COMPUTATIONAL MODELING OF CIRCULATING FLUIDIZED BED REACTORS

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

Ibrahim, Essam A

2013-01-09

Details of numerical simulations of two-phase gas-solid turbulent flow in the riser section of Circulating Fluidized Bed Reactor (CFBR) using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique are reported. Two CFBR riser configurations are considered and modeled. Each of these two riser models consist of inlet, exit, connecting elbows and a main pipe. Both riser configurations are cylindrical and have the same diameter but differ in their inlet lengths and main pipe height to enable investigation of riser geometrical scaling effects. In addition, two types of solid particles are exploited in the solid phase of the two-phase gas-solid riser flow simulations tomore » study the influence of solid loading ratio on flow patterns. The gaseous phase in the two-phase flow is represented by standard atmospheric air. The CFD-based FLUENT software is employed to obtain steady state and transient solutions for flow modulations in the riser. The physical dimensions, types and numbers of computation meshes, and solution methodology utilized in the present work are stated. Flow parameters, such as static and dynamic pressure, species velocity, and volume fractions are monitored and analyzed. The differences in the computational results between the two models, under steady and transient conditions, are compared, contrasted, and discussed.« less

[Circadian blood pressure variation under several pathophysiological conditions including secondary hypertension].

PubMed

Imai, Yutaka; Hosaka, Miki; Satoh, Michihiro

2014-08-01

Abnormality of circadian blood pressure (BP) variation, i.e. non-dipper, riser, nocturnal hypertension etc, is brought by several pathophysiological conditions especially by secondary hypertension. These pathophysiological conditions are classified into several categories, i.e. disturbance of autonomic nervous system, metabolic disorder, endocrine disorder, disorder of Na and water excretion (e.g. sodium sensitivity), severe target organ damage and ischemia, cardiovascular complications and drug induced hypertension. Each pathophysiological condition which brings disturbance of circadian BP variation is included in several categories, e.g. diabetes mellitus is included in metabolic disorder, autonomic imbalance, sodium sensitivity and endocrine disorder. However, it seems that unified principle of the genesis of disturbance of circadian BP variation in many pathophysiological conditions is autonomic imbalance. Thus, it is concluded that disturbance of circadian BP variation is not purposive biological behavior but the result of autonomic imbalance which looks as if compensatory reaction such as exaggerated Na-water excretion during night in patient with Na-water retention who reveals disturbed circadian BP variation.

Late Glacial and Holocene Fire History From Radiocarbon Dating of Charcoal in Valley-Bottom Sediments in Small Watersheds of the Oregon Coast Range

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lancaster, S. T.; Frueh, W. T.

2011-12-01

A large number (N = 351) of radiocarbon dates of charcoal from valley-bottom sediments in headwater valleys of the southern Oregon Coast Range provides the basis for a new index of fire frequency during the past 17,000 years in this steep landscape covered by dense coniferous forest. Study areas were chosen for their relative lack of recent forest disturbance by harvest or fire, and sampling of stream banks and terrace risers was random, weighted by deposit volume and bank or riser area. This sampling methodology was designed to characterize sediment residence times within valley-bottom storage, and the overall shape of the calibrated age distribution is therefore assumed representative of the dependence of charcoal preservation probability on calibrated age. A proxy record of fire history in the study areas is obtained by fitting a gamma distribution to the weighted mean calibrated charcoal ages by the method of moments; calculating the relative difference between the fit and the normalized histogram, with 50-year bin-widths, of charcoal ages; and smoothing that relative difference with a gaussian distribution, the standard deviation of which is at least two bin-widths and inversely proportional to the value of the fit distribution at larger ages. The calibrated charcoal age mean and variance of 1900 yrs BP and 7.39 x 106 yr2, respectively, yield shape and scale parameters of the fit gamma distribution of 0.490 and 3880 yrs, respectively. This heavy-tailed distribution indicates that probabilities of charcoal evacuation are not simply proportional to relative volume of encasing sediment deposits but, rather, decrease with deposit age. The smoothed proxy record of relative fire frequency has a global maximum at 7700 BP and prominent local maxima at 600 BP and 5700 BP, in order of decreasing magnitude; a global minimum at 4500 BP and local minimum at 1800 BP roughly bracket a period of fluctuating but relatively low fire frequency during the period 5000-1500 BP. Although resolution in the late glacial to early Holocene is limited, the record shows a high relative fire frequency during the late glacial before dipping 10,000-9000 BP. The 7700 BP maximum and 1800 BP minimum are consistent with another fire history from lake sediments northeast of our sites in the Oregon Coast Range. Other features appear to contradict that record but to support of climate change inferences based on other climate proxies.

Parent Participation within Community Center or In-Home Outreach Delivery Models of the Early Risers Conduct Problems Prevention Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bloomquist, Michael L; August, Gerald J.; Lee, Susanne S.; Piehler, Timothy F.; Jensen, Marcia

2012-01-01

A variety of predictors of parent participation in prevention programming have been identified in past research, but few studies have investigated how those predictors may vary by implementation context. Patterns of parent participation were examined in the Early Risers Conduct Problems Prevention Program using two family-focused service delivery…

Rotigotine Improves Abnormal Circadian Rhythm of Blood Pressure in Parkinson's Disease.

PubMed

Oka, Hisayoshi; Nakahara, Atuso; Umehara, Tadashi

2018-05-15

Cardiovascular autonomic failure is commonly associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting the daily lives of patients. Rotigotine was recently reported not to influence cardiovascular autonomic responses in contrast to other dopaminergic drugs. The effect of rotigotine on daily blood pressure (BP) fluctuations might reflect autonomic failure in patients with PD. Twenty-five PD patients who were receiving rotigotine and 12 patients not receiving rotigotine were recruited. Systolic BP during the daytime and nighttime was measured by 24-h BP monitoring at an interval of 2 years. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the BP fluctuation type: dippers (nocturnal fall in BP ≥10%), non-dippers (0-10%), and risers (< 0%). The time course of BP was compared between the patients given rotigotine and those not given rotigotine. Among the 25 patients who received rotigotine, the BP type worsened in 2 patients, was unchanged in 16 patients, and improved in 7 patients. Among the 12 patients who were not receiving rotigotine, the BP type worsened in 5 patients, was unchanged in 4 patients, and improved only in 3 patients (p = 0.042). Rotigotine improves the abnormal circadian rhythm of BP in patients with PD. Rotigotine was suggested to have favorable effects on cardiovascular autonomic responses and circadian rhythm in patients with PD. © 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.

[2013 Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring recommendations for the diagnosis of adult hypertension, assessment of cardiovascular and other hypertension-associated risk, and attainment of therapeutic goals (summary). Joint recommendations from the International Society for Chronobiology (ISC), American Association of Medical Chronobiology and Chronotherapeutics (AAMCC), Spanish Society of Applied Chronobiology, Chronotherapy, and Vascular Risk (SECAC), Spanish Society of Atherosclerosis (SEA), and Romanian Society of Internal Medicine (RSIM)].

PubMed

Hermida, Ramón C; Smolensky, Michael H; Ayala, Diana E; Portaluppi, Francesco; Crespo, Juan J; Fabbian, Fabio; Haus, Erhard; Manfredini, Roberto; Mojón, Artemio; Moyá, Ana; Piñeiro, Luis; Ríos, María T; Otero, Alfonso; Balan, Horia; Fernández, José R

2013-01-01

Correlation between systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (BP) level and target organ damage, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and long-term prognosis is much greater for ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) than daytime office measurements. The 2013 ABPM guidelines specified herein are based on ABPM patient outcomes studies and constitute a substantial revision of current knowledge. The asleep SBP mean and sleep-time relative SBP decline are the most significant predictors of CVD events, both individually as well as jointly when combined with other ABPM-derived prognostic markers. Thus, they should be preferably used to diagnose hypertension and assess CVD and other associated risks. Progressive decrease by therapeutic intervention in the asleep BP mean is the most significant predictor of CVD event-free interval. The 24 h BP mean is not recommended to diagnose hypertension because it disregards the more valuable clinical information pertaining to the features of the 24 h BP pattern. Persons with the same 24 h BP mean may display radically different 24 h BP patterns, ranging from extreme-dipper to riser types, representative of markedly different risk states. Classification of individuals by comparing office with either the 24 h or awake BP mean as "masked normotensives" (elevated clinic BP but normal ABPM), which should replace the terms of "isolated office" or "white-coat hypertension", and "masked hypertensives" (normal clinic BP but elevated ABPM) is misleading and should be avoided because it disregards the clinical significance of the asleep BP mean. Outcome-based ABPM reference thresholds for men, which in the absence of compelling clinical conditions are 135/85 mmHg for the awake and 120/70 mmHg for the asleep SBP/DBP means, are lower by 10/5 mmHg for SBP/DBP in uncomplicated, low-CVD risk, women and lower by 15/10 mmHg for SBP/DBP in male and female high-risk patients, e.g., with diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and/or past CVD events. In the adult population, the combined prevalence of masked normotension and masked hypertension is >35%. Moreover, >20% of "normotensive" adults have a non-dipper BP profile and, thus, are at relatively high CVD risk. Clinic BP measurements, even if supplemented with home self-measurements, are unable to quantify 24 h BP patterning and asleep BP level, resulting in potential misclassification of up to 50% of all evaluated adults. ABPM should be viewed as the new gold standard to diagnose true hypertension, accurately assess consequent tissue/organ, maternal/fetal, and CVD risk, and individualize hypertension chronotherapy. ABPM should be a priority for persons likely to have a blunted nighttime BP decline and elevated CVD risk, i.e., those who are elderly and obese, those with secondary or resistant hypertension, and those diagnosed with diabetes, CKD, metabolic syndrome, and sleep disorders. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier España, S.L. y SEA. All rights reserved.

Rationale, study design, and implementation of the ACS1 study: effect of azilsartan on circadian and sleep blood pressure as compared with amlodipine.

PubMed

Kario, Kazuomi; Hoshide, Satoshi

2014-06-01

The ACS1 (Azilsartan Circadian and Sleep Pressure - the first study) is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, two parallel-group study carried out to investigate the efficacy of an 8-week oral treatment with azilsartan 20 mg in comparison with amlodipine 5 mg. The patients with stage I or II primary hypertension will be randomly assigned to either an azilsartan group (n=350) or an amlodipine group (n=350). The primary endpoint is a change in nocturnal systolic blood pressure (BP) as measured by ambulatory BP monitoring at the end of follow-up relative to the baseline level during the run-in period. In addition, we will carry out the same analysis after dividing four different nocturnal BP dipping statuses (extreme-dippers, dippers, nondipper, and risers). The findings of this study will help in establishing an appropriate antihypertensive treatment for hypertensive patients with a disrupted circadian BP rhythm.

Rationale, study design, and implementation of the ACS1 study: effect of azilsartan on circadian and sleep blood pressure as compared with amlodipine

PubMed Central

Hoshide, Satoshi

2014-01-01

Objective The ACS1 (Azilsartan Circadian and Sleep Pressure – the first study) is a multicenter, randomized, open-label, two parallel-group study carried out to investigate the efficacy of an 8-week oral treatment with azilsartan 20 mg in comparison with amlodipine 5 mg. Materials and methods The patients with stage I or II primary hypertension will be randomly assigned to either an azilsartan group (n=350) or an amlodipine group (n=350). The primary endpoint is a change in nocturnal systolic blood pressure (BP) as measured by ambulatory BP monitoring at the end of follow-up relative to the baseline level during the run-in period. In addition, we will carry out the same analysis after dividing four different nocturnal BP dipping statuses (extreme-dippers, dippers, nondipper, and risers). Conclusion The findings of this study will help in establishing an appropriate antihypertensive treatment for hypertensive patients with a disrupted circadian BP rhythm. PMID:24637789

New Holocene Slip-rate Sites Along the Mojave San Andreas Fault Near Palmdale, CA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, E. K.; Cowgill, E.; Scharer, K. M.

2016-12-01

The slip rate for the Mojave San Andreas fault (MSAF) is poorly known: the long-term ( 413ky) geologic rate is as high as 37mm/yr [1] while the geodetic slip rate is as low as 15mm/yr [2]. To determine the Holocene-average rate for the MSAF, we investigated several offset landforms near Palmdale, CA using detailed surficial mapping and 14C analyses of charcoal collected from hand-dug excavations. Site X-12 preserves two offset markers sourced from a north-flowing catchment south of the fault. One is a terrace riser cut into older alluvium that is abutted by the eastern margin of a Qf3 fan and is displaced by 75 m. Offset of the riser and the alluvium generated a north-facing fault-scarp that was eroded to form a small fan on top of the eastern margin of the Qf3 fan. The second offset is a beheaded channel that is incised into the Qf3 fan north of the fault and is displaced 50m, and thus formed after the riser was offset by 25m. To date these landforms we opened 5 excavations at the site, with emphasis on the beheaded channel. Dates from within the Qf3 fan south/upstream of the fault and abandoned bedload in the beheaded channel give maximum and minimum ages for the channel incision of 1500calBP and 600calBP, respectively, implying a rate ≥33mm/yr. Future work seeks to date post-abandonment channel-fill deposits and the upper and lower bounds on the terrace riser. At a second site, Ranch Center, a north-flowing stream cut across a shutter ridge north of the fault and was then offset and deflected 80m before cutting a new channel across the fault. Future work here seeks to date the bases of the alluvial fans deposited by the abandoned and active channels to obtain maximum and minimum ages for the 80 m offset, respectively. Rates from these sites should help to better define the Holocene slip rate on the MSAF. 1) Matmon et al., 2005, GSAB. v. 117 p. 795 2) Becker et al., 2005, Geoph.. J. Int., v. 160 p. 634

Parametric study on the behavior of an innovative subsurface tension leg platform in ultra-deep water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhen, Xing-wei; Huang, Yi

2017-10-01

This study focuses on a new technology of Subsurface Tension Leg Platform (STLP), which utilizes the shallowwater rated well completion equipment and technology for the development of large oil and gas fields in ultra-deep water (UDW). Thus, the STLP concept offers attractive advantages over conventional field development concepts. STLP is basically a pre-installed Subsurface Sea-star Platform (SSP), which supports rigid risers and shallow-water rated well completion equipment. The paper details the results of the parametric study on the behavior of STLP at a water depth of 3000 m. At first, a general description of the STLP configuration and working principle is introduced. Then, the numerical models for the global analysis of the STLP in waves and current are presented. After that, extensive parametric studies are carried out with regarding to SSP/tethers system analysis, global dynamic analysis and riser interference analysis. Critical points are addressed on the mooring pattern and riser arrangement under the influence of ocean current, to ensure that the requirements on SSP stability and riser interference are well satisfied. Finally, conclusions and discussions are made. The results indicate that STLP is a competitive well and riser solution in up to 3000 m water depth for offshore petroleum production.

Flow Mapping in a Gas-Solid Riser via Computer Automated Radioactive Particle Tracking (CARPT)

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

Muthanna Al-Dahhan; Milorad P. Dudukovic; Satish Bhusarapu

2005-06-04

Statement of the Problem: Developing and disseminating a general and experimentally validated model for turbulent multiphase fluid dynamics suitable for engineering design purposes in industrial scale applications of riser reactors and pneumatic conveying, require collecting reliable data on solids trajectories, velocities ? averaged and instantaneous, solids holdup distribution and solids fluxes in the riser as a function of operating conditions. Such data are currently not available on the same system. Multiphase Fluid Dynamics Research Consortium (MFDRC) was established to address these issues on a chosen example of circulating fluidized bed (CFB) reactor, which is widely used in petroleum and chemicalmore » industry including coal combustion. This project addresses the problem of lacking reliable data to advance CFB technology. Project Objectives: The objective of this project is to advance the understanding of the solids flow pattern and mixing in a well-developed flow region of a gas-solid riser, operated at different gas flow rates and solids loading using the state-of-the-art non-intrusive measurements. This work creates an insight and reliable database for local solids fluid-dynamic quantities in a pilot-plant scale CFB, which can then be used to validate/develop phenomenological models for the riser. This study also attempts to provide benchmark data for validation of Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) codes and their current closures. Technical Approach: Non-Invasive Computer Automated Radioactive Particle Tracking (CARPT) technique provides complete Eulerian solids flow field (time average velocity map and various turbulence parameters such as the Reynolds stresses, turbulent kinetic energy, and eddy diffusivities). It also gives directly the Lagrangian information of solids flow and yields the true solids residence time distribution (RTD). Another radiation based technique, Computed Tomography (CT) yields detailed time averaged local holdup profiles at various planes. Together, these two techniques can provide the needed local solids flow dynamic information for the same setup under identical operating conditions, and the data obtained can be used as a benchmark for development, and refinement of the appropriate riser models. For the above reasons these two techniques were implemented in this study on a fully developed section of the riser. To derive the global mixing information in the riser, accurate solids RTD is needed and was obtained by monitoring the entry and exit of a single radioactive tracer. Other global parameters such as Cycle Time Distribution (CTD), overall solids holdup in the riser, solids recycle percentage at the bottom section of the riser were evaluated from different solids travel time distributions. Besides, to measure accurately and in-situ the overall solids mass flux, a novel method was applied.« less

30 CFR 250.910 - Which of my facilities are subject to the Platform Verification Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (each platform must be designed to accommodate all the loads imposed by all risers and riser does not have tensioning systems);(ii) Turrets and turret-and-hull... Platform Verification Program: (i) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems...

30 CFR 250.524 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.../casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing, riser/casing, or riser/riser communication; (d) Any well that has... initial startup operations described in § 250.521; (e) Any hybrid well with casing or riser pressure...

Numerical Modeling of Reactive Multiphase Flow for FCC and Hot Gas Desulfurization Circulating Fluidized Beds

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

Miller, Aubrey L.

2005-07-01

This work was carried out to understand the behavior of the solid and gas phases in a CFB riser. Only the riser is modeled as a straight pipe. A model with linear algebraic approximation to solids viscosity of the form, {musubs} = 5.34{epsisubs}, ({espisubs} is the solids volume fraction) with an appropriate boundary condition at the wall obtained by approximate momentum balance solution at the wall to acount for the solids recirculation is tested against experimental results. The work done was to predict the flow patterns in the CFB risers from available experimental data, including data from a 7.5-cm-ID CFBmore » riser at the Illinois Institute of Technology and data from a 20.0-cm-ID CFB riser at the Particulate Solid Research, Inc., facility. This research aims at modeling the removal of hydrogen sulfide from hot coal gas using zinc oxide as the sorbent in a circulating fluidized bed and in the process indentifying the parameters that affect the performance of the sulfidation reactor. Two different gas-solid reaction models, the unreacted shrinking core (USC) and the grain model were applied to take into account chemical reaction resistances. Also two different approaches were used to affect the hydrodynamics of the process streams. The first model takes into account the effect of micro-scale particle clustering by adjusting the gas-particle drag law and the second one assumes a turbulent core with pseudo-steady state boundary condition at the wall. A comparison is made with experimental results.« less

Transient Characterization of Type B Particles in a Transport Riser

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

Shadle, L.J.; Monazam, E.R.; Mei, J.S.

2007-01-01

Simple and rapid dynamic tests were used to evaluate fluid dynamic behavior of granular materials in the transport regime. Particles with densities ranging from 189 to 2,500 kg/m3 and Sauter mean size from 61 to 812 μm were tested in a 0.305 m diameter, 15.5 m height circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser. The transient tests involved the abrupt stoppage of solids flow for each granular material over a wide range gas flow rates. The riser emptying time was linearly related to the Froude number in each of three different operating regimes. The flow structure along the height of the risermore » followed a distinct pattern as tracked through incremental pressures. These results are discussed to better understand the transformations that take place when operating over various regimes. During the transients the particle size distribution was measured. The effects of pressure, particle size, and density on test performance are also presented.« less

Administration-time-dependent effects of hypertension treatment on ambulatory blood pressure in patients with chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Crespo, Juan J; Piñeiro, Luis; Otero, Alfonso; Castiñeira, Carmen; Ríos, María T; Regueiro, Antonio; Mojón, Artemio; Lorenzo, Sonia; Ayala, Diana E; Hermida, Ramón C

2013-03-01

Many published prospective trials have reported clinically meaningful morning-evening, treatment-time differences in the blood pressure (BP)-lowering efficacy, duration of action, and safety of most classes of hypertension medications. Most important, it was recently documented that routine ingestion of the full daily dose of ≥1 hypertension medications at bedtime, compared with ingestion of all of them upon awakening, significantly reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Nocturnal hypertension and non-dipping (<10% decline in the asleep relative to the awake BP mean), as determined by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), are frequent in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and both are associated with increased CVD risk. Here, we investigated the influence of hypertension treatment time on the circadian BP pattern and degree of BP control of hypertensive patients with CKD evaluated by 48-h ABPM. This cross-sectional study evaluated 2659 such patients (1585 men/1074 women), 64.9 ± 13.2 (mean ± SD) yrs of age, enrolled in the Hygia Project, involving primary care centers of northwest Spain and designed to evaluate prospectively CVD risk by ABPM; 1446 were ingesting all BP-lowering medications upon awakening, whereas 1213 patients were ingesting ≥1 medications at bedtime. Among the latter, 359 patients were ingesting all medications at bedtime, whereas 854 were ingesting the full daily dose of some medications upon awakening and the others at bedtime. Those ingesting all medications upon awakening had significantly higher total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than those ingesting ≥1 medications at bedtime. Moreover, patients ingesting all medications at bedtime had the lowest fasting glucose, serum creatinine, and uric acid. Ingestion of ≥1 medications at bedtime was significantly associated with lower asleep systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP means than treatment with all medications upon awakening. The sleep-time relative SBP decline was significantly attenuated in patients ingesting all medications upon awakening (p < .001). Thus, the prevalence of non-dipping was significantly higher when all hypertension medications were ingested upon awakening (68.3%) than when ≥1 of them was ingested at bedtime (54.2%; p < .001 between groups), and even further attenuated (47.9%) when all of them were ingested at bedtime (p < .001). Additionally, the prevalence of a riser BP pattern, associated with highest CVD risk, was much greater (21.5%) among patients ingesting all medications upon awakening, compared with those ingesting some (15.7%) or all medications at bedtime (10.6%; p < .001 between groups), independent of CKD severity (disease stage). The latter group also showed a significantly higher prevalence of properly controlled ambulatory BP (p < .001) that was achieved by a significantly lower number of hypertension medications (p < .001) compared with patients treated upon awakening. Our findings demonstrate significantly lower asleep SBP and DBP means and attenuated prevalence of a blunted nighttime BP decline, i.e., lower prevalence of markers of CVD risk, in patients with CKD ingesting hypertension medications at bedtime than in those ingesting all of them upon awakening. These collective findings indicate that bedtime hypertension treatment, in conjunction with proper patient evaluation by ABPM to corroborate the diagnosis of hypertension and avoid treatment-induced nocturnal hypotension, should be the preferred therapeutic scheme for CKD.

Treatment-time regimen of hypertension medications significantly affects ambulatory blood pressure and clinical characteristics of patients with resistant hypertension.

PubMed

Hermida, Ramón C; Ríos, María T; Crespo, Juan J; Moyá, Ana; Domínguez-Sardiña, Manuel; Otero, Alfonso; Sánchez, Juan J; Mojón, Artemio; Fernández, José R; Ayala, Diana E

2013-03-01

Patients with resistant hypertension (RH) are at greater risk for stroke, renal insufficiency, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events than are those for whom blood pressure (BP) is responsive to and well controlled by therapeutic interventions. Although all chronotherapy trials have compared the effects on BP regulation of full daily doses of medications when ingested in the morning versus at bedtime, prescription of the same medications in divided doses twice daily (BID) is frequent. Here, we investigated the influence of hypertension treatment-time regimen on the circadian BP pattern, degree of BP control, and relevant clinical and laboratory medicine parameters of RH patients evaluated by 48-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM). This cross-sectional study evaluated 2899 such patients (1701 men/1198 women), 64.2 ± 11.8 (mean ± SD) yrs of age, enrolled in the Hygia Project. Among the participants, 1084 were ingesting all hypertension medications upon awakening (upon-awakening regimen), 1436 patients were ingesting the full daily dose of ≥1 of them at bedtime (bedtime regimen), and 379 were ingesting split doses of ≥1 medications BID upon awakening and at bedtime (BID regimen). Patients of the bedtime regimen compared with the other two treatment-time regimens had lower likelihood of microalbuminuria and chronic kidney disease; significantly lower albumin/creatinine ratio, glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; plus higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. The bedtime regimen was also significantly associated with lower asleep systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP means than the upon-awakening and BID regimens. The sleep-time relative SBP and DBP decline was significantly attenuated by the upon-awakening and BID regimens (p < .001), resulting in significantly higher prevalence of non-dipping in these two treatment-time regimen groups (80.5% and 77.3%, respectively) than in the bedtime regimen (54.4%; p < .001 between groups). Additionally, the prevalence of the riser BP pattern, associated with highest CVD risk, was much greater, 31.0% and 29.8%, respectively, among patients of the upon-awakening and BID-treatment regimens, compared with the bedtime regimen (17.6%; p < .001 between groups). Patients of the bedtime regimen also showed significantly higher prevalence of properly controlled ambulatory BP (p < .001) as a result of a greater proportion of them showing complete control of asleep SBP and DBP means. Our findings demonstrate significantly lower asleep SBP and DBP means and attenuated prevalence of blunted nighttime BP decline, i.e., lower prevalence of CVD risk markers, in RH patients ingesting the full daily dose of ≥1 hypertension medications at bedtime than in those ingesting all of them upon awakening or ≥1 of them as split doses BID. In RH, ingesting the same medications BID neither improves ambulatory BP control nor reduces the prevalence of non-dipping, and cannot be considered chronotherapy. Collectively, findings of this study indicate that a bedtime hypertension medication regimen, in conjunction with proper patient evaluation by ABPM to corroborate the diagnosis of true RH and avoid treatment-induced nocturnal hypotension, should be the therapeutic scheme of choice for patients who, by conventional cuff methods (and in the absence of ABPM) and the morning-treatment regimen, have been mistakenly judged to be resistant to therapy.

30 CFR 250.905 - How do I get approval for the installation, modification, or repair of my platform?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... foundations; drilling, production, and pipeline risers and riser tensioning systems; turrets and turret-and... component design; pile foundations; drilling, production, and pipeline risers and riser tensioning systems... Loads imposed by jacket; decks; production components; drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and...

30 CFR 250.905 - How do I get approval for the installation, modification, or repair of my platform?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... foundations; drilling, production, and pipeline risers and riser tensioning systems; turrets and turret-and... component design; pile foundations; drilling, production, and pipeline risers and riser tensioning systems... Loads imposed by jacket; decks; production components; drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and...

Core disruptive accident margin seal

DOEpatents

Garin, John; Belsick, James C.

1978-01-01

An apparatus for sealing the annulus defined between a substantially cylindrical rotatable first riser assembly and plug combination disposed in a substantially cylindrical second riser assembly and plug combination of a nuclear reactor system. The apparatus comprises a flexible member disposed between the first and second riser components and attached to a metal member which is attached to an actuating mechanism. When the actuating mechanism is not actuated, the flexible member does not contact the riser components thus allowing the free rotation of the riser components. When desired, the actuating mechanism causes the flexible member to contact the first and second riser components in a manner to block the annulus defined between the riser components, thereby sealing the annulus between the riser components.

Vortex-induced vibration of two parallel risers: Experimental test and numerical simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huang, Weiping; Zhou, Yang; Chen, Haiming

2016-04-01

The vortex-induced vibration of two identical rigidly mounted risers in a parallel arrangement was studied using Ansys- CFX and model tests. The vortex shedding and force were recorded to determine the effect of spacing on the two-degree-of-freedom oscillation of the risers. CFX was used to study the single riser and two parallel risers in 2-8 D spacing considering the coupling effect. Because of the limited width of water channel, only three different riser spacings, 2 D, 3 D, and 4 D, were tested to validate the characteristics of the two parallel risers by comparing to the numerical simulation. The results indicate that the lift force changes significantly with the increase in spacing, and in the case of 3 D spacing, the lift force of the two parallel risers reaches the maximum. The vortex shedding of the risers in 3 D spacing shows that a variable velocity field with the same frequency as the vortex shedding is generated in the overlapped area, thus equalizing the period of drag force to that of lift force. It can be concluded that the interaction between the two parallel risers is significant when the risers are brought to a small distance between them because the trajectory of riser changes from oval to curve 8 as the spacing is increased. The phase difference of lift force between the two risers is also different as the spacing changes.

30 CFR 250.910 - Which of my facilities are subject to the Platform Verification Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (each platform must be designed to accommodate all the loads imposed by all risers and riser does not have tensioning systems);(ii) Turrets and... are subject to the Platform Verification Program: (i) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and...

30 CFR 250.910 - Which of my facilities are subject to the Platform Verification Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

..., production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (each platform must be designed to accommodate all the loads imposed by all risers and riser does not have tensioning systems);(ii) Turrets and... are subject to the Platform Verification Program: (i) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and...

30 CFR 250.910 - Which of my facilities are subject to the Platform Verification Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (each platform must be designed to accommodate all the loads imposed by all risers and riser does not have tensioning systems);(ii) Turrets and... are subject to the Platform Verification Program: (i) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and...

30 CFR 250.910 - Which of my facilities are subject to the Platform Verification Program?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (each platform must be designed to accommodate all the loads imposed by all risers and riser does not have tensioning systems);(ii) Turrets and... are subject to the Platform Verification Program: (i) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and...

Dynamic analysis of a circulating fluidized bed riser

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

Panday, Rupen; Shadle, Lawrence J.; Guenther, Chris

2012-01-01

A linear state model is proposed to analyze dynamic behavior of a circulating fluidized bed riser. Different operating regimes were attained with high density polyethylene beads at low and high system inventories. The riser was operated between the classical choking velocity and the upper transport velocity demarcating fast fluidized and transport regimes. At a given riser superficial gas velocity, the aerations fed at the standpipe were modulated resulting in a sinusoidal solids circulation rate that goes into the riser via L-valve. The state model was derived based on the mass balance equation in the riser. It treats the average solidsmore » fraction across the entire riser as a state variable. The total riser pressure drop was modeled using Newton’s second law of motion. The momentum balance equation involves contribution from the weight of solids and the wall friction caused by the solids to the riser pressure drop. The weight of solids utilizes the state variable and hence, the riser inventory could be easily calculated. The modeling problem boils down to estimating two parameters including solids friction coefficient and time constant of the riser. It has been shown that the wall friction force acts in the upward direction in fast fluidized regime which indicates that the solids were moving downwards on the average with respect to the riser wall. In transport regimes, the friction acts in the opposite direction. This behavior was quantified based on a sign of Fanning friction factor in the momentum balance equation. The time constant of the riser appears to be much higher in fast fluidized regime than in transport conditions.« less

Engineering report for simulated riser installation

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

Brevick, C.H., Westinghouse Hanford

1996-05-09

The simulated riser installation field tests demonstrated that new access ports (risers) can be installed safely, quickly, and economically in the concrete domes of existing underground single- shell waste storage tanks by utilizing proven rotary drilling equipment and vacuum excavation techniques. The new riser installation will seal against water intrusion, provide as table riser anchored to the tank dome, and be installed in accordance with ALARA principles. The information contained in the report will apply to actual riser installation activity in the future.

30 CFR 250.524 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... psig during a casing diagnostic test; (c) Any well that has demonstrated tubing/casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing, riser/casing, or riser/riser communication; (d) Any well that has sustained casing... operations described in § 250.521; (e) Any hybrid well with casing or riser pressure exceeding 100 psig; or...

30 CFR 250.525 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... psig during a casing diagnostic test; (c) Any well that has demonstrated tubing/casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing, riser/casing, or riser/riser communication; (d) Any well that has sustained casing... operations described in § 250.521; (e) Any hybrid well with casing or riser pressure exceeding 100 psig; or...

30 CFR 250.525 - When am I required to take action from my casing diagnostic test?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... psig during a casing diagnostic test; (c) Any well that has demonstrated tubing/casing, tubing/riser, casing/casing, riser/casing, or riser/riser communication; (d) Any well that has sustained casing... operations described in § 250.521; (e) Any hybrid well with casing or riser pressure exceeding 100 psig; or...

NASA CPAS Drogue Textile Riser Feasibility Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hennings, Elsa J.; Petersen, Michael L.; Anderson, Brian; Johnson, Brian

2015-01-01

Steel cable was chosen for the lower end of the drogue and main parachute risers on NASA's Orion Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) to protect the risers from extreme temperatures and abrasion should they contact the crew module during deployment, as was done for Apollo. Due to the weight and deployment complexity inherent in steel, there was significant interest in the possibility of substituting textile for steel for the drogue and main parachute risers. However, textile risers could be damaged when subjected to high temperature and abrasion. Investigations were consequently performed by a subset of the authors to determine whether sacrificial, non-load-bearing textile riser covers could be developed to mitigate the thermal and abrasion concerns. Multiple material combinations were tested, resulting in a cover design capable of protecting the riser against severe riser/crew module contact interactions. A feasibility study was then conducted to evaluate the performance of the textile drogue riser cover in relevant abrasive environments. This paper describes the testing performed and documents the results of this feasibility study.

Nonlinear quasi-static analysis of ultra-deep-water top-tension riser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Guanghai; Qiu, Xingqi; Wang, Ke; Liu, Jianjun

2017-09-01

In order to analyse the ultra-deep-water top-tension riser deformation in drilling conditions, a nonlinear quasi-static analysis model and equation are established. The riser in this model is regarded as a simply supported beam located in the vertical plane and is subjected to non-uniform axial and lateral forces. The model and the equation are solved by the finite element method. The effects of riser outside diameter, top tension ratio, sea surface current velocity, drag force coefficient, floating system drift distance and water depth on the riser lateral displacement are discussed. Results show that the riser lateral displacement increase with the increase in the sea surface current velocity, drag force coefficient and water depth, whereas decrease with the increase in the riser outside diameter, top tension ratio. The top tension ratio has an important influence on the riser deformation and it should be set reasonably under different circumstances. The drift of the floating system has a complicated influence on the riser deformation and it should avoid a large drift distance in the proceedings of drilling and production.

CFD Modelling of Particle Mixtures in a 2D CFB

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Seppälä, M.; Kallio, S.

The capability of Fluent 6.2.16 to simulate particle mixtures in a laboratory scale 2D circulating fluidized bed (CFB) unit has been tested. In the simulations, the solids were described as one or two particle phases. The loading ratio of small to large particles, particle diameters and the gas inflow velocity were varied. The 40 cm wide and 3 m high 2D CFB was modeled using a grid with 31080 cells. The outflow of particles at the top of the CFB was monitored and emanated particles were fed back to the riser through a return duct. The paper presents the segregation patterns of the particle phases obtained from the simulations. When the fraction of large particles was 50% or larger, large particles segregated, as expected, to the wall regions and to the bottom part of the riser. However, when the fraction of large particles was 10%, an excess of large particles was found in the upper half of the riser. The explanation for this unexpected phenomenon was found in the distribution of the large particles between the slow clusters and the faster moving lean suspension.

Physical simulation of the response of the Enserch Garden Banks 388 FPF/free standing rigid riser to wind, waves, and current

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

Edwards, R.Y.; Johnson, T.L.; Johnson, R.P.

1995-12-31

This paper describes large scale hydrodynamic model tests of the Enserch Exploration Garden Banks 388 Floating Production Facility (FPF). This unique facility consists of a semi-submersible connected to a template on the sea floor 2,096 feet below the surface through a buoyant, free standing ``rigid`` riser. The top of the riser and its manifold are located well below the surface to minimize the forces exerted on the riser by waves. Numerous flexible conductors connect the semi-submersible to the manifold on the top of the riser. The emphasis of the model test program was to confirm the estimates of: The structuralmore » response of the buoyant, rigid production riser and an adjacent drilling riser; The relative displacements between the semisubmersible and the production riser; The relative displacements between the production riser and drilling riser; and The forces which must be endured by the tensioners and flexible hoses which join the semi-submersible to the production riser. The paper describes the planning and preparation of the model components, the unique aspects of the simulation of the environments and the structural properties of the models, the execution of the experiments and the handling of the large number of measurements necessary to characterize the response of the multi-component system. Finally, the data analysis tools which were employed to provide an understanding of the responses of the system are discussed. 22 figs., 1 tab.« less

Core disruptive accident margin seal

DOEpatents

Garin, John

1978-01-01

An apparatus for sealing the annulus defined between a substantially cylindrical rotatable first riser assembly and plug combination disposed in a substantially cylindrical second riser assembly and plug combination of a nuclear reactor system. The apparatus comprises a flexible metal member having a first side attached to one of the riser components and a second side extending toward the other riser component and an actuating mechanism attached to the flexible metal member while extending to an accessible location. When the actuating mechanism is not activated, the flexible metal member does not contact the other riser component thus allowing the free rotation of the riser assembly and plug combination. When desired, the actuating mechanism causes the second side of the flexible metal member to contact the other riser component thereby sealing the annulus between the components.

A CFD study of gas-solid jet in a CFB riser flow

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

Li, Tingwen; Guenther, Chris

2012-03-01

Three-dimensional high-resolution numerical simulations of a gas–solid jet in a high-density riser flow were conducted. The impact of gas–solid injection on the riser flow hydrodynamics was investigated with respect to voidage, tracer mass fractions, and solids velocity distribution. The behaviors of a gas–solid jet in the riser crossflow were studied through the unsteady numerical simulations. Substantial separation of the jetting gas and solids in the riser crossflow was observed. Mixing of the injected gas and solids with the riser flow was investigated and backmixing of gas and solids was evaluated. In the current numerical study, both the overall hydrodynamics ofmore » riser flow and the characteristics of gas–solid jet were reasonably predicted compared with the experimental measurements made at NETL.« less

Flow Regime Study in a High Density Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser with an Abrupt Exit

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

Mei, J.S.; Shadle, L.J.; Yue, P.C.

2007-01-01

Flow regime study was conducted in a 0.3 m diameter, 15.5 m height circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser with an abrupt exit at the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy. Local particle velocities were measured at various radial positions and riser heights using an optical fiber probe. On-line measurement of solid circulating rate was continuously recorded by the Spiral. Glass beads of mean diameter 61 μm and particle density of 2,500 kg/m3 were used as bed material. The CFB riser was operated at various superficial gas velocities ranging from 3 to 7.6 m/s and solid massmore » flux from 20 to 550 kg/m2-s. At a constant riser gas velocity, transition from fast fluidization to dense suspension upflow (DSU) regime started at the bottom of the riser with increasing solid flux. Except at comparatively low riser gas velocity and solid flux, the apparent solid holdup at the top exit region was higher than the middle section of the riser. The solid fraction at this top region could be much higher than 7% under high riser gas velocity and solid mass flux. The local particle velocity showed downward flow near the wall at the top of the riser due to its abrupt exit. This abrupt geometry reflected the solids and, therefore, caused solid particles traveling downward along the wall. However, at location below, but near, the top of the riser the local particle velocities were observed flowing upward at the wall. Therefore, DSU was identified in the upper region of the riser with an abrupt exit while the fully developed region, lower in the riser, was still exhibiting core-annular flow structure. Our data were compared with the flow regime boundaries proposed by Kim et al. [1] for distinguishing the dilute pneumatic transport, fast fluidization, and DSU.« less

Effects of time-of-day of hypertension treatment on ambulatory blood pressure and clinical characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Moyá, Ana; Crespo, Juan J; Ayala, Diana E; Ríos, María T; Pousa, Lorenzo; Callejas, Pedro A; Salgado, José L; Mojón, Artemio; Fernández, José R; Hermida, Ramón C

2013-03-01

Generally, hypertensive patients ingest all their blood pressure (BP)-lowering agents in the morning. However, many published prospective trials have reported clinically meaningful morning-evening, treatment-time differences in BP-lowering efficacy, duration of action, and safety of most classes of hypertension medications, and it was recently documented that routine ingestion of ≥1 hypertension medications at bedtime, compared with ingestion of all of them upon awakening, significantly reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. Non-dipping (<10% decline in asleep relative to awake BP mean), as determined by ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), is frequent in diabetes and is associated with increased CVD risk. Here, we investigated the influence of hypertension treatment-time regimen on the circadian BP pattern, degree of BP control, and relevant clinical and analytical parameters of hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes evaluated by 48-h ABPM. This cross-sectional study involved 2429 such patients (1465 men/964 women), 65.9 ± 10.6 (mean ± SD) yrs of age, enrolled in the Hygia Project, involving primary care centers of northwest Spain and designed to evaluate prospectively CVD risk by ABPM. Among the participants, 1176 were ingesting all BP-lowering medications upon awakening, whereas 1253 patients were ingesting ≥1 medications at bedtime. Among the latter, 336 patients were ingesting all BP-lowering medications at bedtime, whereas 917 were ingesting the full daily dose of some hypertension medications upon awakening and the full dose of others at bedtime. Those ingesting ≥1 medications at bedtime versus those ingesting all medications upon awakening had lower likelihood of metabolic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD); had significantly lower albumin/creatinine ratio, glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol; and had higher estimated glomerular filtration rate and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Moreover, patients ingesting all medications at bedtime had lowest fasting glucose, serum creatinine, uric acid, and prevalence of proteinuria and CKD. Ingestion of ≥1 medications at bedtime was also significantly associated with lower asleep systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) means than treatment with all medications upon awakening. Sleep-time relative SBP and DBP decline was significantly attenuated in patients ingesting all medications upon awakening (p < .001). Thus, the prevalence of non-dipping was significantly higher when all hypertension medications were ingested upon awakening (68.6%) than when ≥1 of them was ingested at bedtime (55.8%; p < .001 between groups), and even further attenuated (49.7%) when all of them were ingested at bedtime (p < .001). Additionally, prevalence of the riser BP pattern, associated with highest CVD risk, was much greater (23.6%) among patients ingesting all medications upon awakening, compared with those ingesting some (20.0%) or all medications at bedtime (12.2%; p < .001 between groups). The latter group also showed significantly higher prevalence of properly controlled ambulatory BP (p < .001) that was achieved by a significantly lower number of hypertension medications (p < .001) compared with patients treated upon awakening. Our findings demonstrate significantly lower asleep SBP mean and attenuated prevalence of a blunted nighttime BP decline, i.e., lower prevalence of markers of CVD risk, and improved metabolic profile in patients with type 2 diabetes ingesting hypertension medications at bedtime than in those ingesting all of them upon awakening. These collective findings indicate that bedtime hypertension treatment, in conjunction with proper patient evaluation by ABPM to corroborate the diagnosis of hypertension and avoid treatment-induced nocturnal hypotension, should be the preferred therapeutic scheme for type 2 diabetes.

Pulse pressure and nocturnal fall in blood pressure are predictors of vascular, cardiac and renal target organ damage in hypertensive patients (LOD-RISK study).

PubMed

García-Ortiz, Luis; Gómez-Marcos, Manuel A; Martín-Moreiras, Javier; González-Elena, Luis J; Recio-Rodriguez, Jose I; Castaño-Sánchez, Yolanda; Grandes, Gonzalo; Martínez-Salgado, Carlos

2009-08-01

To analyse the relationship between various parameters derived from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and vascular, cardiac and renal target organ damage. A cross-sectional, descriptive study. It included 353 patients with short-term or recently diagnosed hypertension. ABPM, carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), Cornell voltage-duration product (Cornell VDP), glomerular filtration rate and albumin/creatinine ratio to assess vascular, cardiac and renal damage. Two hundred and twenty-three patients (63.2%) were males, aged 56.12+/-11.21 years. The nocturnal fall in blood pressure was 11.33+/-8.41, with a dipper pattern in 49.0% (173), nondipper in 30.3% (107), extreme dipper in 12.7% (45) and riser in 7.9% (28). The IMT was lower in the extreme dipper (0.716+/-0.096 mm) and better in the riser pattern (0.794+/-0.122 mm) (P<0.05). The Cornell VDP and albumin/creatinine ratio were higher in the riser pattern (1818.94+/-1798.63 mm/ms and 140.78+/-366.38 mg/g, respectively) than in the other patterns. In the multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, sex and antihypertensive treatment, with IMT as dependent variable the 24-h pulse pressure (beta = 0.003), with Cornell VDP the rest pulse pressure (beta = 12.04), and with the albumin/creatinine ratio the percentage of nocturnal fall in systolic blood pressure (beta = -3.59), the rest heart rate (beta = 1.83) and the standard deviation of 24-h systolic blood pressure (beta = 5.30) remain within the equation. The estimated pulse pressure with ABPM is a predictor of vascular and cardiac organ damage. The nocturnal fall and the standard deviation in 24-h systolic blood pressure measured with the ABPM is a predictor of renal damage.

System for estimating fatigue damage

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

LeMonds, Jeffrey; Guzzo, Judith Ann; Liu, Shaopeng

In one aspect, a system for estimating fatigue damage in a riser string is provided. The system includes a plurality of accelerometers which can be deployed along a riser string and a communications link to transmit accelerometer data from the plurality of accelerometers to one or more data processors in real time. With data from a limited number of accelerometers located at sensor locations, the system estimates an optimized current profile along the entire length of the riser including riser locations where no accelerometer is present. The optimized current profile is then used to estimate damage rates to individual risermore » components and to update a total accumulated damage to individual riser components. The number of sensor locations is small relative to the length of a deepwater riser string, and a riser string several miles long can be reliably monitored along its entire length by fewer than twenty sensor locations.« less

30 CFR 250.1007 - What to include in applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... line pipe and risers; pressure-regulating devices (including back-pressure regulators); sensing devices... § 250.198), if applicable. (ii) If you propose to use one or more pipeline risers for a tension leg... riser, with calculations, and the fatigue point at which you would replace the riser; (B) The results of...

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

Sterndorff, M.J.; O`Brien, P.

ROLF (Retrievable Offshore Loading Facility) has been proposed as an alternative offshore oil export tanker loading system for the North Sea. The system consists of a flexible riser ascending from the seabed in a lazy wave configuration to the bow of a dynamically positioned tanker. In order to supplant and support the numerical analyses performed to design the system, an extensive model test program was carried out in a 3D offshore basin at scale 1:50. A model riser with properties equivalent to the properties of the oil filled prototype riser installed in seawater was tested in several combinations of wavesmore » and current. During the tests the forces at the bow of the tanker and at the pipeline end manifold were measured together with the motions of the tanker and the riser. The riser motions were measured by means of a video based 3D motion monitoring system. Of special importance was accurate determination of the minimum bending radius for the riser. This was derived based on the measured riser motions. The results of the model tests were compared to numerical analyses by an MCS proprietary riser analysis program.« less

Riser Difference Uncertainty Methodology Based on Tank AY-101 Wall Thickness Measurements with Application to Tank AN-107

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

Weier, Dennis R.; Anderson, Kevin K.; Berman, Herbert S.

2005-03-10

The DST Integrity Plan (RPP-7574, 2003, Double-Shell Tank Integrity Program Plan, Rev. 1A, CH2M HILL Hanford Group, Inc., Richland, Washington.) requires the ultrasonic wall thickness measurement of two vertical scans of the tank primary wall while using a single riser location. The resulting measurements are then used in extreme value methodology to predict the minimum wall thickness expected for the entire tank. The representativeness of using a single riser in this manner to draw conclusions about the entire circumference of a tank has been questioned. The only data available with which to address the representativeness question comes from Tank AY-101more » since only for that tank have multiple risers been used for such inspection. The purpose of this report is to (1) further characterize AY-101 riser differences (relative to prior work); (2) propose a methodology for incorporating a ''riser difference'' uncertainty for subsequent tanks for which only a single riser is used, and (3) specifically apply the methodology to measurements made from a single riser in Tank AN-107.« less

Guided-waves technique for inspecting the health of wall-covered building risers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tse, Peter W.; Chen, J. M.; Wan, X.

2015-03-01

The inspection technique uses guided ultrasonic waves (GW) has been proven effective in detecting pipes' defects. However, as of today, the technique has not attracted much market attention because of insufficient field tests and lack of traceable records with proven results in commercial applications. In this paper, it presents the results obtained by using GW to inspect the defects occurred in real gas risers that are commonly installed in tall buildings. The purpose of having risers is to deliver gas from any building external piping system to each household unit of the building. The risers extend from the external wall of the building, penetrate thorough the concrete wall, into the kitchen or bathroom of each household unit. Similar to in-service pipes, risers are prone to corrosion due to water leaks into the concrete wall. However, the corrosion occurs in the section of riser, which is covered by the concrete wall, is difficult to be inspected by conventional techniques. Hence, GW technique was employed. The effectiveness of GW technique was tested by laboratory and on-site experiments using real risers gathered from tall buildings. The experimental results show that GW can partially penetrate thorough the riser's section that is covered by wall. The integrity of the wall-covered section of a riser can be determined by the reflected wave signals generated by the corroded area that may exit inside the wall-covered section. Based on the reflected wave signal, one can determine the health of the wall-covered riser.

Acoustic and Perceptual Measures of SATB Choir Performances on Two Types of Portable Choral Riser Units in Three Singer-Spacing Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daugherty, James F.; Manternach, Jeremy N.; Brunkan, Melissa C.

2013-01-01

Under controlled conditions, we assessed acoustically (long-term average spectra) and perceptually (singer survey, listener survey) six performances of an soprano, alto, tenor, and bass (SATB) choir ("N" = 27) as it sang the same musical excerpt on two portable riser units (standard riser step height, taller riser step height) with…

Schools of Authentic and Inclusive Learning. Research Institute on Secondary Education Reform (RISER) for Youth with Disabilities Brief.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hanley-Maxwell, Cheryl; Phelps, L. Allen; Braden, Jeff; Warren, Valli

This brief provides an overview of the foundation and framework for the Research Institute on Secondary Education Reform (RISER) for Youth with Disabilities. RISER focuses on secondary schools engaged in reform efforts that include students with disabilities and seeks to identify restructuring practices that benefit all students. RISERs goal is to…

Composite risers for deep-water offshore technology: Problems and prospects. 1. Metal-composite riser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beyle, A. I.; Gustafson, C. G.; Kulakov, V. L.; Tarnopol'skii, Yu. M.

1997-09-01

Prospects for the application of advanced composites in the offshore technology of oil production are considered. The use of composites in vertical pipelines-risers seems to be the most efficient. The operating loads are studied and the attendant problems are formulated. A comparative analysis of the characteristics of metal, composite, and metal-composite deep-water risers is presented. A technique is developed for designing multilayered risers, taking into account the action of internal and external pressures, gravity, and the axial tensile force created by tensioners, as well as the residual technological stresses due to the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion, physical-chemical shrinkage, and force winding. Numerical estimations are given for a two-layered riser with an inner metal layer of steel, titanium, or aluminum alloys and a composite layer of glass- or carbon-fiber plastics formed by circumferential winding. It is shown that the technological stresses substantially affect the characteristics of the riser.

Jet penetration into a riser operated in dense suspension upflow: experimental and model comparisons

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

Shadle, L.J.; Ludlow, C.J.; Spenik, J.L.

2008-05-13

Solids tracers were used to characterize the penetration of a gas-solids jet directed toward the center of the 0.3-m diameter, circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser. The penetration was measured by tracking phosphorescent particles illuminated immediately prior to injection into the riser. Photosensors and piezoelectric detectors were traversed across the radius of the riser at various axial positions to detect the phosphorescent jet material and particles traveling in the radial direction. Local particle velocities were measured at various radial positions, riser heights, and azimuthal angles using an optical fiber probe. Four (4) variables were tested including the jet velocity, solids feedmore » rate into the jet, the riser velocity, and overall CFB circulation rate over 8 distinct test cases with the central, or base case, repeated each time the test series was conducted. In addition to the experimental measurements made, the entire riser with a side feed jet of solids was simulated using the Eulerian-Eulerian computer model MFIX.« less

Vortex-induced vibration (VIV) effects of a drilling riser due to vessel motion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joseph, R. S.; Wang, J.; Ong, M. C.; Jakobsen, J. B.

2017-12-01

A marine riser undergoes oscillatory motion in water due to the vessel motions, known as global dynamic response. This to-and-fro motion of the riser will generate an equivalent flow that can cause Vortex-Induced Vibrations (VIVs), even in the absence of the ocean current. In the present work, full-scale measurement data of a drilling riser operating in the Gulf of Mexico are analysed. The VIV occurrences for the riser are identified from the data and the possible excitation sources are discussed. The oscillatory flow due to vessel motion is compared with the ocean current and its possibility to excite VIV is analysed. The full-scale data analysis provides an insight into the vessel motion-induced VIV of marine risers in the actual field environment.

OTEC riser cable system, Phase II: conceptual design

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

Not Available

1980-10-01

Studies are summarized of conceptual designs of riser cable systems for OTEC pilot plants of both the spar and plantship configurations located at sites off the southeast coast of Puerto Rico. The studies utilize a baseline pilot plant riser cable, the design of which has been developed and reported on in other reports. Baseline riser cable systems for OTEC pilot plants are identified, system hardware consistent with these designs are conceptualized, and comparisons of the various system concepts are provided. It is concluded that there are three riser cable systems feasible for a spar pilot plant platform at the Puntamore » Yeguas site, and two riser cable systems feasible at the plantship pilot plant at the Punta Tuna site. Recommendations for further investigations in the areas of materials, hardware design and pre-installation site surveys are also addressed.« less

Dynamic response of a riser under excitation of internal waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lou, Min; Yu, Chenglong; Chen, Peng

2015-12-01

In this paper, the dynamic response of a marine riser under excitation of internal waves is studied. With the linear approximation, the governing equation of internal waves is given. Based on the rigid-lid boundary condition assumption, the equation is solved by Thompson-Haskell method. Thus the velocity field of internal waves is obtained by the continuity equation. Combined with the modified Morison formula, using finite element method, the motion equation of riser is solved in time domain with Newmark-β method. The computation programs are compiled to solve the differential equations in time domain. Then we get the numerical results, including riser displacement and transfiguration. It is observed that the internal wave will result in circular shear flow, and the first two modes have a dominant effect on dynamic response of the marine riser. In the high mode, the response diminishes rapidly. In different modes of internal waves, the deformation of riser has different shapes, and the location of maximum displacement shifts. Studies on wave parameters indicate that the wave amplitude plays a considerable role in response displacement of riser, while the wave frequency contributes little. Nevertheless, the internal waves of high wave frequency will lead to a high-frequency oscillation of riser; it possibly gives rise to fatigue crack extension and partial fatigue failure.

Garden Banks 388 deepwater production riser structural and environmental monitoring system

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

Thrall, D.E.; Pokladnik, R.L.

1995-12-01

A deepwater production riser, to be installed in 1995 in Garden Banks 388 in the Gulf of Mexico, has been instrumented with bonded resistance strain gages so that the remaining operational fatigue life can be quantified. The riser supports flowlines from subsea oil and gas wells to a floating combination drilling/production vessel, and thus is fixed at its lower end and free to move at its upper terminus. The distribution of bending stresses throughout the riser, which is attached to a template at 2,096 foot depth and extends to within 150 feet of the surface, reaches a maximum at themore » bottom. The riser is instrumented with strain gages, inclinometers, and accelerometers at five locations along its length so that tension, bending, orientation, and motion of the riser can be monitored at these locations, including the bottom joint. Correlation of the riser response data with the excitation or environmental data, including wave motion, current velocities, wind velocities, and vessel mooring tensions and positions is enhanced by acquiring and archiving all data on a single common system having multiple redundant elements for reliability. This paper describes the production riser structural and environmental monitoring system used on the Garden Banks 388 project.« less

46 CFR 151.50-5 - Cargoes having toxic properties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... vent riser shall extend at least 12 feet above the highest level accessible to personnel. The vent riser may be collapsible for ease of stowage when not in use. Vapor return lines or vent risers for...

30 CFR 250.917 - What are the CVA's primary duties during the fabrication phase?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... overall structure, including any turrets, turret-and-hull interfaces, any mooring line and chain and riser... must also consider: (i) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (at...

46 CFR 151.50-5 - Cargoes having toxic properties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... vent riser shall extend at least 12 feet above the highest level accessible to personnel. The vent riser may be collapsible for ease of stowage when not in use. Vapor return lines or vent risers for...

30 CFR 250.917 - What are the CVA's primary duties during the fabrication phase?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... turrets, turret-and-hull interfaces, any mooring line and chain and riser tensioning line segments; and...) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (at least for the initial...

46 CFR 151.50-5 - Cargoes having toxic properties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... vent riser shall extend at least 12 feet above the highest level accessible to personnel. The vent riser may be collapsible for ease of stowage when not in use. Vapor return lines or vent risers for...

46 CFR 151.50-5 - Cargoes having toxic properties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... vent riser shall extend at least 12 feet above the highest level accessible to personnel. The vent riser may be collapsible for ease of stowage when not in use. Vapor return lines or vent risers for...

30 CFR 250.917 - What are the CVA's primary duties during the fabrication phase?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... turrets, turret-and-hull interfaces, any mooring line and chain and riser tensioning line segments; and...) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (at least for the initial...

46 CFR 151.50-5 - Cargoes having toxic properties.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... vent riser shall extend at least 12 feet above the highest level accessible to personnel. The vent riser may be collapsible for ease of stowage when not in use. Vapor return lines or vent risers for...

30 CFR 250.917 - What are the CVA's primary duties during the fabrication phase?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... turrets, turret-and-hull interfaces, any mooring line and chain and riser tensioning line segments; and...) Drilling, production, and pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems (at least for the initial...

A biomechanical evaluation of staircase riser heights and tread depths during stair-climbing.

PubMed

Mital, A; Fard, H F; Khaledi, H

1987-08-01

Several different staircase riser heights and tread depths were investigated in order to determine riser height and tread depth that minimized moments acting at the ankle, knee, and hipjoints while walking upstairs. The results indicated that joint moments were minimized when the riser height was 102 mm. For the tread depth, least moments were obtained when the depth was 305 mm. Copyright © 1987. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of isolated-office and true resistant hypertension determined by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

PubMed

Ríos, María T; Domínguez-Sardiña, Manuel; Ayala, Diana E; Gomara, Sonia; Sineiro, Elvira; Pousa, Lorenzo; Callejas, Pedro A; Fontao, María J; Fernández, José R; Hermida, Ramón C

2013-03-01

Hypertension is defined as resistant to treatment when a therapeutic plan including ≥3 hypertension medications failed to sufficiently lower systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures (BPs). Most individuals, including those under hypertension therapy, show a "white-coat" effect that could cause an overestimation of their real BP. The prevalence and clinical characteristics of "white-coat" or isolated-office resistant hypertension (RH) has always been evaluated by comparing clinic BP values with either daytime home BP measurements or the awake BP mean obtained from ambulatory monitoring (ABPM), therefore including patients with either normal or elevated asleep BP mean. Here, we investigated the impact of including asleep BP mean as a requirement for the definition of hypertension on the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and estimated cardiovascular (CVD) risk of isolated-office RH. This cross-sectional study evaluated 3042 patients treated with ≥3 hypertension medications and evaluated by 48-h ABPM (1707 men/1335 women), 64.2 ± 11.6 (mean ± SD) yrs of age, enrolled in the Hygia Project. Among the participants, 522 (17.2%) had true isolated-office RH (elevated clinic BP and controlled awake and asleep ambulatory BPs while treated with 3 hypertension medications), 260 (8.6%) had false isolated-office RH (elevated clinic BP, controlled awake SBP/DBP means, but elevated asleep SBP or DBP mean while treated with 3 hypertension medications), and the remaining 2260 (74.3%) had true RH (elevated awake or asleep SBP/DBP means while treated with 3 medications, or any patient treated with ≥4 medications). Patients with false, relative to those with true, isolated-office RH had higher prevalence of microalbuminuria and chronic kidney disease (CKD), significantly higher albumin/creatinine ratio (p < .001), significantly higher 48-h SBP/DBP means by 9.6/5.3 mm Hg (p < .001), significantly lower sleep-time relative SBP and DBP decline (p < .001), and significantly greater prevalence of a non-dipper BP profile (96.9% vs. 38.9%; p < .001). Additionally, the prevalence of the riser BP pattern, which is associated with highest CVD risk, was much greater, 40.4% vs. 5.0% (p < .001), among patients with false isolated-office RH. The estimated hazard ratio of CVD events, using a fully adjusted model including the significant confounding variables of sex, age, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, asleep SBP mean, and sleep-time relative SBP decline, was significantly greater for patients with false compared with those with true isolated-office RH (2.13 [95% confidence interval: 1.95-2.32]; p < .001). Patients with false isolated-office hypertension and true RH, however, were equivalent for the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, microalbuminuria, and chronic kidney disease, and they had an equivalent estimated hazard ratio of CVD events (1.04 [95% confidence interval: .97-1.12]; p = .265). Our findings document a significantly elevated prevalence of a blunted nighttime BP decline in patients here categorized as either false isolated-office RH and true RH, jointly accounting for 82.8% of the studied sample. Previous reports of much lower prevalence of true RH plus a nonsignificant increased CVD risk of this condition compared with isolated-office RH are misleading by disregarding asleep BP mean for classification. Our results further indicate that classification of RH patients into categories of isolated-office RH, masked RH, and true RH cannot be based on the comparison of clinic BP with either daytime home BP measurements or awake BP mean from ABPM, as so far customary in the available literature, totally disregarding the highly significant prognostic value of nighttime BP. Accordingly, ABPM should be regarded as a clinical requirement for proper diagnosis of true RH.

The effect of riser end geometry on gas-solid hydrodynamics in a CFB riser operating in the core annular and dilute homogeneous flow regimes

DOE PAGES

Breault, Ronald W.; Monazam, Esmail R.; Shadle, Lawrence J.; ...

2017-02-12

Riser hydrodynamics are a function of the flow rates of gas and solids as well as the exit geometry, particularly when operated above the upper transport velocity. This work compares the exit voidage for multiple geometries and two different solids: Geldart group A glass beads and Geldart group B coke. Geometries were changed by modifying the volume of an abrupt T-shaped exit above the lateral riser exit. This was accomplished by positioning a plunger at various heights above the exit from zero to 0.38 m. A dimensionless expression used to predict smooth exit voidage was modified to account for themore » effect of the depth of the blind-T. The new correlation contains the solids-gas load ratio, solids-to-gas density ratio, bed-to-particle diameter ratio, gas Reynolds Number, as well as a term for the exit geometry. This study also found that there was a minimum riser roof height above the blind-T exit beyond which the riser exit voidage was not affected by the exit geometry. A correlation for this minimum riser roof height has also been developed in this study. This study covered riser superficial gas velocities of 4.35 to 7.7 m/s and solids circulation rates of 1.3 to 11.5 kg/s.« less

Vector form Intrinsic Finite Element Method for the Two-Dimensional Analysis of Marine Risers with Large Deformations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xiaomin; Guo, Xueli; Guo, Haiyan

2018-06-01

Robust numerical models that describe the complex behaviors of risers are needed because these constitute dynamically sensitive systems. This paper presents a simple and efficient algorithm for the nonlinear static and dynamic analyses of marine risers. The proposed approach uses the vector form intrinsic finite element (VFIFE) method, which is based on vector mechanics theory and numerical calculation. In this method, the risers are described by a set of particles directly governed by Newton's second law and are connected by weightless elements that can only resist internal forces. The method does not require the integration of the stiffness matrix, nor does it need iterations to solve the governing equations. Due to these advantages, the method can easily increase or decrease the element and change the boundary conditions, thus representing an innovative concept of solving nonlinear behaviors, such as large deformation and large displacement. To prove the feasibility of the VFIFE method in the analysis of the risers, rigid and flexible risers belonging to two different categories of marine risers, which usually have differences in modeling and solving methods, are employed in the present study. In the analysis, the plane beam element is adopted in the simulation of interaction forces between the particles and the axial force, shear force, and bending moment are also considered. The results are compared with the conventional finite element method (FEM) and those reported in the related literature. The findings revealed that both the rigid and flexible risers could be modeled in a similar unified analysis model and that the VFIFE method is feasible for solving problems related to the complex behaviors of marine risers.

Study and Test of a New Bundle-Structure Riser Stress Monitoring Sensor Based on FBG.

PubMed

Xu, Jian; Yang, Dexing; Qin, Chuan; Jiang, Yajun; Sheng, Leixiang; Jia, Xiangyun; Bai, Yang; Shen, Xiaohong; Wang, Haiyan; Deng, Xin; Xu, Liangbin; Jiang, Shiquan

2015-11-24

To meet the requirements of riser safety monitoring in offshore oil fields, a new Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)-based bundle-structure riser stress monitoring sensor has been developed. In cooperation with many departments, a 49-day marine test in water depths of 1365 m and 1252 m was completed on the "HYSY-981" ocean oil drilling platform. No welding and pasting were used when the sensor was installed on risers. Therefore, the installation is convenient, reliable and harmless to risers. The continuous, reasonable, time-consistent data obtained indicates that the sensor worked normally under water. In all detailed working conditions, the test results show that the sensor can do well in reflecting stresses and bending moments both in and in magnitude. The measured maximum stress is 132.7 MPa, which is below the allowable stress. In drilling and testing conditions, the average riser stress was 86.6 MPa, which is within the range of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) mechanical simulation results.

Study and Test of a New Bundle-Structure Riser Stress Monitoring Sensor Based on FBG

PubMed Central

Xu, Jian; Yang, Dexing; Qin, Chuan; Jiang, Yajun; Sheng, Leixiang; Jia, Xiangyun; Bai, Yang; Shen, Xiaohong; Wang, Haiyan; Deng, Xin; Xu, Liangbin; Jiang, Shiquan

2015-01-01

To meet the requirements of riser safety monitoring in offshore oil fields, a new Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)-based bundle-structure riser stress monitoring sensor has been developed. In cooperation with many departments, a 49-day marine test in water depths of 1365 m and 1252 m was completed on the “HYSY-981” ocean oil drilling platform. No welding and pasting were used when the sensor was installed on risers. Therefore, the installation is convenient, reliable and harmless to risers. The continuous, reasonable, time-consistent data obtained indicates that the sensor worked normally under water. In all detailed working conditions, the test results show that the sensor can do well in reflecting stresses and bending moments both in and in magnitude. The measured maximum stress is 132.7 MPa, which is below the allowable stress. In drilling and testing conditions, the average riser stress was 86.6 MPa, which is within the range of the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) mechanical simulation results. PMID:26610517

30 CFR 250.1007 - What to include in applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... and risers; pressure-regulating devices (including back-pressure regulators); sensing devices with.... (ii) If you propose to use one or more pipeline risers for a tension leg platform or other floating platform, your application must include: (A) The design fatigue life of the riser, with calculations, and...

30 CFR 250.1007 - What to include in applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... and risers; pressure-regulating devices (including back-pressure regulators); sensing devices with.... (ii) If you propose to use one or more pipeline risers for a tension leg platform or other floating platform, your application must include: (A) The design fatigue life of the riser, with calculations, and...

29 CFR 1926.1052 - Stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...° from horizontal. (3) Riser height and tread depth shall be uniform within each flight of stairs, including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs. Variations in riser height or... having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped...

30 CFR 250.1007 - What to include in applications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... and risers; pressure-regulating devices (including back-pressure regulators); sensing devices with.... (ii) If you propose to use one or more pipeline risers for a tension leg platform or other floating platform, your application must include: (A) The design fatigue life of the riser, with calculations, and...

29 CFR 1926.1052 - Stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...° from horizontal. (3) Riser height and tread depth shall be uniform within each flight of stairs, including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs. Variations in riser height or... having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped...

29 CFR 1926.1052 - Stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...° from horizontal. (3) Riser height and tread depth shall be uniform within each flight of stairs, including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs. Variations in riser height or... having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped...

29 CFR 1926.1052 - Stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...° from horizontal. (3) Riser height and tread depth shall be uniform within each flight of stairs, including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs. Variations in riser height or... having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped...

29 CFR 1926.1052 - Stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...° from horizontal. (3) Riser height and tread depth shall be uniform within each flight of stairs, including any foundation structure used as one or more treads of the stairs. Variations in riser height or... having four or more risers or rising more than 30 inches (76 cm), whichever is less, shall be equipped...

Investigation of the motion processes of wastewater in sewerage of high-rise buildings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pomogaeva, Valentina; Metechko, Lyudmila; Prokofiev, Dmitry; Narezhnaya, Tamara

2018-03-01

When designing, constructing and operating sewage pipelines in high-rise buildings, issues of failure-free operation of a network arise. Investigation of the processes of wastewater moving allows identifying problem areas during operation, assessing the possibility of obstructions and breakdowns of plumbing traps on the gravity drainage sections of the pipeline. The article performs the schemes of the water outflow from the floor sewer into the riser, including the places where the riser is bent, of air delivery to the working riser under the change of the direction of drain movement with the dropout line set-up, with the installation of an automatic anti-vacuum valve, with the installation of the ventilation pipeline. Investigations of the process of sewage waste flow in a sewage riser were carried out, in order to select the appropriate structure. The authors consider structure features of some sections of sewerage in high-rise buildings. The exhaustion value in the riser is determined from the rarefactions that occur below the compressed cross-section of the riser and the loss of the air flow pressure coming from the atmosphere into the riser during the deflooding of the liquid. Preventing the formation of obstructions and breakdowns of plumbing traps is an integral part of sewage networks.

46 CFR 116.438 - Stairtowers, stairways, ladders, and elevators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... landings of all stairways shall be composed of steel, and risers must be of approved incombustible material... of riser of stairs in different flights of stairs in a stairway or stairtower must be minimized. In... riser shall not have a variance exceeding 5 millimeters (0.19685 inches). (h) In a stairway or...

30 CFR 250.516 - Blowout preventer system tests, inspections, and maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... inspection, whichever is longer. (2) You must visually inspect your BOP system and marine riser at least once.... The District Manager may approve alternate methods and frequencies to inspect a marine riser. (h) BOP... drills, and inspections of the BOP system, system components, and marine riser in the driller's report...

46 CFR 116.438 - Stairtowers, stairways, ladders, and elevators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... landings of all stairways shall be composed of steel, and risers must be of approved incombustible material... of riser of stairs in different flights of stairs in a stairway or stairtower must be minimized. In... riser shall not have a variance exceeding 5 millimeters (0.19685 inches). (h) In a stairway or...

30 CFR 250.517 - Blowout preventer system tests, inspections, and maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... on a daily basis. You must visually inspect your subsea BOP system and marine riser at least once... equipment. The BSEE District Manager may approve alternate methods and frequencies to inspect a marine riser..., actuations, crew drills, and inspections of the BOP system, system components, and marine riser in the...

30 CFR 250.517 - Blowout preventer system tests, inspections, and maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... on a daily basis. You must visually inspect your subsea BOP system and marine riser at least once... equipment. The BSEE District Manager may approve alternate methods and frequencies to inspect a marine riser..., actuations, crew drills, and inspections of the BOP system, system components, and marine riser in the...

46 CFR 116.438 - Stairtowers, stairways, ladders, and elevators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... landings of all stairways shall be composed of steel, and risers must be of approved incombustible material... of riser of stairs in different flights of stairs in a stairway or stairtower must be minimized. In... riser shall not have a variance exceeding 5 millimeters (0.19685 inches). (h) In a stairway or...

46 CFR 116.438 - Stairtowers, stairways, ladders, and elevators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... landings of all stairways shall be composed of steel, and risers must be of approved incombustible material... of riser of stairs in different flights of stairs in a stairway or stairtower must be minimized. In... riser shall not have a variance exceeding 5 millimeters (0.19685 inches). (h) In a stairway or...

Flow Regime Study in a Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser with an Abrupt Exit: [1] High Density Suspension

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

Mei, J.S.; Lee, G.T.; Seachman, S.M.

2008-05-13

Flow regime study was conducted in a 0.3 m diameter, 15.5 m tall circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser with an abrupt exit at the National Energy Technology Laboratory of the U. S. Department of Energy. A statistical designed test series was conducted including four (4) operating set points and a duplicated center point (therefore a total of 6 operating set points). Glass beads of mean diameter 200 μm and particle density of 2,430 kg/m3 were used as bed material. The CFB riser was operated at various superficial gas velocities ranging from 5.6 to 7.6 m/s and solid mass flux frommore » a low of 86 to a high of 303 kg/m2-s. Results of the apparent solids fraction profile as well as the radial particle velocity profile were analyzed in order to identify the presence of Dense Suspension Upflow (DSU) conditions. DSU regime was found to exist at the bottom of the riser, while the middle section of the riser was still exhibiting core-annular flow structure. Due to the abrupt geometry of the exit, the DSU regime was also found at the top of the riser. In addition the effects of the azimuthal angle, riser gas velocity, and mass solids flux on the particle velocity were investigated and are discussed in this paper.« less

30 CFR 250.1002 - Design requirements for DOI pipelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... of 0.72 for the submerged component and 0.60 for the riser component. E = Longitudinal joint factor... incorporated by reference in 30 CFR 250.198. (5) You must design pipeline risers for tension leg platforms and other floating platforms according to the design standards of API RP 2RD, Design of Risers for Floating...

30 CFR 250.1002 - Design requirements for DOI pipelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... of 0.72 for the submerged component and 0.60 for the riser component. E = Longitudinal joint factor... incorporated by reference in 30 CFR 250.198. (5) You must design pipeline risers for tension leg platforms and other floating platforms according to the design standards of API RP 2RD, Design of Risers for Floating...

46 CFR 72.05-20 - Stairways, ladders, and elevators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... landings of all Types 1, 2, and 3 stairways shall be of solid steel construction. Risers shall be of... width of the stairs, the depth of the tread, or the height of the risers in any flight. Where variation in height of riser or depth of tread in different flights is necessary, such variations shall be...

29 CFR 1917.120 - Fixed stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... be positioned within the range of 30 degrees to 50 degrees to the horizontal with uniform riser.... Riser height shall be from 6 to 7.5 inches (15.24 to 19.05 cm), stair width a minimum of 22 inches (55... stairs having four or more risers shall have stair railings or handrails complying with § 1917.112(c)(1...

30 CFR 250.1002 - Design requirements for DOI pipelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... of 0.72 for the submerged component and 0.60 for the riser component. E = Longitudinal joint factor... incorporated by reference in 30 CFR 250.198. (5) You must design pipeline risers for tension leg platforms and other floating platforms according to the design standards of API RP 2RD, Design of Risers for Floating...

46 CFR 72.05-20 - Stairways, ladders, and elevators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... landings of all Types 1, 2, and 3 stairways shall be of solid steel construction. Risers shall be of... width of the stairs, the depth of the tread, or the height of the risers in any flight. Where variation in height of riser or depth of tread in different flights is necessary, such variations shall be...

29 CFR 1917.120 - Fixed stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... be positioned within the range of 30 degrees to 50 degrees to the horizontal with uniform riser.... Riser height shall be from 6 to 7.5 inches (15.24 to 19.05 cm), stair width a minimum of 22 inches (55... stairs having four or more risers shall have stair railings or handrails complying with § 1917.112(c)(1...

46 CFR 72.05-20 - Stairways, ladders, and elevators.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... landings of all Types 1, 2, and 3 stairways shall be of solid steel construction. Risers shall be of... width of the stairs, the depth of the tread, or the height of the risers in any flight. Where variation in height of riser or depth of tread in different flights is necessary, such variations shall be...

29 CFR 1917.120 - Fixed stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... be positioned within the range of 30 degrees to 50 degrees to the horizontal with uniform riser.... Riser height shall be from 6 to 7.5 inches (15.24 to 19.05 cm), stair width a minimum of 22 inches (55... stairs having four or more risers shall have stair railings or handrails complying with § 1917.112(c)(1...

29 CFR 1917.120 - Fixed stairways.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... be positioned within the range of 30 degrees to 50 degrees to the horizontal with uniform riser.... Riser height shall be from 6 to 7.5 inches (15.24 to 19.05 cm), stair width a minimum of 22 inches (55... stairs having four or more risers shall have stair railings or handrails complying with § 1917.112(c)(1...

30 CFR 250.516 - Blowout preventer system tests, inspections, and maintenance.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... marine riser at least once each day if weather and sea conditions permit. You may use television cameras... inspect a marine riser. (h) BOP maintenance. You must maintain your BOP system to ensure that the... components, and marine riser in the driller's report. In addition, you must: (1) Record BOP test pressures on...

29 CFR 1910.23 - Guarding floor and wall openings and holes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) Stairway railings and guards. (1) Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with... than 30 inches from upper surface of top rail to surface of tread in line with face of riser at forward... face of riser or to surface of ramp. (iii) The size of handrails shall be: When of hardwood, at least 2...

29 CFR 1910.23 - Guarding floor and wall openings and holes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) Stairway railings and guards. (1) Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with... than 30 inches from upper surface of top rail to surface of tread in line with face of riser at forward... face of riser or to surface of ramp. (iii) The size of handrails shall be: When of hardwood, at least 2...

29 CFR 1910.23 - Guarding floor and wall openings and holes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

...) Stairway railings and guards. (1) Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with... than 30 inches from upper surface of top rail to surface of tread in line with face of riser at forward... face of riser or to surface of ramp. (iii) The size of handrails shall be: When of hardwood, at least 2...

29 CFR 1910.23 - Guarding floor and wall openings and holes.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

...) Stairway railings and guards. (1) Every flight of stairs having four or more risers shall be equipped with... than 30 inches from upper surface of top rail to surface of tread in line with face of riser at forward... face of riser or to surface of ramp. (iii) The size of handrails shall be: When of hardwood, at least 2...

Moving from Science to Service: Transposing and Sustaining the Early Risers Prevention Program in a Community Service System

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bloomquist, Michael L.; August, Gerald J.; Horowitz, Jason L.; Lee, Susanne S.; Jensen, Cheryl

2008-01-01

This paper summarizes an effort to transpose and sustain the evidence-based Early Risers "Skills for Success" conduct problems prevention program in a real world community service system. The Early Risers program had previously been implemented by a local agency within the context of research-based operations. In the current initiative,…

Damage localization of marine risers using time series of vibration signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Hao; Yang, Hezhen; Liu, Fushun

2014-10-01

Based on dynamic response signals a damage detection algorithm is developed for marine risers. Damage detection methods based on numerous modal properties have encountered issues in the researches in offshore oil community. For example, significant increase in structure mass due to marine plant/animal growth and changes in modal properties by equipment noise are not the result of damage for riser structures. In an attempt to eliminate the need to determine modal parameters, a data-based method is developed. The implementation of the method requires that vibration data are first standardized to remove the influence of different loading conditions and the autoregressive moving average (ARMA) model is used to fit vibration response signals. In addition, a damage feature factor is introduced based on the autoregressive (AR) parameters. After that, the Euclidean distance between ARMA models is subtracted as a damage indicator for damage detection and localization and a top tensioned riser simulation model with different damage scenarios is analyzed using the proposed method with dynamic acceleration responses of a marine riser as sensor data. Finally, the influence of measured noise is analyzed. According to the damage localization results, the proposed method provides accurate damage locations of risers and is robust to overcome noise effect.

Riser Feeding Evaluation Method for Metal Castings Using Numerical Analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Nadiah

One of the design aspects that continues to create a challenge for casting designers is the optimum design of casting feeders (risers). As liquid metal solidifies, the metal shrinks and forms cavities inside the casting. In order to avoid shrinkage cavities, risers are added to the casting shape to supply additional molten metal when shrinkage occurs during solidification. The shrinkage cavities in the casting are compensated by controlling the cooling rate to promote directional solidification. This control can be achieved by designing the casting such that the cooling begins at the sections that are farthest away from the risers and ends at the risers. Therefore, the risers will solidify last and feed the casting with the molten metal. As a result, the shrinkage cavities formed during solidification are in the risers which are later removed from the casting. Since casting designers have to usually go through iterative processes of validating the casting designs which are very costly due to expensive simulation processes or manual trials and errors on actual casting processes, this study investigates more efficient methods that will help casting designers utilize their casting experiences systematically to develop good initial casting designs. The objective is to reduce the casting design method iterations; therefore, reducing the cost involved in that design processes. The aim of this research aims at finding a method that can help casting designers design effective risers used in sand casting process of aluminum-silicon alloys by utilizing the analysis of solidification simulation. The analysis focuses on studying the significance of pressure distribution of the liquid metal at the early stage of casting solidification, when heat transfer and convective fluid flow are taken into account in the solidification simulation. The mathematical model of casting solidification was solved using the finite volume method (FVM). This study focuses to improve our understanding of the feeding behavior in aluminum-silicon alloys and the effective feeding by considering the pressure gradient distribution of the molten metal at casting dendrite coherency point. For this study, we will identify the relationship between feeding efficiency, shrinkage behavior and how the change in riser size affects the pressure gradient in the casting. This understanding will be used to help in the design of effective risers.

A Western dietary pattern is associated with higher blood pressure in Iranian adolescents.

PubMed

Hojhabrimanesh, Abdollah; Akhlaghi, Masoumeh; Rahmani, Elham; Amanat, Sasan; Atefi, Masoumeh; Najafi, Maryam; Hashemzadeh, Maral; Salehi, Saedeh; Faghih, Shiva

2017-02-01

The dietary determinants of adolescent blood pressure (BP) are not well understood. We determined the association between major dietary patterns and BP in a sample of Iranian adolescents. This cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample (n = 557) of Shirazi adolescents aged 12-19 years. Participants' systolic and diastolic BP was measured using a validated oscillometric BP monitor. Usual dietary intakes during the past 12 months were assessed using a valid and reproducible 168-item semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Principal component factor analysis was used to identify major dietary patterns based on a set of 25 predefined food groups. Overall, three major dietary patterns were identified, among which only the Western pattern (abundant in soft drinks, sweets and desserts, salt, mayonnaise, tea and coffee, salty snacks, high-fat dairy products, French fries, and red or processed meats) had a significant association with BP. After adjusting for potential confounders in the analysis of covariance models, multivariable adjusted means of the systolic and mean BP of subjects in the highest tertile of the Western pattern score were significantly higher than those in the lowest tertile (for systolic BP: mean difference 6.9 mmHg, P = 0.001; and for mean BP: mean difference 4.2 mmHg, P = 0.003). A similar but statistically insignificant difference was observed in terms of diastolic BP. The findings suggest that a Western dietary pattern is associated with higher BP in Iranian adolescents. However, additional large-scale prospective studies with adequate methodological quality are required to confirm these findings.

Refining fault slip rates using multiple displaced terrace risers-An example from the Honey Lake fault, NE California, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gold, Ryan D.; Briggs, Richard W.; Crone, Anthony J.; DuRoss, Christopher B.

2017-11-01

Faulted terrace risers are semi-planar features commonly used to constrain Quaternary slip rates along strike-slip faults. These landforms are difficult to date directly and therefore their ages are commonly bracketed by age estimates of the adjacent upper and lower terrace surfaces. However, substantial differences in the ages of the upper and lower terrace surfaces (a factor of 2.4 difference observed globally) produce large uncertainties in the slip-rate estimate. In this investigation, we explore how the full range of displacements and bounding ages from multiple faulted terrace risers can be combined to yield a more accurate fault slip rate. We use 0.25-m cell size digital terrain models derived from airborne lidar data to analyze three sites where terrace risers are offset right-laterally by the Honey Lake fault in NE California, USA. We use ages for locally extensive subhorizontal surfaces to bracket the time of riser formation: an upper surface is the bed of abandoned Lake Lahontan having an age of 15.8 ± 0.6 ka and a lower surface is a fluvial terrace abandoned at 4.7 ± 0.1 ka. We estimate lateral offsets of the risers ranging between 6.6 and 28.3 m (median values), a greater than fourfold difference in values. The amount of offset corresponds to the riser's position relative to modern stream meanders: the smallest offset is in a meander cutbank position, whereas the larger offsets are in straight channel or meander point-bar positions. Taken in isolation, the individual terrace-riser offsets yield slip rates ranging from 0.3 to 7.1 mm/a. However, when the offset values are collectively assessed in a probabilistic framework, we find that a uniform (linear) slip rate of 1.6 mm/a (1.4-1.9 mm/a at 95% confidence) can satisfy the data, within their respective uncertainties. This investigation demonstrates that integrating observations of multiple offset elements (crest, midpoint, and base) from numerous faulted and dated terrace risers at closely spaced sites can refine slip-rate estimates on strike-slip faults.

Nanohole and dot patterning processes on quartz substrate by R-θ electron beam lithography and nanoimprinting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Watanabe, Tsuyoshi; Taniguchi, Kazutake; Suzuki, Kouta; Iyama, Hiromasa; Kishimoto, Shuji; Sato, Takashi; Kobayashi, Hideo

2016-06-01

Fine hole and dot patterns with bit pitches (bp’s) of less than 40 nm were fabricated in the circular band area of a quartz substrate by R-θ electron beam lithography (EBL), reactive ion etching (RIE), and nanoimprinting. These patterning processes were studied to obtain minimum pitch sizes of hole and dot patterns without pattern collapse. The patterning on the circular band was aimed to apply these patterning processes to future high-density bit-patterned media (BPM) for hard disk drive (HDD) and permanent memory for the long life archiving of digital data. In hole patterning, a minimum-22-nm-bp and 8.2-nm-diameter pattern (1.3 Tbit/in.2) was obtained on a quartz substrate by optimizing the R-θ EBL and RIE processes. Dot patterns were replicated on another quartz substrate by nanoimprinting using a hole-patterned quartz substrate as a master mold followed by RIE. In dot patterning, a minimum-30-nm-bp and 18.5-nm-diameter pattern (0.7 Tbit/in.2) was obtained by introducing new descum conditions. It was observed that the minimum bp of successful patterning increased as the fabrication process proceeded, i.e., from 20 nm bp in the first EBL process to 30 nm bp in the last quartz dot patterning process. From the measured diameters of the patterns, it was revealed that pattern collapse was apt to occur when the value of average diameter plus 3 sigma of diameter was close to the bp. It was suggested that multiple fabrication processes caused the degradation of pattern quality; therefore, hole patterning is more suitable than dot patterning for future applications owing to the lower quality degradation by its simple fabrication process.

Circadian pattern of blood pressure in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.

PubMed

Gupta, Hem Prabha; Singh, R K; Singh, Urmila; Mehrotra, Seema; Verma, N S; Baranwal, Neelam

2011-08-01

AIMS #ENTITYSTARTX00026; To find out the circadian pattern of blood pressure in normotensive pregnant women and in women with preeclampsia. A cross-sectional prospective observational case control study. Blood pressure was sampled in thirty-five normotensive pregnant women (control) and thirty five preeclamptic women (study group) by using non-invasive automatic ambulatory blood pressure monitoring machine for 72 h. Blood pressure (BP) was not constant over 24 h period and it oscillated from time to time in control group. BP was maximum during early part of afternoon. However, in preeclampsia besides quantitative increase in BP, circadian BP oscillations were less pronounced and in around 50% subjects BP was maximum during evening and night hours. Both systolic and diastolic BP showed definite reproducible circadian pattern in both preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. This pattern both quantitatively and qualitatively was different in preeclamptic women. Standardized 24 h BP monitoring allows quantitative and qualitative evaluation of hypertensive status and is important for timing and dosing of antihypertensive medications.

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

Not Available

Kongsberg Engineering a.s. has developed an oil loading system for the Central North Sea, in 492-ft waters, which is not permanent, is safer, economical and withstands the environmental forces in the area. The ''Subload'' system is based on loading directly from a seafloor terminal to two 78,000 dwt dynamically positioned shuttle tankers. Upon arrival at the field, a shuttle tanker fitted with an SPM loading yoke and a riser reel deploys a 16-in. flexible riser attached to a lower riser package fitted with thrusters. Controlled by signals from a special high-accuracy underwater maneuver the lower riser end into docking positionmore » with the seafloor terminal. The terminal is located at the end of a two-km, 28-in. pipe line from the production platform. Presentation of the system, the company said that the diverless hookup procedure between the intrument-controlled riser connection and the subsea wellhead requires 45 minutes. The shuttle tanker loading could be completed twice a day in seven and a half hours per operation.« less

Guidelines for riser splash zone design and repair

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

NONE

1995-02-01

The many years of offshore oil and gas development has established the subsea pipeline as a reliable and cost effective means of transportation for produced hydrocarbons. The requirement for subsea pipeline systems will continue to move into deeper water and more remote locations with the future development of oil and gas exploration. The integrity of subsea pipeline and riser systems, throughout their operating lifetime, is an important area for operators to consider in maximizing reliability and serviceability for economic, contractual and environmental reasons. Adequate design and installation are the basis for ensuring the integrity of any subsea pipeline and risermore » systems. In the event of system damage, from any source, quick and accurate repair and reinstatement of the pipeline system is essential. This report has been developed to provide guidelines for riser and splash zone design, to perform a detailed overview of existing riser repair techniques and products, and to prepare comprehensive guidelines identifying the capabilities and limits of riser reinstatement systems.« less

A fast rise-rate, adjustable-mass-bit gas puff valve for energetic pulsed plasma experiments

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

Loebner, Keith T. K., E-mail: kloebner@stanford.edu; Underwood, Thomas C.; Cappelli, Mark A.

2015-06-15

A fast rise-rate, variable mass-bit gas puff valve based on the diamagnetic repulsion principle was designed, built, and experimentally characterized. The ability to hold the pressure rise-rate nearly constant while varying the total overall mass bit was achieved via a movable mechanical restrictor that is accessible while the valve is assembled and pressurized. The rise-rates and mass-bits were measured via piezoelectric pressure transducers for plenum pressures between 10 and 40 psig and restrictor positions of 0.02-1.33 cm from the bottom of the linear restrictor travel. The mass-bits were found to vary linearly with the restrictor position at a given plenummore » pressure, while rise-rates varied linearly with plenum pressure but exhibited low variation over the range of possible restrictor positions. The ability to change the operating regime of a pulsed coaxial plasma deflagration accelerator by means of altering the valve parameters is demonstrated.« less

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

Breault, Ronald W.; Monazam, Esmail R.; Shadle, Lawrence J.

Riser hydrodynamics are a function of the flow rates of gas and solids as well as the exit geometry, particularly when operated above the upper transport velocity. This work compares the exit voidage for multiple geometries and two different solids: Geldart group A glass beads and Geldart group B coke. Geometries were changed by modifying the volume of an abrupt T-shaped exit above the lateral riser exit. This was accomplished by positioning a plunger at various heights above the exit from zero to 0.38 m. A dimensionless expression used to predict smooth exit voidage was modified to account for themore » effect of the depth of the blind-T. The new correlation contains the solids-gas load ratio, solids-to-gas density ratio, bed-to-particle diameter ratio, gas Reynolds Number, as well as a term for the exit geometry. This study also found that there was a minimum riser roof height above the blind-T exit beyond which the riser exit voidage was not affected by the exit geometry. A correlation for this minimum riser roof height has also been developed in this study. This study covered riser superficial gas velocities of 4.35 to 7.7 m/s and solids circulation rates of 1.3 to 11.5 kg/s.« less

Off-axis silicon carbide substrates

DOEpatents

Edgar, James; Dudley, Michael; Kuball, Martin; Zhang, Yi; Wang, Guan; Chen, Hui; Zhang, Yu

2014-09-02

A method of epitaxial growth of a material on a crystalline substrate includes selecting a substrate having a crystal plane that includes a plurality of terraces with step risers that join adjacent terraces. Each terrace of the plurality or terraces presents a lattice constant that substantially matches a lattice constant of the material, and each step riser presents a step height and offset that is consistent with portions of the material nucleating on adjacent terraces being in substantial crystalline match at the step riser. The method also includes preparing a substrate by exposing the crystal plane; and epitaxially growing the material on the substrate such that the portions of the material nucleating on adjacent terraces merge into a single crystal lattice without defects at the step risers.

CFD Modeling of a CFB Riser Using Improved Inlet Boundary Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, B. T.; Zhang, C.; Zhu, J. X.; Qi, X. B.

2010-03-01

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model based on Eulerian-Eulerian approach coupled with granular kinetics theory was adopted to investigate the hydrodynamics and flow structures in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser column. A new approach to specify the inlet boundary conditions was proposed in this study to simulate gas-solids flow in CFB risers more accurately. Simulation results were compared with the experimental data, and good agreement between the numerical results and experimental data was observed under different operating conditions, which indicates the effectiveness and accuracy of the CFD model with the proposed inlet boundary conditions. The results also illustrate a clear core annulus structure in the CFB riser under all operating conditions both experimentally and numerically.

Apparatus for hot-gas desulfurization of fuel gases

DOEpatents

Bissett, Larry A.

1992-01-01

An apparatus for removing sulfur values from a hot fuel gas stream in a fdized bed contactor containing particulate sorbent material by employing a riser tube regeneration arrangement. Sulfur-laden sorbent is continuously removed from the fluidized bed through a stand pipe to the riser tube and is rapidly regenerated in the riser tube during transport of the sorbent therethrough by employing an oxygen-containing sorbent regenerating gas stream. The riser tube extends from a location below the fluidized bed to an elevation above the fluidized bed where a gas-solid separating mechanism is utilized to separate the regenerated particulate sorbent from the regeneration gases and reaction gases so that the regenerated sorbent can be returned to the fluidized bed for reuse.

Plant Functional Traits Are More Consistent Than Plant Species on Periglacial Patterned Ground in the Rocky Mountains of Montana

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apple, M. E.; Ricketts, M. K.; Gallagher, J. H. R.

2017-12-01

Periglacial patterned ground exists as stripes and hexagons near glaciers and snowfields, some of which are former glaciers. The patterns are accentuated by profound differences in plant cover between the sloping surfaces, generally perceived as green, and the flat treads, generally perceived as brown but which are not devoid of plant life. On four sites in the Rocky Mountains of Montana we detected strong similarities in plant functional traits on the sloping surfaces of striped and hexagonal periglacial patterned ground. On Mt. Keokirk in the Pioneer Mountains, Kinnickinnick, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, dominates narrow green stripes. On Goat Flat in the Pintler Mountains, Mountain Avens, Dryas octopetala, dominates the side walls of hexagonally patterned ground and narrow green stripes. At Glacier National Park, D. octopetala and the Arctic Willow, Salix arctica, co-dominate the green risers of widely-spaced striped periglacial patterned system at Siyeh Pass, while D. octopetala, S. arctica, and the Mountain Heather, Phyllodoce glanduliflora, co-dominate the green risers of the widely-spaced stripes of Piegan Pass. All four of these dictotyledonous angiosperm species are adventitiously-rooted dwarf shrubs with simple leaves. Of these, P. glanduliflora, A. uva-ursi and D. octopetala are evergreen. D. octopetala is symbiotic with N-fixing Frankia sp. All are mycorrhizal, although D. octopetala and S. arctica are ectomycorrhizal and P. glanduliflora and A. uva-ursi have ericaceous mycorrhizae. In contrast, dwarf shrubs are scarce on flat treads and within hexagons, which are chiefly inhabited by herbaceous, taprooted or rhizomatous, VAM angiosperms. As the green stripes and hexagon walls have greater plant cover, they likely have greater organic material due to leaf buildup and root turnover, anchor themselves and the soil with adventitious roots, their clonality suggests long lives, and N-fixing influences N dynamics of the periglacial patterned ground.

Crystal accumulation in the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant high level waste melter: Summary of 2017 experiments

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

Fox, K.; Fowley, M.

A full-scale, transparent mock-up of the Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Project High Level Waste glass melter riser and pour spout has been constructed to allow for testing with visual feedback of particle settling, accumulation, and resuspension when operating with a controlled fraction of crystals in the glass melt. Room temperature operation with silicone oil and magnetite particles simulating molten glass and spinel crystals, respectively, allows for direct observation of flow patterns and settling patterns. The fluid and particle mixture is recycled within the system for each test.

[Soft-ridged bench terrace design in hilly loess region].

PubMed

Cao, Shixiong; Chen, Li; Gao, Wangsheng

2005-08-01

Reconfiguration of hillside field into terrace is regarded as one of the key techniques for water and soil conservation in mountainous regions. On slopes exceeding 30 degrees, the traditional techniques of terracing are difficult to apply as risers (i.e., backslopes), and if not reinforced, are so abrupt and easy to collapse under gravity alone, thus damaging the terrace. To improve the reconfiguration of hillside field into terrace, holistic techniques of soft-ridged bench terrace engineering, including revegetation, with trees and planting grasses on riser slopes, were tested between 1997 and 2001 in Xiabiangou watershed of Yan' an, Shaanxi Province. A "working with Nature" engineering approach, riser slopes of 45 degrees, similar to the pre-existing slope of 35 degrees, was employed to radically reduce gravity-erosion. Based on the concepts of biodiversity and the principles of landscape ecology, terrace benches, bunds, and risers were planted with trees, shrubs, forage grasses, and crops, serving to generate a diverse array of plants, a semi-forested area, and to stabilize terrace bunds. Soft-ridged bench terrace made it possible to significantly reduce hazards arising from gravity erosion, and reduce the costs of individual bench construction and maintenance by 24.9% and 55.5% of the costs under traditional techniques, respectively. Such a construction allowed an enrichment and concentration of nutrients in the soils of terrace bunds, providing an ideal environment for a range of plants to grow and develop. The terrace riser could be planted with drought-resistant plants ranging from forage grasses to trees, and this riser vegetation would turn the exposed bunds and risers existing under traditional techniques into plant-covered belts, great green ribbons decorating farmland and contributing to the enhancement of the landscape biology.

Upper Ocean Measurements of Water Masses and Circulation in the Japan Sea

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-09-30

Japan Sea via Tsugaru Strait into the N. Pacific and through Soya Strait into the Okhotsk Sea. On float entered the Okhotsk Sea through Soya Strait and...Riser (2003) Connections between the Japan Sea and Okhotsk Sea through Soya Strait. Submitted to Journal of Geophysical Research. Riser, S., M...PUBLICATIONS Danchenkov, M. and S. Riser (2003) Connections between the Japan Sea and Okhotsk Sea through Soya Strait. Submitted to Journal of Geophysical

Numerical Simulation of the Vortex-Induced Vibration of A Curved Flexible Riser in Shear Flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Hong-jun; Lin, Peng-zhi

2018-06-01

A series of fully three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations of flow past a free-to-oscillate curved flexible riser in shear flow were conducted at Reynolds number of 185-1015. The numerical results obtained by the two-way fluid-structure interaction (FSI) simulations are in good agreement with the experimental results reported in the earlier study. It is further found that the frequency transition is out of phase not only in the inline (IL) and crossflow (CF) directions but also along the span direction. The mode competition leads to the non-zero nodes of the rootmean- square (RMS) amplitude and the relatively chaotic trajectories. The fluid-structure interaction is to some extent reflected by the transverse velocity of the ambient fluid, which reaches the maximum value when the riser reaches the equilibrium position. Moreover, the local maximum transverse velocities occur at the peak CF amplitudes, and the values are relatively large when the vibration is in the resonance regions. The 3D vortex columns are shed nearly parallel to the axis of the curved flexible riser. As the local Reynolds number increases from 0 at the bottom of the riser to the maximum value at the top, the wake undergoes a transition from a two-dimensional structure to a 3D one. More irregular small-scale vortices appeared at the wake region of the riser, undergoing large amplitude responses.

30 CFR 291.101 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... horizontal component or riser. Examples include anodes, valves, flanges, fittings, umbilicals, subsea... as a separate entity). Pipeline is the piping, risers, accessories and appurtenances installed for...

Effects of water-control structures on hydrologic and water-quality characteristics in selected agricultural drainage canals in eastern North Carolina

USGS Publications Warehouse

Treece, M.W.; Jaynes, M.L.

1994-01-01

November of water into and out of tidally affected canals in eastern North Carolina was documented before and after the installation of water-control structures. Water levels in five of the canals downstream from the water-control structures were controlled primarily by water-level fluctuations in estuarine receiving waters. Water-control structures also altered upstream water levels in all canals. Water levels were lowered upstream from tide gates, but increased upstream from flashboard risers. Both types of water-control structures attenuated the release of runoff following rainfall events, but in slightly different ways. Tide gates appeared to reduce peak discharge rates associated with rainfall, and flashboard risers lengthened the duration of runoff release. Tide gates had no apparent effect on pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended-sediment, or total phosphorus concentrations downstream from the structures. Specific conductance measured from composite samples collected with automatic samples increased downstream of tide gates after installation. Median concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen were near the minimum detection level throughout the study; however, the number of observations of concentrations exceeding 0.1 milligram per liter dropped significantly after tide gates were installed. Following tide-gate installation, instantaneous loadings of nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen were significantly reduced at one test site, but this reduction was not observed at the other test site. Loadings of other nutrient species and suspended sediment did not change at the tide-gate test sites after tide-gate installation. Specific conductance was lower in the Beaufort County canals than in the Hyde County canals. Although there was a slight increase in median values at the flashboard-riser sites, the mean and maximum values declined substantially downstream from the risers following installation. This decline of specific conductance in the canals occurred despite a large increase of specific conductance in the tidal creek. Flashboard risers had no significant effect on concentrations of dissolved oxygen, suspended sediment, total ammonia plus organic nitrogen, or phosphorus. Maximum concentrations of ammonia nitrogen were smaller at both test sites after riser installation. In addition, concentrations of nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen exceeding 1.0 milligram per liter rarely occurred at the flashboard-riser test sites following installation of the risers. Median loadings of nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen and total nitrogen decreased at one riser test site following flashboard-riser installation. Tide gates and flashboard risers were associated with reductions in concentrations and export of nitrite plus nitrate nitrogen; however, these changes should be interpreted cautiously because reductions were not observed consistently at every site. The hydrology and baseline water-quality characteristics of the two study areas differ, making comparisons of the effectiveness of the two types of water-control structures difficult to interpret. The effects of water-control structures on the hydrology of the drainage canals are more meaningful than the changes in water quality. Tide gates and flashboard risers altered the hydrologic characteristics of the drainage canals and created an environment favorable for nutrient loss or transformation. Both structures retained agricultural drainage upstream, which increased potential storage for infiltration and reduced the potential for surface runoff, sediment, and nutrient transport, and higher peak outflow rates.

30 CFR 291.101 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... component or riser. Examples include anodes, valves, flanges, fittings, umbilicals, subsea manifolds...). Pipeline is the piping, risers, accessories and appurtenances installed for transportation of oil and gas...

30 CFR 291.101 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... component or riser. Examples include anodes, valves, flanges, fittings, umbilicals, subsea manifolds...). Pipeline is the piping, risers, accessories and appurtenances installed for transportation of oil and gas...

30 CFR 291.101 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... component or riser. Examples include anodes, valves, flanges, fittings, umbilicals, subsea manifolds...). Pipeline is the piping, risers, accessories and appurtenances installed for transportation of oil and gas...

CHIMNEY FOR BOILING WATER REACTOR

DOEpatents

Petrick, M.

1961-08-01

A boiling-water reactor is described which has vertical fuel-containing channels for forming steam from water. Risers above the channels increase the head of water radially outward, whereby water is moved upward through the channels with greater force. The risers are concentric and the radial width of the space between them is somewhat small. There is a relatively low rate of flow of water up through the radially outer fuel-containing channels, with which the space between the risers is in communication. (AE C)

Liquid metal reactor air cooling baffle

DOEpatents

Hunsbedt, Anstein

1994-01-01

A baffle is provided between a relatively hot containment vessel and a relatively cold silo for enhancing air cooling performance. The baffle includes a perforate inner wall positionable outside the containment vessel to define an inner flow riser therebetween, and an imperforate outer wall positionable outside the inner wall to define an outer flow riser therebetween. Apertures in the inner wall allow thermal radiation to pass laterally therethrough to the outer wall, with cooling air flowing upwardly through the inner and outer risers for removing heat.

Liquid metal reactor air cooling baffle

DOEpatents

Hunsbedt, A.

1994-08-16

A baffle is provided between a relatively hot containment vessel and a relatively cold silo for enhancing air cooling performance. The baffle includes a perforate inner wall positionable outside the containment vessel to define an inner flow riser therebetween, and an imperforate outer wall positionable outside the inner wall to define an outer flow riser therebetween. Apertures in the inner wall allow thermal radiation to pass laterally therethrough to the outer wall, with cooling air flowing upwardly through the inner and outer risers for removing heat. 3 figs.

Orion Parachute Riser Cutter Development

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oguz, Sirri; Salazar, Frank

2011-01-01

This paper presents the tests and analytical approach used on the development of a steel riser cutter for the CEV Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) used on the Orion crew module. Figure 1 shows the riser cutter and the steel riser bundle which consists of six individual cables. Due to the highly compressed schedule, initial unavailability of the riser material and the Orion Forward Bay mechanical constraints, JSC primarily relied on a combination of internal ballistics analysis and LS-DYNA simulation for this project. Various one dimensional internal ballistics codes that use standard equation of state and conservation of energy have commonly used in the development of CAD devices for initial first order estimates and as an enhancement to the test program. While these codes are very accurate for propellant performance prediction, they usually lack a fully defined kinematic model for dynamic predictions. A simple piston device can easily and accurately be modeled using an equation of motion. However, the accuracy of analytical models is greatly reduced on more complicated devices with complex external loads, nonlinear trajectories or unique unlocking features. A 3D finite element model of CAD device with all critical features included can vastly improve the analytical ballistic predictions when it is used as a supplement to the ballistic code. During this project, LS-DYNA structural 3D model was used to predict the riser resisting load that was needed for the ballistic code. A Lagrangian model with eroding elements shown in Figure 2 was used for the blade, steel riser and the anvil. The riser material failure strain was fine tuned by matching the dent depth on the anvil with the actual test data. LS-DYNA model was also utilized to optimize the blade tip design for the most efficient cut. In parallel, the propellant type and the amount were determined by using CADPROG internal ballistics code. Initial test results showed a good match with LS-DYNA and CADPROG simulations. Final paper will present a detailed roadmap from initial ballistic modeling and LS-DYNA simulation to the performance testing. Blade shape optimization study will also be presented.

Numerical simulations of vortex-induced vibrations of a flexible riser with different aspect ratiosin uniform and shear currents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duanmu, Yu; Zou, Lu; Wan, De-cheng

2017-12-01

This paper aimed at describing numerical simulations of vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) of a long flexible riser with different length-to-diameter ratio (aspect ratio) in uniform and shear currents. Three aspect ratios were simulated: L/D = 500, 750 and 1 000. The simulation was carried out by the in-house computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver viv-FOAM-SJTU developed by the authors, which was coupled with the strip method and developed on the OpenFOAM platform. Moreover, the radial basis function (RBF) dynamic grid technique is applied to the viv-FOAM-SJTU solver to simulate the VIV in both in-line (IL) and cross-flow (CF) directions of flexible riser with high aspect ratio. The validation of the benchmark case has been completed. With the same parameters, the aspect ratio shows a significant influence on VIV of a long flexible riser. The increase of aspect ratio exerted a strong effect on the IL equilibrium position of the riser while producing little effect on the curvature of riser. With the aspect ratio rose from 500 to 1 000, the maximum IL mean displacement increased from 3 times the diameter to 8 times the diameter. On the other hand, the vibration mode of the riser would increase with the increase of aspect ratio. When the aspect ratio was 500, the CF vibration was shown as a standing wave with a 3rd order single mode. When the aspect ratio was 1 000, the modal weights of the 5th and 6th modes are high, serving as the dominant modes. The effect of the flow profile on the oscillating mode becomes more and more apparent when the aspect ratio is high, and the dominant mode of riser in shear flow is usually higher than that in uniform flow. When the aspect ratio was 750, the CF oscillations in both uniform flow and shear flow showed multi-mode vibration of the 4th and 5th mode. While, the dominant mode in uniform flow is the 4th order, and the dominant mode in shear flow is the 5th order.

Refining fault slip rates using multiple displaced terrace risers—An example from the Honey Lake fault, NE California, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gold, Ryan D.; Briggs, Richard; Crone, Anthony J.; Duross, Christopher

2017-01-01

Faulted terrace risers are semi-planar features commonly used to constrain Quaternary slip rates along strike-slip faults. These landforms are difficult to date directly and therefore their ages are commonly bracketed by age estimates of the adjacent upper and lower terrace surfaces. However, substantial differences in the ages of the upper and lower terrace surfaces (a factor of 2.4 difference observed globally) produce large uncertainties in the slip-rate estimate. In this investigation, we explore how the full range of displacements and bounding ages from multiple faulted terrace risers can be combined to yield a more accurate fault slip rate. We use 0.25-m cell size digital terrain models derived from airborne lidar data to analyze three sites where terrace risers are offset right-laterally by the Honey Lake fault in NE California, USA. We use ages for locally extensive subhorizontal surfaces to bracket the time of riser formation: an upper surface is the bed of abandoned Lake Lahontan having an age of 15.8 ± 0.6 ka and a lower surface is a fluvial terrace abandoned at 4.7 ± 0.1 ka. We estimate lateral offsets of the risers ranging between 6.6 and 28.3 m (median values), a greater than fourfold difference in values. The amount of offset corresponds to the riser's position relative to modern stream meanders: the smallest offset is in a meander cutbank position, whereas the larger offsets are in straight channel or meander point-bar positions. Taken in isolation, the individual terrace-riser offsets yield slip rates ranging from 0.3 to 7.1 mm/a. However, when the offset values are collectively assessed in a probabilistic framework, we find that a uniform (linear) slip rate of 1.6 mm/a (1.4–1.9 mm/a at 95% confidence) can satisfy the data, within their respective uncertainties. This investigation demonstrates that integrating observations of multiple offset elements (crest, midpoint, and base) from numerous faulted and dated terrace risers at closely spaced sites can refine slip-rate estimates on strike-slip faults.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and blood pressure control in automated and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

PubMed

Ataş, Nuh; Erten, Yasemin; Okyay, Gülay Ulusal; Inal, Salih; Topal, Salih; Öneç, Kürşad; Akyel, Ahmet; Çelik, Bülent; Tavil, Yusuf; Bali, Musa; Arınsoy, Turgay

2014-06-01

Hypertension, non-dipper blood pressure (BP) pattern and decrease in daily urine output have been associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, there is lack of data regarding the impact of different PD regimens on these factors. We aimed to investigate the impact of circadian rhythm of BP on LVH in end-stage renal disease patients using automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) modalities. Twenty APD (7 men, 13 women) and 28 CAPD (16 men, 12 women) patients were included into the study. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and transthoracic echocardiography besides routine blood examinations were performed. Two groups were compared with each other for ABPM measurements, BP loads, dipping patterns, left ventricular mass index (LVMI) and daily urine output. Mean systolic and diastolic BP measurements, BP loads, LVMI, residual renal function (RRF) and percentage of non-dippers were found to be similar for the two groups. There were positive correlations of LVMI with BP measurements and BP loads. LVMI was found to be significantly higher in diastolic non-dippers compared to dippers (140.4 ± 35.3 vs 114.5 ± 29.7, respectively, P = 0.02). RRF and BP were found to be independent predictors of LVMI. Non-dipping BP pattern was a frequent finding among all PD patients without an inter-group difference. Additionally, higher BP measurements, decrease in daily urine output and non-dipper diastolic BP pattern were associated with LVMI. In order to avoid LVH, besides correction of anemia and volume control, circadian BP variability and diastolic dipping should also be taken into consideration in PD patients. © 2014 The Authors. Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis © 2014 International Society for Apheresis.

Summary of JIP

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2008-04-01

The SCRIM (Steel Catenary Riser Integrity Management) Joint Industry Project was an industry-sponsored initiative, managed and delivered by MCS, to develop industry guidelines for the integrity management of offshore risers. The original scope of the...

30 CFR 250.1700 - What do the terms “decommissioning”, “obstructions”, and “facility” mean?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... assemblies, umbilicals, manifolds, termination skids, production and pipeline risers, platforms, templates... on the OCS. Facilities include production and pipeline risers, templates, pilings, and any other...

Multifunctional two-stage riser fluid catalytic cracking process.

PubMed

Zhang, Jinhong; Shan, Honghong; Chen, Xiaobo; Li, Chunyi; Yang, Chaohe

This paper described the discovering process of some shortcomings of the conventional fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process and the proposed two-stage riser (TSR) FCC process for decreasing dry gas and coke yields and increasing light oil yield, which has been successfully applied in 12 industrial units. Furthermore, the multifunctional two-stage riser (MFT) FCC process proposed on the basis of the TSR FCC process was described, which were carried out by the optimization of reaction conditions for fresh feedstock and cycle oil catalytic cracking, respectively, by the coupling of cycle oil cracking and light FCC naphtha upgrading processes in the second-stage riser, and the specially designed reactor for further reducing the olefin content of gasoline. The pilot test showed that it can further improve the product quality, increase the diesel yield, and enhance the conversion of heavy oil.

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

Taylor, W.M.; Tison, M.; Bahoumina, A.

The tieback of eleven 10 3/4-in., high-pressure risers in Elf Congo`s offshore N`Kossa field used a cold-forge tieback system to create a metal seal. The time-saving tieback method allows for placing the risers in residual tension. The installation work was completed in the fall of 1995. Average time to complete the 10 3/4-in. casing tiebacks, including test and nipple-up and nipple-down times, averaged 52 hr/well. Tiebacks for all three casing strings averaged 90 hr for all surface and subsea operations including BOP test and nipple-up/nipple-down time. Metal sealing of the primary casing annulus has been made practical because the offshoremore » industry has gone toward compact-wellheads and hanging of the completion on a mandrel. Hanging the completion on a mandrel, however, has it own set of considerations. Exact riser length may be difficult to predict before running because the riser must first be locked into the mudline casing hanger and then landed out on the support shoulder in the surface head. Also, a general desire is that riser tieback strings should be in tension after installation. This is not always easy with a passive or dumb hanger and fixed should configuration. Threaded, adjustable mandrel hanger systems exist but can require very close casing string space-out to achieve the desired residual riser tension. The paper describes the objectives, forged sleeves, running sequence, cold forging, and the prototype test.« less

30 CFR 250.1700 - What do the terms “decommissioning”, “obstructions”, and “facility” mean?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... trees, jumper assemblies, umbilicals, manifolds, termination skids, production and pipeline risers... attached to the seabed on the OCS. Facilities include production and pipeline risers, templates, pilings...

30 CFR 250.1012 - Required payments for pipeline right-of-way holders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., pipeline risers, and other facilities and devices associated with the accessory. (2) Your accessory site is... rental includes the areal extent of anchor chains, pipeline risers, and other facilities and devices...

30 CFR 250.1003 - Installation, testing, and repair requirements for DOI pipelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... obstructions. (4) Pipeline risers installed after April 1, 1988, shall be protected from physical damage that could result from contact with floating vessels. Riser protection on pipelines installed on or before...

30 CFR 250.1003 - Installation, testing, and repair requirements for DOI pipelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... obstructions. (4) Pipeline risers installed after April 1, 1988, shall be protected from physical damage that could result from contact with floating vessels. Riser protection on pipelines installed on or before...

30 CFR 250.1700 - What do the terms “decommissioning”, “obstructions”, and “facility” mean?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... trees, jumper assemblies, umbilicals, manifolds, termination skids, production and pipeline risers... attached to the seabed on the OCS. Facilities include production and pipeline risers, templates, pilings...

30 CFR 250.1012 - Required payments for pipeline right-of-way holders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., pipeline risers, and other facilities and devices associated with the accessory. (2) Your accessory site is... rental includes the areal extent of anchor chains, pipeline risers, and other facilities and devices...

30 CFR 250.1003 - Installation, testing, and repair requirements for DOI pipelines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... obstructions. (4) Pipeline risers installed after April 1, 1988, shall be protected from physical damage that could result from contact with floating vessels. Riser protection on pipelines installed on or before...

30 CFR 250.1012 - Required payments for pipeline right-of-way holders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., pipeline risers, and other facilities and devices associated with the accessory. (2) Your accessory site is... rental includes the areal extent of anchor chains, pipeline risers, and other facilities and devices...

30 CFR 250.1700 - What do the terms “decommissioning”, “obstructions”, and “facility” mean?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... trees, jumper assemblies, umbilicals, manifolds, termination skids, production and pipeline risers... attached to the seabed on the OCS. Facilities include production and pipeline risers, templates, pilings...

30 CFR 250.1700 - What do the terms “decommissioning”, “obstructions”, and “facility” mean?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... pipeline risers, platforms, templates, pilings, pipelines, pipeline valves, and power cables. (c) Facility... risers, templates, pilings, and any other facility or equipment that constitutes an obstruction such as...

An efficient structural finite element for inextensible flexible risers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Papathanasiou, T. K.; Markolefas, S.; Khazaeinejad, P.; Bahai, H.

2017-12-01

A core part of all numerical models used for flexible riser analysis is the structural component representing the main body of the riser as a slender beam. Loads acting on this structural element are self-weight, buoyant and hydrodynamic forces, internal pressure and others. A structural finite element for an inextensible riser with a point-wise enforcement of the inextensibility constrain is presented. In particular, the inextensibility constraint is applied only at the nodes of the meshed arc length parameter. Among the virtues of the proposed approach is the flexibility in the application of boundary conditions and the easy incorporation of dissipative forces. Several attributes of the proposed finite element scheme are analysed and computation times for the solution of some simplified examples are discussed. Future developments aim at the appropriate implementation of material and geometric parameters for the beam model, i.e. flexural and torsional rigidity.

Triggered emissions close to the proton gyrofrequency seen by Cluster

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grison, Benjamin; Pickett, Jolene; Omura, Yoshiharu; Santolik, Ondrej; Decreau, Pierrette; Masson, Arnaud; Engebretson, Mark; Cornilleau-Wehrlin, Nicole; Robert, Patrick; Dandouras, Iannis

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) triggered emissions have been recently observed onboard the Cluster spacecraft close to the plasmapause in the equatorial region of the magnetosphere. These waves appear as "risers": electromagnetic structures that have a positive frequency drift with time, i.e., the EMIC analogue of rising frequency whistler mode triggered emissions and chorus waves. In our first results concerning the emission process based on a single event, these risers have the following properties: they propagate away from the direction of the magnetic equator, they have elliptical left-handed polarization corresponding to the transverse Alfven mode, and frequency drifts of about 30 mHz/s. These risers are not common in the Cluster data set. Nevertheless a few other events were found with similar properties. Another interesting preliminary result is the existence of risers with a polarization opposite that of the EMIC triggered emissions and which correspond to the fast magnetosonic mode.

Aspartate Decarboxylase is Required for a Normal Pupa Pigmentation Pattern in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori.

PubMed

Dai, Fangyin; Qiao, Liang; Cao, Cun; Liu, Xiaofan; Tong, Xiaoling; He, Songzhen; Hu, Hai; Zhang, Li; Wu, Songyuan; Tan, Duan; Xiang, Zhonghuai; Lu, Cheng

2015-06-16

The pigmentation pattern of Lepidoptera varies greatly in different development stages. To date, the effects of key genes in the melanin metabolism pathway on larval and adult body color are distinct, yet the effects on pupal pigmentation remains unclear. In the silkworm, Bombyx mori, the black pupa (bp) mutant is only specifically melanized at the pupal stage. Using positional cloning, we found that a mutation in the Aspartate decarboxylase gene (BmADC) is causative in the bp mutant. In the bp mutant, a SINE-like transposon with a length of 493 bp was detected ~2.2 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site of BmADC. This insertion causes a sharp reduction in BmADC transcript levels in bp mutants, leading to deficiency of β-alanine and N-β-alanyl dopamine (NBAD), but accumulation of dopamine. Following injection of β-alanine into bp mutants, the color pattern was reverted that of the wild-type silkworms. Additionally, melanic pupae resulting from knock-down of BmADC in the wild-type strain were obtained. These findings show that BmADC plays a crucial role in melanin metabolism and in the pigmentation pattern of the silkworm pupal stage. Finally, this study contributes to a better understanding of pupa pigmentation patterns in Lepidoptera.

Aspartate Decarboxylase is Required for a Normal Pupa Pigmentation Pattern in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori

PubMed Central

Dai, Fangyin; Qiao, Liang; Cao, Cun; Liu, Xiaofan; Tong, Xiaoling; He, Songzhen; Hu, Hai; Zhang, Li; Wu, Songyuan; Tan, Duan; Xiang, Zhonghuai; Lu, Cheng

2015-01-01

The pigmentation pattern of Lepidoptera varies greatly in different development stages. To date, the effects of key genes in the melanin metabolism pathway on larval and adult body color are distinct, yet the effects on pupal pigmentation remains unclear. In the silkworm, Bombyx mori, the black pupa (bp) mutant is only specifically melanized at the pupal stage. Using positional cloning, we found that a mutation in the Aspartate decarboxylase gene (BmADC) is causative in the bp mutant. In the bp mutant, a SINE-like transposon with a length of 493 bp was detected ~2.2 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site of BmADC. This insertion causes a sharp reduction in BmADC transcript levels in bp mutants, leading to deficiency of β-alanine and N-β-alanyl dopamine (NBAD), but accumulation of dopamine. Following injection of β-alanine into bp mutants, the color pattern was reverted that of the wild-type silkworms. Additionally, melanic pupae resulting from knock-down of BmADC in the wild-type strain were obtained. These findings show that BmADC plays a crucial role in melanin metabolism and in the pigmentation pattern of the silkworm pupal stage. Finally, this study contributes to a better understanding of pupa pigmentation patterns in Lepidoptera. PMID:26077025

Bench and Riser Soil Water Content on Semiarid Hillslopes with Terracettes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heinse, R.; Corrao, M.; Eitel, J.; Link, T. E.

2015-12-01

Microtopographic features known as terracettes are found throughout many semiarid rangelands. These path-like features roughly perpendicular to the slope are frequently traversed by grazing animals on steep hillslopes. The soil properties and hydrologic function, however, are virtually unknown. This research aimed to identify differences in soil properties between terracette bench and riser features, and their influence on soil water content for two terracetted sites and two non-terracetted control sites (grazed and ungrazed) in Eastern Washington State. Measurements of volumetric water content (θ_v), bulk density, soil texture, saturated hydraulic conductivity, pH, and ECa_a were collected along with compaction, vegetative cover and cattle density throughout the 2013 and 2014 field seasons. Results show small but significant volumetric water content differences between terracette benches and risers in the upper 10 cm with benches exhibiting higher mean θ_v than risers throughout the year. Soil bulk density on benches (1600 kg m-3^{-3}) was significantly higher than that of risers (1300 kg m-3^{-3}) with no differences in soil texture. The saturated hydraulic conductivity on benches was roughly half of that for risers. No significant soil differences were noted below 20 cm depth. Terracetted sites showed greater field-averaged θ_v compared to non-terracetted sites suggesting a positive trend with animal stocking rates. Higher water content on terracette benches is attributed to shifts in pore size distribution with compaction, and a reduction in root-water uptake due to plant-root impedance. This increased soil water does not however increase forage production as it is not accessible to plants.

IODP Expedition 338: NanTroSEIZE Stage 3: NanTroSEIZE plate boundary deep riser 2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, G. F.; Kanagawa, K.; Strasser, M.; Dugan, B.; Maeda, L.; Toczko, S.

2014-01-01

The Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) is designed to investigate fault mechanics and seismogenesis along a subduction megathrust, with objectives that include characterizing fault slip, strain accumulation, fault and wall rock composition, fault architecture, and state variables throughout an active plate boundary system. Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 338 was planned to extend and case riser Hole C0002F from 856 to 3600 meters below the seafloor (m b.s.f.). Riser operations extended the hole to 2005.5 m b.s.f., collecting logging-while-drilling (LWD) and measurement-while-drilling, mud gas, and cuttings data. Results reveal two lithologic units within the inner wedge of the accretionary prism that are separated by a prominent fault zone at ~ 1640 m b.s.f. Due to damage to the riser during unfavorable winds and strong currents, riser operations were suspended, and Hole C0002F left for re-entry during future riser drilling operations. Contingency riserless operations included coring at the forearc basin site (C0002) and at two slope basin sites (C0021 and C0022), and LWD at one input site (C0012) and at three slope basin sites (C0018, C0021 and C0022). Cores and logs from these sites comprehensively characterize the alteration stage of the oceanic basement input to the subduction zone, the early stage of Kumano Basin evolution, gas hydrates in the forearc basin, and recent activity of the shallow megasplay fault zone system and associated submarine landslides.

Shallow Water Propagation

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-09-30

improvements in single-scattering treatments at stair-step risers in approximations for range dependence; non-uniform depth gridding to treat thin layers...turns out for such problems that preserving accuracy requires conceptually splitting a stair- riser interface into two interfaces separated by a very

Holocene slip rate for the central Altyn Tagh Fault: Preliminary results from the Tuzidun site based on 14C and 10Be dating of a displaced fluvial terrace riser.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gold, R. D.; Cowgill, E. S.; Arrowsmith, R.; Muretta, M.; Gosse, J.; Chen, X.; Wang, X.

2007-12-01

The active, left-slip Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) defines the northern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau and is among the world's longest intracontinental strike-slip faults. Despite a decade of concentrated work, the Holocene slip rate for the central ATF is still disputed, with millennial slip rates derived from faulted landforms ranging from 9 to 27 mm/yr. To address this factor-of-three difference, we are investigating a new slip-rate site near Tuzidun (37.73N, 86.72E) along the Cherchen He reach of the fault. The new site is situated where a south-flowing, ephemeral stream channel crosses the N70E-striking, active trace of the ATF. This channel is flanked by a set of inset fluvial terraces along its eastern bank. North of the ATF, these terraces include both a younger/lower T1 tread and an older/higher T2 terrace, which are vertically separated by an intervening T2/T1 riser. South of the fault, the stream is inset into an alluvial fan, F1. The F1 fan is separated from the higher, T2 fluvial terrace tread to the east, by the T2/F1 riser. Our neotectonic mapping and survey data indicate that the T2/F1 riser on the south/downstream side of the ATF and the T2/T1 riser on the north/upstream side have been displaced from one another by left slip along the ATF. The present separation between these riser segments is ~56 m, though lateral erosion of the riser may have diminished the true offset. To account for this possibility, we have developed three end-member reconstructions that yield offsets ranging from 56 to105 m. Ongoing geochronologic and geomorphic analyses are designed further limit the range of possible displacements. Preliminary age analyses from the Tuzidun site include 22 new radiocarbon dates from buried organic materials and 7 analyses of 10Be concentration in quartz extracted from amalgamated samples of terrace conglomerates. The 14C analyses are from samples collected from within the T2 tread on both sides of the ATF and from loess deposits that cap the downstream T2/F1 riser face. The 10Be analyses are from samples collected in two depth profiles, north and south of the ATF, dug into the T2 deposit at the crest of the displaced riser. The calibrated 14C dates and 10Be surface-exposure ages are compatible, and indicate that the surfaces at the crest and toe of the riser were abandoned at ~6 ka and ~4.4 ka, respectively. To bracket the millennial slip rate at this site, we consider three end-member reconstructions. The first is an upper-terrace reconstruction, in which the riser started recording displacement as soon as the upper-terrace, T2, was abandoned, providing a minimum constraint on the slip rate of ~9 mm/yr since ~6 ka. An intermediate interpretation is a lower-terrace reconstruction, in which the riser accumulated no displacement until the lower surface, F1, was abandoned, yielding a slip rate of ~13 mm/yr since ~4.4 ka. The final reconstruction is one in which erosion of the upstream T2 surface, prior to T1/F1 deposition, diminished the present-day observed offset. In this case, up to 105 m of displacement has occurred since abandonment of the T2 surface, which permits a slip rate as high as ~18 mm/yr since ~6 ka. The new slip rate of 9-18 mm/yr for the Tuzidun site is consistent with our preliminary results from three additional slip-rate sites along the central ATF, and taken together, provides an upper limit of 18 mm/yr for the Holocene slip rate along this reach of the fault.

30 CFR 250.530 - When does my casing pressure request approval become invalid?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... request approval become invalid? A casing pressure request becomes invalid when: (a) The casing or riser... different casing or riser on the same well requires a casing pressure request; or (e) A well has more than...

30 CFR 250.530 - When does my casing pressure request approval become invalid?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... become invalid? A casing pressure request becomes invalid when: (a) The casing or riser pressure... casing or riser on the same well requires a casing pressure request; or (e) A well has more than one...

30 CFR 250.1708 - What are my BOP inspection and maintenance requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... inspect your BOP system and marine riser at least once every 3 days if weather and sea conditions permit... alternate methods and frequencies to inspect a marine riser. (b) BOP maintenance. You must maintain your BOP...

30 CFR 250.531 - When does my casing pressure request approval become invalid?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... request approval become invalid? A casing pressure request becomes invalid when: (a) The casing or riser... different casing or riser on the same well requires a casing pressure request; or (e) A well has more than...

30 CFR 250.617 - What are my BOP inspection and maintenance requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... your BOP system and marine riser at least once each day if weather and sea conditions permit. You may... and frequencies to inspect a marine riser. (b) BOP maintenance. You must maintain your BOP system to...

30 CFR 250.618 - What are my BOP inspection and maintenance requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... marine riser at least once every 3 days if weather and sea conditions permit. You may use television... frequencies to inspect a marine riser. (b) BOP maintenance. You must maintain your BOP system to ensure that...

30 CFR 250.617 - What are my BOP inspection and maintenance requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... BOP system and marine riser at least once each day if weather and sea conditions permit. You may use... frequencies to inspect a marine riser. (b) BOP maintenance. You must maintain your BOP system to ensure that...

30 CFR 250.530 - When does my casing pressure request approval become invalid?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... casing or riser pressure increases by 200 psig over the approved casing pressure request pressure; (b... stimulated; (d) A different casing or riser on the same well requires a casing pressure request; or (e) A...

30 CFR 250.618 - What are my BOP inspection and maintenance requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... marine riser at least once every 3 days if weather and sea conditions permit. You may use television... frequencies to inspect a marine riser. (b) BOP maintenance. You must maintain your BOP system to ensure that...

30 CFR 250.1708 - What are my BOP inspection and maintenance requirements?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... inspect your BOP system and marine riser at least once every 3 days if weather and sea conditions permit... alternate methods and frequencies to inspect a marine riser. (b) BOP maintenance. You must maintain your BOP...

30 CFR 250.531 - When does my casing pressure request approval become invalid?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... request approval become invalid? A casing pressure request becomes invalid when: (a) The casing or riser... different casing or riser on the same well requires a casing pressure request; or (e) A well has more than...

Experimental Research on the Dense CFB's Riser and the Simulation Based on the EMMS Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, X. Y.; Wang, S. D.; Fan, B. G.; Liao, L. L.; Jiang, F.; Xu, X.; Wu, X. Z.; Xiao, Y. H.

2010-03-01

The flow structure in the CFB (circulating fluidized bed) riser has been investigated. Experimental studies were performed in a cold square section unit with 270 mm×270 mm×10 m. Since the drag force model based on homogeneous two-phase flow such as the Gidaspow drag model could not depict the heterogeneous structures of the gas-solid flow, the structure-dependent energy-minimization multi-scale (EMMS) model based on the heterogenerity was applied in the paper and a revised drag force model based on the EMMS model was proposed. A 2D two-fluid model was used to simulate a bench-scale square cross-section riser of a cold CFB. The typical core-annulus structure and the back-mixing near the wall of the riser were observed and the assembly and fragmentation processes of clusters were captured. By comparing with the Gidaspow drag model, the results obtained by the revised drag model based on EMMS shows better consistency with the experimental data. The model can also depict the difference from the two exit configurations. This study once again proves the key role of drag force in CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation and also shows the availability of the revised drag model to describe the gas-solid flow in CFB risers.

Overview of Emic Triggered Chorus Emissions in Cluster Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grison, B.; Pickett, J. S.; Omura, Y.; Santolik, O.; Engebretson, M. J.; Dandouras, I. S.; Masson, A.; Decreau, P. M.; Adrian, M. L.; Cornilleau Wehrlin, N.

2010-12-01

Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) triggered emissions have been recently observed onboard the Cluster spacecraft close to the plasmapause in the equatorial region of the magnetosphere (Pickett et al., 2010). The nonlinear mechanism of the wave amplification is the same as for the well known whistler-mode chorus emissions (Omura et al., 2010). The EMIC triggered emissions appear as risers: electromagnetic structures that have a positive frequency drift with time. They can thus be considered as the EMIC analogue of rising frequency whistler-mode chorus emissions. In addition, they propagate away from the magnetic equator. These EMIC risers are not common in Cluster data. We present an overview of the properties of all the identified cases. Risers can be sorted out in two groups: in the first one the starting frequency of EMIC emissions is close to one half of the local proton gyrofrequency and the risers have a clear left-hand polarization. In the second group the risers have an opposite polarization with a starting frequency close to one half of the He+ gyrofrequency. Most of the cases have been detected close to 22 MLT (magnetic local time). This dependence will be investigated to determine if it is linked to the orbit effects or if there is a physical cause.

Promoting stair climbing: stair-riser banners are better than posters... sometimes.

PubMed

Olander, Ellinor K; Eves, Frank F; Puig-Ribera, Anna

2008-04-01

Stair-riser banners are twice as effective as posters in encouraging stair climbing in shopping centres. This study tested the effectiveness of stair-riser banners in an English train station in 2006-2007. The train station had a 39-step staircase and an adjacent escalator. Baseline observations (3.5 weeks) were followed by 10.5 weeks of a banner intervention supplemented with 3 weeks of a poster intervention. Both poster and banner featured the message 'Stair climbing burns more calories per minute than jogging. Take the stairs'. Ascending escalator and stair users (N=36,239) were coded for gender. Analyses, controlling for effects of gender and pedestrian traffic volume, revealed no significant change in stair climbing between baseline (40.6%) and the banner intervention (40.9%; p=0.98). Addition of the poster increased stair climbing (44.3%; OR=1.36, 95% CIs 1.16-1.60, p<0.001), with the effect reduced at higher pedestrian traffic volumes. While stair-riser banners had no effect, the poster intervention increased stair climbing. The high pedestrian volumes as the wave of disembarking passengers seek to leave the station would have obscured the visibility of the banner for many commuters. Thus stair-riser banners appear unsuitable point-of-choice prompts in stations where pedestrian traffic volume is high.

The effectiveness of an adhesively bonded composite patch repair as applied to a transport aircraft lower wing skin

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

Ruschau, J.J.; Coate, J.E.

1996-12-31

Specimens were machined from lower wing skin extrusions of a transport aircraft, precracked under fatigue loading, repaired with a boron/epoxy patch, and subsequently fatigue tested under simulated flight loading conditions to evaluate the effectiveness of an adhesively bonded repair patch. Testing was performed at RT and -54{degrees}C for two configurations: one with the crack running up the integral stiffener (riser), the other running down the riser towards the outer skin surface. Cracks were initiated from a single 6.35 mm diameter hole located in the riser portion of the 7075-T6 wing skin material. Ultrasonic inspections were performed during fatigue loading tomore » determine crack growth and damage underneath the patch. Limited results show the adhesively bonded patch was successful in stopping or greatly reducing any further crack growth. Under laboratory air conditions, no crack growth occurred following 30,000 equivalent flight hours, double the expected life of the patched structure. Similarly at -54{degrees}C, no crack growth was observed for a patched crack growing up the riser following 15,000 EFH. For the case of a crack growing down the riser at the lower test temperature, some crack growth was measured, though at a greatly reduced rate.« less

RELIABLE RADIOGRAPHIC INSPECTION OF FLEXIBLE RISERS FOR THE OIL INDUSTRY

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

Almeida, Romulo M.; Rebello, Joao Marcos A.; Vaz, Murilo A.

2010-02-22

Flexible risers are composite tubular structures manufactured by the concentric assemblage of cylindrical polymeric and helically wound metallic layers employed to convey pressurized fluids such as oil, gas and water in the ocean environment. The metallic layers account for the flexible risers' structural strength and are dimensioned according to the static and dynamic loads. They are usually installed in a free hanging catenary configuration and are subjected to the direct action of waves and marine currents and wave induced motions from the oil production platform. The fatigue rupture of wire armours in the end fitting or within the riser segmentmore » protected by the bend stiffener is an object of major concern. Integrity models have been developed, however inspection techniques are mandatory to ensure that failure is detected. Gammagraphy has been used as a common inspection technique in all regions of the flexible riser, mainly with the single wall-single view method. On the other side, there is not any qualified radiographic procedure to this kind of structure. Radiographic simulation was adopted and its validation with actual gammagraphies and establishment of radiographic parameters to complex radiation geometries were done. Results show the viability of the radiographic inspection analyzing the armour wires' rupture and the displacement between wires.« less

Reliable Radiographic Inspection of Flexible Risers for the Oil Industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almeida, Rômulo M.; Rebello, Joao Marcos A.; Vaz, Murilo A.

2010-02-01

Flexible risers are composite tubular structures manufactured by the concentric assemblage of cylindrical polymeric and helically wound metallic layers employed to convey pressurized fluids such as oil, gas and water in the ocean environment. The metallic layers account for the flexible risers' structural strength and are dimensioned according to the static and dynamic loads. They are usually installed in a free hanging catenary configuration and are subjected to the direct action of waves and marine currents and wave induced motions from the oil production platform. The fatigue rupture of wire armours in the end fitting or within the riser segment protected by the bend stiffener is an object of major concern. Integrity models have been developed, however inspection techniques are mandatory to ensure that failure is detected. Gammagraphy has been used as a common inspection technique in all regions of the flexible riser, mainly with the single wall-single view method. On the other side, there is not any qualified radiographic procedure to this kind of structure. Radiographic simulation was adopted and its validation with actual gammagraphies and establishment of radiographic parameters to complex radiation geometries were done. Results show the viability of the radiographic inspection analyzing the armour wires' rupture and the displacement between wires.

Epicardial adipose tissue volume a diagnostic study for independent predicting disorder of circadian rhythm of blood pressure in patients with essential hypertension.

PubMed

Zhou, L; Deng, Y; Gong, J; Chen, X; Zhang, Q; Wang, J

2016-05-30

The aim of the study was to determine whether epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV), a new cardiometabolic risk factor, is associated with circadian changes of blood pressure (BP) in patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension. Ninety patients with newly diagnosed essential hypertension underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring for 24 h. EATV was measured using cardiac computed tomography. These patients were categorized into three groups according to their BP patterns (group 1, n=46, dipper hypertension, also called normal pattern; group 2, n=24, non-dipper hypertension; group 3, n=20, anti-dipper hypertension; group 2 and 3 are also called abnormal pattern). Data were collected retrospectively and compared between hypertensive patients with normal pattern and abnormal pattern. The normal pattern hypertensive patient had significant lower mean EATV and BP ((EATV, 91.3±29.4 cm3) than those of abnormal pattern patients including group 2 (EATV, 116.2±31.06cm3, <0.01) and group 3 (EATV, 124.8±28.5cm3, P<0.01). Mean systolic BP over 24 h (BPs24) and mean diastolic BP over 24 h (BPd24) of group 1 (BPs24, 135.7 ± 12.6 mmHg; BPd24, 83.6 ± 10.6 mmHg) were significantly lower than those of group 2 (BPs24, 150.1± 17.6 mmHg, P<0.01; BPd24, 93.2 ± 16.5 mmHg, P<0.01) and group 3 (BPs24, 154.1 ± 16.6mmHg, P<0.01; BPd24, 93.8 ± 17.5 mmHg; P<0.01). Bivariate correlation analysis showed that correlation coefficient of EATV with abnormal blood pressure mode was 0.500 (p<0.001), partial correlation coefficient after adjustment for waist circumference and body mass index was 0.469 (p<0.001). When multivariate backward logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation of BP pattern with EAT volume, it showed that the prevalence of abnormal BP pattern (non-dipper and anti-dipper BP pattern) increased by 1.54 times after adjusting for age and gender per additional 10 cm3 of EAT volume. Receiver operating characteristic curve for EAT alone indicated that the cutoff value of 95.17cm3 had the best performance in predicting abnormal BP pattern with a sensitivity of 75.0% and a specificity of 72.7%. EATV was elevated in newly diagnosed and untreated patients with non-dipper hypertension and anti-dipper hypertension. EATV measured by cardiac computed tomography can be used to indicate the increased risk of circadian rhythm of blood pressure.

30 CFR 550.160 - When will BOEM grant me a right-of-use and easement, and what requirements must I meet?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... rental includes the areal extent of anchor chains, pipeline risers, and other equipment associated with..., pipeline risers, and other equipment associated with the platform, artificial island, or installation or...

30 CFR 550.160 - When will BOEM grant me a right-of-use and easement, and what requirements must I meet?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... rental includes the areal extent of anchor chains, pipeline risers, and other equipment associated with..., pipeline risers, and other equipment associated with the platform, artificial island, or installation or...

75 FR 17708 - Kinder Morgan Louisiana Pipeline LLC; Notice of Request Under Blanket Authorization

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-04-07

... authorization to construct and operate a new tap, including ball valve and riser and approximately 15 feet of 8..., riser, 15-feet of 8-inch diameter piping and such other appurtenant facilities as deemed necessary to...

30 CFR 550.160 - When will BOEM grant me a right-of-use and easement, and what requirements must I meet?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... rental includes the areal extent of anchor chains, pipeline risers, and other equipment associated with..., pipeline risers, and other equipment associated with the platform, artificial island, or installation or...

Mitochondrial DNA pattern of the fine shrimp Metapenaeus elegans (De Man, 1907) in the lagoon of Segara Anakan, Central Java, using Hind III

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nugraha, Fitra Arya Dwi; Holil, Kholifah; Kurniawan, Nia

2017-05-01

Ecological damages to the Lagoon of Segara Anakan, Central Java, as well as large-scale and continuous exploitation are threatening the sustainability of fine shrimp, Metapenaeus elegans, and resources. Information in regards to genetic resources is crucial to establish long-term conservation programs and to preserve germplasm quality. This study aims to evaluate the number and size of the fragment which is digested with restriction enzyme Hind III. Seven individuals of Metapenaeus elegans from the Lagoon of Segara Anakan were examined using Hind III. Amplification of mitochondrial DNA resulted in 950 bp, and the digestion using Hind III generated four fragments consisting of 114 bp, 200 bp, 250 bp, and 386 bp, which formed a monomorphic pattern. The restriction pattern showed the probability of homozygosity of alleles that restricted using Hind III. Homozygosity indicates no variation of DNA sequence.

Differential Patterns of Abnormal Activity and Connectivity in the Amygdala-Prefrontal Circuitry in Bipolar-I and Bipolar-NOS Youth

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ladouceur, Cecile D.; Farchione, Tiffany; Diwadkar, Vaibhav; Pruitt, Patrick; Radwan, Jacqueline; Axelson, David A.; Birmaher, Boris; Phillips, Mary L.

2011-01-01

Objective: The functioning of neural systems supporting emotion processing and regulation in youth with bipolar disorder not otherwise specified (BP-NOS) remains poorly understood. We sought to examine patterns of activity and connectivity in youth with BP-NOS relative to youth with bipolar disorder type I (BP-I) and healthy controls (HC). Method:…

Early Risers. What Works Clearinghouse Intervention Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

What Works Clearinghouse, 2012

2012-01-01

"Early Risers" is a multi-year prevention program for elementary school children demonstrating early aggressive and disruptive behavior. The intervention model includes two child-focused components and two parent/family components. The Child Skills component is designed to teach skills that enhance children's emotional and behavioral…

Computational Fluid Dynamics–Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) Study of Mass-Transfer Mechanisms in Riser Flow

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

We report a computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method (CFD-DEM) simulation study on the interplay between mass transfer and a heterogeneous catalyzed chemical reaction in cocurrent gas-particle flows as encountered in risers. Slip velocity, axial gas dispersion, gas bypassing, and particle mixing phenomena have been evaluated under riser flow conditions to study the complex system behavior in detail. The most important factors are found to be directly related to particle cluster formation. Low air-to-solids flux ratios lead to more heterogeneous systems, where the cluster formation is more pronounced and mass transfer more influenced. Falling clusters can be partially circumvented by the gas phase, which therefore does not fully interact with the cluster particles, leading to poor gas–solid contact efficiencies. Cluster gas–solid contact efficiencies are quantified at several gas superficial velocities, reaction rates, and dilution factors in order to gain more insight regarding the influence of clustering phenomena on the performance of riser reactors. PMID:28553011

Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) Study of Mass-Transfer Mechanisms in Riser Flow.

PubMed

Carlos Varas, Álvaro E; Peters, E A J F; Kuipers, J A M

2017-05-17

We report a computational fluid dynamics-discrete element method (CFD-DEM) simulation study on the interplay between mass transfer and a heterogeneous catalyzed chemical reaction in cocurrent gas-particle flows as encountered in risers. Slip velocity, axial gas dispersion, gas bypassing, and particle mixing phenomena have been evaluated under riser flow conditions to study the complex system behavior in detail. The most important factors are found to be directly related to particle cluster formation. Low air-to-solids flux ratios lead to more heterogeneous systems, where the cluster formation is more pronounced and mass transfer more influenced. Falling clusters can be partially circumvented by the gas phase, which therefore does not fully interact with the cluster particles, leading to poor gas-solid contact efficiencies. Cluster gas-solid contact efficiencies are quantified at several gas superficial velocities, reaction rates, and dilution factors in order to gain more insight regarding the influence of clustering phenomena on the performance of riser reactors.

The relationship between red blood cell distribution width and blood pressure abnormal dipping in patients with essential hypertension: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Su, Dan; Guo, Qi; Gao, Ya; Han, Jin; Yan, Bin; Peng, Liyuan; Song, Anqi; Zhou, Fuling; Wang, Gang

2016-02-23

To investigate whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with the blood pressure (BP) reverse-dipper pattern in patients with hypertension. Cross-sectional study. Single centre. Patients with essential hypertension were included in our study (n=708). The exclusion criteria included age <18 or >90 years, incomplete clinical data, night workers, diagnosis of secondary hypertension, under antihypertensive treatment, intolerance for the 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and BP reading success rate <70%. Physical examination and ABPM were performed for all patients in our study. The value of RDW was measured using an automated haematology analyser. The distribution of RDW in patients with hypertension among different circadian BP pattern groups was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Multinomial logistic regression was applied to explore the associations of RDW and other relevant variables with ABPM results. There was significantly increased RDW in reverse dippers (13.52 ± 1.05) than dippers (13.25 ± 0.85) of hypertension (p=0.012). Moreover, multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that RDW (OR 1.325, 95% CI 1.037 to 1.692, p=0.024) and diabetes mellitus (OR 2.286, 95% CI 1.380 to 3.788, p=0.001) were significantly different when comparing the reverse-dipper BP pattern with the dipper pattern. However, there was no difference of RDW between the non-dipper pattern and the reverse-dipper pattern (OR 1.036, 95% CI 0.867 to 1.238, p=0.693). In addition to this, RDW was negatively correlated with the decline rate of nocturnal systolic BP (r=-0.113; p=0.003) and diastolic BP (r=-0.101; p=0.007). Our results suggested that RDW might associate with the abnormal dipper BP patterns of either reverse dipping or non-dipping homogeneously examined with 24 h ABPM. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Altered Circadian Timing System-Mediated Non-Dipping Pattern of Blood Pressure and Associated Cardiovascular Disorders in Metabolic and Kidney Diseases

PubMed Central

Nishiyama, Akira

2018-01-01

The morning surge in blood pressure (BP) coincides with increased cardiovascular (CV) events. This strongly suggests that an altered circadian rhythm of BP plays a crucial role in the development of CV disease (CVD). A disrupted circadian rhythm of BP, such as the non-dipping type of hypertension (i.e., absence of nocturnal BP decline), is frequently observed in metabolic disorders and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The circadian timing system, controlled by the central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus and/or by peripheral clocks in the heart, vasculature, and kidneys, modulates the 24 h oscillation of BP. However, little information is available regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of an altered circadian timing system-mediated disrupted dipping pattern of BP in metabolic disorders and CKD that can lead to the development of CV events. A more thorough understanding of this pathogenesis could provide novel therapeutic strategies for the management of CVD. This short review will address our and others’ recent findings on the molecular mechanisms that may affect the dipping pattern of BP in metabolic dysfunction and kidney disease and its association with CV disorders. PMID:29385702

Core disruptive accident margin seal

DOEpatents

Golden, Martin P.

1979-01-01

Apparatus for sealing the annulus defined within a substantially cylindrical rotatable riser assembly and plug combination of a nuclear reactor closure head. The apparatus comprises an inflatable sealing mechanism disposed in one portion of the riser assembly near the annulus such that upon inflation the sealing mechanism is radially actuated against the other portion of the riser assembly thereby sealing the annulus. The apparatus further comprises a connecting mechanism which places one end of the sealing mechanism in fluid communication with the reactor cover gas so that overpressurization of the reactor cover gas will increase the radial actuation of the sealing mechanism thus enhancing sealing of the annulus.

Performance of thermal sprayed aluminium coatings in the splash zone and for riser service

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

Fischer, K.P.; Rosbrook, T.; Thomason, W.H.

1994-12-31

Historically, the coatings used in the splash zone have been either heavy duty coal tar epoxy or a glassflake epoxy. In 1982 Conoco justified a minimum 20 year service life for a sealed thermal sprayed aluminium (TSA) coating for the Hutton TLP risers and tethers. In 1984 the Hutton TLP was installed with 200 microns thickness TSA as the corrosion protection coating and without adding a corrosion allowance. After eight years service the TSA coating on the production risers and tethers is still in good condition. It was noted that the splash zone area was indistinguishable from the remainder ofmore » the inspected components. However, there was a noticeable difference between the production risers and the tethers. The tethers having a vinyl sealer showed a blistered surface while the risers with a silicone sealer did not show any blistering. No corrosion has been observed underneath any of the blisters. The importance of adequate sealers in connection with blistering has been documented by testing. The excellent long term performance of TSA coating in the splash zone has been further documented by the results of field studies published in the last few years. These experiences indicate that TSA coatings properly applied and with the use of specific sealer systems may provide a service life in excess of 30 years with no required maintenance.« less

Crystal accumulation in the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant high level waste melter. Preliminary settling and resuspension testing

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

Fox, K. M.; Fowley, M. D.; Miller, D. H.

2016-05-01

The full-scale, room-temperature Hanford Tank Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) High-Level Waste (HLW) melter riser test system was successfully operated with silicone oil and magnetite particles at a loading of 0.1 vol %. Design and construction of the system and instrumentation, and the selection and preparation of simulant materials, are briefly reviewed. Three experiments were completed. A prototypic pour rate was maintained, based on the volumetric flow rate. Settling and accumulation of magnetite particles were observed at the bottom of the riser and along the bottom of the throat after each experiment. The height of the accumulated layer atmore » the bottom of the riser, after the first pouring experiment, approximated the expected level given the solids loading of 0.1 vol %. More detailed observations of particle resuspension and settling were made during and after the third pouring experiment. The accumulated layer of particles at the bottom of the riser appeared to be unaffected after a pouring cycle of approximately 15 minutes at the prototypic flow rate. The accumulated layer of particles along the bottom of the throat was somewhat reduced after the same pouring cycle. Review of the time-lapse recording showed that some of the settling particles flow from the riser into the throat. This may result in a thicker than expected settled layer in the throat.« less

Noninvasive beat-to-beat finger arterial pressure monitoring during orthostasis: a comprehensive review of normal and abnormal responses at different ages.

PubMed

van Wijnen, V K; Finucane, C; Harms, M P M; Nolan, H; Freeman, R L; Westerhof, B E; Kenny, R A; Ter Maaten, J C; Wieling, W

2017-12-01

Over the past 30 years, noninvasive beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) monitoring has provided great insight into cardiovascular autonomic regulation during standing. Although traditional sphygmomanometric measurement of BP may be sufficient for detection of sustained orthostatic hypotension, it fails to capture the complexity of the underlying dynamic BP and heart rate responses. With the emerging use of noninvasive beat-to-beat BP monitoring for the assessment of orthostatic BP control in clinical and population studies, various definitions for abnormal orthostatic BP patterns have been used. Here, age-related changes in cardiovascular control in healthy subjects will be reviewed to define the spectrum of the most important abnormal orthostatic BP patterns within the first 180 s of standing. Abnormal orthostatic BP responses can be defined as initial orthostatic hypotension (a transient systolic BP fall of >40 mmHg within 15 s of standing), delayed BP recovery (an inability of systolic BP to recover to a value of >20 mmHg below baseline at 30 s after standing) and sustained orthostatic hypotension (a sustained decline in systolic BP of ≥20 mmHg occurring 60-180 s after standing). In the evaluation of patients with light-headedness, pre(syncope), (unexplained) falls or suspected autonomic dysfunction, it is essential to distinguish between normal cardiovascular autonomic regulation and these abnormal orthostatic BP responses. The prevalence, clinical relevance and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of these patterns differ significantly across the lifespan. Initial orthostatic hypotension is important for identifying causes of syncope in younger adults, whereas delayed BP recovery and sustained orthostatic hypotension are essential for evaluating the risk of falls in older adults. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Internal Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Association for Publication of The Journal of Internal Medicine.

30 CFR 250.916 - What are the CVA's primary duties during the design phase?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...) Stress analyses; (vi) Material designations; (vii) Soil and foundation conditions; (viii) Safety factors... INTERIOR OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS AND SULPHUR OPERATIONS IN THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF Platforms and... pipeline risers, and riser tensioning systems; (ii) Turrets and turret-and-hull interfaces; (iii...

OTEC riser cable model and prototype testing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurt, J. P.; Schultz, J. A.; Roblee, L. H. S.

1981-12-01

Two different OTEC riser cables have been developed to span the distance between a floating OTEC power plant and the ocean floor. The major design concerns for a riser cable in the dynamic OTEC environment are fatigue, corrosion, and electrical/mechanical aging of the cable components. The basic properties of the cable materials were studied through tests on model cables and on samples of cable materials. Full-scale prototype cables were manufactured and were tested to measure their electrical and mechanical properties and performance. The full-scale testing was culminated by the electrical/mechanical fatigue test, which exposes full-scale cables to simultaneous tension, bending and electrical loads, all in a natural seawater environment.

Measurements of monopolar and bipolar current spreads using forward-masking with a fixed probe.

PubMed

Bingabr, Mohamed G; Espinoza-Varas, Blas; Sigdel, Saroj

2014-05-01

This research employed a forward-masking paradigm to estimate the current spread of monopolar (MP) and bipolar (BP) maskers, with current amplitudes adjusted to elicit the same loudness. Since the spatial separation between active and return electrodes is smaller in BP than in MP configurations, the BP current spread is more localized and presumably superior in terms of speech intelligibility. Because matching the loudness requires higher current in BP than in MP stimulation, previous forward-masking studies show that BP current spread is not consistently narrower across subjects or electrodes within a subject. The present forward-masking measures of current spread differ from those of previous studies by using the same BP probe electrode configuration for both MP and BP masker configurations, and adjusting the current levels of the MP and BP maskers so as to match them in loudness. With this method, the estimate of masker current spread would not be contaminated by differences in probe current spread. Forward masking was studied in four cochlear implant patients, two females and two males, with speech recognition scores higher than 50%; that is, their auditory-nerve survival status was more than adequate to carry out the experiments. The data showed that MP and BP masker configurations produce equivalent masking patterns (and current spreads) in three participants. A fourth participant displayed asymmetrical patterns with enhancement rather than masking in some cases, especially when the probe and masker were at the same location. This study showed equivalent masking patterns for MP and BP maskers when the BP masker current amplitude was increased to match the loudness of the MP masker, and the same BP probe configuration is used with both maskers. This finding could help to explain why cochlear implant users often fail to accrue higher speech intelligibility benefit from BP stimulation.

Relationship Between 24-Hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure and Cognitive Function in Community-Living Older Adults: The UCSD Ambulatory Blood Pressure Study.

PubMed

Conway, Kyle S; Forbang, Nketi; Beben, Tomasz; Criqui, Michael H; Ix, Joachim H; Rifkin, Dena E

2015-12-01

Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) patterns have been associated with diminished cognitive function in hypertensive and very elderly populations. The relationship between ambulatory BP patterns and cognitive function in community-living older adults is unknown. We conducted a cross-sectional study in which 24-hour ambulatory BP, in-clinic BP, and cognitive function measures were obtained from 319 community-living older adults. The mean age was 72 years, 66% were female, and 13% were African-American. We performed linear regression with performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as the primary outcome and 24-hour BP patterns as the independent variable, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and comorbidities. Greater nighttime systolic dipping (P = 0.046) and higher 24-hour diastolic BP (DBP; P = 0.015) were both significantly associated with better cognitive function, whereas 24-hour systolic BP (SBP), average real variability, and ambulatory arterial stiffness were not. Higher 24-hour DBP and greater nighttime systolic dipping were significantly associated with improved cognitive function. Future studies should examine whether low 24-hour DBP and lack of nighttime systolic dipping predict future cognitive impairment. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2015. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

30 CFR 250.527 - What must I include in my casing pressure request?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... casing/riser calculated MAWOPs; (h) All casing/riser pre-bleed down pressures; (i) Shut-in tubing... test (oil, gas, basic sediment, and water); (l) Well status (shut-in, temporarily abandoned, producing, injecting, or gas lift); (m) Well type (dry tree, hybrid, or subsea); (n) Date of diagnostic test; (o) Well...

The Early Risers Preventive Intervention: Testing for Six-year Outcomes and Mediational Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bernat, Debra H.; August, Gerald J.; Hektner, Joel M.; Bloomquist, Michael L.

2007-01-01

We examined effects of the Early Risers "Skills for Success" early-age-targeted prevention program on serious conduct problems following 5 years of continuous intervention and one year of follow-up. We also examined if intervention effects on proximally-targeted variables found after 3 years mediated intervention effects on conduct…

Tibial plateau fracture following gracilis-semitendinosus anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: The tibial tunnel stress-riser.

PubMed

Sundaram, R O; Cohen, D; Barton-Hanson, N

2006-06-01

Tibial plateau fractures following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are extremely rare. This is the first reported case of a tibial plateau fracture following four-strand gracilis-semitendinosus autograft ACL reconstruction. The tibial tunnel alone may behave as a stress riser which can significantly reduce bone strength.

Computation of turbulence and dispersion of cork in the NETL riser

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

Jiradilok, Veeraya; Gidaspow, Dimitri; Breault, R.W.

The knowledge of dispersion coefficients is essential for reliable design of gasifiers. However, a literature review had shown that dispersion coefficients in fluidized beds differ by more than five orders of magnitude. This study presents a comparison of the computed axial solids dispersion coefficients for cork particles to the NETL riser cork data. The turbulence properties, the Reynolds stresses, the granular temperature spectra and the radial and axial gas and solids dispersion coefficients are computed. The standard kinetic theory model described in Gidaspow’s 1994 book, Multiphase Flow and Fluidization, Academic Press and the IIT and Fluent codes were used tomore » compute the measured axial solids volume fraction profiles for flow of cork particles in the NETL riser. The Johnson–Jackson boundary conditions were used. Standard drag correlations were used. This study shows that the computed solids volume fractions for the low flux flow are within the experimental error of those measured, using a two-dimensional model. At higher solids fluxes the simulated solids volume fractions are close to the experimental measurements, but deviate significantly at the top of the riser. This disagreement is due to use of simplified geometry in the two-dimensional simulation. There is a good agreement between the experiment and the three-dimensional simulation for a high flux condition. This study concludes that the axial and radial gas and solids dispersion coefficients in risers operating in the turbulent flow regime can be computed using a multiphase computational fluid dynamics model.« less

Nanoscale patterning of a self-assembled monolayer by modification of the molecule-substrate bond.

PubMed

Shen, Cai; Buck, Manfred

2014-01-01

The intercalation of Cu at the interface of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) and a Au(111)/mica substrate by underpotential deposition (UPD) is studied as a means of high resolution patterning. A SAM of 2-(4'-methylbiphenyl-4-yl)ethanethiol (BP2) prepared in a structural phase that renders the Au substrate completely passive against Cu-UPD, is patterned by modification with the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope. The tip-induced defects act as nucleation sites for Cu-UPD. The lateral diffusion of the metal at the SAM-substrate interface and, thus, the pattern dimensions are controlled by the deposition time. Patterning down to the sub-20 nm range is demonstrated. The difference in strength between the S-Au and S-Cu bond is harnessed to develop the latent Cu-UPD image into a patterned binary SAM. Demonstrated by the exchange of BP2 by adamantanethiol (AdSH) this is accomplished by a sequence of reductive desorption of BP2 in Cu free areas followed by adsorption of AdSH. The appearance of Au adatom islands upon the thiol exchange suggests that the interfacial structures of BP2 and AdSH SAMs are different.

Molecular typing of Staphylococcus aureus based on coagulase gene.

PubMed

Javid, Faizan; Taku, Anil; Bhat, Mohd Altaf; Badroo, Gulzar Ahmad; Mudasir, Mir; Sofi, Tanveer Ahmad

2018-04-01

This study was conducted to study the coagulase gene-based genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus , isolated from different samples of cattle using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and their sequence-based phylogenetic analysis. A total of 192 different samples from mastitic milk, nasal cavity, and pus from skin wounds of cattle from Military Dairy Farm, Jammu, India, were screened for the presence of S. aureus . The presumptive isolates were confirmed by nuc gene-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The confirmed S. aureus isolates were subjected to coagulase ( coa ) gene PCR. Different coa genotypes observed were subjected to RFLP using restriction enzymes Hae111 and Alu1 , to obtain the different restriction patterns. One isolate from each restriction pattern was sequenced. These sequences were aligned for maximum homology using the Bioedit softwareandsimilarity in the sequences was inferred with the help of sequence identity matrix. Of 192 different samples,39 (20.31%) isolates of S. aureus were confirmed by targeting nuc gene using PCR. Of 39 S. aureus isolates, 25 (64.10%) isolates carried coa gene. Four different genotypes of coa gene, i.e., 514 bp, 595 bp, 757 bp, and 802 bp were obtained. Two coa genotypes, 595 bp (15 isolates) and 802 bp (4 isolates), were observed in mastitic milk. 514 bp (2 isolates) and 757 bp (4 isolates) coa genotypes were observed from nasal cavity and pus from skin wounds, respectively. On RFLP using both restriction enzymes, four different restriction patterns P1, P2, P3, and P4 were observed. On sequencing, four different sequences having unique restriction patterns were obtained. The most identical sequences with the value of 0.810 were found between isolate S. aureus 514 (nasal cavity) and S. aureus 595 (mastitic milk), and thus, they are most closely related. While as the most distant sequences with the value of 0.483 were found between S. aureus 514 and S. aureus 802 isolates. The study, being localized to only one farm, yielded different RFLP patterns as observed from different sampling sites, which indicates that different S . aureus coagulase typeshave a site-specific predilection. Two coa patterns were observed in mastitic milk indicating multiple origins of infection, with 595 bp coa genotype being predominant in mastitic milk. The coa genotypes and their restriction patterns observed in the present study are novel, not published earlier. 514 and 595 coa variants of S. aureus are genetically most related.

Modeling study on the flow patterns of gas-liquid flow for fast decarburization during the RH process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Yi-hong; Bao, Yan-ping; Wang, Rui; Ma, Li-feng; Liu, Jian-sheng

2018-02-01

A water model and a high-speed video camera were utilized in the 300-t RH equipment to study the effect of steel flow patterns in a vacuum chamber on fast decarburization and a superior flow-pattern map was obtained during the practical RH process. There are three flow patterns with different bubbling characteristics and steel surface states in the vacuum chamber: boiling pattern (BP), transition pattern (TP), and wave pattern (WP). The effect of the liquid-steel level and the residence time of the steel in the chamber on flow patterns and decarburization reaction were investigated, respectively. The liquid-steel level significantly affected the flow-pattern transition from BP to WP, and the residence time and reaction area were crucial to evaluate the whole decarburization process rather than the circulation flow rate and mixing time. A superior flow-pattern map during the practical RH process showed that the steel flow pattern changed from BP to TP quickly, and then remained as TP until the end of decarburization.

Dietary Patterns and Blood Pressure in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials12

PubMed Central

Tapsell, Linda C; Batterham, Marijka J

2016-01-01

Hypertension is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease. To lower blood pressure (BP), several lifestyle changes are recommended such as weight loss, exercise, and following a healthy diet. Investigating the effect of single nutrients may have positive results, but food is consumed as part of a whole diet, resulting in nutrient interactions. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the effect of dietary patterns on BP in adults. Studies that were published between January 1999 and June 2014 were retrieved using Scopus, Web of Science, and the MEDLINE database. Seventeen randomized controlled trials were included in the meta-analysis. The results suggest that healthy dietary patterns such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, Nordic diet, and Mediterranean diet significantly lowered systolic BP and diastolic BP by 4.26 mm Hg and 2.38 mm Hg, respectively. These diets are rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, seeds, nuts, fish, and dairy and low in meat, sweets, and alcohol. Lifestyle factors such as exercise and weight loss in combination with dietary changes may also reduce BP. Further research is needed to establish the effect of dietary patterns on BP in different cultures other than those identified in this review. The review was registered on PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) as CRD42015016272. PMID:26773016

Development of Millimeter-Wave Velocimetry and Acoustic Time-of-Flight Tomography for Measurements in Densely Loaded Gas-Solid Riser Flow

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

Fort, James A.; Pfund, David M.; Sheen, David M.

2007-04-01

The MFDRC was formed in 1998 to advance the state-of-the-art in simulating multiphase turbulent flows by developing advanced computational models for gas-solid flows that are experimentally validated over a wide range of industrially relevant conditions. The goal was to transfer the resulting validated models to interested US commercial CFD software vendors, who would then propagate the models as part of new code versions to their customers in the US chemical industry. Since the lack of detailed data sets at industrially relevant conditions is the major roadblock to developing and validating multiphase turbulence models, a significant component of the work involvedmore » flow measurements on an industrial-scale riser contributed by Westinghouse, which was subsequently installed at SNL. Model comparisons were performed against these datasets by LANL. A parallel Office of Industrial Technology (OIT) project within the consortium made similar comparisons between riser measurements and models at NETL. Measured flow quantities of interest included volume fraction, velocity, and velocity-fluctuation profiles for both gas and solid phases at various locations in the riser. Some additional techniques were required for these measurements beyond what was currently available. PNNL’s role on the project was to work with the SNL experimental team to develop and test two new measurement techniques, acoustic tomography and millimeter-wave velocimetry. Acoustic tomography is a promising technique for gas-solid flow measurements in risers and PNNL has substantial related experience in this area. PNNL is also active in developing millimeter wave imaging techniques, and this technology presents an additional approach to make desired measurements. PNNL supported the advanced diagnostics development part of this project by evaluating these techniques and then by adapting and developing the selected technology to bulk gas-solids flows and by implementing them for testing in the SNL riser testbed.« less

A novel circulating loop bioreactor with cells immobilized in loofa ( Luffa cylindrica) sponge for the bioconversion of raw cassava starch to ethanol.

PubMed

Roble, N D; Ogbonna, J C; Tanaka, H

2003-02-01

A circulating loop bioreactor (CLB) with cells immobilized in loofa sponge was constructed for simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic processes. The CLB consists of an aerated riser and a non-aerated downcomer column connected at the top and bottom by cylindrical pipes. Ethanol production from raw cassava starch was investigated in the CLB. Aspergillus awamori IAM 2389 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae IR2 immobilized on loofa sponge were placed, respectively, in the aerated riser column and non-aerated downcomer column. Both alpha-amylase and glucoamylase activities increased as the aeration rate was increased. Ethanol yield and productivity increased with an increase in the aeration rate up to 0.5 vvm, but decreased at higher aeration rates. The CLB was operated at an aeration rate of 0.5 vvm for more than 600 h, resulting in an average ethanol productivity and yield from raw cassava starch of 0.5 g-ethanol l(-1) x h(-1) and 0.45 g ethanol/g starch, respectively. In order to increase ethanol productivity, it was necessary to increase the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in the riser column and decrease the DO concentration in the downcomer column. However, increasing the aeration rate resulted in increases in the DO concentration in both the riser and the downcomer columns. At high aeration rate, there was no significant difference in the DO concentration in the riser and downcomer columns. The aeration rate was therefore uncoupled from the liquid circulation by attaching a time-controlled valve in the upper connecting pipe. By optimizing the time and frequency of valve opening, and operation at high aeration rate, it was possible to maintain a very high DO concentration in the riser column and a low DO concentration in the downcomer column. Under these conditions, ethanol productivity increased by more than 100%, to 1.17 g l(-1) x h(-1).

Blood pressure and cerebral white matter share common genetic factors in Mexican Americans.

PubMed

Kochunov, Peter; Glahn, David C; Lancaster, Jack; Winkler, Anderson; Karlsgodt, Kathrin; Olvera, Rene L; Curran, Joanna E; Carless, Melanie A; Dyer, Thomas D; Almasy, Laura; Duggirala, Ravi; Fox, Peter T; Blangero, John

2011-02-01

Elevated arterial pulse pressure and blood pressure (BP) can lead to atrophy of cerebral white matter (WM), potentially attributable to shared genetic factors. We calculated the magnitude of shared genetic variance between BP and fractional anisotropy of water diffusion, a sensitive measurement of WM integrity in a well-characterized population of Mexican Americans. The patterns of whole-brain and regional genetic overlap between BP and fractional anisotropy were interpreted in the context the pulse-wave encephalopathy theory. We also tested whether regional pattern in genetic pleiotropy is modulated by the phylogeny of WM development. BP and high-resolution (1.7 × 1.7 × 3 mm; 55 directions) diffusion tensor imaging data were analyzed for 332 (202 females; mean age 47.9 ± 13.3 years) members of the San Antonio Family Heart Study. Bivariate genetic correlation analysis was used to calculate the genetic overlap between several BP measurements (pulse pressure, systolic BP, and diastolic BP) and fractional anisotropy (whole-brain and regional values). Intersubject variance in pulse pressure and systolic BP exhibited a significant genetic overlap with variance in whole-brain fractional anisotropy values, sharing 36% and 22% of genetic variance, respectively. Regionally, shared genetic variance was significantly influenced by rates of WM development (r=-0.75; P=0.01). The pattern of genetic overlap between BP and WM integrity was generally in agreement with the pulse-wave encephalopathy theory. Our study provides evidence that a set of pleiotropically acting genetic factors jointly influence phenotypic variation in BP and WM integrity. The magnitude of this overlap appears to be influenced by phylogeny of WM development, suggesting a possible role for genotype-by-age interactions.

Autoregulation of cerebral blood flow in orthostatic hypotension

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Novak, V.; Novak, P.; Spies, J. M.; Low, P. A.

1998-01-01

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We sought to evaluate cerebral autoregulation in patients with orthostatic hypotension (OH). METHODS: We studied 21 patients (aged 52 to 78 years) with neurogenic OH during 80 degrees head-up tilt. Blood flow velocities (BFV) from the middle cerebral artery were continuously monitored with transcranial Doppler sonography, as were heart rate, blood pressure (BP), cardiac output, stroke volume, CO2, total peripheral resistance, and cerebrovascular resistance. RESULTS: All OH patients had lower BP (P<.0001), BFV_diastolic (P<.05), CVR (P<.007), and TPR (P<.02) during head-up tilt than control subjects. In control subjects, no correlations between BFV and BP were found during head-up tilt, suggesting normal autoregulation. OH patients could be separated into those with normal or expanded autoregulation (OH_NA; n=16) and those with autoregulatory failure (OH_AF; n=5). The OH_NA group showed either no correlation between BFV and BP (n=8) or had a positive BFV/BP correlation (R2>.75) but with a flat slope. An expansion of the "autoregulated" range was seen in some patients. The OH_AF group was characterized by a profound fall in BFV in response to a small reduction in BP (mean deltaBP <40 mm Hg; R2>.75). CONCLUSIONS: The most common patterns of cerebral response to OH are autoregulatory failure with a flat flow-pressure relationship or intact autoregulation with an expanded autoregulated range. The least common pattern is autoregulatory failure with a steep flow-pressure relationship. Patients with patterns 1 and 2 have an enhanced capacity to cope with OH, while those with pattern 3 have reduced capacity.

Prevalence and tracking of back pain from childhood to adolescence

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background It is generally acknowledged that back pain (BP) is a common condition already in childhood. However, the development until early adulthood is not well understood and, in particular, not the individual tracking pattern. The objectives of this paper are to show the prevalence estimates of BP, low back pain (LBP), mid back pain (MBP), neck pain (NP), and care-seeking because of BP at three different ages (9, 13 and15 years) and how the BP reporting tracks over these age groups over three consecutive surveys. Methods A longitudinal cohort study was carried out from the years of 1997 till 2005, collecting interview data from children who were sampled to be representative of Danish schoolchildren. BP was defined overall and specifically in the three spinal regions as having reported pain within the past month. The prevalence estimates and the various patterns of BP reporting over time are presented as percentages. Results Of the 771 children sampled, 62%, 57%, and 58% participated in the three back surveys and 34% participated in all three. The prevalence estimates for children at the ages of 9, 13, and 15, respectively, were for BP 33%, 28%, and 48%; for LBP 4%, 22%, and 36%; for MBP 20%, 13%, and 35%; and for NP 10%, 7%, and 15%. Seeking care for BP increased from 6% and 8% at the two youngest ages to 34% at the oldest. Only 7% of the children who participated in all three surveys reported BP each time and 30% of these always reported no pain. The patterns of development differed for the three spinal regions and between genders. Status at the previous survey predicted status at the next survey, so that those who had pain before were more likely to report pain again and vice versa. This was most pronounced for care-seeking. Conclusion It was confirmed that BP starts early in life, but the patterns of onset and development over time vary for different parts of the spine and between genders. Because of these differences, it is recommended to report on BP in youngsters separately for the three spinal regions, and to differentiate in the analyses between the genders and age groups. Although only a small minority reported BP at two or all three surveys, tracking of BP (particularly NP) and care seeking was noted from one survey to the other. On the positive side, individuals without BP at a previous survey were likely to remain pain free at the subsequent survey. PMID:21575251

Human Strength Capabilities for the Operation of Parachute Ripcords and Riser Releases

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-10-01

Parachutes Human Strength Ripcords Isometric Force Riser Releases Anthropometry 0 24 SITRACT (Con i, e on reveres. id. If neceay and Identify by block numb... Anthropometry . . . .. .. ... .. 41 DISCUSSIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Other Studies . . . . . . . . . 44 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS...tendency to produce greater forces. Anthropometry . Results of the anthropometric measurements are given in Table 11, listing the means, standard

Secondary School Reform, Inclusion, and Authentic Assessment. Research Institute on Secondary Education Reform (RISER) for Youth with Disabilities Brief.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Braden, Jeffery P.; Schroeder, Jennifer L.; Buckley, Jacquelyn A.

The Research Institute on Secondary Education Reform for Youth with Disabilities (RISER) has identified Schools of Authentic and Inclusive Learning (SAIL) to explore whether and how secondary students with disabilities are included in secondary education reform. In this brief, the literature describing the intersection of reform, inclusion, and…

Pollution patterns and underlying relationships of benzophenone-type UV-filters in wastewater treatment plants and their receiving surface water.

PubMed

Wu, Ming-Hong; Li, Jian; Xu, Gang; Ma, Luo-Dan; Li, Jia-Jun; Li, Jin-Song; Tang, Liang

2018-05-15

The environmental behaviors of emerging pollutants, benzophenone-type UV filters (BP-UV filters) and their derivatives were investigated in four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and their receiving surface waters in Shanghai. The concentration level of selected BP-UV filters in the WWTPs was detected from ngL -1 to μgL -1 . BP (621-951ngL -1 ) and BP-3 (841-1.32 × 10 3 ngL -1 ) were the most abundant and highest detection frequency individuals among the target BP-UV filters in influents, whereas BP (198-400ngL -1 ), BP-4 (93.3-288ngL -1 ) and BP-3 (146-258ngL -1 ) were predominant in effluents. BP-UV filters cannot be completely removed and the total removal efficiency varied widely (-456% to 100%) during the treatment process. It can be inferred that the usage of BP and BP-3 are higher than other BP-UV filters in the study area. The lowest and highest levels were BP-2 (ND-7.66ngL -1 ) and BP-3 (68.5-5.01 × 10 3 ng L -1 ) in the receiving surface water, respectively. Interestingly, the seasonal variation of BP-3 is larger than those of other BP-UV filters in surface water from Shanghai. There is no obvious pollution pattern of BP-UV filters in the surface water from the cosmetic factory area. The correlation analysis of BP-UV filters between WWTPs effluents and nearby downstream water samples suggested that BP-UV filters emitted from some WWTPs might be the main source of receiving surface water. Preliminary risk assessment indicated that the levels of BP-UV filters detected by the effluent posed medium to high risk to fish as well as other aquatic organisms. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Morning blood pressure surge and nighttime blood pressure in relation to nocturnal sleep pattern and arterial stiffness.

PubMed

Suh, Minhee; Barksdale, Debra J; Logan, Jeongok G

2014-01-01

The phenomenon of morning blood pressure (BP) surge (MBPS) is known to increase the risk for cardiovascular events and stroke. The purposes of this study were to explore associations between MBPS and nighttime BP and to examine arterial stiffness and sleep pattern in association with MBPS. This study included 30 healthy Korean American women aged 25 to 60 years. Ambulatory BP was monitored for 24 hours. To evaluate MBPS, maximum morning BP(power) was calculated. Arterial stiffness was measured by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, and sleep pattern was evaluated using an actigraphy. The participants (n = 8) in the upper quartile of MBPS had higher morning systolic BPs (SBPs; P = 0.015) and lower nighttime diastolic BPs (P = 0.031). The MBPS in SBP was significantly increased in the participants who had a more wakeful night (P = 0.038) and who slept longer at night (P = 0.041). Although MBPS was not significantly related to arterial stiffness, higher morning SBP (P = 0.005), morning diastolic BP (P = 0.048), and prewake SBP (P = 0.005) were associated with arterial stiffness. Our findings imply a possible link between disturbed sleep and MBPS. Clinicians should understand the importance of the modification of altered sleep pattern for reducing MBPS in nonhypertensive participants.

75 FR 26091 - Safety Zone; Riser for DEEPWATER HORIZON at Mississippi Canyon 252 Outer Continental Shelf MODU...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-05-11

... establishing a safety zone around the riser for the DEEPWATER HORIZON, a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU... Mexico in response to the sinking of the DEEPWATER HORIZON, a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU), which.... 147.T08-849 to read as follows: Sec. 147.T08-849 DEEPWATER HORIZON Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit...

Influence of cross-sectional ratio of down comer to riser on the efficiency of liquid circulation in loop air lift bubble column

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Tatsumi; Kawasaki, Hiroyuki; Mori, Hidetoshi

2017-11-01

Loop type bubble columns have good performance of liquid circulation and mass transfer by airlift effect, where the liquid circulation time is an important measurable characteristic parameter. This parameter is affected by the column construction, the aspect ratio of the column, the cross-sectional area ratio of down comer to riser (R), and the superficial gas velocity in the riser (UGR). In this work, the mean gas holdup and the liquid circulation time (TC) have been measured in four types of loop airlift type bubble column: concentric tube internal loop airlift type, rectangular internal loop airlift type, external loop airlift type, external loop airlift with separator. Air and tap water were used as gas and liquid phase, respectively. The results have demonstrated that the mean gas holdup in riser increases in proportion to UGR, and that it in downcomer changes according to the geometric parameters of each bubble column. TC has been found to conform to an empirical equation which depends on UGR and the length of draft tube or division plate in the region of 0.33 < R < 1.

Effects of an isocaloric healthy Nordic diet on ambulatory blood pressure in metabolic syndrome: a randomized SYSDIET sub-study.

PubMed

Brader, L; Uusitupa, M; Dragsted, L O; Hermansen, K

2014-01-01

Dietary pattern is central in the prevention of hypertension and blood pressure (BP)-related diseases. A diet based on healthy Nordic foods may have a favourable impact on BP. The objective was to clarify whether a Nordic alternative for a healthy food pattern would have beneficial effects on ambulatory BP in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). In total, 37 subjects were randomized to either a healthy Nordic diet or a control diet. A healthy Nordic diet embraced whole grains, rapeseed oil, berries, fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and low-fat dairy products of Nordic origin. The mean nutrient intake in the Nordic countries formed the control diet, embracing wheat products, dairy fat-based spread and a lower intake of fruits, vegetables and fish. Diets were isoenergetic. Ambulatory BP was monitored and 24-h urine was collected before and after 12 weeks of intervention. After 12 weeks, ambulatory diastolic BP (-4.4 mm Hg; P=0.001) and mean arterial pressure (-4.2 mm Hg; P=0.006) were lowered by the healthy Nordic diet compared with the control diet, whereas changes in ambulatory systolic BP did not differ significantly between diets (-3.5 mm Hg; P=0.122). Heart rate tended to be lower in those on the healthy Nordic diet (P=0.057). Urinary sodium and potassium excretions were unaffected by diets and consequently not associated with the healthy Nordic diet-induced lowering of BP. Consumption of Nordic varieties of health-enhancing foods for 12 weeks decreased diastolic ambulatory BP and mean arterial pressure in subjects with features of MetS during weight-stable condition, suggesting beneficial effects of a healthy Nordic dietary pattern on ambulatory BP.

Macrophysical climate models and Holocene hunter-gatherer subsistence shifts in Central Texas, USA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mauldin, R. P.; Munoz, C.

2013-12-01

We use stable carbon isotopic values from bone collagen, as well as carbon values from carbonate extracted from bone apatite from 69 prehistoric human skeletal samples to investigate past resource use and climate relationships over the Middle and Late Holocene in Central Texas. Bone samples come from seven archaeological sites and samples date from 6,900 BP to the close of the prehistoric sequence at about 350 BP. Carbon isotopes from these samples suggest four broad dietary trends. From 6,900 through about 3,800 BP, carbon isotopes suggest a gradual increase in the consumption of resources that ultimately use a C3 photosynthetic pathway. A decline in δ13C in both collagen and carbonate values follows, suggesting a decrease in C3 resource use through roughly 2,900 BP. A variable, but once again increasing pattern on C3 resource use by prehistoric hunter-gatherers is indicated in bone isotopes through about 1,000 BP. After that date, a decrease in C3 resource dependence, with hints at greater subsistence diversity, is suggested through the close of the sequence at 350 BP. To assess the impact of climate shifts on this isotopic pattern, we developed a series of macrophysical climate models (MCM) for several locations in Central Texas focusing on fall, winter, and early spring precipitation. This fall-spring rainfall should closely determine C3 production. If subsistence shifts are responding to climate-induced changes in resource availability, then the measured hunter-gatherer carbon isotope trends summarized above should pattern with C3 production as monitored by the modeled fall-spring precipitation values. For the Middle Holocene portion of the sequence, the precipitation models suggest increasing C3 production, consistent with increasing C3 dependence shown in the isotopic data. A decline in C3 production between 3,900 and 3,000 BP in the models is also consistent with the isotopic decline at that point. After 3,000 BP, however, the coupling between fall-spring rainfall pattern and the bone isotope patterns begin to break down. Precipitation models suggest an essentially flat or slightly increasing pattern of production, while the isotopic data show a rapid C3 increase, and then a decline. This divergence is especially the case late in the sequence, with isotopic patterns showing rapid decreases in C3 resource use that are not consistent with the macrophysical climate models. If the precipitation models are accurate, the Late Holocene pattern of resource use reflects additional elements (e.g., regional population density changes, mobility shifts, social alliances) that require investigation. Standardized values. Data point colors reflect distinct climate trends.

Maintenance Effects of an Evidence-Based Prevention Innovation for Aggressive Children Living in Culturally Diverse Urban Neighborhoods: The Early Risers Effectiveness Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

August, Gerald J.; Lee, Susanne S.; Bloomquist, Michael L.; Realmuto, George M.; Hektner, Joel M.

2004-01-01

The present study assessed the ability of the Early Risers' Skills for Success Program to maintain program effects 1 year post intervention. Participants were 327 kindergarten and first-grade children who screened positive for aggressive behavior and who were randomized to program and control conditions. Program children participated in 2…

The Relationship of an Ecological Model of Career Development to Authentic Learning. Research Institute on Secondary Education Reform (RISER) for Youth with Disabilities Brief.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collet-Klingenberg, Lana L.; Hanley-Maxwell, Cheryl; Stuart, Shannon

This brief discusses how the Research Institute on Secondary Education Reform (RISER) for Youth with Disabilities model, Schools of Authentic Inclusive Learning (SAIL), and career development constructs and processes intersect. The brief provides an overview of SAIL, of authentic and inclusive learning, and of career development theory, while…

Towards a census of high-redshift dusty galaxies with Herschel. A selection of "500 μm-risers"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Donevski, D.; Buat, V.; Boone, F.; Pappalardo, C.; Bethermin, M.; Schreiber, C.; Mazyed, F.; Alvarez-Marquez, J.; Duivenvoorden, S.

2018-06-01

Context. Over the last decade a large number of dusty star-forming galaxies has been discovered up to redshift z = 2 - 3 and recent studies have attempted to push the highly confused Herschel SPIRE surveys beyond that distance. To search for z ≥ 4 galaxies they often consider the sources with fluxes rising from 250 μm to 500 μm (so-called "500 μm-risers"). Herschel surveys offer a unique opportunity to efficiently select a large number of these rare objects, and thus gain insight into the prodigious star-forming activity that takes place in the very distant Universe. Aims: We aim to implement a novel method to obtain a statistical sample of 500 μm-risers and fully evaluate our selection inspecting different models of galaxy evolution. Methods: We consider one of the largest and deepest Herschel surveys, the Herschel Virgo Cluster Survey. We develop a novel selection algorithm which links the source extraction and spectral energy distribution fitting. To fully quantify selection biases we make end-to-end simulations including clustering and lensing. Results: We select 133 500 μm-risers over 55 deg2, imposing the criteria: S500 > S350 > S250, S250 > 13.2 mJy and S500 > 30 mJy. Differential number counts are in fairly good agreement with models, displaying a better match than other existing samples. The estimated fraction of strongly lensed sources is 24+6-5% based on models. Conclusions: We present the faintest sample of 500 μm-risers down to S250 = 13.2 mJy. We show that noise and strong lensing have an important impact on measured counts and redshift distribution of selected sources. We estimate the flux-corrected star formation rate density at 4 < z < 5 with the 500 μm-risers and find it to be close to the total value measured in far-infrared. This indicates that colour selection is not a limiting effect to search for the most massive, dusty z > 4 sources.

Obseration of flow regime transition in CFB riser using an LDV

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

Yue, Paul C.; Mei, Joseph S.; Shadle, Lawrence J.

2011-01-01

The solids flow in a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) riser is often described to have a core-annular structure. For a given superficial gas velocity, at the initial introduction of solids into a riser a flow structure of dilute upflow regime exists. Continuing to increase the solids flow in the riser transitions the flow structure to the core-annular flow regime. However, with further increase of solids flow a condition is reached, depending on the superficial gas velocity, where all the solids across the riser cross section flow upwards, even those at the wall. When the solids flux, solids fraction and gasmore » velocity are relatively high, such a condition is described as the dense phase suspense upflow (DSU) regime. In this paper we report our observations of these flow regime transitions by using a laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) to monitor the upward and downward particle flow velocities at and near the riser wall of the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s 30.4 centimeters diameter CFB cold flow model. The particles were high density polyethylene (PPE) spheres with a Sauter mean diameter of 861 micron and a density of 800 kg/m3. Three superficial gas velocities of 6.55 m/s, 10.67 m/s and 13.72 m/s were used in this study. For the case of superficial gas velocity 6.55 m/s, the experimental data show that the transition from dilute upflow to core-annular flow occurred when the solids flux was about 7 kg/m{sup 2}-s and the transition from core-annular flow to dense suspension upflow was about 147 kg/m{sup 2}-s. As the superficial gas velocity was increased to 10.67 m/s the corresponding flow regime transitions were at 34 kg/m{sup 2}-s and 205 kg/m{sup 2}-s, respectively. For the case of superficial gas velocity of 13.72 m/s the data showed no distinct transition of flow regimes. The particles were all upflow for the range of solids fluxes from 10 kg/m{sup 2}-s to 286 kg/m{sup 2}-s.« less

Circadian mechanisms of 24-hour blood pressure regulation and patterning.

PubMed

Smolensky, Michael H; Hermida, Ramón C; Portaluppi, Francesco

2017-06-01

In most persons, blood pressure (BP) rises slowly during late sleep, increases rapidly upon morning awakening and commencement of diurnal activity, exhibits two - morning and afternoon/early evening - daytime peaks, shows a minor midday nadir, and undergoes a decline during nighttime sleep by 10-20% in systolic BP and somewhat lesser amount in diastolic BP relative to wake-time means. Nyctohemeral cycles of ambient temperature, light, noise and behaviorally driven temporal patterns in food, liquid, salt, and stimulant consumption, mental/emotional stress, posture, and physical activity intensity plus circadian rhythms of wake/sleep, pineal gland melatonin synthesis, autonomic and central nervous, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, renal hemodynamic, endothelial, vasoactive peptide, and opioid systems constitute the key regulators and determinants of the BP 24 h profile. Environmental and behavioral cycles are believed to be far more influential than circadian ones. However, the facts that the: i) BP 24 h pattern of secondary hypertension, e.g., diabetes and renal disease, is characterized by absence of BP fall during sleep, and ii) scheduling of conventional long-acting medications at bedtime, rather than morning, results in much better hypertension control and vascular risk reduction, presumably because highest drug concentration coincides closely with the peak of most key circadian determinants of the BP 24 h profile, indicate endogenous rhythmic influences are of greater importance than previously appreciated. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Study of shear rate in modified airlift nitrifying bioreactor].

PubMed

Jin, Ren-cun; Zheng, Ping

2006-06-01

The characteristics of shear rate in an airlift nitrifying bioreactor and its influencing factors were studied. The results showed that the shear rate was different in different sections of the bioreactor. With inlet gas flowrate at 430 approximately 2700 L x h(-1), the overall shear rate was (0.702 approximately 3.13) x 10(5) s(-1), shear rate in riser was (1.07 approximately 31.3) x 10(5) s(-1) and in gas-liquid separator was (1.12 approximately 25.0) x 10(5) s(-1), respectively. It indicates that the highest shear rates prevailed in the riser part of bioreactor. The operational variables and the bioreactor configurations exerted a significant influence on the shear level of the bioreactor. When inlet gas flowrate was raised from 1300 to 2700 L x h(-1), shear rate in riser and separator ascended first and then descended subsequently. The diameter of draft tube (d) was negatively correlated with shear rate. When the draft tube with diameter of 5.5 cm was installed, the shear rates in riser, separator and overall shear rate were 85.5%, 82.3% and 80.6%, respectively less as compared with that with diameter of 4.0 cm. The number of static mixers (N) was positively correlated with the shear rate. When d was set at 4.0 cm, with N of 10 and 39, the shear rates in riser were 6.14 and 7.97 times higher respectively, than that of conventional bioreactor. The ratio of maximum local shear rate to overall shear rate was 3.68 approximately 7.66, and the homogeneity of the shear field in airlift bioreactors could be improved if d and N were set at 5.5 cm and 10 approximately 13, respectively.

Analysis of the acceleration region in a circulating fluidized bed riser operating above fast fluidization velocities

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

Monazam, E.R.; Shadle, L.J.

2008-11-05

In commercial circulating fluidized bed (CFB) processes the acceleration zone greatly contributes to solids mixing, gas and solids dispersion, and particle residence times. A new analysis was developed to describe the relative gas-solids concentration in the acceleration region of a transport system with air as the fluidizing agent for Geldart-type B particles. A theoretical expression was derived from a drag relationship and momentum and continuity equations to describe the evolution of the gas-solids profile along the axial direction. The acceleration zone was characterized using nondimensional analysis of the continuum equations (balances of masses and momenta) that described multiphase flows. Inmore » addition to acceleration length, the boundary condition for the solids fraction at the bottom of the riser and the fully developed regions were measured using an industrial scale CFB of 0.3 m diameter and 15 m tall. The operating factors affecting the flow development in the acceleration region were determined for three materials of various sizes and densities in core annular and dilute regimes of the riser. Performance data were taken from statistically designed experiments over a wide range of Fr (0.5-39), Re (8-600), Ar (29-3600), load ratio (0.2-28), riser to particle diameter ratio (375-5000), and gas to solids density ratio (138-1381). In this one-dimensional system of equations, velocities and solid fractions were assumed to be constant over any cross section. The model and engineering correlations were compared with literature expressions to assess their validity and range of applicability. These expressions can be used as tools for simulation and design of a CFB riser and can also be easily coupled to a kinetics model for process simulation.« less

Proximal tibial fracture following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery: a biomechanical analysis of the tibial tunnel as a stress riser.

PubMed

Aldebeyan, Wassim; Liddell, Antony; Steffen, Thomas; Beckman, Lorne; Martineau, Paul A

2017-08-01

This is the first biomechanical study to examine the potential stress riser effect of the tibial tunnel or tunnels after ACL reconstruction surgery. In keeping with literature, the primary hypothesis tested in this study was that the tibial tunnel acts as a stress riser for fracture propagation. Secondary hypotheses were that the stress riser effect increases with the size of the tunnel (8 vs. 10 mm), the orientation of the tunnel [standard (STT) vs. modified transtibial (MTT)], and with the number of tunnels (1 vs. 2). Tibial tunnels simulating both single bundle hamstring graft (8 mm) and bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (10 mm) either STT or MTT position, as well as tunnels simulating double bundle (DB) ACL reconstruction (7, 6 mm), were drilled in fourth-generation saw bones. These five experimental groups and a control group consisting of native saw bones without tunnels were loaded to failure on a Materials Testing System to simulate tibial plateau fracture. There were no statistically significant differences in peak load to failure between any of the groups, including the control group. The fracture occurred through the tibial tunnel in 100 % of the MTT tunnels (8 and 10 mm) and 80 % of the DB tunnels specimens; however, the fractures never (0 %) occurred through the tibial tunnel of the standard tunnels (8 or 10 mm) (P = 0.032). In the biomechanical model, the tibial tunnel does not appear to be a stress riser for fracture propagation, despite suggestions to the contrary in the literature. Use of a standard, more vertical tunnel decreases the risk of ACL graft compromise in the event of a fracture. This may help to inform surgical decision making on ACL reconstruction technique.

Characteristics of air-water upward intermittent flows with surfactant additive in a pipeline-riser system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gao, Meng-chen; Xu, Jing-yu

2018-04-01

The effect of the surfactant additive on the upward intermittent flows in a pipeline-riser system is studied experimentally, in a 3 m long horizontal pipe connected to a Perspex pipe of 2.0 m long and 25 mm in diameter, inclined to the horizontal plane by 7°, followed by the vertical PVC riser of 3.5 m high and 25 mm in diameter, operating at the atmospheric end pressure. Based on the analysis of the pressure signal and the visual observation of the riser, it is shown that the additive of surfactant to the carrying liquid makes bubbles smaller in size but much larger in number in the upward intermittent flows. In addition, the additive of surfactant to a two-phase flow does not have a significant impact on the in-situ gas fraction, the pressure drop and the frequency of the liquid slug, but it reduces significantly the velocity of the liquid slug. When the superficial liquid velocity is set, an exponential relationship between the dimensionless velocity of the liquid slug and the Webber number can be obtained. These results might be used for estimating the characteristic parameters of the upward intermittent flow based upon the input operating conditions.

Investigation of gas-solids flow in a circulating fluidized bed using 3D electrical capacitance tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, Mingxu; Ye, Jiamin; Wang, Haigang; Yang, Wuqiang

2016-09-01

The hydrodynamics of gas-solids flow in the bottom of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) are complicated. Three-dimensional (3D) electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) has been used to investigate the hydrodynamics in risers of different shapes. Four different ECT sensors with 12 electrodes each are designed according to the dimension of risers, including two circular ECT sensors, a square ECT sensor and a rectangular ECT sensor. The electrodes are evenly arranged in three planes to obtain capacitance in different heights and to reconstruct the 3D images by linear back projection (LBP) algorithm. Experiments were carried out on the four risers using sands as the solids material. The capacitance and differential pressure are measured under the gas superficial velocity from 0.6 m s-1 to 3.0 m s-1 with a step of 0.2 m s-1. The flow regime is investigated according to the solids concentration and differential pressure. The dynamic property of bubbling flows is analyzed theoretically and the performance of the 3D ECT sensors is evaluated. The experimental results show that 3D ECT can be used in the CFB with different risers to predict the hydrodynamics of gas-solids bubbling flows.

Are the benches at Mormon Point, Death Valley, California, USA, scarps or strandlines?

USGS Publications Warehouse

Knott, J.R.; Tinsley, J. C.; Wells, S.G.

2002-01-01

The benches and risers at Mormon Point, Death Valley, USA, have long been interpreted as strandlines cut by still-stands of pluvial lakes correlative with oxygen isotope stage (OIS) 5e/6 (120,000-186,000 yr B.P.) and OIS-2 (10,000-35,000 yr B.P.). This study presents geologic mapping and geomorphic analyses (Gilbert's criteria, longitudinal profiles), which indicate that only the highest bench at Mormon Point (~90 m above mean sea level (msl)) is a lake strandline. The other prominent benches on the north-descending slope immediately below this strandline are interpreted as fault scarps offsetting a lacustrine abrasion platform. The faults offsetting the abrasion platform most likely join downward into and slip sympathetically with the Mormon Point turtleback fault, implying late Quaternary slip on this low-angle normal fault. Our geomorphic reinterpretation implies that the OIS-5e/6 lake receded rapidly enough not to cut strandlines and was ~90 m deep. Consistent with independent core studies of the salt pan, no evidence of OIS-2 lake strandlines was found at Mormon Point, which indicates that the maximum elevation of the OIS-2 lake surface was -30 m msl. Thus, as measured by pluvial lake depth, the OIS-2 effective precipitation was significantly less than during OIS-5e/6, a finding that is more consistent with other studies in the region. The changed geomorphic context indicates that previous surface exposure dates on fault scarps and benches at Mormon Point are uninterpretable with respect to lake history. ?? 2002 University of Washington.

Life after High School: Which Postschool Outcomes Matter for Students with and without Disabilities in Restructured High Schools? Research Institute on Secondary Education Reform (RISER) for Youth with Disabilities Brief.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mooney, Marianne; Phelps, L. Allen

The Research Institute on Secondary Education Reform for Youth with Disabilities (RISER) has been studying three significantly restructured high schools that have included students with disabilities and their parents in the design and/or implementation of school reform efforts. Each of these schools has operated for 3-12 years with its new,…

Promoting stair use: single versus multiple stair-riser messages.

PubMed

Webb, Oliver J; Eves, Frank F

2005-09-01

Message banners attached to stair risers produced a significant increase in pedestrian stair use, exceeding effects previously reported for conventional posters. Multiple instances of the same message banner, however, were as effective as banners featuring different messages. Therefore, greater visibility, rather than message variety, appears to account for the superiority of the banner format. Our findings indicate the feasibility of simple stair-use promotion campaigns based around the repetition of a single message.

Hydrodynamic optimization of membrane bioreactor by horizontal geometry modification using computational fluid dynamics.

PubMed

Yan, Xiaoxu; Wu, Qing; Sun, Jianyu; Liang, Peng; Zhang, Xiaoyuan; Xiao, Kang; Huang, Xia

2016-01-01

Geometry property would affect the hydrodynamics of membrane bioreactor (MBR), which was directly related to membrane fouling rate. The simulation of a bench-scale MBR by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) showed that the shear stress on membrane surface could be elevated by 74% if the membrane was sandwiched between two baffles (baffled MBR), compared with that without baffles (unbaffled MBR). The effects of horizontal geometry characteristics of a bench-scale membrane tank were discussed (riser length index Lr, downcomer length index Ld, tank width index Wt). Simulation results indicated that the average cross flow of the riser was negatively correlated to the ratio of riser and downcomer cross-sectional area. A relatively small tank width would also be preferable in promoting shear stress on membrane surface. The optimized MBR had a shear elevation of 21.3-91.4% compared with unbaffled MBR under same aeration intensity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A synoptic approach to weather conditions discloses a relationship with ambulatory blood pressure in hypertensives.

PubMed

Morabito, Marco; Crisci, Alfonso; Orlandini, Simone; Maracchi, Giampiero; Gensini, Gian F; Modesti, Pietro A

2008-07-01

Higher blood pressure (BP) values in cold than in hot months has been documented in hypertensives. These changes may potentially contribute to the observed excess winter cardiovascular mortality. However, the association with weather has always been investigated by considering the relationship with a single variable rather than considering the combination of ground weather variables characterizing a specific weather pattern (air mass (AM)). We retrospectively investigate in Florence (Italy) the relationship between BP and specific AMs in hypertensive subjects (n = 540) referred to our Hypertension Unit for 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring during the period of the year characterized by the highest weather variability (winter). Five different winter daily AMs were classified according to the combination of ground weather data (air temperature, cloud cover, relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and direction). Multiple variable analysis selected the AM as a significant predictor of mean 24-h BP (P < 0.01 for diastolic BP (DBP) and P < 0.05 for systolic BP (SBP)), daytime DBP (P < 0.001) and nighttime BP (P < 0.01 for both SBP and DBP), with higher BP values observed in cyclonic (unstable, cloudy, and mild weather) than in anticyclonic (settled, cloudless, and cold weather) days. When the association with 2-day sequences of AMs was considered, an increase in ambulatory BP followed a sudden day-to-day change of weather pattern going from anticyclonic to cyclonic days. The weather considered as a combination of different weather variables may affect BP. The forecast of a sudden change of AM could provide important information helpful for hypertensives during winter.

Association between central obesity and circadian parameters of blood pressure from the korean ambulatory blood pressure monitoring registry: Kor-ABP registry.

PubMed

Kang, In Sook; Pyun, Wook Bum; Shin, Jinho; Kim, Ju Han; Kim, Soon Gil; Shin, Gil Ja

2013-10-01

Central obesity has been reported as a risk for atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome. The influence of central obesity on diurnal blood pressure (BP) has not been established. In this study, we investigated the influence of central obesity on the circadian parameters of BP by 24 hr ambulatory BP monitoring. Total 1,290 subjects were enrolled from the Korean Ambulatory BP registry. Central obesity was defined as having a waist circumference≥90 cm in males and ≥85 cm in females. The central-obese group had higher daytime systolic BP (SBP), nighttime SBP and diastolic BP (DBP) than the non-obese group (all, P<0.001). There were no differences in nocturnal dipping (ND) patterns between the groups. Female participants showed a higher BP mean difference (MD) than male participants with concerns of central obesity (daytime SBP MD 5.28 vs 4.27, nighttime SBP MD 6.48 vs 2.72) and wider pulse pressure (PP). Central obesity within the elderly (≥65 yr) also showed a higher BP MD than within the younger group (daytime SBP MD 8.23 vs 3.87, daytime DBP 4.10 vs 1.59). In conclusion, central obesity has no influence on nocturnal dipping patterns. However, higher SBP and wider PP are associated with central obesity, which is accentuated in women.

Estimating the Size and Timing of Maximum Amplitude for Cycle 23 from Its Early Cycle Behavior

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson, Robert M.; Hathaway, David H.; Reichmann, Edwin J.

1998-01-01

On the basis of the lowest observed smoothed monthly mean sunspot number, cycle 23 appears to have conventionally begun in May 1996, in conjunction with the first appearance of a new cycle, high-latitude spot-group. Such behavior, however, is considered rather unusual, since, previously (based upon the data- available cycles 12-22), the first appearance of a new cycle, high-latitude spot- group has always preceded conventional onset by at least 3 months. Furthermore, accepting May 1996 as the official start for cycle 23 poses a dilemma regarding its projected size and timing of maximum amplitude. Specifically, from the max-min and amplitude-period relationships we infer that cycle 23 should be above average in size and a fast riser, with maximum amplitude occurring before May 2000 (being in agreement with projections for cycle 23 based on precursor information), yet from its initial languid rate of rise (during the first 6 months of the cycle) we infer that it should be below average in size and a slow riser, with maximum amplitude occurring after May 2000. The dilemma vanishes, however, when we use a slightly later-occurring onset. For example, using August 1996, a date associated with a local secondary minimum prior to the rapid rise that began shortly thereafter (in early 1997), we infer that cycle 23's rate of rise is above that for the mean of cycles 1-22, the mean of cycles 10-22 (the modern era cycles), the mean of the modern era'fast risers,' and the largest of the modern era 'slow risers' (i.e., cycle 20), thereby, suggesting that cycle 23 will be both fast-rising and above average in size, peaking before August 2000. Additionally, presuming cycle 23 to be a well- behaved fast-rising cycle (regardless of whichever onset date is used), we also infer that its maximum amplitude likely will measure about 144.0 q+/- 28.8 (from the general behavior found for the bulk of modern era fast risers; i.e., 5 of 7 have had their maximum amplitude to lie within 20% of the mean curve for modern era fast risers). It is apparent, then, that sunspot number growth during 1998 will prove crucial for correctly establishing the size and shape of cycle 23.

Helical wire stress analysis of unbonded flexible riser under irregular response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Kunpeng; Ji, Chunyan

2017-06-01

A helical wire is a critical component of an unbonded flexible riser prone to fatigue failure. The helical wire has been the focus of much research work in recent years because of the complex multilayer construction of the flexible riser. The present study establishes an analytical model for the axisymmetric and bending analyses of an unbonded flexible riser. The interlayer contact under axisymmetric loads in this model is modeled by setting radial dummy springs between adjacent layers. The contact pressure is constant during the bending response and applied to determine the slipping friction force per unit helical wire. The model tracks the axial stress around the angular position at each time step to calculate the axial force gradient, then compares the axial force gradient with the slipping friction force to judge the helical wire slipping region, which would be applied to determine the bending stiffness for the next time step. The proposed model is verified against the experimental data in the literature. The bending moment-curvature relationship under irregular response is also qualitatively discussed. The stress at the critical point of the helical wire is investigated based on the model by considering the local flexure. The results indicate that the present model can well simulate the bending stiffness variation during irregular response, which has significant effect on the stress of helical wire.

Packaged FBG sensors for real-time stress monitoring on deep-water riser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Jian; Yang, Dexing; Jiang, Yajun; Wang, Meirong; Zhai, Huailun; Bai, Yang

2014-11-01

The safety of under-water risers in drilling platform is of great significance. A packaged fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor for real-time stress monitoring is designed for the applications on oil drilling risers under 3000 meters deep water. A copper tube which is the main component of the sensor has a small hole along its axes and a groove at its each end. The bare FBG is passed through the small hole and fixed to its ends by epoxy resin. Then the copper tube is packaged by filling the groove with structural adhesive. In order to avoid that the outer water-pressure is applied on the epoxy resin through the structural adhesive, a gap between the two types of glues is left. The relationships between the stress of the riser and the tension, pressure, temperature of the single sensor are discussed, respectively. The measured tension sensitivity is 136.75 pm/KN while the minimum R-square value is 0.99997. The experimental results also show that there is a good linear response between water-pressure and the Bragg wavelength from 0 to 30MPa, and the sensor can even survive under the pressure more than 30MPa. In addition, the Bragg wavelength shifts linearly with the increasing temperature from 0 to 40°C. So, the pressure and temperature can be easily compensated if another sensor without tension is used.

Drilling Fluid Contamination during Riser Drilling Quantified by Chemical and Molecular Tracers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inagaki, F.; Lever, M. A.; Morono, Y.; Hoshino, T.

2012-12-01

Stringent contamination controls are essential to any type of microbiological investigation, and are particularly challenging in ocean drilling, where samples are retrieved from hundreds of meters below the seafloor. In summer 2012, Integrated Ocean Drilling Expedition 337 aboard the Japanese vessel Chikyu pioneered the use of chemical tracers in riser drilling while exploring the microbial ecosystem of coalbeds 2 km below the seafloor off Shimokita, Japan. Contamination tests involving a perfluorocarbon tracer that had been successfully used during past riserless drilling expeditions were complemented by DNA-based contamination tests. In the latter, likely microbial contaminants were targeted via quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays using newly designed, group-specific primers. Target groups included potential indicators of (a) drilling mud viscosifiers (Xanthomonas, Halomonas), (b) anthropogenic wastewater (Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Methanobrevibacter), and (c) surface seawater (SAR 11, Marine Group I Archaea). These target groups were selected based on past evidence suggesting viscosifiers, wastewater, and seawater as the main sources of microbial contamination in cores retrieved by ocean drilling. Analyses of chemical and molecular tracers are in good agreement, and indicate microorganisms associated with mud viscosifiers as the main contaminants during riser drilling. These same molecular analyses are then extended to subseafloor samples obtained during riserless drilling operations. General strategies to further reduce the risk of microbial contamination during riser and riserless drilling operations are discussed.

Blood Pressure and Cerebral White Matter Share Common Genetic Factors in Mexican-Americans

PubMed Central

Kochunov, Peter; Glahn, David C; Lancaster, Jack; Winkler, Anderson; Karlsgodt, Kathrin; Olvera, Rene L; Curran, Joanna E; Carless, Melanie A; Dyer, Thomas D; Almasy, Laura; Duggirala, Ravi; Fox, Peter T; Blangero, John

2010-01-01

Elevated arterial pulse pressure (PP) and blood pressure (BP) can lead to atrophy of cerebral white matter (WM), potentially due to shared genetic factors. We calculated the magnitude of shared genetic variance between BP and fractional anisotropy (FA) of water diffusion, a sensitive measurement of WM integrity in a well-characterized population of Mexican-Americans. The patterns of whole-brain and regional genetic overlap between BP and FA were interpreted in the context the pulse-wave encephalopathy (PWE) theory. We also tested whether regional pattern in genetic pleiotropy is modulated by the phylogeny of WM development. BP and high-resolution (1.7×1.7×3mm, 55 directions) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data were analyzed for 332 (202 females; mean age=47.9±13.3years) members of the San Antonio Family Heart Study. Bivariate genetic correlation analysis was used to calculate the genetic overlap between several BP measurements [PP, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP)] and FA (whole-brain and regional values). Intersubject variance in PP and SBP exhibited a significant genetic overlap with variance in whole-brain FA values, sharing 36% and 22% of genetic variance, respectively. Regionally, shared genetic variance was significantly influenced by rates of WM development (r=−.75, p=0.01). The pattern of genetic overlap between BP and WM integrity was generally in-agreement with the PWE theory. Our study provides evidence that a set of pleiotropically acting genetic factors jointly influence phenotypic variation in BP and WM integrity. The magnitude of this overlap appears to be influenced by phylogeny of WM development suggesting a possible role for genotype-by-age interactions. PMID:21135356

Development and Testing of a Mobile Platform for Tank Remediation

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

Nance, T.A.

2001-01-16

The Department of Energy (DOE) is committed to removing millions of gallons of high level radioactive waste from waste storage tanks at the Savannah River Site (SRS). SRS was the first site in the DOE complex to have emptied and closed high level waste tanks. Tank closure at the Site is now progressing to tanks containing waste composed of liquid and large deposits of solids, including a tank that has a potential ''heel''. A heel is a hardened mass of solid waste material spread across the tank bottom. Tank closure requires breaking up this heel and moving the material tomore » the intake of a pumping system for transfer from the tank. In the past, overhead spray systems have been used with some success at moving waste. But the limited number of risers restricts the coverage area of the overhead spray system. Therefore, a floor- level spray system will be used to separate manageable size chunks of the material from the heel. The chunks will be guided into the pump's intake to be remove from the tank. The floor-level spray system movement will be accomplished by using a mobile platform, a crawler, which provides transport to nearly every point on the tank floor. Transport of the spray system will allow the system to ''corral'' the waste away from the tank walls and control the movement of the material across the tank floor. Because the available access riser is small, and a wide crawler platform is required to support the spray system, the crawler's frame must fold to enter the tank. After entry into the tank, the crawler unfolds on the tank floor using the crawler drive tracks to expand the frame and position the mobile platform under the entry riser. The spray system will then be lowered separately through the entry riser and mated onto the crawler on the tank floor. The crawler and spray system are tethered and controlled remotely by personnel at the control station. Motorized cable reels will also be remotely controlled to pay out, retrieve, and manage the tethers as the mobile platform moves the spray system across the tank floor. Both the crawler and spray systems are designed to be retrievable. Development of the tank cleaning system was evaluated using a performance test program. The tests evaluated the spray system dynamics, the crawler's fit through the riser, the crawler landing in mocked up tank with simulant, the crawler's traction, and the crawler and spray system mating. Initial testing verified the crawler platform was compatible with the dynamics produced by the spray system. The riser fit test confirmed that a dedicated riser is required for deployment of the crawler and the spray system. The crawler traction test defined the capabilities of the crawler at different levels of simulant. Deployment testing through a mockup riser verified the basic system processes. Finally, testing of the complete system in a full-scale mockup with sludge simulant was performed to evaluate the tank cleaning ability of the crawler. This paper describes th e tank conditions, the tank closure process, the development of the crawler and spray system, and the testing program and results used to evaluate the mobile platform and spray system.« less

Early sound patterns in the speech of two Brazilian Portuguese speakers.

PubMed

Teixeira, Elizabeth Reis; Davis, Barbara L

2002-06-01

Sound patterns in the speech of two Brazilian-Portuguese speaking children are compared with early production patterns in English-learning children as well as English and Brazilian-Portuguese (BP) characteristics. The relationship between production system effects and ambient language influences in the acquisition of early sound patterns is of primary interest, as English and BP are characterized by differing phonological systems. Results emphasize the primacy of production system effects in early acquisition, although even the earliest word forms show evidence of perceptual effects from the ambient language in both BP children. Use of labials and coronals and low and midfront vowels in simple syllable shapes is consistent with acquisition data for this period across languages. However, potential ambient language influences include higher frequencies of dorsals, use of multisyllabic words, and different phone types in syllable-offset position. These results suggest that to fully understand early acquisition of sound systems one must account for both production system effects and perceptual effects from the ambient language.

Faulted terrace risers place new constraints on the late Quaternary slip rate for the central Altyn Tagh fault, northwest Tibet

USGS Publications Warehouse

Gold, R.D.; Cowgill, E.; Arrowsmith, J.R.; Chen, X.; Sharp, W.D.; Cooper, K.M.; Wang, X.-F.

2011-01-01

The active, left-lateral Altyn Tagh fault defines the northwestern margin of the Tibetan Plateau in western China. To clarify late Quaternary temporal and spatial variations in slip rate along the central portion of this fault system (85??-90??E), we have more than doubled the number of dated offset markers along the central Altyn Tagh fault. In particular, we determined offset-age relations for seven left-laterally faulted terrace risers at three sites (Kelutelage, Yukuang, and Keke Qiapu) spanning a 140-km-long fault reach by integrating surficial geologic mapping, topographic surveys (total station and tripod-light detection and ranging [T-LiDAR]), and geochronology (radiocarbon dating of organic samples, 230Th/U dating of pedogenic carbonate coatings on buried clasts, and terrestrial cosmogenic radionuclide exposure age dating applied to quartz-rich gravels). At Kelutelage, which is the westernmost site (37.72??N, 86.67??E), two faulted terrace risers are offset 58 ?? 3 m and 48 ?? 4 m, and formed at 6.2-6.1 ka and 5.9-3.7 ka, respectively. At the Yukuang site (38.00??N, 87.87??E), four faulted terrace risers are offset 92 ?? 12 m, 68 ?? 6 m, 55 ?? 13 m, and 59 ?? 9 m and formed at 24.2-9.5 ka, 6.4-5.0 ka, 5.1-3.9 ka, and 24.2-6.4 ka, respectively. At the easternmost site, Keke Qiapu (38.08??N, 88.12??E), a faulted terrace riser is offset 33 ?? 6 m and has an age of 17.1-2.2 ka. The displacement-age relationships derived from these markers can be satisfied by an approximately uniform slip rate of 8-12 mm/yr. However, additional analysis is required to test how much temporal variability in slip rate is permitted by this data set. ?? 2011 Geological Society of America.

Cross-correlation of instantaneous phase increments in pressure-flow fluctuations: Applications to cerebral autoregulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Zhi; Hu, Kun; Stanley, H. Eugene; Novak, Vera; Ivanov, Plamen Ch.

2006-03-01

We investigate the relationship between the blood flow velocities (BFV) in the middle cerebral arteries and beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) recorded from a finger in healthy and post-stroke subjects during the quasisteady state after perturbation for four different physiologic conditions: supine rest, head-up tilt, hyperventilation, and CO2 rebreathing in upright position. To evaluate whether instantaneous BP changes in the steady state are coupled with instantaneous changes in the BFV, we compare dynamical patterns in the instantaneous phases of these signals, obtained from the Hilbert transform, as a function of time. We find that in post-stroke subjects the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV exhibit well-pronounced patterns that remain stable in time for all four physiologic conditions, while in healthy subjects these patterns are different, less pronounced, and more variable. We propose an approach based on the cross-correlation of the instantaneous phase increments to quantify the coupling between BP and BFV signals. We find that the maximum correlation strength is different for the two groups and for the different conditions. For healthy subjects the amplitude of the cross-correlation between the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV is small and attenuates within 3-5 heartbeats. In contrast, for post-stroke subjects, this amplitude is significantly larger and cross-correlations persist up to 20 heartbeats. Further, we show that the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV are cross-correlated even within a single heartbeat cycle. We compare the results of our approach with three complementary methods: direct BP-BFV cross-correlation, transfer function analysis, and phase synchronization analysis. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism of cerebral vascular control in healthy subjects, suggesting that this control mechanism may involve rapid adjustments (within a heartbeat) of the cerebral vessels, so that BFV remains steady in response to changes in peripheral BP.

Cross-correlation of instantaneous phase increments in pressure-flow fluctuations: applications to cerebral autoregulation.

PubMed

Chen, Zhi; Hu, Kun; Stanley, H Eugene; Novak, Vera; Ivanov, Plamen Ch

2006-03-01

We investigate the relationship between the blood flow velocities (BFV) in the middle cerebral arteries and beat-to-beat blood pressure (BP) recorded from a finger in healthy and post-stroke subjects during the quasisteady state after perturbation for four different physiologic conditions: supine rest, head-up tilt, hyperventilation, and CO2 rebreathing in upright position. To evaluate whether instantaneous BP changes in the steady state are coupled with instantaneous changes in the BFV, we compare dynamical patterns in the instantaneous phases of these signals, obtained from the Hilbert transform, as a function of time. We find that in post-stroke subjects the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV exhibit well-pronounced patterns that remain stable in time for all four physiologic conditions, while in healthy subjects these patterns are different, less pronounced, and more variable. We propose an approach based on the cross-correlation of the instantaneous phase increments to quantify the coupling between BP and BFV signals. We find that the maximum correlation strength is different for the two groups and for the different conditions. For healthy subjects the amplitude of the cross-correlation between the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV is small and attenuates within 3-5 heartbeats. In contrast, for post-stroke subjects, this amplitude is significantly larger and cross-correlations persist up to 20 heartbeats. Further, we show that the instantaneous phase increments of BP and BFV are cross-correlated even within a single heartbeat cycle. We compare the results of our approach with three complementary methods: direct BP-BFV cross-correlation, transfer function analysis, and phase synchronization analysis. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism of cerebral vascular control in healthy subjects, suggesting that this control mechanism may involve rapid adjustments (within a heartbeat) of the cerebral vessels, so that BFV remains steady in response to changes in peripheral BP.

Gestational dietary patterns are not associated with blood pressure changes during pregnancy and early postpartum in a Brazilian prospective cohort.

PubMed

Eshriqui, Ilana; Vilela, Ana Amélia Freitas; Rebelo, Fernanda; Farias, Dayana Rodrigues; Castro, Maria Beatriz Trindade; Kac, Gilberto

2016-02-01

To identify gestational dietary patterns and evaluate the association between these patterns and the blood pressure (BP) rate of change during pregnancy and the postpartum. Prospective cohort study composed of 191 healthy pregnant women. Systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) were obtained at the 5th-13th, 20th-26th, 30th-36th gestational weeks, and with 30-45 days postpartum. A food frequency questionnaire administered at the 30th-36th gestational week was used to measure dietary intake during pregnancy. Principal component analysis was performed to identify the dietary patterns. A longitudinal linear mixed-effects regression model was used to evaluate the association between the dietary patterns and BP (adjusted for time elapsed after conception and the women's age, education, parity, body mass index and total energy intake). Three gestational dietary patterns were identified: healthy, common-Brazilian and processed. SBP/DBP mean values (SD) were 110.1 (9.0)/66.9 (7.5), 108.7 (9.0)/64.9 (6.7), 111.3 (9.2)/67.0 (6.9) and 115.0 (10.7)/73.7 (8.6) mmHg at the first, second and third gestational trimesters and postpartum, respectively. Women with higher/lower adherence to the processed pattern presented SBP of 117.9 and 113.0 mmHg (P = 0.037), respectively, during postpartum. No association was found between any of the three dietary patterns and SBP in the multiple longitudinal linear regression models, whereas 1 SD increase in the common-Brazilian pattern was associated with a small change of DBP (β = 0.0006; 95% CI 4.66e-06, 0.001; P = 0.048). The three dietary patterns identified revealed no association with changes of SBP and DBP levels during pregnancy and at early postpartum in this sample of healthy Brazilian women.

Tank 241-Z-361 Sludge Retrieval and Treatment Alternatives

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

HAMPTON, B.K.

2000-05-24

The Plutonium Finishing Plant (PFP) Tank 241-Z-361 (Z-361) contains legacy sludge resulting from waste discharges from past missions at PFP. A sketch of the tank is shown in Figure 1. In this view various risers and penetrations are shown along with the sludge level depicted by the horizontal line halfway up the tank, and the ground level depicted by the horizontal line above the tank. The HEPA filter installed for breathing is also shown on one of the risers.

Method and apparatus for production of subsea hydrocarbon formations

DOEpatents

Blandford, Joseph W.

1994-01-01

A well tender system for controlling, separating, storing and offloading well fluids produced from subsea hydrocarbon formations. The system comprises a vertically aligned series of tethered cylindrical tanks which are torsionally stabilized by flexible catenary production riser and export riser bundles, and serviced by separate catenary pipe bundles. Piles are secured to the seabed, each pile assembly being pivotally connected to a lower rigid tendon, which is in turn connected to tendons arranged about the periphery of the interconnected cylindrical tanks.

Method and apparatus for production of subsea hydrocarbon formations

DOEpatents

Blandford, Joseph W.

1992-01-01

A well tender system for controlling, separating, storing and offloading well fluids produced from subsea hydrocarbon formations. The system comprises a vertically aligned series of tethered cylindrical tanks which are torsionally stabilized by flexible catenary production riser and expert riser bundles, and serviced by separate catenary pipe bundles. Piles are secured to the seabed, each pile assembly being pivotally connected to a lower rigid tendon, which is in turn connected to tendons arranged about the periphery of the interconnected cylindrical tanks.

Fleet Mooring Underwater Inspection Report La Maddalena, Italy.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-01

Peg Top mooring buoys at the bow at the NATO Naval Facility, St. Stefano , Sardinia, Italy. The ship using the mooring is moored at the stern to the...LAT: NSO LA MADDALENA NORTH RISER/MED MOOR LON:SANTO STEFANO ,ISardinia, Italy ii DATE DIVERS U 1WATER DEPTH SUPERVISOR INITIALS 5. INSPECTION 18-25 Sep...0) 0 蟙 W. .-. MOORING INSPECTION REPORT Page 3 of 3 1. FACILITY 2. MOORING NO. 13. TYPE/CLASSMOORING 4. LAT.RISER/MD MOOR SANTO STEFANO , NSO LA

Treating hypertension with a device that slows and regularises breathing: a randomised, double-blind controlled study.

PubMed

Schein, M H; Gavish, B; Herz, M; Rosner-Kahana, D; Naveh, P; Knishkowy, B; Zlotnikov, E; Ben-Zvi, N; Melmed, R N

2001-04-01

To examine the efficacy of a new device, which slows and regularises breathing, as a non-pharmacological treatment of hypertension and thus to evaluate the contribution of breathing modulation in the blood pressure (BP) reduction. Randomised, double-blind controlled study, carried out in three urban family practice clinics in Israel. Sixty-five male and female hypertensives, either receiving antihypertensive drug therapy or unmedicated. Four patients dropped out at the beginning of the study. Self treatment at home, 10 minutes daily for 8 consecutive weeks, using either the device (n = 32), which guides the user towards slow and regular breathing using musical sound patterns, or a Walkman, with which patients listened to quiet music (n = 29). Medication was unchanged 2 months prior to and during the study period. Systolic BP, diastolic BP and mean arterial pressure (MAP) changes from baseline. BP reduction in the device group was significantly greater than a predetermined 'clinically meaningful threshold' of 10.0, 5.0 and 6.7 mm Hg for the systolic BP, diastolic BP and MAP respectively (P = 0.035, P = 0.0002 and P = 0.001). Treatment with the device reduced systolic BP, diastolic BP and MAP by 15.2, 10.0 and 11.7 mm Hg respectively, as compared to 11.3, 5.6 and 7.5 mm Hg (P = 0.14, P = 0.008, P = 0.03) with the Walkman. Six months after treatment had stopped, diastolic BP reduction in the device group remained greater than the 'threshold' (P < 0.02) and also greater than in the walkman group (P = 0.001). The device was found to be efficacious in reducing high BP during 2 months of self-treatment by patients at home. Breathing pattern modification appears to be an important component in this reduction.

Trajectories of Childhood Blood Pressure and Adult Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: The Bogalusa Heart Study.

PubMed

Zhang, Tao; Li, Shengxu; Bazzano, Lydia; He, Jiang; Whelton, Paul; Chen, Wei

2018-07-01

This longitudinal study aims to characterize longitudinal blood pressure (BP) trajectories from childhood and examine the impact of level-independent childhood BP trajectories on adult left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and remodeling patterns. The longitudinal cohort consisted of 1154 adults (787 whites and 367 blacks) who had repeated measurements of BP 4 to 15 times from childhood (4-19 years) to adulthood (20-51 years) and assessment of echocardiographic LV dimensions in adulthood. Model-estimated levels and linear slopes of BP at childhood age points were calculated in 1-year intervals using the growth curve parameters and their first derivatives, respectively. Linear and nonlinear curve parameters of BP showed significant race and sex differences from age 15 years onwards. Adults with LVH had higher long-term BP levels than adults with normal LVM in race-sex groups. Linear and nonlinear slope parameters of BP differed consistently and significantly between LVH and normal groups. Associations of level-independent linear slopes of systolic BP with adult LVH were significantly inverse (odds ratio=0.75-0.82; P =0.001-0.015) in preadolescent children of 4 to 9 years but significantly positive (odds ratio=1.29-1.46; P =0.001-0.008) in adolescents of 13 to 19 years, adjusting for covariates. These associations were consistent across race-sex groups. Of note, the association of childhood BP linear slopes with concentric LVH was significantly stronger than that with eccentric LVH during the adolescence period of 12 to 19 years. These observations indicate that the impact of BP trajectories on adult LVH and geometric patterns originates in childhood. Adolescence is a crucial period for the development of LVH in later life, which has implications for early prevention. © 2018 American Heart Association, Inc.

Mechanisms of pulse pressure amplification dipping pattern during sleep time: the SAFAR study.

PubMed

Argyris, Antonios A; Nasothimiou, Efthimia; Aissopou, Evaggelia; Papaioannou, Theodoros G; Zhang, Yi; Blacher, Jacques; Safar, Michel E; Sfikakis, Petros P; Protogerou, Athanase D

2018-02-01

The difference in pulse pressure (PP) between peripheral arteries and the aorta, called pulse pressure amplification (PPamp), is a well-described physiological phenomenon independently associated with cardiovascular events. Recent studies suggest that it exhibits circadian variability. Our aim was to detect the factors associated with the circadian variability of PPamp. In 497 consecutive subjects (aged 54 years, 56.7% male, 79.7% hypertensives), we assessed the circadian pattern of peripheral and central arterial hemodynamics by 24-hour evaluation of brachial and aortic blood pressure (BP), augmentation index (AI), and pulse wave velocity (PWV) using a validated oscillometric device (Mobil-O-Graph). All parameters exhibited a circadian variation. Sleep dipping (decrease) pattern was observed for PPamp, brachial and aortic systolic BP, mean BP, and PWV, whereas a rising pattern (higher sleep than wake values) was observed for brachial PP, aortic PP, and AI. The factors independently associated with the less sleep dipping in PPamp were older age, lower height, the use of antihypertensive medication, and sleep decrease in arterial stiffness (PWV), whereas female gender, the presence of hypertension, sleep increase of pressure wave reflections (AI), sleep decrease in heart rate, and mean BP were associated with a greater sleep-dipping in PPamp. These data provide further pathophysiological understanding of the mechanisms leading to PPamp dipping. Several implications regarding the clinical use of the aortic and brachial BP, especially during sleep time, are raised that should be addressed in future research. Copyright © 2017 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Real World Home Blood Pressure Variability in Over 56,000 Individuals With Nearly 17 Million Measurements.

PubMed

Kim, Kwang-Il; Nikzad, Nima; Quer, Giorgio; Wineinger, Nathan E; Vegreville, Matthieu; Normand, Alexis; Schmidt, Nicolas; Topol, Eric J; Steinhubl, Steven

2018-04-13

Using the data from 56,365 individuals, from 185 countries, and a Nokia Health Wireless blood pressure (BP) monitor, we investigated real-world characteristics of BP variability (BPV). All included individuals self-measured and uploaded their BP using Bluetooth at least 20 times over a period of ≥1 month at a frequency and duration of their choosing. In total, 16,904,844 BP measurements were analyzed, with a median of 146 measurements per person (interquartile range [IQR] 73-321) over a median of 14 months (IQR 7-31). SD, coefficient of variation, maximum BP, and maximum minus minimum BP difference were all calculated as measures of BPV. BPV showed a distinct pattern, influenced by season of year, day of week, and time of day. BPV index was higher in females compared with males (P < 0.001) and increased with age (P < 0.001). Compared to the weekend, the weekday BPV index was significantly higher, and this finding was more prominent in females (P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, BPV index were significantly associated with age, gender, geographic location, and mean BP values. Using the largest BP data set we are aware of, with the benefits and limitations of real-world measurement, we could show the pattern of BPV and provide reference values that may be helpful in understanding the nature of BPV as self-measurement at home becomes more common, and help guide individualized management.

Effect of catalyst additives on the production of biofuels from palm oil cracking in a transport riser reactor.

PubMed

Chew, Thiam Leng; Bhatia, Subhash

2009-05-01

Catalytic cracking of crude palm oil (CPO) and used palm oil (UPO) were studied in a transport riser reactor for the production of biofuels at a reaction temperature of 450 degrees C, with residence time of 20s and catalyst-to-oil ratio (CTO) of 5 gg(-1). The effect of HZSM-5 (different Si/Al ratios), beta zeolite, SBA-15 and AlSBA-15 were studied as physically mixed additives with cracking catalyst Rare earth-Y (REY). REY catalyst alone gave 75.8 wt% conversion with 34.5 wt% of gasoline fraction yield using CPO, whereas with UPO, the conversion was 70.9 wt% with gasoline fraction yield of 33.0 wt%. HZSM-5, beta zeolite, SBA-15 and AlSBA-15 as additives with REY increased the conversion and the yield of organic liquid product. The transport riser reactor can be used for the continuous production of biofuels from cracking of CPO and UPO over REY catalyst.

The subsea deployment and installation of flexible pipe catenaries for the Enserch Garden Banks 388 Freestanding Production Riser

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

Herman, R.J.

1997-07-01

This narrative addresses the development of the subsea flexible pipe catenary handling tools and procedures as used in the Gulf of Mexico on the Enserch Garden Banks 388 Freestanding Production Riser. The philosophy that was invoked for the development of the tools and procedures was targeted on long term utilization and field maintenance capability with minimum vessel relocation requirements and minimum production interruptions. The initial emphasis for the required tools and procedures was to develop worker safe, environmentally friendly and cost effective equipment. These tools are for the deployment and installation of 3-inch Production and Annulus flexible pipe catenaries frommore » the Enserch Garden Banks 388 Floating Production Vessel to the system`s Freestanding Production Riser. The Pull In Jib system is common to the handling of all the catenaries. The Pull In Jib system has been designed to support the greater loads of the 8-inch and 12-inch export line catenaries.« less

Energy absorption device for shock loading

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howard, C. D.; Lagrange, Donald E.; Beatty, David A.; Littman, David C.

1995-02-01

A shock energy absorbing device provides shock protection for the riser line employed to attach an aerodynamic deceleration device to a primary body during deployment of the system into an airstream. During deployment, for example, by dropping an unopened parachute and attached load or by rocket delivery of the unopened parachute and attached load, the parachute is made to open at a desired altitude whereupon very large shock tension forces are generated which are applied to the line. In order to protect the line from failing under these forces and to reduce the requirement for a bulky, heavy line, a shock absorber is provided in the form of a block having one or more breakable web portions formed therein and through which the riser line is threaded. Upon deployment of the system into an airstream, the shock tension forces operate to fracture some or all of the breakable web portions thereby dissipating the shock energy generated during deployment and protecting the riser line from failure.

MP-Pic simulation of CFB riser with EMMS-based drag model

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

Li, F.; Song, F.; Benyahia, S.

2012-01-01

MP-PIC (multi-phase particle in cell) method combined with the EMMS (energy minimization multi- scale) drag force model was implemented with the open source program MFIX to simulate the gas–solid flows in CFB (circulatingfluidizedbed) risers. Calculated solid flux by the EMMS drag agrees well with the experimental value; while the traditional homogeneous drag over-predicts this value. EMMS drag force model can also predict the macro-and meso-scale structures. Quantitative comparison of the results by the EMMS drag force model and the experimental measurements show high accuracy of the model. The effects of the number of particles per parcel and wall conditions onmore » the simulation results have also been investigated in the paper. This work proved that MP-PIC combined with the EMMS drag model can successfully simulate the fluidized flows in CFB risers and it serves as a candidate to realize real-time simulation of industrial processes in the future.« less

Robust output feedback stabilization for a flexible marine riser system.

PubMed

Zhao, Zhijia; Liu, Yu; Guo, Fang

2017-12-06

The aim of this paper is to develop a boundary control for the vibration reduction of a flexible marine riser system in the presence of parametric uncertainties and system states obtained inaccurately. To this end, an adaptive output feedback boundary control is proposed to suppress the riser's vibration fusing with observer-based backstepping, high-gain observers and robust adaptive control theory. In addition, the parameter adaptive laws are designed to compensate for the system parametric uncertainties, and the disturbance observer is introduced to mitigate the effects of external environmental disturbance. The uniformly bounded stability of the closed-loop system is achieved through rigorous Lyapunov analysis without any discretisation or simplification of the dynamics in the time and space, and the state observer error is ensured to exponentially converge to zero as time grows to infinity. In the end, the simulation and comparison studies are carried out to illustrate the performance of the proposed control under the proper choice of the design parameters. Copyright © 2017 ISA. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nuclear reactor pressure vessel support system

DOEpatents

Sepelak, George R.

1978-01-01

A support system for nuclear reactor pressure vessels which can withstand all possible combinations of stresses caused by a postulated core disrupting accident during reactor operation. The nuclear reactor pressure vessel is provided with a flange around the upper periphery thereof, and the flange includes an annular vertical extension formed integral therewith. A support ring is positioned atop of the support ledge and the flange vertical extension, and is bolted to both members. The plug riser is secured to the flange vertical extension and to the top of a radially outwardly extension of the rotatable plug. This system eliminates one joint through which fluids contained in the vessel could escape by making the fluid flow path through the joint between the flange and the support ring follow the same path through which fluid could escape through the plug risers. In this manner, the sealing means to prohibit the escape of contained fluids through the plug risers can also prohibit the escape of contained fluid through the securing joint.

Pod-1/Capsulin shows a sex- and stage-dependent expression pattern in the mouse gonad development and represses expression of Ad4BP/SF-1.

PubMed

Tamura, M; Kanno, Y; Chuma, S; Saito, T; Nakatsuji, N

2001-04-01

Mammalian sex-determination and differentiation are controlled by several genes, such as Sry, Sox-9, Dax-1 and Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS), but their upstream and downstream genes are largely unknown. Ad4BP/SF-1, encoding a zinc finger transcription factor, plays important roles in gonadogenesis. Disruption of this gene caused disappearance of the urogenital system including the gonad. Ad4BP/SF-1, however, is also involved in the sex differentiation of the gonad at later stages, such as the regulation of steroid hormones and MIS. Pod-1/Capsulin, a member of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors, is expressed in a pattern closely related but mostly complimentary to that of the Ad4BP/SF-1 expression in the developing gonad. In the co-transfection experiment using cultured cells, overexpression of Pod-1/Capsulin repressed expression of a reporter gene that carried the upstream regulatory region of the Ad4BP/SF-1 gene. Furthermore, forced expression of Pod-1/Capsulin repressed expression of Ad4BP/SF-1 in the Leydig cell-derived I-10 cells. These results suggest that Pod-1/Capsulin may play important roles in the development and sex differentiation of the mammalian gonad via transcriptional regulation of Ad4BP/SF-1.

The Effects of Dietary Factors on Blood Pressure.

PubMed

Appel, Lawrence J

2017-05-01

Evidence supports that multiple dietary factors affect blood pressure (BP). Dietary changes that effectively lower BP are weight loss, reduced sodium intake, increased potassium intake, moderation of alcohol intake, and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-style and vegetarian dietary patterns. In view of the increasing levels of BP in children and adults and the continuing epidemic of BP-related cardiovascular and renal diseases, efforts to reduce BP in both nonhypertensive and hypertensive individuals are warranted. The challenge to health care providers, researchers, government officials, and the general public is developing and implementing clinical and public health strategies that lead to sustained dietary changes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Holocene Activity of the Quelccaya Ice Cap: A Working Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lowell, T. V.; Smith, C. A.; Kelly, M. A.; Stroup, J. S.

2012-12-01

The patterns and magnitudes of past climate change in the topics are still under discussion. We contribute here by reporting on patterns of glacier length changes of the largest glacier in the tropics, Quelccaya Ice Cap (~13.9°S, 70.9°W, summit at 5645 m). This ice cap has several local domes that may have different patterns of length changes because of differing elevations of the domes (high to the north, lower to the south). Prior work (Mark et al. 2003, Abbott et al., 2004; Thompson et al., 2005; Buffen, et al., 2009), new radiocarbon ages, and stratigraphic and geomorphic relationships are used to determine the general pattern of length changes for the outlets from this ice cap. We exploit geomorphic relationships and present new radiocarbon ages on interpreted stratigraphic sections to determine the pattern of length changes for this ice cap. Ice retreated during late glacial times (Rodbell and Seltzer, 2000; Kelly et al., in press). By 11,400 yr BP it had reached a position ~1.2 km beyond its present (2000 AD) extent. While length during the early Holocene is problematic, present evidence permits, but does not prove, extents of 0.5 to 1.0 km down-valley from the present margin. Between 6400 and 4400 yr BP the ice cap was smaller than present, but it advanced multiple times during the late Holocene. Lengths of up to 1 km beyond present were achieved at 3400 yr BP and ~500 yr BP. Additionally, the ice advanced to 0.8 km beyond its present margin at 1600 yr BP. Because these glaciers were temperate, we take these lengths to represent primarily changes in temperature. This may suggest that lowering insolation values in the northern hemisphere during the Holocene provide a first order control on tropical temperatures. Alternatively, it may be that major reorganization of the topical circulation belts about 5000 yr BP yields two configurations of the QIC and hence Holocene temperatures - one at the present ice margin and and the second about 1 km beyond the present ice margin. In either case, the pulsating glacier lengths indicate a dynamic Holocene climate.

A computational and theoretical analysis of falling frequency VLF emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nunn, David; Omura, Yoshiharu

2012-08-01

Recently much progress has been made in the simulation and theoretical understanding of rising frequency triggered emissions and rising chorus. Both PIC and Vlasov VHS codes produce risers in the region downstream from the equator toward which the VLF waves are traveling. The VHS code only produces fallers or downward hooks with difficulty due to the coherent nature of wave particle interaction across the equator. With the VHS code we now confine the interaction region to be the region upstream from the equator, where inhomogeneity factor S is positive. This suppresses correlated wave particle interaction effects across the equator and the tendency of the code to trigger risers, and permits the formation of a proper falling tone generation region. The VHS code now easily and reproducibly triggers falling tones. The evolution of resonant particle current JE in space and time shows a generation point at -5224 km and the wavefield undergoes amplification of some 25 dB in traversing the nonlinear generation region. The current component parallel to wave magnetic field (JB) is positive, whereas it is negative for risers. The resonant particle trap shows an enhanced distribution function or `hill', whereas risers have a `hole'. According to recent theory (Omura et al., 2008, 2009) sweeping frequency is due primarily to the advective term. The nonlinear frequency shift term is now negative (˜-12 Hz) and the sweep rate of -800 Hz/s is approximately nonlinear frequency shift divided by TN, the transition time, of the order of a trapping time.

University students' notebook computer use: lessons learned using e-diaries to report musculoskeletal discomfort.

PubMed

Jacobs, K; Foley, G; Punnett, L; Hall, V; Gore, R; Brownson, E; Ansong, E; Markowitz, J; McKinnon, M; Steinberg, S; Ing, A; Wuest, Ellen; Dibiccari, Leah

2011-02-01

The objective of this pilot study was to identify if notebook accessories (ergonomic chair, desktop monitor and notebook riser) combined with a wireless keyboard, mouse and participatory ergonomics training would have the greatest impact on reducing self-reported upper extremity musculoskeletal discomfort in university students. In addition to pre-post computing and health surveys, the Ecological Momentary Assessment was used to capture change in discomfort over time using a personal digital assistant (PDA) as the e-diary. The PDA was programmed with a survey containing 45 questions. Four groups of university students were randomised to either intervention (three external computer accessories) or to control. Participants reported less discomfort with the ergonomic chair and notebook riser based on the pre-post survey data and the e-diary/PDA ANOVA analysis. However, the PDA data, adjusted for the effect of hours per day of computer use, showed no benefit of the chair and limited benefit from the riser. Statement of Relevance:University students' use of notebook computers has increased. This study found evidence of a positive effect of an adjustable chair or notebook riser when combined with ergonomic training on reducing discomfort. Daily notebook computer use of 4 h was confirmed as a risk factor. Without some form of ergonomic intervention, these students are likely to enter the workforce with poor computing habits, which places them on the road to future injuries as technology continues to play a dominant role in their lives.

Increased Activity and Apoptosis of Eosinophils in Blister Fluids, Skin and Peripheral Blood of Patients with Bullous Pemphigoid.

PubMed

Engmann, Judith; Rüdrich, Urda; Behrens, Georg; Papakonstantinou, Eleni; Gehring, Manuela; Kapp, Alexander; Raap, Ulrike

2017-04-06

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune blistering skin disease that is more common in elderly individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the functional activity of eosinophils in patients with BP compared with healthy donors. Blood, skin and blister-derived eosinophils were strongly activated in patients with BP, seen by increased surface expression of CD69 compared with controls. CD11b was also increased in BP blood eosinophils, which may explain the striking accumulation of eosinophils in BP (1×106 per ml blister fluid). Furthermore, CCL26 was expressed by activated eosinophils in BP skin and in blister fluid. BP eosinophils also released IL-6, IL-8 and IL-1α in BP blister fluids. Apoptosis in cultivated BP eosinophils was increased and accompanied by enhanced surface externalization of CD95. Caspase 3 positive eosinophils in lesional BP skin and blister fluid also showed the initiation of apoptosis. These results reveal novel pathophysiological aspects of BP, with a strong activation pattern and increased apoptosis of eosinophils in the peripheral blood, skin and blister fluids.

Late Quaternary Deformation and Relative Sea Level Changes in Southwest Luzon, Philippines Constrained from Emergent Coral Reef Terraces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maxwell, K. V.; Ramos, N. T.; Tsutsumi, H.; Shen, C. C.

2017-12-01

Emergent coral reef terraces fringing the islands of Lubang and Cabra located offshore southwest Luzon Island, Philippines are studied to understand Late Quaternary deformation and relative sea level changes along the southern terminus of the Manila subduction zone. In both islands, the emergent coral reef platforms have two to three terrace steps with meter-scale terrace risers and often well preserved. We also observed varied elevations of emergent coral reef platforms in both localities. In the northwest portion of Lubang Island, we identified three terrace steps, which rise to about 5 m above mean sea level (amsl). Cabra Island is a coral island that is fringed by two to possibly three steps of emergent coral reef terraces rising up to 11.9 m amsl with TI measured at 3-6 m, TII: 7-8 m, and TIII: 11.9 m amsl. Age constraints are provided by Thorium-230 of fossil corals taken on terrace surfaces. Thorium-230 ages obtained from attached fossil coral samples yielded mid-Holocene ages of 5,121 ± 16 and 3,221 ± 10 years BP. Late Holocene ages of 76 ± 2, 153 ± 2, and 330 ± 3 years BP are meanwhile provided by coral boulders found on the surface of TI in Cabra Island. The two sets of Holocene ages provide interesting insights on relative sea level changes and uplift along the southern end of the Manila Trench. The mid-Holocene ages possibly account for accumulated uplift in southwest Luzon while the late Holocene ages could provide evidence for extreme wave events that occurred in the region since the 1600s.

Enterprise Pattern: integrating the business process into a unified enterprise model of modern service company

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Ying; Luo, Zhiling; Yin, Jianwei; Xu, Lida; Yin, Yuyu; Wu, Zhaohui

2017-01-01

Modern service company (MSC), the enterprise involving special domains, such as the financial industry, information service industry and technology development industry, depends heavily on information technology. Modelling of such enterprise has attracted much research attention because it promises to help enterprise managers to analyse basic business strategies (e.g. the pricing strategy) and even optimise the business process (BP) to gain benefits. While the existing models proposed by economists cover the economic elements, they fail to address the basic BP and its relationship with the economic characteristics. Those proposed in computer science regardless of achieving great success in BP modelling perform poorly in supporting the economic analysis. Therefore, the existing approaches fail to satisfy the requirement of enterprise modelling for MSC, which demands simultaneous consideration of both economic analysing and business processing. In this article, we provide a unified enterprise modelling approach named Enterprise Pattern (EP) which bridges the gap between the BP model and the enterprise economic model of MSC. Proposing a language named Enterprise Pattern Description Language (EPDL) covering all the basic language elements of EP, we formulate the language syntaxes and two basic extraction rules assisting economic analysis. Furthermore, we extend Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) to support EPDL, named BPMN for Enterprise Pattern (BPMN4EP). The example of mobile application platform is studied in detail for a better understanding of EPDL.

Altered cropping pattern and cultural continuation with declined prosperity following abrupt and extreme arid event at ~4,200 yrs BP: Evidence from an Indus archaeological site Khirsara, Gujarat, western India.

PubMed

Pokharia, Anil K; Agnihotri, Rajesh; Sharma, Shalini; Bajpai, Sunil; Nath, Jitendra; Kumaran, R N; Negi, Bipin Chandra

2017-01-01

Archaeological sites hold important clues to complex climate-human relationships of the past. Human settlements in the peripheral zone of Indus culture (Gujarat, western India) are of considerable importance in the assessment of past monsoon-human-subsistence-culture relationships and their survival thresholds against climatic stress exerted by abrupt changes. During the mature phase of Harappan culture between ~4,600-3,900yrsBP, the ~4,100±100yrsBP time slice is widely recognized as one of the major, abrupt arid-events imprinted innumerous well-dated palaeo records. However, the veracity of this dry event has not been established from any archaeological site representing the Indus (Harappan) culture, and issues concerning timing, changes in subsistence pattern, and the likely causes of eventual abandonment (collapse) continue to be debated. Here we show a significant change in crop-pattern (from barley-wheat based agriculture to 'drought-resistant' millet-based crops) at ~4,200 yrs BP, based on abundant macrobotanical remains and C isotopes of soil organic matter (δ13CSOM) in an archaeological site at Khirsara, in the Gujarat state of western India. The crop-change appears to be intentional and was likely used as an adaptation measure in response to deteriorated monsoonal conditions. The ceramic and architectural remains of the site indicate that habitation survived and continued after the ~4,200yrsBP dry climatic phase, but with declined economic prosperity. Switching to millet-based crops initially helped inhabitants to avoid immediate collapse due to climatic stresses, but continued aridity and altered cropping pattern led to a decline in prosperity levels of inhabitants and eventual abandonment of the site at the end of the mature Harappan phase.

Ovo-vegetarian diet is associated with lower systemic blood pressure in Taiwanese women.

PubMed

Ho, C P; Yu, J H; Lee, T J F

2017-12-01

This study was designed to investigate blood pressure (BP) profiles among Taiwanese women with different dietary patterns. Cross-sectional study. A total of 269 non-hypertensive Taiwanese women, 40 years of age or older, were surveyed using structured questionnaires, and measurements of BP and physiological parameters were made. To assess differences among vegans, ovo-vegetarians, and meat eaters in terms of BP, demographic, and health behavior data, the chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were employed for categorical variables, and analysis of variance and independent t-tests were performed for continuous variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between BP and dietary patterns while controlling for potential confounding factors. A significant difference was found among the three test groups in terms of age, education, employment, stress, and waist-hip ratio. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) significantly differed among the three groups. After controlling for age, body weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference, the three groups were observed to be a significant risk factor of the SBP and DBP. The SBP and DBP of the ovo-vegetarian group were significantly lower than those of the meat-eater group. No significant differences were found between the vegan and meat-eater groups in terms of SBP and DBP. Dietary pattern is a likely risk factor for SBP and DBP outcomes in Taiwanese women. In particular, the SBP and DBP of ovo-vegetarians are the lowest among the values observed for all dietary patterns. This finding suggests that an ovo-vegetarian diet is beneficial for long-term BP control and prevention of hypertension in females. Copyright © 2017 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Blood pressure circadian pattern and physical exercise assessment by accelerometer and 7-day physical activity recall scale.

PubMed

García-Ortiz, Luis; Recio-Rodríguez, José I; Puig-Ribera, Anna; Lema-Bartolomé, Jorge; Ibáñez-Jalón, Elisa; González-Viejo, Natividad; Guenaga-Saenz, Nahia; Agudo-Conde, Cristina; Patino-Alonso, Maria C; Gomez-Marcos, Manuel A

2014-05-01

The relationship between regular physical activity, measured objectively and by self-report, and the circadian pattern of 24-hour ambulatory arterial blood pressure (BP) has not been clarified. We performed a cross-sectional study in a cohort of healthy patients. We included 1,345 patients from the EVIDENT study (mean age 55 ± 14 years; 59.3% women). Physical activity was assessed using the 7-day physical activity recall (PAR) questionnaire (metabolic equivalents (MET)/hour/week) and the Actigraph GT3X accelerometer (counts/minute) for 7 days; ambulatory arterial BP was measured with a radial tonometer (B-pro device). The dipper-pattern patients showed a higher level of activity than nondipper patients, as assessed by accelerometer and 7-day PAR. Physical activity measures correlated positively with the percent drop in systolic BP (SBP; ρ = 0.19 to 0.11; P < 0.01) and negatively with the systolic and diastolic sleep to wake ratios (ρ = -0.10 to -0.18; P < 0.01) and heart rate (ρ = -0.13; P < 0.01). In logistic regression, considering the circadian pattern (1, dipper; 0, nondipper) as the dependent variable, the odds ratio of the third tertile of counts/minute was 1.79 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35-2.38; P < 0.01) and of MET/hour/week was 1.33 (95% CI, 1.01-1.75; P = 0.04) after adjustment for confounding variables. Physical activity, as evaluated by both the accelerometer and the 7-day PAR, was associated with a more marked nocturnal BP dip and, accordingly, a lower SBP and diastolic BP sleep to wake ratio. Clinical Trials.gov Identifier: NCT01083082.

Blood Pressure Levels and Mortality Risk among Hemodialysis Patients: Results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study

PubMed Central

Robinson, Bruce M.; Tong, Lin; Zhang, Jinyao; Wolfe, Robert A.; Goodkin, David A.; Greenwood, Roger N.; Kerr, Peter G.; Morgenstern, Hal; Li, Yun; Pisoni, Ronald L.; Saran, Rajiv; Tentori, Francesca; Akizawa, Tadao; Fukuhara, Shunichi; Port, Friedrich K.

2014-01-01

KDOQI practice guidelines recommend pre-dialysis blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mm Hg. However, most prior hemodialysis studies found elevated mortality with low, not high, systolic blood pressure (SBP), possibly due to unmeasured confounders affecting BP and mortality such as severity of comorbidities. To lessen this bias, we analyzed facility-level BP practices, relating patient-level survival to the fraction of patients in BP categories at each dialysis facility in Cox regression models adjusted for patient and facility characteristics. Analyses included 24,525 patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study. Compared with pre-dialysis SBP 130–159 mm Hg, mortality was 13% higher in facilities with 20% more patients at SBP 110–129 mm Hg and 16% higher in facilities with 20% more patients at SBP ≥160 mm Hg. For patient-level SBP, mortality was elevated at low (<130 mm Hg), not high (up to ≥180 mm Hg) SBP. For pre-dialysis diastolic BP, mortality was lowest at 60–99 mm Hg, a wide range suggesting less chance to improve outcomes. Higher mortality at SBP <130 mm Hg is consistent with prior studies and may be due to excessive BP-lowering during dialysis. The lowest risk facility SBP range of 130–159 mm Hg indicates this range may be optimal, but may have been influenced by unmeasured facility practices. While additional study is needed, the findings contrast with KDOQI BP targets, and provide guidance on optimal BP range in absence of definitive clinical trial data. PMID:22718187

Prevalence of poor glycemic and blood pressure control and pattern of drug use among primary health-care outpatients in Al Ahsa Saudi Arabia

PubMed Central

Emeka, Promise M.; Mukalaf, Ahmed Al; Helal, Hussien Al; Khan, Tahir M.; Almukalf, Mishial A.

2017-01-01

Objectives: To assess drug use pattern and the effect on glycemic and blood pressure (BP) control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertensive patients. Furthermore, to evaluate the duration of drug use and antecedence in diagnosis. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design, comprising interview/questionnaire targeting outpatients attending primary health centers in Al Ahsa was adopted. During the interview, their fasting blood glucose, weight, and height were measured, along with their BP. Time and duration of drug use were recorded. The history, sociodemographic data and the presence of any other disease conditions were also documented. Results: The highest number of uncontrolled BP and poor glycemic control was among the age group of 45 and 49 years. Significant number of the patients (92.9%) had body mass index >30 kg/m2. The prevalence of developing hypertension before T2DM among participants was 59.9%. A significant number (84%) had uncontrolled hypertension, and 67.3% had uncontrolled T2DM. Drug use pattern revealed single or combinations according to clinical guidelines initially but did not follow through in meeting targets. Majority received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, amlodipine or atenolol for BP control and metformin for T2DM. Patients diagnosed between 1 and 5 years displayed significant poor glycemic and BP control. Significantly, most patients appeared to have been on same prescriptions for a longer time without review. Conclusion: Poor glycemic and BP controls observed in this study could be due to deficient treatment strategy among others. Patients were, however, not adequately managed in line with prescribed clinical guidelines. PMID:28936150

Minor allergen patterns in birch pollen allergen products-A question of pollen?

PubMed

Zimmer, J; Döring, S; Strecker, D; Trösemeier, J H; Hanschmann, K M; Führer, F; Vieths, S; Kaul, S

2017-08-01

Contrary to the scientific differentiation between major and minor allergens, the regulatory framework controlling allergen products in the EU distinguishes relevant and non-relevant allergens. Given the lack of knowledge on their clinical relevance, minor allergens are usually not controlled by allergen product specifications. Especially, in birch pollen (BP) allergen products, minor allergens are commonly disregarded. To quantify three minor allergens in BP allergen products from different manufacturers and to assess the influence of the utilized BP on minor allergen patterns. Apart from common quality parameters such as Bet v 1 content, Bet v 4, Bet v 6 and Bet v 7 were quantified in 70 BP allergen product batches from six manufacturers, using ELISA systems developed in-house. Batch-to-batch variability was checked for agreement with a variability margin of 50%-200% from mean of the given batches for individual allergen content. Subsequently, minor allergen patterns were generated via multidimensional scaling and related to information on the pollen lots used in production of the respective product batches. Like the already established Bet v 4 ELISA, the ELISA systems for quantification of Bet v 6 and Bet v 7 were successfully validated. Differences in minor allergen content between products and batch-to-batch consistency were observed. Correlations between minor and major allergen content were low to moderate. About 20% of batches exceeded the variability margin for at least one minor allergen. Interestingly, these fluctuations could not in all cases be linked to the use of certain BP lots. The impact of the observed minor allergen variability on safety and efficacy of BP allergen products can currently not be estimated. As the described differences could only in few cases be related to the used pollen lots, it is evident that additional factors influence minor allergens in BP allergen products. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Modeling right-lateral offset of a Late Pleistocene terrace riser along the Polaris fault using ground based LiDAR imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howle, J. F.; Bawden, G. W.; Hunter, L. E.; Rose, R. S.

2009-12-01

High resolution (centimeter level) three-dimensional point-cloud imagery of offset glacial outwash deposits were collected by using ground based tripod LiDAR (T-LiDAR) to characterize the cumulative fault slip across the recently identified Polaris fault (Hunter et al., 2009) near Truckee, California. The type-section site for the Polaris fault is located 6.5 km east of Truckee where progressive right-lateral displacement of middle to late Pleistocene deposits is evident. Glacial outwash deposits, aggraded during the Tioga glaciation, form a flat lying ‘fill’ terrace on both the north and south sides of the modern Truckee River. During the Tioga deglaciation melt water incised into the terrace producing fluvial scarps or terrace risers (Birkeland, 1964). Subsequently, the terrace risers on both banks have been right-laterally offset by the Polaris fault. By using T-LiDAR on an elevated tripod (4.25 m high), we collected 3D high-resolution (thousands of points per square meter; ± 4 mm) point-cloud imagery of the offset terrace risers. Vegetation was removed from the data using commercial software, and large protruding boulders were manually deleted to generate a bare-earth point-cloud dataset with an average data density of over 240 points per square meter. From the bare-earth point cloud we mathematically reconstructed a pristine terrace/scarp morphology on both sides of the fault, defined coupled sets of piercing points, and extracted a corresponding displacement vector. First, the Polaris fault was approximated as a vertical plane that bisects the offset terrace risers, as well as bisecting linear swales and tectonic depressions in the outwash terrace. Then, piercing points to the vertical fault plane were constructed from the geometry of the geomorphic elements on either side of the fault. On each side of the fault, the best-fit modeled outwash plane is projected laterally and the best-fit modeled terrace riser projected upward to a virtual intersection in space, creating a vector. These constructed vectors were projected to intersection with the fault plane, defining statistically significant piercing points. The distance between the coupled set of piercing points, within the plane of the fault, is the cumulative displacement vector. To assess the variability of the modeled geomorphic surfaces, including surface roughness and nonlinearity, we generated a suite of displacement models by systematically incorporating larger areas of the model domain symmetrically about the fault. Preliminary results of 10 models yield an average cumulative displacement of 5.6 m (1 Std Dev = 0.31 m). As previously described, Tioga deglaciation melt water incised into the outwash terrace leaving terrace risers that were subsequently offset by the Polaris fault. Therefore, the age of the Tioga outwash terrace represents a maximum limiting age of the tectonic displacement. Using regional age constraints of 15 to 13 kya for the Tioga outwash terrace (Benson et al., 1990; Clark and Gillespie, 1997; James et al., 2002) and the above model results, we estimate a preliminary minimum fault slip rate of 0.40 ± 0.05 mm/yr for the Polaris type-section site.

Nitroglycerin-mediated, but not flow-mediated vasodilation, is associated with blunted nocturnal blood pressure fall in patients with resistant hypertension.

PubMed

Fontes-Guerra, Priscila C A; Cardoso, Claudia R L; Muxfeldt, Elizabeth S; Salles, Gil F

2015-08-01

Endothelial function by flow-mediated (FMD) and nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilations (NMD) was scarcely investigated in resistant hypertension. We aimed to assess the independent correlates of FMD and NMD in resistant hypertensive patients, particularly their associations with ambulatory blood pressures (BP) and nocturnal BP fall patterns. In a cross-sectional study, 280 resistant hypertensive patients performed 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring, carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, polysomnography, and brachial artery FMD and NMD by high-resolution ultrasonography. Independent correlates of FMD, NMD, and brachial artery diameter (BAD) were assessed by multiple linear and logistic regressions. Median (interquartile range) FMD was 0.75% (-0.6 to +4.4%) and NMD was 11.8% (7.1-18.4%). Baseline BAD and diabetes were independently associated with both FMD and NMD. Older age and prior cardiovascular diseases were associated with altered FMD, whereas higher night-time SBP and lower nocturnal SBP fall were associated with impaired NMD. Moreover, there was a significant gradient of impaired NMD according to blunted nocturnal BP decline patterns. BAD was independently associated with age, sex, BMI, albuminuria, and nocturnal SBP fall. Further adjustments to blood flow velocity, aortic stiffness, plasma aldosterone concentration, and sleep apnea did not change these relationships. NMD, but not FMD, is independently associated with unfavorable night-time BP levels and nondipping patterns, and may be a better cardiovascular risk marker in patients with resistant hypertension. BAD also may provide additional prognostic information.

Different chronotherapeutic effects of valsartan and olmesartan in non-dipper hypertensive patients during valsartan treatment at morning.

PubMed

Ushijima, Kentaro; Nakashima, Hajime; Shiga, Tsuyoshi; Harada, Kazuhiro; Ishikawa, Shizukiyo; Ioka, Takashi; Ando, Hitoshi; Fujimura, Akio

2015-01-01

This study was undertaken to evaluate the differences in chronotherapeutic effects of angiotensin-II receptor blockers, valsartan and olmesartan in hypertensive patients with non-dipper blood pressure (BP) pattern during valsartan at morning. Ninety four patients were enrolled, and 40 patients were judged to be non-dippers. In these patients, same dose of valsartan was changed to evening (Val-E, n = 12), or olmesartan (equivalent dose of valsartan) was given at morning (Olm-M, n = 13) or evening (Olm-E, n = 15) for 4 months. BP decreased during sleep and increased during waking hours in Val-E group. In Olm-M and Olm-E groups, BP decreased during sleep and waking hours. Percent reduction in BP at night-time compared to BP at waking hours significantly increased after changing the dose regimen in each group. Serum creatinine decreased and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) elevated in Olm-M and Olm-E, but not Val-E groups. Positive correlation between systolic BP (SBP) during sleep and serum creatinine, and negative correlation between SBP during sleep and eGFR were detected. These data suggest that dipper BP pattern could be obtained by chronotherapeutic approach using valsartan and olmesartan in non-dipper patients with valsartan at morning. Morning and evening olmesartan, but not evening valsartan improved renal function in these patients. Copyright © 2014 Japanese Pharmacological Society. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Correlation of MFOLD-predicted DNA secondary structures with separation patterns obtained by capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation polymorphism (CE-SSCP) analysis.

PubMed

Glavac, Damjan; Potocnik, Uros; Podpecnik, Darja; Zizek, Teofil; Smerkolj, Sava; Ravnik-Glavac, Metka

2002-04-01

We have studied 57 different mutations within three beta-globin gene promoter fragments with sizes 52 bp, 77 bp, and 193 bp by fluorescent capillary electrophoresis CE-SSCP analysis. For each mutation and wild type, energetically most-favorable predicted secondary structures were calculated for sense and antisense strands using the MFOLD DNA-folding algorithm in order to investigate if any correlation exists between predicted DNA structures and actual CE migration time shifts. The overall CE-SSCP detection rate was 100% for all mutations in three studied DNA fragments. For shorter 52 bp and 77 bp DNA fragments we obtained a positive correlation between the migration time shifts and difference in free energy values of predicted secondary structures at all temperatures. For longer 193 bp beta-globin gene fragments with 46 mutations MFOLD predicted different secondary structures for 89% of mutated strands at 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C. However, the magnitude of the mobility shifts did not necessarily correlate with their secondary structures and free energy values except for the sense strand at 40 degrees C where this correlation was statistically significant (r = 0.312, p = 0.033). Results of this study provided more direct insight into the mechanism of CE-SSCP and showed that MFOLD prediction could be helpful in making decisions about the running temperatures and in prediction of CE-SSCP data patterns, especially for shorter (50-100 bp) DNA fragments. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Conserved patterns hidden within group A Streptococcus M protein hypervariability recognize human C4b-binding protein

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

Buffalo, Cosmo Z.; Bahn-Suh, Adrian J.; Hirakis, Sophia P.

No vaccine exists against group A Streptococcus (GAS), a leading cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality. A severe hurdle is the hypervariability of its major antigen, the M protein, with >200 different M types known. Neutralizing antibodies typically recognize M protein hypervariable regions (HVRs) and confer narrow protection. In stark contrast, human C4b-binding protein (C4BP), which is recruited to the GAS surface to block phagocytic killing, interacts with a remarkably large number of M protein HVRs (apparently ~90%). Such broad recognition is rare, and we discovered a unique mechanism for this through the structure determination of four sequence-diverse M proteinsmore » in complexes with C4BP. The structures revealed a uniform and tolerant ‘reading head’ in C4BP, which detected conserved sequence patterns hidden within hypervariability. Our results open up possibilities for rational therapies that target the M–C4BP interaction, and also inform a path towards vaccine design.« less

New roles of LWD and wireline logging in scientific ocean drilling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanada, Y.; Kido, Y. N.; Moe, K.; Aoike, K.

2014-12-01

D/V Chikyu implemented by CDEX/JAMSTEC joined IODP from 2007. Various LWD (Logging While Drilling) and wireline logging have been carried out in many expeditions and for various purposes. Significant features of logging in Chikyu expeditions are many use of LWD than wireline logging, and riser dirlling. riser selected specific tools for each scientific target, and 3) carried out various borehole experiments. LWD has been more popular than wireline logging in Chikyu expeditions, because its advantages match theirs science targets. The advantages are followings. 1) LWD has more opportunities for measurement in unstable borehole, such as in the series of Nankai trough drilling expeditions. 2) LWD realtime data allows us to make realtime interpretation and operational decision. Realtime interpretation was required to set obsevartory at the properposition. 3) LWD before coring allows us to make a strategy of spot coring.We can design coring intervals for our interest and core length to improve core recovery.Riser drilling brings us merits for logging. One is hole stability (good hole condition) and the other is the use of large diameter tools. Controled drilling mud in riser drilling system prevent mud invasion to formation and mitigates collapse of borehole wall. They reduce the risk of tool stack and improve data quality. Large diameter of riser pipe enhances variation of tool seizes. A couple of new tools were used for new measurement and improvement of the data quality. For example, SonicScanner (trademark of Schulumberger) successfully measured compressional and share velocity in very low velocities at the soft sediment, where it has been difficult to measure them with conventional DSI tool (Exp319). The stress and pore pressure in the borehole were measured with the wireline logging tool, (Schlumberger MDT). The single probe tool enable to measure temporal formation fluid pressure. The double packer tool enable to fracture test by sealing and pumping in the borehole. These in-situ measurement and stress experiment data are very important to understand physical properties and mechanism of fault zone (Exp319).Those new technologies and tools also expand the envelope of scientific ocean drilling.

ASH Position Paper: Dietary approaches to lower blood pressure.

PubMed

Appel, Lawrence J; Giles, Thomas D; Black, Henry R; Izzo, Joseph L; Materson, Barry J; Oparil, Suzanne; Weber, Michael A

2009-07-01

A substantial body of evidence has implicated several aspects of diet in the pathogenesis of elevated blood pressure (BP). Well-established risk factors for elevated BP include excess salt intake, low potassium intake, excess weight, high alcohol consumption, and suboptimal dietary pattern. African Americans are especially sensitive to the BP-raising effects of excess salt intake, insufficient potassium intake, and suboptimal diet. In this setting, dietary changes have the potential to substantially reduce racial disparities in BP and its consequences. In view of the age-related rise in BP in both children and adults, the direct, progressive relationship of BP with cardiovascular-renal diseases throughout the usual range of BP, and the worldwide epidemic of BP-related disease, efforts to reduce BP in nonhypertensive as well as hypertensive individuals are warranted. In nonhypertensives, dietary changes can lower BP and delay, if not prevent, hypertension. In uncomplicated stage I hypertension, dietary changes serve as initial treatment before drug therapy. In hypertensive individuals already on drug therapy, lifestyle modifications can further lower BP. The current challenge is designing and implementing effective clinical and public health interventions that lead to sustained dietary changes among individuals and more broadly in the general population.

Experimental Plan for Crystal Accumulation Studies in the WTP Melter Riser

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

Miller, D.; Fowley, M.

2015-04-28

This experimental plan defines crystal settling experiments to be in support of the U.S. Department of Energy – Office of River Protection crystal tolerant glass program. The road map for development of crystal-tolerant high level waste glasses recommends that fluid dynamic modeling be used to better understand the accumulation of crystals in the melter riser and mechanisms of removal. A full-scale version of the Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) melter riser constructed with transparent material will be used to provide data in support of model development. The system will also provide a platform to demonstrate mitigation or recoverymore » strategies in off-normal events where crystal accumulation impedes melter operation. Test conditions and material properties will be chosen to provide results over a variety of parameters, which can be used to guide validation experiments with the Research Scale Melter at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and that will ultimately lead to the development of a process control strategy for the full scale WTP melter. The experiments described in this plan are divided into two phases. Bench scale tests will be used in Phase 1 (using the appropriate solid and fluid simulants to represent molten glass and spinel crystals) to verify the detection methods and analytical measurements prior to their use in a larger scale system. In Phase 2, a full scale, room temperature mockup of the WTP melter riser will be fabricated. The mockup will provide dynamic measurements of flow conditions, including resistance to pouring, as well as allow visual observation of crystal accumulation behavior.« less

Ranges of diurnal variation and the pattern of body temperature, blood pressure and heart rate in laboratory beagle dogs.

PubMed

Miyazaki, Hiroyasu; Yoshida, Mutsumi; Samura, Keiji; Matsumoto, Hiroyoshi; Ikemoto, Fumihiko; Tagawa, Masahiro

2002-01-01

Ranges in diurnal variation and the patterns of body temperature (T), blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and locomotor activity (LA) in 61 laboratory beagle dogs were analyzed using a telemetry system. Body temperature, BP, HR and LA increased remarkably at feeding time. Locomotor activity increased sporadically during the other periods. Body temperature was maintained at the higher value after feeding but had decreased by 0.2 C by early the next morning. Blood pressure fell to a lower value after feeding but had increased by 2.8% by early the next morning. Heart rate decreased progressively after feeding and was 14.5% lower the next morning. This study determined that in laboratory beagles the ranges of diurnal variation and patterns of T, BP and HR are significantly different from those reported in humans and rodents, and that over 24 hr these physiological changes were associated with their sporadic wake-sleep cycles of the dogs.

Stochastic dynamic analysis of marine risers considering Gaussian system uncertainties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ni, Pinghe; Li, Jun; Hao, Hong; Xia, Yong

2018-03-01

This paper performs the stochastic dynamic response analysis of marine risers with material uncertainties, i.e. in the mass density and elastic modulus, by using Stochastic Finite Element Method (SFEM) and model reduction technique. These uncertainties are assumed having Gaussian distributions. The random mass density and elastic modulus are represented by using the Karhunen-Loève (KL) expansion. The Polynomial Chaos (PC) expansion is adopted to represent the vibration response because the covariance of the output is unknown. Model reduction based on the Iterated Improved Reduced System (IIRS) technique is applied to eliminate the PC coefficients of the slave degrees of freedom to reduce the dimension of the stochastic system. Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) is conducted to obtain the reference response statistics. Two numerical examples are studied in this paper. The response statistics from the proposed approach are compared with those from MCS. It is noted that the computational time is significantly reduced while the accuracy is kept. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach for stochastic dynamic response analysis of marine risers.

Apparatus and methods for regeneration of precipitating solvent

DOEpatents

Liu, Guohai; Vimalchand, Pannalal; Peng, Wan Wang; Bonsu, Alexander

2015-08-25

A regenerator that can handle rich loaded chemical solvent containing precipitated absorption reaction products is disclosed. The invention is particularly suitable for separating CO.sub.2 from large gas streams that are typical of power plant processes. The internally circulating liquid stream in the regenerator (ICLS regenerator) rapidly heats-up the in-coming rich solvent stream in a downcomer standpipe as well as decreases the overall concentration of CO.sub.2 in the mixed stream. Both these actions lead to dissolution of precipitates. Any remaining precipitate further dissolves as heat is transferred to the mixed solution with an inverted bayonet tube heat exchanger in the riser portion of the regenerator. The evolving CO.sub.2 bubbles in the riser portion of the regenerator lead to substantial gas hold-up and the large density difference between the solutions in the downcomer standpipe and riser portions promotes internal circulation of the liquid stream in the regenerator. As minor amounts of solvent components present in the exit gas stream are condensed and returned back to the regenerator, pure CO.sub.2 gas stream exits the disclosed regenerator and condenser system.

Effect of particle size distribution on the hydrodynamics of dense CFB risers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakshi, Akhilesh; Khanna, Samir; Venuturumilli, Raj; Altantzis, Christos; Ghoniem, Ahmed

2015-11-01

Circulating Fluidized Beds (CFB) are favorable in the energy and chemical industries, due to their high efficiency. While accurate hydrodynamic modeling is essential for optimizing performance, most CFB riser simulations are performed assuming equally-sized solid particles, owing to limited computational resources. Even though this approach yields reasonable predictions, it neglects commonly observed experimental findings suggesting the strong effect of particle size distribution (psd) on the hydrodynamics and chemical conversion. Thus, this study is focused on the inclusion of discrete particle sizes to represent the psd and its effect on fluidization via 2D numerical simulations. The particle sizes and corresponding mass fluxes are obtained using experimental data in dense CFB riser while the modeling framework is described in Bakshi et al 2015. Simulations are conducted at two scales: (a) fine grid to resolve heterogeneous structures and (b) coarse grid using EMMS sub-grid modifications. Using suitable metrics which capture bed dynamics, this study provides insights into segregation and mixing of particles as well as highlights need for improved sub-grid models.

Predictive Model for Particle Residence Time Distributions in Riser Reactors. Part 1: Model Development and Validation

DOE PAGES

Foust, Thomas D.; Ziegler, Jack L.; Pannala, Sreekanth; ...

2017-02-28

Here in this computational study, we model the mixing of biomass pyrolysis vapor with solid catalyst in circulating riser reactors with a focus on the determination of solid catalyst residence time distributions (RTDs). A comprehensive set of 2D and 3D simulations were conducted for a pilot-scale riser using the Eulerian-Eulerian two-fluid modeling framework with and without sub-grid-scale models for the gas-solids interaction. A validation test case was also simulated and compared to experiments, showing agreement in the pressure gradient and RTD mean and spread. For simulation cases, it was found that for accurate RTD prediction, the Johnson and Jackson partialmore » slip solids boundary condition was required for all models and a sub-grid model is useful so that ultra high resolutions grids that are very computationally intensive are not required. Finally, we discovered a 2/3 scaling relation for the RTD mean and spread when comparing resolved 2D simulations to validated unresolved 3D sub-grid-scale model simulations.« less

Are signals of westerly wind strength and hydroclimate change during the late Holocene preserved in Antarctic peatbanks?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stelling, J.; Yu, Z.; Beilman, D. W.; Loisel, J.

2017-12-01

Over the second half of the 20th century the western Antarctic Peninsula experienced a warmer and moister climate, possibly brought by the poleward expansion of the southern westerly wind belt. However, it is not well-known how terrestrial ecosystems on the peninsula have responded to circulation change over the last two millennia. Here we present a paleoecological and geochemical record derived from peatbank deposits on contrasting slopes on Litchfield Island (64°46'S; 64°06'W) to better understand ecosystem response over the late Holocene. Chronology of our three peat cores is constrained by 18 radiocarbon dates. The north-facing peatbank initiated 2700 calibrated years before present (cal yr BP) had a time-weighted accumulation rate of 0.3 mm yr-1 with the interval of lowest growth (<0.03 mm yr-1) from 1300 to 500 cal yr BP. However, the last 500 cal yr BP show increased accumulation rate (>0.6 mm yr-1). The other two peatbanks (southwest and west-facing) initiated after 500 cal yr BP with 1.5 mm yr-1 vertical accumulation rate. We suspect the delayed initiation in southwest or west-facing slopes was caused by cold/cool summer and likely persistent snow cover before 500 cal yr BP. Under the same regional climate, the cool summer, and perhaps more snow, on the north-facing slope causes the slow accumulation rate there at 1300-500 cal yr BP. Furthermore, the results show that carbon accumulation follows a similar pattern with an increased rate (greater than the time-weighted mean 20 g C m-2 yr-1), of up to 110 g C m-2 yr-1 at 1300 cal yr BP, and then decreased accumulation thereafter until 500 cal yr BP. Surprisingly, on peatbanks with different microclimates, there is a common pattern of large-scale species dominance shifts —from less than 10% to greater than >80%—between drier Polytrichum and wetter Chorisodontium. These dominance shifts indicate that despite differing accumulation histories, patterns of external influence can be detected. Warmer and moister climate brought by increasing westerly wind could be responsible for dominance shifts to wetter species, with a reduction in westerly wind resulting in drier species. Our results indicate that peat-based archives have the potential to record responses to climate although, they may be sensitive to regional hydroclimate patterns like increased snowfall.

Using forbidden ordinal patterns to detect determinism in irregularly sampled time series.

PubMed

Kulp, C W; Chobot, J M; Niskala, B J; Needhammer, C J

2016-02-01

It is known that when symbolizing a time series into ordinal patterns using the Bandt-Pompe (BP) methodology, there will be ordinal patterns called forbidden patterns that do not occur in a deterministic series. The existence of forbidden patterns can be used to identify deterministic dynamics. In this paper, the ability to use forbidden patterns to detect determinism in irregularly sampled time series is tested on data generated from a continuous model system. The study is done in three parts. First, the effects of sampling time on the number of forbidden patterns are studied on regularly sampled time series. The next two parts focus on two types of irregular-sampling, missing data and timing jitter. It is shown that forbidden patterns can be used to detect determinism in irregularly sampled time series for low degrees of sampling irregularity (as defined in the paper). In addition, comments are made about the appropriateness of using the BP methodology to symbolize irregularly sampled time series.

Long-Term Excessive Body Weight and Adult Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Are Linked Through Later-Life Body Size and Blood Pressure: The Bogalusa Heart Study.

PubMed

Zhang, Huijie; Zhang, Tao; Li, Shengxu; Guo, Yajun; Shen, Wei; Fernandez, Camilo; Harville, Emily; Bazzano, Lydia A; Urbina, Elaine M; He, Jiang; Chen, Wei

2017-05-12

Childhood adiposity is associated with cardiac structure in later life, but little is known regarding to what extent childhood body weight affects adult left ventricular geometric patterns through adult body size and blood pressure (BP). Determine quantitatively the mediation effect of adult body weight and BP on the association of childhood body mass index (BMI) with adult left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy. This longitudinal study consisted of 710 adults, aged 26 to 48 years, who had been examined for BMI and BP measured ≥4× during childhood and ≥2× during adulthood, with a mean follow-up period of 28.0 years. After adjusting for age, race, and sex, adult BMI had a significant mediation effect (76.4%; P <0.01) on the childhood BMI-adult LV mass index association. The mediation effects of adult systolic BP (15.2%), long-term burden (12.1%), and increasing trends of systolic BP (7.9%) were all significant ( P <0.01). Furthermore, these mediators also had significant mediation effects on the association of childhood BMI with adult LV hypertrophy, eccentric hypertrophy, and concentric hypertrophy. Importantly, the mediation effects of adult BMI were all significantly stronger than those of adult systolic BP on LV mass index, LV hypertrophy, and LV remodeling patterns ( P <0.01). Additionally, the mediation effect of systolic BP on concentric hypertrophy was significantly stronger than that on eccentric hypertrophy ( P <0.01). These findings suggest that increased childhood BMI has long-term adverse impact on subclinical changes in adult cardiac structure, and early life excessive body weight and adult LV hypertrophy are linked through later life excessive body weight and elevated BP. © 2017 American Heart Association, Inc.

Independent influences of excessive body weight and elevated blood pressure from childhood on left ventricular geometric remodeling in adulthood.

PubMed

Yan, Yinkun; Liu, Junting; Wang, Liang; Hou, Dongqing; Zhao, Xiaoyuan; Cheng, Hong; Mi, Jie

2017-09-15

Obesity and hypertension are two risk factors of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in adults. We aimed to examine the impacts of body weight and blood pressure (BP) from childhood on adult LV geometric remodeling. The study cohort consisted of 1256 adults aged 27-42years who had 2-10 measurements of body mass index (BMI) and BP from childhood in 1987 to adulthood in 2010. We calculated the cumulative and incremental values of BMI and BP from childhood to adulthood. In adulthood, four LV geometric patterns were defined based on the values of left ventricular mass index (g/m 2.7 ) and relative wall thickness: normal geometry, concentric remodeling (CR), eccentric hypertrophy (EH) and concentric hypertrophy (CH). The prevalence of abnormal LV geometric patterns in adults was 26.4% for CR, 2.0% for EH and 2.5% for CH. For childhood values, systolic BP (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.08-1.47) but not BMI (OR=1.06, 95%CI=0.93-1.18) was associated with adult CR, whereas BMI (OR=3.53, 95%CI=2.09-5.98) but not systolic BP (OR=1.04, 95%CI=0.65-1.66) was associated with adult EH. Both childhood BMI (OR=2.69, 95%CI=1.77-4.09) and systolic BP (OR=1.64, 95%CI=1.07-2.51) were independently associated with adult CH. For adulthood, cumulative and incremental values, BMI and systolic BP were independently associated with adult CR, EH and CH. Excessive body weight and elevated BP from childhood have independent influences on the development of adult LV geometric remodeling. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Installation Restoration Program. Phase II. Confirmation/Quantification Stage 2 for Griffiss Air Force Base, New York.

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-02-20

Surface Cemennt/entonte Grout Rat 20/1 6" Diameter Bore "Ole 8 Foit B.G.S. Bentorito 4" Diameter POes" Schedle 409 Fee S.O.S.PVC Riser Pipe with...Casing with Locking Cap GRiser Pipe StickupGround Surface 2.2Fe Cement/BSentonite Grout Ratio 20/1 8" Diameter Bore Hole cv Ile- 3 Feet B.G.S...Ground Surface 4’. Ground Surface .0~ Cemtert/Bentonlte Grout Rat 20/1 8" Diamneter Bore Hole__ 4" Diameter Pl O Schedule 404 PVC Riser Pipe FetBGS

Nonlinear Analysis of a Bolted Marine Riser Connector Using NASTRAN Substructuring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fox, G. L.

1984-01-01

Results of an investigation of the behavior of a bolted, flange type marine riser connector is reported. The method used to account for the nonlinear effect of connector separation due to bolt preload and axial tension load is described. The automated multilevel substructing capability of COSMIC/NASTRAN was employed at considerable savings in computer run time. Simplified formulas for computer resources, i.e., computer run times for modules SDCOMP, FBS, and MPYAD, as well as disk storage space, are presented. Actual run time data on a VAX-11/780 is compared with the formulas presented.

Pilot Test of Hot Gas Decontamination of Explosives-Contaminated Equipment at Hawthorne Army Ammunition Plant (HWAAP), Hawthorne, Nevada. Appendices. Revision

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-06-01

was used to spike the following items of equipment: 0 powder boxes o steam-heated risers o steam-heated discharge valves o steel pipe o aluminum pipe...expose it to the internal surfaces. For pipe ( aluminum and steel), one end of the pipe section was covered with parafilm wax. Spike solution was added...spike the following items of equipment: "o powder box "o steam-heated riser "o steam-heated discharge valve "O steel pipe "o aluminum pipe Prior to

The relationship between orexin levels and blood pressure changes in patients with narcolepsy.

PubMed

Sieminski, Mariusz; Chwojnicki, Kamil; Sarkanen, Tomi; Partinen, Markku

2017-01-01

Narcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is caused by a deficiency or absence of the neurotransmitter orexin. NT1 is also associated with a reduced nocturnal "dipping" of blood pressure (BP). The study objective was to analyze whether nocturnal BP values differed in patients depleted of orexin, versus those in whom production was preserved. We performed a retrospective analysis of the polysomnographic recordings, orexin levels, and BP values of patients with NT1. Data was collected from a total of 21 patients, divided into two groups as follows: those with a complete depletion of orexin (n = 11) (Group1), and those with a remaining, limited presence of orexin (n = 10) (Group 2). The groups did not differ in terms of the clinical features of NT1 or sleep characteristics, with an exception of increased number of cataplexy episodes and increased percentage of sleep stage 2 in the Group 1. Daytime and nocturnal BP did not differ between the groups. Most patients, regardless of group, had a non-dipping blood pressure pattern, and no difference in dipping prevalence was observed between groups. The amplitude of the daytime to nighttime change in BP did not differ between the groups. Non-dipping BP patterns are frequent among patients with narcolepsy type 1, but we saw no evidence that they depended on whether orexin levels were above or below the assay detection threshold. Therefore, our results do not support the hypothesis that in patients with narcolepsy type 1 residual orexin levels play a role in the control of nocturnal BP dipping.

The simulation and experimental validation on gas-solid two phase flow in the riser of a dense fluidized bed

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xue-Yao; Jiang, Fan; Xu, Xiang; Wang, Sheng-Dian; Fan, Bao-Guo; Xiao, Yun-Han

2009-06-01

Gas-solid flow in dense CFB (circulating fluidized bed)) riser under the operating condition, superficial gas 15.5 m/s and solid flux 140 kg/m2s using Geldart B particles (sand) was investigated by experiments and CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulation. The overall and local flow characteristics are determined using the axial pressure profiles and solid concentration profiles. The cold experimental results indicate that the axial solid concentration distribution contains a dilute region towards the up-middle zone and a dense region near the bottom and the top exit zones. The typical core-annulus structure and the back-mixing phenomenon near the wall of the riser can be observed. In addition, owing to the key role of the drag force of gas-solid phase, a revised drag force coefficient, based on the EMMS (energy-minimization multi-scale) model which can depict the heterogeneous character of gas-solid two phase flow, was proposed and coupled into the CFD control equations. In order to find an appropriate drag force model for the simulation of dense CFB riser, not only the revised drag force model but some other kinds of drag force model were used in the CFD. The flow structure, solid concentration, clusters phenomenon, fluctuation of two phases and axial pressure drop were analyzed. By comparing the experiment with the simulation, the results predicted by the EMMS drag model showed a better agreement with the experimental axial average pressure drop and apparent solid volume fraction, which proves that the revised drag force based on the EMMS model is an appropriate model for the dense CFB simulation.

Seasonal Variation in Blood Pressure in 162,135 Patients With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

PubMed

Hermann, Julia M; Rosenbauer, Joachim; Dost, Axel; Steigleder-Schweiger, Claudia; Kiess, Wieland; Schöfl, Christof; Holl, Reinhard W

2016-04-01

Seasonal variation in blood pressure (BP) has been observed in different populations. However, only few studies have focused on BP seasonality in diabetic patients. This study examined the seasonal patterns in BP in 62,589 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and in 99,546 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from the German/Austrian Diabetes Follow-up Registry. Adjusted mean BP values revealed seasonal cycles of 12 months, with higher BP in colder months. Using harmonic regression models, the estimated systolic BP difference throughout the year was 2.28/2.48 mm Hg in T1DM/T2DM (both P<.001). Interestingly, seasonal variation in diastolic BP was larger in T1DM than in T2DM (1.24/0.64 mm Hg, P<.001). A sex difference was observed in T1DM only, while age differences occurred in both types of diabetes. Correlations between BP and potentially related factors such as outdoor temperature indicated that reasons underlying BP seasonality are likely to be complex and vary by subgroup. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Altered cropping pattern and cultural continuation with declined prosperity following abrupt and extreme arid event at ~4,200 yrs BP: Evidence from an Indus archaeological site Khirsara, Gujarat, western India

PubMed Central

Pokharia, Anil K.; Sharma, Shalini; Bajpai, Sunil; Nath, Jitendra; Kumaran, R. N.; Negi, Bipin Chandra

2017-01-01

Archaeological sites hold important clues to complex climate-human relationships of the past. Human settlements in the peripheral zone of Indus culture (Gujarat, western India) are of considerable importance in the assessment of past monsoon-human-subsistence-culture relationships and their survival thresholds against climatic stress exerted by abrupt changes. During the mature phase of Harappan culture between ~4,600–3,900yrsBP, the ~4,100±100yrsBP time slice is widely recognized as one of the major, abrupt arid-events imprinted innumerous well-dated palaeo records. However, the veracity of this dry event has not been established from any archaeological site representing the Indus (Harappan) culture, and issues concerning timing, changes in subsistence pattern, and the likely causes of eventual abandonment (collapse) continue to be debated. Here we show a significant change in crop-pattern (from barley-wheat based agriculture to ‘drought-resistant’ millet-based crops) at ~4,200 yrs BP, based on abundant macrobotanical remains and C isotopes of soil organic matter (δ13CSOM) in an archaeological site at Khirsara, in the Gujarat state of western India. The crop-change appears to be intentional and was likely used as an adaptation measure in response to deteriorated monsoonal conditions. The ceramic and architectural remains of the site indicate that habitation survived and continued after the ~4,200yrsBP dry climatic phase, but with declined economic prosperity. Switching to millet-based crops initially helped inhabitants to avoid immediate collapse due to climatic stresses, but continued aridity and altered cropping pattern led to a decline in prosperity levels of inhabitants and eventual abandonment of the site at the end of the mature Harappan phase. PMID:28985232

Ecology driving genetic variation: a comparative phylogeography of jungle cat (Felis chaus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in India.

PubMed

Mukherjee, Shomita; Krishnan, Anand; Tamma, Krishnapriya; Home, Chandrima; Navya, R; Joseph, Sonia; Das, Arundhati; Ramakrishnan, Uma

2010-10-29

Comparative phylogeography links historical population processes to current/ecological processes through congruent/incongruent patterns of genetic variation among species/lineages. Despite high biodiversity, India lacks a phylogeographic paradigm due to limited comparative studies. We compared the phylogenetic patterns of Indian populations of jungle cat (Felis chaus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). Given similarities in their distribution within India, evolutionary histories, body size and habits, congruent patterns of genetic variation were expected. We collected scats from various biogeographic zones in India and analyzed mtDNA from 55 jungle cats (460 bp NADH5, 141 bp cytochrome b) and 40 leopard cats (362 bp NADH5, 202 bp cytochrome b). Jungle cats revealed high genetic variation, relatively low population structure and demographic expansion around the mid-Pleistocene. In contrast, leopard cats revealed lower genetic variation and high population structure with a F(ST) of 0.86 between North and South Indian populations. Niche-model analyses using two approaches (BIOCLIM and MaxEnt) support absence of leopard cats from Central India, indicating a climate associated barrier. We hypothesize that high summer temperatures limit leopard cat distribution and that a rise in temperature in the peninsular region of India during the LGM caused the split in leopard cat population in India. Our results indicate that ecological variables describing a species range can predict genetic patterns. Our study has also resolved the confusion over the distribution of the leopard cat in India. The reciprocally monophyletic island population in the South mandates conservation attention.

Ecology Driving Genetic Variation: A Comparative Phylogeography of Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) and Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) in India

PubMed Central

Mukherjee, Shomita; Krishnan, Anand; Tamma, Krishnapriya; Home, Chandrima; R, Navya; Joseph, Sonia; Das, Arundhati; Ramakrishnan, Uma

2010-01-01

Background Comparative phylogeography links historical population processes to current/ecological processes through congruent/incongruent patterns of genetic variation among species/lineages. Despite high biodiversity, India lacks a phylogeographic paradigm due to limited comparative studies. We compared the phylogenetic patterns of Indian populations of jungle cat (Felis chaus) and leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis). Given similarities in their distribution within India, evolutionary histories, body size and habits, congruent patterns of genetic variation were expected. Methodology/Principal Findings We collected scats from various biogeographic zones in India and analyzed mtDNA from 55 jungle cats (460 bp NADH5, 141 bp cytochrome b) and 40 leopard cats (362 bp NADH5, 202 bp cytochrome b). Jungle cats revealed high genetic variation, relatively low population structure and demographic expansion around the mid-Pleistocene. In contrast, leopard cats revealed lower genetic variation and high population structure with a F ST of 0.86 between North and South Indian populations. Niche-model analyses using two approaches (BIOCLIM and MaxEnt) support absence of leopard cats from Central India, indicating a climate associated barrier. We hypothesize that high summer temperatures limit leopard cat distribution and that a rise in temperature in the peninsular region of India during the LGM caused the split in leopard cat population in India. Conclusions/Significance Our results indicate that ecological variables describing a species range can predict genetic patterns. Our study has also resolved the confusion over the distribution of the leopard cat in India. The reciprocally monophyletic island population in the South mandates conservation attention. PMID:21060831

Burkholderia pseudomallei sequencing identifies genomic clades with distinct recombination, accessory, and epigenetic profiles

PubMed Central

Nandi, Tannistha; Holden, Matthew T.G.; Didelot, Xavier; Mehershahi, Kurosh; Boddey, Justin A.; Beacham, Ifor; Peak, Ian; Harting, John; Baybayan, Primo; Guo, Yan; Wang, Susana; How, Lee Chee; Sim, Bernice; Essex-Lopresti, Angela; Sarkar-Tyson, Mitali; Nelson, Michelle; Smither, Sophie; Ong, Catherine; Aw, Lay Tin; Hoon, Chua Hui; Michell, Stephen; Studholme, David J.; Titball, Richard; Chen, Swaine L.; Parkhill, Julian

2015-01-01

Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) is the causative agent of the infectious disease melioidosis. To investigate population diversity, recombination, and horizontal gene transfer in closely related Bp isolates, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on 106 clinical, animal, and environmental strains from a restricted Asian locale. Whole-genome phylogenies resolved multiple genomic clades of Bp, largely congruent with multilocus sequence typing (MLST). We discovered widespread recombination in the Bp core genome, involving hundreds of regions associated with multiple haplotypes. Highly recombinant regions exhibited functional enrichments that may contribute to virulence. We observed clade-specific patterns of recombination and accessory gene exchange, and provide evidence that this is likely due to ongoing recombination between clade members. Reciprocally, interclade exchanges were rarely observed, suggesting mechanisms restricting gene flow between clades. Interrogation of accessory elements revealed that each clade harbored a distinct complement of restriction-modification (RM) systems, predicted to cause clade-specific patterns of DNA methylation. Using methylome sequencing, we confirmed that representative strains from separate clades indeed exhibit distinct methylation profiles. Finally, using an E. coli system, we demonstrate that Bp RM systems can inhibit uptake of non-self DNA. Our data suggest that RM systems borne on mobile elements, besides preventing foreign DNA invasion, may also contribute to limiting exchanges of genetic material between individuals of the same species. Genomic clades may thus represent functional units of genetic isolation in Bp, modulating intraspecies genetic diversity. PMID:25236617

Abnormalities in ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hypertensive patients with diabetes.

PubMed

Gorostidi, Manuel; de la Sierra, Alejandro; González-Albarrán, Olga; Segura, Julián; de la Cruz, Juan J; Vinyoles, Ernest; Llisterri, José L; Aranda, Pedro; Ruilope, Luis M; Banegas, José R

2011-11-01

Our aim was to assess the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) characteristics or patterns in hypertensive patients with diabetes compared with non-diabetic hypertensives. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of a 68,045 patient database from the Spanish Society of Hypertension ABPM Registry, a nation-wide network of >1200 primary-care physicians performing ABPM under standardized conditions in daily practice. We identified 12,600 (18.5%) hypertensive patients with diabetes. When compared with patients without diabetes, diabetic hypertensives exhibited higher systolic blood pressure (BP) levels in every ABPM period (daytime 135.4 vs. 131.8, and nighttime 126.0 vs. 121.0 mm Hg, P<0.001 for both) despite they were receiving more antihypertensive drugs (mean number 1.71 vs. 1.23, P<0.001). Consequently, diabetic patients suffered from lack of control of BP more frequently than non-diabetic subjects particularly during the night (65.5% vs. 57.4%, P<0.001). Prevalence of a non-dipping BP profile (64.2% vs. 51.6%, P<0.001) was higher in diabetic patients. In the other hand, prevalence of 'white-coat' hypertension in diabetic patients was 33.0%. We conclude that there was a remarkably high prevalence of alterations in ABPM in patients with diabetes. Abnormalities in systolic BP, particularly during the night, and in circadian BP pattern could be linked with the excess of BP-related cardiovascular risk of diabetes. A wider use of ABPM in diabetic patients should be considered.

Great earthquakes of variable magnitude at the Cascadia subduction zone

USGS Publications Warehouse

Nelson, A.R.; Kelsey, H.M.; Witter, R.C.

2006-01-01

Comparison of histories of great earthquakes and accompanying tsunamis at eight coastal sites suggests plate-boundary ruptures of varying length, implying great earthquakes of variable magnitude at the Cascadia subduction zone. Inference of rupture length relies on degree of overlap on radiocarbon age ranges for earthquakes and tsunamis, and relative amounts of coseismic subsidence and heights of tsunamis. Written records of a tsunami in Japan provide the most conclusive evidence for rupture of much of the plate boundary during the earthquake of 26 January 1700. Cascadia stratigraphic evidence dating from about 1600??cal yr B.P., similar to that for the 1700 earthquake, implies a similarly long rupture with substantial subsidence and a high tsunami. Correlations are consistent with other long ruptures about 1350??cal yr B.P., 2500??cal yr B.P., 3400??cal yr B.P., 3800??cal yr B.P., 4400??cal yr B.P., and 4900??cal yr B.P. A rupture about 700-1100??cal yr B.P. was limited to the northern and central parts of the subduction zone, and a northern rupture about 2900??cal yr B.P. may have been similarly limited. Times of probable short ruptures in southern Cascadia include about 1100??cal yr B.P., 1700??cal yr B.P., 3200??cal yr B.P., 4200??cal yr B.P., 4600??cal yr B.P., and 4700??cal yr B.P. Rupture patterns suggest that the plate boundary in northern Cascadia usually breaks in long ruptures during the greatest earthquakes. Ruptures in southernmost Cascadia vary in length and recurrence intervals more than ruptures in northern Cascadia.

Geographic Size Variation and Intra-Tektite Geochemical Heterogeneity of Muong Nong Tektites: Insights for Cratering Process and Fall Location.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schonwalder, D. A.; Sieh, K.; Herrin, J. S.; Wiwegwin, W.; Charusiri, P.; Singsomboun, K.; Sihavong, V.

2017-12-01

Australasian tektites cover 10% of Earth's surface and are the result of a 790 ka meteorite impact [1]. We have suggested that the search of the impact crater has long been mysterious because it lies buried beneath the volcanic field of the Bolaven Plateau (BP), southern Laos. [2]. Here we report our initial textural and geochemical work on 700 Muong Nong (MN) tektites collected in Laos and Thailand, including physical inspections and geochemical point-analyses of selected samples using a Field Emission Electron Probe Microanalyzer. We integrated our results with published data to identify any geographic patterns related to proposed crater site on the BP. Mung Nong tektite masses display a clear pattern in relation to BP. Within 50 km of the BP source, they do not exceed 10 gr. Mass then increases with radius to peak of 1 to 10 kg between 100 and 600 km, beyond which mass decreases steadily. We also see large geochemical heterogeneities within single tektites (e.g. 72.80±4.38 wt. % SiO2), and intra-sample compositions consisting with mixing of three principal source rocks on the BP, basalt-sourced laterites, basalt and sandstone. We infer that the geographical pattern in mass distribution of the MN tektites result from fragmentation of brittle, partially molten material during crater excavation and by debris interactions occurring in the ejecta blanket. The smaller and closest-to-crater tektites experienced greater interactions with crater walls and other ejecta during crater excavation, whereas the larger tektites that fell farther from the impact site, experienced lesser fragmentation because they had higher ejection trajectories that had less involvement in crater excavation. Intra-tektite compositional trends suggest the involvement of three protoliths, all of them found at the BP. 1. Schwarz et al. (2016) Geochem. Cosmo. Acta 178 2. Sieh et al. (2015) AGU Fall Mtg. T54A-04

Ambulatory blood pressure and arterial stiffness in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

PubMed

Lithovius, Raija; Gordin, Daniel; Forsblom, Carol; Saraheimo, Markku; Harjutsalo, Valma; Groop, Per-Henrik

2018-05-24

This study aimed to assess the use of ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) to identify the presence of masked, nocturnal and white-coat hypertension in individuals with type 1 diabetes, patterns that could not be detected by regular office-based BP monitoring alone. We also analysed associations between BP patterns and arterial stiffness in order to identify individuals at cardiovascular risk. This substudy included 140 individuals with type 1 diabetes from the Helsinki metropolitan area, who attended the Finnish Diabetic Nephropathy Study (FinnDiane) Centre in Helsinki between January 2013 and August 2017. Twenty-four hour ABPM and pulse wave analysis were performed simultaneously using a validated non-invasive brachial oscillometric device (Mobil-O-Graph). Definitions of hypertension were based on the European Society of Hypertension guidelines. Masked hypertension was defined as normal office BP (BP obtained using a standardised automated BP device) but elevated 24 h ABPM, and white-coat hypertension as elevated office BP but normal 24 h ABPM. A total of 38% of individuals were normotensive and 33% had sustained hypertension, while 23% had masked and 6% had white-coat hypertension. About half of the cohort had increased absolute levels of night-time BP, half of whom were untreated. In the ambulatory setting, central BP and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were higher in participants with masked hypertension than in those with normotension (p ≤ 0.001). In a multivariable linear regression model adjusted for age, sex, BMI, antihypertensive treatment and eGFR, masked hypertension was independently associated with higher 24 h PWV (β 0.50 [95% CI 0.34, 0.66]), but not with PWV obtained during resting conditions (adjusted β 0.28 [95% CI -0.53, 1.10]), using normotension as the reference group. ABPM analysis revealed that one-quarter of the participants with type 1 diabetes had masked hypertension; these individuals would not have been detected by office BP alone. Moreover, arterial stiffness was increased in individuals with masked hypertension. These findings support the use of ABPM to identify individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease.

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

Fischer, F.J.

As the petroleum industry has moved into deeper and deeper water for the recovery of oil and gas, weight-sensitive floating platforms have replaced stationary, bottom-founded structures. The cost penalty for weight or vertical tension supported by floaters such as tension leg platforms (TLPs) is in the range of $10--20/kg. Hence, there is considerable incentive to reduce the weight of equipment or structural members on these platforms and downward forces exerted on these platforms by production and export risers, and mooring lines. Thus, there are numerous opportunities for utilizing light-weight, high-strength composites. The offshore petroleum industry has acknowledged the desirable performancemore » characteristics of composites for some time but only recently has there been some optimism that composites could be cost-effective. For most, if not all perceived applications, advanced composites are not considered to be technically enabling for current water depths of interest, i.e., 600--1,200m. However, in a very real sense, they may be economically enabling. In particular, they may allow marginal prospects to be developed or may expedite field development subject to capital constraints. The paper discusses composite production risers, break-even costs and savings, and riser tensioners.« less

Study of cluster behavior in the riser of CFB by the DSMC method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, H. P.; Liu, D. Y.; Liu, H.

2010-03-01

The flow behaviors of clusters in the riser of a two-dimensional (2D) circulating fluidized bed was numerically studied based on the Euler-Lagrangian approach. Gas turbulence was modeled by means of Large Eddy Simulation (LES). Particle collision was modeled by means of the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Clusters' hydrodynamic characteristics are obtained using a cluster identification method proposed by sharrma et al. (2000). The descending clusters near the wall region and the up- and down-flowing clusters in the core were studied separately due to their different flow behaviors. The effects of superficial gas velocity on the cluster behavior were analyzed. Simulated results showed that near wall clusters flow downward and the descent velocity is about -45 cm/s. The occurrence frequency of the up-flowing cluster is higher than that of down-flowing cluster in the core of riser. With the increase of superficial gas velocity, the solid concentration and occurrence frequency of clusters decrease, while the cluster axial velocity increase. Simulated results were in agreement with experimental data. The stochastic method used in present paper is feasible for predicting the cluster flow behavior in CFBs.

IMPACT OF PARTICLE AGGLOMERATION ON ACCUMULATION RATES IN THE GLASS DISCHARGE RISER OF HLW MELTER

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

Matyas, Josef; Jansik, Danielle P.; Owen, Antionette T.

2013-08-05

The major factor limiting waste loading in continuous high-level radioactive waste (HLW) melters is an accumulation of particles in the glass discharge riser during a frequent and periodic idling of more than 20 days. An excessive accumulation can produce robust layers a few centimeters thick, which may clog the riser, preventing molten glass from being poured into canisters. Since the accumulation rate is driven by the size of particles we investigated with X-ray microtomography, scanning electron microscopy, and image analysis the impact of spinel forming components, noble metals, and alumina on the size, concentration, and spatial distribution of particles, andmore » on the accumulation rate. Increased concentrations of Fe and Ni in the baseline glass resulted in the formation of large agglomerates that grew over the time to an average size of ~185±155 µm, and produced >3 mm thick layer after 120 h at 850 °C. The noble metals decreased the particle size, and therefore significantly slowed down the accumulation rate. Addition of alumina resulted in the formation of a network of spinel dendrites which prevented accumulation of particles into compact layers.« less

Impact Of Particle Agglomeration On Accumulation Rates In The Glass Discharge Riser Of HLW Melter

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

Kruger, A. A.; Rodriguez, C. A.; Matyas, J.

2012-11-12

The major factor limiting waste loading in continuous high-level radioactive waste (HLW) melters is an accumulation of particles in the glass discharge riser during a frequent and periodic idling of more than 20 days. An excessive accumulation can produce robust layers a few centimeters thick, which may clog the riser, preventing molten glass from being poured into canisters. Since the accumulation rate is driven by the size of particles we investigated with x-ray microtomography, scanning electron microscopy, and image analysis the impact of spinel forming components, noble metals, and alumina on the size, concentration, and spatial distribution of particles, andmore » on the accumulation rate. Increased concentrations of Fe and Ni in the baseline glass resulted in the formation of large agglomerates that grew over the time to an average size of ~185+-155 {mu}m, and produced >3 mm thick layer after 120 h at 850 deg C. The noble metals decreased the particle size, and therefore significantly slowed down the accumulation rate. Addition of alumina resulted in the formation of a network of spinel dendrites which prevented accumulation of particles into compact layers.« less

Reconstruction of Twist Torque in Main Parachute Risers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Day, Joshua D.

2015-01-01

The reconstruction of twist torque in the Main Parachute Risers of the Capsule Parachute Assembly System (CPAS) has been successfully used to validate CPAS Model Memo conservative twist torque equations. Reconstruction of basic, one degree of freedom drop tests was used to create a functional process for the evaluation of more complex, rigid body simulation. The roll, pitch, and yaw of the body, the fly-out angles of the parachutes, and the relative location of the parachutes to the body are inputs to the torque simulation. The data collected by the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) was used to calculate the true torque. The simulation then used photogrammetric and IMU data as inputs into the Model Memo equations. The results were then compared to the true torque results to validate the Model Memo equations. The Model Memo parameters were based off of steel risers and the parameters will need to be re-evaluated for different materials. Photogrammetric data was found to be more accurate than the inertial data in accounting for the relative rotation between payload and cluster. The Model Memo equations were generally a good match and when not matching were generally conservative.

Peri-anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction femur fracture: a biomechanical analysis of the femoral tunnel as a stress riser.

PubMed

Han, Yung; Sardar, Zeeshan; McGrail, Scott; Steffen, Thomas; Martineau, Paul A

2011-12-01

Sixteen case reports of distal femur fractures as post-operative complications after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have been described in the literature. The femoral tunnel has been suggested as a potential stress riser for fracture formation. Additionally, double bundle ACL reconstructions may compound this risk. This is the first biomechanical study to examine the significance of a stress riser effect of the femoral tunnel(s) after ACL reconstruction. The hypotheses tested in this study are that the femoral tunnel acts as a stress riser for fracture and that this effect increases with the size of the tunnel (8 mm vs. 10 mm) and with the number of tunnels (1 vs. 2). Femoral tunnels simulating single bundle (SB) hamstring graft (8 mm), bone-patellar tendon-bone graft (10 mm), and double bundle (DB) ACL reconstruction (7, 6 mm) were drilled in fourth-generation saw bones. These three experimental groups and a control group consisting of native saw bones without tunnels were loaded to failure. All fractures occurred through the tunnels in the DB group, whereas fractures did not consistently occur through the tunnels in the SB groups. The mean fracture load was 6,145N ± 471N in the native group, 5,691N ± 198N in the 8 mm SB group, 5,702N ± 282N in the 10 mm SB group, and 4,744N ± 418N in the DB group. The mean fracture load for the DB group was significantly lower when compared to the native, 8 mm SB, and 10 mm SB groups independently (P value = 0.0016, 0.0060, and 0.0038, respectively). The mean fracture loads for neither SB groups were not significantly different from the native group. An anatomically placed femoral tunnel in single bundle ACL reconstruction in our experimental model was not a significant stress riser to fracture, whereas the two femoral tunnels in double bundle ACL reconstruction significantly decreased load to failure. The results support the sparsity of reported peri-ACL reconstruction femur fractures in single femoral tunnel techniques. However, the increased fracture risk in double bundle ACL reconstruction may be a cause for concern and impact patient selection.

Molecular characterization and distribution of a 145-bp tandem repeat family in the genus Populus.

PubMed

Rajagopal, J; Das, S; Khurana, D K; Srivastava, P S; Lakshmikumaran, M

1999-10-01

This report aims to describe the identification and molecular characterization of a 145-bp tandem repeat family that accounts for nearly 1.5% of the Populus genome. Three members of this repeat family were cloned and sequenced from Populus deltoides and P. ciliata. The dimers of the repeat were sequenced in order to confirm the head-to-tail organization of the repeat. Hybridization-based analysis using the 145-bp tandem repeat as a probe on genomic DNA gave rise to ladder patterns which were identified to be a result of methylation and (or) sequence heterogeneity. Analysis of the methylation pattern of the repeat family using methylation-sensitive isoschizomers revealed variable methylation of the C residues and lack of methylation of the A residues. Sequence comparisons between the monomers revealed a high degree of sequence divergence that ranged between 6% and 11% in P. deltoides and between 4.2% and 8.3% in P. ciliata. This indicated the presence of sub-families within the 145-bp tandem family of repeats. Divergence was mainly due to the accumulation of point mutations and was concentrated in the central region of the repeat. The 145-bp tandem repeat family did not show significant homology to known tandem repeats from plants. A short stretch of 36 bp was found to show homology of 66.7% to a centromeric repeat from Chironomus plumosus. Dot-blot analysis and Southern hybridization data revealed the presence of the repeat family in 13 of the 14 Populus species examined. The absence of the 145-bp repeat from P. euphratica suggested that this species is relatively distant from other members of the genus, which correlates with taxonomic classifications. The widespread occurrence of the tandem family in the genus indicated that this family may be of ancient origin.

Impact of long-term burden of excessive adiposity and elevated blood pressure from childhood on adulthood left ventricular remodeling patterns: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

PubMed

Lai, Chin-Chih; Sun, Dianjianyi; Cen, Ruiqi; Wang, Jian; Li, Shengxu; Fernandez-Alonso, Camilo; Chen, Wei; Srinivasan, Sathanur R; Berenson, Gerald S

2014-10-14

Cardiovascular risk factors are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), but little is known regarding related impact of longitudinal measures of childhood adiposity and LV hemodynamic variables. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of cumulative long-term burden and trends of excessive adiposity and elevated blood pressure (BP) during childhood on adulthood LVH and LV geometric remodeling patterns. This longitudinal study consisted of 1,061 adults, age 24 to 46 years, who had been examined 4 or more times for body mass index (BMI) and BP starting in childhood, with a mean follow-up of 28.0 years. The area under the curve (AUC) was calculated as a measure of long-term burden (total AUC) and trends (incremental AUC) of BMI and BP from childhood to adulthood. Four LV geometric types were defined-normal, concentric remodeling (CR), eccentric hypertrophy (EH), and concentric hypertrophy (CH)-all on the basis of LV mass indexed for body height (m(2.7)) and relative wall thickness. Higher values of BMI and systolic and diastolic BP in childhood and adulthood, as well as total AUC and incremental AUC, were all significantly associated with higher LV mass index and LVH, adjusted for race, sex, and age. In addition, higher values of BMI and BP in childhood and adulthood, total AUC, and incremental AUC were significantly associated with EH and CH but not with CR. Importantly, all of these measures of BMI had a consistently and significantly greater influence on EH than did measures of BP. These findings indicate that the adverse influence of excessive adiposity and elevated BP levels on LVH begins in childhood. Copyright © 2014 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Volcanic influence of Mt. Fuji on the watershed of Lake Motosu and its impact on the lacustrine sedimentary record

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lamair, Laura; Hubert-Ferrari, Aurélia; Yamamoto, Shinya; El Ouahabi, Meriam; Vander Auwera, Jacqueline; Obrochta, Stephen; Boes, Evelien; Nakamura, Atsunori; Fujiwara, Osamu; Shishikura, Masanobu; Schmidt, Sabine; Siani, Giuseppe; Miyairi, Yosuke; Yokoyama, Yusuke; De Batist, Marc; Heyvaert, Vanessa M. A.; QuakeRecNankai Team

2018-01-01

Lacustrine sediments are particularly sensitive to modifications within the lake catchment. In a volcanic area, sedimentation rates are directly affected by the history of the volcano and its eruptions. Here, we investigate the impact of Mt. Fuji Volcano (Japan) on Lake Motosu and its watershed. The lacustrine infill is studied by combining seismic reflection profiles and sediment cores. We show evidence of changes in sedimentation patterns during the depositional history of Lake Motosu. The frequency of large mass-transport deposits recorded within the lake decreases over the Holocene. Before 8000 cal yr BP, large sublacustrine landslides and turbidites were filling the lacustrine depression. After 8000 cal yr BP, only one large sublacustrine landslide was recorded. The change in sedimentation pattern coincides with a change in sediment accumulation rate. Over the last 8000 cal yr BP, the sediment accumulation rate was not sufficient enough to produce large sublacustrine slope failures. Consequently, the frequency of large mass-transport deposits decreased and only turbidites resulting from surficial slope reworking occurred. These constitute the main sedimentary infill of the deep basin. We link the change in sediment accumulation rate with (i) climate and vegetation changes; and (ii) the Mt. Fuji eruptions which affected the Lake Motosu watershed by reducing its size and strongly modified its topography. Moreover, this study highlights that the deposition of turbidites in the deep basin of Lake Motosu is mainly controlled by the paleobathymetry of the lakefloor. Two large mass-transport deposits, occurring around 8000 cal yr BP and 2000 cal yr BP respectively, modified the paleobathymetry of the lakefloor and therefore changed the turbidite depositional pattern of Lake Motosu.

Multiple PAR and E4BP4 bZIP transcription factors in zebrafish: diverse spatial and temporal expression patterns.

PubMed

Ben-Moshe, Zohar; Vatine, Gad; Alon, Shahar; Tovin, Adi; Mracek, Philipp; Foulkes, Nicholas S; Gothilf, Yoav

2010-09-01

Circadian rhythms of physiology and behavior are generated by an autonomous circadian oscillator that is synchronized daily with the environment, mainly by light input. The PAR subfamily of transcriptional activators and the related E4BP4 repressor belonging to the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) family are clock-controlled genes that are suggested to mediate downstream circadian clock processes and to feedback onto the core oscillator. Here, the authors report the characterization of these genes in the zebrafish, an increasingly important model in the field of chronobiology. Five novel PAR and six novel e4bp4 zebrafish homolog genes were identified using bioinformatic tools and their coding sequences were cloned. Based on their evolutionary relationships, these genes were annotated as ztef2, zhlf1 and zhlf2, zdbp1 and zdbp2, and ze4bp4-1 to -6. The spatial and temporal mRNA expression pattern of each of these factors was characterized in zebrafish embryos in the context of a functional circadian clock and regulation by light. Nine of the factors exhibited augmented and rhythmic expression in the pineal gland, a central clock organ in zebrafish. Moreover, these genes were found to be regulated, to variable extents, by the circadian clock and/or by light. Differential expression patterns of multiple paralogs in zebrafish suggest multiple roles for these factors within the vertebrate circadian clock. This study, in the genetically accessible zebrafish model, lays the foundation for further research regarding the involvement and specific roles of PAR and E4BP4 transcription factors in the vertebrate circadian clock mechanism.

Impact of behavioral inhibition and parenting style on internalizing and externalizing problems from early childhood through adolescence.

PubMed

Williams, Lela Rankin; Degnan, Kathryn A; Perez-Edgar, Koraly E; Henderson, Heather A; Rubin, Kenneth H; Pine, Daniel S; Steinberg, Laurence; Fox, Nathan A

2009-11-01

Behavioral inhibition (BI) is characterized by a pattern of extreme social reticence, risk for internalizing behavior problems, and possible protection against externalizing behavior problems. Parenting style may also contribute to these associations between BI and behavior problems (BP). A sample of 113 children was assessed for BI in the laboratory at 14 and 24 months of age, self-report of maternal parenting style at 7 years of age, and maternal report of child internalizing and externalizing BP at 4, 7, and 15 years. Internalizing problems at age 4 were greatest among behaviorally inhibited children who also were exposed to permissive parenting. Furthermore, greater authoritative parenting was associated with less of an increase in internalizing behavior problems over time and greater authoritarian parenting was associated with a steeper decline in externalizing problems. Results highlight the importance of considering child and environmental factors in longitudinal patterns of BP across childhood and adolescence.

Oil release from Macondo well MC252 following the Deepwater Horizon accident.

PubMed

Griffiths, Stewart K

2012-05-15

Oil flow rates and cumulative discharge from the BP Macondo Prospect well in the Gulf of Mexico are calculated using a physically based model along with wellhead pressures measured at the blowout preventer (BOP) over the 86-day period following the Deepwater Horizon accident. Parameters appearing in the model are determined empirically from pressures measured during well shut-in and from pressures and flow rates measured the preceding day. This methodology rigorously accounts for ill-characterized evolution of the marine riser, installation and removal of collection caps, and any erosion at the wellhead. The calculated initial flow rate is 67,100 stock-tank barrels per day (stbd), which decays to 54,400 stbd just prior to installation of the capping stack and subsequent shut-in. The calculated cumulative discharge is 5.4 million stock-tank barrels, of which 4.6 million barrels entered the Gulf. Quantifiable uncertainties in these values are -9.3% and +7.5%, yielding a likely total discharge in the range from 4.9 to 5.8 million barrels. Minimum and maximum credible values of this discharge are 4.6 and 6.2 million barrels. Alternative calculations using the reservoir and sea-floor pressures indicate that any erosion within the BOP had little affect on cumulative discharge.

Effect of the Mediterranean diet on blood pressure in the PREDIMED trial: results from a randomized controlled trial

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Hypertension can be prevented by adopting healthy dietary patterns. Our aim was to assess the 4-year effect on blood pressure (BP) control of a randomized feeding trial promoting the traditional Mediterranean dietary pattern. Methods The PREDIMED primary prevention trial is a randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial conducted in Spanish primary healthcare centers. We recruited 7,447 men (aged 55 to 80 years) and women (aged 60 to 80 years) who had high risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants were assigned to a control group or to one of two Mediterranean diets. The control group received education on following a low-fat diet, while the groups on Mediterranean diets received nutritional education and also free foods; either extra virgin olive oil, or nuts. Trained personnel measured participants’ BP at baseline and once yearly during a 4-year follow-up. We used generalized estimating equations to assess the differences between groups during the follow-up. Results The percentage of participants with controlled BP increased in all three intervention groups (P-value for within-group changes: P<0.001). Participants allocated to either of the two Mediterranean diet groups had significantly lower diastolic BP than the participants in the control group (−1.53 mmHg (95% confidence interval (CI) −2.01 to −1.04) for the Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil, and −0.65 mmHg (95% CI -1.15 to −0.15) mmHg for the Mediterranean diet supplemented with nuts). No between-group differences in changes of systolic BP were seen. Conclusions Both the traditional Mediterranean diet and a low-fat diet exerted beneficial effects on BP and could be part of advice to patients for controlling BP. However, we found lower values of diastolic BP in the two groups promoting the Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil or with nuts than in the control group. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN35739639 PMID:24050803

Beech Range Extension and Vegetation History: Pollen Stratigraphy of Two Wisconsin Lakes.

PubMed

Webb, Sara L

1987-12-01

The pollen stratigraphy of two small lakes in eastern Wisconsin (Radtke Lake, Washington county, and Gass Lake, Manitowoc County) records the Holocene (past 10 000 yr) spread of beech (Fagus grandifolia: Fagaceae). Radiocarbon dates were obtained for the oldest stratigraphic levels at which beech pollen appeared consistently in amounts > 0.5% of terrestrial pollen. A spatially continuous pattern of beech expansion from the north was ruled out, because beech trees grew in Wisconsin by 6000 BP, 2000 yr before adjacent populations were established to the north. Alternative geographic patterns of speed (from the south or east) were spatially discontinuous, requiring seed dispersal distances of perhaps 25-130 km. That beechnuts could be dispersed across such distances suggests (1) the involvement of Blue Jays, Passenger Pigeons, or other vertebrates, and (2) a capacity for reaching climatically controlled range limits, given sufficient time despite such discontinuities in habitat. A lag 1000-2000 yr between the establishment of source populations in Michigan and Indiana and the appearance of beech in Wisconsin suggests that low-probability dispersal events were involved and that dispersal constraints limited the range of beech during this time, although climatic and edaphic explanations for the lag cannot be ruled out. Pollen data from the two sites reveal other features of vegetation history in eastern Wisconsin: an open Picea-Fraxinus woodland prior to 11 000 BP; sequence of Picea, Abies, Betula, and then Pinus forests between 11 000 and 7500 BP; the establishment of a coniferous/deciduous forest ecotone ("tension zone") ° 7000 BP in this region; and the presence of Quercus-dominanted deciduous forests from 7000 BP until 110 BP (time of Euro-American settlement), a period punctuated by a gradual decrease in Ulmus populations (° 4500 and 5700 BP at the two sites) and by an increase in mesophytic tree abundance at the expense of Quercus after 3500 BP. © 1987 by the Ecological Society of America.

Differential Hedonic Experience and Behavioral Activation in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

PubMed Central

Tso, Ivy F.; Grove, Tyler B.; Taylor, Stephan F.

2014-01-01

The Kraepelinian distinction between schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BP) emphasizes affective and volitional impairment in the former, but data directly comparing the two disorders for hedonic experience are scarce. This study examined whether hedonic experience and behavioral activation may be useful phenotypes distinguishing SZ and BP. Participants were 39 SZ and 24 BP patients without current mood episode matched for demographics and negative affect, along with 36 healthy controls (HC). They completed the Chapman Physical and Social Anhedonia Scales, Temporal Experience of Pleasure Scale (TEPS), and Behavioral Activation Scale (BAS). SZ and BP showed equally elevated levels of self-report negative affect and trait anhedonia compared to HC. However, SZ reported significantly lower pleasure experience (TEPS) and behavioral activation (BAS) than BP, who did not differ from HC. SZ and BP showed differential patterns of relationships between the hedonic experience and behavioral activation measures. Overall, the results suggest that reduced hedonic experience and behavioral activation may be effective phenotypes distinguishing SZ from BP even when affective symptoms are minimal. However, hedonic experience differences between SZ and BP are sensitive to measurement strategy, calling for further research on the nature of anhedonia and its relation to motivation in these disorders. PMID:24999173

Nanoscopy reveals surface-metallic black phosphorus

DOE PAGES

Abate, Yohannes; Gamage, Sampath; Li, Zhen; ...

2016-10-21

Black phosphorus (BP) is an emerging two-dimensional material with intriguing physical properties. It is highly anisotropic and highly tunable by means of both the number of monolayers and surface doping. Here, we experimentally investigate and theoretically interpret the near-field properties of a-few-atomic-monolayer nanoflakes of BP. We discover near-field patterns of bright outside fringes and a high surface polarizability of nanofilm BP consistent with its surface-metallic, plasmonic behavior at mid-infrared frequencies <1176 cm -1. We conclude that these fringes are caused by the formation of a highly polarizable layer at the BP surface. This layer has a thickness of ~1 nmmore » and exhibits plasmonic behavior. We estimate that it contains free carriers in a concentration of n≈1.1 × 10 20 cm -3. Surface plasmonic behavior is observed for 10–40 nm BP thicknesses but absent for a 4-nm BP thickness. This discovery opens up a new field of research and potential applications in nanoelectronics, plasmonics and optoelectronics.« less

Sleep, insomnia, and hypertension: current findings and future directions.

PubMed

Thomas, S Justin; Calhoun, David

2017-02-01

Blood pressure (BP) varies over 24 hours. During normal sleep, BP typically decreases by 10% or more. Research suggests that disordered sleep, particularly sleep deprivation and obstructive sleep apnea, is associated with increased BP and risk of hypertension. Less is known about the relationship between insomnia and hypertension. Population-based studies have reported an association between insomnia symptoms and both prevalent and incident hypertension, particularly in the context of short sleep duration. Furthermore, a number of mechanisms have been proposed to explain the relationship between insomnia and hypertension. However, few studies have examined these proposed mechanisms, and even fewer clinical trials have been conducted to determine if improved sleep improves BP and/or reverses a nondipping BP pattern. Methodological concerns, particularly with respect to the diagnosis of insomnia, no doubt impact the strength of any observed association. Additionally, a large majority of studies have only examined the association between insomnia symptoms and clinic BP. Therefore, future research needs to focus on careful consideration of the diagnostic criteria for insomnia, as well as inclusion of either home BP or ambulatory BP monitoring. Finally, clinical trials aimed at improving the quality of sleep should be conducted to determine if improved sleep impacts 24-hour BP. Copyright © 2016 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prescription patterns and adequacy of blood pressure control among adult hypertensive patients in Kenya; findings and implications.

PubMed

Mbui, Jennifer M; Oluka, Margaret N; Guantai, Eric M; Sinei, Kipruto A; Achieng, Loice; Baker, Amanj; Jande, Mary; Massele, Amos; Godman, Brian

2017-11-01

Hypertension is a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, with high prevalence rates in Africa including Kenya. Consequently, it is imperative to understand current treatment approaches and their effectiveness in practice. Currently, there is paucity of such data in Kenya, which is a concern. The aim is to describe prescribing patterns and adequacy of blood pressure (BP) control in adult hypertensive patients to guide future practice. Retrospective study of patients attending a sub-county outpatient clinic combined with qualitative interviews. 247 hypertensive patients, predominantly female, mean age 55.8 years on antihypertensive therapy for 1-5 years, were analyzed. ACEIs and thiazide diuretics were the most commonly prescribed drugs, mainly as combination therapy. Treatment typically complied with guidelines, mainly for stage 2 hypertension (75%). BP control was observed in 46% of patients, with a significant reduction in mean systolic (155 to 144 mmHg) and diastolic (91 to 83 mmHg) BP (P < 0.001). Patients on ≥2 antihypertensive drugs were more likely to have uncontrolled BP (OR:1.9, p = 0.021). Encouragingly good adherence to guidelines was helped by training. Poor blood pressure control in the majority needs to be addressed. Additional training of prescribers and follow-up of measures to improve BP control will be introduced and followed up.

Influence of non-dipping pattern of blood pressure in gestational hypertension on maternal cardiac function, hemodynamics and intrauterine growth restriction.

PubMed

Ilic, A; Ilic, D J; Tadic, S; Stefanovic, M; Stojsic-Milosavljevic, A; Pavlovic, K; Redzek, A; Velicki, L

2017-10-01

An association between gestational hypertension (GH) and changes of maternal cardiac function was previously reported. The study assessed the effect of non-dipping pattern of blood pressure (BP) in GH on haemodynamic function and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This study included 126 women (91 with GH and 35 normotensive controls). Based on the BP values measured by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), all hypertensive women were classified in dipper (46 women) or in non-dipper group (45 women). All participants underwent echocardiography and ABPM during the third trimester. Participants with GH and non-dipping pattern had significantly lower velocity of longitudinal systolic function (s') (p<0.0005), and cardiac output index (COi) compared to dippers (p<0.0005) and controls (p=0.002). Diastolic velocities at the mitral valve annulus were also lower in non-dippers e's (non-dippers vs dippers p=0.023; non-dippers vs controls p<0.0005) and e'l (non-dippers vs dippers p=0.048; non-dippers vs controls p<0.0005). There were significant differences in the index of the left ventricle filling pressure E/e' and myocardial mass index between women with GH and controls, but with no significant difference among dippers and non-dippers. Total vascular resistance was increased in non-dipping group compared to normotensives and dippers (p<0.0005). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the peak night-time diastolic BP, left ventricular mass index and CO index were identified as independent predictors of IUGR. Changes in maternal hemodynamics, as well as IUGR, are strongly related to the non-dipping pattern of BP. Copyright © 2017 International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Epididymal C4b-binding protein is processed and degraded during transit through the duct and is not essential for fertility.

PubMed

Nonaka, Mayumi I; Zsigmond, Eva; Kudo, Akihiko; Kawakami, Hayato; Yoshida, Kaoru; Yoshida, Manabu; Kawano, Natsuko; Miyado, Kenji; Nonaka, Masaru; Wetsel, Rick A

2015-04-01

C4b-binding protein (C4BP) is known as one of the circulating complement regulators that prevents excessive activation of the host-defense complement system. We have reported previously that C4BP is expressed abundantly in the rodent epididymis, one of the male reproductive organs connecting the testis and vas deferens, where immature spermatozoa acquire their motility and fertilizing ability during their transit through the duct. Epididymal C4BP (EpC4BP) is synthesized androgen-dependently by the epithelial cells, secreted into the lumen, and bound to the outer membrane of the passing spermatozoa. In this study, we found that EpC4BP is secreted as a large oligomer, similar to the serum C4BP, but is digested during the epididymal transit and is almost lost from both the luminal fluid and the sperm surface in the vas deferens. Such a processing pattern is not known in serum C4BP, suggesting that EpC4BP and serum C4BP might have different functional mechanisms, and that there is a novel function of EpC4BP in reproduction. In addition, the disappearance of EpC4BP from the sperm surface prior to ejaculation suggests that EpC4BP works only in the epididymis and would not work in the female reproductive tract to protect spermatozoa from complement attack. Next, we generated C4BP-deficient (C4BP-/-) mice to examine the possible role of EpC4BP in reproduction. However, the C4BP-/- mice were fertile and no significant differences were observed between the C4BP-/- and wild-type mouse spermatozoa in terms of morphology, motility, and rate of the spontaneous acrosome reaction. These results suggest that EpC4BP is involved in male reproduction, but not essential for sperm maturation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Elimination of Hot Tears in Steel Castings by Means of Solidification Pattern Optimization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kotas, Petr; Tutum, Cem Celal; Thorborg, Jesper; Hattel, Jesper Henri

2012-06-01

A methodology of how to exploit the Niyama criterion for the elimination of various defects such as centerline porosity, macrosegregation, and hot tearing in steel castings is presented. The tendency of forming centerline porosity is governed by the temperature distribution close to the end of the solidification interval, specifically by thermal gradients and cooling rates. The physics behind macrosegregation and hot tears indicate that these two defects also are dependent heavily on thermal gradients and pressure drop in the mushy zone. The objective of this work is to show that by optimizing the solidification pattern, i.e., establishing directional and progressive solidification with the help of the Niyama criterion, macrosegregation and hot tearing issues can be both minimized or eliminated entirely. An original casting layout was simulated using a transient three-dimensional (3-D) thermal fluid model incorporated in a commercial simulation software package to determine potential flaws and inadequacies. Based on the initial casting process assessment, multiobjective optimization of the solidification pattern of the considered steel part followed. That is, the multiobjective optimization problem of choosing the proper riser and chill designs has been investigated using genetic algorithms while simultaneously considering their impact on centerline porosity, the macrosegregation pattern, and primarily on hot tear formation.

Structural analysis of color video camera installation on tank 241AW101 (2 Volumes)

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

Strehlow, J.P.

1994-08-24

A video camera is planned to be installed on the radioactive storage tank 241AW101 at the DOE` s Hanford Site in Richland, Washington. The camera will occupy the 20 inch port of the Multiport Flange riser which is to be installed on riser 5B of the 241AW101 (3,5,10). The objective of the project reported herein was to perform a seismic analysis and evaluation of the structural components of the camera for a postulated Design Basis Earthquake (DBE) per the reference Structural Design Specification (SDS) document (6). The detail of supporting engineering calculations is documented in URS/Blume Calculation No. 66481-01-CA-03 (1).

Gray Infrastructure Tool | EPA Center for Exposure ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

2016-03-07

Natural channel with flood plain panel added Default depth increment of 0.5 is used for Natural Channel with FP Units option added – SI or US units. Default option is US units Conversion options added wherever necessary Additional options added to FTABLE such as clear FTABLE Significant digits for FTABLE calculations is changed to 4 Previously a default Cd value is used for calculations (under-drain and riser) but now a user defined value is used Default values of Cd for riser orifice and under-drain textboxes is changed to 0.6 Previously a default increment value of 0.1 is used for all the channel panels but now user can specify the increment

Tibial plateau fracture after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Role of the interference screw resorption in the stress riser effect.

PubMed

Thaunat, Mathieu; Nourissat, Geoffroy; Gaudin, Pascal; Beaufils, Philippe

2006-06-01

We report a case of tibial plateau fracture after previous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using patellar tendon autograft and bioabsorbable screws 4 years previously. The fracture occurred through the tibial tunnel. The interference screw had undergone complete resorption and the tunnel widening had increased. The resorption of the interference screw did not simultaneously promote and foster the growth of surrounding bone tissue. Therefore, the area of reactive tissue left by the screw resorption in an enlarged bone tunnel may lead to vulnerability of the tibial plateau. Stress risers would occur following ACL reconstruction if either resorption is not complete or bony integration is not complete.

Bed inventory overturn in a circulating fluid bed riser with pant-leg structure

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

Jinjing Li; Wei Wang; Hairui Yang

2009-05-15

The special phenomenon, nominated as bed inventory overturn, in circulating fluid bed (CFB) riser with pant-leg structure was studied with model calculation and experimental work. A compounded pressure drop mathematic model was developed and validated with the experimental data in a cold experimental test rig. The model calculation results agree well with the measured data. In addition, the intensity of bed inventory overturn is directly proportional to the fluidizing velocity and is inversely proportional to the branch point height. The results in the present study provide significant information for the design and operation of a CFB boiler with pant-leg structure.more » 15 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.« less

Green Infrastructure Tool | EPA Center for Exposure ...

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

2016-03-07

Units option added – SI or US units. Default option is US units Additional options added to FTABLE such as clear FTABLE Significant digits for FTABLE calculations is changed to 5 Previously a default Cd value was used for calculations (under-drain and riser) but now a user-defined value option is given Conversion options added wherever necessary Default values of suction head and hydraulic conductivity are changed based on units selected in infiltration panel Default values of Cd for riser orifice and under-drain textboxes is changed to 0.6. Previously a default increment value of 0.1 is used for all the channel panels but now user can specify the increment

Parachute dynamics and stability analysis. [using nonlinear differential equations of motion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ibrahim, S. K.; Engdahl, R. A.

1974-01-01

The nonlinear differential equations of motion for a general parachute-riser-payload system are developed. The resulting math model is then applied for analyzing the descent dynamics and stability characteristics of both the drogue stabilization phase and the main descent phase of the space shuttle solid rocket booster (SRB) recovery system. The formulation of the problem is characterized by a minimum number of simplifying assumptions and full application of state-of-the-art parachute technology. The parachute suspension lines and the parachute risers can be modeled as elastic elements, and the whole system may be subjected to specified wind and gust profiles in order to assess their effects on the stability of the recovery system.

Hypertension: New perspective on its definition and clinical management by bedtime therapy substantially reduces cardiovascular disease risk.

PubMed

Hermida, Ramón C; Ayala, Diana E; Fernández, José R; Mojón, Artemio; Smolensky, Michael H

2018-05-01

Diagnosis of hypertension-elevated blood pressure (BP) associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk-and its management for decades have been based primarily on single time-of-day office BP measurements (OBPM) assumed representative of systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) during the entire 24-hours span. Around-the-clock ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), however, reveals BP undergoes 24-hours patterning characterized in normotensives and uncomplicated hypertensives by striking morning-time rise, 2 daytime peaks-one ~2-3 hours after awakening and the other early evening, small midafternoon nadir and 10-20% decline (BP dipping) in the asleep BP mean relative to the wake-time BP mean. A growing number of outcome trials substantiate correlation between BP and target organ damage, vascular and other risks is greater for the ABPM-derived asleep BP mean, independent and stronger predictor of CVD risk, than daytime OBPM or ABPM-derived awake BP. Additionally, bedtime hypertension chronotherapy, that is, ingestion of ≥1 conventional hypertension medications at bedtime to achieve efficient attenuation of asleep BP, better reduces total CVD events by 61% and major events (CVD death, myocardial infarction, ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke) by 67%-even in more vulnerable chronic kidney disease, diabetes and resistant hypertension patients-than customary on-awaking therapy that targets wake-time BP. Such findings of around-the-clock ABPM and bedtime hypertension outcome trials, consistently indicating greater importance of asleep BP than daytime OBPM or ambulatory awake BP, call for a new definition of true arterial hypertension plus modern approaches for its diagnosis and management. © 2018 Stichting European Society for Clinical Investigation Journal Foundation.

Pollen-based biomes for Beringia 18,000, 6000 and 0 14C yr BP

USGS Publications Warehouse

Edwards, M.E.; Anderson, P.M.; Brubaker, L.B.; Ager, T.A.; Andreev, A.A.; Bigelow, N.H.; Cwynar, L.C.; Eisner, Wendy R.; Harrison, S.P.; Hu, F.-S.; Jolly, D.; Lozhkin, A.V.; MacDonald, G.M.; Mock, Cary J.; Ritchie, J.C.; Sher, A.V.; Spear, R.W.; Williams, J.W.; Yu, G.

2000-01-01

The objective biomization method developed by Prentice et al. (1996) for Europe was extended using modern pollen samples from Beringia and then applied to fossil pollen data to reconstruct palaeovegetation patterns at 6000 and 18,000 14C yr BP. The predicted modern distribution of tundra, taiga and cool conifer forests in Alaska and north-western Canada generally corresponds well to actual vegetation patterns, although sites in regions characterized today by a mosaic of forest and tundra vegetation tend to be preferentially assigned to tundra. Siberian larch forests are delimited less well, probably due to the extreme under-representation of Larix in pollen spectra. The biome distribution across Beringia at 6000 14C yr BP was broadly similar to today, with little change in the northern forest limit, except for a possible northward-advance in the Mackenzie delta region. The western forest limit in Alaska was probably east of its modern position. At 18,000 14C yr BP the whole of Beringia was covered by tundra. However, the importance of the various plant functional types varied from site to site, supporting the idea that the vegetation cover was a mosaic of different tundra types.

RFLP and sequence analysis of the cytochrome b gene of selected animals and man: methodology and forensic application.

PubMed

Zehner, R; Zimmermann, S; Mebs, D

1998-01-01

To identify common animal species by analysis of the cytochrome b gene a method has been developed to obtain PCR products of a large domain of the cytochrome b gene (981 bp out of 1140 bp) in humans, selected mammals and birds using the same specifically designed primers. Species-specific RFLP patterns are generated by co-restriction with the restriction endonucleases ALU I and NCO I. The RFLP patterns obtained are conclusive even in mixtures of two or more species. The results were confirmed by sequence analysis which in addition explained intraspecies variations in the RFLP patterns. The method has been applied to forensic casework studies where the origin of roasted meat, stomach contents and a bone sample has been successfully identified.

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

Lv, Q.; Kraus, A.; Hu, R.

CFD analysis has been focused on important component-level phenomena using STARCCM+ to supplement the system analysis of integral system behavior. A notable area of interest was the cavity region. This area is of particular interest for CFD analysis due to the multi-dimensional flow and complex heat transfer (thermal radiation heat transfer and natural convection), which are not simulated directly by RELAP5. CFD simulations allow for the estimation of the boundary heat flux distribution along the riser tubes, which is needed in the RELAP5 simulations. The CFD results can also provide additional data to help establish what level of modeling detailmore » is necessary in RELAP5. It was found that the flow profiles in the cavity region are simpler for the water-based concept than for the air-cooled concept. The local heat flux noticeably increases axially, and is higher in the fins than in the riser tubes. These results were utilized in RELAP5 simulations as boundary conditions, to provide better temperature predictions in the system level analyses. It was also determined that temperatures were higher in the fins than the riser tubes, but within design limits for thermal stresses. Higher temperature predictions were identified in the edge fins, in part due to additional thermal radiation from the side cavity walls.« less

Fracture during intravenous bisphosphonate treatment in a child with osteogenesis imperfecta: an argument for a more frequent, low-dose treatment regimen.

PubMed

Biggin, Andrew; Briody, Julie N; Ormshaw, Elizabeth; Wong, Karen K Y; Bennetts, Bruce H; Munns, Craig F

2014-01-01

Intravenous bisphosphonate therapy is the mainstay of medical treatment in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and has been shown to increase bone mass, decrease bone pain, improve mobility, and reduce the incidence of fractures. Sclerotic metaphyseal lines parallel to the growth plate are seen on long bone radiographs following cyclical intravenous therapy. These areas create stress risers within the bone that may act as foci for subsequent fractures as exemplified in this clinical case. An 8-year-old girl with OI sustained a distal radial fracture following 3 years of treatment with 6-monthly intravenous zoledronate. Her diagnosis, response to treatment, and subsequent fracture at a sclerotic metaphyseal line is described. Peripheral quantitative computer tomography was used to characterise the presence of multiple stress risers at the distal forearm. Trabecular bone mineral density fluctuated from 34 to 126% compared to neighbouring 2-mm regions. There remain many unanswered questions about optimal bisphosphonate treatment regimens in children with OI. The formation of stress risers following intravenous bisphosphonate treatment raises the hypothesis that a more frequent and low-dose bisphosphonate regimen would provide more uniform dosing of bone in the growing child and reduce the likelihood of fractures compared to current treatment practices.

A periodic pattern of SNPs in the human genome

PubMed Central

Madsen, Bo Eskerod; Villesen, Palle; Wiuf, Carsten

2007-01-01

By surveying a filtered, high-quality set of SNPs in the human genome, we have found that SNPs positioned 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 bp apart are more frequent than SNPs positioned 3, 5, 7, or 9 bp apart. The observed pattern is not restricted to genomic regions that are known to cause sequencing or alignment errors, for example, transposable elements (SINE, LINE, and LTR), tandem repeats, and large duplicated regions. However, we found that the pattern is almost entirely confined to what we define as “periodic DNA.” Periodic DNA is a genomic region with a high degree of periodicity in nucleotide usage. It turned out that periodic DNA is mainly small regions (average length 16.9 bp), widely distributed in the genome. Furthermore, periodic DNA has a 1.8 times higher SNP density than the rest of the genome and SNPs inside periodic DNA have a significantly higher genotyping error rate than SNPs outside periodic DNA. Our results suggest that not all SNPs in the human genome are created by independent single nucleotide mutations, and that care should be taken in analysis of SNPs from periodic DNA. The latter may have important consequences for SNP and association studies. PMID:17673700

Contributions of ignitions, fuels, and weather to the spatial patterns of burn probability of a boreal landscape

Treesearch

Marc-Andre Parisien; Sean A. Parks; Carol Miller; Meg A. Krawchuck; Mark Heathcott; Max A. Moritz

2011-01-01

The spatial pattern of fire observed across boreal landscapes is the outcome of complex interactions among components of the fire environment. We investigated how the naturally occurring patterns of ignitions, fuels, and weather generate spatial pattern of burn probability (BP) in a large and highly fireprone boreal landscape of western Canada, Wood Buffalo National...

Nocturnal and Circadian Rhythm of Blood Pressure Is Associated with Renal Structure Damage and Function in Patients with IgAN.

PubMed

Lin, Lirong; Zhang, Huhai; Yang, Jurong; Zhang, Jianguo; Li, Kailong; Huo, Bengang; Dai, Huanzi; Zhang, Weiwei; Yang, Jie; Tan, Wei; He, Yani

2016-01-01

Abnormal circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP) is closely related to target organ damage in hypertension. However, the association between abnormal circadian rhythm of BP and renal injury is not clear. We investigated whether renal injury is associated with nocturnal BP and circadian rhythm of BP in Chinese IgAN patients. Clinic and 24 h ambulatory BP monitoring data were obtained from 330 Chinese IgAN patients with mean 24 h BP < 130/80 and mean daytime BP < 135/85 mmHg. Renal histopathological injury was determined according to the Oxford classification of IgAN. Among the 330 IgAN subjects, 35.8% suffered from nocturnal hypertension, 61.5% had abnormal circadian BP, and 27% had nocturnal hypertension with a nondipping pattern. Compared with nocturnal normotensive patients, patients with nocturnal hypertension had significantly higher levels of blood cystatin C, blood uric acid, and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and significantly a higher mean renal tissue injury score. The nondipping hypertensive group had significantly higher nocturnal diastolic and systolic BP, blood uric acid, and glomerulosclerosis rates, whereas eGFR was lower. In nondipping hypertensive patients, urinary sodium excretion and renal tissue injury scores were significantly higher than dipping patients. Nocturnal hypertension and abnormal circadian BP correlated with renal tissue injury, renal interstitial fibrosis, and aortic arch atherosclerosis. Abnormal circadian rhythm of BP and nocturnal hypertension are common clinical manifestations in Chinese IgAN patients with normal mean 24 h BP. Abnormal circadian BP and nocturnal hypertension may accelerate IgAN progression by inducing renal dysfunction and histopathological damage. Copyright © 2016 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Blood pressure response to CPAP treatment in subjects with obstructive sleep apnoea: the predictive value of 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

PubMed

Castro-Grattoni, Anabel L; Torres, Gerard; Martínez-Alonso, Montserrat; Barbé, Ferran; Turino, Cecilia; Sánchez-de-la-Torre, Alicia; Cortijo, Anunciacion; Duran-Cantolla, Joaquin; Egea, Carlos; Cao, Gonzalo; Sánchez-de-la-Torre, Manuel

2017-10-01

The reduction in blood pressure (BP) with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is modest and highly variable. In this study, we identified the variables that predict BP response to CPAP.24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), C-reactive protein (CRP), leptin, adiponectin and 24-h urinary catecholamine were measured before and after 6 months of CPAP in obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) patients.Overall, 88 middle-aged, obese male patients with severe OSA (median apnoea-hypopnoea index 42 events·h -1 ) were included; 28.4% had hypertension. 62 patients finished the study, and 60 were analysed. The daytime diastolic BP (-2 mmHg) and norepinephrine (-109.5 nmol·day -1 ) were reduced after CPAP, but no changes in the 24-h BP, night-time BP, dopamine, epinephrine, CRP, leptin or adiponectin were detected. The nocturnal normotension was associated with an increased night-time-BP (+4 mmHg) after CPAP, whereas nocturnal hypertension was associated with a reduction of 24-h BP (-3 mmHg). A multivariate linear regression model showed differential night-time BP changes after CPAP. Specifically, low night-time heart rate (<68 bpm) and BP dipper profile were associated with increased night-time BP and new diagnosis of nocturnal hypertension.Our results suggest that nocturnal hypertension, circadian BP pattern and night-time heart rate could be clinical predictors of BP response to CPAP and support the usefulness of 24-h ABPM for OSA patients before treatment initiation. These results need to be confirmed in further studies. Copyright ©ERS 2017.

Recent scientific and operational achievements of D/V Chikyu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taira, Asahiko; Toczko, Sean; Eguchi, Nobu; Kuramoto, Shin'ichi; Kubo, Yusuke; Azuma, Wataru

2014-12-01

The D/V Chikyu, a scientific drilling vessel, is equipped with industry-standard riser capabilities. Riser drilling technology enables remarkable drilling and downhole logging capabilities and provides unprecedented hole-stability, enabling the shipboard team to retrieve high-quality wire-line logging data as well as well-preserved core samples. The 11 March 2011 Tohoku Oki mega-earthquake and tsunami cost over 18,000 casualties in NE Japan. Chikyu, docked in the Port of Hachinohe, was damaged by the tsunami. By April 2012, the ship was back in operation; drilling the toe of the Japan Trench fault zone where topographic surveys suggested there was up to 50 m eastward motion, the largest earthquake rupture ever recorded. During Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expeditions 343 and 343 T, Chikyu drilled 850 m below sea floor (mbsf) in 6,900+ m water depth and recovered core samples of a highly brecciated shear zone composed of pelagic claystone. A subseafloor observatory looking for temperature signatures caused by the fault friction during the earthquake, was installed and later successfully recovered. The recovered temperature loggers recorded data from which the level of friction during the mega-earthquake slip could be determined. Following Exp. 343, Chikyu began IODP Exp. 337, a riser drilling expedition into the Shimokita coal beds off Hachinohe, to study the deep subsurface biosphere in sedimentary units including Paleogene-Neogene coal beds. New records in scientific ocean drilling were achieved in deepest penetration (drilling reached 2,466 mbsf) and sample recovery. Currently Chikyu is conducting deep riser drilling at the Nankai Trough in the final stage of the NanTroSEIZE campaign. During the years 2011 to 2013, including drilling in the Okinawa Hydrothermal System, Chikyu's operational and scientific achievements have demonstrated that the ship's capabilities are vital for opening new frontiers in earth and biological sciences.

Psychometric Properties of the Shipley Block Design Task: A Study with Jamaican Young Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beaujean, A. Alexander; Hull, Darrell M.; Sheng, Yanyan; Worrell, Frank C.; Bolen, Judy; Verdisco, Aimee E.

2017-01-01

We examined the structure of the new "Block Patterns" (BP) test from the Shipley Institute of Living Scale-Second Edition in a sample of Jamaican young adults. To date, very little has been published on the properties of this subtest's items and scores. The BP test is similar in design to the Block Design subtest found in many cognitive…

Tunneling in BP-MoS2 heterostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Xiaochi; Qu, Deshun; Kim, Changsik; Ahmed, Faisal; Yoo, Won Jong

Tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) is considered to be a leading option for achieving SS <60 mV/dec. In this work, black phosphorus (BP) and molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) heterojunction devices are fabricated. We find that thin BP flake and MoS2 form normal p-n junctions, tunneling phenomena can be observed when BP thickness increases to certain level. PEO:CsClO4 is applied on the surface of the device together with a side gate electrode patterned together with source and drain electrodes. The Fermi level of MoS2 on top of BP layer can be modulated by the side gating, and this enables to vary the MoS2-BP tunnel diode property from off-state to on-state. Since tunneling is the working mechanism of MoS2-BP junction, and PEO:CsClO4\\ possesses ultra high dielectric constant and small equivalent oxide thickness (EOT), a low SS of 55 mV/dec is obtained from MoS2-BP TFET. This work was supported by the Global Research Laboratory and Global Frontier R&D Programs at the Center for Hybrid Interface Materials, both funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning via the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).

A rapid method of accurate detection and differentiation of Newcastle disease virus pathotypes by demonstrating multiple bands in degenerate primer based nested RT-PCR.

PubMed

Desingu, P A; Singh, S D; Dhama, K; Kumar, O R Vinodh; Singh, R; Singh, R K

2015-02-01

A rapid and accurate method of detection and differentiation of virulent and avirulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV) pathotypes was developed. The NDV detection was carried out for different domestic avian field isolates and pigeon paramyxo virus-1 (25 field isolates and 9 vaccine strains) by using APMV-I "fusion" (F) gene Class II specific external primer A and B (535bp), internal primer C and D (238bp) based reverses transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR). The internal degenerative reverse primer D is specific for F gene cleavage position of virulent strain of NDV. The nested RT-PCR products of avirulent strains showed two bands (535bp and 424bp) while virulent strains showed four bands (535bp, 424bp, 349bp and 238bp) on agar gel electrophoresis. This is the first report regarding development and use of degenerate primer based nested RT-PCR for accurate detection and differentiation of NDV pathotypes by demonstrating multiple PCR band patterns. Being a rapid, simple, and economical test, the developed method could serve as a valuable alternate diagnostic tool for characterizing NDV isolates and carrying out molecular epidemiological surveillance studies for this important pathogen of poultry. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cluster analysis: a new approach for identification of underlying risk factors for coronary artery disease in essential hypertensive patients.

PubMed

Guo, Qi; Lu, Xiaoni; Gao, Ya; Zhang, Jingjing; Yan, Bin; Su, Dan; Song, Anqi; Zhao, Xi; Wang, Gang

2017-03-07

Grading of essential hypertension according to blood pressure (BP) level may not adequately reflect clinical heterogeneity of hypertensive patients. This study was carried out to explore clinical phenotypes in essential hypertensive patients using cluster analysis. This study recruited 513 hypertensive patients and evaluated BP variations with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Four distinct hypertension groups were identified using cluster analysis: (1) younger male smokers with relatively high BP had the most severe carotid plaque thickness but no coronary artery disease (CAD); (2) older women with relatively low diastolic BP had more diabetes; (3) non-smokers with a low systolic BP level had neither diabetes nor CAD; (4) hypertensive patients with BP reverse dipping were most likely to have CAD but had least severe carotid plaque thickness. In binary logistic analysis, reverse dipping was significantly associated with prevalence of CAD. Cluster analysis was shown to be a feasible approach for investigating the heterogeneity of essential hypertension in clinical studies. BP reverse dipping might be valuable for prediction of CAD in hypertensive patients when compared with carotid plaque thickness. However, large-scale prospective trials with more information of plaque morphology are necessary to further compare the predicative power between BP dipping pattern and carotid plaque.

Cluster analysis: a new approach for identification of underlying risk factors for coronary artery disease in essential hypertensive patients

PubMed Central

Guo, Qi; Lu, Xiaoni; Gao, Ya; Zhang, Jingjing; Yan, Bin; Su, Dan; Song, Anqi; Zhao, Xi; Wang, Gang

2017-01-01

Grading of essential hypertension according to blood pressure (BP) level may not adequately reflect clinical heterogeneity of hypertensive patients. This study was carried out to explore clinical phenotypes in essential hypertensive patients using cluster analysis. This study recruited 513 hypertensive patients and evaluated BP variations with ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. Four distinct hypertension groups were identified using cluster analysis: (1) younger male smokers with relatively high BP had the most severe carotid plaque thickness but no coronary artery disease (CAD); (2) older women with relatively low diastolic BP had more diabetes; (3) non-smokers with a low systolic BP level had neither diabetes nor CAD; (4) hypertensive patients with BP reverse dipping were most likely to have CAD but had least severe carotid plaque thickness. In binary logistic analysis, reverse dipping was significantly associated with prevalence of CAD. Cluster analysis was shown to be a feasible approach for investigating the heterogeneity of essential hypertension in clinical studies. BP reverse dipping might be valuable for prediction of CAD in hypertensive patients when compared with carotid plaque thickness. However, large-scale prospective trials with more information of plaque morphology are necessary to further compare the predicative power between BP dipping pattern and carotid plaque. PMID:28266630

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw: an Italian post-marketing surveillance analysis.

PubMed

Parretta, Elisabetta; Sottosanti, Laura; Sportiello, Liberata; Rafaniello, Concetta; Potenza, Simona; D'Amato, Salvatore; González-González, Rocio; Rossi, Francesco; Colella, Giuseppe; Capuano, Annalisa

2014-09-01

Although bisphosphonate (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is well recognized, little is known about it in terms of pathophysiology, epidemiology or management. We analyzed all suspected BRONJ reports sent to the Italian Pharmacovigilance Adverse Event Spontaneous Reporting System (Rete Nazionale Farmacovigilanza [RNF]) to determine their pattern and add new information about this relevant issue. All suspected BRONJ sent to the RNF between 2003 and 2011 were retrieved. After a case-by-case assessment procedure, we analyzed BP type, BP exposure time and time since last use. Between 2003 and 2011, 555 reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) after BP administration were recorded in the RNF. These events occurred mostly in patients affected by cancer (77.84%) in which zoledronate was the most frequently suspected BP. Most patients experienced ONJ after long-term use of the drug (median time of BP exposure being between 1.3 and 8.8 years). Interestingly, 139 (25.05%) cases of ONJ occurred between 2 and 121 months after BP withdrawal. This study shows that BRONJ can occur much earlier than hitherto reported, adds new data on BRONJ onset following ibandronate treatment and reveals that patients who cease BP-based therapy develop ONJ, raising the question of post-treatment monitoring strategies.

SH3-domain binding protein 1 in the tumor microenvironment promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through WAVE2 pathway

PubMed Central

Tao, Yiming; Hu, Kuan; Tan, Fengbo; Zhang, Sai; Zhou, Ming; Luo, Jia; Wang, Zhiming

2016-01-01

SH3-domain binding protein-1 (SH3BP1) specifically inactivating Rac1 and its target WAVE2 is required for cell motility. The present study shows SH3BP1 expression patterns in human HCC tissues and cell lines were examined. The regulation of SH3BP1 on HCC cell migration and invasion related to Rac1-WAVE2 signaling was characterized using in vitro and in vivo models. SH3BP1 overexpressed in HCC tissues and highly metastatic HCC cells was significantly associated vascular invasion (VI). SH3BP1 promoted VEGF secretion via Rac1-WAVE2 signaling, so as to exert an augmentation on cell invasion and microvessel formation. In three study cohorts with a total of 516 HCC patients, high SH3BP1 expression combined with high microvessel density (MVD) was confirmed as a powerful independent predictor of HCC prognosis in both training cohorts and validation cohort. Being an important angiogenic factor of HCC through Rac1-WAVE2 signaling, SH3BP1 promotes tumor invasion and microvessel formation contributing to HCC metastasis and recurrence. SH3BP1 is a novel WAVE2 regulator, a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target of HCC. PMID:26933917

SH3-domain binding protein 1 in the tumor microenvironment promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through WAVE2 pathway.

PubMed

Tao, Yiming; Hu, Kuan; Tan, Fengbo; Zhang, Sai; Zhou, Ming; Luo, Jia; Wang, Zhiming

2016-04-05

SH3-domain binding protein-1 (SH3BP1) specifically inactivating Rac1 and its target WAVE2 is required for cell motility. The present study shows SH3BP1 expression patterns in human HCC tissues and cell lines were examined. The regulation of SH3BP1 on HCC cell migration and invasion related to Rac1-WAVE2 signaling was characterized using in vitro and in vivo models. SH3BP1 overexpressed in HCC tissues and highly metastatic HCC cells was significantly associated vascular invasion (VI). SH3BP1 promoted VEGF secretion via Rac1-WAVE2 signaling, so as to exert an augmentation on cell invasion and microvessel formation. In three study cohorts with a total of 516 HCC patients, high SH3BP1 expression combined with high microvessel density (MVD) was confirmed as a powerful independent predictor of HCC prognosis in both training cohorts and validation cohort. Being an important angiogenic factor of HCC through Rac1-WAVE2 signaling, SH3BP1 promotes tumor invasion and microvessel formation contributing to HCC metastasis and recurrence. SH3BP1 is a novel WAVE2 regulator, a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target of HCC.

Controlling factors of turf-banked solifluction lobe evolution in the Turtmann glacier forefield (Switzerland)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Draebing, Daniel; Eichel, Jana

2016-04-01

Soil structure and moisture, thermal conditions and vegetation control solifluction movement, however, the spatial distribution of controlling factors and resultant spatial variability of movement are poorly understood. We use a (1) geomorphological and vegetation mapping of solifluction lobe properties, (2) temperature loggers to quantify thermal conditions, (3) 2D Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Puerkhauer drilling and TDR measurements to evaluate material properties as well as (4) 3D Time-Lapse ERT to quantify spatial variability of material properties. Our results are used to (5) evaluate the influence of potential controlling factors on solifluction movement. Investigations took place on three turf-banked lobes (TBL) located at proximal and distal slopes of Little Ice Age and 1920s lateral moraines in the Turtmann glacier forefield, Swiss Alps. (1) Vegetation is spatially differentiated at TBLs. The treads are mostly covered by the ecosystem engineer Dryas octopetala, while other dwarf shrubs, shrubs and pioneer species were found at the high lobe risers (0.8-1.8 m). In contrast, less vegetated ridge-like features at the upper part of the treads are colonized by frost-tolerant species. Large blocks are located at the lobe fronts, probably impeding the lobe movement. (2) Temperature loggers show a lack of ground cooling due to snow isolation at the vegetated lower tread between 2014 and 2015. Thus, significant ground cooling in winter is reduced to the wind-exposed upper parts (ridges). (3) TBL material consists of sandy silt, thus, lobe material is much finer than subjacent moraine till and indicates former colluviation. As a consequence, 2D ERT demonstrates low-resistant areas until depths equal to riser height, thus, the finer TBL body is higher saturated than the coarser surrounding parent slope and more susceptible to gelifluction. On the contrary, risers show high resistivities indicating dry conditions which are supported by TDR results. Furthermore, ERT demonstrates the absence of permafrost in all measured TBLs. (4) Time-Lapse 3D ERT shows low-resistant areas at the rim of lobes in contrast to the high-resistant treads. In addition, resistivity increases with TBL depth. Thus, resistivity values indicate higher saturated conditions along the lobe axis with decreasing saturated conditions at the rim. (5) High-saturated conditions favour gelifluction movement while low-freezing activity and dense vegetation cover result in a lack of ice lenses and absence of permafrost and, thus, impermeable layers. Therefore, the highly permeable material favours drainage and seepage without development of critical pore water pressures. The D. octopetala mat on the tread increases near-surface shear strength, which decreases near-surface movement. In addition, later successional shrubs species colonizing the risers indicate limited frontal movement. As a consequence, our results suggest that solifluction movement is limited to the low- vegetation cover, highly saturated parts of the lobe affected by winter ground cooling. However, the large riser height reflects high past solifluction activity. Location of the lobes at the foot of slopes and large riser height indicate that TBLs are close to their final cycle of development. Due to the moraine age, the length of the cycle can be assumed to be maximum 100 years.

Metabolically Competent Human Skin Models: Activation and Genotoxicity of Benzo[a]pyrene

PubMed Central

Henkler, Frank

2013-01-01

The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) benzo[a]pyrene (BP) is metabolized into a complex pattern of BP derivatives, among which the ultimate carcinogen (+)-anti-BP-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE) is formed to certain extents. Skin is frequently in contact with PAHs and data on the metabolic capacity of skin tissue toward these compounds are inconclusive. We compared BP metabolism in excised human skin, commercially available in vitro 3D skin models and primary 2D skin cell cultures, and analyzed the metabolically catalyzed occurrence of seven different BP follow-up products by means of liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All models investigated were competent to metabolize BP, and the metabolic profiles generated by ex vivo human skin and skin models were remarkably similar. Furthermore, the genotoxicity of BP and its derivatives was monitored in these models via comet assays. In a full-thickness skin, equivalent BP-mediated genotoxic stress was generated via keratinocytes. Cultured primary keratinocytes revealed a level of genotoxicity comparable with that of direct exposure to 50–100nM of BPDE. Our data demonstrate that the metabolic capacity of human skin ex vivo, as well as organotypic human 3D skin models toward BP, is sufficient to cause significant genotoxic stress and thus cutaneous bioactivation may potentially contribute to mutations that ultimately lead to skin cancer. PMID:23148024

Graded replacement of maize grain with molassed sugar beet pulp modulated ruminal microbial community and fermentation profile in vitro.

PubMed

Münnich, Matthias; Khol-Parisini, Annabella; Klevenhusen, Fenja; Metzler-Zebeli, Barbara U; Zebeli, Qendrim

2018-02-01

Molassed sugar beet pulp (Bp) is a viable alternative to grains in cattle nutrition for reducing human edible energy input. Yet little is known about the effects of high inclusion rates of Bp on rumen microbiota. This study used an in vitro approach and the quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique to establish the effects of a graded replacement of maize grain (MG) by Bp on the ruminal microbial community, fermentation profile and nutrient degradation. Six different amounts of Bp (0-400 g kg -1 ), which replaced MG in the diet, were tested using the in vitro semi-continuous rumen simulation technique. The increased inclusion of Bp resulted in greater dietary content and degradation of neutral detergent fibre (P < 0.01). Further, Bp feeding enhanced (P < 0.01) the abundance of genus Prevotella and shifted (P < 0.01) the short-chain fatty acid patterns in favour of acetate and propionate and at the expense of butyrate. A total replacement of MG with Bp resulted in an increased daily methane production (P < 0.01). Results suggest positive effects of the replacement of MG by Bp especially in terms of stimulating ruminal acetate and propionate fermentation. However, high replacement rates of Bp resulted in lowered utilization of ammonia and higher ruminal methane production. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Burnout, Depression, and Borderline Personality: A 1,163-Participant Study.

PubMed

Bianchi, Renzo; Rolland, Jean-Pierre; Salgado, Jesús F

2017-01-01

We examined the association of burnout with borderline personality (BP) traits in a study of 1,163 educational staff (80.9% women; mean age: 42.96). Because burnout has been found to overlap with depression, parallel analyses of burnout and depression were conducted. Burnout symptoms were assessed with the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure, depressive symptoms with the PHQ-9, and BP traits with the Borderline Personality Questionnaire. Burnout was found to be associated with BP traits, controlling for neuroticism and history of depressive disorders. In women, burnout was linked to both the "affective insecurity" and the "impulsiveness" component of BP. In men, only the link between burnout and "affective insecurity" reached statistical significance. Compared to participants with "low" BP scores, participants with "high" BP scores reported more burnout symptoms, depressive symptoms, neuroticism, and occupational stress and less satisfaction with life. Disattenuated correlations between burnout and depression were close to 1, among both women (0.91) and men (0.94). The patterns of association of burnout and depression with the main study variables were similar, pointing to overlapping nomological networks. Burnout symptoms were only partly attributed to work by our participants. Our findings suggest that burnout is associated with BP traits through burnout-depression overlap.

Practical use of home blood pressure monitoring in chronic kidney disease.

PubMed

Sanghavi, Sarah; Vassalotti, Joseph A

2014-08-01

Despite the availability of blood pressure (BP)-lowering medications and dietary education, hypertension is still poorly controlled in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population. As glomerular filtration rate declines, the number of medications required to achieve BP targets increases, which may lead to reduced patient adherence and therapeutic inertia by the clinician. Home BP monitoring (HBPM) has emerged as a means of improving diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, patient adherence, and therapeutic intervention. The definition of hypertension by HBPM is an average BP >135/85 mm Hg. Twelve readings over the course of 3-5 days are sufficient for clinical decision making. Diagnostic accuracy is especially important in the CKD population as approximately half of these patients have either white coat hypertension or masked hypertension. Preliminary data suggest that HBPM outperforms office BP monitoring in predicting progression to end-stage renal disease or death. When combined with additional support such as telemonitoring, medication titration, or behavioral therapy, HBPM results in a sustained improvement in BP control. HBPM must be adapted to provide information on the phenomena of nondipping (absence of nocturnal fall in BP) and reverse dipping (paradoxical increase in BP at night). These diurnal patterns are more prevalent in the CKD population and are important cardiovascular risk factors. Ambulatory BP monitoring provides nocturnal BP readings and unlike HBPM may be reimbursed by Medicare when certain criteria are met. Further studies are needed to determine whether HBPM is cost-effective in the current US healthcare system.

Microneedle crystals of cyano-substituted thiophene/phenylene co-oligomer epitaxially grown on KCl surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torii, Kazuki; Dokiya, Shohei; Tanaka, Yosuke; Yoshinaga, Shohei; Yanagi, Hisao

2017-06-01

A cyno-substituted thiophene/phenylene co-oligomer (TPCO), 5,5‧-bis(4‧-cyanobiphenyl-4-yl)-2,2‧-bithiophene (BP2T-CN), is vapor-deposited on KCl (001) surface kept at 220 °C by the mask-shadowing method. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy reveal that the deposited BP2T-CN crystallizes in two types of morphologies: microneedles and thin film crystallites. In particular, the predominant microneedles epitaxially grow in four directions in the manner that the BP2T-CN molecules align along the [110]KCl or [-110]KCl. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the BP2T-CN molecules in the microneedle lie parallel while those in the thin film crystallite obliquely stand on the KCl surface.

Diurnal blood pressure variations are associated with changes in distal-proximal skin temperature gradient.

PubMed

Kräuchi, Kurt; Gompper, Britta; Hauenstein, Daniela; Flammer, Josef; Pflüger, Marlon; Studerus, Erich; Schötzau, Andy; Orgül, Selim

2012-11-01

It is generally assumed that skin vascular resistance contributes only to a small extent to total peripheral resistance and hence to blood pressure (BP). However, little is known about the impact of skin blood flow (SBF) changes on the diurnal variations of BP under ambulatory conditions. The main aim of the study was to determine whether diurnal patterns of distal SBF are related to mean arterial BP (MAP). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory measurements of BP, heart rate (HR) and distal (mean of hands and feet) as well as proximal (mean of sternum and infraclavicular region) skin temperatures were carried out in 51 patients (men/women = 18/33) during a 2-d eye hospital investigation. The standardized ambulatory protocol allowed measurements with minimal interference from uncontrolled parameters and, hence, some conclusive interpretations. The distal minus proximal skin temperature gradient (DPG) provided a measure for distal SBF. Individual cross-correlation analyses revealed that the diurnal pattern of MAP was nearly a mirror image of DPG and hence of distal SBF. Scheduled lunch and dinner induced an increase in DPG and a decline in MAP, while HR increased. Low daytime DPG (i.e. low distal SBF) levels significantly predicted sleep-induced BP dipping (r = -.436, p = .0014). Preliminary path analysis suggested that outdoor air temperature and atmospheric pressure may act on MAP via changed distal SBF. Changes in distal SBF may contribute to diurnal variation in MAP, including sleep-induced BP dipping and changes related to food intake. This finding might have an impact on individual cardiovascular risk prediction with respect to diurnal, seasonal and weather variations; however, the underlying mechanisms remain to be discovered.

The late Holocene dry period: multiproxy evidence for an extended drought between 2800 and 1850 cal yr BP across the central Great Basin, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Mensing, Scott A.; Sharpe, Saxon E.; Tunno, Irene; Sada, Don W.; Thomas, Jim M.; Starratt, Scott W.; Smith, Jeremy

2013-01-01

Evidence of a multi-centennial scale dry period between ∼2800 and 1850 cal yr BP is documented by pollen, mollusks, diatoms, and sediment in spring sediments from Stonehouse Meadow in Spring Valley, eastern central Nevada, U.S. We refer to this period as the Late Holocene Dry Period. Based on sediment recovered, Stonehouse Meadow was either absent or severely restricted in size at ∼8000 cal yr BP. Beginning ∼7500 cal yr BP, the meadow became established and persisted to ∼3000 cal yr BP when it began to dry. Comparison of the timing of this late Holocene drought record to multiple records extending from the eastern Sierra Nevada across the central Great Basin to the Great Salt Lake support the interpretation that this dry period was regional. The beginning and ending dates vary among sites, but all sites record multiple centuries of dry climate between 2500 and 1900 cal yr BP. This duration makes it the longest persistent dry period within the late Holocene. In contrast, sites in the northern Great Basin record either no clear evidence of drought, or have wetter than average climate during this period, suggesting that the northern boundary between wet and dry climates may have been between about 40° and 42° N latitude. This dry in the southwest and wet in the northwest precipitation pattern across the Great Basin is supported by large-scale spatial climate pattern hypotheses involving ENSO, PDO, AMO, and the position of the Aleutian Low and North Pacific High, particularly during winter.

Dynamic Response of Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1 to BP Deepwater Horizon Crude Oil

PubMed Central

Kim, Seong-Jae; Kweon, Ohgew; Sutherland, John B.; Kim, Hyun-Lee; Jones, Richard C.; Burback, Brian L.; Graves, Steven W.; Psurny, Edward

2015-01-01

We investigated the response of the hydrocarbon-degrading Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1 to crude oil from the BP Deepwater Horizon (DWH) spill, using substrate depletion, genomic, and proteome analyses. M. vanbaalenii PYR-1 cultures were incubated with BP DWH crude oil, and proteomes and degradation of alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were analyzed at four time points over 30 days. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed a chain length-dependent pattern of alkane degradation, with C12 and C13 being degraded at the highest rate, although alkanes up to C28 were degraded. Whereas phenanthrene and pyrene were completely degraded, a significantly smaller amount of fluoranthene was degraded. Proteome analysis identified 3,948 proteins, with 876 and 1,859 proteins up- and downregulated, respectively. We observed dynamic changes in protein expression during BP crude oil incubation, including transcriptional factors and transporters potentially involved in adaptation to crude oil. The proteome also provided a molecular basis for the metabolism of the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon components in the BP DWH crude oil, which included upregulation of AlkB alkane hydroxylase and an expression pattern of PAH-metabolizing enzymes different from those in previous proteome expression studies of strain PYR-1 incubated with pure or mixed PAHs, particularly the ring-hydroxylating oxygenase (RHO) responsible for the initial oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons. Based on these results, a comprehensive cellular response of M. vanbaalenii PYR-1 to BP crude oil was proposed. This study increases our fundamental understanding of the impact of crude oil on the cellular response of bacteria and provides data needed for development of practical bioremediation applications. PMID:25888169

Blood pressure patterns and cardiovascular risk factors in rural and urban gambian communities.

PubMed

van der Sande, M A; Milligan, P J; Nyan, O A; Rowley, J T; Banya, W A; Ceesay, S M; Dolmans, W M; Thien, T; McAdam, K P; Walraven, G E

2000-08-01

Hypertension is emerging as an important public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. We studied blood pressure (BP) patterns, hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in a rural and an urban area of The Gambia. A total of 5389 adults (> or =15 years) were selected by cluster sampling in the capital Banjul and a rural area around Farafenni. A questionnaire was completed, BP, pulse rate, height and weight were recorded. Glucose was measured 2 h after a 75 g glucose load among participants > or =35 years (n = 2301); total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and uric acid were measured among a stratified subsample (n = 1075). A total of 7.1% of the study participants had a BP > or =160/95 mm Hg; 18.4% of them had a BP > or =140/90 mm Hg. BP was significantly higher in the urban area. BP increased with age in both sexes in both areas. Increasing age was the major independent risk factor for hypertension. Related cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia) were significantly more prevalent in the urban area and among hypertensives; 17% of measured hypertensives were aware of this, 73% of people who reported to have been diagnosed as hypertensive before had discontinued treatment; 56% of those who reported being on treatment were normotensive. We conclude that hypertension is no longer rare in either urban or rural Gambians. In the urban site hypertension and related cardiovascular risk factors were more prevalent. Compliance with treatment was low. Interventions aimed at modifying risk factors at the population level, and at improving control of diagnosed hypertension are essential to prevent future increases of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. In view of limited resources and feasibility of intervention in rural Gambia, these could initially be directed towards urbanised populations.

Impact of Behavioral Inhibition and Parenting Style on Internalizing and Externalizing Problems from Early Childhood through Adolescence

PubMed Central

Williams, Lela Rankin; Perez-Edgar, Koraly E.; Henderson, Heather A.; Rubin, Kenneth H.; Pine, Daniel S.; Steinberg, Laurence; Fox, Nathan A.

2009-01-01

Behavioral inhibition (BI) is characterized by a pattern of extreme social reticence, risk for internalizing behavior problems, and possible protection against externalizing behavior problems. Parenting style may also contribute to these associations between BI and behavior problems (BP). A sample of 113 children was assessed for BI in the laboratory at 14 and 24 months of age, self-report of maternal parenting style at 7 years of age, and maternal report of child internalizing and externalizing BP at 4, 7, and 15 years. Internalizing problems at age 4 were greatest among behaviorally inhibited children who also were exposed to permissive parenting. Furthermore, greater authoritative parenting was associated with less of an increase in internalizing behavior problems over time and greater authoritarian parenting was associated with a steeper decline in externalizing problems. Results highlight the importance of considering child and environmental factors in longitudinal patterns of BP across childhood and adolescence. PMID:19521761

Eolian sediment responses to late Quaternary climate changes: Temporal and spatial patterns in the Sahara

USGS Publications Warehouse

Swezey, C.

2001-01-01

This paper presents a compilation of eolian-based records of late Quaternary climate changes in the Sahara. Although the data are relatively sparse, when viewed as a whole, they reveal a general pattern of widespread eolian sediment mobilization prior to 11,000 cal. years BP, eolian sediment stabilization from 11,000 to 5000 cal. years BP, and a return to widespread eolian sediment mobilization after 5000 cal. years BP. Furthermore, an eolian-based record from southern Tunisia reveals the existence of millennial-scale changes in eolian sediment behavior. These millennial-scale variations provide examples of eolian sediment responses to climate changes at a scale intermediate between seasonal and orbital ('Milankovitch') changes, and they are also coincident with abrupt atmospheric and oceanic changes. The general synchroneity of the eolian stratigraphic records and their coincidence with various oceanic and atmospheric changes suggest that global forcing mechanisms have influenced late Quaternary eolian sediment behavior in the Sahara. ?? 2001 Elsevier Science B.V.

Short-term blood pressure variability - variation between arm side, body position and successive measurements: a population-based cohort study.

PubMed

Lacruz, Maria Elena; Kluttig, Alexander; Kuss, Oliver; Tiller, Daniel; Medenwald, Daniel; Nuding, Sebastian; Greiser, Karin Halina; Frantz, Stefan; Haerting, Johannes

2017-01-18

Precise blood pressure (BP) measurements are central for the diagnosis of hypertension in clinical and epidemiological studies. The purpose of this study was to quantify the variability in BP associated with arm side, body position, and successive measurements in the setting of a population-based observational study. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate the influence of different measurement conditions on prevalence of hypertension. The sample included 967 men and 812 women aged 45 to 83 years at baseline. BP was measured according to a standardized protocol with oscillometric devices including three sitting measurements at left arm, one simultaneous supine measurement at both arms, and four supine measurements at the arm with the higher BP. Hypertension was defined as systolic BP (SBP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) ≥90 mmHg. Variability in SBP and DBP were analysed with sex-stratified linear covariance pattern models. We found that overall, no mean BP differences were measured according to arm-side, but substantial higher DBP and for men also higher SBP was observed in sitting than in supine position and there was a clear BP decline by consecutive measurement. Accordingly, the prevalence of hypertension depends strongly on the number and scheme of BP measurements taken to calculate the index values. Thus, BP measurements should only be compared between studies applying equal measurement conditions and index calculation. Moreover, the first BP measurement should not be used to define hypertension since it overestimates BP. The mean of second and third measurement offers the advantage of better reproducibility over single measurements.

Blood flow patterns during incremental and steady-state aerobic exercise.

PubMed

Coovert, Daniel; Evans, LeVisa D; Jarrett, Steven; Lima, Carla; Lima, Natalia; Gurovich, Alvaro N

2017-05-30

Endothelial shear stress (ESS) is a physiological stimulus for vascular homeostasis, highly dependent on blood flow patterns. Exercise-induced ESS might be beneficial on vascular health. However, it is unclear what type of ESS aerobic exercise (AX) produces. The aims of this study are to characterize exercise-induced blood flow patterns during incremental and steady-state AX. We expect blood flow pattern during exercise will be intensity-dependent and bidirectional. Six college-aged students (2 males and 4 females) were recruited to perform 2 exercise tests on cycleergometer. First, an 8-12-min incremental test (Test 1) where oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and blood lactate (La) were measured at rest and after each 2-min step. Then, at least 48-hr. after the first test, a 3-step steady state exercise test (Test 2) was performed measuring VO2, HR, BP, and La. The three steps were performed at the following exercise intensities according to La: 0-2 mmol/L, 2-4 mmol/L, and 4-6 mmol/L. During both tests, blood flow patterns were determined by high-definition ultrasound and Doppler on the brachial artery. These measurements allowed to determine blood flow velocities and directions during exercise. On Test 1 VO2, HR, BP, La, and antegrade blood flow velocity significantly increased in an intensity-dependent manner (repeated measures ANOVA, p<0.05). Retrograde blood flow velocity did not significantly change during Test 1. On Test 2 all the previous variables significantly increased in an intensity-dependent manner (repeated measures ANOVA, p<0.05). These results support the hypothesis that exercise induced ESS might be increased in an intensity-dependent way and blood flow patterns during incremental and steady-state exercises include both antegrade and retrograde blood flows.

The earliest evidence for Upper Paleolithic occupation in the Armenian Highlands at Aghitu-3 Cave.

PubMed

Kandel, Andrew W; Gasparyan, Boris; Allué, Ethel; Bigga, Gerlinde; Bruch, Angela A; Cullen, Victoria L; Frahm, Ellery; Ghukasyan, Robert; Gruwier, Ben; Jabbour, Firas; Miller, Christopher E; Taller, Andreas; Vardazaryan, Varduhi; Vasilyan, Davit; Weissbrod, Lior

2017-09-01

With its well-preserved archaeological and environmental records, Aghitu-3 Cave permits us to examine the settlement patterns of the Upper Paleolithic (UP) people who inhabited the Armenian Highlands. We also test whether settlement of the region between ∼39-24,000 cal BP relates to environmental variability. The earliest evidence occurs in archaeological horizon (AH) VII from ∼39-36,000 cal BP during a mild, moist climatic phase. AH VI shows periodic occupation as warm, humid conditions prevailed from ∼36-32,000 cal BP. As the climate becomes cooler and drier at ∼32-29,000 cal BP (AH V-IV), evidence for occupation is minimal. However, as cooling continues, the deposits of AH III demonstrate that people used the site more intensively from ∼29-24,000 cal BP, leaving behind numerous stone artifacts, faunal remains, and complex combustion features. Despite the climatic fluctuations seen across this 15,000-year sequence, lithic technology remains attuned to one pattern: unidirectional reduction of small cores geared towards the production of bladelets for tool manufacture. Subsistence patterns also remain stable, focused on medium-sized prey such as ovids and caprids, as well as equids. AH III demonstrates an expansion of social networks to the northwest and southwest, as the transport distance of obsidian used to make stone artifacts increases. We also observe the addition of bone tools, including an eyed needle, and shell beads brought from the east, suggesting that these people manufactured complex clothing and wore ornaments. Remains of micromammals, birds, charcoal, pollen, and tephra relate the story of environmental variability. We hypothesize that UP behavior was linked to shifts in demographic pressures and climatic changes. Thus, by combining archaeological and environmental data, we gain a clearer picture about the first UP inhabitants of the Armenian Highlands. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of cardiac myosin binding protein-C phosphorylation in human heart muscle.

PubMed

Copeland, O'Neal; Sadayappan, Sakthivel; Messer, Andrew E; Steinen, Ger J M; van der Velden, Jolanda; Marston, Steven B

2010-12-01

A unique feature of MyBP-C in cardiac muscle is that it has multiple phosphorylation sites. MyBP-C phosphorylation, predominantly by PKA, plays an essential role in modulating contractility as part of the cellular response to β-adrenergic stimulation. In vitro studies indicate MyBP-C can be phosphorylated at Serine 273, 282, 302 and 307 (mouse sequence) but little is known about the level of MyBP-C phosphorylation or the sites phosphorylated in heart muscle. Since current methodologies are limited in specificity and are not quantitative we have investigated the use of phosphate affinity SDS-PAGE together with a total anti MyBP-C antibody and a range of phosphorylation site-specific antibodies for the main sites (Ser-273, -282 and -302). With these newly developed methods we have been able to make a detailed quantitative analysis of MyBP-C phosphorylation in heart tissue in situ. We have found that MyBP-C is highly phosphorylated in non-failing human (donor) heart or mouse heart; tris and tetra-phosphorylated species predominate and less than 10% of MyBP-C is unphosphorylated (0, 9.3 ± 1%: 1P, 13.4 ± 2.7%: 2P, 10.5 ± 3.3%: 3P, 28.7 ± 3.7%: 4P, 36.4 ± 2.7%, n=21). Total phosphorylation was 2.7 ± 0.07 mol Pi/mol MyBP-C. In contrast in failing heart and in myectomy samples from HCM patients the majority of MyBP-C was unphosphorylated. Total phosphorylation levels were 23% of normal in failing heart myofibrils (0, 60.1 ± 2.8%: 1P, 27.8 ± 2.8%: 2P, 4.8 ± 2.0%: 3P, 3.7 ± 1.2%: 4P, 2.8 ± 1.3%, n=19) and 39% of normal in myectomy samples. The site-specific antibodies showed a distinctive distribution pattern of phosphorylation sites in the multiple phosphorylation level species. We found that phosphorylated Ser-273, Ser-282 and Ser-302 were all present in the 4P band of MyBP-C but none of them were significant in the 1P band, indicating that there must be at least one other site of MyBP-C phosphorylation in human heart. The pattern of phosphorylation at the three sites was not random, but indicated positive and negative interactions between the three sites. Phosphorylation at Ser-282 was not proportional to the number of sites available. The 2P band contained 302 but not 273; the 3P band contained 273 but not 302. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The cytotoxicity of 3-bromopyruvate in breast cancer cells depends on extracellular pH.

PubMed

Azevedo-Silva, João; Queirós, Odília; Ribeiro, Ana; Baltazar, Fátima; Young, Ko H; Pedersen, Peter L; Preto, Ana; Casal, Margarida

2015-04-15

Although the anti-cancer properties of 3BP (3-bromopyruvate) have been described previously, its selectivity for cancer cells still needs to be explained [Ko et al. (2001) Cancer Lett. 173, 83-91]. In the present study, we characterized the kinetic parameters of radiolabelled [14C] 3BP uptake in three breast cancer cell lines that display different levels of resistance to 3BP: ZR-75-1 < MCF-7 < SK-BR-3. At pH 6.0, the affinity of cancer cells for 3BP transport correlates with their sensitivity, a pattern that does not occur at pH 7.4. In the three cell lines, the uptake of 3BP is dependent on the protonmotive force and is decreased by MCTs (monocarboxylate transporters) inhibitors. In the SK-BR-3 cell line, a sodium-dependent transport also occurs. Butyrate promotes the localization of MCT-1 at the plasma membrane and increases the level of MCT-4 expression, leading to a higher sensitivity for 3BP. In the present study, we demonstrate that this phenotype is accompanied by an increase in affinity for 3BP uptake. Our results confirm the role of MCTs, especially MCT-1, in 3BP uptake and the importance of cluster of differentiation (CD) 147 glycosylation in this process. We find that the affinity for 3BP transport is higher when the extracellular milieu is acidic. This is a typical phenotype of tumour microenvironment and explains the lack of secondary effects of 3BP already described in in vivo studies [Ko et al. (2004) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 324, 269-275].

Promoting workplace stair climbing: sometimes, not interfering is the best.

PubMed

Åvitsland, Andreas; Solbraa, Ane Kristiansen; Riiser, Amund

2017-01-01

Stair climbing is a vigorous activity and can lead to several health benefits. Studies seeking to increase stair climbing in various public locations have shown positive effects, while results from similar studies conducted in the workplace are inconclusive. This study examined stair climbing in the workplace, and monitored effects from a single- and a combined intervention. Interventions were inspired by nudging, the libertarian method of influencing behavior. By quasi-experimental design, stair- and elevator traffic in two office buildings was monitored preceding-, during- and following interventions with stair leading footprints alone, and combined with stair-riser banners. Chi square tests were applied to determine differences between baseline and the subsequent periods. Web-based questionnaires were distributed after follow-up period. Elevators and stairs were used 45 237 times, of which 89.6% was stair use. Intervention site stair climbing at baseline (79.0%) was significantly reduced with footprints (-5.1%, p <  0.001), and footprints with stair-riser banners (-5.7%, p <  0.001) while baseline stair climbing at the control site (94.2%) remained stable ( p >  0.027). Stair climbing was significantly reduced during the intervention periods. Use of stair leading footprints alone, or combined with stair-riser banners in an attempt to influence stair climbing may be ineffective, or cause a negative reaction, when applied in a workplace with a pre-existing high amount of stair climbing.

Determination of boiling point of petrochemicals by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and multivariate regression analysis of structural activity relationship.

PubMed

Fakayode, Sayo O; Mitchell, Breanna S; Pollard, David A

2014-08-01

Accurate understanding of analyte boiling points (BP) is of critical importance in gas chromatographic (GC) separation and crude oil refinery operation in petrochemical industries. This study reported the first combined use of GC separation and partial-least-square (PLS1) multivariate regression analysis of petrochemical structural activity relationship (SAR) for accurate BP determination of two commercially available (D3710 and MA VHP) calibration gas mix samples. The results of the BP determination using PLS1 multivariate regression were further compared with the results of traditional simulated distillation method of BP determination. The developed PLS1 regression was able to correctly predict analytes BP in D3710 and MA VHP calibration gas mix samples, with a root-mean-square-%-relative-error (RMS%RE) of 6.4%, and 10.8% respectively. In contrast, the overall RMS%RE of 32.9% and 40.4%, respectively obtained for BP determination in D3710 and MA VHP using a traditional simulated distillation method were approximately four times larger than the corresponding RMS%RE of BP prediction using MRA, demonstrating the better predictive ability of MRA. The reported method is rapid, robust, and promising, and can be potentially used routinely for fast analysis, pattern recognition, and analyte BP determination in petrochemical industries. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequences of three bats species and whole genome mitochondrial analyses reveal patterns of codon bias and lend support to a basal split in Chiroptera.

PubMed

Meganathan, P R; Pagan, Heidi J T; McCulloch, Eve S; Stevens, Richard D; Ray, David A

2012-01-15

Order Chiroptera is a unique group of mammals whose members have attained self-powered flight as their main mode of locomotion. Much speculation persists regarding bat evolution; however, lack of sufficient molecular data hampers evolutionary and conservation studies. Of ~1200 species, complete mitochondrial genome sequences are available for only eleven. Additional sequences should be generated if we are to resolve many questions concerning these fascinating mammals. Herein, we describe the complete mitochondrial genomes of three bats: Corynorhinus rafinesquii, Lasiurus borealis and Artibeus lituratus. We also compare the currently available mitochondrial genomes and analyze codon usage in Chiroptera. C. rafinesquii, L. borealis and A. lituratus mitochondrial genomes are 16438 bp, 17048 bp and 16709 bp, respectively. Genome organization and gene arrangements are similar to other bats. Phylogenetic analyses using complete mitochondrial genome sequences support previously established phylogenetic relationships and suggest utility in future studies focusing on the evolutionary aspects of these species. Comprehensive analyses of available bat mitochondrial genomes reveal distinct nucleotide patterns and synonymous codon preferences corresponding to different chiropteran families. These patterns suggest that mutational and selection forces are acting to different extents within Chiroptera and shape their mitochondrial genomes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Genome-Wide Methylome Analyses Reveal Novel Epigenetic Regulation Patterns in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

PubMed Central

Li, Yongsheng; Camarillo, Cynthia; Xu, Juan; Arana, Tania Bedard; Xiao, Yun; Zhao, Zheng; Chen, Hong; Ramirez, Mercedes; Zavala, Juan; Escamilla, Michael A.; Armas, Regina; Mendoza, Ricardo; Ontiveros, Alfonso; Nicolini, Humberto; Jerez Magaña, Alvaro Antonio; Rubin, Lewis P.; Li, Xia; Xu, Chun

2015-01-01

Schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BP) are complex genetic disorders. Their appearance is also likely informed by as yet only partially described epigenetic contributions. Using a sequencing-based method for genome-wide analysis, we quantitatively compared the blood DNA methylation landscapes in SZ and BP subjects to control, both in an understudied population, Hispanics along the US-Mexico border. Remarkably, we identified thousands of differentially methylated regions for SZ and BP preferentially located in promoters 3′-UTRs and 5′-UTRs of genes. Distinct patterns of aberrant methylation of promoter sequences were located surrounding transcription start sites. In these instances, aberrant methylation occurred in CpG islands (CGIs) as well as in flanking regions as well as in CGI sparse promoters. Pathway analysis of genes displaying these distinct aberrant promoter methylation patterns showed enhancement of epigenetic changes in numerous genes previously related to psychiatric disorders and neurodevelopment. Integration of gene expression data further suggests that in SZ aberrant promoter methylation is significantly associated with altered gene transcription. In particular, we found significant associations between (1) promoter CGIs hypermethylation with gene repression and (2) CGI 3′-shore hypomethylation with increased gene expression. Finally, we constructed a specific methylation analysis platform that facilitates viewing and comparing aberrant genome methylation in human neuropsychiatric disorders. PMID:25734057

Comparative effectiveness of a fixed-dose combination of losartan + HCTZ versus bisoprolol + HCTZ in patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension: results of the 6-month ELIZA trial.

PubMed

Radchenko, G D; Sirenko, Y M; Kushnir, S M; Torbas, O O; Dobrokhod, A S

2013-01-01

The aim of this study was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy of losartan 100 mg + hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg versus bisoprolol 10 mg + HCTZ 25 mg and their influence on arterial stiffness and central blood pressure (BP). Of 60 patients with a mean BP of 173.3 ± 1.7/98.4 ± 1.2 mmHg, 59 were randomized to losartan + HCTZ (n = 32) or bisoprolol + HCTZ (n = 27). Amlodipine was added if target BP was not achieved at 1 month, and doxazosin was added if target BP was not achieved after 3 months. Body mass index, office and 24-hour ambulatory BP, pulse wave velocity (carotid-femoral [PWVE] and radial [PWVM]), noninvasive central systolic BP, augmentation index (AIx), laboratory investigations, and electrocardiography were done at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Losartan + HCTZ was as effective as bisoprolol + HCTZ, with target office BP achieved in 96.9% and 92.6% of patients and target 24-hour BP in 75% and 66.7% of patients, respectively, after 6 months. Effective treatment of BP led to significant lowering of central systolic BP, but this was decreased to a significantly (P < 0.05) greater extent by losartan + HCTZ (-23.0 ± 2.3 mmHg) than by bisoprolol + HCTZ (-15.4 ± 2.9 mmHg) despite equal lowering of brachial BP. Factors correlated with central systolic BP and its lowering differed between the treatment groups. Losartan + HCTZ did not alter arterial stiffness patterns significantly, but bisoprolol + HCTZ significantly increased AIx. We noted differences in ΔPWVE, ΔPWVM, and ΔAIx between the groups in favor of losartan + HCTZ. Decreased heart rate was associated with higher central systolic BP and AIx in the bisoprolol + HCTZ group, but was not associated with increased AIx in the losartan + HCTZ group. Although both treatments decreased both office and 24-hour BP, losartan + HCTZ significantly decreased central systolic BP and had a more positive influence on pulse wave velocity, with a less negative effect of decreased heart rate on AIx and central systolic BP.

Burnout, Depression, and Borderline Personality: A 1,163-Participant Study

PubMed Central

Bianchi, Renzo; Rolland, Jean-Pierre; Salgado, Jesús F.

2018-01-01

We examined the association of burnout with borderline personality (BP) traits in a study of 1,163 educational staff (80.9% women; mean age: 42.96). Because burnout has been found to overlap with depression, parallel analyses of burnout and depression were conducted. Burnout symptoms were assessed with the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure, depressive symptoms with the PHQ-9, and BP traits with the Borderline Personality Questionnaire. Burnout was found to be associated with BP traits, controlling for neuroticism and history of depressive disorders. In women, burnout was linked to both the “affective insecurity” and the “impulsiveness” component of BP. In men, only the link between burnout and “affective insecurity” reached statistical significance. Compared to participants with “low” BP scores, participants with “high” BP scores reported more burnout symptoms, depressive symptoms, neuroticism, and occupational stress and less satisfaction with life. Disattenuated correlations between burnout and depression were close to 1, among both women (0.91) and men (0.94). The patterns of association of burnout and depression with the main study variables were similar, pointing to overlapping nomological networks. Burnout symptoms were only partly attributed to work by our participants. Our findings suggest that burnout is associated with BP traits through burnout-depression overlap. PMID:29375447

Relationships between lifestyle patterns and cardio-renal-metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Ogihara, Takeshi; Mita, Tomoya; Osonoi, Yusuke; Osonoi, Takeshi; Saito, Miyoko; Tamasawa, Atsuko; Nakayama, Shiho; Someya, Yuki; Ishida, Hidenori; Gosho, Masahiko; Kanazawa, Akio; Watada, Hirotaka

2017-01-01

While individuals tend to show accumulation of certain lifestyle patterns, the effect of such patterns in real daily life on cardio-renal-metabolic parameters remains largely unknown. This study aimed to assess clustering of lifestyle patterns and investigate the relationships between such patterns and cardio-renal-metabolic parameters. The study participants were 726 Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients free of history of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between lifestyle patterns and cardio-renal-metabolic parameters was investigated by linear and logistic regression analyses. Factor analysis identified three lifestyle patterns. Subjects characterized by evening type, poor sleep quality and depressive status (type 1 pattern) had high levels of HbA1c, alanine aminotransferase and albuminuria. Subjects characterized by high consumption of food, alcohol and cigarettes (type 2 pattern) had high levels of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, blood pressure, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Subjects characterized by high physical activity (type 3 pattern) had low uric acid and mild elevation of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. In multivariate regression analysis adjusted by age, gender and BMI, type 1 pattern was associated with higher HbA1c levels, systolic BP and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Type 2 pattern was associated with higher HDL-cholesterol levels, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, ɤ- glutamyl transpeptidase levels, and diastolic BP. The study identified three lifestyle patterns that were associated with distinct cardio-metabolic-renal parameters in T2DM patients. UMIN000010932.

Palaeolithic Timekeepers Looking At The Golden Gate Of The Ecliptic; The Lunar Cycle And The Pleiades In The Cave Of La-TETe-Du-Lion (Ardéche, France) - 21,000 BP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rappenglück, Michael A.

Decades of research work done by several scientists all over the world since the beginning of the 20th century confirmed the idea, that Palaeolithic man looked up to the starry sky and recognized prominent patterns of stars as well as the course of the celestial bodies. Though sometimes highly speculative, the investigations made clear, that time-factored notations played an important role in the archaic cultures of Palaeolithic epochs (from 33,000 to 10,000 BP). There are some distinct and detailed examples of lunar-, solar- and lunisolar-calendars sometimes combined with pictures of seasonality, mostly discovered on transportable bones and stones, but also on the fixed walls of certain caves. The investigations showed that in Palaeolithic epochs time-reckoning, in particular the lunar cycle, had been related to the pregnancy of women too (Figure 2a-d). Recently I showed, that in the Magdalenian time (16,000-12,000 BP) man also recognized single and very complex star patterns, including the Milky Way: the Northern Crown in the cave of El Castillo (Spain), the Pleiades in the cave of Lascaux (France) and the main constellations of the sky at the same location. They were used by the Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers for orientation in space and for time-reckoning. These star patterns also played an important role in the cosmovisions of archaic cultures. Together with the depictions of the course of the moon and the sun, they helped to organize the spatiotemporal structure of daily and spiritual life of Palaeolithic man. Now I present a rock panel in the cave of La-T^ete-du-Lion (France) that shows the combination of a star pattern - Aldebaran in the Bull and the Pleiades - with a drawing of the moons cycle above. This picture comes from the Solutrean epoch ca 21,000-22,000 BP. It shows not only a remarkable similarity with the representation in the Lascaux cave, but clearly connects the star pattern with a part of the lunar cycle.

Katie Gaston | NREL

Science.gov Websites

gasification. The new catalytic riser reactor system can be used for ex situ vapor-phase upgrading or steam , and Wood: 1. Parametric Study and Comparison with Literature," Industrial & Engineering

Hypertension in chronic kidney disease: the influence of renal transplantation.

PubMed

Azancot, Maria A; Ramos, Natalia; Moreso, Francesc J; Ibernon, Meritxell; Espinel, Eugenia; Torres, Irina B; Fort, Joan; Seron, Daniel

2014-09-15

Hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular risk factors in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney transplants. The contribution of transplantation to hypertension in comparison to patients with CKD and similar renal function has not been characterized. Ninety-two transplants and 97 CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m not receiving dialysis were enrolled. At entry, office blood pressure (BP) and 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) were obtained. Office BP was not different between transplants and CKD patients (139.5±14.3 vs. 135.2±19.3, P=1.00, respectively). ABPM 24-hr systolic blood pressure (SBP) (133.9±14.3 vs. 126.2±16.1, P=0.014), awake SBP (135.6±15.2 vs. 128.7±16.2, P=0.042), and sleep SBP (131.2±16.2 vs. 120.2 ±17.9, P=0.0014) were higher in renal transplants. When patients were classified according to BP patterns associated with highest cardiovascular risk, the proportion of patients with both nocturnal hypertension and non-dipper pattern was higher in transplants (68.5% vs. 47.4%, P=0.03). In the multivariate regression analysis, transplantation was an independent predictor of 24-hr, awake, and sleep SBP. Office BP is similar in kidney transplants and CKD patients with similar renal function. On the contrary, hypertension is more severe in kidney transplants when evaluated with ABPM mainly as a result of increased sleep systolic BP. Thus, precise evaluation of hypertension in kidney transplants requires ABPM.

Response of Everglades tree islands to environmental change

USGS Publications Warehouse

Willard, Debra A.; Bernhardt, Christopher E.; Holmes, Charles W.; Landacre, Bryan; Marot, Marci E.

2006-01-01

Tree islands are centers of biodiversity within the Florida Everglades, USA, but the factors controlling their distribution, formation, and development are poorly understood. We use pollen assemblages from tree islands throughout the greater Everglades ecosystem to reconstruct the timing of tree island formation, patterns of development, and response to specific climatic and environmental stressors. These data indicate that fixed (teardrop-shaped) and strand tree islands developed well before substantial human alteration of the system, with initial tree island vegetation in place between 3500 and 500 calibrated years before present (cal yr BP), depending on the location in the Everglades wetland. Tree island development appears to have been triggered by regional- to global-scale climatic events at 2800 cal yr BP, 1600–1500 cal yr BP, 1200–1000 cal yr BP (early Medieval Warm Period), and 500–200 cal yr BP (Little Ice Age). These periods correspond to drought intervals documented in Central and South America and periods of southward displacement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The records indicate a coherence of climate patterns in both subtropical North America and the Northern Hemisphere Neotropics. Water management practices of the 20th century altered plant communities and size of tree islands throughout the Everglades. Responses range from loss of tree islands due to artificially long hydroperiods and deep water to expansion of tree islands after flow reductions. These data provide evidence for the rapidity of tree island response to specific hydrologic change and facilitate prediction of the response to future changes associated with Everglades restoration plans.

Influence of drilling operations on drilling mud gas monitoring during IODP Exp. 338 and 348

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hammerschmidt, Sebastian; Toczko, Sean; Kubo, Yusuke; Wiersberg, Thomas; Fuchida, Shigeshi; Kopf, Achim; Hirose, Takehiro; Saffer, Demian; Tobin, Harold; Expedition 348 Scientists, the

2014-05-01

The history of scientific ocean drilling has developed some new techniques and technologies for drilling science, dynamic positioning being one of the most famous. However, while industry has developed newer tools and techniques, only some of these have been used in scientific ocean drilling. The introduction of riser-drilling, which recirculates the drilling mud and returns to the platform solids and gases from the formation, to the International Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) through the launch of the Japan Agency of Marine Earth-Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) riser-drilling vessel D/V Chikyu, has made some of these techniques available to science. IODP Expedition 319 (NanTroSEIZE Stage 2: riser/riserless observatory) was the first such attempt, and among the tools and techniques used was drilling mud gas analysis. While industry regularly conducts drilling mud gas logging for safety concerns and reservoir evaluation, science is more interested in other components (e.g He, 222Rn) that are beyond the scope of typical mud logging services. Drilling mud gas logging simply examines the gases released into the drilling mud as part of the drilling process; the bit breaks and grinds the formation, releasing any trapped gases. These then circulate within the "closed circuit" mud-flow back to the drilling rig, where a degasser extracts these gases and passes them on to a dedicated mud gas logging unit. The unit contains gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, spectral analyzers, radon gas analyzers, and a methane carbon isotope analyzer. Data are collected and stored in a database, together with several drilling parameters (rate of penetration, mud density, etc.). This initial attempt was further refined during IODP Expeditions 337 (Deep Coalbed Biosphere off Shimokita), 338 (NanTroSEIZE Stage 3: NanTroSEIZE Plate Boundary Deep Riser 2) and finally 348 (NanTroSEIZE Stage 3: NanTroSEIZE Plate Boundary Deep Riser 3). Although still in its development stage for scientific application, this technique can provide a valuable suite of measurements to complement more traditional IODP shipboard measurements. Here we present unpublished data from IODP Expeditions 338 and 348, penetrating the Nankai Accretionary wedge to 3058.5 meters below seafloor. Increasing mud density decreased degasser efficiency, especially for higher hydrocarbons. Blurring of the relative variations in total gas by depth was observed, and confirmed with comparison to headspace gas concentrations from the cored interval. Theoretically, overpressured zones in the formation can be identified through C2/C3 ratios, but these ratios are highly affected by changing drilling parameters. Proper mud gas evaluations will need to carefully consider the effects of variable drilling parameters when designing experiments and interpreting the data.

The Core and Accessory Genomes of Burkholderia pseudomallei: Implications for Human Melioidosis

PubMed Central

Lin, Chi Ho; Karuturi, R. Krishna M.; Wuthiekanun, Vanaporn; Tuanyok, Apichai; Chua, Hui Hoon; Ong, Catherine; Paramalingam, Sivalingam Suppiah; Tan, Gladys; Tang, Lynn; Lau, Gary; Ooi, Eng Eong; Woods, Donald; Feil, Edward; Peacock, Sharon J.; Tan, Patrick

2008-01-01

Natural isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp), the causative agent of melioidosis, can exhibit significant ecological flexibility that is likely reflective of a dynamic genome. Using whole-genome Bp microarrays, we examined patterns of gene presence and absence across 94 South East Asian strains isolated from a variety of clinical, environmental, or animal sources. 86% of the Bp K96243 reference genome was common to all the strains representing the Bp “core genome”, comprising genes largely involved in essential functions (eg amino acid metabolism, protein translation). In contrast, 14% of the K96243 genome was variably present across the isolates. This Bp accessory genome encompassed multiple genomic islands (GIs), paralogous genes, and insertions/deletions, including three distinct lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-related gene clusters. Strikingly, strains recovered from cases of human melioidosis clustered on a tree based on accessory gene content, and were significantly more likely to harbor certain GIs compared to animal and environmental isolates. Consistent with the inference that the GIs may contribute to pathogenesis, experimental mutation of BPSS2053, a GI gene, reduced microbial adherence to human epithelial cells. Our results suggest that the Bp accessory genome is likely to play an important role in microbial adaptation and virulence. PMID:18927621

Assessment of zoledronic acid treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with bone metastases from genitourinary cancers.

PubMed

Henk, Henry J; Kaura, Satyin

2012-01-01

Patients with bone metastases secondary to genitourinary (GU) cancer are at risk for skeletal-related events (SREs), including bone pain requiring palliative radiotherapy, fractures or surgery to bone, spinal cord compression, and hypercalcemia of malignancy. These SREs can be debilitating and potentially life-limiting. This study examined treatment practices and the association of treatment patterns with Zometa (zoledronic acid, ZOL), an intravenous bisphosphonate (IV-BP), with SREs and fractures. (Zometa is a registered trademark of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, USA.) Retrospective analysis of commercial and Medicare Advantage enrollment and medical claims data was performed to evaluate IV-BP use and SRE patterns in adult patients with GU cancers. Criteria included diagnosis of ≥1 bone metastasis and prostate cancer (PC), renal cell carcinoma (RCC), or bladder cancer (BlC) between January 2001 and December 2006; continuous healthcare plan enrollment for ≥6 months before the index date; and no evidence of prior IV-BP use. Patients were followed until disenrollment from the healthcare plan or December 2007. Of 6347 patients (PC, n = 4976; RCC, n = 941; BlC, n = 430; mean [standard deviation] age: 68.9 [11.1] years), only approximately 23% received ZOL. The mean time between diagnosis of bone metastasis and ZOL initiation was approximately 108 days. Among patients with PC, fracture risk was significantly smaller for ZOL vs no IV-BP (incidence rate ratio = 0.70; p < 0.001), and 2-year survival was significantly longer for ZOL-treated vs no IV-BP patients (p = 0.007). Patients with longer persistency on ZOL had a smaller fracture risk than patients with shorter persistency. Sub-set analyses were not performed for RCC and BIC because the proportion of patients treated was too low. Interpretation of this claims-based analysis must be tempered by the inherent limitations of observational data, such as limited and accurate available information, and unavailable information including clinical or disease-specific parameters. Intravenous BP therapy is not always received in patients with bone metastases secondary to GU cancers, and, when used, there are typically long time periods before treatment initiation. Without IV-BPs, PC patients have significantly larger risks of fracture and death compared with ZOL-treated patients, and benefits appear to be larger with increasing persistency on ZOL.

Cyclic sedimentation pattern in Lake Veetka, southeast Estonia: a case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saarse, Leili

2015-03-01

A sediment core from Lake Veetka, southeast Estonia, 1077 cm in length and covering 10,500 calibrated years, was examined using loss-on-ignition, grain-size distribution and AMS 14C dating to reconstruct depositional dynamics. The studied core, recovered from the northern part of the lake, shows a cyclic pattern of organic and mineral matter concentration with cycle durations of 100-400 years. Cyclicity is displayed better in sediments laid down between 9,200 and 5,600 cal BP. Within two time windows (5,600-5,100 cal BP and from 1,200 cal BP to the present), sediment composition changed drastically on account of a high and fluctuating mineral matter content, obviously driven by different factors. Little Ice Age cooling is characterised by the highest proportion of mineral matter, and the Medieval Warm Period is typified by high organic matter content. The cyclic change of organic and mineral matter has been related to climate dynamics, most likely an alternation of wet and dry conditions, changes in the water level of the lake and differences in bioproduction

77 FR 57534 - Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-18

... turbocharger (uncoupled) for cracks, distortion, and evidence indicative of improper surface mating. (3) Inspect the three exhaust system slip joints between each turbocharger and its closest riser for seizure...

New Era of Scientific Ocean Drilling

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eguchi, N.; Toczko, S.; Sanada, Y.; Igarashi, C.; Kubo, Y.; Maeda, L.; Sawada, I.; Takase, K.; Kyo, N.

2014-12-01

The D/V Chikyu, committed to scientific ocean drilling since 2007, has completed thirteen IODP expeditions, and Chikyu's enhanced drilling technology gives us the means to reach deep targets, enhanced well logging, deep water riserless drilling, and state of the art laboratory. Chikyu recovered core samples from 2466 meters below sea floor (mbsf) in IODP Exp. 337, and drilled to 3058.5 mbsf in IODP Exp. 348, but these are still not the limit of Chikyu's capability. As deep as these depths are, they are just halfway to the 5200 mbsf plate boundary target for the NanTroSEIZE deep riser borehole. There are several active IODP proposals in the pipeline. Each has scientific targets requiring several thousand meters of penetration below the sea floor. Riser technology is the only way to collect samples and data from that depth. Well logging has been enhanced with the adoption of riser drilling, especially for logging-while-drilling (LWD). LWD has several advantages over wireline logging, and provides more opportunities for continuous measurements even in unstable boreholes. Because of the larger diameter of riser pipes and enhanced borehole stability, Chikyu can use several state-of-the-art downhole tools, e.g. fracture tester, fluid sampling tool, wider borehole imaging, and the latest sonic tools. These new technologies and tools can potentially expand the envelope of scientific ocean drilling. Chikyu gives us access to ultra-deep water riserless drilling. IODP Exp. 343/343T investigating the March 2011 Tohoku Oki Earthquake, explored the toe of the landward slope of the Japan Trench. This expedition reached the plate boundary fault target at more than 800 mbsf in water depths over 6900 m for logging-while-drilling, coring, and observatory installation. This deep-water drilling capability also expands the scientific ocean drilling envelope and provides access to previously unreachable targets. On top of these operational capabilities, Chikyu's onboard laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments to analyze all science samples. X-ray CT creates non-destructive 3D images of core samples providing high resolution structural detail. The microbiology laboratory offers clean and contamination-free work environments required for microbiological samples.

Crystal accumulation in the Hanford Waste Treatment Plant high level waste melter: Summary of FY2016 experiements

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

Fox, K.; Fowley, M.; Miller, D.

2016-12-01

Five experiments were completed with the full-scale, room temperature Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) high-level waste (HLW) melter riser test system to observe particle flow and settling in support of a crystal tolerant approach to melter operation. A prototypic pour rate was maintained based on the volumetric flow rate. Accumulation of particles was observed at the bottom of the riser and along the bottom of the throat after each experiment. Measurements of the accumulated layer thicknesses showed that the settled particles at the bottom of the riser did not vary in thickness during pouring cycles or idle periods.more » Some of the settled particles at the bottom of the throat were re-suspended during subsequent pouring cycles, and settled back to approximately the same thickness after each idle period. The cause of the consistency of the accumulated layer thicknesses is not year clear, but was hypothesized to be related to particle flow back to the feed tank. Additional experiments reinforced the observation of particle flow along a considerable portion of the throat during idle periods. Limitations of the system are noted in this report and may be addressed via future modifications. Follow-on experiments will be designed to evaluate the impact of pouring rate on particle re-suspension, the influence of feed tank agitation on particle accumulation, and the effect of changes in air lance positioning on the accumulation and re-suspension of particles at the bottom of the riser. A method for sampling the accumulated particles will be developed to support particle size distribution analyses. Thicker accumulated layers will be intentionally formed via direct addition of particles to select areas of the system to better understand the ability to continue pouring and re-suspend particles. Results from the room temperature system will be correlated with observations and data from the Research Scale Melter (RSM) at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and coordinated with modeling efforts underway at Idaho National Laboratory.« less

Effects of a bacterial probiotic on ruminal pH and volatile fatty acids during subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in cattle.

PubMed

Goto, Hiroko; Qadis, Abdul Qadir; Kim, Yo-Han; Ikuta, Kentaro; Ichijo, Toshihiro; Sato, Shigeru

2016-11-01

Effects of a bacterial probiotic (BP) on ruminal fermentation and plasma metabolites were evaluated in four Holstein cattle (body weight, 645 ± 62 kg; mean ± SD) with induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). SARA was induced by feeding a SARA-inducing diet, and thereafter, 20, 50 or 100 g per head of a commercial BP was administered for 7 consecutive days during the morning feeding. Cattle without BP served as the control. The 24-hr mean ruminal pH in the control was lower, whereas those in the BP groups administered 20 or 50 g were significantly higher compared to the control from days 2 to 7. Circadian patterns of the 1-hr mean ruminal pH were identical (6.4-6.8) among all cattle receiving BP. Although the mean minimum pH in the control on day -7 and day 0 was <5.8, the pH in the treatment groups on day 7 was >5.8 and significantly higher than that of the control group ( >5.2). Ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were not affected by BP treatment; however, the BP groups had lower lactic acid levels compared with the control group at 20:00 on day 7. Additionally, non-esterified fatty acid levels decreased from 8:00 to 20:00 in all BP groups on day 7. These results suggest that administration of 20 to 50 g of a multi-strain BP for 7 days might improve the low pH and high lactic acid level of the ruminal fluid in SARA cattle.

Negatively supercoiled simian virus 40 DNA contains Z-DNA segments within transcriptional enhancer sequences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nordheim, A.; Rich, A.

1983-01-01

Three 8-base pair (bp) segments of alternating purine-pyrimidine from the simian virus 40 enhancer region form Z-DNA on negative supercoiling; minichromosome DNase I-hypersensitive sites determined by others bracket these three segments. A survey of transcriptional enhancer sequences reveals a pattern of potential Z-DNA-forming regions which occur in pairs 50-80 bp apart. This may influence local chromatin structure and may be related to transcriptional activation.

Environmental Assessment for the Air Force Research Laboratory Security Fence Project, Edwards Air Force Base, California

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-11-26

Pleistocene/Early-Holocene Prehistory (12,000 to 7,000 BP). The Lake Mojave Period in the southwestern Great Basin comprises a regional manifestation...adaptive patterns with focal exploitation of such habitats (Tetra Tech 2010). Middle-Holocene Prehistory (8,000 to 4,000 BP). Succeeding Lake Mojave in the...Security Fence at Edwards Air Force Base, California Late Holocene Prehistory (4,000 to Contact). With return to more “favorable” environmental

Using ZIP Code Business Patterns Data to Measure Alcohol Outlet Density

PubMed Central

Matthews, Stephen A.; McCarthy, John D.; Rafail, Patrick S.

2014-01-01

Some states maintain high-quality alcohol outlet databases but quality varies by state, making comprehensive comparative analysis across US communities difficult. This study assesses the adequacy of using ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZIP-BP) data on establishments as estimates of the number of alcohol outlets by ZIP code. Specifically we compare ZIP-BP alcohol outlet counts with high-quality data from state and local records surrounding 44 college campus communities across 10 states plus the District of Columbia. Results show that a composite measure is strongly correlated (R=0.89) with counts of alcohol outlets generated from official state records. Analyses based on Generalized Estimation Equation models show that community and contextual factors have little impact on the concordance between the two data sources. There are also minimal inter-state differences in the level of agreement. To validate the use of a convenient secondary data set (ZIP-BP) it is important to have a high correlation with the more complex, high quality and more costly data product (i.e., datasets based on the acquisition and geocoding of state and local records) and then to clearly demonstrate that the discrepancy between the two to be unrelated to relevant explanatory variables. Thus our overall findings support the adequacy of using a conveniently available data set (ZIP-BP data) to estimate alcohol outlet densities in ZIP code areas in future research. PMID:21411233

Using ZIP code business patterns data to measure alcohol outlet density.

PubMed

Matthews, Stephen A; McCarthy, John D; Rafail, Patrick S

2011-07-01

Some states maintain high-quality alcohol outlet databases but quality varies by state, making comprehensive comparative analysis across US communities difficult. This study assesses the adequacy of using ZIP Code Business Patterns (ZIP-BP) data on establishments as estimates of the number of alcohol outlets by ZIP code. Specifically we compare ZIP-BP alcohol outlet counts with high-quality data from state and local records surrounding 44 college campus communities across 10 states plus the District of Columbia. Results show that a composite measure is strongly correlated (R=0.89) with counts of alcohol outlets generated from official state records. Analyses based on Generalized Estimation Equation models show that community and contextual factors have little impact on the concordance between the two data sources. There are also minimal inter-state differences in the level of agreement. To validate the use of a convenient secondary data set (ZIP-BP) it is important to have a high correlation with the more complex, high quality and more costly data product (i.e., datasets based on the acquisition and geocoding of state and local records) and then to clearly demonstrate that the discrepancy between the two to be unrelated to relevant explanatory variables. Thus our overall findings support the adequacy of using a conveniently available data set (ZIP-BP data) to estimate alcohol outlet densities in ZIP code areas in future research. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

100 or 30 years after Janeway or Bartter, Healthwatch helps avoid 'flying blind'.

PubMed

Cornélissen, Germaine; Halberg, Franz; Bakken, Earl; Singh, Ram B; Otsuka, Kuniaki; Tomlinson, Brian; Delcourt, Alain; Toussaint, Guy; Bathina, Srilakshmi; Schwartzkopff, Othild; Wang, Zhengrong; Tarquini, Roberto; Perfetto, Federico; Pantaleoni, Giancarlo; Jozsa, Rita; Delmore, Patrick A; Nolley, Ellis

2004-10-01

Longitudinal records of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) around the clock for days, weeks, months, years, and even decades obtained by manual self-measurements (during waking) and/or automatically by ambulatory monitoring reveal, in addition to well-known large within-day variation, also considerable day-to-day variability in most people, whether normotensive or hypertensive. As a first step, the circadian rhythm is considered along with gender differences and changes as a function of age to derive time-specified reference values (chronodesms), while reference values accumulate to also account for the circaseptan variation. Chronodesms serve for the interpretation of single measurements and of circadian and other rhythm parameters. Refined diagnoses can thus be obtained, namely MESOR-hypertension when the chronome-adjusted mean value (MESOR) of BP is above the upper limit of acceptability, excessive pulse pressure (EPP) when the difference in MESOR between the systolic (S) and diastolic (D) BP is too large, CHAT (circadian hyper-amplitude tension) when the circadian BP amplitude is excessive, DHRV (decreased heart rate variability) when the standard deviation (SD) of HR is below the acceptable range, and/or ecphasia when the overall high values recurring each day occur at an odd time (a condition also contributing to the risk associated with 'non-dipping'). A non-parametric approach consisting of a computer comparison of the subject's profile with the time-varying limits of acceptability further serves as a guide to optimize the efficacy of any needed treatment by timing its administration (chronotherapy) and selecting a treatment schedule best suited to normalize abnormal patterns in BP and/or HR. The merit of the proposed chronobiological approach to BP screening, diagnosis and therapy (chronotheranostics) is assessed in the light of outcome studies. Elevated risk associated with abnormal patterns of BP and/or HR variability, even when most if not all measurements lie within the range of acceptable values, becomes amenable to treatment as a critical step toward prevention (prehabilitation) to reduce the need for rehabilitation (the latter often after costly surgical intervention).

Seychelles coral record of changes in sea surface temperature bimodality in the western Indian Ocean from the Mid-Holocene to the present

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zinke, J.; Pfeiffer, M.; Park, W.; Schneider, B.; Reuning, L.; Dullo, W.-Chr.; Camoin, G. F.; Mangini, A.; Schroeder-Ritzrau, A.; Garbe-Schönberg, D.; Davies, G. R.

2014-08-01

We report fossil coral records from the Seychelles comprising individual time slices of 14-20 sclerochronological years between 2 and 6.2 kyr BP to reconstruct changes in the seasonal cycle of western Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST) compared to the present (1990-2003). These reconstructions allowed us to link changes in the SST bimodality to orbital changes, which were causing a reorganization of the seasonal insolation pattern. Our results reveal the lowest seasonal SST range in the Mid-Holocene (6.2-5.2 kyr BP) and around 2 kyr BP, while the highest range is observed around 4.6 kyr BP and between 1990 and 2003. The season of maximum temperature shifts from austral spring (September to November) to austral autumn (March to May), following changes in seasonal insolation over the past 6 kyr. However, the changes in SST bimodality do not linearly follow the insolation seasonality. For example, the 5.2 and 6.2 kyr BP corals show only subtle SST differences in austral spring and autumn. We use paleoclimate simulations of a fully coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model to compare with proxy data for the Mid-Holocene around 6 kyr BP. The model results show that in the Mid-Holocene the austral winter and spring seasons in the western Indian Ocean were warmer while austral summer was cooler. This is qualitatively consistent with the coral data from 6.2 to 5.2 kyr BP, which shows a similar reduction in the seasonal amplitude compared to the present day. However, the pattern of the seasonal SST cycle in the model appears to follow the changes in insolation more directly than indicated by the corals. Our results highlight the importance of ocean-atmosphere interactions for Indian Ocean SST seasonality throughout the Holocene. In order to understand Holocene climate variability in the countries surrounding the Indian Ocean, we need a much more comprehensive analysis of seasonally resolved archives from the tropical Indian Ocean. Insolation data alone only provides an incomplete picture.

What are the causal effects of breastfeeding on IQ, obesity and blood pressure? Evidence from comparing high-income with middle-income cohorts.

PubMed

Brion, Marie-Jo A; Lawlor, Debbie A; Matijasevich, Alicia; Horta, Bernardo; Anselmi, Luciana; Araújo, Cora L; Menezes, Ana Maria B; Victora, Cesar G; Smith, George Davey

2011-06-01

A novel approach is explored for improving causal inference in observational studies by comparing cohorts from high-income with low- or middle-income countries (LMIC), where confounding structures differ. This is applied to assessing causal effects of breastfeeding on child blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI) and intelligence quotient (IQ). Standardized approaches for assessing the confounding structure of breastfeeding by socio-economic position were applied to the British Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) (N ≃ 5000) and Brazilian Pelotas 1993 cohorts (N ≃ 1000). This was used to improve causal inference regarding associations of breastfeeding with child BP, BMI and IQ. Analyses were extended to include results from a meta-analysis of five LMICs (N ≃ 10 000) and compared with a randomized trial of breastfeeding promotion. Findings Although higher socio-economic position was strongly associated with breastfeeding in ALSPAC, there was little such patterning in Pelotas. In ALSPAC, breastfeeding was associated with lower BP, lower BMI and higher IQ, adjusted for confounders, but in the directions expected if due to socioeconomic patterning. In contrast, in Pelotas, breastfeeding was not strongly associated with BP or BMI but was associated with higher IQ. Differences in associations observed between ALSPAC and the LMIC meta-analysis were in line with those observed between ALSPAC and Pelotas, but with robust evidence of heterogeneity detected between ALSPAC and the LMIC meta-analysis associations. Trial data supported the conclusions inferred by the cross-cohort comparisons, which provided evidence for causal effects on IQ but not for BP or BMI. While reported associations of breastfeeding with child BP and BMI are likely to reflect residual confounding, breastfeeding may have causal effects on IQ. Comparing associations between populations with differing confounding structures can be used to improve causal inference in observational studies.

Mediators of mast cells in bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis.

PubMed

Zebrowska, Agnieszka; Wagrowska-Danilewicz, Malgorzata; Danilewicz, Marian; Stasikowska-Kanicka, Olga; Kulczycka-Siennicka, Lilianna; Wozniacka, Anna; Waszczykowska, Elzbieta

2014-01-01

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are skin diseases associated with inflammation. However, few findings exist concerning the role of mast cells in autoimmune blistering disease. Skin biopsies were taken from 27 BP and 14 DH patients, as well as 20 healthy individuals. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify the localization and mast cell expression of TNFα and MMP9 in skin lesions and perilesional skin. The serum concentrations of TNFα, MMP9, chymase, tryptase, PAF, and IL-4 were measured by immunoassay. TNFα and MMP9 expression in the epidermis and in inflammatory influxed cells in the dermis was detected in skin biopsies from patients. Although these mediators were found to be expressed in the perilesional skin of all patients, the level was much lower than that in lesional skin. Increased serum PAF levels were observed in BP patients. Mast cells may play an essential role in activating inflammation, which ultimately contributes to the tissue damage observed in BP and DH. Our findings suggest that differences in the pattern of cytokine expression directly contribute to variations in cellular infiltration in DH and BP.

Mediators of Mast Cells in Bullous Pemphigoid and Dermatitis Herpetiformis

PubMed Central

Stasikowska-Kanicka, Olga; Kulczycka-Siennicka, Lilianna; Wozniacka, Anna; Waszczykowska, Elzbieta

2014-01-01

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are skin diseases associated with inflammation. However, few findings exist concerning the role of mast cells in autoimmune blistering disease. Skin biopsies were taken from 27 BP and 14 DH patients, as well as 20 healthy individuals. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify the localization and mast cell expression of TNFα and MMP9 in skin lesions and perilesional skin. The serum concentrations of TNFα, MMP9, chymase, tryptase, PAF, and IL-4 were measured by immunoassay. TNFα and MMP9 expression in the epidermis and in inflammatory influxed cells in the dermis was detected in skin biopsies from patients. Although these mediators were found to be expressed in the perilesional skin of all patients, the level was much lower than that in lesional skin. Increased serum PAF levels were observed in BP patients. Mast cells may play an essential role in activating inflammation, which ultimately contributes to the tissue damage observed in BP and DH. Our findings suggest that differences in the pattern of cytokine expression directly contribute to variations in cellular infiltration in DH and BP. PMID:25400334

Modularization and epistatic hierarchy determine homeostatic actions of multiple blood pressure quantitative trait loci.

PubMed

Chauvet, Cristina; Crespo, Kimberley; Ménard, Annie; Roy, Julie; Deng, Alan Y

2013-11-15

Hypertension, the most frequently diagnosed clinical condition world-wide, predisposes individuals to morbidity and mortality, yet its underlying pathological etiologies are poorly understood. So far, a large number of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) have been identified in both humans and animal models, but how they function together in determining overall blood pressure (BP) in physiological settings is unknown. Here, we systematically and comprehensively performed pair-wise comparisons of individual QTLs to create a global picture of their functionality in an inbred rat model. Rather than each of numerous QTLs contributing to infinitesimal BP increments, a modularized pattern arises: two epistatic 'blocks' constitute basic functional 'units' for nearly all QTLs, designated as epistatic module 1 (EM1) and EM2. This modularization dictates the magnitude and scope of BP effects. Any EM1 member can contribute to BP additively to that of EM2, but not to those of the same module. Members of each EM display epistatic hierarchy, which seems to reflect a related functional pathway. Rat homologues of 11 human BP QTLs belong to either EM1 or EM2. Unique insights emerge into the novel genetic mechanism and hierarchy determining BP in the Dahl salt-sensitive SS/Jr (DSS) rat model that implicate a portion of human QTLs. Elucidating the pathways underlying EM1 and EM2 may reveal the genetic regulation of BP.

30 CFR 291.101 - What definitions apply to this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... equipment, device, apparatus, or other object attached to a horizontal component or riser. Examples include...), pipeline end terminals (PLETs), anode sleds, other sleds, and jumpers (other than jumpers connecting subsea...

11. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June ...

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

11. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June 17, 1937 FIREPLACE, NORTH WALL OF NORTH SIDE FRONT ROOM OF MAIN HOUSE. - Wewoka, Riser Mill Road, Sylacauga, Talladega County, AL

46. Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. March ...

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

46. Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. March 28, 1940. RISERS, STAIRWAY TO WEST TOWER. (EAST ELEVATION) - San Xavier del Bac Mission, Mission Road, Tucson, Pima County, AZ

31. Stair Plans / First Floor, Second Floor, Section Stair ...

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

31. Stair Plans / First Floor, Second Floor, Section Stair Bulkhead, F.S. Tread & Riser (drawing 8) - Whittier State School, Hospital & Receiving Building, 11850 East Whittier Boulevard, Whittier, Los Angeles County, CA

14. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June ...

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

14. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June 17, 1937 OLD WATER POWER GRIST MILL, NORTHEAST OF MAIN HOUSE, LOOKING EAST. - Wewoka, Riser Mill Road, Sylacauga, Talladega County, AL

10. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June ...

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

10. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June 17, 1937 FIREPLACE AND MANTEL. SOUTH WALL OF SOUTH FRONT ROOM, FIRST STORY. - Wewoka, Riser Mill Road, Sylacauga, Talladega County, AL

12. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June ...

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

12. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June 17, 1937 FIREPLACE AND MANTEL, SOUTH WALL OF SOUTH SIDE ROOM, SECOND STORY. - Wewoka, Riser Mill Road, Sylacauga, Talladega County, AL

40 CFR 745.82 - Applicability.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

..., such as the individual stair treads and risers of a single staircase, the renovator is required to test... occur in the owner's residence, no child under age 6 resides there, no pregnant woman resides there, the...

Molecular cloning and promoter analysis of squalene synthase and squalene epoxidase genes from Betula platyphylla.

PubMed

Zhang, Mengyan; Wang, Siyao; Yin, Jing; Li, Chunxiao; Zhan, Yaguang; Xiao, Jialei; Liang, Tian; Li, Xin

2016-09-01

Betula platyphylla is a rich repository of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites known as birch triterpenoids (TBP). Here, we cloned the squalene synthase (SS) and squalene epoxidase genetic (SE) sequences from B. platyphylla that encode the key enzymes that are involved in triterpenoid biosynthesis and analyzed the conserved domains and phylogenetics of their corresponding proteins. The full-length sequence of BpSS is 1588 bp with a poly-A tail, which contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1241 bp that encoded a protein of 413 amino acids. Additionally, the BpSE full-length sequence of 2040 bp with a poly-A tail was also obtained, which contained an ORF of 1581 bp encoding a protein of 526 amino acids. Their organ-specific expression patterns in 4-week-old tissue culture seedlings of B. platyphylla were detected by real-time PCR and showed that they were all highly expressed in leaves, as compared to stem and root tissues. Additionaly, both BpSS and BpSE were enhanced following stimulation with ethephon and MeJA. The expression of BpSS was enhanced by ABA, whereas BpSE was not. The SA treatment did not affect the BpSS and BpSE transcripts notably. Using a genome walking approach, promoter sequences of 965 and 1193 bp, respectively, for BpSS and BpSE were isolated, and they revealed several key cis-regulatory elements known to be involved in the response to phytohormone and abiotic plant stress. We also found that the BpSS protein is localized in the cytoplasm. Opening reading frames of BpSS and BpSE were ligated into yeast expression plasmid pYES2 under control of GAL1 promoter and introduced into the yeast INVScl1 strain. The transformants were cultured for 12 h, the squalene content of galactose-induced BpSS expression yeast cells was 13.2 times of control (empty vector control yeast cells) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) test method. And, the squalene epoxidase activity of induced BpSE expression yeast cell was about 11.8 times of control. These indicated that we cloned birch BpSS and BpSE that were indeed involved in the synthesis of triteropenoids. This is the first report wherein SS and SE from B. platyphylla were cloned and may be of significant interest to understand the regulatory role of SS and SE in the triterpenoids biosynthesis of B. platyphylla. This is the first report wherein SS and SE from B. platyphylla were cloned and may be of significant interest to understand the regulatory role of SS and SE in the biosynthesis of birch triterpenoids.

Multi level optimization of burnable poison utilization for advanced PWR fuel management

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yilmaz, Serkan

The objective of this study was to develop an unique methodology and a practical tool for designing burnable poison (BP) pattern for a given PWR core. Two techniques were studied in developing this tool. First, the deterministic technique called Modified Power Shape Forced Diffusion (MPSFD) method followed by a fine tuning algorithm, based on some heuristic rules, was developed to achieve this goal. Second, an efficient and a practical genetic algorithm (GA) tool was developed and applied successfully to Burnable Poisons (BPs) placement optimization problem for a reference Three Mile Island-1 (TMI-1) core. This thesis presents the step by step progress in developing such a tool. The developed deterministic method appeared to perform as expected. The GA technique produced excellent BP designs. It was discovered that the Beginning of Cycle (BOC) Kinf of a BP fuel assembly (FA) design is a good filter to eliminate invalid BP designs created during the optimization process. By eliminating all BP designs having BOC Kinf above a set limit, the computational time was greatly reduced since the evaluation process with reactor physics calculations for an invalid solution is canceled. Moreover, the GA was applied to develop the BP loading pattern to minimize the total Gadolinium (Gd) amount in the core together with the residual binding at End-of-Cycle (EOC) and to keep the maximum peak pin power during core depletion and Soluble boron concentration at BOC both less than their limit values. The number of UO2/Gd2O3 pins and Gd 2O3 concentrations for each fresh fuel location in the core are the decision variables and the total amount of the Gd in the core and maximum peak pin power during core depletion are in the fitness functions. The use of different fitness function definition and forcing the solution movement towards to desired region in the solution space accelerated the GA runs. Special emphasize is given to minimizing the residual binding to increase core lifetime as well as minimizing the total Gd amount in the core. The GA code developed many good solutions that satisfy all of the design constraints. For these solutions, the EOC soluble boron concentration changes from 68.9 to 97.2 ppm. It is important to note that the difference of 28.3 ppm between the best and the worst solution in the good solutions region represent the potential of 12.5 Effective-Full-Power-Day (EPFD) savings in cycle length. As a comparison, the best BP loading design has 97.2 ppm soluble boron concentration at EOC while the BP loading with available vendors' U/Gd FA designs has 94.4 ppm SOB at EOC. It was estimated that the difference of 2.8 ppm reflected the potential savings of 1.25 EFPD in cycle length. Moreover, the total Gd amount was reduced by 6.89% in mass that provided extra savings in fuel cost compared to the BP loading pattern with available vendor's U/Gd FA designs. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Design and Testing of CPAS Main Deployment Bag Energy Modulator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mollmann, Catherine

2017-01-01

During the developmental testing program for CPAS (Capsule Parachute Assembly System), the parachute system for the NASA Orion Crew Module, simulation revealed that high loads may be experienced by the pilot risers during the most devere deployment conditions. As the role of the pilot parachutes is to deploy the main parachutes, these high loads introduced the possibility of main deployment failure. In order to mitigate these high loads, a set of energy modulators was incorporated between the pilot riser and the main deployment bag. An extensive developmental program was implemented to ensure the adequacy of these energy modulators. After initial design comparisons, the energy modulator design was validated through slow-speed joint tests as well as through high-speed bungee tests. This paper documents the design, development, and results of multiple tests completed on the final design.

Relationships between lifestyle patterns and cardio-renal-metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional study

PubMed Central

Ogihara, Takeshi; Osonoi, Yusuke; Osonoi, Takeshi; Saito, Miyoko; Tamasawa, Atsuko; Nakayama, Shiho; Someya, Yuki; Ishida, Hidenori; Gosho, Masahiko; Kanazawa, Akio; Watada, Hirotaka

2017-01-01

Introduction While individuals tend to show accumulation of certain lifestyle patterns, the effect of such patterns in real daily life on cardio-renal—metabolic parameters remains largely unknown. This study aimed to assess clustering of lifestyle patterns and investigate the relationships between such patterns and cardio-renal-metabolic parameters. Participants and methods The study participants were 726 Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients free of history of cardiovascular diseases. The relationship between lifestyle patterns and cardio-renal-metabolic parameters was investigated by linear and logistic regression analyses. Results Factor analysis identified three lifestyle patterns. Subjects characterized by evening type, poor sleep quality and depressive status (type 1 pattern) had high levels of HbA1c, alanine aminotransferase and albuminuria. Subjects characterized by high consumption of food, alcohol and cigarettes (type 2 pattern) had high levels of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, blood pressure, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Subjects characterized by high physical activity (type 3 pattern) had low uric acid and mild elevation of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. In multivariate regression analysis adjusted by age, gender and BMI, type 1 pattern was associated with higher HbA1c levels, systolic BP and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Type 2 pattern was associated with higher HDL-cholesterol levels, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, ɤ- glutamyl transpeptidase levels, and diastolic BP. Conclusions The study identified three lifestyle patterns that were associated with distinct cardio-metabolic-renal parameters in T2DM patients. Trial registration UMIN000010932 PMID:28273173

Spinoff For Deepsea Drillships

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

For deepwater operations the self-propelled oil drillship is employed. This type of vessel resembles a cargo ship except for its large derrick, which supports the drilling equipment. Extending from the drillship to the well thousands of feet steel tube usually one to two feet in diameter. The drilling equipment, or drill string, is lowered to the well through this riser. The riser is not rigid nor strictly vertical; it is described by one expert as "a very long piece of spaghetti," held in tension at the well and at the ship end by strong cables. Obviously, the ship must remain often for months-in a position directly over the well. If it were to drift excessively forward, aft or to either side, its movement could snap the riser and disrupt operations at a cost of millions. That's where space technology is playing a part. The same technology employed to locate a spacecraft in orbit and maintain a precise position is applicable to drillship operation. In space, automatic navigation equipment sights on reference points-the Earth, the sun or other stars--to determine spacecraft location. If the space mission requires the spacecraft to hold a certain position, it is accomplished by the firing of computer- directed control thrusters. Two major aerospace companies- Honeywell Inc. and TRW Inc.-have applied their extensive experience in spacecraft positioning and control to the offshore drilling technique known as dynamic positioning, meaning holding the drillship in precise position over the work site.

Design with constructal theory: Steam generators, turbines and heat exchangers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Yong Sung

This dissertation shows that the architecture of steam generators, steam turbines and heat exchangers for power plants can be predicted on the basis of the constructal law. According to constructal theory, the flow architecture emerges such that it provides progressively greater access to its currents. Each chapter shows how constructal theory guides the generation of designs in pursuit of higher performance. Chapter two shows the tube diameters, the number of riser tubes, the water circulation rate and the rate of steam production are determined by maximizing the heat transfer rate from hot gases to riser tubes and minimizing the global flow resistance under the fixed volume constraint. Chapter three shows how the optimal spacing between adjacent tubes, the number of tubes for the downcomer and the riser and the location of the flow reversal for the continuous steam generator are determined by the intersection of asymptotes method, and by minimizing the flow resistance under the fixed volume constraints. Chapter four shows that the mass inventory for steam turbines can be distributed between high pressure and low pressure turbines such that the global performance of the power plant is maximal under the total mass constraint. Chapter five presents the more general configuration of a two-stream heat exchanger with forced convection of the hot side and natural circulation on the cold side. Chapter six demonstrates that segmenting a tube with condensation on the outer surface leads to a smaller thermal resistance, and generates design criteria for the performance of multi-tube designs.

Comparative effectiveness of a fixed-dose combination of losartan + HCTZ versus bisoprolol + HCTZ in patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension: results of the 6-month ELIZA trial

PubMed Central

Radchenko, GD; Sirenko, YM; Kushnir, SM; Torbas, OO; Dobrokhod, AS

2013-01-01

Background The aim of this study was to compare the antihypertensive efficacy of losartan 100 mg + hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg versus bisoprolol 10 mg + HCTZ 25 mg and their influence on arterial stiffness and central blood pressure (BP). Methods Of 60 patients with a mean BP of 173.3 ± 1.7/98.4 ± 1.2 mmHg, 59 were random-ized to losartan + HCTZ (n = 32) or bisoprolol + HCTZ (n = 27). Amlodipine was added if target BP was not achieved at 1 month, and doxazosin was added if target BP was not achieved after 3 months. Body mass index, office and 24-hour ambulatory BP, pulse wave velocity (carotid-femoral [PWVE] and radial [PWVM]), noninvasive central systolic BP, augmentation index (AIx), laboratory investigations, and electrocardiography were done at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Results Losartan + HCTZ was as effective as bisoprolol + HCTZ, with target office BP achieved in 96.9% and 92.6% of patients and target 24-hour BP in 75% and 66.7% of patients, respectively, after 6 months. Effective treatment of BP led to significant lowering of central systolic BP, but this was decreased to a significantly (P < 0.05) greater extent by losartan + HCTZ (−23.0 ± 2.3 mmHg) than by bisoprolol + HCTZ (−15.4 ± 2.9 mmHg) despite equal lowering of brachial BP. Factors correlated with central systolic BP and its lowering differed between the treatment groups. Losartan + HCTZ did not alter arterial stiffness patterns significantly, but bisoprolol + HCTZ significantly increased AIx. We noted differences in ΔPWVE, ΔPWVM, and ΔAIx between the groups in favor of losartan + HCTZ. Decreased heart rate was associated with higher central systolic BP and AIx in the bisoprolol + HCTZ group, but was not associated with increased AIx in the losartan + HCTZ group. Conclusion Although both treatments decreased both office and 24-hour BP, losartan + HCTZ significantly decreased central systolic BP and had a more positive influence on pulse wave velocity, with a less negative effect of decreased heart rate on AIx and central systolic BP. PMID:24109189

Longitudinal Patterns of Glycemic Control and Blood Pressure in Pregnant Women with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: Phenotypes from Functional Data Analysis.

PubMed

Szczesniak, Rhonda D; Li, Dan; Duan, Leo L; Altaye, Mekibib; Miodovnik, Menachem; Khoury, Jane C

2016-11-01

Objective  To identify phenotypes of type 1 diabetes control and associations with maternal/neonatal characteristics based on blood pressure (BP), glucose, and insulin curves during gestation, using a novel functional data analysis approach that accounts for sparse longitudinal patterns of medical monitoring during pregnancy. Methods  We performed a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of women with type 1 diabetes whose BP, glucose, and insulin requirements were monitored throughout gestation as part of a program-project grant. Scores from sparse functional principal component analysis (fPCA) were used to classify gestational profiles according to the degree of control for each monitored measure. Phenotypes created using fPCA were compared with respect to maternal and neonatal characteristics and outcome. Results  Most of the gestational profile variation in the monitored measures was explained by the first principal component (82-94%). Profiles clustered into three subgroups of high, moderate, or low heterogeneity, relative to the overall mean response. Phenotypes were associated with baseline characteristics, longitudinal changes in glycohemoglobin A1 and weight, and to pregnancy-related outcomes. Conclusion  Three distinct longitudinal patterns of glucose, insulin, and BP control were found. By identifying these phenotypes, interventions can be targeted for subgroups at highest risk for compromised outcome, to optimize diabetes management during pregnancy. Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Long-acting nifedipine for hypertensive patients in the Middle East and Morocco: observations on efficacy and tolerability of monotherapy or combination therapy

PubMed Central

Ghoneim, Raafat AL; Omar, Abdalla Kamal; Sebastian, VJ; Kassab, Roland; Akijian, George; Hafiz, Meryem; Schmidt, Birgit

2013-01-01

Background The Middle Eastern and North African region of developing countries is associated with poor rates of blood pressure (BP) control and antihypertensive prescribing patterns. This post hoc analysis of data from an international observational study aimed to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of long-acting nifedipine (30 mg or 60 mg; monotherapy or in combination) in the Middle Eastern and Moroccan populations defined as having high cardiovascular risk. Methods This was a prospective, noninterventional, multicenter observational study. Observations from patients (aged ≥ 18 years) with treated or untreated hypertension from the Middle East (Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) and Morocco are presented. Hypertension grade and cardiovascular risk were defined at baseline, and systolic/diastolic BP change was defined at post-baseline visits (≤3). Adverse events and ratings of therapy efficacy and patient/physician satisfaction were recorded. Results The study included 1466 patients from the Middle East and 524 from Morocco. Characteristics of the populations differed, with a more severe hypertension profile in Moroccan patients. Despite these differences, nifedipine reduced BP to a similar extent in each group, with efficacy dependent on cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension grade and age. Few adverse drug reactions occurred and nifedipine was well-tolerated in both populations. Efficacy and satisfaction with therapy were rated highly. Conclusion Good rates of BP control were observed with nifedipine in patients with moderate-to-severe hypertension and high added risk. Published data in these countries suggest poor antihypertensive prescribing patterns and BP control; these data confirm this trend and suggest that suboptimal dosing may be prevalent. PMID:23807860

The association of interacting neighborhood gene-environment risk with cortisol and blood pressure in African-American adults

PubMed Central

Coulon, Sandra M.; Wilson, Dawn K.; Van Horn, M. L.; Hand, Gregory A.; Kresovich, Stephen

2016-01-01

Background African-American adults are disproportionately affected by stress-related chronic conditions like high blood pressure (BP), and both environmental stress and genetic risk may play a role in its development. Purpose This study tested whether the dual risk of low neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and glucocorticoid genetic sensitivity interacted to predict waking cortisol and BP. Methods Cross-sectional waking cortisol and BP were collected from 208 African-American adults who were participating in a follow-up visit as part of the Positive Action for Today’s Health trial. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped, salivary cortisol samples were collected, and neighborhood SES was calculated using 2010 Census data. Results The sample was mostly female (65%), with weight classified as overweight or obese (MBMI=32.74, SD=8.88), and a mean age of 55.64 (SD=15.21). The gene-by-neighborhood SES interaction predicted cortisol (B=0.235, p=.001, r2=.036), but not BP. For adults with high genetic risk, waking cortisol was lower with lower SES but higher with higher SES (B=0.87). Lower neighborhood SES was also related to higher systolic BP (B=−0.794, p=.028). Conclusions Findings demonstrated an interaction whereby African-American adults with high genetic sensitivity had high levels of waking cortisol with higher neighborhood SES, and low levels with lower neighborhood SES. This moderation effect is consistent with a differential susceptibility gene-environment pattern, rather than a dual-risk pattern. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence that demonstrates the importance of investigating complex gene-environment relations in order to better understand stress-related health disparities. PMID:26685668

Overtime work and blood pressure in normotensive Japanese male workers.

PubMed

Nakamura, Koshi; Sakurai, Masaru; Morikawa, Yuko; Miura, Katsuyuki; Ishizaki, Masao; Kido, Teruhiko; Naruse, Yuchi; Suwazono, Yasushi; Nakagawa, Hideaki

2012-09-01

Epidemiological studies have observed conflicting patterns as to whether overtime work increases blood pressure (BP), probably as a consequence of methodological issues. We conducted a prospective cohort study to investigate the relationship between overtime work hours and 1-year changes in BP in 1,235 normotensive Japanese male workers who carried out a variety of jobs in a manufacturing factory. Casual BP measurements were repeated at annual health examinations in 2004-2005, using an automatic manometer. An analysis of covariance that incorporated potential confounding factors including baseline age, body mass index (BMI), and lifestyle factors was used to calculate and compare the means of the 1-year change in systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP). The participants were grouped according to their average monthly overtime work hours obtained from timecard data between April and September 2004. The multivariate-adjusted mean for 1-year change in DBP in 611 male assembly-line workers was 1.5 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8-2.2) for <40.0 h/month, 2.3 mm Hg (95% CI 1.3-3.2) for 40.0-79.9 h/month, and 5.3 mm Hg (95% CI 2.7-7.9) for ≥ 80.0 h/month (P for heterogeneity = 0.02). A broadly similar pattern was observed for SBP. In contrast, there was no significant difference in means 1-year change for both SBP and DBP in 315 clerks and 309 engineers/special technicians, grouped according to overtime work hours. Extensive overtime work was associated with increased BP in normotensive male assembly-line workers, but not in clerks and engineers/special technicians.

Dietary sodium restriction restores nocturnal reduction of blood pressure in patients with primary aldosteronism.

PubMed

Takakuwa, Hiroshi; Shimizu, Kazuaki; Izumiya, Yoshiaki; Kato, Tamayo; Nakaya, Izaya; Yokoyama, Hitoshi; Kobayashi, Ken-ichi; Ise, Takuyuki

2002-09-01

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of dietary sodium restriction on diurnal blood pressure (BP) variation in primary aldosteronism. We studied the diurnal variation in the systemic hemodynamic indices and in baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). In 13 subjects with aldosterone-producing adenomas (2 males; mean age, 39+/-2 years), intra-arterial pressure was monitored telemetrically on a normal salt diet (NaCl 10-12 g/day). Non-dippers were defined as those with a nocturnal reduction in systolic BP (SBP) of less than 10% of daytime SBP. Ten subjects showed a non-dipper pattern. Six of these "non-dippers" underwent repetitive hemodynamic studies on the last day of a 1-week low salt diet regimen (NaCl 2-4 g/day). Stroke volume was determined using Wesseling's pulse contour method, calibrated with indocyanine green dilution. BRS was calculated every 30 min as delta pulse interval/delta SBP on spontaneous variations. Nocturnal reduction of SBP was 4.1% on the normal salt diet. With sodium restriction, urinary sodium excretion decreased from 187+/-8 to 46+/-8 mmol/day, and body weight decreased from 57.9+/-2.1 to 56.6+/-1.9 kg. Night-time BP significantly decreased with dietary modification from 154+/-7/88+/-4 to 140+/-6/78+/-4 mmHg, whereas daytime BP was unaltered. With sodium restriction, cardiac index and stroke index decreased throughout the day. No significant difference was seen in either daytime or nighttime BRS between the two diets. We conclude that the non-dipper pattern is common in patients with an aldosterone-producing adenoma on a normal salt intake, and under such conditions, volume expansion appears to play a major role in the impairment of nocturnal BP reduction.

Bullous Pemphigoid

MedlinePlus

... They can be used in combination with potent topical steroid creams for more rapid relief. Oral steroids ( ... reduce the dose of medications to reasonably low levels. BP also often has a pattern of remissions ...

Habitual coffee consumption and 24-h blood pressure control in older adults with hypertension.

PubMed

Lopez-Garcia, Esther; Orozco-Arbeláez, Edilberto; Leon-Muñoz, Luz María; Guallar-Castillon, Pilar; Graciani, Auxiliadora; Banegas, José Ramón; Rodríguez-Artalejo, Fernando

2016-12-01

In normotensive and hypertensive individuals, blood pressure (BP) rises acutely during a few hours following coffee or caffeine consumption. However, the effect of habitual coffee consumption on BP and BP control is uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the association of habitual coffee consumption on 24-h BP and BP control among older adults with hypertension. Data were taken from the Seniors-Study on Nutrition and Cardiovascular Risk in Spain (ENRICA), a cross-sectional study conducted in 2012 among 1164 individuals aged ≥63 years. Habitual coffee consumption was assessed with a validated diet history. BP was recorded by 24-h ambulatory monitoring. Ambulatory hypertension was defined as BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg or being under antihypertensive treatment, and uncontrolled BP was deemed as BP ≥ 130/80 mm Hg among hypertensives. Analyses were performed with linear and logistic regressions adjusted for the main confounders, including diet, time since diagnosis of hypertension and the number of antihypertensive drugs. Among the 715 hypertensive participants, those consuming ≥3 cups of coffee/day showed higher 24-h systolic BP (beta: 3.25 mm Hg, p value = 0.04) and diastolic BP (beta: 2.24 mm Hg, p value = 0.02) than non-coffee drinkers. Compared to non-coffee drinkers, the odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for uncontrolled BP among those consuming 1, 2, and ≥3 cups of coffee/day were, respectively: 1.95 (1.15-3.30), 1.41 (0.75-2.68), and 2.55 (1.28-5.09); p for trend = 0.05. The association was similar among individuals who were smokers, had excess weight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m 2 ), low adherence to the Mediterranean diet, or hypercholesterolemia. No association was found between coffee consumption and having a non-dipper BP pattern (<10% nocturnal decline in BP) among hypertensives. Habitual coffee consumption was associated with uncontrolled BP in a hypertensive older population. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

Multi-system Component Phenotypes of Bipolar Disorder for Genetic Investigations of Extended Pedigrees

PubMed Central

Fears, Scott C.; Service, Susan K.; Kremeyer, Barbara; Araya, Carmen; Araya, Xinia; Bejarano, Julio; Ramirez, Margarita; Castrillón, Gabriel; Gomez-Franco, Juliana; Lopez, Maria C.; Montoya, Gabriel; Montoya, Patricia; Aldana, Ileana; Teshiba, Terri M.; Abaryan, Zvart; Al-Sharif, Noor B.; Ericson, Marissa; Jalbrzikowski, Maria; Luykx, Jurjen J.; Navarro, Linda; Tishler, Todd A.; Altshuler, Lori; Bartzokis, George; Escobar, Javier; Glahn, David C.; Ospina-Duque, Jorge; Risch, Neil; Ruiz-Linares, Andrés; Thompson, Paul M.; Cantor, Rita M.; Lopez-Jaramillo, Carlos; Macaya, Gabriel; Molina, Julio; Reus, Victor I.; Sabatti, Chiara; Freimer, Nelson B.; Bearden, Carrie E.

2014-01-01

IMPORTANCE Genetic factors contribute to risk for bipolar disorder (BP), yet its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. A focus on measuring multi-system quantitative traits that may be components of BP psychopathology may enable genetic dissection of this complex disorder, and investigation of extended pedigrees from genetically isolated populations may facilitate the detection of specific genetic variants that impact on BP as well as its component phenotypes. OBJECTIVE To identify quantitative neurocognitive, temperament-related, and neuroanatomic phenotypes that appear heritable and associated with severe bipolar disorder (BP-I), and therefore suitable for genetic linkage and association studies aimed at identifying variants contributing to BP-I risk. DESIGN Multi-generational pedigree study in two closely related, genetically isolated populations: the Central Valley of Costa Rica (CVCR) and Antioquia, Colombia (ANT). PARTICIPANTS 738 individuals, all from CVCR and ANT pedigrees, of whom 181 are affected with BP-I. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Familial aggregation (heritability) and association with BP-I of 169 quantitative neurocognitive, temperament, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) phenotypes. RESULTS Seventy-five percent (126) of the phenotypes investigated were significantly heritable, and 31% (53) were associated with BP-I. About 1/4 of the phenotypes, including measures from each phenotype domain, were both heritable and associated with BP-I. Neuroimaging phenotypes, particularly cortical thickness in prefrontal and temporal regions, and volume and microstructural integrity of the corpus callosum, represented the most promising candidate traits for genetic mapping related to BP based on strong heritability and association with disease. Analyses of phenotypic and genetic covariation identified substantial correlations among the traits, at least some of which share a common underlying genetic architecture. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This is the most extensive investigation of BP-relevant component phenotypes to date. Our results identify brain and behavioral quantitative traits that appear to be genetically influenced and show a pattern of BP-I-association within families that is consistent with expectations from case-control studies. Together these phenotypes provide a basis for identifying loci contributing to BP-I risk and for genetic dissection of the disorder. PMID:24522887

30. STARBOARD REFUELING STATION STARBOARD LOOKING TO PORT SHOWING ...

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

30. STARBOARD REFUELING STATION - STARBOARD LOOKING TO PORT SHOWING RIGGING, FUEL RISER, SHUT-OFF VALVE, TEST COCK AND PRESSURE GAUGE. - U.S.S. HORNET, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Sinclair Inlet, Bremerton, Kitsap County, WA

48. Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. March ...

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

48. Historic American Buildings Survey, Donald W. Dickensheets, Photographer. March 28, 1940. BURNT BRICK. WALLS, ARCH, RISERS, stairway west tower. (WEST ELEVATION). - San Xavier del Bac Mission, Mission Road, Tucson, Pima County, AZ

[Arterial hypertension, antihypertensive therapy, and visit-to-visit blood pressure variability of elderly nursing home residents].

PubMed

Könner, F; Kuhnert, R; Budnick, A; Kolloch, R; Scholze, J; Dräger, D; Kreutz, R

2014-11-01

Arterial hypertension is a common health problem in older nursing home residents (NHR). The aim of this study was to prospectively analyze blood pressure (BP) patterns, antihypertensive therapy, and visit-to-visit BP variability in NHR. BP, visit-to-visit variability (estimated by standard deviation of means) of systolic BP (SBP) were analyzed in 12 nursing homes in Germany. NHR who were at least 65 years old and had no moderate or severe dementia were studied at baseline (T0), after 3 and 6 months, respectively. BP data were available for 177 NHR (mean age 83.8, 69.5% female) at T0.  A total of 90.4% NHR was affected by hypertension. Mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure was 130,1/75,5 mmHg. BP values of ≥ 140/90 mmHg were found in 29.9%, while 33.9% of NHR exhibited SBP values < 120 mmHg. At least one antihypertensive drug was used in 84.2%, and 40.7% of NHR were treated with at least three different drugs. The median of the visit-to-visit SBP variability was 9.05 (Min. 0, Max. 35.78); an influence of age, sex, and type of antihypertensive medication was not found. Elderly German NHR showed a high prevalence of hypertension and BP was controlled in 80%. However, a large proportion received intensive BP lowering pharmacotherapy and exhibited SBP values clearly lower than recommend target values between 140 and 150 mmHg particularly for elderly patients over 80 years. Thus, to avoid overtreatment BP should be monitored closely to adapt antihypertensive therapy in this population. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Effects of a bacterial probiotic on ruminal pH and volatile fatty acids during subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) in cattle

PubMed Central

GOTO, Hiroko; QADIS, Abdul Qadir; KIM, Yo-Han; IKUTA, Kentaro; ICHIJO, Toshihiro; SATO, Shigeru

2016-01-01

Effects of a bacterial probiotic (BP) on ruminal fermentation and plasma metabolites were evaluated in four Holstein cattle (body weight, 645 ± 62 kg; mean ± SD) with induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). SARA was induced by feeding a SARA-inducing diet, and thereafter, 20, 50 or 100 g per head of a commercial BP was administered for 7 consecutive days during the morning feeding. Cattle without BP served as the control. The 24-hr mean ruminal pH in the control was lower, whereas those in the BP groups administered 20 or 50 g were significantly higher compared to the control from days 2 to 7. Circadian patterns of the 1-hr mean ruminal pH were identical (6.4–6.8) among all cattle receiving BP. Although the mean minimum pH in the control on day –7 and day 0 was <5.8, the pH in the treatment groups on day 7 was >5.8 and significantly higher than that of the control group ( >5.2). Ruminal volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were not affected by BP treatment; however, the BP groups had lower lactic acid levels compared with the control group at 20:00 on day 7. Additionally, non-esterified fatty acid levels decreased from 8:00 to 20:00 in all BP groups on day 7. These results suggest that administration of 20 to 50 g of a multi-strain BP for 7 days might improve the low pH and high lactic acid level of the ruminal fluid in SARA cattle. PMID:27430197

Characterization of optical-surface-imaging-based spirometry for respiratory surrogating in radiotherapy

PubMed Central

Li, Guang; Huang, Hailiang; Chen, Qing; Gaebler, Carl P.; Lin, Tiffany; Yuan, Amy; Rimner, Andreas; Mechalakos, James

2016-01-01

Purpose: To provide a comprehensive characterization of a novel respiratory surrogate that uses optical surface imaging (OSI) for accurate tidal volume (TV) measurement, dynamic airflow (TV′) calculation, and quantitative breathing pattern (BP) estimation during free breathing (FB), belly breathing (BB), chest breathing (CB), and breath hold (BH). Methods: Optical surface imaging, which captures all respiration-induced torso surface motion, was applied to measure respiratory TV, TV′, and BP in three common breathing patterns. Eleven healthy volunteers participated in breathing experiments with concurrent OSI-based and conventional spirometric measurements under an institutional review board approved protocol. This OSI-based technique measures dynamic TV from torso volume change (ΔVtorso = TV) in reference to full exhalation and airflow (TV′ = dTV/dt). Volume conservation, excluding exchanging air, was applied for OSI-based measurements under negligible pleural pressure variation in FB, BB, and CB. To demonstrate volume conservation, a constant TV was measured during BH while the chest and belly are moving (“pretended” respiration). To assess the accuracy of OSI-based spirometry, a conventional spirometer was used as the standard for both TV and TV′. Using OSI, BP was measured as BPOSI = ΔVchest/ΔVtorso and BP can be visualized using BPSHI = SHIchest/(SHIchest + SHIbelly), where surface height index (SHI) is defined as the mean vertical distance within a region of interest on the torso surface. A software tool was developed for OSI image processing, volume calculation, and BP visualization, and another tool was implemented for data acquisition using a Bernoulli-type spirometer. Results: The accuracy of the OSI-based spirometry is −21 ± 33 cm3 or −3.5% ± 6.3% averaged from 11 volunteers with 76 ± 28 breathing cycles on average in FB. Breathing variations between two separate acquisitions with approximate 30-min intervals are substantial: −1% ± 34% (ranging from −64% to 40%) in TV, 4% ± 20% (ranging from −50% to 26%) in breathing period (T), and −1% ± 34% (ranging from −49% to 44%) in BP. The airflow accuracy and variation (between two exercises) are −1 ± 54 cm3/s and −5% ± 30%, respectively. The slope of linear regression between OSI–TV and spirometric TV is 0.93 (R2 = 0.95) for FB, 0.96 (R2 = 0.98) for BB, and 0.95 (R2 = 0.95) for CB. The correlation between the two spirometric measurements is 0.98 ± 0.01. BP increases from BB, FB to CB, while TV increases from FB, BB, to CB. Under BH, 4% volume variation (range) on average was observed. Conclusions: The OSI-based technique provides an accurate measurement of tidal volume, airflow rate, and breathing pattern; all affect internal organ motion. This technique can be applied to various breathing patterns, including FB, BB, and CB. Substantial breathing irregularities and irreproducibility were observed and quantified with the OSI-based technique. These breathing parameters are useful to quantify breathing conditions, which could be used for effective tumor motion predictions. PMID:26936719

Inhibin binding protein in rats: alternative transcripts and regulation in the pituitary across the estrous cycle.

PubMed

Bernard, D J; Woodruff, T K

2001-04-01

Inhibin binding protein (InhBP) and the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) type III receptor, beta glycan, have been identified as putative inhibin coreceptors. Here we cloned the InhBP cDNA in rats and predict that it encodes a large membrane-spanning protein that is part of the Ig superfamily, as has been described for humans. Two abundant InhBP transcripts (4.4 and 1.8 kb) were detected in the adult rat pituitary. The larger transcript encodes the full-length protein while the 1.8-kb transcript (InhBP-short or InhBP-S) corresponds to a splice variant of the receptor. This truncated isoform contains only the N-terminal signal peptide and first two (of 12) Ig-like domains observed in the full-length InhBP (InhBP-long or InhBP-L). InhBP-S does not contain a transmembrane domain and is predicted to be a soluble protein. Beta glycan was also detected in the pituitary; however, it was most abundant within the intermediate lobe. Although we also observed beta glycan immunopositive cells in the anterior pituitary, they rarely colocalized with FSH beta-producing cells. We next examined physiological regulation of the coreceptors across the rat estrous cycle. Like circulating inhibin A and inhibin B levels, pituitary InhBP-L and InhBP-S mRNA levels were dynamically regulated across the cycle and were negatively correlated with serum FSH levels. Expression of both forms of InhBP was also positively correlated with serum inhibin B, but not inhibin A, levels. These data are particularly interesting in light of our in vitro observations that InhBP may function as an inhibin B-specific coreceptor. Pituitary beta glycan mRNA levels did not fluctuate across the cycle nor did they correlate with serum FSH. These observations, coupled with its pattern of expression within the pituitary, indicate that beta glycan likely functions as more than merely an inhibin coreceptor within the pituitary. A direct role for InhBP or beta glycan in regulation of pituitary FSH by inhibin in vivo has yet to be determined, but the demonstration of dynamic regulation of pituitary InhBP and its negative relation to serum FSH across the estrous cycle is an important step in this direction.

Fire and vegetation history on Santa Rosa Island, Channel Islands, and long-term environmental change in southern California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Starratt, Scott W.; Pinter, N.; Anderson, Robert S.; Jass, R.B.

2009-01-01

The long-term history of vegetation and fire was investigated at two locations – Soledad Pond (275 m; from ca. 12 000 cal. a BP) and Abalone Rocks Marsh (0 m; from ca. 7000 cal. a BP) – on Santa Rosa Island, situated off the coast of southern California. A coastal conifer forest covered highlands of Santa Rosa during the last glacial, but by ca. 11 800 cal. a BP Pinus stands, coastal sage scrub and grassland replaced the forest as the climate warmed. The early Holocene became increasingly drier, particularly after ca. 9150 cal. a BP, as the pond dried frequently, and coastal sage scrub covered the nearby hillslopes. By ca. 6900 cal. a BP grasslands recovered at both sites. Pollen of wetland plants became prominent at Soledad Pond after ca. 4500 cal. a BP, and at Abalone Rocks Marsh after ca. 3465 cal. a BP. Diatoms suggest freshening of the Abalone Rocks Marsh somewhat later, probably by additional runoff from the highlands. Introduction of non-native species by ranchers occurred subsequent to AD 1850. Charcoal influx is high early in the record, but declines during the early Holocene when minimal biomass suggests extended drought. A general increase occurs after ca. 7000 cal. a BP, and especially after ca. 4500 cal. a BP. The Holocene pattern closely resembles population levels constructed from the archaeological record, and suggests a potential influence by humans on the fire regime of the islands, particularly during the late Holocene.

Association Between Serum Levels of Uric Acid and Blood Pressure Tracking in Childhood.

PubMed

Park, Bohyun; Lee, Hye Ah; Lee, Sung Hee; Park, Bo Mi; Park, Eun Ae; Kim, Hae Soon; Cho, Su Jin; Park, Hyesook

2017-07-01

Recent studies suggest that high levels of serum uric acid of very early life are a result of the in-utero environment and may lead to elevated blood pressure (BP) in adulthood. However, serum uric acid levels can change throughout life. We investigated the effect of serum uric acid levels in childhood on the BP tracking and analysed BP according to changes in serum uric acid levels in early life. A total of 449 children from the Ewha Birth and Growth Cohort study underwent at least 2 follow-up examinations. Data were collected across 3 check-up cycles. Serum uric acid levels, BP, and anthropometric characteristics were assessed at 3, 5, and 7 years of age. Children with a serum uric acid level higher than the median values had significantly increased systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP at 3 years of age. Baseline serum uric acid levels measured at 3 years of age, significantly affected subsequent BP in the sex and body mass index adjusted longitudinal data analysis (P < 0.05). Considering the changing pattern of serum uric acid over time, subjects with high uric acid levels at both 3 and 5 years of age had the highest SBP at 7 years of age. These findings suggest the importance of maintaining an adequate level of serum uric acids from the early life. Appropriate monitoring and intervention of uric acid levels in a high-risk group can reduce the risk of a future increased BP. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2017. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Correlations between skin blood perfusion values and nailfold capillaroscopy scores in systemic sclerosis patients.

PubMed

Ruaro, B; Sulli, A; Pizzorni, C; Paolino, S; Smith, V; Cutolo, M

2016-05-01

To correlate blood perfusion (BP) values assessed by laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) in selected skin areas of hands and face with nailfold capillary damage scores in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Seventy SSc patients (mean SSc duration 6 ± 5 years) and 70 volunteer healthy subjects were enrolled after informed consent. LASCA was performed at different areas of the face (forehead, tip of nose, zygomas and perioral region) and at dorsal and volar regions of hands. Microvascular damage was assessed and scored by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) and the microangiopathy evolution score (MES) was calculated. SSc patients showed a significantly lower BP than healthy subjects at fingertips, periungual areas and palm of hands (p<0.0001), but not at the level of face and dorsum of hands. A gradual decrease of BP at fingertips, periungual and palm areas, was found in SSc patients with progressive severity of NVC patterns of microangiopathy ("early", "active", or "late") (p<0.01). A negative correlation was observed between MES and BP values, as well as between loss of capillaries and BP, at the same areas (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). Patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) showed lower BP than those with limited cutaneous SSc (p<0.04). LASCA detects a significant reduction of BP only in those areas usually affected by Raynaud's phenomenon (fingertips, periungual and palm areas), especially in dcSSc patients, and BP values significantly correlate with the nailfold capillaroscopy scores of microangiopathy. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

LiDAR-Assisted identification of an active fault near Truckee, California

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hunter, L.E.; Howle, J.F.; Rose, R.S.; Bawden, G.W.

2011-01-01

We use high-resolution (1.5-2.4 points/m2) bare-earth airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) imagery to identify, map, constrain, and visualize fault-related geomorphology in densely vegetated terrain surrounding Martis Creek Dam near Truckee, California. Bare-earth LiDAR imagery reveals a previously unrecognized and apparently youthful right-lateral strike-slip fault that exhibits laterally continuous tectonic geomorphic features over a 35-km-long zone. If these interpretations are correct, the fault, herein named the Polaris fault, may represent a significant seismic hazard to the greater Truckee-Lake Tahoe and Reno-Carson City regions. Three-dimensional modeling of an offset late Quaternary terrace riser indicates a minimum tectonic slip rate of 0.4 ?? 0.1 mm/yr.Mapped fault patterns are fairly typical of regional patterns elsewhere in the northern Walker Lane and are in strong coherence with moderate magnitude historical seismicity of the immediate area, as well as the current regional stress regime. Based on a range of surface-rupture lengths and depths to the base of the seismogenic zone, we estimate a maximum earthquake magnitude (M) for the Polaris fault to be between 6.4 and 6.9.

D-dimer, factor VIII and von Willebrand factor predict a non-dipping pattern of blood pressure in hypertensive patients.

PubMed

Agorasti, Athanasia; Trivellas, Theodoros; Mourvati, Efthimia; Papadopoulos, Vasilios; Tsatalas, Konstantinos; Vargemezis, Vasilios; Passadakis, Ploumis

2013-06-01

The aim of this study is to assess whether the haemostatic markers D-dimer, factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (VWF) are predictive of non-dipping status in treated hypertensive patients; so, as easy available laboratory data can predict non-dipping pattern and help with the selection of the patients whom circadian blood pressure should be re-examined. Forty treated hypertensive patients with essential hypertension were included in the study. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed in all patients. Daytime and nocturnal average systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressures were calculated. Patients were characterised as "non-dippers" on the basis of a less than 10 % decline in nocturnal blood pressure (BP); either systolic or diastolic or mean (MAP). D-dimer as marker of fibrinolytic function, FVIII activity and VWF antigen as marker of endothelial dysfunction were measured on plasma. The predictive efficiency was analysed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Youden index was used for the estimation of the cut-off points and the associated values for sensitivity and 1-specificity. Plasma levels of D-dimer, FVIII and VWF were significantly higher in non-dippers as compared with dippers, irrespective of the classification used (BP index); all P < 0.05. The ROC curves indicated a good diagnostic efficiency for D-dimer (AUC(ROC) = 0.697, 0.715 and 0.774), FVIII (AUC(ROC) = 0.714, 0.692 and 0.755) and VWF (AUC(ROC) = 0.706, 0.740 and 0.708) in distinguishing non-dipping pattern (systolic, diastolic or mean) in the study population; all P < 0.05. Among the three haemostatic markers, D-dimer presents the most satisfactory sensitivity/1-specificity for the differentiation of non-dippers, with a cut-off point >168 ng/ml (sensitivity/1-specificity for systolic BP non-dippers of 0.789/0.381, for diastolic BP non-dippers 0.923/0.444 and for MAP non-dippers 0.875/0.375). In conclusion, D-dimer has a good predictive value for non-dipping pattern and the decision for the 24-h ambulatory blood pressure re-monitoring among dippers could rely on its values.

Insulin-like growth factors I and II in starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus): molecular cloning and differential expression during embryonic development.

PubMed

Xu, Yongjiang; Zang, Kun; Liu, Xuezhou; Shi, Bao; Li, Cunyu; Shi, Xueying

2015-02-01

In order to elucidate the possible roles of insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II) in the embryonic development of Platichthys stellatus, their cDNAs were isolated and their spatial expression pattern in adult organs and temporal expression pattern throughout embryonic development were examined by quantitative real-time PCR assay. The IGF-I cDNA sequence was 1,268 bp in length and contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 558 bp, which encoded 185 amino acid residues. With respect to IGF-II, the full-length cDNA was 899 bp in length and contained a 648-bp ORF, which encoded 215 amino acid residues. The amino acid sequences of IGF-I and IGF-II exhibited high identities with their fish counterparts. The highest IGF-I mRNA level was found in the liver for both sexes, whereas the IGF-II gene was most abundantly expressed in female liver and male liver, gill, and brain. The sex-specific and spatial expression patterns of IGF-I and IGF-II mRNAs are thought to be related to the sexually dimorphic growth and development of starry flounder. Both IGF-I and IGF-II mRNAs were detected in unfertilized eggs, which indicated that IGF-I and IGF-II were parentally transmitted. Nineteen embryonic development stages were tested. IGF-I mRNA level remained high from unfertilized eggs to low blastula followed by a significant decrease at early gastrula and then maintained a lower level. In contrast, IGF-II mRNA level was low from unfertilized eggs to high blastula and peaked at low blastula followed by a gradual decrease. Moreover, higher levels of IGF-I mRNA than that of IGF-II were found from unfertilized eggs to high blastula, vice versa from low blastula to newly hatched larva, and the different expression pattern verified the differential roles of IGF-I and IGF-II in starry flounder embryonic development. These results could help in understanding the endocrine mechanism involved in the early development and growth of starry flounder.

Essential pediatric hypertension: defining the educational needs of primary care pediatricians.

PubMed

Cha, Stephen D; Chisolm, Deena J; Mahan, John D

2014-07-27

In order to better understand the educational needs regarding appropriate recognition, diagnosis and management of pediatric hypertension (HTN), we asked practicing pediatricians questions regarding their educational needs and comfort level on this topic. We conducted 4 focus group sessions that included 27 participants representing pediatric residents, adolescent medicine physicians, clinic based pediatricians and office based pediatricians. Each focus group session lasted for approximately an hour and 90 pages of total transcriptions were produced verbatim from audio recordings. Four reviewers read each transcript and themes were elucidated from these transcripts. Overall, 5 major themes related to educational needs and clinical concerns were found: utilization of resources to define blood pressure (BP), correct BP measurement method(s), co-morbidities, barriers to care, and experience level with HTN. Six minor themes were also identified: differences in BP measurement, accuracy of BP, recognition of HTN, practice pattern of care, education of families and patients, and differences in level of training. The focus group participants were also questioned on their preferences regarding educational methods (i.e. e-learning, small group sessions, self-study, large group presentations) and revealed varied teaching and learning preferences. There are multiple methods to approach education regarding pediatric HTN for primary care pediatricians based on provider preferences and multiple educational activities should be pursued to achieve best outcomes. Based on this data, the next direction will be to develop and deliver multiple educational methods and to evaluate the impact on practice patterns of care for children and adolescents with HTN.

Pattern of blood pressure and hypertension in adolescents in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

PubMed

Okpere, A N; Anochie, I C; Eke, F U

2013-01-01

The rate and prevalence of hypertension in children is increasing. Childhood hypertensionif untreated can lead to hypertension in adulthood with its consequent cardiovascular and renal complications. Early detection of paediatric hypertension may lead to improvement in cardiovascular health in adults. This study aims to determine the blood pressure (BP) pattern and prevalence of hypertension in asymptomatic secondary school children and factors associated with hypertension in these adolescents. A cross-sectional study of 820 adolescents selected from 12 secondary schools in Port Harcourt was conducted. BP was measured by the auscultatory method. The average of three readings was taken as the actual blood pressure. Hypertension was defined as systolic and/or diastolic blood pressures equal to or greater than the 95th percentile for age, sex and height. Data was analysed using SPSS version 17.0. Systolic and diastolic BP increased with age in all subjects. Male subjects had a higher systolic BP compared to females. Hypertension was seen in 26 (3.2%) subjects; 13 males and 13 females. The proportional prevalence was higher in the age group 15-17 years (3.9%); in those in social classes V (9.1%) and with family history of hypertension (3.6%), (p à 0.05 in all cases). It was however significantly higher in the obese subjects (p = 0.000). The prevalence of hypertension in adolescents in Port Harcourt is high and is strongly associated with obesity. We recommend blood pressure measurement as part of the school health programme in secondary schools.

5. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June ...

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

5. Historic American Buildings Survey E. W. Russell, Photographer, June 17, 1937 CLOSEUP OF THE LOWER SECTION OF FIRST STORY WINDOW ON FRONT, SHOWING SHUTTER AND HINGE. - Wewoka, Riser Mill Road, Sylacauga, Talladega County, AL

21. Historic American Buildings Survey, W. Jeter Eason Deputy District ...

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

21. Historic American Buildings Survey, W. Jeter Eason- Deputy District Officer, Photographer November 21, 1936 DETAIL OF DECORATIVE STAIR RISERS. - The Hermitage, U.S. Highway 70 North (4580 Rachel's Lane), Nashville, Davidson County, TN

Installation of surface-mounted flat-conductor cable

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carden, J. R.

1976-01-01

Guide describes step-by-step process for installation of interior surface-mounted FCC used in commerical and residential buildings. Photographs illustrate how cable-riser and baseboard covers are installed as well as receptacle assembly and receptacle-cover replacement.

The effects of two different water management regimes on flooding and mosquito production in a salt marsh impoundment.

PubMed

Carlson, D B; Vigliano, R R

1985-06-01

Over two years, the management regimes of: 1) opening a southeast Florida salt marsh impoundment to the adjacent estuary with culverts through the dike, then, 2) passively retaining water with flapgate risers was studied to determine the effects on marsh flooding and resultant mosquito production. Larval dipping demonstrated that all broods occurred at elevations of 0.25-0.90 ft (= 0.08-0.27 m) NGVD. Mosquito production differed significantly between some sampling quadrats and 65 (out of 75) broods were produced in the spring and summer from rainfall. Without artificial pumping, trapping of rainfall with flapgate risers aided in eliminating oviposition sites but still allowed mosquito production in some marsh locations. Even though tidal flooding permitted larvivorous fish access to mosquito larvae, they were not able to provide adequate control to eliminate larviciding.

Dynamic Responses of Flexible Cylinders with Low Mass Ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Olaoye, Abiodun; Wang, Zhicheng; Triantafyllou, Michael

2017-11-01

Flexible cylinders with low mass ratios such as composite risers are attractive in the offshore industry because they require lower top tension and are less likely to buckle under self-weight compared to steel risers. However, their relatively low stiffness characteristics make them more vulnerable to vortex induced vibrations. Additionally, numerical investigation of the dynamic responses of such structures based on realistic conditions is limited by high Reynolds number, complex sheared flow profile, large aspect ratio and low mass ratio challenges. In the framework of Fourier spectral/hp element method, the current technique employs entropy-viscosity method (EVM) based large-eddy simulation approach for flow solver and fictitious added mass method for structure solver. The combination of both methods can handle fluid-structure interaction problems at high Reynolds number with low mass ratio. A validation of the numerical approach is provided by comparison with experiments.

MFIX simulation of NETL/PSRI challenge problem of circulating fluidized bed

DOE PAGES

Li, Tingwen; Dietiker, Jean-François; Shahnam, Mehrdad

2012-12-01

In this paper, numerical simulations of NETL/PSRI challenge problem of circulating fluidized bed (CFB) using the open-source code Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchange (MFIX) are reported. Two rounds of simulation results are reported including the first-round blind test and the second-round modeling refinement. Three-dimensional high fidelity simulations are conducted to model a 12-inch diameter pilot-scale CFB riser. Detailed comparisons between numerical results and experimental data are made with respect to axial pressure gradient profile, radial profiles of solids velocity and solids mass flux along different radial directions at various elevations for operating conditions covering different fluidization regimes. Overall, the numericalmore » results show that CFD can predict the complex gas–solids flow behavior in the CFB riser reasonably well. In addition, lessons learnt from modeling this challenge problem are presented.« less

Advances of two-stage riser catalytic cracking of heavy oil for maximizing propylene yield (TMP) process.

PubMed

Chaohe, Yang; Xiaobo, Chen; Jinhong, Zhang; Chunyi, Li; Honghong, Shan

Two-stage riser catalytic cracking of heavy oil for maximizing propylene yield (TMP) process proposed by State Key Laboratory of Heavy oil Processing, China University of Petroleum, can remarkably enhance the propylene yield and minimize the dry gas and coke yields, and obtain high-quality light oils (gasoline and diesel). It has been commercialized since 2006. Up to now, three TMP commercial units have been put into production and other four commercial units are under design and construction. The commercial data showed that taking paraffinic based Daqing (China) atmospheric residue as the feedstock, the propylene yield reached 20.31 wt%, the liquid products yield (the total yield of liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, and diesel) was 82.66 wt%, and the total yield of dry gas and coke was 14.28 wt%. Moreover, the research octane number of gasoline could be up to 96.

Too much FCC catalyst activity can cut yields

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

Wichers, W.R.; Upson, L.

1984-03-19

For many people working in the field of catalytic cracking, high equilibrium catalyst activity is inherently good. It is surprising how many times this line of reasoning is accepted by the refiner. There also seems to be something psychologically satisfying in seeing an equilibrium catalyst report where the catalyst activity is reported as a high number. Generally, everyone is happy when the reported activity of equilibrium catalyst is increasing and unhappy when it is going down. In the past, increasing catalyst activity did result in improved operations. For units that operated with substantial amounts of bed cracking, higher activity catalystmore » allowed the amount of bed cracking to be reduced and the relative amount of cracking that occurred in the riser to be increased. The switch from bed to riser cracking decreased catalytic coke make and gasoline overcracking, thus reducing regenerator temperature and improving gasoline yields.« less

A retrospective cohort mortality study of blending and packaging workers of Mobil Corporation.

PubMed

Collingwood, K W; Milcarek, B I; Raabe, G K

1991-01-01

This retrospective cohort mortality study examined 2,467 workers in lubrication products blending and packaging (B&P) operations at two refineries of Mobil Corporation between January 1, 1945 and December 31, 1978. Ninety-seven percent were male. Compared with U.S. males, there were significantly fewer deaths observed among males due to all causes, external causes, and diseases of the circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and genitourinary systems. Deaths observed from all cancer were fewer than expected, although not statistically significant. No statistically significant excess cause-specific mortality occurred at B&P facilities combined or separately. Nonsignificant increases in mortality were observed for cancers of the stomach, large intestine, prostate, the category of "other lymphatic tissue" cancer, and leukemia and aleukemia. Analyses demonstrated a statistically significant pattern of increasing SMR with employment duration for "other lymphatic tissue" cancer. Within the highest cumulative duration of employment category, the excess was confined to workers after 30 or more years since first employment. Although the interpretation of cancer mortality patterns is limited due to small numbers of deaths, the absence of associations with specific B&P departments is evidence against a causal interpretation.

Skin tissue generation by laser cell printing.

PubMed

Koch, Lothar; Deiwick, Andrea; Schlie, Sabrina; Michael, Stefanie; Gruene, Martin; Coger, Vincent; Zychlinski, Daniela; Schambach, Axel; Reimers, Kerstin; Vogt, Peter M; Chichkov, Boris

2012-07-01

For the aim of ex vivo engineering of functional tissue substitutes, Laser-assisted BioPrinting (LaBP) is under investigation for the arrangement of living cells in predefined patterns. So far three-dimensional (3D) arrangements of single or two-dimensional (2D) patterning of different cell types have been presented. It has been shown that cells are not harmed by the printing procedure. We now demonstrate for the first time the 3D arrangement of vital cells by LaBP as multicellular grafts analogous to native archetype and the formation of tissue by these cells. For this purpose, fibroblasts and keratinocytes embedded in collagen were printed in 3D as a simple example for skin tissue. To study cell functions and tissue formation process in 3D, different characteristics, such as cell localisation and proliferation were investigated. We further analysed the formation of adhering and gap junctions, which are fundamental for tissue morphogenesis and cohesion. In this study, it was demonstrated that LaBP is an outstanding tool for the generation of multicellular 3D constructs mimicking tissue functions. These findings are promising for the realisation of 3D in vitro models and tissue substitutes for many applications in tissue engineering. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Precipitation change and its effects on prehistorical human activities in the Gonghe Basin, Northeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau during middle and late Holocene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hou, Xiaoqing; Hou, Guangliang; Wang, Fangfang; Wang, Qingbo

2018-02-01

Northeastern Qinghai-tibet Plateau is considered as the ideal region for study of the climate change during the Holocene. Based on the meteorological data, the surface & fossil pollen data, this paper reconstructed the precipitation series of the region since middle Holocene with the GIS and MAT techniques, and discussed its relationship with prehistorical human activities. The results indicate that there are four major climatic phases: (I) Middle Holocene Humid Phase (6300-5000 aBP), with the primitive millet-farming first imported into the region; (II) Late Middle Holocene Sub-humid Phase (5000-3900 aBP), with the millet-farming spread rapidly within the region; (III) Late Holocene Fluctuation Phase (3900-2900 aBP), with the mean annual precipitation dropped down to lower than 240 mm, and a production mode-shift to a combination of cropping and husbandry; (IV) Late Holocene Stationary Phase (2900-0 aBP), with a precipitation alike the modern time, and a steady farming-pastoral economic pattern.

Distribution of subcutaneous fat and the relationship with blood pressure in obese children and adolescents in Shandong, China.

PubMed

Zhang, Ying-xiu; Wang, Shu-rong

2015-03-01

The association between elevated blood pressure (BP) and childhood obesity has been documented in several studies. However, the association between BP and body fat distribution in obese children remains poorly understood. We examined the distribution of subcutaneous fat and its association with BP in obese children and adolescents. Data for this study were obtained from a large cross-sectional survey of school children. A total of 38,873 students (19,485 boys and 19,388 girls) aged 7-17 years participated in this study. Height, weight, BP, subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses (SFT) of all subjects were measured. Obesity was defined by using body mass index (BMI) criteria recommended by the Working Group on Obesity in China. A total of 3,579 obese children and adolescents (2,367 boys and 1,212 girls) were examined. Most of the obese children and adolescents had high subcutaneous fat. However, a small number of the obese individuals had a lower SFT levels. Obese children and adolescents with high SFT and central distribution had higher BP levels than those with low SFT and peripheral distribution. Obese children and adolescents assessed by BMI might not necessarily have a high SFT level. The BP level of obese individuals is associated with the level and distribution pattern of SFT. Additional measurement of SFT is better than BMI alone to help identify high BP risks. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Higher 5-HT1A autoreceptor binding as an endophenotype for major depressive disorder identified in high risk offspring - A pilot study.

PubMed

Milak, Matthew S; Pantazatos, Spiro; Rashid, Rain; Zanderigo, Francesca; DeLorenzo, Christine; Hesselgrave, Natalie; Ogden, R Todd; Oquendo, Maria A; Mulhern, Stephanie T; Miller, Jeffrey M; Burke, Ainsley K; Parsey, Ramin V; Mann, J John

2018-04-13

Higher serotonin-1A (5-HT 1A ) receptor binding potential (BP F ) has been found in major depressive disorder (MDD) during and between major depressive episodes. We investigated whether higher 5-HT 1A binding is a biologic trait transmitted to healthy high risk (HR) offspring of MDD probands. Data were collected contemporaneously from: nine HR, 30 depressed not-recently medicated (NRM) MDD, 18 remitted NRM MDD, 51 healthy volunteer (HV) subjects. Subjects underwent positron emission tomography (PET) using [ 11 C]WAY100635 to quantify 5-HT 1A BP F , estimated using metabolite, free fraction-corrected arterial input function and cerebellar white matter as reference region. Multivoxel pattern analyses (MVPA) of PET data evaluated group status classification of individuals. When tested across 13 regions of interest, an effect of diagnosis is found on BP F which remains significant after correction for sex, age, injected mass and dose: HR have higher BP F than HV (84.3% higher in midbrain raphe, 40.8% higher in hippocampus, mean BP F across all 13 brain regions is 49.9% ± 11.8% higher). Voxel-level BP F maps distinguish HR vs. HV. Elevated 5-HT 1A BP F appears to be a familially transmitted trait abnormality. Future studies are needed to replicate this finding in a larger cohort and demonstrate the link to the familial transmission of mood disorders. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Were they all giants? Perspectives on late Holocene plate-boundary earthquakes at the northern end of the Cascadia subduction zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hutchinson, Ian; Clague, John

2017-08-01

The relative magnitude of plate-boundary earthquakes at the northern end of the Cascadia subduction zone was assessed from the temporal concordance between the ages of coseismically buried late Holocene soils in southwest Washington, their counterparts in central and southern Cascadia, offshore turbidites, and paleoseismic deposits on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Only three of the seven buried soils in southwest Washington that can be reliably traced as buried soils or paleotsunami deposits in the coastal lowlands of south-central and southern Cascadia have well-dated counterparts in northern Cascadia. The three wide-ranging events date from Cascadia earthquakes Y (∼250 cal BP), U (∼1260 cal BP), and N (∼2520 cal BP). All three likely ruptured the entire plate margin, and therefore potentially qualify as ;giants; (Mw ≥ 9). Deposits that may derive from tsunamis generated by earthquakes S (∼1570 cal BP), L (∼2870 cal BP) and J (∼3360 cal BP) can also be found in northern Cascadia, but the ages of these deposits are not yet well-enough constrained to determine whether they are coeval with their southern counterparts. Earthquake W (∼850 cal BP), appears to be present in the northern Cascadia paleoseismic record, but yields considerably older ages than in central Cascadia, and may be missing from southernmost Cascadia. The onshore record of an offshore turbidite (T2) displays a similar spatio-temporal pattern to that of earthquake W.

Graded Association Between Kidney Function and Impaired Orthostatic Blood Pressure Stabilization in Older Adults.

PubMed

Canney, Mark; O'Connell, Matthew D L; Sexton, Donal J; O'Leary, Neil; Kenny, Rose Anne; Little, Mark A; O'Seaghdha, Conall M

2017-05-04

Impaired orthostatic blood pressure (BP) stabilization is highly prevalent in older adults and is a predictor of end-organ injury, falls, and mortality. We sought to characterize the relationship between postural BP responses and the kidney. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 4204 participants from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, a national cohort of community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years. Beat-to-beat systolic and diastolic BP were measured during a 2-minute active stand test. The primary predictor was cystatin C estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) categorized as follows (mL/min per 1.73 m 2 ): ≥90 (reference, n=1414); 75 to 89 (n=1379); 60 to 74 (n=942); 45 to 59 (n=337); <45 (n=132). We examined the association between eGFR categories and (1) sustained orthostatic hypotension, defined as a BP drop exceeding consensus thresholds (systolic BP drop ≥20 mm Hg±diastolic BP drop ≥10 mm Hg) at each 10-second interval from 60 to 110 seconds inclusive; (2) pattern of BP stabilization, characterized as the difference from baseline in mean systolic BP/diastolic BP at 10-second intervals. The mean age of subjects was 61.6 years; 47% of subjects were male, and the median eGFR was 82 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 . After multivariable adjustment, participants with eGFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m 2 were approximately twice as likely to have sustained orthostatic hypotension ( P =0.008 for trend across eGFR categories). We observed a graded association between eGFR categories and impaired orthostatic BP stabilization, particularly within the first minute of standing. We report a novel, graded relationship between diminished eGFR and impaired orthostatic BP stabilization. Mapping the postural BP response merits further study in kidney disease as a potential means of identifying those at risk of hypotension-related events. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

The late Wisconsinan and Holocene record of Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) from North America: A review with new data from Arctic and Atlantic Canada

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dyke, A.S.; Hooper, J.; Harington, C.R.; Savelle, J.M.

1999-01-01

The Late Wisconsinan and Holocene record of the Atlantic walrus is known from numerous collections of bones and tusks from Arctic Canada and south to North Carolina, as well as from many archaeological sites in the Arctic and Subarctic. In contrast, the Pacific walrus has no dated Late Wisconsinan or early Holocene record in North America, and it may have been displaced into the northwest Pacific at Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The Atlantic walrus rapidly exploited newly deglaciated territory, moving northward from its LGM refugium and reaching the Bay of Fundy by 12800 B.P., the Grand Banks by 12500 B.P., southern Labrador by 11500 B.P., and the central Canadian Arctic Archipelago (CAA) by 9700 B.P. Its southern range limit may have retracted to the Bay of Fundy by ca. 7500 B.P. Within the CAA, walrus remains cluster in two main age groups: 9700 to 8500 B.P. and 5000 to 4/3000 B.P. This pattern strongly resembles the distribution of bowhead whale radiocarbon ages from the same area, which suggests a common control by sea-ice conditions. Walrus remains occur in Indian culture archaeological sites as old as 7500 B.P. and, in some cases (Namu, British Columbia, and Mackinac Island, Michigan), they evidently represent long-distance human transport. They are much more common in Paleoeskimo and Neoeskimo culture sites. However, they occur in very low abundances, and generally as debitage, in sites older than Dorset (2500 B.P.). The walrus, therefore, may not have been hunted by early Paleoeskimos. Beginning with Early Dorset, walrus remains occur in definite diet-related contexts. Middle Dorset (2300 to 1500 B.P.) and late Thule (<400 B.P.) sites are missing from the High Arctic, and there may be a similar gap in the middle Pre-Dorset (3400 to 2600 B.P.). Sea-ice conditions at these times may have adversely affected availability of walrus and other marine mammal resources. Walrus is a prominent faunal element in Middle Dorset sites on the Labrador coast; this is consistent with a southward displacement of people and resources.

Understanding trends in blood pressure and their associations with body mass index in Chinese children, from 1985 to 2010: a cross-sectional observational study.

PubMed

Dong, Bin; Wang, Zhiqiang; Song, Yi; Wang, Hai-Jun; Ma, Jun

2015-09-11

Understanding trends in blood pressure (BP) in childhood is crucial to addressing and reducing the burden of adulthood hypertension and associated mortality in the future. In view of growing obesity in Chinese children, we sought to investigate the trends in BP and the influence of body mass index (BMI) on them. We included 1,010,153 children aged 8-17 years, with completed records from a large national successive cross-sectional survey, the Chinese National Survey on Students' Constitution and Health, between 1985 and 2010. BP was measured according to the recommendation of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Working Group, and the elevated BP was based on sex-, age- and height-specific 95th centile of the recommendation. The adjusted mean systolic BP in boys and girls decreased by 3.9 and 5.6 mm Hg between 1985 and 2005, and increased by 1.3 and 1.0 mm Hg between 2005 and 2010, respectively. Corresponding adjusted prevalence of elevated systolic BP in boys and girls declined from 5.1% and 5.5% to 3.5% and 2.5% between 1985 and 2005, and increased to 4.9% and 3.5% in 2010, respectively. Adjusted mean BMI of boys and girls in 2010 was 2.0 and 1.2 kg/m(2) higher than those in 1985, respectively. The prevalence of obesity rose from 0% to 3.4% in boys and 0.9% in girls. Further adjusting for BMI did not change these trends in systolic BP. A similar pattern was also observed in diastolic BP. After declining for 20 years, BP levels in Chinese children started to climb upwards. These trends in BP cannot be fully explained by BMI. The investigation of other determinants of BP may provide additional opportunity to curb the current upward BP trend in Chinese children. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Apoptosis Induced by the UV Filter Benzophenone-3 in Mouse Neuronal Cells Is Mediated via Attenuation of Erα/Pparγ and Stimulation of Erβ/Gpr30 Signaling.

PubMed

Wnuk, A; Rzemieniec, J; Lasoń, W; Krzeptowski, W; Kajta, M

2018-03-01

Although benzophenone-3 (BP-3) has frequently been reported to play a role in endocrine disruption, there is insufficient data regarding the impact of BP-3 on the nervous system, including its possible adverse effects on the developing brain. Our study demonstrated that BP-3 caused neurotoxicity and activated apoptosis via an intrinsic pathway involving the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspases-9 and -3 and kinases p38/MAPK and Gsk3β. These biochemical alterations were accompanied by ROS production, increased apoptotic body formation and impaired cell survival, and by an upregulation of the genes involved in apoptosis. The BP-3-induced effects were tissue-specific and age-dependent with the most pronounced effects observed in neocortical cells at 7 days in vitro. BP-3 changed the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of Erα, Erβ, Gpr30, and Pparγ in a time-dependent manner. At 3 h of exposure, BP-3 downregulated estrogen receptor mRNAs but upregulated Pparγ mRNA. After prolonged exposures, BP-3 downregulated the receptor mRNAs except for Erβ mRNA that was upregulated. The BP-3-induced patterns of mRNA expression measured at 6 and 24 h of exposure reflected alterations in the protein levels of the receptors and paralleled their immunofluorescent labeling. Erα and Pparγ agonists diminished, but Erβ and Gpr30 agonists stimulated the BP-3-induced apoptotic and neurotoxic effects. Receptor antagonists caused the opposite effects, except for ICI 182,780. This is in line with a substantial reduction in the effects of BP-3 in cells with siRNA-silenced Erβ/Gpr30 and the maintenance of BP-3 effects in Erα- and Pparγ siRNA-transfected cells. We showed for the first time that BP-3-affected mRNA and protein expression levels of Erα, Erβ, Gpr30, and Pparγ, paralleled BP-3-induced apoptosis and neurotoxicity. Therefore, we suggest that BP-3-evoked apoptosis of neuronal cells is mediated via attenuation of Erα/Pparγ and stimulation of Erβ/Gpr30 signaling.

The association between blood pressure and incident Alzheimer disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Power, Melinda C.; Weuve, Jennifer; Gagne, Joshua J.; McQueen, Matthew B.; Viswanathan, Anand; Blacker, Deborah

2013-01-01

Background Many epidemiologic studies have considered the association between blood pressure (BP) and Alzheimer disease, yet the relationship remains poorly understood. Methods In parallel with work on the AlzRisk online database (www.alzrisk.org), we conducted a systematic review to identify all epidemiologic studies meeting pre-specified criteria reporting on the association between hypertension, systolic BP, or diastolic BP and incident Alzheimer disease. When possible, we computed summary measures using random-effects models and explored potential heterogeneity related to age at BP assessment. Results Eighteen studies reporting on 19 populations met the eligibility criteria. We computed summary relative risks (RRΣ) for three measures of BP: hypertension (RRΣ=0.97 [95% confidence interval= 0.80–1.16]); a 10 mm Hg-increase in systolic BP (RRΣ=0.95 [0.91–1.00]); and a 10 mm Hg-increase in diastolic BP (RRΣ=0.94 [0.85–1.04]). We were unable to compute summary estimates for the association between categories of systolic or diastolic BP and Alzheimer disease; however, there did not appear to be a consistent pattern across studies. After stratifying on age at BP assessment, we found a suggestion of an inverse association between late-life hypertension and Alzheimer disease and a suggestion of an adverse association between midlife diastolic hypertension and Alzheimer disease. Conclusions Based on existing epidemiologic research, we cannot determine whether there is a causal association between BP and Alzheimer disease. Selection bias and reverse causation may account for the suggested inverse association between late-life hypertension on Alzheimer disease, but, given the expected direction of these biases, they are less likely to account for the suggestion that midlife hypertension increases risk. We advocate continuing systematic review; the Alzrisk database entry on this topic (www.alzrisk.org), which was completed in parallel with this work, will be updated as new studies are published. PMID:21705906

The association between blood pressure and incident Alzheimer disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Power, Melinda C; Weuve, Jennifer; Gagne, Joshua J; McQueen, Matthew B; Viswanathan, Anand; Blacker, Deborah

2011-09-01

Many epidemiologic studies have considered the association between blood pressure (BP) and Alzheimer disease, yet the relationship remains poorly understood. In parallel with work on the AlzRisk online database (www.alzrisk.org), we conducted a systematic review to identify all epidemiologic studies meeting prespecified criteria reporting on the association between hypertension, systolic BP, or diastolic BP and incident Alzheimer disease. When possible, we computed summary measures using random-effects models and explored potential heterogeneity related to age at BP assessment. Eighteen studies reporting on 19 populations met the eligibility criteria. We computed summary relative risks (RR(Σ)) for 3 measures of BP: hypertension (RR(Σ) = 0.97 [95% confidence interval = 0.80-1.16]); a 10-mm Hg increase in systolic BP (RR(Σ) = 0.95 [0.91-1.00]); and a 10-mm Hg increase in diastolic BP (RR(Σ) = 0.94 [0.85-1.04]). We were unable to compute summary estimates for the association between categories of systolic or diastolic BP and Alzheimer disease; however, there did not appear to be a consistent pattern across studies. After stratifying on age at BP assessment, we found a suggestion of an inverse association between late-life hypertension and Alzheimer disease and a suggestion of an adverse association between midlife diastolic hypertension and Alzheimer disease. Based on existing epidemiologic research, we cannot determine whether there is a causal association between BP and Alzheimer disease. Selection bias and reverse causation may account for the suggested inverse association between late-life hypertension on Alzheimer disease, but, given the expected direction of these biases, they are less likely to account for the suggestion that midlife hypertension increases risk. We advocate continuing systematic review; the AlzRisk database entry on this topic (www.alzrisk.org), which was completed in parallel with this work, will be updated as new studies are published.

Contemporary Management and Control of Uncomplicated Hypertension in Canada: Insight From the Primary Care Audit of Global Risk Management (PARADIGM) Study.

PubMed

Gupta, Milan; Szmitko, Paul; Singh, Narendra; Tsigoulis, Michelle; Kajil, Mahesh; Stone, James

2015-05-01

Although clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypertension exist in Canada, the rate of contemporary blood pressure (BP) control remains unclear. In the Primary Care Audit of Global Risk Management (PARADIGM) study, 3015 healthy, middle-aged Canadians, free of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes were evaluated. In this analysis, we characterized the CVD risk factors, treatment patterns, and BP control rates in subjects with uncomplicated hypertension. A total of 917 subjects (30.4%) had a diagnosis of hypertension. The median age was 59 ± 8 years. The mean treated systolic/diastolic BP were 134 ± 14 mm Hg/82 ± 9 mm Hg, respectively. CVD risk factors included past/current smoking (35.9%), abdominal obesity (62.5%), and dyslipidemia (59.4%). Using the Framingham Risk Score, 20.4%, 41.0%, and 38.5% of the subjects were at low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively. Of the 88% with treated hypertension, 46.9%, 38.7%, and 14.3% received 1, 2, or ≥3 drugs, respectively. The rate of BP control was 57.4% (systolic BP < 140 and diastolic BP < 90 mm Hg). The rate of BP control was lower in patients prescribed diuretic monotherapy (53.2%) vs those who received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker monotherapy (66.5%; P < 0.01). Importantly, BP control deteriorated with increasing Framingham Risk Score, and was lower in patients with metabolic syndrome vs those without (P < 0.00001 for both). PARADIGM demonstrated that CVD risk factors are prevalent in Canadians with uncomplicated hypertension. BP control was modest (57.4%) and was lowest in patients prescribed diuretic monotherapy and in those at highest CVD risk. Despite the success of national hypertension strategies, enhanced efforts are warranted to improve BP control in Canada. Copyright © 2015 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Discrimination among different brands of coffee by using vis-near infrared spectra].

PubMed

Wang, Yan-Yan; He, Yong; Shao, Yong-Ni; Zhang, Zhi-Fei

2007-04-01

Near infrared spectroscopy technology was used to distinguish three different brands of coffee bought from the supermarket. Two models, PCA-BP and WT-BP, were employed for the analysis and prediction of the samples. The discrimination among the different brands of coffee was based on the combination of the function of data compression in the PCA and WT technology and the ability of learning and prediction of the artificial neural network. In the experiment, 60 samples were used for model calibration and 30 for brand prediction. The result showed that both the PCA-BP and WT-BP models achieved 100% discrimination rate, and the wavelet transforms technology is superior to the principal component analysis both in time-consuming and the capability of data compression. It is indicated that the model set up by the combination of WT technology and BP neural network in the present study is rapid in analysis and precise in pattern discrimination. It can be concluded that a new approach to distinguishing pure coffee was of fered and the result of this experiment established the foundation for the determination of the raw material (coffee bean) of different brands of coffee in the market.

Deciphering minimal antigenic epitopes associated with Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei lipopolysaccharide O-antigens.

PubMed

Tamigney Kenfack, Marielle; Mazur, Marcelina; Nualnoi, Teerapat; Shaffer, Teresa L; Ngassimou, Abba; Blériot, Yves; Marrot, Jérôme; Marchetti, Roberta; Sintiprungrat, Kitisak; Chantratita, Narisara; Silipo, Alba; Molinaro, Antonio; AuCoin, David P; Burtnick, Mary N; Brett, Paul J; Gauthier, Charles

2017-07-24

Burkholderia pseudomallei (Bp) and Burkholderia mallei (Bm), the etiologic agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively, cause severe disease in both humans and animals. Studies have highlighted the importance of Bp and Bm lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as vaccine candidates. Here we describe the synthesis of seven oligosaccharides as the minimal structures featuring all of the reported acetylation/methylation patterns associated with Bp and Bm LPS O-antigens (OAgs). Our approach is based on the conversion of an L-rhamnose into a 6-deoxy-L-talose residue at a late stage of the synthetic sequence. Using biochemical and biophysical methods, we demonstrate the binding of several Bp and Bm LPS-specific monoclonal antibodies with terminal OAg residues. Mice immunized with terminal disaccharide-CRM197 constructs produced high-titer antibody responses that crossreacted with Bm-like OAgs. Collectively, these studies serve as foundation for the development of novel therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccine candidates to combat diseases caused by Bp and Bm.Melioidosis and glanders are multifaceted infections caused by gram-negative bacteria. Here, the authors synthesize a series of oligosaccharides that mimic the lipopolysaccharides present on the pathogens' surface and use them to develop novel glycoconjugates for vaccine development.

Large woody debris and flow resistance in step-pool channels, Cascade Range, Washington

USGS Publications Warehouse

Curran, Janet H.; Wohl, Ellen E.

2003-01-01

Total flow resistance, measured as Darcy-Weisbach f, in 20 step-pool channels with large woody debris (LWD) in Washington, ranged from 5 to 380 during summer low flows. Step risers in the study streams consist of either (1) large and relatively immobile woody debris, bedrock, or roots that form fixed, or “forced,” steps, or (2) smaller and relatively mobile wood or clasts, or a mixture of both, arranged across the channel by the stream. Flow resistance in step-pool channels may be partitioned into grain, form, and spill resistance. Grain resistance is calculated as a function of particle size, and form resistance is calculated as large woody debris drag. Combined, grain and form resistance account for less than 10% of the total flow resistance. We initially assumed that the substantial remaining portion is spill resistance attributable to steps. However, measured step characteristics could not explain between-reach variations in flow resistance. This suggests that other factors may be significant; the coefficient of variation of the hydraulic radius explained 43% of the variation in friction factors between streams, for example. Large woody debris generates form resistance on step treads and spill resistance at step risers. Because the form resistance of step-pool channels is relatively minor compared to spill resistance and because wood in steps accentuates spill resistance by increasing step height, we suggest that wood in step risers influences channel hydraulics more than wood elsewhere in the channel. Hence, the distribution and function, not just abundance, of large woody debris is critical in steep, step-pool channels.

What you see is what you step: the horizontal-vertical illusion increases toe clearance in older adults during stair ascent.

PubMed

Foster, Richard J; Whitaker, David; Scally, Andrew J; Buckley, John G; Elliott, David B

2015-05-01

Falls on stairs are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly people. A simple safety strategy to avoid tripping on stairs is increasing foot clearance. We determined whether a horizontal-vertical illusion superimposed onto stairs to create an illusory perceived increase in stair-riser height would increase stair ascent foot clearance in older participants. Preliminary experiments determined the optimum parameters for the horizontal-vertical illusion. Fourteen older adults (mean age ± 1 SD, 68.5 ± 7.4 years) ascended a three-step staircase with the optimized version of the horizontal-vertical illusion (spatial frequency: 12 cycles per stair riser) positioned either on the bottom or top stair only, or on the bottom and top stair simultaneously. These were compared to a control condition, which had a plain stair riser with edge highlighters positioned flush with each stair-tread edge. Foot clearance and measures of postural stability were compared across conditions. The optimized illusion on the bottom and top stair led to a significant increase in foot clearance over the respective stair edge, compared to the control condition. There were no significant decreases in postural stability. An optimized horizontal-vertical visual illusion led to significant increases in foot clearance in older adults when ascending a staircase, but the effects did not destabilize their postural stability. Inclusion of the horizontal-vertical illusion on raised surfaces (e.g., curbs) or the bottom and top stairs of staircases could improve stair ascent safety in older adults.

Prostate specific antigen velocity as a measure of the natural history of prostate cancer: defining a 'rapid riser' subset.

PubMed

Nam, R K; Klotz, L H; Jewett, M A; Danjoux, C; Trachtenberg, J

1998-01-01

To study the rate of change in prostate specific antigen (PSA velocity) in patients with prostate cancer initially managed by 'watchful waiting'. Serial PSA levels were determined in 141 patients with prostate cancer confirmed by biopsy, who were initially managed expectantly and enrolled between May 1990 and December 1995. Sixty-seven patients eventually underwent surgery (mean age 59 years) because they chose it (the decision for surgery was not based on PSA velocity). A cohort of 74 patients remained on 'watchful waiting' (mean age 69 years). Linear regression and logarithmic transformations were used to segregate those patients who showed a rapid rise, defined as a > 50% rise in PSA per year (or a doubling time of < 2 years) and designated 'rapid risers'. An initial analysis based on a minimum of two PSA values showed that 31% were rapid risers. Only 15% of patients with more than three serial PSA determinations over > or = 6 months showed a rapid rise in PSA level. There was no advantage of log-linear analysis over linear regression models. Three serial PSA determinations over > or = 6 months in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer identifies a subset (15%) of patients with a rapidly rising PSA level. Shorter PSA surveillance with fewer PSA values may falsely identify patients with rapid rises in PSA level. However, further follow-up is required to determine if a rapid rise in PSA level identifies a subset of patients with an aggressive biological phenotype who are either still curable or who have already progressed to incurability through metastatic disease.

Age-related differences in dynamic balance control during stair descent and effect of varying step geometry.

PubMed

Novak, A C; Komisar, V; Maki, B E; Fernie, G R

2016-01-01

The incidence of stairway falls and related injuries remains persistently high; however, the risk of stair injuries could be reduced through improved stairway design. The current study investigated dynamic balance control during stair descent and the effects of varying the step geometry. Data were collected from 20 healthy young and 20 older adults as they descended three staircases (riser heights of 7, 7.5 and 8 inches (178, 190 and 203 mm, respectively)). At each riser height, the tread run length was varied between 8 and 14 inches (203 mm and 356 mm) in one-inch (25 mm) increments. Kinematic data provided measures of segmental and whole-body dynamic control. Results demonstrated that older adults had greater lateral tilt of the upper body than young adults, but actually had larger margins of stability than the young in the antero-posterior direction as a result of their slower cadence. Nonetheless, for both age groups, the longer run lengths were found to provide the largest margins of stability. In addition, increase in run length and decrease in riser height tended to reduce forward upper body tilt. These results help to explain the underlying biomechanical factors associated with increased risk of falls and the relationship with step geometry. Considering the importance of stair ambulation in maintaining independence and activity in the community, this study highlights the definite need for safer stair design standards to minimize the risk of falls and increase stair safety across the lifespan. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and The Ergonomics Society. All rights reserved.

25. MAIN MEETING ROOM STAIRWAY IN SOUTHEAST CORNER. Stairway seen ...

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

25. MAIN MEETING ROOM STAIRWAY IN SOUTHEAST CORNER. Stairway seen from below showing lath and plaster fireproofing applied to framing before treads and risers. - Twelfth Street Meeting House, 20 South Twelfth Street, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA

36. Basement, cellar beneath main stairway, with skylight in stair ...

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

36. Basement, cellar beneath main stairway, with skylight in stair riser, and adjacent storage room, view to east - Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Hospital Building, Rixey Place, bounded by Williamson Drive, Holcomb Road, & The Circle, Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA

Early Risers Benefit from Scholars Program.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Maria L.; Russell, Ernest L.

1987-01-01

The 7 O'Clock Scholars Program for gifted and talented students at Pontiac (Michigan) Central Senior High School brings speakers from a nearby university to speak to interested high school students during 50-minute sessions before regular classes begin. (PGD)

Drafting. Advanced Print Reading--Electrical.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oregon State Dept. of Education, Salem.

This document is a workbook for drafting students learning advanced print reading for electricity applications. The workbook contains seven units covering the following material: architectural working drawings; architectural symbols and dimensions; basic architectural electrical symbols; wiring symbols; riser diagrams; schematic diagrams; and…

Selective Herbicides Reduce Weeding Costs in Two Mississippi Nurseries

Treesearch

W. B. Smyly; T. H. Filer

1979-01-01

In tests conducted from 1974 to 1977, the preemergence herbicides, Treflan, Eptam, Dymid, and Dectun reduced weeds and weeding costs in seedling beds of loblolly, slash, and short leaf pine. Velpar and Roundup controlled weeds along riser lines.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Korean yellow-throated marten, Martes flavigula (Carnivora, Mustelidae).

PubMed

Jang, Kuem Hee; Hwang, Ui Wook

2016-05-01

The complete mitogenome sequence of Martes flavigula, which is an endangered and endemic species in South Korea, was determined. The genome is 16,533 bp in length and its gene arrangement pattern, gene content, and gene organization is identical to those of martens. The control region was located between the tRNAPro and tRNAPhe genes and is 1087 bp in length. This mitogenome sequence data might be an important role in the preservation of genetic resources by allowing researchers to conduct phylogenetic and systematic analyses of Mustelidae.

Comparison of ambulatory blood pressure and clinic blood pressure in relation to cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients.

PubMed

Shen, Jian; Li, Zhi-Ming; He, Li-Zhen; Deng, Ren-Sheng; Liu, Jing-Guang; Shen, Yuan-Sheng

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic values of ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and clinic blood pressure (CBP) in diabetic patients with hypertension. A total of 450 diabetic hypertensive patients without established cardiovascular diseases were enrolled and 416 patients who had finished 12months' follow-up were included in final analysis. Baseline data were collected and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate prognostic value of ABP and CBP. Compared to those without study endpoints (n = 370), those experienced study endpoints (n = 46) were more elderly and more likely to be male, and had longer hypertension duration (7.0 ± 3.0 years vs. 6.4 ± 2.1 years, P < .05). No significant between-group differences in CBP indices were observed. However, those with study endpoints had significantly higher 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) (134 ± 10 mmHg vs. 128 ± 7 mmHg), nighttime SBP (130 ± 7 mmHg vs. 120 ± 5 mmHg), night/day SBP ratio (0.97 ± 0.09 vs. 0.94 ± 0.08), higher proportion of non-dipping BP pattern (39.1% vs. 31.4%) and higher 24-hour SBP variability. After extensively adjusted for traditional risk factors, nondipping BP pattern and 24-hourSBP, only 24-hour SBP and nighttime SBP remained independently related with cardiovascular outcomes, with hazard ratios and associated 95% confidence interval as 1.53 (1.28-2.03) and 1.50 (1.26-1.89), respectively. Although no independent relationship between BP pattern and cardiovascular outcomes was observed. In summary, in diabetic hypertensive patients without established cardiovascular diseases, baseline 24-hour SBP and nighttime SBP are useful markers for predicting short-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Northern East Pacific Rise: Magnetic anomaly and bathymetric framework

USGS Publications Warehouse

Klitgord, Kim D.; Mammerickx, Jacqueline

1982-01-01

The oceanic crust in the eastern Pacific between 7°N and 30°N and east of 127°W contains a fairly complete history of the spreading centers associated with the East Pacific Rise since 25 m.y. B.P. (late Oligocene). In this paper, we have summarized the seafloor spreading magnetic-anomaly data and the bathymetric data that reflect the record of this tectonic history. The well-defined magnetic lineations north of the Clarion fracture zone, in the mouth of the Gulf of California, and on the east flank of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) are carefully examined and used to provide a guide for interpreting the spreading pattern between the Clarion and Clipperton fracture zones, southward of the Rivera fracture zone over the Mathematician Ridge, and over the entire EPR east of the Mathematician Ridge between the Rivera and Siqueiros fracture zones. The bathymetric data provide a trace of the fracture zone pattern in each of the above mentioned areas. The fracture zone bathymetry and the seafloor spreading magnetic lineations on the EPR south of the Rivera fracture zone have a distinctive fanning pattern caused by close poles of rotation and plate boundary reorganizations. All these data provide a good record of the plate reorganizations in the middle Miocene at magnetic anomaly 5 A time (12.5 to 11 m.y. B.P.), in the late Miocene at magnetic anomaly 3′−4 time (6.5 m.y. B.P.), and in the Pliocene at magnetic anomaly 2′−3 time (3.5 m.y. B.P.). Several abandoned spreading centers, including the Mathematician Ridge, were left behind as a result of these reorganizations. The Mathematician Ridge is shown to be a set of ridges and trough whose origin is related to the tectonic activity associated with each of the above mentioned reorganizations since anomaly 5A.

Amount of cadmium associated with Cd-binding protein in roots of young plants. [Agrostis gigantea

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

Rauser, W.E.

1986-04-01

The partitioning of Cd between roots and shoots was determined for young plants exposed to Cd in nutrient solution. The intentionally high concentration of 3 ..mu..m Cd was used to assess the role of root Cd-binding protein (Cd-BP) in Cd detoxification. The roots of tomatoes exposed to Cd retained 60-84% of the plant Cd from day 2 through day 9 without toxicity symptoms evident. Cd-BP did not contribute to Cd retention over the initial 4 days, only 1-4% of the root Cd was in this protein fraction. Maize roots retained 59-66% of the plant Cd from day 1 through daymore » 7. The Cd-BP fraction bound 8-19% of the root Cd on day 1 and 31-55% by day 7. Cd toxicity symptoms occurred in leaves by 4 days. In the grass Agrostis gigantea the roots retained 73-85% of the seedling Cd after 1 day and for another 6 days. A high proportion of the root Cd(34-68%) was in the Cd-BP fraction after one day and continued to be so to day 7 (46-64%). No Cd toxicity symptoms were evident. Only the specific pattern of rapid, early and sustained production of Cd-BP observed in Agrostis was consistent with the putative detoxification role for Cd-BP.« less

Late Quaternary paleoenvironments of an ephemeral wetland in North Dakota, USA: Relative interactions of ground-water hydrology and climate change

USGS Publications Warehouse

Yansa, C.H.; Dean, W.E.; Murphy, E.C.

2007-01-01

This study of fossils (pollen, plant macrofossils, stomata and fish) and sediments (lithostratigraphy and geochemistry) from the Wendel site in North Dakota, USA, emphasizes the importance of considering ground-water hydrology when deciphering paleoclimate signals from lakes in postglacial landscapes. The Wendel site was a paleolake from about 11,500 14C yr BP to 11,100 14C yr BP. Afterwards, the lake-level lowered until it became a prairie marsh by 9,300 14C yr BP and finally, at 8,500 14C yr BP, an ephemeral wetland as it is today. Meanwhile, the vegetation changed from a white spruce parkland (11,500 to 10,500 14C yr BP) to deciduous parkland, followed by grassland at 9,300 14C yr BP. The pattern and timing of these aquatic and terrestrial changes are similar to coeval kettle lake records from adjacent uplands, providing a regional aridity signal. However, two local sources of ground water were identified from the fossil and geochemical data, which mediated atmospheric inputs to the Wendel basin. First, the paleolake received water from the melting of stagnant ice buried under local till for about 900 years after glacier recession. Later, Holocene droughts probably caused the lower-elevation Wendel site to capture the ground water of up-gradient lakes. ?? 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.

Temperament and character profiles in bipolar I, bipolar II and major depressive disorder: Impact over illness course, comorbidity pattern and psychopathological features of depression.

PubMed

Zaninotto, Leonardo; Souery, Daniel; Calati, Raffaella; Di Nicola, Marco; Montgomery, Stuart; Kasper, Siegfried; Zohar, Joseph; Mendlewicz, Julien; Robert Cloninger, C; Serretti, Alessandro; Janiri, Luigi

2015-09-15

Studies comparing temperament and character traits between patients with mood disorders and healthy individuals have yielded variable results. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) was administered to 101 bipolar I (BP-I), 96 bipolar II (BP-II), 123 major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, and 125 HS. A series of generalized linear models were performed in order to: (a) compare the TCI dimensions across groups; (b) test any effect of the TCI dimensions on clinical features of mood disorders; and (c) detect any association between TCI dimensions and the psychopathological features of a major depressive episode. Demographic and clinical variables were also included in the models as independent variables. Higher Harm Avoidance was found in BP-II and MDD, but not in BP-I. Higher Self-Transcendence was found in BP-I. Our models also showed higher Self-Directedness in HS, either vs MDD or BP-II. No association was found between any TCI dimension and the severity of symptoms. Conversely, a positive association was found between Harm Avoidance and the overall burden of depressive episodes during lifetime. The cross-sectional design and the heterogeneity of the sample may be the main limitations of our study. In general, our sample seems to support the view of a similar profile of temperament and character between MDD and BP-II, characterized by high Harm Avoidance and low Self-Directedness. In contrast, patients with BP-I only exhibit high Self-Transcendence, having a near-normal profile in terms of Harm Avoidance or Self-Directedness. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Tobacco smoking strengthens the association of elevated blood pressure with arterial stiffness: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

PubMed

Yun, Miaoying; Li, Shengxu; Sun, Dianjianyi; Ge, Shaoqing; Lai, Chin-Chih; Fernandez, Camilo; Chen, Wei; Srinivasan, Sathanur R; Berenson, Gerald S

2015-02-01

The study assessed the hypothesis that smoking strengthens the association of adult arterial stiffness with long-term cumulative burden of blood pressure (BP) from childhood to adulthood. Tobacco smoking and elevated BPs are important risk factors of vascular stiffness. However, the synergistic effect of these two risk factors is not well established, especially for the long-term burden of elevated BP since childhood. The study cohort consisted of 945 adults (661 whites and 284 blacks, aged 24-43 years) who have BP measured 4-15 times since childhood (aged 4-17 years) in Bogalusa, Louisiana. The adult arterial stiffness was measured as aorta-femoral pulse wave velocity (afPWV); the total area under the curve (AUC) and incremental AUC were used as a measure of long-term burden and trends of BP, respectively. Increased adult afPWV was significantly associated with higher adulthood (P < 0.001), total AUC (P < 0.001) and incremental AUC (P < 0.001) values of SBP and DBP, but not with childhood BP, after adjusting for age, race, sex, BMI and heart rate. Furthermore, smoking was a significant predictor of increased adult afPWV and BP levels. In the interaction analyses, the increasing trend of afPWV with increasing adult SBP (P = 0.009) and its incremental AUC (P = 0.007) were significantly greater among the current smokers than among the nonsmokers. DBP showed a similar pattern regarding the smoking-BP interaction on afPWV. These results, by showing the synergistic effect of tobacco smoking and long-term BP measures from childhood to adulthood on arterial stiffening process, underscore the importance of undertaking preventive strategies early in life and smoking behavior control.

Effects of bisphosphonate treatment on DNA methylation in osteonecrosis of the jaw.

PubMed

Polidoro, Silvia; Broccoletti, Roberto; Campanella, Gianluca; Di Gaetano, Cornelia; Menegatti, Elisa; Scoletta, Matteo; Lerda, Ennio; Matullo, Giuseppe; Vineis, Paolo; Berardi, Daniela; Scully, Crispian; Arduino, Paolo G

2013-10-09

Bisphosphonates are used in the treatment of hypocalcaemia, mainly in cancer and osteoporosis. Some patients experience adverse events, such as BP-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ). DNA methylation plays a key role in gene regulation in many tissues, but its involvement in bone homeostasis is not well characterized, and no information is available regarding altered methylation in BRONJ. Using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation27 BeadChip assay, we performed an epigenome-wide association study in peripheral blood samples from 68 patients treated with nitrogenous BP, including 35 with BRONJ. Analysis of the estimated cumulative BP exposure distribution indicated that the exposure of the case group to BP was slightly higher than that of the control group; more severely affected cases (i.e., with BRONJ in both mandible and maxilla) were significantly more exposed to BP than were those with BRONJ only in the mandible or maxilla (one-sided Wilcoxon rank sum test, p=0.002). Logistic regression analysis confirmed the positive association between cumulative bisphosphonates exposure and risk of BRONJ (OR 1.015 per mg of cumulative exposure, 95% CI 1.004-1.032, p=0.036). Although no statistically significant differences were observed between case and control groups, methylation levels of probes mapping on three genes, ERCC8, LEPREL1 and SDC2, were strongly associated with cumulative BP exposure levels (p<1.31E-007). Enrichment analysis, combining differentially methylated genes with genes involved in the mevalonate pathway, showed that BP treatment can affect the methylation pattern of genes involved in extracellular matrix organization and inflammatory responses, leading to more frequent adverse effects such as BRONJ. Differences in DNA methylation induced by BP treatment could be involved in the pathogenesis of the bone lesion. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Exercise-induced decrease in insular cortex rCBF during postexercise hypotension.

PubMed

Lamb, Kala; Gallagher, Kevin; McColl, Roderick; Mathews, Dana; Querry, Ross; Williamson, Jon W

2007-04-01

The insular cortex (IC), a region of the brain involved in blood pressure (BP) modulation, shows decreases in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) during postexercise hypotension (PEH). To determine whether changes in IC neural activity were caused by prior exercise or by changes in BP, this investigation compared patterns of rCBF during periods of hypotension, which was induced by prior exercise (i.e., PEH) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) infusion and a cold pressor (CP), to restore BP. Ten subjects were studied on three different days with randomly assigned conditions: i) resting baseline; ii) PEH; and iii) SNP-induced hypotension (matched to the PEH BP decrease). Data were collected for heart rate (HR) and mean BP, and rCBF was assessed using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) as an index of brain activation. Using ANOVA across conditions, there were differences (P<0.05; mean +/- SD) from baseline during PEH for HR (+12 +/- 3 bpm) and mean BP (-8 +/- 2 mm Hg) and during SNP-induced hypotension (HR = +15 +/- 4 bpm; MBP = -9 +/- 2 mm Hg), with no differences between PEH and SNP. After exercise, there were decreases (P<0.05) in the leg sensorimotor area, anterior cingulate, and the right and left inferior thalamus, right inferior insula, and left anterior insular regions. During SNP-induced hypotension, there were significant increases in the right and left inferior thalamus and the right and left inferior anterior IC. CP during PEH increased BP and IC activity. Data show that reductions in IC neural activity are not caused by acute BP decreases. Findings suggest that exercise can lead to a temporary decrease in IC neural activity, which may be a significant neural factor contributing to PEH.

36 CFR 1192.117 - Floors, steps and thresholds.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

.... (b) All step edges and thresholds shall have a band of color(s) running the full width of the step or threshold which contrasts from the step tread and riser or adjacent floor, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light. ...

36 CFR 1192.117 - Floors, steps and thresholds.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

.... (b) All step edges and thresholds shall have a band of color(s) running the full width of the step or threshold which contrasts from the step tread and riser or adjacent floor, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light. ...

36 CFR 1192.117 - Floors, steps and thresholds.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

.... (b) All step edges and thresholds shall have a band of color(s) running the full width of the step or threshold which contrasts from the step tread and riser or adjacent floor, either light-on-dark or dark-on-light. ...

49 CFR 192.933 - What actions must be taken to address integrity issues?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... Transmission Pipeline Integrity Management § 192.933 What actions must be taken to address integrity issues? (a... any indication of metal loss, cracking or a stress riser. (iii) An indication or anomaly that in the...

49 CFR 192.933 - What actions must be taken to address integrity issues?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Transmission Pipeline Integrity Management § 192.933 What actions must be taken to address integrity issues? (a... any indication of metal loss, cracking or a stress riser. (iii) An indication or anomaly that in the...

49 CFR 192.933 - What actions must be taken to address integrity issues?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Transmission Pipeline Integrity Management § 192.933 What actions must be taken to address integrity issues? (a... any indication of metal loss, cracking or a stress riser. (iii) An indication or anomaly that in the...

34. Photographic copy of the Post Engineer drawing (original is ...

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

34. Photographic copy of the Post Engineer drawing (original is located at Fort Hood) electrical riser plan, plan number PE 1268.2 - Fort Hood, World War II Temporary Buildings, Cold Storage Building, Seventeenth Street, Killeen, Bell County, TX

The Lighthouse Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LeRose, Barbara; And Others

1979-01-01

The project is based on a general systems approach. Developmental stage theory is employed as a starting point, and the developmental "minitasks" which act as stair risers from one developmental level to another are carried through with the use of Bloom's cognitive taxonomy. (Author/DLS)

Climate change and human occupations in the Lake Daihai basin, north-central China over the last 4500 years: A geo-archeological perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Lichen; Liu, Yan; Sun, Qianli; Chen, Jing; Cheng, Peng; Chen, Zhongyuan

2017-05-01

High-resolution climate variations since the last 4500 years in the monsoonal-arid transition zone of north-central China were revealed through the integration of proxies from sediment cores in the Lake Daihai basin. Human occupations in the lake basin deduced from archeological findings and historical literatures were then incorporated into the climate sequence to demonstrate the patterns of human responses to the climate changes, and the recent anthropogenic effects. It indicated that: (1) Climate dominated human-environment adaptations prevailed prior to ∼2700 cal yr BP. An amicable climate setting before ∼4100 cal yr BP would facilitate the growth of the Laohushan Culture (LC) in the lake basin, while a pronounced deterioration of water thermal condition after that had led to human exodus and the collapse of the LC. The reduced human activity in the lake basin indicated at ∼3800-3500 cal yr BP and a subsequent cultural blank at ∼3500-2700 cal yr BP, were both in response to the climate and lake level fluctuations during ∼3800-2800 cal yr BP. (2) Transition to a positive human adaptation was seen at ∼2700-1100 cal yr BP, represented by the exploitation of arable land for cultivation and animal husbandry as the lake contracted. (3) An increasing human presence that affected environmental processes became more severe over the last ∼1100 cal yr BP. This was basically due to the ongoing lake shore reclamation for cropping, and more recently heavy metals emissions from fossil fuel combustion and local industries.

Association Between Blood Pressure and Adherence to French Dietary Guidelines.

PubMed

Lelong, Helene; Blacher, Jacques; Menai, Mehdi; Galan, Pilar; Fezeu, Leopold; Hercberg, Serge; Kesse-Guyot, Emmanuelle

2016-08-01

Adopting a healthy diet like the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) or Mediterranean diet (MD) represents a major lifestyle for blood pressure (BP) control in general population. Nutritional policies, such as the French Nutrition and Health Program (Programme National Nutrition Santé or PNNS), have been implemented in several countries with the aims of preventing chronic diseases. The objective of our study was to investigate association between BP and adherence to PNNS guidelines compared with adherence to DASH or MD. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 11,302 untreated participants from the NutriNet-Santé study, a French web-based cohort study. Three validated scores reflecting adherence to PNNS guidelines, DASH diet, and MD were calculated from repeated 24-hour records. Three BP measurements using a standardized protocol were collected. Multivariate linear models were used to assess the associations between the dietary scores and BP. In women, independent of age, socioeconomic status, body mass index, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and physical activity, adherence to PNNS guidelines was inversely significantly associated with systolic BP (β = -0.63, P < 0.0001). This association was of similar amplitude that between BP and adherence to DASH-style diet (β = -0.66, P < 0.0001) or MD (β = -0.63, P = 0.0002). No significant association was found in men. Adherence to French nutritional recommendations was found negatively associated with BP at the same magnitude as adherence to well-known dietary pattern in the prevention and treatment of hypertension. © American Journal of Hypertension, Ltd 2016. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Essential pediatric hypertension: defining the educational needs of primary care pediatricians

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background In order to better understand the educational needs regarding appropriate recognition, diagnosis and management of pediatric hypertension (HTN), we asked practicing pediatricians questions regarding their educational needs and comfort level on this topic. Methods We conducted 4 focus group sessions that included 27 participants representing pediatric residents, adolescent medicine physicians, clinic based pediatricians and office based pediatricians. Each focus group session lasted for approximately an hour and 90 pages of total transcriptions were produced verbatim from audio recordings. Results Four reviewers read each transcript and themes were elucidated from these transcripts. Overall, 5 major themes related to educational needs and clinical concerns were found: utilization of resources to define blood pressure (BP), correct BP measurement method(s), co-morbidities, barriers to care, and experience level with HTN. Six minor themes were also identified: differences in BP measurement, accuracy of BP, recognition of HTN, practice pattern of care, education of families and patients, and differences in level of training. The focus group participants were also questioned on their preferences regarding educational methods (i.e. e-learning, small group sessions, self-study, large group presentations) and revealed varied teaching and learning preferences. Conclusions There are multiple methods to approach education regarding pediatric HTN for primary care pediatricians based on provider preferences and multiple educational activities should be pursued to achieve best outcomes. Based on this data, the next direction will be to develop and deliver multiple educational methods and to evaluate the impact on practice patterns of care for children and adolescents with HTN. PMID:25063988

Lower cognitive performance in 81-year-old men with greater nocturnal blood pressure dipping

PubMed Central

Axelsson, Johan; Reinprecht, Faina; Siennicki-Lantz, Arkadiusz; Elmståhl, Sölve

2008-01-01

Abnormal day-to-night blood pressure (BP) pattern have been found to be associated with cerebrovascular damage, yet studies of the elderly 80 years of age and above, for whom the risk pattern may be different due to ageing and age-associated diseases, are lacking. Ninety-seven 81-year-old men underwent ambulatory BP monitoring and were given six cognitive tests, 79 of the men completing the cognitive test battery. The odds ratio (OR) for performing one standard deviation below the mean on any cognitive test was calculated using a forward stepwise logistic regression model, confounding factors being controlled for. Groups defined in terms of day-to-night changes in BP were compared in this respect. Cognitive performance was lower (OR 3.6; P = 0.017) in the group usually described as dippers (10%–20% nocturnal drop in systolic BP [SBP]) as compared with nondippers (<10% drop). The tertile with the greatest SBP fall (10.6%–19.8%, a range considered as normal among middle aged) showed lowest cognitive performance (OR 4.7; P = 0.008) as compared with the middle tertile (5.1%–10.5% drop). The mean nocturnal fall in SBP was 7.4%, significantly greater in those with lower rather than higher cognitive performance. A nocturnal drop in SBP of ≥10% was associated with lower cognitive performance in these elderly men. The limits to normal dipping appear to be shifted in the direction of a lesser drop in the very elderly. PMID:20428409

Characterization and discrimination of three Theileria parva stabilates involved in East Coast fever vaccination.

PubMed

Sparagano, O A; Zanaa, O; Ambrose, N

1998-06-29

Three vaccine stabilates of Theileria parva, of which sporozoites are being used against East Coast fever, were characterized by immunological and molecular biology techniques before being used for a national vaccination campaign in Kenya. T. parva Marikebuni stabilates 316 and 3014, and T. parva Lanet were used in this study and were discriminated from other Kenyan field Theileria isolates. IFAT results showed that all the animals were producing antibodies regardless of the stock used. Primers designed on the TPR1 gene sequence were used for PCR and Decamers were used for RAPD. Specific DNA band patterns (1,877 bp; 1,059 bp, and 443 bp) for the three vaccine stocks were observed. These molecular markers could be used to trace vaccinated animals in Kenya and to identify which isolates are responsible for reactions in animals.

Zircon from historic eruptions in Iceland: reconstructing storage and evolution of silicic magmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carley, Tamara L.; Miller, Calvin F.; Wooden, Joseph L.; Bindeman, Ilya N.; Barth, Andrew P.

2011-10-01

Zoning patterns, U-Th disequilibria ages, and elemental compositions of zircon from eruptions of Askja (1875 AD), Hekla (1158 AD), Öræfajökull (1362 AD) and Torfajökull (1477 AD, 871 AD, 3100 BP, 7500 BP) provide insights into the complex, extended, histories of silicic magmatic systems in Iceland. Zircon compositions, which are correlated with proximity to the main axial rift, are distinct from those of mid-ocean ridge environments and fall at the low-Hf edge of the range of continental zircon. Morphology, zoning patterns, compositions, and U-Th ages all indicate growth and storage in subvolcanic silicic mushes or recently solidified rock at temperatures above the solidus but lower than that of the erupting magma. The eruptive products were likely ascending magmas that entrained a zircon "cargo" that formed thousands to tens of thousands of years prior to the eruptions.

14. Bottom floor, tower interior showing base of stairway to ...

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

14. Bottom floor, tower interior showing base of stairway to lantern; details shown of iron castings for newel post, railing, and stair treads and risers. - Block Island Southeast Light, Spring Street & Mohegan Trail at Mohegan Bluffs, New Shoreham, Washington County, RI