Online Radiology Reporting with Peer Review as a Learning and Feedback Tool in Radiology; Implementation, Validity, and Student Impressions.

PubMed

McEvoy, Fintan J; Shen, Nicholas W; Nielsen, Dorte H; Buelund, Lene E; Holm, Peter

2017-02-01

Communicating radiological reports to peers has pedagogical value. Students may be uneasy with the process due to a lack of communication and peer review skills or to their failure to see value in the process. We describe a communication exercise with peer review in an undergraduate veterinary radiology course. The computer code used to manage the course and deliver images online is reported, and we provide links to the executable files. We tested to see if undergraduate peer review of radiological reports has validity and describe student impressions of the learning process. Peer review scores for student-generated radiological reports were compared to scores obtained in the summative multiple choice (MCQ) examination for the course. Student satisfaction was measured using a bespoke questionnaire. There was a weak positive correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.32, p < 0.01) between peer review scores students received and the student scores obtained in the MCQ examination. The difference in peer review scores received by students grouped according to their level of course performance (high vs. low) was statistically significant (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between peer review scores awarded by the students and the scores they obtained in the MCQ examination (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.17, p = 0.14). In conclusion, we have created a realistic radiology imaging exercise with readily available software. The peer review scores are valid in that to a limited degree they reflect student future performance in an examination. Students valued the process of learning to communicate radiological findings but do not fully appreciated the value of peer review.

Thoracic limb alignment in healthy labrador retrievers: evaluation of standing versus recumbent frontal plane radiography.

PubMed

Goodrich, Zachary J; Norby, Bo; Eichelberger, Bunita M; Friedeck, Wade O; Callis, Hollye N; Hulse, Don A; Kerwin, Sharon C; Fox, Derek B; Saunders, W Brian

2014-10-01

To report thoracic limb alignment values in healthy dogs; to determine if limb alignment values are significantly different when obtained from standing versus recumbent radiographic projections. Prospective cross-sectional study. Labrador Retrievers (n = 45) >15 months of age. Standing and recumbent radiographs were obtained and limb montages were randomized before analysis by a single investigator blinded to dog, limb, and limb position. Twelve limb alignment values were determined using the CORA methodology. Measurements were performed in triplicate and intra-observer variability was evaluated by intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Limb alignment values were reported as mean ± SD and 95% confidence intervals. Linear mixed models were used to determine if significant associations existed between limb alignment values and limb, limb position, gender, age, weight, and body condition score. There were significant differences in standing and recumbent limb alignment values for all values except elbow mechanical axis deviation (eMAD). Limb, gender, age, body weight, and body condition score had no effect. ICC values ranged from 0.522 to 0.758, indicating moderate to substantial agreement for repeated measurements by a single investigator. Limb alignment values are significantly different when determined from standing versus recumbent radiographs in healthy Labrador Retrievers. © Copyright 2014 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

VMT Mix Modeling for Mobile Source Emissions Forecasting: Formulation and Empirical Application

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2000-05-01

The purpose of the current report is to propose and implement a methodology for obtaining improved link-specific vehicle miles of travel (VMT) mix values compared to those obtained from existent methods. Specifically, the research is developing a fra...

Reliability Assessment of a Robust Design Under Uncertainty for a 3-D Flexible Wing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gumbert, Clyde R.; Hou, Gene J. -W.; Newman, Perry A.

2003-01-01

The paper presents reliability assessment results for the robust designs under uncertainty of a 3-D flexible wing previously reported by the authors. Reliability assessments (additional optimization problems) of the active constraints at the various probabilistic robust design points are obtained and compared with the constraint values or target constraint probabilities specified in the robust design. In addition, reliability-based sensitivity derivatives with respect to design variable mean values are also obtained and shown to agree with finite difference values. These derivatives allow one to perform reliability based design without having to obtain second-order sensitivity derivatives. However, an inner-loop optimization problem must be solved for each active constraint to find the most probable point on that constraint failure surface.

Biochemical Profiles of Submariners: A Longitudinal Health Study

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-05-15

probability curves . A slight skewing was demonstrated for total calcium, lactic dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and total protein. Blood urea...values for fasting blood sugar reported by Cutler and as- sociates4 and Craig and Bartholomew2 are essentially identical to our average values of...Longitudinal Health Study examina- tion. Upon reporting for study at 0700, a 7.5-ml vacuum tube without anticoagu- lant was used to obtain blood without

Modulation of Beta-catenin Activity With PKD1 Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-04-01

mutated site as a negative control (FOPFlash) with pRL-TK ( Renilla luciferase) in C4-2- PKD1-GFP cells activated with Bryostatin 1 or DMSO. The...firefly and Renilla luciferase activities were measured with the Dual-Luciferase Reporter (DLR) Assay System. After normalizing the firefly luciferase...activity to that of Renilla luciferase, the FOPFlash reporter plasmid luciferase values were subtracted from the normalized values obtained with the

The artificial neural network modelling of the piezoelectric actuator vibrations using laser displacement sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paralı, Levent; Sarı, Ali; Kılıç, Ulaş; Şahin, Özge; Pěchoušek, Jiří

2017-09-01

We report an improvement of the artificial neural network (ANN) modelling of a piezoelectric actuator vibration based on the experimental data. The controlled vibrations of an actuator were obtained by utilizing the swept-sine signal excitation. The peak value in the displacement signal response was measured by a laser displacement sensor. The piezoelectric actuator was modelled in both linear and nonlinear operating range. A consistency from 90.3 up to 98.9% of ANN modelled output values and experimental ones was reached. The obtained results clearly demonstrate exact linear relationship between the ANN model and experimental values.

Summary of fuel economy performance

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-03-30

This report contains estimated fleet production numbers and CAFE figures obtained from pre-model year (source 1) and mid-model year (source 2) documents assembled prior to or during the model year. The actual mpg values reported to EPA at the end of ...

Summary of fuel economy performance

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-04-20

This report contains estimated fleet production numbers and CAFE figures obtained from pre-model year (source I) and mid-model year (source 2) documents assembled prior to or during the model year. The actual mpg values reported to EPA at the end of ...

Summary of fuel economy performance

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-12-09

This report contains estimated fleet production numbers and CAFE figures obtained from pre-model year (source I) and mid-model year (source 2) documents assembled prior to or during the model year. The actual mpg values reported to EPA at the end of ...

Unlocking Public Value: An Evaluation of the Impact of Missouri's Great Northwest Day at the Capitol Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Majee, Wilson; Maltsberger, Beverly A.

2013-01-01

The study reported here is an evaluation of the public value of a regional public policy engagement program. Data were obtained through surveys and document analysis. The study observed peer-learning and networking opportunities as some of the most impactful elements of GNWD at the Capitol in creating public value. Building coalitions of interest…

Measurement of Refractive Indices of CdSiP2 at Temperatures from 90 to 450 K (Postprint)

DTIC Science & Technology

2018-01-05

0704-0188 The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing...Sellmeier equation was obtained, for the first time to our knowledge over the temperature range 90 to 450 K. The index values were used to calculate...was obtained for the first time to our knowledge over the temperature range 90 to 450 K. The index values were used to calculate the crystal

A Study of Transparent Plastics for use on Aircraft. Supplement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Axilrod, Benjamin M.; Kline, Gordon M.

1937-01-01

This supplement to a NACA study issued in May 1937 entitled "A Study of Transparent Plastics for Use on Aircraft", contains two tables. These tables contain data on bursting strengths of plastics, particularly at low temperatures. Table 1 contains the values reported in a table of the original memorandum, and additional values obtained at approximately 25 C, for three samples of Acrylate resin. The second table contains data obtained for the bursting strength when one surface of the plastic was cooled to approximately -35 C.

New York Bight Study. Report 1. Hydrodynamic Modeling

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-08-01

function of time. Values of these parameters, averaged daily, were computed from meteorological data recorded at the John F. Kennedy ( JFK ) Airport for...Island Sound "exchange coefficient values were obtained as before from meteorological data collected at the JFK Airport . They are shown in Figures 62-63

Ion/molecule reactions to chemically deconvolute the electrospray ionization mass spectra of synthetic polymers.

PubMed

Lennon, John D; Cole, Scott P; Glish, Gary L

2006-12-15

A new approach has been developed to analyze synthetic polymers via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Ion/molecule reactions, a unique feature of trapping instruments such as quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometers, can be used to chemically deconvolute the molecular mass distribution of polymers from the charge-state distribution generated by electrospray ionization. The reaction involves stripping charge from multiply charged oligomers to reduce the number of charge states. This reduces or eliminates the overlapping of oligomers from adjacent charge states. 15-Crown-5 was used to strip alkali cations (Na+) from several narrow polydisperse poly(ethylene glycol) standards. The charge-state distribution of each oligomer is reduced to primarily one charge state. Individual oligomers can be resolved, and the average molecular mass and polydispersities can be calculated for the polymers examined here. In most cases, the measured number-average molecular mass values are within 10% of the manufacturers' reported values obtained by gel permeation chromatography. The polydispersity was typically underestimated compared to values reported by the suppliers. Mn values were obtained with 0.5% RSD and are independent, over several orders of magnitude, of the polymer and cation concentration. The distributions that were obtained fit quite well to the Gaussian distribution indicating no high- or low-mass discriminations.

Properties of high-quality long natural cellulose fibers from rice straw.

PubMed

Reddy, Narendra; Yang, Yiqi

2006-10-18

This paper reports the structure and properties of novel long natural cellulose fibers obtained from rice straw. Rice straw fibers have 64% cellulose with 63% crystalline cellulose, strength of 3.5 g/denier (450 MPa), elongation of 2.2%, and modulus of 200 g/denier (26 GPa), similar to that of linen fibers. The rice straw fibers reported here have better properties than any other natural cellulose fiber obtained from an agricultural byproduct. With a worldwide annual availability of 580 million tons, rice straw is an annually renewable, abundant, and cheap source for natural cellulose fibers. Using rice straw for high-value fibrous applications will help to add value to the rice crops, provide a sustainable resource for fibers, and also benefit the environment.

Calibration of Smartphone-Based Weather Measurements Using Pairwise Gossip.

PubMed

Zamora, Jane Louie Fresco; Kashihara, Shigeru; Yamaguchi, Suguru

2015-01-01

Accurate and reliable daily global weather reports are necessary for weather forecasting and climate analysis. However, the availability of these reports continues to decline due to the lack of economic support and policies in maintaining ground weather measurement systems from where these reports are obtained. Thus, to mitigate data scarcity, it is required to utilize weather information from existing sensors and built-in smartphone sensors. However, as smartphone usage often varies according to human activity, it is difficult to obtain accurate measurement data. In this paper, we present a heuristic-based pairwise gossip algorithm that will calibrate smartphone-based pressure sensors with respect to fixed weather stations as our referential ground truth. Based on actual measurements, we have verified that smartphone-based readings are unstable when observed during movement. Using our calibration algorithm on actual smartphone-based pressure readings, the updated values were significantly closer to the ground truth values.

Calibration of Smartphone-Based Weather Measurements Using Pairwise Gossip

PubMed Central

Yamaguchi, Suguru

2015-01-01

Accurate and reliable daily global weather reports are necessary for weather forecasting and climate analysis. However, the availability of these reports continues to decline due to the lack of economic support and policies in maintaining ground weather measurement systems from where these reports are obtained. Thus, to mitigate data scarcity, it is required to utilize weather information from existing sensors and built-in smartphone sensors. However, as smartphone usage often varies according to human activity, it is difficult to obtain accurate measurement data. In this paper, we present a heuristic-based pairwise gossip algorithm that will calibrate smartphone-based pressure sensors with respect to fixed weather stations as our referential ground truth. Based on actual measurements, we have verified that smartphone-based readings are unstable when observed during movement. Using our calibration algorithm on actual smartphone-based pressure readings, the updated values were significantly closer to the ground truth values. PMID:26421312

A research on relationship between ABO blood groups and body mass index among Turkish seafarers.

PubMed

Nas, Selçuk; Fışkın, Remzi

2017-01-01

The present study aims to investigate and to reveal the relationship between ABO blood groups and body mass index (BMI) and obesity among Turkish seafarers by using the health examination reports data obtained from 2009 to 2016. The data on age, gender, weight, height and blood groups obtained from 298,247 medical examination reports of Turkish seafarers were used with the official permission of Directorate General of Health for Border and Coastal Areas. Only 116,871 reports included blood group data. Regression and analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were performed to survey relationship between variables. The results of the study were compared with other studies in the related literature. It has been revealed that AB Rh (-) group was associated the highest mean BMI value (mean: 25.952). It is suggested that seafarers with AB Rh (-) blood group, who have the highest mean BMI value, should pay special attention to their weight.

Millimeter wave transmission studies of YBa2Cu3O7-delta thin films in the 26.5 to 40.0 GHz frequency range

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miranda, F. A.; Gordon, W. L.; Bhasin, K. B.; Heinen, V. O.; Warner, J. D.; Valco, G. J.

1989-01-01

Millimeter wave transmission measurements through YBa2Cu3O(7-delta) thin films on MgO, ZrO2 and LaAlO3 substrates, are reported. The films (approx. 1 micron) were deposited by sequential evaporation and laser ablation techniques. Transition temperatures T sub c, ranging from 89.7 K for the Laser Ablated film on LaAlO3 to approximately 72 K for the sequentially evaporated film on MgO, were obtained. The values of the real and imaginary parts of the complex conductivity, sigma 1 and sigma 2, are obtained from the transmission data, assuming a two fluid model. The BCS approach is used to calculate values for an effective energy gap from the obtained values of sigma sub 1. A range of gap values from 2 DELTA o/K sub B T sub c = 4.19 to 4.35 was obtained. The magnetic penetration depth is evaluated from the deduced values of sigma 2. These results are discussed together with the frequency dependence of the normalized transmission amplitude, P/P sub c, below and above T sub c.

Preference-based measures to obtain health state utility values for use in economic evaluations with child-based populations: a review and UK-based focus group assessment of patient and parent choices.

PubMed

Wolstenholme, Jane L; Bargo, Danielle; Wang, Kay; Harnden, Anthony; Räisänen, Ulla; Abel, Lucy

2018-03-21

No current guidance is available in the UK on the choice of preference-based measure (PBM) that should be used in obtaining health-related quality of life from children. The aim of this study is to review the current usage of PBMs for obtaining health state utility values in child and adolescent populations, and to obtain information on patient and parent-proxy respondent preferences in completing PBMs in the UK. A literature review was conducted to determine which instrument is most frequently used for child-based economic evaluations and whether child or proxy responses are used. Instruments were compared on dimensions, severity levels, elicitation and valuation methods, availability of value sets and validation studies, and the range of utility values generated. Additionally, a series of focus groups of parents and young people (11-20 years) were convened to determine patient and proxy preferences. Five PBMs suitable for child populations were identified, although only the Health Utilities Index 2 (HUI2) and Child Heath Utility 9D (CHU-9D) have UK value sets. 45 papers used PBMs in this population, but many used non-child-specific PBMs. Most respondents were parent proxies, even in adolescent populations. Reported missing data ranged from 0.5 to 49.3%. The focus groups reported their experiences with the EQ-5D-Y and CHU-9D. Both the young persons' group and parent/proxy groups felt that the CHU-9D was more comprehensive but may be harder for a proxy to complete. Some younger children had difficulty understanding the CHU-9D questions, but the young persons' group nonetheless preferred responding directly. The use of PBMs in child populations is increasing, but many studies use PBMs that do not have appropriate value sets. Parent proxies are the most common respondents, but the focus group responses suggest it would be preferred, and may be more informative, for older children to self-report or for child-parent dyads to respond.

Automatic regional analysis of myocardial native T1 values: left ventricle segmentation and AHA parcellations.

PubMed

Huang, Hsiao-Hui; Huang, Chun-Yu; Chen, Chiao-Ning; Wang, Yun-Wen; Huang, Teng-Yi

2018-01-01

Native T1 value is emerging as a reliable indicator of abnormal heart conditions related to myocardial fibrosis. Investigators have extensively used the standardized myocardial segmentation of the American Heart Association (AHA) to measure regional T1 values of the left ventricular (LV) walls. In this paper, we present a fully automatic system to analyze modified Look-Locker inversion recovery images and to report regional T1 values of AHA segments. Ten healthy individuals participated in the T1 mapping study with a 3.0 T scanner after providing informed consent. First, we obtained masks of an LV blood-pool region and LV walls by using an image synthesis method and a layer-growing method. Subsequently, the LV walls were divided into AHA segments by identifying the boundaries of the septal regions and by using a radial projection method. The layer-growing method significantly enhanced the accuracy of the derived myocardium mask. We compared the T1 values that were obtained using manual region of interest selections and those obtained using the automatic system. The average T1 difference of the calculated segments was 4.6 ± 1.5%. This study demonstrated a practical and robust method of obtaining native T1 values of AHA segments in LV walls.

Minnesota Technical College System: Library/Media Services Survey and Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olson, Lynette

This document presents a report on the Minnesota Technical College System's Library and Media Services. All 34 technical colleges were given a survey to prepare, a Library Advisory Board was established, and relevant literature and standards were reviewed to conduct and obtain data for this study. The report begins with the mission, values, and…

The role of moisture content in above-ground leaching

Treesearch

Stan Lebow; Patricia Lebow

2007-01-01

This paper reviews previous reports on the moisture content of wood exposed above ground and compares those values to moisture contents obtained using simulated rainfall and immersion methods. Laboratory leaching trials with CCA-treated specimens were also conducted and the results compared to published values for leaching of CCA-treated specimens exposed above ground...

Life test results for the advanced very high resolution radiometer scanner

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lenz, James

1996-01-01

The following paper reports the results obtained during a 3.33-year life test on the TIROS Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer/3 (AVHRR/3) Scanner. The bearing drag torque and lubricant loss over life will be compared to predicted values developed through modeling. The condition of the lubricant at the end of the test will be described and a theory presented to explain the results obtained. The differences (if any) in the predicted and measured values of drag torque and lubricant loss will be discussed and possible reasons for these examined.

Central-To-Peripheral Arterial Stiffness Gradient in Hemodialyzed Patients Depends on the Location of the Upper-limb Vascular Access.

PubMed

Bia, Daniel; Galli, Cintia; Zocalo, Yanina; Valtuille, Rodolfo; Wray, Sandra; Pessana, Franco; Cabrera-Fischer, Edmundo I

2018-04-13

Pulse wave velocity ratio (PWV-ratio), a measure of central-to-peripheral arterial stiffness gradient, is calculated as a quotient between carotid-femoral and carotid-radial PWV (cf-PWV/cr-PWV). This new index has been reported to be significantly associated with increased mortality in hemodialyzed patients. Since several reports showed differences in arterial stiffness regarding the pathway where the vascular access (VA) is, the purpose of this research was: a) to compare arterial stiffness values obtained in the left and right sides of the body in hemodialyzed and non-hemodialyzed patients, and b) to analyze PWV-ratio values obtained in the side of the body where the VA was placed and compare them to its contralateral intact side. Since it is difficult to adequately measure cr-PWV in patients with a VA in the forearm, we measured the carotid-brachial PWV (cb-PWV) and used it to calculate PWV-ratio (cf-PWV/cb-PWV). A Pearson's correlation and Bland & Altman analysis were performed in hemodialyzed (n=135) and non-hemodialyzed (n=77) patients, to quantify the equivalence between arterial stiffness parameters (cf-PWV, cb-PWV, PWV-ratio) obtained in each side of the body with respect to its contralateral side. We conclude that PWV-ratio values measured in the side where the VA is placed were significantly higher than those obtained in its contralateral side, in hemodialyzed patients included in this research. Moreover, cf-PWV, cb-PWV and PWV-ratio values obtained in one side of the body were always highly correlated with its contralateral side. According to this research, any research involving PWV-ratio should always consider the observed territory. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.

Thermodynamic studies of aqueous solutions of 2,2,2-cryptand at 298.15 K: enthalpy-entropy compensation, partial entropies, and complexation with K+ ions.

PubMed

Shaikh, Vasim R; Terdale, Santosh S; Ahamad, Abdul; Gupta, Gaurav R; Dagade, Dilip H; Hundiwale, Dilip G; Patil, Kesharsingh J

2013-12-19

The osmotic coefficient measurements for binary aqueous solutions of 2,2,2-cryptand (4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8] hexacosane) in the concentration range of ~0.009 to ~0.24 mol·kg(-1) and in ternary aqueous solutions containing a fixed concentration of 2,2,2-cryptand of ~0.1 mol·kg(-1) with varying concentration of KBr (~0.06 to ~0.16 mol·kg(-1)) have been reported at 298.15 K. The diamine gets hydrolyzed in aqueous solutions and needs proper approach to obtain meaningful thermodynamic properties. The measured osmotic coefficient values are corrected for hydrolysis and are used to determine the solvent activity and mean ionic activity coefficients of solute as a function of concentration. Strong ion-pair formation is observed, and the ion-pair dissociation constant for the species [CrptH](+)[OH(-)] is reported. The excess and mixing thermodynamic properties (Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes) have been obtained using the activity data from this study and the heat data reported in the literature. Further, the data are utilized to compute the partial molal entropies of solvent and solute at finite as well as infinite dilution of 2,2,2-cryptand in water. The concentration dependent non-linear enthalpy-entropy compensation effect has been observed for the studied system, and the compensation temperature along with entropic parameter are reported. Using solute activity coefficient data in ternary solutions, the transfer Gibbs free energies for transfer of the cryptand from water to aqueous KBr as well as transfer of KBr from water to aqueous cryptand were obtained and utilized to obtain the salting constant (ks) and thermodynamic equilibrium constant (log K) values for the complex (2,2,2-cryptand:K(+)) at 298.15 K. The value of log K = 5.8 ± 0.1 obtained in this work is found to be in good agreement with that reported by Lehn and Sauvage. The standard molar entropy for complexation is also estimated for the 2,2,2-cryptand-KBr complex in aqueous medium.

[Full blood count reference values in children of 8 to 12 years old residing at 2,760 m above sea level].

PubMed

Armando García-Miranda, L; Contreras, I; Estrada, J A

2014-04-01

To determine reference values for full blood count parameters in a population of children 8 to 12 years old, living at an altitude of 2760 m above sea level. Our sample consisted of 102 individuals on whom a full blood count was performed. The parameters included: total number of red blood cells, platelets, white cells, and a differential count (millions/μl and %) of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils. Additionally, we obtained values for hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, concentration of corpuscular hemoglobin and red blood cell distribution width. The results were statistically analyzed with a non-parametric test, to divide the sample in quartiles and obtain the lower and upper limits for our intervals. Moreover, the values for the intervals obtained from this analysis were compared to intervals obtained estimating+- 2 standard deviations above and below from our mean values. Our results showed significant differences compared to normal interval values reported for the adult Mexican population in most of the parameters studied. The full blood count is an important laboratory test used routinely for the initial assessment of a patient. Values of full blood counts in healthy individuals vary according to gender, age and geographic location; therefore, each population should have its own reference values. Copyright © 2013 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Toward better public health reporting using existing off the shelf approaches: A comparison of alternative cancer detection approaches using plaintext medical data and non-dictionary based feature selection.

PubMed

Kasthurirathne, Suranga N; Dixon, Brian E; Gichoya, Judy; Xu, Huiping; Xia, Yuni; Mamlin, Burke; Grannis, Shaun J

2016-04-01

Increased adoption of electronic health records has resulted in increased availability of free text clinical data for secondary use. A variety of approaches to obtain actionable information from unstructured free text data exist. These approaches are resource intensive, inherently complex and rely on structured clinical data and dictionary-based approaches. We sought to evaluate the potential to obtain actionable information from free text pathology reports using routinely available tools and approaches that do not depend on dictionary-based approaches. We obtained pathology reports from a large health information exchange and evaluated the capacity to detect cancer cases from these reports using 3 non-dictionary feature selection approaches, 4 feature subset sizes, and 5 clinical decision models: simple logistic regression, naïve bayes, k-nearest neighbor, random forest, and J48 decision tree. The performance of each decision model was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and area under the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. Decision models parameterized using automated, informed, and manual feature selection approaches yielded similar results. Furthermore, non-dictionary classification approaches identified cancer cases present in free text reports with evaluation measures approaching and exceeding 80-90% for most metrics. Our methods are feasible and practical approaches for extracting substantial information value from free text medical data, and the results suggest that these methods can perform on par, if not better, than existing dictionary-based approaches. Given that public health agencies are often under-resourced and lack the technical capacity for more complex methodologies, these results represent potentially significant value to the public health field. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Brain Tissue Compartment Density Estimated Using Diffusion-Weighted MRI Yields Tissue Parameters Consistent With Histology

PubMed Central

Sepehrband, Farshid; Clark, Kristi A.; Ullmann, Jeremy F.P.; Kurniawan, Nyoman D.; Leanage, Gayeshika; Reutens, David C.; Yang, Zhengyi

2015-01-01

We examined whether quantitative density measures of cerebral tissue consistent with histology can be obtained from diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). By incorporating prior knowledge of myelin and cell membrane densities, absolute tissue density values were estimated from relative intra-cellular and intra-neurite density values obtained from diffusion MRI. The NODDI (neurite orientation distribution and density imaging) technique, which can be applied clinically, was used. Myelin density estimates were compared with the results of electron and light microscopy in ex vivo mouse brain and with published density estimates in a healthy human brain. In ex vivo mouse brain, estimated myelin densities in different sub-regions of the mouse corpus callosum were almost identical to values obtained from electron microscopy (Diffusion MRI: 42±6%, 36±4% and 43±5%; electron microscopy: 41±10%, 36±8% and 44±12% in genu, body and splenium, respectively). In the human brain, good agreement was observed between estimated fiber density measurements and previously reported values based on electron microscopy. Estimated density values were unaffected by crossing fibers. PMID:26096639

Do simple screening statistical tools help to detect reporting bias?

PubMed

Pirracchio, Romain; Resche-Rigon, Matthieu; Chevret, Sylvie; Journois, Didier

2013-09-02

As a result of reporting bias, or frauds, false or misunderstood findings may represent the majority of published research claims. This article provides simple methods that might help to appraise the quality of the reporting of randomized, controlled trials (RCT). This evaluation roadmap proposed herein relies on four steps: evaluation of the distribution of the reported variables; evaluation of the distribution of the reported p values; data simulation using parametric bootstrap and explicit computation of the p values. Such an approach was illustrated using published data from a retracted RCT comparing a hydroxyethyl starch versus albumin-based priming for cardiopulmonary bypass. Despite obvious nonnormal distributions, several variables are presented as if they were normally distributed. The set of 16 p values testing for differences in baseline characteristics across randomized groups did not follow a Uniform distribution on [0,1] (p = 0.045). The p values obtained by explicit computations were different from the results reported by the authors for the two following variables: urine output at 5 hours (calculated p value < 10-6, reported p ≥ 0.05); packed red blood cells (PRBC) during surgery (calculated p value = 0.08; reported p < 0.05). Finally, parametric bootstrap found p value > 0.05 in only 5 of the 10,000 simulated datasets concerning urine output 5 hours after surgery. Concerning PRBC transfused during surgery, parametric bootstrap showed that only the corresponding p value had less than a 50% chance to be inferior to 0.05 (3,920/10,000, p value < 0.05). Such simple evaluation methods might offer some warning signals. However, it should be emphasized that such methods do not allow concluding to the presence of error or fraud but should rather be used to justify asking for an access to the raw data.

Interlaboratory comparison for the measurement of particle size and zeta potential of silica nanoparticles in an aqueous suspension

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamberty, Andrée; Franks, Katrin; Braun, Adelina; Kestens, Vikram; Roebben, Gert; Linsinger, Thomas P. J.

2011-12-01

The Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements has organised an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) to allow the participating laboratories to demonstrate their proficiency in particle size and zeta potential measurements on monomodal aqueous suspensions of silica nanoparticles in the 10-100 nm size range. The main goal of this ILC was to identify competent collaborators for the production of certified nanoparticle reference materials. 38 laboratories from four different continents participated in the ILC with different methods for particle sizing and determination of zeta potential. Most of the laboratories submitted particle size results obtained with centrifugal liquid sedimentation (CLS), dynamic light scattering (DLS) or electron microscopy (EM), or zeta potential values obtained via electrophoretic light scattering (ELS). The results of the laboratories were evaluated using method-specific z scores, calculated on the basis of consensus values from the ILC. For CLS (13 results) and EM (13 results), all reported values were within the ±2 | z| interval. For DLS, 25 of the 27 results reported were within the ±2 | z| interval, the two other results were within the ±3 | z| interval. The standard deviations of the corresponding laboratory mean values varied between 3.7 and 6.5%, which demonstrates satisfactory interlaboratory comparability of CLS, DLS and EM particle size values. From the received test reports, a large discrepancy was observed in terms of the laboratory's quality assurance systems, which are equally important for the selection of collaborators in reference material certification projects. Only a minority of the participating laboratories is aware of all the items that are mandatory in test reports compliant to ISO/IEC 17025 (ISO General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. International Organisation for Standardization, Geneva, 2005b). The absence of measurement uncertainty values in the reports, for example, hindered the calculation of zeta scores.

Assessment of Adherence to Eating Habit and Exercise Components in a Behavioral Weight Control Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zegman, Marilyn A.

Although the augmental value of exercise to behavioral weight control programs has been suggested, demonstration of this value is dependent upon an assessment of adherence to change in eating habits and activity patterns. Self-report measures of adherence were obtained from overweight college women undergoing treatment that involved either dietary…

Low-lying electronic states of Li 2+ and Li 2-

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Konowalow, Daniel D.; Fish, James L.

1984-02-01

Potential curves for the eight lowest lying electronic states of Li2+ and the two lowest-lying states of Li2- are obtained by valence configuration calculations which-utilize an effective core potential. The calculated ionization potential of the ground state of Li2 is found to b. 5.16 eV and its electron affinity is 0.429 eV. Both values are in excellent agreement with recent experimental values and with value deduced from other high quality ab initio quantum mechanical treatments. When our potential curve for the Li2+(12Σg+ state, is corrected for the core-valence correlation error we obtain spectroscopic constants which agree nicely with the experimental values of Bernheim, Gold and Tipton (BGT). For example, we findDe = 10460 ± 140 cm-1 while BGT reportDe = 10469 ± 6 cm-1.

Simultaneous determination of thorium, niobium, lead, and zinc by photon-induced x-ray fluorescence of lateritic material

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

LaBrecque, J.J.; Adames, D.; Parker, W.C.

1981-01-01

A rapid method is presented for the simultaneous determinations of thorium, niobium, lead, and zinc in lateritic material from Cerro Impacto, Estado Bolivar, Venezuela. This technique uses a PDP - 11/05 processor - based photon induced x-ray fluorescence system. The total variations of approximately 5% for concentrations of approximately 1 and 10% for concentrations of approximately 0.1% were obtained with only 500 s of fluorescent time. The values obtained by this method were in agreement with values measured by conventional flame atomic absorption spectroscopy for lead and zinc. The values for thorium measured were in agreement with the reported valuesmore » for the reference materials supplied by NBL.« less

Development of numerical phantoms by MRI for RF electromagnetic dosimetry: a female model.

PubMed

Mazzurana, M; Sandrini, L; Vaccari, A; Malacarne, C; Cristoforetti, L; Pontalti, R

2004-01-01

Numerical human models for electromagnetic dosimetry are commonly obtained by segmentation of CT or MRI images and complex permittivity values are ascribed to each issue according to literature values. The aim of this study is to provide an alternative semi-automatic method by which non-segmented images, obtained by a MRI tomographer, can be automatically related to the complex permittivity values through two frequency dependent transfer functions. In this way permittivity and conductivity vary with continuity--even in the same tissue--reflecting the intrinsic realistic spatial dispersion of such parameters. A female human model impinged by a plane wave is tested using finite-difference time-domain algorithm and the results of the total body and layer-averaged specific absorption rate are reported.

"MONSTROUS MOONSHINE" and Physics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pushkin, A. V.

The report presents some results obtained by the author on the quantum gravitation theory. Algebraic structure of this theory proves to be related to the commutative nonassociative Griess algebra. The theory symmetry is the automorphism group of Griess algebra: "Monster" simple group. Knowledge of the theory symmetry allows to compute observed physical values in the `zero' approximation. The report presents such computed results for values {m_{p}}/{m_{c}} and α, for the latter the `zero' approximation accuracy, controlled by the theory, being one order of magnitude higher than the accuracy of modern measurements.

Assessing Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity through Self-Reports of Height and Weight by High School Students in Taipei, Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Page, Randy M.; Lee, Ching-Mei; Miao, Nae-Fang

2004-01-01

This study compared consistency of age- and gender-specific self-reported height and weight and calculated body mass index among a sample of high school students in Taipei County, Taiwan to reference values for Taiwanese school-aged youth obtained through national studies. Taipei high school students provided self-reports of height and weight that…

FY 1990 scientific and technical reports, articles, papers, and presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Joyce E. (Compiler)

1990-01-01

Formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY 90 are presented. Also included are papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all of the NASA series reports may be obtained from NTIS. The information may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

The Influence of a "Gap Year" on Medical Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paterson-Brown, Lucy; Paterson-Brown, Flora; Simon, Elizabeth; Loudon, Joanna; Henderson-Howat, Susanna; Robertson, Josephine; Paterson-Brown, Simon

2015-01-01

This study reports the views of second year medical students from 6 Universities on the value or not of deferring entry to medical school in order to take a "Gap Year" obtained from an anonymous questionnaire. Data were analysed using Fisher's exact test to produce a two tailed P value, with significance defined as p <0.05. A total of…

Strong electromagnetic pulses generated in high-intensity laser-matter interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rączka, P.; Dubois, J.-L.; Hulin, S.; Rosiński, M.; Zaraś-Szydłowska, A.; Badziak, J.

2018-01-01

Results are reported of an experiment performed at the Eclipse laser facility in CELIA, Bordeaux, on the generation of strong electromagnetic pulses. Measurements were performed of the target neutralization current, the total target charge and the tangential component of the magnetic field for the laser energies ranging from 45 mJ to 92 mJ with the pulse duration approximately 40 fs, and for the pulse durations ranging from 39 fs to 1000 fs, with the laser energy approximately 90 mJ. It was found that the values obtained for thick (mm scale) Cu targets are visibly higher than values reported in previous experiments, which is argued to be a manifestation of a strong dependence of the target electric polarization process on the laser contrast and hence on the amount of preplasma. It was also found that values obtained for thin (μm scale) Al foils were visibly higher than values for thick Cu targets, especially for pulse durations longer than 100 fs. The correlations between the total target charge versus the maximum value of the target neutralization current, and the maximum value of the tangential component of the magnetic field versus the total target charge were analysed. They were found to be in very good agreement with correlations seen in data from previous experiments, which provides a good consistency check on our experimental procedures.

A contribution for the definition of serum chemistry values in captive adults Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758).

PubMed

Silva, F M O; Vergara-Parente, J E; Gomes, J K N; Teixeira, M N; Lima, R P

2007-04-01

Serum chemistry analyses represents a fundamental tool for the diagnosis and understanding of diseases in marine mammals. Although several studies are being conducted within the field of clinical pathology, haematological and serum chemistry data for Antillean manatees are deficient. The purpose of this study was to determine serum chemistry values for captive Antillean manatees within the CMA/Ibama facility in Brazil. Serum samples were obtained from five captive adult Antillean manatees fed with seagrass and analysed for aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, globulin, phosphate, chloride, calcium and uric acid. Blood chemistry parameters were determined using a semi-automatic analyzer. Maximum, minimum, mean and standard deviations were calculated for each serum chemistry parameter. Differences on the values of males and females were verified using an unpaired Student's t-test. All the parameters analysed were similar between sexes, with exception of AP, which was higher in females (191.43 +/- 31.86 U/l). Alanine aminotransferase and uric acid values for Trichechus manatus manatus are reported for the first time in this paper. This study is the first to report serum chemistry parameter values for long-term captive male and female Antillean manatees. Therefore, the lower values of albumin, phosphate, chloride, cholesterol and triglycerides obtained here highlight the importance of clinical pathology during health monitoring of captive marine mammals.

NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Paper 47: The value of computer networks in aerospace

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bishop, Ann Peterson; Pinelli, Thomas E.

1995-01-01

This paper presents data on the value of computer networks that were obtained from a national survey of 2000 aerospace engineers that was conducted in 1993. Survey respondents reported the extent to which they used computer networks in their work and communication and offered their assessments of the value of various network types and applications. They also provided information about the positive impacts of networks on their work, which presents another perspective on value. Finally, aerospace engineers' recommendations on network implementation present suggestions for increasing the value of computer networks within aerospace organizations.

Thermal Diffusivity in Bone and Hydroxyapatite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calderón, A.; Peña Rodríguez, G.; Muñoz Hernández, R. A.; Díaz Gongora, J. A. I.; Mejia Barradas, C. M.

2004-09-01

We report thermal diffusivity measurements in bull bone and commercial hydroxyapatite (HA), both in powder form, in order to determinate the thermal compatibility between these materials. Besides this, we report a comparison between these measured values and those of metallic samples frequently used in implants, as high purity titanium and stainless steel. Our results show a good thermal compatibility (74%) between HA and bone, both in powder form. Finally, it was obtained a one order of magnitude difference between the thermal diffusivity values of metallic samples and those corresponding values to bone and HA being this difference greater in titanium than in stainless steel, which is important to consider in some biomedical and dental applications.

The incremental value of self-reported mental health measures in predicting functional outcomes of veterans.

PubMed

Eisen, Susan V; Bottonari, Kathryn A; Glickman, Mark E; Spiro, Avron; Schultz, Mark R; Herz, Lawrence; Rosenheck, Robert; Rofman, Ethan S

2011-04-01

Research on patient-centered care supports use of patient/consumer self-report measures in monitoring health outcomes. This study examined the incremental value of self-report mental health measures relative to a clinician-rated measure in predicting functional outcomes among mental health service recipients. Participants (n = 446) completed the Behavior and Symptom Identification Scale, the Brief Symptom Inventory, and the Veterans/Rand Short Form-36 at enrollment in the study (T1) and 3 months later (T2). Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) ratings, mental health service utilization, and psychiatric diagnoses were obtained from administrative data files. Controlling for demographic and clinical variables, results indicated that improvement based on the self-report measures significantly predicted one or more functional outcomes (i.e., decreased likelihood of post-enrollment psychiatric hospitalization and increased likelihood of paid employment), above and beyond the predictive value of the GAF. Inclusion of self-report measures may be a useful addition to performance measurement efforts.

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

Delmau, L.H.; Haverlock, T.J.; Sloop, F.V., Jr.

This report presents the work that followed the CSSX model development completed in FY2002. The developed cesium and potassium extraction model was based on extraction data obtained from simple aqueous media. It was tested to ensure the validity of the prediction for the cesium extraction from actual waste. Compositions of the actual tank waste were obtained from the Savannah River Site personnel and were used to prepare defined simulants and to predict cesium distribution ratios using the model. It was therefore possible to compare the cesium distribution ratios obtained from the actual waste, the simulant, and the predicted values. Itmore » was determined that the predicted values agree with the measured values for the simulants. Predicted values also agreed, with three exceptions, with measured values for the tank wastes. Discrepancies were attributed in part to the uncertainty in the cation/anion balance in the actual waste composition, but likely more so to the uncertainty in the potassium concentration in the waste, given the demonstrated large competing effect of this metal on cesium extraction. It was demonstrated that the upper limit for the potassium concentration in the feed ought to not exceed 0.05 M in order to maintain suitable cesium distribution ratios.« less

Electron impact excitation of Kr XXXII

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aggarwal, K. M.; Keenan, F. P.; Lawson, K. D.

2009-09-01

Collision strengths (Ω) have been calculated for all 7750 transitions among the lowest 125 levels belonging to the 2s2p,2s2p,2p,2s3ℓ,2s2p3ℓ, and 2p3ℓ configurations of boron-like krypton, Kr XXXII, for which the Dirac Atomic R-matrix Code has been adopted. All partial waves with angular momentum J⩽40 have been included, sufficient for the convergence of Ω for forbidden transitions. For allowed transitions, a top-up has been included in order to obtain converged values of Ω up to an energy of 500 Ryd. Resonances in the thresholds region have been resolved in a narrow energy mesh, and results for effective collision strengths (ϒ) have been obtained after averaging the values of Ω over a Maxwellian distribution of electron velocities. Values of ϒ are reported over a wide temperature range below 107.3K, and the accuracy of the results is assessed. Values of ϒ are also listed in the temperature range 7.3⩽logTe(K)⩽9.0, obtained from the nonresonant collision strengths from the Flexible Atomic Code.

Microwave Conductivity of Laser Ablated YBa2Cu3O7-delta Superconducting Films and Its Relation to Microstrip Transmission Line Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bhasin, K. B.; Warner, J. D.; Chorey, C. M.; Ebihara, B. T.; Romanofsky, R. R.; Heinen, V. O.

1990-01-01

We report on the values of the microwave conductivity in the normal (sigma(subN)) and superconducting (sigma*=sigma(sub1)-j sigma(sub2)) states of two laser ablated YBa2CU3O7(sigma) thin films at 35 GHz, in the temperature range from 20 to 300 K. The films 0.7 and 0.4 micrometers) were deposited on LaA10(sub3) by laser ablation. The conductivity was obtained from the microwave power transmitted through the films and assuming a two-fluid model. Values of sigma(subN) approximately 2.3 X 10(exp5) S/m at room temperature for both films, and of sigma(sub1) approximately 6.3 X 10(exp5) and 4.6 X 10(exp5) S/m at temperatures around 80 K were obtained for the 0.7 and 0.4 micrometer films respectively. For sigma(sub2) values of 4.9 X 10(exp6) and 5.4 X 10(exp6) S/m were obtained for the 0.7 and 0.4 micrometer films at 80 K. The expected conductor losses and Q-factor of a superconducting ring resonator were calculated using these conductivity values. The theoretical values were then compared with the experimental results obtained for a resonator fabricated from one of these films.

Composite space charge density functions for the calculation of gamma sensitivity of self-powered neutron detectors, using Warren's model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahant, A. K.; Rao, P. S.; Misra, S. C.

1994-07-01

In the calculational model developed by Warren and Shah for the computation of the gamma sensitivity ( Sγ) it has been observed that the computed Sγ value is quite sensitive to the space charge distribution function assumed for the insulator region and the energy of the gamma photons. The Sγ of SPNDs with Pt, Co and V emitters (manufactured by Thermocoax, France) has been measured at 60Co photon energy and a good correlation between the measured and computed values has been obtained using a composite space charge density function (CSCD), the details of which are presented in this paper. The arguments are extended for evaluating the Sγ values of several SPNDs for which Warren and Shah reported the measured values for a prompt fission gamma spectrum obtained in a swimming pool reactor. These results are also discussed.

Thermal Effusivity Determination of Metallic Films of Nanometric Thickness by the Electrical Micropulse Method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lugo, J. M.; Oliva, A. I.

2017-02-01

The thermal effusivity of gold, aluminum, and copper thin films of nanometric thickness (20 nm to 200 nm) was investigated in terms of the films' thickness. The metallic thin films were deposited onto glass substrates by thermal evaporation, and the thermal effusivity was estimated by using experimental parameters such as the specific heat, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusivity values obtained at room conditions. The specific heat, thermal conductivity, and thermal diffusivity values of the metallic thin films are determined with a methodology based on the behavior of the thermal profiles of the films when electrical pulses of few microseconds are applied at room conditions. For all the investigated materials, the thermal effusivity decreases with decreased thickness. The thermal effusivity values estimated by the presented methodology are consistent with other reported values obtained under vacuum conditions and more elaborated methodologies.

Scientific and Technical Reports, Articles, Papers, and Presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waits, J. E. Turner (Compiler)

2001-01-01

This document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY 2000. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all the NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc, California. Revised Uniform Summary of Surface Weather Observations (RUSSWO). Parts A-F.

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-08-07

this report to the puolic at large, or by DDC to the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). This tecnnical report has been reviewed and is...occurrences of various atmopheric phenomena. These data are obtained from all recorded information on the reporting forms and combined into a daily...notations an awiinb ie ad ftatin s itory for further Information om reporting pvaetiess of individual statame.t 2. hxtrew values - derived from daily

FY 1998 Scientific and Technical Reports, Articles, Papers, and Presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waits, J. E. Turner (Compiler)

1999-01-01

This document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC (Marshall Space Flight Center) personnel in FY98. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all of the NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service. The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

Scientific and Technical Reports, Articles, Papers, and Presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, J. E. (Compiler)

2000-01-01

This document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY99. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. All of the NASA series reports may be obtained from the NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI), 7121 Standard Drive, Hanover, MD 21076-1320 The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

Electron electric dipole moment and hyperfine interaction constants for ThO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fleig, Timo; Nayak, Malaya K.

2014-06-01

A recently implemented relativistic four-component configuration interaction approach to study P- and T-odd interaction constants in atoms and molecules is employed to determine the electron electric dipole moment effective electric field in the Ω=1 first excited state of the ThO molecule. We obtain a value of Eeff=75.2GV/cm with an estimated error bar of 3% and 10% smaller than a previously reported result (Skripnikov et al., 2013). Using the same wavefunction model we obtain an excitation energy of TvΩ=1=5410 (cm), in accord with the experimental value within 2%. In addition, we report the implementation of the magnetic hyperfine interaction constant A|| as an expectation value, resulting in A||=-1339 (MHz) for the Ω=1 state in ThO. The smaller effective electric field increases the previously determined upper bound (Baron et al., 2014) on the electron electric dipole moment to |de|<9.7×10-29e cm and thus mildly mitigates constraints to possible extensions of the Standard Model of particle physics.

Ventilation-perfusion distribution in normal subjects.

PubMed

Beck, Kenneth C; Johnson, Bruce D; Olson, Thomas P; Wilson, Theodore A

2012-09-01

Functional values of LogSD of the ventilation distribution (σ(V)) have been reported previously, but functional values of LogSD of the perfusion distribution (σ(q)) and the coefficient of correlation between ventilation and perfusion (ρ) have not been measured in humans. Here, we report values for σ(V), σ(q), and ρ obtained from wash-in data for three gases, helium and two soluble gases, acetylene and dimethyl ether. Normal subjects inspired gas containing the test gases, and the concentrations of the gases at end-expiration during the first 10 breaths were measured with the subjects at rest and at increasing levels of exercise. The regional distribution of ventilation and perfusion was described by a bivariate log-normal distribution with parameters σ(V), σ(q), and ρ, and these parameters were evaluated by matching the values of expired gas concentrations calculated for this distribution to the measured values. Values of cardiac output and LogSD ventilation/perfusion (Va/Q) were obtained. At rest, σ(q) is high (1.08 ± 0.12). With the onset of ventilation, σ(q) decreases to 0.85 ± 0.09 but remains higher than σ(V) (0.43 ± 0.09) at all exercise levels. Rho increases to 0.87 ± 0.07, and the value of LogSD Va/Q for light and moderate exercise is primarily the result of the difference between the magnitudes of σ(q) and σ(V). With known values for the parameters, the bivariate distribution describes the comprehensive distribution of ventilation and perfusion that underlies the distribution of the Va/Q ratio.

Implementing the Freight Transportation Data Architecture : Data Element Dictionary

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-01-01

NCFRP Report 9: Guidance for Developing a Freight Data Architecture articulates the value of establishing architecture for linking data across modes, subjects, and levels of geography to obtain essential information for decision making. Central to th...

Patients' Perspective on the Value of Medication Management Appointments.

PubMed

Cruz, Mario; Cruz, Robyn Flaum; Pincus, Harold Alan

2015-05-20

There is ongoing concern that psychiatric medication management appointments add little value to care. The present study attempted to address this concern by capturing depressed patients' views and opinions about the value of psychiatric medication management appointments. Seventy-eight semi-structured interviews were performed with white and African American depressed patients post medication management appointments. These interviews tapped patients' views and opinions about the value of attending medication management appointments. An iterative thematic analysis was performed. Patients reported greater appointment value when appointments included obtaining medications, discussing the need for medication changes or dose adjustments, and discussing the impact of medications on their illness. Additionally, greater appointment value was perceived by patients when there were non-medical conversations about life issues, immediate outcomes from the appointment such as motivation to continue in care, and specific qualities of providers that were appealing to patients. Patients' perceived value of psychiatric medication management appointments is complex. Though important patient outcomes are obtaining medicine and perceiving improvement in their mental health, there are other valued appointment and provider factors. Some of these other valued factors embedded within medication management appointments could have therapeutic properties. These findings have implications for future clinical research and service delivery.

Comparison of the frequencies of NH3, CO2, H2O, N2O, CO, and CH4 as infrared calibration standards

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, L. R.; Toth, R. A.

1985-01-01

The absolute accuracies of infrared calibration standards for the line positions have been investigated using a 0.0056-kayser-resolution (unapodized) Fourier-transform spectrum recorded from 550 to 5000 kayser. The spectrum has been obtained using a multicell arrangement containing the various molecular species. Detailed comoparisons reveal that standards for CO2, CH4, and N2O obtained from laser research and NH3 from Fourier-transform spectrometer research are consistent within the accuracies of the present data (+ or 0.0001 kayser). However, certain N2O, H2O, and CO values in the 1100-to 2300 kayser region are systematically high by 0.0001 to 0.0004 kayser. Correction factors for the H2O and CO standards are obtained to bring these into agreement with the laser values. In addition, corrected values for the 2nu-2 and nu-1 bands of N2O at 9 microns are reported.

Comment on "Water-processed carbon nanotube/graphene hybrids with enhanced field emission properties" [AIP Advances 5, 097130 (2015)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rani, Reena; Bhatia, Ravi

2018-03-01

In their research paper, M. Song et al. [AIP ADVANCES 5, 097130 (2015)] have claimed to have achieved enhanced field emission (FE) characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNT)/graphene hybrids experimentally, exhibiting improved FE parameters e.g. turn-on electric field of 0.79 V/μm, threshold electric field of 1.05 V/μm, maximum emission current density (Jmax) of 5.76 mA/cm2, and field enhancement factor (β) of ˜1.3 × 104. The authors have emphasized on the surprisingly high value of β to be the basis of their claim of achieving superior FE performance which is further attributed to the optimized mass ratio CNT/ graphene, which is 5:1 in the present case. However, the claim based upon high value of β is misleading because it does not corroborate with the obtained Jmax parameter. Also, the obtained value of J is quite low in the mentioned study as compared to the reported values. For an instance, Sameera et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 111, 044307 (2012) & Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 033102 (2013)] have reported FE properties of CNT composites and reduced graphene oxide with Jmax and β values of the order of ˜102 mA/cm2 and 6 × 103, respectively. Therefore, the conclusions drawn by M. Song et al. [AIP ADVANCES 5, 097130 (2015)] in their paper do no hold.

The FY 1992 scientific and technical reports, articles, papers, and presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Joyce E. (Compiler)

1992-01-01

This document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY92. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all of the NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

FY 1988 scientific and technical reports, articles, papers and presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Joyce E. (Compiler)

1988-01-01

This document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY 88. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all of the NASA series reports may be obtained from the NationaL Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

FY87 scientific and technical reports, articles, papers, and presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Joyce E. (Compiler)

1987-01-01

The document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY87. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all of the NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Va. 22161. The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

FY 1996 Scientific and Technical Reports, Articles, Papers, and Presentations. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner-Waits, Joyce E. (Compiler)

1996-01-01

This document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY96. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all of the NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

Fiscal year 1993 scientific and technical reports, articles, papers, and presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turner, Joyce E. (Compiler)

1993-01-01

This document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY93. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all of the NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

FY 1999 Scientific and Technical Reports, Articles, Papers, and Presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waits, J.oyce E.Turner

2000-01-01

This document presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY99. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. All of the NASA series reports may be obtained from the NASA Center for AeroSpace Information (CASI), 7121 Standard Drive, Hanover, MD 21076-1320 The information in this report may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

The power and robustness of maximum LOD score statistics.

PubMed

Yoo, Y J; Mendell, N R

2008-07-01

The maximum LOD score statistic is extremely powerful for gene mapping when calculated using the correct genetic parameter value. When the mode of genetic transmission is unknown, the maximum of the LOD scores obtained using several genetic parameter values is reported. This latter statistic requires higher critical value than the maximum LOD score statistic calculated from a single genetic parameter value. In this paper, we compare the power of maximum LOD scores based on three fixed sets of genetic parameter values with the power of the LOD score obtained after maximizing over the entire range of genetic parameter values. We simulate family data under nine generating models. For generating models with non-zero phenocopy rates, LOD scores maximized over the entire range of genetic parameters yielded greater power than maximum LOD scores for fixed sets of parameter values with zero phenocopy rates. No maximum LOD score was consistently more powerful than the others for generating models with a zero phenocopy rate. The power loss of the LOD score maximized over the entire range of genetic parameters, relative to the maximum LOD score calculated using the correct genetic parameter value, appeared to be robust to the generating models.

Feasibility study of parallel optical correlation-decoding analysis of lightning

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

Descour, M.R.; Sweatt, W.C.; Elliott, G.R.

The optical correlator described in this report is intended to serve as an attention-focusing processor. The objective is to narrowly bracket the range of a parameter value that characterizes the correlator input. The input is a waveform collected by a satellite-borne receiver. In the correlator, this waveform is simultaneously correlated with an ensemble of ionosphere impulse-response functions, each corresponding to a different total-electron-count (TEC) value. We have found that correlation is an effective method of bracketing the range of TEC values likely to be represented by the input waveform. High accuracy in a computational sense is not required of themore » correlator. Binarization of the impulse-response functions and the input waveforms prior to correlation results in a lower correlation-peak-to-background-fluctuation (signal-to-noise) ratio than the peak that is obtained when all waveforms retain their grayscale values. The results presented in this report were obtained by means of an acousto-optic correlator previously developed at SNL as well as by simulation. An optical-processor architecture optimized for 1D correlation of long waveforms characteristic of this application is described. Discussions of correlator components, such as optics, acousto-optic cells, digital micromirror devices, laser diodes, and VCSELs are included.« less

Direct Measurements of the Penetration Depth in a Superconducting Film using Magnetic Force Microscopy

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

E Nazaretski; J Thibodaux; I Vekhter

2011-12-31

We report the local measurements of the magnetic penetration depth in a superconducting Nb film using magnetic force microscopy (MFM). We developed a method for quantitative extraction of the penetration depth from single-parameter simultaneous fits to the lateral and height profiles of the MFM signal, and demonstrate that the obtained value is in excellent agreement with that obtained from the bulk magnetization measurements.

LM1-64: a Newly Reported Lmc-Pn with WR Nucleus

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pena, M.; Olguin, L.; Ruiz, M. T.; Torres-Peimbert, S.

1993-05-01

The object LM1-64 was reported by Lindsay & Mullan (1963, Irish Astron. J., 5, 51) as a probable PN in the LMC. Optical and UV spectra taken by us confirm that suggestion. LM1-64 is a high excitation planetary nebulae which shows evidence of having a WC central star. Broad stellar emission at lambda 4650 is detected in the optical spectrum obtained with the CTIO 4m telescope, in 1989. A UV spectrum in the range from 1200 Angstroms to 2000 Angstroms was obtained with IUE in 1990. We have measured all the emission line fluxes available and determined values for the physical conditions and chemical abundances of the nebular ionized gas. The derived values are T(OIII) = 14000K, log He/H = 11.05, log C/H = 9.48, log O/H = 8.55 and log Ne/H = 7.94. LM1-64 shows a large C enhancement in the envelope as result of the central star activity, while He, O and Ne are comparable to the average values reported for the LMC-PNe (Monk, Barlow & Clegg, 1988, MNRAS, 234, 583). We have estimated the He II Zanstra temperature of the central star to be ~ 80,000 K. This temperature is much higher than the values reported for the known LMC-PNe with WR nucleus that Monk et al. have classified as W4 to W8. The only other high temperature WR nucleus in a LMC-PN is N66 which recently showed evidence of undergoing a WR episode (Torres-Peimbert, Ruiz, Peimbert & Pe\\ na, 1993, IAU Symp. 155, eds. A. Acker & R. Weinberger, in press).

On the calculation of solubilities via direct coexistence simulations: Investigation of NaCl aqueous solutions and Lennard-Jones binary mixtures.

PubMed

Espinosa, J R; Young, J M; Jiang, H; Gupta, D; Vega, C; Sanz, E; Debenedetti, P G; Panagiotopoulos, A Z

2016-10-21

Direct coexistence molecular dynamics simulations of NaCl solutions and Lennard-Jones binary mixtures were performed to explore the origin of reported discrepancies between solubilities obtained by direct interfacial simulations and values obtained from the chemical potentials of the crystal and solution phases. We find that the key cause of these discrepancies is the use of crystal slabs of insufficient width to eliminate finite-size effects. We observe that for NaCl crystal slabs thicker than 4 nm (in the direction perpendicular to the interface), the same solubility values are obtained from the direct coexistence and chemical potential routes, namely, 3.7 ± 0.2 molal at T = 298.15 K and p = 1 bar for the JC-SPC/E model. Such finite-size effects are absent in the Lennard-Jones system and are likely caused by surface dipoles present in the salt crystals. We confirmed that μs-long molecular dynamics runs are required to obtain reliable solubility values from direct coexistence calculations, provided that the initial solution conditions are near the equilibrium solubility values; even longer runs are needed for equilibration of significantly different concentrations. We do not observe any effects of the exposed crystal face on the solubility values or equilibration times. For both the NaCl and Lennard-Jones systems, the use of a spherical crystallite embedded in the solution leads to significantly higher apparent solubility values relative to the flat-interface direct coexistence calculations and the chemical potential values. Our results have broad implications for the determination of solubilities of molecular models of ionic systems.

Indirect NMR spin-spin coupling constants in diatomic alkali halides

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaszuński, Michał; Antušek, Andrej; Demissie, Taye B.; Komorovsky, Stanislav; Repisky, Michal; Ruud, Kenneth

2016-12-01

We report the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spin-spin coupling constants for diatomic alkali halides MX, where M = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs and X = F, Cl, Br, or I. The coupling constants are determined by supplementing the non-relativistic coupled-cluster singles-and-doubles (CCSD) values with relativistic corrections evaluated at the four-component density-functional theory (DFT) level. These corrections are calculated as the differences between relativistic and non-relativistic values determined using the PBE0 functional with 50% exact-exchange admixture. The total coupling constants obtained in this approach are in much better agreement with experiment than the standard relativistic DFT values with 25% exact-exchange, and are also noticeably better than the relativistic PBE0 results obtained with 50% exact-exchange. Further improvement is achieved by adding rovibrational corrections, estimated using literature data.

Relative indexes of cutaneous blood perfusion measured by real-time laser Doppler imaging (LDI) in healthy volunteers.

PubMed

Seyed Jafari, S Morteza; Schawkat, Megir; Van De Ville, Dimitri; Shafighi, Maziar

2014-07-01

We used real-time LDI to study regional variations in microcirculatory perfusion in healthy candidates to establish a new methodology for global perfusion body mapping that is based on intra-individual perfusion index ratios. Our study included 74 (37 female) healthy volunteers aged between 22 and 30 years (mean 24.49). Imaging was performed using a recent microcirculation-imaging camera (EasyLDI) for different body regions of each volunteer. The perfusion values were reported in Arbitrary Perfusion Units (APU). The relative perfusion indexes for each candidate's body region were then obtained by normalization with the perfusion value of the forehead. Basic parameters such as weight, height, and blood pressure were also measured and analyzed. The highest mean perfusion value was reported in the forehead area (259.21APU). Mean perfusion in the measured parts of the body correlated positively with mean forehead value, while there was no significant correlation between forehead blood perfusion values and room temperature, BMI, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.420, 0.623, 0.488, 0.099, respectively). Analysis of the data showed that perfusion indexes were not significantly different between male and female volunteers except for the ventral upper arm area (p=.001). LDI is a non-invasive, fast technique that opens several avenues for clinical applications. The mean perfusion indexes are useful in clinical practice for monitoring patients before and after surgical interventions. Perfusion values can be predicted for different body parts for patients only by taking the forehead perfusion value and using the perfusion index ratios to obtain expected normative perfusion values. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

NASA procurement report, FY 1992

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

This report presents summary data on all NASA procurement actions and detailed information on contracts, grants, agreements, and other procurements over $25,000 awarded by NASA during the first six months of Fiscal Year 1992. The dollar value on procurements over $25,000 amounted to 98 percent of the total dollar value of procurement actions completed during the first six months of Fiscal Year 1992. However, these larger procurements accounted for only 29 percent of the total actions. Procurement action, as used in this report, means contractual actions to obtain supplies, services, or construction which increase or decrease funds. A procurement action thus may be a new procurement, or modifications such as supplementary agreements, change orders, or terminations to a contract that change the total amount of funds obligated.

Comments on 'Kinetic Study on the Hexacelsian-Celsian Phase Transformation'

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bansal, Narottam P.; Drummond, Charles H., III

1992-01-01

A value of 20.1 +/- 4 kcal/mole for the activation energy (E) for the hexacelsian to celsian phase transformation in BaAl2Si2O8 was reported in an earlier work. In the present work, the earlier experimental data were reanalyzed and a much higher value of E was obtained. This revised E value is consistent with the transformation mechanism of a layered hexacelsian structure into a three-dimensional feldspar structure of celsian which would necessitate the breaking of the Si-O and/or the Al-O bonds.

Sampling and analysis techniques for monitoring serum for trace elements.

PubMed

Ericson, S P; McHalsky, M L; Rabinow, B E; Kronholm, K G; Arceo, C S; Weltzer, J A; Ayd, S W

1986-07-01

We describe techniques for controlling contamination in the sampling and analysis of human serum for trace metals. The relatively simple procedures do not require clean-room conditions. The atomic absorption and atomic emission methods used have been applied in studying zinc, copper, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and aluminum concentrations. Values obtained for a group of 16 normal subjects agree with the most reliable values reported in the literature, obtained by much more elaborate techniques. All of these metals can be measured in 3 to 4 mL of serum. The methods may prove especially useful in monitoring concentrations of essential trace elements in blood of patients being maintained on total parenteral nutrition.

Direct led-fluorescence method for Mao-B inactivation in the treatment of Parkinson's

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castillo, Jimmy A.; Hung, Jannett; Rodriguez, M.; Bastidas, E.; Laboren, I.; Jaimes, A.

2004-10-01

A led-fluorescence spectroscopy method determinate the inhibitory effects of probe compounds on MAO-B activity is described. In this assay, we demonstrate the possibility of determinate the activity of MAO-B efficiently and rapidly without the use of reference substrate. Measuring variations in fluorescence intensity of MAO-B enzyme during the reaction with inhibitors, L-deprenyl and berberine IC50 and KI values were obtained. For L-deprenyl (IC50 = 0.017 μM and KI = 0.019 μM) and berberine (IC50 = 90 μM and KI = 47 μM) were in agreement to the values obtained with a standard method and literature reported.

Henry's law constants of polyols

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Compernolle, S.; Müller, J.-F.

2014-12-01

Henry's law constants (HLC) are derived for several polyols bearing between 2 and 6 hydroxyl groups, based on literature data for water activity, vapour pressure and/or solubility. While deriving HLC and depending on the case, also infinite dilution activity coefficients (IDACs), solid state vapour pressures or activity coefficient ratios are obtained as intermediate results. An error analysis on the intermediate quantities and the obtained HLC is included. For most compounds, these are the first values reported, while others compare favourably with literature data in most cases. Using these values and those from a previous work (Compernolle and Müller, 2014), an assessment is made on the partitioning of polyols, diacids and hydroxy acids to droplet and aqueous aerosol.

Junction Potentials Bias Measurements of Ion Exchange Membrane Permselectivity.

PubMed

Kingsbury, Ryan S; Flotron, Sophie; Zhu, Shan; Call, Douglas F; Coronell, Orlando

2018-04-17

Ion exchange membranes (IEMs) are versatile materials relevant to a variety of water and waste treatment, energy production, and industrial separation processes. The defining characteristic of IEMs is their ability to selectively allow positive or negative ions to permeate, which is referred to as permselectivity. Measured values of permselectivity that equal unity (corresponding to a perfectly selective membrane) or exceed unity (theoretically impossible) have been reported for cation exchange membranes (CEMs). Such nonphysical results call into question our ability to correctly measure this crucial membrane property. Because weighing errors, temperature, and measurement uncertainty have been shown to not explain these anomalous permselectivity results, we hypothesized that a possible explanation are junction potentials that occur at the tips of reference electrodes. In this work, we tested this hypothesis by comparing permselectivity values obtained from bare Ag/AgCl wire electrodes (which have no junction) to values obtained from single-junction reference electrodes containing two different electrolytes. We show that permselectivity values obtained using reference electrodes with junctions were greater than unity for CEMs. In contrast, electrodes without junctions always produced permselectivities lower than unity. Electrodes with junctions also resulted in artificially low permselectivity values for AEMs compared to electrodes without junctions. Thus, we conclude that junctions in reference electrodes introduce two biases into results in the IEM literature: (i) permselectivity values larger than unity for CEMs and (ii) lower permselectivity values for AEMs compared to those for CEMs. These biases can be avoided by using electrodes without a junction.

Dielectric Spectroscopy of Human Blood

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bernal-Alvarado, J.; Sosa, M.; Morales, L.; Hernández, L. C.; Hernández-Cabrera, F.; Palomares, P.; Juárez, P.; Ramírez, R.

2003-09-01

Using reactive strips of the Bayer's portable glucometer, as a container, the electric impedance spectrum of human blood was obtained. The results were fitted using the distributed element of the Cole-Cole model and the corresponding parameters were obtained. Several samples were studied and the result for the electric parameters, of the equivalent circuit, are reported -average value and standard deviation-. The samples were obtained from donors at the Guanajuato State Transfusion Center, at México; people were adult individuals in an aleatory sampling from healthy donors, they were free of hepatitis, and other diseases.

Ebola RNA Persistence in Semen of Ebola Virus Disease Survivors - Final Report.

PubMed

Deen, Gibrilla F; Broutet, Nathalie; Xu, Wenbo; Knust, Barbara; Sesay, Foday R; McDonald, Suzanna L R; Ervin, Elizabeth; Marrinan, Jaclyn E; Gaillard, Philippe; Habib, Ndema; Liu, Hongtu; Liu, William; Thorson, Anna E; Yamba, Francis; Massaquoi, Thomas A; James, Faustin; Ariyarajah, Archchun; Ross, Christine; Bernstein, Kyle; Coursier, Antoine; Klena, John; Carino, Marylin; Wurie, Alie H; Zhang, Yong; Dumbuya, Marion S; Abad, Neetu; Idriss, Baimba; Wi, Teodora; Bennett, Sarah D; Davies, Tina; Ebrahim, Faiqa K; Meites, Elissa; Naidoo, Dhamari; Smith, Samuel J; Ongpin, Patricia; Malik, Tasneem; Banerjee, Anshu; Erickson, Bobbie R; Liu, Yongjian; Liu, Yang; Xu, Ke; Brault, Aaron; Durski, Kara N; Winter, Jörn; Sealy, Tara; Nichol, Stuart T; Lamunu, Margaret; Bangura, James; Landoulsi, Sihem; Jambai, Amara; Morgan, Oliver; Wu, Guizhen; Liang, Mifang; Su, Qiudong; Lan, Yu; Hao, Yanzhe; Formenty, Pierre; Ströher, Ute; Sahr, Foday

2017-10-12

Ebola virus has been detected in the semen of men after their recovery from Ebola virus disease (EVD). We report the presence of Ebola virus RNA in semen in a cohort of survivors of EVD in Sierra Leone. We enrolled a convenience sample of 220 adult male survivors of EVD in Sierra Leone, at various times after discharge from an Ebola treatment unit (ETU), in two phases (100 participants were in phase 1, and 120 in phase 2). Semen specimens obtained at baseline were tested by means of a quantitative reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay with the use of the target sequences of NP and VP40 (in phase 1) or NP and GP (in phase 2). This study did not evaluate directly the risk of sexual transmission of EVD. Of 210 participants who provided an initial semen specimen for analysis, 57 (27%) had positive results on quantitative RT-PCR. Ebola virus RNA was detected in the semen of all 7 men with a specimen obtained within 3 months after ETU discharge, in 26 of 42 (62%) with a specimen obtained at 4 to 6 months, in 15 of 60 (25%) with a specimen obtained at 7 to 9 months, in 4 of 26 (15%) with a specimen obtained at 10 to 12 months, in 4 of 38 (11%) with a specimen obtained at 13 to 15 months, in 1 of 25 (4%) with a specimen obtained at 16 to 18 months, and in no men with a specimen obtained at 19 months or later. Among the 46 participants with a positive result in phase 1, the median baseline cycle-threshold values (higher values indicate lower RNA values) for the NP and VP40 targets were lower within 3 months after ETU discharge (32.4 and 31.3, respectively; in 7 men) than at 4 to 6 months (34.3 and 33.1; in 25), at 7 to 9 months (37.4 and 36.6; in 13), and at 10 to 12 months (37.7 and 36.9; in 1). In phase 2, a total of 11 participants had positive results for NP and GP targets (samples obtained at 4.1 to 15.7 months after ETU discharge); cycle-threshold values ranged from 32.7 to 38.0 for NP and from 31.1 to 37.7 for GP. These data showed the long-term presence of Ebola virus RNA in semen and declining persistence with increasing time after ETU discharge. (Funded by the World Health Organization and others.).

Comment on "Propionaldehyde infrared cross-sections and band strengths" by B. Köroğlu et al. [1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richter, Wagner Eduardo; Bruns, Roy Edward

2016-08-01

The propionaldehyde infrared regional integrated area reported by Köroğlu et al. were re-examined. Even though the spectrum seems to be recorded correctly, the comparison between their values with the data obtained by the integration of the propionaldehyde spectrum available in the PNNL database suggests that a scaling factor of 2.3025 (the ratio between ln and log bases) is the reason for their results being lower than those expected based on other literature values and quantum chemical estimates. Revised values were then reported for the four spectral regions evaluated by these authors, resulting in a much better agreement between both theoretical and experimental results for not only for this molecule but also for others like acetone and acetaldehyde.

A calculation for radial expectation values of helium like actinide ions (Z=89-93)

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

Ürer, G., E-mail: gurer@sakarya.edu.tr; Arslan, M., E-mail: murat.arslan4@ogr.sakarya.edu.tr; Balkaya, E., E-mail: eda.balkaya@ogr.sakarya.edu.tr

2016-03-25

Radial expectation values, , for helium like actinides (Z{sub Ac}=89, Z{sub Th}=90, Z{sub Pa}=91, Z{sub U}=92, and Z{sub Np}=93) are reported using the Multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock (MCHF) within the framework Breit-Pauli corrections. Atomic data as energy levels, wavelengths, weighted oscillator strengths, and transition probabilities for allowed and forbidden transitions need these calculations. The obtained results are compared available works.

Correlation between polar values and vector analysis.

PubMed

Naeser, K; Behrens, J K

1997-01-01

To evaluate the possible correlation between polar value and vector analysis assessment of surgically induced astigmatism. Department of Ophthalmology, Aalborg Sygehus Syd, Denmark. The correlation between polar values and vector analysis was evaluated by simple mathematical and optical methods using accepted principles of trigonometry and first-order optics. Vector analysis and polar values report different aspects of surgically induced astigmatism. Vector analysis describes the total astigmatic change, characterized by both astigmatic magnitude and direction, while the polar value method produces a single, reduced figure that reports flattening or steepening in preselected directions, usually the plane of the surgical meridian. There is a simple Pythagorean correlation between vector analysis and two polar values separated by an arch of 45 degrees. The polar value calculated in the surgical meridian indicates the power or the efficacy of the surgical procedure. The polar value calculated in a plane inclined 45 degrees to the surgical meridian indicates the degree of cylinder rotation induced by surgery. These two polar values can be used to obtain other relevant data such as magnitude, direction, and sphere of an induced cylinder. Consistent use of these methods will enable surgeons to control and in many cases reduce preoperative astigmatism.

ICP-MS measurement of diffusion coefficients of Cs in NBG-18 graphite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carter, L. M.; Brockman, J. D.; Robertson, J. D.; Loyalka, S. K.

2015-11-01

Graphite is used in the HGTR/VHTR as moderator and it also functions as a barrier to fission product release. Therefore, an elucidation of transport of fission products in reactor-grade graphite is required. We have measured diffusion coefficients of Cs in graphite NBG-18 using the release method, wherein we infused spheres of NBG-18 with Cs and measured the release rates in the temperature range of 1090-1395 K. We have obtained: These seem to be the first reported values of Cs diffusion coefficients in NBG-18. The values are lower than those reported for other graphites in the literature.

Physical activity levels from a meta-analysis of doubly labeled water studies for validating energy intake as measured by dietary assessment.

PubMed

Black, A E

1996-06-01

Studies using doubly labeled water have identified underreporting of food intake as a problem of dietary surveys. However, reported energy intakes may be evaluated by comparison with energy requirements expressed as multiples of the basal metabolic rate, and a formula for calculating the value below which reported intake cannot be either a valid measure of habitual intake or a true low intake obtained by chance is presented. The energy requirements of different age-sex groups needed for the comparison with energy intakes have been obtained from a meta-analysis of doubly labeled water data.

The harmonic frequencies of benzene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handy, Nicholas C.; Maslen, Paul E.; Amos, Roger D.; Andrews, Jamie S.; Murray, Christopher W.; Laming, Gregory J.

1992-09-01

We report calculations for the harmonic frequencies of C 6H 6 and C 6D 6. Our most sophisticated quantum chemistry values are obtained with the MP2 method and a TZ2P+f basis set (288 basis functions), which are the largest such calculations reported on benzene to date. Using the SCF density, we also calculate the frequencies using the exchange and correlation expressions of density functional theory. We compare our calculated harmonic frequencies with those deduced from experiment by Goodman, Ozkabak and Thakur. The density functional frequencies appear to be more reliable predictions than the MP2 frequencies and they are obtained at significantly less cost.

Bulk modulus of two-dimensional liquid dusty plasmas and its application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wei; Lin, Wei; Feng, Yan

2017-04-01

From the recently obtained equation of state [Feng et al., J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 49, 235203 (2016) and Feng et al., Phys. Plasmas 23, 093705 (2016); Erratum 23, 119904 (2016)], the bulk modulus of elasticity K of 2D liquid dusty plasmas is analytically derived as the expression of the temperature and the screening parameter. Exact values of the obtained bulk modulus of elasticity K are reported and also plotted in the 2D plane of the temperature and the screening parameter. As the temperature and the screening parameter change, the variation trend of K is reported and the corresponding interpretation is suggested. It has been demonstrated that the obtained bulk modulus of elasticity K can be used to predict the longitudinal sound speed, which agrees well with previous studies.

Investigation into the Value of Trained Glycaemia Alert Dogs to Clients with Type I Diabetes

PubMed Central

Rooney, Nicola J.; Morant, Steve; Guest, Claire

2013-01-01

Previous studies have suggested that some pet dogs respond to their owners’ hypoglycaemic state. Here, we show that trained glycaemia alert dogs placed with clients living with diabetes afford significant improvements to owner well-being. We investigated whether trained dogs reliably respond to their owners’ hypoglycaemic state, and whether owners experience facilitated tightened glycaemic control, and wider psychosocial benefits. Since obtaining their dog, all seventeen clients studied reported positive effects including reduced paramedic call outs, decreased unconscious episodes and improved independence. Owner-recorded data showed that dogs alerted their owners, with significant, though variable, accuracy at times of low and high blood sugar. Eight out of the ten dogs (for which owners provided adequate records) responded consistently more often when their owner’s blood sugars were reported to be outside, than within, target range. Comparison of nine clients’ routine records showed significant overall change after obtaining their dogs, with seven clients recording a significantly higher proportion of routine tests within target range after obtaining a dog. HbA1C showed a small, non significant reduction after dog allocation. Based on owner-reported data we have shown, for the first time, that trained detection dogs perform above chance level. This study points to the potential value of alert dogs, for increasing glycaemic control, client independence and consequent quality of life and even reducing the costs of long-term health care. PMID:23950905

Examples of, reasons for, and consequences of the poor quality of wind data from ships for the marine boundary layer: Implications for remote sensing

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

Pierson, W.J. Jr.

1990-08-15

Wind reports by data buoys are used to demonstrate that these reports have in the past provided useful values for the synoptic scale winds and that at present these reports provide very reliable values for the synoptic scale winds. Past studies of wind reports by ships have revealed that the data are of poor quality, but the causes for this poor quality are not identified. Examples of the poor quality of wind data from ships are obtained by comparing ship reports with buoy reports and comparing reports of different kinds of ships with each other. These comparisons identify many differentmore » reasons for the poor quality of wind data from ships. Suggestions are made for improving the quality of ship data. The consequences of the poor quality of ship winds are described in terms of the effects on weather and wave forecasts. The implications for remotely sensed winds are discussed.« less

Addendum to the article: Misuse of null hypothesis significance testing: Would estimation of positive and negative predictive values improve certainty of chemical risk assessment?

PubMed

Bundschuh, Mirco; Newman, Michael C; Zubrod, Jochen P; Seitz, Frank; Rosenfeldt, Ricki R; Schulz, Ralf

2015-03-01

We argued recently that the positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) are valuable metrics to include during null hypothesis significance testing: They inform the researcher about the probability of statistically significant and non-significant test outcomes actually being true. Although commonly misunderstood, a reported p value estimates only the probability of obtaining the results or more extreme results if the null hypothesis of no effect was true. Calculations of the more informative PPV and NPV require a priori estimate of the probability (R). The present document discusses challenges of estimating R.

Conformational ordering of biomolecules in the gas phase: nitrogen collision cross sections measured on a prototype high resolution drift tube ion mobility-mass spectrometer.

PubMed

May, Jody C; Goodwin, Cody R; Lareau, Nichole M; Leaptrot, Katrina L; Morris, Caleb B; Kurulugama, Ruwan T; Mordehai, Alex; Klein, Christian; Barry, William; Darland, Ed; Overney, Gregor; Imatani, Kenneth; Stafford, George C; Fjeldsted, John C; McLean, John A

2014-02-18

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry measurements which describe the gas-phase scaling of molecular size and mass are of both fundamental and pragmatic utility. Fundamentally, such measurements expand our understanding of intrinsic intramolecular folding forces in the absence of solvent. Practically, reproducible transport properties, such as gas-phase collision cross-section (CCS), are analytically useful metrics for identification and characterization purposes. Here, we report 594 CCS values obtained in nitrogen drift gas on an electrostatic drift tube ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) instrument. The instrument platform is a newly developed prototype incorporating a uniform-field drift tube bracketed by electrodynamic ion funnels and coupled to a high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The CCS values reported here are of high experimental precision (±0.5% or better) and represent four chemically distinct classes of molecules (quaternary ammonium salts, lipids, peptides, and carbohydrates), which enables structural comparisons to be made between molecules of different chemical compositions for the rapid "omni-omic" characterization of complex biological samples. Comparisons made between helium and nitrogen-derived CCS measurements demonstrate that nitrogen CCS values are systematically larger than helium values; however, general separation trends between chemical classes are retained regardless of the drift gas. These results underscore that, for the highest CCS accuracy, care must be exercised when utilizing helium-derived CCS values to calibrate measurements obtained in nitrogen, as is the common practice in the field.

Conformational Ordering of Biomolecules in the Gas Phase: Nitrogen Collision Cross Sections Measured on a Prototype High Resolution Drift Tube Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometer

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Ion mobility-mass spectrometry measurements which describe the gas-phase scaling of molecular size and mass are of both fundamental and pragmatic utility. Fundamentally, such measurements expand our understanding of intrinsic intramolecular folding forces in the absence of solvent. Practically, reproducible transport properties, such as gas-phase collision cross-section (CCS), are analytically useful metrics for identification and characterization purposes. Here, we report 594 CCS values obtained in nitrogen drift gas on an electrostatic drift tube ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) instrument. The instrument platform is a newly developed prototype incorporating a uniform-field drift tube bracketed by electrodynamic ion funnels and coupled to a high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The CCS values reported here are of high experimental precision (±0.5% or better) and represent four chemically distinct classes of molecules (quaternary ammonium salts, lipids, peptides, and carbohydrates), which enables structural comparisons to be made between molecules of different chemical compositions for the rapid “omni-omic” characterization of complex biological samples. Comparisons made between helium and nitrogen-derived CCS measurements demonstrate that nitrogen CCS values are systematically larger than helium values; however, general separation trends between chemical classes are retained regardless of the drift gas. These results underscore that, for the highest CCS accuracy, care must be exercised when utilizing helium-derived CCS values to calibrate measurements obtained in nitrogen, as is the common practice in the field. PMID:24446877

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

Batcheller, Thomas Aquinas; Taylor, Dean Dalton

Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center 300,000-gallon vessel WM-189 was filled in late 2001 with concentrated sodium bearing waste (SBW). Three airlifted liquid samples and a steam jetted slurry sample were obtained for quantitative analysis and characterization of WM-189 liquid phase SBW and tank heel sludge. Estimates were provided for most of the reported data values, based on the greater of (a) analytical uncertainty, and (b) variation of analytical results between nominally similar samples. A consistency check on the data was performed by comparing the total mass of dissolved solids in the liquid, as measured gravimetrically from a dried sample,more » with the corresponding value obtained by summing the masses of cations and anions in the liquid, based on the reported analytical data. After reasonable adjustments to the nitrate and oxygen concentrations, satisfactory consistency between the two results was obtained. A similar consistency check was performed on the reported compositional data for sludge solids from the steam jetted sample. In addition to the compositional data, various other analyses were performed: particle size distribution was measured for the sludge solids, sludge settling tests were performed, and viscosity measurements were made. WM-189 characterization results were compared with those for WM-180, and other Tank Farm Facility tank characterization data. A 2-liter batch of WM-189 simulant was prepared and a clear, stable solution was obtained, based on a general procedure for mixing SBW simulant that was develop by Dr. Jerry Christian. This WM-189 SBW simulant is considered suitable for laboratory testing for process development.« less

USAF Propellant Handbooks. Nitric Acid/Nitrogen Tetroxide Oxidizers. Volume II.

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-02-01

Report . MCR -64-88, Martin Marietta Corpora 32. Lukens, S.C.: Sterilizable Liquid PropulSion tion, Denver, Colorado. November 1964. System, Part I1...the Air Force Project Engineer. Mr. A. C. Wright was the Martin Marietta Program Manager. This report has been reviewed by the Information Office/DOZ...lated from test data reported by the Martin Marietta 2C2 H6 + 3NO2----- 2C6 H5 NO 2 + NO + H2 0 Company (11), Test values were obtained at four

FY 2001 Scientific and Technical Reports, Articles, Papers, and Presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Waits, J. E. Turner (Compiler)

2002-01-01

This Technical Memorandum (TM) presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by MSFC personnel in FY 2001. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. The information in this TM may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

FY 2004 Scientific and Technical Reports, Articles, Papers, and Presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fowler, B. A. (Compiler)

2006-01-01

This Technical Memorandum (TM) presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) personnel FY 2004. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. The information in this TM maybe of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

FY 2003 Scientific and Technical Reports, Articles, Papers, and Presentations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fowler, B. A. (Compiler)

2004-01-01

This Technical Memorandum (TM) presents formal NASA technical reports, papers published in technical journals, and presentations by Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) personnel in FY 2003. It also includes papers of MSFC contractors. After being announced in STAR, all NASA series reports may be obtained from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Spring.eld, VA 22161. The information in this TM may be of value to the scientific and engineering community in determining what information has been published and what is available.

Hydrodynamic chromatography of polystyrene microparticles in micropillar array columns.

PubMed

Op de Beeck, Jeff; De Malsche, Wim; Vangelooven, Joris; Gardeniers, Han; Desmet, Gert

2010-09-24

We report on the possibility to perform HDC in micropillar array columns and the potential advantages of such a system. The HDC performance of a pillar array column with pillar diameter = 5 microm and an interpillar distance of 2.5 microm has been characterized using both a low MW tracer (FITC) and differently sized polystyrene bead samples (100, 200 and 500 nm). The reduced plate height curves that were obtained for the different investigated markers all overlapped very well, and attained a minimum value of about h(min)=0.3 (reduction based on the pillar diameter), corresponding to 1.6 microm in absolute value and giving good prospects for high efficiency separations. The obtained reduced retention time values were in fair agreement with that predicted by the Di Marzio and Guttman model for a flow between flat plates, using the minimal interpillar distance as characteristic interplate distance. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of nano-hydroxyapatite in maltodextrin matrix

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phan, Bich T. N.; Nguyen, Hanh T.; Đao, Huong Q.; Pham, Lam V.; Quan, Trang T. T.; Nguyen, Duong B.; Nguyen, Huong T. L.; Vu, Thuan T.

2017-02-01

In this study, we report the direct precipitation of nano-HA in the present of maltodextrins with the different dextrose equivalent (DE) values in the range of 10-30. Characterization of the obtained samples, using X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, indicated that the presence of maltodextrins, with the different DE values, does not affect the phase composition and structure of the obtained composites. Morphology studies of the samples, using field emission scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope, revealed that maltodextrin has obvious effect on the size, shape, and morphology of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. In particular, in studied DE range, maltodextrin DE 28-30 with dominant structure of debranched chain is the most preferable choice to obtain the composite with highly dispersed nanoparticles. In vitro assay on pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells demonstrated the ability of the composites to stimulate alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization during differentiation of the cells.

Electron content of the ionosphere and the plasma sphere on the basis of ATS-6-Data, NNSS-data, and ionograms. [Navy Navigation Satellite System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leitinger, R.; Hartmann, G. K.; Davies, K.

1976-01-01

The reported investigation takes into account data obtained with the aid of the geostationary satellite ATS-6, the satellites of the U.S. navy navigation system (NNSS) at an altitude between 900 and 1200 km, and the satellites ISIS 1 and ISIS 2. The altitude range between ground and ATS-6 is divided into two regions, including the 'ionosphere', involving the region with an upper limit of 2000 km, and the 'plasma sphere', involving the region above an altitude of 2000 km. Data concerning the electron content obtained from different sources are compared, taking into account discrepancies between ionogram-derived values and values computed on the basis of satellite measurements. Attention is also given to the vertical electron content of the ionosphere on the basis of a combination of data obtained with the aid of the ATS-6 and the NNSS.

Analysis of Meteorological Data Obtained During Flight in a Supercooled Stratiform Cloud of High Liquid-Water Content

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perkins, Porter J.; Kline, Dwight B.

1951-01-01

Flight icing-rate data obtained in a dense and. abnormally deep supercooled stratiform cloud system indicated the existence of liquid-water contents generally exceeding values in amount and extent previously reported over the midwestern sections of the United States. Additional information obtained during descent through a part of the cloud system indicated liquid-water contents that significantly exceeded theoretical values, especially near the middle of the cloud layer.. The growth of cloud droplets to sizes that resulted in sedimentation from the upper portions of the cloud is considered to be a possible cause of the high water contents near the center of the cloud layer. Flight measurements of the vertical temperature distribution in the cloud layer indicated a rate of change of temperature with altitude exceeding that of the moist adiabatic lapse rate. This excessive rate of change is considered to have contributed to the severity of the condition.

Financial Assessment for Senior Military Officers

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-03-30

CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS 12. REPORT DATE U.S. Army War College April 1990 Carlisle Barracks, PA 17013-5050 13. NUMBEROF PAGES 97 14. MONITORING...AGENCY NAME & AOORESS(If different from Controlling Office) 15. SECURITY CLASS. (of this report) Unclassified ISa. DECL ASSI FICATI ON/DOWNGRADING SCHEDULE...Equity. Since it is usually difficult to obtain second mortgages on non -residential property the second way of calculating the ’net value increase

Annual Report Number 12, 1 October 1979-30 September 1980,

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-12-01

experimental results using absorption coefficients derived from the work of Sauberer (1950), and a representative phase function derived from the results...deviations indicate that inaccuracies may be present in the absorption coefficients obtained by Sauberer . A paper describing in detail the theoretical...also needed in a number of extraterrestrial applications. The only data available between 400 and 900 nm have been those of Sauberer . He reported values

Binding Energies of the Proton-Bound Amino Acid Dimers Gly·Gly, Ala·Ala, Gly·Ala, and Lys·Lys Measured by Blackbody Infrared Radiative Dissociation

PubMed Central

Price, William D.; Schnier, Paul D.

2005-01-01

Arrhenius activation energies in the zero-pressure limit for dissociation of gas-phase proton-bound homodimers of N,N-dimethylacetamide (N,N-DMA), glycine, alanine, and lysine and the heterodimer alanine·glycine were measured using blackbody infrared radiative dissociation (BIRD). In combination with master equation modeling of the kinetic data, binding energies of these dimers were determined. A value of 1.25 ± 0.05 eV is obtained for N,N-DMA and is in excellent agreement with that reported in the literature. The value obtained from the truncated Boltzmann model is significantly higher, indicating that the assumptions of this model do not apply to these ions. This is due to the competitive rates of photon emission and dissociation for these relatively large ions. The binding energies of the amino acid dimers are ~1.15 ± 0.05 eV and are indistinguishable despite the difference in their gas-phase basicity and structure. The threshold dissociation energies can be accurately modeled using a range of dissociation parameters and absorption/emission rates. However, the absolute values of the dissociation rates depend more strongly on the absorption/emission rates. For N,N-DMA and glycine, an accurate fit was obtained using frequencies and transition dipole moments calculated at the ab initio RHF/2-31G* and MP2/2-31G* level, respectively. In order to obtain a similar accuracy using values obtained from AM1 semiempirical calculations, it was necessary to multiply the transition dipole moments by a factor of 3. These results demonstrate that in combination with master equation modeling, BIRD can be used to obtain accurate threshold dissociation energies of relatively small ions of biological interest. PMID:17235378

Health impact and cost-effectiveness of a private sector bed net distribution: experimental evidence from Zambia.

PubMed

Sedlmayr, Richard; Fink, Günther; Miller, John M; Earle, Duncan; Steketee, Richard W

2013-03-18

Relatively few programmes have attempted to actively engage the private sector in national malaria control efforts. This paper evaluates the health impact of a large-scale distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) conducted in partnership with a Zambian agribusiness, and its cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). The study was designed as a cluster-randomized controlled trial. A list of 81,597 cotton farmers was obtained from Dunavant, a contract farming company in Zambia's cotton sector, in December 2010. 39,963 (49%) were randomly selected to obtain one ITN each. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 438 farmers in the treatment and 458 farmers in the control group in June and July 2011. Treatment and control households were compared with respect to bed net ownership, bed net usage, self-reported fever, and self-reported confirmed malaria. Cost data was collected throughout the programme. The distribution effectively reached target beneficiaries, with approximately 95% of households in the treatment group reporting that they had received an ITN through the programme. The average increase in the fraction of household members sleeping under an ITN the night prior to the interview was 14.6 percentage points (p-value <0.001). Treatment was associated with a 42 percent reduction in the odds of self-reported fever (p-value <0.001) and with a 49 percent reduction in the odds of self-reported malaria (p-value 0.002). This was accomplished at a cost of approximately five US$ per ITN to Zambia's NMCP. The results illustrate that existing private sector networks can efficiently control malaria in remote rural regions. The intra-household allocation of ITNs distributed through this channel was comparable to that of ITNs received from other sources, and the health impact remained substantial.

Ant colony optimisation-direct cover: a hybrid ant colony direct cover technique for multi-level synthesis of multiple-valued logic functions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abd-El-Barr, Mostafa

2010-12-01

The use of non-binary (multiple-valued) logic in the synthesis of digital systems can lead to savings in chip area. Advances in very large scale integration (VLSI) technology have enabled the successful implementation of multiple-valued logic (MVL) circuits. A number of heuristic algorithms for the synthesis of (near) minimal sum-of products (two-level) realisation of MVL functions have been reported in the literature. The direct cover (DC) technique is one such algorithm. The ant colony optimisation (ACO) algorithm is a meta-heuristic that uses constructive greediness to explore a large solution space in finding (near) optimal solutions. The ACO algorithm mimics the ant's behaviour in the real world in using the shortest path to reach food sources. We have previously introduced an ACO-based heuristic for the synthesis of two-level MVL functions. In this article, we introduce the ACO-DC hybrid technique for the synthesis of multi-level MVL functions. The basic idea is to use an ant to decompose a given MVL function into a number of levels and then synthesise each sub-function using a DC-based technique. The results obtained using the proposed approach are compared to those obtained using existing techniques reported in the literature. A benchmark set consisting of 50,000 randomly generated 2-variable 4-valued functions is used in the comparison. The results obtained using the proposed ACO-DC technique are shown to produce efficient realisation in terms of the average number of gates (as a measure of chip area) needed for the synthesis of a given MVL function.

Survey results of the American public's values, objectives, beliefs, and attitudes regarding forests and grasslands: A technical document supporting the 2000 USDA Forest Service RPA Assessment

Treesearch

Deborah J. Shields; Ingrid M. Martin; Wade E. Martin; Michelle A. Haefele

2002-01-01

The USDA Forest Service completed its Strategic Plan (2000 Revision) in October 2000. The goals and objectives included in the Plan were developed with input from the public, some of which was obtained through a telephone survey. We report results of the survey. Members of the American public were asked about their values with respect to public lands, objectives for...

Cholera Toxin Inhibitors Studied with High-Performance Liquid Affinity Chromatography: A Robust Method to Evaluate Receptor–Ligand Interactions

PubMed Central

Bergström, Maria; Liu, Shuang; Kiick, Kristi L.; Ohlson, Sten

2009-01-01

Anti-adhesion drugs may be an alternative to antibiotics to control infection of micro-organisms. The well-characterized interaction between cholera toxin and the cellular glycolipid GM1 makes it an attractive model for inhibition studies in general. In this report, we demonstrate a high-performance liquid affinity chromatography approach called weak affinity chromatography to evaluate cholera toxin inhibitors. The cholera toxin B-subunit was covalently coupled to porous silica and a (weak) affinity column was produced. The KD values of galactose and meta-nitrophenyl α-D-galactoside were determined with weak affinity chromatography to be 52 and 1 mM, respectively, which agree well with IC50 values previously reported. To increase inhibition potency multivalent inhibitors have been developed and the interaction with multivalent glycopolypeptides was also evaluated. The affinity of these compounds was found to correlate with the galactoside content but KD values were not obtained because of the inhomogeneous response and slow off-rate from multivalent interactions. Despite the limitations in obtaining direct KD values of the multivalent galactopolypeptides, weak affinity chromatography represents an additional and valuable tool in the evaluation of monovalent as well as multivalent cholera toxin inhibitors. It offers multiple advantages, such as a low sample consumption, high reproducibility and short analysis time, which are often not observed in other methods of analysis. PMID:19152642

Effect of heavy doping on the optical spectra of silicon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chen-jia; A, Borghesi; G, Guizzetti; L, Nosenzo; E, Reguzzoni; A, Stella

1985-07-01

In this paper reflectance (R) and thermoreflectance (TR) spectra in heavily doped silicon concerning both interband and intraband transitions are reported and discussed. The heavily doped sample shows a red-shift and lifetime broadening in the two singularities E1(similar 3.4eV) and E2(similar 4.5eV). The values of the scattering time τ extracted from the reflectivity fit are obtained and compared with those obtained from Hall mobility measurements.

Celestial mechanics experiment.

PubMed

Anderson, J D; Pease, G E; Efron, L; Tausworthe, R C

1967-12-29

Equipment on Mariner V has yielded values for the masses of Moon and Venus more accurate than any previously reported. Range and Doppler radio tracking data necessary for precise space navigation of the spacecraft from Earth to Venus can also be used to obtain data on the orbits of Earth and Venus.

A proof of concept for epidemiological research using structured reporting with pulmonary embolism as a use case.

PubMed

Daniel, Pinto Dos Santos; Sonja, Scheibl; Gordon, Arnhold; Aline, Maehringer-Kunz; Christoph, Düber; Peter, Mildenberger; Roman, Kloeckner

2018-05-10

This paper studies the possibilities of an integrated IT-based workflow for epidemiological research in pulmonary embolism using freely available tools and structured reporting. We included a total of 521 consecutive cases which had been referred to the radiology department for computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). Free-text reports were transformed into structured reports using a freely available IHE-MRRT-compliant reporting platform. D-dimer values were retrieved from the hospitals laboratory results system. All information was stored in the platform's database and visualized using freely available tools. For further analysis, we directly accessed the platform's database with an advanced analytics tool (RapidMiner). We were able developed an integrated workflow for epidemiological statistics from reports obtained in clinical routine. The report data allowed for automated calculation of epidemiological parameters. Prevalence of pulmonary embolism was 27.6%. The mean age in patients with and without pulmonary embolism did not differ (62.8 years and 62.0 years, respectively, p=0.987). As expected, there was a significant difference in mean D-dimer values (10.13 mg/L FEU and 3.12 mg/L FEU, respectively, p<0.001). Structured reporting can make data obtained from clinical routine more accessible. Designing practical workflows is feasible using freely available tools and allows for the calculation of epidemiological statistics on a near real-time basis. Therefore, radiologists should push for the implementation of structured reporting in clinical routine. Advances in knowledge: Theoretical benefits of structured reporting have long been discussed, but practical implementation demonstrating those benefits has been lacking. Here we present a first experience providing proof that structured reporting will make data from clinical routine more accessible.

Significant enhancement in thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline Pr-doped SrTiO3-δ ceramics originating from nonuniform distribution of Pr dopants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dehkordi, Arash Mehdizadeh; Bhattacharya, Sriparna; He, Jian; Alshareef, Husam N.; Tritt, Terry M.

2014-05-01

Recently, we have reported a significant enhancement (>70% at 500 °C) in the thermoelectric power factor (PF) of bulk polycrystalline Pr-doped SrTiO3 ceramics employing a novel synthesis strategy which led to the highest ever reported values of PF among doped polycrystalline SrTiO3. It was found that the formation of Pr-rich grain boundary regions gives rise to an enhancement in carrier mobility. In this Letter, we investigate the electronic and thermal transport in Sr1-xPrxTiO3 ceramics in order to determine the optimum doping concentration and to evaluate the overall thermoelectric performance. Simultaneous enhancement in the thermoelectric power factor and reduction in thermal conductivity in these samples resulted in more than 30% improvement in the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) for the whole temperature range over all previously reported maximum values. Maximum ZT value of 0.35 was obtained at 500 °C.

Preliminary results on heavy flavor physics at SLD

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

Usher, T.

1994-12-01

The author reports on preliminary heavy flavor physics results from the SLD detector at the SLAC Linear Collider. Efficient tagging of b{bar b} events is achieved with an impact parameter technique that takes advantage of the small and stable interaction point of the SLC and all charged tracks in Z{sup 0} decays. This technique is applied to samples of Z{sup 0} events collected during the 1992 and 1993 physics runs. Preliminary measurements of the ratio R{sub b} = {Gamma}(Z{sup 0} {yields} b{bar b})/{Gamma}(Z{sup 0} {yields} hadrons) and the average B hadron lifetime <{tau}{sub B}> are reported. In a sample ofmore » 27K Z{sup 0} events, values of R{sub b} = 0.235 {+-} 0.006(stat.) {+-} 0.018(syst.) and <{tau}{sub B}> = 1.53 {+-} 0.006(stat.) {+-} 0.018(syst.) are obtained. In addition, the first measurement of the left-right asymmetry A{sub b} is reported. Using a sample of 38K Z{sup 0} events with a luminosity weighted electron polarization of 62%, the author obtains a preliminary value of A{sub b} = 0.94 {+-} 0.006(stat.) {+-} 0.018(syst.).« less

Experimental thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat values for mixtures of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perkins, R. A.; Cieszkiewicz, M. T.

1991-01-01

Experimental measurements of thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity obtained with a transient hot-wire apparatus are reported for three mixtures of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. Values of the specific heat, Cp, are calculated from these measured values and the density calculated with an equation of state. The measurements were made at temperatures between 65 and 303 K with pressures between 0.1 and 70 MPa. The data cover the vapor, liquid, and supercritical gas phases for the three mixtures. The total reported points are 1066 for the air mixture (78.11 percent nitrogen, 20.97 percent oxygen, and 0.92 percent argon), 1058 for the 50 percent nitrogen, 50 percent oxygen mixture, and 864 for the 25 percent nitrogen, 75 oxygen mixture. Empirical thermal conductivity correlations are provided for the three mixtures.

Annual Procurement Report, Fiscal Year 1997

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1997-01-01

This report presents summary data on all NASA procurement actions and detailed information on contracts, grants, agreements, and other procurements over $25,000 awarded by NASA during Fiscal Year 1997. The dollar value on procurements over $25,000 amounted to 98 percent of the total dollar value of procurement actions completed during Fiscal Year 1997. However, these larger procurements accounted for only 43 percent of the total actions. Procurement action, as used in this report means contractual actions to obtain supplies, services or construction which increase or decrease funds. A procurement action thus may be a new procurement or modifications such as supplemental agreements, change orders, or termination's to an existing contract that change the total amount of funds obligated. An obligation is a contractual commitment to pay for supplies or services that are specified in the contract. The Annual Procurement Report is also available via the internet on the Procurement homepage.

Stereospecificity of mushroom tyrosinase immobilized on a chiral and a nonchiral support.

PubMed

Marín-Zamora, María Elisa; Rojas-Melgarejo, Francisco; García-Canovas, Francisco; García-Ruiz, Pedro Antonio

2007-05-30

Mushroom tyrosinase was immobilized from an extract onto glass beads covered with the cross-linked totally cinnamoylated derivates of d-sorbitol (sorbitol cinnamate) and glycerine (glycerine cinnamate). The enzyme was immobilized onto the support by direct adsorption, and the quantity of immobilized tyrosinase was higher for sorbitol cinnamate, the support with the higher number of esterified hydroxyls per unit of monosacharide, than for glycerine cinnamate. The results obtained from the stereospecificity study of the monophenolase and diphenolase activity of immobilized mushroom tyrosinase are reported. The enantiomers L-tyrosine, DL-tyrosine, D-tyrosine, L-dopa, DL-dopa, D-dopa, L-alpha-methyldopa, DL-alpha-methyldopa, L-isoprenaline, DL-isoprenaline, L-adrenaline, DL-adrenaline, L-noradrenaline, and D-noradrenaline were assayed with tyrosinase immobilized on a chiral support (sorbitol cinnamate), whereas L-tyrosine, DL-tyrosine, D-tyrosine, L-dopa, DL-dopa, D-dopa, L-alpha-methyldopa, and DL-alpha-methyldopa were assayed with tyrosinase immobilized on a nonchiral support (glycerine cinnamate). The same Vmax(app) values for each series of enantiomers were obtained. However, the Km(app) values were different, the l isomers showing lower values than the dl isomers, whereas the highest Km(app) value was obtained with d isomers. No difference was observed in the stereospecificity of tyrosinase immobilized on a chiral (sorbitol cinnamate) or nonchiral (glycerine cinnamate) support.

Imaging b-value depth variations within the Cocos and Rivera plates at the Mexican subduction zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez-Pérez, Quetzalcoatl; Zuñiga, F. Ramón

2018-06-01

By a systematic mapping of the b-value along profiles perpendicular to the Mexican Wadati-Benioff zone, we obtained important characteristics pertaining the stress state and faulting style related to the subduction process. To this purpose, we used data from the earthquake catalog reported by the Servicio Sismologico Nacional (1988-2016). We investigate depth variations of the b-value for the Cocos and Rivera under North American plates interface, by a detailed analysis of 15 cross-sections. The obtained b-value profiles vary from 0.50 to 2.50, which nevertheless appear related to the faulting style and stress state. By comparing the locations and focal mechanism of the largest events with the b-values of the surrounding regions, our analysis corroborates the dependence of the b-value on the faulting style. Thrust events occur in regions of low and high b-value at depths <50 km. Normal-faulting events occur mainly in high b-value regions at all shallow (Z < 30 km) and intermediate depths (Z > 30 km), in agreement with global studies. These results support the hypothesis that differential stress processes may be behind the occurrence of the different faulting style. On the contrary, by analyzing the mean b-values for both types of faulting mechanism at each of the cross-sections, we found a significantly lower mean b-value related to normal faulting for those regions where the 8 (Mw 8.2) and 19 (Mw 7.1) September 2017 earthquakes occur. These results lead us to conclude that those regions experienced an increased stress state prone to the occurrence of normal-intraplate events. We also compare the b-value distribution with Vp and Q tomography studies obtaining a good correlation between them. We found evidence to relate b-value variations with subduction processes such as stress state due to tectonic and flexural conditions, and to a lesser extent to material heterogeneity and fluid dehydration.

A cockspur for the DSS cells: Erythrina crista-galli sensitizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Enciso, Paula; Decoppet, Jean-David; Grätzel, Michael; Wörner, Michael; Cabrerizo, Franco M.; Cerdá, María Fernanda

2017-04-01

Dye sensitized solar cells were assembled employing a mixture of anthocyanins extracted from red ceibo's flowers. At the literature different extraction procedures are reported to extract anthocyanins from natural products and sensitize the cells. In order to compare them, different methods were followed to set the cells under the same conditions. Assembled cells showed very interesting conversion efficiency values, reaching a 0.73% value for extracts purified using C18 column, in open cells under illumination using a solar light simulator, 1 sun, 1.5 AM. Data reported herein prove that anthocyanins obtained from ceibo's flower, after simple further purification, might represent an excellent, cheap and clean alternative for the development of DSS cells.

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of n-type NbCoSn half-Heusler by improving phase purity

DOE PAGES

He, Ran; Huang, Lihong; Wang, Yumei; ...

2016-06-01

In this paper, we report the thermoelectric properties of NbCoSn-based n-type half-Heuslers (HHs) that were obtained through arc melting, ball milling, and hot pressing process. With 10% Sb substitution at the Sn site, we obtained enhanced n-type properties with a maximum power factor reaching ~35 μW cm -1 K -2 and figure of merit (ZT) value ~0.6 in NbCoSn 0.9Sb 0.1. The ZT is doubled compared to the previous report. In addition, the specific power cost ($ W -1) is decreased by ~68% comparing to HfNiSn-based n-type HH because of the elimination of Hf.

Ethical issues in field research: balancing competing values.

PubMed

O'Neill, P

1990-04-01

An ethical issue becomes a dilemma when the psychologist is pulled in different directions by competing values. This paper will focus on the conflict between experimental and ethical values inherent in field research. The problem has special significance in community psychology, which gives priority to studying, in natural settings, those affected by social problems. An example is given of research that required observation of family interaction in the homes of convicted child abusers. The case demonstrates that the value of ecological validity often conflicts with the need to protect privacy and obtain uncoerced consent. Other ethical constraints, including the duty to report lawbreaking and to protect the public from harm, may threaten research validity.

MEASUREMENT AND PREDICTION OF THE RESISTIVITY OF ASH/SORBENT MIXTURES PRODUCED BY SULFUR OXIDE CONTROL PROCESSES

EPA Science Inventory

The report describes the development of (1) a modified procedure for obtaining consistent and reproducible laboratory resistivity values for mixtures of coal fly ash and partially spent sorbent, and (2) an approach for predicting resistivity based on the chemical composition of t...

United States Air Force Graduate Student Research Program. 1989 Program Technical Report. Volume 3

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-12-01

2581 Raymond Wolfe Degree: BS Scranton, Univ. of Specialty: Biology 423 Madison Ave. Assigned: School of Aerospace Medicine Scranton, PA 18510 (717...cultures were grown by incubation at 25°C under constant light conditions between 1800 and 3000 lux (or 500 and 800 uW /cm 2). The growth media used...spinal fluid immunoglobulin values of 124 HIV infected patients but otherwise asymptomatic. These values had already been obtained via lumbar puhcture. I

Electrical properties of lunar soil dependence on frequency, temperature and moisture.

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strangway, D. W.; Chapman, W. B.; Olhoeft, G. R.; Carnes, J.

1972-01-01

It was found that the dielectric constant and loss tangent of lunar soil samples in the range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz are not strongly dependent on frequency provided care is taken to avoid exposure of the sample to atmospheric air containing moisture. The loss tangent value obtained is lower by nearly a factor 10 than any previously reported value. The measurement data imply that the surface layers of the moon are probably extremely transparent to radiowaves.

Magnetic field penetration in niobium- and vanadium-based Josephson junctions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cucolo, A. M.; Pace, S.; Vaglio, R.; di Chiara, A.; Peluso, G.; Russo, M.

1983-02-01

Measurements on the temperature dependence of the magnetic field penetration in Nb-NbxOy-Pb and V-VxOy-Pb Josephson junctions have been performed. Results on the zero-temperature penetration depth in niobium films are far above the bulk values although consistent with other measurements on junctions reported in the literature. For vanadium junctions anomalously large penetration depth values are obtained at low temperatures. Nevertheless, the temperature dependence is in reasonable agreement with the local dirty limit model.

Mass fraction assignment of folic acid in a high purity material

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Westwood, Steven; Josephs, Ralf; Choteau, Tiphaine; Daireaux, Adeline; Stoppacher, Norbert; Wielgosz, Robert; Davies, Stephen; de Rego, Eliane; Wollinger, Wagner; Garrido, Bruno; Fernandes, Jane; Lima, Jonathan; Oliveira, Rodrigo; de Sena, Rodrigo; Windust, Anthony; Huang, Ting; Dai, Xinhua; Quan, Can; He, Haihong; Zhang, Wei; Wei, Chao; Li, Na; Gao, Dexin; Liu, Zhao; Lo, Man-fung; Wong, Wai-fun; Pfeifer, Dietmar; Koch, Matthias; Dorgerloh, Ute; Rothe, Robert; Philip, Rosemary; Hirari, Nobuyasu; Fazlin Rezali, Mohd; Salazar Arzate, Claudia Marcela; Pedraza Evelina Berenice, Mercado; Serrano Caballero, Victor; Arce Osuna, Mariana; Krylov, A.; Kharitonov, S.; Lopushanskaya, E.; Liu, Qinde; Tang Lin, Teo; Fernandes-Whaley, Maria; Quinn, Laura; Nhlapo, Nontete; Prevoo-Franzsen, Desiree; Archer, Marcelle; Kim, Byungjoo; Baek, Song-Yee; Lee, Sunyoung; Lee, Joonhee; Marbumrung, Sornkrit; Kankaew, Ponhatai; Chaorenpornpukdee, Kanokrat; Chaipet, Thitiphan; Shearman, Kittiya; Ceyhan Goren, Ahmet; Gunduz, Simay; Yilmaz, Hasibe; Un, Ilker; Bilsel, Gokhan; Clarkson, Cailean; Bedner, Mary; Camara, Johanna E.; Lang, Brian E.; Lippa, Katrice A.; Nelson, Michael A.; Toman, Blaza; Yu, Lee L.

2018-01-01

The comparison required the assignment of the mass fraction of folic acid present as the main component in the comparison sample. Performance in the comparison is representative of a laboratory's measurement capability for the purity assignment of organic compounds of medium structural complexity [molecular weight range 300–500] and high polarity (pKOW < ‑2). Methods used by the eighteen participating NMIs or DIs were based on a mass balance (summation of impurities) or qNMR approach, or the combination of data obtained using both methods. The qNMR results tended to give slightly lower values for the content of folic acid, albeit with larger associated uncertainties, compared with the results obtained by mass balance procedures. Possible reasons for this divergence are discussed in the report, without reaching a definitive conclusion as to their origin. The comparison demonstrates that for a structurally complex polar organic compound containing a high water content and presenting a number of additional analytical challenges, the assignment of the mass fraction content property value of the main component can reasonably be achieved with an associated relative standard uncertainty in the assigned value of 0.5% Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Predissociation and collisional depopulation of the Cs/sub 2/(E) state

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

Wu, Z.; Huennekens, J.

1984-11-15

We report here an experimental study of depopulation mechanisms of the Cs/sub 2/(E) state. By combining ratios of atomic to molecular fluorescence with E state lifetimes obtained by the phase shift technique, all studied as a function of Cs density, we were able to obtain absolute values for predissociation, radiative, and collisional depopulation rates as well as the total quenching rates for the Cs/sub 2/(E) state. The results are discussed in relation to those of other experiments.

Sensitivity of Ethiopian aquatic macroinvertebrates to the pesticides endosulfan and diazinon, compared to literature data.

PubMed

Teklu, Berhan M; Retta, Negussie; Van den Brink, Paul J

2016-08-01

The aims of the present study were to present a methodology for toxicity tests that can be used when analytical resources to verify the test concentrations are limited, and to evaluate whether the sensitivity of a limited number of Ethiopian species to pesticides differs from literature values for, mainly, temperate species. Acute toxicity tests were performed using three Ethiopian aquatic invertebrate species, one crustacean (Diaphanosoma brachyurum) and two insects (Anopheles pharoensis and Culex pipiens) and using the pesticides endosulfan and diazinon. All species-pesticide combinations were tested in duplicate to estimate the consistency, i.e. the intra-laboratory variation, in test results. Daphnia magna was tested as well to allow the test results to be compared directly with values from the literature. Results indicate that the differences between the EC50s obtained for D. magna in this study and those reported in the literature were less than a factor of 2. This indicates that the methodology used is able to provide credible toxicity values. The results of the duplicated tests showed intra-laboratory variation in EC50 values of up to a factor of 3, with one test showing a difference of a factor of 6 at 48 h. Comparison with available literature results for arthropod species using species sensitivity distributions indicated that the test results obtained in this study fit well in the log-normal distribution of the literature values. We conclude that the methodology of performing multiple tests to check for consistency of test results and performing tests with D. magna for comparison with literature values to check for accuracy is able to provide reliable effect threshold levels and that the tested Ethiopian species did not differ in sensitivity from the arthropod species reported on in the literature.

Ethnopharmacological studies on the uses of Euphorbia hirta in the treatment of dengue in selected indigenous communities in Pangasinan (Philippines)

PubMed Central

de Guzman, Gerard Quinto; Dacanay, Aleth Therese Lora; Andaya, Benjel Andaya; Alejandro, Grecebio Jonathan Duran

2016-01-01

Aim: Euphorbia hirta is the most widely used plant in the folkloric treatment of dengue in the Philippines. This study documents the anecdotal uses of E. hirta in the treatment of dengue in 3 indigenous communities in Pangasinan from April to June of 2015. Materials and Methods: The number of use reports pertaining to symptoms of dengue and other diseases were tallied from 82 informants living in Anda Island, Mt. Colisao and Mt. Balungao. The demographics of the informants as well as the corrected major use agreements (cMUAs) and fidelity levels (FLs) of each reported symptom of dengue were calculated. The major dosage forms used during treatment were also tallied. Results: Respondents, dominated by the age group 60-80 and mostly females with at least primary and secondary education, provided information on the use reports of E. hirta. High FL values and cMUA of at least 35% were obtained for cardinal symptoms of dengue-related to bleeding episodes while low cMUAs (i.e. 2-4%) were obtained for symptoms during the recovery phase. High FL values were obtained for symptoms observed during the febrile phase. The most widely used dosage forms are decoctions of the leaves and barks of E. hirta. Conclusion: This study was able to qualify the uses of E. hirta in the treatment of dengue in the 3 communities surveyed. PMID:27366349

Determination of Benzyl-hexadecyldimethylammonium 1,4-Bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate Vesicle Permeability by Using Square Wave Voltammetry and an Enzymatic Reaction.

PubMed

Cobo Solis, Airam K; Correa, N Mariano; Molina, Patricia G

2017-10-31

This report describes the studies performed to determine the permeability coefficient value (P) of 1-naphthyl phosphate (1-NP) through the benzyl-hexadecyldimethylammonium 1,4-bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT-BHD) vesicle bilayer. 1-NP was added in the external phase and must cross the bilayer of the vesicle to react with the encapsulated enzyme (alkaline phosphatase) to yield 1-naphtholate (NPh - ), the product of the enzymatic hydrolysis. This product is electrochemically detected, at basic pH value, by a square wave voltammetry technique, which can be a good alternative over the spectroscopic one, to measure the vesicle solutions because scattering (due to its turbidity) does not make any influence in the electrochemical signal. The experimental data allow us to propose a mathematical model, and a value of P = (1.00 ± 0.15) × 10 -9 cm s -1 was obtained. Also, a value of P = (2.0 ± 0.5) × 10 -9 cm s -1 was found by using an independent technique, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, for comparison. It is evident that the P values obtained from both the techniques are comparable (within the experimental error of both techniques) under the same experimental conditions. This study constitutes the first report of the 1-NP permeability determination in this new vesicle. We want to highlight the importance of the introduction of a new method and the electrochemical response of the product generated through an enzymatic reaction that occurs in the inner aqueous phase of the vesicle, where the enzyme is placed.

Kinetic measurement of 2-aminopurine X cytosine and 2-aminopurine X thymine base pairs as a test of DNA polymerase fidelity mechanisms.

PubMed Central

Watanabe, S M; Goodman, M F

1982-01-01

Enzyme kinetic measurements are presented showing that Km rather than maximum velocity (Vmax) discrimination governs the frequency of forming 2-aminopurine X cytosine base mispairs by DNA polymerase alpha. An in vitro system is used in which incorporation of dTMP or dCMP occurs opposite a template 2-aminopurine, and values for Km and Vmax are obtained. Results from a previous study in which dTTP and dCTP were competing simultaneously for insertion opposite 2-aminopurine indicated that dTMP is inserted 22 times more frequently than dCMP. We now report that the ratio of Km values KCm/KTm = 25 +/- 6, which agrees quantitatively with the dTMP/dCMP incorporation ratio obtained previously. We also report that VCmax is indistinguishable from VTmax. These Km and Vmax data are consistent with predictions from a model, the Km discrimination model, in which replication fidelity is determined by free energy differences between matched and mismatched base pairs. Central to this model is the prediction that the ratio of Km values for insertion of correct and incorrect nucleotides specifies the insertion fidelity, and the maximum velocities of insertion are the same for both nucleotides. PMID:6959128

In vivo proton dosimetry using a MOSFET detector in an anthropomorphic phantom with tissue inhomogeneity.

PubMed

Kohno, Ryosuke; Hotta, Kenji; Matsubara, Kana; Nishioka, Shie; Matsuura, Taeko; Kawashima, Mitsuhiko

2012-03-08

When in vivo proton dosimetry is performed with a metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) detector, the response of the detector depends strongly on the linear energy transfer. The present study reports a practical method to correct the MOSFET response for linear energy transfer dependence by using a simplified Monte Carlo dose calculation method (SMC). A depth-output curve for a mono-energetic proton beam in polyethylene was measured with the MOSFET detector. This curve was used to calculate MOSFET output distributions with the SMC (SMC(MOSFET)). The SMC(MOSFET) output value at an arbitrary point was compared with the value obtained by the conventional SMC(PPIC), which calculates proton dose distributions by using the depth-dose curve determined by a parallel-plate ionization chamber (PPIC). The ratio of the two values was used to calculate the correction factor of the MOSFET response at an arbitrary point. The dose obtained by the MOSFET detector was determined from the product of the correction factor and the MOSFET raw dose. When in vivo proton dosimetry was performed with the MOSFET detector in an anthropomorphic phantom, the corrected MOSFET doses agreed with the SMC(PPIC) results within the measurement error. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful in vivo proton dosimetry with a MOSFET detector.

Earth Observing System/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (EOS/AMSU-A): Reliability prediction report for module A1 (channels 3 through 15) and module A2 (channels 1 and 2)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Geimer, W.

1995-01-01

This report documents the final reliability prediction performed on the Earth Observing System/Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (EOS/AMSU-A). The A1 Module contains Channels 3 through 15, and is referred to herein as 'EOS/AMSU-A1'. The A2 Module contains Channels 1 and 2, and is referred herein as 'EOS/AMSU-A2'. The 'specified' figures were obtained from Aerojet Reports 8897-1 and 9116-1. The predicted reliability figure for the EOS/AMSU-A1 meets the specified value and provides a Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) of 74,390 hours. The predicted reliability figure for the EOS/AMSU-A2 meets the specified value and provides a MTBF of 193,110 hours.

Volumetric and acoustical behaviour of sodium saccharin in aqueous system over temperature range (20.0-45.0)°C.

PubMed

Jamal, Muhammad Asghar; Rashad, Muhammad; Khosa, Muhammad Kaleem; Bhatti, Haq Nawaz

2015-04-15

Densities and ultrasonic velocity values for aqueous solutions of sodium saccharin (SS) has been measured as a function of concentration at 20.0-45.0 °C and atmospheric pressure using DSA-5000 M. The density and ultrasonic velocity values have been further used to calculate apparent molar volume, apparent specific volume, isentropic apparent molar compressibility and compressibility hydration numbers and reported. The values for apparent molar volume obtained at given temperatures showed negative deviations from Debye-Hückel limiting law and used as a direct measure of the ion-ion and ion-solvent interactions. The apparent specific volumes of the solute were calculated and it was found that these values of the investigated solutions lie on the borderline between the values reported for sweet substances. The sweetness response of the sweeteners is then explained in terms of their solution behaviours. Furthermore, the partial molar expansibility, its second derivative, (∂(2)V°/∂T(2)) as Hepler's constant and thermal expansion coefficient have been estimated. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Acid-base properties of the N3 ruthenium(II) solar cell sensitizer: a combined experimental and computational analysis.

PubMed

Pizzoli, Giuliano; Lobello, Maria Grazia; Carlotti, Benedetta; Elisei, Fausto; Nazeeruddin, Mohammad K; Vitillaro, Giuseppe; De Angelis, Filippo

2012-10-14

We report a combined spectro-photometric and computational investigation of the acid-base equilibria of the N3 solar cell sensitizer [Ru(dcbpyH(2))(2)(NCS)(2)] (dcbpyH(2) = 4,4'-dicarboxyl-2,2' bipyridine) in aqueous/ethanol solutions. The absorption spectra of N3 recorded at various pH values were analyzed by Single Value Decomposition techniques, followed by Global Fitting procedures, allowing us to identify four separate acid-base equilibria and their corresponding ground state pK(a) values. DFT/TDDFT calculations were performed for the N3 dye in solution, investigating the possible relevant species obtained by sequential deprotonation of the four dye carboxylic groups. TDDFT excited state calculations provided UV-vis absorption spectra which nicely agree with the experimental spectral shapes at various pH values. The calculated pK(a) values are also in good agreement with experimental data, within <1 pK(a) unit. Based on the calculated energy differences a tentative assignment of the N3 deprotonation pathway is reported.

First Nuclear DNA C-values for 18 Eudicot Families

PubMed Central

HANSON, LYNDA; BOYD, AMY; JOHNSON, MARGARET A. T.; BENNETT, MICHAEL D.

2005-01-01

• Background and Aims A key target set at the second Plant Genome Size Workshop, held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 2003, was to produce first DNA C-value data for an additional 1 % of angiosperm species, and, within this, to achieve 75 % familial coverage overall (up from approx. 50 %) by 2009. The present study targeted eudicot families for which representation in 2003 (42·5 %) was much lower than monocot (72·8 %) and basal angiosperm (69·0 %) families. • Methods Flow cytometry or Feulgen microdensitometry were used to estimate nuclear DNA C-values, and chromosome counts were obtained where possible. • Key Results First nuclear DNA C-values are reported for 20 angiosperm families, including 18 eudicots. This substantially increases familial representation to 55·2 % for angiosperms and 48·5 % for eudicots. • Conclusions The importance of targeting specific plant families to improve familial nuclear DNA C-value representation is reconfirmed. International collaboration will be increasingly essential to locate and obtain material of unsampled plant families, if the target set by the second Plant Genome Size Workshop is to be met. PMID:16239248

[Effects of an oxacephem antibiotic on liver function in orthopedic surgery].

PubMed

Kuroyama, M; Otori, K; Yokota, S; Aoto, H; Sawada, M; Yago, K; Fujita, T; Kumagai, Y

1999-07-01

The subjects were 531 patients who underwent orthopedic surgery. Flomoxef was administered, and liver function was examined before and after administration. Abnormal liver function after administration of flomoxef was found in 14.3% of patients. In male patients, a high rate of 18.8% was observed. A particularly high rate of 37.0% was obtained among patients who showed GOT values of more than 40 U/L before treatment with flomoxef. The prevalence of abnormal GOT and GPT values after administration of flomoxef was 3.6% and 13.2%, respectively. These values were significantly higher than those obtained with other cephem antibiotics. These rates of occurrence of abnormally high GOT and GPT are obviously higher than those submitted at the time of approval and reported in the drug use investigation. The prevalence of abnormal liver function values was high in patients receiving flomoxef, and particularly high in male patients and patients whose GOT was high before administration of flomoxef. Therefore, sufficient check of liver function appears important when administration of flomoxef to these types of patients is intended.

Dosimetric changes with computed tomography automatic tube-current modulation techniques.

PubMed

Spampinato, Sofia; Gueli, Anna Maria; Milone, Pietro; Raffaele, Luigi Angelo

2018-04-06

The study is aimed at a verification of dose changes for a computed tomography automatic tube-current modulation (ATCM) technique. For this purpose, anthropomorphic phantom and Gafchromic ® XR-QA2 films were used. Radiochromic films were cut according to the shape of two thorax regions. The ATCM algorithm is based on noise index (NI) and three exam protocols with different NI were chosen, of which one was a reference. Results were compared with dose values displayed by the console and with Poisson statistics. The information obtained with radiochromic films has been normalized with respect to the NI reference value to compare dose percentage variations. Results showed that, on average, the information reported by the CT console and calculated values coincide with measurements. The study allowed verification of the dose information reported by the CT console for an ATCM technique. Although this evaluation represents an estimate, the method can be a starting point for further studies.

[Obtaining the Impact Factor by Ginekologia Polska].

PubMed

Spaczyński, Marek; Januszek-Michalecka, Lucyna; Nowak-Markwitz, Ewa; Kedzia, Witold; Spaczyński, Robert; Karowicz-Bilińska, Agata

2011-08-01

Scientific journals are ranked and evaluated to measure their relative importance and influence on science within a specific field. One of the tools most widely used to evaluate and compare journals is the Thomson Reuters Impact Factor In Poland a specific value of a scientist's Impact Factor is required for academic promotion. Ginekologia Polska was placed on the Master Journal List in 2008 in the result of changes introduced in 2007 by the new Chief Editor prof. Marek Spaczynski. In 2010, first time in its history the journal was listed in the Journal Citation Reports with the Impact Factor 0.367. The analysis of Ginekologia Polska contemporary value, as well as of prospects for its development was conducted on the basis of the Journal Citation Reports. In the light of the JCR data, Ginekologia Polska is a highly regarded title compared to other Polish journals. Its value and importance is gradually growing.

PHYSICAL EFFECTS OCCURRING DURING GENERATION AND AMPLIFICATION OF LASER RADIATION: Ultimate values of the gain of solid-state rod amplifiers operating under inversion storage conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bayanov, V. I.; Vinokurov, G. N.; Zhulin, V. I.; Yashin, V. E.

1989-02-01

A numerical calculation is reported of an inversion conservation coefficient of cylindrical rod solid-state amplifiers with the active element diameter from 1.5 to 15 cm operated under continuous pumping conditions. It is shown that the ultimate gain, limited only by superluminescence, exceeds considerably the value usually obtained in experiments. Various methods of eliminating parasitic effects, which limit the gain of real amplifiers, are considered. The degree of influence of these effects on the inversion conservation coefficient is discussed. The results are given of an experimental determination of the gain close to the ultimate value (0.18 cm- 1 for an active element 3 cm in diameter). Calculations are reported of the angular distributions of superluminescence and parasitic modes demonstrating that the latter can be suppressed by spatial filtering.

The properties of clusters in the gas phase. IV - Complexes of H2O and HNOx clustering on NOx/-/

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, N.; Castleman, A. W., Jr.; Keesee, R. G.

1980-01-01

Thermodynamic quantities for the gas-phase clustering equilibria of NO2(-) and NO3(-) were determined with high-pressure mass spectrometry. A comparison of values of the free energy of hydration derived from the data shows good agreement with formerly reported values at 296 K. New data for larger NO2(-) and NO3(-) hydrates as well as NO2(-)(HNO2)n were obtained in this study. To aid in understanding the bonding and stability of the hydrates of nitrite and nitrate ions, CNDO/2 calculations were performed, and the results are discussed. A correlation between the aqueous-phase total hydration enthalpy of a single ion and its gas-phase hydration enthalpy was obtained. Atmospheric implications of the data are also briefly discussed.

Heavy doping effects in high efficiency silicon solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lindholm, F. A.; Neugroschel, A.

1986-01-01

The temperature dependence of the emitter saturation current for bipolar devices was studied by varying the surface recombination velocity at the emitter surface. From this dependence, the value was derived for bandgap narrowing that is in better agreement with other determinations that were obtained from the temperature dependence measure on devices with ohmic contacts. Results of the first direct measurement of the minority-carrier transit time in a transparent heavily doped emitter layer were reported. The value was obtained by a high-frequency conductance method recently developed and used for doped Si. Experimental evidence is presented for significantly greater charge storage in highly excited silicon near room temperature than conventional theory would predict. These data are compared with various data for delta E sub G in heavily doped silicon.

Effect of synthesis methods on the Ca{sub 3}Co{sub 4}O{sub 9} thermoelectric ceramic performances

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

Sotelo, A.; Rasekh, Sh.; Torres, M.A.

2015-01-15

Three different synthesis methods producing nanometric grain sizes, coprecipitation with ammonium carbonate, oxalic acid, and by attrition milling have been studied to produce Ca{sub 3}Co{sub 4}O{sub 9} ceramics and compared with the classical solid state route. These three processes have produced high reactive precursors and all the organic material and CaCO{sub 3}·have been decomposed in a single thermal treatment. Coprecipitation leads to pure Ca{sub 3}Co{sub 4}O{sub 9} phase, while attrition milling and classical solid state produce small amounts of Ca{sub 3}Co{sub 2}O{sub 6} secondary phase. Power factor values are similar for all three samples, being slightly lower for the onesmore » produced by attrition milling. These values are much higher than the obtained in samples prepared by the classical solid state method, used as reference. The maximum power factor values determined at 800 °C (∼0.43 mW/K{sup 2} m) are slightly higher than the best reported values obtained in textured ones which also show much higher density values. - Graphical abstract: Impressive raise of PF in Ca{sub 3}Co{sub 4}O{sub 9} thermoelectric materials obtained from nanometric grains. - Highlights: • Ca{sub 3}Co{sub 4}O{sub 9} has been produced by four different methods. • Precursors particle sizes influences on the final performances. • Coprecipitation methods produce single Ca{sub 3}Co{sub 4}O{sub 9} phase. • Power factor reaches values comparable to high density textured materials.« less

[Agronomical and bromatological studies in jicama (Polymnia sonchifolia Poep et Endl.)].

PubMed

Nieto, C

1991-06-01

An analysis of tuber roots yield and nutritional characteristics for 10 lines of jícama (Polymnia sonchifolia Poepp et Endl.) was carried out under the environmental conditions of Santa Catalina Experimental Station (12 degrees C of temperature and 3,100 m above sea level). The following average mean values were obtained: A fresh tuber root's yield from 29,755 to 73,558 kg/ha with 41,547 kg/ha of average, while the yield of the useful part (roots without skin) was from 24,309 to 60,097 kg/ha with 33,944 kg/ha of average. On the other hand, average mean values of 3.7% of protein, 3.5% ashes, 1.5% fat, 3.4% fiber, 2.2% potassium, 0.12% phosphorus, 96 micrograms/100 g iron, and 390 micrograms/100 g zinc, were obtained from the edible root samples. Besides, we obtained average values of 2.47, 2.12, 1.63 and 2.51 g/100 g of fructose, alfa glucose, beta glucose and saccharose, respectively, on edible root samples with skin, for the 10 lines studied. All these analyses were reported on a dry basis.

Electron impact excitation of Kr XXVIII

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

Aggarwal, K.M., E-mail: K.Aggarwal@qub.ac.u; Keenan, F.P.; Lawson, K.D.

2011-05-15

Collision strengths ({Omega}) are calculated for all 6328 transitions among the lowest 113 levels belonging to the 2s{sup 2}2p{sup 5},2s2p{sup 6},2s{sup 2}2p{sup 4}3l,2s2p{sup 5}3l, and 2p{sup 6}3l configurations of fluorine-like krypton, Kr XXVIII, using the Dirac Atomic R-matrix Code. All partial waves with angular momentum J{<=}40 are included, sufficient for the convergence of {Omega} for forbidden transitions. For allowed transitions a top-up is employed to obtain converged values of {Omega} up to an energy of 400 Ryd. Resonances in the thresholds region are resolved on a narrow energy mesh, and results for effective collision strengths (Y) are obtained after averagingmore » the values of {Omega} over a Maxwellian distribution of electron velocities. Values of Y are reported over a wide temperature range below 10{sup 7.1}K, and the accuracy of the results is assessed. In addition, effective collision strengths are listed for the temperature range 7.0{<=}logT{sub e}(K){<=}9.0, obtained from non-resonant collision strengths generated with the FAC code.« less

Air- and N2-Broadening Coefficients and Pressure-Shift Coefficients in the C-12(O2-16) Laser Bands

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Devi, V. Malathy; Benner, D. Chris; Smith, Mary Ann H.; Rinsland, Curtis P.

1998-01-01

In this paper we report the pressure broadening and the pressure-induced line shift coefficients for 46 individual rovibrational lines in both the (12)C(16)O2, 00(sup 0)1-(10(sup 0)0-02(sup 0)0)I, and 00(sup 0)1-(10(sup 0)0-02(sup 0)0)II, laser bands (laser band I centered at 960.959/cm and laser band II centered at 1063.735/cm) determined from spectra recorded with the McMath-Pierce Fourier transform spectrometer. The results were obtained from analysis of 10 long-path laboratory absorption spectra recorded at room temperature using a multispectrum nonlinear least-squares technique. Pressure effects caused by both air and nitrogen have been investigated. The air-broadening coefficients determined in this study agree well with the values in the 1996 HITRAN database; ratios and standard deviations of the ratios of the present air-broadening measurements to the 1996 HITRAN values for the two laser bands are: 1.005(15) for laser band I and 1.005(14) for laser band II. Broadening by nitrogen is 3 to 4% larger than that of air. The pressure-induced line shift coefficients are found to be transition dependent and different for the P- and R-branch lines with same J" value. No noticeable differences in the shift coefficients caused by air and nitrogen were found. The results obtained are compared with available values previously reported in the literature.

Semiconductive 3-D haloplumbate framework hybrids with high color rendering index white-light emission.

PubMed

Wang, Guan-E; Xu, Gang; Wang, Ming-Sheng; Cai, Li-Zhen; Li, Wen-Hua; Guo, Guo-Cong

2015-12-01

Single-component white light materials may create great opportunities for novel conventional lighting applications and display systems; however, their reported color rendering index (CRI) values, one of the key parameters for lighting, are less than 90, which does not satisfy the demand of color-critical upmarket applications, such as photography, cinematography, and art galleries. In this work, two semiconductive chloroplumbate (chloride anion of lead(ii)) hybrids, obtained using a new inorganic-organic hybrid strategy, show unprecedented 3-D inorganic framework structures and white-light-emitting properties with high CRI values around 90, one of which shows the highest value to date.

Quantitative values of blood flow through the human forearm, hand, and finger as functions of temperature

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Montgomery, L. D.

1974-01-01

A literature search was made to obtain values of human forearm, hand and finger blood flow as functions of environmental temperature. The sources used include both government and laboratory reports and the research presented in the open literature. An attempt was made to review many of the more quantitative noninvasive determinations and to collate the results in such a way as to yield blood flow values for each body segment as continuous functions of temperature. A brief review of the various ways used to measure blood flow is included along with an abstract of each work from which data was taken.

Synthesis and Thermal Characterization of Hydroxyapatite Powders Obtained by Sol-Gel Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiménez-Flores, Y.; Camacho, N.; Rojas-Trigos, J. B.; Suárez, M.

The development of bioactive materials presents an interesting and an extremely relevant problem to solve, in the development of customized cranial and maxillofacial prosthesis, bioactive coating, and cements, for example. In such areas, one of the more employed materials is the synthetic hydroxyapatite, due to its proved biocompatibility with the human body; however, there are few studies about the thermal affinity with the biological surroundings, and most of them are centered in the thermal stability of the hydroxyapatite instead of its transient thermal response. In the present paper, the synthesis and physical-chemical characterization of hydroxyapatite samples, obtained by the sol-gel technique employing ultrasonic mixing, are reported. Employing X-ray diffraction patterns, XEDS and FTIR spectra, the crystal symmetry, chemical elements, and the present functional groups of the studied samples were determined and found to correspond to those reported in the literature, with a stoichiometry close to the ideal for biological applications. Additionally, by means of the photoacoustic detection and infrared photothermal radiometry (IPTR) techniques, the thermal response of the samples was obtained. Analyzing the photoacoustic data, the synthetized samples show photoacoustic opaqueness, responding in the thermally thick regime in the measurement range, and their thermal effusivity was also determined, having values of 1.47 folds the thermal effusivity of the mandibular human bone. Finally, from the IPTR measurements, the thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity of the samples were also determined, having good agreement with the reported values for synthetic hydroxyapatite. The structural and thermophysical properties of the here reported samples show that the synthesized samples have good thermal affinity with the mandibular human bone tissue, and are suitable for biomedical applications.

Biomass Compositional Analysis Laboratory Procedures | Bioenergy | NREL

Science.gov Websites

Compositional Analysis This procedure describes methods for sample drying and size reduction, obtaining samples methods used to determine the amount of solids or moisture present in a solid or slurry biomass sample as values? We have found that neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) methods report

Syntheses, Characterizations, and Applications of Molecular Metal Wires and Functional Nanomaterials

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-12-22

challenges Conductance of single molecules Concluding Remarks...values of single -molecule conductance for such pentaruthenium EMACs, other triruthenium and trirhodium EMACs (Dalton Trans. 2009, 2623) were obtained...a voltage-activated switch, or a single -molecule transistor. Among the molecules reported in this research field,1 EMACs2 are particularly

Comparison of various methods to determine bulk specific gravity of cores : an investigation of high values using AASHTO T275 - paraffin-coated method.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-07-01

A report from a MoDOT asphalt paving project was that unexpected results were obtained when adhering to the standard for determination of bulk specific gravity of compacted asphalt mixture (Gmb) specimens, AASHTO T 166. The test method requires speci...

Electronic contributions to the sigma(p) parameter of the Hammett equation.

PubMed

Domingo, Luis R; Pérez, Patricia; Contreras, Renato

2003-07-25

A statistical procedure to obtain the intrinsic electronic contributions to the Hammett substituent constant sigma(p) is reported. The method is based on the comparison between the experimental sigma(p) values and the electronic electrophilicity index omega evaluated for a series of 42 functional groups commonly present in organic compounds.

Relation of Fuel-Air Ratio to Engine Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sparrow, Stanwood W

1925-01-01

The tests upon which this report is based were made at the Bureau of Standards between October 1919 and May 1923. From these it is concluded that: (1) with gasoline as a fuel, maximum power is obtained with fuel-air mixtures of from 0.07 to 0.08 pound of fuel per pound of air; (2) maximum power is obtained with approximately the same ratio over the range of air pressures and temperatures encountered in flight; (3) nearly minimum specific fuel consumption is secured by decreasing the fuel content of the charge until the power is 95 per cent of its maximum value. Presumably this information is of most direct value to the carburetor engineer. A carburetor should supply the engine with a suitable mixture. This report discusses what mixtures have been found suitable for various engines. It also furnishes the engine designer with a basis for estimating how much greater piston displacement an engine operating with a maximum economy mixture should have than one operating with a maximum power mixture in order for both to be capable of the same power development.

New insights into meat by-product utilization.

PubMed

Toldrá, Fidel; Mora, Leticia; Reig, Milagro

2016-10-01

Meat industry generates large volumes of by-products like blood, bones, meat trimmings, skin, fatty tissues, horns, hoofs, feet, skull and viscera among others that are costly to be treated and disposed ecologically. These costs can be balanced through innovation to generate added value products that increase its profitability. Rendering results in feed ingredients for livestock, poultry and aquaculture as well as for pet foods. Energy valorization can be obtained through the thermochemical processing of meat and bone meal or the use of waste animal fats for the production of biodiesel. More recently, new applications have been reported like the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates as alternative to plastics produced from petroleum. Other interesting valorization strategies are based on the hydrolysis of by-products to obtain added value products like bioactive peptides with relevant physiological effects as antihypertensive, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, etc. with promising applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry. This paper reports and discusses the latest developments and trends in the use and valorisation of meat industry by-products. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The main peculiarities of the processes of the deformation and destruction of lunar soil

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leonovich, A. K.; Gromov, V. V.; Dmitriyev, A. D.; Penetrigov, V. N.; Senevov, P. S.; Shvarev, V. V.

1977-01-01

The main results of study of the physical and mechanical properties of lunar soil, obtained by laboratory study of samples returned from the moon by Luna 16 and Luna 20, as well as by operation of the self-propelled Lunokhod 1 and Lunokhod 2 on the surface of the moon, are analyzed in the report. All studies were carried out by single methods and by means of unified instruments, allowing a confident comparison of the results obtained. The investigations conducted allowed the following values of the main physical-mechanical properties of lunar soil to be determined: in the natural condition the solid density corresponds to the porosity of 0.8; the modal value of the carrying capacity is 0.4 kg/square cm; adhesion is 0.04 to 0.06 kg/square cm; and the internal angle of friction is 20 to 25 degree. The main mechanisms of deformation and destruction of the soil are analyzed in the report, and the relationships between the mechanical properties and physical parameters of the soil are presented.

Assessing residential building values in Spain for risk analyses - application to the landslide hazard in the Autonomous Community of Valencia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cantarino, I.; Torrijo, F. J.; Palencia, S.; Gielen, E.

2014-11-01

This paper proposes a method of valuing the stock of residential buildings in Spain as the first step in assessing possible damage caused to them by natural hazards. For the purposes of the study we had access to the SIOSE (the Spanish Land Use and Cover Information System), a high-resolution land-use model, as well as to a report on the financial valuations of this type of building throughout Spain. Using dasymetric disaggregation processes and GIS techniques we developed a geolocalized method of obtaining this information, which was the exposure variable in the general risk assessment formula. Then, with the application over a hazard map, the risk value can be easily obtained. An example of its application is given in a case study that assesses the risk of a landslide in the entire 23 200 km2 of the Valencia Autonomous Community (NUT2), the results of which are analysed by municipal areas (LAU2) for the years 2005 and 2009.

Application of a Probalistic Sizing Methodology for Ceramic Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rancurel, Michael; Behar-Lafenetre, Stephanie; Cornillon, Laurence; Leroy, Francois-Henri; Coe, Graham; Laine, Benoit

2012-07-01

Ceramics are increasingly used in the space industry to take advantage of their stability and high specific stiffness properties. Their brittle behaviour often leads to size them by increasing the safety factors that are applied on the maximum stresses. It induces to oversize the structures. This is inconsistent with the major driver in space architecture, the mass criteria. This paper presents a methodology to size ceramic structures based on their failure probability. Thanks to failure tests on samples, the Weibull law which characterizes the strength distribution of the material is obtained. A-value (Q0.0195%) and B-value (Q0.195%) are then assessed to take into account the limited number of samples. A knocked-down Weibull law that interpolates the A- & B- values is also obtained. Thanks to these two laws, a most-likely and a knocked- down prediction of failure probability are computed for complex ceramic structures. The application of this methodology and its validation by test is reported in the paper.

New approach application of data transformation in mean centering of ratio spectra method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Issa, Mahmoud M.; Nejem, R.'afat M.; Van Staden, Raluca Ioana Stefan; Aboul-Enein, Hassan Y.

2015-05-01

Most of mean centering (MCR) methods are designed to be used with data sets whose values have a normal or nearly normal distribution. The errors associated with the values are also assumed to be independent and random. If the data are skewed, the results obtained may be doubtful. Most of the time, it was assumed a normal distribution and if a confidence interval includes a negative value, it was cut off at zero. However, it is possible to transform the data so that at least an approximately normal distribution is attained. Taking the logarithm of each data point is one transformation frequently used. As a result, the geometric mean is deliberated a better measure of central tendency than the arithmetic mean. The developed MCR method using the geometric mean has been successfully applied to the analysis of a ternary mixture of aspirin (ASP), atorvastatin (ATOR) and clopidogrel (CLOP) as a model. The results obtained were statistically compared with reported HPLC method.

Correlation of the rates of solvolysis of α-bromoisobutyrophenone using both simple and extended forms of the Grunwald-Winstein equation and the application of correlation analysis to related studies.

PubMed

Kevill, Dennis Neil; Kim, Chang-Bae; D'Souza, Malcolm John

2018-03-01

A Grunwald-Winstein treatment of the specific rates of solvolysis of α-bromoisobutyrophenone in 100% methanol and in several aqueous ethanol, methanol, acetone, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE), and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) mixtures gives a good logarithmic correlation against a linear combination of N T (solvent nucleophilicity) and Y Br (solvent ionizing power) values. The l and m sensitivity values are compared to those previously reported for α-bromoacetophenone and to those obtained from parallel treatments of literature specific rate values for the solvolyses of several tertiary mesylates containing a C(=O)R group attached at the α-carbon. Kinetic data obtained earlier by Pasto and Sevenair for the solvolyses of the same substrate in 75% aqueous ethanol (by weight) in the presence of silver perchlorate and perchloric acid are analyzed using multiple regression analysis.

Investigation of electroforming techniques, literature analysis report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Malone, G. A.

1975-01-01

A literature analysis is presented of reports, specifications, and documented experiences with the use of electroforming to produce copper and nickel structures for aerospace and other engineering applications. The literature period covered is from 1948 to 1974. Specific effort was made to correlate mechanical property data for the electrodeposited material with known electroforming solution compositions and operating conditions. From this survey, electrolytes are suggested for selection to electroform copper and nickel outer shells on regeneratively cooled thrust chamber liners, and other devices subject to thermal and pressure exposure, based on mechanical properties obtainable, performance under various thermal environments, and ease of process control for product reproducibility. Processes of potential value in obtaining sound bonds between electrodeposited copper and nickel and copper alloy substrates are also discussed.

Thermal-Diffusivity Measurements of Mexican Citrus Essential Oils Using Photoacoustic Methodology in the Transmission Configuration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muñoz, G. A. López; González, R. F. López; López, J. A. Balderas; Martínez-Pérez, L.

2011-05-01

Photoacoustic methodology in the transmission configuration (PMTC) was used to study the thermophysical properties and their relation with the composition in Mexican citrus essential oils providing the viability of using photothermal techniques for quality control and for authentication of oils and their adulteration. Linear relations for the amplitude (on a semi-log scale) and phase, as functions of the sample's thickness, for the PMTC was obtained through a theoretical model fit to the experimental data for thermal-diffusivity measurements in Mexican orange, pink grapefruit, mandarin, lime type A, centrifuged essential oils, and Mexican distilled lime essential oil. Gas chromatography for distilled lime essential oil and centrifuged lime essential oil type A is reported to complement the study. Experimental results showed close thermal-diffusivity values between Mexican citrus essential oils obtained by centrifugation, but a significant difference of this physical property for distilled lime oil and the corresponding value obtained by centrifugation, which is due to their different chemical compositions involved with the extraction processes.

An experimental and modeling study of humic acid concentration effect on H(+) binding: Application of the NICA-Donnan model.

PubMed

Vidali, Roza; Remoundaki, Emmanouela; Tsezos, Marios

2009-11-15

Humic substances are the most abundant components of the colloidal and the dissolved fraction of natural organic matter (NOM) and they are characterized by a strong binding capacity for both metals and organic pollutants, affecting their mobility and bioavailability. The understanding of the humic acidic character is the first necessary step for the study of the mechanisms of binding of other positively charged soluble metal species by humic molecules. The present work, which constitutes part of the Ph.D. thesis of Roza Vidali, reports results on the influence of the concentration of humic acids on the binding of protons obtained through both an experimental and a modeling approach. A reference purified peat humic acid (PPHA) isolated by the International Humic Substances Society (IHSS) and a humic acid from a Greek soil (GHA) were experimentally studied at various humic acid concentrations, ranging from 20 to 200mgL(-1). The proton binding isotherms obtained at different humic acid concentrations have shown that proton binding is dependent on the concentration of both humic acids. Proton binding experimental data were fitted to the NICA-Donnan model and the model parameter values were calculated for humic acid concentrations of 20 and >or=100mgL(-1). The results obtained for the NICA-Donnan parameters at humic acid concentrations >or=100mgL(-1) are in excellent agreement with those reported in the literature. However, these model parameter values cannot be used for modeling and predicting cation binding in natural aquatic systems, where humic acid concentrations are much lower. Two sets of the NICA-Donnan parameters are reported: one for humic acid concentrations of >or=100mgL(-1) and one for humic acid concentration of 20mgL(-1). The significance of the parameters values for each concentration level is also discussed.

Six Sigma in healthcare delivery.

PubMed

Liberatore, Matthew J

2013-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a comprehensive review and assessment of the extant Six Sigma healthcare literature, focusing on: application, process changes initiated and outcomes, including improvements in process metrics, cost and revenue. Data were obtained from an extensive literature search. Healthcare Six Sigma applications were categorized by functional area and department, key process metric, cost savings and revenue generation (if any) and other key implementation characteristics. Several inpatient care areas have seen most applications, including admission, discharge, medication administration, operating room (OR), cardiac and intensive care. About 42.1 percent of the applications have error rate as their driving metric, with the remainder focusing on process time (38 percent) and productivity (18.9 percent). While 67 percent had initial improvement in the key process metric, only 10 percent reported sustained improvement. Only 28 percent reported cost savings and 8 percent offered revenue enhancement. These results do not favorably assess Six Sigma's overall effectiveness and the value it offers healthcare. Results are based on reported applications. Future research can include directly surveying healthcare organizations to provide additional data for assessment. Future application should emphasize obtaining improvements that lead to significant and sustainable value. Healthcare staff can use the results to target promising areas. This article comprehensively assesses Six Sigma healthcare applications and impact.

Characterization of biocarbon-source recovery and microbial community shifts from waste activated sludge by conditioning with cornstover: Assessment of cellulosic compositions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wen, Kaili; Zhou, Aijuan; Zhang, Jiaguang; Liu, Zhihong; Wang, Guoying; Liu, Wenzong; Wang, Aijie; Yue, Xiuping

2017-02-01

Most studies on the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from waste activated sludge (WAS) digestion have focused on operating conditions, pretreatments and characteristic adjustments. Conditioning by extra carbon sources (ECS), normally added in a solid form, has been reported to be an efficient approach. However, this has caused considerable waste of monomeric sugars in the hydrolysate. In this study, the effects of two added forms (pretreated straw (S) and hydrolyzed liquid (L)) of cornstover (CS) on WAS acidification were investigated. To obtain different cellulosic compositions of CS, low-thermal or autoclaved assisted alkaline (TA or AA) pretreatments were conducted. The results showed that AA-L test achieved the highest VFAs value (653 mg COD/g VSS), followed by AA-S (613 mg COD/g VSS). These values were 12% and 28% higher, respectively, than that obtained in the TA-L and TA-S tests. Meanwhile, higher percentages of acetic acid were observed after AA pretreatment (~62% versus ~53% in TA). The added forms of CS played an important role in structuring the innate microbial community in the WAS, as shown by high-throughput sequencing and canonical correspondence analysis. The findings obtained in this work may provide a scientific basis for the potential implementation of co-digesting WAS with ECS simultaneously obtaining energy and high value-added products.

Interacting Winds in Eclipsing Symbiotic Systems - The Case Study of EG Andromedae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calabrò, Emanuele

2014-03-01

We report the mathematical representation of the so called eccentric eclipse model, whose numerical solutions can be used to obtain the physical parameters of a quiescent eclipsing symbiotic system. Indeed the nebular region produced by the collision of the stellar winds should be shifted to the orbital axis because of the orbital motion of the system. This mechanism is not negligible, and it led us to modify the classical concept of an eclipse. The orbital elements obtained from spectroscopy and photometry of the symbiotic EG Andromedae were used to test the eccentric eclipse model. Consistent values for the unknown orbital elements of this symbiotic were obtained. The physical parameters are in agreement with those obtained by means of other simulations for this system.

Significant enhancement in thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline Pr-doped SrTiO{sub 3−δ} ceramics originating from nonuniform distribution of Pr dopants

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

Dehkordi, Arash Mehdizadeh, E-mail: amehdiz@g.clemson.edu; Bhattacharya, Sriparna; He, Jian

2014-05-12

Recently, we have reported a significant enhancement (>70% at 500 °C) in the thermoelectric power factor (PF) of bulk polycrystalline Pr-doped SrTiO{sub 3} ceramics employing a novel synthesis strategy which led to the highest ever reported values of PF among doped polycrystalline SrTiO{sub 3}. It was found that the formation of Pr-rich grain boundary regions gives rise to an enhancement in carrier mobility. In this Letter, we investigate the electronic and thermal transport in Sr{sub 1−x}Pr{sub x}TiO{sub 3} ceramics in order to determine the optimum doping concentration and to evaluate the overall thermoelectric performance. Simultaneous enhancement in the thermoelectric power factormore » and reduction in thermal conductivity in these samples resulted in more than 30% improvement in the dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) for the whole temperature range over all previously reported maximum values. Maximum ZT value of 0.35 was obtained at 500 °C.« less

A systematic review of utility values for chemotherapy-related adverse events.

PubMed

Shabaruddin, Fatiha H; Chen, Li-Chia; Elliott, Rachel A; Payne, Katherine

2013-04-01

Chemotherapy offers cancer patients the potential benefits of improved mortality and morbidity but may cause detrimental outcomes due to adverse drug events (ADEs), some of which requiring time-consuming, resource-intensive and costly clinical management. To appropriately assess chemotherapy agents in an economic evaluation, ADE-related parameters such as the incidence, (dis)utility and cost of ADEs should be reflected within the model parameters. To date, there has been no systematic summary of the existing literature that quantifies the utilities of ADEs due to healthcare interventions in general and chemotherapy treatments in particular. This review aimed to summarize the current evidence base of reported utility values for chemotherapy-related ADEs. A structured electronic search combining terms for utility, utility valuation methods and generic terms for cancer treatment was conducted in MEDLINE and EMBASE in June 2011. Inclusion criteria were: (1) elicitation of utility values for chemotherapy-related ADEs and (2) primary data. Two reviewers identified studies and extracted data independently. Any disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria from the 853 abstracts initially identified, collectively reporting 218 utility values for chemotherapy-related ADEs. All 18 studies used short descriptions (vignettes) to obtain the utility values, with nine studies presenting the vignettes used in the valuation exercises. Of the 218 utility values, 178 were elicited using standard gamble (SG) or time trade-off (TTO) approaches, while 40 were elicited using visual analogue scales (VAS). There were 169 utility values of specific chemotherapy-related ADEs (with the top ten being anaemia [34 values], nausea and/or vomiting [32 values], neuropathy [21 values], neutropenia [12 values], diarrhoea [12 values], stomatitis [10 values], fatigue [8 values], alopecia [7 values], hand-foot syndrome [5 values] and skin reaction [5 values]) and 49 of non-specific chemotherapy-related adverse events. In most cases, it was difficult to directly compare the utility values as various definitions and study-specific vignettes were used for the ADEs of interest. This review was designed to provide an overall description of existing literature reporting utility values for chemotherapy-related ADEs. The findings were not exhaustive and were limited to publications that could be identified using the search strategy employed and those reported in the English language. This review identified wide ranges in the utility values reported for broad categories of specific chemotherapy-related ADEs. There were difficulties in comparing the values directly as various study-specific definitions were used for these ADEs and most studies did not make the vignettes used in the valuation exercises available. It is recommended that a basic minimum requirement be developed for the transparent reporting of study designs eliciting utility values, incorporating key criteria such as reporting how the vignettes were developed and presenting the vignettes used in the valuation tasks as well as valuing and reporting the utility values of the ADE-free base states. It is also recommended, in the future, for studies valuing the utilities of chemotherapy-related ADEs to define the ADEs according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) definitions for chemotherapy-related ADEs as the use of the same definition across studies would ease the comparison and selection of utility values and make the overall inclusion of adverse events within economic models of chemotherapy agents much more straightforward.

ROC analysis of diagnostic performance in liver scintigraphy.

PubMed

Fritz, S L; Preston, D F; Gallagher, J H

1981-02-01

Studies on the accuracy of liver scintigraphy for the detection of metastases were assembled from 38 sources in the medical literature. An ROC curve was fitted to the observed values of sensitivity and specificity using an algorithm developed by Ogilvie and Creelman. This ROC curve fitted the data better than average sensitivity and specificity values in each of four subsets of the data. For the subset dealing with Tc-99m sulfur colloid scintigraphy, performed for detection of suspected metastases and containing data on 2800 scans from 17 independent series, it was not possible to reject the hypothesis that interobserver variation was entirely due to the use of different decision thresholds by the reporting clinicians. Thus the ROC curve obtained is a reasonable baseline estimate of the performance potentially achievable in today's clinical setting. Comparison of new reports with these data is possible, but is limited by the small sample sizes in most reported series.

Reproducibility of the Helium-3 Constant-Volume Gas Thermometry and New Data Down to 1.9 K at NMIJ/AIST

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nakano, Tohru; Shimazaki, Takeshi; Tamura, Osamu

2017-07-01

This study confirms reproducibility of the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) realized by interpolation using the constant-volume gas thermometer (CVGT) of National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ)/AIST with 3He as the working gas from 3 K to 24.5561 K by comparing the newly obtained results and those of earlier reports, indicating that the CVGT has retained its capability after renovation undertaken since strong earthquakes struck Japan. The thermodynamic temperature T is also obtained using the single-isotherm fit to four working gas densities (127 mol\\cdot m^{-3}, 145 mol\\cdot m^{-3}, 171 mol\\cdot m^{-3} and 278 mol\\cdot m^{-3}) down to 1.9 K, using the triple point temperature of Ne as a reference temperature. In this study, only the second virial coefficient is taken into account for the single-isotherm fit. Differences between T and the ITS-90 temperature, T-T_{90}, reported in earlier works down to 3 K were confirmed in this study. At the temperatures below 3 K down to 2.5 K, T-T_{90} is much smaller than the standard combined uncertainty of thermodynamic temperature measurement. However, T- T_{90} seems to increase with decreasing temperature below 2.5 K down to 1.9 K, although still within the standard combined uncertainty of thermodynamic temperature measurement. In this study, T is obtained also from the CVGT with a single gas density of 278 mol\\cdot m^{-3} using the triple-point temperature of Ne as a reference temperature by making correction for the deviation from the ideal gas using theoretical values of the second and third virial coefficients down to 2.6 K, which is the lowest temperature of the theoretical values of the third virial coefficient. T values obtained using this method agree well with those obtained from the single-isotherm fit. We also found that the second virial coefficient obtained by the single-isotherm fit to experimental results agrees well with that obtained by the single-isotherm fit to the theoretically expected behavior of 3He gas with the theoretical second and third virial coefficients at four gas densities used in the present work.

Influence of pH and europium concentration on the luminescent and morphological properties of Y2O3 powders

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esquivel-Castro, Tzipatly; Carrillo-Romo, Felipe de J.; Oliva-Uc, Jorge; García-Murillo, Antonieta; Hirata-Flores, Gustavo A.; Cayetano-Castro, Nicolás; De la Rosa, Elder; Morales-Ramírez, Angel de J.

2015-10-01

This work reports on the synthesis and characterization of Y2O3:Eu3+ powders obtained by the hydrothermal method. We studied the influence of different pH values (7-12) and Eu3+ concentrations (2.5-25 mol%) on the structural, morphological and luminescent characteristics of Y2O3:Eu3+ powders. The hydrothermal synthesis was performed at 200 °C for 12 h by employing Y2O3, HNO3, H2O and Eu (NO3)3 as precursors, in order to obtain two sets of samples. The first set of powders was obtained with different pH values and named Eu5PHx (x = 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12), and the second set was obtained by using a constant pH = 7 with different Eu concentrations, named EuxPH7 (x = 2.5, 5, 8, 15, 20 and 25). The XRD spectra showed that the Y2O3:Eu3+ powders exhibited a cubic phase, regardless of the pH values and Eu3+ concentrations. The SEM observations indicated that pH influenced the morphology and size of phosphors; for instance, for pH = 7, hexagonal microplatelets were obtained, and microrods at pH values from 8 to 12. Doping Y2O3 with various Eu3+ concentrations (in mol%) also produced changes in morphology, in these cases, hexagonal microplatelets were obtained in the range of 2.5-5 mol%, and non uniform plates were observed at higher doping concentrations ranging from 8 to 25 mol%. According to our results, the microplatelets synthesized with a pH of 7 and an 8 mol% Eu3+ concentration presented the highest luminescence under excitation at 254 nm. All of these results indicate that our phosphors could be useful for applications of controlled drug delivery, photocatalysis and biolabeling.

Underwater gas tornado

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Byalko, Alexey V.

2013-07-01

We present the first experimental observation of a new hydrodynamic phenomenon, the underwater tornado. Simple measurements show that the tornado forms a vortex of the Rankine type, i.e. the rising gas rotates as a solid body and the liquid rotates with a velocity decreasing hyperbolically with the radius. We obtain the dependence of the tornado radius a on the gas stream value j theoretically: a ∼ j2/5. Processing of a set of experiments yielded the value 0.36 for the exponent in this expression. We also report the initial stages of the theoretical study of this phenomenon.

Subthreshold parallel pumping experiments on the quasi one-dimensional S = {1}/{2} ferromagnets [C 6H 11NH 3]CuBr 3 and [C 6H 11NH 3]CuCl 3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoogerbeets, R.; Wiegers, S. A. J.; Van Duyneveldt, A. J.

1985-04-01

Subthreshold parallel pumping experiments on [C 6H 11NH 3]CuBr 3 (abbreviated as CHAB) and [C 6H 11NH 3]CuCl 3 (CHAC) at 9.6 and 18.3 GHz are reported. It is shown that the experimental results can be explained using the values of the parameters as have been obtained from previously reported FMR measurements.

Morbidity after intracranial tumor surgery: sensitivity and specificity of retrospective review of medical records compared with patient-reported outcomes at 30 days.

PubMed

Drewes, Christina; Sagberg, Lisa Millgård; Jakola, Asgeir Store; Gulati, Sasha; Solheim, Ole

2015-10-01

Published outcome reports in neurosurgical literature frequently rely on data from retrospective review of hospital records at discharge, but the sensitivity and specificity of retrospective assessments of surgical morbidity is not known. The aim of this study was to elucidate the sensitivity and specificity of retrospective assessment of morbidity after intracranial tumor surgery by comparing it to patient-reported outcomes at 30 days. In 191 patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of intracranial tumors, we evaluated newly acquired neurological deficits within the motor, language, and cognitive domains. Traditional retrospective discharge data were collected by review of hospital records. Patient-reported data were obtained by structured phone interviews at 30 days after surgery. Data on perioperative medical and surgical complications were obtained from both hospital records and patient interviews conducted 30 days postoperatively. Sensitivity values for retrospective review of hospital records as compared with patient-reported outcomes were 0.52 for motor deficits, 0.4 for language deficits, and 0.07 for cognitive deficits. According to medical records, 158 patients were discharged with no new or worsened deficits, but only 117 (74%) of these patients confirmed this at 30 days after surgery. Specificity values were high (0.97-0.99), indicating that new deficits were unlikely to be found by retrospective review of hospital records at discharge when the patients did not report any at 30 days. Major perioperative complications were all identified through retrospective review of hospital records. Retrospective assessment of medical records at discharge from hospital may greatly underestimate the incidence of new neurological deficits after brain tumor surgery when compared with patient-reported outcomes after 30 days.

Visible GaAs/0.7/P/0.3/ CW heterojunction lasers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kressel, H.; Olsen, G. H.; Nuese, C. J.

1977-01-01

The paper reports the first low-threshold red-light-emitting heterojunction laser diodes consisting of lattice-matched Ga(As,P)/(In,Ga)P heteroepitaxial layers. A room-temperature threshold current of 3400 A/sq cm was obtained at a wavelength of about 7000 A; this value is substantially lower than those achieved at this wavelength with (Al,Ga)As lasers. For the first time, continuous-wave laser operation at temperatures as high as 10 C has been obtained for GaAs(1-x)P(x).

Kinetic evaluation of the solvolysis of isobutyl chloro- and chlorothioformate esters

PubMed Central

McAneny, Matthew J; Choi, Song Hee

2011-01-01

Summary The specific rates of solvolysis of isobutyl chloroformate (1) are reported at 40.0 °C and those for isobutyl chlorothioformate (2) are reported at 25.0 °C, in a variety of pure and binary aqueous organic mixtures with wide ranging nucleophilicity and ionizing power. For 1, we also report the first-order rate constants determined at different temperatures in pure ethanol (EtOH), methanol (MeOH), 80% EtOH, and in both 97% and 70% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). The enthalpy (ΔH≠) and entropy (ΔS≠) of activation values obtained from Arrhenius plots for 1 in these five solvents are reported. The specific rates of solvolysis were analyzed using the extended Grunwald–Winstein equation. Results obtained from correlation analysis using this linear free energy relationship (LFER) reinforce our previous suggestion that side-by-side addition–elimination and ionization mechanisms operate, and the relative importance is dependent on the type of chloro- or chlorothioformate substrate and the solvent. PMID:21647255

Significant changes in physical activity among pregnant women in the UK as assessed by accelerometry and self-reported activity.

PubMed

Rousham, E K; Clarke, P E; Gross, H

2006-03-01

Research on the impact of maternal physical activity on pregnancy outcomes has often employed subjective measures of physical activity obtained by diary or questionnaire. This study investigates the feasibility of using accelerometry as an objective measure of physical activity of pregnant women compared with subjective data obtained via activity recall among pregnant women. Activity data were collected prospectively on 57 women at 12, 16, 25, 34 and 38 weeks of gestation. Total daily physical activity was assessed by ambulatory accelerometer and activity interview (self-report). Maternal personality variables (health value, extroversion) were assessed by established scales. Leicestershire, UK. Pregnant women were recruited by voluntary participation via antenatal booking clinics. In all, 64 pregnant women with low-risk pregnancy were enrolled onto the study, of whom 57 completed the study. Mean 24 h physical activity levels (PAL) decreased significantly from second to third trimester as assessed by self-report interview (1.51-1.29 Metabolic Equivalent TEE-h/day, P<0.01) and accelerometry (200.05-147.42 counts/min, P<0.01). The correlation between the two measures declined as pregnancy progressed (r value ranging from 0.55 to 0.08). Compliance with the accelerometers declined from 90% at 12 weeks to 47% at 34 weeks (P<0.01). Compliance with the self-report interviews was 100%. Those who fully complied with the accelerometry demonstrated a significantly higher health value (P<0.05) and a significantly greater level of extroversion (P<0.05) than those who did not. Accelerometers and self-reported activity interviews both indicated a significant decline in PAL during pregnancy. Although subjects showed a willingness to use both methods, accelerometers resulted in variable compliance with 72 h monitoring. Both techniques may be limited by the need to measure low levels of physical activity during the third trimester. Cambridge Neurotechnology Ltd, UK, assisted with the provision of Actiwatch accelerometers.

Health impact and cost-effectiveness of a private sector bed net distribution: experimental evidence from Zambia

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Relatively few programmes have attempted to actively engage the private sector in national malaria control efforts. This paper evaluates the health impact of a large-scale distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) conducted in partnership with a Zambian agribusiness, and its cost-effectiveness from the perspective of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). Methods The study was designed as a cluster-randomized controlled trial. A list of 81,597 cotton farmers was obtained from Dunavant, a contract farming company in Zambia’s cotton sector, in December 2010. 39,963 (49%) were randomly selected to obtain one ITN each. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 438 farmers in the treatment and 458 farmers in the control group in June and July 2011. Treatment and control households were compared with respect to bed net ownership, bed net usage, self-reported fever, and self-reported confirmed malaria. Cost data was collected throughout the programme. Results The distribution effectively reached target beneficiaries, with approximately 95% of households in the treatment group reporting that they had received an ITN through the programme. The average increase in the fraction of household members sleeping under an ITN the night prior to the interview was 14.6 percentage points (p-value <0.001). Treatment was associated with a 42 percent reduction in the odds of self-reported fever (p-value <0.001) and with a 49 percent reduction in the odds of self-reported malaria (p-value 0.002). This was accomplished at a cost of approximately five US$ per ITN to Zambia’s NMCP. Conclusions The results illustrate that existing private sector networks can efficiently control malaria in remote rural regions. The intra-household allocation of ITNs distributed through this channel was comparable to that of ITNs received from other sources, and the health impact remained substantial. PMID:23506170

Cheating after the Test: Who Does It and How Often?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ottaway, Kristine; Murrant, Coral; Ritchie, Kerry

2017-01-01

Self-reports suggest >50% of university students cheat at some point in their academic career (Christensen Hughes JM, McCabe DL. "Can J High Educ" 36: 49-63, 2006), although objective values of academic misconduct (AM) are difficult to obtain. In a physiology-based department, we had a concern that students were altering written tests…

FINANCING THE KIND OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEW JERSEY NEEDS.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

NORTON, JOHN K.

AN ANALYSIS OF EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS, THE COST OF SOLVING THEM, AND METHODS OF TAXATION BY WHICH ADEQUATE REVENUES COULD BE OBTAINED WAS MADE BY THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FROM NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS. THIS INITIAL REPORT HAS VALUE NOT ONLY TO CITIZENS OF THAT STATE BUT ALSO TO ALL AMERICANS INTERESTED IN IMPROVING THE SCOPE,…

Physical property measurements of doped cesium iodide crystals

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Synder, R. S.; Clotfelter, W. N.

1974-01-01

Mechanical and thermal property values are reported for crystalline cesium iodide doped with sodium and thallium. Young's modulus, bulk modulus, shear modulus, and Poisson's ratio were obtained from ultrasonic measurements. Young's modulus and the samples' elastic and plastic behavior were also measured under tension and compression. Thermal expansion and thermal conductivity were the temperature dependent measurements that were made.

Analysis of Skills Needed by Graduates of Associate Degree Insurance Major. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dickerson, Jack

This study was undertaken to learn whether the courses offered by the Associate Degree Insurance program at North Central Technical Institute, Wausau, Wisconsin, are adequate to equip prospective employees in the insurance industry. The study was accomplished by surveying 169 insurance companies to obtain the value assigned by respondents to each…

The Relation of Growth to Stand Density in Natural Loblolly Pine Stands

Treesearch

K.F. Wenger; T.C. Evans; T. Lotti; R.W. Cooper; E.V. Brender

1958-01-01

This is a progress report of a regional study on growing-space requirements for natural stands of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.).A primary objective is to measure the effects of residual stand density, obtained naturally or by cutting, during intermediate ages, upon volume yield and total production. By imposing real values and costs upon...

Catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide using Ir(III)-pincer complexes.

PubMed

Tanaka, Ryo; Yamashita, Makoto; Nozaki, Kyoko

2009-10-14

Catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide in aqueous potassium hydroxide was performed using a newly synthesized isopropyl-substituted PNP-pincer iridium trihydride complex as a catalyst. Potassium formate was obtained with turnover numbers up to 3,500,000 and a turnover frequency of 150,000 h(-1), both of which are the highest values reported to date.

Stiffness and shrinkage of green and dry joists

Treesearch

Lyman W. Wood; Lawrence A. Soltis

1964-01-01

This report gives information on the edgewise modulus of elasticity, stiffness, and shrinkage of 360 joists in three species, three grades, and two sizes, each species obtained from two sources. Each joist was evaluated nondestructively at four moisture content values ranging from the green condition to about 11 percent. Information is also given on specific gravity,...

A review of the liquid metal diffusion data obtained from the space shuttle endeavour mission STS-47 and the space shuttle columbia mission STS-52

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shirkhanzadeh, Morteza

Accurate data of liquid-phase solute diffusion coefficients are required to validate the condensed -matter physics theories. However, the required data accuracy to discriminate between com-peting theoretical models is 1 to 2 percent(1). Smith and Scott (2) have recently used the measured values of diffusion coefficients for Pb-Au in microgravity to validate the theoretical values of the diffusion coefficients derived from molecular dynamics simulations and several Enskog hard sphere models. The microgravity data used was obtained from the liquid diffusion experiments conducted on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour (mission STS-47) and the Space Shuttle Columbia (mission STS-52). Based on the analysis of the results, it was claimed that the measured values of diffusion coefficients were consistent with the theoretical results and that the data fit a linear relationship with a slope slightly greater than predicted by the molecular dynamics simulations. These conclusions, however, contradict the claims made in previous publications (3-5) where it was reported that the microgravity data obtained from the shuttle experiments fit the fluctuation theory (D proportional to T2). A thorough analysis of data will be presented to demonstrate that the widely-reported micro-gravity results obtained from shuttle experiments are not reliable and sufficiantly accurate to discriminate between competing theoretical models. References: 1. J.P. Garandet, G. Mathiak, V. Botton, P. Lehmann and A. Griesche, Int. J. Thermophysics, 25, 249 (2004). 2.P.J. Scott and R.W. Smith, J. Appl. Physics 104, 043706 (2008). 3. R.W. Smith, Microgravity Sci. Technol. XI (2) 78-84 (1998). 4.Smith et al, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 974:56-67 (2002) (retracted). 5.R.A. Herring et al, J. Jpn. Soc. Microgravity Appl., Vol.16, 234-244 (1999).

A Comparative Evaluation of Condylar Guidance Value from Radiograph with Interocclusal Records made During Jaw Relation and Try-in: A Pilot Study.

PubMed

Shetty, Shilpa; Satish Babu, C L; Tambake, Deepti; Surendra Kumar, G P; Setpal, Abhishek T

2013-09-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of programming the articulator using the radiographs and the interocclusal records made during Jaw relation (Arrow point tracing) and Try-in stage. The study comprised of 15 edentulous subjects with well formed maxillary and mandibular ridges, with no signs and symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorders and neuromuscular disorders. Digital Orthopantomograph was taken for all the subjects. The condylar guidance angles were traced on Orthopantomograph for right and left sides and the values were recorded. The protrusive interocclusal records were made at jaw relation stage and at try-in stage using bite registration paste (Bitrex- vinyl polysiloxane) for all subjects. These interocclusal records were used to programme the Semi-adjustable articulator (Hanau Wide Vue) and the condylar guidance values on the right and left sides were recorded. The condylar guidance values so obtained were compared with the values obtained by Orthopantomograph. The condylar guidance values obtained by the various procedures were subjected to statistical analysis. The results showed statistically significant difference between the condylar guidance values obtained from Orthopantomograph (Radiograph) and the condylar guidance values obtained at the stage of jaw relation and also between Orthopantomograph and condylar guidance values obtained at the stage of Try-in. Condylar guidance values obtained from the Radiographs were higher than those obtained at the stage of Jaw relation and at the stage of Try-in. However, we notice that the mean condylar guidance values obtained at the stage of Try-in were nearer to the mean condylar guidance values obtained on the Radiographs.

Feasibility of using 'lung density' values estimated from EIT images for clinical diagnosis of lung abnormalities in mechanically ventilated ICU patients.

PubMed

Nebuya, Satoru; Koike, Tomotaka; Imai, Hiroshi; Iwashita, Yoshiaki; Brown, Brian H; Soma, Kazui

2015-06-01

This paper reports on the results of a study which compares lung density values obtained from electrical impedance tomography (EIT), clinical diagnosis and CT values (HU) within a region of interest in the lung. The purpose was to assess the clinical use of lung density estimation using EIT data. In 11 patients supported by a mechanical ventilator, the consistency of regional lung density measurements as estimated by EIT was validated to assess the feasibility of its use in intensive care medicine. There were significant differences in regional lung densities recorded in the supine position between normal lungs and diseased lungs associated with pneumonia, atelectasis and pleural effusion (normal; 240 ± 71.7 kg m(-3), pneumonia; 306 ± 38.6 kg m(-3), atelectasis; 497 ± 130 kg m(-3), pleural effusion; 467 ± 113 kg m(-3): Steel-Dwass test, p < 0.05). In addition, in order to compare lung density with CT image pixels, the image resolution of CT images, which was originally 512 × 512 pixels, was changed to 16 × 16 pixels to match that of the EIT images. The results of CT and EIT images from five patients in an intensive care unit showed a correlation coefficient of 0.66 ± 0.13 between the CT values (HU) and the lung density values (kg m(-3)) obtained from EIT. These results indicate that it may be possible to obtain a quantitative value for regional lung density using EIT.

Fragility Index variation in (Li2O)x(B2O3) 100-x melts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Skipper, Charles; Chbeir, Ralph; Mohanty, Chandi; Boolchand, Punit

We have measured the fragility index (m) of titled melts as a function of Li2O content in the 0

In vivo proton dosimetry using a MOSFET detector in an anthropomorphic phantom with tissue inhomogeneity

PubMed Central

Hotta, Kenji; Matsubara, Kana; Nishioka, Shie; Matsuura, Taeko; Kawashima, Mitsuhiko

2012-01-01

When in vivo proton dosimetry is performed with a metal‐oxide semiconductor field‐effect transistor (MOSFET) detector, the response of the detector depends strongly on the linear energy transfer. The present study reports a practical method to correct the MOSFET response for linear energy transfer dependence by using a simplified Monte Carlo dose calculation method (SMC). A depth‐output curve for a mono‐energetic proton beam in polyethylene was measured with the MOSFET detector. This curve was used to calculate MOSFET output distributions with the SMC (SMCMOSFET). The SMCMOSFET output value at an arbitrary point was compared with the value obtained by the conventional SMCPPIC, which calculates proton dose distributions by using the depth‐dose curve determined by a parallel‐plate ionization chamber (PPIC). The ratio of the two values was used to calculate the correction factor of the MOSFET response at an arbitrary point. The dose obtained by the MOSFET detector was determined from the product of the correction factor and the MOSFET raw dose. When in vivo proton dosimetry was performed with the MOSFET detector in an anthropomorphic phantom, the corrected MOSFET doses agreed with the SMCPPIC results within the measurement error. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful in vivo proton dosimetry with a MOSFET detector. PACS number: 87.56.‐v PMID:22402385

Combined Use of Satellite and Surface Observations to Infer the Imaginary Part of Refractive Index of Saharan Dust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sinyuk, Alexander; Torres, Omar; Dubovik, Oleg; Bhartia, P. K. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

We present a method for retrieval of the imaginary part of refractive index of desert dust aerosol in the near UV part of spectrum. The method uses Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) measurements of the top of the atmosphere radiances at 331 and 360 run and aerosol optical depth provided by the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). Obtained values of imaginary part of refractive index retrieved for Saharan dust aerosol at 360 nm are significantly lower than previously reported values. The average retrieved values vary between 0.0054 and 0.0066 for different geographical locations. Our findings are in good agreement with the results of several recent investigations.

Maximal isometric muscle strength values obtained By hand-held dynamometry in children between 6 and 15 years of age.

PubMed

Escobar, Raul G; Munoz, Karin T; Dominguez, Angelica; Banados, Pamela; Bravo, Maria J

2017-01-01

In this study we aimed to determine the maximal isometric muscle strength of a healthy, normal-weight, pediatric population between 6 and 15 years of age using hand-held dynamometry to establish strength reference values. The secondary objective was determining the relationship between strength and anthropometric parameters. Four hundred normal-weight Chilean children, split into 10 age groups, separated by 1-year intervals, were evaluated. Each age group included between 35 and 55 children. The strength values increased with increasing age and weight, with a correlation of 0.83 for age and 0.82 for weight. The results were similar to those reported in previous studies regarding the relationships among strength, age, and anthropometric parameters, but the reported strength differed. These results provide normal strength parameters for healthy and normal-weight Chilean children between 6 and 15 years of age and highlight the relevance of ethnicity in defining reference values for muscle strength in a pediatric population. Muscle Nerve 55: 16-22, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Bioreactor technology for production of valuable algal products

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Guo-Cai; Cao, Ying

1998-03-01

Bioreactor technology has long been employed for the production of various (mostly cheap) food and pharmaceutical products. More recently, research has been mainly focused on the development of novel bioreactor technology for the production of high—value products. This paper reports the employment of novel bioreactor technology for the production of high-value biomass and metabolites by microalgae. These high-value products include microalgal biomass as health foods, pigments including phycocyanin and carotenoids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. The processes involved include heterotrophic and mixotrophic cultures using organic substrates as the carbon source. We have demonstrated that these bioreactor cultivation systems are particularly suitable for the production of high-value products from various microalgae. These cultivation systems can be further modified to improve cell densities and productivities by using high cell density techniques such as fed-batch and membrane cell recycle systems. For most of the microalgae investigated, the maximum cell concentrations obtained using these bioreactor systems in our laboratories are much higher than any so far reported in the literature.

Seasonal atmospheric deposition variations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and comparison of some deposition sampling techniques.

PubMed

Birgül, Askın; Tasdemir, Yücel

2011-03-01

Ambient air and bulk deposition samples were collected between June 2008 and June 2009. Eighty-three polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners were targeted in the samples. The average gas and particle PCB concentrations were found as 393 ± 278 and 70 ± 102 pg/m(3), respectively, and 85% of the atmospheric PCBs were in the gas phase. Bulk deposition samples were collected by using a sampler made of stainless steel. The average PCB bulk deposition flux value was determined as 6,020 ± 4,350 pg/m(2) day. The seasonal bulk deposition fluxes were not statistically different from each other, but the summer flux had higher values. Flux values differed depending on the precipitation levels. The average flux value in the rainy periods was 7,480 ± 4,080 pg/m(2) day while the average flux value in dry periods was 5,550 ± 4,420 pg/m(2) day. The obtained deposition values were lower than the reported values given for the urban and industrialized areas, yet close to the ones for the rural sites. The reported deposition values were also influenced by the type of the instruments used. The average dry deposition and total deposition velocity values calculated based on deposition and concentration values were found as 0.23 ± 0.21 and 0.13 ± 0.13 cm/s, respectively.

An automated method for mapping human tissue permittivities by MRI in hyperthermia treatment planning.

PubMed

Farace, P; Pontalti, R; Cristoforetti, L; Antolini, R; Scarpa, M

1997-11-01

This paper presents an automatic method to obtain tissue complex permittivity values to be used as input data in the computer modelling for hyperthermia treatment planning. Magnetic resonance (MR) images were acquired and the tissue water content was calculated from the signal intensity of the image pixels. The tissue water content was converted into complex permittivity values by monotonic functions based on mixture theory. To obtain a water content map by MR imaging a gradient-echo pulse sequence was used and an experimental procedure was set up to correct for relaxation and radiofrequency field inhomogeneity effects on signal intensity. Two approaches were followed to assign the permittivity values to fat-rich tissues: (i) fat-rich tissue localization by a segmentation procedure followed by assignment of tabulated permittivity values; (ii) water content evaluation by chemical shift imaging followed by permittivity calculation. Tests were performed on phantoms of known water content to establish the reliability of the proposed method. MRI data were acquired and processed pixel-by-pixel according to the outlined procedure. The signal intensity in the phantom images correlated well with water content. Experiments were performed on volunteers' healthy tissue. In particular two anatomical structures were chosen to calculate permittivity maps: the head and the thigh. The water content and electric permittivity values were obtained from the MRI data and compared to others in the literature. A good agreement was found for muscle, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and white and grey matter. The advantages of the reported method are discussed in the light of possible application in hyperthermia treatment planning.

Epidemiological, demographic, and economic analyses: measurement of the value of trichiasis surgery in The Gambia.

PubMed

Frick, K D; Keuffel, E L; Bowman, R J

2001-07-01

Untreated trichiasis can lead to corneal opacity. Surgery to prevent the eyelashes from rubbing against the cornea is available, but many individuals with trichiasis never undergo the operation. This study estimates the cost of illness of untreated trichiasis and the willingness to pay for surgery and compares them with the actual cost of providing surgery. The cost of illness estimate is based on trichiasis patient demographics. Data on the implicit price of obtaining surgery and surgical utilization in a matched pair randomized trial are used to infer individual willingness to pay for trichiasis surgery. Patients in the study paid nothing out-of-pocket for surgery; the price of obtaining surgery is the value of the individual's time needed for travel and surgery plus the price of public transportation. The cost of producing surgery was calculated from project records. All monetary figures are reported in 1998 US dollars. The average cost of untreated trichiasis, or the net present value of life-time lost economic productivity, was $89. Individuals facing a lower cost were more likely to undergo an operation; the inferred average willingness to pay was $1.43 (SD 0.244). Surgery cost $6.13 to provide, including $0.86 for transportation to the village. Whether the value of trichiasis surgery exceeds the cost in The Gambia depends on how the value is measured. Individuals are willing to use only limited resources to obtain surgery even though lifetime economic productivity may increase substantially. All three economic measures can be used to inform policy.

Summary and evaluation of hydraulic property data available for the Hanford Site upper basalt confined aquifer system

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

Spane, F.A. Jr.; Vermeul, V.R.

Pacific Northwest Laboratory, as part of the Hanford Site Ground-Water Surveillance Project, examines the potential for offsite migration of contamination within the upper basalt confined aquifer system. For the past 40 years, hydrologic testing of the upper basalt confined aquifer has been conducted by a number of Hanford Site programs. Hydraulic property estimates are important for evaluating aquifer flow characteristics (i.e., ground-water flow patterns, flow velocity, transport travel time). Presented are the first comprehensive Hanford Site-wide summary of hydraulic properties for the upper basalt confined aquifer system (i.e., the upper Saddle Mountains Basalt). Available hydrologic test data were reevaluated usingmore » recently developed diagnostic test analysis methods. A comparison of calculated transmissivity estimates indicates that, for most test results, a general correspondence within a factor of two between reanalysis and previously reported test values was obtained. For a majority of the tests, previously reported values are greater than reanalysis estimates. This overestimation is attributed to a number of factors, including, in many cases, a misapplication of nonleaky confined aquifer analysis methods in previous analysis reports to tests that exhibit leaky confined aquifer response behavior. Results of the test analyses indicate a similar range for transmissivity values for the various hydro-geologic units making up the upper basalt confined aquifer. Approximately 90% of the calculated transmissivity values for upper basalt confined aquifer hydrogeologic units occur within the range of 10{sup 0} to 10{sup 2} m{sup 2}/d, with 65% of the calculated estimate values occurring between 10{sup 1} to 10{sup 2} m{sup 2}d. These summary findings are consistent with the general range of values previously reported for basalt interflow contact zones and sedimentary interbeds within the Saddle Mountains Basalt.« less

NASA procurement report, FY 1993

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1993-01-01

Summary data on all NASA procurement actions and detailed information on contracts, grants, agreements, and other procurements over $25,000 awarded by NASA during fiscal year 1993. The dollar value on procurements over $25,000 amounted to 97 percent of the total dollar value of procurement actions completed during fiscal year 1993. However, these larger procurements accounted for only 29 percent of the total actions. Procurement action, as used in this report, means contractural actions to obtain supplies, services, or construction which increase or decrease funds. A procurement action thus may be a new procurement, or modifications such as supplemental agreements, change orders, or terminations to an existing contract that change the total amount of funds obligated. An obligation is a contractual commitment to pay for supplies or services that are specified in the contract.

Comparative evaluation between cervical vertebral morphology and hand-wrist morphology for skeletal maturation assessment.

PubMed

Grippaudo, C; Garcovich, D; Volpe, G; Lajolo, C

2006-05-01

The aim of the study was to find a correlation between the evaluation of skeletal maturation performed by the study of cervical vertebrae maturation indicators and the evaluation obtained by the hand and wrist maturation indicators. Left hand wrist radiographs and the corresponding lateral cephalograms of 90 patients (48 males and 42 females; aged 6 to 14 years) were paired and a study group of 128 pair of radiographs was obtained, having some patients 2 or more radiographs at different times. Hand and wrist radiographs were evaluated according to the protocol proposed by Grave (scores 0 to 9); corresponding lateral cephalograms were evaluated according to the method reported by Baccetti (scores 1 to 5). Values obtained with the 2 methods were analyzed by Spearman's correlation test. When the values were compared globally in the 2 genders a good correlation was obtained (r=0.795; P<0.001); when the correlation was compared separately in the 2 genders a better correlation was observed in females (r=0.84; P<0.001) than in males (r=0.70; P<0.001). The results obtained clearly underline the accuracy of the skeletal maturation evaluation by the analysis of cervical vertebrae in laterolateral cephalograms which can substitute the hand and wrist radiograph for the skeletal maturation evaluation in orthodontic diagnosis.

Specific light uptake rates can enhance astaxanthin productivity in Haematococcus lacustris.

PubMed

Lee, Ho-Sang; Kim, Z-Hun; Park, Hanwool; Lee, Choul-Gyun

2016-05-01

Lumostatic operation was applied for efficient astaxanthin production in autotrophic Haematococcus lacustris cultures using 0.4-L bubble column photobioreactors. The lumostatic operation in this study was performed with three different specific light uptake rates (q(e)) based on cell concentration, cell projection area, and fresh weight as one-, two- and three-dimensional characteristics values, respectively. The q(e) value from the cell concentration (q(e1D)) obtained was 13.5 × 10⁻⁸ μE cell⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the maximum astaxanthin concentration was increased to 150 % compared to that of a control with constant light intensity. The other optimum q e values by cell projection area (q(e2D)) and fresh weight (q( e3D)) were determined to be 195 μE m⁻² s⁻¹ and 10.5 μE g⁻¹ s⁻¹ for astaxanthin production, respectively. The maximum astaxanthin production from the lumostatic cultures using the parameters controlled by cell projection area (2D) and fresh weight (3D) also increased by 36 and 22% over that of the controls, respectively. When comparing the optimal q e values among the three different types, the lumostatic cultures using q(e) based on fresh weight showed the highest astaxanthin productivity (22.8 mg L⁻¹ day⁻¹), which was a higher level than previously reported. The lumostatic operations reported here demonstrated that more efficient and effective astaxanthin production was obtained by H. lacustris than providing a constant light intensity, regardless of which parameter is used to calculate the specific light uptake rate.

Monte Carlo calculations of the cellular S-values for α-particle-emitting radionuclides incorporated into the nuclei of cancer cells of the MDA-MB231, MCF7 and PC3 lines.

PubMed

Rojas-Calderón, E L; Ávila, O; Ferro-Flores, G

2018-05-01

S-values (dose per unit of cumulated activity) for alpha particle-emitting radionuclides and monoenergetic alpha sources placed in the nuclei of three cancer cell models (MCF7, MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells and PC3 prostate cancer cells) were obtained by Monte Carlo simulation. The MCNPX code was used to calculate the fraction of energy deposited in the subcellular compartments due to the alpha sources in order to obtain the S-values. A comparison with internationally accepted S-values reported by the MIRD Cellular Committee for alpha sources in three sizes of spherical cells was also performed leading to an agreement within 4% when an alpha extended source uniformly distributed in the nucleus is simulated. This result allowed to apply the Monte Carlo Methodology to evaluate S-values for alpha particles in cancer cells. The calculation of S-values for nucleus, cytoplasm and membrane of cancer cells considering their particular geometry, distribution of the radionuclide source and chemical composition by means of Monte Carlo simulation provides a good approach for dosimetry assessment of alpha emitters inside cancer cells. Results from this work provide information and tools that may help researchers in the selection of appropriate radiopharmaceuticals in alpha-targeted cancer therapy and improve its dosimetry evaluation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of self-reported measures of height, weight and body mass index in a rural population of Northeast Brazil.

PubMed

Martins, Poliana Cardoso; de Carvalho, Maria Bernadete; Machado, Carla Jorge

2015-01-01

To assess the validity of using self-reported anthropometric data for diagnosis of nutritional status of adults in a rural population of northeast Brazil. A population-based survey was conducted on a sample of 797 individuals aged 18 years or more. The proportion of individuals who knew their anthropometric measures was calculated. For agreement analysis between those who reported their measures the following indicators were obtained: differences between averages (weight, height, body mass index), intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), Kappa statistic, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (VPN). Bland-Altman graphics were also obtained. More than half of the respondents (58.5%) did not know their weight or height. Weight was the most known measure among all. The magnitude of the mean difference for weight, height and body mass index (BMI) (0.43 kg, 0.31 cm, 0.32 kg/m2, respectively) was small, indicating good agreement, with a trend toward overestimation. ICC for weight, height and BMI were 0.96; 0.60; and 0.53, respectively. Kappa statistic indicated good agreement in all strata. General measures of sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 84.2; 82; 90.7 and 71.3%, respectively. Elderly, those with low schooling and those who do not often weigh were less accurate on their measures. The use of self-reported measures should be done with caution in epidemiological studies in rural populations.

Lift distribution and velocity field measurements for a three-dimensional, steady blade/vortex interaction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dunagan, Stephen E.; Norman, Thomas R.

1987-01-01

A wind tunnel experiment simulating a steady three-dimensional helicopter rotor blade/vortex interaction is reported. The experimental configuration consisted of a vertical semispan vortex-generating wing, mounted upstream of a horizontal semispan rotor blade airfoil. A three-dimensional laser velocimeter was used to measure the velocity field in the region of the blade. Sectional lift coefficients were calculated by integrating the velocity field to obtain the bound vorticity. Total lift values, obtained by using an internal strain-gauge balance, verified the laser velocimeter data. Parametric variations of vortex strength, rotor blade angle of attack, and vortex position relative to the rotor blade were explored. These data are reported (with attention to experimental limitations) to provide a dataset for the validation of analytical work.

Towards Regional, Error-Bounded Landscape Carbon Storage Estimates for Data-Deficient Areas of the World

PubMed Central

Willcock, Simon; Phillips, Oliver L.; Platts, Philip J.; Balmford, Andrew; Burgess, Neil D.; Lovett, Jon C.; Ahrends, Antje; Bayliss, Julian; Doggart, Nike; Doody, Kathryn; Fanning, Eibleis; Green, Jonathan; Hall, Jaclyn; Howell, Kim L.; Marchant, Rob; Marshall, Andrew R.; Mbilinyi, Boniface; Munishi, Pantaleon K. T.; Owen, Nisha; Swetnam, Ruth D.; Topp-Jorgensen, Elmer J.; Lewis, Simon L.

2012-01-01

Monitoring landscape carbon storage is critical for supporting and validating climate change mitigation policies. These may be aimed at reducing deforestation and degradation, or increasing terrestrial carbon storage at local, regional and global levels. However, due to data-deficiencies, default global carbon storage values for given land cover types such as ‘lowland tropical forest’ are often used, termed ‘Tier 1 type’ analyses by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Such estimates may be erroneous when used at regional scales. Furthermore uncertainty assessments are rarely provided leading to estimates of land cover change carbon fluxes of unknown precision which may undermine efforts to properly evaluate land cover policies aimed at altering land cover dynamics. Here, we present a repeatable method to estimate carbon storage values and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all five IPCC carbon pools (aboveground live carbon, litter, coarse woody debris, belowground live carbon and soil carbon) for data-deficient regions, using a combination of existing inventory data and systematic literature searches, weighted to ensure the final values are regionally specific. The method meets the IPCC ‘Tier 2’ reporting standard. We use this method to estimate carbon storage over an area of33.9 million hectares of eastern Tanzania, reporting values for 30 land cover types. We estimate that this area stored 6.33 (5.92–6.74) Pg C in the year 2000. Carbon storage estimates for the same study area extracted from five published Africa-wide or global studies show a mean carbon storage value of ∼50% of that reported using our regional values, with four of the five studies reporting lower carbon storage values. This suggests that carbon storage may have been underestimated for this region of Africa. Our study demonstrates the importance of obtaining regionally appropriate carbon storage estimates, and shows how such values can be produced for a relatively low investment. PMID:23024764

Towards regional, error-bounded landscape carbon storage estimates for data-deficient areas of the world.

PubMed

Willcock, Simon; Phillips, Oliver L; Platts, Philip J; Balmford, Andrew; Burgess, Neil D; Lovett, Jon C; Ahrends, Antje; Bayliss, Julian; Doggart, Nike; Doody, Kathryn; Fanning, Eibleis; Green, Jonathan; Hall, Jaclyn; Howell, Kim L; Marchant, Rob; Marshall, Andrew R; Mbilinyi, Boniface; Munishi, Pantaleon K T; Owen, Nisha; Swetnam, Ruth D; Topp-Jorgensen, Elmer J; Lewis, Simon L

2012-01-01

Monitoring landscape carbon storage is critical for supporting and validating climate change mitigation policies. These may be aimed at reducing deforestation and degradation, or increasing terrestrial carbon storage at local, regional and global levels. However, due to data-deficiencies, default global carbon storage values for given land cover types such as 'lowland tropical forest' are often used, termed 'Tier 1 type' analyses by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Such estimates may be erroneous when used at regional scales. Furthermore uncertainty assessments are rarely provided leading to estimates of land cover change carbon fluxes of unknown precision which may undermine efforts to properly evaluate land cover policies aimed at altering land cover dynamics. Here, we present a repeatable method to estimate carbon storage values and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all five IPCC carbon pools (aboveground live carbon, litter, coarse woody debris, belowground live carbon and soil carbon) for data-deficient regions, using a combination of existing inventory data and systematic literature searches, weighted to ensure the final values are regionally specific. The method meets the IPCC 'Tier 2' reporting standard. We use this method to estimate carbon storage over an area of33.9 million hectares of eastern Tanzania, reporting values for 30 land cover types. We estimate that this area stored 6.33 (5.92-6.74) Pg C in the year 2000. Carbon storage estimates for the same study area extracted from five published Africa-wide or global studies show a mean carbon storage value of ∼50% of that reported using our regional values, with four of the five studies reporting lower carbon storage values. This suggests that carbon storage may have been underestimated for this region of Africa. Our study demonstrates the importance of obtaining regionally appropriate carbon storage estimates, and shows how such values can be produced for a relatively low investment.

Direct measurement of the initial proton extrusion to oxygen uptake ratio accompanying succinate oxidation by rat liver mitochondria.

PubMed Central

Setty, O H; Shrager, R I; Bunow, B; Reynafarje, B; Lehninger, A L; Hendler, R W

1986-01-01

The problem of obtaining very early ratios for the H+/O stoichiometry accompanying succinate oxidation by rat liver mitochondria was attacked using new techniques for direct measurement rather than extrapolations based on data obtained after mixing and the recovery of the electrode from initial injection of O2. Respiration was quickly initiated in a thoroughly mixed O2-containing suspension of mitochondria under a CO atmosphere by photolysis of the CO-cytochrome c oxidase complex-. Fast responding O2 and pH electrodes were used to collect data every 10 ms. The response time for each electrode was experimentally measured in each experiment and suitable corrections for electrode relaxations were made. With uncorrected data obtained after 0.8 s, the extrapolation back to zero time on the basis of single-exponential curve fitting confirmed values close to 8.0 as previously reported (Costa et al., 1984). The data directly obtained, however, indicate an initial burst in H+/O ratio that peaked to values of approximately 20 to 30 prior to 50 ms and which was no longer evident after 0.3 s. Newer information and considerations that place all extrapolation methods in question are discussed. PMID:3019443

Distribution analysis of airborne nicotine concentrations in hospitality facilities.

PubMed

Schorp, Matthias K; Leyden, Donald E

2002-02-01

A number of publications report statistical summaries for environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) concentrations. Despite compelling evidence for the data not being normally distributed, these publications typically report the arithmetic mean and standard deviation of the data, thereby losing important information related to the distribution of values contained in the original data. We were interested in the frequency distributions of reported nicotine concentrations in hospitality environments and subjected available data to distribution analyses. The distribution of experimental indoor airborne nicotine concentration data taken from hospitality facilities worldwide was fit to lognormal, Weibull, exponential, Pearson (Type V), logistic, and loglogistic distribution models. Comparison of goodness of fit (GOF) parameters and indications from the literature verified the selection of a lognormal distribution as the overall best model. When individual data were not reported in the literature, statistical summaries of results were used to model sets of lognormally distributed data that are intended to mimic the original data distribution. Grouping the data into various categories led to 31 frequency distributions that were further interpreted. The median values in nonsmoking environments are about half of the median values in smoking sections. When different continents are compared, Asian, European, and North American median values in restaurants are about a factor of three below levels encountered in other hospitality facilities. On a comparison of nicotine concentrations in North American smoking sections and nonsmoking sections, median values are about one-third of the European levels. The results obtained may be used to address issues related to exposure to ETS in the hospitality sector.

Breast elastography: Identification of benign and malignant cancer based on absolute elastic modulus measurement using vibro-elastography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arroyo, Junior; Saavedra, Ana Cecilia; Guerrero, Jorge; Montenegro, Pilar; Aguilar, Jorge; Pinto, Joseph A.; Lobo, Julio; Salcudean, Tim; Lavarello, Roberto; Castañeda, Benjamín.

2018-03-01

Breast cancer is a public health problem with 1.7 million new cases per year worldwide and with several limitations in the state-of-art screening techniques. Ultrasound elastography involves a set of techniques intended to facilitate the noninvasive diagnosis of cancer. Among these, Vibro-elastography is an ultrasound-based technique that employs external mechanical excitation to infer the elastic properties of soft tissue. In this paper, we evaluate the Vibro-elastography performance in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions. For this study, a group of 18 women with clinically confirmed tumors or suspected malignant breast lesions were invited to participate. For each volunteer, an elastogram was obtained, and the mean elasticity of the lesion and the adjacent healthy tissue were calculated. After the acquisition, the volunteers underwent core-needle biopsy. The histopathological results allowed to validate the Vibro-elastography diagnosis, which ranged from benign to malignant lesions. Results indicate that the mean elasticity value of the benign lesions, malignant lesions and healthy breast tissue were 39.4 +/- 12 KPa, 55.4 +/- 7.02 KPa and 23.91 +/- 4.57 kPa, respectively. The classification between benign and malignant breast cancer was performed using Support Vector Machine based on the measured lesion stiffness. A ROC curve permitted to quantify the accuracy of the differentiation and to define a suitable cutoff value of stiffness, obtaining an AUC of 0.90 and a cutoff value of 44.75 KPa. The results obtained suggest that Vibro-elastography allows differentiating between benign and malignant lesions. Furthermore, the elasticity values obtained for benign, malignant and healthy tissue are consistent with previous reports.

Shearwave Dispersion Ultrasonic Vibrometry (SDUV) for measuring prostate shear stiffness and viscosity – An in vitro pilot study

PubMed Central

Urban, M.W.; Fatemi, M.; Greenleaf, J.F.

2011-01-01

This paper reports shear stiffness and viscosity “virtual biopsy” measurements of three excised non-cancerous human prostates using shearwave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) in vitro. Improved methods for prostate guided-biopsy are required to effectively guide needle biopsy to the suspected site. In addition, tissue stiffness measurement helps identifying a suspected site to perform biopsy because stiffness has been shown to correlate with pathology. More importantly, early detection of prostate cancer may guide minimally-invasive therapy and eliminate insidious procedures. In this work, “virtual” biopsies were taken in multiple locations in three excised prostates. Then, SDUV shear elasticity and viscosity measurements have been performed at the selected “suspicious” locations within the prostates. SDUV measurements of prostate elasticity and viscosity are generally in agreement with preliminary values reported previously in the literature. It is however important to emphasize that the obtained viscoelastic parameters values are local, and not a mean value for the whole prostate. PMID:20595086

Agreement of arterial sodium and arterial potassium levels with venous sodium and venous potassium in patients admitted to intensive care unit.

PubMed

Nanda, Sunil Kumar; Ray, Lopamudra; Dinakaran, Asha

2015-02-01

Electrolyte abnormalities are one of the common causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. The turnaround time for electrolyte reporting should be as low as possible. Electrolytes are measured conventionally in serum obtained from venous blood by electrolyte analyser which takes 20 to 30 min. Point of care analysers are now available where in electrolytes can be measured in arterial blood within 5 min. This study was done to study the agreement of arterial sodium and arterial potassium with venous sodium and venous potassium levels. Venous sodium and venous potassium levels and arterial sodium and arterial potassium levels were analysed on 206 patient samples admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The venous values were compared with the arterial values for correlation. Venous sodium was compared with arterial sodium by spearman correlation. Venous potassium was compared with arterial potassium by pearson correlation. The mean value of arterial sodium was 134 and venous sodium was 137. The mean value of arterial potassium was 3.6 and venous potassium was 4.1. The correlation coefficient obtained for sodium was 0.787 and correlation coefficient obtained for potassium was 0.701. There was positive correlation of arterial sodium and arterial potassium with venous sodium and venous potassium indicating agreement between the parameters. Arterial sodium and arterial potassium can be used instead of venous sodium and venous potassium levels in management of critically ill patients.

Evaluating Malaria Prevalence Using Clinical Diagnosis Compared with Microscopy and Rapid Diagnostic Tests in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Rivers State, Nigeria.

PubMed

Wogu, M N; Nduka, F O

2018-01-01

The World Health Organization's policy on laboratory test of all suspected malaria cases before treatment has not yielded significant effects in several rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa due to inadequate diagnostic infrastructure, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. A cross-sectional randomized study was conducted to evaluate the validity of clinical malaria diagnosis through comparison with microscopy and rapid diagnostic test kits (RDTs) using 1000 consenting outpatients of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Physicians conducted clinical diagnosis, and blood samples were collected through venous procedure and analyzed for malaria parasites using Giemsa microscopy and RDT kits. Microscopy was considered the diagnostic "gold standard" and all data obtained were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test with a P value <0.05 considered significant. Malaria prevalence values of 20.1%, 43.1%, and 29.7% were obtained for clinical diagnosis, microscopy, and RDTs, respectively ( P < 0.05). Values of 47.2%, 95.9%, and 77.8% were obtained for sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy, respectively, in clinical diagnosis, while RDTs had sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy values of 73.7%, 97.3%, and 88.3%, respectively, when compared to microscopy ( P < 0.05). Clinical diagnosed malaria cases should be confirmed with a parasite-based laboratory diagnosis and more qualitative research is needed to explore why clinicians still use clinical diagnosis despite reported cases of its ineffectiveness.

Gaia FGK benchmark stars: Metallicity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jofré, P.; Heiter, U.; Soubiran, C.; Blanco-Cuaresma, S.; Worley, C. C.; Pancino, E.; Cantat-Gaudin, T.; Magrini, L.; Bergemann, M.; González Hernández, J. I.; Hill, V.; Lardo, C.; de Laverny, P.; Lind, K.; Masseron, T.; Montes, D.; Mucciarelli, A.; Nordlander, T.; Recio Blanco, A.; Sobeck, J.; Sordo, R.; Sousa, S. G.; Tabernero, H.; Vallenari, A.; Van Eck, S.

2014-04-01

Context. To calibrate automatic pipelines that determine atmospheric parameters of stars, one needs a sample of stars, or "benchmark stars", with well-defined parameters to be used as a reference. Aims: We provide detailed documentation of the iron abundance determination of the 34 FGK-type benchmark stars that are selected to be the pillars for calibration of the one billion Gaia stars. They cover a wide range of temperatures, surface gravities, and metallicities. Methods: Up to seven different methods were used to analyze an observed spectral library of high resolutions and high signal-to-noise ratios. The metallicity was determined by assuming a value of effective temperature and surface gravity obtained from fundamental relations; that is, these parameters were known a priori and independently from the spectra. Results: We present a set of metallicity values obtained in a homogeneous way for our sample of benchmark stars. In addition to this value, we provide detailed documentation of the associated uncertainties. Finally, we report a value of the metallicity of the cool giant ψ Phe for the first time. Based on NARVAL and HARPS data obtained within the Gaia DPAC (Data Processing and Analysis Consortium) and coordinated by the GBOG (Ground-Based Observations for Gaia) working group and on data retrieved from the ESO-ADP database.Tables 6-76 are 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/564/A133

A new threshold of apparent diffusion coefficient values in white matter after successful tissue plasminogen activator treatment for acute brain ischemia.

PubMed

Sato, Atsushi; Shimizu, Yusaku; Koyama, Junichi; Hongo, Kazuhiro

2017-06-01

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is effective for the treatment of acute brain ischemia, but may trigger fatal brain edema or hemorrhage if the brain ischemia results in a large infarct. Herein, we attempted to predict the extent of infarcts by determining the optimal threshold of ADC values on DWI that predictively distinguishes between infarct and reversible areas, and by reconstructing color-coded images based on this threshold. The study subjects consisted of 36 patients with acute brain ischemia in whom MRA had confirmed reopening of the occluded arteries in a short time (mean: 99min) after tPA treatment. We measured the apparetnt diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in several small regions of interest over the white matter within high-intensity areas on the initial diffusion weighted image (DWI); then, by comparing the findings to the follow-up images, we obtained the optimal threshold of ADC values using receiver-operating characteristic analysis. The threshold obtained (583×10 -6 m 2 /s) was lower than those previously reported; this threshold could distinguish between infarct and reversible areas with considerable accuracy (sensitivity: 0.87, specificity: 0.94). The threshold obtained and the reconstructed images were predictive of the final radiological result of tPA treatment, and this threshold may be helpful in determining the appropriate management of patients with acute brain ischemia. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Biomonitoring of 33 Elements in Blood and Urine Samples from Coastal Populations in Sanmen County of Zhejiang Province.

PubMed

Zhang, Su-jing; Luo, Ru-xin; Ma, Dong; Zhuo, Xian-yi

2016-04-01

To determine the normal reference values of 33 elements, Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sr, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, Zn and Zr, in the blood and urine samples from the general population in Sanmen County of Zhejiang province, a typical coastal area of eastern China. The 33 elements in 272 blood and 300 urine samples were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The normality test of data was conducted using SPSS 17.0 Statistics. The data was compared with other reports. The normal reference values of the 33 elements in the blood and urine samples from the general population in Sanmen County were obtained, which of some elements were found to be similar with other reports, such as Co, Cu, Mn and Sr, while As, Cd, Hg and Pb were generally found to be higher than those previously reported. There was a wide variation between the reports from different countries in blood Ba. The normal reference values of the 33 elements in the blood and urine samples from the general population in Sanmen County are established, and successfully applied to two poisoning cases.

Family Planning Needs and Behavior of Mexican American Women: A Study of Health Care Professionals and Their Clientele.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jorgensen, Stephen R.; Adams, Russell P.

1987-01-01

The accuracy of family planning health care professionals' perceptions of the practices and needs of Mexican-American women was compared with actual needs and practices. Discrepancies were found in reports of problems in obtaining family planning services, fertility-related values, and the acceptability of female sterilization as a birth control…

Is Dutch Just Another Berber? An Investigation into the Language Preferences of Immigrants in the Netherlands.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weltens, Bert; de Bot, Kees

1995-01-01

Reports a study of language learning and language attitudes among immigrants to the Netherlands. Questionnaires obtained from college students studying Dutch showed no evidence that Dutch was threatened by English and indicated that the importance attached to English as an international language did not lessen the value of Dutch for living in the…

Alaska's lumber-drying industry—impacts from a federal grant program.

Treesearch

David L. Nicholls; Allen M. Brackley; Thomas D. Rojas

2006-01-01

A survey determined that installed dry kiln capacity in Alaska more than doubled to an estimated 220 thousand board feet (mbf) within 4 years (2000-2004). This increased ability to produce dry lumber and value-added products resulted from industry efforts to obtain federal funding to support a dry kiln grant program. This report reviews grantees' progress in...

Small diameter symmetric networks from linear groups

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Lowell; Carlsson, Gunnar E.; Dinneen, Michael J.; Faber, Vance; Fellows, Michael R.; Langston, Michael A.; Moore, James W.; Multihaupt, Andrew P.; Sexton, Harlan B.

1992-01-01

In this note is reported a collection of constructions of symmetric networks that provide the largest known values for the number of nodes that can be placed in a network of a given degree and diameter. Some of the constructions are in the range of current potential engineering significance. The constructions are Cayley graphs of linear groups obtained by experimental computation.

Robust and Specific Personality Traits as Predictors of Adolescents' Final Grades and GPA at the End of Compulsory Schooling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smrtnik Vitulic, Helena; Zupancic, Maja

2013-01-01

The study investigated the predictive value of robust and specific personality traits in adolescents (M[subscript age]?=?14.7 years), in explaining their academic achievement at the end of basic compulsory schooling. Personality data were obtained through self, maternal, and peer reports using the Inventory of Child/Adolescent Individual…

Precise determination of the 113Cd fourth-forbidden non-unique β -decay Q value

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gamage, N. D.; Bollen, G.; Eibach, M.; Gulyuz, K.; Izzo, C.; Kandegedara, R. M. E. B.; Redshaw, M.; Ringle, R.; Sandler, R.; Valverde, A. A.

2016-08-01

Using Penning trap mass spectrometry, we have performed a precise determination of the Q value for the highly forbidden β decay of 113Cd. An independent measurement of the Q value fixes the end-point energy in a fit to the 113Cdβ -decay spectrum. This provides a strong test of systematics for detectors that have observed this decay, such as those developed for β β -decay searches in cadmium and other isotopes. It will also aid in the theoretical description of the β -decay spectrum. The result, Qβ=323.89 (27 ) keV , agrees at the 1.3 σ level with the value obtained from the 2012 Atomic Mass Evaluation [Chin. Phys. C 36, 1603 (2012), 10.1088/1674-1137/36/12/003], but is a factor of almost four more precise. We also report improved values for the atomic masses of 113Cd,113In, and 112Cd.

Reconstruction of rainfall in Zafra (southwest Spain) from 1750 to 1840 from documentary sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernández-Fernández, M. I.; Gallego, M. C.; Domínguez-Castro, F.; Vaquero, J. M.; Moreno González, J. M.; Castillo Durán, J.

2011-11-01

This work presents the first high-resolution reconstruction of rainfall in southwestern Spain during the period 1750-1840. The weather descriptions used are weekly reports describing the most relevant events that occurred in the Duchy of Feria. An index was defined to characterise the weekly rainfall. Monthly indices were obtained by summing the corresponding weekly indices, obtaining cumulative monthly rainfall indices. The reconstruction method consisted of establishing a linear correlation between the monthly rainfall index and monthly instrumental data (1960-1990). The correlation coefficients were greater than 0.80 for all months. The rainfall reconstruction showed major variability similar to natural variability. The reconstructed rainfall series in Zafra was compared with the rainfall series of Cadiz, Gibraltar and Lisbon for the period 1750-1840, with all four series found to have a similar pattern. The influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the winter rainfall reconstruction was found to behave similarly to that of modern times. Other studies described are of the SLP values over the entire North Atlantic in the months with extreme values of rainfall, and unusual meteorological events (hail, frost, storms and snowfall) in the reports of the Duchy of Feria.

Temperature dependence of creep compliance of highly cross-linked epoxy: A molecular simulation study

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

Khabaz, Fardin, E-mail: rajesh.khare@ttu.edu; Khare, Ketan S., E-mail: rajesh.khare@ttu.edu; Khare, Rajesh, E-mail: rajesh.khare@ttu.edu

2014-05-15

We have used molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the effect of temperature on the creep compliance of neat cross-linked epoxy. Experimental studies of mechanical behavior of cross-linked epoxy in literature commonly report creep compliance values, whereas molecular simulations of these systems have primarily focused on the Young’s modulus. In this work, in order to obtain a more direct comparison between experiments and simulations, atomistically detailed models of the cross-linked epoxy are used to study their creep compliance as a function of temperature using MD simulations. The creep tests are performed by applying a constant tensile stress and monitoring themore » resulting strain in the system. Our results show that simulated values of creep compliance increase with an increase in both time and temperature. We believe that such calculations of the creep compliance, along with the use of time temperature superposition, hold great promise in connecting the molecular insight obtained from molecular simulation at small length- and time-scales with the experimental behavior of such materials. To the best of our knowledge, this work is the first reported effort that investigates the creep compliance behavior of cross-linked epoxy using MD simulations.« less

Economic values and corporate financial statements.

PubMed

Magness, Vanessa

2003-07-01

Corporate financial statements do not include environmental values. This deficiency has contributed to the criticism that company managers do not include environmental impacts in the internal decision-making process. The accounting profession has not developed effective environmental reporting guidelines. This situation contributes to a second problem: the apparent inability of corporate reports to provide useful information to external parties. It has been suggested that by using nonmarket valuation methodologies, financial statements can be used to measure progress toward sustainable development. Nonmarket valuations are not generally accepted by the accounting profession. They are too subjective to support effective decisions, and too costly to obtain. Furthermore, demand for this sort of information appears small. Some of these issues may be resolved over time. The most serious challenge, however, concerns how enhanced financial reports would be used. Financial statements are supposed to help investors assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of future cash flows. A substantial portion of environmental value is based on nonuse benefits, much of which will never be realized in company cash flows. In other words, the role of financial statements would have to change. Furthermore, since there is no general agreement as to the meaning of "sustainable development," efforts to operationalize the term have been fraught with difficulty. Moreover, monetization of environmental values could jeopardize their preservation, leaving some to question the overall objective of this form of reporting. For these reasons, while it is to be hoped that better reporting of environmental impacts will be forthcoming, the greatest advances will likely be outside the financial statements themselves.

Estimation of Radiative Efficiency of Chemicals with Potentially Significant Global Warming Potential

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The set of commercially available chemical substances in commerce that may have significant global warming potential (GWP) is not well defined. Although there are currently over 200 chemicals with high GWP reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, World Meteorological Organization, or Environmental Protection Agency, there may be hundreds of additional chemicals that may also have significant GWP. Evaluation of various approaches to estimate radiative efficiency (RE) and atmospheric lifetime will help to refine GWP estimates for compounds where no measured IR spectrum is available. This study compares values of RE calculated using computational chemistry techniques for 235 chemical compounds against the best available values. It is important to assess the reliability of the underlying computational methods for computing RE to understand the sources of deviations from the best available values. Computed vibrational frequency data is used to estimate RE values using several Pinnock-type models. The values derived using these models are found to be in reasonable agreement with reported RE values (though significant improvement is obtained through scaling). The effect of varying the computational method and basis set used to calculate the frequency data is also discussed. It is found that the vibrational intensities have a strong dependence on basis set and are largely responsible for differences in computed values of RE in this study. Deviations of

Calculations on Isotope Separation by Laser Induced Photodissociation of Polyatomic Molecules. Final Report

DOE R&D Accomplishments Database

Lamb, W. E. Jr.

1978-11-01

This report describes research on the theory of isotope separation produced by the illumination of polyatomic molecules by intense infrared laser radiation. Newton`s equations of motion were integrated for the atoms of the SF{sub 6} molecule including the laser field interaction. The first year`s work has been largely dedicated to obtaining a suitable interatomic potential valid for arbitrary configurations of the seven particles. This potential gives the correct symmetry of the molecule, the equilibrium configuration, the frequencies of the six distinct normal modes of oscillation and the correct (or assumed) value of the total potential energy of the molecule. Other conditions can easily be imposed in order to obtain a more refined potential energy function, for example, by making allowance for anharmonicity data. A suitable expression was also obtained for the interaction energy between a laser field and the polyatomic molecule. The electromagnetic field is treated classically, and it would be easily possible to treat the cases of time dependent pulses, frequency modulation and noise.

National mandatory motorcycle helmet laws may save $2.2 billion annually: An inpatient and value of statistical life analysis.

PubMed

Dua, Anahita; Wei, Shuyan; Safarik, Justin; Furlough, Courtney; Desai, Sapan S

2015-06-01

While statistics exist regarding the overall rate of fatalities in motorcyclists with and without helmets, a combined inpatient and value of statistical life (VSL) analysis has not previously been reported. Statistical data of motorcycle collisions were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control, National Highway Transportation Safety Board, and Governors Highway Safety Association. The VSL estimate was obtained from the 2002 Department of Transportation calculation. Statistics on helmeted versus nonhelmeted motorcyclists, death at the scene, and inpatient death were obtained using the 2010 National Trauma Data Bank. Inpatient costs were obtained from the 2010 National Inpatient Sample. Population estimates were generated using weighted samples, and all costs are reported using 2010 US dollars using the Consumer Price Index. A total of 3,951 fatal motorcycle collisions were reported in 2010, of which 77% of patients died at the scene, 10% in the emergency department, and 13% as inpatients. Thirty-seven percent of all riders did not wear a helmet but accounted for 69% of all deaths. Of those motorcyclists who survived to the hospital, the odds ratio of surviving with a helmet was 1.51 compared with those without a helmet (p < 0.001). Total costs for nonhelmeted motorcyclists were 66% greater at $5.5 billion, compared with $3.3 billion for helmeted motorcyclists (p < 0.001). Direct inpatient costs were 16% greater for helmeted riders ($203,248 vs. $175,006) but led to more than 50% greater VSL generated (absolute benefit, $602,519 per helmeted survivor). A cost analysis of inpatient care and indirect costs of motorcycle riders who do not wear helmets leads to nearly $2.2 billion in losses per year, with almost 1.9 times as many deaths compared with helmeted motorcyclists. The per capita cost per fatality is more than $800,000. Institution of a mandatory helmet law could lead to an annual cost savings of almost $2.2 billion. Economic analysis, level III.

Environments Perceived as Obesogenic Have Lower Residential Property Values

PubMed Central

Drewnowski, Adam; Aggarwal, Anju; Rehm, Colin D.; Cohen-Cline, Hannah; Hurvitz, Philip M.; Moudon, Anne V.

2014-01-01

Background Studies have tried to link multiple aspects of the built environment with physical activity and obesity rates. Purpose To determine the relation between residential property values and multiple perceived (self-reported) measures of the obesogenic environment. Methods The Seattle Obesity Study (SOS) used a telephone survey of a representative, geographically distributed sample of 2,001 King County adults, collected in 2008–2009 and analyzed in 2012–2013. Home addresses were geocoded. Residential property values at the tax parcel level were obtained from the King County tax assessor. Mean residential property values within a 10-minute walk (833-meter buffer) were calculated for each respondent. Data on multiple perceived measures of the obesogenic environment were collected by self-report. Correlations and multivariable linear regression analyses, stratified by residential density, were used to examine the associations among perceived environmental measures, property values, and BMI. Results Perceived measures of the environment such as crime, heavy traffic, and proximity to bars, liquor stores, and fast food were all associated with lower property values. By contrast, living in neighborhoods that were perceived as safe, quiet, clean, and attractive was associated with higher property values. Higher property values were associated, in turn, with lower BMIs. The observed associations between perceived environment measures and BMI were largely attenuated after accounting for residential property values. Conclusions Perceived measures of obesogenic environments are associated with lower property values. Studies in additional locations need to explore to what extent other perceived environment measures can be reflected in residential property values. PMID:25049218

Reference values for voluntary and stimulated single-fibre EMG using concentric needle electrodes: a multicentre prospective study.

PubMed

Kokubun, Norito; Sonoo, Masahiro; Imai, Tomihiro; Arimura, Yumiko; Kuwabara, Satoshi; Komori, Tetsuo; Kobayashi, Masahito; Nagashima, Takahide; Hatanaka, Yuki; Tsuda, Emiko; Misawa, Sonoko; Abe, Tatsuya; Arimura, Kimiyoshi

2012-03-01

The aim of this study is to establish reference values for single-fibre electromyography (SFEMG) using concentric needles in a prospective, multicentre study. Voluntary or stimulated SFEMG at the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) or frontalis (FRO) muscles was conducted in 56-63 of a total of 69 normal subjects below the age of 60years at six Japanese institutes. The cut-off values for mean consecutive difference (MCD) of individual potentials were calculated using +2.5 SD or 95% prediction limit (one-tail) of the upper 10th percentile MCD value for individual subjects. The cut-off values for individual MCD (+2.5 SD) were 56.8μs for EDC-V (voluntary SFEMG for EDC), 58.8μs for EDC-S (stimulated SFEMG for EDC), 56.8μs for FRO-V (voluntary SFEMG for FRO) and 51.0μs for FRO-S (stimulated SFEMG for FRO). The false positive rates using these cut-off values were around 2%. The +2.5 SD and 95% prediction limit might be two optimal cut-off values, depending on the clinical question. The obtained reference values were larger than those reported previously using concentric needles, but might better coincide with conventional values. This is the first multicentre study reporting reference values for SFEMG using concentric needles. The way to determine cut-off values and the statistically correct definition of the percentile were discussed. Copyright © 2011 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Separation of pulsar signals from noise using supervised machine learning algorithms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bethapudi, S.; Desai, S.

2018-04-01

We evaluate the performance of four different machine learning (ML) algorithms: an Artificial Neural Network Multi-Layer Perceptron (ANN MLP), Adaboost, Gradient Boosting Classifier (GBC), and XGBoost, for the separation of pulsars from radio frequency interference (RFI) and other sources of noise, using a dataset obtained from the post-processing of a pulsar search pipeline. This dataset was previously used for the cross-validation of the SPINN-based machine learning engine, obtained from the reprocessing of the HTRU-S survey data (Morello et al., 2014). We have used the Synthetic Minority Over-sampling Technique (SMOTE) to deal with high-class imbalance in the dataset. We report a variety of quality scores from all four of these algorithms on both the non-SMOTE and SMOTE datasets. For all the above ML methods, we report high accuracy and G-mean for both the non-SMOTE and SMOTE cases. We study the feature importances using Adaboost, GBC, and XGBoost and also from the minimum Redundancy Maximum Relevance approach to report algorithm-agnostic feature ranking. From these methods, we find that the signal to noise of the folded profile to be the best feature. We find that all the ML algorithms report FPRs about an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding FPRs obtained in Morello et al. (2014), for the same recall value.

Risk assessment of antibiotic residues in different water matrices in India: key issues and challenges.

PubMed

Mutiyar, Pravin K; Mittal, Atul K

2014-06-01

Global detection of antibiotic substances in water matrices has considerably increased in the recent past. However, in India research on this issue is limited or generalised in the literature. Risks associated with the presence of antibiotics in the environment can be quantified using a hazard quotient (HQ) approach. Here, HQs were developed using the measured environmental concentration (MEC) approach for antibiotic residues in Indian water matrices previously reported in the literature. In the present study, environmental risk assessment, using the HQ index [HQ = measured environmental concentration (MEC)/predicted no effect concentration (PNEC)] for different antibiotics, was performed according to the guidelines of European Medicine Evaluation Agency (EMEA). MEC and PNEC levels were obtained from the literature. PNEC values were also calculated from EC50 using a safety factor when no PNECs were reported in the literature. HQs were obtained for industrial effluents (HQ = 10(4)) that were greater than any previously reported values. Ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, seemed to present the greatest risk in India. The HQ indices for Indian water matrices were in the following order: industrial effluents > lake water > river water > hospital effluents > treated sewage ≃ groundwater. A very high HQ represents a potential environmental concern for aquatic environments in India and demands that immediate attention be devoted to regulating these compounds, especially in pharmaceutical industrial wastewater.

Semiclassical quantization of Bohr orbits in the helium atom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belov, V. V.; Maksimov, V. A.

2007-05-01

We use the complex WKB-Maslov method to construct the semiclassical spectral series corresponding to the resonance Bohr orbits in the helium atom. The semiclassical energy levels represented as the Rydberg tetra series correspond to the doubly symmetrically excited states of helium-like atoms. This level series contains the Rydberg triple series reported by Richter and Wintgen in 1991, which corresponds to the Z2+e-e- configuration of electrons observed by Eichmann and his collaborators in experiments on the laser excitation of the barium atom in 1992. The lower-level extrapolation of the formula obtained for the semiclassical spectrum gives the value of the ground state energy, which differs by 6% from the experimental value obtained by Bergeson and his collaborators in 1998. We also calculate the fine structure of the semiclassical spectrum due to the spin-orbit and spin-spin interactions of electrons.

Influence of Nanoinclusions on Thermoelectric Properties of n-Type Bi2Te3 Nanocomposites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Shufen; Zhao, Junnan; Yan, Qingyu; Ma, Jan; Hng, Huey Hoon

2011-05-01

n-Type Bi2Te3 nanocomposites with enhanced figure of merit, ZT, were fabricated by a simple, high-throughput method of mixing nanostructured Bi2Te3 particles obtained through melt spinning with micron-sized particles. Moderately high power factors were retained, while the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites was found to decrease with increasing weight percent of nanoinclusions. The peak ZT values for all the nanocomposites were above 1.1, and the maximum shifted to higher temperature with increasing amount of nanoinclusions. A maximum ZT of 1.18 at 42°C was obtained for the 10 wt.% nanocomposite, which is a 43% increase over the bulk sample at the same temperature. This is the highest ZT reported for n-type Bi2Te3 binary material, and higher ZT values are expected if state-of-the-art Bi2Te3- x Se x materials are used.

Measurement of masses in the toverline{t} system by kinematic endpoints in pp collisions at √{s}=7 TeV

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatrchyan, S.; Khachatryan, V.; Sirunyan, A. M.; Tumasyan, A.; Adam, W.; Bergauer, T.; Dragicevic, M.; Erö, J.; Fabjan, C.; Friedl, M.; Frühwirth, R.; Ghete, V. M.; Hörmann, N.; Hrubec, J.; Jeitler, M.; Kiesenhofer, W.; Knünz, V.; Krammer, M.; Krätschmer, I.; Liko, D.; Mikulec, I.; Rabady, D.; Rahbaran, B.; Rohringer, C.; Rohringer, H.; Schöfbeck, R.; Strauss, J.; Taurok, A.; Treberer-Treberspurg, W.; Waltenberger, W.; Wulz, C.-E.; Mossolov, V.; Shumeiko, N.; Suarez Gonzalez, J.; Alderweireldt, S.; Bansal, M.; Bansal, S.; Cornelis, T.; De Wolf, E. A.; Janssen, X.; Knutsson, A.; Luyckx, S.; Mucibello, L.; Ochesanu, S.; Roland, B.; Rougny, R.; Van Haevermaet, H.; Van Mechelen, P.; Van Remortel, N.; Van Spilbeeck, A.; Blekman, F.; Blyweert, S.; D'Hondt, J.; Kalogeropoulos, A.; Keaveney, J.; Maes, M.; Olbrechts, A.; Tavernier, S.; Van Doninck, W.; Van Mulders, P.; Van Onsem, G. P.; Villella, I.; Clerbaux, B.; De Lentdecker, G.; Gay, A. P. R.; Hreus, T.; Léonard, A.; Marage, P. E.; Mohammadi, A.; Reis, T.; Thomas, L.; Vander Velde, C.; Vanlaer, P.; Wang, J.; Adler, V.; Beernaert, K.; Benucci, L.; Cimmino, A.; Costantini, S.; Dildick, S.; Garcia, G.; Klein, B.; Lellouch, J.; Marinov, A.; Mccartin, J.; Ocampo Rios, A. A.; Ryckbosch, D.; Sigamani, M.; Strobbe, N.; Thyssen, F.; Tytgat, M.; Walsh, S.; Yazgan, E.; Zaganidis, N.; Basegmez, S.; Bruno, G.; Castello, R.; Caudron, A.; Ceard, L.; Delaere, C.; du Pree, T.; Favart, D.; Forthomme, L.; Giammanco, A.; Hollar, J.; Lemaitre, V.; Liao, J.; Militaru, O.; Nuttens, C.; Pagano, D.; Pin, A.; Piotrzkowski, K.; Popov, A.; Selvaggi, M.; Vizan Garcia, J. M.; Beliy, N.; Caebergs, T.; Daubie, E.; Hammad, G. H.; Alves, G. A.; Correa Martins Junior, M.; Martins, T.; Pol, M. E.; Souza, M. H. G.; Aldá Júnior, W. L.; Carvalho, W.; Chinellato, J.; Custódio, A.; Da Costa, E. M.; De Jesus Damiao, D.; De Oliveira Martins, C.; Fonseca De Souza, S.; Malbouisson, H.; Malek, M.; Matos Figueiredo, D.; Mundim, L.; Nogima, H.; Prado Da Silva, W. L.; Santoro, A.; Soares Jorge, L.; Sznajder, A.; Tonelli Manganote, E. J.; Vilela Pereira, A.; Anjos, T. S.; Bernardes, C. A.; Dias, F. A.; Fernandez Perez Tomei, T. R.; Gregores, E. M.; Lagana, C.; Marinho, F.; Mercadante, P. G.; Novaes, S. F.; Padula, Sandra S.; Genchev, V.; Iaydjiev, P.; Piperov, S.; Rodozov, M.; Stoykova, S.; Sultanov, G.; Tcholakov, V.; Trayanov, R.; Vutova, M.; Dimitrov, A.; Hadjiiska, R.; Kozhuharov, V.; Litov, L.; Pavlov, B.; Petkov, P.; Bian, J. G.; Chen, G. M.; Chen, H. S.; Jiang, C. H.; Liang, D.; Liang, S.; Meng, X.; Tao, J.; Wang, J.; Wang, X.; Wang, Z.; Xiao, H.; Xu, M.; Asawatangtrakuldee, C.; Ban, Y.; Guo, Y.; Li, Q.; Li, W.; Liu, S.; Mao, Y.; Qian, S. J.; Wang, D.; Zhang, L.; Zou, W.; Avila, C.; Carrillo Montoya, C. A.; Gomez, J. P.; Gomez Moreno, B.; Sanabria, J. C.; Godinovic, N.; Lelas, D.; Plestina, R.; Polic, D.; Puljak, I.; Antunovic, Z.; Kovac, M.; Brigljevic, V.; Duric, S.; Kadija, K.; Luetic, J.; Mekterovic, D.; Morovic, S.; Tikvica, L.; Attikis, A.; Mavromanolakis, G.; Mousa, J.; Nicolaou, C.; Ptochos, F.; Razis, P. A.; Finger, M.; Finger, M.; Assran, Y.; Ellithi Kamel, A.; Mahmoud, M. A.; Mahrous, A.; Radi, A.; Kadastik, M.; Müntel, M.; Murumaa, M.; Raidal, M.; Rebane, L.; Tiko, A.; Eerola, P.; Fedi, G.; Voutilainen, M.; Härkönen, J.; Karimäki, V.; Kinnunen, R.; Kortelainen, M. J.; Lampén, T.; Lassila-Perini, K.; Lehti, S.; Lindén, T.; Luukka, P.; Mäenpää, T.; Peltola, T.; Tuominen, E.; Tuominiemi, J.; Tuovinen, E.; Wendland, L.; Korpela, A.; Tuuva, T.; Besancon, M.; Choudhury, S.; Couderc, F.; Dejardin, M.; Denegri, D.; Fabbro, B.; Faure, J. 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R.; Kornmayer, A.; Lobelle Pardo, P.; Martschei, D.; Mueller, S.; Müller, Th.; Niegel, M.; Nürnberg, A.; Oberst, O.; Ott, J.; Quast, G.; Rabbertz, K.; Ratnikov, F.; Ratnikova, N.; Röcker, S.; Schilling, F.-P.; Schott, G.; Simonis, H. J.; Stober, F. M.; Troendle, D.; Ulrich, R.; Wagner-Kuhr, J.; Wayand, S.; Weiler, T.; Zeise, M.; Anagnostou, G.; Daskalakis, G.; Geralis, T.; Kesisoglou, S.; Kyriakis, A.; Loukas, D.; Markou, A.; Markou, C.; Ntomari, E.; Gouskos, L.; Mertzimekis, T. J.; Panagiotou, A.; Saoulidou, N.; Stiliaris, E.; Aslanoglou, X.; Evangelou, I.; Flouris, G.; Foudas, C.; Kokkas, P.; Manthos, N.; Papadopoulos, I.; Paradas, E.; Bencze, G.; Hajdu, C.; Hidas, P.; Horvath, D.; Radics, B.; Sikler, F.; Veszpremi, V.; Vesztergombi, G.; Zsigmond, A. J.; Beni, N.; Czellar, S.; Molnar, J.; Palinkas, J.; Szillasi, Z.; Karancsi, J.; Raics, P.; Trocsanyi, Z. L.; Ujvari, B.; Beri, S. B.; Bhatnagar, V.; Dhingra, N.; Gupta, R.; Kaur, M.; Mehta, M. Z.; Mittal, M.; Nishu, N.; Saini, L. 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A.; Colafranceschi, S.; d'Enterria, D.; Dabrowski, A.; De Roeck, A.; De Visscher, S.; Di Guida, S.; Dobson, M.; Dupont-Sagorin, N.; Elliott-Peisert, A.; Eugster, J.; Funk, W.; Georgiou, G.; Giffels, M.; Gigi, D.; Gill, K.; Giordano, D.; Girone, M.; Giunta, M.; Glege, F.; Gomez-Reino Garrido, R.; Gowdy, S.; Guida, R.; Hammer, J.; Hansen, M.; Harris, P.; Hartl, C.; Hegner, B.; Hinzmann, A.; Innocente, V.; Janot, P.; Kaadze, K.; Karavakis, E.; Kousouris, K.; Krajczar, K.; Lecoq, P.; Lee, Y.-J.; Lourenço, C.; Magini, N.; Malberti, M.; Malgeri, L.; Mannelli, M.; Masetti, L.; Meijers, F.; Mersi, S.; Meschi, E.; Moser, R.; Mulders, M.; Musella, P.; Nesvold, E.; Orsini, L.; Palencia Cortezon, E.; Perez, E.; Perrozzi, L.; Petrilli, A.; Pfeiffer, A.; Pierini, M.; Pimiä, M.; Piparo, D.; Polese, G.; Quertenmont, L.; Racz, A.; Reece, W.; Rodrigues Antunes, J.; Rolandi, G.; Rovelli, C.; Rovere, M.; Sakulin, H.; Santanastasio, F.; Schäfer, C.; Schwick, C.; Segoni, I.; Sekmen, S.; Sharma, A.; Siegrist, P.; Silva, P.; Simon, M.; Sphicas, P.; Spiga, D.; Stoye, M.; Tsirou, A.; Veres, G. I.; Vlimant, J. R.; Wöhri, H. K.; Worm, S. D.; Zeuner, W. D.; Bertl, W.; Deiters, K.; Erdmann, W.; Gabathuler, K.; Horisberger, R.; Ingram, Q.; Kaestli, H. C.; König, S.; Kotlinski, D.; Langenegger, U.; Meier, F.; Renker, D.; Rohe, T.; Bachmair, F.; Bäni, L.; Bortignon, P.; Buchmann, M. A.; Casal, B.; Chanon, N.; Deisher, A.; Dissertori, G.; Dittmar, M.; Donegà, M.; Dünser, M.; Eller, P.; Grab, C.; Hits, D.; Lecomte, P.; Lustermann, W.; Marini, A. C.; Martinez Ruiz del Arbol, P.; Mohr, N.; Moortgat, F.; Nägeli, C.; Nef, P.; Nessi-Tedaldi, F.; Pandolfi, F.; Pape, L.; Pauss, F.; Peruzzi, M.; Ronga, F. J.; Rossini, M.; Sala, L.; Sanchez, A. K.; Starodumov, A.; Stieger, B.; Takahashi, M.; Tauscher, L.; Thea, A.; Theofilatos, K.; Treille, D.; Urscheler, C.; Wallny, R.; Weber, H. A.; Amsler, C.; Chiochia, V.; Favaro, C.; Ivova Rikova, M.; Kilminster, B.; Millan Mejias, B.; Otiougova, P.; Robmann, P.; Snoek, H.; Taroni, S.; Tupputi, S.; Verzetti, M.; Cardaci, M.; Chen, K. H.; Ferro, C.; Kuo, C. M.; Li, S. W.; Lin, W.; Lu, Y. J.; Volpe, R.; Yu, S. S.; Bartalini, P.; Chang, P.; Chang, Y. H.; Chang, Y. W.; Chao, Y.; Chen, K. F.; Dietz, C.; Grundler, U.; Hou, W.-S.; Hsiung, Y.; Kao, K. Y.; Lei, Y. J.; Lu, R.-S.; Majumder, D.; Petrakou, E.; Shi, X.; Shiu, J. G.; Tzeng, Y. M.; Wang, M.; Asavapibhop, B.; Suwonjandee, N.; Adiguzel, A.; Bakirci, M. N.; Cerci, S.; Dozen, C.; Dumanoglu, I.; Eskut, E.; Girgis, S.; Gokbulut, G.; Gurpinar, E.; Hos, I.; Kangal, E. E.; Kayis Topaksu, A.; Onengut, G.; Ozdemir, K.; Ozturk, S.; Polatoz, A.; Sogut, K.; Sunar Cerci, D.; Tali, B.; Topakli, H.; Vergili, M.; Akin, I. V.; Aliev, T.; Bilin, B.; Bilmis, S.; Deniz, M.; Gamsizkan, H.; Guler, A. M.; Karapinar, G.; Ocalan, K.; Ozpineci, A.; Serin, M.; Sever, R.; Surat, U. E.; Yalvac, M.; Zeyrek, M.; Gülmez, E.; Isildak, B.; Kaya, M.; Kaya, O.; Ozkorucuklu, S.; Sonmez, N.; Bahtiyar, H.; Barlas, E.; Cankocak, K.; Günaydin, Y. O.; Vardarlı, F. I.; Yücel, M.; Levchuk, L.; Sorokin, P.; Brooke, J. J.; Clement, E.; Cussans, D.; Flacher, H.; Frazier, R.; Goldstein, J.; Grimes, M.; Heath, G. P.; Heath, H. F.; Kreczko, L.; Metson, S.; Newbold, D. M.; Nirunpong, K.; Poll, A.; Senkin, S.; Smith, V. J.; Williams, T.; Basso, L.; Bell, K. W.; Belyaev, A.; Brew, C.; Brown, R. M.; Cockerill, D. J. A.; Coughlan, J. A.; Harder, K.; Harper, S.; Jackson, J.; Olaiya, E.; Petyt, D.; Radburn-Smith, B. C.; Shepherd-Themistocleous, C. H.; Tomalin, I. R.; Womersley, W. J.; Bainbridge, R.; Buchmuller, O.; Burton, D.; Colling, D.; Cripps, N.; Cutajar, M.; Dauncey, P.; Davies, G.; Della Negra, M.; Ferguson, W.; Fulcher, J.; Futyan, D.; Gilbert, A.; Guneratne Bryer, A.; Hall, G.; Hatherell, Z.; Hays, J.; Iles, G.; Jarvis, M.; Karapostoli, G.; Kenzie, M.; Lane, R.; Lucas, R.; Lyons, L.; Magnan, A.-M.; Marrouche, J.; Mathias, B.; Nandi, R.; Nash, J.; Nikitenko, A.; Pela, J.; Pesaresi, M.; Petridis, K.; Pioppi, M.; Raymond, D. M.; Rogerson, S.; Rose, A.; Seez, C.; Sharp, P.; Sparrow, A.; Tapper, A.; Vazquez Acosta, M.; Virdee, T.; Wakefield, S.; Wardle, N.; Whyntie, T.; Chadwick, M.; Cole, J. E.; Hobson, P. R.; Khan, A.; Kyberd, P.; Leggat, D.; Leslie, D.; Martin, W.; Reid, I. D.; Symonds, P.; Teodorescu, L.; Turner, M.; Dittmann, J.; Hatakeyama, K.; Kasmi, A.; Liu, H.; Scarborough, T.; Charaf, O.; Cooper, S. I.; Henderson, C.; Rumerio, P.; Avetisyan, A.; Bose, T.; Fantasia, C.; Heister, A.; Lawson, P.; Lazic, D.; Rohlf, J.; Sperka, D.; St. John, J.; Sulak, L.; Alimena, J.; Bhattacharya, S.; Christopher, G.; Cutts, D.; Demiragli, Z.; Ferapontov, A.; Garabedian, A.; Heintz, U.; Kukartsev, G.; Laird, E.; Landsberg, G.; Luk, M.; Narain, M.; Segala, M.; Sinthuprasith, T.; Speer, T.; Breedon, R.; Breto, G.; Calderon De La Barca Sanchez, M.; Chauhan, S.; Chertok, M.; Conway, J.; Conway, R.; Cox, P. T.; Erbacher, R.; Gardner, M.; Houtz, R.; Ko, W.; Kopecky, A.; Lander, R.; Mall, O.; Miceli, T.; Nelson, R.; Pellett, D.; Ricci-Tam, F.; Rutherford, B.; Searle, M.; Smith, J.; Squires, M.; Tripathi, M.; Yohay, R.; Andreev, V.; Cline, D.; Cousins, R.; Erhan, S.; Everaerts, P.; Farrell, C.; Felcini, M.; Hauser, J.; Ignatenko, M.; Jarvis, C.; Rakness, G.; Schlein, P.; Traczyk, P.; Valuev, V.; Weber, M.; Babb, J.; Clare, R.; Dinardo, M. E.; Ellison, J.; Gary, J. W.; Giordano, F.; Hanson, G.; Liu, H.; Long, O. R.; Luthra, A.; Nguyen, H.; Paramesvaran, S.; Sturdy, J.; Sumowidagdo, S.; Wilken, R.; Wimpenny, S.; Andrews, W.; Branson, J. G.; Cerati, G. B.; Cittolin, S.; Evans, D.; Holzner, A.; Kelley, R.; Lebourgeois, M.; Letts, J.; Macneill, I.; Mangano, B.; Padhi, S.; Palmer, C.; Petrucciani, G.; Pieri, M.; Sani, M.; Sharma, V.; Simon, S.; Sudano, E.; Tadel, M.; Tu, Y.; Vartak, A.; Wasserbaech, S.; Würthwein, F.; Yagil, A.; Yoo, J.; Barge, D.; Bellan, R.; Campagnari, C.; D'Alfonso, M.; Danielson, T.; Dishaw, A.; Flowers, K.; Geffert, P.; George, C.; Golf, F.; Incandela, J.; Justus, C.; Kalavase, P.; Kovalskyi, D.; Krutelyov, V.; Lowette, S.; Magaña Villalba, R.; Mccoll, N.; Pavlunin, V.; Ribnik, J.; Richman, J.; Rossin, R.; Stuart, D.; To, W.; West, C.; Apresyan, A.; Bornheim, A.; Bunn, J.; Chen, Y.; Di Marco, E.; Duarte, J.; Kcira, D.; Ma, Y.; Mott, A.; Newman, H. B.; Rogan, C.; Spiropulu, M.; Timciuc, V.; Veverka, J.; Wilkinson, R.; Xie, S.; Yang, Y.; Zhu, R. Y.; Azzolini, V.; Calamba, A.; Carroll, R.; Ferguson, T.; Iiyama, Y.; Jang, D. W.; Liu, Y. F.; Paulini, M.; Russ, J.; Vogel, H.; Vorobiev, I.; Cumalat, J. P.; Drell, B. R.; Ford, W. T.; Gaz, A.; Luiggi Lopez, E.; Nauenberg, U.; Smith, J. G.; Stenson, K.; Ulmer, K. A.; Wagner, S. R.; Alexander, J.; Chatterjee, A.; Eggert, N.; Gibbons, L. K.; Hopkins, W.; Khukhunaishvili, A.; Kreis, B.; Mirman, N.; Nachman, B.; Nicolas Kaufman, G.; Patterson, J. R.; Ryd, A.; Salvati, E.; Sun, W.; Teo, W. D.; Thom, J.; Thompson, J.; Tucker, J.; Weng, Y.; Winstrom, L.; Wittich, P.; Winn, D.; Abdullin, S.; Albrow, M.; Anderson, J.; Apollinari, G.; Bauerdick, L. A. T.; Beretvas, A.; Berryhill, J.; Bhat, P. C.; Burkett, K.; Butler, J. N.; Chetluru, V.; Cheung, H. W. K.; Chlebana, F.; Cihangir, S.; Elvira, V. D.; Fisk, I.; Freeman, J.; Gao, Y.; Gottschalk, E.; Gray, L.; Green, D.; Gutsche, O.; Harris, R. M.; Hirschauer, J.; Hooberman, B.; Jindariani, S.; Johnson, M.; Joshi, U.; Klima, B.; Kunori, S.; Kwan, S.; Linacre, J.; Lincoln, D.; Lipton, R.; Lykken, J.; Maeshima, K.; Marraffino, J. M.; Martinez Outschoorn, V. I.; Maruyama, S.; Mason, D.; McBride, P.; Mishra, K.; Mrenna, S.; Musienko, Y.; Newman-Holmes, C.; O'Dell, V.; Prokofyev, O.; Sexton-Kennedy, E.; Sharma, S.; Spalding, W. J.; Spiegel, L.; Taylor, L.; Tkaczyk, S.; Tran, N. V.; Uplegger, L.; Vaandering, E. W.; Vidal, R.; Whitmore, J.; Wu, W.; Yang, F.; Yun, J. C.; Acosta, D.; Avery, P.; Bourilkov, D.; Chen, M.; Cheng, T.; Das, S.; De Gruttola, M.; Di Giovanni, G. P.; Dobur, D.; Drozdetskiy, A.; Field, R. D.; Fisher, M.; Fu, Y.; Furic, I. K.; Hugon, J.; Kim, B.; Konigsberg, J.; Korytov, A.; Kropivnitskaya, A.; Kypreos, T.; Low, J. F.; Matchev, K.; Milenovic, P.; Mitselmakher, G.; Muniz, L.; Remington, R.; Rinkevicius, A.; Skhirtladze, N.; Snowball, M.; Yelton, J.; Zakaria, M.; Gaultney, V.; Hewamanage, S.; Lebolo, L. M.; Linn, S.; Markowitz, P.; Martinez, G.; Rodriguez, J. L.; Adams, T.; Askew, A.; Bochenek, J.; Chen, J.; Diamond, B.; Gleyzer, S. V.; Haas, J.; Hagopian, S.; Hagopian, V.; Johnson, K. F.; Prosper, H.; Veeraraghavan, V.; Weinberg, M.; Baarmand, M. M.; Dorney, B.; Hohlmann, M.; Kalakhety, H.; Yumiceva, F.; Adams, M. R.; Apanasevich, L.; Bazterra, V. E.; Betts, R. R.; Bucinskaite, I.; Callner, J.; Cavanaugh, R.; Evdokimov, O.; Gauthier, L.; Gerber, C. E.; Hofman, D. J.; Khalatyan, S.; Kurt, P.; Lacroix, F.; O'Brien, C.; Silkworth, C.; Strom, D.; Turner, P.; Varelas, N.; Akgun, U.; Albayrak, E. A.; Bilki, B.; Clarida, W.; Dilsiz, K.; Duru, F.; Griffiths, S.; Merlo, J.-P.; Mermerkaya, H.; Mestvirishvili, A.; Moeller, A.; Nachtman, J.; Newsom, C. R.; Ogul, H.; Onel, Y.; Ozok, F.; Sen, S.; Tan, P.; Tiras, E.; Wetzel, J.; Yetkin, T.; Yi, K.; Barnett, B. A.; Blumenfeld, B.; Bolognesi, S.; Fehling, D.; Giurgiu, G.; Gritsan, A. V.; Hu, G.; Maksimovic, P.; Swartz, M.; Whitbeck, A.; Baringer, P.; Bean, A.; Benelli, G.; Kenny, R. P., III; Murray, M.; Noonan, D.; Sanders, S.; Stringer, R.; Wood, J. S.; Barfuss, A. F.; Chakaberia, I.; Ivanov, A.; Khalil, S.; Makouski, M.; Maravin, Y.; Shrestha, S.; Svintradze, I.; Gronberg, J.; Lange, D.; Rebassoo, F.; Wright, D.; Baden, A.; Calvert, B.; Eno, S. C.; Gomez, J. A.; Hadley, N. J.; Kellogg, R. G.; Kolberg, T.; Lu, Y.; Marionneau, M.; Mignerey, A. C.; Pedro, K.; Peterman, A.; Skuja, A.; Temple, J.; Tonjes, M. B.; Tonwar, S. C.; Apyan, A.; Bauer, G.; Busza, W.; Butz, E.; Cali, I. A.; Chan, M.; Dutta, V.; Gomez Ceballos, G.; Goncharov, M.; Kim, Y.; Klute, M.; Lai, Y. S.; Levin, A.; Luckey, P. D.; Ma, T.; Nahn, S.; Paus, C.; Ralph, D.; Roland, C.; Roland, G.; Stephans, G. S. F.; Stöckli, F.; Sumorok, K.; Sung, K.; Velicanu, D.; Wolf, R.; Wyslouch, B.; Yang, M.; Yilmaz, Y.; Yoon, A. S.; Zanetti, M.; Zhukova, V.; Dahmes, B.; De Benedetti, A.; Franzoni, G.; Gude, A.; Haupt, J.; Kao, S. C.; Klapoetke, K.; Kubota, Y.; Mans, J.; Pastika, N.; Rusack, R.; Sasseville, M.; Singovsky, A.; Tambe, N.; Turkewitz, J.; Cremaldi, L. M.; Kroeger, R.; Perera, L.; Rahmat, R.; Sanders, D. A.; Summers, D.; Avdeeva, E.; Bloom, K.; Bose, S.; Claes, D. R.; Dominguez, A.; Eads, M.; Gonzalez Suarez, R.; Keller, J.; Kravchenko, I.; Lazo-Flores, J.; Malik, S.; Snow, G. R.; Dolen, J.; Godshalk, A.; Iashvili, I.; Jain, S.; Kharchilava, A.; Kumar, A.; Rappoccio, S.; Wan, Z.; Alverson, G.; Barberis, E.; Baumgartel, D.; Chasco, M.; Haley, J.; Nash, D.; Orimoto, T.; Trocino, D.; Wood, D.; Zhang, J.; Anastassov, A.; Hahn, K. A.; Kubik, A.; Lusito, L.; Mucia, N.; Odell, N.; Pollack, B.; Pozdnyakov, A.; Schmitt, M.; Stoynev, S.; Velasco, M.; Won, S.; Berry, D.; Brinkerhoff, A.; Chan, K. M.; Hildreth, M.; Jessop, C.; Karmgard, D. J.; Kolb, J.; Lannon, K.; Luo, W.; Lynch, S.; Marinelli, N.; Morse, D. M.; Pearson, T.; Planer, M.; Ruchti, R.; Slaunwhite, J.; Valls, N.; Wayne, M.; Wolf, M.; Antonelli, L.; Bylsma, B.; Durkin, L. S.; Hill, C.; Hughes, R.; Kotov, K.; Ling, T. Y.; Puigh, D.; Rodenburg, M.; Smith, G.; Vuosalo, C.; Williams, G.; Winer, B. L.; Wolfe, H.; Berry, E.; Elmer, P.; Halyo, V.; Hebda, P.; Hegeman, J.; Hunt, A.; Jindal, P.; Koay, S. A.; Lopes Pegna, D.; Lujan, P.; Marlow, D.; Medvedeva, T.; Mooney, M.; Olsen, J.; Piroué, P.; Quan, X.; Raval, A.; Saka, H.; Stickland, D.; Tully, C.; Werner, J. S.; Zenz, S. C.; Zuranski, A.; Brownson, E.; Lopez, A.; Mendez, H.; Ramirez Vargas, J. E.; Alagoz, E.; Benedetti, D.; Bolla, G.; Bortoletto, D.; De Mattia, M.; Everett, A.; Hu, Z.; Jones, M.; Koybasi, O.; Kress, M.; Leonardo, N.; Maroussov, V.; Merkel, P.; Miller, D. H.; Neumeister, N.; Shipsey, I.; Silvers, D.; Svyatkovskiy, A.; Vidal Marono, M.; Yoo, H. D.; Zablocki, J.; Zheng, Y.; Guragain, S.; Parashar, N.; Adair, A.; Akgun, B.; Ecklund, K. M.; Geurts, F. J. M.; Li, W.; Padley, B. P.; Redjimi, R.; Roberts, J.; Zabel, J.; Betchart, B.; Bodek, A.; Covarelli, R.; de Barbaro, P.; Demina, R.; Eshaq, Y.; Ferbel, T.; Garcia-Bellido, A.; Goldenzweig, P.; Han, J.; Harel, A.; Miner, D. C.; Petrillo, G.; Vishnevskiy, D.; Zielinski, M.; Bhatti, A.; Ciesielski, R.; Demortier, L.; Goulianos, K.; Lungu, G.; Malik, S.; Mesropian, C.; Arora, S.; Barker, A.; Chou, J. P.; Contreras-Campana, C.; Contreras-Campana, E.; Duggan, D.; Ferencek, D.; Gershtein, Y.; Gray, R.; Halkiadakis, E.; Hidas, D.; Lath, A.; Panwalkar, S.; Park, M.; Patel, R.; Rekovic, V.; Robles, J.; Rose, K.; Salur, S.; Schnetzer, S.; Seitz, C.; Somalwar, S.; Stone, R.; Walker, M.; Cerizza, G.; Hollingsworth, M.; Spanier, S.; Yang, Z. C.; York, A.; Eusebi, R.; Flanagan, W.; Gilmore, J.; Kamon, T.; Khotilovich, V.; Montalvo, R.; Osipenkov, I.; Pakhotin, Y.; Perloff, A.; Roe, J.; Safonov, A.; Sakuma, T.; Suarez, I.; Tatarinov, A.; Toback, D.; Akchurin, N.; Damgov, J.; Dragoiu, C.; Dudero, P. R.; Jeong, C.; Kovitanggoon, K.; Lee, S. W.; Libeiro, T.; Volobouev, I.; Appelt, E.; Delannoy, A. G.; Greene, S.; Gurrola, A.; Johns, W.; Maguire, C.; Mao, Y.; Melo, A.; Sharma, M.; Sheldon, P.; Snook, B.; Tuo, S.; Velkovska, J.; Arenton, M. W.; Balazs, M.; Boutle, S.; Cox, B.; Francis, B.; Goodell, J.; Hirosky, R.; Ledovskoy, A.; Lin, C.; Neu, C.; Wood, J.; Gollapinni, S.; Harr, R.; Karchin, P. E.; Kottachchi Kankanamge Don, C.; Lamichhane, P.; Sakharov, A.; Anderson, M.; Belknap, D. A.; Borrello, L.; Carlsmith, D.; Cepeda, M.; Dasu, S.; Friis, E.; Grogg, K. S.; Grothe, M.; Hall-Wilton, R.; Herndon, M.; Hervé, A.; Klabbers, P.; Klukas, J.; Lanaro, A.; Lazaridis, C.; Loveless, R.; Mohapatra, A.; Mozer, M. U.; Ojalvo, I.; Pierro, G. A.; Ross, I.; Savin, A.; Smith, W. H.; Swanson, J.

2013-07-01

A simultaneous measurement of the top-quark, W-boson, and neutrino masses is reported for events selected in the dilepton final state from a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb-1 collected by the CMS experiment in pp collisions at . The analysis is based on endpoint determinations in kinematic distributions. When the neutrino and W-boson masses are constrained to their world-average values, a top-quark mass value of is obtained. When such constraints are not used, the three particle masses are obtained in a simultaneous fit. In this unconstrained mode the study serves as a test of mass determination methods that may be used in beyond standard model physics scenarios where several masses in a decay chain may be unknown and undetected particles lead to underconstrained kinematics.

Oscillator strengths and branching fractions of 4d75p-4d75s Rh II transitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouazza, Safa

2017-01-01

This work reports semi-empirical determination of oscillator strengths, transition probabilities and branching fractions for Rh II 4d75p-4d75s transitions in a wide wavelength range. The angular coefficients of the transition matrix, beforehand obtained in pure SL coupling with help of Racah algebra are transformed into intermediate coupling using eigenvector amplitudes of these two configuration levels determined for this purpose; The transition integral was treated as free parameter in the least squares fit to experimental oscillator strength (gf) values found in literature. The extracted value: <4d75s|r1|4d75p> =2.7426 ± 0.0007 is slightly smaller than that computed by means of ab-initio method. Subsequently to oscillator strength evaluations, transition probabilities and branching fractions were deduced and compared to those obtained experimentally or through another approach like pseudo-relativistic Hartree-Fock model including core-polarization effects.

FOREX Trades: Can the Takens Algorithm Help to Obtain Steady Profit at Investment Reallocations?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrov, V. Yu.; Tribelsky, M. I.

2015-12-01

We report our preliminary results of application of the Takens algorithm to build a FOREX trade strategy, resulting in a steady long-time gain for a trader. The actual historical rates for pair EUR vs. USD are used. The values of various parameters of the problem including the "stop loss" and "take profit" thresholds are optimized to provide the maximal gain during the training period. Then, these values are employed for trades. We have succeeded to get the steady gain, if the spread is neglected. It proves that the FOREX market is predictable.

An environmental dose experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peralta, Luis

2017-11-01

Several radiation sources worldwide contribute to the delivered dose to the human population. This radiation also acts as a natural background when detecting radiation, for instance from radioactive sources. In this work a medium-sized plastic scintillation detector is used to evaluate the dose delivered by natural radiation sources. Calibration of the detector involved the use of radioactive sources and Monte Carlo simulation of the energy deposition per disintegration. A measurement of the annual dose due to background radiation to the body was then estimated. A dose value compatible with the value reported by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation was obtained.

Seroepidemiology of Varicella and value of self-reported history of Varicella infection in Iranian medical students.

PubMed

Allami, Abbas; Mohammadi, Navid; Najar, Azade

2014-04-01

We conducted this study to assess the seroprevalence of Varicella zoster virus (VZV) antibodies in a group of Iranian medical sciences students that were at risk of Varicella and the value of self-reported history as a predictor of immunity. 255 medical, nursing and obstetrics students who had not entered as a student or worked in a hospital from 3 different schools were enrolled in the study in 2012 (Qazvin province, Iran). Demographics and other information as well as the history of Varicella were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to determine the Varicella IgG levels via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A statistical analysis was performed by calculating prevalences and their 95% confidence intervals. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Cohen's kappa and positive and negative likelihood ratios of recalled history were determined. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age of participants was 21.3 ± 4.3 years. Seropositivity rate was 74.5%. The relationships between marital status, number of family members, and acquired VZV history with immunity against the virus were statistically significant. The overall rate of reported history was 57%. The positive and negative predictive values of self-reported history of Varicella were 91% and 47.3%, respectively. Immunization of students of Iranian medical sciences seems logical in the near future. Also, they should be tested for Varicella immunity regardless of the history of previous infection.

SU-E-J-110: TG 51 Dosimetry : With Or Without Lead

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

Shah, M

TG-51 Dosimetry: With or Without Lead. Purpose: In this project, an analytical method has been introduced for adjustment of the TG-51 recommended KQ in order to produce accurate dosimetric data for high energy photons without the lead foil. Methods: These investigations were performed using a 30 cm × 30 cm × 30 cm CIVCO water tank, A12 EXRADIN Water proof Farmer Chamber, a Standard Imaging MAX 4000 electrometer, and 1 mm thick lead foil from Standard Imaging. Complete TG-51 was performed every month with and without lead. The results were analyzed and an analytical model has been developed for comparingmore » the values of KQ. TG-51 Table I was used to obtain KQ values. Results: The dosimetric evaluations were obtained for Varian Linear accelerators Model 21ix and 21ex. These results indicates that the measured data with lead foil in place as recommended by TG-51 is in excellent agreement (within 0.1%) with the calculated data obtained by the new model, from our dosimetry data without-lead. If equation 15 of the TG-51 report is used without any adjustments, it will lead to differences of about 1.6 % (on the average) in relative data which will Resultin differences of about 0.3 % (on the average) in the KQ Values. The KQ value for 18 MV obtained consistently with the equation of TG-51 “with lead” and “without lead” were 0.971 and 0.974, respectively. The 0.3 % higher results for KQ without lead eventually will lead to 0.3% larger output. However, by considering this model the KQ value was found to be 0.971 for dosimetry without lead. Conclusion: The analytical model that was introduced in this project was able to reproduce the dosimetric data of the high energy linear accelerators to within 0.1% without the use of the lead foil.« less

Assessing residential buildings value in Spain for risk analyses. Application to the landslide hazard in the Autonomous Community of Valencia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cantarino, I.; Torrijo, F. J.; Palencia, S.; Gielen, E.

2014-05-01

This paper proposes a method of valuing the stock of residential buildings in Spain as the first step in assessing possible damage caused to them by natural hazards. For the purposes of the study we had access to the SIOSE (the Spanish Land Use and Cover Information System), a high-resolution land-use model, as well as to a report on the financial valuations of this type of buildings throughout Spain. Using dasymetric disaggregation processes and GIS techniques we developed a geolocalized method of obtaining this information, which was the exposure variable in the general risk assessment formula. If hazard maps and risk assessment methods - the other variables - are available, the risk value can easily be obtained. An example of its application is given in a case study that assesses the risk of a landslide in the entire 23 200 km2 of the Valencia Autonomous Community (NUT2), the results of which are analyzed by municipal areas (LAU2) for the years 2005 and 2009.

Dynamic Photoelectrochemical Device Using an Electrolyte-Permeable NiO x/SiO2/Si Photocathode with an Open-Circuit Potential of 0.75 V.

PubMed

Jung, Jin-Young; Yu, Jin-Young; Lee, Jung-Ho

2018-03-07

As a thermodynamic driving force obtained from sunlight, the open-circuit potential (OCP) in photoelectrochemical cells is typically limited by the photovoltage ( V ph ). In this work, we establish that the OCP can exceed the value of V ph when an electrolyte-permeable NiO x thin film is employed as an electrocatalyst in a Si photocathode. The built-in potential developed at the NiO x /Si junction is adjusted in situ according to the progress of the NiO x hydration for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). As a result of decoupling of the OCP from V ph , a high OCP value of 0.75 V (vs reversible hydrogen electrode) is obtained after 1 h operation of HER in an alkaline electrolyte (pH = 14), thus outperforming the highest value (0.64 V) reported to date with conventional Si photoelectrodes. This finding might offer insight into novel photocathode designs such as those based on tandem water-splitting systems.

Prediction of quantitative intrathoracic fluid volume to diagnose pulmonary oedema using LabVIEW.

PubMed

Urooj, Shabana; Khan, M; Ansari, A Q; Lay-Ekuakille, Aimé; Salhan, Ashok K

2012-01-01

Pulmonary oedema is a life-threatening disease that requires special attention in the area of research and clinical diagnosis. Computer-based techniques are rarely used to quantify the intrathoracic fluid volume (IFV) for diagnostic purposes. This paper discusses a software program developed to detect and diagnose pulmonary oedema using LabVIEW. The software runs on anthropometric dimensions and physiological parameters, mainly transthoracic electrical impedance (TEI). This technique is accurate and faster than existing manual techniques. The LabVIEW software was used to compute the parameters required to quantify IFV. An equation relating per cent control and IFV was obtained. The results of predicted TEI and measured TEI were compared with previously reported data to validate the developed program. It was found that the predicted values of TEI obtained from the computer-based technique were much closer to the measured values of TEI. Six new subjects were enrolled to measure and predict transthoracic impedance and hence to quantify IFV. A similar difference was also observed in the measured and predicted values of TEI for the new subjects.

Flameless atomic-absorption determination of gold in geological materials

USGS Publications Warehouse

Meier, A.L.

1980-01-01

Gold in geologic material is dissolved using a solution of hydrobromic acid and bromine, extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone, and determined using an atomic-absorption spectrophotometer equipped with a graphite furnace atomizer. A comparison of results obtained by this flameless atomic-absorption method on U.S. Geological Survey reference rocks and geochemical samples with reported values and with results obtained by flame atomic-absorption shows that reasonable accuracy is achieved with improved precision. The sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the method allows acquisition of data on the distribution of gold at or below its crustal abundance. ?? 1980.

An Examination of the Phase Transition Thermodynamics of (S)- and (RS)-Naproxen as a Basis for the Design of Enantioselective Crystallization Processes.

PubMed

Buchholz, Hannes; Emel'yanenko, Vladimir N; Lorenz, Heike; Verevkin, Sergey P

2016-05-01

A detailed experimental analysis of the phase transition thermodynamics of (S)-naproxen and (RS)-naproxen is reported. Vapor pressures were determined experimentally via the transpiration method. Sublimation enthalpies were obtained from the vapor pressures and from independent TGA measurements. Thermodynamics of fusion which have been well-studied in the literature were systematically remeasured by DSC. Both sublimation and fusion enthalpies were adjusted to one reference temperature, T = 298 K, using measured heat capacities of the solid and the melt phase by DSC. Average values from the measurements and from literature data were suggested for the sublimation and fusion enthalpies. In order to prove consistency of the proposed values the vaporization enthalpies obtained by combination of both were compared to vaporization enthalpies obtained by the group-additivity method and the correlation-gas chromatography method. The importance of reliable and precise phase transition data for thermochemical calculations such as the prediction of solid/liquid phase behaviour of chiral compounds is highlighted. Copyright © 2016 American Pharmacists Association®. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Experimental radiative lifetimes, branching fractions, and oscillator strengths of some levels in Co I

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xinghao; Yu, Qi; Li, Qiu; Gao, Yang; Dai, Zhenwen

2018-04-01

The radiative lifetime measurements by the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique are reported for 24 levels of Co I with the energy range of 283 45.86-55 922.3 cm-1, amongst which the lifetimes of 20 levels are reported for the first time. The branching fraction measurements by the emission spectrum of a hollow cathode lamp were performed for 11 levels of them together with other two levels reported in the literature, and branching fractions of 39 transitions were obtained. By combining them with lifetime values, the transition probabilities and absolute oscillator strengths of these lines were determined.

Kinetic Study of the Aroxyl-Radical-Scavenging Activity of Five Fatty Acid Esters and Six Carotenoids in Toluene Solution: Structure-Activity Relationship for the Hydrogen Abstraction Reaction.

PubMed

Mukai, Kazuo; Yoshimoto, Maya; Ishikura, Masaharu; Nagaoka, Shin-Ichi

2017-08-17

A kinetic study of the reaction between an aroxyl radical (ArO • ) and fatty acid esters (LHs 1-5, ethyl stearate 1, ethyl oleate 2, ethyl linoleate 3, ethyl linolenate 4, and ethyl arachidonate 5) has been undertaken. The second-order rate constants (k s ) for the reaction of ArO • with LHs 1-5 in toluene at 25.0 °C have been determined spectrophotometrically. The k s values obtained increased in the order of LH 1 < 2 < 3 < 4 < 5, that is, with increasing the number of double bonds included in LHs 1-5. The k s value for LH 5 was 2.93 × 10 -3 M -1 s -1 . From the result, it has been clarified that the reaction of ArO • with LHs 1-5 was explained by an allylic hydrogen abstraction reaction. A similar kinetic study was performed for the reaction of ArO • with six carotenoids (Car-Hs 1-6, astaxanthin 1, β-carotene 2, lycopene 3, capsanthin 4, zeaxanthin 5, and lutein 6). The k s values obtained increased in the order of Car-H 1 < 2 < 3 < 4 < 5 < 6. The k s value for Car-H 6 was 8.4 × 10 -4 M -1 s -1 . The k s values obtained for Car-Hs 1-6 are in the same order as that of the values for LHs 1-5. The results of detailed analyses of the k s values for the above reaction indicated that the reaction was also explained by an allylic hydrogen abstraction reaction. Furthermore, the structure-activity relationship for the reaction was discussed by taking the result of density functional theory calculation reported by Martinez and Barbosa into account.

Acridine-1, 8-diones - A new class of thermally stable NLOphores: Photophysical, (hyper)polarizability and TD-DFT studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thorat, Kishor G.; Tayade, Rajratna P.; Sekar, Nagaiyan

2016-12-01

Linear and non-linear optical properties of a series of new acridine-1, 8-dione derivatives are investigated in different solvents by using solvatochromic and computational methods. Values of first-order hyperpolarizabilities (βCT or β0) obtained using solvatochromic and computational methods are compared with the reported values for urea and 3-aminoxanthone. The new materials under study show first hyperpolarizability values 2.3 to 5.6 times larger than that of urea and 2 to 15.6 times more than that of 3-aminoxanthone. The dyes possess very high thermal stabilities. The dyes are prepared using one pot multicomponent reaction between dimedone, various aromatic aldehydes and amino acids, and characterized by spectroscopic techniques.

New determination of the fine structure constant and test of the quantum electrodynamics.

PubMed

Bouchendira, Rym; Cladé, Pierre; Guellati-Khélifa, Saïda; Nez, François; Biraben, François

2011-02-25

We report a new measurement of the ratio h/m(Rb) between the Planck constant and the mass of (87)Rb atom. A new value of the fine structure constant is deduced, α(-1)=137.035999037(91) with a relative uncertainty of 6.6×10(-10). Using this determination, we obtain a theoretical value of the electron anomaly a(e)=0.00115965218113(84), which is in agreement with the experimental measurement of Gabrielse [a(e)=0.00115965218073(28)]. The comparison of these values provides the most stringent test of the QED. Moreover, the precision is large enough to verify for the first time the muonic and hadronic contributions to this anomaly. © 2011 American Physical Society

Isotopomeric characterization of nitrous oxide produced by reaction of enzymes extracted from nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamazaki, T.; Hozuki, T.; Arai, K.; Toyoda, S.; Koba, K.; Fujiwara, T.; Yoshida, N.

2014-05-01

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas and produced in denitrification and nitrification by various microorganisms. Site preference (SP) of 15N in N2O, which is defined as the difference in the natural abundance of isotopomers 14N15NO and 15N14NO relative to 14N14NO, has been reported to be a useful tool to quantitatively distinguish N2O production pathways. To determine representative SP values for each microbial process, we firstly measured SP of N2O produced in the enzyme reaction of hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) purified from two species of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosococcus oceani, and that of nitric oxide reductase (NOR) from Paracoccus denitrificans. The SP value for NOR reaction (-5.9 ± 2.1‰) showed nearly the same value as that reported for N2O produced by P. denitrificans in pure culture. In contrast, SP value for HAO reaction (36.3 ± 2.3‰) was a little higher than the values reported for N2O produced by AOB in aerobic pure culture. Using the SP values obtained by HAO and NOR reactions, we calculated relative contribution of the nitrite (NO2-) reduction (which is followed by NO reduction) to N2O production by N. oceani incubated under different O2 availability. Our calculations revealed that previous in vivo studies might have underestimated the SP value for the NH2OH oxidation pathway possibly due to a small contribution of NO2- reduction pathway. Further evaluation of isotopomer signatures of N2O using common enzymes of other processes related to N2O would improve the isotopomer analysis of N2O in various environments.

Isotopomeric characterization of nitrous oxide produced by reaction of enzymes extracted from nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamazaki, T.; Hozuki, T.; Arai, K.; Toyoda, S.; Koba, K.; Fujiwara, T.; Yoshida, N.

2013-10-01

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas and produced in denitrification and nitrification in environmental nitrogen cycle by various microorganism. Site preference (SP) of 15N in N2O, which is defined as the difference in the natural abundance of isotopomers 14N15NO and 15N14NO relative to 14N14NO, has been reported to be a useful tool to quantitatively distinguish N2O production pathway. To determine representative SP value for each microbial process, we firstly measured SP of N2O produced in the enzyme reaction of hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) purified from two species of ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrosococcus oceani, and that of nitric oxide reductase (NOR) from Paracoccus denitrificans, respectively. The SP value for NOR reaction (-5.9 ± 2.1‰) showed nearly the same value as that reported for N2O produced by P. denitrificans in pure culture. In contrast, SP value for HAO reaction (36.3 ± 2.3‰) was a little higher than the values reported for N2O produced by AOB in aerobic pure culture. Using the SP values obtained by HAO and NOR reactions, we calculated relative contribution of the nitrite (NO2-) reduction (which is followed by NO reduction) to N2O production by N. oceani incubated under different O2 availability. Our calculations revealed that previous in vivo studies might have underestimated the SP value for NH2OH oxidation pathway possibly due to a small contribution of NO2- reduction pathway. Further evaluation of isotopomer signatures of N2O using common enzymes of other processes related to N2O would improve the isotopomer analysis of N2O in various environments.

Combined use of Satellite and Surface Observations to Infer the Imaginary Part of Refractive Index of Saharan Dust

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sinyuk, Alexander; Torres, Omar; Dubovik, Oleg; Bhartia, P. K. (Technical Monitor)

2002-01-01

We present a method for retrieval of imaginary part of refractive index of desert dust aerosol in UV part of spectrum along with aerosol layer height above the ground. The method uses Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer' (TOMS) measurements of the top of atmosphere radiances (331 nm, 360 nm) and aerosol optical depth provided by Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) (440 nm). Obtained values of imaginary part of refractive index retrieved for Saharan dust aerosol at 360 nm are significantly lower than previously reported values. The average retrieved values vary between 0.0054 and 0.0066 for different geographical locations. Our findings are in good agreement with the results of several recent investigations. The time variability of retrieved values for aerosol layer height is consistent with the predictions of dust transport model.

Summary data on all NASA procurement actions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

This report presents summary data on all NASA procurement actions and detailed information on contracts, grants, agreements, and other procurements over $25,000 awarded by NASA during Fiscal Year 1992 (FY-92). The dollar value on procurements over $25,000 amounted to 97 percent of the total dollar value of procurement actions completed during FY-92. However, these larger procurements accounted for only 28 percent of the total actions. Procurement action, as used in this report, means contractual actions to obtain supplies, services, or construction which increase or decrease funds. A procurement action thus may be a new procurement or modifications such as supplemental agreements, change orders, or terminations to an existing contract that change the total amount of funds obligated. An obligation is a contractual commitment to pay for supplies or services that are specified in the contract.

Air-Broadening of H2O as a Function of Temperature: 696 - 2163 cm(exp -1)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Toth, R. A.; Brown, L. R.; Smith, M. A. H.; Devi, V. Malathy; Benner, D. Chris; Dulick, M.

2006-01-01

The temperature dependence of air-broadened halfwidths are reported for some 500 transitions in the (000)-(000) and (010)-(000) bands of H2(16)O using gas sample temperatures ranging from 241 to 388 K. These observations were obtained from infrared laboratory spectra recorded at 0.006 to 0.011 cm(exp-1) resolution with the McMath-Pierce Fourier transform spectrometer located at Kitt Peak. The experimental values of the temperature dependence exponents, eta, were grouped into eight subsets and fitted to empirical functions in a semi-global procedure. Overall, the values of eta were found to decrease with increasing rotational quantum number J. The number of measurements (over 2200) and transitions (586) involved exceeds by a large margin that of any other comparable reported study.

Distant Massive Clusters and Cosmology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donahue, Megan

1999-01-01

We present a status report of our X-ray study and analysis of a complete sample of distant (z=0.5-0.8), X-ray luminous clusters of galaxies. We have obtained ASCA and ROSAT observations of the five brightest Extended Medium Sensitivity (EMSS) clusters with z > 0.5. We have constructed an observed temperature function for these clusters, and measured iron abundances for all of these clusters. We have developed an analytic expression for the behavior of the mass-temperature relation in a low-density universe. We use this mass-temperature relation together with a Press-Schechter-based model to derive the expected temperature function for different values of Omega-M. We combine this analysis with the observed temperature functions at redshifts from 0 - 0.8 to derive maximum likelihood estimates for the value of Omega-M. We report preliminary results of this analysis.

Radiochemical analyses of surface water from U.S. Geological Survey hydrologic bench-mark stations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Janzer, V.J.; Saindon, L.G.

1972-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey's program for collecting and analyzing surface-water samples for radiochemical constituents at hydrologic bench-mark stations is described. Analytical methods used during the study are described briefly and data obtained from 55 of the network stations in the United States during the period from 1967 to 1971 are given in tabular form.Concentration values are reported for dissolved uranium, radium, gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity. Values are also given for suspended gross alpha radioactivity in terms of natural uranium. Suspended gross beta radioactivity is expressed both as the equilibrium mixture of strontium-90/yttrium-90 and as cesium-137.Other physical parameters reported which describe the samples include the concentrations of dissolved and suspended solids, the water temperature and stream discharge at the time of the sample collection.

Macroseismic Intensity and Instrumental Ground Motion Parameter Correlations for Central Mexico

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sandoval Gómez, H.; Ramirez Guzman, L.; Espindola, V.

2012-12-01

We present instrumental intensity prediction equations for earthquakes in Central Mexico based on the correlation of observed Instrumental Ground-Motion Parameters (IGMP) and Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale reports. The goal of this study is to provide a model that can be used by the near real-time earthquake response system operated by the Institutes of Engineering and Geophysics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), which delivers estimates of key information associated with the societal impact due to earthquakes not available in the immediate aftermath of the event. Correlations of MMI and IGMP have been derived in other countries with different tectonic settings and built environments, but this is the first study devoted to the development of equations for the central region of Mexico. The IGMP are obtained from records of several stations for earthquakes with Mw 5.0-8.0 from the seismic networks operated by UNAM and other institutions in Mexico. The MMI observations were primarily obtained from the Did You Feel It (DYFI) report service of the U.S. Geological Survey and re-interpreted MMI reports from UNAM earthquake bulletin archives. For each instrumental observation we assigned a mean MMI intensity based on the proximity of the site where reported value are available, constrained by geological conditions and a visual inspection to guarantee that the intensity would be within one unit of the assigned value; following the procedure by Atkinson and Kaka (2006). We derived correlations for peak ground velocity (pgv) and acceleration, and three spectral acceleration periods (T=1, 2 and 3 s). In addition, we analyzed the Mw and distance dependence. We concluded that pgv and the spectral accelerations are the most useful IGMP predictors for MMI in the region of interest and the correlations differ significantly from those obtained in regions with other tectonic settings and infrastructure vulnerabilities (e.g. Wald et al, 1999; Atkinson and Kaka, 2006, Cramer and Dangkua, 2011).

Determination of kinetic parameters for 123-I thyroid uptake in healthy Japanese

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusuhara, Hiroyuki; Maeda, Kazuya

2017-09-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the kinetic parameters for iodide thyroid accumulation in Japanese today with previously reported values. We determined the thyroid uptake of 123-I at 24 hours after the oral administration in healthy male Japanese without any diet restriction. The mean value was 16.1±5.4%, which was similar or rather lower than those previously reported in Japan (1958-1972). Kinetic model analysis was conducted to obtain the clearance for thyroid uptake from the blood circulation. The thyroid uptake clearance of 123-I was 0.540±0.073 ml/min, which was almost similar to those reported previously. There is no obvious difference in the thyroid uptake for 24 hours, and kinetic parameters in healthy Japanese for these 50 years. The fraction of distributed to the thyroid gland is lower than the ICRP reference man, and such difference must be taken into consideration to estimate the radiation exposure upon Fukushima accident in Japan.

Dose Distribution in Cone-Beam Breast Computed Tomography: An Experimental Phantom Study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Russo, Paolo; Lauria, Adele; Mettivier, Giovanni; Montesi, Maria Cristina; Villani, Natalia

2010-02-01

We measured the spatial distribution of absorbed dose in a 14 cm diameter PMMA half-ellipsoid phantom simulating the uncompressed breast, using an X-ray cone-beam breast computed tomography apparatus, assembled for laboratory tests. Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100) were placed inside the phantom in six positions, both axially and at the phantom periphery. To study the dose distribution inside the PMMA phantom two experimental setups were adopted with effective energies in the range 28.7-44.4 keV. Different values of effective energies were obtained by combining different configurations of added Cu filtration (0.05 mm or 0.2 mm) and tube voltages (from 50 kVp to 80 kVp). Dose values obtained by TLDs in different positions inside the PMMA are reported. To evaluate the dose distribution in the breast shaped volume, the values measured were normalized to the one obtained in the inner position inside the phantom. Measurements with a low energy setup show a gradual increment of dose going from the "chest wall" to the "nipple" (63% more at the "nipple" compared to the central position). Likewise, a gradual increment is observed going from the breast axis toward the periphery (82% more at the "skin" compared to the central position). A more uniform distribution of dose inside the PMMA was obtained with a high energy setup (the maximum variation was 33% at 35.5 keV effective energy in the radial direction). The most uniform distribution is obtained at 44.4 keV. The results of this study show how the dose is distributed: it varies as a function of effective energy of the incident X-ray beam and as a function of the position inside the volume (axial or peripheral position).

Standardization of ¹³¹I: implementation of CIEMAT/NIST method at BARC, India.

PubMed

Kulkarni, D B; Anuradha, R; Reddy, P J; Joseph, Leena

2011-10-01

The CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method using ³H standard was implemented at Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) for the standardization of ¹³¹I radioactive solution. Measurements were also carried out using the 4π β-γ coincidence counting system maintained as a primary standard at the laboratory. The implementation of the CIEMAT/NIST method was verified by comparing the activity concentration obtained in the laboratory with that of the average value of the APMP intercomparison (Yunoki et al., in progress, (APMP.RI(II)-K2.I-131)). The results obtained by the laboratory is linked to the CIPM Key Comparison Reference Value (KCRV) through the equivalent activity value of National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) (Yunoki et al., in progress, (APMP.RI(II)-K2.I-131)), which was the pilot laboratory for the intercomparison. The procedure employed to standardize ¹³¹I by the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing technique is presented. The activity concentrations obtained have been normalized with the activity concentration measured by NMIJ to maintain confidentiality of results until the Draft-A report is accepted by all participants. The normalized activity concentrations obtained with the CIEMAT/NIST method was 0.9985 ± 0.0035 kBq/g and using 4π β-γ coincidence counting method was 0.9909 ± 0.0046 kBq/g as on 20 March 2009, 0 h UTC. The normalized activity concentration measured by the NMIJ was 1 ± 0.0024 kBq/g. The normalized average of the activity concentrations of all the participating laboratories was 1.004 ± 0.028 kBq/g. The results obtained in the laboratory are comparable with the other international standards within the uncertainty limits. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

When it comes to measuring value, few HMOs can make the grade.

PubMed

MacStravic, S

2001-01-01

Like all organizations, managed care organizations (MCOs) must deliver value to customers, and to be sure of keeping them, ensure those customers know they have gained value. MCOs can choose any mix of insurance, protection, or experience value from particular encounters with customers, or durable value from their relationship with customers. Many have done a good job of tracking and enabling employers to appreciate the impact they have had on business performance, but few have done the same for the health and quality-of-life they deliver to consumers. MCOs already participate in the delivery of significant and enduring life value to consumers. It makes sense to track and remind consumers of the positive differences MCOs make, and thereby obtain member satisfaction, retention, and loyalty benefits, as well as image improvements for managed care as a whole. Some simple and inexpensive options for both tracking and reminding consumers are offered for consideration, including personalized annual health reports.

Polarographic determination of lead hydroxide formation constants at low ionic strength

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lind, Carol J.

1978-01-01

Values of formation constants for lead hydroxide at 25 ??C were calculated from normal pulse polarographic measurements of 10-6 M lead in 0.01 M sodium perchlorate. The low concentrations simulate those found in many freshwaters, permitting direct application of the values when considering distributions of lead species. The precise evaluation of species distribution in waters at other ionic strengths requires activity coefficient corrections. As opposed to much of the previously published work done at high ionic strength, the values reported here were obtained at low ionic strength, permitting use of smaller and better defined activity coefficient corrections. These values were further confirmed by differential-pulse polarography and differential-pulse anodic stripping voltammetry data. The logs of the values for ??1??? ??2???, and ??3??? were calculated to be 6.59, 10.80, and 13.63, respectively. When corrected to zero ionic strength these values were calculated to be 6.77, 11.07, and 13.89, respectively.

Determining the Value of Two Biologic Drugs for Chronic Inflammatory Skin Diseases: Results of a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis.

PubMed

Zozaya, Néboa; Martínez-Galdeano, Lucía; Alcalá, Bleric; Armario-Hita, Jose Carlos; Carmona, Concepción; Carrascosa, Jose Manuel; Herranz, Pedro; Lamas, María Jesús; Trapero-Bertran, Marta; Hidalgo-Vega, Álvaro

2018-06-01

Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) is a tool that systematically considers multiple factors relevant to health decision-making. The aim of this study was to use an MCDA to assess the value of dupilumab for severe atopic dermatitis compared with secukinumab for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis in Spain. Following the EVIDEM (Evidence and Value: Impact on DEcision Making) methodology, the estimated value of both interventions was obtained by means of an additive linear model that combined the individual weighting (between 1 and 5) of each criterion with the individual scoring of each intervention in each criterion. Dupilumab was evaluated against placebo, while secukinumab was evaluated against placebo, etanercept and ustekinumab. A retest was performed to assess the reproducibility of weights, scores and value estimates. The overall MCDA value estimate for dupilumab versus placebo was 0.51 ± 0.14. This value was higher than those obtained for secukinumab: 0.48 ± 0.15 versus placebo, 0.45 ± 0.15 versus etanercept and 0.39 ± 0.18 versus ustekinumab. The highest-value contribution was reported by the patients' group, followed by the clinical professionals and the decision makers. A fundamental element that explained the difference in the scoring between pathologies was the availability of therapeutic alternatives. The retest confirmed the consistency and replicability of the analysis. Under this methodology, and assuming similar economic costs per patient for both treatments, the results indicated that the overall value estimated of dupilumab for severe atopic dermatitis was similar to, or slightly higher than, that of secukinumab for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

A molecular dynamics simulation study of chloroform

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tironi, Ilario G.; van Gunsteren, Wilfred F.

Three different chloroform models have been investigated using molecular dynamics computer simulation. The thermodynamic, structural and dynamic properties of the various models were investigated in detail. In particular, the potential energies, diffusion coefficients and rotational correlation times obtained for each model are compared with experiment. It is found that the theory of rotational Brownian motion fails in describing the rotational diffusion of chloroform. The force field of Dietz and Heinzinger was found to give good overall agreement with experiment. An extended investigation of this chloroform model has been performed. Values are reported for the isothermal compressibility, the thermal expansion coefficient and the constant volume heat capacity. The values agree well with experiment. The static and frequency dependent dielectric permittivity were computed from a 1·2 ns simulation conducted under reaction field boundary conditions. Considering the fact that the model is rigid with fixed partial charges, the static dielectric constant and Debye relaxation time compare well with experiment. From the same simulation the shear viscosity was computed using the off-diagonal elements of the pressure tensor, both via an Einstein type relation and via a Green-Kubo equation. The calculated viscosities show good agreement with experimental values. The excess Helmholtz energy is calculated using the thermodynamic integration technique and simulations of 50 and 80 ps. The value obtained for the excess Helmholtz energy matches the theoretical value within a few per cent.

Microwave response of high transition temperature superconducting thin films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miranda, Felix Antonio

1991-01-01

We have studied the microwave response of YBa2Cu3O(7 - delta), Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O, and Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O high transition temperature superconducting (HTS) thin films by performing power transmission measurements. These measurements were carried out in the temperature range of 300 K to 20 K and at frequencies within the range of 30 to 40 GHz. Through these measurements we have determined the magnetic penetration depth (lambda), the complex conductivity (sigma(sup *) = sigma(sub 1) - j sigma(sub 2)) and the surface resistance (R(sub s)). An estimate of the intrinsic penetration depth (lambda approx. 121 nm) for the YBa2Cu3O(7 - delta) HTS has been obtained from the film thickness dependence of lambda. This value compares favorably with the best values reported so far (approx. 140 nm) in single crystals and high quality c-axis oriented thin films. Furthermore, it was observed that our technique is sensitive to the intrinsic anisotropy of lambda in this superconductor. Values of lambda are also reported for Bi-based and Tl-based thin films. We observed that for the three types of superconductors, both sigma(sub 1) and sigma(sub 2) increased when cooling the films below their transition temperature. The measured R(sub s) are in good agreement with other R(sub S) values obtained using resonant activity techniques if we assume a quadratic frequency dependence. Our analysis shows that, of the three types of HTS films studied, the YBa2Cu3O(7 - delta) thin film, deposited by laser ablation and off-axis magnetron sputtering are the most promising for microwave applications.

Determination of the sulfur isotope ratio in carbonyl sulfide using gas chromatography/isotope ratio mass spectrometry on fragment ions 32S+, 33S+, and 34S+.

PubMed

Hattori, Shohei; Toyoda, Akari; Toyoda, Sakae; Ishino, Sakiko; Ueno, Yuichiro; Yoshida, Naohiro

2015-01-06

Little is known about the sulfur isotopic composition of carbonyl sulfide (OCS), the most abundant atmospheric sulfur species. We present a promising new analytical method for measuring the stable sulfur isotopic compositions (δ(33)S, δ(34)S, and Δ(33)S) of OCS using nanomole level samples. The direct isotopic analytical technique consists of two parts: a concentration line and online gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS) using fragmentation ions (32)S(+), (33)S(+), and (34)S(+). The current levels of measurement precision for OCS samples greater than 8 nmol are 0.42‰, 0.62‰, and 0.23‰ for δ(33)S, δ(34)S, and Δ(33)S, respectively. These δ and Δ values show a slight dependence on the amount of injected OCS for volumes smaller than 8 nmol. The isotope values obtained from the GC-IRMS method were calibrated against those measured by a conventional SF6 method. We report the first measurement of the sulfur isotopic composition of OCS in air collected at Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan. The δ(34)S value obtained for OCS (4.9 ± 0.3‰) was lower than the previous estimate of 11‰. When the δ(34)S value for OCS from the atmospheric sample is postulated as the global signal, this finding, coupled with isotopic fractionation for OCS sink reactions in the stratosphere, explains the reported δ(34)S for background stratospheric sulfate. This suggests that OCS is a potentially important source for background (nonepisodic or nonvolcanic) stratospheric sulfate aerosols.

The Added Value of Pathology Review in Vulvar Cancer: Results From a Population-based Cohort Study.

PubMed

Barbera, Lisa; Gien, Lilian T; Sutradhar, Rinku; Thomas, Gillian; Covens, Al; Elit, Laurie; Fyles, Anthony; Rakovitch, Eileen; Liu, Ying; Khalifa, Mahmoud

2017-03-01

We conducted a population-based patterns of care study of vulvar carcinoma. This paper describes the changes in reporting based on pathology review. This is a retrospective population-based cohort study. We obtained all pathology records available from the provincial cancer registry for primary invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva diagnosed between 1998 and 2007. Pathology reviews were conducted centrally by a group of gynecologic pathologists and were identified during abstraction. Corresponding original reports were matched to pathology review reports based on accession numbers. We compared the reported value for presence/absence of invasion, grade, depth, thickness, size, lymphovascular space invasion, peripheral margin status, and deep margin status in the original and review report. A total of 1011 vulvar resection reports were identified. From these, we identified 316 pairs of original/review reports. Missing data were common but improved in the reviews. In total, 55 (17%) reports had at least 1 change from the original to the review based on presence of invasion, depth, lymphovascular space invasion, or margin. When we included reports where a variable was missing in the original but then completed in the review, there were clinically relevant changes in 210 reports (66%). Vulvar carcinoma is a rare diagnosis and pathology reviews resulted in potentially important clinical changes in a significant proportion of cases. Referral pathologists play an important role in contributing to high-quality clinical decisions.

Disagreement in Parental Reports of Father Involvement

PubMed Central

Charles, Pajarita; Spielfogel, Jill; Gorman-Smith, Deborah; Schoeny, Michael; Henry, David; Tolan, Patrick

2016-01-01

Despite agreement on the value of father involvement in children’s lives, research has been limited due to the exclusion of fathers in studies, questionable validity of mothers’ reports on father involvement, and simple measures of fathering behavior. Our study extends previous research by comparing reports of father involvement using robust, multidimensional father involvement measures. Data from 113 fathers and 126 mothers reporting on 221 children were used to assess father involvement. Results indicate that fathers reported significantly higher levels of involvement than mothers reported. Findings from hierarchical linear models suggest that race/ethnicity and mothers’ reports of positive relationship quality were associated with smaller discrepancies in reports of father involvement, whereas nonmarried partnerships, older children, father residence, and biological status predicted larger discrepancies. Our study demonstrates the importance of obtaining father involvement reports directly from fathers and why father involvement should be assessed as a multidimensional construct to examine fathering behavior. PMID:29515272

Aquifer Tests and Characterization of Transmissivity, Ada-Vamoosa Aquifer on the Osage Reservation, Osage County, Oklahoma, 2006

USGS Publications Warehouse

Abbott, Marvin M.; DeHay, Kelli

2008-01-01

The Ada-Vamoosa aquifer of northeastern Oklahoma is a sedimentary bedrock aquifer of Pennsylvanian age that crops out over 800 square miles of the Osage Reservation. The Osage Nation needed additional information regarding the production potential of the aquifer to aid them in future development planning. To address this need, the U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Osage Nation, conducted a study of aquifer properties in the Ada-Vamoosa aquifer. This report presents the results of the aquifer tests from 20 wells in the Ada-Vamoosa aquifer and one well in a minor aquifer east of the Ada-Vamoosa outcrop on the Osage Reservation. Well information for 17 of the 21 wells in this report was obtained from the Indian Health Service. Data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey during this investigation are pumping well data from four domestic wells collected during the summer of 2006. Transmissivity values were calculated from well pumping data or were estimated from specific capacity values depending on the reliability of the data. The estimated transmissivity values are 1.1 to 4.3 times greater than the calculated transmissivity values. The calculated and estimated transmissivity values range from 5 to 1,000 feet squared per day.

Cross sections for the dissociative attachment of electrons to NO

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Krishnakumar, E.; Srivastava, S. K.

1988-01-01

Cross sections for the production of O(-) by electron attachment to NO are reported. It is found that the maximum value of the cross section is about 52 percent higher than the measurement of Rapp and Briglia (1965). Cross sections for the process of polar dissociation, e + NO yields N(+) + O(_), have also been measured, and the threshold energy for this process has been obtained.

Organizational Decisions.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-01

empirical outcomes. Since performance depends on the probabilities of obtaining valued outcomes ( Vroom , 1964), effort should be enhanced by easy goals...COVERED ORGANIZATIONAL DECISIONS FINAL 6. PERFORMING ORG. REPORT NUMBER 7. AUTHOR(s) 0. CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(e) BERNARD M. BASS NO 0014-80-CO438 9... PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT. PROJECT, TASK AREA a WORK UNIT NUMBERSBERNARD M. BASS, Ph.D. 2135 WEST IIAMTON ROAD

76 FR 43196 - Implementation of the Truth in Caller ID Act

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-20

...In this Report and Order (Order), the Commission adopts rules to implement the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 (Truth in Caller ID Act, or Act). The Truth in Caller ID Act, and the Commission's implementing rules, prohibit any person or entity from knowingly altering or manipulating caller identification information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongfully obtain anything of value.

STX--Fortran-4 program for estimates of tree populations from 3P sample-tree-measurements

Treesearch

L. R. Grosenbaugh

1967-01-01

Describes how to use an improved and greatly expanded version of an earlier computer program (1964) that converts dendrometer measurements of 3P-sample trees to population values in terms of whatever units user desires. Many new options are available, including that of obtaining a product-yield and appraisal report based on regression coefficients supplied by user....

United States trade in wood products, 1978?2005.

Treesearch

Jean M. Daniels

2008-01-01

Tables summarize volume and values of United States trade in wood products from 1978 to 2005. Import and export data are shown for 21 commodities aggregated from over 1,700 wood products. Data were obtained from an earlier report by Chmelik and others and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. Trade in each commodity is delineated by trading partner and...

Dynamics of miscible displacements in round tubes

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

Meiburg, E.; Maxworthy, T.; Chen, C.Y.

A combined experimental and numerical investigation of miscible two-phase flow in a capillary tube is reported. The fraction of fluid left behind on the wall is obtained as a function of the Peclet, Atwood, and Froude numbers. Scaling arguments are presented for two distinct flow regimes, dominated by diffusion and convection, respectively. In the latter one, an effective surface tension value can be estimated.

Sirc-cvs cytotoxicity test: an alternative for predicting rodent acute systemic toxicity.

PubMed

Kitagaki, Masato; Wakuri, Shinobu; Hirota, Morihiko; Tanaka, Noriho; Itagaki, Hiroshi

2006-10-01

An in vitro crystal violet staining method using the rabbit cornea-derived cell line (SIRC-CVS) has been developed as an alternative to predict acute systemic toxicity in rodents. Seventy-nine chemicals, the in vitro cytotoxicity of which was already reported by the Multicenter Evaluation of In vitro Toxicity (MEIC) and ICCVAM/ECVAM, were selected as test compounds. The cells were incubated with the chemicals for 72 hrs and the IC(50) and IC(35) values (microg/mL) were obtained. The results were compared to the in vivo (rat or mouse) "most toxic" oral, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous and intravenous LD(50) values (mg/kg) taken from the RTECS database for each of the chemicals by using Pearson's correlation statistics. The following parameters were calculated: accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, prevalence, positive predictability, and negative predictability. Good linear correlations (Pearson's coefficient; r>0.6) were observed between either the IC(50) or the IC(35) values and all the LD(50) values. Among them, a statistically significant high correlation (r=0.8102, p<0.001) required for acute systemic toxicity prediction was obtained between the IC(50) values and the oral LD(50) values. By using the cut-off concentrations of 2,000 mg/kg (LD(50)) and 4,225 microg/mL (IC(50)), no false negatives were observed, and the accuracy was 84.8%. From this, it is concluded that this method could be used to predict the acute systemic toxicity potential of chemicals in rodents.

Adding value to daily chest X-rays in the ICU through education, restricted daily orders and indication-based prompting.

PubMed

Keveson, Benjamin; Clouser, Ryan D; Hamlin, Mark P; Stevens, Pamela; Stinnett-Donnelly, Justin M; Allen, Gilman B

2017-01-01

Chest X-rays (CXRs) are traditionally obtained daily in all patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in the intensive care unit (ICU). We sought to reduce overutilisation of CXRs obtained in the ICU, using a multifaceted intervention to eliminate automated daily studies. We first educated ICU staff about the low diagnostic yield of automated daily CXRs, then removed the 'daily' option from the electronic health records-based ordering system, and added a query (CXR indicated or not indicated) to the ICU daily rounding checklist to prompt a CXR order when clinically warranted. We built a report from billing codes, focusing on all CXRs obtained on IMV census days in the medical (MICU) and surgical (SICU) ICUs, excluding the day of admission and days that a procedure warranting CXR was performed. This generated the number of CXRs obtained every 1000 'included' ventilator days (IVDs), the latter defined as not having an 'absolute' clinical indication for CXR. The average monthly number of CXRs on an IVD decreased from 919±90 (95% CI 877 to 963) to 330±87 (95% CI 295 to 354) per 1000 IVDs in the MICU, and from 995±69 (95% CI 947 to 1055) to 649±133 (95% CI 593 to 697) in the SICU. This yielded an estimated 1830 to 2066 CXRs avoided over 2 years and an estimated annual savings of $191 600 to $224 200. There was no increase in reported adverse events. ICUs can safely transition to a higher value strategy of indication-based chest imaging by educating staff, eliminating the 'daily' order option and adding a simplified prompt to avoid missing clinically indicated CXRs.

Multispectrum analysis of air-broadened spectra in the ν3 Q branch of 12CH4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devi, V. Malathy; Benner, D. Chris; Gamache, Robert R.; Tran, H.; Smith, Mary Ann H.; Sams, Robert L.

2018-02-01

We report experimental measurements of spectral line shape parameters (air-broadened width, shift, and line mixing coefficients) for several transitions in the ν3 Q branch of methane in the 3000-3023 cm-1 region. 13 high-resolution, room temperature laboratory spectra of pure methane and air-broadened methane recorded with two different Fourier transform spectrometers are fitted. 12 of these spectra were acquired at 0.01 cm-1 resolution with the McMath-Pierce FTS at the National Solar Observatory on Kitt Peak, and one higher-resolution (∼0.0011 cm-1) low pressure methane spectrum was obtained with the Bruker IFS-120HR FTS at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, in Richland, Washington. All the spectra were obtained using high purity natural samples of CH4 and lean mixtures of the same natural CH4 in dry air. For the 12 spectra recorded at Kitt Peak, three different absorption cells (L = 5, 25 and 150 cm) were used while the methane spectrum at PNNL was obtained using a 19.95 cm long absorption cell. For the analysis, an interactive multispectrum nonlinear least squares fitting software was employed where all the 13 spectra were fitted simultaneously. An accurate and self-consistent set of line parameters were determined by constraining a few of those for severely blended transitions. Line mixing was measured for 14 transition pairs for the CH4-air collision system. A constant speed dependence parameter, consistent with measured speed dependence values obtained in other methane bands, was applied to all the transitions included in the fitted region. The present measurements are compared to values reported in the literature.

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

Devi, V. Malathy; Benner, D. Chris; Gamache, Robert R.

In this paper, we report experimental measurements of spectral line shape parameters (air-broadened width, shift, and line mixing coefficients) for several transitions in the ν 3 Q branch of methane in the 3000–3023 cm -1 region. 13 high-resolution, room temperature laboratory spectra of pure methane and air-broadened methane recorded with two different Fourier transform spectrometers are fitted. 12 of these spectra were acquired at 0.01 cm -1 resolution with the McMath-Pierce FTS at the National Solar Observatory on Kitt Peak, and one higher-resolution (~0.0011 cm-1) low pressure methane spectrum was obtained with the Bruker IFS-120HR FTS at the Pacific Northwestmore » National Laboratory, in Richland, Washington. All the spectra were obtained using high purity natural samples of CH 4 and lean mixtures of the same natural CH 4 in dry air. For the 12 spectra recorded at Kitt Peak, three different absorption cells (L= 5, 25 and 150 cm) were used while the methane spectrum at PNNL was obtained using a 19.95 cm long absorption cell. For the analysis, an interactive multispectrum nonlinear least squares fitting software was employed where all the 13 spectra were fitted simultaneously. An accurate and self-consistent set of line parameters were determined by constraining a few of those for severely blended transitions. Line mixing was measured for fourteen transition pairs for the CH 4-air collision system. Lastly, a constant speed dependence parameter, consistent with measured speed dependence values obtained in other methane bands, was applied to all the transitions included in the fitted region. The present measurements are compared to values reported in the literature.« less

Multispectrum analysis of air-broadened spectra in the ν 3 Q branch of 12CH4

DOE PAGES

Devi, V. Malathy; Benner, D. Chris; Gamache, Robert R.; ...

2017-12-06

In this paper, we report experimental measurements of spectral line shape parameters (air-broadened width, shift, and line mixing coefficients) for several transitions in the ν 3 Q branch of methane in the 3000–3023 cm -1 region. 13 high-resolution, room temperature laboratory spectra of pure methane and air-broadened methane recorded with two different Fourier transform spectrometers are fitted. 12 of these spectra were acquired at 0.01 cm -1 resolution with the McMath-Pierce FTS at the National Solar Observatory on Kitt Peak, and one higher-resolution (~0.0011 cm-1) low pressure methane spectrum was obtained with the Bruker IFS-120HR FTS at the Pacific Northwestmore » National Laboratory, in Richland, Washington. All the spectra were obtained using high purity natural samples of CH 4 and lean mixtures of the same natural CH 4 in dry air. For the 12 spectra recorded at Kitt Peak, three different absorption cells (L= 5, 25 and 150 cm) were used while the methane spectrum at PNNL was obtained using a 19.95 cm long absorption cell. For the analysis, an interactive multispectrum nonlinear least squares fitting software was employed where all the 13 spectra were fitted simultaneously. An accurate and self-consistent set of line parameters were determined by constraining a few of those for severely blended transitions. Line mixing was measured for fourteen transition pairs for the CH 4-air collision system. Lastly, a constant speed dependence parameter, consistent with measured speed dependence values obtained in other methane bands, was applied to all the transitions included in the fitted region. The present measurements are compared to values reported in the literature.« less

Effect of layer thickness on device response of silicon heavily supersaturated with sulfur

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

Hutchinson, David; Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, United States Military Academy, West Point NY 10996; Mathews, Jay

2016-05-15

We report on a simple experiment in which the thickness of a hyperdoped silicon layer, supersaturated with sulfur by ion implantation followed by pulsed laser melting and rapid solidification, is systematically varied at constant average sulfur concentration, by varying the implantation energy, dose, and laser fluence. Contacts are deposited and the external quantum efficiency (EQE) is measured for visible wavelengths. We posit that the sulfur layer primarily absorbs light but contributes negligible photocurrent, and we seek to support this by analyzing the EQE data for the different layer thicknesses in two interlocking ways. In the first, we use the measuredmore » concentration depth profiles to obtain the approximate layer thicknesses, and, for each wavelength, fit the EQE vs. layer thickness curve to obtain the absorption coefficient of hyperdoped silicon for that wavelength. Comparison to literature values for the hyperdoped silicon absorption coefficients [S.H. Pan et al. Applied Physics Letters 98, 121913 (2011)] shows good agreement. Next, we essentially run this process in reverse; we fit with Beer’s law the curves of EQE vs. hyperdoped silicon absorption coefficient for those wavelengths that are primarily absorbed in the hyperdoped silicon layer, and find that the layer thicknesses obtained from the fit are in good agreement with the original values obtained from the depth profiles. We conclude that the data support our interpretation of the hyperdoped silicon layer as providing negligible photocurrent at high S concentrations. This work validates the absorption data of Pan et al. [Applied Physics Letters 98, 121913 (2011)], and is consistent with reports of short mobility-lifetime products in hyperdoped layers. It suggests that for optoelectronic devices containing hyperdoped layers, the most important contribution to the above band gap photoresponse may be due to photons absorbed below the hyperdoped layer.« less

Area of ischemia assessed by physicians and software packages from myocardial perfusion scintigrams

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The European Society of Cardiology recommends that patients with >10% area of ischemia should receive revascularization. We investigated inter-observer variability for the extent of ischemic defects reported by different physicians and by different software tools, and if inter-observer variability was reduced when the physicians were provided with a computerized suggestion of the defects. Methods Twenty-five myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) patients who were regarded as ischemic according to the final report were included. Eleven physicians in nuclear medicine delineated the extent of the ischemic defects. After at least two weeks, they delineated the defects again, and were this time provided a suggestion of the defect delineation by EXINI HeartTM (EXINI). Summed difference scores and ischemic extent values were obtained from four software programs. Results The median extent values obtained from the 11 physicians varied between 8% and 34%, and between 9% and 16% for the software programs. For all 25 patients, mean extent obtained from EXINI was 17.0% (± standard deviation (SD) 14.6%). Mean extent for physicians was 22.6% (± 15.6%) for the first delineation and 19.1% (± 14.9%) for the evaluation where they were provided computerized suggestion. Intra-class correlation (ICC) increased from 0.56 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.41-0.72) to 0.81 (95% CI 0.71-0.90) between the first and the second delineation, and SD between physicians were 7.8 (first) and 5.9 (second delineation). Conclusions There was large variability in the estimated ischemic defect size obtained both from different physicians and from different software packages. When the physicians were provided with a suggested delineation, the inter-observer variability decreased significantly. PMID:24479846

Refolding of laccase from Trametes versicolor using aqueous two phase systems: Effect of different additives.

PubMed

Sánchez-Trasviña, Calef; Mayolo-Deloisa, Karla; González-Valdez, José; Rito-Palomares, Marco

2017-07-21

Protein refolding is a strategy used to obtain active forms of proteins from inclusion bodies. On its part, laccase is an enzyme with potential for different biotechnological applications but there are few reports regarding its refolding which in many cases is considered inefficient due to the poor obtained refolding yields. Aqueous Two-Phase Systems (ATPS) have been used for the refolding of proteins getting acceptable recovery percentages since PEG presents capacity to avoid protein aggregation. In this work, 48 PEG-phosphate ATPS were analyzed to study the impact of different parameters (i.e. tie line length (TLL), volume ratio (V R ) and PEG molecular weight) upon the recovery and refolding of laccase. Additionally, since laccase is a metalloprotein, the use of additives (individually and in mixture) was studied with the aim of favoring refolding. Results showed that laccase presents a high affinity for the PEG-rich phase obtaining recovery values of up to 90%. Such affinity increases with increasing TLL and decreases when PEG molecular weight and V R increase. In denatured state, this PEG-rich phase affinity decreases drastically. However, the use of additives such as l-cysteine, glutathione oxidized, cysteamine and Cu +2 was critical in improving refolding yield values up to 100%. The best conditions for the refolding of laccase were obtained using the PEG 400gmol -1 , TLL 45% w/w, V R 3 ATPS and a mixture of 2.5mM cysteamine with 1mM Cu +2 . To our knowledge, this is the first time that the use of additives and the behavior of the mixture of such additives to enhance refolding performance in ATPS is reported. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The PROMIS fatigue item bank has good measurement properties in patients with fibromyalgia and severe fatigue.

PubMed

Yost, Kathleen J; Waller, Niels G; Lee, Minji K; Vincent, Ann

2017-06-01

Efficient management of fibromyalgia (FM) requires precise measurement of FM-specific symptoms. Our objective was to assess the measurement properties of the Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) fatigue item bank (FIB) in people with FM. We applied classical psychometric and item response theory methods to cross-sectional PROMIS-FIB data from two samples. Data on the clinical FM sample were obtained at a tertiary medical center. Data for the U.S. general population sample were obtained from the PROMIS network. The full 95-item bank was administered to both samples. We investigated dimensionality of the item bank in both samples by separately fitting a bifactor model with two group factors; experience and impact. We assessed measurement invariance between samples, and we explored an alternate factor structure with the normative sample and subsequently confirmed that structure in the clinical sample. Finally, we assessed whether reporting FM subdomain scores added value over reporting a single total score. The item bank was dominated by a general fatigue factor. The fit of the initial bifactor model and evidence of measurement invariance indicated that the same constructs were measured across the samples. An alternative bifactor model with three group factors demonstrated slightly improved fit. Subdomain scores add value over a total score. We demonstrated that the PROMIS-FIB is appropriate for measuring fatigue in clinical samples of FM patients. The construct can be presented by a single score; however, subdomain scores for the three group factors identified in the alternative model may also be reported.

Supplementary comparisons of COOMET in the field of measurements of liquids kinematical viscosity COOMET.M.V-S1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demyanov, A. A.; Tsurko, A. A.

2017-01-01

In the comparisons three Newtonian liquid samples were used with nominal values of 20 mm2/s 100 mm2/s and 1000 mm2/s ('20', '100' and '1000' respectively) at 20 °C. Each NMI presented results of measurements values kinematic viscosity samples, uncertainty and uncertainty budget. The purpose of these comparisons was confirmation of measurement and calibration capabilities (CMC) of the relevant NMI. As a reference the values of kinematic viscosity reference samples were taken as average values of measurement results obtained in the research laboratory of the national standards and research in the field of measurements of viscosity and density of the D I Mendeleev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM, RF), as a participant in international comparisons CCM.V-K1, BIPM. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Supplementary comparisons of COOMET in the field of measurements of liquids kinematical viscosity COOMET.M.V-S2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demyanov, A. A.; Tsurko, A. A.

2017-01-01

In the comparisons three Newtonian liquid samples were used with nominal values of 20 mm2/s 100 mm2/s and 1000 mm2/s ('20', '100' and '1000', respectively) at 20 °C. Each NMI presented results of measurements values kinematic viscosity samples, uncertainty and uncertainty budget. The purpose of these comparisons was confirmation of measurement and calibration capabilities (CMC) of the relevant NMI. As a reference the values of kinematic viscosity reference samples were taken as average values of measurement results obtained in the research laboratory of the national standards and research in the field of measurements of viscosity and density of the D I Mendeleev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM, RF), as a participant in international comparisons CCM.V-K1, BIPM. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Evaluating significance in linear mixed-effects models in R.

PubMed

Luke, Steven G

2017-08-01

Mixed-effects models are being used ever more frequently in the analysis of experimental data. However, in the lme4 package in R the standards for evaluating significance of fixed effects in these models (i.e., obtaining p-values) are somewhat vague. There are good reasons for this, but as researchers who are using these models are required in many cases to report p-values, some method for evaluating the significance of the model output is needed. This paper reports the results of simulations showing that the two most common methods for evaluating significance, using likelihood ratio tests and applying the z distribution to the Wald t values from the model output (t-as-z), are somewhat anti-conservative, especially for smaller sample sizes. Other methods for evaluating significance, including parametric bootstrapping and the Kenward-Roger and Satterthwaite approximations for degrees of freedom, were also evaluated. The results of these simulations suggest that Type 1 error rates are closest to .05 when models are fitted using REML and p-values are derived using the Kenward-Roger or Satterthwaite approximations, as these approximations both produced acceptable Type 1 error rates even for smaller samples.

Mass transfer coefficient in ginger oil extraction by microwave hydrotropic solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Handayani, Dwi; Ikhsan, Diyono; Yulianto, Mohamad Endy; Dwisukma, Mandy Ayulia

2015-12-01

This research aims to obtain mass transfer coefficient data on the extraction of ginger oil using microwave hydrotropic solvent as an alternative to increase zingiberene. The innovation of this study is extraction with microwave heater and hydrotropic solvent,which able to shift the phase equilibrium, and the increasing rate of the extraction process and to improve the content of ginger oil zingiberene. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Separation Techniques at Chemical Engineering Department of Diponegoro University. The research activities carried out in two stages, namely experimental and modeling work. Preparation of the model postulated, then lowered to obtain equations that were tested and validated using data obtained from experimental. Measurement of experimental data was performed using microwave power (300 W), extraction temperature of 90 ° C and the independent variable, i.e.: type of hydrotropic, the volume of solvent and concentration in order, to obtain zingiberen levels as a function of time. Measured data was used as a tool to validate the postulation, in order to obtain validation of models and empirical equations. The results showed that the mass transfer coefficient (Kla) on zingiberene mass transfer models ginger oil extraction at various hydrotropic solution attained more 14 ± 2 Kla value than its reported on the extraction with electric heating. The larger value of Kla, the faster rate of mass transfer on the extraction process. To obtain the same yields, the microwave-assisted extraction required one twelfth time shorter.

A method to assess the influence of individual player performance distribution on match outcome in team sports.

PubMed

Robertson, Sam; Gupta, Ritu; McIntosh, Sam

2016-10-01

This study developed a method to determine whether the distribution of individual player performances can be modelled to explain match outcome in team sports, using Australian Rules football as an example. Player-recorded values (converted to a percentage of team total) in 11 commonly reported performance indicators were obtained for all regular season matches played during the 2014 Australian Football League season, with team totals also recorded. Multiple features relating to heuristically determined percentiles for each performance indicator were then extracted for each team and match, along with the outcome (win/loss). A generalised estimating equation model comprising eight key features was developed, explaining match outcome at a median accuracy of 63.9% under 10-fold cross-validation. Lower 75th, 90th and 95th percentile values for team goals and higher 25th and 50th percentile values for disposals were linked with winning. Lower 95th and higher 25th percentile values for Inside 50s and Marks, respectively, were also important contributors. These results provide evidence supporting team strategies which aim to obtain an even spread of goal scorers in Australian Rules football. The method developed in this investigation could be used to quantify the importance of individual contributions to overall team performance in team sports.

Women's perceptions of everyday occupations: outcomes of the Redesigning Daily Occupations (ReDO) programme.

PubMed

Eklund, Mona; Erlandsson, Lena-Karin

2014-09-01

The aim was to (i) assess the outcomes of the 16-week Redesigning Daily Occupations (ReDO) programme for women on sick leave due to stress-related disorders, in terms of occupational value, satisfaction with everyday occupations, and participation level; (ii) investigate the relationships between those outcomes and return-to-work rate. A total of 42 women receiving ReDO and 42 receiving care as usual (CAU) were included in a matched-control study with measurements before and after the rehabilitation. Seventy-eight participated on both occasions. They completed self-report questionnaires regarding the aforementioned outcomes. Return-to-work data were obtained from the registers of the Social Insurance Offices. Increases in concrete, symbolic, and self-reward values were found in both groups, but no statistically significant difference between the groups was demonstrated. The ReDO group improved more than the CAU group, however, on satisfaction with everyday occupations and participation level. Occupational value, but not satisfaction with everyday occupations, was related to return to work. Everyday occupations were shown to be relevant outcomes after work rehabilitation. They could play an important role in future development of profession-specific evidence of occupational therapy. Further support was obtained for viewing occupational value and satisfaction with everyday occupations as theoretically distinct phenomena.

Heat resistance of thermoduric enterococci isolated from milk.

PubMed

McAuley, Catherine M; Gobius, Kari S; Britz, Margaret L; Craven, Heather M

2012-03-15

Enterococci are reported to survive pasteurisation but the extent of their survival is unclear. Sixty-one thermoduric enterococci isolates were selected from laboratory pasteurised milk obtained from silos in six dairy factories. The isolates were screened to determine log(10) reductions incurred after pasteurisation (63°C/30 min) and ranked from highest to lowest log(10) reduction. Two isolates each of Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus durans and Enterococcus hirae, exhibiting the median and the greatest heat resistance, as well as E. faecalis ATCC 19433, were selected for further heat resistance determinations using an immersed coil apparatus. D values were calculated from survival curves plotted from viable counts obtained after heating isolates in Brain Heart Infusion Broth at 63, 69, 72, 75 and 78°C followed by rapid cooling. At 72°C, the temperature employed for High Temperature Short Time (HTST) pasteurisation (72°C/15s), the D values extended from 0.3 min to 5.1 min, depending on the isolate and species. These data were used to calculate z values, which ranged from 5.0 to 9.8°C. The most heat sensitive isolates were E. faecalis (z values 5.0, 5.7 and 7.5°C), while the most heat resistant isolates were E. durans (z values 8.7 and 8.8°C), E. faecium (z value 9.0°C) and E. hirae (z values 8.5 and 9.8°C). The data show that heat resistance in enterococci is highly variable. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Simplified quantification and whole-body distribution of [18F]FE-PE2I in nonhuman primates: prediction for human studies.

PubMed

Varrone, Andrea; Gulyás, Balázs; Takano, Akihiro; Stabin, Michael G; Jonsson, Cathrine; Halldin, Christer

2012-02-01

[(18)F]FE-PE2I is a promising dopamine transporter (DAT) radioligand. In nonhuman primates, we examined the accuracy of simplified quantification methods and the estimates of radiation dose of [(18)F]FE-PE2I. In the quantification study, binding potential (BP(ND)) values previously reported in three rhesus monkeys using kinetic and graphical analyses of [(18)F]FE-PE2I were used for comparison. BP(ND) using the cerebellum as reference region was obtained with four reference tissue methods applied to the [(18)F]FE-PE2I data that were compared with the kinetic and graphical analyses. In the whole-body study, estimates of adsorbed radiation were obtained in two cynomolgus monkeys. All reference tissue methods provided BP(ND) values within 5% of the values obtained with the kinetic and graphical analyses. The shortest imaging time for stable BP(ND) estimation was 54 min. The average effective dose of [(18)F]FE-PE2I was 0.021 mSv/MBq, similar to 2-deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-d-glucose. The results in nonhuman primates suggest that [(18)F]FE-PE2I is suitable for accurate and stable DAT quantification, and its radiation dose estimates would allow for a maximal administered radioactivity of 476 MBq in human subjects. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Partitioning of organophosphorus pesticides into phosphatidylcholine small unilamellar vesicles studied by second-derivative spectrophotometry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takegami, Shigehiko; Kitamura, Keisuke; Ohsugi, Mayuko; Ito, Aya; Kitade, Tatsuya

2015-06-01

In order to quantitatively examine the lipophilicity of the widely used organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) chlorfenvinphos (CFVP), chlorpyrifos-methyl (CPFM), diazinon (DZN), fenitrothion (FNT), fenthion (FT), isofenphos (IFP), profenofos (PFF) and pyraclofos (PCF), their partition coefficient (Kp) values between phosphatidylcholine (PC) small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) and water (liposome-water system) were determined by second-derivative spectrophotometry. The second-derivative spectra of these OPs in the presence of PC SUV showed a bathochromic shift according to the increase in PC concentration and distinct derivative isosbestic points, demonstrating the complete elimination of the residual background signal effects that were observed in the absorption spectra. The Kp values were calculated from the second-derivative intensity change induced by addition of PC SUV and obtained with a good precision of R.S.D. below 10%. The Kp values were in the order of CPFM > FT > PFF > PCF > IFP > CFVP > FNT ⩾ DZN and did not show a linear correlation relationship with the reported partition coefficients obtained using an n-octanol-water system (R2 = 0.530). Also, the results quantitatively clarified the effect of chemical-group substitution in OPs on their lipophilicity. Since the partition coefficient for the liposome-water system is more effective for modeling the quantitative structure-activity relationship than that for the n-octanol-water system, the obtained results are toxicologically important for estimating the accumulation of these OPs in human cell membranes.

Organic honey from Trás-Os-Montes region (Portugal): chemical, palynological, microbiological and bioactive compounds characterization.

PubMed

Estevinho, Leticia M; Feás, Xesús; Seijas, Julio A; Pilar Vázquez-Tato, M

2012-02-01

At the present time, the quality, integrity, sanitation and nutritional value of honeys receive attention on an international level due to the increasing content of chemicals in the aforementioned matrix. This work was conducted to evaluate the quality of 75 organic honey samples from the Trás-Os-Montes region (Portugal). Mean values obtained for physico-chemical parameters were: pH 3.7; 15.6% moisture; 0.26mS/cm electrical conductivity; 0.25% ash; 1.1mg/kg HMF; 15.3 Gothe diastase activity; 40.3meq/kg free acidity; 67.8% invert sugars and 2.7% apparent sucrose. All honey samples can be classified as monofloral Erica sp., as showed by pollen features. The amounts of phenols and flavonoids in the samples were also determined. In respect to sanitary quality (fecal coliforms) and safety (sulfite-reducing clostridia and Salmonella), all organic honey samples were negative. Furthermore, yeast and molds were detected in low counts, with mean values obtained of 5.5cfu/g and the value of total aerobic mesophiles obtained from honeys was established in 1.3×10(2)cfu/g±7.5×10(1)cfu/g. The levels of flavonoids had a stronger impact on both mesophiles (p=0.0004) and molds (p=0.0138) than the sucrose concentration (p=0.001 and 0.0278; respectively). The results reported in this study should be introduced in the organic honey label, and may help beekeepers, the industry, researchers and consumers better understand honey properties. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Use of differential scanning calorimetry to detect canola oil (Brassica napus L.) adulterated with lard stearin.

PubMed

Marikkar, Jalaldeen Mohammed Nazrim; Rana, Sohel

2014-01-01

A study was conducted to detect and quantify lard stearin (LS) content in canola oil (CaO) using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Authentic samples of CaO were obtained from a reliable supplier and the adulterant LS were obtained through a fractional crystallization procedure as reported previously. Pure CaO samples spiked with LS in levels ranging from 5 to 15% (w/w) were analyzed using DSC to obtain their cooling and heating profiles. The results showed that samples contaminated with LS at 5% (w/w) level can be detected using characteristic contaminant peaks appearing in the higher temperature regions (0 to 70°C) of the cooling and heating curves. Pearson correlation analysis of LS content against individual DSC parameters of the adulterant peak namely peak temperature, peak area, peak onset temperature indicated that there were strong correlations between these with the LS content of the CaO admixtures. When these three parameters were engaged as variables in the execution of the stepwise regression procedure, predictive models for determination of LS content in CaO were obtained. The predictive models obtained with single DSC parameter had relatively lower coefficient of determination (R(2) value) and higher standard error than the models obtained using two DSC parameters in combination. This study concluded that the predictive models obtained with peak area and peak onset temperature of the adulteration peak would be more accurate for prediction of LS content in CaO based on the highest coefficient of determination (R(2) value) and smallest standard error.

Transient Nonequilibrium Molecular Dynamic Simulations of Thermal Conductivity: 1. Simple Fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hulse, R. J.; Rowley, R. L.; Wilding, W. V.

2005-01-01

Thermal conductivity has been previously obtained from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using either equilibrium (EMD) simulations (from Green--Kubo equations) or from steady-state nonequilibrium (NEMD) simulations. In the case of NEMD, either boundary-driven steady states are simulated or constrained equations of motion are used to obtain steady-state heat transfer rates. Like their experimental counterparts, these nonequilibrium steady-state methods are time consuming and may have convection problems. Here we report a new transient method developed to provide accurate thermal conductivity predictions from MD simulations. In the proposed MD method, molecules that lie within a specified volume are instantaneously heated. The temperature decay of the system of molecules inside the heated volume is compared to the solution of the transient energy equation, and the thermal diffusivity is regressed. Since the density of the fluid is set in the simulation, only the isochoric heat capacity is needed in order to obtain the thermal conductivity. In this study the isochoric heat capacity is determined from energy fluctuations within the simulated fluid. The method is valid in the liquid, vapor, and critical regions. Simulated values for the thermal conductivity of a Lennard-Jones (LJ) fluid were obtained using this new method over a temperature range of 90 to 900 K and a density range of 1-35 kmol · m-3. These values compare favorably with experimental values for argon. The new method has a precision of ±10%. Compared to other methods, the algorithm is quick, easy to code, and applicable to small systems, making the simulations very efficient.

Cost-effectiveness of screening for asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic disease.

PubMed

Derdeyn, C P; Powers, W J

1996-11-01

The value of screening for asymptomatic carotid stenosis has become an important issue with the recently reported beneficial effect of endarterectomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using Doppler ultrasound as a screening tool to select subjects for arteriography and subsequent surgery. A computer model was developed to simulate the cost-effectiveness of screening a cohort of 1000 men during a 20-year period. The primary outcome measure was incremental present-value dollar expenditures for screening and treatment per incremental present-value quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) saved. Estimates of disease prevalence and arteriographic and surgical complication rates were obtained from the literature. Probabilities of stroke and death with surgical and medical treatment were obtained from published clinical trials. Doppler ultrasound sensitivity and specificity were obtained through review of local experience. Estimates of costs were obtained from local Medicare reimbursement data. A one-time screening program of a population with a high prevalence (20%) of > or = 60% stenosis cost $35130 per incremental QALY gained. Decreased surgical benefit or increased annual discount rate was detrimental, resulting in lost QALYs. Annual screening cost $457773 per incremental QALY gained. In a low-prevalence (4%) population, one-time screening cost $52588 per QALY gained, while annual screening was detrimental. The cost-effectiveness of a one-time screening program for an asymptomatic population with a high prevalence of carotid stenosis may be cost-effective. Annual screening is detrimental. The most sensitive variables in this simulation model were long-term stroke risk reduction after surgery and annual discount rate for accumulated costs and QALYs.

A means to estimate thermal and kinetic parameters of coal dust layer from hot surface ignition tests.

PubMed

Park, Haejun; Rangwala, Ali S; Dembsey, Nicholas A

2009-08-30

A method to estimate thermal and kinetic parameters of Pittsburgh seam coal subject to thermal runaway is presented using the standard ASTM E 2021 hot surface ignition test apparatus. Parameters include thermal conductivity (k), activation energy (E), coupled term (QA) of heat of reaction (Q) and pre-exponential factor (A) which are required, but rarely known input values to determine the thermal runaway propensity of a dust material. Four different dust layer thicknesses: 6.4, 12.7, 19.1 and 25.4mm, are tested, and among them, a single steady state dust layer temperature profile of 12.7 mm thick dust layer is used to estimate k, E and QA. k is calculated by equating heat flux from the hot surface layer and heat loss rate on the boundary assuming negligible heat generation in the coal dust layer at a low hot surface temperature. E and QA are calculated by optimizing a numerically estimated steady state dust layer temperature distribution to the experimentally obtained temperature profile of a 12.7 mm thick dust layer. Two unknowns, E and QA, are reduced to one from the correlation of E and QA obtained at criticality of thermal runaway. The estimated k is 0.1 W/mK matching the previously reported value. E ranges from 61.7 to 83.1 kJ/mol, and the corresponding QA ranges from 1.7 x 10(9) to 4.8 x 10(11)J/kg s. The mean values of E (72.4 kJ/mol) and QA (2.8 x 10(10)J/kg s) are used to predict the critical hot surface temperatures for other thicknesses, and good agreement is observed between measured and experimental values. Also, the estimated E and QA ranges match the corresponding ranges calculated from the multiple tests method and values reported in previous research.

A comprehensive study of g-factors, elastic, structural and electronic properties of III-V semiconductors using hybrid-density functional theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bastos, Carlos M. O.; Sabino, Fernando P.; Sipahi, Guilherme M.; Da Silva, Juarez L. F.

2018-02-01

Despite the large number of theoretical III-V semiconductor studies reported every year, our atomistic understanding is still limited. The limitations of the theoretical approaches to yield accurate structural and electronic properties on an equal footing, is due to the unphysical self-interaction problem that mainly affects the band gap and spin-orbit splitting (SOC) in semiconductors and, in particular, III-V systems with similar magnitude of the band gap and SOC. In this work, we report a consistent study of the structural and electronic properties of the III-V semiconductors by using the screening hybrid-density functional theory framework, by fitting the α parameters for 12 different III-V compounds, namely, AlN, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, GaN, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InN, InP, InAs, and InSb, to minimize the deviation between the theoretical and experimental values of the band gap and SOC. Structural relaxation effects were also included. Except for AlP, whose α = 0.127, we obtained α values that ranged from 0.209 to 0.343, which deviate by less than 0.1 from the universal value of 0.25. Our results for the lattice parameter and elastic constants indicate that the fitting of α does not affect those structural parameters when compared with the HSE06 functional, where α = 0.25. Our analysis of the band structure based on the k ṡ p method shows that the effective masses are in agreement with the experimental values, which can be attributed to the simultaneous fitting of the band gap and SOC. Also, we estimate the values of g-factors, extracted directly from the band structure, which are close to experimental results, which indicate that the obtained band structure produced a realistic set of k ṡ p parameters.

Blood gases, biochemistry and haematology of Galápagos marine iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus)

PubMed Central

Lewbart, Gregory A.; Hirschfeld, Maximilian; Brothers, J. Roger; Muñoz-Pérez, Juan Pablo; Denkinger, Judith; Vinueza, Luis; García, Juan; Lohmann, Kenneth J.

2015-01-01

The marine iguana, Amblyrhynchus cristatus, is an iconic lizard endemic to the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador, but surprisingly little information exists on baseline health parameters for this species. We analysed blood samples drawn from 35 marine iguanas captured at three locations on San Cristóbal Island. A portable blood analyser (iSTAT) was used to obtain near-immediate field results for pH, lactate, partial pressure of O2, partial pressure of CO2, bicarbonate (HCO3−), percentage O2 saturation, haematocrit, haemoglobin, sodium, potassium, ionized calcium and glucose. Parameter values affected by temperature were auto-corrected by the iSTAT. Standard laboratory haematology techniques were employed for differential white blood cell counts and haematocrit determination; resulting values were also compared with the haematocrit values generated by the iSTAT. Body temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate and body measurements were also recorded. Body length was positively correlated with several blood chemistry values (HCO3− and glucose) and two haematology parameters (haemoglobin and manually determined haematocrit). A notable finding was the unusually high blood sodium level; the mean value of 178 mg/dl is among the highest known for any reptile. This value is likely to be a conservative estimate because some samples exceeded the maximal value the iSTAT can detect. For haematocrit determination, the iSTAT blood analyser yielded results significantly lower than those obtained with high-speed centrifugation. The values reported in this study provide baseline data that may be useful in comparisons among populations and in detecting changes in health status among marine iguanas affected by natural disturbances or anthropogenic threats. The findings might also be helpful in future efforts to demonstrate associations between specific biochemical parameters and disease. PMID:27293719

Ultra-short heart rate variability recording reliability: The effect of controlled paced breathing.

PubMed

Melo, Hiago M; Martins, Thiago C; Nascimento, Lucas M; Hoeller, Alexandre A; Walz, Roger; Takase, Emílio

2018-06-04

Recent studies have reported that Heart Rate Variability (HRV) indices remain reliable even during recordings shorter than 5 min, suggesting the ultra-short recording method as a valuable tool for autonomic assessment. However, the minimum time-epoch to obtain a reliable record for all HRV domains (time, frequency, and Poincare geometric measures), as well as the effect of respiratory rate on the reliability of these indices remains unknown. Twenty volunteers had their HRV recorded in a seated position during spontaneous and controlled respiratory rhythms. HRV intervals with 1, 2, and 3 min were correlated with the gold standard period (6-min duration) and the mean values of all indices were compared in the two respiratory rhythm conditions. rMSSD and SD1 were more reliable for recordings with ultra-short duration at all time intervals (r values from 0.764 to 0.950, p < 0.05) for spontaneous breathing condition, whereas the other indices require longer recording time to obtain reliable values. The controlled breathing rhythm evokes stronger r values for time domain indices (r values from 0.83 to 0.99, p < 0.05 for rMSSD), but impairs the mean values replicability of domains across most time intervals. Although the use of standardized breathing increases the correlations coefficients, all HRV indices showed an increase in mean values (t values from 3.79 to 14.94, p < 0.001) except the RR and HF that presented a decrease (t = 4.14 and 5.96, p < 0.0001). Our results indicate that proper ultra-short-term recording method can provide a quick and reliable source of cardiac autonomic nervous system assessment. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reliability study of biometrics "do not contact" in myopia.

PubMed

Migliorini, R; Fratipietro, M; Comberiati, A M; Pattavina, L; Arrico, L

The aim of the study is a comparison between the actually achieved after surgery condition versus the expected refractive condition of the eye as calculated via a biometer. The study was conducted in a random group of 38 eyes of patients undergoing surgery by phacoemulsification. The mean absolute error was calculated between the predicted values from the measurements with the optical biometer and those obtained in the post-operative error which was at around 0.47% Our study shows results not far from those reported in the literature, and in relation, to the mean absolute error is among the lowest values at 0.47 ± 0.11 SEM.

First results on the measurements of the proton beam polarization at internal target at Nuclotron1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ladygin, V. P.; Gurchin, Yu V.; Isupov, A. Yu; Janek, M.; Khrenov, A. N.; Kurilkin, P. K.; Livanov, A. N.; Piyadin, S. M.; Reznikov, S. G.; Skhomenko, Ya T.; Terekhin, A. A.; Tishevsky, A. V.; Averyanov, A. V.; Bazylev, S. N.; Belov, A. S.; Butenko, A. V.; Chernykh, E. V.; Filatov, Yu N.; Fimushkin, V. V.; Krivenkov, D. O.; Kondratenko, A. M.; Kondratenko, M. A.; Kovalenko, A. D.; Slepnev, I. V.; Slepnev, V. M.; Shutov, A. V.; Sidorin, A. O.; Vnukov, I. E.; Volkov, V. S.

2017-12-01

The spin program at NICA using SPD and MPD requires high intensity polarized proton beam with high value of the beam polarization. First results on the measurements of the proton beam polarization performed at internal target at Nuclotron are reported. The polarization of the proton beam provided by new source of polarized ions has been measured at 500 MeV using quasielastic proton-proton scattering and DSS setup at internal target. The obtained value of the vertical polarization of ∼35% is consistent with the calculations taking into account the current magnetic optics of the Nuclotron injection line.

The susceptibility critical exponent for a nonaqueous ionic binary mixture near a consolute point

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zhang, Kai C.; Briggs, Matthew E.; Gammon, Robert W.; Levelt Sengers, J. M. H.

1992-01-01

We report turbidity measurements of a nonaqueous ionic solution of triethyl n-hexylammonium triethyl n-hexylboride in diphenyl ether. A classical susceptibility critical exponent gamma = 1.01 +/- 0.01 is obtained over the reduced temperature range t between values of 0.1 and 0.0001. The best fits of the sample transmission had a standard deviation of 0.39 percent over this range. Ising and spherical model critical exponents are firmly excluded. The correlation length amplitude xi sub 0 from fitting is 1.0 +/- 0.2 nm which is much larger than values found in neutral fluids and some aqueous binary mixtures.

Further study of inversion layer MOS solar cells

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ho, Fat Duen

1987-01-01

A group of inversion layer MOS solar cells has been fabricated. The highest value of open-circuit voltage obtained for the cells is 0.568V. One of the cells has produced a short-circuit current of 79.6 mA and an open-circuit voltage of 0.54V. It is estimated that the actual area AMO efficiency of this cell is 6.6 percent with an assumed value of 0.75 for its fill factor. Efforts made for fabricating an IL/MOS cell with reasonable efficiencies are reported. Future work for 4 sq cm IL cells and 25 sq cm IL cells is discussed.

A cross-country Exchange Market Pressure (EMP) dataset.

PubMed

Desai, Mohit; Patnaik, Ila; Felman, Joshua; Shah, Ajay

2017-06-01

The data presented in this article are related to the research article titled - "An exchange market pressure measure for cross country analysis" (Patnaik et al. [1]). In this article, we present the dataset for Exchange Market Pressure values (EMP) for 139 countries along with their conversion factors, ρ (rho). Exchange Market Pressure, expressed in percentage change in exchange rate, measures the change in exchange rate that would have taken place had the central bank not intervened. The conversion factor ρ can interpreted as the change in exchange rate associated with $1 billion of intervention. Estimates of conversion factor ρ allow us to calculate a monthly time series of EMP for 139 countries. Additionally, the dataset contains the 68% confidence interval (high and low values) for the point estimates of ρ 's. Using the standard errors of estimates of ρ 's, we obtain one sigma intervals around mean estimates of EMP values. These values are also reported in the dataset.

Growth and characterization of chalcostibite CuSbSe2 thin films for photovoltaic application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Kunal J.; Vinod, Vijay; Subrahmanyam, A.; Malar, P.

2017-10-01

Bulk copper antimony selenide was synthesized using mechanical alloying from the elemental precursors. Phase formation in milled powders was studied using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy studies. The synthesized bulk source after cold compaction was used as source material for thin film deposition by e-beam evaporation. Thin film deposition was carried out at various e-beam current values (Ib ∼30, 40 and 50 mA) and at a substrate temperature of 200 °C. Near stoichiometric CuSbSe2 thin films were obtained for Ib values closer to 50 mA and post annealing at a temperature of 380 °C for 1 h. Thin films deposited using above conditions were found to exhibit an absorption coefficient (α) values of >105 cm-1 and a band gap value ∼1.18 eV that is closer to the reported band gap for CuSbSe2 compound.

What threshold values of antral follicle count and serum AMH levels should be considered for oocyte cryopreservation after in vitro maturation?

PubMed

Sonigo, C; Simon, C; Boubaya, M; Benoit, A; Sifer, C; Sermondade, N; Grynberg, M

2016-07-01

What threshold values of ultrasonographic antral follicle count (AFC) and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels should be considered for ensuring the cryopreservation of sufficient number of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes, in cancer patients seeking fertility preservation (FP)? AFC and serum AMH values >20 follicles and 3.7 ng/ml, respectively, are required for obtaining at least 10 IVM oocytes for cryopreservation. IVM of cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) followed by oocyte cryopreservation has emerged recently as an option for urgent FP. Recent data have reported that, in healthy patients, 8-20 cryopreserved oocytes after ovarian stimulation would maximize the chance of obtaining a live birth. Although both AFC and AMH have been reported as predictive factors of IVM success in infertile patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there is a dramatic lack of data regarding the values of these parameters in oncological patients as candidates for FP. From January 2009 to April 2015, we prospectively studied 340 cancer patients, aged 18-41 years, as candidates for oocyte cryopreservation following IVM. All patients had AFC and AMH measurements, 48-72 h before oocyte retrieval, regardless of the phase of the cycle. COCs were recovered under ultrasound guidance 36 h after hCG priming. Logistic regression allowed the determination of threshold values of AFC and AMH, for obtaining at least 8, 10 or 15 matures oocytes frozen after the IVM procedure. Similar analyses were performed for a final number of mature oocytes ≤2. Among the 340 cancer patients included, 300 were diagnosed with breast cancers, 14 had hematological malignancies and 26 underwent the procedure for others indications. Overall, the mean age of the population was 31.8 ± 4.5 years. Mean AFC and serum AMH levels were 21.7 ± 13.3 follicles and 4.4 ± 3.8 ng/ml, respectively. IVM was performed in equal proportions during the follicular or luteal phase of the cycle (49 and 51%, respectively). Statistical analysis showed that AFC and AMH values above 28 follicles and 3.9 ng/ml, 20 follicles and 3.7 ng/ml and 19 follicles and 3.5 ng/ml are required, respectively, for obtaining at least 15, 10 or 8 frozen IVM oocytes with a sensitivity ranging from 0.82 to 0.90. On the contrary, ≤2 IVM oocytes were cryopreserved when AFC and AMH were <19 follicles and 3.0 ng/ml, respectively. Although the potential of cryopreserved IVM oocytes from cancer patients remains unknown, data obtained from infertile PCOS women have shown a dramatically reduced competence of these oocytes when compared with that of oocytes recovered after ovarian stimulation. As a consequence, the optimal number of IVM oocytes frozen in candidates for FP is currently unpredictable. Cryopreservation of oocytes after IVM should be considered in the FP strategy when ovarian stimulation is unfeasible, in particular when markers of the follicular ovarian status are at a relatively high range. Further investigation is needed to objectively assess the real potential of these IVM oocytes after cryopreservation. Therefore, even when a good COCs yield is expected, we should systematically encourage IVM in combination with ovarian tissue cryopreservation. No external funding was obtained for the present study. The authors have no conflict of interest to declare. Not applicable. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Weak-value amplification as an optimal metrological protocol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alves, G. Bié; Escher, B. M.; de Matos Filho, R. L.; Zagury, N.; Davidovich, L.

2015-06-01

The implementation of weak-value amplification requires the pre- and postselection of states of a quantum system, followed by the observation of the response of the meter, which interacts weakly with the system. Data acquisition from the meter is conditioned to successful postselection events. Here we derive an optimal postselection procedure for estimating the coupling constant between system and meter and show that it leads both to weak-value amplification and to the saturation of the quantum Fisher information, under conditions fulfilled by all previously reported experiments on the amplification of weak signals. For most of the preselected states, full information on the coupling constant can be extracted from the meter data set alone, while for a small fraction of the space of preselected states, it must be obtained from the postselection statistics.

Linear combination reading program for capture gamma rays

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tanner, Allan B.

1971-01-01

This program computes a weighting function, Qj, which gives a scalar output value of unity when applied to the spectrum of a desired element and a minimum value (considering statistics) when applied to spectra of materials not containing the desired element. Intermediate values are obtained for materials containing the desired element, in proportion to the amount of the element they contain. The program is written in the BASIC language in a format specific to the Hewlett-Packard 2000A Time-Sharing System, and is an adaptation of an earlier program for linear combination reading for X-ray fluorescence analysis (Tanner and Brinkerhoff, 1971). Following the program is a sample run from a study of the application of the linear combination technique to capture-gamma-ray analysis for calcium (report in preparation).

Induced Monoculture in Axelrod Model with Clever Mass Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodríguez, Arezky H.; Del Castillo-Mussot, M.; Vázquez, G. J.

A new model is proposed, in the context of Axelrod's model for the study of cultural dissemination, to include an external vector field (VF) which describes the effects of mass media on social systems. The VF acts over the whole system and it is characterized by two parameters: a nonnull overlap with each agent in the society and a confidence value of its information. Beyond a threshold value of the confidence, there is induced monocultural globalization of the system lined up with the VF. Below this value, the multicultural states are unstable and certain homogenization of the system is obtained in opposite line up according to that we have called negative publicity effect. Three regimes of behavior for the spread process of the VF information as a function of time are reported.

Comparative Analysis of Membership Function on Mamdani Fuzzy Inference System for Decision Making

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

harliana, Putri; Rahim, Robbi

2017-12-01

Membership function is a curve that shows mapping the input data points into the value or degree of membership which has an interval between 0 and 1. One way to get membership value is through a function approach. There are some membership functions can be used on mamdani fuzzy inference system. They are triangular, trapezoid, singleton, sigmoid, Gaussian, etc. In this paper only discuss three membership functions, are triangular, trapezoid and Gaussian. These three membership functions will be compared to see the difference in parameter values and results obtained. For case study in this paper is admission of students at popular school. There are three variable can be used, they are students’ report, IQ score and parents’ income. Which will then be created if-then rules.

E-facts: business process management in clinical data repositories.

PubMed

Wattanasin, Nich; Peng, Zhaoping; Raine, Christine; Mitchell, Mariah; Wang, Charles; Murphy, Shawn N

2008-11-06

The Partners Healthcare Research Patient Data Registry (RPDR) is a centralized data repository that gathers clinical data from various hospital systems. The RPDR allows clinical investigators to obtain aggregate numbers of patients with user-defined characteristics such as diagnoses, procedures, medications, and laboratory values. They may then obtain patient identifiers and electronic medical records with prior IRB approval. Moreover, the accurate identification and efficient population of worthwhile and quantifiable facts from doctor's report into the RPDR is a significant process. As part of our ongoing e-Fact project, this work describes a new business process management technology that helps coordinate and simplify this procedure.

Orange a-plane InGaN/GaN light-emitting diodes grown on r-plane sapphire substrates.

PubMed

Seo, Yong Gon; Baik, Kwang Hyeon; Song, Hooyoung; Son, Ji-Su; Oh, Kyunghwan; Hwang, Sung-Min

2011-07-04

We report on orange a-plane light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with InGaN single quantum well (SQW) grown on r-plane sapphire substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The peak wavelength and the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) at a drive current of 20mA were 612.2 nm and 72 nm, respectively. The device demonstrated a blue shift in emission wavelength from 614.6 nm at 10 mA to 607.5 nm at 100 mA, representing a net shift of 7.1 nm over a 90 mA range, which is the longest wavelength compared with reported values in nonpolar LEDs. The polarization ratio values obtained from the orange LED varied between 0.36 and 0.44 from 10 to 100mA and a weak dependence of the polarization ratio on the injection current was observed.

Trace elemental composition of curry by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).

PubMed

Gonzálvez, A; Armenta, S; De La Guardia, M

2008-01-01

A methodology based on inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after microwave-assisted acid digestion was developed to determine the content of traces elements in curry samples from the Spanish market. The methodology was validated in terms of accuracy by the analysis of citrus and tomato leaf reference materials achieving comparable results with the certified values. The trace metal content of curry samples was compared with data available from previously published reports concerning Indian samples, especially in terms of heavy metal composition, in order to guarantee the quality of the commercially available spices in the European countries. Values found for the analysis of arsenic, lead and cadmium were significantly lower than the maximum limit allowed by European Union statutory limits for heavy metals and lower than those obtained for Indian curry leaves reported by Indian research teams by using neutron activation and γ-ray analysis.

Impacts of geographical locations and sociocultural traits on the Vietnamese entrepreneurship.

PubMed

Vuong, Quan Hoang

2016-01-01

This paper presents new results obtained from investigating the data from a 2015 Vietnamese entrepreneurs' survey, containing 3071 observations. Evidence from the estimations using multinomial logits was found to support relationships between several sociocultural factors and entrepreneurship-related performance or traits. Specifically, those relationships include: (a) Active participation in entrepreneurs' social networks and reported value of creativity; (b) CSR-willingness and reported entrepreneurs' perseverance; (c) Transforming of sociocultural values and entrepreneurs' decisiveness; and, (d) Lessons learned from others' failures and perceived chance of success. Using geographical locations as the control variate, evaluations of the baseline-category logits models indicate their varying effects on the outcomes when combined with the sociocultural factors that are found to be statistically significant. Empirical probabilities that give further detail about behavioral patterns are provided; and toward the end, the paper offers some conclusions with some striking insights and useful explanations on the Vietnamese entrepreneurship processes.

Design and Fabrication of 3D printed Scaffolds with a Mechanical Strength Comparable to Cortical Bone to Repair Large Bone Defects

PubMed Central

Roohani-Esfahani, Seyed-Iman; Newman, Peter; Zreiqat, Hala

2016-01-01

A challenge in regenerating large bone defects under load is to create scaffolds with large and interconnected pores while providing a compressive strength comparable to cortical bone (100–150 MPa). Here we design a novel hexagonal architecture for a glass-ceramic scaffold to fabricate an anisotropic, highly porous three dimensional scaffolds with a compressive strength of 110 MPa. Scaffolds with hexagonal design demonstrated a high fatigue resistance (1,000,000 cycles at 1–10 MPa compressive cyclic load), failure reliability and flexural strength (30 MPa) compared with those for conventional architecture. The obtained strength is 150 times greater than values reported for polymeric and composite scaffolds and 5 times greater than reported values for ceramic and glass scaffolds at similar porosity. These scaffolds open avenues for treatment of load bearing bone defects in orthopaedic, dental and maxillofacial applications. PMID:26782020

Design and Fabrication of 3D printed Scaffolds with a Mechanical Strength Comparable to Cortical Bone to Repair Large Bone Defects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Roohani-Esfahani, Seyed-Iman; Newman, Peter; Zreiqat, Hala

2016-01-01

A challenge in regenerating large bone defects under load is to create scaffolds with large and interconnected pores while providing a compressive strength comparable to cortical bone (100-150 MPa). Here we design a novel hexagonal architecture for a glass-ceramic scaffold to fabricate an anisotropic, highly porous three dimensional scaffolds with a compressive strength of 110 MPa. Scaffolds with hexagonal design demonstrated a high fatigue resistance (1,000,000 cycles at 1-10 MPa compressive cyclic load), failure reliability and flexural strength (30 MPa) compared with those for conventional architecture. The obtained strength is 150 times greater than values reported for polymeric and composite scaffolds and 5 times greater than reported values for ceramic and glass scaffolds at similar porosity. These scaffolds open avenues for treatment of load bearing bone defects in orthopaedic, dental and maxillofacial applications.

[Validity of self-reported metabolic syndrome components in a cohort study].

PubMed

Fernández-Montero, Alejandro; Beunza, Juan J; Bes-Rastrollo, Maira; Barrio, María T; de la Fuente-Arrillaga, Carmen; Moreno-Galarraga, Laura; Martínez-González, Miguel A

2011-01-01

To assess the accuracy of self-reported data needed to constitute the metabolic syndrome in the University of Navarra Follow-Up [Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra (SUN)] cohort. The SUN project is a multi-purpose prospective cohort, formed by more than 20,000 university graduates, followed-up using surface mail questionnaires every 2 years. In a sample of 287 cohort participants, self-reported data on the criteria needed to define the metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and glucose) were compared with the same biometric data obtained by blood tests or measured by trained medical staff. Intra-class correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), relative mean error and agreement limits according to the method proposed by Bland and Altman were calculated for each variable studied. High intraclass correlations were found for the values of waist circumference (r=0.86, 95% CI: 0.80-0.90) and triglycerides (r=0.71, 95%CI: 0.61-0.79). Moderate intraclass correlations were found (between 0.46 and 0.63) for the other factors. Relative mean errors were always<2.5%, and >91% of values were within the limits of agreement for all variables. The results suggest that self-declared data on the criteria of metabolic syndrome obtained in the SUN cohort, though with some caution, are sufficiently accurate to be used in epidemiological studies. Copyright © 2010 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Values of the phase space factors for double beta decay

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

Stoica, Sabin, E-mail: stoica@theory.nipne.ro; Mirea, Mihai; Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering, 30 Reactorului street, P.O. Box MG6, Magurele

2015-10-28

We report an up-date list of the experimentally most interesting phase space factors for double beta decay (DBD). The electron/positron wave functions are obtained by solving the Dirac equations with a Coulomb potential derived from a realistic proton density distribution in nucleus and with inclusion of the finite nuclear size (FNS) and electron screening (ES) effects. We build up new numerical routines which allow us a good control of the accuracy of calculations. We found several notable differences as compared with previous results reported in literature and possible sources of these discrepancies are discussed.

Application of the thermorheologically complex nonlinear Adam-Gibbs model for the glass transition to molecular motion in hydrated proteins.

PubMed

Hodge, Ian M

2006-08-01

The nonlinear thermorheologically complex Adam Gibbs (extended "Scherer-Hodge") model for the glass transition is applied to enthalpy relaxation data reported by Sartor, Mayer, and Johari for hydrated methemoglobin. A sensible range in values for the average localized activation energy is obtained (100-200 kJ mol(-1)). The standard deviation in the inferred Gaussian distribution of activation energies, computed from the reported KWW beta-parameter, is approximately 30% of the average, consistent with the suggestion that some relaxation processes in hydrated proteins have exceptionally low activation energies.

Q branches of the nu7 fundamental of ethane (C2H6) Integrated intensity measurements for atmospheric measurement applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rinsland, C. P.; Harvey, G. A.; Levine, J. S.; Smith, M. A. H.; Malathy Devi, V.; Thakur, K. B.

1986-01-01

Laboratory spectra covering the nu7 band of ethane (C2H6) have been recorded, and measurements of integrated intensities of selected Q branches from these spectra are reported. The method by which the spectra were obtained is described, and a typical spectrum covering the PQ3 branch at 2976.8/cm is shown along with a plot of equivalent width vs. optical density for this branch. The values of the integrated intensities reported for each branch are the means of five different optical densities.

Voc enhancement of a solar cell with doped Li+-PbS as the active layer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chávez Portillo, M.; Alvarado Pulido, J.; Gallardo Hernández, S.; Soto Cruz, B. S.; Alcántara Iniesta, S.; Gutiérrez Pérez, R.; Portillo Moreno, O.

2018-06-01

In this report, we investigate the fabrication of solar cells obtained by chemical bath technique, based on CdS as window layer and PbS and PbS-Li+-doped as the active layer. We report open-circuit-voltage Voc values of ∼392 meV for PbS and ∼630 meV for PbSLi+-doped, a remarkable enhanced in the open circuit voltage is shown for solar cells with doped active layer. Li+ ion passivate the dangling bonds in PbS-metal layer interface in consequence reducing the recombination centers.

A strategy to minimize the energy offset in carrier injection from excited dyes to inorganic semiconductors for efficient dye-sensitized solar energy conversion.

PubMed

Fujisawa, Jun-Ichi; Osawa, Ayumi; Hanaya, Minoru

2016-08-10

Photoinduced carrier injection from dyes to inorganic semiconductors is a crucial process in various dye-sensitized solar energy conversions such as photovoltaics and photocatalysis. It has been reported that an energy offset larger than 0.2-0.3 eV (threshold value) is required for efficient electron injection from excited dyes to metal-oxide semiconductors such as titanium dioxide (TiO2). Because the energy offset directly causes loss in the potential of injected electrons, it is a crucial issue to minimize the energy offset for efficient solar energy conversions. However, a fundamental understanding of the energy offset, especially the threshold value, has not been obtained yet. In this paper, we report the origin of the threshold value of the energy offset, solving the long-standing questions of why such a large energy offset is necessary for the electron injection and which factors govern the threshold value, and suggest a strategy to minimize the threshold value. The threshold value is determined by the sum of two reorganization energies in one-electron reduction of semiconductors and typically-used donor-acceptor (D-A) dyes. In fact, the estimated values (0.21-0.31 eV) for several D-A dyes are in good agreement with the threshold value, supporting our conclusion. In addition, our results reveal that the threshold value is possible to be reduced by enlarging the π-conjugated system of the acceptor moiety in dyes and enhancing its structural rigidity. Furthermore, we extend the analysis to hole injection from excited dyes to semiconductors. In this case, the threshold value is given by the sum of two reorganization energies in one-electron oxidation of semiconductors and D-A dyes.

Effects of Self-Selected Exercise on Strength in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Subtypes.

PubMed

Djordjevic, Djurdja; Fell, Sabrina; Baker, Steven

2017-09-01

Preliminary studies have supported the utility of exercise as a treatment for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) patients. Despite being the most common inherited neuropathy, there remains a paucity of guidelines for CMT management. A retrospective chart review was performed on 297 CMT patients. Self-reported exercise and strength results from standardized dynamometer testing were obtained from adult patients' first visits. Values were converted and analyzed based on previously reported age- and sex-matched normative values. Participants with CMT2 had greater strength values than those with CMT1 in hand grip, elbow flexion, and dorsiflexion (p<0.05). Participants with CMT1 and CMT2 who exercised were statistically significantly stronger in elbow flexion and dorsiflexion than those who did not exercise. These preliminary results suggest that self-directed exercise is associated with greater strength in CMT patients of both CMT1 and CMT2 subtypes. Self-directed exercise may be a convenient, sustainable, and effective method of improving strength and decreasing disability in this population. Future research should explore the type of exercise prescription that best addresses the needs of the CMT population.

Evaluation of Cetane Improver Additive in Alternative Jet Fuel Blends

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-07-01

diesel engines are sensitive to cetane values of fuel. Some fuels originating from nonpetroleum sources contain low cetane numbers that have trouble...Improver Additive, Diesel Fuel, JP-8, Kerosene, Aviation Fuel, Alternative Fuel 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: a. REPORT ,,b. ABSTRACT r· THIS...performance of a diesel fuel oil obtained by comparing it to reference fuels in a standardized engine test (1). The cetane number has an inverse

Transition from Terrorist Event Management to Consequence Management, Executive Summary

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-03-31

8217 "This report has been reviewed in the Federal Emergency Management Agency and approved for puLlication. Approval does not signify that the contents...acts. It describes in general terms what mechanism is in place today. This description is derived from documentation reviewed and information obtained...probabilities was employed in the development of the- values expressed in the matrices. Probabilities were established by a review of several previous

Extremely high absolute internal quantum efficiency of photoluminescence in co-doped GaN:Zn,Si

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reshchikov, M. A.; Willyard, A. G.; Behrends, A.; Bakin, A.; Waag, A.

2011-10-01

We report on the fabrication of GaN co-doped with silicon and zinc by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy and a detailed study of photoluminescence in this material. We observe an exceptionally high absolute internal quantum efficiency of blue photoluminescence in GaN:Zn,Si. The value of 0.93±0.04 has been obtained from several approaches based on rate equations.

Cholesterol in serum lipoprotein fractions after spaceflight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leach, Carolyn S.; Johnson, Philip C., Jr.; Krauhs, Jane M.; Cintron, Nitza M.

1988-01-01

Results are reported from blood-lipid measurements obtained from 125 Space Shuttle crew members before and after space flight. The data are presented in tables and discussed in detail. The main differences noted between preflight and postflight values are a 12.8-percent decrease in high-density lipoproteins on postflight day 1 and significant decreases in total cholesterol and both high- and low-density lipoproteins later in the 23-day postflight period.

Optimal back-extrapolation method for estimating plasma volume in humans using the indocyanine green dilution method.

PubMed

Polidori, David; Rowley, Clarence

2014-07-22

The indocyanine green dilution method is one of the methods available to estimate plasma volume, although some researchers have questioned the accuracy of this method. We developed a new, physiologically based mathematical model of indocyanine green kinetics that more accurately represents indocyanine green kinetics during the first few minutes postinjection than what is assumed when using the traditional mono-exponential back-extrapolation method. The mathematical model is used to develop an optimal back-extrapolation method for estimating plasma volume based on simulated indocyanine green kinetics obtained from the physiological model. Results from a clinical study using the indocyanine green dilution method in 36 subjects with type 2 diabetes indicate that the estimated plasma volumes are considerably lower when using the traditional back-extrapolation method than when using the proposed back-extrapolation method (mean (standard deviation) plasma volume = 26.8 (5.4) mL/kg for the traditional method vs 35.1 (7.0) mL/kg for the proposed method). The results obtained using the proposed method are more consistent with previously reported plasma volume values. Based on the more physiological representation of indocyanine green kinetics and greater consistency with previously reported plasma volume values, the new back-extrapolation method is proposed for use when estimating plasma volume using the indocyanine green dilution method.

Radioactive equilibrium in ancient marine sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Breger, I.A.

1955-01-01

Radioactive equilibrium in eight marine sedimentary formations has been studied by means of direct determinations of uranium, radium and thorium. Alpha-particle counting has also been carried out in order to cross-calibrate thick-source counting techniques. The maximum deviation from radioactive equilibrium that has been noted is 11 per cent-indicating that there is probably equilibrium in all the formations analyzed. Thick-source alpha-particle counting by means of a proportional counter or an ionization chamber leads to high results when the samples contain less than about 10 p.p.m. of uranium. For samples having a higher content of uranium the results are in excellent agreement with each other and with those obtained by direct analytical techniques. The thorium contents that have been obtained correspond well to the average values reported in the literature. The uranium content of marine sediments may be appreciably higher than the average values that have been reported for sedimentary rocks. Data show that there is up to fourteen times the percentage of uranium as of thorium in the formations studied and that the percentage of thorium never exceeds that of uranium. While the proximity of a depositional environment to a land mass may influence the concentration of uranium in a marine sediment, this is not true with thorium. ?? 1955.

Parents' assessment of circadian preference in elementary school-aged children: Validity and relations to educational outcomes.

PubMed

Scherrer, Vsevolod; Roberts, Richard; Preckel, Franzis

2016-01-01

Meta-analyses suggest that morning-oriented students obtain better school grades than evening-oriented students. This finding has generally been found for students in high school using self-report data for the assessment of circadian preference. Two studies (N = 2718/192) investigated whether these findings generalize across samples (i.e. elementary school-aged students) and methods (i.e. parent reports). These studies also explored whether the relation between circadian preference and school achievement could be explained within an expectancy-value framework. To this end, the Lark-Owl Chronotype Indicator (LOCI) was modified to obtain parents' evaluations of their children's circadian preference, while students completed a battery of assessments designed to explore the test-criterion evidence. Structural equation modeling and correlational analyses revealed: (1) morning and evening orientation were two separable factors of children's circadian preference; (2) correlations with behavioral (e.g. sleep and eating times) and psychological (e.g. cognitive ability) data supported the test-criterion validity of both factors; (3) morning orientation was positively related to school achievement and (4) consistent with an expectancy-value framework this relation was mediated by children's academic self-concept (ASC). These findings have important research and policy implications for considering circadian preference in the schooling of elementary students.

Continuous conversion of sweet sorghum juice to ethanol using immobilized yeast cells

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

Mohite, U.; SivaRaman, H.

1984-01-01

While extensive work has been reported on sugarcane and sugarcane molasses for ethanol production, relatively few reports are available on ethanol production from sweet sorghum juice. With the advent of immobilized cell technology, an attempt has been made to utilize this technology for the production of ethanol from sweet sorghum juice. The species was Sorghum bicolar (Moench). The maximum productivity obtained at 30/sup 0/C with Saccharomyces uvarum cells immobilized in gelatin was 168 g/L h at an ethanol concentration of 2.4 g (w/v) using sweet sorghum juice having 11.5% fermentable sugars. The calculated value for full conversion was 86 g/Lmore » at an ethanol concentration of 5.5 g (w/v). The low concentration of total sugars in the juice, however, would make ethanol recovery expensive unless a uniformly high concentration of 16% or more of total sugars can be obtained.« less

Interpretation of combined wind profiler and aircraft-measured tropospheric winds and clear air turbulence

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Thomson, D. W.; Syrett, William J.; Fairall, C. W.

1991-01-01

In the first experiment, it was found that wind profilers are far better suited for the detailed examination of jet stream structure than are weather balloons. The combination of good vertical resolution with not previously obtained temporal resolution reveals structural details not seen before. Development of probability-derived shear values appears possible. A good correlation between pilot reports of turbulence and wind shear was found. In the second experiment, hourly measurements of wind speed and direction obtained using two wind profiling Doppler radars during two prolonged jet stream occurrences over western Pennsylvania were analyzed. In particular, the time-variant characteristics of derived shear profiles were examined. Profiler data dropouts were studied in an attempt to determine possible reasons for the apparently reduced performance of profiling radar operating beneath a jet stream. Richardson number and wind shear statistics were examined along with pilot reports of turbulence in the vicinity of the profiler.

Evaluating cost-efficiency and accuracy of hunter harvest survey designs

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lukacs, P.M.; Gude, J.A.; Russell, R.E.; Ackerman, B.B.

2011-01-01

Effective management of harvested wildlife often requires accurate estimates of the number of animals harvested annually by hunters. A variety of techniques exist to obtain harvest data, such as hunter surveys, check stations, mandatory reporting requirements, and voluntary reporting of harvest. Agencies responsible for managing harvested wildlife such as deer (Odocoileus spp.), elk (Cervus elaphus), and pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) are challenged with balancing the cost of data collection versus the value of the information obtained. We compared precision, bias, and relative cost of several common strategies, including hunter self-reporting and random sampling, for estimating hunter harvest using a realistic set of simulations. Self-reporting with a follow-up survey of hunters who did not report produces the best estimate of harvest in terms of precision and bias, but it is also, by far, the most expensive technique. Self-reporting with no followup survey risks very large bias in harvest estimates, and the cost increases with increased response rate. Probability-based sampling provides a substantial cost savings, though accuracy can be affected by nonresponse bias. We recommend stratified random sampling with a calibration estimator used to reweight the sample based on the proportions of hunters responding in each covariate category as the best option for balancing cost and accuracy. ?? 2011 The Wildlife Society.

Radioactivity level and toxic elemental concentration in groundwater at Dei-Dei and Kubwa areas of Abuja, north-central Nigeria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maxwell, O.; Wagiran, H.; Lee, S. K.; Embong, Z.; Ugwuoke, P. E.

2015-02-01

The activity concentrations of uranium and toxic elements in Dei-Dei borehole, Kubwa borehole, Water Board and hand-dug well water samples in Abuja area were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) system. The results obtained were used to calculate human radiological risk over lifetime consumption by the inhabitants in the area. The activity concentrations of 238U in all the water supplies for drinking ranges from 0.849 mBq L-1 to 2.699 mBq L-1 with the highest value of 2.699 mBq L-1 noted at Dei-Dei borehole whereas the lowest value of 0.849 mBq L-1 was noted in Kubwa borehole. The highest annual effective dose from natural 238U in all the water samples was found in Dei-Dei borehole with a value of 8.9×10-5 mSv y-1 whereas the lowest value was noted in Kubwa borehole with a value of 2.8×10-5 mSv y-1. The radiological risks for cancer mortality were found distinctly low, with the highest value of 1.01×10-7 reported at Dei-Dei borehole compared to Kubwa borehole with a value of 3.01×10-8. The cancer morbidity risk was noted higher in Dei-Dei borehole with a value of 1.55×10-7 whereas lower value of 4.88×10-9 was reported in Kubwa borehole. The chemical toxicity risk of 238U in drinking water over a lifetime consumption has a value of 0.006 μg kg-1 day-1 in Dei-Dei borehole whereas lower value of 0.002 μg kg-1 day-1 was found in Kubwa borehole. Measured lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr) concentrations reported higher in Water Board compared to Dei-Dei and Kubwa borehole samples. Significantly, this study inferred that the 238U concentrations originate from granitic strata of the tectonic events in the area; thus, there was a trend of diffusion towards north to south and re-deposition towards Dei-Dei area.

Plutonium, curium, and other radionuclide uptake by the rice plant from a naturally weathered, contaminated soil

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

Adriano, D.C.; McLeod, K.W.; Ciravolo, T.G.

1981-07-01

A greenhouse study using three United States rice varieties (Belle Patna, Nato, and Starbonnet) varying in maturity period and a widely used Asian variety (IR-1561) indicates that, with the exception of /sup 137/Cs, no significant differences were obtained among varieties in the foliage uptake of selected gamma-emitters. On the average, /sup 137/Cs and /sup 40/K were translocated less to the grain than to the foliage. The concentration ratio (CR) values for the gamma-emitters, with the exception of /sup 40/K, were approximately one order of magnitude higher than those for subterranean crops grown in experimental plots adjacent to a chemical separationsmore » facility at the Savannah River Plant. The CR values for /sup 238/Pu and /sup 244/Cm are within the range of values published in the open literature. The CR values for /sup 239/ /sup 240/Pu, however, were higher than the normally reported values for plants grown in nonamended soils.« less

Spectroscopic investigation, HOMO-LUMO and NLO studies on L-histidinium maleate based on DFT approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dhanavel, S.; Stephen, A.; Asirvatham, P. Samuel

2017-05-01

The molecular structure of the title compound L-Histidinium Maleate (LHM) was constructed and optimized based on Density Functional Theory method (DFT-B3LYP) with the 6-31G (d,p) basis set. The fundamental vibrational spectral assignment was analyzed with the aid of optimized structure of LHM. The study on electronic properties such as, HOMO-LUMO energies and absorption wavelength were performed using Time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) approach which reveals that energy transfer occur within the molecule. 13C NMR chemical shift values were measured using Gauge independent atomic orbital method (GIAO) and the obtained values are in good agreement with the reported experimental values. Hardness, ionization potential and electrophilicity index also calculated. The electric dipole moment (μtot) and hyperpolarizability (βtot) values of the investigated molecules were computed. The calculated value (β) was 3.7 times higher than that of urea, which confirms the LHM molecule is a potential candidate for NLO applications.

The cost of a small membrane bioreactor.

PubMed

Lo, C H; McAdam, E; Judd, S

2015-01-01

The individual cost contributions to the mechanical components of a small membrane bioreactor (MBR) (100-2,500 m3/d flow capacity) are itemised and collated to generate overall capital and operating costs (CAPEX and OPEX) as a function of size. The outcomes are compared to those from previously published detailed cost studies provided for both very small containerised plants (<40 m3/day capacity) and larger municipal plants (2,200-19,000 m3/d). Cost curves, as a function of flow capacity, determined for OPEX, CAPEX and net present value (NPV) based on the heuristic data used indicate a logarithmic function for OPEX and a power-based one for the CAPEX. OPEX correlations were in good quantitative agreement with those reported in the literature. Disparities in the calculated CAPEX trend compared with reported data were attributed to differences in assumptions concerning cost contributions. More reasonable agreement was obtained with the reported membrane separation component CAPEX data from published studies. The heuristic approach taken appears appropriate for small-scale MBRs with minimal costs associated with installation. An overall relationship of net present value=(a tb)Q(-c lnt+d) was determined for the net present value where a=1.265, b=0.44, c=0.00385 and d=0.868 according to the dataset employed for the analysis.

Residue analysis of tetracyclines in poultry muscle: shortcomings revealed by a proficiency test.

PubMed

Berendsen, B J A; Van Rhijn, J A

2006-11-01

A proficiency test for tetracycline drug residues in poultry muscle was organized according to the guidelines of International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) ILAC-G13:2000 (2000). For the proficiency test, three test materials were prepared. The homogeneity and stability of the materials during the study were demonstrated. Sixteen laboratories accepted the invitation to participate in the proficiency test; 11 laboratories reported results within the time frame of the study. Most notably, only four of the participating laboratories complied with the definition of the maximum residue limit (MRL) concerning the inclusion of 4-epimers as stated in European Commission Regulation 281/96 (1996). Most participants reported values for the decision limit (CCalpha) and detection capability (CCbeta) and hence were already in compliance with European Commission 2002/657/EC (2002) for this aspect of method validation. However, some CCalpha and CCbeta values were not in agreement with the actual within-laboratory reproducibility calculated from the results reported in this proficiency test. Although most laboratories obtained satisfactory results, it is clear that an effort is needed to include 4-epiOTC, 4-epiTC and 4-epiCTC in the analytical methods. Moreover, reconsideration of values determined for CCalpha and CCbeta with respect to their accuracy may be necessary in some cases.

Corrosion resistant metallic glasses for biosensing applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sagasti, Ariane; Lopes, Ana Catarina; Lasheras, Andoni; Palomares, Verónica; Carrizo, Javier; Gutierrez, Jon; Barandiaran, J. Manuel

2018-04-01

We report the fabrication by melt spinning, the magnetic and magnetoelastic characterization and corrosion behaviour study (by potentiodynamic methods) of an Fe-based, Fe-Ni-Cr-Si-B metallic glass to be used as resonant platform for biological and chemical detection purposes. The same study has been performed in Fe-Co-Si-B (with excellent magnetoelastic properties) and Fe-Ni-B (with good corrosion properties due to the substitution of Co by Ni) composition amorphous alloys. The well-known, commercial metallic glass with high corrosion resistance Metglas 2826MB®(Fe40Ni38Mo4B18), widely used for such biological and chemical detection purposes, has been also fully characterized and used as reference. For our Fe-Ni-Cr-Si-B alloy, we have measured values of magnetization (1.22 T), magnetostriction (11.5 ppm) and ΔE effect (6.8 %) values, as well as corrosion potential (-0.25 V), current density (2.54 A/m2), and polarization resistance (56.22 Ω.cm2) that make this composition very promising for the desired biosensing applications. The obtained parameters from our exhaustive characterization are compared with the values obtained for the other different composition metallic glasses and discussed in terms of Ni and Cr content.

Fundamental approaches for analysis thermal hydraulic parameter for Puspati Research Reactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashim, Zaredah; Lanyau, Tonny Anak; Farid, Mohamad Fairus Abdul; Kassim, Mohammad Suhaimi; Azhar, Noraishah Syahirah

2016-01-01

The 1-MW PUSPATI Research Reactor (RTP) is the one and only nuclear pool type research reactor developed by General Atomic (GA) in Malaysia. It was installed at Malaysian Nuclear Agency and has reached the first criticality on 8 June 1982. Based on the initial core which comprised of 80 standard TRIGA fuel elements, the very fundamental thermal hydraulic model was investigated during steady state operation using the PARET-code. The main objective of this paper is to determine the variation of temperature profiles and Departure of Nucleate Boiling Ratio (DNBR) of RTP at full power operation. The second objective is to confirm that the values obtained from PARET-code are in agreement with Safety Analysis Report (SAR) for RTP. The code was employed for the hot and average channels in the core in order to calculate of fuel's center and surface, cladding, coolant temperatures as well as DNBR's values. In this study, it was found that the results obtained from the PARET-code showed that the thermal hydraulic parameters related to safety for initial core which was cooled by natural convection was in agreement with the designed values and safety limit in SAR.

Vocal release time: a quantification of vocal offset.

PubMed

Watson, Ben C; Roark, Rick M; Baken, R J

2012-11-01

To determine the vocal release time (VRT) for linguistically unconstrained voice offsets in a healthy young adult population. Sound pressure (SP) and electroglottographic (EGG) recordings were obtained for 57 female and 55 male subjects while producing multiple tokens of three tasks (sustained /ɑ:/, "always," and "hallways") at comfortable pitch and loudness. SP and EGG signals were digitally time reversed and generalized sinusoidal models of the SP and EGG signals were obtained to compare rates of amplitude change. VRT was computed from the time lag of the cross-correlation function. Adjusted mean VRT values were significantly greater for females than for males. There was no systematic effect of age on VRT. However, 25-29-year old and >40 year old females showed shorter VRT values than the youngest female age group. Normative data are presented for a new measure of the duration of vocal offset, VRT. Acquisition of this measure requires little user intervention, thereby minimizing effects of subjective decision making. Comparison with previously reported vocal attack time (VAT) values for the same population suggests phenomenological differences between linguistically and physiologically constrained voice onsets and unconstrained voice offsets. Copyright © 2012 The Voice Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Obtaining molecular and structural information from 13C-14N systems with 13C FIREMAT experiments.

PubMed

Strohmeier, Mark; Alderman, D W; Grant, David M

2002-04-01

The effect of dipolar coupling to 14N on 13C FIREMAT (five pi replicated magic angle turning) experiments is investigated. A method is developed for fitting the 13C FIREMAT FID employing the full theory to extract the 13C-14N dipolar and 13C chemical shift tensor information. The analysis requires prior knowledge of the electric field gradient (EFG) tensor at the 14N nucleus. In order to validate the method the analysis is done for the amino acids alpha-glycine, gamma-glycine, l-alanine, l-asparagine, and l-histidine on FIREMAT FIDs recorded at 13C frequencies of 50 and 100 MHz. The dipolar and chemical shift data obtained with this analysis are in very good agreement with the previous single-crystal 13C NMR results and neutron diffraction data on alpha-glycine, l-alanine, and l-asparagine. The values for gamma-glycine and l-histidine obtained with this new method are reported for the first time. The uncertainties in the EFG tensor on the resultant 13C chemical shift and dipolar tensor values are assessed. (c) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).

Variation of Time Domain Failure Probabilities of Jack-up with Wave Return Periods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Idris, Ahmad; Harahap, Indra S. H.; Ali, Montassir Osman Ahmed

2018-04-01

This study evaluated failure probabilities of jack up units on the framework of time dependent reliability analysis using uncertainty from different sea states representing different return period of the design wave. Surface elevation for each sea state was represented by Karhunen-Loeve expansion method using the eigenfunctions of prolate spheroidal wave functions in order to obtain the wave load. The stochastic wave load was propagated on a simplified jack up model developed in commercial software to obtain the structural response due to the wave loading. Analysis of the stochastic response to determine the failure probability in excessive deck displacement in the framework of time dependent reliability analysis was performed by developing Matlab codes in a personal computer. Results from the study indicated that the failure probability increases with increase in the severity of the sea state representing a longer return period. Although the results obtained are in agreement with the results of a study of similar jack up model using time independent method at higher values of maximum allowable deck displacement, it is in contrast at lower values of the criteria where the study reported that failure probability decreases with increase in the severity of the sea state.

First archeointensity results from Portuguese potteries (1550-1750 AD)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, Gelvam A.; Trindade, Ricardo I. F.; Goguitchaichvili, Avto; Etchevarne, Carlos; Morales, Juan; Afonso, Marisa C.

2009-01-01

Geomagnetic field variations at archeomagnetic timescales can be obtained from well-dated heated structures and archeological potsherds. Here, we present the first archeointensity results obtained on Portuguese ceramics (1550 to 1750 AD) collected at Brazilian archeological sites. The results are compared to those obtained from Western Europe and currently available geomagnetic field models. Continuous thermomagnetic and IRM acquisitions curves indicate that Ti-poor titanomagnetite is responsible for the remanence in these ceramic fragments. Five fragments (24 samples) out of twelve analyzed yielded reliable intensity estimates. The row archeointensity data were corrected for TRM anisotropy and cooling rate effect. The mean dipole moments are obtained for three different age intervals: 1550±30 AD, 1600±30 AD and 1750±50 AD. Mean intensities vary from 37.9±4.2 μT to 54.8±7.6 μT in agreement with the previously reported data for 1550 AD and 1750 AD. Relatively weaker, but still highly dispersed, values were obtained for 1600 AD ceramics.

Improved efficiency of extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material Diesel Particulate Matter (SRM 2975) using accelerated solvent extraction.

PubMed

Masala, Silvia; Ahmed, Trifa; Bergvall, Christoffer; Westerholm, Roger

2011-12-01

The efficiency of extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with molecular masses of 252, 276, 278, 300, and 302 Da from standard reference material diesel particulate matter (SRM 2975) has been investigated using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) with dichloromethane, toluene, methanol, and mixtures of toluene and methanol. Extraction of SRM 2975 using toluene/methanol (9:1, v/v) at maximum instrumental settings (200 °C, 20.7 MPa, and five extraction cycles) with 30-min extraction times resulted in the following elevations of the measured concentration when compared with the certified and reference concentrations reported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): benzo[b]fluoranthene, 46%; benzo[k]fluoranthene, 137%; benzo[e]pyrene, 103%; benzo[a]pyrene, 1,570%; perylene, 37%; indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, 41%; benzo[ghi]perylene, 163%; and coronene, 361%. The concentrations of the following PAHs were comparable to the reference values assigned by NIST: indeno[1,2,3-cd]fluoranthene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene, and picene. The measured concentration of dibenzo[a,e]-pyrene was lower than the information value reported by the NIST. The measured concentrations of other highly carcinogenic PAHs (dibenzo[a,l]pyrene, dibenzo[a,i]pyrene, and dibenzo[a,h]pyrene) in SRM 2975 are also reported. Comparison of measurements using the optimized ASE method and using similar conditions to those applied by the NIST for the assignment of PAH concentrations in SRM 2975 indicated that the higher values obtained in the present study were associated with more complete extraction of PAHs from the diesel particulate material. Re-extraction of the particulate samples demonstrated that the deuterated internal standards were more readily recovered than the native PAHs, which may explain the lower values reported by the NIST. The analytical results obtained in the study demonstrated that the efficient extraction of PAHs from SRM 2975 is a critical requirement for the accurate determination of PAHs with high molecular masses in this standard reference material and that the optimization of extraction conditions is essential to avoid underestimation of the PAH concentrations. The requirement is especially relevant to the human carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene, which is commonly used as an indicator of the carcinogenic risk presented by PAH mixtures.

Comparison of Munsell(®) color chart assessments with primary schoolchildren's self-reported skin color.

PubMed

Wright, C Y; Reeder, A I; Gray, A R; Hammond, V A

2015-11-01

Skin color is related to human health outcomes, including the risks of skin cancer and vitamin D insufficiency. Self-perceptions of skin color may influence health behaviours, including the adoption of practices protective against harmful solar ultraviolet radiation levels. Misperception of personal risk may have negative health implications. The aim of this study is to determine whether Munsell(®) color chart assessments align with child self-reported skin color. Two-trained investigators, with assessed color acuity, visually classified student inner upper arm constitutive skin color. The Munsell(®) classifications obtained were converted to Individual Typology Angle (ITA) values and respective Del Bino skin color categories after spectrocolorimeter measurements based on published values/data. As part of a written questionnaire on sun protection knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, self-completed in class time, students classified their end of winter skin color. Student self-reports were compared with the ITA-based Del Bino classifications. A total of 477 New Zealand primary students attending 27 randomly selected schools from five geographic regions. The main measures were self-reported skin color and visually observed skin color. A monotonic association was observed between the distribution of spectrophotometer ITA scores obtained for Munsell(®) tiles and child self-reports of skin color, providing some evidence for the validity of self-report among New Zealand primary school children, although the lighter colored ITA defined groups were most numerous in this study sample. Statistically significant differences in ITA scores were found by ethnicity, self-reported skin color, and geographic residence (P < 0.001). Certain Munsell(®) color tiles were frequently selected as providing a best match to skin color. Assessment using Munsell(®) color charts was simple, inexpensive, and practical for field use and acceptable to children. The results suggest that this method may prove useful for making comparisons with other studies using visual tools to assess skin color. Alignment between the ITA distribution derived from the Munsell(®) assessment and child skin color self-reports could probably be improved, particularly with the addition of another 'light'/'white' color category in the self-report instrument. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Evaluation of resin infiltration using quantitative light-induced fluorescence technology.

PubMed

Min, Ji-Hyun; Inaba, Daisuke; Kim, Baek-Il

2016-09-01

To determine whether quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) technology can be used to classify the colour of teeth specimens before and after resin infiltration (RI) treatment, and calculate the correlation between the ΔF value and colour difference (ΔE) in fluorescence images of the specimens obtained using a QLF-digital (QLF-D) device. Sixty sound bovine permanent teeth specimens were immersed in demineralized solution. Two exposed windows were formed in each specimen, and RI treatment was applied to one of them. The ΔE values were obtained for the differences between a sound tooth surface (SS), an early dental caries surface (ECS) and an ECS treated with RI (RS) in white-light and fluorescence images obtained using QLF-D, respectively. The ΔF value was obtained from fluorescence images using dedicated software for QLF-D. The mean differences between the ΔE values obtained from the white-light and fluorescence images were analyzed by paired t-test. Pearson correlation analysis and Bland-Altman plots were applied to the differences between the ΔF value for ECS (ΔFSS-ECS) and the ΔE value between SS and ECS (ΔESS-ECS), and between the ΔF value for RS (ΔFSS-RS) and the ΔE value between SS and RS (ΔESS-RS) in fluorescence images. The ΔE values obtained from fluorescence images were three times higher than the ΔE values obtained from white-light images (p<0.001). Significant correlations were confirmed between ΔESS-ECS and ΔFSS-ECS (r=-0.492, p<0.001) and between ΔESS-RS and ΔFSS-RS (r=-0.661, p<0.001). QLF technology can be used to confirm the presence of RI in teeth. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Estimation of sensible and latent heat flux from natural sparse vegetation surfaces using surface renewal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zapata, N.; Martínez-Cob, A.

2001-12-01

This paper reports a study undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of the surface renewal method to accurately estimate long-term evaporation from the playa and margins of an endorreic salty lagoon (Gallocanta lagoon, Spain) under semiarid conditions. High-frequency temperature readings were taken for two time lags ( r) and three measurement heights ( z) in order to get surface renewal sensible heat flux ( HSR) values. These values were compared against eddy covariance sensible heat flux ( HEC) values for a calibration period (25-30 July 2000). Error analysis statistics (index of agreement, IA; root mean square error, RMSE; and systematic mean square error, MSEs) showed that the agreement between HSR and HEC improved as measurement height decreased and time lag increased. Calibration factors α were obtained for all analyzed cases. The best results were obtained for the z=0.9 m ( r=0.75 s) case for which α=1.0 was observed. In this case, uncertainty was about 10% in terms of relative error ( RE). Latent heat flux values were obtained by solving the energy balance equation for both the surface renewal ( LESR) and the eddy covariance ( LEEC) methods, using HSR and HEC, respectively, and measurements of net radiation and soil heat flux. For the calibration period, error analysis statistics for LESR were quite similar to those for HSR, although errors were mostly at random. LESR uncertainty was less than 9%. Calibration factors were applied for a validation data subset (30 July-4 August 2000) for which meteorological conditions were somewhat different (higher temperatures and wind speed and lower solar and net radiation). Error analysis statistics for both HSR and LESR were quite good for all cases showing the goodness of the calibration factors. Nevertheless, the results obtained for the z=0.9 m ( r=0.75 s) case were still the best ones.

Water droplet excess free energy determined by cluster mitosis using guided molecular dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lau, Gabriel V.; Hunt, Patricia A.; Müller, Erich A.; Jackson, George; Ford, Ian J.

2015-12-01

Atmospheric aerosols play a vital role in affecting climate by influencing the properties and lifetimes of clouds and precipitation. Understanding the underlying microscopic mechanisms involved in the nucleation of aerosol droplets from the vapour phase is therefore of great interest. One key thermodynamic quantity in nucleation is the excess free energy of cluster formation relative to that of the saturated vapour. In our current study, the excess free energy is extracted for clusters of pure water modelled with the TIP4P/2005 intermolecular potential using a method based on nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and the Jarzynski relation. The change in free energy associated with the "mitosis" or division of a cluster of N water molecules into two N/2 sub-clusters is evaluated. This methodology is an extension of the disassembly procedure used recently to calculate the excess free energy of argon clusters [H. Y. Tang and I. J. Ford, Phys. Rev. E 91, 023308 (2015)]. Our findings are compared to the corresponding excess free energies obtained from classical nucleation theory (CNT) as well as internally consistent classical theory (ICCT). The values of the excess free energy that we obtain with the mitosis method are consistent with CNT for large cluster sizes but for the smallest clusters, the results tend towards ICCT; for intermediate sized clusters, we obtain values between the ICCT and CNT predictions. Furthermore, the curvature-dependent surface tension which can be obtained by regarding the clusters as spherical droplets of bulk density is found to be a monotonically increasing function of cluster size for the studied range. The data are compared to other values reported in the literature, agreeing qualitatively with some but disagreeing with the values determined by Joswiak et al. [J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 4, 4267 (2013)] using a biased mitosis approach; an assessment of the differences is the main motivation for our current study.

Water droplet excess free energy determined by cluster mitosis using guided molecular dynamics

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

Lau, Gabriel V.; Müller, Erich A.; Jackson, George

Atmospheric aerosols play a vital role in affecting climate by influencing the properties and lifetimes of clouds and precipitation. Understanding the underlying microscopic mechanisms involved in the nucleation of aerosol droplets from the vapour phase is therefore of great interest. One key thermodynamic quantity in nucleation is the excess free energy of cluster formation relative to that of the saturated vapour. In our current study, the excess free energy is extracted for clusters of pure water modelled with the TIP4P/2005 intermolecular potential using a method based on nonequilibrium molecular dynamics and the Jarzynski relation. The change in free energy associatedmore » with the “mitosis” or division of a cluster of N water molecules into two N/2 sub-clusters is evaluated. This methodology is an extension of the disassembly procedure used recently to calculate the excess free energy of argon clusters [H. Y. Tang and I. J. Ford, Phys. Rev. E 91, 023308 (2015)]. Our findings are compared to the corresponding excess free energies obtained from classical nucleation theory (CNT) as well as internally consistent classical theory (ICCT). The values of the excess free energy that we obtain with the mitosis method are consistent with CNT for large cluster sizes but for the smallest clusters, the results tend towards ICCT; for intermediate sized clusters, we obtain values between the ICCT and CNT predictions. Furthermore, the curvature-dependent surface tension which can be obtained by regarding the clusters as spherical droplets of bulk density is found to be a monotonically increasing function of cluster size for the studied range. The data are compared to other values reported in the literature, agreeing qualitatively with some but disagreeing with the values determined by Joswiak et al. [J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 4, 4267 (2013)] using a biased mitosis approach; an assessment of the differences is the main motivation for our current study.« less

Studying the properties of a predicted tetragonal silicon by first principles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xue, Han-Yu; Zhang, Can; Pang, Dong-Dong; Huang, Xue-Qian; Lv, Zhen-Long; Duan, Man-Yi

2018-03-01

Silicon is a very important material in many technological fields. It also has a complicated phase diagram of scientific interest. Here we reported a new allotrope of silicon obtained from crystal structure prediction. We studied its electronic, vibrational, dielectric, elastic and hardness properties by first-principles calculations. The results indicate that it is an indirect narrow-band-gap semiconductor. It is dynamically stable with a doubly degenerate infrared-active mode at its Brillouin zone center. Born effective charges of the constituent element are very small, resulting in a negligible ionic dielectric contribution. Calculated elasticity-related quantities imply that it is mechanically stable but anisotropic. There exist slowly increasing stages in the stress-strain curves of this crystal, which make it difficult to estimate the hardness of the crystal by calculating its ideal strengths. Taking advantage of the hardness model proposed by Šimůnek, we obtained a value of 12.0 GPa as its hardness. This value is lower than that of the cubic diamond-structural Si by about 5.5%.

Subharmonic generation, chaos, and subharmonic resurrection in an acoustically driven fluid-filled cavity.

PubMed

Cantrell, John H; Adler, Laszlo; Yost, William T

2015-02-01

Traveling wave solutions of the nonlinear acoustic wave equation are obtained for the fundamental and second harmonic resonances of a fluid-filled cavity. The solutions lead to the development of a non-autonomous toy model for cavity oscillations. Application of the Melnikov method to the model equation predicts homoclinic bifurcation of the Smale horseshoe type leading to a cascade of period doublings with increasing drive displacement amplitude culminating in chaos. The threshold value of the drive displacement amplitude at tangency is obtained in terms of the acoustic drive frequency and fluid attenuation coefficient. The model prediction of subharmonic generation leading to chaos is validated from acousto-optic diffraction measurements in a water-filled cavity using a 5 MHz acoustic drive frequency and from the measured frequency spectrum in the bifurcation cascade regime. The calculated resonant threshold amplitude of 0.2 nm for tangency is consistent with values estimated for the experimental set-up. Experimental evidence for the appearance of a stable subharmonic beyond chaos is reported.

Substituent and ring effects on enthalpies of formation: 2-methyl- and 2-ethylbenzimidazoles versus benzene- and imidazole-derivatives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiménez, Pilar; Roux, María Victoria; Dávalos, Juan Z.; Temprado, Manuel; Ribeiro da Silva, Manuel A. V.; Ribeiro da Silva, Maria Das Dores M. C.; Amaral, Luísa M. P. F.; Cabildo, Pilar; Claramunt, Rosa M.; Mó, Otilia; Yáñez, Manuel; Elguero, José

The enthalpies of combustion, heat capacities, enthalpies of sublimation and enthalpies of formation of 2-methylbenzimidazole (2MeBIM) and 2-ethylbenzimidazole (2EtBIM) are reported and the results compared with those of benzimidazole itself (BIM). Theoretical estimates of the enthalpies of formation were obtained through the use of atom equivalent schemes. The necessary energies were obtained in single-point calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) on B3LYP/6-31G* optimized geometries. The comparison of experimental and calculated values of benzenes, imidazoles and benzimidazoles bearing H (unsubstituted), methyl and ethyl groups shows remarkable homogeneity. The energetic group contribution transferability is not followed, but either using it or adding an empirical interaction term, it is possible to generate an enormous collection of reasonably accurate data for different substituted heterocycles (pyrazole-derivatives, pyridine-derivatives, etc.) from the large amount of values available for substituted benzenes and those of the parent (pyrazole, pyridine) heterocycles.

Effect of oxygen impurities on properties of the ternary superconductor SnMo/sub 6/S/sub 8/: Extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure determination of bond distances and local-density cluster calculations

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

Guenzburger, D.; Ellis, D.E.; Montano, P.A.

1985-10-01

Electronic structure calculations were performed for clusters representing the Chevrel-phase SnMo/sub 6/S/sub 8/, with and without oxygen doping. In order to obtain the local structure around the Sn atom, extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) measurements were made with synchro- tron radiation. The interatomic distances obtained experimentally were used in the calculations. The effect of oxygen doping on the Moessbauer isomer shift and quadrupole splitting values of /sup 119/Sn was investigated theoretically and compared with reported experimental values. The effect of oxygen substitution on the density of states at the Fermi energy of the (Mo/sub 6/S/sub 8/)/sup 2 -/ cluster was alsomore » studied. The results suggest that oxygen doping does not alter significantly the electronic structure of SnMo/sub 6/S/sub 8/.« less

A preliminary report on the measurements of forest canopies with C-band radar scatterometer at NASA/NSTL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, S. T.

1985-01-01

This paper presents preliminary results of C-band radar scatterometer measurements of forest canopies of southeastern forests in the vicinity of NASA/NSTL. The results are as follows: (1) the radar backscattering coefficients (BSC) of deciduous forests such as oak, maple, blackgum, and cypress are higher than those of coniferous forests such as slash pine plantation and natural pine; (2) at a large incidence angle, where polarization effect is significant, and by ranging measurement, the VV polarization BSC obtain peak value at the first few meters from the canopy top and decrease rather quickly, while the HH polarization BSC obtain peak value at longer distances from the canopy top and decrease rather slowly through the canopy; and (3) using the active radar calibrator for tree canopy attenuation measurement of a dense and a sparse live oak, it is found that the tree canopies with higher attenuations have higher BSC for all three polarizations, with VV polarization containing the largest differential (2.2 dB).

Effectiveness of commercial inhibitors against subtype F HIV-1 protease.

PubMed

Krauchenco, Sandra; Martins, Nadia H; Sanches, Mario; Polikarpov, Igor

2009-06-01

Subtype F wild type HIV protease has been kinetically characterized using six commercial inhibitors (amprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir) commonly used for HIV/AIDS treatment, as well as inhibitor TL-3 and acetyl-pepstatin. We also obtained kinetic parameters for two multi-resistant proteases (one of subtype B and one of subtype F) harboring primary and secondary mutations selected by intensive treatment with ritonavir/nelfinavir. This newly obtained biochemical data shows that all six studied commercially available protease inhibitors are significantly less effective against subtype F HIV proteases than against HIV proteases of subtype B, as judged by increased K(i) and biochemical fitness (vitality) values. Comparison with previously reported kinetic values for subtype A and C HIV proteases show that subtype F wild type proteases are significantly less susceptible to inhibition. These results demonstrate that the accumulation of natural polymorphisms in subtype F proteases yields catalytically more active enzymes with a large degree of cross-resistance, which thus results in strong virus viability.

Determination of the critical surface tension of wetting of minerals treated with surfactants by shear flocculation approach.

PubMed

Ozkan, A

2004-09-15

This paper contributes the shear flocculation method as a new approach to determine the critical surface tension of wetting of minerals treated with surfactants. This newly developed approach is based on the decrease of the shear flocculation of the mineral suspension, with decreasing of the surface tension of the liquids used. The solution surface tension value at which shear flocculation does not occur can be defined as the critical surface tension of wetting (gamma c) of the mineral. By using the shear flocculation method, the critical surface tensions of wetting (gamma c) for calcite and barite minerals, treated with surfactants, were obtained as 30.9 and 35.0 mN/m, respectively. These values are in good agreement with data reported previously on the same minerals obtained by the contact angle measurement and flotation methods. The chemical agents used for the treatment of calcite and barite particles were sodium oleate and sodium dodecyl sulfate, respectively.

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

Boggess, A.

Existing models and simulants of tank disposition media at SRS have presumed the presence of high concentrations of inorganic mercury. However, recent quarterly tank analyses show that mercury is present as organomercurial species at concentrations that may present challenges to remediation and disposition and may exceed the Saltstone Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC). To-date, methylmercury analysis for Savannah River Remediation (SRR) has been performed off-site by Eurofins Scientific (Lancaster, PA). A series of optimization and validation experiments has been performed at SRNL, which has resulted in the development of on-site organomercury speciation capabilities using purge and trap gas chromatography coupled withmore » thermal desorption cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (P&T GC/CVAFS). Speciation has been achieved for methylmercury, with a method reporting limit (MRL) values of 1.42 pg for methylmercury. Results obtained by SRNL from the analysis of past quarterly samples from tanks 21, 40, and 50 have demonstrated statistically indistinguishable concentration values compared with the concentration data obtained from Eurofins, while the data from SRNL has demonstrated significantly improved precision and processing time.« less

Nonstationary multivariate modeling of cerebral autoregulation during hypercapnia.

PubMed

Kostoglou, Kyriaki; Debert, Chantel T; Poulin, Marc J; Mitsis, Georgios D

2014-05-01

We examined the time-varying characteristics of cerebral autoregulation and hemodynamics during a step hypercapnic stimulus by using recursively estimated multivariate (two-input) models which quantify the dynamic effects of mean arterial blood pressure (ABP) and end-tidal CO2 tension (PETCO2) on middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity (CBFV). Beat-to-beat values of ABP and CBFV, as well as breath-to-breath values of PETCO2 during baseline and sustained euoxic hypercapnia were obtained in 8 female subjects. The multiple-input, single-output models used were based on the Laguerre expansion technique, and their parameters were updated using recursive least squares with multiple forgetting factors. The results reveal the presence of nonstationarities that confirm previously reported effects of hypercapnia on autoregulation, i.e. a decrease in the MABP phase lead, and suggest that the incorporation of PETCO2 as an additional model input yields less time-varying estimates of dynamic pressure autoregulation obtained from single-input (ABP-CBFV) models. Copyright © 2013 IPEM. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Correlation of X-ray computed tomography with quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance methods for pre-clinical measurement of adipose and lean tissues in living mice.

PubMed

Metzinger, Matthew N; Miramontes, Bernadette; Zhou, Peng; Liu, Yueying; Chapman, Sarah; Sun, Lucy; Sasser, Todd A; Duffield, Giles E; Stack, M Sharon; Leevy, W Matthew

2014-10-08

Numerous obesity studies have coupled murine models with non-invasive methods to quantify body composition in longitudinal experiments, including X-ray computed tomography (CT) or quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (QMR). Both microCT and QMR have been separately validated with invasive techniques of adipose tissue quantification, like post-mortem fat extraction and measurement. Here we report a head-to-head study of both protocols using oil phantoms and mouse populations to determine the parameters that best align CT data with that from QMR. First, an in vitro analysis of oil/water mixtures was used to calibrate and assess the overall accuracy of microCT vs. QMR data. Next, experiments were conducted with two cohorts of living mice (either homogenous or heterogeneous by sex, age and genetic backgrounds) to assess the microCT imaging technique for adipose tissue segmentation and quantification relative to QMR. Adipose mass values were obtained from microCT data with three different resolutions, after which the data were analyzed with different filter and segmentation settings. Strong linearity was noted between the adipose mass values obtained with microCT and QMR, with optimal parameters and scan conditions reported herein. Lean tissue (muscle, internal organs) was also segmented and quantified using the microCT method relative to the analogous QMR values. Overall, the rigorous calibration and validation of the microCT method for murine body composition, relative to QMR, ensures its validity for segmentation, quantification and visualization of both adipose and lean tissues.

Methanogenic degradation kinetics of phenolic compounds in aquifer-derived microcosms

USGS Publications Warehouse

Godsy, E.M.; Goerlitz, D.F.; Grbic-Galic, D.

1992-01-01

In this segment of a larger multidisciplinary study of the movement and fate of creosote derived compounds in a sand-and-gravel aquifer, we present evidence that the methanogenic degradation of the major biodegradable phenolic compounds and concomitant microbial growth in batch microcosms derived from contaminated aquifer material can be described using Monod kinetics. Substrate depletion and bacterial growth curves were fitted to the Monod equations using nonlinear regression analysis. The method of Marquardt was used for the determination of parameter values that best fit the experimental data by minimizing the residual sum of squares. The Monod kinetic constants (??max, Ks, Y, and kd) that describe phenol, 2-, 3-, and 4-methylphenol degradation and concomitant microbial growth were determined under conditions that were substantially different from those previously reported for microcosms cultured from sewage sludge. The Ks values obtained in this study are approximately two orders of magnitude lower than values obtained for the anaerobic degradation of phenol in digesting sewage sludge, indicating that the aquifer microorganisms have developed enzyme systems that are adapted to low nutrient conditions. The values for kd are much less than ??max, and can be neglected in the microcosms. The extremely low Y values, approximately 3 orders of magnitude lower than for the sewage sludge derived cultures, and the very low numbers of microorganisms in the aquifer derived microcosms suggest that these organisms use some unique strategies to survive in the subsurface environment. ?? 1992 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

A comparative effectiveness analysis of three continuous glucose monitors.

PubMed

Damiano, Edward R; El-Khatib, Firas H; Zheng, Hui; Nathan, David M; Russell, Steven J

2013-02-01

To compare three continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices in subjects with type 1 diabetes under closed-loop blood glucose (BG) control. Six subjects with type 1 diabetes (age 52 ± 14 years, diabetes duration 32 ± 14 years) each participated in two 51-h closed-loop BG control experiments in the hospital. Venous plasma glucose (PG) measurements (GlucoScout, International Biomedical) obtained every 15 min (2,360 values) were paired in time with corresponding CGM glucose (CGMG) measurements obtained from three CGM devices, the Navigator (Abbott Diabetes Care), the Seven Plus (DexCom), and the Guardian (Medtronic), worn simultaneously by each subject. Errors in paired PG-CGMG measurements and data reporting percentages were obtained for each CGM device. The Navigator had the best overall accuracy, with an aggregate mean absolute relative difference (MARD) of all paired points of 11.8 ± 11.1% and an average MARD across all 12 experiments of 11.8 ± 3.8%. The Seven Plus and Guardian produced aggregate MARDs of all paired points of 16.5 ± 17.8% and 20.3 ± 18.0%, respectively, and average MARDs across all 12 experiments of 16.5 ± 6.7% and 20.2 ± 6.8%, respectively. Data reporting percentages, a measure of reliability, were 76% for the Seven Plus and nearly 100% for the Navigator and Guardian. A comprehensive head-to-head-to-head comparison of three CGM devices for BG values from 36 to 563 mg/dL revealed marked differences in performance characteristics that include accuracy, precision, and reliability. The Navigator outperformed the other two in these areas.

Using the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System to Evaluate Psychosocial Functioning among Children with Craniofacial Anomalies.

PubMed

Shapiro, Danielle N; Waljee, Jennifer; Ranganathan, Kavitha; Buchman, Steven; Warschausky, Seth

2015-06-01

Children with craniofacial anomalies are at risk for social exclusion, bullying, and psychological symptoms, all of which are associated with poor developmental and health outcomes. The National Institutes of Health-developed Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments may be useful tools for monitoring psychosocial functioning in clinical settings and for integrating patient and parent perspectives. The current study included 74 children (50 percent male) with craniofacial anomalies recruited through a multidisciplinary clinic. The authors obtained child self-report and parent-proxy ratings of depression, anxiety, and peer relationship quality using National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments. The authors compared sample means to Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments norms and analyzed the reliability of parents' and children's reporting of psychosocial variables. All reliability statistics were satisfactory (α values ranging from 0.74 to 0.96) and sample standard deviations were similar to those obtained in a general population, suggesting that Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments are reliable among children with craniofacial anomalies. In general, children and parents did not report unusual levels of psychological distress; however, they did report poorer peer relationship quality relative to normed data, a trend that was particularly pronounced among boys. National Institutes of Health Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System instruments are efficient and accurate tools for monitoring psychosocial adjustment among children with craniofacial anomalies. It may be especially important to monitor social functioning, particularly among boys.

Evaluation method for corrosion level of rebar in RC with electrical impedance measurement

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasamoto, Akira

2018-04-01

The author reported that the impedance measurement using the 4-terminal method on the RC surface for diagnosing corrosion of internal rebar. The difference between the maximum value at 0.01 Hz and the minimum value around 10 Hz indicates the corrosion level of rebar in that report. This is successive report on a signal processing method for estimating the corrosion level by the measured impedance data to obtain more high accuracy. In the dielectric, a graph of frequency and dielectric constant (Cole-Cole plot diagram by KS Cole and RH Cole article of 1941) draws a shape of circle if the dielectric is independent of frequency but it draws a shape of ellipse in reality due to frequency dependency. Havriliak and Negami have also presented Havriliak-Negami model which introduced parameter into dielectric constant equation which deforms Cole-Cole plot diagram and showed that acquired dielectric data of polymer materials fit to this model with proper parameters. In this report, we first consider electric model connected with resistance and capacitance as a rough model of RC concrete. If the capacitance in this model circuit has some loss of dielectric, it is stated that graph in impedance plot is expected to take as similar deformation in the dielectric Cole-Cole plot. Then a numerical optimization computer code for obtaining parameters in the Cole-Cole plot diagram and Havriliak-Negami model is constructed, and the correlation between the deformation parameter of each model and corrosion is shown by this code. These results are feasibility study for diagnosis of corrosion level of rebar by associated parameters to a shape of impedance graph.

Cost-effectiveness analysis alongside clinical trials II-An ISPOR Good Research Practices Task Force report.

PubMed

Ramsey, Scott D; Willke, Richard J; Glick, Henry; Reed, Shelby D; Augustovski, Federico; Jonsson, Bengt; Briggs, Andrew; Sullivan, Sean D

2015-03-01

Clinical trials evaluating medicines, medical devices, and procedures now commonly assess the economic value of these interventions. The growing number of prospective clinical/economic trials reflects both widespread interest in economic information for new technologies and the regulatory and reimbursement requirements of many countries that now consider evidence of economic value along with clinical efficacy. As decision makers increasingly demand evidence of economic value for health care interventions, conducting high-quality economic analyses alongside clinical studies is desirable because they broaden the scope of information available on a particular intervention, and can efficiently provide timely information with high internal and, when designed and analyzed properly, reasonable external validity. In 2005, ISPOR published the Good Research Practices for Cost-Effectiveness Analysis Alongside Clinical Trials: The ISPOR RCT-CEA Task Force report. ISPOR initiated an update of the report in 2014 to include the methodological developments over the last 9 years. This report provides updated recommendations reflecting advances in several areas related to trial design, selecting data elements, database design and management, analysis, and reporting of results. Task force members note that trials should be designed to evaluate effectiveness (rather than efficacy) when possible, should include clinical outcome measures, and should obtain health resource use and health state utilities directly from study subjects. Collection of economic data should be fully integrated into the study. An incremental analysis should be conducted with an intention-to-treat approach, complemented by relevant subgroup analyses. Uncertainty should be characterized. Articles should adhere to established standards for reporting results of cost-effectiveness analyses. Economic studies alongside trials are complementary to other evaluations (e.g., modeling studies) as information for decision makers who consider evidence of economic value along with clinical efficacy when making resource allocation decisions. Copyright © 2015 International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Robin Hood effects on motivation in math: Family interest moderates the effects of relevance interventions.

PubMed

Häfner, Isabelle; Flunger, Barbara; Dicke, Anna-Lena; Gaspard, Hanna; Brisson, Brigitte M; Nagengast, Benjamin; Trautwein, Ulrich

2017-08-01

Using a cluster randomized field trial, the present study tested whether 2 relevance interventions affected students' value beliefs, self-concept, and effort in math differently depending on family background (socioeconomic status, family interest (FI), and parental utility value). Eighty-two classrooms were randomly assigned to either 1 of 2 intervention conditions or a control group. Data from 1,916 students (M age = 14.62, SD age = 0.47) and their predominantly Caucasian middle-class parents were obtained via separate questionnaires. Multilevel regression analyses with cross-level interactions were used to investigate differential intervention effects on students' motivational beliefs 6 weeks and 5 months after the intervention. Socioeconomic status, FI, and parental utility values were investigated as moderators of the intervention effects. The intervention conditions were especially effective in promoting students' utility, attainment, intrinsic value beliefs, and effort 5 months after the intervention for students whose parents reported lower levels of math interest. Furthermore, students whose parents reported low math utility values especially profited in terms of their utility and attainment math values 5 months after the intervention. No systematic differential intervention effects were found for socioeconomic status. These results highlight the effectiveness of relevance interventions in decreasing motivational gaps between students from families with fewer or more motivational resources. Findings point to the substantial importance of motivational family resources, which have been neglected in previous research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2017 APA, all rights reserved).

Upper arm circumference development in Chinese children and adolescents: a pooled analysis.

PubMed

Tong, Fang; Fu, Tong

2015-05-30

Upper arm development in children is different in different ethnic groups. There have been few reports on upper arm circumference (UAC) at different stages of development in children and adolescents in China. The purpose of this study was to provide a reference for growth with weighted assessment of the overall level of development. Using a pooled analysis, an authoritative journal database search and reports of UAC, we created a new database on developmental measures in children. In conducting a weighted analysis, we compared reference values for 0~60 months of development according to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics considering gender and nationality and used Z values as interval values for the second sampling to obtain an exponential smooth curve to analyze the mean, standard deviation, and sites of attachment. Ten articles were included in the pooled analysis, and these articles included participants from different areas of China. The point of intersection with the WHO curve was 3.5 years with higher values at earlier ages and lower values at older ages. Boys curve was steeper after puberty. The curves in the studies had a merged line compatible. The Z values of exponential smoothing showed the curves were similar for body weight and had a right normal distribution. The integrated index of UAC in Chinese children and adolescents indicated slightly variations with regions. Exponential curve smoothing was suitable for assessment at different developmental stages.

First report of Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Nematoda: Metastrongylidae) in Achatina fulica (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Southeast and South Brazil.

PubMed

Maldonado, Arnaldo; Simões, Raquel O; Oliveira, Ana Paula M; Motta, Esther M; Fernandez, Mônica A; Pereira, Zilene M; Monteiro, Simone S; Torres, Eduardo J Lopes; Thiengo, Silvana Carvalho

2010-11-01

The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a worldwide-distributed zoonotic nematode that can cause human eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Here, for the first time, we report the isolation of A. cantonensis from Achatina fulica from two Brazilian states: Rio de Janeiro (specifically the municipalities of Barra do Piraí, situated at the Paraiba River Valley region and São Gonçalo, situated at the edge of Guanabara Bay) and Santa Catarina (in municipality of Joinville). The lungworms were identified by comparing morphological and morphometrical data obtained from adult worms to values obtained from experimental infections of A. cantonensis from Pernambuco, Brazil, and Akita, Japan. Only a few minor morphological differences that were determined to represent intra-specific variation were observed. This report of A. cantonensis in South and Southeast Brazil, together with the recent report of the zoonosis and parasite-infected molluscs in Northeast Brazil, provide evidence of the wide distribution of A. cantonensis in the country. The need for efforts to better understand the role of A. fulica in the transmission of meningoencephalitis in Brazil and the surveillance of molluscs and rodents, particularly in ports, is emphasized.

Electro Spray Method for Flexible Display

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-12

conditions which expensive and complicated.8-9) Kim et al. reported the fabrication of IZO thin films via combustion processing and obtained mobility values...metal nitrates as metal sources in solutions. Through the high self-generated energies by the combustion of acetylacetone or urea in solution...barrier to increase the mobility of solution-process-derived TFTs. Therefore, we used H2O as the solvent in our precursor solution. The use of H2O

[Forensic medical aspects of bone tissue injuries and pathology].

PubMed

Nagornov, M N; Osipenkova-Vichtomova, T K

2012-01-01

This paper reports the results of a number of investigations into forensic medical aspects of bone tissue injuries and pathology that may be of value, both theoretical and practical, for the further studies in this field. The data obtained shed light on the influence of bone porosity on the mechanism of fractures and processes of reparation in the bone tissue. Moreover, they can be used for the purpose of forensic medical expertise.

Terminological reaction.

PubMed

Baorto, David; Tran, Tru V; Lorenzi, Virginia; Dong, David; Oral, Bulent; Forman, Bruce; Cheriff, Adam D; Cole, Curtis L

2008-11-06

When the terminology services at our institution encountered the installation of a new multi-site laboratory information system (LIS), we pursued obtaining a regular dictionary feed to keep the central terminology up-to-date. What we didn't predict was the value added to the LIS implementation effort by a cooperative vocabulary strategy. In this report, we describe how preexisting terminology services were leveraged to facilitate the integration of 2 previously independent laboratories into a new cross-campus LIS.

Rational Approximations with Hankel-Norm Criterion

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-01-01

REPORT TYPE ANDu DATES COVERED It) L. TITLE AND SLWUIlL Fi901 ia FUNDING NUMOIRS, RATIONAL APPROXIMATIONS WITH HANKEL-NORM CRITERION PE61102F i...problem is proved to be reducible to obtain a two-variable all- pass ration 1 function, interpolating a set of parametric values at specified points inside...PAGES WHICH DO NOT REPRODUCE LEGIBLY. V" C - w RATIONAL APPROXIMATIONS WITH HANKEL-NORM CRITERION* Y. Genin* Philips Research Lab. 2, avenue van

Fabrication of setup for high temperature thermal conductivity measurement.

PubMed

Patel, Ashutosh; Pandey, Sudhir K

2017-01-01

In this work, we report the fabrication of an experimental setup for high temperature thermal conductivity (κ) measurement. It can characterize samples with various dimensions and shapes. Steady state based axial heat flow technique is used for κ measurement. Heat loss is measured using parallel thermal conductance technique. Simple design, lightweight, and small size sample holder is developed by using a thin heater and limited components. Low heat loss value is achieved by using very low thermal conductive insulator block with small cross-sectional area. Power delivered to the heater is measured accurately by using 4-wire technique and for this, the heater is developed with 4 wires. This setup is validated by using Bi 0.36 Sb 1.45 Te 3 , polycrystalline bismuth, gadolinium, and alumina samples. The data obtained for these samples are found to be in good agreement with the reported data. The maximum deviation of 6% in the value κ is observed. This maximum deviation is observed with the gadolinium sample. We also report the thermal conductivity of polycrystalline tellurium from 320 K to 550 K and the nonmonotonous behavior of κ with temperature is observed.

Reflection coefficients of permeant molecules in human red cell suspensions.

PubMed

Owen, J D; Eyring, E M

1975-08-01

The Staverman reflection coefficient, sigma for several permeant molecules was determined in human red cell suspensions with a Durrum stopped-flow spectrophotometer. This procedure was first used with dog, cat, and beef red cells and with human red cells. The stopped-flow technique used was similar to the rapid-flow method used by those who originally reported sigma measurements in human red cells for molecules which rapidly penetrate the red cell membrane. The sigma values we obtained agreed with those previously reported for most of the slow penetrants, except malonamide, but disagreed with all the sigma values previously reported for the rapid penetrants. We were unable to calculate an "equivalent pore radius" with our sigma data. The advantages of our equipment and our experimental procedure are discussed. Our sigma data suggest that sigma is indirectly proportional to the log of the nonelectrolyte permeability coefficient, omega. Since a similar trend has been previously shown for log omega and molar volume of the permeant molecules, a correlatioo was shown between sigma and molar volume suggesting the membrane acts as a sieve.

Policy and political advocacy: Comparison study of nursing faculty to determine current practices, perceptions, and barriers to teaching health policy.

PubMed

Staebler, Suzanne; Campbell, Jane; Cornelius, Patsy; Fallin-Bennett, Amanda; Fry-Bowers, Eileen; Kung, Ying Mai; LaFevers, David; Miller, Janice

To better understand policy/advocacy concepts and methodology utilized in all levels of nursing educational programs and develop clarity concerning structure of policy content and integration across all levels of education. Cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from a survey sent to 19,043 nursing faculty in the United States; 598 total responses; 514 complete responses. Quantitative data points were analyzed using SPSS and qualitative data was grouped and analyzed by theme. Barriers and perceptions of student engagement and student learning outcomes along with institutional and faculty development barriers were explored in baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral level nursing programs. Thirty-six percent of respondents reported having experience in development and implementation of policy, ranging from local to international spheres and 21% reported active involvement in current state and federal policy development. Seventy percent of respondents have advocated for the nursing profession through professional organizations while 44% report current activity in legislative advocacy. The value of nursing policy education, advocacy, and analysis must be valued in higher education. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prospective comparison of speckle tracking longitudinal bidimensional strain between two vendors.

PubMed

Castel, Anne-Laure; Szymanski, Catherine; Delelis, François; Levy, Franck; Menet, Aymeric; Mailliet, Amandine; Marotte, Nathalie; Graux, Pierre; Tribouilloy, Christophe; Maréchaux, Sylvestre

2014-02-01

Speckle tracking is a relatively new, largely angle-independent technique used for the evaluation of myocardial longitudinal strain (LS). However, significant differences have been reported between LS values obtained by speckle tracking with the first generation of software products. To compare LS values obtained with the most recently released equipment from two manufacturers. Systematic scanning with head-to-head acquisition with no modification of the patient's position was performed in 64 patients with equipment from two different manufacturers, with subsequent off-line post-processing for speckle tracking LS assessment (Philips QLAB 9.0 and General Electric [GE] EchoPAC BT12). The interobserver variability of each software product was tested on a randomly selected set of 20 echocardiograms from the study population. GE and Philips interobserver coefficients of variation (CVs) for global LS (GLS) were 6.63% and 5.87%, respectively, indicating good reproducibility. Reproducibility was very variable for regional and segmental LS values, with CVs ranging from 7.58% to 49.21% with both software products. The concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) between GLS values was high at 0.95, indicating substantial agreement between the two methods. While good agreement was observed between midwall and apical regional strains with the two software products, basal regional strains were poorly correlated. The agreement between the two software products at a segmental level was very variable; the highest correlation was obtained for the apical cap (CCC 0.90) and the poorest for basal segments (CCC range 0.31-0.56). A high level of agreement and reproducibility for global but not for basal regional or segmental LS was found with two vendor-dependent software products. This finding may help to reinforce clinical acceptance of GLS in everyday clinical practice. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Optoelectronic properties of hybrid diodes based on vanadyl-phthalocyanine and zinc oxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kiran, M. Raveendra; Ulla, Hidayath; Satyanarayan, M. N.; Umesh, G.

2017-12-01

We report an investigation of the optoelectronic properties of a hybrid p-n diode device fabricated using ZnO film prepared by sol-gel technique on which a VOPc organic film is deposited by vacuum evaporation. The charge transport properties of devices having the configurations ITO/ZnO/Al and ITO/ZnO/VOPc/MoO3/Al were investigated at different annealing temperatures (150 °C, 250 °C, 350 °C and 450 °C) by Impedance Spectroscopy (IS). The structural, morphological, optical and electrical properties were also studied at different annealing temperatures. The parameters related to the ITO/ZnO and ZnO/VOPc interfaces such as ideality factor (n), barrier height (qϕB) and rectification ratio (RR) of the diodes were determined from current density-voltage (J-V) characteristics. IS measurements suggest that the large photocurrent generated is due to the decrease in bulk resistance of the device on account of the generation of electron-hole pairs in the organic active layer when exposed to light. The RR and the photocurrent responsivity (Rph) values obtained from the J-V characteristics compare well with those obtained from the IS measurements. It was observed that the absolute value of Rph (470 mA/W) for the p-n diode with ZnO annealed at 350 °C is high compared to that of diodes with different ZnO annealing temperatures. These values also agree well with the values obtained for p-n diodes of other phthalocyanines. Our studies clearly demonstrate that a p-n diode with ZnO film annealed at 350 °C exhibits much better optoelectronic characteristics on account of increased grain size, improved charge injection due to the reduction of barrier height and hence higher (up to 5 orders) charge carrier mobility.

Estimation of reference intervals from small samples: an example using canine plasma creatinine.

PubMed

Geffré, A; Braun, J P; Trumel, C; Concordet, D

2009-12-01

According to international recommendations, reference intervals should be determined from at least 120 reference individuals, which often are impossible to achieve in veterinary clinical pathology, especially for wild animals. When only a small number of reference subjects is available, the possible bias cannot be known and the normality of the distribution cannot be evaluated. A comparison of reference intervals estimated by different methods could be helpful. The purpose of this study was to compare reference limits determined from a large set of canine plasma creatinine reference values, and large subsets of this data, with estimates obtained from small samples selected randomly. Twenty sets each of 120 and 27 samples were randomly selected from a set of 1439 plasma creatinine results obtained from healthy dogs in another study. Reference intervals for the whole sample and for the large samples were determined by a nonparametric method. The estimated reference limits for the small samples were minimum and maximum, mean +/- 2 SD of native and Box-Cox-transformed values, 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles by a robust method on native and Box-Cox-transformed values, and estimates from diagrams of cumulative distribution functions. The whole sample had a heavily skewed distribution, which approached Gaussian after Box-Cox transformation. The reference limits estimated from small samples were highly variable. The closest estimates to the 1439-result reference interval for 27-result subsamples were obtained by both parametric and robust methods after Box-Cox transformation but were grossly erroneous in some cases. For small samples, it is recommended that all values be reported graphically in a dot plot or histogram and that estimates of the reference limits be compared using different methods.

A molecular beam photoionization mass spectrometric study of Cr(CO){sub 6}, Mo(CO){sub 6}, and W(CO){sub 6}

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

Chen, Y.; Liao, C.; Ng, C.Y.

1997-09-01

The photoionization efficiency (PIE) spectra for M(CO){sub n}{sup +} (n=0{endash}6) from M(CO){sub 6}, M=Cr, Mo, and W, have been measured in the photon energy range of 650{endash}1600 {Angstrom}. Based on the ionization energies for M(CO){sub 6} and appearance energies (AEs) for M(CO){sub n}{sup +} (n=0{endash}5) determined here, we have obtained estimates for the sequential bond dissociation energies (D{sub 0}) for CO{endash}M(CO){sub n{minus}1}{sup +} (n=1{endash}6). The comparison between the D{sub 0} values for the Cr(CO){sub 6}{sup +} system obtained here and in the recent collisional induced dissociation and theoretical studies suggests that D{sub 0} values for CO{endash}M(CO){sub n{minus}1}{sup +} (n=3{endash}6) basedmore » on this PIE experiment are reliable. The PIE results reveal the general trend for individual D{sub 0} values that D{sub 0}[CO{endash}Cr(CO){sub n{minus}1}{sup +}]{lt}D{sub 0}[CO{endash}Mo(CO){sub n{minus}1}{sup +}]{lt}D{sub 0}[CO{endash}W(CO){sub n{minus}1}{sup +}] (n=3{endash}6). The comparison of the first D{sub 0} values for M(CO){sub 6}{sup +} obtained here and those for M(CO){sub 6} reported previously provides strong support for the theoretical analysis that the importance of relativistic effects, which give rise to more efficient M to CO {pi}-back-donation in M(CO){sub 6}, is in the order W(CO){sub 6}{gt}Mo(CO){sub 6}{gt}Cr(CO){sub 6}. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}« less

Isotopic characterization of flight feathers in two pelagic seabirds: Sampling strategies for ecological studies

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wiley, Anne E.; Ostrom, Peggy H.; Stricker, Craig A.; James, Helen F.; Gandhi, Hasand

2010-01-01

We wish to use stable-isotope analysis of flight feathers to understand the feeding behavior of pelagic seabirds, such as the Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) and Newell’s Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli). Analysis of remiges is particularly informative because the sequence and timing of remex molt are often known. The initial step, reported here, is to obtain accurate isotope values from whole remiges by means of a minimally invasive protocol appropriate for live birds or museum specimens. The high variability observed in D13C and D15N values within a feather precludes the use of a small section of vane. We found the average range within 42 Hawaiian Petrel remiges to be 1.3‰ for both D13C and D15N and that within 10 Newell’s Shearwater remiges to be 1.3‰ and 0.7‰ for D13C and D15N, respectively. The D13C of all 52 feathers increased from tip to base, and the majority of Hawaiian Petrel feathers showed an analogous trend in D15N. Although the average range of DD in 21 Hawaiian Petrel remiges was 11‰, we found no longitudinal trend. We discuss influences of trophic level, foraging location, metabolism, and pigmentation on isotope values and compare three methods of obtaining isotope averages of whole feathers. Our novel barb-sampling protocol requires only 1.0 mg of feather and minimal preparation time. Because it leaves the feather nearly intact, this protocol will likely facilitate obtaining isotope values from remiges of live birds and museum specimens. As a consequence, it will help expand the understanding of historical trends in foraging behavior

A software tool to assess uncertainty in transient-storage model parameters using Monte Carlo simulations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ward, Adam S.; Kelleher, Christa A.; Mason, Seth J. K.; Wagener, Thorsten; McIntyre, Neil; McGlynn, Brian L.; Runkel, Robert L.; Payn, Robert A.

2017-01-01

Researchers and practitioners alike often need to understand and characterize how water and solutes move through a stream in terms of the relative importance of in-stream and near-stream storage and transport processes. In-channel and subsurface storage processes are highly variable in space and time and difficult to measure. Storage estimates are commonly obtained using transient-storage models (TSMs) of the experimentally obtained solute-tracer test data. The TSM equations represent key transport and storage processes with a suite of numerical parameters. Parameter values are estimated via inverse modeling, in which parameter values are iteratively changed until model simulations closely match observed solute-tracer data. Several investigators have shown that TSM parameter estimates can be highly uncertain. When this is the case, parameter values cannot be used reliably to interpret stream-reach functioning. However, authors of most TSM studies do not evaluate or report parameter certainty. Here, we present a software tool linked to the One-dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage (OTIS) model that enables researchers to conduct uncertainty analyses via Monte-Carlo parameter sampling and to visualize uncertainty and sensitivity results. We demonstrate application of our tool to 2 case studies and compare our results to output obtained from more traditional implementation of the OTIS model. We conclude by suggesting best practices for transient-storage modeling and recommend that future applications of TSMs include assessments of parameter certainty to support comparisons and more reliable interpretations of transport processes.

Partitioning of organophosphorus pesticides into phosphatidylcholine small unilamellar vesicles studied by second-derivative spectrophotometry.

PubMed

Takegami, Shigehiko; Kitamura, Keisuke; Ohsugi, Mayuko; Ito, Aya; Kitade, Tatsuya

2015-06-15

In order to quantitatively examine the lipophilicity of the widely used organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) chlorfenvinphos (CFVP), chlorpyrifos-methyl (CPFM), diazinon (DZN), fenitrothion (FNT), fenthion (FT), isofenphos (IFP), profenofos (PFF) and pyraclofos (PCF), their partition coefficient (Kp) values between phosphatidylcholine (PC) small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) and water (liposome-water system) were determined by second-derivative spectrophotometry. The second-derivative spectra of these OPs in the presence of PC SUV showed a bathochromic shift according to the increase in PC concentration and distinct derivative isosbestic points, demonstrating the complete elimination of the residual background signal effects that were observed in the absorption spectra. The Kp values were calculated from the second-derivative intensity change induced by addition of PC SUV and obtained with a good precision of R.S.D. below 10%. The Kp values were in the order of CPFM>FT>PFF>PCF>IFP>CFVP>FNT⩾DZN and did not show a linear correlation relationship with the reported partition coefficients obtained using an n-octanol-water system (R(2)=0.530). Also, the results quantitatively clarified the effect of chemical-group substitution in OPs on their lipophilicity. Since the partition coefficient for the liposome-water system is more effective for modeling the quantitative structure-activity relationship than that for the n-octanol-water system, the obtained results are toxicologically important for estimating the accumulation of these OPs in human cell membranes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Twenty years of telemedicine in chronic disease management – an evidence synthesis

PubMed Central

Wootton, Richard

2012-01-01

A literature review was conducted to obtain a high-level view of the value of telemedicine in the management of five common chronic diseases (asthma, COPD, diabetes, heart failure, hypertension). A total of 141 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was identified, in which 148 telemedicine interventions of various kinds had been tested in a total of 37,695 patients. The value of each intervention was categorised in terms of the outcomes specified by the investigators in that trial, i.e. no attempt was made to extract a common outcome from all studies, as would be required for a conventional meta-analysis. Summarizing the value of these interventions shows, first, that most studies have reported positive effects (n = 108), and almost none have reported negative effects (n = 2). This suggests publication bias. Second, there were no significant differences between the chronic diseases, i.e. telemedicine seems equally effective (or ineffective) in the diseases studied. Third, most studies have been relatively short-term (median duration 6 months). It seems unlikely that in a chronic disease, any intervention can have much effect unless applied for a long period. Finally, there have been very few studies of cost-effectiveness. Thus the evidence base for the value of telemedicine in managing chronic diseases is on the whole weak and contradictory. PMID:22674020

Internal friction quality-factor Q under confining pressure. [of lunar rocks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tittmann, B. R.; Ahlberg, L.; Nadler, H.; Curnow, J.; Smith, T.; Cohen, E. R.

1977-01-01

It has been found in previous studies that small amounts of adsorbed volatiles can have a profound effect on the internal friction quality-factor Q of rocks and other porous media. Pandit and Tozer (1970) have suggested that the laboratory-measured Q of volatile-free rocks should be similar to the in situ seismic Q values of near-surface lunar rocks which according to Latham et al. (1970) are in the range of 3000-5000. Observations of dramatic increases in Q with outgassing up to values approaching 2000 in the seismic frequency range confirm this supposition. Measurements under confining pressures with the sample encapsulated under hard vacuum are reported to aid in the interpretation of seismic data obtained below the lunar surface. It has been possible to achieve in the experiments Q values just under 2000 at about 1 kbar for a terrestrial analog of lunar basalt. It was found that a well-outgassed sample maintains a high Q whereas one exposed to moisture maintains a low Q as the confining pressure is raised to 2.5 kbar. This result suggests that volatiles can indeed affect Q when cracks are partially closed and the high lunar seismic Q values reported are concomitant with very dry rock down to depths of at least 50 km.

Theoretical Study of Energy Levels and Transition Probabilities of Boron Atom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tian Yi, Zhang; Neng Wu, Zheng

2009-08-01

Full Text PDF Though the electrons configuration for boron atom is simple and boron atom has long been of interest for many researchers, the theoretical studies for properties of BI are not systematic, there are only few results reported on energy levels of high excited states of boron, and transition measurements are generally restricted to transitions involving ground states and low excited states without considering fine structure effects, provided only multiplet results, values for transitions between high excited states are seldom performed. In this article, by using the scheme of the weakest bound electron potential model theory calculations for energy levels of five series are performed and with the same method we give the transition probabilities between excited states with considering fine structure effects. The comprehensive set of calculations attempted in this paper could be of some value to workers in the field because of the lack of published calculations for the BI systems. The perturbations coming from foreign perturbers are taken into account in studying the energy levels. Good agreement between our results and the accepted values taken from NIST has been obtained. We also reported some values of energy levels and transition probabilities not existing on the NIST data bases.

Bimorph material/structure designs for high sensitivity flexible surface acoustic wave temperature sensors.

PubMed

Tao, R; Hasan, S A; Wang, H Z; Zhou, J; Luo, J T; McHale, G; Gibson, D; Canyelles-Pericas, P; Cooke, M D; Wood, D; Liu, Y; Wu, Q; Ng, W P; Franke, T; Fu, Y Q

2018-06-13

A fundamental challenge for surface acoustic wave (SAW) temperature sensors is the detection of small temperature changes on non-planar, often curved, surfaces. In this work, we present a new design methodology for SAW devices based on flexible substrate and bimorph material/structures, which can maximize the temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF). We performed finite element analysis simulations and obtained theoretical TCF values for SAW sensors made of ZnO thin films (~5 μm thick) coated aluminum (Al) foil and Al plate substrates with thicknesses varied from 1 to 1600 μm. Based on the simulation results, SAW devices with selected Al foil or plate thicknesses were fabricated. The experimentally measured TCF values were in excellent agreements with the simulation results. A normalized wavelength parameter (e.g., the ratio between wavelength and sample thickness, λ/h) was applied to successfully describe changes in the TCF values, and the TCF readings of the ZnO/Al SAW devices showed dramatic increases when the normalized wavelength λ/h was larger than 1. Using this design approach, we obtained the highest reported TCF value of -760 ppm/K for a SAW device made of ZnO thin film coated on Al foils (50 μm thick), thereby enabling low cost temperature sensor applications to be realized on flexible substrates.

Intra- and inter-individual variation of BIS-index and Entropy during controlled sedation with midazolam/remifentanil and dexmedetomidine/remifentanil in healthy volunteers: an interventional study.

PubMed

Haenggi, Matthias; Ypparila-Wolters, Heidi; Hauser, Kathrin; Caviezel, Claudio; Takala, Jukka; Korhonen, Ilkka; Jakob, Stephan M

2009-01-01

We studied intra-individual and inter-individual variability of two online sedation monitors, BIS and Entropy, in volunteers under sedation. Ten healthy volunteers were sedated in a stepwise manner with doses of either midazolam and remifentanil or dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. One week later the procedure was repeated with the remaining drug combination. The doses were adjusted to achieve three different sedation levels (Ramsay Scores 2, 3 and 4) and controlled by a computer-driven drug-delivery system to maintain stable plasma concentrations of the drugs. At each level of sedation, BIS and Entropy (response entropy and state entropy) values were recorded for 20 minutes. Baseline recordings were obtained before the sedative medications were administered. Both inter-individual and intra-individual variability increased as the sedation level deepened. Entropy values showed greater variability than BIS(R) values, and the variability was greater during dexmedetomidine/remifentanil sedation than during midazolam/remifentanil sedation. The large intra-individual and inter-individual variability of BIS and Entropy values in sedated volunteers makes the determination of sedation levels by processed electroencephalogram (EEG) variables impossible. Reports in the literature which draw conclusions based on processed EEG variables obtained from sedated intensive care unit (ICU) patients may be inaccurate due to this variability. clinicaltrials.gov Nr. NCT00641563.

Density Measurements of Low Silica CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 Slags

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muhmood, Luckman; Seetharaman, Seshadri

2010-08-01

Density measurements of a low-silica CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 system were carried out using the Archimedes principle. A Pt 30 pct Rh bob and wire arrangement was used for this purpose. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained from the model developed in the current group as well as with other results reported earlier. The density for the CaO-SiO2 and the CaO-Al2O3 binary slag systems also was estimated from the ternary values. The extrapolation of density values for high-silica systems also showed good agreement with previous works. An estimation for the density value of CaO was made from the current experimental data. The density decrease at high temperatures was interpreted based on the silicate structure. As the mole percent of SiO2 was below the 33 pct required for the orthosilicate composition, discrete {text{SiO}}4^{4 - } tetrahedral units in the silicate melt would exist along with O2- ions. The change in melt expansivity may be attributed to the ionic expansions in the order of {text{Al}}^{ 3+ } - {text{O}}^{ 2- } < {text{Ca}}^{ 2+ } - {text{O}}^{ 2- } < {text{Ca}}^{ 2+ } - {text{O}}^{ - } Structural changes in the ternary slag also could be correlated to a drastic change in the value of enthalpy of mixing.

Micromechanical Analysis of Crack Closure Mechanism for Intelligent Material Containing TiNi Fibers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Araki, Shigetoshi; Ono, Hiroyuki; Saito, Kenji

In our previous study, the micromechanical modeling of an intelligent material containing TiNi fibers was performed and the stress intensity factor KI at the tip of the crack in the material was expressed in terms of the magnitude of the shape memory shrinkage of the fibers and the thermal expansion strain in the material. In this study, the value of KI at the tip of the crack in the TiNi/epoxy material is calculated numerically by using analytical expressions obtained in our first report. As a result, we find that the KI value decreases with increasing shrink strain of the fibers, and this tendency agrees with that of the experimental result obtained by Shimamoto etal.(Trans. Jpn. Soc. Mech. Eng., Vol. 65, No. 634 (1999), pp. 1282-1286). Moreover, there exists an optimal value of the shrink strain of the fibers to make the KI value zero. The change in KI with temperature during the heating process from the reference temperature to the inverse austenitic finishing temperature of TiNi fiber is also consistent with the experimental result. These results can be explained by the changes in the shrink strain, the thermal expansion strain, and the elastic moduli of TiNi fiber with temperature. These results may be useful in designing intelligent materials containing TiNi fibers from the viewpoint of crack closure.

Structural integrity assessment and stress measurement of chasnupp-1 fuel assembly skeleton: under tensile loading condition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waseem; Siddiqui, Ashfaq Ahmad; Murtaza, Ghulam; Maqbool, Abu Baker

2017-12-01

Fuel assembly (FA) structure without fuel rods is called FA skeleton which is a long and flexible structure. This study has been made in an attempt to find the structural integrity of the Chashma Nuclear power plant-1 FA skeleton at room temperature. The finite element (FE) analysis has been performed using ANSYS, in order to determine the elongation of the FA skeleton as well as the location of max. stress and stresses developed in axial direction under tensile load of 9800 N or 2 g being the FA handling or lifting load [Y. Zhang et al., Fuel Assembly Design Report, SNERDI, China, 1994]. The FE model of grids, guide thimbles with dash-pots and flow holes has been developed using Shell 181. It has been observed that FA skeleton elongation values obtained through FE analysis and experiment are comparable and show linear behaviors. Moreover, the values of stresses obtained at different locations of the guide thimbles are also comparable with the stress values of the experiment determined at the same locations through strain gauges. Therefore, validation of the FE methodology is confirmed. The values of stresses are less than the design limit of the materials used for the grid and the guide thimble. Therefore, the structural integrity criterion of CHASNUPP-1 FA skeleton is fulfilled safely.

Optimization and kinetic modeling of esterification of the oil obtained from waste plum stones as a pretreatment step in biodiesel production.

PubMed

Kostić, Milan D; Veličković, Ana V; Joković, Nataša M; Stamenković, Olivera S; Veljković, Vlada B

2016-02-01

This study reports on the use of oil obtained from waste plum stones as a low-cost feedstock for biodiesel production. Because of high free fatty acid (FFA) level (15.8%), the oil was processed through the two-step process including esterification of FFA and methanolysis of the esterified oil catalyzed by H2SO4 and CaO, respectively. Esterification was optimized by response surface methodology combined with a central composite design. The second-order polynomial equation predicted the lowest acid value of 0.53mgKOH/g under the following optimal reaction conditions: the methanol:oil molar ratio of 8.5:1, the catalyst amount of 2% and the reaction temperature of 45°C. The predicted acid value agreed with the experimental acid value (0.47mgKOH/g). The kinetics of FFA esterification was described by the irreversible pseudo first-order reaction rate law. The apparent kinetic constant was correlated with the initial methanol and catalyst concentrations and reaction temperature. The activation energy of the esterification reaction slightly decreased from 13.23 to 11.55kJ/mol with increasing the catalyst concentration from 0.049 to 0.172mol/dm(3). In the second step, the esterified oil reacted with methanol (methanol:oil molar ratio of 9:1) in the presence of CaO (5% to the oil mass) at 60°C. The properties of the obtained biodiesel were within the EN 14214 standard limits. Hence, waste plum stones might be valuable raw material for obtaining fatty oil for the use as alternative feedstock in biodiesel production. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of PDA Technical Report No 33. Statistical Testing Recommendations for a Rapid Microbiological Method Case Study.

PubMed

Murphy, Thomas; Schwedock, Julie; Nguyen, Kham; Mills, Anna; Jones, David

2015-01-01

New recommendations for the validation of rapid microbiological methods have been included in the revised Technical Report 33 release from the PDA. The changes include a more comprehensive review of the statistical methods to be used to analyze data obtained during validation. This case study applies those statistical methods to accuracy, precision, ruggedness, and equivalence data obtained using a rapid microbiological methods system being evaluated for water bioburden testing. Results presented demonstrate that the statistical methods described in the PDA Technical Report 33 chapter can all be successfully applied to the rapid microbiological method data sets and gave the same interpretation for equivalence to the standard method. The rapid microbiological method was in general able to pass the requirements of PDA Technical Report 33, though the study shows that there can be occasional outlying results and that caution should be used when applying statistical methods to low average colony-forming unit values. Prior to use in a quality-controlled environment, any new method or technology has to be shown to work as designed by the manufacturer for the purpose required. For new rapid microbiological methods that detect and enumerate contaminating microorganisms, additional recommendations have been provided in the revised PDA Technical Report No. 33. The changes include a more comprehensive review of the statistical methods to be used to analyze data obtained during validation. This paper applies those statistical methods to analyze accuracy, precision, ruggedness, and equivalence data obtained using a rapid microbiological method system being validated for water bioburden testing. The case study demonstrates that the statistical methods described in the PDA Technical Report No. 33 chapter can be successfully applied to rapid microbiological method data sets and give the same comparability results for similarity or difference as the standard method. © PDA, Inc. 2015.

δ15N values of atmospheric N species simultaneously collected using sector-based samplers distant from sources - Isotopic inheritance and fractionation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Savard, Martine M.; Cole, Amanda; Smirnoff, Anna; Vet, Robert

2017-08-01

The nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N) of atmospheric N species are commonly suggested as indicators of N emission sources. Therefore, numerous research studies have developed analytical methodologies and characterized primary (gases) and secondary emission products (mostly precipitation and aerosols) from various emitters. These previous studies have generally collected either reduced or oxidized N forms, and sampled them separately prior to determining their δ15N values. Distinctive isotopic signals have been reported for emissions from various sources, and seasonality of the δ15N values has been frequently attributed to shifts in relative contributions from sources with different isotopic signals. However, theoretical concepts suggest that temperature effects on isotopic fractionation may also affect the δ15N values of atmospheric reaction products. Here we use a sector-based multi-stage filter system to simultaneously collect seven reduced and oxidized N species downwind from five different source types in Alberta, Canada. We report δ15N values obtained with a state-of-the-art gold-furnace pre-concentrator online with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) to provide representative results even for oxidized-N forms. We find that equilibrium isotope effects and their temperature dependence play significant roles in determining the δ15N values of the secondary emission products. In the end, seasonal δ15N changes here are mainly caused by temperature effects on fractionation, and the δ15N values of only two N species from one source type can be retained as potential fingerprints of emissions.

The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency values of some serological tests used in the diagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis.

PubMed

Del Negro, G M; Garcia, N M; Rodrigues, E G; Cano, M I; de Aguiar, M S; Lírio, V de S; Lacaz, C da S

1991-01-01

This work reports on the results of double immunodiffusion (ID), counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE), complement fixation (CF) and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) techniques in the serodiagnosis of paracoccidioidomycosis. The study was undertaken on four groups of individuals: 46 patients with untreated paracoccidioidomycosis, 22 patients with other deep mycoses, 30 with other infectious diseases (tuberculosis and cutaneous leishmaniasis) and 47 blood donors as negative controls. Data were obtained using Paracoccidioides brasiliensis antigens, i.e., a yeast culture filtrate for ID, CIE and CF, and a yeast cell suspension for IIF. The sensitivity, specificity and efficiency values were measured according to GALEN & GAMBINO. The gel precipitation tests (ID and CIE) showed the greatest sensitivity (91.3 and 95.6%, respectively), maximum specificity (100%) and the highest efficiency values when compared to the CF and IIF tests.

Fabrication and ferroelectric properties of highly dense lead-free piezoelectric (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 thick films by aerosol deposition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ryu, Jungho; Choi, Jong-Jin; Hahn, Byung-Dong; Park, Dong-Soo; Yoon, Woon-Ha; Kim, Ki-Hoon

2007-04-01

Lead-free piezoelectric thick films of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 were fabricated by aerosol-deposition method. The thickness of KNN film was 7.1μm and fully dense films were obtained. The dielectric constants ɛ3T/ɛ0 of the as-deposited and annealed films at 1kHz were 116 and 545, respectively, which are higher than any previously reported values for lead-free piezoelectric thin/thick films, either without or with heat treatment. The ferroelectric properties were improved after annealing and the maximum values of Pr=8.1μC/cm3 and Ec=100kV/cm were achieved. These values are markedly superior to those of sintered KNN ceramic counterparts.

Measurement of the loss tangent of low-density polyethylene with a nanoindentation technique

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

Loubet, J. L.; Oliver, W. C.; Lucas, B. N.

2000-05-01

This paper describes experimental measurements of the linear viscoelastic behavior of the surface of low-density (LD) polyethylene in contact with a pyramidal Berkovich diamond indenter. The experiments were carried out at two different temperatures, 15.9 and 27.2 degree sign C, between frequencies of 0.1 and 800 Hz. Using the shift of the loss tangent between the two temperatures at frequencies lower than 20 Hz and an Arrhenius equation, an activation energy of 105{+-}2 kJ/mol was obtained. This value is in good agreement with the bulk value of the {alpha} relaxation of LD polyethylene reported in the literature. (c) 2000 Materialsmore » Research Society.« less

Systematic Error Study for ALICE charged-jet v2 Measurement

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

Heinz, M.; Soltz, R.

We study the treatment of systematic errors in the determination of v 2 for charged jets in √ sNN = 2:76 TeV Pb-Pb collisions by the ALICE Collaboration. Working with the reported values and errors for the 0-5% centrality data we evaluate the Χ 2 according to the formulas given for the statistical and systematic errors, where the latter are separated into correlated and shape contributions. We reproduce both the Χ 2 and p-values relative to a null (zero) result. We then re-cast the systematic errors into an equivalent co-variance matrix and obtain identical results, demonstrating that the two methodsmore » are equivalent.« less

A comparison of self-report and health care provider data to assess surveillance definitions of influenza-like illness in outpatients.

PubMed

Barbara, Angela M; Loeb, Mark; Dolovich, Lisa; Brazil, Kevin; Russell, Margaret L

2012-01-01

Several surveillance definitions of influenza-like illness (ILI) have been proposed, based on the presence of symptoms. Symptom data can be obtained from patients, medical records, or both. Past research has found that agreements between health record data and self-report are variable depending on the specific symptom. Therefore, we aimed to explore the implications of using data on influenza symptoms extracted from medical records, similar data collected prospectively from outpatients, and the combined data from both sources as predictors of laboratory-confirmed influenza. Using data from the Hutterite Influenza Prevention Study, we calculated: 1) the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of individual symptoms within surveillance definitions; 2) how frequently surveillance definitions correlated to laboratory-confirmed influenza; and 3) the predictive value of surveillance definitions. Of the 176 participants with reports from participants and medical records, 142 (81%) were tested for influenza and 37 (26%) were PCR positive for influenza. Fever (alone) and fever combined with cough and/or sore throat were highly correlated with being PCR positive for influenza for all data sources. ILI surveillance definitions, based on symptom data from medical records only or from both medical records and self-report, were better predictors of laboratory-confirmed influenza with higher odds ratios and positive predictive values. The choice of data source to determine ILI will depend on the patient population, outcome of interest, availability of data source, and use for clinical decision making, research, or surveillance.

A framework for evaluating student perceptions of health policy training in medical school.

PubMed

Patel, Mitesh S; Lypson, Monica L; Miller, D Douglas; Davis, Matthew M

2014-10-01

Nearly half of graduating medical students in the United States report that medical school provides inadequate instruction in topics related to health policy. Although most medical schools report some form of policy education, there lacks a standard for teaching core concepts and evaluating student satisfaction. Responses to the Association of American Medical College's Medical School Graduation Questionnaire were obtained for the years 2007-2008 and 2011-2012 and mapped to domains of training in health policy curricula for four domains: systems and principles; value and equity; quality and safety; and politics and law. Chi-square tests were used to test differences among unadjusted temporal trends. Multiple logistic regression models were fit to the outcome variables and adjusted for student characteristics, student preferences, and medical school characteristics. Compared with 2007-2008, students' perceptions of training in 2011-2012 increased on a relative basis by 11.7% for components within systems and principles, 2.8% for quality and safety, and 6.8% for value and equity. Components within politics and law had a composite decline of 4.8%. Multiple logistic regression models found higher odds of reporting satisfaction with training over time for all components within the domains of systems and principles, quality and safety, and value and equity (P < .01), with the exception of medical economics. Medical student perceptions of training in health policy improved over time. Causal factors for these trends require further study. Despite improvement, nearly 40% of graduating medical students still report inadequate instruction in health policy.

Smoking topography and biomarkers of exposure among Japanese smokers: associations with cigarette emissions obtained using machine smoking protocols.

PubMed

Matsumoto, Mariko; Inaba, Yohei; Yamaguchi, Ichiro; Endo, Osamu; Hammond, David; Uchiyama, Shigehisa; Suzuki, Gen

2013-03-01

Although the relative risk of lung cancer due to smoking is reported to be lower in Japan than in other countries, few studies have examined the characteristics of Japanese cigarettes or potential differences in smoking patterns among Japanese smokers. To examine tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide (TNCO) emissions from ten leading cigarettes in Japan, machine smoking tests were conducted using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) protocol and the Health Canada Intense (HCI) protocol. Smoking topography and tobacco-related biomarkers were collected from 101 Japanese smokers to examine measures of exposure. The findings indicate considerable variability in the smoking behavior of Japanese smokers. On average, puffing behaviors observed among smokers were more similar to the parameters of the HCI protocol, and brands with greater ventilation that yielded lower machine values using the ISO protocol were smoked more intensely than brands with lower levels of ventilation. The smokers of "ultra-low/low" nicotine-yield cigarettes smoked 2.7-fold more intensively than those of "medium/high" nicotine-yield cigarette smokers to achieve the same level of salivary cotinine (p = 0.024). CO levels in expiratory breath samples were associated with puff volume and self-reported smoking intensity, but not with nominal values of nicotine-yield reported on cigarette packages. Japanese smokers engaged in "compensatory smoking" to achieve their desired nicotine intake, and levels of exposure were greater than those suggested by the nominal value of nicotine and tar yields reported on cigarette packages.

The Pulsational Nature of R-Coronae - Light and Radial Velocity Variations during 1990 and 1991

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fernie, J. D.; Lawson, W. A.

1993-12-01

We report photometry and radial velocities of the R Coronae Borealis (RCB) star R CrB, obtained during 1991. We compare these observations with published photometry obtained during 1990 and velocities obtained during 1990 and 1991, and analyse these data using Fourier techniques. In line with the conclusions of earlier analyses, the pulsational nature of R CrB is difficult to quantify, particularly on timescales of longer than a yea The 1990 data are possibly consistent with the presence of a 43-d radial pulsation mode. During 1991 there was some evidence for a periodicity near this value in the radial velocities, but not in the photometric data. Additional data are desirable to investigate the possible presence of one or more periodicities in the light and radial velocity curves.

Using mobile health technology to deliver decision support for self-monitoring after lung transplantation.

PubMed

Jiang, Yun; Sereika, Susan M; DeVito Dabbs, Annette; Handler, Steven M; Schlenk, Elizabeth A

2016-10-01

Lung transplant recipients (LTR) experience problems recognizing and reporting critical condition changes during their daily health self-monitoring. Pocket PATH(®), a mobile health application, was designed to provide automatic feedback messages to LTR to guide decisions for detecting and reporting critical values of health indicators. To examine the degree to which LTR followed decision support messages to report recorded critical values, and to explore predictors of appropriately following technology decision support by reporting critical values during the first year after transplantation. A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted to analyze existing data from 96 LTR who used the Pocket PATH for daily health self-monitoring. When a critical value is entered, the device automatically generated a feedback message to guide LTR about when and what to report to their transplant coordinators. Their socio-demographics and clinical characteristics were obtained before discharge. Their use of Pocket PATH for health self-monitoring during 12 months was categorized as low (≤25% of days), moderate (>25% to ≤75% of days), and high (>75% of days) use. Following technology decision support was defined by the total number of critical feedback messages appropriately handled divided by the total number of critical feedback messages generated. This variable was dichotomized by whether or not all (100%) feedback messages were appropriately followed. Binary logistic regression was used to explore predictors of appropriately following decision support. Of the 96 participants, 53 had at least 1 critical feedback message generated during 12 months. Of these 53 participants, the average message response rate was 90% and 33 (62%) followed 100% decision support. LTR who moderately used Pocket PATH (n=23) were less likely to follow technology decision support than the high (odds ratio [OR]=0.11, p=0.02) and low (OR=0.04, p=0.02) use groups. The odds of following decision support were reduced in LTR whose income met basic needs (OR=0.01, p=0.01) or who had longer hospital stays (OR=0.94, p=0.004). A significant interaction was found between gender and past technology experience (OR=0.21, p=0.03), suggesting that with increased past technology experience, the odds of following decision support to report all critical values decreased in men but increased in women. The majority of LTR responded appropriately to mobile technology-based decision support for reporting recorded critical values. Appropriately following technology decision support was associated with gender, income, experience with technology, length of hospital stay, and frequency of use of technology for self-monitoring. Clinicians should monitor LTR, who are at risk for poor reporting of recorded critical values, more vigilantly even when LTR are provided with mobile technology decision support. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Changes in the direction of sight during parabolic flights and rectilinear accelerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Von Baumgarten, R.; Thuemler, R.; Shillinger, G. L.; Baldrighi, G.

1973-01-01

Tests in which persons were subjected to a negative acceleration in an automobile are reported. The acceleration was obtained by stopping a moving car on the runway of an airport. The acceleration was found to produce a rotational movement of the subject's eyeball proportional to the degree of acceleration. Other investigations were conducted with a jet aircraft and a sports aircraft. G forces of up to 3 G were obtained during pull up of the aircraft, while values in the range from 0 to 1 G could be produced with the aid of a parabolic flight path. The effects of the flight conditions on the subject's direction of sight are discussed.

Origins of 1/f noise in nanostructure inclusion polymorphous silicon films

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

In this article, we report that the origins of 1/f noise in pm-Si:H film resistors are inhomogeneity and defective structure. The results obtained are consistent with Hooge's formula, where the noise parameter, αH, is independent of doping ratio. The 1/f noise power spectral density and noise parameter αH are proportional to the squared value of temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). The resistivity and TCR of pm-Si:H film resistor were obtained through linear current-voltage measurement. The 1/f noise, measured by a custom-built noise spectroscopy system, shows that the power spectral density is a function of both doping ratio and temperature. PMID:21711802

The use of isotope ratios (13C/12C) for vegetable oils authentication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cristea, G.; Magdas, D. A.; Mirel, V.

2012-02-01

Stable isotopes are now increasingly used for the control of the geographical origin or authenticity of food products. The falsification may be more or less sophisticated and its sophistication as well as its costs increases with the improvement of analytical methods. In this study 22 vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, palm, maize) commercialized on Romanian market were investigated by mean of δ13C in bulk oil and the obtained results were compared with those reported in literature in order to check the labeling of these natural products. The obtained results were in the range of the mean values found in the literature for these types of oils, thus providing their accurate labeling.

The aerodynamic characteristics of eight very thick airfoils from tests in the variable density wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacobs, Eastman N

1932-01-01

Report presents the results of wind tunnel tests on a group of eight very thick airfoils having sections of the same thickness as those used near the roots of tapered airfoils. The tests were made to study certain discontinuities in the characteristic curves that have been obtained from previous tests of these airfoils, and to compare the characteristics of the different sections at values of the Reynolds number comparable with those attained in flight. The discontinuities were found to disappear as the Reynolds number was increased. The results obtained from the large-scale airfoil, a symmetrical airfoil having a thickness ratio of 21 per cent, has the best general characteristics.

Optimization of synthesis and peptization steps to obtain iron oxide nanoparticles with high energy dissipation rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mérida, Fernando; Chiu-Lam, Andreina; Bohórquez, Ana C.; Maldonado-Camargo, Lorena; Pérez, María-Eglée; Pericchi, Luis; Torres-Lugo, Madeline; Rinaldi, Carlos

2015-11-01

Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia (MFH) uses heat generated by magnetic nanoparticles exposed to alternating magnetic fields to cause a temperature increase in tumors to the hyperthermia range (43-47 °C), inducing apoptotic cancer cell death. As with all cancer nanomedicines, one of the most significant challenges with MFH is achieving high nanoparticle accumulation at the tumor site. This motivates development of synthesis strategies that maximize the rate of energy dissipation of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles, preferable due to their intrinsic biocompatibility. This has led to development of synthesis strategies that, although attractive from the point of view of chemical elegance, may not be suitable for scale-up to quantities necessary for clinical use. On the other hand, to date the aqueous co-precipitation synthesis, which readily yields gram quantities of nanoparticles, has only been reported to yield sufficiently high specific absorption rates after laborious size selective fractionation. This work focuses on improvements to the aqueous co-precipitation of iron oxide nanoparticles to increase the specific absorption rate (SAR), by optimizing synthesis conditions and the subsequent peptization step. Heating efficiencies up to 1048 W/gFe (36.5 kA/m, 341 kHz; ILP=2.3 nH m2 kg-1) were obtained, which represent one of the highest values reported for iron oxide particles synthesized by co-precipitation without size-selective fractionation. Furthermore, particles reached SAR values of up to 719 W/gFe (36.5 kA/m, 341 kHz; ILP=1.6 nH m2 kg-1) when in a solid matrix, demonstrating they were capable of significant rates of energy dissipation even when restricted from physical rotation. Reduction in energy dissipation rate due to immobilization has been identified as an obstacle to clinical translation of MFH. Hence, particles obtained with the conditions reported here have great potential for application in nanoscale thermal cancer therapy.

41 CFR 102-75.305 - What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? 102-75.305 Section 102-75.305 Public...-75.305 What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? For all...

41 CFR 102-75.305 - What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? 102-75.305 Section 102-75.305 Public...-75.305 What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? For all...

41 CFR 102-75.305 - What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? 102-75.305 Section 102-75.305 Public...-75.305 What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? For all...

41 CFR 102-75.305 - What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? 102-75.305 Section 102-75.305 Public...-75.305 What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? For all...

41 CFR 102-75.305 - What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 41 Public Contracts and Property Management 3 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? 102-75.305 Section 102-75.305 Public...-75.305 What type of appraisal value must be obtained for real property disposal transactions? For all...

7 CFR 765.353 - Determining market value.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 7 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Determining market value. 765.353 Section 765.353... Determining market value. (a) Security proposed for disposition. (1) The Agency will obtain an appraisal of... estimated value is less than $25,000. (b) Security remaining after disposition. The Agency will obtain an...

Revealing and acknowledging value judgments in health technology assessment.

PubMed

Hofmann, Bjørn; Cleemput, Irina; Bond, Kenneth; Krones, Tanja; Droste, Sigrid; Sacchini, Dario; Oortwijn, Wija

2014-12-01

Although value issues are increasingly addressed in health technology assessment (HTA) reports, HTA is still seen as a scientific endeavor and sometimes contrasted with value judgments, which are considered arbitrary and unscientific. This article aims at illustrating how numerous value judgments are at play in the HTA process, and why it is important to acknowledge and address value judgments. A panel of experts involved in HTA, including ethicists, scrutinized the HTA process with regard to implicit value judgments. It was analyzed whether these value judgments undermine the accountability of HTA results. The final results were obtained after several rounds of deliberation. Value judgments are identified before the assessment when identifying and selecting health technologies to assess, and as part of assessment. They are at play in the processes of deciding on how to select, frame, present, summarize or synthesize information in systematic reviews. Also, in economic analysis, value judgments are ubiquitous. Addressing the ethical, legal, and social issues of a given health technology involves moral, legal, and social value judgments by definition. So do the appraisal and the decision-making process. HTA by and large is a process of value judgments. However, the preponderance of value judgments does not render HTA biased or flawed. On the contrary they are basic elements of the HTA process. Acknowledging and explicitly addressing value judgments may improve the accountability of HTA.

Reference Values for Weight, Height, Head Circumference, and Body Mass Index in Turkish Children.

PubMed

Neyzi, Olcay; Bundak, Rüveyde; Gökçay, Gülbin; Günöz, Hülya; Furman, Andrzej; Darendeliler, Feyza; Baş, Firdevs

2015-12-01

This study aimed to integrate the existing updated reference standards for the growth of Turkish infants and children and to compare these values with World Health Organization (WHO) reference data, data from some European countries, and also with previous local data. Weight, height, and head circumference measurements were obtained on 2,391 boys and 2,102 girls who were regular attenders of a well child clinic and on 1,100 boys and 1,020 girls attending schools in relatively well-off districts in İstanbul. Mean number of measurements per child was 8.2±3.6 in the age group 0-5 years and 5.5±3.3 in the age group 6-18 years. All children were from well-to-do families and all were healthy. All measurements with the exception of measurements at birth, which were based on reported values, were done by trained personnel. The LMS method was used in the analyses and in the construction of the percentile charts. There is an increase in weight for age and body mass index values for age starting in prepubertal ages, indicating an increasing trend for obesity. Compared to WHO reference data, weight and height values in Turkish children were slightly higher in infants and in children younger than 5 years, while they showed similarity to those reported for children from Norway and Belgium. Head circumference values, which were slightly higher than the WHO references in the first 5 years, were comparable to the data on Belgian and Norwegian children in the first 9 years of life. At older ages, Turkish children showed higher values for head circumference. The relatively larger head circumference values were interpreted to reflect a genetic characteristic.

Partitioning of fluorotelomer alcohols to octanol and different sources of dissolved organic carbon.

PubMed

Carmosini, Nadia; Lee, Linda S

2008-09-01

Interest in the environmental fate of fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) has spurred efforts to understand their equilibrium partitioning behavior. Experimentally determined partition coefficients for FTOHs between soil/water and air/water have been reported, but direct measurements of partition coefficients for dissolved organic carbon (DOC)/water (K(doc)) and octanol/ water(K(ow)) have been lacking. Here we measured the partitioning of 8:2 and 6:2 FTOH between one or more types of DOC and water using enhanced solubility or dialysis bag techniques, and also quantified K(ow) values for 4:2 to 8:2 FTOH using a batch equilibration method. The range in measured log K(doc) values for 8:2 FTOH using the enhanced solubility technique with DOC derived from two soils, two biosolids, and three reference humic acids is 2.00-3.97 with the lowest values obtained for the biosolids and an average across all other DOC sources (biosolid DOC excluded) of 3.54 +/- 0.29. For 6:2 FTOH and Aldrich humic acid, a log K(doc) value of 1.96 +/- 0.45 was measured using the dialysis technique. These average values are approximately 1 to 2 log units lower than previously indirectly estimated K(doc) values. Overall, the affinity for DOC tends to be slightly lower than that for particulate soil organic carbon. Measured log K(ow) values for 4:2 (3.30 +/- 0.04), 6:2 (4.54 +/- 0.01), and 8:2 FTOH (5.58 +/- 0.06) were in good agreement with previously reported estimates. Using relationships between experimentally measured partition coefficients and C-atom chain length, we estimated K(doc) and K(ow) values for shorter and longer chain FTOHs, respectively, that we were unable to measure experimentally.

Initial Investigation of Factors Influencing Radiation Dose to Patients Undergoing Barium-Based Fluoroscopy Procedures in Tanzania.

PubMed

Ngaile, J E; Msaki, P K; Kazema, R R; Schreiner, L J

2017-04-25

The aim of this study was to investigate the nature and causes of radiation dose imparted to patients undergoing barium-based X-ray fluoroscopy procedures in Tanzania and to compare these doses to those reported in the literature from other regions worldwide. The air kerma area product (KAP) to patient undergoing barium investigations of gastrointestinal tract system was obtained from four consultant hospitals. The KAP was determined using a flat transparent transmission ionization chamber. Mean values of KAP for barium swallow (BS), barium meal (BM) and barium enema (BE) were 2.79, 2.62 and 15.04 Gy cm2, respectively. The mean values of KAP per hospital for the BS, BM and BE procedures varied by factors of up to 7.3, 1.6 and 2.0, respectively. The overall difference between individual patient doses across the four consultant hospitals investigated differed by factors of up to 53, 29.5 and 12 for the BS, BM and BE procedures, respectively. The majority of the mean values of KAP was lower than the reported values for Ghana, Greece, Spain and the UK, while slightly higher than those reported for India. The observed wide variation of KAP values for the same fluoroscopy procedure within and among the hospitals was largely attributed to the dynamic nature of the procedures, the patient characteristics, the skills and experience of personnel, and the different examination protocols employed among hospitals. The observed great variations of procedural protocols and patient doses within and across the hospitals call for the need to standardize examination protocols and optimize barium-based fluoroscopy procedures. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Reliability of the rapid bedside whole-blood quantitative cardiac troponin T assay in the diagnosis of myocardial injury in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

PubMed

Saadeddin, Salam; Habbab, Mohammed; Siddieg, Hisham; Fayomi, Mahmoud; Dafterdar, Rofaida

2004-03-01

A rapid bedside whole-blood quantitative cTnT assay has recently been developed. We evaluated the reliability of this test for the diagnosis of myocardial injury in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Whole-blood cTnT levels were measured in 96 patients with ACS using the Roche Cardiac Reader(R) rapid bedside assay device, and the results were compared with serum cTnT levels in the same patients measured by the Roche Elecsys(R) Immunoanalyzer. There were 50 patients with clinical evidence of myocardial injury and 56 without. From the qualitative point of view (reporting negative or positive tests), the results of the rapid bedside tests were identical to those obtained by the serum immunoanalyzer. From quantitative the point of view, the rapid bedside tests could not measure exact values below 0.1 ng/ml (reported negative) or above 2.0 ng/ml (reported >2.0). The measurements made by the rapid bedside tests within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 ng/ml correlated well with those of the serum immunoanalyzer (Cardiac Reader(R) cTnT=0.61, Elecsys(R) cTnT+0.12; r=0.88), but their mean values were significantly lower (1.20I0.71 vs. 1.41I1.03, p=0.0007). The rapid bedside cTnT assay correlates well with immunoanalyzer measurements between the values of 0.1 and 2.0 ng/ml. However, they tend to give significantly lower values and fail to give exact values below 0.1 and above 2.0 ng/ml, which may affect their performance in monitoring and managing patients with ACS, and limit their use in predicting outcome.

DSS 13 frequency stability tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Otoshi, T. Y.; Franco, M. M.

1987-01-01

In a previous article, the results of frequency stability tests at DSS 13 were presented in table form for tau = 1000 s for the test period May 1985 through March 1986. This article is a continuation of that initial report and presents specially selected Allan sigma (square root of variance) plots of each of the subsystem test previously reported. An additional result obtained from tests performed during July 1986 was included for completeness. The Allan sigma plots are useful in that frequency stability information is not only given for tau = 1000 s, but for tau values in the regions of 1, 100, 500, and 2000 s as well.

The Formation and Stability of Carbonic Acid on Outer Solar System Bodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peeters, Z.; Hudson, R. L.; Moore, M. H.; Lewis, Ariel

2009-01-01

The radiation chemistry, thermal stability, and vapor pressure of solid-phase carbonic acid (H2CO3) have been studied with mid-infrared spectroscopy. A new procedure for measuring this molecule's radiation stability has been used to obtain intrinsic IR band strengths and half-lives for radiolytic destruction. Results are compared to literature values. We report, for the first time, measurements of carbonic acid's vapor pressure and its heat of sublimation. We also report the first observation of a chemical reaction involving solid-phase carbonic acid. Possible applications of these findings are discussed, with an emphasis on the outer Solar System.

Validity of self-reported history of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.

PubMed

Frisse, Ann C; Marrazzo, Jeanne M; Tutlam, Nhial T; Schreiber, Courtney A; Teal, Stephanie B; Turok, David K; Peipert, Jeffrey F

2017-04-01

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is common and largely asymptomatic in women. If untreated, it can lead to sequelae such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. It is unknown whether a patient's self-reported history of Chlamydia trachomatis infection is a valid marker of past infection. Our objective was to evaluate the validity of women's self-reported history of Chlamydia trachomatis infection compared with Chlamydia trachomatis serology, a marker for previous infection. We analyzed data from the Fertility After Contraception Termination study. We compared participants' survey responses with the question, "Have you ever been told by a health care provider that you had Chlamydia?" to serological test results indicating the presence or absence of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis as assessed by a microimmunofluorescence assay. Prevalence of past infection, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios were calculated. The Cohen's kappa statistic was computed to assess agreement between self-report and serology. Among 409 participants, 108 (26%) reported having a history of Chlamydia trachomatis infection, whereas 146 (36%) had positive serological test results. Relative to positive microimmunofluorescence assay, the sensitivity and specificity of self-reported history of Chlamydia trachomatis infection were 52.1% (95% confidence interval, 43.6-60.4%) and 87.8% (95% confidence interval, 83.3-91.5%), respectively. The positive predictive value of the self-report was 70.4% (95% confidence interval, 60.8-78.8%), and the negative predictive value was 76.7% (95% confidence interval, 71.6-81.4%). The likelihood ratio was found to be 4.28. Agreement between self-report and serology was found to be moderate (kappa = 0.42, P < .001). Self-reported history of Chlamydia trachomatis infection commonly yields false-negative and false-positive results. When definitive status of past Chlamydia trachomatis infection is needed, serology should be obtained. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Final report on the key comparison of hydrocarbon liquid flow: CCM.FF-K2.2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shimada, T.; Bittner-Rohrhofer, K.; Medina López, V. J.; Arias, R.; Su, C.-M.; Chen, I.-C.; Ribere, F.; Rowan, L.; Dignan, S.

2016-01-01

Seven laboratories: BEV (Austria), CENAM (Mexico), CMS (Chinese-Taipei), LNE-TRAPIL (France), NEL (United Kingdom), NMIA (Australia), and the pilot lab NMIJ (Japan), participated in the key comparison CCM.FF-K2.2015 for hydrocarbon flow measurement. A screw type positive displacement flow meter was selected as a transfer standard. The calibration stability of the transfer standard was evaluated from repeated measurements by NMIJ and showed standard reproducibility of 0.0035 %. The transfer standard was also thoroughly tested for sensitivity to temperature, viscosity, pressure, and other effects. The uncertainty due to the transfer standard of 0.0080 % was less than the quoted uncertainties of the participants. The key comparison reference values (KCRVs) at Reynolds number of 70 000 and 300 000 were obtained as the weighted mean from the calibration results, and the KCRV at Reynolds number of 100 000 was obtained as the median by using the Monte Carlo method according to Cox's procedure B, since the consistency check at Reynolds number of 100 000 failed at the 95 % confidence level. All participant results selected to determine the KCRVs have En values which show consistency with the evaluated KCRVs. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Differences between the prevalence of obesity and weight exceded estimated according to reported or direct measurement in adult people of Valencian Region

PubMed

Jiménez-Talamantes, Raquel; Rizk Hernández, Jennifer; Quiles Izquierdo, Joan

2017-02-01

Introduction: The assessment of obesity in health surveys includes the study of the physical characteristics of human body. Anthropometrical dates can be obtained by measurement or by interview. According the method that we were used we can estimate different values for frequencies of this problem. Objectives: Measure the discrepancies of the frequency of obesity and overweight estimated with data of height and weight obtained by interview respect to those measured in a population survey. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of a sample of 1,153 adult subjects, where height and weight data reported and measured were compared by Pearson correlation. It was estimated the prevalence of obesity and overweight by two methods and we calculated the Kappa’s index, the sensitivity and specifi city for to define the predictive capacity of reported data. Results: The values of weight, height and BMI by declared and measured data presented a correlation of 0.96, 0.93 and 0.91, respectively. The prevalence of obesity was 16.4% with declared data and 23.3% for measured data (kappa = 0.68), sensitivity 63.2% and specifi city 97.9%. The prevalence of excess of weight was 51.4% with declared data and 61.1% for measured data (kappa = 0.73), sensitivity 81.3% and specificity 95.3%. These differences were statistically signifi cant. Conclusions: There is an underestimation of the prevalence of obesity and excess of weight in populations when anthropometric data were used but in good agreement and specificity was found when measured data are used.

Toxicological relevance of emerging contaminants for drinking water quality.

PubMed

Schriks, Merijn; Heringa, Minne B; van der Kooi, Margaretha M E; de Voogt, Pim; van Wezel, Annemarie P

2010-01-01

The detection of many new compounds in surface water, groundwater and drinking water raises considerable public concern, especially when human health based guideline values are not available it is questioned if detected concentrations affect human health. In an attempt to address this question, we derived provisional drinking water guideline values for a selection of 50 emerging contaminants relevant for drinking water and the water cycle. For only 10 contaminants, statutory guideline values were available. Provisional drinking water guideline values were based upon toxicological literature data. The maximum concentration levels reported in surface waters, groundwater and/or drinking water were compared to the (provisional) guideline values of the contaminants thus obtained, and expressed as Benchmark Quotient (BQ) values. We focused on occurrence data in the downstream parts of the Rhine and Meuse river basins. The results show that for the majority of compounds a substantial margin of safety exists between the maximum concentration in surface water, groundwater and/or drinking water and the (provisional) guideline value. The present assessment therefore supports the conclusion that the majority of the compounds evaluated pose individually no appreciable concern to human health. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Gaseous Sulfate Solubility in Glass: Experimental Method

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

Bliss, Mary

2013-11-30

Sulfate solubility in glass is a key parameter in many commercial glasses and nuclear waste glasses. This report summarizes key publications specific to sulfate solubility experimental methods and the underlying physical chemistry calculations. The published methods and experimental data are used to verify the calculations in this report and are expanded to a range of current technical interest. The calculations and experimental methods described in this report will guide several experiments on sulfate solubility and saturation for the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant Enhanced Waste Glass Models effort. There are several tables of sulfate gas equilibrium values at high temperature tomore » guide experimental gas mixing and to achieve desired SO3 levels. This report also describes the necessary equipment and best practices to perform sulfate saturation experiments for molten glasses. Results and findings will be published when experimental work is finished and this report is validated from the data obtained.« less

Tmax Determined Using a Bayesian Estimation Deconvolution Algorithm Applied to Bolus Tracking Perfusion Imaging: A Digital Phantom Validation Study.

PubMed

Uwano, Ikuko; Sasaki, Makoto; Kudo, Kohsuke; Boutelier, Timothé; Kameda, Hiroyuki; Mori, Futoshi; Yamashita, Fumio

2017-01-10

The Bayesian estimation algorithm improves the precision of bolus tracking perfusion imaging. However, this algorithm cannot directly calculate Tmax, the time scale widely used to identify ischemic penumbra, because Tmax is a non-physiological, artificial index that reflects the tracer arrival delay (TD) and other parameters. We calculated Tmax from the TD and mean transit time (MTT) obtained by the Bayesian algorithm and determined its accuracy in comparison with Tmax obtained by singular value decomposition (SVD) algorithms. The TD and MTT maps were generated by the Bayesian algorithm applied to digital phantoms with time-concentration curves that reflected a range of values for various perfusion metrics using a global arterial input function. Tmax was calculated from the TD and MTT using constants obtained by a linear least-squares fit to Tmax obtained from the two SVD algorithms that showed the best benchmarks in a previous study. Correlations between the Tmax values obtained by the Bayesian and SVD methods were examined. The Bayesian algorithm yielded accurate TD and MTT values relative to the true values of the digital phantom. Tmax calculated from the TD and MTT values with the least-squares fit constants showed excellent correlation (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.99) and agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99) with Tmax obtained from SVD algorithms. Quantitative analyses of Tmax values calculated from Bayesian-estimation algorithm-derived TD and MTT from a digital phantom correlated and agreed well with Tmax values determined using SVD algorithms.

The Scottish Structural Proteomics Facility: targets, methods and outputs.

PubMed

Oke, Muse; Carter, Lester G; Johnson, Kenneth A; Liu, Huanting; McMahon, Stephen A; Yan, Xuan; Kerou, Melina; Weikart, Nadine D; Kadi, Nadia; Sheikh, Md Arif; Schmelz, Stefan; Dorward, Mark; Zawadzki, Michal; Cozens, Christopher; Falconer, Helen; Powers, Helen; Overton, Ian M; van Niekerk, C A Johannes; Peng, Xu; Patel, Prakash; Garrett, Roger A; Prangishvili, David; Botting, Catherine H; Coote, Peter J; Dryden, David T F; Barton, Geoffrey J; Schwarz-Linek, Ulrich; Challis, Gregory L; Taylor, Garry L; White, Malcolm F; Naismith, James H

2010-06-01

The Scottish Structural Proteomics Facility was funded to develop a laboratory scale approach to high throughput structure determination. The effort was successful in that over 40 structures were determined. These structures and the methods harnessed to obtain them are reported here. This report reflects on the value of automation but also on the continued requirement for a high degree of scientific and technical expertise. The efficiency of the process poses challenges to the current paradigm of structural analysis and publication. In the 5 year period we published ten peer-reviewed papers reporting structural data arising from the pipeline. Nevertheless, the number of structures solved exceeded our ability to analyse and publish each new finding. By reporting the experimental details and depositing the structures we hope to maximize the impact of the project by allowing others to follow up the relevant biology.

Superexchange interaction in AIIBVI-based semimagnetic semiconductors. (in English)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Melnychuk, S. V.; Mykhaylevsky, Y. M.; Savchhuk, A. I.; Tryfonenko, D. M.

In this report Mn^{2+}, Fe^{2+} and Co^{2+} ions in the ground state in the presence of crystalline field T_d symmetry are considered. Superexchange interaction is performed via S, Se, Te ions. Theoretical calculations of the superexchange interaction integral J_{NN} have been carried out within the framework of Racah technique. Experimental values of J_{NN} for Cd_{1-x}Fe_{x}Te were obtained from the measurement of Faraday rotation temperature dependence.

Department of Defense Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, Fiscal Year 2014

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-22

focused on the following objectives: • Determine whether club culture promotes or resists adherence to Army and USMA values, and why. • Obtain... firing range. The Subject would tell certain female trainees to spread their legs, and he would use the metal detector to touch the females in their...after she "gave up" attempting to resist after repeatedly telling him to stop during the previous progression of sexual contacts. Sexual Assault

Link and Network Layers Design for Ultra-High-Speed Terahertz-Band Communications Networks

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-01-01

throughput, and identify the optimal parameter values for their design (Sec. 6.2.3). Moreover, we validate and test the scheme with experimental data obtained...LINK AND NETWORK LAYERS DESIGN FOR ULTRA-HIGH- SPEED TERAHERTZ-BAND COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK (SUNY) AT BUFFALO JANUARY...TYPE FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT 3. DATES COVERED (From - To) FEB 2015 – SEP 2016 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE LINK AND NETWORK LAYERS DESIGN FOR ULTRA-HIGH

Direct measurement of the speed of sound using a microphone and a speaker

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gómez-Tejedor, José A.; Castro-Palacio, Juan C.; Monsoriu, Juan A.

2014-05-01

We present a simple and accurate experiment to obtain the speed of sound in air using a conventional speaker and a microphone connected to a computer. A free open source digital audio editor and recording computer software application allows determination of the time-of-flight of the wave for different distances, from which the speed of sound is calculated. The result is in very good agreement with the reported value in the literature.

Synchronization on Erdös-Rényi networks.

PubMed

Gong, Baihua; Yang, Lei; Yang, Kongqing

2005-09-01

In this Brief Report, by analyzing the spectral properties of the Laplacian matrix of Erdös-Rényi networks, we obtained the critical coupling strength of the complete synchronization analytically. In particular, for any size of the networks, when the average degree is greater than a threshold and the coupling strength is large enough, the networks can synchronize. Here, the threshold is determined by the value of the maximal Lyapunov exponent of each dynamical unit.

FASB issues new accounting standards for business combinations.

PubMed

Heuer, Christian; Travers, Mary Ann K

2010-06-01

Accounting Standard Codification Topic 958 (formerly Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 164), Not-for-Profit Entities: Mergers and Acquisitions, applies to mergers and acquisitions as early as Jan. 1, 2010, for calendar-year entities. Not-for-profit organizations need to move to fair value accounting, with a focus on the valuation of intangible assets. Noncompliance could cause a hospital's auditors to issue a qualified report, which could lead to difficulties obtaining bank and bond financing.

Evaluation of AUC(0-4) predictive methods for cyclosporine in kidney transplant patients.

PubMed

Aoyama, Takahiko; Matsumoto, Yoshiaki; Shimizu, Makiko; Fukuoka, Masamichi; Kimura, Toshimi; Kokubun, Hideya; Yoshida, Kazunari; Yago, Kazuo

2005-05-01

Cyclosporine (CyA) is the most commonly used immunosuppressive agent in patients who undergo kidney transplantation. Dosage adjustment of CyA is usually based on trough levels. Recently, trough levels have been replacing the area under the concentration-time curve during the first 4 h after CyA administration (AUC(0-4)). The aim of this study was to compare the predictive values obtained using three different methods of AUC(0-4) monitoring. AUC(0-4) was calculated from 0 to 4 h in early and stable renal transplant patients using the trapezoidal rule. The predicted AUC(0-4) was calculated using three different methods: the multiple regression equation reported by Uchida et al.; Bayesian estimation for modified population pharmacokinetic parameters reported by Yoshida et al.; and modified population pharmacokinetic parameters reported by Cremers et al. The predicted AUC(0-4) was assessed on the basis of predictive bias, precision, and correlation coefficient. The predicted AUC(0-4) values obtained using three methods through measurement of three blood samples showed small differences in predictive bias, precision, and correlation coefficient. In the prediction of AUC(0-4) measurement of one blood sample from stable renal transplant patients, the performance of the regression equation reported by Uchida depended on sampling time. On the other hand, the performance of Bayesian estimation with modified pharmacokinetic parameters reported by Yoshida through measurement of one blood sample, which is not dependent on sampling time, showed a small difference in the correlation coefficient. The prediction of AUC(0-4) using a regression equation required accurate sampling time. In this study, the prediction of AUC(0-4) using Bayesian estimation did not require accurate sampling time in the AUC(0-4) monitoring of CyA. Thus Bayesian estimation is assumed to be clinically useful in the dosage adjustment of CyA.

Analysis of production flow process with lean manufacturing approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siregar, Ikhsan; Arif Nasution, Abdillah; Prasetio, Aji; Fadillah, Kharis

2017-09-01

This research was conducted on the company engaged in the production of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). The production process in the company are still exists several activities that cause waste. Non value added activity (NVA) in the implementation is still widely found, so the cycle time generated to make the product will be longer. A form of improvement on the production line is by applying lean manufacturing method to identify waste along the value stream to find non value added activities. Non value added activity can be eliminated and reduced by utilizing value stream mapping and identifying it with activity mapping process. According to the results obtained that there are 26% of value-added activities and 74% non value added activity. The results obtained through the current state map of the production process of process lead time value of 678.11 minutes and processing time of 173.94 minutes. While the results obtained from the research proposal is the percentage of value added time of 41% of production process activities while non value added time of the production process of 59%. While the results obtained through the future state map of the production process of process lead time value of 426.69 minutes and processing time of 173.89 minutes.

Optimal back-extrapolation method for estimating plasma volume in humans using the indocyanine green dilution method

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The indocyanine green dilution method is one of the methods available to estimate plasma volume, although some researchers have questioned the accuracy of this method. Methods We developed a new, physiologically based mathematical model of indocyanine green kinetics that more accurately represents indocyanine green kinetics during the first few minutes postinjection than what is assumed when using the traditional mono-exponential back-extrapolation method. The mathematical model is used to develop an optimal back-extrapolation method for estimating plasma volume based on simulated indocyanine green kinetics obtained from the physiological model. Results Results from a clinical study using the indocyanine green dilution method in 36 subjects with type 2 diabetes indicate that the estimated plasma volumes are considerably lower when using the traditional back-extrapolation method than when using the proposed back-extrapolation method (mean (standard deviation) plasma volume = 26.8 (5.4) mL/kg for the traditional method vs 35.1 (7.0) mL/kg for the proposed method). The results obtained using the proposed method are more consistent with previously reported plasma volume values. Conclusions Based on the more physiological representation of indocyanine green kinetics and greater consistency with previously reported plasma volume values, the new back-extrapolation method is proposed for use when estimating plasma volume using the indocyanine green dilution method. PMID:25052018

Biosynthesis of optically pure chiral alcohols by a substrate coupled and biphasic system with a short-chain dehydrogenase from Streptomyces griseus.

PubMed

Tan, Zhuotao; Ma, Hongmin; Li, Qing; Pu, Lingling; Cao, Yang; Qu, Xudong; Zhu, Chenjie; Ying, Hanjie

2016-11-01

The increasing demand for biocatalysts in synthesizing enantiomerically pure chiral alcohols results from the outstanding characteristics of enzymes in reaction, economic, ecological issues. Many carbonyl reductases for producing chiral alcohols have been reported but there is still a lack of good catalytic efficacies. Herein, five carbonyl reductases from different Streptomyces were discovered by the strategy of genome mining. These reductases were overexpressed, and we chose SgCR for further study as it owned better enzyme activity. This protein was purified to apparent homogeneity, and its amino acid sequence was analyzed in comparison with that of the reported SDRs. The biocatalytic properties of SgCR were investigated, and this enzyme was confirmed to have the ability to convert various prochiral ketones into highly optically active alcohols. SgCR exhibited the highest activity towards ethyl 4-chloro-3-oxobutanoate (COBE) and the corresponding product ethyl (S)-4-chloro-3-hydroxybutanoate ((S)-CHBE) was obtained with high yield and excellent e.e. value by optimizing the biphasic system. Eventually, using isopropanol as the co-substrate for NADH recycling in the substrate-coupled reaction, the yield and enantioselectivity of (S)-CHBE were obtained at the values of 90% and 99%, respectively. These results indicate that SgCR is a promising boicatalyst for the synthesis of chiral alcohols in industry. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Gross morphometric study of the eyeball and tongue of the Nigerian local dog.

PubMed

Igado, Olumayowa Olawumi

2011-01-01

This study investigates the morphometry of two sense organs, the eyeball and tongue, of the Nigerian local dog (11 males, 14 females), all aged 2 years and above. The samples were grouped according to gender and weight (up to 12 kg or above that weight). The average values obtained for the weights of the left and right eyeballs and the tongue were 3.77 +/- 0.51 g, 3.68 +/- 0.74 g and 2.96 +/- 0.38 g respectively, while the length of the tongue, its thickness and width at the root and apex were 14.20 +/- 2.29 cm, 0.87 +/- 0.30 cm, and 0.21 +/- 0.05 cm respectively. The circumferences of the eyeballs (antero-posterior, mediolateral and peri-orbital) were all found to be higher in females, except the antero-posterior circumference of left eye, in spite of heavier eyeballs in males. Also, the females showed a wider rima oris and higher values for most of the tongue measurements. A positive correlation existed between the weight of the animal and that of the head and tongue, while a negative correlation was observed between the body weight and the weight of the eyeballs. This report highlights the presence of sexual dimorphism and mild lateral asymmetry in this rarely reported breed of dog. The data obtained from this study may find application in feeding physiology, ophthalmic clinical manipulations and comparative anatomy.

The amount effect and marginal value.

PubMed

Rachlin, Howard; Arfer, Kodi B; Safin, Vasiliy; Yen, Ming

2015-07-01

The amount effect of delay discounting (by which the value of larger reward amounts is discounted by delay at a lower rate than that of smaller amounts) strictly implies that value functions (value as a function of amount) are steeper at greater delays than they are at lesser delays. That is, the amount effect and the difference in value functions at different delays are actually a single empirical finding. Amount effects of delay discounting are typically found with choice experiments. Value functions for immediate rewards have been empirically obtained by direct judgment. (Value functions for delayed rewards have not been previously obtained.) The present experiment obtained value functions for both immediate and delayed rewards by direct judgment and found them to be steeper when the rewards were delayed--hence, finding an amount effect with delay discounting. © Society for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior.

Net use, care and repair practices following a universal distribution campaign in Mali.

PubMed

Leonard, Lori; Diop, Samba; Doumbia, Seydou; Sadou, Aboubacar; Mihigo, Jules; Koenker, Hannah; Berthe, Sara; Monroe, April; Bertram, Kathryn; Weber, Rachel

2014-11-18

The Government of Mali and the President's Malaria Initiative conducted a long-lasting, insecticidal net (LLIN) distribution campaign in April 2011 in the Sikasso region of Mali, with the aim of universal coverage, defined as one insecticide-treated net for every two persons. This study examines how households in post- and pre-campaign regions value and care for nets. The study was conducted in October 2012 in Sikasso and Kayes in the southeast and western regions of Mali, respectively. The regions were purposively selected to allow for comparison between areas that had already had a mass distribution campaign (Sikasso) and areas that had not yet had a mass distribution campaign (Kayes). Study sites and households were randomly selected. Sleeping space questionnaires and structured interviews with household heads were conducted to obtain information on net use, perceived value of free nets in relation to other malaria prevention activities, and net care and repair practices. The study included 40 households, split evenly across the two regions. Forty interviews were conducted with household heads and 151 sleeping spaces were inventoried using the sleeping space questionnaire. Nets obtained through the free distribution were reported to be highly valued in comparison to other malaria prevention strategies. Overall, net ownership and use were higher among households in areas that had already experienced a mass distribution. While participants reported using and valuing these nets, care and repair practices varied. National net use is high in Mali, and comparatively higher in the region covered by the universal distribution campaign than in the region not yet covered. While the Government of Mali and implementing partners have made strides to ensure high net coverage, some gaps remain related to communication messaging of correct and consistent net use throughout the year, and on improving net care and repair behaviour. By focusing on these areas as well as improved access to nets, coverage and use rates should continue to increase, contributing to improvements in malaria control.

Evaluation and validation of the diagnostic value of the apparent diffusion coefficient for differentiating early-stage endometrial carcinomas from benign mimickers at 3T MRI.

PubMed

Wang, Xue; Zhao, Yu; Hu, Yumin; Zhou, Yongjin; Ye, Xinjian; Liu, Kun; Bai, Guanghui; Guo, Anna; Du, Meimei; Jiang, Lezhen; Wang, Jinhong; Yan, Zhihan

2017-07-11

Previous researchers obtained various apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) cutoff values to differentiate endometrial carcinoma from benign mimickers with 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Few studies have used 3T MRI or validated the effectiveness of these cutoff ADC values prospectively. This study was designed in two stages to obtain a cutoff ADC value at 3T MRI and to validate prospectively the role of the ADC value. First, we conducted a retrospective study of 60 patients to evaluate the diagnostic value of ADC by obtain a theoretical cutoff ADC value for differentiating between benign and malignant endometrial lesions. Student's t test revealed that ADC values for stage I endometrial carcinomas were significantly lower than those for benign lesions. The area under the curve value of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.993, and the cutoff ADC value was 0.98 × 10-3 mm2/s. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of diagnosing stage I endometrial carcinoma were 100%, 97.1%, and 98.3%, respectively. Second, we conducted a prospective study of 26 patients to validate the use of the cutoff ADC value obtained in the study's first stage. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy for differentiating malignant from benign endometrial lesions based on the cutoff ADC value obtained earlier were as follows: radiologist 1 attained 86.67%, 100.0%, and 92.31%, respectively; radiologist 2 attained 86.67%, 91.0%, and 88.5%, respectively. Our results suggest that ADC values could be a potential biomarker for use as a quantitative and qualitative tool for differentiating between early-stage endometrial carcinomas and benign mimickers.

Evaluation and validation of the diagnostic value of the apparent diffusion coefficient for differentiating early-stage endometrial carcinomas from benign mimickers at 3T MRI

PubMed Central

Hu, Yumin; Zhou, Yongjin; Ye, Xinjian; Liu, Kun; Bai, Guanghui; Guo, Anna; Du, Meimei; Jiang, Lezhen

2017-01-01

Previous researchers obtained various apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) cutoff values to differentiate endometrial carcinoma from benign mimickers with 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Few studies have used 3T MRI or validated the effectiveness of these cutoff ADC values prospectively. This study was designed in two stages to obtain a cutoff ADC value at 3T MRI and to validate prospectively the role of the ADC value. First, we conducted a retrospective study of 60 patients to evaluate the diagnostic value of ADC by obtain a theoretical cutoff ADC value for differentiating between benign and malignant endometrial lesions. Student's t test revealed that ADC values for stage I endometrial carcinomas were significantly lower than those for benign lesions. The area under the curve value of the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.993, and the cutoff ADC value was 0.98 × 10−3 mm2/s. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of diagnosing stage I endometrial carcinoma were 100%, 97.1%, and 98.3%, respectively. Second, we conducted a prospective study of 26 patients to validate the use of the cutoff ADC value obtained in the study's first stage. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy for differentiating malignant from benign endometrial lesions based on the cutoff ADC value obtained earlier were as follows: radiologist 1 attained 86.67%, 100.0%, and 92.31%, respectively; radiologist 2 attained 86.67%, 91.0%, and 88.5%, respectively. Our results suggest that ADC values could be a potential biomarker for use as a quantitative and qualitative tool for differentiating between early-stage endometrial carcinomas and benign mimickers. PMID:28634318

A Validity and Reliability Study on the Development of the Values Scale in Turkey

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dilmac, Bulent; Aricak, Osman Tolga; Cesur, Sevim

2014-01-01

The purpose of the present study is to examine the initial psychometric properties of the Values Scale for adults. While developing the first stage of the Values Scale, open-ended data on the values held by 216 university students were obtained. During the second stage, the validity and reliability studies of the 60-item Values Scale obtained by…

Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha values in elk neonates

USGS Publications Warehouse

Barber-Meyer, S. M.; Johnson, C.R.; Murtaugh, M.P.; Mech, L.D.; White, P.J.

2007-01-01

Serological indicators of general condition would be helpful for monitoring or assessing ungulate wildlife. Toward that end, we report the 1st reference values for 2 cytokines, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-??), in neonatal elk (Cervus elaphus). We obtained blood samples from 140 calves ??? 6 days old in Yellowstone National Park during summer 2003-2005. TL-6 values ranged from 0 to 1.21 pg/ml with a median of 0.03 pg/ml. TNF-?? values ranged from 0 to 225.43 pg/ml with a median of 1.85 pg/ml. IL-6 and TNF-?? concentrations were not significant predictors of elk calf survival through 21 days. Development of ungulate-based IL-6 and TNF-?? assays that provide greater sensitivity than cross-reacting human-based assays could be helpful in monitoring ungulate condition and health status comparisons among herds. Such information could provide indirect assessments of range quality or environmental influences among herds. 

Anisotropic strange star with Tolman V potential

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shee, Dibyendu; Deb, Debabrata; Ghosh, Shounak; Ray, Saibal; Guha, B. K.

In this paper, we present a strange stellar model using Tolman V-type metric potential employing simplest form of the MIT bag equation of state (EOS) for the quark matter. We consider that the stellar system is spherically symmetric, compact and made of an anisotropic fluid. Choosing different values of n we obtain exact solutions of the Einstein field equations and finally conclude that for a specific value of the parameter n = 1/2, we find physically acceptable features of the stellar object. Further, we conduct different physical tests, viz., the energy condition, generalized Tolman-Oppeheimer-Volkoff (TOV) equation, Herrera’s cracking concept, etc., to confirm the physical validity of the presented model. Matching conditions provide expressions for different constants whereas maximization of the anisotropy parameter provides bag constant. By using the observed data of several compact stars, we derive exact values of some of the physical parameters and exhibit their features in tabular form. It is to note that our predicted value of the bag constant satisfies the report of CERN-SPS and RHIC.

Grunwald-Winstein Analysis - Isopropyl Chloroformate Solvolysis Revisited

PubMed Central

D’Souza, Malcolm J.; Reed, Darneisha N.; Erdman, Kevin J.; Kyong, Jin Burm; Kevill, Dennis N.

2009-01-01

Specific rates of solvolysis at 25 °C for isopropyl chloroformate (1) in 24 solvents of widely varying nucleophilicity and ionizing power, plus literature values for studies in water and formic acid, are reported. Previously published solvolytic rate constants at 40.0 °C are supplemented with two additional values in the highly ionizing fluoroalcohols. These rates are now are analyzed using the one and two-term Grunwald-Winstein Equations. In the more ionizing solvents including ten fluoroalcohols negligible sensitivities towards changes in solvent nucleophilicity (l) and very low sensitivities towards changes in solvent ionizing power (m) values are obtained, evocative to those previously observed for 1-adamantyl and 2-adamantyl chloroformates 2 and 3. These observations are rationalized in terms of a dominant solvolysis-decomposition with loss of the CO2 molecule. In nine of the more nucleophilic pure alchohols and aqueous solutions an association-dissociation mechanism is believed to be operative. Deficiencies in the acid production indicate 2-33% isopropyl chloride formation, with the higher values in less nucleophilic solvents. PMID:19399225

Density-functional approach to the three-body dispersion interaction based on the exchange dipole moment

PubMed Central

Proynov, Emil; Liu, Fenglai; Gan, Zhengting; Wang, Matthew; Kong, Jing

2015-01-01

We implement and compute the density functional nonadditive three-body dispersion interaction using a combination of Tang-Karplus formalism and the exchange-dipole moment model of Becke and Johnson. The computation of the C9 dispersion coefficients is done in a non-empirical fashion. The obtained C9 values of a series of noble atom triplets agree well with highly accurate values in the literature. We also calculate the C9 values for a series of benzene trimers and find a good agreement with high-level ab initio values reported recently in the literature. For the question of damping of the three-body dispersion at short distances, we propose two damping schemes and optimize them based on the benzene trimers data, and the fitted analytic potentials of He3 and Ar3 trimers fitted to the results of high-level wavefunction theories available from the literature. Both damping schemes respond well to the optimization of two parameters. PMID:26328836

Precise Measurements of the Masses of Cs, Rb and Na A New Route to the Fine Structure Constant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rainville, Simon; Bradley, Michael P.; Porto, James V.; Thompson, James K.; Pritchard, David E.

2001-01-01

We report new values for the atomic masses of the alkali 133Cs, 87Rb, 85Rb, and 23Na with uncertainties ≤ 0.2 ppb. These results, obtained using Penning trap single ion mass spectrometry, are typically two orders of magnitude more accurate than previously measured values. Combined with values of h/m atom from atom interferometry measurements and accurate wavelength measurements for different atoms, these values will lead to new ppb-level determinations of the molar Planck constant N A h and the fine structure constant α. This route to α is based on simple physics. It can potentially achieve the several ppb level of accuracy needed to test the QED determination of α extracted from measurements of the electron g factor. We also demonstrate an electronic cooling technique that cools our detector and ion below the 4 K ambient temperature. This technique improves by about a factor of three our ability to measure the ion's axial motion.

Density-functional approach to the three-body dispersion interaction based on the exchange dipole moment

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

Proynov, Emil; Wang, Matthew; Kong, Jing, E-mail: jing.kong@mtsu.edu

We implement and compute the density functional nonadditive three-body dispersion interaction using a combination of Tang-Karplus formalism and the exchange-dipole moment model of Becke and Johnson. The computation of the C{sub 9} dispersion coefficients is done in a non-empirical fashion. The obtained C{sub 9} values of a series of noble atom triplets agree well with highly accurate values in the literature. We also calculate the C{sub 9} values for a series of benzene trimers and find a good agreement with high-level ab initio values reported recently in the literature. For the question of damping of the three-body dispersion at shortmore » distances, we propose two damping schemes and optimize them based on the benzene trimers data, and the fitted analytic potentials of He{sub 3} and Ar{sub 3} trimers fitted to the results of high-level wavefunction theories available from the literature. Both damping schemes respond well to the optimization of two parameters.« less

P value and the theory of hypothesis testing: an explanation for new researchers.

PubMed

Biau, David Jean; Jolles, Brigitte M; Porcher, Raphaël

2010-03-01

In the 1920s, Ronald Fisher developed the theory behind the p value and Jerzy Neyman and Egon Pearson developed the theory of hypothesis testing. These distinct theories have provided researchers important quantitative tools to confirm or refute their hypotheses. The p value is the probability to obtain an effect equal to or more extreme than the one observed presuming the null hypothesis of no effect is true; it gives researchers a measure of the strength of evidence against the null hypothesis. As commonly used, investigators will select a threshold p value below which they will reject the null hypothesis. The theory of hypothesis testing allows researchers to reject a null hypothesis in favor of an alternative hypothesis of some effect. As commonly used, investigators choose Type I error (rejecting the null hypothesis when it is true) and Type II error (accepting the null hypothesis when it is false) levels and determine some critical region. If the test statistic falls into that critical region, the null hypothesis is rejected in favor of the alternative hypothesis. Despite similarities between the two, the p value and the theory of hypothesis testing are different theories that often are misunderstood and confused, leading researchers to improper conclusions. Perhaps the most common misconception is to consider the p value as the probability that the null hypothesis is true rather than the probability of obtaining the difference observed, or one that is more extreme, considering the null is true. Another concern is the risk that an important proportion of statistically significant results are falsely significant. Researchers should have a minimum understanding of these two theories so that they are better able to plan, conduct, interpret, and report scientific experiments.

Turbulent eddy diffusion models in exposure assessment - Determination of the eddy diffusion coefficient.

PubMed

Shao, Yuan; Ramachandran, Sandhya; Arnold, Susan; Ramachandran, Gurumurthy

2017-03-01

The use of the turbulent eddy diffusion model and its variants in exposure assessment is limited due to the lack of knowledge regarding the isotropic eddy diffusion coefficient, D T . But some studies have suggested a possible relationship between D T and the air changes per hour (ACH) through a room. The main goal of this study was to accurately estimate D T for a range of ACH values by minimizing the difference between the concentrations measured and predicted by eddy diffusion model. We constructed an experimental chamber with a spatial concentration gradient away from the contaminant source, and conducted 27 3-hr long experiments using toluene and acetone under different air flow conditions (0.43-2.89 ACHs). An eddy diffusion model accounting for chamber boundary, general ventilation, and advection was developed. A mathematical expression for the slope based on the geometrical parameters of the ventilation system was also derived. There is a strong linear relationship between D T and ACH, providing a surrogate parameter for estimating D T in real-life settings. For the first time, a mathematical expression for the relationship between D T and ACH has been derived that also corrects for non-ideal conditions, and the calculated value of the slope between these two parameters is very close to the experimentally determined value. The values of D T obtained from the experiments are generally consistent with values reported in the literature. They are also independent of averaging time of measurements, allowing for comparison of values obtained from different measurement settings. These findings make the use of turbulent eddy diffusion models for exposure assessment in workplace/indoor environments more practical.

Reference standards for body fat measures using GE dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in Caucasian adults.

PubMed

Imboden, Mary T; Welch, Whitney A; Swartz, Ann M; Montoye, Alexander H K; Finch, Holmes W; Harber, Matthew P; Kaminsky, Leonard A

2017-01-01

Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is an established technique for the measurement of body composition. Reference values for these variables, particularly those related to fat mass, are necessary for interpretation and accurate classification of those at risk for obesity-related health complications and in need of lifestyle modifications (diet, physical activity, etc.). Currently, there are no reference values available for GE-Healthcare DXA systems and it is known that whole-body and regional fat mass measures differ by DXA manufacturer. To develop reference values by age and sex for DXA-derived fat mass measurements with GE-Healthcare systems. A de-identified sample of 3,327 participants (2,076 women, 1,251 men) was obtained from Ball State University's Clinical Exercise Physiology Laboratory and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Physical Activity & Health Research Laboratory. All scans were completed using a GE Lunar Prodigy or iDXA and data reported included percent body fat (%BF), fat mass index (FMI), and ratios of android-to-gynoid (A/G), trunk/limb, and trunk/leg fat measurements. Percentiles were calculated and a factorial ANOVA was used to determine differences in the mean values for each variable between age and sex. Normative reference values for fat mass variables from DXA measurements obtained from GE-Healthcare DXA systems are presented as percentiles for both women and men in 10-year age groups. Women had higher (p<0.01) mean %BF and FMI than men, whereas men had higher (p<0.01) mean ratios of A/G, trunk/limb, and trunk/leg fat measurements than women. These reference values provide clinicians and researchers with a resource for interpretation of DXA-derived fat mass measurements specific to use with GE-Healthcare DXA systems.

Evaluation of the laboratory mouse model for screening topical mosquito repellents.

PubMed

Rutledge, L C; Gupta, R K; Wirtz, R A; Buescher, M D

1994-12-01

Eight commercial repellents were tested against Aedes aegypti 0 and 4 h after application in serial dilution to volunteers and laboratory mice. Results were analyzed by multiple regression of percentage of biting (probit scale) on dose (logarithmic scale) and time. Empirical correction terms for conversion of values obtained in tests on mice to values expected in tests on human volunteers were calculated from data obtained on 4 repellents and evaluated with data obtained on 4 others. Corrected values from tests on mice did not differ significantly from values obtained in tests on volunteers. Test materials used in the study were dimethyl phthalate, butopyronoxyl, butoxy polypropylene glycol, MGK Repellent 11, deet, ethyl hexanediol, Citronyl, and dibutyl phthalate.

On the relationship between NMR-derived amide order parameters and protein backbone entropy changes

PubMed Central

Sharp, Kim A.; O’Brien, Evan; Kasinath, Vignesh; Wand, A. Joshua

2015-01-01

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to analyze the relationship between NMR-derived squared generalized order parameters of amide NH groups and backbone entropy. Amide order parameters (O2NH) are largely determined by the secondary structure and average values appear unrelated to the overall flexibility of the protein. However, analysis of the more flexible subset (O2NH < 0.8) shows that these report both on the local flexibility of the protein and on a different component of the conformational entropy than that reported by the side chain methyl axis order parameters, O2axis. A calibration curve for backbone entropy vs. O2NH is developed which accounts for both correlations between amide group motions of different residues, and correlations between backbone and side chain motions. This calibration curve can be used with experimental values of O2NH changes obtained by NMR relaxation measurements to extract backbone entropy changes, e.g. upon ligand binding. In conjunction with our previous calibration for side chain entropy derived from measured O2axis values this provides a prescription for determination of the total protein conformational entropy changes from NMR relaxation measurements. PMID:25739366

On the relationship between NMR-derived amide order parameters and protein backbone entropy changes.

PubMed

Sharp, Kim A; O'Brien, Evan; Kasinath, Vignesh; Wand, A Joshua

2015-05-01

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to analyze the relationship between NMR-derived squared generalized order parameters of amide NH groups and backbone entropy. Amide order parameters (O(2) NH ) are largely determined by the secondary structure and average values appear unrelated to the overall flexibility of the protein. However, analysis of the more flexible subset (O(2) NH  < 0.8) shows that these report both on the local flexibility of the protein and on a different component of the conformational entropy than that reported by the side chain methyl axis order parameters, O(2) axis . A calibration curve for backbone entropy vs. O(2) NH is developed, which accounts for both correlations between amide group motions of different residues, and correlations between backbone and side chain motions. This calibration curve can be used with experimental values of O(2) NH changes obtained by NMR relaxation measurements to extract backbone entropy changes, for example, upon ligand binding. In conjunction with our previous calibration for side chain entropy derived from measured O(2) axis values this provides a prescription for determination of the total protein conformational entropy changes from NMR relaxation measurements. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Sonochemistry: what potential for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into platform chemicals?

PubMed

Chatel, Gregory; De Oliveira Vigier, Karine; Jérôme, François

2014-10-01

This Review focuses on the use of ultrasound to produce chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. However, the question about the potential of sonochemistry for valorization/conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into added-value chemicals is rather conceptual. Until now, this technology has been mainly used for the production of low-value chemicals such as biodiesel or as simple method for pretreatment or extraction. According to preliminary studies reported in literature, access to added-value chemicals can be easily and sometimes solely obtained by the use of ultrasound. The design of sonochemical parameters offers many opportunities to develop new eco-friendly and efficient processes. The goal of this Review is to understand why the use of ultrasound is focused rather on pretreatment or extraction of lignocellulosic biomass rather than on the production of chemicals and to understand, through the reported examples, which directions need to be followed to favor strategies based on ultrasound-assisted production of chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. We believe that ultrasound-assisted processes represent an innovative approach and will create a growing interest in academia but also in the industry in the near future. Based on the examples reported in the literature, we critically discuss how sonochemistry could offer new strategies and give rise to new results in lignocellulosic biomass valorization. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

High-resolution infrared studies of the v 10, v 11, v 14, and v 18 levels of [1.1.1]propellane

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

Kirkpatrick, Robynne W.; Masiello, Tony; Martin, Matthew A.

2012-11-15

This paper is a continuation of earlier work for which the high resolution infrared spectrum of [1.1.1]propellane was measured and its k and l structure resolved for the first time. Here we present results from an analysis of more than 16,000 transitions involving three fundamental bands v 10 (E'-A1'), v 11 (E'-A1'), v 14 (A2''-A1') and two difference bands (v 10- v 18) (E'-E'') and (v 11-v 18) (E'-E"). Additional information about v18 was also obtained from the difference band (v 15+v 18)-v 18 (E'-E") and the binary combination band (v 15+v 18) (E'-A1'). Through the use of the groundmore » state constants reported in an earlier paper [1], rovibrational constants have been determined for all the vibrational states involved in these bands. The rovibrational parameters for the v 18(E'') state were obtained from combination-differences and showed no need to include interactions with other states. The v 10(E') state analysis was also straight-forward, with only a weak Coriolis interaction with the levels of the v 14(A2'') state. The latter levels are much more affected by a strong Coriolis interaction with the levels of the nearby v 11(E') state and also by a small but significant interaction with another state, presumably the v16(E'') state, that is not directly observed. Gaussian calculations (B3LYP/cc-pVTZ) computed at the anharmonic level aided the analyses by providing initial values for many of the parameters. These theoretical results generally compare favorably with the final parameter values deduced from the spectral analyses. Finally, evidence was obtained for several level crossings between the rotational levels of the v 11 and v 14 states and, using a weak coupling term corresponding to a Δk = ±5, Δl = ∓1 matrix element, it was possible to find transitions from the ground state that, combined with transitions to the same upper state, give a value of C 0 = 0.1936519(4) cm -1. This result, combined with the value of B 0 = 0.28755833(14) cm-1 reported earlier [1], yields a value of 1.586282(3) Å for the length of the novel axial CC bond in propellane.« less

Correcting the effect of refraction and dispersion of light in FT-IR spectroscopic imaging in transmission through thick infrared windows.

PubMed

Chan, K L Andrew; Kazarian, Sergei G

2013-01-15

Transmission mode is one of the most common sampling methods for FT-IR spectroscopic imaging because the spectra obtained generally have a reasonable signal-to-noise ratio. However, dispersion and refraction of infrared light occurs when samples are sandwiched between infrared windows or placed underneath a layer of liquid. Dispersion and refraction cause infrared light to focus with different focal lengths depending on the wavelength (wavenumber) of the light. As a result, images obtained are in focus only at a particular wavenumber while they are defocused at other wavenumber values. In this work, a solution to correct this spread of focus by means of adding a lens on top of the infrared transparent window, such that a pseudo hemisphere is formed, has been investigated. Through this lens (or pseudo hemisphere), refraction of light is removed and the light across the spectral range has the same focal depth. Furthermore, the lens acts as a solid immersion objective and an increase of both magnification and spatial resolution (by 1.4 times) is demonstrated. The spatial resolution was investigated using an USAF resolution target, showing that the Rayleigh criterion can be achieved, as well as a sample with a sharp polymer interface to indicate the spatial resolution that can be expected in real samples. The reported approach was used to obtain chemical images of cross sections of cancer tissue and hair samples sandwiched between infrared windows showing the versatility and applicability of the method. In addition to the improved spatial resolution, the results reported herein also demonstrate that the lens can reduce the effect of scattering near the edges of tissue samples. The advantages of the presented approach, obtaining FT-IR spectroscopic images in transmission mode with the same focus across all wavenumber values and simultaneous improvement in spatial resolution, will have wide implications ranging from studies of live cells to sorption of drugs into tissues.

Characteristics and Factors Associated With Antihypertensive Medication Use in Patients Attending Peruvian Health Facilities

PubMed Central

Mejia, Christian R; Failoc-Rojas, Virgilio E; Cervantes, Carmen; Aspajo, Antonio J; Leandro, Jesus Galileo; Cordova-De La Cruz, Jhomar; Charri, Julio C; García-Auqui, Kevin E; Coronel-Chucos, Lelis Gabriela; Justo-Pinto, Luz Delia; Mamani-Apaza, Marisol Stefanie; Paz-Campos, Neil Arón; Correa, Ricardo

2017-01-01

Introduction  Hypertension is a very common disease worldwide, and medication is needed to prevent its short-term and long-term complications. Our objective was to determine the characteristics and factors associated with antihypertensive medication use in patients attending Peruvian health facilities. Materials & Methods We performed a multicenter, cross-sectional study with secondary data. We obtained self-reported antihypertensive medication from patients attending health facilities in 10 departments of Peru. We looked for associations of the antihypertensive treatment according to sociopathological factors and obtained p values using generalized linear models. Results Of the 894 patients with hypertension, 61% (547) were women and 60% (503) were on antihypertensive treatment, of which 82% (389) had monotherapy and 52% (258) had recently taken their medication. Antihypertensive treatment was positively correlated with the patient's age (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.007 to 1.017; p value < 0.001), diabetes (aPR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.55; p value = 0.001) and cardiovascular disease (aPR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.26 to 1.51; p value < 0.001). Conversely, the frequency of antihypertensive treatment decreases with physical activity (aPR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.70 to 0.92; p value = 0.001). Conclusion Patients who have comorbidities and advanced age are more likely to be on antihypertensive treatment. In contrast, patients with increased physical activity have a lower frequency of antihypertensive treatment. It is important to consider these factors for future preventive programs and to improve therapeutic compliance. PMID:28331773

Systematic determination of thyroid volume by ultrasound examination from infancy to adolescence in Japan: the Fukushima Health Management Survey.

PubMed

Suzuki, Satoru; Midorikawa, Sanae; Fukushima, Toshihiko; Shimura, Hiroki; Ohira, Tetsuya; Ohtsuru, Akira; Abe, Masafumi; Shibata, Yoshisada; Yamashita, Shunichi; Suzuki, Shinichi

2015-01-01

Although several reports have defined normal thyroid volume depending on either age or body surface, there are no sequential reference values on childhood thyroid volume evaluated by using ultrasonography and epidemiological analysis in Japan. The aim of the present study was to establish updated reference values for thyroid volume by ultrasound examination and epidemiological analysis in 0-19 year-old Japanese children. It is based on a cross-sectional study conducted from October 9, 2011 to March 31, 2012. The subjects were 38,063 children who were examined by ultrasonography as the initial preliminary survey of the Fukushima Health Management Survey in October 9, 2011 to March 31, 2012. The width, thickness, and height of each lobe were measured and the volume of each lobe was calculated by the mean of the elliptical shape volume formula. The values of thyroid volume at the 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles of age and body surface area for each gender group were obtained from 0-19 year-old children. Positive correlation was observed between thyroid volume and either age or body surface. The right lobe was significantly larger than the left lobe. The thyroid volume in females was larger than that in males after adjusting body surface area. The reference values of childhood thyroid for each age or body surface area were obtained by this extensive survey using ultrasound. These reference values may be used to define the normal size of thyroid gland by echosonography in Japanese children, although thyroid volume may be affected by dimorphic factors such as sex hormones.

Comparison of different approaches of estimating effective dose from reported exposure data in 3D imaging with interventional fluoroscopy systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Svalkvist, Angelica; Hansson, Jonny; Bâth, Magnus

2014-03-01

Three-dimensional (3D) imaging with interventional fluoroscopy systems is today a common examination. The examination includes acquisition of two-dimensional projection images, used to reconstruct section images of the patient. The aim of the present study was to investigate the difference in resulting effective dose obtained using different levels of complexity in calculations of effective doses from these examinations. In the study the Siemens Artis Zeego interventional fluoroscopy system (Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) was used. Images of anthropomorphic chest and pelvis phantoms were acquired. The exposure values obtained were used to calculate the resulting effective doses from the examinations, using the computer software PCXMC (STUK, Helsinki, Finland). The dose calculations were performed using three different methods: 1. using individual exposure values for each projection image, 2. using the mean tube voltage and the total DAP value, evenly distributed over the projection images, and 3. using the mean kV and the total DAP value, evenly distributed over smaller selection of projection images. The results revealed that the difference in resulting effective dose between the first two methods was smaller than 5%. When only a selection of projection images were used in the dose calculations the difference increased to over 10%. Given the uncertainties associated with the effective dose concept, the results indicate that dose calculations based on average exposure values distributed over a smaller selection of projection angles can provide reasonably accurate estimations of the radiation doses from 3D imaging using interventional fluoroscopy systems.

Characteristics and Factors Associated With Antihypertensive Medication Use in Patients Attending Peruvian Health Facilities.

PubMed

Mejia, Christian R; Failoc-Rojas, Virgilio E; So, Edison; Cervantes, Carmen; Aspajo, Antonio J; Leandro, Jesus Galileo; Cordova-De La Cruz, Jhomar; Charri, Julio C; García-Auqui, Kevin E; Coronel-Chucos, Lelis Gabriela; Justo-Pinto, Luz Delia; Mamani-Apaza, Marisol Stefanie; Paz-Campos, Neil Arón; Correa, Ricardo

2017-02-03

Hypertension is a very common disease worldwide, and medication is needed to prevent its short-term and long-term complications. Our objective was to determine the characteristics and factors associated with antihypertensive medication use in patients attending Peruvian health facilities. We performed a multicenter, cross-sectional study with secondary data. We obtained self-reported antihypertensive medication from patients attending health facilities in 10 departments of Peru. We looked for associations of the antihypertensive treatment according to sociopathological factors and obtained p values using generalized linear models. Of the 894 patients with hypertension, 61% (547) were women and 60% (503) were on antihypertensive treatment, of which 82% (389) had monotherapy and 52% (258) had recently taken their medication. Antihypertensive treatment was positively correlated with the patient's age (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.007 to 1.017; p value < 0.001), diabetes (aPR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.55; p value = 0.001) and cardiovascular disease (aPR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.26 to 1.51; p value < 0.001). Conversely, the frequency of antihypertensive treatment decreases with physical activity (aPR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.70 to 0.92; p value = 0.001). Patients who have comorbidities and advanced age are more likely to be on antihypertensive treatment. In contrast, patients with increased physical activity have a lower frequency of antihypertensive treatment. It is important to consider these factors for future preventive programs and to improve therapeutic compliance.

Estimation of Radiative Efficiency of Chemicals with Potentially Significant Global Warming Potential.

PubMed

Betowski, Don; Bevington, Charles; Allison, Thomas C

2016-01-19

Halogenated chemical substances are used in a broad array of applications, and new chemical substances are continually being developed and introduced into commerce. While recent research has considerably increased our understanding of the global warming potentials (GWPs) of multiple individual chemical substances, this research inevitably lags behind the development of new chemical substances. There are currently over 200 substances known to have high GWP. Evaluation of schemes to estimate radiative efficiency (RE) based on computational chemistry are useful where no measured IR spectrum is available. This study assesses the reliability of values of RE calculated using computational chemistry techniques for 235 chemical substances against the best available values. Computed vibrational frequency data is used to estimate RE values using several Pinnock-type models, and reasonable agreement with reported values is found. Significant improvement is obtained through scaling of both vibrational frequencies and intensities. The effect of varying the computational method and basis set used to calculate the frequency data is discussed. It is found that the vibrational intensities have a strong dependence on basis set and are largely responsible for differences in computed RE values.

Biometric values, C-reactive protein, and proteinogram of healthy blonde capuchin (Sapajus flavius) kept in northeast of Brazil.

PubMed

Mota, Stéphanie Machado; Ferreira, Adriano Fernandes; Azevedo, Jair; Nery, Thiago Lopes; Zermiani, Fabiana; Queiroga, Felisbina Luisa

2016-12-01

Sapajus flavius is a species of capuchin monkey classified as critically endangered. Studies related to their biometric values are scarce with incomplete external measurement reports available from only four specimens. Moreover, information regarding proteinogram is limited with no reference to C-reactive protein (CRP) and globulin fractions for this species. Biometric values, CRP, and proteinogram were determined for 12 clinically healthy S. flavius, kept in captivity in João Pessoa, Brazil. The measured values in biometric parameters present a tendency to be higher in males. The CRP mean values from 12 S. flavius were 1.2±0.2 mg/dL. For albumin, alpha, beta, and gamma globulin fraction parameters, the reference interval was calculated. Authors believe that with certain limitations, results obtained can be helpful for the populations in the wild, which could be of great aid in detecting unhealthy individuals and therefore contributing to the conservation of this species. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Comparative study on the water quality status of Andra reservoir and Denkada anicut constructed on Champavati River, Vizianagaram, India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, G. V. S. R. Pavan; Krishna, K. Rama

2017-06-01

The author's present study was carried out for a period of 3 years from 2010 to 2013 to itemize the various physico-chemical parameters, irrigation water quality parameters and heavy metals in Champavathi River waters at Andra reservoir and Denkada anicut. Water samples were collected from the chosen sampling stations of the two reservoirs for every 4 months and analyzed as per APHA standard methods. The results obtained were compared with IS 10500 standards and found to be well within the prescribed values. Though the obtained values were well within the prescribed standard values, it was found that the water quality index, concentration of certain parameters such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium of the waters of Andra reservoir are higher than that of the Denkada anicut, and the concentration of nitrite was found to be higher in the water sample analyzed from Denkada anicut. Except silicon, all the other metals were found to be below the detection limits in the two reservoir waters. The reasons for the same were probed by the authors in the presented study. From the analysis reports, it was found that the water analyzed from the two reservoirs was fit for irrigation, agriculture, industrial and domestic purposes.

Hemorheological changes and hematometric erythrocyte characteristics in rats after sodium nitrite intoxication

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, Ivan; Gluhcheva, Yordanka; Petrova, Emilia; Antonova, Nadia

2014-05-01

Sodium nitrite (NaNO2) is a precursor to a variety of organic compounds (pharmaceuticals, dyes and pesticides), but it is best known as a food additive. The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of acute (i.p.) treatment of Wistar rats with NaNO2 (at the dose of 50 mg/kg b.w.) on the blood rheological properties and erythrocyte hematometric indices (Hb, HCT, RBC, MCV, RDW, MCH, MCHC). The significant differences were not found in the whole blood viscosity (WBV) values of the control and NaNO2-treated groups. The changes in the erythrocyte hematometric indices were statistically significant for RDW, MCHC and MCH at the 1st hour, five- and ten days after NaNO2 administration. Interestingly, at the day 5th of the NaNO2 treatment we obtained statistically significant lower values for the RBC count, Hb, HCT, RDW, as well as elevated indices MCV (no statistically significant), MCH, MCHC. The results obtained indicate that hemorheological and hematometric parameters examined should be monitored in cases of acute exposure to nitrites — for the purposes of clinical toxicology. The quantitative values of hematometric indices reported in our experimental model could be suitable for predicting NaNO2 intoxication and methemoglobinemia in animals and humans.

Innovations in bonding to zirconia based ceramics: Part III. Phosphate monomer resin cements.

PubMed

Mirmohammadi, Hesam; Aboushelib, Moustafa N M; Salameh, Ziad; Feilzer, Albert J; Kleverlaan, Cornelis J

2010-08-01

To compare the bond strength values and the ranking order of three phosphate monomer containing resin cements using microtensile (microTBS) and microshear (microSBS) bond strength tests. Zirconia discs (Procera Zirconia) were bonded to resin composite discs (Filtek Z250) using three different cements (Panavia F 2.0, RelyX UniCem, and Multilink). Two bond strength tests were used to determine zirconia resin bond strength; microtensile bond strength test (microTBS) and microshear bond strength test (microSBS). Ten specimens were tested for each group (n=10). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the data (alpha=0.05). There were statistical significant differences in bond strength values and in the ranking order obtained using the two test methods. microTBS reported significant differences in bond strength values, whereas microSBS failed to detect such effect. Both Multilink and Panavia demonstrated basically cohesive failure in the resin cement while RelyX UniCem demonstrated interfacial failure. Based on the findings of this study, the data obtained using either microTBS or microSBS could not be directly compared. microTBS was more sensitive to material differences compared to microSBS which failed to detect such differences. Copyright 2010 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Human body surface area: a theoretical approach.

PubMed

Wang, Jianfeng; Hihara, Eiji

2004-04-01

Knowledge of the human body surface area has important applications in medical practice, garment design, and other engineering sizing. Therefore, it is not surprising that several expressions correlating body surface area with direct measurements of body mass and length have been reported in the literature. In the present study, based on the assumption that the exterior shape of the human body is the result of convex and concave deformations from a basic cylinder, we derive a theoretical equation minimizing body surface area (BSA) at a fixed volume (V): BSA=(9pi VL)(0.5), where L is the reference length of the body. Assuming a body density value of 1,000 kg.m(-3), the equation becomes BSA=(BM.BH/35.37)(0.5), where BSA is in square meters, BM is the body mass in kilograms, and BH is the body height in meters. BSA values calculated by means of this equation fall within +/-7% of the values obtained by means of the equations available in the literature, in the range of BSA from children to adults. It is also suggested that the above equation, which is obtained by minimizing the outer body surface at a fixed volume, implies a fundamental relation set by the geometrical constraints governing the growth and the development of the human body.

Impact of error self-perception of aerobic capacity in the safety and efficacy of the lifeguards.

PubMed

Prieto, Jose A; Nistal, Paloma; Méndez, David; Abelairas-Gomez, Cristian; Barcala-Furelos, Roberto

2016-01-01

The strong physical demands that are required of lifeguards during rescues also require an accurate self-perception of one's fitness level to be able to regulate the intensity of effort. The aim of this study was to determine the real aerobic capacity (RAC) and to compare it with two self-reported measurements: subjective appraisal of aerobic capacity (SAAC) and appraisal of physical exercise (APE). Fifty-two professional lifeguards were included in the study. For an objective assessment of RAC, the lifeguards' maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) values were measured during treadmill stress tests. A fitness assessment questionnaire was used to obtain the SAAC and APE values. We found a statistically significant association between the APE and RAC variables in the contingency analysis (p < 0.001). In total, 93.7% of the lifeguards who obtained a VO2max value below 43 ml kg(-1) min(-1) considered their aerobic capacity to be high or very high. This self-perception error of true aerobic capacity could lead to premature fatigue during a rescue, endangering both the lifeguard's life and the life of the victim. These data may help lifeguards and beach managers to become aware of the need to know lifeguards' true physical conditions through testing and structured training programs.

Spectral multivariate calibration without laboratory prepared or determined reference analyte values.

PubMed

Ottaway, Josh; Farrell, Jeremy A; Kalivas, John H

2013-02-05

An essential part to calibration is establishing the analyte calibration reference samples. These samples must characterize the sample matrix and measurement conditions (chemical, physical, instrumental, and environmental) of any sample to be predicted. Calibration usually requires measuring spectra for numerous reference samples in addition to determining the corresponding analyte reference values. Both tasks are typically time-consuming and costly. This paper reports on a method named pure component Tikhonov regularization (PCTR) that does not require laboratory prepared or determined reference values. Instead, an analyte pure component spectrum is used in conjunction with nonanalyte spectra for calibration. Nonanalyte spectra can be from different sources including pure component interference samples, blanks, and constant analyte samples. The approach is also applicable to calibration maintenance when the analyte pure component spectrum is measured in one set of conditions and nonanalyte spectra are measured in new conditions. The PCTR method balances the trade-offs between calibration model shrinkage and the degree of orthogonality to the nonanalyte content (model direction) in order to obtain accurate predictions. Using visible and near-infrared (NIR) spectral data sets, the PCTR results are comparable to those obtained using ridge regression (RR) with reference calibration sets. The flexibility of PCTR also allows including reference samples if such samples are available.

An exploratory statistical approach to depression pattern identification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Qing Yi; Griffiths, Frances; Parsons, Nick; Gunn, Jane

2013-02-01

Depression is a complex phenomenon thought to be due to the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors. Currently depression assessment uses self-reported depressive symptoms but this is limited in the degree to which it can characterise the different expressions of depression emerging from the complex causal pathways that are thought to underlie depression. In this study, we aimed to represent the different patterns of depression with pattern values unique to each individual, where each value combines all the available information about an individual’s depression. We considered the depressed individual as a subsystem of an open complex system, proposed Generalized Information Entropy (GIE) to represent the general characteristics of information entropy of the system, and then implemented Maximum Entropy Estimates to derive equations for depression patterns. We also introduced a numerical simulation method to process the depression related data obtained by the Diamond Cohort Study which has been underway in Australia since 2005 involving 789 people. Unlike traditional assessment, we obtained a unique value for each depressed individual which gives an overall assessment of the depression pattern. Our work provides a novel way to visualise and quantitatively measure the depression pattern of the depressed individual which could be used for pattern categorisation. This may have potential for tailoring health interventions to depressed individuals to maximize health benefit.

Molecular structure, spectroscopic studies and first-order molecular hyperpolarizabilities of ferulic acid by density functional study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sebastian, S.; Sundaraganesan, N.; Manoharan, S.

2009-10-01

Quantum chemical calculations of energies, geometrical structure and vibrational wavenumbers of ferulic acid (FA) (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid) were carried out by using density functional (DFT/B3LYP/BLYP) method with 6-31G(d,p) as basis set. The optimized geometrical parameters obtained by DFT calculations are in good agreement with single crystal XRD data. The vibrational spectral data obtained from solid phase FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra are assigned based on the results of the theoretical calculations. The observed spectra are found to be in good agreement with calculated values. The electric dipole moment ( μ) and the first hyperpolarizability ( β) values of the investigated molecule have been computed using ab initio quantum mechanical calculations. The calculation results also show that the FA molecule might have microscopic nonlinear optical (NLO) behavior with non-zero values. A detailed interpretation of the infrared and Raman spectra of FA was also reported. The energy and oscillator strength calculated by time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) results complements with the experimental findings. The calculated HOMO and LUMO energies shows that charge transfer occur within the molecule. The theoretical FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra for the title molecule have been constructed.

Evaluating effective pair and multisite interactions for Ni-Mo system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Banerjee, Rumu H.; Arya, A.; Banerjee, S.

2018-04-01

Cluster expansion (CE) method was used to calculate the energies of various Ni-Mo phases. The clusters comprising of few nearest neighbours can describe any phase of Ni-Mo system by suitable choice of effective pair and multisite interaction parameters (ECI). The ECIs were evaluated in present study by fitting the ground state energies obtained by first principle calculations. The ECIs evaluated for Ni-Mo system were mostly pair clusters followed by triplets and quadruplet clusters with cluster diameters in the range 2.54 - 10.20 Å. The ECI values diminished for multi-body (triplets and quadruplets) clusters as compared to 2-point or pair clusters indicating a good convergence of CE model. With these ECIs the predicted energies of all the Ni-Mo structures across the Mo concentration range 0-100 at% were obtained. The quantitative error in the energies calculated by CE approach and first principle is very small (< 0.026 meV/atom). The appreciable values of 2-point ECIs upto 4th nearest neighbour reveal that two body interactions are dominant in the case of Ni-Mo system. These ECIs are compared with the reported values of compositional dependent effective pair interactions evaluated by first principle as well as by Monte Carlo method.

Manufacture and characterization of breast tissue phantoms for emulating benign lesions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Villamarín, J. A.; Rojas, M. A.; Potosi, O. M.; Narváez-Semanate, J. L.; Gaviria, C.

2017-11-01

Phantoms elaboration has turned a very important field of study during the last decades due to its applications in medicine. These objects are capable of emulating or mimicking acoustically biological tissues in which parameters like speed of sound (SOS) and attenuation are successfully attained. However, these materials are expensive depending on their characteristics (USD 460.00 - 6000.00) and is difficult to have precise measurements because of their composition. This paper presents the elaboration and characterization of low cost ( USD $25.00) breast phantoms which emulate histological normality and pathological conditions in order to support algorithm calibration procedures in imaging diagnosis. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) was applied to estimate SOS and attenuation values for breast tissue (background) and benign lesions (fibroadenoma and cysts). Results showed values of the SOS and attenuation for the background between 1410 - 1450 m/s and 0.40 - 0.55 dB/cm at 1 MHz sampling frequency, respectively. On the other hand, the SOS obtained for the lesions ranges from 1350 to 1700 m/s and attenuation values between 0.50 - 1.80 dB/cm at 1 MHz. Finally, the fabricated phantoms allowed for obtaining ultrasonograms comparable with real ones whose acoustic parameters are in agree with those reported in the literature.

Experimental Investigations of the Internal Energy of Molecules Evaporated via Laser-induced Acoustic Desorption into a Fourier-transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer (LIAD/FT-ICR)

PubMed Central

Shea, Ryan C.; Petzold, Christopher J.; Liu, Ji-ang; Kenttämaa, Hilkka I.

2008-01-01

The internal energy of neutral gas-phase organic and biomolecules, evaporated by means of laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD) into a Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR), was investigated through several experimental approaches. The desorbed molecules were demonstrated not to undergo degradation during the desorption process by collecting LIAD-evaporated molecules and subjecting them to analysis by electrospray ionization/quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry. Previously established gas-phase basicity (GB) values were remeasured for LIAD-evaporated organic molecules and biomolecules with the use of the bracketing method. No endothermic reactions were observed. The remeasured basicity values are in close agreement with the values reported in the literature. The amount of internal energy deposited during LIAD is concluded to be less than a few kcal/mol. Chemical ionization with a series of proton transfer reagents was employed to obtain a breakdown curve for a protonated dipeptide, val-pro, evaporated by LIAD. Comparison of this breakdown curve with a previously published analogous curve obtained by using substrate-assisted laser desorption (SALD) to evaporate the peptide suggests that the molecules evaporated via LIAD have less internal energy than those evaporated via SALD. PMID:17263513

Evaluation of questionnaire-based information on previous physical work loads. Stockholm MUSIC 1 Study Group. Musculoskeletal Intervention Center.

PubMed

Torgén, M; Winkel, J; Alfredsson, L; Kilbom, A

1999-06-01

The principal aim of the present study was to evaluate questionnaire-based information on past physical work loads (6-year recall). Effects of memory difficulties on reproducibility were evaluated for 82 subjects by comparing previously reported results on current work loads (test-retest procedure) with the same items recalled 6 years later. Validity was assessed by comparing self-reports in 1995, regarding work loads in 1989, with worksite measurements performed in 1989. Six-year reproducibility, calculated as weighted kappa coefficients (k(w)), varied between 0.36 and 0.86, with the highest values for proportion of the workday spent sitting and for perceived general exertion and the lowest values for trunk and neck flexion. The six-year reproducibility results were similar to previously reported test-retest results for these items; this finding indicates that memory difficulties was a minor problem. The validity of the questionnaire responses, expressed as rank correlations (r(s)) between the questionnaire responses and workplace measurements, varied between -0.16 and 0.78. The highest values were obtained for the items sitting and repetitive work, and the lowest and "unacceptable" values were for head rotation and neck flexion. Misclassification of exposure did not appear to be differential with regard to musculoskeletal symptom status, as judged by the calculated risk estimates. The validity of some of these self-administered questionnaire items appears sufficient for a crude assessment of physical work loads in the past in epidemiologic studies of the general population with predominantly low levels of exposure.

Calibration strategies for the determination of stable carbon absolute isotope ratios in a glycine candidate reference material by elemental analyser-isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

PubMed

Dunn, Philip J H; Malinovsky, Dmitry; Goenaga-Infante, Heidi

2015-04-01

We report a methodology for the determination of the stable carbon absolute isotope ratio of a glycine candidate reference material with natural carbon isotopic composition using EA-IRMS. For the first time, stable carbon absolute isotope ratios have been reported using continuous flow rather than dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Also for the first time, a calibration strategy based on the use of synthetic mixtures gravimetrically prepared from well characterised, highly (13)C-enriched and (13)C-depleted glycines was developed for EA-IRMS calibration and generation of absolute carbon isotope ratio values traceable to the SI through calibration standards of known purity. A second calibration strategy based on converting the more typically determined delta values on the Vienna PeeDee Belemnite (VPDB) scale using literature values for the absolute carbon isotope ratio of VPDB itself was used for comparison. Both calibration approaches provided results consistent with those previously reported for the same natural glycine using MC-ICP-MS; absolute carbon ratios of 10,649 × 10(-6) with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 24 × 10(-6) and 10,646 × 10(-6) with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 88 × 10(-6) were obtained, respectively. The absolute carbon isotope ratio of the VPDB standard was found to be 11,115 × 10(-6) with an expanded uncertainty (k = 2) of 27 × 10(-6), which is in excellent agreement with previously published values.

Field rates for natural attenuation of arsenic in Tinto Santa Rosa acid mine drainage (SW Spain).

PubMed

Asta, Maria P; Ayora, Carlos; Acero, Patricia; Cama, Jordi

2010-05-15

Reactive transport modelling of the main processes related to the arsenic natural attenuation observed in the acid mine drainage (AMD) impacted stream of Tinto Santa Rosa (SW Spain) was performed. Despite the simplicity of the kinetic expressions used to deal with arsenic attenuation processes, the model reproduced successfully the major chemical trends observed along the acid discharge. Results indicated that the rate of ferrous iron oxidation was similar to the one obtained in earlier field studies in which microbial catalysis is reported to occur. With regard to the scaled arsenic oxidation rate, it is one order of magnitude faster than the values obtained under laboratory conditions suggesting the existence of a catalytic agent in the natural system. Schwertmannite precipitation rate, which was represented by a simple kinetic expression relying on Fe(III) and pH, was in the range calculated for other AMD impacted sites. Finally, the obtained distribution coefficients used for representing arsenic sorption onto Fe(III) precipitates were lower than those deduced from reported laboratory data. This discrepancy is attributed to a decrease in the schwertmannite arsenate sorption capacity as sulphate increases in the solution. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Obtaining high g-values with low degree expansion of the phasefunction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rinzema, Kees; ten Bosch, Jaap J.; Ferwerda, Hedzer A.; Hoenders, Bernhard J.

1994-02-01

Analytic theory of anisotropic random flight requires the expansion of phase-functions in spherical harmonics. The number of terms should be limited while a g value should be obtained that is as high as possible. We describe how such a phase function can be constructed for a given number N of spherical components of the phasefunction, while obtaining a maximum value of the asymmetry parameter g.

Accuracy and Precision of USNO GPS Carrier-Phase Time Transfer

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-01-01

values. Comparison measures used include estimates obtained from two-way satellite time/frequency transfer ( TWSTFT ), and GPS-based estimates obtained...the IGS are used as a benchmark in the computation. Frequency values have a few times 10 -15 fractional frequency uncertainty. TWSTFT values confirm...obtained from two-way satellite time/frequency transfer ( TWSTFT ), BIPM Circular T, and the International GNSS Service (IGS). At present, it is known that