Pulmonary function studies in young healthy Malaysians of Kelantan, Malaysia

PubMed Central

Bandyopadhyay, Amit

2011-01-01

Background & objectives: Pulmonary function tests have been evolved as clinical tools in diagnosis, management and follow up of respiratory diseases as it provides objective information about the status of an individual's respiratory system. The present study was aimed to evaluate pulmonary function among the male and female young Kelantanese Malaysians of Kota Bharu, Malaysia, and to compare the data with other populations. Methods: A total of 128 (64 males, 64 females) non-smoking healthy young subjects were randomly sampled for the study from the Kelantanese students’ population of the University Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu Campus, Kelantan, Malaysia. The study population (20-25 yr age group) had similar socio-economic background. Each subject filled up the ATS (1978) questionnaire to record their personal demographic data, health status and consent to participate in the study. Subjects with any history of pulmonary diseases were excluded from the study. Results: The pulmonary function measurements exhibited significantly higher values among males than the females. FEV1% did not show any significant inter-group variation probably because the parameter expresses FEV1 as a percentage of FVC. FVC and FEV1 exhibited significant correlations with body height and body mass among males whereas in the females exhibited significant correlation with body mass, body weight and also with age. FEV1% exhibited significant correlation with body height and body mass among males and with body height in females. FEF25-75% did not show any significant correlation except with body height among females. However, PEFR exhibited significant positive correlation with all the physical parameters except with age among the females. On the basis of the existence of significant correlation between different physical parameters and pulmonary function variables, simple and multiple regression norms have been computed. Interpretation & conclusions: From the present investigation it can be concluded that Kelantanese Malaysian youths have normal range of pulmonary function in both the sexes and the computed regression norms may be used to predict the pulmonary function values in the studied population. PMID:22199104

Design of BAs-AlN monolayered honeycomb heterojunction structures: A first-principles study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Camacho-Mojica, Dulce C.; López-Urías, Florentino

2016-04-01

BAs and AlN are semiconductor materials with an indirect and direct gap respectively in the bulk phase. Recently, electronic calculations have demonstrated that a single-layer or few layers of BAs and AlN exhibit a graphite-like structure with interesting electronic properties. In this work, infinite sheets single-layer heterojunction structures based on alternated strips with honeycomb BAs and AlN layers are investigated using first-principles density functional theory calculations. Optimized geometries, density of states, band-gaps, formation energies, and wave functions are studied for different strip widths joined along zigzag and armchair edges. Results in optimized heterojunction geometries revealed that BAs narrow strips exhibit a corrugation effect due to a lattice mismatch. It was found that zigzag heterojunctions are more energetically favored than armchair heterojunctions. Furthermore, the formation energy presents a maximum at the point where the heterojunction becomes a planar structure. Electronic charge density results yielded a more ionic behavior in Alsbnd N bonds than the Bsbnd As bonds in accordance with monolayer results. It was observed that the conduction band minimum for both heterojunctions exhibit confined states located mainly at the entire AlN strips whereas the valence band maximum exhibits confined states located mainly at BAs strips. We expect that the present investigation will motivate more experimental and theoretical studies on new layered materials made of III-V semiconductors.

Biogenic silver and gold nanoparticles synthesized using red ginseng root extract, and their applications.

PubMed

Singh, Priyanka; Kim, Yeon Ju; Wang, Chao; Mathiyalagan, Ramya; El-Agamy Farh, Mohamed; Yang, Deok Chun

2016-05-01

In the present study, we report a green methodology for the synthesis of silver and gold nanoparticles, using the root extract of the herbal medicinal plant Korean red ginseng. The silver and gold nanoparticles were synthesized within 1 h and 10 min respectively. The nanoparticles generated were not aggregated, and remained stable for a long time, which suggests the nature of nanoparticles. The phytochemicals and ginsenosides present in the root extract assist in reducing and stabilizing the synthesized nanoparticles. The red ginseng root extract-generated silver nanoparticles exhibit antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms including Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Candida albicans. In addition, the silver nanoparticles exhibit biofilm degrading activity against S. aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, the present study opens up a new possibility of synthesizing silver and gold nanoparticles in a green and rapid manner using Korean red ginseng root extract, and explores their biomedical applications.

A Friend Acting Strangely: an Exhibition on Climate Change in the Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stauffer, B. W.; Fitzhugh, W. W.; Krupnik, I.; Mannes, J.; Rusk, K.

2003-12-01

The Arctic: A Friend Acting Strangely is a new exhibit being developed at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) as a part of the museum's Forces of Change exhibit series on global change issues. The exhibit will open to the public in Summer 2004 and is the third component of the series. The other two components are about El Niño (El Niño's Powerful Reach) and atmospheric chemistry (Change is in the Air). The Arctic exhibit's underlying theme is that current global change is causing such rapid shifts in Arctic weather and the polar environment that it has become `strange,' - or unpredictable - to its residents. The speed of change in Arctic ice and climate patterns, ocean and terrestrial ecosystems, and wildlife creates a great challenge for polar scientists; but it also advances beyond the experience and memory of northern indigenous people, who know it so well. The key issues the NMNH team faces in preparing the new exhibit are: how to document and display the forces and consequences of rapid change; how to make complex scientific processes and research comprehensible to visitors; and how to engage the general public in the on-going discussion. Because current shifts in the Arctic environment have been observed and recorded in much detail by scientists and Native residents alike, this topic offers unique opportunities beyond the museum presentation, including outreach through public programs and the Internet. The exhibit is being developed jointly by the NMNH Arctic Studies Center and Office of the Exhibits, and in close collaboration with NOAA' Office of Arctic Research, NSF' new Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) initiative, and NASA's Earth Science Enterprise. Exhibit components will include objects, text, graphic panels, video, and a computer interactive. Special efforts will be made to present the voices and opinions of Arctic indigenous people who experience new challenges to their traditional subsistence activities and face new risks in their daily life. Specimens, artifacts, and photographs from the NMNH and other museum collections will be used to interpret the biological and cultural adaptations required to understand the once `friendly' Arctic that is now behaving `strangely.'

Exhibition of stochastic resonance in vestibular tilt motion perception.

PubMed

Galvan-Garza, R C; Clark, T K; Mulavara, A P; Oman, C M

2018-04-03

Stochastic Resonance (SR) is a phenomenon broadly described as "noise benefit". The application of subsensory electrical Stochastic Vestibular Stimulation (SVS) via electrodes behind each ear has been used to improve human balance and gait, but its effect on motion perception thresholds has not been examined. This study investigated the capability of subsensory SVS to reduce vestibular motion perception thresholds in a manner consistent with a characteristic bell-shaped SR curve. We measured upright, head-centered, roll tilt Direction Recognition (DR) thresholds in the dark in 12 human subjects with the application of wideband 0-30 Hz SVS ranging from ±0-700 μA. To conservatively assess if SR was exhibited, we compared the proportions of both subjective and statistical SR exhibition in our experimental data to proportions of SR exhibition in multiple simulation cases with varying underlying SR behavior. Analysis included individual and group statistics. As there is not an established mathematical definition, three humans subjectively judged that SR was exhibited in 78% of subjects. "Statistically significant SR exhibition", which additionally required that a subject's DR threshold with SVS be significantly lower than baseline (no SVS), was present in 50% of subjects. Both percentages were higher than simulations suggested could occur simply by chance. For SR exhibitors, defined by subjective or statistically significant criteria, the mean DR threshold improved by -30% and -39%, respectively. The largest individual improvement was -47%. At least half of the subjects were better able to perceive passive body motion with the application of subsensory SVS. This study presents the first conclusive demonstration of SR in vestibular motion perception. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

New directions for nanoscale thermoelectric materials research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dresselhaus, M. S.; Chen, G.; Tang, M. Y.; Yang, R. G.; Lee, H.; Wang, D. Z.; Ren, F.; Fleurial, J. P.; Gogna, P.

2005-01-01

Many of the recent advances in enhancing the thermoelectric figure of merit are linked to nanoscale phenomena with both bulk samples containing nanoscale constituents and nanoscale materials exhibiting enhanced thermoelectric performance in their own right. Prior theoretical and experimental proof of principle studies on isolated quantum well and quantum wire samples have now evolved into studies on bulk samples containing nanostructured constituents. In this review, nanostructural composites are shown to exhibit nanostructures and properties that show promise for thermoelectric applications. A review of some of the results obtained to date are presented.

Cue-induced brain activity in pathological gamblers.

PubMed

Crockford, David N; Goodyear, Bradley; Edwards, Jodi; Quickfall, Jeremy; el-Guebaly, Nady

2005-11-15

Previous studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) have identified differential brain activity in healthy subjects performing gambling tasks and in pathological gambling (PG) subjects when exposed to motivational and emotional predecessors for gambling as well as during gambling or response inhibition tasks. The goal of the present study was to determine if PG subjects exhibit differential brain activity when exposed to visual gambling cues. Ten male DSM-IV-TR PG subjects and 10 matched healthy control subjects underwent fMRI during visual presentations of gambling-related video alternating with video of nature scenes. Pathological gambling subjects and control subjects exhibited overlap in areas of brain activity in response to the visual gambling cues; however, compared with control subjects, PG subjects exhibited significantly greater activity in the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), including the inferior and medial frontal gyri, the right parahippocampal gyrus, and left occipital cortex, including the fusiform gyrus. Pathological gambling subjects also reported a significant increase in mean craving for gambling after the study. Post hoc analyses revealed a dissociation in visual processing stream (dorsal vs. ventral) activation by subject group and cue type. These findings may represent a component of cue-induced craving for gambling or conditioned behavior that could underlie pathological gambling.

Sentinel lymph node mapping in gynecological oncology

PubMed Central

Du, Jiang; Li, Yaling; Wang, Qing; Batchu, Nasra; Zou, Junkai; Sun, Chao; Lv, Shulan; Song, Qing; Li, Qiling

2017-01-01

The intraoperative mapping of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) is part of the treatment strategy for a number of types of tumor. To retrospectively compare results from the mapping of pelvic SLNs for gynecological oncology, using distinct dyes, the present review was conducted to determine the clinical significance of SLN mapping for gynecological oncology. In addition, the present study aimed at identifying an improved choice for SLN mapping tracers in clinical application. Each dye exhibits demerits when applied in the clinical environment. The combination of radioisotopes and blue dyes was identified to exhibit the most accurate detection rate of SLN drainage of gynecological oncology. However, contrast agents were unable to identify whether a SLN is positive or negative for metastasis prior to pathologic examination; additional studies are required. PMID:29344213

On the nature of the speech perception deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

You, R S; Serniclaes, W; Rider, D; Chabane, N

2017-02-01

Previous studies have claimed to show deficits in the perception of speech sounds in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of the current study was to clarify the nature of such deficits. Children with ASD might only exhibit a lesser amount of precision in the perception of phoneme categories (CPR deficit). However, these children might further present an allophonic mode of speech perception, similar to the one evidenced in dyslexia, characterised by enhanced discrimination of acoustic differences within phoneme categories. Allophonic perception usually gives rise to a categorical perception (CP) deficit, characterised by a weaker coherence between discrimination and identification of speech sounds. The perceptual performance of ASD children was compared to that of control children of the same chronological age. Identification and discrimination data were collected for continua of natural vowels, synthetic vowels, and synthetic consonants. Results confirmed that children with ASD exhibit a CPR deficit for the three stimulus continua. These children further exhibited a trend toward allophonic perception that was, however, not accompanied by the usual CP deficit. These findings confirm that the commonly found CPR deficit is also present in ASD. Whether children with ASD also present allophonic perception requires further investigations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Development of the Methane Hydrate Burning Experimental Equipment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aoyama, S.

2010-12-01

There is a need to increase understanding among Japanese citizens about the importance as a potential future energy source of the great quantity of methane hydrate deposits sleeping on the sea bed around Japan. With cooperation from the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) we studied the possibility of using presentations where it was possible to handle actual methane hydrate, videos and active presentations such as experiments in order to increase the public interest in and understanding of methane hydrate. Furthermore, for the benefit of those people who would like to visit the exhibition but are unable to do so due to distance or other physical barriers, we looked into making the presentation materials portable and having a moving exhibition. Currently methane hydrate combustion experiments and exhibition performances are being held at the Hidaka Port New Energy Park (The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.) in Gobo, Wakayama with approximately 3,000 visitors monthly.

Proprioception in the extraocular muscles of mammals and man.

PubMed

Blumer, Roland; Konacki, Kadriye Zeynep; Streicher, Johannes; Hoetzenecker, Wolfram; Blumer, Michael Josef Franz; Lukas, Julius-Robert

2006-06-01

This article summarizes the authors' previous studies on proprioceptors in extraocular muscles (EOMs) of mammals and man. They report on muscle spindles in the EOMs of man, Golgi tendon organs in the EOMs of even-toed ungulates, and palisade endings in the EOMs of the cat. Muscle spindles: Muscle spindles are present in the EOMs of some mammals and in the EOMs of man. Compared with muscle spindles in other skeletal muscles, those in human EOMs exhibit structural differences. These structural differences may indicate a special function. Golgi tendon organs: Golgi tendon organs are absent in human EOMs. Golgi tendon organs exhibiting a specific morphology are present in the EOMs of even-toed ungulates. Their high number and rich innervation indicate functional importance. Palisade endings: Palisade endings are nervous end organs confined to the EOMs of mammals and man. It is assumed that these organs have a proprioceptive function. The authors show that palisade endings are immunoreactive for antibodies against choline acetyltransferase. Neuromuscular contacts, if present in palisade endings, are alpha -bungarotoxin positive as well. Taken together, these results show that palisade endings exhibit molecular characteristics of effector organs.

The Eugenides Foundation Interactive Exhibition of Science and Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kontogiannis, Ioannis

2010-01-01

The Interactive Exhibition of Science and Technology is installed in an area of 1200 m2 at the Eugenides Foundation. 65 interactive exhibits, designed by the "Cites des Science et de l' Industrie" are organised in themes, stimulate the visitors' mind and provoke scientific thinking. Parallel activities take place inside the exhibition, such as live science demonstrations, performed by young scientists. Extra material such as news bulletins (short news, science comics and portraits), educational paths and treasure-hunting based games, all available online as well, are prepared on a monthly basis and provided along with the visit to the exhibition. Through these exhibits and activities, scientific facts are made simple and easy to comprehend using modern presentation tools. We present details on how this exhibition acts complementary to the science education provided by schools, making it a highly sophisticated educational tool.

Saraca indica Bark Extract Shows In Vitro Antioxidant, Antibreast Cancer Activity and Does Not Exhibit Toxicological Effects

PubMed Central

Yadav, Navneet Kumar; Saini, Karan Singh; Hossain, Zakir; Omer, Ankur; Sharma, Chetan; Gayen, Jiaur R.; Singh, Poonam; Arya, K. R.; Singh, R. K.

2015-01-01

Medicinal plants are used as a complementary and alternative medicine in treatment of various diseases including cancer worldwide, because of their ease of accessibility and cost effectiveness. Multicomposed mixture of compounds present in a plant extract has synergistic activity, increases the therapeutic potential many folds, compensates toxicity, and increases bioavailability. Saraca indica (family Caesalpiniaceae) is one of the most ancient sacred plants with medicinal properties, exhibiting a number of pharmacological effects. Antioxidant, antibreast cancer activity and toxicological evaluation of Saraca indica bark extract (SIE) were carried out in the present study. The results of the study indicated that this herbal preparation has antioxidant and antibreast cancer activity. Toxicological studies suggest that SIE is safer to use and may have a potential to be used as complementary and alternative medicine for breast cancer therapy. PMID:25861411

The role of exhibits in teacher workshops at science museums

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stein, Fred D.

Between 1986 and 1998, the Exploratorium Institute for Inquiry offered multi-week science institutes for elementary educators involving museum exhibit use during a three-day independent investigation on light and color. Many museums tend to underutilize exhibit use in their teacher education programs. This study addresses the question, "What are the contributions of exhibit use to teachers' learning of science content during a workshop at a science museum?" Data from workshops over three successive years was collected in the form of 13 case studies of participants' investigations. Pre- and post-testing of six participants showed a large (ES = 3.0 SD) and significant gain in their understanding of light and color concepts. The case studies were analyzed by coding each incident of exhibit use according to how the exhibit interaction might have helped the participant in his or her learning. Clusters of recurring themes emerged inductively from the coding process suggesting that the exhibits conferred both logistical and conceptual benefits. Logistically, the exhibits acted as "labor-saving" devices, saving participants time because they were always set up and ready to use, and saving the workshop facilitators time because facilitators could recommend that a participant visit an exhibit rather than spend time giving them individual attention or helping them construct their own investigation apparatus. Conceptually, the exhibits supported each aspect of the Piagetian conceptual change process---accommodation, assimilation, and disequilibrium. They supported accommodation of idea structures and the development of new ones by encouraging participants to ask and answer "What would happen if...?" questions which often generated ideas to explain the new experiences. They supported assimilation of experiences into recently developed idea structures or schemes (supporting and consolidating them) by providing opportunities for participants to ask and answer "Will it happen if...?" questions that reinforced ideas by hypothesis testing through predicting. And they supported creating disequilibrium by presenting perplexing phenomena, provoking participants to ask and want to answer "Why did that happen?" questions. Exhibit qualities that make them particularly effective at supporting conceptual change are discussed and illustrated by examples from the cases. Recommendations for using science museum exhibits in teacher workshops are offered.

History and the Culture Wars: The Case of the Smithsonian Institution's Enola Gay Exhibition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kohn, Richard H.

1995-01-01

Presents an excellent summation of the controversy over the Smithsonian's Enola Gay exhibit. Delineates the preparation of the exhibit, nature and origins of the objections raised, subsequent revisions in the text, and the decision to cancel the exhibit. Includes textual passages from the most disputed sections of the exhibit. (MJP)

Presenting Themselves with Power and Passion

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lyne, Heidi

2007-01-01

An "Exhibition" is a demonstration of mastery on many levels. When students prepare and present portfolios of their own work to a public audience, they are demonstrating mastery of more than the traditional academic skills. The process that culminates in the exhibition teaches students to present themselves articulately and powerfully…

Genotype/phenotype analysis in a male patient with partial trisomy 4p and monosomy 20q due to maternal reciprocal translocation (4;20): A case report.

PubMed

Wu, Dong; Zhang, Hui; Hou, Qiaofang; Wang, Hongdan; Wang, Tao; Liao, Shixiu

2017-11-01

Translocations are the most frequent structural aberration in the human genome. Carriers of balanced chromosome rearrangement exhibit an increased risk of abortion and/or a chromosomally‑unbalanced child. The present study reported a clinical and cytogenetic analysis of a child who exhibited typical trisomy 4p and monosomy 20q features, including intellectual disability, delayed speech, tall stature, seizures and facial dysmorphism. The karyotype of the proband exhibited 46, XY, add(20) (q13.3). The karyotype of the mother indicated a balanced translocation karyotype: 46, XX, t(4;20) (p15.2;q13.1). The array‑based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis identified partial trisomy of the short arm of chromosome 4 and partial monosomy of distal 20q in the proband due to maternal balanced reciprocal translocation 4;20. The analysis of genotype/phenotype correlation demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 and msh homeobox 1 may be the important genes for 4p duplication, and that potassium voltage‑gated channel subfamily Q member 2, myelin transcription factor 1 and cholinergic receptor nicotinic α4 subunit may be the important genes for 20q deletion. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to report an unbalanced translocation involving chromosomes 4p and 20q. The present study additionally demonstrated that aCGH analysis is able to reliably detect unbalanced submicroscopic chromosomal aberrations.

Implicit and explicit self-esteem in currently depressed individuals with and without suicidal ideation.

PubMed

Franck, Erik; De Raedt, Rudi; Dereu, Mieke; Van den Abbeele, Dirk

2007-03-01

In the present study, we have further explored implicit self-esteem in currently depressed individuals. Since suicidal ideation is associated with lower self-esteem in depressed individuals, we measured both implicit and explicit self-esteem in a population of currently depressed (CD) individuals, with and without suicidal ideation (SI), and in a group of non-depressed controls (ND). The results indicate that only CD individuals with SI show a discrepancy between their implicit and explicit self-esteem: that is, they exhibit high implicit and low explicit self-esteem. CD individuals without SI exhibit both low implicit and low explicit self-esteem; and ND controls exhibit both normal implicit and normal explicit self-esteem. These results provide new insights in the study of implicit self-esteem and the combination of implicit and explicit self-esteem in depression.

Understanding The Interfacial Structure Of Aqueous Phospholipid Monolayer Films Via External Reflection FT-IR Spectroscopy.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mitchell, Melody L.; Dluhy, Richard A.

1989-12-01

Monolayer films of dimyristoyl-phosphatidic-acid (DMPA) at neutral and basic pH exhibit first-order phase transitions in their pressure-area curves. In situ external reflection FT-IR studies in the CH, stretching bands over this phase transition region exhibit a --6 cm-1 shift similar to that observed in previous studies of dipalmitoyl-phosphotidylcholine (DPPC)1. The acid form of DMPA at pH 3.0 does not exhibit the first order phase transition, but a ~1cm-1 frequency shift is observed in the liquid condensed phase and is also present in the neutral pH form. A solid-solid phase transition is proposed. Examination of the polar headgroup region (1300-960 cm-1)for acidic, neutral, and basic forms of DMPA give characteristic bands of each protonation state of PO3.

Individuals with Asperger's disorder exhibit difficulty in switching attention from a local level to a global level.

PubMed

Katagiri, Masatoshi; Kasai, Tetsuko; Kamio, Yoko; Murohashi, Harumitsu

2013-02-01

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether individuals with Asperger's disorder exhibit difficulty in switching attention from a local level to a global level. Eleven participants with Asperger's disorder and 11 age- and gender-matched healthy controls performed a level-repetition switching task using Navon-type hierarchical stimuli. In both groups, level-repetition was beneficial at both levels. Furthermore, individuals with Asperger's disorder exhibited difficulty in switching attention from a local level to a global level compared to control individuals. These findings suggested that there is a problem with the inhibitory mechanism that influences the output of enhanced local visual processing in Asperger's disorder.

3-Bromopyruvate inhibits human gastric cancer tumor growth in nude mice via the inhibition of glycolysis.

PubMed

Xian, Shu-Lin; Cao, Wei; Zhang, Xiao-Dong; Lu, Yun-Fei

2015-02-01

Tumor cells primarily depend upon glycolysis in order to gain energy. Therefore, the inhibition of glycolysis may inhibit tumor growth. Our previous study demonstrated that 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA) inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation in vitro . However, the ability of 3-BrPA to suppress tumor growth in vivo, and its underlying mechanism, have yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of 3-BrPA in an animal model of gastric cancer. It was identified that 3-BrPA exhibited strong inhibitory effects upon xenograft tumor growth in nude mice. In addition, the antitumor function of 3-BrPA exhibited a dose-effect association, which was similar to that of the chemotherapeutic agent, 5-fluorouracil. Furthermore, 3-BrPA exhibited low toxicity in the blood, liver and kidneys of the nude mice. The present study hypothesized that the inhibitory effect of 3-BrPA is achieved through the inhibition of hexokinase activity, which leads to the downregulation of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, the upregulation of Bcl-2-associated X protein expression and the subsequent activation of caspase-3. These data suggest that 3-BrPA may be a novel therapy for the treatment of gastric cancer.

RF MEMS microswitches design and characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lafontan, Xavier; Dufaza, Christian; Robert, Michel; Perez, Guy; Pressecq, Francis

2000-08-01

This paper presents the work performed in MUMPs on RF MEMS micro-switch. Concepts, design and characterization of switches are studied. The study particularly focuses on the electrical resistance characterization and modelization. The switches developed uses two different principle: overflowed gold and hinged beam. The realized contacts exhibited high on resistance (~20(Omega) ) due to nanoscopics asperities of contacts and insulating interfacial films. Results of a typical contact cleaning method are also presented.

Differences in neural responses to ipsilateral stimuli in wide-view fields between face- and house-selective areas

PubMed Central

Li, Ting; Niu, Yan; Xiang, Jie; Cheng, Junjie; Liu, Bo; Zhang, Hui; Yan, Tianyi; Kanazawa, Susumu; Wu, Jinglong

2018-01-01

Category-selective brain areas exhibit varying levels of neural activity to ipsilaterally presented stimuli. However, in face- and house-selective areas, the neural responses evoked by ipsilateral stimuli in the peripheral visual field remain unclear. In this study, we displayed face and house images using a wide-view visual presentation system while performing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The face-selective areas (fusiform face area (FFA) and occipital face area (OFA)) exhibited intense neural responses to ipsilaterally presented images, whereas the house-selective areas (parahippocampal place area (PPA) and transverse occipital sulcus (TOS)) exhibited substantially smaller and even negative neural responses to the ipsilaterally presented images. We also found that the category preferences of the contralateral and ipsilateral neural responses were similar. Interestingly, the face- and house-selective areas exhibited neural responses to ipsilateral images that were smaller than the responses to the contralateral images. Multi-voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) was implemented to evaluate the difference between the contralateral and ipsilateral responses. The classification accuracies were much greater than those expected by chance. The classification accuracies in the FFA were smaller than those in the PPA and TOS. The closer eccentricities elicited greater classification accuracies in the PPA and TOS. We propose that these ipsilateral neural responses might be interpreted by interhemispheric communication through intrahemispheric connectivity of white matter connection and interhemispheric connectivity via the corpus callosum and occipital white matter connection. Furthermore, the PPA and TOS likely have weaker interhemispheric communication than the FFA and OFA, particularly in the peripheral visual field. PMID:29451872

A Salamander Tale: Effective Exhibits and Attitude Change

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rollins, Jeffrey; Watson, Sunnie Lee

2017-01-01

Little information exists regarding intention behind the design and development of Extension outreach and educational exhibits. An evaluation of response to the exhibit "A Salamander Tale" indicates that the methods used to develop the exhibit resulted in an effective way to present information to an adult audience. Survey questions were…

Resolving the substructure of molecular clouds in the LMC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, Tony; Hughes, Annie; Tokuda, Kazuki; Indebetouw, Remy; Wojciechowski, Evan; Bandurski, Jeffrey; MC3 Collaboration

2018-01-01

We present recent wide-field CO and 13CO mapping of giant molecular clouds in the Large Magellanic Cloud with ALMA. Our sample exhibits diverse star-formation properties, and reveals comparably diverse molecular cloud properties including surface density and velocity dispersion at a given scale. We first present the results of a recent study comparing two GMCs at the extreme ends of the star formation activity spectrum. Our quiescent cloud exhibits 10 times lower surface density and 5 times lower velocity dispersion than the active 30 Doradus cloud, yet in both clouds we find a wide range of line widths at the smallest resolved scales, spanning nearly the full range of line widths seen at all scales. This suggests an important role for feedback on sub-parsec scales, while the energetics on larger scales are dominated by clump-to-clump relative velocities. We then extend our analysis to four additional clouds that exhibit intermediate levels of star formation activity.

Neural Responses to Central and Peripheral Objects in the Lateral Occipital Cortex

PubMed Central

Wang, Bin; Guo, Jiayue; Yan, Tianyi; Ohno, Seiichiro; Kanazawa, Susumu; Huang, Qiang; Wu, Jinglong

2016-01-01

Human object recognition and classification depend on the retinal location where the object is presented and decrease as eccentricity increases. The lateral occipital complex (LOC) is thought to be preferentially involved in the processing of objects, and its neural responses exhibit category biases to objects presented in the central visual field. However, the nature of LOC neural responses to central and peripheral objects remains largely unclear. In the present study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and a wide-view presentation system to investigate neural responses to four categories of objects (faces, houses, animals, and cars) in the primary visual cortex (V1) and the lateral visual cortex, including the LOC and the retinotopic areas LO-1 and LO-2. In these regions, the neural responses to objects decreased as the distance between the location of presentation and center fixation increased, which is consistent with the diminished perceptual ability that was found for peripherally presented images. The LOC and LO-2 exhibited significantly positive neural responses to all eccentricities (0–55°), but LO-1 exhibited significantly positive responses only to central eccentricities (0–22°). By measuring the ratio relative to V1 (RRV1), we further demonstrated that eccentricity, category and the interaction between them significantly affected neural processing in these regions. LOC, LO-1, and LO-2 exhibited larger RRV1s when stimuli were presented at an eccentricity of 0° compared to when they were presented at the greater eccentricities. In LOC and LO-2, the RRV1s for images of faces, animals and cars showed an increasing trend when the images were presented at eccentricities of 11 to 33°. However, the RRV1s for houses showed a decreasing trend in LO-1 and no difference in the LOC and LO-2. We hypothesize, that when houses and the images in the other categories were presented in the peripheral visual field, they were processed via different strategies in the lateral visual cortex. PMID:26924972

Does Lymphocytic Colitis Always Present with Normal Endoscopic Findings?

PubMed Central

Park, Hye Sun; Han, Dong Soo; Ro, Youngouk; Eun, Chang Soo; Yoo, Kyo-Sang

2015-01-01

Background/Aims Although normal endoscopic findings are, as a rule, part of the diagnosis of microscopic colitis, several cases of macroscopic lesions (MLs) have been reported in collagenous colitis, but hardly in lymphocytic colitis (LC). The aim of this study was to investigate the endoscopic, clinical, and histopathologic features of LC with MLs. Methods A total of 14 patients with LC who were diagnosed between 2005 and 2010 were enrolled in the study. Endoscopic, clinical, and histopathologic findings were compared retrospectively according to the presence or absence of MLs. Results MLs were observed in seven of the 14 LC cases. Six of the MLs exhibited hypervascularity, three exhibited exudative bleeding and one exhibited edema. The patients with MLs had more severe diarrhea and were taking aspirin or proton pump inhibitors. More intraepithelial lymphocytes were observed during histologic examination in the patients with MLs compared to the patients without MLs, although this difference was not significant. The numbers of mononuclear cells and neutrophils in the lamina propria were independent of the presence or absence of MLs. Conclusions LC does not always present with normal endoscopic findings. Hypervascularity and exudative bleeding are frequent endoscopic findings in patients with MLs. PMID:25167800

Scaling the Non-linear Impact Response of Flat and Curved Composite Panels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ambur, Damodar R.; Chunchu, Prasad B.; Rose, Cheryl A.; Feraboli, Paolo; Jackson, Wade C.

2005-01-01

The application of scaling laws to thin flat and curved composite panels exhibiting nonlinear response when subjected to low-velocity transverse impact is investigated. Previous research has shown that the elastic impact response of structural configurations exhibiting geometrically linear response can be effectively scaled. In the present paper, a preliminary experimental study is presented to assess the applicability of the scaling laws to structural configurations exhibiting geometrically nonlinear deformations. The effect of damage on the scalability of the structural response characteristics, and the effect of scale on damage development are also investigated. Damage is evaluated using conventional methods including C-scan, specimen de-plying and visual inspection of the impacted panels. Coefficient of restitution and normalized contact duration are also used to assess the extent of damage. The results confirm the validity of the scaling parameters for elastic impacts. However, for the panels considered in the study, the extent and manifestation of damage do not scale according to the scaling laws. Furthermore, the results indicate that even though the damage does not scale, the overall panel response characteristics, as indicated by contact force profiles, do scale for some levels of damage.

Unusual presentation of hepatitis B serological markers in an Amerindian community of Venezuela with a majority of occult cases

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is characterized by the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA in the absence of HBsAg in the serum of patients. The aim of this study was to characterize HBV infection among a Piaroa community, an Amerindian group which exhibits significant evidence of exposure to HBV but relatively low presence of HBsAg, and to explore the presence of OBI in this population. Results Of 150 sera, with 17% anti-HBc and 1.3% HBsAg prevalence, 70 were tested for the presence of HBV DNA. From these, 25 (36%) were found positive for HBV DNA by PCR in the core region. Two of these 25 sera were HBsAg positive, indicating an overt infection. Of the remaining 68 sera tested, 23 exhibited OBI. Of these, 13 were HBV DNA out of 25 anti-HBc positive (52%) and 10 HBV DNA positive, out of 43 anti-HBc negative (23%), with a statistical significance of p = 0.03. Viral DNA and HBsAg were present intermittently in follow up sera of 13 individuals. Sequence analysis in the core region of the amplified DNA products showed that all the strains belonged to HBV genotype F3. The OBI isolates displayed 96-100% nucleotide identity between them. One isolate exhibited the co-circulation of a wild type variant with a variant with a premature stop codon at the core protein, and a variant exhibiting a deletion of 28 amino acids. Conclusions The frequency of OBI found in this Amerindian group warrants further studies in other communities exhibiting different degrees of HBV exposure. PMID:22152023

Effect of Welding Processes on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Residual Stresses of Plain 9Cr-1Mo Steel Weld Joints

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagaraju, S.; Vasantharaja, P.; Brahadees, G.; Vasudevan, M.; Mahadevan, S.

2017-12-01

9Cr-1Mo steel designated as P9 is widely used in the construction of power plants and high-temperature applications. It is chosen for fabricating hexcan fuel subassembly wrapper components of fast breeder reactors. Arc welding processes are generally used for fabricating 9Cr-1Mo steel weld joints. A-TIG welding process is increasingly being adopted by the industries. In the present study, shielded metal arc (SMA), tungsten inert gas (TIG) and A-TIG welding processes are used for fabricating the 9Cr-1Mo steel weld joints of 10 mm thickness. Effect of the above welding processes on the microstructure evolution, mechanical properties and residual stresses of the weld joints has been studied in detail. All the three weld joints exhibited comparable strength and ductility values. 9Cr-1Mo steel weld joint fabricated by SMAW process exhibited lower impact toughness values caused by coarser grain size and inclusions. 9Cr-1Mo steel weld joint fabricated by TIG welding exhibited higher toughness due to finer grain size, while the weld joint fabricated by A-TIG welding process exhibited adequate toughness values. SMA steel weld joint exhibited compressive residual stresses in the weld metal and HAZ, while TIG and A-TIG weld joint exhibited tensile residual stresses in the weld metal and HAZ.

Counseling Gifted and Talented Students in Jordanian Inclusive Schools: Conclusion and Implication

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

El-Zraigat, Ibrahim A.

2012-01-01

The primary purpose of this study was to review counseling services for students who are gifted and talented at Jordanian inclusive schools in relation to theoretical counseling literature. The present study is considered a theoretical study. Gifted and talented students exhibit a wide range of characteristics, among of which are intellectual…

RFI simulation definition study, exhibit D

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Braun, W. R.

1981-01-01

Comparative analyses of experimental and predicted effects of the radio frequency interference (RFI) environment on the Shuttle/TDRSS S-band links were performed. Specifications are defined ad ESTL test requirements are presented. Procedures for using the RFI test generator in the ESTL S-band link tests are presented and performance predictions for these links in the RFI environment are provided.

African Past: Migrant Present. A Guide to the Exhibition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Twining, Mary Arnold; Roark-Calnek, Sue

This exhibit guide describes an exhibition of African folk arts produced by seasonal migrant farmworkers in western New York State. Workers come from the American South, Haiti, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. The exhibition pieces were collected through the BOCES Geneseo Migrant Center's Folk Arts Program and Creative Artists Migrant Program Services…

Chicano.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Mark M.

2002-01-01

Presents information about the duo exhibit, "CHICANO," and provides background information about Chicano culture. Offers a discussion on artists in the exhibition, such as Carmen Lomas Garza, Leo Limon, Cesar Martinez, and Patssi Valdez. Includes reproductions of art works in the exhibit. (CMK)

Magnetic and dielectric studies on half-doped orthochromite R(Fe0.5Cr0.5)O3 (R=Gd, Sm) ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tirupathi, Patri; Reddy, H. Satish Kumar

2018-05-01

In the present paper, we report a details on magnetic and dielectric studies on ball milled single phase Gd(Fe0.5Cr0.5)O3 (GFC) and Sm(Fe0.5Cr0.5)O3 (SmFC) ceramics. The room temperature X-ray diffraction suggest that GFC and SmFC are exhibit orthorhombic crystal system with Pnma space group. Temperature dependent dc-magnetic studies exhibit a complex sequence of magnetic transitions (TN = 281 K) for GFC (TN = 249 K for SmFC ceramics respectively. A weak ferromagnetic character at low temperature were observed for both compounds. In addition, high temperature dielectric studies were also reported for SmFC ceramics.

Lessons learned about art-based approaches for disseminating knowledge.

PubMed

Bruce, Anne; Makaroff, Kara L Schick; Sheilds, Laurene; Beuthin, Rosanne; Molzahn, Anita; Shermak, Sheryl

2013-01-01

To present a case example of using an arts-based approach and the development of an art exhibit to disseminate research findings from a narrative research study. Once a study has been completed, the final step of dissemination of findings is crucial. In this paper, we explore the benefits of bringing nursing research into public spaces using an arts-based approach. Findings from a qualitative narrative study exploring experiences of living with life-threatening illnesses. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 32 participants living with cancer, chronic renal disease, or HIV/AIDS. Participants were invited to share a symbol representing their experience of living with life-threatening illness and the meaning it held for them. The exhibit conveyed experiences of how people story and re-story their lives when living with chronic kidney disease, cancer or HIV. Photographic images of symbolic representations of study participants' experiences and poetic narratives from their stories were exhibited in a public art gallery. The theoretical underpinning of arts-based approaches and the lessons learned in creating an art exhibit from research findings are explored. Creative art forms for research and disseminating knowledge offer new ways of understanding and knowing that are under-used in nursing. Arts-based approaches make visible patients' experiences that are often left unarticulated or hidden. Creative dissemination approaches such as art exhibits can promote insight and new ways of knowing that communicate nursing research to both public and professional audiences.

Complexity matching in dyadic conversation.

PubMed

Abney, Drew H; Paxton, Alexandra; Dale, Rick; Kello, Christopher T

2014-12-01

Recent studies of dyadic interaction have examined phenomena of synchronization, entrainment, alignment, and convergence. All these forms of behavioral matching have been hypothesized to play a supportive role in establishing coordination and common ground between interlocutors. In the present study, evidence is found for a new kind of coordination termed complexity matching. Temporal dynamics in conversational speech signals were analyzed through time series of acoustic onset events. Timing in periods of acoustic energy was found to exhibit behavioral matching that reflects complementary timing in turn-taking. In addition, acoustic onset times were found to exhibit power law clustering across a range of timescales, and these power law functions were found to exhibit complexity matching that is distinct from behavioral matching. Complexity matching is discussed in terms of interactive alignment and other theoretical principles that lead to new hypotheses about information exchange in dyadic conversation and interaction in general. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

Vaccinium corymbosum L. (blueberry) extracts exhibit protective action against cadmium toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells.

PubMed

Oprea, Eliza; Ruta, Lavinia L; Nicolau, Ioana; Popa, Claudia V; Neagoe, Aurora D; Farcasanu, Ileana C

2014-01-01

Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) are a rich source of antioxidants and their consumption is believed to contribute to food-related protection against oxidative stress. In the present study, the chemoprotective action of blueberry extracts against cadmium toxicity was investigated using a cadmium-hypersensitive strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Four varieties of blueberries were used in the study, and it was found that the extracts with high content of total anthocyanidins exhibited significant protective effect against the toxicity of cadmium and H2O2. Both the blueberry extracts and pure cyanidin exhibited protective effects against cadmium in a dose-dependent manner, but without significantly interfering with the cadmium accumulation by the yeast cells. The results imply that the blueberry extracts might be a potentially valuable food supplement for individuals exposed to high cadmium. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Museum signage as distributed mediation to encourage family learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Kyungyoun

Many prior studies conducted in museums have focused primarily on exhibits as the main objects for learning. Less progress has been made in studying signage as another meaning-making tool in museums. The present study was designed to understand the role of signage in family learning by answering the following research questions, "How does signage about exhibit content or interaction strategies affect parents' and children's learning and their engagement?" and "What is the role of parent prior knowledge on parents' and children's learning and their engagement?" To address these questions, 45 parent-child dyads with children aged six to seven years were recruited to engage with two exhibits about cars. Fifteen parent-child dyads were assigned to each of three conditions, created by two different types of signage: (1) Content and interaction signage condition, (2) Content signage condition, and (3) No signage condition. In each condition, eight parents with low knowledge in the car domain and seven parents with high knowledge were recruited. Findings showed that parents and children learned and engaged differently across the three signage conditions. Both children and parents in the conditions with signage learned more than children and parents in the no signage condition. By using information from signage, parents in the two signage conditions were able to identify the content of the exhibit more quickly and to shape appropriate educational messages in their conversations with children. Findings also showed that parents with high knowledge were more likely to have the exhibit-focused engagement, which was often oriented to their own interpretation and not always beneficial for children's learning. However, by showing that parent-child dyads in the content and interaction signage condition were most likely to operate and observe the exhibit appropriately and most likely to describe evidence and make appropriate inferences, this study suggested that the interaction signage can be a way to support parents with high knowledge. This study suggested that signage is not only a tool for communicating about the learning opportunities in the exhibit but it can be also a tool for mediating the usage of the exhibit.

Structure of dehaloperoxidase B at 1.58 Å resolution and structural characterization of the AB dimer from Amphitrite ornata

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

Serrano, Vesna de; D’Antonio, Jennifer; Franzen, Stefan

2010-05-01

The crystal structure of dehaloperoxidase (DHP) isoenzyme B from the terebellid polychaete A. ornata, which exhibits both hemoglobin and peroxidase functions, has been determined at 1.58 Å resolution. As members of the globin superfamily, dehaloperoxidase (DHP) isoenzymes A and B from the marine annelid Amphitrite ornata possess hemoglobin function, but they also exhibit a biologically relevant peroxidase activity that is capable of converting 2,4,6-trihalophenols to the corresponding 2,6-dihaloquinones in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Here, a comprehensive structural study of recombinant DHP B, both by itself and cocrystallized with isoenzyme A, using X-ray diffraction is presented. The structure of DHPmore » B refined to 1.58 Å resolution exhibits the same distal histidine (His55) conformational flexibility as that observed in isoenzyme A, as well as additional changes to the distal and proximal hydrogen-bonding networks. Furthermore, preliminary characterization of the DHP AB heterodimer is presented, which exhibits differences in the AB interface that are not observed in the A-only or B-only homodimers. These structural investigations of DHP B provide insights that may relate to the mechanistic details of the H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-dependent oxidative dehalogenation reaction catalyzed by dehaloperoxidase, present a clearer description of the function of specific residues in DHP at the molecular level and lead to a better understanding of the paradigms of globin structure–function relationships.« less

Progression of Amygdala Volumetric Abnormalities in Adolescents after Their First Manic Episode

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bitter, Samantha M.; Mills, Neil P.; Adler, Caleb M.; Strakowski, Stephen M.; DelBello, Melissa P.

2011-01-01

Objective: Although previous neuroimaging studies suggest that adolescents with bipolar disorder exhibit smaller amygdala volumes compared with healthy adolescents, whether these abnormalities are present at illness onset or instead develop over time remains unclear. The aim of this study was to conduct a prospective longitudinal investigation…

Dissociative Contributions of Semantic and Lexical-Phonological Information to Immediate Recognition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nishiyama, Ryoji

2013-01-01

Several neuropsychological studies have reported that patients with memory deficits exhibit a dissociation of effects attributed to semantic and lexical-phonological information in verbal working memory (e.g., Reilly, Martin, & Grossman, 2005; Romani & Martin, 1999). The present study reports on 3 experiments conducted with individuals without…

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study (Exhibit D). Volume 4, Part 2: Cost and programmatics appendix

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1981-01-01

Cost and programmatic aspects of a recommended satellite power system are documented. Computer generated summaries are presented, and the detailed computer runs structured in a Work Breakdown Structure are given. The six configurations developed during the study period are summarized.

The expositive discourse as pedagogical discourse: studying recontextualization in the production of a science museum exhibition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marandino, Martha

2016-06-01

In this paper I report on the sociological and educational particulars of The Biodiscovery Space exhibition of the Life Museum of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, using Basil Bernstein's framework of pedagogic discourse and recontextualization. Data for analysis was obtained from interviews with the exhibition developers, field observations of museum visitors and analysis of exhibition documents. Using the ideas of power, classification and framework, among others, I analyzed the recontextualization process of the production of expositive discourse. Thus, working with Bernstein's idea of classification, I explain the relationship between the discourses of the science of biology, history of science, museology, education, and communication in order to produce an expositive discourse. I also make explicit how agents of the Official Recontextualization Field of the Museum and the Pedagogic Recontextualization Field "....of the Museum determine partly the final expositive discourse of an exhibition". Using the idea of a pedagogic discourse framework, I discuss how the constraints imposed by objects and texts in exhibitions help to create a specific manner of visitor interaction with these elements, "even if they have some autonomy". Considerations about the audience and the intended process of acquisition are presented, when I discuss the control strategies of the exhibition. I propose that the Biodiscovery Space exhibit has a visible pedagogy. Finally, using the collected data I discuss the power tensions created in the production of expositive discourse showing how distributive, recontextualization and evaluation rules work in the context of exhibitions. The study of the dynamics in forming the expositive discourse using Bernstein's framework reveals the individuals and institutions, the selection criteria, the negotiations and the power relations involved. It has the potential to assist both educators and researchers in the museum education field, as well as designers to understand the teaching and learning processes that occur during a visit and to establish relevant criteria to evaluate quality to best produce exhibitions in science museums.

Communicating Complex Sciences by Means of Exhibitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schneider, S.

2011-12-01

Earth Sciences will have to take over the leading role in global sustainable policy and in discussions about climate change. Efforts to raise attention within the politically responsible communities as well as in the public are getting more and more support by executive and advisory boards all over the world. But how can you successfully communicate complex sciences? For example, to start communication about climate change, the first step is to encourage people to be concerned about climate change. After that, one has to start thinking about how to present data and how to include the presented data into an unprejudiced context. Therefore, the communication toolbox offers various methods to reach diverse audiences. The R&D programme GEOTECHNOLOGIEN conducts roving exhibitions as one of its most successful communication tools. With roving exhibitions GEOTECHNOLOGIEN is able to get in touch with different audiences at once. The main purpose and theme of these exhibitions is to convey the everyday means of climate change to the visitors. It is within the responsibility of science to communicate the effects of a phenomenon like climate change as well as the impact of research results to the everyday life of people. Currently, a GEOTECHNOLOGIEN roving exhibition on remote sensing with satellites deals with various issues of environmental research, including a chapter on climate change. By following the 3M-concept (Meaning - Memorable - Moving), exhibitions allow to connect the visitors daily environment and personal experiences with the presented issues and objects. Therefore, hands-on exhibits, exciting multimedia effects and high-tech artefacts have to be combined with interpretive text elements to highlight the daily significance of the scientific topics and the exhibition theme respectively. To create such an exhibition, strong conceptual planning has to be conducted. This includes the specification of stern financial as well as time wise milestones. In addition, concepts to include professional techniques of science interpretation will become a crucial step on the way to success. The elements of successful exhibitions, tips for effective interpretive writing and display design as well as milestones in the exhibition planning process accompanied by ideas and recommendations to make your exhibition even more exciting, will be discussed. Framed by Anatole France's concept of successful interpretation and Freeman Tilden's definition of interpretation, this presentation will give you a new perspective on how to communicate climate change and other scientific topics.

Comparative study of the pentamodal property of four potential pentamode microstructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Yan; Lu, Xuegang; Liang, Gongying; Xu, Zhuo

2017-03-01

In this paper, a numerical comparative study is presented on the pentamodal property of four potential pentamode microstructures (three based on simple cubic and one on body-centered cubic structures) based on phonon band calculations. The finite-element method is employed to calculate the band structures, and the two essential factors of the ratio of bulk modulus B to shear modulus G and the single-mode band gap (SBG) are analyzed to quantitatively evaluate the pentamodal property. The results show that all four structures possess a higher B/G ratio than traditional materials. One of the simple cubic structures exhibits the incomplete SBG, while the three other structures exhibit complete SBG to decouple the compression and shear waves in all propagation directions. Further parametric analyses are presented investigating the effects of geometrical and material parameters on the pentamodal property of these structures. This study provides guidelines for the future design of novel pentamode microstructures possessing a high B/G ratio and a low-frequency broadband SBG.

Art promoting mental health literacy and a positive attitude towards people with experience of mental illness.

PubMed

Koh, Eugen; Shrimpton, Bradley

2014-03-01

Exhibitions of art by people with experience of mental illness are increasingly being staged to improve awareness of mental health issues in the general community and to counter the stigma of mental illness. However, few exhibitions have incorporated research to ascertain their actual effectiveness. This paper reports the results of a study that considered the responses of 10,000 people after they viewed exhibitions of art produced by people with experience of mental illness. These works were selected from the Cunningham Dax Collection, one of the world's most extensive collection of artworks by people with experience of mental illness and/or psychological trauma. More than 90% of respondents agreed with three propositions that the exhibitions helped them: (1) gain a better understanding of mental illness; (2) gain a more sympathetic understanding of the suffering of people with mental illness; and (3) appreciate the ability and creativity of people with mental illness. The results suggest that exhibitions can successfully promote mental health literacy and contribute to positive attitudes towards people with experience of mental illness. This paper explores these findings and raises questions about how the presentation of artworks in an exhibition influences their effectiveness in mental health promotion.

Variation in the Phenotypic Expression of B-Glucuronidase Deficiency

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beaudet, Arthur L.; And Others

1975-01-01

Presented are case studies of two children, 2-and 14 years-old, with widely differing manifestations of B-glucuronidase deficiency: one child was severly retarded with multiple anomalies, the other child exhibited milder symptoms with cardiovasculor involvement. (CL)

EFFECTS ON HEPATIC GENE EXPRESSION IN MALE RATS ADMINISTERED PBDES IN HOUSEHOLD DUST

EPA Science Inventory

Studies show that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) decrease thyroid hormone concentrations via induction of hepatic uridinediphosphate-glucoronosyltransferase (UGTs) and transthyretin (Ttr) binding. Because PBDEs exhibit endocrine disrupting properties and are present in h...

Seasonal trends in hypertension in Poland: evidence from Google search engine query data.

PubMed

Płatek, Anna E; Sierdziński, Janusz; Krzowski, Bartosz; Szymański, Filip M

2018-01-01

Various conditions, including arterial hypertension, exhibit seasonal trends in their occurrence and magnitude. Those trends correspond to an interest exhibited in the number of Internet searches for the specific conditions per month. The aim of the study was to show seasonal trends in the hypertension prevalence in Poland relate to the data from the Google Trends tool. Internet search engine query data were retrieved from Google Trends from January 2008 to November 2017. Data were calculated as a monthly normalised search volume from the nine-year period. Data was presented for specific geographic regions, including Poland, the United States of America, Australia, and worldwide for the following search terms: "arterial hypertension (pol. nadciśnienie tętnicze)", "hypertension (pol. nadciśnienie)" and "hypertension medical condition". Seasonal effects were calculated using regression models and presented graphically. In Poland the search volume is the highest between November and May, while patients exhibit the least interest in arterial hypertension during summer holidays (p < 0.05). Seasonal variations are comparable in the United States of America representing a Northern hemisphere country, while in Australia (Southern hemisphere) they exhibit a contrary trend. In conclusion, arterial hypertension is more likely to occur during winter months, which correlates with increased interest in the search phrase "hypertension" in Google.

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study, exhibit C. Volume 2, part 1: System engineering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1979-01-01

Volume 2, Part 1, of a seven volume report is presented. Part 1 encompasses Satellite Power Systems (SPS) systems engineering aspects and is divided into three sections. The first section presents descriptions of the various candidate concepts considered and conclusions and recommendations for a preferred concept. The second section presents a summary of results of the various trade studies and analysis conducted during the course of the study. The third section describes the Photovoltaic Satellite Based Satellite Power System (SPS) Point Design as it was defined through studies performed during the period January 1977 through March 1979.

To the Large Nucleolar Bodies in Apoptotic Leukaemic Granulocytic Progenitors without Further Differentiation. Are Large Nucleoli Always Present in Proliferating Cells?

PubMed

Smetana, K; Kuželová, K; Zápotocký, M; Hrkal, Z

2017-01-01

Large nucleoli have generally been believed to be present in less differentiated and proliferating cells including the malignant ones. Such nucleoli have also been considered to be active in the biosynthetic process and major cell developmental activities. In contrast, after cytostatic treatment, apoptotic leukaemic progenitors still containing nuclei did not exhibit substantial reduction of the nucleolar size but displayed decreased nucleolar biosynthetic activity. The present study was undertaken to provide more information on the large nucleoli in spontaneously occurring apoptotic leukaemic progenitors without further differentiation. Leukaemic progenitors of established cell lineages originating from leukaemic patients represented a very convenient model for such study. Some of them exhibit morphological signs of the spontaneously occurring apoptotic process. Since such signs are expressed by nuclear and cytoplasmic morphological variability, the present study dealt with spontaneously occurring apoptotic progenitors with preserved nuclei characterized by heavy chromatin condensation and occasional fragmentation. Based of nucleolar body and nuclear maximal diameter measurements it seems to be clear that the nucleolar size in these cells was not substantially reduced, contrary to that of the nucleus. However, large nucleolar bodies in spontaneously occurring apoptotic cells were characterized by markedly reduced biosynthetic activity, as expressed by the decreased number of nucleolar transcription markers such as nucleolar fibrillar centres. In conclusion, large nucleoli may be present not only in proliferating, but also in spontaneously occurring apoptotic cells.

Impaired Word and Face Recognition in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes.

PubMed

Jones, Nicola; Riby, Leigh M; Smith, Michael A

2016-07-01

Older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) exhibit accelerated decline in some domains of cognition including verbal episodic memory. Few studies have investigated the influence of DM2 status in older adults on recognition memory for more complex stimuli such as faces. In the present study we sought to compare recognition memory performance for words, objects and faces under conditions of relatively low and high cognitive load. Healthy older adults with good glucoregulatory control (n = 13) and older adults with DM2 (n = 24) were administered recognition memory tasks in which stimuli (faces, objects and words) were presented under conditions of either i) low (stimulus presented without a background pattern) or ii) high (stimulus presented against a background pattern) cognitive load. In a subsequent recognition phase, the DM2 group recognized fewer faces than healthy controls. Further, the DM2 group exhibited word recognition deficits in the low cognitive load condition. The recognition memory impairment observed in patients with DM2 has clear implications for day-to-day functioning. Although these deficits were not amplified under conditions of increased cognitive load, the present study emphasizes that recognition memory impairment for both words and more complex stimuli such as face are a feature of DM2 in older adults. Copyright © 2016 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Young People in Croatia in Times of Crisis and Some Remarks about Citizenship Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mrnjaus, Kornelija; Vrcelj, Sofija; Zlokovic, Jasminka

2014-01-01

In this paper, the authors address the youth as a research phenomenon and present the current position of young people in the Croatian society. The authors exhibit interesting results of a recent study of youth in Croatia and present the results of their research conducted among Croatian students aiming to explore the attitudes of young people and…

Influence on Levels of Information as Presented by Different Technologies on Students' Understanding of Acid, Base, and pH Concepts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nakhleh, Mary B.; Krajcik, Joseph S.

1994-01-01

Involves secondary students in a study designed to allow investigation into how different levels of information presented by various technologies (chemical indicators, pH meters, and microcomputer-based laboratories-MBLs) affected students' understanding of acid, base, and pH concepts. Results showed that students using MBLs exhibited a greater…

Museum Signage as Distributed Mediation to Encourage Family Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, Kyungyoun

2009-01-01

Many prior studies conducted in museums have focused primarily on exhibits as the main objects for learning. Less progress has been made in studying signage as another meaning-making tool in museums. The present study was designed to understand the role of signage in family learning by answering the following research questions, "How does signage…

Glyoxal administration induces formation of high molecular weight aggregates of hemoglobin exhibiting amyloidal nature in experimental rats: An in vivo study.

PubMed

Banerjee, Sauradipta; Chakraborti, Abhay Sankar

2016-12-01

Glyoxal, a highly reactive α-oxoaldehyde, increases in diabetic condition and reacts with proteins to form advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In the present study, we have investigated the effect of glyoxal on experimental rat hemoglobin in vivo after external administration of the α-dicarbonyl compound in animals. Gel electrophoretic profile of hemolysate collected from glyoxal-treated rats (32mg/kg body wt. dose) after one week exhibited the presence of some high molecular weight protein bands that were found to be absent for control, untreated rats. Mass spectrometric and absorption studies indicated that the bands represented hemoglobin. Further studies revealed that the fraction exhibited the presence of intermolecular cross β-sheet structure. Thus glyoxal administration induces formation of high molecular weight aggregates of hemoglobin with amyloid characteristics in rats. Aggregated hemoglobin fraction was found to exhibit higher stability compared to glyoxal-untreated hemoglobin. As evident from mass spectrometric studies, glyoxal was found to modify Arg-30β and Arg-31α of rat hemoglobin to hydroimidazolone adducts. The modifications thus appear to induce amyloid-like aggregation of hemoglobin in rats. Considering the increased level of glyoxal in diabetes mellitus as well as its high reactivity, the above findings may be physiologically significant. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Did Buddha turn the other cheek too? A comparison of posing biases between Jesus and Buddha.

PubMed

Duerksen, Kari N; Friedrich, Trista E; Elias, Lorin J

2015-10-02

People tend to exhibit a leftward bias in posing. Various studies suggest that posing to the left portrays a stronger emotion, whereas posing to the right portrays a more neutral emotion. Religions such as Christianity emphasize the role of strong emotions in religious experience, whereas religions such as Buddhism emphasize the calming of emotions as being important. In the present study, we investigated if the emphasis on emotionality of a religion influences the depiction of their religious figures. Specifically, we coded 484 paintings of Jesus and Buddha from online art databases for whether the deity exhibited a left bias, right bias, or central face presentation. The posing biases were analysed to discover whether paintings of Jesus would more frequently depict a leftward bias than paintings of Buddha. Jesus is more commonly depicted with a leftward bias than Buddha, and Buddha is more commonly depicted with a central face presentation than Jesus. These findings support the idea that the amount of emotionality that is to be conveyed in artwork influences the whether the subject is posed with a leftward bias.

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: multiresistant tick.

PubMed

Machado, Fabrício Amadori; Pivoto, Felipe Lamberti; Ferreira, Maiara Sanitá Tafner; Gregorio, Fabiano de Vargas; Vogel, Fernanda Silveira Flores; Sangioni, Luís Antônio

2014-01-01

The aim of the present study was to assess the acaricide resistance of tick populations in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), which has not previously been reported. Fifty-four cattle farms were visited and specimens of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus were collected and subjected to the adult immersion test, using nine commercial acaricides in the amidine, pyrethroid and organophosphate groups. Climatic data, including monthly precipitation, were recorded. The results from the present study demonstrated that seven of the acaricides analyzed presented mean efficacy values of less than 95%, with large differences among the products tested. Nine of them exhibited satisfactory and unsatisfactory acaricide results on at least one farm. In conclusion, the farms located in the western-central region of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, exhibited populations of R. (Boophilus) microplus with variable degrees of susceptibility to different acaricides, thus suggesting that resistance to the active compounds exists. It is suggested that treatment protocols should be implemented at the beginning of winter and summer, using the acaricides that showed efficacy in the adult immersion test.

Measure synchronization in a spin-orbit-coupled bosonic Josephson junction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Wen-Yuan; Liu, Jie; Fu, Li-Bin

2015-11-01

We present measure synchronization (MS) in a bosonic Josephson junction with spin-orbit coupling. The two atomic hyperfine states are coupled by a Raman dressing scheme, and they are regarded as two orientations of a pseudo-spin-1 /2 system. A feature specific to a spin-orbit-coupled (SOC) bosonic Josephson junction is that the transition from non-MS to MS dynamics can be modulated by Raman laser intensity, even in the absence of interspin atomic interaction. A phase diagram of non-MS and MS dynamics as functions of Raman laser intensity and Josephson tunneling amplitude is presented. Taking into account interspin atomic interactions, the system exhibits MS breaking dynamics resulting from the competition between intraspin and interspin atomic interactions. When interspin atomic interactions dominate in the competition, the system always exhibits MS dynamics. For interspin interaction weaker than intraspin interaction, a window for non-MS dynamics is present. Since SOC Bose-Einstein condensates provide a powerful platform for studies on physical problems in various fields, the study of MS dynamics is valuable in researching the collective coherent dynamical behavior in a spin-orbit-coupled bosonic Josephson junction.

Translating land use science to a museum exhibit.

PubMed

Arce-Nazario, Javier A

2016-01-01

For land use science to engage the general public it must successfully translate its concepts and conclusions and make them public outside of traditional scientific venues. Here we explore science-art exhibits, which blend artistic presentations with specific scientific data or themes, as a possible effective way of communicating scientific information and disrupting misconceptions. We describe the process of producing a science-art exhibit on remote sensing and Puerto Rican landscape history from 1937 to the present, sited at a rural Puerto Rican community museum, and examine the visitor experience and educational outcomes of the museum exhibit through analysis of survey data. The exhibit project engaged undergraduate students from a variety of academic backgrounds, introduced land use science concepts to the public in an engaging format, and was effective at reshaping visitors' misconceptions of Puerto Rico's landscape change history.

Inquiry Learning: Students' Perception of Light Wave Phenomena in an Informal Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ford, Ken

2011-01-01

This study involved identifying students' perception of light phenomena and determined if they learned the scientific concepts of light that were presented to them by an interactive science exhibit. The participants in this study made scientific inquiry about light by using a powerful white light source, a prism, converging lenses, diverging…

NAIS/NACUBO Endowment Study for Independent Schools: 1991.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Association of College and University Business Officers, Washington, DC.

This report presents the findings of a study of the performance and management of endowments of independent schools and of colleges and universities. A preliminary section offers information on the data collection process and describes several definitions and formula used in the analysis. Much of the report is taken up with exhibits and figures…

Women in Intercollegiate Sport: A Longitudinal Study. Twenty Five Year Update, 1977-2002.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Acosta, R. Vivian; Carpenter, Linda Jean

This paper presents data from a 25-year study of women in intercollegiate sports. The opportunity for female athletes to participate in intercollegiate athletics generally increased over time. The same six sports continue to be the most popular: basketball, volleyball, soccer, tennis, cross country, and softball, with soccer exhibiting the…

On the Four Types of Characteristics of Super Mathematically Gifted Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leikin, Roza; Leikin, Mark; Paz-Baruch, Nurit; Waisman, Ilana; Lev, Miri

2017-01-01

In order to achieve the present study's goal--to understand better the phenomenon of mathematical giftedness--we performed a multidimensional examination of the mental processing in students who exhibited mathematical expertise (EM) at the secondary school level. The study included participants from the three groups: students who excelled in…

Asteroid-comet continuum objects in the solar system.

PubMed

Hsieh, Henry H

2017-07-13

In this review presented at the Royal Society meeting, 'Cometary science after Rosetta', I present an overview of studies of small solar system objects that exhibit properties of both asteroids and comets (with a focus on so-called active asteroids). Sometimes referred to as 'transition objects', these bodies are perhaps more appropriately described as 'continuum objects', to reflect the notion that rather than necessarily representing actual transitional evolutionary states between asteroids and comets, they simply belong to the general population of small solar system bodies that happen to exhibit a continuous range of observational, physical and dynamical properties. Continuum objects are intriguing because they possess many of the properties that make classical comets interesting to study (e.g. relatively primitive compositions, ejection of surface and subsurface material into space where it can be more easily studied, and orbital properties that allow us to sample material from distant parts of the solar system that would otherwise be inaccessible), while allowing us to study regions of the solar system that are not sampled by classical comets.This article is part of the themed issue 'Cometary science after Rosetta'. © 2017 The Author(s).

Spider peptide toxin lycosin-I induces apoptosis and inhibits migration of prostate cancer cells.

PubMed

Shen, Hongwei; Xie, Yuan; Ye, Senlin; He, Kancheng; Yi, Lu; Cui, Rongrong

2018-05-01

Spider toxins are molecularly diverse and some display not only a strong antibacterial effect but also exhibit significant inhibition of tumor growth and promote tumor cell apoptosis. The aim of the present investigation was to explore different antitumor effects of the spider peptide toxin lycosin-I through different pathways at different concentrations. It was found that by inactivating STAT3 pathway, high concentrations of lycosin-I induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells and low concentrations of lycosin-I inhibit the migration of prostate cancer cells. This finding provides favorable evidence for further study of the molecular diversity of spider toxins. Impact statement The spider peptide toxin has become an important research topic. These toxins are molecularly diverse and some display not only a strong antibacterial effect but also exhibit significant inhibition of tumor growth and promote tumor cell apoptosis. Inspired by previous studies, the present study aims to investigate the effects of different concentrations of lycosin-I on the invasiveness and apoptosis of human prostate cancer cells. The findings provide favorable evidence for further study of the molecular diversity of spider toxins.

Bacteriological profiling of diphenylureas as a novel class of antibiotics against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

Younis, Waleed; Ezzat, Hany G.; Peters, Christine E.; AbdelKhalek, Ahmed; Cooper, Bruce; Pogliano, Kit; Pogliano, Joe; Mayhoub, Abdelrahman S.; Seleem, Mohamed N.

2017-01-01

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics remains an imposing global public health challenge. Of the most serious pathogens, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is problematic given strains have emerged that exhibit resistance to several antibiotic classes including β-lactams and agents of last resort such as vancomycin. New antibacterial agents composed of unique chemical scaffolds are needed to counter this public health challenge. The present study examines two synthetic diphenylurea compounds 1 and 2 that inhibit growth of clinically-relevant isolates of MRSA at concentrations as low as 4 µg/mL and are non-toxic to human colorectal cells at concentrations up to 128 μg/mL. Both compounds exhibit rapid bactericidal activity, completely eliminating a high inoculum of MRSA within four hours. MRSA mutants exhibiting resistance to 1 and 2 could not be isolated, indicating a low likelihood of rapid resistance emerging to these compounds. Bacterial cytological profiling revealed the diphenylureas exert their antibacterial activity by targeting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Both compounds demonstrate the ability to resensitize vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus to the effect of vancomycin. The present study lays the foundation for further investigation and development of diphenylurea compounds as a new class of antibacterial agents. PMID:28797064

Characterization of rabbit limbal epithelial side population cells using RNA sequencing and single-cell qRT-PCR.

PubMed

Kameishi, Sumako; Umemoto, Terumasa; Matsuzaki, Yu; Fujita, Masako; Okano, Teruo; Kato, Takashi; Yamato, Masayuki

2016-05-06

Corneal epithelial stem cells reside in the limbus, a transitional zone between the cornea and conjunctiva, and are essential for maintaining homeostasis in the corneal epithelium. Although our previous studies demonstrated that rabbit limbal epithelial side population (SP) cells exhibit stem cell-like phenotypes with Hoechst 33342 staining, the different characteristics and/or populations of these cells remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we determined the gene expression profiles of limbal epithelial SP cells by RNA sequencing using not only present public databases but also contigs that were created by de novo transcriptome assembly as references for mapping. Our transcriptome data indicated that limbal epithelial SP cells exhibited a stem cell-like phenotype compared with non-SP cells. Importantly, gene ontology analysis following RNA sequencing demonstrated that limbal epithelial SP cells exhibited significantly enhanced expression of mesenchymal/endothelial cell markers rather than epithelial cell markers. Furthermore, single-cell quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) demonstrated that the limbal epithelial SP population consisted of at least two immature cell populations with endothelial- or mesenchymal-like phenotypes. Therefore, our present results may propose the presence of a novel population of corneal epithelial stem cells distinct from conventional epithelial stem cells. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

46 CFR 201.131 - Presentation of evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... events occurring after the exhibit-exchange dates shall be presented by a revision of exhibits. Witnesses... number and title and shall be exchanged on dates prior to the hearing prescribed in the prehearing... briefs. A written statement of position should be exchanged by all counsel with copies to all other...

46 CFR 201.131 - Presentation of evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... events occurring after the exhibit-exchange dates shall be presented by a revision of exhibits. Witnesses... number and title and shall be exchanged on dates prior to the hearing prescribed in the prehearing... briefs. A written statement of position should be exchanged by all counsel with copies to all other...

46 CFR 201.131 - Presentation of evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... events occurring after the exhibit-exchange dates shall be presented by a revision of exhibits. Witnesses... number and title and shall be exchanged on dates prior to the hearing prescribed in the prehearing... briefs. A written statement of position should be exchanged by all counsel with copies to all other...

46 CFR 201.131 - Presentation of evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... events occurring after the exhibit-exchange dates shall be presented by a revision of exhibits. Witnesses... number and title and shall be exchanged on dates prior to the hearing prescribed in the prehearing... briefs. A written statement of position should be exchanged by all counsel with copies to all other...

46 CFR 201.131 - Presentation of evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... events occurring after the exhibit-exchange dates shall be presented by a revision of exhibits. Witnesses... number and title and shall be exchanged on dates prior to the hearing prescribed in the prehearing... briefs. A written statement of position should be exchanged by all counsel with copies to all other...

Front-end Evaluation as Part of a Comprehensive Approach to Inform the Development of a New Climate Exhibit at NCAR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ristvey, J. D., Jr.; Brinkworth, C.; Hatheway, B.; Williams, V.

2015-12-01

In an era of discord in public views of climate change, communicating atmospheric and related sciences to the public at a large research facility like the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) can be a daunting challenge yet one that is filled with many possibilities. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) Center for Science Education (SciEd) is responsible for education and outreach activities at UCAR, including the exhibits program. Over 90,000 people visit the NCAR Mesa Lab each year to enjoy a number of exhibits that showcase our community's research. The current climate exhibit is twelve years old, and with advances in our understanding of climate science and exhibit design, SciEd staff are developing a new exhibit that is as cutting edge as the research conducted at NCAR. Based on listening sessions with NCAR scientists, the following big ideas for the exhibit emerged: How the climate system works The climate system is changing How scientists study our climate Regional impacts Solutions The goal of the new climate exhibit is to reach people using a variety of learning styles, including offerings for visitors who learn by doing, as well as providing informative text and images (Hatheway, 2014). Developers and evaluators are working together to conduct front-end, formative, and summative evaluations to understand of the needs of our visitors and collect ongoing data to inform development. The purpose of the front-end evaluation, conducted in the summer of 2014 was to develop informed data-driven strategies to move forward with exhibit design. The evaluation results to be shared in this session include: The demographics and behaviors of visitors Trends in visitors' experiences Visitor input on exhibit design (Williams and Tarsi, 2014). In this presentation, we will share the results, significance, and application of the front-end evaluation as part of a comprehensive approach to study both how we convey information about climate science and plan for the re-design of a new climate exhibit.

Statistics of pressure fluctuations in decaying isotropic turbulence.

PubMed

Kalelkar, Chirag

2006-04-01

We present results from a systematic direct-numerical simulation study of pressure fluctuations in an unforced, incompressible, homogeneous, and isotropic three-dimensional turbulent fluid. At cascade completion, isosurfaces of low pressure are found to be organized as slender filaments, whereas the predominant isostructures appear sheetlike. We exhibit several results, including plots of probability distributions of the spatial pressure difference, the pressure-gradient norm, and the eigenvalues of the pressure-Hessian tensor. Plots of the temporal evolution of the mean pressure-gradient norm, and the mean eigenvalues of the pressure-Hessian tensor are also exhibited. We find the statistically preferred orientations between the eigenvectors of the pressure-Hessian tensor, the pressure gradient, the eigenvectors of the strain-rate tensor, the vorticity, and the velocity. Statistical properties of the nonlocal part of the pressure-Hessian tensor are also exhibited. We present numerical tests (in the viscous case) of some conjectures of Ohkitani [Phys. Fluids A 5, 2570 (1993)] and Ohkitani and Kishiba [Phys. Fluids 7, 411 (1995)] concerning the pressure-Hessian and the strain-rate tensors, for the unforced, incompressible, three-dimensional Euler equations.

Microstructural changes in memory and reticular formation neural pathway after simple concussion☆

PubMed Central

Ouyang, Lin; Shi, Rongyue; Xiao, Yuhui; Meng, Jiarong; Guo, Yihe; Lu, Guangming

2012-01-01

Patients with concussion often present with temporary disturbance of consciousness. The microstructural and functional changes in the brain associated with concussion, as well as the relationship with transient cognitive disorders, are currently unclear. In the present study, a rabbit model of simple concussion was established. Magnetic resonance-diffusion tensor imaging results revealed that the corona radiata and midbrain exhibited significantly decreased fractional anisotropy values in the neural pathways associated with memory and the reticular formation. In addition, the apparent diffusion coefficient values were significantly increased following injury compared with those before injury. Following a 1-hour period of quiet rest, the fractional anisotropy values significantly increased, and apparent diffusion coefficient values significantly decreased, returning to normal pre-injury levels. In contrast, the fractional anisotropy values and apparent diffusion coefficient values in the corpus callosum, thalamus and hippocampus showed no statistical significant alterations following injury. These findings indicate that the neural pathways associated with memory and the reticular formation pathway exhibit reversible microstructural white matter changes when concussion occurs, and these changes are exhibited to a different extent in different regions. PMID:25538741

Microstructural changes in memory and reticular formation neural pathway after simple concussion.

PubMed

Ouyang, Lin; Shi, Rongyue; Xiao, Yuhui; Meng, Jiarong; Guo, Yihe; Lu, Guangming

2012-10-05

Patients with concussion often present with temporary disturbance of consciousness. The microstructural and functional changes in the brain associated with concussion, as well as the relationship with transient cognitive disorders, are currently unclear. In the present study, a rabbit model of simple concussion was established. Magnetic resonance-diffusion tensor imaging results revealed that the corona radiata and midbrain exhibited significantly decreased fractional anisotropy values in the neural pathways associated with memory and the reticular formation. In addition, the apparent diffusion coefficient values were significantly increased following injury compared with those before injury. Following a 1-hour period of quiet rest, the fractional anisotropy values significantly increased, and apparent diffusion coefficient values significantly decreased, returning to normal pre-injury levels. In contrast, the fractional anisotropy values and apparent diffusion coefficient values in the corpus callosum, thalamus and hippocampus showed no statistical significant alterations following injury. These findings indicate that the neural pathways associated with memory and the reticular formation pathway exhibit reversible microstructural white matter changes when concussion occurs, and these changes are exhibited to a different extent in different regions.

Spectral evolution of GRBs with negative spectral lag using Fermi GBM observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakrabarti, Arundhati; Chaudhury, Kishor; Sarkar, Samir K.; Bhadra, Arunava

2018-06-01

The positive spectral lag of Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs) is often explained in terms of hard-to-soft spectral evolution of GRB pulses. While positive lags of GRBs is very common, there are few GRB pulses that exhibits negative spectral lags. In the present work we examine whether negative lags of GRBs also can be interpreted in terms of spectral evolution of GRB pulses or not. Using Fermi-GBM data, we identify two GRBs, GRB 090426C and GRB 150213A, with clean pulses that exhibit negative spectral lag. An indication of soft to hard transition has been noticed for the negative spectral lag events from the spectral evolution study. The implication of the present findings on the models of GRB spectral lags are discussed.

Inactivation of possible micromycete food contaminants using the low-temperature plasma and hydrogen peroxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Čeřovský, M.; Khun, J.; Rusová, K.; Scholtz, V.; Soušková, H.

2013-09-01

The inhibition effect of hydrogen peroxide aerosol, low-temperature plasma and their combinations has been studied on several micromycetes spores. The low-temperature plasma was generated in corona discharges in the open air apparatus with hydrogen peroxide aerosol. Micromycete spores were inoculated on the surface of agar plates, exposed solely to the hydrogen peroxide aerosol, corona discharge or their combination. After incubation the diameter of inhibition zone was measured. The solely positive corona discharge exhibits no inactivation effect, the solely negative corona discharge and solely hydrogen peroxide aerosol exhibit the inactivation effect, however their combinations exhibit to be much more effective. Low-temperature plasma and hydrogen peroxide aerosol present a possible alternative method of microbial decontamination of food, food packages or other thermolabile materials.

Inactivation of possible micromycete food contaminants using the low-temperature plasma and hydrogen peroxide

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

Čeřovský, M., E-mail: scholtz@aldebaran.cz; Khun, J.; Rusová, K.

2013-09-15

The inhibition effect of hydrogen peroxide aerosol, low-temperature plasma and their combinations has been studied on several micromycetes spores. The low-temperature plasma was generated in corona discharges in the open air apparatus with hydrogen peroxide aerosol. Micromycete spores were inoculated on the surface of agar plates, exposed solely to the hydrogen peroxide aerosol, corona discharge or their combination. After incubation the diameter of inhibition zone was measured. The solely positive corona discharge exhibits no inactivation effect, the solely negative corona discharge and solely hydrogen peroxide aerosol exhibit the inactivation effect, however their combinations exhibit to be much more effective. Low-temperaturemore » plasma and hydrogen peroxide aerosol present a possible alternative method of microbial decontamination of food, food packages or other thermolabile materials.« less

Psychosis during pregnancy: treatment considerations.

PubMed

Pinkofsky, H B

1997-09-01

The onset of psychosis during pregnancy presents several difficult management decisions and a careful risk-benefit analysis is required. Withholding antipsychotic treatment may produce more risks than benefits. Studies on neuroleptic teratogenicity are contradictory. Most of the commonly used neuroleptics exhibit a pregnancy risk of category C. Neuroleptic use during pregnancy may be associated with adverse effects in the pre- and postnatal period. These concerns include compromising uterine blood flow, post-partum neonatal sedation, and extrapyramidal signs expressed in the neonate. Each neuroleptic exhibits a unique pharmacokinetic profile. The antipsychotic properties and side effects considered most significant include sedation, half-life, hypotension, and apparent hydrophilicity. In this case study a decision to select molindone was based on these parameters.

Structure of dehaloperoxidase B at 1.58 Å resolution and structural characterization of the AB dimer from Amphitrite ornata

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

de Serrano, Vesna; D; Antonio, Jennifer

2012-04-18

As members of the globin superfamily, dehaloperoxidase (DHP) isoenzymes A and B from the marine annelid Amphitrite ornata possess hemoglobin function, but they also exhibit a biologically relevant peroxidase activity that is capable of converting 2,4,6-trihalophenols to the corresponding 2,6-dihaloquinones in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Here, a comprehensive structural study of recombinant DHP B, both by itself and cocrystallized with isoenzyme A, using X-ray diffraction is presented. The structure of DHP B refined to 1.58 {angstrom} resolution exhibits the same distal histidine (His55) conformational flexibility as that observed in isoenzyme A, as well as additional changes to the distalmore » and proximal hydrogen-bonding networks. Furthermore, preliminary characterization of the DHP AB heterodimer is presented, which exhibits differences in the AB interface that are not observed in the A-only or B-only homodimers. These structural investigations of DHP B provide insights that may relate to the mechanistic details of the H{sub 2}O{sub 2}-dependent oxidative dehalogenation reaction catalyzed by dehaloperoxidase, present a clearer description of the function of specific residues in DHP at the molecular level and lead to a better understanding of the paradigms of globin structure-function relationships.« less

Isolation and characteristics of CD133‑/A2B5+ and CD133‑/A2B5‑ cells from the SHG139s cell line.

PubMed

Han, Yong; Wang, Hangzhou; Huang, Yulun; Cheng, Zhe; Sun, Ting; Chen, Guilin; Xie, Xueshun; Zhou, Youxin; Du, Ziwei

2015-12-01

In glioma tissues, there are small cell populations with the capability of sustaining tumor formation. These cells are referred to as glioma stem cells (GSCs). However, the presence of subpopulations of GSCs, and the differences between each subpopulation remain to be fully elucidated. In the present study, CD133‑/A2B5‑ and CD133‑/A2B5+ cells from the SHG139 GSC cell line (SHG139s) were isolated using magnetic‑activated cell sorting. Following xenografting into nude mice, the two isolated subpopulations generated tumors. The characteristics of the two subpopulations were investigated extensively, and it was found that the two exhibited cancer stem cell characteristics. These cells expressed stem cell markers, exhibited a neurosphere‑like appearance, and were found to exhibit self‑renewal and multipotency capabilities. Subsequently, the self‑renewal and proliferation abilities of the two subpopulations were compared. It was found that the A2B5‑ cells had a higher proliferative index and a higher self‑renewal ability, compared with the A2B5+ cells. In addition, the A2B5‑ cells exhibited increased angiogenic ability. However, the invasion ability of the A2B5+ cells was higher than that of the A2B5‑ cells. Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that there are different cell subpopulations in GSCs, and each subpopulation has its own properties.

Evaluation of oxidative stress biomarkers in Zosterisessor ophiocephalus from the Venice Lagoon, Italy.

PubMed

Pascoli, Francesco; Negrato, Elena; Di Giancamillo, Alessia; Bertotto, Daniela; Domeneghini, Cinzia; Simontacchi, Claudia; Mutinelli, Franco; Radaelli, Giuseppe

2011-02-01

Several studies carried out in the last years have demonstrated the presence of a wide range of contaminants in some areas of the Venice Lagoon. Many of these contaminants are able to drive free radical reactions, which lead to oxidative stress and can potentially affect fish health. In the present study, oxidative stress biomarkers were examined in three different sites (Porto Marghera, Val di Brenta and Caroman) of the Venice Lagoon and their levels monitored in Zosterisessor ophiocephalus, one of the most common fish species present in the lagoon. Schmorl's staining revealed the presence of melanomacrophage centres in spleen and head kidney, and the highest number of melanomacrophage centres was observed in the animals sampled at the Porto Marghera (Porto Marghera vs Val di brenta and Caroman: p<0.01). The cellular localization of HNE and NT, investigated through an immunohistochemical approach, showed that immunopositivity was mainly localized in melanomacrophage centres of spleen and kidney. It is relevant that the animals of the detoxified control group did not exhibit any immunoreactivity. By Western blot, the antibodies against HNE and NT recognized in the liver polypeptides damaged by oxidative stress with molecular weights under 66kDa. Comparing the relative densities, animals from the Val di Brenta site exhibited the lowest levels of HNE adducts (p<0.05), whereas animals from the Porto Marghera site exhibited the highest levels of NT adducts (p<0.05). MDA levels, measured spectrophotometrically by TBARS assay did not exhibit any statistical difference among sites. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Place of Their Own: Boston's Children's Museum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riechers, Maggie

1994-01-01

Presents an overview of the approach and current exhibits at the Boston Children's Museum. Describes the Japan Program, a permanent exhibit, illustrating the blending of traditional and modern Japan. Outlines the development of the Native American exhibit and future plans for a floating urban education center. (CFR)

Adolescent rats are resistant to the development of ethanol-induced chronic tolerance and ethanol-induced conditioned aversion.

PubMed

Pautassi, Ricardo Marcos; Godoy, Juan Carlos; Molina, Juan Carlos

2015-11-01

The analysis of chronic tolerance to ethanol in adult and adolescent rats has yielded mixed results. Tolerance to some effects of ethanol has been reported in adolescents, yet other studies found adults to exhibit greater tolerance than adolescents or comparable expression of the phenomena at both ages. Another unanswered question is how chronic ethanol exposure affects subsequent ethanol-mediated motivational learning at these ages. The present study examined the development of chronic tolerance to ethanol's hypothermic and motor stimulating effects, and subsequent acquisition of ethanol-mediated odor conditioning, in adolescent and adult male Wistar rats given every-other-day intragastric administrations of ethanol. Adolescent and adult rats exhibited lack of tolerance to the hypothermic effects of ethanol during an induction phase; whereas adults, but not adolescents, exhibited a trend towards a reduction in hypothermia at a challenge phase (Experiment 1). Adolescents, unlike adults, exhibited ethanol-induced motor activation after the first ethanol administration. Adults, but not adolescents, exhibited conditioned odor aversion by ethanol. Subsequent experiments conducted only in adolescents (Experiment 2, Experiment 3 and Experiment 4) manipulated the context, length and predictability of ethanol administration. These manipulations did not promote the expression of ethanol-induced tolerance. This study indicated that, when moderate ethanol doses are given every-other day for a relatively short period, adolescents are less likely than adults to develop chronic tolerance to ethanol-induced hypothermia. This resistance to tolerance development could limit long-term maintenance of ethanol intake. Adolescents, however, exhibited greater sensitivity than adults to the acute motor stimulating effects of ethanol and a blunted response to the aversive effects of ethanol. This pattern of response may put adolescents at risk for early initiation of ethanol intake. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Surface and Defect Chemistry on the Photocatalytic Properties of Intentionally Defect-Rich ZnO Nanorod Arrays.

PubMed

Kegel, Jan; Zubialevich, Vitaly Z; Schmidt, Michael; Povey, Ian M; Pemble, Martyn E

2018-05-30

Due to the abundance of intrinsic defects in zinc oxide (ZnO), the material properties are often governed by same. Knowledge of the defect chemistry has proven to be highly important, especially in terms of the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. Given the fact that defect-free materials or structures exhibiting only one type of defect are extremely difficult to produce, it is necessary to evaluate what influence various defects may have when present together in the material. In this study, intentionally defect-rich ZnO nanorod (NR) arrays are grown using a simple low-temperature solution-based growth technique. Upon changing the defect chemistry using rapid thermal annealing (RTA) the material properties are carefully assessed and correlated to the resulting photocatalytic properties. Special focus is put on the investigation of these properties for samples showing strong orange photoluminescence (PL). It is shown that intense orange emitting NR arrays exhibit improved dye-degradation rates under UV-light irradiation. Furthermore, strong dye-adsorption has been observed for some samples. This behavior is found to stem from a graphitic surface structure (e.g., shell) formed during RTA in vacuum. Since orange-luminescent samples also exhibit an enhancement of the dye adsorption a possible interplay and synergy of these two defects is elucidated. Additionally, evidence is presented suggesting that in annealed ZnO NRs structural defects may be responsible for the often observed PL emission at 3.31 eV. However, a clear correlation with the photocatalytic properties could not be established for these defects. Building on the specific findings presented here, this study also presents some more general guidelines which, it is suggested, should be employed when assessing the photocatalytic properties of defect-rich ZnO.

Effect of Omega-3 and -6 Supplementation on Language in Preterm Toddlers Exhibiting Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sheppard, Kelly W.; Boone, Kelly M.; Gracious, Barbara; Klebanoff, Mark A.; Rogers, Lynette K.; Rausch, Joseph; Bartlett, Christopher; Coury, Daniel L.; Keim, Sarah A.

2017-01-01

Delayed language development may be an early indicator of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early intervention is critical for children with ASD, and the present study presents pilot data on a clinical trial of omega-3 and -6 fatty acid supplementation and language development, a secondary trial outcome, in children at risk for ASD. We randomized 31…

Speed of Eating as a Determinant of Bulimic Desire to Vomit: A Controlled Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Azrin, Nathan H.; Kellen, Michael J.; Ehle, Christopher T.; Brooks, Jeannie S.

2006-01-01

Studies of self-induced vomiting of retarded persons have found that the rate of eating and the amount eaten alter this problem. The present study attempted to determine whether this same relationship was exhibited by the nonretarded bulimic. A nonretarded bulimic woman provided her subjective ratings of her desire to vomit after eating her taboo…

Interactive Exhibits Foster Partnership and Engage Diverse Learners at Their Local Libraries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LaConte, K.; Dusenbery, P.; Fitzhugh, G.; Harold, J. B.; Holland, A.

2016-12-01

Learners frequently need to access increasingly complex information to help them understand our changing world. More and more libraries are transforming themselves into places where learners not only access STEM information, but interact with professionals and undertake hands-on learning. Libraries are beginning to position themselves as part of learning ecosystems that contribute to a collective impact on the community. Traveling STEM exhibits are catalyzing these partnerships and engaging students, families, and adults in repeat visits through an accessible venue: their public library. The impact of the STAR Library Education Network's (STAR_Net) Discover Earth: A Century of Change exhibit on partnerships, the circulation of STEM resources, and the engagement of learners was studied by an external evaluation team. The STAR_Net project's summative evaluation utilized mixed methods to investigate project implementation and its outcomes. Methods included pre- and post-exhibit surveys administered to staff from each library that hosted the exhibits; interviews with staff from host libraries; patron surveys; exhibit-related circulation records; web metrics regarding the online STAR_Net community of practice; and site visits. A subset of host libraries recruited professionals, who delivered programming that connected Earth systems science, weather, climate, and conservation themes from the exhibit to local issues. Library patrons improved their knowledge about STEM topics presented in the exhibits and associated programming, and patrons viewing the exhibit reflected the demographics of their communities. In a follow-up survey, patrons reported spending an average of 60 minutes looking at the exhibit over their cumulative visits to the library. In contrast, visitors might visit a museum only once to look at a comparably-sized traveling exhibit due to barriers such as cost and distance. Exhibit host libraries reported an increase in the circulation of Earth science materials of 27% while the exhibit was at their library. The summative evaluation results, as well as tips for working with your local library, will be shared.

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study (Exhibit D). Volume 5: Systems engineering/integration research and technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1981-01-01

Guidelines and ground rules followed in the development of requirements for the SPS are presented. Development planning objectives are specified in each of these areas, and evolutionary SPS program scenarios are described for the various concepts studied during the past one year contract. Program descriptions are presented as planning packages of technical tasks, and schedule phasing. Each package identifies the ground based technology effort that will facilitate SPS definitions, designs, development, and operations.

Numerical Study on Density Gradient Carbon-Carbon Composite for Vertical Launching System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoon, Jin-Young; Kim, Chun-Gon; Lim, Juhwan

2018-04-01

This study presents new carbon-carbon (C/C) composite that has a density gradient within single material, and estimates its heat conduction performance by a numerical method. To address the high heat conduction of a high-density C/C, which can cause adhesion separation in the steel structures of vertical launching systems, density gradient carbon-carbon (DGCC) composite is proposed due to its exhibiting low thermal conductivity as well as excellent ablative resistance. DGCC is manufactured by hybridizing two different carbonization processes into a single carbon preform. One part exhibits a low density using phenolic resin carbonization to reduce heat conduction, and the other exhibits a high density using thermal gradient-chemical vapor infiltration for excellent ablative resistance. Numerical analysis for DGCC is performed with a heat conduction problem, and internal temperature distributions are estimated by the forward finite difference method. Material properties of the transition density layer, which is inevitably formed during DGCC manufacturing, are assumed to a combination of two density layers for numerical analysis. By comparing numerical results with experimental data, we validate that DGCC exhibits a low thermal conductivity, and it can serve as highly effective ablative material for vertical launching systems.

An Exhibit for Touching.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunt, Susan

1979-01-01

An exhibit designed for visually handicapped persons presented by the Kalamazoo (Michigan) Institute of Art included bronze sculptures and oil paintings from the institute's permanent collection. (CL)

Cultures of Experimental Practice--An Approach in a Museum.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heering, Peter; Muller, Falk

2002-01-01

Describes generations and experiences of an exhibition presented in Spring 1998 at the Oldenburg Museum of Natural History and Pre-History. Discusses the thematic leitmotiv of this exhibition which was to present experiments from the history of physics as a cultural activity. Describes how reconstructions of historical experimental set-ups were…

Attitude Change When Presenting Science Museum Visitors with Risk-Benefit Information

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phelan, Siëlle; Specht, Inga; Schnotz, Wolfgang; Lewalter, Doris

2017-01-01

Visitors to modern science museums are likely to encounter exhibitions presenting conflicting information, such as risks and benefits of new scientific developments. Such exhibitions encourage visitors to reflect upon different sides of a story and to form or adjust their attitudes toward the topic on display. However, there is very little…

75 FR 18252 - Culturally Significant Object Imported for Exhibition Determinations: “Through African Eyes: The...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-09

... DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6951] Culturally Significant Object Imported for Exhibition Determinations: ``Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500--Present'' SUMMARY: Notice is hereby... object to be included in the exhibition ``Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500...

Symptom Differences in Acute and Chronic Presentation of Childhood Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Famularo, Richard; And Others

1990-01-01

Twenty-four child abuse victims, age 5-13, were diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children with the acute form of PTSD exhibited such symptoms as difficulty falling asleep, hypervigilance, nightmares, and generalized anxiety. Children exhibiting chronic PTSD exhibited increased detachment, restricted range of affect,…

Feasibility and early outcome of high-dose-rate Ir-192 brachytherapy as monotherapy in two fractions within 1 day for high-/very high-risk prostate cancer.

PubMed

Ashida, Shingo; Yamasaki, Ichiro; Tamura, Kenji; Shimamoto, Tsutomu; Inoue, Keiji; Kariya, Shinji; Kobayashi, Kana; Yamagami, Takuji; Shuin, Taro

2016-05-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of high-dose-rate (HDR)-brachytherapy as a monotherapy in two fractions within 1 day for localized prostate cancer, including high-/very high-risk cases. Among the 68 patients treated with HDR monotherapy between July 2011 and December 2014, 65 had a minimal follow-up of 12 months without adjuvant androgen deprivation therapy and were enrolled in the present study [42/65 (64.6%) exhibited high-/very high-risk diseases]. HDR monotherapy was performed in two fractions with a minimal interval of 6 h and the prescribed dose was 13.5 Gy (×2). Adverse events (AEs) were assessed using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4; http://ctep.cancer.gov/protocolDevelopment/electronic_applications/ctc.htm#ctc_40), and biochemical failure was assessed by the Phoenix definition. The median follow-up time was 30.1 months. The majority of patients had Grade 0-1 acute AEs. Four patients (6.2%) exhibited urinary retention, requiring a Foley catheter. Grade 3 acute AEs occurred at a frequency of 3.1% and hematuria at 1.5%. The majority of patients also exhibited Grade 0-1 chronic AEs. Grade 3 chronic AEs occurred at a frequency of 1.5% and urethral stricture at 1.5%, for which endoscopic treatment was indicated. Acute and chronic gastrointestinal AEs were uncommon, and no Grade 3 or above AEs developed. Biochemical failure occurred in 4 patients who all exhibited high-/very high-risk diseases. Kaplan-Meier estimated that 3 year biochemical failure-free survival was 91.6% overall and 88.0% in high-/very high-risk cases. The present two-fraction 1 day HDR monotherapy is feasible with minimal AEs and achieved acceptable biochemical control of localized prostate cancer, including high-/very high-risk cases, although long-term follow-up is required.

Reverse ego-depletion: Acts of self-control can improve subsequent performance in Indian cultural contexts.

PubMed

Savani, Krishna; Job, Veronika

2017-10-01

The strength model of self-control has been predominantly tested with people from Western cultures. The present research asks whether the phenomenon of ego-depletion generalizes to a culture emphasizing the virtues of exerting mental self-control in everyday life. A pilot study found that whereas Americans tended to believe that exerting willpower on mental tasks is depleting, Indians tended to believe that exerting willpower is energizing. Using dual task ego-depletion paradigms, Studies 1a, 1b, and 1c found reverse ego-depletion among Indian participants, such that participants exhibited better mental self-control on a subsequent task after initially working on strenuous rather than nonstrenuous cognitive tasks. Studies 2 and 3 found that Westerners exhibited the ego-depletion effect whereas Indians exhibited the reverse ego-depletion effect on the same set of tasks. Study 4 documented the causal effect of lay beliefs about whether exerting willpower is depleting versus energizing on reverse ego-depletion with both Indian and Western participants. Together, these studies reveal the underlying basis of the ego-depletion phenomenon in culturally shaped lay theories about willpower. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Variance in total levels of phospholipase C zeta (PLC-ζ) in human sperm may limit the applicability of quantitative immunofluorescent analysis as a diagnostic indicator of oocyte activation capability.

PubMed

Kashir, Junaid; Jones, Celine; Mounce, Ginny; Ramadan, Walaa M; Lemmon, Bernadette; Heindryckx, Bjorn; de Sutter, Petra; Parrington, John; Turner, Karen; Child, Tim; McVeigh, Enda; Coward, Kevin

2013-01-01

To examine whether similar levels of phospholipase C zeta (PLC-ζ) protein are present in sperm from men whose ejaculates resulted in normal oocyte activation, and to examine whether a predominant pattern of PLC-ζ localization is linked to normal oocyte activation ability. Laboratory study. University laboratory. Control subjects (men with proven oocyte activation capacity; n = 16) and men whose sperm resulted in recurrent intracytoplasmic sperm injection failure (oocyte activation deficient [OAD]; n = 5). Quantitative immunofluorescent analysis of PLC-ζ protein in human sperm. Total levels of PLC-ζ fluorescence, proportions of sperm exhibiting PLC-ζ immunoreactivity, and proportions of PLC-ζ localization patterns in sperm from control and OAD men. Sperm from control subjects presented a significantly higher proportion of sperm exhibiting PLC-ζ immunofluorescence compared with infertile men diagnosed with OAD (82.6% and 27.4%, respectively). Total levels of PLC-ζ in sperm from individual control and OAD patients exhibited significant variance, with sperm from 10 out of 16 (62.5%) exhibiting levels similar to OAD samples. Predominant PLC-ζ localization patterns varied between control and OAD samples with no predictable or consistent pattern. The results indicate that sperm from control men exhibited significant variance in total levels of PLC-ζ protein, as well as significant variance in the predominant localization pattern. Such variance may hinder the diagnostic application of quantitative PLC-ζ immunofluorescent analysis. Copyright © 2013 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Environmental enrichment for a mixed-species nocturnal mammal exhibit.

PubMed

Clark, Fay E; Melfi, Vicky A

2012-01-01

Environmental enrichment (EE) is an integral aspect of modern zoo animal management but, empirical evaluation of it is biased toward species housed in single-species groups. Nocturnal houses, where several nocturnal species are housed together, are particularly overlooked. This study investigated whether three species (nine-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus; Senegal bush babies, Galago senegalensis; two-toed sloths, Choloepus didactylus) in the nocturnal house at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park, UK could be enriched using food-based and sensory EE. Subjects were an adult male and female of each species. EE was deemed effective if it promoted target species-typical behaviors, behavioral diversity, and increased use of enriched exhibit zones. Results from generalized linear mixed models demonstrated that food-based EE elicited the most positive behavioral effects across species. One set of food-based EEs (Kong®, termite mound and hanging food) presented together was associated with a significant increase in species-typical behaviors, increased behavioral diversity, and increased use of enriched exhibit zones in armadillos and bush babies. Although one type of sensory EE (scented pine cones) increased overall exhibit use in all species, the other (rainforest sounds) was linked to a significant decrease in species-typical behavior in bush babies and sloths. There were no intra or interspecies conflicts over EE, and commensalism occurred between armadillos and bush babies. Our data demonstrate that simple food-based and sensory EE can promote positive behavioral changes in a mixed-species nocturnal mammal exhibit. We suggest that both food and sensory EE presented concurrently will maximize opportunities for naturalistic activity in all species. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Introduction, Evolution, and Dissemination of Influenza A Viruses in Exhibition Swine in the United States during 2009 to 2013

PubMed Central

Nelson, Martha I.; Stucker, Karla M.; Schobel, Seth A.; Dugan, Vivien G.; Nelson, Sarah W.; Sreevatsan, Srinand; Killian, Mary L.; Nolting, Jacqueline M.; Wentworth, David E.

2016-01-01

ABSTRACT The swine-human interface created at agricultural fairs, along with the generation of and maintenance of influenza A virus diversity in exhibition swine, presents an ongoing threat to public health. Nucleotide sequences of influenza A virus isolates collected from exhibition swine in Ohio (n = 262) and Indiana (n = 103) during 2009 to 2013 were used to investigate viral evolution and movement within this niche sector of the swine industry. Phylogenetic and Bayesian analyses were employed to identify introductions of influenza A virus to exhibition swine and study viral population dynamics. In 2013 alone, we identified 10 independent introductions of influenza A virus into Ohio and/or Indiana exhibition swine. Frequently, viruses from the same introduction were identified at multiple fairs within the region, providing evidence of rapid and widespread viral movement within the exhibition swine populations of the two states. While pigs moving from fair to fair to fair is possible in some locations, the concurrent detection of nearly identical strains at several fairs indicates that a common viral source was more likely. Importantly, we detected an association between the high number of human variant H3N2 (H3N2v) virus infections in 2012 and the widespread circulation of influenza A viruses of the same genotype in exhibition swine in Ohio fairs sampled that year. The extent of viral diversity observed in exhibition swine and the rapidity with which it disseminated across long distances indicate that novel strains of influenza A virus will continue to emerge and spread within exhibition swine populations, presenting an ongoing threat to humans. IMPORTANCE Understanding the underlying population dynamics of influenza A viruses in commercial and exhibition swine is central to assessing the risk for human infections with variant viruses, including H3N2v. We used viral genomic sequences from isolates collected from exhibition swine during 2009 to 2013 to understand how the peak of H3N2v cases in 2012 relates to long-term trends in the population dynamics of pandemic viruses recently introduced into commercial and exhibition swine in the United States. The results of our spatial analysis underscore the key role of rapid viral dispersal in spreading multiple genetic lineages throughout a multistate network of agricultural fairs, providing opportunities for divergent lineages to coinfect, reassort, and generate new viral genotypes. The higher genetic diversity of genotypes cocirculating in exhibition swine since 2013 could facilitate the evolution of new reassortants, potentially with even greater ability to cause severe infections in humans or cause human-to-human transmission, highlighting the need for continued vigilance. PMID:27681134

Prompt isothermal decay of thermoluminescence in an apatite exhibiting strong anomalous fading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sfampa, I. K.; Polymeris, G. S.; Tsirliganis, N. C.; Pagonis, V.; Kitis, G.

2014-02-01

Anomalous fading (AF) is one of the most serious drawbacks in thermoluminescence (TL) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. In the present work the isothermal decay of TL signals from Durango apatite is studied for temperatures located on the rising part of the main TL peak. This material is known to exhibit strong AF phenomena, and its isothermal TL decay properties have not been studied previously. The experimental results show that the characteristic decay time of the isothermal signal does not depend of the temperature, and that this signal does not exhibit the strong temperature dependence expected from conventional TL kinetic theories. This is further direct experimental evidence for the possible presence of tunneling phenomena in this material. The isothermal decay curves are analyzed and discussed within the framework of conventional theories of TL, as well as within the context of a recently developed tunneling kinetic model for random distributions of electron-hole pairs in luminescent materials.

Is the Recall of Verbal-Spatial Information from Working Memory Affected by Symptoms of ADHD?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caterino, Linda C.; Verdi, Michael P.

2012-01-01

Objective: The Kulhavy model for text learning using organized spatial displays proposes that learning will be increased when participants view visual images prior to related text. In contrast to previous studies, this study also included students who exhibited symptoms of ADHD. Method: Participants were presented with either a map-text or…

Disordered Connectivity Associated with Memory Deficits in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chan, Agnes S.; Han, Yvonne M. Y.; Sze, Sophia L.; Cheung, Mei-chun; Leung, Winnie Wing-man; Chan, Raymond C. K.; To, Cho Yee

2011-01-01

The present study examined the memory performance and cortical connectivity of children with ASD, and investigated whether the memory deficits exhibited by these children were associated with the cortical connectivity. Twenty-one children with ASD and 21 children with normal development (NC), aged 5-14 years, participated in the study. Each child…

The Distinguishing Characteristics of High Schools with High and Low Enrollments in Physics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Koevering, Thomas E.

This paper presents the procedures, results, and conclusions of a study designed to determine if high schools with either high or low enrollments in physics exhibit any distinguishing characteristics that are measurable. The study involved 48 schools, 51 physics teachers, and 3767 students in the State of Michigan. Questionnaires were administered…

Influence of menopause on adipose tissue clock gene genotype and its relationship with metabolic syndrome in morbidly obese women

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Menopausal women exhibit a loss of circadian coordination, a process that runs parallel with a redistribution of adipose tissue. However, the specific genetic mechanisms underlying these alterations have not been studied. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine whether the development of...

Bacterial components are the major contributors to the macrophage stimulating activity exhibited by extracts of common edible mushrooms

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Background: Recent studies have indicated that a major contributor to the innate immune enhancing properties of some medicinal plants derive from the cell wall components of bacteria colonizing these plants. Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to assess if the bacteria present within edib...

Bacterial components are the major contributors to the macrophage stimulating activity exhibited by extracts of common edible mushrooms

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Background: Recent studies have indicated that a major contributor to the innate immune enhancing properties of some medicinal plants is derived from the cell wall components of bacteria colonizing these plants. Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to assess if the bacteria present withi...

A Case Study: Linking Students across Geographical and Cultural Distances.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Romanoff, Stephen J.

2003-01-01

Presents a case study of two classes that created a community of learners across the expanse of the North American continent and the Pacific Ocean. Participants in the Russell Scholars Program of the University of Southern Maine and the Rainbow Advantage Program of the University of Hawaii at Manoa collaborated on a traveling art exhibit entitled…

Codependency's Relationship to Defining Characteristics in College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wells, Marolyn C.; Hill, Michele B.; Brack, Gregory; Brack, Catherine J.; Firestone, Elizabeth E.

2006-01-01

Evidence garnered by this study may help provide college counselors with a clinically useful model of codependency, informing their assessment and treatment planning of students who present with self-identified codependency characteristics. Specifically, codependence inclined students may exhibit tendencies toward self-defeating and covert…

Multitasking Teachers: Mistake or Missing Link?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eisenwine, Marilyn J.; Hadley, Nancy J.

2011-01-01

This article presents case studies involving graduate students who exhibited multitasking behaviors during their university courses, and explores how those behaviors functioned in their own classrooms. Though these university students appeared to be inattentive, their multitasking proved to be indicative of creativity and flexibility in their…

Organizational Effectiveness in Higher Education: Faculty Informal Structure as Social Capital

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dose, Jennifer J.

2012-01-01

Higher education institutions encounter complex external environments, requiring increasing responsiveness and innovation. Research on social capital has demonstrated that highly connected employee relational networks are more creative, effective, and exhibit higher member satisfaction. The present study examines one college to demonstrate how…

Potato purple top phytoplasma-induced disruption of gibberellin homeostasis in tomato plants

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Phytoplasmas are phloem-inhabiting, cell wall-less bacteria that cause numerous plant diseases worldwide. Plants infected by phytoplasmas often exhibit various symptoms indicative of hormonal imbalance. In the present study, we investigated the effects of potato purple top (PPT) phytoplasma infect...

Ejecta from Targets Strong and Weak: Experimental Measurements of Strength Controlled and Strengthless Craters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hermalyn, B.

2014-09-01

This study presents novel time-resolved 3D measurements of the impact ejecta through crater formation and the arresting process that ceases growth into a variety of targets exhibiting a spectrum of different strengths of interest on planetary bodies.

Multiple regulatory mechanisms of hepatocyte growth factor expression in malignant cells with a short poly(dA) sequence in the HGF gene promoter.

PubMed

Sakai, Kazuko; Takeda, Masayuki; Okamoto, Isamu; Nakagawa, Kazuhiko; Nishio, Kazuto

2015-01-01

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) expression is a poor prognostic factor in various types of cancer. Expression levels of HGF have been reported to be regulated by shorter poly(dA) sequences in the promoter region. In the present study, the poly(dA) mononucleotide tract in various types of human cancer cell lines was examined and compared with the HGF expression levels in those cells. Short deoxyadenosine repeat sequences were detected in five of the 55 cell lines used in the present study. The H69, IM95, CCK-81, Sui73 and H28 cells exhibited a truncated poly(dA) sequence in which the number of poly(dA) repeats was reduced by ≥5 bp. Two of the cell lines exhibited high HGF expression, determined by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The CCK-81, Sui73 and H28 cells with shorter poly(dA) sequences exhibited low HGF expression. The cause of the suppression of HGF expression in the CCK-81, Sui73 and H28 cells was clarified by two approaches, suppression by methylation and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the HGF gene. Exposure to 5-Aza-dC, an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase 1, induced an increased expression of HGF in the CCK-81 cells, but not in the other cells. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs72525097 in intron 1 was detected in the Sui73 and H28 cells. Taken together, it was found that the defect of poly(dA) in the HGF promoter was present in various types of cancer, including lung, stomach, colorectal, pancreas and mesothelioma. The present study proposes the negative regulation mechanisms by methylation and SNP in intron 1 of HGF for HGF expression in cancer cells with short poly(dA).

Intraindividual change and variability in daily stress processes: Findings from two measurement-burst diary studies

PubMed Central

Sliwinski, Martin J.; Almeida, David M.; Smyth, Joshua; Stawski, Robert S.

2010-01-01

There is little longitudinal information on aging-related changes in emotional responses to negative events. The present manuscript examined intraindividual change and variability in the within-person coupling of daily stress and negative affect (NA) using data from two-measurement burst daily diary studies. Three main findings emerged. First, average reactivity to daily stress increased longitudinally, and this increase was evident across most the adult lifespan. Second, individual differences in emotional reactivity to daily stress exhibited long-term temporal stability, but this stability was greatest in midlife and decreased in old age. And third, reactivity to daily stress varied reliably within-persons (across-time), with individual exhibiting higher levels of reactivity during times when reporting high levels of global subject stress in previous month. Taken together, the present results emphasize the importance of modeling dynamic psychosocial and aging processes that operate across different time scales for understanding age-related changes in daily stress processes. PMID:20025399

Predicting sleepiness during an awake craniotomy.

PubMed

Itoi, Chihiro; Hiromitsu, Kentaro; Saito, Shoko; Yamada, Ryoji; Shinoura, Nobusada; Midorikawa, Akira

2015-12-01

An awake craniotomy is a safe neurological surgical technique that minimizes the risk of brain damage. During the course of this surgery, the patient is asked to perform motor or cognitive tasks, but some patients exhibit severe sleepiness. Thus, the present study investigated the predictive value of a patient's preoperative neuropsychological background in terms of sleepiness during an awake craniotomy. Thirty-seven patients with brain tumor who underwent awake craniotomy were included in this study. Prior to craniotomy, the patient evaluated cognitive status, and during the surgery, each patient's performance and attitude toward cognitive tasks were recorded by neuropsychologists. The present findings showed that the construction and calculation abilities of the patients were moderately correlated with their sleepiness. These results indicate that the preoperative cognitive functioning of patients was related to their sleepiness during the awake craniotomy procedure and that the patients who exhibited sleepiness during an awake craniotomy had previously experienced reduced functioning in the parietal lobe. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Creep Deformation of Allvac 718Plus

DOE PAGES

Hayes, Robert W.; Unocic, Raymond R.; Nasrollahzadeh, Maryam

2014-11-11

The creep deformation behavior of Allvac 718Plus was studied over the temperature range 650° to 732°C at initial applied stress levels ranging from 517 to 655 MPa. Over the entire experimental temperature stress regime this alloy exhibits Class M type creep behavior with all creep curves exhibiting a decelerating strain rate with strain or time throughout primary creep. However, unlike pure metals or simple solid solution alloys this gamma prime strengthened superalloy does not exhibit steady state creep. Rather, primary creep is instantly followed by a long duration of accelerating strain rate with strain or time. These creep characteristics aremore » common amongst the gamma prime strengthened superalloys. Allvac 718Plus also exhibits a very high temperature dependence of creep rate. Detailed TEM examination of the deformation structures of selected creep samples reveals dislocation mechanisms similar to those found in high volume fraction gamma prime strengthened superalloys. Strong evidence of microtwinning is found in several of the deformation structures. The presence of microtwinning may account for the strong temperature dependence of creep rate observed in this alloy. In addition, due to the presence of Nb and thus, grain boundary delta phase, matrix dislocation activity which is not present in non Nb bearing superalloys occurs in this alloy. The creep characteristics and dislocation mechanisms are presented and discussed in detail.« less

Electron-band theory inspired design of magnesium-precious metal bulk metallic glasses with high thermal stability and extended ductility.

PubMed

Laws, Kevin J; Shamlaye, Karl F; Granata, Davide; Koloadin, Leah S; Löffler, Jörg F

2017-06-13

Magnesium-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) exhibit high specific strengths and excellent glass-forming ability compared to other metallic systems, making them suitable candidates for next-generation materials. However, current Mg-based BMGs tend to exhibit low thermal stability and are prone to structural relaxation and brittle failure. This study presents a range of new magnesium-precious metal-based BMGs from the ternary Mg-Ag-Ca, Mg-Ag-Yb, Mg-Pd-Ca and Mg-Pd-Yb alloy systems with Mg content greater than 67 at.%. These alloys were designed for high ductility by utilising atomic bond-band theory and a topological efficient atomic packing model. BMGs from the Mg-Pd-Ca alloy system exhibit high glass-forming ability with critical casting sizes of up to 3 mm in diameter, the highest glass transition temperatures (>200 °C) of any reported Mg-based BMG to date, and sustained compressive ductility. Alloys from the Mg-Pd-Yb family exhibit critical casting sizes of up to 4 mm in diameter, and the highest compressive plastic (1.59%) and total (3.78%) strain to failure of any so far reported Mg-based glass. The methods and theoretical approaches presented here demonstrate a significant step forward in the ongoing development of this extraordinary class of materials.

Neural connectivity in Internet gaming disorder and alcohol use disorder: A resting-state EEG coherence study.

PubMed

Park, Su Mi; Lee, Ji Yoon; Kim, Yeon Jin; Lee, Jun-Young; Jung, Hee Yeon; Sohn, Bo Kyung; Kim, Dai Jin; Choi, Jung-Seok

2017-05-02

The present study compared neural connectivity and the level of phasic synchronization between neural populations in patients with Internet gaming disorder (IGD), patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), and healthy controls (HCs) using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) coherence analyses. For this study, 92 adult males were categorized into three groups: IGD (n = 30), AUD (n = 30), and HC (n = 32). The IGD group exhibited increased intrahemispheric gamma (30-40 Hz) coherence compared to the AUD and HC groups regardless of psychological features (e.g., depression, anxiety, and impulsivity) and right fronto-central gamma coherence positively predicted the scores of the Internet addiction test in all groups. In contrast, the AUD group showed marginal tendency of increased intrahemispheric theta (4-8 Hz) coherence relative to the HC group and this was dependent on the psychological features. The present findings indicate that patients with IGD and AUD exhibit different neurophysiological patterns of brain connectivity and that an increase in the fast phasic synchrony of gamma coherence might be a core neurophysiological feature of IGD.

Morphological, Genome and Gene Expression Changes in Newly Induced Autopolyploid Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium (Fisch. ex Trautv.) Makino.

PubMed

Gao, Ri; Wang, Haibin; Dong, Bin; Yang, Xiaodong; Chen, Sumei; Jiang, Jiafu; Zhang, Zhaohe; Liu, Chen; Zhao, Nan; Chen, Fadi

2016-10-09

Autopolyploidy is widespread in higher plants and plays an important role in the process of evolution. The present study successfully induced autotetraploidys from Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium by colchicine. The plant morphology, genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenetic changes between tetraploid and diploid plants were investigated. Ligulate flower, tubular flower and leaves of tetraploid plants were greater than those of the diploid plants. Compared with diploid plants, the genome changed as a consequence of polyploidization in tetraploid plants, namely, 1.1% lost fragments and 1.6% novel fragments occurred. In addition, DNA methylation increased after genome doubling in tetraploid plants. Among 485 common transcript-derived fragments (TDFs), which existed in tetraploid and diploid progenitors, 62 fragments were detected as differentially expressed TDFs, 6.8% of TDFs exhibited up-regulated gene expression in the tetraploid plants and 6.0% exhibited down-regulation. The present study provides a reference for further studying the autopolyploidization role in the evolution of C. lavandulifolium. In conclusion, the autopolyploid C. lavandulifolium showed a global change in morphology, genome and gene expression compared with corresponding diploid.

Docosahexaenoic acid inhibits the growth of hormone-dependent prostate cancer cells by promoting the degradation of the androgen receptor.

PubMed

Hu, Zhimei; Qi, Haixia; Zhang, Ruixue; Zhang, Kun; Shi, Zhemin; Chang, Yanan; Chen, Linfeng; Esmaeili, Mohsen; Baniahmad, Aria; Hong, Wei

2015-09-01

Epidemiological and preclinical data have demonstrated the preventative effects of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on prostate cancer. However, there are inconsistencies in these previous studies and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the androgen receptor (AR), which is a transcription factor involved in cell proliferation and prostate carcinogenesis, was identified as a target of DHA. It was revealed that DHA inhibited hormone‑dependent growth of LNCaP prostate cancer cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that treatment with DHA caused no alteration in the transcribed mRNA expression levels of the AR gene. However, immunoblotting revealed that this treatment reduces the protein expression level of the AR. The androgen‑induced genes were subsequently repressed by treatment with DHA. It was demonstrated that DHA exhibits no effect on the translation process of the AR, however, it promotes the proteasome‑mediated degradation of the AR. Therefore, the present study provided a novel mechanism by which DHA exhibits an inhibitory effect on growth of prostate cancer cells.

Influence of thermo-mechanical treatment in ferritic phase field on microstructure and mechanical properties of reduced activation ferritic-martensitic steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prakash; Vanaja, J.; Laha, K.; Nageswara Rao, G. V. S.

2018-03-01

The present study focuses on the evaluation of microstructure and mechanical properties of reduced activation ferritic-martensitic (RAFM) steel (9Cr-1W-0.06Ta) subjected to thermo-mechanical treatment (TMT) in ferritic phase field. The results obtained were compared with the steel in conventional normalised plus tempered (N+T) condition. The microstructure of the steel in N+T and TMT conditions was assessed by optical and scanning electron microscopes. Hardness, tensile and creep studies were carried out and the results were correlated with the microstructural studies. While the TMT processed steel resulted in coarser prior austenite grains and exhibited ferritic microstructure with large distribution of fine M23C6 and MX precipitates, the N+T steel reveals tempered martensitic structure with finer prior austenitic grains with coarser M23C6 and MX precipitates. Although ferritic structure is present in TMT processed steel, it exhibits better tensile and creep rupture strengths than N+T steel due to the presence of increased dislocation density and finer distribution of precipitates.

Comparative studies on extracts from Hericium erinaceus by different polarity reagents to gain higher antioxidant activities.

PubMed

Jiang, Shengjuan; Wang, Yuliang; Zhang, Xiaolong

2016-07-01

Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) is a source of exogenous antioxidants that has been traditionally used in China for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-associated disease. In the present study, the bioactive compounds of H. erinaceus were extracted with the following eight representative reagents: n-Hexane, xylene, chloroform, anhydrous ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, anhydrous ethanol and distilled water. The in vitro antioxidant activities were also evaluated. All of the extracted compounds exhibited reducing power and scavenging activity against 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion free radicals. In addition, the antioxidant capacities varied with the used chemical reagents and exhibited dose-dependent effects. Extracts from anhydrous ethanol, chloroform and acetone were capable of inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The anhydrous ethanol extracts were observed to have significant levels of antioxidant compounds since they had a strong reducing power, high scavenging rates against DPPH and superoxide anion-free radicals (>90%), and high inhibition rates on lipid peroxidation (>60%). The present study will provide reference data for the antioxidant applications of H. erinaceus in pharmaceutical use and disease prevention.

Comparative studies on extracts from Hericium erinaceus by different polarity reagents to gain higher antioxidant activities

PubMed Central

JIANG, SHENGJUAN; WANG, YULIANG; ZHANG, XIAOLONG

2016-01-01

Hericium erinaceus (H. erinaceus) is a source of exogenous antioxidants that has been traditionally used in China for the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress-associated disease. In the present study, the bioactive compounds of H. erinaceus were extracted with the following eight representative reagents: n-Hexane, xylene, chloroform, anhydrous ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, anhydrous ethanol and distilled water. The in vitro antioxidant activities were also evaluated. All of the extracted compounds exhibited reducing power and scavenging activity against 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide anion free radicals. In addition, the antioxidant capacities varied with the used chemical reagents and exhibited dose-dependent effects. Extracts from anhydrous ethanol, chloroform and acetone were capable of inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The anhydrous ethanol extracts were observed to have significant levels of antioxidant compounds since they had a strong reducing power, high scavenging rates against DPPH and superoxide anion-free radicals (>90%), and high inhibition rates on lipid peroxidation (>60%). The present study will provide reference data for the antioxidant applications of H. erinaceus in pharmaceutical use and disease prevention. PMID:27347087

Detection and description of non-linear interdependence in normal multichannel human EEG data.

PubMed

Breakspear, M; Terry, J R

2002-05-01

This study examines human scalp electroencephalographic (EEG) data for evidence of non-linear interdependence between posterior channels. The spectral and phase properties of those epochs of EEG exhibiting non-linear interdependence are studied. Scalp EEG data was collected from 40 healthy subjects. A technique for the detection of non-linear interdependence was applied to 2.048 s segments of posterior bipolar electrode data. Amplitude-adjusted phase-randomized surrogate data was used to statistically determine which EEG epochs exhibited non-linear interdependence. Statistically significant evidence of non-linear interactions were evident in 2.9% (eyes open) to 4.8% (eyes closed) of the epochs. In the eyes-open recordings, these epochs exhibited a peak in the spectral and cross-spectral density functions at about 10 Hz. Two types of EEG epochs are evident in the eyes-closed recordings; one type exhibits a peak in the spectral density and cross-spectrum at 8 Hz. The other type has increased spectral and cross-spectral power across faster frequencies. Epochs identified as exhibiting non-linear interdependence display a tendency towards phase interdependencies across and between a broad range of frequencies. Non-linear interdependence is detectable in a small number of multichannel EEG epochs, and makes a contribution to the alpha rhythm. Non-linear interdependence produces spatially distributed activity that exhibits phase synchronization between oscillations present at different frequencies. The possible physiological significance of these findings are discussed with reference to the dynamical properties of neural systems and the role of synchronous activity in the neocortex.

Rheological study of synovial fluid obtained from dogs: healthy, pathological, and post-surgery, after spontaneous rupture of cranial cruciate ligament.

PubMed

Goudoulas, Thomas B; Kastrinakis, Eleftherios G; Nychas, Stavros G; Papazoglou, Lysimachos G; Kazakos, George M; Kosmas, Panagiotis V

2010-01-01

In the present study synovial fluid (SF) obtained from the stifle joint of healthy adult dogs and of dogs after cranial cruciate ligament rupture was analyzed regarding its rheological characteristics according to the condition of the joint. The viscoelastic and shear flow properties were measured at 25 and 38 degrees C. The results showed that the healthy SF exhibits practically temperature independent viscosity curve and satisfactory viscoelastic characteristics, i.e. G' > G'', over frequencies of 0.05-5 Hz, and characteristic relaxation time lambda of the order of magnitude of 100 s. Creep measurements demonstrate that the zero shear viscosity was in the range of 10-100 Pa s. In shear flow viscosity measurements, by increasing gamma from 10(-4) s(-1) up to 10(3) s(-1), non-Newtonian shear thinning behavior was observed and the viscosity values were decreased from 10(3) to 0.1 Pa s. On the contrary, in pathological conditions of cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR), the measured viscosity was found drastically reduced, i.e. between 100 and 10 mPa s. The CCLR synovial fluid, similar to healthy SF, exhibits insignificant temperature dependence. The present study showed also that about one week after a surgery for CCLR repair the SF exhibits non-Newtonian behavior of dilute polymers. After two weeks from the operation, however, the rheological behavior converges to the one of healthy SF.

Synthesis of Colloidal Quantum Dots Coated with Mercaptosuccinic Acid for Early Detection and Therapeutics of Oral Cancers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jocelin, G.; Arivarasan, A.; Ganesan, M.; Prasad, N. Rajendra; Sasikala, G.

2016-04-01

Quantum dots (QDs) are gaining widespread recognition for its luminescence behavior and unique photo physical properties as a bio-marker and inorganic fluorophore. In spite of such rampant advantages, its application is clinically hampered depending on the surface coating decreasing its luminescence efficiency. The present study reports preparation of CdTe QDs capped with biologically active thiol based material, mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) for diagnosis of oral cancer (KB) cells by acting as a fluorophore marking targeted tumor cells and at the same time exhibiting certain cytotoxic effects. Synthesized MSA coated CdTe QDs is spherical in shape with an average particle size of 3-5nm. In vitro, the rapid uptake of MSA CdTe QDs in oral cancer cell lines were assessed through fluorescence microscopy. Further, this study evaluates the therapeutic efficiency of MSA CdTe QDs in human oral cancer cell lines using MTT analysis. MSA CdTe QDs exhibit significant cytotoxicity in oral cancer cells in a dose dependent manner with low IC50 when compared with other raw CdTe QDs. MSA CdTe QDs were also treated with human lymphocytes (normal cells) to assess and compare the toxicity profile of QDs in normal and oral tumors. The results of our present study strengthen our hypothesis of using MSA CdTe QDs as detector for tracking and fluorescence imaging of oral cancer cells and exhibiting sufficient cytotoxicity in them.

In vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity and leishmanicidal activity of phthalimido-thiazole derivatives.

PubMed

Aliança, Amanda Silva Dos Santos; Oliveira, Arsênio Rodrigues; Feitosa, Ana Paula Sampaio; Ribeiro, Karla Raíza Cardoso; de Castro, Maria Carolina Accioly Brelaz; Leite, Ana Cristina Lima; Alves, Luiz Carlos; Brayner, Fábio André

2017-07-15

It is estimated that the worldwide prevalence of leishmaniasis is around 12 million individuals in 80 countries, with 400,000new cases per year. In the search for new leishmanicidal agents, the hybrid phthalimido-thiazoles have been identified as an important scaffold for drug design and discovery. The present study thus reports the in vitro activity of a series of phthalimido-thiazole derivatives. Cytotoxicity against a strain of L. infantum, Vero cells, J774 macrophages and peritoneal macrophages was evaluated, as well as nitric oxide (NO) production. Activity against amastigote and promastigote forms of L. infantum and microscopic changes in the parasite and intracellular targets of the parasite were achieved. The results show that the compounds arising from hybridization of phthalimide and 1,3-thiazole exhibit promising leishmanicidal activity. Compounds 2j and 2m were the most potent of the series tested and the parasites treated with these compounds exhibited ultrastructural changes, such as cell body shrinkage, loss of cellular membrane integrity, vacuolization of cytoplasm, membrane profiles surrounding organelles and swelling of mitochondria. The data showed that these compounds reduced the survival of intracellular amastigotes and presented low toxicity for mammalian cells. The compounds produced increased NO production compared to untreated cells in non-infected macrophages. Treated promastigote forms showed an increase in the number of cells stained with propidium iodide. The compounds brought about significant changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. According to the present study, phthalimido-thiazole compounds exhibit leishmanicidal activity and could be used to develop novel antileishmaniasis drugs and explore potential molecular targets. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study of the Electrical Impedance Scanning

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-25

extremely promising technique to complement other conventional image examinations. Areas presenting abnormalities and/or malignant neoplasia evidence...presenting abnormalities and/or malignant neoplasia evidence exhibit conductive changes (in the structure of cell’s membrane, in its permeability, in the...Calas , R. R. de Cas and V. R Manoel , “Scanning de Impedância Transpectral Elétrica da Mama ”, CEPEM – Centro de Estudos e Pesquisas da Mulher

Undergraduates as Science Museum Docents: Training Students to Be the Teachers Using Peer Led Team Learning

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pyatt, Robert E.; Rosser, Tracie; Powell, Kelly

2009-01-01

From June 2004 through January of 2005, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History in Atlanta hosted the traveling exhibit, "The Genomic Revolution," described as the most comprehensive presentation on the complex subject of genomics. Originally created by the American Museum of Natural History, this exhibit presented cutting edge…

A Profile of the Patients at the Hearing and Speech Clinic from 2009 to 2014: A Retrospective Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haj-Tas, Maisa Atef; Alaraifi, Jehad Ahmad

2015-01-01

Goal: The goal of this study was to measure the percentage of patients who exhibited communication disorders in the Speech and Hearing Clinic (HSC) at the University of Jordan (UJ); percentages were examined by patient age and gender. Method: The profiles of 1,140 patients who presented with communication disorders were studied. Patients attended…

Temperature and electrical memory of polymer fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Jinkai; Zakri, Cécile; Grillard, Fabienne; Neri, Wilfrid; Poulin, Philippe

2014-05-01

We report in this work studies of the shape memory behavior of polymer fibers loaded with carbon nanotubes or graphene flakes. These materials exhibit enhanced shape memory properties with the generation of a giant stress upon shape recovery. In addition, they exhibit a surprising temperature memory with a peak of generated stress at a temperature nearly equal to the temperature of programming. This temperature memory is ascribed to the presence of dynamical heterogeneities and to the intrinsic broadness of the glass transition. We present recent experiments related to observables other than mechanical properties. In particular nanocomposite fibers exhibit variations of electrical conductivity with an accurate memory. Indeed, the rate of conductivity variations during temperature changes reaches a well defined maximum at a temperature equal to the temperature of programming. Such materials are promising for future actuators that couple dimensional changes with sensing electronic functionalities.

Photonic effects in natural nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rey GonzáLez, Rafael Ramón; Barrera Patiã+/-O, Claudia Patricia

Nature exhibits a great variety of structures and nanostructures. In particular the interaction light-matter has a strong dependence with the shape of the nanostructures. In some cases, in the so called structural color, ordered arrays of nanostructures play a very critical role. One of the most interesting color effects is the iridescence, the angular dependence of the observed color in some species of butterflies, insects, plants, beetles, fishes, birds and even in minerals. In the last years, iridescence has been related with photonic properties. In the present work, we present a theoretical study of the photonic properties for different patterns that exist in natural nanostructures present in wings of butterflies that exhibit iridescence. The nanostructures observed in these cases present spatial variations of the dielectric constant that are possible to model them as 1D and 2D photonic crystal. Partial photonic gaps are found as function of lattice constant, dielectric contrast and geometrical configuration. Also, disordered effects are considered. Authors would like to thank the División de Investigación Sede Bogotá for their financial support at Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

Clinical features and genetic diagnosis of hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia 3.

PubMed

Wang, Yaoguang; Yang, Xiaokai; Ma, Weide; Li, Jinxin; Zhang, Qingyuan; Xia, Shuqi; Wang, Hai; Zhang, Chenghui; Xu, Xiaomin; Zheng, Jiayong

2016-10-01

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a rare inherited autosomal dominant progressive neurological disorder, which results from a CAG‑repeat expansion in the gene encoding the deubiquitinating enzyme, ataxin‑3. At present, no effective treatment is available for this fatal disorder; however, certain studies have suggested that reducing the levels of mutant ataxin‑3 protein may reverse or halt the progression of disease in patients with SCA3. In the present study, clinical examinations were performed on a patient with SCA3 who exhibited disease features including coughing, expectoration and was bedridden with mobility limitation. CAG repetitions at SCA‑associated genes were detected in the patient's family by performing standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and triple‑repeat primed PCR. The numbers of CAG‑repeats within the two alleles of the gene of interest in the patient were 15 and 78. Notably, the patient's brother, who harbored 76 CAG‑repeats in one allele of the gene of interest, did not exhibit severe disease symptoms. These results suggest that the number of CAG‑repeats is a critical for determination of SCA3 disease severity and time of onset. In addition, the defined phenotypic characteristics of the patient in the present study provide useful insight for more accurate clinical diagnosis and genotyping of future patients.

Fibrin gels exhibit improved biological, structural, and mechanical properties compared with collagen gels in cell-based tendon tissue-engineered constructs.

PubMed

Breidenbach, Andrew P; Dyment, Nathaniel A; Lu, Yinhui; Rao, Marepalli; Shearn, Jason T; Rowe, David W; Kadler, Karl E; Butler, David L

2015-02-01

The prevalence of tendon and ligament injuries and inadequacies of current treatments is driving the need for alternative strategies such as tissue engineering. Fibrin and collagen biopolymers have been popular materials for creating tissue-engineered constructs (TECs), as they exhibit advantages of biocompatibility and flexibility in construct design. Unfortunately, a few studies have directly compared these materials for tendon and ligament applications. Therefore, this study aims at determining how collagen versus fibrin hydrogels affect the biological, structural, and mechanical properties of TECs during formation in vitro. Our findings show that tendon and ligament progenitor cells seeded in fibrin constructs exhibit improved tenogenic gene expression patterns compared with their collagen-based counterparts for approximately 14 days in culture. Fibrin-based constructs also exhibit improved cell-derived collagen alignment, increased linear modulus (2.2-fold greater) compared with collagen-based constructs. Cyclic tensile loading, which promotes the maturation of tendon constructs in a previous work, exhibits a material-dependent effect in this study. Fibrin constructs show trending reductions in mechanical, biological, and structural properties, whereas collagen constructs only show improved tenogenic expression in the presence of mechanical stimulation. These findings highlight that components of the mechanical stimulus (e.g., strain amplitude or time of initiation) need to be tailored to the material and cell type. Given the improvements in tenogenic expression, extracellular matrix organization, and material properties during static culture, in vitro findings presented here suggest that fibrin-based constructs may be a more suitable alternative to collagen-based constructs for tissue-engineered tendon/ligament repair.

Fibrin Gels Exhibit Improved Biological, Structural, and Mechanical Properties Compared with Collagen Gels in Cell-Based Tendon Tissue-Engineered Constructs

PubMed Central

Dyment, Nathaniel A.; Lu, Yinhui; Rao, Marepalli; Shearn, Jason T.; Rowe, David W.; Kadler, Karl E.; Butler, David L.

2015-01-01

The prevalence of tendon and ligament injuries and inadequacies of current treatments is driving the need for alternative strategies such as tissue engineering. Fibrin and collagen biopolymers have been popular materials for creating tissue-engineered constructs (TECs), as they exhibit advantages of biocompatibility and flexibility in construct design. Unfortunately, a few studies have directly compared these materials for tendon and ligament applications. Therefore, this study aims at determining how collagen versus fibrin hydrogels affect the biological, structural, and mechanical properties of TECs during formation in vitro. Our findings show that tendon and ligament progenitor cells seeded in fibrin constructs exhibit improved tenogenic gene expression patterns compared with their collagen-based counterparts for approximately 14 days in culture. Fibrin-based constructs also exhibit improved cell-derived collagen alignment, increased linear modulus (2.2-fold greater) compared with collagen-based constructs. Cyclic tensile loading, which promotes the maturation of tendon constructs in a previous work, exhibits a material-dependent effect in this study. Fibrin constructs show trending reductions in mechanical, biological, and structural properties, whereas collagen constructs only show improved tenogenic expression in the presence of mechanical stimulation. These findings highlight that components of the mechanical stimulus (e.g., strain amplitude or time of initiation) need to be tailored to the material and cell type. Given the improvements in tenogenic expression, extracellular matrix organization, and material properties during static culture, in vitro findings presented here suggest that fibrin-based constructs may be a more suitable alternative to collagen-based constructs for tissue-engineered tendon/ligament repair. PMID:25266738

Bardoxolone methyl analogs RTA 405 and dh404 are well tolerated and exhibit efficacy in rodent models of Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

PubMed

Chin, Melanie; Lee, Chun-Yue Ivy; Chuang, Jen-Chieh; Bumeister, Ron; Wigley, W Christian; Sonis, Stephen T; Ward, Keith W; Meyer, Colin

2013-06-15

Bardoxolone methyl and related triterpenoids are well tolerated and efficacious in numerous animal models potentially relevant to patients with Type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. These agents enhance glucose control and regulate lipid accumulation in rodent models of diabetes and obesity, and improve renal function, reduce inflammation, and prevent structural injury in models of renal disease. However, a recent study in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats noted poor tolerability with the bardoxolone methyl analog RTA 405 within 1 mo after treatment initiation, although this study was confounded in part by the use of an impure RTA 405 batch. To investigate these discordant observations, the present studies were conducted to further characterize triterpenoids in rodent models of diabetes and obesity. A follow-up study was conducted in ZDF rats with two related triterpenoids (RTA 405 and dh404) for 1.5 mo. Consistent with previous rodent experience, and in contrast to the more recent ZDF report, ZDF rats administered RTA 405 or dh404 exhibited no adverse clinical signs, had laboratory values similar to controls, and exhibited no evidence of adverse liver or kidney histopathology. Additionally, RTA 405 was well tolerated in streptozotocin-induced Type 1 diabetic rats and high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. The present results are consistent with the overall published body of data obtained with triterpenoids and provide further evidence that these molecules are well tolerated without adverse effects on hepatobiliary or renal function in rodent models of diabetes and obesity.

Quantitative evaluation of the viscoelastic properties of the ankle joint complex in patients suffering from ankle sprain by the anterior drawer test.

PubMed

Lin, Che-Yu; Shau, Yio-Wha; Wang, Chung-Li; Chai, Huei-Ming; Kang, Jiunn-Horng

2013-06-01

Biological tissues such as ligaments exhibit viscoelastic behaviours. Injury to the ligament may induce changes of these viscoelastic properties, and these changes could serve as biomarkers to detect the injury. In the present study, a novel instrument was developed to non-invasive quantify the viscoelastic properties of the ankle in vivo by the anterior drawer test. The purpose of the study was to investigate the reliability of the instrument and to compare the viscoelastic properties of the ankle between patients suffering from ankle sprain and controls. Eight patients and eight controls participated in the present study. The reliability test was performed on three randomly chosen subjects. In patient and control test, both ankles of each subject were tested to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of the ankle. The viscosity index was defined for quantitatively evaluating the viscosity of the ankle. Greater viscosity index was associated with lower viscosity. Injured and uninjured ankles of patient and both ankles of controls were compared. The instrument exhibited excellent test-retest reliability (r > 0.9). Injured ankles exhibited significantly less viscosity than uninjured ankles, since injured ankles of patients had significantly higher viscosity index (8,148 ± 5,266) compared with uninjured ankles of patients (948 ± 617; p = 0.008) and controls (1,326 ± 613; p < 0.001). The study revealed that the viscoelastic properties of the ankle can serve as sensitive and useful clinical biomarkers to differentiate between injured and uninjured ankles. The method may provide a clinical examination for objectively evaluating lateral ankle ligament injuries.

A potential plant-derived antifungal acetylenic acid mediates its activity by interfering with fatty acid homeostasis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

6-Nonadecynoic acid (6-NDA), a plant-derived acetylenic acid, exhibits strong inhibitory activity against the human fungal pathogens Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. In the present study, transcriptional profiling coupled with mutant and biochemical analyses...

Penguin Promises: Encouraging Aquarium Visitors to Take Conservation Action

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mann, Judy Brenda; Ballantyne, Roy; Packer, Jan

2018-01-01

This study investigates the impact of an innovative conservation action campaign called "Penguin Promises" implemented at uShaka Sea World in Durban, South Africa. Communication tools included interpretive signage, exhibits with and without animals, presentations, and personal interactions, along with a specially designed postcard, on…

Biofeedback-Based, Videogame Balance Training in Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Travers, Brittany G.; Mason, Andrea H.; Mrotek, Leigh Ann; Ellertson, Anthony; Dean, Douglas C., III; Engel, Courtney; Gomez, Andres; Dadalko, Olga I.; McLaughlin, Kristine

2018-01-01

The present study examined the effects of a visual-based biofeedback training on improving balance challenges in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-nine youth with ASD (7-17 years) completed an intensive 6-week biofeedback-based videogame balance training. Participants exhibited training-related balance improvements that significantly…

Structure-activity relationships of the antimalarial agent artemisinin. 8. design, synthesis, and CoMFA studies toward the development of artemisinin-based drugs against leishmaniasis and malaria.

PubMed

Avery, Mitchell A; Muraleedharan, Kannoth M; Desai, Prashant V; Bandyopadhyaya, Achintya K; Furtado, Marise M; Tekwani, Babu L

2003-09-25

Artemisinin (1) and its analogues have been well studied for their antimalarial activity. Here we present the antimalarial activity of some novel C-9-modified artemisinin analogues synthesized using artemisitene as the key intermediate. Further, antileishmanial activity of more than 70 artemisinin derivatives against Leishmania donovani promastigotes is described for the first time. A comprehensive structure-activity relationship study using CoMFA is discussed. These analogues exhibited leishmanicidal activity in micromolar concentrations, and the overall activity profile appears to be similar to that against malaria. Substitution at the C-9beta position was shown to improve the activity in both cases. The 10-deoxo derivatives showed better activity compared to the corresponding lactones. In general, compounds with C-9alpha substitution exhibited lower antimalarial as well as antileishmanial activities compared to the corresponding C-9beta analogues. The importance of the peroxide group for the observed activity of these analogues against leishmania was evident from the fact that 1-deoxyartemisinin analogues did not exhibit antileishmanial activity. The study suggests the possibility of developing artemisinin analogues as potential drug candidates against both malaria and leishmaniasis.

A Comparative Study of Phosphoric Acid-doped m-PBI Membranes

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

Perry, Kelly A; More, Karren Leslie; Payzant, E Andrew

2014-01-01

Phosphoric acid (PA)-doped m-polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes used in high temperature fuel cells and hydrogen pumps were prepared by a conventional imbibing process and a sol-gel fabrication process. A comparative study was conducted to investigate the critical properties of PA doping levels, ionic conductivities, mechanical properties, and molecular ordering. This systematic study found that sol-gel PA-doped m-PBI membranes were able to absorb higher acid doping levels and to achieve higher ionic conductivities than conventionally imbibed membranes when treated in an equivalent manner. Even at similar acid loadings, the sol-gel membranes exhibited higher ionic conductivities. Heat treatment of conventionally imbibed membranes withmore » 29wt% solids caused a significant reduction in mechanical properties; conversely, sol-gel membranes exhibited an enhancement in mechanical properties. From X-ray structural studies and atomistic simulations, both conventionally imbibed and sol-gel membranes exhibited d-spacings of 3.5 and 4.6 , which were tentatively attributed to parallel ring stacking and staggered side-to-side packing, respectively, of the imidazole rings in these aromatic hetercyclic polymers. An anisotropic staggered side-to-side chain packing present in the conventional membranes may be root to the reduction in mechanical properties.« less

Synergistic effect of Kalpaamruthaa on antiarthritic and antiinflammatory properties--its mechanism of action.

PubMed

Mythilypriya, Rajendran; Shanthi, Palanivelu; Sachdanandam, Panchanadam

2008-12-01

The present study was designed to evaluate the antiinflammatory properties of Kalpaamruthaa (KA) a modified indigenous Siddha formulation constituting Semecarpus anacardium nut milk extract (SA), Emblica officinalis (EO) and honey in acute and chronic antiinflammatory studies. A dose of 150 mg/kg b.wt. of SA and KA were used for the present studies. The effect of KA was compared with standard drug diclofenac sodium. It was observed that the drug KA exhibited enhanced effect on antiinflammatory and antiarthritic properties than sole SA treatment and the collective effect of KA might be due to the combined interactions of the phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins and other compounds such as vitamin c present in KA.

Recessive Stargardt Disease Phenocopying Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy

PubMed Central

Noupuu, Kalev; Lee, Winston; Zernant, Jana; Greenstein, Vivienne C.; Tsang, Stephen; Allikmets, Rando

2015-01-01

Purpose To describe a series of Stargardt disease (STGD1) patients exhibiting a phenotype usually associated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) retinopathy on spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Methods Observational case series from Columbia University Medical Center involving 8 patients with genetically-confirmed STGD1. Patients selected for the study presented no history of HCQ use. Horizontal macular SD-OCT scans and accompanying 488nm autofluorescence (AF) images, color fundus photographs, and full-field electroretinograms were analyzed. Results All study patients exhibited an abrupt thinning of the parafoveal region or disruption of the outer retinal layers on SD-OCT resembling the transient HCQ retinopathy phenotype. Funduscopy and AF imaging revealed variations of bull’s eye maculopathy (BEM). Five patients exhibited local fleck-like deposits around the lesion. Genetic screening confirmed two disease-causing ABCA4 mutations in 5 patients and one mutation in 3 patients. Conclusions A transient SD- OCT phenotype ascribed to patients with HCQ retinopathy is associated with an early subtype of STGD1. This finding may also present with HCQ retinopathy-like BEM lesions on AF imaging and funduscopy. A phenotypic overlap may not be surprising given certain shared mechanistic disease processes between the two conditions. A thorough work-up, including screening of genes that are causal in retinal dystrophies associated with foveal sparing, may prevent the misdiagnoses of more ambiguous cases. PMID:26311262

Intra-individual variability across cognitive task in drug-naïve pediatric patients with obsessive compulsive disorder.

PubMed

Okazaki, Kosuke; Yamamuro, Kazuhiko; Iida, Junzo; Ota, Toyosaku; Nakanishi, Yoko; Matsuura, Hiroki; Uratani, Mitsuhiro; Sawada, Satomi; Azechi, Takahiro; Kishimoto, Naoko; Kishimoto, Toshifumi

2018-06-01

Attention deficit is commonly observed in several psychiatric conditions. In particular, patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder exhibit not only attention deficit, but also intra-individual variability in response times (IIV-RT) during the performance of cognitive tasks related to attention span and sustained attention. Although obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is commonly observed across childhood, little is known about abnormalities in IIV-RT during the auditory odd-ball task, and how these changes relate to event-related potentials (ERPs) components. In the present study, we compared the ERPs of 15 adolescent and pediatric patients with OCD with 15 healthy age, sex, and IQ-matched controls. We found that tau of IIV-TR was not significantly different between the OCD group and controls, whereas the OCD group exhibited lower mu and sigma compared to controls. Furthermore, we revealed that P300 amplitude was significantly attenuated in the OCD group at Fz, C3, and C4, compared with controls. The present study thereby provided the first evidence that individuals with pediatric or adolescent OCD exhibit lower variability in reaction time in IIV-RT during an auditory odd-ball task than controls. These results suggest that there are no impairments in attention span and sustained attention in pediatric and adolescent patients with OCD. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Energy landscapes in proteins and glasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Sadanand

Soft materials are ubiquitous in our day-to-day life. They include liquids, colloids, polymers, foams, gels, granular systems, and a number of biological materials. While these materials exhibit a wide range of textures and morphologies, many of their properties have common physicochemical origins. A better understanding of such origins would lead to rational design and engineering of functional soft materials. A common feature of soft materials is the wide range of time and length scales that characterizes their behavior. Unfortunately, available molecular modeling techniques are often ill-suited for problems that exhibit multiple length and time scales. In this thesis, we introduce and implement new simulation methods that have enabled molecular-level studies of soft materials. Such methods permit calculation of free energy surfaces, and we demonstrate their usefulness in the context of proteins and glasses, both of which exhibit rugged free energy landscapes. A first application is concerned with human amylin, a protein associated with Type II diabetes. Patients with Type II diabetes exhibit fibrillar deposits of human amylin protein in the pancreas. By applying the advanced simulation methods and algorithms developed in this work, we investigate the structure and folding dynamics of human amylin. A detailed mechanism is presented at the atomic-level for the nucleation and aggregation of the peptide. The results presented in this work could help in development of therapeutic strategies for Type II diabetes. The second application is concerned with the study of vapor-deposited ultrastable glasses. These stable glasses have, far below the conventional glass transition temperature, the properties expected from the equilibrium supercooled liquid state. Our results indicate that optimal stability is attained when deposition occurs near the Kauzmann temperature. We also show that the extraordinary stability of model vapor deposited glasses is associated with distinct structural motifs.

A Rural School/Community: A Case Study of a Dramatic Turnaround & Its Implications for School Improvement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carlson, Robert V.

This paper presents a case study of a rural community exhibiting a dramatic turnaround in community support for a new school bond issue. Demographic change was partly responsible for the change in community attitudes, with two waves of immigration altering the long-term conservative orientation of this community. After a series of failed…

Metaphor Comprehension in Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Case Studies of Two High-Functioning Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Melogno, Sergio; D'Ardia, Caterina; Pinto, Maria Antonietta; Levi, Gabriel

2012-01-01

This article presents case studies on metaphor comprehension in two boys with high-functioning autistic spectrum disorder, aged 9;1 (9 years, 1 month) and 8;11. The participants were assessed twice, before and after an intervention program aimed at improving their social skills. The focus of the article is on the specific patterns exhibited by…

The Combined Use of Video Modeling and Social Stories in Teaching Social Skills for Individuals with Intellectual Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gül, Seray Olçay

2016-01-01

There are many studies in the literature in which individuals with intellectual disabilities exhibit social skills deficits and which show the need for teaching these skills systematically. This study aims to investigate the effects of an intervention package of consisting computer-presented video modeling and Social Stories on individuals with…

Strategic L2 Lexical Innovation: Case Study of a University-Level Ab Initio Learner of German.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ridley, Jennifer; Singleton, David

1995-01-01

This article presents a case study of one English-speaking ab initio learner of German. It found that in target language production tasks performed over a two-year period, the subject exhibited a particular tendency toward lexical innovation as a strategy to cope with the lack of target language lexical knowledge. (38 references) (MDM)

Choosing an Appropriate Physical Exercise to Reduce Stereotypic Behavior in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Non-Randomized Crossover Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tse, C. Y. Andy; Pang, C. L.; Lee, Paul H.

2018-01-01

Considerable evidence has shown that physical exercise could be an effective treatment in reducing stereotypical autism spectrum disorder (ASD) behaviors in children. The present study seeks to examine the underlying mechanism by considering the theoretical operant nature of stereotypy. Children with ASD (n = 30) who exhibited hand-flapping and…

The End-State Comfort Effect in Young Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adalbjornsson, Carola F.; Fischman, Mark G.; Rudisill, Mary E.

2008-01-01

The end-state comfort effect has been observed in recent studies of grip selection in adults. The present study investigated whether young children also exhibit sensitivity to end-state comfort. The task was to pick up an overturned cup from a table, turn the cup right side up, and pour water into it. Two age groups (N = 20 per group) were…

Community Based Aesthetics as Exhibition Catalyst and a Foundation for Community Involvement in Art Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blandy, Doug; Congdon, Kristin G.

1988-01-01

Describes an exhibit which identified a community based aesthetic and the presentation of that aesthetic in a gallery setting (Bowling Green, Ohio). A questionnaire was used to help report the exhibition's objective. Findings suggest many approaches to both content and methodologies can be effectively used in the field of art education.…

Museum Exhibition on Testing and Measurement: Scientific Principles, Social Impact of Testing, and Dialogue with the Public

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allalouf, Avi; Alderoqui-Pinus, Diana

2012-01-01

This article deals with a pioneering project currently being developed, namely, the Exhibition on Testing and Measurement. This interactive traveling exhibition will be presented in science museums in Israel, the United States, and other countries. It has been conceived as an innovative means of familiarizing the public with educational…

The Making of a Museum Exhibition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bleecker, Samuel E.

1979-01-01

Discusses the preparation of the Reptile and Amphibian exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History. Various steps involved in developing the ten showcases in a six-year period are presented. (SA)

Randomized trial of four noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus prevention interventions for children.

PubMed

Martin, William Hal; Griest, Susan E; Sobel, Judith L; Howarth, Linda C

2013-02-01

To evaluate the effectiveness of four NIHL prevention interventions at improving knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviors regarding sound exposure and appropriate use of hearing protective strategies in children. A randomized trial of the four interventions with a non-intervention comparison group. Questionnaires were completed prior to, immediately after, and three months after each intervention. Interventions included: (1) A classroom presentation by older-peer educators, (2) A classroom presentation by health professionals, (3). Exploration of a museum exhibition, and (4). Exploration of an internet-based virtual museum. A comparison group received no intervention. Fifty-three fourth grade classrooms (1120 students) participated in the study. All interventions produced significant improvements but the number of improvements decreased over time. In terms of effectiveness, the classroom programs were more effective than the internet-based virtual exhibit, which was more effective than the visit to the museum exhibition. Self-reported exposures indicated that as many as 94.5% of participants were at risk for NIHL. Interpersonal, interactive educational interventions such as the classroom program are more effective and have longer impact than self-directed learning experiences for NIHL and tinnitus prevention, however each may have an important role in promoting hearing health in elementary school students.

EGFR, ALK, RET, KRAS and BRAF alterations in never-smokers with non-small cell lung cancer.

PubMed

Dong, Y U; Ren, Weihong; Qi, Jun; Jin, B O; Li, Ying; Tao, Huiqing; Xu, Ren; Li, Yanqing; Zhang, Qinxian; Han, Baohui

2016-04-01

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), caused by various mutations in a spectrum of cancer driver genes, may have distinct pathological characteristics and drug responses. Extensive genetic screening and pathological characterization is required for the design of customized therapies to improve patient outcomes. Notably, NSCLC in never-smokers exhibits distinctive clinicopathological features, which are frequently associated with tumorigenic mutations, and thus may be treated as a unique disease entity. However, to the best of our knowledge, these mutations have not been extensively and accurately characterized in an NSCLC study with a large sample size. Therefore, the present study enrolled a large cohort of NSCLC patients, which consisted of 358 never-smokers, for the screening of genetic alterations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ret proto-oncogene (RET), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) and B-Raf proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) tumorigenic genes. It was identified that the mutation rate was 47.8, 7.5, 3.6, 1.4 and 0.3% for EGFR, ALK, KRAS, RET and BRAF, respectively. In addition, clinicopathological features associated with these mutations were characterized. EGFR mutations were more frequently observed in female and older patients. By contrast, KRAS mutations were more frequently detected in male patients, and ALK and RET translocations in younger patients. The cancer cells were frequently well-differentiated in carcinoma cases exhibiting EGFR mutations, however, were less differentiated in those with ALK translocations. In conclusion, the present study determined the frequency of oncogenic alterations and associated clinicopathological features in NSCLC exhibited by never-smokers using a large sample size. The results of the present study may enrich our knowledge of NSCLC in never-smokers and provide useful insights for improvement of the outcome of molecularly targeted therapies for the treatment of NSCLC.

Analysis of the internal anatomy of maxillary first molars by using different methods.

PubMed

Baratto Filho, Flares; Zaitter, Suellen; Haragushiku, Gisele Aihara; de Campos, Edson Alves; Abuabara, Allan; Correr, Gisele Maria

2009-03-01

The success of endodontic treatment depends on the identification of all root canals so that they can be cleaned, shaped, and obturated. This study investigated internal morphology of maxillary first molars by 3 different methods: ex vivo, clinical, and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis. In all these different methods, the number of additional root canals and their locations, the number of foramina, and the frequency of canals that could or could not be negotiated were recorded. In the ex vivo study, 140 extracted maxillary first molars were evaluated. After canals were accessed and detected by using an operating microscope, the teeth with significant anatomic variances were cleared. In the clinical analysis, the records of 291 patients who had undergone endodontic treatment in a dental school during a 2-year period were used. In the CBCT analysis, 54 maxillary first molars were evaluated. The ex vivo assessment results showed a fourth canal frequency in 67.14% of the teeth, besides a tooth with 7 root canals (0.72%). Additional root canals were located in the mesiobuccal root in 92.85% of the teeth (17.35% could not be negotiated), and when they were present, 65.30% exhibited 1 foramen. Clinical assessment showed that 53.26%, 0.35%, and 0.35% of the teeth exhibited 4, 5, and 6 root canals, respectively. Additional root canals were located in this assessment in mesiobuccal root in 95.63% (27.50% could not be negotiated), and when they were present, 59.38% exhibited 1 foramen. CBCT results showed 2, 4, and 5 root canals in 1.85%, 37.05%, and 1.85% of the teeth, respectively. When present, additional canals showed 1 foramen in 90.90% of the teeth studied. This study demonstrated that operating microscope and CBCT have been important for locating and identifying root canals, and CBCT can be used as a good method for initial identification of maxillary first molar internal morphology.

The Roles of Altitude and Fear in the Perception of Height

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stefanucci, Jeanine K.; Proffitt, Dennis R.

2009-01-01

Previous research on perceiving spatial layout has found that people often exhibit normative biases in their perception of the environment. For instance, slant is typically overestimated and distance is usually underestimated. Surprisingly, however, the perception of height has rarely been studied. The present experiments examined the perception…

Examining the Use of Structural Analysis to Develop Interventions for Students Exhibiting Challenging Behaviors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Losinski, Mickey Lee

2013-01-01

Structural analysis (SA) is an assessment process developed to analyze hypothesized relationships between contextual variables and subsequent behaviors. In the present study, an alternating treatments design investigated the effectiveness of environmentally-based interventions to reduce disruptive behaviors and increase on-task behaviors of…

Influence of preovulatory estradiol on conceptus survival and uterine glucose transporter expression

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Glucose is an essential component of uterine secretions, and is delivered into the uterine lumen by glucose transporters. We have previously reported increased concentrations of glucose in uterine flushes of cows that exhibited estrus. Our objective in the present study was to determine the effects...

Effects of Preschool Intervention Strategies on School Readiness in Kindergarten

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ma, Xin; Nelson, Regena F.; Shen, Jianping; Krenn, Huilan Y.

2015-01-01

Using hierarchical linear modeling, the present study aimed to examine whether targeted intervention strategies implemented individually during a preschool program exhibited any short-term and long-term effects on children's school readiness in kindergarten, utilizing data gathered through the Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids (SPARK)…

Pilot Convective Weather Decision Making in En Route Airspace

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Shu-Chieh; Gooding, Cary L.; Shelley, Alexandra E.; Duong, Constance G.; Johnson, Walter W.

2012-01-01

The present research investigates characteristics exhibited in pilot convective weather decision making in en route airspace. In a part-task study, pilots performed weather avoidance under various encounter scenarios. Results showed that the margins of safety that pilots maintain from storms are as fluid as deviation decisions themselves.

Visual Neuroscience: A Retinal Ganglion Cell to Report Image Focus?

PubMed

Baden, Tom; Schaeffel, Frank; Berens, Philipp

2017-02-20

A recent study describes a mouse neuron projecting from the retina to the brain that exhibits exquisitely high sensitivity to high spatial frequency patterns presented over an unusually large receptive field: could this cell be a (de)focus detector? Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Investigating the Relationships among PSTs' Teaching Beliefs: Are Epistemological Beliefs Central?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bahçivan, Eralp

2016-01-01

The present case study explored the teaching belief systems of pre-service science teachers (PSTs), including epistemological beliefs, self-efficacy beliefs, conceptions of science learning and teaching and pedagogical content knowledge. Based on their epistemological scores, three PSTs who were categorised as exhibiting naïve, moderately…

The marine sponge-derived polyketide endoperoxide plakortide F acid mediates its antifungal activity by interfering with calcium homeostasis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Plakortide F acid (PFA) is a marine-derived polyketide endoperoxide exhibiting strong inhibitory activity against several clinically important fungal pathogens. In the present study, transcriptional profiling coupled with mutant and biochemical analyses were conducted using the model organism Sacch...

Verbal Skills in Children with ADHD. Short Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andreou, G.; Agapitou, P.; Karapetsas, A.

2005-01-01

The present study examined whether ADHD children exhibit low verbal IQ (VIQ) and distinguishable test profile on the Verbal comprehension (VC) and Freedom from distractibility (FFD) factors, and whether gender influences their verbal abilities. At the Laboratory of Neuropsychology of the Department of Special Education, University of Thessaly,…

What-Where-When Memory and Encoding Strategies in Healthy Aging

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheke, Lucy G.

2016-01-01

Older adults exhibit disproportionate impairments in memory for item-associations. These impairments may stem from an inability to self-initiate deep encoding strategies. The present study investigates this using the "treasure-hunt task"; a what-where-when style episodic memory test that requires individuals to "hide" items…

How to Learn and Have Fun with Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and White Glue.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

de Zea Bermudez, V.; Passos de Almeida, P.; Feria Seita, J.

1998-01-01

Presents a classroom guide for a simple theoretical approach to the study of certain fluids. Discusses background information, followed by experimental procedures for the preparation of two popular viscoelastic materials ("Slime" and "Silly Putty") that exhibit unusual flow properties. Also lists student discussion questions…

Guidance trajectories for aeroassisted orbital transfer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miele, A.

1990-01-01

Research on aerobraking guidance schemes is presented. The intent is to produce aerobraking guidance trajectories exhibiting many of the desirable characteristics of optimal aerobraking trajectories. Both one-control schemes and two-control schemes are studied. The research is in the interest of aeroassisted flight experiment vehicles (AFE) and aeroassisted orbital transfer (AOT) vehicles.

Innovations in Early Education: The International Reggio Exchange, 2000-2001.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaminsky, Judith Allen, Ed.

2001-01-01

This document is comprised of four issues of a quarterly publication presenting information related to the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education. Regularly appearing features of the publication include a calendar of Reggio conferences; information on the Reggio Children organization, contacts, exhibit schedule, and study tours; and a…

Dynamic interactions in neural networks

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

Arbib, M.A.; Amari, S.

The study of neural networks is enjoying a great renaissance, both in computational neuroscience, the development of information processing models of living brains, and in neural computing, the use of neurally inspired concepts in the construction of intelligent machines. This volume presents models and data on the dynamic interactions occurring in the brain, and exhibits the dynamic interactions between research in computational neuroscience and in neural computing. The authors present current research, future trends and open problems.

Exploring the Invisible Universe: A Tactile and Braille Exhibit of Astronomical Images

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arcand, K. K.; Watzke, M.; de Pree, C.

2010-06-01

A tactile/Braille exhibit for the visually impaired community in the USA was launched in July 2009. The exhibit is part of the global From Earth to the Universe (FETTU) project, a Cornerstone of the International Year of Astronomy 2009. The science content of the travelling tactile/Braille exhibit includes explanations of our Sun, Eta Carinae, the Crab Nebula, the Whirlpool Galaxy and the electromagnetic spectrum, and was adapted from the tactile/Braille book Touch the Invisible Sky. We present some of the early observations and findings on the tactile/Braille FETTU exhibit. The new exhibit opens a wider door to experiencing and understanding astronomy for the underserved visually impaired population.

In Vitro Evaluation of CBR-2092, a Novel Rifamycin-Quinolone Hybrid Antibiotic: Microbiology Profiling Studies with Staphylococci and Streptococci ▿

PubMed Central

Robertson, Gregory T.; Bonventre, Eric J.; Doyle, Timothy B.; Du, Qun; Duncan, Leonard; Morris, Timothy W.; Roche, Eric D.; Yan, Dalai; Lynch, A. Simon

2008-01-01

We present data from antimicrobial assays performed in vitro that pertain to the potential clinical utility of a novel rifamycin-quinolone hybrid antibiotic, CBR-2092, for the treatment of infections mediated by gram-positive cocci. The MIC90s for CBR-2092 against 300 clinical isolates of staphylococci and streptococci ranged from 0.008 to 0.5 μg/ml. Against Staphylococcus aureus, CBR-2092 exhibited prolonged postantibiotic effects (PAEs) and sub-MIC effects (SMEs), with values of 3.2, 6.5, and >8.5 h determined for the PAE (3× MIC), SME (0.12× MIC), and PAE-SME (3× MIC/0.12× MIC) periods, respectively. Studies of genetically defined mutants of S. aureus indicate that CBR-2092 is not a substrate for the NorA or MepA efflux pumps. In minimal bactericidal concentration and time-kill studies, CBR-2092 exhibited bactericidal activity against staphylococci that was retained against rifampin- or intermediate quinolone-resistant strains, with apparent paradoxical cidal characteristics against rifampin-resistant strains. In spontaneous resistance studies, CBR-2092 exhibited activity consistent with balanced contributions from its composite pharmacophores, with a mutant prevention concentration of 0.12 μg/ml and a resistance frequency of <10−12 determined at 1 μg/ml in agar for S. aureus. Similarly, CBR-2092 suppressed the emergence of preexisting rifamycin resistance in time-kill studies undertaken at a high cell density. In studies of the intracellular killing of S. aureus, CBR-2092 exhibited prolonged bactericidal activity that was superior to the activities of moxifloxacin, rifampin, and a cocktail of moxifloxacin and rifampin. Overall, CBR-2092 exhibited promising activity in a range of antimicrobial assays performed in vitro that pertain to properties relevant to the effective treatment of serious infections mediated by gram-positive cocci. PMID:18443106

Evolutionary Dynamics of Influenza A Viruses in US Exhibition Swine

PubMed Central

Nelson, Martha I.; Wentworth, David E.; Das, Suman R.; Sreevatsan, Srinand; Killian, Mary L.; Nolting, Jacqueline M.; Slemons, Richard D.; Bowman, Andrew S.

2016-01-01

The role of exhibition swine in influenza A virus transmission was recently demonstrated by >300 infections with influenza A(H3N2) variant viruses among individuals who attended agricultural fairs. Through active influenza A virus surveillance in US exhibition swine and whole-genome sequencing of 380 isolates, we demonstrate that exhibition swine are actively involved in the evolution of influenza A viruses, including zoonotic strains. First, frequent introduction of influenza A viruses from commercial swine populations provides new genetic diversity in exhibition pigs each year locally. Second, genomic reassortment between viruses cocirculating in exhibition swine increases viral diversity. Third, viral migration between exhibition swine in neighboring states demonstrates that movements of exhibition pigs contributes to the spread of genetic diversity. The unexpected frequency of viral exchange between commercial and exhibition swine raises questions about the understudied interface between these populations. Overall, the complexity of viral evolution in exhibition swine indicates that novel viruses are likely to continually reemerge, presenting threats to humans. PMID:26243317

2016 National Training Conference Exhibit Booths and Poster Displays

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Exhibit Booths and Poster Displays for the 2016 National Training Conference on the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and Environmental Conditions in Communities. Identifies presentation topics and speakers for October 19 and 20.

Physiological adaptation to recurrent social stress of extraversion.

PubMed

Lu, Wei; Wang, Zhenhong

2017-02-01

The present studies examined the influence of extraversion on physiological reactivity, recovery, and physiological habituation-sensitization to repeated social stressors. In Study 1, subjective and physiological data were collected from 97 college students who were categorized as high (n = 51) and low (n = 46) on extraversion (NEO-FFI) across five laboratory stages: baseline, stress 1, poststress 1, stress 2, and poststress 2. Results indicated high extraversion (HE) participants exhibited relative lesser heart rate (HR) reactivity and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) withdrawals to, and more complete HR and RSA recovery after the first social stress, and also exhibited relative lesser HR reactivity to the second social stress. When repeatedly exposed to a social stressor, HE participants showed pronounced systolic blood pressure (SBP) adaptation, low extraversion (LE) participants displayed diastolic blood pressure (DBP) sensitization. In Study 2, data were collected from another 78 participants (HE: n = 40, LE: n = 38) across the same laboratory stages with speech performance videotaped. After controlling for the speech styles, Study 2 found the same HR response and SBP/DBP adaptation pattern across extraversion groups to social stress as Study 1 but not RSA reactivity. These findings suggest extraverts exhibit more adaptive physiological reactivity to recurrent social stressors, which thus might benefit their health. © 2016 Society for Psychophysiological Research.

Designing a serious game for historical heritage: a case study of Heerlen Roman bathhouse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, Wen

2014-01-01

The advances of computer games have shown their potentials for developing edutainment content and services. Current cultural heritages often make use of games in order to complement existing presentations and to create a memorable exhibition. It offers opportunities to reorganize and conceptualize historical, cultural and technological information about the exhibits. To demonstrate the benefits of serious games in terms of facilitating the learning activities in a constructive and meaningful way, we designed a video game about the Heerlen bathhouse heritage. This paper explains the design considerations of this Roman bathhouse game, with a particular focus on the link between game play and learning.

Deriving magnetite nanostructures from natural resources and investigation of its erythrocyte compatibility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chitra, S.; Bargavi, P.; Durgalakshmi, D.; Balasubramaniam, M.; Rajashree, P.; Balakumar, S.

2018-04-01

Nanostructured Iron oxide nanoparticles are being used for various biomedical applications such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Drug Delivery, Hyperthermia, Photo-ablation therapy and Biosensors as it exhibits tremendous biocompatibility. These magnetic materials are abundant, are available in natural resources such as sand, rock and various plants. In the present investigation, magnetic materials were separated from beach sand using external magnet and studied the properties of mineral magnetite, and it exhibits well-known compatibility with erythrocytes. Mineral magnetite derived from natural resources can demonstrate better biocompatibility and in addition, it cuts down the necessity of going towards highly expensive iron sources.

Viscosity minima in binary mixtures of ionic liquids + molecular solvents.

PubMed

Tariq, M; Shimizu, K; Esperança, J M S S; Canongia Lopes, J N; Rebelo, L P N

2015-05-28

The viscosity (η) of four binary mixtures (ionic liquids plus molecular solvents, ILs+MSs) was measured in the 283.15 < T/K < 363.15 temperature range. Different IL/MS combinations were selected in such a way that the corresponding η(T) functions exhibit crossover temperatures at which both pure components present identical viscosity values. Consequently, most of the obtained mixture isotherms, η(x), exhibit clear viscosity minima in the studied T-x range. The results are interpreted using auxiliary molecular dynamics (MD) simulation data in order to correlate the observed η(T,x) trends with the interactions in each mixture, including the balance between electrostatic forces and hydrogen bonding.

Nonlinear Characterization of Half and Full Wavelength Power Ultrasonic Devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathieson, Andrew; Cerisola, Niccolò; Cardoni, Andrea

It is well known that power ultrasonic devices whilst driven under elevated excitation levels exhibit nonlinear behaviors. If no attempt is made to understand and subsequently control these behaviors, these devices can exhibit poor performance or even suffer premature failure. This paper presents an experimental method for the dynamic characterization of a commercial ultrasonic transducer for bone cutting applications (Piezosurgery® Device) operated together with a variety of rod horns that are tuned to operate in a longitudinal mode of vibration. Near resonance responses, excited via a burst sine sweep method were used to identify nonlinear responses exhibited by the devices, while experimental modal analysis was performed to identify the modal parameters of the longitudinal modes of vibration of the assemblies between 0-80 kHz. This study tries to provide an understanding of the effects that geometry and material choices may have on the nonlinear behavior of a tuned device.

Judgement heuristics and bias in evidence interpretation: The effects of computer generated exhibits.

PubMed

Norris, Gareth

2015-01-01

The increasing use of multi-media applications, trial presentation software and computer generated exhibits (CGE) has raised questions as to the potential impact of the use of presentation technology on juror decision making. A significant amount of the commentary on the manner in which CGE exerts legal influence is largely anecdotal; empirical examinations too are often devoid of established theoretical rationalisations. This paper will examine a range of established judgement heuristics (for example, the attribution error, representativeness, simulation), in order to establish their appropriate application for comprehending legal decisions. Analysis of both past cases and empirical studies will highlight the potential for heuristics and biases to be restricted or confounded by the use of CGE. The paper will conclude with some wider discussion on admissibility, access to justice, and emerging issues in the use of multi-media in court. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Individual effects of seasonal changes, visitor density, and concurrent bear behavior on stereotypical behaviors in captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus).

PubMed

Kelly, Krista R; Harrison, Michelle L; Size, Daniele D; MacDonald, Suzanne E

2015-01-01

Stereotypical behaviors in captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus) can be detrimental to their welfare. These behaviors can be reduced through enrichment programs but are often not completely eliminated, so identifying potential triggers is important. The present study investigated the influences of seasonal changes, visitor density, and concurrent bear activity on stereotypical behaviors exhibited by 3 captive polar bears at the Toronto Zoo. All bears exhibited these behaviors; however, individual differences were found in duration and form. The male exhibited less stereotypical behavior during spring, and the females exhibited less stereotypical behavior during winter. An increase in visitor density was associated with more stereotypical behavior in 1 female but less stereotypical behavior in the other 2 bears. All bears engaged in more stereotypical behaviors when the other bears were inactive, and 1 female engaged in more stereotypical behaviors when the other bears were out of sight. Further, when conspecifics were active, all bears engaged in less stereotypical behaviors. Given the variability among individual bears, future enrichment programs must be tailored to the needs of individuals to maximize efficacy.

Facile green synthesis of silver nanodendrite/cellulose acetate thin film electrodes for flexible supercapacitors.

PubMed

Devarayan, Kesavan; Park, Jiyoung; Kim, Hak-Yong; Kim, Byoung-Suhk

2017-05-01

In this study, we present a highly efficient and economical solution called as 'in situ hydrogenation' for preparation of highly conductive thin film electrode based on silver nanodendrites. The silver nanodendrite (AgND)/cellulose acetate (CA) thin film electrodes exhibited sheet resistance ranging from 0.32ohm/sq to 122.1ohm/sq which could be controlled by changing the concentration of both silver and polymer. In addition, these electrodes exhibited outstanding toughness during the bending test. Further, these thin film electrodes have great potential for scale-up with an average weight of 3mg/cm 2 and can be also combined with active nanomaterials such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to fabricate AgND/CA/MWCNTs thin film for high-performance flexible supercapacitor electrode. The AgND/CA/MWCNTs electrodes exhibited a maximum specific capacitance of 237F/g at a current density of 0.3A/g. After 1000 cycles, the AgND/MWCNT/CA exhibited a decrease of 16.0% of specific capacitance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gold nanoparticle incorporated polymer/bioactive glass composite for controlled drug delivery application.

PubMed

Jayalekshmi, A C; Sharma, Chandra P

2015-02-01

The present study discusses the development of a biodegradable polymer encapsulated-nanogold incorporated-bioactive glass composite (AuPBG) by a low-temperature method. The composite was analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry (TG), fluorescence and dissolution analysis. The composite exhibited aggregation behaviour in solid and solution states and exhibited negative zeta potential (-13.3 ± 1.4 mV). The composite exhibited fast degradation starting from the 5(th) day onwards in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) for a period of 14 days. The composite showed fluorescence quenching effect at pH 7 and the fluorescence recovered at pH 5. The composite has been found to be suitable for the release of doxorubicin at high rates at acidic pH (∼ 5) which is the intracellular pH of tumour cells. The drug loading ratio is also high and it exhibited a controlled release for a period of 8 days in PBS. The system serves as a promising material for targeted drug delivery applications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

7 CFR Exhibit G to Subpart A of... - Performance Bond

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2014-01-01 2013-01-01 true Performance Bond G Exhibit G to Subpart A of Part 1924.... A, Exh. G Exhibit G to Subpart A of Part 1924—Performance Bond KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS... and faithful performance of the CONTRACT as so amended. The term “Amendment”, wherever used in this...

Presenting Cosmology (and its history) to the Public

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephenson, C. B.

1999-05-01

The twofold theme of this session is particularly appropriate to the host institution. The Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum is both a science museum, with research astronomers on staff whose mission is to present current astronomy to the public; and a center for the history of astronomy, with the finest collection of historic instruments of astronomy to be found in the Americas. At times even an individual exhibition at the Adler captures both sides of this story. This paper is about the process of developing such an exhibition, currently installed right down the hall from where the HAD is meeting, entitled `From the Night Sky to the Big Bang.' Night Sky to Big Bang begins as a History of Cosmology exhibition. In order to fairly present medieval cosmology, it must try to challenge the absurd idea, indoctrinated into all of us in grade school, that the Earth beneath our feet rotates on its axis and flies through space. Later sections contain a fairly large dose of current cosmology, and must turn around and challenge the common-sense notions that have been disproved by 20th-century physics. Other themes are stirred into the pot as well. This is a turn-of-the-millennium exhibition, and hence must at least nod toward the utterly arbitrary notion that the year 2000 is somehow significant. It is (therefore) a temporary exhibition, with a correspondingly limited budget. It was developed in cooperation with other Chicago-area astronomical institutions, and has experienced the corresponding opportunities and perils. The Night Sky exhibition, moreover, is being exploited as a prototyping gallery for future Adler exhibits, some in the history of astronomy and others in cosmology.

Carbachol-induced volume adaptation in mouse bladder and length adaptation via rhythmic contraction in rabbit detrusor.

PubMed

Speich, John E; Wilson, Cameron W; Almasri, Atheer M; Southern, Jordan B; Klausner, Adam P; Ratz, Paul H

2012-10-01

The length-tension (L-T) relationships in rabbit detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) are similar to those in vascular and airway smooth muscles and exhibit short-term length adaptation characterized by L-T curves that shift along the length axis as a function of activation and strain history. In contrast to skeletal muscle, the length-active tension (L-T(a)) curve for rabbit DSM strips does not have a unique peak tension value with a single ascending and descending limb. Instead, DSM can exhibit multiple ascending and descending limbs, and repeated KCl-induced contractions at a particular muscle length on an ascending or descending limb display increasingly greater tension. In the present study, mouse bladder strips with and without urothelium exhibited KCl-induced and carbachol-induced length adaptation, and the pressure-volume relationship in mouse whole bladder displayed short-term volume adaptation. Finally, prostaglandin-E(2)-induced low-level rhythmic contraction produced length adaptation in rabbit DSM strips. A likely role of length adaptation during bladder filling is to prepare DSM cells to contract efficiently over a broad range of volumes. Mammalian bladders exhibit spontaneous rhythmic contraction (SRC) during the filling phase and SRC is elevated in humans with overactive bladder (OAB). The present data identify a potential physiological role for SRC in bladder adaptation and motivate the investigation of a potential link between short-term volume adaptation and OAB with impaired contractility.

Reaching the Public through Traveling Exhibitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dusenbery, P. B.; Harold, J. B.; Morrow, C. A.

2004-11-01

The Space Science Institute (SSI) of Boulder, Colorado has recently developed two museum exhibits called Alien Earths and MarsQuest. It has just started to develop another exhibit called Giant Planets. These exhibitions provide research scientists the opportunity to engage in a number of activities that are vital to the success of these major outreach programs. Alien Earths was developed in partnership with various research missions. The focus of the presentation will be on MarsQuest and Giant Planets. MarsQuest is a 5000 square-foot, \\$3M, traveling exhibition that is now touring the country. The exhibit's second 3-year tour will enable millions of Americans to share in the excitement of the scientific exploration of Mars and learn more about their own planet in the process. The associated planetarium show and education program will also be described, with particular emphasis on workshops to orient museum staff (e.g. museum educators and docents) and workshops for master educators near host museums and science centers. The workshops make innovative connections between the exhibition's interactive experiences and lesson plans aligned with the National Science Education Standards. These exhibit programs are good models for actively involving scientists and their discoveries to help improve informal science education in the museum community and for forging a stronger connection between formal and informal education. The presentation will also discuss how Giant Planets, a proposed 3500 square-foot traveling exhibition on the mysteries and discoveries of the outer planets, will be able to take advantage of the connections and resources that have been developed by the MarsQuest project.

Renewable Electricity Futures (Presentation)

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

DeMeo, E.

2012-08-01

This presentation library summarizes findings of NREL's Renewable Electricity Futures study, published in June 2012. RE Futures investigated the challenges and impacts of achieving very high renewable electricity generation levels in the contiguous United States by 2050. It was presented at Wind Powering America States Summit. The Summit, which follows the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA's) annual WINDPOWER Conference and Exhibition, provides state Wind Working Groups, state energy officials, U.S. Energy Department and national laboratory representatives, and professional and institutional partners an opportunity to review successes, opportunities, and challenges for wind energy and plan future collaboration.

Thai Grade 11 students' alternative conceptions for acid-base chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Artdej, Romklao; Ratanaroutai, Thasaneeya; Coll, Richard Kevin; Thongpanchang, Tienthong

2010-07-01

This study involved the development of a two-tier diagnostic instrument to assess Thai high school students' understanding of acid-base chemistry. The acid-base diagnostic test (ABDT) comprising 18 items was administered to 55 Grade 11 students in a science and mathematics programme during the second semester of the 2008 academic year. Analysis of students' responses from this study followed the methodology outlined by Çalik and Ayas. The research findings suggest that the ABDT, the multiple choice diagnostic instrument, enables researchers and teachers to classify students' understanding at different levels. Most students exhibited alternative conceptions for several concepts: acid-base theory, dissociation of strong acids or bases, and dissociation of weak acids/bases. Interestingly, one of the concepts that students appeared to find most difficult, and for which they exhibited the most alternative conceptions, was acid-base theory. Some alternative conceptions revealed in this study differ from earlier reports, such as the concept of electrolyte and non-electrolyte solutions as well as the concentration changes of H3O+and OH- in water. These research findings present valuable information for facilitating better understanding of acid-base chemistry by providing insight into the preventable and correctable alternative conceptions exhibited by students.

Functional MRI study of specific animal phobia using an event-related emotional counting stroop paradigm.

PubMed

Britton, Jennifer C; Gold, Andrea L; Deckersbach, Thilo; Rauch, Scott L

2009-01-01

Emotional interference tasks may be useful in probing anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) function to understand abnormal attentional study in individuals with specific phobia. In a 3 T functional MRI study, individuals with specific phobias of the animal subtype (SAP, n=12) and healthy comparison (HC) adults (n=12) completed an event-related emotional counting Stroop task. Individuals were presented phobia-related, negative, and neutral words and were instructed to report via button press the number of words displayed on each trial. Compared to the HC group, the SAP group exhibited greater rostral ACC activation (i.e., greater response to phobia-related words than neutral words). In this same contrast, HCs exhibited greater right amygdala and posterior insula activations as well as greater thalamic deactivation than the SAP group. Both groups exhibited anterior cingulate, dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus/insula, and amygdala activations as well as thalamic deactivation. Psychophysiological interaction analysis highlighted a network of activation in these regions in response to phobia-related words in the SAP group. Taken together, these findings implicate a circuit of dysfunction, which is linked to attention abnormalities in individuals with SAP.

CD44+CD24+ subset of PANC-1 cells exhibits radiation resistance via decreased levels of reactive oxygen species.

PubMed

Wang, Lei; Li, Pengping; Hu, Wei; Xia, Youyou; Hu, Chenxi; Liu, Liang; Jiang, Xiaodong

2017-08-01

Emerging evidence has suggested that pancreatic adenocarcinoma is sustained by pancreatic cancer stem cells. The present study aimed to investigate the expression patterns of the pancreatic cancer stem cell surface markers cluster of differentiation CD44 and CD24 in a pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line, and to investigate the possible mechanisms for their radiation resistance. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression patterns of CD44 and CD24 in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma PANC-1 cell line. In addition, a multi-target click model was used to fit cell survival curves and determine the sensitizer enhancement ratio. The apoptosis and cycle distribution of the four cell subsets was determined using flow cytometry, and the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate probe. The present results identified that the ratios of CD44 + and CD24 + in the sorted PANC-1 cell line were 92.0 and 4.7%, respectively. Prior to radiation, no statistically significant differences were observed among the four groups. Following treatment with 6 MV of X-rays, the rate of apoptosis was decreased in the CD44 + CD24 + group compared with other subsets. The percentage of G0/G1 cells was highest in the CD44 + CD24 + group compared with the three other groups, which exhibited increased radiosensitivity. In addition, the level of ROS in the CD44 + CD24 + group was reduced compared with the other groups. In summary, the results of the present study indicated that CD44 + CD24 + exhibited stem cell properties. The lower level of ROS and apoptosis in CD44 + CD24 + cells may contribute to their resistance to radiation in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The Li–Si–(O)–N system revisited: Structural characterization of Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} and Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O

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

Casas-Cabanas, M.; Santner, H.; Palacín, M.R., E-mail: rosa.palacin@icmab.es

2014-05-01

A systematic study of the Li–Si–(O)–N system is presented. The synthetic conditions to prepare Li{sub 2}SiN{sub 2}, Li{sub 5}SiN{sub 3}, Li{sub 18}Si{sub 3}N{sub 10}, Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} and Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O are described and the structure of the last two compounds has been solved for the first time. While Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} crystallizes as a superstructure of the anti-fluorite structure with Li and Si ordering, Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O exhibits the anti-fluorite structure with both anion and cation disorder. - Graphical abstract: A systematic study of the Li–Si–(O)–N system is presented. Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} crystallizes as a superstructuremore » of the anti-fluorite structure with Li and Si ordering, Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O exhibits the anti-fluorite structure with both anion and cation disorder. - Highlights: • Li{sub 2}SiN{sub 2}, Li{sub 5}SiN{sub 3}, Li{sub 18}Si{sub 3}N{sub 10}, Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} and Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O are prepared. • The structures of Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} and Li{sub 7}SiN{sub 3}O are presented. • Li{sub 21}Si{sub 3}N{sub 11} exhibits an anti-fluorite superstructure with Li and Si ordering.« less

The influence of maternal child-rearing attitudes and teaching behaviors on preschoolers' delay of gratification.

PubMed

Mauro, C F; Harris, Y R

2000-09-01

This study was an exploratory examination of the influence of mothers' teaching behaviors, strategies, and child-rearing attitudes on their children's ability to delay gratification. In an externally imposed delay of gratification situation, 30 mothers from a rural university community taught their children strategies that could help them refrain from touching a brightly wrapped present when the mothers left the room. Results showed that mothers of children who did not delay gratification exhibited teaching behaviors and child-rearing attitudes consistent with a permissive parenting style, whereas mothers of children who did delay gratification exhibited teaching behaviors and child-rearing attitudes consistent with an authoritative parenting style. The results of this study are discussed with respect to the development of children's self-control and self-regulatory abilities.

The Role of Feature Type and Causal Status in 4-5-Year-Old Children's Biological Categorizations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meunier, Benjamin; Cordier, Francoise

2009-01-01

The present study investigated the role of the causal status of features and feature type in biological categorizations by young children. Study 1 showed that 5-year-olds are more strongly influenced by causal features than effect features; 4-year-olds exhibit no such tendency. There therefore appears to be a conceptual change between the ages of…

Characterization of rice lesion mimic mutants of 93-11 for a better understanding of general host defense response to both rice blast and sheath blight diseases

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Rice lesion mimic mutants (LMM) exhibit necrotic lesions resembling programmed cell death (PCD). PCD is one of the significant hallmarks of disease resistance genes mediated defense responses. LMM can be used to study the mechanisms of plant disease resistance. In the present study, a total of 133 ...

Successful Aging in a 70-Year-Old Man with Down Syndrome: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krinsky-McHale, Sharon J.; Devenny, Darlynne A.; Gu, Hong; Jenkins, Edmund C.; Kittler, Phyllis; Murty, Vundavalli V.; Schupf, Nicole; Scotto, Luigi; Tycko, Benjamin; Urv, Tiina K.; Ye, Lingling; Zigman, Warren B.; Silverman, Wayne

2008-01-01

The authors present a case study of a 70-year-old man with Down syndrome ("Mr. C.") who they followed for 16 years and who does not exhibit declines in cognitive or functional capacities indicative of dementia, despite having well-documented, complete trisomy 21. The authors describe the age-associated changes that occurred over 16 years as well…

"Don't Try This at Home": Toddlers' Imitation of New Skills from People on Video

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Strouse, Gabrielle A.; Troseth, Georgene L.

2008-01-01

Imitation of people on educational television is a potential way for very young children to learn new skills. Although toddlers in previous studies exhibited a "video deficit" in learning, 24-month-olds in Study 1 successfully reproduced behaviors modeled by a person who was on video as well as they did those modeled by a person who was present in…

Retest reliability of individual alpha ERD topography assessed by human electroencephalography.

PubMed

Vázquez-Marrufo, Manuel; Galvao-Carmona, Alejandro; Benítez Lugo, María Luisa; Ruíz-Peña, Juan Luis; Borges Guerra, Mónica; Izquierdo Ayuso, Guillermo

2017-01-01

Despite the immense literature related to diverse human electroencephalographic (EEG) parameters, very few studies have focused on the reliability of these measures. Some of the most studied components (i.e., P3 or MMN) have received more attention regarding the stability of their main parameters, such as latency, amplitude or topography. However, spectral modulations have not been as extensively evaluated considering that different analysis methods are available. The main aim of the present study is to assess the reliability of the latency, amplitude and topography of event-related desynchronization (ERD) for the alpha band (10-14 Hz) observed in a cognitive task (visual oddball). Topography reliability was analysed at different levels (for the group, within-subjects individually and between-subjects individually). The latency for alpha ERD showed stable behaviour between two sessions, and the amplitude exhibited an increment (more negative) in the second session. Alpha ERD topography exhibited a high correlation score between sessions at the group level (r = 0.903, p<0.001). The mean value for within-subject correlations was 0.750 (with a range from 0.391 to 0.954). Regarding between-subject topography comparisons, some subjects showed a highly specific topography, whereas other subjects showed topographies that were more similar to those of other subjects. ERD was mainly stable between the two sessions with the exception of amplitude, which exhibited an increment in the second session. Topography exhibits excellent reliability at the group level; however, it exhibits highly heterogeneous behaviour at the individual level. Considering that the P3 was previously evaluated for this group of subjects, a direct comparison of the correlation scores was possible, and it showed that the ERD component is less reliable in individual topography than in the ERP component (P3).

Retest reliability of individual alpha ERD topography assessed by human electroencephalography

PubMed Central

Vázquez-Marrufo, Manuel; Benítez Lugo, María Luisa; Ruíz-Peña, Juan Luis; Borges Guerra, Mónica; Izquierdo Ayuso, Guillermo

2017-01-01

Background Despite the immense literature related to diverse human electroencephalographic (EEG) parameters, very few studies have focused on the reliability of these measures. Some of the most studied components (i.e., P3 or MMN) have received more attention regarding the stability of their main parameters, such as latency, amplitude or topography. However, spectral modulations have not been as extensively evaluated considering that different analysis methods are available. The main aim of the present study is to assess the reliability of the latency, amplitude and topography of event-related desynchronization (ERD) for the alpha band (10–14 Hz) observed in a cognitive task (visual oddball). Topography reliability was analysed at different levels (for the group, within-subjects individually and between-subjects individually). Results The latency for alpha ERD showed stable behaviour between two sessions, and the amplitude exhibited an increment (more negative) in the second session. Alpha ERD topography exhibited a high correlation score between sessions at the group level (r = 0.903, p<0.001). The mean value for within-subject correlations was 0.750 (with a range from 0.391 to 0.954). Regarding between-subject topography comparisons, some subjects showed a highly specific topography, whereas other subjects showed topographies that were more similar to those of other subjects. Conclusion ERD was mainly stable between the two sessions with the exception of amplitude, which exhibited an increment in the second session. Topography exhibits excellent reliability at the group level; however, it exhibits highly heterogeneous behaviour at the individual level. Considering that the P3 was previously evaluated for this group of subjects, a direct comparison of the correlation scores was possible, and it showed that the ERD component is less reliable in individual topography than in the ERP component (P3). PMID:29088307

Irritability Trajectories, Cortical Thickness, and Clinical Outcomes in a Sample Enriched for Preschool Depression.

PubMed

Pagliaccio, David; Pine, Daniel S; Barch, Deanna M; Luby, Joan L; Leibenluft, Ellen

2018-05-01

Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and genetic associations exist between irritability and depression. Prior studies have examined developmental trajectories of irritability, clinical outcomes, and associations with child and familial depression. However, studies have not integrated neurobiological measures. The present study examined developmental trajectories of irritability, clinical outcomes, and cortical structure among preschoolers oversampled for depressive symptoms. Beginning at 3 to 5 years old, a sample of 271 children enriched for early depressive symptoms were assessed longitudinally by clinical interview. Latent class mixture models identified trajectories of irritability severity. Risk factors, clinical outcomes, and cortical thickness were compared across trajectory classes. Cortical thickness measures were extracted from 3 waves of magnetic resonance imaging at 7 to 12 years of age. Three trajectory classes were identified among these youth: 53.50% of children exhibited elevated irritability during preschool that decreased longitudinally, 30.26% exhibited consistently low irritability, and 16.24% exhibited consistently elevated irritability. Compared with other classes, the elevated irritability class exhibited higher rates of maternal depression, early life adversity, later psychiatric diagnoses, and functional impairment. Further, elevated baseline irritability predicted later depression beyond adversity and personal and maternal depression history. The elevated irritability class exhibited a thicker cortex in the left superior frontal and temporal gyri and the right inferior parietal lobule. Irritability manifested with specific developmental trajectories in this sample enriched for early depression. Persistently elevated irritability predicted poor psychiatric outcomes, higher risk for later depression, and decreased overall function later in development. Greater frontal, temporal, and parietal cortical thickness also was found, providing neural correlates of this risk trajectory. Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. All rights reserved.

The natural history of insomnia: acute insomnia and first-onset depression.

PubMed

Ellis, Jason G; Perlis, Michael L; Bastien, Célyne H; Gardani, Maria; Espie, Colin A

2014-01-01

While many studies have examined the association between insomnia and depression, no studies have evaluated these associations (1) within a narrow time frame, (2) with specific reference to acute and chronic insomnia, and (3) using polysomnography. In the present study, the association between insomnia and first-onset depression was evaluated taking into account these considerations. A mixed-model inception design. Academic research laboratory. Fifty-four individuals (acute insomnia [n = 33], normal sleepers [n = 21]) with no reported history of a sleep disorder, chronic medical condition, or psychiatric illness. N/A. Participants were assessed at baseline (2 nights of polysomnography and psychometric measures of stress and mood) and insomnia and depression status were reassessed at 3 months. Individuals with acute insomnia exhibited more stress, poorer mood, worse subjective sleep continuity, increased N2 sleep, and decreased N3 sleep. Individuals who transitioned to chronic insomnia exhibited (at baseline) shorter REM latencies and reduced N3 sleep. Individuals who exhibited this pattern in the transition from acute to chronic insomnia were also more likely to develop first-onset depression (9.26%) as compared to those who remitted from insomnia (1.85%) or were normal sleepers (1.85%). The transition from acute to chronic insomnia is presaged by baseline differences in sleep architecture that have, in the past, been ascribed to Major Depression, either as heritable traits or as acquired traits from prior episodes of depression. The present findings suggest that the "sleep architecture stigmata" of depression may actually develop over the course transitioning from acute to chronic insomnia.

Stability in the metamemory realism of eyewitness confidence judgments.

PubMed

Buratti, Sandra; Allwood, Carl Martin; Johansson, Marcus

2014-02-01

The stability of eyewitness confidence judgments over time in regard to their reported memory and accuracy of these judgments is of interest in forensic contexts because witnesses are often interviewed many times. The present study investigated the stability of the confidence judgments of memory reports of a witnessed event and of the accuracy of these judgments over three occasions, each separated by 1 week. Three age groups were studied: younger children (8-9 years), older children (10-11 years), and adults (19-31 years). A total of 93 participants viewed a short film clip and were asked to answer directed two-alternative forced-choice questions about the film clip and to confidence judge each answer. Different questions about details in the film clip were used on each of the three test occasions. Confidence as such did not exhibit stability over time on an individual basis. However, the difference between confidence and proportion correct did exhibit stability across time, in terms of both over/underconfidence and calibration. With respect to age, the adults and older children exhibited more stability than the younger children for calibration. Furthermore, some support for instability was found with respect to the difference between the average confidence level for correct and incorrect answers (slope). Unexpectedly, however, the younger children's slope was found to be more stable than the adults. Compared to the previous research, the present study's use of more advanced statistical methods provides a more nuanced understanding of the stability of confidence judgments in the eyewitness reports of children and adults.

Molecular structure, supramolecular organization and thermotropic phase behavior of N-acylglycine alkyl esters with matched acyl and alkyl chains.

PubMed

Reddy, S Thirupathi; Swamy, Musti J

2017-11-01

N-Acylglycines (NAGs), the endogenous single-tailed lipids present in rat brain and other mammalian tissues, play significant roles in cell physiology and exhibit interesting pharmacological properties. In the present study, a homologous series of N-acylglycine alkyl esters (NAGEs) with matched chains were synthesized and characterized. Results of differential scanning calorimetric studies revealed that all NAGEs exhibit a single sharp phase transition and that the transition enthalpy and entropy show a linear dependence on the N-acyl and ester alkyl chain length. The structure of N-myristoylglycine myristyl ester (NMGME), solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showed that the molecule adopts a linear geometry and revealed that the structure of N-myristoyl glycyl moiety in NMGME is identical to that in N-myristoylglycine. The molecules are packed in layers with the polar functional groups of the ester and amide functionalities located at the center of the layer. The crystal packing is stabilized by NH⋯O hydrogen bonds between the amide CO and NH groups of adjacent molecules as well as by CH⋯O hydrogen bonds between the amide carbonyl and the methylene CH adjacent to the ester carbonyl of neighboring molecules as well as between ester carbonyl and methylene group of the glycine moiety of adjacent molecules. Powder X-ray diffraction studies showed a linear dependence of the d-spacings on the acyl chain length, suggesting that all NAGEs adopt a structure similar to the packing exhibited in the crystal lattice of NMGME. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ethanol-induced locomotor activity in adolescent rats and the relationship with ethanol-induced conditioned place preference and conditioned taste aversion.

PubMed

Acevedo, María Belén; Nizhnikov, Michael E; Spear, Norman E; Molina, Juan C; Pautassi, Ricardo M

2013-05-01

Adolescent rats exhibit ethanol-induced locomotor activity (LMA), which is considered an index of ethanol's motivational properties likely to predict ethanol self-administration, but few studies have reported or correlated ethanol-induced LMA with conditioned place preference (CPP) by ethanol at this age. The present study assessed age-related differences in ethanol's motor stimulating effects and analyzed the association between ethanol-induced LMA and conventional measures of ethanol-induced reinforcement. Experiment 1 compared ethanol-induced LMA in adolescent and adult rats. Subsequent experiments analyzed ethanol-induced CPP and conditioned taste aversion (CTA) in adolescent rats evaluated for ethanol-induced LMA. Adolescent rats exhibit a robust LMA after high-dose ethanol. Ethanol-induced LMA was fairly similar across adolescents and adults. As expected, adolescents were sensitive to ethanol's aversive reinforcement, but they also exhibited CPP. These measures of ethanol reinforcement, however, were not related to ethanol-induced LMA. Spontaneous LMA in an open field was, however, negatively associated with ethanol-induced CTA. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

ETHANOL-INDUCED LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY IN ADOLESCENT RATS AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH ETHANOL-INDUCED CONDITIONED PLACE PREFERENCE AND CONDITIONED TASTE AVERSION

PubMed Central

Acevedo, María Belén; Nizhnikov, Michael E.; Spear, Norman E.; Molina, Juan C.; Pautassi, Ricardo Marcos

2012-01-01

Adolescent rats exhibit ethanol-induced locomotor activity (LMA), which is considered an index of ethanol’s motivational properties likely to predict ethanol self-administration, but few studies have reported or correlated ethanol-induced LMA with conditioned place preference by ethanol at this age. The present study assessed age-related differences in ethanol’s motor stimulating effects and analysed the association between ethanol-induced LMA and conventional measures of ethanol-induced reinforcement. Experiment 1 compared ethanol-induced LMA in adolescent and adult rats. Subsequent experiments analyzed ethanol-induced conditioned place preference and conditioned taste aversion in adolescent rats evaluated for ethanol-induced LMA. Adolescent rats exhibit a robust LMA after high-dose ethanol. Ethanol-induced LMA was fairly similar across adolescents and adults. As expected, adolescents were sensitive to ethanol’s aversive reinforcement, but they also exhibited conditioned place preference. These measures of ethanol reinforcement, however, were not related to ethanol-induced LMA. Spontaneous LMA in an open field was, however, negatively associated with ethanol-induced CTA. PMID:22592597

Evaluation of wound healing activity of root of Mimosa pudica.

PubMed

Kokane, Dnyaneshwar D; More, Rahul Y; Kale, Mandar B; Nehete, Minakshi N; Mehendale, Prachi C; Gadgoli, Chhaya H

2009-07-15

Mimosa pudica, commonly known as touch-me-not, is used in folklore medicine in arresting bleeding and in skin diseases. There was no scientific evidence justifying the use of Mimosa pudica, therefore the present study was aimed at evaluation of wound healing activity of the plant. In the present study the roots of Mimosa pudica were studied for wound healing activity by incorporating the methanolic and the total aqueous extract in simple ointment base B.P. in concentration of 0.5% (w/w), 1% (w/w) and 2% (w/w). Wound healing activity was studied in three types of model in rats viz. excision, incision and estimation of biochemical parameter. In case of the excision wound model wound contraction and period of epithelization was studied while in incision wound model was evaluated by determining tensile strength and hydroxyproline content in the scab. Treatment of wound with ointment containing 2% (w/w) the methanolic and 2% (w/w) the total aqueous extract exhibited significant (P<0.001) wound healing activity. The methanolic and total aqueous extracts were analyzed for total phenols content equivalent to Gallic acid. The content of total phenols was 11% (w/w) and 17% (w/w) in methanolic and total aqueous extract respectively. The methanolic extract exhibited good wound healing activity probably due to phenols constituents.

The Role of Present Time Perspective in Predicting Early Adolescent Violence.

PubMed

Kruger, Daniel J; Carrothers, Jessica; Franzen, Susan P; Miller, Alison L; Reischl, Thomas M; Stoddard, Sarah A; Zimmerman, Marc A

2018-06-01

This study investigated the role of present and future time perspectives, and their relationships with subjective norms and beliefs regarding violence, in predicting violent behaviors among urban middle school students in the Midwestern United States. Although present time perspective covaried with subjective norms and beliefs, each made a unique prediction of self-reported violent behaviors. Future time perspective was not a significant predictor when accounting for these relationships. In addition, present orientation moderated the relationship between subjective norms and beliefs and rates of violent behaviors; those with higher present orientations exhibited stronger associations. We replicated this pattern of results in data from new participants in a subsequent wave of the study. Interventions that explicitly address issues related to time perspective may be effective in reducing early adolescent violence.

Spatially varying geometric phase in classically entangled vector beams of light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

King-Smith, Andrew; Leary, Cody

We present theoretical results describing a spatially varying geometric (Pancharatnam) phase present in vector modes of light, in which the polarization and transverse spatial mode degrees of freedom exhibit classical entanglement. We propose an experimental setup capable of characterizing this effect, in which a vector mode propagates through a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a birefringent phase retarder present in one arm. Since the polarization state of a classically entangled light beam exhibits spatial variation across the transverse mode profile, the phase retarder gives rise to a spatially varying geometric phase in the beam propagating through it. When recombined with the reference beam from the other interferometer arm, the presence of the geometric phase is exhibited in the resulting interference pattern. We acknowledge funding from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement by means of a Cottrell College Science Award.

The Natural History of Insomnia: Acute Insomnia and First-onset Depression

PubMed Central

Ellis, Jason G.; Perlis, Michael L.; Bastien, Célyne H.; Gardani, Maria; Espie, Colin A.

2014-01-01

Study Objectives: While many studies have examined the association between insomnia and depression, no studies have evaluated these associations (1) within a narrow time frame, (2) with specific reference to acute and chronic insomnia, and (3) using polysomnography. In the present study, the association between insomnia and first-onset depression was evaluated taking into account these considerations. Design: A mixed-model inception design. Setting: Academic research laboratory. Participants: Fifty-four individuals (acute insomnia [n = 33], normal sleepers [n = 21]) with no reported history of a sleep disorder, chronic medical condition, or psychiatric illness. Interventions: N/A. Measurements and Results: Participants were assessed at baseline (2 nights of polysomnography and psychometric measures of stress and mood) and insomnia and depression status were reassessed at 3 months. Individuals with acute insomnia exhibited more stress, poorer mood, worse subjective sleep continuity, increased N2 sleep, and decreased N3 sleep. Individuals who transitioned to chronic insomnia exhibited (at baseline) shorter REM latencies and reduced N3 sleep. Individuals who exhibited this pattern in the transition from acute to chronic insomnia were also more likely to develop first-onset depression (9.26%) as compared to those who remitted from insomnia (1.85%) or were normal sleepers (1.85%). Conclusion: The transition from acute to chronic insomnia is presaged by baseline differences in sleep architecture that have, in the past, been ascribed to Major Depression, either as heritable traits or as acquired traits from prior episodes of depression. The present findings suggest that the “sleep architecture stigmata” of depression may actually develop over the course transitioning from acute to chronic insomnia. Citation: Ellis JG; Perlis ML; Bastien CH; Gardani M; Espie CA. The natural history of insomnia: acute insomnia and first-onset depression. SLEEP 2014;37(1):97-106. PMID:24470699

Proper poster presentation: a visual and verbal ABC.

PubMed

Wright, V; Moll, J M

1987-08-01

The 58 posters exhibited at the 1985 Annual General Meeting of the British Society for Rheumatology have been analysed for 13 variables considered important in the construction of a good poster. In particular the attributes of information, simplicity and visual attractiveness were studied. The time spent by viewers was also measured for one selected poster each in immunology, biochemistry, therapeutics and clinical medicine. On the basis of this survey, nine recommendations for proper presentation were made.

The pituitary gland in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis: a clinical and radiological evaluation.

PubMed

Kurtulmus, Neslihan; Mert, Meral; Tanakol, Refik; Yarman, Sema

2015-04-01

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease in which the most common endocrine manifestation is diabetes insipidus (DI). Data on anterior pituitary function in patients with LCH are limited. Thus, the present study investigated anterior pituitary function in LCH patients with DI via the evaluation of clinical and radiological findings at disease onset and during follow-up. The present study retrospectively evaluated nine patients with LCH (five males and four females). All diagnoses of LCH were made following histological and/or immunophenotypic analyses of tissue biopsies, bronchoalveolar lavage, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Basal and, if necessary, dynamic pituitary function tests were used to assess anterior pituitary function, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were used to image the pituitary. The LCH treatment modality was based on organ involvement. The mean age at onset of DI was 27.6 years (range 15-60 years). One patient (11%) exhibited single organ involvement, while eight patients (89%) displayed multisystem organ involvement. On admittance, one patient had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, one patient exhibited panhypopituitarism [hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, central hypothyroidism, hypocortisolism, and growth hormone (GH) deficiency], and four patients (44%) displayed hyperprolactinemia. The MRI data revealed infundibular enlargement in seven patients (78%), a thalamic mass in one patient (11%), and the absence of the bright spot in all patients. A single patient (11%) showed a mass in the pons that had a partially empty sella. The patients were treated with radiation therapy (RT), chemotherapy (CT), or a combination of both (RT+CT) and were followed up for a median of 91.8 months (range 2-318 months). Seven patients were assessed during the follow-up period, of whom four patients (57.1%) developed anterior pituitary hormone deficiency, three (43%) were diagnosed with GH deficiency, and one (14%) exhibited gonadotropin deficiency. The gonadotropin deficiency in the patient, which was diagnosed on admittance, was resolved during the follow-up period. DI persisted in all patients, and the conditions of the seven patients who have remained on follow-up are stable. In the present study, patients with LCH exhibited altered function in the anterior pituitary as well as the posterior pituitary, which may be due to the natural course of the disease or the effects of treatment. The present findings indicate that anterior pituitary function should be assessed in LCH patients on admittance and during follow-up, especially in LCH patients with multisystem organ involvement.

A Toy Model of Electrodynamics in (1 + 1) Dimensions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boozer, A. D.

2007-01-01

A model is presented that describes a scalar field interacting with a point particle in (1+1) dimensions. The model exhibits many of the same phenomena that appear in classical electrodynamics, such as radiation and radiation damping, yet has a much simpler mathematical structure. By studying these phenomena in a highly simplified model, the…

The promise of youth service as a global conservation tool

Treesearch

Emily R. Sloane

2011-01-01

Youth conservation corps (YCCs) and related programs are established and valued in the United States, but little is known about similar programs overseas. This paper presents results from an exploratory survey of YCCs in 10 developing/emerging countries, with particular focus on their activities, challenges, and successes. The study countries exhibit several socio-...

History of Science and Science Museums

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Faria, Cláudia; Guilherme, Elsa; Gaspar, Raquel; Boaventura, Diana

2015-01-01

The activities presented in this paper, which are addressed to elementary school, are focused on the pioneering work of the Portuguese King Carlos I in oceanography and involve the exploration of the exhibits belonging to two different science museums, the Aquarium Vasco da Gama and the Maritime Museum. Students were asked to study fish…

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration between Two Science Disciplines at a Community College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steele, Bronwen

2011-01-01

Health science students like students in many disciplines exhibit difficulty with transferring content from one course to another. For example, the problem explored in this study occurred when overlapping concepts were presented in introductory biology and chemistry courses, but students could not transfer the concepts to the other disciplinary…

The Use of Grammatical Morphemes by Mandarin-Speaking Children with High Functioning Autism

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhou, Peng; Crain, Stephen; Gao, Liqun; Tang, Ye; Jia, Meixiang

2015-01-01

The present study investigated the production of grammatical morphemes by Mandarin-speaking children with high functioning autism. Previous research found that a subgroup of English-speaking children with autism exhibit deficits in the use of grammatical morphemes that mark tense. In order to see whether this impairment in grammatical morphology…

Developmental Stability in Gender-Typed Preferences between Infancy and Preschool Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lauer, Jillian E.; Ilksoy, Sibel D.; Lourenco, Stella F.

2018-01-01

Infants exhibit visual preferences for gender-typed objects (e.g., dolls, toy vehicles) that parallel the gender-typed play preferences of preschool-aged children, but the developmental stability of individual differences in early emerging gender-typed preferences has not yet been characterized. In the present study, we examined the longitudinal…

Crossed Wernicke's Aphasia: A Case Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sheehy, Laurie M.; Haines, Mary E.

2004-01-01

Crossed aphasia is a phenomenon in which an individual sustains a lesion in the right hemisphere (typically non-language dominant), but who exhibits an aphasic syndrome. The authors present a case study of an individual with crossed aphasia (CA) in an attempt to provide anecdotal information for four questions posed by Pita, Karavelis, and…

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study (Exhibit D). Solid-State Amplifier Investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1981-01-01

Data resulting from a continuing effort to provide system/subsystem definition data to aid in the evaluation of the SPS program concept is presented. The specific data described relate to the proposed use of solid state devices as microwave power amplifiers in the satellite microwave power transmission subsystem.

Carbonaceous aerosol over a Pinus taeda forest in Central North Carolina, USA

EPA Science Inventory

Organic aerosol is the least understood component of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Presented in this study are organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) within ambient PM2.5 over a three-year period at a forested site in the North Carolina Piedmon. EC exhibited signifi...

Treatment of Challenging Behavior Exhibited by Children with Prenatal Drug Exposure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kurtz, Patricia F.; Chin, Michelle D.; Rush, Karena S.; Dixon, Dennis R.

2008-01-01

A large body of literature exists describing the harmful effects of prenatal drug exposure on infant and child development. However, there is a paucity of research examining strategies to ameliorate sequelae such as externalizing behavior problems. In the present study, functional analysis procedures were used to assess challenging behavior…

Developmental Dyslexia and Explicit Long-Term Memory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Menghini, Deny; Carlesimo, Giovanni Augusto; Marotta, Luigi; Finzi, Alessandra; Vicari, Stefano

2010-01-01

The reduced verbal long-term memory capacities often reported in dyslexics are generally interpreted as a consequence of their deficit in phonological coding. The present study was aimed at evaluating whether the learning deficit exhibited by dyslexics was restricted only to the verbal component of the long-term memory abilities or also involved…

DNA MICROARRAY ANALYSIS OF RAT BRAIN TO ASSESS CHANGES IN GENE EXPRESSION AND NEUROTOXICITY OF FOUR CONAZOLES.

EPA Science Inventory

Conazoles are a class of azole fungicides widely used both pharmaceutically and agriculturally. This study focused on four conazoles that exhibit a range of cancer and non-cancer effects, to ascertain if any neurotoxic effects are present and to identify possible common and uniqu...

Stuttering and Natural Speech Processing of Semantic and Syntactic Constraints on Verbs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weber-Fox, Christine; Hampton, Amanda

2008-01-01

Purpose: Previous findings from event-related brain potentials (ERPs) indicate that adults who stutter (AWS) exhibit processing differences for visually presented linguistic information. This study explores how neural activations for AWS may differ for a linguistic task that does not require preparation for overt articulation or engage the…

African American Pioneers in Aviation: 1920-Present. Teacher Guide.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

O'Flahavan, Leslie

This teacher's guide provides activities about the National Air and Space Museum (Washington, DC) for students to complete. The guide includes primary and secondary source materials for teachers to photocopy and use during their study of African Americans in aviation based on the exhibition "Black Wings: The American Black in Aviation."…

Melittin, a honeybee venom-derived antimicrobial peptide, may target methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

CHOI, JI HAE; JANG, A YEUNG; LIN, SHUNMEI; LIM, SANGYONG; KIM, DONGHO; PARK, KYUNGHO; HAN, SANG-MI; YEO, JOO-HONG; SEO, HO SEONG

2015-01-01

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is difficult to treat using available antibiotic agents. Honeybee venom has been widely used as an oriental treatment for several inflammatory diseases and bacterial infections. The venom contains predominantly biologically active compounds, however, the therapeutic effects of such materials when used to treat MRSA infections have not been investigated extensively. The present study evaluated bee venom and its principal active component, melittin, in terms of their antibacterial activities and in vivo protection against MRSA infections. In vitro, bee venom and melittin exhibited comparable levels of antibacterial activity, which was more marked against MRSA strains, compared with other Gram-positive bacteria. When MRSA-infected mice were treated with bee venom or melittin, only the latter animals were successfully rescued from MRSA- induced bacteraemia or exhibited recovery from MRSA-infected skin wounds. Together, the data of the present study demonstrated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that melittin may be used as a promising antimicrobial agent to enhance the healing of MRSA-induced wounds. PMID:26330195

Nonlinear Dynamics in Viscoelastic Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majmudar, Trushant; Varagnat, Matthieu; McKinley, Gareth

2008-11-01

Instabilities in free surface continuous jets of non-Newtonian fluids, although relevant for many industrial processes, remain poorly understood in terms of fundamental fluid dynamics. Inviscid, and viscous Newtonian jets have been studied in considerable detail, both theoretically and experimentally. Instability in viscous jets leads to regular periodic coiling of the jet, which exhibits a non-trivial frequency dependence with the height of the fall. Here we present a systematic study of the effect of viscoelasticity on the dynamics of continuous jets of worm-like micellar surfactant solutions of varying viscosities and elasticities. We observe complex nonlinear spatio-temporal dynamics of the jet, and uncover a transition from periodic to quasi-periodic to a multi-frequency, broad-spectrum dynamics. Beyond this regime, the jet dynamics smoothly crosses over to exhibit the ``leaping shampoo'' or the Kaye effect. We examine different dynamical regimes in terms of scaling variables, which depend on the geometry (dimensionless height), kinematics (dimensionless flow rate), and the fluid properties (elasto-gravity number) and present a regime map of the dynamics of the jet in terms of these dimensionless variables.

Nonlinear Dynamics in Viscoelastic Jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Majmudar, Trushant; Varagnat, Matthieu; McKinley, Gareth

2009-03-01

Instabilities in free surface continuous jets of non-Newtonian fluids, although relevant for many industrial processes, remain poorly understood in terms of fundamental fluid dynamics. Inviscid, and viscous Newtonian jets have been studied in considerable detail, both theoretically and experimentally. Instability in viscous jets leads to regular periodic coiling of the jet, which exhibits a non-trivial frequency dependence with the height of the fall. Here we present a systematic study of the effect of viscoelasticity on the dynamics of continuous jets of worm-like micellar surfactant solutions of varying viscosities and elasticities. We observe complex nonlinear spatio-temporal dynamics of the jet, and uncover a transition from periodic to quasi-periodic to a multi-frequency, broad-spectrum dynamics. Beyond this regime, the jet dynamics smoothly crosses over to exhibit the ``leaping shampoo'' or the Kaye effect. We examine different dynamical regimes in terms of scaling variables, which depend on the geometry (dimensionless height), kinematics (dimensionless flow rate), and the fluid properties (elasto-gravity number) and present a regime map of the dynamics of the jet in terms of these dimensionless variables.

Differential protective effects of red wine polyphenol extracts (RWEs) on colon carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Mazué, Frédéric; Delmas, Dominique; Murillo, Genoveva; Saleiro, Diana; Limagne, Emeric; Latruffe, Norbert

2014-04-01

Various epidemiological studies have shown that a regular and moderate consumption of red wine is correlated with a decreased relative risk of developing coronary heart disease and cancer. These health benefits are commonly attributed to high contents of polyphenols, particularly resveratrol, representing important sources of antioxidants. However, resveratrol does not seem to be the only bioactive compound present in the wine which contains numerous other polyphenols. The present study investigates the efficiency of red wine extracts (RWEs), containing different polyphenols, on colon cancer cell proliferation in vitro and on colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in vivo. Proliferation, cell cycle analysis and incidence of ACF were monitored to examine the effects of RWEs. RWEs derived from a long vinification process exhibit superior anti-proliferative activity in colon cancer cells and prevent the appearance of ACF in mice. Interestingly, quercetin and resveratrol, representing two major bio-active polyphenols, exhibit synergistic anti-proliferative effects. These data suggest that the efficacy of RWEs on colon carcinogenesis may depend on the polyphenolic content, synergistic interaction of bio-active polyphenols and modulation of cellular uptake of polyphenols.

An Aqueous Extract of Marine Microalgae Exhibits Antimetastatic Activity through Preferential Killing of Suspended Cancer Cells and Anticolony Forming Activity

PubMed Central

Somasekharan, Syam Prakash; El-Naggar, Amal; Sorensen, Poul H.

2016-01-01

Research on marine natural products as potential anticancer agents is still limited. In the present study, an aqueous extract of a Canadian marine microalgal preparation was assessed for anticancer activities using various assays and cell lines of human cancers, including lung, prostate, stomach, breast, and pancreatic cancers, as well as an osteosarcoma. In vitro, the microalgal extract exhibited marked anticolony forming activity. In addition, it was more toxic, as indicated by increased apoptosis, to nonadherent cells (grown in suspension) than to adherent cells. In vivo, an antimetastatic effect of the extract was observed in NOD-SCID mice carrying subrenal capsule xenografts of PC3 prostate cancer cells. The results of the present study suggest that the antimetastatic effect of the aqueous microalgal extract is based on inhibition of colony forming ability of cancer cells and the preferential killing of suspended cancer cells. Further research aimed at identification of the molecular basis of the anticancer activities of the microalgal extract appears to be warranted. PMID:27656243

Association of Dental Anomalies with Different Types of Malocclusions in Pretreatment Orthodontic Patients.

PubMed

Dwijendra, K S; Parikh, Vishal; George, Soja Sara; Kukkunuru, Gururam Tej; Chowdary, Gali Nagarjuna

2015-06-01

The study is planned to correlate the existence of dental anomalies with different types of malocclusion as the occurrence of anomalies is common in malocclusion. The present study was conducted among 430 patients with different types of malocclusion as 161 patients having Class I, 203 with Class II, and 66 with Class III malocclusion. The age of the patients ranged from 12 to 15 years. Diagnosis was done on the basis of history, clinical, cephalometric, radiographs, and dental cast examination. The level of significance was set at P = 0.05. Most common anomaly was rotation of teeth (18.80%), followed by hypodontia (10.90%), and least occurring was gemination, fusion, talon's cusp, and dilacerations. 31.4% showed one dental anomaly, whereas 11.9% exhibited two or more dental anomalies. The highest mean value of all the dental anomalies was seen with severe cases of malocclusion and also significant differences were observed according to gender. The present study investigated various dental anomalies in relation to malocclusion. It was found that 31.4% showed one dental anomaly, whereas 11.9% exhibited two or more dental anomalies. Hence, careful prior investigation of dental anomalies is necessary for better orthodontic treatment planning to reduce the complications.

How long do people look and listen to forest-oriented exhibits?

Treesearch

James William Shiner; Elwood L., Jr. Shafer

1975-01-01

To gain a better understanding of public reaction to I & E displays, average visitor-viewing time was measured for a variety of exhibits at the Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake, N.Y. Visitors viewed displays 15 to 64 percent of the time required to read or listen to the total message presented. The longer the message per exhibit, the less time was spent...

The Value of Educators "On the Floor": Comparing Three Modes of Presenting Science on a Sphere®

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hayward, Jeff; Hart, Jolene K.

2015-01-01

Exhibit experiences at most museums are designed to be self-guided rather than facilitated; and it's certainly a good goal to make exhibit interpretation clear enough to be understood on one's own. The primary rationale for not staffing exhibits is the ongoing personnel cost, but that should be weighed against the value of "on the floor"…

Science on a Sphere exhibit

NASA Image and Video Library

2009-03-31

Students from Xavier University Preparatory School in New Orleans view the newest exhibit at StenniSphere, the visitor center at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center - Science on a Sphere, a 68-inch global presentation of planetary data. StenniSphere is only the third NASA visitor center to offer the computer system, which uses four projectors to display data on a globe and present a dynamic, revolving, animated view of Earth and other planets.

Science on a Sphere exhibit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2009-01-01

Students from Xavier University Preparatory School in New Orleans view the newest exhibit at StenniSphere, the visitor center at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center - Science on a Sphere, a 68-inch global presentation of planetary data. StenniSphere is only the third NASA visitor center to offer the computer system, which uses four projectors to display data on a globe and present a dynamic, revolving, animated view of Earth and other planets.

45 CFR 13.7 - Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports... Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects. The reasonable cost (or the reasonable portion of the cost) for any study, exhibit, analysis, engineering report, test, project or...

45 CFR 13.7 - Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports... Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects. The reasonable cost (or the reasonable portion of the cost) for any study, exhibit, analysis, engineering report, test, project or...

45 CFR 13.7 - Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports... Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects. The reasonable cost (or the reasonable portion of the cost) for any study, exhibit, analysis, engineering report, test, project or...

45 CFR 13.7 - Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports... Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects. The reasonable cost (or the reasonable portion of the cost) for any study, exhibit, analysis, engineering report, test, project or...

45 CFR 13.7 - Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports... Studies, exhibits, analyses, engineering reports, tests and projects. The reasonable cost (or the reasonable portion of the cost) for any study, exhibit, analysis, engineering report, test, project or...

Quantity judgments of sequentially presented food items by capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella).

PubMed

Evans, Theodore A; Beran, Michael J; Harris, Emily H; Rice, Daniel F

2009-01-01

Recent assessments have shown that capuchin monkeys, like chimpanzees and other Old World primate species, are sensitive to quantitative differences between sets of visible stimuli. In the present study, we examined capuchins' performance in a more sophisticated quantity judgment task that required the ability to form representations of food quantities while viewing the quantities only one piece at a time. In three experiments, we presented monkeys with the choice between two sets of discrete homogeneous food items and allowed the monkeys to consume the set of their choice. In Experiments 1 and 2, monkeys compared an entirely visible food set to a second set, presented item-by-item into an opaque container. All monkeys exhibited high accuracy in choosing the larger set, even when the entirely visible set was presented last, preventing the use of one-to-one item correspondence to compare quantities. In Experiment 3, monkeys compared two sets that were each presented item-by-item into opaque containers, but at different rates to control for temporal cues. Some monkeys performed well in this experiment, though others exhibited near-chance performance, suggesting that this species' ability to form representations of food quantities may be limited compared to previously tested species such as chimpanzees. Overall, these findings support the analog magnitude model of quantity representation as an explanation for capuchin monkeys' quantification of sequentially presented food items.

Drosophila mutants of the autism candidate gene neurobeachin (rugose) exhibit neuro-developmental disorders, aberrant synaptic properties, altered locomotion, and impaired adult social behavior and activity patterns.

PubMed

Wise, Alexandria; Tenezaca, Luis; Fernandez, Robert W; Schatoff, Emma; Flores, Julian; Ueda, Atsushi; Zhong, Xiaotian; Wu, Chun-Fang; Simon, Anne F; Venkatesh, Tadmiri

2015-01-01

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in humans characterized by complex behavioral deficits, including intellectual disability, impaired social interactions, and hyperactivity. ASD exhibits a strong genetic component with underlying multigene interactions. Candidate gene studies have shown that the neurobeachin (NBEA) gene is disrupted in human patients with idiopathic autism ( Castermans et al., 2003 ). The NBEA gene spans the common fragile site FRA 13A and encodes a signal scaffold protein ( Savelyeva et al., 2006 ). In mice, NBEA has been shown to be involved in the trafficking and function of a specific subset of synaptic vesicles. ( Medrihan et al., 2009 ; Savelyeva et al., 2006 ). Rugose (rg) is the Drosophila homolog of the mammalian and human NBEA. Our previous genetic and molecular analyses have shown that rg encodes an A kinase anchor protein (DAKAP 550), which interacts with components of the epidermal growth factor receptor or EGFR and Notch-mediated signaling pathways, facilitating cross talk between these and other pathways ( Shamloula et al., 2002 ). We now present functional data from studies on the larval neuromuscular junction that reveal abnormal synaptic architecture and physiology. In addition, adult rg loss-of-function mutants exhibit defective social interactions, impaired habituation, aberrant locomotion, and hyperactivity. These results demonstrate that Drosophila NBEA (rg) mutants exhibit phenotypic characteristics reminiscent of human ASD and thus could serve as a genetic model for studying ASDs.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitory activities of heterocyclic chalcones.

PubMed

Minders, Corné; Petzer, Jacobus P; Petzer, Anél; Lourens, Anna C U

2015-11-15

Studies have shown that natural and synthetic chalcones (1,3-diphenyl-2-propen-1-ones) possess monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition activities. Of particular importance to the present study is a report that a series of furanochalcones acts as MAO-B selective inhibitors. Since the effect of heterocyclic substitution, other than furan (and more recently thiophene, piperidine and quinoline) on the MAO inhibitory properties of the chalcone scaffold remains unexplored, the aim of this study was to synthesise and evaluate further heterocyclic chalcone analogues as inhibitors of the human MAOs. For this purpose, heterocyclic chalcone analogues that incorporate pyrrole, 5-methylthiophene, 5-chlorothiophene and 6-methoxypyridine substitution were examined. Seven of the nine synthesised compounds exhibited IC50 values <1 μM for the inhibition of MAO-B, with all compounds exhibiting higher affinities for MAO-B compared to the MAO-A isoform. The most potent MAO-B inhibitor (4h) displays an IC50 value of 0.067 μM while the most potent MAO-A inhibitor (4e) exhibits an IC50 value of 3.81 μM. It was further established that selected heterocyclic chalcones are reversible and competitive MAO inhibitors. 4h, however, may exhibit tight-binding to MAO-B, a property linked to its thiophene moiety. We conclude that high potency chalcones such as 4h represent suitable leads for the development of MAO-B inhibitors for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Buckling and postbuckling behavior of square compression-loaded graphite-epoxy plates with circular cutouts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Michael P.

1990-01-01

An experimental study of the postbuckling behavior of square compression-loaded graphite-epoxy plates and isotropic plates with a central circular cutout is presented. Results are presented for unidirectional (0 sub 10)s and (90 sub 10)s plates, (0/90 sub 5)s plates, and for aluminum plates. Results are also presented for (+ or - O sub 6)s angle-ply plates for values of O = 30, 46, and 60 degrees. The experimental results indicate that the change in axial stiffness of a plate at buckling is strongly dependent upon cutout size and plate orthotropy. The presence of a cutout gives rise to an internal load distribution that changes, sometimes dramtically, as a function of cutout size coupled with the plate orthotropy. In the buckled state, the role of orthotropy becomes more significant since bending in addition to membrane orthotropy is present. Most of the plates with cutouts exhibited less postbuckling stiffness than the corresponding plate without a cutout, and the postbuckling stiffness decreased with increasing cutout size. However, some of the highly orthotropic plates with cutouts exhibited more postbuckling stiffness than the corresponding plate without a cutout.

Medieval Stars in Melk Abbey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beck, P. G.; Zotti, G.

2012-05-01

Melk Abbey, a marvel of European high baroque architecture, is one of the most frequently visited tourist attractions in Austria, attracting 450 000 visitors each year. The monastery's museum presents selected aspects of Benedictine life in Melk since the monastery's foundation in 1089. After the church, the library is the second-most important room in a Benedictine monastery. Due to the wide scientific interests and contacts of the medieval monks, these libraries also contain manuscripts on mathematics, physics and astronomy. In 2009, the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009), the annual library exhibition was fully dedicated to astronomical manuscripts and early prints from the past 1000 years. Following earlier research work on astronomical manuscripts in Melk's library, we were invited to organise the exhibition. In addition, we also presented a lecture series and provided more background in an accompanying book. Because of positive feedback from the visitors, the exhibition was extended until March 2011. In the two years of its duration, the exhibition was seen by more than 900 000 visitors. In this article, we describe the background to the scientific project, how the exhibition was organised and lessons learned from this project.

Parallel functional category deficits in clauses and nominal phrases: The case of English agrammatism

PubMed Central

Wang, Honglei; Yoshida, Masaya; Thompson, Cynthia K.

2015-01-01

Individuals with agrammatic aphasia exhibit restricted patterns of impairment of functional morphemes, however, syntactic characterization of the impairment is controversial. Previous studies have focused on functional morphology in clauses only. This study extends the empirical domain by testing functional morphemes in English nominal phrases in aphasia and comparing patients’ impairment to their impairment of functional morphemes in English clauses. In the linguistics literature, it is assumed that clauses and nominal phrases are structurally parallel but exhibit inflectional differences. The results of the present study indicated that aphasic speakers evinced similar impairment patterns in clauses and nominal phrases. These findings are consistent with the Distributed Morphology Hypothesis (DMH), suggesting that the source of functional morphology deficits among agrammatics relates to difficulty implementing rules that convert inflectional features into morphemes. Our findings, however, are inconsistent with the Tree Pruning Hypothesis (TPH), which suggests that patients have difficulty building complex hierarchical structures. PMID:26379370

Greed, death, and values: from terror management to transcendence management theory.

PubMed

Cozzolino, Philip J; Staples, Angela D; Meyers, Lawrence S; Samboceti, Jamie

2004-03-01

Research supporting terror management theory has shown that participants facing their death (via mortality salience) exhibit more greed than do control participants. The present research attempts to distinguish mortality salience from other forms of mortality awareness. Specifically, the authors look to reports of near-death experiences and posttraumatic growth which reveal that many people who nearly die come to view seeking wealth and possession as empty and meaningless. Guided by these reports, a manipulation called death reflection was generated. In Study 1, highly extrinsic participants who experienced death reflection exhibited intrinsic behavior. In Study 2, the manipulation was validated, and in Study 3, death reflection and mortality salience manipulations were compared. Results showed that mortality salience led highly extrinsic participants to manifest greed, whereas death reflection again generated intrinsic, unselfish behavior. The construct of value orientation is discussed along with the contrast between death reflection manipulation and mortality salience.

The Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test forced-choice recognition task: Base-rate data and norms.

PubMed

Poreh, Amir; Bezdicek, Ondrej; Korobkova, Irina; Levin, Jennifer B; Dines, Philipp

2016-01-01

The present study describes a novel Forced-Choice Response (FCR) index for detecting poor effort on the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). This retrospective study analyzes the performance of 4 groups on the new index: clinically referred patients with suspected dementia, forensic patients identified as not exhibiting adequate effort on other measures of response bias, students who simulated poor effort, and a large normative sample collected in the Gulf State of Oman. Using sensitivity and specificity analyses, the study shows that much like the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition FCR index, the RAVLT FCR index misses a proportion of individuals with inadequate effort (low sensitivity), but those who fail this measure are highly likely to be exhibiting poor effort (high specificity). The limitations and benefits of utilizing the RAVLT FCR index in clinical practice are discussed.

Resveratrol regulates hyperglycemia-induced modulations in experimental diabetic animal model.

PubMed

Rehman, Kanwal; Saeed, Kiran; Munawar, Syeda Mehak; Akash, Muhammad Sajid Hamid

2018-06-01

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder that is associated with variable degrees of glucose intolerance, impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance and increased hepatic glucose production. The aim of present study was to investigate the therapeutic potentials of resveratrol (RSV) alone and/or in combination with vitamin-E (Vit-E) against hyperglycemia-induced modulations using experimentally alloxan-induced diabetic animal model. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes mellitus in white albino rats and metformin (MF) was used as standard anti-diabetic drug to compare the therapeutic potentials of RSV (alone and/or with Vit-E) by estimating the effect of treatment on glycemia, insulin resistance, liver and kidney function biomarkers, anti-oxidant status, and serum levels of calcium and magnesium. The results of present study indicate the RSV (P < 0.001) alone and/or in combination with Vit-E (P < 0.001) exhibited a highly significant therapeutic potentials by ameliorating the glycemia-induced modulations. Moreover, we also found that RSV in combination with Vit-E also exhibited a better therapeutic effects when compared with that of MF (P < 0.001) and Vit-E (P < 0.05), respectively. Hence, we conclude that RSV alone and/or in combination with Vit-E exhibit its significant therapeutic potentials against hyperglycemia-induced modulations in experimental diabetic animal model and may be one of the most exciting prospect for future treatment of T2DM. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Mecambridine induces potent cytotoxic effects, autophagic cell death and modulation of the mTOR/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in HSC-3 oral squamous cell carcinoma cells

PubMed Central

Lin, Na; Li, Zhiping; Wang, Deli; Zheng, Kewen; Wu, Yiyan; Wang, Huiqi

2018-01-01

Plant secondary metabolites including alkaloids, demonstrate a complex diversity in their molecular scaffolds and exhibit tremendous pharmacological potential as anti-cancerous therapeutics. The present study aimed to evaluate the anticancer activity of a natural alkaloid, mecambridine, against human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). An MTT assay was used to evaluate cytotoxic effects of mecambridine on HSC-3 oral squamous cell carcinoma cells. Effects of mecambridine on autophagy-associated proteins were analyzed by western blotting. Effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed by flow cytometry. Results indicated that mecambridine exhibited an IC50 value of 50 µM and exerted its cytotoxic effects in a dose dependent manner on OSCC HSC-3 cells. Furthermore, it was observed that mecambridine decreases cell viability and induces autophagy in a dose-dependent manner. The underlying mechanism for the induction of autophagy was demonstrated to be associated with ROS-mediated alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential and modulation of the mechanistic target of rapamycin/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (m-TOR/PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway in HSC-3 at the IC50. In conclusion, the present study suggests that mecambridine exhibits substantial anticancer activity against OSCC HSC-3 cells by induction of autophagy and modulates the expression of the mTOR/PI3K/Akt signaling cascade which is considered a potential target pathway for anti-cancer agents. PMID:29422960

Acute photo-induced toxicity and toxicokinetics of single compounds and mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in zebrafish.

PubMed

Willis, Alison M; Oris, James T

2014-09-01

The present study examined photo-induced toxicity and toxicokinetics for acute exposure to selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in zebrafish. Photo-enhanced toxicity from co-exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and PAHs enhanced the toxicity and exhibited toxic effects at PAH concentrations orders of magnitude below effects observed in the absence of UV. Because environmental exposure to PAHs is usually in the form of complex mixtures, the present study examined the photo-induced toxicity of both single compounds and mixtures of PAHs. In a sensitive larval life stage of zebrafish, acute photo-induced median lethal concentrations (LC50s) were derived for 4 PAHs (anthracene, pyrene, carbazole, and phenanthrene) to examine the hypothesis that phototoxic (anthracene and pyrene) and nonphototoxic (carbazole and phenanthrene) pathways of mixtures could be predicted from single exposures. Anthracene and pyrene were phototoxic as predicted; however, carbazole exhibited moderate photo-induced toxicity and phenanthrene exhibited weak photo-induced toxicity. The toxicity of each chemical alone was used to compare the toxicity of mixtures in binary, tertiary, and quaternary combinations of these PAHs, and a predictive model for environmental mixtures was generated. The results indicated that the acute toxicity of PAH mixtures was additive in phototoxic scenarios, regardless of the magnitude of photo-enhancement. Based on PAH concentrations found in water and circumstances of high UV dose to aquatic systems, there exists potential risk of photo-induced toxicity to aquatic organisms. © 2014 SETAC.

β decay studies of n-rich Cs isotopes with the ISOLDE Decay Station

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lică, R.; Benzoni, G.; Morales, A. I.; Borge, M. J. G.; Fraile, L. M.; Mach, H.; Madurga, M.; Sotty, C.; Vedia, V.; De Witte, H.; Benito, J.; Berry, T.; Blasi, N.; Bracco, A.; Camera, F.; Ceruti, S.; Charviakova, V.; Cieplicka-Oryńczak, N.; Costache, C.; Crespi, F. C. L.; Creswell, J.; Fernández-Martínez, G.; Fynbo, H.; Greenlees, P.; Homm, I.; Huyse, M.; Jolie, J.; Karayonchev, V.; Köster, U.; Konki, J.; Kröll, T.; Kurcewicz, J.; Kurtukian-Nieto, T.; Lazarus, I.; Leoni, S.; Lund, M.; Marginean, N.; Marginean, R.; Mihai, C.; Mihai, R.; Negret, A.; Orduz, A.; Patyk, Z.; Pascu, S.; Pucknell, V.; Rahkila, P.; Regis, J. M.; Rotaru, F.; Saed-Sami, N.; Sánchez-Tembleque, V.; Stanoiu, M.; Tengblad, O.; Thuerauf, M.; Turturica, A.; Van Duppen, P.; Warr, N.

2017-05-01

Neutron-rich Ba isotopes are expected to exhibit octupolar correlations, reaching their maximum in isotopes around mass A = 146. The odd-A neutron-rich members of this isotopic chain show typical patterns related to non-axially symmetric shapes, which are however less marked compared to even-A ones, pointing to a major contribution from vibrations. In the present paper we present results from a recent study focused on 148-150Cs β-decay performed at the ISOLDE Decay Station equipped with fast-timing detectors. A detailed analysis of the measured decay half-lives and decay scheme of 149Ba is presented, giving a first insight in the structure of this neutron-rich nucleus.

Study of the scientific reasoning methods: Identifying the salient reasoning characteristics exhibited by engineers and scientists in an R&D environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuhn, William F.

At the core of what it means to be a scientist or engineer is the ability to think rationally using scientific reasoning methods. Yet, typically if asked, scientist and engineers are hard press for a reply what that means. Some may argue that the meaning of scientific reasoning methods is a topic for the philosophers and psychologist, but this study believes and will prove that the answers lie with the scientists and engineers, for who really know the workings of the scientific reasoning thought process than they. This study will provide evidence to the aims: (a) determine the fundamental characteristics of cognitive reasoning methods exhibited by engineer/scientists working in R&D projects, (b) sample the engineer/scientist community to determine their views as to the importance, frequency, and ranking of each of characteristics towards benefiting their R&D projects, (c) make concluding remarks regarding any identified competency gaps in the exhibited or expected cognitive reasoning methods of engineer/scientists working on R&D projects. To drive these aims are the following three research questions. The first, what are the salient characteristics of cognitive reasoning methods exhibited by engineer/scientists in an R&D environment? The second, what do engineer/scientists consider to be the frequency and importance of the salient cognitive reasoning methods characteristics? And the third, to what extent, if at all, do patent holders and technical fellows differ with regard to their perceptions of the importance and frequency of the salient cognitive reasoning characteristics of engineer/scientists? The methodology and empirical approach utilized and described: (a) literature search, (b) Delphi technique composed of seven highly distinguish engineer/scientists, (c) survey instrument directed to distinguish Technical Fellowship, (d) data collection analysis. The results provide by Delphi Team answered the first research question. The collaborative effort validated presented characteristic and most importantly presents ten additional novel or new reasoning characteristics. These characteristics were then presented and evaluated by the Technical Fellows. Their findings answered the second and third research question. With interesting results including the data indicating "imagination" as highest in importance and frequency, and comparison analysis of the patent holders showing those having five or more patents significantly valued "intuition (independent).

Stress analysis in platform-switching implants: a 3-dimensional finite element study.

PubMed

Pellizzer, Eduardo Piza; Verri, Fellippo Ramos; Falcón-Antenucci, Rosse Mary; Júnior, Joel Ferreira Santiago; de Carvalho, Paulo Sérgio Perri; de Moraes, Sandra Lúcia Dantas; Noritomi, Pedro Yoshito

2012-10-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the platform-switching technique on stress distribution in implant, abutment, and peri-implant tissues, through a 3-dimensional finite element study. Three 3-dimensional mandibular models were fabricated using the SolidWorks 2006 and InVesalius software. Each model was composed of a bone block with one implant 10 mm long and of different diameters (3.75 and 5.00 mm). The UCLA abutments also ranged in diameter from 5.00 mm to 4.1 mm. After obtaining the geometries, the models were transferred to the software FEMAP 10.0 for pre- and postprocessing of finite elements to generate the mesh, loading, and boundary conditions. A total load of 200 N was applied in axial (0°), oblique (45°), and lateral (90°) directions. The models were solved by the software NeiNastran 9.0 and transferred to the software FEMAP 10.0 to obtain the results that were visualized through von Mises and maximum principal stress maps. Model A (implants with 3.75 mm/abutment with 4.1 mm) exhibited the highest area of stress concentration with all loadings (axial, oblique, and lateral) for the implant and the abutment. All models presented the stress areas at the abutment level and at the implant/abutment interface. Models B (implant with 5.0 mm/abutment with 5.0 mm) and C (implant with 5.0 mm/abutment with 4.1 mm) presented minor areas of stress concentration and similar distribution pattern. For the cortical bone, low stress concentration was observed in the peri-implant region for models B and C in comparison to model A. The trabecular bone exhibited low stress that was well distributed in models B and C. Model A presented the highest stress concentration. Model B exhibited better stress distribution. There was no significant difference between the large-diameter implants (models B and C).

Treatment for diabetic ulcer wounds using a fern tannin optimized hydrogel formulation with antibacterial and antioxidative properties.

PubMed

Lai, Jordan Chia-Yung; Lai, How-Yee; Nalamolu, Koteswara Rao; Ng, Shiow-Fern

2016-08-02

Blechnum orientale Linn. (B. orientale) is a fern traditionally used by the natives as a poultice to treat wounds, boils, ulcers, blisters, abscesses, and sores on the skin. To investigate the wound healing ability of a concentrated extract of B. orientale in a hydrogel formulation in healing diabetic ulcer wounds. The water extract from the leaves of B. orientale was separated from the crude methanolic extract and subjected to flash column chromatography techniques to produce concentrated fractions. These fractions were tested for phytochemical composition, tannin content, antioxidative and antibacterial activity. The bioactive fraction was formulated into a sodium carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel. The extract-loaded hydrogels were then characterized and tested on excision ulcer wounds of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Wound size was measured for 14 days. Histopathological studies were conducted on the healed wound tissues to observe for epithelisation, fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis. All possible mean values were subjected to statistical analysis using One-way ANOVA and post-hoc with Tukey's T-test (P<0.05). One fraction exhibited strong antioxidative and antibacterial activity. The fraction was also highly saturated with tannins, particularly condensed tannins. Fraction W5-1 exhibited stronger antioxidant activity compared to three standards (α-Tocopherol, BHT and Trolox-C). Antibacterial activity was also present, and notably bactericidal towards Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at 0.25mg/ml. The extract-loaded hydrogels exhibited shear-thinning properties, with high moisture retention ability. The bioactive fraction at 4% w/w was shown to be able to close diabetic wounds by Day 12 on average. Other groups, including controls, only exhibited wound closure by Day 14 (or not at all). Histopathological studies had also shown that extract-treated wounds exhibited re-epithelisation, higher fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis. The ethnopharmacological effects of using B. orientale as a topical treatment for external wounds was validated and was also significantly effective in treating diabetic ulcer wounds. Thus, B. orientale extract hydrogel may be presented as a potential treatment for diabetic ulcer wounds. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Exhibit of School Architecture, 1996. Special Section.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas Architect, 1997

1997-01-01

Presents selected winners of the Texas 1996 Exhibit of School Architecture Design Competition. The Caudill and honor award-winning projects are listed along with facility photos, brief descriptions, project credits, and the names of the construction companies used. (GR)

Exhibit of School Architecture, 1997. Special Section.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Texas Architect, 1998

1998-01-01

Presents selected winners of the Texas 1997 Exhibit of School Architecture Design Competition. The Caudill and honor award winning projects are listed along with facility photos, brief descriptions, project credits, and the names of the construction companies used. (GR)

Bringing Planetary Science to the Public through Traveling Exhibitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dusenbery, P. B.

2001-11-01

The Space Science Institute (SSI) of Boulder, Colorado has recently developed two museum exhibits called the Space Weather Center and MarsQuest. It is currently planning to develop another exhibit called Gas Giants. These exhibitions provide research scientists the opportunity to engage in a number of activities that are vital to the success of these major outreach programs. The Space Weather Center was developed in partnership with various research missions at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The focus of the presentation will be on MarsQuest and Gas Giants. MarsQuest is a 5000 square-foot, 3M, traveling exhibition that is now touring the country. The exhibit's 3-year tour will enable millions of Americans to share in the excitement of the scientific exploration of Mars and learn more about their own planet in the process. The associated planetarium show and education program will also be described, with particular emphasis on workshops to orient museum staff (e.g. museum educators and docents) and workshops for master educators near host museums and science centers. The workshops make innovative connections between the exhibitions interactive experiences and lesson plans aligned with the National Science Education Standards. These exhibit programs are good models for actively involving scientists and their discoveries to help improve informal science education in the museum community and for forging a stronger connection between formal and informal education. The presentation will also discuss how Gas Giants, a proposed 4000 square-foot traveling exhibition on the mysteries and discoveries of the outer planets, will be able to take advantage of the connections and resources that have been developed by the MarsQuest project.

Freshly dissociated mature hippocampal astrocytes exhibit passive membrane conductance and low membrane resistance similarly to syncytial coupled astrocytes

PubMed Central

Du, Yixing; Ma, Baofeng; Kiyoshi, Conrad M.; Alford, Catherine C.; Wang, Wei

2015-01-01

Mature astrocytes exhibit a linear current-to-voltage K+ membrane conductance (passive conductance) and an extremely low membrane resistance (Rm) in situ. The combination of these electrophysiological characteristics establishes a highly negative and stable membrane potential that is essential for basic functions, such as K+ spatial buffering and neurotransmitter uptake. However, astrocytes are coupled extensively in situ. It remains to be determined whether the observed passive behavior and low Rm are attributable to the intrinsic properties of membrane ion channels or to gap junction coupling in functionally mature astrocytes. In the present study, freshly dissociated hippocampal tissues were used as a new model to examine this basic question in young adult animals. The morphologically intact single astrocytes could be reliably dissociated from animals postnatal day 21 and older. At this animal age, dissociated single astrocytes exhibit passive conductance and resting membrane potential similar to those exhibited by astrocytes in situ. To precisely measure the Rm from single astrocytes, dual-patch single-astrocyte recording was performed. We show that dissociated single astrocytes exhibit a low Rm similarly to syncytial coupled astrocytes. Functionally, the symmetric expression of high-K+ conductance enabled rapid change in the intracellular K+ concentrations in response to changing K+ drive force. Altogether, we demonstrate that freshly dissociated tissue preparation is a highly useful model for study of the functional expression and regulation of ion channels, receptors, and transporters in astrocytes and that passive behavior and low Rm are the intrinsic properties of mature astrocytes. PMID:25810481

A Photometric Study of Three Eclipsing Binary Stars (Poster abstract)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryan, A.

2016-12-01

(Abstract only) As part of a program to study eclipsing binary stars that exhibit the O'Connell Effect (OCE) we are observing a selection of binary stars in a long term study. The OCE is a difference in maximum light across the ligthcurve possibly cause by starspots. We observed for 7 nights at McDonald Observatory using the 30-inch telescope in July 2015, and used the same telescope remotely for a total of 20 additional nights in August, October, December, and January. We will present lightcurves for three stars from this study, characterize the OCE for these stars, and present our model results for the physical parameters of the star making up each of these systems.

The Biological Categorizations Made by 4 and 5-Year-Old Children: The Role of Feature Type versus Their Causal Status

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meunier, Benjamin; Cordier, Francoise

2008-01-01

The present study here investigated the role of the causal status of features and feature type in biological categorizations by young children. Study 1 showed that 5-year-olds are more strongly influenced by causal features than effect features. 4-year-olds exhibit no such tendency. There, therefore, appears to be a conceptual change between the…

Informal science education at Science City

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

French, April Nicole

The presentation of chemistry within informal learning environments, specifically science museums and science centers is very sparse. This work examines learning in Kansas City's Science City's Astronaut Training Center in order to identify specific behaviors associated with visitors' perception of learning and their attitudes toward space and science to develop an effective chemistry exhibit. Grounded in social-constructivism and the Contextual Model of Learning, this work approaches learning in informal environments as resulting from social interactions constructed over time from interaction between visitors. Visitors to the Astronaut Training Center were surveyed both during their visit and a year after the visit to establish their perceptions of behavior within the exhibit and attitudes toward space and science. Observations of visitor behavior and a survey of the Science City staff were used to corroborate visitor responses. Eighty-six percent of visitors to Science City indicated they had learned from their experiences in the Astronaut Training Center. No correlation was found between this perception of learning and visitor's interactions with exhibit stations. Visitor attitudes were generally positive toward learning in informal settings and space science as it was presented in the exhibit. Visitors also felt positively toward using video game technology as learning tools. This opens opportunities to developing chemistry exhibits using video technology to lessen the waste stream produced by a full scale chemistry exhibit.

Dual-Use Space Technology Transfer Conference and Exhibition. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krishen, Kumar (Compiler)

1994-01-01

This document contains papers presented at the Dual-Use Space Technology Transfer Conference and Exhibition held at the Johnson Space Center February 1-3, 1994. Possible technology transfers covered during the conference were in the areas of information access; innovative microwave and optical applications; materials and structures; marketing and barriers; intelligent systems; human factors and habitation; communications and data systems; business process and technology transfer; software engineering; biotechnology and advanced bioinstrumentation; communications signal processing and analysis; new ways of doing business; medical care; applications derived from control center data systems; human performance evaluation; technology transfer methods; mathematics, modeling, and simulation; propulsion; software analysis and decision tools systems/processes in human support technology; networks, control centers, and distributed systems; power; rapid development perception and vision technologies; integrated vehicle health management; automation technologies; advanced avionics; ans robotics technologies. More than 77 papers, 20 presentations, and 20 exhibits covering various disciplines were presented b experts from NASA, universities, and industry.

Exhibition Spaces/Galleries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American School & University, 2003

2003-01-01

Presents educational exhibition space/galleries considered outstanding in a competition, which judged the most outstanding learning environments at educational institutions nationwide. Jurors spent two days reviewing projects, highlighting concepts and ideas that made them exceptional. For each citation, the article offers information on the firm,…

STEM promotion through museum exhibits on cardiac monitoring & cardiac rhythm management.

PubMed

Countryman, Jordan D; Dow, Douglas E

2014-01-01

Formal education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) does not successfully engage all of the students who have potential to become skilled in STEM activities and careers. Museum exhibits may be able to reach and engage a broader range of the public. STEM Exhibits that are both understandable and capture the imagination of viewers may contribute toward increased interest in STEM activities. One such topic for such an exhibit could be cardiac pacemakers and cardioverter defibrillators that sustain life. Although museums have existed for centuries, the available types of exhibit designs has dramatically increased in recent decades due to innovations in technology. Science and technology museums have especially taken advantage of the progression of exhibit design to developed new ways to communicate to their viewers. These novel presentation tools allow museums to more effectively convey to and engage viewers. This paper examines the techniques employed by museums in exhibits and considers the practices of several museums with exhibits related to cardiac monitoring (CM) and cardiac rhythm management (CRM).

Rationality, Information Search and Choice in Higher Education: Evidence from Greece

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Menon, Maria Eliophotou; Saiti, Anna; Socratous, Michalis

2007-01-01

The paper presents the findings of a study of the decision-making process which precedes the choice of a university in Greece. Specifically, the degree of rationality exhibited by prospective students is assessed in an attempt to provide a test for the economic approach to the explanation of human behaviour. Information search is used as an…

An Examination of Two Procedures for Identifying Consequential Item Parameter Drift

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wells, Craig S.; Hambleton, Ronald K.; Kirkpatrick, Robert; Meng, Yu

2014-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to develop and evaluate two procedures flagging consequential item parameter drift (IPD) in an operational testing program. The first procedure was based on flagging items that exhibit a meaningful magnitude of IPD using a critical value that was defined to represent barely tolerable IPD. The second procedure…

A Descriptive Analysis of Sleep Behaviour in Children with Fragile X.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Richdale, Amanda L.

2003-01-01

A study involving 13 children (ages 3-19) with Fragile X found four had a sleep problem that had been present for more than 2 years in three. Six additional children exhibited various problematic sleep behaviors. Parental reports of a sleep problem were associated with more severe psychopathology and parental stress. (Contains references.)…

Perceptual Asymmetry for Chimeric Stimuli in Children with Early Unilateral Brain Damage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bava, Sunita; Ballantyne, Angela O.; May, Susanne J.; Trauner, Doris A.

2005-01-01

The present study used a chimeric stimuli task to assess the magnitude of the left-hemispace bias in children with congenital unilateral brain damage (n=46) as compared to typically developing matched controls (n=46). As would be expected, controls exhibited a significant left-hemispace bias. In the presence of left hemisphere (LH) damage, the…

Retention and Extinction of Delay Eyeblink Conditioning Are Modulated by Central Cannabinoids

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steinmetz, Adam B.; Freeman, John H.

2011-01-01

Rats administered the cannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 or the antagonist SR141716A exhibit marked deficits during acquisition of delay eyeblink conditioning, as noted by Steinmetz and Freeman in an earlier study. However, the effects of these drugs on retention and extinction of eyeblink conditioning have not been assessed. The present study…

Communicating Climate Change to Visitors of Informal Science Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koepfler, Jes A.; Heimlich, Joe E.; Yocco, Victor S.

2010-01-01

This article reports findings on visitors' preferences for content presentation of a future global warming and climate change exhibit. The study was conducted with two groups: one from the Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC, and the other at the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio. The…

A Guide to the Study of Childhood 1820-1920.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hewett, Marie

Designed to introduce junior and senior high school students to a variety of historical resources on local, family, and 19th century cultural history, the primary materials presented in this guide provide insight into methods of child rearing and children's lives between 1820 and 1920. Based on a major exhibition and the collections of the Strong…

The desert moss Pterygoneurum lamellatum (Pottiaceae) exhibits an inducible ecological strategy of desiccation tolerance: effects of rate of drying on shoot damage and regeneration

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Premise of the study: Bryophytes are regarded as a clade incorporating constitutive desiccation tolerance, especially terrestrial species. Here we test the hypothesis that the opposing ecological strategy of desiccation tolerance, inducibility, is present in a desert moss, and addressed by varying r...

Traces of Memory: Reacquisition of Fear Following Forgetting Is NMDAr-Independent

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Stella; Richardson, Rick

2013-01-01

Recent research shows that while initial learning is dependent on "N"-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDArs), relearning can be NMDAr-independent. In the present study we examined whether this switch also occurs following forgetting. The developing animal exhibits much more rapid rates of forgetting than adults, so infant rats were used. It was…

U.S. Military Veterans Transition to College: Combat, PTSD, and Alienation on Campus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Elliott, Marta; Gonzalez, Carlene; Larsen, Barbara

2011-01-01

U.S. universities are witnessing an influx of student veterans who have been under chronic stress, have suffered injuries, and currently exhibit symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This study utilized quantitative survey data to test a model of what causes alienation on campus among student veterans. We then present quotations from…

Implementation of an Environmental Education Course to Improve Pre-Service Elementary Teachers' Environmental Literacy and Self-Efficacy Beliefs

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saribas, Deniz; Kucuk, Zerrin Doganca; Ertepinar, Hamide

2017-01-01

This study aims to investigate effects of a treatment implemented in an environmental education course on pre-service elementary teachers' environmental literacy and self-efficacy beliefs. During the course, 58 participants were informed about basic concepts of ecology, went to climate change exhibition, and prepared presentations and reflections…

Maydays and Murphies: A Study of the Effect of Organizational Design, Task, and Stress on Organizational Performance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Zhiang; Carley, Kathleen

How should organizations of intelligent agents be designed so that they exhibit high performance even during periods of stress? A formal model of organizational performance given a distributed decision-making environment in which agents encounter a radar detection task is presented. Using this model the performance of organizations with various…

Double Jeopardy: Child and School Characteristics that Predict Aggressive-Disruptive Behavior in First Grade

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Duane E.; Bierman, Karen L.; Thompson, Celine; Powers, C. J.

2008-01-01

High rates of aggressive-disruptive behavior exhibited by children during their initial years of elementary school increase their risk for significant behavioral adjustment problems with teachers and peers. The purpose of the present study was to examine the unique and combined contributions of child vulnerabilities and school context to the…

Composition and antioxidative and cancer cell inhibiting activities of Jujube fruits and seeds (Ziziphus jujuba) cultivated in Korea

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Jujubes (Chinese dates) have been used as an important plant in folk medicine and shown to exhibit beneficial nutritional and numerous health-promoting effects. The main objective of this chapter is to present an overview of our collaborative studies on the composition and bioactivities of several v...

Sibling Relationships: Parent-Child Agreement and Contributions of Siblings with and without ASD

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Braconnier, Megan L.; Coffman, Marika C.; Kelso, Nicole; Wolf, Julie M.

2018-01-01

Research on the experiences of siblings of individuals with ASD and the quality of their sibling relationships has yielded mixed results. The present study examined the significance of parent- versus child-report of both positive and negative behaviors exhibited by siblings and their brothers and sisters with ASD within sibling dyads. Findings…

False-positive liver scan in a patient with hepatic amyloidosis: case report

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

Suzuki, K.; Okuda, K.; Yoshida, T.

1976-01-01

A case of secondary hepatic amyloidosis exhibiting a large liver and multiple defects on the $sup 198$Au-radiocolloid scintigraph is presented. Biopsy and angiographic studies indicated that the areas of reduced colloid uptake represented heavy amyloid deposition, and the area of the left lobe with contrasting high activity most probably represented compensatory hypertrophy. (auth)

Sentence Position and Syntactic Complexity of Stuttering in Early Childhood: A Longitudinal Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buhr, Anthony; Zebrowski, Patricia

2009-01-01

The purpose of the present investigation was to assess longitudinal word- and sentence-level measures of stuttering in young children. Participants included 12 stuttering and non-stuttering children between 36 and 71 months of age at an initial visit who exhibited a range of stuttering rates. Parent-child spontaneous speech samples were obtained…

Japanese University Students' Willingness to Communicate in English: The Serendipitous Effect of Oral Presentations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matsuoka, Rieko; Matsumoto, Kahoko; Poole, Gregory; Matsuoka, Misato

2014-01-01

This study examines the ways in which college students in Japan overcame sensitivity to external evaluation and increased their willingness to communicate in English. It is not uncommon for university students in Japan, who are otherwise proficient speakers of English and motivated to learn, fail to exhibit English competency in real communication…

Functional Analysis of Self-Injurious Behavior and Its Relation to Self-Restraint

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rooker, Griffin W.; Roscoe, Eileen M.

2005-01-01

Some individuals who engage in self-injurious behavior (SIB) also exhibit self-restraint. In the present study, a series of three functional analyses were conducted to determine the variables that maintained a participant's SIB, one without restraint items available, one with a preferred and effective form of self-restraint (an airplane pillow)…

Effect of Short- and Long-Term Play Therapy Services on Teacher-Child Relationship Stress

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ray, Dee C.; Henson, Robin K.; Schottelkorb, April A.; Brown, April Garofano; Muro, Joel

2008-01-01

The purpose of the present study was to explore the effect of both short- and long term Child-Centered Play Therapy on teacher-student relationship stress. Teachers identified 58 students exhibiting emotional and behavioral difficulties who were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. Students in the short-term intensive play therapy…

Caregiver-Teacher Concordance of Challenging Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Served in Community Mental Health Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stadnick, Nicole; Chlebowski, Colby; Brookman-Frazee, Lauren

2017-01-01

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit high rates of challenging behaviors that impair functioning and represent the primary presenting problem in mental health (MH) services. Obtaining symptom reports from multiple informants is critical for treatment planning. This study evaluated caregiver-teacher concordance of ratings of the…

Thinking It Through: A Study of How Pre-Service Teachers Respond to Children Who Present with Possible Mental Health Difficulties

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armstrong, David; Price, Deborah; Crowley, Tim

2015-01-01

Teachers are key professionals in responding to children and adolescents with possible mental health difficulties and who exhibit social, emotional or behavioural difficulties in the classroom. Health and education policy increasingly positions teachers as vital agents in connecting mental health services with affected young people. A growing…

Acute High-level Exposure to WTC Particles Alters Expression of Genes Associated with Oxidative Stress and Immune Function in the Lung

EPA Science Inventory

Abstract First responders (FR) present at Ground Zero in the first 72 h after the World Trade Center (WTC) collapsed have progressively exhibited significant respiratory injuries. The few toxicology studies performed to date evaluated effects from just fine(< 2.5 um) WTC dusts; n...

Do dyslexic individuals present a reduced visual attention span? Evidence from visual recognition tasks of non-verbal multi-character arrays.

PubMed

Yeari, Menahem; Isser, Michal; Schiff, Rachel

2017-07-01

A controversy has recently developed regarding the hypothesis that developmental dyslexia may be caused, in some cases, by a reduced visual attention span (VAS). To examine this hypothesis, independent of phonological abilities, researchers tested the ability of dyslexic participants to recognize arrays of unfamiliar visual characters. Employing this test, findings were rather equivocal: dyslexic participants exhibited poor performance in some studies but normal performance in others. The present study explored four methodological differences revealed between the two sets of studies that might underlie their conflicting results. Specifically, in two experiments we examined whether a VAS deficit is (a) specific to recognition of multi-character arrays as wholes rather than of individual characters within arrays, (b) specific to characters' position within arrays rather than to characters' identity, or revealed only under a higher attention load due to (c) low-discriminable characters, and/or (d) characters' short exposure. Furthermore, in this study we examined whether pure dyslexic participants who do not have attention disorder exhibit a reduced VAS. Although comorbidity of dyslexia and attention disorder is common and the ability to sustain attention for a long time plays a major rule in the visual recognition task, the presence of attention disorder was neither evaluated nor ruled out in previous studies. Findings did not reveal any differences between the performance of dyslexic and control participants on eight versions of the visual recognition task. These findings suggest that pure dyslexic individuals do not present a reduced visual attention span.

Factors associated with bruxism in children with developmental disabilities.

PubMed

Souza, Valeska Aparecida Fernandes; Abreu, Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães; Resende, Vera Lúcia Silva; Castilho, Lia Silva

2015-01-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate factors associated with bruxism in children aged from 1 to 13 years with developmental disabilities. A total of 389 dental records were examined. The bruxism analyzed was determined based on parental reports. The following variables were also analyzed: gender, age, International Code of Diseases (ICD), mouth breathing, history of gastroesophageal reflux, use of psychotropic drugs, gingival status, reports of xerostomia, hyperkinesis, pacifier use, thumb sucking and involuntary movements. For the purposes of analysis, the individuals were categorized as being with and without bruxism. Variables with a p-value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were incorporated into the logistic regression models. Females had a 0.44-fold (95%CI: 0.25 to 0.78) greater chance of exhibiting bruxism than males. Individuals with gastroesophageal reflux had a 2.28-fold (95%CI: 1.03 to 5.02) greater chance of exhibiting bruxism. Individuals with reported involuntary movements had a 2.24-fold (95%CI: 1.19 to 4.24) greater chance of exhibiting bruxism than those without such movements. Exhibiting involuntary movements, the male gender and gastroesophageal reflux are factors associated with bruxism in children with developmental disabilities.

Information storage media and method

DOEpatents

Miller, Steven D.; Endres, George W.

1999-01-01

Disclosed is a method for storing and retrieving information. More specifically, the present invention is a method for forming predetermined patterns, or data structures, using materials which exhibit enhanced absorption of light at certain wavelengths or, when interrogated with a light having a first wavelength, provide a luminescent response at a second wavelength. These materials may exhibit this response to light inherently, or may be made to exhibit this response by treating the materials with ionizing radiation.

Antidepressant Potential of (R)-Ketamine in Rodent Models: Comparison with (S)-Ketamine.

PubMed

Fukumoto, Kenichi; Toki, Hidetoh; Iijima, Michihiko; Hashihayata, Takashi; Yamaguchi, Jun-Ichi; Hashimoto, Kenji; Chaki, Shigeyuki

2017-04-01

The rapid-acting and long-lasting antidepressant effects of ( R,S )-ketamine have recently gained much attention. Although ( S )-ketamine has been studied as an active isomer, recent evidence suggests that ( R )-ketamine exhibits longer-lasting antidepressant effects than ( S )-ketamine in rodents. However, the antidepressant potential of ( R )-ketamine has not been fully addressed. In the present study, we compared the antidepressant effects of ( R )-ketamine with those of ( S )-ketamine in animal models of depression, including a model that is refractory to current medications. Both ( R )-ketamine and ( S )-ketamine exhibited antidepressant effects at 30 minutes as well as at 24 hours after administration in forced-swimming and tail-suspension tests in mice. At 48 hours after administration, however, ( R )-ketamine still exerted a significant antidepressant effect in the tail-suspension test, whereas the effect of ( S )-ketamine was no longer observed. Moreover, ( R )-ketamine, but not ( S )-ketamine, significantly reversed the depressive-like behavior induced by repeated treatments with corticosterone in rats at 24 hours after a single administration. This effect was attenuated by an α -amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor antagonist, suggesting the involvement of AMPA receptor stimulation in the effects. Both ( R )-ketamine and ( S )-ketamine exhibited practically the same exposure levels in plasma, brain, and cerebrospinal fluid in mice and rats, and both compounds were rapidly eliminated from plasma (<4-8 hours). The present results confirmed the previous findings that ( R )-ketamine exerted longer-lasting antidepressant effects than ( S )-ketamine in animal models of depression. Moreover, our study is the first to demonstrate that ( R )-ketamine exerted a sustained antidepressant effect even in a model that is refractory to currently prescribed antidepressants. Copyright © 2017 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Creating Learning Experiences that Promote Informal Science Education: Designing Conservation-Focused Interactive Zoo Exhibits through Action Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalenda, Peter

Research on exhibit design over the past twenty years has started to identify many different methods to increase the learning that occurs in informal education environments. This study utilized relevant research on exhibit design to create and study the effectiveness of a mobile interactive exhibit at the Seneca Park Zoo that promotes socialization, engagement in science, and conservation-related practices among guests. This study will serve as one component of a major redesign project at the Seneca Park Zoo for their Rocky Coasts exhibit. This action research study targeted the following question, "How can interactive exhibits be designed to promote socialization, engagement in science, and real-world conservation-related practices (RCPs) among zoo guests?" Specific research questions included: 1. In what ways did guests engage with the exhibit? 2. In what ways were guests impacted by the exhibit? a) What evidence exists, if any, of guests learning science content from the exhibit? b) What evidence exists, if any, of guests being emotionally affected by the exhibit? c) What evidence exists, if any, of guests changing their RCPs after visiting the exhibit? Data were collected through zoo guest surveys completed by zoo guests comparing multiple exhibits, interviews with guests before and after they used the prototype exhibit, observations and audio recordings of guests using the prototype exhibit, and follow-up phone interviews with guests who volunteered to participate. Data were analyzed collaboratively with members of the zoo's exhibit Redesign Team using grounded theory qualitative data analysis techniques to find patterns and trends among data. Initial findings from data analysis were used to develop shifts in the exhibit in order to increase visitor engagement and learning. This process continued for two full action research spirals, which resulted in three iterations of the prototype exhibit. The overall findings of this study highlight the ways in which guests engaged with and were impacted by this exhibit. Findings revealed the importance of the location of interactives and signage as well as a range of readability concerns for visitor engagement. In addition, findings highlight the roles of parents in informal learning environments, and the impact of exhibit design on dwell time and questioning. This study demonstrates the value and importance of utilizing an iterative design process informed by action research when creating learning experiences in zoos. This study also reinforces how difficult it can be to both influence and measure the shifting of guests' RCPs.

Comparative anti-psoriatic efficacy studies of clobetasol loaded chitin nanogel and marketed cream.

PubMed

Panonnummal, Rajitha; Jayakumar, R; Sabitha, M

2017-01-01

In the present study chitin nanogel loaded with anti-psoriatic drug clobetasol was developed (CLCNG) for its topical delivery in psoriasis. CLCNG had the particle size of 132±14nm, with gel like consistency, stability in refrigerator, having higher drug release properties at acidic pH. CLCNG exhibited significant toxicity towards HaCaT and THP-1cell lines by MTT assay. The uptake of nanogel by HaCaT cell lines was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy. CLCNG at 0.35mg/ml exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity with an average of 65% and 70% inhibition in COX and LOX activities expressed in THP-1 cells. In vitro skin permeation studies revealed the increased transdermal flux with fragmented stratum corneum and loosened epidermal layers in CLCNG treated samples, compared with control drug solution. The in vivo anti-psoriatic studies done on imiquimod model confirmed the potential benefits of the nanogel for the topical delivery of clobetasol in psoriasis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemokine-like factor-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing 3 expression is associated with a favorable prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Han, Tianci; Shu, Tianci; Dong, Siyuan; Li, Peiwen; Li, Weinan; Liu, Dali; Qi, Ruiqun; Zhang, Shuguang; Zhang, Lin

2017-05-01

Decreased expression of human chemokine-like factor-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing 3 (CMTM3) has been identified in a number of human tumors and tumor cell lines, including gastric and testicular cancer, and PC3, CAL27 and Tca-83 cell lines. However, the association between CMTM3 expression and the clinicopathological features and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the correlation between CMTM3 expression and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in ESCC. CMTM3 mRNA and protein expression was analyzed in ESCC and paired non-tumor tissues by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was also used for univariate and multivariate survival analysis. The results revealed that CMTM3 mRNA and protein expression levels were lower in 82.5% (30/40) and 75% (30/40) of ESCC tissues, respectively, when compared with matched non-tumor tissues. Statistical analysis demonstrated that CMTM3 expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.002) and clinical stage (P<0.001) in ESCC tissues. Furthermore, the survival time of ESCC patients exhibiting low CMTM3 expression was significantly shorter than that of ESCC patients exhibiting high CMTM3 expression (P=0.01). In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that the overall survival time of patients exhibiting low CMTM3 expression was significantly decreased compared with patients exhibiting high CMTM3 expression (P=0.010). Cox multivariate analysis indicated that CMTM3 protein expression was an independent prognostic predictor for ESCC after resection. This study indicated that CMTM3 expression is significantly decreased in ESCC tissues and CMTM3 protein expression in resected tumors may present an effective prognostic biomarker.

Light/dark phase-dependent spontaneous activity is maintained in dopamine-deficient mice.

PubMed

Fujita, Masayo; Hagino, Yoko; Takeda, Taishi; Kasai, Shinya; Tanaka, Miho; Takamatsu, Yukio; Kobayashi, Kazuto; Ikeda, Kazutaka

2017-10-16

Dopamine is important for motor control and involved in the regulation of circadian rhythm. We previously found that dopamine-deficient (DD) mice became hyperactive in a novel environment 72 h after the last injection of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) when dopamine was almost completely depleted. DD mice did not initially exhibit hyperactivity in their home cages, but the animals exhibited hyperactivity several hours after the last L-DOPA injection. The regulation of motor activity in a novel environment and in home cages may be different. A previous study reported that DD mice became active again approximately 24 h after the last L-DOPA injection. One speculation was that light/dark phase-dependent spontaneous activity might be maintained despite dopamine deficiency. The present study investigated whether spontaneous home cage activity is maintained in DD mice 24-43 h and 72-91 h after the last L-DOPA injection. Spontaneous activity was almost completely suppressed during the light phase of the light/dark cycle in DD mice 24 and 72 h after the last L-DOPA injection. After the dark phase began, DD mice became active 24 and 72 h after the last L-DOPA injection. DD mice exhibited a similar amount of locomotor activity as wildtype mice 24 h after the last L-DOPA injection. Although DD mice presented a decrease in activity 72 h after the last L-DOPA injection, they maintained dark phase-stimulated locomotor activation. Despite low levels of dopamine in DD mice, they exhibited feeding behavior that was similar to wildtype mice. Although grooming and rearing behavior significantly decreased, DD mice retained their ability to perform these activities. Haloperidol treatment significantly suppressed all of these behaviors in wildtype mice but not in DD mice. These results indicate that DD mice maintain some aspects of light/dark phase-dependent spontaneous activity despite dopamine depletion, suggesting that compensatory dopamine-independent mechanisms might play a role in the DD mouse phenotype.

Neural Correlates of Letter Reversal in Children and Adults

PubMed Central

Kalra, Priya; Yee, Debbie; Sinha, Pawan; Gabrieli, John D. E.

2014-01-01

Children often make letter reversal errors when first learning to read and write, even for letters whose reversed forms do not appear in normal print. However, the brain basis of such letter reversal in children learning to read is unknown. The present study compared the neuroanatomical correlates (via functional magnetic resonance imaging) and the electrophysiological correlates (via event-related potentials or ERPs) of this phenomenon in children, ages 5–12, relative to young adults. When viewing reversed letters relative to typically oriented letters, adults exhibited widespread occipital, parietal, and temporal lobe activations, including activation in the functionally localized visual word form area (VWFA) in left occipito-temporal cortex. Adults exhibited significantly greater activation than children in all of these regions; children only exhibited such activation in a limited frontal region. Similarly, on the P1 and N170 ERP components, adults exhibited significantly greater differences between typical and reversed letters than children, who failed to exhibit significant differences between typical and reversed letters. These findings indicate that adults distinguish typical and reversed letters in the early stages of specialized brain processing of print, but that children do not recognize this distinction during the early stages of processing. Specialized brain processes responsible for early stages of letter perception that distinguish between typical and reversed letters may develop slowly and remain immature even in older children who no longer produce letter reversals in their writing. PMID:24859328

σ–π-Band Inversion in a Novel Two-Dimensional Material

DOE PAGES

Lopez-Bezanilla, Alejandro; Littlewood, Peter B.

2015-07-24

In this paper, we present a theoretical study of a new type of two-dimensional material exhibiting a pentagonal arrangement of C and Si atoms. Pentagonal SiC 2 is investigated with density functional theory-based calculations to show that the buckled nanostructure is dynamically stable, and exhibits an indirect energy band gap and an enhanced electronic dispersion with respect to the all-carbon counterpart. Computed Born effective charges exhibit a significant anisotropy for C and Si atoms that deviates substantially from their static effective charges. We establish an accurate tunability of the vertical location of the p-p-σ and p-p-π bands and show thatmore » under compressive biaxial strain the density of states decreases, and conversely for tensile biaxial strain. Finally, this coupling between the tunability of strain-mediated density of states and semiconducting properties in a monolayered structure may allow for the development of applications in semiconducting stretchable electronics.« less

Citrobacter amalonaticus Phytase on the Cell Surface of Pichia pastoris Exhibits High pH Stability as a Promising Potential Feed Supplement

PubMed Central

Li, Cheng; Lin, Ying; Huang, Yuanyuan; Liu, Xiaoxiao; Liang, Shuli

2014-01-01

Phytase expressed and anchored on the cell surface of Pichia pastoris avoids the expensive and time-consuming steps of protein purification and separation. Furthermore, yeast cells with anchored phytase can be used as a whole-cell biocatalyst. In this study, the phytase gene of Citrobacter amalonaticus was fused with the Pichia pastoris glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein homologue GCW61. Phytase exposed on the cell surface exhibits a high activity of 6413.5 U/g, with an optimal temperature of 60°C. In contrast to secreted phytase, which has an optimal pH of 5.0, phytase presented on the cell surface is characterized by an optimal pH of 3.0. Moreover, our data demonstrate that phytase anchored on the cell surface exhibits higher pH stability than its secreted counterpart. Interestingly, our in vitro digestion experiments demonstrate that phytase attached to the cell surface is a more efficient enzyme than secreted phytase. PMID:25490768

Citrobacter amalonaticus phytase on the cell surface of Pichia pastoris exhibits high pH stability as a promising potential feed supplement.

PubMed

Li, Cheng; Lin, Ying; Huang, Yuanyuan; Liu, Xiaoxiao; Liang, Shuli

2014-01-01

Phytase expressed and anchored on the cell surface of Pichia pastoris avoids the expensive and time-consuming steps of protein purification and separation. Furthermore, yeast cells with anchored phytase can be used as a whole-cell biocatalyst. In this study, the phytase gene of Citrobacter amalonaticus was fused with the Pichia pastoris glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored glycoprotein homologue GCW61. Phytase exposed on the cell surface exhibits a high activity of 6413.5 U/g, with an optimal temperature of 60°C. In contrast to secreted phytase, which has an optimal pH of 5.0, phytase presented on the cell surface is characterized by an optimal pH of 3.0. Moreover, our data demonstrate that phytase anchored on the cell surface exhibits higher pH stability than its secreted counterpart. Interestingly, our in vitro digestion experiments demonstrate that phytase attached to the cell surface is a more efficient enzyme than secreted phytase.

A serological survey for pathogens in old fancy chicken breeds in central and eastern part of The Netherlands.

PubMed

de Wit, J J; van Eck, J H; Crooijmans, R P; Pijpers, A

2004-05-15

To get an impression of the presence of pathogens in multi-aged flocks of old fancy chicken breeds in the Netherlands, plasma samples originating from 24 flocks were examined for antibodies against 17 chicken pathogens. These flocks were housed mainly in the centre and east of the Netherlands, regions with a high poultry density. The owners of the tested flocks showed their chicken at national and international poultry exhibitions. Antibodies against Avian Influenza, Egg Drop Syndrome '76 virus, Pox virus, Salmonella pullorum/gallinarum, Salmonella Enteritidis or Salmonella Typhimurium were not detected. However, antibodies against other Salmonella species, Mycoplasma gallisepticum, infectious bursal disease virus, infectious bronchitis virus, avian encephalomyelitis virus, chicken anaemia virus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, and avian leukosis virus, subgroups A and B, and subgroup J were detected in a varying proportion of the flocks. This study shows that antibodies against many chicken pathogens are present among the flocks of old fancy chicken breeds that are exhibited at international poultry exhibitions.

Salvianolic acid B reverses multidrug resistance in nude mice bearing human colon cancer stem cells.

PubMed

Guo, Piaoting; Wang, Jianchao; Gao, Wencang; Liu, Xia; Wu, Shaofei; Wan, Boshun; Xu, Lei; Li, Yanhua

2018-05-29

Salvianolic acid B (SalB) is a water‑soluble phenolic compound, extractable from Salvia miltiorrhiza, and has previously been demonstrated to reverse tumor multidrug resistance (MDR) in colon cancer cells. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are closely associated with drug resistance. Therefore, establishing a nude mouse model bearing human colon CSCs is important for the study of the mechanisms underlying colon cancer drug resistance as well as the reversal of drug resistance. The present study aimed to establish a nude mouse model bearing human colon CSCs and to investigate the effects of SalB on the drug resistance exhibited by the nude mouse model as well as determine its underlying mechanism. Cells from two colon cancer cell lines (LoVo and HCT‑116) were cultured in serum‑free medium to obtain CSCs‑enriched spheroid cells. Following this, nude mice were transplanted with LoVo and HCT‑116 colon CSCs to establish the CSC nude mouse model, which was subsequently demonstrated to exhibit MDR. The results of the present study revealed that following treatment with SalB, the chemotherapeutic drug resistance of xenografts was reversed to a certain extent. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the expression levels of cluster of differentiation (CD)44, CD133, transcription factor sox‑2 (SOX2) and ATP‑binding cassette sub‑family G member 2 (ABCG2) proteins, and the results demonstrated that treatment with SalB downregulated the expression of CD44, SOX2 and ABCG2 proteins in both LoVo and HCT‑116 colon CSCs xenografts. In conclusion, the results of the present study revealed that a serum‑free suspension method can be performed to successfully isolate colon CSCs. In addition, a nude mice bearing colon CSCs animal model was successfully established, and associated tumors were confirmed to exhibit MDR. Furthermore, SalB was demonstrated to successfully reverse MDR in nude mice bearing LoVo and HCT‑116 colon CSCs, as well as suppress the expression of CD44, SOX2 and ABCG2 proteins.

Semiconducting compounds and devices incorporating same

DOEpatents

Marks, Tobin J; Facchetti, Antonio; Boudreault, Pierre-Luc; Miyauchi, Hiroyuki

2014-06-17

Disclosed are molecular and polymeric compounds having desirable properties as semiconducting materials. Such compounds can exhibit desirable electronic properties and possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability. Organic transistor and photovoltaic devices incorporating the present compounds as the active layer exhibit good device performance.

Semiconducting compounds and devices incorporating same

DOEpatents

Marks, Tobin J.; Facchetti, Antonio; Boudreault, Pierre-Luc; Miyauchi, Hiroyuki

2016-01-19

Disclosed are molecular and polymeric compounds having desirable properties as semiconducting materials. Such compounds can exhibit desirable electronic properties and possess processing advantages including solution-processability and/or good stability. Organic transistor and photovoltaic devices incorporating the present compounds as the active layer exhibit good device performance.

Crossed Wernicke's aphasia: a case report.

PubMed

Sheehy, Laurie M; Haines, Mary E

2004-04-01

Crossed aphasia is a phenomenon in which an individual sustains a lesion in the right hemisphere (typically non-language dominant), but who exhibits an aphasic syndrome. The authors present a case study of an individual with crossed aphasia (CA) in an attempt to provide anecdotal information for four questions posed by : (a). Is CA a reversal of the normal cerebral hemisphere pattern of language function? (b). Does the presence of aphasia following a right cerebral hemisphere lesion indicate that typical right hemisphere functions (e.g., visual perception) are intact? (c). How may the aphasia's presentation differ from typical left hemisphere aphasias? And (d). is the pattern of improvement following CA similar to that of typical left hemisphere aphasias? We longitudinally examined the communicative-cognitive performance of an adult man with crossed aphasia of the Wernicke's type following a cerebrovascular accident. A 21-week follow-up evaluation indicated improvements in his language functioning from our initial evaluation, but he continued to exhibit a classic, moderately severe Wernicke's aphasia.

Self-incompatibility in passionfruit: evidence of gametophytic-sporophytic control.

PubMed

Suassuna, T de M F; Bruckner, H; de Carvalho, R; Borém, A

2003-01-01

Self-incompatibility in passionfruit was studied in families originated from crosses among plants that presented differences in reciprocal crosses. The three families, obtained by crossing S(3) plants, exhibited one incompatible group; no reciprocal differences were observed. The phenotype of the families was the same as the parent plants, S(3). These results suggest the presence of a gene ( G), gametophytic in its action, associated to the sporophytic gene S, modifying the incompatibility reaction in passionfruit. The reciprocal difference exhibited in the crosses among the parents could be explained as a matching between plants homozygous for S, but homozygous and heterozygous for G. Actually this would be a partially compatible cross, not detectable when the evaluation is done based on fruit set data. As the family originated from this kind of cross is homozygous for S and heterozygous for G, no reciprocal differences are expected, and the phenotype should be the same as the parental plants, as observed in the present work.

Attenuated Phenotype and Immunogenic Characteristics of a Mutated Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Strain in the Rhesus Macaque.

PubMed

Fan, Shengtao; Xu, Xingli; Liao, Yun; Wang, Yongrong; Wang, Jianbin; Feng, Min; Wang, Lichun; Zhang, Ying; He, Zhanlong; Yang, Fengmei; Fraser, Nigel W; Li, Qihan

2018-05-02

Herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) presents a conundrum to public health worldwide because of its specific pathogenicity and clinical features. Some experimental vaccines, such as the recombinant viral glycoproteins, exhibit the viral immunogenicity of a host-specific immune response, but none of these has achieved a valid epidemiological protective efficacy in the human population. In the present study, we constructed an attenuated HSV-1 strain M3 through the partial deletion of UL7, UL41 , and the latency-associated transcript ( LAT ) using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The mutant strain exhibited lowered infectivity and virulence in macaques. Neutralization testing and ELISpot detection of the specific T-cell responses confirmed the specific immunity induced by M3 immunization and this immunity defended against the challenges of the wild-type strain and restricted the entry of the wild-type strain into the trigeminal ganglion. These results in rhesus macaques demonstrated the potential of the attenuated vaccine for the prevention of HSV-1 in humans.

Constraints based analysis of extended cybernetic models.

PubMed

Mandli, Aravinda R; Venkatesh, Kareenhalli V; Modak, Jayant M

2015-11-01

The cybernetic modeling framework provides an interesting approach to model the regulatory phenomena occurring in microorganisms. In the present work, we adopt a constraints based approach to analyze the nonlinear behavior of the extended equations of the cybernetic model. We first show that the cybernetic model exhibits linear growth behavior under the constraint of no resource allocation for the induction of the key enzyme. We then quantify the maximum achievable specific growth rate of microorganisms on mixtures of substitutable substrates under various kinds of regulation and show its use in gaining an understanding of the regulatory strategies of microorganisms. Finally, we show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits suboptimal dynamic growth with a long diauxic lag phase when growing on a mixture of glucose and galactose and discuss on its potential to achieve optimal growth with a significantly reduced diauxic lag period. The analysis carried out in the present study illustrates the utility of adopting a constraints based approach to understand the dynamic growth strategies of microorganisms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cold Active Motion: How Time-Independent Disorder Affects the Motion of Self-Propelled Agents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peruani, Fernando; Aranson, Igor S.

2018-06-01

Assemblages of self-propelled particles, often termed active matter, exhibit collective behavior due to competition between neighbor alignment and noise-induced decoherence. However, very little is known of how the quenched (i.e., time-independent) disorder impacts active motion. Here we report on the effects of quenched disorder on the dynamics of self-propelled point particles. We identified three major types of quenched disorder relevant in the context of active matter: random torque, force, and stress. We demonstrate that even in the absence of external fluctuations ("cold active matter"), quenched disorder results in nontrivial dynamic phases not present in their "hot" counterpart. In particular, by analyzing when the equations of motion exhibit a Hamiltonian structure and when attractors may be present, we identify in which scenarios particle trapping, i.e., the asymptotic convergence of particle trajectories to bounded areas in space ("traps"), can and cannot occur. Our study provides new fundamental insights into active systems realized by self-propelled particles on natural and synthetic disordered substrates.

Paced mating behavior is affected by clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine application in combination with sexual experience.

PubMed

Meerts, Sarah H; Strnad, Helen K; Schairer, Rosemary S

2015-03-01

The present study tested the effects of lidocaine anesthetic ointment applied to the vaginocervical (Experiment 1) or clitoral-vaginocervical (Experiment 2) areas on the display of paced mating behavior over the course of five weekly tests in ovariectomized, hormone-primed, Long-Evans rats. Experiment 3 tested whether rats that acquired sexual experience without ointment application would exhibit altered paced mating behavior on a fifth test under clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine or vehicle application. Although rats in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 exhibited shorter contact-return latencies after intromission and reduced likelihood of leaving the male compartment following mounts and intromissions after gaining sexual experience, only rats that received clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine exhibited altered paced mating behavior relative to vehicle. Specifically, clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine resulted in shorter contact-return latency to ejaculation and greater percentage of time with the male. Paced mating behavior of sexually experienced rats in Experiment 3 was not disrupted when tested after clitoral-vaginocervical lidocaine treatment. Together, these studies suggest that the sensory input during repeated mating encounters affects the pattern of paced mating behavior that develops with sexual experience. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pigeons exhibit higher accuracy for chosen memory tests than for forced memory tests in duration matching-to-sample.

PubMed

Adams, Allison; Santi, Angelo

2011-03-01

Following training to match 2- and 8-sec durations of feederlight to red and green comparisons with a 0-sec baseline delay, pigeons were allowed to choose to take a memory test or to escape the memory test. The effects of sample omission, increases in retention interval, and variation in trial spacing on selection of the escape option and accuracy were studied. During initial testing, escaping the test did not increase as the task became more difficult, and there was no difference in accuracy between chosen and forced memory tests. However, with extended training, accuracy for chosen tests was significantly greater than for forced tests. In addition, two pigeons exhibited higher accuracy on chosen tests than on forced tests at the short retention interval and greater escape rates at the long retention interval. These results have not been obtained in previous studies with pigeons when the choice to take the test or to escape the test is given before test stimuli are presented. It appears that task-specific methodological factors may determine whether a particular species will exhibit the two behavioral effects that were initially proposed as potentially indicative of metacognition.

Coffee intake and development of pain during computer work.

PubMed

Strøm, Vegard; Røe, Cecilie; Knardahl, Stein

2012-09-03

The present study sought to determine if subjects who had consumed coffee before performing a simulated computer office-work task found to provoke pain in the neck and shoulders and forearms and wrists exhibited different time course in the pain development than the subjects who had abstained from coffee intake. Forty eight subjects all working fulltime, 22 with chronic shoulder and neck pain and 26 healthy pain-free subjects, were recruited to perform a computer-based office-work task for 90 min. Nineteen (40%) of the subjects had consumed coffee (1/2 -1 cup) on average 1 h 18 min before start. Pain intensity in the shoulders and neck and forearms and wrists was rated on a visual analogue scale every 15 min throughout the work task.During the work task the coffee consumers exhibited significantly lower pain increase than those who abstained from coffee. Subjects who had consumed coffee before starting a pain provoking office work task exhibited attenuated pain development compared with the subjects who had abstained from coffee intake. These results might have potentially interesting implications of a pain-modulating effect of caffeine in an everyday setting. However, studies with a double blind placebo controlled randomized design are needed.

Seedling growth and biomass allocation of endemic and threatened shrubs of rupestrian fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Negreiros, Daniel; Fernandes, G. Wilson; Silveira, Fernando A. O.; Chalub, Clarissa

2009-03-01

The increasing anthropogenic pressure in the rare rupestrian fields in southeastern Brazil has led to the expansion of degraded areas on the extremely nutrient-deficient quartzitic soils. On the other hand, the use of rupestrian field native species in reclamation programmes has been hampered by the lack of studies involving seedling physiological ecology. The present study evaluated biomass allocation and seedling growth rate during early seedling growth of four Fabaceae shrubs: Collaea cipoensis, Calliandra fasciculata, Chamaecrista ramosa, and Mimosa foliolosa. The following hypotheses were tested: (i) species proportionally allocate higher biomass to the roots, presenting a high root/shoot ratio; and (ii) species exhibit low phenotypic variation because they have adapted to poor nutritional environments. A 12-month greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate seedling growth and biomass allocation performance in substrates with contrasting levels of soil fertility. The four species studied presented values of root/shoot ratio lower than one in both fertility conditions of the substrate. Growth parameters for Collaea and Calliandra increased with increasing soil fertility, while no differences were observed for Mimosa and Chamaecrista. Although the four species are naturally adapted to low nutritional quality soils, seedling development was not hindered by high fertility substrate conditions. Despite the remarkable differences in fertility between the substrates, the responsiveness in growth and allocation in Chamaecrista and Mimosa was lower than that expected if the species would exhibit high phenotypic variation. The implications for rupestrian field restoration are discussed.

A pH Switch Regulates the Inverse Relationship between Membranolytic and Chaperone-like Activities of HSP-1/2, a Major Protein of Horse Seminal Plasma.

PubMed

Kumar, C Sudheer; Swamy, Musti J

2016-07-05

HSP-1/2, a major protein of horse seminal plasma binds to choline phospholipids present on the sperm plasma membrane and perturbs its structure by intercalating into the hydrophobic core, which results in an efflux of choline phospholipids and cholesterol, an important event in sperm capacitation. HSP-1/2 also exhibits chaperone-like activity (CLA) in vitro and protects target proteins against various kinds of stress. In the present study we show that HSP-1/2 exhibits destabilizing activity toward model supported and cell membranes. The membranolytic activity of HSP-1/2 is found to be pH dependent, with lytic activity being high at mildly acidic pH (6.0-6.5) and low at mildly basic pH (8.0-8.5). Interestingly, the CLA is also found to be pH dependent, with high activity at mildly basic pH and low activity at mildly acidic pH. Taken together the present studies demonstrate that the membranolytic and chaperone-like activities of HSP-1/2 have an inverse relationship and are regulated via a pH switch, which is reversible. The higher CLA observed at mildly basic pH could be correlated to an increase in surface hydrophobicity of the protein. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting regulation of two different activities of a chaperone protein by a pH switch.

Unique white matter microstructural patterns in ADHD presentations-a diffusion tensor imaging study.

PubMed

Svatkova, Alena; Nestrasil, Igor; Rudser, Kyle; Goldenring Fine, Jodene; Bledsoe, Jesse; Semrud-Clikeman, Margaret

2016-09-01

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder predominantly inattentive (ADHD-PI) and combined (ADHD-C) presentations are likely distinct disorders that differ neuroanatomically, neurochemically, and neuropsychologically. However, to date, little is known about specific white matter (WM) regions differentiating ADHD presentations. This study examined differences in WM microstructure using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data from 20 ADHD-PI, 18 ADHD-C, and 27 typically developed children. Voxel-wise analysis of DTI measurements in major fiber bundles was carried out using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). Clusters showing diffusivity abnormalities were used as regions of interest for regression analysis between fractional anisotropy (FA) and neuropsychological outcomes. Compared to neurotypicals, ADHD-PI children showed higher FA in the anterior thalamic radiations (ATR), bilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), and in the left corticospinal tract (CST). In contrast, the ADHD-C group exhibited higher FA in the bilateral cingulum bundle (CB). In the ADHD-PI group, differences in FA in the left ILF and ATR were accompanied by axial diffusivity (AD) abnormalities. In addition, the ADHD-PI group exhibited atypical mean diffusivity in the forceps minor (FMi) and left ATR and AD differences in right CB compared to healthy subjects. Direct comparison between ADHD presentations demonstrated radial diffusivity differences in FMi. WM clusters with FA irregularities in ADHD were associated with neurobehavioral performance across groups. In conclusion, differences in WM microstructure in ADHD presentations strengthen the theory that ADHD-PI and ADHD-C are two distinct disorders. Regions with WM irregularity seen in both ADHD presentations might serve as predictors of executive and behavioral functioning across groups. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3323-3336, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In vitro cell culture, platelet adhesion tests and in vivo implant tests of plasma-polymerized para-xylene films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chou, Chia-Man; Yeh, Chou-Ming; Chung, Chi-Jen; He, Ju-Liang

2013-09-01

Plasma-polymerized para-xylene (PPX) was developed in a previous study by adjusting the process parameters: pulse frequency of the power supply (ωp) and para-xylene monomer flow rate (fp). All the obtained PPX films exhibit an amorphous structure and present hydrophobicity (water contact angle ranging from 98.5° to 121.1°), higher film growth rate and good fibroblast cell proliferation. In this study, in vitro tests (fibroblast cell compatibility and platelet adhesion) and an in vivo animal study were performed by using PPX deposited industrial-grade silicone sheets (IGS) and compared with medical-grade silicone ones (MS), which were commonly manufactured into catheters or drainage tubes in clinical use. The results reveal that PPX deposited at high ωp or high fp, in comparison with MS, exhibit better cell proliferation and clearly shows less cell adhesion regardless of ωp and fp. PPX also exhibit a comparatively lower level of platelet adhesion than MS. In the animal study, PPX-coated IGS result in similar local tissue responses at 3, 7 and 28 days (short-term) and 84 days (long-term) after subcutaneous implantation the abdominal wall of rodents compared with respective responses to MS. These results suggest that PPX-coated industrial-grade silicone is one alternative to high cost medical-grade silicone.

Mechanistic study of the azithromycin dosage-form-dependent food effect.

PubMed

Curatolo, William; Foulds, George; Labadie, Robert

2010-07-01

Azithromycin capsules are known to exhibit a negative food effect, manifest as a decrease in azithromycin bioavailability in the fed state. Azithromycin tablets are known to be bioequivalent to capsules in the fasted state, but do not exhibit a food effect. In the present study, the involvement of gastric degradation of azithromycin to des-cladinose azithromycin (DCA) has been investigated as a possible mechanism for the observed capsule food effect. Healthy volunteers were dosed with azithromycin tablets and capsules, fasted and fed, in a four-way randomized crossover study. Serum levels of DCA were measured as a function of time post-dose. Natural log-transformed PK parameters were statistically analyzed using an ANOVA model appropriate for the study design. When capsules were dosed to fed subjects, the systemic AUC for DCA was 243% of the value observed after fasted-state dosing, and the DCA C(max) was 270% of the value observed after fasted-state dosing. When azithromycin tablets were dosed in the fasted and fed states, there was no significant difference in systemic DCA. Gastric degradation of azithromycin to DCA is the likely mechanism for the observed negative food effect observed for azithromycin capsules. This effect is not observed for tablets. These observations suggest that azithromycin capsules exhibit slow and/or delayed disintegration in the fed stomach, resulting in extended gastric residence and degradation of a portion of the gastrically retained azithromycin.

Increased risk of developing schizophrenia in animals exposed to cigarette smoke during the gestational period.

PubMed

Zugno, Alexandra I; Oliveira, Mariana B; Mastella, Gustavo A; Heylmann, Alexandra S A; Canever, Lara; Pacheco, Felipe D; Damazio, Louyse S; Citadin, Sullivan A; de Lucca, Luiz Antonio; Simões, Lutiana Roque; Malgarin, Fernanda; Budni, Josiane; Barichello, Tatiana; Schuck, Patricia F; Quevedo, João

2017-04-03

Cigarette smoking during the prenatal period has been investigated as a causative factor of obstetric abnormalities, which lead to cognitive and behavioural changes associated with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate behaviour and AChE activity in brain structures in adult rats exposed to cigarette smoke during the prenatal period. Pregnant rats were divided into non-PCSE (non-prenatal cigarette smoke exposure) and PCSE (prenatal cigarette smoke exposure) groups. On post-natal day 60, the rats received saline or ketamine for 7days and were subjected to behavioural tasks. In the locomotor activity task, the non-PCSE+ketamine and PCSE+ketamine groups exhibited increased locomotor activity compared with the saline group. In the social interaction task, the non-PCSE+ketamine and PCSE+ketamine groups exhibited an increased latency compared with the control groups. However, the PCSE+ketamine group exhibited a decreased latency compared with the non-PCSE+ketamine group, which indicates that the cigarette exposure appeared to decrease, the social deficits generated by ketamine. In the inhibitory avoidance task, the non-PCSE+ketamine, PCSE, and PCSE+ketamine groups exhibited impairments in working memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory. In the pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) test, cigarette smoke associated with ketamine resulted in impaired PPI in 3 pre-pulse (PP) intensity groups compared with the control groups. In the biochemical analysis, the AChE activity in brain structures increased in the ketamine groups; however, the PCSE+ketamine group exhibited an exacerbated effect in all brain structures. The present study indicates that exposure to cigarette smoke during the prenatal period may affect behaviour and cerebral cholinergic structures during adulthood. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Circadian rhythms in myocardial metabolism and contractile function: influence of workload and oleate.

PubMed

Durgan, David J; Moore, Michael W S; Ha, Ngan P; Egbejimi, Oluwaseun; Fields, Anna; Mbawuike, Uchenna; Egbejimi, Anu; Shaw, Chad A; Bray, Molly S; Nannegari, Vijayalakshmi; Hickson-Bick, Diane L; Heird, William C; Dyck, Jason R B; Chandler, Margaret P; Young, Martin E

2007-10-01

Multiple extracardiac stimuli, such as workload and circulating nutrients (e.g., fatty acids), known to influence myocardial metabolism and contractile function exhibit marked circadian rhythms. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the rat heart exhibits circadian rhythms in its responsiveness to changes in workload and/or fatty acid (oleate) availability. Thus, hearts were isolated from male Wistar rats (housed during a 12:12-h light-dark cycle: lights on at 9 AM) at 9 AM, 3 PM, 9 PM, and 3 AM and perfused in the working mode ex vivo with 5 mM glucose plus either 0.4 or 0.8 mM oleate. Following 20-min perfusion at normal workload (i.e., 100 cm H(2)O afterload), hearts were challenged with increased workload (140 cm H(2)O afterload plus 1 microM epinephrine). In the presence of 0.4 mM oleate, myocardial metabolism exhibited a marked circadian rhythm, with decreased rates of glucose oxidation, increased rates of lactate release, decreased glycogenolysis capacity, and increased channeling of oleate into nonoxidative pathways during the light phase. Rat hearts also exhibited a modest circadian rhythm in responsiveness to the workload challenge when perfused in the presence of 0.4 mM oleate, with increased myocardial oxygen consumption at the dark-to-light phase transition. However, rat hearts perfused in the presence of 0.8 mM oleate exhibited a markedly blunted contractile function response to the workload challenge during the light phase. In conclusion, these studies expose marked circadian rhythmicities in myocardial oxidative and nonoxidative metabolism as well as responsiveness of the rat heart to changes in workload and fatty acid availability.

Photoinduced electron transfer from semiconductor quantum dots to metal oxide nanoparticles

PubMed Central

Tvrdy, Kevin; Frantsuzov, Pavel A.; Kamat, Prashant V.

2011-01-01

Quantum dot-metal oxide junctions are an integral part of next-generation solar cells, light emitting diodes, and nanostructured electronic arrays. Here we present a comprehensive examination of electron transfer at these junctions, using a series of CdSe quantum dot donors (sizes 2.8, 3.3, 4.0, and 4.2 nm in diameter) and metal oxide nanoparticle acceptors (SnO2, TiO2, and ZnO). Apparent electron transfer rate constants showed strong dependence on change in system free energy, exhibiting a sharp rise at small driving forces followed by a modest rise further away from the characteristic reorganization energy. The observed trend mimics the predicted behavior of electron transfer from a single quantum state to a continuum of electron accepting states, such as those present in the conduction band of a metal oxide nanoparticle. In contrast with dye-sensitized metal oxide electron transfer studies, our systems did not exhibit unthermalized hot-electron injection due to relatively large ratios of electron cooling rate to electron transfer rate. To investigate the implications of these findings in photovoltaic cells, quantum dot-metal oxide working electrodes were constructed in an identical fashion to the films used for the electron transfer portion of the study. Interestingly, the films which exhibited the fastest electron transfer rates (SnO2) were not the same as those which showed the highest photocurrent (TiO2). These findings suggest that, in addition to electron transfer at the quantum dot-metal oxide interface, other electron transfer reactions play key roles in the determination of overall device efficiency. PMID:21149685

Biomedical potential of silver nanoparticles synthesized from calli cells of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.

PubMed

Satyavani, K; Gurudeeban, S; Ramanathan, T; Balasubramanian, T

2011-09-26

An increasingly common application is the use of silver nanoparticles for antimicrobial coatings, wound dressings, and biomedical devices. In this present investigation, we report, biomedical potential of silver nanopaticles synthesized from calli extract of Citrullus colocynthis on Human epidermoid larynx carcinoma (HEp -2) cell line. The callus extract react with silver nitrate solution confirmed silver nanoparticles synthesis through the steady change of greenish colour to reddish brown and characterized by using FT-IR, AFM. Toxicity on HEp 2 cell line assessed using MTT assay, caspase -3 assay, Lactate dehydrogenase leakage assay and DNA fragmentation assay. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were generally found to be spherical in shape with size 31 nm by AFM. The molar concentration of the silver nanoparticles solution in our present study is 1100 nM/10 mL. The results exhibit that silver nanoparticles mediate a dose-dependent toxicity for the cell tested, and the silver nanoparticles at 500 nM decreased the viability of HEp 2 cells to 50% of the initial level. LDH activities found to be significantly elevated after 48 h of exposure in the medium containing silver nanoparticles when compared to the control and Caspase 3 activation suggested that silver nanoparticles caused cell death through apoptosis, which was further supported by cellular DNA fragmentation, showed that the silver nanoparticles treated HEp2 cells exhibited extensive double strand breaks, thereby yielding a ladder appearance (Lane 2), while the DNA of control HEp2 cells supplemented with 10% serum exhibited minimum breakage (Lane 1). This study revealed completely would eliminate the use of expensive drug for cancer treatment.

Withaferin-A induces apoptosis in osteosarcoma U2OS cell line via generation of ROS and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential.

PubMed

Li, A-X; Sun, M; Li, X

2017-03-01

Withaferin-A (WF-A) is a well-known dietary compound isolated from Withania somnifera. It has marked pharmacological potential and has been shown to exhibit antiproliferative activity against several types of cancerous cells. Currently, the main focus of anti-cancer therapeutic development is to identify apoptosis-inducing drug-like molecules. Osteosarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer affecting humans. The objective of the present study was therefore to evaluate the antitumor potential of WF-A against several osteosarcoma cell lines. MTT assay was used to evaluate WF-A against osteosarcoma cell lines and to calculate the IC50. DAPI staining was used to confirm the apoptosis-inducing potential of WF-A. Mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and Western blotting were used to confirm the basis of apoptosis. The results of the present study revealed that WF-A exhibited strong antiproliferative activity against all the cells lines, with IC50 ranging from 0.32 to 7.6 µM. The lowest IC50 (0.32 µM) was observed against U2OS cell line and, therefore, it was selected for further analysis. DAPI staining indicated that WF-A exhibited antiproliferative activity via induction of apoptosis. Moreover, WF-A induced a ROS-mediated reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential in a dose-dependent manner and activation of caspase-3 in osteosarcoma cells. We suggest that WF-A may prove a potent therapeutic agent for inducing apoptosis in osteosarcoma cell lines via generation of ROS and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential.

Photoinduced electron transfer from semiconductor quantum dots to metal oxide nanoparticles.

PubMed

Tvrdy, Kevin; Frantsuzov, Pavel A; Kamat, Prashant V

2011-01-04

Quantum dot-metal oxide junctions are an integral part of next-generation solar cells, light emitting diodes, and nanostructured electronic arrays. Here we present a comprehensive examination of electron transfer at these junctions, using a series of CdSe quantum dot donors (sizes 2.8, 3.3, 4.0, and 4.2 nm in diameter) and metal oxide nanoparticle acceptors (SnO(2), TiO(2), and ZnO). Apparent electron transfer rate constants showed strong dependence on change in system free energy, exhibiting a sharp rise at small driving forces followed by a modest rise further away from the characteristic reorganization energy. The observed trend mimics the predicted behavior of electron transfer from a single quantum state to a continuum of electron accepting states, such as those present in the conduction band of a metal oxide nanoparticle. In contrast with dye-sensitized metal oxide electron transfer studies, our systems did not exhibit unthermalized hot-electron injection due to relatively large ratios of electron cooling rate to electron transfer rate. To investigate the implications of these findings in photovoltaic cells, quantum dot-metal oxide working electrodes were constructed in an identical fashion to the films used for the electron transfer portion of the study. Interestingly, the films which exhibited the fastest electron transfer rates (SnO(2)) were not the same as those which showed the highest photocurrent (TiO(2)). These findings suggest that, in addition to electron transfer at the quantum dot-metal oxide interface, other electron transfer reactions play key roles in the determination of overall device efficiency.

Influence of levels of information as presented by different technologies on students' understanding of acid, base, and ph concepts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakhleh, Mary B.; Krajcik, Joseph S.

We investigated how different levels of information presented by various technologies affected secondary students' understanding of acid, base, and pH concepts. Secondary students who were selected for the study had just completed their study of acid-base chemistry. No attempt was made to provide further instruction. We analyzed changes in the understanding of individual students by constructing concept maps from the propositions that the students used in interviews conducted before and after a series of acid-base titrations. After the initial interview, students were divided into three groups. Within each group, students individually performed the same set of titrations using different technologies: chemical indicators, pH meters, and microcomputer-based laboratories (MBL). After the titrations were completed, all students were interviewed again. We found that students using MBL exhibited a larger positive shift in their concept map scores, which indicates a greater differentiation and integration of their knowledge of acids and bases. The chemical indicator students exhibited a more moderate positive shift in their concept map scores, and the pH meter students exhibited a smaller positive shift. We also found that the MBL students constructed more inappropriate links in their concept maps than the chemical indicator or pH meter students. However, we speculate that this increased number of inappropriate links indicates a high level of involvement with the technology. We therefore argue that the level of information offered by the technology affected students' understanding of the chemical concepts.Received: 24 February 1993; Revised: 21 February 1994;

Experimental study of the dynamics of a ruby laser pumped by a CW argon-ion laser

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Afzal, R. S.; Lin, W. P.; Lawandy, N. M.

1989-01-01

A study of the dynamics of a ruby laser pumped by a CW argon-ion laser is presented. The ruby laser is predominantly stable but has two accessible unstable states. One state exhibits chaotic output, while the other results in regular self-pulsing. The conditions needed for instability are discussed and homodyne spectra and temporal maps of the phase-space attractors are obtained. In addition, a numerical simulation of nonlinear beam propagation in ruby is presented that shows that strong deviations from plane-wave behavior exist, and that transverse effects must be incorporated into theoretical models of the instability.

The serpentine optical waveguide: engineering the dispersion relations and the stopped light points.

PubMed

Scheuer, Jacob; Weiss, Ori

2011-06-06

We present a study a new type of optical slow-light structure comprising a serpentine shaped waveguide were the loops are coupled. The dispersion relation, group velocity and GVD are studied analytically using a transfer matrix method and numerically using finite difference time domain simulations. The structure exhibits zero group velocity points at the ends of the Brillouin zone, but also within the zone. The position of mid-zone zero group velocity point can be tuned by modifying the coupling coefficient between adjacent loops. Closed-form analytic expressions for the dispersion relations, group velocity and the mid-zone zero v(g) points are found and presented.

Comparative study of biodegradability prediction of chemicals using decision trees, functional trees, and logistic regression.

PubMed

Chen, Guangchao; Li, Xuehua; Chen, Jingwen; Zhang, Ya-Nan; Peijnenburg, Willie J G M

2014-12-01

Biodegradation is the principal environmental dissipation process of chemicals. As such, it is a dominant factor determining the persistence and fate of organic chemicals in the environment, and is therefore of critical importance to chemical management and regulation. In the present study, the authors developed in silico methods assessing biodegradability based on a large heterogeneous set of 825 organic compounds, using the techniques of the C4.5 decision tree, the functional inner regression tree, and logistic regression. External validation was subsequently carried out by 2 independent test sets of 777 and 27 chemicals. As a result, the functional inner regression tree exhibited the best predictability with predictive accuracies of 81.5% and 81.0%, respectively, on the training set (825 chemicals) and test set I (777 chemicals). Performance of the developed models on the 2 test sets was subsequently compared with that of the Estimation Program Interface (EPI) Suite Biowin 5 and Biowin 6 models, which also showed a better predictability of the functional inner regression tree model. The model built in the present study exhibits a reasonable predictability compared with existing models while possessing a transparent algorithm. Interpretation of the mechanisms of biodegradation was also carried out based on the models developed. © 2014 SETAC.

5-Nitroimidazole-derived Schiff bases and their copper(II) complexes exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against pathogenic anaerobic bacteria.

PubMed

Oliveira, Alexandre A; Oliveira, Ana P A; Franco, Lucas L; Ferencs, Micael O; Ferreira, João F G; Bachi, Sofia M P S; Speziali, Nivaldo L; Farias, Luiz M; Magalhães, Paula P; Beraldo, Heloisa

2018-05-07

In the present work a family of novel secnidazole-derived Schiff base compounds and their copper(II) complexes were synthesized. The antimicrobial activities of the compounds were evaluated against clinically important anaerobic bacterial strains. The compounds exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity against Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, Bacteroides vulgatus, Bacteroides ovatus, Parabacteroides distasonis and Fusubacterium nucleatum pathogenic anaerobic bacteria. Upon coordination to copper(II) the antibacterial activity significantly increased in several cases. Some derivatives were even more active than the antimicrobial drugs secnidazole and metronidazole. Therefore, the compounds under study are suitable for in vivo evaluation and the microorganisms should be classified as susceptible to them. Electrochemical studies on the reduction of the nitro group revealed that the compounds show comparable reduction potentials, which are in the same range of the bio-reducible drugs secnidazole and benznidazole. The nitro group reduction potential is more favorable for the copper(II) complexes than for the starting ligands. Hence, the antimicrobial activities of the compounds under study might in part be related to intracellular bio-reduction activation. Considering the increasing resistance rates of anaerobic bacteria against a wide range of antimicrobial drugs, the present work constitutes an important contribution to the development of new antibacterial drug candidates.

Chromosomal Mapping of Repetitive DNA Sequences in the Genus Bryconamericus (Characidae) and DNA Barcoding to Differentiate Populations.

PubMed

Santos, Angélica Rossotti Dos; Usso, Mariana Campaner; Gouveia, Juceli Gonzalez; Araya-Jaime, Cristian; Frantine-Silva, Wilson; Giuliano-Caetano, Lucia; Foresti, Fausto; Dias, Ana Lúcia

2017-06-01

The mapping of repetitive DNA sites by fluorescence in situ hybridization has been widely used for karyotype studies in different species of fish, especially when dealing with related species or even genera presenting high chromosome variability. This study analyzed three populations of Bryconamericus, with diploid number preserved, but with different karyotype formulae. Bryconamericus ecai, from the Forquetinha river/RS, presented three new cytotypes, increasing the number of karyotype forms to seven in this population. Other two populations of Bryconamericus sp. from the Vermelho stream/PR and Cambuta river/PR exhibited interpopulation variation. The chromosome mapping of rDNA sites revealed unique markings among the three populations, showing inter- and intrapopulation variability located in the terminal region. The molecular analysis using DNA barcoding complementing the cytogenetic analysis also showed differentiation among the three populations. The U2 small nuclear DNA repetitive sequence exhibited conserved features, being located in the interstitial region of a single chromosome pair. This is the first report on its occurrence in the genus Bryconamericus. Data obtained revealed a karyotype variability already assigned to the genus, along with polymorphism of ribosomal sites, demonstrating that this group of fish can be undergoing a divergent evolutionary process, constituting a substantive model for studies of chromosomal evolution.

The association of psychiatric disorders and HIV infection in the correctional setting.

PubMed

Baillargeon, Jacques; Ducate, Suzanne; Pulvino, John; Bradshaw, Patrick; Murray, Owen; Olvera, Rene

2003-10-01

Psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression, have been associated with both HIV-associated risk behaviors and HIV infection. While the US prison population is reported to exhibit elevated rates of HIV/AIDS and most psychiatric disorders, scarce information currently exists on the association of these conditions in the prison setting. The present study examined the association of six major psychiatric disorders with HIV infection in one of the nation's largest prison populations. The study population consisted of 336,668 Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmates who were incarcerated for any duration between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2001. Information on medical conditions and sociodemographic factors was obtained from an institution-wide medical information system. Inmates diagnosed with HIV infection exhibited elevated rates of major depression, dysthymia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and non-schizophrenic psychotic disorder. These rates persisted in stratified analyses and in a multivariate analysis that statistically adjusted for gender, race, and age category. The present cross-sectional study's finding of a positive association between HIV infection and psychiatric diagnoses among inmates holds both clinical and public health relevance. It will be important for future investigations to prospectively assess the underlying mechanisms of these associations in the correctional setting.

Science Exhibitions Promote College and Community Interaction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stout, Dorothy LaLonde

1991-01-01

Science exhibitions presented by college students at local elementary schools foster goodwill in the community; give college students an opportunity to share their science as role models; provide elementary school children with a positive, enjoyable approach to science; and can be organized rather easily following guidelines that outline…

Proceedings of the Second Annual NASA Science Internet User Working Group Conference

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jackson, Lenore A. (Editor); Gary, J. Patrick (Editor)

1991-01-01

Copies of the agenda, list of attendees, meeting summaries, and all presentations and exhibit material are contained. Included are plenary sessions, exhibits of advanced networking applications, and user subgroup meetings on NASA Science Internet policy, networking, security, and user services and applications topics.

Eternal Egypt: Masterworks of Ancient Art from the British Museum. Learning from Exhibitions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Mark M.

2001-01-01

Introduces the exhibition "Eternal Egypt: Masterworks of Ancient Art from the British Museum" that explores the four major periods of Egyptian history. Provides background information on ancient Egypt and describes the art that was present in each of the four kingdoms. (CMK)

Subliminal Processing of Smoking-Related and Affective Stimuli in Tobacco Addiction

PubMed Central

Leventhal, Adam M.; Waters, Andrew J.; Breitmeyer, Bruno G.; Tapia, Evelina; Miller, Elizabeth; Li, Yisheng

2009-01-01

Cognitive processing biases toward smoking-related and affective cues may play a role in tobacco dependence. Because processing biases may occur outside conscious awareness, the current study examined processing of smoking-related and affective stimuli presented at subliminal conditions. A pictorial subliminal repetition priming task was administered to three groups: (1) Nonsmokers (n = 56); (2) Smokers (≥10 cigarettes/day) who had been deprived from smoking for 12 h (n = 47); and (3) Nondeprived smokers (n = 66). Prime stimuli were presented briefly (17 ms) and were followed by a mask (to render them unavailable to conscious awareness) and then a target. Participants were required to make a speeded classification to the target. A posttask awareness check was administered to ensure that participants could not consciously perceive the briefly presented primes (i.e., smoking paraphernalia, neutral office supplies, and happy, angry, and neutral facial expressions). The groups differed in the degree to which they exhibited a processing bias for smoking-related stimuli, F(2, 166) = 4.99, p = .008. Deprived smokers exhibited a bias toward processing smoking (vs. neutral office supply) stimuli, F(1, 46) = 5.67, p = .02, whereas nondeprived smokers and nonsmokers did not (ps > .22). The three groups did not differ in the degree to which they exhibited a subliminal processing bias for affective stimuli. Tobacco deprivation appears to increase smokers’ subliminal processing of smoking-related (vs. neutral) stimuli but does not influence subliminal processing of affective stimuli. Future research should investigate whether subliminal biases toward smoking-related stimuli influence relapse. PMID:18729684

Subliminal processing of smoking-related and affective stimuli in tobacco addiction.

PubMed

Leventhal, Adam M; Waters, Andrew J; Breitmeyer, Bruno G; Miller, Elizabeth K; Tapia, Evelina; Li, Yisheng

2008-08-01

Cognitive processing biases toward smoking-related and affective cues may play a role in tobacco dependence. Because processing biases may occur outside conscious awareness, the current study examined processing of smoking-related and affective stimuli presented at subliminal conditions. A pictorial subliminal repetition priming task was administered to three groups: (1) Nonsmokers (n = 56); (2) Smokers (> or =10 cigarettes/day) who had been deprived from smoking for 12 h (n = 47); and (3) Nondeprived smokers (n = 66). Prime stimuli were presented briefly (17 ms) and were followed by a mask (to render them unavailable to conscious awareness) and then a target. Participants were required to make a speeded classification to the target. A posttask awareness check was administered to ensure that participants could not consciously perceive the briefly presented primes (i.e., smoking paraphernalia, neutral office supplies, and happy, angry, and neutral facial expressions). The groups differed in the degree to which they exhibited a processing bias for smoking-related stimuli, F(2, 166) = 4.99, p = .008. Deprived smokers exhibited a bias toward processing smoking (vs. neutral office supply) stimuli, F(1, 46) = 5.67, p = .02, whereas nondeprived smokers and nonsmokers did not (ps > .22). The three groups did not differ in the degree to which they exhibited a subliminal processing bias for affective stimuli. Tobacco deprivation appears to increase smokers' subliminal processing of smoking-related (vs. neutral) stimuli but does not influence subliminal processing of affective stimuli. Future research should investigate whether subliminal biases toward smoking-related stimuli influence relapse.

Volumetric study in the development of paranasal sinuses by CT imaging in Asian: a pilot study.

PubMed

Park, Il-Ho; Song, Jong Seok; Choi, Hyuk; Kim, Tae Hoon; Hoon, Seung; Lee, Sang Hag; Lee, Heung-Man

2010-12-01

The volume of the air cavities in the paranasal sinuses is not only the simplest, but also the most important index for paranasal sinus evaluation. However, few volumetric studies have been performed in all age groups. The purpose of the current study was to outline the normal development of paranasal sinuses in all age groups, and to determine normal adult volumetric values by means of computed tomographic (CT) scan of paranasal sinus using volumetric procedures. A prospective volumetric CT study was conducted with 260 patients (520 sides) <25 years of age by means of three-dimensional reconstruction. The frontal sinuses began to pneumatize at 2 years of age, exhibited a faster growth pattern between 6 and 19 years of age, and the mean volume after full growth was 3.46±0.78 cm(3). The maxillary sinuses were pneumatized at birth in all cases, exhibited a monomodal growth pattern increasing until 15 years of age, and the mean volume after full growth was 14.83±1.36 cm(3). The floor of the sinus was the same level as the floor of the nasal cavity was between 7 and 15 years of age. The ethmoid sinuses exhibited a faster initial tendency to increase until 7 years of age, were completed by 15-16 years of age, and the mean volume after full growth was 4.51±0.92 cm(3). The sphenoid sinuses exhibited a growth spurt between 6 and 10 years of age, were completed by 15 years of age, and the mean volume after full growth was 3.47±0.93 cm(3). The results of this study are presented to provide the basis for an objective normal volume of sinus development and for studies involving diseases of the sinuses. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study (Exhibit D). Volume 6, part 1: Cost and Programmatics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1981-01-01

A summary of the cost data reviewed as well as conclusions and recommendations are presented. Cost and programmatic aspects of Rockwell's SPS CR-2 reference configuration were based on the results of several contracts with NASA and independent company-sponsored activities by the Space Operations and Satellite Systems Division of Rockwell International.

Assessment of the Knowledge of the Decimal Number System Exhibited by Students with Down Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noda, Aurelia; Bruno, Alicia

2017-01-01

This paper presents an assessment of the understanding of the decimal numeral system in students with Down Syndrome (DS). We followed a methodology based on a descriptive case study involving six students with DS. We used a framework of four constructs (counting, grouping, partitioning and numerical relationships) and five levels of thinking for…

Prekindergarten Children's Executive Functioning Skills and Achievement Gains: The Utility of Direct Assessments and Teacher Ratings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fuhs, Mary Wagner; Farran, Dale Clark; Nesbitt, Kimberly Turner

2015-01-01

An accumulating body of evidence suggests that young children who exhibit greater executive functioning (EF) skills in early childhood also achieve more academically. The goal of the present study was to examine the unique contributions of direct assessments and teacher ratings of children's EF skills at the beginning of prekindergarten (pre-k) to…

Freezing of Gait in Parkinsonism and its Potential Drug Treatment.

PubMed

Zhang, Li-Li; Canning, S Duff; Wang, Xiao-Ping

2016-01-01

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a heterogeneous symptom. Studies of treatment for FOG are scarce. Levodopa and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (rasagiline and selegiline) have shown effective improvement for FOG. Other drugs, such as L-threo-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylserine, amantadine, and botulinum toxin have exhibited some beneficial effects. The present review summarizes the potential drug treatment for FOG in Parkinsonism.

Children's Use of Morphological Cues in Real-Time Event Representation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhou, Peng; Ma, Weiyi

2018-01-01

The present study investigated whether and how fast young children can use information encoded in morphological markers during real-time event representation. Using the visual world paradigm, we tested 35 adults, 34 5-year-olds and 33 3-year-olds. The results showed that the adults, the 5-year-olds and the 3-year-olds all exhibited eye gaze…

Harmonic Domains and Synchronization in Typically and Atypically Developing Hebrew-Speaking Children

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bat-El, Outi

2009-01-01

This paper presents a comparative study of typical and atypical consonant harmony (onset-onset place harmony), with emphasis on (i) the size of the harmonic domain, (ii) the position of the harmonic domain within the prosodic word, and (iii) the maximal size of the prosodic word that exhibits consonant harmony. The data, drawn from typically and…

The Pause That Refreshes: A Study of the Discovery Corners in the National Museum of History and Technology Smithsonian Institution.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolf, Robert L.; Tymitz, Barbara L.

This report examines the impact and effectiveness of an educational program (Discovery Corners) offered by the National Museum of History and Technology. The main objective is to offer feedback to museum personnel regarding the impact of museum exhibits and programs. The Discovery Corners program involves on-site presentations and demonstrations…

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study, exhibit C. Volume 2, part 2: System engineering, cost and programmatics, appendixes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1979-01-01

Appendixes for Volume 2 (Part 2) of a seven volume Satellite (SPS) report are presented. The document contains two appendixes. The first is a SPS work breakdown structure dictionary. The second gives SPS cost estimating relationships and contains the cost analyses and a description of cost elements that comprise the SPS program.

Evaluating the Link between Self-Esteem and Temperament in Mexican Origin Early Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robins, Richard W.; Donnellan, M. Brent; Widaman, Keith F.; Conger, Rand D.

2010-01-01

The present study examined the relation between self-esteem and temperament in a sample of 646 Mexican-American early adolescents (mean age = 10.4). Findings show that (a) early adolescents with high self-esteem exhibit higher levels of Effortful Control but, contrary to findings in adult samples, do not differ from low self-esteem adolescents in…

Probing the Nature of Deficits in the "Approximate Number System" in Children with Persistent Developmental Dyscalculia

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bugden, Stephanie; Ansari, Daniel

2016-01-01

In the present study we examined whether children with Developmental Dyscalculia (DD) exhibit a deficit in the so-called "Approximate Number System" (ANS). To do so, we examined a group of elementary school children who demonstrated persistent low math achievement over 4 years and compared them to typically developing (TD), aged-matched…

Freezing of Gait in Parkinsonism and its Potential Drug Treatment

PubMed Central

Zhang, Li-Li; Canning, S. Duff; Wang, Xiao-Ping

2016-01-01

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a heterogeneous symptom. Studies of treatment for FOG are scarce. Levodopa and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (rasagiline and selegiline) have shown effective improvement for FOG. Other drugs, such as L-threo-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylserine, amantadine, and botulinum toxin have exhibited some beneficial effects. The present review summarizes the potential drug treatment for FOG in Parkinsonism. PMID:26635194

Measuring Zoo Visitor Learning and Understanding about Orangutans: Evaluation to Enhance Learning Outcomes and to Foster Conservation Action

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pearson, Elissa L.; Dorrian, Jillian; Litchfield, Carla A.

2013-01-01

Despite the endangered status of the orangutan, very little research has sought to understand what people know about this species or the conservation challenges they face. As zoos are well placed to influence such understandings, the present study sought to explore knowledge following a visit to orangutan exhibits at three Australian zoos…

Noun and Verb Production in Maternal and Child Language: Continuity, Stability, and Prediction across the Second Year of Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Longobardi, Emiddia; Spataro, Pietro; Putnick, Diane L.; Bornstein, Marc H.

2016-01-01

The present study examined continuity/discontinuity and stability/instability of noun and verb production measures in 30 child-mother dyads observed at 16 and 20 months, and predictive relations with the acquisition of nouns and verbs at 24 months. Children exhibited significant discontinuity and robust stability in the frequency of nouns and…

The Influence of an Interactive Educational Approach on Visitors' Learning in a Swiss Zoo

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lindemann-Matthies, Petra; Kamer, Tobias

2005-01-01

A new but costly approach to providing visitors of zoos with information on conservation is the presentation of small exhibits by zoo professionals or volunteers. At these "touch tables" visitors can find out about the biology, ecology, and conservation of animals kept in the zoo. We studied the effect of a touch table on visitors'…

Using Individualized Reinforcers and Hierarchical Exposure to Increase Food Flexibility in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koegel, Robert L.; Bharoocha, Amber A.; Ribnick, Courtney B.; Ribnick, Ryan C.; Bucio, Mario O.; Fredeen, Rosy M.; Koegel, Lynn Kern

2012-01-01

Inflexibility is a major characteristic of autism. In the present study we addressed inflexible mealtime behaviors and collected longitudinal data across 48 foods for 3 children, ages 6.4-7.8 years, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, for up to 22 weeks. Participants exhibited severe challenges with adherence to an extremely restricted…

Amnesic H.M. Exhibits Parallel Deficits and Sparing in Language and Memory: Systems versus Binding Theory Accounts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacKay, Donald G.; James, Lori E.; Taylor, Jennifer K.; Marian, Diane E.

2007-01-01

This study examines sentence-level language abilities of amnesic H.M. to test competing theoretical conceptions of relations between language and memory. We present 11 new sources of experimental evidence indicating deficits in H.M's comprehension and production of non-cliche sentences. Contrary to recent claims that H.M.'s comprehension is…

Flavonoid content in ethanolic extracts of selected raw and traditionally processed indigenous foods consumed by vulnerable groups of Kenya: antioxidant and type II diabetes-related functional properties.

PubMed

Kunyanga, Catherine N; Imungi, Jasper K; Okoth, Michael W; Biesalski, Hans K; Vadivel, Vellingiri

2011-08-01

The present study evaluated the flavonoid content, antioxidant as well as type II diabetes-related enzyme inhibition activities of ethanolic extract of certain raw and traditionally processed indigenous food ingredients including cereals, legumes, oil seeds, tubers, vegetables and leafy vegetables, which are commonly consumed by vulnerable groups in Kenya. The vegetables exhibited higher flavonoid content (50-703 mg/100 g) when compared with the grains (47-343 mg/100 g). The ethanolic extract of presently studied food ingredients revealed 33-93% DPPH radical scavenging capacity, 486-6,389 mmol Fe(II)/g reducing power, 19-43% α-amylase inhibition activity and 14-68% α-glucosidase inhibition activity. Among the different food-stuffs, the drumstick and amaranth leaves exhibited significantly higher flavonoid content with excellent functional properties. Roasting of grains and cooking of vegetables were found to be suitable processing methods in preserving the functional properties. Hence, such viable processing techniques for respective food samples will be considered in the formulation of functional supplementary foods for vulnerable groups in Kenya.

Electrochemical behavior and pH stability of artificial salivas for corrosion tests.

PubMed

Queiroz, Gláucia Maria Oliveira de; Silva, Leandro Freitas; Ferreira, José Tarcísio Lima; Gomes, José Antônio da Cunha P; Sathler, Lúcio

2007-01-01

It is assumed that the compositions of artificial salivas are similar to that of human saliva. However, the use of solutions with different compositions in in vitro corrosion studies can lead dissimilar electrolytes to exhibit dissimilar corrosivity and electrochemical stability. This study evaluated four artificial salivas as regards pH stability with time, redox potentials and the polarization response of an inert platinum electrode. The tested solutions were: SAGF medium, Mondelli artificial saliva, UFRJ artificial saliva (prepared at the School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil) and USP-RP artificial saliva (prepared at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil). It was observed that pH variations were less than 1 unit during a 50-hour test. The SAGF medium, and the UFRJ and USP-RP solutions exhibited more oxidizing characteristics, whereas the Mondelli solution presented reducing properties. Anodic polarization revealed oxidation of the evaluated electrolytes at potentials below +600 mV SCE. It was observed that the UFRJ and USP-RP solutions presented more intense oxidation and reduction processes as compared to the Mondelli and SAGF solutions.

Parametric investigation of scalable tactile sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saadatzi, Mohammad Nasser; Yang, Zhong; Baptist, Joshua R.; Sahasrabuddhe, Ritvij R.; Wijayasinghe, Indika B.; Popa, Dan O.

2017-05-01

In the near future, robots and humans will share the same environment and perform tasks cooperatively. For intuitive, safe, and reliable physical human-robot interaction (pHRI), sensorized robot skins for tactile measurements of contact are necessary. In a previous study, we presented skins consisting of strain gauge arrays encased in silicone encapsulants. Although these structures could measure normal forces applied directly onto the sensing elements, they also exhibited blind spots and response asymmetry to certain loading patterns. This study presents a parametric investigation of piezoresistive polymeric strain gauge that exhibits a symmetric omniaxial response thanks to its novel star-shaped structure. This strain gauge relies on the use of gold micro-patterned star-shaped structures with a thin layer of PEDOT:PSS which is a flexible polymer with piezoresistive properties. In this paper, the sensor is first modeled and comprehensively analyzed in the finite-element simulation environment COMSOL. Simulations include stress-strain loading for a variety of structure parameters such as gauge lengths, widths, and spacing, as well as multiple load locations relative to the gauge. Subsequently, sensors with optimized configurations obtained through simulations were fabricated using cleanroom photolithographic and spin-coating processes, and then experimentally tested. Results show a trend-wise agreement between experiments and simulations.

Aspergillus in liquid-based cervicovaginal cytology in a postmenopausal patient: A case report.

PubMed

Garza-Guajardo, Raquel; Canales-Martínez, Luis Carlos; Rodríguez-Sánchez, Irám Pablo; Sánchez-Chaparro, María Marisela; Gómez-Macías, Gabriela Sofía; Vilches-Cisneros, Natalia; Barboza-Quintana, Oralia

2017-10-01

Aspergillus is an opportunistic fungus present in humid environments, whose natural environment is in soil, hay and compost. It is a frequent contaminant in the clinical laboratory. Because of this, the fungus is often inhaled, affecting those with an underlying pulmonary disease or immune deficiency. Fungal genitourinary tract infections are relatively common. A rare Aspergillus spp cervical infection diagnosed via liquid-based cytology is presented in the current study. The 57-year-old woman attended her annual check-up without any relevant medical history. The result of a gynecological examination by Papanicolaou smear was normal and routine liquid-based cytology was performed. The specimen exhibited fungal organisms characterized by septate hyphae branching at acute angles, most consistent with the Aspergillus species. Subsequent cytology demonstrated the same results. Antifungal treatment was initiated and a second post-treatment smear only exhibited atrophy. The cytomorphological features of Aspergillus spp. are discussed in the current study and a brief review of the few reported cases of a primary cervical infection in the literature is provided. In addition, the liquid-based cytology was established as a tool to diagnose the rare Aspergillus infection.

Photoprotective Potential of Penta-O-Galloyl-β-DGlucose by Targeting NF-κB and MAPK Signaling in UVB Radiation-Induced Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Mouse Skin.

PubMed

Kim, Byung-Hak; Choi, Mi Sun; Lee, Hyun Gyu; Lee, Song-Hee; Noh, Kum Hee; Kwon, Sunho; Jeong, Ae Jin; Lee, Haeri; Yi, Eun Hee; Park, Jung Youl; Lee, Jintae; Joo, Eun Young; Ye, Sang-Kyu

2015-11-01

Exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation can cause skin damage with various pathological changes including inflammation. In the present study, we identified the skin-protective activity of 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (pentagalloyl glucose, PGG) in ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation-induced human dermal fibroblasts and mouse skin. PGG exhibited antioxidant activity with regard to intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation as well as ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) scavenging. Furthermore, PGG exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, resulting in inhibition of the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Topical application of PGG followed by chronic exposure to UVB radiation in the dorsal skin of hairless mice resulted in a significant decrease in the progression of inflammatory skin damages, leading to inhibited activation of NF-κB signaling and expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. The present study demonstrated that PGG protected from skin damage induced by UVB radiation, and thus, may be a potential candidate for the prevention of environmental stimuli-induced inflammatory skin damage.

Ex vivo regenerative effects of a spring water.

PubMed

Nicoletti, Giovanni; Saler, Marco; Pellegatta, Tommaso; Tresoldi, Marco Mario; Bonfanti, Viola; Malovini, Alberto; Faga, Angela; Riva, Federica

2017-12-01

Previous experiments by our group have indicated the regenerative effects of a spring water (Comano), which was possibly associated with the native non-pathogenic bacterial flora. The present study aimed to confirm these regenerative properties in a human ex vivo experimental model in the context of physiological wound healing. Human 6-mm punch skin biopsies harvested during plastic surgery sessions were injured in their central portion to induce skin loss and were cultured in either conventional medium (controls) or medium powder reconstituted with filtered Comano spring water (treated samples). At 24, 48 and 72 h the specimens were observed following staining with hematoxylin and eosin, Picrosirius Red, orcein and anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Compared with the controls, the treated samples exhibited reduced overall cell infiltration, evidence of fibroblasts, stimulation of cell proliferation and collagen and elastic fiber regeneration. In the spring water, in addition to 12 resident non-pathogenic bacterial strains exhibiting favorable metabolic activities, more unknown non-pathogenic species are being identified by genomic analysis. In the present study, the efficacy of this 'germ-free', filtered spring water in wound regeneration was indicated. Thus, the Comano spring water microbiota should be acknowledged for its regenerative properties.

Screening for bioactivity of Mutinus elegans extracts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gajendiran, A.; Cyriac, RE; Abraham, J.

2017-11-01

Mutinus elegans is a species of fungi that is commonly called as Elegant Stinkhorn. The aim of this study was to screen the crude extracts of the fungus for phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant assay and anticancer activity. Extraction of the fungal sample in Soxhlet apparatus was done with n-hexane and methanol as the solvent. Stock solutions of the crude methanol extract were prepared and used for microbiological assay. Thin layer chromatography was performed in order to determine the number of active components in n-hexane, and methanol solvent system for the fungus Mutinus elegans. Further, antioxidant assay was performed using DPPH radical scavenging assay. The fungal sample was then tested for cytotoxicity assay against MG63 osteosarcoma cell lines. The antimicrobial assay of Mutinus elegans extract exhibited activity against five pathogens. The zone of inhibition was measured with respect to standard antibiotics. Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry (GC/MS analysis), revealed the presence of dibromo-tetradecan-1-ol-acetate, 2-myristynoyl-glycinamide, fumaric acid, and cyclohexylmethyldecyl ester compounds were presented in methanol and n-hexane extract of Mutinus elegans. The present study concludes the presence of bioactive compound in the extract which exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in Mutinus elegans.

Genetic Structure of First Nation Communities in the Pacific Northwest.

PubMed

Hughes, Cris E; Rogers, Mary P; Owings, Amanda C; Petzelt, Barbara; Mitchell, Joycelynn; Harry, Harold; Williams, Theresa; Goldberg, Dena; Labuda, Damian; Smith, David Glenn; Cybulski, Jerome S; Malhi, Ripan S

2016-10-01

This study presents genetic data for nine Native American populations from northern North America. Analyses of genetic variation focus on the Pacific Northwest (PNW). Using mitochondrial, Y chromosomal, and autosomal DNA variants, we aimed to more closely address the relationships of geography and language with present genetic diversity among the regional PNW Native American populations. Patterns of genetic diversity exhibited by the three genetic systems were consistent with our hypotheses: genetic variation was more strongly explained by geographic proximity than by linguistic structure. Our findings were corroborated through a variety on analytic approaches, with the unrooted trees for the three genetic systems consistently separating inland from coastal PNW populations. Furthermore, analyses of molecular variance support the trends exhibited by the unrooted trees, with geographic partitioning of PNW populations (F CT = 19.43%, p = 0.010 ± 0.009) accounting for over twice as much of the observed genetic variation as linguistic partitioning of the same populations (F CT = 9.15%, p = 0.193 ± 0.013). These findings demonstrate a consensus with previous PNW population studies examining the relationships of genome-wide variation, mitochondrial haplogroup frequencies, and skeletal morphology with geography and language.

Conditional abrogation of Atm in osteoclasts extends osteoclast lifespan and results in reduced bone mass.

PubMed

Hirozane, Toru; Tohmonda, Takahide; Yoda, Masaki; Shimoda, Masayuki; Kanai, Yae; Matsumoto, Morio; Morioka, Hideo; Nakamura, Masaya; Horiuchi, Keisuke

2016-09-28

Ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase is a central component involved in the signal transduction of the DNA damage response (DDR) and thus plays a critical role in the maintenance of genomic integrity. Although the primary functions of ATM are associated with the DDR, emerging data suggest that ATM has many additional roles that are not directly related to the DDR, including the regulation of oxidative stress signaling, insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial homeostasis, and lymphocyte development. Patients and mice lacking ATM exhibit growth retardation and lower bone mass; however, the mechanisms underlying the skeletal defects are not fully understood. In the present study, we generated mutant mice in which ATM is specifically inactivated in osteoclasts. The mutant mice did not exhibit apparent developmental defects but showed reduced bone mass due to increased osteoclastic bone resorption. Osteoclasts lacking ATM were more resistant to apoptosis and showed a prolonged lifespan compared to the controls. Notably, the inactivation of ATM in osteoclasts resulted in enhanced NF-κB signaling and an increase in the expression of NF-κB-targeted genes. The present study reveals a novel function for ATM in regulating bone metabolism by suppressing the lifespan of osteoclasts and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.

Arabidopsis thaliana telomeres exhibit euchromatic features

PubMed Central

Vaquero-Sedas, María I.; Gámez-Arjona, Francisco M.; Vega-Palas, Miguel A.

2011-01-01

Telomere function is influenced by chromatin structure and organization, which usually involves epigenetic modifications. We describe here the chromatin structure of Arabidopsis thaliana telomeres. Based on the study of six different epigenetic marks we show that Arabidopsis telomeres exhibit euchromatic features. In contrast, subtelomeric regions and telomeric sequences present at interstitial chromosomal loci are heterochromatic. Histone methyltransferases and the chromatin remodeling protein DDM1 control subtelomeric heterochromatin formation. Whereas histone methyltransferases are required for histone H3K92Me and non-CpG DNA methylation, DDM1 directs CpG methylation but not H3K92Me or non-CpG methylation. These results argue that both kinds of proteins participate in different pathways to reinforce subtelomeric heterochromatin formation. PMID:21071395

Theory of mind through the ages: older and middle-aged adults exhibit more errors than do younger adults on a continuous false belief task.

PubMed

Bernstein, Daniel M; Thornton, Wendy Loken; Sommerville, Jessica A

2011-10-01

Theory of mind (ToM), or the ability to understand mental states, is a fundamental aspect of social cognition. Previous research has documented marked advances in ToM in preschoolers, and declines in ToM in older-aged adults. In the present study, younger (n=37), middle-aged (n=20), and older (n=37) adults completed a continuous false belief task measuring ToM. Middle-aged and older adults exhibited more false belief bias than did younger adults, irrespective of language ability, executive function, processing speed, and memory. The authors conclude that ToM declines from younger to older adulthood, independent of age-related changes to domain-general cognitive functioning.

Sibling Relationships: Parent-Child Agreement and Contributions of Siblings With and Without ASD.

PubMed

Braconnier, Megan L; Coffman, Marika C; Kelso, Nicole; Wolf, Julie M

2018-05-01

Research on the experiences of siblings of individuals with ASD and the quality of their sibling relationships has yielded mixed results. The present study examined the significance of parent- versus child-report of both positive and negative behaviors exhibited by siblings and their brothers and sisters with ASD within sibling dyads. Findings indicated that siblings were more positive in their assessment of the sibling relationship than were their parents. Siblings exhibited more positive behaviors within the sibling relationship than did their brothers and sisters with ASD, and were recipients of aggression. These findings are consistent with prior research suggesting that siblings tend to take on a caretaking role, and point to important targets for intervention.

Nonlinear optics of astaxanthin thin films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esser, A.; Fisch, Herbert; Haas, Karl-Heinz; Haedicke, E.; Paust, J.; Schrof, Wolfgang; Ticktin, Anton

1993-02-01

Carotinoids exhibit large nonlinear optical properties due to their extended (pi) -electron system. Compared to other polyenes which show a broad distribution of conjugation lengths, carotinoids exhibit a well defined molecular structure, i.e. a well defined conjugation length. Therefore the carotinoid molecules can serve as model compounds to study the relationship between structure and nonlinear optical properties. In this paper the synthesis of four astaxanthins with C-numbers ranging from 30 to 60, their preparation into thin films, wavelength dispersive Third Harmonic Generation (THG) measurements and some molecular modelling calculations will be presented. Resonant (chi) (3) values reach 1.2(DOT)10-10 esu for C60 astaxanthin. In the nonresonant regime a figure of merit (chi) (3)/(alpha) of several 10-13 esu-cm is demonstrated.

Deodorizing Substance in Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L.) Seed Oil.

PubMed

Nakasugi, Toru; Murakawa, Takushi; Shibuya, Koji; Morimoto, Masanori

2017-08-01

A deodorizing substance in black cumin (Nigella sativa L.), a spice for curry and vegetable foods in Southwest Asia, was examined. The essential oil prepared from the seeds of this plant exhibited strong deodorizing activity against methyl mercaptan, which is a main factor in oral malodor. After purification with silica gel column chromatography, the active substance in black cumin seed oil was identified as thymoquinone. This monoterpenic quinone functions as the main deodorizing substance in this oil against methyl mercaptan. Metabolite analysis suggested that the deodorizing activity may be generated by the addition of a reactive quinone molecule to methyl mercaptan. In the present study, the menthane-type quinone and phenol derivatives exhibited deodorizing activities via this mechanism.

GENDER ROLE AND PERSONALITY DISORDERS

PubMed Central

Klonsky, E. David; Jane, J. Serrita; Turkheimer, Eric; Oltmanns, Thomas F.

2015-01-01

Many researchers have hypothesized relationships between personality disorders and gender role (i.e., masculinity and femininity). However, research has not addressed if people who are masculine or feminine more often meet the criteria for personality disorders. The present study examined whether college students (N = 665, 60% women) higher in masculinity or femininity more often exhibited features of the 10 DSM-IV personality disorders. Feminine men exhibited more features of all the personality disorders except antisocial. Dependent traits were associated with higher femininity and lower masculinity. Antisocial traits were associated with masculinity. Both men and women who typically behaved consistent with their gender had more narcissistic and histrionic features, whereas participants who typically behaved unlike their gender had more features of the Cluster A personality disorders. PMID:12489312

Investigation of Kibble-Zurek Quench Dynamics in a Spin-1 Ferromagnetic BEC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anquez, Martin; Robbins, Bryce; Hoang, Thai; Yang, Xiaoyun; Land, Benjamin; Hamley, Christopher; Chapman, Michael

2014-05-01

We study the temporal evolution of spin populations in small spin-1 87Rb condensates following a slow quench. A ferromagnetic spin-1 BEC exhibits a second-order gapless (quantum) phase transition due to a competition between the magnetic and collisional spin interaction energies. The dynamics of slow quenches through the critical point are predicted to exhibit universal power-law scaling as a function of quench speed. In spatially extended condensates, these excitations are revealed as spatial spin domains. In small condensates, the excitations are manifest in the temporal evolution of the spin populations, illustrating a Kibble-Zurek type scaling. We will present the results of our investigation and compare them to full quantum simulations of the system.

Phase separation and large deviations of lattice active matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitelam, Stephen; Klymko, Katherine; Mandal, Dibyendu

2018-04-01

Off-lattice active Brownian particles form clusters and undergo phase separation even in the absence of attractions or velocity-alignment mechanisms. Arguments that explain this phenomenon appeal only to the ability of particles to move persistently in a direction that fluctuates, but existing lattice models of hard particles that account for this behavior do not exhibit phase separation. Here we present a lattice model of active matter that exhibits motility-induced phase separation in the absence of velocity alignment. Using direct and rare-event sampling of dynamical trajectories, we show that clustering and phase separation are accompanied by pronounced fluctuations of static and dynamic order parameters. This model provides a complement to off-lattice models for the study of motility-induced phase separation.

Buckling and Failure of Compression-Loaded Composite Laminated Shells With Cutouts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilburger, Mark W.

2007-01-01

Results from a numerical and experimental study that illustrate the effects of laminate orthotropy on the buckling and failure response of compression-loaded composite cylindrical shells with a cutout are presented. The effects of orthotropy on the overall response of compression-loaded shells is described. In general, preliminary numerical results appear to accurately predict the buckling and failure characteristics of the shell considered herein. In particular, some of the shells exhibit stable post-local-buckling behavior accompanied by interlaminar material failures near the free edges of the cutout. In contrast another shell with a different laminate stacking sequence appears to exhibit catastrophic interlaminar material failure at the onset of local buckling near the cutout and this behavior correlates well with corresponding experimental results.

Nonlinear optical measurements of conducting copolymers of aniline under CW laser excitation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pramodini, S.; Poornesh, P.

2015-08-01

Synthesis and measurements of third-order optical nonlinearity and optical limiting of conducting copolymers of aniline are presented. Single beam z-scan technique was employed for the nonlinear optical studies. Continuous wave He-Ne laser operating at 633 nm was used as the source of excitation. Copolymer samples exhibited reverse saturable absorption (RSA) process. The nonlinear refraction studies depict that the copolymers exhibit self-defocusing property. The estimated values of βeff, n2 and χ(3) were found to be of the order of 10-2 cm/W, 10-5 esu and 10-7 esu respectively. Self-diffraction rings were observed due to refractive index change when exposed to the laser beam. A good optical limiting and clamping of power of ∼0.9 mW and ∼0.05 mW was observed. Therefore, copolymers of aniline emerge as a potential candidate for photonic device applications.

Chronic stress, leukocyte subpopulations, and humoral response to latent viruses

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

McKinnon, W.; Weisse, C.S.; Reynolds, C.P.

1989-01-01

Psychological stress has been shown to affect immune system status and function, but most studies of this relationship have focused on acute stress and/or laboratory situations. The present study compared total numbers of leukocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations (determined by flow cytometry) and antibody titers to latent and nonlatent viruses among a group of chronically stressed individuals living near the damaged Three Mile Island (TMI) nuclear power plant with those of a demographically comparable control group. Urinary catecholamine and cortisol levels were also examined. Residents of the TMI area exhibited greater numbers of neutrophils, which were positively correlated with epinephrine levels.more » The TMI group also exhibited fewer B lymphocytes, T-suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes, and natural killer cells. Antibody titers to herpes simplex were significantly different across groups as well, whereas titers to nonlatent rubella virus as well as IgG and IgM levels were comparable.« less

Influence of a Brazilian sewage outfall on the toxicity and contamination of adjacent sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abessa, D.M.S.; Carr, R.S.; Rachid, B.R.F.; Sousa, E.C.P.M.; Hortelani, M.A.; Sarkis, J.E.

2005-01-01

The submarine sewage outfall of Santos (SSOS) is situated in the Santos Bay (São Paulo, Brazil) and is potentially a significant source of contaminants to the adjacent marine ecosystem. The present study aimed to assess the influence of SSOS on the sediment toxicity and contamination at Santos Bay. At the disposal site, sediments tended to be finer, organically richer and exhibited higher levels of surfactants and metals, sometimes exceeding the “Threshold Effect Level” values. The SSOS influence was more evident toward the East, where the sediments exhibited higher levels of TOC, total S and metals during the summer 2000 sampling campaign. Sediment toxicity to amphipods was consistently detected in four of the five stations studied. Amphipod survival tended to correlate negatively to Hg, total N and % mud. This work provides evidence that the SSOS discharge affects the quality of sediments from Santos Bay, and that control procedures are warranted.

Social and Non-Social Behavioral Inhibition in Preschool-Age Children: Differential Associations with Parent-Reports of Temperament and Anxiety

PubMed Central

Dyson, Margaret W.; Klein, Daniel N.; Olino, Thomas M.; Dougherty, Lea R.; Durbin, C. Emily

2012-01-01

Behavioral inhibition (BI) has generally been treated as a unitary construct and assessed by combining ratings of fear, vigilance, and avoidance to both novel social and non-social stimuli. However, there is evidence suggesting that BI in social contexts is not correlated with BI in non-social contexts. The present study examined the distinction between social and non-social BI in a community sample of 559 preschool-age children using a laboratory assessment of child temperament, a diagnostic interview, and parent-completed questionnaires. Social and non-social BI were not significantly correlated and exhibited distinct patterns of associations with parent reports of temperament and anxiety symptoms. This study suggests that BI is heterogeneous, and that distinguishing between different forms of BI may help account for the variation in trajectories and outcomes exhibited by high BI children. PMID:21479511

Astragalar Morphology of Selected Giraffidae.

PubMed

Solounias, Nikos; Danowitz, Melinda

2016-01-01

The artiodactyl astragalus has been modified to exhibit two trochleae, creating a double pullied structure allowing for significant dorso-plantar motion, and limited mediolateral motion. The astragalus structure is partly influenced by environmental substrates, and correspondingly, morphometric studies can yield paleohabitat information. The present study establishes terminology and describes detailed morphological features on giraffid astragali. Each giraffid astragalus exhibits a unique combination of anatomical characteristics. The giraffid astragalar morphologies reinforce previously established phylogenetic relationships. We find that the enlargement of the navicular head is a feature shared by all giraffids, and that the primitive giraffids possess exceptionally tall astragalar heads in relation to the total astragalar height. The sivatheres and the okapi share a reduced notch on the lateral edge of the astragalus. We find that Samotherium is more primitive in astragalar morphologies than Palaeotragus, which is reinforced by tooth characteristics and ossicone position. Diagnostic anatomical characters on the astragalus allow for giraffid species identifications and a better understanding of Giraffidae.

Chronic stress, catecholamines, and sleep disturbance at Three Mile Island.

PubMed

Davidson, L M; Fleming, R; Baum, A

1987-01-01

The present study was concerned with the relationship between chronic stress and sleep disturbance. Previous research has provided evidence of chronic stress responding among people living near the Three Mile Island nuclear generating facility. Compared to control subjects, the TMI group has exhibited greater symptom reporting, poorer performance on behavioral measures of concentration, and elevated levels of urinary norepinephrine and epinephrine. Other research has suggested a relationship between arousal and insomnia. The extent to which stress and sleep disturbances were experienced by residents at TMI was examined and compared to levels of stress and sleep disturbance among a group of control subjects. The relationship between stress and sleep disturbances was also examined. Results indicated that TMI area residents exhibited more stress than the controls and reported greater disturbance of sleep. Modest relationships among stress and sleep measures suggested that the symptoms of stress measured in this study were not primary determinants of sleep problems.

Extraversion and cardiovascular responses to recurrent social stress: Effect of stress intensity.

PubMed

Lü, Wei; Xing, Wanying; Hughes, Brian M; Wang, Zhenhong

2017-10-28

The present study sought to establish whether the effects of extraversion on cardiovascular responses to recurrent social stress are contingent on stress intensity. A 2×5×1 mixed-factorial experiment was conducted, with social stress intensity as a between-subject variable, study phase as a within-subject variable, extraversion as a continuous independent variable, and cardiovascular parameter (HR, SBP, DBP, or RSA) as a dependent variable. Extraversion (NEO-FFI), subjective stress, and physiological stress were measured in 166 undergraduate students randomly assigned to undergo moderate (n=82) or high-intensity (n=84) social stress (a public speaking task with different levels of social evaluation). All participants underwent continuous physiological monitoring while facing two consecutive stress exposures distributed across five laboratory phases: baseline, stress exposure 1, post-stress 1, stress exposure 2, post-stress 2. Results indicated that under moderate-intensity social stress, participants higher on extraversion exhibited lesser HR reactivity to stress than participants lower on extraversion, while under high-intensity social stress, they exhibited greater HR, SBP, DBP and RSA reactivity. Under both moderate- and high-intensity social stress, participants higher on extraversion exhibited pronounced SBP and DBP response adaptation to repeated stress, and showed either better degree of HR recovery or greater amount of SBP and DBP recovery after stress. These findings suggest that individuals higher on extraversion exhibit physiological flexibility to cope with social challenges and benefit from adaptive cardiovascular responses. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of Primary Processing Techniques and Significance of Hall-Petch Strengthening on the Mechanical Response of Magnesium Matrix Composites Containing TiO2 Nanoparticulates

PubMed Central

Meenashisundaram, Ganesh Kumar; Nai, Mui Hoon; Gupta, Manoj

2015-01-01

In the present study, Mg (1.98 and 2.5) vol % TiO2 nanocomposites are primarily synthesized utilizing solid-phase blend-press-sinter powder metallurgy (PM) technique and liquid-phase disintegrated melt deposition technique (DMD) followed by hot extrusion. Microstructural characterization of the synthesized Mg-TiO2 nanocomposites indicated significant grain refinement with DMD synthesized Mg nanocomposites exhibiting as high as ~47% for 2.5 vol % TiO2 NPs addition. X-ray diffraction studies indicated that texture randomization of pure Mg depends not only on the critical amount of TiO2 NPs added to the Mg matrix but also on the adopted synthesis methodology. Irrespective of the processing technique, theoretically predicted tensile yield strength of Mg-TiO2 nanocomposites was found to be primarily governed by Hall-Petch mechanism. Among the synthesized Mg materials, solid-phase synthesized Mg 1.98 vol % TiO2 nanocomposite exhibited a maximum tensile fracture strain of ~14.5%. Further, the liquid-phase synthesized Mg-TiO2 nanocomposites exhibited higher tensile and compression properties than those primarily processed by solid-phase synthesis. The tensile-compression asymmetry values of the synthesized Mg-TiO2 nanocomposite was found to be lower than that of pure Mg with solid-phase synthesized Mg 1.98 vol % TiO2 nanocomposite exhibiting as low as 1.06. PMID:28347063

Analysis of vegetation changes in Cidanau watershed, Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khairiah, R. N.; Kunihiko, Y.; Prasetyo, L. B.; Setiawan, Y.

2018-05-01

Vegetation change detection is needed for conserve of quality and water cycle in Cidanau watershed. The NDVI was applied to quantify the vegetation changes of Cidanau watershed for three different years 1989, 2001, and 2015. Using NDVI we mapped the reflectance from chlorophyll and distinguished varying amounts of vegetation at the pixel level by index. In the present study, as a preliminary study, we proposed a vegetation change detection analysis based on the NDVI from 1989 through 2015. Multi-temporal satellite data i.e. Landsat imagery with 30 m spatial resolution are used in the present study. It is reported that agroforestry land exhibited the greatest reductions in highly dense vegetation class in 1989-2001 and also moderate vegetation class in 2001-2015. It’s mean that amount of vegetation present in agroforestry land is getting lower year by year.

Sea World Curriculum Guide. Program Theme: Behavior K-3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sea World, Inc., San Diego, CA.

This document provides science curriculum instructional material relating to marine biology. Items presented relate to live animal exhibits seen during visits to Sea World marine aquarium exhibits; however, all materials are also useful for in-class instruction without visits to Sea World displays. Ideally, material should be reviewed immediately…

Sea World Curriculum Guide. Program Theme: Adaptations K-3.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sea World, Inc., San Diego, CA.

This document provides science curriculum instructional material relating to marine biology. Items presented relate to live animal exhibits seen during visits to Sea World marine aquarium exhibits; however, all materials are also useful for in-class instruction without visits to Sea World displays. Ideally, material should be reviewed immediately…

Sea World Curriculum Guide. Program Theme: Adaptations 4-8.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sea World, Inc., San Diego, CA.

This document provides science curriculum instructional material relating to marine biology. Items presented relate to live animal exhibits seen during visits to Sea World marine aquarium exhibits; however, all materials are also useful for in-class instruction without visits to Sea World displays. Ideally, material should be reviewed immediately…

Sea World Curriculum Guide. Program Theme: Behavior 4-8.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sea World, Inc., San Diego, CA.

This document provides science curriculum instructional material relating to marine biology. Items presented relate to live animal exhibits seen during visits to Sea World marine aquarium exhibits; however, all materials are also useful for in-class instruction without visits to Sea World displays. Ideally, material should be reviewed immediately…

Education With an Edge: An Introduction to Educational Programs at the Exploratorium.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Preuss, Paul

1983-01-01

Discusses rationale for developing the Exploratorium at San Francisco's Museum of Science, Art, and Perception. Describes typical exhibits, hands-on nature of exhibits, and function of Explainers. Presents information about Exploratorium workshops (currently oriented toward upper elementary/junior high teachers), emphasizing the nature of science…

Sex differences present in auditory looming perception, absent in auditory recession

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neuhoff, John G.; Seifritz, Erich

2005-04-01

When predicting the arrival time of an approaching sound source, listeners typically exhibit an anticipatory bias that affords a margin of safety in dealing with looming objects. The looming bias has been demonstrated behaviorally in the laboratory and in the field (Neuhoff 1998, 2001), neurally in fMRI studies (Seifritz et al., 2002), and comparatively in non-human primates (Ghazanfar, Neuhoff, and Logothetis, 2002). In the current work, male and female listeners were presented with three-dimensional looming sound sources and asked to press a button when the source was at the point of closest approach. Females exhibited a significantly greater anticipatory bias than males. Next, listeners were presented with sounds that either approached or receded and then stopped at three different terminal distances. Consistent with the time-to-arrival judgments, female terminal distance judgments for looming sources were significantly closer than male judgments. However, there was no difference between male and female terminal distance judgments for receding sounds. Taken together with the converging behavioral, neural, and comparative evidence, the current results illustrate the environmental salience of looming sounds and suggest that the anticipatory bias for auditory looming may have been shaped by evolution to provide a selective advantage in dealing with looming objects.

Kinetics of leather dyeing pretreated with enzymes: role of acid protease.

PubMed

Kanth, Swarna Vinodh; Venba, Rajangam; Jayakumar, Gladstone Christopher; Chandrababu, Narasimhan Kannan

2009-04-01

In the present investigation, kinetics of dyeing involving pretreatment with acid protease has been presented. Application of acid protease in dyeing process resulted in increased absorption and diffusion of dye into the leather matrix. Enzyme treatment at 1% concentration, 60 min duration and 50 degrees C resulted in maximum of 98% dye exhaustion and increased absorption rate constants. The final exhaustion (C(infinity)) for the best fit of CI Acid Black 194 dye has been 98.5% with K and r2 values from the modified Cegarra-Puente isotherm as 0.1033 and 0.0631. CI Acid Black 194 being a 2:1 metal complex acid dye exhibited higher absorption rate than the acid dye CI Acid Black 210. A reduction in 50% activation energy calculated from Arrhenius equation has been observed in enzyme assisted dyeing process of both the dyes that substantiates enhanced dye absorption. The absorption rate constant calculated with modified Cegarra-Puente equation confirm higher rate constants and faster kinetics for enzyme assisted dyeing process. Enzyme treated leather exhibited richness of color and shade when compared with control. The present study substantiates the essential role of enzyme pretreatment as an eco-friendly leather dyeing process.

Conference comments by the Editors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Jing-Tai; Nikl, Martin; Williams, Richard T.; Auffray, Etiennette; Bizarri, Greg; Gu, Mu; Nagirnyi, Vitali; Pejchal, Jan; Sidletskiy, Oleg; Vedda, Anna

2014-02-01

The international community of researchers on fundamentals, development, and applications of inorganic scintillator materials has found the biennial meetings of the SCINT series to be an excellent chance to exchange data and ideas. These can range from very basic physical concepts and atomistic mechanisms in the materials under study up to truly application-minded tasks and problems defined by the modern needs for radiation detection, imaging, and spectroscopy of many kinds. The 12th International Conference on Inorganic Scintillators and their Applications (SCINT 2013) was organized by the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in Shanghai, April 15-19, 2013. There were in total 180 scientific contributions, 85 oral presentations, 17 invited talks, and 95 poster exhibitions presented by 147 participants from 18 different countries. This special issue of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NUCLEAR SCIENCE comprises the selected and refereed original works based on the SCINT 2013 presentations, altogether 51 papers. The conference was technically and financially co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society (IEEE). The SCINT 2013 conference organizers acknowledge with deep thanks also the sponsorship and support of seven domestic and foreign industrial companies participating in the conference exhibition.

An Introduction to Data Analysis in Asteroseismology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campante, Tiago L.

A practical guide is presented to some of the main data analysis concepts and techniques employed contemporarily in the asteroseismic study of stars exhibiting solar-like oscillations. The subjects of digital signal processing and spectral analysis are introduced first. These concern the acquisition of continuous physical signals to be subsequently digitally analyzed. A number of specific concepts and techniques relevant to asteroseismology are then presented as we follow the typical workflow of the data analysis process, namely, the extraction of global asteroseismic parameters and individual mode parameters (also known as peak-bagging) from the oscillation spectrum.

Pressure induced phase transition and elastic properties of cerium mono-nitride (CeN)

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

Yaduvanshi, Namrata, E-mail: namrata-yaduvanshi@yahoo.com; Singh, Sadhna

2016-05-23

In the present paper, we have investigated the high-pressure structural phase transition and elastic properties of cerium mono-nitride. We studied theoretically the structural properties of this compound (CeN) by using the improved interaction potential model (IIPM) approach. This compound exhibits first order crystallographic phase transition from NaCl (B{sub 1}) to tetragonal (BCT) phase at 37 GPa. The phase transition pressures and associated volume collapse obtained from present potential model (IIPM) show a good agreement with available theoretical data.

In Vitro Susceptibility of Leishmania infantum to Artemisinin Derivatives and Selected Trioxolanes

PubMed Central

Albuquerque, Andreia; Cabral, Lília I. L.; Lopes, Liliana; Campino, Lenea

2015-01-01

Leishmaniasis is among the world's most neglected diseases. Currently available drugs for treatment present drawbacks, urging the need for more effective, safer, and cheaper drugs. A small library of artemisinin-derived trioxanes and synthetic trioxolanes was tested against promastigote and intramacrophage amastigote forms of Leishmania infantum. The trioxolanes LC50 and LC95 presented the best activity and safety profiles, showing potential for further studies in the context of leishmanial therapy. Our results indicate that the compounds tested exhibit peroxide-dependent activity. PMID:26014947

Electrophysiological and morphological properties of neurons in the prepositus hypoglossi nucleus that express both ChAT and VGAT in a double-transgenic rat model.

PubMed

Saito, Yasuhiko; Zhang, Yue; Yanagawa, Yuchio

2015-04-01

Although it has been proposed that neurons that contain both acetylcholine (ACh) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) are present in the prepositus hypoglossi nucleus (PHN), these neurons have not been characterized because of the difficulty in identifying them. In the present study, PHN neurons that express both choline acetyltransferase and the vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT) were identified using double-transgenic rats, in which the cholinergic and inhibitory neurons express the fluorescent proteins tdTomato and Venus, respectively. To characterize the neurons that express both tdTomato and Venus (D+ neurons), the afterhyperpolarization (AHP) profiles and firing patterns of these neurons were investigated via whole-cell recordings of brainstem slice preparations. Regarding the three AHP profiles and four firing patterns that the D+ neurons exhibited, an AHP with an afterdepolarization and a firing pattern that exhibited a delay in the generation of the first spike were the preferential properties of these neurons. In the three morphological types classified, the multipolar type that exhibited radiating dendrites was predominant among the D+ neurons. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that the VGAT-immunopositive axonal boutons that expressed tdTomato were primarily located in the dorsal cap of inferior olive (IO) and the PHN. Although the PHN receives cholinergic inputs from the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus and laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, D+ neurons were absent from these brain areas. Together, these results suggest that PHN neurons that co-express ACh and GABA exhibit specific electrophysiological and morphological properties, and innervate the dorsal cap of the IO and the PHN. © 2015 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Delay-dependent working memory impairment in young-adult and aged 5-HT1BKO mice as assessed in a radial-arm water maze.

PubMed

Wolff, Mathieu; Benhassine, Narimane; Costet, Pierre; Hen, Rene; Segu, Louis; Buhot, Marie-Christine

2003-01-01

Serotonin (5-HT) plays a modulatory role in mnemonic functions, especially by interacting with the cholinergic system. The 5-HT1B receptor is a key target of this interaction. The 5-HT1B receptor knockout mice were found previously to exhibit a facilitation in hippocampal-dependent spatial reference memory learning. In the present study, we submitted mice to a delayed spatial working memory task, allowing the introduction of various delays between an exposure trial and a test trial. The 5-HT1BKO and wild-type mice learned the task in a radial-arm water maze (returning to the most recent presented arm containing the escape platform), and exhibited a high level of performance at delays of 0 and 5 min. However, at the delay of 60 min, only 5-HT1BKO mice exhibited an impairment. At a delay of 90 min, all mice were impaired. Treatment by scopolamine (0.8 mg/kg) induced the same pattern of performance in wild type as did the mutation for short (5 min, no impairment) and long (60 min, impairment) delays. The 22-month-old wild-type and knockout mice exhibited an impairment at short delays (5 and 15 min). The effect of the mutation affected both young-adult and aged mice at delays of 15, 30, and 60 min. Neurobiological data show that stimulation of the 5-HT1B receptor inhibits the release of acetylcholine in the hippocampus, but stimulates this in the frontal cortex. This dual function might, at least in part, explain the opposite effect of the mutation on reference memory (facilitation) and delay-dependent working memory (impairment). These results support the idea that cholinergic-serotonergic interactions play an important role in memory processes.

Age associations with neural processing of reward anticipation in adolescents with bipolar disorders

PubMed Central

Urošević, Snežana; Luciana, Monica; Jensen, Jonathan B.; Youngstrom, Eric A.; Thomas, Kathleen M.

2016-01-01

Reward/behavioral approach system hypersensitivity is implicated in bipolar disorders (BD) and in normative development during adolescence. Pediatric onset of BD is associated with a more severe illness course. However, little is known about neural processing of rewards in adolescents with BD or developmental (i.e., age) associations with activation of these neural systems. The present study aims to address this knowledge gap. The present sample included 21 adolescents with BD and 26 healthy adolescents, ages 13 to 19. Participants completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) protocol using the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task. Behavioral performance was similar between groups. Group differences in BOLD activation during target anticipation and feedback anticipation periods of the task were examined using whole-brain analyses, as were group differences in age effects. During both target anticipation and feedback anticipation, adolescents with BD, compared to adolescents without psychopathology, exhibited decreased engagement of frontal regions involved in cognitive control (i.e., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Healthy adolescents exhibited age-related decreases, while adolescents with BD exhibited age-related increases, in activity of other cognitive control frontal areas (i.e., right inferior frontal gyrus), suggesting altered development in the BD group. Longitudinal research is needed to examine potentially abnormal development of cognitive control during reward pursuit in adolescent BD and whether early therapeutic interventions can prevent these potential deviations from normative development. PMID:27114896

Smokers exhibit biased neural processing of smoking and affective images.

PubMed

Oliver, Jason A; Jentink, Kade G; Drobes, David J; Evans, David E

2016-08-01

There has been growing interest in the role that implicit processing of drug cues can play in motivating drug use behavior. However, the extent to which drug cue processing biases relate to the processing biases exhibited to other types of evocative stimuli is largely unknown. The goal of the present study was to determine how the implicit cognitive processing of smoking cues relates to the processing of affective cues using a novel paradigm. Smokers (n = 50) and nonsmokers (n = 38) completed a picture-viewing task, in which participants were presented with a series of smoking, pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral images while engaging in a distractor task designed to direct controlled resources away from conscious processing of image content. Electroencephalogram recordings were obtained throughout the task for extraction of event-related potentials (ERPs). Smokers exhibited differential processing of smoking cues across 3 different ERP indices compared with nonsmokers. Comparable effects were found for pleasant cues on 2 of these indices. Late cognitive processing of smoking and pleasant cues was associated with nicotine dependence and cigarette use. Results suggest that cognitive biases may extend across classes of stimuli among smokers. This raises important questions about the fundamental meaning of cognitive biases, and suggests the need to consider generalized cognitive biases in theories of drug use behavior and interventions based on cognitive bias modification. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Zero thermal expansion and semiconducting properties in PbTiO 3 –Bi(Co, Ti)O 3 ferroelectric solid solutions

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

Pan, Zhao; Chen, Jun; Jiang, Xingxing

Zero thermal expansion (ZTE) behavior is rare but important for both fundamental studies and practical applications of functional materials. Up to now, most available ZTE materials are either electrical insulating oxides or conductive metallic compounds. Very few ZTE materials exhibit the semiconductor feature. Here we report a ZTE in semiconducting ferroelectric of 0.6PbTiO 3-0.4Bi(Co 0.55Ti 0.45)O 3-δ. Its unit cell volume exhibits a negligible change over a broad temperature range from room temperature to 500 °C. The ZTE is supposed to be correlated with the spontaneous volume ferroelectronstriction. Intriguingly, the present ZTE material also exhibits the semiconducting characteristic accompanied bymore » negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The mechanism of electric conduction is attributed to the electronic hopping from one ionic (Ti 3+) to another (Ti 4+). The semiconductor nature has also been confirmed by the noticeable visible-light absorption with the relative lower band-gap (E g) value of 1.5 eV, while ferroelectric property can be well maintained with large polarization. The first-principles calculations reveal that the drastically narrowed E g is related to the Co-Ti substitution. Finally, the present multifunctional material containing ZTE, semiconducting and ferroelectric properties is suggested to enable new applications such as the substrate for solar conversion devices.« less

Zero thermal expansion and semiconducting properties in PbTiO 3 –Bi(Co, Ti)O 3 ferroelectric solid solutions

DOE PAGES

Pan, Zhao; Chen, Jun; Jiang, Xingxing; ...

2017-02-16

Zero thermal expansion (ZTE) behavior is rare but important for both fundamental studies and practical applications of functional materials. Up to now, most available ZTE materials are either electrical insulating oxides or conductive metallic compounds. Very few ZTE materials exhibit the semiconductor feature. Here we report a ZTE in semiconducting ferroelectric of 0.6PbTiO 3-0.4Bi(Co 0.55Ti 0.45)O 3-δ. Its unit cell volume exhibits a negligible change over a broad temperature range from room temperature to 500 °C. The ZTE is supposed to be correlated with the spontaneous volume ferroelectronstriction. Intriguingly, the present ZTE material also exhibits the semiconducting characteristic accompanied bymore » negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The mechanism of electric conduction is attributed to the electronic hopping from one ionic (Ti 3+) to another (Ti 4+). The semiconductor nature has also been confirmed by the noticeable visible-light absorption with the relative lower band-gap (E g) value of 1.5 eV, while ferroelectric property can be well maintained with large polarization. The first-principles calculations reveal that the drastically narrowed E g is related to the Co-Ti substitution. Finally, the present multifunctional material containing ZTE, semiconducting and ferroelectric properties is suggested to enable new applications such as the substrate for solar conversion devices.« less

Age associations with neural processing of reward anticipation in adolescents with bipolar disorders.

PubMed

Urošević, Snežana; Luciana, Monica; Jensen, Jonathan B; Youngstrom, Eric A; Thomas, Kathleen M

2016-01-01

Reward/behavioral approach system hypersensitivity is implicated in bipolar disorders (BD) and in normative development during adolescence. Pediatric onset of BD is associated with a more severe illness course. However, little is known about neural processing of rewards in adolescents with BD or developmental (i.e., age) associations with activation of these neural systems. The present study aims to address this knowledge gap. The present sample included 21 adolescents with BD and 26 healthy adolescents, ages 13 to 19. Participants completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) protocol using the Monetary Incentive Delay (MID) task. Behavioral performance was similar between groups. Group differences in BOLD activation during target anticipation and feedback anticipation periods of the task were examined using whole-brain analyses, as were group differences in age effects. During both target anticipation and feedback anticipation, adolescents with BD, compared to adolescents without psychopathology, exhibited decreased engagement of frontal regions involved in cognitive control (i.e., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Healthy adolescents exhibited age-related decreases, while adolescents with BD exhibited age-related increases, in activity of other cognitive control frontal areas (i.e., right inferior frontal gyrus), suggesting altered development in the BD group. Longitudinal research is needed to examine potentially abnormal development of cognitive control during reward pursuit in adolescent BD and whether early therapeutic interventions can prevent these potential deviations from normative development.

Zero Thermal Expansion and Semiconducting Properties in PbTiO3-Bi(Co, Ti)O3 Ferroelectric Solid Solutions.

PubMed

Pan, Zhao; Chen, Jun; Jiang, Xingxing; Lin, Zheshuai; Zhang, Linxing; Fan, Longlong; Rong, Yangchun; Hu, Lei; Liu, Hui; Ren, Yang; Kuang, Xiaojun; Xing, Xianran

2017-03-06

Zero thermal expansion (ZTE) behavior is rare but important for both fundamental studies and practical applications of functional materials. Until now, most available ZTE materials are either electrical insulating oxides or conductive metallic compounds. Very few ZTE materials exhibit the semiconductor feature. Here we report a ZTE in a semiconducting ferroelectric of 0.6PbTiO 3 -0.4Bi(Co 0.55 Ti 0.45 )O 3-δ . Its unit cell volume exhibits a negligible change over a broad temperature range from room temperature to 500 °C. The ZTE is supposed to be correlated with the spontaneous volume ferroelectronstriction. Intriguingly, the present ZTE material also exhibits the semiconducting characteristic accompanied by negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The mechanism of electric conduction is attributed to the electronic hopping from one ion (Ti 3+ ) to another (Ti 4+ ). The semiconductor nature has also been confirmed by the noticeable visible-light absorption with the relatively lower band gap (E g ) value of 1.5 eV, while the ferroelectric property can be well-maintained with large polarization. The first-principles calculations reveal that the drastically narrowed E g is related to the Co-Ti substitution. The present multifunctional material containing ZTE, semiconducting, and ferroelectric properties is suggested to enable new applications such as the substrate for solar conversion devices.

Increased anterior default-mode network homogeneity in first-episode, drug-naive major depressive disorder: A replication study.

PubMed

Guo, Wenbin; Cui, Xilong; Liu, Feng; Chen, Jindong; Xie, Guangrong; Wu, Renrong; Zhang, Zhikun; Chen, Huafu; Zhao, Jingping

2018-01-01

Abnormal default-mode network (DMN) homogeneity has been involved in the neurophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) with inconsistent findings. The inconsistency may be due to clinical and methodological variability, and the reproducibility of the findings is limited. The present study aimed to examine alterations of the DMN homogeneity in two independent samples of patients with first-episode, drug-naive MDD. The samples included 59 patients with MDD and 31 comparison subjects from Sample 1 and 29 patients with MDD and 24 comparison subjects from Sample 2. Network homogeneity (NH) was computed with an overlapping technique, which was employed to define brain regions with abnormal NH common to the MDD samples. Compared with comparison subjects, patients with MDD exhibited increased NH in an overlapped brain region of the left superior medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). No correlations were found between abnormal NH and HAMD total/subscale scores in the patients of each sample and in the combined patients from both samples. This study is the first to examine alterations of DMN homogeneity in first-episode, drug-naive patients with MDD in two independent samples by using an overlapping technique. Patients with MDD exhibit increased NH in an overlapped region in the anterior DMN. The present study thus highlights the importance of the DMN in the neurophysiology of MDD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Morphological study of the TK cholangiocarcinoma cell line with three-dimensional cell culture.

PubMed

Akiyoshi, Kohei; Kamada, Minori; Akiyama, Nobutake; Suzuki, Masafumi; Watanabe, Michiko; Fujioka, Kouki; Ikeda, Keiichi; Mizuno, Shuichi; Manome, Yoshinobu

2014-04-01

Cholangiocarcinoma is an intractable carcinoma originating from the bile duct epithelium. To gain an understanding of the cell biology of cholangiocarcinoma, in vitro cell culture is valuable. However, well‑characterized cell lines are limited. In the present study, the morphology of the TK cholangiocarcinoma cell line was analyzed by three‑dimensional culture. Dispersed TK cells were injected into a gelatin mesh scaffold and cultivated for 3‑20 days. The morphology of the TK cells was investigated by phase‑contrast microscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TK cells were observed to proliferate three-dimensionally in the scaffold. The cells exhibited a globoid structure and attached to the scaffold. The SEM observation demonstrated typical microvilli and plicae on the surface of the structure. Light microscopy and TEM confirmed intercellular and cell‑to‑scaffold attachment in the three‑dimensional mesh. The culture also exhibited the formation of a duct-like structure covered by structured microvilli. In conclusion, three‑dimensional culture of TK cells demonstrated the morphological characteristics of cholangiocarcinoma in vitro. Production of high levels of carbohydrate antigen (CA)19‑9, CA50 and carcinoembryonic antigen was previously confirmed in the TK cell line. As a characteristic morphology was demonstrated in the present study, the TK cholangiocarcinoma cell line may be useful as an experimental model for further study of cholangiocarcinoma.

An investigation of the impact of Melbourne Zoo's "Seal-the-Loop" donate call-to-action on visitor satisfaction and behavior.

PubMed

Mellish, Sarah; Sanders, Ben; Litchfield, Carla A; Pearson, Elissa L

2017-05-01

Modern zoos are uniquely positioned to educate the public about environmental issues and promote conservation action. This report investigates the introduction of a donation request during an interactive fur seal presentation (as part of Melbourne Zoo's "Seal-the-Loop" initiative) on visitor satisfaction, perceptions of donation as a way to help wild fur seals, and donation behaviors. Comparisons are made between three groups surveyed upon exit: (1) viewed the interactive fur seal presentation prior to the donation request implementation (pledge-presentation: N = 86; see Mellish, Pearson, Sanders, and Litchfield []; International Zoo Yearbook 129:129-154); (2) viewed the interactive fur seal presentation including the donation request (donate-presentation: N = 82); and (3) viewed the fur seal exhibit and donation point but not the presentation and were not directly asked to make a donation (donate-exhibit: N = 82). Findings demonstrate visitor satisfaction with the interactive fur seal presentation was not negatively impacted following the implementation of the donate request (with >92% of pledge-presentation and donate-presentation visitors providing a "satisfied" or "very satisfied" rating). Only the donate-presentation visitors reported donation as a conservation action to help wild fur seals (19.18%; 0% for pledge-presentation visitors). While both donate-exhibit (39.51%) and donate-presentation visitors (60.75%) self-reported making donations or intending to do so, donation behavior was significantly increased for visitors who had viewed the fur seal presentation. Findings provide preliminary support that zoos may utilize interactive educational presentations to effectively ask visitors for donations to support specific conservation projects, without negatively impacting on satisfaction and with a relatively high level of visitor engagement. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A Treatise on Equivalent-Plate Stiffnesses for Stiffened Laminated-Composite Plates and Plate-Like Lattices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nemeth, Michael P.

2011-01-01

A survey of studies conducted since 1914 on the use of equivalent-plate stiffnesses in modeling the overall, stiffness-critical response of stiffened plates and shells is presented. Two detailed, comprehensive derivations of first-approximation equivalent-plate stiffnesses are also presented that are based on the Reissner-Mindlin-type, first-order transverse-shear deformation theory for anisotropic plates. Equivalent-plate stiffness expressions, and a corresponding symbolic manipulation computer program, are also presented for several different stiffener configurations. These expressions are very general and exhibit the full range of anisotropies permitted by the Reissner-Mindlin-type, first-order transverse-shear deformation theory for anisotropic plates. The expressions presented in the present study were also compared with available, previously published results. For the most part, the previously published results are for special cases of the general expressions presented herein and are almost in complete agreement. Analysis is also presented that extends the use of the equivalent-plate stiffness expressions to sandwich plates.

Bioinspired Non-iridescent Structural Color from Polymer Blend Thin Films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nallapaneni, Asritha; Shawkey, Matthew; Karim, Alamgir

Colors exhibited in biological species are either due to natural pigments, sub-micron structural variation or both. Structural colors thus exhibited can be iridescent (ID) or non-iridescent (NID) in nature. NID colors originate due to interference and coherent scattering of light with quasi-ordered micro- and nano- structures. Specifically, in Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) these nanostructures develop as a result of phase separation of β-keratin from cytoplasm present in cells. We replicate these structures via spinodal blend phase separation of PS-PMMA thin films. Colors of films vary from ultraviolet to blue. Scattering of UV-visible light from selectively leeched phase separated blends are studied in terms of varying domain spacing (200nm to 2 μm) of film. We control these parameters by tuning annealing time and temperature. Angle-resolved spectroscopy studies suggest that the films are weakly iridescent and scattering from phase-separated films is more diffused when compared to well-mixed films. This study offers solutions to several color-based application in paints and coatings industry.

Synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of stellatin derivatives as cyclooxygenase (COX-1, COX-2) inhibitors and anti-inflammatory agents.

PubMed

Gautam, Raju; Jachak, Sanjay M; Kumar, Vivek; Mohan, C Gopi

2011-03-15

Stellatin (4), isolated from Dysophylla stellata is a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor. The present study reports the synthesis and biological evaluation of new stellatin derivatives for COX-1, COX-2 inhibitory and anti-inflammatory activities. Eight derivatives showed more pronounced COX-2 inhibition than stellatin and, 17 and 21 exhibited the highest COX-2 inhibition. They also exhibited the significant anti-inflammatory activity in TPA-induced mouse ear edema assay and their anti-inflammatory effects were more than that of stellatin and indomethacin at 0.5mg/ear. The derivatives were further evaluated for antioxidant activity wherein 16 and 17 showed potent free radical scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals. Molecular docking study revealed the binding orientations of stellatin and its derivatives into the active sites of COX-1 and COX-2 and thereby helps to design the potent inhibitors. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of Oxygen ions irradiation on Polyaniline/Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes nanocomposite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Patil, Harshada K.; Deshmukh, Megha A.; Gaikwad, Sumedh D.; Bodkhe, Gajanan A.; Asokan, K.; Yasuzawa, Mikito; Koinkar, Pankaj; Shirsat, Mahendara D.

2017-01-01

Influence of Oxygen ions (100 MeV) irradiation on Polyaniline (PANI)/Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) nanocomposite was studied in the present investigation. PANI/SWNTs nanocomposite was synthesized by electrochemical Cyclic Voltammetry technique. Nanocomposite was exposed under SHI irradiation of Oxygen (100 MeV) ions for three different fluences such as 1×1010 ions/cm2, 5×1010 ions/cm2 and 1×1011 ions/cm2. The SHI irradiated PANI/SWNTs nanocomposite was investigated by using morphological (AFM), structural (XRD) and spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization. AFM study exhibits effects of SHI irradiation on morphology of the nanocomposite and root mean square roughness of the nanocomposite is observed to be decreased as fluence was increased. The FTIR absorption spectrum exhibits formation of new functional sites with the increase in intensity of absorption peaks, due to SHI irradiation. X-Ray Diffraction studies show a gradual decrease in the crystalline nature of the nanocomposite upon irradiation.

The influence of common free radicals and antioxidants on development of Alzheimer's Disease.

PubMed

Wojtunik-Kulesza, Karolina A; Oniszczuk, Anna; Oniszczuk, Tomasz; Waksmundzka-Hajnos, Monika

2016-03-01

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is one of the most important neurodegenerative disorders in the 21st century for the continually aging population. Despite an increasing number of patients, there are only few drugs to treat the disease. Numerous studies have shown several causes of the disorder, one of the most important being oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is connected with a disturbance between the levels of free radicals and antioxidants in organisms. Solutions to this problem are antioxidants, which counteract the negative impact of the reactive molecules. Unfortunately, the currently available drugs against AD do not exhibit activity toward these structures. Due to the fact that natural substances are extremely significant in new drug development, numerous studies are focused on substances which exhibit a few activities including antioxidants and other anti-AD behaviors. This review article presents the most important studies connected with the influence of free radicals on development of AD and antioxidants as potential drugs toward AD. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Biocatalytic coatings for air pollution control: a proof of concept study on VOC biodegradation.

PubMed

Estrada, José M; Bernal, Oscar I; Flickinger, Michael C; Muñoz, Raúl; Deshusses, Marc A

2015-02-01

Although biofilm-based biotechnologies exhibit a large potential as solutions for off-gas treatment, the high water content of biofilms often causes pollutant mass transfer limitations, which ultimately limit their widespread application. The present study reports on the proof of concept of the applicability of bioactive latex coatings for air pollution control. Toluene vapors served as a model volatile organic compound (VOC). The results showed that Pseudomonas putida F1 cells could be successfully entrapped in nanoporous latex coatings while preserving their toluene degradation activity. Bioactive latex coatings exhibited toluene specific biodegradation rates 10 times higher than agarose-based biofilms, because the thin coatings were less subject to diffusional mass transfer limitations. Drying and pollutant starvation were identified as key factors inducing a gradual deterioration of the biodegradation capacity in these innovative coatings. This study constitutes the first application of bioactive latex coatings for VOC abatement. These coatings could become promising means for air pollution control. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Unconscious Processing of Facial Expressions in Individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder.

PubMed

Peng, Xiaozhe; Cui, Fang; Wang, Ting; Jiao, Can

2017-01-01

Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) is characterized by impairments in social communication and the avoidance of social contact. Facial expression processing is the basis of social communication. However, few studies have investigated how individuals with IGD process facial expressions, and whether they have deficits in emotional facial processing remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore these two issues by investigating the time course of emotional facial processing in individuals with IGD. A backward masking task was used to investigate the differences between individuals with IGD and normal controls (NC) in the processing of subliminally presented facial expressions (sad, happy, and neutral) with event-related potentials (ERPs). The behavioral results showed that individuals with IGD are slower than NC in response to both sad and neutral expressions in the sad-neutral context. The ERP results showed that individuals with IGD exhibit decreased amplitudes in ERP component N170 (an index of early face processing) in response to neutral expressions compared to happy expressions in the happy-neutral expressions context, which might be due to their expectancies for positive emotional content. The NC, on the other hand, exhibited comparable N170 amplitudes in response to both happy and neutral expressions in the happy-neutral expressions context, as well as sad and neutral expressions in the sad-neutral expressions context. Both individuals with IGD and NC showed comparable ERP amplitudes during the processing of sad expressions and neutral expressions. The present study revealed that individuals with IGD have different unconscious neutral facial processing patterns compared with normal individuals and suggested that individuals with IGD may expect more positive emotion in the happy-neutral expressions context. • The present study investigated whether the unconscious processing of facial expressions is influenced by excessive online gaming. A validated backward masking paradigm was used to investigate whether individuals with Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and normal controls (NC) exhibit different patterns in facial expression processing.• The results demonstrated that individuals with IGD respond differently to facial expressions compared with NC on a preattentive level. Behaviorally, individuals with IGD are slower than NC in response to both sad and neutral expressions in the sad-neutral context. The ERP results further showed (1) decreased amplitudes in the N170 component (an index of early face processing) in individuals with IGD when they process neutral expressions compared with happy expressions in the happy-neutral expressions context, whereas the NC exhibited comparable N170 amplitudes in response to these two expressions; (2) both the IGD and NC group demonstrated similar N170 amplitudes in response to sad and neutral faces in the sad-neutral expressions context.• The decreased amplitudes of N170 to neutral faces than happy faces in individuals with IGD might due to their less expectancies for neutral content in the happy-neutral expressions context, while individuals with IGD may have no different expectancies for neutral and sad faces in the sad-neutral expressions context.

The effects of texting on driving performance in a driving simulator: the influence of driver age.

PubMed

Rumschlag, Gordon; Palumbo, Theresa; Martin, Amber; Head, Doreen; George, Rajiv; Commissaris, Randall L

2015-01-01

Distracted driving is a significant contributor to motor vehicle accidents and fatalities, and texting is a particularly significant form of driver distraction that continues to be on the rise. The present study examined the influence of driver age (18-59 years old) and other factors on the disruptive effects of texting on simulated driving behavior. While 'driving' the simulator, subjects were engaged in a series of brief text conversations with a member of the research team. The primary dependent variable was the occurrence of Lane Excursions (defined as any time the center of the vehicle moved outside the directed driving lane, e.g., into the lane for oncoming traffic or onto the shoulder of the road), measured as (1) the percent of subjects that exhibited Lane Excursions, (2) the number of Lane Excursions occurring and (3) the percent of the texting time in Lane Excursions. Multiple Regression analyses were used to assess the influence of several factors on driving performance while texting, including text task duration, texting skill level (subject-reported), texting history (#texts/week), driver gender and driver age. Lane Excursions were not observed in the absence of texting, but 66% of subjects overall exhibited Lane Excursions while texting. Multiple Regression analysis for all subjects (N=50) revealed that text task duration was significantly correlated with the number of Lane Excursions, and texting skill level and driver age were significantly correlated with the percent of subjects exhibiting Lane Excursions. Driver gender was not significantly correlated with Lane Excursions during texting. Multiple Regression analysis of only highly skilled texters (N=27) revealed that driver age was significantly correlated with the number of Lane Excursions, the percent of subjects exhibiting Lane Excursions and the percent of texting time in Lane Excursions. In contrast, Multiple Regression analysis of those drivers who self-identified as not highly skilled texters (N=23) revealed that text task duration was significantly correlated with the number of Lane Excursions. The present studies confirm past reports that texting impairs driving simulator performance. Moreover, the present study demonstrates that for highly skilled texters, the effects of texting on driving are actually worse for older drivers. Given the increasing frequency of texting while driving within virtually all age groups, these data suggest that 'no texting while driving' education and public service messages need to be continued, and they should be expanded to target older drivers as well. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Online Exhibits & Concept Maps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Douma, M.

2009-12-01

Presenting the complexity of geosciences to the public via the Internet poses a number of challenges. For example, utilizing various - and sometimes redundant - Web 2.0 tools can quickly devour limited time. Do you tweet? Do you write press releases? Do you create an exhibit or concept map? The presentation will provide participants with a context for utilizing Web 2.0 tools by briefly highlighting methods of online scientific communication across several dimensions. It will address issues of: * breadth and depth (e.g. from narrow topics to well-rounded views), * presentation methods (e.g. from text to multimedia, from momentary to enduring), * sources and audiences (e.g. for experts or for the public, content developed by producers to that developed by users), * content display (e.g. from linear to non-linear, from instructive to entertaining), * barriers to entry (e.g. from an incumbent advantage to neophyte accessible, from amateur to professional), * cost and reach (e.g. from cheap to expensive), and * impact (e.g. the amount learned, from anonymity to brand awareness). Against this backdrop, the presentation will provide an overview of two methods of online information dissemination, exhibits and concept maps, using the WebExhibits online museum (www.webexhibits.org) and SpicyNodes information visualization tool (www.spicynodes.org) as examples, with tips on how geoscientists can use either to communicate their science. Richly interactive online exhibits can serve to engage a large audience, appeal to visitors with multiple learning styles, prompt exploration and discovery, and present a topic’s breadth and depth. WebExhibits, which was among the first online museums, delivers interactive information, virtual experiments, and hands-on activities to the public. While large, multidisciplinary exhibits on topics like “Color Vision and Art” or “Calendars Through the Ages” require teams of scholars, user interface experts, professional writers and editors, teachers, artists, and web designers, a smaller scale collaborative effort can result in an effective mini-exhibit. Online concept maps can present a large quantity of information in bite-size chunks, demonstrating interrelationships between pieces of information without inundating visitors. SpicyNodes uses radial mapping technology to enable visitors to learn about a topic or search for information in intuitive and organic ways. This online concept mapping tool can be used as a portal to invite exploration into topics, or as a means of displaying hierarchies of information. With nodes that contain text, audio, video, and links, interactive online concept maps especially engage visual, kinesthetic, and nonlinear learners. SpicyNodes is also useful for scientists who wish to complement papers, chapters, and books with an online interface that is especially appealing to nonlinear learners. Essentially, SpicyNodes shifts the burden of discovery from the reader to the author. For example, the author may create a nodemap on climate change with hundreds of nodes, but as visitors drill through the nodemap for information (e.g. from climate change to atmospheric gases to carbon dioxide), they see only a few nodes at a time and are not overwhelmed.

Training-Dependent Associative Learning Induced Neocortical Structural Plasticity: A Trace Eyeblink Conditioning Analysis

PubMed Central

Chau, Lily S.; Prakapenka, Alesia V.; Zendeli, Liridon; Davis, Ashley S.; Galvez, Roberto

2014-01-01

Studies utilizing general learning and memory tasks have suggested the importance of neocortical structural plasticity for memory consolidation. However, these learning tasks typically result in learning of multiple different tasks over several days of training, making it difficult to determine the synaptic time course mediating each learning event. The current study used trace-eyeblink conditioning to determine the time course for neocortical spine modification during learning. With eyeblink conditioning, subjects are presented with a neutral, conditioned stimulus (CS) paired with a salient, unconditioned stimulus (US) to elicit an unconditioned response (UR). With multiple CS-US pairings, subjects learn to associate the CS with the US and exhibit a conditioned response (CR) when presented with the CS. Trace conditioning is when there is a stimulus free interval between the CS and the US. Utilizing trace-eyeblink conditioning with whisker stimulation as the CS (whisker-trace-eyeblink: WTEB), previous findings have shown that primary somatosensory (barrel) cortex is required for both acquisition and retention of the trace-association. Additionally, prior findings demonstrated that WTEB acquisition results in an expansion of the cytochrome oxidase whisker representation and synaptic modification in layer IV of barrel cortex. To further explore these findings and determine the time course for neocortical learning-induced spine modification, the present study utilized WTEB conditioning to examine Golgi-Cox stained neurons in layer IV of barrel cortex. Findings from this study demonstrated a training-dependent spine proliferation in layer IV of barrel cortex during trace associative learning. Furthermore, findings from this study showing that filopodia-like spines exhibited a similar pattern to the overall spine density further suggests that reorganization of synaptic contacts set the foundation for learning-induced neocortical modifications through the different neocortical layers. PMID:24760074

Online Cultural Heritage Exhibitions: A Survey of Strategic Issues

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liew, Chern Li

2006-01-01

Purpose: This paper seeks to report findings from a study that looked at a range of strategic issues faced in the development, management and maintenance of online cultural heritage exhibitions. The study examined exhibitions from different types of cultural agencies and asked questions about whether, for instance, the exhibitions are part of the…

Antioxidant properties of the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis collected on the North West Algerian coast

PubMed Central

Mellouk, Zoheir; Benammar, Ilhem; Krouf, Djamil; Goudjil, Makhlouf; Okbi, Meriem; Malaisse, Willy

2017-01-01

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the total phenolic and lipid content, fatty acids profiles and in vitro antioxidant activities of aqueous and solvent extracts of the red seaweed Asparagopsis taxiformis, through six different investigations. The present study demonstrated that phenol contents (mg gallic acid/g dry weight) were highest in the aqueous and methanolic extracts, followed by the ethanolic, hydroethanolic and hydromethanolic extracts. The lowest phenol contents were identified in the three remaining extracts: Butanolic, petroleum ether and acetone extracts. Furthermore, the total lipid content of the algae powder amounted to 2.85% of dry weight. The fatty acid methyl ester profiles analysed by gas-liquid chromatography represented indicated that fatty acids comprised 91.0±0.3% of total algae lipids. The saturated to unsaturated fatty acid contents amounted to 23.2±0.1 and 67.9±0.4% respectively. C13:0 (tridecanoate), C15:0 (pentadecanoate) and C17:0 (heptadecanoate) represented 47.4% of the total saturated fatty acids. Notably, the two most abundant unsaturated fatty acids, C15:1 (pentadecenoate) and C18:2 (octadecadienoate) represented 13.4 and 11.4% respectively, of the total unsaturated fatty acid content. Furthermore, the results of the antioxidant screening performed at 1.0 mg/ml, revealed that aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited higher inhibition against superoxide and nitric oxide radicals and excellent radical scavenging activity [with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values 5.1 and 15.0 µg/ml, respectively], demonstrating improved antioxidant behavior when compared with standard ascorbic acid (which has an IC50 value of 3.7 µg/ml). Scavenging activity of the aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited a strong peroxidation inhibition against linoleic acid emulsion system at a concentration of 300 µg/ml in comparison to the butylated hydroxyltoluene. Although all the studied extracts exhibited ferric reducing power, the aqueous and methanolic extracts had greater hydrogen donating ability. By contrast, hydromethanolic, ethanolic, hydroethanolic, butanolic, acetone and petroleum ether extracts exhibited weak antioxidant behavior. The antioxidant activity of potent seaweed species identified in the current study means that as well as being used as a functional food, they may be developed as novel pharmaceutical compounds and may be used as anti-ageing agents. PMID:28587401

Facile synthesis of carbon dot and residual carbon nanobeads: Implications for ion sensing, medicinal and biological applications.

PubMed

Gaddam, Rohit Ranganathan; Mukherjee, Sudip; Punugupati, Neelambaram; Vasudevan, D; Patra, Chitta Ranjan; Narayan, Ramanuj; Vsn Kothapalli, Raju

2017-04-01

Synthesis of carbon dots (Cdots) via chemical route involves disintegration of carbon materials into nano-domains, wherein, after extraction of Cdots, the remaining carbon material is discarded. The present work focuses on studying even the leftover carbon residue namely, carbon nanobeads (CNBs) as an equally important material for applications on par with that of carbon dot. It employs oxidative treatment of carbonised gum olibanum resin (GOR) to produce the carbons namely Cdots and CNBs (as the residue). The Cdots (~5-10nm) exhibit blue-green fluorescence with an optical absorption at ~300nm unlike the CNBs (40-50nm) which fail to exhibit fluorescence. The fluorescence behaviour exhibited by Cdots were utilized for heavy metal ion sensing of Pb 2+ , Hg 2+ and Cd 2+ ions in aqueous media. Interestingly, both Cdots and CNBs are biocompatible to normal cell lines but cytotoxic to cancer cell lines, observed during several in vitro experiments (cell viability assay, cell cycle assay, apoptosis assay, ROS determination assay, caspase-9 activity assay). Additionally, Cdots exhibit bright green fluorescence in B16F10 cells. The Cdots and CNB's demonstrate multifunctional activities (sensor, cellular imaging and cancer therapy) in biomedical applications. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the effects of plant-derived essential oils on central nervous system function using discrete shuttle-type conditioned avoidance response in mice.

PubMed

Umezu, Toyoshi

2012-06-01

Although plant-derived essential oils (EOs) have been used to treat various mental disorders, their central nervous system (CNS) acting effects have not been clarified. The present study compared the effects of 20 kinds of EOs with the effects of already-known CNS acting drugs to examine whether the EOs exhibited CNS stimulant-like effects, CNS depressant-like effects, or neither. All agents were tested using a discrete shuttle-type conditioned avoidance task in mice. Essential oils of peppermint and chamomile exhibited CNS stimulant-like effects; that is, they increased the response rate (number of shuttlings/min) of the avoidance response. Linden also increased the response rate, however, the effect was not dose-dependent. In contrast, EOs of orange, grapefruit, and cypress exhibited CNS depressant-like effects; that is, they decreased the response rate of the avoidance response. Essential oils of eucalyptus and rose decreased the avoidance rate (number of avoidance responses/number of avoidance trials) without affecting the response rate, indicating that they may exhibit some CNS acting effects. Essential oils of 12 other plants, including juniper, patchouli, geranium, jasmine, clary sage, neroli, lavender, lemon, ylang-ylang, niaouli, vetivert and frankincense had no effect on the avoidance response in mice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Interference between wave modes may contribute to the apparent negative dispersion observed in cancellous bone

PubMed Central

Anderson, Christian C.; Marutyan, Karen R.; Holland, Mark R.; Wear, Keith A.; Miller, James G.

2008-01-01

Previous work has shown that ultrasonic waves propagating through cancellous bone often exhibit a linear-with-frequency attenuation coefficient, but a decrease in phase velocity with frequency (negative dispersion) that is inconsistent with the causality-imposed Kramers–Kronig relations. In the current study, interfering wave modes similar to those observed in bone are shown to potentially contribute to the observed negative dispersion. Biot theory, the modified Biot–Attenborogh model, and experimental results are used to aid in simulating multiple-mode wave propagation through cancellous bone. Simulations entail constructing individual wave modes exhibiting a positive dispersion using plausible velocities and amplitudes, and then summing the individual modes to create mixed-mode output wave forms. Results of the simulations indicate that mixed-mode wave forms can exhibit negative dispersion when analyzed conventionally under the assumption that only one wave is present, even when the individual interfering waves exhibit positive dispersions in accordance with the Kramers–Kronig relations. Furthermore, negative dispersion is observed when little or no visual evidence of interference exists in the time-domain data. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the observed negative dispersion could aid in determining the true material properties of cancellous bone, as opposed to the apparent properties measured using conventional data analysis techniques. PMID:19045668

Mori Folium and Mori Fructus Mixture Attenuates High-Fat Diet-Induced Cognitive Deficits in Mice

PubMed Central

Jeong, Hyun Uk; Park, Gunhyuk; Kim, Hocheol; Lim, Yunsook; Oh, Myung Sook

2015-01-01

Obesity has become a global health problem, contributing to various diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and dementia. Increasing evidence suggests that obesity can also cause neuronal damage, long-term memory loss, and cognitive impairment. The leaves and the fruits of Morus alba L., containing active phytochemicals, have been shown to possess antiobesity and hypolipidemic properties. Thus, in the present study, we assessed their effects on cognitive functioning in mice fed a high-fat diet by performing immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against c-Fos, synaptophysin, and postsynaptic density protein 95 and a behavioral test. C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 21 weeks exhibited increased body weight, but mice coadministered an optimized Mori Folium and Mori Fructus extract mixture (2 : 1; MFE) for the final 12 weeks exhibited significant body weight loss. Additionally, obese mice exhibited not only reduced neural activity, but also decreased presynaptic and postsynaptic activities, while MFE-treated mice exhibited recovery of these activities. Finally, cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet were recovered by cotreatment with MFE in the novel object recognition test. Our findings suggest that the antiobesity effects of MFE resulted in recovery of the cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet by regulation of neural and synaptic activities. PMID:25945108

Mori folium and mori fructus mixture attenuates high-fat diet-induced cognitive deficits in mice.

PubMed

Kim, Hyo Geun; Jeong, Hyun Uk; Park, Gunhyuk; Kim, Hocheol; Lim, Yunsook; Oh, Myung Sook

2015-01-01

Obesity has become a global health problem, contributing to various diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and dementia. Increasing evidence suggests that obesity can also cause neuronal damage, long-term memory loss, and cognitive impairment. The leaves and the fruits of Morus alba L., containing active phytochemicals, have been shown to possess antiobesity and hypolipidemic properties. Thus, in the present study, we assessed their effects on cognitive functioning in mice fed a high-fat diet by performing immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against c-Fos, synaptophysin, and postsynaptic density protein 95 and a behavioral test. C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 21 weeks exhibited increased body weight, but mice coadministered an optimized Mori Folium and Mori Fructus extract mixture (2 : 1; MFE) for the final 12 weeks exhibited significant body weight loss. Additionally, obese mice exhibited not only reduced neural activity, but also decreased presynaptic and postsynaptic activities, while MFE-treated mice exhibited recovery of these activities. Finally, cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet were recovered by cotreatment with MFE in the novel object recognition test. Our findings suggest that the antiobesity effects of MFE resulted in recovery of the cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet by regulation of neural and synaptic activities.

Fossils of Prokaryotic Microorganisms in the Orgueil Meteorite

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hoover, Richard B.

2006-01-01

The Orgueil CII meteorite, which fell in southern France on the evening of May 14, 1864, has been one of the most extensively studied of all known carbonaceous meteorites. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) studies of freshly fractured interior surfaces of the Orgueil meteorite have resulted in the detection of the fossilized remains of a large and diverse population of filamentous prokaryotic microorganisms. The taphonomy and the diverse modes of the preservation of these remains ,are diverse. Some of the remains exhibit carbonization of a hollow sheath and in other cases the remains are permineralized with water-soluble evaporite minerals, such as magnesium sulfate or ammonium salts. After the sample is fractured and the interior surfaces are exposed to the atmospheric moisture, some of these friable remains have been observed to exhibit significant alterations in appearance with time. Images are presented to document the changes that have been observed in some forms within the past two years. Images and EDS spectral data will also be presented to document the studies carried out on abiotic forms to search for possible nonbiological interpretations of the indigenous filamentous microstructures that have been found in the Orgueil meteorite. Images and EDS data will be presented showing the size, size range, morphology and chemical compositions of abiotic microstructures found in native crystalline and fibrous Epsomites from Poison Lake, Washington, USA and Catalayud, Zaragoza, Aragon, Spain. Many of these embedded forms are consistent in size and microstructure with cyanobacteria morphotypes. Some of the forms are exhibit known characteristics differentiation of cells, and reproductive structures of filamentous trichomic prokaryotes (bacteria and cyanobacteria) and the degraded remains of microfibrils associated with sheaths of cyanobacteria. In this paper, recently obtained comparative images and EDS data will be presented for the mineralized remains found in the Orgueil meteorite and these forms will be compared with known cyanobacteria of the family Oscillatoriaceae. Many of the indigenous filamentous microstructures found in Orgueil filaments are dramatically different from the abiotic microstructures found in the fibrous epsomites and these forms are interpreted as the molds, casts and the well preserved permineralized remains (microfossils) of filamentous prokaryotes that are embedded in and indigenous to the matrix of the Orgueil CI1 carbonaceous meteorite.

Imagine Astronomy at the Rochester Institute of Technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rapson, Valerie; Almeyda, T.; Freeman, M.; Lena, D.; Principe, D.; Punzi, K.; Sargent, B. A.; Vaddi, S.; Vazquez, B.; Vorobiev, D.

2014-01-01

The Imagine RIT Innovation and Creativity Festival is an annual free event held each year on the campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). The purpose of the festival is to showcase the work and research conducted by students and faculty at RIT, and get the public excited about science and technology. For the past three years, graduate students, post-docs and faculty in the Astrophysical Sciences and Technology graduate program at RIT have participated in the festival by showcasing their astronomy research in a fun, interactive and hands on way. We have presented work conducted with various telescopes in the fields of star formation and galaxy evolution. Here, we present our three unique exhibits and the public’s reception to each exhibit. We found that interactive games such as astro-trivia, and hands on activities such as building a scale model of the Hubble Space Telescope were the most exciting for visitors. Interactive pieces of the exhibit in general acquired the most attention, whereas posters and videos, despite their pictorial nature, were not as well received. The most successful piece of our exhibit each year has been solar observing through eclipse glasses and telescopes. Most people who observed the sun at our exhibit were left awe-struck because this was their first experience viewing an astronomical object through a telescope. We plan to improve upon our exhibit by introducing more hands-on activities that will engage the public in current astronomy research at RIT.

Alu polymorphic insertions reveal genetic structure of north Indian populations.

PubMed

Tripathi, Manorama; Tripathi, Piyush; Chauhan, Ugam Kumari; Herrera, Rene J; Agrawal, Suraksha

2008-10-01

The Indian subcontinent is characterized by the ancestral and cultural diversity of its people. Genetic input from several unique source populations and from the unique social architecture provided by the caste system has shaped the current genetic landscape of India. In the present study 200 individuals each from three upper-caste and four middle-caste Hindu groups and from two Muslim populations in North India were examined for 10 polymorphic Alu insertions (PAIs). The investigated PAIs exhibit high levels of polymorphism and average heterozygosity. Limited interpopulation variance and genetic flow in the present study suggest admixture. The results of this study demonstrate that, contrary to common belief, the caste system has not provided an impermeable barrier to genetic exchange among Indian groups.

Understanding the Leadership Qualities of a Head of Department Coping with Curriculum Changes in a Hong Kong Secondary School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tam, Angela Choi Fung

2010-01-01

Little relevant research examining the leadership patterns of heads of department (HoD) coping with curriculum changes is found within the Chinese context. This article presents an exploratory case study which delineates the leadership qualities exhibited by a HoD as he overcomes the difficulties typically confronted in the process of school-based…

The Influence of Visual Experience on the Ability to Form Spatial Mental Models Based on Route and Survey Descriptions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noordzij, Matthijs L.; Zuidhoek, Sander; Postma, Albert

2006-01-01

The purpose of the present study is twofold: the first objective is to evaluate the importance of visual experience for the ability to form a spatial representation (spatial mental model) of fairly elaborate spatial descriptions. Secondly, we examine whether blind people exhibit the same preferences (i.e. level of performance on spatial tasks) as…

Can You Know Me Better? An Exploratory Study Combining Behavioural and Physiological Measurements for an Objective Assessment of Sensory Responsiveness in a Child with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lima, Mariely; Silva, Karine; Magalhaes, Ana; Amaral, Isabel; Pestana, Helena; de Sousa, Liliana

2012-01-01

Background: Sensory assessment of individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) can be difficult for several reasons, including the idiosyncratic reactions that these individuals exhibit to environmental stimuli. This case report presents a combination of behavioural and physiological measurements aimed at providing an…

Adults with Dyslexia Exhibit Large Effects of Crowding, Increased Dependence on Cues, and Detrimental Effects of Distractors in Visual Search Tasks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moores, Elisabeth; Cassim, Rizan; Talcott, Joel B.

2011-01-01

Difficulties in visual attention are increasingly being linked to dyslexia. To date, the majority of studies have inferred functionality of attention from response times to stimuli presented for an indefinite duration. However, in paradigms that use reaction times to investigate the ability to orient attention, a delayed reaction time could also…

Nonmuscarinic Neurotoxicity of Oxotremorine,

DTIC Science & Technology

The ability of various treatments to prevent peripheral parasympathetic actions, central effects and lethality of the muscarinic agonist oxotremorine ...was studied in rats. The percentage of animals exhibiting effects of oxotremorine was dose and time dependent. Doses of oxotremorine in excess of 5...salivation were not present in atropine-treated rats. In the presence of 40 mg/ kg of atropine, ED50 values for oxotremorine were shifted more that 12

Neural Processing of Acoustic Duration and Phonological German Vowel Length: Time Courses of Evoked Fields in Response to Speech and Nonspeech Signals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tomaschek, Fabian; Truckenbrodt, Hubert; Hertrich, Ingo

2013-01-01

Recent experiments showed that the perception of vowel length by German listeners exhibits the characteristics of categorical perception. The present study sought to find the neural activity reflecting categorical vowel length and the short-long boundary by examining the processing of non-contrastive durations and categorical length using MEG.…

In situ synthesis of fluorescent magnetosomes using an organic membrane as a soft template.

PubMed

Ke, Wenjing; Zhang, Juhua; An, Xueqin; Zhang, Bo

2017-05-04

A novel approach was presented for the in situ synthesis of fluorescent magnetosomes by biological mineralization and carbonization processes for the first time. The surface structures, magnetism and fluorescence were studied, and the cytotoxicity tests and fluorescent trace in liposomes were probed. The fluorescent magnetosomes exhibit not only unique fluorescence and ferromagnetic properties but also low toxicity and superior imaging capability.

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study, exhibit C. Volume 6: In-depth element investigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G.

1979-01-01

Computer assisted design of a gallium arsenide solid state dc-to-RF converter with supportive fabrication data was investigated. Specific tasks performed include: computer program checkout; amplifier comparisons; computer design analysis of GaSa solar cells; and GaAs diode evaluation. Results obtained in the design and evaluation of transistors for the microwave space power system are presented.

Evaluation of a Six Week Professional Education Curriculum Designed To Retrain Registered Psychiatric Nurses into the Field of Psychiatric Nursing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Safian-Rush, Donna

During the past few years, there has been a drastic shortage of registered nurses in the field of psychiatric mental health. An evaluation conducted on an internship curriculum designed to facilitate effective nursing care in the treatment of clients who exhibit emotional problems is presented with details on a study to attract and retain nurses…

Domesticating Biotechnology: How London's Science Museum Has Framed the Controversy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Levidow, Les

1998-01-01

Exhibits in London's Science Museum are critiqued in this discussion of the problem of balance in presenting controversial issues in museum exhibits. Science museums claim to portray controversial issues in a neutral manner, but neutrality is impossible. Asks how science museums can involve visitors in the controversy and how the museum's role can…

This Path We Travel: Celebrations of Contemporary Native American Creativity.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

La Pena, Frank

1994-01-01

An exhibition at the opening of the George Gustav Heye Center in New York City presents the talents of 15 contemporary Native American artists who during the past several years met at four different locations representing the cardinal directions. The exhibit combines sculpture, performance, poetry, music, and video to portray Indian world views…

Description of congenital hand anomalies: a personal view.

PubMed

Tonkin, M A

2006-10-01

A series of four congenital hand cases exhibiting central clefting are presented. The cases are morphologically similar and exhibit characteristics of both symbrachydactyly and central longitudinal deficiency. The cases demonstrate difficulties in classification by either the IFSSH classification system or the JSSH modification of it. An alternative descriptive approach to classification is suggested.

Madrean pine-oak forest in Arizona: past dynamics, present problems

Treesearch

Andrew M. Barton

2008-01-01

This paper synthesizes research on presettlement dynamics and modern disruption of Madrean pine-oak forests in Arizona. In response to surface fires characteristic of presettlement times, pines were fire resistant, exhibiting high top-survival, whereas oaks were fire resilient, exhibiting lower top-survival but pronounced resprouting. Thus, low-severity fire favors...

Invasive urothelial carcinoma exhibiting basal cell immunohistochemical markers: A variant of urothelial carcinoma associated with aggressive features.

PubMed

Mai, Kien T; Truong, Luan D; Ball, Christopher G; Williams, Phillip; Flood, Trevor A; Belanger, Eric C

2015-08-01

We characterize invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC) exhibiting urothelial basal cell immunohistochemical markers. Consecutive invasive UCs were immunostained with CK20 and urothelial basal cell markers, cytokeratin 5 (CK5)/CD44. Immunostaining for CK5 and CD44 was scored as follows: positive for staining of more than 25% thickness of the epithelial nest or epithelium and low for lesser immunoreactivity. Invasive urothelial carcinoma (UC) exhibiting positive CK5/CD44 staining was designated as basal-like UC (BUC). In this study, of 251 invasive UC (pT1 in 57% and pT2-4 in 43%), BUC accounted for 40% of cases (accounting for most pT2-4 UC) and often presented as non-papillary UC without previous history of UC. In addition, BUC exhibited uniform nuclei with lesser degree of atypia than non BUC and decreased or negative cytokeratin 20 reactivity. Nested and microcystic variants of UC immunohistochemically stained as BUCs. Invasive non-BUCs were often papillary with marked cytologic atypia and pleomorphism, and accounted for most pT1 UC. The rates of perivesical invasion, lymph node and distant metastases were higher for BUC than non-BUC. All nine cases with absent/minimal residual in situ UC in 102 radical cystectomy specimens were from invasive non-BUC. BUC is distinguished from non-BUC due to this aggressive behavior, distinct immunohistochemical profile, and predominant non-papillary architecture. Our findings are consistent with recent studies identifying a subtype of muscle-invasive UC with molecular expression of basal cell and luminal cell molecular profiles. Our study further supports categorizing invasive UCs into these subtypes with different biological behaviors, possibly contributing to better therapeutic strategies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

RNAi silenced Dd-grp94 (Dictyostelium discoideum glucose-regulated protein 94 kDa) cell lines in Dictyostelium exhibit marked reduction in growth rate and delay in development.

PubMed

Baviskar, Sandhya N; Shields, Malcolm S

2010-01-01

Glucose-regulated 94 kDa protein (Grp94) is a resident of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of multicellular eukaryotes. It is a constitutively expressed protein that is overexpressed in certain abnormal conditions of the cell such as depletion of glucose and calcium, and low oxygen and pH. The protein is also implicated in diseased conditions like cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In this study, the consequences of downregulation of Grp94 were investigated at both unicellular and multicellular stages of Dictyostelium discoideum. Previous studies have shown the expression of Dd-Grp94 (Dictyostelium discoideum glucose-regulated 94 kDa protein) in wild-type cells varies during development, and overexpression of Dd-Grp94 leads to abnormal cell shape and inhibition of development (i.e., formation of fruiting bodies). Grp94 is a known calcium binding protein and an efficient calcium buffer. Therefore, in the present study we hypothesized that downregulation of Dd-Grp94 protein would affect Dictyostelium cell structure, growth, and development. We found that Dd-grp94 RNAi recombinants exhibited reduced growth rate, cell size, and a subtle change in cell motility compared to the parental cells. The recombinants also exhibited a delay in development and small fruiting bodies. These results establish that Dd-grp94 plays a crucial role in determining normal cell structure, growth and differentiation.

Effect of the spider toxin Tx3-3 on spinal processing of sensory information in naive and neuropathic rats: an in vivo electrophysiological study.

PubMed

Dalmolin, Gerusa D; Bannister, Kirsty; Gonçalves, Leonor; Sikandar, Shafaq; Patel, Ryan; Cordeiro, Marta do Nascimento; Gomez, Marcus Vinícius; Ferreira, Juliano; Dickenson, Anthony H

2017-07-01

Drugs that counteract nociceptive transmission in the spinal dorsal horn preferentially after nerve injury are being pursued as possible neuropathic pain treatments. In a previous behavioural study, the peptide toxin Tx3-3, which blocks P/Q- and R-type voltage-gated calcium channels, was effective in neuropathic pain models. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Tx3-3 on dorsal horn neuronal responses in rats under physiological conditions and neuropathic pain condition induced by spinal nerve ligation (SNL). In vivo electrophysiological recordings of dorsal horn neuronal response to electrical and natural (mechanical and thermal) stimuli were made in rats under normal physiological state (naive rats) or after the SNL model of neuropathic pain. Tx3-3 (0.3-100 pmol/site) exhibited greater inhibitory effect on electrical-evoked neuronal response of SNL rats than naive rats, inhibiting nociceptive C-fibre and Aδ-fibre responses only in SNL rats. The wind-up of neurones, a measurement of spinal cord hyperexcitability, was also more susceptible to a dose-related inhibition by Tx3-3 after nerve injury. Moreover, Tx3-3 exhibited higher potency to inhibit mechanical- and thermal-evoked neuronal response in conditions of neuropathy. Tx3-3 mediated differential inhibitory effect under physiological and neuropathic conditions, exhibiting greater potency in conditions of neuropathic pain.

Criminal behavior and cognitive processing in male offenders with antisocial personality disorder with and without comorbid psychopathy.

PubMed

Riser, Rebecca E; Kosson, David S

2013-10-01

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and psychopathy are 2 important syndromes with substantial utility in predicting antisocial behavior. Although prior studies have identified correlations between various factors and the presence of psychopathy or ASPD, most studies have focused on 1 syndrome or the other. Consequently, it is unclear whether the 2 syndromes reflect similar pathophysiologies, whether they are in fact 2 distinct syndromes, or whether the correlates of ASPD reflect its high comorbidity with psychopathy. The present study addressed this issue by examining the impact of ASPD with and without comorbid psychopathy (as assessed by the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised) on criminal offending and cognitive processing in 674 adult male inmates at a county jail in Illinois. Participants exhibited either ASPD and comorbid psychopathy, ASPD but not psychopathy, or neither ASPD nor psychopathy. Participants with and without comorbid psychopathy were characterized by more criminal behavior than controls, and inmates with ASPD and psychopathy exhibited more severe criminal behavior than those with ASPD only. In addition, inmates with ASPD and psychopathy exhibited a different pattern of cognitive task performance impairment than those with ASPD alone. Results replicate the findings of Kosson, Lorenz, and Newman (2006) and provide new evidence suggesting that men with ASPD and comorbid psychopathy are characterized by cognitive processing anomalies different from those seen in ASPD without comorbid psychopathy. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

ENERGY-NET (Energy, Environment and Society Learning Network): Best Practices to Enhance Informal Geoscience Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rossi, R.; Elliott, E. M.; Bain, D.; Crowley, K. J.; Steiner, M. A.; Divers, M. T.; Hopkins, K. G.; Giarratani, L.; Gilmore, M. E.

2014-12-01

While energy links all living and non-living systems, the integration of energy, the environment, and society is often not clearly represented in 9 - 12 classrooms and informal learning venues. However, objective public learning that integrates these components is essential for improving public environmental literacy. ENERGY-NET (Energy, Environment and Society Learning Network) is a National Science Foundation funded initiative that uses an Earth Systems Science framework to guide experimental learning for high school students and to improve public learning opportunities regarding the energy-environment-society nexus in a Museum setting. One of the primary objectives of the ENERGY-NET project is to develop a rich set of experimental learning activities that are presented as exhibits at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA). Here we detail the evolution of the ENERGY-NET exhibit building process and the subsequent evolution of exhibit content over the past three years. While preliminary plans included the development of five "exploration stations" (i.e., traveling activity carts) per calendar year, the opportunity arose to create a single, larger topical exhibit per semester, which was assumed to have a greater impact on museum visitors. Evaluative assessments conducted to date reveal important practices to be incorporated into ongoing exhibit development: 1) Undergraduate mentors and teen exhibit developers should receive additional content training to allow richer exhibit materials. 2) The development process should be distributed over as long a time period as possible and emphasize iteration. This project can serve as a model for other collaborations between geoscience departments and museums. In particular, these practices may streamline development of public presentations and increase the effectiveness of experimental learning activities.

Bending and coupling losses in terahertz wire waveguides.

PubMed

Astley, Victoria; Scheiman, Julianna; Mendis, Rajind; Mittleman, Daniel M

2010-02-15

We present an experimental study of several common perturbations of wire waveguides for terahertz pulses. Sommerfeld waves retain significant signal strength and bandwidth even with large gaps in the wire, exhibiting more efficient recoupling at higher frequencies. We also describe a detailed study of bending losses. For a given turn angle, we observe an optimum radius of curvature that minimizes the overall propagation loss. These results emphasize the impact of the distortion of the spatial mode on the radiative bend loss.

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study, exhibit C. Volume 4: Transportation analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G. M.

1979-01-01

Volume 4 of a seven volume Satellite Power Systems (SPS) is presented. This volume is divided into the following sections: (1) transportation systems elements; (2) transportation systems requirements; (3) heavy lift launch vehicles (HLLV); (4) LEO-GEO transportation; (5) on-orbit mobility systems; (6) personnel transfer systems; and (7) cost and programmatics. Three appendixes are also provided and they include: horizontal takeoff (single stage to orbit technical summary); HLLV reference vehicle trajectory and trade study data; and electric orbital transfer vehicle sizing.

Solar Fireworks - Integrating an Exhibit on Solar Physics and Space Science into the Science and Astronomy Curriculum of High-School and College Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denker, C.; Wang, H.; Conod, K. D.; Wintemberg, T.; Calderon, I.

2005-05-01

Astronomers at The Newark Museum's Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium teamed up with the New Jersey Institute of Technology's (NJIT) Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research (CSTR) and the Big Bear Solar Observatory in presenting Solar Fireworks. The exhibit opened on May 15, 2004 and features two exhibition kiosks with interactive touch screen displays, where students and other visitors can take "virtual tours" in the fields of solar physics, solar activity, Sun-Earth connection, and geo-sciences. Planetarium and museum visits are an integral part of the introductory physics and astronomy classes at NJIT and the exhibition has been integrated in the astronomy curriculum. For example, NJIT students of the Astronomy Club and regular astronomy courses were closely involved in the design and development of the exhibit. The exhibit is the latest addition to the long-running natural science exhibit "Dynamic Earth: Revealing Nature's Secrets" at the museum. More than 30,000 people per year attend various programs offered by the planetarium including public shows, more than a dozen programs for school groups, after school activities, portable planetarium outreach, outdoor sky watches, solar observing and other family events. More than 1,000 high school students visited the planetarium in 2004. The exhibit is accompanied by a yearly teacher workshop (the first one was held on October 18-20, 2004) to enhance the learning experience of classes visiting the Newark Museum. The planetarium and museum staff has been working with teachers of Newark high schools and has presented many workshops for educators on a wide range of topics from astronomy to zoology. At the conclusion of the exhibit in December 2005, the exhibit will go "on the road" and will be made available to schools or other museums. Finally, the exhibit will find its permanent home at the new office complex of CSTR at NJIT. Acknowledgements: Solar Fireworks was organized by The Newark Museum and the New Jersey Institute of Technology's Center for Solar-Terrestrial Research and supported by a two-year grant from NASA's Office of Space Science Education/Public Outreach Program (NASA NAG5-12733 EPO-02-219). http://www.bbso.njit.edu

Amplification of intrinsic fluctuations by the Lorenz equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fox, Ronald F.; Elston, T. C.

1993-07-01

Macroscopic systems (e.g., hydrodynamics, chemical reactions, electrical circuits, etc.) manifest intrinsic fluctuations of molecular and thermal origin. When the macroscopic dynamics is deterministically chaotic, the intrinsic fluctuations may become amplified by several orders of magnitude. Numerical studies of this phenomenon are presented in detail for the Lorenz model. Amplification to macroscopic scales is exhibited, and quantitative methods (binning and a difference-norm) are presented for measuring macroscopically subliminal amplification effects. In order to test the quality of the numerical results, noise induced chaos is studied around a deterministically nonchaotic state, where the scaling law relating the Lyapunov exponent to noise strength obtained for maps is confirmed for the Lorenz model, a system of ordinary differential equations.

Compact beam splitters with deep gratings for miniature photonic integrated circuits: design and implementation aspects.

PubMed

Chen, Chin-Hui; Klamkin, Jonathan; Nicholes, Steven C; Johansson, Leif A; Bowers, John E; Coldren, Larry A

2009-09-01

We present an extensive study of an ultracompact grating-based beam splitter suitable for photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that have stringent density requirements. The 10 microm long beam splitter exhibits equal splitting, low insertion loss, and also provides a high extinction ratio in an integrated coherent balanced receiver. We further present the design strategies for avoiding mode distortion in the beam splitter and discuss optimization of the widths of the detectors to improve insertion loss and extinction ratio of the coherent receiver circuit. In our study, we show that the grating-based beam splitter is a competitive technology having low fabrication complexity for ultracompact PICs.

Sexual history disclosure polygraph examinations with cybercrime offences: a first Dutch explorative study.

PubMed

Buschman, Jos; Bogaerts, Stefan; Foulger, Sarah; Wilcox, Daniel; Sosnowski, Daniel; Cushman, Barry

2010-06-01

This article presents the first study on post-conviction polygraphy in the Netherlands. Importantly, it exclusively focuses on cybercrime offenders. The study is designed to systematically address the different child sexual behaviours exhibited by 25 participants who are in treatment for possessing child abuse images. The results indicate that post-conviction polygraphy can provide additional data to inform the development of theory in this area and contribute to the treatment, supervision, and more effective containment of offending behaviour and the reduction of future victimization.

Study of ring influence and electronic response to proton transfer reactions. Reaction electronic flux analysis.

PubMed

Herrera, Barbara

2011-05-01

In this article, a theoretical study of 1-5 proton transfers is presented. Two model systems which represent 1-5 proton transfer, 3-hidroxy-2-propenimine and salicyldenaniline have been studied as shown in Fig. 1. For this purpose, a DFT/B3LYP/6-311+G**, reaction force and reaction electronic flux analysis is made. The obtained results indicate that both proton transfers exhibit energetic and electronic differences emphasizing the role of the neighbor ring and the impact of conjugation on electronic properties.

Teaching children with autism appropriate play in unsupervised environments using a self-management treatment package.

PubMed Central

Stahmer, A C; Schreibman, L

1992-01-01

The present study used a self-management treatment package to teach 3 children with autism, who exhibited inappropriate play behaviors, to play appropriately in the absence of a treatment provider. After self-management training, generalization and maintenance of the behavior change were assessed. Because of the detrimental effects of self-stimulation (arm flapping, spinning toys, twirling, etc.) on learning, the relationship between self-stimulatory behaviors and appropriate play was measured. Results indicated that the children learned to exhibit appropriate play skills in unsupervised settings, appropriate play skills generalized to new settings, and 2 of the children maintained their gains at 1-month follow-up. In addition, self-stimulatory behaviors decreased as appropriate play increased. Treatment implications of these findings are discussed. PMID:1634432

Intergenerational transfers in Philippine rice villages. Gender differences in traditional inheritance customs.

PubMed

Quisumbing, A R

1994-04-01

The author presents findings from a study of education, land, and nonland asset transfers from parents to children in 344 households in five rice villages in the Philippines. A model with family fixed effects is developed which explains transfers better than either individual heterogeneity or observed parent and child characteristics without family fixed effects. Analysis revealed that families facing different land constraints exhibit significantly different patterns of educational investment in children. In a subsample with completed inheritance, daughters receive less education, land, and total inheritance, but are compensated with nonland assets. Parents also exhibit preferential behavior toward children of the same gender such that daughters of better educated mothers receive more land, nonland assets, and total inheritance. Better educated fathers, however, give land preferentially to sons, but favor daughters in education.

Preparation and properties of isotropic Nd-Fe-B bonded magnets with sodium silicate binder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, W. Q.; Hu, R. J.; Yue, M.; Yin, Y. X.; Zhang, D. T.

2017-08-01

In present study, sodium silicate, a kind of heat-resistant binder, was used to prepare bonded Nd-Fe-B magnets with improved thermal stability and mechanical strength. Effect of curing temperature and curing time of the new binder to the magnetic properties, microstructure, and mechanical strength of the magnets was systematically investigated. Fracture surface morphology observation show that sodium silicate in bonded magnets could completely be cured at 175 °C for 40 min, and the magnets prepared under this condition exhibit optimal properties. They exhibit usable magnetic properties of Br of 4.66 kGs, Hcj of 4.84 kOe, and (BH)max of 4.06 MGOe at 200 °C. Moreover, the magnets possess high compressive strength of 63 MPa.

Treatment of challenging behavior exhibited by children with prenatal drug exposure.

PubMed

Kurtz, Patricia F; Chin, Michelle D; Rush, Karena S; Dixon, Dennis R

2008-01-01

A large body of literature exists describing the harmful effects of prenatal drug exposure on infant and child development. However, there is a paucity of research examining strategies to ameliorate sequelae such as externalizing behavior problems. In the present study, functional analysis procedures were used to assess challenging behavior exhibited by two children who were prenatally exposed to drugs of abuse. Results for both children indicated that challenging behavior was maintained by access to positive reinforcement (adult attention and tangible items). For one child, challenging behavior was also maintained by negative reinforcement (escape from activities of daily living). Function-based interventions were effective in reducing challenging behavior for both children. Implications for utilizing methods of applied behavior analysis in research with children with prenatal drug exposure are discussed.

Synthesis and characterization of graphene quantum dots and their size reduction using swift heavy ion beam

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mishra, Praveen; Bhat, Badekai Ramchandra

2018-04-01

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are nanosized fragments of graphene displaying quantum confinement effect. They have shown to be prepared from various methods which include ion beam etching of graphene. However, recently the modification of the GQDs has garnered tremendous attention owing to its suitability for various applications. Here, we have studied the effect of swift ion beam irradiation on the properties of GQDs. The ion beam treatment on the GQDs exhibited the change in observed photoluminescence of GQDs as they exhibited a blue luminescence on excitation with longwave UV (≈365 nm) due to the reduction in size and removal of the ethoxy (-C-O-C-) groups present on the quantum dots. This was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Interaction of Boron Clusters with Oxygen: a DFT Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salavitabar, Kamron; Boggavarapu, Kiran; Kandalam, Anil

A controlled combustion involving aluminum nanoparticles has often been the focus of studies in the field of solid fuel propellants. However very little focus has been given to the study of boron nanoparticles in controlled combustion. In contrast to aluminum nanoclusters, boron nanoclusters (Bn) are known to exhibit a planar geometries even at the size of n = 19 - 20, and thus offer a greater surface area for interaction with oxygen. Earlier experimental studies have shown that boron nanoclusters exhibit different reactivity with oxygen depending on their size and charge. In this poster, we present our recent density functional theory based results, focusing on the reactivity patterns of neutral and negatively charged B5 cluster with On, where n = 1 - 5; and B6 cluster with On (n = 1 - 2). The effect of charge on the reactivity of boron cluster, variation in the stability of product clusters, i e., neutral and negatively charged B5On (n = 1 - 5) and B6On (n = 1 - 2) are also examined. Financial Support from West Chester University Foundation under FaStR grant is acknowledged.

Intelligence related upper alpha desynchronization in a semantic memory task.

PubMed

Doppelmayr, M; Klimesch, W; Hödlmoser, K; Sauseng, P; Gruber, W

2005-07-30

Recent evidence shows that event-related (upper) alpha desynchronization (ERD) is related to cognitive performance. Several studies observed a positive, some a negative relationship. The latter finding, interpreted in terms of the neural efficiency hypothesis, suggests that good performance is associated with a more 'efficient', smaller extent of cortical activation. Other studies found that ERD increases with semantic processing demands and that this increase is larger for good performers. Studies supporting the neural efficiency hypothesis used tasks that do not specifically require semantic processing. Thus, we assume that the lack of semantic processing demands may at least in part be responsible for the reduced ERD. In the present study we measured ERD during a difficult verbal-semantic task. The findings demonstrate that during semantic processing, more intelligent (as compared to less intelligent) subjects exhibited a significantly larger upper alpha ERD over the left hemisphere. We conclude that more intelligent subjects exhibit a more extensive activation in a semantic processing system and suggest that divergent findings regarding the neural efficiency hypotheses are due to task specific differences in semantic processing demands.

A Study of the Kepler K2 Variable EPIC 211957146 Exhibiting a Variable O’ Connell Effect

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

Sriram, K.; Malu, S.; Rao, P. Vivekananda

We present the multi-band photometric and spectroscopic study of an over-contact binary system, EPIC 211957146. The light curves exhibit a variable O’ Connell effect, confirmed from our observational data and the Kepler K2 data. The best photometric solution incorporating a dark spot over the primary component unveils that the system has a low-mass ratio ( q  ∼ 0.17) and a high inclination ( i  ∼ 85°). To confirm the solution and constrain the uncertainty, Monte-Carlo simulations are performed and the results are reported. Based on the O–C diagram analysis, we see that the variable shows a period increase at the rate ofmore » dP / dt  ∼ 1.06 × 10{sup −6} days yr{sup −1}, which is higher than the theoretically predicted value. Presence of a third body having a period of ∼16.23 years is evident from the O–C diagram. No filled-in effect is observed in the H α line, while the effect is vividly present in the Na line. From the Kepler K2 data, we found that the primary and secondary minima exhibit an anti-correlated O–C variation followed by an erratic behavior. This is possibly caused by the longitudinal motion of the spot, and hence, we set a lower limit of ∼40 days for the spot modulation. We also observe a possibly associated photometric difference in the primary depth by comparing our light curves with Kepler K2 normalized light curves. This system has a low-mass ratio and a high fill-out factor, and, theoretically, such a physical configuration would lead to a merger.« less

Effects of changes in vertical occlusal dimension on heart rate fluctuations in guinea pigs.

PubMed

Taga, Hitoshi; Azuma, Yukio; Maehara, Kiyoshi; Nomura, Shuichi

2012-01-01

We have previously reported that the decrease of the vertical occlusal dimension (VOD) led to heart failure and abnormalities in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in guinea pigs. In the present study, we investigated the autonomic activity and the origin of the abnormality in CPK under different occlusal conditions. Guinea pigs were separated into the following five groups: untreated control, reduced VOD, slit, restored VOD and increased VOD groups and compared for their electrocardiogram and heart rate fluctuations for two weeks using Fluclet, computer software. The control group revealed no changes in heart rate fluctuations or posture. The reduced VOD group exhibited a two-phase wave of heart rate fluctuations, with the first peak 0-2 days after teeth grinding, and the second peak starting from 4 days after teeth grinding until sudden death (usually 12th day), accompanied by head drop. The slit and the restored VOD groups exhibited only the first peak. The increased VOD group, with approximately 3 mm-thick acrylic pellets bonded to the posterior teeth, showed no heart rate fluctuations. Body weight loss was most prominent in the reduced VOD group, and became much milder in the order of increased VOD, restored and slit groups. The reduced VOD group exhibited transient elevation of skeletal muscle type of CPK isozyme activity within two days after treatment. The present study suggests that the first peak of heart rate fluctuations is caused by pulpal stimulation, and the second peak by excessive contraction (excessive excitation of the motor output system and the autonomic nervous system) of the masticatory muscles. On the other hand, increased VOD did not influence either the motor or the autonomic nervous system.

Neurocognitive correlates of the effects of yoga meditation practice on emotion and cognition: a pilot study

PubMed Central

Froeliger, Brett E.; Garland, Eric L.; Modlin, Leslie A.; McClernon, F. Joseph

2012-01-01

Mindfulness meditation involves attending to emotions without cognitive fixation of emotional experience. Over time, this practice is held to promote alterations in trait affectivity and attentional control with resultant effects on well-being and cognition. However, relatively little is known regarding the neural substrates of meditation effects on emotion and cognition. The present study investigated the neurocognitive correlates of emotion interference on cognition in Yoga practitioners and a matched control group (CG) underwent fMRI while performing an event-related affective Stroop task. The task includes image viewing trials and Stroop trials bracketed by neutral or negative emotional distractors. During image viewing trials, Yoga practitioners exhibited less reactivity in right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) to negative as compared to neutral images; whereas the CG had the opposite pattern. A main effect of valence (negative > neutral) was observed in limbic regions (e.g., amygdala), of which the magnitude was inversely related to dlPFC activation. Exploratory analyses revealed that the magnitude of amygdala activation predicted decreased self-reported positive affect in the CG, but not among Yoga practitioners. During Stroop trials, Yoga practitioners had greater activation in ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) during Stroop trials when negative, compared to neutral, emotional distractor were presented; the CG exhibited the opposite pattern. Taken together, these data suggest that though Yoga practitioners exhibit limbic reactivity to negative emotional stimuli, such reactivity does not have downstream effects on later mood state. This uncoupling of viewing negative emotional images and affect among Yoga practitioners may be occasioned by their selective implementation of frontal executive-dependent strategies to reduce emotional interference during competing cognitive demands and not during emotional processing per se. PMID:22855674

A Study of the Kepler K2 Variable EPIC 211957146 Exhibiting a Variable O’ Connell Effect

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sriram, K.; Malu, S.; Choi, C. S.; Vivekananda Rao, P.

2017-05-01

We present the multi-band photometric and spectroscopic study of an over-contact binary system, EPIC 211957146. The light curves exhibit a variable O’ Connell effect, confirmed from our observational data and the Kepler K2 data. The best photometric solution incorporating a dark spot over the primary component unveils that the system has a low-mass ratio (q ˜ 0.17) and a high inclination (I ˜ 85°). To confirm the solution and constrain the uncertainty, Monte-Carlo simulations are performed and the results are reported. Based on the O-C diagram analysis, we see that the variable shows a period increase at the rate of dP/dt ˜ 1.06 × 10-6 days yr-1, which is higher than the theoretically predicted value. Presence of a third body having a period of ˜16.23 years is evident from the O-C diagram. No filled-in effect is observed in the Hα line, while the effect is vividly present in the Na line. From the Kepler K2 data, we found that the primary and secondary minima exhibit an anti-correlated O-C variation followed by an erratic behavior. This is possibly caused by the longitudinal motion of the spot, and hence, we set a lower limit of ˜40 days for the spot modulation. We also observe a possibly associated photometric difference in the primary depth by comparing our light curves with Kepler K2 normalized light curves. This system has a low-mass ratio and a high fill-out factor, and, theoretically, such a physical configuration would lead to a merger.

Complexity, self-organisation and variation in behaviour in meandering rivers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hooke, J. M.

2007-11-01

River meanders are natural features on the surface of Earth that present some degree of regularity of form. They range from being highly dynamic to being stable under present conditions. Conventional theory is that meanders develop to an equilibrium form which is related to discharge and sediment load. Other research has demonstrated that many highly active meanders exhibit a continuous evolution over time and a non-linearity in rate of development. Ideas of autogenesis and of self-organised criticality as being an explanation of some meander changes have been proposed. In this paper data from rivers around the world are examined for further evidence of autogenic, self-organised or non-linear behaviour through analysis of change in sinuosity over time for reaches and change in individual bend form, particularly bend curvature and bend elongation. Some examples do exhibit trends of increasing sinuosity over time and a few show limits from which large decreases occur. Several case studies show non-linearity of behaviour and increasing complexity of form. Other case studies, however, do not exhibit such trends. Phase space plots are used to help uncover emergent behaviour but show a variety of patterns. The example of a reach in which multiple cut-offs occurred is analysed for mechanisms of self-organisation of the planform and in the pool-riffle pattern. Riffles are more closely spaced and also more transient in the more rapidly changing and higher sinuosity parts of the channel. Hypothetical trajectories of different meander behaviour, including for bedrock meanders, are plotted but the challenge remains to uncover the conditions for occurrence and for divergence of tendencies to stability and instability. Identification of attractors and phase space of behaviour of different meandering systems offer the potential for application to sustainable channel management.

Naringin ameliorates endothelial dysfunction in fructose-fed rats.

PubMed

Malakul, Wachirawadee; Pengnet, Sirinat; Kumchoom, Chanon; Tunsophon, Sakara

2018-03-01

High fructose consumption is associated with metabolic disorders including hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, in addition to endothelial dysfunction. Naringin, a flavonoid present in citrus fruit, has been reported to exhibit lipid lowering, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protective properties. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of naringin on fructose-induced endothelial dysfunction in rats and its underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 10% fructose in drinking water for 12 weeks, whereas control rats were fed drinking water alone. Naringin (100 mg/kg) was orally administered to fructose fed rats during the last 4 weeks of the study. Following 12 weeks, blood samples were collected for measurement of blood glucose, serum lipid profile and total nitrate/nitrite (NOx). Vascular function was assessed by isometric tension recording. Aortic expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS), and nitrotyrosine were evaluated by western blot analysis. Fructose feeding induced increased levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein. In rat aortae, fructose reduced acethycholine-induced vasorelaxation, without affecting sodium nitroprusside-induced vasorelaxation. Treatment of fructose-fed rats with naringin restored fructose-induced metabolic alterations and endothelial dysfunction. Fructose-fed rats also exhibited decreased serum NOx level, reduced eNOS and p-eNOS protein expression, and enhanced nitrotyrosine expression in aortae. These alterations were improved by naringin treatment. The results of the present study suggested that naringin treatment preserves endothelium-dependent relaxation in aortae from fructose fed rats. This effect is primarily mediated through an enhanced NO bioavailability via increased eNOS activity and decreased NO inactivated to peroxynitrite in aortae.

Computational prediction of hinge axes in proteins

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background A protein's function is determined by the wide range of motions exhibited by its 3D structure. However, current experimental techniques are not able to reliably provide the level of detail required for elucidating the exact mechanisms of protein motion essential for effective drug screening and design. Computational tools are instrumental in the study of the underlying structure-function relationship. We focus on a special type of proteins called "hinge proteins" which exhibit a motion that can be interpreted as a rotation of one domain relative to another. Results This work proposes a computational approach that uses the geometric structure of a single conformation to predict the feasible motions of the protein and is founded in recent work from rigidity theory, an area of mathematics that studies flexibility properties of general structures. Given a single conformational state, our analysis predicts a relative axis of motion between two specified domains. We analyze a dataset of 19 structures known to exhibit this hinge-like behavior. For 15, the predicted axis is consistent with a motion to a second, known conformation. We present a detailed case study for three proteins whose dynamics have been well-studied in the literature: calmodulin, the LAO binding protein and the Bence-Jones protein. Conclusions Our results show that incorporating rigidity-theoretic analyses can lead to effective computational methods for understanding hinge motions in macromolecules. This initial investigation is the first step towards a new tool for probing the structure-dynamics relationship in proteins. PMID:25080829

Parametric study of plasma-mediated thermoluminescence produced by Al2O3 sub-micron powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morávek, T.; Ambrico, P. F.; Ambrico, M.; Schiavulli, L.; Ráheľ, J.

2017-10-01

Sub-micron Al2O3 powders with a surface activated by dielectric barrier discharge exhibit improved performance in wet deposition of ceramic layers. In addressing the possible mechanisms responsible for the observed improvement, a comprehensive thermoluminescence (TL) study of plasma-activated powders was performed. TL offers the unique possibility of exploring the population of intrinsic electrons/holes in the charge trapping states. This study covers a wide range of experimental conditions affecting the TL of powders: treatment time, plasma working gas composition, change of discharge configuration, step-annealing of powder, exposure to laser irradiation and aging time. Deconvoluted TL spectra were followed for the changes in their relative contributions. The TL spectra of all tested gases (air, Ar, N2 and 5% He in N2) consist of the well-known main dosimetric peak at 450 K and a peak of similar magnitude at higher temperatures, centered between 700 and 800 K depending on the working gas used. N2 plasma treatment gave rise to a new specific TL peak at 510 K, which exhibited several peculiarities. Initial thermal annealing of Al2O3 powders led to its significant amplification (unlike the other peaks); the peak was insensitive to optical bleaching, and it exhibited slow gradual growth during the long-term aging test. Besides its relevance to the ceramic processing studies, a comprehensive set of data is presented that provides a useful and unconventional view on plasma-mediated material changes.

Traveling Exhibitions: translating current science into effective science exhibitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dusenbery, P.; Morrow, C.; Harold, J.

The Space Science Institute (SSI) of Boulder, Colorado has recently developed two museum exhibits called the Space Weather Center and MarsQuest. It is currently planning to develop two other exhibitions called Cosmic Origins and InterActive Earth. Museum exhibitions provide research scientists the opportunity to engage in a number of activities that are vital to the success of earth and space outreach programs. The Space Weather Center was developed in partnership with various research missions at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The focus of the presentation will be on the Institute's MarsQuest exhibition. This project is a 5000 square-foot, 2.5M, traveling exhibition that is now touring the country. The exhibit's 3-year tour is enabling millions of Americans to share in the excitement of the scientific exploration of Mars and learn more about their own planet in the process. The associated planetarium show and education program will also be described, with particular emphasis on workshops to orient host museum staff (e.g. museum educators and docents). The workshops make innovative connections between the exhibitions interactive experiences and lesson plans aligned with the National Science Education Standards. SSI is also developing an interactive web site called MarsQuest On-line. The linkage between the web site, education program and exhibit will be discussed. MarsQuest and SSI's other exhibitions are good models for actively involving scientists and their discoveries to help improve informal science education in the museum community and for forging a stronger connection between formal and informal education.

Differences in root aeration, iron plaque formation and waterlogging tolerance in six mangroves along a continues tidal gradient.

PubMed

Cheng, Hao; Wang, You-Shao; Fei, Jiao; Jiang, Zhao-Yu; Ye, Zhi-Hong

2015-10-01

Mangrove is a special coastal forest along tropical and subtropical intertidal shores. However, how mangroves adapt to tidal flooding and the mechanisms involved in mangrove zonation are still poorly understood. In this study, a pot trial with different tide treatments was conducted to investigate the differences in root anatomy, porosity, radial oxygen loss, iron plaque formation and waterlogging tolerance among six mangroves along a continuous tidal gradient. The index of waterlogging tolerance illustrated that Sonneratia apetala possessed the highest index, followed by Aeguceras corniculatum/Kandelia, Rhizophora stylosa, Heritiera littorlis and Thespesia populnea. Waterlogging tolerances of the mangroves were found to be positively correlated with their root porosity, radial oxygen loss and iron plaque formation. Waterlogging-sensitive species such as landward semi-mangroves exhibited small root porosity and ROL, while waterlogging-tolerant species such as seaward pioneer and rhizophoraceous mangroves exhibited extensive porosity, ROL and iron plaque formation. Nevertheless, grater root porosity and iron plaque formation were detected in permanent waterlogged plants when compared to drained plants. In conclusion, The present study proposes a structural adaptive strategy to tidal flooding in mangroves, such that the mangroves with higher root porosity, ROL and iron plaque appeared to exhibit higher waterlogging tolerance and adaptability in anaerobic foreshores.

The in vitro biological activity of Lepidium meyenii extracts.

PubMed

Valentová, K; Buckiová, D; Kren, V; Peknicová, J; Ulrichová, J; Simánek, V

2006-03-01

The biological activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts from dehydrated hypocotyls of Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae, vernacular name "maca"), was studied on rat hepatocytes and human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. The extracts did not exhibit cytotoxicity in hepatocyte primary cultures up to 10 mg/ml as measured by the MTT viability test, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) leakage. Moreover, after 72 h, extracts inhibited LDH and AST leakage from the hepatocytes. When hepatocytes were intoxicated by t-butyl hydroperoxide, neither extract prevented oxidative damage. Both extracts showed weak antioxidant activity in the DPPH radical scavenging test with IC(50) values of 3.46 +/- 0.16 and 0.71 +/- 0.10 mg/ml, for aqueous and methanolic extracts, respectively. Thus, the observed effect on spontaneous enzyme leakage is probably mediated through mechanisms other than antioxidant activity. Both methanolic and aqueous extracts have shown estrogenic activity comparable with that of silymarin in MCF-7 cell line. Maca estrogenicity was exhibited in the range from 100 to 200 mug of extract per ml. The findings in the present study show that maca does not display in vitro hepatotoxicity. In contrast, a slight cytoprotective effect, probably not mediated by antioxidant capacity, was noted. Maca extracts exhibited estrogenic activity comparably to the effect of silymarin in MCF-7 cells.

Dual drug loaded chitosan nanoparticles-sugar--coated arsenal against pancreatic cancer.

PubMed

David, Karolyn Infanta; Jaidev, Leela Raghav; Sethuraman, Swaminathan; Krishnan, Uma Maheswari

2015-11-01

Pancreatic cancer is an aggressive form of cancer with poor survival rates. The increased mortality due to pancreatic cancer arises due to many factors such as development of multidrug resistance, presence of cancer stem cells, development of a stromal barrier and a hypoxic environment due to hypo-perfusion. The present study aims to develop a nanocarrier for a combination of drugs that can address these multiple issues. Quercetin and 5-fluorouracil were loaded in chitosan nanoparticles, individually as well as in combination. The nanoparticles were characterized for morphology, size, zeta potential, percentage encapsulation of drugs as well as their release profiles in different media. The dual drug-loaded carrier exhibited good entrapment efficiency (quercetin 95% and 5-fluorouracil 75%) with chitosan: quercetin: 5-fluorouracil in the ratio 3:1:2. The release profiles suggest that 5-fluorouracil preferentially localized in the periphery while quercetin was located towards the core of chitosan nanoparticles. Both drugs exhibited considerable association with the chitosan matrix. The dual drug-loaded carrier system exhibited significant toxicity towards pancreatic cancer cells both in the 2D as well as in the 3D cultures. We believe that the results from these studies can open up interesting options in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Carbon K-edge spectra of carbonate minerals.

PubMed

Brandes, Jay A; Wirick, Sue; Jacobsen, Chris

2010-09-01

Carbon K-edge X-ray spectroscopy has been applied to the study of a wide range of organic samples, from polymers and coals to interstellar dust particles. Identification of carbonaceous materials within these samples is accomplished by the pattern of resonances in the 280-320 eV energy region. Carbonate minerals are often encountered in the study of natural samples, and have been identified by a distinctive resonance at 290.3 eV. Here C K-edge and Ca L-edge spectra from a range of carbonate minerals are presented. Although all carbonates exhibit a sharp 290 eV resonance, both the precise position of this resonance and the positions of other resonances vary among minerals. The relative strengths of the different carbonate resonances also vary with crystal orientation to the linearly polarized X-ray beam. Intriguingly, several carbonate minerals also exhibit a strong 288.6 eV resonance, consistent with the position of a carbonyl resonance rather than carbonate. Calcite and aragonite, although indistinguishable spectrally at the C K-edge, exhibited significantly different spectra at the Ca L-edge. The distinctive spectral fingerprints of carbonates provide an identification tool, allowing for the examination of such processes as carbon sequestration in minerals, Mn substitution in marine calcium carbonates (dolomitization) and serpentinization of basalts.

Viewing time measures of sexual orientation in Samoan cisgender men who engage in sexual interactions with fa'afafine.

PubMed

Petterson, Lanna J; Dixson, Barnaby J; Little, Anthony C; Vasey, Paul L

2015-01-01

Androphilia refers to attraction to adult males, whereas gynephilia refers to attraction to adult females. The current study employed self-report and viewing time (response time latency) measures of sexual attraction to determine the sexual orientation of Samoan cisgender men (i.e., males whose gender presentation and identity is concordant with their biological sex) who engage in sexual interactions with transgender male androphiles (known locally as fa'afafine) compared to: (1) Samoan cisgender men who only engage in sexual interactions with women, and (2) fa'afafine. As expected, both measures indicated that cisgender men who only engaged in sexual interactions with women exhibited a gynephilic pattern of sexual attraction, whereas fa'afafine exhibited an androphilic one. In contrast, both measures indicated that cisgender men who engaged in sexual interactions with fa'afafine demonstrated a bisexual pattern of sexual attraction. Most of the cisgender men who exhibited bisexual viewing times did not engage in sexual activity with both men and women indicating that the manner in which bisexual patterns of sexual attraction manifest behaviorally vary from one culture to the next.

Peer review and competition in the Art Exhibition Game.

PubMed

Balietti, Stefano; Goldstone, Robert L; Helbing, Dirk

2016-07-26

To investigate the effect of competitive incentives under peer review, we designed a novel experimental setup called the Art Exhibition Game. We present experimental evidence of how competition introduces both positive and negative effects when creative artifacts are evaluated and selected by peer review. Competition proved to be a double-edged sword: on the one hand, it fosters innovation and product diversity, but on the other hand, it also leads to more unfair reviews and to a lower level of agreement between reviewers. Moreover, an external validation of the quality of peer reviews during the laboratory experiment, based on 23,627 online evaluations on Amazon Mechanical Turk, shows that competition does not significantly increase the level of creativity. Furthermore, the higher rejection rate under competitive conditions does not improve the average quality of published contributions, because more high-quality work is also rejected. Overall, our results could explain why many ground-breaking studies in science end up in lower-tier journals. Differences and similarities between the Art Exhibition Game and scholarly peer review are discussed and the implications for the design of new incentive systems for scientists are explained.

Age-Related Differences in Profiles of Mood-Change Trajectories

PubMed Central

Stanley, Jennifer Tehan; Isaacowitz, Derek M.

2010-01-01

As a group, older adults report positive affective lives. The extent to which there are subgroups of older adults whose moods are less positive, however, is unclear. The aim of the present study was to identify and characterize different subgroups of adults who exhibit distinct trajectories of mood-change across a relatively short time period. Seventy-nine young and 103 older adults continuously reported their moods while viewing emotional and neutral faces. Cluster analysis revealed four subgroups of mood-change trajectories. Both the most positive and the most negative subgroups included more older than younger adults (ps < .05), suggesting that not all older adults exhibit higher positive affect than young adults. Analyses of variance revealed that the most negative group exhibited slower processing speed, more state anxiety and neuroticism, and looked less at happy faces, than the other groups (ps < .05). The results are discussed from an adult developmental perspective, focusing on the increased variability of mood trajectories in the older adults and whether this is a reflection of adaptive functioning, or a potential harbinger of dysfunction. PMID:21171749

Efficient Electrochemical Synthesis, Antimicrobial and Antiinflammatory Activity of 2–amino-5-substituted- 1,3,4-oxadiazole Derivatives

PubMed Central

Kumar, S.; Srivastava, D. P.

2010-01-01

An efficient electrochemical method for the preparation of 2-amino-5-substituted-1,3,4-oxadiazoles (4a-k) at platinum anode through the electrooxidation of semicarbazone (3a-k) at controlled potential electrolysis has been reported in the present study. The electrolysis was carried out in the acetic acid solvent and lithium perchlorate was used as supporting electrolyte. The products were characterized by IR,1H-NMR,13C-NMR, mass spectra and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were screened for their in vitro growth inhibiting activity against different strains of bacteria viz., Klebsilla penumoniae, Escherichia coli, Bassilus subtilis and Streptococcus aureus and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Crysosporium pannical and results have been compared with the standard antibacterial streptomycin and antifungal griseofulvin. Compounds exhibits significant antibacterial activity and antifungal activity. Compounds 4a and g exhibited equal while 4c, d, i and j slightly less antibacterial activity than standard streptomycin. Compounds 4a and g exhibited equal while 4b, c, d, f and i displayed slightly less antifungal activity than standard griseofulvins. PMID:21218056

EPR study of free radicals in non- and gamma-irradiated nutritive supplements containing anthocyanins concentrate from lyophilized red wine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mladenova, Ralitsa B.; Firzov, Cyril; Yordanov, Nicola D.

2010-09-01

Nutritive supplements Enoviton, Enoviton C and Enoviton CE containing standardized anthocyanins from lyophilized red wine, vitamins (some of them) and excipients were investigated by EPR spectrometry before and after gamma-irradiation. Non-irradiated samples exhibit one singlet line with g=2.0039±0.0002, most probably due to free radicals from anthocyanins. After irradiation with 10 kGy gamma-rays, tablets of Еnoviton, Еnoviton С and Еnoviton СЕ, all exhibit complex EPR signals centered at a g-value of g=2.0034. The EPR spectrum of irradiated Enoviton is different from that of Еnoviton С or Еnoviton СЕ due to the overlap of the spectra of microcrystalline cellulose and the background singlet spectrum present in all tablets with the EPR resonance due to irradiated ascorbic acid (in Еnoviton С and Еnoviton СЕ). Gamma-induced free radicals exhibit long time stability—for a six months period the intensity of central peak decrease with 30-40%.

Adapalene inhibits the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 in colorectal carcinoma.

PubMed

Shi, Xi-Nan; Li, Hongjian; Yao, Hong; Liu, Xu; Li, Ling; Leung, Kwong-Sak; Kung, Hsiang-Fu; Lin, Marie Chia-Mi

2015-11-01

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) has been reported to be overexpressed in human colorectal cancer; it is responsible for the G1‑to‑S‑phase transition in the cell cycle and its deregulation is a hallmark of cancer. The present study was the first to use idock, a free and open‑source protein‑ligand docking software developed by our group, to identify potential CDK2 inhibitors from 4,311 US Food and Drug Administration‑approved small molecular drugs with a re‑purposing strategy. Among the top compounds identified by idock score, nine were selected for further study. Among them, adapalene (ADA; CD271,6‑[3‑(1‑adamantyl)‑4‑methoxyphenyl]‑2‑naphtoic acid) exhibited the highest anti‑proliferative effects in LOVO and DLD1 human colon cancer cell lines. Consistent with the expected properties of CDK2 inhibitors, the present study demonstrated that ADA significantly increased the G1‑phase population and decreased the expression of CDK2, cyclin E and retinoblastoma protein (Rb), as well as the phosphorylation of CDK2 (on Thr‑160) and Rb (on Ser‑795). Furthermore, the anti‑cancer effects of ADA were examined in vivo on xenograft tumors derived from DLD1 human colorectal cancer cells subcutaneously inoculated in BALB/C nude mice. ADA (20 mg/kg orally) exhibited marked anti‑tumor activity, comparable to that of oxaliplatin (40 mg/kg), and dose‑dependently inhibited tumor growth (P<0.05), while combined administration of ADA and oxaliplatin produced the highest therapeutic effect. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to indicate that ADA inhibits CDK2 and is a potential candidate drug for the treatment of human colorectal cancer.

One exhibition, many goals. A case study on how to combine scientific questions with stakeholder views on effective communication of risks.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Charriere, M. K. M.; Junier, S.; Bogaard, T.; Mostert, E.; Malet, J. P.

2014-12-01

How effective is visual communication to increase awareness of natural hazards and risks? To answer this research question, we developed a research design that was at the same time an experimental setting and an actual communication effort. This contribution will address the scientists-stakeholders interaction that was involved, the resulting exhibition, the lessons learned and the value it had for the researchers and for the other stakeholders. Throughout the full length of the 2-years project held in the Ubaye valley (southeastern France) we collaborated with local and regional stakeholders (politicians and technicians). Informal meetings with local stakeholders were organized to determine what they perceived as the needs in term of risk communication and to investigate the potential to develop activities that would benefit both them and us. We were offered the opportunity to design an exhibition for the local public library. We proposed the content and this was adjusted in interaction with the stakeholders. Later local technicians and inhabitants contributed to the content of the exhibition and regional stakeholders helped with the funding of the exhibition. Finally, employees of the public library took the lead in advertising the activity, gathering participants and they helped designing the scientific survey. This survey was the key activity from a scientific point of view as it allowed us to measure the impact of this communication activity on risk awareness. Moreover, the principal scientist was present during all opening hours of the exhibition. This allowed direct and indirect contact with the visitors. The benefits of this exhibition for the community included triggering memories, encouraging exchanges, especially inter-generational, reinforcing stakeholders-to-stakeholders relationships and promote further communication on the topic. The scientific benefits are that we have an experiment that allows us to measure the impact of a communication effort, not in a laboratory situation but in real life.

Evaluation of Myrtus communis Linn. berries (common myrtle) in experimental ulcer models in rats.

PubMed

Sumbul, Sabiha; Ahmad, Mohd Aftab; Asif, Mohd; Saud, Ibne; Akhtar, Mohd

2010-11-01

The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effect of the dried berries of Myrtus communis L. in gastric ulcer against ethanol, indomethacin and pyloric ligation induced models in Wistar rats. Two doses of aqueous extracts of M. communis (AE( 1) and AE(2)) at the dose 105 and 175 mg/kg, respectively, and methanolic extracts (ME(1) and ME(2)) at the dose of 93 and 154 mg/kg, respectively, were administered orally to animals prior to the exposure of ulcerogens. The parameters taken to assess anti-ulcer activity were ulcer index, gastric juice volume, gastric pH, total acidity, gastric wall mucus and histopathological studies. Oral administration of AE(1) and AE(2) significantly reduced the ulcer index in all models of ulcers. Low dose of aqueous extract and high dose of methanolic extract of M. communis exhibited more significant effect in comparison to omeprazole (standard drug) in ethanol-induced ulcer model. Both the doses of aqueous and methanolic extracts also reduced the gastric juice volume, total acidity and increased the gastric pH and gastric wall mucus content in all the models of ulcers used in the present study. Histopathological examinations of gastric tissues of rats treated with the aqueous and methanolic extracts in indomethacin-induced ulcer exhibited significant ulcer-protective effect at both the dose levels.