The DeStress for Success Program: effects of a stress education program on cortisol levels and depressive symptomatology in adolescents making the transition to high school.

PubMed

Lupien, S J; Ouellet-Morin, I; Trépanier, L; Juster, R P; Marin, M F; Francois, N; Sindi, S; Wan, N; Findlay, H; Durand, N; Cooper, L; Schramek, T; Andrews, J; Corbo, V; Dedovic, K; Lai, B; Plusquellec, P

2013-09-26

Various studies have shown that increased activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis can predict the onset of adolescent depressive symptomatology. We have previously shown that adolescents making the transition to high school present a significant increase in cortisol levels, the main product of HPA axis activation. In the present study, we evaluated whether a school-based education program developed according to the current state of knowledge on stress in psychoneuroendocrinology decreases cortisol levels and/or depressive symptoms in adolescents making the transition to high school. Participants were 504 Year 7 high school students from two private schools in the Montreal area. Adolescents of one school were exposed to the DeStress for Success Program while adolescents from the other school served as controls. Salivary cortisol levels and depressive symptomatology were measured before, immediately after as well as 3 months after exposure to the program. Measures of negative mood were obtained at baseline in order to determine whether adolescents starting high school with specific negative moods were differentially responsive to the program. The results show that only adolescents starting high school with high levels of anger responded to the intervention with a significant decrease in cortisol levels. Moreover, we found that adolescents who took part in the intervention and showed decreasing cortisol levels following the intervention (responders) were 2.45 times less at risk to suffer from clinical and subclinical depressive states three months post-intervention in comparison to adolescents who showed increasing cortisol levels following the intervention (nonresponders). This study provides the first evidence that a school-based program on stress is effective at decreasing cortisol levels and depressive symptomatology in adolescents making the transition to high school and it helps explain which adolescents are sensitive to the program and what are some of the characteristics of these individuals. Copyright © 2013 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Community noise technology needs: Boeing's perspective

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nihart, Gene L.

1992-01-01

Airport community acceptance of High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) noise levels will depend on the relative noise levels of airplanes flying at the time of introduction. The 85 dBA noise contours for the range of large subsonic airplanes that are expected to be in service in the early 21st century are shown as a shaded area. A certifiable HSCT noise contour as shown, would be somewhat wider along the runway, but about the same in the residential areas downrange. An HSCT noise rule should insure this noise capability.

System Noise Assessment of Blended-Wing-Body Aircraft With Open Rotor Propulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Guo, Yueping; Thomas, Russell H.

2015-01-01

An aircraft system noise study is presented for the Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) aircraft concept with three open rotor engines mounted on the upper surface of the airframe. It is shown that for such an aircraft, the cumulative Effective Perceived Noise Level (EPNL) is about 24 dB below the current aircraft noise regulations of Stage 4. While this makes the design acoustically viable in meeting the regulatory requirements, even with the consideration of more stringent noise regulations of a possible Stage 5 in the next decade or so, the design will likely meet stiff competitions from aircraft with turbofan engines. It is shown that the noise levels of the BWB design are held up by the inherently high noise levels of the open rotor engines and the limitation on the shielding benefit due to the practical design constraint on the engine location. Furthermore, it is shown that the BWB design has high levels of noise from the main landing gear, due to their exposure to high speed flow at the junction between the center body and outer wing. These are also the reasons why this baseline BWB design does not meet the NASA N+2 noise goal of 42 dB below Stage 4. To identify approaches that may further reduce noise, parametric studies are also presented, including variations in engine location, vertical tail and elevon variations, and airframe surface acoustic liner treatment effect. These have the potential to further reduce noise but they are only at the conceptual stage.

Oral Lactobacillus Counts Predict Weight Gain Susceptibility: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study

PubMed Central

Rosing, Johanne Aviaja; Walker, Karen Christina; Jensen, Benjamin A.H.; Heitmann, Berit L.

2017-01-01

Background Recent studies have shown an association between weight change and the makeup of the intestinal microbiota in humans. Specifically, Lactobacillus, a part of the entire gastrointestinal tract's microbiota, has been shown to contribute to weight regulation. Aim We examined the association between the level of oral Lactobacillus and the subsequent 6-year weight change in a healthy population of 322 Danish adults aged 35–65 years at baseline. Design Prospective observational study. Results In unadjusted analysis the level of oral Lactobacillus was inversely associated with subsequent 6-year change in BMI. A statistically significant interaction between the baseline level of oral Lactobacillus and the consumption of complex carbohydrates was found, e.g. high oral Lactobacillus count predicted weight loss for those with a low intake of complex carbohydrates, while a medium intake of complex carbohydrates predicted diminished weight gain. A closer examination of these relations showed that BMI change and Lactobacillus level was unrelated for those with high complex carbohydrate consumption. Conclusion A high level of oral Lactobacillus seems related to weight loss among those with medium and low intakes of complex carbohydrates. Absence, or a low level of oral Lactobacillus, may potentially be a novel marker to identify those at increased risk of weight gain. PMID:29020671

Oral Lactobacillus Counts Predict Weight Gain Susceptibility: A 6-Year Follow-Up Study.

PubMed

Rosing, Johanne Aviaja; Walker, Karen Christina; Jensen, Benjamin A H; Heitmann, Berit L

2017-01-01

Recent studies have shown an association between weight change and the makeup of the intestinal microbiota in humans. Specifically, Lactobacillus, a part of the entire gastrointestinal tract's microbiota, has been shown to contribute to weight regulation. We examined the association between the level of oral Lactobacillus and the subsequent 6-year weight change in a healthy population of 322 Danish adults aged 35-65 years at baseline. Prospective observational study. In unadjusted analysis the level of oral Lactobacillus was inversely associated with subsequent 6-year change in BMI. A statistically significant interaction between the baseline level of oral Lactobacillus and the consumption of complex carbohydrates was found, e.g. high oral Lactobacillus count predicted weight loss for those with a low intake of complex carbohydrates, while a medium intake of complex carbohydrates predicted diminished weight gain. A closer examination of these relations showed that BMI change and Lactobacillus level was unrelated for those with high complex carbohydrate consumption. A high level of oral Lactobacillus seems related to weight loss among those with medium and low intakes of complex carbohydrates. Absence, or a low level of oral Lactobacillus, may potentially be a novel marker to identify those at increased risk of weight gain. © 2017 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.

High freestream turbulence studies on a scaled-up stator vane

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radomsky, Roger William, Jr.

2000-10-01

Today's gas turbine engines are operating at combustor exit temperatures far exceeding the maximum temperatures of the component alloys downstream of the combustor. These higher temperatures are necessary to increase the efficiency of the engine, and, as such, durability of the downstream components becomes an issue. The highly turbulent flowfield that exists at the exit of the combustor complicates issues further by increasing heat transfer from the hot gas to the component surface. To account for the high heat transfer rates, and provide a better prediction of the applied heat loads, detailed heat transfer and flowfield information is needed at turbulence levels representative those exiting a combustor. Flowfield measurements at high freestream turbulence levels indicated that turbulence, which was isotropic at the inlet, became highly anisotropic in the test section as a result of surface curvature and strain. Turbulent kinetic energy levels were shown to increase in the passage by as much as 131% and 31% for the 10% and 19.5% turbulence levels. Although the turbulent kinetic energy was high, the turbulence level based upon local velocity decreased quickly to levels of 3% and 6% near the suction surface for the 10% and 19.5% turbulence levels. For the pressure surface, local turbulence levels were as high as 10% and 16% for the 10% and 19.5% turbulence levels. High local turbulence levels and heat transfer augmentation were observed near the stagnation location, by as much as 50%, and along the pressure surface, by as much as 80%, where airfoil geometries have shown degradation after prolonged usage. Endwall flowfield measurements on a plane at the stagnation location showed that a horseshoe vortex developed in the juncture region of the vane at high freestream. turbulence similar to that at low freestream turbulence. Measurements near the center of the vortex indicated that the vortex was highly unsteady. In regions where strong secondary flows (horseshoe and passage vortex) were present, these vortices dominated the heat transfer and the augmentations due to high freestream turbulence were small.

Mediators, Moderators, and Tests for Mediation.

DTIC Science & Technology

1983-12-09

relation between level of poor performance and degree of intended persistence for high self - esteem individuals, and (b) ability attributions mediate...the relation between level of poor performance and degree of intended persistence for low self - esteem individuals. The proposed causal models are shown...in Figure Ia. Individuals are first given a self - esteem ouestionnaire and then blocked (subgrouped) into high self - esteems or lcw self - esteems , the

Ecosystem response to climatic variables - air temperature and precipitation: How can these variables alter plant productions in C4-grass dominant ecosystem?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, C. G.; Jiang, L.; Luo, Y.

2017-12-01

Understanding net primary production (NPP) response to the key climatic variables, temperature and precipitation, is essential since the response could be represented by one of future consequences from ecosystem responses. Under future climatic warming, fluctuating precipitation is expected. In addition, NPP solely could not explain whole ecosystem response; therefore, not only NPP, but also above- and below-ground NPP (ANPP and BNPP, respectively) need to be examined. This examination needs to include how the plant productions response along temperature and precipitation gradients. Several studies have examined the response of NPP against each of single climatic variable, but understanding the response of ANPP and BNPP to the multiple variables is notably poor. In this study, we used the plant productions data (NPP, ANPP, and BNPP) with climatic variables, i.e., air temperature and precipitation, from 1999 to 2015 under warming and clipping treatments (mimicking hay-harvesting) in C4-grass dominant ecosystem located in central Oklahoma, United States. Firstly, we examined the nonlinear relationships with the climatic variables for NPP, ANPP and BNPP; and then predicted possible responses in the temperature - precipitation space by using a linear mixed effect model. Nonlinearities of NPP, ANPP and BNPP to the climatic variables have been found to show unimodal curves, and nonlinear models have better goodness of fit as shown lower Akaike information criterion (AIC) than linear models. Optimum condition for NPP is represented at high temperature and precipitation level whereas BNPP is maximized at moderate precipitation levels while ANPP has same range of NPP's optimum condition. Clipping significantly reduced ANPP while there was no clipping effect on NPP and BNPP. Furthermore, inclining NPP and ANPP have shown in a range from moderate to high precipitation level with increasing temperature while inclining pattern for BNPP was observed in moderate precipitation level. Overall, the C4-grass dominant ecosystem has a potential for considerable increases in NPP in hotter and wetter conditions as shown a range from moderate to high temperature and precipitation levels; ANPP has peaked at the high temperature and precipitation level, but maximum BNPP needs moderate precipitation level and high temperature.

Feasibility of hydroxyl concentration measurements by laser-saturated fluorescence in high-pressure flames

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Carter, Campbell D.; King, Galen B.; Laurendeau, Normand M.; Salmon, J. Thaddeus

1987-01-01

The effect of pressure on the laser-saturated fluorescence method for measuring OH concentration in high-pressure flames is studied using calculations for the burned-gas region of a stoichiometric H2-O2 flame at 2000 K. A numerical model of the excitation dynamics of OH is developed to explore the validity of the balanced cross-rate model at higher pressures. It is shown that depopulation of the laser-coupled levels is sensitive to collisions which depopulate v-double-prime (VDP) = 0 and to rate coefficients for rotational transfer in the ground state which are smaller than those in the excited state. In particular, it is shown that the depopulation of VDP = 0, and hence the laser-coupled levels, depends on the probability of electronic quenching to vibrational levels for which VDP is greater than 0 and vibrational relaxation to VDP = 0.

Eicosapentaenoic Acid Versus Docosahexaenoic Acid as Options for Vascular Risk Prevention: A Fish Story.

PubMed

Singh, Sarabjeet; Arora, Rohit R; Singh, Mukesh; Khosla, Sandeep

2016-01-01

Vascular inflammation is a key component involved in the process of arthrosclerosis, which in turn increases the risk for cardiovascular injury. In the last 10 years, there have been many trials that looked at omega-3 fatty acids as a way to reduce cardiovascular risk. These trials observed the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the traditional lipid panel and found that both EPA and DHA reduce triglyceride (TG) level and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels but also increase the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. In the 2 more recent trials, the MARINE and ANCHOR, EPA was given as an adjunct therapy to high-risk patients and not only was the traditional lipids measured but also examined the vascular inflammatory biomarkers. The results of these 2 trials not only showed reduction in cardiovascular risk because of reduction in vascular inflammation and reduction in the lipid panel but also showed that one of the MARINE-derived omega-3 fatty acid is superior to the other. Data search for omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular risk was performed, and articles were selected for review from 2006 to date. The research studies were all double-blind randomized trials except for one, which was a single-blind and focused on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the entire lipid panel. The participants received DHA/EPA and compared with a placebo group on the effect seen in the lipid panel. The first 7 studies looked at the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C; of the 7, 1 directly compared DHA and EPA, 2 focused on EPA, and 4 were directed towards DHA alone. The MARINE and ANCHOR trials were more recent and also looked at the same parameter but also monitored vascular inflammatory biomarkers and how they were affected by omega-3 fatty acids. A second data search was performed for vascular biomarkers and cardiovascular risk, and articles that focused on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and oxidized low-density lipoprotein were selected for review. Omega-3 fatty acids have shown to decrease TG level in multiple trials, but they have also shown to increase LDL and HDL levels, likely because omega-3 fatty acids promote TG conversion into HDL/LDL. The older data suggested that the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are nullified by their effects on LDL levels. The data from the MARINE and ANCHOR trials have shown that EPA alone at 4 g per day has shown to decrease TG and total cholesterol without affecting the LDL levels. The earlier data showed that both EPA and DHA decreased TG level and increased levels of HDL-C, but that the DHA alone and direct comparison of DHA/EPA showed that DHA has more undesirable effects on LDL. Furthermore, the MARINE and ANCHOR trials have both shown that not only does EPA improve the lipid panel but also helps to decrease the levels of the vascular inflammatory biomarkers, thus further helping to decrease cardiovascular risk. The use of EPA as an adjunct therapy for high-risk patient has shown to help decrease cardiovascular risk. The reduction in risk is performed not only by decreasing TG but also by reducing vascular inflammation. Although because there are no randomized double-blind study looking at this, the research is inconclusive and requires further investigation.

Metabolic active-high density VERO cell cultures on microcarriers following apoptosis prevention by galactose/glutamine feeding.

PubMed

Mendonça, Ronaldo Z; Arrózio, Sara J; Antoniazzi, Marta M; Ferreira, Jorge M C; Pereira, Carlos A

2002-07-17

The control of cell death occurring in high density cultures performed in bioreactors is an important factor in production processes. In this work, medium nutrient removal or feeding was used to determine at which extension apoptosis could be, respectively, involved or prevented in VERO cell cultures on microcarriers. Glutamine and galactose present in the VERO cell culture medium was consumed after, respectively, 6 and 12 days of culture. Kinetics studies showed that fresh medium replacement and, to some extent, galactose or glutamine depleted-fresh medium replacement provided a nutritional environment, allowing the VERO cell cultures to attain high densities. Galactose was shown to be a more critical nutrient when cultures reached a high density. In agreement with that, VERO cell cultures supplemented with galactose and/or glutamine were shown to confirm previous findings and, again at high densities, galactose was shown to be a critical nutrient for VERO cell growth. These observations also indicated that in VERO cell cultures, for feeding purposes, the glutamine could be replaced by galactose. The inverse was not true and led, at high densities, to a decrease of cell viability. In the absence of glutamine and galactose, apoptosis was observed in VERO cell cultures by cytofluorometry, Acridine orange staining or light and electron microscopy, reaching high levels when compared to cultures performed with complete medium. VERO cells apoptosis process could be prevented by the galactose and/or glutamine feeding and, at high densities, galactose was more efficient in protecting the cultures. These cultures, prevented from apoptosis, were shown to synthesize high levels of measles virus following infection. Our data show that apoptosis prevention by glutamine/galactose feeding, led to high productive and metabolic active VERO cell cultures, as indicated by the high cell density obtained and the virus multiplication leading to higher virus titers.

Conceptualizing Death in a Worldview Consistent, Meaningful Way and Its Effects on Worldview Defense

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rogers, Ross

2011-01-01

Research within terror management theory (TMT) has shown that when mortality is made salient, people subsequently engage in worldview defense: an increase in derogation of an individual who does not share their worldview along with an increase in veneration of an individual who does. Research has also shown that high levels of self-esteem (either…

Disparities in Intratumoral Steroidogenesis

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-01

shown), but does raise cholesterol levels significantly(18-22) (Fig 5). The diets are used with and without ezetimibe , a cholesterol reducing drug...yielding 4 base diet groups: 1) LFNC; 2) LFNC + ezetimibe (30 mg/kg/day); 3) HFHC; and 4) HFHC + ezetimibe (30 mg/kg/day). Critical comments...Serum Cholesterol Levels. Mice were fed either high fat, high cholesterol (HFHC) or a low fat, no cholesterol (LFNC) diet ± ezetimibe (Z) and bled

[Hypercholesterolemia: a therapeutic approach].

PubMed

Moráis López, A; Lama More, R A; Dalmau Serra, J

2009-05-01

High blood cholesterol levels represent an important cardiovascular risk factor. Hypercholesterolemia is defined as levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol above 95th percentile for age and gender. For the paediatric population, selective screening is recommended in children older than 2 years who are overweight, with a family history of early cardiovascular disease or whose parents have high cholesterol levels. Initial therapeutic approach includes diet therapy, appropriate physical activity and healthy lifestyle changes. Drug treatment should be considered in children from the age of 10 who, after having followed appropriate diet recommendations, still have very high LDL-cholesterol levels or moderately high levels with concomitant risk factors. In case of extremely high LDL-cholesterol levels, drug treatment should be taken into consideration at earlier ages (8 years old). Modest response is usually observed with bile acid-binding resins. Statins can be considered first-choice drugs, once evidence on their efficacy and safety has been shown.

Contemporary trends in dyslipidemia in the Framingham Heart Study

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Recent cross-sectional population studies in the United States have shown an increase in obesity, a decrease in cholesterol values, but no changes in levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) or triglycerides (TG). Plasma total cholesterol, HDL-C, and TG levels, measured by the same met...

Contrasting Academic Behavioural Confidence in Mexican and European Psychology Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ochoa, Alma Rosa Aguila; Sander, Paul

2012-01-01

Introduction: Research with the Academic Behavioural Confidence scale using European students has shown that students have high levels of confidence in their academic abilities. It is generally accepted that people in more collectivist cultures have more realistic confidence levels in contrast to the overconfidence seen in individualistic European…

Identification and Characterization of Tumor Antigens Associated With Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-08-01

including mental retardation and alpha- thalassemia (9). The RNA transcript was shown to exist at high levels in B 16 melanoma cells and moderate levels in...D.R. Mutations in a putative global transcriptional regulator cause X-linked mental retardation with alpha- thalassemia (ATRX syndrome). Cell (80): 837

Determination of Trace Level Triclosan in Water by Online Preconcentration and HPLC-UV Diode Array

EPA Science Inventory

An online high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for the detection and quantification of trace levels of triclosan in water is discussed. Triclosan, an anti-bacterial agent, and related compounds have been shown to reach municipal waste waters through the disposal ...

Advanced high-temperature batteries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nelson, P. A.

1989-01-01

Recent results for Li-Al/FeS2 cells and bipolar battery design have shown the possibility of achieving high specific energy (210 Wh/kg) and high specific power (239 W/kg) at the cell level for an electric vehicle application. Outstanding performance is also projected for sodium/metal chloride cells having large electrolyte areas and thin positive electrodes.

Human salivary glucose analysis by high-performance ion-exchange chromatography and pulsed amperometric detection.

PubMed

Gough, H; Luke, G A; Beeley, J A; Geddes, D A

1996-02-01

The aim of this project was to develop an analytical procedure with the required level of sensitivity for the determination of glucose concentrations in small volumes of unstimulated fasting whole saliva. The technique involves high-performance ion-exchange chromatography at high pH and pulsed amperometric detection. It has a high level of reproducibility, a sensitivity as low as 0.1 mumol/l and requires only 50 microliters samples (sensitivity = 0.002 pmol). Inhibition of glucose metabolism, by procedures such as collection into 0.1% (w/v) sodium fluoride, was shown to be essential if accurate results are to be obtained. Collection on to ice followed by storage at -20 degrees C was shown to be unsuitable and resulted in glucose loss by degradation. There were inter- and intraindividual variations in the glucose concentration in unstimulated mixed saliva (range; 0.02-0.4 mmol/l). The procedure can be used for the analysis of other salivary carbohydrates and for monitoring the clearance of dietary carbohydrates from the mouth.

SIMULANT DEVELOPMENT FOR SAVANNAH RIVER SITE HIGH LEVEL WASTE

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

Stone, M; Russell Eibling, R; David Koopman, D

2007-09-04

The Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) at the Savannah River Site vitrifies High Level Waste (HLW) for repository internment. The process consists of three major steps: waste pretreatment, vitrification, and canister decontamination/sealing. The HLW consists of insoluble metal hydroxides (primarily iron, aluminum, magnesium, manganese, and uranium) and soluble sodium salts (carbonate, hydroxide, nitrite, nitrate, and sulfate). The HLW is processed in large batches through DWPF; DWPF has recently completed processing Sludge Batch 3 (SB3) and is currently processing Sludge Batch 4 (SB4). The composition of metal species in SB4 is shown in Table 1 as a function of the ratiomore » of a metal to iron. Simulants remove radioactive species and renormalize the remaining species. Supernate composition is shown in Table 2.« less

Fermi level dependence of hydrogen diffusivity in GaN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Polyakov, A. Y.; Smirnov, N. B.; Pearton, S. J.; Ren, F.; Theys, B.; Jomard, F.; Teukam, Z.; Dmitriev, V. A.; Nikolaev, A. E.; Usikov, A. S.; Nikitina, I. P.

2001-09-01

Hydrogen diffusion studies were performed in GaN samples with different Fermi level positions. It is shown that, at 350 °C, hydrogen diffusion is quite fast in heavily Mg doped p-type material with the Fermi level close to Ev+0.15 eV, considerably slower in high-resistivity p-GaN(Zn) with the Fermi level Ev+0.9 eV, while for conducting and semi-insulating n-GaN samples with the Fermi level in the upper half of the band gap no measurable hydrogen diffusion could be detected. For these latter samples it is shown that higher diffusion temperature of 500 °C and longer times (50 h) are necessary to incorporate hydrogen to appreciable depth. These findings are in line with previously published theoretical predictions of the dependence of hydrogen interstitials formation in GaN on the Fermi level position.

Mathematical intelligence developed in math learning with classical backsound music of the classical era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karlimah

2018-05-01

This study examines the application of classical music backsound in mathematics learning. The method used is quasi experimental design nonequivalent pretest-posttest control group in elementary school students in Tasikmalaya city, Indonesia. The results showed that classical music contributed significantly to the mathematical intelligence of elementary school students. The mathematical intelligence shown is in the cognitive ability ranging from the level of knowledge to evaluation. High level mathematical intelligence is shown by students in reading and writing integers with words and numbers. The low level of mathematical intelligence exists in projecting the story into a mathematical problem. The implication of this research is the use of classical music backsound on learning mathematics should pay attention to the level of difficulty of mathematics material being studied.

Effects of Magnesium on the Phosphate Toxicity in Chronic Kidney Disease: Time for Intervention Studies.

PubMed

Sakaguchi, Yusuke; Hamano, Takayuki; Isaka, Yoshitaka

2017-02-06

Magnesium, an essential mineral for human health, plays a pivotal role in the cardiovascular system. Epidemiological studies in the general population have found an association between lower dietary magnesium intake and an elevated risk of cardiovascular events. In addition, magnesium supplementation was shown to improve blood pressure control, insulin sensitivity, and endothelial function. The relationship between magnesium and cardiovascular prognosis among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been increasingly investigated as it is becoming evident that magnesium can inhibit vascular calcification, a prominent risk of cardiovascular events, which commonly occurs in CKD patients. Cohort studies in patients receiving dialysis have shown a lower serum magnesium level as a significant risk for cardiovascular mortality. Interestingly, the cardiovascular mortality risk associated with hyperphosphatemia is alleviated among those with high serum magnesium levels, consistent with in vitro evidence that magnesium inhibits high-phosphate induced calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, a harmful effect of high phosphate on the progression of CKD is also attenuated among those with high serum magnesium levels. The potential usefulness of magnesium as a remedy for phosphate toxicity should be further explored by future intervention studies.

Effects of Magnesium on the Phosphate Toxicity in Chronic Kidney Disease: Time for Intervention Studies

PubMed Central

Sakaguchi, Yusuke; Hamano, Takayuki; Isaka, Yoshitaka

2017-01-01

Magnesium, an essential mineral for human health, plays a pivotal role in the cardiovascular system. Epidemiological studies in the general population have found an association between lower dietary magnesium intake and an elevated risk of cardiovascular events. In addition, magnesium supplementation was shown to improve blood pressure control, insulin sensitivity, and endothelial function. The relationship between magnesium and cardiovascular prognosis among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been increasingly investigated as it is becoming evident that magnesium can inhibit vascular calcification, a prominent risk of cardiovascular events, which commonly occurs in CKD patients. Cohort studies in patients receiving dialysis have shown a lower serum magnesium level as a significant risk for cardiovascular mortality. Interestingly, the cardiovascular mortality risk associated with hyperphosphatemia is alleviated among those with high serum magnesium levels, consistent with in vitro evidence that magnesium inhibits high-phosphate induced calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, a harmful effect of high phosphate on the progression of CKD is also attenuated among those with high serum magnesium levels. The potential usefulness of magnesium as a remedy for phosphate toxicity should be further explored by future intervention studies. PMID:28178182

An experimental investigation of a hollow cathode discharge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilbur, P. J.

1971-01-01

An experimental study of the effects of various modifications to the hollow cathode discharge region of a 20 cm electron bombardment ion thruster is presented. The introduction of electrical insulation between the main and cathode discharge regions is shown to have no significant effect on thruster performance. Adjustment of both the diameter and length of the cathode discharge region from the design condition are examined and the reduced sizes are shown to effect large improvements in propellant utilization when the thruster is operating at about 30% of the design thrust level. Performance improvements are shown to be less significant at higher thrust levels. The feasibility of using a high voltage tickler electrode to initiate the cathode-keeper discharge is considered and results obtained suggest this mode of startup is unsatisfactory.

Local Structures of High-Entropy Alloys (HEAs) on Atomic Scales: An Overview

DOE PAGES

Diao, Haoyan; Santodonato, Louis J.; Tang, Zhi; ...

2015-08-29

The high-entropy alloys (HEAs), containing several elements mixed in equimolar or near-equimolar ratios, have shown exceptional engineering properties. Local structures on atomic level are essential to understand the mechanical behaviors and related mechanisms. In this paper, the local structure and stress on the atomic level are reviewed by the pair-distribution function (PDF) of neutron-diffraction data, ab-initio-molecular-dynamics (AIMD) simulations, and atomic-probe microscopy (APT).

High Level Impulse Sounds and Human Hearing: Standards, Physiology, Quantification

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-05-01

a result of this change the piston-like movements of the stapes are replaced by a tilting action, which is much less effective in pushing cochlear ...Above this threshold, high noise levels result in a turbulent flow of air through the nonlinear element of the protector, effectively dissipating the...electrical diagrams of earplug and earmuff models (Kalb, 2011). In the model shown, the energy flow through the HPD propagates along three parallel

Languages and interfaces for facial animation

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

Magnenat-Thalmann, N.

1995-05-01

This paper describes high-level tools for specifying, controlling, and synchronizing temporal and spatial characteristics for 3D animation of facial expressions. The proposed approach consists of hierarchical levels of controls. Specification of expressions, phonemes, emotions, sentences, and head movements by means of a high-level language is shown. The various aspects of synchronization are also emphasized. Then, association of the control different interactive devices and media which allows the animator greater flexibility and freedom, is discussed. Experiments with input accessories such as the keyboard of a music synthesizer and gestures from the DataGlove are illustrated.

Intraspecific variation in cadmium tolerance and accumulation of a high-biomass tropical tree Averrhoa carambola L.: implication for phytoextraction.

PubMed

Dai, Zi-yun; Shu, Wen-sheng; Liao, Bin; Wan, Cai-yun; Li, Jin-tian

2011-06-01

Averrhoa carambola L., a high-biomass tropical tree, has recently been shown to be a strong accumulator of cadmium (Cd) and has great potential for Cd phytoextraction. In the present study, field studies and a controlled-environment experiment were combined to establish the extent of variation in Cd tolerance and accumulation at the cultivar level using 14 to 19 cultivars of A. carambola. The results indicated that all cultivars tested could accumulate Cd at high but different levels, and that Cd tolerance also varied greatly between these cultivars. It is confirmed that the high Cd tolerance and accumulation capacity are species-level and constitutional traits in A. carambola. However, no correlation was detected between tolerance index and accumulation of Cd in different cultivars, suggesting that the two traits are independent in this woody Cd accumulator. More importantly, cultivar Wuchuan Sweet (WCT) was shown to have the highest Cd-extraction potential; it yielded a high shoot biomass of 30 t ha(-1) in 230 d, and extracted 330 g ha(-1) Cd in the aerial tissues grown in Cd-contaminated field soil, which accounted for 12.8% of the total soil Cd in the top 20 cm of the soil profile.

The Role of Fructose, Sucrose and High-fructose Corn Syrup in Diabetes.

PubMed

Cozma, Adrian I; Sievenpiper, John L

2014-02-01

Concerns are growing regarding the role of dietary sugars in the development of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose are the most important dietary sweeteners. Both HFCS and sucrose have overlapping metabolic actions with adverse effects attributed to their fructose moiety. Ecological studies have linked the rise in fructose availability with the increases in obesity and diabetes worldwide. This link has been largely underpinned by animal models and select human trials of fructose overfeeding at high levels of exposure. Although prospective cohort studies have shown significant associations comparing the highest with the lowest levels of intake sugar-sweetened beverages, these associations are small, do not hold at moderate levels of intake and are subject to collinearity effects from related dietary and lifestyle factors. Most systematic reviews and meta-analyses from controlled feeding trials have shown that fructose-containing sugars in isocaloric exchange for other carbohydrates do not show evidence of harm and, in the case of fructose, may even have advantages for glycaemic control, especially at small doses. Nevertheless, trials in which fructose-containing sugars supplement diets with excess energy have shown adverse effects, effects that appear more attributable to the excess energy than the sugar. There is no unequivocal evidence that fructose intake at moderate doses is directly related with adverse metabolic effects, although there is potentially cause for concern where fructose is provided at high doses or contributes excess energy to diets. Further investigation is warranted due to the significant knowledge gaps and weaknesses in existing research.

The Role of Fructose, Sucrose and High-fructose Corn Syrup in Diabetes

PubMed Central

Cozma, Adrian I

2014-01-01

Abstract Concerns are growing regarding the role of dietary sugars in the development of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases, including diabetes. High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose are the most important dietary sweeteners. Both HFCS and sucrose have overlapping metabolic actions with adverse effects attributed to their fructose moiety. Ecological studies have linked the rise in fructose availability with the increases in obesity and diabetes worldwide. This link has been largely underpinned by animal models and select human trials of fructose overfeeding at high levels of exposure. Although prospective cohort studies have shown significant associations comparing the highest with the lowest levels of intake sugar-sweetened beverages, these associations are small, do not hold at moderate levels of intake and are subject to collinearity effects from related dietary and lifestyle factors. Most systematic reviews and meta-analyses from controlled feeding trials have shown that fructose-containing sugars in isocaloric exchange for other carbohydrates do not show evidence of harm and, in the case of fructose, may even have advantages for glycaemic control, especially at small doses. Nevertheless, trials in which fructose-containing sugars supplement diets with excess energy have shown adverse effects, effects that appear more attributable to the excess energy than the sugar. There is no unequivocal evidence that fructose intake at moderate doses is directly related with adverse metabolic effects, although there is potentially cause for concern where fructose is provided at high doses or contributes excess energy to diets. Further investigation is warranted due to the significant knowledge gaps and weaknesses in existing research. PMID:29872464

Training Parents to Help Their Children Read: A Randomized Control Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sylva, Kathy; Scott, Stephen; Totsika, Vasiliki; Ereky-Stevens, Katharina; Crook, Carolyn

2008-01-01

Background: Low levels of literacy and high levels of behaviour problems in middle childhood often co-occur. These persistent difficulties pose a risk to academic and social development, leading to social exclusion in adulthood. Although parent-training programmes have been shown to be effective in enabling parents to support their children's…

Comparing fluorescence-based cell-free assays for the assessment of antioxidative capacity of high-density lipoproteins

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Background: Population studies have shown an inverse association between high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). HDL has different functions, including the ability to protect biological molecules from oxidation. Our aim was to evaluate the performa...

Control of New Copper Corrosion in High-Alkalinity Drinking Water using Orthophosphate - article

EPA Science Inventory

Research and field experience have shown that high-alkalinity waters can be associated with elevated copper levels in drinking water. The objective of this study was to document the application of orthophosphate to the distribution system of a building with a copper problem asso...

Lipoprotein(a): Biology and Clinical Importance

PubMed Central

McCormick, Sally P A

2004-01-01

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a unique lipoprotein that has emerged as an independent risk factor for developing vascular disease. Plasma Lp(a) levels above the common cut-off level of 300 mg/L place individuals at risk of developing heart disease particularly if combined with other lipid and thrombogenic risk factors. Studies in humans have shown Lp(a) levels to be hugely variable and under strict genetic control, largely by the apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] gene. In general, Lp(a) levels have proven difficult to manipulate, although some factors have been identified that can influence levels. Research has shown that Lp(a) has a high affinity for the arterial wall and displays many athero-thrombogenic properties. While a definite function for Lp(a) has not been identified, the last two decades of research have provided much information on the biology and clinical importance of Lp(a). PMID:18516206

The relation between cerebral serotonin levels and conditioned behaviour in the rat following the administration of LSD-25 and UML.

PubMed

Torre, M; Torre, E; Bogetto, F

1975-01-01

Successive daily injections of LSD-25 and UML (1-methyl-d-lysergic acid butanolamide) caused progressive depression of brain 5-HT levels in the rat. On the fourth day, the decrease was significant with respect to the highly significant fall observed after a single administration, whereas it had been shown earlier that conditioned behaviour is no longer affected by LSD-25 after 3 days and that simultaneous administration of a single dose of LSD-25 and UML is equally ineffective in this respect. Its depression of 5-HT levels, however, has now been shown to be equal to that of LSD-25 alone at doses that influence conditioned behaviour. The findings indicate that changes in such behaviour are not dependent on brain 5-HT levels and that no link exists between such levels and the psychotomimetic effect of LSD-25 in man.

Magnetospheric turbulence and substorm expansion phase onset

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Antonova, Elizaveta; Stepanova, Marina; Kirpichev, Igor; Pulinets, Maria; Znatkova, Svetlana; Ovchinnikov, Ilya; Kornilov, Ilya; Kornilova, Tatyana

Magnetosphere of the Earth is formed in the process of turbulent solar wind flow around the obstacle -magnetic field of the Earth. The level of turbulence in the magnetosheath and geo-magnetic tail is very high even during periods of comparatively stable solar wind parameters. Such situation requires checking of the most popular concepts of the nature of magnetospheric activity. Properties of magnetosheath and magnetospheric turbulence are analyzed in connec-tion with the problem of the nature of substorms and localization of substorm onset. The large-scale picture of the plasma velocity fluctuations obtained using data of INTERBALL and Geotail observations is analyzed. It is shown that it is possible to select surrounding the Earth at geocentric distances from 7Re till 10Re plasma ring with comparatively low level of fluctuations. Results of observations demonstrating isolated substorm onset inside this ring are summarized. It is shown that the non-contradictory picture of large-scale magnetospheric convection and substorm dynamics can be obtained taking into account high level of magne-tosheath and magnetospheric turbulence.

High-Speed Research: 1994 Sonic Boom Workshop: Atmospheric Propagation and Acceptability Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccurdy, David A. (Editor)

1994-01-01

The workshop proceedings include papers on atmospheric propagation and acceptability studies. Papers discussing atmospheric effects on the sonic boom waveform addressed several issues. It has long been assumed that the effects of molecular relaxation are adequately accounted for by assuming that a steady state balance between absorption and nonlinear wave steepening exists. It was shown that the unsteadiness induced by the nonuniform atmosphere precludes attaining this steady state. Further, it was shown that the random atmosphere acts as a filter, effectively filtering out high frequency components of the distorted waveform. Several different propagation models were compared, and an analysis of the sonic boom at the edge of the primary carpet established that the levels there are bounded. Finally, a discussion of the levels of the sonic boom below the sea surface was presented.

Absolute linearity measurements on a gold-black-coated deuterated L-alanine-doped triglycine sulfate pyroelectric detector.

PubMed

Theocharous, E

2008-07-20

The nonlinearity characteristics of a commercially available deuterated L-alanine-doped triglycine sulfate (DLATGS) pyroelectric detector were experimentally investigated at high levels of illumination using the National Physical Laboratory detector linearity characterization facility. The detector was shown to exhibit a superlinear response at high levels of illumination. Moreover, the linearity factor was shown to depend on the area of the spot on the detector active area being illuminated, i.e., the incident irradiance. Possible reasons for the observed behavior are proposed and discussed. The temperature coefficient of the response of the DLATGS pyroelectric detector was measured and found to be higher than +2.5% degrees C(-1). This large and positive temperature coefficient of response is the most likely cause of the superlinear behavior of the DLATGS pyroelectric detector.

Animal source food intake and association with blood cholesterol, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids in a northern Swedish population.

PubMed

Igl, Wilmar; Kamal-Eldin, Afaf; Johansson, Asa; Liebisch, Gerhard; Gnewuch, Carsten; Schmitz, Gerd; Gyllensten, Ulf

2013-01-01

The high intake of game meat in populations with a subsistence-based diet may affect their blood lipids and health status. To examine the association between diet and circulating levels of blood lipid levels in a northern Swedish population. We compared a group with traditional lifestyle (TLS) based on reindeer herding (TLS group) with those from the same area with a non-traditional lifestyle (NTLS) typical of more industrialized regions of Sweden (NTLS group). The analysis was based on self-reported intake of animal source food (i.e. non-game meat, game meat, fish, dairy products and eggs) and the serum blood level of a number of lipids [total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglycerides (TG), glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids]. The TLS group had higher cholesterol, LDL and HDL levels than the reference group. Of the TLS group, 65% had cholesterol levels above the threshold for increased risk of coronary heart disease (≥ 240 mg/dl), as compared to 38% of the NTLS group. Self-reported consumption of game meat was positively associated with TC and LDL. The high game meat consumption of the TLS group is associated with increased cholesterol levels. High intake of animal protein and fat and low fibre is known to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, but other studies of the TLS in northern Sweden have shown comparable incidences of cardiovascular disease to the reference (NTLS) group from the same geographical area. This indicates that factors other than TC influence disease risk. One such possible factor is dietary phospholipids, which are also found in high amounts specifically in game meat and have been shown to inhibit cholesterol absorption.

Why Do Only Some Women Develop Post Menopausal Osteoporosis

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-03-01

rat model, a high fructose diet was chosen. High fructose diet has been shown to produce increased levels of AGEs (pentosidine, carbodymethyllysine...endproducts, bone remodeling, bone mineral density, high fructose diet ...sixty rats 3b. Start the controlled research diets - Normal diet groups (3x n of 10) and High Fructose Diet groups (3x n of 10 3c. at the end of

Laboratory experiments on plasma contactors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilbur, Paul J.; Williams, John D.

1990-01-01

Experimental results describing the operation of hollow cathode plasma contactors collecting and emitting electrons from and to an ambient plasma at current levels of the order of one ampere are presented. The voltage drops induced between a contactor and an ambient plasma are shown to be a few tens of volts at such current levels. The development of a double sheath and the production of substantial numbers of ions by electrons streaming across it are associated with the electron collection process. The development of a complex potential structure including a high potential hill just downstream of the cathode orifice is shown to characterize typical contactor emitting electrons.

Level density parameter behaviour at high excitation energy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Arrigo, A.; Giardina, G.; Taccone, A.

1991-06-01

We present a formalism to calculate the intrinsic (without collective effects) and effective (with collective effects) level density parameters over a wide range of excitation energy up to 180 MeV. The behaviour of aint and aeff as an energy function is shown for several typical nuclei (115Cd, 129Te, 148Pm, 173Yb, 192Ir and 248Cm). Moreover, local systematics of the parameter aeff as a function of the neutron number N, also for nuclei extremely far from the β-line, is shown for some typical nuclei (Rb, Pd, Sn, Ba and Hg) at excitation energies of 15, 80 and 150 MeV.

Near-optimal integration of facial form and motion.

PubMed

Dobs, Katharina; Ma, Wei Ji; Reddy, Leila

2017-09-08

Human perception consists of the continuous integration of sensory cues pertaining to the same object. While it has been fairly well shown that humans use an optimal strategy when integrating low-level cues proportional to their relative reliability, the integration processes underlying high-level perception are much less understood. Here we investigate cue integration in a complex high-level perceptual system, the human face processing system. We tested cue integration of facial form and motion in an identity categorization task and found that an optimal model could successfully predict subjects' identity choices. Our results suggest that optimal cue integration may be implemented across different levels of the visual processing hierarchy.

Transcriptional cosuppression of yeast Ty1 retrotransposons

PubMed Central

Jiang, Yi Wei

2002-01-01

Cosuppression, the silencing of dispersed homologous genes triggered by high copy number, may have evolved in eukaryotic organisms to control molecular parasites such as viruses and transposons. Ty1 retrotransposons are dispersed gene repeats in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, where no cosuppression has been previously observed. Ty1 elements are seemingly expressed undeterred to a level as high as 10% of total mRNA. Using Ty1–URA3 reporters and negative selection with 5-fluoroorotic acid, it is shown that Ty1 genes can undergo transcriptional cosuppression that is independent of DNA methylation and polycomb-mediated repression. Expression of Ty1-related genes was shown to be in one of two states, the coexpressed state with all Ty1-related genes transcribed or the cosuppressed state with all Ty1-related genes shut off, without uncoordinated or mosaic expression in any individual cell. Rapid switches between the two states were observed. A high copy number of Ty1 elements was shown to be required for the initiation of Ty1 homology-dependent gene silencing, implying that Ty1 gene expression is under negative feedback control. Ty1 transcriptional repressors facilitated the onset of Ty1 cosuppression, and the native Ty1 promoters were required for Ty1 cosuppression, indicating that Ty1 cosuppression occurs at the transcriptional level. PMID:11850409

Closer to the Finish Line? Compulsory Attendance, Grade Attainment, and High School Graduation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moussa, Wael S.

2017-01-01

High school graduation rates are a central policy topic in the United States and have been shown to be stagnant for the past three decades. Using student-level administrative data from New York City Public Schools, I examine the impact of compulsory school attendance on high school graduation rates and grade attainment, focusing the analysis on…

Job Satisfaction, Recruitment, and Retention of Entry-Level Residence Life and Housing Staff

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidson, Denise L.

2012-01-01

Most workers aspire to jobs where they are highly satisfied. This satisfaction may come from remuneration, opportunities for advancement, the work itself, or other factors. Studies have shown that job satisfaction has the potential to reduce absenteeism and employee turnover, but we still know little about the specific satisfaction levels of…

Violence in Schools: Perspectives (and Hope) from Galtung and Buber

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cremin, Hilary; Guilherme, Alexandre

2016-01-01

Research into violence in schools has been growing steadily at an international level, and has shown high degrees of violence at various different levels. Given the seriousness of the problem, finding ways of responding to this issue in schools becomes an imperative for educationists. In this article, we engage with this problem by defending the…

Sampling and position effects in the Electronically Steered Thinned Array Radiometer (ESTAR)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Katzberg, Stephen J.

1993-01-01

A simple engineering level model of the Electronically Steered Thinned Array Radiometer (ESTAR) is developed that allows an identification of the major effects of the sampling process involved with this technique. It is shown that the ESTAR approach is sensitive to aliasing and has a highly non-uniform sensitivity profile. It is further shown that the ESTAR approach is strongly sensitive to position displacements of the low-density sampling antenna elements.

Education for Democracy in Israel: Structural Impediments and Basic Dilemmas

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neuberger, Benyamin

2007-01-01

Research in Israel has shown a high level of non-democratic, and even anti-democratic, attitudes among Israeli high-school students. Similar findings in the adult population indicate that this is not a "childhood disorder" that evaporates with age, but something which could pose a threat to Israel's young and fragile democracy. The…

Physical Activity and Cervical Cancer Testing among American Indian Women

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Muus, Kyle J.; Baker-Demaray, Twyla B.; Bogart, T. Andy; Duncan, Glen E.; Jacobsen, Clemma; Buchwald, Dedra S.; Henderson, Jeffrey A.

2012-01-01

Purpose: Studies have shown that women who engage in high levels of physical activity have higher rates of cancer screening, including Papanicalaou (Pap) tests. Because American Indian (AI) women are at high risk for cervical cancer morbidity and mortality, we examined Pap screening prevalence and assessed whether physical activity was associated…

Computational Assessment of Aft-Body Closure for the HSR Reference H Configuration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Londenberg, W. Kelly

1999-01-01

A study has been conducted to determine how well the USM3D unstructured Euler solver can be utilized to predict the flow over the High Speed Research (HSR) Reference H configuration with an ultimate goal of prediction of Sting interference so after body closure effects may be evaluated. This study has shown that the code can be used to predict the interference effects of a lower mounted blade sting with a high degree of confidence. It has been shown that wing and fuselage pressures, both levels and trends, can be predicted well. Force and moment levels are not predicted well but experimental trends are predicted. Based upon this, predicted force and moment increments are assumed to be predicted accurately. Deflection of the horizontal tail was found to cause a non-linear increment from the non-deflected sting interference effects.

Green tea extracts reduce leukocyte cell-Derived chemotaxin 2 and selenoprotein P levels in the livers of C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet.

PubMed

Onishi, Shintaro; Kitazawa, Hidefumi; Meguro, Shinichi; Tokimitsu, Ichiro

2018-05-31

Epidemiological studies suggest that green tea extracts (GTEs), including catechins such as epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate, have a beneficial effect on obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation. Although several studies have shown that catechins directly modulate the cellular and molecular alterations in the liver tissue, the contributions of indirect mechanisms underlying these systemic effects of catechins remain unclear. In this study, we report that, in the C57BL/6J mouse liver, GTEs reduce high-fat diet-induced increases in the levels of hepatokines, liver-derived secretary proteins such as leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 and selenoprotein P production, which have been shown to induce systemic adverse effects, including several metabolic diseases. These findings suggest that the systemic effects of GTEs involve the regulation of hepatokine production as an indirect mechanism.

Student Success in First-Year University Physics and Mathematics Courses: Does the High-School Attended Make a Difference?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Adamuti-Trache, Maria; Bluman, George; Tiedje, Thomas

2013-01-01

This paper considers school factors that contribute to a successful transition from high school to first-year university Physics courses at the University of British Columbia by employing a two-level hierarchical model. It is assumed that there is a relationship between student performance and the high school they graduated from. It is shown that…

Dynamic analysis of a buckled asymmetric piezoelectric beam for energy harvesting

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

Van Blarigan, Louis, E-mail: louis01@umail.ucsb.edu; Moehlis, Jeff

2016-03-15

A model of a buckled beam energy harvester is analyzed to determine the phenomena behind the transition between high and low power output levels. It is shown that the presence of a chaotic attractor is a sufficient condition to predict high power output, though there are relatively small areas where high output is achieved without a chaotic attractor. The chaotic attractor appears as a product of a period doubling cascade or a boundary crisis. Bifurcation diagrams provide insight into the development of the chaotic region as the input power level is varied, as well as the intermixed periodic windows.

Investigation of energy transport in DIII-D high- β P EAST-demonstration discharges with the TGLF turbulent and NEO neoclassical transport models [Investigation of energy transport in DIII-D high- β P EAST-demonstration discharges with turbulent and neoclassical transport models

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

Pan, Chengkang; Staebler, Gary M.; Lao, Lang L.

Here, energy transport analyses of DIII-D high-β P EAST-demonstration discharges have been performed using the TGYRO transport package with TGLF turbulent and NEO neoclassical transport models under the OMFIT integrated modeling framework. Ion energy transport is shown to be dominated by neoclassical transport and ion temperature profiles predicted by TGYRO agree closely with the experimental measured profiles for these high-β P discharges. Ion energy transport is largely insensitive to reductions in the E × B flow shear stabilization. The Shafranov shift is shown to play a role in the suppression of the ion turbulent energy transport below the neoclassical level.more » Electron turbulent energy transport is under-predicted by TGLF and a significant shortfall in the electron energy transport over the whole core plasma is found with TGLF predictions for these high-β P discharges. TGYRO can successfully predict the experimental ion and electron temperature profiles by artificially increasing the saturated turbulence level for ETG driven modes used in TGLF.« less

Investigation of energy transport in DIII-D high- β P EAST-demonstration discharges with the TGLF turbulent and NEO neoclassical transport models [Investigation of energy transport in DIII-D high- β P EAST-demonstration discharges with turbulent and neoclassical transport models

DOE PAGES

Pan, Chengkang; Staebler, Gary M.; Lao, Lang L.; ...

2017-01-11

Here, energy transport analyses of DIII-D high-β P EAST-demonstration discharges have been performed using the TGYRO transport package with TGLF turbulent and NEO neoclassical transport models under the OMFIT integrated modeling framework. Ion energy transport is shown to be dominated by neoclassical transport and ion temperature profiles predicted by TGYRO agree closely with the experimental measured profiles for these high-β P discharges. Ion energy transport is largely insensitive to reductions in the E × B flow shear stabilization. The Shafranov shift is shown to play a role in the suppression of the ion turbulent energy transport below the neoclassical level.more » Electron turbulent energy transport is under-predicted by TGLF and a significant shortfall in the electron energy transport over the whole core plasma is found with TGLF predictions for these high-β P discharges. TGYRO can successfully predict the experimental ion and electron temperature profiles by artificially increasing the saturated turbulence level for ETG driven modes used in TGLF.« less

Open-Ended Projects: 21st Century Learning in Engineering Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nichols, Scott

2016-01-01

Preparing students to be competitive in the 21st century global economy is undoubtedly one of the major goals of all educators. Studies have shown that students who have an increased exposure to engaging STEM courses at the high school level are more likely to enter STEM majors at the collegiate level and, thus, STEM industries post-graduation…

Autonomy of Lower-Level Perception from Global Processing in Autism: Evidence from Brain Activation and Functional Connectivity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Yanni; Cherkassky, Vladimir L.; Minshew, Nancy J.; Just, Marcel Adam

2011-01-01

Previous behavioral studies have shown that individuals with autism are less hindered by interference from global processing during the performance of lower-level perceptual tasks, such as finding embedded figures. The primary goal of this study was to examine the brain manifestation of such atypicality in high-functioning autism using fMRI.…

Ran GTPase promotes cancer progression via Met receptor-mediated downstream signaling

PubMed Central

Yuen, Hiu-Fung; Chan, Ka-Kui; Platt-Higgins, Angela; Dakir, El-Habib; Matchett, Kyle B.; Haggag, Yusuf Ahmed; Jithesh, Puthen V.; Habib, Tanwir; Faheem, Ahmed; Dean, Fennell A.; Morgan, Richard; Rudland, Philip S.; El-Tanani, Mohamed

2016-01-01

It has been shown previously that cancer cells with an activated oncogenic pathway, including Met activation, require Ran for growth and survival. Here, we show that knockdown of Ran leads to a reduction of Met receptor expression in several breast and lung cancer cell lines. This, in turn suppressed HGF expression and the Met-mediated activation of the Akt pathway, as well as cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. In a cell line model where Met amplification has previously been shown to contribute to gefitinib resistance, Ran knockdown sensitized cells to gefitinib-mediated inhibition of Akt and ERK1/2 phosphorylation and consequently reduced cell proliferation. We further demonstrate that Met reduction-mediated by knockdown of Ran, occurs at the post-transcriptional level, probably via a matrix metalloproteinase. Moreover, the level of immunoreactive Ran and Met are positively associated in human breast cancer specimens, suggesting that a high level of Ran may be a pre-requisite for Met overexpression. Interestingly, a high level of immunoreactive Ran dictates the prognostic significance of Met, indicating that the co-overexpression of Met and Ran may be associated with cancer progression and could be used in combination as a prognostic indicator. PMID:27716616

Effects of contour enhancement on low-vision preference and visual search.

PubMed

Satgunam, Premnandhini; Woods, Russell L; Luo, Gang; Bronstad, P Matthew; Reynolds, Zachary; Ramachandra, Chaithanya; Mel, Bartlett W; Peli, Eli

2012-09-01

To determine whether image enhancement improves visual search performance and whether enhanced images were also preferred by subjects with vision impairment. Subjects (n = 24) with vision impairment (vision: 20/52 to 20/240) completed visual search and preference tasks for 150 static images that were enhanced to increase object contours' visual saliency. Subjects were divided into two groups and were shown three enhancement levels. Original and medium enhancements were shown to both groups. High enhancement was shown to group 1, and low enhancement was shown to group 2. For search, subjects pointed to an object that matched a search target displayed at the top left of the screen. An "integrated search performance" measure (area under the curve of cumulative correct response rate over search time) quantified performance. For preference, subjects indicated the preferred side when viewing the same image with different enhancement levels on side-by-side high-definition televisions. Contour enhancement did not improve performance in the visual search task. Group 1 subjects significantly (p < 0.001) rejected the High enhancement, and showed no preference for medium enhancement over the original images. Group 2 subjects significantly preferred (p < 0.001) both the medium and the low enhancement levels over original. Contrast sensitivity was correlated with both preference and performance; subjects with worse contrast sensitivity performed worse in the search task (ρ = 0.77, p < 0.001) and preferred more enhancement (ρ = -0.47, p = 0.02). No correlation between visual search performance and enhancement preference was found. However, a small group of subjects (n = 6) in a narrow range of mid-contrast sensitivity performed better with the enhancement, and most (n = 5) also preferred the enhancement. Preferences for image enhancement can be dissociated from search performance in people with vision impairment. Further investigations are needed to study the relationships between preference and performance for a narrow range of mid-contrast sensitivity where a beneficial effect of enhancement may exist.

High-bandwidth and low-loss multimode polymer waveguides and waveguide components for high-speed board-level optical interconnects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bamiedakis, N.; Chen, J.; Penty, R. V.; White, I. H.

2016-03-01

Multimode polymer waveguides are being increasingly considered for use in short-reach board-level optical interconnects as they exhibit favourable optical properties and allow direct integration onto standard PCBs with conventional methods of the electronics industry. Siloxane-based multimode waveguides have been demonstrated with excellent optical transmission performance, while a wide range of passive waveguide components that offer routing flexibility and enable the implementation of complex on-board interconnection architectures has been reported. In recent work, we have demonstrated that these polymer waveguides can exhibit very high bandwidth-length products in excess of 30 GHz×m despite their highly-multimoded nature, while it has been shown that even larger values of > 60 GHz×m can be achieved by adjusting their refractive index profile. Furthermore, the combination of refractive index engineering and launch conditioning schemes can ensure high bandwidth (> 100 GHz×m) and high coupling efficiency (<1 dB) with standard multimode fibre inputs with relatively large alignment tolerances (~17×15 μm2). In the work presented here, we investigate the effects of refractive index engineering on the performance of passive waveguide components (crossings, bends) and provide suitable design rules for their on-board use. It is shown that, depending on the interconnection layout and link requirements, appropriate choice of refractive index profile can provide enhanced component performance, ensuring low loss interconnection and adequate link bandwidth. The results highlight the strong potential of this versatile optical technology for the formation of high-performance board-level optical interconnects with high routing flexibility.

Non-invasive in-vivo Raman spectroscopic measurement of the dynamics of the antioxidant substance lycopene in the human skin after a dietary supplementation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darvin, M. E.; Gersonde, I.; Albrecht, H.; Sterry, W.; Lademann, J.

2007-05-01

A non-invasive optical method based on resonance Raman spectroscopy was used for the in vivo detection of the concentration of the carotenoid antioxidant substance lycopene in the human skin. The physiological variation of the level of lycopene in the skin during a 6 month period was measured daily in 7 volunteers. It was shown that all volunteers had a different individual level of lycopene in the skin, depending on the lifestyle of volunteers. It was shown that the supplementation of the foodstuffs containing lycopene, such as tomato products and some fruits, increases the level of lycopene in the skin. The increase in the lycopene level can be usually observed on the next day after the supplementation. The present results demonstrate that a diet rich in products containing a high amount of carotenoids, such as lycopene, can be an efficient strategy to increase the carotenoid level of the skin.

An Investigation of the Generalizability of Medical School Grades.

PubMed

Kreiter, Clarence D; Ferguson, Kristi J

2016-01-01

Construct/Background: Medical school grades are currently unstandardized, and their level of reliability is unknown. This means their usefulness for reporting on student achievement is also not well documented. This study investigates grade reliability within 1 medical school. Generalizability analyses are conducted on grades awarded. Grades from didactic and clerkship-based courses were treated as 2 levels of a fixed facet within a univariate mixed model. Grades from within the 2 levels (didactic and clerkship) were also entered in a multivariate generalizability study. Grades from didactic courses were shown to produce a highly reliable mean score (G = .79) when averaged over as few as 5 courses. Although the universe score correlation between didactic and clerkship courses was high (r = .80), the clerkship courses required almost twice as many grades to reach a comparable level of reliability. When grades were converted to a Pass/Fail metric, almost all information contained in the grades was lost. Although it has been suggested that the imprecision of medical school grades precludes their use as a reliable indicator of student achievement, these results suggest otherwise. While it is true that a Pass/Fail system of grading provides very little information about a student's level of performance, a multi-tiered grading system was shown to be a highly reliable indicator of student achievement within the medical school. Although grades awarded during the first 2 didactic years appear to be more reliable than clerkship grades, both yield useful information about student performance within the medical college.

Estimating cognitive workload using wavelet entropy-based features during an arithmetic task.

PubMed

Zarjam, Pega; Epps, Julien; Chen, Fang; Lovell, Nigel H

2013-12-01

Electroencephalography (EEG) has shown promise as an indicator of cognitive workload; however, precise workload estimation is an ongoing research challenge. In this investigation, seven levels of workload were induced using an arithmetic task, and the entropy of wavelet coefficients extracted from EEG signals is shown to distinguish all seven levels. For a subject-independent multi-channel classification scheme, the entropy features achieved high accuracy, up to 98% for channels from the frontal lobes, in the delta frequency band. This suggests that a smaller number of EEG channels in only one frequency band can be deployed for an effective EEG-based workload classification system. Together with analysis based on phase locking between channels, these results consistently suggest increased synchronization of neural responses for higher load levels. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analyzing and designing object-oriented missile simulations with concurrency

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Randorf, Jeffrey Allen

2000-11-01

A software object model for the six degree-of-freedom missile modeling domain is presented. As a precursor, a domain analysis of the missile modeling domain was started, based on the Feature-Oriented Domain Analysis (FODA) technique described by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI). It was subsequently determined the FODA methodology is functionally equivalent to the Object Modeling Technique. The analysis used legacy software documentation and code from the ENDOSIM, KDEC, and TFrames 6-DOF modeling tools, including other technical literature. The SEI Object Connection Architecture (OCA) was the template for designing the object model. Three variants of the OCA were considered---a reference structure, a recursive structure, and a reference structure with augmentation for flight vehicle modeling. The reference OCA design option was chosen for maintaining simplicity while not compromising the expressive power of the OMT model. The missile architecture was then analyzed for potential areas of concurrent computing. It was shown how protected objects could be used for data passing between OCA object managers, allowing concurrent access without changing the OCA reference design intent or structure. The implementation language was the 1995 release of Ada. OCA software components were shown how to be expressed as Ada child packages. While acceleration of several low level and other high operations level are possible on proper hardware, there was a 33% degradation of 4th order Runge-Kutta integrator performance of two simultaneous ordinary differential equations using Ada tasking on a single processor machine. The Defense Department's High Level Architecture was introduced and explained in context with the OCA. It was shown the HLA and OCA were not mutually exclusive architectures, but complimentary. HLA was shown as an interoperability solution, with the OCA as an architectural vehicle for software reuse. Further directions for implementing a 6-DOF missile modeling environment are discussed.

The CMS High-Level Trigger

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Covarelli, R.

2009-12-01

At the startup of the LHC, the CMS data acquisition is expected to be able to sustain an event readout rate of up to 100 kHz from the Level-1 trigger. These events will be read into a large processor farm which will run the "High-Level Trigger" (HLT) selection algorithms and will output a rate of about 150 Hz for permanent data storage. In this report HLT performances are shown for selections based on muons, electrons, photons, jets, missing transverse energy, τ leptons and b quarks: expected efficiencies, background rates and CPU time consumption are reported as well as relaxation criteria foreseen for a LHC startup instantaneous luminosity.

Exposure to toxic chemicals in the diet: is the Brazilian population at risk?

PubMed

Caldas, Eloisa Dutra; Jardim, Andreia Nunes Oliveira

2012-01-01

In Brazil, in the last 20 years, dietary risk assessments have been conducted on pesticides, mycotoxins, food additives, heavy metals (mainly mercury), environmental contaminants (mainly DDT) and acrylamide, a compound formed during food processing. The objectives of this paper were to review these studies, discuss their limitations and uncertainties and identify the most critical chemicals that may pose a health risk to Brazilian consumers. The studies have shown that the cumulative intake of organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides by high consumers of fruits and vegetables may represent a health concern (up to 169% of the ARfD), although the benefits of consuming large portions of those foods most probably overcome the risks. High consumers of maize products may also be at risk due to the presence of fumonisin (355% of the PMTDI), a mycotoxin present at high levels in Brazilian maize. The studies conducted in the Brazilian Amazon have shown that riparian fish consumers are exposed to unsafe levels of mercury. However, this is a more complex issue, as mercury levels in the region are naturally high and the health benefits of a fish-based diet are well known. Studies conducted both in Brazil and internationally on acrylamide have shown that the exposure to this genotoxic compound, mainly from the consumption of French fries and potato chips, is of health concern. Reducing the population dietary exposure to toxic chemicals is a challenge for government authorities and food producers in all countries. Management strategies aimed at decreasing exposure to the critical chemicals identified in this review involve limiting the use or eliminating highly toxic pesticides, implementing good agricultural practices to decrease maize contamination by fumonisins, educating local fish-eating communities toward a fish diet less contaminated by mercury, and changing dietary habits concerning the consumption of fried potatoes, the main processed food containing acrylamide.

Underwater noise reduction of marine pile driving using a double pile.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-12-01

Impact pile driving of steel piles in marine environments produces extremely high sound levels in the water. : It has been shown that current pile driving noise attenuation techniques, such as bubble curtains and : cofferdams, provide limited noise r...

Testing a Model of Teaching for Anxiety and Success for English Language Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Önem, Evrim; Ergenç, Iclal

2013-01-01

Much research has shown that there is a negative relationship between high levels of anxiety and success for English language teaching. This paper aimed to test a model of teaching for anxiety and success in English language teaching to affect anxiety and success levels at the same time in a control-experiment group with pre- and post-test study…

Integrated mobile robot control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amidi, Omead; Thorpe, Charles

1991-01-01

This paper describes the structure, implementation, and operation of a real-time mobile robot controller which integrates capabilities such as: position estimation, path specification and tracking, human interfaces, fast communication, and multiple client support. The benefits of such high-level capabilities in a low-level controller was shown by its implementation for the Navlab autonomous vehicle. In addition, performance results from positioning and tracking systems are reported and analyzed.

S+T+R+O+N+G Kids Life Skills Program: Levels K-5.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silbert, Linda Bress; Silbert, Alvin J.

Strong kids have the fortitude to resist drug/alcohol abuse and other tendencies towards anti-social behavior. Research has shown that strong kids have attained a high level of development in six crucial areas. The S+T+R+O+N+G Kids Program builds upon each of these areas: (1) Self-Esteem; (2) Trust; (3) Responsibility; (4) Options; (5) Needs; (6)…

Integrated mobile robot control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amidi, Omead; Thorpe, Chuck E.

1991-03-01

This paper describes the strucwre implementation and operation of a real-time mobile robot controller which integrates capabilities such as: position estimation path specification and hacking human interfaces fast communication and multiple client support The benefits of such high-level capabilities in a low-level controller was shown by its implementation for the Naviab autonomous vehicle. In addition performance results from positioning and tracking systems are reported and analyzed.

Origin of High Electronic Quality in Solar Cell Absorber CH3NH3PbI3

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Wanjian; Shi, Tingting; Wei, Suhua; Yan, Yanfa

Thin-film solar cells based on CH3NH3PbI3 halide perovskites have recently shown remarkable performance. First-principle calculations and molecular dynamic simulations show that the structure of pristine CH3NH3PbI3 is much more disordered than the inorganic archetypal thin-film semiconductor CdTe. However, the structural disorders from thermal fluctuation, point defects and grain boundaries introduce rare deep defect states within the bandgaps; therefore, the material has high electronic quality. We have further shown that this unusually high electronic quality is attributed to the unique electronic structures of halide perovskite: the strong coupling between cation lone-pair Pb s orbitals and anion p orbitals and the large atomic size of constitute cation atoms. We further found that although CH3NH3PbI3 GBs do not introduce a deep gap state, the defect level close to the VBM can still act as a shallow hole trap state. Cl and O can spontaneously segregate into GBs and passivate those defect levels and deactivate the trap state.

Reionization and the cosmic microwave background in an open universe

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Persi, Fred M.

1995-01-01

If the universe was reionized at high reshift (z greater than or approximately equal to 30) or never recombined, then photon-electron scattering can erase fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background at scales less than or approximately equal to 1 deg. Peculiar motion at the surface of last scattering will then have given rise to new anisotropy at the 1 min level through the Vishniac effect. Here the observed fluctuations in galaxy counts are extrapolated to high redshifts using linear theory, and the expected anisotropy is computed. The predicted level of anisotropies is a function of Omega(sub 0) and the ratio of the density in ionized baryons to the critical density and is shown to depend strongly on the large- and small-scale power. It is not possible to make general statements about the viability of all reionized models based on current observations, but it is possible to rule out specific models for structure formation, particularly those with high baryonic content or small-scale power. The induced fluctuations are shown to scale with cosmological parameters and optical depth.

Crew Earth Observations over Bolivia taken during Expedition 12

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-11-03

ISS012-E-06468 (3 Nov. 2005) --- A portion of Lake Poopo is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 12 crewmember on the International Space Station. Lake Poopo sits high in the Bolivian Andes, catching runoff from its larger neighbor to the north - Lake Titicaca (not shown) - by way of the Desaguadero River (muddy area at the north end of the lake). Because Lake Poopo is very high in elevation (roughly 3400 meters or 11,000 feet above sea level), very shallow (generally less than 3 meters or 9 feet), and the regional climate is very dry, small changes in precipitation in the surrounding basin have large impacts on the water levels and areal extent of Lake Poopo. When the lake fills during wet periods, Poopo drains from the south end into Salar de Coipasa (not shown). Water levels in Poopo are important because it is one of South America’s largest saline lakes, and a prime stop for migratory birds, including flamingoes. NASA managers have tasked the station crew to track such changes, which are related to regional weather patterns. Lake Poopo’s sensitivity to precipitation in the high Andes (possibly reflecting larger climate cycles) provides an excellent visual indicator of these trends.

Crew Earth Observations over Bolivia taken during Expedition 12

NASA Image and Video Library

2005-11-03

ISS012-E-06469 (3 Nov. 2005) --- A portion of Lake Poopo is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 12 crewmember on the International Space Station. Lake Poopo sits high in the Bolivian Andes, catching runoff from its larger neighbor to the north - Lake Titicaca (not shown) - by way of the Desaguadero River (muddy area at the north end of the lake). Because Lake Poopo is very high in elevation (roughly 3400 meters or 11,000 feet above sea level), very shallow (generally less than 3 meters or 9 feet), and the regional climate is very dry, small changes in precipitation in the surrounding basin have large impacts on the water levels and areal extent of Lake Poopo. When the lake fills during wet periods, Poopo drains from the south end into Salar de Coipasa (not shown). Water levels in Poopo are important because it is one of South America’s largest saline lakes, and a prime stop for migratory birds, including flamingoes. NASA managers have tasked the station crew to track such changes, which are related to regional weather patterns. Lake Poopo’s sensitivity to precipitation in the high Andes (possibly reflecting larger climate cycles) provides an excellent visual indicator of these trends.

An Analysis of the Appropriateness and Utilization of TOUS with Special Reference to High-Ability Students Studying Physics

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Durkee, Phillip

1974-01-01

Reported is a study having several major purposes. Among these were (1) to investigate the change in "understanding the nature of science" as shown by high school students studying physics-astronomy at a summer science institute and (2) to compare the level of understanding possessed by the summer science group with normative secondary…

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Classroom Quality and Children's Social and Academic Skills in Early Elementary Grades

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mokrova, Irina; Broekhuizen, Martine; Burchinal, Margaret

2015-01-01

A growing body of research has shown that high quality early care and education (ECE) is positively related to the development of children's social and academic skills (e.g., Barnett, 2011; Lamb & Ahnert, 2006; NICHD ECCRN, 2006). There is evidence that high quality ECE experiences can improve children's levels of social adjustment (Bierman et…

Temporal distance and person memory: thinking about the future changes memory for the past.

PubMed

Wyer, Natalie A; Perfect, Timothy J; Pahl, Sabine

2010-06-01

Psychological distance has been shown to influence how people construe an event such that greater distance produces high-level construal (characterized by global or holistic processing) and lesser distance produces low-level construal (characterized by detailed or feature-based processing). The present research tested the hypothesis that construal level has carryover effects on how information about an event is retrieved from memory. Two experiments manipulated temporal distance and found that greater distance (high-level construal) improves face recognition and increases retrieval of the abstract features of an event, whereas lesser distance (low-level construal) impairs face recognition and increases retrieval of the concrete details of an event. The findings have implications for transfer-inappropriate processing accounts of face recognition and event memory, and suggest potential applications in forensic settings.

Supertitrations: High-Precision Methods.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guenther, W. B.

1988-01-01

Offers challenging work at a higher level of technique than most students meet in elementary laboratory work. Uses a combined weight and volumetric sequence not shown in textbooks. Notes modern rapid balances help lower evaporation loss during weighings. Discusses the balance, weights, and buoyancy considerations. (MVL)

ALTERNATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR MEASUREMENT OF PERCHLORATE IN FERTILIZER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAMPLES

EPA Science Inventory

The Perchlorate anion has been implicated as a potentially serious environmental pollutant, being found in drinking water and irrigated crops. Commercial fertilizers have recently been shown to contain high levels of Perchlorate impurities and thus be potentially important source...

Asymptotic form of the charge exchange cross section in the three body rearrangement collisions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Omidvar, K.

1975-01-01

A three body general rearrangement collision is considered where the initial and final bound states are described by the hydrogen-like wave functions. Mathematical models are developed to establish the relationships of quantum number, the reduced mass, and the nuclear charge of the final state. It is shown that for the low lying levels, the reciprocal of n cubed scaling law at all incident energies is only approximately satisfied. The case of the symmetric collisions is considered and it is shown that for high n and high incident energy, E, the cross section behaves as the reciprocal of E cubed. Zeros and minima in the differential cross sections in the limit of high n for protons on atomic hydrogen and positrons on atomic hydrogen are given.

[Genetic polymorphism of Gentiana lutea L. (Gentianaceae) populations from Chornohora Ridge of Ukrainian Carpathians].

PubMed

Mosula, M Z; Konvaliuk, I I; Mel'nyk, V M; Drobyk, N M; Tsaryk, I V; Nesteruk, Iu I; Kunakh, V A

2014-01-01

The features of genetic structure and level of diversity were investigated for G. lutea populations from Chornohora Ridge of Ukrainian Carpathians using RAPD- and ISSR-PCR. We have shown a high level of genetic diversity for investigated populations. The differences between populations account for 59-72% of the total genetic variation, whereas intrapopulation polymorphism makes up 28-41%. The relationships among genetic variability level and ecological-geographical conditions as well as biological features of the species were assumed to be possible. The obtained results indicate the genetic isolation of G. lutea Chornohora populations from Ukrainian Carpathians. Pozhyzhevska agropopulation was characterized by a high level of polymorphism that means the possibility to use artificial plantings of the investigated species for its conservation.

High-Level Heat Resistance of Spores of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus licheniformis Results from the Presence of a spoVA Operon in a Tn1546 Transposon

PubMed Central

Berendsen, Erwin M.; Koning, Rosella A.; Boekhorst, Jos; de Jong, Anne; Kuipers, Oscar P.; Wells-Bennik, Marjon H. J.

2016-01-01

Bacterial endospore formers can produce spores that are resistant to many food processing conditions, including heat. Some spores may survive heating processes aimed at production of commercially sterile foods. Recently, it was shown that a spoVA operon, designated spoVA2mob, present on a Tn1546 transposon in Bacillus subtilis, leads to profoundly increased wet heat resistance of B. subtilis spores. Such Tn1546 transposon elements including the spoVA2mob operon were also found in several strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus licheniformis, and these strains were shown to produce spores with significantly higher resistances to wet heat than their counterparts lacking this transposon. In this study, the locations and compositions of Tn1546 transposons encompassing the spoVA2mob operons in B. amyloliquefaciens and B. licheniformis were analyzed. Introduction of these spoVA2mob operons into B. subtilis 168 (producing spores that are not highly heat resistant) rendered mutant 168 strains that produced high-level heat resistant spores, demonstrating that these elements in B. amyloliquefaciens and B. licheniformis are responsible for high level heat resistance of spores. Assessment of growth of the nine strains of each species between 5.2°C and 57.7°C showed some differences between strains, especially at lower temperatures, but all strains were able to grow at 57.7°C. Strains of B. amyloliquefaciens and B. licheniformis that contain the Tn1546 elements (and produce high-level heat resistant spores) grew at temperatures similar to those of their Tn1546-negative counterparts that produce low-level heat resistant spores. The findings presented in this study allow for detection of B. amyloliquefaciens and B. licheniformis strains that produce highly heat resistant spores in the food chain. PMID:27994575

Measurement and analysis of acoustic flight test data for two advanced design high speed propeller models

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brooks, B. M.; Mackall, K. G.

1984-01-01

The recent test program, in which the SR-2 and SR-3 Prop-Fan models were acoustically tested in flight, is described and the results of analysis of noise data acquired are discussed. The trends of noise levels with flight operating parameters are shown. The acoustic benefits of the SR-3 design with swept blades relative to the SR-2 design with straight blades are shown. Noise data measured on the surface of a small-diameter microphone boom mounted above the fuselage and on the surface of the airplane fuselage are compared to show the effects of acoustic propagation through a boundary layer. Noise level estimates made using a theoretically based prediction methodology are compared with measurements.

Operation Everest II. Plasma Lipid and Hormonal Responses

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-01-01

cholesterol [TC] and high density lipoprotein cholesterol [ HDL -C] concentrations are shown in Fig 2. Pre-ascent...of altitude on fasting total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein ( HDL ) cholesterol concentrations. ** = p<O.Ol from 760 Torr Figure 3: The effect...157.7*9.7 mg/dl, decreased by 25% to .6 118.3*13.5 mg/dl following the 40-day exposure (p<O.Ol). High density lipoprotein [ HDL -C] levels

Oasis: A high-level/high-performance open source Navier-Stokes solver

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mortensen, Mikael; Valen-Sendstad, Kristian

2015-03-01

Oasis is a high-level/high-performance finite element Navier-Stokes solver written from scratch in Python using building blocks from the FEniCS project (fenicsproject.org). The solver is unstructured and targets large-scale applications in complex geometries on massively parallel clusters. Oasis utilizes MPI and interfaces, through FEniCS, to the linear algebra backend PETSc. Oasis advocates a high-level, programmable user interface through the creation of highly flexible Python modules for new problems. Through the high-level Python interface the user is placed in complete control of every aspect of the solver. A version of the solver, that is using piecewise linear elements for both velocity and pressure, is shown to reproduce very well the classical, spectral, turbulent channel simulations of Moser et al. (1999). The computational speed is strongly dominated by the iterative solvers provided by the linear algebra backend, which is arguably the best performance any similar implicit solver using PETSc may hope for. Higher order accuracy is also demonstrated and new solvers may be easily added within the same framework.

Recent advances in QM/MM free energy calculations using reference potentials.

PubMed

Duarte, Fernanda; Amrein, Beat A; Blaha-Nelson, David; Kamerlin, Shina C L

2015-05-01

Recent years have seen enormous progress in the development of methods for modeling (bio)molecular systems. This has allowed for the simulation of ever larger and more complex systems. However, as such complexity increases, the requirements needed for these models to be accurate and physically meaningful become more and more difficult to fulfill. The use of simplified models to describe complex biological systems has long been shown to be an effective way to overcome some of the limitations associated with this computational cost in a rational way. Hybrid QM/MM approaches have rapidly become one of the most popular computational tools for studying chemical reactivity in biomolecular systems. However, the high cost involved in performing high-level QM calculations has limited the applicability of these approaches when calculating free energies of chemical processes. In this review, we present some of the advances in using reference potentials and mean field approximations to accelerate high-level QM/MM calculations. We present illustrative applications of these approaches and discuss challenges and future perspectives for the field. The use of physically-based simplifications has shown to effectively reduce the cost of high-level QM/MM calculations. In particular, lower-level reference potentials enable one to reduce the cost of expensive free energy calculations, thus expanding the scope of problems that can be addressed. As was already demonstrated 40 years ago, the usage of simplified models still allows one to obtain cutting edge results with substantially reduced computational cost. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Recent developments of molecular dynamics. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Double-Stage Delay Multiply and Sum Beamforming Algorithm: Application to Linear-Array Photoacoustic Imaging.

PubMed

Mozaffarzadeh, Moein; Mahloojifar, Ali; Orooji, Mahdi; Adabi, Saba; Nasiriavanaki, Mohammadreza

2018-01-01

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is an emerging medical imaging modality capable of providing high spatial resolution of Ultrasound (US) imaging and high contrast of optical imaging. Delay-and-Sum (DAS) is the most common beamforming algorithm in PAI. However, using DAS beamformer leads to low resolution images and considerable contribution of off-axis signals. A new paradigm namely delay-multiply-and-sum (DMAS), which was originally used as a reconstruction algorithm in confocal microwave imaging, was introduced to overcome the challenges in DAS. DMAS was used in PAI systems and it was shown that this algorithm results in resolution improvement and sidelobe degrading. However, DMAS is still sensitive to high levels of noise, and resolution improvement is not satisfying. Here, we propose a novel algorithm based on DAS algebra inside DMAS formula expansion, double stage DMAS (DS-DMAS), which improves the image resolution and levels of sidelobe, and is much less sensitive to high level of noise compared to DMAS. The performance of DS-DMAS algorithm is evaluated numerically and experimentally. The resulted images are evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using established quality metrics including signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), full-width-half-maximum (FWHM) and contrast ratio (CR). It is shown that DS-DMAS outperforms DAS and DMAS at the expense of higher computational load. DS-DMAS reduces the lateral valley for about 15 dB and improves the SNR and FWHM better than 13% and 30%, respectively. Moreover, the levels of sidelobe are reduced for about 10 dB in comparison with those in DMAS.

Working memory load can both improve and impair selective attention: evidence from the Navon paradigm.

PubMed

Ahmed, Lubna; de Fockert, Jan W

2012-10-01

Selective attention to relevant targets has been shown to depend on the availability of working memory (WM). Under conditions of high WM load, processing of irrelevant distractors is enhanced. Here we showed that this detrimental effect of WM load on selective attention efficiency is reversed when the task requires global- rather than local-level processing. Participants were asked to attend to either the local or the global level of a hierarchical Navon stimulus while keeping either a low or a high load in WM. In line with previous findings, during attention to the local level, distractors at the global level produced more interference under high than under low WM load. By contrast, loading WM had the opposite effect of improving selective attention during attention to the global level. The findings demonstrate that the impact of WM load on selective attention is not invariant, but rather is dependent on the level of the to-be-attended information.

Bio-barcode gel assay for microRNA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hyojin; Park, Jeong-Eun; Nam, Jwa-Min

2014-02-01

MicroRNA has been identified as a potential biomarker because expression level of microRNA is correlated with various cancers. Its detection at low concentrations would be highly beneficial for cancer diagnosis. Here, we develop a new type of a DNA-modified gold nanoparticle-based bio-barcode assay that uses a conventional gel electrophoresis platform and potassium cyanide chemistry and show this assay can detect microRNA at aM levels without enzymatic amplification. It is also shown that single-base-mismatched microRNA can be differentiated from perfectly matched microRNA and the multiplexed detection of various combinations of microRNA sequences is possible with this approach. Finally, differently expressed microRNA levels are selectively detected from cancer cells using the bio-barcode gel assay, and the results are compared with conventional polymerase chain reaction-based results. The method and results shown herein pave the way for practical use of a conventional gel electrophoresis for detecting biomolecules of interest even at aM level without polymerase chain reaction amplification.

Objective sea level pressure analysis for sparse data areas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Druyan, L. M.

1972-01-01

A computer procedure was used to analyze the pressure distribution over the North Pacific Ocean for eleven synoptic times in February, 1967. Independent knowledge of the central pressures of lows is shown to reduce the analysis errors for very sparse data coverage. The application of planned remote sensing of sea-level wind speeds is shown to make a significant contribution to the quality of the analysis especially in the high gradient mid-latitudes and for sparse coverage of conventional observations (such as over Southern Hemisphere oceans). Uniform distribution of the available observations of sea-level pressure and wind velocity yields results far superior to those derived from a random distribution. A generalization of the results indicates that the average lower limit for analysis errors is between 2 and 2.5 mb based on the perfect specification of the magnitude of the sea-level pressure gradient from a known verification analysis. A less than perfect specification will derive from wind-pressure relationships applied to satellite observed wind speeds.

A Penny and a Half and a Pool: Lead Poisoning and Its Impact on Academic Achievement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gehrman, Matthew Paul

2011-01-01

Lead is a neurotoxin that has been shown to have a long and lasting impact on the brains, bodies, and behaviors of those who are poisoned. It also has a greater presence in communities with high levels of poverty and minority populations. Compounded over time, the effects of lead poisoning, even at low levels of exposure, impact a child's…

Monte Carlo simulation of Alaska wolf survival

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feingold, S. J.

1996-02-01

Alaskan wolves live in a harsh climate and are hunted intensively. Penna's biological aging code, using Monte Carlo methods, has been adapted to simulate wolf survival. It was run on the case in which hunting causes the disruption of wolves' social structure. Social disruption was shown to increase the number of deaths occurring at a given level of hunting. For high levels of social disruption, the population did not survive.

A vegetational and ecological resource analysis from space and high flight photography

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poulton, C. E.; Faulkner, D. P.; Schrumpf, B. J.

1970-01-01

A hierarchial classification of vegetation and related resources is considered that is applicable to convert remote sensing data in space and aerial synoptic photography. The numerical symbolization provides for three levels of vegetational classification and three levels of classification of environmental features associated with each vegetational class. It is shown that synoptic space photography accurately projects how urban sprawl affects agricultural land use areas and ecological resources.

Effects of high levels of obesity on driver seat belt fit : final report.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2016-08-18

Obesity has been shown to increase the risks to motor vehicle occupants of some types of injury in crashes. The : effects of obesity on injuries are not well understood and current prevention efforts do not effectively address the : vulnerability ass...

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES TO INVESTIGATE THE INTERACTION OF AIR POLLUTANTS AND LUNG DISEASE

EPA Science Inventory

Epidemiological studies of smokers and other people exposed to high levels of air pollutants have demonstrated that these individuals suffer from more frequent and severe respiratory infections. Studies in animals have also shown that a wide range of airborne pollutants includin...

TOPICAL REVIEW: MUTAGENICITY AND CARCINOGENICITY OF AIR

EPA Science Inventory

Although both outdoor and indoor airs provide exposure to mutagens and carcinogens, this review shows that the level of hazard is highly variable. Outdoor air was first shown to be carcinogenic in 1942 and mutagenic in 1975; and studies examining the genotoxicity of indoor air so...

Development of martensitic steels for high neutron damage applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelles, D. S.

1996-12-01

Martensitic stainless steels have been developed for both in-core applications in advanced liquid metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR) and for first wall and structural materials applications for commercial fusion reactors. It can now be shown that these steels can be expected to maintain properties to levels as high as 175 or 200 dpa, respectively. The 12Cr1Mo0.5W0.2C alloy HT-9 has been extensively tested for LMFBR applications and shown to resist radiation damage, providing a creep and swelling resistant alternative to austenitic steels. Degradation of fracture toughness and Charpy impact properties have been observed, but properties are sufficient to provide reliable service. In comparison, alloys with lower chromium contents are found to decarburize in contact with liquid sodium and are therefore not recommended. Tungsten stabilized martensitic stainless steels have appropriate properties for fusion applications. Radioactivity levels are benign less than 500 years after service, radiation damage resistance is excellent, including impact properties, and swelling is modest. This report describes the history of the development effort.

Connecting large-scale atmospheric circulation, river flow and groundwater levels in a chalk catchment in southern England

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lavers, David A.; Hannah, David M.; Bradley, Chris

2015-04-01

Groundwater is an important water resource and globally it represents the largest distributed store of freshwater. In southern England, groundwater is a major source for public water supply, and many aquifers have recently experienced both extreme low and high groundwater levels. In this paper, we use observations of precipitation, river discharge and groundwater levels (1964-2010) and an atmospheric reanalysis to explore the large-scale climate patterns preceding the nine highest and lowest March river discharge and groundwater levels in the chalk catchment of the River Lambourn (Berkshire Downs, southern England). Peak monthly precipitation is shown to occur from October to January, while the highest river discharge and groundwater levels are found from February to April. For high discharge/groundwater levels, composite anomaly patterns of the mean sea level pressure show a stronger than average pressure gradient across the North Atlantic Ocean, with enhanced water vapour transport across southern England. For the lowest discharge/groundwater levels, a blocking high pressure system is found across the British Isles deflecting storms and precipitation to the north. Significantly, the intra-composite variability suggests that different sequences of atmospheric states may lead to high and low discharge/groundwater events.

Thermoviscoplastic nonlinear constitutive relationships for structural analysis of high temperature metal matrix composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chamis, C. C.; Hopkins, D. A.

1985-01-01

A set of thermoviscoplastic nonlinear constitutive relationships (1VP-NCR) is presented. The set was developed for application to high temperature metal matrix composites (HT-MMC) and is applicable to thermal and mechanical properties. Formulation of the TVP-NCR is based at the micromechanics level. The TVP-NCR are of simple form and readily integrated into nonlinear composite structural analysis. It is shown that the set of TVP-NCR is computationally effective. The set directly predicts complex materials behavior at all levels of the composite simulation, from the constituent materials, through the several levels of composite mechanics, and up to the global response of complex HT-MMC structural components.

Fiber reinforced glasses and glass-ceramics for high performance applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prewo, K. M.; Brennan, J. J.; Layden, G. K.

1986-01-01

The development of fiber reinforced glass and glass-ceramic matrix composites is described. The general concepts involved in composite fabrication and resultant composite properties are given for a broad range of fiber and matrix combinations. It is shown that composite materials can be tailored to achieve high levels of toughness, strength, and elastic stiffness, as well as wear resistance and dimensional stability.

IETM Usability: Using Empirical Studies to Improve Performance Aiding

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-05-14

is highly graphical . An example screen is shown in Figure 3. Following is a description of the design solutions incorporated in Interface B to...in enabling lesser skilled U.S. Navy maintainers to perform their jobs. This empirical study about the design and effectiveness of high level IETMs...novice preferences and performance were documented to inform future adaptive interface design efforts. The maintainers who participated were

Litter Decomposition in Low and High Mortality Northern Red Oak Stands on Extremely Acidic Southwestern Pennsylvania Soils

Treesearch

Michael C. Demchik; William E. Sharpe

2004-01-01

Previous research has shown that decomposition of organic matter is slower in soils with high levels of soil acidity and available aluminum (Al). The objective of this experiment was to determine if differences in decomposition rates of northern red oak leaves occurred between extremely acidic and less acidic sites that also differed in oak mortality. Leaf litter from...

iss012e20585

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-03-01

ISS012-E-20585 (9 March 2006) --- A portion of Lake Poopo is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 12 crewmember on the International Space Station. Lake Poopo sits high in the Bolivian Andes, catching runoff from its larger neighbor to the north - Lake Titicaca (not shown) - by way of the Desaguadero River (muddy area at the north end of the lake). Because Lake Poopo is very high in elevation (roughly 3400 meters or 11,000 feet above sea level), very shallow (generally less than 3 meters or 9 feet), and the regional climate is very dry, small changes in precipitation in the surrounding basin have large impacts on the water levels and areal extent of Lake Poopo. When the lake fills during wet periods, Poopo drains from the south end into Salar de Coipasa (not shown). Water levels in Poopo are important because it is one of South America’s largest saline lakes, and a prime stop for migratory birds, including flamingoes. Last November, water levels had dropped, exposing large tracts of salt and mud flats. A wet and cool period between December and the end of February resulted in flooding of Poopo with muddy waters from the Desaguadero River. NASA managers have tasked the station crew to track such changes, which are related to regional weather patterns. Lake Poopo’s sensitivity to precipitation in the high Andes (possibly reflecting larger climate cycles) provides an excellent visual indicator of these trends.

iss012e20586

NASA Image and Video Library

2006-03-09

ISS012-E-20586 (9 March 2006) --- A portion of Lake Poopo is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 12 crewmember on the International Space Station. Lake Poopo sits high in the Bolivian Andes, catching runoff from its larger neighbor to the north - Lake Titicaca (not shown) - by way of the Desaguadero River (muddy area at the north end of the lake). Because Lake Poopo is very high in elevation (roughly 3400 meters or 11,000 feet above sea level), very shallow (generally less than 3 meters or 9 feet), and the regional climate is very dry, small changes in precipitation in the surrounding basin have large impacts on the water levels and areal extent of Lake Poopo. When the lake fills during wet periods, Poopo drains from the south end into Salar de Coipasa (not shown). Water levels in Poopo are important because it is one of South America’s largest saline lakes, and a prime stop for migratory birds, including flamingoes. Last November, water levels had dropped, exposing large tracts of salt and mud flats. A wet and cool period between December and the end of February resulted in flooding of Poopo with muddy waters from the Desaguadero River. NASA managers have tasked the station crew to track such changes, which are related to regional weather patterns. Lake Poopo’s sensitivity to precipitation in the high Andes (possibly reflecting larger climate cycles) provides an excellent visual indicator of these trends.

Sunlight-readable display technology: a dual-use case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blanchard, Randall D.

1996-05-01

This paper describes our vision of sunlight readable color display requirements, an alternate technology that offers a high level of performance, and how we implemented it for the military avionics display market. This knowledge base and product development experience was then applied with a comparable level of performance to commercial applications. The successful dual use of this technology for these two diverse markets is presented. Details of the technical commonality and a comparison of the design and performance differences are presented. A basis for specifying the required level of performance for a sunlight readable full color display is discussed. With the objective of providing a high level of image brightness and high ambient light rejection, a display architecture using collimated light is used. The resulting designs of two military cockpit display products, with contrast ratios above 20:1 in sunlight are shown. The performance of a commercial display providing several thousand foot- Lamberts of image brightness is presented.

A non-LTE model for the Jovian methane infrared emissions at high spectral resolution

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Halthore, Rangasayi N.; Allen, J. E., Jr.; Decola, Philip L.

1994-01-01

High resolution spectra of Jupiter in the 3.3 micrometer region have so far failed to reveal either the continuum or the line emissions that can be unambiguously attributed to the nu(sub 3) band of methane (Drossart et al. 1993; Kim et al. 1991). Nu(sub 3) line intensities predicted with the help of two simple non-Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) models -- a two-level model and a three-level model, using experimentally determined relaxation coefficients, are shown to be one to three orders of magnitude respectively below the 3-sigma noise level of these observations. Predicted nu(sub 4) emission intensities are consistent with observed values. If the methane mixing ratio below the homopause is assumed as 2 x 10(exp -3), a value of about 300 K is derived as an upper limit to the temperature of the high stratosphere at microbar levels.

[Health effects of occupational endotoxin exposure: a review and relevance to veterinary practice].

PubMed

Smit, Lidwien A M; Wouters, Inge M; Heederik, Dick; Douwes, Jeroen

2009-10-15

Endotoxins are cell-wall components of Gram-negative bacteria that are commonly present in plants and plant products and in faecal matter. This review presents an overview of endotoxin exposure levels, associated health effects, and relevance regarding veterinary practice. Exposure to airborne endotoxin is especially high in the agricultural sector and among veterinarians, and in particular among those working with horses or farm animals. Inhalation of endotoxins may cause acute airway inflammation and respiratory symptoms that can lead to (non-allergic) asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in individuals with prolonged exposure to high levels of endotoxins. Interestingly, recent studies have shown that individuals exposed to high levels of endotoxin also have a lower risk of allergic conditions such as hay fever. Although endotoxin may protect against allergies, it is essential to reduce exposure levels in the agricultural sector in order to prevent workers from developing chronic non-allergic respiratory disorders.

Turbulent transition behavior in a separated and attached-flow low pressure turbine passage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Memory, Curtis L.

Various time accurate numerical simulations were conducted on the aft-loaded L1A low pressure turbine airfoil operating at Reynolds numbers presenting with fully-stalled, non-reattaching laminar separation. The numerical solver TURBO was modified from its annular gas turbine simulation configuration to conduct simulations based on a linear cascade wind tunnel facility. Simulation results for the fully separated flow fields revealed various turbulent decay mechanisms. Separated shear layer decay, in the form of vortices forming between the shear layer and the blade wall, was shown to agree with experimental particle image velocimetry (PIV) data in terms of decay vortex size and core vorticity levels. These vortical structures eventually mix into a large recirculation zone which dominates the blade wake. Turbulent wake ex- tent and time-averaged velocity distributions agreed with PIV data. Steady-blowing vortex generating jet (VGJ) flow control was then applied to the flow fields. VGJ-induced streamwise vorticity was only present at blowing ratios above 1.5. VGJs actuated at the point of flow separation on the blade wall were more effective than those actuated downstream, within the separation zone. Pulsed-blowing VGJs at the upstream blade wall position were then actuated at various pulsing frequencies, duty cycles, and blowing ratios. These condition variations yielded differing levels of separation zone mitigation. Pulsed VGJs were shown to be more effective than steady blowing VGJs at conditions of high blowing ratio, high frequency, or high duty cycle, where blowing ratio had the highest level of influence on pulsed jet efficacy. The characteristic "calm zone" following the end of a given VGJ pulse was observed in simulations exhibiting high levels of separation zone mitigation. Numerical velocity fields near the blade wall during this calm zone was shown to be similar to velocity fields observed in PIV data. Instantaneous numerical vorticity fields indicated that the elimination of the separation zone directly downstream of the VGJ hole is a pri- mary indicator of pulsed VGJ efficacy. This indicator was confirmed by numerical time-averaged velocity magnitude rms data in the same region.

Effect of High Intensity Interval and Continuous Swimming Training on Body Mass Adiposity Level and Serum Parameters in High-Fat Diet Fed Rats.

PubMed

da Rocha, Guilherme L; Crisp, Alex H; de Oliveira, Maria R M; da Silva, Carlos A; Silva, Jadson O; Duarte, Ana C G O; Sene-Fiorese, Marcela; Verlengia, Rozangela

2016-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the effects of interval and continuous training on the body mass gain and adiposity levels of rats fed a high-fat diet. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, standard diet and high-fat diet, and received their respective diets for a period of four weeks without exercise stimuli. After this period, the animals were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): control standard diet (CS), control high-fat diet (CH), continuous training standard diet (CTS), continuous training high-fat diet (CTH), interval training standard diet (ITS), and interval training high-fat diet (ITH). The interval and continuous training consisted of a swimming exercise performed over eight weeks. CH rats had greater body mass gain, sum of adipose tissues mass, and lower serum high density lipoprotein values than CS. The trained groups showed lower values of feed intake, caloric intake, body mass gain, and adiposity levels compared with the CH group. No significant differences were observed between the trained groups (CTS versus ITS and CTH versus ITH) on body mass gains and adiposity levels. In conclusion, both training methodologies were shown to be effective in controlling body mass gain and adiposity levels in high-fat diet fed rats.

THE COMBUSTION OF ORIMULSION AND ITS GENERATION OF AIR POLLUTANTS

EPA Science Inventory

Orimulsion, a bitumen-in-water emulsified fuel produced in Venezuela, has shown increased use throughout the world as a replacement for heavy fuel oil and, more frequently during the past several years, coal. Orimulsion has relatively high levels of sulfur, nickel, and vanad...

Community Exposure to Air Manganese and Motor and Cognitive Outcomes

EPA Science Inventory

Although manganese (Mn) is an essential nutrient, occupational studies have shown inhaling high levels of Mn can lead to adverse nervous system health effects. Few studies have examined the health effects of air-Mn exposure on adults in a community. We conducted a cross-sectional...

Chancroid transmission dynamics: a mathematical modeling approach.

PubMed

Bhunu, C P; Mushayabasa, S

2011-12-01

Mathematical models have long been used to better understand disease transmission dynamics and how to effectively control them. Here, a chancroid infection model is presented and analyzed. The disease-free equilibrium is shown to be globally asymptotically stable when the reproduction number is less than unity. High levels of treatment are shown to reduce the reproduction number suggesting that treatment has the potential to control chancroid infections in any given community. This result is also supported by numerical simulations which show a decline in chancroid cases whenever the reproduction number is less than unity.

Older Adults' Outdoor Walking: Inequalities in Neighbourhood Safety, Pedestrian Infrastructure and Aesthetics.

PubMed

Zandieh, Razieh; Martinez, Javier; Flacke, Johannes; Jones, Phil; van Maarseveen, Martin

2016-11-25

Older adults living in high-deprivation areas walk less than those living in low-deprivation areas. Previous research has shown that older adults' outdoor walking levels are related to the neighbourhood built environment. This study examines inequalities in perceived built environment attributes (i.e., safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics) and their possible influences on disparities in older adults' outdoor walking levels in low- and high-deprivation areas of Birmingham, United Kingdom. It applied a mixed-method approach, included 173 participants (65 years and over), used GPS technology to measure outdoor walking levels, used questionnaires (for all participants) and conducted walking interviews (with a sub-sample) to collect data on perceived neighbourhood built environment attributes. The results show inequalities in perceived neighbourhood safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics in high- versus low-deprivation areas and demonstrate that they may influence disparities in participants' outdoor walking levels. Improvements of perceived neighbourhood safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetic in high-deprivation areas are encouraged.

Older Adults’ Outdoor Walking: Inequalities in Neighbourhood Safety, Pedestrian Infrastructure and Aesthetics

PubMed Central

Zandieh, Razieh; Martinez, Javier; Flacke, Johannes; Jones, Phil; van Maarseveen, Martin

2016-01-01

Older adults living in high-deprivation areas walk less than those living in low-deprivation areas. Previous research has shown that older adults’ outdoor walking levels are related to the neighbourhood built environment. This study examines inequalities in perceived built environment attributes (i.e., safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics) and their possible influences on disparities in older adults’ outdoor walking levels in low- and high-deprivation areas of Birmingham, United Kingdom. It applied a mixed-method approach, included 173 participants (65 years and over), used GPS technology to measure outdoor walking levels, used questionnaires (for all participants) and conducted walking interviews (with a sub-sample) to collect data on perceived neighbourhood built environment attributes. The results show inequalities in perceived neighbourhood safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetics in high- versus low-deprivation areas and demonstrate that they may influence disparities in participants’ outdoor walking levels. Improvements of perceived neighbourhood safety, pedestrian infrastructure and aesthetic in high-deprivation areas are encouraged. PMID:27898023

[Composition and Density of Soil Fauna in the Region with Enhanced Radioactivity Level (Komi Republic, Vodnyi)].

PubMed

Kolesnikova, A A; Kudrin, A A; Konakova, T N; Taskaeva, A A

2015-01-01

Studies on the influence of high levels of radiation on soil fauna were carried out in 2012 in the territory formed as a result of the activity of the enterprise for extraction and production of radium from reservoir water and waste of uranium ore from 1931 to 1956. At present the local radioactive pollution in this area is caused by the presence of heavy natural radionuclides 226Ra, 238U and products of their disintegration in soils. The oppression of soil invertebrate.fauna in pine forests and meadows with high levels of radionuclides and heavy metals is revealed. Also shown is the decrease in the number and density of different taxonomic groups of invertebrates, reduction of the diversity and spectrum of trophic groups and vital forms in the area with a high content of radionuclides in soil. Our results are in agreement with the results obtained by the similar studies showing negative influence of high-level ionizing radiation on soil fauna.

High frequency oscillations in brain hemodynamic response

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akin, Ata; Bolay, Hayrunnisa

2007-07-01

Tight autoregulation of vessel tone guarantees proper delivery of nutrients to the tissues. This regulation is maintained at a more delicate level in the brain since any decrease in the supply of glucose and oxygen to neuronal tissues might lead to unrecoverable injury. Functional near infrared spectroscopy has been proposed as a new tool to monitor the cerebrovascular response during cognitive activity. We have observed that during a Stroop task three distinct oscillatory patterns govern the control of the cerebrovascular reactivity: very low frequency (0.02-0.05 Hz), low frequency (0.08-0.12 Hz) and high frequency (0.12-0.18 Hz). High frequency oscillations have been shown to be related to stress level of the subjects. Our findings indicate that as the stress level is increased so does the energy of the high frequency component indicating a higher stimulation from the autonomic nervous system.

High-level expression of human immunodeficiency virus antigens from the tobacco and tomato plastid genomes.

PubMed

Zhou, Fei; Badillo-Corona, Jesus A; Karcher, Daniel; Gonzalez-Rabade, Nuria; Piepenburg, Katrin; Borchers, A-M Inka; Maloney, Alan P; Kavanagh, Tony A; Gray, John C; Bock, Ralph

2008-12-01

Transgene expression from the plant's plastid genome represents a promising strategy in molecular farming because of the plastid's potential to accumulate foreign proteins to high levels and the increased biosafety provided by the maternal mode of organelle inheritance. In this article, we explore the potential of transplastomic plants to produce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antigens as potential components of an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) vaccine. It is shown that the HIV antigens p24 (the major target of T-cell-mediated immune responses in HIV-positive individuals) and Nef can be expressed to high levels in plastids of tobacco, a non-food crop, and tomato, a food crop with an edible fruit. Optimized p24-Nef fusion gene cassettes trigger antigen protein accumulation to up to approximately 40% of the plant's total protein, demonstrating the great potential of transgenic plastids to produce AIDS vaccine components at low cost and high yield.

Advanced uncooled sensor product development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kennedy, A.; Masini, P.; Lamb, M.; Hamers, J.; Kocian, T.; Gordon, E.; Parrish, W.; Williams, R.; LeBeau, T.

2015-06-01

The partnership between RVS, Seek Thermal and Freescale Semiconductor continues on the path to bring the latest technology and innovation to both military and commercial customers. The partnership has matured the 17μm pixel for volume production on the Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS) program in efforts to bring advanced production capability to produce a low cost, high performance product. The partnership has developed the 12μm pixel and has demonstrated performance across a family of detector sizes ranging from formats as small as 206 x 156 to full high definition formats. Detector pixel sensitivities have been achieved using the RVS double level advanced pixel structure. Transition of the packaging of microbolometers from a traditional die level package to a wafer level package (WLP) in a high volume commercial environment is complete. Innovations in wafer fabrication techniques have been incorporated into this product line to assist in the high yield required for volume production. The WLP seal yield is currently > 95%. Simulated package vacuum lives >> 20 years have been demonstrated through accelerated life testing where the package has been shown to have no degradation after 2,500 hours at 150°C. Additionally the rugged assembly has shown no degradation after mechanical shock and vibration and thermal shock testing. The transition to production effort was successfully completed in 2014 and the WLP design has been integrated into multiple new production products including the TWS and the innovative Seek Thermal commercial product that interfaces directly to an iPhone or android device.

Control over high peak-power laser light and laser-driven X-rays

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Baozhen; Banerjee, Sudeep; Yan, Wenchao; Zhang, Ping; Zhang, Jun; Golovin, Grigory; Liu, Cheng; Fruhling, Colton; Haden, Daniel; Chen, Shouyuan; Umstadter, Donald

2018-04-01

An optical system was demonstrated that enables continuous control over the peak power level of ultrashort duration laser light. The optical characteristics of amplified and compressed femtosecond-duration light from a chirped-pulse amplification laser are shown to remain invariant and maintain high-fidelity using this system. When the peak power was varied by an order-of-magnitude, up to its maximum attainable value, the phase, spectral bandwidth, polarization state, and focusability of the light remained constant. This capability led to precise control of the focused laser intensity and enabled a correspondingly high level of control over the power of an all-laser-driven Thomson X-ray light source.

Dual role of NO donors in the reversal of tumor cell resistance and EMT: Downregulation of the NF-κB/Snail/YY1/RKIP circuitry.

PubMed

Bonavida, Benjamin; Baritaki, Stavroula

2011-01-01

Several studies have implicated the role of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the regulation of tumor cell behavior and have shown that NO either promotes or inhibits tumorigenesis. These conflicting findings have been resolved, in part, by the levels of NO used such that low levels promote tumor growth and high levels inhibit tumor growth. Our studies have focused on the use of high levels of NO provided primarily by the NO donor, DETANONOate. We have shown that treatment of resistant tumor cells with DETANONOate sensitizes them to apoptosis by both chemotherapeutic drugs and cytotoxic immunotherapeutic ligands. The underlying mechanisms by which NO sensitizes tumor cells to apoptosis were shown to be regulated, in part, by NO-mediated inhibition of the NF-κB survival/anti-apoptotic pathways and downstream of NF-κB by inhibition of the transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1). In addition to NO-induced sensitization to apoptosis, we have also shown that NO induced the expression of the metastasis-suppressor/immunosurveillance cancer gene product, Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP). Overexpression of RKIP mimics NO in tumor cells-induced sensitization to apoptosis. The induction of RKIP by NO was the result of the inhibition of the RKIP repressor, Snail, downstream of NF-κB. These findings established the presence of a dysregulated NF-κB/Snail/YY1/ RKIP circuitry in resistance and that treatment with NO modifies this loop in tumor cells in favor of the inhibition of tumor cell survival and the response to cytotoxic drugs. Noteworthy, the NF-κB/Snail/YY1/RKIP loop consists of gene products that regulate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and, thus, tumor metastasis. Hence, we have found that treatment of metastatic cancer cell lines with DETANONOate inhibited the EMT phenotype, through both the inhibition of the metastasis-inducers, NF-κB and Snail and the induction of the metastasis-suppressor, RKIP. Altogether, the above findings establish, for the first time, the dual role of high levels of NO in the sensitization of tumor cells to apoptotic stimuli as well as inhibition of EMT. Hence, NO donors may be considered as novel potential therapeutic agents with dual roles in the treatment of patients with refractory cancer and in the prevention of the initiation of the metastatic cascade via EMT. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Increased 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate During Normocapnic Hypobaric Hypoxia,

DTIC Science & Technology

Maintenance of normal plasma pH at high altitude (HA) by acetazolamide has been shown to prevent the HA-induced change in 2,3- diphosphoglycerate (DPG...had significant elevations in DPG above sea- level values after two days. Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentrations (MCHC) remained within normal...limits during the first two days, then decreased significantly below sea- level values in Group I (days 3-5) and Group II (days 4-5). Thus prevention of

Future Concepts for Modular, Intelligent Aerospace Power Systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Button, Robert M.; Soeder, James F.

2004-01-01

Nasa's resent commitment to Human and Robotic Space Exploration obviates the need for more affordable and sustainable systems and missions. Increased use of modularity and on-board intelligent technologies will enable these lofty goals. To support this new paradigm, an advanced technology program to develop modular, intelligent power management and distribution (PMAD) system technologies is presented. The many benefits to developing and including modular functionality in electrical power components and systems are shown to include lower costs and lower mass for highly reliable systems. The details of several modular technologies being developed by NASA are presented, broken down into hierarchical levels. Modularity at the device level, including the use of power electronic building blocks, is shown to provide benefits in lowering the development time and costs of new power electronic components.

The recollection of parental rearing styles in patients with panic disorder.

PubMed

Wiborg, I M; Dahl, A A

1997-07-01

Studies of the mental image of parents assessed by means of the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) in patients with panic disorder (according to DSM-III-R) have shown conflicting results. We examined 45 patients with panic disorder with and without agoraphobia and 116 controls using the PBI. As a group, patients with panic disorder reported significantly less care and more protection from parents than the controls. This difference was shown by the patients who had panic disorder with major agoraphobia, while those with minor agoraphobia did not differ from the controls. The present study supports the findings that low levels of care and high levels of protection, rather than affectionate constraint, were the predominant mental image reported by patients with panic disorder, using the PBI.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor (proBDNF) in genetically defined fear-induced aggression.

PubMed

Ilchibaeva, Tatiana V; Kondaurova, Elena M; Tsybko, Anton S; Kozhemyakina, Rimma V; Popova, Nina K; Naumenko, Vladimir S

2015-09-01

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its precursor (proBDNF) and BDNF mRNA levels were studied in the brain of wild rats selectively bred for more than 70 generations for either high level or for the lack of affective aggressiveness towards man. Significant increase of BDNF mRNA level in the frontal cortex and increase of BDNF level in the hippocampus of aggressive rats was revealed. In the midbrain and hippocampus of aggressive rats proBDNF level was increased, whereas BDNF/proBDNF ratio was reduced suggesting the prevalence and increased influence of proBDNF in highly aggressive rats. In the frontal cortex, proBDNF level in aggressive rats was decreased. Thus, considerable structure-specific differences in BDNF and proBDNF levels as well as in BDNF gene expression between highly aggressive and nonaggressive rats were shown. The data suggested the implication of BDNF and its precursor proBDNF in the mechanism of aggressiveness and in the creation of either aggressive or nonaggressive phenotype. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vitamin D Levels in Takayasu's Arteritis and a Review of the Literature on Vasculitides.

PubMed

Alibaz-Oner, Fatma; Asmaz-Haliloglu, Özlem; Gogas-Yavuz, Dilek; Can, Meryem; Haklar, Goncagul; Direskeneli, Haner

2016-09-01

Takayasu's arteritis (TAK) is a chronic, large-vessel vasculitis. Vitamin D, as a steroidal hormone, has recently been shown to have immunoregulatory and immunosuppressive effects. Low vitamin D levels are demonstrated in various autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate vitamin D levels in patients with TAK. A comprehensive review of vitamin D levels in systemic vasculitides (SVs) is also performed. The study included 36 patients with TAK, 28 patients with Behçet's disease (BD) as disease control and 30 sex-matched healthy controls. Plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) vit D) levels were measured with high-performance liquid chromatography. "Deficiency" was defined as 25(OH) vit D levels below 25 nmol/l and "insufficiency" as below 50 nmol/l. Plasma 25(OH) vit D levels were significantly lower in TAK patients (16.93 ± 10.62 nmol/l) than healthy controls (64.63 ± 21.82 nmol/l). Vitamin D level in BD patients (38.8 ± 20.9 nmol/l) is lower than healthy controls but higher than TAK patients. The frequency of vitamin D deficiency was 83.3% in patients with TAK compared to 3.3% in healthy controls. Plasma 25(OH) vit D levels were same between clinically active and inactive patients. In literature review, very few studies were found to investigate vitamin D in SVs. We observed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with TAK. As various immune effects of vitamin D on mononuclear cells and arterial endothelium is shown, vitamin D deficiency can be a predisposing factor for immune activation in SV. We therefore suggest monitorization and replacement of vitamin D status in all TAK and other SV patients. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Relationship between Increase in Astrocytic GLT-1 Glutamate Transport and Late-LTP

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pita-Almenar, Juan D.; Zou, Shengwei; Colbert, Costa M.; Eskin, Arnold

2012-01-01

Na[superscript +]-dependent high-affinity glutamate transporters have important roles in the maintenance of basal levels of glutamate and clearance of glutamate during synaptic transmission. Interestingly, several studies have shown that basal glutamate transport displays plasticity. Glutamate uptake increases in hippocampal slices during early…

Development and deregulation of the plum pox virus resistant transgenic plum 'HoneySweet'

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

We have demonstrated that genetic engineering can be an important source of high level and durable resistance against Plum pox virus (PPV). We have shown, through a number of field studies, the environmental safety of this genetically engineered plum. Nevertheless, the utilization of this demonstr...

Parasitic nematode-induced modulation of body weight and associated metabolic dysfunction in mouse models of obesity

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Obesity is associated with a chronic low grade inflammation characterized by high level of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators implicated in disrupted metabolic homeostasis. Parasitic nematode infection induces a polarized Th2 cytokine response and has been shown to modulate immune-based pathol...

EMISSIONS OF BIOGENIC OXIDANT AND PM PRECURSORS: VERY HIGH REACTIVITY VOCS AND SURFACE LAYER CHEMISTRY ABOVE FORESTS

EPA Science Inventory

Biogenic emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) -- chemicals emitted naturally by the green foliage of a forest, for example -- have been repeatedly shown to be important contributors to ozone pollution levels in many parts of the country. Recently, both the National Rese...

Academic Disidentification, Race, and High School Dropouts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffin, Bryan W.

2002-01-01

An important predictor of whether students remain in school or withdraw is their ability to identify with academics. Consistent with Ogbu's (1992) cultural inversion and Steele's (1992) stereotype threat hypotheses, research has shown that Black and Hispanic students tend to demonstrate higher levels of academic disidentification relative to Asian…

Are Dysphoric Individuals More Suggestible or Less Suggestible Than Nondysphoric Individuals?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

MacFarland, Wendy L.; Morris, Steven J.

1998-01-01

Dysphoric individuals are shown to be susceptible to interrogative suggestion, whether in the form of leading questions or interrogative pressure. The association of a clinically relevant condition of dysphoria (depression) with relatively high levels of suggestibility was investigated in a college student population (N=139). Applicability to…

Consideration of Exposures to Traffic-Related Air Pollution with Smart Growth Development

EPA Science Inventory

We address the near-road pollution problem as it relates to smart growth design strategies. Studies have shown that pollution levels tend to be high near heavily traveled roads and that road proximity is related to adverse health effects. These findings can conflict with urban ...

Interaction Training for Conversational Partners of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pennington, Lindsay; Goldbart, Juliet; Marshall, Julie

2004-01-01

Background: Research has shown that children with cerebral palsy have difficulties acquiring communication skills and that conversation with familiar partners follows restricted patterns, which are characterized by high levels of partner control and children's responsivity. Speech and language therapy often includes training for conversational…

TISSUE MERCURY CONCENTRATIONS AND POTENTIAL NEUROGPATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN COMMON LOONS (GAVIA IMMER)

EPA Science Inventory

Common loons (Gavia immer) in New England are exposed to high levels of mercury through their diet. Mercury bioaccumulates through the food chain as methylmercury, a neurotoxin which has been shown in controlled feeding studies to have detrimental effects on the health and behavi...

Interfacial Engineering for Low-Density Graphene Nanocomposites

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-07-23

structure of polydimethylsiloxane ( PDMS ) to contain pyrene pendant groups such that it would non-covalently bind to graphene. This would allow for...high graphene loadings and conductive strain-sensitivity in PDMS . SEM images of these composites are shown here: 2 The high level of dispersion...allowed for a pristine graphene composite conductivity of 220 S/m; this is after using a membrane to induce separation between graphene-bound PDMS

Perfluorinated Compounds in Greenhouse and Open Agricultural Producing Areas of Three Provinces of China: Levels, Sources and Risk Assessment

PubMed Central

Zhang, Yanwei; Tan, Dongfei; Geng, Yue; Wang, Lu; Peng, Yi; He, Zeying; Xu, Yaping; Liu, Xiaowei

2016-01-01

Field investigations on perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) levels in various environmental matrixes were reported, but there is still a lack of PFAA level data for agricultural environments, especially agricultural producing areas, so we collected soil, irrigation water and agricultural product samples from agricultural producing areas in the provinces of Liaoning, Shandong and Sichuan in China. The background pollution from instruments was removed and C4–C18 PFAAs were detected by LC-MS/MS. The concentrations of PFAAs in the top and deep layers of soil were compared, and the levels of PFAAs in different agricultural environments (greenhouses and open agriculture) were analyzed. We found the order of PFAA levels by province was Shandong > Liaoning > Sichuan. A descending trend of PFAA levels from top to deep soil and open to greenhouse agriculture was shown and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) was considered as a marker for source analysis. Bean vegetables contribute highly to the overall PFAA load in vegetables. A significant correlation was shown between irrigation water and agricultural products. The EDI (estimated daily intake) from vegetables should be of concern in China. PMID:27973400

Assessment of Enterococcus Levels in Recreational Beach Sand Along the Rhode Island Coast.

PubMed

Coakley, Eugenie; Parris, Amie L; Wyman, Al; Latowsky, Gretchen

2016-04-01

Recent studies have shown that coastal beach sand as well as coastal ocean water can be contaminated with fecal indicator Enterococcus bacteria (ENT). A study of sand ENT concentrations over a four-week period at 12 Rhode Island beaches was conducted during the summer of 2009. While average contamination was low relative to water quality standards, every beach had at least one day with very high sand ENT readings. On 10 of the 12 beaches, a statistically significant gradient occurred in geometric mean ENT concentrations among tidal zones, with dry (supratidal, or above high tide mark) sand having the highest level, followed by wet (intratidal, or below high tide mark) and underwater sand. Beaches with higher wave action had significantly lower ENT levels in wet and underwater sand compared to beaches with lower wave action.

Irradiation effect on mechanical properties in structural materials of fast breeder reactor plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagae, Yuji; Takaya, Shigeru; Wakai, Eiichi; Aoto, Kazumi

2011-07-01

The effects of displacement per atom (dpa) level, helium content, and the ratio of helium content to dpa level on the tensile and creep properties have been investigated in the assumed irradiation damage range of FBR structural materials. The assumed irradiation damage range is up to about 1 dpa and about 30 appm for helium content. Austenitic stainless steel and high-chromium martensitic steel are considered as FBR structural materials. As a result, it is shown that the dpa level is a promising index for evaluating neutron irradiation damage.

Quantum iSWAP gate in optical cavities with a cyclic three-level system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yan, Guo-an; Qiao, Hao-xue; Lu, Hua

2018-04-01

In this paper we present a scheme to directly implement the iSWAP gate by passing a cyclic three-level system across a two-mode cavity quantum electrodynamics. In the scheme, a three-level Δ -type atom ensemble prepared in its ground state mediates the interaction between the two-cavity modes. For this theoretical model, we also analyze its performance under practical noise, including spontaneous emission and the decay of the cavity modes. It is shown that our scheme may have a high fidelity under the practical noise.

Recent advances in QM/MM free energy calculations using reference potentials☆

PubMed Central

Duarte, Fernanda; Amrein, Beat A.; Blaha-Nelson, David; Kamerlin, Shina C.L.

2015-01-01

Background Recent years have seen enormous progress in the development of methods for modeling (bio)molecular systems. This has allowed for the simulation of ever larger and more complex systems. However, as such complexity increases, the requirements needed for these models to be accurate and physically meaningful become more and more difficult to fulfill. The use of simplified models to describe complex biological systems has long been shown to be an effective way to overcome some of the limitations associated with this computational cost in a rational way. Scope of review Hybrid QM/MM approaches have rapidly become one of the most popular computational tools for studying chemical reactivity in biomolecular systems. However, the high cost involved in performing high-level QM calculations has limited the applicability of these approaches when calculating free energies of chemical processes. In this review, we present some of the advances in using reference potentials and mean field approximations to accelerate high-level QM/MM calculations. We present illustrative applications of these approaches and discuss challenges and future perspectives for the field. Major conclusions The use of physically-based simplifications has shown to effectively reduce the cost of high-level QM/MM calculations. In particular, lower-level reference potentials enable one to reduce the cost of expensive free energy calculations, thus expanding the scope of problems that can be addressed. General significance As was already demonstrated 40 years ago, the usage of simplified models still allows one to obtain cutting edge results with substantially reduced computational cost. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Recent developments of molecular dynamics. PMID:25038480

Gamma-ray spectroscopy in the decay of (83)Se to levels of (83)Br.

PubMed

Krane, K S

2015-03-01

High-resolution γ ray spectroscopy experiments have been done to study the emissions from the radioactive decay of 22-min (83g)Se produced from neutron capture using samples of enriched (82)Se. Energy and intensity values have been obtained to roughly an order of magnitude greater precision than in previous studies. Based on energy sums, 2 new levels are proposed in the daughter (83)Br and one previously proposed level is shown to be doubtful. Some 25 new transitions appear to decay with the (83)Se halflife, about half of which can be accommodated among the previous or newly proposed levels. Several previous γ ray placements are shown to be inconsistent with the new determinations of the (83)Br energy levels, but cannot be accommodated anywhere else among the known levels. As a result of the missing γ ray placements, some of the β branchings in the decay to levels of (83)Br appear to be negative. Gamma rays from the 2.4-h decay of the daughter (83)Br to levels of (83)Kr have also been observed, along with decays of (81g)(,m)Se present as a small impurity in the enriched samples and also as a strong component in irradiated samples of natural Se. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A New Concept for Non-Volatile Memory: The Electric-Pulse Induced Resistive Change Effect in Colossal Magnetoresistive Thin Films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, S. Q.; Wu, N. J.; Ignatiev, A.

2001-01-01

A novel electric pulse-induced resistive change (EPIR) effect has been found in thin film colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) materials, and has shown promise for the development of resistive, nonvolatile memory. The EPIR effect is induced by the application of low voltage (< 4 V) and short duration (< 20 ns) electrical pulses across a thin film sample of a CMR material at room temperature and under no applied magnetic field. The pulse can directly either increase or decrease the resistance of the thin film sample depending on pulse polarity. The sample resistance change has been shown to be over two orders of magnitude, and is nonvolatile after pulsing. The sample resistance can also be changed through multiple levels - as many as 50 have been shown. Such a device can provide a way for the development of a new kind of nonvolatile multiple-valued memory with high density, fast write/read speed, low power-consumption, and potential high radiation-hardness.

Spectroscopic and biological activity studies of the chromium-binding peptide EEEEGDD.

PubMed

Arakawa, Hirohumi; Kandadi, Machender R; Panzhinskiy, Evgeniy; Belmore, Kenneth; Deng, Ge; Love, Ebony; Robertson, Preshus M; Commodore, Juliette J; Cassady, Carolyn J; Nair, Sreejayan; Vincent, John B

2016-06-01

While trivalent chromium has been shown at high doses to have pharmacological effects improving insulin resistance in rodent models of insulin resistance, the mechanism of action of chromium at a molecular level is not known. The chromium-binding and transport agent low-molecular-weight chromium-binding substance (LMWCr) has been proposed to be the biologically active form of chromium. LMWCr has recently been shown to be comprised of a heptapeptide of the sequence EEEEDGG. The binding of Cr(3+) to this heptapeptide has been examined. Mass spectrometric and a variety of spectroscopic studies have shown that multiple chromic ions bind to the peptide in an octahedral fashion through carboxylate groups and potentially small anionic ligands such as oxide and hydroxide. A complex of Cr and the peptide when administered intravenously to mice is able to decrease area under the curve in intravenous glucose tolerance tests. It can also restore insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in myotubes rendered insulin resistant by treating them with a high-glucose media.

Diffusion length measurements using the scanning electron microscope. [in semiconductor devices

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weizer, V. G.

1975-01-01

A measurement technique employing the scanning electron microscope is described in which values of the true bulk diffusion length are obtained. It is shown that surface recombination effects can be eliminated through the application of highly doped surface field layers. The influence of high injection level effects and low-high junction current generation on the resulting measurement was investigated. Close agreement is found between the diffusion lengths measured by this method and those obtained using a penetrating radiation technique.

Heat shock protein 70 modulates neural progenitor cells dynamics in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells exposed to high glucose content.

PubMed

Salimi, Leila; Rahbarghazi, Reza; Jafarian, Vahab; Biray Avci, Çıgır; Goker Bagca, Bakiye; Pinar Ozates, Neslihan; Khaksar, Majid; Nourazarian, Alireza

2018-01-18

In the current experiment, detrimental effects of high glucose condition were investigated on human neuroblastoma cells. Human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y were exposed to 5, 40, and 70 mM glucose over a period of 72 h. Survival rate and the proliferation of cells were analyzed by MTT and BrdU incorporation assays. Apoptosis was studied by the assays of flow cytometry and PCR array. In order to investigate the trans-differentiation capacity of the cell into mature neurons, we used immunofluorescence imaging to follow NeuN protein level. The transcription level of HSP70 was shown by real-time PCR analysis. MMP-2 and -9 activities were shown by gelatin Zymography. According to data from MTT and BrdU incorporation assay, 70 mM glucose reduced cell viability and proliferation rate as compared to control (5 mM glucose) and cells treated with 40 mM glucose (P < 0.05). Cell exposure to 70 mM glucose had potential to induced apoptosis after 72 h (P < 0.05). Our results also demonstrated the sensitivity of SH-SY5Y cells to detrimental effects of high glucose condition during trans-differentiation into mature neuron-like cells. Real-time PCR analysis confirmed the expression of HSP70 in cells under high content glucose levels, demonstrating the possible cell compensatory response to an insulting condition (p control vs 70 mM group  <0.05). Both MMP-2 and -9 activities were reduced in cells being exposed to 70 mM glucose. High glucose condition could abrogate the dynamics of neural progenitor cells. The intracellular level of HSP70 was proportional to cell damage in high glucose condition. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Firth quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hubbard, Larry L.; Bartells, John H.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Firth quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Rose quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bartells, John H.; Hubbard, Larry L.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Rose quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Rexburg quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harenberg, W.A.; Bigelow, B.B.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification on these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Rexburg quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Deer Parks quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ray, Herman A.; Bennett, C. Michael; Records, Andrew W.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Deer Parks quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Parker quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thomas, Cecil Albert; Ray, Herman A.

1976-01-01

The failure of Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls, Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Parker quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, St. Anthony quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thomas, Cecil A.; Ray, Herman A.; Matthai, Howard F.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the St. Anthony quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Woodville quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Matthai, Howard F.; Ray, Herman A.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Woodville quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Menan Buttes quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Thomas, Cecil A.; Ray, Herman A.; Harenberg, William A.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Menan Buttes quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Idaho Falls South quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ray, Herman A.; Matthai, Howard F.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Idaho Falls South quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Lewisville quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ray, Herman A.; Bigelow, Bruce B.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Lewisville quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Idaho Falls North quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ray, Herman A.; Matthai, Howard F.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Idaho Falls North quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Pingree quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hubbard, Larry L.; Bartells, John H.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Pingree quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Blackfoot quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bartells, J.H.; Hubbard, Larry L.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Blackfoot quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Moreland quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hubbard, Larry L.; Bartells, John H.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The aea covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Moreland quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Rigby quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ray, Herman A.; Bigelow, Bruce B.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Rigby quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Newdale quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ray, Herman A.; Matthai, Howard F.; Thomas, Cecil A.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Newdale quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

Teton Dam flood of June 1976, Moody quadrangle, Idaho

USGS Publications Warehouse

Harenberg, William A.; Bigelow, Bruce B.

1976-01-01

The failure of the Teton Dam caused extreme flooding along the Teton River, Henrys Fork, and Snake River in southeastern Idaho on June 5-8, 1976. No flooding occurred downstream from American Falls Reservoir. The inundated areas and maximum water-surface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. The area covered by the atlases extends from Teton Dam downstream to American Falls Reservoir, a distance of 100 miles. The extent of flooding shown on the maps was obtained by field inspections and aerial photographs made during and immediately after the flood. There may be small isolated areas within the boundaries shown that were not flooded, but the identification of these sites was beyond the scope of the study. The elevation data shown are mean-sea-level elevations of high-water marks identified in the field. This particular map (in the 17-map series) shows conditions in the Moody quadrangle. (Woodard-USGS)

[Gender differences of the influence of an "aggressive" computer game on the variability of the heart rhythm].

PubMed

Stepanian, L S; Grigorian, V G; Stepanian, A Iu

2010-01-01

The influence of virtual aggressogenic environment on psychoemotional sphere of male and female teenagers with different levels of personal aggression was studied by characteristics of the heart rate. The exposure to the aggressogenic factors produced a change of the centralized control for the autonomic control in female and male teenagers with the high level of aggression and females with the low level of aggression. Male teenagers with the low level of aggression displayed the prevalence of the centralized control. Thus, the influence of exposure of teenagers to the virtual aggressogenic environment was shown to be ambiguous depending on the level of the level of personal aggression and gender.

High EphA2 protein expression in renal cell carcinoma is associated with a poor disease outcome.

PubMed

Xu, Jinsheng; Zhang, Junxia; Cui, Liwen; Zhang, Huiran; Zhang, Shenglei; Bai, Yaling

2014-08-01

The receptor tyrosine kinase, ephrin type-A receptor 2 (EphA2), is normally expressed at sites of cell-to-cell contact in adult epithelial tissues, however, recent studies have shown that it is also overexpressed in various types of epithelial carcinomas, with the greatest level of EphA2 expression observed in metastatic lesions. In the present study, the association between the expression of EphA2 and the outcome of RCC patients was assessed. The high expression level of EphA2 was identified by log-rank test for a statistically significant prediction of the RCC outcome. In an overall multivariate analysis, the high expression level of EphA2 was identified as an independent predictor of RCC outcome. The length of survival of the patients with high EphA2 expression was shorter than that of the patients with a low level of expression (relative risk, 2.304; 95% CI, 1.102-4.818; P=0.027). The analysis of the expression levels of EphA2 in tumor tissues may aid in the identification of the patient subgroup that are at a high risk of a poor disease outcome.

MHA admission criteria and program performance: do they predict career performance?

PubMed

Porter, J; Galfano, V J

1987-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine to what extent admission criteria predict graduate school and career performance. The study also analyzed which objective and subjective criteria served as the best predictors. MHA graduates of the University of Minnesota from 1974 to 1977 were surveyed to assess career performance. Student files served as the data base on admission criteria and program performance. Career performance was measured by four variables: total compensation, satisfaction, fiscal responsibility, and level of authority. High levels of MHA program performance were associated with women who had high undergraduate GPAs from highly selective undergraduate colleges, were undergraduate business majors, and participated in extracurricular activities. High levels of compensation were associated with relatively low undergraduate GPAs, high levels of participation in undergraduate extracurricular activities, and being single at admission to graduate school. Admission to MHA programs should be based upon both objective and subjective criteria. Emphasis should be placed upon the selection process for MHA students since admission criteria are shown to explain 30 percent of the variability in graduate program performance, and as much as 65 percent of the variance in level of position authority.

Dynamic kinetic asymmetric cross-benzoin additions of β-stereogenic α-keto esters.

PubMed

Goodman, C Guy; Johnson, Jeffrey S

2014-10-22

The dynamic kinetic resolution of β-halo α-keto esters via an asymmetric cross-benzoin reaction is described. A chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzes the umpolung addition of aldehydes to racemic α-keto esters. The resulting fully substituted β-halo glycolic ester products are obtained with high levels of enantio- and diastereocontrol. The high chemoselectivity observed is a result of greater electrophilicity of the α-keto ester toward the Breslow intermediate. The reaction products are shown to undergo highly diastereoselective substrate-controlled reduction to give highly functionalized stereotriads.

Dynamic Kinetic Asymmetric Cross-Benzoin Additions of β-Stereogenic α-Keto Esters

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

The dynamic kinetic resolution of β-halo α-keto esters via an asymmetric cross-benzoin reaction is described. A chiral N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzes the umpolung addition of aldehydes to racemic α-keto esters. The resulting fully substituted β-halo glycolic ester products are obtained with high levels of enantio- and diastereocontrol. The high chemoselectivity observed is a result of greater electrophilicity of the α-keto ester toward the Breslow intermediate. The reaction products are shown to undergo highly diastereoselective substrate-controlled reduction to give highly functionalized stereotriads. PMID:25299730

Cloud field classification based upon high spatial resolution textural features. I - Gray level co-occurrence matrix approach

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welch, R. M.; Sengupta, S. K.; Chen, D. W.

1988-01-01

Stratocumulus, cumulus, and cirrus clouds were identified on the basis of cloud textural features which were derived from a single high-resolution Landsat MSS NIR channel using a stepwise linear discriminant analysis. It is shown that, using this method, it is possible to distinguish high cirrus clouds from low clouds with high accuracy on the basis of spatial brightness patterns. The largest probability of misclassification is associated with confusion between the stratocumulus breakup regions and the fair-weather cumulus.

The assessment of corruption impact on the inflow of foreign direct investment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gasanova, Ayshan; Medvedev, Alexander N.; Komotskiy, Evgeny I.

2017-06-01

The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of corruption on the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI). The data, taken from official sources, Transparency International and the Heritage Foundation, have been treated in a special program "Deductor Studio Academic" by the method of Machine Learning (cluster analysis using Kohonen Self-Organizing Maps). There was composed a Kohonen map, in which the countries were divided into 4 clusters: countries with low levels of corruption and high level of FDI inflow, countries with low level of corruption and FDI above average, countries with average level of corruption and the average level of FDI, and countries with high level of corruption and low level of FDI. The research has shown that corruption influences the investment attractiveness of the host country. This means that in countries where the level of corruption is low and economic environment is attractive, the level of foreign direct investment is high, and in those countries where the level of corruption is high and and economic attractiveness is low - the level of investment is low. However, the study identified countries which have high level of corruption and high FDI inflow - China, India, Brazil and Russia (BRIC countries). These countries are the exception from the rule due to the wide domestic market, cheap labour, the wealth of natural resources - all these factors increase the investment attractiveness of these countries. It was found that corruption in BRIC countries has similarity being a controlled and predictable phenomenon. This allows calculating the cost of corruption for accounting it in business projects.

2012 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members: Nonresponse Bias Analysis Report

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-01-01

Control and Prevention ), or command climate surveys (e.g., DEOCS). 6 Table 1. Comparison of Trends in WGRA and SOFS-A Response Rates (Shown in...DMDC draws optimized samples to reduce survey burden on members as well as produce high levels of precision for important domain estimates by using...statistical significance at α= .05 Because paygrade is a significant predictor of survey response, we next examined the odds ratio of each paygrade levels

SLP-2 overexpression could serve as a prognostic factor in node positive and HER2 negative breast cancer.

PubMed

Cao, Wenfeng; Zhang, Bin; Li, Jin; Liu, Yanxue; Liu, Zhihua; Sun, Baocun

2011-12-01

This study aimed to evaluate the utility as a prognostic factor of SLP-2 on the outcome of breast cancer patients. We performed immunohistochemical analysis to examine the SLP-2 expression in a large panel of invasive breast cancer samples. Of the 496 samples, 261 showed overexpression of SLP-2. Importantly, there were significant associations between SLP-2 overexpression and tumour size (p = 0.002), lymph node/distant metastases, clinical stage (p < 0.001), HER2/neu expression (p = 0.003). In addition, there were obvious differences in levels of SLP-2 expression within four molecular subtypes of breast cancer (p = 0.011). High level SLP-2 expression was shown in tumour samples of HER2 and luminal B subtypes, and low level SLP-2 expression was shown in luminal A and triple negative subtypes, suggesting that overexpression of SLP-2 was closely correlated with HER2/neu expression, and that both SLP-2 and HER2/neu can play a role in lymph node/distant metastases of breast cancers. Thus lymph node status, HER2/neu and SLP-2 high-level expression can act as independent prognostic factors. There is an obvious link between SLP-2 and HER2/neu expression. Overexpression of SLP-2 is associated with poorer total survival, especially in lymph node positive coupled with HER2/neu negative patients.

Fructose-containing sugars, blood pressure, and cardiometabolic risk: a critical review.

PubMed

Ha, Vanessa; Jayalath, Viranda H; Cozma, Adrian I; Mirrahimi, Arash; de Souza, Russell J; Sievenpiper, John L

2013-08-01

Excessive fructose intake from high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose has been implicated as a driving force behind the increasing prevalence of obesity and its downstream cardiometabolic complications including hypertension, gout, dyslidpidemia, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Most of the evidence to support these relationships draws heavily on ecological studies, animal models, and select human trials of fructose overfeeding. There are a number of biological mechanisms derived from animal models to explain these relationships, including increases in de novo lipogenesis and uric acid-mediated hypertension. Differences between animal and human physiology, along with the supraphysiologic level at which fructose is fed in these models, limit their translation to humans. Although higher level evidence from large prospective cohorts studies has shown significant positive associations comparing the highest with the lowest levels of intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), these associations do not hold true at moderate levels of intake or when modeling total sugars and are subject to collinearity effects from related dietary and lifestyle factors. The highest level of evidence from controlled feeding trials has shown a lack of cardiometabolic harm of fructose and SSBs under energy-matched conditions at moderate levels of intake. It is only when fructose-containing sugars or SSBs are consumed at high doses or supplement diets with excess energy that a consistent signal for harm is seen. The available evidence suggests that confounding by excess energy is an important consideration in assessing the role of fructose-containing sugars and SSBs in the epidemics of hypertension and other cardiometabolic diseases.

Electronic quenching of OH A 2Σ + radicals in collisions with molecular hydrogen

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pollack, Ilana B.; Lei, Yuxiu; Stephenson, Thomas A.; Lester, Marsha I.

2006-04-01

Collisional quenching of electronically excited OH A 2Σ + radicals by molecular hydrogen introduces nonradiative pathways that rapidly remove OH population from the excited state, and result in a significantly decreased fluorescence lifetime. One of these pathways is shown to lead to ground state OH X 2Π products with ˜1 eV of internal excitation in both highly excited rotational levels of v = 1 and the lowest rotational levels of v = 2. This highly nonstatistical OH X 2Π product distribution reflects the passage of the HO-H 2 system through the conical intersection regions that couple the ground and excited state surfaces.

Predictive model for CO2 generation and decay in building envelopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aglan, Heshmat A.

2003-01-01

Understanding carbon dioxide generation and decay patterns in buildings with high occupancy levels is useful to identify their indoor air quality, air change rates, percent fresh air makeup, occupancy pattern, and how a variable air volume system to off-set undesirable CO2 level can be modulated. A mathematical model governing the generation and decay of CO2 in building envelopes with forced ventilation due to high occupancy is developed. The model has been verified experimentally in a newly constructed energy efficient healthy house. It was shown that the model accurately predicts the CO2 concentration at any time during the generation and decay processes.

Effect of High Intensity Interval and Continuous Swimming Training on Body Mass Adiposity Level and Serum Parameters in High-Fat Diet Fed Rats

PubMed Central

da Rocha, Guilherme L.; Crisp, Alex H.; de Oliveira, Maria R. M.; da Silva, Carlos A.; Silva, Jadson O.; Duarte, Ana C. G. O.; Sene-Fiorese, Marcela; Verlengia, Rozangela

2016-01-01

This study aimed to investigate the effects of interval and continuous training on the body mass gain and adiposity levels of rats fed a high-fat diet. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, standard diet and high-fat diet, and received their respective diets for a period of four weeks without exercise stimuli. After this period, the animals were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): control standard diet (CS), control high-fat diet (CH), continuous training standard diet (CTS), continuous training high-fat diet (CTH), interval training standard diet (ITS), and interval training high-fat diet (ITH). The interval and continuous training consisted of a swimming exercise performed over eight weeks. CH rats had greater body mass gain, sum of adipose tissues mass, and lower serum high density lipoprotein values than CS. The trained groups showed lower values of feed intake, caloric intake, body mass gain, and adiposity levels compared with the CH group. No significant differences were observed between the trained groups (CTS versus ITS and CTH versus ITH) on body mass gains and adiposity levels. In conclusion, both training methodologies were shown to be effective in controlling body mass gain and adiposity levels in high-fat diet fed rats. PMID:26904718

Blind-type optical configuration for the high heat solar collectors

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

Vasilyev, V.P.

1996-12-31

Blind approach in constructing high heat solar collectors with the one-stage light flux concentration is presented. Shown are diverse multielement optical configurations that can be built on the basis of a blind-type concept. Their two main versions using the set of concave parabolic reflecting elements are described. A preliminary estimation of the flux concentration level for a circle-blind collector shows it reaching up to half of the thermodynamic limit.

The balance and harmony of control power for a combat aircraft in tactical maneuvering

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bocvarov, Spiro; Cliff, Eugene M.; Lutze, Frederick H.

1992-01-01

An analysis is presented for a family of regular extremal attitude-maneuvers for the High Angle-of-Attack Research Vehicle that has thrust-vectoring capability. Different levels of dynamic coupling are identified in the combat aircraft attitude model, and the characteristic extremal-family motion is explained. It is shown why the extremal-family trajectories develop small sideslip-angles, a highly desirable feature from a practical viewpoint.

Effects of high intensity interval training versus moderate intensity continuous training on the reduction of oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic adult patients: CAT.

PubMed

Poblete Aro, Carlos Emilio; Russell Guzmán, Javier Antonio; Soto Muñoz, Marcelo Enrique; Villegas González, Bastián Eduardo

2015-08-13

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between an excessive production of reactive oxygen species and/or a deficiency in the level of endogenous and exogenous antioxidant defenses. The presence of reactive oxygen species in large concentrations and for long periods is associated with the occurrence of various diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. Exercise represents an effective means for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and is also able to reduce long-term oxidative stress levels. High-intensity interval training has shown to be an efficient and viable option for type 2 diabetes mellitus control. In turn, high-intensity interval training seems to have positive effects on oxidative stress levels by increasing levels of endogenous antioxidants. To assess the validity and applicability of the results regarding the effectiveness of high-intensity interval training compared to moderate intensity continuous training to reduce oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to answer the following question: In adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, can the method of high-intensity interval training, compared to moderate intensity continuous training reduce oxidative stress levels? We performed a critical analysis of the article "Continuous training vs Interval training in glycemic control and macro and microvascular reactivity in patients with type 2 diabetes". No statistically significant differences were observed in concentrations of superoxide dismutase in any of the experimental groups. Only in the interval group a decrease in malondialdehyde regarding control group and baseline (p<0.05) was observed. In addition, only in the interval group there was an increase in glutathione peroxidase compared to the group of continuous aerobic training and baseline (p<0.05). Nitric oxide showed a significant increase regarding the control, continuous aerobic group and baseline (p<0.05) in the interval training group. Despite the fact that both training groups show improvements over markers of lipid profile and fitness, high intensity interval training has shown to be more effective in the normalization of oxidative stress, impacting positively on the concentration of pro-oxidant markers and antioxidants.

[Sampling of allergens in dust deposited in the workplace].

PubMed

Perfetti, L; Galdi, E; Pozzi, V; Moscato, G

2001-01-01

Some workplaces share with domestic dwellings many characteristics favouring house dust mite growth. Moreover it has recently been shown that pets owners can bring allergens to public places with their clothes. So it is possible that significant exposure to indoor allergens can occur outside homes, at the workplace. The recent availability of immunoassays with monoclonal antibodies for indoor allergens has enabled many investigators to quantify exposure to such allergens in epidemiological studies. Analysis of allergens in settled dust is a simple method of quantification exposure to indoor allergens. The concentrations of indoor allergens in public places have already been investigated and high levels of indoor allergens have been reported. A study performed by our group in offices (banks and media) in different regions of Italy has also shown significant levels of indoor allergens. Thus, evaluating exposure to indoor allergens at the workplace is critical to evaluate risk factors for sensitization and elicitation of symptoms in sensitized subjects and such data help in addressing correctly the problem of reducing exposure levels.

Long High Redshift GRB and Xrt/swift Lightcurves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arkhangelskaja, Irene

At February of 2010 the volume of Swift GRB subset with known redshift consisted of more than 150 bursts. Long GRB redshift distribution analysis has shown that confidence level of single peak approximation of this distribution is only ˜60%. Moreover, more than 40% of GRB are in very heavy tails outside 3σ level for this fit. More detailed analysis of long GRB redshift distribution reveals that at 97% confidence level at least two subgroups could be separated with following parameters: = 0.9 ± 0.1 and = 2.7 ± 0.2. It allows to make conclusion that Swift long GRB sources subset is not uniform. In the presented article attention is paid on the measure of discrepancy of long GRB with z>3 and subset of other long GRB with known redshifts. XRT/Swift lightcurves for these groups of GRB were considered and it have shown that at least 90% XRT/Swift lightcurves for GRB with z>3 are more complicated and have got a number of maxima.

The Diversity of Cloud Responses to Twentieth Century Sea Surface Temperatures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Silvers, Levi G.; Paynter, David; Zhao, Ming

2018-01-01

Low-level clouds are shown to be the conduit between the observed sea surface temperatures (SST) and large decadal fluctuations of the top of the atmosphere radiative imbalance. The influence of low-level clouds on the climate feedback is shown for global mean time series as well as particular geographic regions. The changes of clouds are found to be important for a midcentury period of high sensitivity and a late century period of low sensitivity. These conclusions are drawn from analysis of amip-piForcing simulations using three atmospheric general circulation models (AM2.1, AM3, and AM4.0). All three models confirm the importance of the relationship between the global climate sensitivity and the eastern Pacific trends of SST and low-level clouds. However, this work argues that the variability of the climate feedback parameter is not driven by stratocumulus-dominated regions in the eastern ocean basins, but rather by the cloudy response in the rest of the tropics.

A Comparison of Low and High Structure Practice for Learning Interactional Analysis Skills

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davis, Matthew James

2011-01-01

Innovative training approaches in work domains such as professional athletics, aviation, and the military have shown that specific types of practice can reliably lead to higher levels of performance for the average professional. This study describes the development of an initial effort toward creating a similar practice method for psychotherapy…

An Implementation and Outcome Evaluation of a Multicomponent Sexuality Education Programme for High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Berglas, Nancy F.; Jerman, Petra; Rohrbach, Louise A.; Angulo-Olaiz, Francisca; Chou, Chih-Ping; Constantine, Norman A.

2016-01-01

Numerous classroom-based interventions have aimed to improve sexual health outcomes for young people, yet few have shown strong, lasting effects. Ecological approaches that address multiple levels of a young person's environment offer largely untapped potential to positively change sexual behaviour. This paper presents results of a…

[Caregivers and residents, raising awareness of the influenza vaccine].

PubMed

Plantet, Claire; Sanchez, Stéphane; Cohen, Nadia; Denormandie, Philippe; Dinh, Aurélien

Influenza epidemics in nursing homes can lead to serious complications with a high level of lethality. It has been shown that an active policy of awareness campaigns with obligatory information materials and easy access to influenza immunisation increases the rate of vaccination coverage. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Mental Illness among Us: A New Curriculum to Reduce Mental Illness Stigma among Medical Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aggarwal, Anuj K.; Thompson, Maxwell; Falik, Rebecca; Shaw, Amy; O'Sullivan, Patricia; Lowenstein, Daniel H.

2013-01-01

Objectives: Medical students have been shown to have high levels of psychological distress, including self-stigmatization and unwillingness to seek care. The authors hypothesized that a student-led curriculum involving personal mental illness experience, given during the first-year neuroscience course, and titled "Mental Illness Among Us…

Elucidating Concepts in Drug Design through Taste with Natural and Artificial Sweeteners

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lipchock, James M.; Lipchock, Sarah V.

2016-01-01

Fundamental concepts in biochemistry important for drug design often lack connection to the macroscopic world and can be difficult for students to grasp, particularly those in introductory science courses at the high school and college level. Educational research has shown that multisensory teaching facilitates learning, but teaching at the high…

Case-Control Genome-Wide Association Study of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neale, Benjamin M.; Medland, Sarah; Ripke, Stephan; Anney, Richard J. L.; Asherson, Philip; Buitelaar, Jan; Franke, Barbara; Gill, Michael; Kent, Lindsey; Holmans, Peter; Middleton, Frank; Thapar, Anita; Lesch, Klaus-Peter; Faraone, Stephen V.; Daly, Mark; Nguyen, Thuy Trang; Schafer, Helmut; Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph; Reif, Andreas; Renner, Tobias J.; Romanos, Marcel; Romanos, Jasmin; Warnke, Andreas; Walitza, Susanne; Freitag, Christine; Meyer, Jobst; Palmason, Haukur; Rothenberger, Aribert; Hawi, Ziarih; Sergeant, Joseph; Roeyers, Herbert; Mick, Eric; Biederman, Joseph

2010-01-01

Objective: Although twin and family studies have shown attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to be highly heritable, genetic variants influencing the trait at a genome-wide significant level have yet to be identified. Thus additional genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are needed. Method: We used case-control analyses of 896 cases…

Meta-Analysis of Genome-Wide Association Studies of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neale, Benjamin M.; Medland, Sarah E.; Ripke, Stephan; Asherson, Philip; Franke, Barbara; Lesch, Klaus-Peter; Faraone, Stephen V.; Nguyen, Thuy Trang; Schafer, Helmut; Holmans, Peter; Daly, Mark; Steinhausen, Hans-Christoph; Freitag, Christine; Reif, Andreas; Renner, Tobias J.; Romanos, Marcel; Romanos, Jasmin; Walitza, Susanne; Warnke, Andreas; Meyer, Jobst; Palmason, Haukur; Buitelaar, Jan; Vasquez, Alejandro Arias; Lambregts-Rommelse, Nanda; Gill, Michael; Anney, Richard J. L.; Langely, Kate; O'Donovan, Michael; Williams, Nigel; Owen, Michael; Thapar, Anita; Kent, Lindsey; Sergeant, Joseph; Roeyers, Herbert; Mick, Eric; Biederman, Joseph; Doyle, Alysa; Smalley, Susan; Loo, Sandra; Hakonarson, Hakon; Elia, Josephine; Todorov, Alexandre; Miranda, Ana; Mulas, Fernando; Ebstein, Richard P.; Rothenberger, Aribert; Banaschewski, Tobias; Oades, Robert D.; Sonuga-Barke, Edmund; McGough, James; Nisenbaum, Laura; Middleton, Frank; Hu, Xiaolan; Nelson, Stan

2010-01-01

Objective: Although twin and family studies have shown attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to be highly heritable, genetic variants influencing the trait at a genome-wide significant level have yet to be identified. As prior genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have not yielded significant results, we conducted a meta-analysis of…

Geostatistical Modeling of the Spatial Distribution of Sediment Oxygen Demand Within a Coastal Plain Blackwater Watershed

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Blackwater streams of the Georgia Coastal Plain are often listed as impaired due to chronically low DO levels. Previous research has shown that high sediment oxygen demand (SOD) values, a hypothesized cause of lowered DO within these waters, are significantly positively correlated with TOC within th...

Drinker Identity: Key Risk Factor for Adolescent Alcohol Use

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lee, Chia-Kuei; Corte, Colleen; Stein, Karen F.

2018-01-01

Background: Adolescent alcohol use continues to be a critical public health problem with both short- and long-term negative health consequences. Defining oneself in terms of alcohol, a drinking-related identity, has been shown to predict high levels of alcohol use. Because adolescence is the developmental period during which identity development…

Developing EZH2-Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer | Office of Cancer Genomics

Cancer.gov

Epigenetic targets are exciting new avenues for cancer drug discovery. Zhang and colleagues have designed the open-source EZH2 inhibitor JQEZ5 and shown antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo in preclinical studies in murine and human lung adenocarcinoma models expressing high levels of EZH2.

Competence, Persistence, and Success: The Positive Psychology of Behavioral Skill Instruction

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Martens, Brian K.; Witt, Joseph C.

2004-01-01

Early school failure is a critical factor in the development of peer rejection and antisocial behavior in children. This paper describes three sets of instructional strategies that have been shown to promote high levels of academic competence by arranging frequent opportunities for correct skill practice: (a) teaching children at their…

Preventing Underachievement Using Suggestions from Intellectually Gifted Recent High School Graduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Snyder, Kelly

2013-01-01

Underachievement of students identified as gifted is a serious problem. Although the literature varies, studies have shown anywhere from 9% to 50% of these students are performing below their ability levels. The purpose of this study was to examine methods to address this problem suggested by such underachieving gifted students. The research…

Planning and Implementing a Comprehensive Student-Centered Research Program for First-Year STEM Undergraduates

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schneider, Kimberly R.; Bickel, Amelia; Morrison-Shetlar, Alison

2015-01-01

Retaining college-level science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) students remains a priority in higher education. A variety of methods have been shown to increase retention, including mentorship, tutoring, course enhancements, community building, and engagement in high-impact practices such as undergraduate research. In 2011, an…

The Relationship between Specific Cognitive Impairment and Behaviour in Prader-Willi Syndrome

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woodcock, K. A.; Oliver, C.; Humphreys, G. W.

2011-01-01

Background: Individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) have been shown to demonstrate a particular cognitive deficit in attention switching and high levels of preference for routine and temper outbursts. This study assesses whether a specific pathway between a cognitive deficit and behaviour via environmental interaction can exist in individuals…

Subject Differences in Breadth of Encoding in Memory.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mueller, John H.

It has been shown that incidental stimulus attributes are not utilized as much under conditions of high anxiety. It was hypothesized that the nature of this restricted encoding may be interpreted within a levels-of-processing framework. The physical attributes of verbal items (e.g., orthography, sound) may be thought of as shallow features,…

Characteristics of polyomavirus BK (BKPyV) infection in primary human urothelial cells.

PubMed

Li, Ruomei; Sharma, Biswa Nath; Linder, Stig; Gutteberg, Tore Jarl; Hirsch, Hans H; Rinaldo, Christine Hanssen

2013-05-25

High-level polyomavirus BK (BKPyV) replication in urothelial cells is a hallmark of polyomavirus-associated hemorrhagic cystitis (PyVHC), a painful condition affecting bone marrow transplant recipients. In kidney transplant recipients, replication in tubular epithelial cells is associated with overt disease whereas high-level urothelial replication is clinically silent. We characterized BKPyV replication in primary human urothelial cells (HUCs) and compared it to replication in renal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs). HUCs were easily infected, as shown by expression of T-antigens, VP1-3, and agnoprotein, and intranuclear virion production. Compared to RPTECs, progeny release was delayed by ≥24h and reduced. BKPyV-infected HUCs rounded up like "decoy cells" and detached without necrosis as shown by delayed cytokeratin-18 release, real-time viability monitoring and imaging. The data show that BKV infection of HUCs and RPTECs is significantly different and support the notion that PyVHC pathogenesis is not solely due to BKPyV replication, but likely requires urotoxic and immunological cofactors. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Immune responses and protective efficacy of the gene vaccine expressing Ag85B and ESAT6 fusion protein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

PubMed

Chang-hong, Shi; Xiao-wu, Wang; Hai, Zhang; Ting-fen, Zhang; Li-Mei, Wang; Zhi-kai, Xu

2008-04-01

Genetic immunity is a new promising approach for the development of novel tuberculosis vaccines. In this study, it is shown that DNA vaccines expressing the fusion protein of antigen 85B (Ag85B) and early secreted antigenic target 6-kDa antigen (ESAT6) can induce high levels of specific IgG2a antibody subtype in the mice. With the prolongation of postimmunization time, the levels of IgG2a antibody decrease gradually. Although a high-level specific IgG2a antibody subtype is also elicited by classical BCG, the ratio of antibody subtypes IgG2a to IgG1 changes 4 weeks after immunization, and IgG1 is gradually shifted to the main antibody subtype. DNA vaccines also elicit cellular immunity as shown by specific spleen lymphocytes proliferation to Ag85B or ESAT6 protein and the production of high levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2, which is similar to that elicited by BCG. Vaccination of mice with DNA vaccines expressing the fusion protein Ag85B-ESAT6 results in a significant level of protection against the subsequent high-dose challenge with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H37Rv. Dramatic reduction in the number of MTB colony-forming units in the spleens and lungs is observed. Pathological examination showed that recombinant plasmid and BCG groups have only minor damage and organizational structures that are kept relatively complete, while in the control group, spleens and lungs are damaged seriously. Therefore, although the reducing degree of mycobacterial loads in the organ of mice immunized with recombinant plasmid is not more than that of BCG, through the analysis of pathological changes, we may conclude that the protective effect provided by DNA vaccine expressing the Ag85B-ESAT6 fusion protein is equivalent to that afforded by the classical BCG.

Sex hormones affect language lateralisation but not cognitive control in normally cycling women.

PubMed

Hodgetts, Sophie; Weis, Susanne; Hausmann, Markus

2015-08-01

This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and Cognition". Natural fluctuations of sex hormones during the menstrual cycle have been shown to modulate language lateralisation. Using the dichotic listening (DL) paradigm, a well-established measurement of language lateralisation, several studies revealed that the left hemispheric language dominance was stronger when levels of estradiol were high. A recent study (Hjelmervik et al., 2012) showed, however, that high levels of follicular estradiol increased lateralisation only in a condition that required participants to cognitively control (top-down) the stimulus-driven (bottom-up) response. This finding suggested that sex hormones modulate lateralisation only if cognitive control demands are high. The present study investigated language lateralisation in 73 normally cycling women under three attention conditions that differed in cognitive control demands. Saliva estradiol and progesterone levels were determined by luminescence immunoassays. Women were allocated to a high or low estradiol group. The results showed a reduced language lateralisation when estradiol and progesterone levels were high. The effect was independent of the attention condition indicating that estradiol marginally affected cognitive control. The findings might suggest that high levels of estradiol especially reduce the stimulus-driven (bottom-up) aspect of lateralisation rather than top-down cognitive control. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Methods for assessing long-term mean pathogen count in drinking water and risk management implications.

PubMed

Englehardt, James D; Ashbolt, Nicholas J; Loewenstine, Chad; Gadzinski, Erik R; Ayenu-Prah, Albert Y

2012-06-01

Recently pathogen counts in drinking and source waters were shown theoretically to have the discrete Weibull (DW) or closely related discrete growth distribution (DGD). The result was demonstrated versus nine short-term and three simulated long-term water quality datasets. These distributions are highly skewed such that available datasets seldom represent the rare but important high-count events, making estimation of the long-term mean difficult. In the current work the methods, and data record length, required to assess long-term mean microbial count were evaluated by simulation of representative DW and DGD waterborne pathogen count distributions. Also, microbial count data were analyzed spectrally for correlation and cycles. In general, longer data records were required for more highly skewed distributions, conceptually associated with more highly treated water. In particular, 500-1,000 random samples were required for reliable assessment of the population mean ±10%, though 50-100 samples produced an estimate within one log (45%) below. A simple correlated first order model was shown to produce count series with 1/f signal, and such periodicity over many scales was shown in empirical microbial count data, for consideration in sampling. A tiered management strategy is recommended, including a plan for rapid response to unusual levels of routinely-monitored water quality indicators.

Early follicular testosterone level predicts preference for masculinity in male faces - but not for women taking hormonal contraception.

PubMed

Bobst, Cora; Sauter, Sabine; Foppa, Andrina; Lobmaier, Janek S

2014-03-01

It has been shown that women's preference for masculinity in male faces changes across the menstrual cycle. Preference for masculinity is stronger when conception probability is high than when it is low. These findings have been linked to cyclic fluctuations of hormone levels. The purpose of the present study is to further investigate the link between gonadal steroids (i.e. testosterone, estradiol, and progesterone) and masculinity preference in women, while holding the cycle phase constant. Sixty-two female participants were tested in their early follicular cycle phase, when conception probability is low. Participants were shown face pairs and where asked to choose the more attractive face. Face pairs consisted of a masculinized and feminized version of the same face. For naturally cycling women we found a positive relationship between saliva testosterone levels and masculinity preference, but there was no link between any hormones and masculinity preference for women taking hormonal contraception. We conclude that in naturally cycling women early follicular testosterone levels are associated with masculinity preference. However, these hormonal links were not found for women with artificially modified hormonal levels, that is, for women taking hormonal contraception. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Combining Drought Survival via Summer Dormancy and Annual Biomass Productivity in Dactylis glomerata L.

PubMed Central

Kallida, Rajae; Zhouri, Latifa; Volaire, Florence; Guerin, Adrien; Julier, Bernadette; Shaimi, Naima; Fakiri, Malika; Barre, Philippe

2016-01-01

Under Mediterranean climates, the best strategy to produce rain-fed fodder crops is to develop perennial drought resistant varieties. Summer dormancy present in native germplasm has been shown to confer a high level of survival under severe drought. Nevertheless it has also been shown to be negatively correlated with annual biomass productivity. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlations between summer dormancy and annual biomass productivity related traits and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for these traits in a progeny of a summer dormant cocksfoot parent (Kasbah) and a summer active parent (Medly). A total of 283 offspring and the parents were phenotyped for summer dormancy, plant growth rate (PGR) and heading date in Morocco and for maximum leaf elongation rate (LERm) in France. The individuals were genotyped with a total of 325 markers including 59 AFLP, 64 SSR, and 202 DArT markers. The offspring exhibited a large quantitative variation for all measured traits. Summer dormancy showed a negative correlation with both PGR (-0.34 p < 0.005) and LERm (-0.27 p < 0.005). However, genotypes with both a high level of summer dormancy and a high level of PGR were detected in the progeny. One genetic map per parent was built with a total length of 377 and 423 cM for Kasbah and Medly, respectively. Both different and co-localized QTL for summer dormancy and PGR were identified. These results demonstrate that it should be possible to create summer dormant cocksfoot varieties with a high annual biomass productivity. PMID:26904054

Combining Drought Survival via Summer Dormancy and Annual Biomass Productivity in Dactylis glomerata L.

PubMed

Kallida, Rajae; Zhouri, Latifa; Volaire, Florence; Guerin, Adrien; Julier, Bernadette; Shaimi, Naima; Fakiri, Malika; Barre, Philippe

2016-01-01

Under Mediterranean climates, the best strategy to produce rain-fed fodder crops is to develop perennial drought resistant varieties. Summer dormancy present in native germplasm has been shown to confer a high level of survival under severe drought. Nevertheless it has also been shown to be negatively correlated with annual biomass productivity. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlations between summer dormancy and annual biomass productivity related traits and to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for these traits in a progeny of a summer dormant cocksfoot parent (Kasbah) and a summer active parent (Medly). A total of 283 offspring and the parents were phenotyped for summer dormancy, plant growth rate (PGR) and heading date in Morocco and for maximum leaf elongation rate (LERm) in France. The individuals were genotyped with a total of 325 markers including 59 AFLP, 64 SSR, and 202 DArT markers. The offspring exhibited a large quantitative variation for all measured traits. Summer dormancy showed a negative correlation with both PGR (-0.34 p < 0.005) and LERm (-0.27 p < 0.005). However, genotypes with both a high level of summer dormancy and a high level of PGR were detected in the progeny. One genetic map per parent was built with a total length of 377 and 423 cM for Kasbah and Medly, respectively. Both different and co-localized QTL for summer dormancy and PGR were identified. These results demonstrate that it should be possible to create summer dormant cocksfoot varieties with a high annual biomass productivity.

Genetics, Cognition, and Neurobiology of Schizotypal Personality: A Review of the Overlap with Schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Ettinger, Ulrich; Meyhöfer, Inga; Steffens, Maria; Wagner, Michael; Koutsouleris, Nikolaos

2013-01-01

Schizotypy refers to a set of temporally stable traits that are observed in the general population and that resemble the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia. Here, we review evidence from studies on genetics, cognition, perception, motor and oculomotor control, brain structure, brain function, and psychopharmacology in schizotypy. We specifically focused on identifying areas of overlap between schizotypy and schizophrenia. Evidence was corroborated that significant overlap exists between the two, covering the behavioral brain structural and functional as well molecular levels. In particular, several studies showed that individuals with high levels of schizotypal traits exhibit alterations in neurocognitive task performance and underlying brain function similar to the deficits seen in patients with schizophrenia. Studies of brain structure have shown both volume reductions and increase in schizotypy, pointing to schizophrenia-like deficits as well as possible protective or compensatory mechanisms. Experimental pharmacological studies have shown that high levels of schizotypy are associated with (i) enhanced dopaminergic response in striatum following administration of amphetamine and (ii) improvement of cognitive performance following administration of antipsychotic compounds. Together, this body of work suggests that schizotypy shows overlap with schizophrenia across multiple behavioral and neurobiological domains, suggesting that the study of schizotypal traits may be useful in improving our understanding of the etiology of schizophrenia. PMID:24600411

Correlation between defect transition levels and thermoelectric operational temperature of doped CrSi2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Abhishek; Pandey, Tribhuwan

2014-03-01

The performance of a thermoelectric material is quantified by figure of merit ZT. The challenge in achieving high ZT value requires simultaneously high thermopower, high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity at optimal carrier concentration. So far doping is the most versatile approach used for modifying thermoelectric properties. Previous studies have shown that doping can significantly improve the thermoelectric performance, however the tuning the operating temperature of a thermoelectric device is a main issue. Using first principles density functional theory, we report for CrSi2, a linear relationship between thermodynamic charge state transition levels of defects and temperature at which thermopower peaks. We show for doped CrSi2 that the peak of thermopower occurs at the temperature Tm, which corresponds to the position of defect transition level. Therefore, by modifying the defect transition level, a thermoelectric material with a given operational temperature can be designed. The authors thankfully acknowledge support from ADA under NpMASS.

Increased SHP-1 Protein Expression by High Glucose Levels Reduces Nephrin Phosphorylation in Podocytes*

PubMed Central

Denhez, Benoit; Lizotte, Farah; Guimond, Marie-Odile; Jones, Nina; Takano, Tomoko; Geraldes, Pedro

2015-01-01

Nephrin, a critical podocyte membrane component that is reduced in diabetic nephropathy, has been shown to activate phosphotyrosine signaling pathways in human podocytes. Nephrin signaling is important to reduce cell death induced by apoptotic stimuli. We have shown previously that high glucose level exposure and diabetes increased the expression of SHP-1, causing podocyte apoptosis. SHP-1 possesses two Src homology 2 domains that serve as docking elements to dephosphorylate tyrosine residues of target proteins. However, it remains unknown whether SHP-1 interacts with nephrin and whether its elevated expression affects the nephrin phosphorylation state in diabetes. Here we show that human podocytes exposed to high glucose levels exhibited elevated expression of SHP-1, which was associated with nephrin. Coexpression of nephrin-CD16 and SHP-1 reduced nephrin tyrosine phosphorylation in transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells. A single tyrosine-to-phenylalanine mutation revealed that rat nephrin Tyr1127 and Tyr1152 are required to allow SHP-1 interaction with nephrin. Overexpression of dominant negative SHP-1 in human podocytes prevented high glucose-induced reduction of nephrin phosphorylation. In vivo, immunoblot analysis demonstrated that nephrin expression and phosphorylation were decreased in glomeruli of type 1 diabetic Akita mice (Ins2+/C96Y) compared with control littermate mice (Ins2+/+), and this was associated with elevated SHP-1 and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Furthermore, immunofluorescence analysis indicated increased colocalization of SHP-1 with nephrin in diabetic mice compared with control littermates. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that high glucose exposure increases SHP-1 interaction with nephrin, causing decreased nephrin phosphorylation, which may, in turn, contribute to diabetic nephropathy. PMID:25404734

Analysis of codon usage in beta-tubulin sequences of helminths.

PubMed

von Samson-Himmelstjerna, G; Harder, A; Failing, K; Pape, M; Schnieder, T

2003-07-01

Codon usage bias has been shown to be correlated with gene expression levels in many organisms, including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, the codon usage (cu) characteristics for a set of currently available beta-tubulin coding sequences of helminths were assessed by calculating several indices, including the effective codon number (Nc), the intrinsic codon deviation index (ICDI), the P2 value and the mutational response index (MRI). The P2 value gives a measure of translational pressure, which has been shown to be correlated to high gene expression levels in some organisms, but it has not yet been analysed in that respect in helminths. For all but two of the C. elegans beta-tubulin coding sequences investigated, the P2 value was the only index that indicated the presence of codon usage bias. Therefore, we propose that in general the helminth beta-tubulin sequences investigated here are not expressed at high levels. Furthermore, we calculated the correlation coefficients for the cu patterns of the helminth beta-tubulin sequences compared with those of highly expressed genes in organisms such as Escherichia coli and C. elegans. It was found that beta-tubulin cu patterns for all sequences of members of the Strongylida were significantly correlated to those for highly expressed C. elegans genes. This approach provides a new measure for comparing the adaptation of cu of a particular coding sequence with that of highly expressed genes in possible expression systems.Finally, using the cu patterns of the sequences studied, a phylogenetic tree was constructed. The topology of this tree was very much in concordance with that of a phylogeny based on small subunit ribosomal DNA sequence alignments.

Enriched environment at work: Disassociated from stress and burnout.

PubMed

Rodriguez, Francisca S; Luck, Tobias; Riedel-Heller, Steffi G

2018-05-22

Enriched environment at work (EEW), in terms of high mental demands at work, may be of great relevance for preventative efforts against cognitive decline and dementia as previous studies have shown. Yet, there is the concern that high EEW mental demands may accelerate stress and cause burnout. The aim of our study was to investigate how EEW mental demands are related to stress and burnout. A convenience sample of employees in the city area of Leipzig, Germany, was asked to fill out the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory and indicate for each EEW mental demand the level experienced, demandingness, and stressfulness. Multivariate linear regression and structural equation modelling suggested that only some EEW mental demands were perceived as stressful when the level of the respective EEW mental demand was high. Higher stressfulness was associated with burnout symptoms - however, high levels of EEW mental demands were not significantly associated with burnout (neither directly nor indirectly). Our findings implied that subjectively perceived stressfulness seems to be a more relevant aspect than the actual level of the demand itself. However, further studies are necessary to validate our findings.

Mixed layer depths via Doppler lidar during low-level jet events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carroll, Brian; Demoz, Belay; Bonin, Timothy; Delgado, Ruben

2018-04-01

A low-level jet (LLJ) is a prominent wind speed peak in the lower troposphere. Nocturnal LLJs have been shown to transport and mix atmospheric constituents from the residual layer down to the surface, breaching quiescent nocturnal conditions due to high wind shear. A new fuzzy logic algorithm combining turbulence and aerosol information from Doppler lidar scans can resolve the strength and depth of this mixing below the jet. Conclusions will be drawn about LLJ relations to turbulence and mixing.

Impulsivity in Alcohol-Dependent Patients with and without ADHD: The Role of Atomoxetine.

PubMed

Coppola, Maurizio; Mondola, Raffaella

2018-06-07

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity. As shown in the literature, this disorder is frequently associated with alcohol and drug abuse. Patients affected by ADHD show high levels of impulsivity and sensation seeking. These characteristics can significantly increase the risk of alcohol abuse, which is itself a clinical condition associated with high levels of impulsivity. Clinical studies suggest that atomoxetine is effective and safe in patients affected by both ADHD and alcohol dependence; however, information focused specifically on impulsivity is very limited. In an open-label study, we evaluated the difference in impulsivity level between alcohol-dependent patients with and without a diagnosis of ADHD. Furthermore, we hypothesized that, in patients with ADHD, atomoxetine could reduce the impulsivity trait.

Membrane Properties and the Balance between Excitation and Inhibition Control Gamma-Frequency Oscillations Arising from Feedback Inhibition

PubMed Central

Economo, Michael N.; White, John A.

2012-01-01

Computational studies as well as in vivo and in vitro results have shown that many cortical neurons fire in a highly irregular manner and at low average firing rates. These patterns seem to persist even when highly rhythmic signals are recorded by local field potential electrodes or other methods that quantify the summed behavior of a local population. Models of the 30–80 Hz gamma rhythm in which network oscillations arise through ‘stochastic synchrony’ capture the variability observed in the spike output of single cells while preserving network-level organization. We extend upon these results by constructing model networks constrained by experimental measurements and using them to probe the effect of biophysical parameters on network-level activity. We find in simulations that gamma-frequency oscillations are enabled by a high level of incoherent synaptic conductance input, similar to the barrage of noisy synaptic input that cortical neurons have been shown to receive in vivo. This incoherent synaptic input increases the emergent network frequency by shortening the time scale of the membrane in excitatory neurons and by reducing the temporal separation between excitation and inhibition due to decreased spike latency in inhibitory neurons. These mechanisms are demonstrated in simulations and in vitro current-clamp and dynamic-clamp experiments. Simulation results further indicate that the membrane potential noise amplitude has a large impact on network frequency and that the balance between excitatory and inhibitory currents controls network stability and sensitivity to external inputs. PMID:22275859

Assessment of acidification and eutrophication in the coastal waters of Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lagumen, M. C. T.; San Diego-McGlone, M. L.

2014-12-01

Ocean acidification is becoming a global concern due to its potential effects on marine resources. In coastal areas, an emerging problem is ocean acidicification due to eutrophication resulting from human activities. The coastal water of Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines has become eutrophic due to increased nutrient loading from unconsumed fish feeds in fish cages. Mariculture is a big industry in Bolinao. In over a decade, the area has experienced decreased oxygen levels leading to hypoxia, fish kills, and algal blooms. The decomposition of organic matter from unconsumed fish feeds results not only to high nutrient buildup but also increased CO2 and acidity in the area. Nutrients (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate and silicate), total alkalinity (TA), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), aragonite saturation state (Ωarg) and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) were measured to determine the combined effect of acidification and eutrophication in Bolinao. Monitoring results have shown an increase in nutrients by 30% to 70% in over a decade. Stratified water during rainy season have resulted in low DO (<5.5) and acidic water (<7.5) with high pCO2 level (>900 μatm). Shallow stations with poor water circulation have shown undersaturated aragonite state (< 2.0) and high pCO2 levels of 800 matm. The eutrophic and acidified coastal waters of Bolinao are already affecting the seagrass and coral reef ecosystems in the area.

The Effect of Boron on the Low Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Disk Alloy KM4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gabb, Timothy; Gayda, John; Sweeney, Joseph

2000-01-01

The durability of powder metallurgy nickel base superalloys employed as compressor and turbine disks is often limited by low cycle fatigue (LCF) crack initiation and crack growth from highly stressed surface locations (corners, holes, etc.). Crack growth induced by dwells at high stresses during aerospace engine operation can be particularly severe. Supersolvus solution heat treatments can be used to produce coarse grain sizes approaching ASTM 6 for improved resistance to dwell fatigue crack growth. However, the coarse grain sizes reduce yield strength, which can lower LCF initiation life. These high temperature heat treatments also can encourage pores to form. In the advanced General Electric disk superalloy KM4, such pores can initiate fatigue cracks that limit LCF initiation life. Hot isostatic pressing (HIP) during the supersolvus solution heat treatment has been shown to improve LCF initiation life in KM4, as the HIP pressure minimizes formation of the pores. Reduction of boron levels in KM4 has also been shown to increase LCF initiation life after a conventional supersolvus heat treatment, again possibly due to effects on the formation tendencies of these pores. However, the effects of reduced boron levels on microstructure, pore characteristics, and LCF failure modes in KM4 still need to be fully quantified. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of boron level on the microstructure, porosity, LCF behavior, and failure modes of supersolvus heat treated KM4.

High blood glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase levels are associated with good functional outcome in acute ischemic stroke

PubMed Central

Campos, Francisco; Sobrino, Tomás; Ramos-Cabrer, Pedro; Castellanos, Mar; Blanco, Miguel; Rodríguez-Yáñez, Manuel; Serena, Joaquín; Leira, Rogelio; Castillo, José

2011-01-01

The capacity of the blood enzyme glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) to remove glutamate from the brain by means of blood glutamate degradation has been shown in experimental models to be an efficient and novel neuroprotective tool against ischemic stroke; however, the beneficial effects of this enzyme should be tested in patients with stroke to validate these results. This study aims to investigate the association of GOT levels in blood with clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. In two clinical independent studies, we found that patients with poor outcome show higher glutamate and lower GOT levels in blood at the time of admission. Lower GOT levels and higher glutamate levels were independently associated with poorer functional outcome at 3 months and higher infarct volume. These findings show a clear association between high blood glutamate levels and worse outcome and vice versa for GOT, presumably explained by the capacity of this enzyme to metabolize blood glutamate. PMID:21266984

The impact of user centered design on student motivation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Locker, Craig T.

There is a current push for STEM education within the U.S.; however current studies show that students' interest to pursue STEM fields is decreasing as they progress through high school. This lose in interest has shown to have a strong tie to students' perceived levels of motivation towards the subject. The question that this studied set out to answer was if user centered design (UCD) would affect students perceived level of motivation. For this study a treatment of UCD was compared to a traditional high school engineering design curriculum, with the goal to identify if UCD would have a positive effect on the students perceived level of motivation. 59 9th grade high school students from an urban Midwestern city were selected to participate. Students were given a pre and posttest to determine their levels of motivation before and after the comparison or treatment. Analysis showed that students perceived level of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation significantly went up in the treatment group. The study concluded that due to the ease of implementation and low cost of deployment that UCD should be introduced into high school design challenges that focus on developing a solution for an external stakeholder.

Water-level changes in the high plains regional aquifer, northwestern Oklahoma, predevelopment to 1980

USGS Publications Warehouse

Havens, J.S.

1983-01-01

During 1978, the U.S. Geological Survey began a 5-year study of the High Plains regional aquifer system to provide hydrologic information for evaluation of the effects of long-term development of the aquifer and to develop computer models for prediction of aquifer response to alternative changes in ground-water management (Weeks, 1978). This report is one of a series presenting hydrologic information of the High Plains aquifer in Oklahoma. The predevelopment to 1980 water-level changes in the High Plains regional aquifer in Oklahoma are shown for Harper, Ellis, Woodward, Dewey, and Roger Mills Counties, on the east, and for the Oklahoma Panhandle, consist- ing of Cimarron, Texas, and Beaver Counties, on the west. About 1,470 water-level measurements in the Panhandle were used in compiling the predevelopment water-table map (Havens, 1982c). In the remaining area to the east about 150 water-level measurements from the 1950's to the 1970's are representative of predevelopment water levels. For the 1980 water-table map, about 330 measurements were made in the Panhandle and about 350 measurements in the eastern area by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (Havens, 1982b).

Learning high-level features for chord recognition using Autoencoder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phongthongloa, Vilailukkana; Kamonsantiroj, Suwatchai; Pipanmaekaporn, Luepol

2016-07-01

Chord transcription is valuable to do by itself. It is known that the manual transcription of chords is very tiresome, time-consuming. It requires, moreover, musical knowledge. Automatic chord recognition has recently attracted a number of researches in the Music Information Retrieval field. It has known that a pitch class profile (PCP) is the commonly signal representation of musical harmonic analysis. However, the PCP may contain additional non-harmonic noise such as harmonic overtones and transient noise. The problem of non-harmonic might be generating the sound energy in term of frequency more than the actual notes of the respective chord. Autoencoder neural network may be trained to learn a mapping from low level feature to one or more higher-level representation. These high-level representations can explain dependencies of the inputs and reduce the effect of non-harmonic noise. Then these improve features are fed into neural network classifier. The proposed high-level musical features show 80.90% of accuracy. The experimental results have shown that the proposed approach can achieve better performance in comparison with other based method.

The thermodynamic and transport properties of GdCl3 in molten eutectic LiCl-KCl derived from the analysis of cyclic voltammetry signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samin, Adib; Wu, Evan; Zhang, Jinsuo

2017-02-01

Pyroprocessing technology is a promising tool for recycling nuclear fuel and producing high purity gadolinium for industrial applications. An efficient implementation of pyroprocessing entails a careful characterization of the electrochemical and transport properties of lanthanides in high temperature molten salts. In this work, the cyclic voltammetry signals of Gd in molten LiCl-KCl salt were recorded for a combination of three temperatures (723 K, 773 K, and 823 K) and three concentration levels (3 wt. %, 6 wt. %, and 9 wt. %) including concentration levels higher than previously reported and relevant for a realistic application of pyroprocessing for molten salt recycle, and the concentration effects were investigated. Four scan rates (200 mV/s to 500 mV/s) were used for each condition, and the signals were examined using conventional Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) analysis equations and by utilizing a two-plate Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) model accounting for mass diffusion, kinetics, adsorption, and the evolution of electrode morphology via a nonlinear least squares procedure for fitting the model to the experimental signals. It was determined that the redox process is quasi-reversible for the scan rates being used. Furthermore, the applicability of the conventional equations for CV analysis was shown to be problematic for the conditions used, and this is thought to be due to the fact that these equations were derived under the assumption of reversible conditions. The model-derived values for diffusivity are consistent with the literature and are shown to decrease with increasing concentration. This may be due to increased interactions at higher concentration levels. It was also shown that the formal redox potential increased with a concentration and was slightly more positive on the covered electrode.

Effects of high CO2 levels on dynamic photosynthesis: carbon gain, mechanisms, and environmental interactions.

PubMed

Tomimatsu, Hajime; Tang, Yanhong

2016-05-01

Understanding the photosynthetic responses of terrestrial plants to environments with high levels of CO2 is essential to address the ecological effects of elevated atmospheric CO2. Most photosynthetic models used for global carbon issues are based on steady-state photosynthesis, whereby photosynthesis is measured under constant environmental conditions; however, terrestrial plant photosynthesis under natural conditions is highly dynamic, and photosynthetic rates change in response to rapid changes in environmental factors. To predict future contributions of photosynthesis to the global carbon cycle, it is necessary to understand the dynamic nature of photosynthesis in relation to high CO2 levels. In this review, we summarize the current body of knowledge on the photosynthetic response to changes in light intensity under experimentally elevated CO2 conditions. We found that short-term exposure to high CO2 enhances photosynthetic rate, reduces photosynthetic induction time, and reduces post-illumination CO2 burst, resulting in increased leaf carbon gain during dynamic photosynthesis. However, long-term exposure to high CO2 during plant growth has varying effects on dynamic photosynthesis. High levels of CO2 increase the carbon gain in photosynthetic induction in some species, but have no significant effects in other species. Some studies have shown that high CO2 levels reduce the biochemical limitation on RuBP regeneration and Rubisco activation during photosynthetic induction, whereas the effects of high levels of CO2 on stomatal conductance differ among species. Few studies have examined the influence of environmental factors on effects of high levels of CO2 on dynamic photosynthesis. We identified several knowledge gaps that should be addressed to aid future predictions of photosynthesis in high-CO2 environments.

Low-level nocturnal wind maximum over the Central Amazon Basin

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greco, Steven; Ulanski, Stanley; Garstang, Michael; Houston, Samuel

1992-01-01

A low-level nocturnal wind maximum is shown to exist over extensive and nearly undisturbed rainforest near the central Amazon city of Manaus. Meteorological data indicate the presence of this nocturnal wind maximum during both the wet and dry seasons of the Central Amazon Basin. Daytime wind speeds which are characteristically 3-7 m/s between 300 and 1000 m increase to 10-15 m/s shortly after sunset. The wind-speed maximum is reached in the early evening, with wind speeds remaining high until several hours after sunrise. The nocturnal wind maximum is closely linked to a strong low-level inversion formed by radiational cooling of the rainforest canopy. Surface and low-level pressure gradients between the undisturbed forest and the large Amazon river system and the city of Manaus are shown to be responsible for much of the nocturnal wind increase. The pressure gradients are interpreted as a function of the thermal differences between undisturbed forest and the river/city. The importance of both the frictional decoupling and the horizontal pressure gradient suggest that the nocturnal wind maximum does not occur uniformly over all Amazonia. Low-level winds are thought to be pervasive under clear skies and strong surface cooling and that, in many places (i.e., near rivers), local pressure gradients enhance the low-level nocturnal winds.

Biomarker of Exposure and Mechanism of Action of Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs)

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-07-01

Quarterly Report for the period January 1, 2013-March 31, 2013. Using the sensitive and highly selective MRM approach described in that Quarterly...undetectable. This indicates that our LC-MS method is applicable to both high and low exposure levels. Second, the MRM method used on these samples is...toxicity of AN. First is that it can be metabolized in the body to cyanide, a well-known acute toxin. However, we have previously shown that

Dynamics of an n = 1 explosive instability and its role in high-β disruptions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aydemir, A. Y.; Park, B. H.; In, Y. K.

2018-01-01

Some low-n kink-ballooning modes not far from marginal stability are shown to exhibit a bifurcation between two very distinct nonlinear paths that depends sensitively on the background transport levels and linear perturbation amplitudes. The particular instability studied in this work is an n=1 mode dominated by an m/n=2/1 component. It is driven by a large pressure gradient in weak magnetic shear and can appear in various high- \

Effects of Residual Impurities on Hydrogen Assisted Cracking in High Strength Steels. Part II.

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-06-01

source of hydrogen is the corrosion reaction of steel with aqueous hydrogen sulfide solutions encountered either in the production of crude oil and...autoradiography technique, it has been shown that in Armco iron and in maraging steel of hydrogen is trapped at prior austenite grain boundaries. Tritium...also play a deleterious role in hydrogen-induced cracking. In these ultra-high strength steels , the crack-tip stress level and the concomitant stress

The effect of embodied emotive states on cognitive categorization.

PubMed

Price, Tom F; Harmon-Jones, Eddie

2010-12-01

Research has uncovered that positive affect broadens cognitive categorization. The motivational dimensional model, however, posits that positive affect is not a unitary construct with only one cognitive consequence. Instead, this model puts forth that there are different positive affects varying in approach motivational intensity. According to this model, only positive affects lower in motivational intensity should broaden cognitive processes, whereas positive affects higher in motivational intensity should narrow cognitive processes. Consistent with these predictions, high approach positive affect has been shown to narrow attention, whereas low approach positive affect has been shown to broaden it (Gable & Harmon-Jones, 2008). High approach positive affect, therefore, might narrow categorization. Two experiments investigated this possibility by having participants respond to cognitive categorization tasks in 3 body postures designed to elicit different levels of approach motivation: reclining backward, which should evoke low approach motivation; sitting upright, which should evoke moderate approach motivation; and leaning forward, which should evoke high approach motivation. Participants smiled while in each posture in order to experience positive affect. Experiment 1 provided initial support for the idea that high approach positive affect narrows categorization and low approach positive affect broadens categorization. Experiment 2 replicated these findings with improved smiling instructions. These results extend previous work by showing that the motivational model's predictions hold for basic attentional processes as well as higher level cognitive processes such as categorization.

Some unresolved questions on hot-jet mixing control through artificial excitation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ahuja, K. K.; Lepicovsky, J.; Brown, W. H.

1986-01-01

The problem of the mixing enhancement of heated jets through acoustic excitation is addressed using a 5.08 cm diameter jet operating at Mach numbers as high as 1.12 and at temperatures reaching 670 K. An experimental investigation is carried out to determine why high-speed heated jets are not as responsive to internal excitation as low-speed heated jets. Results are also presented which are related to the flow structure in the presence of screech and under the influence of external excitation. It is shown that, if sufficiently high excitation levels are used, the heated jets, even at high levels, can be modified by artificial excitation. Nonetheless, it is concluded that, for the test facility and test conditions used in the present study, the high-Mach-number heated jets are considerably less excitable than the similarly heated low-Mach-number jets.

Integrated approach for stress analysis of high performance diesel engine cylinder head

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chainov, N. D.; Myagkov, L. L.; Malastowski, N. S.; Blinov, A. S.

2018-03-01

Growing thermal and mechanical loads due to development of engines with high level of a mean effective pressure determine requirements to cylinder head durability. In this paper, computational schemes for thermal and mechanical stress analysis of a high performance diesel engine cylinder head were described. The most important aspects in this approach are the account of temperature fields of conjugated details (valves and saddles), heat transfer modeling in a cooling jacket of a cylinder head and topology optimization of the detail force scheme. Simulation results are shown and analyzed.

Evaluation of the cosmic-ray induced background in coded aperture high energy gamma-ray telescopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Owens, Alan; Barbier, Loius M.; Frye, Glenn M.; Jenkins, Thomas L.

1991-01-01

While the application of coded-aperture techniques to high-energy gamma-ray astronomy offers potential arc-second angular resolution, concerns were raised about the level of secondary radiation produced in a thick high-z mask. A series of Monte-Carlo calculations are conducted to evaluate and quantify the cosmic-ray induced neutral particle background produced in a coded-aperture mask. It is shown that this component may be neglected, being at least a factor of 50 lower in intensity than the cosmic diffuse gamma-rays.

Attention, Awareness, and the Perception of Auditory Scenes

PubMed Central

Snyder, Joel S.; Gregg, Melissa K.; Weintraub, David M.; Alain, Claude

2011-01-01

Auditory perception and cognition entails both low-level and high-level processes, which are likely to interact with each other to create our rich conscious experience of soundscapes. Recent research that we review has revealed numerous influences of high-level factors, such as attention, intention, and prior experience, on conscious auditory perception. And recently, studies have shown that auditory scene analysis tasks can exhibit multistability in a manner very similar to ambiguous visual stimuli, presenting a unique opportunity to study neural correlates of auditory awareness and the extent to which mechanisms of perception are shared across sensory modalities. Research has also led to a growing number of techniques through which auditory perception can be manipulated and even completely suppressed. Such findings have important consequences for our understanding of the mechanisms of perception and also should allow scientists to precisely distinguish the influences of different higher-level influences. PMID:22347201

Low prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus among patients with high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

PubMed

Juren, Andrew J; Sarwal, Gautamn; Al-Sarraf, Ahmad; Vrablik, Michal; Chan, Darren; Humphries, Karin H; Frohlich, Jiri J

2013-01-01

Diabetes mellitus and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are among several known risk factors for coronary artery disease. Recent research has shown potential mechanistic links between these two diseases. The aim of our study was to characterize, by examining particular coronary artery disease risk factors, patients with extremely high and low levels of HDL-C who were referred to a prevention clinic. We compared the phenotypes of 113 patients with HDL-C levels greater than the 90th percentile with 212 patients with levels less than the 10th percentile by using a retrospective chart review. The cohort with high HDL-C had a remarkable difference in the incidence of type 2 diabetes (1.8% vs 21.7%). The high HDL-C cohort also had a greater age (52.1 years vs 46.7 years), more light or moderate alcohol consumption (70.8% vs 49.4%), more healthy diet (30.1% vs 22.4%), more light or moderate exercise (90.8% vs 52.2%), and a lower body mass index (25.2 kg/m² vs 28.1 kg/m²). Compared with the low HDL-C group--and also the general population--the high HDL-C cohort had a remarkably low prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2013 National Lipid Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Statistics of peak overpressure and shock steepness for linear and nonlinear N-wave propagation in a kinematic turbulence.

PubMed

Yuldashev, Petr V; Ollivier, Sébastien; Karzova, Maria M; Khokhlova, Vera A; Blanc-Benon, Philippe

2017-12-01

Linear and nonlinear propagation of high amplitude acoustic pulses through a turbulent layer in air is investigated using a two-dimensional KZK-type (Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov) equation. Initial waves are symmetrical N-waves with shock fronts of finite width. A modified von Kármán spectrum model is used to generate random wind velocity fluctuations associated with the turbulence. Physical parameters in simulations correspond to previous laboratory scale experiments where N-waves with 1.4 cm wavelength propagated through a turbulence layer with the outer scale of about 16 cm. Mean value and standard deviation of peak overpressure and shock steepness, as well as cumulative probabilities to observe amplified peak overpressure and shock steepness, are analyzed. Nonlinear propagation effects are shown to enhance pressure level in random foci for moderate initial amplitudes of N-waves thus increasing the probability to observe highly peaked waveforms. Saturation of the pressure level is observed for stronger nonlinear effects. It is shown that in the linear propagation regime, the turbulence mainly leads to the smearing of shock fronts, thus decreasing the probability to observe high values of steepness, whereas nonlinear effects dramatically increase the probability to observe steep shocks.

Hadronic vs. electromagnetic pulse shape discrimination in CsI(Tl) for high energy physics experiments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Longo, S.; Roney, J. M.

2018-03-01

Pulse shape discrimination using CsI(Tl) scintillators to perform neutral hadron particle identification is explored with emphasis towards application at high energy electron-positron collider experiments. Through the analysis of the pulse shape differences between scintillation pulses from photon and hadronic energy deposits using neutron and proton data collected at TRIUMF, it is shown that the pulse shape variations observed for hadrons can be modelled using a third scintillation component for CsI(Tl), in addition to the standard fast and slow components. Techniques for computing the hadronic pulse amplitudes and shape variations are developed and it is shown that the intensity of the additional scintillation component can be computed from the ionization energy loss of the interacting particles. These pulse modelling and simulation methods are integrated with GEANT4 simulation libraries and the predicted pulse shape for CsI(Tl) crystals in a 5 × 5 array of 5 × 5 × 30 cm3 crystals is studied for hadronic showers from 0.5 and 1 GeV/c KL0 and neutron particles. Using a crystal level and cluster level approach for photon vs. hadron cluster separation we demonstrate proof-of-concept for neutral hadron detection using CsI(Tl) pulse shape discrimination in high energy electron-positron collider experiments.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Reduces Suicidal Ideation in Schizophrenia: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bateman, Katy; Hansen, Lars; Turkington, Douglas; Kingdon, David

2007-01-01

Patients with schizophrenia are at high risk of suicide. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) has been shown to reduce symptoms in schizophrenia. This study examines whether CBT also changes the level of suicidal ideation in patients with schizophrenia compared to a control group. Ninety ambulatory patients with symptoms of schizophrenia resistant to…

OBSERVATION-BASED ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF NITROGEN OXIDES EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS ON OZONE AIR QUALITY OVER THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

EPA Science Inventory

Ozone is produced by chemical interactions involving nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight. At high concentrations, ground-level ozone has been shown to be harmful to human health and the environment. It has been reco...

Alcohol Consumption and Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults in Mainland China

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liu, Yujun; Xie, Yimeng; Brossoie, Nancy; Roberto, Karen A.; Redican, Kerry J.

2017-01-01

Background: High levels of alcohol consumption have been shown to be related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic disease and is an important variable in the global burden of disease. Purpose: This study explored the relationship between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults in mainland…

Interrelations between Principals' Risk of Burnout Profiles and Proactive Self-Regulation Strategies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tikkanen, Lotta; Pyhältö, Kirsi; Pietarinen, Janne; Soini, Tiina

2017-01-01

School leadership is a demanding job. Those involved in school leadership have shown to experience high levels of work stress that may, if prolonged, result in burnout. The purpose of this study was to examine school leaders' risks of burnout in terms of work stress and burnout symptoms, and their relationship with proactive self-regulation…

High-Achieving, Cognitively Disengaged Middle Level Mathematics Students: A Self-Determination Theory Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bourgeois, Steven J.; Boberg, John Eric

2016-01-01

A substantial body of research has shown that academic intrinsic motivation/cognitive engagement decreases from grades three through eight (Lepper, Corpus, & Iyengar, 2005). This phenomenon is troubling if education is to be viewed as a process through which learning goals become gradually internalized and connected with one's sense of self.…

Factors That Influence Student Motivation in the Middle and High School French Language Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laing, Kathleen A.

2011-01-01

Lack of student motivation is a shared concern by teachers across all content areas, at all educational levels. Unmotivated students exhibit behaviors of being unengaged, distracted, and unwilling to put forth effort. Motivation has been shown to foster a strong sense of self-efficacy, which may lead to personal expectations of successful…

How College Students Understand Their Self-Control Development: A Qualitative Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cliburn Allen, Cara; Glanzer, Perry

2017-01-01

Recent research has shown the importance of the positive benefits of high-levels of self-control for both individuals and society. Yet, we know only a limited amount about how college students understand and apply self-control. This qualitative study examined how a national sample of 75 students defined self-control, whether or not they believed…

Educational Systems and the Trade-Off between Labor Market Allocation and Equality of Educational Opportunity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bol, Thijs; van de Werfhorst, Herman G.

2013-01-01

Educational systems with a high level of tracking and vocational orientation have been shown to improve the allocation of school-leavers in the labor market. However, tracked educational systems are also known to increase inequality of educational opportunity. This presumed trade-off between equality and labor market preparation is clearly rooted…

Development of a Frailty Index for Older People with Intellectual Disabilities: Results from the HA-ID Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schoufour, Josje D.; Mitnitski, Arnold; Rockwood, Kenneth; Evenhuis, Heleen M.; Echteld, Michael A.

2013-01-01

Background: Although there is no strict definition of frailty, it is generally accepted as a state of high vulnerability for adverse health outcomes at older age. Associations between frailty and mortality, dependence, and hospitalization have been shown. We measured the frailty level of older people with intellectual disabilities (ID).…

Bridging the Gap: The Struggle of One Hispanic Father

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vasquez, Sarah

2016-01-01

Parent involvement has been shown to be one of the keys to student educational success, their ability to perform at a high level and persevere. The latest government statistics reveal that 53 million Hispanics now reside in the United States and 75 % of this population speaks Spanish at home [Cooper, M. (2014). "Hispanics in America and in…

What Friends Are For: Collaborative Intelligence Analysis and Search

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-06-01

14. SUBJECT TERMS Intelligence Community, information retrieval, recommender systems , search engines, social networks, user profiling, Lucene...improvements over existing search systems . The improvements are shown to be robust to high levels of human error and low similarity between users ...precision NOLH nearly orthogonal Latin hypercubes P@ precision at documents RS recommender systems TREC Text REtrieval Conference USM user

Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Imitate in the Context of Others' Prior Intention

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huang, Chi-Tai; Chiang, Chung-Hsin; Hung, Chao-Yi

2017-01-01

Many studies have shown that children with autism spectrum disorder have some understanding of intentions behind others' goal-directed actions on objects. It is not clear whether they understand intentions at a high level of abstraction reliant on the context in which the actions occur. This study tested their understanding of others' prior…

Cognitive Responses to Mass Communication: Results from Laboratory Studies and a Field Experiment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ward, Scott; Ray, Michael L.

This paper examines some of the cognitive responses people experience while attending to messages. Two laboratory studies and a field experiment were conducted. In the lab studies, three different audience groups (junior and senior high school students and parents) were shown three different anti-drug abuse messages. Various levels of audio…

When Errors Count: An EEG Study on Numerical Error Monitoring under Performance Pressure

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schillinger, Frieder L.; De Smedt, Bert; Grabner, Roland H.

2016-01-01

In high-stake tests, students often display lower achievements than expected based on their skill level--a phenomenon known as choking under pressure. This imposes a serious problem for many students, especially for test-anxious individuals. Among school subjects, mathematics has been shown to be particularly vulnerable to choking. To succeed in a…

Des-acyl ghrelin prevents heatstroke-like symptoms in rats exposed to high temperature and high humidity.

PubMed

Inoue, Yoshiyuki; Hayashi, Yujiro; Kangawa, Kenji; Suzuki, Yoshihiro; Murakami, Noboru; Nakahara, Keiko

2016-02-26

We have shown previously that des-acyl ghrelin decreases body temperature in rats through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. Here we investigated whether des-acyl ghrelin ameliorates heatstroke in rats exposed to high temperature. Peripheral administration of des-acyl ghrelin significantly attenuated hyperthermia induced by exposure to high-temperature (35°C) together with high humidity (70-80%). Although biochemical analysis revealed that exposure to high temperature significantly increased hematocrit and the serum levels of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and electrolytes (Na(+), K(+), Cl(-)), most of these heatstroke-associated reactions were significantly reduced by treatment with des-acyl ghrelin. The level of des-acyl ghrelin in plasma was also found to be significantly increased under high-temperature conditions. These results suggest that des-acyl ghrelin could be useful for preventing heatstroke under high temperature condition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Favorable effect of in-situ generated platinum in the membrane on fuel cell membrane durability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Macauley, Natalia; Wong, Ka Hung; Watson, Mark; Kjeang, Erik

2015-12-01

The overall lifetime of polymer electrolyte fuel cells is often determined by the membrane durability. Platinum, which may dissolve from the catalyst layers during fuel cell operation and deposit in the membrane, has been shown to have both positive and negative effects on membrane stability. In the present work, we analyze what specific conditions are required in order to reach a favorable, membrane stabilizing effect with the controlled use of platinum in the membrane. Using accelerated membrane durability testing, field operated membrane samples, and electron microscopy, we demonstrate that a high platinum concentration with specific particle shapes and sizes is essential for enhanced membrane stability. Specifically, star shaped and dendritic particles with high particle density and high surface area are shown to be preferable. These particles contain high levels of Pt(111) and are expected to have high catalytic activity toward peroxide quenching and crossover gas consumption, thereby mitigating chemical membrane degradation. On the other hand, small, dispersed cubic particles are found to have no effect or the opposite, negative effect on membrane stability.

Source term evaluation model for high-level radioactive waste repository with decay chain build-up.

PubMed

Chopra, Manish; Sunny, Faby; Oza, R B

2016-09-18

A source term model based on two-component leach flux concept is developed for a high-level radioactive waste repository. The long-lived radionuclides associated with high-level waste may give rise to the build-up of activity because of radioactive decay chains. The ingrowths of progeny are incorporated in the model using Bateman decay chain build-up equations. The model is applied to different radionuclides present in the high-level radioactive waste, which form a part of decay chains (4n to 4n + 3 series), and the activity of the parent and daughter radionuclides leaching out of the waste matrix is estimated. Two cases are considered: one when only parent is present initially in the waste and another where daughters are also initially present in the waste matrix. The incorporation of in situ production of daughter radionuclides in the source is important to carry out realistic estimates. It is shown that the inclusion of decay chain build-up is essential to avoid underestimation of the radiological impact assessment of the repository. The model can be a useful tool for evaluating the source term of the radionuclide transport models used for the radiological impact assessment of high-level radioactive waste repositories.

TRYPTOPHAN SYNTHETASE LEVELS IN ESCHERICHIA COLI, SHIGELLA DYSENTERIAE, AND TRANSDUCTION HYBRIDS

PubMed Central

Eisenstein, Richard B.; Yanofsky, Charles

1962-01-01

Eisenstein, Richard B. (Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio) and Charles Yanofsky. Tryptophan synthetase levels in Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, and transduction hybrids. J. Bacteriol. 83:193–204. 1962—Shigella dysenteriae and Escherichia coli, strains K-12 and B, were found to produce low levels of tryptophan synthetase, although some hybrids, formed by the introduction of the gene cluster concerned with tryptophan synthesis from S. dysenteriae into E. coli, produced high levels of this enzyme system. A revertant obtained from a tryptophan-requiring mutant also formed high levels of tryptophan synthetase. The gene or genes responsible for high enzyme production in these strains was shown to be linked to the cluster of genes concerned with tryptophan synthesis. The cause of high enzyme production was investigated. Various lines of evidence, including stimulation of growth by tryptophan precursors, sensitivity to inhibition by 5-methyltryptophan, absence of accumulation of tryptophan, and repression of enzyme formation by anthranilic acid and tryptophan, suggested that high enzyme production in the strains examined results from a partial block in the tryptophan pathway and not from resistance to repression by tryptophan. The conversion of shikimic acid-5-phosphate to anthranilic acid appears to be the partially blocked reaction in the strains studied. PMID:13889700

Increasing Glucose 6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity Restores Redox Balance in Vascular Endothelial Cells Exposed to High Glucose

PubMed Central

Zhu, Bo; Hu, Ji; Liew, Chong Wee; Zhang, Yingyi; Leopold, Jane A.; Handy, Diane E.; Loscalzo, Joseph; Stanton, Robert C.

2012-01-01

Previous studies have shown that high glucose increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells that contributes to vascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. Accumulation of ROS is due to dysregulated redox balance between ROS-producing systems and antioxidant systems. Previous research from our laboratory has shown that high glucose decreases the principal cellular reductant, NADPH by impairing the activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). We and others also have shown that the high glucose-induced decrease in G6PD activity is mediated, at least in part, by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). As both the major antioxidant enzymes and NADPH oxidase, a major source of ROS, use NADPH as substrate, we explored whether G6PD activity was a critical mediator of redox balance. We found that overexpression of G6PD by pAD-G6PD infection restored redox balance. Moreover inhibition of PKA decreased ROS accumulation and increased redox enzymes, while not altering the protein expression level of redox enzymes. Interestingly, high glucose stimulated an increase in NADPH oxidase (NOX) and colocalization of G6PD with NOX, which was inhibited by the PKA inhibitor. Lastly, inhibition of PKA ameliorated high glucose mediated increase in cell death and inhibition of cell growth. These studies illustrate that increasing G6PD activity restores redox balance in endothelial cells exposed to high glucose, which is a potentially important therapeutic target to protect ECs from the deleterious effects of high glucose. PMID:23185302

Micro-engineered first wall tungsten armor for high average power laser fusion energy systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharafat, Shahram; Ghoniem, Nasr M.; Anderson, Michael; Williams, Brian; Blanchard, Jake; Snead, Lance; HAPL Team

2005-12-01

The high average power laser program is developing an inertial fusion energy demonstration power reactor with a solid first wall chamber. The first wall (FW) will be subject to high energy density radiation and high doses of high energy helium implantation. Tungsten has been identified as the candidate material for a FW armor. The fundamental concern is long term thermo-mechanical survivability of the armor against the effects of high temperature pulsed operation and exfoliation due to the retention of implanted helium. Even if a solid tungsten armor coating would survive the high temperature cyclic operation with minimal failure, the high helium implantation and retention would result in unacceptable material loss rates. Micro-engineered materials, such as castellated structures, plasma sprayed nano-porous coatings and refractory foams are suggested as a first wall armor material to address these fundamental concerns. A micro-engineered FW armor would have to be designed with specific geometric features that tolerate high cyclic heating loads and recycle most of the implanted helium without any significant failure. Micro-engineered materials are briefly reviewed. In particular, plasma-sprayed nano-porous tungsten and tungsten foams are assessed for their potential to accommodate inertial fusion specific loads. Tests show that nano-porous plasma spray coatings can be manufactured with high permeability to helium gas, while retaining relatively high thermal conductivities. Tungsten foams where shown to be able to overcome thermo-mechanical loads by cell rotation and deformation. Helium implantation tests have shown, that pulsed implantation and heating releases significant levels of implanted helium. Helium implantation and release from tungsten was modeled using an expanded kinetic rate theory, to include the effects of pulsed implantations and thermal cycles. Although, significant challenges remain micro-engineered materials are shown to constitute potential candidate FW armor materials.

Wave rotor-enhanced gas turbine engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Welch, Gerard E.; Scott, Jones M.; Paxson, Daniel E.

1995-01-01

The benefits of wave rotor-topping in small (400 to 600 hp-class) and intermediate (3000 to 4000 hp-class) turboshaft engines, and large (80,000 to 100,000 lb(sub f)-class) high bypass ratio turbofan engines are evaluated. Wave rotor performance levels are calculated using a one-dimensional design/analysis code. Baseline and wave rotor-enhanced engine performance levels are obtained from a cycle deck in which the wave rotor is represented as a burner with pressure gain. Wave rotor-toppings is shown to significantly enhance the specific fuel consumption and specific power of small and intermediate size turboshaft engines. The specific fuel consumption of the wave rotor-enhanced large turbofan engine can be reduced while operating at significantly reduced turbine inlet temperature. The wave rotor-enhanced engine is shown to behave off-design like a conventional engine. Discussion concerning the impact of the wave rotor/gas turbine engine integration identifies tenable technical challenges.

The Fluid Mechanics of a Wavy-Wall Bioreactor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sucosky, Philippe; Bilgen, Bahar; Aleem, Alexander; Neitzel, Paul; Barabino, Gilda

2004-11-01

Bioreactors are devices used for the production of mammalian tissue in vitro. Although mixing has been shown to stimulate the growth of cartilage constructs, high shear-stress levels can damage the cells. In order to enhance mixing while minimizing shear, a wavy-wall bioreactor (WWB) featuring a sinusoidal internal profile has been designed. The turbulent hydrodynamic environment produced in this device is investigated experimentally using particle-image velocimetry. A model bioreactor made of acrylic and filled with an index-matching solution of zinc iodide is used to compensate for the refraction of light at the walls. The flow observed in different planes is shown to be periodic, spatially dependent, and dominated by mean-shear rather than Reynolds stresses in the vicinity of constructs. Finally, a comparison between the mean-shear stresses obtained in the WWB and in a standard spinner flask reveals similar stress levels near the construct walls.

Characterization and Impact of Low Frequency Wind Turbine Noise Emissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Finch, James

Wind turbine noise is a complex issue that requires due diligence to minimize any potential impact on quality of life. This study enhances existing knowledge of wind turbine noise through focused analyses of downwind sound propagation, directionality, and the low frequency component of the noise. Measurements were conducted at four wind speeds according to a design of experiments at incremental distances and angles. Wind turbine noise is shown to be highly directional, while downwind sound propagation is spherical with limited ground absorption. The noise is found to have a significant low frequency component that is largely independent of wind speed over the 20-250 Hz range. The generated low frequency noise is shown to be audible above 40 Hz at the MOE setback distance of 550 m. Infrasound levels exhibit higher dependency on wind speed, but remain below audible levels up to 15 m/s.

Effects of carbon dioxide on Penicillium chrysogenum: an autoradiographic study

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

Edwards, A.G.; Ho, C.S.

Previous research has shown that dissolved carbon dioxide causes significant changes in submerged penicillin fermentations, such as stunted, swollen hyphae, increased branching, lower growth rates, and lower penicillin productivity. Influent carbon dioxide levels of 5 and 10% were shown through the use of autoradiography to cause an increase in chitin synthesis in submerged cultures of Penicillium chrysogenum. At an influent 5% carbon dioxide level, chitin synthesis is ca. 100% greater in the subapical region of P. chrysogenum hyphae than that of the control, in which there was no influent carbon dioxide. Influent carbon dioxide of 10% caused an increase ofmore » 200% in chitin synthesis. It is believed that the cell wall must be plasticized before branching can occur and that high amounts of dissolved carbon dioxide cause the cell to lose control of the plasticizing effect, thus the severe morphological changes occur.« less

A method for detecting nonlinear determinism in normal and epileptic brain EEG signals.

PubMed

Meghdadi, Amir H; Fazel-Rezai, Reza; Aghakhani, Yahya

2007-01-01

A robust method of detecting determinism for short time series is proposed and applied to both healthy and epileptic EEG signals. The method provides a robust measure of determinism through characterizing the trajectories of the signal components which are obtained through singular value decomposition. Robustness of the method is shown by calculating proposed index of determinism at different levels of white and colored noise added to a simulated chaotic signal. The method is shown to be able to detect determinism at considerably high levels of additive noise. The method is then applied to both intracranial and scalp EEG recordings collected in different data sets for healthy and epileptic brain signals. The results show that for all of the studied EEG data sets there is enough evidence of determinism. The determinism is more significant for intracranial EEG recordings particularly during seizure activity.

Differential changes in hippocampal CaMKII and GluA1 activity after memory training involving different levels of adaptive forgetting

PubMed Central

Fraize, Nicolas; Hamieh, Al Mahdy; Joseph, Mickaël Antoine; Touret, Monique; Parmentier, Régis; Salin, Paul Antoine; Malleret, Gaël

2017-01-01

Phosphorylation of CaMKII and AMPA receptor GluA1 subunit has been shown to play a major role in hippocampal-dependent long-term/reference memory (RM) and in the expression of long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP). In contrast, it has been proposed that dephosphorylation of these proteins could be involved in the opposite phenomenon of hippocampal long-term synaptic depression (LTD) and in adaptive forgetting. Adaptive forgetting allows interfering old memories to be forgotten to give new ones the opportunity to be stored in memory, and in particular in short-term/working memory (WM) that was shown to be very sensitive to proactive interference. To determine the role of CaMKII and GluA1 in adaptive forgetting, we adopted a comparative approach to assess the relative quantity and phosphorylation state of these proteins in the brain of rats trained in one of three radial maze paradigms: a RM task, a WM task involving a high level of adaptive forgetting, or a WM involving a low level of adaptive forgetting. Surprisingly, Western blot analyses revealed that training in a WM task involving a high level of adaptive forgetting specifically increased the expression of AMPA receptor GluA1 subunit and the activity of CaMKII in the dentate gyrus. These results highlight that WM with proactive interference involves mechanisms of synaptic plasticity selectively in the dentate gyrus. PMID:28096498

Differential changes in hippocampal CaMKII and GluA1 activity after memory training involving different levels of adaptive forgetting.

PubMed

Fraize, Nicolas; Hamieh, Al Mahdy; Joseph, Mickaël Antoine; Touret, Monique; Parmentier, Régis; Salin, Paul Antoine; Malleret, Gaël

2017-02-01

Phosphorylation of CaMKII and AMPA receptor GluA1 subunit has been shown to play a major role in hippocampal-dependent long-term/reference memory (RM) and in the expression of long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP). In contrast, it has been proposed that dephosphorylation of these proteins could be involved in the opposite phenomenon of hippocampal long-term synaptic depression (LTD) and in adaptive forgetting. Adaptive forgetting allows interfering old memories to be forgotten to give new ones the opportunity to be stored in memory, and in particular in short-term/working memory (WM) that was shown to be very sensitive to proactive interference. To determine the role of CaMKII and GluA1 in adaptive forgetting, we adopted a comparative approach to assess the relative quantity and phosphorylation state of these proteins in the brain of rats trained in one of three radial maze paradigms: a RM task, a WM task involving a high level of adaptive forgetting, or a WM involving a low level of adaptive forgetting. Surprisingly, Western blot analyses revealed that training in a WM task involving a high level of adaptive forgetting specifically increased the expression of AMPA receptor GluA1 subunit and the activity of CaMKII in the dentate gyrus. These results highlight that WM with proactive interference involves mechanisms of synaptic plasticity selectively in the dentate gyrus. © 2017 Fraize et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

Ion extraction capabilities of two-grid accelerator systems. M.S. Thesis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rovang, D. C.; Wilbur, P. J.

1984-01-01

An experimental investigation into the ion extraction capabilities of two-grid accelerator systems common to electrostatic ion thrusters is described. This work resulted in a large body of experimental data which facilitates the selection of the accelerator system geometries and operating parameters necessary to maximize the extracted ion current. Results suggest that the impingement-limited perveance is not dramatically affected by reductions in screen hole diameter to 0.5 mm. Impingement-limited performance is shown to depend most strongly on grid separation distance, accelerator hole diameter ratio, the discharge-to-total accelerating voltage ratio, and the net-to-total accelerating voltage ratio. Results obtained at small grid separation ratios suggest a new grid operating condition where high beam current per hole levels are achieved at a specified net accelerating voltage. It is shown that this operating condition is realized at an optimum ratio of net-to-total accelerating voltage ratio which is typically quite high. The apparatus developed for this study is also shown to be well suited measuring the electron backstreaming and electrical breakdown characteristics of two-grid accelerator systems.

Stress-Dilatancy of Cambria Sand for Triaxial Tests at High Pressures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szypcio, Zenon

2017-12-01

In this paper, the stress-dilatancy relationship of Cambria sand for drained triaxial compression and extension tests at high stress level is investigated. The stress dilatancy relationship is obtained by use of frictional state theory and experimental tests data published in literature. It is shown that stress-dilatancy relationship is bilinear, described by three parameters of frictional state theory: critical frictional angle and two other parameters. It is accepted that critical friction angle is independent of confining pressure. The two additional parameters are strongly dependent on confining pressure and different for initial and advanced stages. The point at which the values of these parameters change is termed as Transformation Shear Point. This point is not simply visible either in stress ratio-strain or the volume strain-shear strain relationship which are traditionally shown in soil mechanics papers. Transformation Shear Point is very characteristic in stress ratio-plastic dilatancy plane. Thus, stress ratio- plastic dilatancy is very important for describing stress-strain behaviour of soils. The relationship shown in the paper can be used in soil modelling in the future.

Coupled Neutronics Thermal-Hydraulic Solution of a Full-Core PWR Using VERA-CS

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

Clarno, Kevin T; Palmtag, Scott; Davidson, Gregory G

2014-01-01

The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) is developing a core simulator called VERA-CS to model operating PWR reactors with high resolution. This paper describes how the development of VERA-CS is being driven by a set of progression benchmark problems that specify the delivery of useful capability in discrete steps. As part of this development, this paper will describe the current capability of VERA-CS to perform a multiphysics simulation of an operating PWR at Hot Full Power (HFP) conditions using a set of existing computer codes coupled together in a novel method. Results for several single-assembly casesmore » are shown that demonstrate coupling for different boron concentrations and power levels. Finally, high-resolution results are shown for a full-core PWR reactor modeled in quarter-symmetry.« less

The reliability of continuous brain responses during naturalistic listening to music.

PubMed

Burunat, Iballa; Toiviainen, Petri; Alluri, Vinoo; Bogert, Brigitte; Ristaniemi, Tapani; Sams, Mikko; Brattico, Elvira

2016-01-01

Low-level (timbral) and high-level (tonal and rhythmical) musical features during continuous listening to music, studied by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have been shown to elicit large-scale responses in cognitive, motor, and limbic brain networks. Using a similar methodological approach and a similar group of participants, we aimed to study the replicability of previous findings. Participants' fMRI responses during continuous listening of a tango Nuevo piece were correlated voxelwise against the time series of a set of perceptually validated musical features computationally extracted from the music. The replicability of previous results and the present study was assessed by two approaches: (a) correlating the respective activation maps, and (b) computing the overlap of active voxels between datasets at variable levels of ranked significance. Activity elicited by timbral features was better replicable than activity elicited by tonal and rhythmical ones. These results indicate more reliable processing mechanisms for low-level musical features as compared to more high-level features. The processing of such high-level features is probably more sensitive to the state and traits of the listeners, as well as of their background in music. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The EGF receptor family as targets for cancer therapy.

PubMed

Mendelsohn, J; Baselga, J

2000-12-27

Human carcinomas frequently express high levels of receptors in the EGF receptor family, and overexpression of at least two of these receptors, the EGF receptor (EGFr) and closely related ErbB2, has been associated with a more aggressive clinical behavior. Further, transfection or activation of high levels of these two receptors in nonmalignant cell lines can lead to a transformed phenotype. For these reasons therapies directed at preventing the function of these receptors have the potential to be useful anti-cancer treatments. In the last two decades monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) which block activation of the EGFr and ErbB2 have been developed. These MAbs have shown promising preclinical activity and 'chimeric' and 'humanized' MAbs have been produced in order to obviate the problem of host immune reactions. Clinical activity with these antibodies has been documented: trastuzumab, a humanized anti-ErbB2 MAb, is active and was recently approved in combination with paclitaxel for the therapy of patients with metastatic ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancer; IMC-C225, a chimeric anti-EGFr MAb, has shown impressive activity when combined with radiation therapy and reverses resistance to chemotherapy. In addition to antibodies, compounds that directly inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases have shown preclinical activity and early clinical activity has been reported. A series of phase III studies with these antibodies and direct tyrosine kinase inhibitors are ongoing or planned, and will further address the role of these active anti-receptor agents in the treatment of patients with cancer.

In vitro and ex vivo distribution of [3H]harmane, an endogenous beta-carboline, in rat brain.

PubMed

Anderson, Neil J; Tyacke, Robin J; Husbands, Stephen M; Nutt, David J; Hudson, Alan L; Robinson, Emma S J

2006-03-01

The endogenous beta-carboline, harmane, has been shown to bind to monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and a separate, high affinity, non-MAO site. Research in our laboratory has shown that harmane is an active component of clonidine-displacing substance (CDS), the proposed endogenous ligand for imidazoline binding sites (IBS). In the present study we have investigated the distribution of [3H]harmane in rat brain, and related the binding profile to the distribution of the MAO-A selective ligand [3H]Ro41-1049 and the I2BS ligand [3H]2-BFI. The in vivo distribution of [3H]harmane following intravenous administration was also investigated. Receptor autoradiography revealed a highly significant correlation for the distribution of [3H]harmane and [3H]Ro41-1049, and a significant correlation for [3H]harmane and the I2BS ligand [3H]2-BFI. The in vivo distribution of [3H]harmane suggests that the ligand accumulates in the adrenal gland and throughout the brain with the primary route of excretion occurring via the duodenum. In conclusion, these studies have shown that [3H]harmane labels a population of binding sites that reflect the distribution of MAO-A. Further evidence for a non-MAO, IBS [3H]harmane population has not been shown but the high level of expression of the MAO-A site is likely to have masked the much smaller population of I2BS.

Plasma technologies application for building materials surface modification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volokitin, G. G.; Skripnikova, N. K.; Volokitin, O. G.; Shehovtzov, V. V.; Luchkin, A. G.; Kashapov, N. F.

2016-01-01

Low temperature arc plasma was used to process building surface materials, such as silicate brick, sand lime brick, concrete and wood. It was shown that building surface materials modification with low temperature plasma positively affects frost resistance, water permeability and chemical resistance with high adhesion strength. Short time plasma processing is rather economical than traditional processing thermic methods. Plasma processing makes wood surface uniquely waterproof and gives high operational properties, dimensional and geometrical stability. It also increases compression resistance and decreases inner tensions level in material.

Continuously-Tunable High-Repetition Rate RF-Excited CO2 Waveguide Laser,

DTIC Science & Technology

1982-07-01

may be transformed to the appropriate level at the laser head, which elimi- nates the ueed for the very high voltage power supply . Several gas lasers...Figure 5.5 is shown a picture of the rack containing the 50 W amplifier (at the bottom) the 40 V power - supply (in the middle) and the eight final-stage...experimentally. Experimentally 40.68 MHz rf-excitation of discharges between parallel plate electrodes with up to 7-8 kW peak rf- power hus been investigated

Effect of Obesity and Chronic Inflammation on TRAIL-Based Immunotherapy for Advanced Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-04-01

resistance. J Clin Invest, 112: 1821, 2003 3. Lee, I. S., Shin, G., Choue, R.: Shifts in diet from high fat to high carbohydrate improved levels of...phenotype and percentages via multiparameter flow cytometry – months 10-13 (Dr. Norian) B. Evaluate shifts in DC stimulatory vs . regulatory function...cohort of 13 NW and 13 DIO mice is shown in Fig. 1B. Compared to NW mice, DIO mice had increased percentages of visceral body fat and increased

Effect of Obesity and Chronic Inflammation on TRAIL-Based Immunotherapy for Advanced Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-04-01

to high carbohydrate improved levels of adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines in mice fed a high- fat diet. Endocr J, 57: 39, 2009 4. Fenton, J...phenotype and percentages via multiparameter flow cytometry – months 10-13 (Dr. Norian) B. Evaluate shifts in DC stimulatory vs . regulatory...weights of one cohort of 13 NW and 13 DIO mice is shown in Fig. 1B. Compared to NW mice, DIO mice had increased percentages of visceral body fat and

Evidence for high-efficiency laser-heated hohlraum performance at 527 nm.

PubMed

Stevenson, R M; Oades, K; Thomas, B R; Schneider, M; Slark, G E; Suter, L J; Kauffman, R; Hinkel, D; Miller, M C

2005-02-11

A series of experiments conducted on the HELEN laser system [M. J. Norman, Appl. Opt.4120023497], into thermal x-ray generation from hohlraum targets using 527 nm (2omega) wavelength laser light, has shown that it is possible to exceed radiation temperatures previously thought limited by high levels of superthermal or hot electron production or stimulated backscatter. This Letter questions whether the assumptions traditionally applied to hohlraum design with respect to hot plasma filling and the use of 2omega light are too conservative.

Effects of Different Heavy-Resistance Exercise Protocols on Plasma Beta-Endorphin Concentrations

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-01

of O-EP and cortisol. forms of high-intensity exercise, which is performed well above the level that produces V02 .. but uses multi- anaerobic ; opioid...utilizing the Borg CR- ing the rest period length (i.e., from I to 3 min; or in- 10 scale designed to accommodate primarily anaerobic creasing the resistance...O-EP in response to though short-term anaerobic exercise to exhaustion has high-intensity exercise remain unknown, it has been sug- been shown to

DEVELOPMENTAL NEUROTOXICITY OF POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHER (PBDE) FLAME RETARDANTS

PubMed Central

Costa, Lucio G.; Giordano, Gennaro

2007-01-01

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame retardants used in a variety of consumer products. In the past 25 years, PBDEs have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants. They have been detected in soil, air, sediments, birds, marine species, fish, house dust, and human tissues, blood and breast milk. Diet and house dust appear to be the major sources of PBDE exposure in the general population, though occupational exposure can also occur. Levels of PBDEs in human tissues are particularly high in North America, compared to Asian and European countries, and have been increasing in the past 30 years. Concentrations of PBDEs are particularly high in breast milk, resulting in high exposure of infants. In addition, for toddlers, dust has been estimated to account for a large percentage of exposure. PBDEs can also cross the placenta, as they have been detected in fetal blood and liver. Tetra-, penta- and hexa BDEs are most commonly present in human tissues. The current greatest concern for potential adverse effects of PBDEs relates to their developmental neurotoxicity. Pre- or postnatal exposure of mice or rats to various PBDEs has been shown to cause long-lasting changes in spontaneous motor activity, mostly characterized as hyperactivity or decreased habituation, and to disrupt performance in learning and memory tests. While a reduction in circulating thyroid hormone (T4) may contribute to the developmental neurotoxicity of PBDEs, direct effects on the developing brain have also been reported. Among these, PBDEs have been shown to affect signal transduction pathways and to cause oxidative stress. Levels of PBDEs causing developmental neurotoxicity in animals are not much dissimilar from levels found in highly exposed infants and toddlers. PMID:17904639

Prenatal flavor exposure affects flavor recognition and stress-related behavior of piglets.

PubMed

Oostindjer, Marije; Bolhuis, J Elizabeth; van den Brand, Henry; Kemp, Bas

2009-11-01

Exposure to flavors in the amniotic fluid and mother's milk derived from the maternal diet has been shown to modulate food preferences and neophobia of young animals of several species. Aim of the experiment was to study the effects of pre- and postnatal flavor exposure on behavior of piglets during (re)exposure to this flavor. Furthermore, we investigated whether varying stress levels, caused by different test settings, affected behavior of animals during (re)exposure. Piglets were exposed to anisic flavor through the maternal diet during late gestation and/or during lactation or never. Piglets that were prenatally exposed to the flavor through the maternal diet behaved differently compared with unexposed pigs during reexposure to the flavor in several tests, suggesting recognition of the flavor. The differences between groups were more pronounced in tests with relatively high stress levels. This suggests that stress levels, caused by the design of the test, can affect the behavior shown in the presence of the flavor. We conclude that prenatal flavor exposure affects behaviors of piglets that are indicative of recognition and that these behaviors are influenced by stress levels during (re)exposure.

The formation of acrylamide in UK cereal products.

PubMed

Sadd, Peter; Hamlet, Colin

2005-01-01

Many bakery products sold in the UK such as crumpets, batch bread and Naan might be expected to show high levels of acrylamide because they have strong Maillard colours and flavours. However, analysis of commercial products has shown that the highest levels of acrylamide are seen in dry biscuit type products. With the exception of spiced products such as ginger cake, moist high sugar products (e.g. cakes and fruit loaves) show relatively low levels of acrylamide, even in darkly browned crusts. This is in contrast to bread where acrylamide levels in excess of 100 microg/kg are common in the crust region, but are diluted by low levels in the crumb. Acrylamide levels in bread are significantly raised by domestic toasting, but other products such as crumpets and Naan bread have been found to be less sensitive. A mathematical model has been developed (and validated against tests on model dough) which shows that once obvious recipe differences are allowed for, the key factor limiting acrylamide levels is crust moisture. Chemical decay of acrylamide and depletion of amino acids are also limiting factors at higher temperatures.

Comparisons of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte levels and the 21-gene recurrence score in ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.

PubMed

Ahn, Sung Gwe; Cha, Yoon Jin; Bae, Soon June; Yoon, Chanik; Lee, Hak Woo; Jeong, Joon

2018-03-24

Recent studies have shown that tumors with extensive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have a higher probability of pathologic complete response, even in luminal/human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. We compared TIL levels and the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. We evaluated the percentage of stromal TILs in 198 ER-positive/HER2-negative patients in whom RS was obtained by examining slides of surgical specimens by standardized methodology proposed by the international TIL Working Group. TIL levels were categorized as high (≥ 60%), intermediate (11-59%), or low (≤ 10%). All tumors were treatment-naïve. Ninety-seven (49.0%), 88 (44.4%), and 13 patients (6.6%) had low, intermediate, and high TIL levels, respectively. There was a significant but weak correlation between continuous RS and continuous TIL levels (Pearson's R = 0.201, p = 0.004). The mean RS was significantly highest in high TIL tumors (17.8 ± 10.7 in low TIL tumors, 19.4 ± 8.7 in intermediate TIL tumors, and 26.2 ± 8.2 in high TIL tumors; p = 0.014). However, when we compared categorized RS and TIL levels, we found that tumors with high TIL levels tended to have higher RS (≥ 26) but it was not significant (p = 0.155). Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed that high RS was not an independent factor associated with high TIL levels. Chemo-endocrine therapy was more frequently performed among patients with high TILs and less frequently among those with low or intermediate TILs (p <  0.001). Despite of a weak correlation between continuous TIL levels and RS, we found that tumors with high TIL levels tended to have a higher RS in ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer. Further study is warranted considering the clinical outcomes.

Potential Universal Application of High-intensity Interval Training from Athletes and Sports Lovers to Patients.

PubMed

Azuma, Koichiro; Matsumoto, Hideo

2017-06-25

Recently, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) has received much attention as a promising exercise option not only to improve aerobic fitness, but also to prevent and improve lifestyle-related diseases. Epidemiological studies have shown that the exercise volume, as determined by the product of exercise intensity, duration, and frequency, has been shown to be important for improvements in muscle mitochondrial activity and subsequent improvements in aerobic fitness, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic variables. Therefore, continuous moderate-intensity training has been widely recommended. On the other hand, the main contributor of HIIT to improvements in aerobic fitness and metabolic variables is its high-intensity nature, and many recent studies have shown results favoring HIIT when compared with conventional continuous training, despite its shorter exercise duration and smaller exercise volume. In this review, we aim to show the possible universal application of HIIT in a hospital setting, where athletes, sports lovers, and patients have sought medical advice and have the opportunity to undergo detailed evaluations, including an exercise stress test. For athletes, HIIT is mandatory to achieve further improvements in aerobic fitness. For patients, though higher levels of motivation and careful evaluation are required, the time constraints of HIIT are smaller and both aerobic and resistance training can be expected to yield favorable results because of the high-intensity nature of HIIT.

Effects of Lentinula edodes consumption on biochemical, hematologic and oxidative stress parameters in rats receiving high-fat diet.

PubMed

Spim, Sara Rosicler Vieira; de Oliveira, Bruna Giovanna Corrêa Chrispim; Leite, Fernanda Gomes; Gerenutti, Marli; Grotto, Denise

2017-10-01

Functional foods can prevent/reduce the risks related to obesity. Lentinula edodes is a highly nutritious mushroom rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. Some studies have demonstrated the hypocholesterolemic effects from L. edodes in high doses, which does not represent the consumption in humans. We evaluated ingestion of a realistic dose of L. edodes associated with a high-fat diet (HFD) on hematologic, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters. Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control (normal diet); HFD; and HFD + L. edodes (100 mg/kg/day). After 30 days, blood was collected. Biochemical and hematologic parameters were analyzed, as well as oxidative stress biomarkers. The HFD increased levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Lentinula edodes reduced these parameters significantly to concentrations found in the control group. The HFD increased levels of alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase (markers of liver damage). Lentinula edodes returned the levels of these enzymes to normal levels and normalized serum levels of urea (which were also increased owing to consumption of the HFD). Lentinula edodes reduced levels of urea and glucose. Lipid peroxidation was increased in rats receiving the HFD, and L. edodes reduced malondialdehyde levels, thereby preventing oxidation of fatty acids. Lentinula edodes was shown to have hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and renoprotective features in doses that are suitable for humans.

Evaluation of hemoglobin concentration in pregnancy and correlation with different altitude: a study from balochistan plateau of pakistan.

PubMed

Umar, Zubaida; Rasool, Mahmood; Asif, Muhammad; Karim, Sajjad; Malik, Arif; Mushtaq, Gohar; Kamal, Mohammad A; Mansoor, Arsala

2015-01-01

Anemia refers to a condition having low hemoglobin concentration. Anemia is considered a major risk factor for unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. This is the first study describing the pattern of hemoglobin concentration during pregnancy and its relationship to areas of high and low altitudes in Balochistan (the largest of Pakistan's four provinces). The main objective of this study was to observe hemoglobin levels and prevalence of anemia among pregnant women living in the high or low altitude areas of Balochistan. A randomized survey was conducted and blood samples were collected from 132 healthy full term pregnant women subjects and 110 unmarried females. The subjects of the current study were selected from two different areas of Balochistan (Quetta and Uthal). Hemoglobin levels of the subjects were analyzed on Microlab 300 by Merck kit. Dietary status of the subjects was assessed based on simplified associated food frequency questionnaire. The factors effecting hemoglobin in full term pregnancy at different altitudes were multi gravidity/parity (increased number of pregnancies/children), age, socio-economic and educational status. Anemia was highly prevalent in low-altitude region (68.33%). We found statistically significant difference in mean hemoglobin level at high-altitude region (11.81 ± 1.02) and low-altitude region (10.20 ± 1.28) in pregnant females of Balochistan plateau (P < 0.001). Higher maternal age (> 35 years) has shown significantly higher anemic frequency at both high (57.89%; p < 0.002) and low (41.46%; p = 0.067) altitudes. A balanced-diet that is rich in meat products has also shown significant correlation with reduced incidences of anemia among pregnant women at both altitudes. Hemoglobin concentration increases in the body with elevated altitudes and, thus, anemia was less frequent at high-altitude region. Factors affecting hemoglobin concentration in full term pregnancy at different altitudes included old maternal age, low body-mass index, education and diet.

Evaluation of Hemoglobin Concentration in Pregnancy and Correlation with Different Altitude: A Study from Balochistan Plateau of Pakistan

PubMed Central

Umar, Zubaida; Rasool, Mahmood; Asif, Muhammad; Karim, Sajjad; Malik, Arif; Mushtaq, Gohar; Kamal, Mohammad A; Mansoor, Arsala

2015-01-01

Background: Anemia refers to a condition having low hemoglobin concentration. Anemia is considered a major risk factor for unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. This is the first study describing the pattern of hemoglobin concentration during pregnancy and its relationship to areas of high and low altitudes in Balochistan (the largest of Pakistan’s four provinces). The main objective of this study was to observe hemoglobin levels and prevalence of anemia among pregnant women living in the high or low altitude areas of Balochistan. Methods: A randomized survey was conducted and blood samples were collected from 132 healthy full term pregnant women subjects and 110 unmarried females. The subjects of the current study were selected from two different areas of Balochistan (Quetta and Uthal). Hemoglobin levels of the subjects were analyzed on Microlab 300 by Merck kit. Dietary status of the subjects was assessed based on simplified associated food frequency questionnaire. The factors effecting hemoglobin in full term pregnancy at different altitudes were multi gravidity/parity (increased number of pregnancies/children), age, socio-economic and educational status. Results: Anemia was highly prevalent in low-altitude region (68.33%). We found statistically significant difference in mean hemoglobin level at high-altitude region (11.81 ± 1.02) and low-altitude region (10.20 ± 1.28) in pregnant females of Balochistan plateau (P < 0.001). Higher maternal age (> 35 years) has shown significantly higher anemic frequency at both high (57.89%; p < 0.002) and low (41.46%; p = 0.067) altitudes. A balanced-diet that is rich in meat products has also shown significant correlation with reduced incidences of anemia among pregnant women at both altitudes. Conclusion: Hemoglobin concentration increases in the body with elevated altitudes and, thus, anemia was less frequent at high-altitude region. Factors affecting hemoglobin concentration in full term pregnancy at different altitudes included old maternal age, low body-mass index, education and diet. PMID:25741391

Model helicopter rotor high-speed impulsive noise: Measured acoustics and blade pressures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boxwell, D. A.; Schmitz, F. H.; Splettstoesser, W. R.; Schultz, K. J.

1983-01-01

A 1/17-scale research model of the AH-1 series helicopter main rotor was tested. Model-rotor acoustic and simultaneous blade pressure data were recorded at high speeds where full-scale helicopter high-speed impulsive noise levels are known to be dominant. Model-rotor measurements of the peak acoustic pressure levels, waveform shapes, and directively patterns are directly compared with full-scale investigations, using an equivalent in-flight technique. Model acoustic data are shown to scale remarkably well in shape and in amplitude with full-scale results. Model rotor-blade pressures are presented for rotor operating conditions both with and without shock-like discontinuities in the radiated acoustic waveform. Acoustically, both model and full-scale measurements support current evidence that above certain high subsonic advancing-tip Mach numbers, local shock waves that exist on the rotor blades ""delocalize'' and radiate to the acoustic far-field.

[Extraction of buildings three-dimensional information from high-resolution satellite imagery based on Barista software].

PubMed

Zhang, Pei-feng; Hu, Yuan-man; He, Hong-shi

2010-05-01

The demand for accurate and up-to-date spatial information of urban buildings is becoming more and more important for urban planning, environmental protection, and other vocations. Today's commercial high-resolution satellite imagery offers the potential to extract the three-dimensional information of urban buildings. This paper extracted the three-dimensional information of urban buildings from QuickBird imagery, and validated the precision of the extraction based on Barista software. It was shown that the extraction of three-dimensional information of the buildings from high-resolution satellite imagery based on Barista software had the advantages of low professional level demand, powerful universality, simple operation, and high precision. One pixel level of point positioning and height determination accuracy could be achieved if the digital elevation model (DEM) and sensor orientation model had higher precision and the off-Nadir View Angle was relatively perfect.

Effects of escin mixture from the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum on obesity in mice fed a high fat diet.

PubMed

Avci, Gülcan; Küçükkurt, Ismail; Küpeli Akkol, Esra; Yeşilada, Erdem

2010-03-01

Escins, a triterpene glycoside mixture obtained from the ethanol extract of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Hippocastanaceae) seed, was evaluated for its in vivo effects on the plasma levels of some hormones (leptin, insulin, FT(3), FT(4)) and biochemical parameters (glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C concentrations) in mice fed with a high fat diet for 5 weeks. A high fat diet induced a remarkable increment in the plasma leptin (p <0.01), total cholesterol (p <0.01) and LDL-C (p <0.001) concentrations compared to control group animals. Combined administration of a high-fat diet with escins decreased leptin (31.6%) (p<0.05) and FT(4) (36.0%) (p<0.05) levels, increased HDL-C concentration (17.0%), while remained ineffective on LDL-C concentration in mice. Results have shown that escins may have beneficial effects in the understanding of obesity.

Studies of discharge mechanisms in high pressure gases-applications to high efficiency high power lasers. Ph.D. Thesis. Semiannual Progress Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cherrington, B. E.; Verdeyen, J. T.; Eden, J. G.; Leslie, S. G.

1975-01-01

By measuring the absorption and emission cantinua of various states in the cesium/xenon molecule, the collisional rates critical in populating the alkali/rare gas excimer levels have been estimated. Cs atomic states that are weakly optically connected to ground have been shown to form excimer levels that are attractive as potential dissociation lasers. In particular, the (Cs/7 2S/Xe) excited molecule appears promising as a source of high energy laser radiation due to its large dissociation energy, stimulated emission cross section, and small population inversion densities. Monitoring of the optically pumped Cs2 molecular absorption profile in the presence of xenon shows a drastic change with increasing xenon pressure for the Cs2C band. Dominant absorption at large xenon densities is centered around approximately 6380 A as opposed to 6300 A for lower perturber pressure.

Dynamic Stall Suppression Using Combustion-Powered Actuation (COMPACT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Matalanis, Claude G.; Bowles, Patrick O.; Jee, Solkeun; Min, Byung-Young; Kuczek, Andrzej E.; Croteau, Paul F.; Wake, Brian E.; Crittenden, Thomas; Glezer, Ari; Lorber, Peter F.

2016-01-01

Retreating blade stall is a well-known phenomenon that limits rotorcraft speed, maneuverability, and efficiency. Airfoil dynamic stall is a simpler problem, which demonstrates many of the same flow phenomena. Combustion Powered Actuation (COMPACT) is an active flow control technology, which at the outset of this work, had been shown to mitigate static and dynamic stall at low Mach numbers. The attributes of this technology suggested strong potential for success at higher Mach numbers, but such experiments had never been conducted. The work detailed in this report documents a 3-year effort focused on assessing the effectiveness of COMPACT for dynamic stall suppression at freestream conditions up to Mach 0.5. The work done has focused on implementing COMPACT on a high-lift rotorcraft airfoil: the VR-12. This selection was made in order to ensure that any measured benefits are over and above the capabilities of state-of-the-art high-lift rotorcraft airfoils. The detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, wind-tunnel experiments, and system-level modeling conducted have shown the following: (1) COMPACT, in its current state of development, is capable of reducing the adverse effects of deep dynamic stall at Mach numbers up to 0.4; (2) The two-dimensional (2D) CFD results trend well compared to the experiments; and (3) Implementation of the CFD results into a system-level model suggest that significant rotor-level benefits are possible.

Infrared absorption study of neutron-transmutation-doped germanium

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Park, I. S.; Haller, E. E.

1988-01-01

Using high-resolution far-infrared Fourier transform absorption spectroscopy and Hall effect measurements, the evolution of the shallow acceptor and donor impurity levels in germanium during and after the neutron transmutation doping process was studied. The results show unambiguously that the gallium acceptor level concentration equals the concentration of transmutated Ge-70 atoms during the whole process indicating that neither recoil during transmutation nor gallium-defect complex formation play significant roles. The arsenic donor levels appear at full concentration only after annealing for 1 h at 450 C. It is shown that this is due to donor-radiation-defect complex formation. Again, recoil does not play a significant role.

Aged Garlic Extract Improves Adiponectin Levels in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Crossover Study

PubMed Central

Gómez-Arbeláez, Diego; Lahera, Vicente; Oubiña, Pilar; Valero-Muñoz, Maria; de las Heras, Natalia; Rodríguez, Yudy; García, Ronald Gerardo; Camacho, Paul Anthony; López-Jaramillo, Patricio

2013-01-01

Background. Garlic (Allium sativum) has been shown to have important benefits in individuals at high cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the administration of aged garlic extract (AGE) on the risk factors that constitute the cluster of metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods and Design. Double-blind, crossover, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of 1.2 g/day of AGE (Kyolic), for 24 weeks of treatment (12 weeks of AGE and 12 weeks of placebo), on subjects with MS. Results. The administration of AGE increased the plasma levels of adiponectin (P = 0.027). No serious side effects associated with the intervention were reported. Conclusion. The present results have shown for the first time that the administration of AGE for 12 weeks increased plasma adiponectin levels in patients with MS. This suggests that AGE might be a useful, novel, nonpharmacological therapeutic intervention to increase adiponectin and to prevent cardiovascular (CV) complications in individuals with MS. PMID:23533302

Magnetophonon resonance in double quantum wells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ploch, D.; Sheregii, E. M.; Marchewka, M.; Wozny, M.; Tomaka, G.

2009-05-01

The experimental results obtained for the magnetotransport in pulsed magnetic fields in the InGaAs/InAlAs double quantum well (DQW) structures of two different shapes of wells and different values of the electron density are reported. The magnetophonon resonance (MPR) was observed for both types of structures within the temperature range 77-125 K. Four kinds of LO phonons are taken into account to interpret the MPR oscillations in the DQW and a method of the Landau level calculation in the DQW is elaborated for this aim. The peculiarity of the MPR in the DQW is the large number of the Landau levels caused by SAS splitting of the electron states (splitting on the symmetric and anti-symmetric states) and the large number of the phonon assistance electron transitions between Landau levels. The significant role of the carrier statistics is shown too. The behavior of the electron states in the DQWs at comparably high temperatures has been studied using the MPR. It is shown that the Huang and Manasreh [Manasreh [Phys. Rev. B 54, 2044 (1996)] model involving screening of exchange interaction is confirmed.

National trends in ozone injury to forest plants: 16 years of biomonitoring

Treesearch

Gretchen Smith

2013-01-01

The ozone indicator, an important research component of the Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) Program of the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, was developed and implemented to address specific concerns about the negative effects of ground-level ozone pollution on forest health and productivity. Ozone is a highly toxic air contaminant that has been shown...

Success in Introductory Calculus: The Role of High School and Pre-Calculus Preparation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ayebo, Abraham; Ukkelberg, Sarah; Assuah, Charles

2017-01-01

Calculus at the college level has significant potential to serve as a pump for increasing the number of students majoring in STEM fields. It is a foundation course for all STEM majors and, if mastered well, should provide students with a positive and successful first-year experience and gateway into more advanced courses. Studies have shown that a…

The Process and Pitfalls of Developing a Culturally Relevant Curriculum To Reduce AIDS among Sexually Active Teenagers: The Take 5 Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gillmore, Mary R.; And Others

Several studies have shown that adolescents have reasonably high levels of knowledge about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) transmission and prevention, yet they still engage in risky sexual activities. In response to this dilemma, a theoretically and empirically grounded intervention which went beyond presenting facts and figures was…

The Association between Child Autism Symptomatology, Maternal Quality of Life, and Risk for Depression

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zablotsky, Benjamin; Anderson, Connie; Law, Paul

2013-01-01

Parents raising children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been shown to experience high levels of stress and report a lower quality of life. The current study examined the association between child autism symptomatology, mother's quality of life, and mother's risk for depression in a sample of 1,110 mothers recruited from a…

Intra amniotic administration and dietary inulin affect the iron status and intestinal functionality of iron deficient broiler chickens

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Inulin, a linear beta-fructan, is present in a variety of plants, with relatively high levels of up to 20% in chicory root. It exhibits prebiotic properties and was shown to enhance mineral absorption. Our objectives were to assess the effect of intra-amniotic administration of inulin at 17d of incu...

The Development of Intercultural Pedagogy and Its Influences on Primary Schools: Conclusions and Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hüpping, Birgit; Büker, Petra

2014-01-01

The integration debate in Germany is closely connected to the education debate. Both are related to recent societal changes. Discussions at the social and political level in the past couple of years have shown how highly emotionally charged attitudes towards migration and integration in this country truly are. This article aims to provide an…

Initiation of Substance Use by Adolescents after One Year in Residential Youth Care

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Monshouwer, Karin; Kepper, Annelies; van den Eijnden, Regina; Koning, Ina; Vollebergh, Wilma

2015-01-01

Background: Several studies have shown that substance use levels among adolescents living in residential youth care are high. However, it is not clear to what extent adolescents initiate (heavy) substance during their stay and to what extent these rates are higher than would be expected based on their risk profile. Objective: The aim of the…

The persistence of antibiotic resistance: evaluation of a probiotic approach using antibiotic-sensitive M. elsdenii strains to prevent colonization of swine by antibiotic-resistant strains

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Megasphaera elsdenii is a lactate-fermenting, obligately anaerobic bacterium commonly present in the gastrointestinal tracts of mammals, including humans. Swine M. elsdenii strains were previously shown to have high levels of tetracycline resistance (MIC = 64->256 micro g/ml) and to carry mosaic (re...

Orion-CEV Project Overview To the NASA Sports and Exploration "Kick-Off" Meeting

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Marshall, Paul F.

2007-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the Orion Crew Exploration vehicle (CEV) and its usage in the exploration of the moon and subsequent travel to Mars. Schedules for development and testing of the CEV are shown. Also displayed are various high level design views of the CEV, the launch abort system, the Atlas Docking adapter, and the service module.

Theoretical models of helicopter rotor noise

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hawkings, D. L.

1978-01-01

For low speed rotors, it is shown that unsteady load models are only partially successful in predicting experimental levels. A theoretical model is presented which leads to the concept of unsteady thickness noise. This gives better agreement with test results. For high speed rotors, it is argued that present models are incomplete and that other mechanisms are at work. Some possibilities are briefly discussed.

Race/Ethnicity and the Start of Child Care: A Multi-Level Analysis of Factors Influencing First Child Care Experiences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fram, Maryah Stella; Kim, Jinseok

2008-01-01

Early childhood education and care experiences play an important role in children's development and school readiness with, in general, sustained exposure to high quality, center-based care leading to positive outcomes. Hispanic parents have been shown to be less likely than others to place their children in center-based care, particularly when…

A Quantitative Evaluation of an Ability-Grouped Literacy Program in the Elementary Grades

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Portales Blair, Lidiana

2017-01-01

National assessments have shown that the majority of students in the United States cannot read at grade level by fourth grade. These results are alarming because students who are not proficient readers by third grade suffer long-term consequences and are more likely to drop out of high school. Feeling pressure to improve reading outcomes, schools…

Trust Formation When Youth and Adults Partner to Lead School Reform: A Case Study of Supportive Structures and Challenges

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Biddle, Catharine

2017-01-01

Schools that build and support high levels of trust between stakeholder groups have been shown to support greater collaboration amongst those groups, including parents, teachers, administrators, and students (Tschannen-Moran, 2001). When stakeholders in schools feel the sense of psychological safety that accompanies trust, they are more willing or…

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Parents of Young Children with Developmental Delays: Implications for Parental Mental Health and Child Behavior Problems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Neece, Cameron L.

2014-01-01

Background: Parents of children with developmental delays (DD) typically report elevated levels of parental stress compared with parents of typically developing children. Children with DD are also at high risk for exhibiting significant behaviour problems. Parental stress has been shown to impact the development of these behaviour problems;…

Factor- and Item-Level Analyses of the 38-Item Activities Scale for Kids-Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bagley, Anita M.; Gorton, George E.; Bjornson, Kristie; Bevans, Katherine; Stout, Jean L.; Narayanan, Unni; Tucker, Carole A.

2011-01-01

Aim: Children and adolescents highly value their ability to participate in relevant daily life and recreational activities. The Activities Scale for Kids-performance (ASKp) instrument measures the frequency of performance of 30 common childhood activities, and has been shown to be valid and reliable. A revised and expanded 38-item ASKp (ASKp38)…

Gas gun dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denny, Mark

2013-09-01

The mechanics and thermodynamics of one- and two-stage gas guns are developed. Very high projectile muzzle speed can be obtained by the two-stage version. The physics of simple gas guns, such as air rifles, is accessible to undergraduates and the same level of presentation is used here to understand more complex designs. Numerical solutions to the equations of motion are shown, along with insightful analytic approximations.

Religiosity, Gender, Sex Anxiety, and AIDS Attitudes as They Affect Attitudes Towards Homosexuals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russell, C. Denise; Ellis, Jon B.

Homophobia is a term used to describe irrational fears about, prejudice, and discrimination against homosexuals. Past research has shown that religious people were more homophobic than nonreligious ones and that these same individuals were more likely to have a high level of sex anxiety. In recent research, it has been found that with the onset of…

Collaborative 3D Learning Games for Future Learning: Teachers' Instructional Practices to Enhance Shared Knowledge Construction among Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hämäläinen, Raija; Oksanen, Kimmo

2014-01-01

Collaborative games will enable new kinds of possibilities for learning. In the future, the goal of game-based learning should be to introduce new ideas and deepen learners' in-depth understanding. However, studies have shown that shared high-level knowledge construction is a challenging process. Moreover, thus far, few empirical studies have…

Hexaazatrinaphthylene derivatives: Efficient electron-transporting materials with tunable energy levels for inverted perovskite solar cells

DOE PAGES

Zhao, Dongbing; Zhu, Zonglong; Kuo, Ming -Yu; ...

2016-06-08

Hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATNA) derivatives have been successfully shown to function as efficient electron-transporting materials (ETMs) for perovskite solar cells (PVSCs). The cells demonstrate a superior power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 17.6% with negligible hysteresis. Furthermore, this study provides one of the first nonfullerene small-moleculebased ETMs for high-performance p–i–n PVSCs.

The Role of High-Density Lipoproteins in Reducing the Risk of Vascular Diseases, Neurogenerative Disorders, and Cancer

PubMed Central

McGrowder, Donovan; Riley, Cliff; Morrison, Errol Y. St. A.; Gordon, Lorenzo

2011-01-01

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is one of the major carriers of cholesterol in the blood. It attracts particular attention because, in contrast with other lipoproteins, as many physiological functions of HDL influence the cardiovascular system in favourable ways unless HDL is modified pathologically. The functions of HDL that have recently attracted attention include anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. High anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of HDL are associated with protection from cardiovascular disease. Atheroprotective activities, as well as a functional deficiency of HDL, ultimately depend on the protein and lipid composition of HDL. Further, numerous epidemiological studies have shown a protective association between HDL-cholesterol and cognitive impairment. Oxidative stress, including lipid peroxidation, has been shown to be the mediator of the pathologic effects of numerous risk factors of Alzheimer's disease. Lifestyle interventions proven to increase HDL- cholesterol levels including “healthy” diet, regular exercise, weight control, and smoking cessation have also been shown to provide neuro-protective effects. This review will focus on current knowledge of the beneficial effects of HDL-cholesterol as it relates to cardiovascular diseases, breast and lung cancers, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, as well as its neuroprotective potential in reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. PMID:21490772

Coping with Brain Disorders using Neurotechnology.

PubMed

Pedro A, Valdes-Sosa

2012-01-01

Brain disorders account for more than 34% of the global burden of disease, crippling nations by decreasing their "mental capital"-with greater effect in developing countries. Early detection is the key to their management, but establishing such programmes seems nearly impossible due to the high prevalence of the dysfunctions as compared with the high cost of neuroimaging devices. Thus, at first sight, the research of the Decade of the Brain and the international Human Brain Mapping Project might seem to be condemned to benefit only a small elite. Cuba has shown that is not so by using neurotechnology for the last 3 decades to implement stratified active screening programmes for brain disorders at the population level. This experience has shown that, by the transformation of health indicators, an appropriate use of technology can be integrated with attention to the population at the primary levels of both health care and education. An essential component of neurotechnology is neuroinformatics, which-like its counterpart bioinformatics-combines databases, analysis tools, and theoretical models to craft tools for early disease diagnosis and management. Much work remains to be done and will depend critically on south-south cooperation to solve problems for countries with similar situations.

Coping with Brain Disorders using Neurotechnology

PubMed Central

Pedro A, Valdes-Sosa

2012-01-01

Brain disorders account for more than 34% of the global burden of disease, crippling nations by decreasing their “mental capital”—with greater effect in developing countries. Early detection is the key to their management, but establishing such programmes seems nearly impossible due to the high prevalence of the dysfunctions as compared with the high cost of neuroimaging devices. Thus, at first sight, the research of the Decade of the Brain and the international Human Brain Mapping Project might seem to be condemned to benefit only a small elite. Cuba has shown that is not so by using neurotechnology for the last 3 decades to implement stratified active screening programmes for brain disorders at the population level. This experience has shown that, by the transformation of health indicators, an appropriate use of technology can be integrated with attention to the population at the primary levels of both health care and education. An essential component of neurotechnology is neuroinformatics, which—like its counterpart bioinformatics—combines databases, analysis tools, and theoretical models to craft tools for early disease diagnosis and management. Much work remains to be done and will depend critically on south—south cooperation to solve problems for countries with similar situations. PMID:22977368

Molecular analysis of peroxisome proliferation in the hamster.

PubMed

Choudhury, Agharul I; Sims, Helen M; Horley, Neill J; Roberts, Ruth A; Tomlinson, Simon R; Salter, Andrew M; Bruce, Mary; Shaw, P Nicholas; Kendall, David; Barrett, David A; Bell, David R

2004-05-15

Three novel P450 members of the cytochrome P450 4A family were cloned as partial cDNAs from hamster liver, characterised as novel members of the CYP4A subfamily, and designated CYP4A17, 18, and 19. Hamsters were treated with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) agonists, methylclofenapate (MCP) or Wy-14,643, and shown to develop hepatomegaly and induction of CYP4A17 RNA, and concomitant induction of lauric acid 12- hydroxylase. This treatment also resulted in hypolipidaemia, which was most pronounced in the VLDL fraction, with up to 50% reduction in VLDL-triglycerides; by contrast, blood cholesterol concentration was unaffected by this treatment. These data show that hamster is highly responsive to induction of CYP4A by peroxisome proliferators. To characterise the molecular basis of peroxisome proliferation, the hamster PPARalpha was cloned and shown to encode a 468-amino-acid protein, which is highly similar to rat and mouse PPARalpha proteins. The level of expression of hamster PPARalpha in liver is intermediate between mouse and guinea pig. These results fail to support the hypothesis that the level of PPARalpha in liver is directly responsible for species differences in peroxisome proliferation.

Epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in Europe and its prevention by available vaccines

PubMed Central

Amicizia, Daniela; Domnich, Alexander; Panatto, Donatella; Lai, Piero Luigi; Cristina, Maria Luisa; Avio, Ulderico; Gasparini, Roberto

2013-01-01

Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE), which is caused by a Flavivirus, is the most common tick-transmitted disease in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. Today, TBE is endemic in 27 European countries, and has become an international public health problem. The epidemiology of TBE is changing owing to various factors, such as improvements in diagnosis and case reporting, increased recreational activities in areas populated by ticks, and changes in climatic conditions affecting tick habitats. Vaccination remains the most effective protective measure against TBE for people living in risk zones, occupationally exposed subjects and travelers to endemic areas. The vaccines currently in use are FSME-Immun®, Encepur®, EnceVir® and TBE vaccine Moscow®. The numerous studies performed on the efficacy and safety of these vaccines have shown a high level of immunogenicity and an excellent safety profile. Several studies have also shown a high level of cross-protection among strains belonging to different subtypes.   In the present paper we attempted to describe the continuously changing epidemiology of TBE in European States and to overview clinical development of available vaccines paying particular attention on cross-protection elicited by the vaccines. PMID:23377671

Multispectral image fusion for illumination-invariant palmprint recognition

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xinman; Xu, Xuebin; Shang, Dongpeng

2017-01-01

Multispectral palmprint recognition has shown broad prospects for personal identification due to its high accuracy and great stability. In this paper, we develop a novel illumination-invariant multispectral palmprint recognition method. To combine the information from multiple spectral bands, an image-level fusion framework is completed based on a fast and adaptive bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (FABEMD) and a weighted Fisher criterion. The FABEMD technique decomposes the multispectral images into their bidimensional intrinsic mode functions (BIMFs), on which an illumination compensation operation is performed. The weighted Fisher criterion is to construct the fusion coefficients at the decomposition level, making the images be separated correctly in the fusion space. The image fusion framework has shown strong robustness against illumination variation. In addition, a tensor-based extreme learning machine (TELM) mechanism is presented for feature extraction and classification of two-dimensional (2D) images. In general, this method has fast learning speed and satisfying recognition accuracy. Comprehensive experiments conducted on the PolyU multispectral palmprint database illustrate that the proposed method can achieve favorable results. For the testing under ideal illumination, the recognition accuracy is as high as 99.93%, and the result is 99.50% when the lighting condition is unsatisfied. PMID:28558064

Multispectral image fusion for illumination-invariant palmprint recognition.

PubMed

Lu, Longbin; Zhang, Xinman; Xu, Xuebin; Shang, Dongpeng

2017-01-01

Multispectral palmprint recognition has shown broad prospects for personal identification due to its high accuracy and great stability. In this paper, we develop a novel illumination-invariant multispectral palmprint recognition method. To combine the information from multiple spectral bands, an image-level fusion framework is completed based on a fast and adaptive bidimensional empirical mode decomposition (FABEMD) and a weighted Fisher criterion. The FABEMD technique decomposes the multispectral images into their bidimensional intrinsic mode functions (BIMFs), on which an illumination compensation operation is performed. The weighted Fisher criterion is to construct the fusion coefficients at the decomposition level, making the images be separated correctly in the fusion space. The image fusion framework has shown strong robustness against illumination variation. In addition, a tensor-based extreme learning machine (TELM) mechanism is presented for feature extraction and classification of two-dimensional (2D) images. In general, this method has fast learning speed and satisfying recognition accuracy. Comprehensive experiments conducted on the PolyU multispectral palmprint database illustrate that the proposed method can achieve favorable results. For the testing under ideal illumination, the recognition accuracy is as high as 99.93%, and the result is 99.50% when the lighting condition is unsatisfied.

Vorticity, backscatter and counter-gradient transport predictions using two-level simulation of turbulent flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ranjan, R.; Menon, S.

2018-04-01

The two-level simulation (TLS) method evolves both the large-and the small-scale fields in a two-scale approach and has shown good predictive capabilities in both isotropic and wall-bounded high Reynolds number (Re) turbulent flows in the past. Sensitivity and ability of this modelling approach to predict fundamental features (such as backscatter, counter-gradient turbulent transport, small-scale vorticity, etc.) seen in high Re turbulent flows is assessed here by using two direct numerical simulation (DNS) datasets corresponding to a forced isotropic turbulence at Taylor's microscale-based Reynolds number Reλ ≈ 433 and a fully developed turbulent flow in a periodic channel at friction Reynolds number Reτ ≈ 1000. It is shown that TLS captures the dynamics of local co-/counter-gradient transport and backscatter at the requisite scales of interest. These observations are further confirmed through a posteriori investigation of the flow in a periodic channel at Reτ = 2000. The results reveal that the TLS method can capture both the large- and the small-scale flow physics in a consistent manner, and at a reduced overall cost when compared to the estimated DNS or wall-resolved LES cost.

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

Koryazhkina, M. N., E-mail: mahavenok@mail.ru; Tikhov, S. V.; Gorshkov, O. N.

It is shown that the formation of Au nanoparticles at the insulator–silicon interface in structures with a high density of surface states results in a shift of the Fermi-level pinning energy at this interface towards the valence-band ceiling in silicon and in increasing the surface-state density at energies close to the Fermi level. In this case, a band with a peak at 0.85 eV arises on the photosensivity curves of the capacitor photovoltage, which is explained by the photoemission of electrons from the formed Au-nanoparticle electron states near the valence-band ceiling in silicon.

Betatron Application in Mobile and Relocatable Inspection Systems for Freight Transport Control

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chakhlov, S. V.; Kasyanov, S. V.; Kasyanov, V. A.; Osipov, S. P.; Stein, M. M.; Stein, A. M.; Xiaoming, Sun

2016-01-01

Accelerators with energy level up to 4 MeV having high level of penetration ability by steel equivalent are the popular to control oversize cargo transported by road, by railway and by river. Betatron's usage as cyclic induction accelerator has some advantages in comparison with linear accelerators and other sources. Tomsk Polytechnic University has developed many types of betatrons, most of them are being produced by separate affiliated company " Foton ". Article is shown the results of application of the betatrons in inspection custom systems.

[Effect of beta-ecdysterone in competitive cultures of Drosophila melanogaster].

PubMed

Botella, L M; Ménsua, J L

1987-03-01

High levels of beta-ecdysterone (more than 1 microgram/ml) have been shown to decrease larva-adult viability and to speed up developmental times when supplied to the media in crowding cultures. The highest doses (100 micrograms/ml) of ecdysterone suppresses almost completely the phenomenon of larval stop in the third instar of development, first reported by our laboratory in overcrowded situations. Thus, one may deduce that stopped larvae could have low levels of ecdysone, and perhaps these are the ultimate physiological cause of their arrested development before the critical larva-pupa molt.

Quantitative Analyses of Core Promoters Enable Precise Engineering of Regulated Gene Expression in Mammalian Cells.

PubMed

Ede, Christopher; Chen, Ximin; Lin, Meng-Yin; Chen, Yvonne Y

2016-05-20

Inducible transcription systems play a crucial role in a wide array of synthetic biology circuits. However, the majority of inducible promoters are constructed from a limited set of tried-and-true promoter parts, which are susceptible to common shortcomings such as high basal expression levels (i.e., leakiness). To expand the toolbox for regulated mammalian gene expression and facilitate the construction of mammalian genetic circuits with precise functionality, we quantitatively characterized a panel of eight core promoters, including sequences with mammalian, viral, and synthetic origins. We demonstrate that this selection of core promoters can provide a wide range of basal gene expression levels and achieve a gradient of fold-inductions spanning 2 orders of magnitude. Furthermore, commonly used parts such as minimal CMV and minimal SV40 promoters were shown to achieve robust gene expression upon induction, but also suffer from high levels of leakiness. In contrast, a synthetic promoter, YB_TATA, was shown to combine low basal expression with high transcription rate in the induced state to achieve significantly higher fold-induction ratios compared to all other promoters tested. These behaviors remain consistent when the promoters are coupled to different genetic outputs and different response elements, as well as across different host-cell types and DNA copy numbers. We apply this quantitative understanding of core promoter properties to the successful engineering of human T cells that respond to antigen stimulation via chimeric antigen receptor signaling specifically under hypoxic environments. Results presented in this study can facilitate the design and calibration of future mammalian synthetic biology systems capable of precisely programmed functionality.

Effects of alkylresorcinols on volume and structure of yeast-leavened bread.

PubMed

Andersson, Annica Am; Landberg, Rikard; Söderman, Thomas; Hedkvist, Sofie; Katina, Kati; Juvonen, Riikka; Holopainen, Ulla; Lehtinen, Pekka; Aman, Per

2011-01-30

Alkylresorcinols (AR) are amphiphilic phenolic compounds found in high amounts in wheat, durum wheat and rye, with different homologue composition for each cereal. The effect of different amounts of added AR from these cereals on bread volume, height, porosity and microstructure was studied. Breads with added rye bran (with high levels of AR) or acetone-extracted rye bran (with low levels of AR) were also baked, as well as breads with finely milled forms of each of these brans. Breads with high amounts of added AR, irrespective of AR homologue composition, had a lower volume, a more compact structure and an adverse microstructure compared with breads with no or low levels of added AR. AR were also shown to inhibit the activity of baker's yeast. There was no difference in bread volume and porosity between bread baked with rye bran and acetone-extracted rye bran or with brans of different particle size. Irrespective of homologue composition, AR had a negative effect on wheat bread properties when added in high amounts as purified extracts from wheat, durum wheat and rye. Natural levels of AR in rye bran, however, did not affect the volume and porosity of yeast-leavened wheat breads. 2010 Society of Chemical Industry.

The Age-Related Properties of the HD 98800 System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soderblom, David R.; Henry, Todd J.; Shetrone, Matthew D.; Jones, Burton F.; Saar, Steven H.

1996-01-01

We present optical spectroscopy of the field K star system HD 98800, which has been found to have significant infrared emission from circumstellar material. The lithium abundances of the stars in HD 98800 are well above those of Pleiades of similar color, but activity levels and rotation in these stars are at or below Pleiades level. Thus, it is not yet possible to say whether HD 98800 is or is not a pre-main-sequence system, and it is possible that its components are on or near the zero-age main sequence. However, the two visible objects that make up HD 98800 both have high levels of lithium and activity, strongly suggesting that they are physically related to one another. As shown by Torres and coworkers, having these stars physically tied implies that their relative orbit is highly eccentric and highly inclined to our line of sight, and it also means that we are viewing the HD 98800 system at an unusual time in its orbit.

Alcohol consumption and risk-factors for ischemic heart disease in Chuckchi inhabitants: clinical, biological and population studies.

PubMed

Chernobrovkina, T V; Arkavy, J V; Astakhova, T I

1991-01-01

Clinical, biochemical and epidemiological research has shown variations of serum enzymatic constellations (relatively high level of GGT in Chuckchi natives compared to nonnative newcomers). This difference leads to different unspecific body resistance to exogenous factors, particularly to histamine-liberators. The GGT system has also been linked to alcohol-induced clinical IHD. Based on these findings patients will be screened for GGT activity, which may serve as a marker for population phenotypes representative of high-risk groups. This deficiency in GGT may indicate a high risk for alcohol-related heart disease.

Diffusion length measurement using the scanning electron microscope. [for silicon solar cell

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weizer, V. G.

1975-01-01

The present work describes a measuring technique employing the scanning electron microscope in which values of the true bulk diffusion length are obtained. It is shown that surface recombination effects can be eliminated through application of highly doped surface field layers. The effects of high injection level and low-high junction current generation are investigated. Results obtained with this technique are compared to those obtained by a penetrating radiation (X-ray) method, and a close agreement is found. The SEM technique is limited to cells that contain a back surface field layer.

Change in Dielectric Properties in the Microwave Frequency Region of Polypyrrole–Coated Textiles during Aging

PubMed Central

Hakansson, Eva; Kaynak, Akif; Kouzani, Abbas

2016-01-01

Complex permittivity of conducting polypyrrole (PPy)-coated Nylon-Lycra textiles is measured using a free space transmission measurement technique over the frequency range of 1–18 GHz. The aging of microwave dielectric properties and reflection, transmission and absorption for a period of 18 months is demonstrated. PPy-coated fabrics are shown to be lossy over the full frequency range. The levels of absorption are shown to be higher than reflection in the tested samples. This is attributed to the relatively high resistivity of the PPy-coated fabrics. Both the dopant concentration and polymerisation time affect the total shielding effectiveness and microwave aging behaviour. Distinguishing either of these two factors as being exclusively the dominant mechanism of shielding effectiveness is shown to be difficult. It is observed that the PPy-coated Nylon-Lycra samples with a p-toluene sulfonic acid (pTSA) concentration of 0.015 M and polymerisation times of 60 min and 180 min have 37% and 26% decrease in total transmission loss, respectively, upon aging for 72 weeks at room temperature (20 °C, 65% Relative humidity (RH)). The concentration of the dopant also influences the microwave aging behaviour of the PPy-coated fabrics. The samples with a higher dopant concentration of 0.027 mol/L pTSA are shown to have a transmission loss of 32.6% and 16.5% for short and long polymerisation times, respectively, when aged for 72 weeks. The microwave properties exhibit better stability with high dopant concentration and/or longer polymerization times. High pTSA dopant concentrations and/or longer polymerisation times result in high microwave insertion loss and are more effective in reducing the transmission and also increasing the longevity of the electrical properties. PMID:28773729

Change in Dielectric Properties in the Microwave Frequency Region of Polypyrrole-Coated Textiles during Aging.

PubMed

Hakansson, Eva; Kaynak, Akif; Kouzani, Abbas

2016-07-22

Complex permittivity of conducting polypyrrole (PPy)-coated Nylon-Lycra textiles is measured using a free space transmission measurement technique over the frequency range of 1-18 GHz. The aging of microwave dielectric properties and reflection, transmission and absorption for a period of 18 months is demonstrated. PPy-coated fabrics are shown to be lossy over the full frequency range. The levels of absorption are shown to be higher than reflection in the tested samples. This is attributed to the relatively high resistivity of the PPy-coated fabrics. Both the dopant concentration and polymerisation time affect the total shielding effectiveness and microwave aging behaviour. Distinguishing either of these two factors as being exclusively the dominant mechanism of shielding effectiveness is shown to be difficult. It is observed that the PPy-coated Nylon-Lycra samples with a p -toluene sulfonic acid ( p TSA) concentration of 0.015 M and polymerisation times of 60 min and 180 min have 37% and 26% decrease in total transmission loss, respectively, upon aging for 72 weeks at room temperature (20 °C, 65% Relative humidity (RH)). The concentration of the dopant also influences the microwave aging behaviour of the PPy-coated fabrics. The samples with a higher dopant concentration of 0.027 mol/L p TSA are shown to have a transmission loss of 32.6% and 16.5% for short and long polymerisation times, respectively, when aged for 72 weeks. The microwave properties exhibit better stability with high dopant concentration and/or longer polymerization times. High p TSA dopant concentrations and/or longer polymerisation times result in high microwave insertion loss and are more effective in reducing the transmission and also increasing the longevity of the electrical properties.

Ion extraction capabilities of two-grid accelerator systems. [for spacecraft propulsion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rovang, D. C.; Wilbur, P. J.

1984-01-01

An experimental investigation into the ion extraction capabilities of two-grid accelerator systems common to electrostatic ion thrusters is described. A large body of experimental data which facilitates the selection of the accelerator system geometries and operating parameters necessary to maximize the extracted ion current is presented. Results suggest that the impingement-limited perveance is not dramatically affected by reductions in screen hole diameter to 0.5 mm. Impingement-limited performance is shown to depend most strongly on grid separation distance, accelerator hole diameter ratio, the discharge-to-total accelerating voltage ratio, and the net-to-total accelerating voltage ratio. Results obtained at small grid separation ratios suggest a new grid operating condition where high beam current per hole levels are achieved at a specified net accelerating voltage. It is shown that this operating condition is realized at an optimum ratio of net-to-total accelerating voltage ratio which is typically quite high.

The MOSO field experiment - Overview of findings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ólafsson, Haraldur; Jonassen, Marius O.; Ágústsson, Hálfdán; Rögnvaldsson, Ólafur; Hjarðar, Bjarni G. Þ.; Rasol, Dubravka; Reuder, Joachim; Jónsson, Sigurður; Líf Kristinsdóttir, Birta

2013-04-01

In 2009 and 2011, the MOSO I and MOSO II meteorological field experiments took place in SW-Iceland. The main objectives were to describe the low level atmospheric coastal flows in the vicinity of mountains. The observations for the MOSO dataset were made using a large number of automatic weather stations, microbarographs, radiosoundings and a remotely piloted aircraft. The highlights of the findings include a four-dimensional description of the sea-breeze in Iceland, weak downslope acceleration, summer- and winter-time mountain wake flow, transition between wake flow and sea-breeze. The orographic drag force is explored and shown to be not so high most of the time in the predicted high-drag state. The observations from the remotely piloted aircraft have been used successfully to nudge simulations of the flow and are shown to be promising for operational use in numerical prediction of mesoscale coastal and orographic flows.

Some far-field acoustics characteristics of the XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Golub, Robert A.; Conner, David A.; Becker, Lawrence E.; Rutledge, C. Kendall; Smith, Rita A.

1990-01-01

Far-field acoustics tests have been conducted on an instrumented XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft. The purpose of these acoustic measurements was to create an encompassing, high confidence (90 percent), and accurate (-1.4/ +1/8 dB theoretical confidence interval) far-field acoustics data base to validate ROTONET and other current rotorcraft noise prediction computer codes. This paper describes the flight techniques used, with emphasis on the care taken to obtain high-quality far-field acoustic data. The quality and extensiveness of the data base collected are shown by presentation of ground acoustic contours for level flyovers for the airplane flight mode and for several forward velocities and nacelle tilts for the transition mode and helicopter flight mode. Acoustic pressure time-histories and fully analyzed ensemble averaged far-field data results (spectra) are shown for each of the ground contour cases.

Creatinine metabolite, HMH (5-hydroxy-1-methylhydantoin; NZ-419), modulates bradykinin-induced changes in vascular smooth muscle cells.

PubMed

Ienaga, Kazuharu; Sohn, Mimi; Naiki, Mitsuru; Jaffa, Ayad A

2014-06-01

A creatinine metabolite, 5-hydroxy-1-methylhydantoin (HMH: NZ-419), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, has previously been shown to confer renoprotection by inhibiting the progression of chronic kidney disease in rats. In the current study, we demonstrate that HMH modulates the effects of glucose and bradykinin (BK) in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC). HMH a novel anti-oxidant drug completely suppressed the expression of B2-kinin receptors (B2KR) in response to high glucose (25 mM) stimulation in VSMC and was also shown to attenuate the effects of BK on VSMC remodeling. HMH inhibited the BK-induced increase in MAPK phosphorylation and attenuated the increase in connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein levels in VSMC. These findings suggest that HMH may confer vascular protection against high glucose concentrations and BK-stimulation to ameliorate vascular injury and remodeling through its anti-oxidant properties.

Pharmacokinetics of 2,4-di(alpha-methoxyethyl)deuteroporphyrin-IX (dimehin) and its complex with chitosan in mice with tumors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ivanov, Andrei V.; Gradyushko, A. T.; Laptev, V. P.; Panferova, N. G.; Varlamov, V. P.; Klyashchitsky, B. A.; Reshetnickov, Andrei V.; Ponomarev, Gelii V.

1996-01-01

The kinetics of photosensitizer distribution and elimination have been studied using fluorescent methods in organs and tumors of A/Snell mice with embriocarcinoma inoculated into their thigh muscles for the porphyrin compound 2,4-di((alpha) -methoxyethyl)deuteroporphyrin-- IX (DMH, `Dimehin') and its complex with polysaccharide chitosan. DMH fluorescence differs in samples of liver and faeces which follows from the spectra comparison. DMH is metabolizable upon passing through liver into a form eliminated by the gastrointestinal tract as our pharmacokinetic data have shown. DMH has been found to be a short-term highly photodynamically efficient photosensitizer judging by combined analysis of our toxicological, pharmacokinetic and photodynamic research data. DMH-chitosan uptake and distribution studies have shown the complex's long-term persistence in blood circulation, high level accumulation in spleen and lungs, whereas there was no complex registered in tumors and other tissues following i.v. administration.

9. Tower building. Hot water tap floor shown. Mixing vat ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

9. Tower building. Hot water tap floor shown. Mixing vat at center level. Juices mix and flow and left lower level. Copper kettles are down below view level. Looking toward front of building. - Tivoli-Union Brewery, 1320-1348 Tenth Street, Denver, Denver County, CO

Paternal behavior and testosterone plasma levels in the Volcano Mouse Neotomodon alstoni (Rodentia: Muridae).

PubMed

Luis, Juana; Ramírez, Lorena; Carmona, Agustín; Ortiz, Guadalupe; Delgado, Jesús; Cárdenas, René

2009-01-01

Paternal behavior and testosterone plasma levels in the Volcano Mouse Neotomodon alstoni (Rodentia: Muridae). Although initially it was thought that testosterone inhibited the display of paternal behavior in males of rodents, it has been shown that in some species high testosterone levels are needed for exhibition of paternal care. In captivity, males of Volcano Mouse (Neotomodon alstoni) provide pups the same care provided by the mother, with the exception of suckling. Here we measured plasmatic testosterone concentrations 10 days after mating, five and 20 days postpartum, and 10 days after males were isolated from their families in order to determine possible changes in this hormone, associated to the presence and age of pups. Males of Volcano Mouse exhibited paternal behavior when their testosterone levels were relatively high. Although levels of this hormone did not change with the presence or pups age, males that invested more time in huddling showed higher testosterone levels. It is possible that in the Volcano Mouse testosterone modulates paternal behavior indirectly, as in the California mouse.

Effect of sound level on virtual and free-field localization of brief sounds in the anterior median plane.

PubMed

Marmel, Frederic; Marrufo-Pérez, Miriam I; Heeren, Jan; Ewert, Stephan; Lopez-Poveda, Enrique A

2018-06-14

The detection of high-frequency spectral notches has been shown to be worse at 70-80 dB sound pressure level (SPL) than at higher levels up to 100 dB SPL. The performance improvement at levels higher than 70-80 dB SPL has been related to an 'ideal observer' comparison of population auditory nerve spike trains to stimuli with and without high-frequency spectral notches. Insofar as vertical localization partly relies on information provided by pinna-based high-frequency spectral notches, we hypothesized that localization would be worse at 70-80 dB SPL than at higher levels. Results from a first experiment using a virtual localization set-up and non-individualized head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) were consistent with this hypothesis, but a second experiment using a free-field set-up showed that vertical localization deteriorates monotonically with increasing level up to 100 dB SPL. These results suggest that listeners use different cues when localizing sound sources in virtual and free-field conditions. In addition, they confirm that the worsening in vertical localization with increasing level continues beyond 70-80 dB SPL, the highest levels tested by previous studies. Further, they suggest that vertical localization, unlike high-frequency spectral notch detection, does not rely on an 'ideal observer' analysis of auditory nerve spike trains. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Origin of dislocation luminescence centers and their reorganization in p-type silicon crystal subjected to plastic deformation and high temperature annealing.

PubMed

Pavlyk, Bohdan; Kushlyk, Markiyan; Slobodzyan, Dmytro

2017-12-01

Changes of the defect structure of silicon p-type crystal surface layer under the influence of plastic deformation and high temperature annealing in oxygen atmosphere were investigated by deep-level capacitance-modulation spectroscopy (DLCMS) and IR spectroscopy of molecules and atom vibrational levels. Special role of dislocations in the surface layer of silicon during the formation of its energy spectrum and rebuilding the defective structure was established. It is shown that the concentration of linear defects (N ≥ 10 4  cm -2 ) enriches surface layer with electrically active complexes (dislocation-oxygen, dislocation-vacancy, and dislocation-interstitial atoms of silicon) which are an effective radiative recombination centers.

Microscopic Nanomechanical Dissipation in Gallium Arsenide Resonators.

PubMed

Hamoumi, M; Allain, P E; Hease, W; Gil-Santos, E; Morgenroth, L; Gérard, B; Lemaître, A; Leo, G; Favero, I

2018-06-01

We report on a systematic study of nanomechanical dissipation in high-frequency (≈300  MHz) gallium arsenide optomechanical disk resonators, in conditions where clamping and fluidic losses are negligible. Phonon-phonon interactions are shown to contribute with a loss background fading away at cryogenic temperatures (3 K). Atomic layer deposition of alumina at the surface modifies the quality factor of resonators, pointing towards the importance of surface dissipation. The temperature evolution is accurately fitted by two-level systems models, showing that nanomechanical dissipation in gallium arsenide resonators directly connects to their microscopic properties. Two-level systems, notably at surfaces, appear to rule the damping and fluctuations of such high-quality crystalline nanomechanical devices, at all temperatures from 3 to 300 K.

Landsat Application of Remote Sensing to Shoreline-form Analysis. [Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Assateague Island, Virginia

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dolan, R. (Principal Investigator); Heywood, J. E.

1975-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Areas of the coast were selected which have historically shown vulnerability to storm damage. On Assateague Island, there are six such areas: the western tip of Fishing Point; the southern National Park Service parking lot; Smith Hammocks; Fox Hill Level; Little Fox Hill Level; and the northern five kilometers of the island. Comparative analysis of these areas with other data and with large and small scale aerial photographs shows them to be associated with large overwash fans and shoreline cusping. Initial analysis of Landsat imagery and high altitude photography indicates that the areas of high vulnerability are also associated with the angular orientation of the shoreline.

Microscopic Nanomechanical Dissipation in Gallium Arsenide Resonators

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamoumi, M.; Allain, P. E.; Hease, W.; Gil-Santos, E.; Morgenroth, L.; Gérard, B.; Lemaître, A.; Leo, G.; Favero, I.

2018-06-01

We report on a systematic study of nanomechanical dissipation in high-frequency (≈300 MHz ) gallium arsenide optomechanical disk resonators, in conditions where clamping and fluidic losses are negligible. Phonon-phonon interactions are shown to contribute with a loss background fading away at cryogenic temperatures (3 K). Atomic layer deposition of alumina at the surface modifies the quality factor of resonators, pointing towards the importance of surface dissipation. The temperature evolution is accurately fitted by two-level systems models, showing that nanomechanical dissipation in gallium arsenide resonators directly connects to their microscopic properties. Two-level systems, notably at surfaces, appear to rule the damping and fluctuations of such high-quality crystalline nanomechanical devices, at all temperatures from 3 to 300 K.

An elevated level of physical activity is associated with normal lipoprotein(a) levels in individuals from Maracaibo, Venezuela.

PubMed

Bermúdez, Valmore; Aparicio, Daniel; Rojas, Edward; Peñaranda, Lianny; Finol, Freddy; Acosta, Luis; Mengual, Edgardo; Rojas, Joselyn; Arráiz, Nailet; Toledo, Alexandra; Colmenares, Carlos; Urribarí, Jesica; Sanchez, Wireynis; Pineda, Carlos; Rodriguez, Dalia; Faria, Judith; Añez, Roberto; Cano, Raquel; Cano, Clímaco; Sorell, Luis; Velasco, Manuel

2010-01-01

Coronary artery disease is the main cause of death worldwide. Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], is an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease in which concentrations are genetically regulated. Contradictory results have been published about physical activity influence on Lp(a) concentration. This research aimed to determine associations between different physical activity levels and Lp(a) concentration. A descriptive and cross-sectional study was made in 1340 randomly selected subjects (males = 598; females = 712) to whom a complete clinical history, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Lp(a) level determination were made. Statistical analysis was carried out to assess qualitative variables relationship by chi2 and differences between means by one-way analysis of variance considering a P value <0.05 as statistically significant. Results are shown as absolute frequencies, percentages, and mean +/- standard deviation according to case. Physical activity levels were ordinal classified as follows: low activity with 24.3% (n = 318), moderate activity with 35.0% (n = 458), and high physical activity with 40.8% (n = 534). Lp(a) concentration in the studied sample was 26.28 +/- 12.64 (IC: 25.59-26.96) mg/dL. Lp(a) concentration according to low, moderate, and high physical activity levels were 29.22 +/- 13.74, 26.27 +/- 12.91, and 24.53 +/- 11.35 mg/dL, respectively, observing statistically significant differences between low and moderate level (P = 0.004) and low and high level (P < 0.001). A strong association (chi2 = 9.771; P = 0.002) was observed among a high physical activity level and a normal concentration of Lp(a) (less than 30 mg/dL). A lifestyle characterized by high physical activity is associated with normal Lp(a) levels.

Prescription omega-3 fatty acid products containing highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

PubMed

Brinton, Eliot A; Mason, R Preston

2017-01-31

The omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has multiple actions potentially conferring cardiovascular benefit, including lowering serum triglyceride (TG) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels and potentially reducing key steps in atherogenesis. Dietary supplements are a common source of omega-3 fatty acids in the US, but virtually all contain docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in addition to EPA, and lipid effects differ between DHA and EPA. Contrary to popular belief, no over-the-counter omega-3 products are available in the US, only prescription products and dietary supplements. Among the US prescription omega-3 products, only one contains EPA exclusively (Vascepa); another closely related prescription omega-3 product also contains highly purified EPA, but is approved only in Japan and is provided in different capsule sizes. These high-purity EPA products do not raise low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, even in patients with TG levels >500 mg/dL, in contrast to the increase in LDL-C levels with prescription omega-3 products that also contain DHA. The Japanese prescription EPA product was shown to significantly reduce major coronary events in hypercholesterolemic patients when added to statin therapy in the Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study (JELIS). The effects of Vascepa on cardiovascular outcomes are being investigated in statin-treated patients with high TG levels in the Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With EPA-Intervention Trial (REDUCE-IT).

Properties of zirconia after plasma treatment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alekseenko, V. P.; Kulkov, S. N.

2017-09-01

The influence of high-frequency plasma treatment on the properties of zirconia powder is shown in the work. The powder was produced by a plasma-chemical method. The powders had a foamy form with the size of agglomerates of 5-10 μm and crystallites of 20-50 nm. The powders were treated by the pulse plasma unit with dielectric barrier discharge generator. It was shown that the plasma processing changes the acidity of water-powder suspensions from 8.1 to 4.3 pH, which signifies the powders' wettability improvement. It was revealed that more intensive mixing using ultrasound influences the acidity level, reducing it in comparison with mixing by paddle-type agitator. It was shown that these changes of surface properties have relaxation by 4% per day and extrapolation of this dependence shows that the powder will have initial properties after 400 hours storage at room conditions.

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) including structural PFOS isomers in plasma from elderly men and women from Sweden: Results from the Prospective Investigation of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS).

PubMed

Salihovic, Samira; Kärrman, Anna; Lind, Lars; Lind, P Monica; Lindström, Gunilla; van Bavel, Bert

2015-09-01

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of compounds with unique chemical properties that have been shown useful in a wide variety of applications because they provide materials with reduced surface tension and exceptional non-stick properties. PFASs are commonly found in impregnation materials, coatings of papers and textiles, fire-fighting foams, pesticides, and cleaning agents. The potential for human exposure to PFASs is high because of their widespread distribution. The aim of this study was to investigate levels of PFASs in men and women from Sweden and to assess the influence of gender and parity among women. Levels of 13 PFASs were determined in plasma samples collected during 2001-2004 from 1016 (507 women) 70year-old participants from the population-based Prospective Study of the Vasculature in Uppsala Seniors (PIVUS). The PFASs studied were nine perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), four perfluorinated sulfonic acids (PFSAs) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (PFOSA). In addition, structural isomers of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) were determined in a subset of 398 individuals. The detection rates were high and the majority of the studied compounds were detected in more than 75% of the participants. Levels of the selected analytes were found to be similar to other studies of non-occupationally exposed populations. Gender differences were observed in levels of PFHpA which was higher in men, while PFHxS was higher in women. Parity among women was shown to have a minor effect on PFAS concentrations and we found primi- and multiparous women to have slightly lower levels of PFUnDA when compared to nulliparous women. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Root-specific expression of opine genes and opine accumulation in some cultivars of the naturally occurring genetically modified organism Nicotiana tabacum.

PubMed

Chen, Ke; de Borne, François Dorlhac; Julio, Emilie; Obszynski, Julie; Pale, Patrick; Otten, Léon

2016-08-01

Previous studies have shown that Nicotiana tabacum contains three Agrobacterium-derived T-DNA sequences inherited from its paternal ancestor Nicotiana tomentosiformis. Among these, the TB locus carries an intact mannopine synthase 2' gene (TB-mas2'). This gene is similar to the Agrobacterium rhizogenes A4-mas2' gene that encodes the synthesis of the Amadori compound deoxyfructosyl-glutamine (DFG or santhopine). In this study we show that TB-mas2' is expressed at very low levels in N. tomentosiformis and in most N. tabacum cultivars; however, some cultivars show high TB-mas2' expression levels. The TB-mas2' promoter sequences of low- and high-expressing cultivars are identical. The low/high level of expression segregates as a single Mendelian factor in a cross between a low- and a high-expression cultivar. pTB-mas2'-GUS and pA4-mas2'-GUS reporter genes were stably introduced in N. benthamiana. Both were mainly expressed in the root expansion zone and leaf vasculature. Roots of tobacco cultivars with high TB-mas2' expression contain detectable levels of DFG. © 2016 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Effects of firing schedule on solubility limits and transport properties of ZrO 2-TiO 2-Y 2O 3 fluorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fagg, D. P.; Frade, J. R.; Mogensen, M.; Irvine, J. T. S.

2007-08-01

The low Y/high Zr edge of the cubic defect fluorite solid solution in the system ZrO 2-TiO 2-Y 2O 3 in air is reassessed, as it is these compositions which have been suggested to offer the highest levels of mixed conductivity. Vegard's law is obeyed for values of x which lie within the cubic defect fluorite phase in Zr 1-x-yY yTi xO 2-δ for values of y=0.2 and 0.25. Measured lattice parameters show good agreement with those calculated from the Kim relation. Deviation from Vegard's law places the limit of the solid solution at x=0.18 and 0.20 for values of y=0.2 and 0.25, respectively, at 1500 °C. Discrepancies in current literature data can be shown to be due to differences in firing schedule such as slight temperature fluctuations and/or different cooling rates. A high level of care of sintering temperature and cooling profile is essential to form the most promising single-phase materials which contain maximum Ti-contents with low Y-contents. Contraction of the phase limit as a result of poor synthesis control leads to erroneously high values of bulk ionic conductivity while values of electronic conductivity are shown to be less affected.

[Serum sclerostin levels and metabolic bone diseases].

PubMed

Yamauchi, Mika; Sugimoto, Toshitsugu

2013-06-01

Serum sclerostin levels are being investigated in various metabolic bone diseases. Since serum sclerostin levels are decreased in primary hyperparathyroidism and elevated in hypoparathyroidism, parathyroid hormone (PTH) is thought to be a regulatory factor for sclerostin. Serum sclerostin levels exhibit a significant positive correlation with bone mineral density. On the other hand, a couple of studies on postmenopausal women have shown that high serum sclerostin levels are a risk factor for fracture. Although glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis and diabetes are both diseases that reduce bone formation, serum sclerostin levels have been reported to be decreased in the former and elevated in the latter, suggesting differences in the effects of sclerostin in the two diseases. Serum sclerostin levels are correlated with renal function, and increase with reduction in renal function. Serum sclerostin level may be a new index of bone assessment that differs from bone mineral density and bone metabolic markers.

Serum amyloid A protein in amyloidosis, rheumatic, and neoplastic diseases

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

Benson, M.D.; Cohen, A.S.

1979-01-01

Serum levels of amyloid protein A (SAA) have been shown to be elevated in different types of amyloidosis and in rheumatic diseases by radioimmunoassay using 125 iodine labeled AA and anti-AA. SAA levels were elevated in both primary and secondary amyloidosis, but there were highly significant differences between these levels. In heredofamilial amyloid, SAA levels were within normal limits. While the mean SAA level was elevated in persons over 70 years, the fact that some persons in this age group had normal levels suggested that marked elevation after age 70 may be due to occult inflammatory or neoplastic disease. Highmore » SAA levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis correlated, in most cases, with physician evaluation of disease activity and Westergren ESR. SAA levels in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were lower than those in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and most patients with degenerative joint disease had normal levels. Very high levels of SAA were found in patients with neoplastic diseases. Patients with carcinoma of the lung and bowel had much higher levels than patients with carcinoma of the breast. Determination of SAA levels may be of value in evaluating different forms of systemic amyloidosis, assessing the activity of rheumatic disease, and screening for occult inflammatory or neoplastic disease.« less

Axion production from Landau quantization in the strong magnetic field of magnetars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maruyama, Tomoyuki; Balantekin, A. Baha; Cheoun, Myung-Ki; Kajino, Toshitaka; Mathews, Grant J.

2018-04-01

We utilize an exact quantum calculation to explore axion emission from electrons and protons in the presence of the strong magnetic field of magnetars. The axion is emitted via transitions between the Landau levels generated by the strong magnetic field. The luminosity of axions emitted by protons is shown to be much larger than that of electrons and becomes stronger with increasing matter density. Cooling by axion emission is shown to be much larger than neutrino cooling by the Urca processes. Consequently, axion emission in the crust may significantly contribute to the cooling of magnetars. In the high-density core, however, it may cause heating of the magnetar.

Studies of the mechanisms of turbine fuel instability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daniel, S. R.

1983-01-01

The formation of insoluble deposits in a Jet A, a Diesel, and a model fuel (1/10 v/v tetralin/dodecane) was studied. Experiments were conducted using glass containers at 394 K with an air/fuel ratio of 14/1. The effects of addition of ppm levels of various compounds on deposit formation were evaluated. Nitrogen heterocycles were shown to produce a basicity dependent acceleration of deposition. Thiols and thiophene were shown to increase deposition while sulfides and disulfides act as inhibitors. Copper metal and its salts also promote deposition. Results of various instrumental analyses of deposits and development of a high performance liquid chromatographic method for monitoring deposit precursors are discussed.

Material quality frontiers of MOVPE grown AlGaAs for minority carrier devices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heckelmann, S.; Lackner, D.; Dimroth, F.; Bett, A. W.

2017-04-01

In this study, secondary ion mass spectroscopy of oxygen, deep level transient spectroscopy and power dependent relative photoluminescence are compared regarding their ability to resolve differences in AlxGa1-xAs material quality. AlxGa1-xAs samples grown with two different trimethylaluminum sources showing low and high levels of oxygen contamination are compared. As tested in the growth of minority carrier devices, i.e. AlxGa1-xAs solar cells, the two precursors clearly lead to different device characteristics. It is shown that secondary ion mass spectroscopy could not resolve the difference in oxygen concentration, whereas deep level transient spectroscopy and photoluminescence based measurements indicate the influence of the precursor oxygen level on the material quality.

Effect of modulation p-doping level on multi-state lasing in InAs/InGaAs quantum dot lasers having different external loss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Korenev, V. V.; Savelyev, A. V.; Maximov, M. V.; Zubov, F. I.; Shernyakov, Yu. M.; Kulagina, M. M.; Zhukov, A. E.

2017-09-01

The influence of the modulation p-doping level on multi-state lasing in InAs/InGaAs quantum dot (QD) lasers is studied experimentally for devices having various external losses. It is shown that in the case of short cavities (high external loss), there is an increase in the lasing power component corresponding to the ground-state optical transitions of QDs as the p-doping level grows. However, in the case of long cavities (small external loss), higher dopant concentrations may have an opposite effect on the output power. Based on these observations, an optimal design of laser geometry and an optimal doping level are discussed.

Parallel Optical Random Access Memory (PORAM)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alphonse, G. A.

1989-01-01

It is shown that the need to minimize component count, power and size, and to maximize packing density require a parallel optical random access memory to be designed in a two-level hierarchy: a modular level and an interconnect level. Three module designs are proposed, in the order of research and development requirements. The first uses state-of-the-art components, including individually addressed laser diode arrays, acousto-optic (AO) deflectors and magneto-optic (MO) storage medium, aimed at moderate size, moderate power, and high packing density. The next design level uses an electron-trapping (ET) medium to reduce optical power requirements. The third design uses a beam-steering grating surface emitter (GSE) array to reduce size further and minimize the number of components.

Pediatric Blood Pressure and Adult Preclinical Markers of Cardiovascular Disease

PubMed Central

Magnussen, Costan G.; Smith, Kylie J.

2016-01-01

A high blood pressure level in adults is considered the single most important modifiable risk factor for global disease burden, especially those of cardiovascular (CV) origin such as stroke and ischemic heart disease. Because blood pressure levels have been shown to persist from childhood to adulthood, elevations in pediatric levels have been hypothesized to lead to increased CV burden in adulthood and, as such, might provide a window in the life course where primordial and primary prevention could be focused. In the absence of substantive data directly linking childhood blood pressure levels to overt adult CV disease, this review outlines the available literature that examines the association between pediatric blood pressure and adult preclinical markers of CV disease. PMID:27168729

Detection of high-frequency energy level changes in speech and singing

PubMed Central

Monson, Brian B.; Lotto, Andrew J.; Story, Brad H.

2014-01-01

Previous work has shown that human listeners are sensitive to level differences in high-frequency energy (HFE) in isolated vowel sounds produced by male singers. Results indicated that sensitivity to HFE level changes increased with overall HFE level, suggesting that listeners would be more “tuned” to HFE in vocal production exhibiting higher levels of HFE. It follows that sensitivity to HFE level changes should be higher (1) for female vocal production than for male vocal production and (2) for singing than for speech. To test this hypothesis, difference limens for HFE level changes in male and female speech and singing were obtained. Listeners showed significantly greater ability to detect level changes in singing vs speech but not in female vs male speech. Mean differences limen scores for speech and singing were about 5 dB in the 8-kHz octave (5.6–11.3 kHz) but 8–10 dB in the 16-kHz octave (11.3–22 kHz). These scores are lower (better) than those previously reported for isolated vowels and some musical instruments. PMID:24437780

Level of Work Related Stress among Teachers in Elementary Schools.

PubMed

Agai-Demjaha, Teuta; Bislimovska, Jovanka Karadzinska; Mijakoski, Dragan

2015-09-15

Teaching is considered a highly stressful occupation, with work-related stress levels among teachers being among the highest compared to other professions. Unfortunately there are very few studies regarding the levels of work-related stress among teachers in the Republic of Macedonia. To identify the level of self-perceived work-related stress among teachers in elementary schools and its relationship to gender, age, position in the workplace, the level of education and working experience. We performed a descriptive-analytical model of a cross-sectional study that involved 300 teachers employed in nine elementary schools. Evaluation of examined subjects included completion of a specially designed questionnaire. We found that the majority of interviewed teachers perceive their work-related stress as moderate. The level of work-related stress was significantly high related to the gender, age, position in workplace, as well as working experience (p < 0.01), while it was significant related to level of education (p < 0.05). Significantly greater number of lower-grade teachers perceives the workplace as extremely stressful as compared to the upper-grade teachers (18.5% vs. 5.45%), while the same is true for female respondents as compared to the male ones (15.38% vs. 3.8%). In addition, our results show that teachers with university education significantly more often associate their workplace with stronger stress than their colleagues with high education (13.48% vs. 9.4%). We also found that there is no significant difference of stress levels between new and more experienced teachers. Our findings confirm that the majority of interviewed teachers perceived their work-related stress as high or very high. In terms of the relationship between the level of teachers' stress and certain demographic and job characteristics, according to our results, the level of work-related stress has shown significantly high relation to gender, age, levels of grades taught as well as working experience, and significant relation to the level of education.

Level of Work Related Stress among Teachers in Elementary Schools

PubMed Central

Agai–Demjaha, Teuta; Bislimovska, Jovanka Karadzinska; Mijakoski, Dragan

2015-01-01

BACKGROUND: Teaching is considered a highly stressful occupation, with work-related stress levels among teachers being among the highest compared to other professions. Unfortunately there are very few studies regarding the levels of work-related stress among teachers in the Republic of Macedonia. AIM: To identify the level of self-perceived work-related stress among teachers in elementary schools and its relationship to gender, age, position in the workplace, the level of education and working experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive-analytical model of a cross-sectional study that involved 300 teachers employed in nine elementary schools. Evaluation of examined subjects included completion of a specially designed questionnaire. RESULTS: We found that the majority of interviewed teachers perceive their work-related stress as moderate. The level of work-related stress was significantly high related to the gender, age, position in workplace, as well as working experience (p < 0.01), while it was significant related to level of education (p < 0.05). Significantly greater number of lower-grade teachers perceives the workplace as extremely stressful as compared to the upper-grade teachers (18.5% vs. 5.45%), while the same is true for female respondents as compared to the male ones (15.38% vs. 3.8%). In addition, our results show that teachers with university education significantly more often associate their workplace with stronger stress than their colleagues with high education (13.48% vs. 9.4%). We also found that there is no significant difference of stress levels between new and more experienced teachers. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm that the majority of interviewed teachers perceived their work-related stress as high or very high. In terms of the relationship between the level of teachers’ stress and certain demographic and job characteristics, according to our results, the level of work-related stress has shown significantly high relation to gender, age, levels of grades taught as well as working experience, and significant relation to the level of education. PMID:27275275

Cecal and colonic responses in rats fed 5 or 30% corn oil diets containing either 7.5% broccoli dietary fiber or microcrystalline cellulose.

PubMed

Paturi, Gunaranjan; Butts, Christine; Monro, John; Nones, Katia; Martell, Sheridan; Butler, Ruth; Sutherland, Juliet

2010-05-26

Growing evidence suggests that microbiota in the human gastrointestinal tract play a crucial role in mediating the effects of foods on colonic health and host metabolism. The large bowel ecosystem is known to be perturbed in humans and animals fed high-fat diets and conversely to be protected by fermentable oligosaccharides. We examined the ability of largely fermentable dietary fiber from broccoli ( Brassica oleracea L. var. italica ) and minimally fermented microcrystalline cellulose to buffer against the effects of high-fat intakes. The results showed that high fat lowered food intakes and therefore fiber intake by 27%. The addition of fermentable oligosaccharide to the diet was shown to be beneficial to some microbiota in cecum, altered cecal short-chain fatty acids, and increased the colon crypt depth and the number of goblet cells per crypt in high- and low-fat diets. Although, the fat level was the predominant factor in changes to the large bowel ecosystem, we have shown that broccoli fiber conferred some protection to consumption of a high-fat diet and particularly in terms of colon morphology.

Energy-dependent effects of resveratrol in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Madrigal-Perez, Luis Alberto; Canizal-Garcia, Melina; González-Hernández, Juan Carlos; Reynoso-Camacho, Rosalia; Nava, Gerardo M; Ramos-Gomez, Minerva

2016-06-01

The metabolic effects induced by resveratrol have been associated mainly with the consumption of high-calorie diets; however, its effects with standard or low-calorie diets remain unclear. To better understand the interactions between resveratrol and cellular energy levels, we used Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model. Herein it is shown that resveratrol: (a) decreased cell viability in an energy-dependent manner; (b) lessening of cell viability occurred specifically when cells were under cellular respiration; and (c) inhibition of oxygen consumption in state 4 occurred at low and standard energy levels, whereas at high energy levels oxygen consumption was promoted. These findings indicate that the effects of resveratrol are dependent on the cellular energy status and linked to metabolic respiration. Importantly, our study also revealed that S. cerevisiae is a suitable and useful model to elucidate the molecular targets of resveratrol under different nutritional statuses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[Influence of environmental noise on sleep quality and sleeping disorders-implications for health].

PubMed

Kohlhuber, M; Bolte, G

2011-12-01

Environmental noise is a well-known risk factor influencing sleep-wake behavior and sleep quality. Epidemiologic studies have shown that environmental noise is regarded as the most annoying environmental factor. Noise causes modifications in physiologic and mental functions and may result in health outcomes like elevated blood pressure and ischemic heart disease. Reactions to high sound levels during sleep are decreased sleep intensity, arousals, and increased stress hormone secretion. Effects of poor sleep quality are reduced cognitive performance, tiredness, and psychosomatic symptoms. Long-term consequences of recurrent sleep loss due to environmental noise may be heart disease and increased medication intake. Arousals occur especially due to single noise events and intermittent noise. Laboratory and field studies showed no habituation of physiologic parameters to high sound levels. Sleep is especially sensitive to noise; therefore, sound levels during nighttime should be much lower than during daytime.

Childhood Anxiety/Withdrawal, Adolescent Parent-Child Attachment and Later Risk of Depression and Anxiety Disorder

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jakobsen, Ida Skytte; Horwood, L. John; Fergusson, David M.

2012-01-01

Previous research has shown that children with high levels of early anxiety/withdrawal are at increased risk of later anxiety and depression. It has also been found that positive parent-child attachment reduces the risk of these disorders. The aim of this paper was to examine the extent to which positive parent-child attachment acted to mitigate…

Nitric Oxide and Interlukin-6 Levels in Intellectual Disability Adults with Epilepsy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carmeli, Eli; Beiker, Reut; Morad, Mohammed

2009-01-01

Nitric oxide (NO) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) are highly reactive mediators that have been shown to play different roles in a variety of different biological process. The role of NO and IL-6 in the neuropathogenesis of brain seizures is still questionable. In order to evaluate the role of NO and IL-6 in neurological disorders such as seizures, we…

Cooling systems for ultra-high temperature turbines.

PubMed

Yoshida, T

2001-05-01

This paper describes an introduction of research and development activities on steam cooling in gas turbines at elevated temperature of 1500 C and 1700 C level, partially including those on water cooling. Descriptions of a new cooling system that employs heat pipes are also made. From the view point of heat transfer, its promising applicability is shown with experimental data and engine performance numerical evaluation.

Patients’ satisfaction with anatomic polyurethane implants

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

This paper presents patients satisfaction using anatomical polyurethane breast implants. We performed surgery on 525 patients, 370 of which were primary and 155 were secondary to various causes such as capsular contracture, ruptured implants, volume changes, and incorrect positioning of the implant. The advantages of silicone polyurethane covers shown high level of patient satisfaction, low incidence of capsular contracture, and absence of implant rotation, and late seroma. PMID:28497022

It Takes a Community: Civic Life and Community Involvement among Coos County Youth. New England Issue Brief No. 32

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Young, Justin R.

2012-01-01

Among the many notable features of Coos County, New Hampshire, is the region's high level of community engagement and a rich civic culture. Community and Environment in Rural America (CERA) surveys by the Carsey Institute have shown that nearly one-fourth of adults in the community report membership in a civic or fraternal organization, and an…

The Vocational Success of Adults Who Had Been Formerly Labeled as Having Behavioral/Emotional Disabilities in High School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paolotto, Frank

2011-01-01

The focus of this study was the level of vocational success of students who had formerly been labeled as Emotionally Disturbed (ED) during their academic careers. The negative educational experiences of ED students have been shown to have a major effect on their motivation. Thus it is useful to study the interrelated experiences of individuals…

Acid deposition effects on forest composition and growth on the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia

Treesearch

P.E. Elias; J.A. Burger; M.B. Adams

2009-01-01

The northern and central Appalachian forests are subject to high levels of atmospheric acid deposition (AD), which has been shown in some forests to negatively impact forest growth as well as predispose the forest system to damage from secondary stresses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible contribution of AD to changes in composition and...

Magnetic storms and variations in hormone levels among residents of North Polar area - Svalbard

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Breus, Tamara; Zenchenko, Tatiana; Boiko, Evgeni

It was previously shown that magnetic storms lead to an increase in the level of cortisol and noradrenalin in healthy and sick people with cardiovascular diseases [Breus Rapoport. 2003]. However, in the healthy group in the cited study was only 4 people and it seemed that these results need to be checked. In the present work the 4 examinations (January, March, June, October) of large groups of healthy inhabitants of high latitudes (Svalbard, the most northerly in the world year-round inhabited settlements) on the blood levels of adrenal hormones (cortisol) and thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine (T3 ) and thyroxine T4) have been done. The aim was to study the possible sensitivity of these biochemical parameters in three independent groups of people living in this region (men working underground (364 samples), the men working on the ground (274 samples) and women (280 samples)) to variations in external natural factors of high latitudes. For the analysis we used the following parameters of space and terrestrial weather :index of intensity of solar radio emission at a wavelength 10.7sm (RF10.7), planetary geomagnetic activity index - daily Kp index ( Kp) , the daily average Ap index ( Ap) , the maximum per every 3 -hour Kp index ) as well as the daily average indicators of flow rate of galactic cosmic rays neutron component (N), atmospheric pressure ( RATM ) and its rate of change ( the difference between the Ratm today and yesterday ) according to the geophysical station Oulu (Finland , http://cosmicrays.oulu.fi/). The obtained data indicate that the most expressed dependence of the level of studied three hormones is from the level of geomagnetic activity (GMA)-Kp, Ap, Kpmax - 3h. For two of the four seasons (June and October) with increasing levels of GMA a significant (p <0.05) increase in cortisol levels in all three independent groups of people was shown. Amplitude increases in cortisol levels in different groups were about 30% of the observed variation in the average intragroup level in June and from 16% to 38% in October. For T3 dependence found only in June: drop in hormone secretion with increasing levels of GMA from 18 to 30% of the average amplitude of intragroup variations). Thus, we showed for the first time that at high latitudes increase in the level of geomagnetic activity leads to a significant change in the level of secretion of several hormones in residing at high latitudes area healthy individuals, indicating that they revealed the type of adaptive stress reaction in reply on GMA disturbance. 1. Breus T.K. and Rapoport S.I. Magnetic storms. Medico- biological aspects (in Russian), Publ.Co Soviet Sport,.Moscow, 2003, 271p.

How to think about your drink: Action-identification and the relation between mindfulness and dyscontrolled drinking.

PubMed

Schellhas, Laura; Ostafin, Brian D; Palfai, Tibor P; de Jong, Peter J

2016-05-01

Cross-sectional and intervention research have shown that mindfulness is inversely associated with difficulties in controlling alcohol use. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms through which mindfulness is related to increased control over drinking. One potential mechanism consists of the way individuals represent their drinking behaviour. Action identification theory proposes that self-control of behaviour is improved by shifting from high-level representations regarding the meaning of a behaviour to lower-level representations regarding "how-to" aspects of a behaviour. Because mindfulness involves present-moment awareness, it may help to facilitate such shifts. We hypothesized that an inverse relation between mindfulness and dyscontrolled drinking would be partially accounted for by the way individuals mentally represent their drinking behaviour - i.e., reduced levels of high-level action identification and increased levels of low-level action identification. One hundred and twenty five undergraduate psychology students completed self-report measures of mindful awareness, action identification of alcohol use, and difficulty in controlling alcohol use. Results supported the hypothesis that high-level action identification partially mediates the relation between mindfulness and dyscontrolled drinking but did not support a mediating role for low-level action identification. These results suggest that mindfulness can improve self-control of alcohol by changing the way we think about our drinking behaviour. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Spectrocopic measurements of water vapor plasmas at high resolution: The optical transition probabilities for OH (A 2 Sigma - X 2 Pi)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klein, L.

1972-01-01

Emission and absorption spectra of water vapor plasmas generated in a wall-stabilized arc at atmospheric pressure and 4 current, and at 0.03 atm and 15 to 50 A, were measured at high spatial and spectral resolution. The gas temperature was determined from the shape of Doppler-broadened rotational lines of OH. The observed nonequilibrium population distributions over the energy levels of atoms are interpreted in terms of a theoretical state model for diffusion-controlled arc plasmas. Excellent correlation is achieved between measured and predicted occupation of hydrogen energy levels. It is shown that the population distribution over the nonpredissociating rotational-vibrational levels of the A 2 Sigma state of OH is close to an equilibrium distribution at the gas temperature, although the total density of this state is much higher than its equilibrium density. The reduced intensities of the rotational lines originating in these levels yielded Boltzmann plots that were strictly linear.

Natural occurrence of fumonisins in corn from Iran.

PubMed

Shephard, G S; Marasas, W F; Leggott, N L; Yazdanpanah, H; Rahimian, H; Safavi, N

2000-05-01

Corn collected in the Mazandaran and Isfahan Provinces of Iran was analyzed for fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)), fumonisin B(2) (FB(2)), and fumonisin B(3) (FB(3)). The samples from Mazandaran Province, situated on the Caspian littoral of Iran, were random samples from farmers' corn lots collected in September 1998, whereas those from Isfahan Province, situated further south in the center of Iran, were bought as corn cobs in the local retail market during October 1998. All 11 samples from Mazandaran showed high levels of fumonisin contamination with FB(1) levels between 1.270 and 3.980 microg/g, FB(2) levels between 0.190 and 1.175 microg/g, and FB(3) levels between 0.155 and 0.960 microg/g. Samples from Isfahan showed lower levels of contamination with eight of eight samples having detectable FB(1) (0.010-0.590 microg/g), two of eight samples having detectable FB(2) (0.050-0.075 microg/g), and two of eight samples having detectable FB(3) (0.050-0.075 microg/g). This is the first report of fumonisin contamination of corn from Iran, in which samples from the area of high esophageal cancer on the Caspian littoral have been shown to contain high levels of fumonisins.

Pharyngeal pumping inhibition and avoidance by acute exposure to high CO2 levels are both regulated by the BAG neurons via different molecular pathways

PubMed Central

Sharabi, Kfir; Charar, Chayki; Gruenbaum, Yosef

2015-01-01

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a key molecule in many biological processes. Studies in humans, mice, D. melanogaster, C. elegans, unicellular organisms and plants have shed light on the molecular pathways activated by elevated levels of CO2. However, the mechanisms that organisms use to sense and respond to high CO2 levels remain largely unknown. Previous work has shown that C. elegans quickly avoid elevated CO2 levels using mechanisms that involve the BAG, ASE and AFD neurons via cGMP- and calcium- signaling pathways. Here, we discuss our recent finding that exposure of C. elegans to high CO2 levels leads to a very rapid cessation in the contraction of the pharynx muscles. Surprisingly, none of the tested CO2 avoidance mutants affected the rapid pumping inhibition response to elevated CO2 levels. A forward genetic screen identified that the hid-1-mediated pathway of dense core vesicle maturation regulates the pumping inhibition, probably through affecting neuropeptide secretion. Genetic studies and laser ablation experiments showed that the CO2 response of the pharyngeal muscle pumping is regulated by the BAG neurons, the same neurons that mediate CO2 avoidance. PMID:26430557

Super-stretchable metallic interconnects on polymer with a linear strain of up to 100%

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

Arafat, Yeasir; Dutta, Indranath; Panat, Rahul, E-mail: Rahul.panat@wsu.edu

Metal interconnects in flexible and wearable devices are heterogeneous metal-polymer systems that are expected to sustain large deformation without failure. The principal strategy to make strain tolerant interconnect lines on flexible substrates has comprised of creating serpentine structures of metal films with either in-plane or out-of-plane waves, using porous substrates, or using highly ductile materials such as gold. The wavy and helical serpentine patterns preclude high-density packing of interconnect lines on devices, while ductile materials such as Au are cost prohibitive for real world applications. Ductile copper films can be stretched if bonded to the substrate, but show high levelmore » of cracking beyond few tens of % strain. In this paper, we demonstrate a material system consisting of Indium metal film over an elastomer (PDMS) with a discontinuous Cr layer such that the metal interconnect can be stretched to extremely high linear strain (up to 100%) without any visible cracks. Such linear strain in metal interconnects exceeds that reported in literature and is obtained without the use of any geometrical manipulations or porous substrates. Systematic experimentation is carried out to explain the mechanisms that allow the Indium film to sustain the high strain level without failure. The islands forming the discontinuous Cr layer are shown to move apart from each other during stretching without delamination, providing strong adhesion to the Indium film while accommodating the large strain in the system. The Indium film is shown to form surface wrinkles upon release from the large strain, confirming its strong adhesion to PDMS. A model is proposed based upon the observations that can explain the high level of stretch-ability of the Indium metal film over the PDMS substrate.« less

Production-Based Education Model for Improving Technical and Vocational Teachers Ability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saputro, H.; Suharno; Widiastuti, I.; Harjanto, B.

2018-02-01

The vocational high schools (SMK) in Surakarta have applied the Production-Based Education (PBE) in order to improve the student skills. On the other hand, the implementation of PBE model is needed the professional teachers who have the skill qualifications in the production and learning. This study focuses on strengthening of teacher’s behavior related to the implementation of PBE model at vocational high schools in Surakarta, especially on teacher’s Organizational Citizenship Behavior. This research conducted based on the observational research method that employed 134 teachers of SMK Warga Surakarta as respondents. The data of teachers OCB were analyzed by using the descriptive analysis. The result showed that the PBE model had strengthened the teachers OCB at SMK Warga Surakarta. The measurements of OCB level of SMK teachers had shown the high (H) level and some of the teachers’ OCB characters show very high (VH) levels such as altruism and civic virtue. OCB or “good soldier syndrome” could be manifested by the teacher’s interaction at school such as loyalty, volunteering and helping others. Therefore, teacher’s OCB behavior became important due to the organizational effectiveness at vocational high school (SMK).

Is alpha-V 2O 5 a cathode material for Mg insertion batteries?

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

Sa, Niya; Wang, Hao; Proffit, Danielle L.

When designing a high energy density battery, one of the critical features is a high voltage, high capacity cathode material. In the development of Mg batteries, oxide cathodes that can reversibly intercalate Mg, while at the same time being compatible with an electrolyte that can deposit Mg reversibly are rare. Herein, we report the compatibility of Mg anodes with a-V 2O 5 by employing magnesium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide in diglyme electrolytes at very low water levels. Electrolytes that contain a high water level do not reversibly deposit Mg, but interestingly these electrolytes appear to enable much higher capacities for an a-Vmore » 2O 5 cathode. Solid state NMR indicates that the major source of the higher capacity in high water content electrolytes originates from reversible proton insertion. In contrast, we found that lowering the water level of the magnesium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide in diglyme electrolyte is critical to achieve reversible Mg deposition and direct evidence for reversible Mg intercalation is shown. Findings we report here elucidate the role of proton intercalation in water-containing electrolytes and clarify numerous conflicting reports of Mg insertion into a-V 2O 5.« less

A Novel Method of High Accuracy, Wavefront Phase and Amplitude Correction for Coronagraphy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowers, Charles W.; Woodgate, Bruce E.; Lyon, Richard G.

2003-01-01

Detection of extra-solar, and especially terrestrial-like planets, using coronagraphy requires an extremely high level of wavefront correction. For example, the study of Woodruff et al. (2002) has shown that phase uniformity of order 10(exp -4)lambda(rms) must be achieved over the critical range of spatial frequencies to produce the approx. 10(exp 10) contrast needed for the Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF) mission. Correction of wavefront phase errors to this level may be accomplished by using a very high precision deformable mirror (DM). However, not only phase but also amplitude uniformity of the same scale (approx. 10(exp -4)) and over the same spatial frequency range must be simultaneously obtained to remove all residual speckle in the image plane. We present a design for producing simultaneous wavefront phase and amplitude uniformity to high levels from an input wavefront of lower quality. The design uses a dual Michelson interferometer arrangement incorporating two DM and a single, fixed mirror (all at pupils) and two beamsplitters: one with unequal (asymmetric) beam splitting and one with symmetric beam splitting. This design allows high precision correction of both phase and amplitude using DM with relatively coarse steps and permits a simple correction algorithm.

Perturbations to the Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of the Diurnally-Varying Atmospheric Boundary Layer Due to an Extensive Wind Farm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sharma, V.; Parlange, M. B.; Calaf, M.

2017-02-01

The effect of extensive terrestrial wind farms on the spatio-temporal structure of the diurnally-evolving atmospheric boundary layer is explored. High-resolution large-eddy simulations of a realistic diurnal cycle with an embedded wind farm are performed. Simulations are forced by a constant geostrophic velocity with time-varying surface boundary conditions derived from a selected period of the CASES-99 field campaign. Through analysis of the bulk statistics of the flow as a function of height and time, it is shown that extensive wind farms shift the inertial oscillations and the associated nocturnal low-level jet vertically upwards by approximately 200 m; cause a three times stronger stratification between the surface and the rotor-disk region, and as a consequence, delay the formation and growth of the convective boundary layer (CBL) by approximately 2 h. These perturbations are shown to have a direct impact on the potential power output of an extensive wind farm with the displacement of the low-level jet causing lower power output during the night as compared to the day. The low-power regime at night is shown to persist for almost 2 h beyond the morning transition due to the reduced growth of the CBL. It is shown that the wind farm induces a deeper entrainment region with greater entrainment fluxes. Finally, it is found that the diurnally-averaged effective roughness length for wind farms is much lower than the reference value computed theoretically for neutral conditions.

High-purity silicon for solar cell applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dosaj, V. D.; Hunt, L. P.; Schei, A.

1978-01-01

The article discusses the production of solar cells from high-purity silicon. The process consists of reducing the level of impurities in the raw materials, preventing material contamination before and after entering the furnace, and performing orders-of-magnitude reduction of metal impurity concentrations. The high-purity raw materials are considered with reference to carbon reductants, silica, and graphite electrodes. Attention is also given to smelting experiments used to demonstrate, in an experimental-scale furnace, the production of high-purity SoG-Si. It is found that high-purity silicon may be produced from high-purity quartz and chemically purified charcoal in a 50-kVA arc furnace. The major contamination source is shown to be impurities from the carbon reducing materials.

Shuttle payload minimum cost vibroacoustic tests

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stahle, C. V.; Gongloff, H. R.; Young, J. P.; Keegan, W. B.

1977-01-01

This paper is directed toward the development of the methodology needed to evaluate cost effective vibroacoustic test plans for Shuttle Spacelab payloads. Statistical decision theory is used to quantitatively evaluate seven alternate test plans by deriving optimum test levels and the expected cost for each multiple mission payload considered. The results indicate that minimum costs can vary by as much as $6 million for the various test plans. The lowest cost approach eliminates component testing and maintains flight vibration reliability by performing subassembly tests at a relatively high acoustic level. Test plans using system testing or combinations of component and assembly level testing are attractive alternatives. Component testing alone is shown not to be cost effective.

Pretreatment TG/HDL-C Ratio Is Superior to Triacylglycerol Level as an Independent Prognostic Factor for the Survival of Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients.

PubMed

Dai, Danian; Chen, Bo; Wang, Bin; Tang, Hailin; Li, Xing; Zhao, Zhiping; Li, Xuan; Xie, Xiaoming; Wei, Weidong

2016-01-01

Previous studies have reported that the triacylglycerol (TG) level and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are connected with breast cancer. However, the prognostic utility of the TG level and the TG/HDL-C ratio (THR) as conventional biomarkers in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has not been elucidated. In this research, we investigate and compare the predictive value of the pretreatment serum TG level and THR in TNBC patients. We evaluated 221 patients with TNBC who had pretreatment conventional blood biochemical examinations and calculated the THR. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the effect of the TG level and the THR on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The optimal cutoff values of the TG level and the THR were determined to be 0.935 mmol/L and 0.600, respectively. As shown in a Kaplan-Meier analysis, TNBC patients with a high TG level and THR had shorter OS and DFS than patients in the low-level groups ( p < 0.05). The multivariate analysis suggested that the pretreatment THR level is an independent prognostic factor of OS (HR: 1.935; 95%CI: 1.032-3.629; p = 0.040) in TNBC patients. In conclusion, our data indicate that a high THR is an independent predictor and is superior to the TG level for predicting poor clinical outcomes in TNBC patients.

Thai students' mental model of chemical bonding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarawan, Supawadee; Yuenyong, Chokchai

2018-01-01

This Research was finding the viewing about concept of chemical bonding is fundamental to subsequent learning of various other topics related to this concept in chemistry. Any conceptions about atomic structures that students have will be shown their further learning. The purpose of this study is to interviews conceptions held by high school chemistry students about metallic bonding and to reveal mental model of atomic structures show according to the educational level. With this aim, the questionnaire prepared making use of the literature and administered for analysis about mental model of chemical bonding. It was determined from the analysis of answers of questionnaire the 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade students. Finally, each was shown prompts in the form of focus cards derived from curriculum material that showed ways in which the bonding in specific metallic substances had been depicted. Students' responses revealed that learners across all three levels prefer simple, realistic mental models for metallic bonding and reveal to chemical bonding.

Empathy in intimate relationships: the role of positive illusions.

PubMed

Dijkstra, Pieternel; Barelds, Dick P H; Groothof, Hinke A K; van Bruggen, Marnix

2014-10-01

Previous studies have shown empathy to be an important aspect of a high quality intimate relationship. Likewise, positive illusions about a partner's characteristics have been shown to contribute to relationship quality. The present study connects these issues by examining the degree to which individuals hold positive illusions about a partner's level of empathy, and the extent to which these positive illusions are related to relationship quality and adjustment in a sample of 55 couples. Results showed that positive illusions concerning a partner's level of empathy were only held by women. In addition, people's evaluation of relationship quality and adjustment was consistently related to both their own and their partner's positive empathy illusions. Finally, an interaction effect was found between participant sex and the partner effect of positive empathy illusions: the illusions held by the partner (only for men) were related to relationship quality. Results and implications for theory and relationship counseling are discussed. © 2014 Scandinavian Psychological Associations and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Some Interesting Applications of Probabilistic Techiques in Structural Dynamic Analysis of Rocket Engines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, Andrew M.

2014-01-01

Numerical and Analytical methods developed to determine damage accumulation in specific engine components when speed variation included. Dither Life Ratio shown to be well over factor of 2 for specific example. Steady-State assumption shown to be accurate for most turbopump cases, allowing rapid calculation of DLR. If hot-fire speed data unknown, Monte Carlo method developed that uses speed statistics for similar engines. Application of techniques allow analyst to reduce both uncertainty and excess conservatism. High values of DLR could allow previously unacceptable part to pass HCF criteria without redesign. Given benefit and ease of implementation, recommend that any finite life turbomachine component analysis adopt these techniques. Probability Values calculated, compared, and evaluated for several industry-proposed methods for combining random and harmonic loads. Two new excel macros written to calculate combined load for any specific probability level. Closed form Curve fits generated for widely used 3(sigma) and 2(sigma) probability levels. For design of lightweight aerospace components, obtaining accurate, reproducible, statistically meaningful answer critical.

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

Puls, R.W.; Powell, R.M.

R.S. Kerr Environmental Research Laboratory (RSKERL) personnel have evaluated sampling procedures for the collection of representative, accurate, and reproducible ground water quality samples for metals for the past four years. Intensive sampling research at three different field sites has shown that the method by which samples are collected has a greater impact on sample quality, accuracy, and reproducibility than whether the samples are filtered or not. In particular, sample collection practices that induce artifically high levels of turbidity have been shown to have the greatest negative impacts on sample quality. Results indicated the ineffectiveness of bailer for collection of representativemore » metal samples. Inconsistent operator usage together with excessive purging generally resulted in excessive turbidity and large differences in filtered and unfiltered metal samples. The use of low flow rate purging and sampling consistently produced filtered and unfiltered samples that showed no significant differences in concentrations. Turbidity levels were generally less than 5 NTUs, even in fine-textured glacial till. The authors recommend the use of low flow rates, during both purging and sampling.« less

Royal Jelly Reduces Cholesterol Levels, Ameliorates Aβ Pathology and Enhances Neuronal Metabolic Activities in a Rabbit Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

PubMed

Pan, Yongming; Xu, Jianqin; Chen, Cheng; Chen, Fangming; Jin, Ping; Zhu, Keyan; Hu, Chenyue W; You, Mengmeng; Chen, Minli; Hu, Fuliang

2018-01-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ) and neuronal loss. One of the risk factors for AD is high cholesterol levels, which are known to promote Aβ deposition. Previous studies have shown that royal jelly (RJ), a product of worker bees, has potential neuroprotective effects and can attenuate Aβ toxicity. However, little is known about how RJ regulates Aβ formation and its effects on cholesterol levels and neuronal metabolic activities. Here, we investigated whether RJ can reduce cholesterol levels, regulate Aβ levels and enhance neuronal metabolic activities in an AD rabbit model induced by 2% cholesterol diet plus copper drinking water. Our results suggest that RJ significantly reduced the levels of plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and decreased the level of Aβ in rabbit brains. RJ was also shown to markedly ameliorate amyloid deposition in AD rabbits from Aβ immunohistochemistry and thioflavin-T staining. Furthermore, our study suggests that RJ can reduce the expression levels of β-site APP cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and increase the expression levels of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE). In addition, we found that RJ remarkably increased the number of neurons, enhanced antioxidant capacities, inhibited activated-capase-3 protein expression, and enhanced neuronal metabolic activities by increasing N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and glutamate and by reducing choline and myo-inositol in AD rabbits. Taken together, our data demonstrated that RJ could reduce cholesterol levels, regulate Aβ levels and enhance neuronal metabolic activities in AD rabbits, providing preclinical evidence that RJ treatment has the potential to protect neurons and prevent AD.

Effects of Shiitake Intake on Serum Lipids in Rats Fed Different High-Oil or High-Fat Diets.

PubMed

Asada, Norihiko; Kairiku, Rumi; Tobo, Mika; Ono, Akifumi

2018-04-27

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extract, eritadenine, has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, and its hypocholesterolemic actions are involved in the metabolism of methionine. However, the mechanisms by which eritadenine affects cholesterol metabolism in animals fed a high-fat diet containing different sources of lipids have not yet been elucidated in detail. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of shiitake supplementation on serum lipid concentrations in rats fed a diet including a high amount of a plant oil (HO [high oil] and HOS [high oil with shiitake] groups), animal fat (HF [high fat] and HFS [high fat with shiitake] groups), or MCT- (medium-chain triglyceride-) rich plant oil (HM [high MCT] and HMS [high MCT with shiitake] groups). Rats in the HOS, HFS, and HMS groups were fed shiitake. When rats were fed a diet containing shiitake, serum triglyceride, cholesterol levels, and LCAT (lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase) activities were lower in rats given MCT-rich plant oil than in those that consumed lard. The lipid type in the diet with shiitake also affected serum cholesterol levels and LCAT activities. The diet containing MCT-rich plant oil showed the greatest rates of decrease in all serum lipid profiles and LCAT activities. These results suggest that shiitake and MCT-rich plant oil work together to reduce lipid profiles and LCAT activity in serum.

Perceptual assessment of quality of urban soundscapes with combined noise sources and water sounds.

PubMed

Jeon, Jin Yong; Lee, Pyoung Jik; You, Jin; Kang, Jian

2010-03-01

In this study, urban soundscapes containing combined noise sources were evaluated through field surveys and laboratory experiments. The effect of water sounds on masking urban noises was then examined in order to enhance the soundscape perception. Field surveys in 16 urban spaces were conducted through soundwalking to evaluate the annoyance of combined noise sources. Synthesis curves were derived for the relationships between noise levels and the percentage of highly annoyed (%HA) and the percentage of annoyed (%A) for the combined noise sources. Qualitative analysis was also made using semantic scales for evaluating the quality of the soundscape, and it was shown that the perception of acoustic comfort and loudness was strongly related to the annoyance. A laboratory auditory experiment was then conducted in order to quantify the total annoyance caused by road traffic noise and four types of construction noise. It was shown that the annoyance ratings were related to the types of construction noise in combination with road traffic noise and the level of the road traffic noise. Finally, water sounds were determined to be the best sounds to use for enhancing the urban soundscape. The level of the water sounds should be similar to or not less than 3 dB below the level of the urban noises.

Dysbiosis of Inferior Turbinate Microbiota Is Associated with High Total IgE Levels in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis.

PubMed

Hyun, Dong-Wook; Min, Hyun Jin; Kim, Min-Soo; Whon, Tae Woong; Shin, Na-Ri; Kim, Pil Soo; Kim, Hyun Sik; Lee, June Young; Kang, Woorim; Choi, Augustine M K; Yoon, Joo-Heon; Bae, Jin-Woo

2018-04-01

Abnormalities in the human microbiota are associated with the etiology of allergic diseases. Although disease site-specific microbiota may be associated with disease pathophysiology, the role of the nasal microbiota is unclear. We sought to characterize the microbiota of the site of allergic rhinitis, the inferior turbinate, in subjects with allergic rhinitis ( n = 20) and healthy controls ( n = 12) and to examine the relationship of mucosal microbiota with disease occurrence, sensitized allergen number, and allergen-specific and total IgE levels. Microbial dysbiosis correlated significantly with total IgE levels representing combined allergic responses but not with disease occurrence, the number of sensitized allergens, or house dust mite allergen-specific IgE levels. Compared to the populations in individuals with low total IgE levels (group IgE low ), low microbial biodiversity with a high relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum ( Staphylococcus aureus ) and a low relative abundance of Actinobacteria phylum ( Propionibacterium acnes ) was observed in individuals with high total serum IgE levels (group IgE high ). Phylogeny-based microbial functional potential predicted by the 16S rRNA gene indicated an increase in signal transduction-related genes and a decrease in energy metabolism-related genes in group IgE high as shown in the microbial features with atopic and/or inflammatory diseases. Thus, dysbiosis of the inferior turbinate mucosa microbiota, particularly an increase in S. aureus and a decrease in P. acnes , is linked to high total IgE levels in allergic rhinitis, suggesting that inferior turbinate microbiota may be affected by accumulated allergic responses against sensitized allergens and that site-specific microbial alterations play a potential role in disease pathophysiology. Copyright © 2018 American Society for Microbiology.

Potentiometric surface and water-level difference maps of selected confined aquifers in Southern Maryland and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, 1975-2015

USGS Publications Warehouse

Curtin, Stephen E.; Staley, Andrew W.; Andreasen, David C.

2016-01-01

Key Results This report presents potentiometric-surface maps of the Aquia and Magothy aquifers and the Upper Patapsco, Lower Patapsco, and Patuxent aquifer systems using water levels measured during September 2015. Water-level difference maps are also presented for these aquifers. The water-level differences in the Aquia aquifer are shown using groundwater-level data from 1982 and 2015, while the water-level differences are shown for the Magothy aquifer using data from 1975 and 2015. Water-level difference maps for both the Upper Patapsco and Lower Patapsco aquifer systems are shown using data from 1990 and 2015. The water-level differences in the Patuxent aquifer system are shown using groundwater-level data from 2007 and 2015. The potentiometric surface maps show water levels ranging from 53 feet above sea level to 164 feet below sea level in the Aquia aquifer, from 86 feet above sea level to 106 feet below sea level in the Magothy aquifer, from 115 feet above sea level to 115 feet below sea level in the Upper Patapsco aquifer system, from 106 feet above sea level to 194 feet below sea level in the Lower Patapsco aquifer system, and from 165 feet above sea level to 171 feet below sea level in the Patuxent aquifer system. Water levels have declined by as much as 116 feet in the Aquia aquifer since 1982, 99 feet in the Magothy aquifer since 1975, 66 and 83 feet in the Upper Patapsco and Lower Patapsco aquifer systems, respectively, since 1990, and 80 feet in the Patuxent aquifer system since 2007.

Developmental and Cognitive Characteristics of “High-Level Potentialities” (Highly Gifted) Children

PubMed Central

Vaivre-Douret, Laurence

2011-01-01

This study covers the interesting field of the development in gifted children which is often neglected in pediatrics because psychomotor development data are still rare, since “gifted” children are generally noticed towards the end of their primary schooling by IQ measurement. Developmental studies have shown the evidence from several fields that children identified as “high-level potentialities” or “intellectually gifted” develop sensory, locomotor, neuropsychological, and language skills earlier than typically expected. The hypothesis is offered that the earlier development originates from biological processes affecting the physical development of the brain and in turn even intellectual abilities are developed earlier, potentially allowing for advanced development. Further it is discussed how these developmental advances interact with the social environment and in certain circumstances may entail increased risk for developing socioemotional difficulties and learning disabilities that often go unaddressed due to the masking by the advance intellectual abilities. PMID:21977044

Evolving Righteousness in a Corrupt World

PubMed Central

Duéñez-Guzmán, Edgar A.; Sadedin, Suzanne

2012-01-01

Punishment offers a powerful mechanism for the maintenance of cooperation in human and animal societies, but the maintenance of costly punishment itself remains problematic. Game theory has shown that corruption, where punishers can defect without being punished themselves, may sustain cooperation. However, in many human societies and some insect ones, high levels of cooperation coexist with low levels of corruption, and such societies show greater wellbeing than societies with high corruption. Here we show that small payments from cooperators to punishers can destabilize corrupt societies and lead to the spread of punishment without corruption (righteousness). Righteousness can prevail even in the face of persistent power inequalities. The resultant righteous societies are highly stable and have higher wellbeing than corrupt ones. This result may help to explain the persistence of costly punishing behavior, and indicates that corruption is a sub-optimal tool for maintaining cooperation in human societies. PMID:22984510

Examining the extraction of artemisinin from artemisia annua using ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Briars, Rhianna; Paniwnyk, Larysa

2012-05-01

Artemisinin suppresses the life-cycle of the plasmodium parasite which causes malaria. It is found naturally occurring within the trichome glands of the Artemisia annua plant. Traditional methods for extracting artemisinin are time-consuming and have high environmental impact due to the temperatures and organic solvents which must be employed. Ultrasound decreases these through acoustic streaming and micro-jets. But to fully utilise this technology parameters, such as frequency, temperature and the properties of leaf and solvent, must be explored. As with the extraction process there is also no set analysis method for identification of artemisinin. Therefore several methods of analysing these extracts are employed. Initial results indicate that sonication is able to enhance levels of artemisinin extracted when compared to the conventional/traditional extraction process. In addition Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) have been shown to have a high level of reproducible calibration.

High Cell Surface Expression of CD4 Allows Distinction of CD4+CD25+ Antigen-specific Effector T Cells from CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T Cells in Murine Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

PubMed Central

Li, Jinzhu; Ridgway, William; Fathman, C. Garrison; Tse, Harley Y.; Shaw, Michael K.

2008-01-01

Analysis of T regulatory cells (Treg) and T effector cells (Teff) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis is complicated by the fact that both cell types express CD4 and CD25. We demonstrate that encephalitogenic T cells, following antigen recognition, up regulate cell surface expression of CD4. The CD4high sub-population contains all of the antigen response as shown by proliferation and cytokine secretion, and only these cells are capable of transferring EAE to naive animals. On the other hand, a FACS separable CD25+ sub-population of cells displayed consistent levels of CD4 prior to and after antigen stimulation. These cells displayed characteristics of Treg, such as expressing high levels of the Foxp3 gene and the ability to suppress mitogenic T cell responses. PMID:17920698

In-beam spectroscopy of medium- and high-spin states in Ce 133

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

Ayangeakaa, A. D.; Garg, U.; Petrache, C. M.

2016-05-01

Medium and high-spin states in Ce-133 were investigated using the Cd-116(Ne-22, 5n) reaction and the Gammasphere array. The level scheme was extended up to an excitation energy of similar to 22.8 MeV and spin 93/2 (h) over bar. Eleven bands of quadrupole transitions and two new dipole bands are identified. The connections to low-lying states of the previously known, high-spin triaxial bands were firmly established, thus fixing the excitation energy and, in many cases, the spin parity of the levels. Based on comparisons with cranked Nilsson-Strutinsky calculations and tilted axis cranking covariant density functional theory, it is shown that allmore » observed bands are characterized by pronounced triaxiality. Competing multiquasiparticle configurations are found to contribute to a rich variety of collective phenomena in this nucleus.« less

The use of LANDSAT-1 imagery in mapping and managing soil and range resources in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Seevers, P. M. (Principal Investigator); Drew, J. V.

1976-01-01

The author has identified the following significant results. Evaluation of ERTS-1 imagery for the Sand Hills region of Nebraska has shown that the data can be used to effectively measure several parameters of inventory needs. (1) Vegetative biomass can be estimated with a high degree of confidence using computer compatable tape data. (2) Soils can be mapped to the subgroup level with high altitude aircraft color infrared photography and to the association level with multitemporal ERTS-1 imagery. (3) Water quality in Sand Hills lakes can be estimated utilizing computer compatable tape data. (4) Center pivot irrigation can be inventoried from satellite data and can be monitored regarding site selection and relative success of establishment from high altitude aircraft color infrared photography. (5) ERTS-1 data is of exceptional value in wide-area inventory of natural resource data in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska.

Hydrothermal transformations in an aluminophosphate glass matrix containing simulators of high-level radioactive wastes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yudintsev, S. V.; Mal'kovsky, V. I.; Mokhov, A. V.

2016-05-01

The interaction of aluminophosphate glass with water at 95°C for 35 days results in glass heterogenization and in the appearance of a gel layer and various phases. The leaching rate of elements is low owing to the formation of a protective layer on the glass surface. It is shown that over 80% of uranium leached from the glass matrix occurs as colloids below 450 nm in size characterized by high migration ability in the geological environment. To determine the composition of these colloids is a primary task for further studies. Water vapor is a crystallization factor for glasses. The conditions as such may appear even at early stages of glass storage because of the failure of seals on containers of high-level radioactive wastes. The examination of water resistance of crystallized matrices and determination of the fraction of radionuclide in colloids are also subjects for further studies.

The Martian twilight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kahn, R.; Goody, R.; Pollack, J.

1981-01-01

The changing sky brightness during the Martian twilight as measured by the Viking lander cameras is shown to be consistent with data obtained from sky brightness measurements. An exponential distribution of dust with a scale height of 10 km, equal to the atmospheric scale height, is consistent with the shape of the light curve. Multiple scattering resulting from the forward scattering peak of large particles makes a major contribution to the intensity of the twilight. The spectral distribution of light in the twilight sky may require slightly different optical properties for the scattering particles at high levels from those of the aerosol at lower levels.

On the prospects of application and development of solid-state photomultipliers for the task of analog detecting of pulsed optical signals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogdanov, S. V.; Kolobov, N. A.; Levin, E. V.; Pozdnyakov, Y. I.; Shubin, V. E.; Shushakov, D. A.; Sitarsky, K. Yu.; Torgovnikov, R. A.

2018-02-01

In this paper, we analyze the influence of the crosstalk level and the dynamic range on the basic characteristics of a silicon solid-state photomultiplier and demonstrate their importance for detecting of optical signals with backlight illumination, in particular, for LIDAR application. Experimental results obtained in the study of threshold and fluctuation parameters of detectors with different levels of crosstalk and dynamic range are presented. It is shown that the detector design combining a high dynamic range with a small crosstalk gives a noticeable advantage in such applications.

Launch vehicle and power level impacts on electric GEO insertion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oleson, Steven R.; Myers, Roger M.

1996-01-01

Solar Electric Propulsion (SEP) has been shown to increase net geosynchronous spacecraft mass when used for station keeping and final orbit insertion. The impact of launch vehicle selection and power level on the benefits of this approach were examined for 20 and 25 kW systems launched using the Ariane 5, Atlas IIAR, Long March, Proton, and Sea Launch vehicles. Two advanced on-board propulsion technologies, 5 kW ion and Hall thruster systems, were used to establish the relative merits of the technologies and launch vehicles. GaAs solar arrays were assumed. The analysis identifies the optimal starting orbits for the SEP orbit raising/plane changing while considering the impacts of radiation degradation in the Van Allen belts, shading, power degradation, and oblateness. This use of SEP to provide part of the orbit insertion results in net mass increases of 15 - 38% and 18 - 46% for one to two month trip times, respectively, over just using SEP for 15 years of north/south station keeping. SEP technology was shown to have a greater impact on net masses of launch vehicles with higher launch latitudes when avoidance of solar array and payload degradation is desired. This greater impact of SEP could help reduce the plane changing disadvantage of high latitude launch sites. Comparison with results for 10 and 15 kW systems show clear benefits of incremental increases in SEP power level, suggesting that an evolutionary approach to high power SEP for geosynchronous spacecraft is possible.

Single residue AAV capsid mutation improves transduction of photoreceptors in the Abca4-/- mouse and bipolar cells in the rd1 mouse and human retina ex vivo.

PubMed

De Silva, Samantha R; Charbel Issa, Peter; Singh, Mandeep S; Lipinski, Daniel M; Barnea-Cramer, Alona O; Walker, Nathan J; Barnard, Alun R; Hankins, Mark W; MacLaren, Robert E

2016-11-01

Gene therapy using adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for the treatment of retinal degenerations has shown safety and efficacy in clinical trials. However, very high levels of vector expression may be necessary for the treatment of conditions such as Stargardt disease where a dual vector approach is potentially needed, or in optogenetic strategies for end-stage degeneration in order to achieve maximal light sensitivity. In this study, we assessed two vectors with single capsid mutations, rAAV2/2(Y444F) and rAAV2/8(Y733F) in their ability to transduce retina in the Abca4 -/- and rd1 mouse models of retinal degeneration. We noted significantly increased photoreceptor transduction using rAAV2/8(Y733F) in the Abca4 -/- mouse, in contrast to previous work where vectors tested in this model have shown low levels of photoreceptor transduction. Bipolar cell transduction was achieved following subretinal delivery of both vectors in the rd1 mouse, and via intravitreal delivery of rAAV2/2(Y444F). The successful use of rAAV2/8(Y733F) to target bipolar cells was further validated on human tissue using an ex vivo culture system of retinal explants. Capsid mutant AAV vectors transduce human retinal cells and may be particularly suited to treat retinal degenerations in which high levels of transgene expression are required.

Trace element content in tea brewed in traditional metallic and stainless steel teapots.

PubMed

Petit, D; El Houari, W; Jacobs, K; Baeyens, W; Leermakers, M

2013-11-01

The migration of metals in tea brewed in metallic teapots was investigated. The teapots were obtained from North Africa stores in Brussels in 2005-2006 and in 2011. Chinese gunpowder green tea, the most commonly used tea in the Moroccan community, was used to prepare the tea. Tea brewed in metallic teapots was compared to tea brewed in a glass vessel in order to evaluate the contribution of the tea and the teapots to the metal concentrations in the brewed tea. Tea samples were also collected in Moroccan households and in tearooms in Brussels. The elements As, Cd, Pb, Sn, Mn, Fe, Cr, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Al were analyzed by high-resolution sector field inductively coupled mass spectrometry. The relationship between the metal composition of the alloy of the teapot and the metal concentration in tea was also investigated. Migration of Pb and to a lesser amount Ni, Cu, and Zn was observed in brass teapots and migration of Cd from a number of stainless steel teapots was observed. The soldering connecting the sprout to the teapot was shown to be an important source of Pb to the tea. High levels of Mn and Al were also observed in the brewed tea and these elements where shown to originate from the tea itself. Metal exposure from tea drinking was calculated for different tea consumption levels and different metal concentration levels and compared to toxicological reference values.

Effects of Plasma Hydrogenation on Trapping Properties of Dislocations in Heteroepitaxial InP/GaAs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ringel, S. A.; Chatterjee, B.

1994-01-01

In previous work, we have demonstrated the effectiveness of a post-growth hydrogen plasma treatment for passivating the electrical activity of dislocations in metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) grown InP on GaAs substrates by a more than two order of magnitude reduction in deep level concentration and an improvement in reverse bias leakage current by a factor of approx. 20. These results make plasma hydrogenation an extremely promising technique for achieving high efficiency large area and light weight heteroepitaxial InP solar cells for space applications. In this work we investigate the carrier trapping process by dislocations in heteroepitaxial InP/GaAs and the role of hydrogen passivation on this process. It is shown that the charge trapping kinetics of dislocations after hydrogen passivation are significantly altered, approaching point defect-like behavior consistent with a transformation from a high concentration of dislocation-related defect bands within the InP bandgap to a low concentration of individual deep levels after hydrogen passivation. It is further shown that the "apparent" activation energies of dislocation related deep levels, before and after passivation, reduce by approx. 70 meV as DLTS fill pulse times are increased from 1 usec. to 1 msec. A model is proposed which explains these effects based on a reduction of Coulombic interaction between individual core sites along the dislocation cores by hydrogen incorporation. Knowledge of the trapping properties in these specific structures is important to develop optimum, low loss heteroepitaxial InP cells.

Rapid depressurization event analysis in BWR/6 using RELAP5 and contain

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

Mueftueoglu, A.K.; Feltus, M.A.

1995-09-01

Noncondensable gases may become dissolved in Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) water level instrumentation during normal operations. Any dissolved noncondensable gases inside these water columns may come out of solution during rapid depressurization events, and displace water from the reference leg piping resulting in a false high level. These water level errors may cause a delay or failure in actuation, or premature shutdown of the Emergency Core Cooling System. (ECCS). If a rapid depressurization causes an erroneously high water level, preventing automatic ECCS actuation, it becomes important to determine if there would be other adequate indications for operator response and othermore » signals for automatic actuation such as high drywell pressure. It is also important to determine the effect of the level signal on ECCS operation after it is being actuated. The objective of this study is to determine the detailed coupled containment/NSSS response during this rapid depressurization events in BWR/6. The selected scenarios involve: (a) inadvertent opening of all ADS valves, (b) design basis (DB) large break loss of coolant accident (LOCA), and (c) main steam line break (MSLB). The transient behaviors are evaluated in terms of: (a) vessel pressure and collapsed water level response, (b) specific transient boundary conditions, (e.g., scram, MSIV closure timing, feedwater flow, and break blowdown rates), (c) ECCS initiation timing, (d) impact of operator actions, (e) whether indications besides low-low water level were available. The results of the analysis had shown that there would be signals to actuate ECCS other than low reactor level, such as high drywell pressure, low vessel pressure, high suppression pool temperature, and that the plant operators would have significant indications to actuate ECCS.« less

Derivation of an occupational exposure limit (OEL) for methylene chloride based on acute CNS effects and relative potency analysis.

PubMed

Storm, J E; Rozman, K K

1998-06-01

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) methylene chloride Permissible Exposure Level (PEL) or 25 ppm is quantitatively derived from mouse tumor results observed in a high-exposure National Toxicology Program bioassay. Because this approach depends on controversial interspecies and low-dose extrapolations, the PEL itself has stimulated heated debate. Here, an alternative safety assessment for methylene chloride is presented. It is based on an acute human lowest-observed-adverse-effect level (LOAEL) of 200 ppm for subtle central nervous system (CNS) depression. Steep, parallel exposure-response curves for anesthetic and subanesthetic CNS effects associated with compounds mechanistically and structurally related to methylene chloride are shown to support a safety factor of two to account for inter-individual variability in response. LOAEL/no-observed-adverse-effect ratios for subtle CNS effects associated with structurally related solvents are shown to support a safety factor range of two to four to account for uncertainty in identifying a subthreshold exposure level. Anesthetic relative potencies and anesthetic/subanesthetic effect level ratios are shown to be constant for the compounds evaluated, demonstrating that subanesthetic relative potencies are also constant. Relative potencies among similarly derived occupational exposure limits (OELs) for solvents structurally related to methylene chloride are therefore used to validate the derived methylene chloride OEL range of 25-50 ppm. Because this safety assessment is based on human (rather than rodent) data and empirical (rather than theoretical) exposure-response relationships and is supported by relative potency analysis, it is a defensible alternative to to the OSHA risk assessment and should positively contribute to the debate regarding the appropriate basis and value for a methylene chloride PEL.

DEPRESSION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

PubMed Central

Čengič, Badema; Resic, Halıma

2010-01-01

Depression is the most frequent psychological complication of haemodialysis (HD) patients (pts) and has been associated with impaired Quality of Life (QoL). The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of depression in HD pts in relation to sociodemographic factors and the relationship between depression and QoL. 200 pts from Clinic for haemodialysis in Sarajevo, B&H were participating in the study. Mean age was S7,26±13,78 years and mean HD duration was 64’26±58,18 months. From the test material we applied BDI and SF-36. 51% of our pts have shown depression (BDI>11) in various degrees (30%-mild depression, 8,5%-moderate depression and 12,5%-severe depression). As we could expect, the most emphasized symptoms of depression were somatic symptoms. 55,5% of pts have shown QoL lower then average. Sociodemographic data such as gender, marital status and HD duration did not influence significantly on pt’s QoL and occurrence of depression (p>0,05). As the age of the pts increased, level of depression increased too and QoL significantly decreased (p<0,05). Employed pts have shown significantly better QoL and lower level of depression in relation to unemployed pts (p<0,05). As the educational level of pts increased, QoL increased too and level of depression significantly decreased (p<0,05). Pts in 1st HD shift were significantly more depressed and have significantly worse mental health in compare to pts in 3rd HD shift (p<0,05). Our results showed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms among the study group that was linked to trend of poor QoL. PMID:20433436

How do you exercise with epilepsy? Insights into the barriers and adaptations to successfully exercise with epilepsy.

PubMed

Collard, Sarah S; Ellis-Hill, Caroline

2017-05-01

Exercise has been shown to be a physiological and psychological benefit for people with epilepsy (PWE). However, barriers prevent many PWE from exercising safely and confidently. This research explored current perceived barriers to exercise and adaptation techniques used by PWE in order to maintain physical activity levels. Three focus groups (2-3 participants per group) and three semi-structured interviews were conducted (11 participants total). Constructive grounded theory was used to frame the study and analyse the findings, presenting new insight into the motivation, perceived barriers, and adaptation techniques used to exercise. The main motivator to maintain physical activity levels was the benefit of exercise on physical and mental health. This was shown in an increase in mood, higher social interaction, and perceived improvement in overall physical health as a result of exercise. Current barriers to exercise included a fear of injury, lack of social support, and exercise-induced seizures (e.g., through overheating and/or high exercise intensity level). Adaptation techniques used were self-monitoring through the use of technology, reducing exercise frequency and intensity level, and exercising at certain times of the day. The importance of social support was shown to provide increased confidence and positive encouragement to exercise, contrasting with family and friends worrying for his/her safety and medical professionals requesting termination of some physical activities. These findings provide new insight into current adaptation techniques that are used and developed by PWE to overcome common barriers to exercise. These new additions to the literature can lead to further development of such techniques as well as examine current medical professionals' knowledge of the benefits of exercise for PWE. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Myostatin induces insulin resistance via Casitas B-lineage lymphoma b (Cblb)-mediated degradation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) protein in response to high calorie diet intake.

PubMed

Bonala, Sabeera; Lokireddy, Sudarsanareddy; McFarlane, Craig; Patnam, Sreekanth; Sharma, Mridula; Kambadur, Ravi

2014-03-14

To date a plethora of evidence has clearly demonstrated that continued high calorie intake leads to insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes with or without obesity. However, the necessary signals that initiate insulin resistance during high calorie intake remain largely unknown. Our results here show that in response to a regimen of high fat or high glucose diets, Mstn levels were induced in muscle and liver of mice. High glucose- or fat-mediated induction of Mstn was controlled at the level of transcription, as highly conserved carbohydrate response and sterol-responsive (E-box) elements were present in the Mstn promoter and were revealed to be critical for ChREBP (carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein) or SREBP1c (sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c) regulation of Mstn expression. Further molecular analysis suggested that the increased Mstn levels (due to high glucose or fatty acid loading) resulted in increased expression of Cblb in a Smad3-dependent manner. Casitas B-lineage lymphoma b (Cblb) is an ubiquitin E3 ligase that has been shown to specifically degrade insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) protein. Consistent with this, our results revealed that elevated Mstn levels specifically up-regulated Cblb, resulting in enhanced ubiquitin proteasome-mediated degradation of IRS1. In addition, over expression or knock down of Cblb had a major impact on IRS1 and pAkt levels in the presence or absence of insulin. Collectively, these observations strongly suggest that increased glucose levels and high fat diet, both, result in increased circulatory Mstn levels. The increased Mstn in turn is a potent inducer of insulin resistance by degrading IRS1 protein via the E3 ligase, Cblb, in a Smad3-dependent manner.

A-Si Photoreceptors At The Threshold Of Industrial Application

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senske, W.; Marschall, N.

1986-03-01

A-Si has become an attractive alternative for conventional electrophotographic photoreceptors. A-Si photoreceptors have been prepared by other laboratories by plasma deposition with blocking and protection layers. These photoreceptors are highly photosensitive and show low fatigue. Using sputtering we have shown that this technique is capable of produc-ing films with high charge acceptance. The increase of the deposition rate is presently un-der intensive investigation. High rates can be achieved by a higher degree of silane decomposition or by magnetron sputtering together with a higher power level. Deposition rates of more than 20 pm/h have been obtained by both techniques.

Test effectiveness study report: An analytical study of system test effectiveness and reliability growth of three commercial spacecraft programs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feldstein, J. F.

1977-01-01

Failure data from 16 commercial spacecraft were analyzed to evaluate failure trends, reliability growth, and effectiveness of tests. It was shown that the test programs were highly effective in ensuring a high level of in-orbit reliability. There was only a single catastrophic problem in 44 years of in-orbit operation on 12 spacecraft. The results also indicate that in-orbit failure rates are highly correlated with unit and systems test failure rates. The data suggest that test effectiveness estimates can be used to guide the content of a test program to ensure that in-orbit reliability goals are achieved.

Investigation of acoustic and gas dynamic characteristics of strongly swirled turbulent jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krasheninnikov, S. Yu; Maslov, VP; Mironov, AK; Toktaliev, PD

2018-03-01

Generalization of the series of experimental and numerical results for properties and characteristics of swirling jets with high swirling intensity W0>1 is considered. These jets are typically used in gas turbine aviation engines for intensification of mixing process and combustion process stabilization. Flow structures in swirling jets and in the near-field are analyzed. It is shown, that, in the main, the flow structure behind the swirling device can be determined by swirling intensity W 0 and acoustic fluctuations field formed far from the jet boundaries. Experimental measurements and numerical simulation of the noise levels of the highly swirling jet are performed using Ffowcs-Williams-Hawkins analogy. Maximum levels of noise axis are observed at angles of 50°-70° from the jet.

Generating high temperature tolerant transgenic plants: Achievements and challenges.

PubMed

Grover, Anil; Mittal, Dheeraj; Negi, Manisha; Lavania, Dhruv

2013-05-01

Production of plants tolerant to high temperature stress is of immense significance in the light of global warming and climate change. Plant cells respond to high temperature stress by re-programming their genetic machinery for survival and reproduction. High temperature tolerance in transgenic plants has largely been achieved either by over-expressing heat shock protein genes or by altering levels of heat shock factors that regulate expression of heat shock and non-heat shock genes. Apart from heat shock factors, over-expression of other trans-acting factors like DREB2A, bZIP28 and WRKY proteins has proven useful in imparting high temperature tolerance. Besides these, elevating the genetic levels of proteins involved in osmotic adjustment, reactive oxygen species removal, saturation of membrane-associated lipids, photosynthetic reactions, production of polyamines and protein biosynthesis process have yielded positive results in equipping transgenic plants with high temperature tolerance. Cyclic nucleotide gated calcium channel proteins that regulate calcium influxes across the cell membrane have recently been shown to be the key players in induction of high temperature tolerance. The involvement of calmodulins and kinases in activation of heat shock factors has been implicated as an important event in governing high temperature tolerance. Unfilled gaps limiting the production of high temperature tolerant transgenic plants for field level cultivation are discussed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of CALIPSO Cloud Aerosol Discrimination (CAD) Confidence Levels on Observations of Aerosol Properties near Clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yang, Weidong; Marshak, Alexander; Varnai, Tamas; Liu, Zhaoyan

2012-01-01

CALIPSO aerosol backscatter enhancement in the transition zone between clouds and clear sky areas is revisited with particular attention to effects of data selection based on the confidence level of cloud-aerosol discrimination (CAD). The results show that backscatter behavior in the transition zone strongly depends on the CAD confidence level. Higher confidence level data has a flatter backscatter far away from clouds and a much sharper increase near clouds (within 4 km), thus a smaller transition zone. For high confidence level data it is shown that the overall backscatter enhancement is more pronounced for small clear-air segments and horizontally larger clouds. The results suggest that data selection based on CAD reduces the possible effects of cloud contamination when studying aerosol properties in the vicinity of clouds.

Paralysis and pernicious anemia in a young woman.

PubMed

Matrana, Marc R; Gauthier, Carl; Lafaye, Kristina M

2009-01-01

Vitamin B12 is important for normal nervous system functioning, and deficiencies are associated with various neurological abnormalities. We present a case of an 18-year-old woman who presented with significant neurological sequelae, but only mild hematologic abnormalities and normal vitamin B12 levels. She was found to have a moderately increased mean corpuscular volume, a markedly elevated homocysteine level, and a greatly increased methylmalonic acid level. In symptomatic patients it is important for physicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for B12 deficiency despite normal serum levels. The measurement of MMA and homocysteine levels provides much more sensitive tests, but even these tests do not completely rule out a deficiency. Although, the traditional treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency has been intramuscular cobalamin injections, recent studies have shown that oral cobalamin may be as efficacious.

Analysis of DNA Methylation of Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis Under Temperature Stress Using the Methylation Sensitive Amplification Polymorphism (MSAP) Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peng, Chong; Sui, Zhenghong; Zhou, Wei; Hu, Yiyi; Mi, Ping; Jiang, Minjie; Li, Xiaodong; Ruan, Xudong

2018-06-01

Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis is an economically important agarophyte, which contains high quality gel and shows a high growth rate. Wild population of G. lemaneiformis displayed resident divergence, though with a low genetic diversity as was revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) analyses. In addition, different strains of G. lemaneiformis are diverse in morphology. The highly inconsistence between genetic background and physiological characteristics recommends strongly to the regulation at epigenetic level. In this study, the DNA methylation change in G. lemaneiformis among different generation branches and under different temperature stresses was assessed using methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) technique. It was shown that DNA methylation level among different generation branches was diverse. The full and total methylated DNA level was the lowest in the second generation branch and the highest in the third generation. The total methylation level was 61.11%, 60.88% and 64.12% at 15°C, 22°C and 26°C, respectively. Compared with the control group (22°C), the fully methylated and totally methylated ratios were increased in both experiment groups (15°C and 26°C). All of the cytosine methylation/demethylation transform (CMDT) was further analyzed. High temperature treatment could induce more CMDT than low temperature treatment did.

Reward versus Reinforcement Possibilities of the Merit Pay System.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-14

highly idiosyncratic manner, so that a given figure may represent a sufficient wage or bonus for person A and an insufficient wage or bonus for...properties of reinforcers may be stable over certain employee characteristics or job variables. What are these defining charateristics ? Past research...has shown that if members of a group of workers differ on social class or race (Quinn, Staines & McCullough, 1974), educational level (Campbell

Apo-10'-lycopenoic acid, a lycopene 1 metabolite, increases sirtuin 1 mRNA and protein levels and decreases hepatic fat accumulation in ob/ob mice

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Lycopene has been shown to be beneficial in protecting against high-fat diet-induced fatty liver. The recent demonstration that lycopene can be converted by carotene 99,10’-oxygenase into a biologically active metabolite, ALA, led us to propose that the function of lycopene can be mediated by ALA. I...

Center for Thin Film Studies

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-22

highly oriented pyrolitic graphite ( HOPG ) for detailed studies of nucleation and of the development of surface roughness. Using a shadowing technique, we...laser to a temperature of approximately 600’C, a polycrystalline film resulted, as indicated b x-ray diffraction ( XRD ) data shown in Fig. 4. vI Figure 4...stress level rose in films deposited at colder temperatures. Development of second harmonic generation as a technique for evaluation of anisotropy in

Long-Term Mental Health among Low-Income, Minority Women Following Exposure to Multiple Natural Disasters in Early and Late Adolescence Compared to Adulthood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacobs, Marni B.; Harville, Emily W.

2015-01-01

Background: High impact experiences following a natural disaster have been shown to influence later psychopathology. Individual-level factors such as age may also contribute to a disaster's impact on mental health, though it is unclear whether young age confers a protective effect or represents a period of increased risk as compared to adulthood.…

Enzymatic antioxidant system of endotheliocytes.

PubMed

Sharapov, M G; Goncharov, R G; Gordeeva, A E; Novoselov, V I; Antonova, O A; Tikhaze, A K; Lankin, V Z

2016-11-01

It is shown that endothelial cells from human umbilical vein have a reduced activity and gene expression of the "classic" antioxidant enzymes (Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase, catalase, and Se-containing glutathione peroxidase). At the same time, a high expression level of peroxiredoxin genes was identified in the same endothelial cells, which obviously indicates the predominant involvement of these enzymes in protecting the endothelium from the damaging effect of free radical peroxidation.

Genome Sequence of the Mucoromycotina Fungus Umbelopsis isabellina, an Effective Producer of Lipids

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

Takeda, Itaru; Tamano, Koichi; Yamane, Noriko

2014-02-27

Umbelopsis isabellina is a fungus in the subdivision Mucoromycotina, many members of which have been shown to be oleaginous and have become important organisms for producing oil because of their high level of intracellular lipid accumulation from various feedstocks. The genome sequence of U. isabellina NBRC 7884 was determined and annotated, and this information might provide insights into the oleaginous properties of this fungus.

Use of the Rasch Measurement Model to Explore the Relationship between Content Knowledge and Topic-Specific Pedagogical Content Knowledge for Organic Chemistry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davidowitz, Bette; Potgieter, Marietjie

2016-01-01

Research has shown that a high level of content knowledge (CK) is necessary but not sufficient to develop the special knowledge base of expert teachers known as pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). This study contributes towards research to quantify the relationship between CK and PCK in science. In order to determine the proportion of the…

Efficacy of canine influenza virus (H3N8) vaccine to decrease severity of clinical disease after co-challenge with canine influenza virus and Streptococcus equi subsp. Zooepidemicus

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Since first emerging into the North American canine population in 2004, canine influenza virus (CIV) subtype H3N8 has shown horizontal transmission among dogs, with a high level of adaptation to this species. Severity of disease is variable, and co-infection by other respiratory pathogens is an impo...

Chromosome 15q25.1 genetic markers associated with level of response to alcohol in humans.

PubMed

Joslyn, Geoff; Brush, Gerry; Robertson, Margaret; Smith, Tom L; Kalmijn, Jelger; Schuckit, Marc; White, Raymond L

2008-12-23

As with other genetically complex common psychiatric and medical conditions, multiple genetic and environmental components contribute to alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which can confound attempts to identify genetic components. Intermediate phenotypes are often more closely correlated with underlying biology and have often proven invaluable in genetic studies. Level of response (LR) to alcohol is an intermediate phenotype for AUDs, and individuals with a low LR are at increased risk. A high rate of concurrent alcohol and nicotine use and dependence suggests that these conditions may share biochemical and genetic mechanisms. Genetic association studies indicate that a genetic locus, which includes the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 gene cluster, plays a role in nicotine consumption and dependence. Genetic association with alcohol dependence was also recently shown. We show here that two of the markers from the nicotine studies also show an association (multiple testing corrected P < 0.025) with several LR phenotypes in a sample of 367 siblings. Additional markers in the region were analyzed and shown to be located in a 250-kb expanse of high linkage disequilibrium containing three additional genes. These findings indicate that LR intermediate phenotypes have utility in genetic approaches to AUDs and will prove valuable in the identification of other genetic loci conferring susceptibility to AUDs.

High expression of 23 kDa protein of augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) in human hepatocellular carcinoma

PubMed Central

Yu, Hai-Ying; Zhu, Man-Hua; Xiang, Dai-Rong; Li, Jun; Sheng, Ji-Fang

2014-01-01

Background Augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) is an important polypeptide that participates in the process of liver regeneration. Two forms of ALR proteins are expressed in hepatocytes. Previous data have shown that ALR is essential for cell survival and has potential antimetastatic properties in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Aims The study aimed to evaluate the expression levels of two forms of ALR proteins in HCC and their possible significance in HCC development. Methods Balb/c mouse monoclonal antibody against ALR protein was prepared in order to detect the ALR protein in HCC by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. ALR mRNA expression levels were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in HCC tissues and compared to paracancerous liver tissues in 22 HCC patients. Results ALR mRNA expression in HCC liver tissues (1.51×106 copies/μL) was higher than in paracancerous tissues (1.04×104 copies/μL). ALR protein expression was also enhanced in HCC liver tissues. The enhanced ALR protein was shown to be 23 kDa by Western blotting. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the 23 kDa ALR protein mainly existed in the hepatocyte cytosol. Conclusion The 23 kDa ALR protein was highly expressed in HCC and may play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis. PMID:24940072

Energy Efficient High-Pressure Turbine Leakage Technology Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gardner, W. B.

1980-01-01

The leakage test program was one of such supporting technology programs structured to provide guidance to the Energy Efficient Engine High Pressure Turbine Component Design Effort. Leakage reduction techniques were identified and evaluated. Test models were used to simulate component leak paths and to evaluate leakage reduction techniques. These models simulated the blade/disk attachment, the vane inner platform attachment, and the vane outer platform attachment combined with the blade outer airseal. Disk blade attachment testing indicated that leakage in this area could be reduced to very low levels by paying careful attention to the tolerances along the contact surface between the blade vibration damper and the blade platform contact surface. The aim of feather seal testing was to achieve a goal for an effective leakage gap of one mil (.001 inch) per inch of feather seal length. Results indicated that effective gaps even below the goal level were achievable by (1) maintaining close tolerances between feather seals and their slots to minimize end gaps and limit seal rotation, (2) avoiding feather seal overlap, and (3) minimizing feather seal intersections. W seals were shown to be effective leakage control devices. Wire rope, in its present state of development, was shown not to be an effective sealing concept for application to the component design.

TET1-mediated DNA hypomethylation regulates the expression of MUC4 in lung cancer

PubMed Central

Yokoyama, Seiya; Higashi, Michiyo; Tsutsumida, Hideaki; Wakimoto, Jouji; Hamada, Tomofumi; Wiest, Edwin; Matsuo, Kei; Kitazono, Ikumi; Goto, Yuko; Guo, Xin; Hamada, Taiji; Yamada, Sohsuke; Hiraki, Tsubasa; Yonezawa, Suguru; Batra, Surinder K.; Hollingsworth, Michael A.; Tanimoto, Akihide

2017-01-01

Lung cancer remains a disease of high mortality, despite advanced diagnostic techniques. Mucins (MUC) play crucial roles in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion in lung neoplasms. Our immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies have shown that high MUC4 expression correlates with a poor outcome. We have also shown that the expression of several mucin genes in cancer cell lines is regulated by DNA methylation. We evaluated the expression level of MUC4, mRNA and several DNA hypomethylation factors in lung tissue samples from 33 patients with various lung lesions. The results indicated that the DNA methylation status of MUC4 matched the expression level of mRNA. In addition, the TET1 (Ten-Eleven Translocation) mRNA showed a significant correlation with the status of DNA methylation of MUC4. Furthermore, the treatment of a lung cancer cell line with TET1 siRNA caused a reduction in MUC4 mRNA expression. Thus, we suggest that TET1 mediated DNA hypomethylation plays a key role in the expression of MUC4. This is the first report that TET1 mediated DNA hypomethylation regulates the expression of MUC4 in lung cancer. The analysis of these epigenetic changes may be useful for diagnosing carcinogenic risk. PMID:28680536

TET1-mediated DNA hypomethylation regulates the expression of MUC4 in lung cancer.

PubMed

Yokoyama, Seiya; Higashi, Michiyo; Tsutsumida, Hideaki; Wakimoto, Jouji; Hamada, Tomofumi; Wiest, Edwin; Matsuo, Kei; Kitazono, Ikumi; Goto, Yuko; Guo, Xin; Hamada, Taiji; Yamada, Sohsuke; Hiraki, Tsubasa; Yonezawa, Suguru; Batra, Surinder K; Hollingsworth, Michael A; Tanimoto, Akihide

2017-03-01

Lung cancer remains a disease of high mortality, despite advanced diagnostic techniques. Mucins (MUC) play crucial roles in carcinogenesis and tumor invasion in lung neoplasms. Our immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies have shown that high MUC4 expression correlates with a poor outcome. We have also shown that the expression of several mucin genes in cancer cell lines is regulated by DNA methylation. We evaluated the expression level of MUC4, mRNA and several DNA hypomethylation factors in lung tissue samples from 33 patients with various lung lesions. The results indicated that the DNA methylation status of MUC4 matched the expression level of mRNA. In addition, the TET1 (Ten-Eleven Translocation) mRNA showed a significant correlation with the status of DNA methylation of MUC4 . Furthermore, the treatment of a lung cancer cell line with TET1 siRNA caused a reduction in MUC4 mRNA expression. Thus, we suggest that TET1 mediated DNA hypomethylation plays a key role in the expression of MUC4. This is the first report that TET1 mediated DNA hypomethylation regulates the expression of MUC4 in lung cancer. The analysis of these epigenetic changes may be useful for diagnosing carcinogenic risk.

Up-regulation of plakophilin-2 is correlated with the progression of glioma.

PubMed

Zhang, Degeng; Qian, Yuxia; Liu, Xiaoxing; Yu, Hong; Zhao, Niangao; Wu, Zhengdong

2017-06-01

Glioma is the most common type of primary brain tumor in the CNS. Due to its poor prognosis and high mortality rates, it is urgent to find out more effective therapies. Plakophilin-2 (PKP2) is a widespread desmosomal plaque protein. Recently, the important roles of PKP2 in the proliferation and migration of cancer cells and tumor progression has been shown. However, the expression and potential function of PKP2 in glioma was still unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that PKP2 protein expression level was increased in glioma tissues compared with normal brain tissues, and its level was significantly associated with the Ki-67 expression and WHO grade by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Clinically, high PKP2 expression was tightly related to poor prognosis of glioma patients. Interestingly, we found that down-regulated PKP2 expression was shown to inhibit the migration of cells in glioma. Moreover, cell counting kit (CCK)-8 and colony formation analyses proved that reduced expression of PKP2 could weaken glioma cell proliferation. Taken together, these data uncover a potential role for PKP2 in the pathogenic process of glioma, suggesting that PKP2 may be a promising therapeutic target of glioma. © 2017 Japanese Society of Neuropathology.

Aerobic conditioning for team sport athletes.

PubMed

Stone, Nicholas M; Kilding, Andrew E

2009-01-01

Team sport athletes require a high level of aerobic fitness in order to generate and maintain power output during repeated high-intensity efforts and to recover. Research to date suggests that these components can be increased by regularly performing aerobic conditioning. Traditional aerobic conditioning, with minimal changes of direction and no skill component, has been demonstrated to effectively increase aerobic function within a 4- to 10-week period in team sport players. More importantly, traditional aerobic conditioning methods have been shown to increase team sport performance substantially. Many team sports require the upkeep of both aerobic fitness and sport-specific skills during a lengthy competitive season. Classic team sport trainings have been shown to evoke marginal increases/decreases in aerobic fitness. In recent years, aerobic conditioning methods have been designed to allow adequate intensities to be achieved to induce improvements in aerobic fitness whilst incorporating movement-specific and skill-specific tasks, e.g. small-sided games and dribbling circuits. Such 'sport-specific' conditioning methods have been demonstrated to promote increases in aerobic fitness, though careful consideration of player skill levels, current fitness, player numbers, field dimensions, game rules and availability of player encouragement is required. Whilst different conditioning methods appear equivalent in their ability to improve fitness, whether sport-specific conditioning is superior to other methods at improving actual game performance statistics requires further research.

Health risk assessment of environmental selenium: Emerging evidence and challenges

PubMed Central

Vinceti, Marco; Filippini, Tommaso; Cilloni, Silvia; Bargellini, Annalisa; Vergoni, Anna Valeria; Tsatsakis, Aristides; Ferrante, Margherita

2017-01-01

New data have been accumulated in the scientific literature in recent years which allow a more adequate risk assessment of selenium with reference to human health. This new evidence comes from environmental studies, carried out in populations characterized by abnormally high or low selenium intakes, and from high-quality and large randomized controlled trials with selenium recently carried out in the US and in other countries. These trials have consistently shown no beneficial effect on cancer and cardiovascular risk, and have yielded indications of unexpected toxic effects of selenium exposure. Overall, these studies indicate that the minimal amount of environmental selenium which is source of risk to human health is much lower than anticipated on the basis of older studies, since toxic effects were shown at levels of intake as low as around 260 µg/day for organic selenium and around 16 µg/day for inorganic selenium. Conversely, populations with average selenium intake of less than 13–19 µg/day appear to be at risk of a severe cardiomyopathy, Keshan disease. Overall, there is the need to reconsider the selenium standards for dietary intake, drinking water, outdoor and indoor air levels, taking into account the recently discovered adverse health effects of low-dose selenium overexposure, and carefully assessing the significance of selenium-induced proteomic changes. PMID:28339083

Health risk assessment of environmental selenium: Emerging evidence and challenges (Review).

PubMed

Vinceti, Marco; Filippini, Tommaso; Cilloni, Silvia; Bargellini, Annalisa; Vergoni, Anna Valeria; Tsatsakis, Aristides; Ferrante, Margherita

2017-05-01

New data have been accumulated in the scientific literature in recent years which allow a more adequate risk assessment of selenium with reference to human health. This new evidence comes from environmental studies, carried out in populations characterized by abnormally high or low selenium intakes, and from high-quality and large randomized controlled trials with selenium recently carried out in the US and in other countries. These trials have consistently shown no beneficial effect on cancer and cardiovascular risk, and have yielded indications of unexpected toxic effects of selenium exposure. Overall, these studies indicate that the minimal amount of environmental selenium which is source of risk to human health is much lower than anticipated on the basis of older studies, since toxic effects were shown at levels of intake as low as around 260 µg/day for organic selenium and around 16 µg/day for inorganic selenium. Conversely, populations with average selenium intake of less than 13-19 µg/day appear to be at risk of a severe cardiomyopathy, Keshan disease. Overall, there is the need to reconsider the selenium standards for dietary intake, drinking water, outdoor and indoor air levels, taking into account the recently discovered adverse health effects of low-dose selenium overexposure, and carefully assessing the significance of selenium-induced proteomic changes.

Proton MR spectroscopy in the diagnostic evaluation of suspected mitochondrial disease.

PubMed

Lin, Doris D M; Crawford, Thomas O; Barker, Peter B

2003-01-01

Mitochondrial diseases are a group of inherited disorders caused by a derangement of mitochondrial respiration. The clinical manifestations are heterogeneous, and the diagnosis is often based on information acquired from multiple levels of inquiry. MR spectroscopy has previously been shown to help detect an abnormal accumulation of lactate in brain parenchyma and CSF in association with mitochondrial disorders, but the frequency of detection is largely unknown. We sought to examine the frequency of detectable elevations of CNS lactate by proton MR spectroscopy in a population of children and young adults with suspected mitochondrial disease. MR spectroscopy data evaluated for the presence or absence of abnormal brain or CSF lactate were compared with other clinical indicators of mitochondrial dysfunction for 29 patients with suspected mitochondrial disease during the years 1990 to 2000. Based on an independent review of the final diagnoses, the patients were divided into groups based on the probability of mitochondrial disorder. A total of 32 scans from 29 patients were reviewed. Of eight patients thought to have a definitive mitochondrial disorder on the basis of genetic, biochemical, or pathologic features, five were found to have abnormal brain or CSF lactate levels revealed by MR spectroscopy (for one patient in whom two images were acquired, one was negative and the other positive). Among the studies conducted using a multisection spectroscopic imaging technique, five of six showed elevated lactate in the brain parenchyma, six of six showed elevated lactate in the CSF, and five of six showed elevated lactate in both brain and CSF. Of 16 patients who were highly suspected of having mitochondrial disorders on the basis of clinical grounds alone but who were lacking genetic, biochemical, or pathologic confirmation, four had abnormal lactate levels shown by MR spectroscopy. Mitochondrial disorder was excluded for five patients, none of whom had CNS lactate shown by MR spectroscopy. Detection of CNS lactate by MR spectroscopy is useful in the diagnosis of mitochondrial disease. In our series of patients with confirmed mitochondrial disease, a high level of lactate shown by MR spectroscopy correlated well with other markers of mitochondrial disease. As with all other means used to diagnose mitochondrial disorders, MR spectroscopy does not depict elevated lactate in all cases. Abnormal CNS concentrations of lactate may be undetected by MR spectroscopy because of differences in the type of mitochondrial disorder, timing, severity, or location of the affected tissues and the site of interrogation.

Nonlinear viscoelastic characterization of polymer materials using a dynamic-mechanical methodology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strganac, Thomas W.; Payne, Debbie Flowers; Biskup, Bruce A.; Letton, Alan

1995-01-01

Polymer materials retrieved from LDEF exhibit nonlinear constitutive behavior; thus the authors present a method to characterize nonlinear viscoelastic behavior using measurements from dynamic (oscillatory) mechanical tests. Frequency-derived measurements are transformed into time-domain properties providing the capability to predict long term material performance without a lengthy experimentation program. Results are presented for thin-film high-performance polymer materials used in the fabrication of high-altitude scientific balloons. Predictions based upon a linear test and analysis approach are shown to deteriorate for moderate to high stress levels expected for extended applications. Tests verify that nonlinear viscoelastic response is induced by large stresses. Hence, an approach is developed in which the stress-dependent behavior is examined in a manner analogous to modeling temperature-dependent behavior with time-temperature correspondence and superposition principles. The development leads to time-stress correspondence and superposition of measurements obtained through dynamic mechanical tests. Predictions of material behavior using measurements based upon linear and nonlinear approaches are compared with experimental results obtained from traditional creep tests. Excellent agreement is shown for the nonlinear model.

Simulating Effects of High Angle of Attack on Turbofan Engine Performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liu, Yuan; Claus, Russell W.; Litt, Jonathan S.; Guo, Ten-Huei

2013-01-01

A method of investigating the effects of high angle of attack (AOA) flight on turbofan engine performance is presented. The methodology involves combining a suite of diverse simulation tools. Three-dimensional, steady-state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software is used to model the change in performance of a commercial aircraft-type inlet and fan geometry due to various levels of AOA. Parallel compressor theory is then applied to assimilate the CFD data with a zero-dimensional, nonlinear, dynamic turbofan engine model. The combined model shows that high AOA operation degrades fan performance and, thus, negatively impacts compressor stability margins and engine thrust. In addition, the engine response to high AOA conditions is shown to be highly dependent upon the type of control system employed.

Oxidized LDL Is Strictly Limited to Hyperthyroidism Irrespective of Fat Feeding in Female Sprague Dawley Rats.

PubMed

Zelzer, Sieglinde; Mangge, Harald; Pailer, Sabine; Ainoedhofer, Herwig; Kieslinger, Petra; Stojakovic, Tatjana; Scharnagl, Hubert; Prüller, Florian; Weghuber, Daniel; Datz, Christian; Haybaeck, Johannes; Obermayer-Pietsch, Barbara; Trummer, Christian; Gostner, Johanna; Gruber, Hans-Jürgen

2015-05-21

Metabolic dysfunctions might play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of thyroid dysfunctions. This study aimed to investigate the impact of a controlled diet (normal versus high fat feeding) on hypothyroid and hyperthyroid Sprague Dawley rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 66) were grouped into normal diet (n = 30) and high-fat diet (n = 36) groups and subdivided into controls, hypothyroid and hyperthyroid groups, induced through propylthiouracil or triiodothyronine (T3) treatment, respectively. After 12 weeks of treatment metabolic parameters, such as oxidized LDL (oxLDL), malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE), the lipid profile, body weight and food intake parameters were analyzed. Successfully induced thyroid dysfunctions were shown by T3 levels, both under normal and high fat diet. Thyroid dysfunctions were accompanied by changes in calorie intake and body weight as well as in the lipid profile. In detail, hypothyroid rats showed significantly decreased oxLDL levels, whereas hyperthyroid rats showed significantly increased oxLDL levels. These effects were seen under high fat diet and were less pronounced with normal feeding. Taken together, we showed for the first time in female SD rats that only hyper-, but not hypothyroidism, is associated with high atherogenic oxidized LDL irrespective of normal or high-fat diet in Sprague Dawley rats.

Chromium picolinate inhibits cholesterol-induced stimulation of platelet aggregation in hypercholesterolemic rats.

PubMed

Seif, A A

2015-06-01

Hypercholesterolemia indirectly increases the risk of myocardial infarction by enhancing platelet aggregation. Chromium has been shown to lower plasma lipids. This study was designed to investigate whether chromium inhibits platelet aggregation under hypercholesterolemic conditions. Albino rats were divided into four groups: control rats fed with a normolipemic diet (NLD group), chromium-supplemented rats fed with NLD (NLD + Cr group), rats fed with a high-fat diet (HF group), and chromium-supplemented rats fed with HF (HF + Cr group). After 10 weeks, blood was collected to determine adenosine diphosphate and collagen-induced platelet aggregation and plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B, and thromboxane B2. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was calculated by Friedewald formula. High-fat diet animals displayed significant elevation of plasma lipids and platelet aggregation which was normalized to control levels by chromium supplementation. Chromium supplementation in normolipemic (NLD + Cr) rats did not produce significant changes in either plasma lipids or platelet activity. Chromium supplementation to hypercholesterolemic rats improves the lipid profile and returns platelet hyperaggregability to control levels. This normalization is mostly due to a reduction in plasma cholesterol level.

Surface Temperature Measurements from a Stator Vane Doublet in a Turbine Engine Afterburner Flame using Ultra-Bright Cr-Doped GdAlO3 Thermographic Phosphor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eldridge, Jeffrey I.; Jenkins, Thomas P.; Allison, Stephen W.; Wolfe, Douglas E.; Howard, Robert P.

2013-01-01

Luminescence-based surface temperature measurements from an ultra-bright Cr-doped GdAlO3 perovskite (GAP:Cr) coating were successfully conducted on an air-film-cooled stator vane doublet exposed to the afterburner flame of a J85 test engine at University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI). The objective of the testing at UTSI was to demonstrate that reliable thermal barrier coating (TBC) surface temperatures based on luminescence decay of a thermographic phosphor could be obtained from the surface of an actual engine component in an aggressive afterburner flame environment and to address the challenges of a highly radiant background and high velocity gases. A high-pressure turbine vane doublet from a Honeywell TECH7000 turbine engine was coated with a standard electron-beam physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) 200-m-thick TBC composed of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) onto which a 25-m-thick GAP:Cr thermographic phosphor layer was deposited by EB-PVD. The ultra-bright broadband luminescence from the GAP:Cr thermographic phosphor is shown to offer the advantage of over an order-of-magnitude greater emission intensity compared to rare-earth-doped phosphors in the engine test environment. This higher emission intensity was shown to be very desirable for overcoming the necessarily restricted probe light collection solid angle and for achieving high signal-to-background levels. Luminescence-decay-based surface temperature measurements varied from 500 to over 1000C depending on engine operating conditions and level of air film cooling.

Childhood callous-unemotional traits moderate the relation between parenting distress and conduct problems over time.

PubMed

Fanti, Kostas A; Centifanti, Luna C Munoz

2014-01-01

The present short-term longitudinal study examines the bidirectional effects among paternal-reported and maternal-reported involvement, distress and conduct-problems (CP) in children ages 7–12 years with callous-unemotional (CU) traits as a potential moderator. Latent profile analysis revealed four groups: high, moderate, decreasing, and low on CU traits. Findings suggested that children high on CU traits were at higher risk to exhibit CP and were more likely to experience low parental-involvement and high parental-distress compared to children with low, decreasing, and moderate CU traits. Findings from the cross-lagged structural equation model suggested that high levels of CP predicted increases in parenting distress, and this was shown for youth with high levels of CU traits. In turn, parental-reported distress predicted increases in CP for children in the low and decreasing CU groups. A negative bidirectional association between maternal-involvement and CP was also identified. Findings extend cross-sectional research showing parents become distressed by CP behaviors, particularly when accompanied by high CU traits.

Effect of seabed roughness on tidal current turbines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Vikrant; Wan, Minping

2017-11-01

Tidal current turbines are shown to have potential to generate clean energy for a negligible environmental impact. These devices, however, operate in high to moderate current regions where the flow is highly turbulent. It has been shown in flume tank experiments at IFREMER in Boulogne-Sur-Mer (France) and NAFL in the University of Minnesota (US) that the level of turbulence and boundary layer profile affect a turbine's power output and wake characteristics. A major factor that determines these marine flow characteristics is the seabed roughness. Experiments, however, cannot simulate the high Reynolds number conditions of real marine flows. For that, we rely on numerical simulations. High accuracy numerical methods, such as DNS, of wall-bounded flows are very expensive, where the number of grid-points needed to resolve the flow varies as (Re) 9 / 4 (where Re is the flow Reynolds number). While numerically affordable RANS methods compromise on accuracy. Wall-modelled LES methods, which provide both accuracy and affordability, have been improved tremendously in the recent years. We discuss the application of such numerical methods for studying the effect of seabed roughness on marine flow features and their impact on turbine power output and wake characteristics. NSFC, Project Number 11672123.

EEG oscillations entrain their phase to high-level features of speech sound.

PubMed

Zoefel, Benedikt; VanRullen, Rufin

2016-01-01

Phase entrainment of neural oscillations, the brain's adjustment to rhythmic stimulation, is a central component in recent theories of speech comprehension: the alignment between brain oscillations and speech sound improves speech intelligibility. However, phase entrainment to everyday speech sound could also be explained by oscillations passively following the low-level periodicities (e.g., in sound amplitude and spectral content) of auditory stimulation-and not by an adjustment to the speech rhythm per se. Recently, using novel speech/noise mixture stimuli, we have shown that behavioral performance can entrain to speech sound even when high-level features (including phonetic information) are not accompanied by fluctuations in sound amplitude and spectral content. In the present study, we report that neural phase entrainment might underlie our behavioral findings. We observed phase-locking between electroencephalogram (EEG) and speech sound in response not only to original (unprocessed) speech but also to our constructed "high-level" speech/noise mixture stimuli. Phase entrainment to original speech and speech/noise sound did not differ in the degree of entrainment, but rather in the actual phase difference between EEG signal and sound. Phase entrainment was not abolished when speech/noise stimuli were presented in reverse (which disrupts semantic processing), indicating that acoustic (rather than linguistic) high-level features play a major role in the observed neural entrainment. Our results provide further evidence for phase entrainment as a potential mechanism underlying speech processing and segmentation, and for the involvement of high-level processes in the adjustment to the rhythm of speech. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of soluble CD30 as an immunologic marker in heart transplant recipients.

PubMed

Spiridon, C; Hunt, J; Mack, M; Rosenthal, J; Anderson, A; Eichhorn, E; Magee, M; Dewey, T; Currier, M; Nikaein, A

2006-12-01

CD30 is an immunologic molecule that belongs to the TNF-R superfamily. CD30 serves as a T-cell signal transducing molecule that is expressed by a subset of activated T lymphocytes, CD45RO+ memory T cells. Augmentation of soluble CD30 during kidney transplant rejection has been reported. Our study sought to determine whether the level of sCD30 prior to heart transplant could categorize patients into high versus low immunologic risk for a poor outcome. A significant correlation was observed between high levels of soluble CD30 and a reduced incidence of infection. None of the 35 patients with high pretransplant levels of sCD30 level (>90 U/mL) developed infections posttransplantation. However, 9 of 65 patients who had low levels of sCD30 (<90 U/mL) developed infections posttransplantation (P < .02). No remarkable differences were noted among the other clinical parameters. The results also showed that the high-definition flow-bead (HDB) assay detected both weak and strong class I and class II HLA antibodies, some of which (weak class II HLA Abs) were undetectable by the anti-human globulin cytotoxicity method. In addition, more antibody specificities were detected by HDB. In conclusion, we have observed that high levels of sCD30 prior to heart transplant may be associated with greater immunologic ability and therefore produce a protective effect on the development of infection post heart transplant. We have also shown that the HDB assay is superior to the visual cytotoxicity method to detect HLA antibodies, especially those to class II HLA antigens.

The Human Exposure Potential from Propylene Releases to the Environment

PubMed Central

Morgott, David A.

2018-01-01

A detailed literature search was performed to assess the sources, magnitudes and extent of human inhalation exposure to propylene. Exposure evaluations were performed at both the community and occupational levels for those living or working in different environments. The results revealed a multitude of pyrogenic, biogenic and anthropogenic emission sources. Pyrogenic sources, including biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion, appear to be the primary contributors to atmospheric propylene. Despite a very short atmospheric lifetime, measurable levels could be detected in highly remote locations as a result of biogenic release. The indoor/outdoor ratio for propylene has been shown to range from about 2 to 3 in non-smoking homes, which indicates that residential sources may be the largest contributor to the overall exposure for those not occupationally exposed. In homes where smoking takes place, the levels may be up to thirty times higher than non-smoking residences. Atmospheric levels in most rural regions are typically below 2 ppbv, whereas the values in urban levels are much more variable ranging as high as 10 ppbv. Somewhat elevated propylene exposures may also occur in the workplace; especially for firefighters or refinery plant operators who may encounter levels up to about 10 ppmv. PMID:29300328

Elevated glucose levels in early puerperium, and association with high cortisol levels during parturition.

PubMed

Risberg, Anitha; Sjöquist, Mats; Wedenberg, Kaj; Larsson, Anders

2016-07-01

Background Gestational diabetes is one of the commonest metabolic problems associated with pregnancy and an accurate diagnosis is critical for the care. Research has shown that pregnant women have high levels of cortisol during the last stage of parturition. As cortisol is a diabetogenic hormone causing increased glucose levels, we wanted to study the association between cortisol and glucose levels during parturition. Materials and methods Glucose and cortisol were analyzed during parturition in 50 females divided according to slow (n = 11) and normal labors (n = 39). Blood samples were analyzed three times during the parturition and four times in the first day after delivery. Glucose levels were also measured once in each trimester. Results In the normal group, the glucose concentration increased from 6.2 (IQR 5.6-8.0) mmol/L in the latency phase to 11.6 (10.0-13.3) mmol/L at aftercare (p < 0.05). After parturition the glucose concentrations decreased gradually. There were significant Spearman rank correlations between glucose and cortisol values. Conclusions The changes associated with birth cause significant elevations of cortisol and glucose around parturition.

Obesity explains gender differences in the association between education level and metabolic syndrome in South Korea: the results from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010.

PubMed

Ko, Ki Dong; Cho, BeLong; Lee, Won Chul; Lee, Hae Won; Lee, Hyun Ki; Oh, Bum Jo

2015-03-01

This study aimed to examine the association of educational level with metabolic syndrome (MS) and its risk factors by gender in South Korea. A total of 6178 participants aged 20 years or older from The Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in this study. A generalized linear model and adjusted proportion were used to identify educational disparities in MS, its components, and its risk factors (smoking, high-risk alcohol consumption, obesity, and stress). In women, a clearly inverse association between education level and MS were observed with significant trend, and the decreasing trends of all risk factors across education quartiles were in line with the inverse association. However, the association between education level and MS was not observed with a significant trend among men. An opposite trend of risk factors across education levels was shown in men, with an increasing trend for obesity and decreasing trends for smoking and high-risk alcohol consumption. These findings demonstrate that obesity can explain gender differences in the association between education level and MS in South Korea. © 2013 APJPH.

A randomized controlled trial of a new treatment for labor dystocia.

PubMed

Wiberg-Itzel, Eva; Wray, Susan; Åkerud, Helena

2018-09-01

Labor dystocia is an intransigent, high-profile issue in obstetric care. Amniotic fluid lactate (AFL) reflects the uterine metabolic status. High levels associate with subsequent need for operative intervention due to dystocia. In sports medicine, it is known that lactic acid can affect muscular performance and can be decreased by bicarbonate given orally before physical activity. Two hundred dystocic deliveries were included. At the confirmation of dystocia, the AFL-level was analyzed. Deliveries were randomized to an intake of bicarbonate or not. In the "non-bicarbonate-group", stimulation with oxytocin was started immediately. In the "bicarbonate-group", bicarbonate was given; and oxytocin was started 1 hour after the intake. New sampling of AF was performed after 1 hour in both groups. if an oral intake of bicarbonate changes the AFL levels and enhances delivery outcome in dystocic deliveries. Bicarbonate decreases the AFL levels (p < .001). The spontaneous vaginal delivery rate after treatment with bicarbonate was increased (p = .007), without affecting the fetal outcome. An increase of spontaneous vaginal deliveries resulted from bicarbonate ingestion by dystocic women. A decreased level of AFL-level was shown. This simple, low cost treatment has the potential to improve maternal morbidity and satisfaction worldwide.

Variability in rainfall over tropical Australia during summer and relationships with the Bilybara High

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reason, C. J. C.

2018-04-01

Variability in summer rainfall over tropical Australia, defined here as that part of the continent north of 25° S, and its linkages with regional circulation are examined. In particular, relationships with the mid-level anticyclone (termed the Bilybara High) that exists over the northwestern Australia/Timor Sea region between August and April are considered. This High forms to the southwest of the upper-level anticyclone via a balance between the upper-level divergence over the region of tropical precipitation maximum and planetary vorticity advection and moves south and strengthens during the spring and summer. It is shown that variations in the strength and position of the Bilybara High are related to anomalies in precipitation and temperature over large parts of tropical Australia as well as some areas in the south and southeast of the landmass. Some of the interannual variations in the High are related to ENSO, but there are also a number of neutral years with large anomalies in the High and hence in rainfall. On decadal time scales, a strong relationship exists between the leading mode of tropical Australian rainfall and the Bilybara High. On both interannual and decadal scales, the relationships between the High and the regional rainfall involve changes in the monsoonal northwesterlies blowing towards northern Australia, and further south, in the easterly trade winds over the region.

High-Density Lipoprotein, Lecithin: Cholesterol Acyltransferase, and Atherosclerosis

PubMed Central

Ossoli, Alice; Pavanello, Chiara

2016-01-01

Epidemiological data clearly show the existence of a strong inverse correlation between plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations and the incidence of coronary heart disease. This relation is explained by a number of atheroprotective properties of HDL, first of all the ability to promote macrophage cholesterol transport. HDL are highly heterogeneous and are continuously remodeled in plasma thanks to the action of a number of proteins and enzymes. Among them, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) plays a crucial role, being the only enzyme able to esterify cholesterol within lipoproteins. LCAT is synthetized by the liver and it has been thought to play a major role in reverse cholesterol transport and in atheroprotection. However, data from animal studies, as well as human studies, have shown contradictory results. Increased LCAT concentrations are associated with increased HDL-C levels but not necessarily with atheroprotection. On the other side, decreased LCAT concentration and activity are associated with decreased HDL-C levels but not with increased atherosclerosis. These contradictory results confirm that HDL-C levels per se do not represent the functionality of the HDL system. PMID:27302716

Household and school-level influences on smoking behavior among Korean adolescents: a multilevel analysis.

PubMed

Heo, Jongho; Oh, Juhwan; Subramanian, S V; Kawachi, Ichiro

2014-01-01

Trends in adolescent smoking rates in South Korea have not shown substantial progress due to a lack of effective anti-smoking interventions and policies in school settings. We examined individual- and school-level determinants of adolescent smoking behavior (ever smoking, current smoking, and daily smoking) using the nationally representative fifth Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey conducted in 2009. We found that students in coeducation schools or vocational high schools had greater risks of smoking for each type of smoking behavior than those in single-sex schools or general high schools, respectively even after controlling for individual-level factors. Higher family affluence and higher weekly allowances were associated with greater risks of ever smoking, current smoking and daily smoking even after controlling for parental education and other confounders. Whilst caution is required in interpreting results given the cross-sectional nature of the study, our findings suggest that in addition to raising the price of cigarettes, youth anti-smoking interventions in South Korea may benefit from focusing on coeducation schools and vocational high schools.

Mission Assessment of the Faraday Accelerator with Radio-frequency Assisted Discharge (FARAD)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dankanich, John W.; Polzin, Kurt A.

2008-01-01

Pulsed inductive thrusters have typically been considered for future, high-power, missions requiring nuclear electric propulsion. These high-power systems, while promising equivalent or improved performance over state-of-the-art propulsion systems, presently have no planned missions for which they are well suited. The ability to efficiently operate an inductive thruster at lower energy and power levels may provide inductive thrusters near term applicability and mission pull. The Faraday Accelerator with Radio-frequency Assisted Discharge concept demonstrated potential for a high-efficiency, low-energy pulsed inductive thruster. The added benefits of energy recapture and/or pulse compression are shown to enhance the performance of the pulsed inductive propulsion system, yielding a system that con compete with and potentially outperform current state-of-the-art electric propulsion technologies. These enhancements lead to mission-level benefits associated with the use of a pulsed inductive thruster. Analyses of low-power near to mid-term missions and higher power far-term missions are undertaken to compare the performance of pulsed inductive thrusters with that delivered by state-of-the-art and development-level electric propulsion systems.

Biological Based Risk Assessment for Space Exploration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cucinotta, Francis A.

2011-01-01

Exposures from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) - made up of high-energy protons and high-energy and charge (HZE) nuclei, and solar particle events (SPEs) - comprised largely of low- to medium-energy protons are the primary health concern for astronauts for long-term space missions. Experimental studies have shown that HZE nuclei produce both qualitative and quantitative differences in biological effects compared to terrestrial radiation, making risk assessments for cancer and degenerative risks, such as central nervous system effects and heart disease, highly uncertain. The goal for space radiation protection at NASA is to be able to reduce the uncertainties in risk assessments for Mars exploration to be small enough to ensure acceptable levels of risks are not exceeded and to adequately assess the efficacy of mitigation measures such as shielding or biological countermeasures. We review the recent BEIR VII and UNSCEAR-2006 models of cancer risks and their uncertainties. These models are shown to have an inherent 2-fold uncertainty as defined by ratio of the 95% percent confidence level to the mean projection, even before radiation quality is considered. In order to overcome the uncertainties in these models, new approaches to risk assessment are warranted. We consider new computational biology approaches to modeling cancer risks. A basic program of research that includes stochastic descriptions of the physics and chemistry of radiation tracks and biochemistry of metabolic pathways, to emerging biological understanding of cellular and tissue modifications leading to cancer is described.

Stereotype threat in classroom settings: the interactive effect of domain identification, task difficulty and stereotype threat on female students' maths performance.

PubMed

Keller, Johannes

2007-06-01

Stereotype threat research revealed that negative stereotypes can disrupt the performance of persons targeted by such stereotypes. This paper contributes to stereotype threat research by providing evidence that domain identification and the difficulty level of test items moderate stereotype threat effects on female students' maths performance. The study was designed to test theoretical ideas derived from stereotype threat theory and assumptions outlined in the Yerkes-Dodson law proposing a nonlinear relationship between arousal, task difficulty and performance. Participants were 108 high school students attending secondary schools. Participants worked on a test comprising maths problems of different difficulty levels. Half of the participants learned that the test had been shown to produce gender differences (stereotype threat). The other half learned that the test had been shown not to produce gender differences (no threat). The degree to which participants identify with the domain of maths was included as a quasi-experimental factor. Maths-identified female students showed performance decrements under conditions of stereotype threat. Moreover, the stereotype threat manipulation had different effects on low and high domain identifiers' performance depending on test item difficulty. On difficult items, low identifiers showed higher performance under threat (vs. no threat) whereas the reverse was true in high identifiers. This interaction effect did not emerge on easy items. Domain identification and test item difficulty are two important factors that need to be considered in the attempt to understand the impact of stereotype threat on performance.

Extraversion Is a Mediator of Gelotophobia: A Study of Autism Spectrum Disorder and the Big Five.

PubMed

Tsai, Meng-Ning; Wu, Ching-Lin; Tseng, Lei-Pin; An, Chih-Pei; Chen, Hsueh-Chih

2018-01-01

Previous research has shown that individuals with autism are frequently mocked in their childhood and are consequently more anxious about being ridiculed. Research has also shown that autistic individuals have a higher level of gelotophobia (fear of being laughed at) compared to typically developed individuals. However, recent studies have also found that gelotophobia is strongly related to personality, which suggests that personality is a factor that helps to create a higher level of gelotophobia in autistic individuals. To investigate whether this is the case, we recruited 279 Taiwanese high school students, 123 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 156 typically developed students as a control group. Self-reporting questionnaires were used to gather data on the Big Five personality traits and on the gelotophobia-related traits of gelotophobia, gelotophilia, and katagelasticism. The results were analyzed and the two groups were compared for differences in gelotophobia and personality. The ASD group was found to have a higher level of gelotophobia than the typically developed group, but lower levels of gelotophilia and katagelasticism. Additionally, the ASD group was found to have lower levels of extraversion and agreeableness than the typically developed group, but no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of conscientiousness, openness, and emotional stability. We then investigated the possible correlations between gelotophobia-related traits and the Big Five, and consequently the mediation effect of the Big Five on gelotophobia. The results show, firstly, that extraversion rather than ASD is a direct factor in gelotophobia. Secondly, the level of gelotophilia was partly influenced by autism but also to a certain extent by the level of extraversion. Lastly, the results indicate that autism and the level of agreeableness are in conflict when predicting the level of katagelasticism.

Development of techniques for the analysis of isoflavones in soy foods and nutraceuticals.

PubMed

Dentith, Susan; Lockwood, Brian

2008-05-01

For over 20 years, soy isoflavones have been investigated for their ability to prevent a wide range of cancers and cardiovascular problems, and numerous other disease states. This research is underpinned by the ability of researchers to analyse isoflavones in various forms in a range of raw materials and biological fluids. This review summarizes the techniques recently used in their analysis. The speed of high performance liquid chromatography analysis has been improved, allowing analysis of more samples, and increasing the sensitivity of detection techniques allows quantification of isoflavones down to nanomoles per litre levels in biological fluids. The combination of high-performance liquid chromatography with immunoassay has allowed identification and estimation of low-level soy isoflavones. The use of soy isoflavone supplements has shown an increase in their circulating levels in plasma and urine, aiding investigation of their biological effects. The significance of the metabolite equol has spurned research into new areas, and recently the specific enantiomers have been studied. High-performance liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography are widely used with a range of detection systems. Increasingly, immunoassay is being used because of its high sensitivity and low cost.

Do Inequalities in Neighborhood Walkability Drive Disparities in Older Adults' Outdoor Walking?

PubMed

Zandieh, Razieh; Flacke, Johannes; Martinez, Javier; Jones, Phil; van Maarseveen, Martin

2017-07-07

Older residents of high-deprivation areas walk less than those of low-deprivation areas. Previous research has shown that neighborhood built environment may support and encourage outdoor walking. The extent to which the built environment supports and encourages walking is called "walkability". This study examines inequalities in neighborhood walkability in high- versus low-deprivation areas and their possible influences on disparities in older adults' outdoor walking levels. For this purpose, it focuses on specific neighborhood built environment attributes (residential density, land-use mix and intensity, street connectivity, and retail density) relevant to neighborhood walkability. It applied a mixed-method approach, included 173 participants (≥65 years), and used a Geographic Information System (GIS) and walking interviews (with a sub-sample) to objectively and subjectively measure neighborhood built environment attributes. Outdoor walking levels were measured by using the Geographic Positioning System (GPS) technology. Data on personal characteristics was collected by completing a questionnaire. The results show that inequalities in certain land-use intensity (i.e., green spaces, recreation centers, schools and industries) in high- versus low-deprivation areas may influence disparities in older adults' outdoor walking levels. Modifying neighborhood land use intensity may help to encourage outdoor walking in high-deprivation areas.

Nonstationary EO/IR Clutter Suppression and Dim Object Tracking

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tartakovsky, A.; Brown, A.; Brown, J.

2010-09-01

We develop and evaluate the performance of advanced algorithms which provide significantly improved capabilities for automated detection and tracking of ballistic and flying dim objects in the presence of highly structured intense clutter. Applications include ballistic missile early warning, midcourse tracking, trajectory prediction, and resident space object detection and tracking. The set of algorithms include, in particular, adaptive spatiotemporal clutter estimation-suppression and nonlinear filtering-based multiple-object track-before-detect. These algorithms are suitable for integration into geostationary, highly elliptical, or low earth orbit scanning or staring sensor suites, and are based on data-driven processing that adapts to real-world clutter backgrounds, including celestial, earth limb, or terrestrial clutter. In many scenarios of interest, e.g., for highly elliptic and, especially, low earth orbits, the resulting clutter is highly nonstationary, providing a significant challenge for clutter suppression to or below sensor noise levels, which is essential for dim object detection and tracking. We demonstrate the success of the developed algorithms using semi-synthetic and real data. In particular, our algorithms are shown to be capable of detecting and tracking point objects with signal-to-clutter levels down to 1/1000 and signal-to-noise levels down to 1/4.

Interactions of dietary calcium with toxic levels of lead and zinc in pigs

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

Hsu, F.A.; Krook, L.; Pond, W.G.

1975-01-01

Twenty-four weanling Yorkshire pigs were used in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine their response to high levels of dietary lead (Pb) (1000 ppm) and zinc (Zn) (4000 ppm) (as lead acetate and zinc oxide), to investigate the influence of high dietary calcium (Ca) (1.1%) on the biochemical and morphological manifestations of Pb and Zn toxicity, and to determine the effect of excess Zn on Pb toxicity. Clinical signs of Pb toxicity included behavioral changes, lameness, and anorexia. Pb content of blood, soft tissues, and bone was increased markedly by 1000 ppm Pb inmore » the diet during the 13-week experiment. Zn and Pb fed together, as compared with Pb alone, tended to increase Pb levels in blood, soft tissues, and bone and to enhance the toxic effects of Pb as shown by reduced weight gains, severe clinical signs, and pathological changes. High Ca reduced blood and bone Zn and Pb concentrations. The results indicate that high dietary Ca has a protective effect against the adverse effects of diet Pb and Zn, and that Zn aggravates Pb toxicity in growing pigs.« less

Solar ultraviolet radiation measurements in one of the most populous cities of the world: aspects related to skin cancer cases and vitamin D availability.

PubMed

de Paula Corrêa, Marcelo; Ceballos, Juan Carlos

2010-01-01

A number of studies published in the scientific literature have shown the relationship between sun exposure and nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and vitamin D synthesis. However, the paucity of medical data, particularly in developing countries, hampers a global assessment of the impact of sun exposure on NMSC and vitamin D. To improve knowledge on this subject, this paper presents UV index (UVI) measurements performed in São Paulo City (SPC) in the period 2005-2008. It was found that 65% of the UVI measured 2 h around local noon during the summer show very high (8 < UVI < 10) and extreme (UVI > 11) levels according to the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. During the winter, 40% of the measurements around noontime show high or very high levels. In spite of worrisome recent statistics from SPC, showing that NMSCs make up about 28% of over a million of new cases of cancer in 2008, sun protection is not considered a real problem in these urban areas. UV measurements also show that every month of the year UV levels are high enough to ensure vitamin D production in human skin from incidental sun exposure.

Clinical implication of elevated human cervical cancer oncogene-1 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Liu, Ying; Li, Ke; Ren, Zhonghai; Li, Shenglei; Zhang, Hongyan; Fan, Qingxia

2012-07-01

The human cervical cancer oncogene 1 (HCCR-1), a novel human oncoprotein, has been shown to be upregulated in various human tumors and plays a critical role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Here, the authors investigated HCCR-1 level in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues and assessed the correlation between HCCR-1 level and prognosis of the patients with ESCC. HCCR-1 levels were investigated by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting methods; Kaplan-Meier curve was used to evaluate the prognostic value of HCCR-1 level in patients with ESCC using log-rank test. HCCR-1 displayed high levels in ESCC tissues compared to squamous dysplasia tissues and normal esophageal epithelial tissues. No significant correlation was observed between the levels of HCCR-1 mRNA and protein and gender and age (all p>0.05) but obviously related to histological grade, clinical stage, and lymph node metastasis (all p<0.001). Moreover, the survival rate of the patients with low HCCR-1 levels was higher than that of the patients with high HCCR-1 levels (both p<0.05). These data demonstrate that HCCR-1 may be used as a novel predictor for the prognosis of the patients with ESCC.

High efficiency power generation from coal and wastes utilizing high temperature air combustion technology (Part 1: Performance of pebble bed gasifier for coal and wastes)

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

Kosaka, Hitoshi; Iwahashi, Takashi; Yoshida, Nobuhiro

1998-07-01

A new concept of a gasifier for coal and wastes is proposed where entrained bed and fixed pebble bed are combined. Main features of this pebble bed gasifier are high efficiency molten slag capture, high efficiency gasification and compactness. Coal and RFD combustion experiments using the pebble bed gasifier demonstrated high efficiency capture and continuous extraction of molten slag as well as complete char combustion with extra ordinarily short residence time of pulverized coal and crushed RDF at the temperature level of about 1,500 C within the pebble bed. Durability tests using high temperature electric furnace has shown that highmore » density alumna is a good candidate for pebble material.« less

Spatial Heterogeneity as a Genetic Mixing Mechanism in Highly Philopatric Colonial Seabirds

PubMed Central

Cristofari, Robin; Trucchi, Emiliano; Whittington, Jason D.; Vigetta, Stéphanie; Gachot-Neveu, Hélène; Stenseth, Nils Christian; Le Maho, Yvon; Le Bohec, Céline

2015-01-01

How genetic diversity is maintained in philopatric colonial systems remains unclear, and understanding the dynamic balance of philopatry and dispersal at all spatial scales is essential to the study of the evolution of coloniality. In the King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus, return rates of post-fledging chicks to their natal sub-colony are remarkably high. Empirical studies have shown that adults return year after year to their previous breeding territories within a radius of a few meters. Yet, little reliable data are available on intra- and inter-colonial dispersal in this species. Here, we present the first fine-scale study of the genetic structure in a king penguin colony in the Crozet Archipelago. Samples were collected from individual chicks and analysed at 8 microsatellite loci. Precise geolocation data of hatching sites and selective pressures associated with habitat features were recorded for all sampling locations. We found that despite strong natal and breeding site fidelity, king penguins retain a high degree of panmixia and genetic diversity. Yet, genetic structure appears markedly heterogeneous across the colony, with higher-than-expected inbreeding levels, and local inbreeding and relatedness hotspots that overlap predicted higher-quality nesting locations. This points towards heterogeneous population structure at the sub-colony level, in which fine-scale environmental features drive local philopatric behaviour, while lower-quality patches may act as genetic mixing mechanisms at the colony level. These findings show how a lack of global genetic structuring can emerge from small-scale heterogeneity in ecological parameters, as opposed to the classical model of homogeneous dispersal. Our results also emphasize the importance of sampling design for estimation of population parameters in colonial seabirds, as at high spatial resolution, basic genetic features are shown to be location-dependent. Finally, this study stresses the importance of understanding intra-colonial dispersal and genetic mixing mechanisms in order to better estimate species-wide gene flows and population dynamics. PMID:25680103

Spatial heterogeneity as a genetic mixing mechanism in highly philopatric colonial seabirds.

PubMed

Cristofari, Robin; Trucchi, Emiliano; Whittington, Jason D; Vigetta, Stéphanie; Gachot-Neveu, Hélène; Stenseth, Nils Christian; Le Maho, Yvon; Le Bohec, Céline

2015-01-01

How genetic diversity is maintained in philopatric colonial systems remains unclear, and understanding the dynamic balance of philopatry and dispersal at all spatial scales is essential to the study of the evolution of coloniality. In the King penguin, Aptenodytes patagonicus, return rates of post-fledging chicks to their natal sub-colony are remarkably high. Empirical studies have shown that adults return year after year to their previous breeding territories within a radius of a few meters. Yet, little reliable data are available on intra- and inter-colonial dispersal in this species. Here, we present the first fine-scale study of the genetic structure in a king penguin colony in the Crozet Archipelago. Samples were collected from individual chicks and analysed at 8 microsatellite loci. Precise geolocation data of hatching sites and selective pressures associated with habitat features were recorded for all sampling locations. We found that despite strong natal and breeding site fidelity, king penguins retain a high degree of panmixia and genetic diversity. Yet, genetic structure appears markedly heterogeneous across the colony, with higher-than-expected inbreeding levels, and local inbreeding and relatedness hotspots that overlap predicted higher-quality nesting locations. This points towards heterogeneous population structure at the sub-colony level, in which fine-scale environmental features drive local philopatric behaviour, while lower-quality patches may act as genetic mixing mechanisms at the colony level. These findings show how a lack of global genetic structuring can emerge from small-scale heterogeneity in ecological parameters, as opposed to the classical model of homogeneous dispersal. Our results also emphasize the importance of sampling design for estimation of population parameters in colonial seabirds, as at high spatial resolution, basic genetic features are shown to be location-dependent. Finally, this study stresses the importance of understanding intra-colonial dispersal and genetic mixing mechanisms in order to better estimate species-wide gene flows and population dynamics.

Diet as a Trigger or Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

PubMed

Lewis, James D; Abreu, Maria T

2017-02-01

The most common question asked by patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is, "Doctor, what should I eat?" Findings from epidemiology studies have indicated that diets high in animal fat and low in fruits and vegetables are the most common pattern associated with an increased risk of IBD. Low levels of vitamin D also appear to be a risk factor for IBD. In murine models, diets high in fat, especially saturated animal fats, also increase inflammation, whereas supplementation with omega 3 long-chain fatty acids protect against intestinal inflammation. Unfortunately, omega 3 supplements have not been shown to decrease the risk of relapse in patients with Crohn's disease. Dietary intervention studies have shown that enteral therapy, with defined formula diets, helps children with Crohn's disease and reduces inflammation and dysbiosis. Although fiber supplements have not been shown definitively to benefit patients with IBD, soluble fiber is the best way to generate short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, which has anti-inflammatory effects. Addition of vitamin D and curcumin has been shown to increase the efficacy of IBD therapy. There is compelling evidence from animal models that emulsifiers in processed foods increase risk for IBD. We discuss current knowledge about popular diets, including the specific carbohydrate diet and diet low in fermentable oligo-, di-, and monosaccharides and polyols. We present findings from clinical and basic science studies to help gastroenterologists navigate diet as it relates to the management of IBD. Copyright © 2017 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Deformation localization and dislocation channel dynamics in neutron-irradiated austenitic stainless steels

DOE PAGES

Gussev, Maxim N.; Field, Kevin G.; Busby, Jeremy T.

2015-02-24

We investigated dynamics of deformation localization and dislocation channel formation in situ in a neutron irradiated AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel and a model 304-based austenitic alloy by combining several analytical techniques including optic microscopy and laser confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Channel formation was observed at 70% of the formal tensile yield stress for both alloys. It was shown that triple junction points do not always serve as a source of dislocation channels; at stress levels below the yield stress, channels often formed near the middle of the grain boundary. For amore » single grain, the role of elastic stiffness value (Young modulus) in the channel formation was analyzed; it was shown that in the irradiated 304 steels the initial channels appeared in soft grains with a high Schmid factor located near stiff grains with high elastic stiffness. Moreover, the spatial organization of channels in a single grain was analyzed; it was shown that secondary channels operating in the same slip plane as primary channels often appeared at the middle or at one third of the way between primary channels. The twinning nature of dislocation channels was analyzed for grains of different orientation using TEM. Finally, it was shown that in the AISI 304 steel, channels were twin-free in grains oriented close to [001] and [101] of standard unit triangle; [111]-grains and grains oriented close to Schmid factor maximum contained deformation twins.« less

Protection against β-amyloid neurotoxicity by a non-toxic endogenous N-terminal β-amyloid fragment and its active hexapeptide core sequence.

PubMed

Forest, Kelly H; Alfulaij, Naghum; Arora, Komal; Taketa, Ruth; Sherrin, Tessi; Todorovic, Cedomir; Lawrence, James L M; Yoshikawa, Gene T; Ng, Ho-Leung; Hruby, Victor J; Nichols, Robert A

2018-01-01

High levels (μM) of beta amyloid (Aβ) oligomers are known to trigger neurotoxic effects, leading to synaptic impairment, behavioral deficits, and apoptotic cell death. The hydrophobic C-terminal domain of Aβ, together with sequences critical for oligomer formation, is essential for this neurotoxicity. However, Aβ at low levels (pM-nM) has been shown to function as a positive neuromodulator and this activity resides in the hydrophilic N-terminal domain of Aβ. An N-terminal Aβ fragment (1-15/16), found in cerebrospinal fluid, was also shown to be a highly active neuromodulator and to reverse Aβ-induced impairments of long-term potentiation. Here, we show the impact of this N-terminal Aβ fragment and a shorter hexapeptide core sequence in the Aβ fragment (Aβcore: 10-15) to protect or reverse Aβ-induced neuronal toxicity, fear memory deficits and apoptotic death. The neuroprotective effects of the N-terminal Aβ fragment and Aβcore on Aβ-induced changes in mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and apoptotic neuronal death were demonstrated via mitochondrial membrane potential, live reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation and cell survival assays using a model neuroblastoma cell line (differentiated NG108-15) and mouse hippocampal neuron cultures. The protective action of the N-terminal Aβ fragment and Aβcore against spatial memory processing deficits in amyloid precursor protein/PSEN1 (5XFAD) mice was demonstrated in contextual fear conditioning. Stabilized derivatives of the N-terminal Aβcore were also shown to be fully protective against Aβ-triggered oxidative stress. Together, these findings indicate an endogenous neuroprotective role for the N-terminal Aβ fragment, while active stabilized N-terminal Aβcore derivatives offer the potential for therapeutic application. © 2017 International Society for Neurochemistry.

Occupational exposure to endotoxins and lung cancer risk: results of the ICARE Study

PubMed Central

Ben Khedher, Soumaya; Neri, Monica; Guida, Florence; Matrat, Mireille; Cenée, Sylvie; Sanchez, Marie; Menvielle, Gwenn; Molinié, Florence; Luce, Danièle; Stücker, Isabelle

2017-01-01

Objectives To investigate the role of occupational exposure to endotoxins in lung cancer in a French population-based case–control study (ICARE (Investigation of occupational and environmental causes of respiratory cancers)). Methods Detailed information was collected on the occupational history and smoking habits from 2926 patients with histologically confirmed lung cancer and 3555 matched controls. We evaluated each subject’s endotoxin exposure after cross referencing International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) codes (for job tasks) and Nomenclature d'Activités Françaises (NAF) codes (for activity sectors). Endotoxin exposure levels were attributed to each work environment based on literature reports. ORs and 95% CIs were estimated using unconditional logistic regression models and controlled for main confounding factors. Results An inverse association between exposure to endotoxins and lung cancer was found (OR=0.80, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.95). Negative trends were shown with duration and cumulative exposure, and the risk was decreased decades after exposure cessation (all statistically significant). Lung cancer risk was particularly reduced among workers highly exposed (eg, in dairy, cattle, poultry, pig farms), but also in those weakly exposed (eg, in waste treatment). Statistically significant interactions were shown with smoking, and never/light smokers were more sensitive to an endotoxin effect than heavy smokers (eg, OR=0.14, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.32 and OR=0.80, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.40, respectively, for the quartiles with the highest cumulative exposure, compared with those never exposed). Pronounced inverse associations were shown with adenocarcinoma histological subtype (OR=0.37, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.55 in the highly exposed). Conclusions Our findings suggest that exposure to endotoxins, even at a low level, reduces the risk of lung cancer. PMID:28490662

High-speed AFM and the reduction of tip-sample forces

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miles, Mervyn; Sharma, Ravi; Picco, Loren

High-speed DC-mode AFM has been shown to be routinely capable of imaging at video rate, and, if required, at over 1000 frames per second. At sufficiently high tip-sample velocities in ambient conditions, the tip lifts off the sample surface in a superlubricity process which reduces the level of shear forces imposed on the sample by the tip and therefore reduces the potential damage and distortion of the sample being imaged. High-frequency mechanical oscillations, both lateral and vertical, have been reported to reduced the tip-sample frictional forces. We have investigated the effect of combining linear high-speed scanning with these small amplitude high-frequency oscillations with the aim of reducing further the force interaction in high-speed imaging. Examples of this new version of high-speed AFM imaging will be presented for biological samples.

Consequences of sea level variability and sea level rise for Cuban territory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hernández, M.; Martínez, C. A.; Marzo, O.

2015-03-01

The objective of the present paper was to determine a first approximation of coastal zone flooding by 2100, taking into account the more persistent processes of sea level variability and non-accelerated linear sea level rise estimation to assess the main impacts. The annual linear rate of mean sea level rise in the Cuban archipelago, obtained from the longest tide gauge records, has fluctuated between 0.005 cm/year at Casilda and 0.214 cm/year at Siboney. The main sea level rise effects for the Cuban coastal zone due to climate change and global warming are shown. Monthly and annual mean sea level anomalies, some of which are similar to or higher than the mean sea level rise estimated for halfway through the present century, reinforce the inland seawater penetration due to the semi-daily high tide. The combination of these different events will result in the loss of goods and services, and require expensive investments for adaption.

Uncertainty Analysis for the Evaluation of a Passive Runway Arresting System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Deloach, Richard; Marlowe, Jill M.; Yager, Thomas J.

2009-01-01

This paper considers the stopping distance of an aircraft involved in a runway overrun incident when the runway has been provided with an extension comprised of a material engineered to induce high levels of rolling friction and drag. A formula for stopping distance is derived that is shown to be the product of a known formula for the case of friction without drag, and a dimensionless constant between 0 and 1 that quantifies the further reduction in stopping distance when drag is introduced. This additional quantity, identified as the Drag Reduction Factor, D, is shown to depend on the ratio of drag force to friction force experienced by the aircraft as it enters the overrun area. The specific functional form of D is shown to depend on how drag varies with speed. A detailed uncertainty analysis is presented which reveals how the uncertainty in estimates of stopping distance are influenced by experimental error in the force measurements that are acquired in a typical evaluation experiment conducted to assess candidate overrun materials.

Prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Their Associations with Job Stress in Female Caregivers Living in South Korea.

PubMed

Roh, Hyolyun; Lee, Daehee; Kim, Yongjae

2014-05-01

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the work-related musculoskeletal system symptoms and the extent of job stress in female caregivers, as well as the interrelationship between these factors. [Subjects and Methods] Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) Code H-43 of the Guidelines for the Examination of Elements Harmful to the Musculoskeletal System was used as a tool to measure musculoskeletal symptoms. Caregiver job stress was assessed from the Korean Occupational Stress Scale short form. [Results] The level of symptoms in the hand/wrist/finger and leg/foot regions had some relation to job stress. Job stress scores were mainly shown to be high when pain was reported. On the other hand, it was shown that the degree of musculoskeletal symptoms by body part was unrelated to conflicts in relationships, job instability, or workplace culture. [Conclusion] As for the correlations between musculoskeletal symptoms and job stress, it was shown that as job requirements increased, most musculoskeletal symptoms also increased.

Treatment of Electronic Energy Level Transition and Ionization Following the Particle-Based Chemistry Model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Liechty, Derek S.; Lewis, Mark

2010-01-01

A new method of treating electronic energy level transitions as well as linking ionization to electronic energy levels is proposed following the particle-based chemistry model of Bird. Although the use of electronic energy levels and ionization reactions in DSMC are not new ideas, the current method of selecting what level to transition to, how to reproduce transition rates, and the linking of the electronic energy levels to ionization are, to the author s knowledge, novel concepts. The resulting equilibrium temperatures are shown to remain constant, and the electronic energy level distributions are shown to reproduce the Boltzmann distribution. The electronic energy level transition rates and ionization rates due to electron impacts are shown to reproduce theoretical and measured rates. The rates due to heavy particle impacts, while not as favorable as the electron impact rates, compare favorably to values from the literature. Thus, these new extensions to the particle-based chemistry model of Bird provide an accurate method for predicting electronic energy level transition and ionization rates in gases.

Accurate Wavelength Measurement of High-Energy Gamma Rays from the 35Cl(n,{gamma}) Reactions

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

Belgya, T.; Molnar, G.L.; Mutti, P.

2005-05-24

The energies of eight gamma rays in the 36Cl level scheme have been measured with high precision using the 35Cl(n,{gamma}) reaction and the GAMS4 spectrometer. From these energies, a skeleton decay scheme for 36Cl was constructed, and the binding energy of 36Cl was determined to higher precision than previously. It is shown that using this new information, binding energy determination from Ge detector experiments for other nuclei can also be made with higher precision than now available. The measurement of additional weaker 36Cl gamma rays is continuing.

Changes in atmospheric CO2 - Influence of the marine biota at high latitude

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Knox, F.; Mcelroy, M. B.

1984-01-01

Approximately half of the nitrogen and phosphorus entering deep waters of the contemporary ocean are transported from the surface in inorganic form as preformed nutrients. A simple model for ocean chemistry is presented and shown to account for the present level of atmospheric CO2. Fluctuations in preformed nutrients, modulated by changes in insolation and circulation at high latitudes, can result in significant variations in CO2. It is suggested that these changes may account for the apparent control on climate exercised by secular variations in the orbital parameters of the earth.

Situational Factors Associated With Burnout Among Emergency Department Nurses.

PubMed

Rozo, Jose Andres; Olson, DaiWai M; Thu, Hlaing Sue; Stutzman, Sonja E

2017-06-01

Emergency departments are high-stress environments for patients and clinicians. As part of the clinical team, nurses experience this stress daily and are subject to high levels of burnout, which has been shown to lead to hypertension, depression, and anxiety. Presence of these diseases may also contribute to burnout, creating a cycle of stress and illness. This prospective qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to better understand factors associated with burnout among emergency department nurses. Burnout manifests itself in multiple modes, can affect nurses' decisions to leave the profession, and must be addressed to mitigate the phenomenon.

[OPEN FIELD BEHAVIOR AS A PREDICTIVE CRITERIA REFLECTING RATS CORTICOSTERONELEVEL BEFORE AND AFTER STRESS].

PubMed

Umriukhin, P E; Grigorchuk, O S

2015-12-01

In the presented study we investigated the possibility to use the open field behavior data for prediction of corticosterone level in rat blood plasma before and after stress. It is shown that the most reliable open field behavior parameters, reflecting high probability of significant upregulation of corticosterone after 3 hours of immobilization, are the short latency of first movement and low locomotor activity during the test. Rats with high corticosterone at normal non-stress conditions are characterized by low locomotor activity and on the contrary long latency period for the entrance of open field center.

Stabilization of flat aromatic Si6 rings analogous to benzene: ab initio theoretical prediction.

PubMed

Zdetsis, Aristides D

2007-12-07

It is shown by ab initio calculations, based on density functional (DFT/B3LYP), and high level coupled-cluster [CCSD(T)] and quadratic CI [QCISD(T)] methods, that flat aromatic silicon structures analogous to benzene (C6H6) can be stabilized in the presence of lithium. The resulting planar Si6Li6 structure is both stable and aromatic, sharing many key characteristics with benzene. To facilitate possible synthesis and characterization of these species, routes of formation with high exothermicity are suggested and several spectral properties (including optical absorption, infrared, and Raman) are calculated.

A Prototype Scintillating-Fibre Tracker for the Cosmic-ray Muon Tomography of Legacy Nuclear Waste Containers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaiser, R.; Clarkson, A.; Hamilton, D. J.; Hoek, M.; Ireland, D. G.; Johnston, J. R.; Keri, T.; Lumsden, S.; Mahon, D. F.; McKinnon, B.; Murray, M.; Nutbeam-Tuffs, S.; Shearer, C.; Staines, C.; Yang, G.; Zimmerman, C.

2014-03-01

Cosmic-ray muons are highly-penetrative charged particles observed at sea level with a flux of approximately 1 cm-2 min-1. They interact with matter primarily through Coulomb scattering which can be exploited in muon tomography to image objects within industrial nuclear waste containers. This paper presents the prototype scintillating-fibre detector developed for this application at the University of Glasgow. Experimental results taken with test objects are shown in comparison to results from GEANT4 simulations. These results verify the simulation and show discrimination between the low, medium and high-Z materials imaged.

Statistical analysis of vibration in tyres

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le Bot, Alain; Bazari, Zakia; Klein, Philippe; Lelong, Joël

2017-03-01

The vibration in tyres submitted to random forces in the contact zone is investigated with the model of prestressed orthotropic plate on visco-elastic foundation. It is shown that beyond a cut-on frequency a single wave propagates whose speed is directional-dependent. A systematic numerical exploration of the governing equation solutions shows that three regimes may exist in such plates. These are modal field, diffuse field and free field. For actual tyres which present a high level of damping, the passage from low to high frequencies generally explores the modal and free field regimes but not the diffuse field regime.

High voltage pulse ignition of mercury discharge hollow cathodes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wintucky, E. G.

1973-01-01

A high voltage pulse generated by a capacitor discharge into a step-up transformer has been demonstrated capable of consistently igniting hollow cathode mercury discharges at propellant flows and heater power levels much below those required by conventional cathode starting. Results are presented for 3.2-mm diameter enclosed and open keeper cathodes. Starting characteristics are shown to depend on keeper voltage, mercury flow rate, heater power, keeper orifice size, emissive materials, and electrode to which the pulse is applied. This starting technique has been used to start a cathode over 10,000 times without any degradation of starting capability.

Py4Syn: Python for synchrotrons.

PubMed

Slepicka, H H; Canova, H F; Beniz, D B; Piton, J R

2015-09-01

In this report, Py4Syn, an open-source Python-based library for data acquisition, device manipulation, scan routines and other helper functions, is presented. Driven by easy-to-use and scalability ideals, Py4Syn offers control system agnostic solution and high customization level for scans and data output, covering distinct techniques and facilities. Here, most of the library functionalities are described, examples of use are shown and ideas for future implementations are presented.

The Integrative Studies of Genetic and Environmental Factors in Systemic Sclerosis

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-05-01

nucleolus and the nucleoplasm, but is enriched in the nucleolus where there is a high level of transcription and replication of the ribosomal DNA (6,7...residues. Sumoylation of topo I has been shown to facilitate its movement between the nucleolus and the nucleoplasm (8-10). The purpose of this...strong nucleoplasm staining (multiple speckles) compared to normal fibroblasts in which topo I staining showed normal enrichment in the nucleolus

Understanding the Impact of Having a Military Father with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on Adolescent Children

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-10-01

have mental health , in the same way that we all have physical health . We worry about our physical fitness probably now more than we ever have before...families where the father does not have PTSD. Initial analyses have shown a moderately high level of adolescent mental health problems (approximately...Military Families, Adolescents, Mental Health , Emotional Wellbeing, Family Functioning, Natural Language Processing 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17