NextGen Weather Processor Architecture Study

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-09

achieved in a staged fashion , ideally with new components coming on-line in time to replace existing capabilities prior to their end-of-life dates... fashion , ideally with new components coming on-line in time to replace existing capabilities prior to their end-of-life dates. As part of NWP Segment...weather capabilities. These objectives are to be achieved in a staged fashion , ideally with new components coming on-line in time to replace existing

Novel delivery systems for nicotine replacement therapy as an aid to smoking cessation and for harm reduction: rationale, and evidence for advantages over existing systems.

PubMed

Shahab, Lion; Brose, Leonie S; West, Robert

2013-12-01

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been used in the treatment of tobacco dependence for over three decades. Whilst the choice of NRT was limited early on, in the last ten years there has been substantial increase in the number of nicotine delivery devices that have become available. This article briefly summarises existing forms of NRT, evidence of their efficacy and use, and reviews the rationale for the development of novel products delivering nicotine via buccal, transdermal or pulmonary routes (including nicotine mouth spray, nicotine films, advanced nicotine inhalers and electronic cigarettes). It presents available evidence on the efficacy, tolerability and abuse potential of these products, with a focus on their advantages as well as disadvantages compared with established forms of NRT for use as an aid to both smoking cessation as well as harm reduction.

The feasibility of replacing or upgrading utility distribution transformers during routine maintenance

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

Barnes, P.R.; Van Dyke, J.W.; McConnell, B.W.

It is estimated that electric utilities use about 40 million distribution transformers in supplying electricity to customers in the United States. Although utility distribution transformers collectively have a high average efficiency, they account for approximately 61 billion kWh of the 229 billion kWh of energy lost annually in the delivery of electricity. Distribution transformers are being replaced over time by new, more efficient, lower-loss units during routine utility maintenance of power distribution systems. Maintenance is typically not performed on units in service. However, units removed from service with appreciable remaining life are often refurbished and returned to stock. Distribution transformersmore » may be removed from service for many reasons, including failure, over- or underloading, or line upgrades such as voltage changes or rerouting. When distribution transformers are removed from service, a decision must be made whether to dispose of the transformer and purchase a lower-loss replacement or to refurbish the transformer and return it to stock for future use. This report contains findings and recommendations on replacing utility distribution transformers during routine maintenance, which is required by section 124(c) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the practicability, cost-effectiveness, and potential energy savings of replacing or upgrading existing transformers during routine utility maintenance and to develop recommendations on was to achieve the potential energy savings.« less

The feasibility of replacing or upgrading utility distribution transformers during routine maintenance

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

Barnes, P.R.; Van Dyke, J.W; McConnell, B.W.

It is estimated that electric utilities use about 40 million distribution transformers in supplying electricity to customers in the United States. Although utility distribution transformers collectively have a high average efficiency, they account for approximately 61 billion kWh of the 229 billion kWh of energy lost annually in the delivery of electricity. Distribution transformers are being replaced over time by new, more efficient, lower-loss units during routine utility maintenance of power distribution systems. Maintenance is typically not performed on units in service. However, units removed from service with appreciable remaining life are often refurbished and returned to stock. Distribution transformersmore » may be removed from service for many reasons, including failure, over- or underloading, or line upgrades such as voltage changes or rerouting. When distribution transformers are removed from service, a decision must be made whether to dispose of the transformer and purchase a lower-loss replacement or to refurbish the transformer and return it to stock for future use. This report contains findings and recommendations on replacing utility distribution transformers during routine maintenance, which is required by section 124 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The objectives of the study are to evaluate the practicability, cost-effectiveness, and potential energy savings of replacing or upgrading existing transformers during routine utility maintenance and to develop recommendations on ways to achieve the potential energy savings. Using survey data obtained from utilities and analyses of the economics of refurbishment versus replacement of distribution transformers that are removed from service, it is found that on average utilities are implementing reasonable decisions on refurbishment versus replacement.« less

36 CFR 72.41 - Demolition and replacement of existing recreation properties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR URBAN PARK AND RECREATION RECOVERY ACT OF 1978 Grants for Recovery Action Program Development, Rehabilitation and Innovation § 72.41 Demolition and replacement of existing...

Navy Stock Point Local Unique Computer Programs: An Analysis for Transition and Management Under the Stock Point ADP Replacement (SPAR) Project.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-03-01

Project (SPAR). An impor- tant issue of the replacement will be the conversion of existing co uter software to allow transition from the current... issue of the replacement will be the conversion of existing computer software to allow transition from the current hardware environment to the replacement...36 G. LOCAL PROGRAM C1/C2 CONVERSION CONTRACT . . . 38 5 H. LOCAL PROGRAM COMMONALITY ISSUES ....... 41 I. SUMMARY

Replacing missing data between airborne SAR coherent image pairs

DOE PAGES

Musgrove, Cameron H.; West, James C.

2017-07-31

For synthetic aperture radar systems, missing data samples can cause severe image distortion. When multiple, coherent data collections exist and the missing data samples do not overlap between collections, there exists the possibility of replacing data samples between collections. For airborne radar, the known and unknown motion of the aircraft prevents direct data sample replacement to repair image features. Finally, this paper presents a method to calculate the necessary phase corrections to enable data sample replacement using only the collected radar data.

Replacing missing data between airborne SAR coherent image pairs

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

Musgrove, Cameron H.; West, James C.

For synthetic aperture radar systems, missing data samples can cause severe image distortion. When multiple, coherent data collections exist and the missing data samples do not overlap between collections, there exists the possibility of replacing data samples between collections. For airborne radar, the known and unknown motion of the aircraft prevents direct data sample replacement to repair image features. Finally, this paper presents a method to calculate the necessary phase corrections to enable data sample replacement using only the collected radar data.

Treating hearing disorders with cell and gene therapy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gillespie, Lisa N.; Richardson, Rachael T.; Nayagam, Bryony A.; Wise, Andrew K.

2014-12-01

Hearing loss is an increasing problem for a substantial number of people and, with an aging population, the incidence and severity of hearing loss will become more significant over time. There are very few therapies currently available to treat hearing loss, and so the development of new therapeutic strategies for hearing impaired individuals is of paramount importance to address this unmet clinical need. Most forms of hearing loss are progressive in nature and therefore an opportunity exists to develop novel therapeutic approaches to slow or halt hearing loss progression, or even repair or replace lost hearing function. Numerous emerging technologies have potential as therapeutic options. This paper details the potential of cell- and gene-based therapies to provide therapeutic agents to protect sensory and neural cells from various insults known to cause hearing loss; explores the potential of replacing lost sensory and nerve cells using gene and stem cell therapy; and describes the considerations for clinical translation and the challenges that need to be overcome.

76 FR 26606 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Illinois Waterway, Near Morris, IL

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-09

... allow removal of the existing lift span and installation of the replacement lift span. This deviation...-navigation position for eighty-four hours while the existing lift span is removed and the replacement lift...

76 FR 40237 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Illinois Waterway, Near Morris, IL

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-08

... allow removal of the existing lift span and installation of the replacement lift span. This deviation... position for eighty-four hours while the existing lift span is removed and the replacement lift span is...

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

J. E. Lawson, R. Marsala, S. Ramakrishnan, X. Zhao, P. Sichta

In order to provide improved and expanded experimental capabilities, the existing Transrex power supplies at PPPL are to be upgraded and modernized. Each of the 39 power supplies consists of two six pulse silicon controlled rectifier sections forming a twelve pulse power supply. The first modification is to split each supply into two independent six pulse supplies by replacing the existing obsolete twelve pulse firing generator with two commercially available six pulse firing generators. The second change replaces the existing control link with a faster system, with greater capacity, which will allow for independent control of all 78 power supplymore » sections. The third change replaces the existing Computer Automated Measurement and Control (CAMAC) based fault detector with an Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) compatible unit, eliminating the obsolete CAMAC modules. Finally the remaining relay logic and interfaces to the "Hardwired Control System" will be replaces with a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).« less

Limited options for low-global-warming-potential refrigerants.

PubMed

McLinden, Mark O; Brown, J Steven; Brignoli, Riccardo; Kazakov, Andrei F; Domanski, Piotr A

2017-02-17

Hydrofluorocarbons, currently used as refrigerants in air-conditioning systems, are potent greenhouse gases, and their contribution to climate change is projected to increase. Future use of the hydrofluorocarbons will be phased down and, thus replacement fluids must be found. Here we show that only a few pure fluids possess the combination of chemical, environmental, thermodynamic, and safety properties necessary for a refrigerant and that these fluids are at least slightly flammable. We search for replacements by applying screening criteria to a comprehensive chemical database. For the fluids passing the thermodynamic and environmental screens (critical temperature and global warming potential), we simulate performance in small air-conditioning systems, including optimization of the heat exchangers. We show that the efficiency-versus-capacity trade-off that exists in an ideal analysis disappears when a more realistic system is considered. The maximum efficiency occurs at a relatively high volumetric refrigeration capacity, but there are few fluids in this range.

Limited options for low-global-warming-potential refrigerants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McLinden, Mark O.; Brown, J. Steven; Brignoli, Riccardo; Kazakov, Andrei F.; Domanski, Piotr A.

2017-02-01

Hydrofluorocarbons, currently used as refrigerants in air-conditioning systems, are potent greenhouse gases, and their contribution to climate change is projected to increase. Future use of the hydrofluorocarbons will be phased down and, thus replacement fluids must be found. Here we show that only a few pure fluids possess the combination of chemical, environmental, thermodynamic, and safety properties necessary for a refrigerant and that these fluids are at least slightly flammable. We search for replacements by applying screening criteria to a comprehensive chemical database. For the fluids passing the thermodynamic and environmental screens (critical temperature and global warming potential), we simulate performance in small air-conditioning systems, including optimization of the heat exchangers. We show that the efficiency-versus-capacity trade-off that exists in an ideal analysis disappears when a more realistic system is considered. The maximum efficiency occurs at a relatively high volumetric refrigeration capacity, but there are few fluids in this range.

Limited options for low-global-warming-potential refrigerants

PubMed Central

McLinden, Mark O.; Brown, J. Steven; Brignoli, Riccardo; Kazakov, Andrei F.; Domanski, Piotr A.

2017-01-01

Hydrofluorocarbons, currently used as refrigerants in air-conditioning systems, are potent greenhouse gases, and their contribution to climate change is projected to increase. Future use of the hydrofluorocarbons will be phased down and, thus replacement fluids must be found. Here we show that only a few pure fluids possess the combination of chemical, environmental, thermodynamic, and safety properties necessary for a refrigerant and that these fluids are at least slightly flammable. We search for replacements by applying screening criteria to a comprehensive chemical database. For the fluids passing the thermodynamic and environmental screens (critical temperature and global warming potential), we simulate performance in small air-conditioning systems, including optimization of the heat exchangers. We show that the efficiency-versus-capacity trade-off that exists in an ideal analysis disappears when a more realistic system is considered. The maximum efficiency occurs at a relatively high volumetric refrigeration capacity, but there are few fluids in this range. PMID:28211518

Animal-Friendly Affinity Reagents: Replacing the Needless in the Haystack.

PubMed

Gray, A C; Sidhu, S S; Chandrasekera, P C; Hendriksen, C F M; Borrebaeck, C A K

2016-12-01

The multibillion-dollar global antibody industry produces an indispensable resource but that is generated using millions of animals. Despite the irrefutable maturation and availability of animal-friendly affinity reagents (AFAs) employing naïve B lymphocyte or synthetic recombinant technologies expressed by phage display, animal immunisation is still authorised for antibody production. Remarkably, replacement opportunities have been overlooked, despite the enormous potential reduction in animal use. Directive 2010/63/EU requires that animals are not used where alternatives exist. To ensure its implementation, we have engaged in discussions with the EU Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM) and the Directorate General for Environment to carve out an EU-led replacement strategy. Measures must be imposed to avoid outsourcing, regulate commercial production, and ensure that antibody producers are fully supported. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Radiological/biological/aerosol removal system

DOEpatents

Haslam, Jeffery J

2015-03-17

An air filter replacement system for existing buildings, vehicles, arenas, and other enclosed airspaces includes a replacement air filter for replacing a standard air filter. The replacement air filter has dimensions and air flow specifications that allow it to replace the standard air filter. The replacement air filter includes a filter material that removes radiological or biological or aerosol particles.

Potential for worldwide displacement of fossil-fuel electricity by nuclear energy in three decades based on extrapolation of regional deployment data.

PubMed

Qvist, Staffan A; Brook, Barry W

2015-01-01

There is an ongoing debate about the deployment rates and composition of alternative energy plans that could feasibly displace fossil fuels globally by mid-century, as required to avoid the more extreme impacts of climate change. Here we demonstrate the potential for a large-scale expansion of global nuclear power to replace fossil-fuel electricity production, based on empirical data from the Swedish and French light water reactor programs of the 1960s to 1990s. Analysis of these historical deployments show that if the world built nuclear power at no more than the per capita rate of these exemplar nations during their national expansion, then coal- and gas-fired electricity could be replaced worldwide in less than a decade. Under more conservative projections that take into account probable constraints and uncertainties such as differing relative economic output across regions, current and past unit construction time and costs, future electricity demand growth forecasts and the retiring of existing aging nuclear plants, our modelling estimates that the global share of fossil-fuel-derived electricity could be replaced within 25-34 years. This would allow the world to meet the most stringent greenhouse-gas mitigation targets.

Interior LED Lighting Technology. Navy Energy Technology Validation (Techval) Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-09-01

usually on most of the time. • Consider replacing existing CFL, high-intensity discharge (HID), or halogen lamp light fixtures/ lamps with LED fixtures... lamps . What is the Technology? An LED is a semiconductor-diode that emits light when power is applied. A driver is used, much as a ballast, to...available in integrated luminaires that can be used to replace existing luminaires. LEDs are also available as direct replacement lamps for many

Esophageal tissue engineering: Current status and perspectives.

PubMed

Poghosyan, T; Catry, J; Luong-Nguyen, M; Bruneval, P; Domet, T; Arakelian, L; Sfeir, R; Michaud, L; Vanneaux, V; Gottrand, F; Larghero, J; Cattan, P

2016-02-01

Tissue engineering, which consists of the combination and in vivo implantation of elements required for tissue remodeling toward a specific organ phenotype, could be an alternative for classical techniques of esophageal replacement. The current hybrid approach entails creation of an esophageal substitute composed of an acellular matrix and autologous epithelial and muscle cells provides the most successful results. Current research is based on the use of mesenchymal stem cells, whose potential for differentiation and proangioogenic, immune-modulator and anti-inflammatory properties are important assets. In the near future, esophageal substitutes could be constructed from acellular "intelligent matrices" that contain the molecules necessary for tissue regeneration; this should allow circumvention of the implantation step and still obtain standardized in vivo biological responses. At present, tissue engineering applications to esophageal replacement are limited to enlargement plasties with absorbable, non-cellular matrices. Nevertheless, the application of existing clinical techniques for replacement of other organs by tissue engineering in combination with a multiplication of translational research protocols for esophageal replacement in large animals should soon pave the way for health agencies to authorize clinical trials. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Potentiality Prediction of Electric Power Replacement Based on Power Market Development Strategy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miao, Bo; Yang, Shuo; Liu, Qiang; Lin, Jingyi; Zhao, Le; Liu, Chang; Li, Bin

2017-05-01

The application of electric power replacement plays an important role in promoting the development of energy conservation and emission reduction in our country. To exploit the potentiality of regional electric power replacement, the regional GDP (gross domestic product) and energy consumption are taken as potentiality evaluation indicators. The principal component factors are extracted with PCA (principal component analysis), and the integral potentiality analysis is made to the potentiality of electric power replacement in the national various regions; a region is taken as a research object, and the potentiality of electric power replacement is defined and quantified. The analytical model for the potentiality of multi-scenario electric power replacement is developed, and prediction is made to the energy consumption with the grey prediction model. The relevant theoretical research is utilized to realize prediction analysis on the potentiality amount of multi-scenario electric power replacement.

Industrial Cogeneration--What it is, How it Works, Its Potential.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-04-29

plant . Therefore, where industrial cogenerated electricity replaces central power- plant generated electricity, fewer emissions should be pro- duced...States Utilities Company plant located in the center of a petrochem - ical complex near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since 1929 the plant has produced steam and...utility emissions . Furthermore, since many existing utility plants burn oil, cogeneration might also lead to greater oil use than would otherwise be the

Development of Iron Aluminides

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-05-01

in aircraft turbine engines as altIErnatives to high chromium steels and nickel-base alloys. The pirogram was divided into three tasks. A process and...RSR) and the determination of their potential for use in aircraft turbine engines as alternative. to high chromium steels and nickel-base alloys. The...intermediated temperatures. Any alloys must also exhibit adequate corrosion resistance in a gas turbine environment if they are to replace existing alloys. A

Succession planning and leadership development: critical business strategies for healthcare organizations.

PubMed

Collins, Sandra K; Collins, Kevin S

2007-01-01

As labor shortages intensify, succession planning and leadership development have become strategic initiatives requiring rigorous consideration. Traditional methods of replacing personnel will not accommodate the vacancies expected to plague healthcare organizations. Managers should focus on identifying potential gaps of key personnel and adapting programs to accommodate organizational need. Attention should be placed on capturing the intellectual capital existent in the organization and developing diverse groups of leadership candidates.

Hydrocarbon-Seeded Ignition System for Small Spacecraft Thrusters Using Ionic Liquid Propellants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitmore, Stephen A.; Merkley, Daniel P.; Eilers, Shannon D.; Taylor, Terry L.

2013-01-01

"Green" propellants based on Ionic-liquids (ILs) like Ammonium DiNitramide and Hydroxyl Ammonium Nitrate have recently been developed as reduced-hazard replacements for hydrazine. Compared to hydrazine, ILs offer up to a 50% improvement in available density-specific impulse. These materials present minimal vapor hazard at room temperature, and this property makes IL's potentially advantageous for "ride-share" launch opportunities where hazards introduced by hydrazine servicing are cost-prohibitive. Even though ILs present a reduced hazard compared to hydrazine, in crystalline form they are potentially explosive and are mixed in aqueous solutions to buffer against explosion. Unfortunately, the high water content makes IL-propellants difficult to ignite and currently a reliable "coldstart" capability does not exist. For reliable ignition, IL-propellants catalyst beds must be pre-heated to greater than 350 C before firing. The required preheat power source is substantial and presents a significant disadvantage for SmallSats where power budgets are extremely limited. Design and development of a "micro-hybrid" igniter designed to act as a "drop-in" replacement for existing IL catalyst beds is presented. The design requires significantly lower input energy and offers a smaller overall form factor. Unlike single-use "squib" pyrotechnic igniters, the system allows the gas generation cycle to be terminated and reinitiated on demand.

Noise characterization of broadband fiber Cherenkov radiation as a visible-wavelength source for optical coherence tomography and two-photon fluorescence microscopy.

PubMed

Tu, Haohua; Zhao, Youbo; Liu, Yuan; Liu, Yuan-Zhi; Boppart, Stephen

2014-08-25

Optical sources in the visible region immediately adjacent to the near-infrared biological optical window are preferred in imaging techniques such as spectroscopic optical coherence tomography of endogenous absorptive molecules and two-photon fluorescence microscopy of intrinsic fluorophores. However, existing sources based on fiber supercontinuum generation are known to have high relative intensity noise and low spectral coherence, which may degrade imaging performance. Here we compare the optical noise and pulse compressibility of three high-power fiber Cherenkov radiation sources developed recently, and evaluate their potential to replace the existing supercontinuum sources in these imaging techniques.

An Analytical Framework for Assessing the Efficacy of Small Satellites in Performing Novel Imaging Missions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weaver, Oesa A.

In the last two decades, small satellites have opened up the use of space to groups other than governments and large corporations, allowing for increased participation and experimentation. This democratization of space was primarily enabled by two factors: improved technology and reduced launch costs. Improved technology allowed the miniaturization of components and reduced overall cost meaning many of the capabilities of larger satellites could be replicated at a fraction of the cost. In addition, new launcher systems that could host many small satellites as ride-shares on manifested vehicles lowered launch costs and simplified the process of getting a satellite into orbit. The potential of these smaller satellites to replace or augment existing systems has led to a flood of potential satellite and mission concepts, often with little rigorous study of whether the proposed satellite or mission is achievable or necessary. This work proposes an analytical framework to aid system designers in evaluating the ability of an existing concept or small satellite to perform a particular imaging mission, either replacing or augmenting existing capabilities. This framework was developed and then refined by application to the problem of using small satellites to perform a wide area search mission -- a mission not possible with existing imaging satellites, but one that would add to current capabilities. Requirements for a wide area search mission were developed, along with a list of factors that would affect image quality and system performance. Two existing small satellite concepts were evaluated for use by examining image quality from the systems, selecting an algorithm to perform the search function automatically, and then assessing mission feasibility by applying the algorithm to simulated imagery. Finally, a notional constellation design was developed to assess the number of satellites required to perform the mission. It was found that a constellation of 480 CubeSats producing 4 m spatial resolution panchromatic imagery and employing an on-board processing algorithm would be sufficient to perform a wide area search mission.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the treatment of household plastic containers and packaging: replacement with biomass-based materials.

PubMed

Yano, Junya; Hirai, Yasuhiro; Sakai, Shin-ichi; Tsubota, Jun

2014-04-01

The purpose of this study was to quantify the life-cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction that could be achieved by replacement of fossil-derived materials with biodegradable, biomass-based materials for household plastic containers and packaging, considering a variety of their treatment options. The biomass-based materials were 100% polylactide or a combination of polybutylene succinate adipate and polylactide. A scenario analysis was conducted considering alternative recycling methods. Five scenarios were considered: two for existing fossil-derived materials (the current approach in Japan) and the three for biomass-based materials. Production and waste disposal of 1 m(3) of plastic containers and packaging from households was defined as the functional unit. The results showed that replacement of fossil-derived materials with biomass-based materials could reduce life-cycle GHG emissions by 14-20%. Source separation and recycling should be promoted. When the separate collection ratio reached 100%, replacement with biomass-based materials could potentially reduce GHG emissions by 31.9%. Food containers are a priority for replacement, because they alone could reduce GHG emissions by 10%. A recycling system for biomass-based plastics must be carefully designed, considering aspects such as the transition period from fossil-derived plastics to biomass-based plastics.

Limited options for low-global-warming-potential refrigerants

DOE PAGES

McLinden, Mark O.; Brown, J. Steven; Brignoli, Riccardo; ...

2017-02-17

Hydrofluorocarbons, currently used as refrigerants in air-conditioning systems, are potent greenhouse gases, and their contribution to climate change is projected to increase. Future use of the hydrofluorocarbons will be phased down and, thus replacement fluids must be found. Here we show that only a few pure fluids possess the combination of chemical, environmental, thermodynamic, and safety properties necessary for a refrigerant and that these fluids are at least slightly flammable.We search for replacements by applying screening criteria to a comprehensive chemical database. For the fluids passing the thermodynamic and environmental screens (critical temperature and global warming potential), we simulate performancemore » in small air-conditioning systems, including optimization of the heat exchangers. We show that the efficiency-versus-capacity trade-off that exists in an ideal analysis disappears when a more realistic system is considered. Furthermore, the maximum efficiency occurs at a relatively high volumetric refrigeration capacity, but there are few fluids in this range.« less

The criminal justice system's considerations of so-called near-virtual autopsies: the East Midlands experience.

PubMed

Jeffery, A; Raj, V; Morgan, B; West, K; Rutty, G N

2011-08-01

While several research groups champion the potential for postmortem CT (PMCT) to replace the invasive postmortem (PM), many questions still remain. Perhaps the two most important questions are whether PMCT can provide the same level of information as an invasive PM, and arguably more importantly, can it meet the needs of the end users of the PM report. Through a comparative analysis of invasive post-mortem and CT findings and a questionnaire based qualitative thematic analysis, the authors have sought to answer these questions. Here, the authors show that PMCT is good at providing accurate causes of death and that the interpretation of cases is not significantly altered by the absence of histology. The authors show that in straightforward trauma deaths such as road traffic incidents, there exists the potential for the replacement of the invasive PM by PMCT examination. However, as yet, PMCT cannot provide all of the information that is expected by the criminal justice system in complex forensic cases.

Limited options for low-global-warming-potential refrigerants

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

McLinden, Mark O.; Brown, J. Steven; Brignoli, Riccardo

Hydrofluorocarbons, currently used as refrigerants in air-conditioning systems, are potent greenhouse gases, and their contribution to climate change is projected to increase. Future use of the hydrofluorocarbons will be phased down and, thus replacement fluids must be found. Here we show that only a few pure fluids possess the combination of chemical, environmental, thermodynamic, and safety properties necessary for a refrigerant and that these fluids are at least slightly flammable.We search for replacements by applying screening criteria to a comprehensive chemical database. For the fluids passing the thermodynamic and environmental screens (critical temperature and global warming potential), we simulate performancemore » in small air-conditioning systems, including optimization of the heat exchangers. We show that the efficiency-versus-capacity trade-off that exists in an ideal analysis disappears when a more realistic system is considered. Furthermore, the maximum efficiency occurs at a relatively high volumetric refrigeration capacity, but there are few fluids in this range.« less

Mate replacement and alloparental care in Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis)

USGS Publications Warehouse

Datta, Shubham; Inselman, Will M.; Jenks, Jonathan A.; Jensen, Kent C.; Swanson, Christopher C.; Klaver, Robert W.; Sasmal, Indrani; Grovenburg, Troy W.

2015-01-01

Alloparental care (i.e., care for unrelated offspring) has been documented in various avian species (Maxson 1978, Smith et al. 1996, Tella et al. 1997, Lislevand et al. 2001, Literak and Mraz 2011). A male replacement mate that encounters existing broods has options, which include alloparental care or infanticide. Infanticide may be beneficial in some species (Rohwer 1986, Kermott et al. 1990), but in long-lived avian species, like the ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis) that do not renest within a season, infanticide might be detrimental. Adoption and rearing success likely provide direct evidence of competence of replacement mates as potential parents for future seasons, a benefit that might outweigh the investment of time and effort associated with adoption and rearing (after Rohwer 1986). Anticipated mating opportunity at the cost of adoption (Gori et al. 1996, Rohwer et al. 1999) may explain step-parental benevolence and therefore, in such a scenario would enhance individual fitness through subsequent recruitment of related young.

Aligning food-processing policies to promote healthier fat consumption in India

PubMed Central

Downs, Shauna M.; Marie Thow, Anne; Ghosh-Jerath, Suparna; Leeder, Stephen R.

2015-01-01

India is undergoing a shift in consumption from traditional foods to processed foods high in sugar, salt and fat. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) high in trans-fat are often used in processed foods in India given their low cost and extended shelf life. The World Health Organization has called for the elimination of PHVOs from the global food supply and recommends their replacement with polyunsaturated fat to maximize health benefits. This study examined barriers to replacing industrially produced trans-fat in the Indian food supply and systematically identified potential policy solutions to assist the government in encouraging its removal and replacement with healthier polyunsaturated fat. A combination of food supply chain analysis and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders was conducted. The main barriers faced by the food-processing sector in terms of reducing use of trans-fat and replacing it with healthier oils in India were the low availability and high cost of oils high in polyunsaturated fats leading to a reliance on palm oil (high in saturated fat) and the low use of those healthier oils in product reformulation. Improved integration between farmers and processors, investment in technology and pricing strategies to incentivize use of healthier oils for product reformulation were identified as policy options. Food processors have trouble accessing sufficient affordable healthy oils for product reformulation, but existing incentives aimed at supporting food processing could be tweaked to ensure a greater supply of healthy oils with the potential to improve population health. PMID:24399031

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

J. Daniel Arthur

In recent years, rising populations and regional droughts have caused coal-fired power plants to temporarily curtail or cease production due to a lack of available water for cooling. In addition, concerns about the availability of adequate supplies of cooling water have resulted in cancellation of plans to build much-needed new power plants. These issues, coupled with concern over the possible impacts of global climate change, have caused industry and community planners to seek alternate sources of water to supplement or replace existing supplies. The Department of Energy, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is researching ways to reduce themore » water demands of coal-fired power plants. As part of the NETL Program, ALL Consulting developed an internet-based Catalog of potential alternative sources of cooling water. The Catalog identifies alternative sources of water, such as mine discharge water, oil and gas produced water, saline aquifers, and publicly owned treatment works (POTWs), which could be used to supplement or replace existing surface water sources. This report provides an overview of the Catalog, and examines the benefits and challenges of using these alternative water sources for cooling water.« less

Potential for Worldwide Displacement of Fossil-Fuel Electricity by Nuclear Energy in Three Decades Based on Extrapolation of Regional Deployment Data

PubMed Central

Qvist, Staffan A.; Brook, Barry W.

2015-01-01

There is an ongoing debate about the deployment rates and composition of alternative energy plans that could feasibly displace fossil fuels globally by mid-century, as required to avoid the more extreme impacts of climate change. Here we demonstrate the potential for a large-scale expansion of global nuclear power to replace fossil-fuel electricity production, based on empirical data from the Swedish and French light water reactor programs of the 1960s to 1990s. Analysis of these historical deployments show that if the world built nuclear power at no more than the per capita rate of these exemplar nations during their national expansion, then coal- and gas-fired electricity could be replaced worldwide in less than a decade. Under more conservative projections that take into account probable constraints and uncertainties such as differing relative economic output across regions, current and past unit construction time and costs, future electricity demand growth forecasts and the retiring of existing aging nuclear plants, our modelling estimates that the global share of fossil-fuel-derived electricity could be replaced within 25–34 years. This would allow the world to meet the most stringent greenhouse-gas mitigation targets. PMID:25970621

A population approach to renal replacement therapy epidemiology: lessons from the EVEREST study.

PubMed

Caskey, Fergus J; Jager, Kitty J

2014-08-01

The marked variation that exists in renal replacement therapy (RRT) epidemiology between countries and within countries requires careful systematic examination if the root causes are to be understood. While individual patient-level studies are undoubtedly important, there is a complementary role for more population-level, area-based studies--an aetiological approach. The EVEREST Study adopted such an approach, bringing RRT incidence rates, survival and modality mix together with macroeconomic factors, general population factors and renal service organizational factors for up to 46 countries. This review considers the background to EVEREST, its key results and then the main methodological lessons and their potential application to ongoing work. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.

Energy Optimization Assessment at U.S. Army Installations: Fort Bliss, TX

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-09-01

that if implemented would reduce Fort Bliss’s annual energy use by up to 65 MWH/yr electric and 170,023 MMBtu/yr thermal savings (mostly natural gas...solar heating for domestic hot water at selected buildings 0 0 $— 6040 $— $— $— $— 0.0 HVAC #3 Replace warm air heating system in vehicle...HVAC #6* Replace existing boilers with high- efficiency boilers 0 0 0 4,591 41,708 4,250 45,958 267,781 5.8 HVAC #7* Replace existing heating and

Species replacement dominates megabenthos beta diversity in a remote seamount setting.

PubMed

Victorero, Lissette; Robert, Katleen; Robinson, Laura F; Taylor, Michelle L; Huvenne, Veerle A I

2018-03-07

Seamounts are proposed to be hotspots of deep-sea biodiversity, a pattern potentially arising from increased productivity in a heterogeneous landscape leading to either high species co-existence or species turnover (beta diversity). However, studies on individual seamounts remain rare, hindering our understanding of the underlying causes of local changes in beta diversity. Here, we investigated processes behind beta diversity using ROV video, coupled with oceanographic and quantitative terrain parameters, over a depth gradient in Annan Seamount, Equatorial Atlantic. By applying recently developed beta diversity analyses, we identified ecologically unique sites and distinguished between two beta diversity processes: species replacement and changes in species richness. The total beta diversity was high with an index of 0.92 out of 1 and was dominated by species replacement (68%). Species replacement was affected by depth-related variables, including temperature and water mass in addition to the aspect and local elevation of the seabed. In contrast, changes in species richness component were affected only by the water mass. Water mass, along with substrate also affected differences in species abundance. This study identified, for the first time on seamount megabenthos, the different beta diversity components and drivers, which can contribute towards understanding and protecting regional deep-sea biodiversity.

Bio-Inspired Stretchable Network-Based Intelligent Composites

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-03

on par with that of lead zirconate titanate ( PZT ). This shows that the BSPT piezo-transducer has the potential to function in ultrasonic situations as...well as the PZTs typically used As a final test, the full network was used, with the same data acquisition computer, designed for PZT - based networks...ality of BSPT in SHM systems. These experiments indicate that BSPT has function- ality on par with PZT -5A and can simply replace the PZT in existing

Measure Guideline. Wood Window Repair, Rehabilitation, and Replacement

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

Baker, P.; Eng, P.

2012-12-01

This measure guideline provides information and guidance on rehabilitating, retrofitting, and replacing existing window assemblies in residential construction. The intent is to provide information regarding means and methods to improve the energy and comfort performance of existing wood window assemblies in a way that takes into consideration component durability, in-service operation, and long term performance of the strategies.

Measure Guideline: Window Repair, Rehabilitation, and Replacement

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

Baker, P.

2012-12-01

This measure guideline provides information and guidance on rehabilitating, retrofitting, and replacing existing window assemblies in residential construction. The intent is to provide information regarding means and methods to improve the energy and comfort performance of existing wood window assemblies in a way that takes into consideration component durability, in-service operation, and long term performance of the strategies.

De novo active sites for resurrected Precambrian enzymes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Risso, Valeria A.; Martinez-Rodriguez, Sergio; Candel, Adela M.; Krüger, Dennis M.; Pantoja-Uceda, David; Ortega-Muñoz, Mariano; Santoyo-Gonzalez, Francisco; Gaucher, Eric A.; Kamerlin, Shina C. L.; Bruix, Marta; Gavira, Jose A.; Sanchez-Ruiz, Jose M.

2017-07-01

Protein engineering studies often suggest the emergence of completely new enzyme functionalities to be highly improbable. However, enzymes likely catalysed many different reactions already in the last universal common ancestor. Mechanisms for the emergence of completely new active sites must therefore either plausibly exist or at least have existed at the primordial protein stage. Here, we use resurrected Precambrian proteins as scaffolds for protein engineering and demonstrate that a new active site can be generated through a single hydrophobic-to-ionizable amino acid replacement that generates a partially buried group with perturbed physico-chemical properties. We provide experimental and computational evidence that conformational flexibility can assist the emergence and subsequent evolution of new active sites by improving substrate and transition-state binding, through the sampling of many potentially productive conformations. Our results suggest a mechanism for the emergence of primordial enzymes and highlight the potential of ancestral reconstruction as a tool for protein engineering.

3D echocardiographic analysis of aortic annulus for transcatheter aortic valve replacement using novel aortic valve quantification software: Comparison with computed tomography.

PubMed

Mediratta, Anuj; Addetia, Karima; Medvedofsky, Diego; Schneider, Robert J; Kruse, Eric; Shah, Atman P; Nathan, Sandeep; Paul, Jonathan D; Blair, John E; Ota, Takeyoshi; Balkhy, Husam H; Patel, Amit R; Mor-Avi, Victor; Lang, Roberto M

2017-05-01

With the increasing use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS), computed tomography (CT) remains the standard for annulus sizing. However, 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) has been an alternative in patients with contraindications to CT. We sought to (1) test the feasibility, accuracy, and reproducibility of prototype 3DTEE analysis software (Philips) for aortic annular measurements and (2) compare the new approach to the existing echocardiographic techniques. We prospectively studied 52 patients who underwent gated contrast CT, procedural 3DTEE, and TAVR. 3DTEE images were analyzed using novel semi-automated software designed for 3D measurements of the aortic root, which uses multiplanar reconstruction, similar to CT analysis. Aortic annulus measurements included area, perimeter, and diameter calculations from these measurements. The results were compared to CT-derived values. Additionally, 3D echocardiographic measurements (3D planimetry and mitral valve analysis software adapted for the aortic valve) were also compared to the CT reference values. 3DTEE image quality was sufficient in 90% of patients for aortic annulus measurements using the new software, which were in good agreement with CT (r-values: .89-.91) and small (<4%) inter-modality nonsignificant biases. Repeated measurements showed <10% measurements variability. The new 3D analysis was the more accurate and reproducible of the existing echocardiographic techniques. Novel semi-automated 3DTEE analysis software can accurately measure aortic annulus in patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR, in better agreement with CT than the existing methodology. Accordingly, intra-procedural TEE could potentially replace CT in patients where CT carries significant risk. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Novel synthetic Medea selfish genetic elements drive population replacement in Drosophila; a theoretical exploration of Medea-dependent population suppression.

PubMed

Akbari, Omar S; Chen, Chun-Hong; Marshall, John M; Huang, Haixia; Antoshechkin, Igor; Hay, Bruce A

2014-12-19

Insects act as vectors for diseases of plants, animals, and humans. Replacement of wild insect populations with genetically modified individuals unable to transmit disease provides a potentially self-perpetuating method of disease prevention. Population replacement requires a gene drive mechanism in order to spread linked genes mediating disease refractoriness through wild populations. We previously reported the creation of synthetic Medea selfish genetic elements able to drive population replacement in Drosophila. These elements use microRNA-mediated silencing of myd88, a maternally expressed gene required for embryonic dorso-ventral pattern formation, coupled with early zygotic expression of a rescuing transgene, to bring about gene drive. Medea elements that work through additional mechanisms are needed in order to be able to carry out cycles of population replacement and/or remove existing transgenes from the population, using second-generation elements that spread while driving first-generation elements out of the population. Here we report the synthesis and population genetic behavior of two new synthetic Medea elements that drive population replacement through manipulation of signaling pathways involved in cellular blastoderm formation or Notch signaling, demonstrating that in Drosophila Medea elements can be generated through manipulation of diverse signaling pathways. We also describe the mRNA and small RNA changes in ovaries and early embryos associated from Medea-bearing females. Finally, we use modeling to illustrate how Medea elements carrying genes that result in diapause-dependent female lethality could be used to bring about population suppression.

Rapid Deployment Aortic Replacement (RADAR) Registry in Spain: a protocol.

PubMed

Bautista-Hernandez, Victor; Cal-Purriños, Natalia; Arribas-Leal, Jose M; Carnero-Alcazar, Manuel; Gutierrez-Diez, Jose F; Cuenca-Castillo, Jose J

2017-01-10

Rapid deployment valves (RDV) represent a newly introduced approach to aortic valve replacement which facilitates surgical implantation and minimally invasive techniques, shortens surgical times and shows excellent haemodynamic performance. However, evidence on their safety, efficacy and potential complications is mostly fitted with small-volume and retrospective studies. Moreover, no current guidelines exist. To improve our knowledge on this technology, The Rapid Deployment Aortic Replacement (RADAR) Registry will be established across Spain with the aim of assessing RDV outcomes in the real-world setting. The RADAR Registry is designed as a product registry that would provide information on its use and outcomes in clinical practice. This multicentre, prospective, national effort will initially involve 4 centres in Spain. Any patient undergoing cardiac surgery for aortic valve replacement and receiving an RDV as an isolated operation or in combination with other cardiac procedures may be included. Participation is voluntary. Data collection is equal to information obtained during standard care and is prospectively entered by the participating physicians perioperatively and during subsequent follow-up visits. The primary outcome assessed is in-hospital and up to 5 years of follow-up, prosthetic valve functioning and clinical status. Secondary outcomes are to perform subgroup analysis, to compare outcomes with other existing approaches and to develop future clinical guidelines. The follow-up assessments are timed with routine clinical appointments. Dissociated data will be extracted and collectively analysed. Initial target sample size for the registry is 500 participants entered with complete follow-up information. Different substudies will be implemented within the registry to investigate specific populations undergoing aortic valve replacement. The protocol is approved by all local institutional ethics committees. Findings will be shared by the participant hospitals, policymakers and the academic community to promote quality monitoring and efficient use of this technology. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

Adopt or Adapt: Sanitation Technology Choices in Urbanizing Malawi.

PubMed

Chunga, Richard M; Ensink, Jeroen H J; Jenkins, Marion W; Brown, Joe

2016-01-01

This paper presents the results of a mixed-methods study examining adaptation strategies that property owners in low-income, rapidly urbanizing areas in Malawi adopt to address the limitations of pit latrines, the most common method of disposing human excreta. A particular challenge is lack of space for constructing new latrines as population density increases: traditional practice has been to cap full pits and simply move to a new site, but increasing demands on space require new approaches to extend the service life of latrines. In this context, we collected data on sanitation technology choices from January to September 2013 through 48 in-depth interviews and a stated preference survey targeting 1,300 property owners from 27 low-income urban areas. Results showed that property owners with concern about space for replacing pit latrines were 1.8 times more likely to select pit emptying service over the construction of new pit latrines with a slab floor (p = 0.02) but there was no significant association between concern about space for replacing pit latrines and intention to adopt locally promoted, novel sanitation technology known as ecological sanitation (ecosan). Property owners preferred to adapt existing, known technology by constructing replacement pit latrines on old pit latrine locations, reducing the frequency of replacing pit latrines, or via emptying pit latrines when full. This study highlights potential challenges to adoption of wholly new sanitation technologies, even when they present clear advantages to end users. To scale, alternative sanitation technologies for rapidly urbanising cities should offer clear advantages, be affordable, be easy to use when shared among multiple households, and their design should be informed by existing adaptation strategies and local knowledge.

Adopt or Adapt: Sanitation Technology Choices in Urbanizing Malawi

PubMed Central

Chunga, Richard M.; Ensink, Jeroen H. J.; Jenkins, Marion W.; Brown, Joe

2016-01-01

This paper presents the results of a mixed-methods study examining adaptation strategies that property owners in low-income, rapidly urbanizing areas in Malawi adopt to address the limitations of pit latrines, the most common method of disposing human excreta. A particular challenge is lack of space for constructing new latrines as population density increases: traditional practice has been to cap full pits and simply move to a new site, but increasing demands on space require new approaches to extend the service life of latrines. In this context, we collected data on sanitation technology choices from January to September 2013 through 48 in-depth interviews and a stated preference survey targeting 1,300 property owners from 27 low-income urban areas. Results showed that property owners with concern about space for replacing pit latrines were 1.8 times more likely to select pit emptying service over the construction of new pit latrines with a slab floor (p = 0.02) but there was no significant association between concern about space for replacing pit latrines and intention to adopt locally promoted, novel sanitation technology known as ecological sanitation (ecosan). Property owners preferred to adapt existing, known technology by constructing replacement pit latrines on old pit latrine locations, reducing the frequency of replacing pit latrines, or via emptying pit latrines when full. This study highlights potential challenges to adoption of wholly new sanitation technologies, even when they present clear advantages to end users. To scale, alternative sanitation technologies for rapidly urbanising cities should offer clear advantages, be affordable, be easy to use when shared among multiple households, and their design should be informed by existing adaptation strategies and local knowledge. PMID:27532871

75 FR 5564 - Notice of a Project Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American Requirement) of the American Recovery...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-03

... improvements will include a replacement of the existing belt filter press for sludge generated at the plant... project. The purchase of the new rotary sludge press is intended to replace the existing belt filter press... criteria: (1) Rotary press; (2) screw press; (3) centrifuge; and (4) belt filter press. Of the four...

U.S. Nuclear Power Plants: Continued Life or Replacement After 60? (released in AEO2010)

EIA Publications

2010-01-01

Nuclear power plants generate approximately 20% of U.S. electricity, and the plants in operation today are often seen as attractive assets in the current environment of uncertainty about future fossil fuel prices, high construction costs for new power plants (particularly nuclear plants), and the potential enactment of greenhouse gas regulations. Existing nuclear power plants have low fuel costs and relatively high power output. However, there is uncertainty about how long they will be allowed to continue operating.

Aligning food-processing policies to promote healthier fat consumption in India.

PubMed

Downs, Shauna M; Marie Thow, Anne; Ghosh-Jerath, Suparna; Leeder, Stephen R

2015-09-01

India is undergoing a shift in consumption from traditional foods to processed foods high in sugar, salt and fat. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (PHVOs) high in trans-fat are often used in processed foods in India given their low cost and extended shelf life. The World Health Organization has called for the elimination of PHVOs from the global food supply and recommends their replacement with polyunsaturated fat to maximize health benefits. This study examined barriers to replacing industrially produced trans-fat in the Indian food supply and systematically identified potential policy solutions to assist the government in encouraging its removal and replacement with healthier polyunsaturated fat. A combination of food supply chain analysis and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders was conducted. The main barriers faced by the food-processing sector in terms of reducing use of trans-fat and replacing it with healthier oils in India were the low availability and high cost of oils high in polyunsaturated fats leading to a reliance on palm oil (high in saturated fat) and the low use of those healthier oils in product reformulation. Improved integration between farmers and processors, investment in technology and pricing strategies to incentivize use of healthier oils for product reformulation were identified as policy options. Food processors have trouble accessing sufficient affordable healthy oils for product reformulation, but existing incentives aimed at supporting food processing could be tweaked to ensure a greater supply of healthy oils with the potential to improve population health. © The Author (2014). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Dark matter and dark energy from the solution of the strong CP problem.

PubMed

Mainini, Roberto; Bonometto, Silvio A

2004-09-17

The Peccei-Quinn (PQ) solution of the strong CP problem requires the existence of axions, which are viable candidates for dark matter. If the Nambu-Goldstone potential of the PQ model is replaced by a potential V(|Phi|) admitting a tracker solution, the scalar field |Phi| can account for dark energy, while the phase of Phi yields axion dark matter. If V is a supergravity (SUGRA) potential, the model essentially depends on a single parameter, the energy scale Lambda. Once we set Lambda approximately equal to 10(10) GeV at the quark-hadron transition, |Phi| naturally passes through values suitable to solve the strong CP problem, later growing to values providing fair amounts of dark matter and dark energy.

Consequences of wear interruption for discomfort with contact lenses.

PubMed

Papas, Eric B; Tilia, Daniel; Tomlinson, Daniel; Williams, Josh; Chan, Eddy; Chan, Jason; Golebiowski, Blanka

2014-01-01

To establish whether increased end-of-day discomfort during soft contact lens wear is associated with short-term changes occurring to the lens itself. Twenty-seven subjects wore hydrogel lenses (Focus Dailies; Alcon) bilaterally for 10 hours on two separate days. Comfort was reported using 1-100 numerical rating scales (1 = intolerable discomfort, 100 = lens cannot be felt). Day 1 ratings were taken before lens insertion and at 0.05, 5, and 10 hours post-insertion. Day 2 ratings occurred at similar times, but lenses were removed after the 5-hour assessment and either reinserted (n = 14) or newly replaced (n = 12). An additional rating was taken 5 minutes after re-insertion. Wear then continued to the 10-hour point. In a separate study, 24 different subjects repeated these procedures using a silicone hydrogel lens (AirOptix Aqua; Alcon) with wear taking place on 3 days to permit lens replacement to be with existing as well as new lenses in all subjects. For hydrogel lenses, comfort scores (mean ± 95% CI) reported after 10 hours were 79.4 ± 8.3 when lenses were worn un-replaced, compared with 73.2 ± 9.2 for replacement with the existing lens. When replacement was with a brand new lens, the corresponding values were 72.9 ± 10.9 (un-replaced) versus 69.2 ± 12.8 (new lens replacement). For silicone hydrogel lenses, 10-hour comfort was 90.3 ± 3.2 (un-replaced) versus 92.2 ± 2.9 (replacement with existing lens) versus 90.0 ± 3.3 (replacement with new lens). Differences between replacement conditions were not significant in any case (analysis of variance, p > 0.05). Final comfort was not influenced by replacing lenses midway through the wearing period. Comfort decrements experienced by users of these daily contact lenses towards the later part of the wearing period are not caused by changes occurring to the lenses on this time scale. Possible alternative etiological factors include a fatigue-like response in one or more ocular tissues or stimulation of ocular surface nociceptors induced by the presence of the contact lens.

Potential of Silanes for Chromate Replacement in Metal Finishing Industries

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-09-16

POTENTIAL OF SILANES FOR CHROMATE REPLACEMENT IN METAL FINISHING INDUSTRIES Wim J. van Ooij*, Danqing Zhu, Vignesh Palanivel, J. Anna Lamar...18 2 POTENTIAL OF SILANES FOR CHROMATE REPLACEMENT IN METAL FINISHING INDUSTRIES Wim J. van Ooij, Danqing Zhu, Vignesh Palanivel, J. Anna Lamar

Operations analysis (study 2.1): Payload designs for space servicing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wolfe, R. R.

1974-01-01

Potential modes of operating in space in the space shuttle era are documented. The October 1973 NASA Mission Model provides a definition of various NASA and non-DOD automated payload configurations when employed in an expendable mode. The model also specifies a launch schedule for initial deployment of payloads as well as for subsequent replacements at periodic cycles. This model and its associated payload definitions serve as a foundation for the data presented in this report. The reference model has been revised to reflect automated space servicing of payloads as an operational concept instead of the existing expendable approach. The indication is that the bulk of a payload's subsystems and mission equipment require no support over the lifetime of the program. However, failure of a single unit could result in loss of the mission objectives. When space servicing is employed, the approach is to replace only that unit causing the anomaly. This concept affords an opportunity to standardize space replacable units, as well as to reduce the expense of logistics support, by allowing multiple servicing on any single upper stage/shuttle flight.

Recycling of waste spent catalyst in road construction and masonry blocks.

PubMed

Taha, Ramzi; Al-Kamyani, Zahran; Al-Jabri, Khalifa; Baawain, Mahad; Al-Shamsi, Khalid

2012-08-30

Waste spent catalyst is generated in Oman as a result of the cracking process of petroleum oil in the Mina Al-Fahl and Sohar Refineries. The disposal of spent catalyst is of a major concern to oil refineries. Stabilized spent catalyst was evaluated for use in road construction as a whole replacement for crushed aggregates in the sub-base and base layers and as a partial replacement for Portland cement in masonry blocks manufacturing. Stabilization is necessary as the waste spent catalyst exists in a powder form and binders are needed to attain the necessary strength required to qualify its use in road construction. Raw spent catalyst was also blended with other virgin aggregates, as a sand or filler replacement, for use in road construction. Compaction, unconfined compressive strength and leaching tests were performed on the stabilized mixtures. For its use in masonry construction, blocks were tested for unconfined compressive strength at various curing periods. Results indicate that the spent catalyst has a promising potential for use in road construction and masonry blocks without causing any negative environmental impacts. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular Structure of Photosynthetic Microbial Biofuels for Improved Engine Combustion and Emissions Characteristics

PubMed Central

Hellier, Paul; Purton, Saul; Ladommatos, Nicos

2015-01-01

The metabolic engineering of photosynthetic microbes for production of novel hydrocarbons presents an opportunity for development of advanced designer biofuels. These can be significantly more sustainable, throughout the production-to-consumption lifecycle, than the fossil fuels and crop-based biofuels they might replace. Current biofuels, such as bioethanol and fatty acid methyl esters, have been developed primarily as drop-in replacements for existing fossil fuels, based on their physical properties and autoignition characteristics under specific combustion regimes. However, advances in the genetic engineering of microalgae and cyanobacteria, and the application of synthetic biology approaches offer the potential of designer strains capable of producing hydrocarbons and oxygenates with specific molecular structures. Furthermore, these fuel molecules can be designed for higher efficiency of energy release and lower exhaust emissions during combustion. This paper presents a review of potential fuel molecules from photosynthetic microbes and the performance of these possible fuels in modern internal combustion engines, highlighting which modifications to the molecular structure of such fuels may enhance their suitability for specific combustion regimes. PMID:25941673

Molecular structure of photosynthetic microbial biofuels for improved engine combustion and emissions characteristics.

PubMed

Hellier, Paul; Purton, Saul; Ladommatos, Nicos

2015-01-01

The metabolic engineering of photosynthetic microbes for production of novel hydrocarbons presents an opportunity for development of advanced designer biofuels. These can be significantly more sustainable, throughout the production-to-consumption lifecycle, than the fossil fuels and crop-based biofuels they might replace. Current biofuels, such as bioethanol and fatty acid methyl esters, have been developed primarily as drop-in replacements for existing fossil fuels, based on their physical properties and autoignition characteristics under specific combustion regimes. However, advances in the genetic engineering of microalgae and cyanobacteria, and the application of synthetic biology approaches offer the potential of designer strains capable of producing hydrocarbons and oxygenates with specific molecular structures. Furthermore, these fuel molecules can be designed for higher efficiency of energy release and lower exhaust emissions during combustion. This paper presents a review of potential fuel molecules from photosynthetic microbes and the performance of these possible fuels in modern internal combustion engines, highlighting which modifications to the molecular structure of such fuels may enhance their suitability for specific combustion regimes.

78 FR 22942 - Pilkington North America, Inc., Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-17

... replacement rear windows manufactured for model year 2006 through 2009 Honda Civic two-door coupe passenger... approximately 206 replacement rear windows (National Auto Glass Specifications (NAGS) part number FB22692GTY...: Pilkington explains that the noncompliance for the 205 replacement rear windows exists due to Pilkington's...

Development of an intelligent controller for power generators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maxted, Clive; Waller, Winston

2005-01-01

This paper is a description of the development of an embedded controller for high power industrial diesel generators. The aim of the project was to replace the existing discrete logic design by an intelligent versatile and user configurable control system. A prototype embedded PC controlled system was developed, capable of fully replacing the existing system, with a colour TFT display and keypad. Features include fully automatic generator control as before with status and alarm display and monitoring of engine parameters, along with data logging, remote communications and a means of analysing data. The unit was tested on the bench and on diesel generators for the core controlling functionality to prove compliance with the specifications. The results of the testing proved the unit's suitability as a replacement for the existing system in its intended environment. The significance of this study is that a low cost replacement solution has been found for an industrial application by transferring modern technological knowledge to a small business. The company are now able to build on the design and take it into production, reducing servicing and production costs.

Valve replacement in children: a challenge for a whole life.

PubMed

Henaine, Roland; Roubertie, François; Vergnat, Mathieu; Ninet, Jean

2012-10-01

Valvular pathology in infants and children poses numerous challenges to the paediatric cardiac surgeon. Without question, valvular repair is the goal of intervention because restoration of valvular anatomy and physiology using native tissue allows for growth and a potentially better long-term outcome. When reconstruction fails or is not feasible, valve replacement becomes inevitable. Which valve for which position is controversial. Homograft and bioprosthetic valves achieve superior haemodynamic results initially but at the cost of accelerated degeneration. Small patient size and the risk of thromboembolism limit the usefulness of mechanical valves, and somatic outgrowth is an universal problem with all available prostheses. The goal of this article is to address valve replacement options for all four valve positions within the paediatric population. We review current literature and our practice to support our preferences. To summarize, a multitude of opinions and surgical experiences exist. Today, the valve choices that seem without controversy are bioprosthetic replacement of the tricuspid valve and Ross or Ross-Konno procedures when necessary for the aortic valve. On the other hand, bioprostheses may be implanted when annular pulmonary diameter is adequate; if not or in case of right ventricular outflow tract discontinuity, it is better to use a pulmonary homograft with the Ross procedure. Otherwise, a valved conduit. Mitral valve replacement remains the most problematic; the mechanical prosthesis must be placed in the annular position, avoiding oversizing. Future advances with tissue-engineered heart valves for all positions and new anticoagulants may change the landscape for valve replacement in the paediatric population. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Novel Synthetic Medea selfish genetic elements drive population replacement in Drosophila, and a theoretical exploration of Medea-dependent population suppression

PubMed Central

Akbari, Omar S.; Chen, Chun-Hong; Marshall, John M.; Huang, Haixia; Antoshechkin, Igor; Hay, Bruce A.

2013-01-01

Insects act as vectors for diseases of plants, animals and humans. Replacement of wild insect populations with genetically modified individuals unable to transmit disease provides a potentially self-perpetuating method of disease prevention. Population replacement requires a gene drive mechanism in order to spread linked genes mediating disease refractoriness through wild populations. We previously reported the creation of synthetic Medea selfish genetic elements able to drive population replacement in Drosophila. These elements use microRNA-mediated silencing of myd88, a maternally expressed gene required for embryonic dorso-ventral pattern formation, coupled with early zygotic expression of a rescuing transgene, to bring about gene drive. Medea elements that work through additional mechanisms are needed in order to be able to carry out cycles of population replacement and/or remove existing transgenes from the population, using second-generation elements that spread while driving first-generation elements out of the population. Here we report the synthesis and population genetic behavior of two new synthetic Medea elements that drive population replacement through manipulation of signaling pathways involved in cellular blastoderm formation or Notch signaling, demonstrating that in Drosophila Medea elements can be generated through manipulation of diverse signaling pathways. We also describe the mRNA and small RNA changes in ovaries and early embryos associated from Medea-bearing females. Finally, we use modeling to illustrate how Medea elements carrying genes that result in diapause-dependent female lethality could be used to bring about population suppression. PMID:23654248

Coalbed methane: Clean energy for the world

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ahmed, A.-J.; Johnston, S.; Boyer, C.; Lambert, S.W.; Bustos, O.A.; Pashin, J.C.; Wray, A.

2009-01-01

Coalbed methane (CBM) has the potential to emerge as a significant clean energy resource. It also has the potential to replace other diminishing hydrocarbon reserves. The latest developments in technologies and methodologies are playing a key role in harnessing this unconventional resource. Some of these developments include adaptations of existing technologies used in conventional oil and gas generations, while others include new applications designed specifically to address coal's unique properties. Completion techniques have been developed that cause less damage to the production mechanisms of coal seams, such as those occurring during cementing operations. Stimulation fluids have also been engineered specifically to enhance CBM production. Deep coal deposits that remain inaccessible by conventional mining operations offer CBM development opportunities.

Early development of rostrum saw-teeth in a fossil ray tests classical theories of the evolution of vertebrate dentitions.

PubMed

Smith, Moya Meredith; Riley, Alex; Fraser, Gareth J; Underwood, Charlie; Welten, Monique; Kriwet, Jürgen; Pfaff, Cathrin; Johanson, Zerina

2015-10-07

In classical theory, teeth of vertebrate dentitions evolved from co-option of external skin denticles into the oral cavity. This hypothesis predicts that ordered tooth arrangement and regulated replacement in the oral dentition were also derived from skin denticles. The fossil batoid ray Schizorhiza stromeri (Chondrichthyes; Cretaceous) provides a test of this theory. Schizorhiza preserves an extended cartilaginous rostrum with closely spaced, alternating saw-teeth, different from sawfish and sawsharks today. Multiple replacement teeth reveal unique new data from micro-CT scanning, showing how the 'cone-in-cone' series of ordered saw-teeth sets arrange themselves developmentally, to become enclosed by the roots of pre-existing saw-teeth. At the rostrum tip, newly developing saw-teeth are present, as mineralized crown tips within a vascular, cartilaginous furrow; these reorient via two 90° rotations then relocate laterally between previously formed roots. Saw-tooth replacement slows mid-rostrum where fewer saw-teeth are regenerated. These exceptional developmental data reveal regulated order for serial self-renewal, maintaining the saw edge with ever-increasing saw-tooth size. This mimics tooth replacement in chondrichthyans, but differs in the crown reorientation and their enclosure directly between roots of predecessor saw-teeth. Schizorhiza saw-tooth development is decoupled from the jaw teeth and their replacement, dependent on a dental lamina. This highly specialized rostral saw, derived from diversification of skin denticles, is distinct from the dentition and demonstrates the potential developmental plasticity of skin denticles. © 2015 The Authors.

The future of mechanical circulatory support for advanced heart failure.

PubMed

Marinescu, Karolina K; Uriel, Nir; Adatya, Sirtaz

2016-05-01

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) has become the main focus of heart replacement therapy for end stage heart failure patients. Advances in technology are moving towards miniaturization, biventricular support devices, complete internalization, improved hemocompatibility profiles, and responsiveness to cardiac loading conditions. This review will discuss the recent advances and investigational devices in MCS for advanced heart failure. The demand for both short-term and long-term durable devices for advanced heart failure is increasing. The current devices are still fraught with an unacceptably high incidence of gastrointestinal bleeding and thromboembolic and infectious complications. New devices are on the horizon focusing on miniaturization, versatility for biventricular support, improved hemocompatibility, use of alternate energy sources, and incorporation of continuous hemodynamic monitoring. The role for MCS in advanced heart replacement therapy is steadily increasing. With the advent of newer generation devices on the horizon, the potential exists for MCS to surpass heart transplantation as the primary therapy for advanced heart failure.

Trends in Exposure to Chemicals in Personal Care and Consumer Products.

PubMed

Calafat, Antonia M; Valentin-Blasini, Liza; Ye, Xiaoyun

2015-12-01

Synthetic organic chemicals can be used in personal care and consumer products. Data on potential human health effects of these chemicals are limited-sometimes even contradictory-but because several of these chemicals are toxic in experimental animals, alternative compounds are entering consumer markets. Nevertheless, limited information exists on consequent exposure trends to both the original chemicals and their replacements. Biomonitoring (measuring concentrations of chemicals or their metabolites in people) provides invaluable information for exposure assessment. We use phthalates and bisphenol A-known industrial chemicals-and organophosphate insecticides as case studies to show exposure trends to these chemicals and their replacements (e.g., other phthalates, non-phthalate plasticizers, various bisphenols, pyrethroid insecticides) among the US general population. We compare US trends to national trends from Canada and Germany. Exposure to the original compounds is still prevalent among these general populations, but exposures to alternative chemicals may be increasing.

Current status of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry in the clinical microbiology laboratory.

PubMed

Kok, Jen; Chen, Sharon C A; Dwyer, Dominic E; Iredell, Jonathan R

2013-01-01

The integration of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) into many clinical microbiology laboratories has revolutionised routine pathogen identification. MALDI-TOF MS complements and has good potential to replace existing phenotypic identification methods. Results are available in a more clinically relevant timeframe, particularly in bacteraemic septic shock. Novel applications include strain typing and the detection of antimicrobial resistance, but these are not widely used. This review discusses the technical aspects, current applications, and limitations of MALDI-TOF MS.

VH Replacement Footprint Analyzer-I, a Java-Based Computer Program for Analyses of Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Genes and Potential VH Replacement Products in Human and Mouse

PubMed Central

Huang, Lin; Lange, Miles D.; Zhang, Zhixin

2014-01-01

VH replacement occurs through RAG-mediated secondary recombination between a rearranged VH gene and an upstream unrearranged VH gene. Due to the location of the cryptic recombination signal sequence (cRSS, TACTGTG) at the 3′ end of VH gene coding region, a short stretch of nucleotides from the previous rearranged VH gene can be retained in the newly formed VH–DH junction as a “footprint” of VH replacement. Such footprints can be used as markers to identify Ig heavy chain (IgH) genes potentially generated through VH replacement. To explore the contribution of VH replacement products to the antibody repertoire, we developed a Java-based computer program, VH replacement footprint analyzer-I (VHRFA-I), to analyze published or newly obtained IgH genes from human or mouse. The VHRFA-1 program has multiple functional modules: it first uses service provided by the IMGT/V-QUEST program to assign potential VH, DH, and JH germline genes; then, it searches for VH replacement footprint motifs within the VH–DH junction (N1) regions of IgH gene sequences to identify potential VH replacement products; it can also analyze the frequencies of VH replacement products in correlation with publications, keywords, or VH, DH, and JH gene usages, and mutation status; it can further analyze the amino acid usages encoded by the identified VH replacement footprints. In summary, this program provides a useful computation tool for exploring the biological significance of VH replacement products in human and mouse. PMID:24575092

Recent Advances on Bioethanol Dehydration using Zeolite Membrane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Makertihartha, I. G. B. N.; Dharmawijaya, P. T.; Wenten, I. G.

2017-07-01

Renewable energy has gained increasing attention throughout the world. Bioethanol has the potential to replace existing fossil fuel usage without much modification in existing facilities. Bioethanol which generally produced from fermentation route produces low ethanol concentration. However, fuel grade ethanol requires low water content to avoid engine stall. Dehydration process has been increasingly important in fuel grade ethanol production. Among all dehydration processes, pervaporation is considered as the most promising technology. Zeolite possesses high potential in pervaporation of bioethanol into fuel grade ethanol. Zeolite membrane can either remove organic (ethanol) from aqueous mixture or water from the mixture, depending on the framework used. Hydrophilic zeolite membrane, e.g. LTA, can easily remove water from the mixture leaving high ethanol concentration. On the other hand, hydrophobic zeolite membrane, e.g. silicate-1, can remove ethanol from aqueous solution. This review presents the concept of bioethanol dehydration using zeolite membrane. Special attention is given to the performance of selected pathway related to framework selection.

Comparing the effects of tetrabromobisphenol-A, bisphenol A, and their potential replacement alternatives, TBBPA-bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) and bisphenol S, on cell viability and messenger ribonucleic acid expression in chicken embryonic hepatocytes.

PubMed

Ma, Melissa; Crump, Doug; Farmahin, Reza; Kennedy, Sean W

2015-02-01

A market for alternative brominated flame retardants (BFRs) has emerged recently due to the phase out of persistent and inherently toxic BFRs. Several of these replacement compounds have been detected in environmental matrices, including wild birds. A chicken embryonic hepatocyte (CEH) assay was utilized to assess the effects of the BFR, tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), and its replacement alternative, tetrabromobisphenol A bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether [TBBPA-DBPE]) on cell viability and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression. Bisphenol A (BPA) and 1 of its replacement alternatives, bisphenol S (BPS), were also screened for effects. Both TBBPA and BPA decreased CEH viability with calculated median lethal concentration (LC50) values of 40.6 μM and 61.7 μM, respectively. However, the replacement alternatives, TBBPA-DBPE and BPS, did not affect cell viability (up to 300 μM). Effects on mRNA expression were determined using an Avian ToxChip polymerse chain reaction (PCR) array and a real-time (RT)-PCR assay for the estrogen-responsive genes, apolipoproteinII (ApoII) and vitellogenin (Vtg). A luciferase reporter gene assay was used to assess dioxin-like effects. Tetrabromobisphenol-A altered mRNA levels of 4 genes from multiple toxicity pathways and increased luciferase activity in the luciferase reporter gene assay, whereas its alternative, TBBPA-DBPE, only altered 1 gene on the array, Cyp1a4, and increased luciferase activity. At 300 μM, a concentration that decreased cell viability for TBBPA and BPA, the BPA replacement, BPS, altered the greatest number of transcripts, including both ApoII and Vtg. Bisphenol A exposure did not alter any genes on the array but did up-regulate Vtg at 10 μM. Characterization of the potential toxicological and molecular-level effects of these compounds will ideally be useful to chemical regulators tasked with assessing the risk of new and existing chemicals. © 2014 SETAC.

PROGRAM FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND REPLACEMENT OF ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS

EPA Science Inventory

A computer software program is being developed to aid in the identification and replacement of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC). This program will be comprised of two distinct areas of research: identification of potential EDC nd suggstions for replacing those potential EDC. ...

Testing and Comparative Evaluation of Space Shuttle Main Engine Flowmeter Bearings

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hissam, Andy; Leberman, Mike; McLeroy, Rick

2005-01-01

This paper provides a summary of testing of Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) flowmeter bearings and cage material. These tests were con&cM over a several month period in 2004 at the Marshall Space Flight Center. The test program's primary objective was to compare the performance of bearings using the existing cage material and bearings using a proposed replacement cage material. In order to meet the test objectives for this program, a flowmeter test rig was designed and fabricated to measure both breakaway and running torque for a flowmeter assembly. Other test parameters,,such as motor current and shaft speed, were also recorded and provide a means of comparing bearing performance. The flowmeter and bearings were tested in liquid hydrogen to simulate the flowmeter's operating environment as closely as possible. Based on the results from this testing, the bearings with the existing cage material are equivalent to the bearings with the proposed replacement cage material. No major differences exist between the old and new cage materials. Therefore, the new cage material is a suitable replacement for the existing cage material.

Preliminary evaluation of physical and chemical characterization of waste palm oil shell as cool material replaced in asphaltic concrete as fine aggregate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anuar, M. A. M.; Anting, N.; Shahidan, S.; Lee, Y. Y.; Din, M. F. Md; Khalid, F. S.; Nazri, W. M. H. W.

2017-11-01

Malaysia is one of the biggest producer of palm oil product and currently as main source of economy for the country. During the production of crude palm oil, a large amount of waste material is generated, such as palm oil fibres, palm oil shells and empty fruit bunches. Palm oil shell aggregate (POSA) is identified as a material that shows good potential to be used as a fine aggregate replacement in asphaltic concrete. On other hand, the chemical compound that exist in the Palm Oil Shell (POS) have shown a good potential as reflective component in cool-material. The purpose of this study is to obtain the physical and chemical properties of palm oil shell. The result shows the apparent particle density of Palm Oil Shell is 1.6 mg/m3. The specific gravity of palm oil shell was obtained with the value 1.6 and the water absorption amount of palm oil shell recorded from this study was 25.1%. The X-Ray Fluorescence study shows that palm oil shell contains the highest amount of SiO2 (46.412 wt%) and the second highest amount of Fe2O3 (34.016 wt%), both is the main output of relectivity compound. As a conclusion, waste palm oil shell has a potential to be used as alternative material for fine aggregate replacement. Besides that, the amount of chemical element that consist in palm oil shell which high in SiO2 and Fe2O3, promising the benefit to mitigate urban heat island as a cooling material agent.

A review of alternatives to di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-containing medical devices in the neonatal intensive care unit

PubMed Central

Van Vliet, EDS; Reitano, EM; Chhabra, JS; Bergen, GP; Whyatt, RM

2012-01-01

Objective To conduct an extensive literature and toxicological database review on substitute compounds and available alternative medical products to replace polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and conduct a DEHP-medical inventory analysis at a large metropolitan neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Study Design A systematic search for DEHP-free alternative products was performed using online databases. An informal audit of a large metropolitan NICU was undertaken in 2005 and 2006; 21 products were identified that could potentially contain DEHP. Availability of DEHP-free alternatives was determined through company websites and phone interviews. Result Two alternative approaches are available for replacing DEHP in NICU medical products: (1) replacement by DEHP-free plasticizers; and (2) replacement of PVC entirely through the use of other polymers. Both approaches seem to provide less harmful substitutes to DEHP, but support PVC-free polymers as the preferred alternative. However, significant data gaps exist, particularly for the alternative polymers. In all, 10 out of 21 (48%) products in the NICU audit were DEHP-free; six consisted of alternative polymers and four of alternative plasticizers. Of the remaining 11 products, only three were available without DEHP at the time of the audit. Conclusion Because of significant data gaps, systematic toxicological testing of DEHP-free alternatives is imperative. Continued development of alternative products is also needed. PMID:21311501

Foreword: Proceedings From the First Annual Lumbar Total Disc Replacement Summit.

PubMed

Blumenthal, Scott; Buttermann, Glenn; Garcia, Rolando; Gornet, Matthew; Grunch, Betsy; Guyer, Richard; Janssen, Michael; Kimball, Brent; Lewis, Adam; Mesiwala, Ali; Miller, Lynn; Morreale, Joseph; Reed, William; Sandhu, Faheem; Shackleford, Ian; Yue, James; Zigler, Jack; OConnell, Brent; Ferko, Nicole; Hollmann, Sarah

2017-12-15

: This publication focuses on proceedings from the First Annual Lumbar Total Disc Replacement Summit, held October 25, 2016 in Boston, MA. The Summit brought together 17 thought leading surgeons who employed a modified-Delphi method to determine where consensus existed pertaining to the utilization of lumbar total disc replacement as a standard of care for a subpopulation of patients suffering from degenerative disc disease.

Load transfer in the proximal tibia following implantation with a unicompartmental knee replacement: a static snapshot.

PubMed

Simpson, D J; Kendrick, B J L; Dodd, C A F; Price, A J; Gill, H S; Murray, D W

2011-05-01

Unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR) is an appealing alternative to total knee replacement when the patient has isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis. A common observation post-operatively is radiolucency between the tibial tray wall and the bone. In addition, some patients complain of persistent pain over the proximal tibia antero-medially; this may be related to elevated bone strains in the tibia. Currently, there is no intentionally made mechanical bond between the vertical wall of an Oxford UKR and the adjacent bone; whether one exists or not will influence the load transmission in the proximal tibia and may affect the elevated tibia strain. The aim of this study was to investigate how introducing a mechanical tie between the tibial tray wall and the adjacent bone might alter the load carried into the tibia for both cemented and cementless UKRs. Strain energy density in the region of bone adjacent to the tray wall was considerably increased when a mechanical tie was introduced; this has the potential of reducing the likelihood of a radiolucency occurring in that region. Moreover, a mechanical tie had the effect of reducing proximal tibia strain, which may decrease the incidence of pain following implantation with a UKR.

Biodiesel from microalgae beats bioethanol.

PubMed

Chisti, Yusuf

2008-03-01

Renewable biofuels are needed to displace petroleum-derived transport fuels, which contribute to global warming and are of limited availability. Biodiesel and bioethanol are the two potential renewable fuels that have attracted the most attention. As demonstrated here, biodiesel and bioethanol produced from agricultural crops using existing methods cannot sustainably replace fossil-based transport fuels, but there is an alternative. Biodiesel from microalgae seems to be the only renewable biofuel that has the potential to completely displace petroleum-derived transport fuels without adversely affecting supply of food and other crop products. Most productive oil crops, such as oil palm, do not come close to microalgae in being able to sustainably provide the necessary amounts of biodiesel. Similarly, bioethanol from sugarcane is no match for microalgal biodiesel.

Regulation of sexual development in the basal termite Cryptotermes secundus: mutilation, pheromonal manipulation or honest signal?

PubMed

Korb, Judith

2005-01-01

Social insect colonies are not the harmonious entities they were once considered. Considerable conflicts exist between colony members, as has been shown for Hymenoptera. For termites, similar studies are lacking, but aggressive manipulations have been claimed to regulate sexual development, and even to account for the evolution of workers. This study on a basal termite, Cryptotermes secundus (Kalotermitidae), suggests that the importance of aggressive manipulations in termites has been overemphasized. Wing-bud mutilations, a means proposed to regulate the development of dispersing sexuals (alates), seem to be artifacts of handling conditions that cause disturbance. Aggressive behaviors never occurred unless colonies were disturbed. Theoretical considerations further showed that the potential for intense conflict among termite nestmates is low compared to hymenopteran societies. Strong conflicts are only expected to occur over the replacement of natal reproductives that died, while less intense conflicts should exist over the development into alates when food in the colony becomes limiting. Accordingly, intracolonial aggressive interactions over replacement are common, whereas nestmates seem to manipulate alate development via proctodeal feeding when food resources decline. However, the latter is rather an honest signal than a manipulation because only the most competent prospective dispersers can impede the development of nestmates.

Decision support model for assessing archaeological survey needs for bridge replacement projects in Iowa.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-01-01

The Bridges Decision Support Model is a geographic information system (GIS) that assembles existing : data on archaeological sites, surveys, and their geologic contexts to assess the risk of bridge replacement : projects encountering 13,000- to 150-y...

Development of a guide for prioritization of railway bridges for repair and replacement.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-09-01

The objective of this study was to develop evaluation bases for the repair, rehabilitation, and replacement of existing : railway bridges. Considering the importance of bridges to the railway network, the research involved the review and : analysis o...

Drought-induced vegetation shifts in terrestrial ecosystems: The key role of regeneration dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez-Vilalta, Jordi; Lloret, Francisco

2016-09-01

Ongoing climate change is modifying climatic conditions worldwide, with a trend towards drier conditions in most regions. Vegetation will respond to these changes, eventually adjusting to the new climate. It is unclear, however, how close different ecosystems are to climate-related tipping points and, thus, how dramatic these vegetation changes will be in the short- to mid-term, given the existence of strong stabilizing processes. Here, we review the published evidence for recent drought-induced vegetation shifts worldwide, addressing the following questions: (i) what are the necessary conditions for vegetation shifts to occur? (ii) How much evidence of drought-induced vegetation shifts do we have at present and where are they occurring? (iii) What are the main processes that favor/oppose the occurrence of shifts at different ecological scales? (iv) What are the complications in detecting and attributing drought-induced vegetation shifts? (v) What ecological factors can interact with drought to promote shifts or stability? We propose a demographic framework to classify the likely outcome of instances of drought-induced mortality, based upon the survival of adults of potential replacement species and the regeneration of both formerly dominant affected species and potential replacement species. Out of 35 selected case studies only eight were clearly consistent with the occurrence of a vegetation shift (species or biome shift), whereas three corresponded to self-replacements in which the affected, formerly dominant species was able to regenerate after suffering drought-induced mortality. The other 24 cases were classified as uncertain, either due to lack of information or, more commonly, because the initially affected and potential replacement species all showed similar levels of regeneration after the mortality event. Overall, potential vegetation transitions were consistent with more drought-resistant species replacing less resistant ones. However, almost half (44%) of the vegetation trajectories associated to the 35 case studies implied no change in the functional type of vegetation. Of those cases implying a functional type change, the most common one was a transition from tree- to shrub-dominated communities. Overall, evidence for drought-induced vegetation shifts is still limited. In this context, we stress the need for improved, long-term monitoring programs with sufficient temporal resolution. We also highlight the critical importance of regeneration in determining the outcome of drought-induced mortality events, and the crucial role of co-drivers, particularly management. Finally, we illustrate how placing vegetation shifts in a biogeographical and successional context may support progress in our understanding of the underlying processes and the ecosystem-level implications.

Actual operation and regulatory activities on steam generator replacement in Japan

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

Saeki, Hitoshi

1997-02-01

This paper summarizes the operating reactors in Japan, and the status of the steam generators in these plants. It reviews plans for replacement of existing steam generators, and then goes into more detail on the planning and regulatory steps which must be addressed in the process of accomplishing this maintenance. The paper also reviews the typical steps involved in the process of removal and replacement of steam generators.

Tooth replacement and putative odontogenic stem cell niches in pharyngeal dentition of medaka (Oryzias latipes).

PubMed

Abduweli, Dawud; Baba, Otto; Tabata, Makoto J; Higuchi, Kazunori; Mitani, Hiroshi; Takano, Yoshiro

2014-04-01

The small-sized teleost fish medaka, Oryzias latipes, has as many as 1000 pharyngeal teeth undergoing continuous replacement. In this study, we sought to identify the tooth-forming units and determine its replacement cycles, and further localize odontogenic stem cell niches in the pharyngeal dentition of medaka to gain insights into the mechanisms whereby continuous tooth replacement is maintained. Three-dimensional reconstruction of pharyngeal epithelium and sequential fluorochrome labeling of pharyngeal bones and teeth indicated that the individual functional teeth and their successional teeth were organized in families, each comprising up to five generations of teeth and successional tooth germs, and that the replacement cycle of functional teeth was approximately 4 weeks. BrdU label/chase experiments confirmed the existence of clusters of label-retaining epithelial cells at the posterior end of each tooth family where the expression of pluripotency marker Sox2 was confirmed by in situ hybridization. Label-retaining cells were also identified in the mesoderm immediately adjacent to the posterior end of each tooth family. These data suggest the importance of existence of slow-cycling dental epithelial cells and Sox2 expressions at the posterior end of each tooth family to maintain continuous tooth formation and replacement in the pharyngeal dentition of medaka.

16 CFR 1505.3 - Labeling.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... incandescent lamps. A toy with one or more replaceable incandescent lamps, having a potential difference of... periodically examined for potential hazards and that any potentially hazardous parts be repaired or replaced... Carefully,” the blank being filled in by the manufacturer with a description of the potential hazard such as...

16 CFR 1505.3 - Labeling.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... incandescent lamps. A toy with one or more replaceable incandescent lamps, having a potential difference of... periodically examined for potential hazards and that any potentially hazardous parts be repaired or replaced... Carefully,” the blank being filled in by the manufacturer with a description of the potential hazard such as...

16 CFR 1505.3 - Labeling.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... incandescent lamps. A toy with one or more replaceable incandescent lamps, having a potential difference of... periodically examined for potential hazards and that any potentially hazardous parts be repaired or replaced... Carefully,” the blank being filled in by the manufacturer with a description of the potential hazard such as...

Reducing Energy Use in Existing Homes by 30%: Learning From Home Performance with ENERGY STAR

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

Liaukus, C.

2014-12-01

The improvement of existing homes in the United States can have a much greater impact on overall residential energy use than the construction of highly efficient new homes. There are over 130 million existing housing units in the U.S., while annually new construction represents less than two percent of the total supply (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013). Therefore, the existing housing stock presents a clear opportunity and responsibility for Building America (BA) to guide the remodeling and retrofit market toward higher performance existing homes. There are active programs designed to improve the energy performance of existing homes. Home Performance with ENERGYmore » STAR (HPwES) is a market-rate program among them. BARA's research in this project verified that the New Jersey HPwES program is achieving savings in existing homes that meet or exceed BA's goal of 30%. Among the 17 HPwES projects with utility data included in this report, 15 have actual energy savings ranging from 24% to 46%. Further, two of the homes achieved that level of energy savings without the costly replacement of heating and cooling equipment, which indicates that less costly envelope packages could be offered to consumers unable to invest in more costly mechanical packages, potentially creating broader market impact.« less

Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator Integration with the ISS Extravehicular Mobility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Margiott, Victoria; Boyle, Robert

2014-01-01

NASA has developed a Solid Water Membrane Evaporation (SWME) to provide cooling for the next generation spacesuit. One approach to increasing the TRL of the system is to incorporate this hardware with the existing EMU. Several integration issues were addressed to support a potential demonstration of the SWME with the existing EMU. Systems analysis was performed to assess the capability of the SWME to maintain crewmember cooling and comfort as a replacement for sublimation. The materials of the SWME were reviewed to address compatibility with the EMU. Conceptual system placement and integration with the EMU via an EVA umbilical system to ensure crew mobility and Airlock egress were performed. A concept of operation for EVA use was identified that is compatible with the existing system. This concept is extensible as a means to provide cooling for the existing EMU. The cooling system of one of the EMUs on orbit has degraded, with the root cause undetermined. Should there be a common cause resident on ISS, this integration could provide a means to recover cooling capability for EMUs on orbit.

Electric auxiliary power unit for Shuttle evolution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meyer, Doug; Weber, Kent; Scott, Walter

1989-01-01

The Space Shuttle Orbiter currently uses three hydrazine fueled auxiliary power units (APUs) to provide hydraulic power for the vehicle aerodynamic surface controls, main engine thrust vector control, landing gear, steering, and brakes. Electric auxiliary power units have been proposed as possible replacements to the hydrazine auxiliary power units. Along with the potential advantages, this paper describes an Electric APU configuration and addresses the technical issues and risks associated with the subsystem components. Additionally, characteristics of an Electric APU compared to the existing APU and the direction of future study with respect to the Electric APU is suggested.

Can the "musical stroop" task replace the classical stroop task? Commentary on “The musical Stroop effect: Opening a new avenue to research on automatisms” by l. Grégoire, P. Perruchet, and B. Poulin-Charronnat (Experimental Psychology, 2013, vol. 60, pp. 269–278).

PubMed

Zakay, Dan

2014-01-01

The musical Stroop task is analyzed and compared to the classical Stroop task. The analysis indicates that the two tasks differ in the following significant characteristics: ecological validity, the interrelations between the two perceptual dimensions involved, the nature of the automatic process and the existence of a potential Garner interference. It is concluded that the musical task has no advantage over the classical task.

16 CFR § 1505.3 - Labeling.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... incandescent lamps. A toy with one or more replaceable incandescent lamps, having a potential difference of... periodically examined for potential hazards and that any potentially hazardous parts be repaired or replaced... Carefully,” the blank being filled in by the manufacturer with a description of the potential hazard such as...

Vision based assistive technology for people with dementia performing activities of daily living (ADLs): an overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

As'ari, M. A.; Sheikh, U. U.

2012-04-01

The rapid development of intelligent assistive technology for replacing a human caregiver in assisting people with dementia performing activities of daily living (ADLs) promises in the reduction of care cost especially in training and hiring human caregiver. The main problem however, is the various kinds of sensing agents used in such system and is dependent on the intent (types of ADLs) and environment where the activity is performed. In this paper on overview of the potential of computer vision based sensing agent in assistive system and how it can be generalized and be invariant to various kind of ADLs and environment. We find that there exists a gap from the existing vision based human action recognition method in designing such system due to cognitive and physical impairment of people with dementia.

Design and testing of an energy-absorbing crewseat for the F/FB-111 aircraft, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shane, S. J.

1985-01-01

A program to determine if the injury potential could be reduced by replacing the existing crewseats with energy absorbing crewseats is explored. An energy-absorbing test seat was designed using much of the existing seat hardware. An extensive dynamic seat test series, designed to duplicate various crew module ground impact conditions, was conducted at a sled test facility. Comparative tests with operational F-111 crewseats were also conducted. After successful dynamic testing of the seat, more testing was conducted with the seats mounted in an F-111 crew module. Both swing tests and vertical drop tests were conducted. The vertical drop tests were used to obtain comparative data between the energy-absorbing and operational seats. Volume 1 describes the energy absorbing test seat and testing conducted, and evaluates the data from both test series.

Finding of No Significant Impact for the Environmental Assessment for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve West Hackberry Facility Raw Water Intake Pipeline Replacement Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana

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

N /A

DOE has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA), DOE/EA-1497, for the proposed replacement of the existing 107 centimeter (cm) [42 inch (in)] 6.87 kilometer (km) [4.27 mile (mi)] raw water intake pipeline (RWIPL). This action is necessary to allow for continued, optimum operations at the West Hackberry facility (main site/facility). The EA described the proposed action (including action alternatives) and three alternatives to the proposed action. The EA evaluated only the potential environmental consequences of the proposed action (one action alternative), and Alternative 3, which consisted of the No Build Action that is required by 10 CFR 1021.321(c). Based on themore » analysis in DOE/EA-1497, DOE has determined that the proposed action does not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting humans or the natural environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 USC 4321 et seq. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is not required, and DOE is issuing this Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). To further minimize impacts to environmental media, the DOE will also implement a Mitigation Action Plan (MAP) for this action. The MAP is included as Appendix F of this EA, which is appended to this FONSI. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, authorizes the creation of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to store crude oil to reduce the United States' vulnerability to energy supply disruptions. Crude oil is stored in geologic formations, or salt domes, located under these facilities. The purpose of this proposed project is to construct a new RWIPL at the main site to replace the existing RWIPL which services this facility.« less

23 CFR 645.111 - Right-of-way.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... existing location beause it holds the fee, an easement, or another real property interest, the damaging or... for highway purposes. (b) The utility shall determine and make a written valuation of the replacement... valuation shall be accomplished prior to negotiation for acquisition. (c) Acquisition of replacement right...

Gene replacement in Penicillium roqueforti.

PubMed

Goarin, Anne; Silar, Philippe; Malagnac, Fabienne

2015-05-01

Most cheese-making filamentous fungi lack suitable molecular tools to improve their biotechnology potential. Penicillium roqueforti, a species of high industrial importance, would benefit from functional data yielded by molecular genetic approaches. This work provides the first example of gene replacement by homologous recombination in P. roqueforti, demonstrating that knockout experiments can be performed in this fungus. To do so, we improved the existing transformation method to integrate transgenes into P. roqueforti genome. In the meantime, we cloned the PrNiaD gene, which encodes a NADPH-dependent nitrate reductase that reduces nitrate to nitrite. Then, we performed a deletion of the PrNiaD gene from P. roqueforti strain AGO. The ΔPrNiaD mutant strain is more resistant to chlorate-containing medium than the wild-type strain, but did not grow on nitrate-containing medium. Because genomic data are now available, we believe that generating selective deletions of candidate genes will be a key step to open the way for a comprehensive exploration of gene function in P. roqueforti.

Chain Length Dependence of Energies of Electron and Triplet Polarons in Oligofluorenes

DOE PAGES

Chen, Hung Cheng; Sreearunothai, Paiboon; Cook, Andrew R.; ...

2017-03-01

Bimolecular equilibria measured the one-electron reduction potentials and triplet free energies (ΔG° T) of oligo(9,9-dihexyl)fluorenes and a polymer with lengths of n = 1–10 and 57 repeat units. We can accurately measure one-electron potentials electrochemically only for the shorter oligomers. Starting at n = 1 the free energies change rapidly with increasing length and become constant for lengths longer than the delocalization length. Both the reduction potentials and triplet energies can be understood as the sum of a free energy for a fixed polaron and a positional entropy. Furthermore, the positional entropy increases gradually with length beyond the delocalization lengthmore » due to the possible occupation sites of the charge or the triplet exciton. Our results reinforce the view that charges and triplet excitons in conjugated chains exist as polarons and find that positional entropy can replace a popular empirical model of the energetics.« less

Potential of Jatropha curcas as a source of renewable oil and animal feed.

PubMed

King, Andrew J; He, Wei; Cuevas, Jesús A; Freudenberger, Mark; Ramiaramanana, Danièle; Graham, Ian A

2009-01-01

Jatropha curcas (L.) is a perennial plant of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Recently, it has received much attention as a potential source of vegetable oil as a replacement for petroleum, and, in particular, the production of biodiesel. Despite the interest that is being shown in the large-scale cultivation of J. curcas, genetic resources remain poorly characterized and conserved and there has been very little plant breeding for improved traits. At present, the varieties being used to establish plantations in Africa and Asia are inedible. The meal obtained after the extraction of oil cannot, therefore, be used as a source of animal feed. Naturally existing edible varieties are, however, known to occur in Mexico. The toxic components of J. curcas seeds, the potential for plant breeding to generate improved varieties, and the suitability of J. curcas oil as a feedstock for biodiesel production are discussed.

Comments on the Yule Marble Haines block: potential replacement, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetery

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mossotti, Victor G.

2014-01-01

Marble for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery was cut from the Colorado Yule Marble Quarry in 1931. Although anecdotal reports suggest that cracks were noticed in the main section of the monument shortly after its installation at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, detailed documentation of the extent of cracking did not appear until 1963. Although debate continues as to whether the main section of the Tomb of the Unknowns monument should be repaired or replaced, Mr. John S. Haines of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, in anticipation of the permanent closing of the Yule Quarry, donated a 58-ton block of Yule Marble, the so-called Haines block, as a potential backup. The brief study reported here was conducted during mid-summer 2009 at the behest of the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery. The field team entered the subterranean Yule Marble Quarry with the Chief Extraction Engineer in order to contrast the method used for extraction of the Haines block with the method that was probably used to extract the marble block that is now cracked. Based on surficial inspection and shallow coring of the Haines block, and on the nature of crack propagation in Yule Marble as judged by close inspection of a large collection of surrogate Yule Marble blocks, the team found the block to be structurally sound and cosmetically equivalent to the marble used for the current monument. If the Haines block were needed, it would be an appropriate replacement for the existing cracked section of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Monument.

Replacement Windows for Existing Homes Homes | Efficient Windows

Science.gov Websites

Design Guidance Installation Replacement Windows Window Selection Tool Assessing Options Selection Process Design Guidance Installation Understanding Windows Benefits Design Considerations Measuring Selection Tool will take you through a series of design conditions pertaining to your design and location

78 FR 25666 - Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-02

...) sensor blockage. The existing AD also provides for optional terminating action for the AFM revision, which involves replacing AoA sensor conic plates with AoA sensor flat plates. Since we issued that AD, we have determined that the replacement of AoA sensor conic plates is necessary to address the...

Materials and applications of bioresorbable electronics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Xian

2018-01-01

Bioresorbable electronics is a new type of electronics technology that can potentially lead to biodegradable and dissolvable electronic devices to replace current built-to-last circuits predominantly used in implantable devices and consumer electronics. Such devices dissolve in an aqueous environment in time periods from seconds to months, and generate biological safe products. This paper reviews materials, fabrication techniques, and applications of bioresorbable electronics, and aims to inspire more revolutionary bioresorbable systems that can generate broader social and economic impact. Existing challenges and potential solutions in developing bioresorbable electronics have also been presented to arouse more joint research efforts in this field to build systematic technology framework. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 61604108) and the Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin (No. 16JCYBJC40600).

Recommendations for Enabling Manual Component Level Electronic Repair for Future Space Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Struk, Peter M.; Easton, John W.; Funk, Gregory P.; Latta, Gary S.; Ganster, Andrew W.; Estes, Brett E.

2011-01-01

Long duration missions to the Moon and Mars pose a number of challenges to mission designers, controllers, and the crews. Among these challenges are planning for corrective maintenance actions which often require a repair. Current repair strategies on the International Space Station (ISS) rely primarily on the use of Orbital Replacement Units (ORUs), where a faulty unit is replaced with a spare, and the faulty unit typically returns to Earth for analysis and possible repair. The strategy of replace to repair has posed challenges even for the ISS program. Repairing faulty hardware at lower levels such as the component level can help maintain system availability in situations where no spares exist and potentially reduce logistic resupply mass.This report provides recommendations to help enable manual replacement of electronics at the component-level for future manned space missions. The recommendations include hardware, tools, containment options, and crew training. The recommendations are based on the work of the Component Level Electronics Assembly Repair (CLEAR) task of the Exploration Technology Development Program from 2006 to 2009. The recommendations are derived based on the experience of two experiments conducted by the CLEAR team aboard the International Space Station as well as a group of experienced Miniature/Microminiature (2M) electronics repair technicians and instructors from the U.S. Navy 2M Project Office. The emphasis of the recommendations is the physical repair. Fault diagnostics and post-repair functional test are discussed in other CLEAR reports.

A cautionary note on substituting spatial subunits for repeated temporal sampling in studies of site occupancy

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kendall, William L.; White, Gary C.

2009-01-01

1. Assessing the probability that a given site is occupied by a species of interest is important to resource managers, as well as metapopulation or landscape ecologists. Managers require accurate estimates of the state of the system, in order to make informed decisions. Models that yield estimates of occupancy, while accounting for imperfect detection, have proven useful by removing a potentially important source of bias. To account for detection probability, multiple independent searches per site for the species are required, under the assumption that the species is available for detection during each search of an occupied site. 2. We demonstrate that when multiple samples per site are defined by searching different locations within a site, absence of the species from a subset of these spatial subunits induces estimation bias when locations are exhaustively assessed or sampled without replacement. 3. We further demonstrate that this bias can be removed by choosing sampling locations with replacement, or if the species is highly mobile over a short period of time. 4. Resampling an existing data set does not mitigate bias due to exhaustive assessment of locations or sampling without replacement. 5. Synthesis and applications. Selecting sampling locations for presence/absence surveys with replacement is practical in most cases. Such an adjustment to field methods will prevent one source of bias, and therefore produce more robust statistical inferences about species occupancy. This will in turn permit managers to make resource decisions based on better knowledge of the state of the system.

Cell-based therapeutic strategies for replacement and preservation in retinal degenerative diseases

PubMed Central

Jones, Melissa K.; Lu, Bin; Girman, Sergey; Wang, Shaomei

2017-01-01

Cell-based therapeutics offer diverse options for treating retinal degenerative diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). AMD is characterized by both genetic and environmental risks factors, whereas RP is mainly a monogenic disorder. Though treatments exist for some patients with neovascular AMD, a majority of retinal degenerative patients have no effective therapeutics, thus indicating a need for universal therapies to target diverse patient populations. Two main cell-based mechanistic approaches are being tested in clinical trials. Replacement therapies utilize cell-derived retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells to supplant lost or defective host RPE cells. These cells are similar in morphology and function to native RPE cells and can potentially supplant the responsibilities of RPE in vivo. Preservation therapies utilize supportive cells to aid in visual function and photoreceptor preservation partially by neurotrophic mechanisms. The goal of preservation strategies is to halt or slow the progression of disease and maintain remaining visual function. A number of clinical trials are testing the safety of replacement and preservation cell therapies in patients; however, measures of efficacy will need to be further evaluated. In addition, a number of prevailing concerns with regards to the immune-related response, longevity, and functionality of the grafted cells will need to be addressed in future trials. This review will summarize the current status of cell-based preclinical and clinical studies with a focus on replacement and preservation strategies and the obstacles that remain regarding these types of treatments. PMID:28111323

Towards a Conceptual Profile: Rethinking Conceptual Mediation in the Light of Recent Cognitive and Neuroscientific Findings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dawson, Chris

2014-06-01

One important focus for science education researchers over many years has been the attempts to replace students' commonsense and non-scientific explanations of various phenomena by scientific explanations. The approach we adopted almost three decades ago was conceptual mediation, and this was shown to have a considerable level of success with both conceptual and attitudinal change. However, since that time, advances have been made in the application of both cognitive science and neuroscience to science learning. In particular, evidence has accumulated that, rather than the replacement of the commonsense view, the reality is that learners develop a conceptual profile which includes both the commonsense and the scientific. If this is the case, instead of focussing on conceptual replacement, science educators need to aim more actively at strengthening the learner's executive processes which select contextually appropriate responses and inhibit inappropriate ones. In this paper, the initial development, theoretical basis and the practical applications of conceptual mediation are introduced, following which, these are re-examined in the light of more recent findings. Within this discussion, several potential links to recent cognitive and neuroscientific research are drawn, and these raise issues for further research into the most appropriate teaching approaches for tackling existing non-scientific conceptions.

Re-development of the Mount Evans Womble Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stencel, Robert E.

2017-01-01

Mount Evans in the Colorado Front Range hosts one of the highest altitude observatories in the USA, at an elevation of 14,148 ft (4,312 m). The observatory is operated under a Forest Service use permit, recently renewed for another 30 years. At times, observing conditions (seeing, water vapor column, etc.) can be as good as anywhere. The existing twin 0.72 m f/21 R-C telescopes are solar powered and internet connected. However, jet stream winds in 2012 destroyed the 15 year old, 22.5 ft diameter Ash dome. The replacement, custom dome design/install was rushed, and suffers from a number of flaws. Given that, plus the aging telescope and operating system, we are planning, and seeking partners and investor funds, to re-develop the facility. Facets of this may include replacing the twin apertures with a single full-aperture telescope for remote operations and sky monitoring, replacing the flawed dome with an innovative dome design, renewable power upgrades, and outreach programs for the many thousands of mountain visitors seasonally. As elsewhere, we are grappling with increases in atmospheric water vapor and out-of-control regional light pollution growth, but believe that the site continues to hold great potential. Interested parties are invited to contact the first author for further information. Website: http://www.du.edu/~rstencel/MtEvans .

A search for new glucophores by isosteric replacement of carboxylic function.

PubMed

Polański, J; Jarzembek, K; Łysiak, V

2000-11-01

We used arylsulfonylalkanoic acids as parent structures for designing new potential sweeteners. The Kohonen maps of the molecular electrostatic potential of the possible bioisosteric replacements of carboxylic function have been simulated and used for the selection of the potential synthetic targets which are now under synthesis.

Environmental Assessment for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve West Hackberry Facility Raw Water Intake Pipeline Replacement Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana

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

N /A

The proposed action and three alternatives, including a No Build alternative, were evaluated along the existing RWIPL alignment to accommodate the placement of the proposed RWIPL. Construction feasibility, reasonableness and potential environmental impacts were considered during the evaluation of the four actions (and action alternatives) for the proposed RWIPL activities. Reasonable actions were identified as those actions which were considered to be supported by common sense and sound technical principles. Feasible actions were those actions which were considered to be capable of being accomplished, practicable and non-excessive in terms of cost. The evaluation process considered the following design specifications, whichmore » were determined to be important to the feasibility of the overall project. The proposed RWIPL replacement project must therefore: (1) Comply with the existing design basis and criteria, (2) Maintain continuity of operation of the facility during construction, (3)Provide the required service life, (4) Be cost effective, (5)Improve the operation and maintenance of the pipeline, and (6) Maintain minimal environmental impact while meeting the performance requirements. Sizing of the pipe, piping construction materials, construction method (e.g., open-cut trench, directional drilling, etc.) and the acquisition of new Right-of-Way (ROW) were additionally evaluated in the preliminary alternative identification, selection and screening process.« less

Metal-on-metal surface replacement: a triumph of hope over reason: opposes.

PubMed

Su, Edwin P; Su, Sherwin L

2011-09-09

Hip resurfacing has been performed for over a decade but still raises controversy as an alternative to traditional total hip arthroplasty (THA). Concerns exist about the potential complications of hip resurfacing, including femoral neck fracture and osteonecrosis of the femoral head. Recently, attention has been given to the metal-on-metal bearing of hip resurfacing with regard to production of metal ions, possible tissue necrosis, and rare instances of metal hypersensitivity. Given the success of the gold-standard THA, it is understandable why some surgeons believe metal-on-metal surface replacement to be "a triumph of hope over reason." However, this article opposes that viewpoint, demonstrating that data exist to justify the practice of preserving bone in younger patients. Hip resurfacing can maintain femoral bone without the expense of removing additional acetabular bone by using modern implants with incremental sizing. Furthermore, many of the problems cited with the bearing couple (such as excess metal production) have been due to poor implant designs, which have now been removed from the market. Finally, we now realize that the metal-on-metal articulation is more sensitive to malposition; thus, good surgical technique and experience can solve many of the problems that have been cited in the past. National registry results confirm that in a select population, hip resurfacing performs comparably to THA, while fulfilling the goal of bone preservation. Copyright 2011, SLACK Incorporated.

MEMS-based power generation techniques for implantable biosensing applications.

PubMed

Lueke, Jonathan; Moussa, Walied A

2011-01-01

Implantable biosensing is attractive for both medical monitoring and diagnostic applications. It is possible to monitor phenomena such as physical loads on joints or implants, vital signs, or osseointegration in vivo and in real time. Microelectromechanical (MEMS)-based generation techniques can allow for the autonomous operation of implantable biosensors by generating electrical power to replace or supplement existing battery-based power systems. By supplementing existing battery-based power systems for implantable biosensors, the operational lifetime of the sensor is increased. In addition, the potential for a greater amount of available power allows additional components to be added to the biosensing module, such as computational and wireless and components, improving functionality and performance of the biosensor. Photovoltaic, thermovoltaic, micro fuel cell, electrostatic, electromagnetic, and piezoelectric based generation schemes are evaluated in this paper for applicability for implantable biosensing. MEMS-based generation techniques that harvest ambient energy, such as vibration, are much better suited for implantable biosensing applications than fuel-based approaches, producing up to milliwatts of electrical power. High power density MEMS-based approaches, such as piezoelectric and electromagnetic schemes, allow for supplemental and replacement power schemes for biosensing applications to improve device capabilities and performance. In addition, this may allow for the biosensor to be further miniaturized, reducing the need for relatively large batteries with respect to device size. This would cause the implanted biosensor to be less invasive, increasing the quality of care received by the patient.

Irradiated recycled plastic as a concrete additive for improved chemo-mechanical properties and lower carbon footprint.

PubMed

Schaefer, Carolyn E; Kupwade-Patil, Kunal; Ortega, Michael; Soriano, Carmen; Büyüköztürk, Oral; White, Anne E; Short, Michael P

2018-01-01

Concrete production contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, thus a need exists for the development of durable and sustainable concrete with a lower carbon footprint. This can be achieved when cement is partially replaced with another material, such as waste plastic, though normally with a tradeoff in compressive strength. This study discusses progress toward a high/medium strength concrete with a dense, cementitious matrix that contains an irradiated plastic additive, recovering the compressive strength while displacing concrete with waste materials to reduce greenhouse gas generation. Compressive strength tests showed that the addition of high dose (100kGy) irradiated plastic in multiple concretes resulted in increased compressive strength as compared to samples containing regular, non-irradiated plastic. This suggests that irradiating plastic at a high dose is a viable potential solution for regaining some of the strength that is lost when plastic is added to cement paste. X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Backscattered Electron Microscopy (BSE), and X-ray microtomography explain the mechanisms for strength retention when using irradiated plastic as a filler for cement paste. By partially replacing Portland cement with a recycled waste plastic, this design may have a potential to contribute to reduced carbon emissions when scaled to the level of mass concrete production. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Use of HFC (CFC Free) Processes at the NASA Stennis Space Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ross, Richard H.

1997-01-01

The search for ozone depleting alternative chemicals was heightened when, in 1990, the more than 65 countries that had signed the Montreal Protocol agreed to phase out completely by the year 2000. In 1992, then-president Bush advanced this date for the United States to January l, 1996. In 1991, it was realized that the planned phase out and eventual elimination of ozone depleting chemicals imposed by the Montreal Protocol and the resulting Clean Air Act (CAA) amendments would impact the cleaning and testing of aerospace hardware at the NASA Stennis Space Center. Because of this regulation, the Test & Engineering Sciences Laboratory has been working on solvent conversion studies to replace CFC-113. Aerospace hardware and test equipment used in rocket propulsion systems require extreme cleanliness levels to function and maintain their integrity. Because the cleanliness of aerospace hardware will be affected by the elimination of CFC-113; alternate cleaning technologies, including the use of fluoridated solvents have been studied as potential replacements. Several aqueous processes have been identified for cleaning moderately sized components. However, no known aqueous alternative exists for cleaning and validating T&ME and complex geometry based hardware. This paper discusses the choices and the methodologies that were used to screen potential alternatives to CFC-113.

78 FR 34284 - Airworthiness Directives; Turbomeca S.A. Turboshaft Engines

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-07

... Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D turboshaft engines. The existing AD currently requires replacing the..., MA. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 781-238-7125. Examining the..., January 31, 2013), for all Turbomeca S.A. Arriel 2D turboshaft engines. That AD requires replacing the HMU...

77 FR 64503 - Questar Pipeline Company; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-22

...'s existing Payson Gate Meter Station for the downstream Lake Side 2 Power Plant. No incremental... County: A second compressor package at its existing Thistle Creek Compressor Station; Replacement of... pressure; and Metering and ancillary facility upgrades at Questar's existing Payson Gate Meter Station. In...

Optimizing the performance of Ice-storage Systems in Electricity Load Management through a credit mechanism. An analytical work for Jiangsu, China

DOE PAGES

Han, Yafeng; Shen, Bo; Hu, Huajin; ...

2015-01-12

Ice-storage air-conditioning is a technique that uses ice for thermal energy storage. Replacing existing air conditioning systems with ice storage has the advantage of shifting the load from on-peak times to off-peak times that often have excess generation. However, increasing the use of ice-storage faces significant challenges in China. One major barrier is the inefficiency in the current electricity tariff structure. There is a lack of effective incentive mechanism that induces ice-storage systems from achieving optimal load-shifting results. This study presents an analysis that compares the potential impacts of ice-storage systems on load-shifting under a new credit-based incentive scheme andmore » the existing incentive arrangement in Jiangsu, China. The study indicates that by changing how ice-storage systems are incentivized in Jiangsu, load-shifting results can be improved.« less

SYNERGISTIC WOOD PRESERVATIVES FOR REPLACEMENT OF CCA

EPA Science Inventory

The objective of this project was to evaluate the potential synergistic combinations of environmentally-safe biocides as wood preservatives. These wood preservatives could be potential replacements for the heavy-metal based CCA.

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride [DDAC] was...

Adult subventricular zone neural stem cells as a potential source of dopaminergic replacement neurons

PubMed Central

Cave, John W.; Wang, Meng; Baker, Harriet

2014-01-01

Clinical trials engrafting human fetal ventral mesencephalic tissue have demonstrated, in principle, that cell replacement therapy provides substantial long-lasting improvement of motor impairments generated by Parkinson's Disease (PD). The use of fetal tissue is not practical for widespread clinical implementation of this therapy, but stem cells are a promising alternative source for obtaining replacement cells. The ideal stem cell source has yet to be established and, in this review, we discuss the potential of neural stem cells in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) as an autologous source of replacement cells. We identify three key challenges for further developing this potential source of replacement cells: (1) improving survival of transplanted cells, (2) suppressing glial progenitor proliferation and survival, and (3) developing methods to efficiently produce dopaminergic neurons. Subventricular neural stem cells naturally produce a dopaminergic interneuron phenotype that has an apparent lack of vulnerability to PD-mediated degeneration. We also discuss whether olfactory bulb dopaminergic neurons derived from adult SVZ neural stem cells are a suitable source for cell replacement strategies. PMID:24574954

Raman Spectroscopy Detects Cardiac Allograft Rejection with Molecular Specificity

PubMed Central

Chung, Yoon Gi; Tu, Qiang; Cao, Dianjun; Harada, Shuko; Eisen, Howard J; Chang, Chang

2009-01-01

Abstract Spatially resolved Raman spectroscopy is shown here to be capable of molecular‐specific detection without exogenous labeling. This molecular specificity is achieved by detecting the strong and characteristic Raman spectral signature of an indole derivative, serotonin, whose selective existence in rejected heart transplants serves as the biomarker. The study also corroborates the increasingly recognized role of serotonin receptors in various immune responses, including cardiac allograft rejection. Combining both medical and physical sciences, this work demonstrates the potential use of Raman spectroscopy in replacing the invasive endomyocardial biopsy as the standard for post‐transplantation rejection surveillance and presents a new paradigm in advancing clinical care through interdisciplinary studies. PMID:20443894

Mechanisms of Biliary Plastic Stent Occlusion and Efforts at Prevention

PubMed Central

Kwon, Chang-Il; Lehman, Glen A.

2016-01-01

Biliary stenting via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has greatly improved the quality of patient care over the last 30 years. Plastic stent occlusion limits the life span of such stents. Attempts to improve plastic stent patency duration have mostly failed. Metal stents (self-expandable metal stents [SEMSs]) have therefore replaced plastic stents, especially for malignant biliary strictures. SEMS are at least 10 times more expensive than plastic stents. In this focused review, we will discuss basic mechanisms of plastic stent occlusion, along with a systematic summary of previous efforts and related studies to improve stent patency and potential new techniques to overcome existing limitations. PMID:27000422

Research & Development Roadmap for Next-Generation Appliances

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

Goetzler, William; Sutherland, Timothy; Foley, Kevin

2012-03-01

Appliances present an attractive opportunity for near-term energy savings in existing building, because they are less expensive and replaced more regularly than heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems or building envelope components. This roadmap targets high-priority research and development (R&D), demonstration and commercialization activities that could significantly reduce residential appliance energy consumption. The main objective of the roadmap is to seek activities that accelerate the commercialization of high-efficiency appliance technologies while maintaining the competitiveness of American industry. The roadmap identified and evaluated potential technical innovations, defined research needs, created preliminary research and development roadmaps, and obtained stakeholder feedback on themore » proposed initiatives.« less

The Role of PCR in the Diagnosis of Candida Vulvovaginitis-a New Gold Standard?

PubMed

Sobel, J D; Akins, Robert A

2015-06-01

PCR is recognized as a reliable technique for detection of all types of microorganisms. Being highly objective and reproducible also sensitive and specific, PCR is now widely used for sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis. Potential, however, exists for detecting non-pathogens, and not identifying a pathogenic state decreases specificity or clinical significance. PCR Candida tests of vaginal specimens are now widely available and frequently used offering a modest to moderate increase in sensitivity and are likely to replace traditional culture and DNA homology testing. Nevertheless, there remain considerable gaps in our knowledge regarding the usefulness and applications of these expensive tests.

Prospects for quantum cascade lasers as transmitters and local oscillators in coherent terahertz transmitter/receiver systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waldman, Jerry; Danylov, Andriy A.; Goyette, Thomas M.; Coulombe, Michael J.; Giles, Robert H.; Gatesman, Andrew J.; Goodhue, William D.; Li, Jin; Linden, Kurt J.; Nixon, William E.

2009-02-01

Coherent terahertz radar systems, using CO2 laser-pumped molecular lasers have been used during the past decade for radar scale modeling applications, as well as proof-of-principle demonstrations of remote detection of concealed weapons. The presentation will consider the potential for replacement of molecular laser sources by quantum cascade lasers. While the temporal and spatial characteristics of current THz QCLs limit their applicability, rapid progress is being made in resolving these issues. Specifications for satisfying the requirements of coherent short-range THz radars will be reviewed and the feasibility of incorporating existing QCL devices into such systems will be described.

Potential effects of surface coal mining on the hydrology of the Corral Creek area, Hanging Woman Creek coal field, southeastern Montana

USGS Publications Warehouse

McClymonds, N.E.

1984-01-01

The Corral Creek area of the Hanging Woman Creek coal field, 9 miles east of the Decker coal mines near the Tongue River, contains large reserves of Federal coal that have been identified for potential lease sale. A hydrologic study was conducted in the area to describe existing hydrologic systems and to study assess potential impacts of surface coal mining on local water resources. Hydrogeologic data collected indicate that aquifers are coal and sandstone beds within the Tongue River Member of the Fort Union Formation (Paleocene age) and sand and gravel in valley alluvium (Pleistocene and Holocene age). Surface-water resources are limited to a few spring-fed stock ponds in the higher parts of the area and the intermittent flow of Corral Creek near the mouth. Most of the stock ponds in the area become dry by midsummer. Mining of the Anderson coal bed would remove three stock wells and would lower the potentiometric surface within the coal and sandstone aquifers. The alluvial aquifer beneath Corral Creek and South Fork would be removed. Although mining would alter the existing hydrologic systems and remove several shallow wells, alternative ground-water supplies are available that could be developed to replace those lost by mining. (USGS)

Towards a Global Names Architecture: The future of indexing scientific names

PubMed Central

Pyle, Richard L.

2016-01-01

Abstract For more than 250 years, the taxonomic enterprise has remained almost unchanged. Certainly, the tools of the trade have improved: months-long journeys aboard sailing ships have been reduced to hours aboard jet airplanes; advanced technology allows humans to access environments that were once utterly inaccessible; GPS has replaced crude maps; digital hi-resolution imagery provides far more accurate renderings of organisms that even the best commissioned artists of a century ago; and primitive candle-lit microscopes have been replaced by an array of technologies ranging from scanning electron microscopy to DNA sequencing. But the basic paradigm remains the same. Perhaps the most revolutionary change of all – which we are still in the midst of, and which has not yet been fully realized – is the means by which taxonomists manage and communicate the information of their trade. The rapid evolution in recent decades of computer database management software, and of information dissemination via the Internet, have both dramatically improved the potential for streamlining the entire taxonomic process. Unfortunately, the potential still largely exceeds the reality. The vast majority of taxonomic information is either not yet digitized, or digitized in a form that does not allow direct and easy access. Moreover, the information that is easily accessed in digital form is not yet seamlessly interconnected. In an effort to bring reality closer to potential, a loose affiliation of major taxonomic resources, including GBIF, the Encyclopedia of Life, NBII, Catalog of Life, ITIS, IPNI, ICZN, Index Fungorum, and many others have been crafting a “Global Names Architecture” (GNA). The intention of the GNA is not to replace any of the existing taxonomic data initiatives, but rather to serve as a dynamic index to interconnect them in a way that streamlines the entire taxonomic enterprise: from gathering specimens in the field, to publication of new taxa and related data. PMID:26877664

Towards a Global Names Architecture: The future of indexing scientific names.

PubMed

Pyle, Richard L

2016-01-01

For more than 250 years, the taxonomic enterprise has remained almost unchanged. Certainly, the tools of the trade have improved: months-long journeys aboard sailing ships have been reduced to hours aboard jet airplanes; advanced technology allows humans to access environments that were once utterly inaccessible; GPS has replaced crude maps; digital hi-resolution imagery provides far more accurate renderings of organisms that even the best commissioned artists of a century ago; and primitive candle-lit microscopes have been replaced by an array of technologies ranging from scanning electron microscopy to DNA sequencing. But the basic paradigm remains the same. Perhaps the most revolutionary change of all - which we are still in the midst of, and which has not yet been fully realized - is the means by which taxonomists manage and communicate the information of their trade. The rapid evolution in recent decades of computer database management software, and of information dissemination via the Internet, have both dramatically improved the potential for streamlining the entire taxonomic process. Unfortunately, the potential still largely exceeds the reality. The vast majority of taxonomic information is either not yet digitized, or digitized in a form that does not allow direct and easy access. Moreover, the information that is easily accessed in digital form is not yet seamlessly interconnected. In an effort to bring reality closer to potential, a loose affiliation of major taxonomic resources, including GBIF, the Encyclopedia of Life, NBII, Catalog of Life, ITIS, IPNI, ICZN, Index Fungorum, and many others have been crafting a "Global Names Architecture" (GNA). The intention of the GNA is not to replace any of the existing taxonomic data initiatives, but rather to serve as a dynamic index to interconnect them in a way that streamlines the entire taxonomic enterprise: from gathering specimens in the field, to publication of new taxa and related data.

Fructose replacement of glucose or sucrose in food or beverages lowers postprandial glucose and insulin without raising triglycerides: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Evans, Rebecca A; Frese, Michael; Romero, Julio; Cunningham, Judy H; Mills, Kerry E

2017-08-01

Background: Conflicting evidence exists on the effects of fructose consumption in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. No systematic review has addressed the effect of isoenergetic fructose replacement of glucose or sucrose on peak postprandial glucose, insulin, and triglyceride concentrations. Objective: The objective of this study was to review the evidence for postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses after isoenergetic replacement of either glucose or sucrose in foods or beverages with fructose. Design: We searched the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform Search Portal, and clinicaltrials.gov The date of the last search was 26 April 2016. We included randomized controlled trials measuring peak postprandial glycemia after isoenergetic replacement of glucose, sucrose, or both with fructose in healthy adults or children with or without diabetes. The main outcomes analyzed were peak postprandial blood glucose, insulin, and triglyceride concentrations. Results: Replacement of either glucose or sucrose by fructose resulted in significantly lowered peak postprandial blood glucose, particularly in people with prediabetes and type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Similar results were obtained for insulin. Peak postprandial blood triglyceride concentrations did not significantly increase. Conclusions: Strong evidence exists that substituting fructose for glucose or sucrose in food or beverages lowers peak postprandial blood glucose and insulin concentrations. Isoenergetic replacement does not result in a substantial increase in blood triglyceride concentrations. © 2017 American Society for Nutrition.

77 FR 26539 - El Paso Natural Gas Company; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-04

...-diameter lateral pipeline to connect the Douglas Meter Station to EPNG's existing Line No. 2164; Replacement of compressor modules and station yard piping at the existing Willcox Compressor Station; [[Page 26540

78 FR 24368 - Airworthiness Directives; Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc. (Bell) Model Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-25

... chain and cable control system with a push-pull control system. Since we issued that AD, we have... requires replacing the existing chain and cable control system with a push-pull control system. Both... Model 205A-1 to replace the tail rotor chain and cable control system with a push-pull control system...

75 FR 4308 - Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-27

... the Sikorsky Model S-92A helicopters. The AD would require replacing the main gearbox (MGB) filter bowl assembly with a two-piece MGB filter bowl assembly and replacing the existing mounting studs. The AD would also require inspecting the MGB lube system filters, the housing, the housing threads, and...

Existing Whole-House Solutions Case Study: Build San Antonio Green, San Antonio, Texas

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

none,

2013-06-01

PNNL, FSEC, and CalcsPlus provided technical assistance to Build San Antonio Green on three deep energy retrofits. For this gut rehab they replaced the old roof with a steeper roof and replaced drywall while adding insulation, new HVAC, sealed ducts, transfer grilles, outside air run-time ventilation, new lighting and water heater.

76 FR 76707 - El Paso Natural Gas Company: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-08

... long, 16-inch diameter lateral pipeline to connect the Douglas Meter Station to EPNG's existing Line No. 2164; The replacement of compressor modules and station yard piping at the existing Willcox Compressor Station; Expansion of the existing Douglas Meter Station by installing updated flow control and pressure...

TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT IN PATIENTS WITH BELOW-KNEE AMPUTATION

PubMed Central

Karam, Matthew D; Willey, Michael; Shurr, Donald G

2010-01-01

Total knee replacement (TKR) is reserved for patients with severe and disabling arthritis that is non-responsive to conservative measures. Based on existing data, total knee replacement is a safe and cost-effective treatment for alleviating pain and improving physical function in patients who do not respond to conservative therapy. Despite the large variation in health status of patients and types of prosthesis implanted, total knee replacement has proven to be a relatively low risk and successful operation. Each year in the United States surgeons perform approximately 300,000 TKR.1 Likewise, lower extremity amputation is commonly performed in the United States with an annual incidence of 110,000 per year.2 Nearly 70% of all lower extremity amputations are performed as the result of chronic vascular disease, followed by trauma (22%), congenital etiology and tumor (4% each).3 Approximately 50% of all lower extremity amputations are performed secondary to complications from Diabetes Mellitus. Norvell et al. demonstrated that patients who have previously undergone transtibial amputation and ambulate with a prosthesis are more likely to develop degenerative joint disease in the con-tralateral extremity than the ipsilateral extremity.4 Further, radiographic changes consistent with osteoporosis have been demonstrated in up to 88% of limbs that have undergone transtibial amputation.8 To our knowledge, there have been only three reported cases of total knee replacement in patients with ipsilateral transtibial amputation.5,7 The purpose of the present study is to review the existing data on total knee replacement in patients who have undergone transtibial amputation. Further we present a patient with a transtibial amputation who underwent contralateral total knee replacement. PMID:21045987

Meniscal tears, repairs and replacement: their relevance to osteoarthritis of the knee.

PubMed

McDermott, Ian

2011-04-01

The menisci of the knee are important load sharers and shock absorbers in the joint. Meniscal tears are common, and whenever possible meniscal tears should be surgically repaired. Meniscectomy leads to a significant increased risk of osteoarthritis, and various options now exist for replacing missing menisci, including the use of meniscal scaffolds or the replacement of the entire meniscus by meniscal allograft transplantation. The field of meniscal surgery continues to develop apace, and the future may lie in growing new menisci by tissue engineering techniques.

Bottom ash as aggregate replacement in concrete.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2013-06-01

The objective of the proposed study is to evaluate bottom ash as a partial or total replacement of the fine and coarse aggregate in : concrete. This program will characterize and evaluate available bottom ash sources as potential replacement of both ...

40 CFR Table 2d to Subpart Zzzz of... - Requirements for Existing Stationary RICE Located at Area Sources of HAP Emissions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 1,000 hours of operation or annually, whichever comes first;1 b. Inspect air cleaner every 1,000 hours of operation or annually, whichever comes first, and replace as necessary; c. Inspect all hoses and belts every 500 hours of operation or annually, whichever comes first, and replace as necessary...

40 CFR Table 2d to Subpart Zzzz of... - Requirements for Existing Stationary RICE Located at Area Sources of HAP Emissions

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 1,000 hours of operation or annually, whichever comes first;1 b. Inspect air cleaner every 1,000 hours of operation or annually, whichever comes first, and replace as necessary; c. Inspect all hoses and belts every 500 hours of operation or annually, whichever comes first, and replace as necessary...

Organ Donation and Transplantation: A Dialogue with American Indian Healers and Western Health-Care Providers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hodge, Felicia Schanche; Bellanger, Patricia; Norman, Connie

2011-01-01

Surgically replacing organs in the human body has become an acceptable and successful procedure in Western medicine. In more recent years, replacing major organs in the human body with those procured from deceased or living donors has become commonplace. Disparities exist at the earliest stages in the donor and transplantation process in that…

Cognitive Science and Science Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carey, Susan

1986-01-01

The premise behind the cognitive approach to teaching is that understanding results when new learning is integrated with existing knowledge. But the goal of science instruction is to replace existing ideas with new theories. Current research in science education seeks to resolve these conflicting instructional approaches. (Author/VM)

Striking a balance between in-person care and the use of eHealth to support the older rural population with chronic pain

PubMed Central

Roberts, Anne; Philip, Lorna; Currie, Margaret; Mort, Alasdair

2015-01-01

New and existing information communication technologies (ICT) are playing an increasingly important role in the delivery of health and social care services. eHealth1 has the potential to supplement in-person home visits for older, rural adults with chronic pain. The Technology to support Older Adults' Personal and Social Interaction project—TOPS—examines interactions between older people and their health/social care providers and considers how eHealth could play a part in enhancing the life experiences of older people with chronic pain, who live in remote/rural areas. This paper reports findings from the TOPS study, drawing upon observations of health/social care home visits to chronic pain patients and interviews with patients and health/social care providers in rural Scotland. Patients and care professionals believe in-person care promotes the general well-being of older people with pain. However, our findings show that the potential recipients of eHealth are open to the use of such technologies and that although they cannot be expected to replace existing models of care, eHealth may provide opportunities to sustain and enhance these interactions. PMID:26336996

Affect intensity and processing fluency of deterrents.

PubMed

Holman, Andrei

2013-01-01

The theory of emotional intensity (Brehm, 1999) suggests that the intensity of affective states depends on the magnitude of their current deterrents. Our study investigated the role that fluency--the subjective experience of ease of information processing--plays in the emotional intensity modulations as reactions to deterrents. Following an induction phase of good mood, we manipulated both the magnitude of deterrents (using sets of photographs with pre-tested potential to instigate an emotion incompatible with the pre-existent affective state--pity) and their processing fluency (normal vs. enhanced through subliminal priming). Current affective state and perception of deterrents were then measured. In the normal processing conditions, the results revealed the cubic effect predicted by the emotional intensity theory, with the initial affective state being replaced by the one appropriate to the deterrent only in participants exposed to the high magnitude deterrence. In the enhanced fluency conditions the emotional intensity pattern was drastically altered; also, the replacement of the initial affective state occurred at a lower level of deterrence magnitude (moderate instead of high), suggesting the strengthening of deterrence emotional impact by enhanced fluency.

Sustainable materials used as stone column filler: A short review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zukri, Azhani; Nazir, Ramli

2018-04-01

Stone columns (also known as granular piles) are one of the methods for soft soil stabilization and typically used to increase bearing capacity and stability of slope.; Apart from decreasing the compressibility of loose and fine graded soils, it also accelerates the consolidation effect by improving the drainage path for pore water pressure dissipation and reduces the liquefaction potential of soils during earthquake event. Stone columns are probably the most “natural” ground treatment method or foundation system in existence to date. The benefit of stone columns is owing to the partial replacement of compressible soil by more competent materials such as stone aggregate, sand and other granular materials. These substitutes also act as reinforcement material, hence increasing overall strength and stiffness of the soft soil. Nowadays, a number of research has been conducted on the behaviour and performance of stone columns with various materials utilized as column filler replacing the normal aggregate. This paper will review extensively on previously conducted research on some of the materials used as stone column backfill materials, its suitability and the effectiveness as a substitute for regular aggregates in soft soil improvement works.

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

Unneberg, L.

The main features of the 16 core grids (top guides) designed by ABB ATOM AB are briefly described and the evolution of the design is discussed. One important characteristic of the first nine grids is the existence of bolts securing guide bars to the core grid plates. These bolts are made of precipitation hardened or solution annealed stainless steel. During operation, bolts in all none grids have cracked. The failure analyses indicate that intergranular stress corrosion cracking (IGSCC), possibly accelerated by crevice conditions and/or irradiation, was the cause of failure. Fast neutron fluences approaching or exceeding the levels considered asmore » critical for irradiation assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) will be reached in a few cases only. Temporary measures were taken immediately after the discovery of the cracking. For five of the nine reactors affected, it was decided to replace the complete grids. Two of these replacements have been successfully carried out to date. IASCC as a potential future problem is discussed and it is pointed out that, during their life times, the ABB ATOM core grids will be exposed to sufficiently high fast neutron fluences to cause some concern.« less

A short review on the potential of coffee husk gasification for sustainable energy in Uganda.

PubMed

Miito, Gilbert John; Banadda, Noble

2017-01-01

Agricultural biomass is widely recognized as a clean and renewable energy source, with increasing potential to replace conventional fossil fuels in the energy market. Uganda, like other developing countries, has a high dependency (91%) on wood fuel, leading to environmental degradation. With a coffee production of 233 Metric Tonnes per annum, relating to 46.6 Mega Tonnes of coffee husks from processing, transforming these husks into syngas through gasification can contribute to resolving the existing energy challenges. The objective of this article is to briefly review the energy potential of coffee husks through gasification, and how the gasification process could increase energy recoveries for coffee farmers. Previous  findings indicate that the 46.6 Mega Tonnes per year of coffee husks generated in Uganda, with a heating value of 18.34 MJ/kg, is capable of generating 24 GWh of energy. This will address a 0.7% portion of the energy situation in Uganda, while protecting the environment.

A short review on the potential of coffee husk gasification for sustainable energy in Uganda

PubMed Central

Miito, Gilbert John; Banadda, Noble

2017-01-01

Agricultural biomass is widely recognized as a clean and renewable energy source, with increasing potential to replace conventional fossil fuels in the energy market. Uganda, like other developing countries, has a high dependency (91%) on wood fuel, leading to environmental degradation. With a coffee production of 233 Metric Tonnes per annum, relating to 46.6 Mega Tonnes of coffee husks from processing, transforming these husks into syngas through gasification can contribute to resolving the existing energy challenges. The objective of this article is to briefly review the energy potential of coffee husks through gasification, and how the gasification process could increase energy recoveries for coffee farmers. Previous  findings indicate that the 46.6 Mega Tonnes per year of coffee husks generated in Uganda, with a heating value of 18.34 MJ/kg, is capable of generating 24 GWh of energy. This will address a 0.7% portion of the energy situation in Uganda, while protecting the environment. PMID:29259766

Digital I and C system upgrade integration technique

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

Huang, H. W.; Shih, C.; Wang, J. R.

2012-07-01

This work developed an integration technique for digital I and C system upgrade, the utility can replace the I and C systems step by step systematically by this method. Inst. of Nuclear Energy Research (INER) developed a digital Instrumentation and Control (I and C) replacement integration technique on the basis of requirement of the three existing nuclear power plants (NPPs), which are Chin-Shan (CS) NPP, Kuo-Sheng (KS) NPP, and Maanshan (MS) NPP, in Taiwan, and also developed the related Critical Digital Review (CDR) Procedure. The digital I and C replacement integration technique includes: (I) Establishment of Nuclear Power Plant Digitalmore » Replacement Integration Guideline, (2) Preliminary Investigation on I and C System Digitalization, (3) Evaluation on I and C System Digitalization, and (4) Establishment of I and C System Digitalization Architectures. These works can be a reference for performing I and C system digital replacement integration of the three existing NPPs of Taiwan Power Company (TPC). A CDR is the review for a critical system digital I and C replacement. The major reference of this procedure is EPRI TR- 1011710 (2005) 'Handbook for Evaluating Critical Digital Equipment and Systems' which was published by the Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI). With this document, INER developed a TPC-specific CDR procedure. Currently, CDR becomes one of the policies for digital I and C replacement in TPC. The contents of this CDR procedure include: Scope, Responsibility, Operation Procedure, Operation Flow Chart, CDR review items. The CDR review items include the comparison of the design change, Software Verification and Validation (SVandV), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Evaluation of Diversity and Defense-in-depth (D3), Evaluation of Watchdog Timer, Evaluation of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), Evaluation of Grounding for System/Component, Seismic Evaluation, Witness and Inspection, Lessons Learnt from the Digital I and C Failure Events. A solid review can assure the quality of the digital I and C system replacement. (authors)« less

Changes in the periodontal condition after replacement of swaged crowns by metal.

PubMed

Plotniece-Baranovska, Anita; Soboleva, Una; Rogovska, Irena; Apse, Peteris

2006-01-01

Evidence based clinical studies have shown exact recommended design for artificial crown reconstruction with acceptable long-term results taking into an account the biological price. Previous histological and clinical studies proved that fixed prostheses might influence the periodontal condition of crowned teeth, if not all biological criteria have been considered. The aim of the present study was to assess the periodontal condition of the crowned teeth after stainless steel swaged crowns were replaced by cast metal ceramic crowns. Participants were selected at the Institute of Stomatology, Stradin's University. Selection criteria included need to replace existing swaged crowns by metal ceramic crowns for patients with absence of any systemic disease. Following symptoms of periodontal condition were examined - presence of inflammation (clinical signs, probing) and pocket depth. Assessments were carried out at four different points of time (first appointment after replacement existing swaged crowns by temporary crowns; two weeks after cementation of permanent metal ceramic restoration; after three month; after six month). Overall bleeding score "2" and "3" at the first measurement was observed in majority of study population. Bleeding scores between the 1st and the 4th measurement was significantly lower (p<0.01). The same trend was observed also in the reduction of pocket depth. Overall mean value of pocket depth gradually decreased from the 1st till the 4th measurement. Replacement of swaged crowns by metal ceramic improves gingival health and leads to better long-term prognosis for restored teeth. It is recommended that swaged crowns be replaced with more biologically friendly crowns.

MEMS-Based Power Generation Techniques for Implantable Biosensing Applications

PubMed Central

Lueke, Jonathan; Moussa, Walied A.

2011-01-01

Implantable biosensing is attractive for both medical monitoring and diagnostic applications. It is possible to monitor phenomena such as physical loads on joints or implants, vital signs, or osseointegration in vivo and in real time. Microelectromechanical (MEMS)-based generation techniques can allow for the autonomous operation of implantable biosensors by generating electrical power to replace or supplement existing battery-based power systems. By supplementing existing battery-based power systems for implantable biosensors, the operational lifetime of the sensor is increased. In addition, the potential for a greater amount of available power allows additional components to be added to the biosensing module, such as computational and wireless and components, improving functionality and performance of the biosensor. Photovoltaic, thermovoltaic, micro fuel cell, electrostatic, electromagnetic, and piezoelectric based generation schemes are evaluated in this paper for applicability for implantable biosensing. MEMS-based generation techniques that harvest ambient energy, such as vibration, are much better suited for implantable biosensing applications than fuel-based approaches, producing up to milliwatts of electrical power. High power density MEMS-based approaches, such as piezoelectric and electromagnetic schemes, allow for supplemental and replacement power schemes for biosensing applications to improve device capabilities and performance. In addition, this may allow for the biosensor to be further miniaturized, reducing the need for relatively large batteries with respect to device size. This would cause the implanted biosensor to be less invasive, increasing the quality of care received by the patient. PMID:22319362

40 CFR 63.863 - Compliance dates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... startup date after March 13, 2001 must comply with the requirements in this subpart immediately upon startup of the affected source, except as specified in § 63.6(b). (c) The two existing semichemical..., therefore, must construct another type of chemical recovery unit to replace the two existing semichemical...

40 CFR 63.863 - Compliance dates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... startup date after March 13, 2001 must comply with the requirements in this subpart immediately upon startup of the affected source, except as specified in § 63.6(b). (c) The two existing semichemical..., therefore, must construct another type of chemical recovery unit to replace the two existing semichemical...

40 CFR 63.863 - Compliance dates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... startup date after March 13, 2001 must comply with the requirements in this subpart immediately upon startup of the affected source, except as specified in § 63.6(b). (c) The two existing semichemical..., therefore, must construct another type of chemical recovery unit to replace the two existing semichemical...

40 CFR 63.863 - Compliance dates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... startup date after March 13, 2001 must comply with the requirements in this subpart immediately upon startup of the affected source, except as specified in § 63.6(b). (c) The two existing semichemical..., therefore, must construct another type of chemical recovery unit to replace the two existing semichemical...

40 CFR 63.863 - Compliance dates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... startup date after March 13, 2001 must comply with the requirements in this subpart immediately upon startup of the affected source, except as specified in § 63.6(b). (c) The two existing semichemical..., therefore, must construct another type of chemical recovery unit to replace the two existing semichemical...

Apical Aortic Conduit Infection 27 Years After Repaired Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction.

PubMed

Carpenter, Dustin J; Fiore, Andrew C; Huddleston, Charles B

2014-07-01

Left ventricle to aortic conduits were used for the treatment of complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in the pediatric population in the mid-1970s. Although this technique has been largely replaced by the Ross-Konno procedure, many patients still have functioning apicoaortic conduits in place today. Few clinical reports or case series exist in pediatric cohorts documenting the natural history or potential long-term complications of this prosthesis. In this report, we describe our experience managing a patient with Shone's syndrome and an apical aortic porcine-valved conduit remnant that became infected 17 years postconduit valve excision for valvular insufficiency. © The Author(s) 2014.

Rheology of dilute cohesive granular gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takada, Satoshi; Hayakawa, Hisao

2018-04-01

Rheology of a dilute cohesive granular gas is theoretically and numerically studied. The flow curve between the shear viscosity and the shear rate is derived from the inelastic Boltzmann equation for particles having square-well potentials in a simple shear flow. It is found that (i) the stable uniformly sheared state only exists above a critical shear rate and (ii) the viscosity in the uniformly sheared flow is almost identical to that for uniformly sheared flow of hard core granular particles. Below the critical shear rate, clusters grow with time, in which the viscosity can be approximated by that for the hard-core fluids if we replace the diameter of the particle by the mean diameter of clusters.

The World Trade Center Attack: Lessons for all aspects of health care

PubMed Central

Tamber, Pritpal S; Vincent, Jean-Louis

2001-01-01

The attack on the World Trade Center had the potential to overwhelm New York's health services. Sadly, however, the predicted thousands of treatable patients failed to materialize. Horror and sadness has now been replaced by anger, fear, and the determination to be better prepared next time. This determination not only exists in politics but also in health care, and as with all attempts to enforce change there needs to be a period of collecting opinions and data. This article introduces nine reviews in Critical Care offering varied health care perspectives of the events of 11 September 2001 from people who were there and from experts in disaster management. PMID:11737910

A Scott bench with ergonomic thorax stabilisation pad improves body posture during preacher arm curl exercise.

PubMed

Biscarini, Andrea; Benvenuti, Paolo; Busti, Daniele; Zanuso, Silvano

2016-05-01

We assessed whether the use of an ergonomic thorax stabilisation pad, during the preacher arm curl exercise, could significantly reduce the excessive shoulder protraction and thoracic kyphosis induced by the standard flat pad built into the existing preacher arm curl equipment. A 3D motion capture system and inclinometers were used to measure shoulder protraction and thoracic kyphosis in 15 subjects performing preacher arm curl with a plate-loaded machine provided with the standard flat pad. The same measures were repeated after replacing the flat pad with a new ergonomic pad, specifically designed to accommodate the thorax profile and improve body posture. Pad replacement significantly (p < 0.001) reduced shoulder protraction (from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]) and thoracic kyphosis (from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]), enabling postural and functional improvements within the entire spine, shoulder girdle and rib cage. The ergonomic pad may potentially allow a more effective training, prevent musculoskeletal discomfort and reduce the risk of injury. Practitioner summary: We have designed an ergonomic thorax stabilisation pad for the preacher arm curl exercise. The new ergonomic pad improves the poor posture conditions induced by the standard flat pad and may potentially allow a more effective training, prevent musculoskeletal discomfort, improve the breathing function and reduce the risk of injury.

Therapeutic application of neural stem cells and adult neurogenesis for neurodegenerative disorders: regeneration and beyond.

PubMed

Latchney, Sarah E; Eisch, Amelia J

With the growth of the aging population and increasing life expectancy, the diagnosis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases is predicted to increase 12% by 2030. There is urgent need to develop better and novel treatments for disorders like Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's diseases. As these neurodegenerative diseases are customarily defined by the progressive loss of neurons, treatment strategies have traditionally focused on replacing neurons lost during disease progression. To this end, the self-renewing and multipotent properties of neural stem/precursor cells (NSPCs) that exist in the adult brain suggest that NSPCs could contribute to a therapy for replacement of damaged or lost neurons. Although a wealth of research demonstrates the proof-of-concept that NSPC transplantation has therapeutic potential, there are considerable barriers between the theory of cell transplantation and clinical implementation. However, a new view on harnessing the power of NSPC for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders has emerged, and focuses on treating neuropathological aspects of the disease prior to the appearance of overt neuronal loss. For example, rather than merely replacing lost neurons, NSPCs are now being considered for their ability to provide trophic support. Here we review the evolution of how the field has considered application of NSPCs for treatment of neurodegeneration disorders. We discuss the challenges posed by the "traditional" view of neurodegeneration - overt cell loss - for utilization of NSPCs for treatment of these disorders. We also review the emergence of an alternative strategy that involves fine-tuning the neurogenic capacity of existing adult NSPCs so that they are engineered to address disease-specific pathologies at specific time points during the trajectory of disease. We conclude with our opinion that for this strategy to become a translational reality, it requires a thorough understanding of NSPCs, the dynamic process of adult neurogenesis, and a better understanding of the pathological trajectory of each neurodegenerative disease.

Cost effectiveness analysis of screening for sight threatening diabetic eye disease

PubMed Central

James, Marilyn; Turner, David A; Broadbent, Deborah M; Vora, Jiten; Harding, Simon P

2000-01-01

Objective To measure the cost effectiveness of systematic photographic screening for sight threatening diabetic eye disease compared with existing practice. Design Cost effectiveness analysis Setting Liverpool. Subjects A target population of 5000 diabetic patients invited for screening. Main outcome measures Cost effectiveness (cost per true positive) of systematic and opportunistic programmes; incremental cost effectiveness of replacing opportunistic with systematic screening. Results Baseline prevalence of sight threatening eye disease was 14.1%. The cost effectiveness of the systematic programme was £209 (sensitivity 89%, specificity 86%, compliance 80%, annual cost £104 996) and of the opportunistic programme was £289 (combined sensitivity 63%, specificity 92%, compliance 78%, annual cost £99 981). The incremental cost effectiveness of completely replacing the opportunistic programme was £32. Absolute values of cost effectiveness were highly sensitive to varying prevalence, sensitivity and specificity, compliance, and programme size. Conclusion Replacing existing programmes with systematic screening for diabetic eye disease is justified. PMID:10856062

High-Performance, Low Environmental Impact Refrigerants

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McCullough, E. T.; Dhooge, P. M.; Glass, S. M.; Nimitz, J. S.

2001-01-01

Refrigerants used in process and facilities systems in the US include R-12, R-22, R-123, R-134a, R-404A, R-410A, R-500, and R-502. All but R-134a, R-404A, and R-410A contain ozone-depleting substances that will be phased out under the Montreal Protocol. Some of the substitutes do not perform as well as the refrigerants they are replacing, require new equipment, and have relatively high global warming potentials (GWPs). New refrigerants are needed that addresses environmental, safety, and performance issues simultaneously. In efforts sponsored by Ikon Corporation, NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ETEC has developed and tested a new class of refrigerants, the Ikon (registered) refrigerants, based on iodofluorocarbons (IFCs). These refrigerants are nonflammable, have essentially zero ozone-depletion potential (ODP), low GWP, high performance (energy efficiency and capacity), and can be dropped into much existing equipment.

Role of Advanced Glycation Endproducts and Potential Therapeutic Interventions in Dialysis Patients

PubMed Central

Mallipattu, Sandeep K.; He, John C.; Uribarri, Jaime

2017-01-01

It has been nearly 100 years since the first published report of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) by the French chemist Maillard. Since then, our understanding of AGEs in diseased states has dramatically changed. Especially in the last 25 years, AGEs have been implicated in complications related to aging, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Although AGE formation has been well characterized by both in vitro and in vivo studies, few prospective human studies exist demonstrating the role of AGEs in patients on chronic renal replacement therapy. As the prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States rises, it is essential to identify therapeutic strategies that either delay progression to ESRD or improve morbidity and mortality in this population. This article reviews the role of AGEs, especially those of dietary origin, in ESRD patients as well as potential therapeutic anti-AGE strategies in this population. PMID:22548330

Using GPS Reflections for Satellite Remote Sensing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mickler, David

2000-01-01

GPS signals that have reflected off of the ocean's surface have shown potential for use in oceanographic and atmospheric studies. The research described here investigates the possible deployment of a GPS reflection receiver onboard a remote sensing satellite in low Earth orbit (LEO). The coverage and resolution characteristics of this receiver are calculated and estimated. This mission analysis examines using reflected GPS signals for several remote sensing missions. These include measurement of the total electron content in the ionosphere, sea surface height, and ocean wind speed and direction. Also discussed is the potential test deployment of such a GPS receiver on the space shuttle. Constellations of satellites are proposed to provide adequate spatial and temporal resolution for the aforementioned remote sensing missions. These results provide a starting point for research into the feasibility of augmenting or replacing existing remote sensing satellites with spaceborne GPS reflection-detecting receivers.

A neuro-inspired model-based closed-loop neuroprosthesis for the substitution of a cerebellar learning function in anesthetized rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogri, Roni; Bamford, Simeon A.; Taub, Aryeh H.; Magal, Ari; Giudice, Paolo Del; Mintz, Matti

2015-02-01

Neuroprostheses could potentially recover functions lost due to neural damage. Typical neuroprostheses connect an intact brain with the external environment, thus replacing damaged sensory or motor pathways. Recently, closed-loop neuroprostheses, bidirectionally interfaced with the brain, have begun to emerge, offering an opportunity to substitute malfunctioning brain structures. In this proof-of-concept study, we demonstrate a neuro-inspired model-based approach to neuroprostheses. A VLSI chip was designed to implement essential cerebellar synaptic plasticity rules, and was interfaced with cerebellar input and output nuclei in real time, thus reproducing cerebellum-dependent learning in anesthetized rats. Such a model-based approach does not require prior system identification, allowing for de novo experience-based learning in the brain-chip hybrid, with potential clinical advantages and limitations when compared to existing parametric ``black box'' models.

Role of advanced glycation endproducts and potential therapeutic interventions in dialysis patients.

PubMed

Mallipattu, Sandeep K; He, John C; Uribarri, Jaime

2012-01-01

It has been nearly 100 years since the first published report of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) by the French chemist Maillard. Since then, our understanding of AGEs in diseased states has dramatically changed. Especially in the last 25 years, AGEs have been implicated in complications related to aging, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. Although AGE formation has been well characterized by both in vitro and in vivo studies, few prospective human studies exist demonstrating the role of AGEs in patients on chronic renal replacement therapy. As the prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States rises, it is essential to identify therapeutic strategies that either delay progression to ESRD or improve morbidity and mortality in this population. This article reviews the role of AGEs, especially those of dietary origin, in ESRD patients as well as potential therapeutic anti-AGE strategies in this population. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Implementation of a Flexible Online Delivery Model to Replace a Traditional Face-to-Face Delivery of a PGCE ICT Module

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watts, Martin

2007-01-01

This paper describes aspects of the planning and delivery of a 10 credit module to learners participating in a full-time, Secondary Informational Communication Technology (ICT) PGCE course and the decision to replace an existing face-to-face delivery with a flexible, online delivery. The paper focuses upon four associated aspects of the module,…

77 FR 55519 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Order Approving...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-10

...\\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\\2\\ a proposed rule change to adopt existing NASD Interpretive Material... Policy The proposed rule change would replace several existing provisions in the Front Running Policy...-Regulatory Organizations; Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.; Order Approving Proposed Rule Change...

49 CFR 228.101 - Distance requirement; definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... determined in accordance with rules prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation) of any area where railroad... of a new facility; (ii) Expansion of an existing facility; (iii) Placement of a mobile or modular...) Replacement of an existing facility with a new facility on the same site; or (ii) Rehabilitation or...

49 CFR 235.7 - Changes not requiring filing of application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... formal proceeding; (2) Removal of devices and associated signals used to provide protection against... protection when the unusual contingency no longer exists; (3) Removal of an interlocking where a drawbridge... protecting a railroad crossing at grade; (9) The installation of all relay type locking to replace existing...

49 CFR 235.7 - Changes not requiring filing of application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... formal proceeding; (2) Removal of devices and associated signals used to provide protection against... protection when the unusual contingency no longer exists; (3) Removal of an interlocking where a drawbridge... protecting a railroad crossing at grade; (9) The installation of all relay type locking to replace existing...

Anesthetic Considerations for Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement.

PubMed

Gregory, Stephen H; Zoller, Jonathan K; Shahanavaz, Shabana; Chilson, Kelly L; Ridley, Clare H

2018-02-01

The introduction of transcatheter therapy for valvular heart disease has revolutionized the care of patients with valvular disorders. Pathologic regurgitation or stenosis of the pulmonary valve, right ventricular outflow tract, or a right ventricle-to-pulmonary artery conduit represent emerging indications for transcatheter therapy. To date, minimal literature exists detailing the anesthetic management of patients undergoing transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement. In this review, the pathophysiology and indications for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement and possible complications unique to this procedure are reviewed. Anesthetic management, including preoperative assessment, intraoperative considerations, and early postoperative monitoring, are discussed. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Mortality risk disparities in children receiving chronic renal replacement therapy for the treatment of end-stage renal disease across Europe: an ESPN-ERA/EDTA registry analysis.

PubMed

Chesnaye, Nicholas C; Schaefer, Franz; Bonthuis, Marjolein; Holman, Rebecca; Baiko, Sergey; Baskın, Esra; Bjerre, Anna; Cloarec, Sylvie; Cornelissen, Elisabeth A M; Espinosa, Laura; Heaf, James; Stone, Rosário; Shtiza, Diamant; Zagozdzon, Ilona; Harambat, Jérôme; Jager, Kitty J; Groothoff, Jaap W; van Stralen, Karlijn J

2017-05-27

We explored the variation in country mortality rates in the paediatric population receiving renal replacement therapy across Europe, and estimated how much of this variation could be explained by patient-level and country-level factors. In this registry analysis, we extracted patient data from the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology/European Renal Association-European Dialysis and Transplant Association (ESPN/ERA-EDTA) Registry for 32 European countries. We included incident patients younger than 19 years receiving renal replacement therapy. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and the explained variation were modelled for patient-level and country-level factors with multilevel Cox regression. The primary outcome studied was all-cause mortality while on renal replacement therapy. Between Jan 1, 2000, and Dec 31, 2013, the overall 5 year renal replacement therapy mortality rate was 15·8 deaths per 1000 patient-years (IQR 6·4-16·4). France had a mortality rate (9·2) of more than 3 SDs better, and Russia (35·2), Poland (39·9), Romania (47·4), and Bulgaria (68·6) had mortality rates more than 3 SDs worse than the European average. Public health expenditure was inversely associated with mortality risk (per SD increase, aHR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52-0·91) and explained 67% of the variation in renal replacement therapy mortality rates between countries. Child mortality rates showed a significant association with renal replacement therapy mortality, albeit mediated by macroeconomics (eg, neonatal mortality reduced from 1·31 [95% CI 1·13-1·53], p=0·0005, to 1·21 [0·97-1·51], p=0·10). After accounting for country distributions of patient age, the variation in renal replacement therapy mortality rates between countries increased by 21%. Substantial international variation exists in paediatric renal replacement therapy mortality rates across Europe, most of which was explained by disparities in public health expenditure, which seems to limit the availability and quality of paediatric renal care. Differences between countries in their ability to accept and treat the youngest patients, who are the most complex and costly to treat, form an important source of disparity within this population. Our findings can be used by policy makers and health-care providers to explore potential strategies to help reduce these health disparities. ERA-EDTA and ESPN. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The potential cost-effectiveness of infant pneumococcal vaccines in Australia.

PubMed

Newall, Anthony T; Creighton, Prudence; Philp, David J; Wood, James G; MacIntyre, C Raina

2011-10-19

Over the last decade infant pneumococcal vaccination has been adopted as part of routine immunisation schedules in many developed countries. Although highly successful in many settings such as Australia and the United States, rapid serotype replacement has occurred in some European countries. Recently two pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) with extended serotype coverage have been licensed for use, a 10-valent (PHiD-CV) and a 13-valent (PCV-13) vaccine, and offer potential replacements for the existing vaccine (PCV-7) in Australia. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of PCV programs we developed a static, deterministic state-transition model. The perspective for costs included those to the government and healthcare system. When compared to current practice (PCV-7) both vaccines offered potential benefits, with those estimated for PHiD-CV due primarily to prevention of otitis media and PCV-13 due to a further reduction in invasive disease in Australia. At equivalent total cost to vaccinate an infant, compared to no PCV the base-case cost per QALY saved were estimated at A$64,900 (current practice, PCV-7; 3+0), A$50,200 (PHiD-CV; 3+1) and A$55,300 (PCV-13; 3+0), respectively. However, assumptions regarding herd protection, serotype protection, otitis media efficacy, and vaccination cost changed the relative cost-effectiveness of alternative PCV programs. The high proportion of current invasive disease caused by serotype 19A (as included in PCV-13) may be a decisive factor in determining vaccine policy in Australia. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Will Robots Ever Replace Attendants? Exploring the Current Capabilities and Future Potential of Robots in Education and Rehabilitation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lees, David; LePage, Pamela

1994-01-01

This article describes the current capabilities and future potential of robots designed as supplements or replacements for human assistants or as tools for education and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. Review of robots providing educational, vocational, or independent living assistance concludes that eventually effective, reliable…

Spacesuit Water Membrane Evaporator Integration with the ISS Extravehicular Mobility Unit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Margiott, Victoria; Boyle, Robert

2014-01-01

NASA has developed a Solid Water Membrane Evaporation (SWME) to provide cooling for the next generation spacesuit. The current spacesuit team has looked at this technology from the standpoint of using the ISS EMU to demonstrate the SWME technology while EVA, and from the standpoint of augmenting EMU cooling in the case of a fouled EMU cooling system. One approach to increasing the TRL of the system is to incorporate this hardware with the existing EMU. Several integration issues were addressed to support a potential demonstration of the SWME with the existing EMU. Systems analysis was performed to assess the capability of the SWME to maintain crewmember cooling and comfort as a replacement for sublimation. The materials of the SWME were reviewed to address compatibility with the EMU. Conceptual system placement and integration with the EMU via an EVA umbilical system to ensure crew mobility and Airlock egress were performed. A concept of operation for EVA use was identified that is compatible with the existing system. This concept is extensible as a means to provide cooling for the existing EMU. The cooling system of one of the EMUs on orbit has degraded, with the root cause undetermined. Should there be a common cause resident on ISS, this integration could provide a means to recover cooling capability for EMUs on orbit.

Design and testing of an energy-absorbing crewseat for the F/FB-111 aircraft. Volume 3: Data from crew module testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shane, S. J.

1985-01-01

Over the past years, several papers and reports have documented the unacceptably high injury rate during the escape sequence (including the ejection and ground impact) of the crew module for F/FB-111 aircraft. This report documents a program to determine if the injury potential could be reduced by replacing the existing crewseats with energy absorbing crewseats. An energy absorbing test seat was designed using much of the existing seat hardware. An extensive dynamic seat test series, designed to duplicate various crew module ground impact conditions, was conducted at a sled test facility. Comparative tests with operational F-111 crewseats were also conducted. After successful dynamic testing of the seat, more testing was conducted with the seats mounted in an F-111 crew module. Both swing tests and vertical drop tests werre conducted. The vertical drop tests were used to obtain comparative data between the energy absorbing and operational seats.

Growing a Colony from an Outpost - The Colonization of Mars in the Twenty-Second Century

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halyard, R. J.

Near the end of the Twenty-first Century there may be one or more permanent outposts on Mars; these outposts will recycle their water and atmosphere and remain permanently staffed. The Earth will provide crew rotation plus food supplies and replacement equipment approximately every one and one-half years. Assuming that the permanent outposts are located near deposits of frozen water and necessary minerals, the potential exists of expanding these outposts to a small, self-sufficient colony. Additional equipment, structures and personnel plus changes in operations will be required to make the expansion to a colony possible. Because many variables and assumptions exist in the determination of the additional hardware, the resulting proposed colony design is very tentative and provides only as an initial estimate of the effort required. However if the assumptions are met and the equipment indicated developed, it should definitely be possible to establish a Mars colony in the early Twenty-second Century.

Electro-hydrodynamic printing of drugs onto edible substrates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Yueyang; Elele, Ezinwa; Palle, Prashanth; Khusid, Boris; Basaran, Osman; McGough, Patrick T.; Collins, Robert T.

2009-11-01

While most existing drugs are manufactured as tablets using powder processing techniques, there is growing interest in printing drops containing pharmaceutical actives on edible substrates. We have developed a drop-on-demand (DOD) printing method appropriate for either replacing existing manufacturing platforms or enabling personalized medicine that overcomes the various critical challenges facing current DOD technologies. To eliminate adverse effects of electro-chemical reactions at the fluid-electrode interface, the fluid is infused into an electrically insulating nozzle to form a pendant drop that serves as a floating electrode capacitively coupled to external electrodes. A liquid bridge is formed and broken as the voltage applied at the electrode is varied in time. This gentle method for drop deposition has been demonstrated to operate with fluids spanning over three orders of magnitude in viscosity and conductivity. The proposed method has the potential for the evolving field of pharmaceutical and biomedical applications requiring the deposition of fluids at the exact locations with high volume accuracy.

The frequency of replacement of dental restorations may vary based on a number of variables, including type of material, size of the restoration, and caries risk of the patient.

PubMed

Roumanas, Eleni D

2010-03-01

The authors analyzed the dental records of 2780 Navy (cohort 1 = 1078 entered the Navy in 1997) and US Marine Corps recruits (cohort 2 =1053 entered the USMC in 1999-2000; cohort 3 = 649 entered the USMC in 2002-2005). The records were reviewed at 16 US Navy dental treatment facilities at the following time periods: cohort 1, 2001; cohort 2, 2002-2003; and cohort 3, 2005-2006. The mean age of the subjects was 20 years, and 85% were men. Only posterior teeth (not third molars) with amalgam or resin-based composite (including glass ionomer restorations) were evaluated. Teeth that had been restored with more than one material and restorations that did not involve the occlusal surface were excluded. The minimum follow-up time was 2 years with at least 2 periodic exams following the initial exam. The primary factor of interest was the type of restorative material (amalgam versus resin-based composite). Secondary factors included tooth number, number of restored surfaces (single or multiple), and caries risk of the patient. Caries risk status was defined using the Navy Dental Corps Oral Disease Risk Management protocol. The primary outcome measure of interest was the determination of the relative risk of replacement of an initially intact restoration during the subject's first years of military service. Restorations were classified as clinically acceptable or requiring replacement either as a result of new primary caries, secondary caries, defective restorations, or endodontic therapy. At the initial exam, 964 (15.2%) of the amalgam restorations and 199 (17.4%) of the resin-based composites required replacement and were excluded from further analysis. Of the remaining restorations, an additional 14.2% of the amalgam and 16.7% of the composite restorations required replacement during the observation period. The mean follow-up time was 3.0 years (cohort 1, 3.4 years; cohort 2, 3.1 years; cohort 3, 2.3 years). Replacement rates for resin-based composite restorations compared with amalgam were significantly higher owing to all causes (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.28; P < .05) and for replacement owing to restoration failure (adjusted HR, 1.64; P < .01). Multiple surface restorations demonstrated higher rates of replacement than single surface restorations from all causes (adjusted HR, 1.39; P < .01) and for replacement of existing restorations (adjusted HR, 1.82; P < .01). High-caries-risk subjects experienced more than twice the risk of retreatment than did low-caries-risk subjects when considering all replacements (adjusted HR, 2.04; P < .01) and 50% higher risk of replacement of previously restored surfaces (adjusted HR, 1.48; P<.01) Approximately 30% of all posterior restorations required replacement either at the initial or subsequent exams during the observation period. The number of resin-based composite restorations requiring replacement was significantly higher than amalgam restorations. The authors concluded that because of the extra cost, time, and potential for increased frequency of replacement, posterior composite restorations should be limited to restorations of appropriate size and placed under meticulous restorative technique with strict adherence to manufacturer's instructions.

In vitro and in silico investigations of disc nucleus replacement

PubMed Central

Reitmaier, Sandra; Shirazi-Adl, Aboulfazl; Bashkuev, Maxim; Wilke, Hans-Joachim; Gloria, Antonio; Schmidt, Hendrik

2012-01-01

Currently, numerous hydrogels are under examination as potential nucleus replacements. The clinical success, however, depends on how well the mechanical function of the host structure is restored. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to and mechanisms by which surgery for nucleus replacements influence the mechanical behaviour of the disc. The effects of an annulus defect with and without nucleus replacement on disc height and nucleus pressure were measured using 24 ovine motion segments. The following cases were considered: intact; annulus incision repaired by suture and glue; annulus incision with removal and re-implantation of nucleus tissue repaired by suture and glue or plug. To identify the likely mechanisms observed in vitro, a finite-element model of a human disc (L4–L5) was employed. Both studies were subjected to physiological cycles of compression and recovery. A repaired annulus defect did not influence the disc behaviour in vitro, whereas additional nucleus removal and replacement substantially decreased disc stiffness and nucleus pressure. Model predictions demonstrated the substantial effects of reductions in replaced nucleus water content, bulk modulus and osmotic potential on disc height loss and pressure, similar to measurements. In these events, the compression load transfer in the disc markedly altered by substantially increasing the load on the annulus when compared with the nucleus. The success of hydrogels for nucleus replacements is not only dependent on the implant material itself but also on the restoration of the environment perturbed during surgery. The substantial effects on the disc response of disruptions owing to nucleus replacements can be simulated by reduced nucleus water content, elastic modulus and osmotic potential. PMID:22337630

77 FR 4803 - Dominion Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-01-31

...) existing Sabinsville Meter Station and running south across portions of Clymer, Gaines, and Elk Townships..., Pennsylvania; Replacement of regulators and upgrade of monitor controls at the existing Boom Compressor Station... Station in Stewardson Township, Potter County, Pennsylvania; Installation of about 900 feet of new 24-inch...

75 FR 36739 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated; Notice of Filing of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-28

....'' Second, the Exchange proposes replacing existing paragraph (c)(4) of Rule 52.4, entitled ``Numerical... eliminate the ability of the Exchange to deviate from the Numerical Guidelines contained in paragraph (c)(1... existing paragraph (c)(2), which provides flexibility to the Exchange to use different Numerical Guidelines...

75 FR 27409 - Airworthiness Directives; Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (Sikorsky) Model S-92A Helicopters

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-17

... gearbox (MGB) filter bowl assembly with a two-piece MGB filter bowl assembly and replacing the existing mounting studs. The AD also requires inspecting the MGB lube system filters, the housing, the housing... prompted by tests indicating that an existing MGB filter bowl assembly can fail under certain loading...

40 CFR 63.1220 - What are the replacement standards for hazardous waste burning cement kilns?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... hazardous waste burning cement kilns? 63.1220 Section 63.1220 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... burning cement kilns? (a) Emission and hazardous waste feed limits for existing sources. You must not... (whether burning hazardous waste or not) did not previously exist, to 50 parts per million by volume, over...

40 CFR 63.1220 - What are the replacement standards for hazardous waste burning cement kilns?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... hazardous waste burning cement kilns? 63.1220 Section 63.1220 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... burning cement kilns? (a) Emission and hazardous waste feed limits for existing sources. You must not... (whether burning hazardous waste or not) did not previously exist, to 50 parts per million by volume, over...

40 CFR 63.1220 - What are the replacement standards for hazardous waste burning cement kilns?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... hazardous waste burning cement kilns? 63.1220 Section 63.1220 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... burning cement kilns? (a) Emission and hazardous waste feed limits for existing sources. You must not... (whether burning hazardous waste or not) did not previously exist, to 50 parts per million by volume, over...

40 CFR 63.1220 - What are the replacement standards for hazardous waste burning cement kilns?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... hazardous waste burning cement kilns? 63.1220 Section 63.1220 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... burning cement kilns? (a) Emission and hazardous waste feed limits for existing sources. You must not... (whether burning hazardous waste or not) did not previously exist, to 50 parts per million by volume, over...

40 CFR 63.1220 - What are the replacement standards for hazardous waste burning cement kilns?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... hazardous waste burning cement kilns? 63.1220 Section 63.1220 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... burning cement kilns? (a) Emission and hazardous waste feed limits for existing sources. You must not... (whether burning hazardous waste or not) did not previously exist, to 50 parts per million by volume, over...

Replacement Attack: A New Zero Text Watermarking Attack

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashardoost, Morteza; Mohd Rahim, Mohd Shafry; Saba, Tanzila; Rehman, Amjad

2017-03-01

The main objective of zero watermarking methods that are suggested for the authentication of textual properties is to increase the fragility of produced watermarks against tampering attacks. On the other hand, zero watermarking attacks intend to alter the contents of document without changing the watermark. In this paper, the Replacement attack is proposed, which focuses on maintaining the location of the words in the document. The proposed text watermarking attack is specifically effective on watermarking approaches that exploit words' transition in the document. The evaluation outcomes prove that tested word-based method are unable to detect the existence of replacement attack in the document. Moreover, the comparison results show that the size of Replacement attack is estimated less accurate than other common types of zero text watermarking attacks.

Microprocessor-based control systems application in nuclear power plant critical systems

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

Shah, M.R.; Nowak, J.B.

Microprocessor-based control systems have been used in fossil power plants and are receiving greater acceptance for application in nuclear plants. This technology is not new but it does require unique considerations when applied to nuclear power plants. Sargent and Lundy (S and L) has used a microprocessor-based component logic control system (interposing Logic System) for safety- and non-safety-related components in nuclear power plants under construction overseas. Currently, S and L is in the design stage to replace an existing analog control system with a microprocessor-based control system in the U.S. The trend in the industry is to replace systems inmore » existing plants or design new power plants with microprocessor-based control systems.« less

Potential for Woody Bioenergy Crops Grown on Marginal Lands in the US Midwest to Reduce Carbon Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahajpal, R.; Hurtt, G. C.; Fisk, J. P.; Izaurralde, R. C.; Zhang, X.

2012-12-01

While cellulosic biofuels are widely considered to be a low carbon energy source for the future, a comprehensive assessment of the environmental sustainability of existing and future biofuel systems is needed to assess their utility in meeting US energy and food needs without exacerbating environmental harm. To assess the carbon emission reduction potential of cellulosic biofuels, we need to identify lands that are initially not storing large quantities of carbon in soil and vegetation but are capable of producing abundant biomass with limited management inputs, and accurately model forest production rates and associated input requirements. Here we present modeled results for carbon emission reduction potential and cellulosic ethanol production of woody bioenergy crops replacing existing native prairie vegetation grown on marginal lands in the US Midwest. Marginal lands are selected based on soil properties describing use limitation, and are extracted from the SSURGO (Soil Survey Geographic) database. Yield estimates for existing native prairie vegetation on marginal lands modeled using the process-based field-scale model EPIC (Environmental Policy Integrated Climate) amount to ~ 6.7±2.0 Mg ha-1. To model woody bioenergy crops, the individual-based terrestrial ecosystem model ED (Ecosystem Demography) is initialized with the soil organic carbon stocks estimated at the end of the EPIC simulation. Four woody bioenergy crops: willow, southern pine, eucalyptus and poplar are parameterized in ED. Sensitivity analysis of model parameters and drivers is conducted to explore the range of carbon emission reduction possible with variation in woody bioenergy crop types, spatial and temporal resolution. We hypothesize that growing cellulosic crops on these marginal lands can provide significant water quality, biodiversity and GHG emissions mitigation benefits, without accruing additional carbon costs from the displacement of food and feed production.

Limitation of Biofuel Production in Europe from the Forest Market

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leduc, Sylvain; Wetterlund, Elisabeth; Dotzauer, Erik; Kindermann, Georg

2013-04-01

The European Union has set a 10% target for the share of biofuel in the transportation sector to be met by 2020. To reach this target, second generation biofuel is expected to replace 3 to 5% of the transport fossil fuel consumption. But the competition on the feedstock is an issue and makes the planning for the second generation biofuel plant a challenge. Moreover, no commercial second generation biofuel production plant is under operation, but if reaching commercial status, this type of production plants are expected to become very large. In order to minimize the tranportation costs and to takle the competetion for the feedstock against the existing woody based industries, the geographical location of biofuel production plants becomes an issue. This study investigates the potential of second generation biofuel economically feasible in Europe by 2020 in regards with the competition for the feedsstock with the existing woody biomass based industries (CHP, pulp and paper mills, sawmills...). To assess the biofuel potential in Europe, a techno-economic, geographically explicit model, BeWhere, is used. It determines the optimal locations of bio-energy production plants by minimizing the costs and CO2 emissions of the entire supply chain. The existing woody based industries have to first meet their wood demand, and if the amount of wood that remains is suficiant, new bio-energy production plants if any can be set up. Preliminary results show that CHP plants are preferably chosen over biofuel production plants. Strong biofuel policy support is needed in order to consequently increase the biofuel production in Europe. The carbon tax influences the emission reduction to a higher degree than the biofuel support. And the potential of second generation biofuel would at most reach 3% of the European transport fuel if the wood demand does not increase from 2010.

A review of statistical updating methods for clinical prediction models.

PubMed

Su, Ting-Li; Jaki, Thomas; Hickey, Graeme L; Buchan, Iain; Sperrin, Matthew

2018-01-01

A clinical prediction model is a tool for predicting healthcare outcomes, usually within a specific population and context. A common approach is to develop a new clinical prediction model for each population and context; however, this wastes potentially useful historical information. A better approach is to update or incorporate the existing clinical prediction models already developed for use in similar contexts or populations. In addition, clinical prediction models commonly become miscalibrated over time, and need replacing or updating. In this article, we review a range of approaches for re-using and updating clinical prediction models; these fall in into three main categories: simple coefficient updating, combining multiple previous clinical prediction models in a meta-model and dynamic updating of models. We evaluated the performance (discrimination and calibration) of the different strategies using data on mortality following cardiac surgery in the United Kingdom: We found that no single strategy performed sufficiently well to be used to the exclusion of the others. In conclusion, useful tools exist for updating existing clinical prediction models to a new population or context, and these should be implemented rather than developing a new clinical prediction model from scratch, using a breadth of complementary statistical methods.

A habitat overlap analysis derived from maxent for tamarisk and the south-western willow flycatcher

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

York, Patricia; Evangelista, Paul; Kumar, Sunil; Graham, James; Flather, Curtis; Stohlgren, Thomas

2011-06-01

Biologic control of the introduced and invasive, woody plant tamarisk ( Tamarix spp, saltcedar) in south-western states is controversial because it affects habitat of the federally endangered South-western Willow Flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii extimus). These songbirds sometimes nest in tamarisk where floodplain-level invasion replaces native habitats. Biologic control, with the saltcedar leaf beetle ( Diorhabda elongate), began along the Virgin River, Utah, in 2006, enhancing the need for comprehensive understanding of the tamarisk-flycatcher relationship. We used maximum entropy (Maxent) modeling to separately quantify the current extent of dense tamarisk habitat (>50% cover) and the potential extent of habitat available for E. traillii extimus within the studied watersheds. We used transformations of 2008 Landsat Thematic Mapper images and a digital elevation model as environmental input variables. Maxent models performed well for the flycatcher and tamarisk with Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) values of 0.960 and 0.982, respectively. Classification of thresholds and comparison of the two Maxent outputs indicated moderate spatial overlap between predicted suitable habitat for E. traillii extimus and predicted locations with dense tamarisk stands, where flycatcher habitat will potentially change flycatcher habitats. Dense tamarisk habitat comprised 500 km2 within the study area, of which 11.4% was also modeled as potential habitat for E. traillii extimus. Potential habitat modeled for the flycatcher constituted 190 km2, of which 30.7% also contained dense tamarisk habitat. Results showed that both native vegetation and dense tamarisk habitats exist in the study area and that most tamarisk infestations do not contain characteristics that satisfy the habitat requirements of E. traillii extimus. Based on this study, effective biologic control of Tamarix spp. may, in the short term, reduce suitable habitat available to E. traillii extimus, but also has the potential in the long term to increase suitable habitat if appropriate mixes of native woody vegetation replace tamarisk in biocontrol areas.

Intervertebral disc regeneration or repair with biomaterials and stem cell therapy--feasible or fiction?

PubMed

Chan, Samantha C W; Gantenbein-Ritter, Benjamin

2012-05-31

The "gold standard" for treatment of intervertebral disc herniations and degenerated discs is still spinal fusion, corresponding to the saying "no disc - no pain". Mechanical prostheses, which are currently implanted, do only have medium outcome success and have relatively high re-operation rates. Here, we discuss some of the biological intervertebral disc replacement approaches, which can be subdivided into at least two classes in accordance to the two different tissue types, the nucleus pulposus (NP) and the annulus fibrosus (AF). On the side of NP replacement hydrogels have been extensively tested in vitro and in vivo. However, these gels are usually a trade-off between cell biocompatibility and load-bearing capacity, hydrogels which fulfill both are still lacking. On the side of AF repair much less is known and the question of the anchoring of implants is still to be addressed. New hope for cell therapy comes from developmental biology investigations on the existence of intervertebral disc progenitor cells, which would be an ideal cell source for cell therapy. Also notochordal cells (remnants of the embryonic notochord) have been recently pushed back into focus since these cells have regenerative potential and can activate disc cells. Growth factor treatment and molecular therapies could be less problematic. The biological solutions for NP and AF replacement are still more fiction than fact. However, tissue engineering just scratched the tip of the iceberg, more satisfying solutions are yet to be added to the biomedical pipeline.

Invited review: strategies for promoting productivity and health of dairy cattle by feeding nonforage fiber sources.

PubMed

Bradford, B J; Mullins, C R

2012-09-01

High-fiber byproducts are generated by several industries, and the supplies of some of these nonforage fiber sources (NFFS) are increasing. Although NFFS generally have limited utility in nonruminant diets, dairy cattle nutritionists can use these products to partially replace both forages and concentrates in lactation diets. Research has shown that production responses vary, but under certain conditions, NFFS-based diets can maintain or improve performance of dairy cattle. Traditional dietary formulation strategies are not ideal when formulating diets to contain large concentrations of NFFS. When feeding high levels of NFFS (≥15% inclusion rates, dry matter basis), less physically effective fiber is required; however, determining if this requirement has been met can be challenging, mainly because of the lack of a broadly applicable method for quantifying effective fiber in the field. Nutritionists must also be conscious of the nutrient variation that exists among many NFFS. Strategies to reduce risks associated with this variability include purchasing feed from a sole supplier who demonstrates product consistency and combining multiple NFFS at lower inclusion rates. A targeted approach whereby nonforage fiber primarily replaces some forage fiber for higher-producing cows but partially replaces some starch for lower-producing cows can optimize nutrient utilization without sacrificing animal health. In summary, the judicious use of NFFS represents an opportunity to improve the productivity and health of cattle in all stages of lactation while potentially controlling feed costs. Copyright © 2012 American Dairy Science Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The dependence of the action potential of the frog's heart on the external and intracellular sodium concentration

PubMed Central

Niedergerke, R.; Orkand, R. K.

1966-01-01

1. The overshoot of the action potential of the frog's heart was reduced when external sodium chloride was replaced by sucrose. However, the potential decrement was only 17·3 mV for a 10-fold reduction of sodium as compared with 58 mV expected on the basis of the sodium hypothesis of excitation. 2. Replacement of up to 75% of the external sodium by choline did not reduce the overshoot, provided atropine was present in sufficient concentrations to suppress any parasympathomimetic action. 3. The maximum rate of rise of the action potential markedly declined in low sodium fluids whether sucrose or choline chloride was used to replace sodium chloride. 4. The maximum rate of rise was reduced to only a small extent when external sodium was replaced by lithium. 5. Increasing the intracellular sodium concentration in exchange for lost potassium caused overshoots to decline. The effects resembled those obtained in similar experiments with skeletal muscle fibres (Desmedt, 1953). 6. Action potentials occurring under certain conditions even in the presence of very low external sodium concentrations (≤ 5% normal) also declined in height when the intracellular sodium concentration was increased. 7. The behaviour of the action potential in low external sodium concentrations may be explained by an action of calcium on the excitable membrane. PMID:5921833

A Study of Selected Issues in Military Construction and Base Operating Support

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-12-01

and poten- tial, of data reported annually on the readiness of Navy shore base facilities * Development of a statistical model for forecasting the...of replacing or modernizing existing facilities * Study of the set of activities--including retail supply operations, bachelor housing, automated data ...until data from FY 1986 can be obtained and I SECTION 2 CAPITAL FACILITIES : AGING, REPLACEMENT, AND CHANGE OVER TIME During development of the POM, OP

What Role Can Immigration Play in Shaping Europe’s Future?

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-28

to the combined effect of the existing age structure of the population, a growing number of people who are living longer, and persistently low...challenges posed by this trend, European leaders must prepare timely and effective responses on both economic and demographic fronts. To the extent...likely answer and more useful and effective tool to support the labor market, sustain the European economies, as well as to replace below-replacement

Measure Guideline: Air Conditioner Diagnostics, Maintenance, and Replacement

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

Springer, D.; Dakin, B.

2013-03-01

This guideline responds to the need for an efficient means of identifying, diagnosing, and repairing faults in air conditioning systems in existing homes that are undergoing energy upgrades. Inadequate airflow due to constricted ducts or undersized filters, improper refrigerant charge, and other system defects can be corrected at a fraction of the cost of equipment replacement and can yield significant savings. The guideline presents a two-step approach to diagnostics and repair.

Measure Guideline. Air Conditioner Diagnostics, Maintenance, and Replacement

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

Springer, David; Dakin, Bill

2013-03-01

This guideline responds to the need for an efficient means of identifying, diagnosing, and repairing faults in air conditioning systems in existing homes that are undergoing energy upgrades. Inadequate airflow due to constricted ducts or undersized filters, improper refrigerant charge, and other system defects can be corrected at a fraction of the cost of equipment replacement and can yield significant savings. The guideline presents a two-step approach to diagnostics and repair.

Peak flood estimation using gene expression programming

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zorn, Conrad R.; Shamseldin, Asaad Y.

2015-12-01

As a case study for the Auckland Region of New Zealand, this paper investigates the potential use of gene-expression programming (GEP) in predicting specific return period events in comparison to the established and widely used Regional Flood Estimation (RFE) method. Initially calibrated to 14 gauged sites, the GEP derived model was further validated to 10 and 100 year flood events with a relative errors of 29% and 18%, respectively. This is compared to the RFE method providing 48% and 44% errors for the same flood events. While the effectiveness of GEP in predicting specific return period events is made apparent, it is argued that the derived equations should be used in conjunction with those existing methodologies rather than as a replacement.

Enhanced Antimicrobial Activity Of Antibiotics Mixed With Metal Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Sandeep; Kumar, Neeraj; Bhanjana, Gaurav; Thakur, Rajesh; Dilbaghi, Neeraj

2011-12-01

Current producers of antimicrobial technology have a long lasting, environmentally safe, non-leaching, water soluble solution that will eventually replace all poisons and heavy metals. The transition metal ions inevitably exist as metal complexes in biological systems by interaction with the numerous molecules possessing groupings capable of complexation or chelation. Nanoparticles of metal oxides offer a wide variety of potential applications in medicine due to the unprecedented advances in nanobiotechnology research. the bacterial action of antibiotics like penicillin, erythryomycin, ampicillin, streptomycin, kanamycin etc. and that of a mixture of antibiotics and metal and metal oxide nanoparticles like zinc oxide, zirconium, silver and gold on microbes was examined by the agar-well-diffusion method, enumeration of colony-forming units (CFU) and turbidimetry.

Correlation between caloric and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential test results.

PubMed

Huang, Chi-Hsuan; Wang, Shou-Jen; Young, Yi-Ho

2012-02-01

The ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potential (o-VEMP) test results correlate significantly with caloric test results for patients with acoustic neuroma (AN), but not for patients with Meniere's disease (MD), indicating that the o-VEMP test may replace the caloric test for evaluating the vestibular nerve from which the AN arises. Conversely, the caloric, o-VEMP, and cervical VEMP (c-VEMP) tests should be performed to map lesion sites in the vestibular labyrinth. This study performed caloric, o-VEMP, and c-VEMP tests on patients with central and peripheral vestibular disorders to investigate their relationships. In all, 66 patients comprising 16 with unilateral AN and 50 with unilateral definite MD were enrolled. All patients underwent caloric, o-VEMP, and c-VEMP tests. In the AN group, the caloric test identified canal paresis and caloric areflexia in 10 ears, while the o-VEMP and c-VEMP tests identified abnormal (absent or delayed) responses in 12 and 11 ears, respectively. A significant correlation existed between caloric and o-VEMP test results, but not between caloric and c-VEMP test results, or between o-VEMP and c-VEMP test results. For the MD group, abnormal caloric, o-VEMP, and c-VEMP test results were obtained for 24%, 44%, and 38% of hydropic ears, respectively. No correlation existed between any two test results.

Mechanism of bicarbonate exit across basolateral membrane of rabbit proximal straight tubule.

PubMed

Sasaki, S; Shiigai, T; Yoshiyama, N; Takeuchi, J

1987-01-01

To clarify the mechanism(s) of HCO3- (or related base) transport across the basolateral membrane, rabbit proximal straight tubules were perfused in vitro, and intracellular pH (pHi) and Na+ activity (aiNa) were measured by double-barreled ion-selective microelectrodes. Lowering bath HCO3- from 25 to 5 mM at constant PCO2 depolarized basolateral membrane potential (Vbl), and reduced pHi. Most of these changes were inhibited by adding 1 mM 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (SITS) to the bath. Total replacement of bath Na+ with choline also depolarized Vbl and reduced pHi, and these changes were also inhibited by SITS. Reduction in aiNa was observed when bath HCO3- was lowered. Taken together, these findings suggest that HCO3- exists the basolateral membrane with Na+ and negative charge. Calculation of the electrochemical driving forces suggests that the stoichiometry of HCO3-/Na+ must be larger than two for maintaining HCO3- efflux. Total replacement of bath Cl- with isethionate depolarized Vbl gradually and increased pHi slightly, implying the existence of a Cl(-)-related HCO3- exit mechanism. The rate of decrease in pHi induced by lowering bath HCO3- was slightly reduced (20%) by the absence of bath Cl-. Therefore, the importance of Cl(-)-related HCO3- transport is small relative to total basolateral HCO3- exit. Accordingly, these data suggest that most of HCO3- exits the basolateral membrane through the rheogenic Na+/HCO3- cotransport mechanism with a stoichiometry of HCO3-/Na+ of more than two.

Potential replacements for northwoods black ash in a changing climate: the confluence of two challenges

Treesearch

Louis Iverson; Anantha Prasad; Kathleen S. Knight; Daniel A. Herms; Stephen Matthews; Matthew Peters; Annemarie Smith; Robert Long

2011-01-01

By most indications, the fate of all North American native and non-urban ash (Fraxinus spp.), in the wake of emerald ash borer (EAB), is bleak. This study is concerned with creating a better understanding of the potential replacements of black ash (Fraxinus niger) in native stands in the Northwoods (northern Minnesota, Wisconsin,...

Two-fold sustainability – Adobe with sawdust as partial sand replacement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jokhio, Gul A.; Syed Mohsin, Sharifah M.; Gul, Yasmeen

2018-04-01

Adobe is a material that is economic, environment friendly, and provides better indoor air quality. The material required for the preparation of adobe include clay, sand, and sometimes straw or other organic materials. These materials do not require industrial processing or transportation, however, sand mining has been recently posing a threat to the environment. Therefore, to enhance the existing sustainability of adobe, sand can be partially or fully replaced by other waste materials. This approach will not only solve the problem of excessive sand mining, it will also address the issue of waste management. Sawdust is one such waste material that can be used to partially replace sand in Adobe. This paper presents the results of compressive and flexural test carried out on Adobe samples with partial sand replacement by sawdust. The results show that about 4% sand replacement by volume produces higher compressive strength, whereas the flexural strength reduces with the use of sawdust. However, since flexural strength is not a critical property for adobe, it is concluded that replacing sand with sawdust by about 4% of volume will be beneficial.

Selection against Heteroplasmy Explains the Evolution of Uniparental Inheritance of Mitochondria

PubMed Central

Christie, Joshua R.; Schaerf, Timothy M.; Beekman, Madeleine

2015-01-01

Why are mitochondria almost always inherited from one parent during sexual reproduction? Current explanations for this evolutionary mystery include conflict avoidance between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, clearing of deleterious mutations, and optimization of mitochondrial-nuclear coadaptation. Mathematical models, however, fail to show that uniparental inheritance can replace biparental inheritance under any existing hypothesis. Recent empirical evidence indicates that mixing two different but normal mitochondrial haplotypes within a cell (heteroplasmy) can cause cell and organism dysfunction. Using a mathematical model, we test if selection against heteroplasmy can lead to the evolution of uniparental inheritance. When we assume selection against heteroplasmy and mutations are neither advantageous nor deleterious (neutral mutations), uniparental inheritance replaces biparental inheritance for all tested parameter values. When heteroplasmy involves mutations that are advantageous or deleterious (non-neutral mutations), uniparental inheritance can still replace biparental inheritance. We show that uniparental inheritance can evolve with or without pre-existing mating types. Finally, we show that selection against heteroplasmy can explain why some organisms deviate from strict uniparental inheritance. Thus, we suggest that selection against heteroplasmy explains the evolution of uniparental inheritance. PMID:25880558

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

Tuenge, Jason R.

The DOE Municipal Solid-State Street Lighting Consortium has evaluated four different LED replacements for existing ornamental post-top street lights in Sacramento, California. The project team was composed of the City and its consultant, PNNL (representing the Consortium), and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District. Product selection was finalized in March 2011, yielding one complete luminaire replacement and three lamp-ballast retrofit kits. Computer simulations, field measurements, and laboratory testing were performed to compare the performance and cost-effectiveness of the LED products relative to the existing luminaire with 100 W high-pressure sodium lamp. After it was confirmed the LED products were not equivalentmore » to HPS in terms of initial photopic illumination, the following parameters were scaled proportionally to enable equitable (albeit hypothetical) comparisons: light output, input wattage, and pricing. Four replacement scenarios were considered for each LED product, incorporating new IES guidance for mesopic multipliers and lumen maintenance extrapolation, but life cycle analysis indicated cost effectiveness was also unacceptable. Although LED efficacy and pricing continue to improve, this project serves as a timely and objective notice that LED technology may not be quite ready yet for such applications.« less

Consequences of tooth loss: 2. Dentist considerations--restorative problems and implications.

PubMed

Craddock, Helen L

2010-01-01

Partial tooth loss is much less well tolerated by patients than was previously the case and, on occasions, when extraction is inevitable, they may seek prosthetic replacement. This paper explores some of the consequences of tooth loss that may cause difficulties in tooth replacement, particularly if replacement is delayed for some time. An awareness of potential difficulties, particularly with posterior tooth replacement, will allow clinicians to make treatment decisions in the light of current evidence.

Building a House on Sand: Why Disciplinary Literacy Is Not Sufficient to Replace General Strategies for Adolescent Learners Who Struggle

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faggella-Luby, Michael N.; Graner, Patricia Sampson; Deshler, Donald D.; Drew, Sally Valentino

2012-01-01

There is growing interest in disciplinary literacy instruction as a primary means of improving adolescent literacy outcomes. At times, this disciplinary framework has been represented as a replacement for the more broadly known general strategy instruction. However, disciplinary literacy, a potentially powerful idea, cannot replace general…

Non-Toxic, Low-Freezing, Drop-In Replacement Heat Transfer Fluids

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cutbirth, J. Michael

2012-01-01

A non-toxic, non-flammable, low-freezing heat transfer fluid is being developed for drop-in replacement within current and future heat transfer loops currently using water or alcohol-based coolants. Numerous water-soluble compounds were down-selected and screened for toxicological, physical, chemical, compatibility, thermodynamic, and heat transfer properties. Two fluids were developed, one with a freezing point near 0 C, and one with a suppressed freezing point. Both fluids contain an additive package to improve material compatibility and microbial resistance. The optimized sub-zero solution had a freezing point of 30 C, and a freezing volume expansion of 10-percent of water. The toxicity of the solutions was experimentally determined as LD(50) greater than 5g/kg. The solutions were found to produce minimal corrosion with materials identified by NASA as potentially existing in secondary cooling loops. Thermal/hydrodynamic performance exceeded that of glycol-based fluids with comparable freezing points for temperatures Tf greater than 20 C. The additive package was demonstrated as a buffering agent to compensate for CO2 absorption, and to prevent microbial growth. The optimized solutions were determined to have physically/chemically stable shelf lives for freeze/thaw cycles and longterm test loop tests.

Can we replace curation with information extraction software?

PubMed

Karp, Peter D

2016-01-01

Can we use programs for automated or semi-automated information extraction from scientific texts as practical alternatives to professional curation? I show that error rates of current information extraction programs are too high to replace professional curation today. Furthermore, current IEP programs extract single narrow slivers of information, such as individual protein interactions; they cannot extract the large breadth of information extracted by professional curators for databases such as EcoCyc. They also cannot arbitrate among conflicting statements in the literature as curators can. Therefore, funding agencies should not hobble the curation efforts of existing databases on the assumption that a problem that has stymied Artificial Intelligence researchers for more than 60 years will be solved tomorrow. Semi-automated extraction techniques appear to have significantly more potential based on a review of recent tools that enhance curator productivity. But a full cost-benefit analysis for these tools is lacking. Without such analysis it is possible to expend significant effort developing information-extraction tools that automate small parts of the overall curation workflow without achieving a significant decrease in curation costs.Database URL. © The Author(s) 2016. Published by Oxford University Press.

The model and moral justification for organ procurement in Japan.

PubMed

Bagheri, Alireza; Shoji, Shin'ichi

2005-01-01

Organ replacement therapy is a part of medical practice in today's world and many countries have adopted the required guidelines and regulations. Establishing the basis on which organs can be removed, is still one of the most controversial issues of health policy making in the debate. The critical disparity between supply and demand in organ replacement therapy, even with the existence of social acceptance and organ transplantation law, turns attention towards the importance of an appropriate model of organ procurement. This model should be able to expand the donor pool and increase the organ retrieval rate by converting potential donors to actual ones. In Japan the organ transplantation law which was enacted in 1997 allows organ procurement from brain death as well as non-heart beating cadavers according to restricted conditions. One such condition includes the necessity of both the donor's and the family's written consent. Under current organ procurement policy, organs from only 29 brain death cases have been so far procured. In this paper after examining the current organ procurement system in Japan and the moral justifications behind different organ procurement models we conclude that the Japanese system does not clearly fall into one of the popular organ procurement models.

Motor Drive Technologies for the Power-by-Wire (PBW) Program: Options, Trends and Tradeoffs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elbuluk, Malik E.; Kankam, M. David

1995-01-01

Power-By-Wire (PBW) is a program involving the replacement of hydraulic and pneumatic systems currently used in aircraft with an all-electric secondary power system. One of the largest loads of the all-electric secondary power system will be the motor loads which include pumps, compressors and Electrical Actuators (EA's). Issues of improved reliability, reduced maintenance and efficiency, among other advantages, are the motivation for replacing the existing aircraft actuators with electrical actuators. An EA system contains four major components. These are the motor, the power electronic converters, the actuator and the control system, including the sensors. This paper is a comparative literature review in motor drive technologies, with a focus on the trends and tradeoffs involved in the selection of a particular motor drive technology. The reported research comprises three motor drive technologies. These are the induction motor (IM), the brushless dc motor (BLDCM) and the switched reluctance motor (SRM). Each of the three drives has the potential for application in the PBW program. Many issues remain to be investigated and compared between the three motor drives, using actual mechanical loads expected in the PBW program.

Do Mitochondrial Replacement Techniques Affect Qualitative or Numerical Identity?

PubMed

Liao, S Matthew

2017-01-01

Mitochondrial replacement techniques (MRTs), known in the popular media as 'three-parent' or 'three-person' IVFs, have the potential to enable women with mitochondrial diseases to have children who are genetically related to them but without such diseases. In the debate regarding whether MRTs should be made available, an issue that has garnered considerable attention is whether MRTs affect the characteristics of an existing individual or whether they result in the creation of a new individual, given that MRTs involve the genetic manipulation of the germline. In other words, do MRTs affect the qualitative identity or the numerical identity of the resulting child? For instance, a group of panelists on behalf of the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has claimed that MRTs affect only the qualitative identity of the resulting child, while the Working Group of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics (NCOB) has argued that MRTs would create a numerically distinct individual. In this article, I shall argue that MRTs do create a new and numerically distinct individual. Since my explanation is different from the NCOB's explanation, I shall also offer reasons why my explanation is preferable to the NCOB's explanation. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

75 FR 36762 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; EDGA Exchange, Inc.; Notice of Filing of Proposed Rule Change, as...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-28

... Exchange is proposing to replace existing paragraph (c)(4) of Rule 11.13, entitled ``Numerical Guidelines... the ability of the Exchange to deviate from the Numerical Guidelines contained in paragraph (c)(1... of existing paragraph (c)(2), which provides flexibility to the Exchange to use different Numerical...

77 FR 33213 - Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Request Under Blanket Authorization

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-05

... certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-426, for authorization to replace two existing Ansaldo electric motors with two new electric motors at Transco's existing Compressor Station 205 in Princeton, New Jersey... motors and associated variable frequency drives for units 1 and 2 with two new Siemens electric motors...

Design and optimization of geothermal power generation, heating, and cooling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanoglu, Mehmet

Most of the world's geothermal power plants have been built in 1970s and 1980s following 1973 oil crisis. Urgency to generate electricity from alternative energy sources and the fact that geothermal energy was essentially free adversely affected careful designs of plants which would maximize their performance for a given geothermal resource. There are, however, tremendous potentials to improve performance of many existing geothermal power plants by retrofitting, optimizing the operating conditions, re-selecting the most appropriate binary fluid in binary plants, and considering cogeneration such as a district heating and/or cooling system or a system to preheat water entering boilers in industrial facilities. In this dissertation, some representative geothermal resources and existing geothermal power plants in Nevada are investigated to show these potentials. Economic analysis of a typical geothermal resource shows that geothermal heating and cooling may generate up to 3 times as much revenue as power generation alone. A district heating/cooling system is designed for its incorporation into an existing 27 MW air-cooled binary geothermal power plant. The system as designed has the capability to meet the entire heating needs of an industrial park as well as 40% of its cooling needs, generating potential revenues of $14,040,000 per year. A study of the power plant shows that evaporative cooling can increase the power output by up to 29% in summer by decreasing the condenser temperature. The power output of the plant can be increased by 2.8 percent by optimizing the maximum pressure in the cycle. Also, replacing the existing working fluid isobutane by butane, R-114, isopentane, and pentane can increase the power output by up to 2.5 percent. Investigation of some well-known geothermal power generation technologies as alternatives to an existing 12.8 MW single-flash geothermal power plant shows that double-flash, binary, and combined flash/binary designs can increase the net power output by up to 31 percent, 35 percent, and 54 percent, respectively, at optimum operating conditions. An economic comparison of these designs appears to favor the combined flash/binary design, followed by the double-flash design.

The Feasibility of Palm Kernel Shell as a Replacement for Coarse Aggregate in Lightweight Concrete

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itam, Zarina; Beddu, Salmia; Liyana Mohd Kamal, Nur; Ashraful Alam, Md; Issa Ayash, Usama

2016-03-01

Implementing sustainable materials into the construction industry is fast becoming a trend nowadays. Palm Kernel Shell is a by-product of Malaysia’s palm oil industry, generating waste as much as 4 million tons per annum. As a means of producing a sustainable, environmental-friendly, and affordable alternative in the lightweight concrete industry, the exploration of the potential of Palm Kernel Shell to be used as an aggregate replacement was conducted which may give a positive impact to the Malaysian construction industry as well as worldwide concrete usage. This research investigates the feasibility of PKS as an aggregate replacement in lightweight concrete in terms of compressive strength, slump test, water absorption, and density. Results indicate that by using PKS for aggregate replacement, it increases the water absorption but decreases the concrete workability and strength. Results however, fall into the range acceptable for lightweight aggregates, hence it can be concluded that there is potential to use PKS as aggregate replacement for lightweight concrete.

Dual ECM Biomimetic Scaffolds for Dental Pulp Regenerative Applications

PubMed Central

Huang, Chun-Chieh; Narayanan, Raghuvaran; Warshawsky, Noah; Ravindran, Sriram

2018-01-01

Dental pulp is a highly vascularized and innervated tissue that provides sensitivity and vitality to the tooth. Chronic caries results in an infected pulp tissue prone to necrosis. Existing clinical treatments replace the living pulp tissue with a non-responsive resin filling resulting in loss of tooth vitality. Tissue engineering approaches to dental pulp tissue regeneration have been investigated to preserve tooth vitality and function. However, a critical criterion is the choice of growth factors that may promote mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and more importantly, vascularization. But, the problems associated with growth factor dosage, delivery, safety, immunological and ectopic complications affect their translatory potential severely. The purpose of this study is to develop, characterize and evaluate a biomimetic native extracellular matrix (ECM) derived dual ECM scaffold that consists of a pulp-specific ECM to promote MSC attachment, proliferation and differentiation and an endothelial ECM to promote migration of host endothelial cells and eventual vascularization in vivo. Our results show that the dual ECM scaffolds possess similar properties as a pulp-ECM scaffold to promote MSC attachment and odontogenic differentiation in vitro. Additionally, when implanted subcutaneously in a tooth root slice model in vivo, the dual ECM scaffolds promoted robust odontogenic differentiation of both dental pulp and bone marrow derived MSCs and also extensive vascularization when compared to respective controls. These scaffolds are mass producible for clinical use and hence have the potential to replace root canal therapy as a treatment for chronic dental caries. PMID:29887803

Program for life extension and preserving existing resources for motor control center components [nuclear plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanwarwalla, M. H.; Alsammarae, A. J.

1995-08-01

Many nuclear power plants have motor control centers (MCCs) installed in a harsh, radiation only, environment. Procurement of safety-related replacement devices for these MCCs is an economic burden for the stations if these MCCs have become obsolete. Identical replacement components for many MCCs installed in older plants (ITE Gould, Allis-Chalmers, Klockner-Moeller, Cutler-Hammer, etc.) are no longer available. Plants are left with the option of either retrofitting these MCCs or finding ways to extend the qualified lives of the safety-related components to minimize replacement costs. ComEd nuclear station has embarked on a program to minimize the economic burden for the replacement of Klockner-Moeller (K-M) MCC components. This paper discusses the program adopted by this station and its economic benefits to ComEd.

Replacing missing values using trustworthy data values from web data sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izham Jaya, M.; Sidi, Fatimah; Mat Yusof, Sharmila; Suriani Affendey, Lilly; Ishak, Iskandar; Jabar, Marzanah A.

2017-09-01

In practice, collected data usually are incomplete and contains missing value. Existing approaches in managing missing values overlook the importance of trustworthy data values in replacing missing values. In view that trusted completed data is very important in data analysis, we proposed a framework of missing value replacement using trustworthy data values from web data sources. The proposed framework adopted ontology to map data values from web data sources to the incomplete dataset. As data from web is conflicting with each other, we proposed a trust score measurement based on data accuracy and data reliability. Trust score is then used to select trustworthy data values from web data sources for missing values replacement. We successfully implemented the proposed framework using financial dataset and presented the findings in this paper. From our experiment, we manage to show that replacing missing values with trustworthy data values is important especially in a case of conflicting data to solve missing values problem.

Resource engineering and economic studies for direct application of geothermal energy. Draft final report

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

Not Available

1981-12-01

The feasibility of utilizing geothermal energy at a selected plant in New York State was studied. Existing oil and gas records suggests that geothermal fluid is available in the target area and based on this potential. Friendship Dairies, Inc., Friendship, NY, was selected as a potential user of geothermal energy. Currently natural gas and electricity are used as its primary energy sources. Six geothermal system configurations were analyzed based on replacement of gas or oil-fired systems for producing process heat. Each system was evaluated in terms of Internal Rate of Return on Investment (IRR), and simple payback. Six system configurationsmore » and two replaced fuels, representative of a range of situations found in the state, are analyzed. Based on the potential geothermal reserves at Friendship, each of the six system configurations are shown to be economically viable, compared to continued gas or oil-firing. The Computed IRR's are all far in excess of projected average interest rates for long term borrowings: approximately 15% for guarantee backed loans or as high as 20% for conventional financing. IRR is computed based on the total investment (equity plus debt) and cash flows before financing costs, i.e., before interest expense, but after the tax benefit of the interest deduction. The base case application for the Friendship analysis is case B/20 yr-gas which produces an IRR of 28.5% and payback of 3.4 years. Even better returns could be realized in the cases of oil-avoidance and where greater use of geothermal energy can be made as shown in the other cases considered.« less

76 FR 68260 - Availability of Finding of No Significant Impact

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-11-03

... evaluate the potential environmental impacts from replacement of a 600 foot section of timber pile supported pier with concrete pile supports and decking. The timber pile pier section to be replaced...

Tuberculosis vaccines in clinical trials

PubMed Central

Rowland, Rosalind; McShane, Helen

2011-01-01

Effective prophylactic and/or therapeutic vaccination is a key strategy for controlling the global TB epidemic. The partial effectiveness of the existing TB vaccine, bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG), suggests effective vaccination is possible and highlights the need for an improved vaccination strategy. Clinical trials are evaluating both modifications to the existing BCG immunization methods and also novel TB vaccines, designed to replace or boost BCG. Candidate vaccines in clinical development include live mycobacterial vaccines designed to replace BCG, subunit vaccines designed to boost BCG and therapeutic vaccines designed as an adjunct to chemotherapy. There is a great need for validated animal models, identification of immunological biomarkers of protection and field sites with the capacity for large-scale efficacy testing in order to develop and license a novel TB vaccine or regimen. PMID:21604985

New Transverse Bunch-by-Bunch Feedback System at TLS

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

Hu, K. H.; Kuo, C. H.; Hsu, S. Y.

2007-01-19

An FPGA based transverse bunch-by-bunch feedback system was implemented and commissioned to replace the existing analog transverse feedback system in order to suppress more effectively multi-bunch instabilities caused by the resistive wall of the vacuum chamber, cavity-like structures and ions related instability. This system replaces existing analog transverse feedback system to enlarge the tunability of the working point. Lower chromaticity is possible with feedback system that is very helpful for injection efficiency improvement. Top-up and high current operation is benefit for this upgrade. One feedback loop suppresses horizontal and vertical multi-bunch instabilities simultaneously. The clean and simple structure makes themore » system simple and reliable. This study also presents the preliminary result of commissioning the new transverse feedback system.« less

Phased Retrofits in Existing Homes in Florida Phase II: Shallow Plus Retrofits

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

Sutherland, K.; Parker, D.; Martin, E.

Originally published in February 2016, this revision contains an added section called 'Evaluation of Complete Central System Replacement with Inverter-Driven Heat Pump,' which presents the designs and energy savings evaluations of two different schemes wherein inverter-driven systems replaced a home's existing central system. Analyses for three additional retrofit measures were bolstered by longer-term data; these are described in the sections on supplemental mini-split heat pumps (MSHPs), smart thermostats, and heat pump clothes dryers. The sections on supplemental MSHPs and smart thermostats were also enhanced with larger sample sizes and projections of weather-normalized annual energy savings. Finally, peak system hour energymore » demand-reduction predictions are provided for all retrofit measures where meaningful impacts could be drawn.« less

Phased Retrofits in Existing Homes in Florida Phase II: Shallow Plus Retrofits

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

Sutherland, K.; Parker, D.; Martin, E.

Originally published in February 2016, this revision contains an added section called 'Evaluation of Complete Central System Replacement with Inverter-Driven Heat Pump,' which presents the designs and energy savings evaluations of two different schemes wherein inverter-driven systems replaced a home’s existing central system. Analyses for three additional retrofit measures were bolstered by longer-term data; these are described in the sections on supplemental mini-split heat pumps (MSHPs), smart thermostats, and heat pump clothes dryers. The sections on supplemental MSHPs and smart thermostats were also enhanced with larger sample sizes and projections of weather-normalized annual energy savings. Finally, peak system hour energymore » demand-reduction predictions are provided for all retrofit measures where meaningful impacts could be drawn.« less

Development of the Hospital Ship Replacement (HSR) Concept - Maximizing Capability & Affordability

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-08-01

be restricted by weight when it comes to passenger capacity. For verification, these patient capacity estimates were compared to seating ...ABSTRACT The Center for Innovation in Ship Design (CISD) requested a design effort to refine and expand upon a previous development of a concept that...could serve as a replacement for the existing hospital ships, USNS Mercy (T-AHS 19) and USNS Comfort (T-AHS 20). These ships are over 35 years old and

Mega-Scale Simulation of Multi-Layer Devices-- Formulation, Kinetics, and Visualization

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-07-28

prototype code STRIDE, also initially developed under ARO support. The focus of the ARO supported research activities has been in the areas of multi ... FORTRAN -77. During its fifteen-year life- span several generations of researchers have modified the code . Due to this continual develop- ment, the...behavior. The replacement of the linear solver had no effect on the remainder of the code . We replaced the existing solver with a distributed multi -frontal

Sox2 marks epithelial competence to generate teeth in mammals and reptiles

PubMed Central

Juuri, Emma; Jussila, Maria; Seidel, Kerstin; Holmes, Scott; Wu, Ping; Richman, Joy; Heikinheimo, Kristiina; Chuong, Cheng-Ming; Arnold, Katrin; Hochedlinger, Konrad; Klein, Ophir; Michon, Frederic; Thesleff, Irma

2013-01-01

Tooth renewal is initiated from epithelium associated with existing teeth. The development of new teeth requires dental epithelial cells that have competence for tooth formation, but specific marker genes for these cells have not been identified. Here, we analyzed expression patterns of the transcription factor Sox2 in two different modes of successional tooth formation: tooth replacement and serial addition of primary teeth. We observed specific Sox2 expression in the dental lamina that gives rise to successional teeth in mammals with one round of tooth replacement as well as in reptiles with continuous tooth replacement. Sox2 was also expressed in the dental lamina during serial addition of mammalian molars, and genetic lineage tracing indicated that Sox2+ cells of the first molar give rise to the epithelial cell lineages of the second and third molars. Moreover, conditional deletion of Sox2 resulted in hyperplastic epithelium in the forming posterior molars. Our results indicate that the Sox2+ dental epithelium has competence for successional tooth formation and that Sox2 regulates the progenitor state of dental epithelial cells. The findings imply that the function of Sox2 has been conserved during evolution and that tooth replacement and serial addition of primary teeth represent variations of the same developmental process. The expression patterns of Sox2 support the hypothesis that dormant capacity for continuous tooth renewal exists in mammals. PMID:23462476

Advanced technologies for cardiac valvular replacement, transcatheter innovations and reconstructive surgery.

PubMed

Jamieson, W R Eric

2006-01-01

Since the 2002 Surgical Technology International monograph on valvular prostheses, there have been significant developmental and investigative advances. Aortic bioprostheses and mechanical prostheses have undergone design changes to optimize hemodynamics and prevent patient-prosthesis mismatch to have a potential satisfactory influence on survival. There has been continual technological improvements striving to bring forward advances that improve the durability of bioprostheses and reduce the thrombogenicity of mechanical prostheses. There also has been a continuance to preserve biological tissue with glutaraldehyde, rather than clinically evaluate other cross-linking technologies, by controlling or retarding calcification with therapies to control phospholipids and residual aldehydes. The techniques of mitral valve reconstruction have now been well established and new annuloplasty rings have been designed for the potential of maintaining the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the mitral annulus. Several objectives exist for annuloplasty, namely remodeling of the length and shape of the dilated annulus, prevention of dilatation of the annulus, and support for the potentially fragile area after partial-leaflet resection. Currently, there exists an emergence of catheter-based therapies for management of aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. For management of selected populations with critical aortic stenosis, techniques for aortic valve substitution have been developed for both antegrade and retrograde catheter techniques, as well as apical transventricular implantation. Mitral regurgitation has been addressed by experimental transcoronary sinus, stent-like devices and transventricular, edge-to-edge leaflet devices. The devices, descriptions and pictorial images comprise this monograph.

Properties of potential eco-friendly gas replacements for particle detectors in high-energy physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saviano, G.; Ferrini, M.; Benussi, L.; Bianco, S.; Piccolo, D.; Colafranceschi, S.; KjØlbro, J.; Sharma, A.; Yang, D.; Chen, G.; Ban, Y.; Li, Q.; Grassini, S.; Parvis, M.

2018-03-01

Gas detectors for elementary particles require F-based gases for optimal performance. Recent regulations demand the use of environmentally unfriendly F-based gases to be limited or banned. This work studies properties of potential eco-friendly gas replacements by computing the physical and chemical parameters relevant for use as detector media, and suggests candidates to be considered for experimental investigation.

Prioritization methodology for chemical replacement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cruit, Wendy; Goldberg, Ben; Schutzenhofer, Scott

1995-01-01

Since United States of America federal legislation has required ozone depleting chemicals (class 1 & 2) to be banned from production, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and industry have been required to find other chemicals and methods to replace these target chemicals. This project was initiated as a development of a prioritization methodology suitable for assessing and ranking existing processes for replacement 'urgency.' The methodology was produced in the form of a workbook (NASA Technical Paper 3421). The final workbook contains two tools, one for evaluation and one for prioritization. The two tools are interconnected in that they were developed from one central theme - chemical replacement due to imposed laws and regulations. This workbook provides matrices, detailed explanations of how to use them, and a detailed methodology for prioritization of replacement technology. The main objective is to provide a GUIDELINE to help direct the research for replacement technology. The approach for prioritization called for a system which would result in a numerical rating for the chemicals and processes being assessed. A Quality Function Deployment (QFD) technique was used in order to determine numerical values which would correspond to the concerns raised and their respective importance to the process. This workbook defines the approach and the application of the QFD matrix. This technique: (1) provides a standard database for technology that can be easily reviewed, and (2) provides a standard format for information when requesting resources for further research for chemical replacement technology. Originally, this workbook was to be used for Class 1 and Class 2 chemicals, but it was specifically designed to be flexible enough to be used for any chemical used in a process (if the chemical and/or process needs to be replaced). The methodology consists of comparison matrices (and the smaller comparison components) which allow replacement technology to be quantitatively compared in several categories, and a QFD matrix which allows process/chemical pairs to be rated against one another for importance (using consistent categories). Depending on the need for application, one can choose the part(s) needed or have the methodology completed in its entirety. For example, if a program needs to show the risk of changing a process/chemical one may choose to use part of Matrix A and Matrix C. If a chemical is being used, and the process must be changed; one might use the Process Concerns part of Matrix D for the existing process and all possible replacement processes. If an overall analysis of a program is needed, one may request the QFD to be completed.

A Reanalysis of the Effects of Teacher Replacement Using Value-Added Modeling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yeh, Stuart S.

2013-01-01

Background: In principle, value-added modeling (VAM) might be justified if it can be shown to be a more reliable indicator of teacher quality than existing indicators for existing low-stakes decisions that are already being made, such as the award of small merit bonuses. However, a growing number of researchers now advocate the use of VAM to…

75 FR 6389 - Notice of a Regional Project Waiver of Section 1605 (Buy American) of the American Recovery and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-09

... existing belt filter press for sludge generated at the plant. Based upon information submitted by the City... dewatering unit to replace the existing belt filter press. The City is requesting a waiver from the Buy... filter press, (2) centrifuge system; (3) screw press and (4) rotary press. Of the four technologies, it...

42 CFR § 510.320 - Treatment of incentive programs or add-on payments under existing Medicare payment systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2017-10-01

... INFRASTRUCTURE AND MODEL PROGRAMS COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT MODEL Pricing and Payment § 510.320 Treatment of incentive programs or add-on payments under existing Medicare payment systems. The CJR model... 42 Public Health 5 2017-10-01 2017-10-01 false Treatment of incentive programs or add-on payments...

42 CFR § 510.320 - Treatment of incentive programs or add-on payments under existing Medicare payment systems.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2016-10-01

... INFRASTRUCTURE AND MODEL PROGRAMS COMPREHENSIVE CARE FOR JOINT REPLACEMENT MODEL Pricing and Payment § 510.320 Treatment of incentive programs or add-on payments under existing Medicare payment systems. The CJR model... 42 Public Health 5 2016-10-01 2016-10-01 false Treatment of incentive programs or add-on payments...

78 FR 22095 - Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Replacement of the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-12

... landward of the existing seawall face and result in a net setback of the wall from its existing location. The majority of seawall construction would occur behind a temporary steel sheet pile containment wall... installed in upland areas are not expected to result in the take of marine mammals because sound levels...

76 FR 20969 - City and Borough of Sitka, AK; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Ready for Environmental...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-14

... megawatt (MW) turbine-generator units near the existing powerhouse. Additionally, the Fish Valve Unit would be replaced with a new 1 MW turbine-generator unit and the 870 kilowatt Pulp Mill Feeder Unit would... new water intake in the reservoir 109 feet above the existing intake. The higher maximum reservoir...

The potential of sarcospan in adhesion complex replacement therapeutics for the treatment of muscular dystrophy.

PubMed

Marshall, Jamie L; Kwok, Yukwah; McMorran, Brian J; Baum, Linda G; Crosbie-Watson, Rachelle H

2013-09-01

Three adhesion complexes span the sarcolemma and facilitate critical connections between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton: the dystrophin- and utrophin-glycoprotein complexes and α7β1 integrin. Loss of individual protein components results in a loss of the entire protein complex and muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a progressive, lethal wasting disease characterized by repetitive cycles of myofiber degeneration and regeneration. Protein-replacement therapy offers a promising approach for the treatment of muscular dystrophy. Recently, we demonstrated that sarcospan facilitates protein-protein interactions amongst the adhesion complexes and is an important potential therapeutic target. Here, we review current protein-replacement strategies, discuss the potential benefits of sarcospan expression, and identify important experiments that must be addressed for sarcospan to move to the clinic. © 2013 FEBS.

All-Electric School Profile: Washington Elementary Educational Park

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Modern Schools, 1977

1977-01-01

Existing elementary schools in Washington, Pennsylvania, were replaced by an educational park with two two-story buildings. A heat recovery system and an additional thickness of insulation conserve energy. (MLF)

Postprocessing classification images

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kan, E. P.

1979-01-01

Program cleans up remote-sensing maps. It can be used with existing image-processing software. Remapped images closely resemble familiar resource information maps and can replace or supplement classification images not postprocessed by this program.

Potential and challenges of zeolite chemistry in the catalytic conversion of biomass.

PubMed

Ennaert, Thijs; Van Aelst, Joost; Dijkmans, Jan; De Clercq, Rik; Schutyser, Wouter; Dusselier, Michiel; Verboekend, Danny; Sels, Bert F

2016-02-07

Increasing demand for sustainable chemicals and fuels has pushed academia and industry to search for alternative feedstocks replacing crude oil in traditional refineries. As a result, an immense academic attention has focused on the valorisation of biomass (components) and derived intermediates to generate valuable platform chemicals and fuels. Zeolite catalysis plays a distinct role in many of these biomass conversion routes. This contribution emphasizes the progress and potential in zeolite catalysed biomass conversions and relates these to concepts established in existing petrochemical processes. The application of zeolites, equipped with a variety of active sites, in Brønsted acid, Lewis acid, or multifunctional catalysed reactions is discussed and generalised to provide a comprehensive overview. In addition, the feedstock shift from crude oil to biomass involves new challenges in developing fields, like mesoporosity and pore interconnectivity of zeolites and stability of zeolites in liquid phase. Finally, the future challenges and perspectives of zeolites in the processing of biomass conversion are discussed.

Do financial incentives trump clinical guidance? Hip Replacement in England and Scotland.

PubMed

Papanicolas, Irene; McGuire, Alistair

2015-12-01

Following devolution in 1999 England and Scotland's National Health Services diverged, resulting in major differences in hospital payment. England introduced a case payment mechanism from 2003/4, while Scotland continued to pay through global budgets. We investigate the impact this change had on activity for Hip Replacement. We examine the financial reimbursement attached to uncemented Hip Replacement in England, which has been more generous than for its cemented counterpart, although clinical guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommends the later. In Scotland this financial differential does not exist. We use a difference-in-difference estimator, using Scotland as a control, to test whether the change in reimbursement across the two countries had an influence on treatment. Our results indicate that financial incentives are directly linked to the faster uptake of the more expensive, uncemented Hip Replacement in England, which ran against the clinical guidance. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pedogenic replacement of aluminosilicate grains by CaCO3 in Ustollic Haplargids, south-central Montana, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reheis, M.C.

1988-01-01

A chronosequence of calcic soils formed on granitic glaciofluvial terrace deposits of Rock Creek and the Clarks Fork in south-central Montana shows progressive replacement of aluminosilicate parent-material grains by calcium-magnesium carbonate. The terraces range from late Pliocene to Holocene in age as dated by tephrochronology, correlation, and stream incision rates. Replacement is first seen in soils that are as old as 120,000 yr; the amount and degree of replacement increase in soils older than 120,000 yr along with the development of calcic horizons. Under the petrographic microscope, carbonate replacement of quartz, feldspars, and the groundmass of andesite grains in Rock Creek soils is shown by embayed grains, networks of carbonate along cracks and between parts of polycrystalline grains and optically aligned grain fragments within carbonate masses. Microprobe data suggest that silica is released by replacement because it is absent from carbonate-filled spaces and is depleted in corrosion pits. Little microscopic evidence exists to support displacement of framework grains by carbonate because fragments of a single grain are rarely rotated out of optical alignment. In the calcic soils of Rock Creek, K-fabric (grains floating in a carbonate matrix) may form by both replacement and displacement. ?? 1988.

The Effect of Failing to Recapitalize the B-52H Defensive Avionics System on Future Operations

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

reactive jamming, compensation for wing flexing to prevent wire chaffing and ensuring the necessary degree of cooling is available to extend LRU life ...repair parts. Parts of this system including the 6-gun CRT, referenced earlier, were replaced with a commercial off-the- shelf item built by Condor...This effort will provide a small extension to the service life of the existing BWOs. There is also an effort underway to replace the BWOs with

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Your Heart

MedlinePlus

Hormone replacement therapy and your heart Are you taking — or considering — hormone therapy to treat bothersome menopausal symptoms? Understand potential risks to your heart and whether hormone therapy is right for you. By Mayo Clinic Staff ...

Enhanced operator perception through 3D vision and haptic feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Edmondson, Richard; Light, Kenneth; Bodenhamer, Andrew; Bosscher, Paul; Wilkinson, Loren

2012-06-01

Polaris Sensor Technologies (PST) has developed a stereo vision upgrade kit for TALON® robot systems comprised of a replacement gripper camera and a replacement mast zoom camera on the robot, and a replacement display in the Operator Control Unit (OCU). Harris Corporation has developed a haptic manipulation upgrade for TALON® robot systems comprised of a replacement arm and gripper and an OCU that provides haptic (force) feedback. PST and Harris have recently collaborated to integrate the 3D vision system with the haptic manipulation system. In multiple studies done at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri it has been shown that 3D vision and haptics provide more intuitive perception of complicated scenery and improved robot arm control, allowing for improved mission performance and the potential for reduced time on target. This paper discusses the potential benefits of these enhancements to robotic systems used for the domestic homeland security mission.

From the Cover: Cell-replacement therapy for diabetes: Generating functional insulin-producing tissue from adult human liver cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sapir, Tamar; Shternhall, Keren; Meivar-Levy, Irit; Blumenfeld, Tamar; Cohen, Hamutal; Skutelsky, Ehud; Eventov-Friedman, Smadar; Barshack, Iris; Goldberg, Iris; Pri-Chen, Sarah; Ben-Dor, Lya; Polak-Charcon, Sylvie; Karasik, Avraham; Shimon, Ilan; Mor, Eytan; Ferber, Sarah

2005-05-01

Shortage in tissue availability from cadaver donors and the need for life-long immunosuppression severely restrict the large-scale application of cell-replacement therapy for diabetic patients. This study suggests the potential use of adult human liver as alternate tissue for autologous beta-cell-replacement therapy. By using pancreatic and duodenal homeobox gene 1 (PDX-1) and soluble factors, we induced a comprehensive developmental shift of adult human liver cells into functional insulin-producing cells. PDX-1-treated human liver cells express insulin, store it in defined granules, and secrete the hormone in a glucose-regulated manner. When transplanted under the renal capsule of diabetic, immunodeficient mice, the cells ameliorated hyperglycemia for prolonged periods of time. Inducing developmental redirection of adult liver offers the potential of a cell-replacement therapy for diabetics by allowing the patient to be the donor of his own insulin-producing tissue. pancreas | transdifferentiation

Why are U.S. nuclear weapon modernization efforts controversial?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Acton, James

2016-03-01

U.S. nuclear weapon modernization programs are focused on extending the lives of existing warheads and developing new delivery vehicles to replace ageing bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and ballistic missile submarines. These efforts are contested and controversial. Some critics argue that they are largely unnecessary, financially wasteful and potentially destabilizing. Other critics posit that they do not go far enough and that nuclear weapons with new military capabilities are required. At its core, this debate centers on three strategic questions. First, what roles should nuclear weapons be assigned? Second, what military capabilities do nuclear weapons need to fulfill these roles? Third, how severe are the unintended escalation risks associated with particular systems? Proponents of scaled-down modernization efforts generally argue for reducing the role of nuclear weapons but also that, even under existing policy, new military capabilities are not required. They also tend to stress the escalation risks of new--and even some existing--capabilities. Proponents of enhanced modernization efforts tend to advocate for a more expansive role for nuclear weapons in national security strategy. They also often argue that nuclear deterrence would be enhanced by lower yield weapons and/or so called bunker busters able to destroy more deeply buried targets. The debate is further fueled by technical disagreements over many aspects of ongoing and proposed modernization efforts. Some of these disagreements--such as the need for warhead life extension programs and their necessary scope--are essentially impossible to resolve at the unclassified level. By contrast, unclassified analysis can help elucidate--though not answer--other questions, such as the potential value of bunker busters.

Na and Ca components of action potentials in amphioxus muscle cells

PubMed Central

Hagiwara, S.; Kidokoro, Y.

1971-01-01

1. The ionic mechanism of the action potential produced in lamella-like muscle cells of amphioxus, Branchiostoma californiense, was investigated with intracellular recording and polarization techniques. 2. The resting potential and action potential overshoot in normal saline are -53±5 mV (S.D.) and +29±10 mV (S.D.) respectively. 3. The action potential is eliminated by tetrodotoxin (3 μM) and by replacing NaCl in the saline with Tris-chloride but maintained by replacing Na with Li. 4. After elimination of the normal action potential by tetrodotoxin or replacing Na with Tris, the addition of procaine (7·3 mM) to the external saline makes the membrane capable of producing a regenerative potential change. 5. The peak potential of the regenerative response depends on external Ca concentration in a manner predicted by the Nernst equation with Ca concentrations close to normal. 6. The Ca dependent response is reversibly suppressed by Co or La ions. 7. Similar regenerative responses are obtained when Ca is substituted with Sr or Ba. 8. It is concluded that two independent mechanisms of ionic permeability increase occur in the membrane of amphioxus muscle cell, one to Na and the other to Ca. PMID:5158595

Evaluation of Cavitation Erosion Behavior of Commercial Steel Grades Used in the Design of Fluid Machinery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tzanakis, I.; Bolzoni, L.; Eskin, D. G.; Hadfield, M.

2017-05-01

The erosion response under cavitation of different steel grades was assessed by studying the erosion rate, the volume removal, the roughness evolution, and the accumulated strain energy. A 20 kHz ultrasonic transducer with a probe diameter of 5 mm and peak-to-peak amplitude of 50 μm was deployed in distilled water to induce damage on the surface of commercial chromium and carbon steel samples. After a relatively short incubation period, cavitation induced the formation of pits, cracks, and craters whose features strongly depended on the hardness and composition of the tested steel. AISI 52100 chromium steel showed the best performance and is, therefore, a promising design candidate for replacing the existing fluid machinery materials that operate within potential cavitating environments.

Mission analysis and performance specification studies report, appendix A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

The Near Term Hybrid Passenger Vehicle Development Program tasks included defining missions, developing distributions of daily travel and composite driving cycles for these missions, providing information necessary to estimate the potential replacement of the existing fleet by hybrids, and estimating acceleration/gradeability performance requirements for safe operation. The data was then utilized to develop mission specifications, define reference vehicles, develop hybrid vehicle performance specifications, and make fuel consumption estimates for the vehicles. The major assumptions which underlie the approach taken to the mission analysis and development of performance specifications are the following: the daily operating range of a hybrid vehicle should not be limited by the stored energy capacity and the performance of such a vehicle should not be strongly dependent on the battery state of charge.

Tissue Engineering: Step Ahead in Maxillofacial Reconstruction.

PubMed

Rai, Raj; Raval, Rushik; Khandeparker, Rakshit Vijay Sinai; Chidrawar, Swati K; Khan, Abdul Ahad; Ganpat, Makne Sachin

2015-09-01

Within the precedent decade, a new field of "tissue engineering" or "tissue regeneration" emerge that offers an innovative and exhilarating substitute for maxillofacial reconstruction. It offers a new option to supplement existing treatment regimens for reconstruction/regeneration of the oral and craniofacial complex, which includes the teeth, periodontium, bones, soft tissues (oral mucosa, conjunctiva, skin), salivary glands, and the temporomandibular joint (bone and cartilage), as well as blood vessels, muscles, tendons, and nerves. Tissue engineering is based on harvesting the stem cells which are having potential to form an organ. Harvested cells are then transferred into scaffolds that are manufactured in a laboratory to resemble the structure of the desired tissue to be replaced. This article reviews the principles of tissue engineering and its various applications in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Thermal reactions of uranium metal, UO 2, U 3O 8, UF 4, and UO 2F 2 with NF 3 to produce UF 6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McNamara, Bruce; Scheele, Randall; Kozelisky, Anne; Edwards, Matthew

2009-11-01

This paper demonstrates that NF 3 fluorinates uranium metal, UO 2, UF 4, UO 3, U 3O 8, and UO 2F 2·2H 2O to produce the volatile UF 6 at temperatures between 100 and 550 °C. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis reaction profiles are described that reflect changes in the uranium fluorination/oxidation state, physiochemical effects, and instances of discrete chemical speciation. Large differences in the onset temperatures for each system investigated implicate changes in mode of the NF 3 gas-solid surface interaction. These studies also demonstrate that NF 3 is a potential replacement fluorinating agent in the existing nuclear fuel cycle and in actinide volatility reprocessing.

Replacement of ozone depleting and toxic chemicals in gravimetric analysis of non-volatile residue

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arnold, G. S.; Uht, J. C.; Sinsheimer, F. B.

1995-01-01

The standard tests for determining nonvolatile residue accretion on spacecraft surfaces and in clean processing facilities rely on the use of halogenated solvents that are targeted for elimination because of their toxic or ozone-depleting natures. This paper presents a literature-based screening survey for candidate replacement solvents. Potential replacements were evaluated for their vapor pressure, toxicity, and solvent properties. Three likely candidates were identified: ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, and acetone. Laboratory tests are presented that evaluate the suitability of these candidate replacement solvents.

78 FR 23247 - Policy Statement Concerning Assistance

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-04-18

... FARM CREDIT SYSTEM INSURANCE CORPORATION Policy Statement Concerning Assistance AGENCY: Farm... Concerning Assistance,'' which replaces the Corporation's existing ``Policy Statement Concerning Stand-Alone Assistance.'' The new policy statement provides additional transparency concerning the Corporation's...

Renal Replacement Therapy in Austere Environments

PubMed Central

Yuan, Christina M.; Perkins, Robert M.

2011-01-01

Myoglobinuric renal failure is the classically described acute renal event occurring in disaster environments—commonly after an earthquake—which most tests the ingenuity and flexibility of local and regional nephrology resources. In recent decades, several nephrology organizations have developed response teams and planning protocols to address disaster events, largely focusing on patients at risk for, or with, acute kidney injury (AKI). In this paper we briefly review the epidemiology and outcomes of patients with dialysis-requiring AKI after such events, while providing greater focus on the management of the end-stage renal disease population after a disaster which incapacitates a pre-existing nephrologic infrastructure (if it existed at all). “Austere” dialysis, as such, is defined as the provision of renal replacement therapy in any setting in which traditional, first-world therapies and resources are limited, incapacitated, or nonexistent. PMID:21603109

Alternatives to antibiotics as growth promoters for use in swine production: a review

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

In the past two decades, an intensive amount of research has been focused on the development of alternatives to antibiotics to maintain swine health and performance. The most widely researched alternatives include probiotics, prebiotics, acidifiers, plant extracts and neutraceuticals such as copper and zinc. Since these additives have been more than adequately covered in previous reviews, the focus of this review will be on less traditional alternatives. The potential of antimicrobial peptides, clay minerals, egg yolk antibodies, essential oils, eucalyptus oil-medium chain fatty acids, rare earth elements and recombinant enzymes are discussed. Based on a thorough review of the literature, it is evident that a long and growing list of compounds exist which have been tested for their ability to replace antibiotics as feed additives in diets fed to swine. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these compounds produce inconsistent results and rarely equal antibiotics in their effectiveness. Therefore, it would appear that research is still needed in this area and that the perfect alternative to antibiotics does not yet exist. PMID:24034214

Controlling fusion yield in tokamaks with spin polarized fuel, and feasibility studies on the DIII-D tokamak

DOE PAGES

Pace, D. C.; Lanctot, M. J.; Jackson, G. L.; ...

2015-09-21

The march towards electricity production through tokamaks requires the construction of new facilities and the inevitable replacement of the previous generation. There are, however, research topics that are better suited to the existing tokamaks, areas of great potential that are not sufficiently mature for implementation in high power machines, and these provide strong support for a balanced policy that includes the redirection of existing programs. Spin polarized fusion, in which the nuclei of tokamak fuel particles are spin-aligned and favorably change both the fusion cross-section and the distribution of initial velocity vectors of charged fusion products, is described here asmore » an example of a technological and physics topic that is ripe for development in a machine such as the DIII-D tokamak. In this study, such research and development experiments may not be efficient at the ITER-scale, while the plasma performance, diagnostic access, and collaborative personnel available within the United States’ magnetic fusion research program, and at the DIII-D facility in particular, provide a unique opportunity to further fusion progress.« less

Foil Face Seal Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Munson, John

2009-01-01

In the seal literature you can find many attempts by various researchers to adapt film riding seals to the gas turbine engine. None have been successful, potential distortion of the sealing faces is the primary reason. There is a film riding device that does accommodate distortion and is in service in aircraft applications, namely the foil bearing. More specifically a foil thrust bearing. These are not intended to be seals, and they do not accommodate large axial movement between shaft & static structure. By combining the 2 a unique type of face seal has been created. It functions like a normal face seal. The foil thrust bearing replaces the normal primary sealing surface. The compliance of the foil bearing allows the foils to track distortion of the mating seal ring. The foil seal has several perceived advantages over existing hydrodynamic designs, enumerated in the chart. Materials and design methodology needed for this application already exist. Also the load capacity requirements for the foil bearing are low since it only needs to support itself and overcome friction forces at the antirotation keys.

Acute Neurobehavorial Toxicity of Flame Retardant Replacement Compounds in Zebrafish Larvae

EPA Science Inventory

As polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are phased out, numerous compounds areemerging as potential replacement flame retardants for use in consumer and electronicproducts. Little is known, however, about the neurobehavioral toxicity of thesereplacements. This study evaluated t...

Stem cell treatment of degenerative eye disease.

PubMed

Mead, Ben; Berry, Martin; Logan, Ann; Scott, Robert A H; Leadbeater, Wendy; Scheven, Ben A

2015-05-01

Stem cell therapies are being explored extensively as treatments for degenerative eye disease, either for replacing lost neurons, restoring neural circuits or, based on more recent evidence, as paracrine-mediated therapies in which stem cell-derived trophic factors protect compromised endogenous retinal neurons from death and induce the growth of new connections. Retinal progenitor phenotypes induced from embryonic stem cells/induced pluripotent stem cells (ESCs/iPSCs) and endogenous retinal stem cells may replace lost photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and restore vision in the diseased eye, whereas treatment of injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) has so far been reliant on mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Here, we review the properties of non-retinal-derived adult stem cells, in particular neural stem cells (NSCs), MSC derived from bone marrow (BMSC), adipose tissues (ADSC) and dental pulp (DPSC), together with ESC/iPSC and discuss and compare their potential advantages as therapies designed to provide trophic support, repair and replacement of retinal neurons, RPE and glia in degenerative retinal diseases. We conclude that ESCs/iPSCs have the potential to replace lost retinal cells, whereas MSC may be a useful source of paracrine factors that protect RGC and stimulate regeneration of their axons in the optic nerve in degenerate eye disease. NSC may have potential as both a source of replacement cells and also as mediators of paracrine treatment. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Candidates to replace R-12 as a radiator gas in Cherenkov detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harvey, Allan H.; Paulechka, Eugene; Egan, Patrick F.

2018-06-01

Dichlorodifluoromethane (R-12) has been widely used as a radiator gas in pressure threshold Cherenkov detectors for high-energy particle physics. However, that compound is becoming unavailable due to the Montreal Protocol. To find a replacement with suitably high refractive index, we use a combination of theory and experiment to examine the polarizability and refractivity of several non-ozone-depleting compounds. Our measurements show that the fourth-generation refrigerants R-1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) and R-1234ze(E) (trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) have sufficient refractivity to replace R-12 in this application. If the slight flammability of these compounds is a problem, two nonflammable alternatives are R-218 (octafluoropropane), which has a high Global Warming Potential, and R-13I1 (trifluoroiodomethane), which has low Ozone Depletion Potential and Global Warming Potential but may not be sufficiently inert.

Management of medical technology: case study of a major acute hospital.

PubMed

Brown, Ian; Smale, Andrew

2007-01-01

This paper presents results of a Capital Equipment Management Plan undertaken at a major acute hospital in Australia. By classifying existing equipment using a threshold replacement value into Major and Minor items, detailed planning information was collected for 527 items of Major equipment representing 80% of the hospital's total equipment stock. A number of meaningful views of this significant asset base are presented, and a prioritisation method used to provide recommendations for future equipment replacement and acquisition for a 5 year planning period. The survey work to identify and document actual equipment items provides a convincing argument for the funding levels required for capital equipment replacement and acquisition, and evidence for the extent of technology reliance in modern health care facilities.

Preoperational Subsurface Conditions at the Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center Service Waste Disposal Facility

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

Ansley, Shannon Leigh

2002-02-01

The Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center (INTEC) Service Wastewater Discharge Facility replaces the existing percolation ponds as a disposal facility for the INTEC Service Waste Stream. A preferred alternative for helping decrease water content in the subsurface near INTEC, closure of the existing ponds is required by the INTEC Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Record of Decision (ROD) for Waste Area Group 3 Operable Unit 3-13 (DOE-ID 1999a). By August 2002, the replacement facility was constructed approximately 2 miles southwest of INTEC, near the Big Lost River channel. Because groundwater beneath the Idaho National Engineering andmore » Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) is protected under Federal and State of Idaho regulations from degradation due to INEEL activities, preoperational data required by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order 5400.1 were collected. These data include preexisting physical, chemical, and biological conditions that could be affected by the discharge; background levels of radioactive and chemical components; pertinent environmental and ecological parameters; and potential pathways for human exposure or environmental impact. This document presents specific data collected in support of DOE Order 5400.1, including: four quarters of groundwater sampling and analysis of chemical and radiological parameters; general facility description; site specific geology, stratigraphy, soils, and hydrology; perched water discussions; and general regulatory requirements. However, in order to avoid duplication of previous information, the reader is directed to other referenced publications for more detailed information. Documents that are not readily available are compiled in this publication as appendices. These documents include well and borehole completion reports, a perched water evaluation letter report, the draft INEEL Wellhead Protection Program Plan, and the Environmental Checklist.« less

Predictions instead of panics: the framework and utility of systematic forecasting of novel psychoactive drug trends.

PubMed

Stogner, John M

2015-01-01

Countless novel psychoactive substances have been sensationally described in the last 15 years by the media and academia. Though some become significant issues, most fail to become a substantial threat. The diversity and breadth of these potential problem substances has led policymakers, law enforcement officers, and healthcare providers alike to feel overwhelmed and underprepared for dealing with novel drugs. Inadequacies in training and preparation may be remedied by a response that is more selective and more proactive. The current manuscript seeks to clarify how to most efficiently forecast the "success" of each newly introduced novel psychoactive substance in order to allow for more efficient decision making and proactive resource allocation. A review of literature, published case reports, and legal studies was used to determine which factors were most closely linked to use of a novel drug spreading. Following the development of a forecasting framework, examples of its use are provided. The resulting five-step forecast method relies on assessments of the availability of a potential user base, the costs--legal and otherwise--of the drug relative to existent analogues, the subjective experience, the substance's dependence potential and that of any existent analogue, and ease of acquisition. These five factors should serve to forecast the prevalence of novel drug use, but reaction should be conditioned by the potential for harm. The five-step forecast method predicts that use of acetyl fentanyl, kratom, Leonotis leonurus, and e-cigarettes will grow, but that use of dragonfly and similar substances will not. While this forecasting approach should not be used as a replacement for monitoring, the use of the five-step method will allow policymakers, law enforcement and practitioners to quickly begin targeted evaluative, intervention, and treatment initiatives only for those drugs with predicted harm.

Potential population-level nutritional impact of replacing whole and reduced-fat milk with low-fat and skim milk among US children aged 2-19 years.

PubMed

Rehm, Colin D; Drewnowski, Adam; Monsivais, Pablo

2015-01-01

Dietary guidance emphasizes plain low-fat and skim milk over whole, reduced-fat, and flavored milk (milk eligible for replacement [MER]). The objective of this study was to evaluate the population-level impact of such a change on energy, macronutrient and nutrient intakes, and diet cost. Cross-sectional modeling study. Data from the 2001-2002 and 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 8,112 children aged 2-19 years. Energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake before and after replacement of MER with low-fat or skim milk. Survey-weighted linear regression models. Milk eligible for replacement accounted for 46% of dairy servings. Among MER consumers, replacement with skim or low-fat milk would lead to a projected reduction in energy of 113 (95% confidence interval [CI], 107-119) and 77 (95% CI, 73-82) kcal/d and percent energy from saturated fat by an absolute value of 2.5% of total energy (95% CI, 2.4-2.6) and 1.4% (95% CI, 1.3-1.5), respectively. Replacement of MER does not change diet costs or calcium and potassium intake. Substitution of MER has the potential to reduce energy and total and saturated fat intake with no impact on diet costs or micronutrient density. The feasibility of such replacement has not been examined and there may be negative consequences if replacement is done with non-nutrient-rich beverages. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.

STAR Online Meta-Data Collection Framework: Integration with the Pre-existing Controls Infrastructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arkhipkin, D.; Lauret, J.

2017-10-01

One of the STAR experiment’s modular Messaging Interface and Reliable Architecture framework (MIRA) integration goals is to provide seamless and automatic connections with the existing control systems. After an initial proof of concept and operation of the MIRA system as a parallel data collection system for online use and real-time monitoring, the STAR Software and Computing group is now working on the integration of Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS) with MIRA’s interfaces. This integration goals are to allow functional interoperability and, later on, to replace the existing/legacy Detector Control System components at the service level. In this report, we describe the evolutionary integration process and, as an example, will discuss the EPICS Alarm Handler conversion. We review the complete upgrade procedure starting with the integration of EPICS-originated alarm signals propagation into MIRA, followed by the replacement of the existing operator interface based on Motif Editor and Display Manager (MEDM) with modern portable web-based Alarm Handler interface. To achieve this aim, we have built an EPICS-to-MQTT [8] bridging service, and recreated the functionality of the original Alarm Handler using low-latency web messaging technologies. The integration of EPICS alarm handling into our messaging framework allowed STAR to improve the DCS alarm awareness of existing STAR DAQ and RTS services, which use MIRA as a primary source of experiment control information.

Synthesis of wood treatment alternatives for timber railroad structures.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-12-01

A wealth of information exists on various wood preservatives, treatment techniques, curing practices, and other engineered : controls, along with alternative materials for replacement. This study was initiated to review and synthesize available : inf...

Magnetic Tomography - Assessing Tie Bar and Dowel Bar Placement Accuracy

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-12-01

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) constructs portland cement concrete pavements (PCCP) for new highway expansions and/or for replacement of existing highway pavement using slip-form paving operations. Typical concrete pavement constructi...

Analysis of energy efficient highway lighting retrofits.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-06-01

Solid state lighting technology is advancing rapidly to a point where light emitting diode (LED) lighting : systems can be viable replacements for existing lighting systems using high pressure sodium (HPS). The : present report summarizes analyses co...

Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC) Device Structures: Background, Fabrication Ecosystem, Relevance to Space Systems Applications, and Discussion of Related Radiation Effects

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alt, Shannon

2016-01-01

Electronic integrated circuits are considered one of the most significant technological advances of the 20th century, with demonstrated impact in their ability to incorporate successively higher numbers transistors and construct electronic devices onto a single CMOS chip. Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) exist as the optical analog to integrated circuits; however, in place of transistors, PICs consist of numerous scaled optical components, including such "building-block" structures as waveguides, MMIs, lasers, and optical ring resonators. The ability to construct electronic and photonic components on a single microsystems platform offers transformative potential for the development of technologies in fields including communications, biomedical device development, autonomous navigation, and chemical and atmospheric sensing. Developing on-chip systems that provide new avenues for integration and replacement of bulk optical and electro-optic components also reduces size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) limitations, which are important in the selection of instrumentation for specific flight projects. The number of applications currently emerging for complex photonics systems-particularly in data communications-warrants additional investigations when considering reliability for space systems development. This Body of Knowledge document seeks to provide an overview of existing integrated photonics architectures; the current state of design, development, and fabrication ecosystems in the United States and Europe; and potential space applications, with emphasis given to associated radiation effects and reliability.

The psychology of ‘regrettable substitutions’: Examining consumer judgements of Bisphenol A and its alternatives

PubMed Central

Scherer, Laura D.; Maynard, Andrew; Dolinoy, Dana C.; Fagerlin, Angela; Zikmund-Fisher, Brian J.

2018-01-01

Bisphenol A is a chemical used to make certain types of plastics and is found in numerous consumer products. Because scientific studies have raised concerns about Bisphenol A’s potential impact on human health, it has been removed from some (but not all) products. What many consumers do not know, however, is that Bisphenol A is often replaced with other, less-studied chemicals whose health implications are virtually unknown. This type of situation is known as a potential ‘regrettable substitution’, because the substitute material might actually be worse than the material that it replaces. Regrettable substitutions are a common concern among policymakers, and they are a real-world manifestation of the tension that can exist between the desire to avoid risk (known possible consequences that might or might not occur) and ambiguity (second-order uncertainty), which is itself aversive. In this article we examine how people make such trade-offs using the example of Bisphenol A. Using data from Study 1, we show that people have inconsistent preferences toward these alternatives and that choice is largely determined by irrelevant contextual factors such as the order in which the alternatives are evaluated. Using data from Study 2 we further demonstrate that when people are informed of the presence of substitute chemicals, labeling the alternative product as ‘free’ of Bisphenol A causes them to be significantly more likely to choose the alternative despite its ambiguity. We discuss the relevance of these findings for extant psychological theories as well as their implications for risk, policy and health communication. PMID:29386966

Using Geothermal Electric Power to Reduce Carbon Footprint

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crombie, George W.

Human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, increase carbon dioxide levels, which contributes to global warming. The research problem of the current study examined if geothermal electric power could adequately replace fossil fuel by 2050, thus reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide while avoiding potential problems with expanding nuclear generation. The purpose of this experimental research was to explore under what funding and business conditions geothermal power could be exploited to replace fossil fuels, chiefly coal. Complex systems theory, along with network theory, provided the theoretical foundation for the study. Research hypotheses focused on parameters, such as funding level, exploration type, and interfaces with the existing power grid that will bring the United States closest to the goal of phasing out fossil based power by 2050. The research was conducted by means of computer simulations, using agent-based modeling, wherein data were generated and analyzed. The simulations incorporated key information about the location of geothermal resources, exploitation methods, transmission grid limits and enhancements, and demand centers and growth. The simulation suggested that rapid and aggressive deployment of geothermal power plants in high potential areas, combined with a phase out of coal and nuclear plants, would produce minimal disruptions in the supply of electrical power in the United States. The implications for social change include reduced risk of global warming for all humans on the planet, reduced pollution due to reduction or elimination of coal and nuclear power, increased stability in energy supply and prices in the United States, and increased employment of United States citizens in jobs related to domestic energy production.

Fabrication Method for LOBSTER-Eye Optics in <110> Silicon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chervenak, James; Collier, Michael; Mateo, Jennette

2013-01-01

Soft x-ray optics can use narrow slots to direct x-rays into a desirable pattern on a focal plane. While square-pack, square-pore, slumped optics exist for this purpose, they are costly. Silicon (Si) is being examined as a possible low-cost replacement. A fabrication method was developed for narrow slots in <110> Si demonstrating the feasibility of stacked slot optics to replace micropores. Current micropore optics exist that have 20-micron-square pores on 26-micron pitch in glass with a depth of 1 mm and an extent of several square centimeters. Among several proposals to emulate the square pore optics are stacked slot chips with etched vertical slots. When the slots in the stack are positioned orthogonally to each other, the component will approach the soft x-ray focusing observed in the micropore optics. A specific improvement Si provides is that it can have narrower sidewalls between slots to permit greater throughput of x-rays through the optics. In general, Si can have more variation in slot geometry (width, length). Further, the sidewalls can be coated with high-Z materials to enhance reflection and potentially reduce the surface roughness of the reflecting surface. Narrow, close-packed deep slots in <110> Si have been produced using potassium hydroxide (KOH) etching and a patterned silicon nitride (SiN) mask. The achieved slot geometries have sufficient wall smoothness, as observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging, to enable evaluation of these slot plates as an optical element for soft x-rays. Etches of different angles to the crystal plane of Si were evaluated to identify a specific range of etch angles that will enable low undercut slots in the Si <110> material. These slots with the narrow sidewalls are demonstrated to several hundred microns in depth, and a technical path to 500-micron deep slots in a precision geometry of narrow, closepacked slots is feasible. Although intrinsic stress in ultrathin wall Si is observed, slots with walls approaching 1.5 microns can be achieved (a significant improvement over the 6-micron walls in micro - pore optics). The major advantages of this technique are the potential for higher x-ray throughout (due to narrow slot walls) and lower cost over the existing slumped micropore glass plates. KOH etching of smooth sidewalls has been demonstrated for many applications, suggesting its feasibility for implementation in x-ray optics. Si cannot be slumped like the micropore optics, so the focusing will be achieved with millimeter-scale slot plates that populate a spherical dome. The possibility for large-scale production exists for Si parts that is more difficult to achieve in micropore parts.

Low-cost carbon-silicon nanocomposite anodes for lithium ion batteries.

PubMed

Badi, Nacer; Erra, Abhinay Reddy; Hernandez, Francisco C Robles; Okonkwo, Anderson O; Hobosyan, Mkhitar; Martirosyan, Karen S

2014-01-01

The specific energy of the existing lithium ion battery cells is limited because intercalation electrodes made of activated carbon (AC) materials have limited lithium ion storage capacities. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon nanofibers are the most sought alternatives to replace AC materials but their synthesis cost makes them highly prohibitive. Silicon has recently emerged as a strong candidate to replace existing graphite anodes due to its inherently large specific capacity and low working potential. However, pure silicon electrodes have shown poor mechanical integrity due to the dramatic expansion of the material during battery operation. This results in high irreversible capacity and short cycle life. We report on the synthesis and use of carbon and hybrid carbon-silicon nanostructures made by a simplified thermo-mechanical milling process to produce low-cost high-energy lithium ion battery anodes. Our work is based on an abundant, cost-effective, and easy-to-launch source of carbon soot having amorphous nature in combination with scrap silicon with crystalline nature. The carbon soot is transformed in situ into graphene and graphitic carbon during mechanical milling leading to superior elastic properties. Micro-Raman mapping shows a well-dispersed microstructure for both carbon and silicon. The fabricated composites are used for battery anodes, and the results are compared with commercial anodes from MTI Corporation. The anodes are integrated in batteries and tested; the results are compared to those seen in commercial batteries. For quick laboratory assessment, all electrochemical cells were fabricated under available environment conditions and they were tested at room temperature. Initial electrochemical analysis results on specific capacity, efficiency, and cyclability in comparison to currently available AC counterpart are promising to advance cost-effective commercial lithium ion battery technology. The electrochemical performance observed for carbon soot material is very interesting given the fact that its production cost is away cheaper than activated carbon. The cost of activated carbon is about $15/kg whereas the cost to manufacture carbon soot as a by-product from large-scale milling of abundant graphite is about $1/kg. Additionally, here, we propose a method that is environmentally friendly with strong potential for industrialization.

Low-cost carbon-silicon nanocomposite anodes for lithium ion batteries

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

The specific energy of the existing lithium ion battery cells is limited because intercalation electrodes made of activated carbon (AC) materials have limited lithium ion storage capacities. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon nanofibers are the most sought alternatives to replace AC materials but their synthesis cost makes them highly prohibitive. Silicon has recently emerged as a strong candidate to replace existing graphite anodes due to its inherently large specific capacity and low working potential. However, pure silicon electrodes have shown poor mechanical integrity due to the dramatic expansion of the material during battery operation. This results in high irreversible capacity and short cycle life. We report on the synthesis and use of carbon and hybrid carbon-silicon nanostructures made by a simplified thermo-mechanical milling process to produce low-cost high-energy lithium ion battery anodes. Our work is based on an abundant, cost-effective, and easy-to-launch source of carbon soot having amorphous nature in combination with scrap silicon with crystalline nature. The carbon soot is transformed in situ into graphene and graphitic carbon during mechanical milling leading to superior elastic properties. Micro-Raman mapping shows a well-dispersed microstructure for both carbon and silicon. The fabricated composites are used for battery anodes, and the results are compared with commercial anodes from MTI Corporation. The anodes are integrated in batteries and tested; the results are compared to those seen in commercial batteries. For quick laboratory assessment, all electrochemical cells were fabricated under available environment conditions and they were tested at room temperature. Initial electrochemical analysis results on specific capacity, efficiency, and cyclability in comparison to currently available AC counterpart are promising to advance cost-effective commercial lithium ion battery technology. The electrochemical performance observed for carbon soot material is very interesting given the fact that its production cost is away cheaper than activated carbon. The cost of activated carbon is about $15/kg whereas the cost to manufacture carbon soot as a by-product from large-scale milling of abundant graphite is about $1/kg. Additionally, here, we propose a method that is environmentally friendly with strong potential for industrialization. PMID:25114651

Angular spectra of rainbow scattering at glancing keV He + bombardment of NiAl(1 0 0) surface with transverse energies in the range 1-10 eV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Danailov, Daniel M.

2007-11-01

Previous simulations of glancing incidence ion-surface interaction have demonstrated that classical dynamics using the row-model have successfully reproduced multimodal azimuthal and polar spectra. These studies have also shown considerable sensitivity to the form of the interatomic potential thus making it a strong test of the validity of such potentials and even allow deduction of the ion-surface potentials. In these simulations the individual pairwise interactions between the projectile and the target atoms have been replaced by cylindrical potentials. Comparison to numerous experimental studies have confirmed the existence of rainbow scattering phenomena and successfully tested the validity of the cylindrical potential used in these simulations. The use of cylindrical potentials avoids stochastic effects due to thermal displacements and allows faster computer simulations leading to reliable angular distributions. In the present work we extend the row-model to consider scattering from binary alloys. Using He+ scattered at glancing incidence from NiAl surfaces, Al or Ni terminated, a faster method has been developed to easily and accurately quantize not only the maximum deflection azimuthal angle but all the singular points in the angular distribution. It has been shown that the influence of the surface termination on the rainbow angle and the inelastic losses is small.

Rapid adaptation drives invasion of airway donor microbiota by Pseudomonas after lung transplantation.

PubMed

Beaume, M; Köhler, T; Greub, G; Manuel, O; Aubert, J-D; Baerlocher, L; Farinelli, L; Buckling, A; van Delden, C

2017-01-17

In cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, chronic airway infection by Pseudomonas leads to progressive lung destruction ultimately requiring lung transplantation (LT). Following LT, CF-adapted Pseudomonas strains, potentially originating from the sinuses, may seed the allograft leading to infections and reduced allograft survival. We investigated whether CF-adapted Pseudomonas populations invade the donor microbiota and adapt to the non-CF allograft. We collected sequential Pseudomonas isolates and airway samples from a CF-lung transplant recipient during two years, and followed the dynamics of the microbiota and Pseudomonas populations. We show that Pseudomonas invaded the host microbiota within three days post-LT, in association with a reduction in richness and diversity. A dominant mucoid and hypermutator mutL lineage was replaced after 11 days by non-mucoid strains. Despite antibiotic therapy, Pseudomonas dominated the allograft microbiota until day 95. We observed positive selection of pre-LT variants and the appearance of novel mutations. Phenotypic adaptation resulted in increased biofilm formation and swimming motility capacities. Pseudomonas was replaced after 95 days by a microbiota dominated by Actinobacillus. In conclusion, mucoid Pseudomonas adapted to the CF-lung remained able to invade the allograft. Selection of both pre-existing non-mucoid subpopulations and of novel phenotypic traits suggests rapid adaptation of Pseudomonas to the non-CF allograft.

EFFLUENT TREATMENT FACILITY PEROXIDE DESTRUCTION CATALYST TESTING

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

HALGREN DL

2008-07-30

The 200 Area Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF) main treatment train includes the peroxide destruction module (PDM) where the hydrogen peroxide residual from the upstream ultraviolet light/hydrogen peroxide oxidation unit is destroyed. Removal of the residual peroxide is necessary to protect downstream membranes from the strong oxidizer. The main component of the PDM is two reaction vessels utilizing granular activated carbon (GAC) as the reaction media. The PDM experienced a number of operability problems, including frequent plugging, and has not been utilized since the ETF changed to groundwater as the predominant feed. The unit seemed to be underperforming in regards tomore » peroxide removal during the early periods of operation as well. It is anticipated that a functional PDM will be required for wastewater from the vitrification plant and other future streams. An alternate media or methodology needs to be identified to replace the GAC in the PDMs. This series of bench scale tests is to develop information to support an engineering study on the options for replacement of the existing GAC method for peroxide destruction at the ETF. A number of different catalysts will be compared as well as other potential methods such as strong reducing agents. The testing should lead to general conclusions on the viability of different catalysts and identify candidates for further study and evaluation.« less

Self-Healing Phase Change Salogels with Tunable Gelation Temperature.

PubMed

Karimineghlani, Parvin; Palanisamy, Anbazhagan; Sukhishvili, Svetlana A

2018-05-02

Chemically cross-linked polymer matrices have demonstrated strong potential for shape stabilization of molten phase change materials (PCM). However, they are not designed to be fillable and removable from a heat exchange module for an easy replacement with new PCM matrices and lack self-healing capability. Here, a new category of shapeable, self-healing gels, "salogels", is introduced. The salogels reversibly disassemble in a high-salinity environment of a fluid inorganic PCM [lithium nitrate trihydrate (LNH)], at a preprogrammed temperature. LNH was employed as a high latent heat PCM and simultaneously as a solvent, which supported the formation of a network of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) chains via physical cross-linking through poly(amidoamine) dendrimers of various generations. The existence of hydrogen bonding and the importance of low-hydration state of PVA for the efficient gelation were experimentally confirmed. The thermal behavior of PCM salogels was highly reversible and repeatable during multiple heating/cooling cycles. Importantly, the gel-sol transition temperature could be precisely controlled within a range of temperature above LNH's melting point by the choice of dendrimer generation and their concentration. Shape stabilization and self-healing properties of the salogels, taken together with tunability of their temperature-induced fluidization make these materials attractive for thermal energy storage applications that require on-demand removal and replacement of used inorganic PCM salt hydrates.

The welfare implications of using exotic tortoises as ecological replacements.

PubMed

Griffiths, Christine J; Zuël, Nicolas; Tatayah, Vikash; Jones, Carl G; Griffiths, Owen; Harris, Stephen

2012-01-01

Ecological replacement involves the introduction of non-native species to habitats beyond their historical range, a factor identified as increasing the risk of failure for translocations. Yet the effectiveness and success of ecological replacement rely in part on the ability of translocatees to adapt, survive and potentially reproduce in a novel environment. We discuss the welfare aspects of translocating captive-reared non-native tortoises, Aldabrachelys gigantea and Astrochelys radiata, to two offshore Mauritian islands, and the costs and success of the projects to date. Because tortoises are long-lived, late-maturing reptiles, we assessed the progress of the translocation by monitoring the survival, health, growth, and breeding by the founders. Between 2000 and 2011, a total of 26 A. gigantea were introduced to Ile aux Aigrettes, and in 2007 twelve sexually immature A. gigantea and twelve male A. radiata were introduced to Round Island, Mauritius. Annual mortality rates were low, with most animals either maintaining or gaining weight. A minimum of 529 hatchlings were produced on Ile aux Aigrettes in 11 years; there was no potential for breeding on Round Island. Project costs were low. We attribute the success of these introductions to the tortoises' generalist diet, habitat requirements, and innate behaviour. Feasibility analyses for ecological replacement and assisted colonisation projects should consider the candidate species' welfare during translocation and in its recipient environment. Our study provides a useful model for how this should be done. In addition to serving as ecological replacements for extinct Mauritian tortoises, we found that releasing small numbers of captive-reared A. gigantea and A. radiata is cost-effective and successful in the short term. The ability to release small numbers of animals is a particularly important attribute for ecological replacement projects since it reduces the potential risk and controversy associated with introducing non-native species.

"They're thinking, well it's not as bad, I probably won't get addicted to that. But it's still got the nicotine in it, so…": Maturity, control and socialising: Negotiating identities in relation to smoking and vaping. A qualitative study of young adults in Scotland.

PubMed

Lucherini, Mark; Rooke, Catriona; Amos, Amanda

2017-11-04

To explore the understandings of and engagement with e-cigarettes, of young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds, and how these may be impacting upon existing smoking identities. Twenty-two small group and 11 individual qualitative interviews conducted in Central Scotland with 72 16-24 year olds between September 2015 and April 2016. Participants were mostly smokers and ex-smokers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. While most participants had tried e-cigarettes, they generally held ambivalent views about e-cigarettes and vaping. Two overarching themes were identified which helped understand this. Firstly, e-cigarettes were understood by the participants in relation to their existing smoking identities. Vaping was viewed as less controllable and more addictive than smoking, which did not fit with their self-identity as controlled smokers. Secondly, they felt that vaping could not replace the social and cultural importance that smoking had in their lives. This study suggests that while young adults from disadvantaged areas are trying e-cigarettes for various reasons, vaping is rarely sustained. Through their own experiences of vaping and their observations of others vaping, the participants perceive the behaviour as endangering an existing acceptable and controlled smoking identity. Additionally, e-cigarettes were considered to be a jarring presence in existing social situations were smoking was valued. This study therefore provides insights into how young adults may be rationalising their continued smoking in the face of potentially less harmful alternatives. As new and novel nicotine delivery devices, and due to their similarity to smoking, e-cigarettes have the potential to help smokers in their quit attempts. However, the findings from this study raise questions about whether e-cigarettes are regarded as having this potential by young adult smokers from disadvantaged socio-economic environments where smoking is more commonplace and acceptable. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco.

Overview of a workshop on screening methods for detecting potential (anti-) estrogenic/androgenic chemicals in wildlife

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ankley, Gerald T.; Mihaich, Ellen; Stahl, Ralph G.; Tillitt, Donald E.; Colborn, Theo; McMaster, Suzzanne; Miller, Ron; Bantle, John; Campbell, Pamela; Denslow, Nancy; Dickerson, Richard L.; Folmar, Leroy C.; Fry, Michael; Giesy, John P.; Gray, L. Earl; Guiney, Patrick; Hutchinson, Thomas; Kennedy, Sean W.; Kramer, Vincent; LeBlanc, Gerald A.; Mayes, Monte; Nimrod, Alison; Patino, Reynaldo; Peterson, Richard; Purdy, Richard; Ringer, Robert; Thomas, Peter C.; Touart, Les; Van Der Kraak, Glen; Zacharewski, Tim

1998-01-01

The U.S. Congress has passed legislation requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) to develop, validate, and implement screening tests for identifying potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals within 3 years. To aid in the identification of methods suitable for this purpose, the U.S. EPA, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, and the World Wildlife Fund sponsored several workshops, including the present one, which dealt with wildlife species. This workshop was convened with 30 international scientists representing multiple disciplines in March 1997 in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. Participants at the meeting identified methods in terms of their ability to indicate (anti-) estrogenic/androgenic effects, particularly in the context of developmental and reproductive processes. Data derived from structure-activity relationship models and in vitro test systems, although useful in certain contexts, cannot at present replace in vivo tests as the sole basis for screening. A consensus was reached that existing mammalian test methods (e.g., with rats or mice) generally are suitable as screens for assessing potential (anti-) estrogenic/ androgenic effects in mammalian wildlife. However, due to factors such as among-class variation in receptor structure and endocrine function, it is uncertain if these mammalian assays would be of broad utility as screens for other classes of vertebrate wildlife. Existing full and partial life-cycle tests with some avian and fish species could successfully identify chemicals causing endocrine disruption; however, these long-term tests are not suitable for routine screening. However, a number of short-term tests with species from these two classes exist that could serve as effective screening tools for chemicals inducing (anti-) estrogenic/androgenic effects. Existing methods suitable for identifying chemicals with these mechanisms of action in reptiles and amphibians are limited, but in the future, tests with species from these classes may prove highly effective as screens. In the case of invertebrate species, too little is known at present about the biological role of estrogens and androgens in reproduction and development to recommend specific assays.

Ultra high frequency follow-on communications satellite system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hassien, Michael J.

1992-03-01

The existing constellation of UHF communications satellites (LEASAT and FLTSAT) provide key command and control links for mobile forces of the DoD and other government agencies. The UHF Follow-On satellite program will provide for a new generation of communications satellites to replace the existing ones as they reach the end of their life cycle beginning in 1992. Continued coverage is required for both peacetime and crisis environments, and must be maintained indefinitely. An eight-satellite UFO constellation (two per coverage area) will replenish the existing FLTSATCOM constellation.

Signal replacement with an interchange.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-08-24

The purpose of this research effort is to evaluate unique intersection designs for their suitability for use in lieu : of an existing or proposed traffic signal. Traffic signals can cause unnecessary delay and capacity restrictions : due to the opera...

Universal breakaway steel post for other applications.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-04-01

The Universal Breakaway Steel Post (UBSP) was developed and evaluated to replace the existing Controlled Release : Terminal (CRT) wood posts which were used in the original bullnose guardrail system. Previously, three full-scale crash : tests were pe...

31. INTERIOR VIEW OF TYPICAL HALLWAY AND STAIRWAY IN CENTER ...

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

31. INTERIOR VIEW OF TYPICAL HALLWAY AND STAIRWAY IN CENTER WING OF TECHWOOD DORMITORY. EXISTING DOORS ARE REPLACEMENTS OF ORIGINAL PANEL DOORS. - Techwood Homes, McDaniel Dormitory, 581-587 Techwood Drive, Atlanta, Fulton County, GA

Rotorcraft Performance Model (RPM) for use in AEDT.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-11-01

This report documents a rotorcraft performance model for use in the FAAs Aviation Environmental Design Tool. The new rotorcraft performance model is physics-based. This new model replaces the existing helicopter trajectory modeling methods in the ...

Lighting with Less Wattage.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American School and University, 1981

1981-01-01

Schools in Wilton (Connecticut) cut electric consumption 39 percent by replacing existing lamps with new types of energy saving lamps. Fuel oil consumption dropped 53 percent largely through attention paid to the operation of boilers and oil burners. (Author/MLF)

Membrane-less microfiltration using inertial microfluidics

PubMed Central

Warkiani, Majid Ebrahimi; Tay, Andy Kah Ping; Guan, Guofeng; Han, Jongyoon

2015-01-01

Microfiltration is a ubiquitous and often crucial part of many industrial processes, including biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Yet, all existing filtration systems suffer from the issue of membrane clogging, which fundamentally limits the efficiency and reliability of the filtration process. Herein, we report the development of a membrane-less microfiltration system by massively parallelizing inertial microfluidics to achieve a macroscopic volume processing rates (~ 500 mL/min). We demonstrated the systems engineered for CHO (10–20 μm) and yeast (3–5 μm) cells filtration, which are two main cell types used for large-scale bioreactors. Our proposed system can replace existing filtration membrane and provide passive (no external force fields), continuous filtration, thus eliminating the need for membrane replacement. This platform has the desirable combinations of high throughput, low-cost, and scalability, making it compatible for a myriad of microfiltration applications and industrial purposes. PMID:26154774

Audit Report. Quick-Reaction Report on the Review of Defense Base Closure and Realignment Budget Data for Carswell, Barksdale, Dyess, Minot, and Tinker Air Force Bases

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-11-27

for 10 construction pr~n’jcts for realigning Carswell AFB was not adeauately documented as required by Air Force Regulation (AFR) 86-1, " Programming ...Engineering Programming , Standard Facility Requirements." paragraph 24-70, allows for a total of 25,200 square feet of space for tne warehouse and...cantonment area, and replaced an existing capability. The fact that a replacement wash rack was previously programmed does not alter this requirement

Brush seals for turbine engine fuel conservation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sousa, Mike

1994-07-01

The program objective is to demonstrate brush seals for replacing labyrinth seals in turboprop engines. The approach taken was to design and procure brush seals with assistance from Sealol, modify and instrument an existing T407 low pressure turbine test rig, replace inner balance piston and outer balance piston labyrinth seals with brush seals, conduct cyclic tests to evaluate seal leakage at operating pressures and temperatures, and evaluate effect of seal pack width and rotor eccentricity. Results are presented in viewgraph format and show that brush seals offer performance advantages over labyrinth seals.

Family Welfare Reform Act. Hearings on H.R. 1720 To Replace the Existing AFDC Program with a New Family Support Program...before the Subcommittee on Public Assistance and Unemployment Compensation of the Committee on Ways and Means. House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, First Session (March 30; April 1, 1987).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. House Committee on Ways and Means.

These hearings concern proposed legislation to replace Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) with a new family support program. The new program would emphasize work, child support, and need-based family support supplements. Families would be assisted in obtaining education, training, and employment in order to avoid long-term dependence…

Acute and Developmental Behavioral Effects of Flame Retardants and Related Chemicals in Zebrafish

EPA Science Inventory

As polybrominated diphenyl ethers are phased out, numerous compounds are emerging as potential replacement flame retardants for use in consumer and electronic products. Little is known, however, about the neurobehavioral toxicity of these replacements. This study evaluated the ne...

Potential Coverage of Alternative Fuel Industries Under EPACT Section 501

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1996-01-01

The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) has a goal of replacing ten percent of : transportation petroleum fuel with alternative fuels and replacement fuels by : the year 2000, and 30 percent by 2010. Sections 501 and 507 of EPACT encourage : and mandate use of...

Evaluation of plant biomass resources available for replacement of fossil oil

PubMed Central

Henry, Robert J

2010-01-01

The potential of plants to replace fossil oil was evaluated by considering the scale of production required, the area of land needed and the types of plants available. High yielding crops (50 tonnes/ha) that have a high conversion efficiency (75%) would require a global land footprint of around 100 million ha to replace current (2008) oil consumption. Lower yielding or less convertible plants would require a larger land footprint. Domestication of new species as dedicated energy crops may be necessary. A systematic analysis of higher plants and their current and potential uses is presented. Plant biotechnology provides tools to improve the prospects of replacing oil with plant-derived biomass by increasing the amount of biomass produced per unit area of land and improving the composition of the biomass to increase the efficiency of conversion to biofuel and biomaterials. Options for the production of high value coproducts and the expression of processing aids such as enzymes in the plant may add further value to plants as bioenergy resources. PMID:20070873

Cell biology of sarcomeric protein engineering: disease modeling and therapeutic potential.

PubMed

Thompson, Brian R; Metzger, Joseph M

2014-09-01

The cardiac sarcomere is the functional unit for myocyte contraction. Ordered arrays of sarcomeric proteins, held in stoichiometric balance with each other, respond to calcium to coordinate contraction and relaxation of the heart. Altered sarcomeric structure-function underlies the primary basis of disease in multiple acquired and inherited heart disease states. Hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathies are caused by inherited mutations in sarcomeric genes and result in altered contractility. Ischemia-mediated acidosis directly alters sarcomere function resulting in decreased contractility. In this review, we highlight the use of acute genetic engineering of adult cardiac myocytes through stoichiometric replacement of sarcomeric proteins in these disease states with particular focus on cardiac troponin I. Stoichiometric replacement of disease causing mutations has been instrumental in defining the molecular mechanisms of hypertrophic and restrictive cardiomyopathy in a cellular context. In addition, taking advantage of stoichiometric replacement through gene therapy is discussed, highlighting the ischemia-resistant histidine-button, A164H cTnI. Stoichiometric replacement of sarcomeric proteins offers a potential gene therapy avenue to replace mutant proteins, alter sarcomeric responses to pathophysiologic insults, or neutralize altered sarcomeric function in disease. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Electronic structure and spectra of the RbHe van der Waals system including spin orbit interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhiflaoui, Jamila; Bejaoui, Mohamed; Berriche, Hamid

2017-12-01

The potential energy interaction, the spectroscopic properties and dipole functions of the RbHe van der Waals dimer have been investigated. We used a one-electron pseudopotential approach and large Gaussian basis sets to represent the two atoms Rb and He. The Rb+ core and the electron-He interactions were replaced by semi-local pseudopotentials and a core-core interaction is included. Therefore, the number of active electrons of RbHe is reduced to only one electron. Consequently, the potential energy curves and dipole moments for many electronic states dissociating into Rb(5s,5p,4d,6s,6p,5d,7s)+He are performed at the SCF level. In addition, the spin-orbit coupling is included in the calculation. The Rb+He interaction, in its ground state, is taken from accurate CCSD (T) calculations and fitted to an analytical expression for a better description of the potential in all internuclear ranges. The spectroscopic properties of the RbHe electronic states are extracted. The comparison of these constants has shown a very good agreement for the ground state as well as for the lower excited states when compared with existing theoretical and experimental studies.

Hypertensive crisis associated with high dose soy isoflavone supplementation in a post-menopausal woman: a case report [ISRCTN98074661

PubMed Central

Hutchins, Andrea M; McIver, Imogene E; Johnston, Carol S

2005-01-01

Background Isoflavones are gaining popularity as alternatives to hormone replacement therapy. However, few guidelines exist to inform the public as to an appropriate dose. This case involves a postmenopausal woman who experienced a hypertensive crisis while consuming a high-dose isoflavone supplement as part of a research protocol. Case Presentation The participant was part of a placebo-controlled crossover trial to investigate the potential synergism of the antioxidant activity of soy isoflavones and vitamin C. Upon entry into the study, this healthy, well-nourished, normotensive postmenopausal woman (51 years old), consumed the first of four randomly assigned treatments (500 mg vitamin C plus 5 mg/kg body weight soy isoflavones). During this treatment, the participant's systolic blood pressure spiked to a recorded 226/117 mmHg, necessitating medical intervention and discontinuation of study participation. Two plausible mechanisms for this hypertensive crisis are discussed. Conclusion Due to the availability and increasing popularity of soy supplements, practitioners should be aware of the potential side effects associated with their use. Practitioners counseling clients who are consuming soy isoflavone supplements should advise them that elevated blood pressure may be a potential side-effect to consider and monitor. PMID:15975148

Potential Population-Level Nutritional Impact of Replacing Whole and Reduced-Fat Milk With Low-Fat and Skim Milk Among US Children Aged 2–19 Years

PubMed Central

Rehm, Colin D.; Drewnowski, Adam; Monsivais, Pablo

2015-01-01

Objective Dietary guidance emphasizes plain low-fat and skim milk over whole, reduced-fat, and flavored milk (milk eligible for replacement [MER]). The objective of this study was to evaluate the population-level impact of such a change on energy, macronutrient and nutrient intakes, and diet cost. Design Cross-sectional modeling study. Setting Data from the 2001–2002 and 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants A total of 8,112 children aged 2–19 years. Main Outcome Measures Energy, macronutrient, and micronutrient intake before and after replacement of MER with low-fat or skim milk. Analysis Survey-weighted linear regression models. Results Milk eligible for replacement accounted for 46% of dairy servings. Among MER consumers, replacement with skim or low-fat milk would lead to a projected reduction in energy of 113 (95% confidence interval [CI], 107–119) and 77 (95% CI, 73–82) kcal/d and percent energy from saturated fat by an absolute value of 2.5% of total energy (95% CI, 2.4–2.6) and 1.4% (95% CI, 1.3–1.5), respectively. Replacement of MER does not change diet costs or calcium and potassium intake. Conclusions Substitution of MER has the potential to reduce energy and total and saturated fat intake with no impact on diet costs or micronutrient density. The feasibility of such replacement has not been examined and there may be negative consequences if replacement is done with non-nutrient–rich beverages. PMID:25528079

Prolonged Mek1/2 suppression impairs the developmental potential of embryonic stem cells

PubMed Central

Choi, Jiho; Huebner, Aaron J; Clement, Kendell; Walsh, Ryan M; Savol, Andrej; Lin, Kaixuan; Gu, Hongcang; Di Stefano, Bruno; Brumbaugh, Justin; Kim, Sang-Yong; Sharif, Jafar; Rose, Christopher M.; Mohammad, Arman; Odajima, Junko; Charron, Jean; Shioda, Toshi; Gnirke, Andreas; Gygi, Steven; Koseki, Haruhiko; Sadreyev, Ruslan I.; Xiao, Andrew; Meissner, Alexander; Hochedlinger, Konrad

2018-01-01

Concomitant activation of the Wnt pathway and suppression of Mapk signaling by two small molecules in the presence of LIF (2i/L) induces a naïve state in mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) that resembles the inner cell mass (ICM) of the pre-implantation embryo1. Since the ICM exists only transiently in vivo, it remains unclear how sustained propagation of naïve ESCs in vitro affects their stability and functionality. Here we show that prolonged culture of male ESCs in 2i/L results in irreversible epigenetic and genomic changes that impair their developmental potential. Additionally, we find that female ESCs cultured in conventional serum/LIF (S/L) media phenocopy male ESCs cultured in 2i/L. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Mek1/2 inhibition is predominantly responsible for these effects, in part through downregulation of DNA methyltransferases and their associated cofactors. Finally, we show that replacement of the Mek1/2 inhibitor with a Src inhibitor preserves the epigenetic and genomic integrity as well as developmental potential of ESCs. Taken together, our data suggest that, while short-term suppression of Mek1/2 in ESCs helps maintain an ICM-like epigenetic state, prolonged suppression results in irreversible changes that compromise their developmental potential. PMID:28746311

Editors' Choice—Field Trials Testing of Mixed Potential Electrochemical Hydrogen Safety Sensors at Commercial California Hydrogen Filling Stations

DOE PAGES

Brosha, Eric Lanich; Romero, Christopher Jesse; Poppe, Daniel; ...

2017-10-27

Hydrogen safety sensors must meet specific performance requirements, mandated by the U.S. Department of Energy, for hydrogen fueling station monitoring. Here, we describe the long-term performance of two zirconia-based mixed potential electrochemical hydrogen gas sensors, developed specifically with a high sensitivity to hydrogen, low cross-sensitivity, and fast response time. Over a two-year period, sensors with tin-doped indium oxide and strontium doped lanthanum chromite electrodes were deployed at two stations in four field trials tests conducted in Los Angeles. The sensors documented the existence of hydrogen plumes ranging in concentration from 100 to as high as 2700 ppm in the areamore » surrounding the dispenser, consistent with depressurization from 700 bar following vehicle refueling. As expected, the hydrogen concentration reported by the mixed potential sensors was influenced by wind direction. Baseline stability testing at a Chino, CA station showed no measureable baseline drift throughout 206 days of uninterrupted data acquisition. The high baseline stability, excellent correlation with logged fueling/depressurization events, and absence of false alarms suggest that the zirconia-based mixed potential sensor platform is a good candidate for protecting hydrogen infrastructure where frequent calibrations or sensor replacement to reduce the false alarm frequency have been shown to be cost prohibitive.« less

Editors' Choice—Field Trials Testing of Mixed Potential Electrochemical Hydrogen Safety Sensors at Commercial California Hydrogen Filling Stations

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

Brosha, Eric Lanich; Romero, Christopher Jesse; Poppe, Daniel

Hydrogen safety sensors must meet specific performance requirements, mandated by the U.S. Department of Energy, for hydrogen fueling station monitoring. Here, we describe the long-term performance of two zirconia-based mixed potential electrochemical hydrogen gas sensors, developed specifically with a high sensitivity to hydrogen, low cross-sensitivity, and fast response time. Over a two-year period, sensors with tin-doped indium oxide and strontium doped lanthanum chromite electrodes were deployed at two stations in four field trials tests conducted in Los Angeles. The sensors documented the existence of hydrogen plumes ranging in concentration from 100 to as high as 2700 ppm in the areamore » surrounding the dispenser, consistent with depressurization from 700 bar following vehicle refueling. As expected, the hydrogen concentration reported by the mixed potential sensors was influenced by wind direction. Baseline stability testing at a Chino, CA station showed no measureable baseline drift throughout 206 days of uninterrupted data acquisition. The high baseline stability, excellent correlation with logged fueling/depressurization events, and absence of false alarms suggest that the zirconia-based mixed potential sensor platform is a good candidate for protecting hydrogen infrastructure where frequent calibrations or sensor replacement to reduce the false alarm frequency have been shown to be cost prohibitive.« less

What gets missed when deploying new technologies in A&E?

PubMed

Broome, C; Adams, A

2005-06-01

This paper presents a longitudinal study (over 4 months) of an A&E department where the existing whiteboards were replaced with PC-based computer systems. The study was conducted in two parts - an observation of the physical whiteboard usage and in-depth interviews with all users of both the traditional whiteboard usage and the replacement technology. The research was conducted with the systems manager and all whiteboard users (i.e. nursing management, nurses, doctors, porters, and agency staff) across a spread of time frames. Although the technology supported simple information requirements, complex co-ordination, collaboration, and awareness issues were left unsupported. The important role of a pen-holder (information co-ordinator) was poorly supported by the replacement technology as was the task of annotating information with changing situations and needs. Specific deployment issues are derived from these findings that should guide designers when implementing technology replacements for current physical information formats (e.g. whiteboards, notice boards, shared paper notes).

Role of Computational Fluid Dynamics and Wind Tunnels in Aeronautics R and D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malik, Murjeeb R.; Bushnell, Dennis M.

2012-01-01

The purpose of this report is to investigate the status and future projections for the question of supplantation of wind tunnels by computation in design and to intuit the potential impact of computation approaches on wind-tunnel utilization all with an eye toward reducing the infrastructure cost at aeronautics R&D centers. Wind tunnels have been closing for myriad reasons, and such closings have reduced infrastructure costs. Further cost reductions are desired, and the work herein attempts to project which wind-tunnel capabilities can be replaced in the future and, if possible, the timing of such. If the possibility exists to project when a facility could be closed, then maintenance and other associated costs could be rescheduled accordingly (i.e., before the fact) to obtain an even greater infrastructure cost reduction.

The Pr 2O 3/Si(0 0 1) interface studied by synchrotron radiation photo-electron spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmeißer, D.; Müssig, H.-J.

2003-10-01

Pr 2O 3 is currently under consideration as a potential replacement for SiO 2 as the gate-dielectric material for sub-0.1 μm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. We studied the Pr 2O 3/Si(0 0 1) interface by a non-destructive depth profiling using synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy. Our data suggests that there is no silicide formation at the interface. Based on reported results, a chemical reactive interface exists, consisting of a mixed Si-Pr oxide such as (Pr 2O 3) x(SiO 2) 1- x, i.e. as a silicate phase with variable silicon content. This pseudo-binary alloy at the interface offers large flexibility toward successful integration of Pr 2O 3 into future CMOS technologies.

Toward interactive search in remote sensing imagery

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

Porter, Reid B; Hush, Do; Harvey, Neal

2010-01-01

To move from data to information in almost all science and defense applications requires a human-in-the-loop to validate information products, resolve inconsistencies, and account for incomplete and potentially deceptive sources of information. This is a key motivation for visual analytics which aims to develop techniques that complement and empower human users. By contrast, the vast majority of algorithms developed in machine learning aim to replace human users in data exploitation. In this paper we describe a recently introduced machine learning problem, called rare category detection, which may be a better match to visual analytic environments. We describe a new designmore » criteria for this problem, and present comparisons to existing techniques with both synthetic and real-world datasets. We conclude by describing an application in broad-area search of remote sensing imagery.« less

Space Shuttle avionics upgrade - Issues and opportunities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Swaim, Richard A.; Wingert, William B.

An overview is conducted of existing Space Shuttle avionics and the possibilities for upgrading the cockpit to reduce costs and increase functionability. The current avionics include five general-purpose computers fitted with multifunction displays, dedicated switches and indicators, and dedicated flight instruments. The operational needs of the Shuttle are reviewed in the light of the avionics and potential upgrades in the form of microprocessors and display systems. The use of better processors can provide hardware support for multitasking and memory management and can reduce the life-cycle cost for software. Some limitations of the current technology are acknowledged including the Shuttle's power budget and structural configuration. A phased infusion of upgraded avionics is proposed that provides a functionally transparent replacement of crew-interface equipment as well as the addition of interface enhancements and the migration of selected functions.

Unusual Internal Electron Transfer in Conjugated Radical Polymers.

PubMed

Li, Fei; Gore, Danielle N; Wang, Shaoyang; Lutkenhaus, Jodie L

2017-08-07

Nitroxide-containing organic radical polymers (ORPs) have captured attention for their high power and fast redox kinetics. Yet a major challenge is the polymer's aliphatic backbone, resulting in a low electronic conductivity. Recent attempts that replace the aliphatic backbone with a conjugated one have not met with success. The reason for this is not understood until now. We examine a family of polythiophenes bearing nitroxide radical groups, showing that while both species are electrochemically active, there exists an internal electron transfer mechanism that interferes with stabilization of the polymer's fully oxidized form. This finding directs the future design of conjugated radical polymers in energy storage and electronics, where careful attention to the redox potential of the backbone relative to the organic radical species is needed. © 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Rapid bacterial antibiotic susceptibility test based on simple surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopic biomarkers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Chia-Ying; Han, Yin-Yi; Shih, Po-Han; Lian, Wei-Nan; Wang, Huai-Hsien; Lin, Chi-Hung; Hsueh, Po-Ren; Wang, Juen-Kai; Wang, Yuh-Lin

2016-03-01

Rapid bacterial antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) measurement are important to help reduce the widespread misuse of antibiotics and alleviate the growing drug-resistance problem. We discovered that, when a susceptible strain of Staphylococcus aureus or Escherichia coli is exposed to an antibiotic, the intensity of specific biomarkers in its surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra drops evidently in two hours. The discovery has been exploited for rapid AST and MIC determination of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus and wild-type E. coli as well as clinical isolates. The results obtained by this SERS-AST method were consistent with that by the standard incubation-based method, indicating its high potential to supplement or replace existing time-consuming methods and help mitigate the challenge of drug resistance in clinical microbiology.

New Possibilities of Positron-Emission Tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volobuev, A. N.

2018-01-01

The reasons for the emergence of the angular distribution of photons generated as a result of annihilation of an electron and a positron in a positron-emission tomograph are investigated. It is shown that the angular distribution of the radiation intensity (i.e., the probability of photon emission at different angles) is a consequence of the Doppler effect in the center-of-mass reference system of the electron and the positron. In the reference frame attached to the electron, the angular distribution of the number of emitted photons does not exists but is replaced by the Doppler shift of the frequency of photons. The results obtained in this study make it possible to extend the potentialities of the positron-emission tomograph in the diagnostics of diseases and to obtain additional mechanical characteristics of human tissues, such as density and viscosity.

Phantom Limbs, Neuroprosthetics, and the Developmental Origins of Embodiment.

PubMed

Blumberg, Mark S; Dooley, James C

2017-10-01

Amputees who wish to rid themselves of a phantom limb must weaken the neural representation of the absent limb. Conversely, amputees who wish to replace a lost limb must assimilate a neuroprosthetic with the existing neural representation. Whether we wish to remove a phantom limb or assimilate a synthetic one, we will benefit from knowing more about the developmental process that enables embodiment. A potentially critical contributor to that process is the spontaneous activity - in the form of limb twitches - that occurs exclusively and abundantly during active (REM) sleep, a particularly prominent state in early development. The sensorimotor circuits activated by twitching limbs, and the developmental context in which activation occurs, could provide a roadmap for creating neuroprosthetics that feel as if they are part of the body. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Review of the potential of a wireless MEMS and TFT microsystems for the measurement of pressure in the GI tract.

PubMed

Arshak, A; Arshak, K; Waldron, D; Morris, D; Korostynska, O; Jafer, E; Lyons, G

2005-06-01

Telemetry capsules have existed since the 1950s and were used to measure temperature, pH or pressure inside the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It was hoped that these capsules would replace invasive techniques in the diagnosis of function disorders in the GI tract. However, problems such as signal loss and uncertainty of the pills position limited their use in a clinical setting. In this paper, a review of the capabilities of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) and thick film technology (TFT) for the fabrication of a wireless pressure sensing microsystem is presented. The circuit requirements and methods of data transfer are examined. The available fabrication methods for MEMS sensors are also discussed and examples of wireless sensors are given. Finally the limitations of each technology are examined.

Movements of people, ideas, trade, and technology: Toward a peaceful coexistence of India and Pakistan

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

Ahmed, S.; Das, S.

1998-03-01

The potential exists for peaceful and constructive bilateral relations between India and Pakistan. Domestic developments in both countries, the changing global economic and political environment, and structural changes in regional trading patterns have created new opportunities for replacing traditional Indian and Pakistani perceptions of hostility and suspicion with mutual understanding and trust. This substitution process can be accelerated by increasing people-to-people contact, the free flow of information, and economic and technological cooperation between the two neighbors. Nonmilitary confidence building measures could create conditions for an incremental reduction on tensions between India and Pakistan. A popular consciousness for enhanced bilateral cooperationmore » is growing. This process could be strengthened by identifying and exploring new areas of mutually beneficial cooperation that could pave the way for peace.« less

In vitro cell culture models to study the corneal drug absorption.

PubMed

Reichl, Stephan; Kölln, Christian; Hahne, Matthias; Verstraelen, Jessica

2011-05-01

Many diseases of the anterior eye segment are treated using topically applied ophthalmic drugs. For these drugs, the cornea is the main barrier to reaching the interior of the eye. In vitro studies regarding transcorneal drug absorption are commonly performed using excised corneas from experimental animals. Due to several disadvantages and limitations of these animal experiments, establishing corneal cell culture models has been attempted as an alternative. This review summarizes the development of in vitro models based on corneal cell cultures for permeation studies during the last 20 years, starting with simple epithelial models and moving toward complex organotypical 3D corneal equivalents. Current human 3D corneal cell culture models have the potential to replace excised animal corneas in drug absorption studies. However, for widespread use, the contemporary validation of existent systems is required.

[Use of adsorption methods for plasma component apheresis].

PubMed

Bang, B; Heegaard, N H

1991-11-25

Plasma-apheresis is a nonspecific and wasteful intervention requiring the use of potentially infectious and expensive replacement fluids. Selective removal of the unwanted plasma component circumvents most of the problems. For selective binding and removal of plasma components adsorption methods based on the principles of affinity chromatography have been useful. The ideal adsorption column still does not exist, but the number of clinical applications is increasing. The results vary, but the treatment has been used with success in hypercholesterolemia, and in patients with hemophilia with antifactor antibodies and patients with antibodies directed towards HLA-antigens awaiting renal transplantation. In conclusion selective plasma component-apheresis is an improvement in some diseases as compared to conventional plasma-apheresis. The technique is still being improved but large clinical trials examining the effects of plasma-component-apheresis have not yet been published.

FINDING SOLVENT REPLACEMENTS TO REDUCE THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES

EPA Science Inventory

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has developed a solvent substitution software tool PARIS II (Program for Assisting the Replacement of Industrial Solvents, version 2.0). The purpose of this tool is to find less toxic solvents or solvent mixtures which may functi...

Potential of powdered activated mustard cake for decolorising raw sugar.

PubMed

Singh, Kaman; Bharose, Ram; Verma, Sudhir Kumar; Singh, Vimalesh Kumar

2013-01-15

Carbon decolorisation has become customary in the food processing industries; however, it is not economical. Extensive research has therefore been directed towards investigating potential substitutes for commercial activated carbons which might have the advantage of offering an effective, lower-cost replacement for existing bone char or coal-based granular activated carbon (GAC). The physical (bulk density and hardness), chemical (pH and mineral content) and adsorption characteristics (iodine test, molasses test and raw sugar decolorisation efficiency) of powdered activated mustard cake (PAMC) made from de-oiled mustard cake were determined and compared to commercial adsorbents. Although the colour removal efficiency of the PAMC is lower than that of commercial materials, it is cost effective and eco-friendly compared to the existing decolorisation/refining processes. To reduce the load on GAC/activated carbon/charcoal, PAMC could be used on an industrial scale. A decolorisation mechanism has been postulated on the basis of oxygen surface functionalities and surface charge of the PAMC and, accordingly, charge transfer interaction seems to be responsible for the decolorisation mechanism. In addition, a complex interplay of electrostatics and dispersive interaction seem to be involved during the decolorisation process. A low-cost agricultural waste product in the form of de-oiled mustard cake was converted to an efficient adsorbent, PAMC, for use in decolorising raw as well as coloured sugar solutions. The physical, chemical, adsorption characteristics and raw sugar decolorisation efficiency of PAMC were determined and compared to those of commercial adsorbents. The colour removal efficiency of the PAMC is lower than that of commercial materials but it is cost effective and eco-friendly as compared to existing decolorisation/refining processes. The availability of the raw material for the production of PAMC further demands its use on an industrial scale. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.

Performance evaluation of roundabouts for traffic delay and crash reductions in Oxford, MS.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2011-06-30

Due to increased traffic volume, congestion, and capacity limitations, two roundabouts have been constructed on South Lamar : Boulevard ramp intersections with MS Highway 6 in Oxford, MS. Roundabouts replaced the existing signalized intersection : on...

Demonstration of Innovative Water Rehabilitation Technology in Somerville, NJ

EPA Science Inventory

Renewal technologies currently being used for the repair, replacement and/or rehabilitation of deteriorating water distribution systems are generally effective, but there is still considerable room for improvement of existing technologies and for the development of new technologi...

In-house fabrication of precast concrete bridge slabs.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1976-01-01

Information is reported on the labor, equipment, material, and cost required for seven bridge maintenance situations in which state forces widened or replaced an existing short span structure. Precast concrete slabs were installed at three of the loc...

Performance of bridge deck overlays in Virginia : phase 1 : state of overlays : final report

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-05-01

Maintaining the existing transportation infrastructure is a major concern of the Virginia Department of Transportation : (VDOT). The increased user travel costs, safety concerns, and financial burdens involved in replacing deteriorating decks are : r...

The Combat-System/Ship-System Interface,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-02-01

sequence initiated by removal of the load shed signal. Re-eneAgize capabitiLty. Provide remotely controlled reclosable power control devices to...signal from the electrical plant control equipment. The power controllers would replace existing circuit breakers and incorporate reclose capability

Differential effects of green tax reform over economies: A case of Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Tae Heon

2011-12-01

It is controversial whether or not green tax reform through a carbon tax has double dividend feature. The economic effects of green tax reform vary according to economies due to different preexisting conditions. Recent studies about the economic impacts of a carbon tax have noted the role of preexisting factor taxes in the second best world. The present study, however, explores the role of existing taxes on energy products in introducing a carbon tax, by employing a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model for Korea, a country that has high existing taxes on petroleum products. Above all, I find that a carbon tax is the most efficient policy instrument among three alternative taxes---an energy tax, a carbon tax and an ad valorem tax---to reduce carbon emissions in Korea under both lump-sum tax replacement and labor tax replacement. The carbon tax, however, brings about welfare and GDP loss. The economic costs can be reduced, but cannot be completely removed by revenue recycling. Second, this study explores how existing taxes on petroleum products affect the economic cost of introducing a carbon tax, by manipulating existing taxes on petroleum products. I find that the existing taxes raise the economic costs of introducing a carbon tax. Third, this study shows that the economic costs of a carbon tax can be reduced when its revenue is returned to cut preexisting taxes on petroleum products. Thus, restructuring existing taxes on energy products plays a crucial role in introducing a carbon tax. From the specific case of the Korean economy, the present study indicates that existing taxes on not only factors but also energy products are one of the main sources of economic costs in introducing a carbon tax.

The potential of sarcospan in adhesion complex replacement therapeutics for the treatment of muscular dystrophy

PubMed Central

Marshall, Jamie L.; Kwok, Yukwah; McMorran, Brian; Baum, Linda G.; Crosbie-Watson, Rachelle H.

2013-01-01

Three adhesion complexes span the sarcolemma and facilitate critical connections between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton: the dystrophin- and utrophin-glycoprotein complexes and α7β1 integrin. Loss of individual protein components results in a loss of the entire protein complex and muscular dystrophy. Muscular dystrophy is a progressive, lethal wasting disease characterized by repetitive cycles of myofiber degeneration and regeneration. Protein replacement therapy offers a promising approach for the treatment of muscular dystrophy. Recently, we demonstrated that sarcospan facilitates protein-protein interactions amongst the adhesion complexes and is an important therapeutic target. Here, we review current protein replacement strategies, discuss the potential benefits of sarcospan expression, and identify important experiments that must be addressed for sarcospan to move to the clinic. PMID:23601082

Surface Observation Climatic Summaries for Ansbach AHP/Katterbach, Germany

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-05-01

SURFACE OBSERVATIONS CLIMATIC SWUMWN (LISOCS). EXISTING RUSSWOS AND LISOCS WILL CONTINUE IN USE , BUT WILL EVENTUALLY BE BY A 8OCS. 12A. DISTRIBUTION...OBSERVATION CLIMATIC 8UMW*IY). RUSSWOS AND LISOCS NOW IN EXISTENCE WILL CON- TIhUE TO BE USED UNTIL THEY ARE EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY SOCS. THIS PIODUCT...LOCATION A AT ASHEVILLE, NC 28901-2723. HERE, CLIMATOLOGISTS USE STATE-OF-THE-ART COM- PUTER TECHNOLOGY TO SUMMARIZE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS COLLECTED

Surface Observation Climatic Summaries for Dover AFB, Delaware

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-04-01

EXISTING RUSSNOS AND LISOCS WILL CONTINUE IN USE , BUT WILL EVENTUALLY BE BY A OCS. 12A. DISRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATMENT: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC...EXISTENCE WILL CON- TIMM TO BE USED UfIXIL THEY ARE EVENITUALLY REPLACED BY SOCS. THIS PRODUCT HAS BEER ISSUED IN OTHER FONS UNDER SEVERAL OTHER...CLIMATOLOGISTS USE STATE-OF-THE-ART COM- PUTER TElCEOLOGY TO SUMMARIZE WEATHER OBSERVATIONS COLLECTED FROM SELECTED MIL- ITARY, CIVILIAN, AND FOREIGN REPORTING

Repair Types, Procedures - Part 2

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-01

completely severed or severely damaged fuel lines, cut away the damaged section and use a piece of fuel- resistant rubber hose with an inner diameter...equal to the existing fuel line outer diameter to replace the damaged section. Ensure the repair hose extends far enough on each side of the damage to...accommodate two hose clamps, oriented 180° from one another. Flare the ends of the existing fuel line to improve the seal and prevent leakage

An Examination of Binder Systems and Their Influences on Burn Rates of High-Nitrogen Containing Formulations

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-01-01

sought-after to advance existing HHS technology. Currently existing HHS candle formulations contain significant amounts of potassium perchlorate...Defense spends tens of billions of dollars annually on per- chlorate remediation efforts. Therefore, efforts to elimi- nate perchlorate from military...develop per- chlorate -free formulations of the M126A1 red star para- chute. To maximize the performance of these formula- tions, KClO4 was replaced

Cardiovascular disease in menopause: does the obstetric history have any bearing?

PubMed

Mahendru, Amita A; Morris, Edward

2013-09-01

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in menopausal women in spite of the overall reduction in age-adjusted mortality from the disease in the last few years. It is now clear that mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in menopausal women are similar to men and rather than midlife acceleration of cardiovascular disease in women, the final impact of cardiovascular disease in later life may be a reflection of cardiovascular changes during reproductive years as a result of woman's obstetric history. A decade after the Women's Health Initiative trial, there is upcoming evidence to suggest that hormone replacement therapy in young recently menopausal women has a cardioprotective effect. Cardiovascular changes during normal pregnancy or pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia may affect a woman's long-term cardiovascular health. Therefore, it is plausible that the cardioprotective benefit of hormone replacement therapy depends on occult pre-existing cardiovascular risks in women in relation to their previous obstetric history. In this review, we describe the cardiovascular changes during and after pregnancy in obstetric complications such as recurrent miscarriage, preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, preterm labour and gestational diabetes; existing evidence regarding their association with cardiovascular disease later in life, and hypothesize possible mechanisms. Our aim is to improve the understanding and highlight the importance of including obstetric history in risk assessment in menopausal women and individualizing their risks before prescribing hormone replacement therapy. Future research in risk benefit assessment of hormone replacement therapy should also account for a woman's background cardiovascular risk in the light of her obstetric history.

Economic impact of thermostable vaccines.

PubMed

Lee, Bruce Y; Wedlock, Patrick T; Haidari, Leila A; Elder, Kate; Potet, Julien; Manring, Rachel; Connor, Diana L; Spiker, Marie L; Bonner, Kimberly; Rangarajan, Arjun; Hunyh, Delphine; Brown, Shawn T

2017-05-25

While our previous work has shown that replacing existing vaccines with thermostable vaccines can relieve bottlenecks in vaccine supply chains and thus increase vaccine availability, the question remains whether this benefit would outweigh the additional cost of thermostable formulations. Using HERMES simulation models of the vaccine supply chains for the Republic of Benin, the state of Bihar (India), and Niger, we simulated replacing different existing vaccines with thermostable formulations and determined the resulting clinical and economic impact. Costs measured included the costs of vaccines, logistics, and disease outcomes averted. Replacing a particular vaccine with a thermostable version yielded cost savings in many cases even when charging a price premium (two or three times the current vaccine price). For example, replacing the current pentavalent vaccine with a thermostable version without increasing the vaccine price saved from $366 to $10,945 per 100 members of the vaccine's target population. Doubling the vaccine price still resulted in cost savings that ranged from $300 to $10,706, and tripling the vaccine price resulted in cost savings from $234 to $10,468. As another example, a thermostable rotavirus vaccine (RV) at its current (year) price saved between $131 and $1065. Doubling and tripling the thermostable rotavirus price resulted in cost savings ranging from $102 to $936 and $73 to $808, respectively. Switching to thermostable formulations was highly cost-effective or cost-effective in most scenarios explored. Medical cost and productivity savings could outweigh even significant price premiums charged for thermostable formulations of vaccines, providing support for their use. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Leaching behaviour, mechanical and durability properties of mortar containing municipal incineration bottom ash

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morales Hernandez, Maria B.

The review of municipal solid waste (MSW) management scheme has indicated that the amount of MSW sent to incineration plants will increase in the UK in coming years. Therefore, the amount of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) residues generated will increase significantly. MSWI residues are divided into MSWI fly ash (MSWI-FA) and MSWI bottom ash (MSWI-BA). MSWI-FA is classified as hazardous residue thereby requires special treatment before disposal. MSWI-BA is mostly disposed in landfill sites. MSWI-BA fraction with particle size diameter below approximately 2mm has low engineering properties and may have an adverse effect on the environment due to its high porosity, solubility and leachability of possible toxic compounds. This research programme has investigated new potential uses and leaching behaviour of mortar containing MSWI-BA with particle size diameters below 2.36mm. Fraction of MSWI-BA with particle size diameters (φ) below 2.36 mm (φ <2.36) was divided into different sub-fractions to evaluate their influence on compressive strength of concrete when used as partial replacement of cement or sand. MSWI-BA fraction with φ <212mum (fine fraction) and 212mum < φ2.36mm (coarse fraction) used as partial replacement of cement and sand respectively, showed higher compressive strength compared with the other fractions examined. In addition, replacing sand with the coarse fraction of MSWI-BA exhibited similar or higher strength than the reference mix. Examination of physical and chemical properties of the fine and coarse fractions of MSWI-BA unbound indicated that both fractions had potential to be used as replacement of cement or sand. However, the evaluation of their leaching behaviour suggested that they should be bound in cement-based systems to avoid leaching of potential toxic elements. Evaluation of physical, mechanical and sulfate resistance properties of mortars containing 15% of the fine fraction of MSWI-BA as a partial replacement of cement and 50% of the coarse fraction as partial replacement of sand indicated potential uses in concrete production. In addition, the leachability of mortar specimens containing 15% and 50% of MSWI-BA as partial replacement of cement and sand respectively was significantly reduced when compared to unbound MSWI-BA fractions.

Big George to Carter Mountain 115-kV transmission line project, Park and Hot Springs Counties, Wyoming. Environmental Assessment

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

Not Available

1994-02-01

The Western Area Power Administration (Western) is proposing to rebuild, operate, and maintain a 115-kilovolt (kV) transmission line between the Big George and Carter Mountain Substations in northwest Wyoming (Park and Hot Springs Counties). This environmental assessment (EA) was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the regulations of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The existing Big George to Carter Mountain 69-kV transmission line was constructed in 1941 by the US Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, with 1/0 copper conductor on wood-pole H-frame structures without an overhead groundmore » wire. The line should be replaced because of the deteriorated condition of the wood-pole H-frame structures. Because the line lacks an overhead ground wire, it is subject to numerous outages caused by lightning. The line will be 54 years old in 1995, which is the target date for line replacement. The normal service life of a wood-pole line is 45 years. Under the No Action Alternative, no new transmission lines would be built in the project area. The existing 69-kV transmission line would continue to operate with routine maintenance, with no provisions made for replacement.« less

Rare-earth-free high energy product manganese-based magnetic materials.

PubMed

Patel, Ketan; Zhang, Jingming; Ren, Shenqiang

2018-06-14

The constant drive to replace rare-earth metal magnets has initiated great interest in an alternative. Manganese (Mn) has emerged to be a potential candidate as a key element in rare-earth-free magnets. Its five unpaired valence electrons give it a large magnetocrystalline energy and the ability to form several intermetallic compounds. These factors have led Mn-based magnets to be a potential replacement for rare-earth permanent magnets for several applications, such as efficient power electronics, energy generators, magnetic recording and tunneling applications, and spintronics. For past few decades, Mn-based magnets have been explored in many different forms, such as bulk magnets, thin films, and nanoparticles. Here, we review the recent progress in the synthesis and structure-magnetic property relationships of Mn-based rare-earth-free magnets (MnBi, MnAl and MnGa). Furthermore, we discuss their potential to replace rare-earth magnetic materials through the control of their structure and composition to achieve the theoretically predicted magnetic properties.

Characterizing high-energy-density propellants for space propulsion applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kokan, Timothy

There exists wide ranging research interest in high-energy-density matter (HEDM) propellants as a potential replacement for existing industry standard fuels for liquid rocket engines. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the U.S. Army Research Lab, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, and the NASA Glenn Research Center each either recently concluded or currently has ongoing programs in the synthesis and development of these potential new propellants. In order to perform conceptual designs using these new propellants, most conceptual rocket engine powerhead design tools (e.g. NPSS, ROCETS, and REDTOP-2) require several thermophysical properties of a given propellant over a wide range of temperature and pressure. These properties include enthalpy, entropy, density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity. Very little thermophysical property data exists for most of these potential new HEDM propellants. Experimental testing of these properties is both expensive and time consuming and is impractical in a conceptual vehicle design environment. A new technique for determining these thermophysical properties of potential new rocket engine propellants is presented. The technique uses a combination of three different computational methods to determine these properties. Quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics are used to model new propellants at a molecular level in order to calculate density, enthalpy, and entropy. Additivity methods are used to calculate the kinematic viscosity and thermal conductivity of new propellants. This new technique is validated via a series of verification experiments of HEDM compounds. Results are provided for two HEDM propellants: quadricyclane and 2-azido-N,N-dimethylethanamine (DMAZ). In each case, the new technique does a better job than the best current computational methods at accurately matching the experimental data of the HEDM compounds of interest. A case study is provided to help quantify the vehicle level impacts of using HEDM propellants. The case study consists of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Exploration Systems Architecture Study (ESAS) Lunar Surface Access Module (LSAM). The results of this study show that the use of HEDM propellants instead of hypergolic propellants can lower the gross weight of the LSAM and may be an attractive alternative to the current baseline hypergolic propellant choice.

Insulin dependence and pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy are independent prognostic factors for long-term survival after operation for chronic pancreatitis.

PubMed

Winny, Markus; Paroglou, Vagia; Bektas, Hüseyin; Kaltenborn, Alexander; Reichert, Benedikt; Zachau, Lea; Kleine, Moritz; Klempnauer, Jürgen; Schrem, Harald

2014-02-01

This retrospective, single-center, observational study on postoperative long-term results aims to define yet unknown factors for long-term outcome after operation for chronic pancreatitis. We analyzed 147 consecutive patients operated for chronic pancreatitis from 2000 to 2011. Mean follow-up was 5.3 years (range, 1 month to 12.7 years). Complete long-term survival data were provided by the German citizen registration authorities for all patients. A quality-of-life questionnaire was sent to surviving patients after a mean follow-up of 5.7 years. Surgical principles were resection (n = 86; 59%), decompression (n = 29; 20%), and hybrid procedures (n = 32; 21%). No significant influences of different surgical principles and operative procedures on survival, long-term quality of life and pain control could be detected. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.7%, 1-year survival 95.9%, and 3-year survival 90.8%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that only postoperative insulin dependence at the time of hospital discharge (P = .027; Exp(B) = 2.111; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.089-4.090) and the absence of pancreas enzyme replacement therapy at the time of hospital discharge (P = .039; Exp(B) = 2.102; 95% CI, 1.037-4.262) were significant, independent risk factors for survival with significant hazard ratios for long-term survival. Long-term improvement in quality of life was reported by 55 of 76 long-term survivors (73%). Pancreatic enzyme replacement should be standard treatment after surgery for chronic pancreatitis at the time of hospital discharge, even when no clinical signs of exocrine pancreatic failure exist. This study underlines the potential importance of early operative intervention in chronic pancreatitis before irreversible endocrine dysfunction is present. Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

What Pacemakers Can Teach Us about the Ethics of Maintaining Artificial Organs.

PubMed

Hutchison, Katrina; Sparrow, Robert

2016-11-01

One day soon it may be possible to replace a failing heart, liver, or kidney with a long-lasting mechanical replacement or perhaps even with a 3-D printed version based on the patient's own tissue. Such artificial organs could make transplant waiting lists and immunosuppression a thing of the past. Supposing that this happens, what will the ongoing care of people with these implants involve? In particular, how will the need to maintain the functioning of artificial organs over an extended period affect patients and their doctors and the responsibilities of those who manufacture such devices? Drawing on lessons from the history of the cardiac pacemaker, this article offers an initial survey of the ethical issues posed by the need to maintain and service artificial organs. We briefly outline the nature and history of cardiac pacemakers, with a particular focus on the need for technical support, maintenance, and replacement of these devices. Drawing on the existing medical literature and on our conversations and correspondence with cardiologists, regulators, and manufacturers, we describe five sources of ethical issues associated with pacemaker maintenance: the location of the devices inside the human body, such that maintenance generates surgical risks; the complexity of the devices, which increases the risk of harms to patients as well as introducing potential injustices in access to treatment; the role of software-particularly software that can be remotely accessed-in the functioning of the devices, which generates privacy and security issues; the impact of continual development and improvement of the device; and the influence of commercial interests in the context of a medical device market in which there are several competing products. Finally, we offer some initial suggestions as to how these questions should be answered. © 2016 The Hastings Center.

Controlling cyanobacterial blooms in hypertrophic Lake Taihu, China: will nitrogen reductions cause replacement of non-N2 fixing by N2 fixing taxa?

PubMed

Paerl, Hans W; Xu, Hai; Hall, Nathan S; Zhu, Guangwei; Qin, Boqiang; Wu, Yali; Rossignol, Karen L; Dong, Linghan; McCarthy, Mark J; Joyner, Alan R

2014-01-01

Excessive anthropogenic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs have caused an alarming increase in harmful cyanobacterial blooms, threatening sustainability of lakes and reservoirs worldwide. Hypertrophic Lake Taihu, China's third largest freshwater lake, typifies this predicament, with toxic blooms of the non-N2 fixing cyanobacteria Microcystis spp. dominating from spring through fall. Previous studies indicate N and P reductions are needed to reduce bloom magnitude and duration. However, N reductions may encourage replacement of non-N2 fixing with N2 fixing cyanobacteria. This potentially counterproductive scenario was evaluated using replicate, large (1000 L), in-lake mesocosms during summer bloom periods. N+P additions led to maximum phytoplankton production. Phosphorus enrichment, which promoted N limitation, resulted in increases in N2 fixing taxa (Anabaena spp.), but it did not lead to significant replacement of non-N2 fixing with N2 fixing cyanobacteria, and N2 fixation rates remained ecologically insignificant. Furthermore, P enrichment failed to increase phytoplankton production relative to controls, indicating that N was the most limiting nutrient throughout this period. We propose that Microcystis spp. and other non-N2 fixing genera can maintain dominance in this shallow, highly turbid, nutrient-enriched lake by outcompeting N2 fixing taxa for existing sources of N and P stored and cycled in the lake. To bring Taihu and other hypertrophic systems below the bloom threshold, both N and P reductions will be needed until the legacy of high N and P loading and sediment nutrient storage in these systems is depleted. At that point, a more exclusive focus on P reductions may be feasible.

Controlling Cyanobacterial Blooms in Hypertrophic Lake Taihu, China: Will Nitrogen Reductions Cause Replacement of Non-N2 Fixing by N2 Fixing Taxa?

PubMed Central

Paerl, Hans W.; Xu, Hai; Hall, Nathan S.; Zhu, Guangwei; Qin, Boqiang; Wu, Yali; Rossignol, Karen L.; Dong, Linghan; McCarthy, Mark J.; Joyner, Alan R.

2014-01-01

Excessive anthropogenic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs have caused an alarming increase in harmful cyanobacterial blooms, threatening sustainability of lakes and reservoirs worldwide. Hypertrophic Lake Taihu, China’s third largest freshwater lake, typifies this predicament, with toxic blooms of the non-N2 fixing cyanobacteria Microcystis spp. dominating from spring through fall. Previous studies indicate N and P reductions are needed to reduce bloom magnitude and duration. However, N reductions may encourage replacement of non-N2 fixing with N2 fixing cyanobacteria. This potentially counterproductive scenario was evaluated using replicate, large (1000 L), in-lake mesocosms during summer bloom periods. N+P additions led to maximum phytoplankton production. Phosphorus enrichment, which promoted N limitation, resulted in increases in N2 fixing taxa (Anabaena spp.), but it did not lead to significant replacement of non-N2 fixing with N2 fixing cyanobacteria, and N2 fixation rates remained ecologically insignificant. Furthermore, P enrichment failed to increase phytoplankton production relative to controls, indicating that N was the most limiting nutrient throughout this period. We propose that Microcystis spp. and other non-N2 fixing genera can maintain dominance in this shallow, highly turbid, nutrient-enriched lake by outcompeting N2 fixing taxa for existing sources of N and P stored and cycled in the lake. To bring Taihu and other hypertrophic systems below the bloom threshold, both N and P reductions will be needed until the legacy of high N and P loading and sediment nutrient storage in these systems is depleted. At that point, a more exclusive focus on P reductions may be feasible. PMID:25405474

1-Butyl-3-Methyl Imidazolium-based Ionic Liquids Explored as Potential Solvents for Lipid Processing

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Due to global environmental concerns, there is increasing interest in replacing the volatile solvents currently used to process commodity plant lipids. Room-temperature molten salts are one type of media receiving great attention as a possible replacement of the typical organic solvent. Molten sal...

78 FR 14788 - Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-03-07

... Proposed Brandywine Creek Replacement Project The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the Brandywine Creek Replacement... assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the Brandywine Creek...

Laboratory evaluation of high asphalt binder replacement with recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) for a low n-design asphalt mixture.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-10-01

This study investigated the effect of high asphalt binder replacement for a low N-design asphalt mixture including : RAP and RAS on performance indicators such as permanent deformation, fracture, fatigue potentials, and : stiffness, was studied. An e...

Excess mortality associated with hypopituitarism in adults: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

PubMed

Pappachan, Joseph M; Raskauskiene, Diana; Kutty, V Raman; Clayton, Richard N

2015-04-01

Several previous observational studies showed an association between hypopituitarism and excess mortality. Reports on reduction of standard mortality ratio (SMR) with GH replacement have been published recently. This meta-analysis assessed studies reporting SMR to clarify mortality risk in hypopituitary adults and also the potential benefit conferred by GH replacement. A literature search was performed in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane library up to March 31, 2014. Studies with or without GH replacement reporting SMR with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were included. Patient characteristics, SMR data, and treatment outcomes were independently assessed by two authors, and with consensus from third author, studies were selected for analysis. Meta-analysis was performed in all studies together, and those without and with GH replacement separately, using the statistical package metafor in R. Six studies reporting a total of 19 153 hypopituiatary adults with a follow-up duration of more than 99,000 person years were analyzed. Hypopituitarism was associated with an overall excess mortality (weighted SMR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.21-2.76) in adults. Female hypopituitary adults showed higher SMR compared with males (2.53 vs 1.71). Onset of hypopituitarism at a younger age was associated with higher SMR. GH replacement improved the mortality risk in hypopituitary adults that is comparable to the background population (SMR with GH replacement, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05-1.24 vs SMR without GH, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.46-3.34). GH replacement conferred lower mortality benefit in hypopituitary women compared with men (SMR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.38-1.77 vs 0.95; 95% CI, 0.85-1.06). There was a potential selection bias of benefit of GH replacement from a post-marketing data necessitating further evidence from long-term randomized controlled trials. Hypopituitarism may increase premature mortality in adults. Mortality benefit from GH replacement in hypopituitarism is less pronounced in women than men.

Solid-State Thyratron Replacement. Final Report

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

Roth, Ian

2017-12-12

Under this SBIR, DTI developed a solid-state switch as an alternative to legacy thyratron equipment. Our Phase II objective was to make a solid-state thyratron replacement that would provide equivalent or better performance, much higher reliability (at least a 20 year lifetime, compared to a thyratron’s two-year lifetime) and would sell for ~3x the cost of a thyratron, or less than $40k. We were successful in building a solid-state switch which could reliably function as a thyratron replacement. The unit was designed to directly replace the thyratrons currently being used at SLAC’s Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), and was builtmore » in a tank that was small enough to fit into the existing thyratron cabinet, providing a true form-fit-function replacement path. We tested the switch at the full operating specifications: 48 kV, 6.3 kA, and 1 µs risetime. We also demonstrated a peak-to-peak pulse jitter of 1.5 ns, which is five times shorter than is typical for thyratrons. This lower jitter would improve the performance of the LCLS beam. The predicted reliability is more than 80 years, which is 40 times greater than a thyratron.« less

Prioritizing equipment for replacement.

PubMed

Capuano, Mike

2010-01-01

It is suggested that clinical engineers take the lead in formulating evaluation processes to recommend equipment replacement. Their skill, knowledge, and experience, combined with access to equipment databases, make them a logical choice. Based on ideas from Fennigkoh's scheme, elements such as age, vendor support, accumulated maintenance cost, and function/risk were used.6 Other more subjective criteria such as cost benefits and efficacy of newer technology were not used. The element of downtime was also omitted due to the data element not being available. The resulting Periop Master Equipment List and its rationale was presented to the Perioperative Services Program Council. They deemed the criteria to be robust and provided overwhelming acceptance of the list. It was quickly put to use to estimate required capital funding, justify items already thought to need replacement, and identify high-priority ranked items for replacement. Incorporating prioritization criteria into an existing equipment database would be ideal. Some commercially available systems do have the basic elements of this. Maintaining replacement data can be labor-intensive regardless of the method used. There is usually little time to perform the tasks necessary for prioritizing equipment. However, where appropriate, a clinical engineering department might be able to conduct such an exercise as shown in the following case study.

18 CFR 157.208 - Construction, acquisition, operation, replacement, and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... applicant's existing facilities; (5) A flow diagram or comparative study showing daily design capacity... designed to meet the goal of limiting the perceived noise at NSAs to an Ldn of 55 dBA or what mitigation...

18 CFR 157.208 - Construction, acquisition, operation, replacement, and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... applicant's existing facilities; (5) A flow diagram or comparative study showing daily design capacity... designed to meet the goal of limiting the perceived noise at NSAs to an Ldn of 55 dBA or what mitigation...

18 CFR 157.208 - Construction, acquisition, operation, replacement, and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... applicant's existing facilities; (5) A flow diagram or comparative study showing daily design capacity... designed to meet the goal of limiting the perceived noise at NSAs to an Ldn of 55 dBA or what mitigation...

18 CFR 157.208 - Construction, acquisition, operation, replacement, and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... applicant's existing facilities; (5) A flow diagram or comparative study showing daily design capacity... designed to meet the goal of limiting the perceived noise at NSAs to an Ldn of 55 dBA or what mitigation...

18 CFR 157.208 - Construction, acquisition, operation, replacement, and miscellaneous rearrangement of facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... applicant's existing facilities; (5) A flow diagram or comparative study showing daily design capacity... designed to meet the goal of limiting the perceived noise at NSAs to an Ldn of 55 dBA or what mitigation...

78 FR 7770 - Boyce Hydro Power, LLC; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Motions To...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-02-04

.... Description of Application: The licensee proposes to replace one of the project's three existing turbine/generator units with a new unit. The project's maximum hydraulic capacity would remain the same but the new...

Phase II (baseline) report for the Greater Yellowstone Regional Traveler and Weather Information System (GYRTWIS)

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2002-09-11

In an effort to make road and weather information more readily available to travelers and maintenance personnel, Montana is implementing the Greater Yellowstone Regional Traveler and Weather Information System (GYRTWIS). GYRTWIS replaces the existing...

The Status of Long-Term Disability Plans in Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cook, Thomas J.

1981-01-01

Long-term disability income coverage is seen as the most rapidly growing staff benefit in recent years. A Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association's survey of existing long-term disability plans, which provide adequate income replacement, is discussed. (MLW)

Androgen replacement for women.

PubMed Central

Basson, R.

1999-01-01

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether a postmenopausal syndrome comprising specific changes in sexual desire and response associated with low free testosterone exists. To determine whether this syndrome is ameliorated by testosterone replacement. QUALITY OF EVIDENCE: Literature documenting that replacement of physiological levels of testosterone is beneficial and safe is scant. Only one randomized prospective blinded study examines sexual outcome in detail. MAIN MESSAGE: Testosterone is an important metabolic and sex hormone produced by the ovary throughout life. The variable reduction in ovarian testosterone production coincident with menopause is sometimes associated with a syndrome of specific changes in sexual desire and sexual response. Estrogen deficiency also impairs sexual response, but its replacement will not improve and might exacerbate sexual symptoms from androgen loss. Diagnosis of androgen deficiency is clinical, based on accurate assessment of a woman's sexual status before and after menopause and only confirmed (rather than diagnosed) by a low level of free testosterone. Partial androgen replacement restores much of the sexual response and facilitates sexual desire that is triggered by external cues. Avoiding supraphysiological levels of testosterone lessens risk of masculinization. Avoiding alkylated testosterone lessens hepatic or lipid impairment. CONCLUSION: Further prospective randomized studies of replacement of physiological levels of testosterone in women with androgen deficiency syndrome are needed, using formulations of testosterone available in Canada. The consistency of sexual changes, the associated personal and relationship distress, together with our clinical experience of the gratifying response to physiological replacement, make further studies urgently needed. PMID:10509222

Kinetics of methane hydrate replacement with carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas mixture using in situ NMR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Cha, Minjun; Shin, Kyuchul; Lee, Huen; Moudrakovski, Igor L; Ripmeester, John A; Seo, Yutaek

2015-02-03

In this study, the kinetics of methane replacement with carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas in methane gas hydrate prepared in porous silica gel matrices has been studied by in situ (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The replacement process was monitored by in situ (1)H NMR spectra, where about 42 mol % of the methane in the hydrate cages was replaced in 65 h. Large amounts of free water were not observed during the replacement process, indicating a spontaneous replacement reaction upon exposing methane hydrate to carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas mixture. From in situ (13)C NMR spectra, we confirmed that the replacement ratio was slightly higher in small cages, but due to the composition of structure I hydrate, the amount of methane evolved from the large cages was larger than that of the small cages. Compositional analysis of vapor and hydrate phases was also carried out after the replacement reaction ceased. Notably, the composition changes in hydrate phases after the replacement reaction would be affected by the difference in the chemical potential between the vapor phase and hydrate surface rather than a pore size effect. These results suggest that the replacement technique provides methane recovery as well as stabilization of the resulting carbon dioxide hydrate phase without melting.

Self-supporting method; an alternative method for steel truss bridge element replacement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arsyad, Muhammad; Sangadji, Senot; As'ad, Sholihin

2017-11-01

Steel truss bridge often requires replacement of its element due to serious damage caused by traffic accidents. This replacement is carried out using temporary supporting structure. It would be difficult when the available space for the temporary structure is quite limited and or the position of work is at a high elevation. The self-supporting method is proposed instead of temporary supporting structure. This paper will discuss an innovative method of bridge rehabilitation by utilizing the existing bridge structure. It requires such temporary connecting structure that installed on the existing bridge element, therefore, the forces during replacement process could be transferred to the bridge foundation directly. By taking the case on a steel truss bridge Jetis Salatiga which requires element replacement due to its damages on two main diagonals, a modeling is carried out to get a proper repair method. Structural analysis is conducted for three temporary connecting structure models: “I,” “V,” and triangular model. Stresses and translations that occur in the structure are used as constraints. Bridge bearings are modeled in two different modes: fixed-fixed system and fixed-free one. Temperature load is given in each condition to obtain the appropriate time for execution. The triangular model is chosen as the best one. In the fixed-fixed mode, this method can be carried out in a temperature range 27-28.8° C, while in fixed-free one, the temperature it is allowed between 27-43.4 °C. The D4 is dismantled first by cutting the D4 leaving an area of 1140.2 mm2 or 127 mm web length to enable plastic condition until the D4 collapses. At the beginning of elongation occurs, immediately performed a slowly jacking on a temporary connecting structure so that the force on D4 is gradually transferred to the temporary connecting structure then the D4 and D5 are set in their place.

Ultrasmall Peptides Self-Assemble into Diverse Nanostructures: Morphological Evaluation and Potential Implications

PubMed Central

Lakshmanan, Anupama; Hauser, Charlotte A.E.

2011-01-01

In this study, we perform a morphological evaluation of the diverse nanostructures formed by varying concentration and amino acid sequence of a unique class of ultrasmall self-assembling peptides. We modified these peptides by replacing the aliphatic amino acid at the C-aliphatic terminus with different aromatic amino acids. We tracked the effect of introducing aromatic residues on self-assembly and morphology of resulting nanostructures. Whereas aliphatic peptides formed long, helical fibers that entangle into meshes and entrap >99.9% water, the modified peptides contrastingly formed short, straight fibers with a flat morphology. No helical fibers were observed for the modified peptides. For the aliphatic peptides at low concentrations, different supramolecular assemblies such as hollow nanospheres and membrane blebs were found. Since the ultrasmall peptides are made of simple, aliphatic amino acids, considered to have existed in the primordial soup, study of these supramolecular assemblies could be relevant to understanding chemical evolution leading to the origin of life on Earth. In particular, we propose a variety of potential applications in bioengineering and nanotechnology for the diverse self-assembled nanostructures. PMID:22016623

Investigating the Intercalation Chemistry of Alkali Ions in Fluoride Perovskites

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

Yi, Tanghong; Chen, Wei; Cheng, Lei

Reversible intercalation reactions provide the basis for modern battery electrodes. In spite of the decades of exploration of electrode materials, the potential for materials in the nonoxide chemical space with regards to intercalation chemistry is vast and rather untested. Transition metal fluorides stand out as an obvious target. To this end, we report herein a new family of iron fluoride-based perovskite cathode materials A xK 1–xFeF 3 (A = Li, Na). By starting with KFeF 3, approximately 75% of K+ ions were subsequently replaced by Li + and Na + through electrochemical means. X-ray diffraction and Fe X-ray absorption spectroscopymore » confirmed the existence of intercalation of alkali metal ions in the perovskite structure, which is associated with the Fe 2+/3+ redox couple. A computational study by density functional theory showed agreement with the structural and electrochemical data obtained experimentally, which suggested the possibility of fluoride-based materials as potential intercalation electrodes. Our study increases our understanding of the intercalation chemistry of ternary fluorides, which could inform efforts toward the exploration of new electrode materials.« less

Investigating the Intercalation Chemistry of Alkali Ions in Fluoride Perovskites

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

Yi, Tanghong; Chen, Wei; Cheng, Lei

Reversible intercalation reactions provide the basis for modern battery electrodes. Despite decades of exploration of electrode materials, the potential for materials in the nonoxide chemical space with regards to intercalation chemistry is vast and rather untested. Transition metal fluorides stand out as an obvious target. To this end, we report herein a new family of iron fluoride-based perovskite cathode materials A xK 1–xFeF 3 (A = Li, Na). By starting with KFeF 3, approximately 75% of K + ions were subsequently replaced by Li + and Na + through electrochemical means. X-ray diffraction and Fe X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirmed themore » existence of intercalation of alkali metal ions in the perovskite structure, which is associated with the Fe 2+/3+ redox couple. A computational study by density functional theory showed agreement with the structural and electrochemical data obtained experimentally, which suggested the possibility of fluoride-based materials as potential intercalation electrodes. This study increases our understanding of the intercalation chemistry of ternary fluorides, which could inform efforts toward the exploration of new electrode materials.« less

Investigating the Intercalation Chemistry of Alkali Ions in Fluoride Perovskites

DOE PAGES

Yi, Tanghong; Chen, Wei; Cheng, Lei; ...

2017-01-20

Reversible intercalation reactions provide the basis for modern battery electrodes. In spite of the decades of exploration of electrode materials, the potential for materials in the nonoxide chemical space with regards to intercalation chemistry is vast and rather untested. Transition metal fluorides stand out as an obvious target. To this end, we report herein a new family of iron fluoride-based perovskite cathode materials A xK 1–xFeF 3 (A = Li, Na). By starting with KFeF 3, approximately 75% of K+ ions were subsequently replaced by Li + and Na + through electrochemical means. X-ray diffraction and Fe X-ray absorption spectroscopymore » confirmed the existence of intercalation of alkali metal ions in the perovskite structure, which is associated with the Fe 2+/3+ redox couple. A computational study by density functional theory showed agreement with the structural and electrochemical data obtained experimentally, which suggested the possibility of fluoride-based materials as potential intercalation electrodes. Our study increases our understanding of the intercalation chemistry of ternary fluorides, which could inform efforts toward the exploration of new electrode materials.« less

Microphysiological Systems (Tissue Chips) and their Utility for Rare Disease Research.

PubMed

Low, Lucie A; Tagle, Danilo A

2017-01-01

The scientific and technological development of microphysiological systems (MPS) modeling organs-on-chips, or "tissue chips" (TCs), has progressed rapidly over the past decade. Stem cell research and microfluidic concepts have combined to lead to the development of microphysiological platforms representing an ever-expanding list of different human organ systems. In the context of rare diseases, these bioengineered microfluidics platforms hold promise for modeling of disorders and could prove useful in the screening and efficacy testing of existing therapeutics. Additionally, they have the potential for replacing and refining animal use for new drugs and clinical treatments, or could even act as surrogate human systems for testing of new therapeutics in the future, which could be particularly useful in populations of rare disease sufferers. This chapter will discuss the current state of tissue chip research, and challenges facing the field. Additionally, we will discuss how these devices are being used to model basic cellular and molecular phenotypes of rare diseases, holding promise to provide new tools for understanding of disease pathologies and screening and efficacy testing of potential therapeutics for drug discovery.

Singapore National Medical Image Resource Centre (SN.MIRC): a world wide web resource for radiology education.

PubMed

Yang, Guo-Liang; Lim, C C Tchoyoson

2006-08-01

Radiology education is heavily dependent on visual images, and case-based teaching files comprising medical images can be an important tool for teaching diagnostic radiology. Currently, hardcopy film is being rapidly replaced by digital radiological images in teaching hospitals, and an electronic teaching file (ETF) library would be desirable. Furthermore, a repository of ETFs deployed on the World Wide Web has the potential for e-learning applications to benefit a larger community of learners. In this paper, we describe a Singapore National Medical Image Resource Centre (SN.MIRC) that can serve as a World Wide Web resource for teaching diagnostic radiology. On SN.MIRC, ETFs can be created using a variety of mechanisms including file upload and online form-filling, and users can search for cases using the Medical Image Resource Center (MIRC) query schema developed by the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The system can be improved with future enhancements, including multimedia interactive teaching files and distance learning for continuing professional development. However, significant challenges exist when exploring the potential of using the World Wide Web for radiology education.

Rapid Quantitative Analysis of Multiple Explosive Compound Classes on a Single Instrument via Flow-Injection Analysis Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Ostrinskaya, Alla; Kunz, Roderick R; Clark, Michelle; Kingsborough, Richard P; Ong, Ta-Hsuan; Deneault, Sandra

2018-05-24

A flow-injection analysis tandem mass spectrometry (FIA MSMS) method was developed for rapid quantitative analysis of 10 different inorganic and organic explosives. Performance is optimized by tailoring the ionization method (APCI/ESI), de-clustering potentials, and collision energies for each specific analyte. In doing so, a single instrument can be used to detect urea nitrate, potassium chlorate, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, 2,4,6-trinitrophenylmethylnitramine, triacetone triperoxide, hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine, nitroglycerin, and octohy-dro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine with sensitivities all in the picogram per milliliter range. In conclusion, FIA APCI/ESI MSMS is a fast (<1 min/sample), sensitive (~pg/mL LOQ), and precise (intraday RSD < 10%) method for trace explosive detection that can play an important role in criminal and attributional forensics, counterterrorism, and environmental protection areas, and has the potential to augment or replace several of the existing explosive detection methods. © 2018 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Editing Transgenic DNA Components by Inducible Gene Replacement in Drosophila melanogaster

PubMed Central

Lin, Chun-Chieh; Potter, Christopher J.

2016-01-01

Gene conversions occur when genomic double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) trigger unidirectional transfer of genetic material from a homologous template sequence. Exogenous or mutated sequence can be introduced through this homology-directed repair (HDR). We leveraged gene conversion to develop a method for genomic editing of existing transgenic insertions in Drosophila melanogaster. The clustered regularly-interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 system is used in the homology assisted CRISPR knock-in (HACK) method to induce DSBs in a GAL4 transgene, which is repaired by a single-genomic transgenic construct containing GAL4 homologous sequences flanking a T2A-QF2 cassette. With two crosses, this technique converts existing GAL4 lines, including enhancer traps, into functional QF2 expressing lines. We used HACK to convert the most commonly-used GAL4 lines (labeling tissues such as neurons, fat, glia, muscle, and hemocytes) to QF2 lines. We also identified regions of the genome that exhibited differential efficiencies of HDR. The HACK technique is robust and readily adaptable for targeting and replacement of other genomic sequences, and could be a useful approach to repurpose existing transgenes as new genetic reagents become available. PMID:27334272

The quest for tissue stem cells in the pancreas and other organs, and their application in beta-cell replacement.

PubMed

Houbracken, Isabelle; Bouwens, Luc

2010-01-01

Adult stem cell research has drawn a lot of attention by many researchers, due to its medical hope of cell replacement or regenerative therapy for diabetes patients. Despite the many research efforts to date, there is no consensus on the existence of stem cells in adult pancreas. Genetic lineage tracing experiments have put into serious doubt whether β-cell neogenesis from stem/progenitor cells takes place postnatally. Different in vitro experiments have suggested centroacinar, ductal, acinar, stellate, or yet unidentified clonigenic cells as candidate β-cell progenitors. As in the rest of the adult stem cell field, sound and promising observations have been made. However, these observations still need to be replicated. As an alternative to committed stem/progenitor cells in the pancreas, transdifferentiation or lineage reprogramming of exocrine acinar and endocrine α-cells may be used to generate new β-cells. At present, it is unclear which approach is most medically promising. This article highlights the progress being made in knowledge about tissue stem cells, their existence and availability for therapy in diabetes. Particular attention is given to the assessment of methods to verify the existence of tissue stem cells.

Thermal and Optical Properties of Low-E Storm Windows and Panels

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

Culp, Thomas D.; Widder, Sarah H.; Cort, Katherine A.

Installing low-emissivity (low-E) storm windows and panels over existing windows has been identified as a cost-effective new approach for improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings where window replacement is impractical or too expensive. As such, it is desirable to characterize the key energy performance properties of low-E storm windows and panels when installed over different types of existing primary windows. this paper presents the representative U-factors, solar heat gain coefficients (SGHCs) and visible transmittance properties of the combined assemblies of various storm windows and panel types installed over different primary windows.

PageRank as a method to rank biomedical literature by importance.

PubMed

Yates, Elliot J; Dixon, Louise C

2015-01-01

Optimal ranking of literature importance is vital in overcoming article overload. Existing ranking methods are typically based on raw citation counts, giving a sum of 'inbound' links with no consideration of citation importance. PageRank, an algorithm originally developed for ranking webpages at the search engine, Google, could potentially be adapted to bibliometrics to quantify the relative importance weightings of a citation network. This article seeks to validate such an approach on the freely available, PubMed Central open access subset (PMC-OAS) of biomedical literature. On-demand cloud computing infrastructure was used to extract a citation network from over 600,000 full-text PMC-OAS articles. PageRanks and citation counts were calculated for each node in this network. PageRank is highly correlated with citation count (R = 0.905, P < 0.01) and we thus validate the former as a surrogate of literature importance. Furthermore, the algorithm can be run in trivial time on cheap, commodity cluster hardware, lowering the barrier of entry for resource-limited open access organisations. PageRank can be trivially computed on commodity cluster hardware and is linearly correlated with citation count. Given its putative benefits in quantifying relative importance, we suggest it may enrich the citation network, thereby overcoming the existing inadequacy of citation counts alone. We thus suggest PageRank as a feasible supplement to, or replacement of, existing bibliometric ranking methods.

From "farm to fork" strawberry system: current realities and potential innovative scenarios from life cycle assessment of non-renewable energy use and green house gas emissions.

PubMed

Girgenti, Vincenzo; Peano, Cristiana; Baudino, Claudio; Tecco, Nadia

2014-03-01

In this study, we analysed the environmental profile of the strawberry industry in Northern Italy. The analysis was conducted using two scenarios as reference systems: strawberry crops grown in unheated plastic tunnels using currently existing cultivation techniques, post-harvest management practices and consumption patterns (scenario 1) and the same strawberry cultivation chain in which some of the materials used were replaced with bio-based materials (scenario 2). In numerous studies, biodegradable polymers have been shown to be environmentally friendly, thus potentially reducing environmental impacts. These materials can be recycled into carbon dioxide and water through composting. Many materials, such as Mater-BI® and PLA®, are also derived from renewable resources. The methodology chosen for the environmental analysis was a life cycle assessment (LCA) based on a consequential approach developed to assess a product's overall environmental impact from the production system to its usage and disposal. In the field stage, a traditional mulching film (non-biodegradable) could be replaced with a biodegradable product. This change would result in waste production of 0 kg/ha for the bio-based product compared to 260 kg/ha of waste for polyethylene (PE). In the post-harvest stage, the issue addressed was the use and disposal of packaging materials. The innovative scenario evaluated herein pertains to the use of new packaging materials that increase the shelf life of strawberries, thereby decreasing product losses while increasing waste management efficiency at the level of a distribution platform and/or sales outlet. In the event of product deterioration or non-sale of the product, the packaging and its contents could be collected together as organic waste without any additional processes because the packaging is compostable according to EN13432. Scenario 2 would achieve reductions of 20% in the global warming potential and non-renewable energy impact categories. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A solid state video recorder as a direct replacement of a mechanically driven disc recording device in a security system

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

Terry, P.L.

1989-01-01

Whether upgrading or developing a security system, investing in a solid state video recorder may prove to be quite prudent. Even though the initial cost of a solid state recorder may be more expensive, when comparing it to a disc recorder it is practically maintenance free. Thus, the cost effectiveness of a solid state video recorder over an extended period of time more than justifies the initial expense. This document illustrates the use of a solid state video recorder as a direct replacement. It replaces a mechanically driven disc recorder that existed in a synchronized video recording system. The originalmore » system was called the Universal Video Disc Recorder System. The modified system will now be referred to as the Solid State Video Recording System. 5 figs.« less

Physician Reaction to Price Changes: An Episode-of-Care Analysis

PubMed Central

Lee, A. James; Mitchell, Janet B.

1994-01-01

Physicians may respond to fee reductions in a variety of ways. This episode-of-care analysis examines the impact of surgical fee reductions (mandated by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Acts [OBRAs] of 1986-87) on the overall pattern and cost of health care services provided in association with the surgical procedure itself. The study focuses on six procedure groups: cataract extractions; total hip replacement; total knee replacement; coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery; upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy; and prostatectomy. Only two of these procedures give significant evidence for the existence of a service volume offset to the fee reductions. PMID:10172299

Implementing a Reliability Centered Maintenance Program at NASA's Kennedy Space Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tuttle, Raymond E.; Pete, Robert R.

1998-01-01

Maintenance practices have long focused on time based "preventive maintenance" techniques. Components were changed out and parts replaced based on how long they had been in place instead of what condition they were in. A reliability centered maintenance (RCM) program seeks to offer equal or greater reliability at decreased cost by insuring only applicable, effective maintenance is performed and by in large part replacing time based maintenance with condition based maintenance. A significant portion of this program involved introducing non-intrusive technologies, such as vibration analysis, oil analysis and I/R cameras, to an existing labor force and management team.

Evaluation of DSS-14 pedestal-review of top surface repair procedures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oesterle, R. G.; Musser, D. W.; Salse, E. A. B.

1983-01-01

Proposed repair procedures for the top surface of the pedestal supporting the hydrostatic bearing runner for the 64m Antenna are presented. These procedures included: (1) removal of existing grout and concrete to approximately 8 in. below original concrete surface using a presplitting technique with expansive cement followed by secondary breaking; (2) preparation of exposed concrete surface including an epoxy bonding agent; and (3) replacement of material removed with 8 in. of new concrete surface including an epoxy bonding agent; and (4) replacement of material removed with 8 in. of new concrete and 4 in. of new grout.

Design and testing of an energy-absorbing crewseat for the F/FB-111 aircraft. Volume 2: Data from seat testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shane, S. J.

1985-01-01

The unacceptably high injury rate during the escape sequence (including the ejection and ground impact) of the crew module for F/FB-111 aircraft is reviewed. A program to determine if the injury potential could be reduced by replacing the existing crewseats with energy absorbing crewseats is presented. An energy absorbing test seat is designed using much of the existing seat hardware. An extensive dynamic seat test series, designed to duplicate various crew module ground impact conditions is conducted at a sled test facility. Comparative tests with operational F-111 crewseats are also conducted. After successful dynamic testing of the seat, more testing is conducted with the seats mounted in an F-111 crew module. Both swing tests and vertical drop tests are conducted. The vertical drop tests are used to obtain comparative data between the energy absorbing and operational seats. Volume 1 describes the energy absorbing test seat and testing conducted, and evaluates the data from both test series. Volume 2 presents the data obtained during the seat test series, while Volume 3 presents the data from the crew module test series.

Trade in human tissue products.

PubMed

Tonti-Filippini, Nicholas; Zeps, Nikolajs

2011-03-07

Trade in human tissue in Australia is prohibited by state law, and in ethical guidelines by the National Health and Medical Research Council: National statement on ethical conduct in human research; Organ and tissue donation by living donors: guidelines for ethical practice for health professionals. However, trade in human tissue products is a common practice especially for: reconstructive orthopaedic or plastic surgery; novel human tissue products such as a replacement trachea created by using human mesenchymal stem cells; biomedical research using cell lines, DNA and protein provided through biobanks. Cost pressures on these have forced consideration of commercial models to sustain their operations. Both the existing and novel activities require a robust framework to enable commercial uses of human tissue products while maintaining community acceptability of such practices, but to date no such framework exists. In this article, we propose a model ethical framework for ethical governance which identifies specific ethical issues such as: privacy; unique value of a person's tissue; commodification of the body; equity and benefit to the community; perverse incentives; and "attenuation" as a potentially useful concept to help deal with the broad range of subjective views relevant to whether it is acceptable to commercialise certain human tissue products.

Designing next-generation platforms for evaluating scientific output: what scientists can learn from the social web

PubMed Central

Yarkoni, Tal

2012-01-01

Traditional pre-publication peer review of scientific output is a slow, inefficient, and unreliable process. Efforts to replace or supplement traditional evaluation models with open evaluation platforms that leverage advances in information technology are slowly gaining traction, but remain in the early stages of design and implementation. Here I discuss a number of considerations relevant to the development of such platforms. I focus particular attention on three core elements that next-generation evaluation platforms should strive to emphasize, including (1) open and transparent access to accumulated evaluation data, (2) personalized and highly customizable performance metrics, and (3) appropriate short-term incentivization of the userbase. Because all of these elements have already been successfully implemented on a large scale in hundreds of existing social web applications, I argue that development of new scientific evaluation platforms should proceed largely by adapting existing techniques rather than engineering entirely new evaluation mechanisms. Successful implementation of open evaluation platforms has the potential to substantially advance both the pace and the quality of scientific publication and evaluation, and the scientific community has a vested interest in shifting toward such models as soon as possible. PMID:23060783

Preservation and Enhancement of the Spacewatch Data Archives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Larsen, Jeffrey A.

2003-01-01

In March of 1998, the asteroid 1997 XF11 was announced to be potentially hazardous after being tracked over 90 days. A potential two year wait for confirming observations was shortened to under 24 hours because of the existence of archived photographic prediscovery images. Spacewatch was a pioneer in using CCD scanning and possesses a valuable digital archive of its scans. Unfortunately these data are aging on magnetic tape and will soon be lost. Since 1990, the Spacewatch project gathered some 1.5 Terabytes of scan data covering roughly 75,000 degrees of sky to a limiting magnitude of V = 21.5. The data have not yet been mined for all of their asteroids for scientific studies and orbit determination. Spacewatch's real-time motion detection program MODP was constrained by the computers of the era to use simplified image processing algorithms at a reduced efficiency. Jedicke and Herron estimated MODP's efficiency at finding asteroids to be approximately 60 percent to V=18 and improving somewhat thereafter. This lead to a substantial bias correction in their analyses. Larsen has developed a MODP replacement capable in excess of 90 percent efficiency in the same range and able to push a magnitude fainter in completeness. We propose a program of post-processing and re-archiving Spacewatch data. Our scans would be transferred from tape to CD-ROMs and converted to FITS images -- establishing a consistent data format and media for both past and future Spacewatch observations. Larsen's MODP replacement would mine these data for previously undetected motions, which would be made available to the Minor Planet Center and our ongoing asteroid population studies. A searchable observation record would be made generally available for prediscovery work. We estimate the net asteroid yield of this proposal is equivalent to three full years of Spacewatch operations.

Alloplastic total temporomandibular joint replacements: do they perform like natural joints? Prospective cohort study with a historical control.

PubMed

Wojczyńska, A; Leiggener, C S; Bredell, M; Ettlin, D A; Erni, S; Gallo, L M; Colombo, V

2016-10-01

The aim of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively describe the biomechanics of existing total alloplastic reconstructions of temporomandibular joints (TMJ). Fifteen patients with unilateral or bilateral TMJ total joint replacements and 15 healthy controls were evaluated via dynamic stereometry technology. This non-invasive method combines three-dimensional imaging of the subject's anatomy with jaw tracking. It provides an insight into the patient's jaw joint movements in real time and provides a quantitative evaluation. The patients were also evaluated clinically for jaw opening, protrusive and laterotrusive movements, pain, interference with eating, and satisfaction with the joint replacements. The qualitative assessment revealed that condyles of bilateral total joint replacements displayed similar basic motion patterns to those of unilateral prostheses. Quantitatively, mandibular movements of artificial joints during opening, protrusion, and laterotrusion were all significantly shorter than those of controls. A significantly restricted mandibular range of motion in replaced joints was also observed clinically. Fifty-three percent of patients suffered from chronic pain at rest and 67% reported reduced chewing function. Nonetheless, patients declared a high level of satisfaction with the replacement. This study shows that in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of complex therapeutic measures, a multidisciplinary approach is needed. Copyright © 2016 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental suitability of recycled concrete aggregate in highways : [research summary].

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-01-01

Natural highway aggregate is a finite resource that with continued use in construction : activities but some good quality aggregates used in existing concrete structures may be : re-used to replace with the natural aggregate. Due to the repair or rep...

Demonstration of an Innovative Large-Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation Technology in Houston, Texas

EPA Science Inventory

While sewer renewal technologies currently being used for the repair, replacement and/or rehabilitation of deteriorating wastewater collection systems are generally effective, there is still room for improvement of existing technologies and for the development of new technologies...

Research notes : adjustment of driver behavior to an urban multilane roundabout.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-06-01

In June of 2006, the City of Springfield, Oregon began construction of the first multi-lane urban roundabout in Oregon. The five-legged roundabout replaced an existing T intersection that was controlled by a traffic light. A study was conducted...

76 FR 80926 - Dominion Transmission, Inc; Notice of Request Under Blanket Authorization

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-27

... approximately 735 feet of 8-inch diameter TL-369 Ext. 2 receiver pipeline facilities; and (3) construct two new... proposes to: (1) Replace approximately 14.98 miles of it's existing multi-diameter (12, 14, and 16-inch) TL...

Preliminary analysis of LED enhanced signs at a passive rural level crossing

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-03-23

The purpose of this research was to measure motor vehicle speed profiles at a rural level crossing following the replacement of the existing Crossbuck signs and Advance Warning signs (AWSs) with flashing light-emitting diode (LED) versions. Measureme...

Finite element modeling approach and performance evaluation of fiber reinforced polymer sandwich bridge panels : summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-08-01

In the United States, about 27% of the bridges are classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Bridge owners are continually investigating methods to effectively retrofit existing bridges, or to economically replace them with new o...

30 CFR 285.532 - What happens if my surety wants to terminate the period of liability of my bond?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... provide a replacement bond or alternative form of financial assurance of equivalent or greater value. The... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY ALTERNATE USES OF EXISTING FACILITIES ON THE...

Demonstration of an Innovative Large-Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation Technology in Houston, Texas - slides

EPA Science Inventory

While sewer renewal technologies currently being used for the repair, replacement and/or rehabilitation of deteriorating wastewater collection systems are generally effective, there is still room for improvement of existing technologies and for the development of new technologies...

Finite element modeling approach and performance evaluation of fiber reinforced polymer sandwich bridge panels : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-08-01

In the United States, about 27% of the bridges are classified as structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. : Bridge owners are continually investigating methods to effectively retrofit existing bridges, or to economically replace : them with n...

Steel pin and hanger assembly replacement options : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2017-01-01

A number of steel beam bridges exist in the United States that contain pin and hanger assemblies. Pin and hanger assemblies are fracture critical members whose failure would result in collapse of the bridge or render it unable to perform its expected...

Clinical- and cost-effectiveness of the STAR care pathway compared to usual care for patients with chronic pain after total knee replacement: study protocol for a UK randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Wylde, Vikki; Bertram, Wendy; Beswick, Andrew D; Blom, Ashley W; Bruce, Julie; Burston, Amanda; Dennis, Jane; Garfield, Kirsty; Howells, Nicholas; Lane, Athene; McCabe, Candy; Moore, Andrew J; Noble, Sian; Peters, Tim J; Price, Andrew; Sanderson, Emily; Toms, Andrew D; Walsh, David A; White, Simon; Gooberman-Hill, Rachael

2018-02-21

Approximately 20% of patients experience chronic pain after total knee replacement. There is little evidence for effective interventions for the management of this pain, and current healthcare provision is patchy and inconsistent. Given the complexity of this condition, multimodal and individualised interventions matched to pain characteristics are needed. We have undertaken a comprehensive programme of work to develop a care pathway for patients with chronic pain after total knee replacement. This protocol describes the design of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of a complex intervention care pathway compared with usual care. This is a pragmatic two-armed, open, multi-centred randomised controlled trial conducted within secondary care in the UK. Patients will be screened at 2 months after total knee replacement and 381 patients with chronic pain at 3 months postoperatively will be recruited. Recruitment processes will be optimised through qualitative research during a 6-month internal pilot phase. Patients are randomised using a 2:1 intervention:control allocation ratio. All participants receive usual care as provided by their hospital. The intervention comprises an assessment clinic appointment at 3 months postoperatively with an Extended Scope Practitioner and up to six telephone follow-up calls over 12 months. In the assessment clinic, a standardised protocol is followed to identify potential underlying causes for the chronic pain and enable appropriate onward referrals to existing services for targeted and individualised treatment. Outcomes are assessed by questionnaires at 6 and 12 months after randomisation. The co-primary outcomes are pain severity and pain interference assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory at 12 months after randomisation. Secondary outcomes relate to resource use, function, neuropathic pain, mental well-being, use of pain medications, satisfaction with pain relief, pain frequency, capability, health-related quality of life and bodily pain. After trial completion, up to 30 patients in the intervention group will be interviewed about their experiences of the care pathway. If shown to be clinically and cost-effective, this care pathway intervention could improve the management of chronic pain after total knee replacement. ISRCTN registry ( ISRCTN92545361 ), prospectively registered on 30 August 2016.

Focal hypermobility observed in cervical arthroplasty with Mobi-C.

PubMed

Kerferd, Jack William; Abi-Hanna, David; Phan, Kevin; Rao, Prashanth; Mobbs, Ralph J

2017-12-01

In recent decades cervical arthroplasty, or cervical disc replacement, has been steadily increasing in popularity as a procedure for the treatment of degenerative pathologies of the cervical spine. This is based on an evolving body of literature that documents superior outcomes in cervical disc replacement over fusion, for both single and double level pathologies, in well selected patients. One of the more recent and popular implants currently on the market is the Mobi-C cervical artificial disc (LDR Medical; Troyes, France). In this paper we report on two cases where focal hypermobility was observed following total disc replacement using the Mobi-C cervical artificial disc. This is followed by a discussion as to potential contributing factors to this hypermobility in relation to both implant design, and operative technique, suggesting potential changes that might prevent this in future patients.

Environmentally-driven Materials Obsolescence: Material Replacements and Lessons Learned from NASA's Space Shuttle Program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meinhold, Anne

2013-01-01

The Space Shuttle Program was terminated in 2011 with the last flight of the Shuttle Endeavour. During the 30 years of its operating history, the number of domestic and international environmental regulations increased rapidly and resulted in materials obsolescence risks to the program. Initial replacement efforts focused on ozone depleting substances. As pressure from environmental regulations increased, Shuttle worked on the replacement of heavy metals. volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. Near the end of the program. Shuttle identified potential material obsolescence driven by international regulations and the potential for suppliers to reformulate materials. During the Shuttle Program a team focused on environmentally-driven materials obsolescence worked to identify and mitigate these risks. Lessons learned from the Shuttle experience can be applied to new NASA Programs as well as other high reliability applications.

SIMULATION OF PERFORMANCE OF CHLORINE-FREE FLURORINATED ETHERS AND FLUORINATED HYDROCARBONS TO REPLACE CFC-11 AND CFC-114 IN CHILLERS

EPA Science Inventory

The paper discusses simulation of the performance of chlorine-free fluorinated ethers and fluorinated hydrocarbons as potential long-term replacements for CFC-11 and -114. Modeling has been done with in-house refrigeration models based on the Carnahan-Starling-DeSantis Equation o...

A Closed Loop System Using a Brine Reservoir to Replace Fresh Water as the Frac Fluid Source

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

A non-fresh water source, the Debolt formation, has been proposed and tested in the laboratory and field for application as a fracturing fluid in shale gas formations, with potential to replace much of the fresh water used in the Horn River Basin.

Simulation and analysis of a proposed replacement for the McCook port of entry inspection station

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1999-04-01

This report describes a study of a proposed replacement for the McCook Port of Entry inspection station at the entry to South Dakota. In order to assess the potential for a low-speed weigh in motion (WIM) scale within the station to pre-screen trucks...

78 FR 67086 - Safety Zone, Submarine Cable Replacement Operations, Kent Island Narrows; Queen Anne's County, MD

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-08

... 1625-AA00 Safety Zone, Submarine Cable Replacement Operations, Kent Island Narrows; Queen Anne's County... Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone encompassing certain waters of Kent Island Narrows... potential safety hazards associated with the bridge project. Entry into this zone would be prohibited unless...

How SNP chips will advance our knowledge of factors controlling puberty and aid in selecting replacement females

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The promise of genomic selection is that genetic potential can be accurately predicted from genotypes. Simple deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) tests might replace low accuracy predictions based on performance and pedigree for expensive or lowly heritable measures of puberty and fertility. The promise i...

How single nucleotide polymorphism chips will advance our knowledge of factors controlling puberty and aid in selecting replacement beef females

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The promise of genomic selection is accurate prediction of animals' genetic potential from their genotypes. Simple DNA tests might replace low accuracy predictions for expensive or lowly heritable measures of puberty and fertility based on performance and pedigree. Knowing which DNA variants affec...

Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-Vectored Multi-Antigen Tuberculosis Vaccine Limits Bacterial Proliferation in Mice following a Single Intranasal Dose

PubMed Central

Zhang, Ming; Dong, Chunsheng; Xiong, Sidong

2017-01-01

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious health problem worldwide, and an urgent need exists to improve or replace the available vaccine, Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Most vaccination protocols adapt two or three doses to induce long-term lasting immunity. Our previous study showed that the naked DNA encoding the triple-antigen fusion TFP846 (Rv3615c-Mtb10.4-Rv2660c) induced robust T cellular immune responses accompanying four inoculations against mycobacteria infection. However, a number of compliance issues exist in some areas lacking the appropriate medical infrastructure with multiple administrations. In this study, a novel vesicular stomatitis virus expressing TFP846 (VSV-846) was developed and the immune responses elicited by VSV-846 were evaluated. We observed that intranasal delivery of VSV-846 induced a potent antigen-specific T cell response following a single dose and VSV-846 efficiently controlled bacterial growth to levels ~10-fold lower than that observed in the mock group 6 weeks post-infection in BCG-infected mice. Importantly, mice immunized with VSV-846 provided long-term protection against mycobacteria infection compared with those receiving p846 or BCG immunization. Increased memory T cells were also observed in the spleens of VSV-846-vaccinated mice, which could be a potential mechanism associated with long-term protective immune response. These findings supported the use of VSV as an antigen delivery vector with the potential for TB vaccine development. PMID:28224119

Functional Tooth Regeneration Using a Bioengineered Tooth Unit as a Mature Organ Replacement Regenerative Therapy

PubMed Central

Imamura, Aya; Ogawa, Miho; Yasukawa, Masato; Yamazaki, Hiromichi; Morita, Ritsuko; Ikeda, Etsuko; Nakao, Kazuhisa; Takano-Yamamoto, Teruko; Kasugai, Shohei; Saito, Masahiro; Tsuji, Takashi

2011-01-01

Donor organ transplantation is currently an essential therapeutic approach to the replacement of a dysfunctional organ as a result of disease, injury or aging in vivo. Recent progress in the area of regenerative therapy has the potential to lead to bioengineered mature organ replacement in the future. In this proof of concept study, we here report a further development in this regard in which a bioengineered tooth unit comprising mature tooth, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, was successfully transplanted into a properly-sized bony hole in the alveolar bone through bone integration by recipient bone remodeling in a murine transplantation model system. The bioengineered tooth unit restored enough the alveolar bone in a vertical direction into an extensive bone defect of murine lower jaw. Engrafted bioengineered tooth displayed physiological tooth functions such as mastication, periodontal ligament function for bone remodeling and responsiveness to noxious stimulations. This study thus represents a substantial advance and demonstrates the real potential for bioengineered mature organ replacement as a next generation regenerative therapy. PMID:21765896

Data Call Response for NEPA Supplement Analysis of CMRR

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

Booth, Steven Richard

The Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) is proposing to provide analytical chemistry (AC) and materials characterization (MC) capabilities at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) by using a combination of existing space in two existing buildings: the Radiological Laboratory/Utility/Office Building (RLUOB) and the Plutonium Facility, Building 4 (PF-4) in TA-55. This represents a change from decisions made by DOE as informed by previous National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses. In accordance with Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and DOE requirements, NNSA is preparing a Supplement Analysis (SA) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action. Themore » focus of this analysis is on determining whether the proposal to provide AC and MC laboratory capabilities in existing space in RLUOB and PF-4 rather than building a new nuclear facility (NF) is a substantial change that is relevant to environmental concerns or whether new circumstance or information relevant to environmental concerns and bearing on the proposed action or its impacts are significant. The end result of the analysis is a determination whether the existing Chemistry and Metallurgy Research Building Replacement Environmental Impact Statement (CMRR EIS) should be supplemented, a new EIS should be prepared, or no further NEPA analysis is necessary. This report provides data for incorporation into the Supplement Analysis being written by Leidos, Inc. under contract to NNSA. Responding to the data call requires several areas of expertise. Los Alamos subject matter experts estimate equipments lists, facility modifications, waste quantities, labor needs and radiological doses. Los Alamos NEPA experts assist Leidos in compiling existing data from the LANL Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement (SWEIS) and CMRR EIS for public and other impacts. Bounding conditions are used to determine NEPA estimates.« less

The Effect on Long-Term Survivorship of Surgeon Preference for Posterior-Stabilized or Minimally Stabilized Total Knee Replacement: An Analysis of 63,416 Prostheses from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.

PubMed

Vertullo, Christopher J; Lewis, Peter L; Lorimer, Michelle; Graves, Stephen E

2017-07-05

Controversy still exists as to the optimum management of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in total knee arthroplasty. Surgeons can choose to kinematically substitute the PCL with a posterior-stabilized total knee replacement or alternatively to utilize a cruciate-retaining, also known as minimally stabilized, total knee replacement. Proponents of posterior-stabilized total knee replacement propose that the reported lower survivorship in registries when directly compared with minimally stabilized total knee replacement is due to confounders such as selection bias because of the preferential usage of posterior-stabilized total knee replacement in more complex or severe cases. In this study, we aimed to eliminate these possible confounders by performing an instrumental variable analysis based on surgeon preference to choose either posterior-stabilized or minimally stabilized total knee replacement, rather than the actual prosthesis received. Cumulative percent revision, hazard ratio (HR), and revision diagnosis data were obtained from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry from September 1, 1999, to December 31, 2014, for 2 cohorts of patients, those treated by high-volume surgeons who preferred minimally stabilized replacements and those treated by high-volume surgeons who preferred posterior-stabilized replacements. All patients had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis and underwent fixed-bearing total knee replacement with patellar resurfacing. At 13 years, the cumulative percent revision was 5.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.0% to 6.2%) for the surgeons who preferred the minimally stabilized replacements compared with 6.0% (95% CI, 4.2% to 8.5%) for the surgeons who preferred the posterior-stabilized replacements. The revision risk for the surgeons who preferred posterior-stabilized replacements was significantly higher for all causes (HR = 1.45 [95% CI, 1.30 to 1.63]; p < 0.001), for loosening or lysis (HR = 1.93 [95% CI, 1.58 to 2.37]; p < 0.001), and for infection (HR = 1.51 [95% CI, 1.25 to 1.82]; p < 0.001). This finding was irrespective of patient age and was evident with cemented fixation and with both cross-linked polyethylene and non-cross-linked polyethylene. However, the higher revision risk was only evident in male patients. There was a 45% higher risk of revision for the patients of surgeons who preferred a posterior-stabilized total knee replacement compared with the patients of surgeons who preferred a minimally stabilized total knee replacement. Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Sciatic nerve block causing heel ulcer after total knee replacement in 36 patients.

PubMed

Todkar, Manoj

2005-12-01

Femoral and sciatic nerve blocks are often used for postoperative analgesia following total knee replacement surgery. In this report, we focus on cases of heel ulcers which occurred following the implementation of peripheral nerve block in concert with knee replacement surgery. In some instances, heel ulcers have resulted in delayed rehabilitation and prolonged hospital stays in this group of patients, which makes this phenomenon a potential burden on the healthcare system. Pressure points in the foot should be protected after the implementation of nerve blocks to prevent pressure sores. An awareness of this unusual complication related to knee replacement surgery is necessary to prevent its occurrence and avoid delays in patient rehabilitation and recovery.

The role of international travel in the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Zhou, Yvonne P; Wilder-Smith, Annelies; Hsu, Li-Yang

2014-01-01

Increasing international travel has facilitated the transmission of various multidrug-resistant bacteria-including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-across continents. Individuals may acquire MRSA from the community, healthcare facilities, or even from animal exposure. Skin contact with colonized individuals, fomites, or animals during an overseas trip may result in either asymptomatic colonization or subsequent clinically significant MRSA disease. MRSA strains that harbor the Panton-Valentine leucocidin toxin are particularly associated with community transmission and may potentially have enhanced virulence resulting in serious skin and soft tissue infections or even necrotizing pneumonia. More importantly, secondary transmission events upon return from traveling have been documented, leading to potentially detrimental outbreaks within the community or the healthcare setting. We sought to review the existing literature relating to the role of various aspects of travel in the spread of MRSA. Risk factors for acquiring MRSA during travel together with the need for targeted screening of high-risk individuals will also be explored. Data for this article were identified via PubMed searches using a combination of search terms: "methicillin resistance," "MRSA," "livestock-associated MRSA," "community-associated MRSA," "travel," and "outbreak." The relevant articles were extensively perused to determine secondary sources of data. Our review of the current literature suggests that international travel plays a significant role in the transmission of MRSA, potentially contributing to the replacement of existing endemic MRSA with fitter and more transmissible strains. Therefore, selective and targeted screening of travelers with risk factors for MRSA colonization may be beneficial. Healthcare professionals and patients should be considered for screening if they were to return from endemic areas, with the former group decolonized before returning to patient care work, in order to reduce the transmission of MRSA to vulnerable patient populations. © 2014 International Society of Travel Medicine.

Indoor communications networks realized through hybrid free-space optical and Wi-Fi links

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liverman, Spencer; Wang, Qiwei; Chu, Yu-Chung; Borah, Anindita; Wang, Songtao; Natarajan, Arun; Nguyen, Thinh; Wang, Alan X.

2018-01-01

Recently, free-space optical (FSO) networks have been investigated as a potential replacement for traditional WiFi networks due to their large bandwidth potentials. However, FSO networks often suffer from a lack of mobility. We present a hybrid free-space optical and radio frequency (RF) system that we have named WiFO, which seamlessly integrates free-space optical links with pre-existing WiFi networks. The free-space optical link in this system utilizes infrared LEDs operating at a wavelength of 850nm and is capable of transmitting 50Mbps over a three-meter distance. In this hybrid system, optical transmitters are embedded periodically throughout the ceiling of a workspace. Each transmitter directs an optical signal downward in a diffuse light cone, establishing a line of sight optical link. Line of sight communications links have an intrinsic physical layer of security due to the fact that a user must be directly in the path of transmission to access the link; however, this feature also poses a challenge for mobility. In our system, if the free-space optical link is interrupted, a control algorithm redirects traffic over a pre-existing WiFi link ensuring uninterrupted transmissions. After data packets are received, acknowledgments are sent back to a central access point via a WiFi link. As the demand for wireless bandwidth continues to increase exponentially, utilizing the unregulated bandwidth contained within optical spectrum will become necessary. Our fully functional hybrid free-space optical and WiFi prototype system takes full advantage of the untapped bandwidth potential in the optical spectrum, while also maintaining the mobility inherent in WiFi networks.

Fractures in pituitary adenoma patients from the Dutch National Registry of Growth Hormone Treatment in Adults.

PubMed

van Varsseveld, N C; van Bunderen, C C; Franken, A A M; Koppeschaar, H P F; van der Lely, A J; Drent, M L

2016-08-01

The effects of growth hormone (GH) replacement therapy on fracture risk in adult GH deficient (GHD) patients with different etiologies of pituitary GHD are not well known, due to limited data. The aim of this study was to investigate characteristics and fracture occurrence at start of (baseline) and during long-term GH replacement therapy in GHD adults previously treated for Cushing's disease (CD) or acromegaly, compared to patients with previous nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA). From the Dutch National Registry of Growth Hormone Treatment in Adults, a nationwide surveillance study in severe GHD adults, all patients using ≥30 days of GH replacement therapy with previous NFPA (n = 783), CD (n = 180) and acromegaly (n = 65) were selected. Patient characteristics, fractures and potential influencing factors were investigated. At baseline, patients with previous CD were younger, more often female and had more often a history of osteopenia or osteoporosis, whereas patients with previous acromegaly had more often received cranial radiotherapy and a longer duration between treatment of their pituitary tumor and start of adult GH replacement therapy. During follow-up, a fracture occurred in 3.8 % (n = 39) of all patients. Compared to patients with previous NFPA, only patients with previous acromegaly had an increased fracture risk after 6 years of GH replacement therapy. During GH replacement therapy, an increased fracture risk was observed in severe GHD adult patients previously treated for acromegaly, but not in those previously treated for CD, compared to severe GHD adult patients using GH replacement therapy because of previous NFPA. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate potential underlying mechanisms.

Prediction of plant vulnerability to salinity increase in a coastal ecosystem by stable isotopic composition (δ18O) of plant stem water: a model study

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhai, Lu; Jiang, Jiang; DeAngelis, Donald L.; Sternberg, Leonel d.S.L

2016-01-01

Sea level rise and the subsequent intrusion of saline seawater can result in an increase in soil salinity, and potentially cause coastal salinity-intolerant vegetation (for example, hardwood hammocks or pines) to be replaced by salinity-tolerant vegetation (for example, mangroves or salt marshes). Although the vegetation shifts can be easily monitored by satellite imagery, it is hard to predict a particular area or even a particular tree that is vulnerable to such a shift. To find an appropriate indicator for the potential vegetation shift, we incorporated stable isotope 18O abundance as a tracer in various hydrologic components (for example, vadose zone, water table) in a previously published model describing ecosystem shifts between hammock and mangrove communities in southern Florida. Our simulations showed that (1) there was a linear relationship between salinity and the δ18O value in the water table, whereas this relationship was curvilinear in the vadose zone; (2) hammock trees with higher probability of being replaced by mangroves had higher δ18O values of plant stem water, and this difference could be detected 2 years before the trees reached a tipping point, beyond which future replacement became certain; and (3) individuals that were eventually replaced by mangroves from the hammock tree population with a 50% replacement probability had higher stem water δ18O values 3 years before their replacement became certain compared to those from the same population which were not replaced. Overall, these simulation results suggest that it is promising to track the yearly δ18O values of plant stem water in hammock forests to predict impending salinity stress and mortality.

Tax reform options: promoting retirement security.

PubMed

VanDerhei, Jack

2011-11-01

TAX PROPOSALS: Currently, the combination of worker and employer contributions in a defined contribution plan is capped by the federal tax code at the lesser of $49,000 per year or 100 percent of a worker's compensation (participants over age 50 can make additional "catch-up" contributions). As part of the effort to lower the federal deficit and reduce federal "tax expenditures," two major reform proposals have surfaced that would change current tax policy toward retirement savings: A plan that would end the existing tax deductions for 401(k) contributions and replace them with a flat-rate refundable credit that serves as a matching contribution into a retirement savings account. The so-called "20/20 cap," included by the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform in their December 2010 report, "The Moment of Truth," which would limit the sum of employer and worker annual contributions to the lower of $20,000 or 20 percent of income, the so-called "20/20 cap." IMPACT OF PERMANENTLY MODIFYING THE EXCLUSION OF EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS FROM TAXABLE INCOME: If the current exclusion of worker contributions for retirement savings plans were ended in 2012 and the total match remains constant, the average reductions in 401(k) accounts at Social Security normal retirement age would range from a low of 11.2 percent for workers currently ages 26-35 in the highest-income groups, to a high of 24.2 percent for workers in that age range in the lowest-income group. IMPACT OF "20/20 CAP": Earlier EBRI analysis of enacting the 20/20 cap starting in 2012 showed it would, as expected, most affect those with high income. However, EBRI also found the cap would cause a significant reduction in retirement savings by the lowest-income workers as well, and younger cohorts would experience larger reductions given their increased exposure to the proposal. IMPORTANCE OF EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS AND AUTO-ENROLLMENT: A key factor in future retirement income security is whether a worker has access to a retirement plan at work. EBRI has found that voluntary enrollment in 401(k) plans under the current set of tax incentives has the potential to generate a sum that, when combined with Social Security benefits, would replace a sizeable portion of a worker's preretirement income, and that auto-enrollment could produce even larger retirement accumulations. POTENTIAL INCREASE OF AMERICANS FACING INADEQUATE RETIREMENT INCOME: The potential increase of at-risk percentages resulting from (1) employer modifications to existing plans, and (2) a substantial portion of low-income households decreasing or eliminating future contributions to savings plans as a reaction to the proposed elimination of the exclusion of employee contributions for retirement savings plans from taxable income, needs to be analyzed carefully when considering the overall impact of proposals to change existing tax incentives for retirement savings.

The Welfare Implications of Using Exotic Tortoises as Ecological Replacements

PubMed Central

Griffiths, Christine J.; Zuël, Nicolas; Tatayah, Vikash; Jones, Carl G.; Griffiths, Owen; Harris, Stephen

2012-01-01

Background Ecological replacement involves the introduction of non-native species to habitats beyond their historical range, a factor identified as increasing the risk of failure for translocations. Yet the effectiveness and success of ecological replacement rely in part on the ability of translocatees to adapt, survive and potentially reproduce in a novel environment. We discuss the welfare aspects of translocating captive-reared non-native tortoises, Aldabrachelys gigantea and Astrochelys radiata, to two offshore Mauritian islands, and the costs and success of the projects to date. Methodology/Principal Findings Because tortoises are long-lived, late-maturing reptiles, we assessed the progress of the translocation by monitoring the survival, health, growth, and breeding by the founders. Between 2000 and 2011, a total of 26 A. gigantea were introduced to Ile aux Aigrettes, and in 2007 twelve sexually immature A. gigantea and twelve male A. radiata were introduced to Round Island, Mauritius. Annual mortality rates were low, with most animals either maintaining or gaining weight. A minimum of 529 hatchlings were produced on Ile aux Aigrettes in 11 years; there was no potential for breeding on Round Island. Project costs were low. We attribute the success of these introductions to the tortoises’ generalist diet, habitat requirements, and innate behaviour. Conclusions/Significance Feasibility analyses for ecological replacement and assisted colonisation projects should consider the candidate species’ welfare during translocation and in its recipient environment. Our study provides a useful model for how this should be done. In addition to serving as ecological replacements for extinct Mauritian tortoises, we found that releasing small numbers of captive-reared A. gigantea and A. radiata is cost-effective and successful in the short term. The ability to release small numbers of animals is a particularly important attribute for ecological replacement projects since it reduces the potential risk and controversy associated with introducing non-native species. PMID:22724012

Complications from prophylactic replacement of cardiac implantable electronic device generators in response to United States Food and Drug Administration recall: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Zeitler, Emily P; Patel, Divyang; Hasselblad, Vic; Sanders, Gillian D; Al-Khatib, Sana M

2015-07-01

The number of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) recalls and advisories has increased over the past 3 decades, yet no consensus exists on how to best manage patients with these CIEDs, partially because rates of complications from prophylactic replacement are unknown. The purpose of this study was to establish rates of complications when recalled CIED generators are replaced prophylactically. We searched MEDLINE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register for reports of prophylactic replacement of recalled CIED generators. Studies with <20 subjects were excluded. We then conducted a meta-analysis of qualifying studies to determine the rates of combined major complications, mortality, and reoperation. We identified 7 citations that met our inclusion criteria and reported ≥1 end-points of interest. Four were single center, and 3 were multicenter. Six studies collected data retrospectively (n = 1213) and 1 prospectively (n = 222). Using a random effects model to combine data from all included studies, the rate of major complications was 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0%-4.5%). Combining data from 6 studies reporting mortality and reoperation, the rates were 0.5% (95% CI 0.1%-0.9%) and 2.5% (95% CI 0.8%-4.5%), respectively. Prophylactic replacement of recalled CIED generators is associated with a low mortality rate but nontrivial rates of other major complications similar to those reported when CIED generators are replaced for other reasons. Thus, when considering replacing a recalled CIED generator, known risks of elective generator replacement likely apply and can be weighed against risks associated with device failure. Copyright © 2015 Heart Rhythm Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Structure, attachment, replacement and growth of teeth in bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1776), a teleost with deeply socketed teeth.

PubMed

Bemis, William E; Giuliano, Anne; McGuire, Betty

2005-01-01

Tooth replacement poses many questions about development, pattern formation, tooth attachment mechanisms, functional morphology and the evolution of vertebrate dentitions. Although most vertebrate species have polyphyodont dentitions, detailed knowledge of tooth structure and replacement is poor for most groups, particularly actinopterygians. We examined the oral dentition of the bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, a pelagic and coastal marine predator, using a sample of 50 individuals. The oral teeth are located on the dentary and premaxillary bones, and we scored each tooth locus in the dentary and premaxillary bones using a four-part functional classification: absent (A), incoming (I), functional (F=fully ankylosed) or eroding (E). The homodont oral teeth of Pomatomus are sharp, deeply socketed and firmly ankylosed to the bone of attachment. Replacement is intraosseus and occurs in alternate tooth loci with long waves of replacement passing from rear to front. The much higher percentage of functional as opposed to eroding teeth suggests that replacement rates are low but that individual teeth are quickly lost once erosion begins. Tooth number increases ontogenetically, ranging from 15-31 dentary teeth and 15-39 premaxillary teeth in the sample studied. Teeth increase in size with every replacement cycle. Remodeling of the attachment bone occurs continuously to accommodate growth. New tooth germs originate from a discontinuous dental lamina and migrate from the lingual (dentary) or labial (premaxillary) epithelium through pores in the bone of attachment into the resorption spaces beneath the existing teeth. Pomatomus shares unique aspects of tooth replacement with barracudas and other scombroids and this supports the interpretation that Pomatomus is more closely related to scombroids than to carangoids.

Embedded piezoelectrics for sensing and energy harvesting in total knee replacement units

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilson, Brooke E.; Meneghini, Michael; Anton, Steven R.

2015-04-01

The knee replacement is the second most common orthopedic surgical intervention in the United States, but currently only 1 in 5 knee replacement patients are satisfied with their level of pain reduction one year after surgery. It is imperative to make the process of knee replacement surgery more objective by developing a data driven approach to ligamentous balance, which increases implant life. In this work, piezoelectric materials are considered for both sensing and energy harvesting applications in total knee replacement implants. This work aims to embed piezoelectric material in the polyethylene bearing of a knee replacement unit to act as self-powered sensors that will aid in the alignment and balance of the knee replacement by providing intraoperative feedback to the surgeon. Postoperatively, the piezoelectric sensors can monitor the structural health of the implant in order to perceive potential problems before they become bothersome to the patient. Specifically, this work will present on the use of finite element modeling coupled with uniaxial compression testing to prove that piezoelectric stacks can be utilized to harvest sufficient energy to power sensors needed for this application.

What is CAR doing in the middle of the adult neurogenic road?

PubMed Central

Junyent, Felix; Coré, Nathalie; Cremer, Harold

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The molecular and cellular basis of adult neurogenesis has attracted considerable attention for fundamental and clinical applications because neural stem cells and newborn neurons may, one day, be harnessed to replace neurons and allow cognitive improvement in the diseased brain. In rodents, neural progenitors are located in the dentate gyrus and the sub/periventricular zone. In the dentate gyrus the generation of newborn neurons is associated with plasticity, including regulation of memory. The role of subventricular zone neural precursors that migrate to the olfactory bulb is less characterized. Identifying factors that impact neural stem cell proliferation, migration and differentiation is therefore sine qua non before we can harness their potential. Here, we expand upon our recent results showing that CAR, the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor, is among the developing list of key players when it comes to the complex process of integrating newborn neurons into existing circuits in the mature brain. PMID:28516108

Initial utility experience with cluster of three Mod-2 wind turbine systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seely, D. B.; Warchol, E. J.; Butler, N. G.; Ciranny, S.

1982-01-01

This paper describes the initial utility experiences of operating three MOD-2s during the Engineering Acceptance Testing. Electrical quantities of bus voltage, phase currents and power are initially being recorded to evaluate impacts to customers on the 69-kV subtransmission line during synchronization and operation of one or more WTSs. To date, effects on the system have been essentially undetectable. Measurements of television signal strengths were taken at an existing television remote pickup and relay station at the WTS site. Potential TV signal interference problems from the WTSs have been avoided by replacing the remote pickups with microwave repeater links for the four TV channels received from Portland, Oregon. Preliminary measurements of audible and sub-audible noise levels indicate that the upwind rotor, tubular tower design of the MOD-2 does not have the pulsing high intensity infrasound problems experienced by the MOD-1 machine at Boone, North Carolina.

Phenotypic plasticity as an adaptation to a functional trade-off

PubMed Central

Yi, Xiao; Dean, Antony M

2016-01-01

We report the evolution of a phenotypically plastic behavior that circumvents the hardwired trade-off that exists when resources are partitioned between growth and motility in Escherichia coli. We propagated cultures in a cyclical environment, alternating between growth up to carrying capacity and selection for chemotaxis. Initial adaptations boosted overall swimming speed at the expense of growth. The effect of the trade-off was subsequently eased through a change in behavior; while individual cells reduced motility during exponential growth, the faction of the population that was motile increased as the carrying capacity was approached. This plastic behavior was produced by a single amino acid replacement in FliA, a regulatory protein central to the chemotaxis network. Our results illustrate how phenotypic plasticity potentiates evolvability by opening up new regions of the adaptive landscape. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.19307.001 PMID:27692064

The development of additive manufacturing technique for nickel-base alloys: A review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zadi-Maad, Ahmad; Basuki, Arif

2018-04-01

Nickel-base alloys are an attractive alloy due to its excellent mechanical properties, a high resistance to creep deformation, corrosion, and oxidation. However, it is a hard task to control performance when casting or forging for this material. In recent years, additive manufacturing (AM) process has been implemented to replace the conventional directional solidification process for the production of nickel-base alloys. Due to its potentially lower cost and flexibility manufacturing process, AM is considered as a substitute technique for the existing. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the previous work related to the AM techniques for Ni-base alloys while highlighting current challenges and methods to solving them. The properties of conventionally manufactured Ni-base alloys are also compared with the AM fabricated alloys. The mechanical properties obtained from tension, hardness and fatigue test are included, along with discussions of the effect of post-treatment process. Recommendations for further work are also provided.

Coherent Synchrotron-Based Micro-Imaging Employed for Studies of Micro-Gap Formation in Dental Implants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rack, T.; Zabler, S.; Rack, A.; Stiller, M.; Riesemeier, H.; Cecilia, A.; Nelson, K.

2011-09-01

Biocompatible materials such as titanium are regularly applied in oral surgery. Titanium-based implants for the replacement of missing teeth demand a high mechanical precision in order to minimize micro-bacterial leakage, especially when two-piece concepts are used. Synchrotron-based hard x-ray radiography, unlike conventional laboratory radiography, allows high spatial resolution in combination with high contrast even when micro-sized features in such highly attenuating objects are visualized. Therefore, micro-gap formation at interfaces in two-piece dental implants with the sample under different mechanical loads can be studied. We show the existence of micro-gaps in implants with conical connections and study the mechanical behavior of the mating zone of conical implants during loading. The micro-gap is a potential source of implant failure, i.e., bacterial leakage, which can be a stimulus for an inflammatory process.

Review of anhydrous zirconium-hafnium separation techniques. Information circular/1984

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

Skaggs, R.L.; Rogers, D.T.; Hunter, D.B.

1983-12-01

Sixteen nonaqueous techniques conceived to replace the current aqueous scheme for separating hafnium and zirconium tetrachlorides were reviewed and evaluated by the Bureau of Mines. The methods are divided into two classes: separation by fractional volatilization of the tetrachlorides, which takes advantage of the higher volatility of hafnium tetrachloride; and separation by chemical techniques, based on differences in chemical behavior of the two tetrachlorides. The criteria used to evaluate separation methods were temperature, pressure, separation factor per equilibrium stage, complexity, compatibility with existing technology, and potential for continuous operation. Three processes were selected as being most promising: (1) high-pressure distillation,more » (2) extractive distillation from a molten salt, and (3) preferential reduction of gaseous ZrCl4. Any of the proposed nonaqueous Hf-Zr separation schemes must be supplemented with additional purification to remove trace impurities.« less

Alternative auxiliary fields for chiral multiplets

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

Nishino, Hitoshi; Rajpoot, Subhash

We study 3-form auxiliary field formulation for chiral multiplets in the Wess-Zumino model. The conventional auxiliary fields F and G are replaced by their Hodge duals K{sub {mu}}{sub {nu}}{sub {rho}}{sub {sigma}} and H{sub {mu}}{sub {nu}}{sub {rho}}{sub {sigma}} which are the field strengths of the 3-form potential auxiliary fields G{sub {mu}}{sub {nu}}{sub {rho}} and F{sub {mu}}{sub {nu}}{sub {rho}}. Even though duality transformations connect these two formulations, there exist certain differences from the conventional formulation. When boundary conditions are taken into account, the field equations in the 3-form formulation are equivalent to the conventional ones, while our Lagrangian is not. We alsomore » show that the new field strengths acquire generalized Chern-Simons terms. The O'Raifeartaigh mechanism works for spontaneous supersymmetry breaking also in the 3-form auxiliary field formulation via the boundary conditions on the 3-form auxiliary fields.« less

Coherent Synchrotron-Based Micro-Imaging Employed for Studies of Micro-Gap Formation in Dental Implants

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

Rack, T.; Stiller, M.; Nelson, K.

Biocompatible materials such as titanium are regularly applied in oral surgery. Titanium-based implants for the replacement of missing teeth demand a high mechanical precision in order to minimize micro-bacterial leakage, especially when two-piece concepts are used. Synchrotron-based hard x-ray radiography, unlike conventional laboratory radiography, allows high spatial resolution in combination with high contrast even when micro-sized features in such highly attenuating objects are visualized. Therefore, micro-gap formation at interfaces in two-piece dental implants with the sample under different mechanical loads can be studied. We show the existence of micro-gaps in implants with conical connections and study the mechanical behavior ofmore » the mating zone of conical implants during loading. The micro-gap is a potential source of implant failure, i.e., bacterial leakage, which can be a stimulus for an inflammatory process.« less

Spectrum splitting using multi-layer dielectric meta-surfaces for efficient solar energy harvesting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Yuhan; Liu, He; Wu, Wei

2014-06-01

We designed a high-efficiency dispersive mirror based on multi-layer dielectric meta-surfaces. By replacing the secondary mirror of a dome solar concentrator with this dispersive mirror, the solar concentrator can be converted into a spectrum-splitting photovoltaic system with higher energy harvesting efficiency and potentially lower cost. The meta-surfaces are consisted of high-index contrast gratings (HCG). The structures and parameters of the dispersive mirror (i.e. stacked HCG) are optimized based on finite-difference time-domain and rigorous coupled-wave analysis method. Our numerical study shows that the dispersive mirror can direct light with different wavelengths into different angles in the entire solar spectrum, maintaining very low energy loss. Our approach will not only improve the energy harvesting efficiency, but also lower the cost by using single junction cells instead of multi-layer tandem solar cells. Moreover, this approach has the minimal disruption to the existing solar concentrator infrastructures.

Magnetic refrigeration for maser amplifier cooling

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, D. L.

1982-01-01

The development of a multifrequency upconverter-maser system for the DSN has created the need to develop a closed-cycle refrigerator (CCR) capable of providing more than 3 watts of refrigeration capability at 4.5 K. In addition, operating concerns such as the high cost of electrical power consumption and the loss of maser operation due to CCR failures require that improvements be made to increase the efficiency and reliability of the CCR. One refrigeration method considered is the replacement of the Joule-Thomson expansion circuit with a magnetic refrigeration. Magnetic refrigerators can provide potentially reliable and highly efficient refrigeration at a variety of temperature ranges and cooling power. The concept of magnetic refrigeration is summarized and a literature review of existing magnetic refrigerator designs which have been built and tested and that may also be considered as possibilities as a 4 K to 15 K magnetic refrigeration stage for the DSN closed-cycle refrigerator is provided.

Assessment of health implications related to processing and use of natural wool insulation products.

PubMed

Mansour, E; Loxton, C; Elias, R M; Ormondroyd, G A

2014-12-01

This paper discusses possible health implications related to dust particles released during the manufacture of sheep's wool-based non-woven insulation material. Such insulation may replace traditional synthetic insulation products used in roofs, wall cavities, etc. A review of the literature concerning organic dusts in general and sheep's wool fiber summarizes dust exposure patterns, toxicological pathways and the hazards imposed by inhalation and explosion risk. This paper highlights a need for more research in order to refrain from overgeneralizing potential pulmonary and carcinogenic risks across the industries. Variables existing between industries such as the use of different wool types, processes, and additives are shown to have varying health effects. Within the final section of the paper, the health issues raised are compared with those that have been extensively documented for the rock and glass wool industries. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Probability theory versus simulation of petroleum potential in play analysis

USGS Publications Warehouse

Crovelli, R.A.

1987-01-01

An analytic probabilistic methodology for resource appraisal of undiscovered oil and gas resources in play analysis is presented. This play-analysis methodology is a geostochastic system for petroleum resource appraisal in explored as well as frontier areas. An objective was to replace an existing Monte Carlo simulation method in order to increase the efficiency of the appraisal process. Underlying the two methods is a single geologic model which considers both the uncertainty of the presence of the assessed hydrocarbon and its amount if present. The results of the model are resource estimates of crude oil, nonassociated gas, dissolved gas, and gas for a geologic play in terms of probability distributions. The analytic method is based upon conditional probability theory and a closed form solution of all means and standard deviations, along with the probabilities of occurrence. ?? 1987 J.C. Baltzer A.G., Scientific Publishing Company.

Experiences with using a pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchair for community-based occupations: a qualitative exploration.

PubMed

Giesbrecht, Ed M; Ripat, Jacquie D; Cooper, Juliette E; Quanbury, Arthur O

2011-04-01

Occupational therapists strive to engage individuals in occupation and enhance community access through wheelchair prescription. Previous research with pushrim-activated, power-assisted wheelchairs identifies a reduction in the physical demands of manual wheelchair propulsion but limited evidence exists regarding user evaluation in context. This study explored the experience of using a power-assisted wheelchair in the community. Eight individuals who used both a power and manual device participated in focus groups after trialing a power-assist wheelchair for three weeks. Data were analyzed using a qualitative description approach. Three themes emerged from our analysis: relative advantages and disadvantages; environmental factors that affect accessibility; and evaluation of mobility device. Participants perceived the power-assist as improving performance and accessibility compared with the manual wheelchair, increasing the potential scope of occupations and environments, but not replacing their power mobility device. Sufficient time for adjustment of both user and device was important.

Optimized Latching Control of Floating Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gadodia, Chaitanya; Shandilya, Shubham; Bansal, Hari Om

2018-03-01

There is an increasing demand for energy in today’s world. Currently main energy resources are fossil fuels, which will eventually drain out, also the emissions produced from them contribute to global warming. For a sustainable future, these fossil fuels should be replaced with renewable and green energy sources. Sea waves are a gigantic and undiscovered vitality asset. The potential for extricating energy from waves is extensive. To trap this energy, wave energy converters (WEC) are needed. There is a need for increasing the energy output and decreasing the cost requirement of these existing WECs. This paper presents a method which uses prediction as a part of the control scheme to increase the energy efficiency of the floating-point absorber WECs. Kalman Filter is used for estimation, coupled with latching control in regular as well as irregular sea waves. Modelling and Simulation results for the same are also included.

Wide Field Infra-Red Survey Telescope (WFIRST) 2.4-Meter Mission Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Content, D.; Aaron, K.; Alplanalp, L.; Anderson, K.; Capps, R.; Chang, Z.; Dooley, J.; Egerman, R.; Goullioud, R.; Klein, D.;

Development, testing, and numerical modeling of a foam sandwich biocomposite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chachra, Ricky

This study develops a novel sandwich composite material using plant based materials for potential use in nonstructural building applications. The face sheets comprise woven hemp fabric and a sap based epoxy, while the core comprises castor oil based foam with waste rice hulls as reinforcement. Mechanical properties of the individual materials are tested in uniaxial compression and tension for the foam and hemp, respectively. The sandwich composite is tested in 3 point bending. Flexural results are compared to a finite element model developed in the commercial software Abaqus, and the validated model is then used to investigate alternate sandwich geometries. Sandwich model responses are compared to existing standards for nonstructural building panels, showing that the novel material is roughly half the strength of equally thick drywall. When space limitations are not an issue, a double thickness sandwich biocomposite is found to be a structurally acceptable replacement for standard gypsum drywall.

Internet addiction: reappraisal of an increasingly inadequate concept.

PubMed

Starcevic, Vladan; Aboujaoude, Elias

2017-02-01

This article re-examines the popular concept of Internet addiction, discusses the key problems associated with it, and proposes possible alternatives. The concept of Internet addiction is inadequate for several reasons. Addiction may be a correct designation only for the minority of individuals who meet the general criteria for addiction, and it needs to be better demarcated from various patterns of excessive or abnormal use. Addiction to the Internet as a medium does not exist, although the Internet as a medium may play an important role in making some behaviors addictive. The Internet can no longer be separated from other potentially overused media, such as text messaging and gaming platforms. Internet addiction is conceptually too heterogeneous because it pertains to a variety of very different behaviors. Internet addiction should be replaced by terms that refer to the specific behaviors (eg, gaming, gambling, or sexual activity), regardless of whether these are performed online or offline.

Non-Gaussian, non-dynamical stochastic resonance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szczepaniec, Krzysztof; Dybiec, Bartłomiej

2013-11-01

The classical model revealing stochastic resonance is a motion of an overdamped particle in a double-well fourth order potential when combined action of noise and external periodic driving results in amplifying of weak signals. Resonance behavior can also be observed in non-dynamical systems. The simplest example is a threshold triggered device. It consists of a periodic modulated input and noise. Every time an output crosses the threshold the signal is recorded. Such a digitally filtered signal is sensitive to the noise intensity. There exists the optimal value of the noise intensity resulting in the "most" periodic output. Here, we explore properties of the non-dynamical stochastic resonance in non-equilibrium situations, i.e. when the Gaussian noise is replaced by an α-stable noise. We demonstrate that non-equilibrium α-stable noises, depending on noise parameters, can either weaken or enhance the non-dynamical stochastic resonance.

High-Speed Videography Overview

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, C. E.

1989-02-01

The field of high-speed videography (HSV) has continued to mature in recent years, due to the introduction of a mixture of new technology and extensions of existing technology. Recent low frame-rate innovations have the potential to dramatically expand the areas of information gathering and motion analysis at all frame-rates. Progress at the 0 - rate is bringing the battle of film versus video to the field of still photography. The pressure to push intermediate frame rates higher continues, although the maximum achievable frame rate has remained stable for several years. Higher maximum recording rates appear technologically practical, but economic factors impose severe limitations to development. The application of diverse photographic techniques to video-based systems is under-exploited. The basics of HSV apply to other fields, such as machine vision and robotics. Present motion analysis systems continue to function mainly as an instant replay replacement for high-speed movie film cameras. The interrelationship among lighting, shuttering and spatial resolution is examined.

Environmental Assessment for the Warren Station externally fired combined cycle demonstration project

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

NONE

1995-04-01

The proposed Penelec project is one of 5 projects for potential funding under the fifth solicitation under the Clean Coal Technology program. In Penelec, two existing boilers would be replaced at Warren Station, PA; the new unit would produce 73 MW(e) in a combined cycle mode (using both gas-fired and steam turbines). The project would fill the need for a full utility-size demonstration of externally fire combined cycle (EFCC) technology as the next step toward commercialization. This environmental assessment was prepared for compliance with NEPA; its purpose is to provide sufficient basis for determining whether to prepare an environmental impactmore » statement or to issue a finding of no significant impact. It is divided into the sections: purpose and need for proposed action; alternatives; brief description of affected environment; environmental consequences, including discussion of commercial operation beyond the demonstration period.« less

78 FR 37696 - Federal Acquisition Regulation; Updated Postretirement Benefit (PRB) References

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-06-21

... that were deleted in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB's) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The references no longer exist in the..., 2012, to replace the obsolete references to paragraphs 110, 112, and 113 of Financial Accounting...

Situation awareness in airway facilities : replacement of maintenance control centers with operations control centers.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-01-01

This document contains an updated and expanded version of the Automation chapter of the Human Factors Design Guide. A research team of human factors experts evaluated the existing guidelines for relevance, clarity, and usability. The research team dr...

Home Sewage Disposal. Special Circular 212.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wooding, N. Henry

This circular provides current information for homeowners who must repair or replace existing on-lot sewage disposal systems. Site requirements, characteristics and preparation are outlined for a variety of alternatives such as elevated sand mounds, sand-lined beds and trenches, and oversized absorption area. Diagrams indicating construction…

78 FR 32579 - Airworthiness Directives; Bombardier, Inc. Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-05-31

... elevator control system. Investigation revealed that, the increase in the elevator breakout force induced by the introduction of a new elevator centering mechanism, in combination with the existing [[Page... behaviors of the elevator control system. This proposed AD would require repetitive replacement of the...

40 CFR 63.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Coke... implement the provisions of this subpart or its designated agent). Brownfield coke oven battery means a new coke oven battery that replaces an existing coke oven battery or batteries with no increase in the...

40 CFR 63.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Coke... implement the provisions of this subpart or its designated agent). Brownfield coke oven battery means a new coke oven battery that replaces an existing coke oven battery or batteries with no increase in the...

40 CFR 63.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Coke... implement the provisions of this subpart or its designated agent). Brownfield coke oven battery means a new coke oven battery that replaces an existing coke oven battery or batteries with no increase in the...

40 CFR 63.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Coke... implement the provisions of this subpart or its designated agent). Brownfield coke oven battery means a new coke oven battery that replaces an existing coke oven battery or batteries with no increase in the...

Decision Support for Renewal of Wastewater Collections and Water Distribution Systems

EPA Science Inventory

The decision of how to accomplish the renewal of existing wastewater collection and water distribution systems involves the evaluation of many criteria and parameters. These criteria must be evaluated thoroughly to determine the best way of rehabilitating or replacing these sys...

77 FR 39188 - Airworthiness Directives; the Boeing Company Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-02

... existing AD currently requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the wiring and surrounding... new sleeves, for certain airplanes; and repair or replacement of the wiring and sleeves with new parts... currently requires repetitive inspections to detect discrepancies of the wiring and surrounding Teflon...

Performance Evaluation of Innovative Water Main Rehabilitation Spray-on Lining Product in Somerville, NJ

EPA Science Inventory

Renewal technologies being used for the repair, replacement and/or rehabilitation of deteriorating water distribution systems are generally effective, but there is still considerable room for improvement of these existing technologies and for the development of new technologies. ...

DECISION SUPPORT FOR RENEWAL OF WASTEWATER COLLECTIONS AND WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

EPA Science Inventory

The decision of how to accomplish the renewal of existing wastewater collection and water distribution systems involves the evaluation of many criteria and parameters. These criteria must be evaluated thoroughly to determine the best way of rehabilitating or replacing these syste...

Roguing with replacement in perennial crops: conditions for successful disease management.

PubMed

Sisterson, Mark S; Stenger, Drake C

2013-02-01

Replacement of diseased plants with healthy plants is commonly used to manage spread of plant pathogens in perennial cropping systems. This strategy has two potential benefits. First, removing infected plants may slow pathogen spread by eliminating inoculum sources. Second, replacing infected plants with uninfected plants may offset yield losses due to disease. The extent to which these benefits are realized depends on multiple factors. In this study, sensitivity analyses of two spatially explicit simulation models were used to evaluate how assumptions concerning implementation of a plant replacement program and pathogen spread interact to affect disease suppression. In conjunction, effects of assumptions concerning yield loss associated with disease and rates of plant maturity on yields were simultaneously evaluated. The first model was used to evaluate effects of plant replacement on pathogen spread and yield on a single farm, consisting of a perennial crop monoculture. The second model evaluated effects of plant replacement on pathogen spread and yield in a 100 farm crop growing region, with all farms maintaining a monoculture of the same perennial crop. Results indicated that efficient replacement of infected plants combined with a high degree of compliance among farms effectively slowed pathogen spread, resulting in replacement of few plants and high yields. In contrast, inefficient replacement of infected plants or limited compliance among farms failed to slow pathogen spread, resulting in replacement of large numbers of plants (on farms practicing replacement) with little yield benefit. Replacement of infected plants always increased yields relative to simulations without plant replacement provided that infected plants produced no useable yield. However, if infected plants produced useable yields, inefficient removal of infected plants resulted in lower yields relative to simulations without plant replacement for perennial crops with long maturation periods in some cases.

Cost-effective particulate control options at Potomac Electric Power Company's Dickerson Station: An integrated approach to current and future particulate limits

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

Christoffersen, S.W.; Rouse, G.T.; Krasnopoler, M.J.

1998-07-01

The Dickerson Generating Station evaluated several particulate control options to identify the most cost-effective option. The study's goals were to: eliminate the particulate scrubber and its high maintenance costs, and incorporate flexibility for low-sulfur coal and possible stricter emission limits. Each of the three Dickerson 190 MW units has a small 37-year-old electrostatic precipitator and a wet particulate scrubber. The study evaluated alternatives to replace the scrubber and enhance ESP performance: Existing ESP alternatives--Extend height of existing ESP; Flue gas conditioning. Scrubber stream alternatives--Partial-flow ESP or pulse jet baghouse. Full-flow alternatives--Supplemental ESP; COHPAC baghouse; replacement ESP or baghouse. A technicalmore » and economic prescreening eliminated some of the options. Capital, operating, and life cycle costs were estimated for the remaining options to determine the most cost-effective alternative. This paper will present the technical and economic evaluations done for this study, including performance and costs.« less

Intranets: virtual procedure manuals for the pathology lab.

PubMed

Ruby, S G; Krempel, G

1998-08-01

A novel system exists for replacing standard written operation manuals using a computerized PC-based peer-to-peer network. The system design is based on commonly available hardware and software and utilizes existing equipment to minimize implementation expense. The system is relatively easy to implement and maintain, involves minimal training, and should quickly become a financial asset. In addition, such a system can improve access to laboratory procedure manuals so that resources can be better used on a daily basis.

Polyhedral sweeping processes with unbounded nonconvex-valued perturbation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tolstonogov, A. A.

2017-12-01

A polyhedral sweeping process with a multivalued perturbation whose values are nonconvex unbounded sets is studied in a separable Hilbert space. Polyhedral sweeping processes do not satisfy the traditional assumptions used to prove existence theorems for convex sweeping processes. We consider the polyhedral sweeping process as an evolution inclusion with subdifferential operators depending on time. The widely used assumption of Lipschitz continuity for the multivalued perturbation term is replaced by a weaker notion of (ρ - H) Lipschitzness. The existence of solutions is proved for this sweeping process.

Flight Hour Reductions in Fleet Replacement Pilot Training through Simulation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smode, Alfred F.

A project was undertaken to integrate the 2F87F operational flight trainer into the program for training replacement patrol plane pilots. The objectives were to determine the potential of the simulator as a substitute environment for learning aircraft tasks and to effectively utilize the simulator in pilot training. The students involved in the…

Measure Guideline. Replacing Single-Speed Pool Pumps with Variable Speed Pumps for Energy Savings

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

Hunt, A.; Easley, S.

2012-05-01

This measure guideline evaluates potential energy savings by replacing traditional single-speed pool pumps with variable speed pool pumps, and provides a basic cost comparison between continued uses of traditional pumps verses new pumps. A simple step-by-step process for inspecting the pool area and installing a new pool pump follows.

Measure Guideline: Replacing Single-Speed Pool Pumps with Variable Speed Pumps for Energy Savings

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

Hunt, A.; Easley, S.

2012-05-01

The report evaluates potential energy savings by replacing traditional single-speed pool pumps with variable speed pool pumps, and provide a basic cost comparison between continued uses of traditional pumps verses new pumps. A simple step-by-step process for inspecting the pool area and installing a new pool pump follows.

Evaluation of non-native Tsuga species as replacements for T. canadensis killed by hemlock woolly adelgid

Treesearch

Paul A. Weston; Richard W. Harper

2007-01-01

Several species of Tsuga from the western United States and Asia are under evaluation as potential replacements for T. canadensis being destroyed by hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand). Test plots were established in Katonah, NY in October, 2003, and trees were inoculated with adelgid egg masses in...

Field-based estimates of global warming potential in bioenergy systems of Hawaii: Crop choice and deficit irrigation

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Replacing fossil fuel with biofuel is environmentally viable only if the net greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of the system is reduced. The effects of replacing annual arable crops with perennial bioenergy feedstocks on net GHG production and soil carbon (C) stock are critical to the system-level bal...

Home interventions are effective at decreasing indoor nitrogen dioxide concentrations

PubMed Central

Paulin, L. M.; Diette, G. B.; Scott, M.; McCormack, M. C.; Matsui, E. C.; Curtin-Brosnan, J.; Williams, D. L.; Kidd-Taylor, A.; Shea, M.; Breysse, P. N.; Hansel, N. N.

2016-01-01

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a by-product of combustion produced by indoor gas appliances such as cooking stoves, is associated with respiratory symptoms in those with obstructive airways disease. We conducted a three-armed randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of interventions aimed at reducing indoor NO2 concentrations in homes with unvented gas stoves: (i) replacement of existing gas stove with electric stove; (ii) installation of ventilation hood over existing gas stove; and (iii) placement of air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) and carbon filters. Home inspection and NO2 monitoring were conducted at 1 week pre-intervention and at 1 week and 3 months post-intervention. Stove replacement resulted in a 51% and 42% decrease in median NO2 concentration at 3 months of follow-up in the kitchen and bedroom, respectively (P = 0.01, P = 0.01); air purifier placement resulted in an immediate decrease in median NO2 concentration in the kitchen (27%, P < 0.01) and bedroom (22%, P = 0.02), but at 3 months, a significant reduction was seen only in the kitchen (20%, P = 0.05). NO2 concentrations in the kitchen and bedroom did not significantly change following ventilation hood installation. Replacing unvented gas stoves with electric stoves or placement of air purifiers with HEPA and carbon filters can decrease indoor NO2 concentrations in urban homes. PMID:24329966

Importance of envelope modulations during consonants and vowels in segmentally interrupted sentencesa)

PubMed Central

Fogerty, Daniel

2014-01-01

The present study investigated the importance of overall segment amplitude and intrinsic segment amplitude modulation of consonants and vowels to sentence intelligibility. Sentences were processed according to three conditions that replaced consonant or vowel segments with noise matched to the long-term average speech spectrum. Segments were replaced with (1) low-level noise that distorted the overall sentence envelope, (2) segment-level noise that restored the overall syllabic amplitude modulation of the sentence, and (3) segment-modulated noise that further restored faster temporal envelope modulations during the vowel. Results from the first experiment demonstrated an incremental benefit with increasing resolution of the vowel temporal envelope. However, amplitude modulations of replaced consonant segments had a comparatively minimal effect on overall sentence intelligibility scores. A second experiment selectively noise-masked preserved vowel segments in order to equate overall performance of consonant-replaced sentences to that of the vowel-replaced sentences. Results demonstrated no significant effect of restoring consonant modulations during the interrupting noise when existing vowel cues were degraded. A third experiment demonstrated greater perceived sentence continuity with the preservation or addition of vowel envelope modulations. Overall, results support previous investigations demonstrating the importance of vowel envelope modulations to the intelligibility of interrupted sentences. PMID:24606291

Hypopituitarism.

PubMed

Higham, Claire E; Johannsson, Gudmundur; Shalet, Stephen M

2016-11-12

Hypopituitarism refers to deficiency of one or more hormones produced by the anterior pituitary or released from the posterior pituitary. Hypopituitarism is associated with excess mortality, a key risk factor being cortisol deficiency due to adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency. Onset can be acute or insidious, and the most common cause in adulthood is a pituitary adenoma, or treatment with pituitary surgery or radiotherapy. Hypopituitarism is diagnosed based on baseline blood sampling for thyroid stimulating hormone, gonadotropin, and prolactin deficiencies, whereas for ACTH, growth hormone, and antidiuretic hormone deficiency dynamic stimulation tests are usually needed. Repeated pituitary function assessment at regular intervals is needed for diagnosis of the predictable but slowly evolving forms of hypopituitarism. Replacement treatment exists in the form of thyroxine, hydrocortisone, sex steroids, growth hormone, and desmopressin. If onset is acute, cortisol deficiency should be replaced first. Modifications in replacement treatment are needed during the transition from paediatric to adult endocrine care, and during pregnancy. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Human factors in technology replacement: a case study in interface design for a public transport monitoring system.

PubMed

Harper, J G; Fuller, R; Sweeney, D; Waldmann, T

1998-04-01

This paper describes ergonomic issues raised during a project to provide a replacement real-time bus route control system to a large public transport company. Task and system analyses highlighted several deficiencies in the original system architecture, the human-machine interfaces and the general approach to system management. The eventual live prototype replaced the existing original system for a trial evaluation period of several weeks. During this period a number of studies was conducted with the system users in order to measure any improvements the new system, with its ergonomic features, produced over the old. Importantly, the results confirmed that (a) general responsiveness and service quality were improved, and (b) users were more comfortable with the new design. We conclude with a number of caveats which we believe will be useful to any group addressing technology impact in a large organisation.

Structural Isosteres of Phosphate Groups in the Protein Data Bank.

PubMed

Zhang, Yuezhou; Borrel, Alexandre; Ghemtio, Leo; Regad, Leslie; Boije Af Gennäs, Gustav; Camproux, Anne-Claude; Yli-Kauhaluoma, Jari; Xhaard, Henri

2017-03-27

We developed a computational workflow to mine the Protein Data Bank for isosteric replacements that exist in different binding site environments but have not necessarily been identified and exploited in compound design. Taking phosphate groups as examples, the workflow was used to construct 157 data sets, each composed of a reference protein complexed with AMP, ADP, ATP, or pyrophosphate as well other ligands. Phosphate binding sites appear to have a high hydration content and large size, resulting in U-shaped bioactive conformations recurrently found across unrelated protein families. A total of 16 413 replacements were extracted, filtered for a significant structural overlap on phosphate groups, and sorted according to their SMILES codes. In addition to the classical isosteres of phosphate, such as carboxylate, sulfone, or sulfonamide, unexpected replacements that do not conserve charge or polarity, such as aryl, aliphatic, or positively charged groups, were found.

Injuries to the Aorta, Aortic Annulus, and Left Ventricle During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement: Management and Outcomes.

PubMed

Langer, Nathaniel B; Hamid, Nadira B; Nazif, Tamim M; Khalique, Omar K; Vahl, Torsten P; White, Jonathon; Terre, Juan; Hastings, Ramin; Leung, Diana; Hahn, Rebecca T; Leon, Martin; Kodali, Susheel; George, Isaac

2017-01-01

The experience with transcatheter aortic valve replacement is increasing worldwide; however, the incidence of potentially catastrophic cardiac or aortic complications has not decreased. In most cases, significant injuries to the aorta, aortic valve annulus, and left ventricle require open surgical repair. However, the transcatheter aortic valve replacement patient presents a unique challenge as many patients are at high or prohibitive surgical risk and, therefore, an open surgical procedure may not be feasible or appropriate. Consequently, prevention of these potentially catastrophic injuries is vital, and practitioners need to understand when open surgical repair is required and when alternative management strategies can be used. The goal of this article is to provide an overview of current management and prevention strategies for major complications involving the aorta, aortic valve annulus, and left ventricle. © 2016 American Heart Association, Inc.

Sweet proteins – Potential replacement for artificial low calorie sweeteners

PubMed Central

Kant, Ravi

2005-01-01

Exponential growth in the number of patients suffering from diseases caused by the consumption of sugar has become a threat to mankind's health. Artificial low calorie sweeteners available in the market may have severe side effects. It takes time to figure out the long term side effects and by the time these are established, they are replaced by a new low calorie sweetener. Saccharine has been used for centuries to sweeten foods and beverages without calories or carbohydrate. It was also used on a large scale during the sugar shortage of the two world wars but was abandoned as soon as it was linked with development of bladder cancer. Naturally occurring sweet and taste modifying proteins are being seen as potential replacements for the currently available artificial low calorie sweeteners. Interaction aspects of sweet proteins and the human sweet taste receptor are being investigated. PMID:15703077

Prolonged Mek1/2 suppression impairs the developmental potential of embryonic stem cells.

PubMed

Choi, Jiho; Huebner, Aaron J; Clement, Kendell; Walsh, Ryan M; Savol, Andrej; Lin, Kaixuan; Gu, Hongcang; Di Stefano, Bruno; Brumbaugh, Justin; Kim, Sang-Yong; Sharif, Jafar; Rose, Christopher M; Mohammad, Arman; Odajima, Junko; Charron, Jean; Shioda, Toshi; Gnirke, Andreas; Gygi, Steven; Koseki, Haruhiko; Sadreyev, Ruslan I; Xiao, Andrew; Meissner, Alexander; Hochedlinger, Konrad

2017-08-10

Concomitant activation of the Wnt pathway and suppression of Mapk signalling by two small molecule inhibitors (2i) in the presence of leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) (hereafter termed 2i/L) induces a naive state in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells that resembles the inner cell mass (ICM) of the pre-implantation embryo. Since the ICM exists only transiently in vivo, it remains unclear how sustained propagation of naive ES cells in vitro affects their stability and functionality. Here we show that prolonged culture of male mouse ES cells in 2i/L results in irreversible epigenetic and genomic changes that impair their developmental potential. Furthermore, we find that female ES cells cultured in conventional serum plus LIF medium phenocopy male ES cells cultured in 2i/L. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that the inhibition of Mek1/2 is predominantly responsible for these effects, in part through the downregulation of DNA methyltransferases and their cofactors. Finally, we show that replacement of the Mek1/2 inhibitor with a Src inhibitor preserves the epigenetic and genomic integrity as well as the developmental potential of ES cells. Taken together, our data suggest that, although short-term suppression of Mek1/2 in ES cells helps to maintain an ICM-like epigenetic state, prolonged suppression results in irreversible changes that compromise their developmental potential.

Mammoth Cave National Park : Green River ferry service life analysis

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-11-09

The purpose of this study is to assess whether Mammoth Cave National Park should rehabilitate the existing Green River ferry to extend its service life or replace it with a new vessel. The ferry is used to transport cars and light duty equipment acro...

7 CFR 1710.406 - Eligible activities and investments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... Off Grid Renewable energy systems; (ii) Fuel cells; (3) Demand side management (DSM) investments... meter; (8) Re-lamping to more energy efficient lighting; and (9) Fuel Switching as in: (i) The replacement of existing fuel consuming equipment using a particular fuel with more efficient fuel consuming...

Expanding on Successful Concepts, Models, and Organization

EPA Science Inventory

If the goal of the AEP framework was to replace existing exposure models or databases for organizing exposure data with a concept, we would share Dr. von Göetz concerns. Instead, the outcome we promote is broader use of an organizational framework for exposure science. The f...

PA Discussion Topics

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-02-04

Solid Oxide fuel cell and Lithium Ion battery (~150 watts) • Enables extended mission durations • 12 hours of full power; 30 hours of silent watch...Hybrid fuel cell system is designed to replace the existing lead-acid batteries with an upgraded Solid Oxide fuel cell and Lithium Ion battery (~250

Aging Aircraft Subsystems. Equipment Life Extension within the Tornado Program

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-10-01

establish whether of trained personal. an equipment is already life expired or not. Maintenance documentation Repairs and concessions Existing...to be replaced equipment will lead over time to a degradation of the functional check seals. This means that the older the equipment stays inservice

77 FR 19937 - Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mile 21.6, Illinois Waterway, Hardin, IL

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-04-03

..., Illinois. The deviation is necessary to replace the main gear case that operates the lift span. The gear... end at 7 p.m. on April 5, 2012. Once the existing gear case is removed, the lift span will not be able...

Strength and fatigue of three glass fiber reinforced composite bridge decks with mechanical deck to stringer connections.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-02-01

Replacement of the steel grating deck on the lift span of the Morrison Bridge in Portland, OR, will utilize glass : fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) panels to address ongoing maintenance issues of the deteriorated existing deck, improve driver : safety...

7 CFR 1783.12 - What are eligible uses of grant proceeds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) REVOLVING FUNDS FOR FINANCING WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECTS... loans to eligible entities for: (1) Pre-development costs associated with proposed water and wastewater projects or with existing water and wastewater systems, and (2) Short-term costs incurred for replacement...

7 CFR 1783.12 - What are eligible uses of grant proceeds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) REVOLVING FUNDS FOR FINANCING WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECTS... loans to eligible entities for: (1) Pre-development costs associated with proposed water and wastewater projects or with existing water and wastewater systems, and (2) Short-term costs incurred for replacement...

7 CFR 1783.12 - What are eligible uses of grant proceeds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) REVOLVING FUNDS FOR FINANCING WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECTS... loans to eligible entities for: (1) Pre-development costs associated with proposed water and wastewater projects or with existing water and wastewater systems, and (2) Short-term costs incurred for replacement...

7 CFR 1783.12 - What are eligible uses of grant proceeds?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) REVOLVING FUNDS FOR FINANCING WATER AND WASTEWATER PROJECTS... loans to eligible entities for: (1) Pre-development costs associated with proposed water and wastewater projects or with existing water and wastewater systems, and (2) Short-term costs incurred for replacement...

Structure Property Relationships of Carboxylic Acid Isosteres.

PubMed

Lassalas, Pierrik; Gay, Bryant; Lasfargeas, Caroline; James, Michael J; Tran, Van; Vijayendran, Krishna G; Brunden, Kurt R; Kozlowski, Marisa C; Thomas, Craig J; Smith, Amos B; Huryn, Donna M; Ballatore, Carlo

2016-04-14

The replacement of a carboxylic acid with a surrogate structure, or (bio)-isostere, is a classical strategy in medicinal chemistry. The general underlying principle is that by maintaining the features of the carboxylic acid critical for biological activity, but appropriately modifying the physicochemical properties, improved analogs may result. In this context, a systematic assessment of the physicochemical properties of carboxylic acid isosteres would be desirable to enable more informed decisions of potential replacements to be used for analog design. Herein we report the structure-property relationships (SPR) of 35 phenylpropionic acid derivatives, in which the carboxylic acid moiety is replaced with a series of known isosteres. The data set generated provides an assessment of the relative impact on the physicochemical properties that these replacements may have compared to the carboxylic acid analog. As such, this study presents a framework for how to rationally apply isosteric replacements of the carboxylic acid functional group.

Temporal evolution and potential recombination events in PRRSV strains of Sonora Mexico.

PubMed

Burgara-Estrella, Alexel; Reséndiz-Sandoval, Mónica; Cortey, Martí; Mateu, Enric; Hernández, Jesús

2014-12-05

The aim of this work was to examine the evolution and potential existence of intragenic recombinations of PRRSV strains in Sonora, Mexico. In this study, 142 serum samples from farms located in Hermosillo (HMO), Cd. Obregón (OBR) and Navojoa (NAV) were sequenced from 2002 to 2012. Ninety non-redundant sequences of ORF5 gene were analyzed for temporal and spatial relationships among strains and the probability of a recombination event. The phylogenetic analysis showed 30 strains grouped into eight groups; 16 strains were closely related among the farms, while 14 were un-related. The first strain in this study was observed in 2002. A number of farms were infected with one or more strains, and in the majority of the strains, the virus was replaced by a new strain. The recombination analysis suggested the presence of four viruses as products of a recombination event; in one case, a virus close related with MLV vaccine was involved as the parent virus. This work shows the evolution of PRRSV in the field, the viral dissemination between farms and the potential recombination events. Our data suggest that PRRSV in Sonora has a specific genetic nature compared with other PRRSV. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Integration of biomimicry and nanotechnology for significantly improved detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs).

PubMed

Myung, Ja Hye; Park, Sin-Jung; Wang, Andrew Z; Hong, Seungpyo

2017-12-13

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have received a great deal of scientific and clinical attention as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of many types of cancer. Given their potential significance in clinics, a variety of detection methods, utilizing the recent advances in nanotechnology and microfluidics, have been introduced in an effort of achieving clinically significant detection of CTCs. However, effective detection and isolation of CTCs still remain a tremendous challenge due to their extreme rarity and phenotypic heterogeneity. Among many approaches that are currently under development, this review paper focuses on a unique, promising approach that takes advantages of naturally occurring processes achievable through application of nanotechnology to realize significant improvement in sensitivity and specificity of CTC capture. We provide an overview of successful outcome of this biomimetic CTC capture system in detection of tumor cells from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical pilot studies. We also emphasize the clinical impact of CTCs as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and predictive prognosis, which provides a cost-effective, minimally invasive method that potentially replaces or supplements existing methods such as imaging technologies and solid tissue biopsy. In addition, their potential prognostic values as treatment guidelines and that ultimately help to realize personalized therapy are discussed. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The existing control tower seen here at the edge of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility is being replaced. In use since 1987, the old tower stands only 20 feet above the runway surface, too low to see the launch pads to the east. During nighttime landing operations, those inside the tower have been hindered by the eight-billion candlepower xenon lights that illuminate the runway. The new control tower is built atop an existing mound, rising nearly 100 feet over the midpoint of the runway. The height gives controllers a spectacular 360-degree view of NASA-KSC and northern Brevard County. The new facility will also replace the SLF Operations Building. The operations building is home to the Military Radar Unit that monitors NASA-KSC airspace 24 hours a day, as well as runway light controls, navigational aids, weather and wind speed instrumentation, and gate controls. In the new tower, the computer displays will be fully modernized to Federal Aviation Administration standards with touch-screen technology. Construction on the new facility began in February 2003 and is nearly ready for occupancy. Only some final inspections and approvals remain. A support building and Public Affairs viewing deck, to be used for observing future landing operations, will be added and are already in work.

NASA Image and Video Library

2003-12-17

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- The existing control tower seen here at the edge of the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility is being replaced. In use since 1987, the old tower stands only 20 feet above the runway surface, too low to see the launch pads to the east. During nighttime landing operations, those inside the tower have been hindered by the eight-billion candlepower xenon lights that illuminate the runway. The new control tower is built atop an existing mound, rising nearly 100 feet over the midpoint of the runway. The height gives controllers a spectacular 360-degree view of NASA-KSC and northern Brevard County. The new facility will also replace the SLF Operations Building. The operations building is home to the Military Radar Unit that monitors NASA-KSC airspace 24 hours a day, as well as runway light controls, navigational aids, weather and wind speed instrumentation, and gate controls. In the new tower, the computer displays will be fully modernized to Federal Aviation Administration standards with touch-screen technology. Construction on the new facility began in February 2003 and is nearly ready for occupancy. Only some final inspections and approvals remain. A support building and Public Affairs viewing deck, to be used for observing future landing operations, will be added and are already in work.

Primary hypothyroidism in the community: Lower daily dosages of levothyroxine replacement therapy for Asian patients.

PubMed

Tan, Ngiap Chuan; Chew, Rong Quan; Koh, Yi Ling Eileen; Subramanian, Reena Chandini; Sankari, Usha; Meyappan, Meykkumar; Cho, Li Wei

2017-02-01

The goal of treatment in patients with primary hypothyroidism is to attain euthyroidism guided by the stipulated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels range so as to minimize any potential long-term adverse effects. However, various factors may result in their Levothyroxine (T4) under and over-replacement.Our study aimed to evaluate the mean daily dose of L-T4 replacement for Asian patients with primary hypothyroidism. The secondary aims were to determine the proportion of those who were either over or under-replaced, and the factors associated with their thyroid function status and replacement adherence.Data collected using questionnaire survey from targeted patients managed in a typical public primary care center in Singapore: socio-demographic characteristics, clinical parameters, laboratory investigations, mean daily L-T4-replacement doses, and replacement regimens. The thyroid status of patients was classified based on thyroid function investigations.Complete data of 229 patients were analyzed. A total of 59.8% of patients had TSH within the normal range, 27.5% and 12.7% were under and over-replaced, respectively. About 60% of Asian patients with primary hypothyroidism achieved normal TSH status requiring average of 1.1 μg of daily L-T4/kgBW (kg body weight). Subjects who were over-replaced had a higher daily L-T4 dose/kgBW when compared to the euthyroid and the under replaced groups. Those with L-T4 over-replacement were largely due to excessive dosage. Patients who were younger, from lower socioeconomic strata, and higher BMI were more likely to be over or under-replaced.Majority of Asian patients with hypothyroidism required replacement of 1.1 μg of daily L-T4/kgBW. Their thyroid status was influenced by demographic and dosing factors.

Assessing of the potential of extruded flour paste as fat replacer in O/W emulsion: A rheological and microstructural study.

PubMed

Román, Laura; Martínez, Mario M; Gómez, Manuel

2015-08-01

Extruded flour represents an economical and environmental friendly alternative as fat replacer. In this research, the potential use of an extruded flour-water paste as fat replacer in an oil-in-water emulsion was studied. The effect of flour-water ratio and level of oil replacement (30, 50 and 70%) on the microstructure, rheological properties and stability of mayonnaise-like emulsion was evaluated. Fat replacement by extruded flour gradually increased the number and reduced the size of oil droplets. All the emulsion samples showed a pseudoplastic behaviour. At low shear rates a Newtonian region characterised by Carreau model appeared (R 2 >0.99). In general, the limiting viscosity of the Newtonian region and the consistency index increased with the decreased water content of the paste and increased the level of oil substitution. A decrease in oil concentration led to a greater thixotropic behaviour. Oscillatory test revealed that predominance of the continuous or dispersed phase influenced viscoelastic behaviour. Reduction in oil content resulted in an increased freeze-thaw stability. Results suggested that if the flour-water ratio of the paste is controlled, extruded flour is appropriate for preparing reduced-fat oil-in-water emulsion with similar rheological properties to the full fat and greater freeze-thaw stability. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fundamental Ethical Principles in Sports Medicine.

PubMed

Devitt, Brian M

2016-04-01

In sports medicine, the practice of ethics presents many unique challenges because of the unusual clinical environment of caring for players within the context of a team whose primary goal is to win. Ethical issues frequently arise because a doctor-patient-team triad often replaces the traditional doctor-patient relationship. Conflict may exist when the team's priority clashes with or even replaces the doctor's obligation to player well-being. Customary ethical norms that govern most forms of clinical practice, such as autonomy and confidentiality, are not easily translated to sports medicine. Ethical principles and examples of how they relate to sports medicine are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Enabling access to new WHO essential medicines: the case for nicotine replacement therapies

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) are powerful tools for the successful treatment of nicotine addiction and tobacco use. The medicines are clinically effective, supported by the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, and are now World Health Organization-approved essential medicines. Enabling global access to NRT remains a challenge given ongoing confusion and misperceptions about their efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and availability with respect to other tobacco control and public health opportunities. In this commentary, we review existing evidence and guidelines to make the case for global access to NRT highlighting the smoker's right to access treatment to sensibly address nicotine addiction. PMID:21092092