Genetic and phenotypic variability for constitutive oleoresin flow in loblolly pine

Treesearch

James H. Roberds; Brian L. Strom; F.P. Hain

2003-01-01

In loblolly pine, Pinus taeda L., flow of oleoresin at penetration sites is considered to be a major component of defense against attack by the southern pine beetle (SPB) Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm. Trees with copious amounts of constitutive or preformed oleoresin appear to be most able to prevent or impede colonization by this...

An Ethical Dilemma: Talking about Plagiarism and Academic Integrity in the Digital Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Ebony Elizabeth; Sassi, Kelly

2011-01-01

Today, many students not only access the Internet through desktop and laptop computers at home or at school but also have copious amounts of information at their fingertips via portable devices (e.g., iPods, iPads, netbooks, smartphones). While some teachers welcome the proliferation of portable technologies and easy wireless Internet access, and…

[Comparison between the way of intravenous administration of flagellin from Salmonella typhosa to the margial vein in the ear and into the mesenteric superior vein. Preliminary note].

PubMed

Scoglio, M E; Bisignano, G; Fazio, A

1975-01-01

Rabbits receiving three injections of PFA intravenously in ear, after that first treatment gave a weak antibody response, after the second one a rapid and copious increase of agglutination titre; the third injection induced a very small increase. In rabbits injected with PFA in superior mesenteric vein the first injection produced a little effect, the second induced a little effect too; the third injection performed in auricular vein, gave a substancial rapid and copious antibody response. This behaviour is similar to that obtained after the second injection in the first set of experiments. The PFA injected two times in mesenteric vein caused certainly a massive phagocytosis of antigen by Kupffer cells. Nevertheless this copious phagocytosis can exercise only an action of "priming", not a response of secondary type. For this purpose it is necessary an injection in the ear vein to provoke a direct intervention of lymphonodal reticular phagocytes. The phenomenon can be related to the proteic nature of the antigen.

Two-Dimensional Simulations of Electron Shock Ignition at the Megajoule Scale

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shang, W.; Betti, R.

2016-10-01

Shock ignition uses a late strong shock to ignite the hot spot of an inertial confinement fusion capsule. In the standard shock-ignition scheme, an ignitor shock is launched by the ablation pressure from a spike in laser intensity. Recent experiments on OMEGA have shown that focused beams with intensity up to 6 ×1015 W /cm2 can produce copious amounts of hot electrons. The hot electrons are produced by laser-plasma instabilities (LPI's) and can carry up to 15 % of the instantaneous laser power. Megajoule-scale targets will likely produce even more hot electrons because of the large plasma scale length. We show that it is possible to design ignition targets with low implosion velocities that can be shock ignited using LPI-generated hot electrons to obtain high energy gains. These designs are robust to low-mode asymmetries and they ignite even for highly distorted implosions. Electron shock ignition requires tens of kilojoules of hot electrons, which can only be produced on a large laser facility like the National Ignition Facility. This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration under Award Number DE-NA0001944.

Production of a novel bioflocculant MNXY1 by Klebsiella pneumoniae strain NY1 and application in precipitation of cyanobacteria and municipal wastewater treatment

PubMed Central

Nie, M.; Yin, X.; Jia, J.; Wang, Y.; Liu, S.; Shen, Q.; Li, P.; Wang, Z.

2015-01-01

Aims To isolate and characterize the novel bioflocculant-producing bacteria, to optimize the bioflocculant production and evaluate its potential applications. Methods and Results Klebsiella pneumoniae strain NY1, a bacterium that produces a novel bioflocculant (MNXY1), was selected on the chemically defined media. It was classified according to the 16S rRNA gene sequence, morphological and microscopic characteristics. MNXY1 was characterized to contain 26% protein and 66% total sugar. The constituent sugar monomers of MNXY1, revealed by NMR analysis, are glucose, galactose and quinovose. Favorable culture conditions for MNXY1 production were determined. Strain NY1 produces a high level (14.9 g l−1) of MNXY1. MNXY1 is thermostable and tolerant to the extreme pH. It precipitated 54% of cyanobacteria from laboratory culture and 72% of the total suspended solids from raw wastewater. Conclusions Strain NY1 was identified to produce a novel bioflocculant MNXY1. The outstanding performance of MNXY1 in practical applications and its availability in copious amounts make it attractive for further investigation and development for industrial scale applications. PMID:21679283

Toward a Successful Plan for Educational Technology for Low-Income Communities: A Formative Evaluation of One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Projects in Nigeria and Ghana

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ezumah, Bellarmine Anthonia

2010-01-01

Copious educational technology projects have been implemented in several low-income communities by multilateral institutions, individuals, and governmental agencies. Statistics show that the majority of these initiatives fail to accomplish their objectives, thereby wasting colossal amounts of money, talent, and resources. Scholars aver that poor…

Making Training Stick: A Close Examination of How Trainee Readiness, Supervisor Support, and Practice Foster Transfer in a Mobile Technology-Based Training Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Putter, Stefanie E.

2013-01-01

Although today's organizations are investing copious amounts of time, money, and resources on employee learning and development, trainees often fail to apply their learning and skills on the job, bringing into question the true value of organizational training. In an attempt to improve understanding of the key individual and organizational…

A Mechanism for Recent Production of Liquid Water on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hecht, M. H.; Bridges, N. T.

2003-01-01

Though Mars is a cold, dry planet, with respect to the thermal stability of liquid water at low altitudes it is not terribly different from comparably cold places on Earth. In dry air such water would evaporate faster on Mars, at a rate comparable to a 60 C hot spring on Earth, but the heat loss associated with that evaporation would be mitigated by the poor thermal convection in the thin Martian air. Even at higher altitudes where the atmospheric pressure does not reach the triple point of water, liquid water might theoretically exist in a low-vapor pressure form such as wet soil, in a briny solution, or simply under a layer of dust or snow. The theoretical stability of liquid water does not suggest its occurrence, either on Mars or in Antarctica. In fact, global models have suggested that locations capable of providing sufficient heat for melting are, precisely for that reason, too dry for water to be present. However, the temperature of irregular local structures such as trenches or craters can be markedly warmer than those of the uniform surfaces of global models. The work described here suggests a plausible scenario in which seasonal liquid water might be produced locally, in sheltered locations, through a process of condensation, cold-trapping, buffering, and melting. While the amounts produced in the present climate would be small, copious amounts of meltwater may have been produced at other phases of the orbital cycle, as recently as 20,000 years ago.

Using Simple Field Instruments to Monitor for Biological Production of Methane at Gasoline Spill Sites

EPA Science Inventory

When gasoline containing ethanol is spilled to ground water, natural anaerobic biodegradation of the ethanol can produce copious quantities of methane gas, which bubbles out of the ground water and enters the unsaturated zone. Depending on local circumstances, the concentration...

Detoxification of fusaric acid by the soil microbe Mucor rouxii

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

An unusually aggressive biotype of the root rotting pathogen of cotton, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov), has been identified in the Western Hemisphere in some cotton fields in California. This pathogen produces copious quantities of the plant toxin fusaric acid (5-butyl-2-pyridinecarbox...

General weather conditions and precipitation contributing to the 2011 flooding in the Mississippi River and Red River of the North Basins, December 2010 through July 2011: Chapter B in 2011 floods of the central United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vining, Kevin C.; Chase, Katherine J.; Loss, Gina R.

2013-01-01

Excessive precipitation produced severe flooding in the Mississippi River and Red River of the North Basins during spring and summer 2011. The 2011 flooding was caused by weather conditions that were affected in part by a La Niña climate pattern. During the 2010–11 climatological winter (December 2010–February 2011), several low pressure troughs from the Rocky Mountains into the Ohio River subbasin produced large amounts of precipitation. Precipitation was above normal to record amounts in parts of the Missouri River, Red River of the North, and upper Mississippi River subbasins, and mostly normal to below normal in the Ohio River and lower Mississippi River subbasins. During the 2011 climatological spring (March–May 2011), a large low pressure trough over the continental States and a high pressure ridge centered in the vicinity of the Gulf of Mexico combined to produce storms with copious precipitation along frontal boundaries across the Central States. Rain totals recorded during the April 18–28, 2011, precipitation event were more than 8 inches at several locations, while an impressive total of 16.15 inches was recorded at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Several locations in the Missouri River subbasin had rainfall totals that were nearly one-third to one-half of their 1971–2000 normal annual amounts during a May 16–31, 2011, precipitation event. During June and July, thunderstorm development along frontal boundaries resulted in areas of heavy rain across the Missouri River, Red River of the North, and upper Mississippi River subbasins, while rainfall in the lower Mississippi River subbasin was mostly below normal.

Mutualism between tree shrews and pitcher plants: perspectives and avenues for future research.

PubMed

Clarke, Charles; Moran, Jonathan A; Chin, Lijin

2010-10-01

Three species of Nepenthes pitcher plants from Borneo engage in a mutualistic interaction with mountain tree shrews, the basis of which is the exchange of nutritional resources. The plants produce modified "toilet pitchers" that produce copious amounts of exudates, the latter serving as a food source for tree shrews. The exudates are only accessible to the tree shrews when they position their hindquarters over the pitcher orifice. Tree shrews mark valuable resources with faeces and regularly defecate into the pitchers when they visit them to feed. Faeces represent a valuable source of nitrogen for these Nepenthes species, but there are many facets of the mutualism that are yet to be investigated. These include, but are not limited to, seasonal variation in exudate production rates by the plants, behavioral ecology of visiting tree shrews, and the mechanism by which the plants signal to tree shrews that their pitchers represent a food source. Further research into this extraordinary animal-plant interaction is required to gain a better understanding of the benefits to the participating species. © 2010 Landes Bioscience

Synthesis of nanoparticles from malleable and ductile metals using powder-free, reactant-assisted mechanical attrition.

PubMed

McMahon, Brandon W; Perez, Jesus Paulo L; Yu, Jiang; Boatz, Jerry A; Anderson, Scott L

2014-11-26

A reactant-assisted mechanochemical method was used to produce copious nanoparticles from malleable/ductile metals, demonstrated here for aluminum, iron, and copper. The milling media is intentionally degraded via a reactant-accelerated wear process, where the reactant aids particle production by binding to the metal surfaces, enhancing particle production, and reducing the tendency toward mechanochemical (cold) welding. The mechanism is explored by comparing the effects of different types of solvents and solvent mixtures on the amount and type of particles produced. Particles were functionalized with oleic acid to aid in particle size separation, enhance dispersion in hydrocarbon solvents, and protect the particles from oxidation. For aluminum and iron, the result is air-stable particles, but for copper, the suspended particles are found to dissolve when exposed to air. Characterization was performed using electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Density functional theory was used to examine the nature of carboxylic acid binding to the aluminum surface, confirming the dominance of bridging bidentate binding.

Morphology and chemistry of projectile residue in small experimental impact craters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horz, F.; Fechtig, H.; Janicke, J.; Schneider, E.

1983-11-01

Small-scale impact craters (5-7 mm in diameter) were produced with a light gas gun in high purity Au and Cu targets using soda lime glass (SL) and man-made basalt glass (BG) as projectiles. Maximum impact velocity was 6.4 km/s resulting in peak pressures of approximately 120-150 GPa. Copious amounts of projectile melts are preserved as thin glass liners draping the entire crater cavity; some of this liner may be lost by spallation, however. SEM investigations reveal complex surface textures including multistage flow phenomena and distinct temporal deposition sequences of small droplets. Inasmuch as some of the melts were generated at peak pressures greater than 120 GPa, these glasses represent the most severely shocked silicates recovered from laboratory experiments to date. Major element analyses reveal partial loss of alkalis; Na2O loss of 10-15 percent is observed, while K2O loss may be as high as 30-50 percent. Although the observed volatile loss in these projectile melts is significant, it still remains uncertain whether target melts produced on planetary surfaces are severely fractionated by selective volatilization processes.

Adaptations to a New Physical Training Program in the Combat Controller Training Pipeline

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

education regarding optimizing recovery through hydration and nutrition . We designed and implemented a short class that explained the benefits of pre...to poor nutrition and hydration practices. Finally, many of the training methods employed throughout the pipeline were outdated, non-periodized, and...contributing to overtraining. Creation of a nutrition and hydration class. Apart from being told to drink copious amounts of water, trainees had little

Sugar Dehydration without Sulfuric Acid: No More Choking Fumes in the Classroom!

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silverstein, Todd P.; Zhang, Yi

1998-06-01

Sugar is a common reagent often used in colorful classroom demonstrations. It produces a growing column of black ash when dehydrated by concentrated sulfuric acid, and it produces a brilliant purple flame when combusted with potassium chlorate. Unfortunately, both of these reactions also produce copious quantities of noxious fumes which make them problematic as lecture demonstrations. We have modified and combined these two reactions. Our demonstration uses no sulfuric acid, yields relatively little smoke, and produces an exciting and unpredictable growing column of black carbon.

Preliminary Assessment/Site Inspection Health and Safety Plan, Granite Mountain RRS, Alaska

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-08-01

pain. apple cores. banana peels , lettuce, fish and game carcasses, etc.). Sealed beafproof contuiner: a container sealed to prevent the escap...acrylates, and alcohols . These substances are slightly to highly volatile and are moderately to highly flammable. Primary routes of entry into the body...with copious amounts of water for at least 15 minutes. Get emergency medical assistance. 3 Skin Contact: Flush thoroughly for at least 1S minutes& Wash

Sea Spray and Icing in the Emerging Open Water of the Arctic Ocean

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-17

can create copious amounts of sea spray. We anticipate that structures placed in shallow water— wind turbines or drilling rigs, for instance— will...anticipate that structures placed in shallow water— wind turbines or drilling rigs, for instance—will, therefore, experience more episodes of freezing...concentrations of wind -generated sea spray and the resulting spray icing on offshore structures, such as wind turbines and exploration, drilling, and production

Indirect search for dark matter in the Sun

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

Rott, Carsten, E-mail: rott@skku.edu

If dark matter is be captured in the Sun and self-annihilate, evidence of this process might be observable on the Earth in form of a neutrinos, which are copiously produced in the annihilation process. We discuss a novel signature of dark matter annihilations in the Sun that originates from monoenergetic neutrinos produced in pion and kaon decays. Based on this signature we find competitive sensitivities for the detection of dark matter at present and next-generation neutrino detectors.

Reactive and Energy Transfer Processes of the Neutral Radical Species HgBr in Gas Phase Collisions.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-11-05

Zn particular, experimnts were qowver. the other Species have quenching rates which are orders of magnitude larger (- 10 0 designed to focus on...neqlecting coilislonl effects, species in state (10 can The eperimental arrangement is shown schemstically emit radlatios at a rate given by in Fig...are usually plagued by copious amounts of scattered laser light. To alleviate this s𔃺 problem, it becases of paramount importance to design and

Chelation and flotation in endodontic practice: an update.

PubMed

Stewart, G G

1986-10-01

The removal of broken instruments and silver points, as well as pulp tissue, may be accomplished by careful instrumentation, irrigation, and flotation. Flotation and recapitulation with smaller instruments and irrigation with copious amounts of sodium hypochlorite can clean out microorganisms and the organic matter from the tubular structure which provides a more ideal surface for sealing the root canal system. A sterile environment was obtained by removing the substrate and creating a more ideal environment for better healing.

PULSED ION SOURCE

DOEpatents

Ford, F.C.; Ruff, J.W.; Zizzo, S.G.; Cook, B.

1958-11-11

An ion source is described adapted for pulsed operation and producing copious quantities of ions with a particular ion egress geometry. The particular source construction comprises a conical member having a conducting surface formed of a metal with a gas occladed therein and narrow non-conducting portions hereon dividing the conducting surface. A high voltage pulse is applied across the conducting surface or producing a discharge across the surface. After the gas ions have been produced by the discharge, the ions are drawn from the source in a diverging conical beam by a specially constructed accelerating electrode.

ELECTRONUCLEAR REACTOR

DOEpatents

Lawrence, E.O.; McMillan, E.M.; Alvarez, L.W.

1960-04-19

An electronuclear reactor is described in which a very high-energy particle accelerator is employed with appropriate target structure to produce an artificially produced material in commercial quantities by nuclear transformations. The principal novelty resides in the combination of an accelerator with a target for converting the accelerator beam to copious quantities of low-energy neutrons for absorption in a lattice of fertile material and moderator. The fertile material of the lattice is converted by neutron absorption reactions to an artificially produced material, e.g., plutonium, where depleted uranium is utilized as the fertile material.

Metabolic complications associated with use of diuretics.

PubMed

Palmer, Biff F

2011-11-01

Diuretics are commonly used therapeutic agents that act to inhibit sodium transport systems along the length of the renal tubule. The most effective diuretics are inhibitors of sodium chloride transport in the thick ascending limb of Henle. Loop diuretics mobilize large amounts of sodium chloride and water and produce a copious diuresis with a sharp reduction of extracellular fluid volume. As the site of action of diuretics moves downstream (thiazide and potassium-sparing diuretics), their effectiveness declines because the transport systems they inhibit have low transport capacity. Depending on the site of action diuretics can influence the renal handling of electrolyte-free water, calcium, potassium, protons, sodium bicarbonate, and uric acid. As a result, electrolyte and acid-base disorders commonly accompany diuretic use. Glucose and lipid abnormalities also can occur, particularly with the use of thiazide diuretics. This review focuses on the biochemical complications associated with the use of diuretics. The development of these complications can be minimized with careful monitoring, dosage adjustment, and replacement of electrolyte losses. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Collective phenomena in volume and surface barrier discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kogelschatz, U.

2010-11-01

Barrier discharges are increasingly used as a cost-effective configuration to produce non-equilibrium plasmas at atmospheric pressure. This way, copious amounts of electrons, ions, free radicals and excited species can be generated without significant heating of the background gas. In most applications the barrier is made of dielectric material. Major applications utilizing mainly dielectric barriers include ozone generation, surface cleaning and modification, polymer and textile treatment, sterilization, pollution control, CO2 lasers, excimer lamps, plasma display panels (flat TV screens). More recent research efforts are devoted to biomedical applications and to plasma actuators for flow control. Sinusoidal feeding voltages at various frequencies as well as pulsed excitation schemes are used. Volume as well as surface barrier discharges can exist in the form of filamentary, regularly patterned or diffuse, laterally homogeneous discharges. The physical effects leading to collective phenomena in volume and surface barrier discharges are discussed in detail. Special attention is paid to self-organization of current filaments and pattern formation. Major similarities of the two types of barrier discharges are elaborated.

Nuclear magnetic resonance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells.

PubMed

Suarez, Sophia; Greenbaum, Steve

2010-12-01

In this review, the contribution of NMR spectroscopy to the development of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is discussed, with particular emphasis on its use in the characterization of structure and transport in proton exchange membranes (PEMs). Owing to copious amount of information available, results of the past decade will be the main focal point. In addition, its use as a screening tool for the PEM materials will be discussed. Copyright © 2010 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Biofibers from agricultural byproducts for industrial applications.

PubMed

Reddy, Narendra; Yang, Yiqi

2005-01-01

Lignocellulosic agricultural byproducts are a copious and cheap source for cellulose fibers. Agro-based biofibers have the composition, properties and structure that make them suitable for uses such as composite, textile, pulp and paper manufacture. In addition, biofibers can also be used to produce fuel, chemicals, enzymes and food. Byproducts produced from the cultivation of corn, wheat, rice, sorghum, barley, sugarcane, pineapple, banana and coconut are the major sources of agro-based biofibers. This review analyses the production processes, structure, properties and suitability of these biofibers for various industrial applications.

Skin decontamination: principles and perspectives.

PubMed

Chan, Heidi P; Zhai, Hongbo; Hui, Xiaoying; Maibach, Howard I

2013-11-01

Skin decontamination is the primary intervention needed in chemical, biological and radiological exposures, involving immediate removal of the contaminant from the skin performed in the most efficient way. The most readily available decontamination system on a practical basis is washing with soap and water or water only. Timely use of flushing with copious amounts of water may physically remove the contaminant. However, this traditional method may not be completely effective, and contaminants left on the skin after traditional washing procedures can have toxic consequences. This article focuses on the principles and practices of skin decontamination.

Widespread Abundance of Functional Bacterial Amyloid in Mycolata and Other Gram-Positive Bacteria▿

PubMed Central

Jordal, Peter Bruun; Dueholm, Morten Simonsen; Larsen, Poul; Petersen, Steen Vang; Enghild, Jan Johannes; Christiansen, Gunna; Højrup, Peter; Nielsen, Per Halkjær; Otzen, Daniel Erik

2009-01-01

Until recently, extracellular functional bacterial amyloid (FuBA) has been detected and characterized in only a few bacterial species, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and the gram-positive organism Streptomyces coelicolor. Here we probed gram-positive bacteria with conformationally specific antibodies and revealed the existence of FuBA in 12 of 14 examined mycolata species, as well as six other distantly related species examined belonging to the phyla Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. Most of the bacteria produced extracellular fimbriae, sometimes copious amounts of them, and in two cases large extracellular fibrils were also produced. In three cases, FuBA was revealed only after extensive removal of extracellular material by saponification, indicating that there is integrated attachment within the cellular envelope. Spores of species in the genera Streptomyces, Bacillus, and Nocardia were all coated with amyloids. FuBA was purified from Gordonia amarae (from the cell envelope) and Geodermatophilus obscurus, and they had the morphology, tinctorial properties, and β-rich structure typical of amyloid. The presence of approximately 9-nm-wide amyloids in the cell envelope of G. amarae was visualized by transmission electron microscopy analysis. We conclude that amyloid is widespread among gram-positive bacteria and may in many species constitute a hitherto overlooked integral part of the spore and the cellular envelope. PMID:19395568

The oak woodland bird conservation plan: a strategy for protecting and managing oak woodland habitats and associated birds in California

Treesearch

Steve Zack; Mary K. Chase; Geoffrey R. Geupel

2002-01-01

Over 330 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians depend on oak woodlands in California at some stage in their life cycle. California oak woodlands may rank among the top three habitat types in North America for bird richness. Oak woodlands are able to sustain such abundant wildlife primarily because they produce acorns, a high quality and frequently copious...

The Oak Woodland Bird Conservation Plan: A Strategy for Protecting and Managing Oak Woodland Habitats and Associated Birds in California

Treesearch

Steve Zack; Mary K. Chase; Geoffrey R. Geupel; Diana Stralberg

2005-01-01

Over 330 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians depend on oak woodlands in California (fig. 1) at some stage in their life cycle (Barrett 1980; Verner 1980; Block and Morrison 1998). These woodlands are able to sustain such abundant wildlife primarily because they produce acorns, a high quality and frequently copious food supply. The birds of California?s...

Degradation of diesel oil by immobilized Candida tropicalis and biofilm formed on gravels.

PubMed

Chandran, Preethy; Das, Nilanjana

2011-11-01

The performance of diesel oil degradation by Candida tropicalis immobilized on various conventional matrices (sodium alginate, carboxyl methyl cellulose, chitosan) and biowaste materials (wheat bran, sawdust, peanut hull powder) was investigated using the method of entrapment and physical adsorption. The yeast species immobilized in wheat bran showed enhanced efficiency in degrading diesel oil (98%) compared to free cells culture (80%) over a period of 7 days. Copious amount of exopolysaccharides were also produced in the presence of diesel oil. The biofilm forming ability of C. tropicalis on PVC strips was evaluated using XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reduction assay and monitored by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Yeast biofilm formed on gravels showed 97% degradation of diesel oil over a period of 10 days. The potential use of the biofilms for preparing trickling filters (gravel particles), for attenuating hydrocarbons in oily liquid wastes before their disposal in the open environment is suggested and discussed. This is the first successful attempt for 'artificially' establishing hydrocarbon degrading yeast biofilm on solid substrates.

Protein and alkaloid patterns of the floral nectar in some solanaceous species.

PubMed

Kerchner, András; Darók, Judit; Bacskay, Ivett; Felinger, Attila; Jakab, Gábor; Farkas, Ágnes

2015-09-01

The family Solanaceae includes several melliferous plants, which tend to produce copious amounts of nectar. Floral nectar is a chemically complex aqueous solution, dominated by sugars, but minor components such as amino acids, proteins, flavonoids and alkaloids are present as well. This study aimed at analysing the protein and alkaloid profile of the nectar in seven solanaceous species. Proteins were examined with SDS-PAGE and alkaloids were analyzed with HPLC. The investigation of protein profile revealed significant differences in nectar-protein patterns not only between different plant genera, but also between the three Nicotiana species investigated. SDS-PAGE suggested the presence of several Nectarin proteins with antimicrobial activity in Nicotiana species. The nectar of all tobacco species contained the alkaloid nicotine, N. tabacum having the highest nicotine content. The nectar of Brugmansia suaveolens, Datura stramonium, Hyoscyamus niger and Lycium barbarum contained scopolamine, the highest content of which was measured in B. suaveolens. The alkaloid concentrations in the nectars of most solanaceous species investigated can cause deterrence in honeybees, and the nectar of N. rustica and N. tabacum can be considered toxic for honeybees.

The high-temperature oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brezinsky, K.

1986-01-01

Chemical mechanisms of the atmospheric pressure, high-temperature (875-1500 K) gas-phase oxidation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and propylbenzene are described and discussed. Oxidation trends evident from turbulent flow reactor experiments serve as the basis for the mechanisms of the oxidation of benzene and alkylated aromatics. The potential effects of very high temperatures and pressures on the chemistry of oxidation of aromatics are described. The oxidation of benzene and phenyl radical has been found to proceed in a stepwise C6-C5-C4 sequence. Species profiles obtained from flow-reactor experiments suggest that the oxidation of benzene and phenyl radical follows the generalized route via phenoxy, cyclopentadienyl and butadienyl radical. The oxidation of the C4 species branches into multiple pathways that yield copious amounts of ethylene and acetylene. Certain major trends are evident: the alkylated aromatics on initial attack either form styrene, benzyl radical or benzene. The styrene reacts further to produce a benzyl radical or benzene. The oxidation of an alkylated aromatic hydrocarbon appears eventually to reduce to the oxidation of either phenyl radical or benzene.

Removal of Zn(II) from electroplating effluent using yeast biofilm formed on gravels: batch and column studies

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Present study deals with the removal of Zn(II) ions from effluent using yeast biofilm formed on gravels. Methods The biofilm forming ability of Candida rugosa and Cryptococcus laurentii was evaluated using XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) reduction assay and monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Copious amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by yeast species was quantified and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Results Yeast biofilm formed on gravels by C. rugosa and C. laurentii showed 88% and 74.2% removal of Zn(II) ions respectively in batch mode. In column mode, removal of Zn(II) ions from real effluent was found to be 95.29% by C. rugosa biofilm formed on gravels. Conclusion The results of the present study showed that there is a scope to develop a cost effective method for the efficient removal of Zn(II) from effluent using gravels coated with yeast biofilm. PMID:24397917

PLASMA DEVICE

DOEpatents

Gow, J.D.; Wilcox, J.M.

1961-12-26

A device is designed for producing and confining highenergy plasma from which neutrons are generated in copious quantities. A rotating sheath of electrons is established in a radial electric field and axial magnetic field produced within the device. The electron sheath serves as a strong ionizing medium to gas introdueed thereto and also functions as an extremely effective heating mechanism to the resulting plasma. In addition, improved confinement of the plasma is obtained by ring magnetic mirror fields produced at the ends of the device. Such ring mirror fields are defined by the magnetic field lines at the ends of the device diverging radially outward from the axis of the device and thereafter converging at spatial annular surfaces disposed concentrically thereabout. (AFC)

Possible evidence for MeV dark matter in dwarf spheroidals.

PubMed

Hooper, Dan; Ferrer, Francesc; Boehm, Céline; Silk, Joseph; Paul, Jacques; Evans, N Wyn; Casse, Michel

2004-10-15

The observed 511 keV emission from the galactic bulge could be due to very light (MeV) annihilating dark matter particles. To distinguish this hypothesis from conventional astrophysical sources, we study dwarf spheroidals in the region observed by the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory/SPI such as Sagittarius. As these galaxies have comparatively few stars, the prospects for 511 keV emission from standard astrophysical scenarios are minimal. The dwarf spheroidals do, however, contain copious amounts of dark matter. The observation of 511 keV emission from Sagittarius should be a "smoking gun" for MeV dark matter.

The Exploitation of Low-Energy Electrons in Cancer Treatment.

PubMed

Rezaee, Mohammad; Hill, Richard P; Jaffray, David A

2017-08-01

Given the distinct characteristics of low-energy electrons (LEEs), particularly at energies less than 30 eV, they can be applied to a wide range of therapeutic modalities to improve cancer treatment. LEEs have been shown to efficiently produce complex molecular damage resulting in substantial cellular toxicities. Since LEEs are produced in copious amounts from high-energy radiation beam, including photons, protons and ions; the control of LEE distribution can potentially enhance the therapeutic radio of such beams. LEEs can play a substantial role in the synergistic effect between radiation and chemotherapy, particularly halogenated and platinum-based anticancer drugs. Radiosensitizing entities containing atoms of high atomic number such as gold nanoparticles can be a source of LEE production if high-energy radiation interacts with them. This can provide a high local density of LEEs in a cell and produce cellular toxicity. Auger-electron-emitting radionuclides also create a high number of LEEs in each decay, which can induce lethal damage in a cell. Exploitation of LEEs in cancer treatment, however, faces a few challenges, such as dosimetry of LEEs and selective delivery of radiosensitizing and chemotherapeutic molecules close to cellular targets. This review first discusses the rationale for utilizing LEEs in cancer treatment by explaining their mechanism of action, describes theoretical and experimental studies at the molecular and cellular levels, then discusses strategies for achieving modification of the distribution and effectiveness of LEEs in cancerous tissue and their associated clinical benefit.

Copious Amounts of Dust and Gas in a z = 7.5 Quasar Host Galaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Venemans, Bram P.; Walter, Fabian; Decarli, Roberto; Bañados, Eduardo; Carilli, Chris; Winters, Jan Martin; Schuster, Karl; da Cunha, Elisabete; Fan, Xiaohui; Farina, Emanuele Paolo; Mazzucchelli, Chiara; Rix, Hans-Walter; Weiss, Axel

2017-12-01

We present IRAM/NOEMA and JVLA observations of the quasar J1342+0928 at z = 7.54 and report detections of copious amounts of dust and [C II] emission in the interstellar medium (ISM) of its host galaxy. At this redshift, the age of the universe is 690 Myr, about 10% younger than the redshift of the previous quasar record holder. Yet, the ISM of this new quasar host galaxy is significantly enriched by metals, as evidenced by the detection of the [C II] 158 μm cooling line and the underlying far-infrared (FIR) dust continuum emission. To the first order, the FIR properties of this quasar host are similar to those found at a slightly lower redshift (z˜ 6), making this source by far the FIR-brightest galaxy known at z≳ 7.5. The [C II] emission is spatially unresolved, with an upper limit on the diameter of 7 kpc. Together with the measured FWHM of the [C II] line, this yields a dynamical mass of the host of < 1.5× {10}11 {M}⊙ . Using standard assumptions about the dust temperature and emissivity, the NOEMA measurements give a dust mass of (0.6{--}4.3)× {10}8 {M}⊙ . The brightness of the [C II] luminosity, together with the high dust mass, imply active ongoing star formation in the quasar host. Using [C II]-SFR scaling relations, we derive star formation rates of 85-545 {M}⊙ yr-1 in the host, consistent with the values derived from the dust continuum. Indeed, an episode of such past high star formation is needed to explain the presence of ˜108 M ⊙ of dust implied by the observations.

Isolation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Fractions from Mammary Epithelial Tissue.

PubMed

Chanat, Eric; Le Parc, Annabelle; Lahouassa, Hichem; Badaoui, Bouabid

2016-06-01

In the mammary glands of lactating animals, the mammary epithelial cells that surround the lumen of the acini produce and secrete copious amounts of milk. Functional differentiation of these mammary epithelial cells depends on the development of high-efficiency secretory pathways, notably for protein and lipid secretion. Protein secretion is a fundamental process common to all animal cells that involves a subset of cellular organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus. In contrast, en masse secretion of triglycerides and cholesterol esters in the form of milk fat globules is a unique feature of the mammary epithelial cell. Cytoplasmic lipid droplets, the intracellular precursors of milk fat globules, originate from the endoplasmic reticulum, as do most milk-specific proteins. This organelle is therefore pivotal in the biogenesis of milk components. Fractionation of the cell into its subcellular parts is an approach that has proven very powerful for understanding organelle function and for studying the specific role of an organelle in a given cell activity. Here we describe a method for the purification of both smooth and rough microsomes, the membrane-bound endoplasmic reticulum fragments that form from endoplasmic reticulum domains when cells are broken up, from mammary gland tissue at lactation.

Microbial Enzyme Production Using Lignocellulosic Food Industry Wastes as Feedstock: A Review

PubMed Central

Ravindran, Rajeev; Jaiswal, Amit K.

2016-01-01

Enzymes are of great importance in the industry due to their substrate and product specificity, moderate reaction conditions, minimal by-product formation and high yield. They are important ingredients in several products and production processes. Up to 30% of the total production cost of enzymes is attributed to the raw materials costs. The food industry expels copious amounts of processing waste annually, which is mostly lignocellulosic in nature. Upon proper treatment, lignocellulose can replace conventional carbon sources in media preparations for industrial microbial processes, such as enzyme production. However, wild strains of microorganisms that produce industrially important enzymes show low yield and cannot thrive on artificial substrates. The application of recombinant DNA technology and metabolic engineering has enabled researchers to develop superior strains that can not only withstand harsh environmental conditions within a bioreactor but also ensure timely delivery of optimal results. This article gives an overview of the current complications encountered in enzyme production and how accumulating food processing waste can emerge as an environment-friendly and economically feasible solution for a choice of raw material. It also substantiates the latest techniques that have emerged in enzyme purification and recovery over the past four years. PMID:28952592

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING IONS OF VAPORIZABLE MATERIALS

DOEpatents

Wright, B.T.

1958-01-28

a uniform and copious supply of ions. The source comprises a hollow arc- block and means for establishing a magnetic field through the arc-block. Vaporization of the material to be ionized is produced by an electric heated filament. The arc producing structure within the arc-block consists of a cathode disposed between a pair of collimating electrodes along with an anode adjacent each collimating electrode on the side opposite the cathode. A positive potential applied to the anodes and collimating electrodes, with respect to the cathode, and the magnetic field act to accelerate the electrons from the cathode through a slit in each collimating clectrode towards the respective anode. In this manner a pair of collinear arc discharges are produced in the gas region which can be tapped for an abundant supply of ions of the material being analyzed.

Temporal narrowing of neutrons produced by high-intensity short-pulse lasers

DOE PAGES

Higginson, D. P.; Vassura, L.; Gugiu, M. M.; ...

2015-07-28

The production of neutron beams having short temporal duration is studied using ultraintense laser pulses. Laser-accelerated protons are spectrally filtered using a laser-triggered microlens to produce a short duration neutron pulse via nuclear reactions induced in a converter material (LiF). This produces a ~3 ns duration neutron pulse with 10 4 n/MeV/sr/shot at 0.56 m from the laser-irradiated proton source. The large spatial separation between the neutron production and the proton source allows for shielding from the copious and undesirable radiation resulting from the laser-plasma interaction. Finally, this neutron pulse compares favorably to the duration of conventional accelerator sources andmore » should scale up with, present and future, higher energy laser facilities to produce brighter and shorter neutron beams for ultrafast probing of dense materials.« less

Omental torsion in a captive polar bear (Ursus maritimus).

PubMed

Mendez-Angulo, Jose L; Funes, Francisco J; Trent, Ava M; Willette, Michelle; Woodhouse, Kerry; Renier, Anna C

2014-03-01

This is the first case report of an omental torsion in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus). A captive, 23-yr-old, 250-kg, intact female polar bear presented to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center with a 2-day history of lethargy, depression, and vomiting. Abdominal ultrasound identified large amounts of hyperechoic free peritoneal fluid. Ultrasound-guided abdominocentesis was performed and yielded thick serosanguinous fluid compatible with a hemoabdomen. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a large amount of malodorous, serosanguineous fluid and multiple necrotic blood clots associated with a torsion of the greater omentum and rupture of a branch of the omental artery. A partial omentectomy was performed to remove the necrotic tissue and the abdomen was copiously lavaged. The polar bear recovered successfully and is reported to be clinically well 6 mo later. This condition should be considered as a differential in bears with clinical signs of intestinal obstruction and hemoabdomen.

Liquid lithium target as a high intensity, high energy neutron source

DOEpatents

Parkin, Don M.; Dudey, Norman D.

1976-01-01

This invention provides a target jet for charged particles. In one embodiment the charged particles are high energy deuterons that bombard the target jet to produce high intensity, high energy neutrons. To this end, deuterons in a vacuum container bombard an endlessly circulating, free-falling, sheet-shaped, copiously flowing, liquid lithium jet that gushes by gravity from a rectangular cross-section vent on the inside of the container means to form a moving web in contact with the inside wall of the vacuum container. The neutrons are produced via break-up of the beam in the target by stripping, spallation and compound nuclear reactions in which the projectiles (deuterons) interact with the target (Li) to produce excited nuclei, which then "boil off" or evaporate a neutron.

Subsidence at Kiska volcano, Western Aleutians, detected by satellite radar interferometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lu, Z.; Masterlark, Timothy; Power, J.; Dzurisin, D.; Wicks, Charles

2002-01-01

Sequential interferometric synthetic aperture radar images of Kiska, the westernmost historically active volcano in the Aleutian arc, show that a circular area about 3 km in diameter centered near the summit subsided by as much as 10 cm from 1995 to 2001, mostly during 1999 and 2000. An elastic Mogi-type deformation model suggests that the source is within 1 km of the surface. Based on the shallow source depth, the copious amounts of steam during recent eruptions, and recent field reports of vigorous steaming and persistent ground shaking near the summit area, we attribute the subsidence to decreased pore-fluid pressure within a shallow hydrothermal system beneath the summit area.

238PuO 2 Fuel and Dosimetry

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

Mayo, Douglas R.; Rawool-Sullivan, Mohini; Garner, Scott Edward

2016-06-01

238Pu is an ideal material for use as a heat source with its half-life of 87.7 years and copious particle emissions. 238Pu radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) have found use for pacemakers, Apollo Space missions, Mars rovers, and Voyager spacecraft. In evaluating the dose to personnel and components near a 238Pu-based RTG, a number of additional nuclides and their daughter products must be considered to get an accurate estimate for γ-dose, and the amount of 17O and 18O for the neutron-dose must be considered. This paper looks at the contributing nuclides and their daughter products that add the most to themore » dose rates.« less

Targeted amplicon sequencing (TAS): a scalable next-gen approach to multilocus, multitaxa phylogenetics.

PubMed

Bybee, Seth M; Bracken-Grissom, Heather; Haynes, Benjamin D; Hermansen, Russell A; Byers, Robert L; Clement, Mark J; Udall, Joshua A; Wilcox, Edward R; Crandall, Keith A

2011-01-01

Next-gen sequencing technologies have revolutionized data collection in genetic studies and advanced genome biology to novel frontiers. However, to date, next-gen technologies have been used principally for whole genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. Yet many questions in population genetics and systematics rely on sequencing specific genes of known function or diversity levels. Here, we describe a targeted amplicon sequencing (TAS) approach capitalizing on next-gen capacity to sequence large numbers of targeted gene regions from a large number of samples. Our TAS approach is easily scalable, simple in execution, neither time-nor labor-intensive, relatively inexpensive, and can be applied to a broad diversity of organisms and/or genes. Our TAS approach includes a bioinformatic application, BarcodeCrucher, to take raw next-gen sequence reads and perform quality control checks and convert the data into FASTA format organized by gene and sample, ready for phylogenetic analyses. We demonstrate our approach by sequencing targeted genes of known phylogenetic utility to estimate a phylogeny for the Pancrustacea. We generated data from 44 taxa using 68 different 10-bp multiplexing identifiers. The overall quality of data produced was robust and was informative for phylogeny estimation. The potential for this method to produce copious amounts of data from a single 454 plate (e.g., 325 taxa for 24 loci) significantly reduces sequencing expenses incurred from traditional Sanger sequencing. We further discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method, while offering suggestions to enhance the approach.

Lignin model compounds as bio-based reactive diluents for liquid molding resins.

PubMed

Stanzione, Joseph F; Sadler, Joshua M; La Scala, John J; Wool, Richard P

2012-07-01

Lignin is a copious paper and pulping waste product that has the potential to yield valuable, low molecular weight, single aromatic chemicals when strategically depolymerized. The single aromatic lignin model compounds, vanillin, guaiacol, and eugenol, were methacrylated by esterification with methacrylic anhydride and a catalytic amount of 4-dimethylaminopyridine. Methacrylated guaiacol (MG) and methacrylated eugenol (ME) exhibited low viscosities at room temperature (MG: 17 cP and ME: 28 cP). When used as reactive diluents in vinyl ester resins, they produced resin viscosities higher than that of vinyl ester-styrene blends. The relative volatilities of MG (1.05 wt% loss in 18 h) and ME (0.96 wt% loss in 18 h) measured by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were considerably lower than that of styrene (93.7 wt% loss in 3 h) indicating the potential of these chemicals to be environmentally friendly reactive diluents. Bulk polymerization of MG and ME generated homopolymers with glass transition temperatures (T(g)s) of 92 and 103 °C, respectively. Blends of a standard vinyl ester resin with MG and ME (50 wt % reactive diluent) produced thermosets with T(g)s of 127 and 153 °C, respectively, which are comparable to vinyl ester-styrene resins, thus demonstrating the ability of MG and ME to completely replace styrene as reactive diluents in liquid molding resins without sacrificing cured-resin thermal performance. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Bacterial vaginosis a "broad overview".

PubMed

González Pedraza Avilés, A; Ortíz Zaragoza, M C; Irigoyen Coria, A

1999-01-01

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) was first reported in 1995 by Gardner and Dukes, who described the unique clinical signs and symptoms and the distinctive nature of the vaginal discharge associated with it. They also described a "new" causative organism, which they named "Haemophilus vaginalis", subsequently renamed Gardnerella vaginalis. BV is currently the most prevalent cause of infectious vaginitis among women attending for genitourinary diseases. BV has a complex microbiology. Lactobacillus populations, which are usually dominant in healthy women, are replaced by a polymicrobial group of organisms that includes G. vaginalis, anaerobic Gram-negative rods such as Prevotella species, Peptostreptococcus species, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and often Mobiluncus species. Anaerobic bacteria produce enzymes, aminopeptidases, that degrade protein and decarboxylases that convert amino acids and other compounds to amines. Those amines contribute to the signs and symptoms associated with the syndrome, raising the vaginal pH and producing a discharge odor. The excessive amounts of bacteria characteristic of the syndrome attach to epithelial cell surfaces, resulting in "clue cell". Nearly half the patients report no noticeable symptoms, but many develop a characteristic copious, malodorous discharge if untreated. Results from epidemiologic studies have associated BV with serious upper genital tract infections and adverse pregnancy outcome. In particular, the presence of BV in pregnant women increases the risk of preterm delivery, and evidence is now compelling that BV is a cause of preterm delivery. The interest in potential invasiveness of G. vaginalis has increased. However, virulence determinants have not been studied enough. The most important therapy includes clindamycin and metronidazole.

Atypical dust species in the ejecta of classical novae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helton, L. A.; Evans, A.; Woodward, C. E.; Gehrz, R. D.

2011-03-01

A classical nova outburst arises from a thermonuclear runaway in the hydrogen-rich material accreted onto the surface of a white dwarf in a binary system. These explosions can produce copious amounts of heavy element enriched material that are ejected violently into the surrounding interstellar medium. In some novae, conditions in the ejecta are suitable for the formation of dust of various compositions, including silicates, amorphous carbon, silicon carbide, and hydrocarbons. Multiple dust grain types are sometimes produced in the same system. CO formation in novae may not reach saturation, thus invalidating the usual paradigm in which the C:O ratio determines the dust species. A few novae, such as V705 Cas and DZ Cru, have exhibited emission features near 6, 8, and 11 μmthat are similar to "Unidentified Infrared" (UIR) features, but with significant differences in position and band structure. Here, we present Spitzer IRS spectra of two recent dusty novae, V2361 Cyg and V2362 Cyg, that harbor similar peculiar emission structures superimposed on features arising from carbonaceous grains. In other astronomical objects, such as star forming regions and young stellar objects, emission peaks at 6.2, 7.7, and 11.3 μmhave been associated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) complexes. We suggest that hydrogenated amorphous carbon (HAC) may be the source of these features in novae based upon the spectral behavior of the emission features and the conditions under which the dust formed.

Targeted Amplicon Sequencing (TAS): A Scalable Next-Gen Approach to Multilocus, Multitaxa Phylogenetics

PubMed Central

Bybee, Seth M.; Bracken-Grissom, Heather; Haynes, Benjamin D.; Hermansen, Russell A.; Byers, Robert L.; Clement, Mark J.; Udall, Joshua A.; Wilcox, Edward R.; Crandall, Keith A.

2011-01-01

Next-gen sequencing technologies have revolutionized data collection in genetic studies and advanced genome biology to novel frontiers. However, to date, next-gen technologies have been used principally for whole genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing. Yet many questions in population genetics and systematics rely on sequencing specific genes of known function or diversity levels. Here, we describe a targeted amplicon sequencing (TAS) approach capitalizing on next-gen capacity to sequence large numbers of targeted gene regions from a large number of samples. Our TAS approach is easily scalable, simple in execution, neither time-nor labor-intensive, relatively inexpensive, and can be applied to a broad diversity of organisms and/or genes. Our TAS approach includes a bioinformatic application, BarcodeCrucher, to take raw next-gen sequence reads and perform quality control checks and convert the data into FASTA format organized by gene and sample, ready for phylogenetic analyses. We demonstrate our approach by sequencing targeted genes of known phylogenetic utility to estimate a phylogeny for the Pancrustacea. We generated data from 44 taxa using 68 different 10-bp multiplexing identifiers. The overall quality of data produced was robust and was informative for phylogeny estimation. The potential for this method to produce copious amounts of data from a single 454 plate (e.g., 325 taxa for 24 loci) significantly reduces sequencing expenses incurred from traditional Sanger sequencing. We further discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this method, while offering suggestions to enhance the approach. PMID:22002916

Ureilite petrogenesis: A limited role for smelting during anatexis and catastrophic disruption

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warren, Paul H.; Huber, Heinz

2006-06-01

A popular model for ureilites assumes that during anatexis in an asteroidal mantle, pressure-buffered equilibrium smelting (partial reduction coincident with partial melting) engendered their conspicuous mafic-silicate-core mg diversity (75-96 mol%). Several mass-balance problems arise from this hypothesis. Smelting inevitably consumes a large proportion of any plausible initial carbon while generating significant proportions of Fe metal and copious proportions of CO gas. The most serious problem concerns the yield of CO gas. If equilibrium smelting produced the ureilites' entire 21 mol% range in olivine-core mg, the proportion of gas within the asteroidal mantle (assuming plausibly low pressure <˜80 bar) should have reached ≥85 vol%. Based on the remarkably stepwise cooling history inferred from ureilite texture and mineralogy, a runaway, CO-leaky process that can loosely be termed smelting appears to have occurred, probably triggered by a major impact. The runaway scenario appears likely because, by Le Châtelier's principle, CO leakage would tend to accelerate the smelting process. Also, the copious volumes of gas produced by smelting would have led to explosive, mass-leaky eruptions into the vacuum surrounding the asteroid. Loss of mass would mean diminution of interior pressure, which would induce further smelting, leading to further loss of mass (basalt), and so on. Such a disruptive runaway process may have engendered the ureilites' distinctive reduced olivine rims. But the only smelting, according to this scenario, was a short-lived disequilibrium process that reduced only the olivine rims, not the cores; and the ureilites were cooling, not melting, during the abortive "smelting" episode.

Ideonella azotifigens sp. nov., an aerobic diazotroph of the Betaproteobacteria isolated from grass rhizosphere soil, and emended description of the genus Ideonella.

PubMed

Noar, Jesse D; Buckley, Daniel H

2009-08-01

Strain 1a22T, a nitrogen-fixing bacterium, was isolated from soil associated with the rhizosphere of a perennial grass growing in a fallow agricultural field in Ithaca, New York, USA. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence placed the strain in the Rubrivivax-Roseateles-Leptothrix-Azohydromonas-Aquincola-Ideonella branch of the Betaproteobacteria and the closest characterized relative was the type strain of Ideonella dechloratans (97.7% 16S rRNA sequence similarity). Cells of strain 1a22T were Gram-negative, motile, straight rods, which formed polyhydroxybutyrate-like granules and were positive for oxidase and weakly positive for catalase. Cells were chemo-organotrophic, unable to grow by reduction of chlorate or nitrate and grew exclusively through aerobic respiration. Growth with mannitol on N-free solid media caused the strain to produce copious amounts of slime. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 67.4 mol%. The major cellular fatty acids were C16:1 cis-9 and C16:0 and cells contained significant amounts of the hydroxy fatty acids C10:0 3-OH, C12:0 2-OH and C12:0 3-OH. Based on DNA-DNA hybridization studies, 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, fatty acid analysis, and morphological and physiological characteristics, strain 1a22T represents a novel species in the genus Ideonella, for which the name Ideonella azotifigens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Ideonella azotifigens is 1a22T (=JCM 15503T=DSM 21438T).

The identity of Romanian amber (rumanite) with Baltic amber (succinite).

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

Stout, E. C.; Beck, C. W.; Anderson, K. B.

Romanian amber (rumanite) has been considered to be a separate species of fossil resin for more than a century. While earlier investigators held it to be very similar to succinite (Baltic amber), modern scholars have assigned it a distinctly different botanical origin. We have found that almost all of the constituents of the ether-soluble fractions of 13 specimens of authentic rumanite identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry have previously been reported in the soluble fraction of succinite, including succinic acid and its monoterpene esters. Additionally and significantly, the soluble fraction of rumanite contains a number defunctionalized compounds that do not preexistmore » in succinite, but that are produced by pyrolysis of whole succinite or of its insoluble polymeric fraction. Simultaneous methylation pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the polymeric fraction of seven of the rumanite specimens yielded further copious amounts of dimethyl succinate, a number of diterpene resin acid methyl esters, and additional defunctionalized compounds known to be pyrolysis products of succinite. The evidence shows conclusively that the botanical origin of rumanite is not distinct from that of succinite. Rather, rumanite is a succinite that has suffered partial thermal degradation in the course of the folding of the Oligocene Kliwa sandstone formation in which it is most commonly found.« less

Distribution of Putative Virulence Genes in Streptococcus mutans Strains Does Not Correlate with Caries Experience▿†‖

PubMed Central

Argimón, Silvia; Caufield, Page W.

2011-01-01

Streptococcus mutans, a member of the human oral flora, is a widely recognized etiological agent of dental caries. The cariogenic potential of S. mutans is related to its ability to metabolize a wide variety of sugars, form a robust biofilm, produce copious amounts of lactic acid, and thrive in the acid environment that it generates. The remarkable genetic variability present within the species is reflected at the phenotypic level, notably in the differences in the cariogenic potential between strains. However, the genetic basis of these differences is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we surveyed by PCR and DNA hybridization the distribution of putative virulence genes, genomic islands, and insertion sequences across a collection of 33 strains isolated from either children with severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) or those who were caries free (CF). We found this genetically diverse group of isolates to be remarkably homogeneous with regard to the distribution of the putative virulence genes and genetic elements analyzed. Our findings point to the role of other factors in the pathogenesis of S-ECC, such as uncharacterized virulence genes, differences in gene expression and/or enzymatic activity, cooperation between S. mutans strains or with other members of the oral biota, and host factors. PMID:21209168

Xurography as a Rapid Fabrication Alternative for Point-of-Care Devices: Assessment of Passive Micromixers

PubMed Central

Martínez-López, J. Israel; Mojica, Mauricio; Rodríguez, Ciro A.; Siller, Héctor R.

2016-01-01

Despite the copious amount of research on the design and operation of micromixers, there are few works regarding manufacture technology aimed at implementation beyond academic environments. This work evaluates the viability of xurography as a rapid fabrication tool for the development of ultra-low cost microfluidic technology for extreme Point-of-Care (POC) micromixing devices. By eschewing photolithographic processes and the bulkiness of pumping and enclosure systems for rapid fabrication and passively driven operation, xurography is introduced as a manufacturing alternative for asymmetric split and recombine (ASAR) micromixers. A T-micromixer design was used as a reference to assess the effects of different cutting conditions and materials on the geometric features of the resulting microdevices. Inspection by stereographic and confocal microscopy showed that it is possible to manufacture devices with less than 8% absolute dimensional error. Implementation of the manufacturing methodology in modified circular shape- based SAR microdevices (balanced and unbalanced configurations) showed that, despite the precision limitations of the xurographic process, it is possible to implement this methodology to produce functional micromixing devices. Mixing efficiency was evaluated numerically and experimentally at the outlet of the microdevices with performances up to 40%. Overall, the assessment encourages further research of xurography for the development of POC micromixers. PMID:27196904

Xurography as a Rapid Fabrication Alternative for Point-of-Care Devices: Assessment of Passive Micromixers.

PubMed

Martínez-López, J Israel; Mojica, Mauricio; Rodríguez, Ciro A; Siller, Héctor R

2016-05-16

Despite the copious amount of research on the design and operation of micromixers, there are few works regarding manufacture technology aimed at implementation beyond academic environments. This work evaluates the viability of xurography as a rapid fabrication tool for the development of ultra-low cost microfluidic technology for extreme Point-of-Care (POC) micromixing devices. By eschewing photolithographic processes and the bulkiness of pumping and enclosure systems for rapid fabrication and passively driven operation, xurography is introduced as a manufacturing alternative for asymmetric split and recombine (ASAR) micromixers. A T-micromixer design was used as a reference to assess the effects of different cutting conditions and materials on the geometric features of the resulting microdevices. Inspection by stereographic and confocal microscopy showed that it is possible to manufacture devices with less than 8% absolute dimensional error. Implementation of the manufacturing methodology in modified circular shape- based SAR microdevices (balanced and unbalanced configurations) showed that, despite the precision limitations of the xurographic process, it is possible to implement this methodology to produce functional micromixing devices. Mixing efficiency was evaluated numerically and experimentally at the outlet of the microdevices with performances up to 40%. Overall, the assessment encourages further research of xurography for the development of POC micromixers.

Molecular Dynamics Study of Helicobacter pylori Urease

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Helicobacter pylori have been implicated in an array of gastrointestinal disorders including, but not limited to, gastric and duodenal ulcers and adenocarcinoma. This bacterium utilizes an enzyme, urease, to produce copious amounts of ammonia through urea hydrolysis in order to survive the harsh acidic conditions of the stomach. Molecular dynamics (MD) studies on the H. pylori urease enzyme have been employed in order to study structural features of this enzyme that may shed light on the hydrolysis mechanism. A total of 400 ns of MD simulation time were collected and analyzed in this study. A wide-open flap state previously observed in MD simulations on Klebsiella aerogenes [Roberts et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2012, 134, 9934] urease has been identified in the H. pylori enzyme that has yet to be experimentally observed. Critical distances between residues on the flap, contact points in the closed state, and the separation between the active site Ni2+ ions and the critical histidine α322 residue were used to characterize flap motion. An additional flap in the active site was elaborated upon that we postulate may serve as an exit conduit for hydrolysis products. Finally we discuss the internal hollow cavity and present analysis of the distribution of sodium ions over the course of the simulation. PMID:24839409

Transcriptional profiling of murine osteoblast differentiation based on RNA-seq expression analyses.

PubMed

Khayal, Layal Abo; Grünhagen, Johannes; Provazník, Ivo; Mundlos, Stefan; Kornak, Uwe; Robinson, Peter N; Ott, Claus-Eric

2018-04-11

Osteoblastic differentiation is a multistep process characterized by osteogenic induction of mesenchymal stem cells, which then differentiate into proliferative pre-osteoblasts that produce copious amounts of extracellular matrix, followed by stiffening of the extracellular matrix, and matrix mineralization by hydroxylapatite deposition. Although these processes have been well characterized biologically, a detailed transcriptional analysis of murine primary calvaria osteoblast differentiation based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses has not previously been reported. Here, we used RNA-seq to obtain expression values of 29,148 genes at four time points as murine primary calvaria osteoblasts differentiate in vitro until onset of mineralization was clearly detectable by microscopic inspection. Expression of marker genes confirmed osteogenic differentiation. We explored differential expression of 1386 protein-coding genes using unsupervised clustering and GO analyses. 100 differentially expressed lncRNAs were investigated by co-expression with protein-coding genes that are localized within the same topologically associated domain. Additionally, we monitored expression of 237 genes that are silent or active at distinct time points and compared differential exon usage. Our data represent an in-depth profiling of murine primary calvaria osteoblast differentiation by RNA-seq and contribute to our understanding of genetic regulation of this key process in osteoblast biology. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biogenic organic emissions, air quality and climate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guenther, A. B.

2015-12-01

Living organisms produce copious amounts of a diverse array of metabolites including many volatile organic compounds that are released into the atmosphere. These compounds participate in numerous chemical reactions that influence the atmospheric abundance of important air pollutants and short-lived climate forcers including organic aerosol, ozone and methane. The production and release of these organics are strongly influenced by environmental conditions including air pollution, temperature, solar radiation, and water availability and they are highly sensitive to stress and extreme events. As a result, releases of biogenic organics to the atmosphere have an impact on, and are sensitive to, air quality and climate leading to potential feedback couplings. Their role in linking air quality and climate is conceptually clear but an accurate quantitative representation is needed for predictive models. Progress towards this goal will be presented including numerical model development and assessments of the predictive capability of the Model of Emission of Gases and Aerosols from Nature (MEGAN). Recent studies of processes controlling the magnitude and variations in biogenic organic emissions will be described and observations of their impact on atmospheric composition will be shown. Recent advances and priorities for future research will be discussed including laboratory process studies, long-term measurements, multi-scale regional studies, global satellite observations, and the development of a next generation model for simulating land-atmosphere chemical exchange.

Copious amounts of hot and cold dust orbiting the main sequence a-type stars HD 131488 and HD 121191

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

Melis, Carl; Zuckerman, B.; Rhee, Joseph H.

2013-11-20

We report two new dramatically dusty main sequence stars: HD 131488 (A1 V) and HD 121191 (A8 V). HD 131488 is found to have substantial amounts of dust in its terrestrial planet zone (L {sub IR}/L {sub bol} ≈ 4 × 10{sup –3}), cooler dust farther out in its planetary system, and an unusual mid-infrared spectral feature. HD 121191 shows terrestrial planet zone dust (L {sub IR}/L {sub bol} ≈ 2.3 × 10{sup –3}), hints of cooler dust, and shares the unusual mid-infrared spectral shape identified in HD 131488. These two stars belong to sub-groups of the Scorpius-Centaurus OB associationmore » and have ages of ∼10 Myr. HD 131488 and HD 121191 are the dustiest main sequence A-type stars currently known. Early-type stars that host substantial inner planetary system dust are thus far found only within the age range of 5-20 Myr.« less

Multiband observations of Cygnus A: A study of pressure balance in the core of a powerful radio galaxy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carilli, Chris; Conner, Sam; Dreher, John; Perley, Rick

1990-01-01

Cygnus A is a powerful double radio source associated with a giant elliptical galaxy at the center of a poor cluster of galaxies. The radio source also sits within the core radius of a dense, cooling flow, x ray emitting cluster gas. Optical spectroscopy and narrow band imaging have revealed copious amounts of narrow line emission from the inner 20 kpc of the associated galaxy. Researchers assume H sub o = 75 km sec (-1) Mpc(-1). Discussed here are the pressures in the three components of the Interstellar Medium (ISM) (i.e., the radio, x ray, and line emitting fluids) within a radius of about 15 kpc of the active nucleus of the Cygnus A galaxy.

Single-shot stand-off chemical identification of powders using random Raman lasing

PubMed Central

Hokr, Brett H.; Bixler, Joel N.; Noojin, Gary D.; Thomas, Robert J.; Rockwell, Benjamin A.; Yakovlev, Vladislav V.; Scully, Marlan O.

2014-01-01

The task of identifying explosives, hazardous chemicals, and biological materials from a safe distance is the subject we consider. Much of the prior work on stand-off spectroscopy using light has been devoted to generating a backward-propagating beam of light that can be used drive further spectroscopic processes. The discovery of random lasing and, more recently, random Raman lasing provide a mechanism for remotely generating copious amounts of chemically specific Raman scattered light. The bright nature of random Raman lasing renders directionality unnecessary, allowing for the detection and identification of chemicals from large distances in real time. In this article, the single-shot remote identification of chemicals at kilometer-scale distances is experimentally demonstrated using random Raman lasing. PMID:25114231

An Exercise in Exploring Big Data for Producing Reliable Statistical Information.

PubMed

Rey-Del-Castillo, Pilar; Cardeñosa, Jesús

2016-06-01

The availability of copious data about many human, social, and economic phenomena is considered an opportunity for the production of official statistics. National statistical organizations and other institutions are more and more involved in new projects for developing what is sometimes seen as a possible change of paradigm in the way statistical figures are produced. Nevertheless, there are hardly any systems in production using Big Data sources. Arguments of confidentiality, data ownership, representativeness, and others make it a difficult task to get results in the short term. Using Call Detail Records from Ivory Coast as an illustration, this article shows some of the issues that must be dealt with when producing statistical indicators from Big Data sources. A proposal of a graphical method to evaluate one specific aspect of the quality of the computed figures is also presented, demonstrating that the visual insight provided improves the results obtained using other traditional procedures.

Tribological properties of sintered polycrystalline and single crystal silicon carbide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miyoshi, K.; Buckley, D. H.; Srinivasan, M.

1982-01-01

Tribological studies and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses were conducted with sintered polycrystalline and single crystal silicon carbide surfaces in sliding contact with iron at various temperatures to 1500 C in a vacuum of 30 nPa. The results indicate that there is a significant temperature influence on both the friction properties and the surface chemistry of silicon carbide. The main contaminants on the as received sintered polycrystalline silicon carbide surfaces are adsorbed carbon, oxygen, graphite, and silicon dioxide. The surface revealed a low coefficient of friction. This is due to the presence of the graphite on the surface. At temperatures of 400 to 600 C graphite and copious amount of silicon dioxide were observed on the polycrystalline silicon carbide surface in addition to silicon carbide. At 800 C, the amount of the silicon dioxide decreased rapidly and the silicon carbide type silicon and carbon peaks were at a maximum intensity in the XPS spectra. The coefficients of friction were high in the temperature range 400 to 800 C. Small amounts of carbon and oxygen contaminants were observed on the as received single crystal silicon carbide surface below 250 C. Silicon carbide type silicon and carbon peaks were seen on the silicon carbide in addition to very small amount of graphite and silicon dioxide at temperatures of 450 to 800 C.

Poynting Crater Ejecta

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

[figure removed for brevity, see original site] (Released 30 July 2002) Located roughly equidistant between two massive volcanoes, the approximately 60 km Poynting Crater and its ejecta have experienced an onslaught of volcanic activity. Pavonis Mons to the south and Ascraeus Mons to the north are two of the biggest volcanoes on Mars. They have supplied copious amounts of lava and presumably, ash and tephra to the region. This THEMIS image captures evidence for these volcanic materials. The rugged mound of material that dominates the center of the image likely is ejecta from Poynting Crater just 40 km to the west (see MOLA context image). The textural features of this mound are surprisingly muted, giving the appearance that the image is out of focus or has atmospheric obscuration. But the surrounding terrain shows clear textural details and the mound itself displays tiny craters and protruding peaks that demonstrate the true clarity of the image. One conclusion is that the ejecta mound is covered by a mantle of material that could be related to its proximity to the big volcanoes. The tephra and ash deposits produced by these volcanoes could easily accumulate to a thickness that would bury any textural details that originally existed on the ejecta mound. In contrast, the lava flows that lap up to the base of the mound show clear textural details, indicating that they came after the eruptive activity that mantled the ejecta mound. Given the fact that any ejecta material is preserved at all suggests that the impact that produced Poynting Crater postdated the major construction phase of the volcanoes.

Marine Cloud Brightening

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

Latham, John; Bower, Keith; Choularton, Tom

2012-09-07

The idea behind the marine cloud-brightening (MCB) geoengineering technique is that seeding marine stratocumulus clouds with copious quantities of roughly monodisperse sub-micrometre sea water particles might significantly enhance the cloud droplet number concentration, and thereby the cloud albedo and possibly longevity. This would produce a cooling, which general circulation model (GCM) computations suggest could - subject to satisfactory resolution of technical and scientific problems identified herein - have the capacity to balance global warming up to the carbon dioxide-doubling point. We describe herein an account of our recent research on a number of critical issues associated with MCB. This involvesmore » (i) GCM studies, which are our primary tools for evaluating globally the effectiveness of MCB, and assessing its climate impacts on rainfall amounts and distribution, and also polar sea-ice cover and thickness; (ii) high-resolution modelling of the effects of seeding on marine stratocumulus, which are required to understand the complex array of interacting processes involved in cloud brightening; (iii) microphysical modelling sensitivity studies, examining the influence of seeding amount, seedparticle salt-mass, air-mass characteristics, updraught speed and other parameters on cloud-albedo change; (iv) sea water spray-production techniques; (v) computational fluid dynamics studies of possible large-scale periodicities in Flettner rotors; and (vi) the planning of a three-stage limited-area field research experiment, with the primary objectives of technology testing and determining to what extent, if any, cloud albedo might be enhanced by seeding marine stratocumulus clouds on a spatial scale of around 100 km. We stress that there would be no justification for deployment of MCB unless it was clearly established that no significant adverse consequences would result. There would also need to be an international agreement firmly in favour of such action.« less

Marine cloud brightening

PubMed Central

Latham, John; Bower, Keith; Choularton, Tom; Coe, Hugh; Connolly, Paul; Cooper, Gary; Craft, Tim; Foster, Jack; Gadian, Alan; Galbraith, Lee; Iacovides, Hector; Johnston, David; Launder, Brian; Leslie, Brian; Meyer, John; Neukermans, Armand; Ormond, Bob; Parkes, Ben; Rasch, Phillip; Rush, John; Salter, Stephen; Stevenson, Tom; Wang, Hailong; Wang, Qin; Wood, Rob

2012-01-01

The idea behind the marine cloud-brightening (MCB) geoengineering technique is that seeding marine stratocumulus clouds with copious quantities of roughly monodisperse sub-micrometre sea water particles might significantly enhance the cloud droplet number concentration, and thereby the cloud albedo and possibly longevity. This would produce a cooling, which general circulation model (GCM) computations suggest could—subject to satisfactory resolution of technical and scientific problems identified herein—have the capacity to balance global warming up to the carbon dioxide-doubling point. We describe herein an account of our recent research on a number of critical issues associated with MCB. This involves (i) GCM studies, which are our primary tools for evaluating globally the effectiveness of MCB, and assessing its climate impacts on rainfall amounts and distribution, and also polar sea-ice cover and thickness; (ii) high-resolution modelling of the effects of seeding on marine stratocumulus, which are required to understand the complex array of interacting processes involved in cloud brightening; (iii) microphysical modelling sensitivity studies, examining the influence of seeding amount, seed-particle salt-mass, air-mass characteristics, updraught speed and other parameters on cloud–albedo change; (iv) sea water spray-production techniques; (v) computational fluid dynamics studies of possible large-scale periodicities in Flettner rotors; and (vi) the planning of a three-stage limited-area field research experiment, with the primary objectives of technology testing and determining to what extent, if any, cloud albedo might be enhanced by seeding marine stratocumulus clouds on a spatial scale of around 100×100 km. We stress that there would be no justification for deployment of MCB unless it was clearly established that no significant adverse consequences would result. There would also need to be an international agreement firmly in favour of such action. PMID:22869798

Marine cloud brightening.

PubMed

Latham, John; Bower, Keith; Choularton, Tom; Coe, Hugh; Connolly, Paul; Cooper, Gary; Craft, Tim; Foster, Jack; Gadian, Alan; Galbraith, Lee; Iacovides, Hector; Johnston, David; Launder, Brian; Leslie, Brian; Meyer, John; Neukermans, Armand; Ormond, Bob; Parkes, Ben; Rasch, Phillip; Rush, John; Salter, Stephen; Stevenson, Tom; Wang, Hailong; Wang, Qin; Wood, Rob

2012-09-13

The idea behind the marine cloud-brightening (MCB) geoengineering technique is that seeding marine stratocumulus clouds with copious quantities of roughly monodisperse sub-micrometre sea water particles might significantly enhance the cloud droplet number concentration, and thereby the cloud albedo and possibly longevity. This would produce a cooling, which general circulation model (GCM) computations suggest could-subject to satisfactory resolution of technical and scientific problems identified herein-have the capacity to balance global warming up to the carbon dioxide-doubling point. We describe herein an account of our recent research on a number of critical issues associated with MCB. This involves (i) GCM studies, which are our primary tools for evaluating globally the effectiveness of MCB, and assessing its climate impacts on rainfall amounts and distribution, and also polar sea-ice cover and thickness; (ii) high-resolution modelling of the effects of seeding on marine stratocumulus, which are required to understand the complex array of interacting processes involved in cloud brightening; (iii) microphysical modelling sensitivity studies, examining the influence of seeding amount, seed-particle salt-mass, air-mass characteristics, updraught speed and other parameters on cloud-albedo change; (iv) sea water spray-production techniques; (v) computational fluid dynamics studies of possible large-scale periodicities in Flettner rotors; and (vi) the planning of a three-stage limited-area field research experiment, with the primary objectives of technology testing and determining to what extent, if any, cloud albedo might be enhanced by seeding marine stratocumulus clouds on a spatial scale of around 100×100 km. We stress that there would be no justification for deployment of MCB unless it was clearly established that no significant adverse consequences would result. There would also need to be an international agreement firmly in favour of such action.

A priming effect of benthic gastropod mucus on sedimentary organic matter remineralization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hannides, A. K.; Aller, R. C.

2016-02-01

Mucous gels are produced by benthic animals rapidly and in copious amounts, and have previously been shown to significantly affect diffusion rates of redox-sensitive ions and organic compounds in sediment pore waters. They are also a highly likely priming substrate whose addition in modest amounts affects sedimentary organic matter remineralization. We tested the priming effect of benthic infaunal mucus using secretions of the common gastropod Neverita duplicata as model substrate. Their composition is typical of marine molluscan mucus, consisting primarily of water (>96% by weight), which is in relative equilibrium with seawater. Salt-free dry weight constitutes 0.7% and 0.6% of total pedal and hypobranchial mucus, respectively. The C:N ratios of pedal and hypobranchial mucus indicate that the organic component consists of a mucopolysaccharide-glycoprotein complex that varies depending on its function, while low C:S ratios of the insoluble component and positive staining with Alcian Blue dye are indicative of S-ester and alkyl-SO42- groups bridging mucopolysaccharide and glycoprotein components. Anoxic incubations of pedal mucus of N. duplicata, sediment, and mucus-sediment mixture, resulted in the anaerobic generation of ΣCO2 and NH4+ at ratios lower than initial C:N ratios, indicating the preferential decomposition of N-rich moieties. Production rates of SCO2 and NH4+ in mucus-sediment incubations are higher, by 9±16% and 29±11%, respectively, than those predicted from linear addition of mucus-only and sediment-only rates. The statistically significant accelerated remineralization rate of N in the presence of modest mucus contribution (0.2% of total N), suggests that benthic mucus addition affects sedimentary organic matter remineralization processes through a "priming" effect.

MHz gravitational waves from short-term anisotropic inflation

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

Ito, Asuka; Soda, Jiro

2016-04-18

We reveal the universality of short-term anisotropic inflation. As a demonstration, we study inflation with an exponential type gauge kinetic function which is ubiquitous in models obtained by dimensional reduction from higher dimensional fundamental theory. It turns out that an anisotropic inflation universally takes place in the later stage of conventional inflation. Remarkably, we find that primordial gravitational waves with a peak amplitude around 10{sup −26}∼10{sup −27} are copiously produced in high-frequency bands 10 MHz∼100 MHz. If we could detect such gravitational waves in future, we would be able to probe higher dimensional fundamental theory.

NekNominate: Social Norms, Social Media, and Binge Drinking.

PubMed

Wombacher, Kevin; Reno, Jenna E; Veil, Shari R

2017-05-01

This study examines the social-media-based binge drinking game NekNominate and how this phenomenon is related to social norms. NekNominate is a game wherein players are nominated to film themselves "neking" or chugging copious amounts of alcohol or drinking alcohol in a novel or humorous manner. The player then nominates other players via social media who then have a specific timeframe in which they must complete their challenge or face ridicule. Health communication research on drinking behaviors has often looked at the role of social norms in determining these behaviors. News stories (n = 44) of NekNominate and tweets (n = 851) culled using the hashtag #NekNominate during three different time periods are analyzed to identify the normative forces at play in this recent phenomenon.

Extraction of Polarization Parameters in the p¯p → Ω¯Ω Reaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perotti, E.

2018-05-01

A method to extract the polarization of Ω hyperons produced via the strong interaction is presented. Assuming they are spin 3/2 particles, the corresponding spin density matrix can be written in terms of seven non-zero polarization parameters, all retrievable from the angular distribution of the decay products. Moreover by considering the full decay chain Ω → ΛK → pπK the magnitude of the asymmetry parameters β Ω and γ Ω can be obtained. This method, applied here to the specific Ω case, can be generalized to any weakly decaying hyperon and is perfectly suited for the PANDA experiment where hyperon-antihyperon pairs will be copiously produced in proton-antiproton collisions. The aim is to take a step forward towards the understanding of the mechanism that reigns strangeness production in these processes.

Preservative cytotoxic threshold for benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine digluconate in cat and rabbit corneas.

PubMed

Burstein, N L

1980-03-01

Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and chlorhexidine digluconate (CDG) were applied to rabbit and cat corneal epithelium in clinically used concentrations. Corneas were fixed 1/2 hr later and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). BAC was found to produce a progressive increase in damage at concentrations between 0.001% and 0.01% as determined by SEM. CGD produced less damage than BAC at any concentration. Cats lacrimated copiously and blinked frequently after instillation of drops; rabbits did not. No significant difference was found between the two species, however, in their response to the preservative agents tested. It is presumed that binding of these surface active agents occurs almost immediately and is unaffected by tear film dilution. Studies measuring permeability increase in the human eye after preservative use are required to allow clinical interpretation of the data presented here.

Androgen receptor requires JunD as a coactivator to switch on an oxidative stress generation pathway in prostate cancer cells.

PubMed

Mehraein-Ghomi, Farideh; Basu, Hirak S; Church, Dawn R; Hoffmann, F Michael; Wilding, George

2010-06-01

Relatively high oxidative stress levels in the prostate are postulated to be a major factor for prostate carcinogenesis and prostate cancer (CaP) progression. We focused on elucidating metabolic pathways of oxidative stress generation in CaP cells. Previously, we showed that the transcription factor JunD is essential for androgen-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in androgen-dependent human CaP cells. We also recently showed that androgen induces the first and regulatory enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) in a polyamine catabolic pathway that produces copious amounts of metabolic ROS. Here, we present coimmunoprecipitation and Gaussia luciferase reconstitution assay data that show that JunD forms a complex with androgen-activated androgen receptor (AR) in situ. Our chromatin immunoprecipitation assay data show that JunD binds directly to a specific SSAT promoter sequence only in androgen-treated LNCaP cells. Using a vector containing a luciferase reporter gene connected to the SSAT promoter and a JunD-silenced LNCaP cell line, we show that JunD is essential for androgen-induced SSAT gene expression. The elucidation of JunD-AR complex inducing SSAT expression leading to polyamine oxidation establishes the mechanistic basis of androgen-induced ROS production in CaP cells and opens up a new prostate-specific target for CaP chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic drug development. Copyright 2010 AACR.

Solitary Metastasis to the Facial/Vestibulocochlear Nerve Complex: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Ariai, M Shafie; Eggers, Scott D; Giannini, Caterina; Driscoll, Colin L W; Link, Michael J

2015-10-01

Distant metastasis of mucinous adenocarcinoma from the gastrointestinal tract, ovaries, pancreas, lungs, breast, or urogenital system is a well-described entity. Mucinous adenocarcinomas from different primary sites are histologically identical with gland cells producing a copious amount of mucin. This report describes a very rare solitary metastasis of a mucinous adenocarcinoma of unknown origin to the facial/vestibulocochlear nerve complex in the cerebellopontine angle. A 71-year-old woman presented with several month history of progressive neurological decline and a negative extensive workup performed elsewhere. She presented to our institution with complete left facial weakness, left-sided deafness, gait unsteadiness, headache and anorexia. A repeat magnetic resonance imaging scan of the head revealed a cystic, enhancing abnormality involving the left cerebellopontine angle and internal auditory canal. A left retrosigmoid craniotomy was performed and the lesion was completely resected. The final pathology was a mucinous adenocarcinoma of indeterminate origin. Postoperatively, the patient continued with her preoperative deficits and subsequently died of her systemic disease 6 weeks after discharge. The facial/vestibulocochlear nerve complex is an unusual location for metastatic disease in the central nervous system. Clinicians should consider metastatic tumor as the possible etiology of an unusual appearing mass in this location causing profound neurological deficits. The prognosis after metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma to the cranial nerves in the cerebellopontine angle may be poor. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Ozone in Lombardy: Years 1998-1999

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sesana, L.; Begnini, S.; Toscani, D.; Facchini, U.; Balasso, A.; Borelli, P.

2003-11-01

Photochemical pollutants, especially ozone, have reached very high levels in Lombardy in recent years, with peaks of up to 150 ppb in late spring and summer. Lombardy, lying on the Po Plain, supports a large number of cities and industries and these, along with heavy traffic, produce copious amounts of primary pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and numerous volatile organic compounds. Furthermore, the peculiar orography of this region fosters the stagnation of air masses on a basin-scale and the presence of diurnal breezes towards northern areas, along with the evolution of the Mixing Layer, spread the polluted air masses over a large territory. Numerous stations in Lombardy give the concentrations of ozone and of nitrogen oxides. In this paper, ozone measurements carried out at the plain area around Milan and at pre-alpine sites in the spring and summer 1998 and 1999 will be shown and discussed, focusing on the months of May and July. The study of temporal and spatial behaviour of ozone goes hand in hand with the analysis of the Boundary Layer's evolution. A number of radon stations were operating in Milan and in other sites in Lombardy. Measurements of atmospheric concentrations of radon yield an index of atmospheric stability, of the formation of thermal inversion, of convective turbulence, and of the movement of air masses, and hence they are very relevant to the understanding of the conditions of atmospheric pollutants.

Biodiversity and phylogenetic analysis of culturable bacteria indigenous to Khewra salt mine of pakistan and their industrial importance

PubMed Central

Akhtar, Nasrin; Ghauri, Muhammad A.; Iqbal, Aamira; Anwar, Munir A.; Akhtar, Kalsoom

2008-01-01

Culturable bacterial biodiversity and industrial importance of the isolates indigenous to Khewra salt mine, Pakistan was assessed. PCR Amplification of 16S rDNA of isolates was carried out by using universal primers FD1 and rP1and products were sequenced commercially. These gene sequences were compared with other gene sequences in the GenBank databases to find the closely related sequences. The alignment of these sequences with sequences available from GenBank database was carried out to construct a phylogenetic tree for these bacteria. These genes were deposited to GenBank and accession numbers were obtained. Most of the isolates belonged to different species of genus Bacillus, sharing 92-99% 16S rDNA identity with the respective type strain. Other isolates had close similarities with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus arlettae and Staphylococcus gallinarum with 97%, 98% and 99% 16S rDNA similarity respectively. The abilities of isolates to produce industrial enzymes (amylase, carboxymethylcellulase, xylanase, cellulase and protease) were checked. All isolates were tested against starch, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), xylane, cellulose, and casein degradation in plate assays. BPT-5, 11,18,19 and 25 indicated the production of copious amounts of carbohydrates and protein degrading enzymes. Based on this study it can be concluded that Khewra salt mine is populated with diverse bacterial groups, which are potential source of industrial enzymes for commercial applications. PMID:24031194

Gravitational Waves from Neutron Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kokkotas, Konstantinos

2016-03-01

Neutron stars are the densest objects in the present Universe, attaining physical conditions of matter that cannot be replicated on Earth. These unique and irreproducible laboratories allow us to study physics in some of its most extreme regimes. More importantly, however, neutron stars allow us to formulate a number of fundamental questions that explore, in an intricate manner, the boundaries of our understanding of physics and of the Universe. The multifaceted nature of neutron stars involves a delicate interplay among astrophysics, gravitational physics, and nuclear physics. The research in the physics and astrophysics of neutron stars is expected to flourish and thrive in the next decade. The imminent direct detection of gravitational waves will turn gravitational physics into an observational science, and will provide us with a unique opportunity to make major breakthroughs in gravitational physics, in particle and high-energy astrophysics. These waves, which represent a basic prediction of Einstein's theory of general relativity but have yet to be detected directly, are produced in copious amounts, for instance, by tight binary neutron star and black hole systems, supernovae explosions, non-axisymmetric or unstable spinning neutron stars. The focus of the talk will be on the neutron star instabilities induced by rotation and the magnetic field. The conditions for the onset of these instabilities and their efficiency in gravitational waves will be presented. Finally, the dependence of the results and their impact on astrophysics and especially nuclear physics will be discussed.

Metabolic networks to generate pyruvate, PEP and ATP from glycerol in Pseudomonas fluorescens.

PubMed

Alhasawi, Azhar; Thomas, Sean C; Appanna, Vasu D

2016-04-01

Glycerol is a major by-product of the biodiesel industry. In this study we report on the metabolic networks involved in its transformation into pyruvate, phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and ATP. When the nutritionally-versatile Pseudomonas fluorescens was exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a mineral medium with glycerol as the sole carbon source, the microbe reconfigured its metabolism to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) primarily via substrate-level phosphorylation (SLP). This alternative ATP-producing stratagem resulted in the synthesis of copious amounts of PEP and pyruvate. The production of these metabolites was mediated via the enhanced activities of such enzymes as pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC). The high energy PEP was subsequently converted into ATP with the aid of pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK), phosphoenolpyruvate synthase (PEPS) and pyruvate kinase (PK) with the concomitant formation of pyruvate. The participation of the phospho-transfer enzymes like adenylate kinase (AK) and acetate kinase (ACK) ensured the efficiency of this O2-independent energy-generating machinery. The increased activity of glycerol dehydrogenase (GDH) in the stressed bacteria provided the necessary precursors to fuel this process. This H2O2-induced anaerobic life-style fortuitously evokes metabolic networks to an effective pathway that can be harnessed into the synthesis of ATP, PEP and pyruvate. The bioconversion of glycerol to pyruvate will offer interesting economic benefit. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Highly Arginolytic Streptococcus Species That Potently Antagonizes Streptococcus mutans

PubMed Central

Huang, Xuelian; Palmer, Sara R.; Ahn, Sang-Joon; Richards, Vincent P.; Williams, Matthew L.; Nascimento, Marcelle M.

2016-01-01

The ability of certain oral biofilm bacteria to moderate pH through arginine metabolism by the arginine deiminase system (ADS) is a deterrent to the development of dental caries. Here, we characterize a novel Streptococcus strain, designated strain A12, isolated from supragingival dental plaque of a caries-free individual. A12 not only expressed the ADS pathway at high levels under a variety of conditions but also effectively inhibited growth and two intercellular signaling pathways of the dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans. A12 produced copious amounts of H2O2 via the pyruvate oxidase enzyme that were sufficient to arrest the growth of S. mutans. A12 also produced a protease similar to challisin (Sgc) of Streptococcus gordonii that was able to block the competence-stimulating peptide (CSP)–ComDE signaling system, which is essential for bacteriocin production by S. mutans. Wild-type A12, but not an sgc mutant derivative, could protect the sensitive indicator strain Streptococcus sanguinis SK150 from killing by the bacteriocins of S. mutans. A12, but not S. gordonii, could also block the XIP (comX-inducing peptide) signaling pathway, which is the proximal regulator of genetic competence in S. mutans, but Sgc was not required for this activity. The complete genome sequence of A12 was determined, and phylogenomic analyses compared A12 to streptococcal reference genomes. A12 was most similar to Streptococcus australis and Streptococcus parasanguinis but sufficiently different that it may represent a new species. A12-like organisms may play crucial roles in the promotion of stable, health-associated oral biofilm communities by moderating plaque pH and interfering with the growth and virulence of caries pathogens. PMID:26826230

A Highly Arginolytic Streptococcus Species That Potently Antagonizes Streptococcus mutans.

PubMed

Huang, Xuelian; Palmer, Sara R; Ahn, Sang-Joon; Richards, Vincent P; Williams, Matthew L; Nascimento, Marcelle M; Burne, Robert A

2016-01-29

The ability of certain oral biofilm bacteria to moderate pH through arginine metabolism by the arginine deiminase system (ADS) is a deterrent to the development of dental caries. Here, we characterize a novel Streptococcus strain, designated strain A12, isolated from supragingival dental plaque of a caries-free individual. A12 not only expressed the ADS pathway at high levels under a variety of conditions but also effectively inhibited growth and two intercellular signaling pathways of the dental caries pathogen Streptococcus mutans. A12 produced copious amounts of H2O2 via the pyruvate oxidase enzyme that were sufficient to arrest the growth of S. mutans. A12 also produced a protease similar to challisin (Sgc) of Streptococcus gordonii that was able to block the competence-stimulating peptide (CSP)-ComDE signaling system, which is essential for bacteriocin production by S. mutans. Wild-type A12, but not an sgc mutant derivative, could protect the sensitive indicator strain Streptococcus sanguinis SK150 from killing by the bacteriocins of S. mutans. A12, but not S. gordonii, could also block the XIP (comX-inducing peptide) signaling pathway, which is the proximal regulator of genetic competence in S. mutans, but Sgc was not required for this activity. The complete genome sequence of A12 was determined, and phylogenomic analyses compared A12 to streptococcal reference genomes. A12 was most similar to Streptococcus australis and Streptococcus parasanguinis but sufficiently different that it may represent a new species. A12-like organisms may play crucial roles in the promotion of stable, health-associated oral biofilm communities by moderating plaque pH and interfering with the growth and virulence of caries pathogens. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Triple Oxygen Isotope Measurement of Nitrate to Analyze Impact of Aircraft Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, Sharleen

With 4.9% of total anthropogenic radiative forcing attributed to aircraft emissions, jet engines combust copious amounts of fuel producing gases including: NOx (NO + NO2), SOx, VOC's and fine particles [IPCC (1999), IPCC (2007), Lee et al., 2009]. The tropospheric non-linear relationships between NOx, OH and O3 contribute uncertainties in the ozone budget amplified by poor understanding of the NOx cycle. In a polluted urban environment, interaction of gases and particles produce various new compounds that are difficult to measure with analytical tools available today [Thiemens, 2006]. Using oxygen triple isotopic measurement of NO3 to investigate gas to particle formation and chemical transformation in the ambient atmosphere, this study presents data obtained from aerosols sampled at NASA's Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility (DAOF) in Palmdale, CA during January and February, 2009 and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) during Fall 2009, Winter 2010, and Spring 2010. The aerosols collected from jet aircraft exhaust in Palmdale exhibit an oxygen isotope anomaly (Delta17O =delta 17O -0.52 delta18O) increase with photochemical age of particles (-0.22 to 26.41‰) while NO3 concentration decreases from 53.76 - 5.35ppm with a radial distance from the jet dependency. Bulk aerosol samples from LAX exhibit seasonal variation with Delta17 O and NO3 concentration peaking in winter suggesting multiple sources and increased fossil fuel burning. Using oxygen triple isotopes of NO3, we are able to distinguish primary and secondary nitrate by aircraft emissions allowing new insight into a portion of the global nitrogen cycle. This represents a new and potentially important means to uniquely identify aircraft emissions on the basis of the unique isotopic composition of jet aircraft emissions.

Nectary structure and nectar secretion in Maxillaria coccinea (Jacq.) L.O. Williams ex Hodge (Orchidaceae).

PubMed

Stpiczynska, M; Davies, K L; Gregg, A

2004-01-01

It had previously been assumed that Maxillaria spp. produce no nectar. However, nectar has recently been observed in Maxillaria coccinea (Jacq.) L.O. Williams ex Hodge amongst other species. Furthermore, it is speculated that M. coccinea may be pollinated by hummingbirds. The aim of this paper is to investigate these claims further. Light microscopy, histochemistry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. This is the first detailed account of nectar secretion in Maxillaria Ruiz & Pav. A 'faucet and sink' arrangement occurs in M. coccinea. Here, the nectary is represented by a small protuberance upon the ventral surface of the column and nectar collects in a semi-saccate reservoir formed by the fusion of the labellum and the base of the column-foot. The nectary comprises a single-layered epidermis and three or four layers of small subepidermal cells. Beneath these occur several layers of larger parenchyma cells. Epidermal cells lack ectodesmata and have a thin, permeable, reticulate cuticle with associated swellings that coincide with the middle lamella between adjoining epidermal cells. Nectar is thought to pass both along the apoplast and symplast and eventually through the stretched and distended cuticle. The secretory cells are collenchymatous, nucleated and have numerous pits with plasmodesmata, mitochondria, rough ER and plastids with many plastoglobuli but few lamellae. Subsecretory cells have fewer plastids than secretory cells. Nectary cells also contain large intravacuolar protein bodies. The floral morphology of M. coccinea is considered in relation to ornithophily and its nectary compared with a similar protuberance found in the entomophilous species M. parviflora (Poepp. & Endl.) Garay. Flowers of M. coccinea produce copious amounts of nectar and, despite the absence of field data, their morphology and the exact configuration of their parts argue strongly in favour of ornithophily.

Fur versus feathers: pollen delivery by bats and hummingbirds and consequences for pollen production.

PubMed

Muchhala, Nathan; Thomson, James D

2010-06-01

One floral characteristic associated with bat pollination (chiropterophily) is copious pollen production, a pattern we confirmed in a local comparison of hummingbird- and bat-adapted flowers from a cloud forest site in Ecuador. Previous authors have suggested that wasteful pollen transfer by bats accounted for the pattern. Here we propose and test a new hypothesis: bats select for increased pollen production because they can efficiently transfer larger amounts of pollen, which leads to a more linear male fitness gain curve for bat-pollinated plants. Flight cage experiments with artificial flowers and flowers of Aphelandra acanthus provide support for this hypothesis; in both instances, the amount of pollen delivered to stigmas by birds is not related to the amount of pollen removed from anthers on the previous visit, while the same function for bats increases linearly. Thus, increased pollen production will be linearly related to increased male reproductive success for bat flowers, while for bird flowers, increased pollen production leads to rapidly diminishing fitness returns. We speculate that fur takes up and holds more pollen than feathers, which seem to readily shed excess grains. Our gain-curve hypothesis may also explain why evolutionary shifts from bird to bat pollination seem more common than shifts in the opposite direction.

Methylene blue-related corneal edema and iris discoloration.

PubMed

Timucin, Ozgur Bulent; Karadag, Mehmet Fatih; Aslanci, Mehmet Emin; Baykara, Mehmet

2016-04-01

We report the case of a 70-year-old female patient who developed corneal edema and iris discoloration following the inadvertent use of 1% methylene blue instead of 0.025% trypan blue to stain the anterior capsule during cataract phacoemulsification surgery. Copious irrigation was performed upon realization of incorrect dye use. Corneal edema and iris discoloration developed during the early postoperative period and persisted at 24-months follow-up. However, keratoplasty was not required. The intracameral use of 1% methylene blue has a cytotoxic effect on the corneal endothelium and iris epithelium. Copious irrigation for at least 30 min using an anterior chamber maintainer may improve outcomes.

Psl Produced by Mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa Contributes to the Establishment of Biofilms and Immune Evasion.

PubMed

Jones, Christopher J; Wozniak, Daniel J

2017-06-20

Despite years of research and clinical advances, chronic pulmonary infections with mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa remain the primary concern for cystic fibrosis patients. Much of the research on these strains has focused on the contributions of the polysaccharide alginate; however, it is becoming evident that the neutral polysaccharide Psl also contributes to biofilm formation and the maintenance of chronic infections. Here, we demonstrate that Psl produced by mucoid strains has significant roles in biofilm structure and evasion of immune effectors. Though mucoid strains produce less Psl than nonmucoid strains, the Psl that is produced is functional, since it mediates adhesion to human airway cells and epithelial cell death. Additionally, Psl protects mucoid bacteria from opsonization and killing by complement components in human serum. Psl production by mucoid strains stimulates a proinflammatory response in the murine lung, leading to reduced colonization. To determine the relevance of these data to clinical infections, we tested Psl production and biofilm formation of a panel of mucoid clinical isolates. We demonstrated three classes of mucoid isolates, those that produce Psl and form robust biofilms, those that did not produce Psl and have a poor biofilm phenotype, and exopolysaccharide (EPS) redundant strains. Collectively, these experimental results demonstrate that Psl contributes to the biofilm formation and immune evasion of many mucoid strains. This is a novel role for Psl in the establishment and maintenance of chronic pulmonary infections by mucoid strains. IMPORTANCE Cystic fibrosis patients are engaged in an ongoing battle against chronic lung infections by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa One key factor contributing to the maintenance of chronic infections is the conversion to a mucoid phenotype, where the bacteria produce copious amounts of the polysaccharide alginate. Once the bacteria become mucoid, existing treatments are poorly effective. We proposed that mucoid bacteria produce an additional polysaccharide, Psl, which is important for their establishment and maintenance of chronic infections. This work demonstrates that Psl enhances attachment of mucoid bacteria to lung surfaces and leads to inflammation and damage in the lung. Additionally, we find that 50% of mucoid bacteria isolated from patients with chronic infections rely on Psl for the structure of their biofilm communities, suggesting that treatments against Psl should be investigated to enhance the success of current therapies. Copyright © 2017 Jones and Wozniak.

Binary neutron star mergers: a review of Einstein's richest laboratory.

PubMed

Baiotti, Luca; Rezzolla, Luciano

2017-09-01

In a single process, the merger of binary neutron star systems combines extreme gravity, the copious emission of gravitational waves, complex microphysics and electromagnetic processes, which can lead to astrophysical signatures observable at the largest redshifts. We review here the recent progress in understanding what could be considered Einstein's richest laboratory, highlighting in particular the numerous significant advances of the last decade. Although special attention is paid to the status of models, techniques and results for fully general-relativistic dynamical simulations, a review is also offered on the initial data and advanced simulations with approximate treatments of gravity. Finally, we review the considerable amount of work carried out on the post-merger phase, including black-hole formation, torus accretion onto the merged compact object, the connection with gamma-ray burst engines, ejected material, and its nucleosynthesis.

Binary neutron star mergers: a review of Einstein’s richest laboratory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baiotti, Luca; Rezzolla, Luciano

2017-09-01

In a single process, the merger of binary neutron star systems combines extreme gravity, the copious emission of gravitational waves, complex microphysics and electromagnetic processes, which can lead to astrophysical signatures observable at the largest redshifts. We review here the recent progress in understanding what could be considered Einstein’s richest laboratory, highlighting in particular the numerous significant advances of the last decade. Although special attention is paid to the status of models, techniques and results for fully general-relativistic dynamical simulations, a review is also offered on the initial data and advanced simulations with approximate treatments of gravity. Finally, we review the considerable amount of work carried out on the post-merger phase, including black-hole formation, torus accretion onto the merged compact object, the connection with gamma-ray burst engines, ejected material, and its nucleosynthesis.

Excitation of a global plasma mode by an intense electron beam in a dc discharge

DOE PAGES

Sydorenko, D.; Kaganovich, I. D.; Ventzek, P. L. G.; ...

2018-01-01

The interaction of an intense electron beam with a finite-length, inhomogeneous plasma is investigated numerically. The plasma density profile is maximal in the middle and decays towards the plasma edges. Two regimes of the two-stream instability are observed. In one regime, the frequency of the instability is the plasma frequency at the density maximum and plasma waves are excited in the middle of the plasma. In the other regime, the frequency of the instability matches the local plasma frequency near the edges of the plasma and the intense plasma oscillations occur near plasma boundaries. The latter regime appears sporadically andmore » only for strong electron beam currents. This instability generates a copious amount of suprathermal electrons. Finally, the energy transfer to suprathermal electrons is the saturation mechanism of the instability.« less

Coupled microwave ECR and radio-frequency plasma source for plasma processing

DOEpatents

Tsai, Chin-Chi; Haselton, Halsey H.

1994-01-01

In a dual plasma device, the first plasma is a microwave discharge having its own means of plasma initiation and control. The microwave discharge operates at electron cyclotron resonance (ECR), and generates a uniform plasma over a large area of about 1000 cm.sup.2 at low pressures below 0.1 mtorr. The ECR microwave plasma initiates the second plasma, a radio frequency (RF) plasma maintained between parallel plates. The ECR microwave plasma acts as a source of charged particles, supplying copious amounts of a desired charged excited species in uniform manner to the RF plasma. The parallel plate portion of the apparatus includes a magnetic filter with static magnetic field structure that aids the formation of ECR zones in the two plasma regions, and also assists in the RF plasma also operating at electron cyclotron resonance.

Coupled microwave ECR and radio-frequency plasma source for plasma processing

DOEpatents

Tsai, C.C.; Haselton, H.H.

1994-03-08

In a dual plasma device, the first plasma is a microwave discharge having its own means of plasma initiation and control. The microwave discharge operates at electron cyclotron resonance (ECR), and generates a uniform plasma over a large area of about 1000 cm[sup 2] at low pressures below 0.1 mtorr. The ECR microwave plasma initiates the second plasma, a radio frequency (RF) plasma maintained between parallel plates. The ECR microwave plasma acts as a source of charged particles, supplying copious amounts of a desired charged excited species in uniform manner to the RF plasma. The parallel plate portion of the apparatus includes a magnetic filter with static magnetic field structure that aids the formation of ECR zones in the two plasma regions, and also assists in the RF plasma also operating at electron cyclotron resonance. 4 figures.

Excitation of a global plasma mode by an intense electron beam in a dc discharge

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

Sydorenko, D.; Kaganovich, I. D.; Ventzek, P. L. G.

The interaction of an intense electron beam with a finite-length, inhomogeneous plasma is investigated numerically. The plasma density profile is maximal in the middle and decays towards the plasma edges. Two regimes of the two-stream instability are observed. In one regime, the frequency of the instability is the plasma frequency at the density maximum and plasma waves are excited in the middle of the plasma. In the other regime, the frequency of the instability matches the local plasma frequency near the edges of the plasma and the intense plasma oscillations occur near plasma boundaries. The latter regime appears sporadically andmore » only for strong electron beam currents. This instability generates a copious amount of suprathermal electrons. Finally, the energy transfer to suprathermal electrons is the saturation mechanism of the instability.« less

Electron emitting filaments for electron discharge devices

DOEpatents

Leung, Ka-Ngo; Pincosy, Philip A.; Ehlers, Kenneth W.

1988-01-01

Electrons are copiously emitted by a device comprising a loop-shaped filament made of lanthanum hexaboride. The filament is directly heated by an electrical current produced along the filament by a power supply connected to the terminal legs of the filament. To produce a filament, a diamond saw or the like is used to cut a slice from a bar made of lanthanum hexaboride. The diamond saw is then used to cut the slice into the shape of a loop which may be generally rectangular, U-shaped, hairpin-shaped, zigzag-shaped, or generally circular. The filaments provide high electron emission at a relatively low operating temperature, such as 1600.degree. C. To achieve uniform heating, the filament is formed with a cross section which is tapered between the opposite ends of the filament to compensate for non-uniform current distribution along the filament due to the emission of electrons from the filament.

Electron emitting filaments for electron discharge devices

DOEpatents

Leung, K.N.; Pincosy, P.A.; Ehlers, K.W.

1983-06-10

Electrons are copiously emitted by a device comprising a loop-shaped filament made of lanthanum hexaboride. The filament is directly heated by an electrical current produced along the filament by a power supply connected to the terminal legs of the filament. To produce a filament, a diamond saw or the like is used to cut a slice from a bar made of lanthanum hexaboride. The diamond saw is then used to cut the slice into the shape of a loop which may be generally rectangular, U-shaped, hairpin-shaped, zigzag-shaped, or generally circular. The filaments provide high electron emission at a relatively low operating temperature, such as 1600/sup 0/C. To achieve uniform heating, the filament is formed with a cross section which is tapered between the opposite ends of the filament to compensate for nonuniform current distribution along the filament due to the emission of electrons from the filament.

Transforming growth factor-beta controls T helper type 1 cell development through regulation of natural killer cell interferon-gamma.

PubMed

Laouar, Yasmina; Sutterwala, Fayyaz S; Gorelik, Leonid; Flavell, Richard A

2005-06-01

Interferon-gamma and interleukin 12 produced by the innate arm of the immune system are important regulators of T helper type 1 (T(H)1) cell development, but signals that negatively regulate their expression remain controversial. Here we show that transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) controlled T(H)1 differentiation through the regulation of interferon-gamma produced by natural killer (NK) cells. Blockade of TGF-beta signaling in NK cells caused the accumulation of a large pool of NK cells secreting copious interferon-gamma, responsible for T(H)1 differentiation and protection from leishmania infection. In contrast, blockade of TGF-beta signaling in dendritic cells did not affect dendritic cell homeostasis or interleukin 12 production, thus indicating a previously undescribed demarcation of the function of TGF-beta in NK cells versus dendritic cells.

Large impacts around a solar-analog star in the era of terrestrial planet formation.

PubMed

Meng, Huan Y A; Su, Kate Y L; Rieke, George H; Stevenson, David J; Plavchan, Peter; Rujopakarn, Wiphu; Lisse, Carey M; Poshyachinda, Saran; Reichart, Daniel E

2014-08-29

The final assembly of terrestrial planets occurs via massive collisions, which can launch copious clouds of dust that are warmed by the star and glow in the infrared. We report the real-time detection of a debris-producing impact in the terrestrial planet zone around a 35-million-year-old solar-analog star. We observed a substantial brightening of the debris disk at a wavelength of 3 to 5 micrometers, followed by a decay over a year, with quasi-periodic modulations of the disk flux. The behavior is consistent with the occurrence of a violent impact that produced vapor out of which a thick cloud of silicate spherules condensed that were then ground into dust by collisions. These results demonstrate how the time domain can become a new dimension for the study of terrestrial planet formation. Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

New way to produce dense double-antikaonic dibaryon system, 𝐾̄𝐾̄NN, through Λ(1405)-doorway sticking in p + p collisions

PubMed Central

YAMAZAKI, Toshimitsu; AKAISHI, Yoshinori; HASSANVAND, Maryam

2011-01-01

A recent successful observation of a dense and deeply bound 𝐾̄ nuclear system, K−pp, in the p + p → K+ + K−pp reaction in a DISTO experiment indicates that the double-𝐾̄ dibaryon, K−K−pp, which was predicted to be a dense nuclear system, can also be formed in p + p collisions. We find theoretically that the K−-K− repulsion plays no significant role in reducing the density and binding energy of K−K−pp and that, when two Λ(1405) resonances are produced simultaneously in a short-range p + p collision, they act as doorways to copious formation of K−K−pp, if and only if K−K−pp is a dense object, as predicted. PMID:21670568

Calculations of condensation and chemistry in an aircraft contrail

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miake-Lye, Richard C.; Brown, R. C.; Anderson, M. R.; Kolb, C. E.

1994-01-01

The flow field, chemistry, and condensation nucleation behind a transport airplane are calculated in two regimes using two separate reacting flow codes: first the axisymmetric plume, then the three dimensional vortex wake. The included chemical kinetics equations follow the evolution of the NO(y) and SO(x) chemical families. In the plume regime, the chemistry is coupled with the binary homogeneous formation of sulfate condensation nuclei, where the calculated nucleation rates predict that copious quantities of H2SO4/H2O nuclei are produced in subnanometer sizes. These sulfate aerosols could play a major role in the subsequent condensation of water vapor and the formation of contrails under favorable atmospheric conditions.

GASEOUS DISCHARGE DEVICE

DOEpatents

Gow, J.D.

1961-01-10

An extremely compact two-terminal gaseous discharge device is described that is capable of producing neutrons in copious quantities, relatively high energy ions, intense x rays, and the like. Principal novelty resides in the provision of a crossed electric-magnetic field region in the discharge envelope that traps electrons and accelerates them to very high energies to provide an intense ionizing medium adjacent the anode of the device for ionizing gas therein with extremely high efficiency. In addition, the crossed-field trapping region holds the electrons close to the anode whereby the acceleration of ions to the cathode is not materially effected by the electron sheath and the ions assume substantially the full energy of the anodecathode potential drop. (auth)

Sphingomonas pituitosa sp. nov., an exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium that secretes an unusual type of sphingan.

PubMed

Denner, E B; Paukner, S; Kämpfer, P; Moore, E R; Abraham, W R; Busse, H J; Wanner, G; Lubitz, W

2001-05-01

Strain EDIVT, an exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium, was subjected to polyphasic characterization. The bacterium produced copious amounts of an extracellular polysaccharide, forming slimy, viscous, intensely yellow-pigmented colonies on Czapek-Dox (CZD) agar. The culture fluids of the liquid version of CZD medium were highly viscous after cultivation for 5 d. Cells of strain EDIVT were Gram-negative, catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, nonspore-forming, rod-shaped and motile. Comparisons of 16S rDNA gene sequences demonstrated that EDIVT clusters phylogenetically with the species of the genus Sphingomonas sensu stricto. The G+C content of the DNA (64.5 mol%), the presence of ubiquinone Q-10, the presence of 2-hydroxymyristic acid (14:0 2-OH) as the major hydroxylated fatty acid, the absence of 3-hydroxy fatty acids and the detection of sym-homospermidine as the major component in the polyamine pattern, together with the presence of sphingoglycolipid, supported this delineation. 16S rDNA sequence analysis indicated that strain EDIVT is most closely related (99.4% similarity) to Sphingomonas trueperi LMG 2142T. DNA-DNA hybridization showed that the level of relatedness to S. trueperi is only 45.5%. Further differences were apparent in the cellular fatty acid profile, the polar lipid pattern, the Fourier-transform infrared spectrum and whole-cell proteins and in a number of biochemical characteristics. On the basis of the estimated phylogenetic position derived from 16S rDNA sequence data, DNA-DNA reassociation and phenotypic differences, strain EDIVT (= CIP 106154T = DSM 13101T) was recognized as a new species of Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas pituitosa sp. nov. is proposed. A component analysis of the exopolysaccharide (named PS-EDIV) suggested that it represents a novel type of sphingan composed of glucose, rhamnose and an unidentified sugar. Glucuronic acid, which is commonly found in sphingans, was absent. The mean molecular mass of PS-EDIV was approximately 3 x 10(6) Da.

Parasympathetic control of airway submucosal glands: central reflexes and the airway intrinsic nervous system.

PubMed

Wine, Jeffrey J

2007-04-30

Airway submucosal glands produce the mucus that lines the upper airways to protect them against insults. This review summarizes evidence for two forms of gland secretion, and hypothesizes that each is mediated by different but partially overlapping neural pathways. Airway innate defense comprises low level gland secretion, mucociliary clearance and surveillance by airway-resident phagocytes to keep the airways sterile in spite of nearly continuous inhalation of low levels of pathogens. Gland secretion serving innate defense is hypothesized to be under the control of intrinsic (peripheral) airway neurons and local reflexes, and these may depend disproportionately on non-cholinergic mechanisms, with most secretion being produced by VIP and tachykinins. In the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, airway glands no longer secrete in response to VIP alone and fail to show the synergy between VIP, tachykinins and ACh that is observed in normal glands. The consequent crippling of the submucosal gland contribution to innate defense may be one reason that cystic fibrosis airways are infected by mucus-resident bacteria and fungi that are routinely cleared from normal airways. By contrast, the acute (emergency) airway defense reflex is centrally mediated by vagal pathways, is primarily cholinergic, and stimulates copious volumes of gland mucus in response to acute, intense challenges to the airways, such as those produced by very vigorous exercise or aspiration of foreign material. In cystic fibrosis, the acute airway defense reflex can still stimulate the glands to secrete large amounts of mucus, although its properties are altered. Importantly, treatments that recruit components of the acute reflex, such as inhalation of hypertonic saline, are beneficial in treating cystic fibrosis airway disease. The situation for recipients of lung transplants is the reverse; transplanted airways retain the airway intrinsic nervous system but lose centrally mediated reflexes. The consequences of this for gland secretion and airway defense are poorly understood, but it is possible that interventions to modify submucosal gland secretion in transplanted lungs might have therapeutic consequences.

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

Harwood, Caroline S.

This project is to develop and apply techniques in metabolic engineering to improve the biocatalytic potential of the bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris for nitrogenase-catalyzed hydrogen gas production. R. palustris, is an ideal platform to develop as a biocatalyst for hydrogen gas production because it is an extremely versatile microbe that produces copious amounts of hydrogen by drawing on abundant natural resources of sunlight and biomass. Anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria, such as R. palustris, generate hydrogen and ammonia during a process known as biological nitrogen fixation. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme nitrogenase and normally consumes nitrogen gas, ATP and electrons. Themore » applied use of nitrogenase for hydrogen production is attractive because hydrogen is an obligatory product of this enzyme and is formed as the only product when nitrogen gas is not supplied. Our challenge is to understand the systems biology of R. palustris sufficiently well to be able to engineer cells to produce hydrogen continuously, as fast as possible and with as high a conversion efficiency as possible of light and electron donating substrates. For many experiments we started with a strain of R. palustris that produces hydrogen constitutively under all growth conditions. We then identified metabolic pathways and enzymes important for removal of electrons from electron-donating organic compounds and for their delivery to nitrogenase in whole R. palustris cells. For this we developed and applied improved techniques in 13C metabolic flux analysis. We identified reactions that are important for generating electrons for nitrogenase and that are yield-limiting for hydrogen production. We then increased hydrogen production by blocking alternative electron-utilizing metabolic pathways by mutagenesis. In addition we found that use of non-growing cells as biocatalysts for hydrogen gas production is an attractive option, because cells divert all resources away from growth and to hydrogen. Also R. palustris cells remain viable in a non-growing state for long periods of time.« less

Invariant natural killer T cells ameliorate murine chronic GVHD by expanding donor regulatory T cells.

PubMed

Du, Jing; Paz, Katelyn; Thangavelu, Govindarajan; Schneidawind, Dominik; Baker, Jeanette; Flynn, Ryan; Duramad, Omar; Feser, Colby; Panoskaltsis-Mortari, Angela; Negrin, Robert S; Blazar, Bruce R

2017-06-08

Chronic graft-versus-host-disease (cGVHD) can cause multiorgan system disease, typically with autoimmune-like features, resulting in high mortality and morbidity caused by treatment limitations. Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs), a small population characterized by expression of a semi-invariant T-cell receptor, rapidly produce copious amounts of diverse cytokines on activation that exert potent immune regulatory function. Here, we show that iNKTs are significantly reduced in a cGVHD murine model that recapitulates several aspects of autoimmunity and organ fibrosis observed in patients with cGVHD. Low iNKT infused doses effectively prevented and, importantly, reversed established cGVHD, as did third-party iNKTs. iNKTs suppressed the autoimmune response by reducing the germinal center (GC) reaction, which was associated with an increase in total Tregs and follicular Tregs (Tfr) that control the GC reaction, along with pathogenic antibody production. Treg depletion during iNKT infusions completely abolished iNKT efficacy in treating cGVHD. iNKT cell interleukin 4 production and GC migration were critical to cGVHD reversal. In vivo stimulation of iNKT cells by α-galactosyl-ceramide was effective in both preventing and treating cGVHD. Together, this study demonstrates iNKT deficiency in cGVHD mice and highlights the key role of iNKTs in regulating cGVHD pathogenesis and as a potentially novel prophylactic and therapeutic option for patients with cGVHD. © 2017 by The American Society of Hematology.

Physics of superheavy dark matter in supergravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Addazi, Andrea; Marciano, Antonino; Ketov, Sergei V.; Khlopov, Maxim Yu.

New trends in inflationary model building and dark matter production in supergravity are considered. Starobinsky inflation is embedded into 𝒩 = 1 supergravity, avoiding instability problems, when the inflaton belongs to a vector superfield associated with a U(1) gauge symmetry, instead of a chiral superfield. This gauge symmetry can be spontaneously broken by the super-Higgs mechanism resulting in a massive vector supermultiplet including the (real scalar) inflaton field. Both supersymmetry (SUSY) and the R-symmetry can also be spontaneously broken by the Polonyi mechanism at high scales close to the inflationary scale. In this case, Polonyi particles and gravitinos become superheavy, and can be copiously produced during inflation by the Schwinger mechanism sourced by the universe expansion. The Polonyi mass slightly exceeds twice the gravitino mass, so that Polonyi particles are unstable and decay into gravitinos. Considering the mechanisms of superheavy gravitino production, we find that the right amount of cold dark matter composed of gravitinos can be achieved. In our scenario, the parameter space of the inflaton potential is directly related to the dark matter one, providing a new unifying framework of inflation and dark matter genesis. A multi-superfield extension of the supergravity framework with a single (inflaton) superfield can result in a formation of primordial nonlinear structures like mini- and stellar-mass black holes, primordial nongaussianity, and the running spectral index of density fluctuations. This framework can be embedded into the SUSY GUTs inspired by heterotic string compactifications on Calabi-Yau three-folds, thus unifying particle physics with quantum gravity.

Broadband observations of the naked-eye gamma-ray burst GRB 080319B.

PubMed

Racusin, J L; Karpov, S V; Sokolowski, M; Granot, J; Wu, X F; Pal'shin, V; Covino, S; van der Horst, A J; Oates, S R; Schady, P; Smith, R J; Cummings, J; Starling, R L C; Piotrowski, L W; Zhang, B; Evans, P A; Holland, S T; Malek, K; Page, M T; Vetere, L; Margutti, R; Guidorzi, C; Kamble, A P; Curran, P A; Beardmore, A; Kouveliotou, C; Mankiewicz, L; Melandri, A; O'Brien, P T; Page, K L; Piran, T; Tanvir, N R; Wrochna, G; Aptekar, R L; Barthelmy, S; Bartolini, C; Beskin, G M; Bondar, S; Bremer, M; Campana, S; Castro-Tirado, A; Cucchiara, A; Cwiok, M; D'Avanzo, P; D'Elia, V; Valle, M Della; de Ugarte Postigo, A; Dominik, W; Falcone, A; Fiore, F; Fox, D B; Frederiks, D D; Fruchter, A S; Fugazza, D; Garrett, M A; Gehrels, N; Golenetskii, S; Gomboc, A; Gorosabel, J; Greco, G; Guarnieri, A; Immler, S; Jelinek, M; Kasprowicz, G; La Parola, V; Levan, A J; Mangano, V; Mazets, E P; Molinari, E; Moretti, A; Nawrocki, K; Oleynik, P P; Osborne, J P; Pagani, C; Pandey, S B; Paragi, Z; Perri, M; Piccioni, A; Ramirez-Ruiz, E; Roming, P W A; Steele, I A; Strom, R G; Testa, V; Tosti, G; Ulanov, M V; Wiersema, K; Wijers, R A M J; Winters, J M; Zarnecki, A F; Zerbi, F; Mészáros, P; Chincarini, G; Burrows, D N

2008-09-11

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) release copious amounts of energy across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, and so provide a window into the process of black hole formation from the collapse of massive stars. Previous early optical observations of even the most exceptional GRBs (990123 and 030329) lacked both the temporal resolution to probe the optical flash in detail and the accuracy needed to trace the transition from the prompt emission within the outflow to external shocks caused by interaction with the progenitor environment. Here we report observations of the extraordinarily bright prompt optical and gamma-ray emission of GRB 080319B that provide diagnostics within seconds of its formation, followed by broadband observations of the afterglow decay that continued for weeks. We show that the prompt emission stems from a single physical region, implying an extremely relativistic outflow that propagates within the narrow inner core of a two-component jet.

Dichotomy

NASA Image and Video Library

2017-03-06

Enceladus is a world divided. To the north, we see copious amounts of craters and evidence of the many impacts the moon has suffered in its history. However, to the south we see a smoother body with wrinkles due to geologic activity. Most solar system bodies lacking an atmosphere are heavily cratered like Enceladus' (313 miles or 504 kilometers across) northern region. However, the geologic activity in the south, including the famous plume above the moon's south pole, can erase craters and leave a younger, smoother-looking surface. This view looks toward the anti-Saturn hemisphere of Enceladus. North on Enceladus is up and rotated 4 degrees to the right. The image was taken in visible light with the Cassini spacecraft narrow-angle camera on Nov. 27, 2016. The view was obtained at a distance of approximately 41,000 miles (66,000 kilometers) from Enceladus. Image scale is 1,310 feet (398 meters) per pixel. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA20524

Multiphoton photoemission from a copper cathode illuminated by ultrashort laser pulses in an RF photoinjector.

PubMed

Musumeci, P; Cultrera, L; Ferrario, M; Filippetto, D; Gatti, G; Gutierrez, M S; Moody, J T; Moore, N; Rosenzweig, J B; Scoby, C M; Travish, G; Vicario, C

2010-02-26

In this Letter we report on the use of ultrashort infrared laser pulses to generate a copious amount of electrons by a copper cathode in an rf photoinjector. The charge yield verifies the generalized Fowler-Dubridge theory for multiphoton photoemission. The emission is verified to be prompt using a two pulse autocorrelation technique. The thermal emittance associated with the excess kinetic energy from the emission process is comparable with the one measured using frequency tripled uv laser pulses. In the high field of the rf gun, up to 50 pC of charge can be extracted from the cathode using a 80 fs long, 2 microJ, 800 nm pulse focused to a 140 mum rms spot size. Taking into account the efficiency of harmonic conversion, illuminating a cathode directly with ir laser pulses can be the most efficient way to employ the available laser power.

Local Nitric Oxide Production in Viral and Autoimmune Diseases of the Central Nervous System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hooper, D. Craig; Tsuyoshi Ohnishi, S.; Kean, Rhonda; Numagami, Yoshihiro; Dietzschold, Bernhard; Koprowski, Hilary

1995-06-01

Because of the short half-life of NO, previous studies implicating NO in central nervous system pathology during infection had to rely on the demonstration of elevated levels of NO synthase mRNA or enzyme expression or NO metabolites such as nitrate and nitrite in the infected brain. To more definitively investigate the potential causative role of NO in lesions of the central nervous system in animals infected with neurotropic viruses or suffering from experimental allergic encephalitis, we have determined directly the levels of NO present in the central nervous system of such animals. Using spin trapping of NO and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we confirm here that copious amounts of NO (up to 30-fold more than control) are elaborated in the brains of rats infected with rabies virus or borna disease virus, as well as in the spinal cords of rats that had received myelin basic protein-specific T cells.

Formation of incoherent deformation twin boundaries in a coarse-grained Al-7Mg alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, S. B.; Zhang, K.; Bjørge, R.; Tao, N. R.; Marthinsen, K.; Lu, K.; Li, Y. J.

2015-08-01

Deformation twinning has rarely been observed in coarse grained Al and its alloys except under some extreme conditions such as ultrahigh deformation strain or strain rates. Here, we report that a significant amount of Σ3 deformation twins could be generated in a coarse-grained Al-7 Mg alloy by dynamic plastic deformation (DPD). A systematic investigation of the Σ3 boundaries shows that they are Σ3{112} type incoherent twin boundaries (ITBs). These ITBs have formed by gradual evolution from copious low-angle deformation bands through <111>-twist Σ boundaries by lattice rotation. These findings provide an approach to generate deformation twin boundaries in high stacking fault energy metallic alloys. It is suggested that high solution content of Mg in the alloy and the special deformation mode of DPD played an important role in formation of the Σ and ITBs.

Saccular lung cannulation in a ball python (Python regius) to treat a tracheal obstruction.

PubMed

Myers, Debbie A; Wellehan, James F X; Isaza, Ramiro

2009-03-01

An adult male ball python (Python regius) presented in a state of severe dyspnea characterized by open-mouth breathing and vertical positioning of the head and neck. The animal had copious discharge in the tracheal lumen acting as an obstruction. A tube was placed through the body wall into the caudal saccular aspect of the lung to allow the animal to breathe while treatment was initiated. The ball python's dyspnea immediately improved. Diagnostics confirmed a bacterial respiratory infection with predominantly Providencia rettgeri. The saccular lung (air sac) tube was removed after 13 days. Pulmonary endoscopy before closure showed minimal damage with a small amount of hemorrhage in the surrounding muscle tissue. Respiratory disease is a common occurrence in captive snakes and can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Saccular lung cannulation is a relatively simple procedure that can alleviate tracheal narrowing or obstruction, similar to air sac cannulation in birds.

Studies of Positron Generation from Ultraintense Laser-Matter Interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Williams, Gerald Jackson

Laser-produced pair jets possess unique characteristics that offer great potential for their use in laboratory-astrophysics experiments to study energetic phenomenon such as relativistic shock accelerations. High-flux, high-energy positron sources may also be used to study relativistic pair plasmas and useful as novel diagnostic tools for high energy density conditions. Copious amounts of positrons are produced with MeV energies from directly irradiating targets with ultraintense lasers where relativistic electrons, accelerated by the laser field, drive positron-electron pair production. Alternatively, laser wakefield accelerated electrons can produce pairs by the same mechanisms inside a secondary converter target. This dissertation describes a series of novel experiments that investigate the characteristics and scaling of pair production from ultraintense lasers, which are designed to establish a robust platform for laboratory-based relativistic pair plasmas. Results include a simple power-law scaling to estimate the effective positron yield for elemental targets for any Maxwellian electron source, typical of direct laser-target interactions. To facilitate these measurements, a solenoid electromagnetic coil was constructed to focus emitted particles, increasing the effective collection angle of the detector and enabling the investigation of pair production from thin targets and low-Z materials. Laser wakefield electron sources were also explored as a compact, high repetition rate platform for the production of high energy pairs with potential applications to the creation of charge-neutral relativistic pair plasmas. Plasma accelerators can produce low-divergence electron beams with energies approaching a GeV at Hz frequencies. It was found that, even for high-energy positrons, energy loss and scattering mechanisms in the target create a fundamental limit to the divergence and energy spectrum of the emitted positrons. The potential future application of laser-generated pairs was considered by exploring the feasibility of radiographing an imploding inertial confinement fusion capsule at ignition- relevant conditions. For an in-flight areal density of 0.02-0.2 g/cm2, currently available positron sources can make density and spatial measurements of deuterium-tritium fuel cores where additional complications of full-scale experiments are expected to reduce the measurement sensitivity.

The Astrophysics of Merging Black Holes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnittman, Jeremy D.

2011-01-01

When two supermassive black holes (SMBHs) approach within 1-10 mpc, gravitational wave (GW) losses begin to dominate the evolution of the binary, pushing the system to merge in a relatively small time. During this final inspiral regime, the system will emit copious energy in GWs, which should be directly detectable by pulsar timing arrays and space-based interferometers. At the same time, any gas or stars in the immediate vicinity of the merging 5MBHs can get heated and produce bright electromagnetic (EM) counterparts to the GW signals. We present here a number of possible mechanisms by which simultaneous EM and GW signals will yield valuable new information about galaxy evolution, accretion disk dynamics, and fundamental physics in the most extreme gravitational fields.

Polarized γ source based on Compton backscattering in a laser cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yakimenko, V.; Pogorelsky, I. V.

2006-09-01

We propose a novel gamma source suitable for generating a polarized positron beam for the next generation of electron-positron colliders, such as the International Linear Collider (ILC), and the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC). This 30-MeV polarized gamma source is based on Compton scattering inside a picosecond CO2 laser cavity generated from electron bunches produced by a 4-GeV linac. We identified and experimentally verified the optimum conditions for obtaining at least one gamma photon per electron. After multiplication at several consecutive interaction points, the circularly polarized gamma rays are stopped on a target, thereby creating copious numbers of polarized positrons. We address the practicality of having an intracavity Compton-polarized positron source as the injector for these new colliders.

Electromagnetic Signatures of SMBH Coalescence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnittman, Jeremy

2012-01-01

When two supermassive black holes (SMBHs) approach within 1-10 mpc, gravitational wave (GW) losses begin to dominate the evolution of the binary, pushing the system to merge in a relatively small time. During this final inspiral regime, the system will emit copious energy in GWs, which should be directly detectable by pulsar timing arrays and space-based interferometers. At the same time, any gas or stars in the immediate vicinity of the merging 5MBHs can get heated and produce bright electromagnetic (EM) counterparts to the GW signals. We present here a number of possible mechanisms by which simultaneous EM and GW signals will yield valuable new information about galaxy evolution, accretion disk dynamics, and fundamental physics in the most extreme gravitational fields.

Black Hole Coalescence: The Gravitational Wave Driven Phase

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schnittman, Jeremy D.

2011-01-01

When two supermassive black holes (SMBHS) approach within 1-10 mpc, gravitational wave (GW) losses begin to dominate the evolution of the binary, pushing the system to merge in a relatively small time. During this final inspiral regime, the system will emit copious energy in GWs, which should be directly detectable by pulsar timing arrays and space-based interferometers. At the same time, any gas or stars in the immediate vicinity of the merging 5MBHs can get heated and produce bright electromagnetic (EM) counterparts to the GW signals. We present here a number of possible mechanisms by which simultaneous EM and GW signals will yield valuable new information about galaxy evolution, accretion disk dynamics, and fundamental physics in the most extreme gravitational fields.

Proton enhancement at large pT at the CERN large hadron collider without structure in associated-particle distribution.

PubMed

Hwa, Rudolph C; Yang, C B

2006-07-28

The production of pions and protons in the pT range between 10 and 20 GeV/c for Pb+Pb collisions at CERN LHC is studied in the recombination model. It is shown that the dominant mechanism for hadronization is the recombination of shower partons from neighboring jets when the jet density is high. Protons are more copiously produced than pions in that pT range because the coalescing partons can have lower momentum fractions, but no thermal partons are involved. The proton-to-pion ratio can be as high as 20. When such high pT hadrons are used as trigger particles, there will not be any associated particles that are not in the background.

Geology and ground-water resources of the Lake Dakota Plain area, South Dakota

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hopkins, William B.; Petri, Lester R.

1963-01-01

Unconsolidated deposits of Quaternary age mantle the Cretaceous rocks. Although they consist mostly of material that is too fine grained to yield water freely to wells, the Quaternary deposits contain bodies of moderately to highly permeable material that yield water copiously. Such bodies may be located only by exploratory drilling or, possibly, geophysical methods. The water differs widely in amount of mineralization and in chemical composition; the specific conductance of water from 322 wells ranged from 246 to 13,300 micromhos per centimeter. In most of the report area the water is of unsuitable quality for irrigation and domestic use. The principal source of recharge to the Quaternary deposits is infiltrating precipitation. Evapotranspiration accounts for nearly all the water discharged; the amount of water discharging into stream channels and withdrawn from wells is almost negligible by comparison. Irrigation of the area would increase the rate of recharge to the Quaternary deposits and would cause the water table to rise. Probably it would also cause an increase in the concentration of dissolved minerals in much of the ground water. Artificial drainage would be necessary to prevent waterlogging of cropland.

Nitrite produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis in human macrophages in physiologic oxygen impacts bacterial ATP consumption and gene expression

PubMed Central

Cunningham-Bussel, Amy; Zhang, Tuo; Nathan, Carl F.

2013-01-01

In high enough concentrations, such as produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) can kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Lesional macrophages in macaques and humans with tuberculosis express iNOS, and mice need iNOS to avoid succumbing rapidly to tuberculosis. However, Mtb’s own ability to produce RNS is rarely considered, perhaps because nitrate reduction to nitrite is only prominent in axenic Mtb cultures at oxygen tensions ≤1%. Here we found that cultures of Mtb-infected human macrophages cultured at physiologic oxygen tensions produced copious nitrite. Surprisingly, the nitrite arose from the Mtb, not the macrophages. Mtb responded to nitrite by ceasing growth; elevating levels of ATP through reduced consumption; and altering the expression of 120 genes associated with adaptation to acid, hypoxia, nitric oxide, oxidative stress, and iron deprivation. The transcriptomic effect of endogenous nitrite was distinct from that of nitric oxide. Thus, whether or not Mtb is hypoxic, the host expresses iNOS, or hypoxia impairs the action of iNOS, Mtb in vivo is likely to encounter RNS by producing nitrite. Endogenous nitrite may slow Mtb’s growth and prepare it to resist host stresses while the pathogen waits for immunopathology to promote its transmission. PMID:24145454

Revascularization of immature mandibular premolar with pulpal necrosis - a case report.

PubMed

Raju, S Murali Krishna; Yadav, Sarjeev Singh; Kumar M, Sita Rama

2014-09-01

This case report describes the Revascularization of a Permanent Immature Mandibular Premolar with Pulp Necrosis and apical periodontitis. Access opening was done & the canal was disinfected with copious irrigation using 2.5% NaOCl and triple antibiotic paste (Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole, and Minocycline) as intracanal medicament. After the disinfection protocol is complete, it is followed by revascularization procedure. The apex was mechanically irritated to initiate bleeding into the canal to produce a blood clot to the level just below the level of cementoenamel junction. Mineral trioxide aggregate was placed over the blood clot followed by bonded resin restoration above it. After one year follow up; the patient was asymptomatic, no sinus tract was evident. Apical periodontitis was resolved, and there was radiographic evidence of continuing thickness of dentinal walls.

RADIATION SOURCE

DOEpatents

Gow, J.D.

1961-06-27

An improved version of a crossed electric and magnetic field plasma producing and containing device of the general character disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,967,943 is described. This device employs an annular magnet encased within an anode and a pair of cathodes respectively coaxially spaced from the opposite ends of the anode to establish crossed field electron trapping regions adjacent the ends of the anode. The trapping regions are communicably connected through the throat of the anode and the electric field negatively increases in opposite axial directions from the center of the throat. Electrons are trapped within the two trapping regions and throat to serve as a source of intense ionization to gas introduced thereto, the ions in copious quantities being attracted to the cathodes to bombard neutron productive targets dlsposed - thereat.

Stream Tables and Watershed Geomorphology Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lillquist, Karl D.; Kinner, Patricia W.

2002-01-01

Reviews copious stream tables and provides a watershed approach to stream table exercises. Results suggest that this approach to learning the concepts of fluvial geomorphology is effective. (Contains 39 references.) (DDR)

Arabian Sea

Atmospheric Science Data Center

2013-04-16

... sometimes results in copious phytoplankton production and oxygen depletion of the subsurface waters. Although red phytoplankton fluorescences have been associated with the low oxygen concentrations in the intermediate and deep waters of the Arabian Sea, ...

SCDU Testbed Automated In-Situ Alignment, Data Acquisition and Analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Werne, Thomas A.; Wehmeier, Udo J.; Wu, Janet P.; An, Xin; Goullioud, Renaud; Nemati, Bijan; Shao, Michael; Shen, Tsae-Pyng J.; Wang, Xu; Weilert, Mark A.;

Collective Phenomena In Volume And Surface Barrier Discharges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kogelschatz, U.

2010-07-01

Barrier discharges are increasingly used as a cost-effective means to produce non-equilibrium plasmas at atmospheric pressure. This way, copious amounts of electrons, ions, free radicals and excited species can be generated without appreciable gas heating. In most applications the barrier is made of dielectric material. In laboratory experiments also the use of resistive, ferroelectric and semiconducting materials has been investigated, also porous ceramic layers and dielectric barriers with controlled surface conductivity. Major applications utilizing mainly dielectric barriers include ozone generation, surface cleaning and modification, polymer and textile treatment, sterilization, pollution control, CO2 lasers, excimer lamps, plasma display panels (flat TV screens). More recent research efforts are also devoted to biomedical applications and to plasma actuators for flow control. Sinu- soidal feeding voltages at various frequencies as well as pulsed excitation schemes are used. Volume as well as surface barrier discharges can exist in the form of filamentary, regularly patterned or laterally homogeneous discharges. Reviews of the subject and the older literature on barrier discharges were published by Kogelschatz (2002, 2003), by Wagner et al. (2003) and by Fridman et al. (2005). A detailed discussion of various properties of barrier discharges can also be found in the recent book "Non-Equilibrium Air Plasmas at Atmospheric Pressure" by Becker et al. (2005). The physical effects leading to collective phenomena in volume and surface barrier discharges will be discussed in detail. Special attention will be given to self-organization of current filaments. Main similarities and differences of the two types of barrier discharges will be elaborated.

Metabolic remodeling of malignant gliomas for enhanced sensitization during radiotherapy: an in vitro study.

PubMed

Colen, Chaim B; Seraji-Bozorgzad, Navid; Marples, Brian; Galloway, Matthew P; Sloan, Andrew E; Mathupala, Saroj P

2006-12-01

To investigate a novel method to enhance radiosensitivity of gliomas via modification of metabolite flux immediately before radiotherapy. Malignant gliomas are highly glycolytic and produce copious amounts of lactic acid, which is effluxed to the tumor microenvironment via lactate transporters. We hypothesized that inhibition of lactic acid efflux would alter glioma metabolite profiles, including those that are radioprotective. H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to quantify key metabolites, including those most effective for induction of low-dose radiation-induced cell death. We inhibited lactate transport in U87-MG gliomas with alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid (ACCA). Flow cytometry was used to assess induction of cell death in treated cells. Cells were analyzed by MRS after ACCA treatment. Control and treated cells were subjected to low-dose irradiation, and the surviving fractions of cells were determined by clonogenic assays. MRS revealed changes to intracellular lactate on treatment with ACCA. Significant decreases in the metabolites taurine, glutamate, glutathione, alanine, and glycine were observed, along with inversion of the choline/phosphocholine profile. On exposure to low-dose radiation, ACCA-pretreated U-87MG cells underwent rapid morphological changes, which were followed by apoptotic cell death. Inhibition of lactate efflux in malignant gliomas results in alterations of glycolytic metabolism, including decreased levels of the antioxidants taurine and glutathione and enhanced radiosensitivity of ACCA-treated cells. Thus, in situ application of lactate transport inhibitors such as ACCA as a novel adjunctive therapeutic strategy against glial tumors may greatly enhance the level of radiation-induced cell killing during a combined radio- and chemotherapeutic regimen.

Plant host and sugar alcohol induced exopolysaccharide biosynthesis in the Burkholderia cepacia complex.

PubMed

Bartholdson, S Josefin; Brown, Alan R; Mewburn, Ben R; Clarke, David J; Fry, Stephen C; Campopiano, Dominic J; Govan, John R W

2008-08-01

The species that presently constitute the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) have multiple roles; they include soil and water saprophytes, bioremediators, and plant, animal and human pathogens. Since the first description of pathogenicity in the Bcc was based on sour skin rot of onion bulbs, this study returned to this plant host to investigate the onion-associated phenotype of the Bcc. Many Bcc isolates, which were previously considered to be non-mucoid, produced copious amounts of exopolysaccharide (EPS) when onion tissue was provided as the sole nutrient. EPS production was not species-specific, was observed in isolates from both clinical and environmental sources, and did not correlate with the ability to cause maceration of onion tissue. Chemical analysis suggested that the onion components responsible for EPS induction were primarily the carbohydrates sucrose, fructose and fructans. Additional sugars were investigated, and all alcohol sugars tested were able to induce EPS production, in particular mannitol and glucitol. To investigate the molecular basis for EPS biosynthesis, we focused on the highly conserved bce gene cluster thought to be involved in cepacian biosynthesis. We demonstrated induction of the bce gene cluster by mannitol, and found a clear correlation between the inability of representatives of the Burkholderia cenocepacia ET12 lineage to produce EPS and the presence of an 11 bp deletion within the bceB gene, which encodes a glycosyltransferase. Insertional inactivation of bceB in Burkholderia ambifaria AMMD results in loss of EPS production on sugar alcohol media. These novel and surprising insights into EPS biosynthesis highlight the metabolic potential of the Bcc and show that a potential virulence factor may not be detected by routine laboratory culture. Our results also highlight a potential hazard in the use of inhaled mannitol as an osmolyte to improve mucociliary clearance in individuals with cystic fibrosis.

Nectary Structure and Nectar Secretion in Maxillaria coccinea (Jacq.) L.O. Williams ex Hodge (Orchidaceae)

PubMed Central

STPICZYŃSKA, M.; DAVIES, K. L.; GREGG, A.

2004-01-01

• Background and Aims It had previously been assumed that Maxillaria spp. produce no nectar. However, nectar has recently been observed in Maxillaria coccinea (Jacq.) L.O. Williams ex Hodge amongst other species. Furthermore, it is speculated that M. coccinea may be pollinated by hummingbirds. The aim of this paper is to investigate these claims further. • Methods Light microscopy, histochemistry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. • Key Results This is the first detailed account of nectar secretion in Maxillaria Ruiz & Pav. A ‘faucet and sink’ arrangement occurs in M. coccinea. Here, the nectary is represented by a small protuberance upon the ventral surface of the column and nectar collects in a semi‐saccate reservoir formed by the fusion of the labellum and the base of the column‐foot. The nectary comprises a single‐layered epidermis and three or four layers of small subepidermal cells. Beneath these occur several layers of larger parenchyma cells. Epidermal cells lack ectodesmata and have a thin, permeable, reticulate cuticle with associated swellings that coincide with the middle lamella between adjoining epidermal cells. Nectar is thought to pass both along the apoplast and symplast and eventually through the stretched and distended cuticle. The secretory cells are collenchymatous, nucleated and have numerous pits with plasmodesmata, mitochondria, rough ER and plastids with many plastoglobuli but few lamellae. Subsecretory cells have fewer plastids than secretory cells. Nectary cells also contain large intravacuolar protein bodies. The floral morphology of M. coccinea is considered in relation to ornithophily and its nectary compared with a similar protuberance found in the entomophilous species M. parviflora (Poepp. & Endl.) Garay. • Conclusions Flowers of M. coccinea produce copious amounts of nectar and, despite the absence of field data, their morphology and the exact configuration of their parts argue strongly in favour of ornithophily. PMID:14630692

Use the High-Resolution Numerical Model to Simulate Typhoon Morakot 2009

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tao, Wei-Kuo; Shi, Jainn J.; Lin, Pay-Liam

2010-01-01

Typhoon Morakot struck Taiwan on the night of Friday August 7th, 2009 as a category 2 storm with sustained winds of 85 knots (92 mph). Although the center made landfall in Hualien county along the central cast coast of Taiwan and passed over the central northern part of the island, it was southern Taiwan that received the worst effects of the storm where locally as Much as 2200 mm (2.2 m) of rain were reported, resulting in the worst flooding there in 50 years. The result of the enormous amount of rain has been massive flooding and devastating mudslides. More than 600 people are confirmed dead. In this paper, we will present the results from high-resolution (2-km) WRF for this typhoon case. The results showed that the model captured both in terms of maximum rainfall area and intensity. The model results also showed that the heavy amounts of rain over the southern portion of the island is due to persistent southwesterly flow associated with Morakot and it's circulation was able to draw up copious amounts of moisture from the South China Sea into southern Taiwan where it was able to interact with the steep topography. In the paper, we will also present results from sensitivity test of terrain heights and SST on the precipitation processes (rainfall) associated with Typhoon Morakot (2009), In addition, we will present high-resolution visualization (36 second and 2-km) to show the evolution of Typhoon Morakot.

Aerosols in Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shaw, G. E.; Quinn, P. K.

2008-12-01

We are measuring the latitudinal gradient and time variation of aerosol chemical composition across Alaska looking for drifts that might be attributable to alteration in sources and chemical signatures that might allow the identification of sources. Alaska is a very clean region in the sense that the state has a low population density with little polluting emission sources. However it "receives" anthropogenic chemical signals from areas upstream in the westerly's, such as from China, and impacts of Arctic Haze. The region also generates sometime copious amounts of aerosol from wildfire in its boreal forests and condensed compounds from gases emitted by its surrounding oceans. The time series of aerosol composition from this small network goes back about a decade and shows clearly the spring peaking of anthropogenic signal known as Arctic Haze. This signal peaks year after year in spring months at all stations, but is most concentrated at north most stations. On the other hand, a signal indicative of products from the ocean, mainly sulfate with large fractional amounts of MSA peaks, year after year, in the summer and is strongest at the lower latitudes. We have identified not only chemical signatures associated with wildfire smoke from wildfires in Alaska, but the changed signatures from wildfires in far away regions, from Mongolia for example.

MapReduce Algorithms for Inferring Gene Regulatory Networks from Time-Series Microarray Data Using an Information-Theoretic Approach.

PubMed

Abduallah, Yasser; Turki, Turki; Byron, Kevin; Du, Zongxuan; Cervantes-Cervantes, Miguel; Wang, Jason T L

2017-01-01

Gene regulation is a series of processes that control gene expression and its extent. The connections among genes and their regulatory molecules, usually transcription factors, and a descriptive model of such connections are known as gene regulatory networks (GRNs). Elucidating GRNs is crucial to understand the inner workings of the cell and the complexity of gene interactions. To date, numerous algorithms have been developed to infer gene regulatory networks. However, as the number of identified genes increases and the complexity of their interactions is uncovered, networks and their regulatory mechanisms become cumbersome to test. Furthermore, prodding through experimental results requires an enormous amount of computation, resulting in slow data processing. Therefore, new approaches are needed to expeditiously analyze copious amounts of experimental data resulting from cellular GRNs. To meet this need, cloud computing is promising as reported in the literature. Here, we propose new MapReduce algorithms for inferring gene regulatory networks on a Hadoop cluster in a cloud environment. These algorithms employ an information-theoretic approach to infer GRNs using time-series microarray data. Experimental results show that our MapReduce program is much faster than an existing tool while achieving slightly better prediction accuracy than the existing tool.

Volcanic Ash Cloud Altitude retrievals from passive satellite sensors: the 03-09 December 2015 Etna eruption.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

corradini, stefano; merucci, luca; guerrieri, lorenzo; pugnaghi, sergio; mcgarragh, greg; carboni, elisa; ventress, lucy; grainger, roy; scollo, simona; pardini, federica; zaksek, klemen; langmann, baerbel; bancalá, severin; stelitano, dario

2016-04-01

The volcanic ash cloud altitude is one of the most important parameter needed for the volcanic ash cloud estimations (mass, effective radius and optical depth). It is essential by modelers to initialize the ash cloud transportation models, and by volcanologists to give insights into eruption dynamics. Moreover, it is extremely important in order to reduce the disruption to flights as a result of volcanic activity whilst still ensuring safe travel. In this work, the volcanic ash cloud altitude is computed from remote sensing passive satellite data (SEVIRI, MODIS, IASI and MISR) by using the most of the existing retrieval techniques. A novel approach, based on the CO2 slicing procedure, is also shown. The comparisons among different techniques are presented and advantages and drawbacks emphasized. As test cases Etna eruptions in the period between 03 and 09 December 2015 are considered. During this time four lava fountain events occurred at the Voragine crater, forming eruption columns higher than 12 km asl and producing copious tephra fallout on volcano flanks. These events, among the biggest of the last 20 years, produced emissions that reached the stratosphere and produced a circum-global transport throughout the northern hemisphere.

Spectral and Atomic Physics Analysis of Xenon L-Shell Emission From High Energy Laser Produced Plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thorn, Daniel; Kemp, G. E.; Widmann, K.; Benjamin, R. D.; May, M. J.; Colvin, J. D.; Barrios, M. A.; Fournier, K. B.; Liedahl, D.; Moore, A. S.; Blue, B. E.

2016-10-01

The spectrum of the L-shell (n =2) radiation in mid to high-Z ions is useful for probing plasma conditions in the multi-keV temperature range. Xenon in particular with its L-shell radiation centered around 4.5 keV is copiously produced from plasmas with electron temperatures in the 5-10 keV range. We report on a series of time-resolved L-shell Xe spectra measured with the NIF X-ray Spectrometer (NXS) in high-energy long-pulse (>10 ns) laser produced plasmas at the National Ignition Facility. The resolving power of the NXS is sufficiently high (E/ ∂E >100) in the 4-5 keV spectral band that the emission from different charge states is observed. An analysis of the time resolved L-shell spectrum of Xe is presented along with spectral modeling by detailed radiation transport and atomic physics from the SCRAM code and comparison with predictions from HYDRA a radiation-hydrodynamics code with inline atomic-physics from CRETIN. This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by LLNL under Contract DE-AC52-07NA27344.

A new modified conjugate gradient coefficient for solving system of linear equations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hajar, N.; ‘Aini, N.; Shapiee, N.; Abidin, Z. Z.; Khadijah, W.; Rivaie, M.; Mamat, M.

2017-09-01

Conjugate gradient (CG) method is an evolution of computational method in solving unconstrained optimization problems. This approach is easy to implement due to its simplicity and has been proven to be effective in solving real-life application. Although this field has received copious amount of attentions in recent years, some of the new approaches of CG algorithm cannot surpass the efficiency of the previous versions. Therefore, in this paper, a new CG coefficient which retains the sufficient descent and global convergence properties of the original CG methods is proposed. This new CG is tested on a set of test functions under exact line search. Its performance is then compared to that of some of the well-known previous CG methods based on number of iterations and CPU time. The results show that the new CG algorithm has the best efficiency amongst all the methods tested. This paper also includes an application of the new CG algorithm for solving large system of linear equations

Erythrocytic ferroportin reduces intracellular iron accumulation, hemolysis, and malaria risk.

PubMed

Zhang, De-Liang; Wu, Jian; Shah, Binal N; Greutélaers, Katja C; Ghosh, Manik C; Ollivierre, Hayden; Su, Xin-Zhuan; Thuma, Philip E; Bedu-Addo, George; Mockenhaupt, Frank P; Gordeuk, Victor R; Rouault, Tracey A

2018-03-30

Malaria parasites invade red blood cells (RBCs), consume copious amounts of hemoglobin, and severely disrupt iron regulation in humans. Anemia often accompanies malaria disease; however, iron supplementation therapy inexplicably exacerbates malarial infections. Here we found that the iron exporter ferroportin (FPN) was highly abundant in RBCs, and iron supplementation suppressed its activity. Conditional deletion of the Fpn gene in erythroid cells resulted in accumulation of excess intracellular iron, cellular damage, hemolysis, and increased fatality in malaria-infected mice. In humans, a prevalent FPN mutation, Q248H (glutamine to histidine at position 248), prevented hepcidin-induced degradation of FPN and protected against severe malaria disease. FPN Q248H appears to have been positively selected in African populations in response to the impact of malaria disease. Thus, FPN protects RBCs against oxidative stress and malaria infection. Copyright © 2018 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.

Cloud Microphysics and Absorption Validation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ackerman, Steven

2002-01-01

Vertical distributions of particle size and habit were developed from in-situ data collected from three midlatitude cirrus field campaigns (FIRE-1, FIRE-2, and ARM IOP). These new midlatitude microphysical models were used to develop new cirrus scattering models at a number of wavelengths appropriate for use with the MODIS imager (Nasiri et al. 2002). This was the first successful collaborative effort between all the investigators on this proposal. Recent efforts have extended the midlatitude cirrus cloud analyses to tropical cirrus, using in-situ data collected during the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) Kwajalein field campaign in 1999. We note that there are critical aspects to the work: a) Improvement in computing the scattering and radiative properties of ice crystals; b) Requirement for copious amounts of cirrus in-situ data, presented in terms of both particle size and habit distributions; c) Development of cirrus microphysical and optical models for various satellite, aircraft, and ground-based instruments based on the theoretical calculations and in-situ measurements; d) Application to satellite data.

Unveiling the Low Surface Brightness Stellar Peripheries of Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ferguson, Annette M. N.

2018-01-01

The low surface brightness peripheral regions of galaxies contain a gold mine of information about how minor mergers and accretions have influenced their evolution over cosmic time. Enormous stellar envelopes and copious amounts of faint tidal debris are natural outcomes of the hierarchical assembly process and the search for and study of these features, albeit highly challenging, offers the potential for unrivalled insight into the mechanisms of galaxy growth. Over the last two decades, there has been burgeoning interest in probing galaxy outskirts using resolved stellar populations. Wide-field surveys have uncovered vast tidal debris features and new populations of very remote globular clusters, while deep Hubble Space Telescope photometry has provided exquisite star formation histories back to the earliest epochs. I will highlight some recent results from studies within and beyond the Local Group and conclude by briefly discussing the great potential of future facilities, such as JWST, Euclid, LSST and WFIRST, for major breakthroughs in low surface brightness galaxy periphery science.

The upper atmosphere of Uranus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strobel, Darrell F.; Yelle, Roger V.; Shemansky, Donald E.; Atreya, Sushil K.

1991-01-01

Voyager measurements of the upper atmosphere of Uranus are analyzed and developed. The upper atmosphere of Uranus is predominantly H2, with at most 10 percent He by volume, and the dominant constituent of the exosphere is H. The thermosphere is warm, with an asymptotic isothermal temperature of about 800 K. Atomic hydrogen at this temperature forms an extensive thermal corona and creates gas drag that severely limits the lifetime of small ring particles. The upper atmosphere emits copious amounts of UV radiation from pressures greater than 0.01 microbar. The depth of this emission level imposes a powerful constraint on permissible emission mechanisms. Electron excitation from a thin layer near the exobase appears to violate this constraint. Solar fluorescence is consistent with the observed trend in solar zenith-angle variation of the emissions and is absent from the night side of the planet. On Uranus, it accounts for the observed Lyman beta to H2 bands intensity ratio and an important fraction of the observed intensity (about 55 percent).

Energetic neutral atoms from a trans-Europa gas torus at Jupiter.

PubMed

Mauk, B H; Mitchell, D G; Krimigis, S M; Roelof, E C; Paranicas, C P

2003-02-27

The space environments--or magnetospheres--of magnetized planets emit copious quantities of energetic neutral atoms (ENAs) at energies between tens of electron volts to hundreds of kiloelectron volts (keV). These energetic atoms result from charge exchange between magnetically trapped energetic ions and cold neutral atoms, and they carry significant amounts of energy and mass from the magnetospheres. Imaging their distribution allows us to investigate the structure of planetary magnetospheres. Here we report the analysis of 50-80 keV ENA images of Jupiter's magnetosphere, where two distinct emission regions dominate: the upper atmosphere of Jupiter itself, and a torus of emission residing just outside the orbit of Jupiter's satellite Europa. The trans-Europa component shows that, unexpectedly, Europa generates a gas cloud comparable in gas content to that associated with the volcanic moon Io. The quantity of gas found indicates that Europa has a much greater impact than hitherto believed on the structure of, and the energy flow within, Jupiter's magnetosphere.

New trends in removing heavy metals from wastewater.

PubMed

Zhao, Meihua; Xu, Ying; Zhang, Chaosheng; Rong, Hongwei; Zeng, Guangming

2016-08-01

With the development of researches, the treatments of wastewater have reached a certain level. Whereas, heavy metals in wastewater cause special concern in recent times due to their recalcitrance and persistence in the environment. Therefore, it is important to get rid of the heavy metals in wastewater. The previous studies have provided many alternative processes in removing heavy metals from wastewater. This paper reviews the recent developments and various methods for the removal of heavy metals from wastewater. It also evaluates the advantages and limitations in application of these techniques. A particular focus is given to innovative removal processes including adsorption on abiological adsorbents, biosorption, and photocatalysis. Because these processes have leaded the new trends and attracted more and more researches in removing heavy metals from wastewater due to their high efficency, pluripotency and availability in a copious amount. In general, the applicability, characteristic of wastewater, cost-effectiveness, and plant simplicity are the key factors in selecting the most suitable method for the contaminated wastewater.

Betel: consumption and consequences.

PubMed

Norton, S A

1998-01-01

Betel is a compound of natural substances chewed for its psychostimulating effects. Betel is composed of the nut of the areca palm (Areca catechu), the leaf of the betel pepper (Piper betle), and lime (calcium hydroxide). Approximately 200 million persons chew betel regularly throughout the western Pacific basin and south Asia. Only three drugs (nicotine, ethanol, and caffeine) are consumed more widely than betel. When betel is chewed, it produces mild psychoactive and cholinergic effects. There is copious production of a blood-red saliva that can stain oral structures. After years of chewing, the teeth may become red-brown to nearly black. Betel use is associated with oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis, and squamous cell carcinoma. Use of betel is discouraged in Western countries because of its alleged carcinogenic and perceived dysesthetic properties; nevertheless, betel is widely available in the West.

Infrared fine-structure line diagnostics of shrouded active galactic nuclei

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Voit, G. M.

1992-01-01

The ultraluminous far-IR galaxies revealed by IRAS, quasar-like in luminosity but smothered in molecular gas, probably conceal either immense starbursts or luminous active nuclei. In both scenarios, these objects ought to produce copious infrared fine-structure emission with several lines comparable to H-beta in luminosity. We show how these lines, if detected, can be used to determine the electron densities and far-IR obscurations of shrouded photoionized regions and to constrain the shape and ionization parameter of the ionizing spectra. The presence of Ne v emission in particular will distinguish shrouded AGNs from shrouded starbursts. Since all active galaxies photoionize at least some surrounding material, these diagnostics can also be applied to active galaxies in general and will aid in studying how an active nucleus interacts with the interstellar medium of its host galaxy.

Opening up the QCD axion window

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Agrawal, Prateek; Marques-Tavares, Gustavo; Xue, Wei

2018-03-01

We present a new mechanism to deplete the energy density of the QCD axion, making decay constants as high as f a ≃ 1017 GeV viable for generic initial conditions. In our setup, the axion couples to a massless dark photon with a coupling that is moderately stronger than the axion coupling to gluons. Dark photons are produced copiously through a tachyonic instability when the axion field starts oscillating, and an exponential suppression of the axion density can be achieved. For a large part of the parameter space this dark radiation component of the universe can be observable in upcoming CMB experiments. Such dynamical depletion of the axion density ameliorates the isocurvature bound on the scale of inflation. The depletion also amplifies the power spectrum at scales that enter the horizon before particle production begins, potentially leading to axion miniclusters.

Orchid sexual deceit provokes ejaculation.

PubMed

Gaskett, A C; Winnick, C G; Herberstein, M E

2008-06-01

Sexually deceptive orchids lure pollinators by mimicking female insects. Male insects fooled into gripping or copulating with orchids unwittingly transfer the pollinia. The effect of deception on pollinators has been considered negligible, but we show that pollinators may suffer considerable costs. Insects pollinating Australian tongue orchids (Cryptostylis species) frequently ejaculate and waste copious sperm. The costs of sperm wastage could select for pollinator avoidance of orchids, thereby driving and maintaining sexual deception via antagonistic coevolution or an arms race between pollinator learning and escalating orchid mimicry. However, we also show that orchid species provoking such extreme pollinator behavior have the highest pollination success. How can deception persist, given the costs to pollinators? Sexually-deceptive-orchid pollinators are almost exclusively solitary and haplodiploid species. Therefore, female insects deprived of matings by orchid deception could still produce male offspring, which may even enhance orchid pollination.

In vitro RPM fibrogenic potential assay of welding fumes.

PubMed Central

Stern, R M; Pigott, G H

1983-01-01

The fibrogenic potential of 11 different welding fumes and metallic aerosols, considered to be reference standard surrogates for the commonly used welding technologies and applications responsible for 70% of welders exposure, is screened by using the rat peritoneal macrophage (RPM) in vitro bioassay. Only one class of fumes, that from the manual metal are welding of stainless steel, shows distinct fibrogenic potential. This fume, however, is not common to more than four or five of the heretofore 90 cases of pulmonary fibrosis reported among welders. Thus, although insoluble Cr(VI) is probably the active fibrogen in stainless steel fumes, an etiological factor common to all fibrogenic welding exposures must be sought; it is tentatively proposed to be NO chi, a potent experimental in vivo fibrogen copiously produced by certain welding processes and ubiquitous at low concentrations in the welding environment. PMID:6641657

Parabolic lithium mirror for a laser-driven hot plasma producing device

DOEpatents

Baird, James K.

1979-06-19

A hot plasma producing device is provided, wherein pellets, singly injected, of frozen fuel are each ignited with a plurality of pulsed laser beams. Ignition takes place within a void area in liquid lithium contained within a pressure vessel. The void in the liquid lithium is created by rotating the pressure vessel such that the free liquid surface of molten lithium therein forms a paraboloid of revolution. The paraboloid functions as a laser mirror with a reflectivity greater than 90%. A hot plasma is produced when each of the frozen deuterium-tritium pellets sequentially arrive at the paraboloid focus, at which time each pellet is illuminated by the plurality of pulsed lasers whose rays pass through circular annuli across the top of the paraboloid. The beams from the lasers are respectively directed by associated mirrors, or by means of a single conical mirror in another embodiment, and by the mirror-like paraboloid formed by the rotating liquid lithium onto the fuel pellet such that the optical flux reaching the pellet can be made to be uniform over 96% of the pellet surface area. The very hot plasma produced by the action of the lasers on the respective singly injected fuel pellets in turn produces a copious quantity of neutrons and X-rays such that the device has utility as a neutron source or as an x-ray source. In addition, the neutrons produced in the device may be utilized to produce tritium in a lithium blanket and is thus a mechanism for producing tritium.

The ultrastructure of subgingival dental plaque, revealed by high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy.

PubMed

Holliday, Richard; Preshaw, Philip M; Bowen, Leon; Jakubovics, Nicholas S

2015-01-01

To explore the ultrastructure of subgingival dental plaque using high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and to investigate whether extracellular DNA (eDNA) could be visualised in ex vivo samples. Ten patients were recruited who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (teeth requiring extraction with radiographic horizontal bone loss of over 50% and grade II/III mobility). In total, 12 teeth were extracted using a minimally traumatic technique. Roots were sectioned using a dental air turbine handpiece, under water cooling to produce 21 samples. Standard fixation and dehydration protocols were followed. For some samples, gold-labelled anti-DNA antibodies were applied before visualising biofilms by FE-SEM. High-resolution FE-SEMs of subgingival biofilm were obtained in 90% of the samples. The sectioning technique left dental plaque biofilms undisturbed. Copious amounts of extracellular material were observed in the plaque, which may have been eDNA as they had a similar appearance to labelled eDNA from in vitro studies. There was also evidence of membrane vesicles and open-ended tubular structures. Efforts to label eDNA with immune-gold antibodies were unsuccessful and eDNA was not clearly labelled. High-resolution FE-SEM images were obtained of undisturbed subgingival ex vivo dental plaque biofilms. Important structural features were observed including extracellular polymeric material, vesicles and unusual open tubule structures that may be remnants of lysed cells. The application of an eDNA immune-gold-labelling technique, previously used successfully in in vitro samples, did not clearly identify eDNA in ex vivo samples. Further studies are needed to characterise the molecular composition of the observed extracellular matrix material.

The ultrastructure of subgingival dental plaque, revealed by high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy

PubMed Central

Holliday, Richard; Preshaw, Philip M; Bowen, Leon; Jakubovics, Nicholas S

2015-01-01

Objectives/Aims: To explore the ultrastructure of subgingival dental plaque using high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and to investigate whether extracellular DNA (eDNA) could be visualised in ex vivo samples. Materials and Methods: Ten patients were recruited who fulfilled the inclusion criteria (teeth requiring extraction with radiographic horizontal bone loss of over 50% and grade II/III mobility). In total, 12 teeth were extracted using a minimally traumatic technique. Roots were sectioned using a dental air turbine handpiece, under water cooling to produce 21 samples. Standard fixation and dehydration protocols were followed. For some samples, gold-labelled anti-DNA antibodies were applied before visualising biofilms by FE-SEM. Results: High-resolution FE-SEMs of subgingival biofilm were obtained in 90% of the samples. The sectioning technique left dental plaque biofilms undisturbed. Copious amounts of extracellular material were observed in the plaque, which may have been eDNA as they had a similar appearance to labelled eDNA from in vitro studies. There was also evidence of membrane vesicles and open-ended tubular structures. Efforts to label eDNA with immune-gold antibodies were unsuccessful and eDNA was not clearly labelled. Conclusions: High-resolution FE-SEM images were obtained of undisturbed subgingival ex vivo dental plaque biofilms. Important structural features were observed including extracellular polymeric material, vesicles and unusual open tubule structures that may be remnants of lysed cells. The application of an eDNA immune-gold-labelling technique, previously used successfully in in vitro samples, did not clearly identify eDNA in ex vivo samples. Further studies are needed to characterise the molecular composition of the observed extracellular matrix material. PMID:29607057

T cell cytokine polarity as a determinant of immunoglobulin A (IgA) glycosylation and the severity of experimental IgA nephropathy.

PubMed

Chintalacharuvu, S R; Yamashita, M; Bagheri, N; Blanchard, T G; Nedrud, J G; Lamm, M E; Tomino, Y; Emancipator, S N

2008-09-01

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) glycosylation, recognized as an important pathogenic factor in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), is apparently controlled by the polarity of T helper (Th) cytokine responses. To examine the role of cytokine polarity in IgAN, inbred mice were immunized by intraperitoneal priming with inactivated Sendai virus (SeV) emulsified in either complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA), which promote Th1- or Th2-immune response, respectively, and then boosted identically twice orally with aqueous suspensions of inactivated virus. Next, some mice were challenged intranasally with infectious SeV. Mice primed with CFA or IFA had equal reductions in nasal viral titre relative to non-immune controls, and equally increased serum levels of SeV-specific IgA antibody. Mice primed with CFA showed higher SeV-specific IgG than those with IFA. Splenocytes from mice primed with IFA produced copious amounts of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, but little interferon-gamma and IL-2; those primed with CFA had reciprocal cytokine recall responses. Total serum IgA and especially SeV-specific IgA from mice primed with IFA showed a selective defect in sialylation and galactosylation. Although the frequency and intensity of glomerular deposits and haematuria did not differ, glomerulonephritis in mice primed with IFA and challenged with infectious virus was more severe than in those given CFA, as judged by serum creatinine level. We conclude that the polarity of T cell cytokines controls the pattern of IgA glycosylation and exerts direct or indirect effects on functional glomerular responses to immune complex deposition.

Modulation of Precipitation in the Olympic Mountains by Trapped Gravity Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heymsfield, G. M.; Tian, L.; Grecu, M.; McLinden, M.; Li, L.

2017-12-01

Precipitation over the Olympic Mountains was studied intensely with multiple aircraft and ground-based measurements during the Olympic Mountains Experiment (OLYMPEX) during the fall-winter season 2015-2016 as part of validation for the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) (Houze et al. 2017) and the Radar Definition Experiment (RADEX) supported by the Aerosol Chemistry, Ecosystem (ACE) NASA Decadal Mission. This presentation focuses on observations of a broad frontal cloud system with strong flow over the mountains on 5 December 2015. Unique observations of trapped waves were obtained with in the three Goddard Space Flight Center nadir-looking, X- through W-band, Doppler radars on the NASA high-altitude ER-2: the High-altitude Wind and Rain Airborne Profiler (HIWRAP) at Ku and Ka-band, the W-band Cloud Radar System (CRS), and the ER-2 X-band Radar (EXRAD). Analysis of the aircraft measurements showed the presence of deep, trapped gravity waves on a scale ranging from 10-25 km in the nadir-looking Doppler and reflectivity observations. These waves cause localized vertical up/down motions on the order of 1-2 ms-1 and they are superimposed on the widespread south-southwest flow over the Olympic Mountains. While much of this widespread flow over the mountains produces copious amounts of snowfall, the gravity waves play an important role in modulating this precipitation indirectly through microphysical processes in the ice region. We will describe analyses of the interactions between the air motions and precipitation structure for this case and other cases we observed similar waves. We will present preliminary results from precipitation retrievals based on optimal estimation (Grecu et al. 2011).

When bigger is not better: intraspecific competition for pollination increases with population size in invasive milkweeds.

PubMed

Ward, Megan; Johnson, Steven D; Zalucki, Myron P

2013-04-01

One of the essential requirements for an introduced plant species to become invasive is an ability to reproduce outside the native range, particularly when initial populations are small. If a reproductive Allee effect is operating, plants in small populations will have reduced reproductive success relative to plants in larger populations. Alternatively, if plants in small populations experience less competition for pollination than those in large populations, they may actually have higher levels of reproductive success than plants in large populations. To resolve this uncertainty, we investigated how the per capita fecundity of plants was affected by population size in three invasive milkweed species. Field surveys of seed production in natural populations of different sizes but similar densities were conducted for three pollinator-dependent invasive species, namely Asclepias curassavica, Gomphocarpus fruticosus and G. physocarpus. Additionally, supplemental hand-pollinations were performed in small and large populations in order to determine whether reproductive output was limited by pollinator activity in these populations. Reproductive Allee effects were not detected in any of the study species. Instead, plants in small populations exhibited remarkably high levels of reproductive output compared to those in large populations. Increased fruit production following supplemental hand-pollinations suggested that the lower reproductive output of naturally pollinated plants in large populations is a consequence of pollen limitation rather than limitation due to abiotic resources. This is consistent with increased intraspecific competition for pollination amongst plants in large populations. It is likely that the invasion of these milkweed species in Australia has been enhanced because plants in small founding populations experience less intraspecific competition for pollinators than those in large populations, and thus have the ability to produce copious amounts of seeds.

High Intensity e-beam Diode Development for Flash X-ray Radiography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oliver, Bryan

2007-11-01

A variety of electron beam diodes are being used and developed for the purpose of creating high-brightness, flash x-ray radiography sources. In these diodes, high energy (multi MeV), high current (multi kA), small spot (multi mm) electron beams are generated and stopped in high atomic number anode-targets (typically Ta or W). Beam stopping in the target creates copious amounts of bremsstrahlung radiation. In addition, beam heating of the target liberates material, either in the form of low density (˜10^12-10^14 cm-3) ion emission or higher density (> 10^15 cm-3) plasma. In all cases, beam/target collective effects dominate the diode and beam characteristics, affecting the radiation properties (dose and spot-size). Recent experiments at Sandia National Laboratories have demonstrated diodes capable of producing > 350 rad@m with 1.7mm FWHM x-ray source distributions. A review of our present theoretical understanding of the diode (s) operation and our experimental and simulation methods to investigate them will be presented. Emphasis will be given to e- beam sources used on state-of-the-art Inductive Voltage Adder (IVA) pulsed-power accelerators. In particular, the physics of magnetically pinched diodes (e.g. the rod-pinch [1,2]), gas-cell focusing diodes [3] and the magnetically immersed [4] diode will be discussed. Various proposed methods to optimize the x-ray intensity and the direction of future diode research will be discussed. [1] G. Cooperstein, et al., Phys. Plasmas 8, 4618 (2001).[2] B.V. Oliver et al., Phys. Plasmas 11, 3976 (2004)[3] B.V. Oliver, et al., IEEE Trans. on Plasma Science 33, 704 (2005).[4] M.G. Mazarakis, et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 70, 832 (1997)

Observing the Plasma-Physical Processes of Pulsar Radio Emission with Arecibo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rankin, Joanna M.

2017-01-01

With their enormous densities and fields, neutron stars entail some of the most exotic physics in the cosmos. Similarly, the physical mechanisms of pulsar radio emission are no less exotic, and we are only now beginning to understand them. The talk will provide an introduction to the phenomenology of radio pulsar emission and focus on those aspects of the exquisite Arecibo observations that bear on their challenging emission physics.The commonalities of the radio beamforms of most slow pulsars (and some millisecond pulsars) argue strongly that their magnetic fields have a nearly dipolar structure at the height of their radio emission regions. These heights can often be determined by aberration/retardation analyses. Similarly, measurement of the orientation of the polarized radio emission with respect to the emitting magnetic field facilitates identification of the physical(X/O) emission modes and study of the plasma coupling to the electromagnetic radiation.While the physics of primary plasma generation above the pulsar polar cap is only beginning to be understood, it is clear that the radio pulsars we see are able to generate copious amounts of electron-positron plasma in their emission regions. Within the nearly dipolar field structure of these emission regions, the plasma density is near to that of the Goldreich-Julian model, and so the physical conditions in these regions can be accurately estimated.These conditions show that the plasma frequencies in the emission regions are much higher than the frequency of the emitted radiation, such that the plasma couples most easily to the extraordinary mode as observed. Therefore, the only surviving emission mechanism is curvature radiation from charged solitons, produced by the two-stream instability. Such soliton emission has probably been observed directly in the Crab pulsar; however, a physical theory of charged soliton radiation does not yet exist.

Growth of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms on a ferruginous smectite as the sole electron acceptor.

PubMed

Kashefi, Kazem; Shelobolina, Evgenya S; Elliott, W Crawford; Lovley, Derek R

2008-01-01

Recent studies have suggested that the structural Fe(III) within phyllosilicate minerals, including smectite and illite, is an important electron acceptor for Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in sedimentary environments at moderate temperatures. The reduction of structural Fe(III) by thermophiles, however, has not previously been described. A wide range of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic Archaea and Bacteria from marine and freshwater environments that are known to reduce poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxides were tested for their ability to reduce structural (octahedrally coordinated) Fe(III) in smectite (SWa-1) as the sole electron acceptor. Two out of the 10 organisms tested, Geoglobus ahangari and Geothermobacterium ferrireducens, were not able to conserve energy to support growth by reduction of Fe(III) in SWa-1 despite the fact that both organisms were originally isolated with solid-phase Fe(III) as the electron acceptor. The other organisms tested were able to grow on SWa-1 and reduced 6.3 to 15.1% of the Fe(III). This is 20 to 50% less than the reported amounts of Fe(III) reduced in the same smectite (SWa-1) by mesophilic Fe(III) reducers. Two organisms, Geothermobacter ehrlichii and archaeal strain 140, produced copious amounts of an exopolysaccharide material, which may have played an active role in the dissolution of the structural iron in SWa-1 smectite. The reduction of structural Fe(III) in SWa-1 by archaeal strain 140 was studied in detail. Microbial Fe(III) reduction was accompanied by an increase in interlayer and octahedral charges and some incorporation of potassium and magnesium into the smectite structure. However, these changes in the major element chemistry of SWa-1 smectite did not result in the formation of an illite-like structure, as reported for a mesophilic Fe(III) reducer. These results suggest that thermophilic Fe(III)-reducing organisms differ in their ability to reduce and solubilize structural Fe(III) in SWa-1 smectite and that SWa-1 is not easily transformed to illite by these organisms.

Growth of Thermophilic and Hyperthermophilic Fe(III)-Reducing Microorganisms on a Ferruginous Smectite as the Sole Electron Acceptor▿

PubMed Central

Kashefi, Kazem; Shelobolina, Evgenya S.; Elliott, W. Crawford; Lovley, Derek R.

2008-01-01

Recent studies have suggested that the structural Fe(III) within phyllosilicate minerals, including smectite and illite, is an important electron acceptor for Fe(III)-reducing microorganisms in sedimentary environments at moderate temperatures. The reduction of structural Fe(III) by thermophiles, however, has not previously been described. A wide range of thermophilic and hyperthermophilic Archaea and Bacteria from marine and freshwater environments that are known to reduce poorly crystalline Fe(III) oxides were tested for their ability to reduce structural (octahedrally coordinated) Fe(III) in smectite (SWa-1) as the sole electron acceptor. Two out of the 10 organisms tested, Geoglobus ahangari and Geothermobacterium ferrireducens, were not able to conserve energy to support growth by reduction of Fe(III) in SWa-1 despite the fact that both organisms were originally isolated with solid-phase Fe(III) as the electron acceptor. The other organisms tested were able to grow on SWa-1 and reduced 6.3 to 15.1% of the Fe(III). This is 20 to 50% less than the reported amounts of Fe(III) reduced in the same smectite (SWa-1) by mesophilic Fe(III) reducers. Two organisms, Geothermobacter ehrlichii and archaeal strain 140, produced copious amounts of an exopolysaccharide material, which may have played an active role in the dissolution of the structural iron in SWa-1 smectite. The reduction of structural Fe(III) in SWa-1 by archaeal strain 140 was studied in detail. Microbial Fe(III) reduction was accompanied by an increase in interlayer and octahedral charges and some incorporation of potassium and magnesium into the smectite structure. However, these changes in the major element chemistry of SWa-1 smectite did not result in the formation of an illite-like structure, as reported for a mesophilic Fe(III) reducer. These results suggest that thermophilic Fe(III)-reducing organisms differ in their ability to reduce and solubilize structural Fe(III) in SWa-1 smectite and that SWa-1 is not easily transformed to illite by these organisms. PMID:17981937

Singlet-triplet fermionic dark matter and LHC phenomenology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choubey, Sandhya; Khan, Sarif; Mitra, Manimala; Mondal, Subhadeep

2018-04-01

It is well known that for the pure standard model triplet fermionic WIMP-type dark matter (DM), the relic density is satisfied around 2 TeV. For such a heavy mass particle, the production cross-section at 13 TeV run of LHC will be very small. Extending the model further with a singlet fermion and a triplet scalar, DM relic density can be satisfied for even much lower masses. The lower mass DM can be copiously produced at LHC and hence the model can be tested at collider. For the present model we have studied the multi jet (≥ 2 j) + missing energy ([InlineEquation not available: see fulltext.]) signal and show that this can be detected in the near future of the LHC 13 TeV run. We also predict that the present model is testable by the earth based DM direct detection experiments like Xenon-1T and in future by Darwin.

Black hole growth in the early Universe is self-regulated and largely hidden from view.

PubMed

Treister, Ezequiel; Schawinski, Kevin; Volonteri, Marta; Natarajan, Priyamvada; Gawiser, Eric

2011-06-15

The formation of the first massive objects in the infant Universe remains impossible to observe directly and yet it sets the stage for the subsequent evolution of galaxies. Although some black holes with masses more than 10(9) times that of the Sun have been detected in luminous quasars less than one billion years after the Big Bang, these individual extreme objects have limited utility in constraining the channels of formation of the earliest black holes; this is because the initial conditions of black hole seed properties are quickly erased during the growth process. Here we report a measurement of the amount of black hole growth in galaxies at redshift z = 6-8 (0.95-0.7 billion years after the Big Bang), based on optimally stacked, archival X-ray observations. Our results imply that black holes grow in tandem with their host galaxies throughout cosmic history, starting from the earliest times. We find that most copiously accreting black holes at these epochs are buried in significant amounts of gas and dust that absorb most radiation except for the highest-energy X-rays. This suggests that black holes grew significantly more during these early bursts than was previously thought, but because of the obscuration of their ultraviolet emission they did not contribute to the re-ionization of the Universe.

High resolution land surface response of inland moving Indian monsoon depressions over Bay of Bengal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajesh, P. V.; Pattnaik, S.

2016-05-01

During Indian summer monsoon (ISM) season, nearly about half of the monsoonal rainfall is brought inland by the low pressure systems called as Monsoon Depressions (MDs). These systems bear large amount of rainfall and frequently give copious amount of rainfall over land regions, therefore accurate forecast of these synoptic scale systems at short time scale can help in disaster management, flood relief, food safety. The goal of this study is to investigate, whether an accurate moisture-rainfall feedback from land surface can improve the prediction of inland moving MDs. High Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS) is used to generate improved land state .i.e. soil moisture and soil temperature profiles by means of NOAH-MP land-surface model. Validation of the model simulated basic atmospheric parameters at surface layer and troposphere reveals that the incursion of high resolution land state yields least Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) with a higher correlation coefficient and facilitates accurate depiction of MDs. Rainfall verification shows that HRLDAS simulations are spatially and quantitatively in more agreement with the observations and the improved surface characteristics could result in the realistic reproduction of the storm spatial structure, movement as well as intensity. These results signify the necessity of investigating more into the land surface-rainfall feedbacks through modifications in moisture flux convergence within the storm.

On the Nature of Cloud Lightning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Betz, H. D.; Schmidt, K.; Oettinger, W. P.; Montag, B.; Wuerl, A.

2009-04-01

Studies of lightning discharges generally deal with electrical activities that occur both inside thunderclouds (IC) and may involve a ground connection (CG). Even though CG has been studied more extensively than IC, it is known that the two types of discharges are accompanied by emission of qualitatively similar radiation. Less well recognized is the observation that relatively strong strokes are produced not only in connection with CG, but also by discharge processes that do not connect to ground. These IC strokes tend to exhibit somewhat smaller field amplitudes than CG strokes, but they produce thunder and the field records often resemble the ones known from CG. In fact, the number of these IC-strokes is large enough to allow efficient monitoring of cloud activity with the same technique as one applies for CG detection (VLF/LF). Very frequently, IC-strokes are produced during the initial breakdown phase, whereby initiation is probably caused by electron runaway processes that extend over hundreds of meters. Further prominent discharge phases can be effectively observed, most important are stepped leaders with copious emission of VHF radio signals. Experimental data for the various cloud processes are discussed and evaluated with respect to theoretical and practical significance. Open questions on the production mechanisms are elucidated, and the relative occurrence of IC versus CG strokes is illustrated.

Historical Research: A Qualitative Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heller, George N.

1996-01-01

Provides a brief overview of the uses of rhetoric in the history of writing about music. Discusses Aristotle's topology of the three different kinds of rhetoric: deliberative, judicial, and epideictic (demonstrative). Includes excerpts from past music criticism, copious notes, and a 27-item bibliography. (MJP)

Constraints on Subduction Zone Temperatures and Chemical Fluxes from Accessory Phase Saturation in Subducted Sediments (Invited)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blundy, J.; Skora, S.

2009-12-01

A global correlation between the incompatible trace element chemistry of subducted sediments and that of magmas erupted through the overlying plate testifies to the important role that sediments play in controlling magmagenesis. We report new experimental data on the high pressure (3 GPa) and temperature (700-1300 °C) phase relations of hydrous red clay to evaluate the role of residual accessory phases in controlling the incompatible trace element chemistry of sediment-derived fluids. A particular focus is monazite, which preferentially incorporates LREE and Th, exerting a powerful control on the fluid Th/LREE ratio. Given that arc magmas appear to inherit the Th/LREE ratio of the associated subducting sediment, understanding monazite solubility and stability has the potential to provide new constraints on temperature at the slab surface, a parameter that is notoriously hard to pin down by other means. Experiments on red clay with H2O structurally bound in hydrous minerals (<2 wt%) produced negligible melt fractions for any reasonable temperatures. Experiments with 7-15 wt% added H2O produced copious melting at temperatures only 50-100°C above the solidus (c. 720 °C), e.g. with 15 wt% added H2O, the red clay is >50% molten at 800 °C. Irrespective of the amount of added H2O the residual assemblage comprised garnet and kyanite up to the liquidus (1250 °C with 7 wt% H2O). Phengite is present ≤800 °C; ilmenite and rutile persist to c. 1000 °C; quartz/coesite-out temperature decreases from 1000 °C with 7 wt% H2O to 800 °C with 15%. Monazite was stable to 950 °C in the Th- and LREE-doped starting materials that we used. The trace element contents of the residual melts in equilibrium with monazite-thorite solid solutions were used, in conjunction with published data, to develop a thermodynamic model of LREE and Th solubility in sediment-derived fluids. These models were used to calculate the stability of monazite in a red clay with natural LREE and Th levels. For the case of 7 wt% added H2O, monazite is exhausted at 825 °C; it disappears at 780 °C with 15 wt% added H2O. In our experiments monazite fractionates LREE from Th, such that fluids preserving the original sedimentary ratio must be generated at or above monazite-out temperatures in subducted slabs where red clay is the dominant sedimentary lithology. We propose that the subducted sedimentary signature is imparted by fluxing of H2O derived from hydrated (e.g. serpentinised) portions of the deeper subducting slab, triggering copious “flash melting” of the sediment at the point were its temperature exceeds ~800 °C. Without the addition of H2O sediment melting is too restricted to allow any appreciable fluid release into the overlying mantle. Moreover, under such conditions the Th/LREE ratio is strongly fractionated due to the abundance of residual monazite. The availability of H2O in hydrated portions of subducted slabs, e.g. in the vicinity of fracture zones, may exercise an important control on the spatial distribution of subduction zone magmatism.

The SHiP physics program

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Lellis, Giovanni

2018-05-01

The discovery of the Higgs boson has fully confirmed the Standard Model of particles and fields. Nevertheless, there are still fundamental phenomena, like the existence of dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, which deserve an explanation that could come from the discovery of new particles. The SHiP experiment at CERN meant to search for very weakly coupled particles in the few GeV mass domain has been recently proposed. The existence of such particles, foreseen in different theoretical models beyond the Standard Model, is largely unexplored. A beam dump facility using high intensity 400 GeV protons is a copious source of such unknown particles in the GeV mass range. The beam dump is also a copious source of neutrinos and in particular it is an ideal source of tau neutrinos, the less known particle in the Standard Model. Indeed, tau anti-neutrinos have not been directly observed so far. We report the physics potential of such an experiment including the tau neutrino magnetic moment.

Forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing identifies novel gene targets for improving heterologous enzyme production in Aspergillus niger

DOE PAGES

Reilly, Morgann C.; Kim, Joonhoon; Lynn, Jed; ...

2018-01-06

Plant biomass, once reduced to its composite sugars, can be converted to fuel substitutes. One means of overcoming the recalcitrance of lignocellulose is pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. However, currently available commercial enzyme cocktails are inhibited in the presence of residual pretreatment chemicals. Recent studies have identified a number of cellulolytic enzymes from bacteria that are tolerant to pretreatment chemicals such as ionic liquids. The challenge now is generation of these enzymes in copious amounts, an arena where fungal organisms such as Aspergillus niger have proven efficient. Fungal host strains still need to be engineered to increase production titers ofmore » heterologous protein over native enzymes, which has been a difficult task. Here, we developed a forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing to identify specific lesions responsible for a protein hyper-production phenotype in A. niger. As a result, this strategy successfully identified novel targets, including a low-affinity glucose transporter, MstC, whose deletion significantly improved secretion of recombinant proteins driven by a glucoamylase promoter.« less

Modulatory Mechanism of Polyphenols and Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in LPS Challenged Pregnancy Disorders

PubMed Central

Murtaza, Ghulam; Rahu, Najma; Saleem, Muhammad

2017-01-01

Early embryonic loss and adverse birth outcomes are the major reproductive disorders that affect both human and animals. The LPS induces inflammation by interacting with robust cellular mechanism which was considered as a plethora of numerous reproductive disorders such as fetal resorption, preterm birth, teratogenicity, intrauterine growth restriction, abortion, neural tube defects, fetal demise, and skeletal development retardation. LPS-triggered overproduction of free radicals leads to oxidative stress which mediates inflammation via stimulation of NF-κB and PPARγ transcription factors. Flavonoids, which exist in copious amounts in nature, possess a wide array of functions; their supplementation during pregnancy activates Nrf2 signaling pathway which encounters pregnancy disorders. It was further presumed that the development of strong antioxidant uterine environment during gestation can alleviate diseases which appear at adult stages. The purpose of this review is to focus on modulatory properties of flavonoids on oxidative stress-mediated pregnancy insult and abnormal outcomes and role of Nrf2 activation in pregnancy disorders. These findings would be helpful for providing new insights in ameliorating oxidative stress-induced pregnancy disorders. PMID:29138679

Pretreated algal bloom as a substantial nutrient source for microalgae cultivation for biodiesel production.

PubMed

Jain, Priyanka; Arora, Neha; Mehtani, Juhi; Pruthi, Vikas; Majumder, C B

2017-10-01

In the present investigation, toxic algal bloom, a copious and low-cost nutrient source was deployed for cultivating Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Various pre-treatment methods using combinations of acid/alkali and autoclave/microwave were tested for preparing hydrolysates and compared with minimal media (BG-11). Acid autoclave treatment resulted in maximum carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous content which substantially boosted the growth of the microalgal cells (4.36g/L) as compared to rest of the media. The microalga grown in this media also showed enhanced lipid content (43.2%) and lipid productivity (188mg/L/d) as compared to BG-11 (19.42mg/L/d). The biochemical composition showed 1.6-fold declines in protein while 1.27 folds in carbohydrate content as compared to BG-11. The fatty acid profile revealed the presence of C14-C22 with increased amount of monounsaturated fatty acids as compared to BG-11. The results obtained showed that algal bloom can be used as a potential nutrient source for microalgae. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing identifies novel gene targets for improving heterologous enzyme production in Aspergillus niger

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

Reilly, Morgann C.; Kim, Joonhoon; Lynn, Jed

Plant biomass, once reduced to its composite sugars, can be converted to fuel substitutes. One means of overcoming the recalcitrance of lignocellulose is pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. However, currently available commercial enzyme cocktails are inhibited in the presence of residual pretreatment chemicals. Recent studies have identified a number of cellulolytic enzymes from bacteria that are tolerant to pretreatment chemicals such as ionic liquids. The challenge now is generation of these enzymes in copious amounts, an arena where fungal organisms such as Aspergillus niger have proven efficient. Fungal host strains still need to be engineered to increase production titers ofmore » heterologous protein over native enzymes, which has been a difficult task. Here, we developed a forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing to identify specific lesions responsible for a protein hyper-production phenotype in A. niger. This strategy successfully identified novel targets, including a low-affinity glucose transporter, MstC, whose deletion significantly improved secretion of recombinant proteins driven by a glucoamylase promoter.« less

Forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing identifies novel gene targets for improving heterologous enzyme production in Aspergillus niger

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

Reilly, Morgann C.; Kim, Joonhoon; Lynn, Jed

Plant biomass, once reduced to its composite sugars, can be converted to fuel substitutes. One means of overcoming the recalcitrance of lignocellulose is pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. However, currently available commercial enzyme cocktails are inhibited in the presence of residual pretreatment chemicals. Recent studies have identified a number of cellulolytic enzymes from bacteria that are tolerant to pretreatment chemicals such as ionic liquids. The challenge now is generation of these enzymes in copious amounts, an arena where fungal organisms such as Aspergillus niger have proven efficient. Fungal host strains still need to be engineered to increase production titers ofmore » heterologous protein over native enzymes, which has been a difficult task. Here, we developed a forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing to identify specific lesions responsible for a protein hyper-production phenotype in A. niger. As a result, this strategy successfully identified novel targets, including a low-affinity glucose transporter, MstC, whose deletion significantly improved secretion of recombinant proteins driven by a glucoamylase promoter.« less

Forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing identifies novel gene targets for improving heterologous enzyme production in Aspergillus niger

DOE PAGES

Reilly, Morgann C.; Kim, Joonhoon; Lynn, Jed; ...

2018-01-06

Plant biomass, once reduced to its composite sugars, can be converted to fuel substitutes. One means of overcoming the recalcitrance of lignocellulose is pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis. However, currently available commercial enzyme cocktails are inhibited in the presence of residual pretreatment chemicals. Recent studies have identified a number of cellulolytic enzymes from bacteria that are tolerant to pretreatment chemicals such as ionic liquids. The challenge now is generation of these enzymes in copious amounts, an arena where fungal organisms such as Aspergillus niger have proven efficient. Fungal host strains still need to be engineered to increase production titers ofmore » heterologous protein over native enzymes, which has been a difficult task. Here, we developed a forward genetics screen coupled with whole-genome resequencing to identify specific lesions responsible for a protein hyper-production phenotype in A. niger. This strategy successfully identified novel targets, including a low-affinity glucose transporter, MstC, whose deletion significantly improved secretion of recombinant proteins driven by a glucoamylase promoter.« less

Embryotoxicity of benzalkonium chloride in vaginally treated rats.

PubMed

Buttar, H S

1985-12-01

The effects of the spermicide benzalkonium chloride (BKC) were studied on the conceptus of rat. Single doses (0, 25, 50, 100 or 200 mg kg-1) of aqueous solutions of BKC were administered intravaginally (1 ml kg-1) on gestational day 1. The vulval metallic clips, used to prevent leakage of the solution, were removed 24 h post-treatment. Fetuses were obtained and examined for malformations on day 21 of gestation. slight to copious amounts of vaginal discharge and vaginitis were noticed in rats treated with the two largest doses of BKC. A dose-related increase in resorptions and fetal death, reduction in litter size and weight were observed in BKC-treated dams. The conceptus loss seemed to occur both before and after implantation. BKC did not cause any discernible visceral malformations, although minor sternal defects occurred in fetuses exposed to 100 and 200 mg kg-1 of the spermicide. These results suggest that single vaginal application of BKC is embryo- and fetocidal in the rat at a dose about 143 times higher than that recommended for controlling conception in women.

Stanley Kubrick Directs. Expanded Edition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walker, Alexander

After reviewing Kubrick's career from his start as a photojournalist on "Look" the book presents a detailed analysis of all Kubrick's films, from "Killer's Kiss" to "A Clockwork Orange," looking at them from both technical and thematic aspects. The book is copiously illustrated with stills from the productions. (JK)

An Investigation into Effectiveness of Peer Feedback

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lin, Grace Hui Chin; Chien, Paul Shih Chieh

2009-01-01

Copious researches argue the effectiveness of peer-correction in writing courses (e.g., Connor & Asenavage, 1994). Also, Coit (2004) mentions using peer feedback for correcting articles through a student-centered environment is a beneficial pedagogy to extend learners' academic-style writing practice. Therefore, this study focused on…

Parasympathetic Control of Airway Submucosal Glands: Central Reflexes and the Airway Intrinsic Nervous System

PubMed Central

Wine, Jeffrey J.

2007-01-01

Airway submucosal glands produce the mucus that lines the upper airways to protect them against insults. This review summarizes evidence for two forms of gland secretion, and hypothesizes that each is mediated by different but partially overlapping neural pathways. Airway innate defense comprises low level gland secretion, mucociliary clearance and surveillance by airway-resident phagocytes to keep the airways sterile in spite of nearly continuous inhalation of low levels of pathogens. Gland secretion serving innate defense is hypothesized to be under the control of intrinsic (peripheral) airway neurons and local reflexes, and these may depend disproportionately on non-cholinergic mechanisms, with most secretion being produced by VIP and tachykinins. In the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, airway glands no longer secrete in response to VIP alone and fail to show the synergy between VIP, tachykinins and ACh that is observed in normal glands. The consequent crippling of the submucosal gland contribution to innate defense may be one reason that cystic fibrosis airways are infected by mucus-resident bacteria and fungi that are routinely cleared from normal airways. By contrast, the acute (emergency) airway defense reflex is centrally mediated by vagal pathways, is primarily cholinergic, and stimulates copious volumes of gland mucus in response to acute, intense challenges to the airways, such as those produced by very vigorous exercise or aspiration of foreign material. In cystic fibrosis, the acute airway defense reflex can still stimulate the glands to secrete large amounts of mucus, although its properties are altered. Importantly, treatments that recruit components of the acute reflex, such as inhalation of hypertonic saline, are beneficial in treating cystic fibrosis airway disease. The situation for recipients of lung transplants is the reverse; transplanted airways retain the airway intrinsic nervous system but lose centrally mediated reflexes. The consequences of this for gland secretion and airway defense are poorly understood, but it is possible that interventions to modify submucosal gland secretion in transplanted lungs might have therapeutic consequences. Introduction and overviewProtecting the Airways: mucus and submucosal glands.The airway intrinsic nervous system: a special role in innate defense?Innate defense: prophylactic secretion and local responses.Acute ‘Emergency’ airway defense reflexesAirway receptors: Improved methods reveal greater diversityHijacking emergency defense for innate defense: receptor plasticity and airways sensitization.Conclusion: Implications for cystic fibrosis and lung transplantation. PMID:17350348

Glass shell manufacturing in space. [residual gases in spherical shells made from metal-organic gels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nolen, R. J.; Ebner, M. A.; Downs, R. L.

1980-01-01

Residual gases always found in glass shells are CO2, O2 and N2. In those cases where high water vapor pressure is maintained in the furnace, water is also found in the shells. Other evidence for the existence of water in shells is the presence of water-induced surface weathering of the interior shell surface. Water and CO2 are the predominant volatiles generated by the pyrolysis of both inorganic and hydrolyzed metal-organic gels. The pyrolysates of unhydrolyzed metal-organic gels also contain, in addition to water and CO2, significant levels of organic volatiles, such as ethanol and some hydrocarbons; on complete oxidation, these produce CO2 and water as well. Water is most likely the initial blowing agent, it is produced copiously during the initial stages of heating. In the later stages, CO2 becomes the dominant gas as H2O is lost at increasing rates. Water in the shell arises mainly from gel dehydration, CO2 by sodium bicarbonate/carbonate decomposition and carbon oxidation, and O2 and N2 by permeation of the ambient furnace air through the molten shell wall.

Investigating Predictors of Nonacademic ESOL Learners' L2 Literacy Ability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ro, Eunseok; Ryu, Jin

2013-01-01

The factors determining foreign language abilities have received copious attention from foreign language studies, and these research findings provided highly converging pedagogical implications for language teachers. However, not many studies have focused on non-academic learners especially with respect to their literacy skills. To fill this gap,…

Defining the Good Reading Teacher.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kupersmith, Judy; And Others

In the quest for a definition of the good reading teacher, a review of the literature shows that new or copious materials, one specific teaching method, and static teaching behaviors are not responsible for effective teaching. However, observations of five reading teachers, with good references and good reputations but with widely divergent…

Queer Research and Queer Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Talburt, Susan

2006-01-01

D'Augelli and Grossman's article offers an eloquent account of a complex longitudinal, interview-based study that surely has the potential to offer nuanced insights into the lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth. The authors' copious efforts to recruit, retain, and involve youth while avoiding potential dangers to them offer future…

Using Facebook Data to Turn Introductory Statistics Students into Consultants

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Childers, Adam F.

2017-01-01

Facebook provides businesses and organizations with copious data that describe how users are interacting with their page. This data affords an excellent opportunity to turn introductory statistics students into consultants to analyze the Facebook data using descriptive and inferential statistics. This paper details a semester-long project that…

The Physiological Suppressing Factors of Dry Forage Intake and the Cause of Water Intake Following Dry Forage Feeding in Goats — A Review

PubMed Central

Sunagawa, Katsunori; Nagamine, Itsuki

2016-01-01

The goats raised in the barn are usually fed on fresh grass. As dry forage can be stored for long periods in large amounts, dry forage feeding makes it possible to feed large numbers of goats in barns. This review explains the physiological factors involved in suppressing dry forage intake and the cause of drinking following dry forage feeding. Ruminants consume an enormous amount of dry forage in a short time. Eating rates of dry forage rapidly decreased in the first 40 min of feeding and subsequently declined gradually to low states in the remaining time of the feeding period. Saliva in large-type goats is secreted in large volume during the first hour after the commencement of dry forage feeding. It was elucidated that the marked suppression of dry forage intake during the first hour was caused by a feeding-induced hypovolemia and the loss of NaHCO3 due to excessive salivation during the initial stages of dry forage feeding. On the other hand, it was indicated that the marked decrease in feed intake observed in the second hour of the 2 h feeding period was related to ruminal distension caused by the feed consumed and the copious amount of saliva secreted during dry forage feeding. In addition, results indicate that the marked decreases in dry forage intake after 40 min of feeding are caused by increases in plasma osmolality and subsequent thirst sensations produced by dry forage feeding. After 40 min of the 2 h dry forage feeding period, the feed salt content is absorbed into the rumen and plasma osmolality increases. The combined effects of ruminal distension and increased plasma osmolality accounted for 77.6% of the suppression of dry forage intake 40 min after the start of dry forage feeding. The results indicate that ruminal distension and increased plasma osmolality are the main physiological factors in suppression of dry forage intake in large-type goats. There was very little drinking behavior observed during the first hour of the 2 h feeding period most water consumption occurring in the second hour. The cause of this thirst sensation during the second hour of dry forage feeding period was not hypovolemia brought about by excessive salivation, but rather increases in plasma osmolality due to the ruminal absorption of salt from the consumed feed. This suggests the water intake following dry forage feeding is determined by the level of salt content in the feed. PMID:26732440

Value of acid metabolic products in identification of certain corynebacteria.

PubMed Central

Reddy, C A; Kao, M

1978-01-01

Acid metabolic products of 23 strains of human and animal pathogenic corynebacteria, representing eight different species, were determined by gas chromatography. The results showed that the species examined were metabolically heterogeneous and could be presumptively identified based on the acid products produced. Corynebacterium equi did not produce any acids; C. renale produced lactate; and C. pyogenes produced major amounts of lactate, variable amounts of acetate, and minor amounts of succinate and pyruvate. C. kutscheri produced propionate and lactate as major products and pyruvate and oxalacetate as minor products. C. diphtheriae and C. pseudotuberculosis produced major amounts of propionate, acetate, and formate. In addition, C. pseudotuberculosis produced major amounts of pyruvate and minor amounts of succinate, lactate, and oxalacetate, whereas C. diphtheriae strains produced minor but variable amounts of lactate, succinate, fumarate, pyruvate, and oxalacetate. C. bovis produced aicd products similar to those of C. pyogenes but was readily distinguishable from the latter by the lack of hemolysis on blood agar, colony morphology, catalase reaction, and biochemicals. C. suis characteristically produced major amounts of ethanol, acetate, and formate and minor amounts of lactate and succinate but no propionate. PMID:96126

Infrared Studies of the Variability and Mass Loss of Dusty Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars in the Magellanic Clouds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sargent, Benjamin; Groenewegen, M. A. T.

2018-01-01

The asymptotic giant branch (AGB) phase is one of the last phases of a star's life. AGB stars lose mass in an outflow in which dust condenses and is pushed away from the star. Extreme AGB stars are so named because their very red colors suggest very large amounts of dust, which in turn suggests extremely high mass loss rates. AGB stars also vary in brightness, and studies show that extreme AGB stars tend to have longer periods than other AGB stars and are more likely to be fundamental mode pulsators than other AGB stars. Extreme AGB stars are difficult to study, as their colors are so red due to their copious amounts of circumstellar dust that they are often not detected at optical wavelengths. Therefore, they must be observed at infrared wavelengths to explore their variability. Using the Spitzer Space Telescope, my team and I have observed a sample of extreme AGB stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) over Cycles 9 through 12 during the Warm Spitzer mission. For each cycle, we typically observed a set of extreme AGB stars at both 3.6 and 4.5 microns wavelength approximately monthly for most of a year. These observations reveal a wide range of variability properties. I present results from our analysis of the data obtained from these Spitzer variability programs, including light curve analyses and comparison to period-luminosity diagrams. Funding is acknowledged from JPL RSA # 1561703.

Traumatic resin ducts as indicators of bark beetle outbreaks

Treesearch

R. Justin DeRose; Matthew F. Bekker; James N. Long

2017-01-01

The formation of traumatic resin ducts (TRDs) represents an important induced defense in woody plants that enhances oleoresin production and flow in response to environmental perturbations. In some genera (Pinus), resin ducts are copious and conspicuous; however, in others (Picea), resin ducts are relatively rare. The occurrence and strength of resin ducts, in...

Lessons Learned from Instructional Design Theory: An Application in Management Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burke, Lisa A.

2007-01-01

Given that many doctoral programs do not provide extensive training on how to present course information in the classroom, the current paper looks to educational psychology theory and research for guidance. Richard Mayer and others' copious empirical work on effective and ineffective instructional design, along with relevant research findings in…

Birds of Prey of Wisconsin.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hamerstrom, Frances

This copiously illustrated document is designed to be a field quide to birds of prey that are common to Wisconsin, as well as to some that enter the state occasionally. An introduction discusses birds of prey with regard to migration patterns, the relationship between common names and the attitudes of people toward certain birds, and natural signs…

Efficient identification of causal mutations through sequencing of bulked F2 from two allelic bloomless mutants

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor Moench, L.) plant accumulates copious layers of epi-cuticular waxes (EW) on its aerial surfaces, more spectacular than most other crops. It provides a vapor barrier to reduce water loss and is considered as a major determinant of its superior drought tolerance. However, litt...

Institutional Abuse: Understanding Domination from the Inside Looking Out.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Jocelyn

1995-01-01

Applies a conceptual framework drawn from Max Weber's ideas of domination to examine the ways by which domination of child victims is created and maintained in cases of institutional abuse. Suggests that a solution is to regulate institutional abuse by written guidance on procedures, by frequent inspections, and through copious recommendations…

The SHiP experiment at CERN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Lellis, G.; SHiP Collaboration

2017-04-01

The discovery of the Higgs boson has fully confirmed the Standard Model of particles and fields. Nevertheless, there are still fundamental phenomena, like the existence of dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, which deserve an explanation that could come from the discovery of new particles. Searches for new physics with accelerators are performed at the LHC, looking for high massive particles coupled to matter with ordinary strength. A new experiment at CERN meant to search for very weakly coupled particles in the few GeV mass domain has been recently proposed. The existence of such particles, foreseen in different theoretical models beyond the Standard Model, is largely unexplored. A beam dump facility using high intensity 400 GeV protons is a copious source of such unknown particles in the GeV mass range. The beam dump is also a copious source of neutrinos and in particular it is an ideal source of tau neutrinos, the less known particle in the Standard Model. Indeed, tau anti-neutrinos have not been directly observed so far. We report the physics potential of such an experiment.

The SHiP experiment at CERN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonivento, Walter M.

2017-07-01

The discovery of the Higgs boson has fully confirmed the Standard Model of particles and fields. Nevertheless, there are still fundamental phenomena, like the existence of dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, deserving an explanation that could come from the discovery of new particles. Searches for new physics with accelerators are performed at the LHC, looking for high massive particles coupled to matter with ordinary strength. A new experiment at CERN meant to search for very weakly coupled particles in the few GeV mass domain has been recently proposed. The existence of such particles, foreseen in different theoretical models beyond the Standard Model, is largely unexplored. A beam dump facility using high intensity 400 GeV protons is a copious source of such unknown particles in the GeV mass range. The beam dump is also a copious source of neutrinos and in particular it is an ideal source of tau neutrinos, the less known particle in the Standard Model. The neutrino detector can also search for dark matter through its scattering off the electrons. We report the physics potential of the SHiP experiment.

Infrared fine-structure line diagnostics of shrouded active galactic nuclei

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Voit, G. M.

1993-01-01

Far-infrared spectroscopy of celestial objects will improve dramatically in the coming decade, allowing astronomers to use fine-structure line emission to probe photoionized regions obscured in the optical band by thick clouds of dust. The ultraluminous far-IR galaxies revealed by IRAS, quasar-like in luminosity but smothered in molecular gas, probably conceal either immense starbursts or luminous active nuclei. In both scenarios, these objects ought to produce copious infrared fine-structure emission with several lines comparable to H(beta) in luminosity. This paper shows how these lines, if detected, can be used to determine the electron densities and far-IR obscurations of shrouded photoionized regions and to constrain the shape and ionization parameter of the ionizing spectra. The presence of (Ne V) emission in particular will distinguish shrouded AGN's from shrouded starbursts. Since all active galaxies photoionize at least some surrounding material, these diagnostics can also be applied to active galaxies in general and will aid in studying how an active nucleus interacts with the interstellar medium of its host galaxy.

Fixed-target protein serial microcrystallography with an x-ray free electron laser

PubMed Central

Hunter, Mark S.; Segelke, Brent; Messerschmidt, Marc; Williams, Garth J.; Zatsepin, Nadia A.; Barty, Anton; Benner, W. Henry; Carlson, David B.; Coleman, Matthew; Graf, Alexander; Hau-Riege, Stefan P.; Pardini, Tommaso; Seibert, M. Marvin; Evans, James; Boutet, Sébastien; Frank, Matthias

2014-01-01

We present results from experiments at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) demonstrating that serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) can be performed to high resolution (~2.5 Å) using protein microcrystals deposited on an ultra-thin silicon nitride membrane and embedded in a preservation medium at room temperature. Data can be acquired at a high acquisition rate using x-ray free electron laser sources to overcome radiation damage, while sample consumption is dramatically reduced compared to flowing jet methods. We achieved a peak data acquisition rate of 10 Hz with a hit rate of ~38%, indicating that a complete data set could be acquired in about one 12-hour LCLS shift using the setup described here, or in even less time using hardware optimized for fixed target SFX. This demonstration opens the door to ultra low sample consumption SFX using the technique of diffraction-before-destruction on proteins that exist in only small quantities and/or do not produce the copious quantities of microcrystals required for flowing jet methods. PMID:25113598

Self-generated surface magnetic fields inhibit laser-driven sheath acceleration of high-energy protons.

PubMed

Nakatsutsumi, M; Sentoku, Y; Korzhimanov, A; Chen, S N; Buffechoux, S; Kon, A; Atherton, B; Audebert, P; Geissel, M; Hurd, L; Kimmel, M; Rambo, P; Schollmeier, M; Schwarz, J; Starodubtsev, M; Gremillet, L; Kodama, R; Fuchs, J

2018-01-18

High-intensity lasers interacting with solid foils produce copious numbers of relativistic electrons, which in turn create strong sheath electric fields around the target. The proton beams accelerated in such fields have remarkable properties, enabling ultrafast radiography of plasma phenomena or isochoric heating of dense materials. In view of longer-term multidisciplinary purposes (e.g., spallation neutron sources or cancer therapy), the current challenge is to achieve proton energies well in excess of 100 MeV, which is commonly thought to be possible by raising the on-target laser intensity. Here we present experimental and numerical results demonstrating that magnetostatic fields self-generated on the target surface may pose a fundamental limit to sheath-driven ion acceleration for high enough laser intensities. Those fields can be strong enough (~10 5  T at laser intensities ~10 21  W cm -2 ) to magnetize the sheath electrons and deflect protons off the accelerating region, hence degrading the maximum energy the latter can acquire.

Thromboelastographic evidence of inhibition of fibrinolysis after ε-aminocaproic acid administration in a dog with suspected acute traumatic coagulopathy.

PubMed

Yoo, Seung H; Venn, Emilee; Sullivan, Lauren A; Olver, Christine S

2016-09-01

To describe the thromboelastographic changes in fibrinolysis with ε-aminocaproic acid treatment in a dog with suspected acute traumatic coagulopathy. A 9-year-old female spayed Airedale Terrier was presented with multiple injuries consistent with motor vehicle trauma. After surgical repair of a diaphragmatic hernia and minor laceration of the right cranial lung lobe, the dog continued to produce copious volumes of hemorrhagic fluid from the thoracic cavity despite multiple plasma transfusions, autotransfusions, and failure to locate a definitive source of bleeding during 2 separate surgeries. ε-Aminocaproic acid treatment was initiated and was associated with rapid clinical improvement and diminished fibrinolysis based on a modified plasma-based thromboelastogram. This report describes thromboelastographic evidence of inhibition of fibrinolysis after ε-aminocaproic acid administration in a dog with suspected acute traumatic coagulopathy. Thromboelastrography may be useful in monitoring therapy with antifibrinolytic drugs. © Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society 2016.

Self-generated surface magnetic fields inhibit laser-driven sheath acceleration of high-energy protons

DOE PAGES

Nakatsutsumi, M.; Sentoku, Y.; Korzhimanov, A.; ...

2018-01-18

High-intensity lasers interacting with solid foils produce copious numbers of relativistic electrons, which in turn create strong sheath electric fields around the target. The proton beams accelerated in such fields have remarkable properties, enabling ultrafast radiography of plasma phenomena or isochoric heating of dense materials. In view of longer-term multidisciplinary purposes (e.g., spallation neutron sources or cancer therapy), the current challenge is to achieve proton energies well in excess of 100 MeV, which is commonly thought to be possible by raising the on-target laser intensity. Here we present experimental and numerical results demonstrating that magnetostatic fields self-generated on the targetmore » surface may pose a fundamental limit to sheath-driven ion acceleration for high enough laser intensities. Those fields can be strong enough (~10 5 T at laser intensities ~10 21 W cm –2) to magnetize the sheath electrons and deflect protons off the accelerating region, hence degrading the maximum energy the latter can acquire.« less

Anaerobic production of magnetite by a dissimilatory iron-reducing microorganism

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lovley, D.R.; Stolz, J.F.; Nord, G.L.; Phillips, E.J.P.

1987-01-01

The potential contribution of microbial metabolism to the magnetization of sediments has only recently been recognized. In the presence of oxygen, magnetotactic bacteria can form intracellular chains of magnetite while using oxygen or nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor for metabolism1. The production of ultrafine-grained magnetite by magnetotactic bacteria in surficial aerobic sediments may contribute significantly to the natural remanent magnetism of sediments2-4. However, recent studies on iron reduction in anaerobic sediments suggested that bacteria can also generate magnetite in the absence of oxygen5. We report here on a sediment organism, designated GS-15, which produces copious quantities of ultrafine-grained magnetite under anaerobic conditions. GS-15 is not magnetotactic, but reduces amorphic ferric oxide to extracellular magnetite during the reduction of ferric iron as the terminal electron acceptor for organic matter oxidation. This novel metabolism may be the mechanism for the formation of ultrafine-grained magnetite in anaerobic sediments, and couldaccount for the accumulation of magnetite in ancient iron formations and hydrocarbon deposits. ?? 1987 Nature Publishing Group.

Self-generated surface magnetic fields inhibit laser-driven sheath acceleration of high-energy protons

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

Nakatsutsumi, M.; Sentoku, Y.; Korzhimanov, A.

High-intensity lasers interacting with solid foils produce copious numbers of relativistic electrons, which in turn create strong sheath electric fields around the target. The proton beams accelerated in such fields have remarkable properties, enabling ultrafast radiography of plasma phenomena or isochoric heating of dense materials. In view of longer-term multidisciplinary purposes (e.g., spallation neutron sources or cancer therapy), the current challenge is to achieve proton energies well in excess of 100 MeV, which is commonly thought to be possible by raising the on-target laser intensity. Here we present experimental and numerical results demonstrating that magnetostatic fields self-generated on the targetmore » surface may pose a fundamental limit to sheath-driven ion acceleration for high enough laser intensities. Those fields can be strong enough (~10 5 T at laser intensities ~10 21 W cm –2) to magnetize the sheath electrons and deflect protons off the accelerating region, hence degrading the maximum energy the latter can acquire.« less

Do supernovae of type 1 paly a role in cosmic-ray production?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shapiro, M. M.

1985-01-01

A model of cosmic-ray origin is suggested which aims to account for some salient features of the composition. Relative to solar abundances, the Galactic cosmic rays (GCR) are deficient in hydrogen and helim (H and He) by an order of magnitude when the two compositions are normalized at iron. Our conjectural model implicates supernovae of Type I (SN-I) as sources of some of the GCR. SN-I occur approximately as often as SN-II, through their genesis is thought to be different. Recent studies of nucleosynthesis in SN-I based on accreting white dwarfs, find that the elements from Si to Fe are produced copiously. On the other hand, SN-I are virtually devoid of hydrogen, and upper limits deduced for He are low. If SN-I contribute significantly to the pool of GCR by injecting energetic particles into the interstellar medium (ISM), then this could explain why the resulting GCR is relatively deficient in H and He. A test of the model is proposed, and difficulties are discussed.

Copious Irrigation Versus Suction Alone During Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Complicated Appendicitis in Adults.

PubMed

Sun, Fengbo; Wang, He; Zhang, Fengjuan; Zhang, Xinming; Xing, Zhiyuan; Zhang, Shenglin; Zhang, Haifeng; Wang, Ye

2017-05-09

The objective of this study was to determine whether copious irrigation of peritoneal cavity during laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis effectively reduces the incidence of postoperative complications and improves the postoperative recovery in adults compared with suction alone. In this prospective randomized trial, adult patients with complicated appendicitis were randomized to "irrigation and suction"(IS) group or "suction only"(SO) group. All surgery was performed with a standardized 3-port laparoscopic approach. The IS group received peritoneal irrigation with a minimum of 2000 mL sterile normal saline. The study primary outcomes included wound infection and postoperative intra-abdominal abscess. The study secondary outcomes included duration of operation, first anal exsufflation time, duration of hospital stay and hospital charges. Chi-squared and t-tests were used to analyze the study data. Between January 2015 and June 2016, a total of 260 patients with complicated appendicitis were enrolled in the study. The peritoneal irrigation resulted in a longer operation time (51.6 ± 16.1 vs. 41.5 ± 15.2 min, p <0.001). There was no significant difference in the rate of wound infection between the two groups. However, the patients who received irrigation had a lower postoperative intra-abdominal abscess rate (3.1% vs. 9.2%, p = 0.039), earlier anal exsufflation (25.2 ± 16.5 vs. 30.7 ± 18.1 hr, p = 0.011), shorter hospital stay (10.2 ± 2.5 vs. 12.5 ± 2.8 days, p <0.001) and lower hospital charges (¥14,592 ± 2,251 vs. 16,674 ± 2,163, p <0.001) compared to those received suction alone. The study findings revealed that copious irrigation of peritoneal cavity during laparoscopic appendectomy could decrease the incidence of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess in adult patients with complicated appendicitis. These patients also had faster postoperative recovery and lower hospital charges.

How to Distinguish Attacks by the Black Turpentine Beetle and Dioryctria Amatella on Southern Pines

Treesearch

Carl W. Fatzinger; Gary L. DeBarr

1969-01-01

Trunk attacks by the black turpentine beetle, Dendroctonus terebrans (Oh.), and the larvae of Dioryctria amatella (Hulst) on the southern pines results in a copious flow of pitch. This external pitch mass or pitch tube exhibits characteristics that can be used as symptoms to distinguish between attacks by these two insects.

Productivity and diversity of morel mushrooms in healthy, burned, and insect damaged forests of northeastern Oregon.

Treesearch

David Pilz; Nancy S. Weber; M. Carol Carter; Catherine G. Parks; Randy. Molina

2004-01-01

Large commercial crops of morels are harvested annually from montane coniferous forests of the Northwestern United States. Although some morels fruit annually in nondisturbed forests, others fruit copiously in areas experiencing fire, insect infestations, tree mortality, and soil disturbance. Many forest managers currently use thinning and prescribed fire to re-create...

Red-cockaded woodpeckers vs rat snakes: the effectiveness of the resin barrier

Treesearch

D. Craig Rudolph; Howard Kyle; Richard N. Conner

1990-01-01

Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) excavate resin wells in the immediate vicinity of roost and nest cavity entrances. Resin wells are worked regularly, resulting in a copious and persistent resin flow that coats the tree trunk, especially below cavity entrances. Red-cockaded Woodpeckers also scale loose bark from cavity trees and closely adjacent trees....

High residue cover crops alone or with strategic tillage to manage glyphosate-resistant palmer amaranth (amaranthus palmeri) in Southeastern cotton (gossypium hirsutum)

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats) is redefining row crop weed management in the Southeast due to its widespread distribution, high competitive ability, copious seed production, and resilience to standard weed management programs. Herbicides alone are failing to p...

Leaving the Dark Side for the Light: Twelve Strategies for Effective Transition from Academic Administrator to Faculty Member

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sale, Paul

2013-01-01

Copious literature is available to provide nascent administrators with guidelines and advice for being a successful administrator. Likewise, faculty new to academia have many available resources both from the literature and from campus-based support services, such as new faculty development programs, mentors, and special internal funding programs.…

Mandarin Students' Perceptions of Multimodal Interaction in a Web Conferencing Environment: A Satisfaction Survey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tseng, Jun-Jie

2015-01-01

A major indicator of whether online courses have been effective and successful is student satisfaction. Copious research points to lack of interaction as the most cited reason for student dissatisfaction. To improve this problem, new Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) technology could be considered as an option to enhance the online learning…

Immune System Activation and Depression: Roles of Serotonin in the Central Nervous System and Periphery.

PubMed

Robson, Matthew J; Quinlan, Meagan A; Blakely, Randy D

2017-05-17

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) has long been recognized as a key contributor to the regulation of mood and anxiety and is strongly associated with the etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Although more known for its roles within the central nervous system (CNS), 5-HT is recognized to modulate several key aspects of immune system function that may contribute to the development of MDD. Copious amounts of research have outlined a connection between alterations in immune system function, inflammation status, and MDD. Supporting this connection, peripheral immune activation results in changes in the function and/or expression of many components of 5-HT signaling that are associated with depressive-like phenotypes. How 5-HT is utilized by the immune system to effect CNS function and ultimately behaviors related to depression is still not well understood. This Review summarizes the evidence that immune system alterations related to depression affect CNS 5-HT signaling that can alter MDD-relevant behaviors and that 5-HT regulates immune system signaling within the CNS and periphery. We suggest that targeting the interrelationships between immune and 5-HT signaling may provide more effective treatments for subsets of those suffering from inflammation-associated MDD.

Radio Interferometric Detection of TiO and TiO_2 in VY Canis Majoris: "seeds" of Inorganic Dust Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brunken, S.; Muller, H. S. P.; Kaminski, T.; Menten, K. M.; Gott-Lieb, C. A.; Patel, N. A.; Young, K. H.; McCarthy, M. C.; Winters, J. M.; Decin, L.

2013-06-01

Circumstellar envelopes around late-type stars harbour a rich variety of molecular gas and copious amounts of dust, originating from the mass-loss of the central star during the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) or the red supergiant phase. The formation of dust in these objects, in particular the first nucleation stages out of gas phase molecules, is still poorly understood. Here we report the first detection of pure rotational transitions of the two simplest titanium oxides, TiO and TiO_2, towards the oxygen-rich red supergiant VY Canis Majoris (VY CMa). This actually represents the first secure identification of TiO_2 in space. Observations of several rotational emission lines of both species with the Submillimeter Array (SMA) in the 345 GHz-band and with the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer (PdBI) around 220 GHz confirm the presence of these refractory species in the cool (<1000 K) circumstellar envelope in a region several times the size of the dust formation zone. The role of Ti oxides as "seeds" of inorganic dust formation in oxygen-rich circumstellar envelopes will be discussed in view of the present observations.

Hubble Eyes Galactic Refurbishment

NASA Image and Video Library

2015-04-30

The smudge of stars at the center of this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image is a galaxy known as UGC 5797. UGC 5797 is an emission line galaxy, meaning that it is currently undergoing active star formation. The result is a stellar population that is constantly being refurbished as massive bright blue stars form. Galaxies with prolific star formation are not only veiled in a blue tint, but are key to the continuation of a stellar cycle. In this image UGC 5797 appears in front of a background of spiral galaxies. Spiral galaxies have copious amounts of dust and gas — the main ingredient for stars — and therefore often also belong to the class of emission line galaxies. Spiral galaxies have disk-like shapes that drastically vary in appearance depending on the angle at which they are observed. The collection of spiral galaxies in this frame exhibits this attribute acutely: Some are viewed face-on, revealing the structure of the spiral arms, while the two in the bottom left are seen edge-on, appearing as plain streaks in the sky. There are many spiral galaxies, with varying colors and at different angles, sprinkled across this image — just take a look. Credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, Acknowledgement: Luca Limatola

Effects of aging on mineralocorticoid-induced salt appetite in rats

PubMed Central

Beltz, Terry G.; Johnson, Alan Kim

2013-01-01

This work examined the effects of age on salt appetite measured in the form of daily saline (i.e., 0.3 M NaCl) drinking in response to administration of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA; 5 mg/kg body wt) using young (4 mo), “middle-aged” adult (12 mo), and old (30 mo) male Brown Norway rats. Water and sodium intakes, excretions, and balances were determined daily. The salt appetite response was age dependent with “middle-aged” rats ingesting the most saline solution followed in order by young and then old rats. While old rats drank the least saline solution, the amounts of saline ingested still were copious and comprise an unambiguous demonstration of salt appetite in old rats. Middle-aged rats had the highest saline preference ratios of the groups under baseline conditions and throughout testing consistent with an increased avidity for sodium taste. There were age differences in renal handling of water and sodium that were consistent with a renal contribution to the greater saline intakes by middle-aged rats. There was evidence of impaired renal function in old rats, but this did not account for the reduced saline intakes of the oldest rats. PMID:24133100

Property changes induced by the space environment in composite materials on LDEF: Solar array materials passive LDEF experiment A0171 (SAMPLE)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Surface modifications to composite materials induced by long term exposure in low earth orbit (LEO) were dominated by atomic oxygen erosion and micrometeoroid and space debris impacts. As expected, calculated erosion rates were peculiar to material type and within the predicted order of magnitude. Generally, about one ply of the carbon fiber composites was eroded during the 70 month LDEF experiment. Matrix erosion was greater than fiber erosion and was more evident for a polysulfone matrix than for epoxy matrices. Micrometeoroid and space debris impacts resulted in small (less than 1mm) craters and splattered contaminants on all samples. Surfaces became more diffuse and darker with small increases in emissivity and absorption. Tensile strength decreased roughly with thickness loss, and epoxy matrices apparently became slightly embrittled, probably as a result of continued curing under UV and/or electron bombardment. However, changes in the ultimate yield stress of the carbon reinforced epoxy composites correlate neither with weave direction nor fiber type. Unexpected developments were the discovery of new synergistic effects of the space environment in the interaction of atomic oxygen and copious amounts of contamination and in the induced luminescence of many materials.

mTORC2 regulates multiple aspects of NKT-cell development and function

PubMed Central

Sklarz, Tammarah; Guan, Peng; Gohil, Mercy; Cotton, Renee M.; Ge, Moyar Q.; Haczku, Angela; Das, Rupali; Jordan, Martha S.

2017-01-01

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells bridge innate and adaptive immunity by rapidly secreting cytokines and lysing targets following TCR recognition of lipid antigens. Based on their ability to secrete IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-17A, iNKT-cells are classified as NKT-1, NKT-2 and NKT-17 subsets, respectively. The molecular pathways regulating iNKT-cell fate are not fully defined. Recent studies implicate Rictor, a required component of mTORC2, in the development of select iNKT-cell subsets, however these reports are conflicting. To resolve these questions, we used Rictorfl/fl CD4cre+ mice and found that Rictor is required for NKT-17 cell development and normal iNKT-cell cytolytic function. Conversely, Rictor is not absolutely required for IL-4 and IFN-γ production as peripheral iNKT-cells make copious amounts of these cytokines. Overall iNKT-cell numbers are dramatically reduced in the absence of Rictor. We provide data indicating Rictor regulates cell survival as well as proliferation of developing and mature iNKT-cells. Thus, mTORC2 regulates multiple aspects of iNKT-cell development and function. PMID:28078715

The AGN Impact on the Circumgalactic Medium of Cen A

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lehner, Nicolas

2017-08-01

There seems to be broad agreement that feedback from AGN plays a critical role in transforming massive star forming galaxies to quiescent ones and keeping them quenched thereafter. Through the emission of copious amounts of radiation emitted in the active QSO/AGN phase and the deposition of thermal and mechanical energy on scales of hundreds of kpc during the radio phase, AGN feedback shifts the temperatures and ionization states of the gas in the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of these galaxies to higher energies, suppressing cooling that might otherwise provide fuel for new star formation. We propose to observe absorption lines from the CGM of the nearby, very well-studied giant radio-lobe galaxy Cen A to search directly for the signal of AGN feedback impacting the CGM of a galaxy. We will target 4 background QSOs projected 270-340 kpc from the galaxy at a range of azimuthal angles relative to the 300 kpc-long jets and 1 control sight line well away from the jets. These spectra will provide probes of the ionization balance and kinematic structure of the cool/warm CGM. This will be the first attempt to dissect the cool/warm gas in a CGM undergoing interactions with an active AGN.

Social Media Meets Big Urban Data: A Case Study of Urban Waterlogging Analysis.

PubMed

Zhang, Ningyu; Chen, Huajun; Chen, Jiaoyan; Chen, Xi

2016-01-01

With the design and development of smart cities, opportunities as well as challenges arise at the moment. For this purpose, lots of data need to be obtained. Nevertheless, circumstances vary in different cities due to the variant infrastructures and populations, which leads to the data sparsity. In this paper, we propose a transfer learning method for urban waterlogging disaster analysis, which provides the basis for traffic management agencies to generate proactive traffic operation strategies in order to alleviate congestion. Existing work on urban waterlogging mostly relies on past and current conditions, as well as sensors and cameras, while there may not be a sufficient number of sensors to cover the relevant areas of a city. To this end, it would be helpful if we could transfer waterlogging. We examine whether it is possible to use the copious amounts of information from social media and satellite data to improve urban waterlogging analysis. Moreover, we analyze the correlation between severity, road networks, terrain, and precipitation. Moreover, we use a multiview discriminant transfer learning method to transfer knowledge to small cities. Experimental results involving cities in China and India show that our proposed framework is effective.

Social Media Meets Big Urban Data: A Case Study of Urban Waterlogging Analysis

PubMed Central

Chen, Huajun; Chen, Jiaoyan

2016-01-01

With the design and development of smart cities, opportunities as well as challenges arise at the moment. For this purpose, lots of data need to be obtained. Nevertheless, circumstances vary in different cities due to the variant infrastructures and populations, which leads to the data sparsity. In this paper, we propose a transfer learning method for urban waterlogging disaster analysis, which provides the basis for traffic management agencies to generate proactive traffic operation strategies in order to alleviate congestion. Existing work on urban waterlogging mostly relies on past and current conditions, as well as sensors and cameras, while there may not be a sufficient number of sensors to cover the relevant areas of a city. To this end, it would be helpful if we could transfer waterlogging. We examine whether it is possible to use the copious amounts of information from social media and satellite data to improve urban waterlogging analysis. Moreover, we analyze the correlation between severity, road networks, terrain, and precipitation. Moreover, we use a multiview discriminant transfer learning method to transfer knowledge to small cities. Experimental results involving cities in China and India show that our proposed framework is effective. PMID:27774098

The Entry of Nano-dust Particles into the Terrestrial Magnetosphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horanyi, M.; Juhasz, A.

2016-12-01

Nano-dust particles have been suggested to be responsible for spurious antenna signals on several spacecraft near 1 AU. Most of these tiny motes are generated in the solar vicinity where the collision-rate between larger inward migrating dust particles increases generating copious amounts of smaller dust grains. The vast majority of the dust grains is predicted to be lost to the Sun, but a fraction of them can be expelled by radiation pressure, and the solar wind plasma flow. Particles in the nano-meter size range can be incorporated in the solar wind, and arrive near 1 AU with characteristic speeds of approximately 400 km/s. Larger, but still submicron sized particles, that are expelled by radiation pressure, represent the so-called beta-meteoroid population. Both of these populations of dust particles can be detected by dedicated dust instruments near 1 AU. A fraction of these particles can also penetrate the terrestrial magnetosphere and possibly bombard spacecraft orbiting the Earth. This talk will explore the dynamics of nano-grains and beta-meteoroids entering the magnetosphere, and predict their spatial, mass and speed distributions as function of solar wind conditions.

Informatics and machine learning to define the phenotype.

PubMed

Basile, Anna Okula; Ritchie, Marylyn DeRiggi

2018-03-01

For the past decade, the focus of complex disease research has been the genotype. From technological advancements to the development of analysis methods, great progress has been made. However, advances in our definition of the phenotype have remained stagnant. Phenotype characterization has recently emerged as an exciting area of informatics and machine learning. The copious amounts of diverse biomedical data that have been collected may be leveraged with data-driven approaches to elucidate trait-related features and patterns. Areas covered: In this review, the authors discuss the phenotype in traditional genetic associations and the challenges this has imposed.Approaches for phenotype refinement that can aid in more accurate characterization of traits are also discussed. Further, the authors highlight promising machine learning approaches for establishing a phenotype and the challenges of electronic health record (EHR)-derived data. Expert commentary: The authors hypothesize that through unsupervised machine learning, data-driven approaches can be used to define phenotypes rather than relying on expert clinician knowledge. Through the use of machine learning and an unbiased set of features extracted from clinical repositories, researchers will have the potential to further understand complex traits and identify patient subgroups. This knowledge may lead to more preventative and precise clinical care.

Microbial production of scleroglucan and downstream processing.

PubMed

Castillo, Natalia A; Valdez, Alejandra L; Fariña, Julia I

2015-01-01

Synthetic petroleum-based polymers and natural plant polymers have the disadvantage of restricted sources, in addition to the non-biodegradability of the former ones. In contrast, eco-sustainable microbial polysaccharides, of low-cost and standardized production, represent an alternative to address this situation. With a strong global market, they attracted worldwide attention because of their novel and unique physico-chemical properties as well as varied industrial applications, and many of them are promptly becoming economically competitive. Scleroglucan, a β-1,3-β-1,6-glucan secreted by Sclerotium fungi, exhibits high potential for commercialization and may show different branching frequency, side-chain length, and/or molecular weight depending on the producing strain or culture conditions. Water-solubility, viscosifying ability and wide stability over temperature, pH and salinity make scleroglucan useful for different biotechnological (enhanced oil recovery, food additives, drug delivery, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, biocompatible materials, etc.), and biomedical (immunoceutical, antitumor, etc.) applications. It can be copiously produced at bioreactor scale under standardized conditions, where a high exopolysaccharide concentration normally governs the process optimization. Operative and nutritional conditions, as well as the incidence of scleroglucan downstream processing will be discussed in this chapter. The relevance of using standardized inocula from selected strains and experiences concerning the intricate scleroglucan scaling-up will be also herein outlined.

Microbial production of scleroglucan and downstream processing

PubMed Central

Castillo, Natalia A.; Valdez, Alejandra L.; Fariña, Julia I.

2015-01-01

Synthetic petroleum-based polymers and natural plant polymers have the disadvantage of restricted sources, in addition to the non-biodegradability of the former ones. In contrast, eco-sustainable microbial polysaccharides, of low-cost and standardized production, represent an alternative to address this situation. With a strong global market, they attracted worldwide attention because of their novel and unique physico-chemical properties as well as varied industrial applications, and many of them are promptly becoming economically competitive. Scleroglucan, a β-1,3-β-1,6-glucan secreted by Sclerotium fungi, exhibits high potential for commercialization and may show different branching frequency, side-chain length, and/or molecular weight depending on the producing strain or culture conditions. Water-solubility, viscosifying ability and wide stability over temperature, pH and salinity make scleroglucan useful for different biotechnological (enhanced oil recovery, food additives, drug delivery, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products, biocompatible materials, etc.), and biomedical (immunoceutical, antitumor, etc.) applications. It can be copiously produced at bioreactor scale under standardized conditions, where a high exopolysaccharide concentration normally governs the process optimization. Operative and nutritional conditions, as well as the incidence of scleroglucan downstream processing will be discussed in this chapter. The relevance of using standardized inocula from selected strains and experiences concerning the intricate scleroglucan scaling-up will be also herein outlined. PMID:26528259

Contagious Deposition of Seeds in Spider Monkeys' Sleeping Trees Limits Effective Seed Dispersal in Fragmented Landscapes

PubMed Central

González-Zamora, Arturo; Arroyo-Rodríguez, Víctor; Escobar, Federico; Rös, Matthias; Oyama, Ken; Ibarra-Manríquez, Guillermo; Stoner, Kathryn E.; Chapman, Colin A.

2014-01-01

The repeated use of sleeping sites by frugivorous vertebrates promotes the deposition and aggregation of copious amounts of seeds in these sites. This spatially contagious pattern of seed deposition has key implications for seed dispersal, particularly because such patterns can persist through recruitment. Assessing the seed rain patterns in sleeping sites thus represents a fundamental step in understanding the spatial structure and regeneration of plant assemblages. We evaluated the seed rain produced by spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in latrines located beneath 60 sleeping trees in two continuous forest sites (CFS) and three forest fragments (FF) in the Lacandona rainforest, Mexico. We tested for differences among latrines, among sites, and between forest conditions in the abundance, diversity (α-, β- and, γ-components) and evenness of seed assemblages. We recorded 45,919 seeds ≥5 mm (in length) from 68 species. The abundance of seeds was 1.7 times higher in FF than in CFS, particularly because of the dominance of a few plant species. As a consequence, community evenness tended to be lower within FF. β-diversity of common and dominant species was two times greater among FF than between CFS. Although mean α-diversity per latrine did not differ among sites, the greater β-diversity among latrines in CFS increased γ-diversity in these sites, particularly when considering common and dominant species. Our results support the hypothesis that fruit scarcity in FF can ‘force’ spider monkeys to deplete the available fruit patches more intensively than in CFS. This feeding strategy can limit the effectiveness of spider monkeys as seed dispersers in FF, because (i) it can limit the number of seed dispersers visiting such fruit patches; (ii) it increases seed dispersal limitation; and (iii) it can contribute to the floristic homogenization (i.e., reduced β-diversity among latrines) in fragmented landscapes. PMID:24586705

Accumulation of coal combustion residues and their immunological effects in the yellow-bellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta).

PubMed

Haskins, David L; Hamilton, Matthew T; Jones, Amanda L; Finger, John W; Bringolf, Robert B; Tuberville, Tracey D

2017-05-01

Anthropogenic activities such as industrial processes often produce copious amounts of contaminants that have the potential to negatively impact growth, survival, and reproduction of exposed wildlife. Coal combustion residues (CCRs) represent a major source of pollutants globally, resulting in the release of potentially harmful trace elements such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and selenium (Se) into the environment. In the United States, CCRs are typically stored in aquatic settling basins that may become attractive nuisances to wildlife. Trace element contaminants, such as CCRs, may pose a threat to biota yet little is known about their sublethal effects on reptiles. To assess the effects of CCR exposure in turtles, we sampled 81 yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta) in 2014-2015 from CCR-contaminated and uncontaminated reference wetlands located on the Savannah River Site (Aiken, SC, USA). Specific aims were to (1) compare the accumulation of trace elements in T. s. scripta claw and blood samples between reference and CCR-contaminated site types, (2) evaluate potential immunological effects of CCRs via bacterial killing assays and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) assays, and (3) quantify differences in hemogregarine parasite loads between site types. Claw As, Cd, copper (Cu), and Se (all p ≤ 0.001) and blood As, Cu, Se, and strontium (Sr; p ≤ 0.015) were significantly elevated in turtles from CCR-contaminated wetlands compared to turtles from reference wetlands. Turtles from reference wetlands exhibited lower bacterial killing (p = 0.015) abilities than individuals from contaminated sites but neither PHA responses (p = 0.566) nor parasite loads (p = 0.980) differed by site type. Despite relatively high CCR body burdens, sliders did not exhibit apparent impairment of immunological response or parasite load. In addition, the high correlation between claw and blood concentrations within individuals suggests that nonlethal tissue sampling may be useful for monitoring CCR exposure in turtles. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

FUn: a framework for interactive visualizations of large, high-dimensional datasets on the web.

PubMed

Probst, Daniel; Reymond, Jean-Louis

2018-04-15

During the past decade, big data have become a major tool in scientific endeavors. Although statistical methods and algorithms are well-suited for analyzing and summarizing enormous amounts of data, the results do not allow for a visual inspection of the entire data. Current scientific software, including R packages and Python libraries such as ggplot2, matplotlib and plot.ly, do not support interactive visualizations of datasets exceeding 100 000 data points on the web. Other solutions enable the web-based visualization of big data only through data reduction or statistical representations. However, recent hardware developments, especially advancements in graphical processing units, allow for the rendering of millions of data points on a wide range of consumer hardware such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones. Similar to the challenges and opportunities brought to virtually every scientific field by big data, both the visualization of and interaction with copious amounts of data are both demanding and hold great promise. Here we present FUn, a framework consisting of a client (Faerun) and server (Underdark) module, facilitating the creation of web-based, interactive 3D visualizations of large datasets, enabling record level visual inspection. We also introduce a reference implementation providing access to SureChEMBL, a database containing patent information on more than 17 million chemical compounds. The source code and the most recent builds of Faerun and Underdark, Lore.js and the data preprocessing toolchain used in the reference implementation, are available on the project website (http://doc.gdb.tools/fun/). daniel.probst@dcb.unibe.ch or jean-louis.reymond@dcb.unibe.ch.

Temperature effects on the deformation and fracture of Al-Li-Cu-In alloys

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, John A.; Gangloff, Richard P.

1991-01-01

The crack initiation and growth fracture resistance of Al-Cu-Li and Al-Cu-Li-In alloys were characterized and optimized for cryogenic tank applications. Presently, the effects of stress state and temperature is being determined on the fracture toughness and fracture mechanisms of commercially available Vintage 3 2090-T81 and experimental 2090+In-T6. Precracked J-integral specimens of both alloys were tested at ambient and cryogenic temperatures in the plane stress and plane strain conditions. Considering ambient temperature, results showed that 2090-T81 exhibited the highest toughness in both plane strain and plane stress conditions. For the plane strain condition, reasonable crack initiation and growth toughness of 1090-T81 are associated with a significant amount of delamination and transgranular fracture. Plane stress toughnesses were higher and fracture was characterized by shear cracking with minimal delaminations. In comparisons, the fracture behavior of 2090+In-T6 is significantly degraded by subgrain boundary precipitation. Toughness is low and characterized by intersubgranular fracture with no delamination in the plane stress or plane strain conditions. Intersubgranular cracking is a low energy event which presumably occurs prior to the onset of slip band cracking. Copious grain boundary precipitation is atypical of commercially available 2090. At cryogenic temperatures, both alloys exhibit increased yield strength, toughness, and amount of delamination and shear cracking. The change in fracture mode of 2090+In-T6 from intersubgranular cracking at ambient temperature to a combination of intersubgranular cracking, shear cracking, and delamination at cryogenic temperature is the subject of further investigation.

Workshop on Avionics Corrosion Control: Meeting of the Structures and Materials Panel of AGARD (62nd) Held in Hovik (Norway) on 16-17 April 1986.

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-09-01

CORROSOIN IN AVIONICS AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT; CAUSE. EFFECT AND PREVENTION by R.GIkmte ,m E.GEdpr 4 ROYAL NAVY EXPERIENCE OF CORROSION IN AVIONICS...and the preventative maintenance was the application of copious quantities of petroleum jelly , also known as vaseline. Incidentally, the same mthods

Observations of S ∗ → π +π -in ψ decay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gidal, G.; Goldhaber, G.; Guy, J. G.; Millikan, R. E.; Abrams, G. S.; Alam, M. S.; Blocker, C. A.; Blondel, A.; Boyarski, A.; Breidenbach, M.; Burke, D. L.; Carithers, W. C.; Chinowsky, W.; Coles, M. W.; Cooper, S.; Dieterle, W. E.; Dillon, J. B.; Dorehbosch, J.; Dorfan, J. M.; Eaton, M. W.; Fe, G. J.; Franklin, M. E. B.; Hanson, G.; Hayes, K. A.; Himel, T.; Hitlin, D. G.; Hollebeek, R.; Innes, W.; Jaros, J.; Jenni, P.; Johnson, A. D.; Kadyk, J. A.; Lankford, A. J.; Larsen, R. R.; Luth, V.; Nelson, M. E.; Pang, C. Y.; Patrick, J. F.; Richter, B.; Roussarie, A.; Scharre, D. L.; Schindler, R. H.; Schwitters, R. F.; Siegrist, J. L.; Strait, J.; Taureg, H.; Tonutti, M.; Trilling, G. H.; Vella, E. N.; Vidal, R. A.; Videau, I.; Weiss, J. M.; Zaccone, H.

1981-12-01

Copious production of S ∗ decaying into π+π- is observed in ψ decay. (974 ± 4 - i14 ± 5) MeV, consistent with the parameters extracted from couplede channel; fits to pheripheral π+π- and K +K - production experiments. The inclusive branching ratio for ψ → S ∗ + X is found to be (0.42 ± 0.08)%.

Public Intellectuals vs. New Public Management: The Defeat of Public Engagement in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watermeyer, Richard

2016-01-01

Much is written apropos a rationalization for public engagement in science and technology (PEST). Less copious is a literature that considers PEST in a broader form and operationalized in the specific environment of higher education and the impact of its undertaking on the working lives of academics. This paper considers the status of public…

Annual Historical Report, Calendar Year 1990

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-03-01

study the effects of antiperspirants on feet. USARIEM will provide test subjects, equipment, and considerable experience attained by accomplishing a...pilot study. Gillette will provide antiperspirant compounds and counsel. 5. The copious volume of fluid required during bypass rewarming and the...Hamlet, and D.E. Roberts. Reduction of sweat accumulation rate with pedal antiperspirants . In: Proceedings Army Science Conference, Durham, NC, June

The Advanced Placement Program in Pennsylvania: Implications for Policy and Practice in K-12 and Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liekar, Christine Y.

2012-01-01

Since the time of Sputnik, American educators and policymakers have recognized the need to raise expectations by increasing rigor in high schools across the United States. Copious studies attest to the fact that students who take Advanced Placement coursework experience success in college (Adelman, 1999; Camara, 2003; College Board, 2005;…

Factors affecting acorn production and germination and early growth of seedlings and seedling sprouts

Treesearch

David F. Olson; Stephen G. Boyce

1971-01-01

Acorn production is extremely variable and unpredictable. Flowering is copious, but many climatic factors influence acorn development from initiation of flowers to acorn maturity. Acorns are consumed by birds, animals, insects, and microorganisms. The establishment of seedlings is more closely related to favorable site factors than to size of crops. A majority of oaks...

The SHiP project at CERN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

De Lellis, G.; SHiP Collaboration

2016-07-01

The discovery of the Higgs boson has fully confirmed the Standard Model of particles and fields. Nevertheless, there are still fundamental phenomena, like the existence of dark matter and the baryon asymmetry, which deserve an explanation that could come from the discovery of new particles. Searches for new physics with accelerators are performed at the LHC, looking for high massive particles coupled to matter with ordinary strength. A new experimental facility at CERN meant to search for very weakly coupled particles in the few GeV mass domain has been recently proposed. The existence of such particles, foreseen in different theoretical models beyond the Standard Model, is largely unexplored. A beam dump facility using 400 GeV protons is a copious factory of charmed hadrons and could be used to probe the existence of such particles. The beam dump is also a copious source of neutrinos and in particular it is an ideal source of tau neutrinos, the less known particle in the Standard Model. Indeed, tau anti-neutrinos have not been directly observed so far. We report the physics potential of such an experiment. Resistive Plate Chambers could play a role in the SHiP detector.

Exploring the Deep Biosphere in Ophiolite-hosted Systems: What Can Metabolic Processes in Surface Seeps Tell Us About Subsurface Ecosystems in Serpentinizing Fluids?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer-Dombard, D. R.; Cardace, D.; Woycheese, K. M.; Vallalar, B.; Casar, C.; Simon, A.; Arcilla, C. A.

2016-12-01

Serpentinization in the subsurface produces highly reduced, high pH fluids that provide microbial habitats. It is assumed that these deep subsurface fluids contain copious H2 and CH4 gas, little/no inorganic carbon, and limited electron acceptors. As serpentinized fluids reach the oxygenated surface environment, microbial biomes shift and organisms capable of metabolizing O2 thrive (Woycheese et al., 2015). However, the relationship of microbial communities found in surface expressions of serpentinizing fluids to the subsurface biosphere is still a target of exploration. Our work in the Zambales ophiolite (Philippines) defines surface microbial habitats with geochemistry, targeted culturing efforts, and community analysis (Cardace et al., 2015; Woycheese et al., 2015). Springs range from pH 9-11.5, and contain 0.06-2 ppm DO, 0-3.7 ppm sulfide, 30-800 ppm silica. Gases include H2 and CH4 > 10uM, CO2 > 1 mM, and trace amounts of CO. These surface data allow prediction of the subsurface metabolic landscape. For example, Cardace et al., (2015) predicted that metabolism of iron is important in both biospheres. Growth media were designed to target iron reduction yielding heterotrophic and autotrophic iron reducers at high pH. Reduced iron minerals were produced in several cultures (Casar et al., sub.), and isolation efforts are underway. Shotgun metagenomic analysis shows the metabolic capacity for methanogenesis, suggesting microbial origins for some CH4 present. The enzymes methyl coenzyme M reductase, and formylmethanofuran dehydrogenase were detected, and relative abundance increased near the near-anoxic spring source. The metagenomes indicate carbon cycling at these sites is reliant on methanogenesis, acetogenesis, sulfate reduction, and H2 and CH4 oxidation. In this tropical climate, cellulose is also a likely carbon source; cellulose degrading isolates have been obtained. These results indicate a metabolically flexible community at the surface where serpentinizing fluids are expressed. The next step is to understand what these surface systems might tell us about the subsurface biosphere. References: Cardace et al., 2015 Frontiers in Extreme Microbiology 6: doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00010 Woycheese et al., 2015 Frontiers in Extreme Microbiology 6: doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.00044

What about the Non-Completers? The Labor Market Returns to Progress in Community College. A CAPSEE Working Paper

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeidenberg, Matthew; Scott, Marc; Belfield, Clive

2015-01-01

Of the copious research on the labor market returns to college, very little has adequately modeled the pathways of non-completers or compared their outcomes with those of award holders. In this paper, we present a novel method for linking non-completers with completers according to their program of study. This method allows us to calculate the…

Family Science: An Ethnographic Case Study of the Ordinary Science and Literacy Experiences of One Family

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCarty, Glenda M.

2012-01-01

Despite the copious research available on science learning, little is known about ways in which the public engages in free-choice science learning and even fewer studies have focused on how families engage in science to learn about the world around them. The same was true about studies of literacy development in the home until the 1980s when…

What about the Non-Completers? The Labor Market Returns to Progress in Community College. CAPSEE Working Paper

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeidenberg, Matthew; Scott, Marc; Belfield, Clive

2015-01-01

Of the copious research on the labor market returns to college, very little has adequately modeled the pathways of non-completers or compared their outcomes with those of award holders. In this paper, we present a novel method for linking non-completers with completers according to their program of study. This method allows us to calculate the…

Decrease in sapling nutrient concentrations for six northern Rocky Mountain coniferous species

Treesearch

Theresa B. Jain; Russell T. Graham

2015-01-01

In the west, fire exclusion, timber harvest, and last century’s climate led to copious regeneration on millions of ha that now need tending. Without treatment, overcrowding increases competition, snow and ice damage potential, and ladder fuels. Limited funding prevents treating all of the affected ha, but by selling small trees for wood pellets, biofuel, or methanol,...

Early fiberoptic bronchoscopy during non-invasive ventilation in patients with decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to community-acquired-pneumonia

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Introduction Inefficient clearance of copious respiratory secretion is a cause of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) failure, especially in chronic respiratory patients with community-acquired-pneumonia (CAP) and impaired consciousness. We postulated that in such a clinical scenario, when intubation and conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) are strongly recommended, the suction of secretions with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FBO) may increase the chance of NPPV success. The objective of this pilot study was, firstly, to verify the safety and effectiveness of early FBO during NPPV and, secondly, to compare the hospital outcomes of this strategy versus a CMV-based strategy in patients with decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to CAP who are not appropriate candidates for NPPV because of inefficient mucous clearance and hypercapnic encephalopathy (HE). Methods This is a 12-month prospective matched case-control study performed in one respiratory semi-intensive care unit (RSICU) with expertise in NPPV and in one intensive care unit (ICU). Fifteen acutely decompensated COPD patients with copious secretion retention and HE due to CAP undergoing NPPV in RSICU, and 15 controls (matched for arterial blood gases, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score III, Kelly-Matthay scale, pneumonia extension and severity) receiving CMV in the ICU were studied. Results Two hours of NPPV significantly improved arterial blood gases, Kelly and cough efficiency scores without FBO-related complications. NPPV avoided intubation in 12/15 patients (80%). Improvement in arterial blood gases was similar in the two groups, except for a greater PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio with CMV. The rates of overall and septic complications, and of tracheostomy were lower in the NPPV group (20%, 20%, and 0%) versus the CMV group (80%, 60%, and 40%; P < 0.05). Hospital mortality, duration of hospitalisation and duration of ventilation were similar in the two groups. Conclusions In patients with decompensated COPD due to CAP who are candidates for CMV because of HE and inability to clear copious secretions, NPPV with early therapeutic FBO performed by an experienced team is a feasible, safe and effective alternative strategy. PMID:20429929

Early fiberoptic bronchoscopy during non-invasive ventilation in patients with decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to community-acquired-pneumonia.

PubMed

Scala, Raffaele; Naldi, Mario; Maccari, Uberto

2010-01-01

Inefficient clearance of copious respiratory secretion is a cause of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) failure, especially in chronic respiratory patients with community-acquired-pneumonia (CAP) and impaired consciousness. We postulated that in such a clinical scenario, when intubation and conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) are strongly recommended, the suction of secretions with fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FBO) may increase the chance of NPPV success. The objective of this pilot study was, firstly, to verify the safety and effectiveness of early FBO during NPPV and, secondly, to compare the hospital outcomes of this strategy versus a CMV-based strategy in patients with decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to CAP who are not appropriate candidates for NPPV because of inefficient mucous clearance and hypercapnic encephalopathy (HE). This is a 12-month prospective matched case-control study performed in one respiratory semi-intensive care unit (RSICU) with expertise in NPPV and in one intensive care unit (ICU). Fifteen acutely decompensated COPD patients with copious secretion retention and HE due to CAP undergoing NPPV in RSICU, and 15 controls (matched for arterial blood gases, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score III, Kelly-Matthay scale, pneumonia extension and severity) receiving CMV in the ICU were studied. Two hours of NPPV significantly improved arterial blood gases, Kelly and cough efficiency scores without FBO-related complications. NPPV avoided intubation in 12/15 patients (80%). Improvement in arterial blood gases was similar in the two groups, except for a greater PaO2/fraction of inspired oxygen ratio with CMV. The rates of overall and septic complications, and of tracheostomy were lower in the NPPV group (20%, 20%, and 0%) versus the CMV group (80%, 60%, and 40%; P < 0.05). Hospital mortality, duration of hospitalisation and duration of ventilation were similar in the two groups. In patients with decompensated COPD due to CAP who are candidates for CMV because of HE and inability to clear copious secretions, NPPV with early therapeutic FBO performed by an experienced team is a feasible, safe and effective alternative strategy.

Detoxification of Fusaric Acid by the Soil Microbe Mucor rouxii.

PubMed

Crutcher, Frankie K; Puckhaber, Lorraine S; Bell, Alois A; Liu, Jinggao; Duke, Sara E; Stipanovic, Robert D; Nichols, Robert L

2017-06-21

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum race 4 (VCG0114), which causes root rot and wilt of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum and G. barbadense), has been identified recently for the first time in the western hemisphere in certain fields in the San Joaquin Valley of California. This pathotype produces copious quantities of the plant toxin fusaric acid (5-butyl-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid) compared to other isolates of F. oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (Fov) that are indigenous to the United States. Fusaric acid is toxic to cotton plants and may help the pathogen compete with other microbes in the soil. We found that a laboratory strain of the fungus Mucor rouxii converts fusaric acid into a newly identified compound, 8-hydroxyfusaric acid. The latter compound is significantly less phytotoxic to cotton than the parent compound. On the basis of bioassays of hydroxylated analogues of fusaric acid, hydroxylation of the butyl side chain of fusaric acid may affect a general detoxification of fusaric acid. Genes that control this hydroxylation may be useful in developing biocontrol agents to manage Fov.

The bright and choked gamma-ray burst contribution to the IceCube and ANTARES low-energy excess

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denton, Peter B.; Tamborra, Irene

2018-04-01

The increasing statistics of the high-energy neutrino flux observed by the IceCube Observatory points towards an excess of events above the atmospheric neutrino background in the 30–400 TeV energy range. Such an excess is compatible with the findings of the ANTARES Telescope and it would naturally imply the possibility that more than one source class contributes to the observed flux. Electromagnetically hidden sources have been invoked to interpret this excess of events at low energies. By adopting a unified model for the electromagnetically bright and choked gamma-ray bursts and taking into account particle acceleration at the internal and collimation shock radii, we discuss whether bright and choked bursts are viable candidates. Our findings suggest that, although producing a copious neutrino flux, choked and bright astrophysical jets cannot be the dominant sources of the excess of neutrino events. A fine tuning of the model parameters or distinct scenarios for choked jets should be invoked in order to explain the low-energy neutrino data of IceCube and ANTARES.

Exploring multi potential uses of marine bacteria; an integrated approach for PHB production, PAHs and polyethylene biodegradation.

PubMed

Mohanrasu, K; Premnath, N; Siva Prakash, G; Sudhakar, Muniyasamy; Boobalan, T; Arun, A

2018-05-19

There are copious of bacteria exist in marine environment and it is very important to screen the potential microbes that has the ability to produce biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) degradation and conventional plastic high density polyethylene (HDPE) biodegradation. Numerous studies have been investigated individually on either one of characteristic feature like PHB production, PAHs and high density polyethylene (HDPE) degradation, but not all together. Hence, in this study, we tried to screen potential marine microbes that have the ability to perform all three features. We have isolated 203 phenotyphicaly different colonies from 19 different sites (marine soil sediments, marine water and oil spilled marine water) which cover the north east to down south seashore regions of Tamilnadu, India. Of the 203 microbial isolates, the best PHB producing (Micrococcus luteus), PAHs degradation (Klebsiella pneumonia) and HDPE degradation (Brevibacillus borstelensis) microorganisms were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing. Analytical studies confirmed PHB production by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H & 13 C NMR); PAHs degradation by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM); HDPE degradation by CLSM, FT-IR and SEM which cover the spectroscopy studies on biological systems. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Inhibition of airway surface fluid absorption by cholinergic stimulation

PubMed Central

Joo, Nam Soo; Krouse, Mauri E.; Choi, Jae Young; Cho, Hyung-Ju; Wine, Jeffrey J.

2016-01-01

In upper airways airway surface liquid (ASL) depth and clearance rates are both increased by fluid secretion. Secretion is opposed by fluid absorption, mainly via the epithelial sodium channel, ENaC. In static systems, increased fluid depth activates ENaC and decreased depth inhibits it, suggesting that secretion indirectly activates ENaC to reduce ASL depth. We propose an alternate mechanism in which cholinergic input, which causes copious airway gland secretion, also inhibits ENaC-mediated absorption. The conjoint action accelerates clearance, and the increased transport of mucus out of the airways restores ASL depth while cleansing the airways. We were intrigued by early reports of cholinergic inhibition of absorption by airways in some species. To reinvestigate this phenomenon, we studied inward short-circuit currents (Isc) in tracheal mucosa from human, sheep, pig, ferret, and rabbit and in two types of cultured cells. Basal Isc was inhibited 20–70% by the ENaC inhibitor, benzamil. Long-lasting inhibition of ENaC-dependent Isc was also produced by basolateral carbachol in all preparations except rabbit and the H441 cell line. Atropine inhibition produced a slow recovery or prevented inhibition if added before carbachol. The mechanism for inhibition was not determined and is most likely multi-factorial. However, its physiological significance is expected to be increased mucus clearance rates in cholinergically stimulated airways. PMID:26846701

Metagenomic insights into zooplankton‐associated bacterial communities

PubMed Central

Srivastava, Abhishek; Koski, Marja; Garcia, Juan Antonio L.; Takaki, Yoshihiro; Yokokawa, Taichi; Nunoura, Takuro; Elisabeth, Nathalie H.; Sintes, Eva; Herndl, Gerhard J.

2017-01-01

Summary Zooplankton and microbes play a key role in the ocean's biological cycles by releasing and consuming copious amounts of particulate and dissolved organic matter. Additionally, zooplankton provide a complex microhabitat rich in organic and inorganic nutrients in which bacteria thrive. In this study, we assessed the phylogenetic composition and metabolic potential of microbial communities associated with crustacean zooplankton species collected in the North Atlantic. Using Illumina sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we found significant differences between the microbial communities associated with zooplankton and those inhabiting the surrounding seawater. Metagenomic analysis of the zooplankton‐associated microbial community revealed a highly specialized bacterial community able to exploit zooplankton as microhabitat and thus, mediating biogeochemical processes generally underrepresented in the open ocean. The zooplankton‐associated bacterial community is able to colonize the zooplankton's internal and external surfaces using a large set of adhesion mechanisms and to metabolize complex organic compounds released or exuded by the zooplankton such as chitin, taurine and other complex molecules. Moreover, the high number of genes involved in iron and phosphorus metabolisms in the zooplankton‐associated microbiome suggests that this zooplankton‐associated bacterial community mediates specific biogeochemical processes (through the proliferation of specific taxa) that are generally underrepresented in the ambient waters. PMID:28967193

CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH PREGNANCY IN OKAPI (OKAPIA JOHNSTONI).

PubMed

Warren, Joshua D; Aitken-Palmer, Copper; Weldon, Alan D; Flanagan, Joseph P; Howard, Lauren L; Garner, Michael M; Citino, Scott B

2017-03-01

Acute signs associated with cardiovascular disease occurred in three pregnant okapi ( Okapia johnstoni ) during early to midgestation and progressed to congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure was diagnosed antemortem using echocardiography and plasma cardiac troponin levels. Clinical signs included decreased activity, hyporexia, tachypnea, dyspnea, flared nostrils, and productive coughing with copious amounts of foamy nasal discharge. Parenteral and oral treatment with furosemide, enalapril, and spironolactone controlled clinical signs in the three okapi allowing each to carry out one pregnancy to term. Two okapi carried the first pregnancy to term after showing signs, while one okapi aborted the first calf and gave birth to a healthy calf in a subsequent pregnancy. Subsequent pregnancy in one okapi ended with abortion and associated dystocia and endometritis. Following parturition, clinical signs associated with heart failure resolved in all three individuals; serial echocardiography in two individuals showed improvement in fractional shortening and left atrial size and all three okapi showed markedly decreased pleural effusion and resolution of pulmonary edema. However, subsequent pregnancies in all three okapi induced respiratory distress and recurrence of congestive heart failure; one okapi died from congestive heart failure associated with subsequent pregnancy. This case series describes the clinical presentation and pathologic findings of congestive heart failure during pregnancy in adult okapi.

The rival wears Prada: luxury consumption as a female competition strategy.

PubMed

Hudders, Liselot; De Backer, Charlotte; Fisher, Maryanne; Vyncke, Patrick

2014-06-04

Previous studies on luxury consumption demonstrated that men spend large sums of money on luxury brands to signal their mate value to women and, thus, increase their reproductive success. Although women also spend copious amounts of money on luxuries, research focusing on women's motives for luxury consumption is rather scarce. Relying on costly signaling and intrasexual competition theory, the goal of the current study was to test whether female intrasexual competition in a mate attraction context triggers women's spending on luxuries. The results of the first experiment reveal that an intrasexual competition context enhances women's preferences for attractiveness enhancing, but not for non-attractiveness related luxuries such as a smartphone. This finding indicates that women may use luxury consumption as a self-promotion strategy during within-sex competitions, as these luxuries improve their advantages against same-sex rivals for mates. A follow-up study shows that compared to women who do not consume luxuries, women who do so are perceived as more attractive, flirty, young, ambitious, sexy, and less loyal, mature and smart by other women. These results suggest that luxury consumption may provide information about a women's willingness to engage in sex, as well as her views about other women, and consequently, her success in intrasexual competitions.

An Analysis of Seacions Ozonesonde Measurements from St. Louis MO: Providing Insight into How Cross Country Wildfires and Descending Stratospheric Air over the Great Plains Impact Regional Air Quality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilkins, J. L.; Morris, G.; de Foy, B.; Fishman, J.

2014-12-01

As part of the SouthEast American Consortium for Intensive Ozone Network Study (SEACIONS) mission, 32 ozonesondes were launched from Forest Park in mid-town St. Louis between 8 Aug and 23 Sept 2013. These launches were supported by concurrent co-located continuous ground level ozone measurements at Saint Louis University's St. Louis Ozone Garden. During the operation of this site, wildfires from both Idaho's Beaver Creek (~115K acres) and California's RIM fire (~258k acres) generated copious amounts of pollution. In addition, widespread agricultural fires in the Midwest were also taking place. To interpret our observations over St. Louis, we used multiple satellite-derived products and retrievals in conjunction with trajectory calculations from the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model. We examined a blocking high pressure event [Aug 26-30] which led to ozonesonde profile changes resulting from Stratospheric-Troposphere Exchange (STE) in addition to the smoke from the fires. This case study involved two mixed layer O3 enhancements, which could be spotted at multiple sites within the SEACIONS ozonesonde network. Our findings illustrate how satellite measurements can be used to assess the contribution of the transport of pollution from various sources to local air quality.

Isolation of Strain MLTeJB From Mono Lake, California, a Dissimilatory Tellurite Respiring Prokaryote.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baesman, S. M.; Oremland, R. S.

2007-12-01

Previous investigations on the dissimilatory reduction of Te-oxyanions have been constrained by the inhibtory effects of circa 1.0 mM concentrations of either Te(IV) or Te(VI) upon growth of established cultures. Therefore we initiated new enrichments using anoxic Mono Lake mud supplemented with 10 mM Te(IV) as the electron acceptor and lactate as the electron donor. Sediments turned black with time owing to the formation of Te(0), microscopic examination of which confirmed the presence of both shards, rosettes, and nanospheres of Te(0). The enrichment was subcultured several times in liquid medium and then streaked onto solid medium and incubated in an anaerobic chamber. Isolated black colonies were re-streaked several times, and thence inoculated into liquid medium. However, growth in liquid medium required the presence of a small amount of solid phase, which included a plug of either agar, phytagel, or glass beads. Growth resulted in oxidation of lactate to acetate, formate and CO2 with the reduction of Te(IV) to Te(0). The isolate, strain MLTeJB was a non-motile rod that stained Gram positive, and formed copious exogenous deposits of Te(0) nano-shards and rosettes. Further details on the physiology of this organism will be presented.

AAL exacerbates pro-inflammatory response in macrophages by regulating Mincle/Syk/Card9 signaling along with the Nlrp3 inflammasome assembly

PubMed Central

Zhang, Zhijun; He, Long; Hu, Shuang; Wang, Yi; Lai, Qiaohong; Yang, Ping; Yu, Qilin; Zhang, Shu; Xiong, Fei; Simsekyilmaz, Sakine; Ning, Qin; Li, Jinxiu; Zhang, Dongshan; Zhang, Hongliang; Xiang, Xudong; Zhou, Zhiguang; Sun, Hui; Wang, Cong-Yi

2015-01-01

Previously, we demonstrated that Agrocybe aegerita lectin (AAL), a galectin isolated from edible mushroom Agrocybe aegerita, exerts potent anti-tumor activity, while the mechanisms by which AAL suppresses tumor growth are yet to be elucidated. Here, we conducted studies with focus for its impact on the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced innate immune response. Administration of AAL significantly exacerbated the severity of CLP-induced septic shock as manifested the increased lethality. AAL promoted inflammatory cytokine production by preferentially regulating macrophage activation and recruitment. Mechanistic studies revealed that AAL likely targets macrophages through receptor Mincle to activate Syk/Card9 signaling, which then couples to the Nlrp3 inflammasome assembly. It was further noted that AAL markedly promotes H3K4 di- and trimethylation, by which it enhances Hmgb1 expression. Specifically, AAL induced macrophages secretion of copious amount of Hmgb1 as manifested the Hmgb1 cytoplasmic translocation along with the detection of extracellular Hmgb1. AAL also stimulated a significant increase for nuclear Hmgb1, which then formed a complex with RelA, and thereby enhancing NF-κB transcriptional activity. Together, our data suggest that AAL may possess important pharmaceutical properties in the regulation of innate immune response. PMID:26692926

Animal models of Central Diabetes Insipidus: Human relevance of acquired beyond hereditary syndromes and the role of oxytocin.

PubMed

Bernal, Antonio; Mahía, Javier; Puerto, Amadeo

2016-07-01

The aim of this study was to review different animal models of Central Diabetes Insipidus, a neurobiological syndrome characterized by the excretion of copious amounts of diluted urine (polyuria), a consequent water intake (polydipsia), and a rise in the serum sodium concentration (hypernatremia). In rodents, Central Diabetes Insipidus can be caused by genetic disorders (Brattleboro rats) but also by various traumatic/surgical interventions, including neurohypophysectomy, pituitary stalk compression, hypophysectomy, and median eminence lesions. Regardless of its etiology, Central Diabetes Insipidus affects the neuroendocrine system that secretes arginine vasopressin, a neurohormone responsible for antidiuretic functions that acts trough the renal system. However, most Central Diabetes Insipidus models also show disorders in other neurobiological systems, specifically in the secretion of oxytocin, a neurohormone involved in body sodium excretion. Although the hydromineral behaviors shown by the different Central Diabetes Insipidus models have usually been considered as very similar, the present review highlights relevant differences with respect to these behaviors as a function of the individual neurobiological systems affected. Increased understanding of the relationship between the neuroendocrine systems involved and the associated hydromineral behaviors may allow appropriate action to be taken to correct these behavioral neuroendocrine deficits. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Optical measurement methods in thermogasdynamics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stursberg, K.; Erhardt, K.; Krahr, W.; Becker, M.

1978-01-01

A review is presented of a number of optical methods of flow measurements. Consideration is given to such spectroscopic methods as emission and absorption techniques, electron beam-stimulated fluorescence, and light scattering - Rayleigh, Raman and Mie - methods. The following visualization methods are also discussed: shadow photography, schlieren photography, interferometry, holographic interferometry, laser anemometry, particle holography, and electron-excitation imaging. A large bibliography is presented and the work is copiously illustrated with figures and photographs.

Hispanic College Students' Learning Styles, Personality Types, and Gender Differences: A Collective Case Study of Ten Hispanic College Students Exposed to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harris, Rachelle D.

2014-01-01

The research body regarding learning styles has been abundant; however, research related to Separate and Connected learning styles has not been as copious. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the association between learning styles, personality types, and gender differences for Hispanic college students between the ages of 18-24…

Symptom clusters in women with breast cancer: an analysis of data from social media and a research study

PubMed Central

Marshall, Sarah A.; Yang, Christopher C.; Ping, Qing; Zhao, Mengnan; Avis, Nancy E.

2016-01-01

Purpose User-generated content on social media sites, such as health-related online forums, offers researchers a tantalizing amount of information, but concerns regarding scientific application of such data remain. This paper compares and contrasts symptom cluster patterns derived from messages on a breast cancer forum with those from a symptom checklist completed by breast cancer survivors participating in a research study. Methods Over 50,000 messages generated by 12,991 users of the breast cancer forum on MedHelp.org were transformed into a standard form and examined for the co-occurrence of 25 symptoms. The k-medoid clustering method was used to determine appropriate placement of symptoms within clusters. Findings were compared with a similar analysis of a symptom checklist administered to 653 breast cancer survivors participating in a research study. Results The following clusters were identified using forum data: menopausal/psychological, pain/fatigue, gastrointestinal, and miscellaneous. Study data generated the clusters: menopausal, pain, fatigue/sleep/gastrointestinal, psychological, and increased weight/appetite. Although the clusters are somewhat different, many symptoms that clustered together in the social media analysis remained together in the analysis of the study participants. Density of connections between symptoms, as reflected by rates of co-occurrence and similarity, was higher in the study data. Conclusions The copious amount of data generated by social media outlets can augment findings from traditional data sources. When different sources of information are combined, areas of overlap and discrepancy can be detected, perhaps giving researchers a more accurate picture of reality. However, data derived from social media must be used carefully and with understanding of its limitations. PMID:26476836

Cell stress increases ATP release in NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated autoinflammatory diseases, resulting in cytokine imbalance

PubMed Central

Carta, Sonia; Penco, Federica; Lavieri, Rosa; Martini, Alberto; Dinarello, Charles Anthony; Gattorno, Marco; Rubartelli, Anna

2015-01-01

Cell stress is implicated in triggering bouts of systemic inflammation in patients with autoinflammatory disorders. Blood monocytes from patients affected by NLRP3-mediated cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS) release greater amounts of IL-1β than monocytes from unaffected subjects. Here we show that stress lowers the threshold of activation; blood monocytes from CAPS patients maintain the high levels of secreted IL-1β (fivefold) and IL-18 (10-fold) when stimulated with 1,000-fold less LPS than that required for full IL-1β secretion in control subjects. Unexpectedly, IL-1α secretion is increased 10-fold, indicating that inflammatory episodes in CAPS may not be entirely a result of IL-1β but may also involve IL-1α. In CAPS monocytes, LPS induces the externalization of copious amounts of ATP (10-fold), which drive IL-1β, IL-18, and IL-1α release via activation of the P2X purinoceptor 7. This enhanced ATP release appears to be the link between cell stress and increased cytokine secretion in CAPS. In the later phase after LPS stimulation, CAPS monocytes undergo oxidative stress, which impairs production of the anti-inflammatory IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). Remarkably, IL-1Ra secretion is fully restored by treatment with antioxidants. In two patients with the same NLRP3 mutation, but different disease severity, monocytes from the mildly affected patient exhibited more efficient redox response, lower ATP secretion, and more balanced cytokine production. Thus, the robustness of the individual antioxidant response increases the tolerance to stress and reduces the negative effect of the disease. Pharmacologic block of P2X purinoceptor 7 and improved stress tolerance may represent novel treatment strategies in stress-associated inflammatory diseases. PMID:25730877

How great white sharks nourish their embryos to a large size: evidence of lipid histotrophy in lamnoid shark reproduction.

PubMed

Sato, Keiichi; Nakamura, Masaru; Tomita, Taketeru; Toda, Minoru; Miyamoto, Kei; Nozu, Ryo

2016-09-15

The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) exhibits viviparous and oophagous reproduction. A 4950 mm total length (TL) gravid female accidentally caught by fishermen in the Okinawa Prefecture, Southern Japan carried six embryos (543-624 mm TL, three in each uterus). Both uteri contained copious amounts of yellowish viscous uterine fluid (over 79.2 litres in the left uterus), nutrient eggs and broken egg cases. The embryos had yolk stomachs that had ruptured, the mean volume of which was approximately 197.9 ml. Embryos had about 20 rows of potentially functional teeth in the upper and lower jaws. Periodic acid Schiff (PAS)-positive substances were observed on the surface and in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells, and large, secretory, OsO4-oxidized lipid droplets of various sizes were distributed on the surface of the villous string epithelium on the uterine wall. Histological examination of the uterine wall showed it to consist of villi, similar to the trophonemata of Dasyatidae rays, suggesting that the large amount of fluid found in the uterus of the white shark was likely required for embryo nutrition. We conclude that: (1) the lipid-rich fluid is secreted from the uterine epithelium only in early gestation before the onset of oophagy, (2) the embryos probably use the abundant uterine fluid and encased nutrient eggs for nutrition at this stage of their development, and (3) the uterine fluid is the major source of embryonic nutrition before oophagy onset. This is the first record of the lipid histotrophy of reproduction among all shark species. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Symptom clusters in women with breast cancer: an analysis of data from social media and a research study.

PubMed

Marshall, Sarah A; Yang, Christopher C; Ping, Qing; Zhao, Mengnan; Avis, Nancy E; Ip, Edward H

2016-03-01

User-generated content on social media sites, such as health-related online forums, offers researchers a tantalizing amount of information, but concerns regarding scientific application of such data remain. This paper compares and contrasts symptom cluster patterns derived from messages on a breast cancer forum with those from a symptom checklist completed by breast cancer survivors participating in a research study. Over 50,000 messages generated by 12,991 users of the breast cancer forum on MedHelp.org were transformed into a standard form and examined for the co-occurrence of 25 symptoms. The k-medoid clustering method was used to determine appropriate placement of symptoms within clusters. Findings were compared with a similar analysis of a symptom checklist administered to 653 breast cancer survivors participating in a research study. The following clusters were identified using forum data: menopausal/psychological, pain/fatigue, gastrointestinal, and miscellaneous. Study data generated the clusters: menopausal, pain, fatigue/sleep/gastrointestinal, psychological, and increased weight/appetite. Although the clusters are somewhat different, many symptoms that clustered together in the social media analysis remained together in the analysis of the study participants. Density of connections between symptoms, as reflected by rates of co-occurrence and similarity, was higher in the study data. The copious amount of data generated by social media outlets can augment findings from traditional data sources. When different sources of information are combined, areas of overlap and discrepancy can be detected, perhaps giving researchers a more accurate picture of reality. However, data derived from social media must be used carefully and with understanding of its limitations.

How to Cloud for Earth Scientists: An Introduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lynnes, Chris

2018-01-01

This presentation is a tutorial on getting started with cloud computing for the purposes of Earth Observation datasets. We first discuss some of the main advantages that cloud computing can provide for the Earth scientist: copious processing power, immense and affordable data storage, and rapid startup time. We also talk about some of the challenges of getting the most out of cloud computing: re-organizing the way data are analyzed, handling node failures and attending.

Production of black holes in TeV-scale gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ringwald, A.

2003-07-01

Copious production of microscopic black holes is one of the least model-dependent predictions of TeV-scale gravity scenarios. We review the arguments behind this assertion and discuss opportunities to track the striking associated signatures in the near future. These include searches at neutrino telescopes, such as AMANDA and RICE, at cosmic ray air shower facilities, such as the Pierre Auger Observatory, and at colliders, such as the Large Hadron Collider.

Potassium Benzoate for Pyrotechnic Whistling Compositions: Its Synthesis and Characterization as an Anhydrous Salt,

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-02-01

subsequently established that potassium benzoate crystallizes from water at 293 - 298 K (20-25*C) and also precipitates from aqueous alcohol as colourless...benzoic acid and potassium bicarbonate or benzoic acid and potassium hydroxide, recrystallizes from water and also precipitates from aqueous alcohol...and a copious white precipitate was formed. The mixture was taken to dryness under reduced pressure and water (100 ml) added to the mixture, which

Acute Resuscitation and Transfer Management of Burned and Electrically Injured Patients,

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-01

patient. When all visible chemical the hospital and is usually provided by is removed , copious irrigation with water local fire or emergency medical... remove the victim chemicals, especially alkaline agents, may from the fire environment to a safe area. continue to irritate for hours, irrigation Once...veins and then sutured in place. vical spine if injury is suspected), and Cannulas traversing burned skin are ac- Exposure ( removal of all clothing and

[Effects of recent upper respiratory-tract infections on incidence of the perioperative respiratory adverse events in children: a prospective cohort study].

PubMed

Li, C Q; Wang, D X; Cheng, T; Zheng, X Y

2017-10-18

To investigate the effects of the recent upper respiratory tract infections (URI) on the incidence of perioperative respiratory adverse events in children scheduled to undergo general anesthesia and elective surgery. In the study, 232 children undergoing general anesthesia with laryngeal mask airway (LMA) for elective ophthalmic surgeries at Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China, from Nov. 1, 2015 to May 10, 2016 were enrolled. On the day of the surgery, the parents of the children were preoperatively asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding the baseline characteristics and medical history of the children, including gender, age, height, weight, history of URI within the last 2 weeks before anesthesia, history of premature, long-term passive smoking exposure, habitual sleep snoring, and history of asthma. In addition, all adverse respiratory events throughout the perioperative periods (oxygen desaturation, cough, copious secretions, laryngospasm and bronchospasm) as well as peri-operative variables (number of attempts to insert the LMA successfully, anesthesia duration and so on) were recorded. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify independent risk factors of perioperative respiratory adverse events. Among the 232 children included in the study, 28.0% (65/232) presented with a history of a recent URI within the last 2 weeks before anesthesia. The presence of the recent URI increased the incidence of oxygen desaturation (23.1% vs.12.0%, P=0.034), copious secretions (15.4% vs. 6.6%, P=0.036) and any of all the adverse respiratory events (32.3% vs. 18.6%, P=0.024). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified two independent risk factors of perioperative adverse respiratory events: a history of URI within the last 2 weeks before general anesthesia (OR=2.021, 95%CI: 1.023-3.994, P=0.043) and habitual sleep snoring (OR=3.660, 95%CI: 1.517-8.832, P=0.004). A history of a recent URI within 2 weeks before general anesthesia was associated with a higher incidence of oxygen desaturation, copious secretions and the overall respiratory adverse events. For the children with recent URI, we recommend the general anesthesia and elective surgery should be postponed for at least 2 weeks after the URI.

Microstructural Control via Copious Nucleation Manipulated by In Situ Formed Nucleants: Large-Sized and Ductile Metallic Glass Composites.

PubMed

Song, Wenli; Wu, Yuan; Wang, Hui; Liu, Xiongjun; Chen, Houwen; Guo, Zhenxi; Lu, Zhaoping

2016-10-01

A novel strategy to control the precipitation behavior of the austenitic phase, and to obtain large-sized, transformation-induced, plasticity-reinforced bulk metallic glass matrix composites, with good tensile properties, is proposed. By inducing heterogeneous nucleation of the transformable reinforcement via potent nucleants formed in situ, the characteristics of the austenitic phase are well manipulated. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Evolution of Icelandic Central Volcanoes: Evidence from the Austurhorn Plutonic and Vestmannaeyjar Volcanic Complexes

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-09-01

felsic magmas into a laterally extensive warm mafic chamber. Experiments with aqueous solutions suggest that buoyant felsic magma will rise as a plume ...crustal influences and processes . It is widely accepted that the Iceland mantle plume , which supplies this region with copious basalt magmas, is...currently located near Kverkfjoll in the center of the country (e.g., Vink, 1984; figure 1.2). Plume material is geochemically distinct from the mantle

Production of soft X-ray emitting slow multiply charged ions - Recoil ion spectroscopy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sellin, I. A.; Elston, S. B.; Forester, J. P.; Griffin, P. M.; Pegg, D. J.; Peterson, R. S.; Thoe, R. S.; Vane, C. R.; Wright, J. J.; Groeneveld, K.-O.

1977-01-01

S ions with a mean charge state of about 14+ and Cl ions with a mean charge state of 12+ were used to study Ne L-shell vacancy production. The ions caused copious production of NeII-NeVIII excited states with approximately 10 to the minus 18 sq cm cross sections. The induced recoil velocities might have application to a significantly higher resolution spectroscopy than is possible with beam-foil methods.

Magnetic dipole discharges. II. Cathode and anode spot discharges and probe diagnostics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stenzel, R. L.; Urrutia, J. M.; Ionita, C.; Schrittwieser, R.

2013-08-01

The high current regime of a magnetron-type discharge has been investigated. The discharge uses a permanent magnet as a cold cathode which emits secondary electrons while the chamber wall or a grounded electrode serves as the anode. As the discharge voltage is increased, the magnet develops cathode spots, which are short duration arcs that provide copious electrons to increase the discharge current dramatically. Short (1 μs), high current (200 A) and high voltage (750 V) discharge pulses are produced in a relaxation instability between the plasma and a charging capacitor. Spots are also observed on a negatively biased plane Langmuir probe. The probe current pulses are as large as those on the magnet, implying that the high discharge current does not depend on the cathode surface area but on the properties of the spots. The fast current pulses produce large inductive voltages, which can reverse the electrical polarity of the magnet and temporarily operate it as an anode. The discharge current may also oscillate at the frequency determined by the charging capacitor and the discharge circuit inductance. Each half cycle of high-current current pulses exhibits a fast (≃10 ns) current rise when a spot is formed. It induces high frequency (10-100 MHz) transients and ringing oscillations in probes and current circuits. Most probes behave like unmatched antennas for the electromagnetic pulses of spot discharges. Examples are shown to distinguish the source of oscillations and some rf characteristics of Langmuir probes.

Physics of Gamma Ray Burst Sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Meszaros, Peter

2004-01-01

During this grant period, the physics of gamma-ray bursts was investigated. A number of new results have emerged. The importance of pair formation in high compactness burst spectra may help explain x-ray flashes; a universal jet shape is a likely explanation for the distribution of jet break times; gravitational waves may be copiously produced both in short bursts from compact mergers and in long bursts arising from collapsars; x-ray iron lines are likely to be due to interaction with the stellar atmosphere of the progenitor; prompt optical flashes from reverse shocks will give diagnostics on the Lorentz factor and the environment; GeV and TeV emission from bursts may be expected in the external shock; etc. The group working with the PI included postdocs Dr. Bing Zhang (now assistant professor at University of Nevada); Dr. Shiho Kobayashi; graduate student Lijun Gou; collaborators Drs. Tim Kallman and Martin Rees. Meszaros shared with Rees and Dr. Bohan Paczynsky the AAS Rossi Prize in 2000 for their work on the theory of gamma ray bursts. The refereed publications and conference proceedings resulting from this research are summarized below. The PI gave a number of invited talks at major conferences, also listed.

CPICOR{trademark}: Clean power from integrated coal-ore reduction

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

Wintrell, R.; Miller, R.N.; Harbison, E.J.

1997-12-31

The US steel industry, in order to maintain its basic iron production, is thus moving to lower coke requirements and to the cokeless or direct production of iron. The US Department of Energy (DOE), in its Clean Coal Technology programs, has encouraged the move to new coal-based technology. The steel industry, in its search for alternative direct iron processes, has been limited to a single process, COREX{reg_sign}. The COREX{reg_sign} process, though offering commercial and environmental acceptance, produces a copious volume of offgas which must be effectively utilized to ensure an economical process. This volume, which normally exceeds the internal needsmore » of a single steel company, offers a highly acceptable fuel for power generation. The utility companies seeking to offset future natural gas cost increases are interested in this clean fuel. The COREX{reg_sign} smelting process, when integrated with a combined cycle power generation facility (CCPG) and a cryogenic air separation unit (ASU), is an outstanding example of a new generation of environmentally compatible and highly energy efficient Clean Coal Technologies. This combination of highly integrated electric power and hot metal coproduction, has been designated CPICOR{trademark}, Clean Power from Integrated Coal/Ore Reduction.« less

COMPUTING THERAPY FOR PRECISION MEDICINE: COLLABORATIVE FILTERING INTEGRATES AND PREDICTS MULTI-ENTITY INTERACTIONS.

PubMed

Regenbogen, Sam; Wilkins, Angela D; Lichtarge, Olivier

2016-01-01

Biomedicine produces copious information it cannot fully exploit. Specifically, there is considerable need to integrate knowledge from disparate studies to discover connections across domains. Here, we used a Collaborative Filtering approach, inspired by online recommendation algorithms, in which non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) predicts interactions among chemicals, genes, and diseases only from pairwise information about their interactions. Our approach, applied to matrices derived from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, successfully recovered Chemical-Disease, Chemical-Gene, and Disease-Gene networks in 10-fold cross-validation experiments. Additionally, we could predict each of these interaction matrices from the other two. Integrating all three CTD interaction matrices with NMF led to good predictions of STRING, an independent, external network of protein-protein interactions. Finally, this approach could integrate the CTD and STRING interaction data to improve Chemical-Gene cross-validation performance significantly, and, in a time-stamped study, it predicted information added to CTD after a given date, using only data prior to that date. We conclude that collaborative filtering can integrate information across multiple types of biological entities, and that as a first step towards precision medicine it can compute drug repurposing hypotheses.

COMPUTING THERAPY FOR PRECISION MEDICINE: COLLABORATIVE FILTERING INTEGRATES AND PREDICTS MULTI-ENTITY INTERACTIONS

PubMed Central

REGENBOGEN, SAM; WILKINS, ANGELA D.; LICHTARGE, OLIVIER

2015-01-01

Biomedicine produces copious information it cannot fully exploit. Specifically, there is considerable need to integrate knowledge from disparate studies to discover connections across domains. Here, we used a Collaborative Filtering approach, inspired by online recommendation algorithms, in which non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) predicts interactions among chemicals, genes, and diseases only from pairwise information about their interactions. Our approach, applied to matrices derived from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, successfully recovered Chemical-Disease, Chemical-Gene, and Disease-Gene networks in 10-fold cross-validation experiments. Additionally, we could predict each of these interaction matrices from the other two. Integrating all three CTD interaction matrices with NMF led to good predictions of STRING, an independent, external network of protein-protein interactions. Finally, this approach could integrate the CTD and STRING interaction data to improve Chemical-Gene cross-validation performance significantly, and, in a time-stamped study, it predicted information added to CTD after a given date, using only data prior to that date. We conclude that collaborative filtering can integrate information across multiple types of biological entities, and that as a first step towards precision medicine it can compute drug repurposing hypotheses. PMID:26776170

A Comparison of Neuroimaging Abnormalities in Multiple Sclerosis, Major Depression and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis): is There a Common Cause?

PubMed

Morris, Gerwyn; Berk, Michael; Puri, Basant K

2018-04-01

There is copious evidence of abnormalities in resting-state functional network connectivity states, grey and white matter pathology and impaired cerebral perfusion in patients afforded a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, major depression or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (myalgic encephalomyelitis). Systemic inflammation may well be a major element explaining such findings. Inter-patient and inter-illness variations in neuroimaging findings may arise at least in part from regional genetic, epigenetic and environmental variations in the functions of microglia and astrocytes. Regional differences in neuronal resistance to oxidative and inflammatory insults and in the performance of antioxidant defences in the central nervous system may also play a role. Importantly, replicated experimental findings suggest that the use of high-resolution SPECT imaging may have the capacity to differentiate patients afforded a diagnosis of CFS from those with a diagnosis of depression. Further research involving this form of neuroimaging appears warranted in an attempt to overcome the problem of aetiologically heterogeneous cohorts which probably explain conflicting findings produced by investigative teams active in this field. However, the ionising radiation and relative lack of sensitivity involved probably preclude its use as a routine diagnostic tool.

Aqueous reactive species induced by a PCB surface micro-discharge air plasma device: a quantitative study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chen; Li, Fanying; Chen, Hai-Lan; Kong, Michael G.

2017-11-01

This paper presents a quantitative investigation on aqueous reactive species induced by air plasma generated from a printed circuit board surface micro-discharge (SMD) device. Under the conditions amenable for proliferation of mammalian cells, concentrations of ten types of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) in phosphate buffering solution (PBS) are measured by chemical fluorescent assays and electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR). Results show that concentrations of several detected RNS (NO2- , NO3- , peroxynitrites, and NO2\\centerdot ) are higher than those of ROS (H2O2, O2\\centerdot - , and 1O2) in the air plasma treated solution. Concentrations of NO3- can reach 150 times of H2O2 with 60 s plasma treatment. For short-lived species, the air plasma generates more copious peroxynitrite than other RONS including NO2\\centerdot , O2\\centerdot - , 1O2, and N{{O}\\centerdot } in PBS. In addition, the existence of reaction between H2O2 and NO2- /HNO2 to produce peroxynitrite is verified by the chemical scavenger experiments. The reaction relations between detected RONS are also discussed.

Radiative Cooling of Warm Molecular Gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Neufeld, David A.; Kaufman, Michael J.

1993-01-01

We consider the radiative cooling of warm (T >= 100 K), fully molecular astrophysical gas by rotational and vibrational transitions of the molecules H2O, CO, and H2. Using an escape probability method to solve for the molecular level populations, we have obtained the cooling rate for each molecule as a function of temperature, density, and an optical depth parameter. A four-parameter expression proves useful in fitting the run of cooling rate with density for any fixed values of the temperature and optical depth parameter. We identify the various cooling mechanisms which are dominant in different regions of the astrophysically relevant parameter space. Given the assumption that water is very abundant in warm regions of the interstellar medium, H2O rotational transitions are found to dominate the cooling of warm interstellar gas over a wide portion of the parameter space considered. While chemical models for the interstellar medium make the strong prediction that water will be produced copiously at temperatures above a few hundred degrees, our assumption of a high water abundance has yet to be tested observationally. The Infrared Space Observatory and the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite will prove ideal instruments for testing whether water is indeed an important coolant of interstellar and circumstellar gas.

The x ray variability of NGC6814: Power spectra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Done, C.; Madejski, G. M.; Mushotsky, R. F.; Turner, T. J.; Koyama, K.; Kunieda, H.

1992-01-01

Simulation techniques are used to obtain the X-ray variability power spectrum of unevenly sampled GINGA data from NGC6814. A simple power law is not an adequate description of the power spectrum, with the residuals showing excess power on timescales consistent with the periodicity seen in EXOSAT observations of this object. However the shape of the folded lightcurve is very different, with 3 main peaks, two of which are separated by an extremely sharp dip instead of the single peak and small harmonic structure observed by EXOSAT. Using the dip as a fiducial mark, a second GINGA observation of this source taken one year later is found to be consistent with being completely periodic and phase coherent with this first GINGA observation. Thus the period is consistent with being constant over a period of 6 years, but phase coherence is only maintained on timescales of approximately 1 year. Over 75 percent of the total source variability is due to the periodic component (r.m.s. amplitude of 36 percent). The residual variability can be described as the more usual 'flicker noise' f(exp -1.1) powerlaw. This shows no apparent high frequency break on timescales greater than 300 seconds. Subtle differences in the shape of the folded light curve with energy, and the very large amount of power in the periodic component suggest occultation as its origin, though amplification of variability from an X-ray emitting 'hot spot' at the disk inner radius through gravitational lensing is also possible. The former suffers from the very arbitrary nature of the periodic timescale, while the latter is unattractive as it cannot simply explain the lack of high frequency break in the residual power. That these models probably fail to provide an adequate explanation may be due to the added complexity of anisotropy of the X-ray emission, suggested by the discrepancy between the lack of soft photons implied by the flat spectrum and the copious source of soft photons available from reprocessing in the iron line producing material.

Photoionization Models of the H_2 Emission of the Narrow Line Region of AGNs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aleman, I.; Gruenwald, R.

2011-05-01

The excitation mechanism of the narrow line region (NLR) of AGNs is still an open question. Excitation by UV radiation from O and B stars, x-rays from the central black hole, shock from supernovae or jets, or a combination of these mechanisms have been suggested. In the present work, we use photoionization models to study the excitation mechanisms of the H_2 infrared emission lines in the NLR. In the literature, analyzes of the H_2 emission have been done assuming that the molecules is present only in neutral regions (photodissociation regions, x-ray-dominated regions, or shocks; Veilleux et al. 1997, Krabbe et al. 2000, Rigopoulou et al. 2002, Rodriguez-Ardila et al. 2004, 2005, and Davies et al. 2005). However, they are not conclusive. In previous work (Aleman & Gruenwald 2004, 2011), we show that the H_2 emission from the ionized region of PNe can be significant for planetary nebulae (PNe) with hot central stars (T⋆ > 150000 K). Such stars produce copious amounts of high energy photons, which create an extended partially ionized region that favors the H_2 survival. The conditions in the NLR are similar to those in PNe with hot central stars, so we can expect that the H_2 emission might also be important. We obtain and analyze a grid of photoionization models for different NRL parameters. We study the resulting H_2 density and emission, as well as, the formation, destruction, excitation, and de-excitation mechanisms. The higher values observed for the H_2 1-0 S(1)/Brγ ratio cannot be reproduced by our models. The calculated ratios are between 10^-8 and 10^-1, while the observational ration can be as high as 10. The calculated ratio is strongly anti-correlated with the ionization parameter (U) and only models with U<10-3 result in ratios inside the observational range. We show that the NLR is an environment more hostile to the H_2 molecule than the ionized region of PNe. Another interesting result of our calculations is that the H_2 formation on grain surfaces is more important in the NLR than in the ionized region of PNe.

Massive hemoptysis and complete unilateral lung collapse in pregnancy due to pulmonary tuberculosis with good maternal and fetal outcome: a case report.

PubMed

Masukume, Gwinyai; Sengurayi, Elton; Moyo, Phinot; Feliu, Julio; Gandanhamo, Danboy; Ndebele, Wedu; Ngwenya, Solwayo; Gwini, Rudo

2013-08-22

We report an extremely rare case of massive hemoptysis and complete left-sided lung collapse in pregnancy due to pulmonary tuberculosis in a health care worker with good maternal and fetal outcome. A 33-year-old human immuno deficiency virus seronegative African health care worker in her fourth pregnancy with two previous second trimester miscarriages and an apparently healthy daughter from her third pregnancy presented coughing up copious amounts of blood at 18 weeks and two days of gestation. She had a cervical suture in situ for presumed cervical weakness. Computed tomography of her chest showed complete collapse of the left lung; subsequent bronchoscopy was apparently normal. Her serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin, tests for autoimmune disease and echocardiography were all normal. Her lung re-inflated spontaneously. Sputum for acid alcohol fast bacilli was positive; our patient was commenced on anti-tuberculosis medication and pyridoxine. At 41 weeks and three days of pregnancy our patient went into spontaneous labor and delivered a live born female baby weighing 2.6 kg with APGAR scores of nine and 10 at one and five minutes respectively. She and her baby are apparently doing well about 10 months after delivery. It is possible to have massive hemoptysis and complete unilateral lung collapse with spontaneous resolution in pregnancy due to pulmonary tuberculosis with good maternal and fetal outcome.

Digging deep into the ULIRG phenomenon: When radio beats dust

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez-Torres, M. A.

2013-05-01

Luminous and Ultra-Luminous Infrared Galaxies (U/LIRGs) do also radiate copious amounts of radio emission, both thermal (free-free) and non-thermal (mainly synchrotron). This is very handy since, unlike optical and infra-red observations, radio is not obscured by the ubiquitous dust present in U/LIRGs, which allows a direct view of the ongoing activity in the hearts of those prolific star-forming galaxies. Here, I first justify the need for this high-angular resolution radio studies of local U/LIRGs, discuss the energy budget and the magnetic field, as well as IC and synchrotron losses in U/LIRGs, and present some selected results obtained by our team on high-angular resolution radio continuum studies of U/LIRGs. Among other results, I show the impressive discovery of an extremely prolific supernova factory in the central ˜150 pc of the galaxy Arp 299-A (D = 45 Mpc) and the monitoring of a large number of very compact radio sources in it, the detection and precise location of the long-sought AGN in Arp 299-A. A movie summarizing those results can be found in http://www.iaa.es/ torres/research/arp299a.html. All those results demonstrate that very-high angular resolution studies of nearby U/LIRGs are of high relevance for the comprehension of both local and high-z starbursting galaxies.

Methane- and Hydrogen-Influenced Microbial Communities in Hydrothermal Plumes above the Atlantis Massif, Mid Atlantic Ridge

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stewart, C. L.; Schrenk, M.

2017-12-01

Ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal systems associated with slow-spreading mid ocean ridges emit copious amounts of hydrogen and methane into the deep-sea, generated through a process known as serpentinization. Hydrothermal plumes carrying the reduced products of water-rock interaction dissipate and mix with deep seawater, and potentially harbor microbial communities adapted to these conditions. Methane and hydrogen enriched hydrothermal plumes were sampled from 3 sites near the Atlantis Massif (30°N, Mid Atlantic Ridge) during IODP Expedition 357 and used to initiate cultivation experiments targeting methanotrophic and hydrogenotrophic microorganisms. One set of experiments incubated the cultures at in situ hydrostatic pressures and gas concentrations resulting in the enrichment of gammaproteobacterial assemblages, including Marinobacter spp. That may be involved in hydrocarbon degradation. A second set of experiments pursued the anaerobic enrichment of microbial communities on solid media, resulting in the enrichment of alphaproteobacteria related to Ruegeria. The most prodigious growth in both case occurred in methane-enriched media, which may play a role as both an energy and carbon source. Ongoing work is evaluating the physiological characteristics of these isolates, including their metabolic outputs under different physical-chemical conditions. In addition to providing novel isolates from hydrothermal habitats near the Lost City Hydrothermal Field, these experiments will provide insight into the ecology of microbial communities from serpentinization influenced hydrothermal systems that may aid in future exploration of these sites.

The Prodiguer Messaging Platform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denvil, S.; Greenslade, M. A.; Carenton, N.; Levavasseur, G.; Raciazek, J.

2015-12-01

CONVERGENCE is a French multi-partner national project designed to gather HPC and informatics expertise to innovate in the context of running French global climate models with differing grids and at differing resolutions. Efficient and reliable execution of these models and the management and dissemination of model output are some of the complexities that CONVERGENCE aims to resolve.At any one moment in time, researchers affiliated with the Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL) climate modeling group, are running hundreds of global climate simulations. These simulations execute upon a heterogeneous set of French High Performance Computing (HPC) environments. The IPSL's simulation execution runtime libIGCM (library for IPSL Global Climate Modeling group) has recently been enhanced so as to support hitherto impossible realtime use cases such as simulation monitoring, data publication, metrics collection, simulation control, visualizations … etc. At the core of this enhancement is Prodiguer: an AMQP (Advanced Message Queue Protocol) based event driven asynchronous distributed messaging platform. libIGCM now dispatches copious amounts of information, in the form of messages, to the platform for remote processing by Prodiguer software agents at IPSL servers in Paris. Such processing takes several forms: Persisting message content to database(s); Launching rollback jobs upon simulation failure; Notifying downstream applications; Automation of visualization pipelines; We will describe and/or demonstrate the platform's: Technical implementation; Inherent ease of scalability; Inherent adaptiveness in respect to supervising simulations; Web portal receiving simulation notifications in realtime.

Validation of a One-Step Method for Extracting Fatty Acids from Salmon, Chicken and Beef Samples.

PubMed

Zhang, Zhichao; Richardson, Christine E; Hennebelle, Marie; Taha, Ameer Y

2017-10-01

Fatty acid extraction methods are time-consuming and expensive because they involve multiple steps and copious amounts of extraction solvents. In an effort to streamline the fatty acid extraction process, this study compared the standard Folch lipid extraction method to a one-step method involving a column that selectively elutes the lipid phase. The methods were tested on raw beef, salmon, and chicken. Compared to the standard Folch method, the one-step extraction process generally yielded statistically insignificant differences in chicken and salmon fatty acid concentrations, percent composition and weight percent. Initial testing showed that beef stearic, oleic and total fatty acid concentrations were significantly lower by 9-11% with the one-step method as compared to the Folch method, but retesting on a different batch of samples showed a significant 4-8% increase in several omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid concentrations with the one-step method relative to the Folch. Overall, the findings reflect the utility of a one-step extraction method for routine and rapid monitoring of fatty acids in chicken and salmon. Inconsistencies in beef concentrations, although minor (within 11%), may be due to matrix effects. A one-step fatty acid extraction method has broad applications for rapidly and routinely monitoring fatty acids in the food supply and formulating controlled dietary interventions. © 2017 Institute of Food Technologists®.

Airway Management and Smoke Inhalation Injury in the Burn Patient

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

transtracheal catheter). In the ‘‘final stage’’ of the injury, they developed diffuse bronchiolitis, mucous plugging, peripheral airway obstruction, and lobular...10.1016/j.cps.2009.05.013 0094-1298/09/$ – see front matter. Published by Elsevier Inc. p la st ic su rg er y. th ec li ni cs .c om Report Documentation...circumferentially around the patient’s neck (see Fig. 1A, B). Also, the tube may become obstructed in patients who have copious mucous production. This may be

Aretaeus of Cappadocia and the first description of diabetes.

PubMed

Laios, Konstantinos; Karamanou, Marianna; Saridaki, Zenia; Androutsos, George

2012-01-01

The name Aretaeus of Cappadocia has been linked with diabetes more than that of any other physician of antiquity, his texts forming a sophisticated synthesis of the previous knowledge on this disease copiously supplemented by his own observations. Gifted with a unique faculty for observing pathologic phenomena, he was able to elaborate upon earlier texts enriching them with his own original findings and numerous thoughtful reflections. Among the many diseases he dealt with, Aretaeus has bequeathed to us an outstandingly vivid and accurate description of diabetes.

An Evaluation of Two Configurations of Tricalcium Phosphate for Treating Craniotomies,

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-01-01

parietal bones, using a trephine in a dental rotary handpiece with copious sterile saline irrigation. Circular UTCP or OTCP implants of identical...PHOSPHATE FOR TREATINO CMAIOTORIES(U) AM INST OF DENTAL RESEARCH WASHINGTON DC J 0 HOLLINGER ET AL. MM03LMOSIFIE0 1366 F/O 6/𔃿 AL E ?9 E VL NOCNI H...Distributionunli2ited Institute of Dental Research Washington, DC 20307-5300 - V." **Department of Biochemistry m University of Texas’Health Science Center San Antonio

Scientists probe Earth’s secrets at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

USGS Publications Warehouse

Unger, J.D.

1974-01-01

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) sits on the edge of Kilauea Caldera at the summit of Kilauea Volcao, one of the five volcanoes on the island of Hawaii, the largest island in the Hawaiian Islands chain. Of the five, only Kilauea and Mauna Loa have been active in the past 100 years. Before its last eruption in June 1950, Mauna Loa had erupted more frequently and copiously than Kilauea, but since then only Kilauea has been active. 

Quantification of Trichothecene-Producing Fusarium Species in Harvested Grain by Competitive PCR To Determine Efficacies of Fungicides against Fusarium Head Blight of Winter Wheat

PubMed Central

Edwards, S. G.; Pirgozliev, S. R.; Hare, M. C.; Jenkinson, P.

2001-01-01

We developed a PCR-based assay to quantify trichothecene-producing Fusarium based on primers derived from the trichodiene synthase gene (Tri5). The primers were tested against a range of fusarium head blight (FHB) (also known as scab) pathogens and found to amplify specifically a 260-bp product from 25 isolates belonging to six trichothecene-producing Fusarium species. Amounts of the trichothecene-producing Fusarium and the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) in harvested grain from a field trial designed to test the efficacies of the fungicides metconazole, azoxystrobin, and tebuconazole to control FHB were quantified. No correlation was found between FHB severity and DON in harvested grain, but a good correlation existed between the amount of trichothecene-producing Fusarium and DON present within grain. Azoxystrobin did not affect levels of trichothecene-producing Fusarium compared with those of untreated controls. Metconazole and tebuconazole significantly reduced the amount of trichothecene-producing Fusarium in harvested grain. We hypothesize that the fungicides affected the relationship between FHB severity and the amount of DON in harvested grain by altering the proportion of trichothecene-producing Fusarium within the FHB disease complex and not by altering the rate of DON production. The Tri5 quantitative PCR assay will aid research directed towards reducing amounts of trichothecene mycotoxins in food and animal feed. PMID:11282607

New Potential Sources for Black Onaping Carbon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bunch, T. E.; Becker, L.; Schultz, P. H.; Wolbach, W. S.

1997-01-01

One intriguing and important issue of the Sudbury Structure concerns the source of the relatively large amount of C in the Onaping Formation Black member. This dilemma was recently addressed, and the conclusion was reached that an impactor could not have delivered all of the requisite C. Becker et al. have suggested that much of the C came from the impactor and reported the presence of interstellar He "caged" inside some fullerenes that may have survived the impact. So, conceivably, the C inventory in the Sudbury Structure comes from both target and impactor materials, although the known target rocks have little C. We discuss here the possibility of two terrestrial sources for at least some of the C: (1) impact evaporation/dissociation of C from carbonate target rocks and (2) the presence of heretofore-unrecognized C-rich (up to 26 wt%) siliceous "shale," fragments, which are found in the upper, reworked Black member. Experimental: Hypervelocity impact of a 0.635-diameter Al projectile into dolomite at 5.03 km/s (performed at the Ames Research Center vertical gun range) produced a thin, black layer (= 0.05 mm thick) that partially lined the crater and coated impactor remnants. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) imagery shows this layer to be spongelike on a submicron scale and Auger spectroscopic analyses yield: 33% C, 22% Mg, 19% 0, and 9% Al (from the projectile). Elemental mapping shows that all of the available 0 is combined with Ca and Mg, Al is not oxidized, and C is in elemental form. Dissociation efficiency of C from CO2 is estimated to be <10% of crater volume. Raman spectroscopy indicates that the C is highly disorganized graphite. Another impact experiment [4] also produced highly disordered graphite from a limestone target (reducing collector), in addition to small amounts of diamond/lonsdaleite/chaoite (oxidizing collector). These experiments confirm the reduction of C from carbonates in impact vapor plumes. Observational: SEM observations and microprobe analyses of small, black shalelike inclusions in the upper Black Onaping indicate high C contents (7-26 wt% avg. = 16%). They contain mostly quartz and carbonaceous matter with small amounts of altered K-feldspar, clays, Fe oxide, and a sulfide. No evidence of shock is seen in quartz, and overall characteristics indicate a natural, lightly metamorphosed carbonaceous shale or mudstone that probably existed as a preimpact rock in the target region and distal fragments washed in during early crater filling. Fragments range in size from tens of microns to cm and increase in abundance in the upper Black toward the Onwatin contact, although their distribution is highly irregular. This increase corresponds to an increase in "organic" C with increasingly negative delta-13 C values and S, together with a decrease in fullerene abundance. In addition, we have found soot in acid-demineralized residues of the Onwatin but not in the Onaping samples. These data could be consistent with impact plume and atmospheric chemical processes, with possible diageneric ovedays. We are analyzing carbonaceous fractions of the Onaping and Onwatin to determine diagnostic C isotopic signatures Analyses by Whitehead et al. on bulk samples revealed no definitive source or processes, although delta-13 C values for "organic" C overlapped those for some meteorites. Discussion: If impact evaporation of Sudbury target carbonates did occur, then where are the carbonates? Distal carbonate (limestone/dolostone) exposures of the Espanola Formation (Huronian Supergroup) are generally thin-bedded, although remnants that partially encompass the Sudbury Crater are variable in thickness and may locally reach 250 m . If a carbonate thickness of 100-200 in existed at the target site, then copious amounts of C could have been reduced by impact processing of carbonates and also C-shale, depending on the efficiency of the processing and the amount of postimpact oxidation. Conclusion: The Sudbury crater offers a unique opportunity to study preserved characteristics of immediate carbonaceous fallback matter and particles of short-term residency in the impact plume as well as dust/aerosols from postimpact atmospheric processing.

27 CFR 19.245 - Bonds and penal sums of bonds.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) Distiller The amount of tax on spirits produced during a period of 15 days $5,000 $100,000 (ii) Warehouseman... gallons ......do 5,000 50,000 (iii) Distiller and warehouseman The amount of tax on spirits produced... transit to bonded premises 10,000 200,000 (iv) Distiller and processor The amount of tax on spirits...

Herbal and dietary supplements related to diarrhea and acute kidney injury: a case report.

PubMed

Wanitsriphinyo, Suphamat; Tangkiatkumjai, Mayuree

2017-03-01

Background There is very little evidence relating to the association of herbal medicine with diarrhea and the development of acute kidney injury (AKI). This study reports a case of diarrhea-induced AKI, possibly related to an individual ingesting copious amounts of homemade mixed fruit and herb puree. Case presentation A 45-year-old Thai man with diabetes had diarrhea for 2 days, as a result of taking high amounts of a puree made up of eight mixed fruits and herbs over a 3-day period. He developed dehydration and stage 2 AKI, with a doubling of his serum creatinine. He had been receiving enalapril, as a prescribed medication, over one year. After he stopped taking both the puree and enalapril, and received fluid replacement therapy, within a week his serum creatinine had gradually decreased. The combination of puree, enalapril and AKI may also have induced hyperkalemia in this patient. Furthermore, the patient developed hyperphosphatemia due to his worsening kidney function, exacerbated by regularly taking some dietary supplements containing high levels of phosphate. His serum levels of potassium and phosphate returned to normal within a week, once the patient stopped both the puree and all dietary supplements, and had begun receiving treatment for hyperkalemia. Results The mixed fruit and herb puree taken by this man may have led to his diarrhea due to its effect; particularly if the patient was taking a high concentration of such a drink. Both the puree and enalapril are likely to attenuate the progression of kidney function. The causal relationship between the puree and AKI was probable (5 scores) assessed by the modified Naranjo algorithm. This is the first case report, as far as the authors are aware, relating the drinking of a mixed fruit and herbal puree to diarrhea and AKI in a patient with diabetes. Conclusions This case can alert health care providers to the possibility that herbal medicine could induce diarrhea and develop acute kidney injury.

Analyzing hidden populations online: topic, emotion, and social network of HIV-related users in the largest Chinese online community.

PubMed

Liu, Chuchu; Lu, Xin

2018-01-05

Traditional survey methods are limited in the study of hidden populations due to the hard to access properties, including lack of a sampling frame, sensitivity issue, reporting error, small sample size, etc. The rapid increase of online communities, of which members interact with others via the Internet, have generated large amounts of data, offering new opportunities for understanding hidden populations with unprecedented sample sizes and richness of information. In this study, we try to understand the multidimensional characteristics of a hidden population by analyzing the massive data generated in the online community. By elaborately designing crawlers, we retrieved a complete dataset from the "HIV bar," the largest bar related to HIV on the Baidu Tieba platform, for all records from January 2005 to August 2016. Through natural language processing and social network analysis, we explored the psychology, behavior and demand of online HIV population and examined the network community structure. In HIV communities, the average topic similarity among members is positively correlated to network efficiency (r = 0.70, p < 0.001), indicating that the closer the social distance between members of the community, the more similar their topics. The proportion of negative users in each community is around 60%, weakly correlated with community size (r = 0.25, p = 0.002). It is found that users suspecting initial HIV infection or first in contact with high-risk behaviors tend to seek help and advice on the social networking platform, rather than immediately going to a hospital for blood tests. Online communities have generated copious amounts of data offering new opportunities for understanding hidden populations with unprecedented sample sizes and richness of information. It is recommended that support through online services for HIV/AIDS consultation and diagnosis be improved to avoid privacy concerns and social discrimination in China.

Microscopic and infrared spectroscopic comparison of the underwater adhesives produced by germlings of the brown seaweed species Durvillaea antarctica and Hormosira banksii.

PubMed

Dimartino, Simone; Savory, David M; Fraser-Miller, Sara J; Gordon, Keith C; McQuillan, A James

2016-04-01

Adhesives from marine organisms are often the source of inspiration for the development of glues able to create durable bonds in wet environments. In this work, we investigated the adhesive secretions produced by germlings of two large seaweed species from the South Pacific, Durvillaea antarctica, also named 'the strongest kelp in the word', and its close relative Hormosira banksii The comparative analysis was based on optical and scanning electron microscopy imaging as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and principal component analysis (PCA). For both species, the egg surface presents peripheral vesicles which are released soon after fertilization to discharge a primary adhesive. This is characterized by peaks representative of carbohydrate molecules. A secondary protein-based adhesive is then secreted in the early developmental stages of the germlings. Energy dispersive X-ray, FTIR and PCA indicate that D. antarctica secretions also contain sulfated moieties, and become cross-linked with time, both conferring strong adhesive and cohesive properties. On the other hand, H. banksii secretions are complemented by the putative adhesive phlorotannins, and are characterized by a simple mechanism in which all constituents are released with the same rate and with no apparent cross-linking. It is also noted that the release of adhesive materials appears to be faster and more copious in D. antarctica than in H. banksii Overall, this study highlights that both quantity and quality of the adhesives matter in explaining the superior attachment ability of D. antarctica. © 2016 The Author(s).

In vivo effect of a self-etching primer on dentin.

PubMed

Milia, E; Lallai, M R; García-Godoy, F

1999-08-01

To determine the ultrastructural aspects of the dentin collagen area in the cavity preparation floor produced in vivo after phosphoric acid acid-etching or after using Clearfil Liner Bond 2 self-etching primer (LB2 Primer). Twenty-four non-carious third molars scheduled for extraction from young adult patients (16-30 years old) were used. Conventional Class I cavities (+/- 2 mm deep) were prepared on the occlusal surfaces of all teeth using a cylindrical diamond bur on a high-speed handpiece with copious water spray. To avoid dehydration of the dentin, the smear layer-covered dentin was briefly air-dried for 2 seconds. Cavities were assigned at random to the following groups: Group A: Dentin etched for 15 seconds with 34% phosphoric acid, rinsed for 20 seconds and then briefly air-dried for 2 seconds with oil-free compressed air leaving the surfaces slightly moist. Group B: LB2 Primer was applied to the cavity surfaces for 30 seconds and then briefly air-dried to remove the solvent. Group C: The untreated dentin smear layer was used as a control. In all three groups, the cavities were filled incrementally with a resin-based composite (APX), light curing every increment for 40 seconds. After 30 minutes, the teeth were extracted atraumatically and the samples immediately prepared for evaluation with the transmission electron microscope. The use of a self-etching primer did not produce significant morphological changes in the moist dentin substrate. Adverse morphological conditions where observed when there was an excess water on the dentin surface. Phosphoric acid altered the collagen more severely than the self-etching primer.

Microscopic and infrared spectroscopic comparison of the underwater adhesives produced by germlings of the brown seaweed species Durvillaea antarctica and Hormosira banksii

PubMed Central

Savory, David M.; McQuillan, A. James

2016-01-01

Adhesives from marine organisms are often the source of inspiration for the development of glues able to create durable bonds in wet environments. In this work, we investigated the adhesive secretions produced by germlings of two large seaweed species from the South Pacific, Durvillaea antarctica, also named ‘the strongest kelp in the word’, and its close relative Hormosira banksii. The comparative analysis was based on optical and scanning electron microscopy imaging as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and principal component analysis (PCA). For both species, the egg surface presents peripheral vesicles which are released soon after fertilization to discharge a primary adhesive. This is characterized by peaks representative of carbohydrate molecules. A secondary protein-based adhesive is then secreted in the early developmental stages of the germlings. Energy dispersive X-ray, FTIR and PCA indicate that D. antarctica secretions also contain sulfated moieties, and become cross-linked with time, both conferring strong adhesive and cohesive properties. On the other hand, H. banksii secretions are complemented by the putative adhesive phlorotannins, and are characterized by a simple mechanism in which all constituents are released with the same rate and with no apparent cross-linking. It is also noted that the release of adhesive materials appears to be faster and more copious in D. antarctica than in H. banksii. Overall, this study highlights that both quantity and quality of the adhesives matter in explaining the superior attachment ability of D. antarctica. PMID:27122179

A Preliminary Study of the Osteogenic Potential of a Biodegradable Alloplastic-Osteoinductive Alloimplant

DTIC Science & Technology

1987-06-01

laterally and a 15 mm diameter craniotomy was created using a trephine in a slow-speed dental handpiece (Fig. 2a, 2b). Copious irrigation with normal...D.D.S., M.S. D and P Jeffrey 0. Hollinger D.D.S., P..D. *U.S. Army Institute of Dental Re .earch Walter Reed Army Medical Center .5 Washington D.C...KodaR Ultraspeed Dental X-ray film and radiographed at 90 KvP, 10 Ma, 0.4 seconds using a long-cone technique. Each radiograph was developed in an

Uteroenteric Fistula Resulting From Fibroid Expulsion After Uterine Fibroid Embolization: Case Report and Review of the Literature

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

Gutierrez, Luis B., E-mail: lbgutier@stanford.edu; Bansal, Anshuman K., E-mail: abansal@mednet.ucla.edu; Hovsepian, David M., E-mail: hovsepian@stanford.edu

A 44-year-old woman underwent uncomplicated uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) for menstrual and bulk-related symptoms in an enlarged, myomatous uterus. After surgery, she spontaneously sloughed a large mass of fibroids that arrested in the cervical canal during passage. Four days after gynecological extraction, she developed copious vaginal discharge that contained enteric contents. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a fistula between the small bowel and the uterus. She subsequently underwent hysterectomy, left oophorectomy, and small-bowel resection. Her postoperative recovery was uneventful.

Clustangles: An Open Library for Clustering Angular Data.

PubMed

Sargsyan, Karen; Hua, Yun Hao; Lim, Carmay

2015-08-24

Dihedral angles are good descriptors of the numerous conformations visited by large, flexible systems, but their analysis requires directional statistics. A single package including the various multivariate statistical methods for angular data that accounts for the distinct topology of such data does not exist. Here, we present a lightweight standalone, operating-system independent package called Clustangles to fill this gap. Clustangles will be useful in analyzing the ever-increasing number of structures in the Protein Data Bank and clustering the copious conformations from increasingly long molecular dynamics simulations.

Ensuring Resiliency of the Milk and Dairy Industry in California

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-12-01

cannot be zero. Also, the upper bound cannot exceed the capacity of raw milk that the milk producing cows can make in each county. Between the...the amount of milk producing cows in each county and multiplying by the daily average amount of raw milk produced. RawMilkProd = NumMilkProdCows...the total number of milk producing cows . 365 TotalMilkProdDailyAvgAmtMilkProdPerCow TotalMilkProdCows = × We get the number of milk producing cows

The value of milk in rangelands in Mandera County, Kenya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ngugi, Keziah; Ertsen, Maurits

2015-04-01

Lack of water over expansive regions in Greater Horn of Africa created the rangelands and rangelands created pastoralism. Pastoralism involve keeping of large livestock herds and movement in search of resources, mainly water, pasture, medicine and wild foods. Several studies have been done in the last century and findings pointed at pastoralism being primitive and unsustainable. It has been predicted it would die in the last century but in the rangelands, pastoralism lives on and it is resilient. This study is based in Mandera, a pastoralism county in Kenya that neighbors Ethiopia to the North and Somalia to the East. The study sought to investigate contribution of milk to pastoralism resilience. Interviews were conducted in the field among the pastoralists, women groups, transporters, traders, government officials and consumers of milk. These information was corroborated with actual field investigations in the expansive rangelands of Mandera County. Pastoralists rarely slaughter or sell their livestock even when the animals waste away during droughts. This is because they have been through such cycles before and observed livestock make tremendous recovery when the right conditions were restored. Rangelands lack infrastructure, there are no roads, schools, telephone or hospitals. Pastoralists diet is comprised of rice, wheat and milk. It was established milk was the main source of income among pastoralists in Mandera County. From milk, the pastoralists make income that is used to purchase the other foodstuffs. Milk is available on daily basis in large quantities owing to the large number of livestock. Unfortunately, every pastoralist household produce copious amounts of milk, thus no local demand and transport infrastructure is nonexistent, making sale of milk a near impossible task. The findings showed the pastoralists have established unique routes through which milk reach the markets in urban centers where demand is high. Urbanization sustain pastoralism. These routes are dynamic, just like pastoralism, far flung and use symbols to communicate with various handlers along the value chain. Consumers and producers don't meet, the need for any form of contact is eliminated through this mode of communication. Drawbacks were identified as lack of water and poor education standards that compromise on hygiene which affect public health. In addition, it takes several hours to move short distances in poor roads or using draught animals. This is further compounded by very hot temperatures that affect milk quality. Handling milk can be improved through vocational training on hygiene and proper handling of milk. On farm mobile cottage industries need to be considered to reach a broader market and boost the returns. Standard milk ferrying containers should be introduced as matter of urgency to improve milk safety. Further services and responsibilities for consumers to producers need to be identified and introduced to enhance the wellbeing of the pastoralists as current practices are in favour of the consumers.

Relativistic inverse Compton scattering of photons from the early universe.

PubMed

Malu, Siddharth; Datta, Abhirup; Colafrancesco, Sergio; Marchegiani, Paolo; Subrahmanyan, Ravi; Narasimha, D; Wieringa, Mark H

2017-12-05

Electrons at relativistic speeds, diffusing in magnetic fields, cause copious emission at radio frequencies in both clusters of galaxies and radio galaxies through non-thermal radiation emission called synchrotron. However, the total power radiated through this mechanism is ill constrained, as the lower limit of the electron energy distribution, or low-energy cutoffs, for radio emission in galaxy clusters and radio galaxies, have not yet been determined. This lower limit, parametrized by the lower limit of the electron momentum - p min - is critical for estimating the total energetics of non-thermal electrons produced by cluster mergers or injected by radio galaxy jets, which impacts the formation of large-scale structure in the universe, as well as the evolution of local structures inside galaxy clusters. The total pressure due to the relativistic, non-thermal population of electrons can be measured using the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect, and is critically dependent on p min , making the measurement of this non-thermal pressure a promising technique to estimate the electron low-energy cutoff. We present here the first unambiguous detection of this Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect for a non-thermal population of electrons in a radio galaxy jet/lobe, located at a significant distance away from the center of the Bullet cluster of galaxies.

Supernova constraints on massive (pseudo)scalar coupling to neutrinos

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

Heurtier, Lucien; Zhang, Yongchao, E-mail: lucien.heurtier@ulb.ac.be, E-mail: yongchao.zhang@ulb.ac.be

2017-02-01

In this paper we derive constraints on the emission of a massive (pseudo)scalar S from annihilation of neutrinos in the core of supernovae through the dimension-4 coupling νν S , as well as the effective dimension-5 operator 1/Λ(νν)( SS ). While most of earlier studies have focused on massless or ultralight scalars, our analysis involves scalar with masses of order eV–GeV which can be copiously produced during (the explosion of supernovae, whose core temperature is) generally of order T ∼ O O (10) MeV. From the luminosity and deleptonization arguments regarding the observation of SN1987A, we exclude a large rangemore » of couplings 10{sup −12} ∼< | g {sub αβ}|∼< 10{sup −5} for the dimension-4 case, depending on the neutrino flavours involved and the scalar mass. In the case of dimension-5 operator, for a scalar mass from MeV to 100 MeV the coupling h {sub αβ} get constrained from 10{sup −6} to 10{sup −2}, with the cutoff scale explicitly set Λ = 1 TeV. We finally show that if the neutrino burst of a nearby supernova explosion is detected by Super-Kamiokande and IceCube, the constraints will be largely reinforced.« less

Shedding Light on Hexaquarks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bashkanov, M.; Skorodko, T.; Clement, H.; Watts, D. P.

Several new findings in the four, five and six quark systems reheat the interest in the field of multiquark states (beyond the trivial qq¯ and qqq). A lot of progress has recently been made in the 6q sector, on both the theoretical and experimental side. A resonance like structure observed in double-pionic fusion to the deuteron, at M = 2.38 GeV with Γ = 70 MeV and I(JP) = 0(3+) has been consistently observed in a wealth of reaction channels, supporting the existence of a resonant dibaryon state - the d∗(2380). These studies include measurement of all the principle strong decay channels in pn collisions in the quasifree mode by the WASA-at-COSY and HADES collaborations. The internal structure of the d∗(2380) is largely unknown. It can contain various ”hidden color” 6q configurations, ΔΔ molecular states with angular momentum L = 0,2,4,6 as well as meson-assisted dressed dibaryon structures. The large set of experimental data obtained to date gives some constraints on the internal structure of the d∗(2380) dibaryon, but does not settle the issue. The d∗ is the only multiquark state which can be produced copiously at current facilities, offering unique access to information beyond its basic quantum numbers, particularly its physical size and internal structure.

Observing binary black hole ringdowns by advanced gravitational wave detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maselli, Andrea; Kokkotas, Kostas D.; Laguna, Pablo

2017-05-01

The direct discovery of gravitational waves from compact binary systems leads for the first time to explore the possibility of black hole spectroscopy. Newly formed black holes produced by coalescing events are copious emitters of gravitational radiation, in the form of damped sinusoids, the quasinormal modes. The latter provides a precious source of information on the nature of gravity in the strong field regime, as they represent a powerful tool to investigate the validity of the no-hair theorem. In this work we perform a systematic study on the accuracy with which current and future interferometers will measure the fundamental parameters of ringdown events, such as frequencies and damping times. We analyze how these errors affect the estimate of the mass and the angular momentum of the final black hole, constraining the parameter space which will lead to the most precise measurements. We explore both single and multimode events, showing how the uncertainties evolve when multiple detectors are available. We also prove that, for the second generation of interferometers, a network of instruments is a crucial and necessary ingredient to perform strong-gravity tests of the no-hair theorem. Finally, we analyze the constraints that a third generation of detectors may be able to set on the mode's parameters, comparing the projected bounds against those obtained for current facilities.

Automotive applications of chromogenic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lynam, Niall R.

1990-03-01

Automobiles present both opportunities and challenges for large-area chromogenics. Opportunities include optical and thermal control of vehicle glazing along with optical control of rearview mirrors and privacy glass. Challenges include cost-effectively meeting automotive safety, performance, and reliability standards. Worldwide automobile production' for 1987 is listed in Table 1. Of the roughly 33 million cars produced annually, approximately 8% are luxury models which are candidates for features such as auto- matically dimming rearview mirrors or variable opacity sunroofs. Thus copious commercial opportunities await whatever chromogenic technologies qualify for use in automobiles. This review will describe the performance, safety, and reliability/durability required for automotive use. Commercial opportunities and challenges will be discussed including cost factors and specifications. Chromogenic technologies such as electrochromism, liquid crystals and thermochromism will be reviewed in terms of how publicly announced technical developments match automotive needs and expectations. Construction and performance of ex- isting or imminent chromogenic devices will be described. Finally, how opportunities and challenges of the automotive environment translate to other applications for chromogenic materials such as architectural or information display devices will be discussed. The objective is to generally review the applications, the technologies appropriate to these applications, and the automotive chromogenic devices available at the time of writing to match these applications.

The Ancient Wood of the Acqualadrone Rostrum: A Materials History Through GC-MS and Sulfur X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Frank, Patrick; Caruso, Francesco; Caponetti, Eugenio

2012-01-01

In 2008 the rostrum from an ancient warship was recovered from the Mediterranean near Acqualadrone, Sicily. To establish its provenance and condition, samples of black and brown rostrum wood were examined using sulfur K-edge x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and GC-MS. GC-MS of pyrolytic volatiles yielded only guaiacyl derivatives, indicating construction from pinewood. A derivatized extract of black wood yielded forms of abietic acid and sandaracopimaric acid consistent with pine pitch waterproofing. Numerical fits to the sulfur K-edge XAS spectra showed that about 65% of the endogenous sulfur consisted of thiols and disulfides. Elemental sulfur was about 2% and 7% in black and brown wood, respectively, while pyritic sulfur was about 12% and 6%. About 2% of the sulfur in both wood types was modeled as trimethylsulfonium, possibly reflecting biogenic dimethylsulfonio-propionate. High valent sulfur was exclusively represented by sulfate esters, consistent with bacterial sulfotransferase activity. Traces of chloride were detected, but no free sulfate ion. In summary, the rostrum was manufactured of pine wood and subsequently waterproofed with pine pitch. The subsequent 2300 years included battle, foundering, and marine burial followed by anoxia, bacterial colonization, sulfate reduction, and mobilization of transition metals, which produced pyrite and copious appended sulfur functionality. PMID:22545724

Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study of Decompression-Induced Venous Gas Emboli

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Butler, B. D.; Morris, W. P.

1995-01-01

Transesophageal echo-cardiography was used to evaluate venous bubbles produced in nine anesthetized dogs following decompression from 2.84 bar after 120 min at pressure. In five dogs a pulsed Doppler cuff probe was placed around the inferior vena cava for bubble grade determination. The transesophageal echo images demonstrated several novel or less defined events. In each case where the pulmonary artery was clearly visualized, the venous bubbles were seen to oscillate back and forth several times, bringing into question the effect of coincidental counting in routine bubble grade analysis using precordial Doppler. A second finding was that in all cases, extensive bubbling occurred in the portal veins with complete extraction by the liver sinusoids, with one exception where a portal-to-hepatic venous anastomosis was observed. Compression of the bowel released copious numbers of bubbles into the portal veins, sometimes more than were released into the inferior vena cava. Finally, large masses of foam were routinely observed in the non-dependent regions of the inferior vena cava that not only delayed the appearance of bubbles in the pulmonary artery but also allowed additional opportunity for further reaction with blood products and for coalescence to occur before reaching the pulmonary microcirculation. These novel observations are discussed in relation to the decompression process.

Resolving the HONO formation mechanism in the ionosphere via ab initio molecular dynamic simulations

PubMed Central

He, Rongxing; Li, Lei; Zhong, Jie; Zhu, Chongqin; Francisco, Joseph S.; Zeng, Xiao Cheng

2016-01-01

Solar emission produces copious nitrosonium ions (NO+) in the D layer of the ionosphere, 60 to 90 km above the Earth’s surface. NO+ is believed to transfer its charge to water clusters in that region, leading to the formation of gaseous nitrous acid (HONO) and protonated water cluster. The dynamics of this reaction at the ionospheric temperature (200–220 K) and the associated mechanistic details are largely unknown. Using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations and transition-state search, key structures of the water hydrates—tetrahydrate NO+(H2O)4 and pentahydrate NO+(H2O)5—are identified and shown to be responsible for HONO formation in the ionosphere. The critical tetrahydrate NO+(H2O)4 exhibits a chain-like structure through which all of the lowest-energy isomers must go. However, most lowest-energy isomers of pentahydrate NO+(H2O)5 can be converted to the HONO-containing product, encountering very low barriers, via a chain-like or a three-armed, star-like structure. Although these structures are not the global minima, at 220 K, most lowest-energy NO+(H2O)4 and NO+(H2O)5 isomers tend to channel through these highly populated isomers toward HONO formation. PMID:27071120

Resolving the HONO formation mechanism in the ionosphere via ab initio molecular dynamic simulations.

PubMed

He, Rongxing; Li, Lei; Zhong, Jie; Zhu, Chongqin; Francisco, Joseph S; Zeng, Xiao Cheng

2016-04-26

Solar emission produces copious nitrosonium ions (NO(+)) in the D layer of the ionosphere, 60 to 90 km above the Earth's surface. NO(+) is believed to transfer its charge to water clusters in that region, leading to the formation of gaseous nitrous acid (HONO) and protonated water cluster. The dynamics of this reaction at the ionospheric temperature (200-220 K) and the associated mechanistic details are largely unknown. Using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations and transition-state search, key structures of the water hydrates-tetrahydrate NO(+)(H2O)4 and pentahydrate NO(+)(H2O)5-are identified and shown to be responsible for HONO formation in the ionosphere. The critical tetrahydrate NO(+)(H2O)4 exhibits a chain-like structure through which all of the lowest-energy isomers must go. However, most lowest-energy isomers of pentahydrate NO(+)(H2O)5 can be converted to the HONO-containing product, encountering very low barriers, via a chain-like or a three-armed, star-like structure. Although these structures are not the global minima, at 220 K, most lowest-energy NO(+)(H2O)4 and NO(+)(H2O)5 isomers tend to channel through these highly populated isomers toward HONO formation.

Two-stage seasonal streamflow forecasts to guide water resources decisions and water rights allocation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Block, P. J.; Gonzalez, E.; Bonnafous, L.

2011-12-01

Decision-making in water resources is inherently uncertain producing copious risks, ranging from operational (present) to planning (season-ahead) to design/adaptation (decadal) time-scales. These risks include human activity and climate variability/change. As the risks in designing and operating water systems and allocating available supplies vary systematically in time, prospects for predicting and managing such risks become increasingly attractive. Considerable effort has been undertaken to improve seasonal forecast skill and advocate for integration to reduce risk, however only minimal adoption is evident. Impediments are well defined, yet tailoring forecast products and allowing for flexible adoption assist in overcoming some obstacles. The semi-arid Elqui River basin in Chile is contending with increasing levels of water stress and demand coupled with insufficient investment in infrastructure, taxing its ability to meet agriculture, hydropower, and environmental requirements. The basin is fed from a retreating glacier, with allocation principles founded on a system of water rights and markets. A two-stage seasonal streamflow forecast at leads of one and two seasons prescribes the probability of reductions in the value of each water right, allowing water managers to inform their constituents in advance. A tool linking the streamflow forecast to a simple reservoir decision model also allows water managers to select a level of confidence in the forecast information.

Water electrolysis with a conducting carbon cloth: subthreshold hydrogen generation and superthreshold carbon quantum dot formation.

PubMed

Biswal, Mandakini; Deshpande, Aparna; Kelkar, Sarika; Ogale, Satishchandra

2014-03-01

A conducting carbon cloth, which has an interesting turbostratic microstructure and functional groups that are distinctly different from other ordered forms of carbon, such as graphite, graphene, and carbon nanotubes, was synthesized by a simple one-step pyrolysis of cellulose fabric. This turbostratic disorder and surface chemical functionalities had interesting consequences for water splitting and hydrogen generation when such a cloth was used as an electrode in the alkaline electrolysis process. Importantly, this work also gives a new twist to carbon-assisted electrolysis. During electrolysis, the active sites in the carbon cloth allow slow oxidation of its surface to transform the surface groups from COH to COOH and so forth at a voltage as low as 0.2 V in a two-electrode system, along with platinum as the cathode, instead of 1.23 V (plus overpotential), which is required for platinum, steel, or even graphite anodes. The quantity of subthreshold hydrogen evolved was 24 mL cm(-2)  h(-1) at 1 V. Interestingly, at a superthreshold potential (>1.23 V+overpotential), another remarkable phenomenon was found. At such voltages, along with the high rate and quantity of hydrogen evolution, rapid exfoliation of the tiny nanoscale (5-7 nm) units of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are found in copious amounts due to an enhanced oxidation rate. These CQDs show bright-blue fluorescence under UV light. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

JELLYFISH: EVIDENCE OF EXTREME RAM-PRESSURE STRIPPING IN MASSIVE GALAXY CLUSTERS

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

Ebeling, H.; Stephenson, L. N.; Edge, A. C.

Ram-pressure stripping by the gaseous intracluster medium has been proposed as the dominant physical mechanism driving the rapid evolution of galaxies in dense environments. Detailed studies of this process have, however, largely been limited to relatively modest examples affecting only the outermost gas layers of galaxies in nearby and/or low-mass galaxy clusters. We here present results from our search for extreme cases of gas-galaxy interactions in much more massive, X-ray selected clusters at z > 0.3. Using Hubble Space Telescope snapshots in the F606W and F814W passbands, we have discovered dramatic evidence of ram-pressure stripping in which copious amounts ofmore » gas are first shock compressed and then removed from galaxies falling into the cluster. Vigorous starbursts triggered by this process across the galaxy-gas interface and in the debris trail cause these galaxies to temporarily become some of the brightest cluster members in the F606W passband, capable of outshining even the Brightest Cluster Galaxy. Based on the spatial distribution and orientation of systems viewed nearly edge-on in our survey, we speculate that infall at large impact parameter gives rise to particularly long-lasting stripping events. Our sample of six spectacular examples identified in clusters from the Massive Cluster Survey, all featuring M {sub F606W} < –21 mag, doubles the number of such systems presently known at z > 0.2 and facilitates detailed quantitative studies of the most violent galaxy evolution in clusters.« less

Microalgae-bacteria biofilms: a sustainable synergistic approach in remediation of acid mine drainage.

PubMed

Abinandan, Sudharsanam; Subashchandrabose, Suresh R; Venkateswarlu, Kadiyala; Megharaj, Mallavarapu

2018-02-01

Microalgae and bacteria offer a huge potential in delving interest to study and explore various mechanisms under extreme environments. Acid mine drainage (AMD) is one such environment which is extremely acidic containing copious amounts of heavy metals and poses a major threat to the ecosystem. Despite its extreme conditions, AMD is the habitat for several microbes and their activities. The use of various chemicals in prevention of AMD formation and conventional treatment in a larger scale is not feasible under different geological conditions. It implies that microbe-mediated approach is a viable and sustainable alternative technology for AMD remediation. Microalgae in biofilms play a pivotal role in such bioremediation as they maintain mutualism with heterotrophic bacteria. Synergistic approach of using microalgae-bacteria biofilms provides supportive metabolites from algal biomass for growth of bacteria and mediates remediation of AMD. However, by virtue of their physiology and capabilities of metal removal, non-acidophilic microalgae can be acclimated for use in AMD remediation. A combination of selective acidophilic and non-acidophilic microalgae together with bacteria, all in the form of biofilms, may be very effective for bioremediation of metal-contaminated waters. The present review critically examines the nature of mutualistic interactions established between microalgae and bacteria in biofilms and their role in removal of metals from AMDs, and consequent biomass production for the yield of biofuel. Integration of microalgal-bacterial consortia in fuel cells would be an attractive emerging approach of microbial biotechnology for AMD remediation.

Shining in the dark: the spectral evolution of the first black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pacucci, Fabio; Ferrara, Andrea; Volonteri, Marta; Dubus, Guillaume

2015-12-01

Massive black hole (MBH) seeds at redshift z ≳ 10 are now thought to be key ingredients to explain the presence of the supermassive (109-10 M⊙) black holes in place <1 Gyr after the big bang. Once formed, massive seeds grow and emit copious amounts of radiation by accreting the left-over halo gas; their spectrum can then provide crucial information on their evolution. By combining radiation-hydrodynamic and spectral synthesis codes, we simulate the time-evolving spectrum emerging from the host halo of a MBH seed with initial mass 105 M⊙, assuming both standard Eddington-limited accretion, or slim accretion discs, appropriate for super-Eddington flows. The emission occurs predominantly in the observed infrared-submm (1-1000 μm) and X-ray (0.1-100 keV) bands. Such signal should be easily detectable by JWSTaround ˜ 1 μm up to z ˜ 25, and by ATHENA (between 0.1 and 10 keV, up to z ˜ 15). Ultra-deep X-ray surveys like the Chandra Deep Field South could have already detected these systems up to z ˜ 15. Based on this, we provide an upper limit for the z ≳ 6 MBH mass density of ρ• ≲ 2.5 × 102 M⊙ Mpc-3 assuming standard Eddington-limited accretion. If accretion occurs in the slim disc mode the limits are much weaker, ρ• ≲ 7.6 × 103 M⊙ Mpc-3 in the most constraining case.

Generalised pollination systems for three invasive milkweeds in Australia.

PubMed

Ward, M; Johnson, S D

2013-05-01

Because most plants require pollinator visits for seed production, the ability of an introduced plant species to establish pollinator relationships in a new ecosystem may have a central role in determining its success or failure as an invader. We investigated the pollination ecology of three milkweed species - Asclepias curassavica, Gomphocarpus fruticosus and G. physocarpus - in their invaded range in southeast Queensland, Australia. The complex floral morphology of milkweeds has often been interpreted as a general trend towards specialised pollination requirements. Based on this interpretation, invasion by milkweeds contradicts the expectation than plant species with specialised pollination systems are less likely to become invasive that those with more generalised pollination requirements. However, observations of flower visitors in natural populations of the three study species revealed that their pollination systems are essentially specialised at the taxonomic level of the order, but generalised at the species level. Specifically, pollinators of the two Gomphocarpus species included various species of Hymenoptera (particularly vespid wasps), while pollinators of A. curassavica were primarily Lepidoptera (particularly nymphalid butterflies). Pollinators of all three species are rewarded with copious amounts of highly concentrated nectar. It is likely that successful invasion by these three milkweed species is attributable, at least in part, to their generalised pollinator requirements. The results of this study are discussed in terms of how data from the native range may be useful in predicting pollination success of species in a new environment. © 2012 German Botanical Society and The Royal Botanical Society of the Netherlands.

Method for the enzymatic production of hydrogen

DOEpatents

Woodward, Jonathan; Mattingly, Susan M.

1999-01-01

The present invention is an enzymatic method for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of: a) forming a reaction mixture within a reaction vessel comprising a substrate capable of undergoing oxidation within a catabolic reaction, such as glucose, galactose, xylose, mannose, sucrose, lactose, cellulose, xylan and starch. The reaction mixture further comprises an amount of glucose dehydrogenase in an amount sufficient to catalyze the oxidation of the substrate, an amount of hydrogenase sufficient to catalyze an electron-requiring reaction wherein a stoichiometric yield of hydrogen is produced, an amount of pH buffer in an amount sufficient to provide an environment that allows the hydrogenase and the glucose dehydrogenase to retain sufficient activity for the production of hydrogen to occur and also comprising an amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate sufficient to transfer electrons from the catabolic reaction to the electron-requiring reaction; b) heating the reaction mixture at a temperature sufficient for glucose dehydrogenase and the hydrogenase to retain sufficient activity and sufficient for the production of hydrogen to occur, and heating for a period of time that continues until the hydrogen is no longer produced by the reaction mixture, wherein the catabolic reaction and the electron-requiring reactions have rates of reaction dependent upon the temperature; and c) detecting the hydrogen produced from the reaction mixture.

Method for the enzymatic production of hydrogen

DOEpatents

Woodward, J.; Mattingly, S.M.

1999-08-24

The present invention is an enzymatic method for producing hydrogen comprising the steps of: (a) forming a reaction mixture within a reaction vessel comprising a substrate capable of undergoing oxidation within a catabolic reaction, such as glucose, galactose, xylose, mannose, sucrose, lactose, cellulose, xylan and starch; the reaction mixture also comprising an amount of glucose dehydrogenase in an amount sufficient to catalyze the oxidation of the substrate, an amount of hydrogenase sufficient to catalyze an electron-requiring reaction wherein a stoichiometric yield of hydrogen is produced, an amount of pH buffer in an amount sufficient to provide an environment that allows the hydrogenase and the glucose dehydrogenase to retain sufficient activity for the production of hydrogen to occur and also comprising an amount of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate sufficient to transfer electrons from the catabolic reaction to the electron-requiring reaction; (b) heating the reaction mixture at a temperature sufficient for glucose dehydrogenase and the hydrogenase to retain sufficient activity and sufficient for the production of hydrogen to occur, and heating for a period of time that continues until the hydrogen is no longer produced by the reaction mixture, wherein the catabolic reaction and the electron-requiring reactions have rates of reaction dependent upon the temperature; and (c) detecting the hydrogen produced from the reaction mixture. 8 figs.

Process for reproducibly preparing titanium subhydride

DOEpatents

Carlson, Richard S.

1982-01-01

Titanium subhydride is produced in a reactor by heating a selected amount of finely divided titanium compound at a selected temperature for a selected period of time under dynamic vacuum conditions. Hydrogen is removed substantially uniformly from each powder grain and there is produced a subhydride of substantially uniform titanium-hydrogen composition. Selection of the amount, temperature and time produces a subhydride of selected titanium-hydrogen composition.

Alternate propellant program, phase 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, F. A.; West, W. R.

1979-01-01

Candidate propellant systems for the shuttle booster solid rocket motor (SRM), which would eliminate, or greatly reduce, the amount of HCl produced in the exhaust of the shuttle SRM were investigated. Ammonium nitrate was selected for consideration as the main oxidizer, with ammonium perchlorate and the nitramine, cyclo-tetramethylene-tetranitramine as secondary oxidizers. The amount of ammonium perchlorate used was limited to an amount which would produce an exhaust containing no more than 3% HCl.

Photometric and Spectroscopic Analysis of Classical Novae: An Examination of Their Observational Characteristics and Greater Astronomical Impact

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helton, Lorren Andrew

2010-12-01

Classical novae (CNe) are violent thermonuclear explosions arising on the surface of white dwarfs in binary systems and are contributors to the chemical evolution of the interstellar medium through the production and ejection of copious amounts of metal-rich material. Observations and modeling of CNe eruptions illuminate numerous fundamental processes of astrophysical interest, including non-equilibrium thermonuclear runaway, radiative processes in dynamic nebular environments, binary star interaction, as well as dust condensation and grain growth. Here I summarize key findings from selected Galactic CNe observed as part of a 5 year, panchromatic optical/infrared observing campaign using Spitzer, Gemini, and other ground based optical facilities. In particular, I present detailed analysis of nova V1065 Centauri, including photoionization analysis of the emission lines, which enabled the derivation of abundances in the ejecta, and radiative transport modeling of the dust emission features, which allowed determination of the composition and characteristics of the dust in this system. I present analysis of three novae, V1974 Cygni, V382 Velorum, and V1494 Aquilae, observed from 4.4--15.5 years after outburst, discuss the characteristics of the nebulae at these late times, and estimate the abundances in their ejecta. In the case of V1494 Aql, I also report the first detection of neon. Finally, I present observations of three novae, DZ Crucis, V2361 Cygni, and V2362 Cygni, that exhibited unidentified infrared (UIR) features in their mid-infrared spectra, which exhibited unusual characteristics. I relate these features to other dusty novae in which features with similar characteristics were observed, and discuss possible sources for the UIR carriers. Analysis of the data obtained in the CNe monitoring campaign presented here highlights the need for synoptic observations obtained with broad wavelength coverage. Observations of V1065 Cen, which exhibited spectra rich in metals (e.g O, Ne, Mg, S, Ar, and Fe) produced during the thermonuclear runaway and through dredge up from the surface layers of the underlying WD, yielded robust estimates of WD composition, ejecta mass, and absolute abundances in the ejecta. Dusty novae such as V1065 Cen, V2362 Cyg, and V2361 Cyg, produced a variety of grain types as revealed by emission features characteristic of silicates, hydrogenated amorphous carbon dust, and PAH-like molecules, often in the same system. This data set is exceptional in that observations of many targets commenced immediately after eruption and followed the development for hundreds of days post-outburst providing unique insight into the evolution of conditions within the ejecta including the complete cycle of growth, processing, and dissipation of dust grains.

Process and system for removing sulfur from sulfur-containing gaseous streams

DOEpatents

Basu, Arunabha; Meyer, Howard S.; Lynn, Scott; Leppin, Dennis; Wangerow, James R.

2012-08-14

A multi-stage UCSRP process and system for removal of sulfur from a gaseous stream in which the gaseous stream, which contains a first amount of H.sub.2S, is provided to a first stage UCSRP reactor vessel operating in an excess SO.sub.2 mode at a first amount of SO.sub.2, producing an effluent gas having a reduced amount of SO.sub.2, and in which the effluent gas is provided to a second stage UCSRP reactor vessel operating in an excess H.sub.2S mode, producing a product gas having an amount of H.sub.2S less than said first amount of H.sub.2S.

A poem and a dream.

PubMed

Mahon, Eugene

2007-01-01

Recently, a journalist in analysis had a dream that stimulated the writing of a poem, the two psychic products occurring no more than a few hours apart. Since the analysand had copious free associations to both products, believing both to be culled from the same unconscious raw material, an interesting study of an act of aesthetic creation almost in statu nascendi became possible. A concept called poem work is entertained in this paper and is compared and contrasted with the classical psychoanalytic concept of dream work, allowing some unanswerable questions to be posed and discussed in regard to the formal constitutive elements of poetry.

Soft X-ray production by photon scattering in pulsating binary neutron star sources

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bussard, R. W.; Meszaros, P.; Alexander, S.

1985-01-01

A new mechanism is proposed as a source of soft (less than 1 keV) radiation in binary pulsating X-ray sources, in the form of photon scattering which leaves the electron in an excited Landau level. In a plasma with parameters typical of such sources, the low-energy X-ray emissivity of this mechanism far exceeds that of bremsstrahlung. This copious source of soft photons is quite adequate to provide the seed photons needed to explain the power-law hard X-ray spectrum by inverse Comptonization on the hot electrons at the base of the accretion column.

Exacerbation of asthma by Florida "red tide" during an ocean sailing trip.

PubMed

Steensma, David P

2007-09-01

A 36-year-old man with adult-onset nonallergic triad asthma developed acute bronchospasm and copious sputum production during an offshore sailing excursion on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Symptoms were linked to proximity to blooms of the marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (red tide) and heavy aerosolized brevetoxin exposure, and symptoms recurred during rechallenge. Patients with respiratory disease who are planning a visit to red tide-prone seaside areas should be cautioned to bring their pulmonary medications, and clinicians should be aware that reactive airway symptoms may be triggered by exposure to red tide.

Darwin's legacy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Susskind, Leonard

2009-07-01

Charles Darwin was no theoretical physicist, and I am no biologist. Yet, as a theoretical physicist, I have found much to think about in Darwin's legacy - and in that of his fellow naturalist Alfred Russell Wallace. Darwin's style of science is not usually thought of as theoretical and certainly not mathematical: he was a careful observer of nature, kept copious notes, contributed to zoological collections; and eventually from his vast repertoire of observation deduced the idea of natural selection as the origin of species. The value of theorizing is often dismissed in the biological sciences as less important than observation; and Darwin was the master observer.

Highlights from the Faraday Discussion on New Directions in Porous Crystalline Materials, Edinburgh, UK, June 2017.

PubMed

Addicoat, Matthew A; Bennett, Thomas D; Stassen, Ivo

2017-09-28

A lively discussion on new directions in porous crystalline materials took place in June 2017, with the beautiful city of Edinburgh as a backdrop, in the context of the unique Faraday Discussions format. Here, 5 minute presentations were given on papers which had been submitted in advance of the conference, with copious time allocated for in-depth discussion of the work presented. Prof. Mircea Dincă (MIT), chair of the scientific committee, opened the conference by welcoming the many different nationalities attending, and outlining the format of discussions.

Enhanced biodegradation of lindane using oil-in-water bio-microemulsion stabilized by biosurfactant produced by a new yeast strain, Pseudozyma VITJzN01.

PubMed

Abdul Salam, Jaseetha; Das, Nilanjana

2013-11-28

Organochlorine pesticide residues continue to remain as a major environmental threat worldwide. Lindane is an organochlorine pesticide widely used as an acaricide in medicine and agriculture. In the present study, a new lindane-degrading yeast strain, Pseudozyma VITJzN01, was identified as a copious producer of glycolipid biosurfactant. The glycolipid structure and type were elucidated by FTIR, NMR spectroscopy, and GC-MS analysis. The surface activity and stability of the glycolipid was analyzed. The glycolipids, characterized as mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs), exhibited excellent surface active properties and the surface tension of water was reduced to 29 mN/m. The glycolipid was stable over a wide range of pH, temperature, and salinity, showing a very low CMC of 25 mg/l. Bio-microemulsion of olive oil-in-water (O/W) was prepared using the purified biosurfactant without addition of any synthetic cosurfactants, for lindane solubilization and enhanced degradation assay in liquid and soil slurry. The O/W bio-microemulsions enhanced the solubility of lindane up to 40-folds. Degradation of lindane (700 mg/l) by VITJzN01 in liquid medium amended with bio-microemulsions was found to be enhanced by 36% in 2 days, compared with degradation in 12 days in the absence of bio-microemulsions. Lindane-spiked soil slurry incubated with bio-microemulsions also showed 20-40% enhanced degradation compared with the treatment with glycolipids or yeast alone. This is the first report on lindane degradation by Pseudozyma sp., and application of bio-microemulsions for enhanced lindane degradation. MEL-stabilized bio-microemulsions can serve as a potential tool for enhanced remediation of diverse lindanecontaminated environments.

Physiologic Impact of Circulating RBC Microparticles upon Blood-Vascular Interactions

PubMed Central

Said, Ahmed S.; Rogers, Stephen C.; Doctor, Allan

2018-01-01

Here, we review current data elucidating the role of red blood cell derived microparticles (RMPs) in normal vascular physiology and disease progression. Microparticles (MPs) are submicron-size, membrane-encapsulated vesicles derived from various parent cell types. MPs are produced in response to numerous stimuli that promote a sequence of cytoskeletal and membrane phospholipid changes and resulting MP genesis. MPs were originally considered as potential biomarkers for multiple disease processes and more recently are recognized to have pleiotropic biological effects, most notably in: promotion of coagulation, production and handling of reactive oxygen species, immune modulation, angiogenesis, and in initiating apoptosis. RMPs, specifically, form normally during RBC maturation in response to injury during circulation, and are copiously produced during processing and storage for transfusion. Notably, several factors during RBC storage are known to trigger RMP production, including: increased intracellular calcium, increased potassium leakage, and energy failure with ATP depletion. Of note, RMP composition differs markedly from that of intact RBCs and the nature/composition of RMP components are affected by the specific circumstances of RMP genesis. Described RMP bioactivities include: promotion of coagulation, immune modulation, and promotion of endothelial adhesion as well as influence upon vasoregulation via influence upon nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Of particular relevance, RMPs scavenge NO more avidly than do intact RBCs; this physiology has been proposed to contribute to the impaired oxygen delivery homeostasis that may be observed following transfusion. In summary, RMPs are submicron particles released from RBCs, with demonstrated vasoactive properties that appear to disturb oxygen delivery homeostasis. The clinical impact of RMPs in normal and patho-physiology and in transfusion recipients is an area of continued investigation. PMID:29379445

Exotic quarks in Twin Higgs models

DOE PAGES

Cheng, Hsin -Chia; Jung, Sunghoon; Salvioni, Ennio; ...

2016-03-14

The Twin Higgs model provides a natural theory for the electroweak symmetry breaking without the need of new particles carrying the standard model gauge charges below a few TeV. In the low energy theory, the only probe comes from the mixing of the Higgs fields in the standard model and twin sectors. However, an ultraviolet completion is required below ~ 10 TeV to remove residual logarithmic divergences. In non-supersymmetric completions, new exotic fermions charged under both the standard model and twin gauge symmetries have to be present to accompany the top quark, thus providing a high energy probe of themore » model. Some of them carry standard model color, and may therefore be copiously produced at current or future hadron colliders. Once produced, these exotic quarks can decay into a top together with twin sector particles. If the twin sector particles escape the detection, we have the irreducible stop-like signals. On the other hand, some twin sector particles may decay back into the standard model particles with long lifetimes, giving spectacular displaced vertex signals in combination with the prompt top quarks. This happens in the Fraternal Twin Higgs scenario with typical parameters, and sometimes is even necessary for cosmological reasons. We study the potential displaced vertex signals from the decays of the twin bottomonia, twin glueballs, and twin leptons in the Fraternal Twin Higgs scenario. As a result, depending on the details of the twin sector, the exotic quarks may be probed up to ~ 2.5 TeV at the LHC and beyond 10 TeV at a future 100 TeV collider, providing a strong test of this class of ultraviolet completions.« less

Physiologic Impact of Circulating RBC Microparticles upon Blood-Vascular Interactions.

PubMed

Said, Ahmed S; Rogers, Stephen C; Doctor, Allan

2017-01-01

Here, we review current data elucidating the role of red blood cell derived microparticles (RMPs) in normal vascular physiology and disease progression. Microparticles (MPs) are submicron-size, membrane-encapsulated vesicles derived from various parent cell types. MPs are produced in response to numerous stimuli that promote a sequence of cytoskeletal and membrane phospholipid changes and resulting MP genesis. MPs were originally considered as potential biomarkers for multiple disease processes and more recently are recognized to have pleiotropic biological effects, most notably in: promotion of coagulation, production and handling of reactive oxygen species, immune modulation, angiogenesis, and in initiating apoptosis. RMPs, specifically, form normally during RBC maturation in response to injury during circulation, and are copiously produced during processing and storage for transfusion. Notably, several factors during RBC storage are known to trigger RMP production, including: increased intracellular calcium, increased potassium leakage, and energy failure with ATP depletion. Of note, RMP composition differs markedly from that of intact RBCs and the nature/composition of RMP components are affected by the specific circumstances of RMP genesis. Described RMP bioactivities include: promotion of coagulation, immune modulation, and promotion of endothelial adhesion as well as influence upon vasoregulation via influence upon nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Of particular relevance, RMPs scavenge NO more avidly than do intact RBCs; this physiology has been proposed to contribute to the impaired oxygen delivery homeostasis that may be observed following transfusion. In summary, RMPs are submicron particles released from RBCs, with demonstrated vasoactive properties that appear to disturb oxygen delivery homeostasis. The clinical impact of RMPs in normal and patho-physiology and in transfusion recipients is an area of continued investigation.

Frost-weathering on Mars: experimental evidence for peroxide formation.

PubMed

Huguenin, R L; Miller, K J; Harwood, W S

1979-12-01

A laboratory study of the interaction of H2O frost with samples of the minerals olivine (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 and pyroxene (Mg,Fe)SiO3 at -11 degrees C to -22 degrees C revealed that an acidic oxidant was produced. Exposure of the frost-treated minerals to liquie H2O produced a sudden drop in pH and resulted in the production of copious O2(g) (as much as approximately 10(20) molecules g-1). Exposure of frost-treated samples to 5 ml of 0.1M HCOONa solution resulted in the rapid oxidation of up to 43% of the formate to CO2(g). These reactions were qualitatively similar to the chemical activity observed during the active cycles of the Viking lander Gas Exchange and Labeled Release Biology experiments. Attempts to identify the oxidant by chemical indicators were inconclusive, but they tentatively suggested that chemisorbed hydrogen peroxide may have formed. The formation of chemisorbed peroxide could be explained as a byproduct of the chemical reduction of the mineral. The following model was proposed. H+ was incorporated into the mineral from surface frost. This would have left behind a residual of excess OH-(ads) (relative to surface H+). Electrons were then stripped from the surface OH-(ads) (due to the large repulsive potential between neighboring OH-(ads)) and incorporated into the crystal to restore charge balance and produce a chemical reduction of the mineral. The resultant surface hydroxyl radicals could then have combined to form the more stable chemisorbed hydrogen peroxide species. While the chemisorbed peroxide should be relatively stable at low temperatures, it should tend to decay to O(ads)+ H2O(g) at higher temperatures with an activation energy of greater than or approximately 34 kcal mole-1. This is consistent with the long-term storage and sterilization behavior of the Viking soil oxidants. It is possible that as little as 0.1--1% frost-weathered material in the martian soil could have produced the unusual chemical activity that occurred during the Viking Gas Exchange and Labeled Release experiments.

An Alkalophilic Bacillus sp. Produces 2-Phenylethylamine

PubMed Central

Hamasaki, Nobuko; Shirai, Shinji; Niitsu, Masaru; Kakinuma, Katsumi; Oshima, Tairo

1993-01-01

A large amount of 2-phenylethylamine was produced in cells of alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain YN-2000. This amine is secreted in the medium during the cell growth. The amounts of 2-phenylethylamine in both cells and medium change upon changing the pH of the medium. PMID:16349025

26 CFR 1.993-4 - Definition of producer's loans.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 10 2014-04-01 2013-04-01 true Definition of producer's loans. 1.993-4 Section...'s research and experimental expenditures. The amount described in this subdivision is the aggregate amount, whether or not charged to capital account, of research and experimental expenditures (within the...

STUDIES ON THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT EMITTED BY MIXTURES OF CYPRIDINA LUCIFERIN AND LUCIFERASE

PubMed Central

Stevens, Kenneth P.

1927-01-01

1. A photometric method was devised for measuring the intensities of light emitted per cc. of hiciferin solution and calculating the amount of light emitted per gm. of dried Cypridina powder. A total of 128 runs was made and the data are incorporated in this report. 2. The maximum amount of light emitted from 1 gm. of powder under the experimental conditions was 0.655 lumens. Different samples of powder vary greatly in amount of light production. 3. When the concentration of substrate is doubled, nearly twice as much light is emitted, or an average ratio 2C/C of 1.86. Calculations of total light emissions per gm. of powder at different concentrations indicate that slightly more light is produced from the smaller concentrations. The maximum amount of light was produced by the solutions made with neutral sea water and averaged 0.445 lumens. The least light was obtained from solutions in distilled water saturated with hydrogen. The technique allows too rapid spontaneous oxidation prior to the saturation with hydrogen. The maximum amount of light from such experiments was only 0.077 lumens. Acid sea water solutions subsequently neutralized gave an average maximum of 0.386 lumens per gm. of powder per second. 4. When the concentration of enzyme is doubled, approximately the same amount of light is produced by both concentrations, although the stronger concentrations are slightly less effective than weaker ones. This undoubtedly is due to the colloidal nature of the enzyme and is a function of surface rather than of mass. In dilute solutions greater dispersion probably allows for greater adsorption to the surface of the enzyme. The average maximum amount of light produced in the series of enzyme experiments is of the magnitude 0.56 lumens per gm. of powder. PMID:19872366

Type and amount of organic amendments affect enhanced biogenic methane production from coal and microbial community structure

USGS Publications Warehouse

Davis, Katherine J.; Lu, Shipeng; Barnhart, Elliott P.; Parker, Albert E.; Fields, Matthew W.; Gerlach, Robin

2018-01-01

Slow rates of coal-to-methane conversion limit biogenic methane production from coalbeds. This study demonstrates that rates of coal-to-methane conversion can be increased by the addition of small amounts of organic amendments. Algae, cyanobacteria, yeast cells, and granulated yeast extract were tested at two concentrations (0.1 and 0.5 g/L), and similar increases in total methane produced and methane production rates were observed for all amendments at a given concentration. In 0.1 g/L amended systems, the amount of carbon converted to methane minus the amount produced in coal only systems exceeded the amount of carbon added in the form of amendment, suggesting enhanced coal-to-methane conversion through amendment addition. The amount of methane produced in the 0.5 g/L amended systems did not exceed the amount of carbon added. While the archaeal communities did not vary significantly, the bacterial populations appeared to be strongly influenced by the presence of coal when 0.1 g/L of amendment was added; at an amendment concentration of 0.5 g/L the bacterial community composition appeared to be affected most strongly by the amendment type. Overall, the results suggest that small amounts of amendment are not only sufficient but possibly advantageous if faster in situcoal-to-methane production is to be promoted.

7 CFR 1001.71 - Payments to the producer-settlement fund.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... to the handler for the month as determined pursuant to § 1001.60. (b) The sum of: (1) An amount... multiplying the total pounds of protein, other solids, and butterfat contained in producer milk by the protein, other solids, and butterfat prices respectively; and (3) An amount obtained by multiplying the pounds of...

7 CFR 1001.71 - Payments to the producer-settlement fund.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... to the handler for the month as determined pursuant to § 1001.60. (b) The sum of: (1) An amount... multiplying the total pounds of protein, other solids, and butterfat contained in producer milk by the protein, other solids, and butterfat prices respectively; and (3) An amount obtained by multiplying the pounds of...

7 CFR 1001.71 - Payments to the producer-settlement fund.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... to the handler for the month as determined pursuant to § 1001.60. (b) The sum of: (1) An amount... multiplying the total pounds of protein, other solids, and butterfat contained in producer milk by the protein, other solids, and butterfat prices respectively; and (3) An amount obtained by multiplying the pounds of...

7 CFR 1001.71 - Payments to the producer-settlement fund.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... to the handler for the month as determined pursuant to § 1001.60. (b) The sum of: (1) An amount... multiplying the total pounds of protein, other solids, and butterfat contained in producer milk by the protein, other solids, and butterfat prices respectively; and (3) An amount obtained by multiplying the pounds of...

7 CFR 1001.71 - Payments to the producer-settlement fund.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... to the handler for the month as determined pursuant to § 1001.60. (b) The sum of: (1) An amount... multiplying the total pounds of protein, other solids, and butterfat contained in producer milk by the protein, other solids, and butterfat prices respectively; and (3) An amount obtained by multiplying the pounds of...

Process for producing a clean hydrocarbon fuel from high calcium coal

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

Kindig, J.K.

A method is described for substantially reducing the amount of at least one insoluble fluoride-forming species selected from the group consisting of Group IA species and Group IIA species. The species is present in a coal feed material comprising: forming a slurry of a coal feed; a fluoride acid in an amount to produce a first molar concentration of free-fluoride-ions; at least one fluoride-complexing species, the total of all fluoride-complexing species in the slurry being present in an amount to produce a second molar concentration, the second molar concentration being at least equal to that amount such that the ratiomore » of the first molar concentration to the second molar concentration is substantially equal to the stoichiometric ratio of fluoride in at least one tightly-bound complexion so as to from tightly-bound complexions with substantially all free-fluoride ions in the slurry to produce a leached coal product and a spent leach liquor; and separating the leached coal product from the spent leach liquor.« less

The Effect of Oxygen on Organic Haze Properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ugelow, Melissa S.; De Haan, David O.; Hörst, Sarah M.; Tolbert, Margaret A.

2018-05-01

Atmospheric organic hazes are present on many planetary bodies, possibly including the ancient Earth and exoplanets, and can greatly influence surface and atmospheric properties. Here we examine the physical and optical properties of organic hazes produced with molecular nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, and increasing amounts of molecular oxygen, and compare them to hazes produced without added oxygen. As molecular oxygen is included in increasing amounts from 0 to 200 ppmv, the mass loading of haze produced decreases nonlinearly. With 200 ppmv molecular oxygen, the mass loading of particles produced is on the order of the amount of organic aerosol in modern Earth’s atmosphere, suggesting that while not a thick organic haze, haze particles produced with 200 ppmv molecular oxygen could still influence planetary climates. Additionally, the hazes produced with increasing amounts of oxygen become increasingly oxidized and the densities increase. For hazes produced with 0, 2 and 20 ppmv oxygen, the densities were found to be 0.94, 1.03 and 1.12 g cm‑3, respectively. Moreover, the hazes produced with 0, 2, and 20 ppmv oxygen are found to have real refractive indices of n = 1.58 ± 0.04, 1.53 ± 0.03 and 1.67 ± 0.03, respectively, and imaginary refractive indices of k={0.001}-0.001+0.002, 0.002 ± 0.002 and {0.002}-0.002+0.003, respectively. These k values demonstrate that the particles formed with oxygen have no absorption within our experimental error, and could result in a light scattering layer in an oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Characteristics of the microwave pyrolysis and microwave CO2-assisted gasification of dewatered sewage sludge.

PubMed

Chun, Young Nam; Jeong, Byeo Ri

2017-07-28

Microwave drying-pyrolysis or drying-gasification characteristics were examined to convert sewage sludge into energy and resources. The gasification was carried out with carbon dioxide as a gasifying agent. The examination results were compared with those of the conventional heating-type electric furnace to compare both product characteristics. Through the pyrolysis or gasification, gas, tar, and char were generated as products. The produced gas was the largest component of each process, followed by the sludge char and the tar. During the pyrolysis process, the main components of the produced gas were hydrogen and carbon monoxide, with a small amount of hydrocarbons such as methane and ethylene. In the gasification process, however, the amount of carbon monoxide was greater than the amount of hydrogen. In microwave gasification, a large amount of heavy tar was produced. The largest amount of benzene in light tar was generated from the pyrolysis or gasification. Ammonia and hydrogen cyanide, which are precursors of NO x , were also generated. In the microwave heating method, the sludge char produced by pyrolysis and gasification had pores in the mesopore range. This could be explained that the gas obtained from the microwave pyrolysis or gasification of the wet sewage sludge can be used as an alternative fuel, but the tar and NO x precursors in the produced gas should be treated. Sludge char can be used as a biomass solid fuel or as a tar removal adsorbent if necessary.

Cutting Edge: Protection by Antiviral Memory CD8 T Cells Requires Rapidly Produced Antigen in Large Amounts.

PubMed

Remakus, Sanda; Ma, Xueying; Tang, Lingjuan; Xu, Ren-Huan; Knudson, Cory; Melo-Silva, Carolina R; Rubio, Daniel; Kuo, Yin-Ming; Andrews, Andrew; Sigal, Luis J

2018-05-15

Numerous attempts to produce antiviral vaccines by harnessing memory CD8 T cells have failed. A barrier to progress is that we do not know what makes an Ag a viable target of protective CD8 T cell memory. We found that in mice susceptible to lethal mousepox (the mouse homolog of human smallpox), a dendritic cell vaccine that induced memory CD8 T cells fully protected mice when the infecting virus produced Ag in large quantities and with rapid kinetics. Protection did not occur when the Ag was produced in low amounts, even with rapid kinetics, and protection was only partial when the Ag was produced in large quantities but with slow kinetics. Hence, the amount and timing of Ag expression appear to be key determinants of memory CD8 T cell antiviral protective immunity. These findings may have important implications for vaccine design. Copyright © 2018 by The American Association of Immunologists, Inc.

Back-streaming ion beam measurements in a Self Magnetic Insulated (SMP) electron diode

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazarakis, Michael; Johnston, Mark; Kiefer, Mark; Leckbee, Josh; Webb, Timothy; Bennett, Nichelle; Droemer, Darryl; Welch, Dale; Nielsen, Dan; Ziska, Derek; Wilkins, Frank; Advance radiography department Team

2014-10-01

A self-magnetic pinch diode (SMP) is presently the electron diode of choice for high energy flash x-ray radiography utilizing pulsed power drivers. The Sandia National Laboratories RITS accelerator is presently fit with an SMP diode that generates very small electron beam spots. RITS is a Self-Magnetically Insulated Transmission Line (MITL) voltage adder that adds the voltage pulse of six 1.3 MV inductively insulated cavities. The diode's anode is made of high Z metal in order to produce copious and energetic flash x-rays for radiographic imaging of high areal density objects. In any high voltage inductive voltage adder (IVA) utilizing MITLs to transmit the power to the diode load, the precise knowledge of the accelerating voltage applied on the anode-cathode (A-K) gap is problematic. This is even more difficult in an SMP diode where the A-K gap is very small (~1 cm) and the diode region very hostile. We are currently measuring the back-streaming ion currents emitted from the anode and propagating through a hollow cathode tip. We then are evaluating the A-K gap voltage by ion time of flight measurements supplemented with filtered Rogowski coils. Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Company, for the United States Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration under Contract No. DE- AC04-94AL850.

Limitations of salivary and blood cortisol determinations in pigs.

PubMed

Blackshaw, J K; Blackshaw, A W

1989-01-01

Blood and saliva samples were taken from groups of pigs maintained in intensive conditions. Multiple samples were taken from two unrestrained pregnant sows fitted with jugular cannulae. Single samples were taken from groups (mixed gilts and entire males; 70-90 kg) which were lightly exercised (7) or restrained (12). The rate of salivary secretion was low and collection of adequate samples took 5 min; in a number of pigs no saliva could be obtained. In order to stimulate salivary secretion, pigs (70-80 kg) were injected with pilocarpine nitrate (25 mg, subcutaneous) which produced a copious flow of saliva persisting for at least 15 min. Resting sows had higher mean levels of cortisol in plasma, ultrafiltrate and saliva than the other groups, which did not differ from each other. Within the pilocarpine group, males had a higher ultrafiltrate level of cortisol than females. In most instances salivary cortisol was significantly greater than ultrafiltrate cortisol. Ultrafiltrate and plasma cortisol were highly correlated (r = 0.883) but this correlation was low in the presence of pilocarpine (r = 0.260). Salivary cortisol was poorly correlated with either plasma (r = 0.167) or ultrafiltrate cortisol (r = 0.278) and the correlation with plasma was even lower following the administration of pilocarpine (r = 0.086). It was concluded that salivary estimates of cortisol in the pig were not usefully correlated with levels of ultrafiltrate (free) cortisol.

Activation by nitric oxide of an oxidative-stress response that defends Escherichia coli against activated macrophages.

PubMed Central

Nunoshiba, T; deRojas-Walker, T; Wishnok, J S; Tannenbaum, S R; Demple, B

1993-01-01

Nitric oxide is a free radical (NO) formed biologically through the oxidation of L-arginine by nitric oxide synthases. NO is produced transiently in mammalian cells for intercellular signaling and in copious quantities to cause cytostasis and cytotoxicity. In the latter situation, NO is a deliberate cytotoxic product of activated macrophages, along with other reactive oxygen species such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2-). Escherichia coli has a complex set of responses to H2O2 and O2- that involves approximately 80 inducible proteins; we wondered whether these bacteria might induce analogous defenses against nitric oxide. We show here that a multigene system controlled by the redox-sensitive transcriptional regulator SoxR is activated by NO in vivo. This induction confers bacterial resistance to activated murine macrophages with kinetics that parallel the production of NO by these cells. Elimination of specific SoxR-regulated genes diminishes the resistance of these bacteria to the cytotoxic macrophages. The required functions include manganese-containing superoxide dismutase, endonuclease IV (a DNA-repair enzyme for oxidative damage), and micF, an antisense regulator of the outer membrane porin OmpF. These results demonstrate that SoxR is a sensor for cellular exposure to NO, and that the soxRS response system may contribute to bacterial virulence. PMID:8234347

An upper limit on the contribution of accreting white dwarfs to the type Ia supernova rate.

PubMed

Gilfanov, Marat; Bogdán, Akos

2010-02-18

There is wide agreement that type Ia supernovae (used as standard candles for cosmology) are associated with the thermonuclear explosions of white dwarf stars. The nuclear runaway that leads to the explosion could start in a white dwarf gradually accumulating matter from a companion star until it reaches the Chandrasekhar limit, or could be triggered by the merger of two white dwarfs in a compact binary system. The X-ray signatures of these two possible paths are very different. Whereas no strong electromagnetic emission is expected in the merger scenario until shortly before the supernova, the white dwarf accreting material from the normal star becomes a source of copious X-rays for about 10(7) years before the explosion. This offers a means of determining which path dominates. Here we report that the observed X-ray flux from six nearby elliptical galaxies and galaxy bulges is a factor of approximately 30-50 less than predicted in the accretion scenario, based upon an estimate of the supernova rate from their K-band luminosities. We conclude that no more than about five per cent of type Ia supernovae in early-type galaxies can be produced by white dwarfs in accreting binary systems, unless their progenitors are much younger than the bulk of the stellar population in these galaxies, or explosions of sub-Chandrasekhar white dwarfs make a significant contribution to the supernova rate.

Dacryocystitis following a nasolacrimal duct obstruction caused by an ectopic intranasal tooth in a dog.

PubMed

Voelter-Ratson, Katrin; Hagen, Regine; Grundmann, Stefan; Spiess, Bernhard Martin

2015-09-01

To describe a nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction secondary to an ectopic tooth in a 5-year-old male Border collie. The dog was presented with a 1-month history of mucopurulent discharge from the left eye (OS) preceded by a lifelong history of epiphora OS. Treatment with neomycin/polymyxin B/dexamethasone ophthalmic solution had not improved the clinical signs, and the NLD was not patent when irrigated by the referring veterinarian. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed followed by dacryocystorhinography and computed tomography (CT). The ophthalmologic examination revealed marked mucopurulent discharge, mild conjunctivitis, slightly elevated STT measurements, and a negative Jones test OS. Both nasolacrimal puncta OS could be cannulated without resistance for approximately 1.5 cm. Upon irrigation, copious amounts of mucopurulent discharge were exited through the corresponding punctum, while no fluid could be detected at the nares. Dacryocystorhinography was performed. Radiographs revealed an ectopic left canine tooth within the left nasal cavity. A cystic dilation of the NLD was observed proximal to the ectopic tooth. Computed tomography was performed to determine the exact position of the tooth and possible involvement of adjacent structures; CT confirmed the previous imaging findings. Treatment with systemic antibiotics, NSAIDs, and ofloxacin ophthalmic solution led to resolution of the clinical signs within several days. Surgery was declined by the owner. This is the first case report describing a blocked NLD due to an ectopic tooth in a dog. Ectopic teeth should be included as a differential diagnosis in cases of dacryocystitis and chronic epiphora in dogs. © 2014 American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.

Sustainable reuse of rice residues as feedstocks in vermicomposting for organic fertilizer production.

PubMed

Shak, Katrina Pui Yee; Wu, Ta Yeong; Lim, Su Lin; Lee, Chieh Ai

2014-01-01

Over the past decade, rice (Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima) cultivation has increased in many rice-growing countries due to the increasing export demand and population growth and led to a copious amount of rice residues, consisting mainly of rice straw (RS) and rice husk (RH), being generated during and after harvesting. In this study, Eudrilus eugeniae was used to decompose rice residues alone and rice residues amended with cow dung (CD) for bio-transformation of wastes into organic fertilizer. Generally, the final vermicomposts showed increases in macronutrients, namely, calcium (11.4-34.2%), magnesium (1.3-40.8%), phosphorus (1.2-57.3%), and potassium (1.1-345.6%) and a decrease in C/N ratio (26.8-80.0%) as well as increases in heavy metal content for iron (17-108%), copper (14-120%), and manganese (6-60%) after 60 days of vermicomposting. RS as a feedstock was observed to support healthier growth and reproduction of earthworms as compared to RH, with maximum adult worm biomass of 0.66 g/worm (RS) at 60 days, 31 cocoons (1RS:2CD), and 23 hatchlings (1RS:1CD). Vermicomposting of RS yielded better results than RH among all of the treatments investigated. RS that was mixed with two parts of CD (1RS:2CD) showed the best combination of nutrient results as well as the growth of E. eugeniae. In conclusion, vermicomposting could be used as a green technology to bio-convert rice residues into nutrient-rich organic fertilizers if the residues are mixed with CD in the appropriate ratio.

The AMPK inhibitor Compound C is a potent AMPK-independent anti-glioma agent

PubMed Central

Liu, Xiaona; Chhipa, Rishi Raj; Nakano, Ichiro; Dasgupta, Biplab

2014-01-01

AMPK is an evolutionarily conserved energy sensor important for cell growth, proliferation, survival and metabolic regulation. Active AMPK inhibits biosynthetic enzymes like mTOR and acetyl CoA carboxylase (required for protein and lipid synthesis, respectively) to ensure that cells maintain essential nutrients and energy during metabolic crisis. Despite our knowledge about this incredibly important kinase, no specific chemical inhibitors are available to examine its function. However, one small molecule known as Compound C (also called dorsomorphin) has been widely used in cell-based, biochemical and in vivo assays as a selective AMPK inhibitor. In nearly all these reports including a recent study in glioma, the biochemical and cellular effects of Compound C has been attributed to its inhibitory action towards AMPK. While examining the status of AMPK activation in human gliomas, we observed that glioblastomas (GBMs) express copious amount of active AMPK. Compound C effectively reduced glioma viability in vitro both by inhibiting proliferation and inducing cell death. As expected, Compound C inhibited AMPK; however, all the antiproliferative effects of this compound were AMPK-independent. Instead, Compound C killed glioma cells by multiple mechanisms including activation of the Calpain/Cathepsin pathway, inhibition of AKT, mTORC1/C2, cell cycle block at G2M and induction of necroptosis and autophagy. Importantly, normal astrocytes were significantly less susceptible to Compound C. In summary, Compound C is an extremely potent anti-glioma agent but we suggest that caution should be taken in interpreting results when this compound is used as an AMPK inhibitor. PMID:24419061

Obtaining accurate amounts of mercury from mercury compounds via electrolytic methods

DOEpatents

Grossman, Mark W.; George, William A.

1987-01-01

A process for obtaining pre-determined, accurate rate amounts of mercury. In one embodiment, predetermined, precise amounts of Hg are separated from HgO and plated onto a cathode wire. The method for doing this involves dissolving a precise amount of HgO which corresponds to a pre-determined amount of Hg desired in an electrolyte solution comprised of glacial acetic acid and H.sub.2 O. The mercuric ions are then electrolytically reduced and plated onto a cathode producing the required pre-determined quantity of Hg. In another embodiment, pre-determined, precise amounts of Hg are obtained from Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The method for doing this involves dissolving a precise amount of Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 in an electrolyte solution comprised of concentrated HCl and H.sub.2 O. The mercurous ions in solution are then electrolytically reduced and plated onto a cathode wire producing the required, pre-determined quantity of Hg.

Obtaining accurate amounts of mercury from mercury compounds via electrolytic methods

DOEpatents

Grossman, M.W.; George, W.A.

1987-07-07

A process is described for obtaining pre-determined, accurate rate amounts of mercury. In one embodiment, predetermined, precise amounts of Hg are separated from HgO and plated onto a cathode wire. The method for doing this involves dissolving a precise amount of HgO which corresponds to a pre-determined amount of Hg desired in an electrolyte solution comprised of glacial acetic acid and H[sub 2]O. The mercuric ions are then electrolytically reduced and plated onto a cathode producing the required pre-determined quantity of Hg. In another embodiment, pre-determined, precise amounts of Hg are obtained from Hg[sub 2]Cl[sub 2]. The method for doing this involves dissolving a precise amount of Hg[sub 2]Cl[sub 2] in an electrolyte solution comprised of concentrated HCl and H[sub 2]O. The mercurous ions in solution are then electrolytically reduced and plated onto a cathode wire producing the required, pre-determined quantity of Hg. 1 fig.

Process to produce silicon carbide fibers using a controlled concentration of boron oxide vapor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnard, Thomas Duncan (Inventor); Lipowitz, Jonathan (Inventor); Nguyen, Kimmai Thi (Inventor)

2001-01-01

A process for producing polycrystalline silicon carbide by heating an amorphous ceramic fiber that contains silicon and carbon in an environment containing boron oxide vapor. The boron oxide vapor is produced in situ by the reaction of a boron containing material such as boron carbide and an oxidizing agent such as carbon dioxide, and the amount of boron oxide vapor can be controlled by varying the amount and rate of addition of the oxidizing agent.

Process to produce silicon carbide fibers using a controlled concentration of boron oxide vapor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barnard, Thomas Duncan (Inventor); Lipowitz, Jonathan (Inventor); Nguyen, Kimmai Thi (Inventor)

2000-01-01

A process for producing polycrystalline silicon carbide includes heating an amorphous ceramic fiber that contains silicon and carbon in an environment containing boron oxide vapor. The boron oxide vapor is produced in situ by the reaction of a boron containing material such as boron carbide and an oxidizing agent such as carbon dioxide, and the amount of boron oxide vapor can be controlled by varying the amount and rate of addition of the oxidizing agent.

Solubility of Carbon Dioxide in Water.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bush, Pat; And Others

1992-01-01

Describes an activity measuring the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide in carbonated water at different temperatures. The amount of carbon dioxide is measured by the amount of dilute ammonia solution needed to produce a pH indicator color change. (PR)

Primary pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma presenting as a complex bronchocele: a case report

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

Introduction Primary pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma is a rare variety of lung cancer. It is characterized pathologically by copious mucin production predominantly in the extracellular space. This tumour has a remarkably favorable prognosis. Case presentation We present imaging and histopathological findings of primary pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma presenting as a complex bronchocele in a 67-year-old Caucasian woman. Conclusion Diagnosis of pulmonary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma should be considered in patients presenting with bronchocele that has suspicious imaging features, because the results of fine needle aspiration cytology and bronchoscopy are frequently inconclusive in these tumours. Positive emission tomography has an important role in helping to identify these tumours. PMID:19830231

Exclusive photoproduction of the cascade (Ξ) hyperons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Price, J. W.; Nefkens, B. M.; Ducote, J. L.; Goetz, J. T.; Adams, G.; Ambrozewicz, P.; Anciant, E.; Anghinolfi, M.; Asavapibhop, B.; Audit, G.; Auger, T.; Avakian, H.; Bagdasaryan, H.; Ball, J. P.; Barrow, S.; Battaglieri, M.; Beard, K.; Bektasoglu, M.; Bellis, M.; Benmouna, N.; Berman, B. L.; Bianchi, N.; Biselli, A. S.; Boiarinov, S.; Bouchigny, S.; Bradford, R.; Branford, D.; Briscoe, W. J.; Brooks, W. K.; Burkert, V. D.; Butuceanu, C.; Calarco, J. R.; Carman, D. S.; Carnahan, B.; Cetina, C.; Chen, S.; Cole, P. L.; Coleman, A.; Connelly, J.; Cords, D.; Corvisiero, P.; Crabb, D.; Crannell, H.; Cummings, J. P.; Sanctis, E. De; Devita, R.; Degtyarenko, P. V.; Denizli, H.; Dennis, L.; Dharmawardane, K. V.; Djalali, C.; Dodge, G. E.; Doughty, D.; Dragovitsch, P.; Dugger, M.; Dytman, S.; Dzyubak, O. P.; Eckhause, M.; Egiyan, H.; Egiyan, K. S.; Elouadrhiri, L.; Empl, A.; Eugenio, P.; Farhi, L.; Fatemi, R.; Feuerbach, R. J.; Forest, T. A.; Frolov, V.; Funsten, H.; Gaff, S. J.; Gavalian, G.; Gilfoyle, G. P.; Giovanetti, K. L.; Gordon, C. I.; Gothe, R.; Griffioen, K.; Guidal, M.; Guillo, M.; Guler, N.; Guo, L.; Gyurjyan, V.; Hadjidakis, C.; Hakobyan, R. S.; Hancock, D.; Hardie, J.; Heddle, D.; Hersman, F. W.; Hicks, K.; Hleiqawi, I.; Holtrop, M.; Hu, J.; Hyde-Wright, C. E.; Ilieva, Y.; Ireland, D.; Ito, M. M.; Jenkins, D.; Joo, K.; Juengst, H. G.; Kelley, J. H.; Kellie, J.; Khandaker, M.; Kim, K. Y.; Kim, K.; Kim, W.; Klein, A.; Klein, F. J.; Klimenko, A. V.; Klusman, M.; Kossov, M.; Kramer, L. H.; Kuang, Y.; Kubarovsky, V.; Kuhn, S. E.; Kuhn, J.; Lachniet, J.; Laget, J. M.; Langheinrich, J.; Lawrence, D.; Li, Ji; Livingston, K.; Lukashin, K.; Major, W.; Manak, J. J.; Marchand, C.; McAleer, S.; McNabb, J. W.; Mecking, B. A.; Melone, J. J.; Mestayer, M. D.; Meyer, C. A.; Mikhailov, K.; Mirazita, M.; Miskimen, R.; Morand, L.; Morrow, S. A.; Muccifora, V.; Mueller, J.; Mutchler, G. S.; Napolitano, J.; Nasseripour, R.; Nelson, S. O.; Niccolai, S.; Niculescu, G.; Niculescu, I.; Niczyporuk, B. B.; Niyazov, R. A.; Nozar, M.; O'Brien, J. T.; O'Rielly, G. V.; Osipenko, M.; Ostrovidov, A.; Park, K.; Pasyuk, E.; Peterson, G.; Philips, S. A.; Pivnyuk, N.; Pocanic, D.; Pogorelko, O.; Polli, E.; Pozdniakov, S.; Preedom, B. M.; Prok, Y.; Protopopescu, D.; Qin, L. M.; Raue, B. A.; Riccardi, G.; Ricco, G.; Ripani, M.; Ritchie, B. G.; Ronchetti, F.; Rosner, G.; Rossi, P.; Rowntree, D.; Rubin, P. D.; Sabatié, F.; Sabourov, K.; Salgado, C.; Santoro, J. P.; Sanzone-Arenhovel, M.; Sapunenko, V.; Schumacher, R. A.; Serov, V. S.; Shafi, A.; Sharabian, Y. G.; Shaw, J.; Simionatto, S.; Skabelin, A. V.; Smith, E. S.; Smith, T.; Smith, L. C.; Sober, D. I.; Spraker, M.; Stavinsky, A.; Stepanyan, S.; Stokes, B.; Stoler, P.; Strakovsky, I. I.; Strauch, S.; Taiuti, M.; Taylor, S.; Tedeschi, D. J.; Thoma, U.; Thompson, R.; Tkabladze, A.; Todor, L.; Tur, C.; Ungaro, M.; Vineyard, M. F.; Vlassov, A. V.; Wang, K.; Weinstein, L. B.; Weller, H.; Weygand, D. P.; Williams, M.; Witkowski, M.; Wolin, E.; Wood, M. H.; Yegneswaran, A.; Yun, J.

2005-05-01

We report on the first measurement of exclusive Ξ-(1321) hyperon photoproduction in γp→K+K+Ξ- for 3.2

Reaction. pi. /sup -/p. --> pi. /sup -/. pi. /sup +/. pi. /sup -/p at 8 GeV/c

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

Kitagaki, T.; Tanaka, S.; Yuta, H.

1982-10-01

Results from a high-statistics experiment involving an exposure of the SLAC 82-in. hydrogen bubble chamber to a beam of 8-GeV/c ..pi../sup -/ yielding a final state of ..pi../sup -/..pi../sup +/..pi../sup -/p are presented. Copious production of rho, ..delta../sup + +/, and f is found. Considerable quasi-two-body production in which one particle decays to one of the above resonances is also observed. Some double-resonance production involving baryon and meson resonances is also seen. The production properties of rho, ..delta../sup + +/, and f mesons are well described by a double-Regge model.

Endodontic management of a fused mandibular third molar and distomolar: a case report.

PubMed

Zeylabi, Ali; Shirani, Farzaneh; Heidari, Fatemeh; Farhad, Ali Reza

2010-04-01

Careful management of fused teeth is essential as abnormal morphology can predispose a tooth to caries and periodontal disease. In this paper, a rare case of successful endodontic management of unilateral mandibular third molar fused to a distomolar is reported. Caries was removed from the tooth complex under local anaesthesia. The pulp chambers of the third molar and supernumerary tooth were accessed and the root canals were prepared using rotary instrumentation and copious irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. Obturation using the lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer was subsequently performed. A 1-year recall showed a good treatment result.

In silico Prediction and Wet Lab Validation of Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott Extracts as Antioxidant and Anti-breast Cancer Source: A Comparative Study.

PubMed

Kant, Kamal; Lal, Uma Ranjan; Ghosh, Manik

2018-01-01

Globally, reactive oxygen species have served as an alarm predecessor toward pathogenesis of copious oxidative stress-related diseases. The researchers have turned their attention toward plant-derived herbal goods due to their promising therapeutic applications with minimal side effects. Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott (ATWS) is used in the traditional medicine since ancient years, but scientific assessments are relatively inadequate and need to be unlocked. Our aim was designed to validate the ATWS tuber and leaf extracts as an inhibitor of oxidative stress using computational approach. The reported chief chemical entities of ATWS were docked using Maestro 9.3 (Schrödinger, LLC, Cambridge, USA) tool and further ATWS extracts (tubers and leaves) were validated with 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and sulforhodamine B assays experimentally. In silico results showed notable binding affinity of ATWS phytoconstituents with the receptor (PDB: 3ERT). Experimentally, butanolic tuber fraction confirmed promising antioxidant potential (ABTS: IC 50 : 271.67 μg/ml; DPPH: IC 50 : 723.41 μg/ml) with a noteworthy amount of FRAP (195.96 μg/mg), total phenolic content (0.087 μg/mg), and total flavonoid content (7.5 μg/mg) while chloroform fraction (leaves) showed considerable reduction in the cell viability of MCF-7 cell line. The current findings may act as a precious tool to further unlock novel potential therapeutic agents against oxidative stress. Quercetin showed top.ranked glide score with notable binding toward 3ERT receptorAmong extracts, butanolic tubers confirmed as promising antioxidant with remarkable amount of TPC and TFCIn addition, chloroform fraction (leaves) revealed considerable decline in the cell viability of MCF-7 cell line. Abbreviations used: ATWS: Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott, DPPH: 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, ABTS: 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt, FRAP: Ferric-reducing ability of plasma, TPC: Total phenolic content, TFC: Total flavonoid content, SRB: Sulforhodamine B.

Transformations of inorganic mercury by Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

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

Yannai, S.; Berdicevsky, I.; Duek, L.

1991-01-01

Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans were incubated with 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 {mu}g of Hg (as HgCl{sub 2}) per ml of Nelson's medium in the presence of trace amounts of oxygen at 28{degree}C for 12 days. Two control media were used, one without added Hg and one without yeast inoculum. Yeast cell growth was estimated after 1, 2, 3, and 8 days of incubation. The contents of organomercury in the system and of elemental mercury released from the media and collected in traps were determined at the end of the experiments. The results were as follows: (1) C. albicans wasmore » the more mercury-resistant species, but both yeast species failed to grown in the media containing 0.75 {mu}g of Hg per ml.; (2) The amounts of organomercury produced by the two species were proportional to the amount of HgCl{sub 2} added to the medium. In all cases C. albicans produced considerably larger amounts of methylmercury than S. cerevisiae; (3) The amounts of elemental Hg produced were inversely proportional to the HgCl{sub 2} level added in the case of S. cerevisiae but were all similar in the case of C. albicans;and (4) Neither organomercury nor elemental Hg was produced in any of the control media.« less

Profiling of lipid and glycogen accumulations under different growth conditions in the sulfothermophilic red alga Galdieria sulphuraria.

PubMed

Sakurai, Toshihiro; Aoki, Motohide; Ju, Xiaohui; Ueda, Tatsuya; Nakamura, Yasunori; Fujiwara, Shoko; Umemura, Tomonari; Tsuzuki, Mikio; Minoda, Ayumi

2016-01-01

The unicellular red alga Galdieria sulphuraria grows efficiently and produces a large amount of biomass in acidic conditions at high temperatures. It has great potential to produce biofuels and other beneficial compounds without becoming contaminated with other organisms. In G. sulphuraria, biomass measurements and glycogen and lipid analyses demonstrated that the amounts and compositions of glycogen and lipids differed when cells were grown under autotrophic, mixotrophic, and heterotrophic conditions. Maximum biomass production was obtained in the mixotrophic culture. High amounts of glycogen were obtained in the mixotrophic cultures, while the amounts of neutral lipids were similar between mixotrophic and heterotrophic cultures. The amounts of neutral lipids were highest in red algae, including thermophiles. Glycogen structure and fatty acids compositions largely depended on the growth conditions. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

The future role of chemicals in forestry.

Treesearch

Tarrant R.F.; H.J. Gratkowski; W.E. Waters

1973-01-01

As a result of an increasing population, our reduced acreage of forest land will be called upon to produce maximum amounts of wood fiber, to satisfy an ever-increasing demand for recreational use, and to produce maximum amounts of clean, pure water. Under such demands, forestry must be practiced with an intensity that is beyond our ability to conceive at present. Of...

Accumulation of a 5’ proximal subgenomic RNA of Citrus tristeza virus is correlated with encapsidation by the minor coat protein

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

During replication, Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) produces large amounts of two unusual subgenomic (sg) RNAs that are positive-stranded and 5' -coterminal. Although these RNAs are produced in similar amounts and are similar in size, with LMT1 (~750 nt) only slightly larger than LMT2 (~650), we found ...

Foamed lightweight materials made from mixed scrap metal waste powder and sewage sludge ash.

PubMed

Wang, Kuen-Sheng; Chiou, Ing-Jia

2004-10-01

The porous properties and pozzolanic effects of sewage sludge ash (SSA) make it possible to produce lightweight materials. This study explored the effects of different metallic foaming agents, made from waste aluminium products, on the foaming behaviours and engineering characteristics, as well as the microstructure of sewage sludge ash foamed lightweight materials. The results indicated that aluminium powder and mixed scrap metal waste powder possessed similar chemical compositions. After proper pre-treatment, waste aluminium products proved to be ideal substitutes for metallic foaming agents. Increasing the amount of mixed scrap metal waste by 10-15% compared with aluminium powder would produce a similar foaming ratio and compressive strength. The reaction of the metallic foaming agents mainly produced pores larger than 10 microm, different from the hydration reaction of cement that produced pores smaller than 1 microm mostly. To meet the requirements of the lightweight materials characteristics and the compressive strength, the amount of SSA could be up to 60-80% of the total solids. An adequate amount of aluminium powder is 0.5-0.9% of the total solids. Increasing the fineness of the mixed scrap metal waste powder could effectively reduce the amount required and improve the foaming ratio.

Anxiolytic-Like Actions of Fatty Acids Identified in Human Amniotic Fluid

PubMed Central

García-Ríos, Rosa Isela; Rodríguez-Landa, Juan Francisco; Contreras, Carlos M.

2013-01-01

Eight fatty acids (C12–C18) were previously identified in human amniotic fluid, colostrum, and milk in similar proportions but different amounts. Amniotic fluid is well known to be the natural environment for development in mammals. Interestingly, amniotic fluid and an artificial mixture of fatty acids contained in amniotic fluid produce similar anxiolytic-like actions in Wistar rats. We explored whether the lowest amount of fatty acids contained in amniotic fluid with respect to colostrum and milk produces such anxiolytic-like effects. Although a trend toward a dose-response effect was observed, only an amount of fatty acids that was similar to amniotic fluid fully mimicked the effect of diazepam (2 mg/kg, i.p.) in the defensive burying test, an action devoid of effects on locomotor activity and motor coordination. Our results confirm that the amount of fatty acids contained in amniotic fluid is sufficient to produce anxiolytic-like effects, suggesting similar actions during intrauterine development. PMID:23737729

Formation kinetics of furfuryl alcohol in a coffee model system.

PubMed

Albouchi, Abdullatif; Murkovic, Michael

2018-03-15

The production of furfuryl alcohol from green coffee during roasting and the effect of multiple parameters on its formation were studied employing HPLC-DAD. Results show that coffee produces furfuryl alcohol in larger quantities (418µg/g) compared to other beans or seeds (up to 132µg/g) roasted under the same conditions. The kinetics of furfuryl alcohol production resemble those of other process contaminants (e.g., HMF, acrylamide) produced in coffee roasting, with temperature and time of roasting playing significant roles in quantities formed. Different coffee species yielded different amounts of furfuryl alcohol. The data point out that the amounts of furfuryl alcohol found in roasted coffee do not reflect the total amounts produced during roasting because great amounts of furfuryl alcohol (up to 57%) are evaporating and released to the atmosphere during roasting. Finally the effect of the moisture content on furfuryl alcohol formation was found to be of little impact. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A competitive trade-off limits the selective advantage of increased antibiotic production.

PubMed

Gerardin, Ylaine; Springer, Michael; Kishony, Roy

2016-09-26

In structured environments, antibiotic-producing microorganisms can gain a selective advantage by inhibiting nearby competing species 1 . However, despite their genetic potential 2,3 , natural isolates often make only small amounts of antibiotics, and laboratory evolution can lead to loss rather than enhancement of antibiotic production 4 . Here, we show that, due to competition with antibiotic-resistant cheater cells, increased levels of antibiotic production can actually decrease the selective advantage to producers. Competing fluorescently labelled Escherichia coli colicin producers with non-producing resistant and sensitive strains on solid media, we found that although producer colonies can greatly benefit from the inhibition of nearby sensitive colonies, this benefit is shared with resistant colonies growing in their vicinity. A simple model, which accounts for such local competitive and inhibitory interactions, suggests that the advantage of producers varies non-monotonically with the amount of production. Indeed, experimentally varying the amount of production shows a peak in selection for producers, reflecting a trade-off between benefit gained by inhibiting sensitive competitors and loss due to an increased contribution to resistant cheater colonies. These results help explain the low level of antibiotic production observed for natural species and can help direct laboratory evolution experiments selecting for increased or novel production of antibiotics.

Production of liquid fuels out of plant biomass and refuse: Methods, cost, potential (in MIXED)

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

Woick, B.; Friedrich, R.

1981-09-01

Different ways of producing biomass and its conversion into high grade fuel for vehicles are reviewed with particular reference to physical and geographical factors, pertaining in the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Even with the potentially small amount of biomass in the FRG, the fueling of diesel engines with rape oil or modified ethanol, which can be obtained from any cellulosic feedstock, seems to pose the fewest difficulties and promises greatest efficiency. However, the amount of fuel produced from biomass can probably only meet a very small percentage of the total amount required.

Method to separate and determine the amount of ejecta produced in a second-shock material-fragmentation event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buttler, W. T.; Hixson, R. S.; King, N. S. P.; Olson, R. T.; Rigg, P. A.; Zellner, M. B.; Routley, N.; Rimmer, A.

2007-04-01

The authors consider a mathematical method to separate and determine the amount of ejecta produced in a second-shock material-fragmentation process. The technique is theoretical and assumes that a material undergoing a shock release at a vacuum interface ejects particulate material or fragments as the initial shock unloads and reflects at the vacuum-surface interface. In this case it is thought that the reflected shock may reflect again at the source of the shock and return to the vacuum-surface interface and eject another amount of fragments or particulate material.

Comparing fixed-amount and progressive-amount DRO Schedules for tic suppression in youth with chronic tic disorders.

PubMed

Capriotti, Matthew R; Turkel, Jennifer E; Johnson, Rachel A; Espil, Flint M; Woods, Douglas W

2017-01-01

Chronic tic disorders (CTDs) involve motor and/or vocal tics that often cause substantial distress and impairment. Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) schedules of reinforcement produce robust, but incomplete, reductions in tic frequency in youth with CTDs; however, a more robust reduction may be needed to affect durable clinical change. Standard, fixed-amount DRO schedules have not commonly yielded such reductions, so we evaluated a novel, progressive-amount DRO schedule, based on its ability to facilitate sustained abstinence from functionally similar behaviors. Five youth with CTDs were exposed to periods of baseline, fixed-amount DRO (DRO-F), and progressive-amount DRO (DRO-P). Both DRO schedules produced decreases in tic rate and increases in intertic interval duration, but no systematic differences were seen between the two schedules on any dimension of tic occurrence. The DRO-F schedule was generally preferred to the DRO-P schedule. Possible procedural improvements and other future directions are discussed. © 2016 Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

System for measuring film thickness

DOEpatents

Batishko, Charles R.; Kirihara, Leslie J.; Peters, Timothy J.; Rasmussen, Donald E.

1990-01-01

A system for determining the thicknesses of thin films of materials exhibiting fluorescence in response to exposure to excitation energy from a suitable source of such energy. A section of film is illuminated with a fixed level of excitation energy from a source such as an argon ion laser emitting blue-green light. The amount of fluorescent light produced by the film over a limited area within the section so illuminated is then measured using a detector such as a photomultiplier tube. Since the amount of fluorescent light produced is a function of the thicknesses of thin films, the thickness of a specific film can be determined by comparing the intensity of fluorescent light produced by this film with the intensity of light produced by similar films of known thicknesses in response to the same amount of excitation energy. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses fiber optic probes in measuring the thicknesses of oil films on the operational components of machinery which are ordinarily obscured from view.

Influence of lipids in the generation of phenylacetaldehyde in wort-related model systems.

PubMed

Gallardo, Emerenciana; De Schutter, David P; Zamora, Rosario; Derdelinckx, Guy; Delvaux, Freddy R; Hidalgo, Francisco J

2008-05-14

The effect of lipids on the formation of the Strecker aldehyde phenylacetaldehyde during wort boiling was studied to determine the role that small changes in the lipid content of the wort have in the production of significant flavor compounds in beer. Wort was treated with 0-2.77 mmol per liter of glucose, linoleic acid, or 2,4-decadienal and heated at 60-98 degrees C for 1 h. After this time, the amount of the Strecker aldehyde phenylacetaldehyde increased in the samples treated with linoleic acid or decadienal but not in the samples treated with glucose. Thus, the amount of phenylacetaldehyde produced in the presence of linoleic acid was 1.1-2.5 times the amount of the Strecker aldehyde produced in the control wort, and this amount increased to 3.6-4.6 times when decadienal was employed. The higher reactivity of decadienal than linoleic acid for this reaction decreased with temperature and was related to the oxidation of linoleic acid that occurred to a higher extent at higher temperatures. The above results suggest that lipids can contribute to the formation of Strecker aldehydes during wort boiling and that changes in the lipid content of the wort will produce significant changes in the formation of Strecker aldehydes in addition to other well-known consequences in beer quality and yeast metabolism. On the other hand, because of the high glucose content in wort, small changes in its content are not expected to affect the amount of Strecker aldehydes produced.

Quantifying the Microbial Utilization of Methanogenesis and Methane Loss from Northern Wetlands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corbett, J. E.; Tfaily, M.; Burdige, D.; Glaser, P. H.; Chanton, J.

2014-12-01

The importance of methanogenesis and percent of methane loss from the subsurface porewater in various northern wetland sites was quantified with isotope-mass balance equations. With equimolar amounts of CO2 and CH4 produced from methanogenesis, the amount of dissolved CO2 produced from methanogenesis as compared to other decomposition processes can be calculated and is equivalent to the amount of CH4 before loss due to ebullition, plant-mediated transport, and diffusion. This method was applied to porewater samples collected from various locations within permafrost collapse-scar bogs and northern peatlands. From the peatland sites, bogs produced less CO2-meth than fens (2.9 ± 1.3 mM and 3.7 ± 1.4 mM, respectively). Methanogenesis was a more utilized decomposition process in the bogs than the fens. However, greater amounts of CO2-meth found in fen sites was most likely due to the presence of more labile organic substrates resulting in greater overall production. More CH4 was lost in fens (89 ± 2.8%) than bogs (82 ± 5.3%) from plant-mediated transport as fens are dominated by vascular plants (Carex) while bogs are dominated by Sphagnum mosses. In permafrost sites, mid-bogs produced twice the amount of CO2-meth as bog moats (1.6 ± 0.63 mM and 0.82 ± 0.20 mM, respectively). Less methanogenesis was found in bog moats as recently thawed organic matter is exposed to initial decomposition processes and methane production grows over time. A similar amount of CH4 was lost from bog moats as mid bogs (63 ± 7.0% and 64 ± 9.3%, respectively) likely due to the greater density of vascular plants found within a bog moat.

Methods for the synthesis of olefins and derivatives

DOEpatents

Burk, Mark J; Pharkya, Priti; Van Dien, Stephen J; Burgard, Anthony P; Schilling, Christophe H

2013-06-04

The invention provides a method of producing acrylic acid. The method includes contacting fumaric acid with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylic acid per mole of fumaric acid. Also provided is an acrylate ester. The method includes contacting fumarate diester with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylate ester per mole of fumarate diester. An integrated process for process for producing acrylic acid or acrylate ester is provided which couples bioproduction of fumaric acid with metathesis transformation. An acrylic acid and an acrylate ester production also is provided.

Methods for the synthesis of olefins and derivatives

DOEpatents

Burk, Mark J [San Diego, CA; Pharkya, Priti [San Diego, CA; Van Dien, Stephen J [Encinitas, CA; Burgard, Anthony P [Bellefonte, PA; Schilling, Christophe H [San Diego, CA

2011-09-27

The invention provides a method of producing acrylic acid. The method includes contacting fumaric acid with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylic acid per mole of fumaric acid. Also provided is an acrylate ester. The method includes contacting fumarate diester with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylate ester per mole of fumarate diester. An integrated process for process for producing acrylic acid or acrylate ester is provided which couples bioproduction of fumaric acid with metathesis transformation. An acrylic acid and an acrylate ester production also is provided.

Methods for synthesis of olefins and derivatives

DOEpatents

Burk, Mark J.; Pharkya, Priti; Van Dien, Stephen J.; Burgard, Anthony P.; Schilling, Christophe H.

2016-06-14

The invention provides a method of producing acrylic acid. The method includes contacting fumaric acid with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylic acid per mole of fumaric acid. Also provided is an acrylate ester. The method includes contacting fumarate diester with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylate ester per mole of fumarate diester. An integrated process for process for producing acrylic acid or acrylate ester is provided which couples bioproduction of fumaric acid with metathesis transformation. An acrylic acid and an acrylate ester production also is provided.

Electric fields, electron production, and electron motion at the stripper foil in the Los Alamos Proton Storage Ring

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plum, M.

The beam instability at the Los Alamos Proton Storage Ring (PSR) most likely involves coupled oscillations between electrons and protons. For this instability to occur, there must be a strong source of electrons. Investigation of the various sources of electrons in the PSR had begun. Copious electron production is expected in the injection section because this section contains the stripper foil. This foil is mounted near the center of the beam pipe, and both circulating and injected protons pass through it, thus allowing ample opportunity for electron production. This paper discusses various mechanisms for electron production, beam-induced electric fields, and electron motion in the vicinity of the foil.

Structurally Controlled Geothermal Systems in the Central Cascades Arc-Backarc Regime, Oregon

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

Wannamaker, Philip E.

The goal of this project has been to analyze available magnetotelluric (MT) geophysical surveys, structural geology based on mapping and LiDAR, and fluid geochemical data, to identify high-temperature fluid upwellings, critically stressed rock volumes, and other evidence of structurally-controlled geothermal resources. Data were to be integrated to create conceptual models of volcanic-hosted geothermal resources along the Central Cascades arc segment, especially in the vicinity of Mt. Jefferson to Three Sisters. LiDAR data sets available at Oregon State University (OSU) allowed detailed structural geology modeling through forest canopy. Copious spring and well fluid chemistries, including isotopes, were modeled using Geo-T andmore » TOUGHREACT software.« less

Collagen XVII: A Shared Antigen in Neurodermatological Interactions?

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Collagen XVII is a nonfibril-forming transmembrane collagen, which functions as both a matrix protein and a cell-surface receptor. It is particularly copious in the skin, where it is known to be a structural component of hemidesmosomes. In addition, collagen XVII has been found to be present in the central nervous system, thus offering an explanation for the statistical association between bullous pemphigoid, in which autoimmunity is directed against dermal collagen XVII, and neurological diseases. In support of the hypothesis that collagen XVII serves as a shared antigen mediating an immune response between skin and brain, research on animal and human tissue, as well as numerous epidemiological and case studies, is presented. PMID:23878581

Optofluidic time-stretch microscopy: recent advances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Cheng; Nitta, Nao; Ozeki, Yasuyuki; Goda, Keisuke

2018-06-01

Flow cytometry is an indispensable method for valuable applications in numerous fields such as immunology, pathology, pharmacology, molecular biology, and marine biology. Optofluidic time-stretch microscopy is superior to conventional flow cytometry methods for its capability to acquire high-quality images of single cells at a high-throughput exceeding 10,000 cells per second. This makes it possible to extract copious information from cellular images for accurate cell detection and analysis with the assistance of machine learning. Optofluidic time-stretch microscopy has proven its effectivity in various applications, including microalga-based biofuel production, evaluation of thrombotic disorders, as well as drug screening and discovery. In this review, we discuss the principles and recent advances of optofluidic time-stretch microscopy.

Optofluidic time-stretch microscopy: recent advances

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lei, Cheng; Nitta, Nao; Ozeki, Yasuyuki; Goda, Keisuke

2018-04-01

Flow cytometry is an indispensable method for valuable applications in numerous fields such as immunology, pathology, pharmacology, molecular biology, and marine biology. Optofluidic time-stretch microscopy is superior to conventional flow cytometry methods for its capability to acquire high-quality images of single cells at a high-throughput exceeding 10,000 cells per second. This makes it possible to extract copious information from cellular images for accurate cell detection and analysis with the assistance of machine learning. Optofluidic time-stretch microscopy has proven its effectivity in various applications, including microalga-based biofuel production, evaluation of thrombotic disorders, as well as drug screening and discovery. In this review, we discuss the principles and recent advances of optofluidic time-stretch microscopy.

Multivariate analysis techniques

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

Bendavid, Josh; Fisher, Wade C.; Junk, Thomas R.

2016-01-01

The end products of experimental data analysis are designed to be simple and easy to understand: hypothesis tests and measurements of parameters. But, the experimental data themselves are voluminous and complex. Furthermore, in modern collider experiments, many petabytes of data must be processed in search of rare new processes which occur together with much more copious background processes that are of less interest to the task at hand. The systematic uncertainties on the background may be larger than the expected signal in many cases. The statistical power of an analysis and its sensitivity to systematic uncertainty can therefore usually bothmore » be improved by separating signal events from background events with higher efficiency and purity.« less

VizieR Online Data Catalog: MIPS 24um nebulae (Gvaramadze+, 2010)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gvaramadze, V. V.; Kniazev, A. Y.; Fabrika, S.

2011-03-01

Massive evolved stars lose a large fraction of their mass via copious stellar wind or instant outbursts. During certain evolutionary phases, they can be identified by the presence of their circumstellar nebulae. In this paper, we present the results of a search for compact nebulae (reminiscent of circumstellar nebulae around evolved massive stars) using archival 24um data obtained with the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer. We have discovered 115 nebulae, most of which bear a striking resemblance to the circumstellar nebulae associated with luminous blue variables (LBVs) and late WN-type (WNL) Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars in the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). (1 data file).

Novel management approach to connecting tube erosion of artificial urinary sphincter.

PubMed

Boateng, Akwasi A; Mohamed, Mahmoud A; Mahdy, Ayman E

2014-04-01

Artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) erosion often involve the urethral cuff and is managed by complete or partial device removal. Abdominal wall erosion of AUS tubing has not been previously reported and its management is unknown. We report tube erosion (TE) of AUS successfully managed without device explant. An 81-year-old male with AUS for post-prostatectomy incontinence presented with TE at the site of inguinal incision without signs or symptoms of infection. The exposed tube was reduced and wound was closed after copious antibiotic solution irrigation. No complications were noted at 2 month follow up. AUS-TE can be successfully managed conservatively with antiseptic wound site irrigation and reinsertion in absence of infection.

Supersymmetry production from a TeV scale black hole at CERN LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chamblin, Andrew; Cooper, Fred; Nayak, Gouranga C.

2004-10-01

If the fundamental Planck scale is near a TeV, then we should expect to see TeV scale black holes at the CERN LHC. Similarly, if the scale of supersymmetry (SUSY) breaking is sufficiently low, then we might expect to see light supersymmetric particles in the next generation of colliders. If the mass of the supersymmetric particle is of order a TeV and is comparable to the temperature of a typical TeV scale black hole, then such sparticles will be copiously produced via Hawking radiation: The black hole will act as a resonance for sparticles, among other things. In this paper we compare various signatures for SUSY production at LHC, and we contrast the situation where the sparticles are produced directly via parton fusion processes with the situation where they are produced indirectly through black hole resonances. We found that black hole resonances provide a larger source for heavy mass SUSY (squark and gluino) production than the direct perturbative QCD-SUSY production via parton fusion processes depending on the values of the Planck mass and black hole mass. Hence black hole production at LHC may indirectly act as a dominant channel for SUSY production. We also found that the differential cross section dσ/dpt for SUSY production increases as a function of the pt (up to pt equal to about 1TeV or more) of the SUSY particles (squarks and gluinos), which is in sharp contrast with the pQCD predictions where the differential cross section dσ/dpt decreases as pt increases for high pt about 1TeV or higher. This is a feature for any particle emission from a TeV scale black hole as long as the temperature of the black hole is very high (˜TeV). Hence the measurement of increase of dσ/dpt with pt for pt up to about 1TeV or higher for final state particles might be a useful signature for black hole production at LHC.

Effects of an equol-producing bacterium isolated from human faeces on isoflavone and lignan metabolism in mice.

PubMed

Tamura, Motoi; Hori, Sachiko; Nakagawa, Hiroyuki; Yamauchi, Satoshi; Sugahara, Takuya

2016-07-01

Equol is a metabolite of daidzein that is produced by intestinal microbiota. The oestrogenic activity of equol is stronger than daidzein. Equol-producing bacteria are believed to play an important role in the gut. The rod-shaped and Gram-positive anaerobic equol-producing intestinal bacterium Slackia TM-30 was isolated from healthy human faeces and its effects on urinary phyto-oestrogen, plasma and faecal lipids were assessed in adult mice. The urinary amounts of equol in urine were significantly higher in mice receiving the equol-producing bacterium TM-30 (BAC) group than in the control (CO) group (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between the urinary amounts of daidzein, dihydrodaidzein, enterodiol, and enterolactone between the BAC and CO groups. No significant differences in the plasma lipids were observed between the two groups. The lipid content (% dry weight) in the faeces sampled on the final day of the experiment tended to be higher in the BAC group than in the CO group (P = 0.07). Administration of equol-producing bacterium TM-30 affected the urinary amounts of phyto-oestrogens and the faecal lipid contents of mice. The equol-producing bacterium TM-30 likely influences the metabolism of phyto-oestrogen via changes in the gastrointestinal environment. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Method for producing redox shuttles

DOEpatents

Pupek, Krzysztof Z.; Dzwiniel, Trevor L.; Krumdick, Gregory K.

2015-03-03

A single step method for producing a redox shuttle having the formula 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-phenylene tetraethyl bis(phosphate) is provided, the method comprising phosphorylating tert butyl hydroquinone with a phosphate-containing reagent. Also provided is method for producing 2,5-di-tert-butyl-1,4-phenylene tetraethyl bis(phosphate), the method comprising solubilizing tert-butyl hydroquinone and tetrabutylammonium bromide with methyltetrahydrofuran to create a mixture; heating the mixture while adding base to the mixture in an amount to turn the mixture orange; and adding diethyl chlorophosphate to the orange mixture in an amount to phosphorylate the hydroquinone.

The removal of low level inorganics via electrogenerated hydrogen peroxide in the presence of catalytic amounts of Fe2+.

PubMed

Marrosu, G; Petrucci, R; Trazza, A

2001-01-01

Low level phosphites and hypophosphites were completely converted into phosphates, via hydrogen peroxide generated by cathodic reduction of oxygen in acidic aqueous medium at a reticulated vitreous carbon electrode, in the presence of little amounts of Fe2+. The contemporary regeneration of Fe2+ by cathodic reduction of Fe3+, produced by the well known Fenton reaction, furnishes an excellent way to continuously produce little amounts of the Fenton reactive and, as a consequence, of the powerful oxidant hydroxyl radical HO.. The best conditions for the complete removal of phosphorous as phosphites and hypophosphites are reported.

Citrus Chlorophyllase Dynamics at Ethylene-Induced Fruit Color-Break: A Study of Chlorophyllase Expression, Posttranslational Processing Kinetics, and in Situ Intracellular Localization1[OA

PubMed Central

Azoulay Shemer, Tamar; Harpaz-Saad, Smadar; Belausov, Eduard; Lovat, Nicole; Krokhin, Oleg; Spicer, Victor; Standing, Kenneth G.; Goldschmidt, Eliezer E.; Eyal, Yoram

2008-01-01

Fruit color-break is the visual manifestation of the developmentally regulated transition of chloroplasts to chromoplasts during fruit ripening and often involves biosynthesis of copious amounts of carotenoids concomitant with massive breakdown of chlorophyll. Regulation of chlorophyll breakdown at different physiological and developmental stages of the plant life cycle, particularly at fruit color-break, is still not well understood. Here, we present the dynamics of native chlorophyllase (Chlase) and chlorophyll breakdown in lemon (Citrus limon) fruit during ethylene-induced color-break. We show, using in situ immunofluorescence on ethylene-treated fruit peel (flavedo) tissue, that citrus Chlase is located in the plastid, in contrast to recent reports suggesting cytoplasmic localization of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Chlases. At the intra-organellar level, Chlase signal was found to overlap mostly with chlorophyll fluorescence, suggesting association of most of the Chlase protein with the photosynthetic membranes. Confocal microscopy analysis showed that the kinetics of chlorophyll breakdown was not uniform in the flavedo cells. Chlorophyll quantity at the cellular level was negatively correlated with plastid Chlase accumulation; plastids with reduced chlorophyll content were found by in situ immunofluorescence to contain significant levels of Chlase, while plastids containing still-intact chlorophyll lacked any Chlase signal. Immunoblot and protein-mass spectrometry analyses were used to demonstrate that citrus Chlase initially accumulates as an approximately 35-kD precursor, which is subsequently N-terminally processed to approximately 33-kD mature forms by cleavage at either of three consecutive amino acid positions. Chlase plastid localization, expression kinetics, and the negative correlation with chlorophyll levels support the central role of the enzyme in chlorophyll breakdown during citrus fruit color-break. PMID:18633118

Crustacean zooplankton release copious amounts of dissolved organic matter as taurine in the ocean.

PubMed

Clifford, Elisabeth L; Hansell, Dennis A; Varela, Marta M; Nieto-Cid, Mar; Herndl, Gerhard J; Sintes, Eva

2017-11-01

Taurine (Tau), an amino acid-like compound, is present in almost all marine metazoans including crustacean zooplankton. It plays an important physiological role in these organisms and is released into the ambient water throughout their life cycle. However, limited information is available on the release rates by marine organisms, the concentrations and turnover of Tau in the ocean. We determined dissolved free Tau concentrations throughout the water column and its release by abundant crustacean mesozooplankton at two open ocean sites (Gulf of Alaska and North Atlantic). At both locations, the concentrations of dissolved free Tau were in the low nM range (up to 15.7 nM) in epipelagic waters, declining sharply in the mesopelagic to about 0.2 nM and remaining fairly stable throughout the bathypelagic waters. Pacific amphipod-copepod assemblages exhibited lower dissolved free Tau release rates per unit biomass (0.8 ± 0.4 μmol g -1 C-biomass h -1 ) than Atlantic copepods (ranging between 1.3 ± 0.4 μmol g -1 C-biomass h -1 and 9.5 ± 2.1 μmol g -1 C-biomass h -1 ), in agreement with the well-documented inverse relationship between biomass-normalized excretion rates and body size. Our results indicate that crustacean zooplankton might contribute significantly to the dissolved organic matter flux in marine ecosystems via dissolved free Tau release. Based on the release rates and assuming steady state dissolved free Tau concentrations, turnover times of dissolved free Tau range from 0.05 d to 2.3 d in the upper water column and are therefore similar to those of dissolved free amino acids. This rapid turnover indicates that dissolved free Tau is efficiently consumed in oceanic waters, most likely by heterotrophic bacteria.

The Spectacular Radio-Near-IR-X-Ray Jet of 3C 111: the X-Ray Emission Mechanism and Jet Kinematics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Clautice, Devon; Perlman, Eric S.; Georganopoulos, Markos; Lister, Matthew L.; Tombesi, Francesco; Cara, Mihai; Marshall, Herman L.; Hogan, Brandon M.; Kazanas, Demos

2016-01-01

Relativistic jets are the most energetic manifestation of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) phenomenon. AGN jets are observed from the radio through gamma-rays and carry copious amounts of matter and energy from the subparsec central regions out to the kiloparsec and often megaparsec scale galaxy and cluster environs. While most spatially resolved jets are seen in the radio, an increasing number have been discovered to emit in the optical/near- IR and/or X-ray bands. Here we discuss a spectacular example of this class, the 3C 111 jet, housed in one of the nearest, double-lobed FR II radio galaxies known. We discuss new, deep Chandra and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations that reveal both near-IR and X-ray emission from several components of the 3C 111 jet, as well as both the northern and southern hotspots. Important differences are seen between the morphologies in the radio, X-ray, and near-IR bands. The long (over 100 kpc on each side), straight nature of this jet makes it an excellent prototype for future, deep observations, as it is one of the longest such features seen in the radio, near-IR/optical, and X-ray bands. Several independent lines of evidence, including the X-ray and broadband spectral shape as well as the implied velocity of the approaching hotspot, lead us to strongly disfavor the EC/CMB model and instead favor a two-component synchrotron model to explain the observed X-ray emission for several jet components. Future observations with NuSTAR, HST, and Chandra will allow us to further constrain the emission mechanisms.

Multiple Roles of Soluble Sugars in the Establishment of Gunnera-Nostoc Endosymbiosis1[OA

PubMed Central

Khamar, Hima J.; Breathwaite, Erick K.; Prasse, Christine E.; Fraley, Elizabeth R.; Secor, Craig R.; Chibane, Fairouz L.; Elhai, Jeff; Chiu, Wan-Ling

2010-01-01

Gunnera plants have the unique ability to form endosymbioses with N2-fixing cyanobacteria, primarily Nostoc. Cyanobacteria enter Gunnera through transiently active mucilage-secreting glands on stems. We took advantage of the nitrogen (N)-limitation-induced gland development in Gunnera manicata to identify factors that may enable plant tissue to attract and maintain cyanobacteria colonies. Cortical cells in stems of N-stressed Gunnera plants were found to accumulate a copious amount of starch, while starch in the neighboring mature glands was nearly undetectable. Instead, mature glands accumulated millimolar concentrations of glucose (Glc) and fructose (Fru). Successful colonization by Nostoc drastically reduced sugar accumulation in the surrounding tissue. Consistent with the abundance of Glc and Fru in the gland prior to Nostoc colonization, genes encoding key enzymes for sucrose and starch hydrolysis (e.g. cell wall invertase, α-amylase, and starch phosphorylase) were expressed at higher levels in stem segments with glands than those without. In contrast, soluble sugars were barely detectable in mucilage freshly secreted from glands. Different sugars affected Nostoc’s ability to differentiate motile hormogonia in a manner consistent with their locations. Galactose and arabinose, the predominant constituents of polysaccharides in the mucilage, had little or no inhibitory effect on hormogonia differentiation. On the other hand, soluble sugars that accumulated in gland tissue, namely sucrose, Glc, and Fru, inhibited hormogonia differentiation and enhanced vegetative growth. Results from this study suggest that, in an N-limited environment, mature Gunnera stem glands may employ different soluble sugars to attract Nostoc and, once the cyanobacteria are internalized, to maintain them in the N2-fixing vegetative state. PMID:20833727

‘Column on column’ structures as indicators of lava/ice interaction, Ruapehu andesite volcano, New Zealand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spörli, K. B.; Rowland, J. V.

2006-10-01

Lava flows of the Mangawhero Formation (ca. 15-60 ka) on Ruapehu volcano erupted during the last glaciation. In a distal flow lobe at Tukino, on the east side of the mountain, small secondary columns (10-20 cm thick) have formed on the sides of large, rectangular, primary (0.5-3 m thick) cooling columns. Thick (10 m+) zones of such small columns form a lateral and basal outer rind of the lobe. As they do not mark glassy zones of quenching, these secondary columns are interpreted as being formed by a second cooling event at temperatures below the boundary between the low creep and elastic regimes (˜ 600 °C) by rapid influx of copious amounts of water. Temperature drops deduced from extensional strains of the two sets of columns were used to gauge the viability of such a two-stage process. Absence of reliable data on andesite contraction coefficients was overcome by using a sliding scale to assess a large range of values. The estimates indicate that two-stage chilling is feasible. After flowing across relatively ice-poor terrain, the lava flow must have interacted with a valley glacier that provided water for further chilling the already formed primary columns and formation of the outer rind small columns. Given this evidence for lava/ice interaction, it is likely that prominent, thick flows elsewhere in the Mangawhero Formation may have been constrained to their ridge-top locations by ice conditions similar to those described by Lescinsky and Sisson [Lescinsky, D.T., Sisson, T.W., 1998. Ridge-forming, ice-bounded lava flows at Mount Rainier, Washington. Geology, 26, 351-354].

Developing Web-based Tools for Collaborative Science and Public Outreach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Friedman, A.; Pizarro, O.; Williams, S. B.

2016-02-01

With the advances in high bandwidth communications and the proliferation of social media tools, education & outreach activities have become commonplace on ocean-bound research cruises. In parallel, advances in underwater robotics & other data collecting platforms, have made it possible to collect copious amounts of oceanographic data. This data then typically undergoes laborious, manual processing to transform it into quantitative information, which normally occurs post cruise resulting in significant lags between collecting data and using it for scientific discovery. This presentation discusses how appropriately designed software systems, can be used to fulfill multiple objectives and attempt to leverage public engagement in order to compliment science goals. We will present two software platforms: the first is a web browser based tool that was developed for real-time tracking of multiple underwater robots and ships. It was designed to allow anyone on board to view or control it on any device with a web browser. It opens up the possibility of remote teleoperation & engagement and was easily adapted to enable live streaming over the internet for public outreach. While the tracking system provided context and engaged people in real-time, it also directed interested participants to Squidle, another online system. Developed for scientists, Squidle supports data management, exploration & analysis and enables direct access to survey data reducing the lag in data processing. It provides a user-friendly streamlined interface that integrates advanced data management & online annotation tools. This system was adapted to provide a simplified user interface, tutorial instructions and a gamified ranking system to encourage "citizen science" participation. These examples show that through a flexible design approach, it is possible to leverage the development effort of creating science tools to facilitate outreach goals, opening up the possibility for acquiring large volumes of crowd-sourced data without compromising science objectives.

Management of Teeth with Persistent Apical Periodontitis after Root Canal Treatment Using Regenerative Endodontic Therapy.

PubMed

Saoud, Tarek Mohamed A; Huang, George T-J; Gibbs, Jennifer L; Sigurdsson, Asgeir; Lin, Louis M

2015-10-01

Regenerative endodontic therapy (RET) is currently used to treat immature teeth with necrotic pulp and/or apical periodontitis. However, recently RET has been used to treat mature teeth with necrotic pulp and/or apical periodontitis and resulted in regression of clinical signs and/or symptoms and resolution of apical periodontitis. The purpose of this case report was to describe the potential of using RET to treat 2 mature teeth with persistent apical periodontitis after root canal therapy using RET. Two male patients, one 26-year old and another 12-year old, presented for retreatment of persistent apical periodontitis after root canal treatment of 2 mature teeth (#9 and #19). The gutta-percha fillings in the canals of teeth #9 and #19 were removed with Carvene gutta-percha solvent (Prevest DenPro, Jammu, India) and ProTaper Universal rotary retreatment files (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). The canals of both teeth were further chemomechanically debrided with rotary retreatment files and copious amounts of sodium hypochlorite irrigation and dressed with Metapaste (Meta Biomed, Chungbuk, Korea). RET was performed on teeth #9 and #19. Periapical bleeding was provoked into the disinfected root canals. The blood clots were covered with mineral trioxide aggregate plugs, and the access cavities were restored with intermediate restorative material. Teeth #9 and #19 showed regression of clinical signs and/or symptoms and healing of apical periodontitis after 13-month and 14-month follow-ups, respectively. Tooth #9 revealed narrowing of the canal space and apical closure by deposition of hard tissue. RET has the potential to be used to retreat teeth with persistent apical periodontitis after root canal therapy. Copyright © 2015 American Association of Endodontists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Light-dependent activation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase by reversible phosphorylation in cluster roots of white lupin plants: diurnal control in response to photosynthate supply

PubMed Central

Feil, Regina; Lunn, John E.; Plaxton, William C.

2016-01-01

Background and Aims Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) is a tightly regulated enzyme that controls carbohydrate partitioning to organic acid anions (malate, citrate) excreted in copious amounts by cluster roots of inorganic phosphate (Pi)-deprived white lupin plants. Excreted malate and citrate solubilize otherwise inaccessible sources of mineralized soil Pi for plant uptake. The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses that (1) PEPC is post-translationally activated by reversible phosphorylation in cluster roots of illuminated white lupin plants, and (2) light-dependent phosphorylation of cluster root PEPC is associated with elevated intracellular levels of sucrose and its signalling metabolite, trehalose-6-phosphate. Methods White lupin plants were cultivated hydroponically at low Pi levels (≤1 µm) and subjected to various light/dark pretreatments. Cluster root PEPC activity and in vivo phosphorylation status were analysed to assess the enzyme’s diurnal, post-translational control in response to light and dark. Levels of various metabolites, including sucrose and trehalose-6-phosphate, were also quantified in cluster root extracts using enzymatic and spectrometric methods. Key Results During the daytime the cluster root PEPC was activated by phosphorylation at its conserved N-terminal seryl residue. Darkness triggered a progressive reduction in PEPC phosphorylation to undetectable levels, and this was correlated with 75–80 % decreases in concentrations of sucrose and trehalose-6- phosphate. Conclusions Reversible, light-dependent regulatory PEPC phosphorylation occurs in cluster roots of Pi-deprived white lupin plants. This likely facilitates the well-documented light- and sucrose-dependent exudation of Pi-solubilizing organic acid anions by the cluster roots. PEPC’s in vivo phosphorylation status appears to be modulated by sucrose translocated from CO2-fixing leaves into the non-photosynthetic cluster roots. PMID:27063365

Reciprocal Control of Anaplerotic Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase by in Vivo Monoubiquitination and Phosphorylation in Developing Proteoid Roots of Phosphate-Deficient Harsh Hakea1[W][OA

PubMed Central

Shane, Michael W.; Fedosejevs, Eric T.; Plaxton, William C.

2013-01-01

Accumulating evidence indicates important functions for phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (PEPC) in inorganic phosphate (Pi)-starved plants. This includes controlling the production of organic acid anions (malate, citrate) that are excreted in copious amounts by proteoid roots of nonmycorrhizal species such as harsh hakea (Hakea prostrata). This, in turn, enhances the bioavailability of mineral-bound Pi by solubilizing Al3+, Fe3+, and Ca2+ phosphates in the rhizosphere. Harsh hakea thrives in the nutrient-impoverished, ancient soils of southwestern Australia. Proteoid roots from Pi-starved harsh hakea were analyzed over 20 d of development to correlate changes in malate and citrate exudation with PEPC activity, posttranslational modifications (inhibitory monoubiquitination versus activatory phosphorylation), and kinetic/allosteric properties. Immature proteoid roots contained an equivalent ratio of monoubiquitinated 110-kD and phosphorylated 107-kD PEPC polypeptides (p110 and p107, respectively). PEPC purification, immunoblotting, and mass spectrometry indicated that p110 and p107 are subunits of a 430-kD heterotetramer and that they both originate from the same plant-type PEPC gene. Incubation with a deubiquitinating enzyme converted the p110:p107 PEPC heterotetramer of immature proteoid roots into a p107 homotetramer while significantly increasing the enzyme’s activity under suboptimal but physiologically relevant assay conditions. Proteoid root maturation was paralleled by PEPC activation (e.g. reduced Km [PEP] coupled with elevated I50 [malate and Asp] values) via in vivo deubiquitination of p110 to p107, and subsequent phosphorylation of the deubiquitinated subunits. This novel mechanism of posttranslational control is hypothesized to contribute to the massive synthesis and excretion of organic acid anions that dominates the carbon metabolism of the mature proteoid roots. PMID:23407057

Jellyfish: Evidence of Extreme Ram-pressure Stripping in Massive Galaxy Clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ebeling, H.; Stephenson, L. N.; Edge, A. C.

2014-02-01

Ram-pressure stripping by the gaseous intracluster medium has been proposed as the dominant physical mechanism driving the rapid evolution of galaxies in dense environments. Detailed studies of this process have, however, largely been limited to relatively modest examples affecting only the outermost gas layers of galaxies in nearby and/or low-mass galaxy clusters. We here present results from our search for extreme cases of gas-galaxy interactions in much more massive, X-ray selected clusters at z > 0.3. Using Hubble Space Telescope snapshots in the F606W and F814W passbands, we have discovered dramatic evidence of ram-pressure stripping in which copious amounts of gas are first shock compressed and then removed from galaxies falling into the cluster. Vigorous starbursts triggered by this process across the galaxy-gas interface and in the debris trail cause these galaxies to temporarily become some of the brightest cluster members in the F606W passband, capable of outshining even the Brightest Cluster Galaxy. Based on the spatial distribution and orientation of systems viewed nearly edge-on in our survey, we speculate that infall at large impact parameter gives rise to particularly long-lasting stripping events. Our sample of six spectacular examples identified in clusters from the Massive Cluster Survey, all featuring M F606W < -21 mag, doubles the number of such systems presently known at z > 0.2 and facilitates detailed quantitative studies of the most violent galaxy evolution in clusters. Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555. These observations are associated with programs GO-10491, -10875, -12166, and -12884.

THE SPECTACULAR RADIO-NEAR-IR-X-RAY JET OF 3C 111: THE X-RAY EMISSION MECHANISM AND JET KINEMATICS

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

Clautice, Devon; Perlman, Eric S.; Georganopoulos, Markos

2016-08-01

Relativistic jets are the most energetic manifestation of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) phenomenon. AGN jets are observed from the radio through gamma-rays and carry copious amounts of matter and energy from the sub-parsec central regions out to the kiloparsec and often megaparsec scale galaxy and cluster environs. While most spatially resolved jets are seen in the radio, an increasing number have been discovered to emit in the optical/near-IR and/or X-ray bands. Here we discuss a spectacular example of this class, the 3C 111 jet, housed in one of the nearest, double-lobed FR II radio galaxies known. We discuss new,more » deep Chandra and Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) observations that reveal both near-IR and X-ray emission from several components of the 3C 111 jet, as well as both the northern and southern hotspots. Important differences are seen between the morphologies in the radio, X-ray, and near-IR bands. The long (over 100 kpc on each side), straight nature of this jet makes it an excellent prototype for future, deep observations, as it is one of the longest such features seen in the radio, near-IR/optical, and X-ray bands. Several independent lines of evidence, including the X-ray and broadband spectral shape as well as the implied velocity of the approaching hotspot, lead us to strongly disfavor the EC/CMB model and instead favor a two-component synchrotron model to explain the observed X-ray emission for several jet components. Future observations with NuSTAR , HST , and Chandra will allow us to further constrain the emission mechanisms.« less

Identification of a Lactate-Quinone Oxidoreductase in Staphylococcus aureus that is Essential for Virulence

PubMed Central

Fuller, James R.; Vitko, Nicholas P.; Perkowski, Ellen F.; Scott, Eric; Khatri, Dal; Spontak, Jeffrey S.; Thurlow, Lance R.; Richardson, Anthony R.

2011-01-01

Staphylococcus aureus is an important human pathogen commonly infecting nearly every host tissue. The ability of S. aureus to resist innate immunity is critical to its success as a pathogen, including its propensity to grow in the presence of host nitric oxide (NO·). Upon exogenous NO· exposure, S. aureus immediately excretes copious amounts of L-lactate to maintain redox balance. However, after prolonged NO·-exposure, S. aureus reassimilates L-lactate specifically and in this work, we identify the enzyme responsible for this L-lactate-consumption as a L-lactate-quinone oxidoreductase (Lqo, SACOL2623). Originally annotated as Mqo2 and thought to oxidize malate, we show that this enzyme exhibits no affinity for malate but reacts specifically with L-lactate (KM = ∼330 μM). In addition to its requirement for reassimilation of L-lactate during NO·-stress, Lqo is also critical to respiratory growth on L-lactate as a sole carbon source. Moreover, Δlqo mutants exhibit attenuation in a murine model of sepsis, particularly in their ability to cause myocarditis. Interestingly, this cardiac-specific attenuation is completely abrogated in mice unable to synthesize inflammatory NO· (iNOS−/−). We demonstrate that S. aureus NO·-resistance is highly dependent on the availability of a glycolytic carbon sources. However, S. aureus can utilize the combination of peptides and L-lactate as carbon sources during NO·-stress in an Lqo-dependent fashion. Murine cardiac tissue has markedly high levels of L-lactate in comparison to renal or hepatic tissue consistent with the NO·-dependent requirement for Lqo in S. aureus myocarditis. Thus, Lqo provides S. aureus with yet another means of replicating in the presence of host NO·. PMID:22919585

Changes in zooxanthellae density, morphology, and mitotic index in hermatypic corals and anemones exposed to cyanide.

PubMed

Cervino, J M; Hayes, R L; Honovich, M; Goreau, T J; Jones, S; Rubec, P J

2003-05-01

Sodium cyanide (NaCN) is widely used for the capture of reef fish throughout Southeast Asia and causes extensive fish mortality, but the effect of NaCN on reef corals remains debated. To document the impact of cyanide exposure on corals, the species Acropora millepora, Goniopora sp., Favites abdita, Trachyphyllia geoffrio, Plerogyra sp., Heliofungia actinformis, Euphyllia divisa, and Scarophyton sp., and the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida were exposed to varying concentrations of cyanide for varying time periods. Corals were exposed to 50, 100, 300, and 600 mg/l of cyanide ion (CN(-)) for 1-2 min (in seawater, the CN(-) forms hydrocyanic acid). These concentrations are much lower than those reportedly used by fish collectors. Exposed corals and anemones immediately retracted their tentacles and mesenterial filaments, and discharged copious amounts of mucus containing zooxanthellae. Gel electrophoreses techniques found changes in protein expression in both zooxanthellae and host tissue. Corals and anemones exposed to cyanide showed an immediate increase in mitotic cell division of their zooxenthellae, and a decrease in zooxanthellae density. In contrast, zooxanthellae cell division and density remained constant in controls. Histopathological changes included gastrodermal disruption, mesogleal degradation, and increased mucus in coral tissues. Zooxanthellae showed pigment loss, swelling, and deformation. Mortality occurred at all exposure levels. Exposed specimens experienced an increase in the ratio of gram-negative to gram-positive bacteria on the coral surface. The results demonstrate that exposure cyanide causes mortality to corals and anemones, even when applied at lower levels than that used by fish collectors. Even brief exposure to cyanide caused slow-acting and long-term damage to corals and their zooxanthellae.

Expression of spermidine/spermine N(1) -acetyl transferase (SSAT) in human prostate tissues is related to prostate cancer progression and metastasis.

PubMed

Huang, Wei; Eickhoff, Jens C; Mehraein-Ghomi, Farideh; Church, Dawn R; Wilding, George; Basu, Hirak S

2015-08-01

Prostate cancer (PCa) in many patients remains indolent for the rest of their lives, but in some patients, it progresses to lethal metastatic disease. Gleason score is the current clinical method for PCa prognosis. It cannot reliably identify aggressive PCa, when GS is ≤ 7. It is shown that oxidative stress plays a key role in PCa progression. We have shown that in cultured human PCa cells, an activation of spermidine/spermine N(1) -acetyl transferase (SSAT; EC 2.3.1.57) enzyme initiates a polyamine oxidation pathway and generates copious amounts of reactive oxygen species in polyamine-rich PCa cells. We used RNA in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods to detect SSAT mRNA and protein expression in two tissue microarrays (TMA) created from patient's prostate tissues. We analyzed 423 patient's prostate tissues in the two TMAs. Our data show that there is a significant increase in both SSAT mRNA and the enzyme protein in the PCa cells as compared to their benign counterpart. This increase is even more pronounced in metastatic PCa tissues as compared to the PCa localized in the prostate. In the prostatectomy tissues from early-stage patients, the SSAT protein level is also high in the tissues obtained from the patients who ultimately progress to advanced metastatic disease. Based on these results combined with published data from our and other laboratories, we propose an activation of an autocrine feed-forward loop of PCa cell proliferation in the absence of androgen as a possible mechanism of castrate-resistant prostate cancer growth. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ozone, Tropospheric

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fishman, Jack

1995-01-01

In the early part of the 20th century, ground-based and balloon-borne measurements discovered that most of atmosphere's ozone is located in the stratosphere with highest concentrations located between 15 and 30 km (9,3 and 18.6 miles). For a long time, it was believed that tropospheric ozone originated from the stratosphere and that most of it was destroyed by contact with the earth's surface. Ozone, O3, was known to be produced by the photo-dissociation of molecular oxygen, O2, a process that can only occur at wavelengths shorter than 242 nm. Because such short-wave-length radiation is present only in the stratosphere, no tropospheric ozone production is possible by this mechanism. In the 1940s, however, it became obvious that production of ozone was also taking place in the troposphere. The overall reaction mechanism was eventually identified by Arie Haagen-Smit of the California Institute of Technology, in highly polluted southern California. The copious emissions from the numerous cars driven there as a result of the mass migration to Los Angeles after World War 2 created the new unpleasant phenomenon of photochemical smog, the primary component of which is ozone. These high levels of ozone were injuring vegetable crops, causing women's nylons to run, and generating increasing respiratory and eye-irritation problems for the populace. Our knowledge of tropospheric ozone increased dramatically in the early 1950s as monitoring stations and search centers were established throughout southern California to see what could be done to combat this threat to human health and the environment.

Effect of simulated chairside grinding procedures using commercially available abrasive agents on the surface properties of zirconia.

PubMed

Sandhu, Ramandeep; Kheur, Mohit; Kheur, Supriya

2017-01-01

The aim of the present study was to assess the change in physical properties (surface roughness, surface hardness and phase transformation) after surface grinding of zirconia by using three commercially available abrasives. Thirty sintered zirconia specimens were prepared and divided into three groups namely Group M (grinded using Mani Dia diamond bur standard grit), Group T (grinded using Tri Hawk diamond bur coarse grit) and Group P (grinded using Predator carbide bur). A customised assembly was used to follow a standardised protocol for surface grinding. The surface roughness, surface hardness and phase transformation was recorded before and after the grinding procedure. ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to assess the values obtained after the testing the surface roughness and surface hardness. The results of the present study revealed the average values of change in surface roughness as Group M (0.44 μ m) and Group T (1.235 μ m) and Group P (-0.88 μ m). The average values of change in surface hardness were Group T (19.578 HV), Group M (46.722 HV) and Group P (36.429 HV). The change in surface hardness was not statistically significant. There was no phase transformation seen after the grinding procedure. Carbide burs along with copious water irrigation when used to grind zirconia intra-orally produces has a polishing effect, minimal change in hardness & no phase transformation. The present study advocates the use of carbides for chair-side grinding of zirconia.

Searches for Light- and Heavy-flavor Three-jet Resonances in proton-proton Collisions with the CMS Detector at $$\\sqrt{s}$$ = 8 TeV

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

Seitz, Claudia

2014-01-01

A search for three-jet hadronic resonance production in proton-proton collisions at 8 TeV center-of-mass energy has been conducted by the CMS Collaboration at the LHC. The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 19.4 fb -1. The search method is modelindependent. Events are selected that contain a large number of jets with high transverse momentum. An ensemble of jets is used to extract a new possible signal from copious QCD background. Event selection is optimized using a benchmark model where supersymmetric gluinos are pair-produced and each of the gluinos decays exclusively into three jets. Two scenarios of this decay are considered denoted by the RPV couplings λ'' 112 and λ'' 113 or λ'' 223. The first coupling allows for gluinos to decay into only light-flavor jets, while the latter two allow decays into one heavy-flavor and two light-flavor jets. No significant deviation is found between the selected events and the expected standard model multijet and tmore » $$\\bar{t}$$ background. For gluinos decaying through 00 112, masses below 650 GeV are excluded at the 95% confidence level. The search including heavy-flavor jets in the final state with the couplings λ'' 113 or λ'' 223 is the first of its kind. Gluinos decaying into one heavy-flavor and two light-flavor jets are excluded for masses between 200 and 835 GeV.« less

Quantifying gas emissions from the “Millennium Eruption” of Paektu volcano, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea/China

PubMed Central

Iacovino, Kayla; Ju-Song, Kim; Sisson, Thomas; Lowenstern, Jacob; Kuk-Hun, Ri; Jong-Nam, Jang; Kun-Ho, Song; Song-Hwan, Ham; Oppenheimer, Clive; Hammond, James O. S.; Donovan, Amy; Liu, Kosima W.; Kum-Ran, Ryu

2016-01-01

Paektu volcano (Changbaishan) is a rhyolitic caldera that straddles the border between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and China. Its most recent large eruption was the Millennium Eruption (ME; 23 km3 dense rock equivalent) circa 946 CE, which resulted in the release of copious magmatic volatiles (H2O, CO2, sulfur, and halogens). Accurate quantification of volatile yield and composition is critical in assessing volcanogenic climate impacts but is challenging, particularly for events before the satellite era. We use a geochemical technique to quantify volatile composition and upper bounds to yields for the ME by examining trends in incompatible trace and volatile element concentrations in crystal-hosted melt inclusions. We estimate that the ME could have emitted as much as 45 Tg of S to the atmosphere. This is greater than the quantity of S released by the 1815 eruption of Tambora, which contributed to the “year without a summer.” Our maximum gas yield estimates place the ME among the strongest emitters of climate-forcing gases in the Common Era. However, ice cores from Greenland record only a relatively weak sulfate signal attributed to the ME. We suggest that other factors came into play in minimizing the glaciochemical signature. This paradoxical case in which high S emissions do not result in a strong glacial sulfate signal may present a way forward in building more generalized models for interpreting which volcanic eruptions have produced large climate impacts. PMID:28138521

Quantifying gas emissions from the "Millennium Eruption" of Paektu volcano, Democratic People's Republic of Korea/China.

PubMed

Iacovino, Kayla; Ju-Song, Kim; Sisson, Thomas; Lowenstern, Jacob; Kuk-Hun, Ri; Jong-Nam, Jang; Kun-Ho, Song; Song-Hwan, Ham; Oppenheimer, Clive; Hammond, James O S; Donovan, Amy; Liu, Kosima W; Kum-Ran, Ryu

2016-11-01

Paektu volcano (Changbaishan) is a rhyolitic caldera that straddles the border between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and China. Its most recent large eruption was the Millennium Eruption (ME; 23 km 3 dense rock equivalent) circa 946 CE, which resulted in the release of copious magmatic volatiles (H 2 O, CO 2 , sulfur, and halogens). Accurate quantification of volatile yield and composition is critical in assessing volcanogenic climate impacts but is challenging, particularly for events before the satellite era. We use a geochemical technique to quantify volatile composition and upper bounds to yields for the ME by examining trends in incompatible trace and volatile element concentrations in crystal-hosted melt inclusions. We estimate that the ME could have emitted as much as 45 Tg of S to the atmosphere. This is greater than the quantity of S released by the 1815 eruption of Tambora, which contributed to the "year without a summer." Our maximum gas yield estimates place the ME among the strongest emitters of climate-forcing gases in the Common Era. However, ice cores from Greenland record only a relatively weak sulfate signal attributed to the ME. We suggest that other factors came into play in minimizing the glaciochemical signature. This paradoxical case in which high S emissions do not result in a strong glacial sulfate signal may present a way forward in building more generalized models for interpreting which volcanic eruptions have produced large climate impacts.

Effectiveness of the Solar Panels in the Castro Valley Unified School District Based on Projected Amount of Energy to be Produced

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sparks, J. R.; Palmer, T. C.; Siegel, A. P.

2014-12-01

In recent years Americans have warmed to the idea of installing solar panels to their homes and businesses. These panels help reduce the cost of receiving energy from power plants that lose a lot of energy in transportation. These power plants provide energy by burning gas or coal producing emissions that add to the growing problem of pollution and global warming. In 2010 the Castro Valley Unified School District decided to add solar panels to Canyon Middle School, Castro Valley High School, and Castro Valley Adult School. We researched whether the solar panels reached their projected amount of energy (74%) for the sites where the panels were placed. The solar panels at all three sites were found to exceed these projected amounts. The solar panels at each site produce a little over 74% for the each school.

Exposure to naturally occurring mineral fibers due to off-road vehicle use: A review.

PubMed

Wolfe, Christopher; Buck, Brenda; Miller, Aubrey; Lockey, James; Weis, Christopher; Weissman, David; Jonesi, Alexander; Ryan, Patrick

2017-11-01

The use of off-road vehicles (ORVs) is a popular source of outdoor recreation in the United States. While personal injury has been the focus of most epidemiologic investigations regarding ORV use to date, other health effects associated with ORV use have not been adequately examined. ORVs have been designed to operate in rugged, unpaved terrain, and ORVs can produce copious amounts of fugitive dust. ORV use in geographic regions with naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) and erionite (NOE) may result in the liberation of these minerals from underlying rocks and soil, which may put ORV participants at risk to potentially hazardous inhalation exposures. A comprehensive narrative review of existing literature and reports relevant to off-road recreation and mineral fiber exposure was conducted. Manuscripts and reports included in the review were limited to those that contained quantitative data regarding concentrations of mineral fibers recorded during vehicular traffic on an unpaved road and publication in a peer-reviewed journal, official report composed by a government agency, or a report generated under the endorsement of a government agency. In addition, the potential public health impact of ORV use in regions with NOA/NOE was estimated by calculating the proximity of known mineral fiber occurrences to areas of ORV use. A total of 15 publications met inclusion criteria. Exposures to NOA/NOE observed from personal sampling in the included studies ranged from less than 0.01-5.6 f/cc. ORV position while riding in a group and vehicle speed were frequent determinants of measured concentrations. Multiple studies also suggest that children may experience higher exposures to mineral fibers in comparison to adult ORV riders. Information on ORV trails and 665 known occurrences of NOA/NOE was available for five states located in the western United States. Of these 665 known occurrences, approximately 80% (n=515) were located within 20 miles of an ORV trail, and nearly a third were located within one mile. Individuals who operate ORVs in regions where NOA/NOE is a component of the underlying soil or unpaved road may experience elevated exposures to mineral fibers. Given the prevalence of ORV trails in close proximity to these natural fiber occurrences, epidemiologic and surveillance studies of individuals who frequently engage in ORV use are recommended. Public health initiatives should concentrate on increasing awareness of these risks, allowing ORV users to make informed choices and take appropriate measures to limit these risks where possible. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

76 FR 53818 - Determining the Amount of Taxes Paid for Purposes of the Foreign Tax Credit; Correction

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-30

... Determining the Amount of Taxes Paid for Purposes of the Foreign Tax Credit; Correction AGENCY: Internal... determination of the amount of taxes paid for purposes of the foreign tax credit. These regulations address certain highly structured transactions that produce inappropriate foreign tax credit results. The...

Electricity generation in microbial fuel cells using neutral red as an electronophore

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

Park, D.H.; Zeikus, J.G.

2000-04-01

Neutral red (NR) was utilized as an electron mediator in microbial fuel cells consuming glucose to study both its efficiency during electricity generation and its role in altering anaerobic growth and metabolism of Escherichia coli and Actinobacillus succinogenes. A study of chemical fuel cells in which NADH, NR, and ferricyanide were the electron donor, the electronophore, and the electron acceptor, respectively, showed that electrical current produced from NADH was proportional to the concentration of NADH. Fourfold more current was produced from NADH in chemical fuel cells when NR was the electron mediator than when thionin was the electron mediator. Inmore » microbial fuel cells in which E. coli resting cells were used the amount of current produced from glucose when NR was the electron mediator was 10-fold more than the amount produced when thionin was the electron mediator. The amount of electrical energy generated and the amount of current produced from glucose in NR-mediated microbial fuel cells containing either E. coli or A. succinogenes were about 10- and 2-fold greater, respectively, when resting cells were used than when growing cells were used. Cell growth was inhibited substantially when these microbial fuel cells were making current, and more oxidized end products were formed under these conditions. When sewage sludge was used in the fuel cell, stable and equivalent levels of current were obtained with glucose, as observed in the pure-culture experiments. These results suggest that NR is better than other electron mediators used in microbial fuel cells and that sludge production can be decreased while electricity is produced in fuel cells. Their results are discussed in relation to factors that may improve the relatively low electrical efficiencies obtained with microbial fuel cells.« less

[Human nutrition with reference to animals as sources of protein (author's transl)].

PubMed

de Wijn, J F

1981-03-01

In achieving adequate nutrition for all people in the world foods of animal origin are indispensable to supply sufficient protein and essential nutrients. All foods of animal origin have a number of characteristics in common, in view of which they should be regarded as highly valuable human food because of the considerable biological value of the proteins, their ready digestibility and their palatability. A number of nutritional features of animal versus vegetable protein are discussed. Several queries have to be placed against the health aspects of the copious consumption of animal protein as has increasingly become the practice in Europe. The consumption of dishes prepared from food of animal origin high in protein will inevitably be associated with a high fat content. It is not likely that, specifically, the incidence of human cancer will also be increased by the allegedly carcinogenic effects of meat persé, however using nitrite in meats may be hazardous when consumption of meat is considerable because of the carcinogenic effects of nitrosamines. In addition, there are drawbacks to the copious consumption of food of animal origin as part of the daily diet because of the high fat content and low dietary fibre content of this food. A conference of managers in the animal-food industry and experts from the professional medical and dietetic organizations would be a desirable improvement in achieving an optimum situation. Sufficient production and distribution will not fully ensure adequate nutrition of animal origin. Its valuable nutrients must be available from food which is acceptable to the individual consumer. Those factors which decide what is eaten and why, are not known to a sufficient extent. Cultural and environmental factors also play a highly decisive role in the matter. There are religious rules regarding food of animal origin, which obtain for large sections of the population all over the world. Other practices concerning the consumption of food of animal origin are also determined by the pressure of society regarding the attitude towards animals.

Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori in Gastric Fluid in the Surgical Patient

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-05-01

potential in low pH (Tomb et al. 1997). Helicobacter pylori produces significant amounts of urease which cleaves urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide...The presence of urease is one of the biochemical markers used to help identify the presence of H. pylori. (Blaser, 1996). Helicobacter is a genus...gastric lumen it is immersed in acidic gastric juice where small amounts of urea are present. Helicobacter pylori produces urease which breaks down the

Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori in Gastric Fluid in the Surgical Patient

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-01-01

of five percent. This percentage closely matches the oxygen level found in the stomach’s mucous layer . It has an electropositive internal milieu which...amounts of urease which cleaves urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide. The presence of urease is one of the biochemical markers used to help identify...in acidic gastric juice where small amounts of urea are present. Helicobacter pylorl produces urease which breaks down the urea and produces ammonia

Ionizing spectra of stars that lose their envelope through interaction with a binary companion: role of metallicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Götberg, Y.; de Mink, S. E.; Groh, J. H.

2017-11-01

Understanding ionizing fluxes of stellar populations is crucial for various astrophysical problems including the epoch of reionization. Short-lived massive stars are generally considered as the main stellar sources. We examine the potential role of less massive stars that lose their envelope through interaction with a binary companion. Here, we focus on the role of metallicity (Z). For this purpose we used the evolutionary code MESA and created tailored atmosphere models with the radiative transfer code CMFGEN. We show that typical progenitors, with initial masses of 12 M⊙, produce hot and compact stars ( 4 M⊙, 60-80 kK, 1 R⊙). These stripped stars copiously produce ionizing photons, emitting 60-85% and 30-60% of their energy as HI and HeI ionizing radiation, for Z = 0.0001-0.02, respectively. Their output is comparable to what massive stars emit during their Wolf-Rayet phase, if we account for their longer lifetimes and the favorable slope of the initial mass function. Their relative importance for reionization may be further favored since they emit their photons with a time delay ( 20 Myr after birth in our fiducial model). This allows time for the dispersal of the birth clouds, allowing the ionizing photons to escape into the intergalactic medium. At low Z, we find that Roche stripping fails to fully remove the H-rich envelope, because of the reduced opacity in the subsurface layers. This is in sharp contrast with the assumption of complete stripping that is made in rapid population synthesis simulations, which are widely used to simulate the binary progenitors of supernovae and gravitational waves. Finally, we discuss the urgency to increase the observed sample of stripped stars to test these models and we discuss how our predictions can help to design efficient observational campaigns.

Light limitation and litter of an invasive clonal plant, Wedelia trilobata, inhibit its seedling recruitment

PubMed Central

Qi, Shan-Shan; Dai, Zhi-Cong; Miao, Shi-Li; Zhai, De-Li; Si, Chun-Can; Huang, Ping; Wang, Rui-Ping; Du, Dao-Lin

2014-01-01

Background and Aims Invasive clonal plants have two reproduction patterns, namely sexual and vegetative propagation. However, seedling recruitment of invasive clonal plants can decline as the invasion process proceeds. For example, although the invasive clonal Wedelia trilobata (Asteraceae) produces numerous seeds, few seedlings emerge under its dense population canopy in the field. In this study it is hypothesized that light limitation and the presence of a thick layer of its own litter may be the primary factors causing the failure of seedling recruitment for this invasive weed in the field. Methods A field survey was conducted to determine the allocation of resources to sexual reproduction and seedling recruitment in W. trilobata. Seed germination was also determined in the field. Effects of light and W. trilobata leaf extracts on seed germination and seedling growth were tested in the laboratory. Key Results Wedelia trilobata blooms profusely and produces copious viable seeds in the field. However, seedlings of W. trilobata were not detected under mother ramets and few emerged seedlings were found in the bare ground near to populations. In laboratory experiments, low light significantly inhibited seed germination. Leaf extracts also decreased seed germination and inhibited seedling growth, and significant interactions were found between low light and leaf extracts on seed germination. However, seeds were found to germinate in an invaded field after removal of the W. trilobata plant canopy. Conclusions The results indicate that lack of light and the presence of its own litter might be two major factors responsible for the low numbers of W. trilobata seedlings found in the field. New populations will establish from seeds once the limiting factors are eliminated, and seeds can be the agents of long-distance dispersal; therefore, prevention of seed production remains an important component in controlling the spread of this invasive clonal plant. PMID:24825293

Search for New Physics in Top Quark Production and Upgrade of the CMS Hadron Calorimeter

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

Yumiceva, Francisco

2016-10-07

Our goal is to measure precisely the properties of the heaviest subatomic particle ever discovered, the top quark. In the proton-proton collisions at the LHC, top quarks are produced copiously. The largest set of top quarks recorded by the CMS detector make it an ideal laboratory to measure properties such as its mass and the rate at which pair of top quarks are produced in association with energetic photons. Quantum electrodynamics, or QED, describes the emission of light by charged particles and is the most precise physics theory ever devised. Typically this means light emitted by electrons, but any chargedmore » particles will do, such as the top quark. Studies of the light-emitting properties of top quarks help us to refine our current theoretical predictions at the finest level, and provide additional tools to study in more detail the recently discovered Higgs boson particle. However, during this process, the studies may reveal interesting features not yet observed. Deviations from the standard predictions would be a strong sign of something entirely new. These new physics theories are motivated to answer the current big mysteries in the universe such as what is the nature of mass or what is dark matter. As the LHC increases the collision energy and its luminosity, the detectors need to be improved to cope with these high-luminosity scenarios. New sensors will be installed in the hadron calorimeter detectors along with new front and end electronics at the end of 2016. We are testing and calibrating the new front-end readout electronics that will allow us to have more options to reduce the noise on these detectors. In order to do this calibration, we have developed a system that can inject electric charge in the full range of the charge integrator chip, the QIE ASICs.« less

Detection of the Acceleration Site in a Solar Flare

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleishman, Gregory D.; Kontar, E. P.; Nita, G. M.; Gary, D. E.

2011-05-01

We report the observation of an unusual cold, tenuous solar flare (ApJL, v. 731, p. L19, 2011), which reveals itself via numerous and prominent non-thermal manifestations, while lacking any noticeable thermal emission signature. RHESSI hard X-rays and 0.1-18 GHz radio data from OVSA and Phoenix-2 show copious electron acceleration (1035 electrons per second above 10 keV) typical for GOES M-class flares with electrons energies up to 100 keV, but GOES temperatures not exceeding 6.1 MK. The HXR footpoints and coronal radio sources belong, supposedly, to a single magnetic loop, which departs strongly from the corresponding potential loop (obtained from a photospheric extrapolation) in agreement with the apparent need of a non-potential magnetic field structure to produce a flare. The imaging, temporal, and spectral characteristics of the flare have led us to a firm conclusion that the bulk of the microwave continuum emission from this flare was produced directly in the acceleration region. We found that the electron acceleration efficiency is very high in the flare, so almost all available thermal electrons are eventually accelerated. However, given a relatively small flaring volume and rather low thermal density at the flaring loop, the total energy release turned out to be insufficient for a significant heating of the coronal plasma or for a prominent chromospheric response giving rise to chromospheric evaporation. Some sort of stochastic acceleration process is needed to account for an approximately energy-independent lifetime of about 3 s for the electrons in the acceleration region. This work was supported in part by NSF grants AGS-0961867, AST-0908344, and NASA grants NNX10AF27G and NNX11AB49G to New Jersey Institute of Technology. This work was supported by a UK STFC rolling grant, STFC/PPARC Advanced Fellowship, and the Leverhulme Trust, UK. Financial support by the European Commission through the SOLAIRE and HESPE Networks is gratefully acknowledged.

7 CFR 4288.132 - Payment adjustments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PAYMENT PROGRAMS Advanced Biofuel Payment Program... to the advanced biofuel producer if there is a difference between the amount actually produced and...

7 CFR 4288.132 - Payment adjustments.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PAYMENT PROGRAMS Advanced Biofuel Payment Program... to the advanced biofuel producer if there is a difference between the amount actually produced and...

Volcanic Tsunami Generation in the Aleutian Arc of Alaska

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waythomas, C. F.; Watts, P.

2003-12-01

Many of the worlds active volcanoes are situated on or near coastlines, and during eruptions the transfer of mass from volcano to sea is a potential source mechanism for tsunamis. Flows of granular material off of volcanoes, such as pyroclastic flow, debris avalanche, and lahar, often deliver large volumes of unconsolidated debris to the ocean that have a large potential tsunami hazard. The deposits of both hot and cold volcanic grain flows produced by eruptions of Aleutian arc volcanoes are exposed at many locations along the coastlines of the Bering Sea, North Pacific Ocean, and Cook Inlet indicating that the flows entered the sea and in some cases may have initiated tsunamis. We evaluate the process of tsunami generation by granular subaerial volcanic flows using examples from Aniakchak volcano in southwestern Alaska, and Augustine volcano in southern Cook Inlet. Evidence for far-field tsunami inundation coincident with a major caldera-forming eruption of Aniakchak volcano ca. 3.5 ka has been described and is the basis for one of our case studies. We perform a numerical simulation of the tsunami using a large volume pyroclastic flow as the source mechanism and compare our results to field measurements of tsunami deposits preserved along the north shore of Bristol Bay. Several attributes of the tsunami simulation, such as water flux and wave amplitude, are reasonable predictors of tsunami deposit thickness and generally agree with the field evidence for tsunami inundation. At Augustine volcano, geological investigations suggest that as many as 14 large volcanic-rock avalanches have reached the sea in the last 2000 years, and a debris avalanche emplaced during the 1883 eruption may have initiated a tsunami observed about 80 km east of the volcano at the village of English Bay (Nanwalek) on the coast of the southern Kenai Peninsula. By analogy with the 1883 event, previous studies concluded that tsunamis could have been generated many times in the past. If so, geological evidence of tsunamis, such as tsunami deposits on land, should be found in the area around Augustine Island. Paradoxically, unequivocal evidence for tsunami inundation has been found. Augustine Volcano is the most historically active volcano in the Cook Inlet region and a future tsunami from the volcano would have devastating consequences to villages, towns, oil-production facilities, and the fishing industry, especially if it occurred at high tide (the tidal range in this area is about 5 m). Numerical simulation experiments of tsunami generation, propagation and inundation using a subaerial debris avalanche source at Augustine volcano indicate only modest wave generation because of the shallow water surrounding the volcano (maximum water depth about 25 m). Lahar flows produced during eruptions at snow and ice clad volcanoes in the Aleutian arc also deliver copious amounts of sediment to the sea. These flows only rarely transform to subaqueous debris flows that may become tsunamigenic. However, the accumulation of loose, unconsolidated sediment on the continental shelf may lead to subaqueous debris flows and landslides if these deposits become mobilized by large earthquakes. Tsunamis produced by this mechanism could potentially reach coastlines all along the Pacific Rim. Finally, recent work in the western Aleutian Islands indicates that many of the island volcanoes in this area have experienced large-scale flank collapse. Because these volcanoes are surrounded by deep water, the tsunami hazard associated with a future sector collapse could be significant.

30 CFR 260.102 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... amount or value of the production saved, removed, or sold. Lease period means the time from lease... rate payable to the United States, as specified in the lease, in the amount or value of the production... title.) Production period means the period during which the amount of oil and gas produced from a tract...

Factors Affecting Pheromone Production by the Pepper Weevil, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Collection Efficiency

PubMed Central

Eller, Fred J.; Palmquist, Debra E.

2014-01-01

Several factors affecting pheromone production by male pepper weevils, Anthonomus eugenii Cano (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) as well as collection efficiency were investigated. Factors studied included: porous polymer adsorbents (Tenax versus Super Q), male age, time of day, male density, and male diet. Super Q was found to be a superior adsorbent for the male-produced alcohols and geranic acid as well as the plant-produced E-β-ocimene. Pheromone production increased with male age up to about age 15 days old and then tapered off. Male pepper weevils produced the highest amount of pheromone between noon and 2 pm (i.e., 4 to 6 h after “lights on”) and were producing ca. 800 ng/h during this period. Thereafter, pheromone production decreased and was extremely low during the scotophase (i.e., ca. 12 ng/h). Male pepper weevil density had a significant effect on both release rate and pheromone composition. Pheromone production on a per male basis was highest for individual males and the percentage of geranic acid in the blend was lowest for individual males. Male pepper weevils produced only extremely low amounts of pheromone when feeding on artificial diet; however, they produced very high amounts when on fresh peppers. Together, this information will be useful in designing better attractant lures for pepper weevils. PMID:26462948

Linagliptin

MedlinePlus

... because the body does not produce or use insulin normally). Linagliptin is in a class of medications ... condition in which the body does not produce insulin and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar ...

Influence of process changes on PCDD/Fs produced in an iron ore sintering plant

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

Guerriero, E.; Bianchini, M.; Gigliucci, P.F.

2009-01-15

This study investigated the influence of different charge typologies and additives on the PCDD/Fs amount produced and on the congener profiles in an iron ore sintering plant. Many tests were carried out combining different typologies of charge (iron materials) and solid fuel ('coke breeze' or 'anthracite') with or without the use of urea. The PCDD/Fs produced ranged from 1.2 to 22.7 {mu} g I-TEQ/ton of agglomerate, whereas the PCDD/Fs released to the ambient air ranged from 0.10 to 1.92 ng I-TEQ/Nm{sup 3} because of cleaning in an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and a Wetfine scrubber (WS). A more homogeneous charge withmore » a higher amount of fine particles charge appeared to produce a lower PCDD/Fs concentration due to a better combustion but this hypothesis needs further investigations on charges having different dimension particles. Only a synergitic action of urea and anthracite was able to reduce the high PCDD/Fs content due to the bad combustion of the more inhomogeneous charge with a lower amount of fine particles. The congener profile was a typical combustion process fingerprint because the PCDFs predominated, the highly chlorinated congeners (HeptaCDD and OctaCDD) prevailed in PCDDs, whereas in PCDFs the profile was more varied; 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HeptaCDF was the main contributor to the total concentration while 2,3,4,7,8-PentaCDF was the main contributor to the I-TEQ concentration. Whereas all the parameters under scrutiny influenced strongly the amount of PCDD/Fs produced, they affected only slightly the fingerprint of PCDD/Fs. In all cases studied, the reduction obtained using urea, anthracite, or the more homogeneous charge with a higher amount of fine particles was slightly greater on the higher chlorinated congeners in respect to the lower ones.« less

The effect of material productivity on scrap reduction on aluminum reduction pot process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huda, L. N.

2018-02-01

Scrap in the production process is defined as part of production that can not be accepted as the final product due to production failure. The amount of scarp occurring in the reduction pot production process of one of the aluminum smelting furnaces exceeds the acceptance standard of 5 to 10%. This affects the amount of production produced. The purpose of this study is to reduce the amount of scrap produced to increase the productivity of the materials used. The solution is carried-out by making improvements using Lean Six Sigma method. In the initial calculation, material productivity ranged from 0.88. Based on the study, the factors that cause the high amount of scrap produced is the use of Na2O which is inserted into the alumina is different in size and the influence of noise that occurs in pots that are difficult to control. The analysis base on Lean Six Sigma obtained process cycle efficiency (PCE) equal to 86,92% for actual condition. Process improvement is carried-out through define, measure, analyze, improve and control procedure on Na2O feeding process and PCE value decrease 6,05%. This indicates that increased process capability will reduce scrap. A decrease in scrap amount of about 6% will be able to increase material productivity by 0.05%. This indicates that continuous process control is needed to decrease the number of scraps and increase productivity.

Device for quickly sensing the amount of O2 in a combustion product gas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Singh, Jag J. (Inventor); Davis, William T. (Inventor); Puster, Richard L. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

A sensing device comprising an O2 sensor, a pump, a compressor, and a heater is provided to quickly sense the amount of O2 in a combustion product gas. A sample of the combustion product gas is compressed to a pressure slightly above one atmosphere by the compressor. Next, the heater heats the sample between 800 C and 900 C. Next, the pump causes the sample to be flushed against the electrode located in O2 sensor 6000 to 10,000 times per second. Reference air at approximately one atmosphere is provided to the electrode of O2 sensor. Accordingly, the O2 sensor produces a voltage which is proportional to the amount of oxygen in the combustion product gas. This voltage may be used to control the amount of O2 entering into the combustion chamber which produces the combustion product gas.

Association between Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Methane and Hydrogen on Lactulose Breath Test

PubMed Central

Lee, Kang Nyeong; Koh, Dong Hee; Sohn, Won; Lee, Sang Pyo; Jun, Dae Won; Lee, Hang Lak; Yoon, Byung Chul; Choi, Ho Soon; Hahm, Joon Soo

2013-01-01

Whether hydrogen and methane gas produced during lactulose breath test (LBT) are associated with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is not determined. We aimed to investigate whether hydrogen and methane on LBT are associated with IBS symptoms. Sixty-eight IBS patients meeting the Rome III criteria for IBS, and 55 healthy controls, underwent LBT. The IBS subjects recorded their customary gastrointestinal symptoms on a questionnaire using visual analogue scales. LBT positivity was defined to be above 20 ppm rise of hydrogen or 10 ppm rise of methane within 90 min. Gas amounts produced during LBT were determined by calculating area under the curve of hydrogen and methane excretion. Symptom severity scores were not different between the LBT (+) IBS and LBT (-) IBS subjects and also between methane producers and non-methane producers. Gas amounts produced during LBT were not associated with IBS symptoms, except a weak correlation between total gas amounts and a few IBS symptoms such as bloating (r = 0.324, P = 0.039), flatulence (r = 0.314, P = 0.046) and abdominal pain (r = 0.364, P = 0.018) only in LBT (+) IBS. In conclusion, hydrogen and methane gas on LBT are not useful for predicting the customary symptoms and subtypes of IBS. PMID:23772156

Investigating combustion as a method of processing inedible biomass produced in NASA's biomass production chamber

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dreschel, T. W.; Wheeler, R. M.; Hinkle, C. R.; Sager, J. C.; Knott, W. M.

1991-01-01

The Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Breadboard Project at the John F. Kennedy Space Center is a research program to integrate and evaluate biological processes to provide air, water, and food for humans in closed environments for space habitation. This project focuses on the use of conventional crop plants as grown in the Biomass Production Chamber (BPC) for the production and recycling of oxygen, food, and water. The inedible portion of these crops has the potential to be converted to edible biomass or directly to the elemental constituents for direct recycling. Converting inedible biomass directly, by combustion, to carbon dioxide, water, and minerals could provide a baseline for estimating partitioning of the mass balance during recycling in a CELSS. Converting the inedible biomass to carbon dioxide and water requires the same amount of oxygen that was produced by photosynthesis. The oxygen produced during crop growth is just equal to the oxygen required to oxidize all the biomass produced during growth. Thus, the amount of oxygen produced that is available for human consumption is in proportion to the amount of biomass actually utilized by humans. The remaining oxygen must be available to oxidize the rest of the biomass back to carbon dioxide and water or the system will not be a regenerative one.

Model business intelligence system design of quality products by using data mining in R Bakery Company

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fitriana, R.; Saragih, J.; Luthfiana, N.

2017-12-01

R Bakery company is a company that produces bread every day. Products that produced in that company have many different types of bread. Products are made in the form of sweet bread and wheat bread which have different tastes for every types of bread. During the making process, there were defects in the products which the defective product turns into reject product. Types of defects that are produced include burnt, sodden bread and shapeless bread. To find out the information about the defects that have been produced then by applying a designed model business intelligence system to create database and data warehouse. By using model business Intelligence system, it will generate useful information such as how many defect that produced by each of the bakery products. To make it easier to obtain such information, it can be done by using data mining method which data that we get is deep explored. The method of data mining is using k-means clustering method. The results of this intelligence business model system are cluster 1 with little amount of defect, cluster 2 with medium amount of defect and cluster 3 with high amount of defect. From OLAP Cube method can be seen that the defect generated during the 7 months period of 96,744 pieces.

Cloning and expression of the gene for bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase

DOEpatents

Studier, F.W.; Davanloo, P.; Rosenberg, A.H.

1984-03-30

This application describes a means to clone a functional gene for bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase. Active T7 RNA polymerase is produced from the cloned gene, and a plasmid has been constructed that can produce the active enzyme in large amounts. T7 RNA polymerase transcribes DNA very efficiently and is highly selective for a relatively long promoter sequence. This enzyme is useful for synthesizing large amounts of RNA in vivo or in vitro, and is capable of producing a single RNA selectively from a complex mixture of DNAs. The procedure used to obtain a clone of the T7 RNA polymerase gene can be applied to other T7-like phages to obtain clones that produce RNA polymerases having different promoter specificities, different bacterial hosts, or other desirable properties.

[The diseases of Bossuet].

PubMed

Charon, Pierre

2015-01-01

Jacques Bénigne Bossuet--nicknamed 'the Bright Eagle from Meaux' by Voltaire--died at 77, in his Parisian place of residence, on April 12th 1704. Which disease so took this robust prelate of Burgundian origin, bishop since he was 53 and whose active life had been filled with important duties and honours. If bibliography about his life is copious we owe before any trusting the testimony of his private secretary, priest François Le Dieu, whose diary describes everyday life in detail. Thus we know his fevers, skin rashes in 1699, and his bronchial and digestive problems and we can follow the evolution of his vesical lithiasis complicated with purulent, necrosing cystisis which led to the lethal evolution in spite of the efforts of renowned praticians.

Telescope Scientist on the Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Observatory

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

VanSpeybroeck, Leon

1999-01-01

The most important activity during this reporting period was the calibration of the AXAF High Resolution Mirror Assembly (HRMA) and the analysis of the copious data which were obtained during that project. The calibration was highly successful, and will result in the AXAF being by far the best calibrated X-ray observatory ever flown, and more accurate results by all of its users. This period also included participation in the spacecraft alignment and assembly activities and final flight readiness reviews. The planning of the first year of Telescope Scientist AXAF observations also was accomplished. The Telescope Scientist team also served as a technical resource for various problems which were encountered during this period. Many of these contributions have been documented in memoranda sent to the project.

Zusammenfassung

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fullerton, A. W.

2012-12-01

The “Tony Fest” was a fabulous meeting! Lac Taureau provided a beautiful setting resplendent with summer sunshine and fresh air; scenic vistas and a warm lake; delicious food and abundant refreshments to stimulate astrophysical advancement. With copious collegiality and a fine balance between the pursuit of scientific rigor and physical recreation, the meeting was both an adventure and an education: a fest worthy of its namesake! All of which makes the task of summarizing the meeting next to impossible! Instead, I can only attempt a “drawing together” — a Zusammenfassung, as Herr Professor Doktor Doktor Moffat might say — of the things that make this meeting especially memorable for me. I know that each of the participants will carry their own personal highlights with them for a long time to come.

Oxidation of dissolved iron under warmer, wetter conditions on Mars: Transitions to present-day arid environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Burns, R. G.

1993-01-01

The copious deposits of ferric-iron assemblages littering the surface of bright regions of Mars indicate that efficient oxidative weathering reactions have taken place during the evolution of the planet. Because the kinetics of atmosphere-surface (gas-solid) reactions are considerably slower than chemical weathering reactions involving an aqueous medium, most of the oxidation products now present in the martian regolith probably formed when groundwater flowed near the surface. This paper examines how chemical weathering reactions were effected by climatic variations when warm, wet environments became arid on Mars. Analogies are drawn with hydrogeochemical and weathering environments on the Australian continent where present-day oxidation of iron is occurring in acidic ground water under arid conditions.

Cooling of neutron stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pethick, C. J.

1992-01-01

It is at present impossible to predict the interior constitution of neutron stars based on theory and results from laboratory studies. It has been proposed that it is possible to obtain information on neutron star interiors by studying thermal radiation from their surfaces, because neutrino emission rates, and hence the temperature of the central part of a neutron star, depend on the properties of dense matter. The theory predicts that neutron stars cool relatively slowly if their cores are made up of nucleons, and cool faster if the matter is in an exotic state, such as a pion condensate, a kaon condensate, or quark matter. This view has recently been questioned by the discovery of a number of other processes that could lead to copious neutrino emission and rapid cooling.

New aspects in nucleon-nucleus collisions and EAS properties around 10(6) GeV

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Capdevielle, J. N.; Gawin, J.

1985-01-01

At energies higher than 2 x 10 to the 5 GeV, very little information exists on detailed properties of nucleon-nucleon collision; the rare elements are coming from jets, and, as nondirect improvements from gamma-ray families. The results exhibit some conflicting features, or, at least, very large fluctuations like copious production of gamma-rays in opposition to Centauro-like events, sometimes suggest that phase transition to quark gluon plasma occurs in nucleus-nucleus collisions and even in nucleon-nucleus collision. The multicluster phenomenological model (MPM) extrapolated for extensive air showers EAS simulation up to 5 x 10 to the 6 GeV to put in evidence some significant deviation between experimental data and prediction.

Necessary and sufficient conditions for the successful three-phase photocatalytic reduction of CO2 by H2O over heterogeneous photocatalysts.

PubMed

Teramura, Kentaro; Tanaka, Tsunehiro

2018-03-28

Artificial photosynthesis has recently drawn an increasing amount of attention due to the fact that it allows for direct solar-to-chemical energy conversion. However, one of the basic steps of this process, namely the reduction of CO2 by H2O to afford O2 and CO2 reduction products (CO2RPs) such as HCOOH, CO, HCHO, CH3OH, and CH4, is very difficult to achieve. In contrast to the CO2 reduction in plants and homogenous systems, the reduction of CO2 to CO2RPs over heterogeneous photocatalysts was challenged by the competing reduction of H+ to H2. Unfortunately, most of the research performed so far has focused only on the reduction of CO2, rather than the characterization of the H2O oxidation and H2 production. Moreover, the fact that the heterogeneous photocatalytic reduction of CO2 into CO2RPs by H2O should satisfy several selectivity criteria has often been ignored. Herein, we propose three such evaluation criteria, namely (1) the origin of carbon in CO2RPs (determined using isotopically labeled CO2 (13CO2)), (2) the relative amount of H2 and CO2RPs produced, and (3) the amount of O2 produced by the oxidation of H2O. If all these criteria are satisfied, i.e., the carbons of CO2RPs originate from CO2, the amount of H2 produced is negligible, and a stoichiometric amount of O2 is produced by the oxidation of H2O, then CO2 introduced into the gas phase is believed to be reduced by H2O to CO2RPs in the aqueous phase.

Isolating behavioral mechanisms of intertemporal choice: nicotine effects on delay discounting and amount sensitivity.

PubMed

Locey, Matthew L; Dallery, Jesse

2009-03-01

Many drugs of abuse produce changes in impulsive choice, that is, choice for a smaller-sooner reinforcer over a larger-later reinforcer. Because the alternatives differ in both delay and amount, it is not clear whether these drug effects are due to the differences in reinforcer delay or amount. To isolate the effects of delay, we used a titrating delay procedure. In phase 1, 9 rats made discrete choices between variable delays (1 or 19 s, equal probability of each) and a delay to a single food pellet. The computer titrated the delay to a single food pellet until the rats were indifferent between the two options. This indifference delay was used as the starting value for the titrating delay for all future sessions. We next evaluated the acute effects of nicotine (subcutaneous 1.0, 0.3, 0.1, and 0.03 mg/kg) on choice. If nicotine increases delay discounting, it should have increased preference for the variable delay. Instead, nicotine had very little effect on choice. In a second phase, the titrated delay alternative produced three food pellets instead of one, which was again produced by the variable delay (1 s or 19 s) alternative. Under this procedure, nicotine increased preference for the one pellet alternative. Nicotine-induced changes in impulsive choice are therefore likely due to differences in reinforcer amount rather than differences in reinforcer delay. In addition, it may be necessary to include an amount sensitivity parameter in any mathematical model of choice when the alternatives differ in reinforcer amount.

75 FR 21241 - Certain Cut-to-Length Carbon Steel Plate from the People's Republic of China: Initiation of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-23

... steel plate from PRC producers containing small amounts of boron resulting in the classification of the... Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. and/ or imported by Toyota Tsusho America with small amounts of boron added... to add insignificant amounts of boron to their steel products for the purpose of securing a higher...

Theoretical considerations for Reaction-Formed Silicon Carbide (RFSC) formation by molten silicon infiltration into slurry-derived preforms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Behrendt, D. R.; Singh, M.

1993-01-01

For reaction-formed silicon carbide (RFSC) ceramics produced by silicon melt infiltration of porous carbon preforms, equations are developed to relate the amount of residual silicon to the initial carbon density. Also, for a slurry derived preform containing both carbon and silicon powder, equations are derived which relate the amount of residual silicon in the RFSC to the relative density of the carbon in the preform and to the amount of silicon powder added to the slurry. For a porous carbon preform that does not have enough porosity to prevent choking-off of the silicon infiltration, these results show that complete silicon infiltration can occur by adding silicon powder to the slurry mixture used to produce these preforms.

Genetics Home Reference: Cushing disease

MedlinePlus

... unclear, Cushing disease affects females more often than males. Related Information What information about a genetic condition ... produce cortisol may also produce increased amounts of male sex hormones (androgens), leading to hirsutism in females. ...

Hydrogen peroxide poisoning.

PubMed

Watt, Barbara E; Proudfoot, Alex T; Vale, J Allister

2004-01-01

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising agent that is used in a number of household products, including general-purpose disinfectants, chlorine-free bleaches, fabric stain removers, contact lens disinfectants and hair dyes, and it is a component of some tooth whitening products. In industry, the principal use of hydrogen peroxide is as a bleaching agent in the manufacture of paper and pulp. Hydrogen peroxide has been employed medicinally for wound irrigation and for the sterilisation of ophthalmic and endoscopic instruments. Hydrogen peroxide causes toxicity via three main mechanisms: corrosive damage, oxygen gas formation and lipid peroxidation. Concentrated hydrogen peroxide is caustic and exposure may result in local tissue damage. Ingestion of concentrated (>35%) hydrogen peroxide can also result in the generation of substantial volumes of oxygen. Where the amount of oxygen evolved exceeds its maximum solubility in blood, venous or arterial gas embolism may occur. The mechanism of CNS damage is thought to be arterial gas embolisation with subsequent brain infarction. Rapid generation of oxygen in closed body cavities can also cause mechanical distension and there is potential for the rupture of the hollow viscus secondary to oxygen liberation. In addition, intravascular foaming following absorption can seriously impede right ventricular output and produce complete loss of cardiac output. Hydrogen peroxide can also exert a direct cytotoxic effect via lipid peroxidation. Ingestion of hydrogen peroxide may cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract with nausea, vomiting, haematemesis and foaming at the mouth; the foam may obstruct the respiratory tract or result in pulmonary aspiration. Painful gastric distension and belching may be caused by the liberation of large volumes of oxygen in the stomach. Blistering of the mucosae and oropharyngeal burns are common following ingestion of concentrated solutions, and laryngospasm and haemorrhagic gastritis have been reported. Sinus tachycardia, lethargy, confusion, coma, convulsions, stridor, sub-epiglottic narrowing, apnoea, cyanosis and cardiorespiratory arrest may ensue within minutes of ingestion. Oxygen gas embolism may produce multiple cerebral infarctions. Although most inhalational exposures cause little more than coughing and transient dyspnoea, inhalation of highly concentrated solutions of hydrogen peroxide can cause severe irritation and inflammation of mucous membranes, with coughing and dyspnoea. Shock, coma and convulsions may ensue and pulmonary oedema may occur up to 24-72 hours post exposure. Severe toxicity has resulted from the use of hydrogen peroxide solutions to irrigate wounds within closed body cavities or under pressure as oxygen gas embolism has resulted. Inflammation, blistering and severe skin damage may follow dermal contact. Ocular exposure to 3% solutions may cause immediate stinging, irritation, lacrimation and blurred vision, but severe injury is unlikely. Exposure to more concentrated hydrogen peroxide solutions (>10%) may result in ulceration or perforation of the cornea. Gut decontamination is not indicated following ingestion, due to the rapid decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by catalase to oxygen and water. If gastric distension is painful, a gastric tube should be passed to release gas. Early aggressive airway management is critical in patients who have ingested concentrated hydrogen peroxide, as respiratory failure and arrest appear to be the proximate cause of death. Endoscopy should be considered if there is persistent vomiting, haematemesis, significant oral burns, severe abdominal pain, dysphagia or stridor. Corticosteroids in high dosage have been recommended if laryngeal and pulmonary oedema supervene, but their value is unproven. Endotracheal intubation, or rarely, tracheostomy may be required for life-threatening laryngeal oedema. Contaminated skin should be washed with copious amounts of water. Skin lesions should be treated as thermal burns; surgery may be required for deep burns. In the case of eye exposure, the affected eye(s) shod eye(s) should be irrigated immediately and thoroughly with water or 0.9% saline for at least 10-15 minutes. Instillation of a local anaesthetic may reduce discomfort and assist more thorough decontamination.

Factors predicting recurrence of chronic subdural haematoma: the influence of intraoperative irrigation and low-molecular-weight heparin thromboprophylaxis.

PubMed

Tahsim-Oglou, Yasemin; Beseoglu, Kerim; Hänggi, Daniel; Stummer, Walter; Steiger, Hans-Jakob

2012-06-01

Burr-hole drainage has become the accepted treatment of choice for chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH), although still burdened with a major recurrence rate. The current analysis was initiated to determine management-related risk factors for recurrence, i.e. postoperative low-molecular-weight heparin thromboprophylaxis, and the importance of rinsing the subdural space. Two-hundred and forty-seven patients with computerised tomography (CT) defined symptomatic cSDH were managed by two burr-hole trepanations and drainage between January 2005 and November 2008. Postoperative thromboprophylaxis with 40 mg enoxaparine daily was given only during the first half of the study period. For the current analysis the amount of rinsing fluid, postoperative low-dose thromboprophylaxis, as well as age and gender, bilaterality, preoperative and postoperative blood coagulation studies, platelet counts and decrease of subdural fluid on early postoperative CT, were recorded and correlated with recurrence. Statistical calculation was done by univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 62 of 247 patients needed revision surgery for recurrence (25.1 %). Recurrence rates were significantly lower in the patients treated without postoperative enoxaparine (18.84 %) than in the group with postoperative low-dose enoxaparine thromboprophylaxis (32.11 %) and enoxaparine was administered in a higher proportion of the patients suffering recurrence (P = 0.013). A median intraoperative irrigation volume of 863 ml saline was used in the patients suffering recurrence and 1,500 ml in patients without recurrence (P < 0.001). The median age was slightly higher in the patients suffering from recurrence. Male gender predominated in both groups but was slightly more pronounced in the recurrence group. Preoperative and postoperative platelet counts and plasmatic coagulation indices did not differ significantly between the groups. Relative residual subdural fluid collection on early postoperative CT remained larger in patients finally suffering recurrence (P = 0.03). Multivariate analysis confirmed a small amount of rinsing fluid, male gender and the use of enoxaparine as the most important risk factors for recurrence, although that latter factor did not reach statistical significance in the multivariate analysis. The investigation provides evidence that copious intraoperative irrigation and avoidance of postoperative low-molecular-weight heparin thromboprophylaxis may reduce the recurrence rate of cSDH.

ORNL Demonstrates Large-Scale Technique to Produce Quantum Dots

ScienceCinema

Graham, David; Moon, Ji-Won

2018-01-16

A method to produce significant amounts of semiconducting nanoparticles for light-emitting displays, sensors, solar panels and biomedical applications has gained momentum with a demonstration by researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Isolating Behavioral Mechanisms of Inter-Temporal Choice: Nicotine Effects on Delay Discounting and Amount Sensitivity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Locey, Matthew L.; Dallery, Jesse

2009-01-01

Many drugs of abuse produce changes in impulsive choice, that is, choice for a smaller-sooner reinforcer over a larger-later reinforcer. Because the alternatives differ in both delay and amount, it is not clear whether these drug effects are due to the differences in reinforcer delay or amount. To isolate the effects of delay, we used a titrating…

Effects of produced water on soil characteristics, plant biomass, and secondary metabolites

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

The Powder River Basin in Wyoming and Montana contains the United States’ largest coal reserve. The area produces large amounts of natural gas through extraction from water-saturated coalbeds. Determining the impacts of coalbed natural gas-produced efflux water on crops is important when considering...

21 CFR 610.15 - Constituent materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... evidence that it does not affect adversely the safety or potency of the product. The amount of aluminum in... culture produced vaccines. Extraneous protein known to be capable of producing allergenic effects in human subjects shall not be added to a final virus medium of cell culture produced vaccines intended for...

21 CFR 610.15 - Constituent materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... evidence that it does not affect adversely the safety or potency of the product. The amount of aluminum in... culture produced vaccines. Extraneous protein known to be capable of producing allergenic effects in human subjects shall not be added to a final virus medium of cell culture produced vaccines intended for...

21 CFR 610.15 - Constituent materials.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... evidence that it does not affect adversely the safety or potency of the product. The amount of aluminum in... culture produced vaccines. Extraneous protein known to be capable of producing allergenic effects in human subjects shall not be added to a final virus medium of cell culture produced vaccines intended for...

The production of glucans via glucansucrases from Lactobacillus satsumensis isolated from a fermented beverage starter culture

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Several starter cultures used in the production of fermented beverages were screened for lactic acid bacteria that produced water-insoluble polysaccharides from sucrose. The strain producing the greatest amount was identified as Lactobacillus satsumensis by its 16S RNA sequence. This strain produc...

Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cells Using Neutral Red as an Electronophore

PubMed Central

Park, Doo Hyun; Zeikus, J. Gregory

2000-01-01

Neutral red (NR) was utilized as an electron mediator in microbial fuel cells consuming glucose to study both its efficiency during electricity generation and its role in altering anaerobic growth and metabolism of Escherichia coli and Actinobacillus succinogenes. A study of chemical fuel cells in which NADH, NR, and ferricyanide were the electron donor, the electronophore, and the electron acceptor, respectively, showed that electrical current produced from NADH was proportional to the concentration of NADH. Fourfold more current was produced from NADH in chemical fuel cells when NR was the electron mediator than when thionin was the electron mediator. In microbial fuel cells in which E. coli resting cells were used the amount of current produced from glucose when NR was the electron mediator (3.5 mA) was 10-fold more than the amount produced when thionin was the electron mediator (0.4 mA). The amount of electrical energy generated (expressed in joules per mole of substrate) and the amount of current produced from glucose (expressed in milliamperes) in NR-mediated microbial fuel cells containing either E. coli or A. succinogenes were about 10- and 2-fold greater, respectively, when resting cells were used than when growing cells were used. Cell growth was inhibited substantially when these microbial fuel cells were making current, and more oxidized end products were formed under these conditions. When sewage sludge (i.e., a mixed culture of anaerobic bacteria) was used in the fuel cell, stable (for 120 h) and equivalent levels of current were obtained with glucose, as observed in the pure-culture experiments. These results suggest that NR is better than other electron mediators used in microbial fuel cells and that sludge production can be decreased while electricity is produced in fuel cells. Our results are discussed in relation to factors that may improve the relatively low electrical efficiencies (1.2 kJ/mol) obtained with microbial fuel cells. PMID:10742202

15 CFR 715.2 - Amended declaration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION REGULATIONS ACTIVITIES INVOLVING UNSCHEDULED DISCRETE ORGANIC CHEMICALS (UDOCs) § 715.2 Amended declaration. In order for BIS to... plant site that produced any amount of UDOCs (including all PSF chemicals); (3) Aggregate amount of...

15 CFR 715.2 - Amended declaration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION REGULATIONS ACTIVITIES INVOLVING UNSCHEDULED DISCRETE ORGANIC CHEMICALS (UDOCs) § 715.2 Amended declaration. In order for BIS to... plant site that produced any amount of UDOCs (including all PSF chemicals); (3) Aggregate amount of...

15 CFR 715.2 - Amended declaration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION REGULATIONS ACTIVITIES INVOLVING UNSCHEDULED DISCRETE ORGANIC CHEMICALS (UDOCs) § 715.2 Amended declaration. In order for BIS to... plant site that produced any amount of UDOCs (including all PSF chemicals); (3) Aggregate amount of...

15 CFR 715.2 - Amended declaration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION REGULATIONS ACTIVITIES INVOLVING UNSCHEDULED DISCRETE ORGANIC CHEMICALS (UDOCs) § 715.2 Amended declaration. In order for BIS to... plant site that produced any amount of UDOCs (including all PSF chemicals); (3) Aggregate amount of...

Delta/mu opioid receptor interactions in operant conditioning assays of pain-depressed responding and drug-induced rate suppression: assessment of therapeutic index in male Sprague Dawley rats.

PubMed

Cone, Katherine; Lanpher, Janell; Kinens, Abigail; Richard, Philomena; Couture, Sarah; Brackin, Rebecca; Payne, Emily; Harrington, Kylee; Rice, Kenner C; Stevenson, Glenn W

2018-05-01

Although delta/mu receptor interactions vary as a function of behavioral endpoint, there have been no assessments of these interactions using assays of pain-depressed responding. This is the first report of delta/mu interactions using an assay of pain-depressed behavior. A mult-cycle FR10 operant schedule was utilized in the presence of (nociception) and in the absence of (rate suppression) a lactic acid inflammatory pain-like manipulation. SNC80 and methadone were used as selective/high efficacy delta and mu agonists, respectively. Both SNC80 and methadone alone produced a dose-dependent restoration of pain-depressed responding and dose-dependent response rate suppression. Three fixed ratio mixtures, based on the relative potencies of the drugs in the nociception assay, also produced dose-dependent antinociception and sedation. Isobolographic analysis indicated that all three mixtures produced supra-additive antinociceptive effects and simply additive sedation effects. The therapeutic index (TI) inversely varied as a function of amount of SNC80 in the mixture, such that lower amounts of SNC80 produced a higher TI, and larger amounts produced a lower TI. Compared to literature using standard pain-elicited assays, the orderly relationship between SNC80 and TI reported here may be a unique function of assessing pain-depressed behavior.

Genomic, proteomic and biochemical analysis of the chitinolytic machinery of Serratia marcescens BJL200.

PubMed

Tuveng, Tina R; Hagen, Live Heldal; Mekasha, Sophanit; Frank, Jeremy; Arntzen, Magnus Øverlie; Vaaje-Kolstad, Gustav; Eijsink, Vincent G H

2017-04-01

The chitinolytic machinery of Serratia marcescens BJL200 has been studied in detail over the last couple of decades, however, the proteome secreted by this Gram-negative bacterium during growth on chitin has not been studied in depth. In addition, the genome of this most studied chitinolytic Serratia strain has until now, not been sequenced. We report a draft genome sequence for S. marcescens BJL200. Using label-free quantification (LFQ) proteomics and a recently developed plate-method for assessing secretomes during growth on solid substrates, we find that, as expected, the chitin-active enzymes (ChiA, B, C, and CBP21) are produced in high amounts when the bacterium grows on chitin. Other proteins produced in high amounts after bacterial growth on chitin provide interesting targets for further exploration of the proteins involved in degradation of chitin-rich biomasses. The genome encodes a fourth chitinase (ChiD), which is produced in low amounts during growth on chitin. Studies of chitin degradation with mixtures of recombinantly produced chitin-degrading enzymes showed that ChiD does not contribute to the overall efficiency of the process. ChiD is capable of converting N,N'-diacetyl chitobiose to N-acetyl glucosamine, but is less efficient than another enzyme produced for this purpose, the Chitobiase. Thus, the role of ChiD in chitin degradation, if any, remains unclear. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Synthesis of 44Ti and 56Ni in Massive Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chieffi, Alessandro; Limongi, Marco

2017-02-01

We discuss the influence of rotation on the combined synthesis of {}44{Ti} and {}56{Ni} in massive stars. While {}56{Ni} is significantly produced by both complete and incomplete explosive Si burning, {}44{Ti} is mainly produced by complete explosive Si burning, with a minor contribution (in standard non-rotating models) from incomplete explosive Si burning and O burning (both explosive and hydrostatic). We find that, in most cases, the thickness of the region exposed to incomplete explosive Si burning increases in rotating models (initial velocity, v ini = 300 km s-1) and since {}56{Ni} is significantly produced in this zone, the fraction of mass coming from the complete explosive Si burning zone necessary to get the required amount of {}56{Ni} reduces. Therefore the amount of {}44{Ti} ejected for a given fixed amount of {}56{Ni} decreases in rotating models. However, some rotating models at [Fe/H] = -1 develop a very extended O convective shell in which a consistent amount of {}44{Ti} is formed, preserved, and ejected in the interstellar medium. Hence a better modeling of the thermal instabilities (convection) in the advanced burning phases together with a critical analysis of the cross sections of the nuclear reactions operating in O burning are relevant for the understanding of the synthesis of {}44{Ti}.

Iron active electrode and method of making same

DOEpatents

Jackovitz, John F.; Seidel, Joseph; Pantier, Earl A.

1982-10-26

An iron active electrode and method of preparing same in which iron sulfate is calcined in an oxidizing atmosphere at a temperature in the range of from about 600.degree. C. to about 850.degree. C. for a time sufficient to produce an iron oxide with a trace amount of sulfate. The calcined material is loaded into an electrically conductive support and then heated in a reducing atmosphere at an elevated temperature to produce activated iron having a trace amount of sulfide which is formed into an electrode plate.

Rice hull energy uses in the Philippines

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

Waddle, D.B.

1985-01-01

As a rice producing country, the Philippines produces a tremendous amount of rice hulls which when converted to energy could displace a substantial amount of imported energy. Realizing this possibility needs a thorough evaluation of both resources and demand characteristics of particular industry where immediate applicability of technical option awaits. This document presents the Philippines' past activities in fuelizing rice hulls and future action plans where its economic relevance could be enhanced. Descriptions of four power plants are included with the author's analysis of their probable market impact and projections of future applications.

The Influence of Friction Between Football Helmet and Jersey Materials on Force: A Consideration for Sport Safety.

PubMed

Rossi, Anthony M; Claiborne, Tina L; Thompson, Gregory B; Todaro, Stacey

2016-09-01

The pocketing effect of helmet padding helps to dissipate forces experienced by the head, but if the player's helmet remains stationary in an opponent's shoulder pads, the compressive force on the cervical spine may increase. To (1) measure the coefficient of static friction between different football helmet finishes and football jersey fabrics and (2) calculate the potential amount of force on a player's helmet due to the amount of friction present. Cross-sectional study. Laboratory. Helmets with different finishes and different football jersey fabrics. The coefficient of friction was determined for 2 helmet samples (glossy and matte), 3 football jerseys (collegiate, high school, and youth), and 3 types of jersey numbers (silkscreened, sublimated, and stitched on) using the TAPPI T 815 standard method. These measurements determined which helmet-to-helmet, helmet-to-jersey number, and helmet-to-jersey material combination resulted in the least amount of static friction. The glossy helmet versus glossy helmet combination produced a greater amount of static friction than the other 2 helmet combinations (P = .013). The glossy helmet versus collegiate jersey combination produced a greater amount of static friction than the other helmet-to-jersey material combinations (P < .01). The glossy helmet versus silkscreened numbers combination produced a greater amount of static friction than the other helmet-to-jersey number combinations (P < .01). The force of static friction experienced during collisions can be clinically relevant. Conditions with higher coefficients of static friction result in greater forces. In this study, the highest coefficient of friction (glossy helmet versus silkscreened number) could increase the forces on the player's helmet by 3553.88 N when compared with other helmet-to-jersey combinations. Our results indicate that the makeup of helmet and uniform materials may affect sport safety.

[Formation process of nitrogenous disinfection byproduct trichloronitromethane in drinking water and its influencing factors].

PubMed

Ding, Chun-Sheng; Zou, Bang-Wen; Miao, Jia; Fu, Yang-Ping; Shen, Jia-Chen

2013-08-01

A novel method is described in this paper, which uses methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as extractant and 1,2-dibromopropane as internal standard for the determination of nitrogenous disinfection byproduct trichloronitromethane (TCNM) by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The formation process of TCNM and its influencing factors were evaluated with methylamine as the precursor during chlorination. The results indicated that the TCNM amount produced under alkaline condition was higher than those produced under the neutral and acidic conditions, and the TCNM amount increased with the increase of pH value. It was found that the TCNM amount increased with the increase of chlorine addition when the chlorine dosage was in the range of 2-8 mmol x L(-1). However, the TCNM amount was reduced when the chlorine dosage was enhanced from 8 mmol x L(-1) to 12 mmol x L(-1), under which conditions the concentration of free chlorine was higher and methylamine was turned into nitriles and aldehydes through other reactions. It was also found that the TCNM amount increased with the increase of methylamine addition when the methylamine dosage was in the range of 0.5-4 mmol x L(-1). Temperature was another important factor that affected the TCNM formation from methylamine especially in the range of 10-30 degrees C and the higher the temperature, the more the TCNM amount produced. The formation process of TCNM from methylamine by chlorination was in accordance with the mechanism of an electrophilic reaction, in which HClO and ClO(-) could be used as the electrophilic reagents to attack methylamine and then to form TCNM.

A quorum-sensing molecule acts as a morphogen controlling gas vesicle organelle biogenesis and adaptive flotation in an enterobacterium

PubMed Central

Ramsay, Joshua P.; Williamson, Neil R.; Spring, David R.; Salmond, George P. C.

2011-01-01

Gas vesicles are hollow intracellular proteinaceous organelles produced by aquatic Eubacteria and Archaea, including cyanobacteria and halobacteria. Gas vesicles increase buoyancy and allow taxis toward air–liquid interfaces, enabling subsequent niche colonization. Here we report a unique example of gas vesicle-mediated flotation in an enterobacterium; Serratia sp. strain ATCC39006. This strain is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae previously studied for its production of prodigiosin and carbapenem antibiotics. Genes required for gas vesicle synthesis mapped to a 16.6-kb gene cluster encoding three distinct homologs of the main structural protein, GvpA. Heterologous expression of this locus in Escherichia coli induced copious vesicle production and efficient cell buoyancy. Gas vesicle morphogenesis in Serratia enabled formation of a pellicle-like layer of highly vacuolated cells, which was dependent on oxygen limitation and the expression of ntrB/C and cheY-like regulatory genes within the gas-vesicle gene cluster. Gas vesicle biogenesis was strictly controlled by intercellular chemical signaling, through an N-acyl homoserine lactone, indicating that in this system the quorum-sensing molecule acts as a morphogen initiating organelle development. Flagella-based motility and gas vesicle morphogenesis were also oppositely regulated by the small RNA-binding protein, RsmA, suggesting environmental adaptation through physiological control of the choice between motility and flotation as alternative taxis modes. We propose that gas vesicle biogenesis in this strain represents a distinct mechanism of mobility, regulated by oxygen availability, nutritional status, the RsmA global regulatory system, and the quorum-sensing morphogen. PMID:21873216

A quorum-sensing molecule acts as a morphogen controlling gas vesicle organelle biogenesis and adaptive flotation in an enterobacterium.

PubMed

Ramsay, Joshua P; Williamson, Neil R; Spring, David R; Salmond, George P C

2011-09-06

Gas vesicles are hollow intracellular proteinaceous organelles produced by aquatic Eubacteria and Archaea, including cyanobacteria and halobacteria. Gas vesicles increase buoyancy and allow taxis toward air-liquid interfaces, enabling subsequent niche colonization. Here we report a unique example of gas vesicle-mediated flotation in an enterobacterium; Serratia sp. strain ATCC39006. This strain is a member of the Enterobacteriaceae previously studied for its production of prodigiosin and carbapenem antibiotics. Genes required for gas vesicle synthesis mapped to a 16.6-kb gene cluster encoding three distinct homologs of the main structural protein, GvpA. Heterologous expression of this locus in Escherichia coli induced copious vesicle production and efficient cell buoyancy. Gas vesicle morphogenesis in Serratia enabled formation of a pellicle-like layer of highly vacuolated cells, which was dependent on oxygen limitation and the expression of ntrB/C and cheY-like regulatory genes within the gas-vesicle gene cluster. Gas vesicle biogenesis was strictly controlled by intercellular chemical signaling, through an N-acyl homoserine lactone, indicating that in this system the quorum-sensing molecule acts as a morphogen initiating organelle development. Flagella-based motility and gas vesicle morphogenesis were also oppositely regulated by the small RNA-binding protein, RsmA, suggesting environmental adaptation through physiological control of the choice between motility and flotation as alternative taxis modes. We propose that gas vesicle biogenesis in this strain represents a distinct mechanism of mobility, regulated by oxygen availability, nutritional status, the RsmA global regulatory system, and the quorum-sensing morphogen.

Glycine formation in CO2:CH4:NH3 ices induced by 0-70 eV electrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esmaili, Sasan; Bass, Andrew D.; Cloutier, Pierre; Sanche, Léon; Huels, Michael A.

2018-04-01

Glycine (Gly), the simplest amino-acid building-block of proteins, has been identified on icy dust grains in the interstellar medium, icy comets, and ice covered meteorites. These astrophysical ices contain simple molecules (e.g., CO2, H2O, CH4, HCN, and NH3) and are exposed to complex radiation fields, e.g., UV, γ, or X-rays, stellar/solar wind particles, or cosmic rays. While much current effort is focused on understanding the radiochemistry induced in these ices by high energy radiation, the effects of the abundant secondary low energy electrons (LEEs) it produces have been mostly assumed rather than studied. Here we present the results for the exposure of multilayer CO2:CH4:NH3 ice mixtures to 0-70 eV electrons under simulated astrophysical conditions. Mass selected temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of our electron irradiated films reveals multiple products, most notably intact glycine, which is supported by control measurements of both irradiated or un-irradiated binary mixture films, and un-irradiated CO2:CH4:NH3 ices spiked with Gly. The threshold of Gly formation by LEEs is near 9 eV, while the TPD analysis of Gly film growth allows us to determine the "quantum" yield for 70 eV electrons to be about 0.004 Gly per incident electron. Our results show that simple amino acids can be formed directly from simple molecular ingredients, none of which possess preformed C—C or C—N bonds, by the copious secondary LEEs that are generated by ionizing radiation in astrophysical ices.

Effect of simulated chairside grinding procedures using commercially available abrasive agents on the surface properties of zirconia

PubMed Central

Sandhu, Ramandeep; Kheur, Mohit; Kheur, Supriya

2017-01-01

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the change in physical properties (surface roughness, surface hardness and phase transformation) after surface grinding of zirconia by using three commercially available abrasives. Materials and Methods: Thirty sintered zirconia specimens were prepared and divided into three groups namely Group M (grinded using Mani Dia diamond bur standard grit), Group T (grinded using Tri Hawk diamond bur coarse grit) and Group P (grinded using Predator carbide bur). A customised assembly was used to follow a standardised protocol for surface grinding. The surface roughness, surface hardness and phase transformation was recorded before and after the grinding procedure. Statistical Analysis Used: ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test were used to assess the values obtained after the testing the surface roughness and surface hardness. Results: The results of the present study revealed the average values of change in surface roughness as Group M (0.44 μm) and Group T (1.235 μm) and Group P (-0.88 μm). The average values of change in surface hardness were Group T (19.578 HV), Group M (46.722 HV) and Group P (36.429 HV). The change in surface hardness was not statistically significant. There was no phase transformation seen after the grinding procedure. Clinical Significance: Carbide burs along with copious water irrigation when used to grind zirconia intra-orally produces has a polishing effect, minimal change in hardness & no phase transformation. The present study advocates the use of carbides for chair-side grinding of zirconia. PMID:28216841

Glycine formation in CO2:CH4:NH3 ices induced by 0-70 eV electrons.

PubMed

Esmaili, Sasan; Bass, Andrew D; Cloutier, Pierre; Sanche, Léon; Huels, Michael A

2018-04-28

Glycine (Gly), the simplest amino-acid building-block of proteins, has been identified on icy dust grains in the interstellar medium, icy comets, and ice covered meteorites. These astrophysical ices contain simple molecules (e.g., CO 2 , H 2 O, CH 4 , HCN, and NH 3 ) and are exposed to complex radiation fields, e.g., UV, γ, or X-rays, stellar/solar wind particles, or cosmic rays. While much current effort is focused on understanding the radiochemistry induced in these ices by high energy radiation, the effects of the abundant secondary low energy electrons (LEEs) it produces have been mostly assumed rather than studied. Here we present the results for the exposure of multilayer CO 2 :CH 4 :NH 3 ice mixtures to 0-70 eV electrons under simulated astrophysical conditions. Mass selected temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of our electron irradiated films reveals multiple products, most notably intact glycine, which is supported by control measurements of both irradiated or un-irradiated binary mixture films, and un-irradiated CO 2 :CH 4 :NH 3 ices spiked with Gly. The threshold of Gly formation by LEEs is near 9 eV, while the TPD analysis of Gly film growth allows us to determine the "quantum" yield for 70 eV electrons to be about 0.004 Gly per incident electron. Our results show that simple amino acids can be formed directly from simple molecular ingredients, none of which possess preformed C-C or C-N bonds, by the copious secondary LEEs that are generated by ionizing radiation in astrophysical ices.

On the interactions between energetic electrons and lightning whistler waves observed at high L-shells on Van Allen Probes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, H.; Holzworth, R. H., II; Brundell, J. B.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Jacobson, A. R.; Fennell, J. F.; Li, J.

2017-12-01

Lightning produces strong broadband radio waves, called "sferics", which propagate in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide and are detected thousands of kilometers away from their source. Global real-time detection of lightning strokes including their time, location and energy, is conducted with the World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN). In the ionosphere, these sferics couple into very low frequency (VLF) whistler waves which propagate obliquely to the Earth's magnetic field. A good match has previously been shown between WWLLN sferics and Van Allen Probes lightning whistler waves. It is well known that lightning whistler waves can modify the distribution of energetic electrons in the Van Allen belts by pitch angle scattering into the loss cone, especially at low L-Shells (referred to as LEP - Lightning-induced Electron Precipitation). It is an open question whether lightning whistler waves play an important role at high L-shells. The possible interactions between energetic electrons and lightning whistler waves at high L-shells are considered to be weak in the past. However, lightning is copious, and weak pitch angle scattering into the drift or bounce loss cone would have a significant influence on the radiation belt populations. In this work, we will analyze the continuous burst mode EMFISIS data from September 2012 to 2016, to find out lightning whistler waves above L = 3. Based on that, MAGEIS data are used to study the related possible wave-particle interactions. In this talk, both case study and statistical analysis results will be presented.

Mottled Protoplanetary Disk Ionization by Magnetically Channeled T Tauri Star Energetic Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fraschetti, F.; Drake, J. J.; Cohen, O.; Garraffo, C.

2018-02-01

The evolution of protoplanetary disks is believed to be driven largely by angular momentum transport resulting from magnetized disk winds and turbulent viscosity. The ionization of the disk that is essential for these processes has been thought to be due to host star coronal X-rays but could also arise from energetic particles produced by coronal flares, or traveling shock waves, and advected by the stellar wind. We have performed test-particle numerical simulations of energetic protons propagating into a realistic T Tauri stellar wind, including a superposed small-scale magnetostatic turbulence. The isotropic (Kolmogorov power spectrum) turbulent component is synthesized along the individual particle trajectories. We have investigated the energy range [0.1–10] GeV, consistent with expectations from Chandra X-ray observations of large flares on T Tauri stars and recent indications by the Herschel Space Observatory of a significant contribution of energetic particles to the disk ionization of young stars. In contrast with a previous theoretical study finding a dominance of energetic particles over X-rays in the ionization throughout the disk, we find that the disk ionization is likely dominated by X-rays over much of its area, except within narrow regions where particles are channeled onto the disk by the strongly tangled and turbulent magnetic field. The radial thickness of such regions is 5 stellar radii close to the star and broadens with increasing radial distance. This likely continues out to large distances from the star (10 au or greater), where particles can be copiously advected and diffused by the turbulent wind.

Electric Field Screening with Backflow at Pulsar Polar Cap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kisaka, Shota; Asano, Katsuaki; Terasawa, Toshio

2016-09-01

Recent γ-ray observations suggest that particle acceleration occurs at the outer region of the pulsar magnetosphere. The magnetic field lines in the outer acceleration region (OAR) are connected to the neutron star surface (NSS). If copious electron-positron pairs are produced near the NSS, such pairs flow into the OAR and screen the electric field there. To activate the OAR, the electromagnetic cascade due to the electric field near the NSS should be suppressed. However, since a return current is expected along the field lines through the OAR, the outflow extracted from the NSS alone cannot screen the electric field just above the NSS. In this paper, we analytically and numerically study the electric field screening at the NSS, taking into account the effects of the backflowing particles from the OAR. In certain limited cases, the electric field is screened without significant pair cascade if only ultra-relativistic particles (γ \\gg 1) flow back to the NSS. On the other hand, if electron-positron pairs with a significant number density and mildly relativistic temperature, expected to distribute in a wide region of the magnetosphere, flow back to the NSS, these particles adjust the current and charge densities so that the electric field can be screened without pair cascade. We obtain the condition needed for the number density of particles to screen the electric field at the NSS. We also find that in the ion-extracted case from the NSS, bunches of particles are ejected to the outer region quasi-periodically, which is a possible mechanism of observed radio emission.

Implications of a 3.472-3.333 Gyr-old subaerial microbial mat from the Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa for the UV environmental conditions on the early Earth.

PubMed

Westall, Frances; de Ronde, Cornel E J; Southam, Gordon; Grassineau, Nathalie; Colas, Maggy; Cockell, Charles; Lammer, Helmut

2006-10-29

Modelling suggests that the UV radiation environment of the early Earth, with DNA weighted irradiances of about three orders of magnitude greater than those at present, was hostile to life forms at the surface, unless they lived in specific protected habitats. However, we present empirical evidence that challenges this commonly held view. We describe a well-developed microbial mat that formed on the surface of volcanic littoral sediments in an evaporitic environment in a 3.5-3.3Ga-old formation from the Barberton greenstone belt. Using a multiscale, multidisciplinary approach designed to strongly test the biogenicity of potential microbial structures, we show that the mat was constructed under flowing water by 0.25 microm filaments that produced copious quantities of extracellular polymeric substances, representing probably anoxygenic photosynthesizers. Associated with the mat is a small colony of rods-vibroids that probably represent sulphur-reducing bacteria. An embedded suite of evaporite minerals and desiccation cracks in the surface of the mat demonstrates that it was periodically exposed to the air in an evaporitic environment. We conclude that DNA-damaging UV radiation fluxes at the surface of the Earth at this period must either have been low (absorbed by CO2, H2O, a thin organic haze from photo-dissociated CH4, or SO2 from volcanic outgassing; scattered by volcanic, and periodically, meteorite dust, as well as by the upper layers of the microbial mat) and/or that the micro-organisms exhibited efficient gene repair/survival strategies.

Quantifying gas emissions from the 946 CE Millennium Eruption of Paektu volcano, Democratic People's Republic of Korea/China

USGS Publications Warehouse

Iacovino, Kayla; Ju-Song, Kim; Sisson, Thomas W.; Lowenstern, Jacob B.; Ku-Hun, Ri; Jong-Nam, Jang; Kun-Ho, Song; Song-Hwan, Ham; Clive Oppenheimer,; James O.S. Hammond,; Amy Donovan,; Kosima Weber-Liu,; Kum-Ran , Ryu

2016-01-01

Paektu volcano (Changbaishan) is a rhyolitic caldera that straddles the border between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and China. Its most recent large eruption was the Millennium Eruption (ME; 23 km3 DRE) circa 946 CE, which resulted in the release of copious magmatic volatiles (H2O, CO2, sulfur, and halogens). Accurate quantification of volatile yield and composition is critical in assessing volcanogenic climate impacts but is elusive, particularly for pre-historic or unmonitored eruptions. Here we employ a geochemical technique to quantify volatile composition and yield from the ME by examining trends in incompatible trace and volatile element concentrations in crystal-hosted melt inclusions. We estimate a maximum of 45 Tg S was injected into the stratosphere during the ME. If true yields are close to this maximum, this equates to more than 1.5 times the S released during the 1815 eruption of Tambora, which contributed to the "Year Without a Summer". Our maximum gas yield estimates place the ME among the strongest emitters of climate forcing gases in recorded human history in stark contrast to ice core records that indicate minimal atmospheric sulfate loading after the eruption. We conclude that the potential lack of strong climate forcing occurred in spite of the substantial S yield and suggest that other factors predominated in minimizing climatic effects. This paradoxical case in which high S emissions do not result in substantial climate forcing may present a way forward in building more generalized models for predicting which volcanic eruptions will produce large climate impacts.

X-Raying the Coronae of HD 155555

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lalitha, S.; Singh, K.P.; Drake, S. A.; Kashyap, V.

2015-01-01

We present an analysis of the high-resolution Chandra observation of the multiple system, HD 155555 (an RS CVn type binary system, HD 155555 AB, and its spatially resolved low-mass companion HD 155555 C). This is an intriguing system which shows properties of both an active pre-main sequence star and a synchronised (main sequence) binary. We obtain the emission measure distribution, temperature structures, plasma densities, and abundances of this system and compare them with the coronal properties of other young/active stars. HD 155555 AB and HD 155555 C produce copious X-ray emission with log L(sub x) of 30.54 and 29.30, respectively, in the 0.3-6.0 kiloelectronvolt energy band. The light curves of individual stars show variability on timescales of few minutes to hours. We analyse the dispersed spectra and reconstruct the emission measure distribution using spectral line analysis. The resulting elemental abundances exhibit inverse first ionisation potential effect in both cases. An analysis of He-like triplets yields a range of coronal electron densities 1010 - 1013 per cubic centimeter. Since HD 155555 AB is classified both as an RS CVn and a PMS star, we compare our results with those of other slightly older active main-sequence stars and T Tauri stars, which indicates that the coronal properties of HD 155555 AB closely resemble that of an older RS CVn binary rather than a younger PMS star. Our results also suggests that the properties of HD 155555 C is very similar to those of other active M dwarfs.

The size-luminosity relationship of quasar narrow-line regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dempsey, Ross; Zakamska, Nadia L.

2018-07-01

The presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) can strongly affect its host. Due to the copious radiative power of the nucleus, the effects of radiative feedback can be detected over the entire host galaxy and sometimes well into the intergalactic space. In this paper we model the observed size-luminosity relationship of the narrow-line regions (NLRs) of AGN. We model the NLR as a collection of clouds in pressure equilibrium with the ionizing radiation, with each cloud producing line emission calculated by Cloudy. The sizes of the NLRs of powerful quasars are reproduced without any free parameters, as long as they contain massive (105-107 M⊙) ionization-bounded clouds. At lower AGN luminosities the observed sizes are larger than the model sizes, likely due to additional unmodeled sources of ionization (e.g. star formation). We find that the observed saturation of sizes at ˜10 kpc which is observed at high AGN luminosities (Lion ≃ 1046 erg s-1) is naturally explained by optically thick clouds absorbing the ionizing radiation and preventing illumination beyond a critical distance. Using our models in combination with observations of the [O III]/IR ratio and the [O III] size-IR luminosity relationship, we calculate the covering factor of the obscuring torus (and therefore the type 2 fraction within the quasar population) to be f = 0.5, though this is likely an upper bound. Finally, because the gas behind the ionization front is invisible in ionized gas transitions, emission-based NLR mass calculations underestimate the mass of the NLR and therefore of the energetics of ionized-gas winds.

Monte Carlo simulations of relativistic radiation-mediated shocks - I. Photon-rich regime

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ito, Hirotaka; Levinson, Amir; Stern, Boris E.; Nagataki, Shigehiro

2018-02-01

We explore the physics of relativistic radiation-mediated shocks (RRMSs) in the regime where photon advection dominates over photon generation. For this purpose, a novel iterative method for deriving a self-consistent steady-state structure of RRMS is developed, based on a Monte Carlo code that solves the transfer of photons subject to Compton scattering and pair production/annihilation. Systematic study is performed by imposing various upstream conditions which are characterized by the following three parameters: the photon-to-baryon inertia ratio ξu*, the photon-to-baryon number ratio \\tilde{n}, and the shock Lorentz factor γu. We find that the properties of RRMSs vary considerably with these parameters. In particular, while a smooth decline in the velocity, accompanied by a gradual temperature increase is seen for ξu* ≫ 1, an efficient bulk Comptonization, that leads to a heating precursor, is found for ξu* ≲ 1. As a consequence, although particle acceleration is highly inefficient in these shocks, a broad non-thermal spectrum is produced in the latter case. The generation of high-energy photons through bulk Comptonization leads, in certain cases, to a copious production of pairs that provide the dominant opacity for Compton scattering. We also find that for certain upstream conditions a weak subshock appears within the flow. For a choice of parameters suitable to gamma-ray bursts, the radiation spectrum within the shock is found to be compatible with that of the prompt emission, suggesting that subphotospheric shocks may give rise to the observed non-thermal features despite the absence of accelerated particles.

Integrated treatment process using a natural Wyoming clinoptilolite for remediating produced waters from coalbed natural gas operations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Zhao, H.; Vance, G.F.; Urynowicz, M.A.; Gregory, R.W.

2009-01-01

Coalbed natural gas (CBNG) development in western U.S. states has resulted in an increase in an essential energy resource, but has also resulted in environmental impacts and additional regulatory needs. A concern associated with CBNG development relates to the production of the copious quantities of potentially saline-sodic groundwater required to recover the natural gas, hereafter referred to as CBNG water. Management of CBNG water is a major environmental challenge because of its quantity and quality. In this study, a locally available Na-rich natural zeolite (clinoptilolite) from Wyoming (WY) was examined for its potential to treat CBNG water to remove Na+ and lower the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR, mmol1/2 L- 1/2). The zeolite material was Ca-modified before being used in column experiments. Column breakthrough studies indicated that a metric tonne (1000??kg) of Ca-WY-zeolite could be used to treat 60,000??L of CBNG water in order to lower SAR of the CBNG water from 30 to an acceptable level of 10??mmol1/2 L- 1/2. An integrated treatment process using Na-WY-zeolite for alternately treating hard water and CBNG water was also examined for its potential to treat problematic waters in the region. Based on the results of this study, use of WY-zeolite appears to be a cost-effective water treatment technology for maximizing the beneficial use of poor-quality CBNG water. Ongoing studies are evaluating water treatment techniques involving infiltration ponds lined with zeolite. ?? 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Seed development in Trimenia (Trimeniaceae) and its bearing on the evolution of embryo-nourishing strategies in early flowering plant lineages.

PubMed

Friedman, William E; Bachelier, Julien B

2013-05-01

Seeds of most families in the ancient angiosperm lineage Austrobaileyales produce a full-fledged genetically biparental embryo-nourishing endosperm. However, seeds of fossil and extant Trimeniaceae have been described as having a perisperm, a maternal nutrient-storing and embryo-nourishing tissue derived from the nucellus of the ovule. Because perisperm is also found in Nymphaeales, another ancient angiosperm clade, the presence of a perisperm in Trimeniaceae, if confirmed, would be congruent with the hypothesis that the first angiosperms used a perisperm in addition to a minute (nutrient-transferring) endosperm. • Seed development was studied from fertilization through maturity/dormancy in Trimenia moorei and in maturing fruits of T. neocaledonica. • A persistent layer of nucellar tissue surrounds the endosperm but does not contain stored nutrients and does not function as a perisperm. The nutrient-storing and embryo-nourishing tissue in Trimenia seeds is an endosperm, as is the case in all other members of the Austrobaileyales studied to date. • The absence of a perisperm and the presence of a typical nutrient-storing and embryo-nourishing endosperm in Trimeniaceae may represent the ancestral condition for angiosperms. However, the combination of a copious nutrient-storing and embryo-nourishing perisperm with a minute endosperm, as in Nymphaeales, remains a plausible plesiomorphic condition for angiosperms as a whole. In either case, the developmental and functional biology of the diploid endosperm of Trimenia (and other Austrobaileyales) differs markedly from the diploid endosperm of Nymphaeales, and is fundamentally similar to the triploid endosperms of most other angiosperms.

Search for gauge extensions of the MSSM at the LHC

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

Ali, Ahmed; Demir, Durmus A.; Department of Physics, Izmir Institute of Technology, IZTECH, TR35430 Izmir

2009-05-01

The extensions of the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM), driving mainly from the need to solve the {mu} problem, involve novel matter species and gauge groups. These extended MSSM models can be searched for at the LHC via the effects of the gauge and Higgs bosons or their fermionic partners. Traditionally, the focus has been on the study of the extra forces induced by the new gauge and Higgs bosons present in such models. An alternative way of studying such effects is through the superpartners of matter species and the gauge forces. We thus consider a U(1)' gauge extension of themore » MSSM, and perform an extensive study of the signatures of the model through the production and decays of the scalar quarks and gluino, which are expected to be produced copiously at the LHC. After a detailed study of the distinctive features of such models with regard to the signatures at the LHC, we carry out a detailed Monte Carlo analysis of the signals from the process pp{yields}n leptons+m jets+Ee{sub T}, and compare the resulting distributions with those predicted by the MSSM. Our results show that the searches for the extra gauge interactions in the supersymmetric framework can proceed not only through the forces mediated by the gauge and Higgs bosons but also through the superpartner forces mediated by the gauge and Higgs fermions. Analysis of the events induced by the squark/gluino decays presented here is complementary to the direct Z' searches at the LHC.« less

PAIR-DOMINATED GeV-OPTICAL FLASH IN GRB 130427A

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

Vurm, Indrek; Hascoët, Romain; Beloborodov, Andrei M., E-mail: indrek.vurm@gmail.com

2014-07-10

We show that the light curve of the double GeV+optical flash in GRB 130427A is consistent with radiation from the blast wave in a wind-type medium with density parameter A = ρr {sup 2} ∼ 5 × 10{sup 10} g cm{sup –1}. The peak of the flash is emitted by copious e {sup ±} pairs created and heated in the blast wave; our first-principle calculation determines the pair-loading factor and temperature of the shocked plasma. Using detailed radiative transfer simulations, we reconstruct the observed double flash. The optical flash is dominated by synchrotron emission from the thermal plasma behind the forward shock, andmore » the GeV flash is produced via inverse Compton (IC) scattering by the same plasma. The seed photons for IC scattering are dominated by the prompt MeV radiation during the first tens of seconds, and by the optical to X-ray afterglow thereafter. IC cooling of the thermal plasma behind the forward shock reproduces all GeV data from a few seconds to ∼1 day. We find that the blast wave Lorentz factor at the peak of the flash is Γ ≈ 200, and the forward shock magnetization is ε{sub B} ∼ 2 × 10{sup –4}. An additional source is required by the data in the optical and X-ray bands at times >10{sup 2} s; we speculate that this additional source may be a long-lived reverse shock in the explosion ejecta.« less

The Size-Luminosity Relationship of Quasar Narrow-Line Regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dempsey, Ross; Zakamska, Nadia L.

2018-04-01

The presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) can strongly affect its host. Due to the copious radiative power of the nucleus, the effects of radiative feedback can be detected over the entire host galaxy and sometimes well into the intergalactic space. In this paper we model the observed size-luminosity relationship of the narrow-line regions (NLRs) of AGN. We model the NLR as a collection of clouds in pressure equilibrium with the ionizing radiation, with each cloud producing line emission calculated by Cloudy. The sizes of the NLRs of powerful quasars are reproduced without any free parameters, as long as they contain massive (105M⊙ to 107M⊙) ionization-bounded clouds. At lower AGN luminosities the observed sizes are larger than the model sizes, likely due to additional unmodeled sources of ionization (e.g., star formation). We find that the observed saturation of sizes at ˜10kpc which is observed at high AGN luminosities (Lion ≃ 1046erg/s) is naturally explained by optically thick clouds absorbing the ionizing radiation and preventing illumination beyond a critical distance. Using our models in combination with observations of the [O III]/IR ratio and the [O III] size - IR luminosity relationship, we calculate the covering factor of the obscuring torus (and therefore the type 2 fraction within the quasar population) to be f = 0.5, though this is likely an upper bound. Finally, because the gas behind the ionization front is invisible in ionized gas transitions, emission-based NLR mass calculations underestimate the mass of the NLR and therefore of the energetics of ionized-gas winds.

Tsunami-generated sediment wave channels at Lake Tahoe, California-Nevada, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Moore, James G.; Schweickert, Richard A.; Kitts, Christopher A.

2014-01-01

A gigantic ∼12 km3 landslide detached from the west wall of Lake Tahoe (California-Nevada, USA), and slid 15 km east across the lake. The splash, or tsunami, from this landslide eroded Tioga-age moraines dated as 21 ka. Lake-bottom short piston cores recovered sediment as old as 12 ka that did not reach landslide deposits, thereby constraining the landslide age as 21–12 ka.Movement of the landslide splashed copious water onto the countryside and lowered the lake level ∼10 m. The sheets of water that washed back into the lake dumped their sediment load at the lowered shoreline, producing deltas that merged into delta terraces. During rapid growth, these unstable delta terraces collapsed, disaggregated, and fed turbidity currents that generated 15 subaqueous sediment wave channel systems that ring the lake and descend to the lake floor at 500 m depth. Sheets of water commonly more than 2 km wide at the shoreline fed these systems. Channels of the systems contain sediment waves (giant ripple marks) with maximum wavelengths of 400 m. The lower depositional aprons of the system are surfaced by sediment waves with maximum wavelengths of 300 m.A remarkably similar, though smaller, contemporary sediment wave channel system operates at the mouth of the Squamish River in British Columbia. The system is generated by turbidity currents that are fed by repeated growth and collapse of the active river delta. The Tahoe splash-induced backwash was briefly equivalent to more than 15 Squamish Rivers in full flood and would have decimated life in low-lying areas of the Tahoe region.

Photoacoustic Effect of Ethene: Sound Generation due to Plant Hormone Gases.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Han Jung; Ide, David; University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Team

2017-01-01

Ethene, which is produced in plants as they mature, was used to study its photoacoustic properties using photoacoustic spectroscopy. Detection of trace amounts, with N2 gas, of the ethylene gas were also applied. The gas was tested in various conditions: temperature, concentration of the gas, gas cell length, and power of the laser, were varied to determine their effect on the photoacoustic signal, the ideal conditions to detect trace gas amounts, and concentration of ethylene produced by an avocado and banana. A detection limit of 10 ppm was determined for pure C2H4. A detection of 5% and 13% (by volume) concentration of ethylene were produced for a ripening avocado and banana, respectively, in closed space.

Proton Irradiation as a Screen for Displacement-Damage Sensitivity in Bipolar Junction Transistors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arutt, Charles N.; Warren, Kevin M.; Schrimpf, Ronald D.; Weller, Robert A.; Kauppila, Jeffrey S.; Rowe, Jason D.; Sternberg, Andrew L.; Reed, Robert A.; Ball, Dennis R.; Fleetwood, Daniel M.

2015-12-01

NPN and PNP bipolar junction transistors of varying sizes are irradiated with 4-MeV protons and 10-keV X-rays to determine the amount of ionization-related degradation caused by protons and calculate an improved estimate of displacement-related degradation due to protons. While different ratios of degradation produced by displacement damage and ionization effects will occur for different device technologies, this general approach, with suitable margin, can be used as a screen for sensitivity to neutron-induced displacement damage. Further calculations are performed to estimate the amount of degradation produced by 1-MeV equivalent neutron displacement damage compared to that produced by the displacement damage due to protons. The results are compared to previous work.

Setting Tolerances for Pesticide Residues in Foods

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

Pesticides are widely used in producing food and may remain in small amounts in or on fruits, vegetables, grains, and other foods. EPA ensures the safety of the food supply regulating the amount of pesticide that may remain on food. Learn how we do this.

Method of producing a diesel fuel blend having a pre-determined flash-point and pre-determined increase in cetane number

DOEpatents

Waller, Francis Joseph; Quinn, Robert

2004-07-06

The present invention relates to a method of producing a diesel fuel blend having a pre-determined flash-point and a pre-determined increase in cetane number over the stock diesel fuel. Upon establishing the desired flash-point and increase in cetane number, an amount of a first oxygenate with a flash-point less than the flash-point of the stock diesel fuel and a cetane number equal to or greater than the cetane number of the stock diesel fuel is added to the stock diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to achieve the pre-determined increase in cetane number. Thereafter, an amount of a second oxygenate with a flash-point equal to or greater than the flash-point of the stock diesel fuel and a cetane number greater than the cetane number of the stock diesel fuel is added to the stock diesel fuel in an amount sufficient to achieve the pre-determined increase in cetane number.

Conformal ALON® and spinel windows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, Lee M.; Smith, Mark; Ramisetty, Mohan; Jha, Santosh; Sastri, Suri

2017-05-01

The requirements for modern aircraft based reconnaissance systems are driving the need for conformal windows for future sensor systems. However, limitations on optical systems and the ability to produce windows in complex geometries currently limit the geometry of existing windows and window assemblies to faceted assemblies of flat windows. ALON consists primarily of aluminum and oxygen, similar to that of alumina, with a small amount of nitrogen added to help stabilize the cubic gamma-AlON phase. ALON's chemical similarity to alumina, translates into a robust manufacturing process. This ease of processing has allowed Surmet to produce ALON windows and domes in a wide variety of geometries and sizes. Spinel (MgAl2O4) contains equal molar amounts of MgO and Al2O3, and is a cubic material, that transmits further into the Infrared than ALON. Spinel is produced via powder processing techniques similar to those used to produce ALON. Surmet is now applying the lessons learned with ALON to produce conformal spinel windows and domes as well.