptor gene family, it becomes important to study the effect of this hormone on proliferation of tumor cells that do not express classical nuclear progesterone receptors (nPRs). To identify a cell line expressing high levels of mPRs and lacking nPRs, we examined mRNA levels of nPRs and three forms of mPRs in sixteen human tumor cell lines of different origin. High expression of mPR mRNA has been found in pancreatic adenocarcinoma BxPC3 cells, while nPR mRNA has not been detected in these cells. Western blot analysis confirmed these findings at the protein level. We revealed specific binding of labeled progesterone in these cells with affinity constant similar to that of human mPR expressed in yeast cells. Progesterone at high concentration of 20 μM significantly reduced the mRNA levels of proliferation markers Ki67 and PCNA, as well as of cyclin D1, and increased the mRNA levels of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27. Progesterone (1 μM and 20 μM) significantly inhibited proliferative activity of BxPC3 cells. These results point to anti-proliferative effects of the progesterone high concentrations on BxPC3 cells and suggest that activation of mPRs may mediate this action. Our data are a starting point for further investigations regarding the application of progesterone in pancreatic cancer. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

VI-14, a novel flavonoid derivative, inhibits migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells

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

Li, Fanni; Li, Chenglin; Zhang, Haiwei

It has been well characterized that flavonoids possess pronounced anticancer potentials including anti-angiogenesis, anti-metastasis, and pro-apoptosis. Herein, we report, for the first time, that VI-14, a novel flavonoid derivative, possesses anti-cancer properties. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-migration and anti-invasion activities of VI-14 in breast cancer cells. Our data indicate that VI-14 inhibits adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells treated with VI-14 display reduced activities and expressions of ECM degradation-associated proteins including matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and 9 (MMP-9) at both the protein and mRNA levels. Meanwhile, VI-14more » treatment induces an up-regulated expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and 2 (TIMP-2) in MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blotting results show that phosphorylation levels of critical components of the MAPK signaling pathway, including ERK, JNK and P38, are dramatically decreased in VI-14-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, treatment of VI-14 significantly decreases the nuclear levels and the binding ability of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). Taken together, our data suggest that VI-14 treatment suppresses migration and motility of breast cancer cells, and VI-14 may be a potential compound for cancer therapy. Highlights: ► We report for the first time that VI-14 possesses anti-cancer properties. ► VI-14 weakens the adhesion, migration and invasion of human breast cancer cells. ► VI-14 decreases the activities and expressions of MMP-2/9. ► VI-14 suppresses the phosphorylation levels of the MAPK signaling pathway. ► VI-14 decreases the nuclear levels and the binding ability of NF-κB and AP-1.« less

Prospective study on human fecal carriage of Enterobacteriaceae possessing mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes in a regional hospital in Hong Kong.

PubMed

Chan, Wai-Sing; Au, Chun-Hang; Ho, Dona N; Chan, Tsun-Leung; Ma, Edmond Shiu-Kwan; Tang, Bone Siu-Fai

2018-02-13

Human fecal carriage of Enterobacteriaceae possessing mobilized colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 and mcr-2) remains obscure in Hong Kong. As part of routine surveillance on emerging antibiotic resistance, we conducted a prospective study on this topic in a regional hospital in Hong Kong. From October 31 to November 25, 2016, all fecal specimens submitted for routine analysis were included in this surveillance study. These comprised 672 consecutive routine fecal specimens collected from 616 individuals. Fecal specimens were screened for colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae by culture-based method, and the presence of mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes in resistant isolates was identified by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of mcr-1-possessing Escherichia coli strains was facilitated using Illumina® MiSeq® followed by sequence analysis with appropriate bioinformatics tools. Fourteen mcr-1-positive E. coli strains were isolated from 14 separate individuals (2.08% of total fecal specimens), with 9 of them being asymptomatic, healthy clients coming for health assessment. No mcr-2-possessing Enterobacteriaceae was identified. Colistin minimum inhibitory concentrations of these mcr-1-positive isolates ranged from 2 to 4 μg/mL. All these isolates were susceptible to carbapenems with 2 being extended spectrum β-lactamase producers. WGS data revealed that these isolates belonged to at least 12 different sequence types (STs) and possessed diversified plasmid replicons, virulence and acquired antibiotic resistance genes. Further study on an E. coli ST201 strain (Pasteur scheme) revealed coexistence of 47,818-bp IncP-1 and 33,309-bp IncX4 types of mcr-1 plasmids, which was a combination of stability and high transmissibility. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on human fecal carriage of Enterobacteriaceae possessing mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes in Hong Kong. Our data further revealed asymptomatic carriage of mcr-1-possessing Enterobacteriaceae by both patients and healthy individuals. This is alarming considering wide diversity and high transmissibility of mcr-1 plasmids, which potentially facilitate emergence of pan-drug-resistant bacteria in future infection. This also highlights the importance of surveillance on emerging antibiotic resistance, especially for patients under intensive care.

Doping dependent crystal structures and optoelectronic properties of n-type CdSe:Ga nanowries.

PubMed

Hu, Zhizhong; Zhang, Xiujuan; Xie, Chao; Wu, Chunyan; Zhang, Xiaozhen; Bian, Liang; Wu, Yiming; Wang, Li; Zhang, Yuping; Jie, Jiansheng

2011-11-01

Although CdSe nanostructures possess excellent electrical and optical properties, efforts to make nano-optoelectronic devices from CdSe nanostructures have been hampered by the lack of efficient methods to rationally control their structural and electrical characteristics. Here, we report CdSe nanowires (NWs) with doping dependent crystal structures and optoelectronic properties by using gallium (Ga) as the efficient n-type dopant via a simple thermal co-evaporation method. The phase change of CdSe NWs from wurtzite to zinc blende with increased doping level is observed. Systematical measurements on the transport properties of the CdSe:Ga NWs reveal that the NW conductivity could be tuned in a wide range of near nine orders of magnitude by adjusting the Ga doping level and a high electron concentration up to 4.5 × 10(19) cm(-3) is obtained. Moreover, high-performance top-gate field-effect transistors are constructed based on the individual CdSe:Ga NWs by using high-κ HfO(2) as the gate dielectric. The great potential of the CdSe:Ga NWs as high-sensitive photodetectors and nanoscale light emitters is also exploited, revealing the promising applications of the CdSe:Ga NWs in new-generation nano-optoelectronics.

Association of Antihypertensive Medication Adherence With Healthcare Use and Medicaid Expenditures for Acute Cardiovascular Events.

PubMed

Yang, Zhuo; Howard, David H; Will, Julie; Loustalot, Fleetwood; Ritchey, Matthew; Roy, Kakoli

2016-05-01

We assessed the impact of antihypertensive medication (AHM) adherence on the incidence and associated Medicaid costs of acute cardiovascular disease (CVD) events among Medicaid beneficiaries. The study cohort (n=59,037) consists of nonelderly adults continuously enrolled (36 mo and above) in a Medicaid fee-for-service program. AHM adherence was calculated using the medication possession ratio (MPR) and stratified to low (MPR<60%), moderate (60%≤MPR<80%), and high (MPR≥80%) levels. We used a proportional hazard model to estimate risk for acute CVD events and generalized linear models to estimate Medicaid per-patient-per-year costs. Low and moderate adherence subgroups had about 1.8 and 1.4 times higher risk of acute CVD events, compared with high adherence subgroup. By adherence level, Medicaid per-patient per-year costs for (1) CVD-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations were $661 (low), $479 (moderate), and $343 (high) and (2) AHMs were $430 (low), $604 (moderate), and $664 (high). Costs for CVD events and AHMs combined were similar across adherence subgroups. Lower adherence to AHM was associated with progressively higher CVD risk. The increase in medication cost from higher AHM adherence was offset solely by reduced Medicaid spending on acute CVD events.

Critical thinking traits of top-tier experts and implications for computer science education

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bushey, Dean E.

A documented shortage of technical leadership and top-tier performers in computer science jeopardizes the technological edge, security, and economic well-being of the nation. The 2005 President's Information and Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC) Report on competitiveness in computational sciences highlights the major impact of science, technology, and innovation in keeping America competitive in the global marketplace. It stresses the fact that the supply of science, technology, and engineering experts is at the core of America's technological edge, national competitiveness and security. However, recent data shows that both undergraduate and postgraduate production of computer scientists is falling. The decline is "a quiet crisis building in the United States," a crisis that, if allowed to continue unchecked, could endanger America's well-being and preeminence among the world's nations. Past research on expert performance has shown that the cognitive traits of critical thinking, creativity, and problem solving possessed by top-tier performers can be identified, observed and measured. The studies show that the identified attributes are applicable across many domains and disciplines. Companies have begun to realize that cognitive skills are important for high-level performance and are reevaluating the traditional academic standards they have used to predict success for their top-tier performers in computer science. Previous research in the computer science field has focused either on programming skills of its experts or has attempted to predict the academic success of students at the undergraduate level. This study, on the other hand, examines the critical-thinking skills found among experts in the computer science field in order to explore the questions, "What cognitive skills do outstanding performers possess that make them successful?" and "How do currently used measures of academic performance correlate to critical-thinking skills among students?" The results of this study suggest a need to examine how critical-thinking abilities are learned in the undergraduate computer science curriculum and the need to foster these abilities in order to produce the high-level, critical-thinking professionals necessary to fill the growing need for these experts. Due to the fact that current measures of academic performance do not adequately depict students' cognitive abilities, assessment of these skills must be incorporated into existing curricula.

[Gradation in the level of vitamin consumption: possible risk of excessive consumption].

PubMed

Kodentsova, V M

2014-01-01

The ratio between the levels of consumption of certain vitamins and minerals [recommended daily allowance for labelling purposes < maximum supplement levels < tolerable upper intake level (UL) < safe level (limit) of consumption < or = therapeutic dose has been characterized. Vitamin A and beta-carotene maximum supplement levels coincides with UL, and recommended daily allowance for these micronutrients coincides with the maximal level of consumption through dietary supplements and/or multivitamins. Except for vitamin A and beta-carotene recommended daily allowance for other vitamins adopted in Russia are considerably lower than the upper safe level of consumption. For vitamin A and beta-carotene there is a potential risk for excess consumption. According to the literature data (meta-analysis) prolonged intake of high doses of antioxidant vitamins (above the RDA) both alone and in combination with two other vitamins or vitamin C [> 800 microg (R.E.) of vitamin A, > 9.6 mg of beta-carotene, > 15 mg (T.E.) of vitamin E] do not possess preventive effects and may be harmful with unwanted consequences to health, especially in well-nourished populations, persons having risk of lung cancer (smokers, workers exposed to asbestos), in certain conditions (in the atmosphere with high oxygen content, hyperoxia, oxygen therapy). Proposed mechanisms of such action may be due to the manifestation of prooxidant action when taken in high doses, shifting balance with other important natural antioxidants, their displacement (substitution), interference with the natural defense mechanisms. Athletes are the population group that requires attention as used antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, both individually and in combination in extremely high doses. In summary, it should be noted that intake of physiological doses which are equivalent to the needs of the human organism, as well as diet inclusion of fortified foods not only pose no threat to health, but will bring undoubted benefits, filling the existing lack of vitamins in the ration.

Highly Efficient Porphyrin-Based OPV/Perovskite Hybrid Solar Cells with Extended Photoresponse and High Fill Factor.

PubMed

Gao, Ke; Zhu, Zonglong; Xu, Bo; Jo, Sae Byeok; Kan, Yuanyuan; Peng, Xiaobin; Jen, Alex K-Y

2017-12-01

Employing a layer of bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) organic semiconductors on top of perovskite to further extend its photoresponse is considered as a simple and promising way to enhance the efficiency of perovskite-based solar cells, instead of using tandem devices or near infrared (NIR)-absorbing Sn-containing perovskites. However, the progress made from this approach is quite limited because very few such hybrid solar cells can simultaneously show high short-circuit current (J SC ) and fill factor (FF). To find an appropriate NIR-absorbing BHJ is essential for highly efficient, organic, photovoltaics (OPV)/perovskite hybrid solar cells. The materials involved in the BHJ layer not only need to have broad photoresponse to increase J SC , but also possess suitable energy levels and high mobility to afford high V OC and FF. In this work, a new porphyrin is synthesized and blended with [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) to function as an efficient BHJ for OPV/perovskite hybrid solar cells. The extended photoresponse, well-matched energy levels, and high hole mobility from optimized BHJ morphology afford a very high power conversion efficiency (PCE) (19.02%) with high V oc , J SC , and FF achieved simultaneously. This is the highest value reported so far for such hybrid devices, which demonstrates the feasibility of further improving the efficiency of perovskite devices. © 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Proceedings of the International Symposium on Quantum Biology and Quantum Pharmacology (14th) Held in Marineland, Florida on March 12-14 1987. Annual Sanibel Symposia (27th). Part 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-01-01

extension, though at a different rate. At the 6-31G** level, the C--O elon - gation in the three dimers is equal to 0.012 A and 0.014 A in the formic acid...will have vastly different counts of paths, even though they possess similar properties. An ex- ample is provided by civetone, a macrocyclic musk and a...sterol that possesses a de- cidedly musk -like odor as observed by Prelog and Ruicka [141. Both have a similar periphery and a similar musk odor, but

Heat shock response and mammal adaptation to high elevation (hypoxia).

PubMed

Wang, Xiaolin; Xu, Cunshuan; Wang, Xiujie; Wang, Dongjie; Wang, Qingshang; Zhang, Baochen

2006-10-01

The mammal's high elevation (hypoxia) adaptation was studied by using the immunological and the molecular biological methods to understand the significance of Hsp (hypoxia) adaptation in the organic high elevation, through the mammal heat shock response. (1) From high elevation to low elevation (natural hypoxia): Western blot and conventional RT-PCR and real-time fluorescence quota PCR were adopted. Expression difference of heat shock protein of 70 (Hsp70) and natural expression of brain tissue of Hsp70 gene was determined in the cardiac muscle tissue among the different elevation mammals (yak). (2) From low elevation to high elevation (hypoxia induction): The mammals (domestic rabbits) from the low elevation were sent directly to the areas with different high elevations like 2300, 3300 and 5000 m above sea level to be raised for a period of 3 weeks before being slaughtered and the genetic inductive expression of the brain tissue of Hsp70 was determined with RT-PCR. The result indicated that all of the mammals at different elevations possessed their heat shock response gene. Hsp70 of the high elevation mammal rose abruptly under stress and might be induced to come into being by high elevation (hypoxia). The speedy synthesis of Hsp70 in the process of heat shock response is suitable to maintain the cells' normal physiological functions under stress. The Hsp70 has its threshold value. The altitude of 5000 m above sea level is the best condition for the heat shock response, and it starts to reduce when the altitude is over 6000 m above sea level. The Hsp70 production quantity and the cell hypoxia bearing capacity have their direct ratio.

The analysis of oral air using selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry in persons with and without a history of oral malodour.

PubMed

Ross, B M; Dadgostar, N; Bloom, M; McKeown, L

2009-05-01

Oral malodour is a common disorder predominantly caused by bacterial metabolism of food stuffs in the mouth. It is routinely diagnosed and monitored by either the subjective rating or the measurement of oral volatile sulphur compound (VSC) levels. Non-sulphur compounds are also believed to contribute significantly to the condition although there is currently no direct means to assess their levels. In this study, we utilized selective flow tube mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS) to measure, in real time, a range of sulphur and non-sulphur containing compounds in oral air to determine whether the technique can be used to objectively monitor oral malodour. Oral malodour was assessed using organoleptic scores in subjects with and without a history of oral malodour (n = 18) by a trained rater, while the chemical composition of oral air was analysed by both VSC sensor and SIFT-MS. Total VSC levels were significantly correlated with levels of hydrogen sulphide and methylmercaptan measured by SIFT-MS, but not with organoleptic scores. In subjects with elevated organoleptic score, only levels of methylmercaptan were significantly elevated. In three subjects with elevated tongue organoleptic scores but normal total VSC levels, SIFT-MS suggested that one subject possessed high levels of oral acetone while another had high oral levels of acetic acid. Our data suggest that SIFT-MS can be used to assess a wide range of compounds in oral air in addition to VSC to provide a clearer picture of the chemical nature of malodour. This may assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of the condition.

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

Rosfjord, T.J.

United Technologies Research Center has conducted a comprehensive investigation of the combustion characteristics of coal-water mixture (CWM) fuel for use in gas turbine combustors. Included in the program have been studies of the physical and chemical processes involved in CWM combustion. In particular, subrig test programs were performed to document the level of atomization achieved by candidate fuel nozzles and to evaluate the mixing/stability characteristics as evidenced by flow patterns in the combustor. Additionally, an extensive investigation of the pyrolysis behavior of coals used in the preparation of CWM fuels has been conducted for the high heat flux conditions experiencedmore » in a gas turbine combustor. These several activities were performed in preparation for tests in a combustor rig which simulated full-load gas turbine combustor conditions. Data were acquired to evaluate the ability of several configurations to achieve high levels of fuel burnout while controlling the conversion of fuel nitrogen to NOx. The bulk of the combustion tests were performed using one slurry, designated UCC-1, which was a 60% loaded CWM with a heating value of approximately 8800 Btu/lb. A limited test effort was conducted using a second fuel (UCC-2) which was chemically identical to the original CWM but contained coal possessing a larger particle size distribution. High levels of combustion efficiency were obtained using either UCC-1 or UCC-2 fuels. 9 refs., 53 figs., 7 tabs.« less

Design and Analysis of a Micromechanical Three-Component Force Sensor for Characterizing and Quantifying Surface Roughness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Q.; Wu, W.; Zhang, D.; Wei, B.; Sun, W.; Wang, Y.; Ge, Y.

2015-10-01

Roughness, which can represent the trade-off between manufacturing cost and performance of mechanical components, is a critical predictor of cracks, corrosion and fatigue damage. In order to measure polished or super-finished surfaces, a novel touch probe based on three-component force sensor for characterizing and quantifying surface roughness is proposed by using silicon micromachining technology. The sensor design is based on a cross-beam structure, which ensures that the system possesses high sensitivity and low coupling. The results show that the proposed sensor possesses high sensitivity, low coupling error, and temperature compensation function. The proposed system can be used to investigate micromechanical structures with nanometer accuracy.

Evolution of Transcription Activator-Like Effectors in Xanthomonas oryzae

PubMed Central

Erkes, Annett; Reschke, Maik; Boch, Jens

2017-01-01

Abstract Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) are secreted by plant–pathogenic Xanthomonas bacteria into plant cells where they act as transcriptional activators and, hence, are major drivers in reprogramming the plant for the benefit of the pathogen. TALEs possess a highly repetitive DNA-binding domain of typically 34 amino acid (AA) tandem repeats, where AA 12 and 13, termed repeat variable di-residue (RVD), determine target specificity. Different Xanthomonas strains possess different repertoires of TALEs. Here, we study the evolution of TALEs from the level of RVDs determining target specificity down to the level of DNA sequence with focus on rice-pathogenic Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc) strains. We observe that codon pairs coding for individual RVDs are conserved to a similar degree as the flanking repeat sequence. We find strong indications that TALEs may evolve 1) by base substitutions in codon pairs coding for RVDs, 2) by recombination of N-terminal or C-terminal regions of existing TALEs, or 3) by deletion of individual TALE repeats, and we propose possible mechanisms. We find indications that the reassortment of TALE genes in clusters is mediated by an integron-like mechanism in Xoc. We finally study the effect of the presence/absence and evolutionary modifications of TALEs on transcriptional activation of putative target genes in rice, and find that even single RVD swaps may lead to considerable differences in activation. This correlation allowed a refined prediction of TALE targets, which is the crucial step to decipher their virulence activity. PMID:28637323

Effect of boron on enhancing infrared emissivity of Ni-Cr system coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yongjia; Ouyang, Taoyuan; Wang, Xiaohuan; Li, Shuhao; Mao, Jiawei; Cheng, Xudong

2018-03-01

High infrared emissivity coating possesses great value in practical application, whether in the military or civilian areas. In this study, B-NiCr precursor powder containing NiO, Cr2O3 and ZrB2 was calcined at 1300 °C and then used to prepare a high infrared emissivity B-NiCr coating via atmospheric plasma spraying. A large number of test methods were employed to analyze the powder and coating, including TG-DSC, XRD, FE-SEM, infrared spectrometer and so on. The result of infrared emissivity measurement indicates that the coating possesses maximum infrared emissivity of 0.908 at 1000 °C while the infrared emissivity is 0.901 after thermal shock test. Comparing with NiCr coating, Ni2CrO2(BO3) formed during calcination may be the main factor to improve the infrared emissivity of B-NiCr coating. The B-NiCr coating possesses good thermal shock resistance and can withstand 50 times thermal shock at least without falling off, from 800 °C to room temperature.

Comparative expression analyses of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) expressions in muscles of tilapia and common carp indicate that BMP4 plays a role in the intermuscular bone distribution in a dose-dependent manner.

PubMed

Su, Shengyan; Dong, Zaijie

2018-01-01

Intermuscular bones in fish negatively influence both meet processing and attractiveness to consumers. Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) are both major farmed fish species globally, but whereas the former does not possess intermuscular bones, the latter does. Therefore, these two species might present a good model to study the genetic control of distribution of intermuscular bones in fish. Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene is associated with tissue ossification and bone regeneration in mammals, but in fish its role in ossification remains understudied. To study the relationship between BMP4 and bone distribution in fish, we determined the expression of BMP4 in muscle tissues of common carp and tilapia on transcriptional and translational levels. As the gene has been merely predicted in silico from the genome of common carp, we have cloned and characterized it. The gene (GenBank: HQ446455) contains one intron and two exons, which encode a 400-amino acid protein with high homology to other known BMP4 protein sequences. Phylogenetic analysis showed that common carp clustered within the Cypriniformes clade (zebrafish was the closest ortholog) and tilapia within the Percomorpha clade. Using microCT scanning, we confirmed that intermuscular bones could be observed only in common carp (none in tilapia), but only in dorsal and caudal muscles (none in the ventral muscle). Expression levels of BMP4 in the muscles of common carp were in agreement with this observation both on transcriptional (qPCR) and translational (immunohistochemistry) level: higher in dorsal and caudal muscles, and lower in the ventral muscle. In tilapia, expression of BMP4 gene was also detectable in all three muscles, but expression levels in all three muscles were comparable to the one observed in the ventral muscle of carp, i.e., very low. Therefore, among the six studied muscles, the expression of BMP4 was high only in the two that possess intermuscular bones: dorsal and caudal muscles of common carp. The results of this study suggest that BMP4 is likely to play a key role in the determination of intermuscular bone distribution in fish in a dose-dependent manner. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Word reading and translation in bilinguals: the impact of formal and informal translation expertise

PubMed Central

García, Adolfo M.; Ibáñez, Agustín; Huepe, David; Houck, Alexander L.; Michon, Maëva; Lezama, Carlos G.; Chadha, Sumeer; Rivera-Rei, Álvaro

2014-01-01

Studies on bilingual word reading and translation have examined the effects of lexical variables (e.g., concreteness, cognate status) by comparing groups of non-translators with varying levels of L2 proficiency. However, little attention has been paid to another relevant factor: translation expertise (TI). To explore this issue, we administered word reading and translation tasks to two groups of non-translators possessing different levels of informal TI (Experiment 1), and to three groups of bilinguals possessing different levels of translation training (Experiment 2). Reaction-time recordings showed that in all groups reading was faster than translation and unaffected by concreteness and cognate effects. Conversely, in both experiments, all groups translated concrete and cognate words faster than abstract and non-cognate words, respectively. Notably, an advantage of backward over forward translation was observed only for low-proficiency non-translators (in Experiment 1). Also, in Experiment 2, the modifications induced by translation expertise were more marked in the early than in the late stages of training and practice. The results suggest that TI contributes to modulating inter-equivalent connections in bilingual memory. PMID:25429279

In vitro antioxidant activities of the novel pentapeptides Ser-His-Glu-Cys-Asn and Leu-Pro-Phe-Ala-Met and the relationship between activity and peptide secondary structure.

PubMed

Yang, Ruiwen; Wang, Jia; Lin, Songyi; Ye, Haiqing; Chen, Feng

2017-04-01

Using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, two novel antioxidant pentapeptides [Ser-His-Glu-Cys-Asn (SHECN) and Leu-Pro-Phe-Ala-Met (LPFAM)] were identified from 1-3-kDa soybean protein hydrolysates (SPH). The MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells. Antioxidant activity was measured using in vitro assays, including the cellular antioxidant activity assay (CAA), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl or 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) inhibition, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. Finally, the secondary structure was determined using circular dichroism (CD). The results revealed that two novel peptides were nontoxic and possessed antioxidant activity. SHECN had significantly higher antioxidant activity than LPFAM (P < 0.05). The CAA value of SHECN was 776.22 µmol QE 100 g -1 . SHECN also showed significant DPPH inhibition (70.18 ± 4.06%) and ABTS inhibition (88.16 ± 0.76%). It had normalized ORAC values of 0.3000 ± 0.0070 µmol GE mg -1 and 0.0900 ± 0.0020 µmol TE mg -1 , respectively. The results of the CD analysis demonstrated that, compared to LPFAM, which had much lower antioxidant activity, SHECN had a high β-sheet content and reduced α-helix content. The results indicated that SHECN possessed high antioxidant activity. A higher β-sheet content and lower content levels of α-helix appear to be correlated with antioxidant activity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

High prevalence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli carrying toxin-encoding genes isolated from children and adults in southeastern Brazil.

PubMed

Spano, Liliana Cruz; da Cunha, Keyla Fonseca; Monfardini, Mariane Vedovatti; de Cássia Bergamaschi Fonseca, Rita; Scaletsky, Isabel Christina Affonso

2017-12-18

Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) are important bacterial causes of childhood diarrhea in Brazil, but its impact in adults is unknown. This study aimed at investigating DEC among children and adults living in endemic areas. A total of 327 stools specimens were collected from children (n = 141) and adults (n = 186) with diarrhea attending health centers. Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) were identified by their virulence genes (multiplex polymerase chain reaction) and HEp-2 cell adherence patterns. DEC were detected in 56 (40%) children and 74 (39%) adults; enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) (23%) was the most prevalent pathotype, followed by diffusely adherent E. coli (DAEC) (13%), and occurred at similar frequencies in both diarrheal groups. Atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC) strains were recovered more frequently from children (6%) than from adults (1%). Twenty-six percent of the EAEC were classified as typical EAEC possessing aggR gene, and carried the aap gene. EAEC strains carrying aggR-aap-aatA genes were significantly more frequent among children than adults (p < 0.05). DAEC strains possessing Afa/Dr. genes were detected from children (10%) and adults (6%). EAEC and DAEC strains harboring genes for the EAST1 (astA), Pet, Pic, and Sat toxins were common in both diarrheal groups. The astA and the porcine AE/associated adhesin (paa) genes were found in most of aEPEC strains. High levels of resistance to antimicrobial drugs were found among DAEC and aEPEC isolates. The results show a high proportion of EAEC and DAEC carrying toxin-encoding genes among adults with diarrhea.

Experimental and DFT studies on the antioxidant activity of a C-glycoside from Rhynchosia capitata

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Praveena, R.; Sadasivam, K.; Kumaresan, R.; Deepha, V.; Sivakumar, Raman

2013-02-01

Rhynchosia capitata (=Glycine capitata) Heyne ex roth, was found to possess polyphenolics including flavonoids, which acts as potential antioxidant. The study of ethanolic extract of roots and leaves reveals that the leaves possess high polyphenolics including flavonoids than roots. This was also confirmed by DPPH radical scavenging activity. Leaf powder of the plant was extracted with different solvents by soxhlet apparatus in the order of increasing polarity. The DPPH scavenging activity of methanol fraction was found to be high compared to the crude extract and other fractions. Nitric oxide scavenging activity was dominant in chloroform fraction compared to methanol fraction. Presence of flavonoids especially vitexin, a C-glycoside in methanol and chloroform fractions were confirmed by high pressure thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis. The structural and molecular characteristics of naturally occurring flavonoid, vitexin was investigated in gas phase using density functional theory (DFT) approach with B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. Analysis of bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) reveals that the OH site that requires minimum energy for dissociation is 4'-OH from B-ring. To explore the radical scavenging activity of vitexin, the adiabatic ionization potential, electron affinity, hardness, softness, electronegativity and electrophilic index properties were computed and interpreted. The nonvalidity of Koopman's theorem has been verified by the computation of Eo and Ev energy magnitudes. Interestingly, from BDE calculations it was observed that BDE for 4'-OH, 5-OH and 7-OH are comparatively low for vitexin than its aglycone apigenin and this may be due to the presence of C-8 glucoside in vitexin. To substantiate this, plot of frontier molecular orbital and spin density distribution analysis for neutral and the corresponding radical species for the compound vitexin have been presented.

Single-Nucleotide-Specific Targeting of the Tf1 Retrotransposon Promoted by the DNA-Binding Protein Sap1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

PubMed

Hickey, Anthony; Esnault, Caroline; Majumdar, Anasuya; Chatterjee, Atreyi Ghatak; Iben, James R; McQueen, Philip G; Yang, Andrew X; Mizuguchi, Takeshi; Grewal, Shiv I S; Levin, Henry L

2015-11-01

Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a substantial fraction of the eukaryotic genome and, as a result, have a complex relationship with their host that is both adversarial and dependent. To minimize damage to cellular genes, TEs possess mechanisms that target integration to sequences of low importance. However, the retrotransposon Tf1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe integrates with a surprising bias for promoter sequences of stress-response genes. The clustering of integration in specific promoters suggests that Tf1 possesses a targeting mechanism that is important for evolutionary adaptation to changes in environment. We report here that Sap1, an essential DNA-binding protein, plays an important role in Tf1 integration. A mutation in Sap1 resulted in a 10-fold drop in Tf1 transposition, and measures of transposon intermediates support the argument that the defect occurred in the process of integration. Published ChIP-Seq data on Sap1 binding combined with high-density maps of Tf1 integration that measure independent insertions at single-nucleotide positions show that 73.4% of all integration occurs at genomic sequences bound by Sap1. This represents high selectivity because Sap1 binds just 6.8% of the genome. A genome-wide analysis of promoter sequences revealed that Sap1 binding and amounts of integration correlate strongly. More important, an alignment of the DNA-binding motif of Sap1 revealed integration clustered on both sides of the motif and showed high levels specifically at positions +19 and -9. These data indicate that Sap1 contributes to the efficiency and position of Tf1 integration. Copyright © 2015 by the Genetics Society of America.

Single-Nucleotide-Specific Targeting of the Tf1 Retrotransposon Promoted by the DNA-Binding Protein Sap1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe

PubMed Central

Hickey, Anthony; Esnault, Caroline; Majumdar, Anasuya; Chatterjee, Atreyi Ghatak; Iben, James R.; McQueen, Philip G.; Yang, Andrew X.; Mizuguchi, Takeshi; Grewal, Shiv I. S.; Levin, Henry L.

2015-01-01

Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a substantial fraction of the eukaryotic genome and, as a result, have a complex relationship with their host that is both adversarial and dependent. To minimize damage to cellular genes, TEs possess mechanisms that target integration to sequences of low importance. However, the retrotransposon Tf1 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe integrates with a surprising bias for promoter sequences of stress-response genes. The clustering of integration in specific promoters suggests that Tf1 possesses a targeting mechanism that is important for evolutionary adaptation to changes in environment. We report here that Sap1, an essential DNA-binding protein, plays an important role in Tf1 integration. A mutation in Sap1 resulted in a 10-fold drop in Tf1 transposition, and measures of transposon intermediates support the argument that the defect occurred in the process of integration. Published ChIP-Seq data on Sap1 binding combined with high-density maps of Tf1 integration that measure independent insertions at single-nucleotide positions show that 73.4% of all integration occurs at genomic sequences bound by Sap1. This represents high selectivity because Sap1 binds just 6.8% of the genome. A genome-wide analysis of promoter sequences revealed that Sap1 binding and amounts of integration correlate strongly. More important, an alignment of the DNA-binding motif of Sap1 revealed integration clustered on both sides of the motif and showed high levels specifically at positions +19 and −9. These data indicate that Sap1 contributes to the efficiency and position of Tf1 integration. PMID:26358720

Alignment of Hands-on STEM Engagement Activities with Positive STEM Dispositions in Secondary School Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Christensen, Rhonda; Knezek, Gerald; Tyler-Wood, Tandra

2015-12-01

This study examines positive dispositions reported by middle school and high school students participating in programs that feature STEM-related activities. Middle school students participating in school-to-home hands-on energy monitoring activities are compared to middle school and high school students in a different project taking part in activities such as an after-school robotics program. Both groups are compared and contrasted with a third group of high school students admitted at the eleventh grade to an academy of mathematics and science. All students were assessed using the same science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) dispositions instrument. Findings indicate that the after-school group whose participants self-selected STEM engagement activities, and the self-selected academy of mathematics and science group, each had highly positive STEM dispositions comparable to those of STEM professionals, while a subset of the middle school whole-classroom energy monitoring group that reported high interest in STEM as a career, also possessed highly positive STEM dispositions comparable to the STEM Professionals group. The authors conclude that several different kinds of hands-on STEM engagement activities are likely to foster or maintain positive STEM dispositions at the middle school and high school levels, and that these highly positive levels of dispositions can be viewed as a target toward which projects seeking to interest mainstream secondary students in STEM majors in college and STEM careers, can hope to aspire. Gender findings regarding STEM dispositions are also reported for these groups.

Emergency planning for sudden cardiac events in North Carolina high schools.

PubMed

Monroe, Anna; Rosenbaum, Daryl A; Davis, Stephen

2009-01-01

This study evaluates the state of emergency planning for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in North Carolina high schools, primarily focusing on the existence and characteristics of written plans and the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). All athletic directors listed in the 2007-2008 North Carolina High School Athletic Association Directory were surveyed via an online survey to determine their level of planning and preparation for SCA. Completed surveys were received from 36.7% (138/376) of the schools. Emergency action plans (EAPs) existed in 55.8% (n = 77) of high schools and were significantly less likely to be present in Divisions 1 and 2 (p < 0.01) than in Divisions 3 and 4 which have higher enrollment. EAPs included aims to initiate CPR within one minute (80.5%), and targets to defibrillate within three-five minutes (66.2%) as recommended by recent guidelines from the National Athletic Trainers Association. AEDs were present in 72.5% (n = 100) of the responding schools, and the presence of an AED was related to the presence of an EAP (p < 0.01). Schools in Division 1 were less likely to possess an AED (p < 0.01) than schools in the larger divisions. Of schools without AEDs, 39.5% (n = 15) reported children or adults attending or working at the school who were at risk for heart disease. Lack of funding was the most commonly reported barrier to obtaining an AED. A low response rate and self-reported data may have biased results in favor of those who adopted plans or purchased an AED. The majority of responding schools possessed both an EAP and an AED and reported that they met several current recommended guidelines for emergency preparedness for SCA. These results for North Carolina high schools are similar to reports from other states. Significant room for improvement exists, however, as the number of schools without an EAP or AED is still relatively large and some important components of emergency planning are lacking in the EAPs.

The Dolphin Sonar: Excellent Capabilities In Spite of Some Mediocre Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Au, Whitlow W. L.

2004-11-01

Dolphin sonar research has been conducted for several decades and much has been learned about the capabilities of echolocating dolphins to detect, discriminate and recognize underwater targets. The results of these research projects suggest that dolphins possess the most sophisticated of all sonar for short ranges and shallow water where reverberation and clutter echoes are high. The critical feature of the dolphin sonar is the capability of discriminating and recognizing complex targets in a highly reverberant and noisy environment. The dolphin's detection threshold in reverberation occurs at a echo-to reverberation ratio of approximately 4 dB. Echolocating dolphins also have the capability to make fine discriminate of target properties such as wall thickness difference of water-filled cylinders and material differences in metallic plates. The high-resolution property of the animal's echolocation signals and the high dynamic range of its auditory system are important factors in their outstanding discrimination capabilities. In the wall thickness discrimination of cylinder experiment, time differences between echo highlights at small as 500-600 ns can be resolved by echolocating dolphins. Measurements of the targets used in the metallic plate composition experiment suggest that dolphins attended to echo components that were 20-30 dB below the maximum level for a specific target. It is interesting to realize that some of the properties of the dolphin sonar system are fairly mediocre, yet the total performance of the system is often outstanding. When compared to some technological sonar, the energy content of the dolphin sonar signal is not very high, the transmission and receiving beamwidths are fairly large, and the auditory filters are not very narrow. Yet the dolphin sonar has demonstrated excellent capabilities in spite the mediocre features of its "hardware." Reasons why dolphins can perform complex sonar task will be discussed in light of the "equipment" they possess.

Physical qualities and activity profiles of sub-elite and recreational Australian football players.

PubMed

Stein, Josh G; Gabbett, Tim J; Townshend, Andrew D; Dawson, Brian T

2015-11-01

To investigate the relationship between physical qualities and match activity profiles of recreational Australian football players. Prospective cohort study. Forty players from three recreational Australian football teams (Division One, Two and Three) underwent a battery of fitness tests (vertical jump, 10 and 40 m sprint, 6 m × 30 m repeated sprint test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level Two and 2-km time trial). The activity profiles of competitive match-play were quantified using 10-Hz Global Positioning System units. Division One players possessed greater maximum velocity, Yo-Yo level Two and 2-km time trial performances than Division Two and Three players. In addition, Division One players covered greater relative distance, and relative distances at moderate- and high-intensities during match-play than Division Two and Three players. Division Two players had better 2-km time trial performances than Division Three players. Positive associations (P < 0.05) were found between 10 m acceleration, maximum velocity, Yo-Yo level Two and 2-km time trial performances and relative distance, and relative distances covered at moderate- and high-intensities during match-play. Moderate relationships were found between vertical jump and relative distance and high-intensity running. Sub-elite Australian football players competing at a higher level exhibit greater physical qualities and match-play activity profiles than lesser-skilled recreational players. Acceleration and maximum velocity, 2-km time trial and Yo-Yo level Two performances discriminate between players of different playing levels, and are related to physical match performance in recreational Australian football. The development of these qualities is likely to contribute to improved match performance in recreational Australian football players. Copyright © 2014 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigation of the nanoviscosity effect of a G-quadruplex and single-strand DNA using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Dongkeun; Kim, Minjung; Kim, Soo Yong; Shin, Hyosup; Kim, Sok Won; Park, Inho

2015-01-01

Guanine (G)-quadruplexes are of interest because of their presence in the telomere sequence and the oncogene promoter region. Their diffusion and change of structure, especially in high viscosity solutions, are important for understanding their dynamics. G-quadruplexes may have less effective viscosity (nanoviscosity) when they are smaller than the solvent molecules. In this paper, we report the difference in the diffusion dynamics of the G-rich DNA sequences of single-strand DNA (ssDNA) and the G-quadruplex in aqueous, sucrose, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions. From experiments with aqueous and sucrose solutions, we confirm that a simple diffusion model according to the viscosity is appropriate. In the PEG experiments, the nanoviscosity effect is observed according to PEG's molecular weight. In the PEG 200 solution, both the ssDNA and the G-quadruplex possess macroviscosity. In the PEG 10 000 solution, the G-quadruplex possesses nanoviscosity and the ssDNA possesses macroviscosity, whereas, in the PEG 35 000 solution, both ssDNA and the G-quadruplex possess nanoviscosity. The experimental results are consistent with the theoretical predictions.

Comparison of composition and absorption of sugarcane policosanols.

PubMed

Marinangeli, Christopher P F; Kassis, Amira N; Jain, Deepak; Ebine, Naoyuki; Cunnane, Stephen C; Jones, Peter J H

2007-02-01

Policosanols (PC) exist as very-long-chain alcohols derived from sugarcane currently used in many countries as a cholesterol-lowering therapy. PC purity and relative percentage composition have been suggested as primary reasons why the original Cuban PC (OPC) supplements possess lipid-lowering efficacy. The purpose of the present study was, first, to compare the relative percentage purity and PC composition of both OPC and alternative sources of PC (APC). A second objective was to feed Syrian hamsters a diet containing 0.275 mg PC/g of either the OPC or an APC product (APC1) and compare subsequent tissue, plasma and faecal PC levels. Five animals from the APC1 dietary group received a diet containing ten times the original amount of PC. Results indicate that the APC formulations have a composition that is highly consistent with the OPC supplement, with octacosanol being present within the cited 60-70 % range. PC were undetectable in the small intestine, liver, adipose or plasma in animals fed either source. Hamsters fed OPC excreted octacosanol (C28) more rapidly (P < 0.05) than hamsters receiving APC1. If the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of PC mixtures is dependent on their purity and composition, then sugarcane-derived APC products should possess similar therapeutic properties as the OPC supplement.

Evaluation of toxicity and biodegradability of choline chloride based deep eutectic solvents.

PubMed

Radošević, Kristina; Bubalo, Marina Cvjetko; Srček, Višnje Gaurina; Grgas, Dijana; Dragičević, Tibela Landeka; Redovniković, Ivana Radojčić

2015-02-01

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been dramatically expanding in popularity as a new generation of environmentally friendly solvents with possible applications in various industrial fields, but their ecological footprint has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, three choline chloride-based DESs with glucose, glycerol and oxalic acid as hydrogen bond donors were evaluated for in vitro toxicity using fish and human cell line, phytotoxicity using wheat and biodegradability using wastewater microorganisms through closed bottle test. Obtained in vitro toxicity data on cell lines indicate that choline chloride: glucose and choline chloride:glycerol possess low cytotoxicity (EC50>10 mM for both cell lines) while choline chloride:oxalic acid possess moderate cytotoxicity (EC50 value 1.64 mM and 4.19 mM for fish and human cell line, respectively). Results on phytotoxicity imply that tested DESs are non-toxic with seed germination EC50 values higher than 5000 mg L(-1). All tested DESs were classified as'readily biodegradable' based on their high levels of mineralization (68-96%). These findings indicate that DESs have a green profile and a good prospect for a wider use in the field of green technologies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Production by Clostridium spiroforme of an iotalike toxin that possesses mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity: identification of a novel class of ADP-ribosyltransferases.

PubMed

Simpson, L L; Stiles, B G; Zepeda, H; Wilkins, T D

1989-01-01

Clostridium spiroforme iotalike toxin produced time- and concentration-dependent incorporation of ADP-ribose into homo-poly-L-arginine. Polyasparagine, polyglutamic acid, polylysine, and agmatine were poor substrates. Enzyme activity was associated with the light-chain polypeptide of the toxin. The heavy chain did not possess ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, nor did it enhance or inhibit activity of the light chain. In broken-cell assays, the toxin acted mainly on G-actin, rather than F-actin. A single ADP-ribose group was transferred to each substrate molecule (G-actin). The enzyme was heat sensitive, had a pH optimum in the range of 7 to 8, was inhibited by high concentrations of nicotinamide, and was reversibly denatured by urea and guanidine. Physiological levels of nucleotides (AMP, ADP, ATP, and ADP-ribose) and cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) were not very active as enzyme inhibitors. The toxin was structurally and functionally similar to Clostridium botulinum type C2 toxin and Clostridium perfringens iota toxin. When combined with previous findings, the data suggest that a new class of mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating toxins has been found and that these agents belong to a related and possibly homologous series of binary toxins.

Production by Clostridium spiroforme of an iotalike toxin that possesses mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferase activity: identification of a novel class of ADP-ribosyltransferases.

PubMed Central

Simpson, L L; Stiles, B G; Zepeda, H; Wilkins, T D

1989-01-01

Clostridium spiroforme iotalike toxin produced time- and concentration-dependent incorporation of ADP-ribose into homo-poly-L-arginine. Polyasparagine, polyglutamic acid, polylysine, and agmatine were poor substrates. Enzyme activity was associated with the light-chain polypeptide of the toxin. The heavy chain did not possess ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, nor did it enhance or inhibit activity of the light chain. In broken-cell assays, the toxin acted mainly on G-actin, rather than F-actin. A single ADP-ribose group was transferred to each substrate molecule (G-actin). The enzyme was heat sensitive, had a pH optimum in the range of 7 to 8, was inhibited by high concentrations of nicotinamide, and was reversibly denatured by urea and guanidine. Physiological levels of nucleotides (AMP, ADP, ATP, and ADP-ribose) and cations (Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) were not very active as enzyme inhibitors. The toxin was structurally and functionally similar to Clostridium botulinum type C2 toxin and Clostridium perfringens iota toxin. When combined with previous findings, the data suggest that a new class of mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating toxins has been found and that these agents belong to a related and possibly homologous series of binary toxins. Images PMID:2521214

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in hospital wastewaters and sewage treatment plants in Queensland, Australia.

PubMed

Gündoğdu, Aycan; Jennison, Amy V; Smith, Helen V; Stratton, Helen; Katouli, Mohammad

2013-11-01

We investigated the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli in untreated hospital wastewaters and 2 sewage treatment plants (STPs). A collection of 252 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from hospital wastewater and STPs were typed and tested for resistance to 17 antimicrobial agents and for the presence of integron-associated integrases (intI gene) and ESBL genes. Eighty-nine percent (n = 176) of the ESBL-producing E. coli strains from hospital wastewater were found in more than 1 sample (common types), with 1 common type accounting for 35% of isolates, found in all samples. These strains were also resistant to up to 9 non-β-lactam antibiotics and showed the same pattern of resistance in all samples. More than 73% of the hospital wastewater isolates possessed SHV-type ESBL as opposed to isolates from STPs that carried only CTX-M-type ESBL genes. The prevalence of the intI gene did not differ between the sources of the isolates. Certain ESBL-producing E. coli were dominant in hospital wastewaters. These strains possessed β-lactamase genes that were different from isolates found in STPs. From a public health point of view, the presence of such a high level of ESBL-producing E. coli strains in hospital wastewaters is of great importance.

Characterization of kidney epithelial cells from the Florida manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris.

PubMed

Sweat JMDunigan, D D; Wright, S D

2001-06-01

The West-Indian manatee, Trichechus manatus latirostris, is a herbivorous marine mammal found in the coastal waters of Florida. Because of their endangered status, animal experimentation is not allowed. Therefore, a cell line was developed and characterized from tissue collected during necropsies of the manatees. A primary cell culture was established by isolating single cells from kidney tissue using both enzymatic and mechanical techniques. Primary manatee kidney (MK) cells were subcultured for characterization. These cells were morphologically similar to the cell lines of epithelial origin. An immunocytochemistry assay was used to localize the cytokeratin filaments common to cells of epithelial origin. At second passage, epithelial-like cells had an average population-doubling time of 48 h, had an optimum seeding density of 5 x 10(3) cells/cm2, and readily attached to plastic culture plates with a high level of seeding efficiency. Although the epithelial-like cells had a rapid growth rate during the first three passages, the cloning potential was low. These cells did not form colonies in agar medium, were serum dependent, had a limited life span of approximately nine passages, and possessed cell-contact inhibition. These data suggest that the cells were finite (noncontinuous growth), did not possess transformed properties, and were of epithelial origin. These cells are now referred to as MK epithelial cells.

Striking Similarity in the Gene Expression Levels of Individual Myc Module Members among ESCs, EpiSCs, and Partial iPSCs

PubMed Central

Hirasaki, Masataka; Hiraki-Kamon, Keiko; Kamon, Masayoshi; Suzuki, Ayumu; Katano, Miyuki; Nishimoto, Masazumi; Okuda, Akihiko

2013-01-01

Predominant transcriptional subnetworks called Core, Myc, and PRC modules have been shown to participate in preservation of the pluripotency and self-renewality of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) are another cell type that possesses pluripotency and self-renewality. However, the roles of these modules in EpiSCs have not been systematically examined to date. Here, we compared the average expression levels of Core, Myc, and PRC module genes between ESCs and EpiSCs. EpiSCs showed substantially higher and lower expression levels of PRC and Core module genes, respectively, compared with those in ESCs, while Myc module members showed almost equivalent levels of average gene expression. Subsequent analyses revealed that the similarity in gene expression levels of the Myc module between these two cell types was not just overall, but striking similarities were evident even when comparing the expression of individual genes. We also observed equivalent levels of similarity in the expression of individual Myc module genes between induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and partial iPSCs that are an unwanted byproduct generated during iPSC induction. Moreover, our data demonstrate that partial iPSCs depend on a high level of c-Myc expression for their self-renewal properties. PMID:24386274

The Philosophically Discerning Classroom Teacher.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Knape, Carl; Rosewell, Paul T.

1980-01-01

Identifies various categories of teachers at all levels who adhere strongly, partially, or not at all to various schools of philosophy. Concludes that teachers with philosophically discerning awareness possess professional advantages including ability to give rational explanations of curricular decisions, evaluation approaches, and classroom…

Assessment of Health Knowledge in College Women.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richmond, Gail; And Others

1991-01-01

The level of accurate health knowledge that young adult women possess regarding selected information dealing with nutrition; disease; and over-the-counter, prescription, and social drugs is discussed. Sections include the introduction, methods, results, discussion, and implications for biology teachers. (KR)

How Do Students Misunderstand Number Representations?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Herman, Geoffrey L.; Zilles, Craig; Loui, Michael C.

2011-01-01

We used both student interviews and diagnostic testing to reveal students' misconceptions about number representations in computing systems. This article reveals that students who have passed an undergraduate level computer organization course still possess surprising misconceptions about positional notations, two's complement representation, and…

Interspecific hybrids between pembagrass and St. Augustinegrass

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

St. Augustinegrass [Stenotaphrum secundatum (Walt.) Kuntze] is a popular turfgrass in the southern United States and possesses the highest level of shade tolerance among warm-season turfgrasses. Its stoloniferous growth habit lends itself to vegetative propagation by turfgrass producers. Ploidy di...

A Study of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) Concentration Variance by Distance from Train Platform at a Major Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Railway Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Solis, M.; Nguyen, H.; Adeyan, A.; Adeyan, E.; Taylor, S.; Hardaway, K.; Peterson, E.; Ortega, J.; Marshall, R.

2017-12-01

Over the past five years, the East Bay Academy for Young Scientists (EBAYS) has been investigating air quality at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train stations. In particular, prior EBAYS research has revealed extremely high levels of particulate matter (PM 2.5) at the multi-leveled Embarcadero Station, which is underground and is one of the most frequently visited stations in the entire BART system. During the summer of 2017 data was collected to determine whether or not air quality differed on the three levels of this station. In conducting this study the research team was separated into pairs, each pair in possession of a Dustrak II or AirBeam PM analyzer and each pair assigned to a particular level. Within each measurement trial data was collected for 15 minutes. Measurements were also made on the eastern and western ends of the platforms to detect possible variations in PM concentration. Preliminary results obtained thus far indicate that dangerously high levels of PM 2.5 concentration occur on all three levels of the station. This is especially problematic because it suggests that individuals who spend extensive amounts of time at this station (e.g., station agents and other workers) are exposed to extremely high PM 2.5 concentration levels and as a result are working under conditions that are quite hazardous to their health. Based on observations made during testing, increased levels of PM 2.5 tend to correlate with the departure or arrival of BART trains that results in particulate matter being scattered about the train platform and other levels. Further studies should be conducted to verify this observation and to contribute to better understanding the sources and behavior of PM 2.5 at each level of the station.

High-content profiling of cell responsiveness to graded substrates based on combinyatorially variant polymers.

PubMed

Liu, Er; Treiser, Matthew D; Patel, Hiral; Sung, Hak-Joon; Roskov, Kristen E; Kohn, Joachim; Becker, Matthew L; Moghe, Prabhas V

2009-08-01

We have developed a novel approach combining high information and high throughput analysis to characterize cell adhesive responses to biomaterial substrates possessing gradients in surface topography. These gradients were fabricated by subjecting thin film blends of tyrosine-derived polycarbonates, i.e. poly(DTE carbonate) and poly(DTO carbonate) to a gradient temperature annealing protocol. Saos-2 cells engineered with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter for farnesylation (GFP-f) were cultured on the gradient substrates to assess the effects of nanoscale surface topology and roughness that arise during the phase separation process on cell attachment and adhesion strength. The high throughput imaging approach allowed us to rapidly identify the "global" and "high content" structure-property relationships between cell adhesion and biomaterial properties such as polymer chemistry and topography. This study found that cell attachment and spreading increased monotonically with DTE content and were significantly elevated at the position with intermediate regions corresponding to the highest "gradient" of surface roughness, while GFP-f farnesylation intensity descriptors were sensitively altered by surface roughness, even in cells with comparable levels of spreading.

The Influence of Rotations on Match Running Performance in Female Australian Football Midfielders.

PubMed

Black, Georgia M; Gabbett, Tim J; Johnston, Richard D; Naughton, Geraldine; Cole, Michael H; Dawson, Brian

2018-04-01

With female Australian football (AF) gaining popularity, understanding match demands is becoming increasingly important. The aim of this study was to compare running performances of rotated and whole-quarter state-level female AF players during match quarters. Twenty-two state-level female AF midfielders wore Global Positioning System units during 14 games to evaluate activity profiles. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) was used as a measure of high-intensity running ability. Data were categorized into whole quarter, rotation bout 1, and rotation bout 2 before being further divided into quartiles. Players were separated into high- or low-Yo-Yo IR1 groups using a median split based on their Yo-Yo IR1 performance. Short (4-6 min), moderate (6-12 min), and long (12-18 min) on-field bout activity profiles were compared with whole-quarter players. High Yo-Yo IR1 performance allowed players to cover greater relative distances (ES = 0.57-0.88) and high-speed distances (ES = 0.57-0.86) during rotations. No differences were reported between Yo-Yo IR1 groups when players were required to play whole quarters (ES ≤ 0.26, likelihood ≤64%). Players who were on field for short to moderate durations exhibited greater activity profiles than whole-quarter players. Superior high-speed running ability results in a greater activity profile than for players who possess lower high-speed running ability. The findings also highlight the importance of short to moderate (4-12 min) rotation periods and may be used to increase high-intensity running performance within quarters in female AF players.

Process Development of Porcelain Ceramic Material with Binder Jetting Process for Dental Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miyanaji, Hadi; Zhang, Shanshan; Lassell, Austin; Zandinejad, Amirali; Yang, Li

2016-03-01

Custom ceramic structures possess significant potentials in many applications such as dentistry and aerospace where extreme environments are present. Specifically, highly customized geometries with adequate performance are needed for various dental prostheses applications. This paper demonstrates the development of process and post-process parameters for a dental porcelain ceramic material using binder jetting additive manufacturing (AM). Various process parameters such as binder amount, drying power level, drying time and powder spread speed were studied experimentally for their effect on geometrical and mechanical characteristics of green parts. In addition, the effects of sintering and printing parameters on the qualities of the densified ceramic structures were also investigated experimentally. The results provide insights into the process-property relationships for the binder jetting AM process, and some of the challenges of the process that need to be further characterized for the successful adoption of the binder jetting technology in high quality ceramic fabrications are discussed.

A high-density lipoprotein-mediated drug delivery system.

PubMed

Mo, Zhong-Cheng; Ren, Kun; Liu, Xing; Tang, Zhen-Li; Yi, Guang-Hui

2016-11-15

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a comparatively dense and small lipoprotein that can carry lipids as a multifunctional aggregate in plasma. Several studies have shown that increasing the levels or improving the functionality of HDL is a promising target for treating a wide variety of diseases. Among lipoproteins, HDL particles possess unique physicochemical properties, including naturally synthesized physiological components, amphipathic apolipoproteins, lipid-loading and hydrophobic agent-incorporating characteristics, specific protein-protein interactions, heterogeneity, nanoparticles, and smaller size. Recently, the feasibility and superiority of using HDL particles as drug delivery vehicles have been of great interest. In this review, we summarize the structure, constituents, biogenesis, remodeling, and reconstitution of HDL drug delivery systems, focusing on their delivery capability, characteristics, applications, manufacturing, and drug-loading and drug-targeting characteristics. Finally, the future prospects are presented regarding the clinical application and challenges of using HDL as a pharmacodelivery carrier. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Identifying and exploiting genes that potentiate the evolution of antibiotic resistance.

PubMed

Gifford, Danna R; Furió, Victoria; Papkou, Andrei; Vogwill, Tom; Oliver, Antonio; MacLean, R Craig

2018-06-01

There is an urgent need to develop novel approaches for predicting and preventing the evolution of antibiotic resistance. Here, we show that the ability to evolve de novo resistance to a clinically important β-lactam antibiotic, ceftazidime, varies drastically across the genus Pseudomonas. This variation arises because strains possessing the ampR global transcriptional regulator evolve resistance at a high rate. This does not arise because of mutations in ampR. Instead, this regulator potentiates evolution by allowing mutations in conserved peptidoglycan biosynthesis genes to induce high levels of β-lactamase expression. Crucially, blocking this evolutionary pathway by co-administering ceftazidime with the β-lactamase inhibitor avibactam can be used to eliminate pathogenic P. aeruginosa populations before they can evolve resistance. In summary, our study shows that identifying potentiator genes that act as evolutionary catalysts can be used to both predict and prevent the evolution of antibiotic resistance.

Naphthodipyrrolidone (NDP) based conjugated polymers with high electron mobility and ambipolar transport properties

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

Zhang, Haichang; Zhang, Shuo; Mao, Yifan

Two novel donor–acceptor π-conjugated polymers based on naphthodipyrrolidone (NDP) were synthesized and characterized. The polymers possess low band gaps and suitable molecular orbital levels as ambipolar semiconductors. The thin film organic field effect transistor of NDP polymers exhibited ambipolar transport properties with a high electron mobility up to 0.67 cm 2 V –1 s –1. The grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) studies demonstrated that the polymer molecules pack into a long-range-ordered lamellar structure with isotropically oriented crystalline domains. Thermal annealing promoted edge-on lamellar stacking as evidenced by the increased diffraction intensity along the out-of-plane direction. In conclusion, the polymer withmore » NDP and bithiophene units achieved the best edge-on lamellar stacking after thermal annealing, which yielded the best electron transport performance in this work.« less

Naphthodipyrrolidone (NDP) based conjugated polymers with high electron mobility and ambipolar transport properties

DOE PAGES

Zhang, Haichang; Zhang, Shuo; Mao, Yifan; ...

2017-05-12

Two novel donor–acceptor π-conjugated polymers based on naphthodipyrrolidone (NDP) were synthesized and characterized. The polymers possess low band gaps and suitable molecular orbital levels as ambipolar semiconductors. The thin film organic field effect transistor of NDP polymers exhibited ambipolar transport properties with a high electron mobility up to 0.67 cm 2 V –1 s –1. The grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) studies demonstrated that the polymer molecules pack into a long-range-ordered lamellar structure with isotropically oriented crystalline domains. Thermal annealing promoted edge-on lamellar stacking as evidenced by the increased diffraction intensity along the out-of-plane direction. In conclusion, the polymer withmore » NDP and bithiophene units achieved the best edge-on lamellar stacking after thermal annealing, which yielded the best electron transport performance in this work.« less

GC/MS analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography fractions from Sophora flavescens and Torilis japonica extracts and their in vitro anti-neosporal effects on Neospora caninum.

PubMed

Seo, Hun-Su; Kim, Kyoung Hee; Kim, Dae-Yong; Park, Bong-Kyun; Shin, Nam-Shik; Kim, Jae-Hoon; Youn, Heejeong

2013-01-01

We analyzed alcoholic extracts of herbs possessing anti-neosporal activity against Neospora (N.) caninum. To identify the chemical components of Sophora (S.) flavescens and Torilis (T.) japonica associated with anti-neosporal activity, specific fractions were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro activity of the fractions against N. caninum was then assessed. Gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify and quantify specific anti-neosporal molecules in the herbal extracts. Almost all HPLC fractions of S. flavescens and T. japonica had higher levels of anti-neosporal activity compared to the not treated control. Active constituents of the extracts were sophoridane, furosardonin A, and tetraisopropylidene-cyclobutane in S. flavescens; 5,17-β-dihydroxy-de-A-estra-5,7,9,14-tetraene, furanodiene, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-(CAS,1) in T. japonica.

GC/MS analysis of high-performance liquid chromatography fractions from Sophora flavescens and Torilis japonica extracts and their in vitro anti-neosporal effects on Neospora caninum

PubMed Central

Seo, Hun-Su; Kim, Kyoung Hee; Kim, Dae-Yong; Park, Bong-Kyun; Shin, Nam-Shik; Kim, Jae-Hoon

2013-01-01

We analyzed alcoholic extracts of herbs possessing anti-neosporal activity against Neospora (N.) caninum. To identify the chemical components of Sophora (S.) flavescens and Torilis (T.) japonica associated with anti-neosporal activity, specific fractions were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In vitro activity of the fractions against N. caninum was then assessed. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used to identify and quantify specific anti-neosporal molecules in the herbal extracts. Almost all HPLC fractions of S. flavescens and T. japonica had higher levels of anti-neosporal activity compared to the not treated control. Active constituents of the extracts were sophoridane, furosardonin A, and tetraisopropylidene-cyclobutane in S. flavescens; 5,17-β-dihydroxy-de-A-estra-5,7,9,14-tetraene, furanodiene, and 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-(CAS,1) in T. japonica. PMID:23820198

Atom-Economical Dimerization Strategy by the Rhodium-Catalyzed Addition of Carboxylic Acids to Allenes: Protecting-Group-Free Synthesis of Clavosolide A and Late-Stage Modification.

PubMed

Haydl, Alexander M; Breit, Bernhard

2015-12-14

Natural products of polyketide origin with a high level of symmetry, in particular C2 -symmetric diolides as a special macrolactone-based product class, often possess a broad spectrum of biological activity. An efficient route to this important structural motif was developed as part of a concise and highly convergent synthesis of clavosolide A. This strategy features an atom-economic "head-to-tail" dimerization by the stereoselective rhodium-catalyzed addition of carboxylic acids to terminal allenes with the simultaneous construction of two new stereocenters. The excellent efficiency and selectivity with which the C2 -symmetric core structures were obtained are remarkable considering the outcome under classical dimerization conditions. Furthermore, this approach facilitates late-stage modification and provides ready access to potential new lead structures. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Functional role of long-lived flowers in preventing pollen limitation in a high elevation outcrossing species

PubMed Central

Pacheco, Diego Andrés; Dudley, Leah S

2017-01-01

Abstract Low pollinator visitation in harsh environments may lead to pollen limitation which can threaten population persistence. Consequently, avoidance of pollen limitation is expected in outcrossing species subjected to habitually low pollinator service. The elevational decline in visitation rates on many high mountains provides an outstanding opportunity for addressing this question. According to a recent meta-analysis, levels of pollen limitation in alpine and lowland species do not differ. If parallel trends are manifested among populations of alpine species with wide elevational ranges, how do their uppermost populations contend with lower visitation? We investigated visitation rates and pollen limitation in high Andean Rhodolirium montanum. We test the hypothesis that lower visitation rates at high elevations are compensated for by the possession of long-lived flowers. Visitation rates decreased markedly over elevation as temperature decreased. Pollen limitation was absent at the low elevation site but did occur at the high elevation site. While initiation of stigmatic pollen deposition at high elevations was not delayed, rates of pollen arrival were lower, and cessation of pollination, as reflected by realized flower longevity, occurred later in the flower lifespan. Comparison of the elevational visitation decline and levels of pollen limitation indicates that flower longevity partially compensates for the lower visitation rates at high elevation. The functional role of flower longevity, however, was strongly masked by qualitative pollen limitation arising from higher abortion levels attributable to transference of genetically low-quality pollen in large clones. Stronger clonal growth at high elevations could counterbalance the negative fitness consequences of residual pollen limitation due to low visitation rates and/or difficult establishment under colder conditions. Visitation rates on the lower part of the elevational range greatly exceeded community rates recorded several decades ago when the planet was cooler. Current pollen limitation for some species in some habitats might underestimate historical levels. PMID:29225762

Physical mapping of 5S and 18S-5.8S-26S RNA gene families in polyploid series of Cenchrus ciliaris Linnaeus, 1771 (Poaceae)

PubMed Central

Kharrat-Souissi, Amina; Siljak-Yakovlev, Sonja; Pustahija, Fatima; Chaieb, Mohamed

2012-01-01

Abstract The Buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris L., Poaceae) is one of the most important pasturage grasses due to its high productivity and good forage qualities. This species possess a high adaptability to bioclimatic constraints of arid zones and may be used for the restoration of degraded arid ecosystems. Tunisian populations present three ploidy levels (4x, 5x and 6x) with a basic chromosome number x=9. This study reported for the first time the distribution of the ribosomal genes (rRNA) for pentaploid and hexaploid cytotypes of Cenchrus ciliaris. Molecular cytogenetic study using double fluorescence in situ hybridization has shown that the two rDNA families, 5S and 18S-5.8S-26S (18S), displayed intraspecific variation in number of loci among different ploidy levels. Each ploidy level was characterized by specific number of both 5S and 18S rDNA loci (two loci in tetraploid, five in pentaploid and six in hexaploid level). For three studied cytotypes (4x, 5x and 6x) all 5S rDNA loci were localized on the subcentromeric region of chromosomes, while 18S loci were situated on the telomeric region of short chromosome arms. Data of the FISH experiments show proportional increase of ribosomal loci number during polyploidization processes. PMID:24260668

Levels of Lycopene β-Cyclase 1 Modulate Carotenoid Gene Expression and Accumulation in Daucus carota

PubMed Central

Moreno, Juan Camilo; Pizarro, Lorena; Fuentes, Paulina; Handford, Michael; Cifuentes, Victor; Stange, Claudia

2013-01-01

Plant carotenoids are synthesized and accumulated in plastids through a highly regulated pathway. Lycopene β-cyclase (LCYB) is a key enzyme involved directly in the synthesis of α-carotene and β-carotene through the cyclization of lycopene. Carotenoids are produced in both carrot (Daucus carota) leaves and reserve roots, and high amounts of α-carotene and β-carotene accumulate in the latter. In some plant models, the presence of different isoforms of carotenogenic genes is associated with an organ-specific function. D. carota harbors two Lcyb genes, of which DcLcyb1 is expressed in leaves and storage roots during carrot development, correlating with an increase in carotenoid levels. In this work, we show that DcLCYB1 is localized in the plastid and that it is a functional enzyme, as demonstrated by heterologous complementation in Escherichia coli and over expression and post transcriptional gene silencing in carrot. Transgenic plants with higher or reduced levels of DcLcyb1 had incremented or reduced levels of chlorophyll, total carotenoids and β-carotene in leaves and in the storage roots, respectively. In addition, changes in the expression of DcLcyb1 are accompanied by a modulation in the expression of key endogenous carotenogenic genes. Our results indicate that DcLcyb1 does not possess an organ specific function and modulate carotenoid gene expression and accumulation in carrot leaves and storage roots. PMID:23555569

Science inquiry learning environments created by National Board Certified Teachers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saderholm, Jon

The purpose of this study was to discern what differences exist between the science inquiry learning environments created by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and non-NBCTs. Four research questions organized the data collection and analysis: (a) How do National Board Certified science teachers' knowledge of the nature of science differ from that of their non-NBCT counterparts? (b) How do the frequencies of student science inquiry behaviors supported by in middle/secondary learning environments created by NBCTs differ from those created by their non-NBCT counterparts? (c) What is the relationship between the frequency of students' science inquiry behaviors and their science reasoning and understanding of the nature of science? (d) What is the impact of teacher perceptions factors impacting curriculum and limiting inquiry on the existence of inquiry learning environments? The setting in which this study was conducted was middle and high schools in Kentucky during the period between October 2006 and January 2007. The population sampled for the study was middle and secondary science teachers certified to teach in Kentucky. Of importance among those were the approximately 70 National Board Certified middle and high school science teachers. The teacher sample consisted of 50 teachers, of whom 19 were NBCTs and 31 were non-NBCTs. This study compared the science inquiry teaching environments created by NBCTs and non-NBCTs along with their consequent effect on the science reasoning and nature of science (NOS) understanding of their students. In addition, it examined the relationship with these science inquiry environments of other teacher characteristics along with teacher perception of factors influencing curriculum and factors limiting inquiry. This study used a multi-level mixed methodology study incorporating both quantitative and qualitative measures of both teachers and their students. It was a quasi-experimental design using non-random assignment of participants to treatment and control groups and dependent pre- and post-tests (Shadish, Cook, & Campbell, 2002). Teacher and student NOS understanding was measured using the Student Understanding of Science and Science Inquiry (SUSSI) instrument (Liang, et. al, 2006). Science inquiry environment was measured with the Elementary Science Inquiry Survey (ESIS) (Dunbar, 2002) which was given both to teachers and their students. Science inquiry environment measurements were triangulated with observations of a stratified random sub-sample of participating teachers. Observations were structured using the low-inference Collaboratives for Excellence in Teaching Practice (CETP) Classroom Observation Protocol (COP) (Lawrenz, Huffman, & Appleldoorn 2002), and the high-inference Reform Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP) (Piburn & Sawada, 2000). NBCTs possessed more informed view of NOS than did non-NBCTs. Additionally, high school science teachers possessed more informed views regarding NOS than did middle school science teachers, with the most informed views belonging to high school science NBCTs. High school science NBCTs created learning environments in which students engaged in science inquiry behaviors significantly more frequently than did high school science non-NBCTs. Middle school science NBCTs, on the other hand, did not create learning environments that differed in significant ways from those of middle school science non-NBCTs. Students of high school science NBCTs possessed significantly higher science reasoning than did students of high school science non-NBCTs. Middle school students of science NBCTs possessed no more science reasoning ability than did middle school students of science non-NBCTs. NOS understanding displayed by students of both middle school and high school science NBCTs was not distinguished from students of non-NBCTs. Classroom science inquiry environment created by non-NBCTs were correlated with science teachers' perceptions of factors determining the curriculum, and the factors limiting inquiry. NBCT classroom science inquiry environment were not correlated with science teacher perceptions. They were, however, strongly correlated with science teacher attendance at science workshops and negatively correlated with teacher perception that experience limits inquiry. The results of this study have implications for policy, practice, and research. Having a science teacher who is an NBCT appears to benefit high school students; however, the benefit for students of middle school science NBCTs appears only when the teacher is also experienced. Additionally, science NBCTs appear to be able to create more controlled science inquiry learning environments than do science non-NBCTs. At the high school level the practice of using data to explain patterns appears to positively affect student science reasoning. Implications results of this study have for further research include examining the differences of the NBPTS certification process for middle and high school teachers; deeper investigation of the causes of the differences in science reasoning between students of NBCTs and non-NBCTs; and studies of the relationship between the NBPTS certification process and teacher efficacy and personal agency.

Endohedral Metallofullerene as Molecular High Spin Qubit: Diverse Rabi Cycles in Gd2@C79N.

PubMed

Hu, Ziqi; Dong, Bo-Wei; Liu, Zheng; Liu, Jun-Jie; Su, Jie; Yu, Changcheng; Xiong, Jin; Shi, Di-Er; Wang, Yuanyuan; Wang, Bing-Wu; Ardavan, Arzhang; Shi, Zujin; Jiang, Shang-Da; Gao, Song

2018-01-24

An anisotropic high-spin qubit with long coherence time could scale the quantum system up. It has been proposed that Grover's algorithm can be implemented in such systems. Dimetallic aza[80]fullerenes M 2 @C 79 N (M = Y or Gd) possess an unpaired electron located between two metal ions, offering an opportunity to manipulate spin(s) protected in the cage for quantum information processing. Herein, we report the crystallographic determination of Gd 2 @C 79 N for the first time. This molecular magnet with a collective high-spin ground state (S = 15/2) generated by strong magnetic coupling (J Gd-Rad = 350 ± 20 cm -1 ) has been unambiguously validated by magnetic susceptibility experiments. Gd 2 @C 79 N has quantum coherence and diverse Rabi cycles, allowing arbitrary superposition state manipulation between each adjacent level. The phase memory time reaches 5 μs at 5 K by dynamic decoupling. This molecule fulfills the requirements of Grover's searching algorithm proposed by Leuenberger and Loss.

Serotype classification of Streptococcus mutans and its detection outside the oral cavity.

PubMed

Nakano, Kazuhiko; Ooshima, Takashi

2009-09-01

Streptococcus mutans, generally known as a major pathogen of dental caries, is also a possible causative agent of bacteremia and infective endocarditis. S. mutans is classified into serotypes c, e, f and k based on the chemical composition of serotype-specific polysaccharides, with approximately 70-80% of strains found in the oral cavity classified as serotype c, followed by e (approximately 20%), and f and k (less than 5% each). Serotype k was recently designated as a novel serotype and shown to possess unique features, the most prominent being a defect of the glucose side chain in serotype-specific rhamnose-glucose polymers, which is related to a higher incidence of detection in cardiovascular specimens, owing to phagocytosis resistance. Molecular analyses of cardiovascular specimens showed a high detection frequency for S. mutans DNA, among which the detection rate for serotype k was quite high. These findings suggest that serotype k S. mutans possibly has a high level of virulence for systemic diseases.

Fault tolerant, radiation hard, high performance digital signal processor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holmann, Edgar; Linscott, Ivan R.; Maurer, Michael J.; Tyler, G. L.; Libby, Vibeke

1990-01-01

An architecture has been developed for a high-performance VLSI digital signal processor that is highly reliable, fault-tolerant, and radiation-hard. The signal processor, part of a spacecraft receiver designed to support uplink radio science experiments at the outer planets, organizes the connections between redundant arithmetic resources, register files, and memory through a shuffle exchange communication network. The configuration of the network and the state of the processor resources are all under microprogram control, which both maps the resources according to algorithmic needs and reconfigures the processing should a failure occur. In addition, the microprogram is reloadable through the uplink to accommodate changes in the science objectives throughout the course of the mission. The processor will be implemented with silicon compiler tools, and its design will be verified through silicon compilation simulation at all levels from the resources to full functionality. By blending reconfiguration with redundancy the processor implementation is fault-tolerant and reliable, and possesses the long expected lifetime needed for a spacecraft mission to the outer planets.

Large Thermal Motion in Halide Perovskites

DOE PAGES

Tyson, T. A.; Gao, W.; Chen, Y. -S.; ...

2017-08-24

Solar cells based on hybrid perovskites have shown high efficiency while possessing simple processing methods. To gain a fundamental understanding of their properties on an atomic level, we investigate single crystals of CH 3NH 3PbI 3 with a narrow transition (~5 K) near 327 K. Temperature dependent structural measurements reveal a persistent tetragonal structure with smooth changes in the atomic displacement parameters (ADPs) on crossing T*. We show that the ADPs for I ions yield extended flat regions in the potential wells consistent with the measured large thermal expansion parameter. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that this material exhibits significant asymmetriesmore » in the Pb-I pair distribution functions. We also show that the intrinsically enhanced freedom of motion of the iodine atoms enables large deformations. This flexibility (softness) of the atomic structure results in highly localized atomic relaxation about defects and hence accounts for both the high carrier mobility as well as the structural instability.« less

Comparative experimental study of gas evolution and gas consumption reactions in sealed Ni-Cd and Ni-MH cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cha, Chuansin; Yu, Jingxian; Zhang, Jixiao

The behavior of the sealed Ni-Cd and Ni-MH systems are compared experimentally with regard to their ability to consume gaseous products generated during the overcharge stage of these systems. It was found that the Ni-Cd system could only consume oxygen, while the Ni-MH system possesses the additional ability to adsorb hydrogen and to catalyze the recombination reaction of hydrogen and oxygen. The internal pressure within both sealed Ni-Cd cells and sealed Ni-MH cells can be kept well under control during the charge/overcharge processes if the rate of overcharge is not too high and if there is sufficient surplus of charging capacity at the negative electrodes. However, the internal pressure can rise to dangerously high levels if the rate of overcharge is too high or there is a deficiency of the charging capacity at the negative electrodes. The various factors that may affect the surplus of charging capacity of the negative electrodes are also discussed.

Locomotion in labrid fishes: implications for habitat use and cross-shelf biogeography on the Great Barrier Reef

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bellwood, D.; Wainwright, P.

2001-09-01

Coral reefs exhibit marked zonation patterns within single reefs and across continental shelves. For sessile organisms these zones are often related to wave exposure. We examined the extent to which wave exposure may shape the distribution patterns of fishes. We documented the distribution of 98 species of wrasses and parrotfishes at 33 sites across the Great Barrier Reef. The greatest difference between labrid assemblages was at the habitat level, with exposed reef flats and crests on mid- and outer reefs possessing a distinct faunal assemblage. These exposed sites were dominated by individuals with high pectoral fin aspect ratios, i.e. fishes believed to be capable of lift-based swimming which often achieve high speeds. Overall, there was a strong correlation between estimated swimming performance, as indicated by fin aspect ratio, and degree of water movement. We propose that swimming performance in fishes limits access to high-energy locations and may be a significant factor influencing habitat use and regional biogeography of reef fishes.

Relationships Among Positive Emotions, Coping, Resilience and Mental Health.

PubMed

Gloria, Christian T; Steinhardt, Mary A

2016-04-01

The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions suggests that positive emotions can widen the range of potential coping strategies that come to mind and subsequently enhance one's resilience against stress. Studies have shown that high stress, especially chronic levels of stress, strongly contributes to the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms. However, researchers have also found that individuals who possess high levels of resilience are protected from stress and thus report lower levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Using a sample of 200 postdoctoral research fellows, the present study examined if (a) positive emotions were associated with greater resilience, (b) coping strategies mediated the link between positive emotions and resilience and (c) resilience moderated the influence of stress on trait anxiety and depressive symptoms. Results support the broaden-and-build theory in that positive emotions may enhance resilience directly as well as indirectly through the mediating role of coping strategies-particularly via adaptive coping. Resilience also moderated the association of stress with trait anxiety and depressive symptoms. Although stress is unavoidable and its influences on anxiety and depressive symptoms are undeniable, the likelihood of postdocs developing anxiety or depressive symptoms may be reduced by implementing programmes designed to increase positive emotions, adaptive coping strategies and resilience. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Polymer-Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Composites for Potential Spacecraft Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, C.; Ounaies, Z.; Watson, K. A.; Pawlowski, K.; Lowther, S. E.; Connell, J. W.; Siochi, E. J.; Harrison, J. S.; St.Clair, T. L.; Bushnell, Dennis M. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

Polymer-single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) composite films were prepared and characterized as part of an effort to develop polymeric materials with improved combinations of properties for potential use on future spacecraft. Next generation spacecraft will require ultra-lightweight materials that possess specific and unique combinations of properties such as radiation and atomic oxygen resistance, low solar absorptivity, high thermal emissitivity, electrical conductivity, tear resistance, ability to be folded and seamed, and good mechanical properties. The objective of this work is to incorporate sufficient electrical conductivity into space durable polyimides to mitigate static charge build-up. The challenge is to obtain this level of conductivity (10(exp -8) S/cm) without degrading other properties of importance, particularly optical transparency. Several different approaches were attempted to fully disperse the SWNTs into the polymer matrix. These included high shear mixing, sonication, and synthesizing the polymers in the presence of pre-dispersed SWNTs. Acceptable levels of conductivity were obtained at loading levels less than one tenth weight percent SWNT without significantly sacrificing optical properties. Characterization of the nanocomposite films and the effect of SWNT concentration and dispersion on the conductivity, solar absorptivity, thermal emissivity, mechanical and thermal properties were discussed. Fibers and non-woven porous mats of SWNT reinforced polymer nanocomposite were produced using electrospinning.

Proximate, amino acid and lipid compositions in Sinonovacula constricta (Lamarck) reared at different salinities.

PubMed

Ran, Zhaoshou; Li, Shuang; Zhang, Runtao; Xu, Jilin; Liao, Kai; Yu, Xuejun; Zhong, Yingying; Ye, Mengwei; Yu, Shanshan; Ran, Yun; Huang, Wei; Yan, Xiaojun

2017-10-01

Sinonovacula constricta is an economically and nutritionally important bivalve native to the estuaries and mudflats of China, Japan and Korea. In the present study, S. constricta, cultured either under experimental conditions or collected directly from natural coastal areas with different seawater salinities, was investigated for changes in proximates, amino acids and lipids. When culture salinity was increased, levels of moisture, carbohydrate, crude protein and crude lipid were significantly decreased, whereas the level of ash was significantly increased. The level of Ala was increased by 1.5- to 2-fold, whereas the contents of most lipids were significantly decreased, and the proportion of phosphatidylethanolamine was significantly increased. Notably, a high proportion of ceramide aminoethylphosphonates was detected in S. constricta reared at all salinities. The energy content appears to be higher in S. constricta reared at higher salinity. In experimental S. constricta, when the salinity was enhanced, the changes of compositions were very close to those reared at constant high salinity. Sinonovacula constricta reared at higher salinities possesses a superior quality. A short period of exposure to a higher salinity for farmed S. constricta reared at a lower salinity before harvest would be useful with respect to improving its nutritive value. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

DNA fingerprints in physical anthropology.

PubMed

Weiss, Mark L

1989-01-01

Hypervariabal minisatellite DNA is a recently described class of nuclear sequences with no known biological function. The minisatellites do form a subtype of restricition fragment length polymorphisms possessing several characteristics particularly intriguing to anthropologists interested in forensics, sociobiology, primate conservation, genetic variability, and molecular evolution. The sequence occupy at least five dozen loci scattered throughout the human genome. Unlike many polymorphisms, many of the loci have numerous alleles each present at similar frequencies. Such a genetic structure produces exceptionally high levels of heterozygosity and thus provides a tool for the individualization of tissue samples. Additionally, as the alleles are inherited in a Mendelian fashion, the minisatellites provide a superb tool for the identification of paternity (or maternity). Unlike standard blood groups, levels of variability are so high in populations studied to data that parentage can be established by inclusion rather than exclution. Homologous sequences are shown to exist in a variety of Old World primates. Visualization of genetic fingerprints in nonhumans may allow for determination of paternity where the pool of potential sires is available, while also providing information on levels of genetic variability. These capabilities will ultimately provide for better management of primate colonies. Used in concert with behavioral data, a number of sociobiological will also become more amenable to investigation. Copyright © 1989 Wiley-Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company.

Transnational social movement theory and the waning war on drugs: Case studies from UNGASS 2016.

PubMed

Mostyn, Ben; Gibbon, Helen

2018-01-01

The United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs 1988 ("1988 Convention") expresses a strong normative preference for criminalising drug possession. Historically, the United Nations offices responsible for overseeing the treaties have held that decriminalisation of drug possession is contrary to the treaties. Leading up to and during UNGASS 2016, however, rather than emphasise criminalisation, the high-ranking officials from the drug control offices emphasised the treaties' allowance of alternatives to punishment for drug possession offences. This paper applies transnational social movement theory to analyse the political opportunity structure for drug law reform at the UN. Data was collected from documents created by important United Nations agencies in the lead up to UNGASS 2016. By analysing the statements of prominent UN officials within a social movement theory framework, we can assess whether those responsible for administering global drug policy are offering concession to drug law reform social movement and whether a political opportunity structure is opening up for drug law reformers to pursue further reforms. from the United Nations documents demonstrated significant reference to local drug law reforms and the benefits of non-punitive treatment of drug users. However, given the strong normative preference and mandatory language ("shall") in the 1988 Convention, policy leaders at the UN can only offer very moderate concessions to drug law reformers - primarily the advocacy of alternatives to incarceration. Such policies still suffer many problems caused by using the criminal justice system to funnel people into treatment. Indeed, many other offices at the UN explicitly drew attention to the problem of pre-trial punishment in their contributions to UNGASS 2016. A schism is developing at the UN as other UN offices are pointing out that advocating for alternatives to punishment is inadequate due to the many problems of "pre-trial punishment". Social movement theory suggests that this schism represents an opening of the political opportunity structure as advocates for drug law reform can now more forcefully criticise, and even breach, the treaties and will have high-level support at the UN. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Co-liposomes having anisamide tagged lipid and cholesteryl tryptophan trigger enhanced gene transfection in sigma receptor positive cells.

PubMed

Misra, Santosh K; Moitra, Parikshit; Kondaiah, Paturu; Bhattacharya, Santanu

2016-06-01

Selective gene transfection could be strategy of interest for reducing off-target gene expression and toxicity. In this respect, sigma receptors are found to be over-expressed in many human tumors and liposomal formulations with ability to target these sigma receptors may improve the transfection efficiency to a significant level. To this direction, six novel lipids have been synthesized with different hydrophobic segments such as a long hydrophobic chain or a cholesteryl group and L-tryptophan as the head group. Three of them, Lipid 1, 3 and 5 possessed cationic Me3N(+) moiety at the distal end. In contrast each of the other three Lipid 2, 4 and 6 possessed sigma receptor targeting anisamide group with no cationic charge. Mixing of cationic and anisamide counterparts of the same lipid in a molar ratio of 1:1 produced co-liposomes L-M-1 (Lipid 1+2), L-M-2 (Lipid 3+4) and L-M-3 (Lipid 5+6). These co-liposomes, while keeping the sigma targeting anisamide tag intact, showed good DNA binding and release which were optimized from EB intercalation and gel electrophoresis assays. Inclusion of a zwitterionic, fusogenic natural lipid, DOPE, into the co-liposomes further improved the binding efficiencies of the lipid mixtures with DNA. These co-liposomes having cationic and anisamide lipids and DOPE were highly selective toward sigma positive HEK293 and HEK293T cells compared to the sigma negative HeLa cells. As evidenced from both FACS and luciferase assay, a lipid mixture comprising Lipid 3, 4 and DOPE in a molar ratio of 1:1:1 (L-M-2D1) was the best for transfection of reporter pEGFP-C3 and functional pCEP4-p53 gene plasmids. Anisamide mediated sigma receptor selectivity was further probed by pre-incubating the transfecting cells with lipids possessing anisamide and by quantification of the un-transfected plasmid DNA. Also each formulation was highly non-toxic in the cell lines examined. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Mushrooms

MedlinePlus

... high potential for abuse and serve no legitimate medical purpose. Possession or use of hallucinogenic mushrooms is punishable by fines and jail time. Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, ... (Ecstasy) View more ...

Pre-service High School Teachers' Perceptions of Three Environmental Phenomena.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Khalid, Tahsin

2003-01-01

Identifies and describes misconceptions held by pre-service high school science teachers regarding three environmental issues: the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, and acid rain. Indicates that many pre-service high school teachers possess an array of misconceptions about the causes and effects of each. (Contains 24 references.) (Author/YDS)

20 CFR 664.220 - Is there an exception to permit youth who are not low-income individuals to receive youth services?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... grade level appropriate to the individual's age; (d) Pregnant or parenting; (e) Possess one or more disabilities, including learning disabilities; (f) Homeless or runaway; (g) Offender; or (h) Face serious...

20 CFR 664.220 - Is there an exception to permit youth who are not low-income individuals to receive youth services?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... grade level appropriate to the individual's age; (d) Pregnant or parenting; (e) Possess one or more disabilities, including learning disabilities; (f) Homeless or runaway; (g) Offender; or (h) Face serious...

Daily variation in melatonin level, antioxidant activity and general immune response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lymphoid tissues of Indian goat Capra hircus during summer and winter.

PubMed

Singh, Amaresh Kumar; Ghosh, Somenath; Basu, Priyoneel; Haldar, Chandana

2014-05-01

Daily variation in circulatory melatonin level, during different seasons, has been reported to influence immune system and free-radical scavenging capacity in mammals, including human beings. Similar studies have not been carried out on small ruminant viz. goats that are susceptible to opportunistic infections, increased oxidative load and sickness during free-grazing activity and frequent exposure to agro-chemicals. Therefore, daily variation in immune status, antioxidant enzyme activity and its possible correlation with circulatory melatonin level during two different seasons, summer (long day) and winter (short day) were studied in the Indian goat, Capra hircus. The clinically important immune parameters, such as total leukocyte count, % lymphocyte count and % stimulation ratio of T-lymphocytes presented a day/night rhythm prominently in the winter. The oxidative load in terms of malonedialdehyde was always low during night while antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase and total antioxidant status were high during nighttime (1800 to 0600 hrs). Interestingly, the studied parameters were significantly higher during the winter in both the sexes. Rhythmometric analyses showed prominent rhythmicity in above parameters. The data presented strong positive correlation between high levels of nighttime melatonin levels and immune parameters during winter. It suggests that melatonin possesses immunoenhacing as well as antioxidative property during winter. This might be a necessity for maintenance of physiological harmony in goats to protect them from winter stress.

Antihypertensive effects of continuous oral administration of nattokinase and its fragments in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

PubMed

Fujita, Mitsugu; Ohnishi, Katsunori; Takaoka, Shinsaku; Ogasawara, Kazuya; Fukuyama, Ryo; Nakamuta, Hiromichi

2011-01-01

To determine whether the antihypertensive effect of nattokinase is associated with the protease activity of this enzyme, we compared nattokinase with the fragments derived from nattokinase, which possessed no protease activity, in terms of the effect on hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the continuous oral administration test, the groups were given a basic diet alone (control), the basic diet containing nattokinase (0.2, 2.6 mg/g diet) or the basic diet containing the fragments derived from nattokinase (0.2, 0.6 mg/g diet). The group fed the basic diet containing high-dosage nattokinase (2.6 mg/g diet) showed significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and plasma fibrinogen level, compared with control group and no influence on activities of renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, EC 3.4.15.1), and plasma angiotensin II level in the renin-angiotensin system. The treatment of the basic diet containing high-dosage fragments (0.6 mg/g diet) significantly decreased SBP, DBP and plasma angiotensin II level in plasma but the treatment did not influence on plasma fibrinogen level. These results suggest that nattokinase and its fragments are different from each other in the mechanism to reduce hypertension. Nattokinase, retained its protease activity after absorbance across the intestines, may decrease blood pressure through cleavage of fibrinogen in plasma. The fragments, which absorbed as nattokinase-degradation products, prevents the elevation of plasma angiotensin II level to suppress hypertension.

Studies on annealed ZnO:V thin films deposited by nebulised spray pyrolysis method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malini, D. Rachel

2018-04-01

Structural, optical and photoluminescence properties of annealed ZnO:V thin films deposited by nebulized spray pyrolysis technique by varying vanadium concentration are studied. Thickness of thin films varies from 1.52µm to 7.78µm. V2O5, VO2 and ZnO peaks are observed in XRD patterns deposited with high vanadium concentration and the intensity of peaks corresponding to ZnO decreases in those samples. Morphological properties were studied by analysing SEM images and annealed thin films deposited at ZnO:V = 50:50 possess dumb bell shape grains. Emission peaks corresponding to both Augur transition and deep level transition are observed in the PL spectra of the samples.

Targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis by apigenin for cancer prevention

PubMed Central

Tong, Xin; Pelling, Jill

2013-01-01

Natural products are important sources of anti-cancer lead molecules, and high dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers. Many efforts have been devoted to identifying and developing plant-derived dietary constituents as chemopreventive agents. Among them, apigenin, a naturally occurring flavonoid found in a variety of fruits and leafy vegetables, has been shown to possess remarkable anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties. This review summarizes the anti-cancer and chemopreventive effects of apigenin at cellular and molecular levels, its chemical structure and properties, with focus on mechanism related to apigenin’s inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. PMID:23272913

Immune pathways and defence mechanisms in honey bees Apis mellifera

PubMed Central

Evans, J D; Aronstein, K; Chen, Y P; Hetru, C; Imler, J-L; Jiang, H; Kanost, M; Thompson, G J; Zou, Z; Hultmark, D

2006-01-01

Social insects are able to mount both group-level and individual defences against pathogens. Here we focus on individual defences, by presenting a genome-wide analysis of immunity in a social insect, the honey bee Apis mellifera. We present honey bee models for each of four signalling pathways associated with immunity, identifying plausible orthologues for nearly all predicted pathway members. When compared to the sequenced Drosophila and Anopheles genomes, honey bees possess roughly one-third as many genes in 17 gene families implicated in insect immunity. We suggest that an implied reduction in immune flexibility in bees reflects either the strength of social barriers to disease, or a tendency for bees to be attacked by a limited set of highly coevolved pathogens. PMID:17069638

First-principles prediction of a promising p-type transparent conductive material CsGeCl3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Dan; Zhao, Yu-Jun; Ju, Zhi-Ping; Gan, Li-Yong; Chen, Xin-Man; Li, Chang-Sheng; Yao, Chun-mei; Guo, Jin

2014-04-01

Most reported p-type transparent conductive materials are Cu-based compounds such as CuAlO2 and CuCrO2. Here, we report that compounds based on ns2 cations with low binding energy can also possess high valence band maximum, which is crucial for the p-type doping according to the doping limit rules. In particular, CsGeCl3, a compound with valence band maximum from ns2 cations, is predicted as a promising p-type transparent conductive material by first-principles calculations. Our results show that the p-type defect Ge vacancy dominates its intrinsic defects with a shallow transition level, and the calculated hole effective masses are low in CsGeCl3.

Hydrogenated and halogenated blue phosphorene as Dirac materials: A first principles study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Minglei; Wang, Sake; Yu, Jin; Tang, Wencheng

2017-01-01

Using first-principles calculations, we systematically investigate the structures and electronic properties of fully hydrogenated and halogenated blue phosphorene (P2X2). All these systems possess Dirac cone at high-symmetry K point, which are mainly contributed by P s px py orbitals. The Dirac cone in P2F2 and P2I2 systems lies exactly at the Fermi level. Formation energy analysis denotes that all the systems are energetically stable except P2I2. The mass density for P2H2 and P2F2 systems is rather small. Our calculations proposed that these systems, especially P2F2 system, have great potential applications in future nanoelectronics.

Preparing Students for a Wide-Open Future.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bartholomew, Ralph E.; Dobbs, Marianne L.

1986-01-01

The authors describe the programs of study at Walter Biddle Saul High School of Agricultural Sciences in Philadelphia. Enrolling 700 students, the school trains youth for careers in agriculture-related occupations and possesses a very high placement rate for its graduates. (CH)

A colloidal assembly approach to synthesize magnetic porous composite nanoclusters for efficient protein adsorption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Qi; Lan, Fang; Yi, Qiangying; Wu, Yao; Gu, Zhongwei

2015-10-01

A combination strategy of the inverse emulsion crosslinking approach and the colloidal assembly technique is first proposed to synthesize Fe3O4/histidine composite nanoclusters as new-type magnetic porous nanomaterials. The nanoclusters possess uniform morphology, high magnetic content and excellent protein adsorption capacity, exhibiting their great potential for bio-separation.A combination strategy of the inverse emulsion crosslinking approach and the colloidal assembly technique is first proposed to synthesize Fe3O4/histidine composite nanoclusters as new-type magnetic porous nanomaterials. The nanoclusters possess uniform morphology, high magnetic content and excellent protein adsorption capacity, exhibiting their great potential for bio-separation. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr05800g

Development of Thermally Stable and Highly Fluorescent IR Dyes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bu, Xiu R.

2004-01-01

Fluorophores are the core component in various optical applications such as sensors and probes. Fluorphores with low-energy or long wavelength emission, in particular, in NIR region, possess advantages of low interference and high sensitivity. In this study, we has explored several classes of imidazole-based compounds for NIR fluorescent properties and concluded: (1) thiazole-based imidazole compounds are fluorescent; (2) emission energy is tunable by additional donor groups; (3) they also possess impressive two- photon absorption properties; and (4) fluorescence emission can be induced by two- photon input. This report summarizes (1) synthesis of new series of fluorophore; (2) impact of electron-withdrawing groups on fluorescent property; (3) unique property of two-photon absorption; and (4) on-going development.

Public Knowledge, Perception and Source of Information on Ebola Virus Disease – Lagos, Nigeria; September, 2014

PubMed Central

Gidado, Saheed; Oladimeji, Abisola M.; Roberts, Alero Ann; Nguku, Patrick; Nwangwu, Iruoma Genevieve; Waziri, Ndadilnasiya Endie; Shuaib, Faisal; Oguntimehin, Olukayode; Musa, Emmanuel; Nzuki, Charles; Nasidi, Abdulsalami; Adewuyi, Peter; Daniel, Tom-Aba; Olayinka, Adebola; Odubanjo, Oladoyin; Poggensee, Gabriele

2015-01-01

Background: The first ever outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Nigeria was declared in July, 2014. Level of public knowledge, perception and adequacy of information on EVD were unknown. We assessed the public preparedness level to adopt disease preventive behavior which is premised on appropriate knowledge, perception and adequate information. Methods: We enrolled 5,322 respondents in a community-based cross-sectional study. We used interviewer-administered questionnaire to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, EVD–related knowledge, perception and source of information. We performed univariate and bivariate data analysis using Epi-Info software setting p-value of 0.05 as cut-off for statistical significance. Results: Mean age of respondents was 34 years (± 11.4 years), 52.3% were males. Forty one percent possessed satisfactory general knowledge; 44% and 43.1% possessed satisfactory knowledge on mode of spread and preventive measures, respectively. Residing in EVD cases districts, male respondents and possessing at least secondary education were positively associated with satisfactory general knowledge (p-value: 0.01, 0.001 and 0.000004, respectively). Seventy one percent perceived EVD as a public health problem while 61% believed they cannot contract the disease. Sixty two percent and 64% of respondents will not shake hands and hug a successfully treated EVD patient respectively. Only 2.2% of respondents practice good hand-washing practice. Television (68.8%) and radio (55.0%) are the most common sources of information on EVD. Conclusions: Gaps in EVD-related knowledge and perception exist. Targeted public health messages to raise knowledge level, correct misconception and discourage stigmatization should be widely disseminated, with television and radio as media of choice. PMID:25914860

Voluntary exercise prevents the obese and diabetic metabolic syndrome of the melanocortin-4 receptor knockout mouse.

PubMed

Haskell-Luevano, Carrie; Schaub, Jay W; Andreasen, Amy; Haskell, Kim R; Moore, Marcus C; Koerper, Lorraine M; Rouzaud, Francois; Baker, Henry V; Millard, William J; Walter, Glenn; Litherland, S A; Xiang, Zhimin

2009-02-01

Exercise is a mechanism for maintenance of body weight in humans. Morbidly obese human patients have been shown to possess single nucleotide polymorphisms in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R). MC4R knockout mice have been well characterized as a genetic model that possesses phenotypic metabolic disorders, including obesity, hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperleptinemia, similar to those observed in humans possessing dysfunctional hMC4Rs. Using this model, we examined the effect of voluntary exercise of MC4R knockout mice that were allowed access to a running wheel for a duration of 8 wk. Physiological parameters that were measured included body weight, body composition of fat and lean mass, food consumption, body length, and blood levels of cholesterol and nonfasted glucose, insulin, and leptin. At the termination of the experiment, hypothalamic mRNA expression levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti-related protein (AGRP), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART), orexin, brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), phosphatase with tensin homology (Pten), melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R), and NPY-Y1R were determined. In addition, islet cell distribution and function in the pancreas were examined. In the exercising MC4R knockout mice, the pancreatic islet cell morphology and other physiological parameters resembled those observed in the wild-type littermate controls. Gene expression profiles identified exercise as having a significant effect on hypothalamic POMC, orexin, and MC3R levels. Genotype had a significant effect on AGRP, POMC, CART, and NPY-Y1R, with an exercise and genotype interaction effect on NPY gene expression. These data support the hypothesis that voluntary exercise can prevent the genetic predisposition of melanocortin-4 receptor-associated obesity and diabetes.

Highly temperature insensitive, low threshold-current density (λ = 8.7–8.8 μm) quantum cascade lasers

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

Kirch, J. D.; Chang, C.-C.; Boyle, C.

2015-04-13

By stepwise tapering, both the barrier heights and quantum-well depths in the active regions of 8.7–8.8 μm-emitting quantum-cascade-laser (QCL) structures, virtually complete carrier-leakage suppression is achieved. Such step-taper active-region-type QCLs possess, for 3 mm-long devices with high-reflectivity-coated back facets, threshold-current characteristic temperature coefficients, T{sub 0}, as high as 283 K and slope-efficiency characteristic temperature coefficients, T{sub 1}, as high as 561 K, over the 20–60 °C heatsink-temperature range. These high T{sub 0} and T{sub 1} values reflect at least a factor of four reduction in carrier-leakage current compared to conventional 8–9 μm-emitting QCLs. Room temperature, pulsed, threshold-current densities are 1.58 kA/cm{sup 2}; values comparable to those formore » 35-period conventional QCLs of similar injector-region doping level. Superlinear behavior of the light-current curves is shown to be the result of the onset of resonant extraction from the lower laser level at a drive level of ∼1.3× threshold. Maximum room-temperature slope efficiencies are 1.23 W/A; that is, slope efficiency per period values of 35 mW/A, which are 37%–40% higher than for same-geometry conventional 8–9 μm-emitting QCLs. Since the waveguide-loss coefficients are very similar, we estimate that the internal differential efficiency is at least 30% higher than in conventional QCLs. Such high internal differential efficiency values reflect the combined effect of nearly complete carrier-leakage suppression and high differential efficiency of the laser transition (∼90%), due to resonant extraction from the lower laser level.« less

Infections in infants during the first 12 months of life: role of placental malaria and environmental factors.

PubMed

Le Port, Agnès; Watier, Laurence; Cottrell, Gilles; Ouédraogo, Smaila; Dechavanne, Célia; Pierrat, Charlotte; Rachas, Antoine; Bouscaillou, Julie; Bouraima, Aziz; Massougbodji, Achille; Fayomi, Benjamin; Thiébaut, Anne; Chandre, Fabrice; Migot-Nabias, Florence; Martin-Prevel, Yves; Garcia, André; Cot, Michel

2011-01-01

The association between placental malaria (PM) and first peripheral parasitaemias in early infancy was assessed in Tori Bossito, a rural area of Benin with a careful attention on transmission factors at an individual level. Statistical analysis was performed on 550 infants followed weekly from birth to 12 months. Malaria transmission was assessed by anopheles human landing catches every 6 weeks in 36 sampling houses and season defined by rainfall. Each child was located by GPS and assigned to the closest anopheles sampling house. Data were analysed by survival Cox models, stratified on the possession of insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) at enrolment. Among infants sleeping in a house with an ITN, PM was found to be highly associated to first malaria infections, after adjusting on season, number of anopheles, antenatal care (ANC) visits and maternal severe anaemia. Infants born from a malaria infected placenta had a 2.13 fold increased risk to present a first malaria infection than those born from a non infected placenta ([1.24-3.67], p<0.01) when sleeping in a house with an ITN. The risk to present a first malaria infection was increased by 3.2 to 6.5, according to the level of anopheles exposure (moderate or high levels, compared to the absence of anopheles). First malaria infections in early childhood can be attributed simultaneously to both PM and high levels of exposure to infected anopheles. Protective measures as Intermittent Preventive Treatment during pregnancy (IPTp) and ITNs, targeted on both mothers and infants should be reinforced, as well as the research on new drugs and insecticides. In parallel, investigations on placental malaria have to be strengthened to better understand the mechanisms involved, and thus to protect adequately the infants high risk group.

Antioxidant defence and stress protein induction following heat stress in the Mediterranean snail Xeropicta derbentina.

PubMed

Troschinski, Sandra; Dieterich, Andreas; Krais, Stefanie; Triebskorn, Rita; Köhler, Heinz-R

2014-12-15

The Mediterranean snail Xeropicta derbentina (Pulmonata, Hygromiidae), being highly abundant in Southern France, has the need for efficient physiological adaptations to desiccation and over-heating posed by dry and hot environmental conditions. As a consequence of heat, oxidative stress manifests in these organisms, which, in turn, leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we focused on adaptations at the biochemical level by investigation of antioxidant defences and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) induction, both essential mechanisms of the heat stress response. We exposed snails to elevated temperature (25, 38, 40, 43 and 45°C) in the laboratory and measured the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), determined the Hsp70 level and quantified lipid peroxidation. In general, we found a high constitutive level of CAT activity in all treatments, which may be interpreted as a permanent protection against ROS, i.e. hydrogen peroxide. CAT and GPx showed temperature-dependent activity: CAT activity was significantly increased in response to high temperatures (43 and 45°C), whereas GPx exhibited a significantly increased activity at 40°C, probably in response to high levels of lipid peroxides that occurred in the 38°C treatment. Hsp70 showed a maximum induction at 40°C, followed by a decrease at higher temperatures. Our results reveal that X. derbentina possesses a set of efficient mechanisms to cope with the damaging effects of heat. Furthermore, we demonstrated that, besides the well-documented Hsp70 stress response, antioxidant defence plays a crucial role in the snails' competence to survive extreme temperatures. © 2014. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Zeaxanthin epoxidation - an in vitro approach.

PubMed

Kuczyńska, Paulina; Latowski, Dariusz; Niczyporuk, Sylvia; Olchawa-Pajor, Monika; Jahns, Peter; Gruszecki, Wiesław I; Strzałka, Kazimierz

2012-01-01

Zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZE) is an enzyme operating in the violaxanthin cycle, which is involved in photoprotective mechanisms. In this work model systems to study zeaxanthin (Zx) epoxidation were developed. Two assay systems are presented in which epoxidation of Zx was observed. In these assays two mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana which have active only one of the two xanthophyll cycle enzymes were used. The npq1 mutant possesses an active ZE and is thus able to convert Zx to violaxanthin (Vx) but the violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE) is inactive, so that Vx cannot be converted to Zx. The other mutant, npq2, possesses an active VDE and can convert exogenous Vx to Zx under strong light conditions but reverse reaction is not possible. The first assay containing thylakoids from npq1 and npq2 mutants of A. thaliana gave positive results and high efficiency of epoxidation reaction was observed. The amount of Zx was reduced by 25%. To optimize high efficiency of epoxidation reaction additional factors facilitating both fusion of the two types of thylakoids and incorporation of Zx to their membranes were also studied. The second kind of assay contained npq1 mutant thylakoids of A. thaliana supplemented with exogenous Zx and monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG). Experiments with different proportions of Zx and MGDG showed that their optimal ratio is 1:60. In such system, due to epoxidation, the amount of Zx was reduced by 38% of its initial level. The in vitro systems of Zx epoxidation described in this paper enable analysis some properties of the ZE without necessity of its isolation.

Fabrication of bimetallic Cu/Au nanotubes and their sensitive, selective, reproducible and reusable electrochemical sensing of glucose

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tee, Si Yin; Ye, Enyi; Pan, Pei Hua; Lee, Coryl Jing Jun; Hui, Hui Kim; Zhang, Shuang-Yuan; Koh, Leng Duei; Dong, Zhili; Han, Ming-Yong

2015-06-01

Herein, we report a facile two-step approach to produce gold-incorporated copper (Cu/Au) nanostructures through controlled disproportionation of the Cu+-oleylamine complex at 220 °C to form copper nanowires and the subsequent reaction with Au3+ at different temperatures of 140, 220 and 300 °C. In comparison with copper nanowires, these bimetallic Cu/Au nanostructures exhibit their synergistic effect to greatly enhance glucose oxidation. Among them, the shape-controlled Cu/Au nanotubes prepared at 140 °C show the highest electrocatalytic activity for non-enzymatic glucose sensing in alkaline solution. In addition to high sensitivity and fast response, the Cu/Au nanotubes possess high selectivity against interferences from other potential interfering species and excellent reproducibility with long-term stability. By introducing gold into copper nanostructures at a low level of 3, 1 and 0.1 mol% relative to the initial copper precursor, a significant electrocatalytic enhancement of the resulting bimetallic Cu/Au nanostructures starts to occur at 1 mol%. Overall, the present fabrication of stable Cu/Au nanostructures offers a promising low-cost platform for sensitive, selective, reproducible and reusable electrochemical sensing of glucose.Herein, we report a facile two-step approach to produce gold-incorporated copper (Cu/Au) nanostructures through controlled disproportionation of the Cu+-oleylamine complex at 220 °C to form copper nanowires and the subsequent reaction with Au3+ at different temperatures of 140, 220 and 300 °C. In comparison with copper nanowires, these bimetallic Cu/Au nanostructures exhibit their synergistic effect to greatly enhance glucose oxidation. Among them, the shape-controlled Cu/Au nanotubes prepared at 140 °C show the highest electrocatalytic activity for non-enzymatic glucose sensing in alkaline solution. In addition to high sensitivity and fast response, the Cu/Au nanotubes possess high selectivity against interferences from other potential interfering species and excellent reproducibility with long-term stability. By introducing gold into copper nanostructures at a low level of 3, 1 and 0.1 mol% relative to the initial copper precursor, a significant electrocatalytic enhancement of the resulting bimetallic Cu/Au nanostructures starts to occur at 1 mol%. Overall, the present fabrication of stable Cu/Au nanostructures offers a promising low-cost platform for sensitive, selective, reproducible and reusable electrochemical sensing of glucose. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr02399h

Condition Assessment of Levees, U.S. Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission. Report 5: Flood Simulation Study of Retamal Levee, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Texas, Using Seismic and Electrical Geophysical Models

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

possessed impulsive , relatively high signal-to- noise first breaks that were picked automatically with a small percentage requiring manual adjustments...possessed greater signal-to- noise and more impulsive first arrivals than those observed on previous surveys at this site. For each compressional-wave...produced a higher signal-to- noise ratio. These differences between the two data collection events are attributed to the change in near-surface properties

Advanced plastic scintillators for fast neutron discrimination

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

Feng, Patrick L; Anstey, Mitchell; Doty, F. Patrick

2014-09-01

The present work addresses the need for solid-state, fast neutron discriminating scintillators that possess higher light yields and faster decay kinetics than existing organic scintillators. These respective attributes are of critical importance for improving the gamma-rejection capabilities and increasing the neutron discrimination performance under high-rate conditions. Two key applications that will benefit from these improvements include large-volume passive detection scenarios as well as active interrogation search for special nuclear materials. Molecular design principles were employed throughout this work, resulting in synthetically tailored materials that possess the targeted scintillation properties.

Highly conductive and porous activated reduced graphene oxide films for high-power supercapacitors.

PubMed

Zhang, Li Li; Zhao, Xin; Stoller, Meryl D; Zhu, Yanwu; Ji, Hengxing; Murali, Shanthi; Wu, Yaping; Perales, Stephen; Clevenger, Brandon; Ruoff, Rodney S

2012-04-11

We present a novel method to prepare highly conductive, free-standing, and flexible porous carbon thin films by chemical activation of reduced graphene oxide paper. These flexible carbon thin films possess a very high specific surface area of 2400 m(2) g(-1) with a high in-plane electrical conductivity of 5880 S m(-1). This is the highest specific surface area for a free-standing carbon film reported to date. A two-electrode supercapacitor using these carbon films as electrodes demonstrated an excellent high-frequency response, an extremely low equivalent series resistance on the order of 0.1 ohm, and a high-power delivery of about 500 kW kg(-1). While higher frequency and power values for graphene materials have been reported, these are the highest values achieved while simultaneously maintaining excellent specific capacitances and energy densities of 120 F g(-1) and 26 W h kg(-1), respectively. In addition, these free-standing thin films provide a route to simplify the electrode-manufacturing process by eliminating conducting additives and binders. The synthetic process is also compatible with existing industrial level KOH activation processes and roll-to-roll thin-film fabrication technologies. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Mutational activation of a Galphai causes uncontrolled proliferation of aerial hyphae and increased sensitivity to heat and oxidative stress in Neurospora crassa.

PubMed Central

Yang, Q; Borkovich, K A

1999-01-01

Heterotrimeric G proteins, consisting of alpha, beta, and gamma subunits, transduce environmental signals through coupling to plasma membrane-localized receptors. We previously reported that the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa possesses a Galpha protein, GNA-1, that is a member of the Galphai superfamily. Deletion of gna-1 leads to defects in apical extension, differentiation of asexual spores, sensitivity to hyperosmotic media, and female fertility. In addition, Deltagna-1 strains have lower intracellular cAMP levels under conditions that promote morphological abnormalities. To further define the function of GNA-1 in signal transduction in N. crassa, we examined properties of strains with mutationally activated gna-1 alleles (R178C or Q204L) as the only source of GNA-1 protein. These mutations are predicted to inhibit the GTPase activity of GNA-1 and lead to constitutive signaling. In the sexual cycle, gna-1(R178C) and gna-1(Q204L) strains are female-fertile, but produce fewer and larger perithecia than wild type. During asexual development, gna-1(R178C) and gna-1(Q204L) strains elaborate abundant, long aerial hyphae, produce less conidia, and possess lower levels of carotenoid pigments in comparison to wild-type controls. Furthermore, gna-1(R178C) and gna-1(Q204L) strains are more sensitive to heat shock and exposure to hydrogen peroxide than wild-type strains, while Deltagna-1 mutants are more resistant. In contrast to Deltagna-1 mutants, gna-1(R178C) and gna-1(Q204L) strains have higher steady-state levels of cAMP than wild type. The results suggest that GNA-1 possesses several Gbetagamma-independent functions in N. crassa. We propose that GNA-1 mediates signal transduction pathway(s) that regulate aerial hyphae development and sensitivity to heat and oxidative stresses, possibly through modulation of cAMP levels. PMID:9872952

Speciation in ancient cryptic species complexes: evidence from the molecular phylogeny of Brachionus plicatilis (Rotifera).

PubMed

Gómez, Africa; Serra, Manuel; Carvalho, Gary R; Lunt, David H

2002-07-01

Continental lake-dwelling zooplanktonic organisms have long been considered cosmopolitan species with little geographic variation in spite of the isolation of their habitats. Evidence of morphological cohesiveness and high dispersal capabilities support this interpretation. However, this view has been challenged recently as many such species have been shown either to comprise cryptic species complexes or to exhibit marked population genetic differentiation and strong phylogeographic structuring at a regional scale. Here we investigate the molecular phylogeny of the cosmopolitan passively dispersing rotifer Brachionus plicatilis (Rotifera: Monogononta) species complex using nucleotide sequence variation from both nuclear (ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1, ITS1) and mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, COI) genes. Analysis of rotifer resting eggs from 27 salt lakes in the Iberian Peninsula plus lakes from four continents revealed nine genetically divergent lineages. The high level of sequence divergence, absence of hybridization, and extensive sympatry observed support the specific status of these lineages. Sequence divergence estimates indicate that the B. plicatilis complex began diversifying many millions of years ago, yet has showed relatively high levels of morphological stasis. We discuss these results in relation to the ecology and genetics of aquatic invertebrates possessing dispersive resting propagules and address the apparent contradiction between zooplanktonic population structure and their morphological stasis.

Cytoplasmic CopZ-Like Protein and Periplasmic Rusticyanin and AcoP Proteins as Possible Copper Resistance Determinants in Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans ATCC 23270.

PubMed

Navarro, Claudio A; von Bernath, Diego; Martínez-Bussenius, Cristóbal; Castillo, Rodrigo A; Jerez, Carlos A

2016-02-15

Acidophilic organisms, such as Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, possess high-level resistance to copper and other metals. A. ferrooxidans contains canonical copper resistance determinants present in other bacteria, such as CopA ATPases and RND efflux pumps, but these components do not entirely explain its high metal tolerance. The aim of this study was to find other possible copper resistance determinants in this bacterium. Transcriptional expression of A. ferrooxidans genes coding for a cytoplasmic CopZ-like copper-binding chaperone and the periplasmic copper-binding proteins rusticyanin and AcoP, which form part of an iron-oxidizing supercomplex, was found to increase when the microorganism was grown in the presence of copper. All of these proteins conferred more resistance to copper when expressed heterologously in a copper-sensitive Escherichia coli strain. This effect was absent when site-directed-mutation mutants of these proteins with altered copper-binding sites were used in this metal sensitivity assay. These results strongly suggest that the three copper-binding proteins analyzed here are copper resistance determinants in this extremophile and contribute to the high-level metal resistance of this industrially important biomining bacterium. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

High strength and high toughness steel

DOEpatents

Parker, Earl R.; Zackay, Victor F.

1979-01-01

A structural steel which possess both high strength and high toughness and has particular application of cryogenic uses. The steel is produced by the utilization of thermally induced phase transformation following heating in a three-phase field in iron-rich alloys of the Fe-Ni-Ti system, with a preferred composition of 12% nickel, 0.5% titanium, the remainder being iron.

Deterrence at the Operational Level of War

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

edited, with Barry Blechman, Making Defense Reform Work (Brassey’s, 1990) and has also authored numerous books and articles . Deterrence at the...computational power. In contrast, many models of rational inference view the mind as if it were a supernatural being possessing demonic powers of reason

Exploring biomedical applications of cotton

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The use of cotton as a biomaterial for design of improved wound dressings, and other non-implantable medical textiles will be considered. The research and development of cotton-based wound dressings, which possess a mechanism-based mode of action, has entered a new level of understanding in recent ...

Triclosan exposure modulates estrogen-dependent responses in the rat uterotrophic assay.

EPA Science Inventory

Our previous studies in the juvenile rat indicated that the biocide triclosan may alter steroid hormone levels. Here, we hypothesize that triclosan possesses estrogenic activity. In the first study, we evaluated the potential estrogenicity of triclosan using the immature rat uter...

Performance of selected eastern oyster lines across northeastern US estuaries

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Eastern oyster production derived from aquaculture has expanded, but growth potential is constrained by losses to disease. Breeding programs supporting industry in the Northeast have targeted resistance to three diseases: MSX, Dermo, and ROD. Selected lines should possess some level of resistance a...

Home Furnishing Services.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas Education Agency, Austin. Dept. of Occupational Education and Technology.

The secondary level curriculum guide in home furnishings was designed for coordinated vocational-academic education (CVAE) students, in-school youth possessing academic, socioeconomic, or other handicaps which prevent them from succeeding in traditional educational endeavors. The first of two parts of the guide is the overview which describes the…

AIDS Knowledge: The Media and the Biology Teacher.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vener, Arthur M.; Krupka, Lawrence R.

1988-01-01

Reports on a study to determine the level of knowledge college students possessed about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Concluded that overall enhancement of knowledge occurred among young adults and that mass media was partially responsible. Lists biological terms necessary for understanding the disease. (RT)

32 CFR 2001.11 - Original classification authority.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... classification authority. Agencies not possessing such authority shall forward requests to the Director of ISOO... authority. The Director of ISOO shall forward the request, along with the Director's recommendation, to the... level of original classification authority shall forward requests in accordance with the procedures of...

The Level of Possession of the Students at the Hashemite University of Professional and Family Counseling Skills in Light of Achievement and Gender Variables

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

ALharbi, Bassam H. M.; Mhaidat, Fatin

2017-01-01

The present study aimed to identify the level of owning a field training students majoring in psychological counseling at the Hashemite University of professional and family counseling skills in light of achievement and gender variables. The subjects of the study comprised of (100) subjects of field training students in the second semester of the…

G-Quadruplexes influence pri-microRNA processing.

PubMed

Rouleau, Samuel G; Garant, Jean-Michel; Bolduc, François; Bisaillon, Martin; Perreault, Jean-Pierre

2018-02-01

RNA G-Quadruplexes (G4) have been shown to possess many biological functions, including the regulation of microRNA (miRNA) biogenesis and function. However, their impact on pri-miRNA processing remains unknown. We identified G4 located near the Drosha cleavage site in three distinct pri-miRNAs: pri-mir200c, pri-mir451a, and pri-mir497. The folding of the potential G4 motifs was determined in solution. Subsequently, mutations disrupting G4 folding led to important changes in the mature miRNAs levels in cells. Moreover, using small antisense oligonucleotides binding to the pri-miRNA, it was possible to modulate, either positively or negatively, the mature miRNA levels. Together, these data demonstrate that G4 motifs could contribute to the regulation of pri-mRNA processing, a novel role for G4. Considering that bio-informatics screening indicates that between 9% and 50% of all pri-miRNAs contain a putative G4, these structures possess interesting potential as future therapeutic targets.

Effects of Living Alone on Social Capital and Health Among Older Adults in China.

PubMed

Xu, Qingwen; Norstrand, Julie A; Du, Yan

2015-12-01

Social capital has been connected with positive health outcomes across countries, including China. Given the rise in the number of seniors living alone, there is a need to examine the health benefits of social capital, accounting for living arrangements. Data from the 2005 Chinese General Social Survey were used to test research hypotheses. Controlling for demographics, elders living alone possessed similar level of social capital compared with elders living with others. While bonding and linking social capital were significant factors in urban areas and linking social capital was a significant factor in rural areas, the relationship between living alone and health did not differ based on the level of social capital possession. When the traditional intergenerational living arrangement has not been a valid option for many older adults in China, seeking new way of family caring, and developing appropriate social and institutional structures to assist elders living alone, becomes critical. © The Author(s) 2016.

Correlation between melanogenic and catalase activity in in vitro human melanocytes: a synergic strategy against oxidative stress.

PubMed

Maresca, Vittoria; Flori, Enrica; Briganti, Stefania; Mastrofrancesco, Arianna; Fabbri, Claudia; Mileo, Anna M; Paggi, Marco G; Picardo, Mauro

2008-04-01

UV-induced DNA damage can lead to melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Understanding the mechanisms employed by melanocytes to protect against UV is therefore a key issue. In melanocytes, catalase is the main enzyme responsible for degrading hydrogen peroxide and we have previously shown that that low basal levels of catalase activity are associated with the light phototype in in vitro and ex vivo models. Here we investigate the possible correlation between its activity and melanogenesis in primary cultures of human melanocytes. We show that while the total melanin concentration is directly correlated to the level of pigmentation, the more the degree of pigmentation increased, the lower the proportion of pheomelanin present. Moreover, in human melanocytes in vitro, catalase-specific mRNA, protein and enzymatic activity were all directly correlated with total cellular melanin content. We also observed that immediately after a peroxidative treatment, the increase in reactive oxygen species was inversely associated with pigmentation level. Darkly pigmented melanocytes therefore possess two protective strategies represented by melanins and catalase activity that are likely to act synergistically to counteract the deleterious effects of UV radiation. By contrast, lightly pigmented melanocytes possess lower levels of melanogenic and catalase activity and are therefore more susceptible to accumulate damage after UV exposition.

Preparation of highly fluorinated polyurethanes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rochow, S. E.; Stump, E. C., Jr.

1971-01-01

New polyurethanes, formed from a reaction of a prepolymer diol and a perfluorinated diisocyanate, are nonflammable and possess high corrosion resistance and good low temperature flexibility. Polymer hardness increases rapidly with increasing ratio of diisocaynate to diol, but its glass transition temperature is not adversely affected.

High-quantum efficiency, long-lived luminescing refractory oxides

DOEpatents

Chen, Y.; Gonzalez, R.; Summers, G.P.

A crystal having a high-quantum efficiency and a long period of luminescence is formed of MgO or CaO and possessing a concentration ratio of H/sup -/ ions to F centers in the range of about 0.05 to about 10.

Clinical utility of seropositive voltage-gated potassium channel-complex antibody.

PubMed

Jammoul, Adham; Shayya, Luay; Mente, Karin; Li, Jianbo; Rae-Grant, Alexander; Li, Yuebing

2016-10-01

Antibodies against voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC)-complex are implicated in the pathogenesis of acquired neuromyotonia, limbic encephalitis, faciobrachial dystonic seizure, and Morvan syndrome. Outside these entities, the clinical value of VGKC-complex antibodies remains unclear. We conducted a single-center review of patients positive for VGKC-complex antibodies over an 8-year period. Among 114 patients positive for VGKC-complex antibody, 11 (9.6%) carrying the diagnosis of limbic encephalitis (n = 9) or neuromyotonia (n = 2) constituted the classic group, and the remaining 103 cases of various neurologic and non-neurologic disorders comprised the nonclassic group. The median titer for the classic group was higher than the nonclassic group ( p < 0.0001). A total of 90.9% of the patients in the classic and 21.4% in the nonclassic group possessed high (>0.25 nM) VGKC-complex antibody levels ( p < 0.0001). A total of 75.0% of the patients in the high-level group had definite or probable autoimmune basis, while nonautoimmune disorders were seen in 75.6% of patients from the low-level group ( p < 0.0001). A total of 26.3% of patients were found with active or remote solid organ or hematologic malignancy, but no antibody titer difference was observed among subgroups of absent, active, or remote malignancy. Compared to age-matched US national census, rates of active cancer in our cohort were higher in patients older than 45 years. High VGKC-complex antibody titers are more likely found in patients with classically associated syndromes and other autoimmune conditions. Low-level VGKC-complex antibodies can be detected in nonspecific and mostly nonautoimmune disorders. The presence of VGKC-complex antibody, rather than its level, may serve as a marker of malignancy.

Clinical utility of seropositive voltage-gated potassium channel–complex antibody

PubMed Central

Jammoul, Adham; Shayya, Luay; Mente, Karin; Li, Jianbo; Rae-Grant, Alexander

2016-01-01

Abstract Background: Antibodies against voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC)–complex are implicated in the pathogenesis of acquired neuromyotonia, limbic encephalitis, faciobrachial dystonic seizure, and Morvan syndrome. Outside these entities, the clinical value of VGKC-complex antibodies remains unclear. Methods: We conducted a single-center review of patients positive for VGKC-complex antibodies over an 8-year period. Results: Among 114 patients positive for VGKC-complex antibody, 11 (9.6%) carrying the diagnosis of limbic encephalitis (n = 9) or neuromyotonia (n = 2) constituted the classic group, and the remaining 103 cases of various neurologic and non-neurologic disorders comprised the nonclassic group. The median titer for the classic group was higher than the nonclassic group (p < 0.0001). A total of 90.9% of the patients in the classic and 21.4% in the nonclassic group possessed high (>0.25 nM) VGKC-complex antibody levels (p < 0.0001). A total of 75.0% of the patients in the high-level group had definite or probable autoimmune basis, while nonautoimmune disorders were seen in 75.6% of patients from the low-level group (p < 0.0001). A total of 26.3% of patients were found with active or remote solid organ or hematologic malignancy, but no antibody titer difference was observed among subgroups of absent, active, or remote malignancy. Compared to age-matched US national census, rates of active cancer in our cohort were higher in patients older than 45 years. Conclusions: High VGKC-complex antibody titers are more likely found in patients with classically associated syndromes and other autoimmune conditions. Low-level VGKC-complex antibodies can be detected in nonspecific and mostly nonautoimmune disorders. The presence of VGKC-complex antibody, rather than its level, may serve as a marker of malignancy. PMID:27847683

Doping Attitudes and Covariates of Potential Doping Behaviour in High-Level Team-Sport Athletes; Gender Specific Analysis.

PubMed

Sekulic, Damir; Tahiraj, Enver; Zvan, Milan; Zenic, Natasa; Uljevic, Ognjen; Lesnik, Blaz

2016-12-01

Team sports are rarely studied with regard to doping behaviour and doping-related factors regardless of their global popularity. This study aimed to investigate doping factors and covariates of potential doping behaviour in high-level team-sport athletes. The subjects were 457 high-performing, national- and international-level athletes (21.9 ± 3.4 years of age; 179 females) involved in volleyball (n = 77), soccer (n = 163), basketball (n = 114) and handball (n = 103). Previously validated self-administered questionnaires aimed at evidencing sport factors, doping-related factors, knowledge on sport nutrition and doping, and attitudes to performance enhancement were used. The results indicated a higher doping likelihood in male athletes, with a significant gender difference for basketball and handball. In males, a higher doping likelihood is found for athletes who had achieved better results at junior-age level, those who regularly consume dietary supplements, and who perceive their sport as being contaminated by doping. A higher sport achievement at senior-age level is protective against potential doping behaviour in males. In females, a higher likelihood of doping is evidenced in those athletes involved in binge drinking, while a lower tendency for doping is evidenced in female athletes who possess better knowledge on sport nutrition. Knowledge about doping is very low and thus education about doping is urgently needed. An improvement of knowledge on sport nutrition might be a potentially effective method for reducing the tendency for doping in females. Future studies should consider other approaches and theories, such as theory of planned behaviour and/or social-cognitive theory, in studying the problem of doping behaviour in team-sports.

Opposite Roles of Furin and PC5A in N-Cadherin Processing12

PubMed Central

Maret, Deborah; Sadr, Mohamad Seyed; Sadr, Emad Seyed; Colman, David R; Del Maestro, Rolando F; Seidah, Nabil G

2012-01-01

We recently demonstrated that lack of Furin-processing of the N-cadherin precursor (proNCAD) in highly invasive melanoma and brain tumor cells results in the cell-surface expression of a nonadhesive protein favoring cell migration and invasion in vitro. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of malignant human brain tumor cells revealed that of all proprotein convertases (PCs) only the levels of Furin and PC5A are modulated, being inversely (Furin) or directly (PC5A) correlated with brain tumor invasive capacity. Intriguingly, the N-terminal sequence following the Furin-activated NCAD site (RQKR↓DW161, mouse nomenclature) reveals a second putative PC-processing site (RIRSDR↓DK189) located in the first extracellular domain. Cleavage at this site would abolish the adhesive functions of NCAD because of the loss of the critical Trp161. This was confirmed upon analysis of the fate of the endogenous prosegment of proNCAD in human malignant glioma cells expressing high levels of Furin and low levels of PC5A (U343) or high levels of PC5A and negligible Furin levels (U251). Cellular analyses revealed that Furin is the best activating convertase releasing an ∼17-kDa prosegment, whereas PC5A is the major inactivating enzyme resulting in the secretion of an ∼20-kDa product. Like expression of proNCAD at the cell surface, cleavage of the NCAD molecule at RIRSDR↓DK189 renders the U251 cancer cells less adhesive to one another and more migratory. Our work modifies the present view on posttranslational processing and surface expression of classic cadherins and clarifies how NCAD possesses a range of adhesive potentials and plays a critical role in tumor progression. PMID:23097623

Depressive symptoms of house-poor persons: Korean panel data evidence.

PubMed

Lee, Tae-Hoon; Park, Eun-Cheol; Kim, Woorim; Kim, Juyeong; Shin, Jaeyong; Kim, Tae Hyun

2016-09-01

There are no studies researching the relationship between house-poor persons and mental health. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between house-poor status and depressive symptoms. To examine the relationship between the house-poor and depressive symptoms according to household income. Data from the Korean Welfare Panel Study were used. House-poor were defined as people having possession with over 10% house-related interest in disposable income. About 7,565 participants over the age of 19 years were followed up from 2011 to 2013. The generalized estimating equations were used for analysis. Individuals with more house-related debt showed increasingly higher depression scores (possession with under 5% related debt to disposable income β = 0.2024, p = .1544; under 10% β = 0.7030, p = .0008; over 10% β = 1.3207, p < .0001). Individuals possessing houses with over 10% ratio of house-related debts to disposable income had higher depression scores than individuals without house ownership (no possession β = 0.8927, p < .0001). Individuals without houses and individuals owning houses with higher percentages of house-related interests showed higher levels of depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study affirmed that the importance of considering the most vulnerable groups in addressing the mental health of individual. © The Author(s) 2016.

Efficient blue and green phosphorescent OLEDs with host material containing electronically isolated carbazolyl fragments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grigalevicius, Saulius; Tavgeniene, Daiva; Krucaite, Gintare; Blazevicius, Dovydas; Griniene, Raimonda; Lai, Yi-Ning; Chiu, Hao-Hsuan; Chang, Chih-Hao

2018-05-01

Dry process-able host materials are well suited to realize high performance phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) with precise deposition of organic layers. We demonstrate in this study high efficiency green and blue phosphorescent OLED devices by employing 3-[bis(9-ethylcarbazol-3-yl)methyl]-9-hexylcarbazole based host material. By doping a typical green emitter of fac tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium (Ir (ppy)3) in the compound the resultant dry-processed green device exhibited superior performance with low turn on voltage of 3.0 V and with peak efficiencies of 11.4%, 39.9 cd/A and 41.8 lm/W. When blue emitter of bis [2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridinato-C2,N](picolinato)iridium (III) was used, the resultant blue device showed turn on voltage of 2.9 V and peak efficiencies of 9.4%, 21.4 cd/A and 21.7 lm/W. The high efficiencies may be attributed to the host possessing high triplet energy level, effective host-to-guest energy transfer and effective carrier injection balance.

Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene composite in arc for ultracapacitors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Jian; Cheng, Xiaoqian; Shashurin, Alexey; Keidar, Michael

2012-10-01

Arc discharge supported by the erosion of graphite anode is considered as one of the most practical and efficient methods to synthesize various carbon nanostructures such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) and graphene with minimal defects and large yield due to the relatively high synthesis temperature and eco-friendly growth mechanism. By introducing a non-uniform magnetic field during synthesis process, large-scale graphene and high-purity SWCNT can be obtained in one step. In addition, the yield of graphene can be controlled by external parameters, such as the type and pressure of buffer gas, the temperature of substrate, and so on. Possessing the properties of highly accessible surface area and good electrical conductivity, the composite of graphene and SWCNT are promising nanomaterials for the electrodes of ultracapacitor, which can store electric energy with high level of capacitance. In this work, we fabricated electrodes of ultracapacitor based on nanostructures composite by wire-wound rod coating method, characterized them by SEM, EDX and Raman spectroscopy, and tested the performance by a potentiostat/galvanostat.

Protective Effects of Ferulic Acid on High Glucose-Induced Protein Glycation, Lipid Peroxidation, and Membrane Ion Pump Activity in Human Erythrocytes

PubMed Central

Sompong, Weerachat; Cheng, Henrique; Adisakwattana, Sirichai

2015-01-01

Ferulic acid (FA) is the ubiquitous phytochemical phenolic derivative of cinnamic acid. Experimental studies in diabetic models demonstrate that FA possesses multiple mechanisms of action associated with anti-hyperglycemic activity. The mechanism by which FA prevents diabetes-associated vascular damages remains unknown. The aim of study was to investigate the protective effects of FA on protein glycation, lipid peroxidation, membrane ion pump activity, and phosphatidylserine exposure in high glucose-exposed human erythrocytes. Our results demonstrated that FA (10-100 μM) significantly reduced the levels of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) whereas 0.1-100 μM concentrations inhibited lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes exposed to 45 mM glucose. This was associated with increased glucose consumption. High glucose treatment also caused a significant reduction in Na+/K+-ATPase activity in the erythrocyte plasma membrane which could be reversed by FA. Furthermore, we found that FA (0.1-100 μM) prevented high glucose-induced phosphatidylserine exposure. These findings provide insights into a novel mechanism of FA for the prevention of vascular dysfunction associated with diabetes. PMID:26053739

BIO-MONITORING FOR URANIUM USING STREAM-SIDE TERRESTRIAL PLANTS AND MACROPHYTES

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

Caldwell, E.; Duff, M.; Hicks, T.

2012-01-12

This study evaluated the abilities of various plant species to act as bio-monitors for environmental uranium (U) contamination. Vegetation and soil samples were collected from a U processing facility. The water-way fed from facility storm and processing effluents was the focal sample site as it represented a primary U transport mechanism. Soils and sediments from areas exposed to contamination possessed U concentrations that averaged 630 mg U kg{sup -1}. Aquatic mosses proved to be exceptional accumulators of U with dry weight (dw) concentrations measuring as high as 12500 mg U kg{sup -1} (approximately 1% of the dw mass was attributablemore » to U). The macrophytes (Phragmites communis, Scripus fontinalis and Sagittaria latifolia) were also effective accumulators of U. In general, plant roots possessed higher concentrations of U than associated upper portions of plants. For terrestrial plants, the roots of Impatiens capensis had the highest observed levels of U accumulation (1030 mg kg{sup -1}), followed by the roots of Cyperus esculentus and Solidago speciosa. The concentration ratio (CR) characterized dry weight (dw) vegetative U levels relative to that in associated dw soil. The plant species that accumulated U at levels in excess of that found in the soil were: P. communis root (CR, 17.4), I. capensis root (CR, 3.1) and S. fontinalis whole plant (CR, 1.4). Seven of the highest ten CR values were found in the roots. Correlations with concentrations of other metals with U were performed, which revealed that U concentrations in the plant were strongly correlated with nickel (Ni) concentrations (correlation: 0.992; r-squared: 0.984). Uranium in plant tissue was also strongly correlated with strontium (Sr) (correlation: 0.948; r-squared: 0.899). Strontium is chemically and physically similar to calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), which were also positively-correlated with U. The correlation with U and these plant nutrient minerals, including iron (Fe), suggests that active uptake mechanisms may influence plant U accumulation.« less

A unified tensor level set for image segmentation.

PubMed

Wang, Bin; Gao, Xinbo; Tao, Dacheng; Li, Xuelong

2010-06-01

This paper presents a new region-based unified tensor level set model for image segmentation. This model introduces a three-order tensor to comprehensively depict features of pixels, e.g., gray value and the local geometrical features, such as orientation and gradient, and then, by defining a weighted distance, we generalized the representative region-based level set method from scalar to tensor. The proposed model has four main advantages compared with the traditional representative method as follows. First, involving the Gaussian filter bank, the model is robust against noise, particularly the salt- and pepper-type noise. Second, considering the local geometrical features, e.g., orientation and gradient, the model pays more attention to boundaries and makes the evolving curve stop more easily at the boundary location. Third, due to the unified tensor pixel representation representing the pixels, the model segments images more accurately and naturally. Fourth, based on a weighted distance definition, the model possesses the capacity to cope with data varying from scalar to vector, then to high-order tensor. We apply the proposed method to synthetic, medical, and natural images, and the result suggests that the proposed method is superior to the available representative region-based level set method.

The 100 top-cited articles in orthodontics from 1975 to 2011.

PubMed

Hui, Jifang; Han, Zongkai; Geng, Guannan; Yan, Weijun; Shao, Ping

2013-05-01

To identify the 100 top-cited articles published in orthodontics journals and to analyze their characteristics to investigate the achievement and development of orthodontics research in past decades. The Institute for Scientific Information Web of Knowledge Database and the 2011 Journal Citation Report Science Editions were used to retrieve the 100 top-cited articles published in orthodontics journals since 1975. Some basic information was collected by the Analyze Tool on the Web of Science, including citation time, publication title, journal name, publication year, and country and institution of origin. A further study was then performed to determine authorship, article type, field of study, study design, and level of evidence. The 100 target articles were retrieved from three journals: American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (n  =  74), The Angle Orthodontist (n = 15), and European Journal of Orthodontics (n  =  11). Since 1975, the articles cited 89 to 545 times mainly originated from the United States, and the overwhelming majority of articles were clinical. The most common study design was case series; 40 articles were classified as level IV and 12 as level V evidence. The 100 top-cited articles in orthodontics are generally old articles, rarely possessing high-level evidence.

Multiplex Cytokine Analysis of Aqueous Humor in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Anterior Uveitis With or Without Secondary Glaucoma.

PubMed

Bauer, Dirk; Kasper, Maren; Walscheid, Karoline; Koch, Jörg M; Müther, Philipp S; Kirchhof, Bernd; Heiligenhaus, Arnd; Heinz, Carsten

2018-01-01

Patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis often develop chronic anterior uveitis (JIAU). JIAU patients possess a particularly high risk for developing secondary glaucoma when inflammatory inactivity has been achieved. By using multiplex bead assay analysis, we assessed levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, or metalloproteinases in the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with clinically inactive JIAU with (JIAUwG) or without secondary glaucoma (JIAUwoG), or from patients with senile cataract as controls. Laser-flare photometry analysis prior to surgery showed no significant differences between JIAUwG or JIAUwoG. Compared with the control group, levels of interleukin-8, matrix metalloproteinase-2, -3, -9, serum amyloid A (SAA), transforming growth factor beta-1, -2, -3 (TGFβ-1, -2, -3), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the AH were significantly higher in patients with clinically inactive JIAUwG or JIAUwoG. Samples from JIAwoG patients displayed significantly higher levels of SAA ( P  < 0.0116) than JIAUwG patients. JIAUwG patients showed an increased level of TGFβ-2 in AH samples compared with JIAUwoG ( P  < 0.0009). These molecules may contribute to the clinical development of glaucoma in patients with JIAU.

Office automation: The administrative window into the integrated DBMS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brock, G. H.

1985-01-01

In parallel to the evolution of Management Information Systems from simple data files to complex data bases, the stand-alone computer systems have been migrating toward fully integrated systems serving the work force. The next major productivity gain may very well be to make these highly sophisticated working level Data Base Management Systems (DMBS) serve all levels of management with reports of varying levels of detail. Most attempts by the DBMS development organization to provide useful information to management seem to bog down in the quagmire of competing working level requirements. Most large DBMS development organizations possess three to five year backlogs. Perhaps Office Automation is the vehicle that brings to pass the Management Information System that really serves management. A good office automation system manned by a team of facilitators seeking opportunities to serve end-users could go a long way toward defining a DBMS that serves management. This paper will briefly discuss the problems of the DBMS organization, alternative approaches to solving some of the major problems, a debate about problems that may have no solution, and finally how office automation fits into the development of the Manager's Management Information System.

Evaluating relative contribution of osmotolerance and tissue tolerance mechanisms toward salinity stress tolerance in three Brassica species.

PubMed

Chakraborty, Koushik; Bose, Jayakumar; Shabala, Lana; Eyles, Alieta; Shabala, Sergey

2016-10-01

Three different species of Brassica, with differential salt sensitivity were used to understand physiological mechanisms of salt tolerance operating in these species and to evaluate the relative contribution of different strategies to cope with salt load. Brassica napus was the most tolerant species in terms of the overall performance, with Brassica juncea and Brassica oleracea being much more sensitive to salt stress with no obvious difference between them. While prominent reduction in net CO2 assimilation was observed in both sensitive species, physiological mechanisms beyond this reduction differed strongly. Brassica juncea plants possessed high osmotolerance and were able to maintain high transpiration rate but showed a significant reduction in leaf chlorophyll content and efficiency of leaf photochemistry. On the contrary, B. oleracea plants possessed the highest (among the three species) tissue tolerance but showed a very significant stomatal limitation of photosynthesis. Electrophysiological experiments revealed that the high tissue tolerance in B. oleracea was related to the ability of leaf mesophyll cells to maintain highly negative membrane potential in the presence of high apoplastic Na(+) . In addition to high osmotolerance, the most tolerant B. napus showed also lesser accumulation of toxic Na(+) and Cl(-) in the leaf, possessed moderate tissue tolerance and had a superior K(+) retention ability. Taken together, the results from this study indicate that the three Brassica species employ very different mechanisms to cope with salinity and, despite its overall sensitivity to salinity, B. oleracea could be recommended as a valuable 'donor' of tissue tolerance genes to confer this trait for marker-assisted breeding programs. © 2016 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

Superhydrophobic Silicon Nanocrystal-Silica Aerogel Hybrid Materials: Synthesis, Properties, and Sensing Application.

PubMed

Kehrle, Julian; Purkait, Tapas K; Kaiser, Simon; Raftopoulos, Konstantinos N; Winnacker, Malte; Ludwig, Theresa; Aghajamali, Maryam; Hanzlik, Marianne; Rodewald, Katia; Helbich, Tobias; Papadakis, Christine M; Veinot, Jonathan G C; Rieger, Bernhard

2018-04-24

Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) are abundant and exhibit exquisitely tailorable optoelectronic properties. The incorporation of SiNCs into highly porous and lightweight substrates such as aerogels leads to hybrid materials possessing the attractive features of both materials. This study describes the covalent deposition of SiNCs on and intercalation into silica aerogels, explores the properties, and demonstrates a prototype sensing application of the composite material. SiNCs of different sizes were functionalized with triethoxyvinylsilane (TEVS) via a radical grafting approach and subsequently used for the synthesis of photoluminescent silica hybrids. The resulting SiNC-containing aerogels possess high porosities, SiNC-based size-dependent photoluminescence, transparency, and a superhydrophobic macroscopic surface. The materials were used to examine the photoluminescence response toward low concentrations of 3-nitrotoluene (270 μM), demonstrating their potential as a sensing platform for high-energy materials.

Scoring mode and age-related effects on youth soccer teams' defensive performance during small-sided games.

PubMed

Almeida, Carlos Humberto; Duarte, Ricardo; Volossovitch, Anna; Ferreira, António Paulo

2016-07-01

This study aimed to examine the scoring mode (line goal, double goal or central goal) and age-related effects on the defensive performance of youth soccer players during 4v4 small-sided games (SSGs). Altogether, 16 male players from 2 age groups (U13, n = 8, mean age: 12.61 ± 0.65 years; U15, n = 8, 14.86 ± 0.47 years) were selected as participants. In six independent sessions, participants performed the three SSGs each during 10-min periods. Teams' defensive performance was analysed at every instant ball possession was regained through the variables: ball-recovery type, ball-recovery sector, configuration of play and defence state. Multinomial logistic regression analysis used in this study revealed the following significant main effects of scoring mode and age: (1) line goal (vs. central goal) increased the odds of regaining possession through tackle and in the defensive midfield sector, and decreased the odds of successful interceptions; (2) double goal (vs. central goal) decreased the odds of regaining possession through turnover won and with elongated playing shapes; (3) the probability of regaining possession through interception significantly decreased with age. Moreover, as youth players move forward in age groups, teams tend to structurally evolve from elongated playing shapes to flattened shapes and, at a behavioural level, from defending in depth to more risky flattened configurations. Overall, by manipulating the scoring mode in SSGs, coaches can promote functional and coadaptive behaviours between teams not only in terms of configurations of play, but also on the pitch locations that teams explore to regain possession.

Effects of HZE irradiation on chemical neurotransmission in rodent hippocampus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machida, Mayumi

Space radiation represents a significant risk to the CNS (central nervous system) during space missions. Most harmful are the HZE (high mass, highly charged (Z), high energy) particles, e.g. 56Fe, which possess high ionizing ability, dense energy deposition pattern, and high penetrance. Accumulating evidence suggests that radiation has significant impact on cognitive functions. In ground-base experiments, HZE radiation induces pronounced deficits in hippocampus dependent learning and memory in rodents. However, the mechanisms underlying these impairments are mostly unknown. Exposure to HZE radiation elevates the level of oxidation, resulting in cell loss, tissue damage and functional deficits through direct ionization and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). When hippocampal slices were exposed to ROS, neuronal excitability was reduced. My preliminary results showed enhanced radio-vulnerability of the hippocampus and reduction in basal and depolarization-evoked [3H]-norepinephrine release after HZE exposure. These results raised the possibility that HZE radiation deteriorates cognitive function through radiation-induced impairments in hippocampal chemical neurotransmission, the hypothesis of this dissertation. In Aim 1 I have focused on the effects of HZE radiation on release of major neurotransmitter systems in the hippocampus. I have further extended my research on the levels of receptors of these systems in Aim 2. In Aim 3, I have studied the level of oxidation in membranes of my samples. My research reveals that HZE radiation significantly reduces hyperosmotic sucrose evoked [3H]-glutamate and [14C]-GABA release both three and six months post irradiation. The same radiation regimen also significantly enhances oxidative stress as indicated by increased levels of lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus, suggesting that increased levels of lipid peroxidation may play a role in reduction of neurotransmitter release. HZE radiation also significantly reduces levels of neurotransmitter receptors critical to synaptic plasticity; glutamatergic NMDA (N-methyl D-aspartate) receptors and beta1 adrenergic receptors, three months post irradiation. By six months post irradiation, the levels of these receptors are returned to normal, implying that partial repair may take place. My findings demonstrate that a single dose of HZE radiation alters the neurochemical environment in the hippocampus, which may underlie radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction.

46 CFR 10.107 - Definitions in subchapter B.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... communications by a convenient, reliable means, such as a predetermined working frequency over a handheld radio... place in the same possession, and passes outside the line dividing inland waters from the high seas; or... inland waters from the high seas and navigates on the high seas, and then returns to the same port or...

Effects of First Diagnosed Diabetes Mellitus on Medical Visits and Medication Adherence in Korea

PubMed Central

Hyeongsu, KIM; Soon-Ae, SHIN; Kunsei, LEE; Jong-Heon, PARK; Tae Hwa, HAN; Minsu, PARK; Eunyoung, Minsu; Hyoseon, JEONG; Jung-Hyun, LEE; Hyemi, AHN; Vitna, KIM

2018-01-01

Background: The National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) conducted a screening test to detect chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes in Korea. This study evaluated the effects of health screening for DM on pharmacological treatment. Methods: The data from qualification and the General Health Screening in 2012, the insurance claims of medical institutions from Jan 2009 to Dec 2014, and the diabetic case management program extracted from the NHIS administrative system were used. Total 16068 subjects were included. Visiting rate to medical institution, medication possession ratio and the rate of medication adherence of study subjects were used as the indices. Results: The visiting rates to medical institutions were 39.7%. The percentage who received a prescription for a diabetes mellitus medication from a doctor was 80.9%, the medication possession ratio was 70.8%, and the rate of medication adherence was 57.8%. Conclusion: The visiting rate, medication possession ratio and rate of medication adherence for DM medication were not high. In order to increase the visiting rate, medication possession ratio and rate of medication adherence, NHIS should support environment in which medical institutions and DM patients can do the role of each part. PMID:29445630

Antioxidant capacity of chewing stick miswak Salvadora persica.

PubMed

Mohamed, Saleh A; Khan, Jalaluddin A

2013-02-21

Chewing stick (miswak Salvadora persica L.) is an effective tool for oral hygiene. It possessed various biological properties including significant antibacterial and anti-fungal effects. In the present study, we evaluated the antioxidant compounds in miswak. Miswak root was extracted with 80% methanol. Methanol extract as antioxidant was evaluated by using DPPH, ABTS and phosphomolybdenum complex assays and analysis by GC-MS. Peroxidase, catalase and polyphenoloxidase assays were performed for crude extract of miswak root. The methanol extract of miswak contained the highest amount of crude extract among the various solvent extracts. The methanol extract showed a concentration dependent scavenging of DPPH and ABTS radicals with IC50 values 4.8 and 1.6 μg crude extract, respectively. The total antioxidant activities, based on the reduction of molybdenum (VI) to molybdenum (V), increased with increasing crude extract content. The correlation coefficients (R2) between total crude extract and DPPH, ABTS scavenging activities and the formation of phosphomolybdenum complex were 0.97, 0.99 and 0.95, respectively. The GC-MS analysis showed that the methanol extract doesn't contain phenolic and flavonoid compounds or under detected limit. After silylation of methanol extract, three compounds namely 2-furancarboxaldehyde-5-(hydroxymethyl), furan-2-carboxylic acid-3-methyl- trimethylsilyl ester and D-erythro-pentofuranose-2-deoxy-1,3,5-tris-O-(trimethylsilyl) were identified by GC-MS analysis. These furan derivatives as they contain hydroxyl groups could be possessed antioxidant activities. The antioxidant enzymes were also detected in the miswak extract with high level of peroxidase and low level of catalase and polyphenoloxidase. The synergistic actions of antioxidant compounds and antioxidant enzymes make miswak is a good chewing stick for oral hygiene and food purposes.

Identifying environmental, social, and psychological correlates of meeting the recommended physical activity levels for colon cancer prevention among Japanese adults.

PubMed

Ishii, Kaori; Shibata, Ai; Oka, Koichiro

2013-11-01

Although physical activity reduces the risk of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a large proportion of the population is not sufficiently physically active. Therefore, the present study examined the environmental, social, and psychological correlates for meeting the 2 recommended physical activity criteria: ≥420 min per week of at least moderate-intensity activity (MPA criterion) and ≥210 min per week of vigorous activity (VPA criterion) for colon cancer prevention among Japanese adults. Cross-sectional study. The sample included 2000 Japanese adults aged 20-79 years. An Internet-based survey was used to assess seven sociodemographic variables (e.g., education level, employment status), environmental variables (home fitness equipment, access to facilities, neighborhood safety, aesthetic sensibilities, and frequency of observing others exercising, residential area), social variables (social support), psychological variables (self-efficacy, perceived positive (pros) and negative (cons) aspects of exercise), and physical activity. The adjusted odds of meeting each physical activity criterion by these variables were calculated. Overall, 22.3% of the study population met the criterion of MPA, and 7.3% met the criterion of VPA. Having high self-efficacy, fewer perceived cons, possessing home fitness equipment, reporting enjoyable scenery, and living in a rural area were significantly associated with meeting the recommended criteria. Participants who met the 2 activity recommendations differed by self-efficacy, cons, possession of home fitness equipment, reporting of enjoyable scenery, and residential area. These findings imply that strategies to promote more intense physical activities specifically in terms of these variables may be necessary for colon cancer prevention. Crown Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The New Zealand rugby injury and performance project. III. Anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of players.

PubMed Central

Quarrie, K L; Handcock, P; Waller, A E; Chalmers, D J; Toomey, M J; Wilson, B D

1995-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of New Zealand rugby players of different ages and both sexes. METHODS: 356 rugby players (264 male, 92 female) took part in the study during a single season. Playing grade ranged from schoolboys and schoolgirls to senior men and women. Assessment of height, weight, neck circumference, and somatotype was performed before the competitive rugby season. A battery of six physical performance assessments was completed after the anthropometry. Analysis of variance was used to examine differences in these variables between field positions and grades. RESULTS: Significant differences between forwards and backs on anthropometric and physical performance variables were apparent at all grades assessed. In terms of anthropometric characteristics, forwards of a given grade were generally taller, possessed greater body mass, and were more endomorphic and less ectomorphic than backs of the same grade. The backs tended to perform better on physical performance measures than forwards, being more aerobically fit, faster, more agile, and possessing a higher degree of muscular endurance. Differences in anthropometry and physical performance attributes were also apparent between players from the various grades. The players at higher levels were generally larger, and performed better on tests of physical performance than the players at lower levels. These differences were found in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The greater body mass of the forwards allows them to obtain greater momentum than the backs when sprinting. The ability to obtain greater momentum is important in the body contact phases of the game. Forwards may compromise their aerobic fitness and speed to some extent in order to maintain a high body mass. The anthropometric and physical performance characteristics of players appear to reflect the demands placed on them by the sport. PMID:8808542

Camelina sativa: An ideal platform for the metabolic engineering and field production of industrial lipids.

PubMed

Bansal, Sunil; Durrett, Timothy P

2016-01-01

Triacylglycerols (TAG) containing modified fatty acids with functionality beyond those found in commercially grown oil seed crops can be used as feedstocks for biofuels and bio-based materials. Over the years, advances have been made in transgenically engineering the production of various modified fatty acids in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the inability to produce large quantities of transgenic seed has limited the functional testing of the modified oil. In contrast, the emerging oil seed crop Camelina sativa possesses important agronomic traits that recommend it as an ideal production platform for biofuels and industrial feedstocks. Camelina possesses low water and fertilizer requirements and is capable of yields comparable to other oil seed crops, particularly under stress conditions. Importantly, its relatively short growing season enables it to be grown as part of a double cropping system. In addition to these valuable agronomic features, Camelina is amenable to rapid metabolic engineering. The development of a simple and effective transformation method, combined with the availability of abundant transcriptomic and genomic data, has allowed the generation of transgenic Camelina lines capable of synthesizing high levels of unusual lipids. In some cases these levels have surpassed what was achieved in Arabidopsis. Further, the ability to use Camelina as a crop production system has allowed for the large scale growth of transgenic oil seed crops, enabling subsequent physical property testing. The application of new techniques such as genome editing will further increase the suitability of Camelina as an ideal platform for the production of biofuels and bio-materials. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. and Société Française de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire (SFBBM). All rights reserved.

Modulation of T Cell Activation by Malignant Melanoma Initiating Cells

PubMed Central

Schatton, Tobias; Schütte, Ute; Frank, Natasha Y.; Zhan, Qian; Hoerning, André; Robles, Susanne C.; Zhou, Jun; Hodi, F. Stephen; Spagnoli, Giulio C.; Murphy, George F.; Frank, Markus H.

2010-01-01

Highly immunogenic cancers such as malignant melanoma are capable of inexorable tumor growth despite the presence of antitumor immunity. This raises the possibility that only a restricted minority of tumorigenic malignant cells might possess the phenotypic and functional characteristics to modulate tumor-directed immune activation. Here we provide evidence supporting this hypothesis, by demonstrating that tumorigenic ABCB5+ malignant melanoma-initiating cells (MMICs) possess the capacity to preferentially inhibit interleukin (IL)-2-dependent T cell activation and to support, in a B7.2-dependent manner, regulatory T (Treg) cell induction. Compared to melanoma bulk populations, ABCB5+ MMICs expressed lower levels of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, showed aberrant positivity for MHC class II, and exhibited lower expression levels of the melanoma-associated antigens (MAAs) MART-1, ML-IAP, NY-ESO-1, and MAGE-A. In addition, tumorigenic ABCB5+ subpopulations preferentially expressed the costimulatory molecules B7.2 and PD-1 in both established melanoma xenografts and clinical tumor specimens in vivo. In immune activation assays, ABCB5+ melanoma cells inhibited mitogen-dependent human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation and IL-2 production more efficiently than ABCB5− populations. Moreover, coculture with ABCB5+ MMICs increased, in a B7.2 signalling-dependent manner, CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cell abundance and IL-10 production by mitogen-activated PBMCs. Consistent with these findings, ABCB5+ melanoma subsets also preferentially inhibited IL-2 production and induced IL-10 secretion by cocultured patient-derived, syngeneic PBMCs. Our findings identify novel T cell-modulatory functions of ABCB5+ melanoma subpopulations and suggest specific roles for MMICs in the evasion of antitumor immunity and in cancer immunotherapeutic resistance. PMID:20068175

Abuse of Prescription Drugs in the Context of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS): A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

Schifano, Fabrizio; Corkery, John M.; Guirguis, Amira

2018-01-01

Recently, a range of prescription and over-the-counter drugs have been reportedly used as Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS), due to their potential for abuse resulting from their high dosage/idiosyncratic methods of self-administration. This paper provides a systematic review of the topic, focusing on a range of medications which have emerged as being used recreationally, either on their own or in combination with NPS. Among gabapentinoids, pregabalin may present with higher addictive liability levels than gabapentin, with pregabalin being mostly identified in the context of opioid, polydrug intake. For antidepressants, their dopaminergic, stimulant-like, bupropion activities may explain their recreational value and diversion from the therapeutic intended use. In some vulnerable clients, a high dosage of venlafaxine (‘baby ecstasy’) is ingested for recreational purposes, whilst the occurrence of a clinically-relevant withdrawal syndrome may be a significant issue for all venlafaxine-treated patients. Considering second generation antipsychotics, olanzapine appears to be ingested at very large dosages as an ‘ideal trip terminator’, whilst the immediate-release quetiapine formulation may possess proper abuse liability levels. Within the image- and performance- enhancing drugs (IPEDs) group, the beta-2 agonist clenbuterol (‘size zero pill’) is reported to be self-administered for aggressive slimming purposes. Finally, high/very high dosage ingestion of the antidiarrhoeal loperamide has shown recent increasing levels of popularity due to its central recreational, anti-withdrawal, opiatergic effects. The emerging abuse of prescription drugs within the context of a rapidly modifying drug scenario represents a challenge for psychiatry, public health and drug-control policies. PMID:29690558

Randomized Trial Evaluating Tobacco Possession-Use-Purchase Laws in the USA

PubMed Central

Pokorny, Steven B; Adams, Monica; Jason, Leonard

2011-01-01

Tobacco Purchase-Use-Possession laws (PUP) are being implemented throughout the US, but it is still unclear whether they are effective in reducing smoking prevalence among the youth targeted by these public health policies. In the present study, 24 towns in Northern Illinois were randomly assigned to one of two conditions. One condition involved reducing commercial sources of youth access to tobacco (Control), whereas the second involved both reducing commercial sources of youth access to tobacco as well as fining minors for possessing or using tobacco (Experimental). Students in 24 towns in Northern Illinois in the United States completed a 74 item self-report survey in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. At the start of the study, students were in grades 7 through 10. During each time period, students were classified as current smokers or nonsmokers (i.e. completely abstinent for the 30 consecutive days prior to assessment). The analyses included 25,404 different students and 50,725 assessments over the four time periods. A hierarchical linear modeling analytical approach was selected due to the multilevel data (i.e., town-level variables and individual-level variables), and nested design of sampling of youth within towns. Findings indicated that rates of current smoking were not significantly different between the two conditions at baseline, but over time, rates increased significantly less quickly for adolescents in Experimental than those in Control towns. The implications of these findings are discussed. PMID:18947913

An extreme-halophile archaebacterium possesses the interlock type of prephenate dehydratase characteristic of the Gram-positive eubacteria

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jensen, R. A.; d'Amato, T. A.; Hochstein, L. I.

1988-01-01

The focal point of phenylalanine biosynthesis is a dehydratase reaction which in different organisms may be prephenate dehydratase, arogenate dehydratase, or cyclohexadienyl dehydratase. Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and cyanobacterial divisions of the eubacterial kingdom exhibit different dehydratase patterns. A new extreme-halophile isolate, which grows on defined medium and is tentatively designated as Halobacterium vallismortis CH-1, possesses the interlock type of prephenate dehydratase present in Gram-positive bacteria. In addition to the conventional sensitivity to feedback inhibition by L-phenylalanine, the phenomenon of metabolic interlock was exemplified by the sensitivity of prephenate dehydratase to allosteric effects produced by extra-pathway (remote) effectors. Thus, L-tryptophan inhibited activity while L-tyrosine, L-methionine, L-leucine and L-isoleucine activated the enzyme. L-Isoleucine and L-phenylalanine were effective at micromolar levels; other effectors operated at mM levels. A regulatory mutant selected for resistance to growth inhibition caused by beta-2-thienylalanine possessed an altered prephenate dehydratase in which a phenomenon of disproportionately low activity at low enzyme concentration was abolished. Inhibition by L-tryptophan was also lost, and activation by allosteric activators was diminished. Not only was sensitivity to feedback inhibition by L-phenylalanine lost, but the mutant enzyme was now activated by this amino acid (a mutation type previously observed in Bacillus subtilis). It remains to be seen whether this type of prephenate dehydratase will prove to be characteristic of all archaebacteria or of some archaebacterial subgroup cluster.

RNAi-mediated resistance to rice black-streaked dwarf virus in transgenic rice.

PubMed

Ahmed, Mohamed M S; Bian, Shiquan; Wang, Muyue; Zhao, Jing; Zhang, Bingwei; Liu, Qiaoquan; Zhang, Changquan; Tang, Shuzhu; Gu, Minghong; Yu, Hengxiu

2017-04-01

Rice black-streaked dwarf virus (RBSDV), a member of the genus Fijivirus in the family Reoviridae, causes significant economic losses in rice production in China and many other Asian countries. Development of resistant varieties by using conventional breeding methods is limited, as germplasm with high level of resistance to RBSDV have not yet been found. One of the most promising methods to confer resistance against RBSDV is the use of RNA interference (RNAi) technology. RBSDV non-structural protein P7-2, encoded by S7-2 gene, is a potential F-box protein and involved in the plant-virus interaction through the ubiquitination pathway. P8, encoded by S8 gene, is the minor core protein that possesses potent active transcriptional repression activity. In this study, we transformed rice calli using a mini-twin T-DNA vector harboring RNAi constructs of the RBSDV genes S7-2 or S8, and obtained plants harboring the target gene constructs and the selectable marker gene, hygromycin phosphotransferase (HPT). From the offspring of these transgenic plants, we obtained selectable marker (HPT gene)-free plants. Homozygous T 5 transgenic lines which harbored either S7-2-RNAi or S8-RNAi exhibited high level resistance against RBSDV under field infection pressure from indigenous viruliferous small brown planthoppers. Thus, our results showed that RNA interference with the expression of S7-2 or S8 genes seemed an effective way to induce high level resistance in rice against RBSD disease.

In-vitro photo-translocation of antiretroviral drug delivery into TZMbl cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malabi, Rudzani; Manoto, Sello; Ombinda-Lemboumba, Saturnin; Maaza, Malik; Mthunzi-Kufa, Patience

2017-02-01

The current human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment regime possesses the ability to diminish the viral capacity to unnoticeable levels; however complete eradication of the virus cannot be achieved while latent HIV-1 reservoirs go unchallenged. Therapeutic targeting of HIV therefore requires further investigation and current therapies need modification in order to address HIV eradication. This deflects research towards investigating potential novel antiretroviral drug delivery systems. The use of femtosecond (fs) laser pulses in promoting targeted optical drug delivery of antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) into TZMbl cells revolves around using ultrafast laser pulses that have high peak powers, which precisely disrupt the cell plasma membrane in order to allow immediate transportation and expression of exogenous material into the live mammalian cells. A photo-translocation optical setup was built and validated by characterisation of the accurate parameters such as wavelength (800 nm) and pulse duration (115 fs). Optimisation of drug translocation parameters were done by performing trypan blue translocation studies. Cellular responses were determined via cell viability (Adenosine Triphosphate activity) and cell cytotoxicity (Lactate Dehydrogenase) assays which were done to study the influence of the drugs and laser exposure on the cells. After laser irradiation, high cell viability was observed and low toxicity levels were observed after exposure of the cells to both the ARVs and the laser. Our results confirmed that, with minimal damage and high therapeutic levels of ARVs, the fs laser assisted drug delivery system is efficient with benefits of non-invasive and non-toxic treatment to the cells.

Verification Methodology of Fault-tolerant, Fail-safe Computers Applied to MAGLEV Control Computer Systems

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1993-05-01

The Maglev control computer system should be designed to verifiably possess high reliability and safety as well as high availability to make Maglev a dependable and attractive transportation alternative to the public. A Maglev computer system has bee...

Molecular oxygen detection using frequency modulation diode laser spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wang, Liang-Guo; Sachse, Glen

1990-01-01

A high-sensitivity spectroscopic measurement of O2 using two-tone frequency modulation spectroscopy with a GaAlAs diode laser is presented. An oxygen sensor based on this technique would be non-intrusive, compact and possess high sensitivity and fast time response.

Whole Genome Comparison Reveals High Levels of Inbreeding and Strain Redundancy Across the Spectrum of Commercial Wine Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

PubMed Central

Borneman, Anthony R.; Forgan, Angus H.; Kolouchova, Radka; Fraser, James A.; Schmidt, Simon A.

2016-01-01

Humans have been consuming wines for more than 7000 yr . For most of this time, fermentations were presumably performed by strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that naturally found their way into the fermenting must . In contrast, most commercial wines are now produced by inoculation with pure yeast monocultures, ensuring consistent, reliable and reproducible fermentations, and there are now hundreds of these yeast starter cultures commercially available. In order to thoroughly investigate the genetic diversity that has been captured by over 50 yr of commercial wine yeast development and domestication, whole genome sequencing has been performed on 212 strains of S. cerevisiae, including 119 commercial wine and brewing starter strains, and wine isolates from across seven decades. Comparative genomic analysis indicates that, despite their large numbers, commercial strains, and wine strains in general, are extremely similar genetically, possessing all of the hallmarks of a population bottle-neck, and high levels of inbreeding. In addition, many commercial strains from multiple suppliers are nearly genetically identical, suggesting that the limits of effective genetic variation within this genetically narrow group may be approaching saturation. PMID:26869621

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

Meng, Xiangtao; Bocharova, Vera; Tekinalp, Halil L.

While PLA possesses modest to good strength and stiffness, broader application is hindered by its brittle nature. The aim of this study was to develop strong and tough polymeric materials from renewable biomaterials and understand the underlying interactions and mechanisms. Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) and epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) were compounded with poly(lactic acid) (PLA) to create a PLA-CNF-ESO tertiary nanocomposite system. Tensile and dynamic mechanical analyses were performed to see how variations in ESO and CNF content affect mechanical properties such as strength, modulus, ductility, and toughness. It was found that at low CNF levels (10 wt %) the additionmore » of ESO can improve the ductility of the nanocomposites 5- to 10-fold with only slight losses in strength and modulus, while at higher CNF levels (20 and 30 wt %), ESO exhibited little effect on mechanical properties, possibly due to percolation of CNFs in the matrix, dominating stress transfer. Therefore, it is important to optimize CNF and ESO amounts in composites to achieve materials with both high strength and high toughness. As a result, efforts have been made to understand the underlying mechanisms of the mechanical behavior of one class of these composites via thermal, dynamic mechanical, morphological, and Raman analyses.« less

Genome-scale modeling of the evolutionary path to C4 photosynthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, Christopher R.; Bogart, Eli

In C4 photosynthesis, plants maintain a high carbon dioxide level in specialized bundle sheath cells surrounding leaf veins and restrict CO2 assimilation to those cells, favoring CO2 over O2 in competition for Rubisco active sites. In C3 plants, which do not possess such a carbon concentrating mechanism, CO2 fixation is reduced due to this competition. Despite the complexity of the C4 system, it has evolved convergently from more than 60 independent origins in diverse families of plants around the world over the last 30 million years. We study the evolution of the C4 system in a genome-scale model of plant metabolism that describes interacting mesophyll and bundle sheath cells and enforces key nonlinear kinetic relationships. Adapting the zero-temperature string method for simulating transition paths in physics and chemistry, we find the highest-fitness paths connecting C3 and C4 positions in the model's high-dimensional parameter space, and show that they reproduce known aspects of the C3-C4 transition while making additional predictions about metabolic changes along the path. We explore the relationship between evolutionary history and C4 biochemical subtype, and the effects of atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Ultrasensitive quantum dot fluorescence quenching assay for selective detection of mercury ions in drinking water.

PubMed

Ke, Jun; Li, Xinyong; Zhao, Qidong; Hou, Yang; Chen, Junhong

2014-07-09

Mercury is one of the most acutely toxic substances at trace level to human health and living thing. Developing a rapid, cheap and water soluble metal sensor for detecting mercury ions at ppb level remains a challenge. Herein, a metal sensor consisting of MPA coated Mn doped ZnSe/ZnS colloidal nanoparticles was utilized to ultrasensitively and selectively detect Hg(2+) ions with a low detection limit (0.1 nM) over a dynamic range from 0 to 20 nM. According to strong interaction between thiol(s) and mercury ions, mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) was used as a highly unique acceptor for mercury ions in the as-obtained ultrasensitive sensor. In the presence of mercury ions, colloidal nanoparticles rapidly agglomerated due to changes of surface chemical properties, which results in severe quenching of fluorescent intensity. Meanwhile, we find that the original ligands are separated from the surface of colloidal nanoparticles involving strongly chelation between mercury ion and thiol(s) proved by controlled IR analysis. The result shows that the QD-based metal ions sensor possesses satisfactory precision, high sensitivity and selectivity, and could be applied for the quantification analysis of real samples.

RNA-Binding Proteins in Trichomonas vaginalis: Atypical Multifunctional Proteins.

PubMed

Figueroa-Angulo, Elisa E; Calla-Choque, Jaeson S; Mancilla-Olea, Maria Inocente; Arroyo, Rossana

2015-11-26

Iron homeostasis is highly regulated in vertebrates through a regulatory system mediated by RNA-protein interactions between the iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) that interact with an iron responsive element (IRE) located in certain mRNAs, dubbed the IRE-IRP regulatory system. Trichomonas vaginalis, the causal agent of trichomoniasis, presents high iron dependency to regulate its growth, metabolism, and virulence properties. Although T. vaginalis lacks IRPs or proteins with aconitase activity, possesses gene expression mechanisms of iron regulation at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. However, only one gene with iron regulation at the transcriptional level has been described. Recently, our research group described an iron posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism in the T. vaginalis tvcp4 and tvcp12 cysteine proteinase mRNAs. The tvcp4 and tvcp12 mRNAs have a stem-loop structure in the 5'-coding region or in the 3'-UTR, respectively that interacts with T. vaginalis multifunctional proteins HSP70, α-Actinin, and Actin under iron starvation condition, causing translation inhibition or mRNA stabilization similar to the previously characterized IRE-IRP system in eukaryotes. Herein, we summarize recent progress and shed some light on atypical RNA-binding proteins that may participate in the iron posttranscriptional regulation in T. vaginalis.

Ultrasensitive Quantum Dot Fluorescence quenching Assay for Selective Detection of Mercury Ions in Drinking Water

PubMed Central

Ke, Jun; Li, Xinyong; Zhao, Qidong; Hou, Yang; Chen, Junhong

2014-01-01

Mercury is one of the most acutely toxic substances at trace level to human health and living thing. Developing a rapid, cheap and water soluble metal sensor for detecting mercury ions at ppb level remains a challenge. Herein, a metal sensor consisting of MPA coated Mn doped ZnSe/ZnS colloidal nanoparticles was utilized to ultrasensitively and selectively detect Hg2+ ions with a low detection limit (0.1 nM) over a dynamic range from 0 to 20 nM. According to strong interaction between thiol(s) and mercury ions, mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) was used as a highly unique acceptor for mercury ions in the as-obtained ultrasensitive sensor. In the presence of mercury ions, colloidal nanoparticles rapidly agglomerated due to changes of surface chemical properties, which results in severe quenching of fluorescent intensity. Meanwhile, we find that the original ligands are separated from the surface of colloidal nanoparticles involving strongly chelation between mercury ion and thiol(s) proved by controlled IR analysis. The result shows that the QD-based metal ions sensor possesses satisfactory precision, high sensitivity and selectivity, and could be applied for the quantification analysis of real samples. PMID:25005836

Ultrastructure and Transport-Related Enzymes of the Gills and Coxal Gland of the Horseshoe Crab Limulus polyphemus.

PubMed

Henry, R P; Jackson, S A; Mangum, C P

1996-10-01

The horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, may be unique among marine arthropods in that both its book gills and its coxal gland may serve as sites of ion transport. We have therefore examined the ultrastructure of these organs, as well as the distribution and relative levels of two major transport-related enzymes: the Na+ + K+ ATPase and carbonic anhydrase (CA). The ventral surface of the central region of each lamella shows the typical ultrastructural specializations for ion transport: 10 μm cell thickness, an extensive network of tubules originating from infoldings of the basal membrane, and a high density of mitochondria. This region also contains high levels of activity of the Na+ + K+ ATPase and CA. The distribution of ion transporting epithelium and transport enzymes is identical in each of the five gill books. The peripheral region of the lamellae of each gill book is specialized for passive gas exchange. The ultrastructural and biochemical profile of the coxal gland is similar to that of the central-ventral region of the gill. Limulus possesses the same general mechanism of ion regulation seen in euryhaline decapod crustaceans, but the structural and functional components are uniquely distributed.

Preventive Effect of Zea mays L. (Purple Waxy Corn) on Experimental Diabetic Cataract

PubMed Central

Thiraphatthanavong, Paphaphat; Wattanathorn, Jintanaporn; Muchimapura, Supaporn; Thukham-mee, Wipawee; Wannanon, Panakaporn; Tong-un, Terdthai; Suriharn, Bhalang; Lertrat, Kamol

2014-01-01

Recently, substances possessing antioxidant can prevent cataractogenesis of diabetic cataract. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the anticataract effect of Zea mays L. (purple waxy corn), a flavonoids rich plant, in experimental diabetic cataract. Enucleated rat lenses were incubated in artificial aqueous humor containing 55 mM glucose with various concentrations of Zea mays L. (purple waxy corn) ranging between 2, 10, and 50 mg/mL at room temperature for 72 h. At the end of the incubation period, the evaluation of lens opacification, MDA level, and the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, and AR in lens were performed. The results showed that both medium and high doses of extract decreased lens opacity together with the decreased MDA level. In addition, medium dose of extract increased GPx activity while the high dose decreased AR activity. No other significant changes were observed. The purple waxy corn seeds extract is the potential candidate to protect against diabetic cataract. The mechanism of action may occur via the decreased oxidative stress and the suppression of AR. However, further research in vivo is still essential. PMID:24527449

Marsupials as models for understanding the role of chromosome rearrangements in evolution and disease.

PubMed

Deakin, Janine E; Kruger-Andrzejewska, Maya

2016-09-01

Chromosome rearrangements have been implicated in diseases, such as cancer, and speciation, but it remains unclear whether rearrangements are causal or merely a consequence of these processes. Two marsupial families with very different rates of karyotype evolution provide excellent models in which to study the role of chromosome rearrangements in a disease and evolutionary context. The speciose family Dasyuridae displays remarkable karyotypic conservation, with all species examined to date possessing nearly identical karyotypes. Despite the seemingly high degree of chromosome stability within this family, they appear prone to developing tumours, including transmissible devil facial tumours. In contrast, chromosome rearrangements have been frequent in the evolution of the species-rich family Macropodidae, which displays a high level of karyotypic diversity. In particular, the genus Petrogale (rock-wallabies) displays an extraordinary level of chromosome rearrangement among species. For six parapatric Petrogale species, it appears that speciation has essentially been caught in the act, providing an opportunity to determine whether chromosomal rearrangements are a cause or consequence of speciation in this system. This review highlights the reasons that these two marsupial families are excellent models for testing hypotheses for hotspots of chromosome rearrangement and deciphering the role of chromosome rearrangements in disease and speciation.

Adolescents in the age of AIDS: myths, misconceptions, and misunderstandings regarding sexually transmitted diseases.

PubMed Central

Cohall, A.; Kassotis, J.; Parks, R.; Vaughan, R.; Bannister, H.; Northridge, M.

2001-01-01

The purpose of this study is twofold: to evaluate the extent of knowledge possessed by young people residing in an urban sexually transmitted disease (STD) and AIDS epicenter about STDs, including AIDS; and to determine whether knowledge levels varied by age, gender, race/ ethnicity, and/or previous health instruction. A total of 867 adolescents (472 females and 395 males) attending a large public high school in New York City completed a self-administered survey. Levels of knowledge about AIDS transmission and prevention were high (mean percentage correct = 91.8%). Nonetheless, adolescent respondents locked awareness about the prevalence of common STDs, had limited understanding of the ways in which these diseases can be transmitted and prevented, and were unaware of potentially serious sequelae resulting from exposure to infectious agents (e.g., infertility from chlamydial infections). Young people who had taken a health education course in which STDs were discussed did slightly better on the knowledge survey than did their peers. While the prevention of HIV infection is, and should be, a national priority, more concerted efforts are needed to better educate young people about other STDs in the overall context of sexual health. PMID:12653384

Electrospun mulberry-like hierarchical carbon fiber web for high-performance supercapacitors.

PubMed

Liu, Chao; Liu, Jizi; Wang, Jing; Li, Jiansheng; Luo, Rui; Shen, Jinyou; Sun, Xiuyun; Han, Weiqing; Wang, Lianjun

2018-02-15

In this work, we have fabricated a kind of N-doped hierarchal carbon fiber web by electrospinning hollow mesoporous carbon spheres (HMCSs) into fibrous structure. The as-synthesized carbon fiber web with novel mulberry-like morphology, thus denoted as MC-FW, possesses micro/meso/macroporous porosity, large surface area, high conductivity and multi-level structure, which are highly desired for supercapacitor electrode materials. The electrochemical measurements demonstrate that the designed MC-FW shows high capacitance (298.6 F g -1 ), favorable capacitance retention (71.0%) and long cycle life (97.3% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles). Notably, the capacitance of 298.6 F g -1 for MC-FW is higher than the capacitance reported so far for many hollow carbon spheres and carbon fibers, which may contribute to the synergistic effect between the merits of HMCSs (e.g. micro/meso/macroporous hierarchal structure, large surface area, high pore volume) and advantages of 1D carbon fiber (e.g. large aspect ratio and high conductivity). It is believed that this distinctive carbon fiber web may show promising prospects as advanced energy storage materials and catalyst. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An all-organic composite actuator material with a high dielectric constant.

PubMed

Zhang, Q M; Li, Hengfeng; Poh, Martin; Xia, Feng; Cheng, Z-Y; Xu, Haisheng; Huang, Cheng

2002-09-19

Electroactive polymers (EAPs) can behave as actuators, changing their shape in response to electrical stimulation. EAPs that are controlled by external electric fields--referred to here as field-type EAPs--include ferroelectric polymers, electrostrictive polymers, dielectric elastomers and liquid crystal polymers. Field-type EAPs can exhibit fast response speeds, low hysteresis and strain levels far above those of traditional piezoelectric materials, with elastic energy densities even higher than those of piezoceramics. However, these polymers also require a high field (>70 V micro m(-1)) to generate such high elastic energy densities (>0.1 J cm(-3); refs 4, 5, 9, 10). Here we report a new class of all-organic field-type EAP composites, which can exhibit high elastic energy densities induced by an electric field of only 13 V micro m(-1). The composites are fabricated from an organic filler material possessing very high dielectric constant dispersed in an electrostrictive polymer matrix. The composites can exhibit high net dielectric constants while retaining the flexibility of the matrix. These all-organic actuators could find applications as artificial muscles, 'smart skins' for drag reduction, and in microfluidic systems for drug delivery.

Isolation and characterization of novel strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens possessing high efficiency to degrade gasoline, kerosene, diesel oil, and lubricating oil.

PubMed

Wongsa, Patcharaporn; Tanaka, Makiko; Ueno, Akio; Hasanuzzaman, Mohammad; Yumoto, Isao; Okuyama, Hidetoshi

2004-12-01

Bacteria possessing high capacity to degrade gasoline, kerosene, diesel oil, and lubricating oil were screened from several areas of Hokkaido, Japan. Among isolates, two strains, WatG and HokM, which were identified as new strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens species, respectively, showed relatively high capacity and wide spectrum to degrade the hydrocarbons in gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and lubricating oil. About 90-95% of excess amount of total diesel oil and kerosene added to mineral salts media as a sole carbon source could be degraded by WatG within 2 and 3 weeks, respectively. The same amount of lubricating oil was 60% degraded within 2 weeks. Strain HokM was more capable than WatG in degrading aromatic compounds in gasoline. This strain could also degrade kerosene, diesel, and lubricating oil with a capacity of 50-60%. Thus, these two isolates have potential to be useful for bioremediation of sites highly contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.

42 CFR 9.9 - Facility staffing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... CHIMPANZEES HELD IN THE FEDERALLY SUPPORTED SANCTUARY SYSTEM § 9.9 Facility staffing. How many personnel are required to staff the chimpanzee sanctuary and what qualifications and training must the staff possess? (a... of the activities and chimpanzee population of the sanctuary. The level of staffing shall be adequate...

42 CFR 9.9 - Facility staffing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... CHIMPANZEES HELD IN THE FEDERALLY SUPPORTED SANCTUARY SYSTEM § 9.9 Facility staffing. How many personnel are required to staff the chimpanzee sanctuary and what qualifications and training must the staff possess? (a... of the activities and chimpanzee population of the sanctuary. The level of staffing shall be adequate...

42 CFR 9.9 - Facility staffing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... CHIMPANZEES HELD IN THE FEDERALLY SUPPORTED SANCTUARY SYSTEM § 9.9 Facility staffing. How many personnel are required to staff the chimpanzee sanctuary and what qualifications and training must the staff possess? (a... of the activities and chimpanzee population of the sanctuary. The level of staffing shall be adequate...

Perceptions of a Tri-Racial Community: Adults vs. Adolescents.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Deseran, Forrest A.; Stokley, Gary M.

The study explored the differential levels of satisfaction between adults and adolescents with such dimensions of community life as services, recreation, social environment, family situations, housing, and medical care. Information was also acquired on work status, material possessions, and participation in organizations. Comparisons were made…