Epidemiology of shivering (shivers) in horses.

PubMed

Draper, A C E; Bender, J B; Firshman, A M; Baird, J D; Reed, S; Mayhew, I G; Valberg, S J

2015-03-01

Investigating the epidemiology of shivering in horses. The purpose of this study was to characterise the signalment, clinical signs and management factors associated with shivering (also known as shivers), a relatively rare, poorly defined movement disorder in horses. Web-based case series survey and case-control study. A Web-based survey was used to obtain information from owners, worldwide, who suspected that their horse had shivering. Survey respondents were asked to answer standardised questions and to provide a video of the horse. Authors reviewed the surveys and videos, and horses were diagnosed with shivering if they displayed normal forward walking, with difficulty during manual lifting of the hoof and backward walking due to hyperflexion or hyperextension of the pelvic limbs. Cases confirmed by video were designated 'confirmed shivering', while those with compatible clinical signs but lacking video confirmation were designated 'suspected shivering'. Owners of confirmed shivering horses were asked to provide information on 2 horses without signs of shivering (control group). Three hundred and five surveys and 70 videos were received; 27 horses were confirmed shivering (50 controls), 67 were suspected shivering and the rest had a variety of other movement disorders. Suspected shivering horses resembled confirmed shivering cases, except that the suspected shivering group contained fewer draught breeds and fewer horses with exercise intolerance. Confirmed shivering signs often began at <5 years of age and progressed in 74% of cases. Owner-reported additional clinical signs in confirmed cases included muscle twitching (85%), muscle atrophy (44%), reduced strength (33%) and exercise intolerance (33%). Shivering horses were significantly taller (confirmed shivering, mean ∼173 cm; control horses, ∼163 cm) with a higher male:female ratio (confirmed shivering, 3.2:1 vs. control, 1.7:1). No potential triggering factors or effective treatments were reported. Shivering is a chronic, often gradually progressive movement disorder that usually begins before 7 years of age and has a higher prevalence in tall male horses. © 2014 EVJ Ltd.

Cross section and γ-ray spectra for U238(n,γ) measured with the DANCE detector array at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ullmann, J. L.; Kawano, T.; Bredeweg, T. A.; Couture, A.; Haight, R. C.; Jandel, M.; O'Donnell, J. M.; Rundberg, R. S.; Vieira, D. J.; Wilhelmy, J. B.; Becker, J. A.; Chyzh, A.; Wu, C. Y.; Baramsai, B.; Mitchell, G. E.; Krtička, M.

2014-03-01

Background: Accurate knowledge of the U238(n,γ) cross section is important for developing theoretical nuclear reaction models and for applications. However, capture cross sections are difficult to calculate accurately and often must be measured. Purpose: We seek to confirm previous measurements and test cross-section calculations with an emphasis on the unresolved resonance region from 1 to 500 keV. Method: Cross sections were measured from 10 eV to 500 keV using the DANCE detector array at the LANSCE spallation neutron source. The measurements used a thin target, 48 mg/cm2 of depleted uranium. Gamma cascade spectra were also measured to provide an additional constraint on calculations. The data are compared to cross-section calculations using the code CoH3 and cascade spectra calculations made using the code dicebox. Results: This new cross-section measurement confirms the previous data. The measured gamma-ray spectra suggest the need for additional low-lying dipole strength in the radiative strength function. New Hauser-Feshbach calculations including this strength accurately predict the capture cross section without renormalization. Conclusions: The present cross-section data confirm previous measurements. Including additional low-lying dipole strength in the radiative strength function may lead to more accurate cross-section calculations in nuclei where <Γγ> has not been measured.

Familial Aggregation of Chiari Malformation: Presentation, Pedigree, and Review of the Literature.

PubMed

Nagy, Laszlo; Mobley, James; Ray, Coby

2016-01-01

This article reports the largest familial aggregation of Chiari malformation in a single family to date as reported in the literature. This study is a retrospective case series of a family of whom five individuals have a confirmed case of Chiari malformation and three additional individuals have Chiari signs and symptoms. This contribution further supports the implication of genetics in the transmission of Chiari malformation. The family reported in this study also has a significant incidence of Ehlers-Danlos. Three sisters, including a set of twins, presented with confirmed cases of Chiari malformation and four of the five children of the twin sisters presented with confirmed or suspected Chiari malformation. Of note, the non-twin sister has three children who are unaffected. This report provides further evidence for a shared loci between the Chiari malformation and Ehlers-Danlos.

Genetic Gains Through Testing and Crossing Longleaf Pine Plus Trees

Treesearch

Calvin F. Bey; E. Bayne Snyder

1978-01-01

A progeny test of 226 superior tree selections from nine geographic sources across the South confirmed earlier results that showed the Gulf Coast source superior in survival and growth. Family variation within a region was large and provided additional genetic gain. Control-pollinated tests of elite x elite trees yielded even more gains. Progeny of the elite x elite...

Radial shakes and "frost cracks" in living oak trees

Treesearch

Heinz Butin; Alex L. Shigo

1981-01-01

Dissections of hundreds of living, mature oak trees over a 25-year period revealed that radial shakes (or "frost cracks") and ring shakes are associated with a variety of wounds and stubs of branches and basal sprouts. A more intensive study of radial shakes that included dissections of more than 30 oaks confirmed the earlier finds, and provided additional...

Nearly complete 28S rRNA gene sequences confirm new hypotheses of sponge evolution.

PubMed

Thacker, Robert W; Hill, April L; Hill, Malcolm S; Redmond, Niamh E; Collins, Allen G; Morrow, Christine C; Spicer, Lori; Carmack, Cheryl A; Zappe, Megan E; Pohlmann, Deborah; Hall, Chelsea; Diaz, Maria C; Bangalore, Purushotham V

2013-09-01

The highly collaborative research sponsored by the NSF-funded Assembling the Porifera Tree of Life (PorToL) project is providing insights into some of the most difficult questions in metazoan systematics. Our understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the phylum Porifera has changed considerably with increased taxon sampling and data from additional molecular markers. PorToL researchers have falsified earlier phylogenetic hypotheses, discovered novel phylogenetic alliances, found phylogenetic homes for enigmatic taxa, and provided a more precise understanding of the evolution of skeletal features, secondary metabolites, body organization, and symbioses. Some of these exciting new discoveries are shared in the papers that form this issue of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Our analyses of over 300 nearly complete 28S ribosomal subunit gene sequences provide specific case studies that illustrate how our dataset confirms new hypotheses of sponge evolution. We recovered monophyletic clades for all 4 classes of sponges, as well as the 4 major clades of Demospongiae (Keratosa, Myxospongiae, Haploscleromorpha, and Heteroscleromorpha), but our phylogeny differs in several aspects from traditional classifications. In most major clades of sponges, families within orders appear to be paraphyletic. Although additional sampling of genes and taxa are needed to establish whether this pattern results from a lack of phylogenetic resolution or from a paraphyletic classification system, many of our results are congruent with those obtained from 18S ribosomal subunit gene sequences and complete mitochondrial genomes. These data provide further support for a revision of the traditional classification of sponges.

Nearly Complete 28S rRNA Gene Sequences Confirm New Hypotheses of Sponge Evolution

PubMed Central

Thacker, Robert W.; Hill, April L.; Hill, Malcolm S.; Redmond, Niamh E.; Collins, Allen G.; Morrow, Christine C.; Spicer, Lori; Carmack, Cheryl A.; Zappe, Megan E.; Pohlmann, Deborah; Hall, Chelsea; Diaz, Maria C.; Bangalore, Purushotham V.

2013-01-01

The highly collaborative research sponsored by the NSF-funded Assembling the Porifera Tree of Life (PorToL) project is providing insights into some of the most difficult questions in metazoan systematics. Our understanding of phylogenetic relationships within the phylum Porifera has changed considerably with increased taxon sampling and data from additional molecular markers. PorToL researchers have falsified earlier phylogenetic hypotheses, discovered novel phylogenetic alliances, found phylogenetic homes for enigmatic taxa, and provided a more precise understanding of the evolution of skeletal features, secondary metabolites, body organization, and symbioses. Some of these exciting new discoveries are shared in the papers that form this issue of Integrative and Comparative Biology. Our analyses of over 300 nearly complete 28S ribosomal subunit gene sequences provide specific case studies that illustrate how our dataset confirms new hypotheses of sponge evolution. We recovered monophyletic clades for all 4 classes of sponges, as well as the 4 major clades of Demospongiae (Keratosa, Myxospongiae, Haploscleromorpha, and Heteroscleromorpha), but our phylogeny differs in several aspects from traditional classifications. In most major clades of sponges, families within orders appear to be paraphyletic. Although additional sampling of genes and taxa are needed to establish whether this pattern results from a lack of phylogenetic resolution or from a paraphyletic classification system, many of our results are congruent with those obtained from 18S ribosomal subunit gene sequences and complete mitochondrial genomes. These data provide further support for a revision of the traditional classification of sponges. PMID:23748742

Epidemiology of measles in Southwest Nigeria: an analysis of measles case-based surveillance data from 2007 to 2012.

PubMed

Fatiregun, Akinola A; Adebowale, Ayodeji S; Fagbamigbe, Adeniyi F

2014-03-01

In Nigeria, a system of measles case-based surveillance with laboratory confirmation of suspected cases was introduced in 2005 as one of the strategies for the control of measles morbidity and mortality. In this report, we provide an epidemiological distribution of confirmed cases of measles reported from the southwest of the country between 2007 and 2012, and predict the expected number of cases for the ensuing years. A descriptive analysis of persons and place and time of confirmed measles cases (laboratory and epidemiological link) reported in the case-based surveillance data was carried out. Using an additive time series model, we predicted the expected number of cases to the year 2015, assuming that current interventional efforts were sustained. From the 10 187 suspected cases investigated during the time period, 1631 (16.0%) cases of measles were confirmed. The annual incidence rose from <1 case per million in 2007 to 23 cases per million in 2011. Cases were confirmed from all six states within the zone and most (97.4%) were in individuals aged less than 20 years. Seasonal variation existed with peaks of infection in the first and second quarters of the year. There was an increasing trend in the number of expected cases based on projections. Case-based surveillance provided an insight into understanding the epidemiology of measles infection in Southwest Nigeria. There is a need to work out alternate strategies for control of measles and to strengthen the surveillance system.

mRNA-Based Parallel Detection of Active Methanotroph Populations by Use of a Diagnostic Microarray

PubMed Central

Bodrossy, Levente; Stralis-Pavese, Nancy; Konrad-Köszler, Marianne; Weilharter, Alexandra; Reichenauer, Thomas G.; Schöfer, David; Sessitsch, Angela

2006-01-01

A method was developed for the mRNA-based application of microbial diagnostic microarrays to detect active microbial populations. DNA- and mRNA-based analyses of environmental samples were compared and confirmed via quantitative PCR. Results indicated that mRNA-based microarray analyses may provide additional information on the composition and functioning of microbial communities. PMID:16461725

Menstrual Migraine: Therapeutic Approaches

PubMed Central

2009-01-01

The development of diagnostic criteria has enabled greater recognition of menstrual migraine as a highly prevalent and disabling condition meriting specific treatment. Although few therapeutic trials have yet been undertaken in accordance with the criteria, the results of those published to date confirm the efficacy of acute migraine drugs for symptomatic treatment. If this approach is insufficient, the predictability of attacks provides the opportunity for perimenstrual prophylaxis. Continuous contraceptive strategies provide an additional option for management, although clinical trial data are limited. Future approaches to treatment could explore the genomic and nongenomic actions of sex steroids. PMID:21180623

Confirmation of the "protein-traffic-hypothesis" and the "protein-localization-hypothesis" using the diabetes-mellitus-type-1-knock-in and transgenic-murine-models and the trepitope sequences.

PubMed

Arneth, Borros

2012-10-01

As possible mechanisms to explain the emergence of autoimmune diseases, the current author has suggested in earlier papers two new pathways: the "protein localization hypothesis" and the "protein traffic hypothesis". The "protein localization hypothesis" states that an autoimmune disease develops if a protein accumulates in a previously unoccupied compartment, that did not previously contain that protein. Similarly, the "protein traffic hypothesis" states that a sudden error within the transport of a certain protein leads to the emergence of an autoimmune disease. The current article discusses the usefulness of the different commercially available transgenic murine models of diabetes mellitus type 1 to confirm the aforementioned hypotheses. This discussion shows that several transgenic murine models of diabetes mellitus type 1 are in-line and confirm the aforementioned hypotheses. Furthermore, these hypotheses are additionally inline with the occurrence of several newly discovered protein sequences, the so-called trepitope sequences. These sequences modulate the immune response to certain proteins. The current study analyzed to what extent the hypotheses are supported by the occurrence of these new sequences. Thereby the occurrence of the trepitope sequences provides additional evidence supporting the aforementioned hypotheses. Both the "protein localization hypothesis" and the "protein traffic hypothesis" have the potential to lead to new causal therapy concepts. The "protein localization hypothesis" and the "protein traffic hypothesis" provide conceptional explanations for the diabetes mouse models as well as for the newly discovered trepitope sequences. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

12 CFR 551.80 - How do I provide a registered broker-dealer confirmation?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... providing the customer with a registered broker-dealer confirmation, you must provide the confirmation by having the registered broker-dealer send the confirmation directly to the customer or by sending a copy of the registered broker-dealer's confirmation to the customer within one business day after you...

Prenuptial dental extractions in Acadian women: first report of a cultural tradition.

PubMed

Gordon, Sara C; Kaste, Linda M; Barasch, Andrei; Safford, Monika M; Foong, W Choong; ElGeneidy, Adry

2011-12-01

Prenuptial tooth extractions, extractions of all teeth in at least one dental arch before marriage, are not identified in the dental literature. Driven by a professional encounter, the purpose of this study was to confirm the existence of this practice among Acadian women. An 8-item survey instrument with space for comments was mailed to 182 dentists from traditionally Acadian regions of Canada. The survey was provided in English and French. Ninety dentists responded (50.3%); 8 of them (9%) had been asked to perform prenuptial extractions, and an additional 9 volunteered awareness of this practice. Awareness and requests were associated with dental practice in a county with a ≥20% French-speaking population. Prenuptial extractions in this population have been confirmed by the current cohort of dentists. The potential public health, clinical, and systemic health research implications for women who are edentulous for most of their adult life merit further study. Additionally, it is important to determine if interventions are needed to curtail cultural expectations of such practices.

Co-integration of nano-scale vertical- and horizontal-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors for low power CMOS technology.

PubMed

Sun, Min-Chul; Kim, Garam; Kim, Sang Wan; Kim, Hyun Woo; Kim, Hyungjin; Lee, Jong-Ho; Shin, Hyungcheol; Park, Byung-Gook

2012-07-01

In order to extend the conventional low power Si CMOS technology beyond the 20-nm node without SOI substrates, we propose a novel co-integration scheme to build horizontal- and vertical-channel MOSFETs together and verify the idea using TCAD simulations. From the fabrication viewpoint, it is highlighted that this scheme provides additional vertical devices with good scalability by adding a few steps to the conventional CMOS process flow for fin formation. In addition, the benefits of the co-integrated vertical devices are investigated using a TCAD device simulation. From this study, it is confirmed that the vertical device shows improved off-current control and a larger drive current when the body dimension is less than 20 nm, due to the electric field coupling effect at the double-gated channel. Finally, the benefits from the circuit design viewpoint, such as the larger midpoint gain and beta and lower power consumption, are confirmed by the mixed-mode circuit simulation study.

Meta-analysis identifies 29 additional ulcerative colitis risk loci, increasing the number of confirmed associations to 47.

PubMed

Anderson, Carl A; Boucher, Gabrielle; Lees, Charlie W; Franke, Andre; D'Amato, Mauro; Taylor, Kent D; Lee, James C; Goyette, Philippe; Imielinski, Marcin; Latiano, Anna; Lagacé, Caroline; Scott, Regan; Amininejad, Leila; Bumpstead, Suzannah; Baidoo, Leonard; Baldassano, Robert N; Barclay, Murray; Bayless, Theodore M; Brand, Stephan; Büning, Carsten; Colombel, Jean-Frédéric; Denson, Lee A; De Vos, Martine; Dubinsky, Marla; Edwards, Cathryn; Ellinghaus, David; Fehrmann, Rudolf S N; Floyd, James A B; Florin, Timothy; Franchimont, Denis; Franke, Lude; Georges, Michel; Glas, Jürgen; Glazer, Nicole L; Guthery, Stephen L; Haritunians, Talin; Hayward, Nicholas K; Hugot, Jean-Pierre; Jobin, Gilles; Laukens, Debby; Lawrance, Ian; Lémann, Marc; Levine, Arie; Libioulle, Cecile; Louis, Edouard; McGovern, Dermot P; Milla, Monica; Montgomery, Grant W; Morley, Katherine I; Mowat, Craig; Ng, Aylwin; Newman, William; Ophoff, Roel A; Papi, Laura; Palmieri, Orazio; Peyrin-Biroulet, Laurent; Panés, Julián; Phillips, Anne; Prescott, Natalie J; Proctor, Deborah D; Roberts, Rebecca; Russell, Richard; Rutgeerts, Paul; Sanderson, Jeremy; Sans, Miquel; Schumm, Philip; Seibold, Frank; Sharma, Yashoda; Simms, Lisa A; Seielstad, Mark; Steinhart, A Hillary; Targan, Stephan R; van den Berg, Leonard H; Vatn, Morten; Verspaget, Hein; Walters, Thomas; Wijmenga, Cisca; Wilson, David C; Westra, Harm-Jan; Xavier, Ramnik J; Zhao, Zhen Z; Ponsioen, Cyriel Y; Andersen, Vibeke; Torkvist, Leif; Gazouli, Maria; Anagnou, Nicholas P; Karlsen, Tom H; Kupcinskas, Limas; Sventoraityte, Jurgita; Mansfield, John C; Kugathasan, Subra; Silverberg, Mark S; Halfvarson, Jonas; Rotter, Jerome I; Mathew, Christopher G; Griffiths, Anne M; Gearry, Richard; Ahmad, Tariq; Brant, Steven R; Chamaillard, Mathias; Satsangi, Jack; Cho, Judy H; Schreiber, Stefan; Daly, Mark J; Barrett, Jeffrey C; Parkes, Miles; Annese, Vito; Hakonarson, Hakon; Radford-Smith, Graham; Duerr, Richard H; Vermeire, Séverine; Weersma, Rinse K; Rioux, John D

2011-03-01

Genome-wide association studies and candidate gene studies in ulcerative colitis have identified 18 susceptibility loci. We conducted a meta-analysis of six ulcerative colitis genome-wide association study datasets, comprising 6,687 cases and 19,718 controls, and followed up the top association signals in 9,628 cases and 12,917 controls. We identified 29 additional risk loci (P < 5 × 10(-8)), increasing the number of ulcerative colitis-associated loci to 47. After annotating associated regions using GRAIL, expression quantitative trait loci data and correlations with non-synonymous SNPs, we identified many candidate genes that provide potentially important insights into disease pathogenesis, including IL1R2, IL8RA-IL8RB, IL7R, IL12B, DAP, PRDM1, JAK2, IRF5, GNA12 and LSP1. The total number of confirmed inflammatory bowel disease risk loci is now 99, including a minimum of 28 shared association signals between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Improving the environmental and performance characteristics of vehicles by introducing the surfactant additive into gasoline.

PubMed

Magaril, Elena; Magaril, Romen

2016-09-01

The operation of modern vehicles requires the introduction of package of fuel additives to ensure the required level of operating characteristics, some of which cannot be achieved by current oil refining methods. The use of additives allows flexibility of impact on the properties of the fuel at minimal cost, increasing the efficiency and environmental safety of vehicles. Among the wide assortment of additives available on the world market, many are surfactants. It has been shown that the introduction of some surfactants into gasoline concurrently reduces losses from gasoline evaporation, improves the mixture formation during injection of gasoline into the engine and improves detergent and anticorrosive properties. The surfactant gasoline additive that provides significant improvement in the quality of gasoline used and environmental and operating characteristics of vehicles has been developed and thoroughly investigated. The results of studies confirming the efficiency of the gasoline additive application are herein presented.

Incompletely matched influenza vaccine still provides protection in frail elderly.

PubMed

Dean, Anna S; Moffatt, Cameron R M; Rosewell, Alexander; Dwyer, Dominic E; Lindley, Richard I; Booy, Robert; MacIntyre, C Raina

2010-01-08

A cluster-randomised controlled trial of antiviral treatment to control influenza outbreaks in aged-care facilities (ACFs) provided an opportunity to assess VE in the frail, institutionalised elderly. Data were pooled from five influenza outbreaks in 2007. Rapid testing methods for influenza were used to confirm outbreaks and/or identify further cases. Vaccination coverage among ACF residents ranged from 59% to 100%, whereas it was consistently low in staff (11-33%). The attack rates for laboratory-confirmed influenza in residents ranged from 9% to 24%, with the predominate strain determined to be influenza A. Sequencing of the hemagglutinin gene from a sub-sample demonstrated an incomplete match with the 2007 southern hemisphere influenza vaccine. Influenza VE was estimated to be 61% (95%CI 6%, 84%) against laboratory-confirmed influenza, 51% (95%CI -16%, 79%) against influenza-like illness, 82% (95%CI 27%, 96%) against pneumonia-related and influenza-related hospitalisations and 71% (95%CI -28%, 95%) against death from all causes. This supports the continued policy of targeted vaccination of the institutionalised, frail elderly. There is also reassurance that influenza vaccine can be effective against disease and severe outcomes, despite an incomplete vaccine match. This benefit is additional to protection from antivirals.

76 FR 59503 - Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Reactive Blue 69; Confirmation of Effective...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-27

... of Food and Drugs, and redelegated to the Director, Office of Food Additive Safety, notice is given... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Part 73 [Docket No. FDA-2009-C-0543] Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Reactive Blue 69; Confirmation...

Flowering shoots of ornamental crops as a model to study cellular and molecular aspects of plant gravitropism.

PubMed

Philosoph-Hadas, Sonia; Friedman, Haya; Meir, Shimon

2015-01-01

Flowering shoots offer a very convenient and excellent model system for in-depth study of shoot gravitropism in regular stems rather than in special aboveground organs, showing how plants cope with the force of gravity on Earth and change in orientation. Regarding the emerging notion that roots and shoots execute their gravitropic bending by different mechanisms, the use of flowering shoots offers additional confirmation for the suggested shoot-sensing mechanisms initially found in Arabidopsis. As a part of confirming this mechanism, studying this unique model system also enabled elucidation of the sequence of events operating in gravity signalling in shoots. Hence, using the system of flowering shoots provided an additional dimension to our understanding of shoot gravitropism and its hormonal regulation, which has been less advanced than root gravitropism. This is particularly important since the term "shoots" includes various aboveground organs. Hence, unlike other aboveground organs such as pulvini, the asymmetric growth in response to change in shoot orientation is accompanied in cut ornamental spikes by a continuous growth process. This chapter provides an overview of the basic methods, specifically developed or adapted from other graviresponding systems, for determining the main components which play a key role in gravistimulation signalling in flowering shoots.

Analysis of close associations of uropod-associated proteins in human T-cells using the proximity ligation assay

PubMed Central

Baumann, Tommy; Affentranger, Sarah

2013-01-01

We have shown previously that the raft-associated proteins flotillin-1 and -2 are rapidly recruited to the uropods of chemoattractant-stimulated human neutrophils and T-cells and are involved in cell polarization. Other proteins such as the adhesion receptor PSGL-1, the actin-membrane linker proteins ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) and the signaling enzyme phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase type Iγ90 (PIPKIγ90) also accumulate in the T-cell uropod. Using the in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) we now have investigated putative close associations of these proteins in human freshly isolated T-cells before and after chemokine addition. The PLA allows in situ subcellular localization of close proximity of endogenous proteins at single-molecule resolution in fixed cells. It allows detection also of weaker and transient complexes that would not be revealed with co-immunoprecipitation approaches. We previously provided evidence for heterodimer formation of tagged flotillin-1 and -2 in T-cells before and after chemokine addition using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). We now confirm these findings using PLA for the endogenous flotillins in fixed human T-cells. Moreover, in agreement with the literature, our PLA findings confirm a close association of endogenous PSGL-1 and ERM proteins both in resting and chemokine-activated human T-cells. In addition, we provide novel evidence using the PLA for close associations of endogenous activated ERM proteins with PIPKIγ90 and of endogenous flotillins with PSGL-1 in human T-cells, before and after chemokine addition. Our findings suggest that preformed clusters of these proteins coalesce in the uropod upon cell stimulation. PMID:24167781

A Key to the Pupal Exuviae of the Midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) of Everglades National Park, Florida

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jacobsen, Richard E.

2008-01-01

A key has been developed for identifying the pupal exuviae of 132 taxa of chironomid midges collected in Everglades National Park, as well as 18 additional species from freshwater habitats adjacent to the Park. Descriptions and illustrations are based upon voucher specimens from extensive collections of chironomid pupal exuviae for faunal surveys and biomonitoring research conducted in ENP and surrounding freshwater areas from 1998 to 2007. The key includes taxonomic comments for confirming identifications, as well as brief summaries of the distribution and ecology of each species in southern Florida waters. Information is also provided on the morphology of chironomid pupal exuviae, recommended references for identifying pupal exuviae, techniques for making slides, and methods to confirm proper identification.

Model-independent confirmation of the Z ( 4430 ) - state

DOE PAGES

Aaij, R.; Adeva, B.; Adinolfi, M.; ...

2015-12-29

Here, the decay B 0→ψ(2S)K +π - is analyzed using 3 fb -1 of pp collision data collected with the LHCb detector. A model-independent description of the ψ(2S)π mass spectrum is obtained, using as input the Kπ mass spectrum and angular distribution derived directly from data, without requiring a theoretical description of resonance shapes or their interference. The hypothesis that the ψ(2S)π mass spectrum can be described in terms of Kπ reflections alone is rejected with more than 8σ significance. This provides confirmation, in a model-independent way, of the need for an additional resonant component in the mass region ofmore » the Z(4430) - exotic state.« less

Website Quality, Expectation, Confirmation, and End User Satisfaction: The Knowledge-Intensive Website of the Korean National Cancer Information Center

PubMed Central

Koo, Chulmo; Wati, Yulia; Park, Keeho

2011-01-01

Background The fact that patient satisfaction with primary care clinical practices and physician-patient communications has decreased gradually has brought a new opportunity to the online channel as a supplementary service to provide additional information. Objective In this study, our objectives were to examine the process of cognitive knowledge expectation-confirmation from eHealth users and to recommend the attributes of a “knowledge-intensive website.”. Knowledge expectation can be defined as users’ existing attitudes or beliefs regarding expected levels of knowledge they may gain by accessing the website. Knowledge confirmation is the extent to which user’s knowledge expectation of information systems use is realized during actual use. In our hypothesized research model, perceived information quality, presentation and attractiveness as well as knowledge expectation influence knowledge confirmation, which in turn influences perceived usefulness and end user satisfaction, which feeds back to knowledge expectation. Methods An empirical study was conducted at the National Cancer Center (NCC), Republic of Korea (South Korea), by evaluating its official website. A user survey was administered containing items to measure subjectively perceived website quality and expectation-confirmation attributes. A study sample of 198 usable responses was used for further analysis. We used the structural equation model to test the proposed research model. Results Knowledge expectation exhibited a positive effect on knowledge confirmation (beta = .27, P < .001). The paths from information quality, information presentation, and website attractiveness to knowledge confirmation were also positive and significant (beta = .24, P < .001; beta = .29, P < .001; beta = .18, P < .001, respectively). Moreover, the effect of knowledge confirmation on perceived usefulness was also positively significant (beta = .64, P < .001). Knowledge expectation together with knowledge confirmation and perceived usefulness also significantly affected end user satisfaction (beta = .22 P < .001; beta = .39, P < .001; beta = .25, P < .001, respectively). Conclusions Theoretically, this study has (1) identified knowledge-intensive website attributes, (2) enhanced the theoretical foundation of eHealth from the information systems (IS) perspective by adopting the expectation-confirmation theory (ECT), and (3) examined the importance of information and knowledge attributes and explained their impact on user satisfaction. Practically, our empirical results suggest that perceived website quality (ie, information quality, information presentation, and website attractiveness) is a core requirement for knowledge building. In addition, our study has also shown that knowledge confirmation has a greater effect on satisfaction than both knowledge expectation and perceived usefulness. PMID:22047810

Studies of thermal wave phenomena on the Jovian planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deming, Drake

1991-01-01

Ground-based and Voyager observations of Jupiter provided evidence that the tropospheric temperature shows global-scale longitudinal variations which are often wavelike in character. The investigation is presented which is directed toward obtaining additional ground-based data in IR spectral bands whose contribution functions are optimized for specific atmospheric regions, in order to confirm the previous results, and to identify the nature and physical significance of wavelike longitudinal temperature fluctuations on the Jovian planets.

Standing genetic variation as a major contributor to adaptation in the Virginia chicken lines selection experiment.

PubMed

Sheng, Zheya; Pettersson, Mats E; Honaker, Christa F; Siegel, Paul B; Carlborg, Örjan

2015-10-01

Artificial selection provides a powerful approach to study the genetics of adaptation. Using selective-sweep mapping, it is possible to identify genomic regions where allele-frequencies have diverged during selection. To avoid false positive signatures of selection, it is necessary to show that a sweep affects a selected trait before it can be considered adaptive. Here, we confirm candidate, genome-wide distributed selective sweeps originating from the standing genetic variation in a long-term selection experiment on high and low body weight of chickens. Using an intercross between the two divergent chicken lines, 16 adaptive selective sweeps were confirmed based on their association with the body weight at 56 days of age. Although individual additive effects were small, the fixation for alternative alleles across the loci contributed at least 40 % of the phenotypic difference for the selected trait between these lines. The sweeps contributed about half of the additive genetic variance present within and between the lines after 40 generations of selection, corresponding to a considerable portion of the additive genetic variance of the base population. Long-term, single-trait, bi-directional selection in the Virginia chicken lines has resulted in a gradual response to selection for extreme phenotypes without a drastic reduction in the genetic variation. We find that fixation of several standing genetic variants across a highly polygenic genetic architecture made a considerable contribution to long-term selection response. This provides new fundamental insights into the dynamics of standing genetic variation during long-term selection and adaptation.

Zika Virus Infection Among U.S. Pregnant Travelers - August 2015-February 2016.

PubMed

Meaney-Delman, Dana; Hills, Susan L; Williams, Charnetta; Galang, Romeo R; Iyengar, Preetha; Hennenfent, Andrew K; Rabe, Ingrid B; Panella, Amanda; Oduyebo, Titilope; Honein, Margaret A; Zaki, Sherif; Lindsey, Nicole; Lehman, Jennifer A; Kwit, Natalie; Bertolli, Jeanne; Ellington, Sascha; Igbinosa, Irogue; Minta, Anna A; Petersen, Emily E; Mead, Paul; Rasmussen, Sonja A; Jamieson, Denise J

2016-03-04

After reports of microcephaly and other adverse pregnancy outcomes in infants of mothers infected with Zika virus during pregnancy, CDC issued a travel alert on January 15, 2016, advising pregnant women to consider postponing travel to areas with active transmission of Zika virus. On January 19, CDC released interim guidelines for U.S. health care providers caring for pregnant women with travel to an affected area, and an update was released on February 5. As of February 17, CDC had received reports of nine pregnant travelers with laboratory-confirmed Zika virus disease; 10 additional reports of Zika virus disease among pregnant women are currently under investigation. No Zika virus-related hospitalizations or deaths among pregnant women were reported. Pregnancy outcomes among the nine confirmed cases included two early pregnancy losses, two elective terminations, and three live births (two apparently healthy infants and one infant with severe microcephaly); two pregnancies (approximately 18 weeks' and 34 weeks' gestation) are continuing without known complications. Confirmed cases of Zika virus infection were reported among women who had traveled to one or more of the following nine areas with ongoing local transmission of Zika virus: American Samoa, Brazil, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Samoa. This report summarizes findings from the nine women with confirmed Zika virus infection during pregnancy, including case reports for four women with various clinical outcomes. U.S. health care providers caring for pregnant women with possible Zika virus exposure during pregnancy should follow CDC guidelines for patient evaluation and management. Zika virus disease is a nationally notifiable condition. CDC has developed a voluntary registry to collect information about U.S. pregnant women with confirmed Zika virus infection and their infants. Information about the registry is in preparation and will be available on the CDC website.

Analysis of ecstasy in oral fluid by ion mobility spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy after liquid-liquid extraction.

PubMed

Armenta, Sergio; Garrigues, Salvador; de la Guardia, Miguel; Brassier, Judit; Alcalà, Manel; Blanco, Marcelo

2015-03-06

We developed and evaluated two different strategies for determining abuse drugs based on (i) the analysis of saliva by ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) after thermal desorption and (ii) the joint use of IMS and infrared (IR) spectroscopy after liquid-liquid microextraction (LLME) to enable the sensitivity-enhanced detection and double confirmation of ecstasy (MDMA) abuse. Both strategies proved effective for the intended purpose. Analysing saliva by IMS after thermal desorption, which provides a limit of detection (LOD) of 160μgL(-1), requires adding 0.2M acetic acid to the sample and using the truncated negative second derivative of the ion mobility spectrum. The joint use of IMS and IR spectroscopy after LLME provides an LOD of 11μgL(-1) with the former technique and 800μgL(-1) with the latter, in addition to a limit of confirmation (LOC) of 1.5mgL(-1). Using IMS after thermal desorption simplifies the operational procedure, and using it jointly with IR spectroscopy after LLME allows double confirmation of MDMA abuse with two techniques based on different principles (viz., IMS drift times and IR spectra). Also, it affords on-site analyses, albeit at a lower throughput. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Planck 2013 results. XXXII. The updated Planck catalogue of Sunyaev-Zeldovich sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Planck Collaboration; Ade, P. A. R.; Aghanim, N.; Armitage-Caplan, C.; Arnaud, M.; Ashdown, M.; Atrio-Barandela, F.; Aumont, J.; Aussel, H.; Baccigalupi, C.; Banday, A. J.; Barreiro, R. B.; Barrena, R.; Bartelmann, M.; Bartlett, J. G.; Battaner, E.; Benabed, K.; Benoît, A.; Benoit-Lévy, A.; Bernard, J.-P.; Bersanelli, M.; Bielewicz, P.; Bikmaev, I.; Bobin, J.; Bock, J. J.; Böhringer, H.; Bonaldi, A.; Bond, J. R.; Borrill, J.; Bouchet, F. R.; Bridges, M.; Bucher, M.; Burenin, R.; Burigana, C.; Butler, R. C.; Cardoso, J.-F.; Carvalho, P.; Catalano, A.; Challinor, A.; Chamballu, A.; Chary, R.-R.; Chen, X.; Chiang, H. C.; Chiang, L.-Y.; Chon, G.; Christensen, P. R.; Churazov, E.; Church, S.; Clements, D. L.; Colombi, S.; Colombo, L. P. L.; Comis, B.; Couchot, F.; Coulais, A.; Crill, B. P.; Curto, A.; Cuttaia, F.; Da Silva, A.; Dahle, H.; Danese, L.; Davies, R. D.; Davis, R. J.; de Bernardis, P.; de Rosa, A.; de Zotti, G.; Delabrouille, J.; Delouis, J.-M.; Démoclès, J.; Désert, F.-X.; Dickinson, C.; Diego, J. M.; Dolag, K.; Dole, H.; Donzelli, S.; Doré, O.; Douspis, M.; Dupac, X.; Efstathiou, G.; Enßlin, T. A.; Eriksen, H. K.; Feroz, F.; Ferragamo, A.; Finelli, F.; Flores-Cacho, I.; Forni, O.; Frailis, M.; Franceschi, E.; Fromenteau, S.; Galeotta, S.; Ganga, K.; Génova-Santos, R. T.; Giard, M.; Giardino, G.; Gilfanov, M.; Giraud-Héraud, Y.; González-Nuevo, J.; Górski, K. M.; Grainge, K. J. B.; Gratton, S.; Gregorio, A.; Groeneboom, N., E.; Gruppuso, A.; Hansen, F. K.; Hanson, D.; Harrison, D.; Hempel, A.; Henrot-Versillé, S.; Hernández-Monteagudo, C.; Herranz, D.; Hildebrandt, S. R.; Hivon, E.; Hobson, M.; Holmes, W. A.; Hornstrup, A.; Hovest, W.; Huffenberger, K. M.; Hurier, G.; Hurley-Walker, N.; Jaffe, A. H.; Jaffe, T. R.; Jones, W. C.; Juvela, M.; Keihänen, E.; Keskitalo, R.; Khamitov, I.; Kisner, T. S.; Kneissl, R.; Knoche, J.; Knox, L.; Kunz, M.; Kurki-Suonio, H.; Lagache, G.; Lähteenmäki, A.; Lamarre, J.-M.; Lasenby, A.; Laureijs, R. J.; Lawrence, C. R.; Leahy, J. P.; Leonardi, R.; León-Tavares, J.; Lesgourgues, J.; Li, C.; Liddle, A.; Liguori, M.; Lilje, P. B.; Linden-Vørnle, M.; López-Caniego, M.; Lubin, P. M.; Macías-Pérez, J. F.; MacTavish, C. J.; Maffei, B.; Maino, D.; Mandolesi, N.; Maris, M.; Marshall, D. J.; Martin, P. G.; Martínez-González, E.; Masi, S.; Massardi, M.; Matarrese, S.; Matthai, F.; Mazzotta, P.; Mei, S.; Meinhold, P. R.; Melchiorri, A.; Melin, J.-B.; Mendes, L.; Mennella, A.; Migliaccio, M.; Mikkelsen, K.; Mitra, S.; Miville-Deschênes, M.-A.; Moneti, A.; Montier, L.; Morgante, G.; Mortlock, D.; Munshi, D.; Murphy, J. A.; Naselsky, P.; Nastasi, A.; Nati, F.; Natoli, P.; Nesvadba, N. P. H.; Netterfield, C. B.; Nørgaard-Nielsen, H. U.; Noviello, F.; Novikov, D.; Novikov, I.; O'Dwyer, I. J.; Olamaie, M.; Osborne, S.; Oxborrow, C. A.; Paci, F.; Pagano, L.; Pajot, F.; Paoletti, D.; Pasian, F.; Patanchon, G.; Pearson, T. J.; Perdereau, O.; Perotto, L.; Perrott, Y. C.; Perrotta, F.; Piacentini, F.; Piat, M.; Pierpaoli, E.; Pietrobon, D.; Plaszczynski, S.; Pointecouteau, E.; Polenta, G.; Ponthieu, N.; Popa, L.; Poutanen, T.; Pratt, G. W.; Prézeau, G.; Prunet, S.; Puget, J.-L.; Rachen, J. P.; Reach, W. T.; Rebolo, R.; Reinecke, M.; Remazeilles, M.; Renault, C.; Ricciardi, S.; Riller, T.; Ristorcelli, I.; Rocha, G.; Rosset, C.; Roudier, G.; Rowan-Robinson, M.; Rubiño-Martín, J. A.; Rumsey, C.; Rusholme, B.; Sandri, M.; Santos, D.; Saunders, R. D. E.; Savini, G.; Schammel, M. P.; Scott, D.; Seiffert, M. D.; Shellard, E. P. S.; Shimwell, T. W.; Spencer, L. D.; Starck, J.-L.; Stolyarov, V.; Stompor, R.; Streblyanska, A.; Sudiwala, R.; Sunyaev, R.; Sureau, F.; Sutton, D.; Suur-Uski, A.-S.; Sygnet, J.-F.; Tauber, J. A.; Tavagnacco, D.; Terenzi, L.; Toffolatti, L.; Tomasi, M.; Tramonte, D.; Tristram, M.; Tucci, M.; Tuovinen, J.; Türler, M.; Umana, G.; Valenziano, L.; Valiviita, J.; Van Tent, B.; Vibert, L.; Vielva, P.; Villa, F.; Vittorio, N.; Wade, L. A.; Wandelt, B. D.; White, M.; White, S. D. M.; Yvon, D.; Zacchei, A.; Zonca, A.

2015-09-01

We update the all-sky Planck catalogue of 1227 clusters and cluster candidates (PSZ1) published in March 2013, derived from detections of the Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) effect using the first 15.5 months of Planck satellite observations. As an addendum, we deliver an updated version of the PSZ1 catalogue, reporting the further confirmation of 86 Planck-discovered clusters. In total, the PSZ1 now contains 947 confirmed clusters, of which 214 were confirmed as newly discovered clusters through follow-up observations undertaken by the Planck Collaboration. The updated PSZ1 contains redshifts for 913 systems, of which 736 (~ 80.6%) are spectroscopic, and associated mass estimates derived from the Yz mass proxy. We also provide a new SZ quality flag for the remaining 280 candidates. This flag was derived from a novel artificial neural-network classification of the SZ signal. Based on this assessment, the purity of the updated PSZ1 catalogue is estimated to be 94%. In this release, we provide the full updated catalogue and an additional readme file with further information on the Planck SZ detections. The catalogue is only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/581/A14

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

French, Jarrod B.; Ealick, Steven E.

The stereospecific oxidative degradation of uric acid to (S)-allantoin was recently shown to proceed via three enzymatic steps. The final conversion is a decarboxylation of the unstable intermediate 2-oxo-4-hydroxy-4-carboxy-5-ureidoimidazoline (OHCU) and is catalyzed by OHCU decarboxylase. Here we present the structures of Klebsiella pneumoniae OHCU decarboxylase in unliganded form and with bound allantoin. These structures provide evidence that ligand binding organizes the active site residues for catalysis. Modeling of the substrate and intermediates provides additional support for this hypothesis. In addition we characterize the steady state kinetics of this enzyme and report the first OHCU decarboxylase inhibitor, allopurinol, a structuralmore » isomer of hypoxanthine. This molecule is a competitive inhibitor of K. pneumoniae OHCU decarboxylase with a K{sub i} of 30 {+-} 2 {micro}m. Circular dichroism measurements confirm structural observations that this inhibitor disrupts the necessary organization of the active site. Our structural and biochemical studies also provide further insights into the mechanism of catalysis of OHCU decarboxylation.« less

Analysis of new growth promoting black market products.

PubMed

Krug, Oliver; Thomas, Andreas; Malerød-Fjeld, Helle; Dehnes, Yvette; Laussmann, Tim; Feldmann, Ingo; Sickmann, Albert; Thevis, Mario

2018-05-19

Detecting agents allegedly or evidently promoting growth such as human growth hormone (GH) or growth hormone releasing peptides (GHRP) in doping controls has represented a pressing issue for sports drug testing laboratories. While GH is a recombinant protein with a molecular weight of 22 kDa, the GHRPs are short (3-6 amino acids long) peptides with GH releasing properties. The endogenously produced GH (22 kDa isoform) consists of 191 amino acids and has a monoisotopic molecular mass of 22,124 Da. Within this study, a slightly modified form of GH was discovered consisting of 192 amino acids carrying an additional alanine at the N-terminus, leading to a monoisotopic mass of 22,195 Da. This was confirmed by top-down and bottom-up experiments using liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry. Additionally, three analogues of GHRPs were identified as Gly-GHRP-6, Gly-GHRP-2 and Gly-Ipamorelin, representing the corresponding GHRP extended by a N-terminal glycine residue. The structure of these peptides was characterised by means of high resolution (tandem) mass spectrometry, and for Gly-Ipamorelin and Gly-GHRP-2 their identity was additionally confirmed by custom synthesis. Further, established in-vitro experiments provided preliminary information considering the potential metabolism after administration. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Electrochemical Behavior of Sn-9Zn-xTi Lead-Free Solders in Neutral 0.5M NaCl Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenghong; Chen, Chuantong; Jiu, Jinting; Nagao, Shijo; Nogi, Masaya; Koga, Hirotaka; Zhang, Hao; Zhang, Gong; Suganuma, Katsuaki

2018-03-01

Electrochemical techniques were employed to study the electrochemical corrosion behavior of Sn-9Zn-xTi (x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 wt.%) lead-free solders in neutral 0.5M NaCl solution, aiming to figure out the effect of Ti content on the corrosion properties of Sn-9Zn, providing information for the composition design of Sn-Zn-based lead-free solders from the perspective of corrosion. EIS results reveal that Ti addition was involved in the corrosion product layer and changed electrochemical interface behavior from charge transfer control process to diffusion control process. The trace amount of Ti addition (0.05 wt.%) can refine the microstructure and improve the corrosion resistance of Sn-9Zn solder, evidenced by much lower corrosion current density (i corr) and much higher total resistance (R t). Excess Ti addition (over 0.1 wt.%) led to the formation of Ti-containing IMCs, which were confirmed as Sn3Ti2 and Sn5Ti6, deteriorating the corrosion resistance of Sn-9Zn-xTi solders. The main corrosion products were confirmed as Sn3O(OH)2Cl2 mixed with small amount of chlorine/oxide Sn compounds.

New Fe i Level Energies and Line Identifications from Stellar Spectra. II. Initial Results from New Ultraviolet Spectra of Metal-poor Stars

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

Peterson, Ruth C.; Kurucz, Robert L.; Ayres, Thomas R., E-mail: peterson@ucolick.org

2017-04-01

The Fe i spectrum is critical to many areas of astrophysics, yet many of the high-lying levels remain uncharacterized. To remedy this deficiency, Peterson and Kurucz identified Fe i lines in archival ultraviolet and optical spectra of metal-poor stars, whose warm temperatures favor moderate Fe i excitation. Sixty-five new levels were recovered, with 1500 detectable lines, including several bound levels in the ionization continuum of Fe i. Here, we extend the previous work by identifying 59 additional levels, with 1400 detectable lines, by incorporating new high-resolution UV spectra of warm metal-poor stars recently obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope Imagingmore » Spectrograph. We provide gf values for these transitions, both computed as well as adjusted to fit the stellar spectra. We also expand our spectral calculations to the infrared, confirming three levels by matching high-quality spectra of the Sun and two cool stars in the H -band. The predicted gf values suggest that an additional 3700 Fe i lines should be detectable in existing solar infrared spectra. Extending the empirical line identification work to the infrared would help confirm additional Fe i levels, as would new high-resolution UV spectra of metal-poor turnoff stars below 1900 Å.« less

Electrochemical Behavior of Sn-9Zn- xTi Lead-Free Solders in Neutral 0.5M NaCl Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhenghong; Chen, Chuantong; Jiu, Jinting; Nagao, Shijo; Nogi, Masaya; Koga, Hirotaka; Zhang, Hao; Zhang, Gong; Suganuma, Katsuaki

2018-05-01

Electrochemical techniques were employed to study the electrochemical corrosion behavior of Sn-9Zn- xTi ( x = 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 wt.%) lead-free solders in neutral 0.5M NaCl solution, aiming to figure out the effect of Ti content on the corrosion properties of Sn-9Zn, providing information for the composition design of Sn-Zn-based lead-free solders from the perspective of corrosion. EIS results reveal that Ti addition was involved in the corrosion product layer and changed electrochemical interface behavior from charge transfer control process to diffusion control process. The trace amount of Ti addition (0.05 wt.%) can refine the microstructure and improve the corrosion resistance of Sn-9Zn solder, evidenced by much lower corrosion current density ( i corr) and much higher total resistance ( R t). Excess Ti addition (over 0.1 wt.%) led to the formation of Ti-containing IMCs, which were confirmed as Sn3Ti2 and Sn5Ti6, deteriorating the corrosion resistance of Sn-9Zn- xTi solders. The main corrosion products were confirmed as Sn3O(OH)2Cl2 mixed with small amount of chlorine/oxide Sn compounds.

New Fe I Level Energies and Line Identifications from Stellar Spectra. II. Initial Results from New Ultraviolet Spectra of Metal-poor Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peterson, Ruth C.; Kurucz, Robert L.; Ayres, Thomas R.

2017-04-01

The Fe I spectrum is critical to many areas of astrophysics, yet many of the high-lying levels remain uncharacterized. To remedy this deficiency, Peterson & Kurucz identified Fe I lines in archival ultraviolet and optical spectra of metal-poor stars, whose warm temperatures favor moderate Fe I excitation. Sixty-five new levels were recovered, with 1500 detectable lines, including several bound levels in the ionization continuum of Fe I. Here, we extend the previous work by identifying 59 additional levels, with 1400 detectable lines, by incorporating new high-resolution UV spectra of warm metal-poor stars recently obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph. We provide gf values for these transitions, both computed as well as adjusted to fit the stellar spectra. We also expand our spectral calculations to the infrared, confirming three levels by matching high-quality spectra of the Sun and two cool stars in the H-band. The predicted gf values suggest that an additional 3700 Fe I lines should be detectable in existing solar infrared spectra. Extending the empirical line identification work to the infrared would help confirm additional Fe I levels, as would new high-resolution UV spectra of metal-poor turnoff stars below 1900 Å.

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

Talwar, R.; Kay, B. P.; Mitchell, A. J.

The nu 0h(9/2) and nu 0i(13/2) strength at Xe-137, a single neutron outside the N = 82 shell closure, has been determined using the Xe-136(alpha, He-3)Xe-137 reaction carried out at 100 MeV. We confirm the recent observation of the second 13/2(+) state and reassess previous data on the 9/2(-) states, obtaining spectroscopic factors. These new data provide additional constraints on predictions of the same single-neutron excitations at Sn-133.

Redescription and distribution of the rare flower chafer, Periphanesthes aurora (Motschulsky, 1858) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae).

PubMed

Qiu, Jian-Yue; Xu, Hao; Chen, Li

2014-08-07

This paper includes a detailed redescription of the monotypic genus Periphanesthes Kraatz, 1880 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) and its type species, Periphanesthes aurora (Motschulsky, 1858), based on the lectotype (designated within) and additional specimens. Illustrations of external features and parameres are also provided. The distribution of P. aurora is studied, and its new distribution records are mapped. Bonsiella Ruter, 1965 is confirmed as a junior synonym of Periphanesthes Kraatz, 1880. 

The parental attitudes toward psychological services inventory: adaptation and development of an attitude scale.

PubMed

Turner, Erlanger A

2012-08-01

The purpose of this paper is to provide psychometric data on the Parental Attitudes Toward Psychological Services Inventory (PATPSI), which is a revised measure to assess parents' attitudes toward outpatient mental health services. Using a sample of adults (N = 250), Study 1 supported a 3-factor structure (RMSEA = .05, NNFI = .94, and CFI = .94), adequate internal consistency (ranging from .72 to .92), and test-retest reliability (ranging from .66 to .84). Additionally, results indicated that individuals with previous use of mental health services reported more positive views toward child mental health services. Study 2 provided confirming evidence of the 3-factor structure (NNFI = .94, RMSEA = .08, and the CFI = .95) and adequate reliability (ranging from .70 to .90) using a parent-sample (N = 260). Additionally, discriminate validity of the PATPSI was supported. Implications for research and clinical practice are discussed.

The microbial community of a biofilm contact reactor for the treatment of winery wastewater.

PubMed

de Beer, D M; Botes, M; Cloete, T E

2018-02-01

To utilize a three-tiered approach to provide insight into the microbial community structure, the spatial distribution and the metabolic capabilities of organisms of a biofilm in the two towers of a high-rate biological contact reactor treating winery wastewater. Next-generation sequencing indicated that bacteria primarily responsible for the removal of carbohydrates, sugars and alcohol were more abundant in tower 1 than tower 2 while nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria were more abundant in tower 2. Yeast populations differed in each tower. Fluorescent in situ hybridization coupled with confocal microscopy showed distribution of organisms confirming an oxygen gradient across the biofilm depth. The Biolog system (ECO plates) specified the different carbon-metabolizing profiles of the two biofilms. The three-tiered approach confirmed that the addition of a second subunit to the bioreactor, expanded the treatment capacity by augmenting the microbial and metabolic diversity of the system, improving the treatment scope of the system. A three-tiered biofilm analysis provided data required to optimize the design of a bioreactor to provide favourable conditions for the development of a microbial consortium, which has optimal waste removal properties for the treatment requirements at hand. © 2017 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

Interventional Molecular Imaging.

PubMed

Solomon, Stephen B; Cornelis, Francois

2016-04-01

Although molecular imaging has had a dramatic impact on diagnostic imaging, it has only recently begun to be integrated into interventional procedures. Its significant impact is attributed to its ability to provide noninvasive, physiologic information that supplements conventional morphologic imaging. The four major interventional opportunities for molecular imaging are, first, to provide guidance to localize a target; second, to provide tissue analysis to confirm that the target has been reached; third, to provide in-room, posttherapy assessment; and fourth, to deliver targeted therapeutics. With improved understanding and application of(18)F-FDG, as well as the addition of new molecular probes beyond(18)F-FDG, the future holds significant promise for the expansion of molecular imaging into the realm of interventional procedures. © 2016 by the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Inc.

Induction simulation of gas core nuclear engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poole, J. W.; Vogel, C. E.

1973-01-01

The design, construction and operation of an induction heated plasma device known as a combined principles simulator is discussed. This device incorporates the major design features of the gas core nuclear rocket engine such as solid feed, propellant seeding, propellant injection through the walls, and a transpiration cooled, choked flow nozzle. Both argon and nitrogen were used as propellant simulating material, and sodium was used for fuel simulating material. In addition, a number of experiments were conducted utilizing depleted uranium as the fuel. The test program revealed that satisfactory operation of this device can be accomplished over a range of operating conditions and provided additional data to confirm the validity of the gas core concept.

Efficient synthesis of dichlorodenafil, an unapproved sildenafil analogue appearing in non-prescription supplements.

PubMed

Kim, Jong Yup; Hwang, In Gyun; Oh, Jae Ho; Kang, Il Hyun; Kwon, Sung Won; Kim, Deukjoon

2013-01-01

We have developed an efficient synthesis of dichlorodenafil (4), an unapproved sildenafil analogue isolated from dietary supplements. Our sequence employs POCl(3)-mediated chlorination of readily available chloroacetyl compound 7 followed by selective hydrolysis of the chloro-heterocycle function. Our synthesis confirms the structure of the illegal additive, and will provide regulatory agencies with ready access to authentic standard samples of dichlorodenafil (4) to aid in their mission to protect the public from unapproved and potentially harmful erectile dysfunction (ED) drug analogues that are added to herbal and dietary supplements without providing users with appropriate toxicological or pharmacological information.

A Computer-Based Nursing Diagnosis Consultant

PubMed Central

Evans, Steven

1984-01-01

This consultant permits a nurse to enter patient signs and symptoms which are then interpreted by the system in order to relate them to well-established nursing-related dysfunctional patterns. The system attempts to confirm the pattern by soliciting additional patient information from the nurse. This process provides an educational prompt to the nurse, and the suggestions of the system also provide a clinical support tool that can be of practical value. As our testing hones the system and subtlety is added to the weighing of the evidence the nurse provides, it is expected that this tool will be a useful adjunct to computer-based nursing services in support of health care. This Nursing Diagnosis Consultant is yet another element in the COMMES family of consultants for health professionals.

Metallocene-Containing Homopolymers and Heterobimetallic Block Copolymers via Photoinduced RAFT Polymerization

PubMed Central

Yang, Peng; Pageni, Parasmani; Kabir, Mohammad Pabel; Zhu, Tianyu; Tang, Chuanbing

2017-01-01

We report the synthesis of cationic cobaltocenium and neutral ferrocene containing homopolymers mediated by photoinduced reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with a photocatalyst fac-[Ir(ppy)3]. The homopolymers were further used as macromolecular chain transfer agents to synthesize diblock copolymers via chain extension. Controlled/“living” feature of photoinduced RAFT polymerization was confirmed by kinetic studies even without prior deoxygenation. A light switch between ON and OFF provided a spatiotemporal control of polymerization. PMID:29276651

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

Soerensen, M.P.; Davidson, A.; Pedersen, N.F.

We use the method of cell-to-cell mapping to locate attractors, basins, and saddle nodes in the phase plane of a driven Josephson junction. The cell-mapping method is discussed in some detail, emphasizing its ability to provide a global view of the phase plane. Our computations confirm the existence of a previously reported interior crisis. In addition, we observe a boundary crisis for a small shift in one parameter. The cell-mapping method allows us to show both crises explicitly in the phase plane, at low computational cost.

First records of Hippocampus algiricus in the Canary Islands (north-east Atlantic Ocean) with an observation of hybridization with Hippocampus hippocampus.

PubMed

Otero-Ferrer, F; Herrera, R; López, A; Socorro, J; Molina, L; Bouza, C

2015-10-01

Morphometric and genetic analyses confirmed the first records of the West African seahorse Hippocampus algiricus at Gran Canaria Island (north-east Atlantic Ocean), and also the first evidence of interspecific hybridization in seahorses. These results provide additional data on the distribution of H. algiricus that may help to establish future conservation strategies, and uncover a new potential sympatric scenario between H. algiricus and Hippocampus hippocampus. © 2015 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

High-j neutron excitations outside 136Xe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talwar, R.; Kay, B. P.; Mitchell, A. J.; Adachi, S.; Entwisle, J. P.; Fujita, Y.; Gey, G.; Noji, S.; Ong, H. J.; Schiffer, J. P.; Tamii, A.

2017-08-01

The ν 0 h9 /2 and ν 0 i13 /2 strength at 137Xe, a single neutron outside the N =82 shell closure, has been determined using the 136Xe(α ,3He)137Xe reaction carried out at 100 MeV. We confirm the recent observation of the second 13 /2+ state and reassess previous data on the 9 /2- states, obtaining spectroscopic factors. These new data provide additional constraints on predictions of the same single-neutron excitations at 133Sn.

Remote air pollution measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Byer, R. L.

1975-01-01

This paper presents a discussion and comparison of the Raman method, the resonance and fluorescence backscatter method, long path absorption methods and the differential absorption method for remote air pollution measurement. A comparison of the above remote detection methods shows that the absorption methods offer the most sensitivity at the least required transmitted energy. Topographical absorption provides the advantage of a single ended measurement, and differential absorption offers the additional advantage of a fully depth resolved absorption measurement. Recent experimental results confirming the range and sensitivity of the methods are presented.

The failure of poly (ether ether ketone) in high speed contacts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briscoe, B. J.; Stuart, B. H.; Sebastian, S.; Tweedale, P. J.

1993-04-01

The paper describes an experimental study, with an associated analysis incorporating supplementary data, of the anti-boundary lubricating action of an alkane-aliphatic carboxylic acid lubricant system in a poly (ether ether ketone)-mild steel contact. The experiments involve progressively increasing the load in a contact formed between a polymer plate and a rotating steel shaft and estimating the frictional work dissipated. Scuffing is identified when a rapid increase in frictional work is noted at a characteristic normal load. It is shown that the additive induces premature scuffing. Subsidiary data is provided using Raman spectroscopy and hardness probes, and confirms that certain additives such as decanoic acid and dodecylamine will induce surface plasticization in poly (ether ether ketone). The trends in the frictional data have been interpreted using the adhesive model of friction in conjunction with temperature-dependent interfacial theology and bulk mechanical property data. It is proposed that the scuffing process is induced prematurely as a consequence of excessive additive-induced subsurface plasticization. Restricted surface plasticization in this system provides an enhanced self-lubricating capacity.

Management of Spinal Arteriovenous Fistulae with Intraarterial Indocyanine Green Angiography: A Case Report.

PubMed

Caglar, Y Sukru; Ozdemir, Mevci; Kahilogullari, Gokmen; Bozkurt, Melih; Attar, Ayhan

2018-01-01

We describe herein intraoperative effectiveness of indocyanine green (ICG) video angiography to confirm dural arteriovenous fistulae. A 62-year-old man with a residual symptomatic dural arteriovenous fistula that was previously embolized at another institution is presented. On neurological examination, the motor strength in his both lower extremities was documented as grade 4 and the patella reflex was slightly increased. After verifying the presence of abnormal early venous drainage and retrograde flow with indocyanine green video angiography, the fistula was repaired. Postoperatively there was no additional neurologic deficit. Five days after the operation, the patient was discharged. Intraoperative ICG video angiography provides non-invasive and realtime information, reduction of spinal cord ischemic damage, rapid identification of feeding artery and confirmation of its complete disconnection during surgery, reduction of operative time, and improved outcome with no radiation hazard.

Lead poisoning associated with intravenous-methamphetamine use--Oregon, 1988

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

Chandler, D.B.; Norton, R.L.; Kauffman, K.W.

1990-02-09

Between August 1 and September 6, 1988, 14 cases of non-A, non-B (NANB) hepatitis were reported in Marion County, Oregon, to the Oregon Health Division (OHD) by the county health department and private physicians. Previously, an average of less than one case per month was reported in the county. During the same period, OHD learned that eight intravenous-methamphetamine users (IVMUs) in Oregon thought to have NANB hepatitis had also been recently diagnosed with lead poisoning. A statewide media campaign describing the lead poisoning outbreak was conducted to alert IVMUs, physicians, and county health departments. In addition, OHD implemented a reportingmore » system for suspected and confirmed lead poisoning cases. Analysis of an illicit methamphetamine sample provided by one of the patients with confirmed lead poisoning detected 60% lead by weight.« less

Botulism in children: a diagnostic dilemma in developing countries.

PubMed

Khan, Muhammad Rehan; Maheshwari, Prem Kumar; Ibrahim, Shahnaz Hamid; Haque, Anwarul

2013-06-01

Botulism is a well-known disease of the neuromuscular junction. It is a rare but curable cause of paralysis in paediatric population. In addition to classical clinical signs and symptoms, the diagnosis of botulism requires laboratory confirmation of intoxication by various biological tests. These include demonstration of botulinum toxin in serum or isolation of the Clostridium botulinum from stool/gastric aspirates. However, it is not always possible to confirm intoxication due to unavailability of technical facilities, especially in resource limited countries like Pakistan. Under these circumstances, electrophysiological studies serve as an excellent diagnostic tool. These studies can provide quick diagnosis of botulism so that early administration of botulism immunoglobulin, if available, can reduce morbidity, mortality and length of stay in hospital. We report a case of botulism from Pakistan diagnosed on the basis of electrophysiological studies.

The immunogenetics of Behçet’s disease: A comprehensive review

PubMed Central

Takeuchi, Masaki; Kastner, Daniel L; Remmers, Elaine F

2015-01-01

Behçet’s disease is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized mainly by recurrent oral ulcers, ocular involvement, genital ulcers, and skin lesions, presenting with remissions and exacerbations. It is thought that both environmental and genetic factors contribute to its onset and development. Although the etiology of Behçet’s disease remains unclear, recent immunogenetic findings are providing clues to its pathogenesis. In addition to the positive association of HLA-B*51, which was identified more than four decades ago, and which has since been confirmed in multiple populations, recent studies report additional independent associations in the major histocompatibility complex class I region. HLA-B*15, -B*27, -B*57, and -A*26 are independent risk factors for Behçet’s disease, while HLA-B*49 and – A*03 are independent class I alleles that are protective for Behçet’s disease. Genome-wide association studies have identified associations with genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−8) in the IL23R–IL12RB2, IL10, STAT4, CCR1-CCR3, KLRC4, ERAP1, TNFAIP3, and FUT2 loci. In addition, targeted next-generation sequencing has revealed the involvement of rare nonsynonymous variants of IL23R, TLR4, NOD2, and MEFV in Behçet’s disease pathogenesis. Significant differences in gene function or mRNA expression associated with the risk alleles of the disease susceptibility loci suggest which genes in a disease-associated locus influence disease pathogenesis. These genes encompass both innate and adaptive immunity and confirm the importance of the predominant polarization towards helper T cell (Th) 1 versus Th2 cells, and the involvement of Th17 cells. In addition, epistasis observed between HLA-B*51 and the risk coding haplotype of the endoplasmic reticulum-associated protease, ERAP1, provides a clue that an HLA class I-peptide presentation-based mechanism contributes to this complex disease. PMID:26347074

Heavy ion mutagenesis combined with triclosan screening provides a new strategy for improving the arachidonic acid yield in Mortierella alpina.

PubMed

Zhang, Huidan; Lu, Dong; Li, Xin; Feng, Yingang; Cui, Qiu; Song, Xiaojin

2018-05-02

Arachidonic acid (ARA), which is a ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, has a wide range of biological activities and is an essential component of cellular membranes in some human tissues. Mortierella alpina is the best strain for industrial production of ARA. To increase its yield of arachidonic acid, heavy ion beam irradiation mutagenesis of Mortierella alpina was carried out in combination with triclosan and octyl gallate treatment. The obtained mutant strain F-23 ultimately achieved an ARA yield of 5.26 g L - 1 , which is 3.24 times higher than that of the wild-type strain. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that the expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS), Δ5-desaturase, Δ6-desaturase, and Δ9-desaturase were all significantly up-regulated in the mutant F-23 strain, especially Δ6- and Δ9-desaturase, which were up-regulated 3- and 2-fold, respectively. This study confirmed a feasible mutagenesis breeding strategy for improving ARA production and provided a mutant of Mortierella alpina with high ARA yield.

miRNAs in platelet-poor blood plasma and purified RNA are highly stable: a confirmatory study.

PubMed

Muth, Dillon C; Powell, Bonita H; Zhao, Zezhou; Witwer, Kenneth W

2018-05-04

We wished to re-assess the relative stability of microRNAs (miRNAs) as compared with other RNA molecules, which has been confirmed in many contexts. When bound to Argonaute proteins, miRNAs are protected from degradation, even when released into the extracellular space in ribonucleoprotein complexes, and with or without the protection of membranes in extracellular vesicles. Purified miRNAs also appear to present less of a target for degradation than other RNAs. Although miRNAs are by no means immune to degradation, biological samples subjected to prolonged incubation at room temperature, multiple freeze/thaws, or collection in the presence of inhibitors like heparin, can typically be remediated or used directly for miRNA measurements. Here, we provide additional confirmation of early, well validated findings on miRNA stability and detectability. Our data also suggest that inadequate depletion of platelets from plasma may explain the occasional report that freeze-thaw cycles can adversely affect plasma miRNA levels. Overall, the repeated observation of miRNA stability is again confirmed.

TRANSIT TIMING OBSERVATIONS FROM KEPLER. I. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS

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

Ford, Eric B.; Rowe, Jason F.; Caldwell, Douglas A.

The architectures of multiple planet systems can provide valuable constraints on models of planet formation, including orbital migration, and excitation of orbital eccentricities and inclinations. NASA's Kepler mission has identified 1235 transiting planet candidates. The method of transit timing variations (TTVs) has already confirmed seven planets in two planetary systems. We perform a transit timing analysis of the Kepler planet candidates. We find that at least {approx}11% of planet candidates currently suitable for TTV analysis show evidence suggestive of TTVs, representing at least {approx}65 TTV candidates. In all cases, the time span of observations must increase for TTVs to providemore » strong constraints on planet masses and/or orbits, as expected based on N-body integrations of multiple transiting planet candidate systems (assuming circular and coplanar orbits). We find the fraction of planet candidates showing TTVs in this data set does not vary significantly with the number of transiting planet candidates per star, suggesting significant mutual inclinations and that many stars with a single transiting planet should host additional non-transiting planets. We anticipate that Kepler could confirm (or reject) at least {approx}12 systems with multiple transiting planet candidates via TTVs. Thus, TTVs will provide a powerful tool for confirming transiting planets and characterizing the orbital dynamics of low-mass planets. If Kepler observations were extended to at least seven years, then TTVs would provide much more precise constraints on the dynamics of systems with multiple transiting planets and would become sensitive to planets with orbital periods extending into the habitable zone of solar-type stars.« less

Laser ablation of basal cell carcinomas guided by confocal microscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sierra, Heidy; Cordova, Miguel; Nehal, Kishwer; Rossi, Anthony; Chen, Chih-Shan Jason; Rajadhyaksha, Milind

2016-02-01

Laser ablation offers precise and fast removal of superficial and early nodular types of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Nevertheless, the lack of histological confirmation has been a limitation. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) imaging combined with a contrast agent can offer cellular-level histology-like feedback to detect the presence (or absence) of residual BCC directly on the patient. We conducted an ex vivo bench-top study to provide a set of effective ablation parameters (fluence, number of passes) to remove superficial BCCs while also controlling thermal coagulation post-ablation to allow uptake of contrast agent. The results for an Er:YAG laser (2.9 um and pulse duration 250us) show that with 6 passes of 25 J/cm2, thermal coagulation can be effectively controlled, to allow both the uptake of acetic acid (contrast agent) and detection of residual (or absence) BCCs. Confirmation was provided with histological examination. An initial in vivo study on 35 patients shows that the uptake of contrast agent aluminum chloride) and imaging quality is similar to that observed in the ex vivo study. The detection of the presence of residual tumor or complete clearance was confirmed in 10 wounds with (additional) histology and in 25 lesions with follow-up imaging. Our results indicate that resolution is sufficient but further development and use of appropriate contrast agent are necessary to improve sensitivity and specificity. Advances in RCM technology for imaging of lateral and deep margins directly on the patient may provide less invasive, faster and less expensive image-guided approaches for treatment of BCCs.

SIMPLE MEASURES ARE AS EFFECTIVE AS INVASIVE TECHNIQUES IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS IN MALAWI

PubMed Central

Bell, David J; Dacombe, Russell; Graham, Stephen M; Hicks, Alexander; Cohen, Danielle; Chikaonda, Tarsizio; French, Neil; Molyneux, Malcolm E; Zijlstra, Ed E; Squire, S Bertel; Gordon, Stephen B

2010-01-01

Setting Detection of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases is vital for tuberculosis control. Methods to augment sputum collection are available but their additional benefit is uncertain in resource-limited settings. Objective To compare the diagnostic yields using five methods to obtain sputum from adults diagnosed with smear-negative PTB in Malawi. Design Self-expectorated sputum was collected under supervision for microscopy and mycobacterial culture in the study laboratory. Confirmed smear-negative patients, provided physiotherapy-assisted sputum and induced sputum followed, the next morning, by gastric washing and bronchoalveolar-lavage samples. Results 150 patients, diagnosed with smear-negative PTB by the hospital service, were screened. 39 (26%) were smear-positive from supervised self-expectorated sputum examined in the study laboratory. The remaining 111 confirmed smear-negative patients were enrolled; 89% were HIV positive. Seven additional smear-positive cases were diagnosed using the augmented sputum collection techniques. No differences were observed in the numbers of cases detected using the different methods. 44 (95.6%) of the 46 smear-positive cases could be detected from self-expectorated and physiotherapy-assisted samples Conclusions For countries like Malawi, the best use of limited resources to detect smear-positive PTB cases would be to improve the quality of self-expectorated sputum collection and microscopy. The additional diagnostic yield using bronchoalveolar-lavage after induced sputum is limited. PMID:19105886

Association of rs1344706 in the ZNF804A gene with schizophrenia in a case/control sample from Indonesia.

PubMed

Schwab, Sibylle G; Kusumawardhani, Agung A A A; Dai, Nan; Qin, WenWen; Wildenauer, Mutiara D B; Agiananda, Feranindhya; Amir, Nurmiati; Antoni, Ronald; Arsianti, Tiana; Asmarahadi, Asmarahadi; Diatri, Hervita; Djatmiko, Prianto; Irmansyah, Irmansyah; Khalimah, Siti; Kusumadewi, Irmia; Kusumaningrum, Profitasari; Lukman, Petrin R; Mustar, Lukman; Nasrun, Martina W; Naswati, Safyuni; Prasetiyawan, Prasetiyawan; Semen, Gerald M; Siste, Kristiana; Tobing, Heriani; Widiasih, Natalia; Wiguna, Tjhin; Wulandari, Widayanti Dewi; Benyamin, Beben; Wildenauer, Dieter B

2013-06-01

Association of rs1344706 in the ZNF804A gene (2q32.1) with schizophrenia was first reported in a genome wide scan conducted in a sample of 479 cases and replicated in 6666 cases. Subsequently, evidence by replication was obtained in several samples with European- and Asian ancestral background. We report ascertainment, clinical characterization, quality control, and determination of ancestral background of a case control sample from Indonesia, comprising 1067 cases and 1111 ancestry matched controls. Genotyping was performed using a fluorescence-based allelic discrimination assay (TaqMan SNP genotyping assay) and a newly designed PCR-RFLP assay for confirmation of rs1344706 genotypes. We confirmed association of the T-allele of rs1344706 with schizophrenia in a newly ascertained sample from Indonesia with Southeast Asian ancestral background (P=0.019, OR=1.155, 95%, CI 1.025-1.301). In addition, we studied several SNPs in the vicinity of rs1344706, for which nominally significant results had been reported. None of the association P values of the additional SNPs exceeded that of rs1344706. We provide additional evidence for association of the ZNF804A gene with schizophrenia. We conclude that rs1344706 or a yet unknown polymorphism in linkage disequilibrium is also involved in conferring susceptibility to schizophrenia in samples with different (Asian) ancestral backgrounds. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Integration of DPC and clinical microbiological data in Japan reveals importance of confirming a negative follow-up blood culture in patients with MRSA bacteremia.

PubMed

Miyamoto, Naoki; Yahara, Koji; Horita, Rie; Yano, Tomomi; Tashiro, Naotaka; Morii, Daiichi; Tsutsui, Atsuko; Yaita, Kenichiro; Shibayama, Keigo; Watanabe, Hiroshi

2017-10-01

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia is one of the commonest and most life-threatening of all infectious diseases. The morbidity and mortality rates associated with MRSA bacteremia are higher than those associated with bacteremia caused by other pathogens. A common guideline in MRSA bacteremia treatment is to confirm bacteremia clearance through additional blood cultures 2-4 days after initial positive cultures and as needed thereafter. However, no study has presented statistical evidence of how and to what extent confirming a negative follow-up blood culture impacts clinical outcome. We present this evidence for the first time, by combining clinical microbiological data of blood cultures and the DPC administrative claims database; both had been systematically accumulated through routine medical care in hospitals. We used electronic medical records to investigate the clinical background and infection source in detail. By analyzing data from a university hospital, we revealed how survival curves change when a negative follow-up blood culture is confirmed. We also demonstrated confirmation of a negative culture is significantly associated with clinical outcomes: there was a more than three-fold increase in mortality risk (after adjusting for clinical background) if a negative blood culture was not confirmed within 14 days of the initial positive blood culture. Although we used data from only one university hospital, our novel approach and results will be a basis for future studies in several hospitals in Japan to provide statistical evidence of the clinical importance of confirming a negative follow-up blood culture in bacteremia patients, including those with MRSA infections. Copyright © 2017 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Retired A Stars Revisited: An Updated Giant Planet Occurrence Rate as a Function of Stellar Metallicity and Mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghezzi, Luan; Montet, Benjamin T.; Johnson, John Asher

2018-06-01

Exoplanet surveys of evolved stars have provided increasing evidence that the formation of giant planets depends not only on stellar metallicity ([Fe/H]) but also on the mass ({M}\\star ). However, measuring accurate masses for subgiants and giants is far more challenging than it is for their main-sequence counterparts, which has led to recent concerns regarding the veracity of the correlation between stellar mass and planet occurrence. In order to address these concerns, we use HIRES spectra to perform a spectroscopic analysis on a sample of 245 subgiants and derive new atmospheric and physical parameters. We also calculate the space velocities of this sample in a homogeneous manner for the first time. When reddening corrections are considered in the calculations of stellar masses and a ‑0.12 {M}ȯ offset is applied to the results, the masses of the subgiants are consistent with their space velocity distributions, contrary to claims in the literature. Similarly, our measurements of their rotational velocities provide additional confirmation that the masses of subgiants with {M}\\star ≥slant 1.6 M ⊙ (the “retired A stars”) have not been overestimated in previous analyses. Using these new results for our sample of evolved stars, together with an updated sample of FGKM dwarfs, we confirm that giant planet occurrence increases with both stellar mass and metallicity up to 2.0 M ⊙. We show that the probability of formation of a giant planet is approximately a one-to-one function of the total amount of metals in the protoplanetary disk {M}\\star {10}[{Fe/{{H}}]}. This correlation provides additional support for the core accretion mechanism of planet formation.

Toxicity and bioaccumulation of sediment-associated contaminants using freshwater invertebrates: A review of methods and applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ingersoll, C.G.; Ankley, G.T.; Benoit, D.A.; Brunson, E.L.; Burton, G.A.; Dwyer, F.J.; Hoke, R.A.; Landrum, P.F.; Norberg-King, T. J.; Winger, P.V.

1995-01-01

This paper reviews recent developments in methods for evaluating the toxicity and bioaccumulation of contaminants associated with freshwater sediments and summarizes example case studies demonstrating the application of these methods. Over the past decade, research has emphasized development of more specific testing procedures for conducting 10-d toxicity tests with the amphipod Hyalella azteca and the midge Chironomus tentans. Toxicity endpoints measured in these tests are survival for H. azteca and survival and growth for C. tentans. Guidance has also been developed for conducting 28-d bioaccumulation tests with the oligochaete Lumbriculus variegatus, including determination of bioaccumulation kinetics for different compound classes. These methods have been applied to a variety of sediments to address issues ranging from site assessments to bioavailability of organic and inorganic contaminants using field-collected and laboratory-spiked samples. Survival and growth of controls routinely meet or exceed test acceptability criteria. Results of laboratory bioaccumulation studies with L. variegatus have been confirmed with comparisons to residues (PCBs, PAHs, DDT) present from synoptically collected field populations of oligochaetes. Additional method development is currently underway to develop chronic toxicity tests and to provide additional data-confirming responses observed in laboratory sediment tests with natural benthic populations.

Heart failure disease management: implementation and outcomes.

PubMed

Whellan, David J

2005-01-01

Millions of dollars are being spent to identify new therapies to improve mortality and morbidity for the growing epidemic of patients sustaining heart failure. However, in clinical practice, these therapies are currently underused. To bridge the gap between proven therapies and clinical practice, the medical community has turned to disease management. Heart failure disease management interventions vary from vital-sign monitoring to multidisciplinary approaches involving a pharmacist, nutritionist, nurse practitioner, and physician. This review attempts to categorize these inventions based on location. We compared the published results from randomized, controlled trials of the following types of heart failure disease management interventions: inpatient, clinic visits, home visits, and telephone follow up. Although research shows an improvement in the quality of care and a decrease in hospitalizations for patients sustaining heart failure, the economic impact of disease management is still unclear. The current reimbursement structure is a disincentive to providers wanting to offer disease management services to patients sustaining heart failure. Additionally, the cost of providing disease management services such as additional clinical visits, patient education materials, or additional personnel time has not been well documented. Most heart failure disease management studies do confirm the concept that providing increased access to healthcare providers for an at-risk group of patients sustaining heart failure does improve outcomes. However, a large-scale randomized, controlled clinical trial based in the United States is needed to prove that this concept can be implemented beyond a single center and to determine how much it will cost patients, providers, healthcare systems, and payers.

Review of the family Veliidae in Romania (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha).

PubMed

Berchi, Gavril Marius; Kment, Petr

2015-05-25

A critical review of the family Veliidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Gerromorpha) in Romania is provided. In total, two genera and eight species (Microvelia Westwood, 1834-3 species, Velia Latreille, 1804-5 species) are known from the country. Microvelia buenoi Drake, 1920 and Velia serbica Tamanini, 1951 are recorded for the first time from Romania. The occurrence of V. affinis filippii Tamanini, 1947 and V. mancinii mancinii Tamanini, 1947 is confirmed by additional records. Based on proven or suspected misidentifications, V. currens (Fabricius, 1794) and V. rivulorum (Fabricius, 1775) are excluded from the Romanian fauna. A checklist of the Veliidae of Romania and updated distribution maps are provided. Biogeographical aspects of the fauna are summarized.

Final Report - Glass Formulation Testing to Increase Sulfate Volatilization from Melter, VSL-04R4970-1, Rev. 0, dated 2/24/05

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

Kruger, Albert A.; Matlack, K. A.; Pegg, I. L.

2013-11-13

The principal objectives of the DM100 and DM10 tests were to determine the impact of four different organics and one inorganic feed additive on sulfate volatilization and to determine the sulfur partitioning between the glass and the off-gas system. The tests provided information on melter processing characteristics and off-gas data including sulfur incorporation and partitioning. A series of DM10 and DM100 melter tests were conducted using a LAW Envelope A feed. The testing was divided into three parts. The first part involved a series of DM10 melter tests with four different organic feed additives: sugar, polyethylene glycol (PEG), starch, andmore » urea. The second part involved two confirmatory 50-hour melter tests on the DM100 using the best combination of reductants and conditions based on the DM10 results. The third part was performed on the DM100 with feeds containing vanadium oxide (V{sub 2}O{sub 5}) as an inorganic additive to increase sulfur partitioning to the off-gas. Although vanadium oxide is not a reductant, previous testing has shown that vanadium shows promise for partitioning sulfur to the melter exhaust, presumably through its known catalytic effect on the SO{sub 2}/SO{sub 3} reaction. Crucible-scale tests were conducted prior to the melter tests to confirm that the glasses and feeds would be processable in the melter and that the glasses would meet the waste form (ILAW) performance requirements. Thus, the major objectives of these tests were to: Perform screening tests on the DM10 followed by tests on the DM100-WV system using a LAW -Envelope A feed with four organic additives to assess their impact on sulfur volatilization. Perform tests on the DM100-WV system using a LAW -Envelope A feed containing vanadium oxide to assess its impact on sulfur volatilization. Determine feed processability and product quality with the above additives. Collect melter emissions data to determine the effect of additives on sulfur partitioning and melter emissions. Collect and analyze discharged glass to determine sulfur retention in the glass. Prepare and characterize feeds and glasses with the additives to confirm that the feeds and the glass melts are suitable for processing in the DM100 melter. Prepare and characterize glasses with the additives to confirm that the glasses meet the waste form (ILAW) performance requirements.« less

The Effect of Silane on the Microstructure, Corrosion, and Abrasion Resistances of the Anodic Films on Ti Alloy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Jinwei; Chen, Jiali

2016-04-01

Anodic oxide films on Ti-6Al-4V alloy are prepared using sodium hydroxide as the base electrolyte containing aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APS) as an additive. Some APS undergo hydrolysis, adsorption, and chemical reaction with the TiO x to form Ti-O-Si bond as confirmed by ATR-FTIR and XPS spectra, and in turn their surface appearance and roughness are greatly changed with the addition of APS as observed by their SEM images. These amino anodic films possess much higher corrosive resistances since the formation of Ti-O-Si complex enhances the compactness of the anodic films and the existence of aminopropyl groups inside the pores provides additional blocking effects. Besides, their improvement in anti-abrasive capability is attributed to the toughening effect of the chemically bonded silanes and the lubrication functions from both the chemically bonded and physically absorbed silanes between the touched interfaces.

Anaerobic sludge digestion with a biocatalytic additive. [Lactobacillus acidophilus

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

Ghosh, S.; Henry, M.P.; Fedde, P.A.

1982-01-01

Aimed at improving the process operating characteristics of anaerobic digestion for sludge stabilization and SNG production, this study evaluates the effects of a lactobacillus additive under normal, variable, and overload conditions. This whey fermentation product of an acid-tolerant strain of L. acidophilus fortified with CoCO/sub 3/, (NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/HPO/sub 4/, ferrous lactate, and lactic acid provides growth factors, metabolic intermediates, and enzymes needed for substrate degradation and cellular synthesis. Data indicate that the biochemical additive increases methane yield, gas production rate, and volatile solids reduction; decreases volatile acids accumulation; enhances the digester buffer capacity; and improves the fertilizer value andmore » dewatering characteristics of the digested residue. Digester capacities could be potentially doubled when the feed is so treated. Results of field tests with six full-scale digesters confirm observations made with bench-scale digesters.« less

Patient-centered interviewing is associated with decreased responses to painful stimuli: an initial fMRI study.

PubMed

Sarinopoulos, Issidoros; Hesson, Ashley M; Gordon, Chelsea; Lee, Seungcheol A; Wang, Lu; Dwamena, Francesca; Smith, Robert C

2013-02-01

To identify the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) changes associated with a patient-centered interview (PCI) and a positive provider-patient relationship (PPR). Nine female patients participated, five randomly selected to undergo a replicable, evidence-based PCI, the other four receiving standard clinician-centered interviews (CCI). To verify that PCI differed from CCI, we rated the interviews and administered a patient satisfaction with the provider-patient relationship (PPR) questionnaire. Patients were then scanned as they received painful stimulation while viewing pictures of the interviewing doctor and control images (unknown doctor). Interview ratings and questionnaire results confirmed that PCIs and CCIs were performed as planned and PCIs led to a much more positive PPR. We found significantly reduced pain-related neural activation in the left anterior insula region in the PCI group when the interviewing doctor's picture was shown. This study identifies an association between a PCI that produced a positive PPR and reduced pain-related neural responses in the anterior insula. This is an initial step in understanding the neural underpinnings of a PCI. If confirmed, our results indicate one neurobiological underpinning of an effective PCI, providing an additional scientific rationale for its use clinically. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Laboratory Performance Evaluation Report of SEL 421 Phasor Measurement Unit

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

Huang, Zhenyu; faris, Anthony J.; Martin, Kenneth E.

2007-12-01

PNNL and BPA have been in close collaboration on laboratory performance evaluation of phasor measurement units for over ten years. A series of evaluation tests are designed to confirm accuracy and determine measurement performance under a variety of conditions that may be encountered in actual use. Ultimately the testing conducted should provide parameters that can be used to adjust all measurements to a standardized basis. These tests are performed with a standard relay test set using recorded files of precisely generated test signals. The test set provides test signals at a level and in a format suitable for input tomore » a PMU that accurately reproduces the signals in both signal amplitude and timing. Test set outputs are checked to confirm the accuracy of the output signal. The recorded signals include both current and voltage waveforms and a digital timing track used to relate the PMU measured value with the test signal. Test signals include steady-state waveforms to test amplitude, phase, and frequency accuracy, modulated signals to determine measurement and rejection bands, and step tests to determine timing and response accuracy. Additional tests are included as necessary to fully describe the PMU operation. Testing is done with a BPA phasor data concentrator (PDC) which provides communication support and monitors data input for dropouts and data errors.« less

Atomically thin heterostructures based on single-layer tungsten diselenide and graphene.

PubMed

Lin, Yu-Chuan; Chang, Chih-Yuan S; Ghosh, Ram Krishna; Li, Jie; Zhu, Hui; Addou, Rafik; Diaconescu, Bogdan; Ohta, Taisuke; Peng, Xin; Lu, Ning; Kim, Moon J; Robinson, Jeremy T; Wallace, Robert M; Mayer, Theresa S; Datta, Suman; Li, Lain-Jong; Robinson, Joshua A

2014-12-10

Heterogeneous engineering of two-dimensional layered materials, including metallic graphene and semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides, presents an exciting opportunity to produce highly tunable electronic and optoelectronic systems. In order to engineer pristine layers and their interfaces, epitaxial growth of such heterostructures is required. We report the direct growth of crystalline, monolayer tungsten diselenide (WSe2) on epitaxial graphene (EG) grown from silicon carbide. Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and scanning tunneling microscopy confirm high-quality WSe2 monolayers, whereas transmission electron microscopy shows an atomically sharp interface, and low energy electron diffraction confirms near perfect orientation between WSe2 and EG. Vertical transport measurements across the WSe2/EG heterostructure provides evidence that an additional barrier to carrier transport beyond the expected WSe2/EG band offset exists due to the interlayer gap, which is supported by theoretical local density of states (LDOS) calculations using self-consistent density functional theory (DFT) and nonequilibrium Green's function (NEGF).

A mechanistic review on plant-derived natural compounds as dietary supplements for prevention of inflammatory bowel disease.

PubMed

Farzaei, Mohammad Hosein; Bahramsoltani, Roodabeh; Abdolghaffari, Amir Hossein; Sodagari, Hamid Reza; Esfahani, Shadi A; Rezaei, Nima

2016-06-01

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a recurrent idiopathic inflammatory condition, characterized by disruption of the gut mucosal barrier. This mechanistic review aims to highlight the significance of plant-derived natural compounds as dietary supplements, which can be used in addition to restricted conventional options for the prevention of IBD and induction of remission. Various clinical trials confirmed the effectiveness and tolerability of natural supplements in patients with IBD. Mounting evidence suggests that these natural compounds perform their protective and therapeutic effect on IBD through numerous molecular mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory, anti-oxidative stress, modulation of intracellular signaling transduction pathways, as well as improving gut microbiota. In conclusion, natural products can be considered as dietary supplements with therapeutic potential for IBD, provided that their safety and efficacy is confirmed in future well-designed clinical trials with adequate sample size.

Evaluation of the WHO criteria for the classification of patients with mastocytosis.

PubMed

Sánchez-Muñoz, Laura; Alvarez-Twose, Ivan; García-Montero, Andrés C; Teodosio, Cristina; Jara-Acevedo, María; Pedreira, Carlos E; Matito, Almudena; Morgado, Jose Mario T; Sánchez, Maria Luz; Mollejo, Manuela; Gonzalez-de-Olano, David; Orfao, Alberto; Escribano, Luis

2011-09-01

Diagnosis and classification of mastocytosis is currently based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. Here, we evaluate the utility of the WHO criteria for the diagnosis and classification of a large series of mastocytosis patients (n=133), and propose a new algorithm that could be routinely applied for refined diagnosis and classification of the disease. Our results confirm the utility of the WHO criteria and provide evidence for the need of additional information for (1) a more precise diagnosis of mastocytosis, (2) specific identification of new forms of the disease, (3) the differential diagnosis between cutaneous mastocytosis vs systemic mastocytosis, and (4) improved distinction between indolent systemic mastocytosis and aggressive systemic mastocytosis. Based on our results, a new algorithm is proposed for a better diagnostic definition and prognostic classification of mastocytosis, as confirmed prospectively in an independent validation series of 117 mastocytosis patients.

Rickettsia parkeri Rickettsiosis in Different Ecological Regions of Argentina and Its Association with Amblyomma tigrinum as a Potential Vector

PubMed Central

Romer, Yamila; Nava, Santiago; Govedic, Francisco; Cicuttin, Gabriel; Denison, Amy M.; Singleton, Joseph; Kelly, Aubree J.; Kato, Cecilia Y.; Paddock, Christopher D.

2014-01-01

Rickettsia parkeri, a newly recognized tick-borne pathogen of humans in the Americas, is a confirmed cause of spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Argentina. Until recently, almost all cases of R. parkeri rickettsiosis in Argentina have originated from the Paraná River Delta, where entomological surveys have identified populations of R. parkeri-infected Amblyomma triste ticks. In this report, we describe confirmed cases of R. parkeri rickettsiosis from Córdoba and La Rioja provinces, which are located several hundred kilometers inland, and in a more arid ecological region, where A. triste ticks do not occur. Additionally, we identified questing A. tigrinum ticks naturally infected with R. parkeri in Córdoba province. These data provide evidence that another human-biting tick species serves as a potential vector of R. parkeri in Argentina and possibly, other countries of South America. PMID:25349376

Beyond efficacy: The full public health impact of vaccines.

PubMed

Saadatian-Elahi, Mitra; Horstick, Olaf; Breiman, Robert F; Gessner, Bradford D; Gubler, Duane J; Louis, Jacques; Parashar, Umesh D; Tapia, Roberto; Picot, Valentina; Zinsou, Jean-Antoine; Nelson, Christopher B

2016-02-24

There is an active discussion in the public health community on how to assess and incorporate, in addition to safety and measures of protective efficacy, the full public health value of preventive vaccines into the evidence-based decision-making process of vaccine licensure and recommendations for public health use. The conference "Beyond efficacy: the full public health impact of vaccines in addition to efficacy measures in trials" held in Annecy, France (June 22-24, 2015) has addressed this issue and provided recommendations on how to better capture the whole public health impact of vaccines. Using key examples, the expert group stressed that we are in the midst of a new paradigm in vaccine evaluation, where all aspects of public health value of vaccines beyond efficacy should be evaluated. To yield a wider scope of vaccine benefits, additional measures such as vaccine preventable disease incidence, overall efficacy and other outcomes such as under-five mortality or non-etiologically confirmed clinical syndromes should be assessed in addition to traditional efficacy or effectiveness measurements. Dynamic modelling and the use of probe studies should also be considered to provide additional insight to the full public health value of a vaccine. The use of burden reduction and conditional licensure of vaccines based on collection of outcome results should be considered by regulatory agencies. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Active interrogation of highly enriched uranium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fairrow, Nannette Lea

Safeguarding special nuclear material (SNM) in the Department of Energy Complex is vital to the national security of the United States. Active and passive nondestructive assays are used to confirm the presence of SNM in various configurations ranging from waste to nuclear weapons. Confirmation measurements for nuclear weapons are more challenging because the design complicates the detection of a distinct signal for highly enriched uranium. The emphasis of this dissertation was to investigate a new nondestructive assay technique that provides an independent and distinct signal to confirm the presence of highly enriched uranium (HEU). Once completed and tested this assay method could be applied to confirmation measurements of nuclear weapons. The new system uses a 14-MeV neutron source for interrogation and records the arrival time of neutrons between the pulses with a high efficiency detection system. The data is then analyzed by the Feynman reduced variance method. The analysis determined the amount of correlation in the data and provided a unique signature of correlated fission neutrons. Measurements of HEU spheres were conducted at Los Alamos with the new system. Then, Monte Carlo calculations were performed to verify hypothesis made about the behavior of the neutrons in the experiment. Comparisons of calculated counting rates by the Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code (MCNP) were made with the experimental data to confirm that the measured response reflected the desired behavior of neutron interactions in the highly enriched uranium. In addition, MCNP calculations of the delayed neutron build-up were compared with the measured data. Based on the results obtained from this dissertation, this measurement method has the potential to be expanded to include mass determinations of highly enriched uranium. Although many safeguards techniques exist for measuring special nuclear material, the number of assays that can be used to confirm HEU in shielded systems is limited. These assays also rely on secondary characteristics of the material to be measured. A review of the nondestructive techniques with potential applications for nuclear weapons confirmatory measurements were evaluated with summaries of the pros and cons involved in implementing the methods at production type facilities.

Recollimation shocks in the relativistic outflows of active galactic nuclei. Doctoral Thesis Award Lecture 2014

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fromm, C. M.

2015-06-01

We analysed the single-dish radio light curves of the blazar CTA 102 during its major flare around April 2006. The modelling of these data revealed a possible travelling shock-recollimation shock interaction during the flare. To verify this hypothesis, we used multi-epoch and multi-frequency very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations and performed a detailed kinematic and spectral analysis. The results confirmed the hypothesis of a shock-shock interaction causing the 2006 radio flare and provided indications for additional recollimation shocks farther downstream.

Sub-μrad laser beam tracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buske, Ivo; Riede, Wolfgang

2006-09-01

We compare active optical elements based on different technologies to accomplish the requirements of a 2-dim. fine tracking control system. A cascaded optically and electrically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM) based on liquid crystals (LC) is used for refractive beam steering. Spatial light modulators provide a controllable phase wedge to generate a beam deflection. Additionally, a tip/tilt mirror approach operating with piezo-electric actuators is investigated. A digital PID controller is implemented for closed-loop control. Beam tracking with a root-mean-squared accuracy of Δα=30 nrad has been laboratory-confirmed.

Ge growth on vicinal si(001) surfaces: island's shape and pair interaction versus miscut angle.

PubMed

Persichetti, L; Sgarlata, A; Fanfoni, M; Balzarotti, A

2011-10-01

A complete description of Ge growth on vicinal Si(001) surfaces is provided. The distinctive mechanisms of the epitaxial growth process on vicinal surfaces are clarified from the very early stages of Ge deposition to the nucleation of 3D islands. By interpolating high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy measurements with continuum elasticity modeling, we assess the dependence of island's shape and elastic interaction on the substrate misorientation. Our results confirm that vicinal surfaces offer an additional degree of control over the shape and symmetry of self-assembled nanostructures.

Determination of Littlest Higgs Model Parameters at the ILC

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

Conley, John A.; Hewett, JoAnne; Le, My Phuong

2005-07-27

We examine the effects of the extended gauge sector of the Littlest Higgs model in high energy e{sup +}e{sup -} collisions. We find that the search reach in e{sup +}e{sup -} {yields} f{bar f} at a {radical}s = 500 GeV International Linear Collider covers essentially the entire parameter region where the Littlest Higgs model is relevant to the gauge hierarchy problem. In addition, we show that this channel provides an accurate determination of the fundamental model parameters, to the precision of a few percent, provided that the LHC measures the mass of the heavy neutral gauge .eld. Additionally, we showmore » that the couplings of the extra gauge bosons to the light Higgs can be observed from the process e{sup +}e{sup -} {yields} Zh for a significant region of the parameter space. This allows for confirmation of the structure of the cancellation of the Higgs mass quadratic divergence and would verify the little Higgs mechanism.« less

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Genetics and Biology Coming Together

PubMed Central

Fritsche, Lars G.; Fariss, Robert N.; Stambolian, Dwight; Abecasis, Gonçalo R.; Curcio, Christine A.

2014-01-01

Genetic and genomic studies have enhanced our understanding of complex neurodegenerative diseases that exert a devastating impact on individuals and society. One such disease, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), is a major cause of progressive and debilitating visual impairment. Since the pioneering discovery in 2005 of complement factor H (CFH) as a major AMD susceptibility gene, extensive investigations have confirmed 19 additional genetic risk loci, and more are anticipated. In addition to common variants identified by now-conventional genome-wide association studies, targeted genomic sequencing and exome-chip analyses are uncovering rare variant alleles of high impact. Here, we provide a critical review of the ongoing genetic studies and of common and rare risk variants at a total of 20 susceptibility loci, which together explain 40–60% of the disease heritability but provide limited power for diagnostic testing of disease risk. Identification of these susceptibility loci has begun to untangle the complex biological pathways underlying AMD pathophysiology, pointing to new testable paradigms for treatment. PMID:24773320

Global analysis of the Burkholderia thailandensis quorum sensing-controlled regulon.

PubMed

Majerczyk, Charlotte; Brittnacher, Mitchell; Jacobs, Michael; Armour, Christopher D; Radey, Mathew; Schneider, Emily; Phattarasokul, Somsak; Bunt, Richard; Greenberg, E Peter

2014-04-01

Burkholderia thailandensis contains three acyl-homoserine lactone quorum sensing circuits and has two additional LuxR homologs. To identify B. thailandensis quorum sensing-controlled genes, we carried out transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of quorum sensing mutants and their parent. The analyses were grounded in the fact that we identified genes coding for factors shown previously to be regulated by quorum sensing among a larger set of quorum-controlled genes. We also found that genes coding for contact-dependent inhibition were induced by quorum sensing and confirmed that specific quorum sensing mutants had a contact-dependent inhibition defect. Additional quorum-controlled genes included those for the production of numerous secondary metabolites, an uncharacterized exopolysaccharide, and a predicted chitin-binding protein. This study provides insights into the roles of the three quorum sensing circuits in the saprophytic lifestyle of B. thailandensis, and it provides a foundation on which to build an understanding of the roles of quorum sensing in the biology of B. thailandensis and the closely related pathogenic Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei.

Medicines, shaken and stirred: a critical review on the ecotoxicology of pharmaceutical mixtures

PubMed Central

Backhaus, Thomas

2014-01-01

Analytical monitoring surveys routinely confirm that organisms in the environment are exposed to complex multi-component pharmaceutical mixtures. We are hence tasked with the challenge to take this into consideration when investigating the ecotoxicology of pharmaceuticals. This review first provides a brief overview of the fundamental approaches for mixture toxicity assessment, which is then followed by a critical review on the empirical evidence that is currently at hand on the ecotoxicology of pharmaceutical mixtures. It is concluded that, while the classical concepts of concentration addition and independent action (response addition) provide a robust scientific footing, several knowledge gaps remain. This includes, in particular, the need for more and better empirical data on the effects of pharmaceutical mixtures on soil organisms as well as marine flora and fauna, and exploring the quantitative consequences of toxicokinetic, toxicodynamic and ecological interactions. Increased focus should be put on investigating the ecotoxicology of pharmaceutical mixtures in environmentally realistic settings. PMID:25405972

A new perspective on metals and other contaminants in fluoridation chemicals*

PubMed Central

Mullenix, Phyllis J

2014-01-01

Background: Fluoride additives contain metal contaminants that must be diluted to meet drinking water regulations. However, each raw additive batch supplied to water facilities does not come labeled with concentrations per contaminant. This omission distorts exposure profiles and the risks associated with accidents and routine use. Objectives: This study provides an independent determination of the metal content of raw fluoride products. Methods: Metal concentrations were analyzed in three hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFS) and four sodium fluoride (NaF) samples using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Arsenic levels were confirmed using graphite furnace atomic absorption analysis. Results: Results show that metal content varies with batch, and all HFS samples contained arsenic (4.9–56.0 ppm) or arsenic in addition to lead (10.3 ppm). Two NaF samples contained barium (13.3–18.0 ppm) instead. All HFS (212–415 ppm) and NaF (3312–3630 ppm) additives contained a surprising amount of aluminum. Conclusions: Such contaminant content creates a regulatory blind spot that jeopardizes any safe use of fluoride additives. PMID:24999851

Non-invasive Geophysical Surveys in Search of the Roman Temple of Augustus Under the Cathedral of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain): A Case Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Casas, Albert; Cosentino, Pietro L.; Fiandaca, Gianluca; Himi, Mahjoub; Macias, Josep M.; Martorana, Raffaele; Muñoz, Andreu; Rivero, Lluís; Sala, Roger; Teixell, Imma

2018-04-01

An integrated geophysical survey has been conducted at the Tarragona's Cathedral (Catalonia, NE Spain) with the aim to confirm the potential occurrence of archaeological remains of the Roman Temple dedicated to the Emperor Augustus. Many hypotheses have been proposed about its possible location, the last ones regarding the inner part of the Cathedral, which is one of the most renowned temples of Spain (twelfth century) evolving from Romanesque to Gothic styles. A geophysical project including electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and ground probing radar (GPR) was planned over 1 year considering the administrative and logistic difficulties of such a project inside a cathedral of religious veneration. Finally, both ERT and GPR have been conducted during a week of intensive overnight surveys that provided detailed information on subsurface existing structures. The ERT method has been applied using different techniques and arrays, ranging from standard Wenner-Schlumberger 2D sections to full 3D electrical imaging with the advanced Maximum Yield Grid array. Electrical resistivity data were recorded extensively, making available many thousands of apparent resistivity data to obtain a complete 3D image after a full inversion. In conclusion, some significant buried structures have been revealed providing conclusive information for archaeologists. GPR results provided additional information about shallowest structures. The geophysical results were clear enough to persuade religious authorities and archaeologists to conduct selected excavations in the most promising areas that confirmed the interpretation of geophysical data. In conclusion, the significant buried structures revealed by geophysical methods under the cathedral were confirmed by archaeological digging as the basement of the impressive Roman Temple that headed the Provincial Forum of Tarraco, seat of the Concilium of Hispania Citerior Province.

Modeling of Powder Bed Manufacturing Defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mindt, H.-W.; Desmaison, O.; Megahed, M.; Peralta, A.; Neumann, J.

2018-01-01

Powder bed additive manufacturing offers unmatched capabilities. The deposition resolution achieved is extremely high enabling the production of innovative functional products and materials. Achieving the desired final quality is, however, hampered by many potential defects that have to be managed in due course of the manufacturing process. Defects observed in products manufactured via powder bed fusion have been studied experimentally. In this effort we have relied on experiments reported in the literature and—when experimental data were not sufficient—we have performed additional experiments providing an extended foundation for defect analysis. There is large interest in reducing the effort and cost of additive manufacturing process qualification and certification using integrated computational material engineering. A prerequisite is, however, that numerical methods can indeed capture defects. A multiscale multiphysics platform is developed and applied to predict and explain the origin of several defects that have been observed experimentally during laser-based powder bed fusion processes. The models utilized are briefly introduced. The ability of the models to capture the observed defects is verified. The root cause of the defects is explained by analyzing the numerical results thus confirming the ability of numerical methods to provide a foundation for rapid process qualification.

ScienceCast 136: A Sudden Multiplication of Planets

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-02-26

Today, NASA announced a breakthrough addition to the catalog of new planets. Researchers using Kepler have confirmed 715 new worlds, almost quadrupling the number of planets previously confirmed by the planet-hunting spacecraft.

The dilemma of allergy to food additives.

PubMed

Bahna, Sami L; Burkhardt, Joshua G

2018-01-01

To provide a brief summary on food additives and to outline a practical approach for evaluating subjects suspected of having reactions to food additives. Information was derived from selected reviews and original articles published in peer-reviewed journals, supplemented by the clinical experience of the authors. Priority was given to studies that used blinded, placebo controlled, oral challenges to confirm adverse reactions to food additives. In addition, selected, appropriately evaluated case reports were included. A large number of food additives are widely used in the food industry. Allergic reactions to additives seem to be rare but are very likely underdiagnosed, primarily due to a low index of suspicion. A wide variety of symptoms to food additives have been reported, but a cause-and-effect relationship has not been well documented in the majority of cases. Reactions to food additives should be suspected in patients who report symptoms related to multiple foods or to a certain food when commercially prepared but not when home made. It is also prudent to investigate food additives in subjects considered to have "idiopathic" reactions. Except for a limited number of natural additives, there is a small role for skin tests or in vitro testing. Oral challenge, in stages, with commonly used additives is the definitive procedure for detecting the offending agent. Once the specific additive is identified, management is strict avoidance, which can be difficult.

Multi-technique quantitative analysis and socioeconomic considerations of lead, cadmium, and arsenic in children's toys and toy jewelry.

PubMed

Hillyer, Margot M; Finch, Lauren E; Cerel, Alisha S; Dattelbaum, Jonathan D; Leopold, Michael C

2014-08-01

A wide spectrum and large number of children's toys and toy jewelry items were purchased from both bargain and retail vendors and analyzed for arsenic, cadmium, and lead metal content using multiple analytical techniques, including flame and furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy as well as X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Particularly dangerous for young children, metal concentrations in toys/toy jewelry were assessed for compliance with current Consumer Safety Product Commission (CPSC) regulations (F963-11). A conservative metric involving multiple analytical techniques was used to categorize compliance: one technique confirmation of metal in excess of CPSC limits indicated a "suspect" item while confirmation on two different techniques warranted a non-compliant designation. Sample matrix-based standard addition provided additional confirmation of non-compliant and suspect products. Results suggest that origin of purchase, rather than cost, is a significant factor in the risk assessment of these materials with 57% of toys/toy jewelry items from bargain stores non-compliant or suspect compared to only 15% from retail outlets and 13% if only low cost items from the retail stores are compared. While jewelry was found to be the most problematic product (73% of non-compliant/suspect samples), lead (45%) and arsenic (76%) were the most dominant toxins found in non-compliant/suspect samples. Using the greater Richmond area as a model, the discrepancy between bargain and retail children's products, along with growing numbers of bargain stores in low-income and urban areas, exemplifies an emerging socioeconomic public health issue. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High Energy Density Additives for Hybrid Fuel Rockets to Improve Performance and Enhance Safety

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaffe, Richard L.

2014-01-01

We propose a conceptual study of prototype strained hydrocarbon molecules as high energy density additives for hybrid rocket fuels to boost the performance of these rockets without compromising safety and reliability. Use of these additives could extend the range of applications for which hybrid rockets become an attractive alternative to conventional solid or liquid fuel rockets. The objectives of the study were to confirm and quantify the high enthalpy of these strained molecules and to assess improvement in rocket performance that would be expected if these additives were blended with conventional fuels. We confirmed the chemical properties (including enthalpy) of these additives. However, the predicted improvement in rocket performance was too small to make this a useful strategy for boosting hybrid rocket performance.

Thermal and Evolved Gas Analysis of Magnesium Perchlorate: Implications for Perchlorates in Soils at the Mars Phoenix Landing Site

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ming, Douglas W.; Morris, R.V.; Lauer, H. V.; Sutter, B.; Golden, D.C.; Boynton, W.V.

2009-01-01

Perchlorate salts were discovered in the soils around the Phoenix landing site on the northern plains of Mars [1]. Perchlorate was detected by an ion selective electrode that is part of the MECA Wet Chemistry Laboratory (WCL). The discovery of a mass 32 fragment (likely 02) by the Thermal and Evolved-Gas Analyzer (TEGA) provided additional confirmation of a strong oxidizer in the soils around the landing site. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the thermal and evolved gas behavior of perchlorate salts using TEGA-like laboratory testbed instruments. TEGA ovens were fabricated from high purity Ni. Hence, an additional objective of this paper is to determine the effects that Ni might have on the evolved gas behavior of perchlorate salts.

Effect of combination of thalidomide and sulfasalazine in experimentally induced inflammatory bowel disease in rats.

PubMed

Prakash, O; Medhi, B; Saikia, U N; Pandhi, P

2011-09-01

Thalidomide provided significant protection against tri nitro benzene sulfonic acid induced colitis. Combination therapy also reduced colonic inflammation and all the biochemical parameters (myeloperoxidase assay, malondialdehyde assay and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, estimation) were significant as compared to control as well as thalidomide alone treated group. Combination therapy showed additive effect of thalidomide which restored lipid peroxidation as well as reduced myeloperoxidase and TNF-a towards the normal levels. Morphological and histological scores were significantly reduced in combination groups. In experimental model of colitis, oral administration of thalidomide (150 mg/kg) alone as well as its combination with sulfasalazine (360 mg/kg) significantly reduced the colonic inflammation. The results indicate the additive effect of thalidomide with sulfasalazine in rat colitis model which requires further confirmation in human studies.

Detection of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in 375 grams of beef trim enrichments across multiple commercial PCR detection platforms.

PubMed

Wheeler, Sarita Raengpradub; Heard, Preciaus; Dufour, Christophe; Thevenot-Sergentet, Delphine; Loukiadis, Estelle; Flowers, Russell S; McMahon, Wendy

2015-01-01

Although serotype O157:H7 remains the pathogenic Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) of primary concern worldwide, some focus in the United States has shifted to six particular non-O157 STEC serogroups (O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145). Some of these serogroups have also emerged as concerns elsewhere around the world, including Europe. The objective of this work was to compare commercial detection methods with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reference method for detection of non-O157 STEC in 375 g of beef trim using a limit of detection study design. Overall, the commercial platforms performed well, showing similar levels of sensitivity for detection of presumptive positives for O45, O26, O103, and O121 (PCR screen results only). For O111, one method that utilizes an integrated immunomagnetic separation and PCR approach was more sensitive than a PCR-only screen approach. Additionally, one commercial method showed more presumptive and confirmed positives overall. Use of an immunomagnetic separation tool, such as antibody-coated beads, aided considerably with the confirmation procedures and is an important step when confirming suspect samples. A secondary goal of this study was to evaluate isolation and International Organization for Standardization confirmation protocols used in Europe compared with strategies provided by the USDA Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook (MLG). Generally, results from the USDA confirmation plates (modified Rainbow agar) were better than the European Union confirmation plates (MacConkey agar with or without rhamnose). In summary, detection of non-O157 STEC in 375 g of beef trim can be performed by any of the three methods on the market evaluated in the study.

The population benefit of evidence-based radiotherapy: 5-Year local control and overall survival benefits.

PubMed

Hanna, T P; Shafiq, J; Delaney, G P; Vinod, S K; Thompson, S R; Barton, M B

2018-02-01

To describe the population benefit of radiotherapy in a high-income setting if evidence-based guidelines were routinely followed. Australian decision tree models were utilized. Radiotherapy alone (RT) benefit was defined as the absolute proportional benefit of radiotherapy compared with no treatment for radical indications, and of radiotherapy over surgery alone for adjuvant indications. Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) benefit was the absolute incremental benefit of concurrent chemoradiotherapy over RT. Five-year local control (LC) and overall survival (OS) benefits were measured. Citation databases were systematically queried for benefit data. Meta-analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed. 48% of all cancer patients have indications for radiotherapy, 34% curative and 14% palliative. RT provides 5-year LC benefit in 10.4% of all cancer patients (95% Confidence Interval 9.3, 11.8) and 5-year OS benefit in 2.4% (2.1, 2.7). CRT provides 5-year LC benefit in an additional 0.6% of all cancer patients (0.5, 0.6), and 5-year OS benefit for an additional 0.3% (0.2, 0.4). RT benefit was greatest for head and neck (LC 32%, OS 16%), and cervix (LC 33%, OS 18%). CRT LC benefit was greatest for rectum (6%) and OS for cervix (3%) and brain (3%). Sensitivity analysis confirmed a robust model. Radiotherapy provides significant 5-year LC and OS benefits as part of evidence-based cancer care. CRT provides modest additional benefits. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Does Increased Spending on Pharmaceutical Marketing Inhibit Pioneering Innovation?

PubMed

Arnold, Denis G; Troyer, Jennifer L

2016-04-01

The pharmaceutical industry has been criticized for developing and aggressively marketing drugs that do not provide significant health benefits relative to existing drugs but retain the benefits of patent protection. Critics argue that drug marketing increases health care expenditures and provides a disincentive for pioneering drug innovation. However, evidence that marketing expenditures have any relationship to new drug approvals has been anecdotal. We hypothesized that, at publicly traded pharmaceutical firms, increased marketing expenditures will result in a reduced volume of pioneering new drugs in comparison to less innovative new drugs. We also hypothesized that additional research and development spending will result in an increased volume of pioneering new drugs in comparison to less innovative drugs. Results confirm our hypotheses. Specific policy recommendations for altering firms' incentives for the development of pioneering drugs are provided. Copyright © 2016 by Duke University Press.

Diagnosis of stinging insect allergy: utility of cellular in-vitro tests.

PubMed

Scherer, Kathrin; Bircher, Andreas J; Heijnen, Ingmar Afm

2009-08-01

Diagnosis of stinging insect allergy is based on a detailed history, venom skin tests, and detection of venom-specific IgE. As an additional diagnostic tool, basophil responsiveness to venom allergens has been shown to be helpful in selected patients. This review summarizes the current diagnostic procedures for stinging insect allergy and discusses the latest developments in cellular in-vitro tests. Cellular assays have been evaluated in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy. The diagnostic performance of the cellular mediator release test is similar to that of the flow cytometric basophil activation test (BAT), but the BAT has been the most intensively studied. BAT offers the possibility to assess basophil reactivity to allergens in their natural environment and to simultaneously analyze surface marker expression and intracellular signaling. It has been demonstrated that BAT represents a valuable additional diagnostic tool in selected patients when used in combination with other well established tests. A major limitation is the current lack of unified, standardized protocols. Flow cytometry offers huge possibilities to enhance knowledge of basophil functions. The BAT may be used as an additional test to confirm the diagnosis of stinging insect allergy in selected patients, provided that it is performed by an experienced laboratory using a validated assay. Test results have to be interpreted by clinicians familiar with the methodological aspects. The utility of the BAT to confirm allergy diagnosis and to predict the risk of subsequent systemic reactions may be improved by combined analysis of multiple surface markers and intracellular signaling pathways.

Sensitive and reliable multianalyte quantitation of herbal medicine in rat plasma using dynamic triggered multiple reaction monitoring.

PubMed

Yan, Zhixiang; Li, Tianxue; Lv, Pin; Li, Xiang; Zhou, Chen; Yang, Xinghao

2013-06-01

There is a growing need both clinically and experimentally to improve the determination of the blood levels of multiple chemical constituents in herbal medicines. The conventional multiple reaction monitoring (cMRM), however, is not well suited for multi-component determination and could not provide qualitative information for identity confirmation. Here we apply a dynamic triggered MRM (DtMRM) algorithm for the quantification of 20 constituents in an herbal prescription Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) in rat plasma. Dynamic MRM (DMRM) dramatically reduced the number of concurrent MRM transitions that are monitored during each MS scan. This advantage has been enhanced with the addition of triggered MRM (tMRM) for simultaneous confirmation, which maximizes the dwell time in the primary MRM quantitation phase, and also acquires sufficient MRM data to create a composite product ion spectrum. By allowing optimized collision energy for each product ion and maximizing dwell times, tMRM is significantly more sensitive and reliable than conventional product ion scanning. The DtMRM approach provides much higher sensitivity and reproducibility than cMRM. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nucleation and Growth Kinetics from LaMer Burst Data.

PubMed

Chu, Daniel B K; Owen, Jonathan S; Peters, Baron

2017-10-12

In LaMer burst nucleation, the individual nucleation events happen en masse, quasi-simultaneously, and at nearly identical homogeneous conditions. These properties make LaMer burst nucleation important for applications that require monodispersed particles and also for theoretical analyses. Sugimoto and co-workers predicted that the number of nuclei generated during a LaMer burst depends only on the solute supply rate and the growth rate, independent of the nucleation kinetics. Some experiments confirm that solute supply kinetics control the number of nuclei, but flaws in the original theoretical analysis raise questions about the predicted roles of growth and nucleation kinetics. We provide a rigorous analysis of the coupled equations that govern concentrations of nuclei and solutes. Our analysis confirms that the number of nuclei is largely determined by the solute supply and growth rates, but our predicted relationship differs from that of Sugimoto et al. Moreover, we find that additional nucleus size dependent corrections should emerge in systems with slow growth kinetics. Finally, we show how the nucleation kinetics determine the particle size distribution. We suggest that measured particle size distributions might therefore provide ways to test theoretical models of homogeneous nucleation kinetics.

The γ-Aminobutyrate Permease GabP Serves as the Third Proline Transporter of Bacillus subtilis

PubMed Central

Zaprasis, Adrienne; Hoffmann, Tamara; Stannek, Lorena; Gunka, Katrin; Commichau, Fabian M.

2014-01-01

PutP and OpuE serve as proline transporters when this imino acid is used by Bacillus subtilis as a nutrient or as an osmostress protectant, respectively. The simultaneous inactivation of the PutP and OpuE systems still allows the utilization of proline as a nutrient. This growth phenotype pointed to the presence of a third proline transport system in B. subtilis. We took advantage of the sensitivity of a putP opuE double mutant to the toxic proline analog 3,4-dehydro-dl-proline (DHP) to identify this additional proline uptake system. DHP-resistant mutants were selected and found to be defective in the use of proline as a nutrient. Whole-genome resequencing of one of these strains provided the lead that the inactivation of the γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) transporter GabP was responsible for these phenotypes. DNA sequencing of the gabP gene in 14 additionally analyzed DHP-resistant strains confirmed this finding. Consistently, each of the DHP-resistant mutants was defective not only in the use of proline as a nutrient but also in the use of GABA as a nitrogen source. The same phenotype resulted from the targeted deletion of the gabP gene in a putP opuE mutant strain. Hence, the GabP carrier not only serves as an uptake system for GABA but also functions as the third proline transporter of B. subtilis. Uptake studies with radiolabeled GABA and proline confirmed this conclusion and provided information on the kinetic parameters of the GabP carrier for both of these substrates. PMID:24142252

Ethanol analysis by headspace gas chromatography with simultaneous flame-ionization and mass spectrometry detection.

PubMed

Tiscione, Nicholas B; Alford, Ilene; Yeatman, Dustin Tate; Shan, Xiaoqin

2011-09-01

Ethanol is the most frequently identified compound in forensic toxicology. Although confirmation involving mass spectrometry is desirable, relatively few methods have been published to date. A novel technique utilizing a Dean's Switch to simultaneously quantitate and confirm ethyl alcohol by flame-ionization (FID) and mass spectrometric (MS) detection after headspace sampling and gas chromatographic separation is presented. Using 100 μL of sample, the limits of detection and quantitation were 0.005 and 0.010 g/dL, respectively. The zero-order linear range (r(2) > 0.990) was determined to span the concentrations of 0.010 to 1.000 g/dL. The coefficient of variation of replicate analyses was less than 3.1%. Quantitative accuracy was within ±8%, ±6%, ±3%, and ±1.5% at concentrations of 0.010, 0.025, 0.080, and 0.300 g/dL, respectively. In addition, 1,1-difluoroethane was validated for qualitative identification by this method. The validated FID-MS method provides a procedure for the quantitation of ethyl alcohol in blood by FID with simultaneous confirmation by MS and can also be utilized as an identification method for inhalants such as 1,1-difluoroethane.

New red jewels in Coma Berenices

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

Terrien, Ryan C.; Mahadevan, Suvrath; Deshpande, Rohit

2014-02-20

We have used Sloan Digital Sky Survey-III (SDSS-III) Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) radial velocity observations in the near-infrared H-band to explore the membership of the nearby (86.7 ± 0.9 pc) open cluster Coma Berenices (Melotte 111), concentrating on the poorly populated low-mass end of the main sequence. Using SDSS-III APOGEE radial velocity measurements, we confirm the membership of eight K/M dwarf members, providing the first confirmed low-mass members of the Coma Berenices cluster. Using R ∼ 2000 spectra from IRTF-SpeX, we confirm the independently luminosity classes of these targets, and find their metallicities to be consistent withmore » the known solar mean metallicity of Coma Berenices and of M dwarfs in the solar neighborhood. In addition, the APOGEE spectra have enabled measurement of vsin i for each target and detection for the first time of the low-mass secondary components of the known binary systems Melotte 111 102 and Melotte 111 120, as well as identification of the previously unknown binary system 2MASS J12214070+2707510. Finally, we use Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope photometry to measure photometric variability and rotation periods for a subset of the Coma Berenices members.« less

Prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

PubMed

Li Bassi, Gianluigi; Senussi, Tarek; Aguilera Xiol, Eli

2017-04-01

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is an iatrogenic disease. Here we appraise recent advancements in the development and testing of strategies to prevent VAP. We also provide recommendations on the most promising interventions that should be applied. In the last year, preventive bundles have consistently let to a reduction of VAP. A few trials on endotracheal tubes (ETTs) with novel cuffs failed to translate positive bench findings into clinical settings. In addition, meta-analyses confirmed the primary role of subglottic secretion aspiration in VAP prevention. A relatively new ETT, with an innovative cuff design, has been tested in clinical trials confirming potential value. Meta-analyses confirmed reduction of VAP with the use of chlorhexidine for oropharyngeal decontamination. However, prophylactic inhaled or oral antibiotics are ineffective. Finally, there is growing interest in orally ingested probiotics to prevent VAP. The results of ongoing studies on probiotics are much-awaited. In conclusion, in the past year, new evidence elucidated limitations of new ETT cuffs in the prevention of VAP; whereas, subglottic secretion aspiration proved consistent benefits. Modulation of oropharyngeal colonization with chlorhexidine decreases risks of VAP and should be widely implemented. Finally, preventive measures with proven preventive value should be grouped into bundles.

Caseoperoxidase, mixed β-casein-SDS-hemin-imidazole complex: a nano artificial enzyme.

PubMed

Moosavi-Movahedi, Zainab; Gharibi, Hussein; Hadi-Alijanvand, Hamid; Akbarzadeh, Mohammad; Esmaili, Mansoore; Atri, Maliheh S; Sefidbakht, Yahya; Bohlooli, Mousa; Nazari, Khodadad; Javadian, Soheila; Hong, Jun; Saboury, Ali A; Sheibani, Nader; Moosavi-Movahedi, Ali A

2015-01-01

A novel peroxidase-like artificial enzyme, named "caseoperoxidase", was biomimetically designed using a nano artificial amino acid apo-protein hydrophobic pocket. This four-component nano artificial enzyme containing heme-imidazole-β-casein-SDS exhibited high activity growth and k(cat) performance toward the native horseradish peroxidase demonstrated by the steady state kinetics using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The hydrophobicity and secondary structure of the caseoperoxidase were studied by ANS fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Camel β-casein (Cβ-casein) was selected as an appropriate apo-protein for the heme active site because of its innate flexibility and exalted hydrophobicity. This selection was confirmed by homology modeling method. Heme docking into the newly obtained Cβ-casein structure indicated one heme was mainly incorporated with Cβ-casein. The presence of a main electrostatic site for the active site in the Cβ-casein was also confirmed by experimental methods through Wyman binding potential and isothermal titration calorimetry. The existence of Cβ-casein protein in this biocatalyst lowered the suicide inactivation and provided a suitable protective role for the heme active-site. Additional experiments confirmed the retention of caseoperoxidase structure and function as an artificial enzyme.

Ground-based Parallax Confirmed by Spitzer: Binary Microlensing Event MOA-2015-BLG-020

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tianshu; Zhu, Wei; Mao, Shude; Bond, I. A.; Gould, A.; Udalski, A.; Sumi, T.; Bozza, V.; Ranc, C.; Cassan, A.; Yee, J. C.; Han, C.; Abe, F.; Asakura, Y.; Barry, R.; Bennett, D. P.; Bhattacharya, A.; Donachie, M.; Evans, P.; Fukui, A.; Hirao, Y.; Itow, Y.; Kawasaki, K.; Koshimoto, N.; Li, M. C. A.; Ling, C. H.; Masuda, K.; Matsubara, Y.; Miyazaki, S.; Muraki, Y.; Nagakane, M.; Ohnishi, K.; Rattenbury, N.; Saito, To.; Sharan, A.; Shibai, H.; Sullivan, D. J.; Suzuki, D.; Tristram, P. J.; Yamada, T.; Yonehara, A.; MOA Collaboration; KozŁowski, S.; Mróz, P.; Pawlak, M.; Pietrukowicz, P.; Poleski, R.; Skowron, J.; Soszyński, I.; Szymański, M. K.; Ulaczyk, K.; OGLE Collaboration; Beichman, C.; Bryden, G.; Calchi Novati, S.; Carey, S.; Fausnaugh, M.; Gaudi, B. S.; Henderson, C. B.; Shvartzvald, Y.; Wibking, B.; Spitzer Team; Albrow, M. D.; Chung, S.-J.; Hwang, K.-H.; Jung, Y. K.; Ryu, Y.-H.; Shin, I.-G.; Cha, S.-M.; Kim, D.-J.; Kim, H.-W.; Kim, S.-L.; Lee, C.-U.; Lee, Y.; Park, B.-G.; Pogge, R. W.; KMTNet Collaboration; Street, R. A.; Tsapras, Y.; Hundertmark, M.; Bachelet, E.; Dominik, M.; Horne, K.; Figuera Jaimes, R.; Wambsganss, J.; Bramich, D. M.; Schmidt, R.; Snodgrass, C.; Steele, I. A.; Menzies, J.; RoboNet Collaboration

2017-08-01

We present the analysis of the binary gravitational microlensing event MOA-2015-BLG-020. The event has a fairly long timescale (˜63 days) and thus the light curve deviates significantly from the lensing model that is based on the rectilinear lens-source relative motion. This enables us to measure the microlensing parallax through the annual parallax effect. The microlensing parallax parameters constrained by the ground-based data are confirmed by the Spitzer observations through the satellite parallax method. By additionally measuring the angular Einstein radius from the analysis of the resolved caustic crossing, the physical parameters of the lens are determined. It is found that the binary lens is composed of two dwarf stars with masses {M}1=0.606+/- 0.028 {M}⊙ and {M}2=0.125 +/- 0.006 {M}⊙ in the Galactic disk. Assuming that the source star is at the same distance as the bulge red clump stars, we find the lens is at a distance {D}L=2.44+/- 0.10 {kpc}. We also provide a summary and short discussion of all of the published microlensing events in which the annual parallax effect is confirmed by other independent observations.

Promoting the Multidimensional Character of Scientific Reasoning.

PubMed

Bradshaw, William S; Nelson, Jennifer; Adams, Byron J; Bell, John D

2017-04-01

This study reports part of a long-term program to help students improve scientific reasoning using higher-order cognitive tasks set in the discipline of cell biology. This skill was assessed using problems requiring the construction of valid conclusions drawn from authentic research data. We report here efforts to confirm the hypothesis that data interpretation is a complex, multifaceted exercise. Confirmation was obtained using a statistical treatment showing that various such problems rank students differently-each contains a unique set of cognitive challenges. Additional analyses of performance results have allowed us to demonstrate that individuals differ in their capacity to navigate five independent generic elements that constitute successful data interpretation: biological context, connection to course concepts, experimental protocols, data inference, and integration of isolated experimental observations into a coherent model. We offer these aspects of scientific thinking as a "data analysis skills inventory," along with usable sample problems that illustrate each element. Additionally, we show that this kind of reasoning is rigorous in that it is difficult for most novice students, who are unable to intuitively implement strategies for improving these skills. Instructors armed with knowledge of the specific challenges presented by different types of problems can provide specific helpful feedback during formative practice. The use of this instructional model is most likely to require changes in traditional classroom instruction.

Replication of CLU, CR1, and PICALM associations with alzheimer disease.

PubMed

Carrasquillo, Minerva M; Belbin, Olivia; Hunter, Talisha A; Ma, Li; Bisceglio, Gina D; Zou, Fanggeng; Crook, Julia E; Pankratz, V Shane; Dickson, Dennis W; Graff-Radford, Neill R; Petersen, Ronald C; Morgan, Kevin; Younkin, Steven G

2010-08-01

To test for replication of the association between variants in the CLU, CR1, and PICALM genes with Alzheimer disease. Follow-up case-control association study. The Mayo Clinics at Jacksonville, Florida, and Rochester, Minnesota. Community-based patients of European descent with late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) and controls without dementia who were seen at the Mayo clinics, and autopsy-confirmed cases and controls whose pathology was evaluated at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Additional samples were obtained from the National Cell Repository for Alzheimer Disease (NCRAD). A total of 1829 LOAD cases and 2576 controls were analyzed. The most significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms in CLU (rs11136000), CR1 (rs3818361), and PICALM (rs3851179) were tested for allelic association with LOAD. Main Outcome Measure Clinical or pathology-confirmed diagnosis of LOAD. Odds ratios for CLU, CR1, and PICALM were 0.82, 1.15, and 0.80, respectively, comparable in direction and magnitude with those originally reported. P values were 8.6 x 10(-5), .014, and 1.3 x 10(-5), respectively; they remain significant even after Bonferroni correction for the 3 single-nucleotide polymorphisms tested. These results show near-perfect replication and provide the first additional evidence that CLU, CR1, and PICALM are associated with the risk of LOAD.

Use of asenapine as add-on therapy in the treatment of bipolar disorder: a comprehensive review and case series.

PubMed

Dell'Osso, Bernardo; Cremaschi, Laura; Palazzo, Maria Carlotta; Spagnolin, Gregorio; Cattaneo, Alma; Grancini, Benedetta; Maggi, Matteo; Altamura, Alfredo Carlo

2014-09-01

Several randomized controlled trials (RCTs), conducted in schizophrenic and bipolar patients, have documented the efficacy and tolerability of asenapine as monotherapy both for short- and long-term treatment. However, evidence on its augmentative use is more limited and related to the manic/mixed phase of bipolar disorder (BD). The present article reviews augmentative asenapine efficacy and safety/tolerability in the treatment of BD. It also includes some original cases of bipolar patients treated with add-on asenapine in the short- and long-term. To date, only a single RCT with manic/mixed patients with partial response to mood-stabilizer monotherapy supports the efficacy and safety/tolerability of augmentative asenapine to lithium/valproate, both in acute and long-term treatment. Additionally, two case reports confirm the overall effectiveness of augmentative asenapine to clozapine and valproate. Our case series, consisting of 4 bipolar patients treated with adjunctive asenapine to mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics - with treatment duration ranging from 1 to 14 months - provided clinical results that are consistent with literature data. Taken as a whole, available evidence seems to support the efficacy and safety of adjunctive asenapine in bipolar patients, though additional studies with active comparators are requested to confirm the current body of evidence.

Category-length and category-strength effects using images of scenes.

PubMed

Baumann, Oliver; Vromen, Joyce M G; Boddy, Adam C; Crawshaw, Eloise; Humphreys, Michael S

2018-06-21

Global matching models have provided an important theoretical framework for recognition memory. Key predictions of this class of models are that (1) increasing the number of occurrences in a study list of some items affects the performance on other items (list-strength effect) and that (2) adding new items results in a deterioration of performance on the other items (list-length effect). Experimental confirmation of these predictions has been difficult, and the results have been inconsistent. A review of the existing literature, however, suggests that robust length and strength effects do occur when sufficiently similar hard-to-label items are used. In an effort to investigate this further, we had participants study lists containing one or more members of visual scene categories (bathrooms, beaches, etc.). Experiments 1 and 2 replicated and extended previous findings showing that the study of additional category members decreased accuracy, providing confirmation of the category-length effect. Experiment 3 showed that repeating some category members decreased the accuracy of nonrepeated members, providing evidence for a category-strength effect. Experiment 4 eliminated a potential challenge to these results. Taken together, these findings provide robust support for global matching models of recognition memory. The overall list lengths, the category sizes, and the number of repetitions used demonstrated that scene categories are well-suited to testing the fundamental assumptions of global matching models. These include (A) interference from memories for similar items and contexts, (B) nondestructive interference, and (C) that conjunctive information is made available through a matching operation.

Recommendations for Laboratory Containment and Management of Gene Drive Systems in Arthropods.

PubMed

Benedict, Mark Q; Burt, Austin; Capurro, Margareth L; De Barro, Paul; Handler, Alfred M; Hayes, Keith R; Marshall, John M; Tabachnick, Walter J; Adelman, Zach N

2018-01-01

Versatile molecular tools for creating driving transgenes and other invasive genetic factors present regulatory, ethical, and environmental challenges that should be addressed to ensure their safe use. In this article, we discuss driving transgenes and invasive genetic factors that can potentially spread after their introduction into a small proportion of individuals in a population. The potential of invasive genetic factors to increase their number in natural populations presents challenges that require additional safety measures not provided by previous recommendations regarding accidental release of arthropods. In addition to providing physical containment, invasive genetic factors require greater attention to strain management, including their distribution and identity confirmation. In this study, we focus on insects containing such factors with recommendations for investigators who are creating them, institutional biosafety committees charged with ensuring safety, funding agencies providing support, those managing insectaries handling these materials who are responsible for containment, and other persons who will be receiving insects-transgenic or not-from these facilities. We give specific examples of efforts to modify mosquitoes for mosquito-borne disease control, but similar considerations are relevant to other arthropods that are important to human health, the environment, and agriculture.

Recommendations for Laboratory Containment and Management of Gene Drive Systems in Arthropods

PubMed Central

Burt, Austin; Capurro, Margareth L.; De Barro, Paul; Handler, Alfred M.; Hayes, Keith R.; Marshall, John M.; Tabachnick, Walter J.; Adelman, Zach N.

2018-01-01

Abstract Versatile molecular tools for creating driving transgenes and other invasive genetic factors present regulatory, ethical, and environmental challenges that should be addressed to ensure their safe use. In this article, we discuss driving transgenes and invasive genetic factors that can potentially spread after their introduction into a small proportion of individuals in a population. The potential of invasive genetic factors to increase their number in natural populations presents challenges that require additional safety measures not provided by previous recommendations regarding accidental release of arthropods. In addition to providing physical containment, invasive genetic factors require greater attention to strain management, including their distribution and identity confirmation. In this study, we focus on insects containing such factors with recommendations for investigators who are creating them, institutional biosafety committees charged with ensuring safety, funding agencies providing support, those managing insectaries handling these materials who are responsible for containment, and other persons who will be receiving insects—transgenic or not—from these facilities. We give specific examples of efforts to modify mosquitoes for mosquito-borne disease control, but similar considerations are relevant to other arthropods that are important to human health, the environment, and agriculture. PMID:29040058

Analysis of the SOS response of Vibrio and other bacteria with multiple chromosomes.

PubMed

Sanchez-Alberola, Neus; Campoy, Susana; Barbé, Jordi; Erill, Ivan

2012-02-03

The SOS response is a well-known regulatory network present in most bacteria and aimed at addressing DNA damage. It has also been linked extensively to stress-induced mutagenesis, virulence and the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance determinants. Recently, the SOS response has been shown to regulate the activity of integrases in the chromosomal superintegrons of the Vibrionaceae, which encompasses a wide range of pathogenic species harboring multiple chromosomes. Here we combine in silico and in vitro techniques to perform a comparative genomics analysis of the SOS regulon in the Vibrionaceae, and we extend the methodology to map this transcriptional network in other bacterial species harboring multiple chromosomes. Our analysis provides the first comprehensive description of the SOS response in a family (Vibrionaceae) that includes major human pathogens. It also identifies several previously unreported members of the SOS transcriptional network, including two proteins of unknown function. The analysis of the SOS response in other bacterial species with multiple chromosomes uncovers additional regulon members and reveals that there is a conserved core of SOS genes, and that specialized additions to this basic network take place in different phylogenetic groups. Our results also indicate that across all groups the main elements of the SOS response are always found in the large chromosome, whereas specialized additions are found in the smaller chromosomes and plasmids. Our findings confirm that the SOS response of the Vibrionaceae is strongly linked with pathogenicity and dissemination of antibiotic resistance, and suggest that the characterization of the newly identified members of this regulon could provide key insights into the pathogenesis of Vibrio. The persistent location of key SOS genes in the large chromosome across several bacterial groups confirms that the SOS response plays an essential role in these organisms and sheds light into the mechanisms of evolution of global transcriptional networks involved in adaptability and rapid response to environmental changes, suggesting that small chromosomes may act as evolutionary test beds for the rewiring of transcriptional networks.

Multivariate analysis relating oil shale geochemical properties to NMR relaxometry

USGS Publications Warehouse

Birdwell, Justin E.; Washburn, Kathryn E.

2015-01-01

Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry has been used to provide insight into shale composition by separating relaxation responses from the various hydrogen-bearing phases present in shales in a noninvasive way. Previous low-field NMR work using solid-echo methods provided qualitative information on organic constituents associated with raw and pyrolyzed oil shale samples, but uncertainty in the interpretation of longitudinal-transverse (T1–T2) relaxometry correlation results indicated further study was required. Qualitative confirmation of peaks attributed to kerogen in oil shale was achieved by comparing T1–T2 correlation measurements made on oil shale samples to measurements made on kerogen isolated from those shales. Quantitative relationships between T1–T2 correlation data and organic geochemical properties of raw and pyrolyzed oil shales were determined using partial least-squares regression (PLSR). Relaxometry results were also compared to infrared spectra, and the results not only provided further confidence in the organic matter peak interpretations but also confirmed attribution of T1–T2 peaks to clay hydroxyls. In addition, PLSR analysis was applied to correlate relaxometry data to trace element concentrations with good success. The results of this work show that NMR relaxometry measurements using the solid-echo approach produce T1–T2 peak distributions that correlate well with geochemical properties of raw and pyrolyzed oil shales.

Vacuum ultraviolet light production by nuclear irradiation of liquid and gaseous xenon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baldwin, G. C.

1981-01-01

Recent Los Alamos investigations suggest that a liquefied noble element may be the long-sought medium for a nuclear-excited laser or flashlamp. Research is needed to confirm this finding and to provide a basis for design and application studies. Quantitative and qualitative information are needed on the nature and behavior of the excited species, the effects of impurities and additives in the liquid phase under nuclear excitation, and the existence and magnitudes of nonlinear effects. Questions that need to be addressed and the most appropriate types of facilities for this task are identified.

A review of recent measurements of optical and thermal properties of α-mercuric iodide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Burger, A.; Morgan, S. H.; Silberman, E.; Nason, D.; Cheng, A. Y.

1992-11-01

The band gap energy of α-mercuric iodide was measured recently at elevated temperatures using optical absorption and reflection methods. In addition, reflection spectral measurements indicate that the temperature dependence of the exciton peak can provide a means of measuring, in a nondisturbing and remote manner, the local surface temperature of an α-mercuric iodide crystal during its growth from the vapor. Recent measurements of the thermal diffusivity and thermal expansion tensors have confirmed the anisotropy of this material and have implications for growth morphology and the generation of lattice defects.

Detecting Candida albicans in human milk.

PubMed

Morrill, Jimi Francis; Pappagianis, Demosthenes; Heinig, M Jane; Lönnerdal, Bo; Dewey, Kathryn G

2003-01-01

Procedures for diagnosis of mammary candidosis, including laboratory confirmation, are not well defined. Lactoferrin present in human milk can inhibit growth of Candida albicans, thereby limiting the ability to detect yeast infections. The inhibitory effect of various lactoferrin concentrations on the growth of C. albicans in whole human milk was studied. The addition of iron to the milk led to a two- to threefold increase in cell counts when milk contained 3.0 mg of lactoferrin/ml and markedly reduced the likelihood of false-negative culture results. This method may provide the necessary objective support needed for diagnosis of mammary candidosis.

Catalog based two-color, relative photometry of NEOs at McDonald Observatory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barker, E. S.; Györgyey Ries, J.; Shelus, P. J.; Ricklefs, R. L.

2001-11-01

The McDonald Observatory astrometry group has been involved in Solar System positional observations since the early 1970's. Since 1995, it has evolved to a CCD-based, almost totally automated, astrometry package. We are focusing our observational program on Near Earth Objects (NEOs) as part of NASA's mission to discover and catalogue 90 percent of NEOs with diameters larger than 1 km by 2008. We carry out confirmation observations of newly discovered objects and contribute to orbit improvements of under-observed objects. Understanding the overall hazard that these objects pose to Earth requires their dynamical and physical characterization. We recently adopted the USNO-A2.0 catalogue to improve our astrometric results. The catalog, however, also provides stellar magnitudes in the standard Johnson R and B photometric bands. After completing the night’s observing program, we now regularly provide the IAU with R magnitudes in addition to astrometric positions. Our limiting magnitude in R is near 22 in a 15 minute exposure over a 46 arcmin field on the 0.8m prime focus camera. Typically, we are scheduled for 4 nights each lunation, but our semi-automated, IRAF/ICE based program can be used by other 0.8m users. We are testing procedures that will include B and V exposures as part of our standard confirmation triplet. We have confirmed that switching filters between exposures on standard fields does not compromise the astrometric accurary. Thus, we should be able to provide two color, sequential, relative photometry of any newly discovered asteroid, as part of the confirmation process. The time interval between exposures is less than 20 minutes, short compared to most asteroid rotation times. Consequently, a meaningful color index can be obtained in parallel with the astrometric positions. Although B-R is not the usual color index used in asteroid classification studies, we are testing whether we can use it as a quick diagnostic tool to roughly classify newly discovered NEOs as by product of our astrometric observing sequence. Preliminary results will be presented at the meeting. This research is funded by NASA's NEO Observation Program grants NAG5-6863 and NAG5-10183.

Expansion of Surveillance for Vaccine-preventable Diseases: Building on the Global Polio Laboratory Network and the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network Platforms.

PubMed

Mulders, Mick N; Serhan, Fatima; Goodson, James L; Icenogle, Joseph; Johnson, Barbara W; Rota, Paul A

2017-07-01

Laboratory networks were established to provide accurate and timely laboratory confirmation of infections, an essential component of disease surveillance systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates global laboratory surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), including polio, measles and rubella, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis, rotavirus, and invasive bacterial diseases. In addition to providing high-quality laboratory surveillance data to help guide disease control, elimination, and eradication programs, these global networks provide capacity-building and an infrastructure for public health laboratories. There are major challenges with sustaining and expanding the global laboratory surveillance capacity: limited resources and the need for expansion to meet programmatic goals. Here, we describe the WHO-coordinated laboratory networks supporting VPD surveillance and present a plan for the further development of these networks. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Effects of NCMS on access to care and financial protection in China.

PubMed

Hou, Zhiyuan; Van de Poel, Ellen; Van Doorslaer, Eddy; Yu, Baorong; Meng, Qingyue

2014-08-01

The introduction of the New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in rural China has been the most rapid and dramatic extension of health insurance coverage in the developing world in this millennium. The literature to date has mainly used the uneven rollout of NCMS across counties as a way of identifying its effects on access to care and financial protection. This study exploits the cross-county variation in NCMS generosity in 2006 and 2008 in the Ningxia and Shandong provinces to estimate the effect of coverage generosity on utilization and financial protection. Our results confirm earlier findings of NCMS being effective in increasing access to care but not in increasing financial protection. In addition, we find NCMS enrollees to be sensitive to the price incentives set in the NCMS design when choosing their provider and providers to respond by increasing prices and/or providing more expensive care. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Preliminary fabrication and characterization of electron beam melted Ti-6Al-4V customized dental implant.

PubMed

Ramakrishnaiah, Ravikumar; Al Kheraif, Abdulaziz Abdullah; Mohammad, Ashfaq; Divakar, Darshan Devang; Kotha, Sunil Babu; Celur, Sree Lalita; Hashem, Mohamed I; Vallittu, Pekka K; Rehman, Ihtesham Ur

2017-05-01

The current study was aimed to fabricate customized root form dental implant using additive manufacturing technique for the replacement of missing teeth. The root form dental implant was designed using Geomagic™ and Magics™, the designed implant was directly manufactured by layering technique using ARCAM A2™ electron beam melting system by employing medical grade Ti-6Al-4V alloy powder. Furthermore, the fabricated implant was characterized in terms of certain clinically important parameters such as surface microstructure, surface topography, chemical purity and internal porosity. Results confirmed that, fabrication of customized dental implants using additive rapid manufacturing technology offers an attractive method to produce extremely pure form of customized titanium dental implants, the rough and porous surface texture obtained is expected to provide better initial implant stabilization and superior osseointegration.

Prepreg cure monitoring using diffuse reflectance-FTIR. [Fourier Transform Infrared Technique

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Young, P. R.; Chang, A. C.

1984-01-01

An in situ diffuse reflectance-Fourier transform infrared technique was developed to determine infrared spectra of graphite fiber prepregs as they were being cured. A bismaleimide, an epoxy, and addition polyimide matrix resin prepregs were studied. An experimental polyimide adhesive was also examined. Samples were positioned on a small heater at the focal point of diffuse reflectance optics and programmed at 15 F/min while FTIR spectra were being scanned, averaged, and stored. An analysis of the resulting spectra provided basic insights into changes in matrix resin molecular structure which accompanied reactions such as imidization and crosslinking. An endo-exothermal isomerization involving reactive end-caps was confirmed for the addition polyimide prepregs. The results of this study contribute to a fundamental understanding of the processing of composites and adhesives. Such understanding will promote the development of more efficient cure cycles.

Effect of additive on Zeta potential and particle size of nickel nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, Vikash; Tarachand, Chotia, Chandrabhan; Okram, G. S.

2017-05-01

Nickel nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by thermal decomposition method using Oleylamine (OLY) as a solvent and Trioctylphosphine (TOP) as a surfactant. We have investigated the effect of pH and addition of Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the stability and particle size of Ni NPs using zeta potential and particle size analyser. Coating of the surfactants on the surface of Ni NPs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Autotitration study of zeta potential of these NPs in ethanol by dynamic light scattering (DLS) at different pH values confirmed an isoelectric point (IEP) at pH = 3.64 in ethanol and pH = 3.04 after addition of EDTA in ethanol. It was observed that addition of EDTA in nanosuspension enhances stability of Ni-NPs significantly.

A Novel Mutation in ERCC8 Gene Causing Cockayne Syndrome

PubMed Central

Taghdiri, Maryam; Dastsooz, Hassan; Fardaei, Majid; Mohammadi, Sanaz; Farazi Fard, Mohammad Ali; Faghihi, Mohammad Ali

2017-01-01

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive multisystem disorder characterized by impaired neurological and sensory functions, cachectic dwarfism, microcephaly, and photosensitivity. This syndrome shows a variable age of onset and rate of progression, and its phenotypic spectrum include a wide range of severity. Due to the progressive nature of this disorder, diagnosis can be more important when additional signs and symptoms appear gradually and become steadily worse over time. Therefore, mutation analysis of genes involved in CS pathogenesis can be helpful to confirm the suspected clinical diagnosis. Here, we report a novel mutation in ERCC8 gene in a 16-year-old boy who suffers from poor weight gain, short stature, microcephaly, intellectual disability, and photosensitivity. The patient was born to consanguineous family with no previous documented disease in his parents. To identify disease-causing mutation in the patient, whole exome sequencing utilizing next-generation sequencing on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform was performed. Results revealed a novel homozygote mutation in ERCC8 gene (NM_000082: exon 11, c.1122G>C) in our patient. Another gene (ERCC6), which is also involved in CS did not have any disease-causing mutations in the proband. The new identified mutation was then confirmed by Sanger sequencing in the proband, his parents, and extended family members, confirming co-segregation with the disease. In addition, different bioinformatics programs which included MutationTaster, I-Mutant v2.0, NNSplice, Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion, The PhastCons, Genomic Evolutationary Rate Profiling conservation score, and T-Coffee Multiple Sequence Alignment predicted the pathogenicity of the mutation. Our study identified a rare novel mutation in ERCC8 gene and help to provide accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis to minimize new affected individuals in this family. PMID:28848724

A Novel Mutation in ERCC8 Gene Causing Cockayne Syndrome.

PubMed

Taghdiri, Maryam; Dastsooz, Hassan; Fardaei, Majid; Mohammadi, Sanaz; Farazi Fard, Mohammad Ali; Faghihi, Mohammad Ali

2017-01-01

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare autosomal recessive multisystem disorder characterized by impaired neurological and sensory functions, cachectic dwarfism, microcephaly, and photosensitivity. This syndrome shows a variable age of onset and rate of progression, and its phenotypic spectrum include a wide range of severity. Due to the progressive nature of this disorder, diagnosis can be more important when additional signs and symptoms appear gradually and become steadily worse over time. Therefore, mutation analysis of genes involved in CS pathogenesis can be helpful to confirm the suspected clinical diagnosis. Here, we report a novel mutation in ERCC8 gene in a 16-year-old boy who suffers from poor weight gain, short stature, microcephaly, intellectual disability, and photosensitivity. The patient was born to consanguineous family with no previous documented disease in his parents. To identify disease-causing mutation in the patient, whole exome sequencing utilizing next-generation sequencing on an Illumina HiSeq 2000 platform was performed. Results revealed a novel homozygote mutation in ERCC8 gene (NM_000082: exon 11, c.1122G>C) in our patient. Another gene ( ERCC6 ), which is also involved in CS did not have any disease-causing mutations in the proband. The new identified mutation was then confirmed by Sanger sequencing in the proband, his parents, and extended family members, confirming co-segregation with the disease. In addition, different bioinformatics programs which included MutationTaster, I-Mutant v2.0, NNSplice, Combined Annotation Dependent Depletion, The PhastCons, Genomic Evolutationary Rate Profiling conservation score, and T-Coffee Multiple Sequence Alignment predicted the pathogenicity of the mutation. Our study identified a rare novel mutation in ERCC8 gene and help to provide accurate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis to minimize new affected individuals in this family.

A Shigella sonnei outbreak traced to imported basil--the importance of good typing tools and produce traceability systems, Norway, 2011.

PubMed

Guzman-Herrador, B R; Nilsen, E; Cudjoe, K S; Jensvoll, L; Kvamme, J M; Lindegård Aanstad, A; Lindstedt, B A; Nygård, K; Severinsen, G; Werner-Johansen, Ø; Wester, A L; Wiklund, M; Vold, L

2013-12-05

On 9 October 2011, the University Hospital of North Norway alerted the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) about an increase in Shigella sonnei infections in Tromsø. The isolates had an identical ‘multilocus variable-number tandem repeat analysis’ (MLVA) profile. Most cases had consumed food provided by delicatessen X. On 14 October, new S. sonnei cases with the same MLVA-profile were reported from Sarpsborg, south-eastern Norway. An outbreak investigation was started to identify the source and prevent further cases. All laboratory-confirmed cases from both clusters were attempted to be interviewed. In addition, a cohort study was performed among the attendees of a banquet in Tromsø where food from delicatessen X had been served and where some people had reported being ill. A trace-back investigation was initiated. In total, 46 cases were confirmed (Tromsø= 42; Sarpsborg= 4). Having eaten basil pesto sauce or fish soup at the banquet in Tromsø were independent risk factors for disease. Basil pesto was the only common food item that had been consumed by confirmed cases occurring in Tromsø and Sarpsborg. The basil had been imported and delivered to both municipalities by the same supplier. No basil from the specific batch was left on the Norwegian market when it was identified as the likely source. As a result of the multidisciplinary investigation, which helped to identify the source, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, together with NIPH, planned to develop recommendations for food providers on how to handle fresh plant produce prior to consumption.

Advances in antivirals for non-influenza respiratory virus infections.

PubMed

Hayden, Frederick G

2013-11-01

Progress in the development of antivirals for non-influenza respiratory viruses has been slow with the result that many unmet medical needs and few approved agents currently exist. This commentary selectively reviews examples of where specific agents have provided promising clinical benefits in selected target populations and also considers potential therapeutics for emerging threats like the SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronaviruses. Recent studies have provided encouraging results in treating respiratory syncytial virus infections in lung transplant recipients, serious parainfluenza virus and adenovirus infections in immunocompromised hosts, and rhinovirus colds in outpatient asthmatics. While additional studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the specific agents tested, these observations offer the opportunity to expand therapeutic studies to other patient populations. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Incremental value of live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography over the two-dimensional technique in the assessment of aortic atherosclerotic thrombi and ulcers.

PubMed

Elsayed, Mahmoud; Bulur, Serkan; Kalla, Aditi; Ahmed, Mustafa I; Hsiung, Ming C; Uygur, Begum; Alagic, Nermina; Sungur, Aylin; Singh, Satinder; Nanda, Navin C

2016-08-01

We present two cases in whom live/real time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) provided incremental value in the assessment of atherosclerotic disease in the aorta. In one patient, it identified additional atherosclerotic ulcers as well as thrombi within them which were missed by two-dimensional (2D) TEE. In both cases, the size of the large mobile atherosclerotic plaque was underestimated by 2DTEE as compared with 3DTEE. Furthermore, 3DTEE provided volume quantification of the thrombi and ulcers which is not possible by 2DTEE. The echocardiographic findings of atherosclerotic plaques were confirmed by computed tomography in one patient and by surgery in the other. © 2016, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Simultaneous in-plane and out-of-plane displacement measurement based on a dual-camera imaging system and its application to inspection of large-scale space structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ri, Shien; Tsuda, Hiroshi; Yoshida, Takeshi; Umebayashi, Takashi; Sato, Akiyoshi; Sato, Eiichi

2015-07-01

Optical methods providing full-field deformation data have potentially enormous interest for mechanical engineers. In this study, an in-plane and out-of-plane displacement measurement method based on a dual-camera imaging system is proposed. The in-plane and out-of-plane displacements are determined simultaneously using two measured in-plane displacement data observed from two digital cameras at different view angles. The fundamental measurement principle and experimental results of accuracy confirmation are presented. In addition, we applied this method to the displacement measurement in a static loading and bending test of a solid rocket motor case (CFRP material; 2.2 m diameter and 2.3 m long) for an up-to-date Epsilon rocket developed by JAXA. The effectiveness and measurement accuracy is confirmed by comparing with conventional displacement sensor. This method could be useful to diagnose the reliability of large-scale space structures in the rocket development.

Origin and invasion of the emerging infectious pathogen Sphaerothecum destruens

PubMed Central

Sana, Salma; Hardouin, Emilie A; Gozlan, Rodolphe E; Ercan, Didem; Tarkan, Ali Serhan; Zhang, Tiantian; Andreou, Demetra

2017-01-01

Non-native species are often linked to the introduction of novel pathogens with detrimental effects on native biodiversity. Since Sphaerothecum destruens was first discovered as a fish pathogen in the United Kingdom, it has been identified as a potential threat to European fish biodiversity. Despite this parasite’s emergence and associated disease risk, there is still a poor understanding of its origin in Europe. Here, we provide the first evidence to support the hypothesis that S. destruens was accidentally introduced to Europe from China along with its reservoir host Pseudorasbora parva via the aquaculture trade. This is the first study to confirm the presence of S. destruens in China, and it has expanded the confirmed range of S. destruens to additional locations in Europe. The demographic analysis of S. destruens and its host P. parva in their native and invasive range further supported the close association of both species. This research has direct significance and management implications for S. destruens in Europe as a non-native parasite. PMID:28831194

A critical assessment of visual identification of marine microplastic using Raman spectroscopy for analysis improvement.

PubMed

Lenz, Robin; Enders, Kristina; Stedmon, Colin A; Mackenzie, David M A; Nielsen, Torkel Gissel

2015-11-15

Identification and characterisation of microplastic (MP) is a necessary step to evaluate their concentrations, chemical composition and interactions with biota. MP ≥10μm diameter filtered from below the sea surface in the European and subtropical North Atlantic were simultaneously identified by visual microscopy and Raman micro-spectroscopy. Visually identified particles below 100μm had a significantly lower percentage confirmed by Raman than larger ones indicating that visual identification alone is inappropriate for studies on small microplastics. Sixty-eight percent of visually counted MP (n=1279) were spectroscopically confirmed being plastic. The percentage varied with type, colour and size of the MP. Fibres had a higher success rate (75%) than particles (64%). We tested Raman micro-spectroscopy applicability for MP identification with respect to varying chemical composition (additives), degradation state and organic matter coating. Partially UV-degraded post-consumer plastics provided identifiable Raman spectra for polymers most common among marine MP, i.e. polyethylene and polypropylene. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Stacking sequence and interlayer coupling in few-layer graphene revealed by in situ imaging

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

Wang, Zhu-Jun; Dong, Jichen; Cui, Yi

In the transition from graphene to graphite, the addition of each individual graphene layer modifies the electronic structure and produces a different material with unique properties. Controlled growth of few-layer graphene is therefore of fundamental interest and will provide access to materials with engineered electronic structure. Here we combine isothermal growth and etching experiments with in situ scanning electron microscopy to reveal the stacking sequence and interlayer coupling strength in few-layer graphene. The observed layer-dependent etching rates reveal the relative strength of the graphene graphene and graphene substrate interaction and the resulting mode of adlayer growth. Scanning tunnelling microscopy andmore » density functional theory calculations confirm a strong coupling between graphene edge atoms and platinum. Simulated etching confirms that etching can be viewed as reversed growth. This work demonstrates that real-time imaging under controlled atmosphere is a powerful method for designing synthesis protocols for sp2 carbon nanostructures in between graphene and graphite.« less

Pc3 activity at low geomagnetic latitudes - A comparison with solar wind observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Villante, U.; Lepidi, S.; Vellante, M.; Lazarus, A. J.; Lepping, R. P.

1992-01-01

On an hourly time-scale the different roles of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters on ground micropulsation activity can be better investigated than at longer time-scales. A long-term comparison between ground measurements made at L'Aquila and IMP 8 observations confirms the solar wind speed as the key parameter for the onset of pulsations even at low latitudes, although additional control of the energy transfer from the interplanetary medium to the earth's magnetosphere is clearly exerted by the cone angle. Above about 20 mHz the frequency of pulsations is confirmed to be closely related to the IMF magnitude while, in agreement with model predictions, the IMF magnitude is related to the amplitude of the local fundamental resonant mode. We provide an interesting example in which high resolution measurements simultaneously obtained in the foreshock region and on the ground show that external transversal fluctuations do not penetrate deep into the low latitude magnetosphere.

Stacking sequence and interlayer coupling in few-layer graphene revealed by in situ imaging

DOE PAGES

Wang, Zhu-Jun; Dong, Jichen; Cui, Yi; ...

2016-10-19

In the transition from graphene to graphite, the addition of each individual graphene layer modifies the electronic structure and produces a different material with unique properties. Controlled growth of few-layer graphene is therefore of fundamental interest and will provide access to materials with engineered electronic structure. Here we combine isothermal growth and etching experiments with in situ scanning electron microscopy to reveal the stacking sequence and interlayer coupling strength in few-layer graphene. The observed layer-dependent etching rates reveal the relative strength of the graphene graphene and graphene substrate interaction and the resulting mode of adlayer growth. Scanning tunnelling microscopy andmore » density functional theory calculations confirm a strong coupling between graphene edge atoms and platinum. Simulated etching confirms that etching can be viewed as reversed growth. This work demonstrates that real-time imaging under controlled atmosphere is a powerful method for designing synthesis protocols for sp2 carbon nanostructures in between graphene and graphite.« less

Clinical trials update from the European Society of Cardiology meeting 2014: PARADIGM-HF, CONFIRM-HF, SIGNIFY, atrial fibrillation, beta-blockers and heart failure, and vagal stimulation in heart failure.

PubMed

Clark, Andrew L; Pellicori, Pierpaolo

2014-12-01

This article provides an overview of trials relevant to the pathophysiology, prevention, and treatment of heart failure, presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting held in Barcelona in autumn 2014. Trials reported here include PARADIGM-HF (LCZ696 versus enalapril in heart failure), CONFIRM-HF (treatment of iron deficiency in heart failure), and SIGNIFY (ivabradine in patients with stable coronary artery disease). In addition, we discuss recent developments in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and the lack of benefit with the use of beta-blockers in these patients. Finally, the article describes recent advances in the use of vagal stimulation in patients with heart failure. © 2014 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. © 2014 The Authors. ESC Heart Failure published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.

Stacking sequence and interlayer coupling in few-layer graphene revealed by in situ imaging

PubMed Central

Wang, Zhu-Jun; Dong, Jichen; Cui, Yi; Eres, Gyula; Timpe, Olaf; Fu, Qiang; Ding, Feng; Schloegl, R.; Willinger, Marc-Georg

2016-01-01

In the transition from graphene to graphite, the addition of each individual graphene layer modifies the electronic structure and produces a different material with unique properties. Controlled growth of few-layer graphene is therefore of fundamental interest and will provide access to materials with engineered electronic structure. Here we combine isothermal growth and etching experiments with in situ scanning electron microscopy to reveal the stacking sequence and interlayer coupling strength in few-layer graphene. The observed layer-dependent etching rates reveal the relative strength of the graphene–graphene and graphene–substrate interaction and the resulting mode of adlayer growth. Scanning tunnelling microscopy and density functional theory calculations confirm a strong coupling between graphene edge atoms and platinum. Simulated etching confirms that etching can be viewed as reversed growth. This work demonstrates that real-time imaging under controlled atmosphere is a powerful method for designing synthesis protocols for sp2 carbon nanostructures in between graphene and graphite. PMID:27759024

Simulated recovery of Europa's global shape and tidal Love numbers from altimetry and radio tracking during a dedicated flyby tour

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mazarico, Erwan; Genova, Antonio; Neumann, Gregory A.; Smith, David E.; Zuber, Maria T.

2015-05-01

The fundamental scientific objectives for future spacecraft exploration of Jupiter's moon Europa include confirmation of the existence of subsurface ocean beneath the surface ice shell and constraints on the physical properties of the ocean. Here we conduct a comprehensive simulation of a multiple-flyby mission. We demonstrate that radio tracking data can provide an estimate of the gravitational tidal Love number k2 with sufficient precision to confirm the presence of a liquid layer. We further show that a capable long-range laser altimeter can improve determination of the spacecraft position, improve the k2 determination (<1% error), and enable the estimation of the planetary shape and Love number h2 (3-4% error), which is directly related to the amplitude of the surface tidal deformation. These measurements, in addition to the global shape accurately constrained by the long altimetric profiles, can yield further constraints on the interior structure of Europa.

Electrotactile Feedback Improves Performance and Facilitates Learning in the Routine Grasping Task.

PubMed

Isaković, Milica; Belić, Minja; Štrbac, Matija; Popović, Igor; Došen, Strahinja; Farina, Dario; Keller, Thierry

2016-06-13

Aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of electrotactile feedback in closed loop training of force control during the routine grasping task. The feedback was provided using an array electrode and a simple six-level spatial coding, and the experiment was conducted in three amputee subjects. The psychometric tests confirmed that the subjects could perceive and interpret the electrotactile feedback with a high success rate. The subjects performed the routine grasping task comprising 4 blocks of 60 grasping trials. In each trial, the subjects employed feedforward control to close the hand and produce the desired grasping force (four levels). First (baseline) and the last (validation) session were performed in open loop, while the second and the third session (training) included electrotactile feedback. The obtained results confirmed that using the feedback improved the accuracy and precision of the force control. In addition, the subjects performed significantly better in the validation vs. baseline session, therefore suggesting that electrotactile feedback can be used for learning and training of myoelectric control.

A Continental-Wide Perspective: The Genepool of Nuclear Encoded Ribosomal DNA and Single-Copy Gene Sequences in North American Boechera (Brassicaceae)

PubMed Central

Kiefer, Christiane; Koch, Marcus A.

2012-01-01

74 of the currently accepted 111 taxa of the North American genus Boechera (Brassicaceae) were subject to pyhlogenetic reconstruction and network analysis. The dataset comprised 911 accessions for which ITS sequences were analyzed. Phylogenetic analyses yielded largely unresolved trees. Together with the network analysis confirming this result this can be interpreted as an indication for multiple, independent, and rapid diversification events. Network analyses were superimposed with datasets describing i) geographical distribution, ii) taxonomy, iii) reproductive mode, and iv) distribution history based on phylogeographic evidence. Our results provide first direct evidence for enormous reticulate evolution in the entire genus and give further insights into the evolutionary history of this complex genus on a continental scale. In addition two novel single-copy gene markers, orthologues of the Arabidopsis thaliana genes At2g25920 and At3g18900, were analyzed for subsets of taxa and confirmed the findings obtained through the ITS data. PMID:22606266

[Phenotypic and genetic analysis of a patient presented with Tietz/Waardenburg type II a syndrome].

PubMed

Wang, Huanhuan; Tang, Lifang; Zhang, Jingmin; Hu, Qin; Chen, Yingwei; Xiao, Bing

2015-08-01

To determine the genetic cause for a patient featuring decreased pigmentation of the skin and iris, hearing loss and multiple congenital anomalies. Routine chromosomal banding was performed to analyze the karyotype of the patient and his parents. Single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) was employed to identify cryptic chromosome aberrations, and quantitative real-time PCR was used to confirm the results. Karyotype analysis has revealed no obvious anomaly for the patient and his parents. SNP array analysis of the patient has demonstrated a 3.9 Mb deletion encompassing 3p13p14.1, which caused loss of entire MITF gene. The deletion was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. Clinical features of the patient have included severe bilateral hearing loss, decreased pigmentation of the skin and iris and multiple congenital anomalies. The patient, carrying a 3p13p14.1 deletion, has features of Tietz syndrome/Waardenburg syndrome type IIa. This case may provide additional data for the study of genotype-phenotype correlation of this disease.

Diffeomorphic demons: efficient non-parametric image registration.

PubMed

Vercauteren, Tom; Pennec, Xavier; Perchant, Aymeric; Ayache, Nicholas

2009-03-01

We propose an efficient non-parametric diffeomorphic image registration algorithm based on Thirion's demons algorithm. In the first part of this paper, we show that Thirion's demons algorithm can be seen as an optimization procedure on the entire space of displacement fields. We provide strong theoretical roots to the different variants of Thirion's demons algorithm. This analysis predicts a theoretical advantage for the symmetric forces variant of the demons algorithm. We show on controlled experiments that this advantage is confirmed in practice and yields a faster convergence. In the second part of this paper, we adapt the optimization procedure underlying the demons algorithm to a space of diffeomorphic transformations. In contrast to many diffeomorphic registration algorithms, our solution is computationally efficient since in practice it only replaces an addition of displacement fields by a few compositions. Our experiments show that in addition to being diffeomorphic, our algorithm provides results that are similar to the ones from the demons algorithm but with transformations that are much smoother and closer to the gold standard, available in controlled experiments, in terms of Jacobians.

Matchmaking facilitates the diagnosis of an autosomal-recessive mitochondrial disease caused by biallelic mutation of the tRNA isopentenyltransferase (TRIT1) gene.

PubMed

Kernohan, Kristin D; Dyment, David A; Pupavac, Mihaela; Cramer, Zvi; McBride, Arran; Bernard, Genevieve; Straub, Isabella; Tetreault, Martine; Hartley, Taila; Huang, Lijia; Sell, Erick; Majewski, Jacek; Rosenblatt, David S; Shoubridge, Eric; Mhanni, Aziz; Myers, Tara; Proud, Virginia; Vergano, Samanta; Spangler, Brooke; Farrow, Emily; Kussman, Jennifer; Safina, Nicole; Saunders, Carol; Boycott, Kym M; Thiffault, Isabelle

2017-05-01

Deleterious variants in the same gene present in two or more families with overlapping clinical features provide convincing evidence of a disease-gene association; this can be a challenge in the study of ultrarare diseases. To facilitate the identification of additional families, several groups have created "matching" platforms. We describe four individuals from three unrelated families "matched" by GeneMatcher and MatchMakerExchange. Individuals had microcephaly, developmental delay, epilepsy, and recessive mutations in TRIT1. A single homozygous mutation in TRIT1 associated with similar features had previously been reported in one family. The identification of these individuals provides additional evidence to support TRIT1 as the disease-causing gene and interprets the variants as "pathogenic." TRIT1 functions to modify mitochondrial tRNAs and is necessary for protein translation. We show that dysfunctional TRIT1 results in decreased levels of select mitochondrial proteins. Our findings confirm the TRIT1 disease association and advance the phenotypic and molecular understanding of this disorder. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Role of Gap Junctions in Early Brain Injury Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

PubMed Central

Ayer, Robert; Chen, Wanqiu; Sugawara, Takashi; Suzuki, Hidenori; Zhang, John H.

2010-01-01

Gap junction inhibition has been demonstrated to reverse the vascular contraction that follows experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage. This study hypothesizes that the use of established gap junction inhibitors: octonal and carbenoxolone, to interrupt cell to cell communication will provide neuroprotection against early brain injury after SAH. The filament perforation model of SAH was performed in male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing between 300 and 380g. Octanol (260.46mg or 781.38 mg/kg), carbenoxolone (100 mg/kg), or vehicles were given via intraperitoneal injection 1 hour after SAH. Neurologic deficits and cerebral apoptosis were assessed 24 and 72 hours after SAH. In addition, Western blot analysis was performed to confirm the in vivo inhibition of CNS gap junctions. The administration of octanol and carbenoxolone both failed to attenuate the neurological deficits induced by SAH, and they did not reduce neuronal apoptosis. Additionally, carbenoloxone increased post SAH mortality and exacerbated SAH induced apoptosis. Despites previous studies that show gap junction inhibitors reverse vasospasm following experimental SAH, they failed to improve clinical outcomes or provide neuroprotection in this study. PMID:20018179

Global Analysis of the Burkholderia thailandensis Quorum Sensing-Controlled Regulon

PubMed Central

Majerczyk, Charlotte; Brittnacher, Mitchell; Jacobs, Michael; Armour, Christopher D.; Radey, Mathew; Schneider, Emily; Phattarasokul, Somsak; Bunt, Richard

2014-01-01

Burkholderia thailandensis contains three acyl-homoserine lactone quorum sensing circuits and has two additional LuxR homologs. To identify B. thailandensis quorum sensing-controlled genes, we carried out transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses of quorum sensing mutants and their parent. The analyses were grounded in the fact that we identified genes coding for factors shown previously to be regulated by quorum sensing among a larger set of quorum-controlled genes. We also found that genes coding for contact-dependent inhibition were induced by quorum sensing and confirmed that specific quorum sensing mutants had a contact-dependent inhibition defect. Additional quorum-controlled genes included those for the production of numerous secondary metabolites, an uncharacterized exopolysaccharide, and a predicted chitin-binding protein. This study provides insights into the roles of the three quorum sensing circuits in the saprophytic lifestyle of B. thailandensis, and it provides a foundation on which to build an understanding of the roles of quorum sensing in the biology of B. thailandensis and the closely related pathogenic Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei. PMID:24464461

Study of Pulsations in the Atmosphere of the roAp star HD 137949

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sachkov, M.; Hareter, M.; Ryabchikova, T.; Wade, G.; Kochukhov, O.; Weiss, W. W.

The roAp star HD 137949 (33 Lib) shows the most complex pulsational behaviour among all roAp stars. Mkrtichian et al. (2003) found nearly anti-phase pulsations of Nd II and Nd III lines, which they attribute to the presence of a pulsation node high in the atmosphere of HD 137949. This was confirmed by Kurtz at al. (2005), who also find that in some REE lines the main frequency, corresponding to 8.27 min, and its harmonic have almost equal RV amplitudes. Based on high accuracy observations Ryabchikova et al. (2007a) studied pulsational characteristics of the HD 137949 atmosphere in detail. In general, spectroscopy provides 3D resolution of modes and allows to search for the photometrically undetectable frequencies. The high-accuracy space photometry provides very high-precision measurements of detected pulsation frequencies and enables an accurate phasing of multi-site spectroscopic data. A combination of simultaneous spectroscopy and photometry represents the most sophisticated asteroseismic dataset for any roAp star. In 2009 the star HD 137949 became a target of an intense observing campaign that combined ground-based spectroscopy with space photometry, obtained with the MOST satellite. We collected 780 spectra using the ESPaDOnS spectrograph mounted on the 3.6 m CFHT telescope; 374 spectra were obtained with the FIES spectrograph mounted on the 2.56-m NOT to perform the time-resolved spectroscopy of HD 137949. In addition, we used 111 UVES spectra (2004) from the ESO archive to check the mode stability. The frequency analysis of the new radial velocity (RV) measurements confirmed the previously reported frequency pattern (two frequencies and the first harmonic of the main frequency), and revealed an additional frequency at 1.991 mHz. The new frequency solution fits perfectly the RV variations from the 2004 and 2009 observational sets providing a strong support for the p-mode stability in the roAp star HD 137949 for at least 5 years.

King County Nearshore Habitat Mapping Data Report: Picnic Point to Shilshole Bay Marina

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

Woodruff, Dana L.; Farley, Paul J.; Borde, Amy B.

2000-12-31

The objective of this study is to provide accurate, georeferenced maps of benthic habitats to assist in the siting of a new wastewater treatment plant outfall and the assessment of habitats of endangered, threatened, and economically important species. The mapping was conducted in the fall of 1999 using two complementary techniques: side-scan sonar and underwater videography. Products derived from these techniques include geographic information system (GIS) compatible polygon data of substrate type and vegetation cover, including eelgrass and kelp. Additional GIS overlays include underwater video track line data of total macroalgae, selected macroalgal species, fish, and macroinvertebrates. The combined toolsmore » of geo-referenced side-scan sonar and underwater video is a powerful technique for assessing and mapping of nearshore habitat in Puget Sound. Side-scan sonar offers the ability to map eelgrass with high spatial accuracy and resolution, and provides information on patch size, shape, and coverage. It also provides information on substrate change and location of specific targets (e.g., piers, docks, pilings, large boulders, debris piles). The addition of underwater video is a complementary tool providing both groundtruthing for the sonar and additional information on macro fauna and flora. As a groundtruthing technique, the video was able to confirm differences between substrate types, as well as detect subtle spatial changes in substrate. It also verified information related to eelgrass, including the density classification categories and the type of substrate associated with eelgrass, which could not be determined easily with side- scan sonar. Video is also a powerful tool for mapping the location of macroalgae, (including kelp and Ulva), fish and macroinvertebrates. The ability to geo-locate these resources in their functional habitat provides an added layer of information and analytical potential.« less

Cytogenetics and fluorescence in-situ hybridization in detection of hematological malignancies.

PubMed

Frenny, V J; Antonella, Z; Luisa, A; Shah, A D; Sheth, J J; Rocchi, M

2003-01-01

The technique of Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (FISH), a hybrid of cytogenetics and molecular biology has increased the resolution and application of cytogenetics in various neoplastic processes. In various types of leukemias, primary investigation by conventional cytogenetic [CC] technique followed by FISH has increased our understanding of the abnormal clonal formation involving different gene region. Present study is aimed to use different kinds of in-house FISH probes in various hematological malignancies and its correlation with conventional cytogenetic finding. Cytogenetic study was carried out in 360 patients either from peripheral blood or from bone marrow cells suspected for various types of leukemias. Four of 360 cases were further selected for FISH study by using different types of in-house probes, such as BAC [Bacterial Artificial Chromosome], PAC [Phague Artificial Chromosome], alphoid, PCP [Partial Chromosome Paint] and WCP [Whole Chromosome paint]. The results confirmed breakpoints of inversion 16 and del 16 in case 2 and 3 respectively. Whereas, case 1 did not confirm the cytogenetic findings of t(15;17) by PML/RARa fusion signals as multiple cell lines were involved in the patients. PCP and WCP were helpful in the identification of the marker chromosome in case 1. Telomeric and centromeric probes confirmed the cytogenetic findings of t(5;7) in case 4. We observe from this study that, in addition to the conventional cytogenetic study, FISH study provide further confirmation of chromosomal rearrangements. This facilitates our understanding of the neoplastic process more precisely for the better prognostication of the patient.

Rapid biosynthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles: an assessment of antibacterial and antimycotic activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kanawaria, Sajjan Kumar; Sankhla, Aryan; Jatav, Pradeep Kumar; Yadav, Raghvendra Singh; Verma, Kumar Sambhav; Velraj, Parthiban; Kachhwaha, Sumita; Kothari, Shanker Lal

2018-04-01

Bioassisted synthesis provides a facile, convenient, and promising approach to produce many inorganic nanostructures. Herein, we report a rapid biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Thuja occidentalis (L.) leaf extract with an emphasis on their antibacterial and antimycotic activity. Interestingly, the synthesis of AgNPs was completed in a short duration of 35-40 min. The electron micrographs showed AgNPs with particles < 30 nm in size. A diffusive absorption band around 430 nm confirmed the polydispersive nature of biosynthesized AgNPs. An additional absorption peak at 256 nm suggested the presence of biomolecules in the reaction mixture in addition to AgNPs. The different bands corresponding to ring compounds, amines, and carbonyl groups in the FT-IR spectra of biosynthesized AgNPs confirmed the presence of terpenes and terpenoids on AgNP surface post-reduction. The encapsulation and stabilization of AgNPs by organic layer was visible from the TEM images. Thus, these organic compounds present in the extract were responsible for first the reduction of precursor salts into AgNPs and second to drape around the particles preventing agglomeration. The AgNPs were effective against strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas putida, and Bacillus subtilis. An AgNP solution with 30 µg/ml concentration arrested the growth of bacterial strains making a zone of inhibition > 15 mm. The antimycotic activity against Aspergillus niger, Fusarium spp., and Alternaria alternata species increased monotonically with nanoparticle concentration in the growth media. A 10 ppm solution of AgNP was detrimental to fungal growth. Thus, the technique provides an avenue to synthesize antibiotic AgNPs without use of other external agents.

The Molecular and Spatial Epidemiology of Typhoid Fever in Rural Cambodia.

PubMed

Pham Thanh, Duy; Thompson, Corinne N; Rabaa, Maia A; Sona, Soeng; Sopheary, Sun; Kumar, Varun; Moore, Catrin; Tran Vu Thieu, Nga; Wijedoru, Lalith; Holt, Kathryn E; Wong, Vanessa; Pickard, Derek; Thwaites, Guy E; Day, Nicholas; Dougan, Gordon; Turner, Paul; Parry, Christopher M; Baker, Stephen

2016-06-01

Typhoid fever, caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, is an endemic cause of febrile disease in Cambodia. The aim of this study was to better understand the epidemiology of pediatric typhoid fever in Cambodia. We accessed routine blood culture data from Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) in Siem Reap province between 2007 and 2014, and performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) on the isolated bacteria to characterize the S. Typhi population. The resulting phylogenetic information was combined with conventional epidemiological approaches to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of S. Typhi and population-level risk factors for reported disease. During the study period, there were 262 cases of typhoid within a 100 km radius of AHC, with a median patient age of 8.2 years (IQR: 5.1-11.5 years). The majority of infections occurred during the rainy season, and commune incidences as high as 11.36/1,000 in children aged <15 years were observed over the study period. A population-based risk factor analysis found that access to water within households and increasing distance from Tonle Sap Lake were protective. Spatial mapping and WGS provided additional resolution for these findings, and confirmed that proximity to the lake was associated with discrete spatiotemporal disease clusters. We confirmed the dominance of MDR H58 S. Typhi in this population, and found substantial evidence of diversification (at least seven sublineages) within this single lineage. We conclude that there is a substantial burden of pediatric typhoid fever in rural communes in Cambodia. Our data provide a platform for additional population-based typhoid fever studies in this location, and suggest that this would be a suitable setting in which to introduce a school-based vaccination programme with Vi conjugate vaccines.

The Molecular and Spatial Epidemiology of Typhoid Fever in Rural Cambodia

PubMed Central

Rabaa, Maia A; Sona, Soeng; Sopheary, Sun; Kumar, Varun; Moore, Catrin; Tran Vu Thieu, Nga; Wijedoru, Lalith; Holt, Kathryn E.; Wong, Vanessa; Pickard, Derek; Thwaites, Guy E.; Day, Nicholas; Dougan, Gordon; Turner, Paul; Parry, Christopher M.; Baker, Stephen

2016-01-01

Typhoid fever, caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, is an endemic cause of febrile disease in Cambodia. The aim of this study was to better understand the epidemiology of pediatric typhoid fever in Cambodia. We accessed routine blood culture data from Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) in Siem Reap province between 2007 and 2014, and performed whole genome sequencing (WGS) on the isolated bacteria to characterize the S. Typhi population. The resulting phylogenetic information was combined with conventional epidemiological approaches to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of S. Typhi and population-level risk factors for reported disease. During the study period, there were 262 cases of typhoid within a 100 km radius of AHC, with a median patient age of 8.2 years (IQR: 5.1–11.5 years). The majority of infections occurred during the rainy season, and commune incidences as high as 11.36/1,000 in children aged <15 years were observed over the study period. A population-based risk factor analysis found that access to water within households and increasing distance from Tonle Sap Lake were protective. Spatial mapping and WGS provided additional resolution for these findings, and confirmed that proximity to the lake was associated with discrete spatiotemporal disease clusters. We confirmed the dominance of MDR H58 S. Typhi in this population, and found substantial evidence of diversification (at least seven sublineages) within this single lineage. We conclude that there is a substantial burden of pediatric typhoid fever in rural communes in Cambodia. Our data provide a platform for additional population-based typhoid fever studies in this location, and suggest that this would be a suitable setting in which to introduce a school-based vaccination programme with Vi conjugate vaccines. PMID:27331909

The Use of Ancillary Stains in the Diagnosis of Barrett Esophagus and Barrett Esophagus-associated Dysplasia: Recommendations From the Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society.

PubMed

Srivastava, Amitabh; Appelman, Henry; Goldsmith, Jeffrey D; Davison, Jon M; Hart, John; Krasinskas, Alyssa M

2017-05-01

Barrett esophagus (BE) is a known risk factor for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Pathologists play a critical role in confirming the diagnosis of BE and BE-associated dysplasia. As these diagnoses are not always straightforward on routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides, numerous ancillary stains have been used in an attempt to help pathologists confirm the diagnosis. On the basis of an in-depth review of the literature, the Rodger C. Haggitt Gastrointestinal Pathology Society provides recommendations regarding the use of ancillary stains in the diagnosis of BE and BE-associated dysplasia. Because goblet cells are almost always identifiable on routine hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, there is insufficient evidence to justify reflexive use of Alcian blue (at pH 2.5) and/or periodic-acid Schiff stains on all esophageal biopsies to diagnose BE. In addition, the use of mucin glycoprotein immunostains and markers of intestinal phenotype (CDX2, Das-1, villin, Hep Par 1, and SOX9) are not indicated to aid in the diagnosis of BE at this time. A diagnosis of dysplasia in BE remains a morphologic diagnosis, and hence, ancillary stains are not recommended for diagnosing dysplasia. Although p53 is a promising marker for identifying high-risk BE patients, it is not recommended for routine use at present; additional studies are needed to address questions regarding case selection, interpretation, integration with morphologic diagnosis, and impact on clinical outcome. We hope that this review and our recommendations will provide helpful information to pathologists, gastroenterologists, and others involved in the evaluation of patients with BE and BE-associated dysplasia.

Metabolism studies of diclofenac and clofibric acid in activated sludge bioreactors using liquid chromatography with quadrupole - time-of-flight mass spectrometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosjek, Tina; Heath, Ester; Pérez, Sandra; Petrović, Mira; Barceló, Damia

2009-06-01

SummaryTwo environmentally relevant pharmaceuticals, the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug, diclofenac and the pharmacologically active metabolite of several serum triglyceride-lowering pharmaceuticals, clofibric acid, were subjected to microbiological transformation in activated sludge bioreactors, and the production of breakdown products was studied. For separation, detection and identification of diclofenac's metabolites a UPLC-(+)ESI-QqToF-MS was employed, which enabled the detection of seven transformation products of diclofenac, all including the diagnostic fragment ion at m/z 214. The chemical structure of one metabolite was proposed, which was produced by dehydratation and lactame formation. Further investigations revealed additional two metabolites, which were isomeric structures with an elemental composition C 13H 10NCl 2; however, their chemical structures were not completely resolved. In addition, another biodegradation product showed an abundant fragment ion at m/z 295, the elemental composition of which was confirmed with a high degree of certainty as C 14H 11NO 2Cl 2. The biodegradation of clofibric acid revealed one metabolite in the (-)ESI-QqToF chromatogram, 4-chlorophenol, which is known to exhibit a higher toxicity than the parent compound. This study confirms that further research is needed on the formation of stable metabolites both during wastewater treatment and in the environment. It also highlights the need for parallel toxicity testing. In addition, this study suggests that more needs to be known about the environmental fate of pharmaceuticals so that we are able to provide a comprehensive risk assessment.

7 CFR 762.148 - Bankruptcy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... it appears additional recoveries are likely. (6) Monitor confirmed plans under chapters 11, 12 and 13... documentation for the loss claim, and any additional information requested by the Agency, including..., the lender may submit a revised estimated loss claim to obtain payment of the additional amount owed...

7 CFR 762.148 - Bankruptcy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... it appears additional recoveries are likely. (6) Monitor confirmed plans under chapters 11, 12 and 13... documentation for the loss claim, and any additional information requested by the Agency, including..., the lender may submit a revised estimated loss claim to obtain payment of the additional amount owed...

7 CFR 762.148 - Bankruptcy.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... it appears additional recoveries are likely. (6) Monitor confirmed plans under chapters 11, 12 and 13... documentation for the loss claim, and any additional information requested by the Agency, including..., the lender may submit a revised estimated loss claim to obtain payment of the additional amount owed...

Fiber optic tracheal detection device

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Souhan, Brian E.; Nawn, Corinne D.; Shmel, Richard; Watts, Krista L.; Ingold, Kirk A.

2017-02-01

Poorly performed airway management procedures can lead to a wide variety of adverse events, such as laryngeal trauma, stenosis, cardiac arrest, hypoxemia, or death as in the case of failed airway management or intubation of the esophagus. Current methods for confirming tracheal placement, such as auscultation, direct visualization or capnography, may be subjective, compromised due to clinical presentation or require additional specialized equipment that is not always readily available during the procedure. Consequently, there exists a need for a non-visual detection mechanism for confirming successful airway placement that can give the provider rapid feedback during the procedure. Based upon our previously presented work characterizing the reflectance spectra of tracheal and esophageal tissue, we developed a fiber-optic prototype to detect the unique spectral characteristics of tracheal tissue. Device performance was tested by its ability to differentiate ex vivo samples of tracheal and esophageal tissue. Pig tissue samples were tested with the larynx, trachea and esophagus intact as well as excised and mounted on cork. The device positively detected tracheal tissue 18 out of 19 trials and 1 false positive out of 19 esophageal trials. Our proof of concept device shows great promise as a potential mechanism for rapid user feedback during airway management procedures to confirm tracheal placement. Ongoing studies will investigate device optimizations of the probe for more refined sensing and in vivo testing.

A survey of ABCA1 sequence variation confirms association with dementia

PubMed Central

Reynolds, Chandra A.; Hong, Mun-Gwan; Eriksson, Ulrika K.; Blennow, Kaj; Bennet, Anna M.; Johansson, Boo; Malmberg, Bo; Berg, Stig; Wiklund, Fredrik; Gatz, Margaret; Pedersen, Nancy L.; Prince, Jonathan A.

2009-01-01

We and others have conducted targeted genetic association analyses of ABCA1 in relation to Alzheimer disease risk with a resultant mixture of both support and refutation, but all previous studies have been based upon only a few markers. Here, a detailed survey of genetic variation in the ABCA1 region has been performed in a total of 1567 Swedish dementia cases (including 1275 with Alzheimer disease) and 2203 controls, providing evidence of association with maximum significance at marker rs2230805 (OR = 1.39; 95% CI 1.23–1.57, P = 7.7 × 10−8). Haplotype-based tests confirmed association of this genomic region after excluding rs2230805, and imputation did not reveal additional markers with greater support. Significantly associating markers reside in two distinct linkage disequilibrium blocks with maxima near the promoter and in the terminal exon of a truncated ABCA1 splice-form. The putative risk allele of rs2230805 was also found to be associated with reduced cerebrospinal fluid levels of β-amyloid. The strongest evidence of association was obtained when all forms of dementia were considered together, but effect sizes were similar when only confirmed Alzheimer disease cases were assessed. Results further implicate ABCA1 in dementia, reinforcing the putative involvement of lipid transport in neurodegenerative disease. PMID:19606474

Deepening Minimums in Phase Space Density as an Evidence of the Localied Loss of Electrons by EMIC waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shprits, Y.; Aseev, N.; Drozdov, A.; Kellerman, A. C.; Usanova, M.

2017-12-01

Recent observations and modeling provided significant improvements in our understanding of the energization mechanisms for the electrons in the radiation belts. However, loss processes remain poorly understood. In this study we present analysis of the evolution of electron radial profiles of fluxes, pitch angle and energy distributions. Our modeling and observational results show that different loss mechanisms are operational at different energies. Global simulations at all energies, radial distances, and pitch angels are compared to Van Allen Probes observations of electron fluxes. VERB 3D model including various waves is capable of reproducing the dynamics of pitch angle distributions and energy spectra, demonstrating which loss mechanisms dominate at different energies. Analysis of the profiles of phase space density provides additional confirmation for our conclusions and presents a novel technique that identifies the region of intense local loss due to EMIC wave scattering. This technique allows us to identify the minimum energy affected by the EMIC loss and the location of the location of the EMIC-induced loss. Further comparison with theoretical estimates confirms that 1-2 MeV electrons cannot be effectively scattered by EMIC waves and most pronounced effect of EMIC waves is seen above 4MeV.

Urinary tract infections in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Phé, Véronique; Pakzad, Mahreen; Curtis, Carmel; Porter, Bernadette; Haslam, Collette; Chataway, Jeremy; Panicker, Jalesh N

2016-06-01

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are commonly reported by people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) and significantly impact quality of life. To provide an overview of the problem of UTIs in PwMS and offer a practical approach for the diagnosis and management. A review of the literature through a Pubmed search up to October 2015 was performed using the following keywords: multiple sclerosis, neurogenic bladder, urinary tract infections, relapse, dipsticks, culture, recurrent and prevention. Noteworthy topics include the definition of a confirmed symptomatic UTI as a positive urine culture defined by >10(5) colony-forming units (CFU)/mL or >10(4) CFU/mL if a urethral catheter urine sample is taken, or any count of bacteria in a suprapubic bladder puncture specimen, both in addition to symptoms including fever, pain, changes in lower urinary tract symptoms or neurological status. Urinalysis is useful to exclude a UTI; however, on its own is insufficient to confirm a UTI, for which urine culture is required. Experts advise asymptomatic UTIs should not be treated except in the context of an acute relapse. From international guidelines, there is no validated strategy to prevent recurrent UTIs in PwMS. This review provides an overview of the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of UTIs in the setting of multiple sclerosis (MS). © The Author(s), 2016.

Combined Characterization of the Time Response of Impression Materials via Traditional and FTIR Measurements

PubMed Central

Derchi, Giacomo; Manca, Enrico; Shayganpour, Amirreza; Barone, Antonio; Diaspro, Alberto; Salerno, Marco

2015-01-01

We investigated the temporal response of four dental impression materials, namely three siloxanes (Imprint 4, Flexitime, Aquasil) and one polyether (Impregum). The null hypothesis was that the nominal working times are confirmed by instrumental laboratory tests. We also aimed to identify alternative techniques with strong physical-chemical background for the assessment of temporal response. Traditional characterization was carried out by shark fin test device and durometer at both ambient and body temperature. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was performed at room temperature. From shark fin height and Shore hardness versus time the working time and the setting time of the materials were evaluated, respectively. These were in reasonable agreement with the nominal values, except for Impregum, which showed longer working time. Spectroscopy confirmed the different character of the two types of materials, and provided for Imprint 4 and Aquasil an independent evaluation of both evolution times, consistent with the results of the other techniques. Shark fin test and durometer measurements showed deviations in setting time, low sensitivity to temperature for Flexitime, and longer working time at higher temperature for Impregum. Deviations of working time appear in operating conditions from what specified by the manufacturers. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy can provide insight in the correlation between material properties and their composition and structure.

Influenza forecasting with Google Flu Trends.

PubMed

Dugas, Andrea Freyer; Jalalpour, Mehdi; Gel, Yulia; Levin, Scott; Torcaso, Fred; Igusa, Takeru; Rothman, Richard E

2013-01-01

We developed a practical influenza forecast model based on real-time, geographically focused, and easy to access data, designed to provide individual medical centers with advanced warning of the expected number of influenza cases, thus allowing for sufficient time to implement interventions. Secondly, we evaluated the effects of incorporating a real-time influenza surveillance system, Google Flu Trends, and meteorological and temporal information on forecast accuracy. Forecast models designed to predict one week in advance were developed from weekly counts of confirmed influenza cases over seven seasons (2004-2011) divided into seven training and out-of-sample verification sets. Forecasting procedures using classical Box-Jenkins, generalized linear models (GLM), and generalized linear autoregressive moving average (GARMA) methods were employed to develop the final model and assess the relative contribution of external variables such as, Google Flu Trends, meteorological data, and temporal information. A GARMA(3,0) forecast model with Negative Binomial distribution integrating Google Flu Trends information provided the most accurate influenza case predictions. The model, on the average, predicts weekly influenza cases during 7 out-of-sample outbreaks within 7 cases for 83% of estimates. Google Flu Trend data was the only source of external information to provide statistically significant forecast improvements over the base model in four of the seven out-of-sample verification sets. Overall, the p-value of adding this external information to the model is 0.0005. The other exogenous variables did not yield a statistically significant improvement in any of the verification sets. Integer-valued autoregression of influenza cases provides a strong base forecast model, which is enhanced by the addition of Google Flu Trends confirming the predictive capabilities of search query based syndromic surveillance. This accessible and flexible forecast model can be used by individual medical centers to provide advanced warning of future influenza cases.

Theoretical and Applied Implications of Precisely Measuring Learning Rates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Skinner, Christopher H.

2008-01-01

Nist and Joseph (2008) have confirmed earlier research showing that adding and interspersing a large number of time-consuming learning trials targeting known items (e.g., incremental rehearsal (IR) or interspersal) retards student learning rates. In addition, their current study has confirmed earlier research that adding and interspersing known…

Redescription and new records of Ontholestes brasilianus Bernhauer, 1906 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae).

PubMed

Costa-Silva, VinÍcius; Asenjo, AngÉlico; Newton, Alfred F; Thyssen, Patricia J

2018-02-28

The genus Ontholestes Ganglbauer includes 35 species distributed mainly in Eurasia, with a few additional species in Africa and North and South America (Herman, 2001; Yang Zhou, 2012; Smetana Shavrin, 2013; Rougemont, 2016). According to Asenjo et al. (2013), the South American record of the Palearctic species Ontholestes murinus (Linnaeus, 1758) for Brazil made by J. Guérin (1953) seems doubtful. Ontholestes murinus was recorded for the first time outside the Palaearctic region by Smetana (1981), from Newfoundland, in Canada, as an adventive species (e.g., Downie and Arnett, 1996; Brunke et al., 2011), but its occurrence in Brazil remains to be confirmed; if the Guérin (1953) record was based on a mistaken identification or mislabeled specimen, this would reduce the number of species distributed in this region from two to one. With respect to O. brasilianus Bernhauer, although it has been confirmed for Peru, Brazil and Argentina (Herman, 2001; Asenjo et al., 2013; Newton, 2015; Newton Caron, 2015), no specific localities of occurrence have been reported since its description in 1906. Thus, to solve problems of misidentification with Neotropical species of this genus, in this study we redescribe Ontholestes brasilianus and provide the first illustrations of the beetle including its aedeagus and a short key for South American species. Additionally, new records from South America are listed here.

Promoting the Multidimensional Character of Scientific Reasoning †

PubMed Central

Bradshaw, William S.; Nelson, Jennifer; Adams, Byron J.; Bell, John D.

2017-01-01

This study reports part of a long-term program to help students improve scientific reasoning using higher-order cognitive tasks set in the discipline of cell biology. This skill was assessed using problems requiring the construction of valid conclusions drawn from authentic research data. We report here efforts to confirm the hypothesis that data interpretation is a complex, multifaceted exercise. Confirmation was obtained using a statistical treatment showing that various such problems rank students differently—each contains a unique set of cognitive challenges. Additional analyses of performance results have allowed us to demonstrate that individuals differ in their capacity to navigate five independent generic elements that constitute successful data interpretation: biological context, connection to course concepts, experimental protocols, data inference, and integration of isolated experimental observations into a coherent model. We offer these aspects of scientific thinking as a “data analysis skills inventory,” along with usable sample problems that illustrate each element. Additionally, we show that this kind of reasoning is rigorous in that it is difficult for most novice students, who are unable to intuitively implement strategies for improving these skills. Instructors armed with knowledge of the specific challenges presented by different types of problems can provide specific helpful feedback during formative practice. The use of this instructional model is most likely to require changes in traditional classroom instruction. PMID:28512524

Installation Restoration Program. Phase II--Confirmation/Quantification. Stage 1.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-03-01

four phases. Phase I, Initial Assessment/ Records Search, is designed to identify possible hazardous waste contami- nated sites and potential...7 71 -. - - IL’ -, 1% 33 AihlIII Is 33 n~iL t iiC UII! ii CL C LU 1-3, Phase II, Confirmation and Quantification, is designed to confirm the...additional monitoring data upon which design of mitigative actions are based. In Phase III, Technology Base Development, appropriate technology is selected and

Identifying the Transgender Population in the Medicare Program

PubMed Central

Proctor, Kimberly; Haffer, Samuel C.; Ewald, Erin; Hodge, Carla; James, Cara V.

2016-01-01

Abstract Purpose: To identify and describe the transgender population in the Medicare program using administrative data. Methods: Using a combination of International Classification of Diseases ninth edition (ICD-9) codes relating to transsexualism and gender identity disorder, we analyzed 100% of the 2013 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) “final action” claims from both institutional and noninstitutional providers (∼1 billion claims) to identify individuals who may be transgender Medicare beneficiaries. To confirm, we developed and applied a multistage validation process. Results: Four thousand ninety-eight transgender beneficiaries were identified, of which ∼90% had confirmatory diagnoses, billing codes, or evidence of a hormone prescription. In general, the racial, ethnic, and geographic distribution of the Medicare transgender population tends to reflect the broader Medicare population. However, age, original entitlement status, and disease burden of the transgender population appear substantially different. Conclusions: Using a variety of claims information, ranging from claims history to additional diagnoses, billing modifiers, and hormone prescriptions, we demonstrate that administrative data provide a valuable resource for identifying a lower bound of the Medicare transgender population. In addition, we provide a baseline description of the diversity and disease burden of the population and a framework for future research. PMID:28861539

Kinetic-scale fluctuations resolved with the Fast Plasma Investigation on NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale mission.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gershman, D. J.; Figueroa-Vinas, A.; Dorelli, J.; Goldstein, M. L.; Shuster, J. R.; Avanov, L. A.; Boardsen, S. A.; Stawarz, J. E.; Schwartz, S. J.; Schiff, C.; Lavraud, B.; Saito, Y.; Paterson, W. R.; Giles, B. L.; Pollock, C. J.; Strangeway, R. J.; Russell, C. T.; Torbert, R. B.; Moore, T. E.; Burch, J. L.

2017-12-01

Measurements from the Fast Plasma Investigation (FPI) on NASA's Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission have enabled unprecedented analyses of kinetic-scale plasma physics. FPI regularly provides estimates of current density and pressure gradients of sufficient accuracy to evaluate the relative contribution of terms in plasma equations of motion. In addition, high-resolution three-dimensional velocity distribution functions of both ions and electrons provide new insights into kinetic-scale processes. As an example, for a monochromatic kinetic Alfven wave (KAW) we find non-zero, but out-of-phase parallel current density and electric field fluctuations, providing direct confirmation of the conservative energy exchange between the wave field and particles. In addition, we use fluctuations in current density and magnetic field to calculate the perpendicular and parallel wavelengths of the KAW. Furthermore, examination of the electron velocity distribution inside the KAW reveals a population of electrons non-linearly trapped in the kinetic-scale magnetic mirror formed between successive wave peaks. These electrons not only contribute to the wave's parallel electric field but also account for over half of the density fluctuations within the wave, supplying an unexpected mechanism for maintaining quasi-neutrality in a KAW. Finally, we demonstrate that the employed wave vector determination technique is also applicable to broadband fluctuations found in Earth's turbulent magnetosheath.

An ancestry informative marker set for determining continental origin: validation and extension using human genome diversity panels

PubMed Central

Nassir, Rami; Kosoy, Roman; Tian, Chao; White, Phoebe A; Butler, Lesley M; Silva, Gabriel; Kittles, Rick; Alarcon-Riquelme, Marta E; Gregersen, Peter K; Belmont, John W; De La Vega, Francisco M; Seldin, Michael F

2009-01-01

Background Case-control genetic studies of complex human diseases can be confounded by population stratification. This issue can be addressed using panels of ancestry informative markers (AIMs) that can provide substantial population substructure information. Previously, we described a panel of 128 SNP AIMs that were designed as a tool for ascertaining the origins of subjects from Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Americas, and East Asia. Results In this study, genotypes from Human Genome Diversity Panel populations were used to further evaluate a 93 SNP AIM panel, a subset of the 128 AIMS set, for distinguishing continental origins. Using both model-based and relatively model-independent methods, we here confirm the ability of this AIM set to distinguish diverse population groups that were not previously evaluated. This study included multiple population groups from Oceana, South Asia, East Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, North and South America, and Europe. In addition, the 93 AIM set provides population substructure information that can, for example, distinguish Arab and Ashkenazi from Northern European population groups and Pygmy from other Sub-Saharan African population groups. Conclusion These data provide additional support for using the 93 AIM set to efficiently identify continental subject groups for genetic studies, to identify study population outliers, and to control for admixture in association studies. PMID:19630973

Searching for Ultra-cool Objects at the Limits of Large-scale Surveys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pinfield, D. J.; Patel, K.; Zhang, Z.; Gomes, J.; Burningham, B.; Day-Jones, A. C.; Jenkins, J.

2011-12-01

We have made a search (to Y=19.6) of the UKIDSS Large Area Survey (LAS DR7) for objects detected only in the Y-band. We have identified and removed contamination due to solar system objects, dust specs in the WFCAM optical path, persistence in the WFCAM detectors, and other sources of spurious single source Y-detections in the UKIDSS LAS data-base. In addition to our automated selection procedure we have visually inspected the ˜600 automatically selected candidates to provide an additional level of quality filtering. This has resulted in 55 good candidates that await follow-up observations to confirm their nature. Ultra-cool LAS Y-only objects would have blue Y-J colours combined with very red optical-NIR SEDs - characteristics shared by Jupiter, and suggested by an extrapolation of the Y-J colour trend seen for the latest T dwarfs currently known.

Affecting others: social appraisal and emotion contagion in everyday decision making.

PubMed

Parkinson, Brian; Simons, Gwenda

2009-08-01

In a diary study of interpersonal affect transfer, 41 participants reported on decisions involving other people over 3 weeks. Reported anxiety and excitement were reliably related to the perceived anxiety and excitement of another person who was present during decision making. Risk and importance appraisals partially mediated effects of other's anxiety on own anxiety as predicted by social appraisal theory. However, other's emotion remained a significant independent predictor of own emotion after controlling for appraisals, supporting the additional impact of more direct forms of affect transfer such as emotion contagion. Significant affect-transfer effects remained even after controlling for participants' perceptions of the other's emotion in addition to all measured appraisals, confirming that affect transfer does not require explicit registration of someone else's feelings. This research provides some of the clearest evidence for the operation of both social appraisal and automatic affect transfer in everyday social life.

Compositional Changes and Baking Performance of Rye Dough As Affected by Microbial Transglutaminase and Xylanase.

PubMed

Grossmann, Isabel; Döring, Clemens; Jekle, Mario; Becker, Thomas; Koehler, Peter

2016-07-20

Doughs supplemented with endoxylanase (XYL) and varying amounts of microbial transglutaminase (TG) were analyzed by sequential protein extraction, quantitation of protein fractions and protein types, and determination of water-extractable arabinoxylans. With increasing TG activity, the concentration of prolamins and glutelins decreased and increased, respectively, and the prolamin-to-glutelin ratio strongly declined. The overall amount of extractable protein decreased with increasing TG level showing that cross-linking by TG provided high-molecular-weight protein aggregates. The decrease of the high-molecular-weight arabinoxylan fraction and the concurrent increase of the medium-molecular-weight fraction confirmed the degradation of arabinoxylans by XYL. However, XYL addition did not lead to significant improved cross-linking of rye proteins by TG. Volume and crumb hardness measurements of bread showed increased protein connectivity induced by XYL and TG. Significant positive effects on the final bread quality were especially obtained by XYL addition.

Impact of Social Punishment on Cooperative Behavior in Complex Networks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Zhen; Xia, Cheng-Yi; Meloni, Sandro; Zhou, Chang-Song; Moreno, Yamir

2013-10-01

Social punishment is a mechanism by which cooperative individuals spend part of their resources to penalize defectors. In this paper, we study the evolution of cooperation in 2-person evolutionary games on networks when a mechanism for social punishment is introduced. Specifically, we introduce a new kind of role, punisher, which is aimed at reducing the earnings of defectors by applying to them a social fee. Results from numerical simulations show that different equilibria allowing the three strategies to coexist are possible as well as that social punishment further enhance the robustness of cooperation. Our results are confirmed for different network topologies and two evolutionary games. In addition, we analyze the microscopic mechanisms that give rise to the observed macroscopic behaviors in both homogeneous and heterogeneous networks. Our conclusions might provide additional insights for understanding the roots of cooperation in social systems.

Radiochronometry in the CMX-4 Exercise-Draft

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

Kristo, M. J.; Williams, R.; Gaffney, A. M.

In a recent international exercise, 10 international nuclear forensics laboratories successfully performed radiochronometry on 3 low-enriched uranium oxide samples, providing 12 analytical results using 3 different parent-daughter pairs serving as independent chronometers. The vast majority of the results were consistent with one another and consistent with the known processing history of the materials. In general, for these particular samples, mass spectrometry gave more accurate and more precise analytical results than decay counting measurements. In addition, the concordance of the 235U- 231Pa and 234U- 230Th chronometers confirmed the validity of the age dating assumption, increasing our confidence in the resulting conclusions.

Information transfer in auditoria and room-acoustical quality.

PubMed

Summers, Jason E

2013-04-01

It is hypothesized that room-acoustical quality correlates with the information-transfer rate. Auditoria are considered as multiple-input multiple-output communication channels and a theory of information-transfer is outlined that accounts for time-variant multipath, spatial hearing, and distributed directional sources. Source diversity and spatial hearing are shown to be the mechanisms through which multipath increases the information-transfer rate by overcoming finite spatial resolution. In addition to predictions that are confirmed by recent and historical findings, the theory provides explanations for the influence of factors such as musical repertoire and ensemble size on subjective preference and the influence of multisource, multichannel auralization on perceived realism.

Morphology of the adult male and pupal exuviae of Glyptotendipes (Glyptotendipes) glaucus (Meigen 1818) (Diptera, Chironomidae) using scanning electron microscope (SEM).

PubMed

Kownacki, Andrzej; Woznicka, Olga; Szarek-Gwiazda, Ewa; Michailova, Paraskeva; Czaplicka, Anna

2017-02-27

In this paper, a study of the morphology of the pupa and male imago of Glyptotendipes (G.) glaucus (Meigen 1818) was carried out, with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM provided additional valuable information on the morphology of the species. Adult male head, antenna, wing, leg, abdomen, hypopygium, pupal cephalothorax and abdomen were examined. It is emphasized that SEM was not often used in Chironomidae studies. The present results confirm SEM as a suitable approach in carrying out morphological and taxonomical descriptions of Chironomidae species.

Water-clover ferns, Marsilea, in the Southeastern United States

USGS Publications Warehouse

Jacono, Colette C.; Johnson, David M.

2006-01-01

A surge in the collection of exotic Marsilea, M. mutica, M. minuta and M. hirsuta in the southeastern United States has prompted the need for updated identification aids. This study provides an annotated key to all water-clover ferns occurring in the region. It describes and illustrates recently documented exotic species and a previously misidentified western introduction. It details the rediscovery of M. ancylopoda, presumed extinct, and confirms its identification as the western species M. oligospora. Finally it clarifies the status and distribution of two additional western North American species introduced to the southeast, M. vestita and M. macropoda.

Analysis of delamination related fracture processes in composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armanios, Erian A.

1992-01-01

An anisotropic thin walled closed section beam theory was developed based on an asymptotical analysis of the shell energy functional. The displacement field is not assumed a priori and emerges as a result of the analysis. In addition to the classical out-of-plane torsional warping, two new contributions are identified namely, axial strain and bending warping. A comparison of the derived governing equations confirms the theory developed by Reissner and Tsai. Also, explicit closed form expressions for the beam stiffness coefficients, the stress and displacement fields are provided. The predictions of the present theory were validated by comparison with finite element simulation, other closed form analyses and test data.

Framework of the outreach after a school shooting and the students perceptions of the provided support

PubMed Central

Turunen, Tuija; Haravuori, Henna; Pihlajamäki, Jaakko J.; Marttunen, Mauri; Punamäki, Raija-Leena

2014-01-01

Background A large number of bereaved family members, surviving students, and their relatives as well as school staff and the wider community were in need of psychosocial support as a result of a school shooting in Kauhajoki, Finland, 2008. A multilevel outreach project provided psychosocial care to the trauma-affected families, students, schools staff, and wider community for 2 years and 4 months. Objective This article is twofold. First, it presents the theoretical rationale behind the psychosocial support and describes the multimodal elements of the services. Second, it analyzes the trauma-exposed students’ help-seeking behavior and perceptions of the usefulness of the support they were offered in different phases of recovery. Method Information of students’ help-seeking and perceptions of support is based on a follow-up data from 4 months (T1, N=236), 16 months (T2, N=180), and 28 months (T3, N=137) after the shootings. Mean age of students was 24.9 (SD=10.2; 95% women). Their perceptions of the offered psychosocial support were collected with structured and open questions constructed for the study. Results The results confirmed the importance of enhancing the natural networks after a major trauma and offering additional professional support for those in greatest need. The students’ perceptions of the provided care confirmed that the model of the acute and long-term outreach can be used after major tragedies in diverse situations and in other countries as well. PMID:25018862

Framework of the outreach after a school shooting and the students perceptions of the provided support.

PubMed

Turunen, Tuija; Haravuori, Henna; Pihlajamäki, Jaakko J; Marttunen, Mauri; Punamäki, Raija-Leena

2014-01-01

A large number of bereaved family members, surviving students, and their relatives as well as school staff and the wider community were in need of psychosocial support as a result of a school shooting in Kauhajoki, Finland, 2008. A multilevel outreach project provided psychosocial care to the trauma-affected families, students, schools staff, and wider community for 2 years and 4 months. This article is twofold. First, it presents the theoretical rationale behind the psychosocial support and describes the multimodal elements of the services. Second, it analyzes the trauma-exposed students' help-seeking behavior and perceptions of the usefulness of the support they were offered in different phases of recovery. Information of students' help-seeking and perceptions of support is based on a follow-up data from 4 months (T1, N=236), 16 months (T2, N=180), and 28 months (T3, N=137) after the shootings. Mean age of students was 24.9 (SD=10.2; 95% women). Their perceptions of the offered psychosocial support were collected with structured and open questions constructed for the study. The results confirmed the importance of enhancing the natural networks after a major trauma and offering additional professional support for those in greatest need. The students' perceptions of the provided care confirmed that the model of the acute and long-term outreach can be used after major tragedies in diverse situations and in other countries as well.

CHANDRA Observations of V407 Vul: Confirmation of the Spin-up

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strohmayer, T.

2004-01-01

V407 Vu1 (RX J1914.4+2456) is a candidate double-degenerate binary with a putative 1.756 mHz (9.5 min) orbital frequency. In a previous timing study using archival ROSAT and ASCA data we reported evidence for an increase of this frequency at a rate consistent with expectations for gravitational radiation from a detached ultracompact binary system. Here we report the results of new Chandra timing observations which confirm the previous indications of spin-up of the X-ray frequency, and provide much tighter constraints on the frequency derivative, nu (raised dot). We obtained with Chandra a total of 90 ksec of exposure in two epochs separated in time by 11.5 months. The total time span of the archival ROSAT, ASCA and new Chandra data is now approximately equal to 10.5 years. This more than doubles the interval spanned by the ROSAT and ASCA data alone, providing much greater sensitivity to a frequency derivative. With the addition of the Chandra data an increasing frequency is unavoidable, and the mean nu (raised dot) is 7.0 plus or minus 0.8 x l0(exp -18) Hz per second. Although a long-term spin-up trend is confirmed, there is excess variance in the phase timing residuals, perhaps indicative of shorter timescale torque fluctuations or phase instability associated with the source of the X-ray flux. Power spectral searches for periods longward of the 9.5 minute period do not find any significant modulations, however, the sensitivity of searches in this frequency range are somewhat compromised by the dithering of the Chandra attitude. The observed spin-up is of a magnitude consistent with that expected from gravitational radiation decay, however, the factor of approximately equal to 3 variations in flux combined with the timing noise could conceivably result from accretion-induced spin-up of a white dwarf. Continued monitoring to explore correlations of torque with X-ray flux could provide a further test of this hypothesis.

Long-acting follicle-stimulating hormone analogs containing N-linked glycosylation exhibited increased bioactivity compared with o-linked analogs in female rats.

PubMed

Weenen, C; Peña, J E; Pollak, S V; Klein, J; Lobel, L; Trousdale, R K; Palmer, S; Lustbader, E G; Ogden, R T; Lustbader, J W

2004-10-01

The effects of altering the number and type of additional carbohydrate moieties on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of FSH were examined in this report. A series of single-chain follitropins, containing variable numbers of additional N- (or O-) linked carbohydrates, were designed and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Proper folding, efficient receptor binding, and signal transduction were confirmed by in vitro assays. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters were evaluated in immature female Sprague Dawley rats. Increasing the number of glycosylation sites with either N- (or O-) linked moieties extended the elimination half-life as much as 2-fold compared with recombinant human FSH (rhFSH). However, there was a maximum elimination half-life such that further glycosylation provided no additional lengthening of the half-life. Conversely, biopotency, as assessed by inhibin A levels 74 h post injection, and follicle production were significantly higher for the N-linked analogs. Rats stimulated with the longest acting analogs (either N- or O-linked) showed significantly higher ovarian weights than rats receiving a single injection of rhFSH. The analog containing four additional N-linked sites (rhFSH-N4) had the greatest number of large, preovulatory follicles. Although the half-life of rhFSH-N4 displayed no further enhancement beyond the other longest acting analogs, this analog exhibited significantly increased biopotency in rats. This work provides the basis for the generation of a series of reagents potentially useful for therapeutic applications.

Synergetic effect of Sn addition and oxygen-deficient atmosphere to fabricate active hematite photoelectrodes for light-induced water splitting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Freitas, Andre L. M.; Souza, Flavio L.

2017-11-01

This work describes the design of a microwave-assisted method using hydrothermal conditions to fabricate pure and Sn-doped hematite photoelectrodes with varied synthesis time and additional thermal treatment under air and N2 atmosphere. The hematite photoelectrode formed under N2 atmosphere, with Sn deposited on its surface—which is represented by material synthesized at 4 h —exhibits the highest performance. Hence, Sn addition followed by high temperature annealing conducted in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere seems to create oxygen vacancies, and to prevent the segregation of dopant to form the SnO2 phase at the hematite crystal surface, reducing its energy and suppressing the grain growth. The increased donor number density provided by the oxygen vacancies (confirmed by x-ray photoelectron data), and a possible reduction in the grain boundary energy or hematite crystal interface might favor charge separation, and increase the electron transfer through the hematite into the back contact (FTO substrate). In consequence, the light-induced water oxidation reaction efficiency of Sn-hematite photoelectrodes was significantly increased in comparison with pure ones, even though the vertical rod morphology was not preserved. This finding provides a novel insight into intentional Sn addition, revealing that dopant segregation at the hematite crystal surface (or at the grain boundaries) could—by increasing the electron mobility—be the more relevant factor in developing active hematite photoelectrodes than the control of columnar morphology.

2015 Advanced Site Investigation and Monitoring Report Riverton, Wyoming, Processing Site September 2016

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

Frazier, William; Campbell, Sam

The U.S. Department of Energy conducted initial groundwater characterization of the Riverton, Wyoming, Processing Site in the 1990s. The characterization culminated in a Site Observational Work Plan in 1998 that recommended a natural flushing compliance strategy. Results of verification monitoring indicated that natural flushing was generally progressing as expected until June 2010, when significant increases in contaminant concentrations were measured in several monitoring wells downgradient of the site after the area flooded. In response to the unexpected results following the flood, an enhanced characterization of the surficial aquifer was conducted in 2012, which included installation of 103 boreholes along ninemore » transects with a Geoprobe, collection of 103 water samples and 65 soil samples, laboratory tests on the soil samples, and additional groundwater modeling. This advanced site investigation report summarizes additional investigation in 2015 through the use of backhoe trenching, sonic drilling, multilevel monitoring wells, direct-push drilling, and temporary well points to collect soil and groundwater samples. Additional surface water measurements were made included the installation of a stilling well and the measurement of stream elevation along the Wind River to approximate upgradient groundwater heads. Groundwater sampling included the addition of geochemical constituents and isotopes that have not been sampled in the past to better understand post-flood conditions and the possibility of additional or ongoing contaminant sources. This sampling was performed to (1) better define the contaminant plumes, (2) verify the occurrence of persistent secondary contaminant sources, (3) better understand the reason for the contaminant spikes after a 2010 flood, and (4) assess contaminant plume stagnation near the Little Wind River. This report provides data analyses and interpretations for the 2015 site investigation that addresses these issues and provides recommendations for future efforts. Observations from trenches and sonic drilling indicate the general lithology of the shallow, unconsolidated sediments consists of a silt zone at the surface that ranges from 2.5 to 4.8 feet below ground surface, underlain by sand and gravel, underlain by the top of the weathered bedrock (Wind River Formation). Soil data from trenches and sonic drilling indicate (1) elevated concentrations of several constituents in the silt zone, likely due to the formation of evaporites, (2) uranium is the only measured element that appears to be concentrated in the silt over the groundwater contaminant plume, (3) in the former tailings impoundment area, there may be a thin unsaturated zone with elevated uranium in the native material just below the fill, (4) in the former tailings impoundment area, slightly higher uranium concentrations occur in the underlying saturated sand and gravel, and (5) several bedrock samples have a unique geochemical signature, generally related to a higher silt content. Assessment of groundwater flow included measuring river elevations along the Wind River and installing the temporary well points adjacent to the Little Wind River that provided additional data points to refine contours for water table elevations. These data confirm past interpretations of groundwater flow to the southeast across the site toward the Little Wind River. Hydraulic head elevations between paired surficial and semiconfined aquifer wells indicate variable vertical gradients across the site with the potential for upward and downward flow. Additional direct-push drilling and groundwater sampling confirmed the contaminant plume configuration, but it also revealed a low-sulfate-concentration zone at the edge of the former tailings impoundment. Temporary well points provided better definition of plume concentrations at the bank of the Little Wind River, and data from these wells indicate plume discharge to the river. Additional sampling in an area southwest of the plume that had elevated uranium groundwater concentrations in the past did not have any uranium concentrations above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency maximum concentration limit for uranium. Results from multilevel monitoring wells indicate some geochemical differences with depth, but overall concentrations are similar to those in nearby conventional monitoring wells in the long-term monitoring program. Geochemistry data from these multilevel monitoring wells confirm the general increase in contaminant concentrations toward the river and toward the plume centerline for chloride, sulfate, and uranium but highlight geochemical controls on calcium. Iron data indicate slightly reducing conditions, especially near water table and bedrock surfaces, with more oxidizing conditions in the middle of the sand and gravel. Uranium activity ratios (234U/238U) confirm the uranium plume in the surficial aquifer as being mill related, and the area to the southwest outside the plume as natural, non-mill related. In the semiconfined aquifer, evidence of aquifer connection and impacts from the mill is inconclusive. Values of δD and δ 18O suggest water is derived from different sources and tritium data confirm that the semiconfined aquifer water is generally older than the surficial aquifer water. However, these data do indicate some groundwater communication from the surficial aquifer into the semiconfined aquifer, which resulted in δD and δ 18O and tritium values in the semiconfined aquifer that are more similar to those in the surficial aquifer. Values of δ 34S sulfate in the semiconfined aquifer combined with sulfate concentrations indicate the potential for some mill- related sulfate in the semiconfined aquifer, albeit limited to an area near and beneath the former tailings impoundment. Uranium and molybdenum concentrations in the semiconfined aquifer are below groundwater standards in all wells. However, the elevated molybdenum concentrations at one semiconfined aquifer well underneath the former tailings impoundment suggests a mill- derived source for the uranium and molybdenum in that well. It is possible that aquifer cross- communication occurred when the tailings impoundment was active and created a higher head. Current cross-communication appears unlikely given the large differences in tritium values and an upward hydraulic head at this location. Nine domestic wells are located within the institutional control boundary (eight in the confined aquifer and one in the semiconfined aquifer). Uranium and molybdenum concentrations in all samples collected from these wells were one or two orders of magnitude below the groundwater standards. Surface water flow in the Little Wind River in September 2015 was low compared to historical averages for that time of year. As a result, the uranium concentration measured in the Little Wind River was at a historical maximum at the sampling location upstream of the site. However, the impact of uranium discharge from the groundwater plume into the Little Wind River was not measureable. Elevated sulfate concentrations were observed in an outfall ditch related to an active sulfuric acid plant. Uranium concentrations in the oxbow lake remain at concentrations above the groundwater standard. Plume contaminant concentrations had returned to levels found prior to the 2010 flood by the end of 2015. However, these concentrations still exceed model predictions for natural flushing, and the current data indicate that natural flushing to achieve remediation goals within the 100-year time period is not likely, especially with the high potential for additional floods in the update to the conceptual site model (CSM), soil data indicate additional contaminant sources, specifically uranium, in evaporites within the silt layer over the uranium plume and in naturally reduced zones (NRZs). Additional zones of slightly elevated uranium concentration are in the native sediments just above the water table but below the fill layer in the former tailings impoundment area. This area also has slightly elevated uranium in the sand and gravel below the water table. Mass balance calculations indicate that small amounts of dissolution in any of these zones with increased uranium in the solid phase can produce groundwater uranium concentrations above the groundwater standard and could account for the post-flood uranium spike. The additional uranium near the former tailings impoundment provides a mechanism for a continuing source for the uranium plume that was not considered in earlier natural flushing models. In addition, uranium released from the silt layer or the NRZs seasonally and during flooding may add uranium to the groundwater plume near the Little Wind River. These mechanisms provide a possible explanation for plume persistence, along with spikes in concentrations during floods, that creates the current plume configuration. Additional updates to the CSM include (1) chloride flushes more rapidly than uranium beneath the former mill site, (2) chloride in the silt layer provides a scenario in which chloride cannot be used as a conservative tracer (especially in areas prone to flooding), (3) uranium concentrations with depth can be variable (especially below NRZs), and (4) calcite and gypsum solubility limits appear to provide important geochemical controls on groundwater geochemistry. The conclusion of this study provides several recommendations for additional work to refine the CSM and continue assessment of the natural flushing compliance strategy. Recommendations for additional work include targeted soil and groundwater sampling to assess geochemical conditions, distribution of contaminants, and groundwater/surface water interaction; additional column tests to provide data for geochemical modeling; and development of an updated groundwater flow model, which will be used in conjunction with a geochemical model to assess the viability of the natural flushing compliance strategy.« less

Indices of soil contamination by heavy metals - methodology of calculation for pollution assessment (minireview).

PubMed

Weissmannová, Helena Doležalová; Pavlovský, Jiří

2017-11-07

This article provides the assessment of heavy metal soil pollution with using the calculation of various pollution indices and contains also summarization of the sources of heavy metal soil pollution. Twenty described indices of the assessment of soil pollution consist of two groups: single indices and total complex indices of pollution or contamination with relevant classes of pollution. This minireview provides also the classification of pollution indices in terms of the complex assessment of soil quality. In addition, based on the comparison of metal concentrations in soil-selected sites of the world and used indices of pollution or contamination in soils, the concentration of heavy metal in contaminated soils varied widely, and pollution indices confirmed the significant contribution of soil pollution from anthropogenic activities mainly in urban and industrial areas.

The relative contributions of processing speed and cognitive load to working memory accuracy in multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Leavitt, Victoria M; Lengenfelder, Jean; Moore, Nancy B; Chiaravalloti, Nancy D; DeLuca, John

2011-06-01

Cognitive symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) include processing-speed deficits and working memory impairment. The precise manner in which these deficits interact in individuals with MS remains to be explicated. We hypothesized that providing more time on a complex working memory task would result in performance benefits for individuals with MS relative to healthy controls. Fifty-three individuals with clinically definite MS and 36 matched healthy controls performed a computerized task that systematically manipulated cognitive load. The interval between stimuli presentations was manipulated to provide increasing processing time. The results confirmed that individuals with MS who have processing-speed deficits significantly improve in performance accuracy when given additional time to process the information in working memory. Implications of these findings for developing appropriate cognitive rehabilitation interventions are discussed.

Gestational age assessment in malaria pregnancy cohorts: a prospective ultrasound demonstration project in Malawi.

PubMed

Wylie, Blair J; Kalilani-Phiri, Linda; Madanitsa, Mwayi; Membe, Gladys; Nyirenda, Osward; Mawindo, Patricia; Kuyenda, Redson; Malenga, Albert; Masonbrink, Abbey; Makanani, Bonus; Thesing, Phillip; Laufer, Miriam K

2013-06-04

Malaria during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for low birth weight (<2500 grams). Distinguishing infants that are born premature (< 37 weeks) from those that are growth-restricted (less than the 10th percentile at birth) requires accurate assessment of gestational age. Where ultrasound is accessible, sonographic confirmation of gestational age is more accurate than menstrual dating. The goal was to pilot the feasibility and utility of adding ultrasound to an observational pregnancy malaria cohort. In July 2009, research staff (three mid-level clinical providers, one nurse) from The Blantyre Malaria Project underwent an intensive one-week ultrasound training to perform foetal biometry. Following an additional four months of practice and remote image review, subjects from an ongoing cohort were recruited for ultrasound to determine gestational age. Gestational age at delivery established by ultrasound was compared with postnatal gestational age assessment (Ballard examination). One hundred and seventy-eight women were enrolled. The majority of images were of good quality (94.3%, 509/540) although a learning curve was apparent with 17.5% (24/135) images of unacceptable quality in the first 25% of scans. Ultrasound was used to date 13% of the pregnancies when menstrual dates were unknown and changed the estimated gestational age for an additional 25%. There was poor agreement between the gestational age at delivery as established by the ultrasound protocol compared to that determined by the Ballard examination (bias 0.8 weeks, limits of agreement -3.5 weeks to 5.1 weeks). The distribution of gestational ages by Ballard suggested a clustering of gestational age around the mean with 87% of the values falling between 39 and 41 weeks. The distribution of gestational age by ultrasound confirmed menstrual dates was more typical. Using ultrasound confirmed dates as the gold standard, 78.5% of preterm infants were misclassified as term and 26.8% of small-for gestational age infants misclassified as appropriately grown by Ballard. Ultrasound should be strongly considered in prospective malaria studies with obstetric endpoints to confirm gestational age and avoid misclassification of infants as premature or growth-restricted. The use of ultrasound does require a significant investment of time to maintain quality image acquisition.

[Western area surge for controlling Ebola hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Sierra Leone and evaluation of its effect].

PubMed

Chen, Yong; Wu, Dan; Zhang, Wenyi; Chen, Zeliang; Chang, Guohui; Tian, Shuguang; Yang, Ruifu; Liu, Chao

2015-10-01

To investigate the Western Area Surge (WAS) program in the Ebola outbreak of Sierra Leone, and to analyze its implementing effect. The subject of this study was 3,813 laboratory confirmed Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) cases reported in Sierra Leone from November 19, 2014 through January 27, 2015, a period before and after the implementation of the WAS program. To analyze and make conclusions according to the working experience of China Mobile Laboratory Reponses Team in the fight of Ebola outbreak, using WHO published EHF case definition to make diagnosis and compare the number of bed numbers, confirmed EHF cases, samples tested, and positive rates before and after implementation of WAS program. From the implementation of WAS program on 17th December 2014 to half a month later, the total numbers of Ebola holding and treatment centers increased from 640 to 960, six additional laboratories were established. On January, 2015, another two laboratories from America and The Netherlands were established. The numbers of samples tested one month before and after WAS program were 7,891 and 9,783, respectively, with an increase of 24.0 percent, while the positive rate of Ebola virus decreased from 22.2% (1,752/7,891) to 11.0% (1,077/9,783). The positive rate of blood samples decreased from 39.6% (248/626) in the month before WAS program to 27.4% (131/478) (χ2=17.93, P<0.001) in the mother after WAS program, the positive rate of blood samples 22.7% (103/454) to 10% (62/609) (χ2=31.03, P<0.001), accordingly. After 3 weeks of WAS program, in addition to Western Area, another four hotspots in Sierra Leone had also reported a significant decrease of the numbers of confirmed EVD cases. Forty-two days after implementation of WAS program, the daily number of laboratory confirmed EHF cases decreased from 63 to 10. WAS program played a vital role in controlling the EHF outbreak rapidly in Sierra Leone. It could also provide guidance for the control similar large infectious diseases outbreak in the future.

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification for Laboratory Confirmation of Buruli Ulcer Disease—Towards a Point-of-Care Test

PubMed Central

Beissner, Marcus; Phillips, Richard Odame; Battke, Florian; Bauer, Malkin; Badziklou, Kossi; Sarfo, Fred Stephen; Maman, Issaka; Rhomberg, Agata; Piten, Ebekalisai; Frimpong, Michael; Huber, Kristina Lydia; Symank, Dominik; Jansson, Moritz; Wiedemann, Franz Xaver; Banla Kere, Abiba; Herbinger, Karl-Heinz; Löscher, Thomas; Bretzel, Gisela

2015-01-01

Background As the major burden of Buruli ulcer disease (BUD) occurs in remote rural areas, development of point-of-care (POC) tests is considered a research priority to bring diagnostic services closer to the patients. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), a simple, robust and cost-effective technology, has been selected as a promising POC test candidate. Three BUD-specific LAMP assays are available to date, but various technical challenges still hamper decentralized application. To overcome the requirement of cold-chains for transport and storage of reagents, the aim of this study was to establish a dry-reagent-based LAMP assay (DRB-LAMP) employing lyophilized reagents. Methodology/Principal Findings Following the design of an IS2404 based conventional LAMP (cLAMP) assay suitable to apply lyophilized reagents, a lyophylization protocol for the DRB-LAMP format was developed. Clinical performance of cLAMP was validated through testing of 140 clinical samples from 91 suspected BUD cases by routine assays, i.e. IS2404 dry-reagent-based (DRB) PCR, conventional IS2404 PCR (cPCR), IS2404 qPCR, compared to cLAMP. Whereas qPCR rendered an additional 10% of confirmed cases and samples respectively, case confirmation and positivity rates of DRB-PCR or cPCR (64.84% and 56.43%; 100% concordant results in both assays) and cLAMP (62.64% and 52.86%) were comparable and there was no significant difference between the sensitivity of the assays (DRB PCR and cPCR, 86.76%; cLAMP, 83.82%). Likewise, sensitivity of cLAMP (95.83%) and DRB-LAMP (91.67%) were comparable as determined on a set of 24 samples tested positive in all routine assays. Conclusions/Significance Both LAMP formats constitute equivalent alternatives to conventional PCR techniques. Provided the envisaged availability of field friendly DNA extraction formats, both assays are suitable for decentralized laboratory confirmation of BUD, whereby DRB-LAMP scores with the additional advantage of not requiring cold-chains. As validation of the assays was conducted in a third-level laboratory environment, field based evaluation trials are necessary to determine the clinical performance at peripheral health care level. PMID:26566026

75 FR 5887 - Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Paracoccus Pigment; Confirmation of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-02-05

... pigment as a color additive in the feed of salmonid fish to enhance the color of their flesh. DATES: The... for the safe use of paracoccus pigment as a color additive in the feed of salmonid fish to enhance the... of Food and Drugs, and redelegated to the Director, Office of Food Additive Safety, notice is given...

Pre-fermentation addition of grape tannin increases the varietal thiols content in wine.

PubMed

Larcher, Roberto; Tonidandel, Loris; Román Villegas, Tomás; Nardin, Tiziana; Fedrizzi, Bruno; Nicolini, Giorgio

2015-01-01

The recent finding that grape tannin may contain significant amount of S-glutathionylated (GSH-3MH) and S-cysteinylated (Cys-3MH) precursors of the varietal thiols 3-mercapto-1-hexanol and 3-mercaptohexyl acetate, characteristic of Sauvignon blanc wines, offers new opportunities for enhancing the tropical aroma in fermented beverages. In this study this new hypothesis was investigated: Müller Thurgau (17 samples) and Sauvignon blanc (15 samples) grapes were fermented with and without addition of a selected grape tannin. As expected, the tannin-added juices were higher in precursors, and they produced wines with increased free thiols. Preliminary informal sensory tests confirmed that in particular the Sauvignon wines produced with the tannin addition were often richer with increased "fruity/green" notes than the corresponding reference wines. This outcome confirms that grape tannin addition prior to fermentation can fortify the level of these compounds. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

St. Louis encephalitis virus possibly transmitted through blood transfusion-Arizona, 2015.

PubMed

Venkat, Heather; Adams, Laura; Sunenshine, Rebecca; Krow-Lucal, Elisabeth; Levy, Craig; Kafenbaum, Tammy; Sylvester, Tammy; Smith, Kirk; Townsend, John; Dosmann, Melissa; Kamel, Hany; Patron, Roberto; Kuehnert, Matthew; Annambhotla, Pallavi; Basavaraju, Sridhar V; Rabe, Ingrid B

2017-12-01

St. Louis encephalitis virus is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that infrequently causes epidemic central nervous system infections. In the United States, blood donors are not screened for St. Louis encephalitis virus infection, and transmission through blood transfusion has not been reported. During September 2015, St. Louis encephalitis virus infection was confirmed in an Arizona kidney transplant recipient. An investigation was initiated to determine the infection source. The patient was interviewed, and medical records were reviewed. To determine the likelihood of mosquito-borne infection, mosquito surveillance data collected at patient and blood donor residences in timeframes consistent with their possible exposure periods were reviewed. To investigate other routes of exposure, organ and blood donor and recipient specimens were obtained and tested for evidence of St. Louis encephalitis virus infection. The patient presented with symptoms of central nervous system infection. Recent St. Louis encephalitis virus infection was serologically confirmed. The organ donor and three other organ recipients showed no laboratory or clinical evidence of St. Louis encephalitis virus infection. Among four donors of blood products received by the patient via transfusion, one donor had a serologically confirmed, recent St. Louis encephalitis virus infection. Exposure to an infected mosquito was unlikely based on the patient's minimal outdoor exposure. In addition, no St. Louis encephalitis virus-infected mosquito pools were identified around the patient's residence. This investigation provides evidence of the first reported possible case of St. Louis encephalitis virus transmission through blood product transfusion. Health care providers and public health professionals should maintain heightened awareness for St. Louis encephalitis virus transmission through blood transfusion in settings where outbreaks are identified. © 2017 AABB.

Credentialing of radiotherapy centres in Australasia for TROG 09.02 (Chisel), a Phase III clinical trial on stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy of early stage lung cancer.

PubMed

Kron, Tomas; Chesson, Brent; Hardcastle, Nicholas; Crain, Melissa; Clements, Natalie; Burns, Mark; Ball, David

2018-05-01

A randomised clinical trial comparing stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) with conventional radiotherapy for early stage lung cancer has been conducted in Australia and New Zealand under the auspices of the TransTasman Radiation Oncology Group (NCT01014130). We report on the technical credentialing program as prerequisite for centres joining the trial. Participating centres were asked to develop treatment plans for two test cases to assess their ability to create plans according to protocol. Dose delivery in the presence of inhomogeneity and motion was assessed during a site visit using a phantom with moving inserts. Site visits for the trial were conducted in 16 Australian and 3 New Zealand radiotherapy facilities. The tests with low density inhomogeneities confirmed shortcomings of the AAA algorithm for dose calculation. Dose was assessed for a typical treatment delivery including at least one non-coplanar beam in a stationary and moving phantom. This end-to-end test confirmed that all participating centres were able to deliver stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy with the required accuracy while the planning study demonstrated that they were able to produce acceptable plans for both test cases. The credentialing process documented that participating centres were able to deliver dose as required in the trial protocol. It also gave an opportunity to provide education about the trial and discuss technical issues such as four-dimensional CT, small field dosimetry and patient immobilisation with staff in participating centres. Advances in knowledge: Credentialing is an important quality assurance tool for radiotherapy trials using advanced technology. In addition to confirming technical competence, it provides an opportunity for education and discussion about the trial.

A prospective study of the prevalence of tuberculosis and bacteraemia in Bangladeshi children with severe malnutrition and pneumonia including an evaluation of Xpert MTB/RIF assay.

PubMed

Chisti, Mohammod Jobayer; Graham, Stephen M; Duke, Trevor; Ahmed, Tahmeed; Ashraf, Hasan; Faruque, Abu Syed Golam; La Vincente, Sophie; Banu, Sayera; Raqib, Rubhana; Salam, Mohammed Abdus

2014-01-01

Severe malnutrition is a risk factor for pneumonia due to a wide range of pathogens but aetiological data are limited and the role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is uncertain. We prospectively investigated severely malnourished young children (<5 years) with radiological pneumonia admitted over a 15-month period. Investigations included blood culture, sputa for microscopy and mycobacterial culture. Xpert MTB/RIF assay was introduced during the study. Study children were followed for 12 weeks following their discharge from the hospital. 405 eligible children were enrolled, with a median age of 10 months. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from blood culture in 18 (4.4%) children, of which 72% were Gram negatives. Tuberculosis was confirmed microbiologically in 7% (27/396) of children that provided sputum - 10 by culture, 21 by Xpert MTB/RIF assay, and 4 by both tests. The diagnostic yield from induced sputum was 6% compared to 3.5% from gastric aspirate. Sixty (16%) additional children had tuberculosis diagnosed clinically that was not microbiologically confirmed. Most confirmed tuberculosis cases did not have a positive contact history or positive tuberculin test. The sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF assay compared to culture was 67% (95% CI: 24-94) and 92% (95% CI: 87-95) respectively. Overall case-fatality rate was 17% and half of the deaths occurred in home following discharge from the hospital. TB was common in severely malnourished Bangladeshi children with pneumonia. X-pert MTB/RIF assay provided higher case detection rate compared to sputum microscopy and culture. The high mortality among the study children underscores the need for further research aimed at improved case detection and management for better outcomes.

Differentially expressed microRNAs in the corpus cavernosum from a murine model with type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated erectile dysfunction.

PubMed

Pan, Feng; You, Jinwei; Liu, Yuan; Qiu, Xuefeng; Yu, Wen; Ma, Jiehua; Pan, Lianjun; Zhang, Aixia; Zhang, Qipeng

2016-12-01

To better understand the molecular aetiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated erectile dysfunction (T2DMED) and to provide candidates for further study of its diagnosis and treatment, this study was designed to investigate differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in the corpus cavernosum (CC) of mice with T2DMED using GeneChip array techniques (Affymetrix miRNA 4.0 Array) and to predict target genes and signalling pathways regulated by these miRNAs based on bioinformatic analysis using TargetScan, the DAIAN web platform and DAVID. In the initial screening, 21 miRNAs appeared distinctly expressed in the T2DMED group (fold change ≥3, p ≤ 0.01). Among them, the differential expression of miR-18a, miR-206, miR-122, and miR-133 were confirmed by qRT-PCR (p < 0.05 and FDR <5 %). According to bioinformatic analysis, the four miRNAs were speculated to play potential roles in the mechanisms of T2DMED via regulating 28 different genes and several pathways, including apoptosis, fibrosis, eNOS/cGMP/PKG, and vascular smooth muscle contraction processes, which mainly focused on influencing the functions of the endothelium and smooth muscle in the CC. IGF-1, as one of the target genes, was verified to decrease in the CCs of T2DMED animals via ELISA and was confirmed as the target of miR-18a or miR-206 via luciferase assay. Finally, these four miRNAs deserve further confirmation as biomarkers of T2DMED in larger studies. Additionally, miR-18a and/or miR-206 may provide new preventive/therapeutic targets for ED management by targeting IGF-1.

European isolation and confinement study. Additional experiments.

PubMed

Novara, M

1993-01-01

Microbiological Experiments. The ISEMSI microbiological contamination experiments confirmed known hypotheses, such as: the trend toward uniformity of skin microbial flora across a group of individuals enclosed together; the rather fast "colonization" of the environment by microorganisms shed by human inhabitants; and the heavy growth of microorganisms in poorly accessible and wet areas (toilets, air conditioning). In addition, possible disturbances of skin defense mechanisms against colonization by potentially pathogenic microbes were noted, as well as a difficulty in monitoring the microbial contents of the atmosphere (significant random variations occur between samples taken at different times and locations). Sensors for Atmospheric Contaminants. Several different prototypes of "array sensors" for the monitoring of trace gas contaminants in the atmosphere were evaluated during ISEMSI. Their performance was promising when compared with results achieved with a more conventional (and more complex) gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer device, also used during ISEMSI. An overall picture of the most important chemical contaminants to be found in enclosed, manned habitats (including contaminants produced by man himself) was obtained via the use of Tenax gas-adsorption traps. This permitted monitoring the fluctuation of contaminants on a daily basis, as well as during the complete 4-week period. Results will provide a valuable input for designing systems to monitor and control atmospheric contamination in future spacecraft. Particular attention was devoted to the monitoring of carbon monoxide in the chamber. Results showing the correlation between its concentration in the atmosphere and the percentage of carboxyhemoglobin in the EMSInauts' blood will allow the evaluation of the correctness of the presently specified maximum allowable concentration for spacecraft. Telemedicine Experiment. The telemedicine experiment confirmed the feasibility and importance of applying to a space station scenario many aspects of remote health care already widely used in the maritime environment. ISEMSI successfully evaluated telemedical consultation procedures and training protocols for the crew. EMSInauts, trained as paramedical assistants, had to interview a "patient" (another EMSInaut, trained to feign illness symptoms), prepare an anamnesis, carry out a medical examination, assess the severity of the case, and administer effective medical care under remote medical advice. An expert system was used to provide step-by-step guidance to the paramedical assistant. ISEMSI demonstrated the great importance of practicing and rehearsing emergency procedures; it confirmed that simulation of medical emergencies during an actual long-duration space mission will be required to provide "refresher training" to astronauts trained as paramedical assistants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Conjunction Assessment for Commercial Satellite Constellations Using Commercial Radar Data Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nicolls, M.; Vittaldev, V.; Ceperley, D.; Creus-Costa, J.; Foster, C.; Griffith, N.; Lu, E.; Mason, J.; Park, I.; Rosner, C.; Stepan, L.

For companies with multiple orbital assets, managing the risk of collision with other low-Earth orbit (LEO) Resident Space Objects (RSOs) can amount to a significant operational burden. LeoLabs and Planet investigate the impact of a workflow that integrates commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) data into conjunction assessments for large satellite constellations. Radar measurements from LeoLabs are validated against truth orbits provided by the International Laser Ranging Service (ILRS) and to measurements from Planet’s on-board GPS instrumentation. The radar data is then used as input for orbit fits in order to form the basis of a conjunction assessment. To confirm the reliability of the orbit determination (OD), the generated ephemerides are validated against ILRS and GPS-derived orbits. In addition, a covariance realism assessment is performed in order to check for self-consistency by comparing the propagated orbit and the associated covariance against later measurements. Several cases are investigated to assess the benefits of integrating radar-derived products with Conjunction Data Messages (CDMs) received on Planet spacecraft. Conjunction assessment is refined using onboard GPS measurements from Planet satellites along with tracking measurements of the secondary RSO by LeoLabs. This study demonstrates that commercial data provided by LeoLabs is reliable, accurate, and timely, and that ephemeris generated from LeoLabs data provides solutions and insights which are consistent with those provided in CDMs. For the cases analyzed, the addition of commercial SSA data from LeoLabs has a positive impact on operations due to the additional information on the state of the secondary RSO which can lead to increased confidence in any maneuver-related decisions. Measurements from LeoLabs can also be used to improve conjunction assessment for commercial satellites that do not have any operator OD.

EARLY ENTRANCE COPRODUCTION PLANT

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

David Storm; Govanon Nongbri; Steve Decanio

2004-01-12

The overall objective of this project is the three phase development of an Early Entrance Coproduction Plant (EECP) which uses petroleum coke to produce at least one product from at least two of the following three categories: (1) electric power (or heat), (2) fuels, and (3) chemicals using ChevronTexaco's proprietary gasification technology. The objective of Phase I is to determine the feasibility and define the concept for the EECP located at a specific site; develop a Research, Development, and Testing (RD&T) Plan to mitigate technical risks and barriers; and prepare a Preliminary Project Financing Plan. The objective of Phase IImore » is to implement the work as outlined in the Phase I RD&T Plan to enhance the development and commercial acceptance of coproduction technology. The objective of Phase III is to develop an engineering design package and a financing and testing plan for an EECP located at a specific site. The project's intended result is to provide the necessary technical, economic, and environmental information needed by industry to move the EECP forward to detailed design, construction, and operation. The partners in this project are Texaco Energy Systems LLC or TES (a subsidiary of ChevronTexaco), General Electric (GE), Praxair, and Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR) in addition to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). TES is providing gasification technology and Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) technology developed by Rentech, Inc., GE is providing combustion turbine technology, Praxair is providing air separation technology, and KBR is providing engineering. During Phase I, a design basis for the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis section was developed based on limited experience with the specified feed gas and operating conditions. The objective of this Task in Phase II RD&T work was to confirm the performance of the F-T reactor at the set design conditions. Although much of the research, development, and testing work were done by TES outside of this project, several important issues were addressed in this phase of the project. They included Rejuvenation/Regeneration of the Fischer-Tropsch Catalyst, online Catalyst Withdrawal and Addition from the synthesis reactor, and the Fischer-Tropsch Design Basis Confirmation. In Phase III the results from these RD&T work will be incorporated in developing the engineering design package. This Topical Report documents the Phase II RD&T work that was completed for this task.« less

Orientation-free and differentially pumped addition of a low-flux reactive gas beam to a surface analysis system.

PubMed

Harthcock, Colin; Jahanbekam, Abdolreza; Eskelsen, Jeremy R; Lee, David Y

2016-11-01

We describe an example of a piecewise gas chamber that can be customized to incorporate a low flux of gas-phase radicals with an existing surface analysis chamber for in situ and stepwise gas-surface interaction experiments without any constraint in orientation. The piecewise nature of this gas chamber provides complete angular freedom and easy alignment and does not require any modification of the existing surface analysis chamber. In addition, the entire gas-surface system is readily differentially pumped with the surface chamber kept under ultra-high-vacuum during the gas-surface measurements. This new design also allows not only straightforward reconstruction to accommodate the orientation of different surface chambers but also for the addition of other desired features, such as an additional pump to the current configuration. Stepwise interaction between atomic oxygen and a highly ordered pyrolytic graphite surface was chosen to test the effectiveness of this design, and the site-dependent O-atom chemisorption and clustering on the graphite surface were resolved by a scanning tunneling microscope in the nm-scale. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to further confirm the identity of the chemisorbed species on the graphite surface as oxygen.

Confirmational study: a positive-based thumb and finger sucking elimination program.

PubMed

Green, Shari E

2010-11-01

This article emphasizes the critical need for information specifically regarding the topic of retained sucking behaviors. The study aimed to confirm results provided by Van Norman of 723 subjects in 1997. Parent surveys were collected on 441 subjects who received an orofacial myofunctional treatment program provided by one certified orofacial myologist. Results of this study do confirm that retained digit sucking behavior may be addressed successfully and expediently by a program based on positive behavior modification techniques.

75 FR 34360 - Listing of Color Additives Exempt From Certification; Bismuth Citrate; Confirmation of Effective...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-17

... Drugs, and redelegated to the Director, Office of Food Additive Safety, notice is given that no.... Cheeseman, Acting Director, Office of Food Additive Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Food and Drug Administration 21 CFR Part 73 [Docket No...

A female Viking warrior confirmed by genomics.

PubMed

Hedenstierna-Jonson, Charlotte; Kjellström, Anna; Zachrisson, Torun; Krzewińska, Maja; Sobrado, Veronica; Price, Neil; Günther, Torsten; Jakobsson, Mattias; Götherström, Anders; Storå, Jan

2017-12-01

The objective of this study has been to confirm the sex and the affinity of an individual buried in a well-furnished warrior grave (Bj 581) in the Viking Age town of Birka, Sweden. Previously, based on the material and historical records, the male sex has been associated with the gender of the warrior and such was the case with Bj 581. An earlier osteological classification of the individual as female was considered controversial in a historical and archaeological context. A genomic confirmation of the biological sex of the individual was considered necessary to solve the issue. Genome-wide sequence data was generated in order to confirm the biological sex, to support skeletal integrity, and to investigate the genetic relationship of the individual to ancient individuals as well as modern-day groups. Additionally, a strontium isotope analysis was conducted to highlight the mobility of the individual. The genomic results revealed the lack of a Y-chromosome and thus a female biological sex, and the mtDNA analyses support a single-individual origin of sampled elements. The genetic affinity is close to present-day North Europeans, and within Sweden to the southern and south-central region. Nevertheless, the Sr values are not conclusive as to whether she was of local or nonlocal origin. The identification of a female Viking warrior provides a unique insight into the Viking society, social constructions, and exceptions to the norm in the Viking time-period. The results call for caution against generalizations regarding social orders in past societies. © 2017 The Authors American Journal of Physical Anthropology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Conjunctival Biopsy as a First Choice to Confirm a Diagnosis of Sarcoidosis.

PubMed

Korkmaz Ekren, Pervin; Mogulkoc, Nesrin; Toreyin, Zehra Nur; Egrilmez, Sait; Veral, Ali; Akalın, Taner; Bacakoglu, Feza

2016-10-07

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous systemic disease of unknown aetiology. The diagnosis needs histological confirmation of the presence of non-caseating granulomata. One option is a conjunctival biopsy. The aims of this study were to evaluate conjunctival biopsy for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis with respect to its sensitivity and to assess its cost effectiveness by comparison with other histopathological diagnostic procedures. Patients were identified from the database of the Interstitial Lung Disease Clinic (ILDC) of the Chest Department of Ege University Hospital from May 2008 to June 2014.  The patients who had biopsy procedures performed for the definitive diagnosis of sarcoidosis were assessed. Their diagnostic procedures and the cost of procedures were recorded. The cost per positive result for each procedure was calculated.  Results: In total, 280 patients were followed up with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis, of whom 174 had histological confirmation; these constitute the study population. There were 127 females and 47 males with a median age of 46 years (range 14-78 years). Forty three patients had conjunctival biopsy and we could establish a diagnosis in 54% of these by means of conjunctival biopsy. Moreover, we showed that this biopsy can provide positive result for sarcoidosis patients who lack abnormal eye findings. Additionally, it is cost effective approach and without complications. This study re-asserts the value of  conjunctival biopsy, which was described in the past but is not commonly used nowadays. In the presence of suggestive clinic and radiologic findings, we recommend conjunctival biopsy as the first choice for the histopathological confirmation of sarcoidosis.

A female Viking warrior confirmed by genomics

PubMed Central

Kjellström, Anna; Zachrisson, Torun; Krzewińska, Maja; Sobrado, Veronica; Price, Neil; Günther, Torsten; Jakobsson, Mattias; Götherström, Anders; Storå, Jan

2017-01-01

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study has been to confirm the sex and the affinity of an individual buried in a well‐furnished warrior grave (Bj 581) in the Viking Age town of Birka, Sweden. Previously, based on the material and historical records, the male sex has been associated with the gender of the warrior and such was the case with Bj 581. An earlier osteological classification of the individual as female was considered controversial in a historical and archaeological context. A genomic confirmation of the biological sex of the individual was considered necessary to solve the issue. Materials and methods Genome‐wide sequence data was generated in order to confirm the biological sex, to support skeletal integrity, and to investigate the genetic relationship of the individual to ancient individuals as well as modern‐day groups. Additionally, a strontium isotope analysis was conducted to highlight the mobility of the individual. Results The genomic results revealed the lack of a Y‐chromosome and thus a female biological sex, and the mtDNA analyses support a single‐individual origin of sampled elements. The genetic affinity is close to present‐day North Europeans, and within Sweden to the southern and south‐central region. Nevertheless, the Sr values are not conclusive as to whether she was of local or nonlocal origin. Discussion The identification of a female Viking warrior provides a unique insight into the Viking society, social constructions, and exceptions to the norm in the Viking time‐period. The results call for caution against generalizations regarding social orders in past societies. PMID:28884802

Citrus limonoids and curcumin additively inhibit human colon cancer cells.

PubMed

Chidambara Murthy, Kotamballi N; Jayaprakasha, G K; Patil, Bhimanagouda S

2013-04-30

In the current study, we examined the ability of limonoids, including limonin, limonin glucoside (LG) and curcumin, to inhibit proliferation of human colon cancer (SW480) cells. Additionally, we studied the effect of combining these two classes of natural compounds on inhibition of proliferation and the possible mode of cytotoxicity. The SW480 cells were treated with compounds individually and in combination to understand the effect on cell death, DNA fragmentation, caspase-3 activity and the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 proteins. Results of cell proliferation assays suggest that combinations of limonoids with curcumin at three different ratios (1 : 3, 1 : 1 and 3 : 1) to a final concentration of 50 ppm demonstrated up to 96% inhibition of cell proliferation. The MTT assay results were also confirmed by counting viable cells. Further, incubation of cells with combinations of limonoids and curcumin resulted in elevation of total cellular caspase-3 activity by 3.5-4.0 fold along with a 2- to 4-fold increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. The expression of pro-caspase-3 and its cleaved products in cells treated with curcumin (individually or combination) indicates higher potency of the combination to induce apoptosis. For the first time, this study provides compelling evidence of the pharmacodynamic additive effect of limonoids and curcumin in inhibiting human colon cancer cells. The above results were also confirmed by fluorescence microscopy of SW480 cells treated with limonoids, curcumin and combination, after tagging with fluorescent probes. These results suggest that consumption of curcumin and limonoids together may offer greater protection against colon cancer.

PNA-PEG modified silicon platforms as functional bio-interfaces for applications in DNA microarrays and biosensors.

PubMed

Cattani-Scholz, Anna; Pedone, Daniel; Blobner, Florian; Abstreiter, Gerhard; Schwartz, Jeffrey; Tornow, Marc; Andruzzi, Luisa

2009-03-09

The synthesis and characterization of two types of silicon-based biofunctional interfaces are reported; each interface bonds a dense layer of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG(n)) and peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes. Phosphonate self-assembled monolayers were derivatized with PNA using a maleimido-terminated PEG(45). Similarly, siloxane monolayers were functionalized with PNA using a maleimido-terminated PEG(45) spacer and were subsequently modified with a shorter methoxy-terminated PEG(12) ("back-filling"). The long PEG(45) spacer was used to distance the PNA probe from the surface and to minimize undesirable nonspecific adsorption of DNA analyte. The short PEG(12) "back-filler" was used to provide additional passivation of the surface against nonspecific DNA adsorption. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analysis near the C 1s and N 1s ionization edges was done to characterize chemical groups formed in the near-surface region, which confirmed binding of PEG and PNA to the phosphonate and silane films. XPS also indicated that additional PEG chains were tethered to the surface during the back-filling process. Fluorescence hybridization experiments were carried out with complementary and noncDNA strands; both phosphonate and siloxane biofunctional surfaces were effective for hybridization of cDNA strands and significantly reduced nonspecific adsorption of the analyte. Spatial patterns were prepared by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micromolding on the PNA-functionalized surfaces; selective hybridization of fluorescently labeled DNA was shown at the PNA functionalized regions, and physisorption at the probe-less PEG-functionalized regions was dramatically reduced. These results show that PNA-PEG derivatized phosphonate monolayers hold promise for the smooth integration of device surface chemistry with semiconductor technology for the fabrication of DNA biosensors. In addition, our results confirm that PNA-PEG derivatized self-assembled carboxyalkylsiloxane films are promising substrates for DNA microarray applications.

The Dark Energy Survey: more than dark energy – an overview

DOE PAGES

Abbott, T.

2016-03-21

This overview article describes the legacy prospect and discovery potential of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) beyond cosmological studies, illustrating it with examples from the DES early data. DES is using a wide-field camera (DECam) on the 4m Blanco Telescope in Chile to image 5000 sq deg of the sky in five filters ( grizY). By its completion the survey is expected to have generated a catalogue of 300 million galaxies with photometric redshifts and 100 million stars. In addition, a time-domain survey search over 27 sq deg is expected to yield a sample of thousands of Type Ia supernovaemore » and other transients. The main goals of DES are to characterise dark energy and dark matter, and to test alternative models of gravity; these goals will be pursued by studying large scale structure, cluster counts, weak gravitational lensing and Type Ia supernovae. However, DES also provides a rich data set which allows us to study many other aspects of astrophysics. In this paper we focus on additional science with DES, emphasizing areas where the survey makes a difference with respect to other current surveys. The paper illustrates, using early data (from `Science Verification', and from the first, second and third seasons of observations), what DES can tell us about the solar system, the Milky Way, galaxy evolution, quasars, and other topics. In addition, we show that if the cosmological model is assumed to be Lambda+ Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) then important astrophysics can be deduced from the primary DES probes. Lastly, highlights from DES early data include the discovery of 34 Trans Neptunian Objects, 17 dwarf satellites of the Milky Way, one published z > 6 quasar (and more confirmed) and two published superluminous supernovae (and more confirmed).« less

Stereoselective binding of agonists to the β2-adrenergic receptor: insights into molecular details and thermodynamics from molecular dynamics simulations.

PubMed

Plazinska, Anita; Plazinski, Wojciech

2017-05-02

The β 2 -adrenergic receptor (β 2 -AR) is one of the most studied G-protein-coupled receptors. When interacting with ligand molecules, it exhibits a binding characteristic that is strongly dependent on ligand stereoconfiguration. In particular, many experimental and theoretical studies confirmed that stereoisomers of an important β 2 -AR agonist, fenoterol, are associated with diverse mechanisms of binding and activation of β 2 -AR. The objective of the present study was to explore the stereoselective binding of fenoterol to β 2 -AR through the application of an advanced computational methodology based on enhanced-sampling molecular dynamics simulations and potentials of interactions tailored to investigate the stereorecognition effects. The results remain in very good, quantitative agreement with the experimental data (measured in the context of ligand-receptor affinities and their dependence on the temperature), which provides an additional validation for the applied computational protocols. Additionally, our results contribute to the understanding of stereoselective agonist binding by β 2 -AR. Although the significant role of the N293 6.55 residue is confirmed, we additionally show that stereorecognition does not depend solely on the N293-ligand interactions; the stereoselective effects rely on the co-operation of several residues located on both the 6th and 7th transmembrane domains and on extracellular loops. The magnitude and character of the contributions of these residues may be very diverse and result in either enhancing or reducing the stereoselective effects. The same is true when considering the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the binding free energies, which also are dependent on the ligand stereoconfiguration.

The Dark Energy Survey: More than dark energy - An overview

DOE PAGES

Abbott, T.

2016-03-21

This overview article describes the legacy prospect and discovery potential of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) beyond cosmological studies, illustrating it with examples from the DES early data. DES is using a wide-field camera (DECam) on the 4m Blanco Telescope in Chile to image 5000 sq deg of the sky in five filters ( grizY). By its completion the survey is expected to have generated a catalogue of 300 million galaxies with photometric redshifts and 100 million stars. In addition, a time-domain survey search over 27 sq deg is expected to yield a sample of thousands of Type Ia supernovaemore » and other transients. The main goals of DES are to characterise dark energy and dark matter, and to test alternative models of gravity; these goals will be pursued by studying large scale structure, cluster counts, weak gravitational lensing and Type Ia supernovae. However, DES also provides a rich data set which allows us to study many other aspects of astrophysics. In this paper we focus on additional science with DES, emphasizing areas where the survey makes a difference with respect to other current surveys. The paper illustrates, using early data (from `Science Verification', and from the first, second and third seasons of observations), what DES can tell us about the solar system, the Milky Way, galaxy evolution, quasars, and other topics. In addition, we show that if the cosmological model is assumed to be Lambda+ Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) then important astrophysics can be deduced from the primary DES probes. Lastly, highlights from DES early data include the discovery of 34 Trans Neptunian Objects, 17 dwarf satellites of the Milky Way, one published z > 6 quasar (and more confirmed) and two published superluminous supernovae (and more confirmed).« less

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

Abbott, T.

This overview article describes the legacy prospect and discovery potential of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) beyond cosmological studies, illustrating it with examples from the DES early data. DES is using a wide-field camera (DECam) on the 4m Blanco Telescope in Chile to image 5000 sq deg of the sky in five filters ( grizY). By its completion the survey is expected to have generated a catalogue of 300 million galaxies with photometric redshifts and 100 million stars. In addition, a time-domain survey search over 27 sq deg is expected to yield a sample of thousands of Type Ia supernovaemore » and other transients. The main goals of DES are to characterise dark energy and dark matter, and to test alternative models of gravity; these goals will be pursued by studying large scale structure, cluster counts, weak gravitational lensing and Type Ia supernovae. However, DES also provides a rich data set which allows us to study many other aspects of astrophysics. In this paper we focus on additional science with DES, emphasizing areas where the survey makes a difference with respect to other current surveys. The paper illustrates, using early data (from `Science Verification', and from the first, second and third seasons of observations), what DES can tell us about the solar system, the Milky Way, galaxy evolution, quasars, and other topics. In addition, we show that if the cosmological model is assumed to be Lambda+ Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) then important astrophysics can be deduced from the primary DES probes. Lastly, highlights from DES early data include the discovery of 34 Trans Neptunian Objects, 17 dwarf satellites of the Milky Way, one published z > 6 quasar (and more confirmed) and two published superluminous supernovae (and more confirmed).« less

The Dark Energy Survey: more than dark energy – an overview

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

Vikram, Vinu; Abbott, T; Abdalla, F. B.

This overview paper describes the legacy prospect and discovery potential of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) beyond cosmological studies, illustrating it with examples from the DES early data. DES is using a wide-field camera (DECam) on the 4 m Blanco Telescope in Chile to image 5000 sq deg of the sky in five filters (grizY). By its completion, the survey is expected to have generated a catalogue of 300 million galaxies with photometric redshifts and 100 million stars. In addition, a time-domain survey search over 27 sq deg is expected to yield a sample of thousands of Type Ia supernovaemore » and other transients. The main goals of DES are to characterize dark energy and dark matter, and to test alternative models of gravity; these goals will be pursued by studying large-scale structure, cluster counts, weak gravitational lensing and Type Ia supernovae. However, DES also provides a rich data set which allows us to study many other aspects of astrophysics. In this paper, we focus on additional science with DES, emphasizing areas where the survey makes a difference with respect to other current surveys. The paper illustrates, using early data (from ‘Science Verification’, and from the first, second and third seasons of observations), what DES can tell us about the Solar system, the Milky Way, galaxy evolution, quasars and other topics. In addition, we show that if the cosmological model is assumed to be Λ+cold dark matter, then important astrophysics can be deduced from the primary DES probes. Highlights from DES early data include the discovery of 34 trans-Neptunian objects, 17 dwarf satellites of the Milky Way, one published z > 6 quasar (and more confirmed) and two published superluminous supernovae (and more confirmed).« less

The Dark Energy Survey: more than dark energy – an overview

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

Abbott, T.

This overview article describes the legacy prospect and discovery potential of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) beyond cosmological studies, illustrating it with examples from the DES early data. DES is using a wide-field camera (DECam) on the 4m Blanco Telescope in Chile to image 5000 sq deg of the sky in five filters ( grizY). By its completion the survey is expected to have generated a catalogue of 300 million galaxies with photometric redshifts and 100 million stars. In addition, a time-domain survey search over 27 sq deg is expected to yield a sample of thousands of Type Ia supernovaemore » and other transients. The main goals of DES are to characterise dark energy and dark matter, and to test alternative models of gravity; these goals will be pursued by studying large scale structure, cluster counts, weak gravitational lensing and Type Ia supernovae. However, DES also provides a rich data set which allows us to study many other aspects of astrophysics. In this paper we focus on additional science with DES, emphasizing areas where the survey makes a difference with respect to other current surveys. The paper illustrates, using early data (from `Science Verification', and from the first, second and third seasons of observations), what DES can tell us about the solar system, the Milky Way, galaxy evolution, quasars, and other topics. In addition, we show that if the cosmological model is assumed to be Lambda+ Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) then important astrophysics can be deduced from the primary DES probes. Lastly, highlights from DES early data include the discovery of 34 Trans Neptunian Objects, 17 dwarf satellites of the Milky Way, one published z > 6 quasar (and more confirmed) and two published superluminous supernovae (and more confirmed).« less

Towards a phenotypic screening strategy for emerging β-lactamases in Gram-negative bacilli.

PubMed

Willems, Elise; Verhaegen, Jan; Magerman, Koen; Nys, Sita; Cartuyvels, Reinoud

2013-02-01

The purpose of this manuscript was to review recent literature and guidelines regarding phenotypic detection of emerging β-lactamases [extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC β-lactamases and carbapenemases] in Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) in order to formulate recommendations on best practice to screen for them. We conclude that chromogenic ESBL screening agar plates are suitable to screen for ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae directly from clinical samples. Furthermore, ceftazidime (CAZ) and ceftriaxone or cefotaxime (CTX) are the indicator antimicrobial agents of choice for ESBL detection in GNB. In non-inducible Enterobacteriaceae, the combined double-disk synergy test (CDDST) with at least CTX and CAZ and additionally cefepime as indicators is the preferred ESBL confirmation assay. The two most suitable ESBL confirmation strategies in AmpC co-producing Enterobacteriaceae are adapted CDDSTs: (i) with addition of 3-aminophenylboronic acid to CTX and CAZ disks; and (ii) with addition of cloxacillin (CLOX) to Mueller-Hinton agar. Reduced cefoxitin susceptibility and decreased susceptibility to cefotetan are regarded as suitable screening tests for plasmid-mediated and derepressed AmpC production. A CLOX-based CDDST with CTX and CAZ as indicators is considered to be the best AmpC confirmation assay. Finally, in Enterobacteriaceae isolates we suggest to screen for carbapenemases with a 0.5 μg/mL meropenem screening breakpoint. For class A carbapenemase confirmation, the home-prepared as well as the commercially available boronic acid-based CDDST can be considered. For metallo-β-lactamase confirmation, ethylene diamine tetra-acetic-acid-based home-prepared assays are recommended. The most suitable method (CDDST or DDST) and indicator antimicrobial agent(s) vary depending on the bacterial genus. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. and the International Society of Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

Peptidomics of prolyl endopeptidase in the central nervous system

PubMed Central

Nolte, Whitney M.; Tagore, Debarati M.; Lane, William S.; Saghatelian, Alan

2009-01-01

Prolyl endopeptidase (Prep) is a member of the prolyl peptidase family and is of interest due to its unique biochemistry and connections to cognitive function. Using an unbiased mass spectrometry (MS)-based peptidomics platform, we identified Prep regulated peptides in the central nervous system (CNS) of mice by measuring changes in the peptidome as a function of Prep activity. This approach was validated by the identification of known Prep substrates, such as the neuropeptide substance P and thymosin-β4, the precursor to the bioactive peptide Ac-SDKP. In addition to these known substrates, we also discovered that Prep regulates many additional peptides, including additional bioactive peptides and proline rich peptides (PRPs). Biochemical experiments confirmed that some of these Prep regulated peptides are indeed substrates of the enzyme. Moreover, these experiments also supported the known preference of Prep for shorter peptides, while revealing a previously unknown cleavage site specificity of Prep when processing certain multi-proline containing peptides, including PRPs. The discovery of Prep regulated peptides implicates Prep in new biological pathways and provides insights into the biochemistry of this enzyme. PMID:19911840

Analysis of the SOS response of Vibrio and other bacteria with multiple chromosomes

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background The SOS response is a well-known regulatory network present in most bacteria and aimed at addressing DNA damage. It has also been linked extensively to stress-induced mutagenesis, virulence and the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance determinants. Recently, the SOS response has been shown to regulate the activity of integrases in the chromosomal superintegrons of the Vibrionaceae, which encompasses a wide range of pathogenic species harboring multiple chromosomes. Here we combine in silico and in vitro techniques to perform a comparative genomics analysis of the SOS regulon in the Vibrionaceae, and we extend the methodology to map this transcriptional network in other bacterial species harboring multiple chromosomes. Results Our analysis provides the first comprehensive description of the SOS response in a family (Vibrionaceae) that includes major human pathogens. It also identifies several previously unreported members of the SOS transcriptional network, including two proteins of unknown function. The analysis of the SOS response in other bacterial species with multiple chromosomes uncovers additional regulon members and reveals that there is a conserved core of SOS genes, and that specialized additions to this basic network take place in different phylogenetic groups. Our results also indicate that across all groups the main elements of the SOS response are always found in the large chromosome, whereas specialized additions are found in the smaller chromosomes and plasmids. Conclusions Our findings confirm that the SOS response of the Vibrionaceae is strongly linked with pathogenicity and dissemination of antibiotic resistance, and suggest that the characterization of the newly identified members of this regulon could provide key insights into the pathogenesis of Vibrio. The persistent location of key SOS genes in the large chromosome across several bacterial groups confirms that the SOS response plays an essential role in these organisms and sheds light into the mechanisms of evolution of global transcriptional networks involved in adaptability and rapid response to environmental changes, suggesting that small chromosomes may act as evolutionary test beds for the rewiring of transcriptional networks. PMID:22305460

Genome-wide association study of acute post-surgical pain in humans

PubMed Central

Kim, Hyungsuk; Ramsay, Edward; Lee, Hyewon; Wahl, Sharon; Dionne, Raymond A

2009-01-01

Aims Testing a relatively small genomic region with a few hundred SNPs provides limited information. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide an opportunity to overcome the limitation of candidate gene association studies. Here, we report the results of a GWAS for the responses to an NSAID analgesic. Materials & methods European Americans (60 females and 52 males) undergoing oral surgery were genotyped with Affymetrix 500K SNP assay. Additional SNP genotyping was performed from the gene in linkage disequilibrium with the candidate SNP revealed by the GWAS. Results GWAS revealed a candidate SNP (rs2562456) associated with analgesic onset, which is in linkage disequilibrium with a gene encoding a zinc finger protein. Additional SNP genotyping of ZNF429 confirmed the association with analgesic onset in humans (p = 1.8 × 10−10, degrees of freedom = 103, F = 28.3). We also found candidate loci for the maximum post-operative pain rating (rs17122021, p = 6.9 × 10−7) and post-operative pain onset time (rs6693882, p = 2.1 × 10−6), however, correcting for multiple comparisons did not sustain these genetic associations. Conclusion GWAS for acute clinical pain followed by additional SNP genotyping of a neighboring gene suggests that genetic variations in or near the loci encoding DNA binding proteins play a role in the individual variations in responses to analgesic drugs. PMID:19207018

The complete mitochondrial genome of the onychophoran Epiperipatus biolleyi reveals a unique transfer RNA set and provides further support for the ecdysozoa hypothesis.

PubMed

Podsiadlowski, Lars; Braband, Anke; Mayer, Georg

2008-01-01

Onychophora (velvet worms) play a crucial role in current discussions on position of arthropods. The ongoing Articulata/Ecdysozoa debate is in need of additional ground pattern characters for Panarthropoda (Arthropoda, Tardigrada, and Onychophora). Hence, Onychophora is an important outgroup taxon in resolving the relationships among arthropods, irrespective of whether morphological or molecular data are used. To date, there has been a noticeable lack of mitochondrial genome data from onychophorans. Here, we present the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an onychophoran, Epiperipatus biolleyi (Peripatidae), which shows several characteristic features. Specifically, the gene order is considerably different from that in other arthropods and other bilaterians. In addition, there is a lack of 9 tRNA genes usually present in bilaterian mitochondrial genomes. All these missing tRNAs have anticodon sequences corresponding to 4-fold degenerate codons, whereas the persisting 13 tRNAs all have anticodons pairing with 2-fold degenerate codons. Sequence-based phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial protein-coding genes provides a robust support for a clade consisting of Onychophora, Priapulida, and Arthropoda, which confirms the Ecdysozoa hypothesis. However, resolution of the internal ecdysozoan relationships suffers from a cluster of long-branching taxa (including Nematoda and Platyhelminthes) and a lack of data from Tardigrada and further nemathelminth taxa in addition to nematodes and priapulids.

Non-axisymmetric equilibrium reconstruction and suppression of density limit disruptions in a current-carrying stellarator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, Xinxing; Ennis, D. A.; Hanson, J. D.; Hartwell, G. J.; Knowlton, S. F.; Maurer, D. A.

2017-10-01

Non-axisymmetric equilibrium reconstructions have been routinely performed with the V3FIT code in the Compact Toroidal Hybrid (CTH), a stellarator/tokamak hybrid. In addition to 50 external magnetic measurements, 160 SXR emissivity measurements are incorporated into V3FIT to reconstruct the magnetic flux surface geometry and infer the current distribution within the plasma. Improved reconstructions of current and q profiles provide insight into understanding the physics of density limit disruptions observed in current-carrying discharges in CTH. It is confirmed that the final scenario of the density limit of CTH plasmas is consistent with classic observations in tokamaks: current profile shrinkage leads to growing MHD instabilities (tearing modes) followed by a loss of MHD equilibrium. It is also observed that the density limit at a given current linearly increases with increasing amounts of 3D shaping fields. Consequently, plasmas with densities up to two times the Greenwald limit are attained. Equilibrium reconstructions show that addition of 3D fields effectively moves resonance surfaces towards the edge of the plasma where the current profile gradient is less, providing a stabilizing effect. This work is supported by US Department of Energy Grant No. DE-FG02-00ER54610.

Genomic and Biological Characterization of Aggressive and Docile Strains of LCMV Rescued from a Plasmid-Based Reverse Genetics System

PubMed Central

Chen, Minjie; Lan, Shuiyun; Ou, Rong; Price, Graeme E.; Jiang, Hong; de la Torre, Juan Carlos; Moskophidis, Demetrius

2008-01-01

Arenaviruses include several causative agents of hemorrhagic fever disease in humans. In addition, the prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a superb model for the study of virus-host interactions, including the basis of viral persistence and associated diseases. The molecular mechanisms concerning the regulation and specific role of viral proteins in modulating arenavirus-host cell interactions associated either with an acute or persistent infection and associated disease remain little understood. Here we report the genomic and biological characterization of LCMV strains Docile (persistent) and Aggressive (not persistent) recovered from cloned cDNA via reverse genetics. Our results confirmed that the cloned viruses accurately recreated the in vivo phenotypes associated with the corresponding natural Docile and Aggressive viral isolates. In addition, we provide evidence that the ability of the Docile strain to persist is determined by the nature of both S and L RNA segments. Thus, our findings provide the foundation for studies aimed at gaining a detailed understanding of viral determinants of LCMV persistence in its natural host that may aid in the development of vaccines to prevent or treat the diseases caused by arenaviruses in humans. PMID:18474558

The human genetic history of the Americas: the final frontier.

PubMed

O'Rourke, Dennis H; Raff, Jennifer A

2010-02-23

The Americas, the last continents to be entered by modern humans, were colonized during the late Pleistocene via a land bridge across what is now the Bering strait. However, the timing and nature of the initial colonization events remain contentious. The Asian origin of the earliest Americans has been amply established by numerous classical marker studies of the mid-twentieth century. More recently, mtDNA sequences, Y-chromosome and autosomal marker studies have provided a higher level of resolution in confirming the Asian origin of indigenous Americans and provided more precise time estimates for the emergence of Native Americans. But these data raise many additional questions regarding source populations, number and size of colonizing groups and the points of entry to the Americas. Rapidly accumulating molecular data from populations throughout the Americas, increased use of demographic models to test alternative colonization scenarios, and evaluation of the concordance of archaeological, paleoenvironmental and genetic data provide optimism for a fuller understanding of the initial colonization of the Americas. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copernicus observations of Betelgeuse and Antares

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bernat, A. P.; Lambert, D. L.

1976-01-01

The Mg II h and k lines were observed strongly in emission by Copernicus scans of the M supergiants alpha Ori and alpha Sco. The striking symmetry in the k line as contrasted with the symmetric h line, as observed previously was confirmed. Estimates of absolute chromospheric fluxes were obtained. Measured values for the widths of the h and k lines do not follow a Wilson-Bappu relationship. Upper limits determined for other chromospheric lines of alpha Ori tend to exclude the existence of extensive and/or hot regions surrounding this supergiant. Observed weakening by fluorescence of the Fe L 4307 A line is good evidence that the Mn I and Fe I resonance transitions overlying the Mg II k-line profile are responsible for the strong asymmetry of this line in the two stars. However, quantitative study shows that the absorption provided by the cool circumstellar shells is insufficient to provide the observed asymmetry. Additional absorption may be provided by a cool turbulent region at the top of the chromosphere.

The Evolution of the NASA Commercial Crew Program Mission Assurance Process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Canfield, Amy C.

2016-01-01

In 2010, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) established the Commercial Crew Program (CCP) in order to provide human access to the International Space Station and low Earth orbit via the commercial (non-governmental) sector. A particular challenge to NASA has been how to determine that the Commercial Provider's transportation system complies with programmatic safety requirements. The process used in this determination is the Safety Technical Review Board which reviews and approves provider submitted hazard reports. One significant product of the review is a set of hazard control verifications. In past NASA programs, 100% of these safety critical verifications were typically confirmed by NASA. The traditional Safety and Mission Assurance (S&MA) model does not support the nature of the CCP. To that end, NASA S&MA is implementing a Risk Based Assurance process to determine which hazard control verifications require NASA authentication. Additionally, a Shared Assurance Model is also being developed to efficiently use the available resources to execute the verifications.

Laboratory-supported influenza surveillance in Victorian sentinel general practices.

PubMed

Kelly, H; Murphy, A; Leong, W; Leydon, J; Tresise, P; Gerrard, M; Chibo, D; Birch, C; Andrews, R; Catton, M

2000-12-01

Laboratory-supported influenza surveillance is important as part of pandemic preparedness, for identifying and isolating candidate vaccine strains, for supporting trials of anti-influenza drugs and for refining the influenza surveillance case definition in practice. This study describes the implementation of laboratory-supported influenza surveillance in Victorian sentinel general practices and provides an estimate of the proportion of patients with an influenza-like illness proven to have influenza. During 1998 and 1999, 25 sentinel general practices contributed clinical surveillance data and 16 metropolitan practices participated in laboratory surveillance. Serological, virus-antigen detection, virus culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction procedures were used to establish the diagnosis of influenza. Two laboratories at major teaching hospitals in Melbourne provided additional data on influenza virus identification. General practice sentinel surveillance and laboratory identification of influenza provided similar data on the pattern of influenza in the community between May and September. The clinical suspicion of influenza was confirmed in 49 to 54 per cent of cases seen in general practice.

SP-100 lithium thaw design, analysis, and testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choe, Hwang; Schrag, Michael R.; Koonce, David R.; Gamble, Robert E.; Halfen, Frank J.; Kirpich, Aaron S.

1993-01-01

The thaw design has been established for the 100 kWe SP-100 Space Reactor Power System. System thaw/startup analysis has confirmed that all system thaw requirements are met, and that rethaw and restart can be easily accomplished with this design. In addition, a series of lithium thaw characterization tests has been performed, confirming key design assumptions.

Cost and Efficacy Assessment of an Alternative Medication Compliance Urine Drug Testing Strategy.

PubMed

Doyle, Kelly; Strathmann, Frederick G

2017-02-01

This study investigates the frequency at which quantitative results provide additional clinical benefit compared to qualitative results alone. A comparison between alternative urine drug screens and conventional screens including the assessment of cost-to-payer differences, accuracy of prescription compliance or polypharmacy/substance abuse was also included. In a reference laboratory evaluation of urine specimens from across the United States, 213 urine specimens with provided prescription medication information (302 prescriptions) were analyzed by two testing algorithms: 1) conventional immunoassay screen with subsequent reflexive testing of positive results by quantitative mass spectrometry; and 2) a combined immunoassay/qualitative mass-spectrometry screen that substantially reduced the need for subsequent testing. The qualitative screen was superior to immunoassay with reflex to mass spectrometry in confirming compliance per prescription (226/302 vs 205/302), and identifying non-prescription abuse (97 vs 71). Pharmaceutical impurities and inconsistent drug metabolite patterns were detected in only 3.8% of specimens, suggesting that quantitative results have limited benefit. The percentage difference between the conventional testing algorithm and the alternative screen was projected to be 55%, and a 2-year evaluation of test utilization as a measure of test order volume follows an exponential trend for alternative screen test orders over conventional immunoassay screens that require subsequent confirmation testing. Alternative, qualitative urine drug screens provide a less expensive, faster, and more comprehensive evaluation of patient medication compliance and drug abuse. The vast majority of results were interpretable with qualitative results alone indicating a reduced need to automatically reflex to quantitation or provide quantitation for the majority of patients. This strategy highlights a successful approach using an alternative strategy for both the laboratory and physician to align clinical needs while being mindful of costs.

[Flexible root posts].

PubMed

Vadachkoriia, N R; Mandzhavidze, N A; Gumberidze, N Sh

2009-02-01

The article discusses the current state of restoration techniques of root canal treatment. Nowadays, technical progress allows manufacturers to develop flexible fiberglass posts, aspiring not only to an excellent aesthetics and mechanical properties (first of all, in comparison with metal and cast posts), but also to maintenance of their radio density and a wide range of forms. Growth of fiberglass posts popularity testifies to their clinical efficiency that also is confirmed by results of long-term researches. Introduction of fiberglass posts in a dental practice has rendered huge influence on restoration techniques of root canal treatment. Convincing factors of fiberglass posts superiority provide restoration the appearance similar with the natural dentition; possess close to dentine elasticity; creation of monolithic structure with hard tooth tissues and composite cement, posts, in case of need, can be easily adjusted on length, adhesive linkage of posts gives them additional stability. Modern researches have confirmed that only elastic, namely carbon fiber and the fiberglass posts made of modern technologies possess similar physical properties, as tooth structure. They can create reliable biomimetic design; solve a complex of aesthetic and functional restoration problems.

Using remote sensing environmental data to forecast malaria incidence at a rural district hospital in Western Kenya.

PubMed

Sewe, Maquins Odhiambo; Tozan, Yesim; Ahlm, Clas; Rocklöv, Joacim

2017-06-01

Malaria surveillance data provide opportunity to develop forecasting models. Seasonal variability in environmental factors correlate with malaria transmission, thus the identification of transmission patterns is useful in developing prediction models. However, with changing seasonal transmission patterns, either due to interventions or shifting weather seasons, traditional modelling approaches may not yield adequate predictive skill. Two statistical models,a general additive model (GAM) and GAMBOOST model with boosted regression were contrasted by assessing their predictive accuracy in forecasting malaria admissions at lead times of one to three months. Monthly admission data for children under five years with confirmed malaria at the Siaya district hospital in Western Kenya for the period 2003 to 2013 were used together with satellite derived data on rainfall, average temperature and evapotranspiration(ET). There was a total of 8,476 confirmed malaria admissions. The peak of malaria season changed and malaria admissions reduced overtime. The GAMBOOST model at 1-month lead time had the highest predictive skill during both the training and test periods and thus can be utilized in a malaria early warning system.

A spectro-interferometric view of l Carinae's modulated pulsations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, Richard I.; Mérand, Antoine; Kervella, Pierre; Breitfelder, Joanne; Eyer, Laurent; Gallenne, Alexandre

Classical Cepheids are radially pulsating stars that enable important tests of stellar evolution and play a crucial role in the calibration of the local Hubble constant. l Carinae is a particularly well-known distance calibrator, being the closest long-period (P ~ 35.5 d) Cepheid and subtending the largest angular diameter. We have carried out an unprecedented observing program to investigate whether recently discovered cycle-to-cycle changes (modulations) of l Carinae's radial velocity (RV) variability are mirrored by its variability in angular size. To this end, we have secured a fully contemporaneous dataset of high-precision RVs and high-precision angular diameters. Here we provide a concise summary of our project and report preliminary results. We confirm the modulated nature of the RV variability and find tentative evidence of cycle-to-cycle differences in l Car's maximal angular diameter. Our analysis is exploring the limits of state-of-the-art instrumentation and reveals additional complexity in the pulsations of Cepheids. If confirmed, our result suggests a previously unknown pulsation cycle dependence of projection factors required for determining Cepheid distances via the Baade-Wesselink technique.

Novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education: a grounded theory.

PubMed

Neibert, Peter J

2009-01-01

To discover the theoretic constructs that confirm, disconfirm, or extend the principles and their applications appropriate for National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)-accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs. Interviews at the 2003 NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia. Qualitative study using grounded theory procedures. Thirteen interviews were conducted with postprofessional graduates. Participants were purposefully selected based on theoretic sampling and availability. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using open coding, axial coding, and selective coding procedures. Member checks, reflective journaling, and triangulation were used to ensure trustworthiness. The participants' comments confirmed and extended the current principles of postprofessional athletic training education programs and offered additional suggestions for more effective practical applications. The emergence of this central category of novice to expert practice is a paramount finding. The tightly woven fabric of the 10 processes, when interlaced with one another, provides a strong tapestry supporting novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education. The emergence of this theoretic position pushes postprofessional graduate athletic training education forward to the future for further investigation into the theoretic constructs of novice to expert practice.

Simple Repeat-Primed PCR Analysis of the Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 Gene in a Clinical Diagnostics Environment

PubMed Central

Dryland, Philippa A.; Doherty, Elaine; Love, Jennifer M.; Love, Donald R.

2013-01-01

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disorder that is caused by the expansion of a CTG trinucleotide repeat in the DMPK gene. The confirmation of a clinical diagnosis of DM-1 usually involves PCR amplification of the CTG repeat-containing region and subsequent sizing of the amplification products in order to deduce the number of CTG repeats. In the case of repeat hyperexpansions, Southern blotting is also used; however, the latter has largely been superseded by triplet repeat-primed PCR (TP-PCR), which does not yield a CTG repeat number but nevertheless provides a means of stratifying patients regarding their disease severity. We report here a combination of forward and reverse TP-PCR primers that allows for the simple and effective scoring of both the size of smaller alleles and the presence or absence of expanded repeat sequences. In addition, the CTG repeat-containing TP-PCR forward primer can target both the DM-1 and Huntington disease genes, thereby streamlining the work flow for confirmation of clinical diagnoses in a diagnostic laboratory. PMID:26317000

Intraspecific ecomorphological variation: linear and geometric morphometrics reveal habitat-related patterns within Podarcis bocagei wall lizards.

PubMed

Kaliontzopoulou, Antigoni; Carretero, M A; Llorente, G A

2010-06-01

Morphological variation in relation to habitat is known to occur in several lizard groups. Comparative studies have linked morphology and habitat use, showing that locomotion is the principal mediator of this evolutionary relationship. Here, we investigate intraspecific ecomorphological variation in Podarcis bocagei by examining three habitat types, representing a variety between saxicolous and ground-dwelling habits. Our results indicate variation in absolute and relative limb length, but patterns are only partially concordant to biomechanical predictions. Whereas the femur and hind foot are longer in ground-dwelling lizards, confirming previous observations, the tibia and hind limb are relatively shorter, contradicting expectations. Additionally, head shape varies substantially between habitats, in line with a hypothesis of mechanical restrictions related to microhabitat and refuge use. Finally, we detect male-specific variation between habitats in total body size and head size, providing evidence for interactions between natural and sexual selection. Although performance and behaviour studies are necessary to definitely confirm the functional and evolutionary significance of the observed patterns, our study indicates that ecomorphological adaptations can arise in a very short evolutionary time in this group of lizards.

Bioluminescence imaging of a tumor-selective, thymidine kinase-defective vaccinia virus Guang9 strain after intratumoral or intraperitoneal administration in mice

PubMed Central

Ding, Yuedi; Fan, Jun; Deng, Lili; Peng, Ying; Zhang, Jue; Huang, Biao

2017-01-01

Vaccinia virus has been used as an oncolytic virus because of its capacity to preferentially infect tumors rather than normal tissues. The vaccinia Tian Tan strain, used as a vaccine against smallpox for millions of people in China, is a promising candidate for cancer therapy. In this study, we constructed an attenuated Tian Tan strain of Guang9 with a disrupted thymidine kinase gene to enhance tumor selectivity and an inserted firefly luciferase to monitor the viral distribution by in vivo bioluminescence imaging. Living animal imaging confirmed the high specificity of vaccinia Guang9 for tumor targeting after intratumoral and intraperitoneal administration. In addition, the vaccinia Guang9 strain produced higher in vivo luciferase activity and endured longer in immunocompromised nude mice than in immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice, all of which had been tumor-challenged. The luciferase activity and viral titers in excised tissues confirmed these conclusions. These data provide evidence for the safety and efficacy of the clinical application of vaccinia virus, which would be a promising approach for cancer therapy. PMID:29179469

Forming mechanism of Te-based conductive-bridge memories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mendes, M. Kazar; Martinez, E.; Marty, A.; Veillerot, M.; Yamashita, Y.; Gassilloud, R.; Bernard, M.; Renault, O.; Barrett, N.

2018-02-01

We investigated origins of the resistivity change during the forming of ZrTe/Al2O3 based conductive-bridge resistive random access memories. Non-destructive hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to investigate redox processes with sufficient depth sensitivity. Results highlighted the reduction of alumina correlated to the oxidation of zirconium at the interface between the solid electrolyte and the active electrode. In addition the resistance switching caused a decrease of Zr-Te bonds and an increase of elemental Te showing an enrichment of tellurium at the ZrTe/Al2O3 interface. XPS depth profiling using argon clusters ion beam confirmed the oxygen diffusion towards the top electrode. A four-layer capacitor model showed an increase of both the ZrO2 and AlOx interfacial layers, confirming the redox process located at the ZrTe/Al2O3 interface. Oxygen vacancies created in the alumina help the filament formation by acting as preferential conductive paths. This study provides a first direct evidence of the physico-chemical phenomena involved in resistive switching of such devices.

Molecular characterization of larval development from fertilization to metamorphosis in a reef-building coral.

PubMed

Strader, Marie E; Aglyamova, Galina V; Matz, Mikhail V

2018-01-04

Molecular mechanisms underlying coral larval competence, the ability of larvae to respond to settlement cues, determine their dispersal potential and are potential targets of natural selection. Here, we profiled competence, fluorescence and genome-wide gene expression in embryos and larvae of the reef-building coral Acropora millepora daily throughout 12 days post-fertilization. Gene expression associated with competence was positively correlated with transcriptomic response to the natural settlement cue, confirming that mature coral larvae are "primed" for settlement. Rise of competence through development was accompanied by up-regulation of sensory and signal transduction genes such as ion channels, genes involved in neuropeptide signaling, and G-protein coupled receptor (GPCRs). A drug screen targeting components of GPCR signaling pathways confirmed a role in larval settlement behavior and metamorphosis. These results gives insight into the molecular complexity underlying these transitions and reveals receptors and pathways that, if altered by changing environments, could affect dispersal capabilities of reef-building corals. In addition, this dataset provides a toolkit for asking broad questions about sensory capacity in multicellular animals and the evolution of development.

Investigation of the physical properties, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of ternary potato starch-furcellaran-gelatin films incorporated with lavender essential oil.

PubMed

Jamróz, Ewelina; Juszczak, Lesław; Kucharek, Mateusz

2018-07-15

Lavender essential oil (OEL) was added to starch, furcellaran and gelatin (S/F/G) films in concentrations of 2%, 4% and 6%. The films were examined in terms of physical properties (thickness, density, water solubility, water absorption and degree of swelling) and mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break). The test results show that the film thickness increased upon addition of OEL. The solubility, water absorption and degree of swelling of the film decreased with increasing concentration of oils. Tensile strength (TS) decreased considerably with increasing concentration of oil, which resulted in lower mechanical strength. Parameters of elongation at break (EAB) were not changed. The thermal behaviour of the film was affected by OEL. Possible interaction between film matrix and lavender oil was confirmed using FTIR. Antioxidant properties proved to be significantly enhanced with increasing OEL concentration. The microbiological analysis confirmed antimicrobial properties of S/F/G with OEL. S/F/G films with OEL can provide new formulation of active packaging with potential food-technology applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative Cytogenetics between Two Important Songbird, Models: The Zebra Finch and the Canary

PubMed Central

dos Santos, Michelly da Silva; Kretschmer, Rafael; Frankl-Vilches, Carolina; Bakker, Antje; Gahr, Manfred; O´Brien, Patricia C. M.; Ferguson-Smith, Malcolm A.

2017-01-01

Songbird species (order Passeriformes, suborder Oscines) are important models in various experimental fields spanning behavioural genomics to neurobiology. Although the genomes of some songbird species were sequenced recently, the chromosomal organization of these species is mostly unknown. Here we focused on the two most studied songbird species in neuroscience, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) and the canary (Serinus canaria). In order to clarify these issues and also to integrate chromosome data with their assembled genomes, we used classical and molecular cytogenetics in both zebra finch and canary to define their chromosomal homology, localization of heterochromatic blocks and distribution of rDNA clusters. We confirmed the same diploid number (2n = 80) in both species, as previously reported. FISH experiments confirmed the occurrence of multiple paracentric and pericentric inversions previously found in other species of Passeriformes, providing a cytogenetic signature for this order, and corroborating data from in silico analyses. Additionally, compared to other Passeriformes, we detected differences in the zebra finch karyotype concerning the morphology of some chromosomes, in the distribution of 5S rDNA clusters, and an inversion in chromosome 1. PMID:28129381

16 CFR 1633.5 - Prototype pooling and confirmation testing requirements.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Prototype pooling and confirmation testing... Prototype pooling and confirmation testing requirements. (a) Prototype pooling. One or more manufacturers may rely on a qualified prototype produced by another manufacturer or prototype developer provided...

Unexpected behavior of some nitric oxide modulators under cadmium excess in plant tissue.

PubMed

Kováčik, Jozef; Babula, Petr; Klejdus, Bořivoj; Hedbavny, Josef; Jarošová, Markéta

2014-01-01

Various nitric oxide modulators (NO donors--SNP, GSNO, DEA NONOate and scavengers--PTIO, cPTIO) were tested to highlight the role of NO under Cd excess in various ontogenetic stages of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Surprisingly, compared to Cd alone, SNP and PTIO elevated Cd uptake (confirmed also by PhenGreen staining) but depleted glutathione (partially ascorbic acid) and phytochelatins PC2 and PC3 in both older plants (cultured hydroponically) and seedlings (cultured in deionised water). Despite these anomalous impacts, fluorescence staining of NO and ROS confirmed predictable assumptions and revealed reciprocal changes (decrease in NO but increase in ROS after PTIO addition and the opposite after SNP application). Subsequent tests using alternative modulators and seedlings confirmed changes to NO and ROS after application of GSNO and DEA NONOate as mentioned above for SNP while cPTIO altered only NO level (depletion). On the contrary to SNP and PTIO, GSNO, DEA NONOate and cPTIO did not elevate Cd content and phytochelatins (PC2, PC3) were rather elevated. These data provide evidence that various NO modulators are useful in terms of NO and ROS manipulation but interactions with intact plants affect metal uptake and must therefore be used with caution. In this view, cPTIO and DEA NONOate revealed the less pronounced side impacts and are recommended as suitable NO scavenger/donor in plant physiological studies under Cd excess.

Unexpected Behavior of Some Nitric Oxide Modulators under Cadmium Excess in Plant Tissue

PubMed Central

Kováčik, Jozef; Babula, Petr; Klejdus, Bořivoj; Hedbavny, Josef; Jarošová, Markéta

2014-01-01

Various nitric oxide modulators (NO donors - SNP, GSNO, DEA NONOate and scavengers – PTIO, cPTIO) were tested to highlight the role of NO under Cd excess in various ontogenetic stages of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Surprisingly, compared to Cd alone, SNP and PTIO elevated Cd uptake (confirmed also by PhenGreen staining) but depleted glutathione (partially ascorbic acid) and phytochelatins PC2 and PC3 in both older plants (cultured hydroponically) and seedlings (cultured in deionised water). Despite these anomalous impacts, fluorescence staining of NO and ROS confirmed predictable assumptions and revealed reciprocal changes (decrease in NO but increase in ROS after PTIO addition and the opposite after SNP application). Subsequent tests using alternative modulators and seedlings confirmed changes to NO and ROS after application of GSNO and DEA NONOate as mentioned above for SNP while cPTIO altered only NO level (depletion). On the contrary to SNP and PTIO, GSNO, DEA NONOate and cPTIO did not elevate Cd content and phytochelatins (PC2, PC3) were rather elevated. These data provide evidence that various NO modulators are useful in terms of NO and ROS manipulation but interactions with intact plants affect metal uptake and must therefore be used with caution. In this view, cPTIO and DEA NONOate revealed the less pronounced side impacts and are recommended as suitable NO scavenger/donor in plant physiological studies under Cd excess. PMID:24626462

Bladder radiotherapy treatment: A retrospective comparison of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, and volumetric-modulated arc therapy plans

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

Pasciuti, Katia, E-mail: k.pasciuti@virgilio.it; Kuthpady, Shrinivas; Anderson, Anne

To examine tumor's and organ's response when different radiotherapy plan techniques are used. Ten patients with confirmed bladder tumors were first treated using 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and subsequently the original plans were re-optimized using the intensity-modulated radiation treatment (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT)-techniques. Targets coverage in terms of conformity and homogeneity index, TCP, and organs' dose limits, including integral dose analysis were evaluated. In addition, MUs and treatment delivery times were compared. Better minimum target coverage (1.3%) was observed in VMAT plans when compared to 3DCRT and IMRT ones confirmed by a statistically significant conformity index (CI) results.more » Large differences were observed among techniques in integral dose results of the femoral heads. Even if no statistically significant differences were reported in rectum and tissue, a large amount of energy deposition was observed in 3DCRT plans. In any case, VMAT plans provided better organs and tissue sparing confirmed also by the normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) analysis as well as a better tumor control probability (TCP) result. Our analysis showed better overall results in planning using VMAT techniques. Furthermore, a total time reduction in treatment observed among techniques including gantry and collimator rotation could encourage using the more recent one, reducing target movements and patient discomfort.« less

Yersinia pestis DNA from skeletal remains from the 6(th) century AD reveals insights into Justinianic Plague.

PubMed

Harbeck, Michaela; Seifert, Lisa; Hänsch, Stephanie; Wagner, David M; Birdsell, Dawn; Parise, Katy L; Wiechmann, Ingrid; Grupe, Gisela; Thomas, Astrid; Keim, Paul; Zöller, Lothar; Bramanti, Barbara; Riehm, Julia M; Scholz, Holger C

2013-01-01

Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of the disease plague, has been implicated in three historical pandemics. These include the third pandemic of the 19(th) and 20(th) centuries, during which plague was spread around the world, and the second pandemic of the 14(th)-17(th) centuries, which included the infamous epidemic known as the Black Death. Previous studies have confirmed that Y. pestis caused these two more recent pandemics. However, a highly spirited debate still continues as to whether Y. pestis caused the so-called Justinianic Plague of the 6(th)-8(th) centuries AD. By analyzing ancient DNA in two independent ancient DNA laboratories, we confirmed unambiguously the presence of Y. pestis DNA in human skeletal remains from an Early Medieval cemetery. In addition, we narrowed the phylogenetic position of the responsible strain down to major branch 0 on the Y. pestis phylogeny, specifically between nodes N03 and N05. Our findings confirm that Y. pestis was responsible for the Justinianic Plague, which should end the controversy regarding the etiology of this pandemic. The first genotype of a Y. pestis strain that caused the Late Antique plague provides important information about the history of the plague bacillus and suggests that the first pandemic also originated in Asia, similar to the other two plague pandemics.

Investigation of household contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients increases case detection in Mwanza City, Tanzania.

PubMed

Beyanga, Medard; Kidenya, Benson R; Gerwing-Adima, Lisa; Ochodo, Eleanor; Mshana, Stephen E; Kasang, Christa

2018-03-06

Tuberculosis (TB) contact tracing is a key strategy for containing TB and provides addition to the passive case finding approach. However, this practice has not been implemented in Tanzania, where there is unacceptably high treatment gap of 62.1% between cases estimated and cases detected. Therefore calls for more aggressive case finding for TB to close this gap. We aimed to determine the magnitude and predictors of bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB among household contacts of bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB index cases in the city of Mwanza, Tanzania. This study was carried out from August to December 2016 in Mwanza city at the TB outpatient clinics of Tertiary Hospital of the Bugando Medical Centre, Sekou-Toure Regional Hospital, and Nyamagana District Hospital. Bacteriologically-confirmed TB index cases diagnosed between May and July 2016 were identified from the laboratory registers book. Contacts were traced by home visits by study TB nurses, and data were collected using a standardized TB screening questionnaire. To detect the bacterioriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB, two sputum samples per household contact were collected under supervision for all household contacts following standard operating procedures. Samples were transported to the Bugando Medical Centre TB laboratory for investigation for TB using fluorescent smear microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF and Löwenstein-Jensen (LJ) culture. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB among household contacts. During the study period, 456 household contacts from 93 TB index cases were identified. Among these 456 household contacts, 13 (2.9%) were GeneXpert MTB/RIF positive, 18 (3.9%) were MTB-culture positive and four (0.9%) were AFB-smear positive. Overall, 29 (6.4%) of contacts had bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB. Predictors of bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB among household contacts were7being married (Odds ratio [OR], 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-8.0; p = 0.012) and consuming less than three meals a day (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.6-8.7; p = 0.009). Our data suggest that in Mwanza, Tanzania, seven in 100 contacts living in the same house with a TB patient develop bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB. These results therefore underscore the need to implement routine TB contact tracing to control tuberculosis in high TB burden countries such as Tanzania.

Evaluating the value and impact of the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality.

PubMed

Retegan, Claudia; Russell, Colin; Harris, Darren; Andrianopoulos, Nick; Beiles, C Barry

2013-10-01

Since the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality (VASM) commenced in 2007, 95% of Victorian Fellows have agreed to participate and have provided data on the deaths of patients receiving surgical care. All public, and the majority of private, hospitals involved in the delivery of surgical services in Victoria have been submitting data on deaths associated with surgery. De-identified reports on this data are distributed in regular annual reports and case note review booklets. Although informal feedback on the perceived value of the audit was encouraging, a formal review of all aspects of the audit was felt necessary. An independent formal review of VASM governance, documentation, datasets and data analysis was performed, in addition to a survey of 257 individuals (surgeons and other stakeholders) on the perceived impact of VASM. The review confirmed increasing participation and acceptance by surgeons since the inception of the project. Governance mechanisms were found to be effective and acknowledged by stakeholders and collaborators. Robust participation rates have been achieved, and stakeholders were generally satisfied with the quality of feedback. Suggestions for improvement were provided by some surgeons and hospitals. External review of VASM processes and procedures confirmed that the audit was operating effectively, with robust quality control and achieving the trust of stakeholders. The educational value of the audit to the surgical community was acknowledged and areas for future improvement have been identified. © 2013 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Anomalous fluorescence enhancement and fluorescence quenching of graphene quantum dots by single walled carbon nanotubes.

PubMed

Das, Ruma; Rajender, Gone; Giri, P K

2018-02-07

We explore the mechanism of the fluorescence enhancement and fluorescence quenching effect of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) on highly fluorescent graphene quantum dots (GQDs) over a wide range of concentrations of SWCNTs. At very low concentrations of SWCNTs, the fluorescence intensity of the GQDs is enhanced, while at higher concentrations, systematic quenching of fluorescence is observed. The nature of the Stern-Volmer plot for the latter case was found to be non-linear indicating a combined effect of dynamic and static quenching. The contribution of the dynamic quenching component was assessed through the fluorescence lifetime measurements. The contribution of static quenching is confirmed from the red shift of the fluorescence spectra of the GQDs after addition of SWCNTs. The fluorescence intensity is first enhanced at very low concentration due to improved dispersion and higher absorption by GQDs, while at higher concentration, the fluorescence of GQDs is quenched due to the complex formation and associated reduction of the radiative sites of the GQDs, which is confirmed from time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Laser confocal microscopy imaging provides direct evidence of the enhancement and quenching of fluorescence at low and high concentrations of SWCNTs, respectively. This study provides an important insight into tuning the fluorescence of GQDs and understanding the interaction between GQDs and different CNTs, which is important for bio-imaging and drug delivery applications.

Useful information provided by graphic displays of automated cell counter in hematological malignancies.

PubMed

Gupta, Monica; Chauhan, Kriti; Singhvi, Tanvi; Kumari, Manisha; Grover, Rajesh Kumar

2018-01-21

Automated cell counters have become more and more sophisticated with passing years. The numerical and graphic data both provide useful clues for suspecting a diagnosis especially when the workload is very high. We present our experience of useful information provided by graphic displays of an automated cell counter in hematological malignancies in a cancer hospital where a large number of complete blood count (CBC) requests are received either before or during chemotherapy. This study was conducted to assess the usefulness of hematology cell counter, viz. WBC-Diff (WBC differential), WBC/BASO (WBC basophil) and IMI (immature myeloid information) channel scatter plots, and the flaggings generated in various hematological malignancies. The graphic displays have been compiled over a period of 1 year (October 2015-September 2016) from blood samples of various solid and hematological malignancies (approximately 400 per day) received for routine CBC in the laboratory. Approximately 50 000 scattergrams have been analyzed during the study period. The findings were confirmed by peripheral blood smear examination. The scattergram analysis on XE-2100 is very sensitive as well as specific for diagnosing acute leukemia, viz. acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia; chronic myeloproliferative disorders, viz. chronic myeloid leukemia; and chronic lymphoproliferative disorder especially chronic lymphocytic leukemia. It is suggested that the laboratories using the hematology analyzers be aware of graphic display patterns in addition to flaggings generated which provide additional information and give clue toward the diagnosis even before peripheral smear examination. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Energy Efficient Data Transmission for Sensors with Wireless Charging

PubMed Central

Luo, Junzhou; Wu, Weiwei; Gao, Hong

2018-01-01

This paper studies the problem of maximizing the energy utilization for data transmission in sensors with periodical wireless charging process while taking into account the thermal effect. Two classes of problems are analyzed: one is the case that wireless charging can process for only a limited period of time, and the other is the case that wireless charging can process for a long enough time. Algorithms are proposed to solve the problems and analysis of these algorithms are also provided. For the first problem, three subproblems are studied, and, for the general problem, we give an algorithm that can derive a performance bound of (1−12m)(OPT−E) compared to an optimal solution. In addition, for the second problem, we provide an algorithm with 2m2m−1OPT+1 performance bound for the general problem. Simulations confirm the analysis of the algorithms. PMID:29419770

Energy Efficient Data Transmission for Sensors with Wireless Charging.

PubMed

Fang, Xiaolin; Luo, Junzhou; Wu, Weiwei; Gao, Hong

2018-02-08

This paper studies the problem of maximizing the energy utilization for data transmission in sensors with periodical wireless charging process while taking into account the thermal effect. Two classes of problems are analyzed: one is the case that wireless charging can process for only a limited period of time, and the other is the case that wireless charging can process for a long enough time. Algorithms are proposed to solve the problems and analysis of these algorithms are also provided. For the first problem, three subproblems are studied, and, for the general problem, we give an algorithm that can derive a performance bound of ( 1 - 1 2 m ) ( O P T - E ) compared to an optimal solution. In addition, for the second problem, we provide an algorithm with 2 m 2 m - 1 O P T + 1 performance bound for the general problem. Simulations confirm the analysis of the algorithms.

Sierra/SolidMechanics 4.48 Verification Tests Manual.

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

Plews, Julia A.; Crane, Nathan K; de Frias, Gabriel Jose

2018-03-01

Presented in this document is a small portion of the tests that exist in the Sierra / SolidMechanics (Sierra / SM) verification test suite. Most of these tests are run nightly with the Sierra / SM code suite, and the results of the test are checked versus the correct analytical result. For each of the tests presented in this document, the test setup, a description of the analytic solution, and comparison of the Sierra / SM code results to the analytic solution is provided. Mesh convergence is also checked on a nightly basis for several of these tests. This documentmore » can be used to confirm that a given code capability is verified or referenced as a compilation of example problems. Additional example problems are provided in the Sierra / SM Example Problems Manual. Note, many other verification tests exist in the Sierra / SM test suite, but have not yet been included in this manual.« less

The role of lung imaging in pulmonary embolism

PubMed Central

Mishkin, Fred S.; Johnson, Philip M.

1973-01-01

The advantages of lung scanning in suspected pulmonary embolism are its diagnostic sensitivity, simplicity and safety. The ability to delineate regional pulmonary ischaemia, to quantitate its extent and to follow its response to therapy provides valuable clinical data available by no other simple means. The negative scan effectively excludes pulmonary embolism but, although certain of its features favour the diagnosis of embolism, the positive scan inherently lacks specificity and requires angiographic confirmation when embolectomy, caval plication or infusion of a thrombolytic agent are contemplated. The addition of simple ventilation imaging techniques with radioxenon overcomes this limitation by providing accurate analog estimation or digital quantitation of regional ventilation: perfusion (V/Q) ratios fundamental to understanding the pathophysiologic consequences of embolism and other diseases of the lung. ImagesFig. 1Fig. 2Fig. 3Fig. 4Fig. 5Fig. 6Fig. 7p495-bFig. 8Fig. 9Fig. 10Fig. 11Fig. 12Fig. 13 PMID:4602128

Transtheoretical Model Constructs for Physical Activity Behavior are Invariant across Time among Ethnically Diverse Adults in Hawaii

PubMed Central

Nigg, Claudio R; Motl, Robert W; Horwath, Caroline; Dishman, Rod K

2012-01-01

Objectives Physical activity (PA) research applying the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) to examine group differences and/or change over time requires preliminary evidence of factorial validity and invariance. The current study examined the factorial validity and longitudinal invariance of TTM constructs recently revised for PA. Method Participants from an ethnically diverse sample in Hawaii (N=700) completed questionnaires capturing each TTM construct. Results Factorial validity was confirmed for each construct using confirmatory factor analysis with full-information maximum likelihood. Longitudinal invariance was evidenced across a shorter (3-month) and longer (6-month) time period via nested model comparisons. Conclusions The questionnaires for each validated TTM construct are provided, and can now be generalized across similar subgroups and time points. Further validation of the provided measures is suggested in additional populations and across extended time points. PMID:22778669

Implementing health management information systems: measuring success in Korea's health centers.

PubMed

Chae, Y M; Kim, S I; Lee, B H; Choi, S H; Kim, I S

1994-01-01

This article analyses the effects that the introduction and adoption of a health management information system (HMIS) can have on both the productivity of health center staff as well as on user-satisfaction. The focus is upon the service provided by the Kwonsun Health Center located in Suwon City, Korea. Two surveys were conducted to measure the changes in productivity and adoption (knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation and confirmation) of health center staff over time. In addition, a third survey was conducted to measure the effects of HMIS on the level of satisfaction perceived by the visitors, by comparing the satisfaction level between the study health center and a similar health center identified as a control. The results suggest that HMIS increased the productivity and satisfaction of the staff but did not increase their persuasion and decision levels; and, that is also succeeded in increasing the levels of visitors' satisfaction with the services provided.

Sierra/SolidMechanics 4.48 Verification Tests Manual.

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

Plews, Julia A.; Crane, Nathan K.; de Frias, Gabriel Jose

Presented in this document is a small portion of the tests that exist in the Sierra / SolidMechanics (Sierra / SM) verification test suite. Most of these tests are run nightly with the Sierra / SM code suite, and the results of the test are checked versus the correct analytical result. For each of the tests presented in this document, the test setup, a description of the analytic solution, and comparison of the Sierra / SM code results to the analytic solution is provided. Mesh convergence is also checked on a nightly basis for several of these tests. This documentmore » can be used to confirm that a given code capability is verified or referenced as a compilation of example problems. Additional example problems are provided in the Sierra / SM Example Problems Manual. Note, many other verification tests exist in the Sierra / SM test suite, but have not yet been included in this manual.« less

The Solubility of Microcrystalline Cellulose in Sodium Hydroxide Solution Is Inconsistent with International Specifications.

PubMed

Kodama, Hanayo; Tamura, Yoshinaga; Kamei, Ichiro; Sato, Kyoko; Akiyama, Hiroshi

2017-01-01

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is used globally as an inactive ingredient in food and nutraceutical products and is commonly used as a food additive. To confirm the conformity of MCC to the solubility requirements stipulated in international specifications, the solubilities of commercially available MCC products were tested in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. All of the samples were insoluble in NaOH solution, which is inconsistent with the descriptions provided in international specifications. We also prepared celluloses with different degree of polymerization (DP) values by acid hydrolysis. Celluloses with lower DP were prepared using a three-step process, and their solubilities were tested in NaOH solution. These celluloses were found to be insoluble, which is inconsistent with the descriptions provided in international specifications. The present study suggests that the descriptions of the solubility of the celluloses in NaOH solution found in the current international specifications should be revised.

Thematic Mapper and field investigations at the intersection of the Death Valley and Garlock fault zones, California

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brady, Roland H., III; Cregan, Alan; Clayton, Jeff; Troxel, Bennie W.; Verosub, Kenneth L.; Abrams, Michael

1989-01-01

Analysis of processed images and detailed field investigations have provided significant information concerning the late-Pliocene and Quaternary evolution of the intersection of the Garlock and Death Valley fault zones. The imagery was used to determine patterns of sedimentation and age relationships on alluvial fans and to determine the geometry, styles of deformation, and relative ages of movements on major and minor faults in the study area. The field investigation often confirmed the inferences drawn from the images and provided additional tectonic and geomorphologic data about the Quaternary deformation of the region. All the data gathered in the course of this project support the contention that the Garlock fault zone terminates in the Avawatz Mountains and that the Death Valley fault zone continues south of the intersection for at least 50 km, forming the eastern boundary of the Mojave province.

Finding evolved stars in the inner Galactic disk with Gaia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quiroga-Nuñez, L. H.; van Langevelde, H. J.; Pihlström, Y. M.; Sjouwerman, L. O.; Brown, A. G. A.

2018-04-01

The Bulge Asymmetries and Dynamical Evolution (BAaDE) survey will provide positions and line-of-sight velocities of ~20, 000 evolved, maser bearing stars in the Galactic plane. Although this Galactic region is affected by optical extinction, BAaDE targets may have Gaia cross-matches, eventually providing additional stellar information. In an initial attempt to cross-match BAaDE targets with Gaia, we have found more than 5,000 candidates. Of these, we may expect half to show SiO emission, which will allow us to obtain velocity information. The cross-match is being refined to avoid false positives using different criteria based on distance analysis, flux variability, and color assessment in the mid- and near-IR. Once the cross-matches can be confirmed, we will have a unique sample to characterize the stellar population of evolved stars in the Galactic bulge, which can be considered fossils of the Milky Way formation.

Identification of site frequencies from building records

USGS Publications Warehouse

Celebi, M.

2003-01-01

A simple procedure to identify site frequencies using earthquake response records from roofs and basements of buildings is presented. For this purpose, data from five different buildings are analyzed using only spectral analyses techniques. Additional data such as free-field records in close proximity to the buildings and site characterization data are also used to estimate site frequencies and thereby to provide convincing evidence and confirmation of the site frequencies inferred from the building records. Furthermore, simple code-formula is used to calculate site frequencies and compare them with the identified site frequencies from records. Results show that the simple procedure is effective in identification of site frequencies and provides relatively reliable estimates of site frequencies when compared with other methods. Therefore the simple procedure for estimating site frequencies using earthquake records can be useful in adding to the database of site frequencies. Such databases can be used to better estimate site frequencies of those sites with similar geological structures.

Positron surface state as a spectroscopic probe for characterizing surfaces of topological insulator materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Callewaert, Vincent; Shastry, K.; Saniz, Rolando; Makkonen, Ilja; Barbiellini, Bernardo; Assaf, Badih A.; Heiman, Donald; Moodera, Jagadeesh S.; Partoens, Bart; Bansil, Arun; Weiss, A. H.

2016-09-01

Topological insulators are attracting considerable interest due to their potential for technological applications and as platforms for exploring wide-ranging fundamental science questions. In order to exploit, fine-tune, control, and manipulate the topological surface states, spectroscopic tools which can effectively probe their properties are of key importance. Here, we demonstrate that positrons provide a sensitive probe for topological states and that the associated annihilation spectrum provides a technique for characterizing these states. Firm experimental evidence for the existence of a positron surface state near Bi2Te2Se with a binding energy of Eb=2.7 ±0.2 eV is presented and is confirmed by first-principles calculations. Additionally, the simulations predict a significant signal originating from annihilation with the topological surface states and show the feasibility to detect their spin texture through the use of spin-polarized positron beams.

An effective visualization technique for depth perception in augmented reality-based surgical navigation.

PubMed

Choi, Hyunseok; Cho, Byunghyun; Masamune, Ken; Hashizume, Makoto; Hong, Jaesung

2016-03-01

Depth perception is a major issue in augmented reality (AR)-based surgical navigation. We propose an AR and virtual reality (VR) switchable visualization system with distance information, and evaluate its performance in a surgical navigation set-up. To improve depth perception, seamless switching from AR to VR was implemented. In addition, the minimum distance between the tip of the surgical tool and the nearest organ was provided in real time. To evaluate the proposed techniques, five physicians and 20 non-medical volunteers participated in experiments. Targeting error, time taken, and numbers of collisions were measured in simulation experiments. There was a statistically significant difference between a simple AR technique and the proposed technique. We confirmed that depth perception in AR could be improved by the proposed seamless switching between AR and VR, and providing an indication of the minimum distance also facilitated the surgical tasks. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PLC-based LP₁₁ mode rotator for mode-division multiplexing transmission.

PubMed

Saitoh, Kunimasa; Uematsu, Takui; Hanzawa, Nobutomo; Ishizaka, Yuhei; Masumoto, Kohei; Sakamoto, Taiji; Matsui, Takashi; Tsujikawa, Kyozo; Yamamoto, Fumihiko

2014-08-11

A PLC-based LP11 mode rotator is proposed. The proposed mode rotator is composed of a waveguide with a trench that provides asymmetry of the waveguide. Numerical simulations show that converting LP11a (LP11b) mode to LP11b (LP11a) mode can be achieved with high conversion efficiency (more than 90%) and little polarization dependence over a wide wavelength range from 1450 nm to 1650 nm. In addition, we fabricate the proposed LP11 mode rotator using silica-based PLC. It is confirmed that the fabricated mode rotator can convert LP11a mode to LP11b mode over a wide wavelength range.

Cigarette smoking and pulmonary diffusion defects in rheumatoid arthritis.

PubMed

Westedt, M L; Hazes, J M; Breedveld, F C; Sterk, P J; Dijkman, J H

1998-01-01

The pathogenesis of lung disease in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has still to be defined. Risk factors associated with lung involvement in RA were investigated by means of pulmonary function studies in 40 RA patients without apparent lung disease. A decreased carbon monoxide (CO) diffusion capacity indicative of interstitial lung disease (ILD) was the main pulmonary function defect found in the first 20 patients. The occurrence was associated with current cigarette smoking. This association was confirmed in a case control study performed subsequently. These data suggest that ILD in RA is stimulated by smoking and provide an additional argument that modification of smoking behaviour in RA patients might lead to less severe complications.

Installation-restoration program, Phase 2. Confirmation/quantification Stage 1 for Otis Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, Air National Guard Support Center, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Volume 2. Appendices. Final report

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

Not Available

1985-10-01

The purpose of this task is to determine if environmental contamination has resulted from waste disposal practices at Otis ANGB MA; to provide estimates of the magnitude and extent of contamination, should contamination be found; to identify potential environmental consequences of migrating pollutants; to identify any additional investigations and their attendant costs necessary to identify the magnitude, extent and direction of movement of discovered contaminants. Partial contents include: well and test pit logs; site safety plan; laboratory analytical methods and quality assurance; and Federal and state drinking water and human health standards applicable in Massachusetts.

Incremental benefit of three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of left main coronary artery stent protrusion.

PubMed

Arisha, Mohammed J; Hsiung, Ming C; Ahmad, Amier; Nanda, Navin C; Elkaryoni, Ahmed; Mohamed, Ahmed H; Yin, Wei-Hsian

2017-06-01

Ostial lesions represent a challenging clinical scenario and percutaneous intervention (PCI) of left main coronary artery ostial lesions has been associated with postintervention complications, including protrusion of deployed stents into a sinus of Valsalva or aortic root. We report a case of stent protrusion into the aortic root following aorto-ostial left main coronary artery PCI, in which three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (3DTEE) provided incremental benefit over standard two-dimensional images. Specifically, 3DTEE confirmed the presence of stent protrusion by allowing clear visualization of the stent scaffold, in addition to characterizing the relationship between the stent and surrounding structures. © 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Design and numerical simulation of novel giant magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Pengyang; Liu, Qiang; Li, Shujuan; Wang, Quandai; Zhang, Dongya; Li, Yan

This paper provides a design method of a novel giant magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducer utilized in incremental sheet metal forming. The frequency equations of the ultrasonic vibrator were deduced and the corresponding correctness verified by the modal and harmonic response characteristic through the finite element method (FEM) and ANSYS software. In addition, the magnetic field of the vibrator system was designed and verified by the ANSYS. Finally, the frequency tests based on the impedance response analysis and the amplitude measurements based on the laser displacement sensor were performed on the prototype. The results confirmed the appropriate design of this transducer, setting the foundation for a low mechanical quality factor and satisfying amplitude.

Post-test analysis of dryout test 7B' of the W-1 Sodium Loop Safety Facility Experiment with the SABRE-2P code. [LMFBR

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

Rose, S.D.; Dearing, J.F.

An understanding of conditions that may cause sodium boiling and boiling propagation that may lead to dryout and fuel failure is crucial in liquid-metal fast-breeder reactor safety. In this study, the SABRE-2P subchannel analysis code has been used to analyze the ultimate transient of the in-core W-1 Sodium Loop Safety Facility experiment. This code has a 3-D simple nondynamic boiling model which is able to predict the flow instability which caused dryout. In other analyses dryout has been predicted for out-of-core test bundles and so this study provides additional confirmation of the model.

Tuning the critical solution temperature of polymers by copolymerization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schulz, Bernhard; Chudoba, Richard; Heyda, Jan; Dzubiella, Joachim

2015-12-01

We study statistical copolymerization effects on the upper critical solution temperature (CST) of generic homopolymers by means of coarse-grained Langevin dynamics computer simulations and mean-field theory. Our systematic investigation reveals that the CST can change monotonically or non-monotonically with copolymerization, as observed in experimental studies, depending on the degree of non-additivity of the monomer (A-B) cross-interactions. The simulation findings are confirmed and qualitatively explained by a combination of a two-component Flory-de Gennes model for polymer collapse and a simple thermodynamic expansion approach. Our findings provide some rationale behind the effects of copolymerization and may be helpful for tuning CST behavior of polymers in soft material design.

Morphological and molecular evidence supporting an arbutoid mycorrhizal relationship in the Costa Rican páramo.

PubMed

Osmundson, Todd W; Halling, Roy E; den Bakker, Henk C

2007-05-01

This study examines evidence for a particular arbutoid mycorrhizal interaction in páramo, a high-altitude neotropical ecosystem important in hydrological regulation but poorly known in terms of its fungal communities. Comarostaphylis arbutoides Lindley (Ericaceae) often forms dense thickets in Central American páramo habitats. Based on phylogenetic classification, it has been suggested that C. arbutoides forms arbutoid mycorrhizae with diverse Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes; however, this assumption has not previously been confirmed. Based on field data, we hypothesized an arbutoid mycorrhizal association between C. arbutoides and the recently described bolete Leccinum monticola Halling & G.M. Mueller; in this study, we applied a rigorous approach using anatomical and molecular data to examine evidence for such an association. We examined root samples collected beneath L. monticola basidiomes for mycorrhizal structures, and we also compared rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences between mycorrhizal root tips and leaf or basidiome material of the suspected symbionts. Root cross sections showed a thin hyphal sheath and intracellular hyphal coils typical of arbutoid mycorrhizae. DNA sequence comparisons confirmed the identity of C. arbutoides and L. monticola as the mycorrhizal symbionts. In addition, this paper provides additional evidence for the widespread presence of minisatellite-like inserts in the ITS1 spacer in Leccinum species (including a characterization of the insert in L. monticola) and reports the use of an angiosperm-specific ITS primer pair useful for amplifying plant DNA from mycorrhizal roots without co-amplifying fungal DNA.

Combined Targeted DNA Sequencing in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Using UNCseq and NGScopy, and RNA Sequencing Using UNCqeR for the Detection of Genetic Aberrations in NSCLC

PubMed Central

Walter, Vonn; Patel, Nirali M.; Eberhard, David A.; Hayward, Michele C.; Salazar, Ashley H.; Jo, Heejoon; Soloway, Matthew G.; Wilkerson, Matthew D.; Parker, Joel S.; Yin, Xiaoying; Zhang, Guosheng; Siegel, Marni B.; Rosson, Gary B.; Earp, H. Shelton; Sharpless, Norman E.; Gulley, Margaret L.; Weck, Karen E.

2015-01-01

The recent FDA approval of the MiSeqDx platform provides a unique opportunity to develop targeted next generation sequencing (NGS) panels for human disease, including cancer. We have developed a scalable, targeted panel-based assay termed UNCseq, which involves a NGS panel of over 200 cancer-associated genes and a standardized downstream bioinformatics pipeline for detection of single nucleotide variations (SNV) as well as small insertions and deletions (indel). In addition, we developed a novel algorithm, NGScopy, designed for samples with sparse sequencing coverage to detect large-scale copy number variations (CNV), similar to human SNP Array 6.0 as well as small-scale intragenic CNV. Overall, we applied this assay to 100 snap-frozen lung cancer specimens lacking same-patient germline DNA (07–0120 tissue cohort) and validated our results against Sanger sequencing, SNP Array, and our recently published integrated DNA-seq/RNA-seq assay, UNCqeR, where RNA-seq of same-patient tumor specimens confirmed SNV detected by DNA-seq, if RNA-seq coverage depth was adequate. In addition, we applied the UNCseq assay on an independent lung cancer tumor tissue collection with available same-patient germline DNA (11–1115 tissue cohort) and confirmed mutations using assays performed in a CLIA-certified laboratory. We conclude that UNCseq can identify SNV, indel, and CNV in tumor specimens lacking germline DNA in a cost-efficient fashion. PMID:26076459

An investigation of the biochemical properties of tetrazines as potential coating additives.

PubMed

Jaiswal, Swarna; Varma, P C Rajath; O'Neill, Luke; Duffy, Brendan; McHale, Patrick

2013-05-01

1,2,4,5-Tetrazine and its 3,6-disubstituted derivatives are currently used for a range of industrial and medical applications as they exhibit particular coordination chemistries, characterised by electron and charge transfer phenomena. The aim of the present work is to synthesise two tetrazine derivatives, namely 3,6-dihydrazino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (DHDTZ) and 1,2,4,5-tetrazine dicarboxylic acid (DCTZ), and determine their antibacterial, antioxidant and anticorrosion characteristics as additives in a sol-gel coating on SS316L steel. The structure of the tetrazines was confirmed by NMR and FTIR while the surface morphology of bacterial cells in their presence was observed by AFM. Their ability to inhibit corrosion on 316L stainless steel was electrochemically determined using a potentiodynamic scanning (PDS) technique. The corrosion inhibition results showed that the acidic DCTZ provided the best corrosion protection. The concentration-dependent antioxidant capacity of the tetrazines was confirmed by both DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP assays, showing higher activity for DHDTZ than DCTZ. Furthermore, a DHDTZ doped sol-gel solution was prepared and curing parameter (temperature and time) was optimised for coating on microtitre wells and stainless steel panel. The antibacterial activity of the coated surfaces against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and the biofilm forming bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis CSF 41498 was determined. DHDTZ showed significantly higher antibacterial activities with MIC as low as 31 ppm compared to 250 ppm for DCTZ. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The electrical resistivity of rough thin films: A model based on electron reflection at discrete step edges

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Tianji; Zheng, Pengyuan; Pandey, Sumeet C.; Sundararaman, Ravishankar; Gall, Daniel

2018-04-01

The effect of the surface roughness on the electrical resistivity of metallic thin films is described by electron reflection at discrete step edges. A Landauer formalism for incoherent scattering leads to a parameter-free expression for the resistivity contribution from surface mound-valley undulations that is additive to the resistivity associated with bulk and surface scattering. In the classical limit where the electron reflection probability matches the ratio of the step height h divided by the film thickness d, the additional resistivity Δρ = √{3 /2 } /(g0d) × ω/ξ, where g0 is the specific ballistic conductance and ω/ξ is the ratio of the root-mean-square surface roughness divided by the lateral correlation length of the surface morphology. First-principles non-equilibrium Green's function density functional theory transport simulations on 1-nm-thick Cu(001) layers validate the model, confirming that the electron reflection probability is equal to h/d and that the incoherent formalism matches the coherent scattering simulations for surface step separations ≥2 nm. Experimental confirmation is done using 4.5-52 nm thick epitaxial W(001) layers, where ω = 0.25-1.07 nm and ξ = 10.5-21.9 nm are varied by in situ annealing. Electron transport measurements at 77 and 295 K indicate a linear relationship between Δρ and ω/(ξd), confirming the model predictions. The model suggests a stronger resistivity size effect than predictions of existing models by Fuchs [Math. Proc. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 34, 100 (1938)], Sondheimer [Adv. Phys. 1, 1 (1952)], Rossnagel and Kuan [J. Vac. Sci. Technol., B 22, 240 (2004)], or Namba [Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Part 1 9, 1326 (1970)]. It provides a quantitative explanation for the empirical parameters in these models and may explain the recently reported deviations of experimental resistivity values from these models.

Functional-structural reorganisation of the neuronal network for auditory perception in subjects with unilateral hearing loss: Review of neuroimaging studies.

PubMed

Heggdal, Peder O Laugen; Brännström, Jonas; Aarstad, Hans Jørgen; Vassbotn, Flemming S; Specht, Karsten

2016-02-01

This paper aims to provide a review of studies using neuroimaging to measure functional-structural reorganisation of the neuronal network for auditory perception after unilateral hearing loss. A literature search was performed in PubMed. Search criterions were peer reviewed original research papers in English completed by the 11th of March 2015. Twelve studies were found to use neuroimaging in subjects with unilateral hearing loss. An additional five papers not identified by the literature search were provided by a reviewer. Thus, a total of 17 studies were included in the review. Four different neuroimaging methods were used in these studies: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) (n = 11), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) (n = 4), T1/T2 volumetric images (n = 2), magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) (n = 1). One study utilized two imaging methods (fMRI and T1 volumetric images). Neuroimaging techniques could provide valuable information regarding the effects of unilateral hearing loss on both auditory and non-auditory performance. fMRI-studies showing a bilateral BOLD-response in patients with unilateral hearing loss have not yet been followed by DTI studies confirming their microstructural correlates. In addition, the review shows that an auditory modality-specific deficit could affect multi-modal brain regions and their connections. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Towards a generic procedure for the detection of relevant contaminants from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) in plastic food-contact materials: a review and selection of key parameters.

PubMed

Puype, Franky; Samsonek, Jiří; Vilímková, Věra; Kopečková, Šárka; Ratiborská, Andrea; Knoop, Jan; Egelkraut-Holtus, Marion; Ortlieb, Markus; Oppermann, Uwe

2017-10-01

Recently, traces of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) have been detected in black plastic food-contact materials (FCMs), indicating the presence of recycled plastics, mainly coming from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) as BFRs are one of the main additives in electric applications. In order to evaluate efficiently and preliminary in situ the presence of WEEE in plastic FCMs, a generic procedure for the evaluation of WEEE presence in plastic FCMs by using defined parameters having each an associated importance level has been proposed. This can be achieved by combining parameters like overall bromine (Br) and antimony (Sb) content; additive and reactive BFR, rare earth element (REE) and WEEE-relevant elemental content and additionally polymer purity. In most of the cases, the WEEE contamination could be confirmed by combining X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry and thermal desorption/pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at first. The Sb and REE content did not give a full confirmation as to the source of contamination, however for Sb the opposite counts: Sb was joined with elevated Br signals. Therefore, Br at first followed by Sb were used as WEEE precursors as both elements are used as synergetic flame-retardant systems. WEEE-specific REEs could be used for small WEEE (sWEEE) confirmation; however, this parameter should be interpreted with care. The polymer purity by Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and pyrolysis GC-MS in many cases could not confirm WEEE-specific contamination; however, it can be used for purity measurements and for the suspicion of the usage of recycled fractions (WEEE and non-WEEE) as a third-line confirmation. To the best of our knowledge, the addition of WEEE waste to plastic FCMs is illegal; however, due to lack on screening mechanisms, there is still the breakthrough of such articles onto the market, and, therefore, our generic procedure enables the quick and effective screening of suspicious samples.

33 CFR 161.65 - Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... provide name and destination, confirm proper operation of their automated identification system (AIS) if... provide name and destination, confirm proper operation of their AIS if required under 33 CFR 164.46, and... Marlex Terminal (Naval Ships) 99.0 AHP 29°54.65′ N; 90°05.87′ W Downbound transiting Algiers Point...

33 CFR 161.65 - Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... provide name and destination, confirm proper operation of their automated identification system (AIS) if... provide name and destination, confirm proper operation of their AIS if required under 33 CFR 164.46, and... Marlex Terminal (Naval Ships) 99.0 AHP 29°54.65′ N; 90°05.87′ W Downbound transiting Algiers Point...

33 CFR 161.65 - Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... provide name and destination, confirm proper operation of their automated identification system (AIS) if... provide name and destination, confirm proper operation of their AIS if required under 33 CFR 164.46, and... Marlex Terminal (Naval Ships) 99.0 AHP 29°54.65′ N; 90°05.87′ W Downbound transiting Algiers Point...

33 CFR 161.65 - Vessel Traffic Service Lower Mississippi River.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... provide name and destination, confirm proper operation of their automated identification system (AIS) if... provide name and destination, confirm proper operation of their AIS if required under 33 CFR 164.46, and... Marlex Terminal (Naval Ships) 99.0 AHP 29°54.65′ N; 90°05.87′ W Downbound transiting Algiers Point...

Development and confirmation of potential gene classifiers of human clear cell renal cell carcinoma using next-generation RNA sequencing.

PubMed

Eikrem, Oystein S; Strauss, Philipp; Beisland, Christian; Scherer, Andreas; Landolt, Lea; Flatberg, Arnar; Leh, Sabine; Beisvag, Vidar; Skogstrand, Trude; Hjelle, Karin; Shresta, Anjana; Marti, Hans-Peter

2016-12-01

A previous study by this group demonstrated the feasibility of RNA sequencing (RNAseq) technology for capturing disease biology of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and presented initial results for carbonic anhydrase-9 (CA9) and tumor necrosis factor-α-induced protein-6 (TNFAIP6) as possible biomarkers of ccRCC (discovery set) [Eikrem et al. PLoS One 2016;11:e0149743]. To confirm these results, the previous study is expanded, and RNAseq data from additional matched ccRCC and normal renal biopsies are analyzed (confirmation set). Two core biopsies from patients (n = 12) undergoing partial or full nephrectomy were obtained with a 16 g needle. RNA sequencing libraries were generated with the Illumina TruSeq ® Access library preparation protocol. Comparative analysis was done using linear modeling (voom/Limma; R Bioconductor). The formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded discovery and confirmation data yielded 8957 and 11,047 detected transcripts, respectively. The two data sets shared 1193 of differentially expressed genes with each other. The average expression and the log 2 -fold changes of differentially expressed transcripts in both data sets correlated, with R²   =   .95 and R²   =   .94, respectively. Among transcripts with the highest fold changes were CA9, neuronal pentraxin-2 and uromodulin. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition was highlighted by differential expression of, for example, transforming growth factor-β 1 and delta-like ligand-4. The diagnostic accuracy of CA9 was 100% and 93.9% when using the discovery set as the training set and the confirmation data as the test set, and vice versa, respectively. These data further support TNFAIP6 as a novel biomarker of ccRCC. TNFAIP6 had combined accuracy of 98.5% in the two data sets. This study provides confirmatory data on the potential use of CA9 and TNFAIP6 as biomarkers of ccRCC. Thus, next-generation sequencing expands the clinical application of tissue analyses.

Mobile information and communication in the hospital outpatient service.

PubMed

Jen, Wen-Yuan; Chao, Chia-Chen; Hung, Ming-Chien; Li, Yu-Chuan; Chi, Y P

2007-08-01

Most healthcare providers provide mobile service for their medical staff; however, few healthcare providers provide mobile service as part of their outpatient service. The mobile outpatient service system (MOSS) focuses on illness treatment, illness prevention and patient relation management for outpatient service users. Initiated in a local hospital in Taiwan, the MOSS pilot project was developed to improve outpatient service quality and pursue higher patient safety. This study focuses on the development of the MOSS. The workflow, architecture and target users of the MOSS are delineated. In addition, there were two surveys conducted as part of this study. After a focus group of medical staff identified areas in which outpatient services might be improved by the MOSS, the first survey was administered to outpatients to confirm the focus group's intuitions. The second administration of the survey explored outpatient satisfaction after they used the MOSS service. With regard to outpatient attitudes, about 93% of participants agreed that the mobile outpatient service improved outpatient service quality. In the area of outpatient satisfaction, about 89% of participants indicated they were satisfied with the mobile outpatient service. Supported by our study finding, we propose that more diverse mobile outpatient services can be provided in the future.

Development of a GC/C/IRMS method--confirmation of a novel steroid profiling approach in doping control.

PubMed

Van Renterghem, Pieter; Polet, Michael; Brooker, Lance; Van Gansbeke, Wim; Van Eenoo, Peter

2012-09-01

In doping control, an athlete can only be convicted with the misuse with endogenous steroids like testosterone (T), if abnormal values of steroid metabolites and steroid ratios are observed and if the subsequent analysis with isotope ratios mass spectrometry (IRMS) confirms the presence of exogenously administered androgens. In this work, we compare the results of a novel steroid profiling approach with the performance an in-house developed IRMS method. The developed IRMS has the advantage over other methods to be relatively short in time and with target compounds androsterone, etiocholanolone, 5β-androstane 3α,17β-diol and 5α-androstane 3α,17β-diol. Pregnanediol was used as an endogenous reference compound (ERC). Reference limits for the IRMS values were established and applied as decision limits for the evaluation of excretion urine from administration with oral T, T-gel, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) - gel and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Results indicated the importance of both androstanediols as important IRMS markers where relative values compared to an ERC (Δδ(13)C) yielded better detection accuracy than absolute δ(13)C-values. The detection times of all administered endogenous steroids were evaluated using the proposed thresholds. The results of traditional steroid profiling and a new approach based upon minor steroid metabolites monitoring introduced in a longitudinal framework were evaluated with IRMS. With traditional steroid profiling methods, 95% of the atypical samples could be confirmed whereas an additional 74% of IRMS confirmed was provided by a new biomarkers strategy. These results prove that the other steroid profiling strategies can improve the efficiency in detection of misuse with endogenous steroids. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The efficacy of hair and urine toxicology screening on the detection of child abuse by burning.

PubMed

Hayek, Shady N; Wibbenmeyer, Lucy A; Kealey, Lyn Dee H; Williams, Ingrid M; Oral, Resmiye; Onwuameze, Obiora; Light, Timothy D; Latenser, Barbara A; Lewis, Robert W; Kealey, Gerald P

2009-01-01

Abuse by burning is estimated to occur in 1 to 25% of children admitted with burn injuries annually. Hair and urine toxicology for illicit drug exposure may provide additional confirmatory evidence for abuse. To determine the impact of hair and urine toxicology on the identification of child abuse, we performed a retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients admitted to our burn unit. The medical records of 263 children aged 0 to 16 years of age who were admitted to our burn unit from January 2002 to December 2007 were reviewed. Sixty-five children had suspected abuse. Of those with suspected abuse, 33 were confirmed by the Department of Health and Human Services and comprised the study group. Each of the 33 cases was randomly matched to three pediatric (0-16 years of age) control patients (99). The average annual incidence of abuse in pediatric burn patients was 13.7+/-8.4% of total annual pediatric admissions (range, 0-25.6%). Age younger than 5 years, hot tap water cause, bilateral, and posterior location of injury were significantly associated with nonaccidental burn injury on multivariate analysis. Thirteen (39.4%) abused children had positive ancillary tests. These included four (16%) skeletal surveys positive for fractures and 10 (45%) hair samples positive for drugs of abuse (one patient had a fracture and a positive hair screen). In three (9.1%) patients who were not initially suspected of abuse but later confirmed, positive hair test for illicit drugs was the only indicator of abuse. Nonaccidental injury can be difficult to confirm. Although inconsistent injury history and burn injury pattern remain central to the diagnosis of abuse by burning, hair and urine toxicology offers a further means to facilitate confirmation of abuse.

50 CFR 622.15 - Wreckfish individual transferable quota (ITQ) system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... the RA of his or her percentage share and shareholder certificate number. (2) All or a portion of a... form available from the RA. The RA will confirm, in writing, each transfer of shares. The effective date of each transfer is the confirmation date provided by the RA. The confirmation date will normally...

Sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency in detecting opiates in oral fluid with the Cozart Opiate Microplate EIA and GC-MS following controlled codeine administration.

PubMed

Barnes, Allan J; Kim, Insook; Schepers, Raf; Moolchan, Eric T; Wilson, Lisa; Cooper, Gail; Reid, Claire; Hand, Chris; Huestis, Marilyn A

2003-10-01

Oral fluid specimens (N = 1406) were collected from 19 subjects prior to and up to 72 h following controlled administration of oral codeine. Volunteers provided informed consent to participate in this National Institute on Drug Abuse Institutional Review Board-approved protocol. A modification of Cozart Microplate Opiate EIA Oral Fluid Kit (Opiate ELISA), employing codeine calibrators, was used for semiquantitative analysis of opiates, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the confirmation and quantitation of codeine, norcodeine, morphine, and normorphine in oral fluid. GC-MS limits of detection and quantitation were 2.5 microg/L for all analytes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has proposed a 40-microg/L opiate screening and a 40-microg/L morphine or codeine confirmation cutoff for the detection of opiate use. Oral fluid opiate screening and confirmation cutoffs of 30 micro g/L are in use in the U.K. Utilizing 2.5-, 20-, 30-, and 40-microg/L GC-MS cutoffs, 26%, 20%, 19%, and 18% of the oral fluid specimens were positive for codeine or one of its metabolites. Six Opiate ELISA/confirmation cutoff criteria (2.5/2.5, 10/2.5, 20/20, 30/20, 30/30, and 40/40 microg/L) were evaluated. Calculations for Opiate ELISA sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency were determined from the number of true-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative results at each screening/confirmation cutoff. Sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency for the lowest cutoff were 91.5%, 88.6%, and 89.3%. Application of the cutoff currently used in the U.K. yielded sensitivity, specificity, and efficiency results of 79.7%, 99.0%, and 95.4% and similar results of 76.7%, 99.1%, and 95.1% when applying the SAMHSA criteria. These data indicate that the Opiate ELISA efficiently detects oral codeine use. In addition, the data, collected following controlled oral codeine administration, may aid in the interpretation of opiate oral fluid test results and in the selection of appropriate oral fluid screening and confirmation cutoffs.

Echinacea purpurea: A Proprietary Extract of Echinacea purpurea Is Shown to be Safe and Effective in the Prevention of the Common Cold.

PubMed

Ross, Stephanie Maxine

2016-01-01

The research study in this review represents the largest clinical trial to date that evaluated the safety and efficacy of Echinacea purpurea for prophylactic treatment of the common cold, in addition to investigating its risk-benefit in a long-term treatment period. The clinical application of the proprietary standardized Echinacea purpurea extract(Echinaforce) demonstrated efficacy as a preventive cold treatment option over a 4-month duration. This study showed that Echinacea’s long-term prevention was associated with a reduction in the total number of cold episodes, a reduction in the number of days with colds, and a reduction in cold episodes requiring additional medication. Furthermore, the Echinacea test agent inhibited virally confirmed colds, exhibited maximal effects on recurrent infections, and demonstrated that its preventive effects increased relative to therapy compliance and adherence to the protocol. In summary, Echinacea purpurea when taken as recommended for the prevention of the common cold appears to provide a positive risk to benefit ratio.

A comprehensive 1,000 Genomes-based genome-wide association meta-analysis of coronary artery disease.

PubMed

Nikpay, Majid; Goel, Anuj; Won, Hong-Hee; Hall, Leanne M; Willenborg, Christina; Kanoni, Stavroula; Saleheen, Danish; Kyriakou, Theodosios; Nelson, Christopher P; Hopewell, Jemma C; Webb, Thomas R; Zeng, Lingyao; Dehghan, Abbas; Alver, Maris; Armasu, Sebastian M; Auro, Kirsi; Bjonnes, Andrew; Chasman, Daniel I; Chen, Shufeng; Ford, Ian; Franceschini, Nora; Gieger, Christian; Grace, Christopher; Gustafsson, Stefan; Huang, Jie; Hwang, Shih-Jen; Kim, Yun Kyoung; Kleber, Marcus E; Lau, King Wai; Lu, Xiangfeng; Lu, Yingchang; Lyytikäinen, Leo-Pekka; Mihailov, Evelin; Morrison, Alanna C; Pervjakova, Natalia; Qu, Liming; Rose, Lynda M; Salfati, Elias; Saxena, Richa; Scholz, Markus; Smith, Albert V; Tikkanen, Emmi; Uitterlinden, Andre; Yang, Xueli; Zhang, Weihua; Zhao, Wei; de Andrade, Mariza; de Vries, Paul S; van Zuydam, Natalie R; Anand, Sonia S; Bertram, Lars; Beutner, Frank; Dedoussis, George; Frossard, Philippe; Gauguier, Dominique; Goodall, Alison H; Gottesman, Omri; Haber, Marc; Han, Bok-Ghee; Huang, Jianfeng; Jalilzadeh, Shapour; Kessler, Thorsten; König, Inke R; Lannfelt, Lars; Lieb, Wolfgang; Lind, Lars; Lindgren, Cecilia M; Lokki, Marja-Liisa; Magnusson, Patrik K; Mallick, Nadeem H; Mehra, Narinder; Meitinger, Thomas; Memon, Fazal-Ur-Rehman; Morris, Andrew P; Nieminen, Markku S; Pedersen, Nancy L; Peters, Annette; Rallidis, Loukianos S; Rasheed, Asif; Samuel, Maria; Shah, Svati H; Sinisalo, Juha; Stirrups, Kathleen E; Trompet, Stella; Wang, Laiyuan; Zaman, Khan S; Ardissino, Diego; Boerwinkle, Eric; Borecki, Ingrid B; Bottinger, Erwin P; Buring, Julie E; Chambers, John C; Collins, Rory; Cupples, L Adrienne; Danesh, John; Demuth, Ilja; Elosua, Roberto; Epstein, Stephen E; Esko, Tõnu; Feitosa, Mary F; Franco, Oscar H; Franzosi, Maria Grazia; Granger, Christopher B; Gu, Dongfeng; Gudnason, Vilmundur; Hall, Alistair S; Hamsten, Anders; Harris, Tamara B; Hazen, Stanley L; Hengstenberg, Christian; Hofman, Albert; Ingelsson, Erik; Iribarren, Carlos; Jukema, J Wouter; Karhunen, Pekka J; Kim, Bong-Jo; Kooner, Jaspal S; Kullo, Iftikhar J; Lehtimäki, Terho; Loos, Ruth J F; Melander, Olle; Metspalu, Andres; März, Winfried; Palmer, Colin N; Perola, Markus; Quertermous, Thomas; Rader, Daniel J; Ridker, Paul M; Ripatti, Samuli; Roberts, Robert; Salomaa, Veikko; Sanghera, Dharambir K; Schwartz, Stephen M; Seedorf, Udo; Stewart, Alexandre F; Stott, David J; Thiery, Joachim; Zalloua, Pierre A; O'Donnell, Christopher J; Reilly, Muredach P; Assimes, Themistocles L; Thompson, John R; Erdmann, Jeanette; Clarke, Robert; Watkins, Hugh; Kathiresan, Sekar; McPherson, Ruth; Deloukas, Panos; Schunkert, Heribert; Samani, Nilesh J; Farrall, Martin

2015-10-01

Existing knowledge of genetic variants affecting risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) is largely based on genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis of common SNPs. Leveraging phased haplotypes from the 1000 Genomes Project, we report a GWAS meta-analysis of ∼185,000 CAD cases and controls, interrogating 6.7 million common (minor allele frequency (MAF) > 0.05) and 2.7 million low-frequency (0.005 < MAF < 0.05) variants. In addition to confirming most known CAD-associated loci, we identified ten new loci (eight additive and two recessive) that contain candidate causal genes newly implicating biological processes in vessel walls. We observed intralocus allelic heterogeneity but little evidence of low-frequency variants with larger effects and no evidence of synthetic association. Our analysis provides a comprehensive survey of the fine genetic architecture of CAD, showing that genetic susceptibility to this common disease is largely determined by common SNPs of small effect size.

Management of the Regional Lymph Nodes Following Breast-Conservation Therapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer: An Evolving Paradigm

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

Warren, Laura E.G.; Punglia, Rinaa S.; Wong, Julia S.

2014-11-15

Radiation therapy to the breast following breast conservation surgery has been the standard of care since randomized trials demonstrated equivalent survival compared to mastectomy and improved local control and survival compared to breast conservation surgery alone. Recent controversies regarding adjuvant radiation therapy have included the potential role of additional radiation to the regional lymph nodes. This review summarizes the evolution of regional nodal management focusing on 2 topics: first, the changing paradigm with regard to surgical evaluation of the axilla; second, the role for regional lymph node irradiation and optimal design of treatment fields. Contemporary data reaffirm prior studies showingmore » that complete axillary dissection may not provide additional benefit relative to sentinel lymph node biopsy in select patient populations. Preliminary data also suggest that directed nodal radiation therapy to the supraclavicular and internal mammary lymph nodes may prove beneficial; publication of several studies are awaited to confirm these results and to help define subgroups with the greatest likelihood of benefit.« less

[Increased incidence of mumps orchitis in adolescence and adulthood--sequelae of low vaccination rate?].

PubMed

Siemer, S W; Uder, M; Scholz, M; Steffens, J; Jeanelle, J P; Humke, U

1997-09-01

In recent years, mumps orchitis has become a rarely reported disease. However, since October 1994 a clear increase in the incidence of this disease has been observed. At four hospitals in the Saarland, Germany, 45 cases of mumps orchitis in adolescents and adults were diagnosed in this period. In addition to the case history and clinical findings, the diagnosis was confirmed by an increased IgM titer. None of the patients had been previously vaccinated. The main reason for this was a lack of parental knowledge of the necessity for this vaccination, one which has almost no side effects. The goal of this study is to describe the disease, present our own results, and indicate the need for vaccination. In addition to providing information, a further aim of the study is to increase the motivation of adolescents and adults for vaccination. Although many treatments for mumps have been published in recent years, the most successful therapy is still prophylactic vaccination.

Comparison of damping in buildings under low-amplitude and strong motions

USGS Publications Warehouse

Celebi, M.

1996-01-01

This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of damping values and other dynamic characteristics of five buildings using strong-motion and low-amplitude (ambient vibration) data. The strong-motion dynamic characteristics of five buildings within the San Francisco Bay area are extracted from recordings of the 17 October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (LPE). Ambient vibration response characteristics for the same five buildings were inferred using data collected in 1990 following LPE. Additional earthquake data other than LPE for one building and ambient vibration data collected before LPE for two other buildings provide additional confirmation of the results obtained. For each building, the percentages of critical damping and the corresponding fundamental periods determined from low-amplitude test data are appreciably lower than those determined from strong-motion recordings. These differences are attributed mainly to soil-structure interaction and other non-linear behavior affecting the structures during strong shaking. Significant contribution of radiation damping to the effective damping of a specific building is discussed in detail.

A high-resolution 7-Tesla fMRI dataset from complex natural stimulation with an audio movie.

PubMed

Hanke, Michael; Baumgartner, Florian J; Ibe, Pierre; Kaule, Falko R; Pollmann, Stefan; Speck, Oliver; Zinke, Wolf; Stadler, Jörg

2014-01-01

Here we present a high-resolution functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) dataset - 20 participants recorded at high field strength (7 Tesla) during prolonged stimulation with an auditory feature film ("Forrest Gump"). In addition, a comprehensive set of auxiliary data (T1w, T2w, DTI, susceptibility-weighted image, angiography) as well as measurements to assess technical and physiological noise components have been acquired. An initial analysis confirms that these data can be used to study common and idiosyncratic brain response patterns to complex auditory stimulation. Among the potential uses of this dataset are the study of auditory attention and cognition, language and music perception, and social perception. The auxiliary measurements enable a large variety of additional analysis strategies that relate functional response patterns to structural properties of the brain. Alongside the acquired data, we provide source code and detailed information on all employed procedures - from stimulus creation to data analysis. In order to facilitate replicative and derived works, only free and open-source software was utilized.

Essiac.

PubMed

Majchrowicz, M A

1995-01-01

Essiac, an herbal formulation from the Ojibway Indians in Canada, is composed of four herbs: burdock root, sheep sorrel, turkey rhubarb root, and slippery elm bark. After her discovery of Essiac in 1922, Rene Caisse reported treating and "curing" hundreds of people with cancer and other chronic diseases. The rights to the "original" Essiac now belong to Elaine Alexander of Vancouver, who is currently working with an unnamed health products company to research, test, manufacture, and distribute Essiac. However, there are a variety of sources for Essiac in the United States. According to former chiropractor Gary Glum, sheep's sorrel destroys cancer cells; the other three herbs are blood purifiers. In addition, Dr. Jim Chan, naturopathic physician, says burdock root contains inulin, a powerful immune modulator. However, there has been no basic research done with these herbs to demonstrate their true mechanisms of action. In addition, only anecdotal reports provide information about results. Only laboratory and clinical studies will confirm the anti-tumor and immune-modulating effects of Essiac.

Template-Free Synthesis and Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance of Uniform BiOCI Flower-Like Microspheres.

PubMed

Chang, Fei; Xie, Yunchao; Chen, Juan; Luo, Jieru; Li, Chenlu; Hu, Xuefeng; Xu, Bin

2015-02-01

Preparation of uniform BiOCI flower-like microspheres was facilely accomplished through a sim- ple protocol involving regulation of pH value in aqueous with sodium hydroxide in the presence of n-propanol. The as-prepared samples were characterized by a collection of techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. Based upon the SEM analyses, uniform microspheres could be formed with coexistence of some fragments of BiOCI nanosheets without n-propanol. The addition of appropriate amount of n-propanol was beneficial to provide BiOCI samples containing only flower-like microspheres, which were further subjected to the photocatalytic measurements towards Rhodamine B in aqueous under visible light irradiation and exhibited the best catalytic performance among all samples tested. In addition, the photocatalytic process was confirmed to undergo through a photosensitization pathway, in which superoxide radicals (.O-) played critical roles.

Recovery from severe novel coronavirus infection.

PubMed

Albarrak, Ali M; Stephens, Gwen M; Hewson, Roger; Memish, Ziad A

2012-12-01

We describe the third confirmed case of novel coronavirus infection in a resident of the Arabian Peninsula. Our patient presented, as did 2 prior cases, with severe pneumonia and renal dysfunction requiring intensive care support including assisted ventilation. However, unlike the earlier cases, and despite underlying chronic disease and a single kidney, he survived his infection and has been discharged home. The Ministry of Health continues active surveillance for additional cases. As this case report goes to press, 2 additional confirmed cases have been identified in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Contact investigations are in progress. Future work will focus not only on the origin of the virus and mechanisms of transmission, but also the host factors that influence pathogenesis and prognosis.

Controller design approach based on linear programming.

PubMed

Tanaka, Ryo; Shibasaki, Hiroki; Ogawa, Hiromitsu; Murakami, Takahiro; Ishida, Yoshihisa

2013-11-01

This study explains and demonstrates the design method for a control system with a load disturbance observer. Observer gains are determined by linear programming (LP) in terms of the Routh-Hurwitz stability criterion and the final-value theorem. In addition, the control model has a feedback structure, and feedback gains are determined to be the linear quadratic regulator. The simulation results confirmed that compared with the conventional method, the output estimated by our proposed method converges to a reference input faster when a load disturbance is added to a control system. In addition, we also confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed method by performing an experiment with a DC motor. © 2013 ISA. Published by ISA. All rights reserved.

76 FR 42577 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Northeast...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-19

... comply with trip limits. However, the current system does not accurately account for the fish landed for... confirm the receipt of the TSH report via a back-up system specified by the DSM service provider. The... via a back-up system, after a time determined by the DSM provider, to confirm the receipt of the TSH...

49 CFR 40.97 - What do laboratories report and how do they report it?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... review by the certifying scientist is completed. (1) You must provide quantitative values for confirmed..., without a request from the MRO. (f) You must provide quantitative values for confirmed opiate results for morphine or codeine at 15,000 ng/mL or above, even if the MRO has not requested quantitative values for the...

The Evolution of Air-Sea Battle: How Army Attack/Reconnaissance Aviation Fits into the Joint Concept for Access and Maneuver in the Global Commons

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-13

Storm. 35 Allied planners determined that TLAMs would be ineffective because they could not provide Battle Damage Assessment ( BDA ) and confirm...that the Apache’s armament, capability of flying low enough to evade radar, and ability to confirm BDA provided the best option to destroy the radar

Household Chaos--Links with Parenting and Child Behaviour

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coldwell, Joanne; Pike, Alison; Dunn, Judy

2006-01-01

Background: The study aimed to confirm previous findings showing links between household chaos and parenting in addition to examining whether household chaos was predictive of children's behaviour over and above parenting. In addition, we investigated whether household chaos acts as a moderator between parenting and children's behaviour. Method:…

Application of the Haines Index in the fire warning system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalin, Lovro; Marija, Mokoric; Tomislav, Kozaric

2016-04-01

Croatia, as all Mediterranean countries, is strongly affected by large wildfires, particularly in the coastal region. In the last two decades the number and intensity of fires has been significantly increased, which is unanimously associated with climate change, e.g. global warming. More extreme fires are observed, and the fire-fighting season has been expanded to June and September. The meteorological support for fire protection and planning is therefore even more important. At the Meteorological and Hydrological Service of Croatia a comprehensive monitoring and warning system has been established. It includes standard components, such as short term forecast of Fire Weather Index (FWI), but long range forecast as well. However, due to more frequent hot and dry seasons, FWI index often does not provide additional information of extremely high fire danger, since it regularly takes the highest values for long periods. Therefore the additional tools have been investigated. One of widely used meteorological products is the Haines index (HI). It provides information of potential fire growth, taking into account only the vertical instability of the atmosphere, and not the state of the fuel. Several analyses and studies carried out at the Service confirmed the correlation of high HI values with large and extreme fires. The Haines index forecast has been used at the Service for several years, employing European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) global prediction model, as well as the limited-area Aladin model. The verification results show that these forecast are reliable, when compared to radiosonde measurements. All these results provided the introduction of the additional fire warnings, that are issued by the Service's Forecast Department.

Pathways for tailoring the magnetostructural behavior of FeRh-based systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barua, Radhika

2014-03-01

The prediction of phase transition temperatures in functional materials provides dual benefits of supplying insight into fundamental drivers underlying the phase transition, as well as enabling new and improved technological applications that employ the material. In this work, studies focused on understanding the magnetostructural phase transition of FeRh as a function of elemental substitution, provides guidance for tailoring phase transitions in this compound, with possible extensions to other intermetallic-based magnetostructural compounds. Clear trends in the magnetostructural temperatures (Tt) of alloys of composition Fe(Rh1-xMx) or (Fe1-xMx) Rh (M = 3 d, 4 d or 5 d transition metals), as reported in literature since 1961, were identified and confirmed as a function of the valence band electron concentration ((s + d) electrons/atom) of the system. It is observed that substitution of 3 dor 4 delements (x <= 6.5 at%) into B2-ordered FeRh compounds causes Ttto increase to a maximum around a critical valence band electron concentration (ev *) of 8.50 electrons/atom and then decrease. Substitution of 5 delements echoes this trend but with an overall increase in Ttand a shift in ev * to 8.52 electrons/atom. For ev>8.65 electrons/atom, FeRh-based alloys cease to adopt the B2-ordered crystallographic structure in favor of the chemically disordered A1-type structure or the ordered L10-type structure. This phenomenological model has been confirmed through synthesis and characterization of FeRh alloys with Cu, Ni and Au additions. The success of this model in confirming existing data trends in chemically-substituted FeRh and predicting new composition-transition temperature correlations emphasizes the strong interplay between the electronic spin configuration, the electronic band structure, and crystal lattice of this system. Further these results provide pathways for tailoring the magnetostructural behavior and the associated functional response of FeRh-based systems for potential technological applications. Research was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy (Contract No. DE-SC0005250).

Validation of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for obstructive pulmonary diseases from the patient's perspective.

PubMed

Marques, Alda; Jácome, Cristina; Gonçalves, Ana; Silva, Sara; Lucas, Carla; Cruz, Joana; Gabriel, Raquel

2014-06-01

This study aimed to validate the Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for obstructive pulmonary diseases (OPDs) from the perspective of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A cross-sectional qualitative study was carried out with outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease using focus groups with an ICF-based approach. Qualitative data were analysed using the meaning condensation procedure by two researchers with expertise in the ICF. Thirty-two participants (37.5% women; 63.8 ± 11.3 years old) were included in six focus groups. A total of 61 (86%) ICF categories of the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for OPD were confirmed. Thirty-nine additional second-level categories not included in the Core Set were identified: 15 from the body functions component, four from the body structures, nine from the activities and participation and 11 from the environmental factors. The majority of the categories included in the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for OPD were confirmed from the patients' perspective. However, additional categories, not included in the Core Set, were also reported. The categories included in the Core Set were not confirmed and the additional categories need to be investigated further to develop an instrument tailored to patients' needs. This will promote patient-centred assessments and rehabilitation interventions.

Gestational age assessment in malaria pregnancy cohorts: a prospective ultrasound demonstration project in Malawi

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Malaria during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for low birth weight (<2500 grams). Distinguishing infants that are born premature (< 37 weeks) from those that are growth-restricted (less than the 10th percentile at birth) requires accurate assessment of gestational age. Where ultrasound is accessible, sonographic confirmation of gestational age is more accurate than menstrual dating. The goal was to pilot the feasibility and utility of adding ultrasound to an observational pregnancy malaria cohort. Methods In July 2009, research staff (three mid-level clinical providers, one nurse) from The Blantyre Malaria Project underwent an intensive one-week ultrasound training to perform foetal biometry. Following an additional four months of practice and remote image review, subjects from an ongoing cohort were recruited for ultrasound to determine gestational age. Gestational age at delivery established by ultrasound was compared with postnatal gestational age assessment (Ballard examination). Results One hundred and seventy-eight women were enrolled. The majority of images were of good quality (94.3%, 509/540) although a learning curve was apparent with 17.5% (24/135) images of unacceptable quality in the first 25% of scans. Ultrasound was used to date 13% of the pregnancies when menstrual dates were unknown and changed the estimated gestational age for an additional 25%. There was poor agreement between the gestational age at delivery as established by the ultrasound protocol compared to that determined by the Ballard examination (bias 0.8 weeks, limits of agreement -3.5 weeks to 5.1 weeks). The distribution of gestational ages by Ballard suggested a clustering of gestational age around the mean with 87% of the values falling between 39 and 41 weeks. The distribution of gestational age by ultrasound confirmed menstrual dates was more typical. Using ultrasound confirmed dates as the gold standard, 78.5% of preterm infants were misclassified as term and 26.8% of small-for gestational age infants misclassified as appropriately grown by Ballard. Conclusion Ultrasound should be strongly considered in prospective malaria studies with obstetric endpoints to confirm gestational age and avoid misclassification of infants as premature or growth-restricted. The use of ultrasound does require a significant investment of time to maintain quality image acquisition. PMID:23734718

Quantifiable outcomes from corporate and higher education learning collaborations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devine, Thomas G.

The study investigated the existence of measurable learning outcomes that emerged out of the shared strengths of collaborating sponsors. The study identified quantifiable learning outcomes that confirm corporate, academic and learner participation in learning collaborations. Each of the three hypotheses and the synergy indicator quantitatively and qualitatively confirmed learning outcomes benefiting participants. The academic-indicator quantitatively confirmed that learning outcomes attract learners to the institution. The corporate-indicator confirmed that learning outcomes include knowledge exchange and enhanced workforce talents for careers in the energy-utility industry. The learner-indicator confirmed that learning outcomes provide professional development opportunities for employment. The synergy-indicator confirmed that best learning practices in learning collaborations emanate out of the sponsors' shared strengths, and that partnerships can be elevated to strategic alliances, going beyond response to the desires of sponsors to create learner-centered cultures. The synergy-indicator confirmed the value of organizational processes that elevate sponsors' interactions to sharing strength, to create a learner-centered culture. The study's series of qualitative questions confirmed prior success factors, while verifying the hypothesis results and providing insight not available from quantitative data. The direct benefactors of the study are the energy-utility learning-collaboration participants of the study, and corporation, academic institutions, and learners of the collaboration. The indirect benefactors are the stakeholders of future learning collaborations, through improved knowledge of the existence or absence of quantifiable learning outcomes.

Propagation of self-localized Q -ball solitons in the 3He universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Autti, S.; Heikkinen, P. J.; Volovik, G. E.; Zavjalov, V. V.; Eltsov, V. B.

2018-01-01

In relativistic quantum field theories, compact objects of interacting bosons can become stable owing to conservation of an additive quantum number Q . Discovering such Q balls propagating in the universe would confirm supersymmetric extensions of the standard model and may shed light on the mysteries of dark matter, but no unambiguous experimental evidence exists. We have created long-lived Q -ball solitons in superfluid 3He, where the role of the Q ball is played by a Bose-Einstein condensate of magnon quasiparticles. The principal qualitative attribute of a Q ball is observed experimentally: its propagation in space together with the self-created potential trap. Additionally, we show that this system allows for a quantitatively accurate representation of the Q -ball Hamiltonian. Our Q ball belongs to the class of the Friedberg-Lee-Sirlin Q balls with an additional neutral field ζ , which is provided by the orbital part of the Nambu-Goldstone mode. Multiple Q balls can be created in the experiment, and we have observed collisions between them. This set of features makes the magnon condensates in superfluid 3He a versatile platform for studies of Q -ball dynamics and interactions in three spatial dimensions.

Application of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag in Cement Composites Exposed to Biogenic Acid Attack

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kovalcikova, M.; Estokova, A.; Luptakova, A.

2015-11-01

The deterioration of cement-based materials used for the civil infrastructure has led to the realization that cement-based materials, such as concrete, must be improved in terms of their properties and durability. Leaching of calcium ions increases the porosity of cement- based materials, consequently resulting in a negative effect on durability since it provides an entry for aggressive harmful ions, causing corrosion of concrete. The use supplementary cementing composite materials have been reported to improve the resistance of concrete to deterioration by aggressive chemicals. The paper is focused on the investigation of the influence of biogenic acid attack on the cement composites affected by bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The concrete specimens with 65 wt. % addition of antimicrobial activated granulated blast furnace slag as durability increasing factor as well as without any addition were studied. The experiments proceeded during 150 days under model laboratory conditions. The pH values and chemical composition of leachates were measured after each 30- day cycle. The calcium and silicon contents in leachates were evaluated using X - ray fluorescence method (XRF). Summarizing the results, the 65% wt. addition of antimicrobial activated granulated blast furnace slag was not confirmed to be more resistant.

Effects of Incorporation of Jackfruit Rind Powder on Chemical and Functional Properties of Bread

PubMed Central

Felli, Reza; Yang, Tajul Aris; Abdullah, Wan Nadiah Wan; Zzaman, Wahidu

2018-01-01

Nowadays, there is a rising interest towards consuming health beneficial food products. Bread–as one of the most popular food products–could be improved to ‘healthy bread’ by addition of ingredients high in protein, dietary fiber and low in calorie. Incorporating Jackfruit rind powder (JRP) as a by-product rich in dietary fiber in bread, could not only provide health beneficial bread products, but also lead to develop an environmental friendly technology by solving the problem of waste disposal of residues. In this study, addition of jackfruit rind powder (JRP) as a high dietary fiber and functional ingredient in bread was examined. The results showed that incorporation of JRP in bread improved functional properties of flour such as Oil Holding Capacity (OHC), Water Holding Capacity (WHC) and pasting properties. Addition of 5%, 10% and 15% of JRP in wheat flour caused significantly (p < 0.05) higher insoluble, soluble and total dietary fiber in flour and bread products. Results from proximate composition indicated that all breads substituted with JRP, contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher fiber, moisture and fat. Obtained results confirmed that the JRP has great potential in development of functional foods especially functional bread products. PMID:29644019

Effects of Incorporation of Jackfruit Rind Powder on Chemical and Functional Properties of Bread.

PubMed

Felli, Reza; Yang, Tajul Aris; Abdullah, Wan Nadiah Wan; Zzaman, Wahidu

2018-03-01

Nowadays, there is a rising interest towards consuming health beneficial food products. Bread-as one of the most popular food products-could be improved to 'healthy bread' by addition of ingredients high in protein, dietary fiber and low in calorie. Incorporating Jackfruit rind powder (JRP) as a by-product rich in dietary fiber in bread, could not only provide health beneficial bread products, but also lead to develop an environmental friendly technology by solving the problem of waste disposal of residues. In this study, addition of jackfruit rind powder (JRP) as a high dietary fiber and functional ingredient in bread was examined. The results showed that incorporation of JRP in bread improved functional properties of flour such as Oil Holding Capacity (OHC), Water Holding Capacity (WHC) and pasting properties. Addition of 5%, 10% and 15% of JRP in wheat flour caused significantly (p < 0.05) higher insoluble, soluble and total dietary fiber in flour and bread products. Results from proximate composition indicated that all breads substituted with JRP, contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher fiber, moisture and fat. Obtained results confirmed that the JRP has great potential in development of functional foods especially functional bread products.

Induced effect of Ca2+ on dalesconols A and B biosynthesis in the culture of Daldinia eschscholzii via calcium/calmodulin signaling.

PubMed

Lu, Yanhua; Pan, Zhenghua; Tao, Jun; An, Faliang

2018-02-01

Dalesconols (dalesconols A and B) were isolated from Daldinia eschscholzii and have remarkable immunosuppressive activity. In this study, the response of fungal growth, intra- and extracellular Ca 2+ , and dalesconols production after CaCl 2 addition were reported for the first time. After supplementation with 5 mM Ca 2+ at 24 h, dalesconols production reached 84.33 mg/L, which resulted in a 1.57-fold enhancement compared to the control. The key role of calcium/calmodulin signaling in dalesconols biosynthesis was confirmed by treatment with Ca 2+ channel and calmodulin inhibitors. The transcriptional levels of dalesconols biosynthetic genes were up-regulated after CaCl 2 addition and down-regulated after inhibitors were added. The results demonstrated that Ca 2+ addition induces dalesconols biosynthesis through up-regulation of dalesconols biosynthesis genes via regulation of calcium/calmodulin signaling. This study provided an efficient strategy for improving dalesconols production and would facilitate further research on the biosynthesis and regulation of dalesconols. Copyright © 2017 The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genetic manipulation of carotenoid biosynthesis and photoprotection.

PubMed

Pogson, B J; Rissler, H M

2000-10-29

There are multiple complementary and redundant mechanisms to provide protection against photo-oxidative damage, including non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). NPQ dissipates excess excitation energy as heat by using xanthophylls in combination with changes to the light-harvesting complex (LHC) antenna. The xanthophylls are oxygenated carotenoids that in addition to contributing to NPQ can quench singlet or triplet chlorophyll and are necessary for the assembly and stability of the antenna. We have genetically manipulated the expression of the epsilon-cyclase and beta-carotene hydroxylase carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The epsilon-cyclase overexpression confirmed that lut2 (lutein deficient) is a mutation in the epsilon-cyclase gene and demonstrated that lutein content can be altered at the level of mRNA abundance with levels ranging from 0 to 180% of wild-type. Also, it is clear that lutein affects the induction and extent of NPQ. The deleterious effects of lutein deficiency on NPQ in Arabidopsis and Chlamydomonas are additive, no matter what the genetic background, whether npq1 (zeaxanthin deficient), aba1 or antisense beta-hydroxylase (xanthophyll cycle pool decreased). Additionally, increasing lutein content causes a marginal, but significant, increase in the rate of induction of NPQ despite a reduction in the xanthophyll cycle pool size.

Genetic manipulation of carotenoid biosynthesis and photoprotection.

PubMed Central

Pogson, B J; Rissler, H M

2000-01-01

There are multiple complementary and redundant mechanisms to provide protection against photo-oxidative damage, including non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). NPQ dissipates excess excitation energy as heat by using xanthophylls in combination with changes to the light-harvesting complex (LHC) antenna. The xanthophylls are oxygenated carotenoids that in addition to contributing to NPQ can quench singlet or triplet chlorophyll and are necessary for the assembly and stability of the antenna. We have genetically manipulated the expression of the epsilon-cyclase and beta-carotene hydroxylase carotenoid biosynthetic enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The epsilon-cyclase overexpression confirmed that lut2 (lutein deficient) is a mutation in the epsilon-cyclase gene and demonstrated that lutein content can be altered at the level of mRNA abundance with levels ranging from 0 to 180% of wild-type. Also, it is clear that lutein affects the induction and extent of NPQ. The deleterious effects of lutein deficiency on NPQ in Arabidopsis and Chlamydomonas are additive, no matter what the genetic background, whether npq1 (zeaxanthin deficient), aba1 or antisense beta-hydroxylase (xanthophyll cycle pool decreased). Additionally, increasing lutein content causes a marginal, but significant, increase in the rate of induction of NPQ despite a reduction in the xanthophyll cycle pool size. PMID:11127994

Genetic diversity and structure in the Endangered Allen Cays Rock Iguana, Cyclura cychlura inornata

PubMed Central

Aplasca, Andrea C.; Iverson, John B.; Welch, Mark E.; Colosimo, Giuliano

2016-01-01

The Endangered Allen Cays Rock Iguana (Cyclura cychlura inornata) is endemic to the Allen Cays, a tiny cluster of islands in the Bahamas. Naturally occurring populations exist on only two cays (<4 ha each). However, populations of unknown origin were recently discovered on four additional cays. To investigate patterns of genetic variation among these populations, we analyzed nuclear and mitochondrial markers for 268 individuals. Analysis of three mitochondrial gene regions (2,328 bp) and data for eight nuclear microsatellite loci indicated low genetic diversity overall. Estimates of effective population sizes based on multilocus genotypes were also extremely low. Despite low diversity, significant population structuring and variation in genetic diversity measures were detected among cays. Genetic data confirm the source population for an experimentally translocated population while raising concerns regarding other, unauthorized, translocations. Reduced heterozygosity is consistent with a documented historical population decline due to overharvest. This study provides the first range-wide genetic analysis of this subspecies. We suggest strategies to maximize genetic diversity during ongoing recovery including additional translocations to establish assurance populations and additional protective measures for the two remaining natural populations. PMID:26989628

Stroke treatment academic industry roundtable: research priorities in the assessment of neurothrombectomy devices.

PubMed

Saver, Jeffrey L; Jovin, Tudor G; Smith, Wade S; Albers, Gregory W; Baron, Jean-Claude; Boltze, Johannes; Broderick, Joseph P; Davis, Lisa A; Demchuk, Andrew M; DeSena, Salvatore; Fiehler, Jens; Gorelick, Philip B; Hacke, Werner; Holt, Bill; Jahan, Reza; Jing, Hui; Khatri, Pooja; Kidwell, Chelsea S; Lees, Kennedy R; Lev, Michael H; Liebeskind, David S; Luby, Marie; Lyden, Patrick; Megerian, J Thomas; Mocco, J; Muir, Keith W; Rowley, Howard A; Ruedy, Richard M; Savitz, Sean I; Sipelis, Vitas J; Shimp, Samuel K; Wechsler, Lawrence R; Wintermark, Max; Wu, Ona; Yavagal, Dileep R; Yoo, Albert J

2013-12-01

The goal of the Stroke Treatment Academic Industry Roundtable (STAIR) meetings is to advance the development of stroke therapies. At STAIR VIII, consensus recommendations were developed for clinical trial strategies to demonstrate the benefit of endovascular reperfusion therapies for acute ischemic stroke. Prospects for success with forthcoming endovascular trials are robust, because new neurothrombectomy devices have superior reperfusion efficacy compared with earlier-generation interventions. Specific recommendations are provided for trial designs in 3 populations: (1) patients undergoing intravenous fibrinolysis, (2) early patients ineligible for or having failed intravenous fibrinolysis, and (3) wake-up and other late-presenting patients. Among intravenous fibrinolysis-eligible patients, key principles are that CT or MRI confirmation of target arterial occlusions should precede randomization; endovascular intervention should be pursued with the greatest rapidity possible; and combined intravenous and neurothrombectomy therapy is more promising than neurothrombectomy alone. Among patients ineligible for or having failed intravenous fibrinolysis, scientific equipoise was affirmed and the need to randomize all eligible patients emphasized. Vessel imaging to confirm occlusion is mandatory, and infarct core and penumbral imaging is desirable in later time windows. Additional STAIR VIII recommendations include approaches to test multiple devices in a single trial, utility weighting of disability end points, and adaptive designs to delineate time and tissue injury thresholds at which benefits from intervention no longer accrue. Endovascular research priorities in acute ischemic stroke are to perform trials testing new, highly effective neuro thrombectomy devices rapidly deployed in patients confirmed to have target vessel occlusions.

Large Outbreak of Hepatitis C Virus Associated With Drug Diversion by a Healthcare Technician.

PubMed

Alroy-Preis, Sharon; Daly, Elizabeth R; Adamski, Christine; Dionne-Odom, Jodie; Talbot, Elizabeth A; Gao, Fengxiang; Cavallo, Steffany J; Hansen, Katrina; Mahoney, Jennifer C; Metcalf, Erin; Loring, Carol; Bean, Christine; Drobeniuc, Jan; Xia, Guo-Liang; Kamili, Saleem; Montero, José T

2018-05-14

In May 2012, the New Hampshire (NH) Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) was notified of 4 persons with newly diagnosed hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection at hospital X. Initial investigation suggested a common link to the hospital cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) because the infected persons included 3 CCL patients and a CCL technician. NH DPHS initiated an investigation to determine the source and control the outbreak. NH DPHS conducted site visits, case patient and employee interviews, medical record and medication use review, and employee and patient HCV testing using enzyme immunoassay for anti-HCV, reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction for HCV RNA, nonstructural 5B (NS5B) and hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) sequencing, and quasispecies analysis. HCV HVR1 analysis of the first 4 cases confirmed a common source of infection. HCV testing identified 32 of 1074 CCL patients infected with the outbreak strain, including 3 patients coinfected with >1 HCV strain. The epidemiologic investigation revealed evidence of drug diversion by the HCV-infected technician, evidenced by gaps in controlled medication control, higher fentanyl use during procedures for confirmed cases, and building card key access records documenting the presence of the technician during days when transmission occurred. The employee's status as a traveling technician led to a multistate investigation, which identified additional cases at prior employment sites. This is the largest laboratory-confirmed drug diversion-associated HCV outbreak published to date. Recommendations to reduce drug diversion risk and to conduct outbreak investigations are provided.

An Accurate Full-flexion Anterolateral Portal for Needle Placement in the Knee Joint With Dry Osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Hussein, Mohamed

2017-07-01

Accurate delivery of an injection into the intra-articular space of the knee is achieved in only two thirds of knees when using the standard anterolateral portal. The use of a modified full-flexion anterolateral portal provides a highly accurate, less painful, and more effective method for reproducible intra-articular injection without the need for ultrasonographic or fluoroscopic guidance in patients with dry osteoarthritis of the knee. The accuracy of needle placement was assessed in a prospective series of 140 consecutive injections in patients with symptomatic degenerative knee arthritis without clinical knee effusion. Procedural pain was determined using the Numerical Rating Scale. The accuracy rates of needle placement were confirmed with fluoroscopic imaging to document the dispersion pattern of injected contrast material. Using the standard anterolateral portal, 52 of 70 injections were confirmed to have been placed in the intra-articular space on the first attempt (accuracy rate, 74.2%). Using the modified full-flexion anterolateral portal, 68 of 70 injections were placed in the intra-articular space on the first attempt (accuracy rate, 97.1%; P = 0.000). This study revealed that using the modified full-flexion anterolateral portal for injections into the knee joint resulted in more accurate and less painful injections than those performed by the same orthopaedic surgeon using the standard anterolateral portal. In addition, the technique offered therapeutic delivery into the joint without the need for fluoroscopic confirmation. Therapeutic Level II.

CASE-REPORT Dysregulation of gene expression in a patient with depressive disorder after transient ischemic attack confirmed by a neurophysiological neuromarker.

PubMed

Trystuła, M; Żychowska, M; Wilk-Frańczuk, M; Kropotov, J D; Pąchalska, M

2017-02-16

The aim of this study was to evaluate dysregulation of gene expression associated with the cellular stress response in a patient with a post-"warning stroke" depressive disorder confirmed by the presence of a neurophysiological neuromarker through the use of quantitative EEG and event-related potentials. The patient was tested for seven genes associated with the stress reaction: HSPA1A, HSPB1, IL6, IL10, CRP, and HSF-1 along with NF-κB, compared to gene expression in health controls. A 54-year-old patient with a past history of schizophrenia (at the age of 20), and of transient ischemic attack (at the age of 53) and depressive disorder confirmed by functional, cognitive, emotional, and affectional diagnostics underwent additional testing for expression of the genes associated with stress response. The expression of genes coding for heat shock protein (HSPA1A, HSPB1), interleukins (IL6, IL10), and C-reactive protein was tested along with factors that regulate their expression. The results of the tests conducted on this patient were compared with 42 healthy control subjects. Diagnostic testing revealed upregulation in expression of these genes, presenting as increased expression of the target genes and of the regulatory genes. A post-"warning stroke" depressive disorder appears to be associated with overexpression of the genes coding for HSP and interleukins. Further research on larger groups of people may provide grounds for treatment modification.

Surface-admittance equivalence principle for nonradiating and cloaking problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Labate, Giuseppe; Alù, Andrea; Matekovits, Ladislau

2017-06-01

In this paper, we address nonradiating and cloaking problems exploiting the surface equivalence principle, by imposing at any arbitrary boundary the control of the admittance discontinuity between the overall object (with or without cloak) and the background. After a rigorous demonstration, we apply this model to a nonradiating problem, appealing for anapole modes and metamolecules modeling, and to a cloaking problem, appealing for non-Foster metasurface design. A straightforward analytical condition is obtained for controlling the scattering of a dielectric object over a surface boundary of interest. Previous quasistatic results are confirmed and a general closed-form solution beyond the subwavelength regime is provided. In addition, this formulation can be extended to other wave phenomena once the proper admittance function is defined (thermal, acoustics, elastomechanics, etc.).

Hardy Star Survives Supernova Blast

NASA Image and Video Library

2014-03-20

This composite image contains data from Chandra (purple) that provides evidence for the survival of a companion star from the blast of a supernova explosion. Chandra's X-rays reveal a point-like source in the supernova remnant at the location of a massive star. The data suggest that mass is being pulled away from the massive star towards a neutron star or a black hole companion. If confirmed, this would be only the third binary system containing both a massive star and a neutron star or black hole ever found in the aftermath of a supernova. This supernova remnant is found embedded in clouds of ionized hydrogen, which are shown in optical light (yellow and cyan) from the MCELS survey, along with additional optical data from the DSS (white).

LMC P3

NASA Image and Video Library

2016-10-10

This composite image contains data from Chandra (purple) that provides evidence for the survival of a companion star from the blast of a supernova explosion. Chandra's X-rays reveal a point-like source in the supernova remnant at the location of a massive star. The data suggest that mass is being pulled away from the massive star towards a neutron star or a black hole companion. If confirmed, this would be only the third binary system containing both a massive star and a neutron star or black hole ever found in the aftermath of a supernova. This supernova remnant is found embedded in clouds of ionized hydrogen, which are shown in optical light (yellow and cyan) from the MCELS survey, along with additional optical data from the DSS (white).

Spectroscopic orbits of nearby solar-type dwarfs - II.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gorynya, N. A.; Tokovinin, A.

2018-03-01

Several nearby solar-type dwarfs with variable radial velocity were monitored to find their spectroscopic orbits. First orbital elements of 15 binaries (HIP 12144, 17895, 27970, 32329, 38636, 39072, 40479, 43004, 73700, 79234, 84696, 92140, 88656, 104514, and 112222) are determined. The previously known orbits of HIP 5276, 21443, 28678, and 41214 are confirmed and updated. The orbital periods range from 2 d to 4 yr. There are eight hierarchical systems with additional distant companions among those 19 stars. The outer visual orbit of the triple system HIP 17895 is updated and the masses of all its components are estimated. We provide radial velocities of another 16 Hipparcos stars without orbital solutions, some of those with long periods or false claims of variability.

The job demands-resources model of burnout.

PubMed

Demerouti, E; Bakker, A B; Nachreiner, F; Schaufeli, W B

2001-06-01

The job demands-resources (JD-R) model proposes that working conditions can be categorized into 2 broad categories, job demands and job resources. that are differentially related to specific outcomes. A series of LISREL analyses using self-reports as well as observer ratings of the working conditions provided strong evidence for the JD-R model: Job demands are primarily related to the exhaustion component of burnout, whereas (lack of) job resources are primarily related to disengagement. Highly similar patterns were observed in each of 3 occupational groups: human services, industry, and transport (total N = 374). In addition, results confirmed the 2-factor structure (exhaustion and disengagement) of a new burnout instrument--the Oldenburg Burnout Inventory--and suggested that this structure is essentially invariant across occupational groups.

Temperature Dependence of Thermodynamic Properties of Thallium Chloride and Thallium Bromide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavanoz, H. B.

2015-02-01

Thermodynamic properties as lattice parameters, thermal expansion, heat capacities Cp and Cv, bulk modulus, and Gruneisen parameter of ionic halides TlCl and TlBr in solid and liquid phases were studied using classical molecular dynamics simulation (MD) with interionic Vashistha-Rahman (VR) model potential. In addition to the static and transport properties which have been previously reported by the author [13], this study further confirms that temperature dependence of the calculated thermophysical properties of TlCl and TlBr are in agreement with the available experimental data at both solid and liquid phases in terms of providing an alternative rigid ion potential. The results give a fairly good description of TlCl and TlBr in the temperature range 10-1000 K.

Adaptive identification of vessel's added moments of inertia with program motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alyshev, A. S.; Melnikov, V. G.

2018-05-01

In this paper, we propose a new experimental method for determining the moments of inertia of the ship model. The paper gives a brief review of existing methods, a description of the proposed method and experimental stand, test procedures and calculation formulas and experimental results. The proposed method is based on the energy approach with special program motions. The ship model is fixed in a special rack consisting of a torsion element and a set of additional servo drives with flywheels (reactive wheels), which correct the motion. The servo drives with an adaptive controller provide the symmetry of the motion, which is necessary for the proposed identification procedure. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is confirmed by experimental results.

Functionalization of Carbon Nanotubes using Atomic Hydrogen

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khare, Bishun N.; Cassell, Alan M.; Nguyen, Cattien V.; Meyyappan, M.; Han, Jie; Arnold, Jim (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

We have investigated the irradiation of multi walled and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with atomic hydrogen. After irradiating the SWNT sample, a band at 2940/cm (3.4 microns) that is characteristic of the C-H stretching mode is observed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Additional confirmation of SWNT functionalization is tested by irradiating with atomic deuterium. A weak band in the region 1940/cm (5.2 micron) to 2450/cm (4.1 micron) corresponding to C-D stretching mode is also observed in the FTIR spectrum. This technique provides a clean gas phase process for the functionalization of SWNTs, which could lead to further chemical manipulation and/or the tuning of the electronic properties of SWNTs for nanodevice applications.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in visitors to a national park--Yosemite Valley, California, 2012.

PubMed

2012-11-23

On August 16, 2012, the California Department of Public Health announced two confirmed cases of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in California residents who had stayed overnight in Yosemite National Park, launching an investigation by the National Park Service, California Department of Public Health, and CDC. On August 27, Yosemite National Park announced two additional cases, and by October 30, 10 cases had been confirmed.

The decisive effect of interface states on the photocatalytic activity of the silver(I) oxide/titanium dioxide heterojunction.

PubMed

Lei, Yanqiang; Lu, Xiaoqing

2017-04-15

A one-step hydrothermal method was adopted to synthesize the Ag 2 O/TiO 2 nanoheterojunction. Its photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degrading methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution under UV and visible light. The MB degradation results showed that the Ag 2 O/TiO 2 nanoheterojunction enhances the photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation rather than visible light. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was performed to detect the electronic structure at the interface of Ag 2 O and TiO 2 . The XPS results confirmed that the electronic band structure of the nanoheterojunction was determined by the interface states between the Ag 2 O and TiO 2 interface. Thus, the photocatalytic enhancement mechanism can be ascribed to the creation of an additional potential barrier in the conduction band between Ag 2 O and TiO 2 , which facilitates the transport of holes from TiO 2 to Ag 2 O but inhibits the flow of electrons in the reverse direction unless sufficient potential energy is provided to overcome the additional barrier. Our results have provided a new insight on the role of interface states between the p-n nanojunction in the photocatalytic activity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sucrose breakdown within guard cells provides substrates for glycolysis and glutamine biosynthesis during light-induced stomatal opening.

PubMed

Medeiros, David B; Perez Souza, Leonardo; Antunes, Werner C; Araújo, Wagner L; Daloso, Danilo M; Fernie, Alisdair R

2018-05-01

Sucrose has long been thought to play an osmolytic role in stomatal opening. However, recent evidence supports the idea that the role of sucrose in this process is primarily energetic. Here we used a combination of stomatal aperture assays and kinetic [U- 13 C]-sucrose isotope labelling experiments to confirm that sucrose is degraded during light-induced stomatal opening and to define the fate of the C released from sucrose breakdown. We additionally show that addition of sucrose to the medium did not enhance light-induced stomatal opening. The isotope experiment showed a consistent 13 C enrichment in fructose and glucose, indicating that during light-induced stomatal opening sucrose is indeed degraded. We also observed a clear 13 C enrichment in glutamate and glutamine (Gln), suggesting a concerted activation of sucrose degradation, glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. This is in contrast to the situation for Gln biosynthesis in leaves under light, which has been demonstrated to rely on previously stored C. Our results thus collectively allow us to redraw current models concerning the influence of sucrose during light-induced stomatal opening, in which, instead of being accumulated, sucrose is degraded providing C skeletons for Gln biosynthesis. © 2018 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Proteogenomics connects somatic mutations to signalling in breast cancer.

PubMed

Mertins, Philipp; Mani, D R; Ruggles, Kelly V; Gillette, Michael A; Clauser, Karl R; Wang, Pei; Wang, Xianlong; Qiao, Jana W; Cao, Song; Petralia, Francesca; Kawaler, Emily; Mundt, Filip; Krug, Karsten; Tu, Zhidong; Lei, Jonathan T; Gatza, Michael L; Wilkerson, Matthew; Perou, Charles M; Yellapantula, Venkata; Huang, Kuan-lin; Lin, Chenwei; McLellan, Michael D; Yan, Ping; Davies, Sherri R; Townsend, R Reid; Skates, Steven J; Wang, Jing; Zhang, Bing; Kinsinger, Christopher R; Mesri, Mehdi; Rodriguez, Henry; Ding, Li; Paulovich, Amanda G; Fenyö, David; Ellis, Matthew J; Carr, Steven A

2016-06-02

Somatic mutations have been extensively characterized in breast cancer, but the effects of these genetic alterations on the proteomic landscape remain poorly understood. Here we describe quantitative mass-spectrometry-based proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of 105 genomically annotated breast cancers, of which 77 provided high-quality data. Integrated analyses provided insights into the somatic cancer genome including the consequences of chromosomal loss, such as the 5q deletion characteristic of basal-like breast cancer. Interrogation of the 5q trans-effects against the Library of Integrated Network-based Cellular Signatures, connected loss of CETN3 and SKP1 to elevated expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and SKP1 loss also to increased SRC tyrosine kinase. Global proteomic data confirmed a stromal-enriched group of proteins in addition to basal and luminal clusters, and pathway analysis of the phosphoproteome identified a G-protein-coupled receptor cluster that was not readily identified at the mRNA level. In addition to ERBB2, other amplicon-associated highly phosphorylated kinases were identified, including CDK12, PAK1, PTK2, RIPK2 and TLK2. We demonstrate that proteogenomic analysis of breast cancer elucidates the functional consequences of somatic mutations, narrows candidate nominations for driver genes within large deletions and amplified regions, and identifies therapeutic targets.

Shaping legal abortion provision in Ghana: using policy theory to understand provider-related obstacles to policy implementation

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Unsafe abortion is a major public health problem in Ghana; despite its liberal abortion law, access to safe, legal abortion in public health facilities is limited. Theory is often neglected as a tool for providing evidence to inform better practice; in this study we investigated the reasons for poor implementation of the policy in Ghana using Lipsky’s theory of street-level bureaucracy to better understand how providers shape and implement policy and how provider-level barriers might be overcome. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 43 health professionals of different levels (managers, obstetricians, midwives) at three hospitals in Accra, as well as staff from smaller and private sector facilities. Relevant policy and related documents were also analysed. Results Findings confirm that health providers’ views shape provision of safe-abortion services. Most prominently, providers experience conflicts between their religious and moral beliefs about the sanctity of (foetal) life and their duty to provide safe-abortion care. Obstetricians were more exposed to international debates, treaties, and safe-abortion practices and had better awareness of national research on the public health implications of unsafe abortions; these factors tempered their religious views. Midwives were more driven by fundamental religious values condemning abortion as sinful. In addition to personal views and dilemmas, ‘social pressures’ (perceived views of others concerning abortion) and the actions of facility managers affected providers’ decision to (openly) provide abortion services. In order to achieve a workable balance between these pressures and duties, providers use their ‘discretion’ in deciding if and when to provide abortion services, and develop ‘coping mechanisms’ which impede implementation of abortion policy. Conclusions The application of theory confirmed its utility in a lower-middle income setting and expanded its scope by showing that provider values and attitudes (not just resource constraints) modify providers’ implementation of policy; moreover their power of modification is constrained by organisational hierarchies and mid-level managers. We also revealed differing responses of ‘front line workers’ regarding the pressures they face; whilst midwives are seen globally as providers of safe-abortion services, in Ghana the midwife cadre displays more negative attitudes towards them than doctors. These findings allow the identification of recommendations for evidence-based practice. PMID:23829555

Initiation of a ring approach to infection prevention and control at non-Ebola health care facilities - Liberia, January-February 2015.

PubMed

Nyenswah, Tolbert; Massaquoi, Moses; Gbanya, Miatta Zenabu; Fallah, Mosoka; Amegashie, Fred; Kenta, Adolphus; Johnson, Kumblytee L; Yahya, Disu; Badini, Mehboob; Soro, Lacina; Pessoa-Silva, Carmem L; Roger, Isabelle; Selvey, Linda; VanderEnde, Kristin; Murphy, Matthew; Cooley, Laura A; Olsen, Sonja J; Christie, Athalia; Vertefeuille, John; Navin, Thomas; McElroy, Peter; Park, Benjamin J; Esswein, Eric; Fagan, Ryan; Mahoney, Frank

2015-05-15

From mid-January to mid-February 2015, all confirmed Ebola virus disease (Ebola) cases that occurred in Liberia were epidemiologically linked to a single index patient from the St. Paul Bridge area of Montserrado County. Of the 22 confirmed patients in this cluster, eight (36%) sought and received care from at least one of 10 non-Ebola health care facilities (HCFs), including clinics and hospitals in Montserrado and Margibi counties, before admission to an Ebola treatment unit. After recognition that three patients in this emerging cluster had received care from a non-Ebola treatment unit, and in response to the risk for Ebola transmission in non-Ebola treatment unit health care settings, a focused infection prevention and control (IPC) rapid response effort for the immediate area was developed to target facilities at increased risk for exposure to a person with Ebola (Ring IPC). The Ring IPC approach, which provided rapid, intensive, and short-term IPC support to HCFs in areas of active Ebola transmission, was an addition to Liberia's proposed longer term national IPC strategy, which focused on providing a comprehensive package of IPC training and support to all HCFs in the country. This report describes possible health care worker exposures to the cluster's eight patients who sought care from an HCF and implementation of the Ring IPC approach. On May 9, 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia.

Exogenous (automatic) attention to emotional stimuli: a review.

PubMed

Carretié, Luis

2014-12-01

Current knowledge on the architecture of exogenous attention (also called automatic, bottom-up, or stimulus-driven attention, among other terms) has been mainly obtained from studies employing neutral, anodyne stimuli. Since, from an evolutionary perspective, exogenous attention can be understood as an adaptive tool for rapidly detecting salient events, reorienting processing resources to them, and enhancing processing mechanisms, emotional events (which are, by definition, salient for the individual) would seem crucial to a comprehensive understanding of this process. This review, focusing on the visual modality, describes 55 experiments in which both emotional and neutral irrelevant distractors are presented at the same time as ongoing task targets. Qualitative and, when possible, meta-analytic descriptions of results are provided. The most conspicuous result is that, as confirmed by behavioral and/or neural indices, emotional distractors capture exogenous attention to a significantly greater extent than do neutral distractors. The modulatory effects of the nature of distractors capturing attention, of the ongoing task characteristics, and of individual differences, previously proposed as mediating factors, are also described. Additionally, studies reviewed here provide temporal and spatial information-partially absent in traditional cognitive models-on the neural basis of preattention/evaluation, reorienting, and sensory amplification, the main subprocesses involved in exogenous attention. A model integrating these different levels of information is proposed. The present review, which reveals that there are several key issues for which experimental data are surprisingly scarce, confirms the relevance of including emotional distractors in studies on exogenous attention.

The status of assisted reproductive technology in Korea in 2012.

PubMed

Lee, Gyoung Hoon; Song, Hyun Jin; Choi, Young Min; Han, Hyuck Dong

2017-03-01

This study was designed to report the status of assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy in South Korea between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. A localized online survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was first launched and provided to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized as standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures, including surgical sperm retrieval, were surveyed. Data from 33,956 ovum pick-up procedures were provided by 75 clinics in 2012. Of the 33,088 cycles in which ovums were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 90.5% (29,932 cycles). In addition, 10,079 FET cycles were confirmed to have resulted in clinical pregnancy, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.5% per ovum pick-up and 33.7% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in FET was 2 (41.6%), followed by 3 (34.0%), and non-elective single ETs (10.0%). Of the 10,404 TET cycles in which transfer was completed, 3,760 clinical pregnancies (36.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. The overall clinical pregnancy rate for FET and TET cycles in 2012 was higher than in 2011 (33.7% vs. 33.2% and 36.1% vs. 31.1%, respectively). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was 2, unlike in 2011.

The status of assisted reproductive technology in Korea in 2012

PubMed Central

Lee, Gyoung Hoon; Song, Hyun Jin; Han, Hyuck Dong

2017-01-01

Objective This study was designed to report the status of assisted reproductive technology (ART) therapy in South Korea between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012. Methods A localized online survey, originally developed by the International Committee Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies, was first launched and provided to all available ART centers via email in 2015. Fresh embryo transfer (FET) cases were categorized as standard in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), or half-ICSI. Thawed embryo transfer (TET) and other related procedures, including surgical sperm retrieval, were surveyed. Results Data from 33,956 ovum pick-up procedures were provided by 75 clinics in 2012. Of the 33,088 cycles in which ovums were retrieved, a complete transfer was performed in 90.5% (29,932 cycles). In addition, 10,079 FET cycles were confirmed to have resulted in clinical pregnancy, representing a pregnancy rate of 30.5% per ovum pick-up and 33.7% per ET. The most common number of embryos transferred in FET was 2 (41.6%), followed by 3 (34.0%), and non-elective single ETs (10.0%). Of the 10,404 TET cycles in which transfer was completed, 3,760 clinical pregnancies (36.1%) were confirmed by ultrasonography. Conclusion The overall clinical pregnancy rate for FET and TET cycles in 2012 was higher than in 2011 (33.7% vs. 33.2% and 36.1% vs. 31.1%, respectively). The most common number of embryos transferred in FET cycles was 2, unlike in 2011. PMID:28428944

Breaking Into the Nuclear and Nucleosynthesis Codes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pamfiloff, Eugene

2017-04-01

In 1964, astrophysicists John N. Bahcall showed that there was no evidence in support of the stellar model regarding the fusion of plasma protons into helium nuclei and provided a plan to measure the neutrino emission from the sun for that proof of concept. For every four protons that would fuse into helium, two e-neutrinos should be emitted. But sadly the tests failed, as only 25% of the predicted flux was discerned. Subsequent attempts to modify the stellar and particle models to account for the missing neutrinos left inconclusive results. To find that supportive evidence, a study of the reverse of fusion comprising 2753 unstable isotopes was undertaken. This provided an archive of new information. That data disclosed both confirmations of many contemporary theories and assumptions for which no factual basis existed, as well as contradictions of several models and other universally accepted conclusions. These confirmations and contradictions are expressed in three formats under the above title. They include a power-point presentation, a paper that briefly describes some notable results, and the sum of the findings are detailed in a recent book. One of the primary topics of this work is in reference to the methods by which positively charged particles assemble into multi-particle nuclei, specifically those containing the highest quantity of nucleons. Although it is subject to peer review, nevertheless several persistent problems in stellar and nuclear physics have been unraveled by this research. For additional information, contact the author.

CNV-RF Is a Random Forest-Based Copy Number Variation Detection Method Using Next-Generation Sequencing.

PubMed

Onsongo, Getiria; Baughn, Linda B; Bower, Matthew; Henzler, Christine; Schomaker, Matthew; Silverstein, Kevin A T; Thyagarajan, Bharat

2016-11-01

Simultaneous detection of small copy number variations (CNVs) (<0.5 kb) and single-nucleotide variants in clinically significant genes is of great interest for clinical laboratories. The analytical variability in next-generation sequencing (NGS) and artifacts in coverage data because of issues with mappability along with lack of robust bioinformatics tools for CNV detection have limited the utility of targeted NGS data to identify CNVs. We describe the development and implementation of a bioinformatics algorithm, copy number variation-random forest (CNV-RF), that incorporates a machine learning component to identify CNVs from targeted NGS data. Using CNV-RF, we identified 12 of 13 deletions in samples with known CNVs, two cases with duplications, and identified novel deletions in 22 additional cases. Furthermore, no CNVs were identified among 60 genes in 14 cases with normal copy number and no CNVs were identified in another 104 patients with clinical suspicion of CNVs. All positive deletions and duplications were confirmed using a quantitative PCR method. CNV-RF also detected heterozygous deletions and duplications with a specificity of 50% across 4813 genes. The ability of CNV-RF to detect clinically relevant CNVs with a high degree of sensitivity along with confirmation using a low-cost quantitative PCR method provides a framework for providing comprehensive NGS-based CNV/single-nucleotide variant detection in a clinical molecular diagnostics laboratory. Copyright © 2016 American Society for Investigative Pathology and the Association for Molecular Pathology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cytoplasmic utilization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 genomic RNA is not dependent on a nuclear interaction with gag.

PubMed

Grewe, Bastian; Hoffmann, Bianca; Ohs, Inga; Blissenbach, Maik; Brandt, Sabine; Tippler, Bettina; Grunwald, Thomas; Uberla, Klaus

2012-03-01

In some retroviruses, such as Rous sarcoma virus and prototype foamy virus, Gag proteins are known to shuttle between the nucleus and the cytoplasm and are implicated in nuclear export of the viral genomic unspliced RNA (gRNA) for subsequent encapsidation. A similar function has been proposed for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Gag based on the identification of nuclear localization and export signals. However, the ability of HIV-1 Gag to transit through the nucleus has never been confirmed. In addition, the lentiviral Rev protein promotes efficient nuclear gRNA export, and previous reports indicate a cytoplasmic interaction between Gag and gRNA. Therefore, functional effects of HIV-1 Gag on gRNA and its usage were explored. Expression of gag in the absence of Rev was not able to increase cytoplasmic gRNA levels of subgenomic, proviral, or lentiviral vector constructs, and gene expression from genomic reporter plasmids could not be induced by Gag provided in trans. Furthermore, Gag lacking the reported nuclear localization and export signals was still able to mediate an efficient packaging process. Although small amounts of Gag were detectable in the nuclei of transfected cells, a Crm1-dependent nuclear export signal in Gag could not be confirmed. Thus, our study does not provide any evidence for a nuclear function of HIV-1 Gag. The encapsidation process of HIV-1 therefore clearly differs from that of Rous sarcoma virus and prototype foamy virus.

Autistic traits and neuropsychological performance in 6- to-10-year-old children: a population-based study.

PubMed

Hyseni, Fjola; Blanken, Laura M E; Muetzel, Ryan; Verhulst, Frank C; Tiemeier, Henning; White, Tonya

2018-04-23

Clinical studies of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) provide evidence for poorer neuropsychological performance within specific domains compared to age, gender, and sometimes IQ-matched controls. Since recent evidence suggests that autistic symptoms form a spectrum that extends into the general population, it was our goal to evaluate the nature of the relationship between autistic traits and neuropsychological performance across the continuum in the general population. We examined neuropsychological performance across five different domains in 1019 6-to-10-year-old children participating in a population-based study of child development. Autistic traits were assessed when the children were 6 years of age using the Social Responsiveness Scale and ASD diagnoses were obtained via medical records. Neuropsychological functioning was measured using the NEPSY-II-NL and included the domains of attention and executive function, memory and learning, sensorimotor functioning, language, and visuospatial functioning. We found that children with higher autistic traits showed significantly lower neuropsychological performance in all domains investigated and that this association remained even after excluding children with the highest autistic traits or confirmed ASD. When comparing 41 children with confirmed ASD diagnosis to typically developing controls, children with ASD showed significantly lower neuropsychological performance across all domains. Taken together, our results suggest that children with both ASD and subclinical autistic traits have lower neuropsychological performance. Thus, this may provide an understanding of why some children without an ASD diagnosis may require some additional assistance within academic settings.

Animal Models of Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC)

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Abstract Animal models of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are highly desired to enable detailed investigation of the pathogenesis of these diseases. Multiple rats and mice have been generated in which a mutation similar to that occurring in TSC patients is present in an allele of Tsc1 or Tsc2. Unfortunately, these mice do not develop pathologic lesions that match those seen in LAM or TSC. However, these Tsc rodent models have been useful in confirming the two-hit model of tumor development in TSC, and in providing systems in which therapeutic trials (e.g., rapamycin) can be performed. In addition, conditional alleles of both Tsc1 and Tsc2 have provided the opportunity to target loss of these genes to specific tissues and organs, to probe the in vivo function of these genes, and attempt to generate better models. Efforts to generate an authentic LAM model are impeded by a lack of understanding of the cell of origin of this process. However, ongoing studies provide hope that such a model will be generated in the coming years. PMID:20235887

Imaging the distribution of individual platinum-based anticancer drug molecules attached to single-wall carbon nanotubes

PubMed Central

Bhirde, Ashwin A; Sousa, Alioscka A; Patel, Vyomesh; Azari, Afrouz A; Gutkind, J Silvio; Leapman, Richard D; Rusling, James F

2009-01-01

Aims To image the distribution of drug molecules attached to single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Materials & methods Herein we report the use of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) for atomic scale visualization and quantitation of single platinum-based drug molecules attached to SWNTs designed for targeted drug delivery. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were used for characterization of the SWNT drug conjugates. Results Z-contrast STEM imaging enabled visualization of the first-line anticancer drug cisplatin on the nanotubes at single molecule level. The identity and presence of cisplatin on the nanotubes was confirmed using energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. STEM tomography was also used to provide additional insights concerning the nanotube conjugates. Finally, our observations provide a rationale for exploring the use of SWNT bioconjugates to selectively target and kill squamous cancer cells. Conclusion Z-contrast STEM imaging provides a means for direct visualization of heavy metal containing molecules (i.e., cisplatin) attached to surfaces of carbon SWNTs along with distribution and quantitation. PMID:19839812

Stranding Events of Kogia Whales along the Brazilian Coast.

PubMed

Moura, Jailson F; Acevedo-Trejos, Esteban; Tavares, Davi C; Meirelles, Ana C O; Silva, Cristine P N; Oliveira, Larissa R; Santos, Roberta A; Wickert, Janaína C; Machado, Rodrigo; Siciliano, Salvatore; Merico, Agostino

2016-01-01

The genus Kogia, which comprises only two extant species, Kogia sima and Kogia breviceps, represents one of the least known groups of cetaceans in the global ocean. In some coastal regions, however, stranding events of these species have been relatively common over the last decades. Stranding provides the opportunity to investigate the biology of these cetaceans and to explore the epidemiological aspects associated with the mortality of the organisms found on the beach. A number of disturbances (including pelagic fisheries, chemical pollution, boat strikes, and noise pollution) have been confirmed to pose a particular threat to the Kogia species. However, no study has yet investigated potential relationships between environmental conditions and stranding events. Here we analyse how a collection of environmental, physical, and biological variables, such as wind, sea surface temperature (SST), water depth, and chlorophyll-a, correlate to Kogia stranding events along the Brazilian coast. The results of our statistical analyses suggest that K. sima is more likely found in warm tropical waters, which provide an explanation for the high frequency of stranding in northeastern Brazilian coast. In contrast, K. breviceps appears to have a preference for temperate and productive waters. Wind speed results to be also an important factor for predicting Kogia strandings in Brazilian coast. Additionally, literature information in combination with our own data and analyses of stomach contents confirms that oceanic cephalopods constitute the primary nutritional source of both Kogia species. By using the available information as a qualitative proxy for habitat preference and feeding ecology, our study provides a novel and comprehensive assessment of Kogia stranding data in relation to environmental conditions along the Brazilian coast.

Fibrin-binding, peptide amphiphile micelles for targeting glioblastoma☆

PubMed Central

Chung, Eun Ji; Cheng, Yu; Morshed, Ramin; Nord, Kathryn; Han, Yu; Wegscheid, Michelle L.; Auffinger, Brenda; Wainwright, Derek A.; Lesniak, Maciej S.; Tirrell, Matthew V.

2013-01-01

Glioblastoma-targeted drug delivery systems facilitate efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to malignant gliomas, while minimizing systemic toxicity and side effects. Taking advantage of the fibrin deposition that is characteristic of tumors, we constructed spherical, Cy7-labeled, targeting micelles to glioblastoma through the addition of the fibrin-binding pentapeptide, cysteine–arginine–glutamic acid–lysine–alanine, or CREKA. Conjugation of the CREKA peptide to Cy7-micelles increased the average particle size and zeta potential. Upon intravenous administration to GL261 glioma bearing mice, Cy7-micelles passively accumulated at the brain tumor site via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, and Cy7-CREKA-micelles displayed enhanced tumor homing via active targeting as early as 1 h after administration, as confirmed via in vivo and ex vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. Biodistribution of micelles showed an accumulation within the liver and kidneys, leading to micelle elimination via renal clearance and the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Histological evaluation showed no signs of cytotoxicity or tissue damage, confirming the safety and utility of this nanoparticle system for delivery to glioblastoma. Our findings offer strong evidence for the glioblastoma-targeting potential of CREKA-micelles and provide the foundation for CREKA-mediated, targeted therapy of glioma. PMID:24211079

Cognitive and neural foundations of discrete sequence skill: a TMS study.

PubMed

Ruitenberg, Marit F L; Verwey, Willem B; Schutter, Dennis J L G; Abrahamse, Elger L

2014-04-01

Executing discrete movement sequences typically involves a shift with practice from a relatively slow, stimulus-based mode to a fast mode in which performance is based on retrieving and executing entire motor chunks. The dual processor model explains the performance of (skilled) discrete key-press sequences in terms of an interplay between a cognitive processor and a motor system. In the present study, we tested and confirmed the core assumptions of this model at the behavioral level. In addition, we explored the involvement of the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) in discrete sequence skill by applying inhibitory 20 min 1-Hz off-line repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Based on previous work, we predicted pre-SMA involvement in the selection/initiation of motor chunks, and this was confirmed by our results. The pre-SMA was further observed to be more involved in more complex than in simpler sequences, while no evidence was found for pre-SMA involvement in direct stimulus-response translations or associative learning processes. In conclusion, support is provided for the dual processor model, and for pre-SMA involvement in the initiation of motor chunks. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Whole-loop mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequence variability in Egyptian Arabian equine matrilines

PubMed Central

Hudson, William

2017-01-01

Background Egyptian Arabian horses have been maintained in a state of genetic isolation for over a hundred years. There is only limited genetic proof that the studbook records of female lines of Egyptian Arabian pedigrees are reliable. This study characterized the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) signatures of 126 horses representing 14 matrilines in the Egyptian Agricultural Organization (EAO) horse-breeding program. Findings Analysis of the whole D-loop sequence yielded additional information compared to hypervariable region-1 (HVR1) analysis alone, with 42 polymorphic sites representing ten haplotypes compared to 16 polymorphic sites representing nine haplotypes, respectively. Most EAO haplotypes belonged to ancient haplogroups, suggesting origin from a wide geographical area over many thousands of years, although one haplotype was novel. Conclusions Historical families share haplotypes and some individuals from different strains belonged to the same haplogroup: the classical EAO strain designation is not equivalent to modern monophyletic matrilineal groups. Phylogenetic inference showed that the foundation mares of the historical haplotypes were highly likely to have the same haplotypes as the animals studied (p > 0.998 in all cases), confirming the reliability of EAO studbook records and providing the opportunity for breeders to confirm the ancestry of their horses. PMID:28859174

Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network Support for Elimination Goals, 2010-2015.

PubMed

Mulders, Mick N; Rota, Paul A; Icenogle, Joseph P; Brown, Kevin E; Takeda, Makoto; Rey, Gloria J; Ben Mamou, Myriam C; Dosseh, Annick R G A; Byabamazima, Charles R; Ahmed, Hinda J; Pattamadilok, Sirima; Zhang, Yan; Gacic-Dobo, Marta; Strebel, Peter M; Goodson, James L

2016-05-06

In 2012, the World Health Assembly endorsed the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP)* with the objective to eliminate measles and rubella in five World Health Organization (WHO) regions by 2020. In September 2013, countries in all six WHO regions had established measles elimination goals, and additional goals for elimination of rubella and congenital rubella syndrome were established in three regions (1). Capacity for surveillance, including laboratory confirmation, is fundamental to monitoring and verifying elimination. The 2012-2020 Global Measles and Rubella Strategic Plan of the Measles and Rubella Initiative(†) calls for effective case-based surveillance with laboratory testing for case confirmation (2). In 2000, the WHO Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN) was established to provide high quality laboratory support for surveillance (3). The GMRLN is the largest globally coordinated laboratory network, with 703 laboratories supporting surveillance in 191 countries. During 2010-2015, 742,187 serum specimens were tested, and 27,832 viral sequences were reported globally. Expansion of the capacity of the GMRLN will support measles and rubella elimination efforts as well as surveillance for other vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), including rotavirus, and for emerging pathogens of public health concern.

Novice to Expert Practice via Postprofessional Athletic Training Education: A Grounded Theory

PubMed Central

Neibert, Peter J

2009-01-01

Objective: To discover the theoretic constructs that confirm, disconfirm, or extend the principles and their applications appropriate for National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)–accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs. Design: Interviews at the 2003 NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia. Setting: Qualitative study using grounded theory procedures. Patients and Other Participants: Thirteen interviews were conducted with postprofessional graduates. Participants were purposefully selected based on theoretic sampling and availability. Data Collection and Analysis: The transcribed interviews were analyzed using open coding, axial coding, and selective coding procedures. Member checks, reflective journaling, and triangulation were used to ensure trustworthiness. Results: The participants' comments confirmed and extended the current principles of postprofessional athletic training education programs and offered additional suggestions for more effective practical applications. Conclusions: The emergence of this central category of novice to expert practice is a paramount finding. The tightly woven fabric of the 10 processes, when interlaced with one another, provides a strong tapestry supporting novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education. The emergence of this theoretic position pushes postprofessional graduate athletic training education forward to the future for further investigation into the theoretic constructs of novice to expert practice. PMID:19593420

Microscopic study reveals the singular origins of growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yaari, G.; Nowak, A.; Rakocy, K.; Solomon, S.

2008-04-01

Anderson [Science 177, 293 (1972)] proposed the concept of complexity in order to describe the emergence and growth of macroscopic collective patterns out of the simple interactions of many microscopic agents. In the physical sciences this paradigm was implemented systematically and confirmed repeatedly by successful confrontation with reality. In the social sciences however, the possibilities to stage experiments to validate it are limited. During the 90's a series of dramatic political and economic events have provided the opportunity to do so. We exploit the resulting empirical evidence to validate a simple agent based alternative to the classical logistic dynamics. The post-liberalization empirical data from Poland confirm the theoretical prediction that the dynamics is dominated by singular rare events which insure the resilience and adaptability of the system. We have shown that growth is led by few singular “growth centers" (Fig. 1), that initially developed at a tremendous rate (Fig. 3), followed by a diffusion process to the rest of the country and leading to a positive growth rate uniform across the counties. In addition to the interdisciplinary unifying potential of our generic formal approach, the present work reveals the strong causal ties between the “softer" social conditions and their “hard" economic consequences.

Organellar proteome analyses of ricin toxin-treated HeLa cells.

PubMed

Liao, Peng; Li, Yunhu; Li, Hongyang; Liu, Wensen

2016-07-01

Apoptosis triggered by ricin toxin (RT) has previously been associated with certain cellular organellar compartments, but the diversity in the composition of the organellar proteins remains unclear. Here, we applied a shotgun proteomics strategy to examine the differential expression of proteins in the mitochondria, nuclei, and cytoplasm of HeLa cells treated and not treated with RT. Data were combined with a global bioinformatics analysis and experimental confirmations. A total of 3107 proteins were identified. Bioinformatics predictors (Proteome Analyst, WoLF PSORT, TargetP, MitoPred, Nucleo, MultiLoc, and k-nearest neighbor) and a Bayesian model that integrated these predictors were used to predict the locations of 1349 distinct organellar proteins. Our data indicate that the Bayesian model was more efficient than the individual implementation of these predictors. Additionally, a Biomolecular Interaction Network (BIN) analysis was used to identify 149 BIN subnetworks. Our experimental confirmations indicate that certain apoptosis-related proteins (e.g. cytochrome c, enolase, lamin B, Bax, and Drp1) were found to be translocated and had variable expression levels. These results provide new insights for the systematic understanding of RT-induced apoptosis responses. © The Author(s) 2014.

In Vitro Activity of Miltefosine against Candida albicans under Planktonic and Biofilm Growth Conditions and In Vivo Efficacy in a Murine Model of Oral Candidiasis

PubMed Central

Chaturvedi, Ashok K.; Rozental, Sonia

2015-01-01

The generation of a new antifungal against Candida albicans biofilms has become a major priority, since biofilm formation by this opportunistic pathogenic fungus is usually associated with an increased resistance to azole antifungal drugs and treatment failures. Miltefosine is an alkyl phospholipid with promising antifungal activity. Here, we report that, when tested under planktonic conditions, miltefosine displays potent in vitro activity against multiple fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant C. albicans clinical isolates, including isolates overexpressing efflux pumps and/or with well-characterized Erg11 mutations. Moreover, miltefosine inhibits C. albicans biofilm formation and displays activity against preformed biofilms. Serial passage experiments confirmed that miltefosine has a reduced potential to elicit resistance, and screening of a library of C. albicans transcription factor mutants provided additional insight into the activity of miltefosine against C. albicans growing under planktonic and biofilm conditions. Finally, we demonstrate the in vivo efficacy of topical treatment with miltefosine in the murine model of oropharyngeal candidiasis. Overall, our results confirm the potential of miltefosine as a promising antifungal drug candidate, in particular for the treatment of azole-resistant and biofilm-associated superficial candidiasis. PMID:26416861

31 CFR 375.22 - Will I receive confirmations and, if I am submitting offers for others, do I have to provide...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance: Treasury 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Will I receive confirmations and, if... and Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance (Continued) FISCAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT... by the close of the business day of the redemption operation. (b) Confirmation of customer offers. If...

Immunocytochemical characterization of lung tumors in fine-needle aspiration. The use of cytokeratin monoclonal antibodies for the differential diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma.

PubMed

Bruderman, I; Cohen, R; Leitner, O; Ronah, R; Guber, A; Griffel, B; Geiger, B

1990-10-15

In the current study, immunocytochemical typing of intermediate filaments was used for a differential diagnosis of human lung tumors from transthoracic fine-needle aspiration biopsies (TFNAB). The authors have compared the cytologic diagnosis of 53 lung cancer cases with the immunofluorescence patterns obtained using a panel of monoclonal antibodies, five of which (KG 8.13, KM 4.62, Ks B.17, KS 8.12, KK 8.60) react with specific cytokeratin polypeptides and one with vimentin (VIM 13.2). Only in six of 23 samples cytologically diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma did the immunocytochemical typing of cytokeratins (ICTC) confirm the cytologic diagnosis. In seven cases some of the tumor cells stained positively with antibody Ks B.17 specific for simple epithelial keratin (No: 18), suggesting the presence of some cells of glandular origin. In ten additional cases the ICTC was in conflict with the cytologic diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma (i.e., antibodies Ks 8.12 and KK 8.60 were negative, and antibody Ks B.17, positive) supporting a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. In 14 of 18 cases cytologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, the ICTC confirmed the diagnosis whereas in four cases additional presence of some squamous cells was noticed. The ICTC labeling of cases cytologically diagnosed as undifferentiated and large cell carcinomas was similar to that of the group of adenocarcinomas. Thus, the application of cytokeratin typing for TFNAB samples seems to provide a vital complementation to routine cytologic study, especially for cases cytologically diagnosed as squamous carcinoma.

Induction of alternative proinflammatory cytokines accounts for sustained psoriasiform skin inflammation in IL-17C+IL-6KO mice

PubMed Central

Fritz, Yi; Klenotic, Philip A.; Swindell, William R.; Yin, ZhiQiang; Groft, Sarah G.; Zhang, Li; Baliwag, Jaymie; Camhi, Maya I.; Diaconu, Doina; Young, Andrew B.; Foster, Alexander M.; Johnston, Andrew; Gudjonsson, Johann E.; McCormick, Thomas S.; Ward, Nicole L.

2016-01-01

IL-6 inhibition has been unsuccessful in treating psoriasis, despite high levels of tissue and serum IL-6 in patients. Additionally, de novo psoriasis onset has been reported following IL-6 blockade in rheumatoid arthritis patients. To explore mechanisms underlying these clinical observations, we backcrossed an established psoriasiform mouse model (IL-17C+ mice) with IL-6 deficient mice (IL-17C+KO) and examined the cutaneous phenotype. IL-17C+KO mice initially exhibited decreased skin inflammation, however this decrease was transient and reversed rapidly, concomitant with increases in skin Tnf, Il36α/β/γ, Il24, Epgn and S100a8/a9 to levels higher than those found in IL-17C+ mice. Comparison of IL-17C+ and IL-17C+KO mouse skin transcriptomes with that of human psoriasis skin, revealed significant correlation among transcripts of psoriasis patient skin and IL-17C+KO mouse skin, and confirmed an exacerbation of the inflammatory signature in IL-17C+KO mice that aligns closely with human psoriasis. Transcriptional analyses of IL-17C+ and IL-17C+KO primary keratinocytes confirmed increased expression of proinflammatory molecules, suggesting that in the absence of IL-6, keratinocytes increase production of numerous additional proinflammatory cytokines. These preclinical findings may provide insight into why arthritis patients being treated with IL-6 inhibitors develop new onset psoriasis and why IL-6 blockade for the treatment of psoriasis has not been clinically effective. PMID:27984037

Non-Invasive Delivery of dsRNA into De-Waxed Tick Eggs by Electroporation

PubMed Central

Ruiz, Newton; de Abreu, Leonardo Araujo; Parizi, Luís Fernando; Kim, Tae Kwon; Mulenga, Albert; Braz, Gloria Regina Cardoso; Vaz, Itabajara da Silva; Logullo, Carlos

2015-01-01

RNA interference-mediated gene silencing was shown to be an efficient tool for validation of targets that may become anti-tick vaccine components. Here, we demonstrate the application of this approach in the validation of components of molecular signaling cascades, such as the Protein Kinase B (AKT) / Glycogen Synthase Kinase (GSK) axis during tick embryogenesis. It was shown that heptane and hypochlorite treatment of tick eggs can remove wax, affecting corium integrity and but not embryo development. Evidence of AKT and GSK dsRNA delivery into de-waxed eggs of via electroporation is provided. Primers designed to amplify part of the dsRNA delivered into the electroporated eggs dsRNA confirmed its entry in eggs. In addition, it was shown that electroporation is able to deliver the fluorescent stain, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). To confirm gene silencing, a second set of primers was designed outside the dsRNA sequence of target gene. In this assay, the suppression of AKT and GSK transcripts (approximately 50% reduction in both genes) was demonstrated in 7-day-old eggs. Interestingly, silencing of GSK in 7-day-old eggs caused 25% reduction in hatching. Additionally, the effect of silencing AKT and GSK on embryo energy metabolism was evaluated. As expected, knockdown of AKT, which down regulates GSK, the suppressor of glycogen synthesis, decreased glycogen content in electroporated eggs. These data demonstrate that electroporation of de-waxed R. microplus eggs could be used for gene silencing in tick embryos, and improve the knowledge about arthropod embryogenesis. PMID:26091260

Simultaneous analysis and retention behavior of major isoflavonoids in Radix Puerariae lobatae and Radix Puerariae thomsonii by high performance liquid chromatography with cyclodextrins as a mobile phase modifier.

PubMed

Zeng, Aiguo; Xing, Jianfeng; Wang, Changhe; Song, Jie; Li, Cong; Yang, Xin; Yang, Guangde

2012-01-27

In order to differentiate two species of Radix Puerariae (Radix Puerariae lobatae and Radix Puerariae thomsonii) and to determine major isoflavonoids (puerarin, daidzin, daidzein and genistein) in the samples, a simple high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with isocratic elution employing cyclodextrins (CDs) as mobile phase additives was developed. Various factors affecting the retention of isoflavonoids in the C(18) reversed-phase column, such as the nature of CDs, the concentration of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) and the methanol percentage in the mobile phase, were studied. Experimental results confirmed that HP-β-CD, as a very effective mobile phase additive, could markedly reduce the retention of isoflavonoids, especially daidzein and genistein. The elution of four isoflavonoids could be achieved on a Kromasil(®) C(18) column within 56 min by using the methanol-water contained 5 mM HP-β-CD (25/75, v/v) mixture as the mobile phase. The formation of the inclusion complexes between isoflavonoids and HP-β-CD explained the modification of the retention of analytes. The apparent formation constants determined by HPLC confirmed that the stoichiometry of HP-β-CD-isoflavonoid complexes was 1:1, and the stability of the complexes depended on the size and property of isoflavonoids. The optimized method was successfully applied for the simultaneous determination of major isoflavonoids in P. lobatae and P. thomsonii samples. This work provides a useful method for the analysis of traditional Chinese herbs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cloning and Characterization of the Pyrrolomycin Biosynthetic Gene Clusters from Actinosporangium vitaminophilum ATCC 31673 and Streptomyces sp. Strain UC 11065▿

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xiujun; Parry, Ronald J.

2007-01-01

The pyrrolomycins are a family of polyketide antibiotics, some of which contain a nitro group. To gain insight into the nitration mechanism associated with the formation of these antibiotics, the pyrrolomycin biosynthetic gene cluster from Actinosporangium vitaminophilum was cloned. Sequencing of ca. 56 kb of A. vitaminophilum DNA revealed 35 open reading frames (ORFs). Sequence analysis revealed a clear relationship between some of these ORFs and the biosynthetic gene cluster for pyoluteorin, a structurally related antibiotic. Since a gene transfer system could not be devised for A. vitaminophilum, additional proof for the identity of the cloned gene cluster was sought by cloning the pyrrolomycin gene cluster from Streptomyces sp. strain UC 11065, a transformable pyrrolomycin producer. Sequencing of ca. 26 kb of UC 11065 DNA revealed the presence of 17 ORFs, 15 of which exhibit strong similarity to ORFs in the A. vitaminophilum cluster as well as a nearly identical organization. Single-crossover disruption of two genes in the UC 11065 cluster abolished pyrrolomycin production in both cases. These results confirm that the genetic locus cloned from UC 11065 is essential for pyrrolomycin production, and they also confirm that the highly similar locus in A. vitaminophilum encodes pyrrolomycin biosynthetic genes. Sequence analysis revealed that both clusters contain genes encoding the two components of an assimilatory nitrate reductase. This finding suggests that nitrite is required for the formation of the nitrated pyrrolomycins. However, sequence analysis did not provide additional insights into the nitration process, suggesting the operation of a novel nitration mechanism. PMID:17158935

Physicochemical properties of film-coated melt-extruded pellets.

PubMed

Young, Chistopher R; Crowley, Michael; Dietzsch, Caroline; McGinity, James W

2007-02-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physicochemical properties of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and guaifenesin containing beads prepared by a melt-extrusion process and film-coated with a methacrylic acid copolymer. Solubility parameter calculations, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine drug/polymer miscibility and/or the thermal processibility of the systems. Powder blends of guaifenesin, PEO and functional excipients were processed using a melt-extrusion and spheronization technique and then film-coated in a fluidized bed apparatus. Solubility parameter calculations were used to predict miscibility between PEO and guaifenesin, and miscibility was confirmed by SEM and observation of a single melting point for extruded drug/polymer blends during MDSC investigations. The drug was stable following melt-extrusion as determined by TGA and HPLC; however, drug release rate from pellets decreased upon storage in sealed HDPE containers with silica desiccants at 40 degrees C/75% RH. The weight loss on drying, porosity and tortuosity determinations were not influenced by storage. Recrystallization of guaifenesin and PEO was confirmed by SEM and XRPD. Additionally, the pellets exhibited a change in adhesion behaviour during dissolution testing. The addition of ethylcellulose to the extruded powder blend decreased and stabilized the drug release rate from the thermally processed pellets. The current study also demonstrated film-coating to be an efficient process for providing melt-extruded beads with pH-dependent drug release properties that were stable upon storage at accelerated conditions.

Additive noise-induced Turing transitions in spatial systems with application to neural fields and the Swift Hohenberg equation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hutt, Axel; Longtin, Andre; Schimansky-Geier, Lutz

2008-05-01

This work studies the spatio-temporal dynamics of a generic integral-differential equation subject to additive random fluctuations. It introduces a combination of the stochastic center manifold approach for stochastic differential equations and the adiabatic elimination for Fokker-Planck equations, and studies analytically the systems’ stability near Turing bifurcations. In addition two types of fluctuation are studied, namely fluctuations uncorrelated in space and time, and global fluctuations, which are constant in space but uncorrelated in time. We show that the global fluctuations shift the Turing bifurcation threshold. This shift is proportional to the fluctuation variance. Applications to a neural field equation and the Swift-Hohenberg equation reveal the shift of the bifurcation to larger control parameters, which represents a stabilization of the system. All analytical results are confirmed by numerical simulations of the occurring mode equations and the full stochastic integral-differential equation. To gain some insight into experimental manifestations, the sum of uncorrelated and global additive fluctuations is studied numerically and the analytical results on global fluctuations are confirmed qualitatively.

The public health value of vaccines beyond efficacy: methods, measures and outcomes.

PubMed

Wilder-Smith, A; Longini, I; Zuber, P L; Bärnighausen, T; Edmunds, W J; Dean, N; Spicher, V Masserey; Benissa, M R; Gessner, B D

2017-07-26

Assessments of vaccine efficacy and safety capture only the minimum information needed for regulatory approval, rather than the full public health value of vaccines. Vaccine efficacy provides a measure of proportionate disease reduction, is usually limited to etiologically confirmed disease, and focuses on the direct protection of the vaccinated individual. Herein, we propose a broader scope of methods, measures and outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness and public health impact to be considered for evidence-informed policymaking in both pre- and post-licensure stages. Pre-licensure: Regulatory concerns dictate an individually randomised clinical trial. However, some circumstances (such as the West African Ebola epidemic) may require novel designs that could be considered valid for licensure by regulatory agencies. In addition, protocol-defined analytic plans for these studies should include clinical as well as etiologically confirmed endpoints (e.g. all cause hospitalisations, pneumonias, acute gastroenteritis and others as appropriate to the vaccine target), and should include vaccine-preventable disease incidence and 'number needed to vaccinate' as outcomes. Post-licensure: There is a central role for phase IV cluster randomised clinical trials that allows for estimation of population-level vaccine impact, including indirect, total and overall effects. Dynamic models should be prioritised over static models as the constant force of infection assumed in static models will usually underestimate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the immunisation programme by underestimating indirect effects. The economic impact of vaccinations should incorporate health and non-health benefits of vaccination in both the vaccinated and unvaccinated populations, thus allowing for estimation of the net social value of vaccination. The full benefits of vaccination reach beyond direct prevention of etiologically confirmed disease and often extend across the life course of a vaccinated person, prevent outcomes in the wider community, stabilise health systems, promote health equity, and benefit local and national economies. The degree to which vaccinations provide broad public health benefits is stronger than for other preventive and curative interventions.

SESAME -- A light source for the Middle East

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winick, Herman

2012-02-01

Developed under UNESCO and modelled on CERN, SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) is an international research centre in construction in Jordan, enabling world-class research while promoting peace through scientific cooperation. Its centerpiece, a new 2.5 GeV 3rd Generation Electron Storage Ring (133m circumference, 26nm-rad emittance, 12 places for insertion devices), will provide intense light from infra-red to hard X-rays. The Council (Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Turkey), provides the annual budget. Concrete shielding is complete, and a staff of 21 is installing the refurbished 0.8 GeV BESS Y I injector system, a gift from Germany. The facility can serve 25 simultaneous experiments. Beamline equipment has been provided by Daresbury (UK), the Helmholtz Assoc. (Germany), the Swiss Light Source, LURE (France), the Univ. of Liverpool, Elettra (Italy) and US labs. Jordan has contributed 3.3M, in addition to a building and land. The EU has contributed 4.8M. Commitments confirmed by Members look set to provide most of 35M needed to complete construction of the ring and 3 beamlines. A training program has been underway since 2000. See www.sesame.org.jo

Beneficial impact of exercise and obesity interventions on erectile function and its risk factors.

PubMed

Hannan, Johanna L; Maio, M Tina; Komolova, Marina; Adams, Michael A

2009-03-01

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a multifaceted disease involving cardiovascular, metabolic, and hormonal factors and affects over 100 million men worldwide. ED has been shown to be a harbinger of underlying cardiovascular diseases (CVD), as there are common risk factors (aging, hypertension, obesity) and mechanistic basis. To provide an update on clinical and experimental evidence regarding the impact of lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and diet, with respect to changes in erectile function. Published evidence regarding the impact of aging, hypertension, and obesity on ED and CVD, as well as new experimental data linking obesity and diminished erectile responses. We reviewed the literature regarding common risk factors of ED and CVD, particularly involving obesity, as well as performed new analysis on the findings of other experimental studies involving diet and exercise interventions. Physical inactivity negatively impacts on erectile function, and experimental and clinical exercise interventions have been shown to improve sexual responses and overall cardiovascular health. Mediterranean-style diets and a reduction in caloric intake have been found to improve erectile function in men with the aspects of the metabolic syndrome. In addition, both clinical and experimental studies have confirmed that combining the two interventions provides additional benefit to erectile function, likely via reduced metabolic disturbances (e.g., inflammatory markers, insulin resistance), decreased visceral adipose tissue, and improvement in vascular function (e.g., increased endothelial function). Lifestyle modifications provide significant benefits to vascular health and erectile function in a population that is increasingly aged and more obese.

Science teachers' knowledge, beliefs, values, and concerns of teaching through inquiry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Assiri, Yahya Ibrahim

This study investigated elementary science teachers' knowledge, beliefs, values, and concerns of teaching through inquiry. A mixed-methods research design was utilized to address the research questions. Since this study was designed as a mixed-methods research approach, the researcher gathered two type of data: quantitative and qualitative. The study was conducted in Mohayel School District, Saudi Arabia. The information was collected from 51 participants using a questionnaire with multiple choice questions; also, 11 participants were interviewed. After collecting the data, descriptive and comparative approaches were used. In addition, themes and codes were used to obtain the results. The results indicated that the mean of elementary science teachers' knowledge was 51.23%, which was less than 60% which was the acceptable score. Also, the qualitative results showed that science teachers had a limited background of teaching through inquiry. In addition, the elementary science teachers had a high level of belief to teach science through inquiry since the mean was 3.99 out of 5.00. These quantitative results were confirmed by the qualitative data. Moreover, the overall mean of elementary science teachers was 4.01, which indicated that they believed in the importance of teaching science through inquiry which was also confirmed by the responses of teachers in the interviews. Also, the findings indicated that elementary school science teachers had concerns about teaching science through inquiry since the overall mean was 3.53. In addition, the interviewees mentioned that they faced some obstacles when they teach by inquiry, such as time, resources, class size, and the teachers' background. Generally, the results did not show any significant differences among elementary science teachers' knowledge, beliefs, values, and concerns depending on gender, level of education, and teaching experience. However, the findings indicated there was one significant difference which was the level of teaching experience between groups: (6-10) years and (11-15) years, and (16- more) and (11-15) years. In addition, the implications and suggestions for future research were provided to enhance teaching science through inquiry.

Scenarios for exercising technical approaches to verified nuclear reductions

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

Doyle, James

2010-01-01

Presidents Obama and Medvedev in April 2009 committed to a continuing process of step-by-step nuclear arms reductions beyond the new START treaty that was signed April 8, 2010 and to the eventual goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. In addition, the US Nuclear Posture review released April 6, 2010 commits the US to initiate a comprehensive national research and development program to support continued progress toward a world free of nuclear weapons, including expanded work on verification technologies and the development of transparency measures. It is impossible to predict the specific directions that US-RU nuclear arms reductions willmore » take over the 5-10 years. Additional bilateral treaties could be reached requiring effective verification as indicated by statements made by the Obama administration. There could also be transparency agreements or other initiatives (unilateral, bilateral or multilateral) that require monitoring with a standard of verification lower than formal arms control, but still needing to establish confidence to domestic, bilateral and multilateral audiences that declared actions are implemented. The US Nuclear Posture Review and other statements give some indication of the kinds of actions and declarations that may need to be confirmed in a bilateral or multilateral setting. Several new elements of the nuclear arsenals could be directly limited. For example, it is likely that both strategic and nonstrategic nuclear warheads (deployed and in storage), warhead components, and aggregate stocks of such items could be accountable under a future treaty or transparency agreement. In addition, new initiatives or agreements may require the verified dismantlement of a certain number of nuclear warheads over a specified time period. Eventually procedures for confirming the elimination of nuclear warheads, components and fissile materials from military stocks will need to be established. This paper is intended to provide useful background information for establishing a conceptual approach to a five-year technical program plan for research and development of nuclear arms reductions verification and transparency technologies and procedures.« less

Multifunctional wall coating combining photocatalysis, self-cleaning and latent heat storage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucas, S. S.; Barroso de Aguiar, J. L.

2018-02-01

Mortars, one of the most common construction materials, have not received any substantial modification for many decades. This has changed in recent years; new compositions are now being developed, with new properties, using nano-additives, fibres and capsules. In this work, surfaces with new and innovative functionalities that promote energy savings and improve air quality have been developed and studied. Incorporation of phase change materials (PCM) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles in construction products is currently under study by different research groups. However, these studies only address their incorporation separately. Adding new additives into the mortar’s matrix can be complex—due to microstructural modifications that will influence both fresh and hardened state properties. Moving from a single additive to multiple additions, as in this study, increases the system’s complexity. Only with a good understanding of the microstructural properties, it is possible to add multiple additives (including nano and microparticles) to mortars, without damaging its final quality. This work demonstrates that a higher additive content is not always a guarantee of better results; lower additions can often provide a better compromise between performance and final mechanical properties. The results presented in this paper confirmed this and show that combining PCM microcapsules and TiO2 nanoparticles open a new path in the development of mortars with multiple functionalities. In this study, a new material with depolluting, self-cleaning and heat storage was created. For the development of new and innovative mortars, a proper balance of multiple additives, supported by the study of microstructural changes, can lead to an optimization of the compositions, ensuring that the mortar’s final properties are not affected.

31 CFR 375.22 - Will I receive confirmations and, if I am submitting offers for others, do I have to provide...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 31 Money and Finance:Treasury 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Will I receive confirmations and, if I... Finance: Treasury Regulations Relating to Money and Finance (Continued) FISCAL SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE... of the business day of the redemption operation. (b) Confirmation of customer offers. If you submit a...

Evaluation of two commercially available chromogenic media for confirmation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from human, animal, and food samples.

PubMed

Ariza-Miguel, Jaime; Oniciuc, Elena-Alexandra; Sanz, Iván; Fernández-Natal, Isabel; Hernández, Marta; Rodríguez-Lázaro, David

2015-09-16

We compared the diagnostic performance of two chromogenic media, Brilliance MRSA 2 agar (Thermo Fisher Scientific) and ChromID MRSA agar (bioMérieux), for MRSA confirmation of 239 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from clinical, animal and food samples. Statistically significant differences were not observed between MRSA confirmation by mecA/mecC PCR, and by culture in both chromogenic media. However, a statistically significant difference was observed between the results obtained by both chromogenic media (p = 0.003). Segregated analysis of the results depending on the origin of the isolates (clinical, animal, and food) revealed a significant lower performance in the MRSA confirmation of food-derived isolates by using Brilliance MRSA 2 agar in comparison to PCR confirmation (p = 0.003) or ChromID MRSA agar (p<0.001). Both chromogenic media provided a good diagnostic performance for detection of MRSA isolates of human and animal origin. In conclusion, the use of chromogenic agar plates for MRSA confirmation of S. aureus isolates can provide a good diagnostic performance (sensitivity >92% and specificity >89%) regardless of the type of chromogenic media used or the origin of the S. aureus isolates. However, our results revealed a lower diagnostic performance for MRSA confirmation of S. aureus isolates from food samples by using Brilliance MRSA 2 agar. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Link between orientation and retinotopic maps in primary visual cortex

PubMed Central

Paik, Se-Bum; Ringach, Dario L.

2012-01-01

Maps representing the preference of neurons for the location and orientation of a stimulus on the visual field are a hallmark of primary visual cortex. It is not yet known how these maps develop and what function they play in visual processing. One hypothesis postulates that orientation maps are initially seeded by the spatial interference of ON- and OFF-center retinal receptive field mosaics. Here we show that such a mechanism predicts a link between the layout of orientation preferences around singularities of different signs and the cardinal axes of the retinotopic map. Moreover, we confirm the predicted relationship holds in tree shrew primary visual cortex. These findings provide additional support for the notion that spatially structured input from the retina may provide a blueprint for the early development of cortical maps and receptive fields. More broadly, it raises the possibility that spatially structured input from the periphery may shape the organization of primary sensory cortex of other modalities as well. PMID:22509015

Tubular copper thrust chamber design study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Masters, A. I.; Galler, D. E.

1992-01-01

The use of copper tubular thrust chambers is particularly important in high performance expander cycle space engines. Tubular chambers have more surface area than flat wall chambers, and this extra surface area provides enhanced heat transfer for additional energy to power the cycle. This paper was divided into two sections: (1) a thermal analysis and sensitivity study; and (2) a preliminary design of a selected thrust chamber configuration. The thermal analysis consisted of a statistical optimization to determine the optimum tube geometry, tube booking, thrust chamber geometry, and cooling routing to achieve the maximum upper limit chamber pressure for a 25,000 pound thrust engine. The preliminary design effort produced a layout drawing of a tubular thrust chamber that is three inches shorter than the Advanced Expander Test Bed (AETB) milled channel chamber but is predicted to provide a five percent increase in heat transfer. Testing this chamber in the AETB would confirm the inherent advantages of tubular chamber construction and heat transfer.

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

Sager, P.H.

Studies were carried out on the FED Baseline to improve design definition, establish feasibility, and reduce cost. Emphasis was placed on cost reduction, but significant feasibility concerns existed in several areas, and better design definition was required to establish feasibility and provide a better basis for cost estimates. Design definition and feasibility studies included the development of a labyrinth shield ring concept to prevent radiation streaming between the torus spool and the TF coil cryostat. The labyrinth shield concept which was developed reduced radiation streaming sufficiently to permit contact maintenance of the inboard EF coils. Various concepts of preventing arcingmore » between adjacent shield sectors were also explored. It was concluded that installation of copper straps with molybdenum thermal radiation shields would provide the most reliable means of preventing arcing. Other design studies included torus spool electrical/structural concepts, test module shielding, torus seismic response, poloidal conditions in the magnets, disruption characteristics, and eddy current effects. These additional studies had no significant impact on cost but did confirm the feasibility of the basic FED Baseline concept.« less

Cyclin D1 and Ewing's sarcoma/PNET: A microarray analysis.

PubMed

Fagone, Paolo; Nicoletti, Ferdinando; Salvatorelli, Lucia; Musumeci, Giuseppe; Magro, Gaetano

2015-10-01

Recent immunohistochemical analyses have showed that cyclin D1 is expressed in soft tissue Ewing's sarcoma/peripheral neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) of childhood and adolescents, while it is undetectable in both embryonal and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. In the present paper, microarray analysis provided evidence of a significant upregulation of cyclin D1 in Ewing's sarcoma as compared to normal tissues. In addition, we confirmed our previous findings of a significant over-expression of cyclin D1 in Ewing sarcoma as compared to rhabdomyosarcoma. Bioinformatic analysis also allowed to identify some other genes, strongly correlated to cyclin D1, which, although not previously studied in pediatric tumors, could represent novel markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of Ewing's sarcoma/PNET. The data herein provided support not only the use of cyclin D1 as a diagnostic marker of Ewing sarcoma/PNET but also the possibility of using drugs targeting cyclin D1 as potential therapeutic strategies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

NASA 2008 HyspIRI whitepaper and workshop report

USGS Publications Warehouse

,; Mars, John

2009-01-01

From October 21-23, 2008, NASA held a three-day workshop to consider the Hyperspectral Infrared Imager (HyspIRI) mission recommended for implementation by the 2007 report from the U.S. National Research Council Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond, also known as the Earth Science Decadal Survey. The open workshop provided a forum to present the initial observational requirements for the mission and assess its anticipated impact on scientific and operational applications as well as obtain feedback from the broader scientific community on the mission concept. The workshop participants concluded the HyspIRI mission would provide a significant new capability to study ecosystems and natural hazards at spatial scales relevant to human resource use. In addition, participants confirmed that the proposed instrument designs could meet the measurement requirements and be implemented through the use of current technology. The workshop participants, like the Decadal Survey itself, strongly endorsed the need for the HyspIRI mission and felt the mission, as defined, would accomplish the intended science.

Medical Comorbidity of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in US Adolescents.

PubMed

Jameson, Nicole D; Sheppard, Brooke K; Lateef, Tarannum M; Vande Voort, Jennifer L; He, Jian-Ping; Merikangas, Kathleen Ries

2016-10-01

Understanding patterns of medical comorbidity in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may lead to better treatment of affected individuals as well as aid in etiologic study of disease. This article provides the first systematic evaluation on the medical comorbidity of ADHD in a nationally representative sample (National Comorbidity Replication Survey-Adolescent Supplement; N = 6483) using formal diagnostic criteria. Survey-weighted odds ratios adjusted for demographics, additional medical, and mental disorders were calculated for associations between ADHD and medical conditions. Models adjusted for demographics revealed significantly increased odds of allergy, asthma, enuresis, headache/migraine, and serious stomach or bowel problems. After adjusting for comorbidity, across the medical conditions, enuresis and serious stomach problems were the strongest correlates of ADHD. These findings confirm the pervasive medical comorbidity of ADHD reported in previous clinical and community-based studies. The intriguing salience of enuresis and serious stomach or bowel conditions may also provide an important clue to multisystem involvement in ADHD. © The Author(s) 2016.

Don Juan Pond, Antarctica: Near-surface CaCl2-brine feeding Earth's most saline lake and implications for Mars

PubMed Central

Dickson, James L.; Head, James W.; Levy, Joseph S.; Marchant, David R.

2013-01-01

The discovery on Mars of recurring slope lineae (RSL), thought to represent seasonal brines, has sparked interest in analogous environments on Earth. We report on new studies of Don Juan Pond (DJP), which exists at the upper limit of ephemeral water in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica, and is adjacent to several steep-sloped water tracks, the closest analog for RSL. The source of DJP has been interpreted to be deep groundwater. We present time-lapse data and meteorological measurements that confirm deliquescence within the DJP watershed and show that this, together with small amounts of meltwater, are capable of generating brines that control summertime water levels. Groundwater input was not observed. In addition to providing an analog for RSL formation, CaCl2 brines and chloride deposits in basins may provide clues to the origin of ancient chloride deposits on Mars dating from the transition period from “warm/wet” to “cold/dry” climates. PMID:23378901

Improved Steroids Detection and Evidence for Their Regiospecific Decompositions Using Anion Attachment Mass Spectrometry.

PubMed

Dumont, Quentin; Bárcenas, Mariana; Dossmann, Héloïse; Bailloux, Isabelle; Buisson, Corinne; Mechin, Nathalie; Molina, Adeline; Lasne, Françoise; Rannulu, Nalaka S; Cole, Richard B

2016-04-05

Nonpolar anabolic steroids are doping agents that typically do not provide strong signals by electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) owing especially to the low polarity of the functional groups present. We have investigated the addition of anions, in ammonium salt form, to anabolic steroid samples as ionization enhancers and have confirmed that lower instrumental limits of detection (as low as 10 ng/mL for fluoxymesterone-M) are obtained by fluoride anion attachment mass spectrometry, as compared to ESI(+)/(-) or atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI)(+). Moreover, collision-induced decomposition (CID) spectra of precursor fluoride adducts of the bifunctional steroid "reduced pregnenolone" (containing two hydroxyl groups) and its d4-analogue provide evidence of regiospecific decompositions after attachment of fluoride anion to a specific hydroxyl group of the steroid. This type of charting of specific CID reaction pathways can offer value to selected reaction monitoring experiments (SRM) as it may result in a gain in selectivity in detection as well as in improvements in quantification.

Crambescin C1 Exerts a Cytoprotective Effect on HepG2 Cells through Metallothionein Induction

PubMed Central

Roel, María; Rubiolo, Juan A.; Ternon, Eva; Thomas, Olivier P.; Vieytes, Mercedes R.; Botana, Luis M.

2015-01-01

The Mediterranean marine sponge Crambe crambe is the source of two families of guanidine alkaloids known as crambescins and crambescidins. Some of the biological effects of crambescidins have been previously reported while crambescins have undergone little study. Taking this into account, we performed comparative transcriptome analysis to examine the effect of crambescin-C1 (CC1) on human tumor hepatocarcinoma cells HepG2 followed by validation experiments to confirm its predicted biological activities. We report herein that, while crambescin-A1 has a minor effect on these cells, CC1 protects them against oxidative injury by means of metallothionein induction even at low concentrations. Additionally, at high doses, CC1 arrests the HepG2 cell cycle in G0/G1 and thus inhibits tumor cell proliferation. The findings presented here provide the first detailed approach regarding the different effects of crambescins on tumor cells and provide a basis for future studies on other possible cellular mechanisms related to these bioactivities. PMID:26225985

Verification of ARES transport code system with TAKEDA benchmarks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Liang; Zhang, Bin; Zhang, Penghe; Chen, Mengteng; Zhao, Jingchang; Zhang, Shun; Chen, Yixue

2015-10-01

Neutron transport modeling and simulation are central to many areas of nuclear technology, including reactor core analysis, radiation shielding and radiation detection. In this paper the series of TAKEDA benchmarks are modeled to verify the critical calculation capability of ARES, a discrete ordinates neutral particle transport code system. SALOME platform is coupled with ARES to provide geometry modeling and mesh generation function. The Koch-Baker-Alcouffe parallel sweep algorithm is applied to accelerate the traditional transport calculation process. The results show that the eigenvalues calculated by ARES are in excellent agreement with the reference values presented in NEACRP-L-330, with a difference less than 30 pcm except for the first case of model 3. Additionally, ARES provides accurate fluxes distribution compared to reference values, with a deviation less than 2% for region-averaged fluxes in all cases. All of these confirms the feasibility of ARES-SALOME coupling and demonstrate that ARES has a good performance in critical calculation.

Don Juan Pond, Antarctica: near-surface CaCl(2)-brine feeding Earth's most saline lake and implications for Mars.

PubMed

Dickson, James L; Head, James W; Levy, Joseph S; Marchant, David R

2013-01-01

The discovery on Mars of recurring slope lineae (RSL), thought to represent seasonal brines, has sparked interest in analogous environments on Earth. We report on new studies of Don Juan Pond (DJP), which exists at the upper limit of ephemeral water in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica, and is adjacent to several steep-sloped water tracks, the closest analog for RSL. The source of DJP has been interpreted to be deep groundwater. We present time-lapse data and meteorological measurements that confirm deliquescence within the DJP watershed and show that this, together with small amounts of meltwater, are capable of generating brines that control summertime water levels. Groundwater input was not observed. In addition to providing an analog for RSL formation, CaCl(2) brines and chloride deposits in basins may provide clues to the origin of ancient chloride deposits on Mars dating from the transition period from "warm/wet" to "cold/dry" climates.

Dopamine neurons in culture express VGLUT2 explaining their capacity to release glutamate at synapses in addition to dopamine.

PubMed

Dal Bo, Gregory; St-Gelais, Fannie; Danik, Marc; Williams, Sylvain; Cotton, Mathieu; Trudeau, Louis-Eric

2004-03-01

Dopamine neurons have been suggested to use glutamate as a cotransmitter. To identify the basis of such a phenotype, we have examined the expression of the three recently identified vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1-3) in postnatal rat dopamine neurons in culture. We found that the majority of isolated dopamine neurons express VGLUT2, but not VGLUT1 or 3. In comparison, serotonin neurons express only VGLUT3. Single-cell RT-PCR experiments confirmed the presence of VGLUT2 mRNA in dopamine neurons. Arguing for phenotypic heterogeneity among axon terminals, we find that only a proportion of terminals established by dopamine neurons are VGLUT2-positive. Taken together, our results provide a basis for the ability of dopamine neurons to release glutamate as a cotransmitter. A detailed analysis of the conditions under which DA neurons gain or loose a glutamatergic phenotype may provide novel insight into pathophysiological processes that underlie diseases such as schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and drug dependence.

A hydrologic retention system and water quality monitoring program for a human decomposition research facility: concept and design.

PubMed

Wozniak, Jeffrey R; Thies, Monte L; Bytheway, Joan A; Lutterschmidt, William I

2015-01-01

Forensic taphonomy is an essential research field; however, the decomposition of human cadavers at forensic science facilities may lead to nutrient loading and the introduction of unique biological compounds to adjacent areas. The infrastructure of a water retention system may provide a mechanism for the biogeochemical processing and retention of nutrients and compounds, ensuring the control of runoff from forensic facilities. This work provides a proof of concept for a hydrologic retention system and an autonomous water quality monitoring program designed to mitigate runoff from The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) Facility. Water samples collected along a sample transect were analyzed for total phosphorous, total nitrogen, NO3-, NO2-, NH4, F(-), and Cl(-). Preliminary water quality analyses confirm the overall effectiveness of the water retention system. These results are discussed with relation to how this infrastructure can be expanded upon to monitor additional, more novel, byproducts of forensic science research facilities. © 2014 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

English as an Additional Language and Attainment in Primary Schools in England

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Demie, Feyisa

2018-01-01

English as an additional language (EAL) and language diversity attract much interest amongst policymakers and educationists; yet little is known about the performance in English schools of EAL pupils who are not fluent in English and speak different languages at home. The findings of the aggregated data confirm that EAL pupils achieved less well…

The psychologist's role in transgender-specific care with U.S. veterans.

PubMed

Johnson, Laura; Shipherd, Jillian; Walton, Heather M

2016-02-01

Psychologists are integral to the care of transgender individuals. This article details the many roles for psychologists in transgender-specific care, including diagnosing and treating gender dysphoria; providing treatment for comorbid conditions; referring to medical services such as gender confirmation surgeries, voice modification, and cross-sex hormone therapies; serving as consultants within health care systems; and advocating for addressing barriers in systems in which transgender individuals live and work. Transgender veterans have unique experiences and vulnerabilities related to their military service that are detailed from a review of the literature, and we make the case that Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and community psychologists are well-positioned to provide care to transgender veterans (trans-vets). In this article, the authors describe the experiences that many trans-vets have faced, identify the importance of treatment for gender dysphoria (and draw the distinction between gender identity disorder and gender dysphoria) as well as psychologists' roles, and clarify which transgender-related services are available to eligible veterans though VHA per policy and how VHA providers have access to training to provide that care. In addition, we describe how veterans can connect to the VHA, even if they have (and want to continue working with) non-VHA psychologists or other community providers. (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploratory behavior during stance persists with visual feedback.

PubMed

Murnaghan, C D; Horslen, B C; Inglis, J T; Carpenter, M G

2011-11-10

Recent evidence showing center of pressure (COP) displacements increase following an external stabilization of the center of mass (COM) supports the theory that postural sway may be exploratory and serve as a means of acquiring sensory information. The aim of the current study was to further test this theory and rule out potential confounding effects of sensory illusions or motor drift on prior observations. Participants stood as still as possible in an apparatus which allowed movements of the COM to be stabilized ("locked") without subject awareness, and they were provided real-time visual feedback of their COM or COP throughout the trial. If there was an influence of sensory illusions or motor drift, we hypothesized that the change in COP displacement with locking would be reduced when participants were provided visual confirmation of COM stabilization (COM feedback), or when they were aware of the position of the COP throughout the trial (COP feedback). Confirming our previous results, increases in COP displacement were observed when movements of the COM were stabilized. In addition, our results showed that increases in COP displacement could not be explained by the presence of sensory illusions or motor drift, since increases in COP were observed despite being provided convincing evidence that the COM had been stabilized, and when participants were aware of their COP position throughout the trial. These results provide further support for an exploratory role of postural sway. The theoretical basis of current clinical practices designed to deal with balance control deficits due to age or disease is typically based on the opinion that increases in sway are a consequence of a failing balance control system. Our results suggest that this may not be the case, and if sway is in fact exploratory, a serious re-evaluation of current clinical practices may be warranted. Copyright © 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High Temperature Chemistry of Chlorinated Acenaphthylene. 3C Bay Acetylene Additions and Annealing by Five-Membered Ring Shifts.

PubMed

McIntosh, Grant J; Russell, Douglas K

2015-12-24

Experimental and theoretical results concerning the growth and isomerization of chlorinated acenaphthylene, C12H8, during the pyrolysis of chlorohydrocarbons are presented here. A fullerene subunit, C12H8, is a useful system to investigate regarding C60 formation. However, direct experimental observation of isomerization and annealing processes in particular are difficult to confirm due to the high symmetry of the parent molecule. Chlorination lowers the symmetry, essentially labeling carbon atoms, allowing growth and isomerization to be followed directly. Pyrolysis of dichloro- and trichloroethylene, and their copyrolyses with trichlorobenzenes, provides an efficient and general source of chlorinated acenaphthylenes in a range of degrees of chlorination and over a number of unique congeners. Analysis of congener yields as a function of reagents employed, guided by DFT/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level calculations, strongly suggests that C2 addition across three-carbon bays in naphthalene is a major driver of growth. Additionally, extremely facile five-membered ring shifts are operative, with chlorine promoting isomerization. Theoretical study of C16H10- and C18H10-based congeners indicate that this is a general phenomenon, and with chlorine also favoring internal cyclopentafused rings in addition to increased isomerization rates, this suggests halogen moieties may be an important feature for efficient fullerene growth.

Additive benefits of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines among elderly persons aged 75 years or older in Taiwan--a representative population-based comparative study.

PubMed

Chang, Yu-Chia; Chou, Yiing-Jenq; Liu, Jen-Yin; Yeh, Te-Feng; Huang, Nicole

2012-09-01

It remains unclear whether pneumococcal vaccine provides additional protection to the elderly who have already vaccinated with influenza vaccine. This retrospective cohort study aimed to assess the additive effect of pneumococcal and influenza vaccines on the risk of mortality, hospitalization, and inpatient expenditure in the elderly aged 75 years or older in Taiwan. Data were extracted from the National Health Insurance claims data of a nationally representative elderly sample. To reduce potential selection bias, we employed a propensity score matching method to classify the vaccination status into 3 groups. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models were used to compare the outcomes among different groups. Each group contained 8142 subjects. The results indicated that an additive effect of receiving both vaccines was associated with a significantly lower all-cause mortality (relative risk [RR]: 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.57-0.96), hospitalization of all diseases including pneumonia, influenza, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory diseases, and congestive heart disease (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.67-0.90), and a 13% reduction (95% CI: 0.81-0.94) in inpatient expenditures of all diseases when compared with receiving influenza vaccine alone. This study confirmed that vaccination of elderly individuals with pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine concomitantly has substantial beneficial effects. Copyright © 2012 The British Infection Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Isozyme and allozyme markers distinguishing two morphologically similar, medically important Mastomys species (Rodentia: Muridae)

PubMed Central

Smit, Andre A; Van der Bank, Herman FH

2001-01-01

Background Two common southern African mice species, Mastomys coucha and M. natalensis, are widely distributed throughout the subregion and overlap in many areas. They also share a high degree of morphological similarity, making them impossible to distinguish in the field at present. These multimammate mice are documented carriers of serious disease vectors causing Lassa fever, plague and encephalomyocarditis, which coupled to their cohabitation with humans in many areas, could pose a significant health risk. A preliminary study reported the presence of isozyme markers at three loci (GPI-2, PT-2, -3) in one population each of M. coucha and M. natalensis. Two additional populations (from the Vaal Dam and Richards Bay) were sampled to determine the reliability of these markers, and to seek additional genetic markers. Results Fifteen proteins or enzymes provided interpretable results at a total of 39 loci. Additional fixed allele differences between the species were detected at AAT-1, ADH, EST-1, PGD-1, Hb-1 and -2. Average heterozygosities for M. coucha and M. natalensis were calculated as 0.018 and 0.032 respectively, with a mean genetic distance between the species of 0.26. Conclusions The confirmation of the isozyme and the detection of the additional allozyme markers are important contributions to the identification of these two medical and agricultural pest species. PMID:11696236

Genome-Scale Model and Omics Analysis of Metabolic Capacities of Akkermansia muciniphila Reveal a Preferential Mucin-Degrading Lifestyle

PubMed Central

Suarez-Diez, Maria; Boeren, Sjef; Schaap, Peter J.; Martins dos Santos, Vitor A. P.; Smidt, Hauke; Belzer, Clara

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT The composition and activity of the microbiota in the human gastrointestinal tract are primarily shaped by nutrients derived from either food or the host. Bacteria colonizing the mucus layer have evolved to use mucin as a carbon and energy source. One of the members of the mucosa-associated microbiota is Akkermansia muciniphila, which is capable of producing an extensive repertoire of mucin-degrading enzymes. To further study the substrate utilization abilities of A. muciniphila, we constructed a genome-scale metabolic model to test amino acid auxotrophy, vitamin biosynthesis, and sugar-degrading capacities. The model-supported predictions were validated by in vitro experiments, which showed A. muciniphila to be able to utilize the mucin-derived monosaccharides fucose, galactose, and N-acetylglucosamine. Growth was also observed on N-acetylgalactosamine, even though the metabolic model did not predict this. The uptake of these sugars, as well as the nonmucin sugar glucose, was enhanced in the presence of mucin, indicating that additional mucin-derived components are needed for optimal growth. An analysis of whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) comparing the gene expression of A. muciniphila grown on mucin with that of the same bacterium grown on glucose confirmed the activity of the genes involved in mucin degradation and revealed most of these to be upregulated in the presence of mucin. The transcriptional response was confirmed by a proteome analysis, altogether revealing a hierarchy in the use of sugars and reflecting the adaptation of A. muciniphila to the mucosal environment. In conclusion, these findings provide molecular insights into the lifestyle of A. muciniphila and further confirm its role as a mucin specialist in the gut. IMPORTANCE Akkermansia muciniphila is among the most abundant mucosal bacteria in humans and in a wide range of other animals. Recently, A. muciniphila has attracted considerable attention because of its capacity to protect against diet-induced obesity in mouse models. However, the physiology of A. muciniphila has not been studied in detail. Hence, we constructed a genome-scale model and describe its validation by transcriptomic and proteomic approaches on bacterial cells grown on mucus and glucose, a nonmucus sugar. The results provide detailed molecular insight into the mucus-degrading lifestyle of A. muciniphila and further confirm the role of this mucin specialist in producing propionate and acetate under conditions of the intestinal tract. PMID:28687644

Utility and Scope of Rapid Prototyping in Patients with Complex Muscular Ventricular Septal Defects or Double-Outlet Right Ventricle: Does it Alter Management Decisions?

PubMed

Bhatla, Puneet; Tretter, Justin T; Ludomirsky, Achi; Argilla, Michael; Latson, Larry A; Chakravarti, Sujata; Barker, Piers C; Yoo, Shi-Joon; McElhinney, Doff B; Wake, Nicole; Mosca, Ralph S

2017-01-01

Rapid prototyping facilitates comprehension of complex cardiac anatomy. However, determining when this additional information proves instrumental in patient management remains a challenge. We describe our experience with patient-specific anatomic models created using rapid prototyping from various imaging modalities, suggesting their utility in surgical and interventional planning in congenital heart disease (CHD). Virtual and physical 3-dimensional (3D) models were generated from CT or MRI data, using commercially available software for patients with complex muscular ventricular septal defects (CMVSD) and double-outlet right ventricle (DORV). Six patients with complex anatomy and uncertainty of the optimal management strategy were included in this study. The models were subsequently used to guide management decisions, and the outcomes reviewed. 3D models clearly demonstrated the complex intra-cardiac anatomy in all six patients and were utilized to guide management decisions. In the three patients with CMVSD, one underwent successful endovascular device closure following a prior failed attempt at transcatheter closure, and the other two underwent successful primary surgical closure with the aid of 3D models. In all three cases of DORV, the models provided better anatomic delineation and additional information that altered or confirmed the surgical plan. Patient-specific 3D heart models show promise in accurately defining intra-cardiac anatomy in CHD, specifically CMVSD and DORV. We believe these models improve understanding of the complex anatomical spatial relationships in these defects and provide additional insight for pre/intra-interventional management and surgical planning.

Hydrometrocolpos, postaxial polydactyly, and hypothalamic hamartoma in a patient with confirmed Pallister-Hall syndrome: a clinical overlap with McKusick-Kaufman syndrome.

PubMed

Kos, Sebastian; Roth, Katharina; Korinth, Dirk; Zeilinger, Georg; Eich, Georg

2008-08-01

We present a preterm-born girl with polydactyly of both hands and massive hydrometrocolpos, the latter due to vaginal atresia. This association led initially to the diagnosis of McKusick-Kaufman syndrome (MKKS). However, additional features, including characteristic radiographic findings of the hands and a large hypothalamic tumour, presumably a hamartoma, favoured the diagnosis of Pallister-Hall syndrome (PHS), which was then genetically confirmed by detection of a GLI3 mutation (Q717X). This is the second genetically confirmed case revealing the previously described association of PHS with hydrometrocolpos due to vaginal atresia as a clinical overlap with MKKS.

Histopathology confirms white-nose syndrome in bats in Europe

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pikula, J.; Bandouchova, H.; Novotny, L.; Meteyer, C.U.; Zukal, J.; Irwin, N.R.; Zima, J.; Martinkova, N.

2012-01-01

White-nose syndrome, associated with the fungal skin infection geomycosis, caused regional population collapse in bats in North America. Our results, based on histopathology, show the presence of white-nose syndrome in Europe. Dermatohistopathology on two bats (Myotis myotis) found dead in March 2010 with geomycosis in the Czech Republic had characteristics resembling Geomyces destructans infection in bats confirmed with white-nose syndrome in US hibernacula. In addition, a live M. myotis, biopsied for histopathology during hibernation in April 2011, had typical fungal infection with cupping erosion and invasion of muzzle skin diagnostic for white-nose syndrome and conidiospores identical to G. destructans that were genetically confirmed as G. destructans. ?? Wildlife Disease Association 2012.

An application of Bandura's 'Four Sources of Self-Efficacy' to the self-management of type 2 diabetes in people with intellectual disability: An inductive and deductive thematic analysis.

PubMed

Maine, Andrew; Dickson, Adele; Truesdale, Maria; Brown, Michael

2017-11-01

Little is known about the successful experiences and positive perceptions of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) self-managing Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). This study sought to address this gap using Bandura's (1977) 'Four Sources of Self-Efficacy' as a framework of enquiry. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 adults with ID. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive and deductive thematic analysis RESULTS: Nine sub-themes were identified following analysis of the data: 1) Mastery through knowledge; 2) Mastery through tools and strategies; 3) Mastery through autonomy; 4) Influence of social setting; 5) Positive social comparisons; 6) Positive and negative self-statements; 7) Feedback from caregivers; 8) Adjustment experiences; 9) Symptom awareness. These were mapped onto Bandura's (1977) Four Sources of efficacy enhancement model and were consistent with its proposed mechanisms. The Four Sources model serves as a useful mode of enquiry for exploring people with ID's experiences and perceptions of self-managing diabetes. It also confirms the appropriateness of Self-efficacy as a potential intervention component for this population. However, additional support may be required for people with ID to reflect meaningfully on their experiences and thus have a sense of self-efficacy. This paper builds upon the limited existing literature on people with ID self-managing type 2 diabetes and provides a robust, qualitative account of the participants' experiences, whilst confirming some of the existing challenges, both for people with ID and their supporters. To self-manage with autonomy and overcome the difficulties of adjustment, further strategies such as training and education needs are highlighted. In addition, the meaning and relevance of the Self-efficacy construct is evaluated in the context of people with ID self-managing T2D. This provides useful information in terms of tailoring existing mainstream T2D interventions to meet the needs of people with ID, as such programs are commonly theoretically guided by Self-efficacy. Furthermore, this evaluation provides rationale for the exploration of people with IDs' Self-efficacy in relation to other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer symptoms and gastrointestinal disorders. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Learning chemistry from text: The effect of decision making

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pedersen, Jon; J., Ronald; Alice, Bonnstetter; Corkill, J.; Glover, John A.

Two experiments examined the relative effects of questions requiring decisions, statements providing the decision information to students, questions not requiring decisions, and control procedures on students' memory for chemistry text reading materials. Experiment 1 employed immediate recall. The results of Experiment 1 indicated that students who made and justified decisions about the contents recalled significantly more information than students in any other condition. In addition, students who answered questions that did not require decisions recalled significantly more of the content than students in the control or the statements conditions. No other contrasts reached significance. Experiment 2 employed delayed recall assessed one week after reading. The results confirmed those of Experiment 1. The overall results of the study are discussed in terms of an elaboration perspective on memory.

Preparation and multi-properties determination of radium-containing rocklike material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hong, Changshou; Li, Xiangyang; Zhao, Guoyan; Jiang, Fuliang; Li, Ming; Zhang, Shuai; Wang, Hong; Liu, Kaixuan

2018-02-01

The radium-containing rocklike material were fabricated using distilled water, ordinary Portland cement and additives mixed aggregates and admixtures according to certain proportion. The physico-mechanical properties as well as radioactive properties of the prepared rocklike material were measured. Moreover, the properties of typical granite sample were also investigated. It is found on one hand, similarities exist in physical and mechanical properties between the rocklike material and the granite sample, this confirms the validity of the proposed method; on the other hand, the rocklike material generally performs more remarkable radioactive properties compared with the granite sample, while radon diffusive properties in both materials are essentially matching. This study will provide a novel way to prepare reliable radium-containing samples for radon study of underground uranium mine.

Nanoheteroepitaxy of gallium arsenide on strain-compliant silicon-germanium nanowires

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

Chin, Hock-Chun; Gong, Xiao; Yeo, Yee-Chia

Heterogeneous integration of high-quality GaAs on Si-based substrates using a selective migration-enhanced epitaxy (MEE) of GaAs on strain-compliant SiGe nanowires was demonstrated for the first time. The physics of compliance in nanoscale heterostructures was captured and studied using finite-element simulation. It is shown that nanostructures can provide additional substrate compliance for strain relief and therefore contribute to the formation of defect-free GaAs on SiGe. Extensive characterization using scanning electron microscopy and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy was performed to illustrate the successful growth of GaAs on SiGe nanowire. Raman and Auger electron spectroscopy measurements further confirmed the quality of the GaAsmore » grown and the high growth selectivity of the MEE process.« less

Anomic Strain and External Constraints: A Reassessment of Merton's Anomie/Strain Theory Using Data From Ukraine.

PubMed

Antonaccio, Olena; Smith, William R; Gostjev, Feodor A

2015-09-01

This study provides a new assessment of Merton's anomie/strain theory and fills in several gaps in the literature. First, using the data from the sample of adolescents in an especially suitable and interesting setting, post-Soviet Ukraine, it investigates the applicability of the theory to this context and reveals that predictive powers of anomic strain may be influenced by larger sociocultural environments. Second, it evaluates the possibility of theoretical elaboration of Merton's theory through identifying contingencies such as external constraints on behavior and finds limited support for moderating effects of perceptions of risks of sanctioning and social bonds on anomic strain-delinquency relationships. Finally, it confirms that additional clarifications of the concept of anomic strain may be promising. © The Author(s) 2014.

Effects of Family-to-Family Psychoeducation Among Relatives of Patients With Severe Mental Disorders in Mexico City.

PubMed

Domínguez-Martinez, Tecelli; Rascon-Gasca, Maria Luisa; Alcántara-Chabelas, Humberto; Garcia-Silberman, Sara; Casanova-Rodas, Leticia; Lopez-Jimenez, Jorge Luis

2017-04-01

This study examined the effects of a three-month Family-to-Family (FTF) Education Program on expressed emotion and subjective knowledge about mental illness among relatives of Mexican patients with severe mental disorders. A total of 230 relatives of patients with severe mental disorders completed self-reported questionnaires before (pretest) and after (posttest) the FTF program. FTF led to reductions in negative emotional attitudes and improved the understanding of the disorder, regardless of sex or age of the relative. This study supported the evidence-based practice of FTF in a Mexican population and confirmed the importance of providing routine family psychoeducation as an additional component of health care service provision for relatives of people with severe mental illness in the community.

Fano-like resonance phenomena by flexural shell modes in sound transmission through two-dimensional periodic arrays of thin-walled hollow cylinders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosevich, Yuriy A.; Goffaux, Cecile; Sánchez-Dehesa, Jose

2006-07-01

It is shown that the n=2 and 3 flexural shell vibration modes of thin-walled hollow cylinders result in Fano-like resonant enhancement of sound wave transmission through or reflection from two-dimensional periodic arrays of these cylinders in air. The frequencies of the resonant modes are well described by the analytical theory of flexural (circumferential) modes of thin-walled hollow cylinders and are confirmed by finite-difference time-domain simulations. When the modes are located in the band gaps of the phononic crystal, an enhancement of the band-gap widths is produced by the additional restoring forces caused by the flexural shell deformations. Our conclusions provide an alternative method for the vibration control of airborne phononic crystals.

Precipitation Sequence of a SiC Particle Reinforced Al-Mg-Si Alloy Composite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Rujuan; Wang, Yihan; Guo, Baisong; Song, Min

2016-11-01

In this study, the precipitation sequence of a 5 vol.% SiC particles reinforced Al-1.12 wt.%Mg-0.77 wt.%Si alloy composite fabricated by traditional powder metallurgy method was investigated by transmission electron microscopy and hardness measurements. The results indicated that the addition of SiC reinforcements not only suppresses the initial aging stage but also influences the subsequent precipitates. The precipitation sequence of the composite aged at 175 °C can be described as: Guinier-Preston (G.P.) zone → β″ → β' → B', which was confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. This work might provide the guidance for the design and fabrication of hardenable automobile body sheet by Al-based composites with enhanced mechanical properties.

Slotted rectangular waveguide with dielectric sandwich structure inside

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdullin, R. R.; Sokolov, R. I.

2018-03-01

This paper continues the series of works devoted to the investigation of leaky-wave antenna based on layered rectangular waveguide with periodic transverse slots in broad face. Previously developed wavenumber calculation technique has been adapted for analysis of slotted sandwich waveguide with three layers at least. The paper provides the numerical results of velocity factor dependencies for partially filled slotted rectangular waveguide containing a dielectric slab in the middle position inside or an air gap between two dielectric slabs. Additionally, dispersion properties are also considered for multilayer waveguide with linear laws combinations of thickness and permittivity. This allows recognizing the trends to develop new prospective antennas with complex patterns of tilt angle change. All numerical results obtained are confirmed with the in-situ measurements of transmission coefficient phase.

The expanding universe of inflammatory bowel disease genetics.

PubMed

Achkar, Jean-Paul; Duerr, Richard

2008-07-01

Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. In this review, we will provide an update on the rapid advances in the discovery of inflammatory bowel disease, primarily Crohn's disease, associated genes. Seven recently published Crohn's disease genome-wide association studies have confirmed prior findings related to the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) gene and the IBD5 locus. In addition, 10 novel loci have been identified and well replicated. Several promising associations between Crohn's disease and gene variants have been identified and replicated, the two most widely replicated being variants in the IL23R and ATG16L1 genes. These findings highlight and further support the importance of the immune system and its interactions with the intestinal microflora in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Review of 10 years of marketing experience with Chinese domestic inactivated hepatitis A vaccine Healive®

PubMed Central

Wu, Jun-Yu; Liu, Yan; Chen, Jiang-Ting; Xia, Ming; Zhang, Xiao-Mei

2012-01-01

In 2002, the first Chinese domestic preservative-free inactivated hepatitis A vaccine, Healive®, was introduced in China. It is highly immunogenic, and provides lasting protection in healthy individuals and generates protective levels of antibodies in other at-risk individuals. Over 10 years since its first licensure, postmarketing surveillance data have confirmed the outstanding safety profile of the vaccine. Comparative clinical trials indicated that Healive® induce equal or similar immunogenicity with other currently available inactivated hepatitis A vaccines and are interchangeable for the course of HAV immunization in Chinese children. The vaccine is effective in curbing outbreaks of hepatitis A due to rapid seroconversion and the long incubation period of the disease. Additional issues surrounding the use of the vaccine are also reviewed. PMID:23032165

Is the CMS e e j j excess a hint for light supersymmetry?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krauss, Manuel E.; Porod, Werner

2015-09-01

We discuss the impact of additional two-body decays of the right-handed neutrino into a light charged Higgs state on the dilepton plus dijet cross sections from resonant W' production. We consider in particular a supersymmetric left-right symmetric model which predicts such a light charged Higgs boson. We demonstrate that the e e j j excess as measured by CMS can be explained best if the W' also has decay modes into Higgsino-like charginos and neutralinos with masses of a few hundred GeV. Provided that this excess is confirmed, the model predicts also one right-handed neutrino with a mass below 200 GeV as well as a doubly charged Higgs boson which should be discovered at the LHC in the near future.

Data quality objectives for TWRS privatization phase 1: confirm tank T is an appropriate feed source for low-activity waste feed batch X

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

NGUYEN, D.M.

1999-06-01

The US. Department of Energy, Richland Operations Office (DOE-RL) has initiated Phase 1 of a two-phase privatization strategy for treatment and immobilization of low-activity waste (LAW) currently being managed by the Hanford Tank Waste Remediation System (TWRS) Project. In this strategy, DOE will purchase services from a contractor-owned and operated facility under a fixed price. The Phase 1 TWRS privatization contract requires that the Project Hanford Management Contract (PHMC) contractors, on behalf of DOE, deliver LAW feed in specified quantities and composition to the Privatization Contractor in a timely manner (DOE-RL 1996). Additional requirements are imposed by the interface controlmore » document (ICD-19) for LAW feed (PHMC 1997). In response to these requirements, the Tank Waste Remediation System Operation and Utilization Plan (TWRSO and UP) (Kirkbride et al. 1997) was prepared by the PHMC. The TWRSO and UP, as updated by the Readiness-To-Proceed deliverable (Payne et al. 1998), establishes the baseline operating scenario for the delivery of LAW feed to the Privatization Contractor. The scenario specifies tanks from which LAW will be provided for each feed batch, the operational activities needed to prepare and deliver each batch, and the timing of these activities. The operating scenario was developed based on current knowledge of waste composition and chemistry, waste transfer methods, and operating constraints, such as tank farm logistics and availability of tank space. A project master baseline schedule (PMBS) has been developed to implement the operating scenario. The PMBS also includes activities aimed at reducing programmatic risks. One of the activities, ''Confirm Plans and Requirements,'' was identified to verify the basis used to develop the scenario. Additional data on waste quantity, physical and chemical characteristics, and transfer properties will be needed to support this activity. This document describes the data quality objective (DQO) process undertaken to assme appropriate data will be collected to support the activity, ''Confirm Tank Plans and Requirements.'' The DQO process was implemented in accordance with the TWRS DQO process (Banning 1997) with some modifications to accommodate project or tank-specific requirements and constraints.« less

STARS DO NOT EAT THEIR YOUNG MIGRATING PLANETS: EMPIRICAL CONSTRAINTS ON PLANET MIGRATION HALTING MECHANISMS

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

Plavchan, Peter; Bilinski, Christopher

The discovery of ''hot Jupiters'' very close to their parent stars confirmed that Jovian planets migrate inward via several potential mechanisms. We present empirical constraints on planet migration halting mechanisms. We compute model density functions of close-in exoplanets in the orbital semi-major axis-stellar mass plane to represent planet migration that is halted via several mechanisms, including the interior 1:2 resonance with the magnetospheric disk truncation radius, the interior 1:2 resonance with the dust sublimation radius, and several scenarios for tidal halting. The models differ in the predicted power-law dependence of the exoplanet orbital semi-major axis as a function of stellarmore » mass, and thus we also include a power-law model with the exponent as a free parameter. We use a Bayesian analysis to assess the model success in reproducing empirical distributions of confirmed exoplanets and Kepler candidates that orbit interior to 0.1 AU. Our results confirm a correlation of the halting distance with stellar mass. Tidal halting provides the best fit to the empirical distribution of confirmed Jovian exoplanets at a statistically robust level, consistent with the Kozai mechanism and the spin-orbit misalignment of a substantial fraction of hot Jupiters. We can rule out migration halting at the interior 1:2 resonances with the magnetospheric disk truncation radius and the interior 1:2 resonance with the dust disk sublimation radius, a uniform random distribution, and a distribution with no dependence on stellar mass. Note that our results do not rule out Type-II migration, but rather eliminate the role of a circumstellar disk in stopping exoplanet migration. For Kepler candidates, which have a more restricted range in stellar mass compared to confirmed planets, we are unable to discern between the tidal dissipation and magnetospheric disk truncation braking mechanisms at a statistically significant level. The power-law model favors exponents in the range of 0.38-0.9. This is larger than that predicted for tidal halting (0.23-0.33), which suggests that additional physics may be missing in the tidal halting theory.« less

Combined use of direct analysis in real-time/Orbitrap mass spectrometry and micro-Raman spectroscopy for the comprehensive characterization of real explosive samples.

PubMed

Bridoux, Maxime C; Schwarzenberg, Adrián; Schramm, Sébastien; Cole, Richard B

2016-08-01

Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) high-resolution Orbitrap™ mass spectrometry (HRMS) in combination with Raman microscopy was used for the detailed molecular level characterization of explosives including not only the charge but also the complex matrix of binders, plasticizers, polymers, and other possible organic additives. A total of 15 defused military weapons including grenades, mines, rockets, submunitions, and mortars were examined. Swabs and wipes were used to collect trace (residual) amounts of explosives and their organic constituents from the defused military weapons and micrometer-size explosive particles were transferred using a vacuum suction-impact collection device (vacuum impactor) from wipe and swap samples to an impaction plate made of carbon. The particles deposited on the carbon plate were then characterized using micro-Raman spectroscopy followed by DART-HRMS providing fingerprint signatures of orthogonal nature. The optical microscope of the micro-Raman spectrometer was first used to localize and characterize the explosive charge on the impaction plate which was then targeted for identification by DART-HRMS analysis in both the negative and positive modes. Raman spectra of the explosives TNT, RDX and PETN were acquired from micrometer size particles and characterized by the presence of their characteristic Raman bands obtained directly at the surface of the impaction plate nondestructively without further sample preparation. Negative mode DART-HRMS confirmed the types of charges contained in the weapons (mainly TNT, RDX, HMX, and PETN; either as individual components or as mixtures). These energetic compounds were mainly detected as deprotonated species [M-H](-), or as adduct [M + (35)Cl](-), [M + (37)Cl](-), or [M + NO3](-) anions. Chloride adducts were promoted in the heated DART reagent gas by adding chloroform vapors to the helium stream using an "in-house" delivery method. When the polarity was switched to positive mode, DART-HRMS revealed a very complex distribution of polymeric binders (mainly polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols), plasticizers (e.g., dioctyl sebacate, tributyl phosphate), as well as wax-like compounds whose structural features could not be precisely assigned. In positive mode, compounds were identified either as protonated molecules or ammonium adduct species. These results clearly demonstrate the complementarity of micro-Raman microscopy combined with DART-MS. The former technique provides structural information on the type of explosives present at the surface of the sample, whereas the latter provides not only a confirmation of the nature of the explosive charge but also useful additional information regarding the nature of the complex organic matrix of binders, plasticizers, polymers, oils, and potentially other organic additives and contaminants present in the sample. Combining these two techniques provides a powerful tool for the screening, comprehensive characterization, and differentiation of particulate explosive samples for forensic sciences and homeland security applications. Graphical Abstract Comprehensive characterization of explosive particles collected from swipe samples by micro-Raman and DART™-HRMS.

Clinical Outcomes in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Study of 5345 Patients from the TREAT-NMD DMD Global Database

PubMed Central

Koeks, Zaïda; Bladen, Catherine L.; Salgado, David; van Zwet, Erik; Pogoryelova, Oksana; McMacken, Grace; Monges, Soledad; Foncuberta, Maria E.; Kekou, Kyriaki; Kosma, Konstantina; Dawkins, Hugh; Lamont, Leanne; Bellgard, Matthew I.; Roy, Anna J.; Chamova, Teodora; Guergueltcheva, Velina; Chan, Sophelia; Korngut, Lawrence; Campbell, Craig; Dai, Yi; Wang, Jen; Barišić, Nina; Brabec, Petr; Lähdetie, Jaana; Walter, Maggie C.; Schreiber-Katz, Olivia; Karcagi, Veronika; Garami, Marta; Herczegfalvi, Agnes; Viswanathan, Venkatarman; Bayat, Farhad; Buccella, Filippo; Ferlini, Alessandra; Kimura, En; van den Bergen, Janneke C.; Rodrigues, Miriam; Roxburgh, Richard; Lusakowska, Anna; Kostera-Pruszczyk, Anna; Santos, Rosário; Neagu, Elena; Artemieva, Svetlana; Rasic, Vedrana Milic; Vojinovic, Dina; Posada, Manuel; Bloetzer, Clemens; Klein, Andrea; Díaz-Manera, Jordi; Gallardo, Eduard; Karaduman, A. Ayşe; Oznur, Tunca; Topaloğlu, Haluk; El Sherif, Rasha; Stringer, Angela; Shatillo, Andriy V.; Martin, Ann S.; Peay, Holly L.; Kirschner, Jan; Flanigan, Kevin M.; Straub, Volker; Bushby, Kate; Béroud, Christophe; Verschuuren, Jan J.; Lochmüller, Hanns

2017-01-01

Background: Recent short-term clinical trials in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) have indicated greater disease variability in terms of progression than expected. In addition, as average life-expectancy increases, reliable data is required on clinical progression in the older DMD population. Objective: To determine the effects of corticosteroids on major clinical outcomes of DMD in a large multinational cohort of genetically confirmed DMD patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study we analysed clinical data from 5345 genetically confirmed DMD patients from 31 countries held within the TREAT-NMD global DMD database. For analysis patients were categorised by corticosteroid background and further stratified by age. Results: Loss of ambulation in non-steroid treated patients was 10 years and in corticosteroid treated patients 13 years old (p = 0.0001). Corticosteroid treated patients were less likely to need scoliosis surgery (p < 0.001) or ventilatory support (p < 0.001) and there was a mild cardioprotective effect of corticosteroids in the patient population aged 20 years and older (p = 0.0035). Patients with a single deletion of exon 45 showed an increased survival in contrast to other single exon deletions. Conclusions: This study provides data on clinical outcomes of DMD across many healthcare settings and including a sizeable cohort of older patients. Our data confirm the benefits of corticosteroid treatment on ambulation, need for scoliosis surgery, ventilation and, to a lesser extent, cardiomyopathy. This study underlines the importance of data collection via patient registries and the critical role of multi-centre collaboration in the rare disease field. PMID:29125504

Clinical Outcomes in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Study of 5345 Patients from the TREAT-NMD DMD Global Database.

PubMed

Koeks, Zaïda; Bladen, Catherine L; Salgado, David; van Zwet, Erik; Pogoryelova, Oksana; McMacken, Grace; Monges, Soledad; Foncuberta, Maria E; Kekou, Kyriaki; Kosma, Konstantina; Dawkins, Hugh; Lamont, Leanne; Bellgard, Matthew I; Roy, Anna J; Chamova, Teodora; Guergueltcheva, Velina; Chan, Sophelia; Korngut, Lawrence; Campbell, Craig; Dai, Yi; Wang, Jen; Barišić, Nina; Brabec, Petr; Lähdetie, Jaana; Walter, Maggie C; Schreiber-Katz, Olivia; Karcagi, Veronika; Garami, Marta; Herczegfalvi, Agnes; Viswanathan, Venkatarman; Bayat, Farhad; Buccella, Filippo; Ferlini, Alessandra; Kimura, En; van den Bergen, Janneke C; Rodrigues, Miriam; Roxburgh, Richard; Lusakowska, Anna; Kostera-Pruszczyk, Anna; Santos, Rosário; Neagu, Elena; Artemieva, Svetlana; Rasic, Vedrana Milic; Vojinovic, Dina; Posada, Manuel; Bloetzer, Clemens; Klein, Andrea; Díaz-Manera, Jordi; Gallardo, Eduard; Karaduman, A Ayşe; Oznur, Tunca; Topaloğlu, Haluk; El Sherif, Rasha; Stringer, Angela; Shatillo, Andriy V; Martin, Ann S; Peay, Holly L; Kirschner, Jan; Flanigan, Kevin M; Straub, Volker; Bushby, Kate; Béroud, Christophe; Verschuuren, Jan J; Lochmüller, Hanns

2017-01-01

Recent short-term clinical trials in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) have indicated greater disease variability in terms of progression than expected. In addition, as average life-expectancy increases, reliable data is required on clinical progression in the older DMD population. To determine the effects of corticosteroids on major clinical outcomes of DMD in a large multinational cohort of genetically confirmed DMD patients. In this cross-sectional study we analysed clinical data from 5345 genetically confirmed DMD patients from 31 countries held within the TREAT-NMD global DMD database. For analysis patients were categorised by corticosteroid background and further stratified by age. Loss of ambulation in non-steroid treated patients was 10 years and in corticosteroid treated patients 13 years old (p = 0.0001). Corticosteroid treated patients were less likely to need scoliosis surgery (p < 0.001) or ventilatory support (p < 0.001) and there was a mild cardioprotective effect of corticosteroids in the patient population aged 20 years and older (p = 0.0035). Patients with a single deletion of exon 45 showed an increased survival in contrast to other single exon deletions. This study provides data on clinical outcomes of DMD across many healthcare settings and including a sizeable cohort of older patients. Our data confirm the benefits of corticosteroid treatment on ambulation, need for scoliosis surgery, ventilation and, to a lesser extent, cardiomyopathy. This study underlines the importance of data collection via patient registries and the critical role of multi-centre collaboration in the rare disease field.

The Crystal Structure of Oxaliplatin: A Case of Overlooked Pseudo Symmetry.

PubMed

Johnstone, Timothy C

2014-01-08

The crystal structure of the anticancer drug oxaliplatin, [Pt( R,R- DACH)(oxalate)] (DACH = diaminocyclohexane), was first reported in the non-centrosymmetric space group P2 1 , confirming the sole presence of the R , R enantiomer of the DACH ligand [M. A. Bruck et al. , Inorg. Chim. Acta , 92 (1984) 279-284]. It was later proposed that the crystal structure is better described in the centrosymmetric space group P2 1 /m, signifying the presence of the compound as a racemic mixture [A. S. Abu-Surrah et al. , Polyhedron , 22 (2003) 1529-1534]. Herein is presented a reinvestigation of this crystal structure, which shows that the discrepancy between the two proposed space group assignments arises from overlooked pseudo symmetry. The crystal structures of the synthetic precursor to oxaliplatin, Pt( R , R -DACH)I 2 , and a platinum(IV) derivative, trans -[Pt( R , R -DACH)(oxalate)(OH) 2 ], were also determined, and the absolute configuration of the DACH ligand in each was confirmed to be R , R . A spectroscopic investigation of the optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) of the oxaliplatin crystals was carried out to further confirm the lack of the true crystallographic mirror plane required for a P2 1 /m solution. The ORD was theoretically simulated, in one instance, by applying the Kramers-Kronig transform to the computed circular dichroism spectrum and was found to corroborate the spectroscopic and crystallographic findings. Finally, a brief discussion is given of the importance of discussing the details of nuanced crystal structures and of providing evidence in addition to X-ray structure determination if chemically unexpected results are obtained.

The Crystal Structure of Oxaliplatin: A Case of Overlooked Pseudo Symmetry

PubMed Central

Johnstone, Timothy C.

2013-01-01

The crystal structure of the anticancer drug oxaliplatin, [Pt(R,R-DACH)(oxalate)] (DACH = diaminocyclohexane), was first reported in the non-centrosymmetric space group P21, confirming the sole presence of the R,R enantiomer of the DACH ligand [M. A. Bruck et al., Inorg. Chim. Acta, 92 (1984) 279–284]. It was later proposed that the crystal structure is better described in the centrosymmetric space group P21/m, signifying the presence of the compound as a racemic mixture [A. S. Abu-Surrah et al., Polyhedron, 22 (2003) 1529–1534]. Herein is presented a reinvestigation of this crystal structure, which shows that the discrepancy between the two proposed space group assignments arises from overlooked pseudo symmetry. The crystal structures of the synthetic precursor to oxaliplatin, Pt(R,R-DACH)I2, and a platinum(IV) derivative, trans-[Pt(R,R-DACH)(oxalate)(OH)2], were also determined, and the absolute configuration of the DACH ligand in each was confirmed to be R,R. A spectroscopic investigation of the optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) of the oxaliplatin crystals was carried out to further confirm the lack of the true crystallographic mirror plane required for a P21/m solution. The ORD was theoretically simulated, in one instance, by applying the Kramers-Kronig transform to the computed circular dichroism spectrum and was found to corroborate the spectroscopic and crystallographic findings. Finally, a brief discussion is given of the importance of discussing the details of nuanced crystal structures and of providing evidence in addition to X-ray structure determination if chemically unexpected results are obtained. PMID:24415827

Culture Method and PCR for the Detection of Helicobacter pylori in Drinking Water in Basrah Governorate Iraq

PubMed Central

Al-Sulami, A. A.; Al-Edani, T. A. A.; Al-Abdula, A. A.

2012-01-01

Helicobacter pylori is recognized by the World Health Organization to be the primary cause of peptic ulcers, chronic gastritis, and stomach cancer, though the source of human infection is not well understood. One of the problems in understanding the source of human contamination is the difficulty in isolating the organism from the environment. However, the combination of PCR results with those of culturing of 471 drinking water samples can provide a more accurate picture of H. pylori detection. In this method 78 presumptive H. pylori colonies out of 266 tap water samples were obtained in the preliminary detection on modified Columbia agar (MCUA) slant relying on urease positivity with a rate of 29.3%. However, only 11 out of them were confirmed by Gram staining and biochemical tests reducing the rate to 4.13% whereas only 3 (1.46%) from 205 reverse osmosis (RO) water samples. Furthermore, only 6 (54.5%) out of the 11 isolates from tap water and 1 (33.3%) of the 3 RO isolates were confirmed by 16SrRNA PCR. Thus PCR confirmation reduced the rate to 2.2%. In addition, only 4 (4%) of 100 tap water samples negative for H. pylori by culture method were H. pylori positive by 16SrRNA. Water samples were collected from 24 districts of Basrah Governorate from February–December 2009. The direct recovery of H. pylori from drinking water is both alarming and scientifically exciting in terms of the investigation of its epidemiology. PMID:22778721

The first full orbit of η Carinae seen by Fermi

DOE PAGES

Reitberger, Klaus; Reimer, A.; Reimer, O.; ...

2015-05-08

The binary system η Carinae has completed its first 5.54 y orbit since the beginning of science operation of the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). We are now able to investigate the high-energy γ-ray source at the position of η Carinae over its full orbital period. By this, we can address and confirm earlier predictions for temporal and spectral variability. Here, newer versions of the LAT datasets, instrument response functions and background models allow for a more accurate analysis. Therefore it is important to re-evaluate the previously analyzed time period along with the new data to further constrain location, spectralmore » shape, and flux time history of the γ-ray source. As a result, we confirm earlier predictions of increasing flux values above 10 GeV toward the next periastron passage. For the most recent part of the data sample, flux values as high as those before the first periastron passage in 2008 are recorded. A comparison of spectral energy distributions around periastron and apastron passages reveals strong variation in the high-energy band. This is due to a second spectral component that is present only around periastron. In conclusion, improved spatial consistency with the γ-ray source at the position of η Carinae along with the confirmation of temporal variability above 10 GeV in conjunction with the orbital period strengthens the argument for unambiguous source identification. Spectral variability provides additional constraints for future modeling of the particle acceleration and γ-ray emission in colliding-wind binary systems.« less

Measuring cognitive change with ImPACT: the aggregate baseline approach.

PubMed

Bruce, Jared M; Echemendia, Ruben J; Meeuwisse, Willem; Hutchison, Michael G; Aubry, Mark; Comper, Paul

2017-11-01

The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) is commonly used to assess baseline and post-injury cognition among athletes in North America. Despite this, several studies have questioned the reliability of ImPACT when given at intervals employed in clinical practice. Poor test-retest reliability reduces test sensitivity to cognitive decline, increasing the likelihood that concussed athletes will be returned to play prematurely. We recently showed that the reliability of ImPACT can be increased when using a new composite structure and the aggregate of two baselines to predict subsequent performance. The purpose of the present study was to confirm our previous findings and determine whether the addition of a third baseline would further increase the test-retest reliability of ImPACT. Data from 97 English speaking professional hockey players who had received at least 4 ImPACT baseline evaluations were extracted from a National Hockey League Concussion Program database. Linear regression was used to determine whether each of the first three testing sessions accounted for unique variance in the fourth testing session. Results confirmed that the aggregate baseline approach improves the psychometric properties of ImPACT, with most indices demonstrating adequate or better test-retest reliability for clinical use. The aggregate baseline approach provides a modest clinical benefit when recent baselines are available - and a more substantial benefit when compared to approaches that obtain baseline measures only once during the course of a multi-year playing career. Pending confirmation in diverse samples, neuropsychologists are encouraged to use the aggregate baseline approach to best quantify cognitive change following sports concussion.

Two pulses of seasonal activity in martian southern mid-latitude recurring slope lineae (RSL)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stillman, David E.; Grimm, Robert E.

2018-03-01

Recurring slope lineae (RSL) are narrow dark features that incrementally lengthen down steep low-albedo slopes when temperatures are warm, subsequently fade, and reoccur annually. RSL could be caused by wet, wet-triggered debris, or dry granular flow mechanisms. We have classified 190 candidate and confirmed southern mid-latitude (SML) RSL sites using six Mars years of high-resolution imagery to provide new constraints on RSL flow mechanisms. We demonstrate that at least three confirmed SML RSL sites have at least two pulses of active lengthening. We have also confirmed that RSL start much earlier than previously thought. The first SML RSL pulse occurs from solar longitude (Ls) 187° ± 6° to 226° ± 14° or 62 ± 32 sols, while the second pulse occurs from Ls 260° ± 26° to 329° ± 29° or 113 ± 89 sols. Even with the newly observed early pulse, the total SML RSL active duration is still shorter than RSL found elsewhere on the planet. No significant seasonal variations exist between the dominant (N, NW, W) slope-face orientations. The central peak of Hale crater appears to be anomalous in that it has a third pulse that rejuvenates RSL late in the southern summer (Ls 330° ± 1° to 348° ± 19° or 48 ± 26 sols). These additional RSL pulses of activity add increased complexity to RSL behavior. Follow-up missions may be needed to unambiguously discriminate between RSL mechanisms.

Hairy roots of Helianthus annuus: a model system to study phytoremediation of tetracycline and oxytetracycline.

PubMed

Gujarathi, Ninad P; Haney, Bryan J; Park, Heidi J; Wickramasinghe, S Ranil; Linden, James C

2005-01-01

The release of antibiotics to the environment has to be controlled because of serious threats to human health. Hairy root cultures of Helianthus annuus (sunflower), along with their inherent rhizospheric activity, provide a fast growing, microbe-free environment for understanding plant-pollutant interactions. The root system catalyzes rapid disappearance of tetracycline (TC) and oxytetracycline (OTC) from aqueous media, which suggests roots have potential for phytoremediation of the two antibiotics in vivo. In addition, in vitro modifications of the two antibiotics by filtered, cell- and microbe-free root exudates suggest involvement of root-secreted compounds. The modification is confirmed from changes observed in UV spectra of exudate-treated OTC. Modification appears to be more dominant at the BCD chromophore of the antibiotic molecule. Kinetic analyses dismiss direct enzyme catalysis; the modification rates decrease with increasing OTC concentrations. The rates increase with increasing age of cultures from which root exudates are prepared. The decrease in modification rates upon addition of the antioxidant ascorbic acid (AA) suggests involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the antibiotic modification process.

A 40 GHz fully integrated circuit with a vector network analyzer and a coplanar-line-based detection area for circulating tumor cell analysis using 65 nm CMOS technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakanishi, Taiki; Matsunaga, Maya; Kobayashi, Atsuki; Nakazato, Kazuo; Niitsu, Kiichi

2018-03-01

A 40-GHz fully integrated CMOS-based circuit for circulating tumor cells (CTC) analysis, consisting of an on-chip vector network analyzer (VNA) and a highly sensitive coplanar-line-based detection area is presented in this paper. In this work, we introduce a fully integrated architecture that eliminates unwanted parasitic effects. The proposed analyzer was designed using 65 nm CMOS technology, and SPICE and MWS simulations were used to validate its operation. The simulation confirmed that the proposed circuit can measure S-parameter shifts resulting from the addition of various types of tumor cells to the detection area, the data of which are provided in a previous study: the |S 21| values for HepG2, A549, and HEC-1-A cells are -0.683, -0.580, and -0.623 dB, respectively. Additionally, the measurement demonstrated an S-parameters reduction of -25.7% when a silicone resin was put on the circuit. Hence, the proposed system is expected to contribute to cancer diagnosis.

A Principle Component Analysis of Galaxy Properties from a Large, Gas-Selected Sample

DOE PAGES

Chang, Yu-Yen; Chao, Rikon; Wang, Wei-Hao; ...

2012-01-01

Disney emore » t al. (2008) have found a striking correlation among global parameters of H i -selected galaxies and concluded that this is in conflict with the CDM model. Considering the importance of the issue, we reinvestigate the problem using the principal component analysis on a fivefold larger sample and additional near-infrared data. We use databases from the Arecibo Legacy Fast Arecibo L -band Feed Array Survey for the gas properties, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey for the optical properties, and the Two Micron All Sky Survey for the near-infrared properties. We confirm that the parameters are indeed correlated where a single physical parameter can explain 83% of the variations. When color ( g - i ) is included, the first component still dominates but it develops a second principal component. In addition, the near-infrared color ( i - J ) shows an obvious second principal component that might provide evidence of the complex old star formation. Based on our data, we suggest that it is premature to pronounce the failure of the CDM model and it motivates more theoretical work.« less

Callipeltosides A, B and C: Total Syntheses and Structural Confirmation

PubMed Central

Frost, James R; Pearson, Colin M; Snaddon, Thomas N; Booth, Richard A; Turner, Richard M; Gold, Johan; Shaw, David M; Gaunt, Matthew J; Ley, Steven V

2015-01-01

Since their isolation almost 20 years ago, the callipeltosides have been of long standing interest to the synthetic community owing to their unique structural features and inherent biological activity. Herein we present our full research effort that has led to the synthesis of these molecules. Key aspects of our final strategy include 1) synthesis of the C1–C9 pyran core (5) using an AuCl3-catalysed cyclisation; 2) formation of C10–C22 vinyl iodide (55) by sequential bidirectional Stille reactions and 3) diastereoselective union of these advanced fragments by means of an alkenylzinc addition (d.r.=91:9 at C9). The common callipeltoside aglycon (4) was completed in a further five steps. Following this, all three sugar fragments were appended to provide the entire callipeltoside family. In addition to this, D-configured callipeltose B was synthesised and appended to the callipeltoside aglycon. The 1H NMR spectrum of this molecule was found to be significantly different to the natural isolate, further supporting our assignment of callipeltoside B (2). PMID:26230615

Clustered atom-replaced structure in single-crystal-like metal oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araki, Takeshi; Hayashi, Mariko; Ishii, Hirotaka; Yokoe, Daisaku; Yoshida, Ryuji; Kato, Takeharu; Nishijima, Gen; Matsumoto, Akiyoshi

2018-06-01

By means of metal organic deposition using trifluoroacetates (TFA-MOD), we replaced and localized two or more atoms in a single-crystalline structure having almost perfect orientation. Thus, we created a new functional structure, namely, clustered atom-replaced structure (CARS), having single-crystal-like metal oxide. We replaced metals in the oxide with Sm and Lu and localized them. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy results, where the Sm signal increases with the Lu signal in the single-crystalline structure, confirm evidence of CARS. We also form other CARS with three additional metals, including Pr. The valence number of Pr might change from 3+ to approximately 4+, thereby reducing the Pr–Ba distance. We directly observed the structure by a high-angle annular dark-field image, which provided further evidence of CARS. The key to establishing CARS is an equilibrium chemical reaction and a combination of additional larger and smaller unit cells to matrix cells. We made a new functional metal oxide with CARS and expect to realize CARS in other metal oxide structures in the future by using the above-mentioned process.

[Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and inert gases in cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury].

PubMed

Chhor, V; Canini, F; De Rudnicki, S; Dahmani, S; Gressens, P; Constantin, P

2013-12-01

Cerebral ischemia is a common thread of acute cerebral lesions, whether vascular or traumatic origin. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) improves tissue oxygenation and may prevent impairment of reversible lesions. In experimental models of cerebral ischemia or traumatic brain injury, HBO has neuroprotective effects which are related to various mechanisms such as modulation of oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation or cerebral and mitochondrial metabolism. However, results of clinical trials failed to prove any neuroprotective effects for cerebral ischemia and remained to be confirmed for traumatic brain injury despite preliminary encouraging results. The addition of inert gases to HBO sessions, especially argon or xenon which show neuroprotective experimental effects, may provide an additional improvement of cerebral lesions. Further multicentric studies with a strict methodology and a better targeted definition are required before drawing definitive conclusions about the efficiency of combined therapy with HBO and inert gases in acute cerebral lesions. Copyright © 2013 Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation (Sfar). Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Investigating Extra-solar Planetary System Qatar-1 through Transit Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thakur, Parijat; Mannaday, Vineet Kumar; Jiang, Ing-Guey; Sahu, Devendra Kumar; Chand, Swadesh

2018-04-01

We report the results of the transit timing variation (TTV) analysis of the extra-solar planet Qatar-1b using thirty eight light curves. Our analysis combines thirty five previously available transit light curves with three new transits observed by us between June 2016 and September 2016 using the 2-m Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT) at the Indian Astronomical Observatory (Hanle, India). From these transit data, the physical and orbital parameters of the Qatar-1 system are determined. In addition to this, the ephemeris for the orbital period and mid-transit time are refined to investigate the possible TTV. We find that the null-TTV model provides the better fit to the (O-C) data. This indicates that there is no evidence for TTVs to confirm the presence of additional planets in the Qatar-1 system. The use of the 3.6-m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT) operated by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES, Nainital, India) could improve the photometric precision to examine the signature of TTVs in this system with a greater accuracy than in the present work.

Unique nucleation activity of inorganic fullerene-like WS2 nanoparticles in polyphenylene sulfide nanocomposites: isokinetic and isoconversional study of dynamic crystallization kinetics.

PubMed

Naffakh, Mohammed; Marco, Carlos; Gómez, Marián A; Jiménez, Ignacio

2009-05-21

The dynamic crystallization kinetics of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) nanocomposites with inorganic fullerene WS2 nanopartices (IF-WS2) content varying from 0.05 to 8 wt % has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The analysis of the crystallization at different cooling rates demonstrates that the completely isokinetic description of the crystallization process is not possible. However, the isoconversional methods in combination with the JMAEK equation provide a better understanding of the kinetics of the dynamic crystallization process. The addition of IF-WS2 influences the crystallization kinetics of PPS but in ways unexpected for polymer nanocomposites. A drastic change from retardation to promotion of crystallization is observed with increasing nanoparticle content. In the same way, the results of the nucleation activity and the effective energy barrier confirmed the unique dependence of the crystallization behavior of PPS on composition. In addition, the morphological data obtained from the polarized optical microscopy (POM) and time-resolved synchrotron X-ray diffraction is consistent with results of the crystallization kinetics of PPS/IF-WS2 nanocomposites.

Experimental and Molecular Modeling Evaluation of the Physicochemical Properties of Proline-Based Deep Eutectic Solvents.

PubMed

van den Bruinhorst, Adriaan; Spyriouni, Theodora; Hill, Jörg-Rüdiger; Kroon, Maaike C

2018-01-11

The liquid range and applicability of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are determined by their physicochemical properties. In this work, the physicochemical properties of glycolic acid:proline and malic acid:proline were evaluated experimentally and with MD simulations at five different ratios. Both DESs exhibited esterification upon preparation, which affected the viscosity in particular. In order to minimize oligomer formation and water release, three different experimental preparation methods were explored, but none could prevent esterification. The experimental and calculated densities of the DESs were found to be in good agreement. The measured and modeled glass transition temperature showed similar trends with composition, as did the experimental viscosity and the calculated diffusivities. The MD simulations provided additional insight at the atomistic level, showing that at acid-rich compositions, the acid-acid hydrogen bonding (HB) interactions prevail. Malic acid-based DESs show stronger acid-acid HB interactions than glycolic acid-based ones, possibly explaining its extreme viscosity. Upon the addition of proline, the interspecies interactions become predominant, confirming the formation of the widely assumed HB network between the DESs constituents in the liquid phase.

Tuning the phase diagram of colloid-polymer mixtures via Yukawa interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

González García, Álvaro; Tuinier, Remco

2016-12-01

Theory that predicts the phase behavior of interacting Yukawa spheres in a solution containing nonadsorbing polymer is presented. Our approach accounts for multiple overlap of depletion zones. It is found that additional Yukawa interactions beyond hard core interactions strongly affect the location and presence of coexistence regions and phase states. The theoretical phase diagrams are compared with Monte Carlo simulations. The agreement between the two approaches supports the validity of the theoretical approximations made and confirms that, by choosing the parameters of the interaction potentials, tuning of the binodals is possible. The critical end point characterizes the phase diagram topology. It is demonstrated how an additional Yukawa interaction shifts this point with respect to the hard sphere case. Provided a certain depletant-to-colloid size ratio for which a stable colloidal gas-liquid phase coexistence takes place for hard spheres, added direct interactions turn this into a metastable gas-liquid equilibrium. The opposite case, the induction of a stable gas-liquid coexistence where only fluid-solid was present for hard spheres, is also reported.

Genomic Signatures Reveal New Evidences for Selection of Important Traits in Domestic Cattle

PubMed Central

Xu, Lingyang; Bickhart, Derek M.; Cole, John B.; Schroeder, Steven G.; Song, Jiuzhou; Tassell, Curtis P. Van; Sonstegard, Tad S.; Liu, George E.

2015-01-01

We investigated diverse genomic selections using high-density single nucleotide polymorphism data of five distinct cattle breeds. Based on allele frequency differences, we detected hundreds of candidate regions under positive selection across Holstein, Angus, Charolais, Brahman, and N'Dama. In addition to well-known genes such as KIT, MC1R, ASIP, GHR, LCORL, NCAPG, WIF1, and ABCA12, we found evidence for a variety of novel and less-known genes under selection in cattle, such as LAP3, SAR1B, LRIG3, FGF5, and NUDCD3. Selective sweeps near LAP3 were then validated by next-generation sequencing. Genome-wide association analysis involving 26,362 Holsteins confirmed that LAP3 and SAR1B were related to milk production traits, suggesting that our candidate regions were likely functional. In addition, haplotype network analyses further revealed distinct selective pressures and evolution patterns across these five cattle breeds. Our results provided a glimpse into diverse genomic selection during cattle domestication, breed formation, and recent genetic improvement. These findings will facilitate genome-assisted breeding to improve animal production and health. PMID:25431480

Absolute configuration in 4-alkyl- and 4-aryl-3,4-dihydro-2(1H)-pyrimidones: a combined theoretical and experimental investigation.

PubMed

Uray, G; Verdino, P; Belaj, F; Kappe, C O; Fabian, W M

2001-10-05

Structural features (orientation of the carboxyl group, ring puckering), electronic absorption, and circular dichroism spectra of 4-alkyl- and 4-aryl-dihydropyrimidones 1-5 are calculated by semiempirical (AM1, INDO/S), ab initio (HF/6-31G, CIS/6-31G, RPA/6-31G), and density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G) methods. These calculations allow an assignment of the absolute configuration by comparison of simulated and experimental CD spectra. Although the ab initio methods greatly overestimate electronic transition energies, the general appearance of the experimental CD spectra is quite nicely reproduced by these calculations. Thus, comparison of experimental with calculated CD spectra is a reliable tool for the assignment of the absolute configuration. For 4-methyl derivatives 1, the first enantiopure DHPM examples with no additional aromatic substituent, the stereochemistry at C4 provided by the theoretical results is confirmed by X-ray structure determination of the diastereomeric salt 6. Additional support is the consistent HPLC elution order found for all investigated DHPMs on a cellulose-derived chiral stationary phase.

Acoustic emission analysis for the detection of appropriate cutting operations in honing processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buj-Corral, Irene; Álvarez-Flórez, Jesús; Domínguez-Fernández, Alejandro

2018-01-01

In the present paper, acoustic emission was studied in honing experiments obtained with different abrasive densities, 15, 30, 45 and 60. In addition, 2D and 3D roughness, material removal rate and tool wear were determined. In order to treat the sound signal emitted during the machining process, two methods of analysis were compared: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and Hilbert Huang Transform (HHT). When density 15 is used, the number of cutting grains is insufficient to provide correct cutting, while clogging appears with densities 45 and 60. The results were confirmed by means of treatment of the sound signal. In addition, a new parameter S was defined as the relationship between energy in low and high frequencies contained within the emitted sound. The selected density of 30 corresponds to S values between 0.1 and 1. Correct cutting operations in honing processes are dependent on the density of the abrasive employed. The density value to be used can be selected by means of measurement and analysis of acoustic emissions during the honing operation. Thus, honing processes can be monitored without needing to stop the process.

A high-resolution 7-Tesla fMRI dataset from complex natural stimulation with an audio movie

PubMed Central

Hanke, Michael; Baumgartner, Florian J.; Ibe, Pierre; Kaule, Falko R.; Pollmann, Stefan; Speck, Oliver; Zinke, Wolf; Stadler, Jörg

2014-01-01

Here we present a high-resolution functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) dataset – 20 participants recorded at high field strength (7 Tesla) during prolonged stimulation with an auditory feature film (“Forrest Gump”). In addition, a comprehensive set of auxiliary data (T1w, T2w, DTI, susceptibility-weighted image, angiography) as well as measurements to assess technical and physiological noise components have been acquired. An initial analysis confirms that these data can be used to study common and idiosyncratic brain response patterns to complex auditory stimulation. Among the potential uses of this dataset are the study of auditory attention and cognition, language and music perception, and social perception. The auxiliary measurements enable a large variety of additional analysis strategies that relate functional response patterns to structural properties of the brain. Alongside the acquired data, we provide source code and detailed information on all employed procedures – from stimulus creation to data analysis. In order to facilitate replicative and derived works, only free and open-source software was utilized. PMID:25977761

Pulsations in the atmosphere of the rapidly oscillating star 33 Lib

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sachkov, M.; Hareter, M.; Ryabchikova, T.; Wade, G.; Kochukhov, O.; Shulyak, D.; Weiss, W. W.

2011-10-01

In 2009, the rapidly oscillating peculiar A-type (roAp) star 33 Lib was the target of an intense observing campaign, combining ground-based spectroscopy with space photometry obtained with the Microvariability and Oscillation of STars (MOST) satellite. We collected 780 spectra using the Echelle Spectro Polarimetric Device for the Observation of Stars (ESPaDOnS) spectrograph attached at the 3.6-m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and 374 spectra with the Fibre-fed Echelle Spectrograph attached at the 2.56-m Nordic Optical Telescope to perform time-resolved spectroscopy of 33 Lib. In addition, we used 111 Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) spectra (2004) from the European Southern Observatory archive to check mode stability. Frequency analysis of the new radial velocity (RV) measurements confirms the previously reported frequency pattern (two frequencies and the first harmonic of the main one) and reveals an additional frequency at 1.991 mHz. The new frequency solution perfectly reproduces the RV variations from the 2004 and 2009 observational sets, providing strong support for p mode stability in this roAp star over at least 5 years.

Nitrate in aquifers beneath agricultural systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Burkart, M.R.; Stoner, J.D.; ,

2007-01-01

Research from several regions of the world provides spatially anecdotal evidence to hypothesize which hydrologic and agricultural factors contribute to groundwater vulnerability to nitrate contamination. Analysis of nationally consistent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey's NAWQA program confirms these hypotheses for a substantial range of agricultural systems. Shallow unconfined aquifers are most susceptible to nitrate contamination associated with agricultural systems. Alluvial and other unconsolidated aquifers are the most vulnerable and also shallow carbonate aquifers that provide a substantial but smaller contamination risk. Where any of these aquifers are overlain by permeable soils the risk of contamination is larger. Irrigated systems can compound this vulnerability by increasing leaching facilitated by additional recharge and additional nutrient applications. The system of corn, soybean, and hogs produced significantly larger concentrations of groundwater nitrate than all other agricultural systems because this system imports the largest amount of N-fertilizer per unit production area. Mean nitrate under dairy, poultry, horticulture, and cattle and grains systems were similar. If trends in the relation between increased fertilizer use and groundwater nitrate in the United States are repeated in other regions of the world, Asia may experience increasing problems because of recent increases in fertilizer use. Groundwater monitoring in Western and Eastern Europe as well as Russia over the next decade may provide data to determine if the trend in increased nitrate contamination can be reversed. If the concentrated livestock trend in the United States is global, it may be accompanied by increasing nitrogen contamination in groundwater. Concentrated livestock provide both point sources in the confinement area and intense non-point sources as fields close to facilities are used for manure disposal. Regions where irrigated cropland is expanding, such as in Asia, may experience the greatest impact of this practice on groundwater nitrate. ?? USDA 2007.

Nitrate in aquifers beneath agricultural systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Burkart, M.R.; Stoner, J.D.

2002-01-01

Research from several regions of the world provides spatially anecdotal evidence to hypothesize which hydrologic and agricultural factors contribute to groundwater vulnerability to nitrate contamination. Analysis of nationally consistent measurements from the U.S. Geological Survey's NAWOA program confirms these hypotheses for a substantial range of agricultural systems. Shallow unconfined aquifers are most susceptible to nitrate contamination associated with agricultural systems. Alluvial and other unconsolidated aquifers are the most vulnerable and shallow carbonate aquifers provide a substantial but smaller contamination risk. Where any of these aquifers are overlain by permeable soils the risk of contamination is larger. Irrigated systems can compound this vulnerability by increasing leaching facilitated by additional recharge and additional nutrient applications. The agricultural system of corn, soybeans, and hogs produced significantly larger concentrations of groundwater nitrate than all other agricultural systems, although mean nitrate concentrations in counties with dairy, poultry, cattle and grains, and horticulture systems were similar. If trends in the relation between increased fertilizer use and groundwater nitrate in the United States are repeated in other regions of the world, Asia may experience increasing problems because of recent increases in fertilizer use. Groundwater monitoring in Western and Eastern Europe as well as Russia over the next decade may provide data to determine if the trend in increased nitrate contamination can be reversed. If the concentrated livestock trend in the United States is global, it may be accompanied by increasing nitrogen contamination in groundwater. Concentrated livestock provide both point sources in the confinement area and intense non-point sources as fields close to facilities are used for manure disposal. Regions where irrigated cropland is expanding, such as in Asia, may experience the greatest impact of this practice.

The Modern U.S. High School Astronomy Course, Its Status and Makeup II: Additional Results

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Krumenaker, Larry

2009-01-01

A postal survey of high school astronomy teachers strongly confirms many results of an earlier electronic survey. Additional and new results include a measure of the level of inquiry (more structured inquiry and teacher-led) in the classroom as well as data showing that more emphasis is given to traditional topics than to contemporary astronomy…

7 CFR 1951.265 - Application for subsequent loan, subordination, or consent to additional indebtedness from a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... consent to additional indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. 1951.265 Section... indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. (a) Any borrower who appears to meet the local... ability or inability to graduate has been confirmed. An exception may be made where the proposed action is...

7 CFR 1951.265 - Application for subsequent loan, subordination, or consent to additional indebtedness from a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... consent to additional indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. 1951.265 Section... indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. (a) Any borrower who appears to meet the local... ability or inability to graduate has been confirmed. An exception may be made where the proposed action is...

7 CFR 1951.265 - Application for subsequent loan, subordination, or consent to additional indebtedness from a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... consent to additional indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. 1951.265 Section... indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. (a) Any borrower who appears to meet the local... ability or inability to graduate has been confirmed. An exception may be made where the proposed action is...

7 CFR 1951.265 - Application for subsequent loan, subordination, or consent to additional indebtedness from a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... consent to additional indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. 1951.265 Section... indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. (a) Any borrower who appears to meet the local... ability or inability to graduate has been confirmed. An exception may be made where the proposed action is...

7 CFR 1951.265 - Application for subsequent loan, subordination, or consent to additional indebtedness from a...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... consent to additional indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. 1951.265 Section... indebtedness from a borrower who has been requested to graduate. (a) Any borrower who appears to meet the local... ability or inability to graduate has been confirmed. An exception may be made where the proposed action is...

Critically re-evaluating a common technique: Accuracy, reliability, and confirmation bias of EMG.

PubMed

Narayanaswami, Pushpa; Geisbush, Thomas; Jones, Lyell; Weiss, Michael; Mozaffar, Tahseen; Gronseth, Gary; Rutkove, Seward B

2016-01-19

(1) To assess the diagnostic accuracy of EMG in radiculopathy. (2) To evaluate the intrarater reliability and interrater reliability of EMG in radiculopathy. (3) To assess the presence of confirmation bias in EMG. Three experienced academic electromyographers interpreted 3 compact discs with 20 EMG videos (10 normal, 10 radiculopathy) in a blinded, standardized fashion without information regarding the nature of the study. The EMGs were interpreted 3 times (discs A, B, C) 1 month apart. Clinical information was provided only with disc C. Intrarater reliability was calculated by comparing interpretations in discs A and B, interrater reliability by comparing interpretation between reviewers. Confirmation bias was estimated by the difference in correct interpretations when clinical information was provided. Sensitivity was similar to previous reports (77%, confidence interval [CI] 63%-90%); specificity was 71%, CI 56%-85%. Intrarater reliability was good (κ 0.61, 95% CI 0.41-0.81); interrater reliability was lower (κ 0.53, CI 0.35-0.71). There was no substantial confirmation bias when clinical information was provided (absolute difference in correct responses 2.2%, CI -13.3% to 17.7%); the study lacked precision to exclude moderate confirmation bias. This study supports that (1) serial EMG studies should be performed by the same electromyographer since intrarater reliability is better than interrater reliability; (2) knowledge of clinical information does not bias EMG interpretation substantially; (3) EMG has moderate diagnostic accuracy for radiculopathy with modest specificity and electromyographers should exercise caution interpreting mild abnormalities. This study provides Class III evidence that EMG has moderate diagnostic accuracy and specificity for radiculopathy. © 2015 American Academy of Neurology.

Autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease versus clinically diagnosed Alzheimer's disease in the Cache County Study on Memory and Aging: a comparison of quantitative MRI and neuropsychological findings.

PubMed

Fearing, Michael A; Bigler, Erin D; Norton, Maria; Tschanz, Jo Ann; Hulette, Christine; Leslie, Carol; Welsh-Bohmer, Kathleen

2007-07-01

Atrophy of specific, regional, and generalized brain structures occurs as a result of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) process. Comparing AD patients with histopathological confirmation of the disease at autopsy to those without autopsy but who were clinically diagnosed using the same antemortem criteria will provide further evidence of the utility and accuracy of neuropsychological assessments at the time of diagnosis, as well as the efficacy of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) in demonstrating gross neuropathological changes associated with the disease. The Cache County Study of Aging provides a unique opportunity to determine how closely AD subjects with only the clinical diagnosis match similarly diagnosed AD subjects but with postmortem confirmation of the disease. qMRI volumes of various brain structures, as well as neuropsychological outcome measures from an expanded battery, were obtained in 31 autopsy-confirmed AD subjects and 45 clinically diagnosed AD subjects. Of the various qMRI variables examined, only total temporal lobe volume was different, where those with postmortem confirmation had reduced volume. No significant differences between the two groups were found with any of the neuropsychological outcome measures. These findings confirm the similarity in neuroimaging and neuropsychological assessment findings between those with just the clinical diagnosis of AD and those with an autopsy-confirmed diagnosis in the moderate-to-severe stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis.

Effect of Halide Flux on Physicochemical Properties of MgCl2-Based Molten Salts for Accelerating Zirconium Production: Thermodynamic Assessment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Jae Hong; Park, Joo Hyun

2016-09-01

The effective halide flux additive for increasing the density of MgCl2 mixture and for decreasing the activity of MgCl2 was investigated in order to improve the reaction efficiency between gaseous ZrCl4 and fresh Mg melt to produce zirconium sponge. Thermochemical computation using FactSageTM software was primarily carried out, followed by the experimental confirmation. The addition of CaCl2, BaCl2, MgF2, and CaF2 to the molten MgCl2 increases the density of the melts, indicating that these halide additives can be a candidate to increase the density of the MgCl2-based molten salts. Among them, BaCl2, MgF2, and CaF2 are the useful additives. The activity of MgCl2 can be reduced by the addition of BaCl2, KCl, NaCl, MgF2, and CaF2, among which the CaF2 is the most effective additive to reduce the activity of MgCl2 with the strongest negative deviation from an ideality. Thus, the addition of CaF2 to the MgCl2, forming the MgCl2-CaF2 binary melt, is the most effective way not only to increase the density of the melt but also to decrease the activity of MgCl2, which was experimentally confirmed. Consequently, the production rate of zirconium sponge by magnesiothermic reduction process can be accelerated by the addition of CaF2.

Harnessing case isolation and ring vaccination to control Ebola.

PubMed

Wells, Chad; Yamin, Dan; Ndeffo-Mbah, Martial L; Wenzel, Natasha; Gaffney, Stephen G; Townsend, Jeffrey P; Meyers, Lauren Ancel; Fallah, Mosoka; Nyenswah, Tolbert G; Altice, Frederick L; Atkins, Katherine E; Galvani, Alison P

2015-05-01

As a devastating Ebola outbreak in West Africa continues, non-pharmaceutical control measures including contact tracing, quarantine, and case isolation are being implemented. In addition, public health agencies are scaling up efforts to test and deploy candidate vaccines. Given the experimental nature and limited initial supplies of vaccines, a mass vaccination campaign might not be feasible. However, ring vaccination of likely case contacts could provide an effective alternative in distributing the vaccine. To evaluate ring vaccination as a strategy for eliminating Ebola, we developed a pair approximation model of Ebola transmission, parameterized by confirmed incidence data from June 2014 to January 2015 in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Our results suggest that if a combined intervention of case isolation and ring vaccination had been initiated in the early fall of 2014, up to an additional 126 cases in Liberia and 560 cases in Sierra Leone could have been averted beyond case isolation alone. The marginal benefit of ring vaccination is predicted to be greatest in settings where there are more contacts per individual, greater clustering among individuals, when contact tracing has low efficacy or vaccination confers post-exposure protection. In such settings, ring vaccination can avert up to an additional 8% of Ebola cases. Accordingly, ring vaccination is predicted to offer a moderately beneficial supplement to ongoing non-pharmaceutical Ebola control efforts.

A combined experimental and in silico characterization to highlight additional structural features and properties of a potentially new drug

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bastos, Isadora T. S.; Costa, Fanny N.; Silva, Tiago F.; Barreiro, Eliezer J.; Lima, Lídia M.; Braz, Delson; Lombardo, Giuseppe M.; Punzo, Francesco; Ferreira, Fabio F.; Barroso, Regina C.

2017-10-01

LASSBio-1755 is a new cycloalkyl-N-acylhydrazone parent compound designed for the development of derivatives with antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Although single crystal X-ray diffraction has been considered as the golden standard in structure determination, we successfully used X-ray powder diffraction data in the structural determination of new synthesized compounds, in order to overcome the bottle-neck due to the difficulties experienced in harvesting good quality single crystals of the compounds. We therefore unequivocally assigned the relative configuration (E) to the imine double bond and a s-cis conformation of the amide function of the N-acylhydrazone compound. These features are confirmed by a computational analysis performed on the basis of molecular dynamics calculations, which are extended not only to the structural characteristics but also to the analysis of the anisotropic atomic displacement parameters, a further information - missed in a typical powder diffraction analysis. The so inferred data were used to perform additional cycles of refinement and eventually generate a new cif file with additional physical information. Furthermore, crystal morphology prediction was performed, which is in agreement with the experimental images acquired by scanning electron microscopy, thus providing useful information on possible alternative paths for better crystallization strategies.

Additive Effects of Mechanical Marrow Ablation and PTH Treatment on de Novo Bone Formation in Mature Adult Rats

PubMed Central

Zhang, Qing; Miller, Christopher; Bible, Jesse; Li, Jiliang; Xu, Xiaoqing; Mehta, Nozer; Gilligan, James; Vignery, Agnès; Scholz, Jodi A Carlson

2012-01-01

Mechanical ablation of bone marrow in young rats induces rapid but transient bone growth, which can be enhanced and maintained for three weeks by the administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Additionally, marrow ablation, followed by PTH treatment for three months leads to increased cortical thickness. In this study, we sought to determine whether PTH enhances bone formation after marrow ablation in aged rats. Aged rats underwent unilateral femoral marrow ablation and treatment with PTH or vehicle for four weeks. Both femurs from each rat were analyzed by X-ray and pQCT, then analyzed either by microCT, histology or biomechanical testing. Marrow ablation alone induced transient bone formation of low abundance that persisted over four weeks, while marrow ablation followed by PTH induced bone formation of high abundance that also persisted over four weeks. Our data confirms that the osteo-inducive effect of marrow ablation and the additive effect of marrow ablation, followed by PTH, occurs in aged rats. Our observations open new avenues of investigations in the field of tissue regeneration. Local marrow ablation, in conjunction with an anabolic agent, might provide a new platform for rapid site-directed bone growth in areas of high bone loss, such as in the hip and wrist, which are subject to fracture. PMID:24710549

A spectroscopic study of Brazilwood paints in medieval books of hours.

PubMed

Melo, Maria João; Otero, Vanessa; Vitorino, Tatiana; Araújo, Rita; Muralha, Vânia S F; Lemos, Ana; Picollo, Marcello

2014-01-01

In this work, microspectrofluorimetry was for the first time applied to the identification of the red organic lakes that are characteristic of the lavish illuminations found in 15(th) century books of hours. Microspectrofluorimetry identified those red paints, ranging from opaque pink to dark red glazes, as brazilwood lakes. An unequivocal characterization was achieved by comparison with reference paints produced following recipes from the medieval treatise The Book on How to Make Colours, and was further confirmed by fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS). For these treasured cultural objects, microspectrofluorimetry and FORS proved to be the only techniques that could identify, in situ or in microsamples, the chromophore responsible for the pinkish hues: a brazilein-Al(3+) complex. Additionally, a multi-analytical approach provided a full characterization of the color paints, including pigments, additives, and binders. Microspectroscopic techniques, based on infrared and X-ray radiation, enabled us to disclose the full palette of these medieval manuscripts, including the elusive greens, for which, besides malachite, basic copper sulfates were found; Raman microscopy suggested a mixture of brochantite and langite. Infrared analysis proved invaluable for a full characterization of the additives that were applied as fillers or whites (chalk, gypsum, and white lead) as well as the proteinaceous and polysaccharide binders that were found pure or in mixture.

Correlation of genetic and clinical findings in Spanish patients with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis.

PubMed

Riveiro-Alvarez, Rosa; Trujillo-Tiebas, Maria-Jose; Gimenez-Pardo, Ascension; Garcia-Hoyos, Maria; Lopez-Martinez, Miguel-Angel; Aguirre-Lamban, Jana; Garcia-Sandoval, Blanca; Vazquez-Fernandez del Pozo, Silvia; Cantalapiedra, Diego; Avila-Fernandez, Almudena; Baiget, Montserrat; Ramos, Carmen; Ayuso, Carmen

2009-09-01

X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (XLRS) is one of the most common causes of juvenile macular degeneration in males, characterized by microcystic changes, splitting within the inner retinal layer (schisis), and the presence of vitreous veils. This study was conducted to describe and further correlate specific genetic variation in Spanish patients with XLRS with clinical characteristics and additional ophthalmic complications. The study was performed in 34 Spanish families with XLRS, comprising 51 affected males. Thorough clinical ophthalmic and electrophysiological examinations were performed. The coding regions of the RS1 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and directly sequenced. Haplotype analyses were also performed. Twenty different mutations were identified. Ten of the 20 were novel and 3 were de novo mutational events. The most common mutation (p.Gln154Arg; 6/20) presented a common haplotype. RS1 variants did not correlate with ophthalmic findings and were not associated with additional ophthalmic complications. The prevalent p.Gln154Arg mutation is first reported in this work and presents a common origin in Spanish patients with XLRS. In addition, de novo mutations mainly occur in CG dinucleotides. Despite the large mutational spectrum and variable phenotypes, no genotype-phenotype correlations were found. Identifying the causative mutation is helpful in confirming diagnosis and counseling, but cannot provide a prognosis.

Extended version of the "Sniffin' Sticks" identification test: test-retest reliability and validity.

PubMed

Sorokowska, A; Albrecht, E; Haehner, A; Hummel, T

2015-03-30

The extended, 32-item version of the Sniffin' Sticks identification test was developed in order to create a precise tool enabling repeated, longitudinal testing of individual olfactory subfunctions. Odors of the previous test version had to be changed for technical reasons, and the odor identification test needed re-investigation in terms of reliability, validity, and normative values. In our study we investigated olfactory abilities of a group of 100 patients with olfactory dysfunction and 100 controls. We reconfirmed the high test-retest reliability of the extended version of the Sniffin' Sticks identification test and high correlations between the new and the original part of this tool. In addition, we confirmed the validity of the test as it discriminated clearly between controls and patients with olfactory loss. The additional set of 16 odor identification sticks can be either included in the current olfactory test, thus creating a more detailed diagnosis tool, or it can be used separately, enabling to follow olfactory function over time. Additionally, the normative values presented in our paper might provide useful guidelines for interpretation of the extended identification test results. The revised version of the Sniffin' Sticks 32-item odor identification test is a reliable and valid tool for the assessment of olfactory function. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Laser-Induced Plasma Chemistry of the Explosive RDX with Various Metallic Nanoparticles

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-04-01

mixtures is crucial. In a recent study, Song et al . investigated the formation of C and AlO in an aluminized-cyclotrimethylenetrinitra- mine (RDX) shock...being sampled in the plasma), the C2 and AlO increased on all substrates (Fig. 7). This result is confirmed by the conclusions of Song et al . [5...in C2 emission resulting from an increase in Al powder additive, as confirmed by the observations of Song et al . [5] in a shock tube explosion. The

GIANT DIELECTRIC TUNABLE BEHAVIOR OF Pr-DOPED SrTiO3 AT LOW TEMPERATURE

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, T.; Song, Q. G.; Zhou, Q. J.; Li, Z. P.; Chen, Y. F.; Qi, X. L.; Guo, S. Q.; Liu, J.-M.

2012-03-01

Contrast with conventional dielectric tunable materials such as barium strontium titanate (BST), here, we report one new dielectric tunable behavior for Sr1-xPrxTiO3 system at low temperature. Giant dielectric tunability is confirmed in this system. More importantly, the efficient dielectric tunability can be realized just using small bias field. In addition, critical threshold electric field is also confirmed. This phenomenon may be related with the competition interaction of polar state with quantum fluctuations.

Notes from the field: outbreak of poliomyelitis--Somalia and Kenya, May 2013.

PubMed

2013-06-14

On May 9, 2013, the Somalia Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a confirmed wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case in a girl aged 32 months from Mogadishu (Banadir Region), with onset of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) on April 18, 2013. Subsequently, eight additional WPV1 cases have been confirmed in Somalia, seven in Banadir Region and one in Bay Region. These are the first reported polio cases in Somalia since March 2007.

Detection of bacterial contamination in platelet concentrates by a sensitive flow cytometric assay (BactiFlow): a multicentre validation study.

PubMed

Vollmer, T; Dreier, J; Schottstedt, V; Bux, J; Tapernon, K; Sibrowski, W; Kleesiek, K; Knabbe, C

2012-08-01

Bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates (PCs) still represents an ongoing risk. As a result of septic complications, particularly observed with older PCs, the shelf life of PCs has been reduced in Germany to 4 days. In this study, bacterial screening of PCs by BactiFlow (BF) flow cytometry was introduced in three German blood services to evaluate the robustness and applicability of the assay. Results were used to discuss the potential for the extension of PC shelf life to 5 days. A total of 1956 PCs were tested on days 4 or 5+ after PC production using the BF, whereas the BacT/Alert culture system served as reference method. Two PCs were confirmed positive by culture only and were identified as Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus species. Two PCs were confirmed positive for Streptococcus mitis by BF and culture. Additionally, two PCs were culture-positive only in one culture bottle (aerobic: S. mitis and anaerobic: S. hominis). Retrospective analysis of bacterial growth kinetics provide the indication that corresponding bacterial titres were most likely below the BF analytical detection limit (<150 CFU mL(-1) ) and had probably no transfusion relevance. All remaining specimens were tested negative. Testing of PCs by BF was successfully implemented. The BF proved sufficient as a rapid screening method to improve PC safety. This study further provides data supporting the extension of PC shelf life to 5 days after negative BF testing on day 4. © 2012 The Authors. Transfusion Medicine © 2012 British Blood Transfusion Society.

Comparative Characterization of CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 Provides Insights into the Structure and Catalytic Activity of the CTX-M Class of Enzymes.

PubMed

He, Dandan; Chiou, Jiachi; Zeng, Zhenling; Chan, Edward Wai-Chi; Liu, Jian-Hua; Chen, Sheng

2016-10-01

Clinical isolates producing hybrid CTX-M β-lactamases, presumably due to recombination between the blaCTX-M-15 and blaCTX-M-14 elements, have emerged in recent years. Among the hybrid enzymes, CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 display the most significant difference in catalytic activity. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying such differential enzymatic activities in order to provide insight into the structure/function relationship of this class of enzymes. Sequence alignment analysis showed that the major differences between the amino acid composition of CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 lie at both the N and C termini of the enzymes. Single or multiple amino acid substitutions introduced into CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 were found to produce only minor effects on hydrolytic functions; such a finding is consistent with the notion that the discrepancy between the functional activities of the two enzymes is not the result of only a few amino acid changes but is attributable to interactions between a unique set of amino acid residues in each enzyme. This theory is supported by the results of the thermal stability assay, which confirmed that CTX-M-64 is significantly more stable than CTX-M-14. Our data confirmed that, in addition to the important residues located in the active site, residues distal to the active site also contribute to the catalytic activity of the enzyme through stabilizing its structural integrity. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Differentiation of South American crack and domestic (US) crack cocaine via headspace-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Colley, Valerie L; Casale, John F

2015-03-01

South American 'crack' cocaine, produced directly from coca leaf, can be distinguished from US domestically produced crack on the basis of occluded solvent profiles. In addition, analysis of domestically produced crack indicates the solvents that were used for cocaine hydrochloride (HCl) processing in South America. Samples of cocaine base (N=3) from South America and cocaine from the USA (N=157 base, N=88 HCl) were analyzed by headspace-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) to determine their solvent profiles. Each cocaine HCl sample was then converted to crack cocaine using the traditional crack production method and re-examined by HS-GC-MS. The resulting occluded solvent profiles were then compared to their original HCl solvent profiles. Analysis of the corresponding crack samples confirmed the same primary processing solvents found in the original HCl samples, but at reduced levels. Domestically seized crack samples also contained reduced levels of base-to-HCl conversion solvents. In contrast, analysis of South American crack samples confirmed the presence of low to high boiling hydrocarbons and no base-to-HCl conversion solvents. The presented study showed analysis of crack cocaine samples provides data on which processing solvents were originally utilized in the production of cocaine HCl in South America, prior to conversion to crack cocaine. Determination of processing solvents provides valuable information to the counter-drug intelligence community and assists the law enforcement community in determining cocaine distribution and trafficking routes throughout the world. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Comparative Characterization of CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 Provides Insights into the Structure and Catalytic Activity of the CTX-M Class of Enzymes

PubMed Central

He, Dandan; Chiou, Jiachi; Zeng, Zhenling; Chan, Edward Wai-Chi

2016-01-01

Clinical isolates producing hybrid CTX-M β-lactamases, presumably due to recombination between the blaCTX-M-15 and blaCTX-M-14 elements, have emerged in recent years. Among the hybrid enzymes, CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 display the most significant difference in catalytic activity. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying such differential enzymatic activities in order to provide insight into the structure/function relationship of this class of enzymes. Sequence alignment analysis showed that the major differences between the amino acid composition of CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 lie at both the N and C termini of the enzymes. Single or multiple amino acid substitutions introduced into CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-14 were found to produce only minor effects on hydrolytic functions; such a finding is consistent with the notion that the discrepancy between the functional activities of the two enzymes is not the result of only a few amino acid changes but is attributable to interactions between a unique set of amino acid residues in each enzyme. This theory is supported by the results of the thermal stability assay, which confirmed that CTX-M-64 is significantly more stable than CTX-M-14. Our data confirmed that, in addition to the important residues located in the active site, residues distal to the active site also contribute to the catalytic activity of the enzyme through stabilizing its structural integrity. PMID:27480856

Infection prevention and control practice for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever-A multi-center cross-sectional survey in Eurasia.

PubMed

Fletcher, Tom E; Gulzhan, Abuova; Ahmeti, Salih; Al-Abri, Seif S; Asik, Zahide; Atilla, Aynur; Beeching, Nick J; Bilek, Heval; Bozkurt, Ilkay; Christova, Iva; Duygu, Fazilet; Esen, Saban; Khanna, Arjun; Kader, Çiğdem; Mardani, Masoud; Mahmood, Faisal; Mamuchishvili, Nana; Pshenichnaya, Natalia; Sunbul, Mustafa; Yalcin, Tuğba Y; Leblebicioglu, Hakan

2017-01-01

Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a life threatening acute viral infection that presents significant risk of nosocomial transmission to healthcare workers. Evaluation of CCHF infection prevention and control (IP&C) practices in healthcare facilities that routinely manage CCHF cases in Eurasia. A cross-sectional CCHF IP&C survey was designed and distributed to CCHF centers in 10 endemic Eurasian countries in 2016. Twenty-three responses were received from centers in Turkey, Pakistan, Russia, Georgia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Oman, Iran, India and Kazakhstan. All units had dedicated isolation rooms for CCHF, with cohorting of confirmed cases in 15/23 centers and cohorting of suspect and confirmed cases in 9/23 centers. There was adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in 22/23 facilities, with 21/23 facilities reporting routine use of PPE for CCHF patients. Adequate staffing levels to provide care reported in 14/23 locations. All centers reported having a high risk CCHFV nosocomial exposure in last five years, with 5 centers reporting more than 5 exposures. Education was provided annually in most centers (13/23), with additional training requested in PPE use (11/23), PPE donning/doffing (12/23), environmental disinfection (12/23) and waste management (14/23). Staff and patient safety must be improved and healthcare associated CCHF exposure and transmission eliminated. Improvements are recommended in isolation capacity in healthcare facilities, use of PPE and maintenance of adequate staffing levels. We recommend further audit of IP&C practice at individual units in endemic areas, as part of national quality assurance programs.

Assessment of an extended dataset of in vitro human dermal absorption studies on pesticides to determine default values, opportunities for read-across and influence of dilution on absorption.

PubMed

Aggarwal, M; Fisher, P; Hüser, A; Kluxen, F M; Parr-Dobrzanski, R; Soufi, M; Strupp, C; Wiemann, C; Billington, R

2015-06-01

Dermal absorption is a key parameter in non-dietary human safety assessments for agrochemicals. Conservative default values and other criteria in the EFSA guidance have substantially increased generation of product-specific in vitro data and in some cases, in vivo data. Therefore, data from 190 GLP- and OECD guideline-compliant human in vitro dermal absorption studies were published, suggesting EFSA defaults and criteria should be revised (Aggarwal et al., 2014). This follow-up article presents data from an additional 171 studies and also the combined dataset. Collectively, the data provide consistent and compelling evidence for revision of EFSA's guidance. This assessment covers 152 agrochemicals, 19 formulation types and representative ranges of spray concentrations. The analysis used EFSA's worst-case dermal absorption definition (i.e., an entire skin residue, except for surface layers of stratum corneum, is absorbed). It confirmed previously proposed default values of 6% for liquid and 2% for solid concentrates, irrespective of active substance loading, and 30% for all spray dilutions, irrespective of formulation type. For concentrates, absorption from solvent-based formulations provided reliable read-across for other formulation types, as did water-based products for solid concentrates. The combined dataset confirmed that absorption does not increase linearly beyond a 5-fold increase in dilution. Finally, despite using EFSA's worst-case definition for absorption, a rationale for routinely excluding the entire stratum corneum residue, and ideally the entire epidermal residue in in vitro studies, is presented. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Infection prevention and control practice for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever—A multi-center cross-sectional survey in Eurasia

PubMed Central

Gulzhan, Abuova; Ahmeti, Salih; Al-Abri, Seif S.; Asik, Zahide; Atilla, Aynur; Beeching, Nick J.; Bilek, Heval; Bozkurt, Ilkay; Christova, Iva; Duygu, Fazilet; Esen, Saban; Khanna, Arjun; Kader, Çiğdem; Mardani, Masoud; Mahmood, Faisal; Mamuchishvili, Nana; Pshenichnaya, Natalia; Sunbul, Mustafa; Yalcin, Tuğba Y.; Leblebicioglu, Hakan

2017-01-01

Background Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a life threatening acute viral infection that presents significant risk of nosocomial transmission to healthcare workers. Aim Evaluation of CCHF infection prevention and control (IP&C) practices in healthcare facilities that routinely manage CCHF cases in Eurasia. Methods A cross-sectional CCHF IP&C survey was designed and distributed to CCHF centers in 10 endemic Eurasian countries in 2016. Results Twenty-three responses were received from centers in Turkey, Pakistan, Russia, Georgia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Oman, Iran, India and Kazakhstan. All units had dedicated isolation rooms for CCHF, with cohorting of confirmed cases in 15/23 centers and cohorting of suspect and confirmed cases in 9/23 centers. There was adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) in 22/23 facilities, with 21/23 facilities reporting routine use of PPE for CCHF patients. Adequate staffing levels to provide care reported in 14/23 locations. All centers reported having a high risk CCHFV nosocomial exposure in last five years, with 5 centers reporting more than 5 exposures. Education was provided annually in most centers (13/23), with additional training requested in PPE use (11/23), PPE donning/doffing (12/23), environmental disinfection (12/23) and waste management (14/23). Conclusions Staff and patient safety must be improved and healthcare associated CCHF exposure and transmission eliminated. Improvements are recommended in isolation capacity in healthcare facilities, use of PPE and maintenance of adequate staffing levels. We recommend further audit of IP&C practice at individual units in endemic areas, as part of national quality assurance programs. PMID:28886039

Counterfeit analysis strategy illustrated by a case study.

PubMed

Dégardin, Klara; Roggo, Yves

2016-01-01

Medicine counterfeiting is a current problem that the whole pharmaceutical field has to deal with. In 2014, counterfeits entered the legitimate supply chain in Europe. Quick and efficient action had to be taken. The aim of this paper is to explain which analytical strategy was chosen to deal with six of the cases concerned and which criteria have to be considered to provide quick and thorough information about the counterfeits. The evaluation of the packaging was performed in a first step, based on a comparison with genuine samples and evaluation of manipulation signs. Chemical methods were then used, consisting of near infrared and infrared spectroscopy, capillary zone electrophoresis and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, in order to authenticate the samples and provide the chemical composition of the confirmed counterfeits. Among the 20 samples analyzed, 17 were confirmed as counterfeits. The counterfeits were the results of the manipulation of genuine samples, and one contained totally counterfeited parts. Several manipulation signs were asserted, like the addition of glue on the boxes and the vials. Genuine stolen goods had been diluted with water, while for an isolated case, a different active ingredient had been introduced in a vial. The analytical data generated were further investigated from a forensic intelligence perspective. Links could be revealed between the analyzed counterfeits, together with some interesting information about the modus operandi of the counterfeiters. The study was performed on a limited number of cases, and therefore encourages chemical and packaging profiling of counterfeits at a bigger scale. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

RNA sequencing provides evidence for functional variability between naturally co-existing Alteromonas macleodii lineages.

PubMed

Kimes, Nikole E; López-Pérez, Mario; Ausó, Eva; Ghai, Rohit; Rodriguez-Valera, Francisco

2014-10-26

Alteromonas macleodii is a ubiquitous gammaproteobacterium shown to play a biogeochemical role in marine environments. Two A. macleodii strains (AltDE and AltDE1) isolated from the same sample (i.e., the same place at the same time) show considerable genomic differences. In this study, we investigate the transcriptional response of these two strains to varying growth conditions in order to investigate differences in their ability to adapt to varying environmental parameters. RNA sequencing revealed transcriptional changes between all growth conditions examined (e.g., temperature and medium) as well as differences between the two A. macleodii strains within a given condition. The main inter-strain differences were more marked in the adaptation to grow on minimal medium with glucose and, even more so, under starvation. These differences suggested that AltDE1 may have an advantage over AltDE when glucose is the major carbon source, and co-culture experiments confirmed this advantage. Additional differences were observed between the two strains in the expression of ncRNAs and phage-related genes, as well as motility. This study shows that the genomic diversity observed in closely related strains of A. macleodii from a single environment result in different transcriptional responses to changing environmental parameters. This data provides additional support for the idea that greater diversity at the strain level of a microbial community could enhance the community's ability to adapt to environmental shifts.

SN-38 loading capacity of hydrophobic polymer blend nanoparticles: formulation, optimization and efficacy evaluation.

PubMed

Dimchevska, Simona; Geskovski, Nikola; Petruševski, Gjorgji; Chacorovska, Marina; Popeski-Dimovski, Riste; Ugarkovic, Sonja; Goracinova, Katerina

2017-03-01

One of the most important problems in nanoencapsulation of extremely hydrophobic drugs is poor drug loading due to rapid drug crystallization outside the polymer core. The effort to use nanoprecipitation, as a simple one-step procedure with good reproducibility and FDA approved polymers like Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and Polycaprolactone (PCL), will only potentiate this issue. Considering that drug loading is one of the key defining characteristics, in this study we attempted to examine whether the nanoparticle (NP) core composed of two hydrophobic polymers will provide increased drug loading for 7-Ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN-38), relative to NPs prepared using individual polymers. D-optimal design was applied to optimize PLGA/PCL ratio in the polymer blend and the mode of addition of the amphiphilic copolymer Lutrol ® F127 in order to maximize SN-38 loading and obtain NPs with acceptable size for passive tumor targeting. Drug/polymer and polymer/polymer interaction analysis pointed to high degree of compatibility and miscibility among both hydrophobic polymers, providing core configuration with higher drug loading capacity. Toxicity studies outlined the biocompatibility of the blank NPs. Increased in vitro efficacy of drug-loaded NPs compared to the free drug was confirmed by growth inhibition studies using SW-480 cell line. Additionally, the optimized NP formulation showed very promising blood circulation profile with elimination half-time of 7.4 h.

The emergence and evolution of life in a "fatty acid world" based on quantum mechanics.

PubMed

Tamulis, Arvydas; Grigalavicius, Mantas

2011-02-01

Quantum mechanical based electron correlation interactions among molecules are the source of the weak hydrogen and Van der Waals bonds that are critical to the self-assembly of artificial fatty acid micelles. Life on Earth or elsewhere could have emerged in the form of self-reproducing photoactive fatty acid micelles, which gradually evolved into nucleotide-containing micelles due to the enhanced ability of nucleotide-coupled sensitizer molecules to absorb visible light. Comparison of the calculated absorption spectra of micelles with and without nucleotides confirmed this idea and supports the idea of the emergence and evolution of nucleotides in minimal cells of a so-called Fatty Acid World. Furthermore, the nucleotide-caused wavelength shift and broadening of the absorption pattern potentially gives these molecules an additional valuable role, other than a purely genetic one in the early stages of the development of life. From the information theory point of view, the nucleotide sequences in such micelles carry positional information providing better electron transport along the nucleotide-sensitizer chain and, in addition, providing complimentary copies of that information for the next generation. Nucleotide sequences, which in the first period of evolution of fatty acid molecules were useful just for better absorbance of the light in the longer wavelength region, later in the PNA or RNA World, took on the role of genetic information storage.

Identifying people with type 2 diabetes and those at risk: lessons from the measure your waist (MY-WAIST) mixed-methods study in UK primary care.

PubMed

Aujla, Navneet; Stone, Margaret A; Taub, Nicholas; Davies, Melanie J; Khunti, Kamlesh

2013-12-01

This paper focuses mainly on explanations and lessons from a research-based programme for identifying undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and high risk. In addition to outlining key quantitative findings, we specifically aim to explore reasons for low uptake from the perspective of primary care staff involved. The MY-WAIST study was conducted in UK primary care and included the use of oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTTs) and waist measurement. Qualitative data from interviews with healthcare providers and records of meetings were analysed thematically. The key quantitative finding was low uptake of the assessments offered (8.6% overall, 2.6% in inner-city locations with high South Asian residency). In addition to confirming patient-reported barriers including those associated with OGTTs, qualitative findings highlighted a number of primary care provider barriers, including limited staff capacity. Interviewees suggested that those who attended were typically the 'worried well' rather than those from hard-to-reach groups. Implications discussed include the impact of low uptake on the usefulness of the quantitative data obtained, and lessons relevant to research design. Relevance to current guidance regarding early identification strategies is discussed and the importance of addressing the needs of less accessible groups is highlighted. Copyright © 2013 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Genome-wide association identifies OBFC1 as a locus involved in human leukocyte telomere biology.

PubMed

Levy, Daniel; Neuhausen, Susan L; Hunt, Steven C; Kimura, Masayuki; Hwang, Shih-Jen; Chen, Wei; Bis, Joshua C; Fitzpatrick, Annette L; Smith, Erin; Johnson, Andrew D; Gardner, Jeffrey P; Srinivasan, Sathanur R; Schork, Nicholas; Rotter, Jerome I; Herbig, Utz; Psaty, Bruce M; Sastrasinh, Malinee; Murray, Sarah S; Vasan, Ramachandran S; Province, Michael A; Glazer, Nicole L; Lu, Xiaobin; Cao, Xiaojian; Kronmal, Richard; Mangino, Massimo; Soranzo, Nicole; Spector, Tim D; Berenson, Gerald S; Aviv, Abraham

2010-05-18

Telomeres are engaged in a host of cellular functions, and their length is regulated by multiple genes. Telomere shortening, in the course of somatic cell replication, ultimately leads to replicative senescence. In humans, rare mutations in genes that regulate telomere length have been identified in monogenic diseases such as dyskeratosis congenita and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which are associated with shortened leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and increased risk for aplastic anemia. Shortened LTL is observed in a host of aging-related complex genetic diseases and is associated with diminished survival in the elderly. We report results of a genome-wide association study of LTL in a consortium of four observational studies (n = 3,417 participants with LTL and genome-wide genotyping). SNPs in the regions of the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide-binding folds containing one gene (OBFC1; rs4387287; P = 3.9 x 10(-9)) and chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 gene (CXCR4; rs4452212; P = 2.9 x 10(-8)) were associated with LTL at a genome-wide significance level (P < 5 x 10(-8)). We attempted replication of the top SNPs at these loci through de novo genotyping of 1,893 additional individuals and in silico lookup in another observational study (n = 2,876), and we confirmed the association findings for OBFC1 but not CXCR4. In addition, we confirmed the telomerase RNA component (TERC) as a gene associated with LTL (P = 1.1 x 10(-5)). The identification of OBFC1 through genome-wide association as a locus for interindividual variation in LTL in the general population advances the understanding of telomere biology in humans and may provide insights into aging-related disorders linked to altered LTL dynamics.

Genome-wide Hi-C analysis reveals extensive hierarchical chromatin interactions in rice.

PubMed

Dong, Qianli; Li, Ning; Li, Xiaochong; Yuan, Zan; Xie, Dejian; Wang, Xiaofei; Li, Jianing; Yu, Yanan; Wang, Jinbin; Ding, Baoxu; Zhang, Zhibin; Li, Changping; Bian, Yao; Zhang, Ai; Wu, Ying; Liu, Bao; Gong, Lei

2018-06-01

The non-random spatial packing of chromosomes in the nucleus plays a critical role in orchestrating gene expression and genome function. Here, we present a Hi-C analysis of the chromatin interaction patterns in rice (Oryza sativa L.) at hierarchical architectural levels. We confirm that rice chromosomes occupy their own territories with certain preferential inter-chromosomal associations. Moderate compartment delimitation and extensive TADs (Topologically Associated Domains) were determined to be associated with heterogeneous genomic compositions and epigenetic marks in the rice genome. We found subtle features including chromatin loops, gene loops, and off-/near-diagonal intensive interaction regions. Gene chromatin loops associated with H3K27me3 could be positively involved in gene expression. In addition to insulated enhancing effects for neighbor gene expression, the identified rice gene loops could bi-directionally (+/-) affect the expression of looped genes themselves. Finally, web-interleaved off-diagonal IHIs/KEEs (Interactive Heterochromatic Islands or KNOT ENGAGED ELEMENTs) could trap transposable elements (TEs) via the enrichment of silencing epigenetic marks. In parallel, the near-diagonal FIREs (Frequently Interacting Regions) could positively affect the expression of involved genes. Our results suggest that the chromatin packing pattern in rice is generally similar to that in Arabidopsis thaliana but with clear differences at specific structural levels. We conclude that genomic composition, epigenetic modification, and transcriptional activity could act in combination to shape global and local chromatin packing in rice. Our results confirm recent observations in rice and A. thaliana but also provide additional insights into the patterns and features of chromatin organization in higher plants. © 2018 The Authors. The Plant Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd and Society for Experimental Biology.

Evaluation of Parkinson Disease Risk Variants as Expression-QTLs

PubMed Central

Latourelle, Jeanne C.; Dumitriu, Alexandra; Hadzi, Tiffany C.; Beach, Thomas G.; Myers, Richard H.

2012-01-01

The recent Parkinson Disease GWAS Consortium meta-analysis and replication study reports association at several previously confirmed risk loci SNCA, MAPT, GAK/DGKQ, and HLA and identified a novel risk locus at RIT2. To further explore functional consequences of these associations, we investigated modification of gene expression in prefrontal cortex brain samples of pathologically confirmed PD cases (N = 26) and controls (N = 24) by 67 associated SNPs in these 5 loci. Association between the eSNPs and expression was evaluated using a 2-degrees of freedom test of both association and difference in association between cases and controls, adjusted for relevant covariates. SNPs at each of the 5 loci were tested for cis-acting effects on all probes within 250 kb of each locus. Trans-effects of the SNPs on the 39,122 probes passing all QC on the microarray were also examined. From the analysis of cis-acting SNP effects, several SNPs in the MAPT region show significant association to multiple nearby probes, including two strongly correlated probes targeting the gene LOC644246 and the duplicated genes LRRC37A and LRRC37A2, and a third uncorrelated probe targeting the gene DCAKD. Significant cis-associations were also observed between SNPs and two probes targeting genes in the HLA region on chromosome 6. Expanding the association study to examine trans effects revealed an additional 23 SNP-probe associations reaching statistical significance (p<2.8×10−8) including SNPs from the SNCA, MAPT and RIT2 regions. These findings provide additional context for the interpretation of PD associated SNPs identified in recent GWAS as well as potential insight into the mechanisms underlying the observed SNP associations. PMID:23071545

Ensemble positive unlabeled learning for disease gene identification.

PubMed

Yang, Peng; Li, Xiaoli; Chua, Hon-Nian; Kwoh, Chee-Keong; Ng, See-Kiong

2014-01-01

An increasing number of genes have been experimentally confirmed in recent years as causative genes to various human diseases. The newly available knowledge can be exploited by machine learning methods to discover additional unknown genes that are likely to be associated with diseases. In particular, positive unlabeled learning (PU learning) methods, which require only a positive training set P (confirmed disease genes) and an unlabeled set U (the unknown candidate genes) instead of a negative training set N, have been shown to be effective in uncovering new disease genes in the current scenario. Using only a single source of data for prediction can be susceptible to bias due to incompleteness and noise in the genomic data and a single machine learning predictor prone to bias caused by inherent limitations of individual methods. In this paper, we propose an effective PU learning framework that integrates multiple biological data sources and an ensemble of powerful machine learning classifiers for disease gene identification. Our proposed method integrates data from multiple biological sources for training PU learning classifiers. A novel ensemble-based PU learning method EPU is then used to integrate multiple PU learning classifiers to achieve accurate and robust disease gene predictions. Our evaluation experiments across six disease groups showed that EPU achieved significantly better results compared with various state-of-the-art prediction methods as well as ensemble learning classifiers. Through integrating multiple biological data sources for training and the outputs of an ensemble of PU learning classifiers for prediction, we are able to minimize the potential bias and errors in individual data sources and machine learning algorithms to achieve more accurate and robust disease gene predictions. In the future, our EPU method provides an effective framework to integrate the additional biological and computational resources for better disease gene predictions.

Detection of selection signatures in Piemontese and Marchigiana cattle, two breeds with similar production aptitudes but different selection histories.

PubMed

Sorbolini, Silvia; Marras, Gabriele; Gaspa, Giustino; Dimauro, Corrado; Cellesi, Massimo; Valentini, Alessio; Macciotta, Nicolò Pp

2015-06-23

Domestication and selection are processes that alter the pattern of within- and between-population genetic variability. They can be investigated at the genomic level by tracing the so-called selection signatures. Recently, sequence polymorphisms at the genome-wide level have been investigated in a wide range of animals. A common approach to detect selection signatures is to compare breeds that have been selected for different breeding goals (i.e. dairy and beef cattle). However, genetic variations in different breeds with similar production aptitudes and similar phenotypes can be related to differences in their selection history. In this study, we investigated selection signatures between two Italian beef cattle breeds, Piemontese and Marchigiana, using genotyping data that was obtained with the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip. The comparison was based on the fixation index (Fst), combined with a locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) regression and a control chart approach. In addition, analyses of Fst were carried out to confirm candidate genes. In particular, data were processed using the varLD method, which compares the regional variation of linkage disequilibrium between populations. Genome scans confirmed the presence of selective sweeps in the genomic regions that harbour candidate genes that are known to affect productive traits in cattle such as DGAT1, ABCG2, CAPN3, MSTN and FTO. In addition, several new putative candidate genes (for example ALAS1, ABCB8, ACADS and SOD1) were detected. This study provided evidence on the different selection histories of two cattle breeds and the usefulness of genomic scans to detect selective sweeps even in cattle breeds that are bred for similar production aptitudes.

Induction of Alternative Proinflammatory Cytokines Accounts for Sustained Psoriasiform Skin Inflammation in IL-17C+IL-6KO Mice.

PubMed

Fritz, Yi; Klenotic, Philip A; Swindell, William R; Yin, Zhi Qiang; Groft, Sarah G; Zhang, Li; Baliwag, Jaymie; Camhi, Maya I; Diaconu, Doina; Young, Andrew B; Foster, Alexander M; Johnston, Andrew; Gudjonsson, Johann E; McCormick, Thomas S; Ward, Nicole L

2017-03-01

IL-6 inhibition has been unsuccessful in treating psoriasis, despite high levels of tissue and serum IL-6 in patients. In addition, de novo psoriasis onset has been reported after IL-6 blockade in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. To explore mechanisms underlying these clinical observations, we backcrossed an established psoriasiform mouse model (IL-17C+ mice) with IL-6-deficient mice (IL-17C+KO) and examined the cutaneous phenotype. IL-17C+KO mice initially exhibited decreased skin inflammation; however, this decrease was transient and reversed rapidly, concomitant with increases in skin Tnf, Il36α/β/γ, Il24, Epgn, and S100a8/a9 to levels higher than those found in IL-17C+ mice. A comparison of IL-17C+ and IL-17C+KO mouse skin transcriptomes with that of human psoriasis skin revealed significant correlation among transcripts of skin of patients with psoriasis and IL-17C+KO mouse skin, and confirmed an exacerbation of the inflammatory signature in IL-17C+KO mice that aligns closely with human psoriasis. Transcriptional analyses of IL-17C+ and IL-17C+KO primary keratinocytes confirmed increased expression of proinflammatory molecules, suggesting that in the absence of IL-6, keratinocytes increase production of numerous additional proinflammatory cytokines. These preclinical findings may provide insight into why patients with arthritis being treated with IL-6 inhibitors develop new onset psoriasis and why IL-6 blockade for the treatment of psoriasis has not been clinically effective. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Conformational Changes in IpaD from Shigella flexneri Upon Binding Bile Salts Provide Insight into the Second Step of Type III Secretion†

PubMed Central

Dickenson, Nicholas E.; Zhang, Lingling; Epler, Chelsea R.; Adam, Philip R.; Picking, Wendy L.; Picking, William D.

2011-01-01

Shigella flexneri uses its type III secretion apparatus (TTSA) to inject host-altering proteins into targeted eukaryotic cells. The TTSA is composed of a basal body and an exposed needle with invasion plasmid antigen D (IpaD) forming a tip complex that controls secretion. The bile salt deoxycholate (DOC) stimulates recruitment of the translocator protein IpaB into the maturing TTSA needle tip complex. This process appears to be triggered by a direct interaction between DOC and IpaD. Fluorescence spectroscopy and NMR spectroscopy are used here to confirm the DOC-IpaD interaction and to reveal that IpaD conformational changes upon DOC binding trigger the appearance of IpaB at the needle tip. Förster resonance energy transfer between specific sites on IpaD was used here to identify changes in distances between IpaD domains as a result of DOC binding. To further explore the effects of DOC binding on IpaD structure, NMR chemical shift mapping was employed. The environments of residues within the proposed DOC binding site and additional residues within the “distal” globular domain were perturbed upon DOC binding, further indicating that conformational changes occur within IpaD upon DOC binding. These events are proposed to be responsible for the recruitment of IpaB at the TTSA needle tip. Mutation analyses combined with additional spectroscopic analyses confirms that conformational changes in IpaD induced by DOC binding contribute to the recruitment of IpaB to the S. flexneri TTSA needle tip. These findings lay the foundation for determining how environmental factors promote TTSA needle tip maturation prior to host cell contact. PMID:21126091

Evaluation of bone response to titanium-coated polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA) implants by X-ray tomography.

PubMed

Shalabi, Manal M; Wolke, Johannes G C; Cuijpers, Vincent M J I; Jansen, John A

2007-10-01

High-resolution three-dimensional data about the bone response to oral implants can be obtained by using microfocus computer tomography. However, a disadvantage is that metallic implants cause streaking artifacts due to scattering of X-rays, which prevents an accurate evaluation of the interfacial bone-to-implant contact. It has been suggested that the use of thin titanium coatings deposited on polymeric implants can offer an alternative option for analyzing bone contact using micro-CT imaging. Consequently, the aim of the current study was to investigate bone behavior to titanium-coated polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) implants by micro-CT and histological evaluation. For the experiment titanium-coated PMMA implants were used. The implants had a machined threaded appearance and were provided with a 400-500 nm thick titanium coating. The implants were inserted in the right or left tibia of 10 goats. After an implantation period of 12 weeks the implants were retrieved and prepared for micro-computer tomography (microCT), light microscopy, and X-ray microanalysis. The micro-CT showed that the screw-threads and typical implant configuration were well maintained through the installation procedure. Overall, histological responses showed that the titanium-coated implants were well tolerated and caused no atypical tissue response. In addition, the bone was seen in direct contact with the titanium-coated layer. The X-ray microanalysis results confirmed the light microscopical data. In conclusion, the obtained results proof the final use of titanium-coated PMMA implants for evaluation of the bone-implant response using microCT. However, this study also confirms that for a proper analysis of the bone-implant interface the additional use of microscopical techniques is still required.

Spectropathology-corroborated multimodal quantitative imaging biomarkers for neuroretinal degeneration in diabetic retinopathy

PubMed Central

Guha Mazumder, Arpan; Chatterjee, Swarnadip; Chatterjee, Saunak; Gonzalez, Juan Jose; Bag, Swarnendu; Ghosh, Sambuddha; Mukherjee, Anirban; Chatterjee, Jyotirmoy

2017-01-01

Introduction Image-based early detection for diabetic retinopathy (DR) needs value addition due to lack of well-defined disease-specific quantitative imaging biomarkers (QIBs) for neuroretinal degeneration and spectropathological information at the systemic level. Retinal neurodegeneration is an early event in the pathogenesis of DR. Therefore, development of an integrated assessment method for detecting neuroretinal degeneration using spectropathology and QIBs is necessary for the early diagnosis of DR. Methods The present work explored the efficacy of intensity and textural features extracted from optical coherence tomography (OCT) images after selecting a specific subset of features for the precise classification of retinal layers using variants of support vector machine (SVM). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were also performed to confirm the spectropathological attributes of serum for further value addition to the OCT, fundoscopy, and fluorescein angiography (FA) findings. The serum metabolomic findings were also incorporated for characterizing retinal layer thickness alterations and vascular asymmetries. Results Results suggested that OCT features could differentiate the retinal lesions indicating retinal neurodegeneration with high sensitivity and specificity. OCT, fundoscopy, and FA provided geometrical as well as optical features. NMR revealed elevated levels of ribitol, glycerophosphocholine, and uridine diphosphate N-acetyl glucosamine, while the FTIR of serum samples confirmed the higher expressions of lipids and β-sheet-containing proteins responsible for neoangiogenesis, vascular fragility, vascular asymmetry, and subsequent neuroretinal degeneration in DR. Conclusion Our data indicated that disease-specific spectropathological alterations could be the major phenomena behind the vascular attenuations observed through fundoscopy and FA, as well as the variations in the intensity and textural features observed in OCT images. Finally, we propose a model that uses spectropathology corroborated with specific QIBs for detecting neuroretinal degeneration in early diagnosis of DR. PMID:29200821

Bovine tuberculosis slaughter surveillance in the United States 2001–2010: assessment of its traceback investigation function

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The success of tracing cattle to the herd of origin after the detection and confirmation of bovine tuberculosis (TB) lesions in cattle at slaughter is a critical component of the national bovine TB eradication program in the United States (U.S.). The aims of this study were to 1) quantify the number of bovine TB cases identified at slaughter that were successfully traced to their herd of origin in the U.S. during 2001–2010, 2) quantify the number of successful traceback investigations that found additional TB infected animals in the herd of origin or epidemiologically linked herds, and 3) describe the forms of animal identification present on domestic bovine TB cases and their association with traceback success. Results We analyzed 2001–2010 data in which 371 granulomatous lesions were confirmed as bovine TB. From these 114 bovine TB cases, 78 adults (i.e. sexually intact bovines greater than two years of age), and 36 fed (i.e. less than or equal to two years of age) were classified as domestic cattle (U.S. originated). Of these adults and fed cases, 83% and 13% were successfully traced, respectively. Of these traceback investigations, 70% of adult cases and 50% of fed cases identified additional bovine TB infected animals in the herd of origin or an epidemiologically linked herd. We found that the presence of various forms of animal identification on domestic bovine TB cases at slaughter may facilitate successful traceback investigations; however, they do not guarantee it. Conclusions These results provide valuable information with regard to epidemiological traceback investigations and serve as a baseline to aid U.S. officials when assessing the impact of newly implemented strategies as part of the national bovine TB eradication in the U.S. PMID:25123050

Diagnosis delay and duration of hospitalisation of patients with Buruli ulcer in Nigeria.

PubMed

Meka, Anthony O; Chukwu, Joseph N; Nwafor, Charles C; Oshi, Daniel C; Madichie, Nelson O; Ekeke, Ngozi; Anyim, Moses C; Alphonsus, Chukwuka; Mbah, Obinna; Uzoukwa, Glory C; Njoku, Martin; Ntana, Kentigern; Ukwaja, Kingsley N

2016-09-01

Delayed diagnosis of Buruli ulcer can worsen clinical presentation of the disease, prolong duration of management, and impose avoidable additional costs on patients and health providers. We investigated the profile, delays in diagnosis, duration of hospitalisation, and associated factors among patients with Buruli ulcer in Nigeria. This was a prospective cohort study of patients with Buruli ulcer who were identified from a community-based survey. Data on the patients' clinical profile, delays in diagnosis and duration of hospitalisation were prospectively collected. Of 145 patients notified, 125 (86.2%) were confirmed by one or more laboratory tests (81.4% by PCR). The median age of the patients was 20 years, 88 (60.7%) were >15years old and 85 (58.6%) were females. In addition, 137 (94.5%) were new cases, 119 (82.1%) presented with ulcers and 110 (75.9%) had lower limb lesions. The mean time delay to diagnosis was 50.6 (±101.9) weeks. The mean duration of hospitalisation was 108 (±60) days. Determinants of time delay to diagnosis were higher disease category (p=0.001) and laboratory confirmation of disease (p=0.02). Determinants of longer hospitalisation were; multiple lesions (p=0.035), and having functional limitation at diagnosis and undertaking surgery (p=0.003). Patients with Buruli ulcer have very long time delays to diagnosis and long hospitalisation during treatment. This calls for early case-finding and improved access to Buruli ulcer services in Nigeria. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Investigations of High Pressure Acoustic Waves in Resonators with Seal-Like Features

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniels, Christopher C.; Steinetz, Bruce M.; Finkbeiner, Joshua R.; Li, Xiao-Fan; Raman, Ganesh

2004-01-01

1) Standing waves with maximum pressures of 188 kPa have been produced in resonators containing ambient pressure air; 2) Addition of structures inside the resonator shifts the fundamental frequency and decreases the amplitude of the generated pressure waves; 3) Addition of holes to the resonator does reduce the magnitude of the acoustic waves produced, but their addition does not prohibit the generation of large magnitude non-linear standing waves; 4) The feasibility of reducing leakage using non-linear acoustics has been confirmed.

Cultural events - does attendance improve health? Evidence from a Polish longitudinal study.

PubMed

Węziak-Białowolska, Dorota; Białowolski, Piotr

2016-08-05

Although there is strong advocacy for uptake of both the arts and creative activities as determinants of individual health conditions, studies evaluating causal influence of attendance at cultural events on population health using individual population data on health are scarce. If available, results are often only of an associative nature. In this light, this study investigated causative impact of attendance at cultural events on self-reported and physical health in the Polish population. Four recent waves (2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015) of the biennial longitudinal Polish household panel study, Social Diagnosis, were analysed. The data, representative for the Polish population aged over 16, with respect to age, gender, classes of place of residence and NUTS 2 regions, were collected from self-report questionnaires. Causative influence of cultural attendance on population health was established using longitudinal population representative data. To account for unobserved heterogeneity of individuals and to mitigate issues caused by omitted variables, a panel data model with a fixed effects estimator was applied. The endogeneity problem (those who enjoy good health are more likely to participate in cultural activities more frequently) was circumvented by application of instrumental variables. Results confirmed positive association between cultural attendance and self-reported health. However, in contrast to the often suggested positive causative relationship, such a link was not confirmed by the study. Additionally, no evidence was found to corroborate a positive impact from cultural attendance on physical health. Both findings were substantiated by augmentation in the longitudinal perspective and causal link. We showed the relation between attendance at cultural events and self-reported health could only be confirmed as associational. Therefore, this study provided little justification to encourage use of passive cultural participation as a measure of health promotion (improvement). Our study did not confirm any identifiable benefit to physical health from passive participation in culture. Future research should investigate the causative influence of active participation in creative activities on health outcomes as, in contrast to passive attendance, it may be influential.

32 CFR 77.6 - Procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

.... Counselors shall update into the Defense Outplacement Referral System (DORS) database Service members..., Section 561. (2) Early retirees must provide a copy of their confirmation DORS mini-resume to their... confirmation DORS mini-resume is filed in the permanent document section of the Service record of Service...

Application of biosurfactants, rhamnolipid, and surfactin, for enhanced biodegradation of diesel-contaminated water and soil.

PubMed

Whang, Liang-Ming; Liu, Pao-Wen G; Ma, Chih-Chung; Cheng, Sheng-Shung

2008-02-28

This study investigated potential application of two biosurfactants, surfactin (SF) and rhamnolipid (RL), for enhanced biodegradation of diesel-contaminated water and soil with a series of bench-scale experiments. The rhamnolipid used in this study, a commonly isolated glycolipid biosurfactant, was produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa J4, while the surfactin, a lipoprotein type biosurfactant, was produced by Bacillus subtilis ATCC 21332. Both biosurfactants were able to reduce surface tension to less than 30 dynes/cm from 72 dynes/cm with critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of 45 and 50 mg/L for surfactin and rhamnolipid, respectively. In addition, the results of diesel dissolution experiments also demonstrated their ability in increasing diesel solubility with increased biosurfactant addition. In diesel/water batch experiments, an addition of 40 mg/L of surfactin significantly enhanced biomass growth (2500 mg VSS/L) as well as increased diesel biodegradation percentage (94%), compared to batch experiments with no surfactin addition (1000 mg VSS/L and 40% biodegradation percentage). Addition of surfactin more than 40 mg/L, however, decreased both biomass growth and diesel biodegradation efficiency, with a worse diesel biodegradation percentage (0%) at 400 mg/L of SF addition. Similar trends were also observed for both specific rate constants of biomass growth and diesel degradation, as surfactin addition increased from 0 to 400 mg/L. Addition of rhamnolipid to diesel/water systems from 0 to 80 mg/L substantially increased biomass growth and diesel biodegradation percentage from 1000 to 2500 mg VSS/L and 40 to 100%, respectively. Rhamnolipid addition at a concentration of 160 mg/L provided similar results to those of an 80 mg/L addition. Finally, potential application of surfactin and rhamnolipid in stimulating indigenous microorganisms for enhanced bioremediation of diesel-contaminated soil was also examined. The results confirmed their enhancing capability on both efficiency and rate of diesel biodegradation in diesel/soil systems.

Wideband Single Crystal Transducer for Bone Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sahul, Raffi

2015-01-01

Phase II objectives: Optimize the Phase I transducer for sensitivity; Test different transmit signals for optimum performance; Demonstrate compatibility with electronics; Confirm additional transducer capabilities over conventional systems by calibrating with other methods.

Novel Therapies for Acinetobacter Osteomyelitis

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

deployed soldiers. An additional problem is that while there are some effective antibiotics against Acinetobacter (i.e. Colistin and Imipenem ), they are...of Acinetobacter baumannii with confirmed resistance to amikacin, ampicillin, aztraeonam, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, imipenem

Fibrin-binding, peptide amphiphile micelles for targeting glioblastoma.

PubMed

Chung, Eun Ji; Cheng, Yu; Morshed, Ramin; Nord, Kathryn; Han, Yu; Wegscheid, Michelle L; Auffinger, Brenda; Wainwright, Derek A; Lesniak, Maciej S; Tirrell, Matthew V

2014-01-01

Glioblastoma-targeted drug delivery systems facilitate efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to malignant gliomas, while minimizing systemic toxicity and side effects. Taking advantage of the fibrin deposition that is characteristic of tumors, we constructed spherical, Cy7-labeled, targeting micelles to glioblastoma through the addition of the fibrin-binding pentapeptide, cysteine-arginine-glutamic acid-lysine-alanine, or CREKA. Conjugation of the CREKA peptide to Cy7-micelles increased the average particle size and zeta potential. Upon intravenous administration to GL261 glioma bearing mice, Cy7-micelles passively accumulated at the brain tumor site via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, and Cy7-CREKA-micelles displayed enhanced tumor homing via active targeting as early as 1 h after administration, as confirmed via in vivo and ex vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry. Biodistribution of micelles showed an accumulation within the liver and kidneys, leading to micelle elimination via renal clearance and the reticuloendothelial system (RES). Histological evaluation showed no signs of cytotoxicity or tissue damage, confirming the safety and utility of this nanoparticle system for delivery to glioblastoma. Our findings offer strong evidence for the glioblastoma-targeting potential of CREKA-micelles and provide the foundation for CREKA-mediated, targeted therapy of glioma. Copyright © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Role of FOXO1 in aldosterone-induced autophagy: A compensatory protective mechanism related to podocyte injury

PubMed Central

Wang, Bin; Ding, Wei; Zhang, Minmin; Li, Hongmei; Guo, Honglei; Lin, Lilu; Chen, Jing; Gu, Yong

2016-01-01

This study was undertaken to elucidate whether and how autophagy was regulated in aldosterone (Aldo)-induced podocyte injury and to examine its role in this model both in vitro and in vivo. In cultured podocytes, Aldo increased autophagy flux as indicated by the enhanced expression of LC3-II/LC3-I and the reduction of p62. Autophagy induction with rapamycin (RP) provided a cytoprotective effect, and inhibition of autophagy with Atg7-specific siRNA, chloroquine (CQ) or 3-methyladenine (3-MA) worsened Aldo-induced podocyte injury by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Aldo inhibited Akt phosphorylation but increased the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway; however, Aldo up-regulated the expression of FOXO1 and its downstream effector Rab7. Either knockdown of FOXO1 or Rab7 inhibited Aldo-induced autophagy. Additionally, an elevated level of P300-regulated acetylation of FOXO1 and the interaction of acetylated FOXO1 and Atg7 were also confirmed to be involved in regulating autophagy in Aldo-induced podocytes. Similar results were further confirmed in vivo. We propose that autophagy enhancement through enhancing of the FOXO1/Rab7 axis and post-translational modification of FOXO1 may represent a potential therapeutic strategy against podocyte injury by promoting autophagy. PMID:27244896

Rational development of solid dispersions via hot-melt extrusion using screening, material characterization, and numeric simulation tools.

PubMed

Zecevic, Damir E; Wagner, Karl G

2013-07-01

Effective and predictive small-scale selection tools are inevitable during the development of a solubility enhanced drug product. For hot-melt extrusion, this selection process can start with a microscale performance evaluation on a hot-stage microscope (HSM). A batch size of 400 mg can provide sufficient materials to assess the drug product attributes such as solid-state properties, solubility enhancement, and physical stability as well as process related attributes such as processing temperature in a twin-screw extruder (TSE). Prototype formulations will then be fed into a 5 mm TSE (~1-2 g) to confirm performance from the HSM under additional shear stress. Small stress stability testing might be performed with these samples or a larger batch (20-40 g) made by 9 or 12 mm TSE. Simultaneously, numeric process simulations are performed using process data as well as rheological and thermal properties of the formulations. Further scale up work to 16 and 18 mm TSE confirmed and refined the simulation model. Thus, at the end of the laboratory-scale development, not only the clinical trial supply could be manufactured, but also one can form a sound risk assessment to support further scale up even without decades of process experience. Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Evidence of correlated evolution of hypsodonty and exceptional longevity in endemic insular mammals.

PubMed

Jordana, Xavier; Marín-Moratalla, Nekane; DeMiguel, Daniel; Kaiser, Thomas M; Köhler, Meike

2012-08-22

Here, we test whether the increase in tooth height in insular endemics results from the expansion of the dietary niche under resource limitation, as widely considered, or whether it represents an investment in dental durability in response to the selection for extended longevity under low levels of extrinsic mortality. We tested these hypotheses in the extremely hypsodont fossil bovid Myotragus balearicus from the Balearic Islands, an ideal model to study the evolutionary trends on islands. Dental abrasion was significantly lower in the insular bovid than in highly hypsodont continental artiodactyls, suggesting that feeding habits are not the sole driving force behind increased crown height. However, the estimated longevity for M. balearicus based on dental durability was two times that predicted from body mass. Survivorship curves confirm that an extraordinarily large number of individuals approached the longevity of the species. Our results, hence, provide evidence that hypsodonty in insular endemics is the outcome of selection for increased durability of the permanent dentition in association with an extended lifespan. In the context of insularity, our results lend additional support to the disposable soma theory of ageing confirming the dependency of somatic maintenance and repair on lifespan, and its control by resource availability and extrinsic mortality.

CHARACTERIZATION OF ACTINIDES IN SIMULATED ALKALINE TANK WASTE SLUDGES AND LEACHATES

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

Nash, Kenneth L.

In this project, both the fundamental chemistry of actinides in alkaline solutions (relevant to those present in Hanford-style waste storage tanks), and their dissolution from sludge simulants (and interactions with supernatants) have been investigated under representative sludge leaching procedures. The leaching protocols were designed to go beyond conventional alkaline sludge leaching limits, including the application of acidic leachants, oxidants and complexing agents. The simulant leaching studies confirm in most cases the basic premise that actinides will remain in the sludge during leaching with 2-3 M NaOH caustic leach solutions. However, they also confirm significant chances for increased mobility of actinidesmore » under oxidative leaching conditions. Thermodynamic data generated improves the general level of experiemental information available to predict actinide speciation in leach solutions. Additional information indicates that improved Al removal can be achieved with even dilute acid leaching and that acidic Al(NO3)3 solutions can be decontaminated of co-mobilized actinides using conventional separations methods. Both complexing agents and acidic leaching solutions have significant potential to improve the effectiveness of conventional alkaline leaching protocols. The prime objective of this program was to provide adequate insight into actinide behavior under these conditions to enable prudent decision making as tank waste treatment protocols develop.« less

Using dissolved gas analysis to investigate the performance of an organic carbon permeable reactive barrier for the treatment of mine drainage

USGS Publications Warehouse

Williams, R.L.; Mayer, K.U.; Amos, R.T.; Blowes, D.W.; Ptacek, C.J.; Bain, J.G.

2007-01-01

The strongly reducing nature of permeable reactive barrier (PRB) treatment materials can lead to gas production, potentially resulting in the formation of gas bubbles and ebullition. Degassing in organic C based PRB systems due to the production of gases (primarily CO2 and CH4) is investigated using the depletion of naturally occurring non-reactive gases Ar and N2, to identify, confirm, and quantify chemical and physical processes. Sampling and analysis of dissolved gases were performed at the Nickel Rim Mine Organic Carbon PRB, which was designed for the treatment of groundwater contaminated by low quality mine drainage characterized by slightly acidic pH, and elevated Fe(II) and SO4 concentrations. A simple 4-gas degassing model was used to analyze the dissolved gas data, and the results indicate that SO4 reduction is by far the dominant process of organic C consumption within the barrier. The data provided additional information to delineate rates of microbially mediated SO4 reduction and confirm the presence of slow and fast flow zones within the barrier. Degassing was incorporated into multicomponent reactive transport simulations for the barrier and the simulations were successful in reproducing observed dissolved gas trends.

Dense surface seismic data confirm non-double-couple source mechanisms induced by hydraulic fracturing

USGS Publications Warehouse

Pesicek, Jeremy; Cieślik, Konrad; Lambert, Marc-André; Carrillo, Pedro; Birkelo, Brad

2016-01-01

We have determined source mechanisms for nine high-quality microseismic events induced during hydraulic fracturing of the Montney Shale in Canada. Seismic data were recorded using a dense regularly spaced grid of sensors at the surface. The design and geometry of the survey are such that the recorded P-wave amplitudes essentially map the upper focal hemisphere, allowing the source mechanism to be interpreted directly from the data. Given the inherent difficulties of computing reliable moment tensors (MTs) from high-frequency microseismic data, the surface amplitude and polarity maps provide important additional confirmation of the source mechanisms. This is especially critical when interpreting non-shear source processes, which are notoriously susceptible to artifacts due to incomplete or inaccurate source modeling. We have found that most of the nine events contain significant non-double-couple (DC) components, as evident in the surface amplitude data and the resulting MT models. Furthermore, we found that source models that are constrained to be purely shear do not explain the data for most events. Thus, even though non-DC components of MTs can often be attributed to modeling artifacts, we argue that they are required by the data in some cases, and can be reliably computed and confidently interpreted under favorable conditions.

Molecular Cloning, Identification, and Expression Patterns of Myostatin Gene in Water Buffalo (Bubalus Bubalis).

PubMed

Zhu, Peng; Li, Haiyang; Huang, Guiting; Cui, Jiayu; Zhang, Ruimen; Cui, Kuiqing; Yang, Sufang; Shi, Deshun

2018-01-02

Myostatin (MSTN), also named growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8), is a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family member with a key role in the negative regulation of skeletal muscle growth. However, its role in ovarian folliculogenesis remains unclear. To provide us with a basis for understanding this role, we cloned MSTN and examined its expression patterns in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The complete ORF of the water buffalo MSTN gene is 1,128 nucleotides, which encode a 375 amino acid protein and sharing 99% identity at the deducted amino acid level with that of Bos taurus. Protein sequence analysis showed that MSTN is a weakly acerbic extracellular protein, consisting of signal peptides at 18-19 sites, a TGF-β propeptide, and a TGF-β domain. RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that water buffalo MSTN was expressed in multiple tissues but not limited to muscle. Immunohistochemistry staining confirmed the presence of MSTN in oocytes and granulosal cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study to confirm the expression of MSTN in the water buffalo ovary, suggesting an additional role of MSTN in water buffalo folliculogenesis, along with its role in skeletal muscle growth regulation. Further study of the regulatory mechanism of MSTN in water buffalo reproduction is warranted. MSTN, myostatin; ORF, open reading frame.

Confirmation of Single-Locus Sex Determination and Female Heterogamety in Willow Based on Linkage Analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Yingnan; Wang, Tiantian; Fang, Lecheng; Li, Xiaoping; Yin, Tongming

2016-01-01

In this study, we constructed high-density genetic maps of Salix suchowensis and mapped the gender locus with an F1 pedigree. Genetic maps were separately constructed for the maternal and paternal parents by using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and the pseudo-testcross strategy. The maternal map consisted of 20 linkage groups that spanned a genetic distance of 2333.3 cM; whereas the paternal map contained 21 linkage groups that covered 2260 cM. Based on the established genetic maps, it was found that the gender of willow was determined by a single locus on linkage group LG_03, and the female was the heterogametic gender. Aligned with mapped SSR markers, linkage group LG_03 was found to be associated with chromosome XV in willow. It is noteworthy that marker density in the vicinity of the gender locus was significantly higher than that expected by chance alone, which indicates severe recombination suppression around the gender locus. In conclusion, this study confirmed the findings on the single-locus sex determination and female heterogamety in willow. It also provided additional evidence that validated the previous studies, which found that different autosomes evolved into sex chromosomes between the sister genera of Salix (willow) and Populus (poplar).

Confirmation of Single-Locus Sex Determination and Female Heterogamety in Willow Based on Linkage Analysis

PubMed Central

Fang, Lecheng; Li, Xiaoping; Yin, Tongming

2016-01-01

In this study, we constructed high-density genetic maps of Salix suchowensis and mapped the gender locus with an F1 pedigree. Genetic maps were separately constructed for the maternal and paternal parents by using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and the pseudo-testcross strategy. The maternal map consisted of 20 linkage groups that spanned a genetic distance of 2333.3 cM; whereas the paternal map contained 21 linkage groups that covered 2260 cM. Based on the established genetic maps, it was found that the gender of willow was determined by a single locus on linkage group LG_03, and the female was the heterogametic gender. Aligned with mapped SSR markers, linkage group LG_03 was found to be associated with chromosome XV in willow. It is noteworthy that marker density in the vicinity of the gender locus was significantly higher than that expected by chance alone, which indicates severe recombination suppression around the gender locus. In conclusion, this study confirmed the findings on the single-locus sex determination and female heterogamety in willow. It also provided additional evidence that validated the previous studies, which found that different autosomes evolved into sex chromosomes between the sister genera of Salix (willow) and Populus (poplar). PMID:26828940

Mentoring Top Leadership Promotes Organizational Innovativeness through Psychological Safety and Is Moderated by Cognitive Adaptability.

PubMed

Moore, James H; Wang, Zhongming

2017-01-01

Mentoring continues to build momentum among startups and established enterprises due to its positive impact on individuals and organizations. Unlike previous studies, this research focuses on mentoring higher level leadership, such as the CEO, and demonstrates its unique relationship to organizational innovativeness. Our sample included 200 mentored executives and entrepreneurs who personally identify and exploit opportunities. Our findings confirm that mentoring top leaders positively relates to their perceived innovativeness of the organization and that the relationship is mediated by these leaders' perception of psychological safety within the organization. Our findings also confirm that the relationship is negatively moderated by these leaders' cognitive adaptability. The reliability and validity of the results have been proved by using confirmatory factor analysis and advanced regression analytics. As a result, this work demonstrates the value of mentoring top leadership and advocates the importance of establishing a psychologically safe environment to inspire not only top leadership to try new avenues but also for all those within the organization to speak up and speak out. Additionally, our findings encourage organizations to proactively and selectively prioritize mentoring among top leadership, taking into account their differing levels of cognitive adaptability. Finally, further research could focus on how to provide greater support for mentors of higher level leaders.

Soft magnetic memory of silk cocoon membrane

PubMed Central

Roy, Manas; Dubey, Amarish; Singh, Sushil Kumar; Bhargava, Kalpana; Sethy, Niroj Kumar; Philip, Deepu; Sarkar, Sabyasachi; Bajpai, Alok; Das, Mainak

2016-01-01

Silk cocoon membrane (SCM), a solid matrix of protein fiber, responds to light, heat and moisture and converts these energies to electrical signals. Essentially it exhibits photo-electric and thermo-electric properties; making it a natural electro-magnetic sensor, which may influence the pupal development. This raises the question: ‘is it only electricity?’, or ‘it also posses some kind of magnetic memory?’ This work attempted to explore the magnetic memory of SCM and confirm its soft magnetism. Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Gd were found in SCM, in traces, through energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Presence of iron was ascertained by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). In addition, EPR-spectra showed the presence of a stable pool of carbon-centric free radical in the cocoon structure. Carbon-centric free radicals behaves as a soft magnet inherently. Magnetic-Hysteresis (M-H) of SCM confirmed its soft magnetism. It can be concluded that the soft bio-magnetic feature of SCM is due to the entrapment of ferromagnetic elements in a stable pool of carbon centric radicals occurring on the super-coiled protein structure. Natural soft magnets like SCM provide us with models for developing eco-friendly, protein-based biological soft magnets. PMID:27374752

Evidence of correlated evolution of hypsodonty and exceptional longevity in endemic insular mammals

PubMed Central

Jordana, Xavier; Marín-Moratalla, Nekane; DeMiguel, Daniel; Kaiser, Thomas M.; Köhler, Meike

2012-01-01

Here, we test whether the increase in tooth height in insular endemics results from the expansion of the dietary niche under resource limitation, as widely considered, or whether it represents an investment in dental durability in response to the selection for extended longevity under low levels of extrinsic mortality. We tested these hypotheses in the extremely hypsodont fossil bovid Myotragus balearicus from the Balearic Islands, an ideal model to study the evolutionary trends on islands. Dental abrasion was significantly lower in the insular bovid than in highly hypsodont continental artiodactyls, suggesting that feeding habits are not the sole driving force behind increased crown height. However, the estimated longevity for M. balearicus based on dental durability was two times that predicted from body mass. Survivorship curves confirm that an extraordinarily large number of individuals approached the longevity of the species. Our results, hence, provide evidence that hypsodonty in insular endemics is the outcome of selection for increased durability of the permanent dentition in association with an extended lifespan. In the context of insularity, our results lend additional support to the disposable soma theory of ageing confirming the dependency of somatic maintenance and repair on lifespan, and its control by resource availability and extrinsic mortality. PMID:22535784

MYC and MYCN amplification can be reliably assessed by aCGH in medulloblastoma.

PubMed

Bourdeaut, Franck; Grison, Camille; Maurage, Claude-Alain; Laquerriere, Annie; Vasiljevic, Alexandre; Delisle, Marie-Bernadette; Michalak, Sophie; Figarella-Branger, Dominique; Doz, François; Richer, Wilfrid; Pierron, Gaelle; Miquel, Catherine; Delattre, Olivier; Couturier, Jérôme

2013-04-01

As prognostic factors, MYC and MYCN amplifications are routinely assessed in medulloblastomas. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is currently considered as the technique of reference. Recently, array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) has been developed as an alternative technique to evaluate genomic abnormalities in other tumor types; however, this technique has not been widely adopted as a replacement for FISH in medulloblastoma. In this study, 34 tumors were screened by both FISH and aCGH. In all cases showing amplification by FISH, aCGH also unambiguously revealed the abnormality. The aCGH technique was also performed on tumors showing no amplification by FISH, and the absence of amplification was confirmed in all cases. Interestingly, one tumor showed a subclonal MYC amplification by FISH. This subclonal amplification was observed in approximately 20% of tumor cells and was clearly evident on aCGH. In conclusion, our analysis confirms that aCGH is as safe as FISH for the detection of MYC/MYCN gene amplification. Given its cost efficiency in comparison to two FISH tests and the global genomic information additionally provided by an aCGH experiment, this reproducible technique can be safely retained as an alternative to FISH for routine investigation of medulloblastoma. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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

Hirst, M.; Grewal, P.; Flannery, A.

Screening of families clinically ascertained for the fragile X syndrome phenotype revealed two mentally impaired males who were cytogenetically negative for the fragile X chromosome. In both cases, screening for the FMR1 trinucleotide expansion mutation revealed a rearrangement within the FMR1 gene. In the first case, a 660-bp deletion is present in 40% of peripheral lymphocytes. PCR and sequence analysis revealed it to include the CpG island and the CGG trinucleotide repeat, thus removing the FMR1 promoter region and putative mRNA start site. In the second case, PCR analysis demonstrated that a deletion extended from a point proximal to FMR1more » to 25 kb into the gene, removing all the region 5{prime} to exon 11. The distal breakpoint was confirmed by Southern blot analysis and localized to a 600-bp region, and FMR1-mRNA analysis in a cell line established from this individual confirmed the lack of a transcript. These deletion patients provide further confirmatory evidence that loss of FMR1 gene expression is indeed responsible for mental retardation. Additionally, these cases highlight the need for the careful examination of the FMR1 gene, even in the absence of cytogenetic expression, particularly when several fragile X-like clinical features are present. 31 refs., 6 figs.« less